Expired coupons when grocery shopping work. That's not all I use in the way of coupons but my organizational habits aren't the best. Rarely do checkers pay attention, they just scan the barcode and I smugly grin knowing that I saved 35 cents.

It's nice to know that grocery stores don't look at expired coupons. Good advice marbles.

I know that the restaurants I have worked for will take any coupon expired or good, as well as expired gift certificates.

I too, know that smug grin of saving money at big businesses expense. I am a big fan of using expired pizza coupons. They don't even ask for the coupon most of the time.

On a grocery trip last weekend, my friend stopped me from buying vanilla extract at Sam's Club.

She said she makes her own vanilla extract, and she claims to save money (I haven't done the math yet).

All it takes is vanilla bean, vodka or brandy, and time for them to soak to "extract" the flavor.

I'll have to price the cost of beans and alcohol to see if it's an actual savings.

Save some change at Caribou Coffee - if you're a regular.

Step 1: register your Caribou Coffee card on the Web.

Step 2: pay for coffee with your card during visits through May 6th (qualifying purchases must be $1.35 or more and be two hours apart)

Step 3: visit 10 times, and you'll be reimbursed $4. 

For more information on caffeine promos, visit www.cariboucoffee.com/promo/cariboucard10free2.asp

ok, the previous comment was a bit harsh but really? We are all guilty of over-spending and we could all find a way to save $5.00. Dine-out less often, keep your spending "local" and next time you are thirsty or hungary reach for free water first.
If you do have to eat out take 1/2 of your meal when it comes and box it up for another meal. Portions are way too big for anyone.
I learned from growing up in a small midwestern town to "keep it local". Mom said in order for a town to survive you have to give a little bit o' business to everyone. Plus with the price of gas it's not worth driving the extra miles to save a buck.
Water first because I think we miss-read our bodies signals and eat when we may just be dehydrated. Wait a few minutes and see how you feel. If you still want the "beverage of choice" full of calories, chemicals and fake sugars ok but have a smaller portion if IT. Your body will thank you and you will save money.

One way I save money and entertain myself is playing Frisbee golf. The discs cost about $10 each, you really only need two of them, and playing is free. It's a great way to get outside for some excercise and save money because the entertainment is free.

One thing I'be heard from a financial expert -- but never tried it myself -- is to take your coin change at the end of the day, put it in a jar, and consider that saved money. She said it adds up quicker than you can believe, and it's a good way to put money away.

Want to be a garage-sale master? Here's information on an upcoming class to learn from the best.

Sweet! (Pun intended).

I haven't been to this place - are their smoothies incredibly sweet, with fake-tasting "fruit flavors," or do they have real fruit?

Low on summer funds? Here are a couple of cheap date options:

A night at the races - Check the race calendar, then jaunt over to Canterbury Park in Shakopee on Thursdays for Buck Night live horse racing.

Admission $1; Hot dog $1; Pepsi $1; Nachos $1; an evening at the races with your honey - priceless, right?

They up the anti for beer - $2 Miller brews.

Visit www.canterburypark.com/Promotions.aspx?id=449 for more information.

On the big screen - The discount Mann Theater in Hopkins, 1118 Main St., sells tickets for $1.50 on Tuesday and $2.50 any other day of the week. The theater also boasts cheap prices on candy, pop, and popcorn.

Visit www.manntheatresmn.com/theater.php?ID=11 for show times.

 Does anyone else have some inexpensive date night ideas? Share 'em!

Here's a penny-pinching tip for you Taste of Minnesota goers to bring along to Harriet Island next year.

If you have extra food tickets on the night of the 4th, make one last swing past the food booths. Don't be that person who throws the left-over tickets away.

I had six tickets left last night. If you went ot the Taste this year, you know that barely gets you a water.

As I was on my walk out, I held my tickets in my hand as I approached the Dino's booth.

I told the lady at the booth, "I have six tickets left, that'll get me a sandwich right?"

Knowing full well that wouldn't cover the cost of lettuce at the Taste.

"Sure, take this home with you for lunch tomorrow," she said taking my six tickets and wrapping a gyro to go.

Score!!!

It appears that in the same manner that I had left-over tickets, they had left-over sandwiches.

I walked out with a half-priced gyro. And they didn't have to waste a perfectly good sandwich.  

The large farmers markets in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis, St. Paul) sometimes offer similar deals at the end of the market. That way they don't have to haul produce home (or keep fresh produce/cut flowers that will go bad).

Theater lovers can stock up on local tickets for a bargain-basement price. Uptowntix.com is offering six ticket vouchers for $99. The vouchers are good at a variety of area theaters, including Guthrie Theater, Jungle Theater, Theatre in the Round, Theatre de la Jeune Lune, Children's Theater Company and more.

I have another suggestion -- look through your goody bag that you get when you run in a local race. For my latest run, I got a $10 gift card to Buca's, a coupon for $1 off anything at Caribou, and a $5 coupon when you spend a certain amount at Whole Foods. I also got an assortment of coupons to local running stores.

As the after-Christmas sales begin, I look for cookie tins and plates on sale. Last year, I got all of my tins purchased in advance. Not only did it save me time at the stores this year, it also saved some cash. The holiday tins were marked down from $3-$4 each to 75-cents! If you have room to store decorations or holiday wares, now is the time to stock up.

Here's a "cool" freebie:

On Saturday, June 21, Caribou Coffee will give out free 12 oz. fruit & tea drinks from 3 to 4 p.m. to celebrate the first day of summer.

(FYI - It's not available for drive-thru customers, and no purchase is necessary.)

I saw this, but it's not really "penny pinching" in my opinion, because now people have even more reason to spend an additional $2 a day on coffee!