It's a Coupon Class - FREE

This Saturday at 10:30 am at the Rockford Public Library on East State Street, we will be teaching Couponing 101. Come learn the basics of where to get coupons, and how to store and organize them.

You can go here to register for this Saturday's class. Then stay tuned for Advanced Couponing in October, register here. Both classes have limited space so make sure you sign up if you are interested! There is no fee to attend the classes.

Coupon Class this Saturday!

Don't forget to come to the East State Street Rockford Public Library this Saturday the 26th for Couponing 101! We will be there teaching the class from 11-12pm!

The class is free and open to anyone even if you don't live in the Rockford area! More details here.

New Website for Rockford Parents!

Looks like there is a new website for Rockford parents. It has book reviews, coupons, calendar of events, local chatter forum, art projects and other local information. Not a lot a yet but it looks like they are trying to build readership. Check them out here!

FREE Couponing Classes!

It's that time again - Pinch-a-Penny Nook is going to be offering Couponing 101 and Advanced Couponing classes at Rockford Public Library on E. State Street! These classes are FREE and open to anyone!

Please come join us for tips on where, when and how to use coupons to maximize your savings! If you are overwhelmed with couponing and don't even know where to begin, Couponing 101 is a great place to start. It will give you the confidence you need to start using coupons and saving money!

Here are the dates and times:
Couponing 101 - February 26th at 11am - 12 pm
Couponing 101 - March 12th at 11am-12 pm
Advanced Couponing - April 9th at 11am-12pm

If you would like to attend, please click on the link for the classes above and take a moment to register online! Hope to see you there!

FREE Summer Reading Programs to Earn FREE Books

Here are three great Summer Reading Programs to earn FREE Books (or more):

The best one:
Rockford Public Library's 2010 Summer Reading Program Scare up a Good Book!
This is a great program for newborns to adults! Read 15 books and get a prize for reading every 5 books. Prizes range from small toys to free food coupons at local restaurants. Once you complete all 15 you will receive a FREE ticket to Magic Waters! Read 10 bonus books and receive a bonus prize as well.

Barnes & Noble Passport to Summer Reading
This program is for 1st - 6th graders and you will earn you a free book after reading 8 books and recording in your Passport the location you visit in each book. Download the passport here.

Borders Double Dog Dare You
This program is for kids 12 and under. Read 10 books and pick a FREE book from their list. Download form here.

Happy Reading!! Reading is one of our favorite activities!

Starbucks Happy Hour!

Starting today through May 16th, Starbucks is having Half-Price Happy Hour from 3-5pm on their new Frappuccino Beverages. This only applies to the Frappuccino drinks and of course states at participating locations. Check with your favorite location here just to make sure!

Happy 25th Dairy Queen!

Starting April 19th, Dairy Queen is celebrating 25 years! This mean a Birthday Treat for everyone. Blizzards will be buy one get one for $.25! This special runs from April 19th-April 25th - no coupon necessary!

Do your kids like to read?

If your kids enjoy reading (or you're encouraging them to read more), The Frugal Girls posted about a fun Barnes & Noble program where your child (Grades 1-6) can earn a free book. Read about it here!

Thanks Frugal Girls!

Other "Money Smart" Events in Illinois

As per my last post, you know that there are free shredding services going on in Rockford; and per Kristie's post, you know that we will be doing our coupon class this coming Saturday in Rockford.

But Money Smart Week is for all of Illinois! Go here to check out the other events going on in Rockford AND the rest of Illinois. A quick perusal show me that there is free shredding in Peoria and Urbana, as well as a some other great events all across the state - some are specific to kids, others to teens, and some to retirees. You can even narrow your search of events down to topics or cities!

Go check it out!

Free Shredding!

Every year, once or twice a year, I go to "Community Shredding" events. This is where a company will offer free shredding services, usually up to 2 boxes. This is a great way to get rid of old files and receipts you don't want to put in your garbage can. I have a box at home labeled "for shredding." Every time I have something I want to shred, I put it in the box. Then when a free shredding day comes, I take my box and watch them throw my stuff into the powerful jaws of the shredder!

This year, there seems to be a lot of places offering the service. I plan on going to the one on April 24th at the Members' Alliance Credit Union. Here are the three places that are offering the service in the coming weeks:

April 17th - Super Shredders on N Central

April 24th - Alpine Bank on E State

April 24th - Members' Alliance Credit Union on S Alpine

Go and take advantage of the free service!

Couponing 101!

Don't forget about our FREE Couponing 101 Class coming up on Saturday!! Check out the details here.

Donate your clutter and make money!

It's spring, the time for cleaning and decluttering in a lot of houses. The Salvation Army is offering an incentive to get you to bring in your used items. Drop off items at a participating Salvation Army and receive a $10 coupon for Phillips-Van Huesen, Izod or Bass stores.

I dropped off at the Salvation Army on Alpine and Riverside and received my $10 coupon along with a dated receipt. The promotion runs through May 31st and the coupon is good for 21 days from your dated receipt.

The nearest Phillips-Van Huesen, Izod and Bass stores are in Johnson Creek Outlet Malls in Johnson Creek, Wisconsin or Huntley Outlet in Huntley, Illinois.

FREE Coffee at Starbucks on Thursday, April 15th.

On Thursday, April 15th, at Starbucks bring in a travel/reusable mug and they will fill it with FREE brewed coffee! Also, don't forget to do your taxes . . . maybe this will help!

More details here.

Babies R Us Fill a Bag Sale

Print this coupon here to receive a FREE reusable tote bag at Babies R Us to fill. Fill the bag with clothes and shoes to save 25% off! This promotion runs through 4/22/10.

Rockford's Money Smart Week and Couponing 101

Here is some great news! Rockford's Money Smart Week starts April 17th - April 24th, read more about that here from the Register Star. The fun news . . . We get to help the Rockford Public Library kick off Money Smart Week by teaching Couponing 101 at the Montague Branch on April 17th at 1pm! Read more details here.

Of course there will be giveaways, but most importantly we hope that you can learn something new to help make you Money Smart!!

Couponing Class

We're at it again!

We'll be offering our free "Couponing 101" class this Saturday, Feb 13th from 12:00 to 1:30 pm at the East State Street Library (in the former Barnes & Noble building).

This is the same class we offered this class back in September and October, so if you need a refresher course or know people who could benefit from this class, be sure to come on down and bring your friends! We'll be having a giveaway, as always!

Hope to see you there!

FREE Tickets to the Chicago Auto Show!

Go here to read about the Chicago Auto show coming up in February. If you are interested in attending go here, fill out the form, print it and take it to a participating Chicagoland or NW Indiana dealer listed here.

Obviously, they are while supplies last. We used to go to the Milwaukee Auto Show, so I am very interested in going to the Chicago one!

Thanks MoneySavingMethods for the tip!

Auntie Anne's FREE Pretzel Day

Mark your calendar for Friday, February 20th, from 10am - 3pm and go to Auntie Anne's Pretzel Company inside Cherryvale Mall for a FREE pretzel. Can you say YUMMY! See their post here.

Enjoy.

Semi Annual Sidewalk Sale at CherryVale Mall

Starting today, January 14th through January 18th CherryVale Mall is having their Semi-Annual Sidewalk Sale. There is bound to be some great winter clearance deals!

Big Neigborhood Sale! (aka Rummage Sale)

Wow! Our church auditorium is FULL of stuff priced to sell. I had to stop myself from buying too many cute snowmen . . . and if I had kids, I'd be set for Christmas!

Just wanted to give you all the heads' up about the big sale going on in our church building. The auditorium is chalk-full! It's a nice warm place to be getting some good deals! Join us - I'll be at the check-out table!

Where: Morning Star Baptist Church, 3426 Colony Bay Drive, Rockford, IL 61109
When: Friday, Dec 3 from 9am to 6pm
Saturday, Dec 4 from 8am to 2pm

Hope to see you there!