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21 Budgeting Tips for Military Families For a Better Financial Life

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21 Budgeting Tips for Military Families For a Better Financial Life

Money money money! Money can be quite a hot topic. When it comes to our finances, we want our money to work for us but sometimes that is a difficult thing to do. As a military family, you may be feeling pressure from a PCS that cost you a little too much, or the loss of a job or other source of income you were depending on.

Although there is a 5.2% pay raise coming in 2024 for members of the military, having and sticking to a budget is super important. It is the best way to know where your money is going, and how much you actually have to spend.

Here are 21 budgeting tips for military families for a better financial life:

1. The #1 budgeting tip would be to of course have a budget. You need to know exactly how much money you and your spouse are bringing in and exactly what you will be spending your money on, including how much you will put in savings. This will give you a clear picture of your finances.

2. Keep a detailed record of all of your spending. Those little trips to Target can add up. Keeping track of what you are spending your money on is a must.

3. Set some financial goals. Talk with your spouse about what you want to do in the future. Do you want to save for a house? A new car? Pay off debt? Talk about what your focus will be.

4. Compare the cost of housing. While you might want to live off post, would living on post save you more money in the future? Is that savings worth it? Would living on your military instillation allow you to save for your house that much sooner?

5. Remember your budget when shopping for groceries. The food budget can get quickly out of hand without proper planning. What are your options for grocery shopping? Can the Commissary save you money? What about clipping coupons?

6. Watch the eating out. While eating out can be a lot of fun, it’s also really expensive. Even fast food can cost a family $50 a trip. Yikes!

7. Use military discounts. Yes, you can save between 10-30% at places that offer military discounts. Check out my Big List of Military Discounts for ideas.

8. Shop thrift stores and consignment shops. You can find all sorts of things from clothing to books to toys at thrift stores and consignment shops. You can also take your old items to consignment shops to make a little extra money. Check and see what is available in your own city and plan a shopping trip.

9. Look for low-cost and free things to do at your duty station. Most duty stations have events going on throughout the year. They can be a lot of fun and you can find some free things to do with your kids.

10. Is your spouse deployed? Are they bringing home extra money? Make sure you make a plan of what you will do with it. Ideally, you can save and pay off debt. However, you may need to budget for extra expenses such as having a baby or getting ready for a PCS. Talk things over so you are on the same page.

11. Coupon. Use coupons at the grocery store, when you go out to eat, and at different stores you need to go to. Most people get coupons in the mail. See which ones work for you and your family and trade with friends.

12. Learn new skills. When it comes to keeping up your home, see what you can do yourself. Use Youtube to get ideas on affordable projects.

13. Review your subscription services. Did you sign up for one when it was only $5.99 a month and now it’s double that? Are you paying $15 a month for a streaming service your family doesn’t really watch anymore? Do an audit of your all your subscriptions to see if you can cut any and to make sure you are only paying for the ones you really want.

14. Save a bit from each paycheck for birthdays, Christmas, and other holidays you may need extra money for. When the time comes you will have money to spend and won’t have to stress as much.

15. Check into side gigs. Can you Door Dash? Drive for Uber? Mow lawns? There are lots of little side jobs you can add if you are able to in order to make some extra money.

16. Look into Financial Readiness classes at your duty station. For example, the Army’s Financial Readiness Program (FRP) is available at every Army post. It provides classes and counseling on saving money, investing, getting out of debt, and more.

17. Look into The Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Because of the act you may reduce some of your debt’s interest rates to 6%, postpone a foreclosure, defer your taxes, get protection against eviction, and more.

18. Work to get out of debt. Pay more than the minimum and avoid using credit cards when you can.

19. Use banking tools for extra savings. If you bank with USAA, they have a fun savings tool where they take a random amount from your checking account between $1-$9 a few times a week and put it in your savings account. This adds up and before you know it you will have $100 saved. They also send your text messages with updates, and little fun facts and jokes.

20. Use your library. Libraries have so much to offer the community. From books, to movies, to free events. Don’t sleep on what your local library has to offer.

21. Have an emergency savings fund. $1,000 is a good amount to shoot for. You want to have something you can use in case a car breaks down, something needs to be fixed in your house, or any other extra expense comes up.

As military families, we are used to the unknown. But, we should know where our money is going and how we are spending it. That way we can work to achieve our goals and live the life we want to live.

What are your favorite budgeting tips?

Beyond Old Navy! 6 Stores That Offer a Military Discount On Clothing

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Beyond Old Navy! 6 Stores That Offer a Military Discount On Clothing

This site contains affiliate links to products. I may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.

I have been shopping at Old Navy since I was in high school. My whole family can find something there, which is super handy. They also have a military discount! If you also have a growing family, being able to save money on clothes is a must, especially if your kids are at the age where they are growing all the time. My 12 year old is going through this so I am always looking for a good deal on his clothes!

Old Navy, and its sister stores the Gap and Banana Republic aren’t the only clothing stores with a military discount. Here are a few more to check out the next time you are at the mall:

Columbia

Columbia Sportswear began by selling hats, yes hats! They were called the Columbia Hat Company after the Columbia River and were founded in the 1930s. They became the Columbia Sportswear Company in 1960, which is what they are called today, offering sportswear including jackets, shirts, sweaters, and more. You can save 20% with the Columbia military discount.

J. Crew

J.Crew was started back in the 1940s as Popular Merchandise. They kept that name until 1983 when they became J.Crew. You can find clothing for women, men, and for children at J.Crew and you can save 15% with the J.Crew military discount.

Hanes

Hanes was founded back in 1900 as Shamrock Knitting Mills, (I love learning these old names for companies), and the Hanes Corporation began in 1965. Hanes is a great place to find pjs, sweatshirts, and underwear for you, or your while family. You can save 10% with the Hanes military discount.

Buckle

Buckle started as just a men’s clothing store a few years after World War II ended as Mills Clothing. The company introduced woman’s clothing towards the end of the 1970s. The store became The Buckle, Inc, which is what it is called today, back in 1991. At Buckle you can find jeans, tops, shoes, dresses, shorts, and more for men, women, and children. You can save 10% with the Buckle military discount.

Under Armour

Under Armour is a bit newer having been founded in the mid 90s and was started in the owner’s grandmother’s basement. He got his start when he wanted to make a t-shirt that stayed dry like his shorts did using moisture-wicking synthetic fabric. The cool thing about Under Armour is that sometimes they offer a 40% military discount. At the moment, the Under Armour military discount is 20% but keep an eye on it because it might go up when you are ready to shop.

Lululemon

Lululemon was founded in 1998 with its first store opening a couple of years later. The owner, Chris Wilson, has been credited with creating modern yoga pants. At Lululemon you can find yoga pants, tops, shorts, sweaters, and more. The Lululemon military discount will save you 15%.

Looking for other military discounts? Check out A Big Long List of Military Discounts for Military Spouses for more military discounts for all types of retailers, including amusement parks.

Did You Know About This Target Military Discount?

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One question you might have is if Target has a military discount. And they technically do!

Target is one of my favorite stores. We usually always end up there on date nights, just to walk around and pick up a few things. There is just something about that place that draws you in.

One of my earliest memories of the place was going there with my Dad and buying a watch with my allowance. The watch had different covers you could change out and I thought it was the coolest thing in the world. As an adult, Target is a must stop each and every week!

One question you might have is if Target has a military discount. And they technically do!

While Target doesn’t have a regular military discount, they do offer them during the year. They started offering a 10% military discount in November for Veterans Day. They have also added the 10% military discount around the 4th of July.

The discount is available for US members of the military, veterans, and their family members, including military spouses. You can use the Target military discount online and in person.

How do you get the Target military discount?

You would need to sign up through Target Circle. If you shop at Target, you should be signed up for Target Circle anyway. Through this program, you can save money and earn rewards. It’s a lot of fun when you go to place a Target order and see you have $5.00 in rewards to use. You would verify your military affiliation through Target Circle and then be able to use your military discount.

What is the Target military discount?

The Target military discount is for 10% off of your purchases. Keep in mind that there are some exclusions so you won’t be able to use the discount on everything. However, it would be a good time to make some purchases to save a little bit of money.

When is the Target military discount?

As I said above, the Target military discount isn’t all of the time. You can find the discount in November and for this 4th of July, you can use the discount from June 25th through July 4th.

What else does Target do for the military community?

Target has been a supporter of Blue Star Families’ Welcome Week. This is a week that is dedicated to welcoming families into their new communities. In addition, Target also has a Military Business Council which provides resources and support to Target employees who have a connection to the military.

Where else can I use a military discount?

There are many different stores that offer a military discount during the 4th of July. Walgreens and the Academy typically have them. Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot have a regular 10% military discount, and Kroger in the Fort Campbell area offers 10% off every Wednesday.

Happy 4th of July and happy Target shopping!

Did You Know Kroger Has a Military Discount?

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Does Kroger have a military discount?

Grocery shopping is not fun these days. The cost of everything has gone up it seems, and what used to be affordable now feels high priced. As military families, we do have choices. We can shop at the Commissary which gives us an average of 22% savings over regular grocery stores, with plans to raise that to 25%. However, the Commissary isn’t always the easiest place to shop.

For us, it takes anywhere from 20-30 minutes to get to the Commissary. We like to go a few times a month but Kroger is much easier to shop at on a regular basis. And luckily there is a way to save money there too. At least in the Fort Campbell area.

Kroger in Clarksville, TN, and Hopkinsville, KY offer a 10% military discount on Wednesdays. This discount is for active duty military, retired military, national guard, and reserves and their dependents. You just need to show your military ID. They might even ask you about it if you shop there on a Wednesday.

I have no idea if this discount will expand past the Fort Campbell area, but we are thankful to have the discount here.

47 Ways to Save Money in the New Year

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47 Ways to Save Money in the New Year

New year, new goals? Right? We all have them and for a lot of us, our goals include saving more money, paying off debt, and just being smarter about how we spend the money that we make. I know I always feel much better when I save a little money here and there and have a little bit extra to spare each month.

This post contains affliate links!

As a military spouse, know that your military service member will be getting a 4.6% raise in the New Year. You should see this on the 2nd paycheck in January. BAH might have also gone up for you too. You can check the new BAH rates here. If your BAH rates went down, don’t worry. You will be grandfathered in with the old rate. Until you, PCS or your spouse moved up in rank. But if they do move up in rank and the BAH is lower for that new rank, you still get to keep your old BAH. Thank goodness for all of that!

When it comes to budgeting, you want to make sure you do so on a daily or regular basis. One of the first things I do every morning is check our bank account and pay any bills that need to be paid that day. I even check on Sundays because once we found out that someone had hacked our account and charged up some things on a Sunday. You have to always be aware of what is in your account.

If you are looking at 2023 and wondering how to save a little extra each month, this post is going to be for you. Here are 47 ways to save money each month in the new year:

  1. Shop sales- Let’s face is, you save money when what you buy what is on sale.
  2. Shop at the Commissary- In some areas, you will save more than in others but usually, shopping at the Commissary can save you money. Do some of your own research to see where certain products are the best price in your area.
  3. Shop thrift stores- A pair of pants for just $2? Score! Thrift stores have the best stuff!
  4. Hand me downs- I have 3 boys so there is always stuff that I can save for the next kid.
  5. Meal plan- When you plan ahead you will be less likely to eat out or pick something up on the way home.
  6. Make coffee at home- I love grabbibg a coffee out sometimes, but making coffee at home is a lot cheaper.
  7. Skip the fast food- For our family of 5 to eat at McDonald’s it is at least $40. Eat out less and save some money.
  8. Skip the soda- If you do go out to eat, skip the soda. Some places can charge up to $4 for one soda. If you and your spouse go out and skip it, ordering water instead, you could save between $6-$8 on your meal. That adds up over time.
  9. Have a yard sale- Either plan one at your house or use the yard sale sites and Facebook groups.
  10. Don’t buy because you feel bad– Feeling sad? Don’t go shopping. You are more likely to buy something just to try to make you feel better.
  11. Be honest about what you can spend– Friends going out for the 2nd time in a week? Let them know you can’t and plan some coffee dates instead.
  12. Get your books from the library- I love book deals but the library is free! Yes, you might have to wait sometimes but there are so many books to read you can usually always find something good without spending a dime.
  13. Look for deals on books- Look for book deals. If you have a Kindle, check out the Kindle Deals page to see what is currently on sale.
  14. Go to free events- See what is going on in your community, both on and off post.
  15. Set a budget for food at free events- Even at free events, you might want to eat. Set a budget ahead of time and stick to it.
  16. Buy passes- Love the zoo? Think you will go often? Get a yearly pass! Love the movies? Get a yearly pass! Find places you love to go and save money by getting that annual pass.
  17. Use the passes- If you get a pass, make sure to use it. At least figure out how many times you need to use the pass to break even.
  18. Use coupons- Cutting coupons can be a pain to cut coupons but using them will save you money.
  19. Take advantage of military discounts- Take a look at military discounts in your area. That 10-20% can help.
  20. Watch your boxes- Monthly boxes are in right now and there are so many good ones to choose from but be careful. Don’t keep paying for a box if you don’t like most of what comes in them. You can skip months too.
  21. Set up automatic savings- Set this up with your bank. Then money will automatically go to your savings accounts. And trust me, you won’t even miss it as you build up your savings. USAA has a great way to do this.
  22. Drop cable- What do you use cable for? Think about if you could do without. You could save yourself a lot of money by dropping cable and using Hulu and Netflix or other streaming services.
  23. Make lists before you shop- Making a list will always save you. Just make sure to stick to the actual list.
  24. Try a “buy what you need” challenge- See if you can go a month or two without buying anything you don’t need.
  25. Adjust your heat/ac settings- Adjust your settings just a little bit. You might see a change in your monthly electric bill.
  26. Cancel what you don’t use- Go through your monthly bills and cancel what you no longer use. These random costs can add up.
  27. Save all loose change and cash in- Put all loose change in a bottle. Cash in the bottle every 6 months or so. Use the money for some family fun.
  28. Fly Space-A- Living overseas and want to visit home? Try Space-A. Space-A isn’t for everyone but can save you money, especially when flying home from overseas.
  29. Stay in Military hotels- Staying in military hotels can save you quite a bit of money and they are all over the place.
  30. Exchange babysitting with a friend- Find a friend you trust and swap babysitting.
  31. Use Parent’s Night Out– There are a few churches in the area that offer a regular parent’s night out. Use these. For date nights or just to have some time for yourself.
  32. Bring your lunch to work- Try to bring your lunch to work most days. Cook a little extra for dinner and bring the leftovers in.
  33. Watch your ATM fees or use USAA- Watch those ATM fees. Now if you have USAA, they will pay you back once a month which is super handy.
  34. Put your tax return to good use- Getting a tax return? What is the best way to spend it this year?
  35. Downsize- Feel like you have too much space? It’s okay to downsize and move into a cheaper home.
  36. Use Rewards cards- Use rewards cards or apps for the stores you shop at the most. The rewards can add up.
  37. Shop around for big purchases- Need to buy a new washing machine. Shop around for the best deals. The PX is tax-free but Lowe’s and Home Depot offer a 10% military discount.
  38. Shop with a purpose- Shop with what you are looking for in mind. Always have a purpose and you can avoid spending extra money.
  39. Dollar Spot- Check out the Dollar Spot at Target. They always have things cheaper there, especially when it comes to office supplies and small toys for the kids.
  40. Keep driving that car- Don’t give up your car just yet and buy a new one. Try to get as many miles out of it as you can.
  41. Drop your home phone- Do you need your home phone? Most people don’t anymore. Think about if you still need to be paying that extra amount each month.
  42. Use your leftovers- Have a leftovers night where you use up any extra food you have made. Don’t let it go to waste.
  43. Eat before you go- If you can, eat your meals before you go somewhere. That way you won’t be as tempted to buy there.
  44. Garden, cheaply- You can spend a lot of money on gardening supplies but you don’t have to. Shop around and create a simple garden growing veggies you would normally buy.
  45. Gas Rewards- Use gas rewards. Kroger rewards works well for us.
  46. Ask for gift cards for Christmas and birthdays- Receiving gift cards for Christmas and birthdays means you have places to go without having to spend any money.
  47. Shop or save for Christmas- Plan out your Christmas, even in January. Shop sales during the year and stick to your budget.

I hope your 2023 is off to a great start! Have a good year and have some fun saving money 🙂

What is your best tip for saving money in the new year?

Building Up Your Savings During Holiday Shopping

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Interested in guest writing on Soldier’s Wife, Crazy Life? Visit my Duty Station Guest Posts post for more information.

The holiday shopping rush is upon us. If you’re worried this means you’ll need to risk going into debt, think again. Going all out on everyone’s Christmas gifts doesn’t mean you have to go into the red, instead, you can save your money by using the following tips.

Build a List & Do Your Homework

Santa checks his list twice, and you need to do the same. One of the best ways to make sure you don’t overdo it during the holidays is by writing down everything you have to purchase, or everyone you will be giving a gift. That way you can refer back to it, and check things off as you buy them.

Once you have a list together, then it’s time to start your research. One item can be sold by a variety of companies for a different price. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by trying to play the find the absolute best price game. But there are a lot of sites out there that simplify your search. Also, sales are always popping up during this time of year, so sign up for e-blasts from your favorite stores and follow them on social media to get notified.

Consider D.I.Y. or Second Hand Gifts

Sometimes it’s a personal touch that gets the biggest response. So rather than going big with a fancy store-bought gift, make your own present. Whether it’s baked goods or a DIY project, these options will save you some money. While you do pay some money to buy the components for the gift, you can save the money that you would have spent on higher-priced items.

If you’re not the craftiest person, visit second hand stores to purchase some unique finds. Thrift stores are full of a wide variety of items at low prices, so even finding something for the pickiest person on your list is possible. Buying used items at markdown discounts will save you a good chunk of change. Clearance racks, discount bins, and sale sections are all full of hidden treasures worth seeking out.

Remember Technology is Your Friend

Since your phone is most likely nearby right now, it’s time to put it to good use. Look into rewards programs at the stores you frequent or online retailers. Yup, getting paid to shop does add up when you have lots of gifts to buy. Sites like Rakuten or Swagbucks allow you to accumulate points in order to get cash-back or gift cards.

As mentioned before, signing up for emails is another great way to find the best deals. Creating a separate email account for these notifications ensures your regular account doesn’t get over flooded with offers. Plus, it reduces impulse buying tendencies for whenever you see a sale item. Price matching tools and coupons can be tracked down online as well. A simple Google search can pull in codes to use and deal sites for sale items.

Examine Your Payment Options

In addition to hunting for gift deals, seek out the best payment option too. If you are someone who overspends a lot, having a cash envelope system can curb this tendency. Using cash will give you a good idea of what you have to spend, and when all your money is gone, that’s it.

However, in the current COVID-19 world, credit and debit cards are a popular option for online shopping. Although they make payments easier and give you a larger spending range, they can come back to bite you if you’re not careful about the fees that are associated with using them. When looking for financially-friendly options, whether it’s a bank account or an app that helps you stay on track with your savings, find options without hidden costs and that make it possible to rebuild your financial status. That way, if you have a lower credit score, or you’re looking to prioritize financial wellness during the course of your holiday shopping, you won’t feel stressed or overwhelmed when purchasing gifts for your friends and family.

While achieving savings during the holiday shopping season seems tricky, it’s possible with the proper planning! By creating a shopping list, rethinking what gifts you can make yourself or buy second hand, using technology to track deals, and finding the right payment option for you. Following all of these tips will help you stay in the green, rather than the red this holiday season.

Favorite Military Discounts That Military Spouses Love

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Favorite Military Discounts That Military Spouses Love

Military discounts are the best! Whether it is 10% off at your favorite restaurant or a buy one get one free pass at a local establishment. There are such a variety of military discounts out there, and not all of them apply nationwide.

Some military discounts are more popular than others but they are a way for military families to save money, even if it is just a few dollars. When businesses offer these discounts, they are saying thank you to the military community and their kindness is very much appreciated.

Here are some favorite military discounts that military spouses love:

Shoes

What growing military family doesn’t need shoes? The good news is quite a few stores offer a military discount on shoes. Payless and Rack Room Shoes offer you 10% off, and the Foot Locker offers you 20%.

Blue Star Museums

A collaboration with the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and Museums Across America has created Blue Star Museums. They offer free admission to active duty military personnel and their families to include the National Guard and the Reserves. This offer is from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and you can see a list of participating museums here.

Home Depot and Lowes

Need to work on a home project? Spouse deployed and you want to paint that room you keep putting off. Home Depot and Lowe’s will offer 10% off at their stores.

Disney

Disney is one of the best discounts you can find. They offer the Armed Forces Salute at both Disneyland and Disney World. You will be able to save a lot of money this way. There are also select military discounts at hotels near the parks that would be worth checking out.

Sea World/Busch Gardens

You can get in on the Waves of Honor discount at Sea World’s nationwide, Busch Gardens, and Sesame Place. Each service member can receive one free ticket as well as three other free tickets for their dependents. Visit the Sea World page for more information on this military discount. This discount is valid for Active duty, National Guard, and the Reserves.

Michael’s and Joann’s

Into crafting? Want to buy some decorations for the upcoming fall and winter seasons? Check out Michael’s, who offer 15% off and Joann’s who offer 10% off.

National Parks

You can get aNational Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass just by showing your ID at your local National Park. The pass is good for a year.

Old Navy/The Gap

Your local Old Navy and The Gap should have a military discount too. Usually, it is about 10%. Some places offer the discount every day, others every Monday or a few times a month. Make sure to ask when you are at your local store to find out what they offer.

Hotels

Finding a discount on a hotel for your vacation can save you some money. Check out Marriot, Embassy Suites, Choice Hotels, or anywhere you plan on staying to see if they offer a discount too.

Your favorite restaurants

Restaurants are a bit tricky as they can depend on the management at the specific locations. Most restaurants that offer a military discount give you 10-20% off depending on their discount. Make sure to ask before you pay if you are unsure about their discount or have heard that they have one.

This post does contain affiliate links!

Veterans Advantage

Veterans Advantage, Inc.
By signing up with Veterans Advantage, you can gain access to even more military discounts. With Veterans Advantage you can find discounts from name-brand companies such as Target, 1-800-Flowers, Adobe, Wendy’s, Regal, and more.

What are your favorite military discounts? Which ones do you use all the time?

Save Money and Plan a Fantastic Summer With This Website

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Save Money and Plan a Fantastic Summer With This Website

This is a sponsored post! All opinions are my own!

Summer! We are just weeks away from school being out, heading to the pool, and relaxing a bit without having to worry about school. I am excited about summer this year. I know it is going to be a good one.

Not having an unlimited budget for summer, I have to figure out how we are going to spend our time and our money. We do plan to buy a pool pass, we will have summer sports to go to, and we will be taking a trip to California too. As I try to figure out a budget for things, I am thankful for military discounts and coupons.

groupon coupons

One of the best places to find good coupons is Groupon. This website has so many to choose from. They have over 70,000 coupons from more than 9,000 stores. You should be able to find what you want, no matter what you are planning to do.

This summer, make sure to use Groupon Coupons to help plan your summer. Here are some ideas!

Work on those home projects you have been putting off with Home Depot. You can also get a new patio set. We love to bbq and eat outside before the heat of summer sets in and have been thinking of updating our set too.

Do you have a military ball coming up? Nordstroms has some coupons to help you find the right dress.

Going on a trip and need a rental car? You can find a good deal with Hertz to keep your summer travel costs low.

If you need a hotel, look atHotels.com for a good coupon to help with the costs of lodging on your trip. Whether you are going down to Florida to relax at the beach or headed to Colorado for some outdoor fun, you will want to find a good rate on your hotel room.

I would love to buy some new summer clothes to stay cool this year, especially since I have lost weight since last summer. Kohl’s is one of my favorite places to shop. You can find Groupon Coupons to help with you or your family’s summer wardrobe.

Groupon coupons

You can also find coupons for Verizon, Shutterfly, Walmart, and more. Take some time to look through and get your summer planning off to a great start.

How have you used Groupon Coupons in the past?