How to Make a New Year’s Resolution and Stick with It

It’s at this point in the year where people reflect on the past year and decide where they want to improve in something. Maybe the year was great with lots of happiness and good things happened to you, or there was a lot of hardship and sadness in the past year. After reflecting on the year, many people make New Year’s Resolutions that involve weight loss, being kinder, or learning a new skill. People find themselves doing really well in the beginning but then end up right where the started. Follow these tips to have more success in completing your New Year’s Resolution.

Tip 1- Make the Resolution Realistic

So many people fail in trying to follow through after making New Year’s Resolution. A large part is attributed to the goal not being realistic. For example, I want to start going to the gym every day of the week even though I haven’t gone to the gym before this. This is unrealistic because I have never been to the gym and now I want to go every day. Instead, start with little and increase over time. In this example, I should start going twice a week to see how it fits my lifestyle.

Tip 2- Create a Game Plan Before You Start

You can’t go into something like a New Year’s Resolution without a game plan. A game plan could easily be in a form of an outline or a timeline. You could create checkpoints for yourself so that you can achieve your ultimate goal by using mini-goals. If you have to, write down all the mini-goals so that you can see what needs to be completed to finish your goal. Depending on what you’re trying to achieve, the mini-goals could be weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.

Tip 3- Find Someone to Keep You Accountable

Sometimes working on a goal by yourself doesn’t work. Accountability is huge when it comes to any goal. You need someone who will keep being on you when you are trying to accomplish a New Year’s Resolution. This person needs to be able to call you out when you are not following through, but also be able to encourage you throughout your journal to improve yourself. A friend by your side makes accomplishing your goal so much easier than if you did it by yourself.

Tip 4- Keep a Record of Your Progress

There are so many different platforms to record your progress. You can use a journal, blog, or social media. It just depends on your personality and preferences. Keeping a record of your progress can be a great encouragement tool for you throughout your journey. It will help show you how far you come and how strong you are. I recommend recording your progress from the point you decide to start your journey. Write down any obstacles or fears you can think of on the top of your head so that you can see if you were able to get over those hurdles.

Tip 5- Create a Reasonable Reward System

It is perfectly understandable to reward yourself when you accomplish a mini-goal for your New Year’s Resolution. Just make sure that it isn’t something that would set you back or cause you to lose sight of your resolution in the first place. If you’re trying to lose weight and want to treat yourself, don’t eat that piece of chocolate but instead buy yourself a healthy smoothie that encourages the healthier lifestyle that you are trying to create through the resolution.

Tip 6- Don’t Give Up

It can be extremely discouraging when things don’t go as we hoped or planned. It makes you feel super crumby and makes you feel like all the work you have done is all for nothing. If you’re putting in the work, then you are already improving. You may not see it at that point but you might see it in other parts of your life. Keep going at what you’re doing even if you’re behind in your goal. Your game plan is supposed to be flexible so that you can be to achieve the New Year’s Resolution you are trying to accomplish.

I know improving on something is difficult. It takes a lot of discipline to achieve anything in life. I’m one who never makes New Year’s Resolutions because my philosophy in life is that there is always room to improve but it can be done at any point in the year and in your life. It’s perfectly okay if you can’t think of a New Year’s Resolution when your friends already know what theirs is. You can create a “New Year’s Resolution” any time of the year. You just have to make sure you can follow through. Good luck and I wish you all the best in the new year! 

How to Earn at Least an Extra Few Hundred Dollars a Year (Part 4)- Receipt Apps

This is the final set of apps I use to get cash back. These apps are super easy, but take some time to get the rewards you want.

Receipt Apps

Receipt Hog *****

• Rating: 5 stars. This app is so easy, fast, and fun. It requires you to scan receipts that turn into coins, slot machine chances, and raffle tickets, which eventually turn into cash or gift cards. You want the coins most of all.
• Online Rebates: There are none because this app is special.
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: Yes! Because this app is separate from other apps you can get rebates from other apps and then this app gives you coins.
• Other Features: All grocery store and drug store purchases give coins and a raffle ticket. Department store receipts give slot chances, which could give you coins, and a raffle ticket. Restaurants only give you a raffle ticket. You can earn additional coins by adding the Receipt Hog Google Chrome extension and connecting your email and Amazon account. Sometimes you can get extras coins by doing super short surveys based on receipts you scanned.
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: It could be as little 1,000 coins for $5 and as much as 6,500 coins for $40.
• Redemption Options: You could redeem coins through a Visa Prepaid Card, PayPal, or Amazon Gift Card.

Receipt Pal ***

• Rating: 3 stars. This app is also very easy. It requires you to scan receipts or send e-receipts from online purchases to get points
• Online Rebates: There are none because this app is special, but e-receipts are accepted
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: Yes! Because this app is separate from other apps you can get rebates from other apps and then this app gives you points
• Other Features: There aren’t any more features
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: It could be as little as 2,000 points for a $1 gift card to 19,000 points for a $100 gift card
• Redemption Options: You could redeem points for gift cards to different places, such as Amazon

Wal-Mart Savings Catcher ***

• Rating: 3 stars. This app is very easy like the others. It requires you to connect a debit card or credit card to the Wal-Mart Pay app, which must be used at checkout to get cash through the savings catcher
• Online Rebates: No, but you can order groceries for pick up and submit the receipt
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: Yes! Because this app is separate from other apps you can get rebates from other apps and then this app gives you points
• Other Features: There aren’t any more features
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: There is no minimum or maximum. You can the your cash back immediately after receiving it
• Redemption Options: It is in the form of an e-gift card on the Wal-Mart Pay app. You have to tell the savings catcher part of the app to use the gift card when making a purchase on Wal-Mart

Note: I will post about how to use the Wal-Mart Pay app for the Savings Catcher. They made it tricky because I believe they want less people to use it.

How to Earn at Least an Extra Few Hundred Dollars a Year (Part 3)- Gift Card Apps

Recently, I have learned even more ways to earn extra money through gift cards. The gift cards are stored on your phone and can be scanned in the store. Some of these apps require work, which pays off in the end, or no work at all.

Gift Card Reward Apps

Shopkick *****

• Rating: 5 stars. This app is so easy, fast, and fun. It requires you to scan specific grocery items that are typically new, which earn you points toward a gift card.
• Online Rebates: There are some online rebate points you earn, but there isn’t too many.
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: Yes!
• Other Features: With some store purchases, such as Ulta, you get a certain amount of points per dollar you spend using the connected debit or credit card in store. Just make sure to click the credit button even for debit because you won't get points. For instance, you get 3 points for every $1 you spend at Ulta in store. You could also use the app and order things online for points as well.
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: It could be as little 500 points for a $2 gift card to 6,250 points for a $25 gift card. There is also a Vespa for 1.9 million points.
• Redemption Options: You could redeem points for gift cards or a Vespa. The app recently added the ability to earn cash through PayPal as well.

If you want to download the app and try it out, here is my code so that you can get $10 for your first rebate: COOL903997

Drop ****

• Rating: 4 stars. This app is also very easy. It requires you to use the card or cards linked to the account. When you first create the account, you choose 5 places to always get points on when you make a purchase there. There are also other offers available to you that may expire at a certain time.
• Online Rebates: Yes. It depends on the offers available
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: No. This is special on its own.
• Other Features: There aren’t any more features.
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: It could be as little as 5,000 points for a $5 gift card to 100,000 points for a $100 gift card.
• Redemption Options: You could redeem points for gift cards.

If you want to download the app and try it out, here is my code so that you can get 5,000 points that could become a $5 gift card: x7jtb

Fetch Rewards ***

• Rating: 3 stars. This app is also very easy. It requires you to take a picture of your grocery receipt for points on certain brands. Most of the time you also get 25 points for taking a picture of a grocery list.
• Online Rebates: No. This app is pretty special when it comes to rebates.
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: Yes
• Other Features: There aren’t any more features.
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: The minimum is 3,000 points which is about $3 while the max is 50,000 points that come to $50.
• Redemption Options: There are a wide variety of gift cards, but you can also donate your points as cash to a charity.

If you want to download the app and try it out, here is my code so that you can get 2,000 points that is equivalent to $2: UH7KA

A Survival Guide to the Christmas Season

Christmas time is one of the best times of the year but one of the busiest. Family and friends travel far and wide to get together and exchange gifts. It’s a time where lots of baking, money spent, and events are always happening. It can be super exhausting and overwhelming if you aren’t prepared for everything the holiday season has to offer. Use these tips to have more fun and less stress during this holiday season.

Tip 1- Fly Light

If you’re traveling by plane for Christmas, don’t bring too many presents that are going to take up the space you need in your luggage. Instead, give gift cards because they are small, can fit in your wallet, and are pretty much cash. The only time I bring presents while flying are things that you can’t get anywhere else. Another option is to send packages with your name on it to a family member and let them know. On online websites, you can have multiple shipping addresses saved. Either of these two ways people should be happy with the gift you give them.

Tip 2- Strategize Gift Buying and Gift Wrapping

The best time to buy Christmas wrapping paper, wrapping accessories, and fake Christmas trees is in January. Stock up on all the wrapping paper, ribbons, bows, and tags early. When the holiday season comes, bring out all the wrapping present material and wrap and label presents as soon as you buy them. Make sure to label all your presents with stickers or use a Sharpie marker. If you don’t have labels but multiple kinds of wrapping paper, set each person with a certain designed wrapping paper.

Tip 3- Keep Small Gifts on Hand

Have you ever felt guilty about someone giving you a gift unexpectedly and you didn’t have something to give in return? The easiest solution to this is to keep small gifts on hand that is universal, such as homemade or locally made preserves or cookies. It’s also okay if you don’t have a present right away. Most people won’t get offended if you don’t have something for them right away. Even if you make homemade cookies and see them at another time to give them, that is perfectly acceptable.

Tip 4- Save for Christmas Year Round

Did you know that the average person has $1,000 or more in credit card debt just for buying presents? Sure, it’s a time to show your loved ones how much you care by buying the newest coolest toys and electronics. If you can, put aside 10% of your check or $100 a month for Christmas presents. If you put $100 aside every month, you’ll have $1,200 for Christmas spending. There are even banks and credit unions that offer accounts specifically called Christmas savings. Plus, most online banking allows you to rename accounts so you can open a savings account and rename it “Christmas Savings.”

Tip 5- Draw Up a Budget and Make a List

If you plan ahead and give yourself a budget, you will buy less impulsively, make sure everyone gets their present, but not break your bank account. The first step is to give yourself a budget. If you follow Tip 4, then your budget is automatically set to what you saved over the year. The budget for each present is dependent on the friend or family member. You probably would spend more on a significant other or your own child than your best friend. Also, set a certain number of presents for each person. Make your list based on this criterion.

Tip 6- Buy Presents Early

If you see a really good deal on something you would buy for someone, consider buying it at that point rather than the couple weeks before Christmas when it’ll be regular price. Quite often you’ll find that stuff gets marked down immediately following Christmas. This is intentional of stores. They want you to impulse buy after you spent a ton of money on Christmas presents. Get the jump on them and save more by starting to use those items you bought for marked down prices as presents for next Christmas. There is nothing wrong with buying someone something for a discounted price.

Tip 7- Create Amazon Lists and Check Frequently

Amazon is great for keeping ideas for not only yourself but for others. If an idea sparks in your mind and you find it on Amazon, you can create a list or add an item into an existing list. The item will stay on the list until you buy it or remove it yourself. There is an Idea section and a separate section called Friends. You can invite people on any list so that they can have an idea at what you want.

The best part on Amazon’s list feature is that you can look back at the lists and the list will show the newest price. If the price is lower than when you put the item in the list, there will be a notice of how much the price dropped by a % they give you. You can also use the Google Chrome extension Honey to track price drops in the best while you’re searching for items on Amazon.

Tip 8- Reuse Some of the Boxes and Bags from Presents You’ve Received

Have you ever received a gift bag or box that contained a Christmas present and just threw it out immediately? I know a ton of people who do. If the bags and boxes are in good condition and don’t have any markings indicating it was for someone, you can reuse it for someone else’s gift. It saves time and money. The only thing you need to make sure is that you probably don’t want to give that same designed Christmas bag to the person you received it from or where they can see it being given to someone else. 

Tip 9- Clean and Make Space in Advance
Since the Christmas holiday brings family and friends to visit for either a few hours or a few days, it is important to have clean and spacious areas where the guests will stay. This includes any closets and bedrooms the guests will occupy during their visit. The best time to clean out everything in between the week after Thanksgiving to two weeks before Christmas. Christmas doesn't get crazy until the last week or two before Christmas. Just make sure not to clutter up the space that you just cleaned because you never know when you'll be able to clean that space again before Christmas.

Tip 10- Create a Calendar of All the Festivities
There can be so many events and parties that you want to attend, but it can be difficult to keep track of everything. The easiest solution to this problem is creating a calendar of events. There's nothing worse than forgetting a party until the last minute and you don't have enough time to bake or buy something. There's no need to buy a new planner or calendar. You can easily create a calendar on Word since they have a template made that allows you to print. If you don't like using a paper calendar, your phone has a calendar that you can send automatic reminders.

How to Earn at Least an Extra Few Hundred Dollars a Year (Part 2)- Online/Other Rebates

Last week I shared grocery rebates. This week I am sharing online rebates. These don't make as money for me like the grocery rebates do, but the money adds up.

Other Rebate Apps

Ebates ****

• Rating: 4 stars. This is an online rebate app that has so many stores you can get cash rebates
• Rebate Multiplying: No
• Online Rebates: Yes! That’s what they are all about!
• Rebate Availability: The rebates don’t have a countrywide limit
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?:  No. This app is pretty special when it comes to rebates
• When Do New Rebates Come Available: The rebates are pretty much the same all the time unless there is a special event that they’re having
• Other Features: There are some in-store offers but that isn’t what they are really known for. You can also add the Ebates Google Chrome extension, which will give a notification if you get to a website that has a rebate
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: The minimum is $5 but sometimes even if I am a little over $5 I do not get the money back in their 3-month payment cycle
• Redemption Options: You have the option to have it sent to your email-connected PayPal account or a check sent to your home address. There is also a gift card option if you don’t want cash

If you want to download the app and try it out, here is my code so that you can get $10 for your first rebate: https://go.ebat.es/RNQbwsp5OR

Dosh **

• Rating: 2 stars. There aren’t many offers and they are geared more toward retail shopping and restaurants so it takes some time. You must use the debit or credit card that is connected to the account to get the cash back
• Rebate Multiplying: No
• Online Rebates: Some
• Rebate Availability: The rebates don’t have a countrywide limit
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?:  No. This app is pretty special when it comes to rebates
• When Do New Rebates Come Available: The rebates are pretty sporadic if new ones are added
• Other Features: No special other features
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: The minimum was $15, but it was changed to $25
• Redemption Options: You have the option to have it sent to your email-connected PayPal account or a check sent to your home address

If you want to download the app and try it out, here is my code so that you can get started earning money just for swiping your card at designated places: MarilyA6

How to Earn at Least an Extra Few Hundred Dollars a Year (Part 1)- Grocery Rebate Apps

I am someone who doesn’t like to shell out money for big items for myself with the money I have earned. I rather save money from my paycheck than spend it. About a year and a half ago, I discovered a way to earn extra money to spend on big-ticket items. When I first started, I saved enough to buy a nice laptop and Kindle. Last year, I got a Bona Vita coffee maker and a Singer sewing machine. This year I bought a Nintendo Switch with Mario Kart. Check out the apps below to see the information I have on how they can benefit you.

Ibotta *****

• Rating: 5 stars! Ibotta is my favorite grocery rebate app available because it has more of a variety of rebates than all the other rebate apps that I have seen. Ibotta has grocery rebates from anything to produce to meat to medicine to baby products like many of the other grocery rebate apps available
• Rebate Multiplying: Some of the rebates allow you to multiply the reward up to five times on the same receipt. Along with the grocery rebates for items, you can earn more money from special bonus offers
• Online Rebates: Not only are there grocery rebates on the app, but there are also rebates for businesses, such as JoAnn’s or Best Buy. There are also rebates for online purchases, but you have to open and use the Ibotta app to get the online rebate
• Rebate Availability: When it comes to availability of the rebate, there does not seem to be a limit on how many people in the country use it. Some grocery stores, such as Wal-Mart, may have more rebates than other stores with different earnings
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: Yes!
• When Do New Rebates Come Available: Typically, new rebates are available in the middle of the week in the afternoon. Expiration dates are also noted on all rebate offers and bonuses
• Other features: You can still redeem a rebate for the same item you use a coupon for, even if the coupon makes that item free already
• Minimum for Cash Out: The minimum amount of earnings to cash out is $20, but you can continue earning past $20 if you are waiting to cash out multiple rebate apps at the same time
• Redemption Options: There are so many options. You could have the money sent to your PayPal or Venmo account or choose from a wide variety of gift cards

If you want to download the app and try it out, here is my code so that you can get $10 for your first rebate: glsfuwe or use the link https://ibotta.com/r/glsfuwe

(Note: This referral code bonus of $10 only works for the first week you activate the app. So don’t hesitate or forget!)

Checkout51 ***

• Rating: 3 stars. This grocery app can be a little tricky but with some time the fruits of your patience will produce extra cash. The availability of the rebates can be frustrating especially if you live on the West Coast because the East Coast is 3 hours ahead and can get the deals much faster
• Rebate Multiplying: Some rebates allow multiple redemptions on the same receipt. There are also a few bonuses, but not that many
• Online Rebates: None
• Rebate Availability: This is the frustrating part of the app. There is a set number of available
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: It depends on the other apps you are redeeming the rebate. The rebate app you cannot redeem the same offer is SavingStar, but others work
• When Do New Rebates Come Available: Thursday at midnight for each time zone
• Other Features: On the Thursday before or on your birthday, you get a special rebate that gives you $1 for any treat, such as a cake or cookie. It also seems like you can get a rebate after using a coupon even if the item is free, but the app policy states that it doesn’t allow it. (It works for me though.) If you are a member at Sam’s Club, you can get $10 back when you get a membership or renew it
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: The minimum amount of earnings to cash out is $20, but you can continue earning past $20 if you are waiting to cash out multiple rebate apps at the same time
• Redemption Options: Checkout51 has 2 options. You can have a check mailed to you or you can get it sent to your PayPal account

If you want to download the app and try it out, here is my code so that you can get $5 after your first 3 receipts with rebates on them: https://checkout51.app.link/RnjI38fFVQ

SavingStar ***

• Rating: 3 stars. This app is not as tricky as Checkout51, but a little annoying. There is not as many rebates available on the app
• Rebate Multiplying: No
• Online Rebates: None
• Rebate Availability: The rebates don’t have a countrywide limit
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?: It depends on the other apps you are redeeming the rebate. The rebate app you cannot redeem the same offer is Checkout51, but others work
• When Do New Rebates Come Available: First of the month and a weekly Healthy Offer are provided.
• Other Features: It also seems like you can get a rebate after using a coupon even if the item is free, but the app policy states that it doesn’t allow it (It works for me though.)
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: The minimum amount used to be $5, but now the minimum of earnings to cash out is $20. You can continue earning past $20 if you are waiting to cash out multiple rebate apps at the same time
• Redemption Options: There are a few options. You could get it sent straight to your bank account or PayPal account. There is also the option to get a gift card, but the choices are very limited for gift cards

Coupons.com ***

• Rating: 3 stars. This app is not as tricky as Checkout51, but a little annoying. There are not as many rebates available on the app like SavingStar
• Rebate Multiplying: No
• Online Rebates: None
• Rebate Availability: The rebates don’t have a countrywide limit
• Can You Redeem the Same Rebate Across Other Apps?:  Yes!
• When Do New Rebates Come Available: Offers are provided the first of the month
• Other Features: You can redeem this by using coupons because the app also has an online website format that you could get the same deals as printouts
• Minimum/Maximum for Cash Out: No minimum! It goes straight to you once the rebate is accepted
• Redemption Options: It goes straight to the PayPal account you connected

How I Got Almost $1000 of Merchandise Free on Black Friday (2018 Edition)

Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year. It’s so big that many people put themselves in credit card debt instead of actually saving themselves money. The entire purpose of Black Friday is to bring prices down enough that it causes people to impulse buy on anything and everything they set their eyes on. There is nothing wrong with splurging on an item or two, but sometimes a game plan is better if you have trouble restraining yourself from impulse buying.

I am not entirely a fan of Black Friday because of the crowds, but the deals are too good to pass up. I have gone Black Friday shopping before, but only for a couple small things because I had a coupon that would give it to me for free or for less than a dollar. This year is different for me though. This is the first year I went all out shopping on Black Friday, but not the way most people go all out on Black Friday. This year I spent exactly $37.14 out of pocket on about $1000 worth of merchandise, but I made more money in rewards back than I spent out of pocket.

Here is my process to prepare for Black Friday:

Step 1: On the day of Black Friday, look at the deals at stores you would like to buy from but are really hesitant to shell out the money. Keep the price range and discounts in mind so that you can plan for next Black Friday. Write them down if you have to.

• Yes, I know it sounds dumb, but it works. This is how I start planning my Black Friday shopping. This year I window shopped at Michael Kors and Kate Spade for designer handbags that I might buy next year.

Step 2: Get rebate apps and gift card apps if you don’t have them already. Start using them ASAP.

• This takes a lot of time, patience, and diligence, but it pays off in the end. I wouldn’t do anything that would waste my time.
• I will post an article or 2 on the apps available and how they can be redeemed. I will also include my code so that you can earn bonus rewards since I referred you.

Step 3: Fast forward 11 months later and it is now the beginning of November. Get early access to Black Friday ads. Some stores release their ads at the beginning of November while others release theirs on the Sunday prior to Black Friday.

• I suggest getting the Flipp app. The Flipp app includes the flyers for most grocery and department stores. During Black Friday, there is an entire section dedicated to Black Friday ads that is usually at the top of the list.

Step 4: Start strategizing what you plan on buying. Figure out what gift cards you earned and the amount of money you earned from rebates. Write everything down: the price of each item and the coupons, gift cards, and rebates you have available. Have an idea of how much you are going to spend by adding the prices, taking off the coupons, adding tax, and then the gift cards or rewards you will use.

• This helps you from impulse buying and keeps you on track.
• Pro Tip: If you can use coupons and want to really get the most of what you’re buying, you might have to separate the transaction into multiple transactions for one store. This is only a good idea if the coupon is mobile and you know it can be used multiple times and you can pull off using it more than once.

Step 5: Shop, shop, shop. Go early because some items go quickly even if you don’t think it would. But remember you are also at Step 1 for next year. Keep your eyes open for deals that you might consider and plan for next year.

You can stop reading at this point if you want. Below is my Black Friday Shopping trip broken down.



These are all the rewards, coupons, and gift cards I had available:
Amazon

• 3% cash back on Amazon purchases when using Amazon Rewards credit card
• Rebate apps- Ibotta, Checkout51, SavingStar, Ebates, Coupons.com app, Dosh, Receipt Hog (I will post about these apps in another article)

Bath and Body Works

• Free 3-Wick Candle with Any Purchase Coupon
• Additional 20% off Coupon

Kohl’s

• $10 off $10 or more Coupon
• Additional 15% off Coupon

Victoria’s Secret

• 3 $15 rewards (Total $45)
• Free Panty with Any Purchase Coupon
• 5x Points for Every Dollar Spent when using VS Credit Card

Ulta

• $3.50 off $15 Mobile Coupon
• $135 in gift cards from Fetch and Shopkick apps (I will post about these apps in another article)

This is how I broke down my trip for each store, which I didn’t derail from. You can model how you write yours after mine if you need a guideline. The breakdown of my trip and how I got everything pretty much free:

Electronics
Amazon

• Nintendo Switch w/Mario Kart 8 Deluxe Bundle (Reg. $359.99+Tax)- Sale $299.99

Tax (Washington- 10%)- $30
Total: $329.99
Used Rebates: $329.99
Owe: $0
Regular Price/Saved: $395.99
Rewards: $9.90

Home and Other
Bath and Body Works

• Black Cherry Merlot 3-Wick Candle (Reg. $24.50)- $24.50
• Peach Bellini Mini Hand Sanitizer (Reg. $1.75)- $1.75

Total (Before Tax): $26.25
Used Free Candle Coupon: $1.75
Used 20% Off Coupon: $1.40
Tax: $0.14
Total/Owe: $1.54
Regular Price: $28.88
Saved: $27.34

Kohl’s

• The Big One Super Soft Throw (Reg. $39.99+Tax)- Sale $8.99
  
• Women’s Gloves (Reg. $6+Tax)- Sale $1.99

Total (Before Tax): $10.98
Used $10 off Coupon: $.98
Used 15% off Coupon: $0.83
Tax: $0.16
Total/Owe: $0.91
Regular Price: $50.59
Saved: $49.68

Clothing
Victoria’s Secret

• Fleece Lined Leggings (Reg. 66.95+Tax)- Sale $20
• Fleece Lined Leggings (Reg. 66.95+Tax)- Sale $20
• Sherpa Hoodie (Reg. $79.95+Tax)- Sale $35
• Panty (Reg. $10.50+Tax)- $10.50

Total (Before Tax): $85.50
Used Free Panty Coupon: $75
Used 3 $15 rewards: $30
Tax: $3
Total/Owe: $33
Regular Price: $246.79
Saved: $213.79
Rewards: $20 off $50 and 165 points (Passes threshold for additional $15 reward)

Cosmetics
Ulta
Transaction 1 (This was done a week early because it worked out better points-wise and with deals. The deal was Buy One Get One 50% Off and 2x points along with 200 Bonus Points with a $24 Ulta Brand Purchase.)

• Ulta Brand Highlighter: Illuminator Pink Diamond (Reg $10+Tax)- $10
• Ulta Brand Brown Powder Duo Auburn (Reg $10+Tax)- $5
• Ulta Brand Risk Taker Single Eyeshadow (Reg $8.50+Tax)- $8.50
• Ulta Brand Raspberry Beret Luxe Lipstick (Reg $8.50+Tax)- $4.25

Total (Before Tax)- $27.75
Used $3.50 off Coupon: $24.25
Tax: $2.47
Total: $26.69
Used Gift Card from Fetch ($25): $1.69
Owe: $1.69
Regular Price: $40.70
Saved: $39.01
Rewards: 24 base points and 224 bonus points (New total points = 368 points)

Transaction 2

• Hot Tools Rainbow Gold 1” Iron (Reg $64.99+Tax)- $32.49

Used $3.50 off Coupon: $28.99
Tax: $2.90
Total: $31.89
Used Gift Card 1 from Shopkick ($25): $6.89
Used Gift Card 2 from Shopkick ($25): $0 (Remaining Balance: $18.11)
Regular Price/Saved: $71.49
Rewards: 28 points (New total points = 396 points)

Transaction 3

• Beauty Gems (101 Piece) Master Glam Kit (Reg. $12.99)- Sale $6.49 (50% off)
• Beauty Gems (52 Piece) Flawless Face Kit (Reg. $9.99)- Sale $4.99 (50% off)
• Ulta Holiday Collection Body Wash Pomegranate Prosecco (Reg. $9.50)- Sale $5

Total (Before Tax): $16.48
Used $3.50 off Coupon: $12.98
Tax: $1.29
Total: $14.27
Used Gift Card 2 from Shopkick ($18.11): $0 (Remaining Balance: $3.84)
Regular Price/Saved: $35.73
Rewards: 12 points (New total points = 408 points)

Transaction 4

• Cozy Holiday Coffee Mug Set (Reg. $15)- $15 (Buy One Get One Free)
• Cozy Holiday Coffee Mug Set (Reg. $15)- $0 (Buy One Get One Free)

Total (Before Tax): $15
Tax: $1.50
Total: $16.50 (I forgot a coupon this time, but that’s ok)
Used Gift Card 2 from Shopkick ($3.84): $12.66
Used Gift Card 3 from Shopkick ($25): $0 (Remaining Balance: $12.32)
Regular Price/Saved: $33
Rewards: 15 points (New total points = 423 points)

Transactions 5 and 6

• Cozy Holiday Coffee Mug Set (Reg. $15)- $15 (Buy One Get One Free)
• Cozy Holiday Coffee Mug Set (Reg. $15)- $0 (Buy One Get One Free)

Total (Before Tax): $30
Used $3.50 off Coupon: $23
Tax: $2.30
Total: $25.30
Used Gift Card 3 from Shopkick ($12.32): $12.96
Used Gift Card 4 from Shopkick ($25): $0 (Remaining Balance: $12.02)
Regular Price/Saved: $66
Rewards: 22 points (New total points = 445 points)

Regular Price: $969.17
Total Spent: $37.14
Total Saved: $932.03
Rewards: $10 cash back on Amazon Rewards, $20 off $50 at VS, $15 reward at VS, 445 points in Ulta Rewards (Equivalent to almost $14) = $59 in Cash or Rewards
$22.02 Leftover in Gift Cards