This morning, I received:

• A free 1/3 lb. Burger from Fuddruckers
• A free Grand Slam from Denny’s
• A free meal from Rubio’s
• A free pie of pie from Coco’s
• A free sub and soda on my birthday from Jersey Mike’s
• And a bunch of other less excited stuff that involves a purchase so I won’t list them.  Pick up Stix, Boston Market, Cold Stone, Dairy Queen, Lone Star Steak House all have a free dessert or app. with purchase.

And if you’ve got kids, sign up for Geoffry’s Birthday Club at Toys R Us. Your child will receive a card in the mail, a gift certificate and coupons to use in store.

My plans for this morning have been canceled, so Little Man and I may go enjoy a free taco at Rubio’s and walk around the mall.

Right now they have a few new ways of earning points: A Hellman’s Quiz (That’s Best Foods to us West Coaster’s), and a quiz about Pantene’s new bottles.  I have over 800 points.  I’ll be cashing some points out to pick up some more coupons!

Some coupons are print at home, and some are mailed to you. The rewards are really great.

If you’ve not joined Recyclebank, take a few minutes and sign up!  It’s definitely worth it!!

There is still room at the classes on February 18!  There are two classes: Noon and 3pm.  RSVP  and note in the comments which class you’d like to attend!

I’ve got a busy week ahead of me, including, hopefully, completing our income taxes tonight (fingers crossed I can get my w-2 from my former job today!). I’m doing a research study later this week, and planning for coupon classes next week.

And my birthday is next week, so the freebies have started to roll in! I’ll be posting photos later today!

Free Pink Chiffon 2 oz. body lotion at Bath & Body Works today and tomorrow only with this coupon.

Drugstore Divas is having Lugs Boots Giveaway!

Free samples from Proctor & Gamble!

For My East Coast Peeps, Pop into Friendly’s today! They are giving away free Fribbles!

Interested in trying the Atkins Diet?  Here is a great freebie, including 3 yummy Atkins bars.

Want to Try Sambazon free?  Check out Lisa and Maria’s great post!

Free Kindle e-book with Weight Watchers soup and stew cookbook.

Free sample of Huggies Diapers from Sam’s Club (You do not need to be a member!)

Free cup of Yoplait Yogurt.  CA peeps, you will receive an alt. coupon.  Damn the Ca. dairy laws!!

REMEMBER: Effective 1/23/12 the first class postage goes up. Stock up on forever stamps!

Stay warm and dry and have a fun and free day!

February 18th.

The first session starts at noon, the second session starts at 3pm.  Both classes will have the same content, I have scheduled two so that those with differing schedules can attend. The presentation is 90 minutes with time for questions afterward.

Is Shopping with Coupons worth your time?

NO MORE EXCUSES!! Couponing is for everyone! 

Here is what you will learn:

• How to save 60-100% off regular retail! (maybe even 110%!)

• How to avoid paying full price for anything ever again!

• Where to find Coupons! and…..most importantly…

• How to organize them! You’ll love the organization! (No binders or baseball card holders mentioned in this class!)

• How to use the Grocery Smarts website that will do all the work for you!

• How to shop so you’re not that CrAZy Coupon lady at checkout!

• Plus you’ll get other useful tips to stretch that hard earned dollar!

• AND…you’ll be able to sign up for DISCOUNTED Sunday newspapers, the #1 source for coupons!

Leave the kids at home, this is an adult only event.  To RSVP, please email me at cacoupondiva@gmail.com.  Please note which session you would like.  I will send out an email to all students a few days before with my address and directions.

Refreshments will be served, and there will be door prizes and opportunities for you to host a free couponing class with your friends and family and earn Free gift cards!

Pull out your shoe boxes of receipts, organize your E-2′s, 1099′s and other misc. tax paperwork.

Try to be a little more organized than this!

Tax forms are available at the IRS website. If doing your taxes by yourself seems daunting, there are online services, such as the IRS’ Free File (if your adjusted gross income- AGI is under $57,000).

If you use a tax preparation service, select one that has certified tax preparers and be aware of tax refund anticipation loans. They can have large penalties and interest.  Read all of the paperwork and fine print thoroughly.

Once you have your refund (if you are entitled to one), use it responsibly!

We’re breaking our refund into several chunks:

• Savings- We’ll be putting a chunk (about half) into savings.
• Car Payment- We’ll be making an extra car payment or two.
• Fun Stuff- We’ll have a date night, and get our Matterhorn Poster framed (It’s huge and needs a custom frame), and maybe spoil the little man!

• Beef up our stockpile.  Our stockpile is looking a bit weak.  I’d love to spend $100 and get our stockpile back up to par.  Canned goods, dried beans, frozen veggies and meat.

What will you being doing with your refund?

If you haven’t signed up for birthday swag, here a few links with great lists:

The Frugal Girls

Hey It’s Free!

Wisebread

Go forth and sign up for birthday goodies!!!

In most large cities, there are research companies that run focus groups weekly.

How to find them?  Google “Your city name focus group”.

In San Diego there are the following research companies:

• Taylor Research
• Luth Research 
• Flagship Research

Another way is to look on Craigslist.  Go to Jobs and in the search field type “Focus Group”.  Some smaller companies may post ads for focus groups.  Recently I participated in a mock jury style focus group and was paid $90 for 5 hours of work.  Yesterday I participated in a focus group relating to housewares and received $40 for just an hour! I found both on Craigslist.

Right now on Craigslist there are a couple great opportunities in the San Diego area.

There are so many cleaners, cleansers, scrubs, sprays and products that promise a clean, sparkly house.

Here are a few products that you probably already have in your house that will work better than all those magic bubbles and genies!

• White vinegar! It’s a great window cleaner and de-greaser.
• Newspapers.  Wonder what to do with all of those Sunday papers? I use mine to wash windows.  I pour the white vinegar into an empty spray bottle and spray it on to the window and wipe them clean with pieces of newspaper.  Lint free, streak free clean every time!  I also put a few sections in my trash can before I pop the liner in.  In case of a rip in the trash bag, the newspaper soaks it up.
• Baking Soda. mix with a little water and use as a scrub for sinks, toilets, vanities, counter tops.  I sprinkle it into the toilet and scrub with my brush!  You can also mix baking soda with a few drops of lavender essential oil, sprinkle it onto your carpet, wait 20 minutes and vacuum it up.  It freshens your carpet.
• Lemons.  Have a stinky kitchen drain?chop up a lemon (with peel still attached) and drop them down the drain.  Turn on the cold water and the garbage disposal and grind those babies up! Pretty much any citrus fruit works well.  Just use what you have on hand.

What do you use to keep you home clean and sparkly?