January 27, 2010

What we learned at the Relief Society Meeting


Grocery shopping is the number one area in your budget that can be cut easily.....using coupons!

Here are some tips:

Patience and Persistence
· Big key to couponing is to hold a coupon until the product is on sale. Almost all products will go on sale once a coupon is issued.
· Be aware of sale trends and when things go on sale. July=picnic items, paper plates. Holiday=baking items.
· Try it for several months before giving up, treat this new way of shopping as a challenge.
· Start thinking of your coupons as cash.
· Check your receipts before you leave the store. They make mistakes too!
· By pairing coupons with the sales, you should be able to cut your bill in half.
· Base your meals around the deals-It is cheaper to shop from your own pantry (i.e. stock up when groceries are at rock bottom prices, whether you need it right then or not, and you will never pay full price again!)

Doubling & Stacking

· Bashas, Safeway and Fry’s double coupons up to a dollar everyday. For example: $.35 coupon doubles to $.70 and a $.75 will double to $1.
· They will only double 3 of the SAME or like coupon in one transaction. After the 3rd one, you can still use more coupons, they just will not double them.
· Stacking is when you use a store coupon (see in store ads) with a manufactures coupon together for 1 item.

Watch Store Promotions
· Look at the weekly ad for promotions and take advantage of them. Pair the sales with your coupons to save even more
· Stock up on staples when they are on sale. You can freeze meat, cheese, milk and bread for later use.
· Watch sales limits. If you exceed the limit, often you will be charged full price.
· Catalinas: these are coupons that print at the check out registers. They are like money towards your next purchase. If yours doesn’t print, call the Catalina Marketing Company at 1-(888) -8coupon. Often if store promotions say $5 back, it will be given to you in this form. Watch the expiration dates.

Shopping Myths
· Store brand is not always cheaper than the national brand
· Buy the smaller size with your coupon—SMALLER size equals bigger savings
· When you request a Rain Check, you can still use your coupon with that item unless the coupon has expired.
· Don't be loyal to a particular store or brand.
· You CANNOT use 2 manufacturer's coupons for 1 item even if it came from a Bashas ad (It will say “Manufacturer’s Coupon)

Coupon Sources
· Main source is in the Sunday newspaper.(Get multiples of each coupon so when an item is cheap or free, you will have many instead of just one)
· Internet coupons: Print limit of 2 www.boxtops4education.com, www.redplum.com, www.smartsource.com, www.coupons.com & often the manufactures website for a particular product will offer coupons savings: www.bettycrocker.com
· Magazines (All You magazine through a subscription or buy only at Wal-Mart)
· Coupon trading or swapping or even E-bay!
· Catalina coupons
· E-coupons are paperless or clip less coupons that you load to your shoppers card: www.cellfire.com, www.shortcuts.com
· Ask friends, neighbors, family & co-workers for their extra unused coupon inserts.
· Included with samples.
· In or On the product packages.
· In store coupon booklets & blinky machines


Brother B o o n e taught us about investments and what to look for and watch when investing. Thank you so much!!!

January 11, 2010

January Spotlight....Who In the World is Amanda?

Amanda Powell was born in Maricopa & raised in Gilbert, AZ with 1 older sister. Amanda has 2 boys, Michael 3 and Benjamin 22 mo. Amanda’s favorite place is her Mom’s arms, which happens to be in AZ. Some of her favorite things include the color Aqua and chocolate. When asked about her most embarrassing moment, Amanda replied: “At 14 yo’s old: Walked out of the ladies room during church with my skirt tucked in my pantyhose! Fortunately only 1 person saw me & hurried to tell me about it. But still!” Amanda says something no ones knows about her is she’s always afraid she is making a fool of herself. (Rest assured, we all think that about ourselves too!) Amanda wishes she could go to school to be an Architect & help with the green/eco housing movement. A movie that best describes her life is “Connie and Carla”. She adds “although how Women dressing as men dressing as women describes me- I’m not sure.” When asked how she met her husband, Amanda says: “My husband fell madly in love with me the first moment he saw me (which was good, cuz he’s kinda hard headed), but it took me 3 weeks. I didn’t fall in love with him truly until he yelled at me for the first time. We met in Utah, and 9 weeks after we had met we were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, on a Tuesday. I don’t like to procrastinate things. They have been in Round Valley since Oct. & adds “It has long been a dream of my husband and I to live here ever since my mom bought her second home.” Callings she has had in the church include Relief Society chorister, which according to Amanda was someone’s terrible idea and a sunbeams teacher, which she says was kinda fun, but pretty stressful since she was pregnant for the first time. Her favorite Latter-day Prophet is President Hinckley. When asked why, Amanda replied, “He always knew just what I needed to hear. I miss his kindness & humor.” Thank you for letting us get to know you more. Welcome Amanda!

January 6, 2010

Relief Society Board Meeting



Relief Society Board Meeting

Thursday, January 21st 6pm

YW room

BEATING THOSE BUDGET BLUES




Relief Society Meeting
Tuesday, January 26th
6pm
Stake Center's RS room

Make your New Years Resolutions and come learn how to maximize and stay within your budgets! We will be focusing on investments, grocery shopping and what to look out for with your credit cards. This is going to be really informative-Hope to see you there!
PRIZES and food too!

If you missed the Ward Christmas Party...


It really was a wonderful evening. From the AWESOME decorations and the very thoughtful program to the WONDERFUL food- it was the perfect way to celebrate the Christmas season. A big thank you to Shelley and her committee!