FOUR COUPON INSERTS SUNDAY JANUARY FIRST 2012!!!

There were no coupon inserts in today's paper, but I did get some great printable coupons on Sendearnings.com (click link this page for their free sign up). 

Next Sunday, however, we can look forward to restocking our coupons with 4 inserts in the January 1st newspaper.  There will be 2 Smartsource inserts, one Redplum and one Proctor and Gamble.  Pick up a few papers and stock up on coupons for your favorite products, it's a great way to boost your purchasing power with very little effort or expense.

MORE ADVENTURES IN EXTREME COUPONING!!!

Just got back from my weekly trip to Walgreens.  I bought $27 worth of merchandise for $8.60.  I used a $5 coupon matched with a sale on a Gillette Fusion razor system, normally $12.99, on sale for $9.99 with a $4 register reward.  With the manufacturers coupon, I paid $4.99 for the razor and got $4 back in register rewards.  For my second purchase I bought 2 bottles of my favorite laundry detergent, which was on sale buy one get one free.  The laundry soap was $6.99 a bottle, with the second bottle free.  Using the $4 register reward it made the total for both bottles $2.99 plus tax for a total of $3.22.  Less than half the price of one bottle of detergent!

So, for less than the sale price of the razor ($9.99), I got the razor and 2 bottles of laundry detergent.  The razor will make a nice Christmas gift and they don't have to know I only paid .99 cents for it ;0).

WEEK IN REVIEW...

I guess we can forget about the "Santa Rally" I talked about in my last post.  We had kind of a rollercoaster ride this week, up then down then back up, ending mostly flat for the week. 

I collected dividends from Centerpoint Energy (which I reinvested in more shares) and Realty Income Corp.  Otherwise not much activity in my personal accounts.

My MBCI store has generated some commissions for the month.  I've added a Garmin section and have been researching new items to add to the store.  Need to work on promotions to increase my commissions.  It would be nice to build up a steady stream of affiliate income.  Got to spend more time on that.

WILL WE SEE A "SANTA RALLY" THIS DECEMBER?

Some thought the gains we saw earlier in the week were the beginnings of a "Santa Rally."  However, with today's market stall, I believe it's unlikely.  I think people are jumping on any good news, or at least no bad news.  We all want to see the economy and the stock market revive, but I still don't think that will happen without significant improvement on the jobs front.  That being said, if we get a little good news and avoid any major economic issues, we may still see a rally by the end of the year.  I don't think it will last much past January.  I still believe the best bet is good dividend yields for the foreseeable future.  

From my own investment accounts I collected some nice dividend payments today from ConAgra, Aflac and Intel.  I believe all 3 have good long term prospects and I plan on holding/increasing my positions as part of my core portfolio.  I'll be reviewing my investment strategy and tweeking my financial plan for 2012.  While my current investment plan is working out well, there's always room for improvement.   

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Heading off to the family Thanksgiving Dinner, just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Had a great morning of early shopping at Walgreens.  They had some fantastic deals for Thanksgiving day and the Black Friday shopping weekend.  Was able to match coupons and sales to purchase $150.00 in merchandise, including a new blood pressure monitor and bath scales that I'd been wanting for a total of $45.00.  I ended my trip with a $6 register reward, so I got everything for $39.00 or a little less than the regular price of the blood pressure monitor.  Along with the scales and the monitor I also got an additional 14 personal care and household items.  Not a bad haul for the price of one blood pressure monitor.

OCCUPY WALL STREET NEEDS TO REDIRECT

Other than garnering a lot of unfavorable media attention and alienating average Americans, I haven't seen much accomplished by the camping out of the participants in the "Occupy Wall Street" movement.  I'm thinking if they were really wanting to change the world, or at least have an effect on Wall Street greed and political influence, they need to redirect their attentions away from camping out and crying the blues.  What they need to do is start a grass roots movement to encourage people to stop doing business with the major corporations who played a role in the financial meltdown.  The very companies and the people who run them are still rolling along, mostly unaffected by the financial crisis thanks to taxpayer bailouts. 

If the "Occupy" movement really want to make some changes, the only real way to bring these people down is to hit them in their pocket books.  I just watched a documentary recently, narrated by Matt Damon, covering the whole financial meltdown.  How it started, who was involved and which companies played the largest role in wrecking the economy.  This documentary listed corporations by name who played the largest role in bringing down the economy.  If the goal is to send a message to the people running these companies that this type of behavior will no longer be tolerated, then the best way to do it is to stop doing any business with them.  Cut up their credit cards, cancel your bank and investment accounts with them and avoid any business with them or their partners or subsidiaries.  Just make sure when you do cancel your accounts you send them an nice email or written communication explaining why you will no longer do business with them.  When the money stops, that's when they will stand up and take notice. 

In my opinion, the people who were responsible for the financial crisis should be in prison, not enjoying the good life on bonuses paid with bailout money.

EXTREME COUPONING

TLC's show "Extreme Couponing" has become one of my favorite shows.  I don't get to watch it at its' normal show time, so I catch up by watching the marathons on weekends.  Was truly inspired by the 16 year old from California who had filled his mother's garage with products after taking up couponing.  I personally only buy items I use or can share with family and friends, however, I can see the appeal of picking up any free items.

While my personal couponing habits would not qualify me for the show, I did save over 30% on this weeks grocery shopping and a whopping 60% on my Sunday morning trip to Walgreens!  Walgreens has become my favorite store by far.  I rarely go to Walmart, Kmart, Family Dollar or Dollar General anymore.  I get the majority of my personal care items, household cleaning products and some food items from Walgreens.  It's quick, easy and by matching coupons with sales and register rewards, it's next to impossible to beat their deals.  They also have some of the friendliest, most helpful staff members of any store I've ever shopped.  Keep up the good work Walgreens!!!