If I only could save half on my school taxes...

About a month ago I pulled my oldest daughter from her middle school and decided to home school her.  School was so bad for her, not the work, but the people.  She was in gifted and talented classes and making very good grades.  I live in Texas and for me that is good.  The state of Texas is one of just a few that have no requirements for home schooling.  I can spend as much or as little as I like.  I can do whatever makes me and my daughter happy.  She will be tested by the local school district if she decides to return to school.  It would be nice to get a break on the school taxes, but I'm not picky.  I save tons of money but using the local library, and online services.  I was really nervous at first, but the more home schooling we do, the more I'm enjoying it.  I think she is too!

Cheap is good, free is better!

I'm drowning in coupons, throw me a life preserver!

The strangest thing happened to me this past weekend.  I didn't buy any Sunday papers.  Trust me when I say that I am not lacking in coupons.  I still have 3 weeks worth of coupons to clip and sort.  I'm have been so busy.  But never fear, I plan to getting through the stack soon.  Hopefully by Friday...or Saturday...maybe Sunday.  It's too bad my husband can't clip them for me for Valentine's day.  I made the mistake once of asking my oldest daughter to help me clip.  It turned into coupon carnage.  But she tried...she just didn't listen.  Well, I have to run.  Sick kid and doctor's appointments.  Until next time.

Cheap is good, free is better!

Food King in Texas City - Changes coupon rules

So by now if you use coupons and hang around the Internet you know there are TONS of fake coupons out there.  A lot of stores are starting to fight back.  And that really hurts the people who use coupons correctly.  Texas City's own Food King has recently changes their coupon rules to reflect what has been going on with coupon fraud out there.  They are now tripling up to 39 cents, doubling from 40 to 50 cents, and face value over 50 cents.  You can now only use one multiple coupon on identical items.  And they will not accept Internet printed coupons.  Just a heads up if you shop there with coupons.

Coupon savings, to the maxxx!

Here's a fun coupon history fact.  The first coupon came out in 1887.  I was a handwritten note for a free glass of Coca-Cola.  Boy have times changes.  But one thing hasn't, the want to save money.  As the economy becomes more unstable more people are looking to coupons to save money.  And most of them want to maximize their saving.  One of the top ways to do that, is to match your coupons to sales at your local stores.  Each week I like to go through my new store ads and flip through my coupons and match them.  Another good tip is to use your coupons at local dollar stores.  I'm not talking about the dollar stores where everything is one dollar, but stores like Family Dollar and Dollar General.  Both happily take manufacturers coupons and have great prices on many everyday items.  If you haven't looked into using coupons at a local dollar store, you should.  It can be well worth the effort!

Cheap is good, free is better.

Is that a fake coupon in your pocket or are you happy to see me?

As any good couponer knows, there are bad couponers that make it harder for those who do the right thing.  One of the hardest for the stores and manufacturers is fake coupons.  Now, I can only imagine fake coupons have been around as long as coupons.  Manufacturers have made it harder than ever, but the bad guys are always one step ahead.  But not all of them are real smart.  I heard about someone trying to pass a counterfeit coupon for $200 off an iPad2.  I was thinking "REALLY??".  There are so many fake coupons out there.  Fake coupons hurt everyone!  Stores have to eat that money, and they pass the cost on to everyone else.  But I think the biggest problem is that people don't see it as a crime.  It is!  Counterfeiters are stealing from stores and from everyone around them.  They tend to think it's no big deal, nothing will happen to them if they get caught.  Wrong.  Coupon fraud (using fake, or expired coupons), even without knowing it's a bad coupon, can get you arrested.  Something to think about...

Cheap is good, free is better.