Rise and Shine is my way of sitting down and having a cup of coffee with you! We talk about the new deals of the day, highlights from yesterday, and anything else that might help us save time, money or energy. Published Monday through Friday – as I’m able.
Good morning! How’s it going today? Yesterday was a quiet day at home for me. I had planned a bunch of errands and some writing for the blog, but my son ended up coming home from school with an upset stomach so plans changed to spending the day on the couch. In fact, we both snuck in a 2.5 hour nap yesterday afternoon – I guess we both needed it. 😉
Mr. Queen Bee brought home some flowers for me last night and said Happy Mother’s day eve, eve, eve, eve, eve. Ha! I adore him so much. 😉 He also picked up dinner from the frozen food department of Trader Joe’s – cheaper than eating out and easier too, probably! We shared some Naan and both had Indian food entrees – so good.
I really need to get to the grocery store – it just didn’t happen yesterday – so hopefully today. We’ve downsized our stockpile quite a bit in preparation for our move – our freezer is almost empty and we will actually be selling our freezer this week – so our meal planning hasn’t been as ideal as I’d like. But it’s just a time of transition – so we’re trying to be flexible, while still making frugal choices.
Some of you may have noticed QFC deals are no longer available from the match-ups. We are part of a co-op of bloggers, working together to provide match-ups. For some reason they’ve opted to stop offering QFC match-ups. It makes me very sad as I know how much my local readers love QFC. In the past, I would have just funded those match-ups out of my pocket, but we are facing some lean times here at Queen Bee after one of our biggest affiliate companies cut our commissions for not being profitable enough because the deals we post are “too good” (long story) – but it’s had a huge impact. Site traffic is down, people aren’t printing coupons and Facebook continues to hide my posts – so revenue is down, a lot. Our revenue from these other areas is what funds the match-ups and the in-store deals. I’m worried that I’ll be facing some very tough choices over the next couple months about what match-ups we can continue to provide.
This is happening to frugal blogs nationwide. 🙁 Not just here at Queen Bee.
I pride myself on our unadvertised deals. On providing value you won’t find anywhere else. My team is made up of moms, real couponers, real people – who go into the stores and find the best deals. But that costs money. And it’s not sustainable if there isn’t a need for the information.
I wonder – are people just not couponing anymore? Are you not printing coupons or needing match-ups like you did a couple years ago? What do you think – how has your couponing changed in the last year? How can I be most helpful to you when it comes to saving money and time?
If you want to continue to support the site – please print your coupons here, please visit our Facebook wall and comment on and share posts so Facebook knows we have relevant content, do your online shopping through the links on our site – all this helps keep revenue up – which I use to pay the amazing team of ladies who find the deals in the stores – because there is no way I could do it all on my own.
At the end of the day – I want to provide VALUE to you. I want my site to add VALUE to your life, to save you time, to save you money, to make a difference in your life. That will always be my goal. Thanks for your patience as I figure this all out. If you have comments or feedback about this – please share!
Coupons
Head over here to print your coupons.
$1.00 off (1) Purex Baby Liquid detergent
$0.70 off any one True Citrus Product
$0.50 off any ONE Campbell’s Sauces
$0.50 off any pepper sauce from TABASCO brand
$6.00 off any Non-Drowsy Claritin 45ct or larger
$0.50 off any One (1) Purex Powder 22oz or larger
$1.00 off two Purex Liquid Detergent or UltraPacks
$3.00 off L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Volume Filler
$1.00 off any PURELL 35 Count Canister Wipe
Online and Retail Sale
Cents of Style – Style Steals – Colorful Cuff Bracelets available in 11 colors – $5.95 (reg. $14.95) with code CUFFSTEALS at checkout. Cents of Style always offers FREE Shipping. Shop Style Steals here.
Rite Aid – Aveeno shampoo and conditioner just $1.15 per bottle
Through tomorrow, you can subscribe to Disney Frozen Magazine for $14.50 per year (64% savings) with coupon code QUEENBEE at checkout. You can order up to 2 years at this price. It would make a fun gift – as it’s delivered all year!
Rite Aid – Two FREE Children’s Allergy Relief (no coupons required!)
Walmart Value of the Day – GE Black C1640W Digital Camera with Bonus 4GB SD Card and Case – $39 (reg. $58.18). Shop Walmart here.
Christopher & Banks (or CJ Banks) is offering a rare $10 off coupon when you sign up for their emails. The coupon comes immediately after filling out the short form. CJ Banks features misses, petite and women sizes.
Walmart has a bunch of Kids Backpacks on sale for $5 including Frozen, Minnie Mouse, Doc McStuffins, Sofia the First, My Little Pony, Despicable Me and more. Several offer FREE Shipping to store and all have free shipping to home on orders $50 or more.
Keds Sale Section has shoes on sale up to 50% off right now. Plus Keds always offers FREE Shipping and now FREE Returns!
Flirty Aprons – 60% off plus FREE Shipping with code MOTHER60 at checkout. Limited time offer. Shop Flirty Aprons here.
All You just rolled out a new sale for Mother’s Day – Buy One Subscription to All You Magazine, Get a 2nd Subscription for FREE! That’s two subscriptions (12 issues per subscription) for $19.92, which is only $0.83 per issue.
Gymboree – 40% off Tees, Tanks, Shorts & Swimwear. Free Shipping on orders $75 or more. Shop Gymboree here.
Crazy 8 – Patriotic Inspired Items – 25% off. Free Shipping on orders $75 or more. Shop Crazy 8 here.
Kohls.com – 2-day Sale featuring 50% off Specials. New Gold Star Markdowns up to 70% off. Shop Kohl’s here.
6pm.com – Crocs up to 50% off. FREE shipping on all orders, no minimum purchase. Shop 6pm.com here.
Joe’s New Balance Deal of the Day – New Balance 110 Women’s Running Shoe – $39.99 (reg. $89.99). Shipping just $1 through May 7. Shop Joe’s New Balance Deal of the Day here.
Zulily – Featuring a collection of companies and items backed by Mark Cuban on Shark Tank. Shipping is around $5.95 per order, but can vary depending on your order size. Shop Zulily here.
Home Depot Special Buy of the Day – 30% off select Portable Generators. Shipping costs vary depending on product. Avoid shipping charges by opting for in-store pick-up if available at your local store. Shop Home Depot Special Buy of the Day here.
Vera Bradley – Weekly Steals – 50% off 5 styles. Plus through May 10, enjoy a limited edition Soft Fringe Scarf in Madison Garden Blush ($38 value) FREE with your purchase of $100 or more. FREE Shipping on orders $75 or more. Shop Vera Bradley here.
Walmart Value of the Day #2 – Xbox 360 Console Value Bundle with Two Games – $169. Shop Walmart here.
Lane Bryant – Crops and Capris Buy One, Get One 50% off. Shop Lane Bryant here.
REI Outlet Deal of the Day – Brooks Infiniti T-Shirt – Men’s – $23.73 (reg. $55). FREE in-store pick up , no minimum required. Shop REI Outlet Deal of the Day here.
Payless – Semi-Annual Sale up to 40% off. FREE Shipping with $35 purchase. Shop Payless here.
BabySteals – Motorola Digital Video Baby Monitor – $46.99(reg. $99.99). Shipping starts at $6.85. Shop BabySteals here.
Entertainment Book – 2015 Entertainment Books just $12 plus FREE Shipping. Entertainment Books are available for locations nationwide and contain thousands of 2-for-1 and up to 50% off discounts and coupons for fine & casual dining, local attractions, shopping, travel & more. Shop Entertainment Books here.
Right now almost everything from Hanna Andersson is 20% off! Kids and baby new arrivals, girls favorite summer dresses, women’s summer styles and Hanna Home items and more. New shoppers at Hanna Andersson can save an additional 15% with code SUMMER15 at checkout. Shipping starts at $5.95. Good through May 10.
Amazon Deals
We post Amazon deals throughout the day, see the latest Amazon deals here. See all of Amazon’s Deals of the Days here.
Amazon Deal of the Day – Up to 70% off Jewelry Gifts for Mom plus FREE 1-day Shipping. This deal good today only, while supplies last.
Amazon BONUS Deal of the Day – 60% off Cubavera Men’s Clothing. This deal good today only, while supplies last.
Just Dance 2015 – $19.99 (reg. $39.99) for ALL gaming systems – Playstation, Wii and Xbox, BEST price
Franco Sarto Carmina Satchel to $16.83 (reg. $79). Available in four colors at this price.
Amazon has some a lot of women’s Patagonia shoes on sale up to 70% off, with prices starting as low as $27
Rent Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles [HD] for $0.99 over on Amazon
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- Early access to select Lightning Deals on Amazon, and every event on MyHabit.com
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Recipes, meal planning, grocery store
Fred Meyer Best Unadvertised In-Store Deals for May 5 – Great deals on salad dressing, refried beans, juice, and more!
See this week’s grocery ads here – Fred Meyer, Safeway and Albertsons and QFC deals and WinCo deals. Get the latest Costco coupon deals here.
Pacific Northwest Deals
Groupon – The Breakers of Long Beach Condos in Long Beach, WA – as low as $69/night (reg. $119/night)
Amazon Local – IMAX Movie and Exhibit Package at Pacific Science Center at 36% off. You can select packages for 2 or 4 that include general exhibit admission and tickets to a movie in the newly renovated Boeing IMAX Theater complete with popcorn and soda.
Discount admission for Northwest Trek Wildlife Park are available on Groupon! This is such a fun family place to explore and get up close to nature, but admission can be somewhat pricey, so this is a great deal. Choose from weekday or weekend admission – kids as low as $9.50 (reg. $12.25) and adults as low as $14.75 (reg. $19.75).
Have a great day!
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Rachel J. says
Hello just want to say that I love your blog and it’s the only one I follow. When I first started couponing I saw your little column in TNT and I always read and loved it, that’s how I found your blog and have been hooked ever since. I only shop Safeway and occasionally Fred Meyer & Winco. Hope to get a Costco membership soon. I don’t think I’ll ever stop couponing, I love it too much. I really love the unadvertised deals! I don’t print coupons only because I don’t have a printer! I also enjoy your recipes very much. I love that your local. I can’t even explain how much you have helped. Good luck and thank you for all that you do!!
Evonne says
I just wanted you to know I have been following your blog for about 4 years now. I had been following another blog but started following yours when I found that most of the deals they were posting were from you. At 1 point I was following 4 different bloggers but now I am down to 2. In the 4 years I have changed my shopping habits and with your help have become a better shopper. But what I have noticed is the deals are harder to find, the coupons are lower value, and a lot of it is on stuff that I’m trying NOT to feed to my family. I’ve read on some blogs where they are changing their shopping tactics as well.
I watch your blog for a number of reasons. The first is that you’re real. When I read your posts I feel like you are showing me who you really are. You share your struggles, your ups and downs. You share your family – I’ve loved watching your adorable children grow. Your site is well organized – I can easily find what I’m looking for without a lot of clicking around. Your from Alaska – yeah – I know this is the odd ball one – but being that I’m from Alaska as well it’s like your family.
I’ve learned a lot from you the last 4 years and would say that even if your site changes and evolves, I will probably still follow you. After all, you’re family 🙂
Heather Clarke says
Oh Evonne – you had me in tears with this one! 🙂 Grateful tears. I feel in many ways like my readers are family and it’s probably why I’m so hard on myself when I feel like I’m falling a bit short. I’ll continue to be real, continue to share about my family and continue to do my best to deliver the most value. Being that we are both from Alaska adds a whole other level of family, for sure. Hugs to you and thanks for your kind words and encouragement tonight!
Jackie says
I used to follow other local coupon blogs in the past, however they either stopped doing certain store match-ups or scaled them back so much they became unreliable. While you are not as local to me, you are still in the same region and provide better information than any national blog. The local blogs take more care to post legitimate deals, where some of the national blogs will push the line on their match-ups.
The grocery ads, match-ups, and unadvertised deals are what bring me here. In the past I used to look at many blogs to get my information. I dropped most of the others as I found the information all in one place – here. I look at one other blog for grocery as they have an early ad for Fred Meyer, but they are not as thorough on the match-ups. I come back here for that.
I do appreciate the personal and lifestyle posts. I also look at deals from other sellers like Amazon. Honestly, I am only reading them because I am here already. It is the grocery stores that get me here in the first place.
Recently I have started to print more coupons, because lately there have been more printables. I come here to print them. I don’t subscribe or buy a paper as Red Plum comes in the mail. Overall I am using less coupons since Albertsons stopped having doubles. I am not stockpiling as much because the opportunity is not there as often. This makes the match-ups even more important because I need to get while the gettin’s good.
If the match-ups stop for some stores, I will look for other sites that will provide them. If I am able to find they are as thorough or close to an equivalent for the other stores, I will most likely stay there. If you are able to get the Fred Meyer ad early and bring back QFC then I will not need to look anywhere else.
Please take this in the most heart-felt way. I feel like I have come to know you (even better than some of my closest friends 😉 ) through reading your Rise and Shine, Downsizing Journey, and other personal posts. I appreciate the hard work that you and others contribute to this site, but my time is valuable as well. If I can’t get what I “need” (the grocery deals) here then I won’t come here for the other posts that I enjoy.
Heather Clarke says
Hey Jackie – Thank you so much for taking the time to reply – and with such a detailed response. I appreciate it so much!
First – I’m so glad that you find our match-ups are the best in terms of reliability – this has always been important to us! And we try to be your one-stop shopping for ads. We have tried to get the Fred Meyer ad early – but they have a specific contract with only one blogger – which is just how it works. 🙁
I’m glad to know you appreciate the personal posts – sometimes I think people must be so tired of hearing about me and my life. 🙂 I need to do more of the lifestyle and frugal living posts. I’ve been in a bit of rut lately in terms of feeling inspired to come up with new topics – so I need to get some inspiration and get writing again. 🙂
I appreciate your candid feedback and I understand that the match-ups are the real value. They are why I started this blog and one of the best ways I think people can save – so I don’t plan on eliminating them. I just have to figure out how to fund them. Thanks for sticking with me as we figure this out. I’m already researching options for QFC! 🙂
Patty says
I’m sorry to hear you are facing these financial challenges. I get a lot of good information from your blog and appreciate the effort you put in for our benefit.
Beyond the Safeway match-ups, I don’t review or use any of the coupon information. Coupons for the products I buy are typically low-value and it isn’t worth the time and trouble to print them. I focus on sale items and whatever deals I can load onto my loyalty card from the Safeway site. That plus a Costco trip now and then keeps us stocked.
I get the most value from others types of information from your site. I would love to see more along the lines of the selling things on Amazon, how you sold your downsized items, building garden boxes, frugal travel, and those types of posts.
Heather Clarke says
Hi Patty! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Thanks for letting me know that you love the Safeway match-ups! Safeway Just for U coupons can be a great, easy way to save! And I do adore Costco. I will try and do better about writing more frugal living posts – providing more value in other types of posts. 🙂 Appreciate your feedback!
Patrice says
I agree with Michelle and Kathy – the days of extreme couponing are over. There are so many restrictions and the value is not what it used to be. I’m at a point in my life where my kids are grown and gone and I’m madly saving for retirement, so I don’t stockpile and I don’t buy as much as I used to. I don’t need toys and diapers from Costco or Amazon any more. But I’m still a loyal follower!
Heather Clarke says
Hey Patrice! So grateful that you still visit my site, even when the seasons in your life have shifted and you find you aren’t needing the nuts and bolts of the grocery match-ups anymore. Saving for retirement is a great topic – saving in general – that perhaps I need to focus more on! Appreciate you taking the time to comment. 🙂
Mea says
I know this is completely not your fault at all…but I think that most people have started straying away from printable coupons because they simply don’t scan at the store. While I know many factors affect that, (ink quality, paper quality, printer brand etc) , I think people figure “Why print it if it’s not going to scan?”
I’m guessing it goes down something like this:
1. People print coupons
2. Coupon doesn’t scan (especially at Safeway and now more and more Fred Meyer) (not your fault at all)
—OR—
3) The coupon is rejected because of the Walmart advertising (again…not your fault)
3. Now the whole transaction is messed up.
4. 9 times out of 10 people put the items back because they aren’t getting the savings.
5. Now the store gets frustrated at all the ‘go backs’.
5. People get frustrated and wonder why they bothered to print the coupons in the first place.
That’s just my guess as to why people don’t print as much as they used to. It has nothing to do with your site as much as the wasted ink, paper, time, and effort….all for a rejected coupon.
It all comes full circle to people who ‘extremely’ couponed in the past. Now it affects us all…for example…lower value coupons, limits on coupons per person, and stores turning coupons down.
I LOVE how you promote Common Sense Couponing. Practical savings advice without carts full of tic tacs. Real savings, real advice, real shopping trips you have done. I hope things look up for you real soon!! Anytime I do print coupons…its through your site! 😉
Have a great day and thanks for all you do……it can’t be easy!!!! 🙂
Heather Clarke says
Mea – So grateful for your comment and insight. I agree – couponing is so very different from what it was when I started blogging six years ago. Nothing is guaranteed, coupons are lower value, stores have tighter promotions, stock is limited – and in general it seems like it’s a lot harder to save these days than it was even two years ago. I really appreciate that you see value in my common sense couponing approach and I think we can do more on this topic – less on the couponing, but more on how we can save on groceries without all the complicated coupon scenarios or printable coupons. THANK YOU for following my site and sticking with me as we figure this out!
jessica says
I don’t print coupons like crazy, but I do appreciate when you point out the sales at QFC with the coupons from the Sunday paper that I can pair together. because of your website, I knew what to do, and when the “buy five save $5” deal went on; I got $35 worth of product and spent $6. I would even be willing to pay a small one time fee to continue to get the emails from you/have access to the website.
Heather Clarke says
Hi Jessica – YAY I love the story of saving big during the QFC Buy 5, Save $5 sale – that’s a great sale and I’m so pleased that we were able to help you save. I don’t know that I’ll ever be comfortable charging for the site – although how very sweet of you to offer. 🙂 We’ll get this figured out and it’s readers like you who are appreciating our content – that makes me want to do better! Stay tuned as we work through this. 🙂
Tanya says
Heather, I so appreciate the frugal ideas you’ve posted on this site. I’ve been encouraged to plant more as I’ve read your posts on gardening. Overall, I’m very pleased with this site, it brightens up my day to read your thoughts and ideas, especially family activities that have lasting memories. I am no longer printing coupons, like mentioned by others, because they are not relevant to what I need to purchase (healthy/natural foods) and they’re not high enough value to bother with printing/cutting out/shopping at a specific store. Even the higher value coupons I find myself skipping because too often I wouldn’t find a good sale to couple them with before they expire, so I choose not to waste printer ink and time in cutting and organizing unused coupons. Costco is my main shopping store, as it saves time, has good quality, and offers pretty good deals especially with their own automatic coupons and other reward perks. Also, the deal posts have become quite confusing and irrelevant to me because of the iBotta and other things that are added into the mix. I don’t have a smart phone and I generally don’t like to sign up for things just to get a few cents off. Several years ago, the deals were posted clearly. Often times the deals just included great finds with or without a coupon. Now I have to sort through nuances like not being able to come up with 4 similar coupons, subtracting iBota from the equation, a possibility of the coupon having a unique size restriction that will not allow for a discount, etc. It’s way too much work in my opinion. I love to find bargains, so I will continue, as I’m able, to search through topics and ideas on this site for frugal and doable choices.
Heather Clarke says
Hey Tanya – I hear you!!! I personally have been feeling the same way about things – in terms of printable coupons and complicated scenarios. Perhaps I should be doing more with Costco – as it’s one of my favorite stores, too. I’m sorry I’ve been slacking on the gardening side this past year – I feel guilty about that and with the move, it’s not been much on my radar this spring either. 🙂 Thanks for sticking with me – as a family we have some exciting plans ahead and I hope you’ll come along for the ride as we embark on a new adventure this summer. The bargains will always be my “baby” and why I started this site – so those won’t be going anywhere. 🙂 Thanks again for your kind comment!
Colleen says
I used to coupon a lot but I have not done so in the past year or so. It takes a lot of time hassle and has not been worth the effort. We find, at least in our family, that as the kids are getting older (and busier) it makes more sense for us to buy in bulk monthly at Costco and fill in the gaps with fresh produce and other items as we need them. I just do not have them time to devote to coupons without much of a return on the time investment. I no longer stockpile and am much more careful about what I purchase- do I really need this right now etc. This has changed how we, as a family shop. Your Rise and Shine posts still brighten my day and I enjoy them very much. I am also sad to see the QFC deals go away as QFC is so close and I always check your post before heading out. It was a great time saver but I understand why you can no longer post these. Luckily, our QFC store is small enough I can certainly take some extra time and check around myself. I wish you all the luck going forward.
Heather Clarke says
Colleen – I don’t think you’re alone. A lot of people are moving away from coupons because of the hassle – complicated deals, low value coupons, limited stock, etc. Costco is a great option and I wish I could come up with some ideas to help people save there. I am so glad that Rise and Shine brightens your day. I often think that people have got to be tired of me talking about my life – but I appreciate that you find the general post helpful and it really is my favorite post of the day. Don’t worry about QFC – we’re working on figuring out a solution. It’s my favorite store personally – so I have a vested interest, too, in keeping those match-ups around. Again – I appreciate your comment, thank you so much for sticking with me as we sort all this out!
Cheryl I says
I value your write-ups on local grocery stores. You have also introduced me to companies like Zaycon, where we did use your link to give credit where it was due. As for printing coupons….personally, I am streamlining our purchases and am not “stockpiling,” even when items are free. I will sorely miss matchups on favorites like QFC and safeway. Thank you for free pads, toiletries, and real-deals that you’ve tested personally.
Heather Clarke says
Hey Cheryl! Safeway deals aren’t going anywhere and we are working on trying to keep QFC around. I find it so interesting – you aren’t the only one who says they aren’t stockpiling anymore. 🙂 It’s such a shift from where things were even a couple years ago. I think I might just be having a hard time finding my place in this shifting couponing environment. I want to provide true value to my readers and I’m struggling to see how to do that as traditional couponing is waning. Thanks for your comments and for sticking with me as we figure all this out!!
Julie says
Hi Heather! Let me start off by saying how much I adore your blog. I love reading the Rise and Shine and hearing the updates about your life. I use the Amazon deals and Fred Meyer match ups most often. I don’t print coupons as they aren’t relevant to what I’m usually buying. Have you thought about having an Amazon link on your blog for readers to make all their purchases from? I’ve seen them on other blogs as “Shop Amazon and Support this Blog”. I’d be more than willing to make all my Amazon purchases via that link. As the price for me wouldn’t change and it might help bring in a bit of revenue for you. Thank you for doing this blog! I know you have saved my family lots of time and money over the years.
Heather Clarke says
Hi Julie! Thanks so much for your sweet comment. I love that you enjoy Rise and Shine and that you like hearing updates about my life. Sometimes I think people must be so tired of hearing me talk about myself! But Rise and Shine is my FAVORITE post of the day. If you shop through any Amazon link on my site, I get a small commission rate – and perhaps I’ll add a link, we’ll see. 🙂 You are so sweet to offer, for sure! Thank you for following me all these years – and thank you for sticking with me as I work through this.
Megan says
Hi Heather! I haven’t printed coupons in a loooooooong time because they usually are not worth the hassle for me or they are not for things I actually buy. I don’t get the newspaper anymore either because there were not enough coupons that I wanted to make it worth the cost and work. Even All You magazine that used to be full of coupons only has one or two per issue now. It’s just not worth it to me.
When I first started couponing I would print out tons of coupons and buy stuff I did not need thinking I would just donate it if I did not use it. Now I am more purposeful about my donations and I try to just give money to the organizations I like to support rather than gathering things that add another task for me. Except for the Family Support Center where I like to donate toys.
I really love Amazon for the price and convenience so I love to see your Amazon deals. No coupon clipping and no trips to the store. Also, any other great online deals for things we all need or want like toiletries, shoes, gifts, etc are useful to me.
When I do my food shopping I typically go to Costco for meat, cheese, milk, bread, and that sort of thing then I go to Fred Meyer for produce and other things I want to buy in smaller quantities. I don’t go to a lot of different stores. Sometimes I go to Trader Joes, but not regularly. One of my favorite things when food shopping is looking for the markdowns at Fred Meyer. Especially organic dairy products and fancy cheese.
I think this business is just really hard because there is so much competition. I have enjoyed your downsizing project and ideas for living frugally so maybe more series like that. I know that the affiliate revenue is necessary though so maybe you can include links for the products you use for organizing or whatever. I also get inspired by your thrift shop scores. Maybe the Goodwill should pay you for advertising if they are not already. 🙂
I enjoy your blog and especially the local nature of it (at least it’s local for me).
Thanks!
Megan
Heather Clarke says
Megan – What wonderful ideas and thoughts you have! I so appreciate your thoughtful comment. It seems we’ve all come down this same path to find ourselves couponing less and finding other ways to save – like Amazon. I wonder how I might help people more with Costco purchases. You are speaking my love language when you mention markdowns – you know those are my favorite way to save these days! The “business” of frugal blogging has changed – but I find myself struggling to find my purpose more than anything. How can I serve my readers best these days – I believe the revenue takes care of itself when you take care of your readers – so I’m just looking for that special spot where I feel like I’m making a difference for my readers. With all the distraction of moving, downsizing, and this big life transition ahead of me I might just be feeling like I’m not doing my best for my readers – and I need to harness some inspiration and get back to work 🙂 if you know what I mean. Thanks again for taking the time to comment – I so appreciate you and you following my blog! We’ll have this all figured out before too long!
Tracy says
I haven’t been printing coupons much lately but I didn’t realize that helped you financially, However I really use your blog for qfc. You are my go to blog daily because of this. Your family is beautiful but without qfc I will probably drop from twice daily to twice weekly. If qfc was still there I would start printing coupons again because I now know it would help both of us.
Heather Clarke says
Hey Tracy – Thanks for your kind comment. We are working on trying to figure out how to offer QFC match-ups. It’s my favorite store personally and it has such strong deals. You don’t have to worry about printing coupons you won’t use, just to benefit me. It’s only a few pennies I earn per coupon print anyway – it’s better to just print the coupons you need for a specific deal. Stay tuned as we work this out Tracy! I want to provide value to my readers and I appreciate you sticking with me as figure this out.
Michelle says
The days of ‘extreme’ couponing, for lack of a better term, are done. Both the stores and the product companies have put so many restrictions on how we can use our coupons, it’s almost not worth printing coupons anymore. I rarely even buy a Sunday paper anymore. I find myself at Fred Myer most often because I think they have a great system and they offer their own great deals and coupons. If I do happen to go to Wal-Mart, I definitely use the Savings Tracker. I do my grocery shopping monthly because I live out in the country, so I have to do a lot of preparation. I follow and totally appreciate all the time and effort you put into your match-ups!! My local stores won’t even accept computer printed coupons. Its just ignorance and laziness on their part, but I don’t feel one bit bad about not shopping locally. I will happily drive the hour and a half to my favorite Freddies store!! Thank you for all your time and effort!! 🙂
Heather Clarke says
Hey Michelle – Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment and reply. It is crazy the restrictions we’re seeing in stores and with coupons these days. Fred Meyer does have a great system and really strong deals/coupons – good choice! I appreciate your patience with me as we work through all of this!
Kristyl says
How does reading on feedly affect your analytics? I’m usually on my phone so reading my blogs there is so convenient, but sometimes I worry that I’m not contributing the traffic needed to keep your advertisers happy 🙂 Does it help if I do a quick click through onto the blog, even if I close it right away?
As far as paper coupons go, I used to be an avid couponer, but since I had my son it’s just not in the cards. I can’t use my work computer that I’m always on to print them because I don’t have access to install the app (security settings), so pulling out my personal laptop, hooking it up to the printer (because I’m cheap and don’t have a wireless printer), and finding and printing paper coupons just doesn’t happen. I’ve even let my newspaper subscription lapse because I was just letting my inserts pile up.
Amazon deals are my favs and really anything online. I also really enjoy your sharings about life – the general stuff about living purposefully/furgally. I love the weekly thrift store/garage sale shares from readers and really enjoyed your downsizing updates.
Heather Clarke says
Kristyl – You are so sweet to worry about how you’re reading my site. Honestly – you read it how it fits best for your needs. That’s what is most important, honestly. You are not alone – so many people are moving away from the coupons and simplifying. I just have to find my purpose in this new world! I’ll continue to promote online deals – they are my favorite, too. And I’m so glad my stores about life are enjoyable – as I’ve said to others – I often feel like people must be tired of me talking about myself. 🙂 I will continue to share thrift store deals and I have so much more to say about downsizing. 🙂 Stay tuned, my friend. I hope to settle into a new norm of providing valuable content that isn’t just coupons and match-ups. 🙂
Kathy M says
This is just my two cents but for the three years I have followed and loved your site there have been changes .We are all facing money short falls when in the past I could spread out my stock pile I am now faced with little choice, I can not stock pile because my food budget is great reduced .I must buy very very careful nothing extra basics only. Two the paper coupons are also not offering what they were two years ago lower value lower saving combine that with less money so no I am not couponing as much.3 because of cost I am also not printing out many on line coupons less choice for real food coupons. Last again because of cost I am driving less being forced t pick a single day to shop and because of this I miss sales t some stores again this just me hope this helps
Heather Clarke says
Kathy – So grateful for your comment! Yes, the paper coupons have changed so much, haven’t they!! 🙁 What do you think would be the most helpful resource for you!?! How can I help you stretch that budget if coupons aren’t shaping up to be helpful? I’d love to hear ideas for how I can help you – that’s what I love the most, is serving my readers! I bet you’re not the only one in this boat.
Kathy M says
I think what works for me is the real food post, basics first than extras for the stock pile. Knowing the cycles of the year when to stock up on what helps ie; condiments on long weekends salsa now so I can buy only what I must than wait for the better sale plan on the extra for the stock pile than. Stretching out the little I have hope this helps
Heather Clarke says
Kathy – Great feedback. I could see how that information would be helpful. Let me give this some thought and see how was can do more of this. 🙂