Get To Know Your Local Bloggers – Happy Deal – Happy Day

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

This weeks blogger to be featured is Maura from Happy Deal – Happy Day!

Blog address – www.HappyDealHappyDay.com

My Quick Review: Maura does a fantastic job posting deals that everyone can take part in not just local deal hunters.  She posts a lot of online deals, printable coupons and stays on top of all of the drugstore deals PLUS she posts Tops deals and in my opinion has some of the best Wegmans deal write-ups!  If you are a Wegmans shopper than you will love that Maura also posts any coupon flyers and other Wegmans coupons that she finds.  She links to this below in her interview but I want to make sure that you check out how neat her “Crafting From Your Stockpile” posts are!  Maura has much more to offer but I will let her tell you in her own words.

What is your name?
Maura White

Where are you located?
Conesus, NY

Do you work outside of the home?
no – my blog is my “part time job” from home

Do you have any children and/or pets?
I have a 2 year old daughter, named Hannah
I also have 2 cats – Phoebe and Zoe

What are some of your favorite things to do when you aren’t blogging?
Laughing with, tickling, hugging, reading to, and generally just taking care of my fun and very energetic 2 year old!  I also like to go running, spend time with friends/family, and teaching Sunday School at my church.  

How about some blogging questions, shall we? -

Why did you start your blog?
I was an avid reader of coupon blogs like mine, but found they weren’t covering local stores for me like Tops and Wegmans.  I was motivated to have something to spend my time on while my daughter was sleeping/napping, so I decided to take the plunge into the world of blogging.  I had no idea how much time/effort it was going to take to learn how to do it all.  I still have a ways to go, but am proud of my progress so far.

What is your favorite part about blogging?
Getting positive feedback from readers about my posts.

Which stores do you do your own coupon match-ups for?
Wegmans

Approximately how many times do you post a week?
Well I post 15-20 a day, so that would make 90-120 a week.  I try to not post on Sunday’s, but if I find a good deal, sometimes I can’t resist.

Do you have any special features on your blog?
I have a “crafting from you stockpile” series in which I have created crafts from items I have gotten dirt cheap/free from coupon shopping.  I also just started a “what is it” photo series (although I have only posted one so far.)  Again, it is up close pictures of items I’ve gotten a great deal on.  If other bloggers guess correct, I’ll post their link, passing on some linky love.

What do you think is your “specialty” when it comes to your blog content?
Amazon and Wegmans

I am curious to hear about your spending and saving habits!
I typically save $30-$40 weekly when I go to Wegmans.  Rite Aid is my favorite drug store and get free items there every time I go.  I’m an avid online shopper, and an Amazon Prime member, so I’m shopping on Amazon a lot.  I give small gifts to my UPS lady each year because she is at my house so much.  :)  I also making a monthly, or bi-monthly Target trip because you can stack their coupons with manufacture coupons.

Do you use coupons on every shopping trip?
For groceries – yes.  For clothing, I try to never pay full price for any item.

What is your favorite item to find a coupon for?
Anything that will end up being FREE after the coupon!  Even if I won’t personally use it, I still get it and find places to give it away/donate it to.

What is your best deal that you ever got?
A free GPS from Savemore.com from credits I had stored up.  Its value was $219!

Do you have a set grocery budget each month?
Yes

On average how much do you save on your grocery bill?
As I said above, I usually save about $30-$40 each week when I go to Wegmans because of coupons, and the coupons I have that double, plus any Shoppers Club deals.

What is your favorite store to shop at for deals?
Oh….this is a tough one.  I don’t think I have a favorite.

If you could pass on one tip to people trying to save money, what would it be?
Don’t write off coupons as a waste of time.  I took a coupon newbie with me to Target this past week.  She was shocked that I paid less than half of the original total.  She said she just always thought that coupons were of such little value, that it wasn’t worth using them.  She didn’t know Target had their own coupons, and she is ready to learn more!

What is the most frugal thing that you do?
Never pay full price for an item if I don’t have to.

What are some of your favorite money saving websites aside from your own?
Couponingfor4.com, Myfrugaladventures.com, Dealseekingmom.com, Thefrugalgirls.com, Ebates.com 

GIVEAWAY:
1. “Like” Happy Deal – Happy Day 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, January 30th @ 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 Monday for our next local blogger, Rainy Day Pennies!!**

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, Tricias Frugal Finds, Simply Family Savings, The Frugal Buffalonian, Money Saving Lisa, Coupons For Your Family, Coupon Clippin’ Daddy