Just Me

20
Jan

Digital Doorstep Update

January 20, 2012 10:42 am · 2 comments

 

I mentioned a couple of weeks ago-that I will no longer be promoting Digital Doorstep.  In my eyes they had messed up twice with not sending out gift cards like promised..For me, that was too many times.

I learned several days ago that Plum District filed a Lawsuit against Digital Doorstep for breach of contract. Then I also found (the same day) that Digital Doorstep filed for Bankruptcy.

Here is a letter from the Plum District CEO:

For any customers who haven’t received Target cards or been able to redeem Starbucks/Fandango promotion codes, we are issuing a full refund. Despite our efforts to resolve the issues, we’ve lost all confidence that you might receive your cards, and earlier this week we filed a lawsuit with Digital Doorstep for breach of contract. Additionally, Digital Doorstep filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy today, so to ensure we always put our customers first, we are refunding all of these unfulfilled purchases. Furthermore, we will not work again with any merchant that doesn’t meet our high standards. We truly appreciate your patience, support and business throughout what we know was an even more frustrating period for you than it was for us. We look forward to “Making Mom’s Day” — your day — each day in the future. If you need further assistance or do not receive your refund within 7 business days, please contact us at help@plumdistrict.com. – Megan Gardner, CEO Plum District

I personally feel that Plum District has done EVERYTHING they could to make this right and I will continue to promote them in the future.

To be honest, for the last two years that I have been blogging, I have never seen so much drama in such a short period of time!

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16
Jan

Why I’m Ordering a Local Newspaper Subscription.

January 16, 2012 12:16 pm · 14 comments

 

I know this is silly to post ..but I like sharing my thoughts with everyone. As much as I love the LA Times–I’ve decided to branch out of my comfort zone to see if I can get the Target inserts that LA Times does not get all the time.

For me, the extra paper is still worth it. The extra savings that I get with coupons–pays for my yearly cost on the paper itself. One of my LA Times Subscriptions is expiring this month so I will get 4 LA Times delivered and 1 Press Enterprise– which will keep me to my norm of 5 papers a week.

I know that a lot of you praise the OC Register (they usually get the awesome Target coupons) but I don’t live close enough. :( also, remember that the only real way to guarantee your inserts is a subscription. For me–being able to call the newspaper company to let them know that my paper didn’t get the coupons is great. I don’t risk hitting the newspaper stands and not being able to find a paper with coupons in it.

You can currently snag some great discounts on your local paper:

OC Register $12.00 per year (1 paper)

SD Tribune: 1 Sunday paper each week: 20 weeks for $20

Press Enterprise: 1 Sunday Paper: 52 weeks for $26

Sacramento Bee: 1 Sunday paper each week:  26 weeks for $19.99

Los Angeles Area News Papers: 1 Sunday Paper: 52 weeks for $26

:: Torrance Daily Breeze (South Bay area north to Santa Monica, but not Santa Monica)
:: Long Beach Press Telegram (Long Beach, Lakewood, everything north of OC line)
:: Los Angeles Daily News (San Fernando Valley and north Hollywood area)
:: Whittier Daily News
:: Pasadena Star-News
:: San Gabriel Valley Tribune
:: San Bernardino Sun
:: Inland Valley Bulletin (Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga)
:: Redlands Daily Facts

 

 

 

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05
Jan

Ethical Couponing…

January 5, 2012 12:15 pm · 0 comments

 

Free. 

The word “free” will get almost anyone’s attention. I can’t tell you how amazed I was when I discovered couponing almost 5 years ago. Just to think that I was paying for items that with a coupon and a sale–I could get for free.

“Free” got me hooked. I was stuck. the adrenaline of walking out of a grocery store paying very little  –for items that I would usually grunt and moan about as I swiped my card, was amazing! I wanted everything I could get for free–and I admit, I wanted everything in my little closet of my two bedroom apartment to be filled with free stuff. I quickly learned though, that it wasn’t about having it all–it was about what I could have and being able to provide in a way that was fulfilling for my family.

I get it. “Free” is a powerful thing and it may make people act in outrageous or outlandish ways.

This post has been on my mind for sometime–I have sat down to write and I almost didn’t want to because I felt someone might think I’m being critical or judgemental. but as the new year is here and the slow progression of whatever you want to call it…”unethical couponing” or maybe even the “Extreme Couponing” effect makes me want to talk about it even more. but whatever it is–I want to make sure everyone here understands what I am about and the rules that I follow.

As a couponer I:

  • Do not misuse coupons: Please understand that making copies of coupons is illegal. By copying, I mean reproducing a coupon in any way, shape or form than where it originated from. Couponers treat coupons as cash… So you wouldn’t be caught copying money, right? its against the law.
  • Use coupons on the product that is intended for. The instructions on how to use the coupon are right there for you to see. Make sure that you pay close attention to the fine print of the coupon. Any other use is considered coupon fraud.
  • Leave product for other couponers. I like to consider my fellow couponers as friends. As corny as it is, I may have never met you or will ever see you–but I want to save product for others. I will take only what my family needs until the next sale comes around (which will probably be within a couple of months) Whether you are finding my site because you watched Extreme Couponing–or have been around for sometime–I personally don’t feel it is right to clear shelves.
  • Abide by coupon policies to the best of my knowledge.

I love couponing. It provides for my family–so we can live healthy and happy lives. I want to do everything I can to keep coupons around, so I can continue this awesome way of living.

Please know that there are some rules to coupons. I have listed above ones that I feel are important. Use your best judgement and do what you feel is right. I have closed the comments on this post because I don’t think there is anything else to be said. I don’t want people to go back and forth about what is right and wrong–I just wanted to put this out there for those that may not understand or are new to this. If you want to continue scoring those awesome deals–I highly suggest everyone learning some means of being a good, ethical couponer..It makes it a lot easier and fun for everyone!

K, I’m off my soap box for now. :)

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

31
Dec

Happy New Year + 2011 Best Deals!

December 31, 2011 17:53 pm · 8 comments

 

I cannot believe a year has come and gone here on SCS. Jan 2011 I had merely 500 Facebook Fans–now it has grown to over 6,000 and going strong!!

I am so happy to have completed 3 different Couponing Seminars with my best coupon buddy Kara (who also helps out answering all your questions regarding coupons) and am so excited to start the new year off with a new helper Michele.

I have a good feeling as to what 2012 will bring us Southern California shoppers. In January, I will have the opportunity to meet with a certain store (can’t tell you who yet) to discuss and learn about new programs coming to us So Cal’ers!! So lets hope for the best!

2011 was filled with so many great deals. I’ve listed just a few of my favorite coupons and deals with you below.  Let us know what your favorites are in the comments below!

Happy New Year everyone!! See you next year and be safe! :)

 

 

 

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24
Dec

Happy Holidays!

December 24, 2011 13:23 pm · 5 comments

 

I wanted to wish everyone a great holiday weekend. Everything is posted for the rest of the weekend but make sure you spend the time with your family! :)

Thank you all for being so awesome and supportive of me the last week. I’m happy to report that I’m feeling fantastic and I am so happy to be blessed with a very supportive family!

I am absolutely ready for the new year and the great beginnings that are in store!

Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone!!

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16
Dec

This thing called life.

December 16, 2011 18:07 pm · 63 comments

I never get very personal on the blog and today–I feel like sharing something with you about something that I have been going through.

After having my youngest child about 20 months ago, my doctor decided that he thought I was suffering from depression. I was happy to be a mom but for some reason I was having the worse crying spells, I grew extremely anxious about things and could not handle the everyday stress of life.

My doctor finally diagnosed me with postpartum depression. For some reason, the term depression really hit me hard. I felt that depression was almost a bad word that wasn’t spoken–and when it was, people instantly thought bad about you.

I was put on an antidepressant about 3 months after giving birth. This helped my moods greatly and gave me a different sense of life. I was happy again, able to venture out and the happiness came back.

Please know that I am not encouraging anyone to stop taking medications. You should always consult your doctor before deciding to stop. I was given the go ahead from my doctor because he felt it was time. 

About 2 weeks ago, I made the decision that I no longer wanted to be dependant on the medication and was ready to experience my life with out it. While I was really excited about this–I also didn’t relize the chemical dependancy that my body had on it. My doctor explained to me the repercussions of stopping the medication and how I would probably suffer from withdrawls. He explained several different kinds–and to be honest, I didn’t quite understand what he meant by this. withdrawls? Like something a drug addict feels?

Doesn’t sound like it could happen to me.

So it began. I actually thought I was just going to stop the medication all together–thinking that I could stop and everything would be ok. I was wrong.

I started feeling withdrawls almost instantly. Nausea,head aches, dizzy spells, mood swings– and it was bad. Nothing I could really prepare myself for. Over the next couple of days I felt as though all I could do–or even WANTED to do, was lay in bed.

I have been back and forth to the doctor the last couple of days hoping that he can help me. The only way to stop the side effects–is to continue back on the medication–or pull through.

So the last day or so–I have been feeling better. I can say that for the most part–most symptoms are gone. But here I am. Happy about my decision but it has put a huge strain on my family. George was providing as much comfort as he could–but I feel bad for the things I may have had him experience the last few days.

To be honest–I went back and forth about writing this. But I felt it was only fair for you all to know why I haven’t been so persistant with emails and deal posting. I have had some helpers over the last couple of days–so I can still get the deals to you. I hope to be back to normal soon–and I plan to feel better than ever :)

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