Six Flags is one of the largest entertainment theme parks that offer a unique experience to fun-seeking individuals and families. Established more than 45 years ago, these parks are a hot favorite among kids and families that want to make the most of their holiday or vacation. The parks offer a combination of roller coaster rides, games, live shows, play areas for children, and specially created events to offer a unique experience, seldom possible in the humdrum of city life. To make the most of this experience, it is advisable to use Six Flag coupon codes that allow one to save money and time.

Here Are Some Ways To Save Money By Buying 6 Flag Coupon Codes:

First, the tickets bought through the Six Flags website allow you the flexibility of getting your ticket immediately, as opposed to endlessly waiting in queues to buy the tickets. Additionally, the tickets, when purchased online, offer a number of discounts to the rides and events that are otherwise not possible to avail at the parks.

Second, there are times when families might want to visit the parks many times during a season. For this, instead of buying tickets to Six Flags multiple times, one can opt for a season pass. For a realistic sum, the season pass allows multiple entries to the theme park during the entire season. Individuals can even avail customized options and opt for those passes that allow them to enjoy select rides without having to wait in queues. If you plan to visit the rides in groups, you may even opt for group passes that allow bulk discounts.

Third, not everyone would want to go to a park during summers. There are those of us who would like to visit a theme park during the winters. Six flag coupon codes may be bought for such off-season trips that allow special discounts during these times. It adds up to the benefits that one accumulates by buying coupon codes online.

Purchasing the Six Flags Discovery Kingdom coupons can have benefits that are much beyond cost savings. For families, it means an enjoyable get-together that is otherwise difficult to organize. Not only do such get-togethers have immense sentimental value, they also offer families fond memories that last them a lifetime. Employees who have been working hard can be treated with a fun experience at these theme parks. Such treats are not only a refreshing break, they also act as a motivating factor for the employees to work harder for the employer.

Last week, I decided to loosen the purse strings a little.  The girls and I ate out a time or two last week.  Friday, we went to see Monsters vs. Aliens (unfortunately NOT in 3D).  On Saturday, I took the girls to Dave and Busters, where we at then played games (at least until my oldest lost all of the tickets and had a fit…so we left).

What I am getting at is that you should not save money to the exclusing of all else.  You can spend a little money to make the people in your life happy.  Last week, we went to D&B’s (which I had a coupon for a free $20 game card if you bought one).  This week, we are going bowling.  I have a coupon for an hour of free bowling for up to 4 people.  Grandma is going with us.

I’ve posted quite a few items on how to save money at the grocery store. I figured I’d round them up for you so you don’t have to go hunting for them.

Buy Generic – Don’t worry.  You’ll find that a lot of the generic items taste just as good as the name-brand items.  In some cases, they are actually the same items, purchased from the brand-name manufacturer and re-branded with the store’s name.  I can tell you with almost 100% certainty that the Schnucks store brand sandwich bread is re-branded Wonder sandwich bread.

Keep track of what you buy – You can do this on paper, but the post describes an application that does a pretty good job.

Eat before you shop – This one should be pretty obvious.

Freeze It – Using your freezer can keep you from wasting food.

Make A List – Don’t just wander the store aimlessly.  Also, organize your list to the layout of the store to save time.

Use Coupons – Don’t throw your cash out with the Sunday paper.

Use cash – You got me.  I didn’t post about this one yet, but what it comes down to is planning to spend a certain amount and using cash only will help you stick to that amount, or rather the thought of the embarassment you will experience if you get to the checkout lane and don’t have enough cash to pay for your purchases.

Have a tip to save money on grocery shopping.  My readers and I would love to find out what it is.  Please leave a comment and share your tip with the world.

Buy 12 donuts and get 12 free (1 for each of the people you are giving gifts to).

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQNj7BSkhAc

]]> http://www.spendingless101.com/2008/11/08/how-to-save-money-with-coupons/feed/ 1 http://www.spendingless101.com/2008/09/11/cut-your-grocery-bill/ http://www.spendingless101.com/2008/09/11/cut-your-grocery-bill/#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2008 06:27:46 +0000 John http://www.spendingless101.com/?p=509

An easy way to cut your grocery bill week after week is to purchase generic or store brand items. Generic brands are better than they were years ago. If you haven’t bought generic recently, try a few items, you will probably be pleasantly surprised.

Another way to save is to cut coupons, but make sure the final price is less than the generic brand price. Some stores have double coupon days where they will double the value of your coupons up to a certain limit. Check out the policies of your favorite stores.

Convenience foods sometimes cost more than making things from scratch, but not always. For example: a batch chocolate chip cookies made from scratch (which only takes a few minutes) is 1/3 the cost of prepared cookie dough. But, you may to able to buy generic brand prepared cookies for less than the cost of making cookies from scratch.

There are several types of grocery stores and you should figure out the most cost effective way to use them – traditional grocery stores, discount stores, and wholesale stores. Traditional stores usually have a good variety and frequently offer special sale prices. Pay close attention to the specials and stock up. The discount stores often have less variety but offer everyday low prices that are often substantially less than a traditional store. Even if you don’t buy all your food at a discount store, you should shop there and buy as much as you can. The wholesale stores offer items in bulk quantities. If there are items that you use frequently and they won’t go bad before you use it all, this may be a good option. You could also shop with a friend and split the items.

It helps to plan your meals ahead of time. You can make index cards that list one menu per card and all the items needed to make that meal. It will take a few hours to get the index cards written out, but then each week you can easily flip through them and pull out the ones you want to use that week. If the menu includes something that you need a recipe for, the ingredients can be listed on the bottom of the index card. The cards can then be used to write out your shopping list.

When you have to run to the store several times because you forgot something, you often leave the store spending $35 even though you only needed one $3 item. Here is a trick that can help. Make up a list of the items you purchase most frequently. Group the items by department – produce, frozen, dairy, canned goods, dry goods, household, etc. Then save the list on your computer or make copies. When you are ready to make out your shopping list just put a check by the items you need that week. You can leave a few blank spaces in each group to write in items that were not on your master list.

Once you get the food home you need to eliminate any waste. Items that can spoil should be used early in the week. If you frequently throw out fresh vegetables before you have a chance to cook them, purchase frozen vegetables instead. They taste fresh and will last for months in the freezer. Along the same line, canned fruit will not spoil like fresh fruit does, so consider replacing some of the fresh fruit you buy with canned fruit. There is a good variety of canned fruit to choose from – things like single serving fruit cocktail and individual strawberry applesauce. Even if the cost per ounce is a little more, if less is wasted it could save you in the long run.

Try to use all of your leftovers. You would never throw a $5 bill in the trash, but it is no different than throwing half a pan of lasagna in the trash. Remember – The freezer is your friend. Divide leftovers into single serving microwavable containers and freeze. You can take the containers to work and enjoy a free lunch. If you have a recipe that calls for a small onion and all you have is a large onion, chop the large onion up, use half in your recipe and freeze the other half. Next time you need a small chopped onion for a recipe it will be there for you. Many foods are freezable, so get them frozen before they go bad.

Some families eat out frequently because of the convenience. If you find this is the case, simply having food available for a couple of easy dinners could help – things like grilled cheese sandwiches and canned soup, or frozen pizza and a salad. Don’t let your pantry get too low or you will be more tempted to eat out.

Bringing your lunch to work at least four days per week is a good habit. Breakfast should be eaten at home and the coffee stop should be an occasional treat instead of a daily event.

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We all like to dine out. We dine out for the delicious food, but more importantly, for the experience and the fun time to be with friends and families. However, dining out can be expensive, especially now when the restaurant prices keep going up and up. Fortunately, there are many ways you can get restaurant discount coupons online and offline, so you can save on your restaurant expenses by simply doing a little planning ahead.

1. Newspaper ads.

This one is obvious. When you open your Sunday newspaper, you will find tons of restaurant discount coupons. Many ads have more than one coupon for each restaurant as well. Most of them have expiration date. Therefore, be sure to use the coupons before they expire.

2. ValPak

I received Valpak once a month by mail. Once in a while I find some new restaurants advertise in Valpak. The good thing about Valpak is they only advertise local stores. If you want to find a new restaurant in your neighborhood, try looking in the stacks of Valpak coupons to see anything look interesting to you.

3. The back of your local supermarket receipts

Next time you go shopping at your local Safeway, Albertsons, or any big supermarkets, make sure to check the back of your receipts. Many restaurants advertise on local supermarket receipts with coupons to attract local customers. I always find Subway coupons at the back of my local Safeway supermarkets. There are a lot of car wash coupons at the back of supermarket receipts as well.

4. Sign up for restaurant mailing lists

Many large restaurant chains now have dining clubs that give out coupons or discount codes to their members. For example, I belong to Sweet Tomatoes’ “veg club.” They send me discount coupons for my birthday through email, and I can use the same coupon for a period of time. Some large chains also give restaurant discount coupons for holiday specials exclusive to their mailing list members. If you do not mind getting some promotional email once in a while, joining a restaurant mailing list is not a bad idea.

5. Take customer satisfaction surveys

Many large restaurant chains give incentive for their customers to fill out customer satisfaction surveys. Usually you call a phone number and answer several questions to give them opinion on how satisfied you are with their services. The restaurants usually give you a discount code for your next visit. I have done it for Fresh Choice and some other restaurants many times. Some restaurants let you enter a drawing instead of giving out restaurant discount coupons. I usually do not bother with that unless I am really not satisfied with the service. Sometimes the restaurant staff do not tell you about the surveys. So be sure to check your receipts for instructions of how to do so.

With these 5 free ways to find restaurant discount coupons, you can enjoy the experience of dining out without breaking the bank. Little bit of looking around and planning can save you a lot of money.

I’ll bet you’re wondering what organization has to do with saving money.

Actually quite a bit!

Imagine that you’ve been looking all over your house for that book/DVD/sunglasses/whatever and you can’t find it. Or imagine that you’re at the store and can’t remember if you still have any bananas or jars of strawberry jam.

Simple things, right?

Well, when we can’t remember what we have and don’t know where to find what we have, we usually end up buying it again. And then, before you know it, you’re like my aunt with 17 umbrellas.

My mother always says that once you replace something you can’t find, you’ll find the original missing item. I’m sure many of you have heard that as well. But for as many times as we’ve heard this, we still do not take action and bring some organization into our lives to avoid spending money when did not need to spend in the first place.

So, what do we do about this? The answer to almost every organizing problem is to have a system. Why a system? Because we are creatures of habit and mostly prefer to do things the same way every time. Not only that but with a system you have less to remember. You just follow the system.

There are a couple of systems you can put in place to help you save money in various areas of your life. Here are 4 areas in which you will want to find a system that works for you to help save you tons of money in the end.

1. Grocery Shopping

How many times have you been at the grocery store, without your list, and wondered if you should be an item you’re not really sure if you have or need?

I’m willing to be it happens a lot. It happens more when you don’t have a list. It happens even more when you don’t know what you have in your kitchen.

Here’s what I suggest. Go through your cabinets and fridge before you attempt to make a shopping list. The list you’re about to make is what you can see that you’re missing or low on. Next, depending on how often you shop (I suggest no more than weekly) and plan your menus accordingly. So, plan menus weekly if you shop weekly, two weeks at a time if you shop bi-weekly, etc.

Once you know what you’re going to make, you can look at what you’re missing (from your first list), and make your shopping list accordingly.

When you get to the store, do not deviate from this list. Take appropriate coupons if you want to, but don’t go hungry and leave the kids at home.

2. Shoes

What woman doesn’t like to have a variety of shoes? Unlike men, we must have different shoes for different outfits, occasions, and seasons. However, this love of shoes can go overboard.

This has happened to me, I must admit. While shopping for something totally unrelated, I saw a great pair of gray houndstooth heels in Target. The only problem was the heel was a little too high and the size 11 was probably one size or so more than I needed.

I reasoned that my feet would swell and I wouldn’t be standing long anyway. Plus, the shoes weren’t expensive. Well, I stood for a long time on the day I wore them, it rained, and they were too big. They were worn once and are now on their way to charity. What a waste!

I should have taken stock of what I had and thought about what I was going to wear on that occasion. Had I done that, I would have saved my feet and my money.

So, take note: know what you have before you start adding to your collection.

3. Clothing

What goes for shoes also goes for clothing.

I used to get clothing as gifts from my parents and internally wondered where they thought a 14 year old was going to wear a white ruffled shirt in 1995. (I eventually found a use for that shirt in one of the plays I was in.)

The point is, even though they were trying to be nice about it, the clothing choices didn’t fit my existing lifestyle. We do that sometimes. Whether it’s a trend or something great we saw on someone else, we figure it’s just something we have to have. But, by thinking this way, we often ignore the fact that it’s not our style, it’s not flattering, or it’s out of our budget.

The organization here also revolves around knowing what you have. This will help you determine what you actually need and if there is room in your budget and your closet for the things you want.

4. Bills

The key to organization and paying bills is really simple. Pay your bills on time.

One more time: pay your bills on time.

This advice is most important when the bill is a credit card or loan. Late fees and over the limit fees (sometimes as a result of late fees) can seriously hinder your ability to eventually be debt free. (Who wants to stay in debt forever?)

There are a couple of ways you can do this. You can pay the bills as you receive them in the mail (if you still get paper bills) or as you receive notification by email for electronic bills. Or, to make this more automated and ensure the bills are paid on time, sign up for a 3rd party service, one at your bank, or one offered by your creditor where the payment is automatically debited from a designated checking account each month.

There are a number of ways to have as much or as little control over this process as possible, but the point is to set up a system and stick with it so that you don’t lose money to late fees and penalties.

5. Miscellaneous Items

This is the area where so many people get into trouble.

We find ourselves at the store and we see something we like. We think we have one at home, but we’re not sure. So, instead of waiting until we get home to verify (or call someone who is at home), we purchase the item anyway and end up with multiples. (Remember the 17 umbrellas?)

It’s good to wait to make some purchases anyway, but the more organized you become, the more aware you are of what you have. When you know what you have, then you also know what needs to be replaced or what you’re lacking.

Once you start organizing, you will find a surprising number of items you have bought and you can’t remember why or what it is even for. You will also find the things you thought were lost but were really just buried under foolishness and mayhem called clutter.

Do yourself and your family a favor and stop the foolishness. Get organized and save money. You’ll be glad you did.

How Organization Will Save You Money
Copyright 2008
Wendy Stewart
All Rights Reserved

NOTICE: Article(s) may be republished free of charge to relevant websites, as long as Copyright and Author Resource Box are included; and ALL Hyperlinks REMAIN intact and active.

I just came across some coupons to help you save some money on the up-keep of your car, van, truck, go-kart, or whatever you drive. Props go out to the bloggers over at cashrunner.net. I will be placing a link to their site in my blogroll.

• Coupon #1 – Free tire inflation, tread inspection, air filter check, alignment check
• Coupon #2 – $10 off standard tune-up
• Coupon #3 – 10% off any 2, 15% off any 3, 20% off any 4 services (radiator system flush, wheel alignment, transmission service, fuel system service
• Coupon #4 – $16.99 standard oil change & filter plus free tire rotation
• Coupon #5 – $10 off wheel alignment
• Coupon #6 – $40 off a set of 4 Firestone tires
• Coupon #7 – $50 off a set of 4 Bridgestone tires

There are more coupons and other deals over at cashrunner.net.

You know that all television is going digital in February. The government is giving out $40 coupons (up to 2 per person) to pay for the purchase. Check this eBay listing… You can see that a lot of people are buying their boxes using the government coupon and re-listing them on eBay. Even if you only made $15-$20 after shipping, that’s $15-$20 pure profit.

Go to www.dtv2009.gov to request your coupons…

I’ve always been a proponent of using coupons.  When they are legit, they are good.  You can save a lot of money.  In some cases, however, you may end up losing out.

I found a CBS news video on someone who is saving $5,000-$6,000 per year, just from using coupons.  You’ve got to check out this story.  It gives me drive to continue with my coupon-cutting.

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Over on CouponCravings.com, is a post that talks about how to do this. The official name of the program is the Overseas Coupon Program.

I’m in. Are you?

Actually, you are not getting the savings from the USPS. You would be getting the savings from the vendors. The USPS just provides a means to an end.

Here is how it works:

Whenever you move, one of the things you need to do is forward your mail to your new address. The US Postal Service offers a packet that contains information on changing your address, change of address forms, and last but not least, coupons… There is a Lowe’s reward card inside the packet that will give you up to $500 in savings ($50 gift card for every $500 you spend up to $5000). In addition, it contains 3 coupons from Best Buy (10% off, 12% off Whirlpool, and 10% off items in certain categories). In addition, there are coupons from Budget Truck Rental, DirectTV, Geico, JCPenney, TMobile, and more…

There is nothing in the offers for Lowe’s and Best Buy that says you have to actually be changing your address to take advantage of the offer.

And you said the government has never done anything for you. Well, actually, they still haven’t…but I have. Enjoy.