As savvy shoppers, we’re always looking for ways to save a buck or two on groceries. Grocery bills can end up being astronomical if you aren’t careful about what to save on and what to splurge on, especially with large families.

One easy way to save at the supermarket is by buying generic products. We don’t expect you to buy everything generic – trust us, we would never buy the generic versions of Doritos, Gatorade or Kraft Macaroni & Cheese. But there are certain products that are perfectly fine to save on.

A good rule of thumb: compare price per unit before you buy. If it’s not a big difference in price to buy a brand you know and love, stick with that brand. If the price difference is noticeable, try the generic brand. We’ve compiled our tips to give you an easy roadmap for buying generic. (more…)

Coupons have been around for years but in recent years have surged in popularity. We’ve all heard about the extreme couponing craze and seen it in action on the popular TLC show “Extreme Couponing.” It’s incredible how much money people can save if they put time and effort into it like perusing the weekly newspapers to get manufacturer coupons, pairing them with store coupons and redeeming them on double coupon days for maximum savings.

However, we wanted to debunk some common myths to ensure that all you savers aren’t led astray by the extremely extreme practices on the show.

Myth: You’ll always be able to use as many coupons as you want to save.

Reality: Due to the popularity of the show, many stores are cracking down on the use of coupons to avoid fraud. Make sure to check your grocery store’s coupon policy before creating your plan of attack.

Myth: You’ll always save money when you buy in bulk. (more…)

As you know, I have always believed in being fit. Many people say that a gym membership or exercise equipment is too expensive and they can’t afford to get in shape.

In most cases, I don’t disagree; however, many people sign up for the gym and don’t even go more than a few times or they buy a treadmill and use it to hang their clothing on (sound familiar?)! Both of these things are well intended, but both of them waste money.

Over the past few years, I’ve discovered a huge love of running, as you may know. One reason I started running was because I had a lot of frustration to get rid of but also because I wanted an easy, affordable way to work out. Since it didn’t require any equipment or a gym membership, running was the perfect solution for me. All I need is a pair of good running shoes and off I go! Anyone with enough determination can become a runner. A few tips for first-time runners: (more…)

You’ve done everything you can: obsessively washed your hands, exercised regularly, drank a ton of orange juice and ate an apple a day. But sometimes, no matter what you do, you catch the dreaded winter cold. It’s widely known that there is no true cure for the common cold, but we came up with a few home remedies to help you get through the misery of a winter cold without breaking the bank. Don’t waste your money on expensive over-the-counter medications when you can just use what you already have at home.

1. Drink fluids. This is the oldest trick in the book but it truly helps. Drink green tea with honey, tons of water, hot chicken broth, anything you can get your hands on. The more you drink, the better you’ll feel.

2. Make your own nasal spray. We got this cheap and easy recipe from WebMd.com.

• Mix 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon baking soda in 8 ounces of warm water.
• Fill a bulb syringe with this mixture (or use a Neti pot, available at most health foods stores).
• Lean your head over a basin, and using the bulb syringe, gently squirt the salt water into your nose.
• Hold one nostril closed by applying light finger pressure while squirting the salt mixture into the other nostril.
• Let it drain.
• Repeat two to three times, and then treat the other nostril. (more…)

How many times have you been in the awkward situation of not liking a gift you received? Sure, you paint on a smile and exclaim how perfect it is but as soon as you get home, you know you’re never going to wear/ use/ hang/ eat the gift. So you’re forced with a decision: to return or not to return?

On one hand, most gift-givers want you to be happy with your gift so you should be able to exchange it for something else. On the other hand, you run the risk of hurting someone’s feelings if you get caught. According to a recent CouponCabin.com survey, nearly one-in-five U.S. adults have gotten caught returning a gift e.g. the giver didn’t see the gift at their home or they never wore the article of clothing they received. Talk about uncomfortable!

Getting an unwanted gift is not an uncommon occurrence, with 78 percent reporting that they have pretended to like a gift they received even if they didn’t. Further, 21 percent said it’s very likely that they would return holiday gifts they didn’t like, while 32 percent said it would be at least somewhat likely.

Clear communication may be essential to help mitigate some of the emotions surrounding gifting and returns. More than one-in-ten (13 percent) revealed they would be offended if they realized someone had returned a gift they’d given. On the flip side, more than one-quarter (27 percent) of those who had returned gifts in the past said they felt guilty afterward.

Considering returning an unwanted gift? Check out my advice below to make this awkward process easier!

• Weigh the pros and cons: If you received a gift you didn’t like this holiday, take some time to weigh the pros and cons of returning the item vs. keeping it. Sometimes, the gain of returning the item for something you like better isn’t worth hurting the feelings of someone close to you.
• Consider the options: Rather than simply returning a disliked gift to get something for you, consider donating the item to a local charity or re-gifting it.
• Be considerate: If you do decide to return a gift, make sure you are sensitive about it. Don’t tell everyone you know and make it a bigger deal than it needs to be. If you feel comfortable talking to the giver, that is an option, but if not, be as discreet as possible.

We’re pleased to announce that in addition to offering coupons and deals for 3,500+ retailers, you can now search by product and compare prices on CouponCabin.com. In the search bar, simply type in the product you’re looking for. We searched for Skullcandy headphones.

On the next screen, you’ll see a list of all the retailers that sell Skullcandy headphones. (more…)

Maybe you made a New Year’s resolution this year and maybe you didn’t. Either way, everyone has something they can work on. Instead of making a resolution that will be nearly impossible to stick to like “Lose 50 pounds by Valentine’s Day” or “Get promoted to VP even though I was just hired as an assistant,” you can still feel good about yourself by making just a few small changes in your life.

We put together 5 easy resolutions below to help make you healthier, happier and have more money in the bank in 2012.

• Map out your meals. We could all use a little more time in the day, that’s a given. But what if you could save time, save money AND be healthier? Seems like a no-brainer, right? Taking a little extra time to plan out your meals for the week can be a secret to all three of those goals. When you start thinking about the week ahead and head to the grocery store, take the time before you get there to plan out your meals. If you plan out what you’re going to eat, you’re more likely to select healthier items, plus you’ll save time by cooking once for several meals. For example, make a chicken and rice dish for dinner, and then chop up veggies to throw in to make it a stir-fry for lunch the next day. With food already prepped and ready each day, you won’t feel tempted to order greasy takeout or buy grub from the vending machine, plus you’ll save some green. We love this meal planner from RealSimple.com.

• Skip the mall, shop online. Sometimes heading to the mall can be a harried experience; it’s hard to find a parking spot, the stores are jammed and you’re tempted by the food court pretzels. Give yourself the gift of time by utilizing online shopping. Many stores offer free shipping deals, plus you’ll save on gas from driving to the mall all the time. Even better, you’ll be free of the stress that often accompanies mall shopping. Within a few days, the items you want end up at your door and you’re all set. (more…)

All the presents have been opened… the trash and recycling have been taken out… the cookies have been eaten…the nog has been consumed…the carols have been sung. Now what?

We always get a little depressed after the holidays are over because we spent so much time planning for them. We put together some great tips to help get you out of the post-holiday funk.

1. Get out of town. Plan a trip for sometime in February. If you can’t afford an elaborate beach vacation, you can still take a road trip to a bed and breakfast in a neighboring town. Soak in a hot tub, hit the spa, go on a winery tour, sleep in and eat. It will help break up the cold winter months that aren’t warmed up by holiday cheer.

2. Bake cookies. Just because Christmas is over doesn’t mean you can’t still bake cookies all year. Snickerdoodles, peanut butter blossoms and sugar cookies can be made anytime!

3. Get organized. Every year, you dig out the same cruddy boxes filled with Christmas stuff and spend hours looking through it. This year, pick up a few of those big plastic storage bins and get your Christmas stuff in perfect order. Plus, you struggle every year about who to send Christmas cards to. Revise your list this year to make it easier on yourself next year. If you exchange gifts with co-workers, stock up on cute Christmas items now!

4. Cook, bake, freeze. Make some of your favorite holiday dishes and throw them in the freezer. When you get bored and hungry on a cold February afternoon, pop one of them in the oven for a dose of instant cheer!

5. Stock up on the post-holiday sales. You will love all the great deals on wrapping paper, Christmas cards, ornaments and more. Plus, you get to extend the holiday season and stay in the holiday spirit for an extra day or two!

Here are a few deals to get you started:

This simple, classic ribbon stocking will look perfect on any mantel. FINAL PRICE: $9.98 at Target.com.

Skip the boring gift wrap and pick up a bunch of this Marimekko Praliini Silver and White Gift Wrap for next year’s presents. FINAL SALE PRICE: $3.95 at CrateandBarrel.com.

These Unikko Green Gift Tags are adorable, reasonably priced and are the perfect topper to any present. FINAL SALE PRICE: $1.95 at CrateandBarrel.com.

Get your holiday stuff organized with this Christmas Through the Years Mini Decorative Storage Box. FINAL SALE PRICE: $55.19 + FREE SHIPPING at Buy.com.

Get outta town in style with this Vera Bradley Small Duffel in Hello Dahlia. It’s the perfect size for a quick weekend trip. FINAL SALE PRICE: $51.75 at VeraBradley.com.

Going on a longer trip? This Large Duffel in Twirly Birds Pink is the perfect bag – it fits everything you’ll need and you’ll definitely recognize it at baggage claim! FINAL SALE PRICE: $50.40 at VeraBradley.com.

The items you stash in the crisper drawers of your refrigerator can make up a big portion of your weekly grocery bill. Fresh produce may be one of the pricier items at the grocery store, but it’s essential to your family’s good health. While finding sales and deals on produce is always welcome, the easiest ways to keep your produce costs down is to make it last. How many times have you opened the fridge to pull out a pepper or a head of lettuce, only to find they are beyond salvation? Here are some easy tips to stop the spoilage, make your produce last longer and save YOU money.

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We love the holidays – for so many reasons – but most importantly because we have a few days off work. However, there’s always the risk of turning into a giant holiday slob, where you spend your days in your PJs, eating Christmas cookies, chowing down Mom’s home cooking, drinking gallons of wine and completely forgetting that the gym even exists.

Trust us, we understand how easy it is to neglect your exercise regiment. We’re all for treating yourself but we put together a quick list of easy exercises you can do around the house to help battle the inevitable holiday weight gain… you don’t want to end up looking like Santa, do you?

• Most cable providers offer complimentary exercise programs on-demand. Even a 30-minute video will get your heart pumping and do your body good!

• Shovel the driveway. You can burn up to 500 calories from just an hour of shoveling. This handy calculator can help you figure out exactly how many calories you would burn by shoveling.

• Take a brisk walk around the neighborhood at twilight. Not only will you get your heart rate up but with all the pretty holiday decorations and twinkling lights, you won’t even notice you’re exercising! (more…)