Reader V writes:

Help!! I printed some coupons last night. Some of them are missing the smaller scan code that begins with a 5. Are these good?

Dear V:

These coupons are valid! In fact, the old barcodes are being phased out!  For a long time, we saw the new Data Bar Code along with thestandard UPC codes. You can read up on the Data Bar Codes here.

Many stores have implemented the computer systems to handle the new barcodes.   Are there any stores that have not updated their computers to accept coupons with Data Bars only.

It looks like you might be able to get your old Facebook Settings back! It seems as though its really simple to get FTM posts to appear in your feed again. I know I don’t want Facebook deciding what posts I see!

:: Just head over to Facebook and sign up.

:: Click on News Feed
:: Go to the middle of your feed and look for Sort: Recent Stories or Highlighted Stories First

:: Click on Recent Stories First.

You should see the most recent posts now – and be able to keep up with the hot holiday deals!

Thanks, Amanda for the heads up!

Hey everyone!  I am hoping you will take a few minutes out of your busy day to read this post. I appreciate it!

So tis’ the season. Tis’ the season for everything wonderful – family, fresh baked goods, beautiful decorations, presents,  eating fabulous food til our pants physically hurt (wait, maybe that is just me?).

While it is a wonderful season, it is also the season of overspending, overbuying and debt.  Over the next 6-8 weeks you will see many deals for the holidays on FTM. These deals are different than the freebies and grocery deals you normally see. I struggle with this, because my mission is to bring you good deals so you spend less money.

However, the reality is, most of us are going to buying this holiday season — and buying alot.  So, for the next two months, I will be posting deals on toys, electronics and more. I don’t want these postings to lead to overspending, overbuying or debt. My goal is to help you.

I wish I could say don’t jump on a deal when you see it.  It is just the opposite, if you see a deal that is on your list – you must jump on it, because they don’t last long.

To help you thru the season, I hope you will find some of these tips useful:

1. Make a list of who you want to buy for.  You can print a template for the list here.

2. If you are buying high dollar items, research how much they cost and what a good deal is. Don’t take anyone elses word on it. Know the prices.

3. Keep close track of what you are spending, use a budget worksheet like the one here.

4. Don’t keep buying for people who you have already purchased for. If you mark them as done on your list on November 23, then they are done – don’t let deals sway you.

 So, what tips can you give us to help keep our holiday budgets in check?