by Carrie on April 26, 2010
Prepaid Visa cards seem awesome because they’re like gift cards but you can use them almost anywhere. However, they are notorious for being obnoxiously hard to use up. How do you use up the last few dollars or cents when there isn’t enough left to cover even a small purchase?
Many stores require that you know the balance remaining in order to use the card. Most people don’t keep track of that and it can be a hassle to contact the company who issued the card to determine how much is remaining.
I’ve discovered that Safeway is a great place to use up these cards. They do not require that you know how much is left. All you have to do is swipe your card and whatever is left is deducted from your total. If you still owe on your purchase you can finish your payment with another card, check, or cash like you’d normally pay at the store and you know that the prepaid Visa is out.
Another reason I like to use these cards up at the grocery store is that I don’t have to go out of my way to make a purchase I wouldn’t normally make just to use up the card.
Gift cards psych people in to thinking they need to spend more than the face value of the card which is why retailers love them and why they’re getting more and more popular versus checks for rebates. You’re no longer getting cash back but actually becoming obligated to spend more in the future.
Rather than thinking you need to save that card for an out of budget splurge, put it towards an easy regular expense. You’ll be left with more cash in the bank which can truly be spent anywhere and on anything you desire.
by Carrie on April 25, 2010
CVS
- Ben & Jerry’s ice cream – 2 for $6
- Aveeno moisturizer – $14.99; pair with coupons in this week’s Sunday paper
- Aveeno body wash – $5.99; pair with coupons in this week’s Sunday paper
- Renpure Organics shampoo or conditioner – $4.99; check for Try Me Free tags on the bottles
Rite Aid
- Kashi cereals – buy one, get one free
- Aveeno sun, body, face and bath care – $2 off with in ad coupon; pair with coupon in this week’s Sunday paper
- Aveeno hair care – $1 off with in ad coupon; pair with coupon in this week’s Sunday paper
- Ecotools beauty tools – buy one, get one free
- Organix shampoo or conditioner – buy one, get one free; check for Try Me Free tags on the bottles and get 2 free
- Ecotools body wash, cream, lotion or scrub – buy one, get an Ecotools bath accessory free
- Sun Chips – $2.79
Safeway
- Sun Chips – $2.99
- GE CFL light bulbs – $4.99
- Horizon Organic Milk – $3.79 per half gal
- O Organics orange juice – $2.99 with in ad coupon and minimum $10 purchase
- O Organics italian soda – $2.99
- don’t forget to load e-coupons to your club card at coupons.com, shortcuts.com, cellfire.com, and safeway.com – this week I see coupons for Cascadian Farms, Sun Chips, Ben & Jerry’s, Bright Green, and O Organics butter and coffee (I always just load everything so that I have the coupon no matter what)
Target
- Kashi cookies or granola bars – $2.74
- Organic cotton 325-thread count sheet sets – $19.99 for twin, full/queen/king and pillowcases also on sale
- Ben & Jerry’s or Breyers ice cream – $2.79 plus get a $5 Target gift card when you purchase 5
Walgreens
- Ben & Jerry’s ice cream – 2 for $5
- Renpure Organics shampoo or conditioner – $4.99, check for Try Me Free tags on the bottles
Other
- Yummy Earth Organic Lollipops – on sale at Amazon; in 2009 my employer exhibited at the Fancy Food Show and I worked our booth which was next door to the Yummy Earth guy, I sampled their lollipops throughout the three days I was in that booth and they were amazing
Disclosure: Some links in the post are affiliate links and I will receive a small compensation if you make a purchase or sign up for a service by clicking through those links. Affiliate links are an easy way for you to support It’s Frugal Being Green at no additional cost to yourself.
by Carrie on March 21, 2010
Greenest Deals of the Week is a new weekly series where It’s Frugal Being Green seeks out the best sale prices and freebies for organic, natural, environmentally friendly, or sustainable products. These deals are based on Northern California prices and stores.
No need to throw out or replace what you already have (it’s not any more green to toss a partially full package of something than it is to use it up) but if you’re running low on something and it’s time to stock up, consider these options.
Rite Aid
- Organix hair care – buy one, get one free (keep your eyes peeled for “Try Me Free” tags and get both free)
- Physician’s Formula Bamboo Wear cosmetics – buy one, get one 50% off (the ad mentioned applicable coupons in most Sunday newspapers but there was none in my newspaper)
Safeway
- Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream – $2.99
Walgreens
- Nature’s Source household cleaners – 2 for $5
Freebies
by Carrie on March 18, 2010
One of my New Year’s Resolutions this year was to switch to buying more organic produce, meat, and dairy products.
To make sure I’m getting the best prices when I buy those items, I’m putting together an organic price book based on prices in Northern California (other areas of the country will likely be cheaper).
This price book is just getting it’s start and will be updated on an ongoing basis so keep checking back.
Produce
- Carrots $0.99/lb
- Onions $0.99/lb
- Red Bell Peppers $2.39/ea
- Red Leaf Lettuce $1.99/head
- Strawberries $4.99/lb
Meat
- Chicken (boneless, skinless breasts) $5.99/lb
Dairy
- Eggs $3.99/doz
- Milk $5.49/gal
If you’d like to add some of the best organic prices you’ve seen, please feel free to do so in the comments.
by Carrie on March 14, 2010
Greenest Deals of the Week is a new weekly series where It’s Frugal Being Green seeks out the best sale prices and freebies for organic, natural, environmentally friendly, or sustainable products. These deals are based on Northern California prices and stores.
No need to throw out or replace what you already have (it’s not any more green to toss a partially full package of something than it is to use it up) but if you’re running low on something and it’s time to stock up, consider these options.
CVS
- Kashi selected products – 2 for $5 (find printable Kashi coupons at coupons.com)
Rite Aid
- Renpure Organics Shampoo or Conditioner – buy one, get one free (keep your eyes peeled for Try Me Free hang tags and you can get two bottles free after rebate)
Safeway
- Kettle Chips – 2 for $5 (plus use the $1 off 2 coupon from the 1/31/10 Smart Source coupon insert)
- Organix Shampoo or Conditioner – buy one, get one free (keep your eyes peeled for Try Me Free hang tags and you can get two bottles free after rebate)
Walgreens
- Method Hand Wash – 2 for $5 (with in ad coupon)
Disclosure: Some links in the post are affiliate links and I will receive a small compensation if you make a purchase or sign up for a service by clicking through those links. Affiliate links are an easy way for you to support It’s Frugal Being Green at no additional cost to yourself.
