6 Tips for Making "Cents" of Couponing

By Becky J. Beall

By now, you should be in the habit of buying Sunday papers to get all those wonderful coupons, and hopefully you’ve been turned on and tuned in to how much money you can save each week. I wanted to share some more couponing habits that will turn coupons into money in your household!

1.     Learn the lingo. BOGO means buy one get one. If someone says the coupon can be found in SS0622 that refers to your Sunday paper inserts Smart Source June 22 (remember I said write the date on the front page in Sharpie?). Likewise RP means Red Plum and PG means Proctor & Gamble. These are the ones you will see over and over.

2.     As you begin to stock up on things that are on sale and have coupons attached, you’ll start to change your shopping habits. Learn to shop for what’s on sale with coupons so you don’t run out and have to buy it at full price.

3.     Don’t panic if you miss a sale. Sale cycles are typically about every eight weeks. This will not be the only time for peanut butter to be on sale.

4.     There is a fabulous couponing blogsite that I follow and I want to introduce you to it as well. SouthernSavers.com is up-to-date on sales and gives you a heads up for what’s coming as well. Under the grocery store tab, I follow Publix because their BOGO Free sales combined with coupons simply cannot be beat.

5.     Think outside the box. CVS has an ExtraCare Card for shoppers that basically is a customer loyalty card. It is available at the register for no cost and you need to show it every time you make a purchase. You can earn ExtraCare Bucks (ECB) on certain items each week (you can see these items in their ad and on Southern Savers). The ECB can be spent on almost anything (exclusions are listed on their website and the ad, but almost anything). So let’s say toothpaste is on sale for $2.99 and you have a $1 off coupon making it $1.99 and they are offering a $2 ECB on that item. Remember to show your card first, then do your transaction, then coupons, then pay and your ECB will print on the bottom of your receipt. You can turn around and use the ECB to buy milk which is an item that rarely has a coupon. HINT: Southern Savers has a beginners guide to shopping at CVS video when you click the drugstore tab and then CVS. Good info!

6.     Relax and have fun. Learn in small doses so you don’t burn out. Saving money is easy and fun!

I hope you are learning something each week. I’m having fun watching you learn! Happy couponing!

Keep Home Safe While You're On Vacation

By Becky Beall

Vacation and traveling are times of excitement in most households, but that can quickly be brought to an abrupt ending when disaster strikes back home. It is so important to take adequate precautions when leaving your home unattended for any length of time. Below are some of my best tips for avoiding dangerous and disastrous situations while you are away.

• Turn off appliances and unplug electronics – you do not want to leave an opportunity for something to catch fire (faulty switches and sockets are a MAJOR cause of fires) and it saves a bit of electricity.

• Clean out the fridge! Who wants to come home to a stinky pile of leftovers and expired milk?

• Lock all windows and doors, especially double check sliding glass doors and secure with a broom handle or piece of wood for extra security. Most people leave a random door unlocked for emergencies so double check ALL windows and doors.

• Do NOT leave a spare key anywhere on the outside of your home. People know to look inside planters and under door mats.

• Stop your mail and paper service until you return.

• If you will be gone for an extended period, arrange for someone to cut the grass and keep up the appearance of someone being home.

• Have a neighbor take the trash receptacles to the street and return to their resting place in a timely manner.

• Store your values in a safety deposit box or safe within the home. Don’t leave them out for a thief to help himself to.

• Put lights and television on a timer so they will periodically come on and go off. This is a big deterrent for unwanted guests.

• Adjust the thermostat to a temperature that is a little warmer (in the summer) and a little cooler (in the winter) than you normally keep it to avoid large electric and gas bills while you are away.

• If you live in an extremely cold climate, turn off the water when you leave. If the electricity goes out while you’re gone, the pipes won’t freeze and burst. No one wants to come home to a flooded house!

• Take care of your furry friends! Cats are great at surviving on their own with lots of food and water left available. Continuously feeding water and food bowls are a great resource for them. Board dogs or have someone dependable check on them regularly.

• Talk to a “trusted” neighbor, let them know when you are leaving and returning, leave a spare key with them and an emergency phone number. Also, have them be on the lookout for “strange” activity…such as big trucks pulling up, anyone at the door, ask them to pick up any packages left by UPS, FedEx, etc.

• Do NOT broadcast to the world through social media that your entire family will be gone for two weeks to Europe! Everyone online is NOT YOUR FRIEND.

Use common sense. This isn’t rocket science! It is very common to get so caught up in the hype of preparing for vacation that we simply forget the necessities of preparing our homes for us to be away. A few minutes following these tips can save lots of money, time and danger.

For more travel tips, deals and info, check out www.thetravelvoicebybecky.com. 

Find Relaxation in Mexico Beach!

By Becky J. Beall

Searching for an off-the-beaten-path beach destination this summer or fall, where days are lazy, beaches are crowd-free, views are unobstructed and sunsets are amazing? Let me introduce you to my new-found love – Mexico Beach, Florida.

Mexico Beach is a quaint little seaside community situated in the southernmost part of the Florida Panhandle about 30 minutes or so to the east of Panama City. This unique five-mile beach town sits directly on the Gulf of Mexico close to the mouth of St. Joseph Bay. It is reminiscent of “Old Florida” with only a two-lane highway, no traffic lights and the absence of chain restaurants, shopping malls and high rises.

What to do…

Mexico Beach embraces a laid back ambiance where vacationers can do nothing at all or load up an agenda with a shelling tour, fishing expedition, water recreation, biking, shopping, golf or other activities. Sea shells are plentiful on the shoreline or take a charter boat to Crooked Island for optimal shelling opportunities (Captain Mitch Coleman with FloriDaze Adventures, www.floridazeadventures.com can assist with that).

Culinary delights…

There are some fabulous eateries in Mexico Beach, but keep in mind this sleepy little town rolls up the sidewalks early, so plan to eat before 8 or 8:30 p.m. All of these places are right on the main drag and easy to spot. Toucan’s offers a fabulous assortment of fresh seafood, pastas, salads, burgers and sandwiches, and great views. My favorite is Gourmet by the Bay, a brightly painted roadside food trailer next to Gulf Foods with picnic tables and thatched umbrellas out front. They specialize in gourmet tacos, made from scratch beignets, Waldorf chicken salad and quiche. Other culinary treats not to be missed are Killer Seafood, Mango Marley’s and The Fish House.

Accommodations…

Mexico Beach does not offer dozens of high rise condos stacked one on top of the other creating beach crowds and riff raff, but what they do offer is low rise condos, motels and beach houses. For all your lodging needs, Forgotten Coast Property Management (888-648-1012

www.forgottencoastrental.com) can direct you to the level of accommodations that best suits your family or group.

Summary…

Mexico Beach is the perfect getaway for those seeking quiet beaches with an Old Florida style. It is a place where the sand beckons sun worshippers while the juxtaposing water calls to fishermen and the outdoor enthusiasts. It is designed for the person who loves the quaintness of no stop lights and the eclectic character of multi-colored beach houses. It is for those who desire to please their palates with fabulous beach cuisine in quirky little restaurants. It is for those who enjoy an ice cream in one hand and a fishing pole in the other. But mostly, it is for those searching for the unique unforgettable piece of Florida gulf coast.

Follow Becky’s travel follies on Twitter: @amom4u; on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thetravelvoicebybecky; and her web site: www.thetravelvoicebybecky.com.

Sunscreens 101: What You Need to Know

By Hillary Evans, Health & Beauty Blogger      

With all the different choices available to us now, it can be difficult and overwhelming to find a good sunscreen. What you chose may not work well enough or be too greasy. Or you might have sensitive skin and feel as though you can’t wear sunscreen. Here are some tips for choosing sunscreen, but first it is important to understand how sunscreen works.

TYPES OF SUNSCREEN

There are two types of sunscreen: sunscreen and sunblock. Sunscreen typically uses chemical-based ingredients that absorb and neutralize the sun’s rays. Examples of these ingredients are octinoxate, avobenzone and homosalate.

Sunblock uses mineral-based ingredients that deflect, or “bounce off,” the sun’s rays from your skin. There are only two ingredients in sunblock - titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Sometimes sunscreen will contain a combination of the two. Neither of these is better than the other. Those with sensitive skin will find, however, that they will have better luck with sunblock.

WHAT IS SPF?
The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is how long or how well the sunscreen protects the skin. It means that whatever the number of SPF is, it will protect you for whatever the number of the SPF is times how long it normally it takes you to burn. So, for example, you burn without sun protection after 15 minutes. You wear a sunscreen with SPF 15 and 15 x 15 = 225. So you will be protected for 225 minutes. It is still recommended by most dermatologists to reapply sunscreen after every hour and after sweating or swimming.

It is not proven that any SPF 50 or above is any more effective so don’t feel like you need to slather on SPF 100 when going to the beach. Also, there is no such thing as waterproof or sweat proof sunscreen. Most dermatologists recommend SPF 20 or more for daily exposure. And you need to apply plenty of sunscreen. Having sunscreen built into your moisturizer or makeup will not cut it, because you don’t apply enough to the face to get the benefits of the SPF. Apply your moisturizer, then sunscreen, then whatever makeup you are going to wear.

WHAT ABOUT UV RAYS?

There are 2 types of UV rays from the sun. There are UVA rays, which are the rays that do long-time damage and cause skin cancer, and UVB rays which are the “burning” rays. Just because you don’t get burned when you are wearing sunscreen does not mean you have enough protection. Make sure it says on the bottle that it is a broad spectrum sunscreen so that you have complete protection.

And don’t ever skip wearing it. You may think you don’t need it for getting the mail or running errands, but the sun exposure adds up. Just 15 minutes of sun exposure a day for a year is the same as sun tanning unprotected for a week!

There are plenty of options of good sunscreen in the drugstore today at all sorts of price points. For sensitive skin, however, Aveeno baby sunblock and Neutrogena’s sunscreens with the “Purescreen” logo are good for sensitive skin that can’t handle most on the market. Remember these tips and you should be fine.

As always, if in doubt, you should seek the advice of a medical professional. 

-         Hillary Evans is a licensed esthetician in Alabama. If you'd like to ask Hillary a question for a blog topic, send you request to info@birminghamparent.com.

Coupon Deal at Publix, and a Recipe, Too!

By Becky J. Beall

Last week I introduced readers to coupons and gave examples of how to incorporate them into money-saving trips to the grocery store. This week I have a couple of deals at Publix to help you keep up your momentum!

How many of you use canned chicken? I love Valley Fresh 100 percent Natural Chicken Breast in the can because it may be used in so many ways from adding some protein to a salad to the main ingredient in a supper casserole. Keep in mind, if your Publix is out of the chicken, you can go to customer service and get a rain check.

Here’s the deal (good thru Tuesday, June 10, 2014):

Purchase 6 – 10 oz. cans of Valley Fresh Chicken on sale B1G1 (buy one get one) FREE @ $3.09 ($1.54 per can with the deal)

Print two $1/3 ($1 off 3 cans) coupons here http://www.southernsavers.com/about/couponscom/

Final price: $1.20 per can (not bad considering it was originally $3.09 per can!)

How about a great deal on detergent? All Small & Mighty Laundry Detergent or All Mighty Pacs (32-50 oz or 24 ct.) at $5.99 ($2.99 each with the deal).

Buy 2 and use 2 coupons from http://www.southernsavers.com/redplum for $1 off All Detergent.

Final price: $1.99 each!! Love it!

Now, a suggestion for what to do with some of that delicious chicken! Here is a recipe that my family LOVES! It’s easy and quick.

CHICKEN CASSEROLE:

Dot bottom of 13” X 9” casserole dish with butter. Pour two to three cans of chicken (I use three because we like it chocked full of chicken) over the butter, shredding it with your fingers as you spread it. Mix together 8 oz. of sour cream, one can of cream of mushroom soup and 1/3 cup of milk and pour over chicken. Crush one sleeve of Ritz crackers (original, wheat, reduced fat, roasted vegetable…whatever you like) and spread over the top. Slice up one stick of butter and melt in microwave, then spoon over the crackers. Sprinkle with 1 tsp. of poppy seeds and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes (until sides are bubbly).

Variations that I love and that change the entire look and taste of the casserole:

·         Cook (according to package) one cup Minute Rice (which is equal to two cups after cooked) and mix in with the milk/soup mixture before pouring over the chicken.

·         Cook (according to package) 1 – 8 oz. package of chopped broccoli and add after the chicken before the milk mixture.

·         Add one 15 oz. can mixed veggies after chicken before you add the milk mixture.

Good luck with your coupons this week! Happy shopping!

Remember deals are sometimes regional, so every Publix may not be the same. 

Ways to Save Big This Week with Coupons!

By Becky J. Beall

I think many of you moms and dads are a lot like my family: hard-working, frugal, lots of mouths to feed and just plain love a good deal. Enter coupons. I fell in love with coupons long before they were cool or faddish, and I want to share details with you on how to stretch your grocery dollars, get stocked up and become a coupon diva like yours truly!

I don’t want to share EVERYTHING in one post because it would be so long and you would probably decide it was too much trouble. Instead, I’ll post one thing each week that will help you learn to coupon in real time.

FOR STARTERS:

Sunday papers are a great source of coupons so plan to start purchasing TWO per Sunday. Why two? Publix deals are usually B1G1 FREE (Buy One Get One) and they let you use ONE manufacturers coupon on each product, so you’ll always need two of each. NOTE: Dollar Tree sells Sunday papers for only $1 while supplies last. ONE MORE NOTE: When you pull the coupon inserts out of the paper, write in Sharpie on the cover the date (i.e. last Sunday I wrote 5/27 on the front of each insert)…this will help you learn how to identify where to find coupons later rather than spending hours clipping every coupon.

Also, that paper that appears in your Wednesday mail? It will have SmartSource coupon inserts…pull them out and be ready to save!

THIS WEEK:

Target has frozen pizzas on sale this week (thru May 31^st) B1G1 FREE, so it’s a great time to stock up with all of the kids home for summer break. It’s already a great deal at B1G1 FREE, but here are a couple of suggestions to help you save even more!

Market Pantry (Target brand) pizzas are awesome and included in the sale. They are already low priced at under $3/each (price varies from region to region, but $2.79 at my local Target) so with the B1G1 FREE deal, they will be only $2.79 for TWO or $1.40/each with no additional coupons needed!

How about DiGiorno? Buy two at $5.49/each (one will ring up FREE). Go to http://www.digiorno.com/awesomesauce  and print two $1 off DiGiorno coupons. This will bring your cost down to $3.49 or $1.75/each!! I have read that some stores in some areas will only honor one coupon when one product is FREE, but you are “buying” two pizzas and are absolutely entitled to. Most of the Birmingham area stores will honor it. If not, you still have a great deal at $4.49 for two DiGiorno pizzas!

While you’re in Target, pick up some Mots for Tots 64 oz Apple Juice on sale (thru 6/21) for $2.35 and use this $1 off coupon to snag a great deal on juice! *Coupon: http://www.coupons.com/coupons/?pid=15493&nid=10&zid=yn07&plid=ESCRSS3024&crid=GN201211-n3&varb=174&cid=18250057&afsrc=1

*Please keep in mind, printable coupons are only available while supplies last, so if you see one you want (even if you aren’t using it today) go ahead and print in case it is gone when you do need it. Each printable coupon is available for two prints per computer. Print the first one, then click the back browser a couple of times (on my computer and most, it is three times) and the second one will print. I am so frugal that I flip the paper upside down to print the second one and not waste a full sheet of paper.

Until next time, happy saving!

New Blogger Becky Beall Shares Great Money Saving Tips for Seeing a Braves Game!

By Becky J. Beall

Birmingham has lots of Atlanta Braves fans who make that faithful trip every summer to take the family to see their beloved team play baseball! It's safe to say if you have a family as large as mine, you might be looking for ways to stretch your travel dollars and enjoy some added values as well.

$1 Tickets

A great tip that most folks aren't aware of are the $1 tickets! Yes, I said $1! There are 200 general admission tickets to each game priced at $1 and they are made available to fans beginning 2-1/2 hours prior to each game. General Admission seating is located in the Upper Pavilion area (Section 417R – 437R) rows 6 and above.

Fans can purchase these tickets at the Braves Ticket Office at the last window located closest to the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame entrance. You have to use cash and tickets are limited to one (1) per person. If you are purchasing for your family or members of your party, all members must be present at the ticket window and you must enter Turner Field immediately following ticket purchase.

College Students Discount

Most likely parents are still paying the way for their college kids, so another great tip is to have them present a valid Student ID and get 2-for-1 Upper Box tickets. This offer is valid for all games based on availability. Also, note that the offer is available for ticket purchases at the Turner Field Ticket Windows only.

For select games during the 2014 season, students with a valid college email address can purchase tickets in select areas of Turner Field and receive a special discount off the advance ticket price. Register to receive your special code. Each code is valid for up to four tickets.

Sunday Braves

Sunday Braves has become a tradition at Turner Field so bring the kiddos (ages 4 to 14) and join the Braves invitation to run the bases just like a professional ballplayer following the game…just have them line up on the Hank Aaron Ramp, near aisle 129, at the end of the game.

Special Braves Alumni Sundays feature former Braves legends in the fan plaza at 11:30 a.m. for hour-long autograph sessions. You can bring your Braves memorabilia and meet your favorite Braves from the past.

Father’s Day is Sunday, June 15 and Braves legend John Smoltz will be available for autographs. What a great way to spend dad’s special day – Sunday Braves with the family!

Other Braves Deals

Coca Cola Two for $30 Tuesdays - Get two tickets for $30 in the Club Level Pavilion on Tuesdays - save up to 50%!

Come down to Turner Field on Father's Day for the alumni signing with Braves Legend, John Smoltz.

Come down to Turner Field on Father's Day for the alumni signing with Braves Legend, John Smoltz.Come down to Turner Field on Father's Day for the alumni signing with Braves Legend, John Smoltz.

Braves steal of the week - Check www.AtlantaBraves.com every Wednesday morning to catch the latest Braves Steal of the Week. You never know what great deal will be available!

Becky J. Beall is a new blogger for Birmingham Parent and is the "Travel Voice."  Visit her website at http://thetravelvoicebybecky.com/ and follow her on Facebook and Twitter.