Welcome FiftyForward Staff Members

Today, I had the pleasure of speaking at The Retreat for FiftyForward. If you aren't familiar with this organization, you can check them out here. They are the leading resource in Middle Tennessee for those 50+ who seek to live longer, more fulfilling lives. I spoke at the Donelson Station location, which also houses The Larry Keeton Theatre. My family and I are very excited to be attending their production of Miracle on 34th Street in December, but they have performances year round!

If you are a FiftyForward staff member, WELCOME! I rather enjoyed speaking to your group and answering your questions. I hope you will be able to use some of the tips I shared with you during our workshop and I also want to help you navigate your way around this site.

If you are new to couponing, then I would highly recommend you take a look at my Frugal 101 series. This is kind of a step-by-step guide to get you going. Next, you'll want to browse through the FAQ list for some added info. Don't forget to stop over and "Like" Coupon Queen Diaries on Facebook!

Also, right now I'm hosting a giveaway sponsored by Shutterfly for 25 personalized holiday photo cards! Go here to register to win. THREE winners will be chosen!

Thanks again for stopping by and best of luck as you start on your money-saving adventure!

Welcome Team Wilson Class!

I just wanted to welcome those of you who are visiting Coupon Queen Diaries after attending the class hosted by Team Wilson.

I hope you will be able to use some of the tips I shared with you during our workshop and I also want to help you navigate your way around this site.

If you are new to couponing, then I would highly recommend you take a look at my Frugal 101 series. This is kind of a step-by-step guide to get you going.

Next, you'll want to browse through the FAQ list for some added info.

Best of luck as you start on your new money-saving adventure!

Grocery Savings Workshop & Coupon Swap

I have good news! For those of you attending the Grocery Savings Workshop (private party) this Saturday, we are also doing a COUPON SWAP!

When: Saturday, February 20th @ 2:00-5:00 p.m.

Where: Home of April Ellis (See Evite for address)

Please sort your coupons into the following categories:

Baby (diapers, formula, foods)

Baking (spices, cake mixes)

Beverages (soda, juice, tea)

Breads (ready to bake, loaves, biscuits)

Breakfast (cereals, frozen, bars)

Canned Goods (vegetables, fruits)

Cleaners (detergent, sponges, sprays, wipes)

Dairy (cheese, yogurt, sour cream)

Desserts (candy, pies)

Frozen Foods (french fries, pizzas, entrees)

Household (batteries, candles, scented sprays)

OTC Medicines (pain relievers, first aid)

Makeup (foundation, mascara)

Meat (lunch meat, entrees)

Miscellaneous

Pet (Cat & Dog)

Rice/Pasta (boxed, bagged, side dishes)

Sauces/Spreads (Condiments, dressings, jelly)

Store specific (Kroger, Publix, Walgreens)

Toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste)

Got expired coupons? Bring those too! I will be donating these to military families overseas who are allowed to use them at their commissary up to six months past the expiration date. These coupons should also be sorted into 2 categories (food OR non-food) with an expiration date of 12/31/09 or after. They are NOT able to accept printable coupons & local retail or brand coupons (i.e. Walgreens, Purity, ect.)

We will have a table set up for you to sort your Qs into the above categories. You can drop and shop as you please. There are no minimum coupon requirements to participate in the swap. If there is a specific coupon that you need or are looking for, please leave a comment below this post. This will help me and others to be on the lookout for that coupon.

I'm looking forward to our time together on Saturday and the coupon swap makes it even more exciting. In the meantime, you can keep up with all of my latest deals and shopping trips by getting my email updates. Twitter users can follow me here or you can become a fan on Facebook.

Personal Consultations

NEW! I am now offering personal 1-hour consultations to show you all of my tips and tricks on couponing and deal finding. I will sit down with you and we will discuss your current shopping style as well as your family needs. I will help you create an appropriate budget as well as show you tried and true methods of saving BIG money on your grocery bill. You will get all the information taught in my workshops in the privacy of your own home at a convenient time for you. This is a great opportunity for those just starting out in couponing or for those who want to take their coupon shopping to the next level. This consultation will be personalized to your unique siltation an you will walk away with a new outlook on how to maximize your budget.

A personal 1-hour consultation with the Coupon Queen is only $30. That is literally nothing compared to how much you will save this year. Don't live in the Nashville area? That's okay. 45-minute phone consultations are available for only $20. Contact me today at CouponQueenDiaries@gmail.com in order to arrange your consultation.

I'm looking forward to our one-on-one time together. Contact me today to set up an appointment.

Grocery Savings Workshop - January 2010

I am pleased to announce a new date for my Grocery Savings Workshop coming in January 2010 - plenty of time to get it on your calendar and help me spread the word! January is a great time to reassess your spending and make resolutions for the new year.

This class will teach you a tried and true method for saving 50% or more at the grocery store. In these economical times, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. I will lead you through the ins and outs of saving money on healthy foods to feed your families. The class will cover topics including coupons, stockpiling, store matchups and more!

>Saturday, January 9th @ 10 a.m. The Donelson Fellowship. This class is being sponsored by the FaithWorks LifeGroup and is FREE to attend. Space is limited, so you must RSVP to couponqueendiaries@gmail.com. This event is open to anyone, so tell all your friends.

I hope to see you there!

UPDATE: Coupon Swap - November 20th

Earlier I posted about the upcoming coupon swap. However, I happened to attach the announcement from last month. Oops! Anyway, just to clarify the swap is on Friday, November 20th from 6-7 pm. Check out the original post for more details.

Coupon Swap - November 20th

It's back!! The COUPON SWAP. This will be the last swap for 2009. However, we will start up again towards the end of January. There will be lots of fun, fellowship, deal talk, and of course coupon swapping. Interested? Details are below.

When: Friday, November 20th @ 6:00-7:00 p.m. (drop in anytime).

Where: TDF, Room A101 (Directions here).

Who: Anyone, even if you are new to couponing.

What: Bring any coupons that you won't use. The expiration date needs to be 11/29/09 or after.

Details: Coupons should be sorted into the following categories (examples given):

Baby (diapers, formula, foods)

Baking (spices, cake mixes)

Beverages (soda, juice, tea)

Breads (ready to bake, loaves, biscuits)

Breakfast (cereals, frozen, bars)

Canned Goods (vegetables, fruits)

Cleaners (detergent, sponges, sprays, wipes)

Dairy (cheese, yogurt, sour cream)

Desserts (candy, pies)

Frozen Foods (french fries, pizzas, entrees)

Household (batteries, candles, scented sprays)

OTC Medicines (pain relievers, first aid)

Makeup (foundation, mascara)

Meat (lunch meat, entrees)

Miscellaneous

Pet (Cat & Dog)

Rice/Pasta (boxed, bagged, side dishes)

Sauces/Spreads (Condiments, dressings, jelly)

Store specific (Kroger, Publix, Walgreens)

Toiletries (shampoo, deodorant, toothpaste)

Got expired coupons? Bring those too! I will be donating these to military families overseas who are allowed to use them at their commissary up to six months past the expiration date. These coupons should also be sorted into 2 categories (food OR non-food) with an expiration date of 10/31/09 or after. At this time, they are unable to accept printable coupons.

I will have a table set up for each of the above categories. You can drop and shop as you please. There are no minimum coupon requirements to come and participate. All newbies are strongly encouraged to join us! I hope to see you there. If there is a specific coupon that you need or are looking for, please leave a comment below this post. This will help me and others to be on the lookout for that coupon.

You can keep up with all of my latest deals and shopping trips by getting my email updates. Go here to sign up. Twitter users can also follow me here.

Workshops, Classes, Consultations & More!

Below is a list of the different types of workshops that I offer. You can view any current public workshops by clicking here. In exchange for the use of your home, office, or church facility workshop hosts are not required to pay the participation fee. The host typically (though not required) supplies light snacks/drinks and I will provide 1 door prize for every 5 RSVPs.

This class is a great introduction to coupons, smart shopping, and learning a tried and true method for saving 50% or more at the grocery store. In these economical times, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. I will lead you through the ins and outs of saving money on healthy foods to feed your families. This workshop covers in-depth topics including coupons, store matchups, meal planning, stockpiling and more! This workshop is $10 to attend and is approximately 2 hours long.

If you loved my Grocery Savings Workshop (GSW) and are ready to learn more, get ready for the Drug Store Savings Workshop. I will show you details of how I have been saving 75% or more at drug stores. While my GSW teaches the basics, this class takes it to the next level by learning the concepts of in-store rebate programs at drug stores such as CVS & Walgreens. These stores are great for stockpiling toiletries, OTC medications, cleaners, paper products, and more at EXTREMELY low prices! This class is $5 to attend and is approximately 1 hour long.

Want to learn it all? Combo classes are also an option at $15 per participant.

NEW! I am now offering personal 1-hour consultations to show you all of my tips and tricks on couponing and deal finding. Together we will discuss your current shopping style as well as your family needs. I will help you create an appropriate budget as well as show you tried and true methods of saving BIG money on your groceries and household items. This is a great opportunity for those just starting out or for those who want to step up their savings a bit. This consultation will be personalized to your unique situation and you will walk away with a new outlook on how to maximize your budget. A personal 1-hour consultation is only $30. Don't live in the Nashville area? That's okay. 45-minute phone consultations are available for only $20.

Contact me today at CouponQueenDiaries@gmail.com in order to arrange your very own workshop for you and your friends or a one-on-one consultation.

Coupon Swap - Mark your Calendars!

A common question that comes up at my Grocery Savings Workshop is "what should I do with the coupons I don't use?" Us die-hard couponers hate to see any coupon go to waste. So, I have decided to try a COUPON SWAP! That's right, I am going to set up a bonafide coupon trade night. Whoo hoo! I think it will be lots of fun to fellowship together, do some deal talk, and swap coupons. Interested? Details are below.

When: Friday, October 16th @ 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Where: TDF, Room A101 (Directions here)

Who: Anyone, even if you are new to couponing.

What: Bring any coupons that you won't use. The expiration date needs to be 10/31/09 or after.

Details: Coupons should be sorted into the following categories:

Baby

Baking

Beverages

Breads

Breakfast

Canned Goods

Cleaners

Dairy

Desserts

Frozen Foods

OTC Medicines

Meat

Miscellaneous

Pet

Rice/Pasta

Sauces/Spreads

Toiletries

Got expired coupons? Bring those too! I will be donating these to military families overseas who are allowed to use them at their commissary up to six months past the expiration date. These coupons should also be sorted by category with an expiration date of 09/30/09 or after.

Foot Pantry Donations? I will also be sharing info regarding how to find great deals and purchase items for food pantry donations for little to no cost.

I will have a table set up for each of the above categories. You can drop and shop as you please. There are no minimum coupon requirements to come and participate. All newbies are strongly encouraged to join us! I also would like to encourage new mommies to attend as I feel certain there will be lots of baby coupons.

I am excited about this new event and I hope to see you there!

Grocery Savings Workshop - September

I am pleased to announce a new date for my Grocery Savings Workshop.

This class will teach you a tried and true method for saving 50% or more at the grocery store. In these economical times, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. I will lead you through the ins and outs of saving money on healthy foods to feed your families. The class will cover topics including coupons, stockpiling, store matchups and more!

>Friday, September 18th @ 6:30 p.m. The Donelson Fellowship. This class is being sponsored by the FaithWorks LifeGroup and is FREE to attend. Space is limited, so you must RSVP to couponqueendiaries@gmail.com. This event is open to anyone, so please pass the word.

I hope to see you there!

Drug Store Savings Workshop

If you loved my Grocery Savings Workshop (GSW) and are ready to learn more, you should host or attend my Drug Store Savings Workshop. If you want to see details of how I have been saving 75% or more at drug stores, then THIS is the class for you.

My GSW teaches basic concepts such as locating coupons, matching them with sales and stockpiling. It's time to take it to the next level and learn the basics of in-store rebate programs at drug stores such as CVS & Walgreens. These stores are great for stockpiling toiletries, OTC medications, cleaners, paper products, and more at EXTREMELY low prices!

There is a $5.00 charge to attend this workshop. However, I am currently looking for individuals to host this class in their home. Anyone who hosts one of my workshops will be exempt from the $5.00 fee.

Attendance at the GSW is not required in order to attend the Drug Store Savings Workshop. So, gather up some friends and/or co-workers and let's have a great time learning how to save money together.

If you would like to host this workshop, please contact me at couponqueendiaries@gmail.com.

Grocery Savings Workshop - New Dates & Locations

My classes have been going very well and I am pleased to announce 2 new dates and locations.

This class will teach you a tried and true method for saving 50% or more at the grocery store. In these economical times, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. I will lead you through the ins and outs of saving money on healthy foods to feed your families. The class will cover topics including coupons, stockpiling, store matchups and more! Space is limited for both of these workshops so you must RSVP to couponqueendiaries@gmail.com.

>Saturday, August 1st @ 6:30 p.m. in McCalla, AL. Cost is $5.00 to attend. First 3 to register will receive a FREE coupon organizer.

>Friday, August 7th @ 6:30 p.m. at The Donelson Fellowship in Nashville, TN. This workshop is being sponsored by the FaithWorks LifeGroup and is free to attend.

Grocery Savings Workshop

I am very pleased to announce my very first series of classes. My church, The Donelson Fellowship, has graciously agreed to let me teach 2 classes at their facilities. Below you will find the "official" advertisment. I hope to see you there!

Grocery Savings Workshop
Come to a free class that will teach you a tried and true method for saving 50% or more at the grocery store. In these economical times, we are all looking for ways to cut costs. Join Staci Bishop as she leads you through the ins and outs of saving money on healthy foods to feed your families. The class will cover topics including coupons, stockpiling, store matchups and more! The workshop will last 1.5 hours and will be held in room A101.

• Friday, July 10th - 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, July 18th - 10:30 a.m.

Space is limited. Please RSVP to couponqueendiaries@gmail.com. The first 10 to register will receive a free coupon organizer.

Directions here.