Every good couponer knows that buying sale fruit, veggies and meat in bulk can do much to fatten your wallet.  Those of us who are single or have small families may tend to shy away from such purchases.    Flash freezing will embolden you to snatch up bulk sales.  This process allows you defrost only the portions you need rather than a whole bag.  It also prevents frozen clusters of food that have you strongly considering breaking out a hammer.

First, cut the fruit, veggies or meat in the desired size.

Place the cut items on waxed paper in a single layer using a cookie sheet or shallow pan.

Place the pan in the freezer for about two hours.

Once frozen, transfer the fruit, veggies or meat to a freezer bag, letting out as much air as possible, and place back in freezer.

Finally, lay back and relish your savings!

Tags: Buy in Bulk, Buying in Bulk, Flash Freeze, Frugal Tip
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Asking for a discount does not come naturally to me. It is one of those things in life that requires me to muster up boldness from the depths of my soul. Okay maybe I am being a little melodramatic, but you get the point–it requires effort. Effort that I have learned is well worth any momentary feeling of discomfort on my part.

Start by asking yourself, “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” The worst thing is that you’ll be told no. With the economy in its present state, however, you may end up pleasantly surprised. Making asking for a discount a part of my routine has gotten me discounts on everything from electronics, furniture and even my cable bill.

Remember to always ask politely for a discount, never demand one. Remember the old adage, “You get more flies with honey.” Store clerks may be put off if they perceive that you are rude and be less likely to grant you a discount.

Finally, be prepared to graciously accept a no and, when possible, ask for a discount at another store who carries a similar item.

Once you make asking for a discount a part of your everyday life, each time it will get a little easier.

Have you ever asked for a discount and gotten one? If so what was it? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Tags: Ask for Discount, Deals, Discount, Frugal Tip, Quick Tip, Retail News, Saving Money, Shopping
Posted in Blog, Coupon Strategies | 10 Comments »

According to published reports, airlines raked in an estimated $2.5 billion in baggage charges during 2010!  Here are some ways to avoid your share in their 2011 profits:  Whenever ticket prices allow, fly on Southwest Airlines –who allows two FREE checked bags per ticket–or Jet Blue –who allows one FREE checked bag per ticket.  When comparing ticket prices, remember to factor in that most airlines charge $50 per check bag per person round trip!

Prefer to fly on Delta?  Sign up for their American Express SkyMiles credit card and receive one FREE checked bag per person flying with you (when all tickets are paid for with the card in one transaction), a savings of $50 per person round trip.  You can also earn a free flight right away after making your first purchase on the card and allowing additional card holders on your account.  Fees for the card are waived the first year only.  Visit DeltaSkyMilesCard.com for full details.

Is Continental your airline of choice?  The Continental One Pass Plus Mastercard offers one FREE checked bag per person flying with you (when all tickets are paid for with the card in one transaction).   Like Delta, you can earn a free flight right away after making your first purchase on the card and allowing additional card holders on your account.  Fees for the card are waived the first year only.  Visit MyChaseCreditCards.com for more information.

If you favorite airline is not mentioned here, give them a call and ask what offers they have available for FREE checked bags before making your travel arrangements.

Tags: airlines, Deal, Deals, Free, Free Sample, Freebie, Freebies, Frugal Living, Frugal Tip, Save Money, Saving Money, travel, traveling
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With gas around $4-a-gallon nation wide,  the social networking site Foursquare.com and Murphy Oil have teamed up to provide much some needed relief.  Murphy Gas is a discount gasoline chain with hundreds of locations, most of which are located near Wal-mart or Sam’s Club stores.

If you are not already a member, head on over to Foursquare.com to sign up and download their software to your cell phone.  Thereafter, “check in” at any Murphy gas station and you’ll received a coupon for $2 off any gasoline purchase of $20 or more and a FREE pack of Stride Gum!

In addition to the Foursquare discount, Murphy Oil offered a similar coupon on their Facebook page recently.

Visit Murphy Oil today to find a store near you.  While there, sign up for their Muph e-Offers for more money saving offers.

Tags: Coupon, Coupons, Deals, Facebook, Facebook Coupon, foursquare, Frugal Living, Frugal Tip, Gas, gas discount, gasoline, murphy oi, Saving Money
Posted in Blog, Deals, eCoupons | 3 Comments »

Entertain your kids or catch a flick with a friend for only a buck during Regal’s Summer Movie Express 2011!  During this 9-week festival,  Regal Cinemas, United Artists and Edwards Theaters will offer selected G or PG rated movies for only $1 on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 1o:00 a.m.  As an added bonus, your ticket purchase will will support the Will Rogers Institute.

Visit the Regal Entertainment Group for more details and to find a participating theater near you.

Tags: Deal, Deals, entertainment, Frugal Living, Frugal Tip, movie, Movies, Summer Fun
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Today’s savvy shoppers realize that in order to reach their full savings potential they must “log on.”    Social networking websites are “gold mines” for couponers everywhere.  Two of my favorite are:

Facebook

If you are not already a member join Facebook.  If you’re worried about that significant other from 20 years ago seeing how much you’ve “changed,” sign up using an assumed name and a free email address from sites like Yahoo, Google or Hotmail.  Once there, “Like” all your favorite companies–manufacturers of your favorite products, retail chains, restaurants–and, of course, HotCouponWorld.com!  Often, companies offer exclusive coupons, free samples and contests available only to their Facebook fans.  Just the other day, Ora Ida offered a FREE bag of sweet potato fries to the first 100,000 persons who watched a short ad on their Facebook page!

Make it a part of your daily savings routine to Google “Facebook freebies” as many offers are time sensitive or only available on a first come first served basis.

Twitter

Do you tweet?  If not, today is a good day to start.  After signing up, run a search for #free, #freestuff, #freebie, #freebies and brace yourself for an avalanche of offers.  Don’t forget to give “tweetings of praise” about your favorite products and companies–some “thank” their loyal fans with special offers, coupons or freebies.

Don’t forget. . . .We want to be your friend!   ”Follow Us” on  Twitter and “Like” Hotcouponworld.com on Facebook today.  While you’re there, give a shout out to Hotcouponworld.com’s very own “Twitter Tweeter and Facebook Greeter,” TACATCON, who works very hard behind the scenes to help you reach your savings potential.

Tags: Coupon, Coupons, Deals, Facebook, Free, Free Sample, Freebie, Freebies, Frugal Living, Frugal Tip, Printable Coupon, Quick Tip, Retail News, Save Money, Saving Money, Shopping, Smart Couponing
Posted in Blog, Coupon Strategies, Deals, eCoupons, Freebies, Online Deals, Printable Coupons | 3 Comments »