shoppingonabudget

As Christmas quickly approaches, you may be finishing up your Christmas shopping or even just getting started if you are a last minute shopper. Shopping online is nice, but you may prefer to shop locally. If so, be sure to pickup a copy of your weekend newspaper. These newspapers not only contain moneysaving grocery coupons, but stores sales fliers. Around this time of the year, stores have a lot of sales and they are advertised.

You can also view most store sales fliers online. Visit the website of local retailers, like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Best Buy, and so forth. Somewhere on the website, you will find “View Ad,” link. If you are like me, however, you may prefer to have a printed copy of the flier. I mark which items I want to buy and actually take it with me to the store.

There are many good tips on how to save money on groceries and other purchases. A lot of these tips are listed right on my blog. The best tip I have to offer is don’t buy it if you don’t need it.

Whether you found a great sale or have a coupon, think about the product you are buying. Do you already have 3 winter jackets? If so, you are wasting your money by buying another even if it is on sale. Do you have a coupon for a new food product? Only buy the item and use the coupon if you truly want to try it or think you will like it. Otherwise, toss the coupon and save your money.

In one of my last posts, I shared links to moneysaving coupons for over-the-counter cold medicines. Winter is also the time that many of us get cold sores. If you get one, you may turn to an over the counter product. Before making your purchase, checkout the coupons below. They can help you save money.

These coupons were available online as of December 11, 2008. Their value and availability is subject to change.

Save $1 on Any Campho-Phenique Cold Sore Treatment (Link on Bottom)

Coupon for Abreva Cold Sore Medicine (No Value Listed)

Now is the time when the cold and flu runs crazy. If you are sick, you may turn to over the counter medicine to get relief. Unfortunately, if you are shopping on a budget, you may be worried about costs. If that is the case, please continue reading on. Below, you will find a lot of coupons for over the counter cold medicines. Most of these coupons are printable, so have your printer ready!

NOTE: These coupons were available online as of December 9, 2008. The availability and value of these cold medicine coupons is subject to change at anytime.

Some of these coupons are for children’s cold medicines. If it is important to proceed with caution when giving young children medicine. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Various Coupons for Sudafed Products

Save $2 on Any Coricidin HBP Product (Link in Lower Right Corner)

Save $1 on Any Ziacam Purchase (Link at Bottom)

Save $2 on Zyrtec (A Popup Will Appear for the Coupon)

Various Coupons for Claritin Products (Click on Special Offers Box in Middle)

Save $2 on TheraFlu

Signup for Coupons and Special Offers for Halls Cough Drops

Save $1 on Aleve D Sinus and Cold (Link on Top)

Save $2 pm Robitussin DM Max (Must Wait for the Middle Image to Fully Load)

Save $1.50 on Triaminic Cough Medicine for Kids (Link at Bottom)

Save $2 on Breathe Right Nasal Strips for Kids

I will never forget when Ames went out of business. I went in thinking I was going to get some great deals. I decide to pickup some makeup. I intended to come back later when I had more time, but that never happened. Why? I picked up a small package of liquid Cover Girl foundation. Working as a manager at Dollar General at the time, I knew this sold for less than $4. So, imagine my surprised when I was charged over $5 and this was with a liquidation discount!

Unfortunately, it seems like a lot of stores are going out of business now or closing some locations. There is the possibility to get good deals, but you need to proceed with caution. One of my favorite blogs, The Consumerist, has been talking about this. Some of the blog’s readers are experiencing a problem at Circuit City, among other retailers. You can click on the link to read their latest article, which includes a firsthand account from a consumer.

So, if you are looking to get cheap Christmas gifts or just do some cheap shopping for yourself, always use your best judgment.

Free Sample of Airborne

NOTE: This free sample was available as of December 8, 2008. Its availability is subject to change at any time.

We all get headaches and joint pains from time to time. For that reason, it is good to have pain reliever on hand. Unfortunately, this can be difficult if you are shopping on a budget. The good news is that it is easy to find coupons online. Below you find links to coupons for pain relievers. Most are printable coupons, so have your printer ready!

NOTE: These coupons were available online as of December 8, 2008, their availability and value is subject to change. You can also look for similar coupons in your weekend newspaper inserts, but getting them online is much easier.

Save $1 on Aleve (Link at Bottom)

Save $2 on Excedrin Express Gels (Link in Middle)

Save $1 on Any Motrin Product

Anacin – No Coupons Available But Signup for Coupon Notification

Save $2 on Advil PM

Are you looking for an affordable, but useful Christmas gift for a friend or family member? If so, I recommend a crank flashlight, also known as a battery free flashlight. We received one as a gift last year and I love it.

Kmart.com has a LED Dynamo crank flashlight available for $9.99. This is the kind we own and it works great, especially for the cheap price.

BedBathandBeyond.com has 4 different crank flashlights available for sale, starting at $9.99.

Walmart.com has a crank flashlight available for $19.94. Not only it is a flashlight, but it also has an AM/FM radio.

Target.com has a Coleman StormBean crank flashlight available for $19.99.

I am all about personalization this year. I am opting for personalized gifts, such as Christmas ornaments. If you want to do the same, I recommend checking out OrientalTrading.com. Right now, they have two personalized couple ornaments on sale for $3.99 each. This is a great price.

Ornament #1 (which I ordered two of) is of a snowman couple holding a sign that can be personalized with the couple’s name and another phrase. It is so cute because the guy snowman is looking at the girl.

Ornament #2 is for newlyweds. It has the phrase “We Got Hitched.” You can add their wedding date and their name.

It is common for personalized Christmas ornaments to cost $10 and up, so this is a great deal. I am not sure how long the sale price will last, but I have noticed the cheap price for a couple of weeks now.

I will admit that I usually try to avoid K-Mart. When compared to Wal-Mart and sometimes even Target, I find their prices to be expensive. This week’s advertisement did catch my eye. I am Christmas shopping for my daughter on a budget this year. $7.99 Polly Pockets and $2.99 Barbie dolls brought me to my local K-Mart.

What I do like about K-Mart is that they usually have 2 advertisements posted on their website. Right now, you can view their advertisements for this week and next.

So, what are some of their good deals on toys now and in the coming weeks?

* Note: These sales items were pulled from their Kmart.com website. You can view their advertisement there. Prices and availability may change.

Until December 6th 2008 (This Sunday)

Dora Prance and Fly Pegasus on sale for $29.99 (usually $40 and up)
Disney Princess or Cars Ready Bed on sale for $19.99 (usually $30 and up)
Barbie Beach, Ballerina, and Fairy Dolls on sale for $2.99 (usually $6 and up)
Various Vtech Infant Toys on sale for $9.99 (usually $12.99 and up)
Elefun Game on sale for $14.99 (usually retails for $19.99)
Fisher Price Loving Family Twin Time Doll House on sale for $54.99 (usually $69.99 and up)

From December 7th Until December 13, 2008

I-CY on sale for $7.99 (usually $10.99 and up)
iDog Soft Speaker on sale for $19.99 (usually $30 and up)
Hulk Smash Hands on sale for $14.99 (usually $19.99 and up)
NASCAR Track Set on sale for $29.99 (usually retails for $40 and up)
Thomas Action Canyon Playset on sale for $29.99 (usually retails for $50 and up)
Fisher Price Little People Animals Sounds & DVD on sale for $29.99
Mickey Mouse Surprise Clubhouse on sale for $34.99 (usually $40 and up)
Polly Pocket Pop N Swap Sets Buy One, Get One 50% Off
Bye Bye Baby Chou Chou Doll on sale for $29.99 (usually $39 and up)
25% off Select Board Games