Please remember to "coupon it forward" this Christmas season

As you shop this holiday season, please keep in mind those in our community who may be having a difficult time putting food on the table. Consider adopting a family for Christmas, and providing the family not just with gifts for the kids, but also with food for their Christmas meal and beyond.

When you come across one of those "too-good-to-pass-up" sales on an item you know you have a coupon for (but also know your family will not use), please consider purchasing it anyway - often for a few pennies - and dropping it in one of the Food For Giving boxes (or something similar) that are at the front of many grocery stores this time of year.

Coupon it Forward to help those in need, and you receive the best gift of all: that warm glow you get from giving from the heart.

Take advantage of "gift with purchase" gift card deals!

Christmas is fast approaching, and that means the season of gift cards is upon us as well! Many restaurants offer incentives to purchase gift cards...here is a sampling of offers that are out there, although there are many, many more - be sure to Google your favorite restaurant and see what kinds of deals they may be offering!

• Ted's Montanta Grill: $20 gift card with purchase of $100 gift card or any number of gift cards adding up to $100 (for example, 4 $25 gift cards)
• Pappadeaux's: $10 gift card with purchase of $50 gift card
• Fuddrucker's: $5 gift card with purchase of $25 gift card
• Outback Steakhouse: $20 gift card with purchase of $100 in gift cards
• Chili's: $5 gift card with purchase of $25 gift card

As I said, these are only a few of the many offers that are out there. And if there's a restaurant you frequent, it would make sense to buy YOURSELF a gift card to use when you dine there, and then enjoy the bonus gift card as well!

Free Rubbermaid storage containers!

Pictured above are the FREE Rubbermaid storage containers I got by combining a recent store sale at Publix with store coupons and manufacturer coupons, a process called "stacking."

Publix is one of many stores that allow you to "stack" store coupons with manufacturer coupons.  Publix also has weekly sales, in addition to "green advantage" and "yellow advantage" sales with specials that last for about a month.  There are circulars in the front of the store advertising these specials, and there are also coupons in each of the circulars (green/yellow). 

These Rubbermaid storage containers were obtained using the following process: the Publix "green advantage" sale circular included a coupon for $1 off any one Rubbermaid food or beverage storage container. (Remember, this is a store coupon). Rubbermaid products were on sale that week for 40% off, and there was also a coupon a couple of weeks earlier in the Sunday paper for $1 off any Rubbermaid easy-find lids lock-its, produce saver or premier containers - a manufacturer coupon. Using the "stacking" method, I combined a store coupon with a manfacturer coupon for each set of storage containers, and that - along with the 40% off sale - meant they were FREE.

How was I able to get so many storage containers? By asking friends, family, and neighbors to save unused coupons for me, and by watching the sales and keeping a sharp eye out for store coupons. You can find free deals like this almost every week. It CAN be done - just do your homework, and keep checking back at this blog, where I will be posting "live" sales so that you, too, can take advantage of these great deals.