Monticello Live

Sorry for my long absence with this column but I just finished my first Krazy for Coupons class as part of UAM’s Continuing Education Program. It took a lot of my time to prepare for but was well worth it. I will be offering another class in Monticello next semester and one in Hamburg, as well. The class was packed with all levels of couponers. We had a great time and several brought up questions that I felt like needed to be addressed in this column.

For instance, did you know that Walmart will price match Black Friday ads? (more…)

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Recent Rite Aid shopping trip. Rite Aid Retail value $238.32. Only paid $33.90.

Now with TLC’s Extreme Couponing show beginning another season and the interest in couponing skyrocketing, there’s never

Racked up at Walmart on blush for my entire family of friends plus more! Retail value of $161.34 but I only paid $51.93 plus I have an additional $21.44 to submit for rebates. WOW! That’s like paying only $30.50.

been a better time to go over how to play nice in the coupon world. If you’re new to watching the show you need to know that those shopping trips are extreme and some of the tactics used are a bit misleading. For instance, some stores have a limit to the number of like items you can purchase in a single shopping trip.

Whether you are a seasoned couponer or a beginner you should try to follow these etiquette lessons.
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DID YOU KNOW? According to current stats, every hour spent couponing in 2011 is worth an estimated $100.

I thought I would use the column this week to discuss a few of the questions readers have asked since I started writing this column.

Question #1
Is it really worth my time to shop at multiple stores plus put in the time it takes to organize and clip the coupons?
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I know that it’s been a few weeks since my last column but I’ve been so busy with my “regular job” that I have hardly had time for anything else. Our large event is over now, so I hope to get back to the weekly columns you have all come to enjoy.

I want to start this week by encouraging you to check out restaurant.com, if you haven’t already. It can save you big on dining out, especially if you do any kind of traveling. You can snag $25 gift certificates for $10 each or less.

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Krazy for Coupons…deals, steals and bargains galore. I thought this week I would share with readers all the other ways I am able to save money.

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CVS 90% off

Target 75% off toy sale

WOW! This week has definitely been a week of learning. I have encountered hateful cashiers, mean store managers and scared couponers plus I’ve learned a few things about certain store policies that I was not aware of until now. I would like to take this time to share with you in hopes it will help.

Let’s start with Dollar General. (more…)

If I have learned one thing about using coupons it is that sooner or later you will convince yourself to not buy anything and pay full retail price.

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A big thanks goes out this week to the wonderful staff at HopePlace for having me come speak to their clients about how to save money with coupons. I really enjoyed sharing with each of you and I wish you all huge savings.

As best as I can tell, most of you reading this column want specifics on how in the world to get FREE stuff. The first thing you must understand is that it is not about walking into the store and rolling out with four carts full of free stuff. Is it possible? Sure. Is is realistic? NO! (more…)

I would like to start this week’s column by saying thanks for all the comments and messages on facebook I received after the last article. I was flattered at the number of individuals that suggested I teach a coupon class. Honestly, to teach a class would be like me saying I know everything there is to know about couponing, and that is definitely not the case. I continue to learn new things each and every week and I will continue to pass along what I learn to the readers of MonticelloLive. (more…)

In September of 2009 when Gene and Shelly Launius opened the doors to The Marketplace, the thought of expanding into another location never crossed their minds. Afterall, their plan for The Marketplace would include over 300 booth spaces which they thought would be more than enough. The Marketplace opened and the spaces filled quickly.

Gene and Shelly soon began getting requests from numerous retail merchants asking for space for their new product lines. They wanted a nice retail environment that was just as affordable as the space at The Marketplace but that would be limited to new merchandise only. These merchants needed space for their business without having to pay for an entire building on their own. After much thought, the idea of taking the extra space in the 19,000+ square foot Prestige Home Furnishings building (which Gene and Shelly also own) and turning it into a nice, retail environment for those vendors wanting to branch out into their own retail stores just seemed like the perfect solution. Thus, The Marketplace II was born. (more…)

By now I’m sure most of you have either seen or heard of TLC’s hit show Extreme Couponing. Maybe you’ve even thought about giving it a shot yourself or maybe you’ve gotten in line behind someone using coupons and hated it. Well, I’m hooked. From the very first show when I saw how much stuff the individuals featured on the show got for FREE, or for almost FREE, I new I was in trouble. Anyone that knows me is well aware that I love FREE stuff. No matter what it is, if it’s FREE I have to have it. (more…)