Notes from our Frugal Moms Forum on Febuary 27:

1. Cut & organize coupons from Sunday paper. Use a folder with baseball card dividers. Clean out expired coupons once a month. Expired coupons will usually be accepted up to 2 days after the expiration date. Can save the expired coupons to donate to the military.

2. Keep Smart Source coupon insert from Sunday Paper. Label with date on top. (Websites will alert you of sales for the week and where to find the coupons to go with them.)

3. Utilize the First Church coupon center (located across from the visitor’s center). Take what you need, or donate the coupons that you won’t use from the Sunday paper.

4. Tuesdays are a good day to go to Meijer because they restock late Monday night.

5. www.couponmom.com is comparable to Savings Angel.

6. www.hotcouponworld.com/forums/meijer has Meijer sales ad a week ahead of time.

7. Dollar Tree by World Market has the best selection – Best time to go is at the beginning of the month.

8. www.slickdeals.com (clothing store deals)

9. Craigs List – When selling something keep reposting. Be sure to let buyers know if you will only accept cash & don’t take down your listing until the person has come & picked up the item. (Great place to buy cloth diapers which is a big money saver!)

10. Meijer Pharmacy – Free Prenatal vitamins; They will match transferred prescription coupons from other stores plus give you other benefits.

11. CVS/Walgreens – “Carebucks” – Great way to get free products.

12. www.shoppingnotes.com – submit product urls for things you would like to buy & this site will e-mail you when they go on sale or the price drops.

13. Know your prices when shopping in bulk at Costco/Sam’s Club to assure that it really is a good deal. Buy hamburg and split into 1 pound servings- brown some before freezing for quick meal prep. Coffee beans are much cheaper at Costco than at the grocery store.

14. Try a monthly Meal Exchange with friends. (Check out The Freezer Cooking Manual from 30 Day Gourmet- By: Nanci Slagle or Cooking Among Friends)

15. Children’s Museum – Family Night every Thursday night

16. For the Kidz – Open Gym – $8 for 2 hours or $4 (per child) if you go for the last hour. (Friday 12:30-2:30 or Friday & Saturday 6:30-8:30)

17. Bright Beginnings or Library Story time

18. Amtrak to Chicago – Children under 12 half price – If you drive to MI City it is only $6 per person from there. 1st Monday of every month and every Thursday is free at the Field Museum.

19. Babysitting Co-ops – Trade babysitting with a friend for date nights.

20. “Trade Secret” in the mall – Hair products 20% off 10-11am every Tuesday and the last Tuesday evening of the month.

21. Try not to buy out of “need.” Stock up when things are on sale & you have a coupon.