Get To Know Your Local Bloggers – Tricia's Frugal Finds

*Go here to read more about my “Get To Know Your Local Bloggers” series*

This weeks first next blogger to be featured is Tricia from Tricia’s Frugal Finds.

Blog address – www.TriciasFrugalFinds.com

My Quick Review:  I have a feeling that not many of you are strangers to Tricia’s site and for good reason.  Tricia keeps us all up to date on local and national deals and she gives off such “sisterly” feeling – it’s as if I have known her forever.  I am not sure what it is but that’s the vibe I get!  I think if I had to name my absolute favorite thing about Tricia’s Frugal Finds it would be the neatness.  Yes, you read that correctly!  Something that I struggle with is rambling (am I doing it now?!) and even when it comes to the deal write-ups I always want to add in little notes here and there and sometimes it gets a bit messy!  It is always so refreshing to read Tricia’s site because she is to the point yet has enough personality in her posts that you feel close to her.  Let me in on your secrets, Tricia!!  Tricia has much more to offer but I will let you hear about it in her own words…..

Let’s start off easy with questions that I know most people would like to know -

What is your name? Tricia (You probably figured that one )

Where are you located? Lockport

Do you work outside of the home? Yes, Part Time Bookkeeping for Small Company in Buffalo

Do you have any children and/or pets? Yes, 2 Daughters (8 and 6 years old) and three cats, Cinnamon, Spike and Snickers. We have lots of female power in the house

What are some of your favorite things to do when you aren’t blogging? I really love to shop! Also love scrap booking, playing wii games with my girls, going out to see local bands with my husband and I love the drive-in! During the summer we are there a lot, it’s so much fun for our whole family.

How about some blogging questions, shall we? -

When did you start your blog? January 2010

What is your favorite part about blogging? Helping and chatting with people! I love to be able to help others save, even the smallest savings adds up over time!

Which stores do you do your own coupon match-ups for? Tops, Rite Aid, Walgreens, and Target.

Approximately how many times do you post a week? I strive for 8 a day. Sometimes more or less, but around 50 – 60 a week!

Do you have any special features on your blog? Everyday I feature the Buffalo area local deals from the savings sites such as Groupon, Living Social, Seize The Deal and more. I think it’s a huge help for everyone to have the local deals in one place everyday! This feature was part of an interview I had with the Tonawanda News over the summer!

I am curious to hear about your spending and saving habits! Initially I was spending more to save, but now I have come full circle with my shopping and am able to spend very little money out of pocket for our grocery and household needs.

Do you use coupons on every shopping trip? 90% of the time. I use coupons as much as possible! There are times if I want a Starbucks (outrageously priced!) I will splurge but it’s very rare. Even when we eat out, I use coupons!

What is your favorite item to find a coupon for? Peanut Butter – We go through it like crazy! Fresh Fruit/Vegetable and Meats.. Rare coupons are great to find!

What is your best deal that you ever got? Goodness there have been so many. The Peter Pan Peanut Butter for $0.50 each was awesome. The Free Mueller’s Pasta, and Free Covergirl Items (with overage at Walmart) were awesome deals as well! I did get two pairs of Free Lee Jeans last year, that was an awesome Christmas gift!

Do you have a set grocery budget each month? Yes, I set it at $280.00, and usually come within $1 or so, even at the Holidays.

On average how much do you save on your grocery bill? 65% on average.. although the 100% days are the best!!

What is your favorite store to shop at for deals? Target and Rite Aid. I love Target’s $5 gift card deals, and Rite Aid usually is Free or they pay me to shop there

If you could pass on one tip to people trying to save money, what would it be? Use Reward Programs!!!! They are very easy to setup and can save anywhere from 25% to 75%. Along the same lines register for cash back programs and applications. I encourage everyone to look into their retail/grocery reward and/or cash back programs, it’s worth it in the long run! A good example is the Rite Aid Wellness program where you can earn enough points to get 20% off everything all the time in the store along with exclusive coupons!

Do you have a favorite frugal recipe? I wish.. One of my ambitions unrealized is cooking.. I just can’t seem to do it. Although making Dump Cake is a frugal and easy way to whip up a quick dessert!

What are some of your favorite money saving websites aside from your own? Totally Target, Hip2Save, Hunt4Freebies, Slickdeals, and any and all local WNY Bloggers!

GIVEAWAY:
1. Subscribe to Tricia’s Frugal Finds via email (on the right side of her blog) OR “Like” Tricia’s Frugal Finds on Facebook!
2. Leave a comment on one of her blog posts saying something similar to “Mom’s Coupon Affair sent me”
3. Leave a comment on THIS post letting me know that you did everything required in step 1 & 2 to enter.

The Giveaway will last until Monday, December 26th @ 11:59 PM EST.  The winner of this coupon giveaway will receive an envelope of coupons.  The amount of coupons that will be won depends on the amount of people that enter the giveaway.  I will start each envelope off with 15 coupons and one coupon will be added for every person that enters!

**Keep an eye out next Monday for our next local blogger, Simply Family Savings!**

Previous local blogger interviews: WNY Deals And To-Do’s, Crazy About Savin, Reality Couponing In Rochester, Deals Is The Deal, Mindfully Frugal Mom, Our REAL Deal, Frugal Makes Cents