Once a week, this mild-mannered suburban mom morphs into Mrs. Cubmaster. I’m not an official Cub Scout leader, but I do help out quite a bit with the Cub Pack that my husband leads (and my youngest is a part of).

Sometimes, my job involves crowd control or directing traffic, as there are four different groups of boys meeting in four different rooms.  Sometimes I organize a uniform exchange, and I’ve also sorted out awards the boys have earned to get ready for the awards ceremonies.

But most often, my job as Mrs. Cubmaster involves running errands.  My husband works 50 miles from home, so he doesn’t have the opportunity to do Scout-related errands on his lunch hour or even on his way to work.  So I’m often the one who runs to the Scout store to get badges and pins, or to the toy store in search of enough marbles for 15 boys to play the game.

Last week my errand involved making copies–lots of copies.  As it was last-minute, I headed out to the local office-supply store, where I fought with the self-service copy machine for a while for the privilege of paying 7 cents per copy.  Just as I finished the job and fought with another machine so I could get a receipt for the copies, I saw a big sign on the wall:  order your copies online–only 4 cents per copy!  That’s almost half the price, and I wouldn’t have had to figure out how to work the machine.

I let my husband know that next time, he’d be planning ahead.  We could have saved the Scouts some money, and there would have been much less aggravation for Mrs. Cubmaster.  That’s a win-win as far as I’m concerned.

COUPON TIME

We’ve got the best deals on office supplies and more–without standing in line at the store.

$20 off orders of $100 or more at OfficeDepot.com
Use this link and enter coupon code 39337085.
Valid through: October 3, 2009, 11:59pm ET
Excludes most technology items. This offer is limited to one per customer and is valid for one-time use on delivery-only orders placed online. Valid on in-stock items only. Not valid for purchases: 1.) by contract customers with Store Purchasing or Procurement Cards; 2.) from www.techdepot.com; 3.) of Gift Cards; 4.) of any technology items (including but not limited to all TVs, computers, monitors, printing machines, networking, peripherals, cameras, memory, software); 5.) of postage stamps; 6.) of product protection plans; 7.) of HP ink and toner products; 8.) of wireless, satellite, internet, technology, installation, mailing, shipping, or third party services. Cannot be combined with other “dollars off” or “percent off” coupons.
See other Office Depot coupons!

TODAY ONLY!
Free Gifts when you buy select products at Quill
Use this link to view this month’s selection of gifts and coupon codes.
Offers good through September 30, 2009.
See other Quill coupon codes!

File this under the category of “learn as you go.” 

One of the features of the new operating system for iPhones and iPod touch is a “shake to shuffle” option.  I didn’t realize that it was optional.  I thought it was a cool feature, and then I forgot all about it.

I was listening to my favorite playlist one day as I went around the house doing laundry and cleaning.  I had my iPod touch in my pocket, since I didn’t have a free hand.

Just before I hurried down the basement staircase to get the laundry out of the dryer, a great song that I haven’t heard in a while cued up.  I was singing at the top of my lungs as I ran down the stairs.

Running down the stairs shook that iPod just enough to shuffle away my favorite song!

Luckily, my teenager was able to figure out how to turn off the “shake to shuffle” option, so this won’t happen to me again.

COUPON TIME

TODAY ONLY!
10% off Refurbished and Clearance products at Sonystyle
During checkout enter eCoupon code SONYOUTLET10XX.
Valid through: September 30, 2009
Excludes games outlet category (specifically outlet PSP and PS3 game consoles). Not valid with any other offer or Sony Weekly Deals.
See other Sony Style coupons!

TODAY ONLY!
$50 off Nikon D5000 Black 12.3 MP Digital SLR Camera Body at Newegg
Plus free shipping!
In your shopping cart, use offer code CAM9145.
Valid through: September 30, 2009
See other Newegg coupon codes!

Look out, readers! Jim from Bargaineering.com is here to give us some quick advice on cleaning and simplifying our finances.  Jim writes about personal finance and other money issues at personal finance blog Bargaineering.com. 

There are two things that make our nation great - we’re resourceful and we’re impatient.  You’d think that the second feature would be a detriment, but it’s not because it pushes to do things faster and better than the next person.  Well, today I invite you to tap your inner resourcefulness and impatience to tackle your financial situation with five financial fixes anyone can do right now.  With the economy weak but recovering, it’s the perfect time to play a little defense while you pick what you want to do next.

Start An Emergency Fund
If you don’t have an emergency fund yet, now’s as good a time as any to get one. Interest rates aren’t fantastic - the Federal Reserve reaffirming their near 0% target rate range ensures that - but an emergency fund will protect you in the event of an emergency.  When you don’t have an emergency fund and have to deal with an emergency, like a car malfunction or job loss, you may be tempted to turn to more unscrupulous sources of money.  Anything from credit cards to payday loans will charge you out the nose to get money.  It’s better to save it now than to panic when something bad happens.

Check Your Credit Score & Report
The three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, are required by federal law to give you a copy of your credit report once every twelve months.  It’s important that you review your credit report for errors on a regular basis. An error could indicate a case of identity theft or a simple mistake in data entry.  The impact of inaccurate information can be tremendous. More and more employers, companies, and landlords are using your credit report and credit score to decide whether or not to hire you or rent an apartment to you.  Credit scores aren’t just about loans.  Always go to AnnualCreditReport.com, a website set up by the government, to get your score.

The score itself may not be quite as important to check but if you do, take advantage of free FICO credit score trial services.  Or, you can use a free service like Credit Karma for a free non-FICO TransUnion score (no credit card required).

Start A Roth IRA
A Roth IRA account is one of the best retirement accounts out there because the appreciation grows tax-free. You pay income taxes on the money you contribute but its growth is tax-free.  There’s a reason why the government limits your contribution to a few thousand dollars a year.

Do a Financial Check-In
When was the last time you looked at all of your financial accounts?  Check your credit card and bank statements for errors or inaccuracies. Check your brokerage account to make sure everything looks OK.  If you have a spouse or partner, check in with him or her to discuss the state of your finances.  It’s always important to do a check-in to make sure everything is OK. You don’t want to be telling a story about how you didn’t check your credit card statement and missed a case of fraud because you simply forgot.

Simplify Your Finances
If you did a financial check-in, you might be amazed at all the accounts you have.  I know I was.  I realized I had about a dozen bank accounts, mostly high-yield savings accounts I opened over the course of the last five years.  So, my recommendation is that you take the time to close out accounts you don’t use.  Just recently I closed two bank accounts I haven’t used in over a year.  The fewer accounts you have, the better.  It’s all too easy to forget.

The only caveat to this simplification rule has to do with credit cards.  One factor in credit scoring is credit utilization, or the percentage of your credit limit you are currently using.  Closing a card impacts that calculation so you might see your score fall after you cancel a card.  Is that reason enough to stop your simplification efforts?  That’s up to you, but I wanted to warn you ahead of time.  You can close bank and broker accounts without being concerned it’ll affect your credit.

COUPON TIME

Whether you’re tracking personal finance or running a small business, we have some can’t-miss deals here for you:

20% off your entire order at myFICO.com
Use promotional code CPPSAVINGS during checkout.
Valid through: Unknown
See other myFICO coupons!

30 days FREE + 2 more months at $9.99 Intuit Online Payroll
Valid through: October 31, 2009
See other QuickBooks coupon codes!

Do you depend totally on your cell phone, or is it just for emergencies? 

I haven’t really join the connected generation.  I own a cell phone, but it’s always in my handbag.  Note to my children:  when I’m in the house, my handbag is next to my desk.  I do not have my cell phone in the kitchen or the laundry room or the backyard.  So when you send me a text message that says “What time is dinner?” I may not get it until after you leave for school the next morning!

For the most part, the reason I own a cell phone at all is in case of an emergency–someone else’s emergency.  I like the security of knowing that if I am running errands (when am I not running errands?) and one of my kids gets sick or hurt at school, I can be reached immediately.

However, sometimes Murphy’s Law of Cell Phones comes into play.  This morning, before I pulled out of the driveway on my way to the library, I remembered to turn my cell phone on.  I didn’t silence it at the library; I didn’t see the need.  No one ever calls me.

Of course, the ringer was set to top volume, and of course the phone rang just as I handed my card to the librarian so I could check out my books.  No, it wasn’t the school; it was a friend who’d called me at home, but I wasn’t there to answer.  Note to my friends:  I share minutes with my children.  If it’s not an emergency, it’s best to call me at home.

COUPON TIME

Free Overnight Shipping on all online orders at Verizon Wireless
Some customers may need to select Overnight Shipping and enter promo code FREEOVERNT at checkout.
Valid through: October 31, 2009
Continental U.S. only. Orders placed by 4:30 pm local time Monday - Friday excluding holidays will deliver by the next business day. (Orders placed after 4:30 pm local time on Friday and before 4:30 pm local time on Monday will deliver on Tuesday.)
See other Verizon Wireless coupons!

TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
Save up to $100 on Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon Phones at Samsung Wireless
Valid through: September 30, 2009
See other Samsung coupon codes!

My son and his friends are getting ready to take a trip to Mississippi this fall.  It’s not a pleasure trip, but I’m sure he’ll have plenty of fun anyway.

Each year, his school sends a group of students to spend a week in coastal Mississippi.  They sleep on air mattresses in a church gym, eat brown-bag lunches, and spend 8 to 10 hours a day rebuilding houses damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

The storm roared through the area five years ago, but there’s lots of building that still needs to take place.  Last year he worked on several houses in various stages of construction, and did everything from inventory of tools and supplies to building window frames and nailing in a subfloor.  (Who knew I had such a handy kid?  I’m keeping him in mind the next time some repair work needs to be done around here.)

Even though the trip is in November, the plane tickets are being purchased NOW.  It’s not too early to make your plans for the late fall and winter holiday weekends.

COUPON TIME

We have a whole page of Holiday Travel Deals that you’ll want to check out!  And these next two expire tomorrow…so act fast.

TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
Save $40 on a 3+ night hotel stay at Orbitz
Use promotion code AORB40.
Valid through: September 30, 2009
Book a qualifying hotel between July 1, 2009, and September 30, 2009, for 3 or more nights for travel between July 1, 2009, and October 31, 2009, via Orbitz and instantly receive $40 off your booking through the use of the promotion code. To display qualifying hotels, click “I have a promotion code.” and enter the promotion code, then look for hotels marked with the icon “COUPON.” Limit one discount per hotel room and one promotion code per booking. Discount may not be used toward the booking of a vacation package. Discounts are not redeemable for cash for any reason. Any attempt at fraud will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted. Orbitz reserves the right to change or limit the promotion in its sole discretion.
See other Orbitz coupons!

TODAY AND TOMORROW ONLY!
HILTON CANCUN, LOS CABOS, & VILLAHERMOSA HOTEL SALE: Receive your 4th night FREE + up to $300 in resort credits when you book on Expedia.com!
Plus, kids eat FREE!
Valid through: September 30, 2009.
Subject to availability. Offer valid for stays at participating properties from June 22, 2009 through December 19, 2009. Certain length of stay requirements may apply and vary by participating property. Free night offer is valid for the same room type only. Single or double occupancy. The value of the last night will be deducted from the bill at check-out. Free night offer is for room rate only and does not include resort/service fees, food and beverage, taxes, gratuities or incidental charges. Advance booking required. Check with property for deposit policy and cancellation policy to avoid cancellation penalties. Free night and credit and discount offers are not transferable or redeemable for cash, and cannot be used during future stays. Credits and discounts vary and may be subject to restrictions. Golf, spa, kids club, and other facilities may not be available at all participating properties. Participating properties are subject to change without notice. Offer not valid in conjunction with previously booked or held rooms or group bookings, and cannot be combined with any other promotion or offer. Blackout dates and other restrictions may apply. Hilton reserves the right to alter or withdraw this offer at any time without notice. ©2009 Hilton Hotels Corporation.
See other Expedia coupon codes!

We have thermal drapes in the family room, hanging on the dreaded Tranverse Rods–the kind of curtain rods that have this little rope pull, and if you yank the rope in the right direction, the curtains open (or close.)  If you yank the rope too hard, the little plastic thingies that attach to the back of the curtain rod break off and fly across the room. Pretty soon your drapes aren’t hanging on by much. 

These drapes see a lot of action, because our family room faces southwest, and these windows run almost the entire length of the wall.  If you want to watch TV in the afternoon, you need to make sure these drapes are closed!

So I went to the store to get replacement plastic thingies. I admit that I was hoping that I couldn’t find them. This way I could justify buying a new curtain rod and ring clips for my drapes. Unfortunately, I found the plastic thingies. I bought 3 dozen (I told you this was a long run of windows!)  Then I had to take down the curtains so I could remove the curtain rod from the brackets to install them.

Of course, I dropped one of the screws that holds the curtain rod to the brackets.  Of course, it fell behind the couch.

As long as I was taking the drapes down, I figured it would be as good a time as any to wash them–so I had to remove all the pointy metal hooks from the backs of the drapes.  After that, I needed a Band-Aid.

Then I noticed that some of the pointy metal hooks were missing.  I remembered that there were spare hooks from the last time I took down the drapes.  (I tried not to think about how long it had been since I last took down the drapes.)

Rummaging around in my “spare parts” stashes in the basement, I knocked a package of light bulbs behind the water heater.  After I finally located the bag of spare pointy metal hooks, I put all the other pointy metal hooks in the same bag. I gathered up all the drapes, which no longer had pointy metal hooks stuck to them, and put them next to the washing machine.

Then I sat down to install the new replacement plastic thingies. They slide in easily from the end of the drapery rod. They also get caught on the remnants of the old plastic thingies that broke off when someone yanked the rope too hard.

I tried various tools in an attempt to remove the pieces of the old plastic thingies. Nothing fit. I finally had to go hunting for my Swiss Army Knife, which I removed from my purse before going on vacation, because I didn’t think it would pass through security.

And finally, I finished installing the new plastic thingies, put the drapery rod back up, stuck the pointy metal clips into the clean drapes, and put the drapes back on the rod.

And I cursed the day that I chose such terrible window treatments.

Next time the little plastic thingies break off, I think shutters may be the way to go.

COUPON TIME

10% off online orders over $100 at Anna’s Linens
Use coupon code WELCOME10.
Valid through: Unknown
See other Anna’s Linens coupons!

TODAY ONLY!
25% off New Arrivals at Blair.com
Use promotion code QK7 in your shopping cart.
Valid through: September 28, 2009, 11:59pm ET
Online only. Exlcudes clearance items. Savings applies to the merchandise price only, not to shipping and processing fees or to the purchase of gift cards.
See other Blair coupon codes!

Can you believe we’re already at the end of September?  Christina, one of the coupon experts here at Ultimate Coupons, mentioned the other day that this fall is passing by so quickly.  I can’t help but agree with her.  Halloween will be here before we know it–which reminds me, we have a great Halloween Coupons page with deals on costumes, decorations and more!

But before we get to Halloween, we’ve got other fun events to celebrate, and terrific deals to go with them.

September 27 is World Tourism Day! I know it was yesterday, but we can celebrate a while longer; this offer is good until Halloween!
American Express cardholders get $100 off a hotel stay of 3 or more nights
Plus $200 off a second vacation of 5 or more nights at Travelocity
Enter promo code SAVE100AMX at checkout.
Valid through: October 31, 2009 11:59pm ET
The Promo Code is valid only for qualifying purchases made on the Site using any valid American Express® Card. A qualifying purchase means a 3-night or longer Hotel stay which is marked by a “Use any American Express® Card and SAVE!” icon, and which is offered on the Site during the Promotion Period. Travel dates must be between September 15, 2009 and December 31, 2009. Hotel purchase requires a minimum spend of $500. To redeem the Promo Code, you simply type in SAVE100AMX into the Promotional Code field on the “Checkout Review” Page of the Site, and $100 will be automatically deducted from the final price of your qualifying Hotel. You will receive a $200 promotional code for use on qualifying 5+night Flight +Hotel vacation and will be valid until 11:59 p.m. Central Time on February 28, 2010. This one-time use $200 promo code will arrive via email 10 business days after your initial checkout. You may not redeem or exchange the Promo Code for cash. You may not use or combine the Promo Code with any other promotional codes. If lost or stolen, the Promo Code will not be replaced. Travelocity prohibits posting the Promo Code on the Internet or any public forum, or forwarding the Promo Code to any other person. This Promo Code is not valid for Last Minute Packages.
See other Travelocity coupons!

October 2 is Techies Day! And there’s nowhere better than ThinkGeek.com for all things tech, or even my older son’s favorite energy drink, Brawndo (the thirst mutilator!)
$10 off online orders over $30 at ThinkGeek.com
Use promotion code HACKSURVEY09.
Valid through: October 15, 2009 11:59pm ET
Cannot be combined with any other offer. Excludes shipping and sales tax.
See other ThinkGeek coupon codes!

What’s better than using one coupon to save money on a purchase?  Using MORE THAN ONE! 

Yes, it’s perfectly legal and absolutely OK to “stack” coupons–using more than one coupon to save money on a single purchase.  You can’t do that all the time, so you need to know the rules.

In brick-and-mortar stores, you’re often allowed to stack a manufacturer’s coupon with a store coupon.  For example, my local supermarket often puts out weekly fliers that contain coupons.  These are store coupons and clearly labeled as such.  Yesterday I stacked a store coupon that took $2.01 off the price of a 12-pack of soda with a $1.00 manufacturer’s coupon for the same soda, making the price of the 12-pack 99 cents.  The way my teenage son goes through Dr. Pepper, I was thrilled to be able to put this together.  Some stores, like Target and Walmart, post their coupon policy online so you’ll know the rules ahead of time.

I purchase two Sunday newspapers every week, except on those weeks when there are four or five coupon inserts in the paper.   Those are the weeks when I buy four newspapers.  In addition, my neighbor and I trade coupons inserts.  When we’re finished cutting out the coupons we want, we pass along the inserts to each other so we can glean any extras.  While it costs me $7 to buy four newspapers, I easily make that money back in savings that week alone on the coupons I’ve clipped–and there are other coupons that I’ll be saving in the weeks to come.  I don’t always use my coupons the very week I clip them.  For the best deals, I like to wait (if possible) until the item goes on sale–so I can stack a sale, a manufacturer’s coupon, and if I’m lucky, a store coupon.

Don’t forget that printable coupons are a great way to get manufacturer’s coupons for your favorite items.  Again, check your local store to make sure that these are accepted.  Some stores have been slow to adopt internet printables, but it’s getting easier to use them all the time.

When you shop online, there are sometimes restrictions on stacking coupons.  Check for words like “cannot be combined with other special offers.”  If you see such a disclaimer, that means you cannot stack coupons using that deal.  That’s when it pays to do your homework.  We often have several deals for the same retailer–some of which can be stacked, and some that can’t.  Do the math.  Figure out which way nets you the best deal.  As an example, our Kohl’s page lists many offers.  Some can be stacked.  Others cannot, and they are clearly labeled as such.  Use this knowledge to your advantage in finding the very best deal.

In my continuing quest to make myself obsolete teach my children the skills necessary to live as independent adults, I took my teenager to the bank to change his passbook savings account to a statement-savings account.  Once he turns 18, he can get a MAC card or debit card linked to this account.  In the meantime, he has to make trips to the bank’s drive-through window to handle deposits and withdrawals.  He has to keep track of his own bank balance, just like he’d have to do with a checking account.  And he has to actually sign his name to the paychecks he earned this summer, which meant that he had to re-learn how to write in cursive after not being required to do this for at least three years.

Naturally, he has his own ideas about what he should be able to do with the money he earned on his summer job–but we have been requiring him to save 3/4 of his salary.  We figure that will buy him a few minutes at college next year.

COUPON TIME

Free Shipping on Quicken Products
Valid through: October 31, 2009
See other Quicken coupons!

$12.50 discount on Patriotic Stocks at OneShare.com
Use this link to see which stocks qualify for discount.
Use promotion code MADEINUSA.
Valid through: September 30, 2009
Discount codes cannot be combined.
See other OneShare.com coupon codes!

No, I’m not moving–but I just finished reading a book about a woman who bought a tiny cottage on Cape Cod and moved it to a different site. The memoir follows her progress as she discovers the little house, secures permits, clears the site, and begins renovating the cottage.

Her goal is to place the cottage close to her home, build a breezeway of sorts to join the two buildings, and then use the new space as a badly-needed office.  The author works at home as a bookstore designer, and until that time had been using her bedroom as office space.

I was impressed–and a little envious.  My “office space” is a small desk in the living room.  Everyone else in the house thinks that it is their office space as well.  There’s always someone rummaging in my desk for stamps, scissors, or an envelope, and my favorite pens keep disappearing.  But at the same time, thinking of the household disruption that she (and her cat) endured, and multiplying it by the five people in my home, I couldn’t help thinking, “Better her than me!”

COUPON TIME

Whether your home-improvement plan is big or small, we’ve got savings you can use.

$10 off online orders over $100 at HomeDepot.com
Use promotion code SAVECJU at checkout.
Valid through: September 30, 2009
This offer is valid and redeemable for a $10 discount on one entire online order of $100 or more made at homedepot.com only. This offer cannot be combined with any other discount, offer, promotion or special incentive program and is not valid on: (a) labor or Self-Furnish and Install (”SF&I”) and Furnish and Install (”F&I”) program products, including without limitation roofing, windows, siding, HVAC products, custom closets, storage solutions, installed sheds or structures; (b) the purchase of gift cards or certificates; (c) prior purchases; or (d) Consumer Electronics (including, but not limited to, televisions, DVD players, speakers, home theaters, cellular phones, etc.), John Deere, Cub Cadet, Little Giant Ladder Systems, Thermador in select markets, Gaggenau, Miele, Dacor, Viking, Fisher&Paykel, Sharp Insight, Delonghi, Casablanca, Hunter Prestige, Buckhaven, Weber, Lynx, Alfresco, OCI, Marvel, Bertazzoni, Aga, and Vent A Hood products and trade styles. Enter promotion code at checkout to receive your discount. The discount will be reflected at checkout for the products qualifying for the promotion. Offer not valid for payment on any The Home Depot credit account.
See other Home Depot coupons!

$10 off orders over $100
$15 off orders over $125 at AceHardware.com
Use this link to activate the promotional code. You will see your discount reflected in your shopping cart.
Valid through: September 30, 2009 11:59pm ET
$10 off a purchase of $100 or $15 off your order of $125 or more offer valid from 9/1/09 to 9/30/09 at acehardware.com only. Offer applies to merchandise subtotal. Tax or shipping and handling charges will not be included in determining merchandise subtotal and are not discountable. Offer not available with any other offer or on previous purchases. Offer excludes sale and clearance items, power tools, power equipment, water heaters, grills and gift cards.
See other Ace Hardware coupon codes!