Erin Turner

Homemade Pizza: It’s Yummy, Healthy and Frugal

By ERIN TURNER - Here's a Healthy, inexpensive and YUMMY recipe for homemade pizza. Not only is the clean-up a breeze, but it makes me a hero in the eyes of my kids!... more

Frugal, Healthy, DIY Air Fresheners

By ERIN TURNER - Our homes are places where good memories are created and smells play an important role in that. Here is a frugal, healthy and DIY idea for creating air fresheners.... more

Polishing Silver the Modern, Frugal Way

By ERIN TURNER - Here's a quick, easy and frugal way to polish tarnished silver using a sink, tinfoil, hot tap water and 1/4 cup of salt. Viola! The Silver lining!... more

Homemade Household Cleaners

By ERIN TURNER -In preparation for spring cleaning, I've come up with three different recipes for a natural and inexpensive glass and household cleaner. It's Green Cleaning at its best!... more

Preserving Your Greens

By ERIN TURNER - Do you hate when lettuce goes bad? Here's a tip on avoiding a bag full of stinky, blackish-green slime, and preserving lettuce using a food sealer and mason jars. ... more

By ERIN TURNER - Nutella, a yummy chocolate spread, is sweeping the nation. Here's my yummy recipe for Nutella--without the sugar and "iffy" artificial flavors--and at a fraction of the cost of store-bought Nut... more

Spare Change for Milk Money

By ERIN TURNER - Milk money. Remember it? Usually taped inside your lunchbox or tucked carefully into your backpack so you could buy one of those little cardboard cartons of white or chocolate milk in the ca... more

A Successful 2013 Pantry Challenge

By ERIN TURNER - How much did we spend this month during our Annual Pantry Challenge? Drum roll please!....our family of five spent at total of $94.43 this month on grocery and drug store items! ... more

Thrifty Recycled Gift Holder

By ERIN TURNER - Our family is into our 3rd week of our Pantry Challenge and next week’s blog post will recap the entire month and I’ll reveal our savings! But this week I’m sharing a super cute and thri... more

Thinking Outside the Food Box for the Pantry Challenge

By ERIN TURNER - A month-long Pantry Challenge really forces a person to be creative. It's pushed me to think outside of the box and break food habits I'd fallen into. ... more

Tips For NOT Eating Out

By ERIN TURNER - Eating out is expensive! Here are some tips for how to avoid the "eating out trap" and why a little planning can pay big dividends with your household budget.... more

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Are You Up for the Annual Pantry Challenge?

By ERIN TURNER - On February 1, we'll start a month of trying to use what we have on hand and not buy groceries. It's called the Pantry Challenge. Are you up for it?... more

How to Use Coupons to Create a Wad of Pseudo-Cash

By ERIN TURNER - Once the clerk rang in all the coupons and Extra Bucks, I heard the words that make any couponer jump for joy…”Oh, maam your total is negative 14 cents, so you need to buy something else.�... more

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup

By ERIN TURNER - Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup...it's not only food for the soul, it's cheap and it's a whole lot healthier for you and your family.... more

A New Year, a Fresh, Frugal Start

By ERIN TURNER - 2013 is here, the resolutions have been written, and it's time put those resolutions into action! Here’s my plan to accomplish my frugal yearly goals.... more

Last-Minute Christmas Gift: Homemade Coffee Creamer

By ERIN TURNER - Need a last-minute Christmas gift idea? I have the perfect thing: Homemade coffee creamer! It's an easy, inexpensive gift for your favorite gourmand.... more

The Frugal Cure-All: Homemade Chicken Broth

By ERIN TURNER - Grandma was right to chase away colds with chicken soup! Here's my recipe for homemade chicken bone broth, Nature’s All-Purpose Medicine.... more

Discovering Thred Up–A New Online Thrift Store

By ERIN TURNER - If your kids have gone through a growth spurt and need new digs or you are cleaning out their closets in preparation for new clothing at Christmas, check out Thred UP--an online consignment sto... more

Fantastically Festive Pinterest Christmas Projects

By ERIN TURNER - It’s Christmas season and Pinterest is alive with an endless world of ideas, inspirations, recipes, and whatever else you can imagine for the holidays. ... more

Tips for Smart, Thrifty Holiday Shopping

By ERIN TURNER - Just because Black Friday's over doesn’t mean you missed all the deals! They may not be as obvious, but if you do your homework you'll find them.... more

Eleven Tricks to Keep Holiday Guests Happy

By ERIN TURNER - This week marks the beginning of holiday guest season. Here are a few of my favorite tips to make guests happy and keep your stress to a minimum.... more

Save Money with Seven Savvy Shopping Strategies

By ERIN TURNER - If you don’t adopt new attitudes towards shopping, you’ll never see any couponing success. Here are my Seven Savvy Shopping Strategies to save money.... more

Homemade Hot Sauce

By ERIN TURNER - Some like it hot and our family is no exception. When it comes to hot sauce we love it hot and use it on everything! Here's a homemade recipe for hot sauce. ... more

Little Grizzly Football: Much More Than Just a Sport

By ERIN TURNER - If you were a boy growing up in Missoula in the last 30 or 40 years, you may remember Little Grizzly Football. Our boys have learned more than a sport... more

Save Money by Reducing Wasted Food

By ERIN TURNER - Since October is National Unprocessed Food month, it may be helpful for you to explore how to save money by reducing the food waste in your house.... more

Take the No-Processed-Foods Challenge

By ERIN TURNER - October is national “Unprocessed Food” month. Take the Challenge: consume less processed/packaged food and more whole/real food. ... more

Frugal Living: Super Easy, Super Cheap Carpet Stain Remover

By ERIN TURNER - Last week, I found the "Miracle Carpet Stain Remover” technique on Pinterest. I'm happy to say that it definitely lives up to its name!... more

Frugal Living: Figuring Out Walgreens’ New Coupon Rewards Program

By ERIN TURNER - I've done some footwork to figure out Walgreens' new customer rewards program. It may seem confusing, but the Coupon Queen is here to help!... more

What To Do with All Those Tomatoes? Make Homemade Ketchup!

By ERIN TURNER - With the abundance of tomatoes this year, I’ve explored some new ways to use them, including homemade ketchup. Here's my recipe!... more

Quality is the Key When Couponing

By ERIN TURNER - Does buying off-brand items always pays off? My answer is usually--you just have to be careful. Quality is the key when couponing.... more

Save Money with Easy School Night Dinners

By ERIN TURNER - With school starting up soon, I'm getting organized for fall. Making freezable meals in advance saves money and makes life easier on school nights.... more

4-H Kids Go for Gold (and Blue) at the Western Montana Fair

By ERIN TURNER - The Western Montana Fair opens this Tuesday, but for 4-H kids, the fair started months ago. Stop by to congratulate them on their hard work!... more

Save Big As We Say Goodbye to Missoula’s Kmart

By ERIN TURNER - On September 30, the Missoula Kmart will close its doors for good. It is sad to see the end of an era, but the silver lining is that everything's on sale!... more

Kale Chips and More Easy, Healthy, Homegrown Summer Veggie Chips

By ERIN TURNER - Each week at the Farmers’ Market, I am asked two questions: 1) Do you have kale? and 2) Do you know how to make kale chips? Yes and yes!... more

Frugal Living: Save Money with an Old-Fashioned Remedy

By ERIN TURNER - I love economical, old-fashioned remedies and natural ways of curing minor ailments, so I was thrilled when I discovered all the benefits of Epsom salt.... more

Frugal Living: 10 Summertime Money-Saving Tips

By ERIN TURNER - With warmer temperatures and longer days, summer offers us a lot of easy, smart opportunities to save money. Some are delicious, too!... more

A Time to Preserve Summer’s Harvest

By ERIN TURNER - Despite the slow start to the growing season, crops are finally popping up. These are the days filled with fresh food straight from the garden (or from the markets) and it's time to stock up.... more

A Pinterest Project: Organize Kids’ Art Projects & School Papers

By ERIN TURNER - Now that school's out, I'm facing tons of my kids' school papers, art projects, and stories. Fortunately, I found a Pinterest project to get it organized.... more

Frugal Living: Healthy, Easy, Cheap Breakfasts for Everyone

By ERIN TURNER - If you're like me, it's a challenge to come up with breakfasts that are cheap, healthy, and easy. Here are some ideas that everyone in my family loves.... more

Frugal Living: 25 Frugal Uses for the Humble Coffee Filter

By ERIN TURNER - In my quest to keep household costs down, I found a huge variety of tips and ideas for saving money using coffee filters. It's amazing what you can do!... more

A Pinterest Project: Get Organized with DIY Spice Jars

By ERIN TURNER - My kitchen was being overrun by all my spices until I stumbled on a great project I saw on Pinterest: Recycle old bottles into DIY spice containers. ... more

Eat Local and Eat Well with Community Supported Agriculture

By ERIN TURNER - Community Supported Agriculture farms have started to become popular in Missoula. They're a great way to eat healthy, local, economical food.... more

Frugal Living: Eat Tapas, Cut Your Grocery Bill

By ERIN TURNER - Serving tapas-style food, a traditional Spanish small-plates meal, is a delicious, easy way to cut your grocery budget significantly.... more

Frugal Living: Go Green and Grow Your Own Food

By ERIN TURNER - Growing your own food is making a huge comeback. Not only are homegrown fruits and veggies healthier, but you can save a ton of money, too.... more

Frugal Living: Use Your iPhone to Save Money

By ERIN TURNER - When a friend told me about the money-saving couponing apps for the iPhone, I realized I was missing out on some major couponing technology!... more

Frugal Living: The Art of the Garage Sale

By ERIN TURNER - With its distinct neighborhoods and their close proximity to one other, Missoula's a great garage sale town. Here are some tips for hosting a great sale.... more

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Frugal Living: Popcorn, the All-Season, All-Budget Snack

By ERIN TURNER - It may seem like a simple thing, but homemade popcorn (not microwave!) really is a perfect snack for all seasons, all ages, and all budgets.... more

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Frugal Living: Learn How to Save at Staples

By ERIN TURNER - I like to shout-out my favorite stores in Missoula that offer some great deals and coupons. This week, learn how to save on supplies at Staples.... more

Frugal Living: Spring Cleaning on a Budget

By ERIN TURNER - Spring cleaning is in full swing at our house! Unwilling to pay $250 for a professional cleaning, I found a frugal way to clean our microfiber furniture.... more

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Frugal Living: Mouthwatering, Homemade Deli Meat

By ERIN TURNER - Last week, I made homemade deli-style sliced meat from an elk roast. Not only was it a Montana-style money saver, it was delicious!... more

Shopping (and Saving) at Costco: A Missoula Staple

By ERIN TURNER - In Missoula, Costco is about as popular as Grizzly football. You can definitely save money there, but you have to approach it wisely.... more

Frugal Flu Season Remedies

By ERIN TURNER - Last week, the Missoula Health Department issued an Influenza Alert. Here are some tips for staying healthy and save a few bucks at the same time.... more

A Successful Frugal Living Pantry Challenge

By ERIN TURNER - With the close of February drawing near, our month-long Frugal Living Pantry Challenge is winding down. The result? We saved a TON of money! ... more

Frugal Living Pantry Essentials

By ERIN TURNER - During our Frugal Living Pantry Challenge this month, I’ve discovered some key items that are essential for a frugal pantry.... more

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You Are What You Love

By ERIN TURNER - In honor of Valentine's Day, here's a list of the things I love about Missoula. Add your favorites in the comments!... more

The Frugal Living Pantry Challenge

By ERIN TURNER - Our family is doing a Frugal Pantry Challenge for the month of February.... more

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A Year in Review

By ERIN TURNER - Today, I celebrate my one year anniversary of writing the Save It blog for Make It Missoula! What have you learned and what should I write about in 2012?... more

What’s so interesting about Pinterest?

By ERIN TURNER - Have you heard about the new social network addiction called Pinterest? It's my new favorite way to get inspired, save time, and be frugal.... more

Cheap Homemade & Store-bought Snacks on a Budget

By ERIN TURNER - It seems every year about this time, my sons have some major growth spurts. In order to keep them full, I’ve come up with a bunch of easy, budget-conscious snacks.... more

Why a Household Budget is Necessary

By ERIN TURNER - The first step to fulfilling a New Year's resolution to save money, reduce debt, or manage finances better, is to set up a household budget. Here's how to do it.... more

In 2012 I Resolve to be Frugal

By ERIN TURNER. Happy New Year, Everyone! If you’re like me, I take the New Year seriously and try to make realistic resolutions which will improve my well-being, my house and my family. ... more

After Christmas Sales

By ERIN TURNER. I know, I know…the figgy pudding isn’t even finished yet and already I’m thinking about after Christmas sales! But hold on, you want to save money right? ... more

Extreme Couponing: Taking Stock of your Stockpile

By ERIN TURNER - I've given tips on how stock up and explained why it's crucial in the whole scheme of couponing. Come Christmas, stockpiling lets me be more generous to local charities, too.... more

Why Should I Take a Couponing Class?

By ERIN TURNER - Recently, I was asked to teach a couponing class through an Adult Education program at the Missoula Lifelong Learning Center. Learn more about the benefits of a coupon class.... more

Holiday Entertaining on a Budget

By ERIN TURNER - One of my favorite things about the holidays is entertaining, but it can leave your bank account feeling a little blue. Here are my top ten tips for entertaining on a budget.... more

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Fun & Frugal Christmas Activities for Families

By ERIN TURNER - As we move into the full swing of holidays, many parents yearn for low-key, quality time with their families. Here are some ideas for fun, economical family Christmas activities.... more

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Declutter & Donate with a Playroom Cleanout Day

By ERIN TURNER - To get ready for Christmas and maximize our storage space, we do a playroom overhaul and donate the toys our boys don't play with anymore.... more

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Missoula Black Friday Sales – A Holiday Shopping Tradition

By ERIN TURNER - Black Friday either creates fear, disgust, or excitement in people. You either love it or hate it.... more

Thanksgiving on a Budget – A Harvest of Abundance, Frugal Style

By ERIN TURNER - Hosting Thanksgiving dinner can get expensive. Erin shares some tips for planning a memorable dinner on a budget.... more

Reduce Christmas Stress by Planning and Shopping Ahead

By ERIN TURNER Happy Halloween, everyone! I hope you enjoy a day of spooks and frights! But once the last Snickers bar is consumed and the last cup of witches’ brew is poured, it is time to pull on the ... more

Teaching Money to Children and Teens

By ERIN TURNER. I am banking on the hope that my husband and I have laid a solid foundation and a respect for money in our kids so when they are faced with a financial decision on their own, they’ll know the... more

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Cyber Couponing

By ERIN TURNER. Having a little retail craving but don’t want to change out of your pajamas to go shopping? Get online and shop to your hearts content using countless cyber coupons and discount codes. ... more

Reasons for Couponing

By ERIN TURNER. I am often asked, “Why do you coupon?” My bottom line always boils down to three very special reasons: Ethan, Logan and Quinn.... more

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How to Score with Albertson’s Double Coupons

By ERIN TURNER It has been a winning week in my house! First, our family’s beloved Dallas Cowboys (no nasty comments, please!) started the week with a superb win, my oldest son’s Little Grizzly footba... more

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Save by Stockpiling Food and Household Items

By ERIN TURNER. I am replenishing our stockpile after a summer of living off of it. Reasons to stockpile? Convenience, for emergencies, and above all, SAVING MONEY!... more

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Coupon Clipping Tips and Techniques

By ERIN TURNER. I have to admit my “Coupon Queen” crown is slightly tarnished these days. Why? Because I hardly couponed this summer…. I know that sounds scandalous but in all honesty, it’s exactly w... more

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Decorating for Fall on a Frugal Budget

By ERIN TURNER. I can’t help it! I’m a sucker for those lovely magazine covers which show a home or front porch decorated for fall. I want my home to exude the same warmth and coziness but I don’t want... more

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Blessing Bags of Love – for Missoula’s Homeless

By ERIN TURNER. When fall arrives, I inherently start to “nest”. I become a canning maniac. I also can’t help but think about those in our community who are homeless or needy.... more

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Budget Meal Planning

By ERIN TURNER. As I’m preparing all the backpacks, washing “first day of school” clothes and getting football gear ready for practices, I have to admit that meals are the last thing I am worried about! ... more

Super-Saving NOT Super-Sizing

By ERIN TURNER. If you stay in any hotel these days, your room will more than likely be supplied with a small bottle of shampoo and conditioner. Do you leave those behind when you leave? Well, you shouldn’t... more

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Back to School Shopping on a Budget

By ERIN TURNER. I hate to be the bearer of bad news but school starts in less than two weeks for most Missoula kids. I’d better get into gear in order to save some cash on the boys’ school supplies.... more

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Wallet Bustin’ at the Western Montana Fair

By ERIN TURNER. Well, you’ve heard of Mutton bustin’ at county fairs but have you heard of Wallet Bustin’? Probably not, but all of you have probably participated in this wild event at any fair you have ... more

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Frugal Camping – Tips for Camping on a Budget

By ERIN TURNER. As I was putting together a list of food and snacks, it dawned on me how expensive camping can be if you aren’t penny wise. My husband asked for some quick and easy snacks and easy prep meals ... more

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Discount Shopping Deals . . . Even on Vacation

By ERIN TURNER. Lately, some of my summer adventures have led to the discovery of some great discount shopping deals in unexpected places. That is always a welcomed treat in my eyes.... more

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Orchard Homes Country Life Club Celebrates 100 Years

By ERIN TURNER. Walking into the Orchard Homes’ Country Life Club on Third Street in Missoula is reminiscent of your grandparent’s house. For most Missoulians, it has been there forever--in fact it is cele... more

Where to Find Coupons – 10 Places to “Hunt”

By ERIN TURNER. Just as a big game hunter wouldn’t head out to the woods without bullets for the big kill neither would a couponer head out to the grocery store without coupons for their “big kill”. ... more

Save Money on Produce

By ERIN TURNER. It’s that special time of year when the vendors at the Farmer’s Markets are starting to really show off their stuff! Their tables are loaded with lots of fresh, wonderful produce. But if... more

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Save Money With Christmas in July

By ERIN TURNER. I know we just had our first day of summer but there are only 181 days, 3hrs, 29mins and 44secs until Christmas? By starting to fulfill your gift list now, you evade the inflated seasonal cost ... more

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10 Ways to ‘Save-It’ Without Coupons

By ERIN TURNER. Many people just don’t have the interest or the time to clip coupons or match them up to the various sales, yet they are still interested in saving money. Guess what? It is possible to still... more

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Drugstore Couponing 101

By ERIN TURNER. Before I started couponing, I hardly ever set foot in a Walgreens or a CVS. Now, I am a frequent shopper at both of these stores and have a true love affair with them! These are the stores whe... more

Homesteading with the Coupon Queen

By ERIN TURNER. Some of you asked me to share about my family’s “homesteading” activities. It’s a deviation from couponing but it does dovetail with our frugal lifestyle. And since I’m intensely foc... more

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Ethical Couponing & Coupon Courtesy

By ERIN TURNER. Photocopying coupons, intentionally using expired coupons and other fraudulent uses of coupons costs companies thousands of dollars every year. I've heard people say, “Well, those companies ca... more

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Summer Fun for Less

By ERIN TURNER. Summer is one of my favorite seasons. I love having my boys home, but summer can also mean more expenses. This means I’d better start stocking up and baking now.... more

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Do You Use Coupons for Everything?

By ERIN TURNER. Do I use coupons for everything I buy?” No, but it's track season, and the money I save using coupons for everyday things allows me to pay full retail for REALLY good running shoes for all thr... more

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Extreme Versus Super Couponing

By ERIN TURNER. Have you seen the TLC program “Extreme Couponing” where various individuals buy 200 boxes of cereal, 150 deodorants and enough toothbrushes for an entire small country? For some it has spa... more

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Thrift Store Shopping Saves Money

By ERIN TURNER. About 8 years ago I ventured into my first thrift store. After an hour of acting like a kid in a candy store, I left with sacks full of incredible finds and deals. The item which converted me:... more

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Couponing and Healthy Eating

By ERIN TURNER. Sometimes I feel like I live in two different worlds…the world of couponing and the world of healthy eating. Can these two lifestyles actually coexist or is the disparity too great?... more

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“Save It” with Menu Planning

By ERIN TURNER. WIN A MENU PLANNING BOARD. It’s 4:30pm, what are you having for dinner? If you have no clue, then you could benefit from menu planning. Menu planning has given me freedom while my family bene... more

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Frugality as a Lifestyle – Part 2

By ERIN TURNER. Statistics show that money is the primary cause of divorce in America today. Because I counseled engaged couples for years, I know first hand how money can negatively impact a marriage.... more

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Frugality as a Lifestyle

By ERIN TURNER. I used to believe being frugal meant you were poor and led a really boring life. Now that I’ve crossed over and entered into the "Frugal Life", I know better. Yet as my family and I have quic... more

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Cleaning Your House for Less This Spring

By ERIN TURNER. Hooray, for spring! I’m so anxious to open the windows, shake out the rugs and clean, clean, clean! When my home is clean and organized, my family knows there will be peace throughout the l... more

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Makauli’i Hawaii (Saving Money in Hawaii)

By ERIN TURNER. Aloha from the beautiful island of Maui! Our family is enjoying this warm, tropical paradise and couponing in a new place. What?! Couponing while on vacation?! Yup! We’ve been doing lots o... more

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Coupon Myth Bustin’

By ERIN TURNER. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about coupons and those of us who use them. I’d like to dispel some of those myths this week so that you can sleep easy knowing the truth about co... more

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Fortune Teller or Smart Couponer?

By ERIN TURNER. If I could predict sales and rock bottom prices, I’d not only be heading to Vegas to try my luck but I’d be a hero in every couponing household. Unfortunately, I can’t foretell those thi... more

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Time to Stockpile

By ERIN TURNER. By now you should have lots of coupons, have them somewhat organized in a binder and maybe have even scored a deal or two! The next step is called stockpiling. ... more

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What’s Your Favorite Missoula Grocery Store?

We want to know. What is your favorite place to buy Groceries, and why? Leave your response in the comments below, or simply give the one you like a Thumbs Up!... more

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Organizing Your Coupons

By ERIN TURNER. So, have you spent your week clipping lots of coupons? Now, you probably are going crazy because what do you DO with all of them once they are clipped? To be a successful extreme couponer, yo... more

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Couponing 101 – The Basics

By ERIN TURNER- The Coupon Queen. So you want to save money on your grocery bill? That’s great! But if you were like me a year ago, I had no idea where to start! Here are the basic keys of saving:... more

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‘Wise Frugality’ Versus ‘Cheap’ This Valentine’s Day

By ERIN TURNER. I love Valentines’ Day. It’s one of those holidays that seems so trivial but is a much welcomed break in the middle of winter. It always creates a cozy warmness in me and gives me a litt... more

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Doubles are Here!

The doublers are here! And they will be here until Tuesday night! Any manufacturer coupon you have that is valued up to $1.00 will be doubled with an Albertson’s twice the value coupon (found in their flyer f... more

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Meet the Coupon Queen – New ‘SAVE IT’ Blog

By ERIN TURNER. I’m looking forward to sharing with you ways of saving money and managing your budget. Whether you are trying to make it from paycheck to paycheck or wanting to be a full-time stay- at- home m... more

Erin Turner Pages

Save it Missoula