LRWC Dashboard Widget for Mac

If you have a Mac then you can now download the NEW LRWC Dashboard Widget.  It gives you deal updates right on your dashboard.

All you have to do to download this Widget is:

• Click on the LRWC Dashboard Widget Link
• It will start downloading onto your computer
• You will either have to double click the file or it will automatically open
• It may ask you if you would like to download this widget onto your dashboard
• That’s it – you now have a LRWC Dashboard Widget and will get all the lasted updates right on your Dashboard.

Download: LRWC Dashboard Widget

If you are not up on using your Dashboard and Widgets you learn more about the Dashboard and Widgets for your Mac!

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{ 05/17/2012 with 3 Comments }

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This is a Guest Post from reader Laurie Owens

Back to school time can mean having to spend big bucks on everything from clothing to shoes to books and school supplies. According to a Back-to-School survey done by BIGresarch the average family with K-12 grade students will spend $600 this season on items for back-to-school.  You don’t have to break the bank on back-to-school if you use a little creativity and some savvy shopping. Here are 10 tips to help you save money on the clothing your kids will need for school.

1. Take an Inventory
The best way to save money is to not spend it at all! Before you spend money on back-to-school clothing, take a look at what you already have at home. Save money and buy only what you need.  In many states shorts and capri pants can be worn well into October. Wait to purchase long pants. You will find that stores start to discount as the holiday season approaches. Or look to “pass down” clothing from one child to another. If you do need to purchase new items be sure to make a list of exactly what you need to avoid buying more than your kids really need.

2. Shop End of season sales
Shop stores at the end of season for deeply discounted items. July is when most stores start stocking their stores with winter items. From July-September you can find great deals on short sleeve shirts and shorts which can be worn well into the beginning of fall. Or use these sales as an opportunity to pick up spring/summer items for the following year.

3. Use Coupons and Rewards programs
You can save even more if you combine sale or clearance prices with coupons or in-store bonus programs like Gymbucks at Gymboree or J Bucks at Justice.  Instead of using your bucks on full price items, use them on sale or clearance items and multiply your savings. You can print retail store coupons at Coupon Cabin  or Retail Me Not. Or try key word search “coupons” with the store you like to shop. Visit websites of your favorite stores and sign up for their mailing list.

4. Shop Consignment
Kids grow out of clothing and shoes quickly. Consider outfitting your little ones with gently-used clothing from a local consignment store or seasonal consignment sale.  Buying from a consignment store is a great way to find great name-brand clothing at a fraction of regular retail prices. A consignment sale is different from a consignment store because it happens only a few times a year but gives parents a way to shop from tens of thousands of things from other families over the course of a few days! If you live in New Jersey, check out www.njkidsale.com for information on sales in Edison and Flemington. If you live in another state visit one of the consignment sale (and store) directories like Consignment Mommies to find a store or event near you.

5. Start a Clothing Swap
If you have children you probably know many of other families with children close in age. Consider swapping clothing, shoes, coats and other children’s items with friends and neighbors or through a community group or church. If you are interested in learning more about setting up a swap check out this article from eHow. Facebook is another source to trade items. Post what you want or have to swap. Likely your friends or friends of friends have things to trade. An alternative to a local swap is to join a site like Swap Mammas where you can connect and swap items with families from different areas.

6. Buy Gently-Used Items Online
Craig’s List is a great resource to find new and gently used items. www.Craigslist.org is a free online listing service. You can use their search feature to look for specific sizes, brands etc. Because Craig’s List is organized by location, you’re buying from people in your area and eliminating shipping fees. Or consider Ebay, a similar online vehicle. Parents can find gently-used and new items on Craigs List and Ebay. Read listings carefully and ask about things like quality and condition before making payment to avoid disappointment.

7. Garage Sales
Everyone knows garage sales are a great place find things for next to nothing. Children’s clothing is often offered for sale. They can be very hit-or-miss and time consuming.  If you find great stuff but in the wrong size, you can still take advantage of these great deals. Larger sizes can be purchased and held onto for a future season. Smaller sizes can be purchased and sold at a consignment sale (www.njkidsale.com) to offset the money spent on things for you own family. When purchasing anything at a garage sale, be careful to inspect the clothing for stains, holes, wear etc. Most garage sales will not give you money back once you have made a purchase.

8. Shop Big Discount Stores
Stores like Marshalls or Burlington Coat Factory can save you big money on name-brand clothing. Many times you will find the EXACT same items in these stores for 1/3-1/4 less than department stores. Don’t forget to check out the clearance racks at these stores for even deeper discounts!

9. Save Money When Shopping Online
Shopping online versus a brick and mortar store can also bring savings.  But shipping costs can negate that savings. Getting a discount on your order or free shipping when you use special online coupons or promotional codes will save you some money. You will find coupon and free shipping codes on websites like Coupon Cabin or Retail Me Not or by searching the store name and a term like “free shipping code” or “coupon”. Some online retailers require a minimum purchase to get free shipping. One way to meet a minimum order, when you cannot meet it on your own, is to combine your order with a friend and share the discount!

10. Get What You Need for Free
What about getting clothing, shoes, coats etc. for free? What better way to save money than to not have to spend it at all! Networks like The Freecycle connect people who want to give away items with those looking for the same items. You can also post a “want ad” for specific things you need. You are usually expected to pick up your items in a timely manner. This is a great option if you are on a very limited income or have little to no money for back to school items. Check out Freecycle  to find a network near you.

Laurie Owens a married stay-at-home mother to three children ages 11, 9 and 7 and live in Flemington, NJ. She started Kidzsignments a seasonal children’s consignment sale in the spring of 2005 with 41 connsignors and is in the midst of planning their 15^th and 16^th events and have grown to over 450 consignors.  The Fall 2011 events are scheduled in Edison (Oct 6-8) and Flemington (Nov 17-19).  You can learn more by visiting Kidzsignments or “like” them on Facebook.

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{ 09/04/2011 with 4 Comments }

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Living Rich With Coupons is your one stop source for savings & deals.

Cindy Livesey is your guide to finding the best deals you never knew existed. Her family of 5 has saved over $8000 a year in groceries.

After 25 years of marriage, multiple school tuitions, sports travel and much more, Cindy and her husband have decided to become 100% debt free. You can follow their journey as she provides insight into how to continue to Live Rich while cutting costs and saving money. And yes, you can still have that designer pocketbook and be on a budget. I mean really, a girls gotta have a nice purse right? Well stick around while we find deal after deal, even on designer pocketbooks.

Start your journey on Living Rich With coupons with Cindy’s beginner series where you can save at the grocery store like a pro. And stay tuned here everyday to find the best handpicked deals out there. You won’t want to miss a thing.

Cindy resides in Livingston, NJ with her husband Pat, her 3 kids Megan, Nikki and Patrick, her dog, Toby and her MINI Cooper.

For questions, comments, PR or advertising: Contact Cindy Livesey

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{ 04/24/2009 with No Comments }

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How I got started couponing:
Being married for almost 25 years my husband has seen me try a lot of crazy things. The first weekend I had decided to become a serious couponer (is that even a word?) I sent him out to our local 7-eleven to purchase 4 Sunday newspapers. He looked at my like I was even nutter then ever. I said trust me…I’ve been researching this on various blogs and websites and I think this can work.
I was spending $250 a week or more on groceries and health and beauty aids. With my husband landing a new job but with a reduced paycheck, 2 kids in college and 1 at a private school I knew something had to give. Groceries it was going to be. And low and behold, after 4 weeks I was saving $50 a week…6 weeks saving $75 week…8 weeks a whopping $100 each week in savings. Now I spend $75 – $120 $75 a week on all my groceries and health and beauty aids.

Now I know what you are thinking…but how do I do it. My first suggestion is to look around at different websites such as Coupon Mom. Visit their forums, check out the weekly “grocery deals by state” section for great match ups. And buy about 4 newspaper each week. A great way to start keeping your coupons is to keep them intact (do not cut them). Mark them with the date and put them in file. It’s really simple and it really works. I have more toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, shower gel, cereals, tea, peanut butter in my cabinets than I can use in a year.

The first week of couponing I had a few items with coupons on my list and a lot of items I needed that were not on sale. As the weeks went on that slowly changed and I had fewer and fewer items I had to buy without coupons. My stockpile of sale items was growing and growing and I could be picky about what I was buying and how much I was paying for it. I started to look for only those items that were 75% or more off. We eat healthier, we cook more often and get take out a lot less.

As my blog continues to grow I will share with you the hidden deals and what to look for….so stay tuned for incredible savings.

If you are ready to get started using coupons, check out my beginner series here.

Subscribe FREE to Living Rich With Coupons

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{ 04/24/2009 with 3 Comments }

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