Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

Living Large on a Limited Budget

UPDATE: Nielsen:No Longer Accepting Applicants

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Have you ever received a request from Nielsen to track your TV watching for the week?  We’ve done it a couple of times and I have been impressed by the fact that $30 in cash arrives in our mailbox before we even complete the survey.

Well, Nielsen is now accepting applicants to join the Nielsen Homescan Consumer Panel.  If you are accepted as a panel member, Homescan will provide you with a hand-held scanner. Every time you or members of your household shop, you’ll use the scanner to scan the barcodes on all of your purchases.

Once a week, you’ll transmit this information to Nielsen and you’ll earn points which can be redeemed for a variety of items from the Nielsen Gift Catalog.

Wes was accepted as a panel member and is currently on the waiting list for a scanner.  We think this is such a fun and simple way to earn rewards and can’t wait to try it out!  From what we’ve heard, it takes a little while to earn rewards, but once you do, they can be redeemed for some great prizes like electronics and household items.  Repeat after me: Free money is our friend!

If you are interested in signing up, they are taking applications for their panel right now. Go here to read more and sign up.

Mars Chocolate Giveaway

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It’s 9 AM–have you gotten your free chocolate yet?

Every Friday through September, Mars will be giving away 250,000 coupons to be redeemed for your favorite Mars product.  Simply head to www.realchocolate.com starting at 9 a.m. ET to enter the giveaway.  You can also enter your e-mail address to be sent a reminder.

You’ll receive your coupon by mail within six weeks. Limit four coupons per household during the offer period.

New coupons at Coupons.com

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I spotted some fun new coupon at Coupons.com this morning that I thought you might like to know about:

  • $1/1 Scotch-Brite Cook Top Starter Kit
  • $2/1 Garnier Nutritioniste product
  • $1.25/1 DiGiorno Crispy Flatbread Pizza
  • $1/1 Reser’s American Classics 3 lb. Salad
  • $1/1 Good Earth Premium Coffee
  • $1/2 Gorton’s Bagged Items
  • $2/1 Aleve product
  • $2/1 M5 Magnum Razor
  • $1/1 Eggo Bake Shop product

…and more.  Print yours now!

Redbox Free Rental Code

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Craving another free  Redbox rental?  Simply fill out this survey from Redbox to receive a FREE movie rental code. Valid on Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23, 2009.   I’m uncertain if you can  rent more than one for free by using different credit cards, but it’s worth a try!

To use the code, select ‘Rent with Promo Code’ before selecting your movie.

The Big Race: Cast Your Vote for a Prize!

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Last week I posted about my Big Race, and some of you asked if could do this regularly.  So, your wish is my command…

Actually, my Big Race tonight is going to be a bit more like a 100 yard dash.  I already headed to CVS today to get this moneymaking deal (it worked!), and I did my grocery shopping last week.  I’m meeting a friend for coffee tonight, and before I do so I’m just going to run into Target to snag a few deals.

I also heard back from some of you that you think you could give me a ‘run for my money’ if this were an actual timed race.  So, that gave me an idea.

Why not time myself?

And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.  To make it even more fun, I want YOU to guess how long you think it will take me.  The winner will receive a $5 Amazon gift card! (Yep…I just used some of my Swag Bucks to snag it!)

Here are the rules: I will list below the items that I am going to purchase.  You need to guess the exact time that you think it will take for me to finish shopping–from the minute I step into Target to the minute I step out.  The person closest to the exact time will win.  If more than one person guesses correctly, the prize will go to the person who guessed first. I will end this contest sometime tomorrow (6/19/09) and post the winner.

OK–here’s my list:

  • (2) Kraft BBQ sauces
  • (1) A-1 Sauce
  • (1) Miracle Whip  (Find out more about these deals here.)

I should add that I tend to be slightly competitive–and while I may opt not to run, speed walking is not out of the question.

Ok…Runners take your mark, get set, GUESS!!!!