Well a bit of a belated Happy New Year to everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful 2010 and have an even better 2011!
I usually like to take a little bit of a look back on last year right about now and then I like to set a few goals for the new year.
For 2010, I thought I’d post my Top 5 deals for the year. I actually post so many it is easy to forget but here are a few that I was excited about:
- ToysRUs movie deals! Man there were some great promotions at Toys R Us- like getting Toy Story 1, 2 and Princess and the Frog for $9! Tinkerbell for $7 with a free watch and Beauty and the Beast for $3!
- The Company Store $20 off $20 order. If I remember most people did get in on this offer and some of you had a hot mess. I got lucky and ordered a jumper for about $20 and the shipping was free. My order came and I paid nothing for it!
- Flash Sale sites. There were so many of these that popped up and offered free codes to get items for next to nothing. The two that really stand out to me are One Kings Lane with the free $15 credit -( I got a nice bamboo coaster set and a free travel candle shipped for $1.61.) Rue La La also offered a free $20 credit. Some of you scored $50 vouchers to Lord and Taylor or Beauty.com for just $5 with those credits. I got a pair of Puma sneakers for a total of $8 with mine.
- Freebies! I usually don’t request a ton of free samples but there were some pretty amazing freebies this year. Just a few of my recent favorites have been: the free Juno Baby DVD, free greeting cards from Tiny Prints, free pack of Champion socks and just before Christmas I got a 3 lb bag of dog food totally free!
- Swagbucks. I have to say this is one of my favorite programs. It is pretty simple and I tend to save my gift cards up for something really good. I didn’t touch them for a few months before Christmas and I cashed in and got a Hoover Steamvac carpet cleaner totally free. I bought it on sale for $125 and shipping was free. My husband and I have been discussing the need for new carpet since we have white carpet in the house and the kids really did a number on it. Well this Hoover has done a truly amazing job on our carpets and they look brand new. I am so thrilled with this purchase.
Reader Jessica posted this last month: “I got an i Touch last night at Target.com they price cut the 8g to $199 with free shipping plus I got an extra $10 off for using my Target card. I used $185 in gift cards that I received all year long for all those wonderful Target gift card deals you post throughout the year and payed $18.63 out of pocket on my Target card! I did this last year with a small flat screen tv. I feel like I get a bigger bang for my buck by saving them till Christmas then using them on my daily transactions. Thank you for all your money saving posts!”
So she saved up her Target gift cards all year from the regular offers they have and cashed them all in at once to get an iTouch for less than $20!! I thought this was a genius idea as well and a wonderful reward for all the hard work we all put in to cut coupons!
And what about you? I would really love to hear what your favorite deals, freebies, and coupons were for 2010.
And as for the new year? Well as I always I have a list a mile long of things I want to do. But the projects I am working on right now include:
- A thorough Back to Basics series to help people navigate the waters of using coupons. My philosophy has always been to make simple lifestyle changes and to incorporate coupons in a realistic way. I try to keep a healthy balance in my life of saving money and also making sure I am spending my time wisely.
- More attention to meal plans and creating balanced menus while on a budget. This is a big priority for my family this year. I am really making an effort to cook more sensible meals and to balance getting deals with coupons and having a healthy menu. I try to spend $50 a week for everything and lately we have put more of a focus on really stretching that budget to buy high quality foods. You can expect to see more of that in 2011 along with more menu ideas from what I am actually making with what I buy.
- Vlogs. I did a handful of vlogs last year and I want to get back on track with regular vlogs that will address lots of different topics I get asked. Right now for example, I am working on a vlog to discuss how I come up with my meal plans, get organized to hit the store and then implement the menu each night. So hopefully you can either look forward to more of that- or if you don’t care about them- that’s fine with me too.
- Organizing, organizing, organizing. This is also a big priority for me this year. We are really trying to purge, clean and stay on top of things this year and I will post any great products or tips I find as I go.
And that’s about it! So I want to thank all of you for sharing your lives with me in 2010 and hopefully you continue to find MFA a useful resource. If there are any other things you would love to see more of (or less of- you can feel free to be honest) just let me know! Leave a comment and tell me what your thoughts are. If you prefer not to have it published just make a note.
And stay tuned for a big surprise in February! My Frugal Adventures turns 3 and I am already making plans to have a pretty fantastic week to celebrate!
There are so many good deals I was able to get in on towards the end of 2010. I just started couponing and really budgeting and stuff in October. Since then I have learned a lot.
I have to say my favorite things include:
1. swagbucks
2. free samples of actual size products (3lb dog food, socks, some meal seasoning packets).
3. Learning how to coupon and save money on just about everything
The biggest purchase or deal for me was the Wii I was able to get from Toys-r-us for $150 before Christmas. This was a gift to myself for taking control of my finances.
Thanks for all you do here on MFA. I love all the different things you post.
Thanks!
I just wanted to let you know I really appriciate all the time and energy that you put into this blog in 2010. I really love how you are always updating your site and keeping deals simple and easy to read 🙂 I loved all the giveaways that you planned in 2010! Even though I didn’t win this year (crossing fingers for 2011), it was really alot of fun entering and being apart of the contests. You always do a great job answering questions quickly and respectfully, even if some people do not ask in a respectful way. And again thanks for all you are doing, keep up the good work!
From a dedicated follower of MyfrugalAdventures!
Jessica T
Wow that was nice! Thanks Jessica! Sometimes I lose my patience too- thankfully you haven’t stumbled upon those responses yet 😀 I have a whole mess of giveaways to celebrate MFA’s birthday party! I can’t wait to get that week scheduled.
just want to say Thanks, this is my favorite blog !! it’s great !! Got my free Tuscan butter yesterday at Safeway thanks to your blog and I will keep letting you know whenever I see a great deal too !! Thanks again for all you do !!
There’ve been so many awesome deals since I started couponing this past year. I’ve been able to give so much stuff away to friends and family–it’s awesome. I recently made a spa-type gift basket for a mission-trip fundraiser that included all free stuff–Olay products, hair products, ecotool stuff, etc. One of my favorite deals was the paper deal through Office Max, I think it was–$11 for two BOXES of paper–I’ve barely put a dent in it. I’m thinking that this year I’m going to start a separate bank account for my rebate checks and see how much I can accumulate. Thanks for all you do and for being personal while you do it. Happy new year!
Thanks so much for all that you have taught me on how to save, you MFA is the only blog I follow for savings not kidding a couple of years ago I stumbled upon MFA I think from Saving with Shellie for a deal at Safeway just what I was looking for since I’m in the Bay Area and most blogs are in a differants state that have double coupons, anyway, Happy New Year and thanks for all your great information that you pass on to us. My last free item was the butter it works great with shrimp that was on sale at Safeway also.
Thanks for all your time and energy you devote to this. We are trying to use our money more prudently and your site helps! I am SO excited about the upcoming meal plans as this needs to be a main focus for me this new year. Can’t wait to see what you have in store!
I found your blog beg. of last year through another blog and am so thankful for all your posts! I used to cut coupons for groceries and such after my first child was born and after my second, things got too hectic for me that I had to forego all that. But after reading your blog, you made it so simple and easy to bargain shop. I can now say that our house is very well stocked in almost everything. I now supply all toiletry needs for my parents who are retired and living on fixed income. I’ve also been able to give away a lot of stuff to my daughter’s school and local shelters whenever they post a need, all out of the abundance of what’s been provided. I always refer your blog to friends who are interested in ‘frugal’ lifestyle. So, thank you and I’m so looking forward to 2011!
I wouldn’t consider myself a “couponer” although I love getting good deals and do clip coupons. Anyway, your blog has been a great source of information and help to me as I try to find the best possible deals. Thank you for all of your hard work.
Happy new year!! Thanks for all the deal updates!
Thank you so much for all your hard work, and I’am definately looking forward to more vlogs, And will always be a continued reader , I would also like to see how you would go out on a budget. Like a date night or a girls night out,etc. One of my new years resolutions is to stay on top of my budget, Thanks again Charlene.
I am so appreciative of all the deals you post, and all the behind-the-scenes work that go into getting them organized! You have helped me save so much time and money (both soooo precious!!) Deal highlight for me this year…The Disney DVD deals at Toys R Us. I ordinarily don’t shop there (my store isn’t the most friendly) but I made my way in there three times for Beauty & the Beast, Toy Story 3, Tinkerbell and Sorcerer’s Apprentice & Christmas Carol. WOW – my kids were so excited to get all those movies, and I never would have otherwise even considered purchasing them. I paid so little for ALL of them, and got a ton of freebies along the way! (tea cart, popcorn, clock, etc.) I looked like a rock star at Christmas! Thank you so much, and can’t wait to see what’s in store for the big 3 yr celebration! 🙂
Just wanted to take a moment to stop and say “THANK YOU!!!” for all of the hard work you put into your blog! I have always been frugal and used coupons but, over the past year with the help of your blog, I have been able to really maximize my savings. Everything you post is fantastic, however, the individual weekly store deal posts have helped me save the most time and money.
Thank you Charlene for making it a little easier for us to reach our New Year’s Resolutions! Your blog is fantastic – easy to navigate, well-researched, and fun and positive! I have gotten so many good deals from MFA that I can’t even remember all of them – my favorite is probably the orange Nintendo DSi (from Amazon with free games!)that brought tears to my son’s eyes on Christmas morning!
Love your blog!
Thanks for introducing me to free (or better!) razors and tooth paste!
My 2010 faves have to include the free glasses from coastal contacts, my complimentary Nespresso machine from Rue la la that I use daily and Groupon!
Keep up the great work and have a fabulous New Year!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I have benefitted so much from your posts this year. There are a lot of blogs out there focused on deals and frugal living, but I like yours best because of the easy to read format, friendly banter, and the fact that you update constantly. I pop on several times throughout the day (when I can) just to see what is going on. I was lucky enough to get 1 item from Cabelas – a $80 MSRP for $4 – that I love! I also loved the cheap chocolate covered fruit and many other cheap/freebie deals. I have been couponing for many years, but have just recently gotten into the whole online shopping game – and so far I love it. I did Christmas for very cheap this year and look forward to shoppign throughtout 2011 for next year’s holiday.
Thanks for all you do to help all of us!
I just wanted to say thank you, Charlene, for all that you do!! I love your blog and you have taught me a lot. Regarding meal planning, I have created what I call the “month of meals” – so far I have one for summer and one for the colder (non-grilling) months. It has helped us save a lot of money, to have more variety in our meals, and to be able to stock up. I’m hoping this might help others! Happy 2011!
Just as everyone else is doing, I would like to say thank you! You have helped me to save so much money and yet have so much! My friends and family all loved their gifts (most of which I got for for extremely cheap/free) thanks to you! I’m definitely wanting to get more into couponing and plan to keep a spreadsheet of everything I spend money on so that I know where to focus myself! Thank you again for all your help!
Looking forward to the vlogs!
Some of my favorite deals were:
1. Free dog food- Nutro/Inuvno (spelling?) coupons for free bag of expensive 18.99 for 6lbs dog food.
2. Free or really cheap board games- Hasbro $5 coupons used when Meijer had the board games on sale early Dec and used in conjunction with Meijer mperks $5 coupon.
3.Pace and Pillsbury win free food coupon games.
4. Wags Neutrogena $10 RR that worked when you bought 3 $.79 trial size face cleaners-did that twice before they shut it off.
I have saved so much money as a result of you and others bloggers and I wanted to give you a big THANK YOU for everything !
I also saved my Target giftcards I received from April-September deals and prescriptions giftcard coupons ($125) and put it towards a 24 inch tv for my college bound daughter. Then used any giftcard deals after September for Christmas.