If you’ve been reading this site for long, you’re probably aware of All You magazine. I recommend it under my list of coupon resources, since every issue is filled with coupons. Thanks to the recent Eversave deal, Jai and I both have a subscription to it now! So when All You contacted me and asked if I’d like to check out a copy of their first-ever special issue devoted to smart shopping, I was very interested to have a look. But here’s the best part: 10 lucky Super Coupon Girl readers will each win a copy of All You’s Smart Shopping special issue, so read on for your chance to win!
The All You Smart Shopping special issue is a standalone magazine, meant to serve as a consumer guide to saving money. This special edition features articles with tips for saving money on household items, from food to appliances. Unlike the monthly installments of All You magazine, this special edition does not come with tons of coupons – there are only 2 coupons in this issue, both for other magazines. There are also some online coupon codes listed, but that’s it; I just wanted to be clear on this, so that none of my readers buy this solely for coupons and then become disappointed! The goal of this edition is that purchasing it will save you money because of the information contained, rather than providing a lot of coupons. So how does it stack up?
I enjoyed flipping through this magazine – I always like reading articles on ways to save money. No matter how much frugal know-how you have, you can still pick up a trick or two by continuing to read and observe. Most of this magazine contains fairly standard advice, at least for someone like me, who has been living frugally in one way or another my whole life. Some of the articles didn’t strike me as being very cost-effective at all; for example, there’s a section titled “Head-to-Toe Fall Outfits for $200 or Less”. I’m the biggest fashionista I know, but I have never spent that much money on a single outfit in my life – I’m the kind of person who buys cocktail dresses for .50 cents!
Another article of note was “Are you paying too much for convenience?”. In this, they break down the prices of pre-packaged foods versus the time spent preparing your own to see which is really most cost effective. I really like the premise of breaking down the numbers like this; the trouble is that prices vary so much from region to region, and pairing coupons with a sale can dramatically change which method is cheapest. But it’s good food for thought, and I think this kind of comparison can inspire readers to do some number crunching on their own!
All in all, I think this magazine would be the most useful to the frugal novice. I did, however, pick up a few ideas: For example, they provided a useful suggestion for making your own moldable ice packs, and I learned that there is a product you can buy called an “Oil mister”, which enables you to fill it with standard vegetable oil to create your own PAM-style cooking spray. Who knew!
My favorite section by far was the recipes – this magazine includes a recipe for a simple Three-Bean Chili that I really want to try!
Want a sneak peek inside this special issue? One of the magazine’s articles, “Tips for Buying Appliances”, is available to read online – click here to check it out.
Giveaway Time!
TEN Super Coupon Girl readers will each win a copy of the All You Smart Shopping special issue, valued at $4.97! Here’s how to enter:
1. Leave a comment on this post and tell me: Have you ever bought an issue of All You magazine?
Want extra entries? Do any of the following, and leave a separate comment for each one:
2. Link to this post on your blog, then come back here and leave me the link!
3. Write about this on Twitter, then come back and leave me the link to your tweet! One Twitter entry per person. You can use the button at the bottom of this post to tweet with one click!
4. Post my button on your website – just copy and paste the following code, and let me know where you put it:
Rules, regulations, and other important stuff: Giveaway ends on October 4th at 11:59 PM, PST. Winner will be chosen the following day via Random.org. Giveaway is open to US residents. All You provided me with a complimentary issue for the purposes of this review.
Yes…I love All You! It has grrrreat coupons. I would love to have a subscription to it!
tweet
https://twitter.com/#!/flairshare/status/119937194482876416
yes I have a few times
Several times thanks
I’ve bought All You a few times.
Here’s my tweet – https://twitter.com/#!/shala_darkstone/status/120138615505432576
I haven’t ever bought an issue of All You, but I have visited their website. I need to get a subscription.
minkynopants at hotmail dot com
I have never bought an issue before but maybe I should!
I buy All You every month!
I have and I need to get subscribed.
Yes I have bought the All you magazine. I’m a subscriber now.
http://twitter.com/#!/mendyd/status/120364054345809920
I subscribe already!!! Would love extras..the coupons are awesome!
Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/3sonshavei/status/120517714803560449
Hi I have not bought an issue of “All You”…
thanks…
I definitely get All You magazine once in awhile…the coupons are worth the cost regardless!
I’ve only bought All You once. It would be great to win this.
hschonrock at yahoo dot com
http://twitter.com/#!/hslyons/status/120877435981008896
hschonrock at yahoo dot com
I subscribe to All You. Love it!
Yes, I have bought the magazine once and loved it! Thanks for the opportunity!
I subscribe to them.
I buy All You all the time. I love the recipes as they are always so easy and so affordable.
laura dot hopelessromantic dot emerson at gmail dot com
Yes, I have bought this magazine often.
I love all you mag.
I try to pick one up if I get to a walmart
pjames330 at aol dot com
I have no bought an issue of this magazine, but have been wanting to see one. I dont have a Walmart nearby.
Yes i have bought a couple issues. Great coupons and interesting articles!
I do buy it on occasion.
yes I have, I love their informative and unique articles, and great coupons!
http://twitter.com/#!/achrissmile/status/121063962082164736
love this mag!
Yes, I buy All You quite often! Love the magazine so much!!
I tweeted!
http://twitter.com/#!/_HeatherAnne_/status/121073380920266752
I have purchased All You magazine a few times over the past couple of years.
textbookmommy at gmail dot com
I don’t pick up magazines very often, but whenever I do, it’s usually All You. It’s just a cheery mag. 🙂
I subscribe to All You but my subscription just expired 🙁
tweeted- http://twitter.com/#!/amied027/status/121093499436277760
No, I have never bought it.
I tweeted yu at: http://twitter.com/#!/coreyTX/status/121098238584561664
I have never purchased a copy of All You magazine but my mom and sister talk about it all the time. I’d love the chance to find out what it is all about. Thanks for the giveaway.
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/hillfam2005/status/121170962250080257
Posted your button on my blog (left bottom sidebar): http://pocketfullofsprinkles.blogspot.com/
Yes I have purchased before
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/ChelleB36/status/121195545762086912
tbarrettno1 at gmail dot com
I have bought All You.
I subscribe to All You!
https://twitter.com/#!/jen_r_horn/status/121210028232425473
i LOVE ALLYOU! they have great coupons that dont expire fast! lol
hairbows.n.more at gmail dot com
I have bought All You before and I love it!
sexyhots29@yahoo.com
Yes, I bought one for the first time a month or 2 ago.
I have most definitely bought All You magazine before!! LOVE it!!! =)