The following is a guest post by Outside the Box Mom:

In the first week of this series, we discussed goals when using coupons. During the second week, we covered some common reasons why people don’t use coupons. Last week, I told you how to overcome your #1 obstacle in using coupons. Today’s post is an overview of the types of coupons available and where you can get them.

Coupon Types

1. Store Coupons – Redeemed at a specific retailer like Walgreens, CVS, or Target
2. Manufacturer’s Coupons – Issued by product manufacturers. Can be redeemed at any retail outlet that accepts coupons.

Coupon Sources

• Sunday paper subscription
• Free small town newspapers that include inserts
• Receipts (grocery stores, hair salons, etc.)
• Competitor coupons (for another store)
• Manufacturers (request online, phone, or mail) (See examples at Couponing to Disney and Parents Choice formula)
• Friends, family, neighbors, co-workers
• Library (We have a coupon bin at our local library where you are welcome to leave or take as many coupons as you want. If yours doesn’t offer one, you should start one.)
• Walmart (A customer service representative at my store said they buy newspapers every Sunday, clip coupons, and place them in the bins for [Read more…]

Hey all- sorry I was MIA yesterday- we had a freak snowstorm, and I was without power! I have it now, [Read more…]

Every parent wants to make their child’s special day the best one yet, but you don’t have to mimic MTV
guilty-pleasure show My Super Sweet Sixteen in order to do it. Most kids don’t need a crazy, over-the-
top display in order to enjoy a birthday party. There are plenty of ways to entertain your children and
their friends that don’t include renting a club, hiring an A-list band, and making a grand entrance via
stretch hummer or helicopter. Here are just a few forms of entertainment that kids of all ages are sure
to love.

1. A trip to the theme park. Whether you live near a theme park (or several) or you’re making a
long trip to visit a specific locale (The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, perhaps?), this is one
birthday that your kids are sure to remember. It can be a pretty big expense, however, so you
may need to limit the birthday boy or girl to just a couple of friends (instead of a gaggle); this
will also relieve you of the burden of constant headcounts and hand-holding. But after a day of
exciting rides, photos with costumed characters, and sticky treats your child surely won’t mind
that he missed out on a room full of classmates.

2. Laser tag. For active kids, there’s nothing more fun than strapping on some molded gear and
gunning for their friends with laser-pointing weaponry. Some parents might find this sort of
sport questionable, but kids are guaranteed to have a blast playing the updated, electronic
version [Read more…]