Get To Know Your Local Bloggers – Rainy Day Pennies

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

This weeks first blogger to be featured is Kim from Rainy Day Pennies!

Blog address – www.RainyDayPennies.com

My Quick Review:  Kim does a fantastic job at keeping us all up to date on local deals such as half off sales for certain restaurants and other local activities.  She also posts a lot of online deals, printable coupons and although she doesn’t do coupon match-ups she makes sure to link to any good deals that she finds others posting.  I enjoy when she will occasionally post one of her shopping trips.  My favorite part about Rainy Day Pennies is that Kim is ALWAYS having giveaways!  Every single time I visit her site, she has at least a couple of giveaways going!  You can see her current giveaways listed on the upper right hand side of the page .  Kim has much more to offer but I will let her tell you in her own words.

What is your name?
My Name is Kim Nagel

Where are you located?
I live in Darien Center, NY

Do you work outside of the home?
Yes, I work as a mail carrier in Clarence, NY

Do you have any children and/or pets?
I have a four year old son Lucas and a 1 year old son Zachary. I also have 3 dogs.

What are some of your favorite things to do when you aren’t blogging?
When I am not blogging you can find me in my garden. I have over 4 acres so it keeps me busy!

How about some blogging questions, shall we? -

When did you start your blog?
I am a newer blogger. I just started in September of last year.

What is your favorite part about blogging?
I like that I am able to have a forum in which I can tell people how I get so many things for free.

Approximately how many times do you post a week?
I try for 20-30 posts a day. Sometimes more, many times less.

Do you have any special features on your blog?
I try to post many of the local Western NY deals.

What do you think is your “specialty” when it comes to your blog content?
I am very good at explaining things in a plain manner. I try very hard not to confuse people when I am posting deals.

I am curious to hear about your spending and saving habits!

Do you use coupons on every shopping trip?
I try to, but I also try NOT to punish myself when I buy something without a coupon. I save so much money with coupons that I am ok with shopping without a coupon…every once in a while.

What is your favorite item to find a coupon for?
Formula. I am not sure why. My son will be off formula soon. I am sure the next time he visits his pediatrician she will switch him to milk!

What is your best deal that you ever got?
I was able to buy 14 cases of 252 count Pampers (all in different sizes) before my one year old was born when that 20% stackable Amazon coupon was out. I got them for $.53 each!

Do you have a set grocery budget each month?
No, but that is because I am too busy.

On average how much do you save on your grocery bill?
I try to save at least 50% at Tops. It is a very hard store to get good deals there. That may be my opinion, but I am not happy with with their prices. The best places to shop in my opinion are the drug stores and Target. Too bad Walmart doesn’t double coupons!

What is your favorite store to shop at for deals?
Rite Aid! Love them! I get so many things for free there.

If you could pass on one tip to people trying to save money, what would it be?
You need to be organized. Plan your shopping trips and stick to your lists. Taking your children with you to the store does not help. I always end up spending my savings/ overages on a toy. Now that my older son is in pre-school, I go shopping after I drop him off.

What is the most frugal thing that you do?
I try and save money anywhere I can so when I need something that there is no coupon for it’s not such a burden on my wallet.

What are some of your favorite money saving websites aside from your own?
Hip2Save
Raining Hot Coupons
Deal Wise Mommy
Who Said Nothing in Life is Free

GIVEAWAY:
1. “Like” Rainy Day Pennies 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 Thursday, February 2nd @ 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 Thursday for our next local blogger, Swag Saver!!**

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, Happy Deal – Happy Day