Grocery Store Mark Downs

I usually shop at Giant Eagle due to the double coupons and the fuel perks. However it is kind of a pricey store. One thing I have discovered, if you go first thing in the morning on a week day Tuesday-Friday, they usually have meat marked down quite a bit if it has the same day date on it. I will regularly just snatch up any cheap meat I find. Especially the organic meat. Also at the store I shop they usually have 2 or 3 shopping carts near the pharmacy with marked down and discontinued items. I got some eco-friendly dishwashing detergent for $1 recently.

Someone told me that Marc's has produce marked down first thing in the morning, but I haven't tried that yet.

CVS Advisor Panel

I think this used to be called the CVS Advisory Panel. You can go here to sign up with your email and Extra Card to be a CVS Advisor. CVS will send you a couple surveys per year and you can earn $5 to $10 to $15 in Extra Care Bucks for participating. Occasionally I have gotten $5 Extra Bucks just show up!

Food Giveaways

If your family is in need of food and you live in Summit County- you can get food from the Open M food pantry on the 3rd Friday of every month. You do not need a referral just proof of residency. Also free produce on the 4th Tuesday of every month. (They do not distribute food in December)

Do you need a part time job?

The US Census Bureau is hiring for the 2010 Census starting now! Jobs range from $9 to $18 an hour. Go here for more details. First you need to take a US Census Bureau test. Call 1-866-861-2010 to find a testing location near you.

If you live in the Akron area, one of the testing sites is The Chapel in Akron and Green. Go here for more details. (Scroll down to Employment Opportunities on the left)

Bath & Body Works

If you buy something at Bath & Body Works and give them your email address they will occasionally send you coupons. I just got this one by email. Get a free Signature Collection Item with any purchase (up to a $12 value). They usually have items in the store you can buy for $1 or $2. Makes a great Valentine's gift!

Google AdSense

If you blog, you should sign up for Google AdSense. They will put a couple ads on your site and you make a few bucks. Easy-Peasy.

Getting Organized

Well it's January and it's the time of year everyone either works on dieting or organizing- or both! One thing I started to struggle with last year is what to do with all the "artwork" kids make. My daughter just started preschool this year and she already brings home about 4 things a day! I started by hanging her artwork on the basement door. She likes to look at it all and the door is big- I let her help me tape things up. Next I take a digital photo of each little masterpiece. In the fall I took the best projects and used the photos to make a photo book of just her artwork plus some school photos. She loves her book! I saved my favorite items in one of those brown accordion file folders you use for filing bills and stuff. I use one slot per year. The rest I threw away (yes is was hard!)