"Follow Me Monday" Giving Back!
It’s Monday and that means my fifth edition of “Follow Me Monday”! Today I’m going to discuss giving back! Knowing how to use coupons to snag products for FREE or next to nothing really is a talent! Use this talent to give back and show others… even strangers you care. In the video today, I’m going to show you how to do just that! I hope you’ll watch and get inspired!
Remember, little acts of kindness can make a world of difference! One tiny act of generosity in your mind, could positively impact someone else’s life in a huge way! Lets pay it forward this Holiday season!
(I’m not sure why it’s paused on this clip, but I’m sure NOT liking it!)
If you aren’t able to see the video, then go here to watch it.
If you have any suggestions for donations or creative ways to give back, then please let us know in the comment section!
Our local food shelf also takes pet food!
I have three dogs, but I’ve never been able to pick up any free stuff for them!!! I’m new at the couponing, but I’ve never seen a high dollar coupon for anything dog-related. Can you guys share how you all find these deals??? Thanks so much!!!
I too would love to know how you got your deals!
I love the “follow me mondays”!I miss your pretty face!and so does the rest of idaho!!wish i lived close enough to go shopping with you:)
Go to wishuponahero.com and here you can pick exactly who you would like to help, and you can even search by what you are able to give and it will pair you up with spacific needs of people. Also you can go there and post a wish for anything you can emagine and you would be suprised who is able to help. This site has changed my families life, and is very inspiring and addicting. Thanks for this great site, and God Bless.
I just donated a bunch of cat and dog food to our shelter on Saturday. (actually my husband and daughter went in. I am ashamed to say, but I will bust out the water works if I go in there) I used the $3.00 Purina coupons and stacked them with the Target coupon. I walked out out of Target paying $5.64 for what was originally $191.00. Three ladies behind me were in awe. My husband told me they were so shocked to see how much food we brought in, and asked if we wanted a receipt. Nope…it did feel good to give back.
Wow, this video is so inspiring. I already use all the free cat food I get to feed strays but this has inspired me to get even more and take it the shelters around here.
Can you please tell us what you bought at petco and how you did it? I’ve never went to petco because I’ve always thought it was too expensive. It would be appreciated!
Fantastic video post this week! This is exactly how I feel God has been leading me to serve. I am so well stocked for myself and married daughters, I almost decided not to shop at all from now to Christmas. But I thought about all the giving that could be done, so I went ahead and ordered my coupons just for the fun of free shopping and giving everything I buy/get in that time frame to charities for man and beast! You just confirmed the plan, thanks!
Another great place to donate is hospitals; I really appreciated the trial size personal items our children’s hospital was able to give me when my daughter was hospitalized because we didn’t get to grab anything before our ambulance ride. Also our children’s hospital can always use books, markers, coloring books, toys, and craft items.
Love your follow me Monday videos!
I’ve been making up boxes for anysoldier.com. I go to the website and read the soldiers’ requests. When I find one that matches what I’ve been able to get for free (or low cost), I make up a basket and send it to them.
The requested items are extremely varied, so it’s easy to find someone in need of just about everything (for example, several have asked for cold medicines, which I also picked up at Rite Aid and Walgreen’s last week and this week…)
The post office offers flat pack boxes for free (measuring 12 x 12 x 5 1/2 inches) and charges $11.95 to mail them to an APO address, regardless of weight. You can pack a lot of stuff in those boxes. My last couple weighed about 10 1/2 pounds.
This makes me so happy and is also a great example for my kids.
Amazing!! Hip all your work as you can tell does not go unnoticed. I am new to the coupon world and have turn friends and family to it! I look forward to Monday’s just to see what you’ve done next. This one surpasses them all. To share your Blessings with others… you will be rewarded! Thanks for the inspiration!! Keep Um Coming!! 🙂
My husband’s cousin just started a service project where he has collected names of soldiers who are actively serving our country. He is getting volunteers to do “Stocking in a Box” and basically we are filling the flat rate boxes to send to soldiers for Christmas time. I am going to use mostly things that I have in my stockpile – razors, shampoo/conditioner, body wash, chapstick, snacks, etc to fill the box.
Anyone have any other good ideas of things that soldiers enjoy receiving?
Hi Collin
I donated a couple of the purell hand sanitizer to the schools and the halloween pencils I used as fillers at Walgreens.
Fabulous! You will not believe that I went to the pound with a boat-load of pet food and they would not take any of it. They do not accept any donations because of the fear of upsetting the animals digestive system. Boo hoo. At least we tried! (Washinton, D.C. area)
You rock Hip to Save! Its always so rewarding to give back! Thanks for inspiring me to give MORE!
WOW! How long did it take to get all thse products? When I go shopping with my coupons I may save about $30 and still end up spending $40. I’m still new at this and things are about $.20 – $.50 more expensive in my state than yours. Hopefully I can work my way up to give back also…
Yes, we need to know the details on this.
Also, the video pauses and stops a lot for me, anyone know why?
What a awesome video, I only been using coupons for about a month and already am giving things away. I’m so overwhelmed with the video of you going to the woman’s shelter because years ago my sister was in one, and I know they don’t get much in there so any extra is such a blessing. Thanks again.
Isabel
Florida
Love the video on giving back!! Thank you, Mrs.Hip2Save!
Our school, in Midlothian, VA is collecting luggage and fillers for the luggage –for foster children. My 7 year old daughter just brought in a ton of gifts we got for free at Target and about 25 Bath Buddies! Her teacher asked how her “mom afforded” all that stuff.. I have been unemployed for a year now and my ex-husband does not pay child support! My daughter looked at her teacher and said “my mom paid for all this stuff with COUPONS!” So cute.. anyhow.. Foster Children –move from place to place and according to the information we received, (My neighbor also works for the national Foster Care group and headed up this raiser) the children move around so much they also need smaller Rubbermaid type boxes to carry their things in.. Just an idea!!
Thank you! Wendy
I think it is wonderful to pass on all the free things that we can get from couponing. However, the “needs” lists that I’ve seen at area shelters NEVER include the things we tend to get for free – razors, shampoo, lotions, etc. So I’m wondering if I’m really doing them any good by dropping those things off at their warehouse? What do you think? Have you asked shelters how they feel about this?
Hey Emily, the shelter I’m donating to establishes long term housing for violence victims and that is exactly the kind of things they need, if your local shelter does not want them, then ask them about contact information for longterm housing groups or halfwayhomes that may need this. You can allso try calling your local social services and explain that you have donations and find out where to get a list of all the organizations in your area.
Don’t forget about the veterans hospitals! They don’t get enough funding to provide things like toothpaste, toothbrushes, deoderant, shampoo, etc. and are ALWAYS in need of those items. The only thing I’ve found they can’t take is razors. It’s a great place to donate the items we all get paid to buy. My son’s Young Marines unit makes up gift bags and delivers them in their uniforms and the patients LOVE it – the staff says its something they really look forward to
I think that it would be really nice if you could do a video for follow me monday to the pet store….i was able to find in store coupons for petco…but not sure how to work it…a little help from a friend would be nice! 🙂
OMG! What a great idea! I am so inspired by you! I have just started couponing and your site has helped me so much. I want to be just like you!
Just and FYI – My very good friend runs a very successful homeless outreach through out church working with many shelters.
Many shelters WILL NOT ACCEPT:
Razors
Any products containing alchol (including mouthwash)
Candles
And may have limited space to store items like laundry soap/toliet paper.
ALWAYS, make sure you call ahead, make sure you are meeting a need and not unintentionally creating a problem! (2 baskets and 3 women at the shelter).
Many times samples are preferred over big bottles (think carrying everything you own on your back).
Above all things: MAKE SURE YOU DONATE STUFF YOU WOULD WANT! Not half used, damaged, or useless.
Collin, I was really curious about the deals that you got on the pet food….Are there any tips you can share with your readers about shopping for pets?