Have you ever taken the time to clip a coupon only to either lose it or have it expire before you have a chance to use the coupon?

Thanks to Alta, a reader and friend, I checked out The Couponizer – a coupon organizer that helps you save time, money and frustration.

The site states the “Couponizer is a proven system of tools designed to help you save more money, more consistently…”

Consisting of 18 category pockets to organize grocery and discount coupons; loyalty sleeves for customer loyalty cards, gift cards, and punch cards like Panera’s; shopping list, a savings tracker and pair of scissors.

Anyone else have some money saving ideas? Please tell us below.

I feel like I hit the grocery coupon jackpot!

I love value for my money. As a consumer advocate and financial educator, I am always on the lookout for great deals I can share with my readers. How did I miss this coupon site? Coupons from Kleenix to cookies, diapers to dog food, and all name brands that you are familiar with. Velveeta, Nabisco, Kraft, Maxwell House, Wisk, Huggies, Glamour Magazine, Crystal Light and OptiFree discount coupons are available.  Most the coupons I clipped and printed were for $1 off. You can find:

• Beverages
• Household
• Personal Care
• Health Care
• Entertainment
• Pet Care
• Local Coupons

Granted I shop mostly on the perimeter of the grocery store, stocking up on fresh vegies, chicken, and fish. But hubby and grandkids still demand their occasional treats and comfort foods. You can’t beat a cheescake made with Philadelphia cream cheese, and yes, there is a coupon this week for that too. I printed a number of coupons today and expiration date is one month from now. To really save money, wait till those items are also on sale at your local store and double dip!

Now as much as I love value shopping, I hate clipping coupons then having to organize them and then remember to use them before expiration dates. So I find myself only sporadically using available discounts. What is great about a coupon site is that you can very systematically check for coupons when you are actually ready to shop. No waiting for the Sunday paper or weekly community savings paper. The coupons are online, waiting for you to immediately download and print. The site does require that you download a printer script in order for the bar code to print correctly and be accepted at your local grocery store. The site is Truste guaranteed, so no need to worry about spyware or adware being installed.

So… with pre-planning and a little careful shopping, that new pair of shoes at Zappos.com could be free.

Talk about value. Now that’s a deal!

So it’s your turn to share. Have you found a great resource to cut costs or use money saving coupons?

Our decision-making process, the Circle of Wisdom, teaches that awareness is the first step in creating a life you love. So how does that help you get out of debt and gain financial serenity?

It’s just like dieting. When you begin a weight loss plan, an “in your face” reality check can clearly show you that what you are consuming is the problem. This awareness can be the wake up call that transforms and energizes your goals. Now that you know the problem, you can achieve success.

If you don’t know where your money is going, it’s impossible to plug the leaks and gain financial peace of mind. Although I use QuickBooks for my business, I have been searching for a simple financial software system I could recommend for personal financial planning.   You Need a Budget is more than a simple, effective personal budget financial software system. It is a tool that will help you quickly gain an awareness about money and lead you on the path to financial peace of mind.

Get Out of Debt, Stop Living Paycheck to Paycheck and Stop Fighting with Your Spouse

End sleepless nights and the stress that financial insecurity brings. Create a written spending plan (I’m not fond of the term budget) that simply and effectively works. Money management is made easy when you know what you want, realistically look at your income and debt, and create a spending and saving plan that works for you and your family. Sometimes a simple financial software tool helps takes the dread out of budgeting.

Do you need a personal financial software tool to get out of debt?

My Lightbulb Moment

Not necessarily. But gaining clarity about your current money situation will be your lightbulb moment. A true foundation to regaining financial control.

Whatever financial planning tool you decide to use (even a simple Excel or Numbers spreadsheet or spiral notebook), gaining a clear insight or awareness into your current situation is essential to get a snapshot of your financial picture.

These tools will shine a strong light on the problem and you will immediately know what you need to do to get out of debt and gain financial peace of mind. Awareness is the important first step.

An Amazon best seller with 93 5-star reviews, this You Need a Budget personal financial software can be up and running within minutes, allowing you to import your banking transactions, track all your spending, and quickly gain financial peace of mind by gaining control of your money. Compatible with Windows Vista/2000/XP, not Macs.  Users claim it is easier to use than Quicken or Money. As I haven’t used those tools, I can’t comment.  I do know You Need a Budget is a much less expensive financial planning software tool especially considering the provided support options.

Created by Jesse Mecham, a Certified Public Accountant, and based on four rules of cash flow, this personal financial software budgeting program helps you maximize your money as you set and fulfill all your financial goals. Get out of debt, save for retirement and remove guilt about spending money by having a defined spending plan already in place. Spreadsheets, online video tutorials, and community forums are made available.

Is this financial planning tool right for you? Maybe. Maybe not.

If you are interested, there is a 60-day free trial available to see if it’s a good fit.

Reviews:

“Just what I was looking for. I was looking for software that used the “envelope system” of budgeting where you take your cash and divide it up into different envelopes for your budget categories and then is removed as you spend. This software fit perfectly…”

“This software is very easy to use. The company goes way above and beyond to make sure you are comfortable through extensive video tutorials and customer support. You can even attend free webinars that go step by step…”

“I love it!! It is so freeing to get a month ahead on paying bills, but even if you aren’t planning to do that, you can use this software and tell your dollars where to go instead of wondering where they went!!!”

“The best thing about YNAB is that I know exactly how much money I have for everything. I know how much I want to spend on clothing, so I dont feel guilty when I buy something…”

“I have used Quicken and Money for several years and I can honestly say that, this is the best tool I have used so far. YNAB is a powerful budgeting tool, but if you only need to track and budget your income and spending, then this is the tool for you. “

Check out more success stories here.

The bottom line? Awareness is the first step to Take Control of Your Money

It is important to face reality, find the money leak and make the decision to fix it. Money matters. Start your Get Out of Debt Journey today.

Resource: 
You Need a Budget

EDITED DECEMBER 16: The Gund Bear is no longer available from Amazon.

This video tip from the “Savvy Shopper” is about saving money with Amazon specials, and more specifically how to save $20 and get a free Gund bear on Amazon’s LeapFrog specials bundle package. The links included below make sure you effortlessly get the immediate extra $20 savings. If you don’t follow this link, you may have trouble. It took me awhile to get it right myself! (Note: seasonal video will be removed after Christmas.)

Here is the special page you need to use to easily Save $20 with Amazon’s LeapFrog “create your own bundle” promotion. As mentioned in the video, this page is very hard to find on your own and some people have had difficulty getting the $20 off. This page simplifies the process.

Check out further information on the LeapFrog toys at Educational Toys Kids Love to find more Christmas gft ideas for kids.

Educational Toys for Kids

Christmas gift giving has taken on a special significance for me this year. In looking for ways to make gift giving fun again, I came up with a Christmas list I’d like to share.

Top Ten List of Meaningful Christmas Gifts

These gifts made my top ten list of Christmas gift ideas because I’m looking for memorable gifts that will help create, capture and share memories that will far outlast the frenzy of Christmas morning. Since meaningful gifts are determined by the recipient, your list may differ from my suggestions. Hopefully this will help get your creative ideas flowing. Now for my favorite gift and best free resource…

Christmas Gift Idea No. 1:
MP3 Player filled with Music Downloads

I bought my husband the SanDisk Sansa Fuze 8 GB MP3 Player . Less than half the price of a high end iPod, this beautifully styled Fuze MP3 player has any and every feature you could possibly want in a digital music player, including a long 24 hour battery life. In addition to listening to music, you can watch favorite video clips, share photos, or dial into a favorite digital FM radio station. There is even voice recording with built-in microphone so you can record seminars, workshops, or even personal notes to yourself.  This would be great for a student (or for reminding hubby to pick up the wine!)

FREE MUSIC:

To make this gift really memorable, I signed up for a free trial subscription to an online music download site and immediately uploaded over 500 free songs to hubby’s new MP3 player. This will make his gift instantly enjoyable as he travels down memory lane listening to his favorite classic songs on Christmas morning. And it was so easy! This eliminated the time consuming effort of burning his cd collection to the computer and then transferring the songs to the Sansa Fuze MP3 player. Click here to get your own free 14-day trial of Rhapsody and download music for free.

Already own a different MP3 player or iPod? You can still take advantage of this amazing free digital music trial while it lasts.  Click here to get a free 14-day trial of Rhapsody and surprise that special someone with the gift of music.  Since June of this year, Rhapsody digital music has been iPod compatible!

Christmas Gift Idea No. 2:
Shutterfly

Shutterfly is an easy way to get your photos out of your digital camera and into print. But even better is the software they provide to make beautiful, memorable photo books. I’m in the midst of creating such a keepsake for our two granddaughters who shared a very special week with us this summer in the Hocking Hills area of Ohio.

This will be a book they can keep forever and will look back on with fond memories.

You can also create photo calendars, keychains, coffee mugs, mouse pads. Practically anything you can print on, you can personalize with Shutterfly.

View this Photo Book & See More Here

Christmas Gift Idea No. 3:
Netflix

If you haven’t used Netflix to have movie dvds delivered to your door, you don’t know what you are missing. No more hassles trying to get a new release or forgetting a movie until Friday night. Last year I gave subscriptions to Netflix to everyone. I actually think it was the most appreciated gift I gave.  And the memories continued all year.
Grab some popcorn and you’re all set!

Not sure if someone already has a subscription?  It doesn’t matter to Netflix. You can still make a gift to them and extend their subscription or include more movies each month. A gift that would be appreciated by someone who is busy or home bound. Since the movies can be ordered in bulk and put in a queue, it’s a great gift to give someone even if they don’t have a computer. Just pre-order a number of movies to last a month or so.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 4:
LeapFrog Tag Reading System

My grandson, age 4, received this system for his fourth birthday and loves it. Such a unique concept, you put the tag reader over the words of the book and it reads the words out loud to you. This little system makes learning to read fun and I can tell you from first hand experience, my four year old loves it.

“The amazing touch technology of the Tag Reading System encourages a child’s love of reading as words talk, pictures sing and stories live out loud!”

Perfect for children ages 4 to 8. Click here to read reviews or learn more:  LeapFrog® Tag Reading System

Christmas Gift Idea No. 5:
Leapster L-Max Learning Game System

From the same award winning company, LeapFrog, comes the Leapster L-Max Learning Game System. Not only is the hand held video game portable (think long holiday car or plane trips) but it can be linked into the TV for family fun.  All Leapster games are interchangeable, so your children can continue to play any games they might already have, but can also get new tv-compatible games.

Check out reviews and watch the really cute video demo here:  Leapster L-MAX Hardware (TV Feature) Recommended for ages 4 to 10 so they won’t quickly get bored or grow out of this game.

What can I say? This is truly gift giving made easy. Just don’t tell the kids it’s educational. They think it’s a fun video game!  An educational toy kids love.  Santa approved and kid friendly.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 6:
Pandigital 7″ Digital Picture Frame

One of my favorite gifts to give is loading up a digital picture frame with photos. The reason I like the Pandigital model is you can also play videos, music, and even use it as an alarm. It comes with a remote control as well. Great way to keep in touch with loved ones when it’s not possible to get together, as well as for use at the office, or even on your home desk.

What is especially nice is the ability to add to the collection.  Simply send a memory card filled with digital pics you’ve taken throughout the year. This could become an annual gift. Memories are always priceless.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 7:
Sony Digital Book Reader

Digital book readers are hot this year. Mentioned by Oprah as one of her favorite things, the Kindle: Amazon’s Wireless Reading Device is already sold out. (You can get on a waiting list, but the site says it won’t be available until after December 24.)

Many people prefer the Sony Reader to the Kindle anyway. But don’t think you need to purchase the more expensive new 700. The touch screen actually has made that model less desirable. The Sony Digital Book Reader of choice seems to be the Sony PRS-505/LC Blue Digital Book Reader. It’s over $100 cheaper than the newest model. I haven’t personally used this, but I have been told you can even download free ebooks from your local library.  Want to know more?

Click to read Sony Digital Reader Reviews

If you are at all interested, don’t hesitate or you might be disappointed. A bit on the pricey side, this is great for business travelers who are tired of hauling reading material with them everywhere. Now everything is conveniently located in thin reader.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 8:
WebCam

Connections made simple and easy! Keeping in touch has never been simpler. Or more fun.  Whether you have family, friends or colleagues out of state, with the combination of a good webcam and either Skype or Google Talk you are in business. And the phone calls are free.  Not difficult to use, think how much fun it would be for Grandma and Grandpa to watch the children grow, family reunions, sporting events. Wherever you can take your computer, the webcam will work.  Share the memories.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 9:
Crocs RX

Ok, I admit I never understood the attraction of crocs. Until now.  I’m a new believer and real fan! I’ve seen first hand how these comfortable clogs could ease foot pain.

I purchased a pair of therapeutic chocolate Crocs RX for a loved one who suffers from arthritis and pain in his feet. Although these clogs were intended as a Christmas gift, I couldn’t wait. Not expecting miracles, I just had to see if these shoes could help in even some small way.  Now I’m a hero! Gift giving can’t get more memorable than that.  What an awesome Christmas gift for someone who is looking for comfort and relief from aching feet. Think arthritis, bunions, hammertoes, nerve damage, diabetic.  Click here to check out the Crocs Rx here.

Christmas Gift Idea No. 10:
A Present for Me from Zappos!

And now a little gift for me, the one who has done all the shopping!  I love shoes, especially boots, and I absolutely fell in love with these Nine West booties. Unsure of shoe size or taste?  Shop Online E-Gift Certificates at Zappos.com and give the special man or woman in your life the option to choose their own gift.

Did I mention no cost shipping?  Free shipping, both ways. That means no risk buying. If a shoe isn’t a perfect fit, you can always return for free … for up to a year! What a memorable gift of awesome service.

What most people don’t realize is that Zappos is so much more than a shoe store. They have expanded their store to include not only designer shoes but also handbags, clothing, accessories and electronics.

I love Zappos. Be sure to check them out. You’ll be glad you did.

So what about you? What Christmas gift ideas can you share with us?