Savings | Common Cents Mom

Tag Archive for savings

Baby and You Helping Parents Connect and Save

September 2, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

186 Baby and You Helping Parents Connect and Save Baby and You is a fairly new program developed by Loblaws, Superstore, Zehrs, Independent Grocers, Valu-Mart and SaveEasy. It offers community and savings through its Facebook commuunity. The Facebook page is a great place to meet other parents who might be in a similair situation as you. You can share your pictures, get advice and save all in one spot.

They have 2 wonderful feature bloggers Jody from Mommy Moment, who keeps the conversation going about everything mom, and Lisa from Growing Your Baby, focusing on all things baby. When I visited the page people were talking about girfriends, diapers, and even nursery decorating. Lots of places the coversation could go.

They also offer a great way for you to save with exculsive coupons and a link to the weekly flyer. Lets just say you want to be a PC Insider if you have little ones and like to save. I know for me as someone who shops to feed little mouths now I am watching for those coupons.

So if you are the parent of a child why not visit this great community, hope in on the conversations and save at the same time.

*“Disclosure – I am participating in the Baby and You program by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Loblaw Companies. I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.”

Category: Reviews and Giveaways / Tags: baby, baby and you, coupons, Loblaws, savings

4 Ways to Make Sure You Never Pay Full Price Again

June 9, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / 2 comments

4917385326 14f4bdfffe z 4 Ways to Make Sure You Never Pay Full Price Again I have always been a money saving common cents kind of mom. I think paying full price for something is just plain wasteful in today’s economy. Fact is you simply can get what you want at a better price point you simply need to know what to do.

I have some simple rules that assist me and just maybe if you follow the rules you can save too. Wouldn’t money left over to do something else with sound good?

So what are my magical rules?

1. Price Compare and Shop Sales. Make sure you are simply doing this first rule and you will save. Always double check pricing and in today’s world this is so easy to do. Want that super cool new gadget you saw in the store window. Compare the prices online. Make sure you are getting the best price you can.

2. Use Coupons and Codes. Do you use coupons? When you have found that great product at an online store have you checked to see if there is a code you can use? You could be doing both. I recently wrote about using coupons in Canada and you can read where to find coupons here. When looking for a code do an online search for the store, the item and the word code.

3. Use Bonus Cards and Club Memberships I love Air Miles and Shopper’s Optimum here in Canada. By using these cards I have saved so much and have gotten some great perks over the years. I save my points till November each year and then I cash them in. Each year so far I have earned about $400 in good and services, and guess what because I used coupons, codes and shopped the sales I saved even more.

4. Send in those Rebates. Have you ever sent in for a rebate? If a rebate is offered on a good take advantage. It might be just a few dollars but they do add up. I know I would want that $5 for something I want instead of leaving it for the company.

Can you think of other rules that you follow to guarantee you never pay full price? If you can please share them with me.

Category: Frugal Tips, Money / Tags: codes, coupouns, frugal, money, rebates, sales, savings

31 Days and 31 Ways to Save- Tackling Saving on Beauty Spending

May 24, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / One comment

5179274521 75e045fab11 31 Days and 31 Ways to Save Tackling Saving on Beauty Spending Us girls like to look and feel good. But sometimes we do not like the price tag attached to beauty.

So this week I am tackling how to save on beauty.

First of all as a Muslim woman I am going to note I do not wear alot of makeup. I do wear a kohl eyeliner, a little mascara, and usually a lipshine. But beauty is more then just make-up.

So how can we save:

1. Do you buy expensive brands thinking they will do more or are better for you? I want to give you a heads up that is rarely true. Check what is box 1 at the expensive price and box 2 at the sale price and well guess what your often find they contain the same ingredients, so shop smart and save some cash.

2. If you are addicted to the spa and spa days. Try buying your day for a steal. Use one of the daily deal sites and wait for a spa day. They come up quite regularly and you can get your day of bliss for steal.

3. Skip soda pop, canned drinks and the like and drink water instead, it is better for your skin and you save. I say that is a win both ways.

4. Instead of using an expensive hair conditioner to make your hair shine, mix a tablespoon of cider vinegar with water. After rinsing away the shampoo with ordinary water, pour this cider vinegar water over your hair as a final rinse. Voila, shiny hair.

5. Use a lip brush for your lipshine, gloss or lipstick. By doing so you are getting the coverage you need without waste and you can use the whole container.

6. How about trying some home beauty remedies? Do you have a favorite one, it might be your perfect way to save.

7. Beauty Products can often be gotten as discount pricing look for the coupons.

All these tips with help you save your hard earned cash because we all know once you are looking good you like to go out and have a little fun.

Each Tuesday I have a little fun visiting 5 Minutes for Mom and seeing what everyone is tackling this week.

Category: Frugal Tips / Tags: beauty, frugal, How to, savings, tips

31 Days and 31 Ways to Save: Attitude is Everything

May 21, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

gratitude 31 Days and 31 Ways to Save: Attitude is Everything Do you want to start saving money today? I mean really save money. It is quite simply really all you have to do is 2 things that is it 2 simple little things, well they may not be that simple if you do not have the right mindset.

What are the 2 little things that have to change for you to really save? for you to know wealth.

1. Have an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful. Cultivate an attitude of having pleasure in all that you do have in your life. There are always others who are hurting more, have loss more, who need it more. Always. Be thankful in the moment and that that gratitude seep into every inch of you.

2. Be content. Enjoy what you have. Don’t always be looking for that next buy, planning that next car, that next tech toy when the one you have works just fine. Make do, be content in what you have already. So often we get caught in the race to be like our peers, and some times we go into debt to get there. Stop it. Be content in what you have.

If you will implement this attitude change you will see the savings will come, and all it took was an attitude adjustment.

Category: Frugal Tips, Money / Tags: attitude, gratitude, money, savings

31 Days and 31 Ways to Save: Plant a Garden

May 16, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

4747451491 9ca192e67d z 31 Days and 31 Ways to Save: Plant a Garden With the weather finally getting nicer here in Toronto it is time to think of gardening.Only if the rain would stop. After visiting the set of Steven and Chris last month I have realized basically anyone can have a garden of some form. You don’t even need a yard as you can even use a planter.

As we look at gardening this year we will be doing mostly vegetables and herbs.

What is planned to go into ours: Tomatoes (cherry), strawberries, lettuce, green onions, and for herbs we will do cilantro, basil, and parsley. Really a very basic garden for Toronto. How do I do it and save money?

1. First I start everything almost from seeds, that is of what I buy. The only exception is what I get from friends and that will be started strawberries and tomatoes. Seeds are a cheap way to go and your children get to watch the whole growth cycle.

2. Water in the eveing or morning only, and water roots not leaves. First it is the roots that need the water, not the leaves, as well by watering in the early morning or on in the eveing it takes longer to absorb and is better for the soil and plant and you dont end up wasting water. It is also good to do it at this time to save on the pocket book.

3. I also keep my tools on the minimum and to be honest I got them all for free or from the Dollar store. There is no need for expensive tools.

4. NO chemicals…most of the things you need to fight pests,etc can either be done organically or by using your compostable stuff. For weed killer try PULLING them. Just think of it as a workout.

Do you plant a garden? Have you thought of doing one in a planter?

Category: Frugal Tips / Tags: frugal, gardening, savings

31 Days and 31 Ways to Save- Thinking Summer Savings

May 15, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

Even with all the rain that is going on this weekend here in Toronto I am thinking ahead about the summer. For our family summer is the time of spending. So how do we save when there are things like summer vacations to plan, extra childcare costs ie summer camp, and then there is that long list of simply fun activities you simply want to do. So how does one save in the midst of it all?

There are lots of ways to cut costs in the summer in the city:

1. Here in Toronto if you are a parent and under a certain income level you can sign up for the cites Welcome Program that allows you to send your child to Summer Camp for 2 weeks for free as well they can get lessons through the local community centers all year long.

2. Do check out the Parks and Recs programs in your city as they most often have the best pricing on summer camps and programs for kids.

3. Take advantage of the festivals in your city. Rachel and I love Luminato, Taste of the Danforth and Caribana here in Toronto and we get to all three.

4. Thinking vacation. Shop around for your best deals, look for codes and sales online before you head to your travel agent. Or How about staying in your own city and planning a Staycation?

5. Make use of public parks and beaches for frugal summer fun.

6. Check out your local library. I can guarantee you they will have a summer reading program plus more.

7. If you love a local amusement park. Think ahead and if possible get a season’s pass if you want to attend the attraction more then twice during the season. This year Rachel and I have passes to Wonderland thanks our friend Scott Stratten.

8. Budget your summer spending. Know ahead of time what you are willing to spend.

What are some of the ways that you save in the summer?

Category: Frugal Tips / Tags: budgetting, money, parks and rec, savings, summer

31 Days and 31 Ways to Save: Saving on Your Transportation Costs

May 14, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / One comment

3650661576 56b61f8b8b z 31 Days and 31 Ways to Save: Saving on Your Transportation Costs This week I got to hang out with part of the wonderful team that are Ford Canada. We talked car safety and checked out the latest innovation from Ford-the world’s first real inflatable seat belts. As the evening progressed we not only talked safety but fuel efficiency and ways to save on your family transportation costs.

Aren’t you tired of how much we are spending to get from one place to another? Right now I am glad I am not a car owner. Thankfully I live near enough to the subway system in Toronto (TTC) and the commuter line(Go Transit) as well. But what about my friends who own cars? How can they save? Here are some suggestions:

First of all when buying a car think not only of the car costs but of ALL the costs involved and make sure you get a deal that is well within your budget. Things to consider: car loan or cash, insurance, the history of repairs on that make and model, fuel consumption and maintenance. All these are part of your transportation costs. Comparison shop, read reports and get more then one quote when it comes to insurance. If you possibly can try and avoid going into debt to buy a vehicle. I have owned a few cars – all were bought used and served me well.

Once you have your car you need to think maintenance. A properly looked after car saves you money in the long run. Make sure you are changing you oil and checking your filters. I even took a basic car care course so I could help maintain my own vehicle, so yes I can do all the basic maintenance. Make sure you check your tire pressure as well. By thinking ahead and taking care of your car you will save over the long haul.

Now you are ready for the road. But wait before you get in the car, ask the question is the car needed for this trip or could I walk it? or take public transit? Car owners you do not need to use your car to go everywhere. Think about your driving. If you are commuting into the heart of Toronto for work, could you save on gas and parking but taking the TTC or GO? Trust me, carry some tunes or something to read and you are there alot more rested and relaxed instead of the hustle and bustle of the drive in and you save cash. Yes it takes a wee bit longer sometimes but not much.

Once on the road plan your trips so you minimize the number of outings ie: get all your errands done on one trip. Instead of doing them over 2 or 3 trips out of the house.

When you are buying gas be mindful don’t overfill your tank. Make sure your cap is on nice and tight as well so you don’t lose gasoline. As well for the best consumption do not let your tank go under 1/4 full. Going on fumes is not good for your car.

If you are going on the highway use your cruise control. Did you know you save 7% more gasoline if you use it?

What are some of the other ways that you save on your transportation costs? I would love to hear them.

Category: Frugal Tips / Tags: Ford, Ford Canada, money, savings, transportation

31 Days and 31 Ways to Save- Save in the Bathroom

May 6, 2011 / Common Cents Mom / One comment

31 Days and 31 Ways to Save Save in the Bathroom On day 3 I mentioned how much I hate the dirties. I really do dislike laundry but there is one room in the house I dislike more- the bathroom.

As I was in the bathroom this morning I looked around and I was looking at all the ways I spend money in this one wee little room and thought, you know what there are many ways that I save too.

So here are some ways that you might want to try to bring down your nitty gritty bathroom expenses:

1. Turn off the faucet when you brush your teeth, pretty simple one right.

2. Buy generic…how many of spend a fortune in this wee little room for your favorite brands of shampoo, conditioner, soap, toilet paper. Give generic a try. Or at least buy on sale, and use a coupon if you must have that favorite brand.

3. Get rid of the commercial cleaners, you know those ones with the skull and cross bones on them. There is no need for them when a little bit of baking soda, some vinegar and some lemon will fill all your cleaning needs.

4. Have your towels do double duty. Come on how many you use your towel once and then it gets tossed in the laundry bin. Stop it, you are wasting money.

5. How about filling up a 2L bottle with sand and place it in your toilet’s water tank. Do you know how much money you are flushing down the toilet each time you flush? About 40% of the water used in your bathroom is flushed down the toilet so lets try and fix a wee bit of that.

Do you have any other great ways to save in this wee bitty room?

Category: Frugal Tips / Tags: bathroom, frugal, money, savings

Tag Archive for savings

Connect With Me