Cyber Monday-*HOT* Real Simple only $5

Throughout the day as I find deals, I will post them here so check back often!

Today only at Amazon.com, you can get a year subscription to Real Simple Magazine for only $5. Wow! I love this magazine and this is such an awesome deal!

This is a savings of 90% off of the regular subscription and would make an absolutely awesome Christmas present to anyone. Amazon does this awesome thing of stating that they are "Eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping". Magazine subscriptions always ship free, and they help you qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping on the rest of your order!

Spinmaster Micro RC Amazon Deal

While supplies last at Amazon, you can get a Spinmaster Micro RC Terrain Titans Hot Shot for $17.99. But to sweeten the deal, this week Amazon is running a promotion to Buy One and Get One Free. Simply add two of the vehicles (there are several different colors to choose from) into your shopping cart and the discount will be given at checkout.

However, to sweeten the deal even further....these toys are eligible for free Super Saver Shipping! When you add the two toys to your cart, the total amount due, before discounts, is over the $25 minimum purchase so you do not have to pay shipping on these either!

You get two for $17.99 or $8.99 each!

Opinion Needed on two toys....

I am looking for toys to hold my son's interest and give him a way to use up some of his never ending energy. I have found these two toys and was just wondering if anyone has one and/or could share your opinion on them.
















This is the Hot Wheels Super Jump and it looks awesome. But is it durable? Can a four year old use it?

















And this is the Fisher Price Smart Fit. See? It plugs into the TV and the game is contained in the mat. It looks awesome but I just am not sure.

I would appreciate any opinion that can be shared! Thanks!

Kroger Deals starting 11/15

Here is a listing of the current deals that I found at my local (mid-atlantic) Kroger yesterday. These deals were found by actually walking the store, not from any other source. Coupon match-ups were obtained by using Coupon Mom. My Kroger doubles coupons up to and including 50 cents. Make sure to check your local Kroger's coupon policy.

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix $2.00
Coupon Avail:
40 cents/1 (10/25 SS & 11/15 GM) or here, here, or here
Final Price: $1.20

Betty Crocker Frosting 3/$5
Coupon Available:
50 cents/1 (10/25 SS & 11/15 GM) or here, here
Final Price: 67 cents each

Betty Crocker Cake Mix 10/$10

Coffee Mate Creamer 32 oz 2/$5
Coffee Mate Creamer 16 oz $2.35
Coupon Avail: 50 cents/1 (11/01 RP)
Final Price: $1.35 - $1.50

Dole canned Pineapple 10/$10
Coupon Available: $1/3 (11/08 SS)
Final Price: 66 cents wyb 3

Domino Sugar 2 lb bag $2.59
Coupon Available:
30 cents/1 (08/30 RP) and 50 cents/2 (11/15 RP)
Final Price: $1.40 to $1.50 wyb 2

Edwards Frozen Desserts $4.99
Coupon Available: $1/1 (11/15 SS)
Final Price: $3.99

Grands Frozen Biscuits 2/$5
Coupon Available: 75 cents/2 here
Final Price: $2.13 each wyb 2

Hellmann's Mayo $2.49
Coupon Avail: 60 cents/1 (11/15 RP)
Final Price: $1.89

Kraft Shredded Cheese $1.79

Lipton Tea Bags:
24 Family $2.35; 48 count $2.19; 100 count $3.39
Coupon Avail: 50 cents/1 (11/15 RP)
Final Price: $1.19 - $2.39

Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner $2.00
Coupon Avail: 50 cents/1 (11/08 SS)
Final Price: $1.00

Mrs. Smiths Frozen Pies $2.99
Coupon Available: $1/1 (11/15 SS)
Final Price: $1.99

Pam Non stick spray 2/$5
Coupon Available: 35 cents/1 (11/15 RP)
Final Price: $1.80

Sister Shubert Frozen Breads $2/5
Coupon Available: 50 cents/1 (11/15 SS)
Final Price: $1.50

Sun Crystals $3.39
Coupon Available: $2/1 (09/20 RP)
Final Price: $1.39

Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entrees $6.99
Coupon Available: $1.50/1 here
Final Price: $5.49

Ziploc Containers, various $2.50
Coupon Avail: $1.50/2
Final Price: $1.75 each wyb 2

---------------------------------------------------
Disney Sparkle Princess Barbie Doll $4.99 ($11.99 orig)

20 Free Downloads from iTunes

Go here to become a fan of iTunes on Facebook and get 20 free songs included in the Fall Sampler.

Super Duper Cheap Hasbro games at ToyRUs

Toys R Us and Hasbro Game Night have teamed up to bring an awesome deal for the holidays! Hasbro is offering a rebate of up to $69 on some of its most popular games when purchased at Toys R Us.

This week Toys R Us is offering a $10 gift card when you purchase $25 dollars in participating Hasbro games.

There are alot of scenarios to play with depending on what games you are interested in. Be sure to take a copy of the Hasbro rebate form with you when you go to ToyRUs-you have to buy the exact version of certain games in order to receive the rebate. Also, only one rebate per game/per household and only one rebate check per household. For complete details go here

Cheapest deal: Games will be 57 cents each

Buy 7 of each of the following Hasbro games priced at $3.99 each

• Candy Land
• Chutes & Ladders
• Memory
• Hi-Ho Cherry-O
• Ants in the Pants
• Don't Break the Ice
• Regular Cooties
• Don't Spill the Beans

Spend $27.93 and receive a $10 giftcard*
There is a $2 rebate available for each game listed above on the rebate form. Mail in rebate for a total of $14

Final price after gift card and rebate: $3.93 or 57 cents each! Even if you don't need all of these games for Christmas these would make great birthday presents for the upcoming year or to give to local toy drives!

*Gift Card valid beginning 6 hours after activation and expires 12/31/09

Thanks to Money Saving Madness for the great info!

Great Toy Deals at Amazon

As Christmas gets closer, deals will start popping up all over the place and there isn't a better place to start than at Amazon. The free shipping that is offered (on most items for purchases of $25 and higher) added to the gift cards that can be won through Swagbucks makes for pretty sweet deals. If you have not started using Swagbucks as a search engine or have thought that it is not worth your time, let me tell you it is! In the last two months, I have "won" enough Swagbucks from simply using the Swagbucks search engine (powered by google) to now have $20 in free gift cards to Amazon. But, there are so many prizes to win through Swagbucks that you really owe it to yourself to go and check it out! Try it, use it, be consistent, and you won't be disappointed!

Down off my soapbox...sorry.

Here are some current deals that I found at Amazon:









Giga Pets Explorer $8.99
(List Price $39.00 save 78%)










Hooked on Phonics Hip-O's Menu Match 79 cents
(List price $15.99 save 95%)










V Tech-Whiz Kid Learning System
Thomas & Friends $2.79
(List Price $19.99 save 86%)

















Mattel Disney Camp Rock DVD Game $1.95
(list price $20.99 save 91%)

Halo SleepSack $2.99 at Woot

Today only at Woot, you can score one of these Halo Sleepsacks for only $2.99 with $5 shipping. This would be a great baby shower gift!

Electronics Savings starting Saturday at Walmart!

Beginning at 8 a.m. Nov. 7, Walmart will have its first of many special electronics savings events, which includes a week of amazing prices on electronics items at stores through Nov. 13.* Items for this event include:

• $298 HP Notebook Computer – 3GB memory, 250 GB hard drive, Windows 7 Premium
• Sharp 1080p HDTVs – 42” for $498, 46” for $698 (120 Hz), 52” for $898 (120 Hz)***
• Panasonic 46” 1080p plasma HDTV for $788***
• Xbox 360 Arcade Console $199 with $100 Walmart Gift Card (for use on future purchases; minimum store quantities are at least 10 per store)
• $148 Sony Blu-ray player (model #BDP-S360)
• $29 Magnavox Upconvert DVD player (model #DP170MGXF, 1080p)

To access the complete press release, go here or go here to get information directly off of Walmart's website.

The information listed above was obtained directly from the Walmart fact sheet.

Kroger 4 Day Sale beginning 11/04

Kroger is running a special 4 day baking sale starting today, 11/04. There are several good deals to stock up on....

Eggland Best 18 count Eggs B1G1 Free
Coupon Available: 35 cents/1 (9/13 SS & 11/01 SS)
*Kroger generally reduces each item by half and charges you for both items. If this is the case for the eggs, 2 coupons can legitimately be used for this purchase.
(no price is listed)

Karo Syrup $2.49
Coupon Avail: 40 cents/1
Final Price: $1.69 each

Fleischmanns Yeast strips 3 pk $1.50
Coupon Avail: 50 cents/1 pk
Final Price: 50 cents each

Mueller's Pasta $10/10
Coupon Avail: 55 cents/2
Final Price: 73 cents each wyb 2

These prices are only good until Saturday. My Kroger doubles coupons up to and including 50 cents. Be sure to check with your local Kroger to make sure this promotion is offered and for your local coupon policies.

A $20 Thanksgiving meal offered by Walmart

Starting today, November 4th, Walmart is offering the opportunity for everyone to enjoy a complete Thanksgiving meal for right at $20. This isn't a prepared meal that you get from the deli section either but all of the fixings that you pick out yourself and then take home and prepare. Or, if you have been blessed this Thanksgiving season, to pick up and present to another family in need so that they also can celebrate Thanksgiving.

Here is what is offered for $20

• One 12-pound Grade A turkey*
• Three 11 to 15.5-ounce cans Green Giant vegetables
• Two 14-ounce cans Ocean Spray cranberry sauce
• Three 6-ounce boxes of Stove Top stuffing
• One 5-pound bag of red potatoes
• One 12-count package of Sara Lee dinner rolls
• One 22-ounce pumpkin roll cake

*Turkeys are being offered at 40 cents/pound

This will surely bless alot of people and give them alot to be thankful for.

a huge thanks to It's Hip To Save! and to check out Walmart's press release, go here

6pm.com shoes-WOW!

I recently came across a website called 6pm.com that sells clothing and shoes at huge discounts. No, wait, you don't understand. I mean HUGE discounts. HUGE! Shipping is always only $6.95 and the deals are out of this world.

For example:

Today only, all men's Rockports are on sale for $19.95 (MSRP $50-$175)
Today only, all women's Rockports are on sale for $14.95

There is also a section called "Smokin Hot Deals" and I might just have to snag these for myself






Gabriella Rocha, $12.95 (MSRP $76.00)







Fitzwell, $9.95 (MSRP $53.00)

Great Magazine Deals at Amazon

Amazon currently has a promotion on magazines that make them at least 50% for a one year subscription

Get Real Simple for $23.68 for a year (a savings of 56%)
Get Good Housekeeping for $7.97 for a year (a savings of 73%)
Get Country Living for $10.00 for one year (a savings of 79%)
Get Women's Day for $9.99 for one year (a savings of 79%)
Get Family Circle for $14.97 for one year (a savings of 50%)

Plus many more priced at an awesome price

But wait! Through the end of November, you will receive an additional $5 off per magazine at checkout! That means that a year subscription will be available for some magazines for as little as $2.97. Also, magazines are always shipped for free!

What a great jump start for Christmas presents!

15% off Coupon to The Children's Place

The Children's Place is having an awesome sale right now, take an additional 50% off all ready reduced merchandise. As an added bonus, click here to get a coupon to use for an additional 15% off!

There are some items as low as $1.49 but hurry! Items are going fast!

Kroger Deals starting 10/25

This coming week at Kroger, there is another Mega 10 Event. During this event, purchase any 10 participating items and receive $5 off your total bill, or 50 per item. The sale add does not state how many times this promotion can be used per transaction, but typically it is three promotions.

The following items are listed as participating items for the Mega 10 event:

Aquafresh
Sale Price: $2.50
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Coupon Available: 50 cents/1 & $1/1 (09/20 RP0
Final Price: $1.00

Coke or Diet Coke 2L
Sale Price: $1.29
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: 79 cents each

Del Monte Canned Tomatoes/Mandarin Oranges
Sale Price: 99 cents
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Coupon Avail: $1/5 (09/20 RP)
Final Price: 29 cents each/wyb 5

Fritos
Sale Price: $1.95
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: $1.45

Gatorade 32 oz & Propel 24-24 oz
Sale Price: 99 cents
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: 49 cents each

Kellogg's Cereal, select varieties
Sale Price: $2.69
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: $2.19

Lays Potato Chips, select varieties
Sale Price: $2.28
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: $1.78

Lean Cuisine
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Coupon Available: $1/3
Final Price: $1.15 wyb 3

Quaker Instant Oatmeal, Select varieties
Sale Price: $2.69
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Coupon Available: $1.25/2 (08/30 RP)
Final Price: $1.57 wyb 2

Stouffers Frozen Entrees
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: $1.49

Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Mix
Sale Price: 99 cents
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: 49 cents

Sunny Delight
Sale Price: 99 cents
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: 49 cents

Tombstone Pizza
Sale Price: $2.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Final Price: $1.99

Tylenol 20-24 ct Select varieties
Sale Price: $3.00
Promo Discount: 50 cents item
Coupon Avail: $3/2 (09/13 RP), $1/1 (09/13 RP)
Final Price: $1 - $1.50

Fisher Price Trio deal at Target-correction

***The coupon is only good for a purchase of one item that is priced $10 or more. So sorry about that!

This week at Target, the Fisher Price TRIO blocks are on sale for $8 a box. You can go here and print off a $5/1 coupon to get this toy for $3! This will make an excellent Christmas gift or even better, a great give for Operation Christmas Child!

Coupon is here, limit two.

Awesome Nature Valley Granola Deal at Kroger!

This week at Kroger (mid-atlantic) Nature Valley Granola/Nut Clusters are on sale for 4/$10. However, there is a special promotion that if you purchase 4 boxes or bags (or any combination) $4 will be taken off of your total purchase.

This means that the bars then become $1.50 each. However, to sweeten the deal, there are coupons available for 40 cents/1 box of bars which will be doubled to 80 cents/1 box. These make the bars 70 cents a box! There are also $1/1 bag of nut clusters which will make the clusters 50 cents each!

If you don't have the paper coupons, there are also coupons available here and here, for the bars and here, here , & here for the clusters.

What a great time to stock up on these products!

Superman Cape - HOT Amazon Price

Today you can get this superman cape from Amazon for the superhero price of only $3.99 which usually sells for $17.99 (a savings of 78%). This would be perfect to add to a halloween costume. I would suggest that you read the reviews on this product before you purchase it. Although it has received 4 1/2 stars...it is still a great idea to check out what others have said first.

Go to Amazon and check it out!

Saving money on Leap Frog items

It is that time of year...the leaves are turning, it is chilly at night, Christmas displays are already up at my local Wallace World. Yep, time to start thinking about toys.

This year as a treat for our two older children, we have purchased them Leapsters. We found them on a super-duper clearance at Wallace world (particularly because Leapster 2 seems to be the rage) and we were even able to get one pink and one blue one!

If you have ever priced the games that go along with these great toys, you know that they run around $25 a game. Yeah. So here is my saving alot tip for today.

Ebay. Ebay. Ebay, ebay, ebay, ebay, ebay, ebay.

To date I have been able to get 3 games, all around $9 each. Plus, on one of them, I got free shipping! This is an awesome way to stock up on other toys too. Check for dolls, geo tracks, games, Legos, Thomas, all of the things that you might want are probably there.

As always, know what a good deal is. Make sure that you check the prices on what you are looking for in various locations-including Amazon first. But, if you find a good deal, snag it!
Check it out!

Butterfly Garden Habitat *HOT* price

Have you ever wondered how a butterfly comes out of the chrysalis? Well, here is your chance! Today at Woot.com they have the

Insect Lore Butterfly Garden Live Butterfly Habitat for $4.99 +$5 shipping

This would make a great deal for Christmas presents-especially since you can purchase three of them and still only pay $5 shipping! From what I understand, you purchase the netting home and then send a card (included) off in the spring to get the chrysalis'.

Kroger Deals starting 10/04

First off, is it not crazy to think that October is here? Wow! Ok, on with the deals

This week Kroger has a mega 10 event for frozen foods. Purchase any 10 participating items and receive $5 off your total purchase or 50 cents per item.

Green Giant Steamers
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon Avail: 40 cents/1 (10/4 GM)
Final Price: 69 cents each

Boca Patties (select varieties)
Sale price: $3.89
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $3.39

Aunt Jemima Breakfast meals
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.49 each

Frescheta Pizza (select varieties)
Sale Price: $4.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon Avail: $1/1 (03/13 SS)
Final Price: $3.49 each

Boston Market Meals
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.49

Healthy Choice Entrees (select varieties)
Sale Price: $2.27 - $1.96
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.46-$1.77

Mrs Smiths Pies (select varieties)
Sale Price: $3.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $2.99

Sara Lee Simple Sweets (select varieties)
Sara Lee Coffee Cake
Sara Lee Pies
Sale Price: $3.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $2.99

Edward Singles
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 5o cents
Final Price: $1.49

Yoplait Smoothies (in frozen section)
Sale Price: $3.29
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $2.79

Marie Calendar frozen entrees (select varieties)
Sale Price: $2.27
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.77

Pepperidge Farms Texas Toast (select varieties)
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon Avail: 40 cents/1 (10/04 RP)
Final Price: 69 cents

New York Toast
Sale price: $2.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon Avail: 40 cents/1 (10/04 RP)
Final Price: 1.19 cents each


----------------------------------------------------------------
Here are other deals to be found this week:

Green Giant boxed veggies
Sale Price: 4/$5
Coupon Available: 50 cents/2 here
Final price: 75 cents a box (wyb 2)

Pilsbury Toaster Strudels
Sale Price: $1.99
Coupon avail: 55 cents/2 here or here

Stouffer Entress (select varieties)
Sale Price: $1.99

Stouffers Lean Cuisine
Sale Price: $1.99
Coupon Avail: $1/3 (09/13 RP)
Final Price: $1.65 (wyb 3)

Bertolli Frozen Dinners
Sale Price: $5.99
Coupon Avail: $1/1 (10/04 RP)
Final Price: $4.99

Sun Crystals
Sale Price: $2.49
Coupon Avail: $2/1
Final price: 49 cents

Lea & Perrins Thick Worcestershire Sauce
Sale Price: $2.99
Coupon Available: $2/1 (09/27 RP)
Final Price: 99 cents

Keebler Right Bites
Sale Price: $1.99

Coupon Avail: $1/2 here
Final Price: $1.49 each (wyb 2)

Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent (33 Load)
Sale Price: $2.99


My Kroger doubles coupons up to and including 50 cents. Please make sure to check with your local Kroger for the coupon policy in place.

A good deed challenge

You know, I have alot of friends who are Moms. Ok, almost all of my friends are Moms. Maybe they are really experienced and all of their chickens have flown the coop. Maybe they are in the tweens and teens stage and can look at where I am with fondness (3 children, 7, 3, 1). Or maybe, they are right with me and we share the same concerns, heartaches, challenges and joys on a daily basis.

Regardless of where my friends are with their lives we all share one thing in common. A feeling of being overwhelmed. Now, don't get me wrong. I am not talking about feeling overwhelmed everyday. Also, the feeling of being overwhelmed might not even be about children. We all have matters that come roaring or creeping into our lives that leave us just trying to survive each day: a sick child, a sick parent, marital trouble, job problems, busyness, etc.

So here is my challenge-one that I am also going to do and will report back, when you talk to a friend who shares a feeling of being overwhelmed, do a good deed for them. Easy? Yes. Complicated? No.

1. Fix dinner and just take it to your friend. Don't ask if you can, they will most likely decline. Usually that kind of deed is saved for illnesses or new babies. But sometimes, if you plan your own meals and budget for one extra meal, you can really bless someone. Call the day you plan on taking it and just ask about their day. Maybe it isn't a good day or maybe they are going out of town. But, if it sounds like a good day just tell your friend that you are bringing dinner. Nothing complicated, just something to take one thing off of your friends list.

Or, if it is not possible to get to their house due to your own schedule, have a pizza delivered. Or chinese. Or what ever else will deliver for a good price.

2. Offer to babysit. Wow! This one would be huge to me. I homeschool and so my babies are always with me. Grocery shopping is so incredibly hard. But it is also defeating to me to have to pay a babysitter just so I can go and spend money to eat. Or, how hard is it to go to the doctor with three children in tow?

3. Chocolate and coffee. In the cooler fall weather, pick a day that is going to be cool and drop off a chocolate treat and if you add in a cup of joe (that she did not have to make) she will love you forever. For me, there is something calming about wrapping my hands around a paper cup full of coffee.

4. Send a card. It is so simple. But sometimes a card "just for fun" can turn a day around.

There are a thousand other ways that you can do something for your friends. Try it. It might just make your day!

Kroger Deals starting 09/13

I think that most people received the booklet in the mail with the handy list of all of the products that are involved in the Kraft/Nestle promotion.

For the next two weeks, when you purchase participating Kraft/Nestle products IN ANY COMBINATION OF 10, you will receive $5 off your total purchase which equals 50 cents/item. Here are the sale items from the Kroger flyer with coupon matches if applicable.

Beneful Dog Food
Sale Price: $1.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: 99 cents

Capri Sun
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.49

Coffee Mate Creamer
Sale Price: $2.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: 50 cents/1 (06/28 RP)
Final Price: $1.99

DiGiorno Pizza
Sale Price: $4.47
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $1/1 (several)
Final Price: $3.47

Edy's or Dreyers Ice Cream
Sale Price: $2.99
Promo discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $2.49

Jello Instant Pudding or Gelatin
Sale Price: $1.27
Promo discount: 50 cents
Coupon: 50 cents/2 (07/26 SS)
Final Price: 54 cents for two

Juicy Juice 8pk or 64 oz
Sale Price: $2.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: 50 cents/2
Final Price: $1.49 with coupon

Kool-Aid Jammers
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.49

Kraft Cheese Singles
Sale Price: $1.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $1/2 (08/09 RP)
Final Price: 49 cents with coupon

Kraft Shredded or Bar Cheese
Sale Price: $1.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: 99 cents

Kraft Easy Mac Cups
Sale Price: $1 each
Promo discount: 50 cents
Final Price: 50 cents

Kraft Salad Dressings
Sale Price: $1.69
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $1/1 (Promotion Flyer)
Final Price: 19 cents

Lean Cuisine Entrees
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon $1/3 (09/13 RP)
Final Price: $1.15 each with coupon

Lean/Hot/Croissant Pockets
Sale Price: $1.99 each
Promo discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $1/3 (09/13 RP)
Final Price: $1.15 each with coupon

Oreo Cookies
Sale Price: $2.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.99

Oscar Mayer Deli Fresh Lunchmeat
Sale Price: $2.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $2.49

Oscar Mayer Fully Cooked Bacon
Sale Price: $2.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $1.50/2 (08/30 S)
Final Price: $1.74 each with coupon

Oscar Mayer Fun Pack Lunchables
Sale Price: $2.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.99

Oscar Mayer Meat Bologna or Cotta Salami
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.49

Oscar Mayer Meat Wieners
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $1/2 (08/23 SS)
Final Price: 99 cents with coupon

Planters Peanuts
Sale Price: $2.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $1/2 (06/28 SS)
Final Price: $1.49 with coupon

Purina One Cat food
Sale Price: $4.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $3/1 (09/13 RP)
Final Price: $1.99

Ritz Crackers
Sale Price: $2.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.99

Stouffers Entrees
Sale Price: $1.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.49

Triscuit
Sale Price: $2.20
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.70

Skinny Cow Frozen Treats
Sale Price: $2.99
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $2.49

Velveeta 2lb pkg
Sale Price: $4.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Coupon: $1/1 (08/09 RP)
Final Price: $2.99

Velveeta Shells & Cheese/Deluxe
Sale Price: $1.49
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: 99 cents

Wheat Thins
Sale Price: $2.20
Promo Discount: 50 cents
Final Price: $1.70

American Girl DVD deal

Hurry! At the American Girl Shop, you can currently get the following four DVD's for $5 each:

• Kit Kittredge: An American Girl DVD
  
• Molly: An American Girl on the Homefront DVD
  
• Felicity: An American Girl Adventure DVD
  
• Samantha: An American Girl Holiday DVD

These DVD's are normally priced at $19.95. I just ordered all four as a Christmas present for Little Cheese (never too early to start and it will be here sooner than we think!) I was able to get all four for $24.95, including shipping! This is like buying one at regular price and getting three for free!

(thanks to Keeping the Kingdom First for the deal info)

Free MP3 Downlaod from Amazon

Today Amazon is celebrating the milestone of surpassing over a million followers on the Amazon MP3 Twitter feed by giving away a free download. Go here for full details. This is a great way to add to your music library-for FREE!

Free American Baby Subscription

If you are expecting you can go here to get a free subscription to American Baby.

Ohhhhklahoma! ( I think...)

Ok, have you heard about the Pioneer Woman? I love, LOVE, did I mention LOVE the Pioneer woman...aka Ree or PDub?

Her website is a daily adventure into her life on the frontier with her cattle ranching husband (fondly know as the Marlboro man) and her children. She has several aspects to her blog including cooking (butter...you had better love butter), homeschooling, home and garden,and photography. I check it a thousand times a day.

She also hosts fabulous giveaways on her blog- Kitchen Aid mixers, Zunes, Nikon Cameras, china, the goodies are mind boggling!

Well, Just thought I would share one of my favorite blogs...go check it out!

Free Chick-fil-a Sandwich!

If you love Chick-fil-a, go here to register. If you are one of the first 250,000 to do so, you will get a coupon for a free chick-fil-a sandwich (via USPS). Also, on Labor Day wear your favorite team's logo and get another free sandwich, 10:30 a.m. to close.

It's beginning to get alot closer to Christmas!

My mind has shifted to Christmas mode, has yours? I have switched to Christmas mode-start buying toys/clothes/other items as they come up for clearance. If I purchase a couple things a month by Christmas I will have a nice stash of things for the kiddos!

One way to catch a good deal on items is to check the clearances available on Amazon on a daily basis. Prices change daily so it is important to check, check, and recheck. Today, my awesome deal was on the Wild Planet Hyper Jump,



This toy will be excellent for my son and daughter both to play and I saved over 73% off! It retails for $34.99 and I snagged it for $5.95! To sweeten the deal, I was able to use a $5 gift card that I won using Swagbucks, so I paid $6.44 including shipping. If you have never heard about Swagbucks, go here.

I will be sure to share any sweet deals that I find!

Walgreen's 25 prints for 25 cents!

Today only you can get 25 digital prints from Walgreen's for 25 cents, even existing customers. Upload your photos to Walgreen's photo center and then when you are ready to check out, enter the coupon code PENNY.

If you choose to pick up your pictures instead of having them mailed, you will save even more! I ordered mine and with tax only paid 27 cents for 25 pictures!

Thanks so much to one of my favorite blogs, Money Saving Madness for this deal!

Are You Coupon Savvy? Share it!

Are you coupon savvy?
Are you completely organized and ready to handle any "sale" emergency?
Are you just starting out and wondering how to maintain your stash of coupons?
Are you coupon frenzied?

Today, while at the grocery store quick trip (desperate for a Dr. Pepper and some type of other sugar) I ran in without any coupons. I only had a moment and only had $11 cash in hand so I knew I wouldn't be trying to catch a deal.

As I was walking back to the cash register, I saw her. My heart started racing and I knew that I had to speak to her. Only I am not a good one to approach someone I don't know. But there she was, holding coupons like she was playing a really hard card game. She had a manila folder that contained all of her coupons and I knew, just knew, that I needed to share my unsolicited advice.
(I hope that if "she" is reading this, that she snagged an awesome deal! She was a sweetie!)

Anyway. I followed her for a few minutes, trying to work up the courage to say something. I chickened out. Then, I got in the checkout aisle next to her. It took several tries but I finally managed to stumble over my words as they came out of my mouth...

"...have you ever tried a binder to help with your coupons?" Tentative smile from her, she was busy trying to make sure she had all those coupons right, but I continued. "I bought a three ringed notebook binder and some baseball card holder sheets." She is really paying attention now and I felt better about speaking to her, "the coupons fit neatly." We spoke for a few more minutes, sharing tips and ideas. It was lovely.

We all have tips, tricks, advice and thoughts on how we coupon. If you are a binder queen or folder queen, I am sure that you have secretly shared that nod or smile of "I know what you are doing" with another couponer who shares your same organizational style.

Let me put a challenge out there: if you see someone floundering at the store, rifling through numerous coupons while trying to shop...offer them advice on how you do it.

Another great one: If you see someone purchasing something that is on a superduper sale and you happen to have an extra coupon, share it. It can really make someone's day.

Kroger deals starting 08/16

Ok, here is the scoop. Just to remind you, I get my flyer on Fridays as part of a special program through my local paper. I have not scooped this information off the internet or any other site.

The Mega Ten event: Save $5 (or 50 cents per item) off your transaction when you purchase any combination of the participating items in increments of 10, no limit listed per transaction.

The FINAL PRICE listed is the sale price, minus the Mega promotion (MP), minus any available coupons.

Mega 10 event participating items:

SOBE Juice: 99 cents
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: 49 Cents

Life Water: 99 cents
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: 49 cents

Pepsi 2 liter product (select varieties) 99 cents
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: 49 cents

Green Giant canned veggies (select varieties) $1.25
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: 75 cents

Hamburger Helper: $1.39
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon: 75 cents/3 (08/09 GM)
FINAL PRICE: 64 cents each (buy three to use coupon)

Pillsbury Grands $1.49
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon Avail: 35 cents/1 (07/12 SS)
FINAL PRICE: 29 cents each

Pillsbury Cresent $1.49
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon Avail: 50 cents/2 here
FINAL PRICE: 40 cents each (buy 2 to use coupon)

Pillsbury Cinnamon Rolls $1.49
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: 99 cents

Green Giant Steamers $1.69
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: $1.19

Progresso Soup: $1.69
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: $1.19

Gatorade Singles: $1.75
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: $1.25 each

General Mills Cereals $1.99
(Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Cheerios, Capt'n Crunch listed)
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon Available: $1/2 (Cinn Toast Crunch and Cocoa Puffs only)
FINAL PRICE: $1.49 w/o coupon, 99 cents each if coupon used (buy 2)

Quaker Life Cereal: $1.99
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: $1.49

Betty Crocker Pouch Cookies: $1.99
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon Avail: 40 cents/1 here
FINAL PRICE: 69 cents

Betty Crocker Brownies: $1.99
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: $1.49

Pillsbury Toaster Strudel: $1.99
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon Avail: 55 cents/2
FINAL PRICE: $1.22 each (buy 2 to use coupon)

Tostitos Chips/Salsa: $2.38
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: $$1.88 each

Quacker Instant Oatmeal: $2.49
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: $1.99

Nature Valley Granola Bars: $2.49
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon Available: 70 cents/2
FINAL PRICE: $1.64 each (buy 2 to use coupon)
****There is also a catalina deal avail for these granola bars:
Buy (3) get $1.50 off next shopping trip
(4) get $2.50 Off next shopping trip
(5) get $3.50 Off next shopping trip

Fiber One bars: $2.49
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon Available: 40 cents/1
FINAL PRICE: $1.19 each

Dole 100% juice: $2.49
(MP) 50 cents
FINAL PRICE: $1.99

Yoplait Kids Yogurt: $2.49
(MP) 50 cents
Coupon Avail: 35 cents/1 or 75 cents/2
FINAL PRICE: $1.29 - $1.61 each

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Real Fans Get Real Savings Promotion: Save $5 instantly off transaction when you purchase $15 of the participating Unilever products listed below. This means 30 cents will be taken off each item. The Final Price is the price with any available coupons, and Real Savings (RS) of 30 cents.

Hellmann's Mayo $2.49
(RS) 30 cents
Coupon Available: 60 cents/1
FINAL PRICE: $1.59

Breyers Ice Cream: $2.27
(RS) 30 cents
FINAL PRICE: $1.97

Ragu Pasta Sauce: $1.49
(RS) 30 cents
Coupon Avail: $1.25/3
FINAL PRICE: 77 cents each (buy 3 to use coupon)

Lipton Tea (100) count: 2/$6
(RS) 30 cents
Coupon Available: 50 cents/1
FINAL PRICE: $1.70 each

Lipton Tea Family (24 bags) 2/$4
(RS) 30 cents
Coupon Available: 50 cents/1
FINAL PRICE: 70 cents each

Shedd's Spread Country $2.34
(RS) 30 cents
FINAL PRICE: $2.04

Free Kellogg's/Keebler Products with Rebate! Hooray!

In last Sunday's paper there was a special insert called "Fuel for School" and was absolutely loaded ( I mean whoo-hoo! loaded) with great coupons for Keebler and Kelloggs products. There was also a rebate form to receive a $10 rebate when you purchase participating items all in the same transaction.

This week at Kroger, there is a Kellogg's & Keebler Promotion:

Purchase any four participating items and save $4 off your total bill instantly at check out, no limit listed. The following items INCLUDE the savings:

Kellogg's Cereals Promotion Price: $1.50
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2/2
(Mini-Wheats, Crispix, Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran, Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks are listed, possibly more are included)

Eggos Promotion Price: $1.50 Each
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2/2

Kelloggs Fruit Snacks Promo Price: $1.50
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2/2

Rice Krispie Treats Promo Price $1.50
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2/2

Nutri-grain Bars, Special K Bars Promo Price: $1.99
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2.98/2

-----------------------------------------------------------
So, you can purchase 10 of the items listed above, using the coupons that were in the special Keebler/Kellogg's insert and spend $10 plus tax*
Purchase them all on the same receipt and send in your receipt with the rebate to get all of the items for free!

*(with the exception of the Nutri-grain bars/Special K bars that are slightly more expensive).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Maybe I need to clarify what I wrote, it might be a little confusing:

Actually, you will need to purchase 12 items (the Keebler/Kellogg special promotion is only available when you purchase these brands in sets of four). Also, watch your stores sale tags. Not all Kellogg cereals/Keebler cookies are part of the special promotion. Only purchase ones that are marked 4/$10.

With the special promotion, the 12 items will still ring up $2.50 a box ($30) but $12 (three promotions of $4 each) will be taken off your total at the bottom of the receipt. Using 6 coupons will take your total to $12.

The rebate is for $10 off 10 participating products, all purchased on the same receipt (they all happen to be items that the coupons are for in the flyer). So, you are essentially getting 10 items for free or to look at it another way, 12 items for 17 cents a piece.

Watch your receipt for the promotional discount. I was only given two $4 discounts instead of four. Customer service was more than happy to help.

Kroger Deals starting 08/09

First I have to say Happy Birthday to my Little Cheese, who turns 7 on August 9th!

Kellogg's & Keebler Promotion: Purchase any four participating items and save $4 off your total bill instantly at check out, no limit listed. The following items INCLUDE the savings:

Kellogg's Cereals Promotion Price: $1.50
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2/2
(Mini-Wheats, Crispix, Fruit Loops, Raisin Bran, Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks are listed, possibly more are included)

Eggos Promotion Price: $1.50 Each
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2/2

Kelloggs Fruit Snacks Promo Price: $1.50
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2/2

Rice Krispie Treats Promo Price $1.50
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2/2

Nutri-grain, Special K Promo Price: $1.99
Coupon Available: $1/2 (08/02)
Final Price: $2.98/2

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Free Hellmann's 22 oz EZ Mayo when you purchase (1) 2-liter of any Coca-cola company product and 1 pound Private Selection Ham or Turkey

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Pillsbury Promotion: Purchase any 4 packs and receive $4 off your purchase instantly.
Biscuits/Rolls/Crusts 4/$5
Coupons Available: Too Many to List!

$10 in free food from Schwan's (FREE!)

Who can resist the word "Free"? It was enough for me to go and try the promotion currently offered by Schwan's Food. They are giving away $10 in free food to the first 500,000 customers. To qualify, all you have to do is live within a delivery area and have not made a purchase within the last 14 weeks.

I ordered a bag of chicken nuggets (this one was popular and has since sold out) and paid nothing for it. Nothing to have it delivered, nothing, nada, zip, zilch, not a thing!

Now, if you have not taken part of this deal, go here to Schwan's Free Food to place your order. The only thing that I did notice, is that the deal is for one item only. I could not combine two lower priced items that would have equaled $10 or slightly over-the discount was given to only one item.

In addition to getting the great deal on free food, when mine was delivered, I was offered another incredible deal just for trying the free food, which I quickly snagged.

Now, just in case you are not aware and are a little more than skeptical on ordering from Schwan's because "how good could their food be...I'll stick to my grocery store brands...", Schwans is the maker of the following brands: Red Baron®, Tony’s®, Freschetta®, Asian Sensations®, Edwards®, Mrs. Smith’s® and its own signature brand -- Schwan’s®.

A great steak deal

We all have something that we splurge on foodwise. Mine? Soft drinks in the check-out lanes. They call my name really and after spending two hours trying to get the best deals on a month of groceries, I give in way to easily.

This week at Kroger, bone-in strip steaks are on sale for $5.99 a pound. Steak is my husband's splurge. He loves (LOVES) a good steak on the grill and strip steaks just happen to be his all time favorite. As I was looking at the steaks, I found some that were individually packaged that usually cost $10-11 each on sale for $5-6 each. These suckers were huge! I am talking literally huge steaks and on top of that, they were at least an inch thick! Oh my!

So, in all my thriftiness, I had the butcher slice those individual babies in half for me. I picked up four packs, one for each week of the month, and ended up spending $5-6 for two steaks after they were cut in half.

Last night after we got the kiddos in bed, the grill was fired up and we enjoyed our cheap steaks. We paired them with this incredible recipe for potatoes bundles from the Pioneer Woman. We were ridiculously stuffed!

(for my friends who live near me that might want to snag this deal, the individual steaks were located in the single meat cooler that is back by the bacon and lunch meat in the Main Street store)

$25 in FREE groceries from Kraft!

Kraft is having a special promotion valid only at the following stores from 08/07 - 08/23/09:

Acme
Albertsons
Biggs
Cub
Farm Fresh
Hornbachers
Jewel-Osco
Shaws
Save-a-lot
Shop'n Save
Shoppers

For complete details, go here, but here is how it works:

Purchase $25 in participating items in one transaction and receive a catalina for $5 off your next purchase (only valid for two weeks after date of transaction) and a $20 rebate form will also print at the register.

Thanks to My Penny Pile for the info!

Smile.

Such a simple thing, a smile. One of the easiest things to do really. We smile at random strangers that we pass. We smile as we sit and have a memory replay in our thoughts. We smile when we read something silly or hear something funny.

But how often in our days to we withhold a smile from our child. Oh man, I have been really convicted of this as of late. Not to say that I have been grumpy, unhappy, or even cold toward my children, just haven't been smiling at every opportunity.

How do I know? I caught myself in the bathroom mirror as I was helping my children brush their teeth. There I was, grim faced. Why? No reason. But what does this project to my child? No joy in the simple, everyday, one on one, common interactions that I have with them.

Then the thought ran through my head of how my children will remember me. Grim faced or smiling? I desperately want it to be smiling. Now, don't get me wrong, there are times to be serious or even grim faced with my children like when disobedience is involved or when a serious issue has come up. But for the everyday "Mommy can I..." moments, I am going to try to remember to not only make eye contact but also smile with the answer.

We have only moments with our children, really, and those moments need to be made important. Smile!

Kraft Minor League Baseball Promotion

Kraft has a wonderful promotion called the "Kraft Singles Tuesday Night Tickets" Promotion. On Tuesday nights take a Kraft Singles Wrapper (only wrapper, cheese not required) to most minor league baseball parks to receive a free ticket when you purchase one! This deal is valid through September 1st. For more details and to locate a local Minor League team, go here

Kraft/Nabisco savings booklet plus $20 rebate!

At my local Kroger store, in the back next to the yogurt is a Kraft display that has been there all summer. This has been a location of several peelie/pads of coupons. Today I snagged an awesome one. It is a booklet to save up to $55 off Nabisco and Planter products throughout the upcoming school year. Plus, as an added bonus, there is a $20 rebate offered!

If your local store does not have them, don't worry, you can get one online here.
Here's the deal...inside the booklet there are coupons for:

(10) $1/2 boxes of Nabisco Cookies or Crackers
(2)$1/1 Nabisco Multi-pack, any
$1/2 Planters Trail Mix Products
$1/1 Planters NUT-rition product
$1/2 Planters Peanut products, any

But here is the real kicker!

There is a rebate form inside to receive $20 back! The requirements:
Purchase any 10 participating Nabisco Cookies and crackers
AND
Any 5 Kraft beverage products (capri-sun and Kool-Aid Jammers)
AND
5 Easy Mac Single Cups

The receipts (yes, you can have multiple receipts) must be dated 07/01/09 through 06/30/10 and must be postmarked by 07/15/10. So you have an entire year to snag this awesome deal!

So, to get this great rebate, all you have to do is wait for the the items to come on sale, purchase them, put the receipts in an envelope and then once you have purchased enough, send off for your $20!

Bribing A Snaggle-tooth

My daughter, Little Cheese, has a loose tooth. I hate loose teeth. It is one of the only "Mommy" things that I wish I didn't have to endure and, whoo-hoo!, I have two more little ones coming after her to enjoy even more!

So, I have been bribing her to pull the tooth as quickly as possible. As the tooth becomes obviously "pullable", I offer her the most money (just over a dollar). With each passing day that she chooses not to yank that snaggle-tooth out, the amount lowers.

Last time she pulled it the night I offered the first amount.

Thrift Stores-What do you think?

I recently had the opportunity to spend a couple wonderful days with my friend and her family who live almost 6 hours from me.
First...let me tell you about this wonderful friendship. We met when our oldest children were 4 months and 8 months old. We became instant buds/comrades/soul mate friends. While we lived in the same town, we spent almost every available moment together. We talked on the phone for two hours in the morning while our babies napped. Then we met and spent the rest of the morning together. Then, when our babies were two years old, she had to move away for her husband's job.
Sadly, she has lived far, far, far away from me for almost 5 years. However, we still talk almost everyday and when we do see each other once a year or so, it is as if we have always been together. Soul mate friends. Do you have one? It is a real treasure indeed.

Anyway....to thrift or not to thrift. My friend has a thrift store in her area, individually owned and operated for profit (not Goodwill or the Salvation Army). It is an awesome place and we were there for two hours. I got two pair of brand new Gap pants for a total of $5. A Ralph Lauren bag for $2.98. We are talking awesome!

But here is my question. (Finally I know...) I have always felt like going to Goodwill or the Salvation Army thrift stores in my area is the wrong thing to do. I feel like the things donated should be available to those who need help. What do you think? Am I wrong? Should I go to these stores to find great bargains and steals?

To qualify this post-I need help with alot of things. Money is stretched tight on a teachers salary. But God is gracious and we still have way to many luxuries. And, I am not saying in any way that I am opposed to shopping in thrift stores, I just am not sure if I should go or not since there are those who need help more than my family.

I would love to hear your thoughts!

2nd edition 7th grade BJU curriculum

A friend of mine has a 7th Grade complete curriculum from Bob Jones University that is brand new that she is interested in selling. Email me if you are interested in this set and I will give you her contact information!

Huge Savings at Ukrops...

Our local Ukrops (in VA) is currently tripling coupons up to and including $1 on Saturdays. There are restrictions, you can read about them here.

I went today ready to search out bargains and with a goal of only spending $10.
Here is the rundown and the coupons used:

Chinet Comfort Cup $2.99 x 4 = $11.96
Coupon Used: (4) $1 off any Chinet product (05/03 SS)
Each Coupon Tripled to $3
Final Price: Free

French's French Fried Onions $2.49
Coupon Used: 75 cents/1 (05/10 SS)
Coupon Tripled to $2.25
Final Price: 24 cents

Kelloggs Raisin Bran $3.19 x 5 = $15.95
Coupon Used: $1/1 Raisin Bran (06/07 Red Plum)
Each Coupon Tripled to $3
Final Price: 95 cents for 5 boxes

Kelloggs Fruit Loops $3.39 x 3 = $10.17
Coupon Used: $1/1 Fruit Loops (06/07 Red Plum)
Each Coupon Tripled to $3
Final Price: $1.17 for 3 boxes

Kelloggs Corn Pops $3.19
Coupon Used: $1/1 Corn Pops (06/07 Red Plum)
Coupon Tripled to $3
Final Price: 19 cents

Kelloggs Apple Jacks $3.29
Coupon Used: $1/1 Apple Jacks (06/07 Red Plum)
Coupon Tripled to $3
Final Price: 29 cents

Pert Plus $2.29 x 5 = $11.45
Coupon Used: $1/1 (05/03 SS)
Each Coupon Tripled to $3
Final Price: Free

Orbit Gum $1.29

My total should have been $4.13 but I paid $8.64. I didn't realize until I got home that I was not given credit for one coupon. But...can't complain! My total before coupons & tax was $59.79 so I saved $51.15.

$2 printable Huggies Coupon

Huggies is changing the name of their diapers from Gentle Care and Natural Fit to Little Snugglers and Little Movers. At my local Kroger store, there was a boxed clipped onto the shelf next to the diapers holding little flyers to take.

On the back of the flyer, it says "Click in for BIG SAVINGS" and sure enough, if you go to www.huggiesenjoytheriderewards.com and register, you will be given a $2 off your next purchase of the newly named diapers. You must enter the following code to access the coupon once you have registered:

TKHNF-RLPLS-TRPGB

I picked up another flyer today to make sure that the code was the same on all of them. Also, my Kroger already has the newly named diapers on the shelf so I was able to get a pack for a great deal!

Who knew I would have a shoe fetish?

Well, only sorta. I love to dream about them for my little one. I don't ever actually go through with buying them though. But I sure do love the chance to win a pair! The picture to the left is just a sample of what is sold and the winner actually gets to choose which pair to win!

Frugal Mommy of 2 girls is giving away a pair of the cutest shoes I have ever seen! For a chance to win a pair of "Wee Squeak Shoes" go here!

Free Country Music!

I am one of those people who like all types of music. You know, one of those people when asked to make a decision on what to listen too, I will say that annoying answer "Oh, I like anything!". It is annoying because it adds no help to the person who is asking. Oh, I digress...

People Magazine is giving away 11 free country music songs from up and coming artists such as... Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Gloriana, Caitlin and Will, and more. Click here to access People Magazine's site and the free MP3's. Follow the directions listed under each artist to download the free music and then enjoy!

Thanks to Frugal in Virginia for posting this information!

Shopping Cart Mishap

I have three children and I am usually toting all three of them to the grocery store with me. It became a challenge when my baby was born because my son, who became the middle child, was still too young to walk. Well, let me rephrase that. He could walk alright. He could walk and touch and grab everything that he saw.

I was so thankful when my local Kroger got the new double-wide buggies. Do you have these? They have two places in the front of the buggy for two (2) children to sit! Whoo-hoo! My son can safely sit upfront and the carrier can also be upfront.

Well, a couple weeks ago I had my two that needed to ride in the front of one of these buggies and my oldest walking beside me to the car, cart was not full, just several bags. It is my practice to push my cart up against my car to prevent it from rolling as I put my children safely in the car.
Can you guess where this is going?

I put all three children in, went to the back of my car to load my groceries and my cart was gone. For some reason when the parking lot was put in for this Kroger, there is a very visible slope to it. My buggy had gotten tired of waiting for me, caught one of the gusts of wind that day, and ran away. Across the driving lane, down six or seven parking spaces and into the side of an older vehicle.

The owner of said vehicle was standing beside his truck looking at the buggy that had plowed into it, leaving a very impressive dent. Did he watch it hit his truck? Did he park and as he was getting out hear the "thud" and then get out? Did he dash to get it as he returned to his vehicle from being inside the store? I will never know.

I do know that I am blessed that my car insurance covered the cost of the dent to be pulled out and the rental car while it was being fixed. I don't think that I would have or could have done anything differently than I did. I shudder to think of a different scenario: that buggy up against his car with one or two of my children in it.

How do you handle three small children and a shopping cart?

photo by vegas graphics

How safe is safe?

Everyday I sit down at this computer and try to post something about our everyday life. I upkeep several different blogs...for several different reasons.
1. This blog, which I love to share deals, ideas, randomly passing thoughts, etc.
2. I have a family blog that is only for my relatives that live away from us. It is so wonderful that they can look at pictures of our children and giggle with us in the everyday ins and outs of our lives. This one is private to try to protect my family.
3. I have a homeschool blog that I share tips and ideas about homeschooling.

But how safe is safe? How safe is the data that I sit here and type in and the pictures that I post? I have this sense of "ok" simply because I never have any problems. But, my friend, Danielle, at Extraordinary Mommy through strange randomness, had a picture stolen that is now being used in an add in the Chech Republic...to read more about the article Danielle posted, go here. And please, whatever you do, think about what you post and how before you do. You never know where it might show up!

What do you do Wednesday- How do I stop a 5:45 alarm?

Peaceful quiet runs my house at 5:40 a.m. Where I live the sun has not broken the horizon but the evidence of day has begun-birds chirping happily outside our windows, the sky has lightened to the point where the crisp brightness comes through the blinds and curtains. The preset alarms on our cell phones have not begun buzzing yet....

5:45 a.m. all silence is broken....

"Mama! Can I get up now?!" Resonates through out our house. My three year old's internal alarm has gone off.

We have tried everything we can to get his alarm to change times. Staying up later does nothing but cause us to have one very grumpy toddler on our hands. Going to bed earlier isn't really an option as he is already asleep by 7:15 p.m. And he doesn't take a nap most days.

This alarm clock is killing us. Our house is situated such that all three bedrooms are clumped together. My son and oldest daughter happily share a room so when he yells to get up, of course she is now grumpily awake too. Her internal alarm is usually set for 8:00 a.m.

Does anyone have any advice on changing an internal alarm?

Kroger's Customer Service

A couple weeks ago, I purchased a "Valu" brand syrup at Kroger. I am usually a name brand buyer but have found several things that I will buy the Kroger Brand for. The Valu brand is just another (cheaper) Kroger brand.

I got the syrup home and did not like it. On the Kroger brand items, there is a 100% guarantee printed on it however there was not one on the Valu brand. So, I called the 800 number listed instead to see if I could return the syrup.

The customer service representative was very pleasant and helpful. I had to give her the usual information; barcode, stamped numbers and letters, expiration date, why I didn't like it...

Then she asked me how much I paid for it. Well, I couldn't remember. So I told her a dollar or so. She apologized for the problem with the product and loaded a $3 credit toward my next shopping trip to my Kroger card.

Now that is good customer service!

Triple Coupon Saturdays at Ukrop's

Now through the end of May (with the possibility of the promotion lasting longer) my local Ukrop's (Virginia) is TRIPLING manufacturers coupons upto and including $1.00! This means huge savings throughout the store!

BE SURE TO CONTACT YOUR LOCAL UKROPS TO SEE IF THIS DEAL IS AVAILABLE IN YOUR AREA.

The conditions:

1. Limit of thirty (30) coupons per transaction.
2. Limit five (5) of same item per transaction.
3. If coupon says "off any" only five of that name brand item per transaction. For example: Make up coupons say $1 off any product. You cannot purchase 5 foundations AND 5 blushes and try to use 10 coupons.
4. If coupons states "Do not double", it will not be tripled.
5. In store Ukrop coupons will not be tripled.
6. Tripling of printed coupons are at the discretion of the individual store manager.
7. Overages will not be given.

Now, here are some deals. I went shopping with a hungry husband, cranky baby, bouncing out of the buggy boy, and one way to happy skipping little girl.

Chinet Comfort Cups $2.99
Coupon Avail: $1/1 any Chinet item
Triple Coupon Savings: $2.99
Final Price: Free

Band-Aid $2.79
Coupon Avail: $1/1
Final Price: Free

Vaseline Lotion $3.49
(It was on sale this week for $2.99)
Coupon Available: $1/1
Final Price: Free - 49 cents when sale goes off

Johnson & Johnson baby wash: $3.69
Coupon Available: $1/1
Final Price: 69 cents

French's Fried Onion (small can) $2.49
Coupon Avail: 75 cents/1
Final Price: 24 cents

Now, these are just the best deals that I ran into this week. I will be running to Ukrops to check out deals for the trip next Saturday and will post a list of possible deals.

Also, be sure to check out "The Centsible Sawyers" site for deals galore!

The old Mr Coffee Pot...

Do you see him lurking back there in the picture?....
















Now do you see him...
















Yea...he has been reduced to making tea. You know, I put the tea bags in and let them steep through...poor Mr. Coffee Pot he has been replaced with this....

Ta Da...

My First Feel Good Kroger Deal in Weeks!

I have been Krogering, mind you, just not striking up any good deals. Part of this was due to the fact that I was like 30,000 weeks behind in clipping and sorting my coupons. So, even though the deals were there, I wasn't prepared for them. Another part was simply that I didn't need/want any of the things there were being promoted for the week.

But I went prepared today.

My Total before Coupons/Card deals was $82.06.
I actually spent 25.54 and saved $56.52 or 70%. Here's what I got...

2 Angel Soft Tissue $1 each

4 Kraft BBQ Sauces $1 each
Coupon Used: 3 $1/1 printables-I ran out of ink for any more
Final Price: $1/4 or 25 cents each

6 Hunts Ketchup $1 each
(Coupon Used: 20 cents/1 doubled to 40 cents/1)
Final Price: $3.60/6 or 60 cents each

5 Mentos Gum @$1 each
Coupon Used: $1/1
Final Price: Free

6 Shick Quattro Razors @$4.99 each
Coupon Used: $4/1
Final Price: $5.94/6 or 99 cents each

1 Package Comforts Diapers @$6.99

2 Packages of Tyson Chicken Breasts $3.70 & $3.52
Coupons Used: 2 $2/1 Poultry when you purchase 2 Kraft Products
Final Price: $1.70 & $1.52

1 Dr Pepper

And...there is a Catalina deal for the BBQ sauce. I got a $2 off my next purchase Catalina!

Kroger Deals for 04/10

Garnier Fructis Shampoo or Conditioner $1.99
Coupon Available $1/1 (05/03 RP)
Final Price: 99 cents

Electrosol (Finish) Dish Detergent $2.77
15-20 count or liquid
Coupon Available: $2.50/1 (04/19 SS)
Final Price: 27 cents

Windex $1.99
Coupon Available: 40 cents/1 (5/10 SS)
Final Price: $1.18

Franks Hot Sauce $2.49
Coupon Available: 50 cents/1 (03/01 SS)
Final Price: $1.49

French's Mustard, assorted $1.49
Coupon Available: 30 cents/1 or 50 cents/1
Final Price: 49 cents - 90 cents depending on coupon

Kraft BBQ Sauce 10/$10
Coupon Available: $1/1 here
Final Price: Free

A1 Sauce $2.99
Coupon Available: $2/1 (05/10 SS)
Final Price: 99 cents

To Know But Not Be Known

Today it happened.
Today was the day that my memories were all that are left.
Today was the day that the eyes that have loved me and cared for me looked hard to try to know me and yet could not.
Today was the day that I knew would come.
And prayed never would.

Today was the day that I know but was not known.

Today I was not my mother's daughter. That memory for my grandmother didn't exist.
Today I was no one.
Today I was a name.
Today I was a hand holding hers and her holding it back out of politeness.
Today "I love you" was only a response because I said it first.

Today I was lost to my grandma who has progressing dementia.
Today she was sick and needed help and I went but she didn't know me.
Today I was a stranger in her room...in her house...in her eyes...in her mind.

All day I have told myself that I am ok with this.
All day I have thanked God for the time that I have had with my grandma and the fun, sweet, wonderful memories that I have of being with her.
All day I have been able to let go of her.
All day I have been ok with the not knowing.
Until now.

Free Chocolate!

Mars Chocolate (makers of Twix, M&M's, Snickers, Milky Way, and my favorite, Dove) is giving away coupons for free chocolate. When?

Every Friday between today and September. That's alot of chocolate! All you have to do is to go here for a chance at snagging one of 250,000 (yes two hundred fifty thousand) coupons to be given away each Friday.

Good luck and happy eating! Mmmm....chocolate...

A coupon shocker

Ok, lets be honest. Have you ever been in the store and found a peelie coupon on a product that you are going to buy but only not on the particular flavor/size of that product that you want?

I confess. I have to be honest. There have been peelies on the Comfort diapers at Kroger that I like to use for my son at nighttime. However, the peelies are always on the small size diapers. I have taken the peelies off of one size before to use on a larger size. Is this wrong? I don't know. Sometimes I feel guilty-and this in itself should be my clue, right? However, I have not harmed the package in any way. In fact, you would not even know that the sticker had been there.

Yesterday, at Kroger, I had to purchase some icing. I like the Betty Crocker icing. It was on sale and I was happy to have my coupons with me! However, there were some flavors of icing that had a coupon to "use now!" incorporated in the label.

INCORPORATED IN THE LABEL. This means that to use the coupon, you had to destroy the label, which would be fine if you were buying this flavor and were going to throw away (or recycle) the container at home.

Well, to my utmost surprise, some one had totally destroyed the labels of that flavor to grab the coupons to use for a flavor that didn't have a coupon incorporated in the label. The poor container and label were left discarded on the shelf. Now this, I think, is completely wrong. Not only was the lable destroyed but now who will buy it?

So, would you destroy a label to save some pennies? Have you ever grabbed a peelie off of a product to use (without destroying the package)?

Kellogg's Cereal for 88 cents

This week at Kroger, select varieties of Kellogg's Cereals (Raisin Bran is shown on the ad) are on sale for $1.88

You can go here and print coupons for $1/1 several different Kelloggs cereals, including Raisin Bran.

There were also $1/1 coupons in the 04/05 Sunday Paper.