More tips on how to maximize your money

Tips for maximizing your money with regards to buying foods

• When couponing is paired with creating a monthly, every 2 week, or weekly menu you will lessen your chance of over buying and buying unnecessary items. Meaning more money in your pocket.
• Don't be afraid to try new products you can get some of the best high value coupons on new products and when paired with a sale means free or a very good deal.
• Try to not be brand loyal because that will limit your options.
• And remember the key to saving money is sale + coupon = FREE or very good deal

Tips to maximize your money within your community 

• Check if your community does some sort of newsletter, they will let you know what is going on but usually they have tons of community sponsored activities. Examples of things I have seen- free energy savings facets, paint exchange, shedding of personal stuff, and electric recycle.
• Library
• Book (including downloadable ones) - I rarely buy books now because if my library does not have it they find a copy in their network.
• Music (CDs and downloadable) - I do not pay for music anymore because I put the music on my iPod from a CD and because I am allowed 3 downloadable songs a week per cardholder. 
• Video games - My son loves video games but he often times only plays a game for a week before wanting another one. So I get them for a week. They do the same thing they do book if they don't have it they will find a copy in their network.
• Movies - I always check first at the library. They do the same thing they do book if they don't have it they will find a copy in their network.

Use social media to maximize your money

• Groupon
• Living Social
• Amazon Local
• Google Offers
• Facebook Look for local groups often times they share information or sell their gently used items such as Oak Park Mom's Resale, Riverside-Brookfield Free Store, Riverside Berwyn Area Sales Group, Elmwood Park Virtual Garage Sale, Mamalist, Lyons and Brookfield Garage Sale, Berwyn area Moms,Cheap Stuff!, Chicago Buy-Sell-Trade, and Berwyn Bazaar: The comeback
• If in the Oak Park or River Forest, Illinois check out MomMail email group.
• look in your mailbox for local specials flyers and/ or coupons

Maximize your money with childcare

• If in the Oak Park or River Forest, Illinois check out MomMail email group does a sitter list.
• Care.com

Maximize your money with hair and spa treatments

• G Beauty and Skin Institute Oakbrook(close from the mall), West Dundee, Chicago, Illinois  ( I love their $5 haircuts and $24 facials! Tons of other services offered) LOVE THIS PLACE!
• Pivot Point Academy  Chicago, Evanston, and Bloomington, Illinois 
• Empire Stone Park, Lisle, Artington Height, Vernon Hills, Hanover, Illinois
• Aveda Institute Chicago, Illinois 
• Mrs. Roberts Academy Villa Park and Hillside, Illinois
• Regency Beauty Downer Grove/Darien, Tinley Park, Aurora/Naperville, Elgin, Crystal Lake, Joliet,Illinois and Merville, IN.
• Tricoci University 2 Chicago locations (near O'Hair and Rogers Park), Bridgeview, Libertyville, Glendale Heights, Illinois, and Highland, IN 
• Paul Mitchell Chicago, Tinley Park, Lombard, Illinois 

I have not had a chance to look into nail schools or massage school so if you know of any let me know!

 

Maximize your money with eyewear

 

Zenni Optical I have personal bough from here and loved them! Great deal on glasses $6.95+ with $4.95 shipping

Eye Buy Direct I have not used this one but I have heard good things very similar to Zenni!
For kids glasses check out America's Best 2 Pairs for $69.99 and for an extra $15 get a second pair of each if they break them!

 

Pictures

 

I find great deals on Groupon, recently I went into Picture People and on top of the Groupon I had I was able to get this Portrait Rewards Club. In combination with a group this makes for a  GREAT deal on picture. I recommend the Portrait Reward for families and those expecting babies.