Cellfire: Load New E-Coupons to Your Kroger Card

NEW Cellfire coupons were released on December 29. You'll want to save them (load to your Kroger card) before January 11, 2010. They will expire on January 25, 2010.

With Cellfire, grocery coupons are saved directly to your Kroger store savings card. Your coupons are then automatically redeemed when you use your card at checkout!

 

You'll love how easy it is to load e-coupons to your Kroger store card:

1. Click here to register.
   
2. Go to the Deals page. Find the grocery coupons you want to save and select the "Save to Card" button beneath it. You will be prompted to enter your Kroger card information. Coupons that you save will be automatically linked to your savings card. (NOTE: I usually load them all, just to be safe! You never know which deal matchups will appear in the future!)
   
3. To redeem your coupons, simply use your card at checkout.
   
4. If you'd like a record of the e-coupons saved to your card, you can print a shopping list. Click on the "My Account" tab at the top of the page. On the left sidebar, you'll see an option to "Print Shopping List."
   

What do I LOVE about Cellfire?

• It costs me NOTHING to load e-coupons to my card every two weeks (unlike printable coupons, which require paper and ink).
  
• I can have the coupons with me even when I leave my shopping list - or Kroger card - at home!
  
• Often I forget about the coupons. At the register, the coupons deduct automatically and save me a little extra - it's a nice bonus and a terrific surprise!
  
• The Cellfire website is easy to navigate. It takes no more than 1 minute to load coupons twice each month.

Metro Parent Magazine Mentions Macomb Money Savers!

Have you ever read Metro Parent magazine? It's free and available to locations around Southeast Michigan, including libraries, daycares, businesses and more. Macomb locations are listed here (and you can search according to zip code).

The new January 2010 issue includes this unsolicited blurb on page 14 (and I was SHOCKED when my friend Tracy emailed to congratulate me on the honorable mention):

Resolve to...Save Money

If you're looking for deals, coupons and money-saving information to start the year out right, there's a local source that can help. MacombMoneySavers.com offers links to stores like Target, Aldi and Nino Salvaggio, to name a few, with updated information on deals and prices for produce, groceries and additional purchases.

The site allows you to print out coupons, provides links to money-saving websites and even lets its users post helpful tips and ideas.

With dates at the top of each page, users can see when things have been updated, so they are assured that they have up-to-date information and savings. 

-- Stacey Mourtos

Thank you, Stacey Mourtos, wherever you are! And thanks to all of you for making this such a great place to be! See if you can find this great info in January's Metro Parent magazine, too - it's available around Southeast Michigan now!

Home Depot Kids' Workshop: Calendar on Jan 2

Visit your local Home Depot this Saturday, January 2, 2010 with your child to make a FREE Calendar! (Remember that these also make great gifts for the people in your child's life!)

From the Home Depot website: The workshops are free, how-to clinics designed for children ages 5-12, available on the first Saturday of each month between 9 a.m. and noon at all The Home Depot stores. Children, accompanied by an adult, use their skills to create objects that can be used in and around their homes or communities. Along with their newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid-sized orange apron, similar to The Home Depot associates' aprons, and an achievement pin.

Looking for a project for younger kids? Lakeshore Learning Store features Free Crafts for Kids each Saturday from 11 am - 3 pm.

Randazzo: December 30, 2009 - January 5, 2010

Randazzo Fresh Market will be open from 8 am - 6 pm on New Year's Eve and 10 am - 5 pm on New Year's Day.

PRODUCE
$0.25 Haas Avocadoes
$0.89 Aunt Mid's Mini Carrots, 1 lb bag
$0.99 Grape Tomatoes, pkg
$1.29 Organic Carrots, 2 lb bag
$1.99 Randazzo Fresh Salad Blends, pkg
$2.99 E-Z Peel Clementines, 5 lb box

Other unadvertised prices I found when shopping on 12-30 (these may or may not last all week):
$0.33 Kiwifruit
$0.33 Jumbo Green Peppers
$0.48 Carrots, 1 lb bag
$0.50 Cucumbers
$1.50 Pomegranate

DAIRY
$0.99 Extra Large Eggs, dozen (limit 2, please)

GROCERY
$1.99/lb 100% Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil

$4.99 Randazzo Fresh Homemade Brick Oven Pizza with Cheese & 2 Toppings
(plus tax, Macomb location only)

View the entire Randazzo Fresh Market ad this week.

Disney: Free One Day Admission when you Volunteer in 2010

If you're thinking about a visit to Disney this year, you might want to know about this opportunity. Beginning January 1, 2010, Disney is launching its "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program. Disney is offering a one day, one park admission pass to the first million guests (ages 6 and up) who complete a day of verified volunteer work with a participating organization in 2010. There are PLENTY of rules and restrictions that you'll want to read, but it's still a nice offer!

Collecting Coupons: Newspaper Inserts

As you're cleaning out the remainder of those coupons that expire at the end of the year, it's a great time to think about building up your coupon stash! In the coming days, I hope to share a series of posts with you on some of the best ways to create an abundance of coupons. It's always easier to save and stock up when you have a variety of savings to choose from!

Most of the coupons in existence arrive each week in the Sunday newspaper. While it can be more convenient to have a subscription, it's not necessary. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• BIGGER PAPER = BETTER COUPONS
  Newspapers in large cities (like the Detroit News/Free Press, Chicago Tribune, etc) generally offer more coupons with better values than smaller papers. In the Macomb area, the Detroit News/Free Press is your best bet.
  
  
• HOW MANY PAPERS DO I NEED?
  A good rule of thumb is to purchase 1 copy for each person in your household. I purchase additional copies if the coupons are especially good that week (i.e. savings on items I know we'll use) and less if there aren't many inserts. If you're just starting out, 1 or 2 newspaper copies will still help your budget. Many deal matchups may require you to use 2 or 4 coupons in one transaction in order to save - and you'll want a few to be able to stock up on items when prices are at their lowest.
  
  
• WHAT CAN I DO WITH ALL THAT PAPER?
  First of all, you'll want to be sure you've grabbed every coupon in the paper. Some coupons will hide in the Parade or USA Weekend inserts and others have been found in the newspaper itself. Then you can find a creative way to recycle it! You can wash your windows, line your bird cage, wrap a gift or donate copies to a classroom if you'd rather not take it to the recycling center!
  
  
• ISN'T IT EXPENSIVE TO PURCHASE EXTRA PAPERS?
  Since the cost of a newspaper copy has risen recently (in our area to $1.50), you will want to make sure you're serious about using your coupons if you're thinking about purchasing extras. You can quickly earn back the money you spent on a paper in one well-planned shopping trip. Many dollar stores (including Dollar Tree and Dollar Castle) offer the Sunday paper for $1.00 - and often you can still find remaining copies available on Monday and Tuesday.
  
  Ask your friends, coworkers and neighbors for extra coupon inserts - those who don't use coupons have no use for them! If you're able to pick up items for cheap or free with those coupons, you might consider bringing them a little treat every once in a while to show your appreciation or letting them know what you were able to donate with their help.
  
  If you're a CVS or Walgreens shopper, buying papers is an easy way to use up your Extra Care Bucks and Register Rewards before they expire.
  
  
• DO I REALLY NEED TO CUT ALL THOSE COUPONS?
  NO. And if you're short on time (like me), I don't recommend it. I like the method Coupon Mom endorses. Group your coupon inserts each week (use a paperclip, binder clip, staple, rubberband, file folder, etc.) and write the date on the front. Then use the free Grocery Coupon Database she provides to search for existing coupons and clip only those you'll use as you prepare your shopping list each week. (You'll be asked to register, but there's no cost).
  
  If you like having your coupons with you in the store, you'll want to cut a couple copies worth. You can stack each identical page from each insert together and cut at once to save a little time. Organize them in a way that works for you (coupon box, file, binder, etc.) and you're ready to shop!
  

Do you buy extra papers each week? Do you have any questions about collecting coupons from newspapers? I'll be back with more on swapping coupons to beef up your coupon stash even further!

Meijer Money-Saving Meal: Chili Rubbed Pork Chops with Crash Hot Potatoes

Thanks to Colleen for gathering this money-saving meal based on the Meijer Matchups this week:

Chili Rubbed Pork Chops

2 tsp chili powder

2 1/2 tsp packed light brown sugar

1 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

4 lean pork loin boneless center cut chops

cooking spray

1. Mix the first 6 ingredients in a small bowl.
   
2. Butterfly the pork chops. Pry the chops open and flatten them. Rub the spice mixture on both sides of all 4 chops. Place meat on plate, cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour (and up to 24 hours).
   
3. Spray a grill rack or large grill pan with spray, then heat.
   
4. Grill pork chops for 3 minutes, then turn and continue cooking until meat is firm. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Serve with Crash Hot Potatoes from The Pioneer Woman (you'll see a picture recipe tutorial with this link)

Ingredients:

12 whole new potatoes (or other small round potatoes) - Meijer has red potatoes on sale

3 Tbsp olive oil

salt and black pepper to taste

rosemary (or other herbs or choice)

Become a Macomb Money Savers Fan for Facebook Deals and Coupons

Macomb Money Savers

Did you know that there is an official Macomb Money Savers Facebook Fan Page? If you're on Facebook, I'd love for you to join us! Currently, I post all of the Facebook freebies and coupons there (so if you're interested in those printable coupons and freebies, you'l want to make sure you're a fan!). I also update the Facebook page with any time-sensitive money-saving posts (in case you're hanging out on Facebook) and you'll be notified in your news stream. Plus, it's a great place to share deals, ask questions and CHAT. Macomb Money Savers has amazing, helpful fans - and there's always something to learn there!

Here are the latest Facebook deals that I've found:

• $1.00/1 Wheat Thins printable coupon when you become a Wheat Thins fan
  
• $2.00/1 Nexxus product coupon when you become a Nexxus fan

I hope you'll join me on Facebook (and invite your friends) and make it a great place to be!