A Penny In My Pocket

Toys R Us/Babies R Us Trade In!!

2010-02-03T20:49:00.000-08:00

Toys R Us & Babies R Us are currently having their "Great Trade In" through February 20th. You can trade in any used car seat, high chair, bassinet, stroller, play yard, crib, travel system, or toddler bed, and then receive 25% off a new item (from any category- certain brands). The great thing is that you can trade in old & unsafe products for brand new ones.There is no limit and you can trade as many items as you want. Have fun!

For the Locals

2010-01-22T22:12:00.000-08:00

This post is for those of you who live near me:

At the Galleria Mall in Redondo Beach, The Disney Store is closing its doors in early April 2010. Right now, the entire back half of the store is on clearance, and you can find some great deals up to 75% off! They will be continuing to discount the back half of the store until they close. (If you can't make it to the store, check out the Disney Store Outlet online; this online store also has amazing deals! Right now you can even take an additional 20% off their outlet prices by using code "outlet20" at checkout.)

Another store in the mall going out of business is Yankee Candle. Yankee will be closing its doors on January 30th. Right now, the front half of the store is all 50-75% off. Every Fall & Christmas large candle jar is $12, and the medium jars are $10. This is over 50% off! They also have car plug-in scents, plug-in scents for your home, and various small potpourri items for 75% off. The store is also selling all of their fixtures and furniture, and they have some beautiful end tables and other tables for your home for only $20 each. They are all maple finished.

Get these great deals before they sell out!

Free Udder Cover!!

2010-01-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

If you are a nursing mom, or know someone that is, pick up a FREE nursing cover (uddercover)! These retail for $32 and you only have to pay $9.95 shipping. Just go to Udder Cover's website, choose your cover, and enter code "ONEFREE" at checkout.

Thanks to Bargain Hunting Moms for this great tip!!!

$5 Dinners!

2010-01-03T16:55:00.000-08:00

I just came across this great website & cookbook called "Five Dollar Dinners", and I am so excited to try them! (I briefly thought of doing some kind of "Julie & Julia" challenge and making the recipes every single night - since I just watched that movie - but then realized that was just me being a little to spontaneous again and decided instead just to blog about it) :)

Anyway, this woman has some GREAT dinners on her site, and I have just created my menu for the week using many of these recipes. If you are on a tight budget, like I am, this is a GREAT book for you.

Please visit her site today and get some recipe ideas for your home - better yet, buy the book!
She is also giving away 10 FREE copies a day of this book (for just a few more days) so you can also enter that contest on her site.

(Almost) Free 2010 Planner!

2009-12-29T20:25:00.000-08:00

My friend Mindy just posted this GREAT online deal for a personalized 2010 planner from Snapfish.com for only $1.49 shipped. All you have to do is go to Snapfish.com and sign up for a new account, and you get a $10 credit to use however you want. (If you want a planner, search for them under "notebooks). However, you only have until December 31st to get this, so hurry!!!

Go to this link to read more about it.

(You can also apply your $10 credit from Snapfish for any other product on their site if you don't want a planner)

FREE at Vons!

2009-12-14T18:30:00.000-08:00

Vons/Pavilions is doing 12 Days of FREE items. All you have to do is go to this link:

http://www.vons.com/IFL/Grocery/12Days-Save

Print off the coupon for the particular day you want, and spend at least $20. Today's special is a box of free Betty Crocker cake mix, and tomorrow is a dozen eggs. While you will probably not go spend $20 every day, if you need to go shopping anyway, this can be a great deal!

Another great feature Vons has is that you can download coupons from their site directly onto your Vons Club Card!! I am so excited about this, because it means no more digging in the bottom of my purse to find my coupons! Just click here to start saving!

Win a Free Necklace!

2009-11-20T09:39:00.000-08:00

There are a ton of giveaways going on all over the blogging world. This is one of my favorites! I LOVE this jewelry. If you would like to win a set for yourself, visit this link.

Need New Furniture?

2009-11-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

One of the best places I have found for furniture is Overstock.com. They have amazing deals on office furniture, dining room sets, couches, and even name brand pillow-top bed mattresses. The best part of all is that shipping is only $1!!! The next time I need a new California King mattress, I will definitely be buying off of overstock.com, as they have some for as low as $700. I have compared prices for months on mattresses and this site has THE best deals. Another great feature is that buyers rate the items, so you can always read what others say about it before you buy it.

This is also a great site to buy Christmas presents off of, and you probably wouldn't need to shop anywhere else. You cannot beat that $1 shipping. Find jewelry, books, CD's, DVD's, electronics, clothing, home goods and more!

Merry Christmas to YOU!

2009-11-12T17:33:00.000-08:00

How would you like to earn a $50 gift certificate to anywhere you would like, just for doing your regular Christmas shopping? Let me tell you how to do it: -You may have read before on this blog about MyPoints. MyPoints is offering some great ways to earn extra points this holiday which will quickly turn into free gift cards for you. First you need to create an account, and then start earning your points. I only visit this site about 2x a month and already have enough points for a $25 gift card! -After you create your account, choose which stores you want to shop from for your Christmas gifts. If you spend $100 from selected stores (online), you automatically get 1000 bonus points, in addition to the points you receive per dollar (you can even combine stores for a total of $100). Also check out their daily specials. For example, today if you order from Domino's Pizza, you get 400 bonus points! Dinner anyone? -This week I needed to order something online from Kmart.com. I first went to MyPoints, searched for KMart, and placed my order. That day they were having a special for 8 points per dollar, plus Kmart had their own specials on their website ($10 off any purchase over $50 that day). -One of the best deals I found on this site was for a 2010 Entertainment Book. If you go through MyPoints, you earn 750 points for buying a book. Once they lead you to the Entertainment Book website, you get $5 off each book, free shipping, AND a $25 gift certificate to a restaurant! This is a way to truly make your money work for you. You can also print coupons off of this site for the grocery store, and earn 10 points for each coupon you print.

Now you have no need to go out on Black Friday to go Christmas shopping; you can get many of the same great deals online. If you go through MyPoints.com first, you are on your way to receiving your own Christmas present for all your hard work!!

Feeding a Family of Four for $40 a Week

2009-10-25T19:14:00.000-07:00

I came across this blog today, where a mom feeds her family for only $40 a week! Although I'm inspired, the amount of time this takes to cut coupons, get multiple copies of newspapers (for all the coupons) and going to the different stores can amount to a whole part-time job. However, maybe you really enjoy doing that and this could help you!

One of the most helpful things I found on her site was a two-week menu (breakfast, lunch and dinner) that would only cost between $35-$60 a week! She also gives weeks and weeks of other menus she has used within that same price range. Just click on this link and you can see her menus. They actually look really good and are comprised of foods my kids would actually EAT!

This site also has a link to Swagbucks, which my friend Anna told me about. You get "swagbucks" for searching online through their search engine (which uses google), and you can use these "dollars" to actually buy items (like points). This is a great way to earn real products just by searching for things online! (Another site which works similar to this is MyPoints, which I use and have gotten $50 gift cards from!)

FREE 8x10 Photo Canvas!

2009-10-11T22:53:00.000-07:00

Another great deal I found out about over on Bargain Hunting Moms (yes, I realize I link back to them a lot, but I find the BEST deals on there!).

You can get a FREE 8x10 Photo Canvas from Canvas People OR $55 off any size canvas! I love photo canvases and have always coveted ones I have seen in other people's homes. And I figure that, as a photographer, I should get around to having my own photo canvas!

Order yours today, or even order one as a gift for Christmas! (You can even send a coupon to your friends to use)

Don't Declare Bankruptcy...Learn to Pay Off Debt

2009-09-19T12:33:00.000-07:00

I read this amazing article today, and hope it will encourage everyone who feels weighed down by their debts. I have known people that had an insurmountable amount of debt, declared bankruptcy, but then continued to not handle their money well. Instead of the easy way out, the Hildebrandts decided that they needed to get to the root of their debt- not making wise choices - and went to a Consumer Credit Counselor. They were able to pay off over $100k of debt in about four years. I think many of us can relate to this couple; they were Christians who committed to tithe and did not live lavishly, but just needed some help making better decisions. Be encouraged today that you too can get out of debt!!!

Read their story here.

Amazing Deals on Household Supplies!!

2009-09-12T11:10:00.000-07:00

My friends over at Bargain Hunting Moms just wrote about this site that got me SO excited!!! I am one that tends to stress out when shopping for household supplies. Especially toilet paper. I want the best deal, the most sheets, and the softest t.p., but the choices are SO confusing! Same with napkins, paper towels, laundry soap, etc. Usually I just give up and throw in my cart whatever is on sale.

No More!! Alice.com is a site that finds you the cheapest deals on household supplies AND applies any and all coupons towards them, AND ships them to your house for FREE! Did you just read that?!

I just set up my online account for the first time today, and I can't tell you how exciting it was to shop for toilet paper online. No more stress!! The prices really are cheaper than Target (where I normally dump the sale items in my cart). Set up your online account, and they'll even remind you to order every few weeks (you choose). You can even set up a budget to use, and they will help you track how much is going to each category. Awesome!

Visit Alice today!!

Preparing to Stay at Home

2009-08-12T21:53:00.001-07:00

I came across this amazing article today that I wanted to share. I agree whole-heartedly with everything in it; if I knew what I know now, I would have started preparing way earlier (financially) to have children. But when we get locked into a two-income situation, it feels almost impossible to get out.

I remember being newly married, and wanting to have kids in the future (5 years out). I thought I had time. I also knew I wasn't positive I wanted to be a stay at home mom. But what I did know was that I enjoyed working and knew there was nothing wrong with that. However, if I knew then what I knew now, I would have started preparing to have children (financially). Because nobody wants to have a new baby AND the weight of the world on your shoulders, feeling that you HAVE to bring in income or you won't be able to feed your family.

However, if you feel stuck right now, and God is moving you in the direction to work less or stop working altogether, He WILL provide. I know from experience!! We have to make wise choices, stop spending so much, and stop wanting what we don't have. But it can happen!

Timeless wisdom. I hope this encourages you, and please pass it on to every young woman you know!!

Ten Things Now to Stay at Home Later

Free Mocha Mondays at McDonalds!

2009-07-10T12:25:00.001-07:00

Starting on Monday, July 13th, McDonalds will be giving away hot or iced mochas from 7am-7pm. This deal will be valid only on Mondays until August 3rd. They will give you an 8 oz. hot mocha or 7 oz. iced mocha, so this is a bit smaller than the regular size. Visit McDonalds for more information!

FREE Chik-Fil-A and (almost) free Ice Cream!

2009-07-07T21:17:00.000-07:00

On Friday, July 10th, Chik-Fil-A will be giving away free combo meals to anyone who is dressed like a cow. Hmmmm - not sure if I'm up to that, but maybe you are?!

Also, if you live in Orange County (CA), you may want to visit this Chik-Fil-A, where every day this week between 5-8pm, they are giving away free menu items for "Customer Appreciation Week." Remember this is only the Irvine location offering this deal, but you can ask your local Chik-Fil-A when they will have Customer Appreciation Week near you.

________________________

Remember Thrifty's Ice Cream? Well, Thrifty's is now Rite Aid, but certain locations this week are offering 2 scoops for only .99 cents! I tried to find info. online about this, but limited information was available, so check your local Rite Aid if you're interested in this deal!

Saving on Moving Expenses

2009-07-06T17:39:00.001-07:00

Since we are moving to a new house in a week, I have really been trying to figure out how to save money while moving. Anyone who has moved knows that the expenses can really add up, which adds to the stress of having to move anyway. I found out about two resources that may be able to help:

1) Moving Trucks - While shopping around for the greatest deal on moving trucks, I found that Budget Rental charges per day, while U-Haul charges per 24-hours. So, if you need a truck on Friday and Saturday, U-Haul is definitely the cheapest option by 50%. However, if you need a rental for one day only, you may be able to find coupon codes online to save 15% on a Budget truck rental. The only drawback is that you have to pick up and return the truck by the rental stores hours. Some have limited hours which may end up causing you to return the truck late and get charged an extra day.

If you want to comparison shop for the best deal on either moving yourself OR having a moving company move you, you may want to try this site.

2) Utilities - The second resource I found is another comparison site, where you can compare the companies who offer utilities in your area. You can find the best deals on phone service, internet service, gas, water companies, etc... I visited whitefence and found our new phone and internet service through Verizon, and because of this site, I found out that I qualified for a new Compaq mini netbook for FREE with my new service!

Even if you are not moving, you can still "shop around" for the best deals in your area. I hope this helps you a little too!

Free Orange Julius on Friday!

2009-06-18T21:00:00.000-07:00

Tomorrow, Friday (June 19th, 2009) is FREE Light Smoothie Day at Orange Julius! Choose from Tropical Sunlight, Berry-Pom Twilight, or Strawberry Delight. You do have to download a coupon, so click here to get yours today!

Free CA Homeschooling Curriculum

2009-06-16T20:49:00.000-07:00

A friend shared this with me recently; she desired to homeschool her children but was finding that many of the curriculums (especially for Christian homeschooling) can be very expensive. This is an option that is FREE, and she has been using it for over 3 years now for three of her children.

The California Virtual Academy is a WASC-Accredited Public Charter School. The curriculum, laptop, teaching supplies, craft supplies, and even a printer are provided for FREE. Families even receive a stipend for internet access to use the school. CVA goes from Kindergarten through Twelth grade.

This curriculum is not a Christian curriculum. But the great thing about homeschooling is having the ability to incorporate God into each subject, as you are your child's teacher. There are many homeschooling resources online that you could use to supplement the curriculum, such as adding a Bible class (which would not be graded through CVA).

CVA also offers field trips and gatherings with other families in the system. They even offer science fairs, spelling bees, and community service days.

I encourage you to pass this information on to your friends who are looking for homeschooling alternatives. After all, it is free!

Free Children's Services

2009-06-16T13:50:00.000-07:00

Did you know that if you suspect that your child might have a developmental, speech, or any other type of disorder, there are centers in every state where you can receive FREE evaluations and help?

When my older son was two years old, we suspected that he might have a speech and language delay. Someone told me to contact our local Regional Center, which I did, and we received free testing. From there, they recommended speech therapy. I thought our options were limited to what was being offered through the school system (for free through the Regional Center). However, upon further research, I discovered that there are places called NPA's (Non Public Agencies) where you can also be approved to send your child. I found an amazing speech center in my area and requested that my son receive services there instead of at the school. Our request was approved, and he received speech therapy 2-3 times a week for over a year.

If I had not known about these services, we would have either not been able to get our son the help he needed, or been forced to pay out of our own pockets for help. Speech therapy sessions can range anywhere from $40-150 an hour.

For a list of California Regional Centers, visit this website. If your child is over 4 years of age, you can just contact your local school district for services as well. If you are outside of California, do some research to see if your state offers regional centers as well. If not, do an online search for "free speech therapy in [your state]" or "free testing for [your child's issue]". You may find the services you are needing for free!

Need Clothes for Your Kids?

2009-06-04T08:47:00.000-07:00

Then don't miss tomorrow's sale at Children's Orchard - Fill a Bag for $5! Children's Orchard is a children's retail store that sells very gently used clothing for cheap! The prices here are often better than at thrift stores, with most items selling between $1.99-$5.99. You can also sell gently used children's clothing to them and earn either store credit or cash. I have done this a few times and earned at least $30 both times. If you do want to sell to them, call to make an appointment, and iron all of the clothes. They are picky and won't take anything with even the slightest stain, fade or tear. THIS is the place to go for Halloween costumes, special occasion clothing, or just everyday gear. They also sell many different baby items, toys, shoes, etc.

Click here for more details:

Fill a Bag for $5 Sale

Find a Location near You! (Click on the store locator button at the top left of the page)

Disneyland Pass for Less!

2009-05-27T21:29:00.000-07:00

You may have already heard that you can go to Disneyland for free on your birthday. But what I didn't know until this week is that you can apply that free admission towards an annual pass on your birthday. If you live in Southern California, this is an especially great deal. If you go on your birthday only, you will get a $69 discount on any annual pass, and get in that day for free. There are four levels of passes:

Southern California Select - $134
Southern California - $174
Deluxe-$269
Premium- $389

If you choose the lowest level pass (which is not good during most of the summer and most weekends), you only have to pay $65 - that is less than one days admission for the entire year! This type of pass is good for my family, though, since my kids are not in school all day and we can go on weekdays for just a few hours. (We also try to avoid all theme parks in the summer anyway because of the crowds and the heat). Even if you choose the Deluxe pass, however, you still will only pay $200 for it.

Since my family has all of our birthdays within 6 weeks of each other, and we live 30 minutes from Disneyland, we have decided that we will go on all of our birthdays and get annual passes for only $65. Granted, we cannot all get in until the last person has their pass (that would be me, in July), BUT, once we all do, we have until May (my husband's birthday) to all get into Disneyland for free. That's called "workin' the system", people! :)

For parking, you can pay $59 to add that to your annual pass. In my family, we are adding that to my husband's pass only. If I ever want to take the kids for just a few hours myself, I can park in Downtown Disney's parking for free for the first 3 hours. There is a tram from Downtown Disney that will take you right smack to the middle of Disneyland, so you really could just spend about 2 hours there and call it a day - for free!

For more info, please visit Disney's website, read all the fine print, and be sure to see if this offer has expired before trying it yourself.

Baskin-Robbins .31 Cent Night!

2009-04-28T18:26:00.000-07:00

As you may (or may not) have noticed, this blog has been on hiatus for about a month. Not for any particular reason, mind you, but I haven't seen any great deals to "write home about" lately. Until now.

Tomorrow night (Wednesday, April 29th, 2009) is Baskin-Robbins Annual .31 cent a Scoop Night! The limit is 3 scoops per person. Get in line early, because this is a popular attraction! The event will happen from 5-10pm. Find your local Baskin-Robbins here.

More Free Food!

2009-03-20T11:19:00.000-07:00

Here is a coupon for a free Arby's Roast Beef Sandwich, with the purchase of a Pepsi. Offer expires TODAY, March 20th!

Arby's Coupon

Saving By Using Home Remedies!

2009-03-01T21:28:00.000-08:00

It is really easy to run to the local drugstore or pharmacy when an ailment strikes you. There is something on the counter for everything these days. Have you ever opened your medicine cabinet, though, and seen how many medicines you have that you used maybe one time and never again? These things add up! One easy way you can save big is by treating mild ailments with home remedies. This week I was afflicted with a small but painful canker sore in my mouth. Some friends recommended buying certain products that would help, but I jumped online and found that I could treat it at home for free with some simple things I had in my cupboard.

You can do any web search for these, but here are a few of my favorites:

http://health.howstuffworks.com/home-remedies-channel.htm

http://www.grannymed.com/

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/archives/home_remedies/index.php

You can also do a google search for "home remedies for -----" (and fill in your ailment). Be sure to see a doctor if it is ANYTHING serious though!!!

Also, don't forget that when you are filing your taxes, you can deduct medical expenses: doctor's visits (co-payments), prescriptions, dental work, and mileage to and from the doctor and dentist. Even these things are deductible: pregnancy tests, bandages, chiropractor, eyeglasses, psychologist, and even a weight-loss program! (if the doctor recommends that you lose weight as a treatment for a special disease). See this website for all of the details (and more medical deductions) before you file.

Free Quizno's Sub

2009-02-25T11:12:00.000-08:00

There are sure a lot of restaurants that have been giving away free meals lately! From Denny's to IHOP to Jack in the Box, and now Quizno's. I have not posted a lot of these deals since they are usually only one day, and many people would log onto this blog too late.

However, you can get a coupon for a free sub from Quizno's just by visiting this site.

You do have to enter a valid email address. If this deters you, you may want to consider forming an email address just for deals like this. I have one that I use for any company that asks for my email (and a separate personal one).

Enjoy your sub!

Financial Help

2009-02-17T22:22:00.000-08:00

In these hard economic times, it can sometimes feel like there is no hope financially and nowhere to turn. But there are actually a lot of resources out there to help you handle your money, even when you don't think you have any. Most people I know were never taught how to budget and go through their whole adult lives just "winging it" financially. It helps to have help, someone to look at your finances and tell you how you can make better choices to achieve the goals you have. One resource that has helped people I know is Consumer Credit Counseling. This organization helps you to get out of debt, negotiating with your creditors to lower your interest rate and even the amount owed. They offer help when you cannot pay your mortgage, your rent and your bills. They help you to avoid foreclosure on your house. They will work with you so that you do not have to file for bankruptcy, and will help you to rebuild your credit. In addition, they offer courses on finances. If you are hurting financially, most of the time you cannot get out of the hole on your own. So why not make the call? Here are some helpful links if you need help:

Consumer Credit Counseling
Consumer Credit Counseling of Orange County (CA)
By Design Financial Solutions
Christian Debt Consultants

Restaurant Week

2009-01-27T14:56:00.000-08:00

I just heard about this on the news last night. If you live anywhere in the L.A. (California) area, "Restaurant Week" is a two week period where selected restaurants are offering deep discounts. This takes place January 25-30, and February 1-6. Meals are at a fixed price and you can go either at lunch or dinner. There are MANY restaurants to choose from - see this list. Some of the restaurants included are The Chart House, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Roy's Hawaiian Fusion, Wolfgang Puck's and more. Sort by dining area and find restaurants in your city!

Free Makeup!

2009-01-20T22:12:00.000-08:00

Due to a class action settlement, you may qualify for a free makeup item from certain major department stores (see below) from January 20-January 27, 2009. Taken from the class actions' website, here are the details along with what you can get for free:

"A class member will be eligible to receive, while supplies last, a maximum of ONE free cosmetics product from one of the Manufacturer Defendants from which he or she purchased Department Store Cosmetics during the class period, May 29, 1994 through July 16, 2003, from the list of products below. If a class member has only purchased products, during the class period, from one of the Manufacturer Defendants listed below, then that class member is only entitled to receive a free product from that Manufacturer Defendant. If a class member has purchased products, during the class period, from multiple Manufacturer Defendants, then that class member must choose the ONE free product he or she wishes to claim from one of those Manufacturer Defendants. Again, these products are only available while supplies last, and no rainchecks will be issued. If your store has run out of settlement products from the Manufacturer Defendant(s) from which you have previously purchased Department Store Cosmetics during the class period, then you may claim a product (again, while supplies last) from another Manufacturer Defendant.

The following is a list of the Manufacturer Defendants and their products that will be distributed, while supplies last, through the stores listed above:

Boucheron (USA) Ltd.:
Femme Eau de Toilette (1 ounce/30 ml)

Chanel, Inc.:
Coco Mademoiselle body lotion (3.4 fluid oz)

Christian Dior Perfumes, Inc.:
J’Adore Eau de Parfum (15 ml)

Clarins U.S.A., Inc. (customers will have a choice of ONE of two products, while supplies last):
Clarins Energizing Morning Cream (30 ml) OR
Clarins Beauty Flash Bomb (30 ml)

Conopco, Inc. (distributed by Coty, Inc. on behalf of Conopco, Inc.) (customers will have a choice of ONE of three products, while supplies last):
Calvin Klein Euphoria Bath and Shower Crème (6.7 oz)
OR
Vera Wang Princess Body Polish (5 oz)
OR
Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker Shower Gel (6.7 oz)

The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (customers will have a choice of ONE of two products, while supplies last):
Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (15 ml/0.5 oz)
OR
Clinique Moisture Surge (30 ml/1 oz)

Guerlain, Inc.:
My Insolence Eau de Toilette (15 ml)

L’Oréal USA, Inc. (formerly known as Cosmair, Inc.) (customers will have a choice of ONE of eight products, while supplies last):
Lancôme UV Expert 20
OR
Lancôme Cils Design Pro Mascara
OR
Lancôme Fatale Mascara
OR
Lancôme Courbe Virtuose Mascara
OR
Lancôme Primordial Skin Defense
OR
Ralph Lauren Romance Shower Gel (6.7 oz.)
OR
Giorgio Armani ACM Shower Gel (6.7 oz)
OR
Lancôme Hypnôse Shower Gel

Parfums Givenchy, Inc.:
Very Irresistible Givenchy Eau de Toilette (15 ml)

These are the only products that will be distributed, while supplies last, as part of the settlement product distribution. Not all products are available in all stores; rather, stores will be distributing products from the participating brands that the particular store ordinarily sells.

Stores participating in this settlement include Macy's, Nordstrom's, Gottschalks, and many more. Visit their website for the full list of stores.

2009-01-19T21:27:00.000-08:00

Here are some 99 Cent Only Store bargains I found this week; hurry in to get yours!

Gerber Graduates Divide N Dine Plates, Snackin' Bowls (prevent spills) and Scoopin' Spoons. I have seen these at Target for around $5 each!

Belkin IPOD hard cases and leather cases (for IPOD classic and the older Nano's). They have all kinds of colors and styles available. These are top of the line and retail for over $20!

Free E-Book by Suze Orman

2009-01-10T20:37:00.000-08:00

If you have not already heard, Oprah is giving away a free e-book by Suze Orman titled "Suze Orman's 2009 Action Plan." Download it free by clicking here. The offer expires on Thursday, January 15th, so be sure to act fast!

You can also "save your seat" for a live webcast with Suze also held on January 15th by reserving your spot here.

Disneyland Free Admission on Your Birthday!

2009-01-09T15:55:00.000-08:00

Yes, it's true! Disneyland (and all Disney Theme Parks) are now offering free admission on your birthday. However, you DO need to sign up ahead of time online. Here is the link! You will receive an email 2 weeks ahead of time that you take as your "pass" on your birthday, which you must show at the entrance along with your identification.

If you already have a Disneyland Pass, you are eligible for one of these gifts instead:

A birthday fun card in an amount equal to the price of a 1-Day/1-Park ticket* for you to use on your birthday for select merchandise, recreation, or tour experiences or for Disney's PhotoPass® on-site services at participating locations at Disneyland® Resort;

or
A special birthday FASTPASS® ticket+ for certain attractions at the Theme Park you visit on your birthday;

or
A 1-Day/1-Park ticket for you to use any time until your next birthday.

*Ticket price at Main Entrance ticket booth. Adults receive card in the amount of an adult ticket; children (ages 3-9) receive card in the amount of a child ticket. (See their website for all of the fine print)

A single-day theme park ticket is $69 for an adult, so this is a great deal!

Make Your Own Jewelry Tree!

2008-12-21T23:11:00.000-08:00

I am updating the instructions to this project, as I found out that it is not best to use a LIVE tree branch, because it will die and shrink, leaving it loose in the base (and the leaves will fall off). So even though it looks better using a live tree branch in the beginning, it will look worse in the end :) Sorry if any of you have already tried this using the live tree branch. You can also try to buy a tree branch from a local crafting store if they sell them (already dried).

Let me preface this by saying that I am NOT crafty. Far from it. I have tried for many years to cultivate any specimen of a craft gene that may be in my body, but have failed. So if I can do this, anyone can! I have been thinking of cheap gifts to make people for Christmas, and my sister mentioned in passing that she wanted a jewelry tree (and jokingly said "maybe you can make me one!") So I sought out to do just that. Here are two pictures of the jewelry trees I made just yesterday (not the best quality photos, but hopefully you get the idea):

One in Silver:

One in Gold:

Here are the supplies you will need for one jewelry tree:
-1 glass votive holder (or any container) as a base
-1 tree branch with many offshoots (mine were from a lemon tree, and I chose one about a foot high), dried for about a week before the project.
-Scotch tape
-Plaster of Paris (from your crafting store)
-Mixing tool (to stir the plaster with water)
-Spray Paint (any color you want)

Directions:
-Put adequate amount of plaster of paris into base and mix with water (2 parts water to 1 part plaster).
-Immediately put tree branch into base
-Hold in place with one hand use the tape to form a "net" around the tree branch bottom, secured to the base so that you can take your hand away without the branch falling over.
-Let dry for about an hour
-Spray paint when dry, and let dry for another hour or two.

On one base I just sprayed it silver, while on the other one I took some ribbon and glued it to the base to make it prettier (the gold tree). I left the leaves on for effect.

The most expensive part of the project is the Plaster of Paris (about $8 a box, and the spray paint for about $8 a can). However, once you have these, you can easily make dozens of trees. I bought my votive holders at IKEA - 4 for $1.50.

Enjoy, and if you have any questions, please let me know!

More Closeout Sales

2008-12-15T13:58:00.000-08:00

Yesterday a friend shared with me that Steve & Barry's clothing store is going out of business now too! If you have not been there yet, let me tell you, they have CUTE clothes for CHEAP. They carry Sarah Jessica Parker's Bitten clothing line, Venus Williams Eleven clothing line and Amanda Bynes Dear clothing line (those are just the women's lines that they carry). All clothes in the store are under $25, most being around $10. Last Christmas we got a men's black winter coat for only $10. I am sad that they're going out of business, but this means that everything there is now 50% off. I would recommend going soon because I'm not sure how much longer they'll be open! Check their site for the store nearest you.

Also, Linens N Things continues to slash prices, although I was just there and noticed that they had marked items way up just to liquidate. I bought a comforter set last year there for about $50 and they are selling it 50% off right now for $85. Our nearest store is selling everything at 50-70% off, but things will go lower in the next few weeks. I am waiting until then to buy anything. You can also shop their store online and get many of the same great discounts.

Mervyn's is continuing to liquidate, and our nearest stores are also at 50-70% off. Again, wait another two weeks or so because that's when you'll start to get the best deals. Circuit City is liquidating as well, so head over if you need some electronics, but just remember that you cannot return anything at all. All sales during liquidations are final. Circuit City's liquidation is especially being targeted by bloggers everywhere as a scam. Liquidation companies notoriously hike up prices just so you think you're getting a good deal. Be careful when shopping, and wait until the very end for the best deals.

If you want to read more about liquidating company scams see:

"How to Beat Circuit Citys Liquidation Sale or Die Trying"

"Notorious CompUSA Liquidator to Run Circuit City Closings"

More Free Christmas Gift Ideas

2008-11-30T17:28:00.000-08:00

One idea for free Christmas gifts (or any other occasion) is to make gift certificates either by hand or on Microsoft Word (there are a few templates on there). Here are some services you can offer to do for someone for free:

-One night of free babysitting (I have received this twice this year and it was one of my favorite gifts!)
-One free manicure or pedicure (Hand and arm massage included)
-Three hours of housework (cleaning, laundry, ironing, etc)
-Mow your front and back yard one time :)
-One free car wash and detail
-One free errand
-One homecooked meal delivered to your door (including dessert!) any night of your choosing
-Girls Night Out (board games, movie and popcorn at my place)

Do you have a special skill? Cutting hair? Photography? Scrapbooking? So many skills can be made into gift certificates.

Here's one more idea: Do you own a fruit tree? Make a fruit basket for someone using fruit from your tree.

If you have any other ideas please leave a comment here!

Another Great Gift Idea (for Cheap!)

2008-11-30T16:16:00.001-08:00

A friend of mine had one of these on her counter and I thought it was so beautiful. She is giving them away this year as Christmas gifts and said they only cost about $3-4 each (if you already have a bottle of wine). This is a pretty bad picture, but it is an empty wine bottle that she put a string of lights in (about 50 lights). She then ran the end of the cord out of the top of the bottle, put the cap back on it (or a cork), a strand of plastic grapes (she picked up at the Dollar Tree) and she is going to tie the top with ribbon. You can buy bottles of wine at the .99 cent store if you don't drink wine (or even if you do, some people I know have bought $40 bottles of wine there before). Look for one with a pretty or unique label to make it even more special. Here is the finished product:

Here is all you need for this project:

Enjoy!

Free Christmas Gifts!

2008-11-27T07:43:00.001-08:00

Today I was checking out Bargain Hunting Mom's website and found her Black Friday deals. One of my favorites was the 10 free holiday offers over at VistaPrint. I have used VistaPrint for my own business and have loved their products. Since my family is not buying gifts this year, my goal is to either make them or obtain little gifts for free. This is a GREAT place to get some free gifts for family or co-workers. All you have to pay is shipping! Here is what you can get for free:

-250 Free Business cards (know someone starting a business or that has a side business but may need some cards to go along with it?)

-1 Free Photo or Wall Calendar (perfect gift for a family member or someone that has a pet who they love!)

-1 Free T-Shirt (perfect for the guy in your life!)

-Caricature Return Address Labels (I love creating these caricatures for friends and then surprising them with labels!)

-Notepads (Personalize it with their name for a great gift!)

I am not sure when this offer expires, so be sure to visit their site soon!

Think Before Over-Spending...

2008-11-27T07:14:00.000-08:00

Free Dr. Pepper!

2008-11-21T11:00:00.000-08:00

Apparently Dr. Pepper made a promise back in March that if Guns N Roses album "Chinese Democracy" came out in 2008, they would give everyone in America a free Dr. Pepper. SO, grab your coupon for a free 20-ounce soda beginning on Sunday, November 23rd at 12:01am. Visit Dr. Pepper to get your free soda!

Free Photobook!!!

2008-11-13T13:42:00.000-08:00

Get your FREE photobook through Snapfish, courtesy of Oprah! Just click on this link and go down to "get your free book". You can only get your coupon until midnight on Friday night (as in tomorrow, Nov. 14th), and you have to use it by Sunday, Nov. 16th. Act quick because this is a GREAT deal!!!

Here is the fine print:

This offer is only good for one standard 20-page 8" x 11" custom-cover photo book per household. Coupon dispersal ends at 11:59 p.m. PST Friday, November 14, 2008. Free photo book must be redeemed by 11:59 p.m. PST Sunday, November 16, 2008. Offer does not include customary shipping and handling changes or additional pages. Offer applies only to mail-order delivery to U.S. customers. Offer cannot be combined with other coupon codes. Coupon cannot be resold or otherwise transferred and is void on the earlier of redemption or the offer end date.

More 99 Cent Store Bargains!

2008-11-09T18:11:00.001-08:00

Okay, I know I have raved many times about my love for the .99 cent store. But this is why! Check out what I got tonight:

Ben & Jerry's cherry chocolate chip ice cream cones, Bertolli pasta sauce, and Coca-Cola Bottles!

Individual packets of Kraft Light Ranch dressing, Chewy Granola Bars (18 of them!) and Health Valley Organic Split Pea Soup. (Did you know they have a whole organic section?!)

And here's what I picked up a few weeks ago - Dinner for 4 for only 99 cents!

A friend of mine found out that our local 99 cent store gets weekly deliveries on Thursdays. Just ask your local store manager when they deliver, and go a few hours later. Then you will get first pick to all of the best fresh and frozen items!

Eddie Bauer SALE!

2008-11-09T17:36:00.000-08:00

Right now (the week of November 9th), Eddie Bauer is having a huge clearance sale - save 50% off of clearance! I just picked up some cute sweaters for only $14.99 that are regularly over $60 each.

If you can't make it to the store, visit their clearance center online. This store has a ton of great gift ideas, including this purse for only $19.99!

More Great Restaurant Deals

2008-11-09T17:20:00.000-08:00

If you like a certain restaurant and frequent there often, you should visit their website to see if they allow you to sign up to receive their online promotions. Pick Up Stix's Dragon Club will send you coupons almost every month, and you receive a coupon for a FREE combo meal just for signing up! Other restaurants, like Marie Calendars, will send you a postcard for your birthday and anniversary where you can get 50% off your meal along with a free slice of pie. There are too many to mention here, but just do a search for your favorite restaurant and see if they have an e-club to sign up for.

This is also a great time to buy your 2009 Entertainment Book. Right now you can get $5 off the 2009 edition and free shipping when you go to this link. Hurry, because this offer expires on November 30, 2008. If you do not already know, the Entertainment Book has editions all over the U.S., with hundreds and hundreds of coupons good for "Buy One, Get One Free" meals at restaurants, as well as huge discounts on attractions, rental cars, hotels, theme parks, and even grocery stores (There is a $5 coupon good at Ralphs for every month of the year). In addition, if you create an account online at their website (with your entertainment book card number), you can print even more coupons.

Another great website to save big on meals is at Restaurant.com. Here you can buy gift certificates to restaurants in the amount of $25 for only $10 each. Some of them are even cheaper! I found one restaurant in my area selling $10 gift certificates for only $3 each. The only catch was that you could only use one gift certificate per visit. Check it out first next time you're about to go on a date. You might be able to save BIG!

Stores Liquidating

2008-10-30T18:28:00.001-07:00

I'm sorry it has taken me so long to post a new update to this blog!! Life has been busy, but here we are again!

If you have not already heard, both Linens N Things and Mervyns are closing their doors and have already started to liquidate all of their stores. These are two great stores to pick up all your Christmas gifts from (If you aren't already done!) :) Prices will continue to be cut lower and lower each week. Currently, Linens N Things online is offering 30% off of all items, and you can save an additional 10% on the "Deal of the Day." Keep checking online for further discounts as we get closer to Christmas.

Mervyn's will also be slashing prices soon - some stores have already started, and some will start liquidating as we get closer to Christmas. They do not sell anything online, so you will just have to keep checking your local store (or call them) to find out when they are officially closing their doors. You can read more about Mervyn's bankruptcy here.

Another store that is closing its doors is The Sharper Image, due to a lawsuit lost to Consumer Reports. Check your local mall for the most recent discounts, but currently many stores are offering 20-40% off all merchandise. This store promises to live on through a strong online presence, although currently their website just says "stay tuned."

If you know of any more chain stores that are closing their doors, please let us know!! Happy Shopping!

More Food Savings

2008-10-04T22:07:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine just told me about this great ministry called "Angel Food Ministries", where you can purchase greatly discounted boxes of food for your family. Every month they have a menu that shows what food is available, and the boxes are $30 each. For example, their October box includes:

1.5 lb. Ribeye Steaks (4 x 6 oz.)

4.5 lb. (Avg) Split Chicken Breast Family Tray Pack
26 oz. Heat and Serve Meatloaf and Brown Gravy
1 lb. Chicken Breast Fajita Strips
1 lb. Boneless Center-Cut Pork Chops (4 x 4 oz.)
1 lb. Fully Cooked Meatballs
1 lb. All Meat Hot Dogs
1 lb. Frozen Sliced Carrots
1 lb. California Blend Vegetables
1 lb. Pasta
28 oz. Marinara Sauce
48 oz. Hawaiian Punch
32 oz. Borden 2% Reduced Fat Shelf Stable Milk
12 ct. Corn Tortillas
One Dozen Eggs
One Dessert Item

In addition, they have a Senior Box with prepared meals, for those loved ones in your life who may live alone or need help preparing dinner. If you purchase one of the boxes of food, you also qualify to buy one their "specialty boxes" such as a "Meat and Chicken Combo" or "T-Bone Box" or a "Fruit and Veggie Box" for only $21.

You can read more about it on their website, but all of their food is restaurant grade, not factory seconds or day-old. You do not have to meet a certain income requirement, either.

There are "host sites" in almost every state; just go to this link to find the one nearest you!

Max Factor Makeup

2008-09-19T16:06:00.000-07:00

Right now there is a great promotion online for MaxFactor makeup - if you visit this site, you can get 50% off four of "Gisele's Favorites for Fall" makeup items, plus free shipping and a free makeup bag!

I was recently given some samples of MaxFactor makeup to try (through BzzAgent) and received mascara, lipstick, blush, and a blush brush. I can truly say that I love the mascara and the lipstick. The mascara makes my lashes fuller than any other mascara I have tried, and the lipstick stays on for HOURS (like 12 hours!) through eating meals and everything! The blush is great, too, but just a little too light for me - I would have picked a darker shade to show more (although it is very natural looking).

Enjoy these savings!

Appliance Parts

2008-09-17T23:10:00.000-07:00

Last week I ordered new drip pans for my Kenmore oven. I had contacted Sears parts online, and found out they were going to be about $50 to replace. Since that sounded like a rip-off, I got the part number and searched online for a better deal. I came across this great website where I was able to get the same drip pans, including shipping for about $30. If you need any replacement parts for any appliances you own, check here first! We got a great deal and they have great customer service.

A-1 Appliance Parts

Trading Toys!

2008-09-13T20:20:00.001-07:00

A great new website I recently heard about is ToySwap.com. This is a site that allows you to search for toys your kids may want, as well as list toys you would like to trade out. It works similar to a library - you "borrow" a toy and allow others to borrow the toys that you list. The best part? It is FREE! Currently they are waiving their $1 charge per item. You can also buy toys on this site if you choose.

A second site that has the same idea is ToystoTrade.com. This site includes sections such as "kids room decor" and is more geared towards educational toys, games and videos.

This is a great way to save money, help the environment, and help others who might not have the money for new toys. Great idea!

Kids Eat Free!

2008-08-30T19:42:00.000-07:00

I now have 2 toddlers (ages 1 and 3), and our eating out bill has increased by at least $10 each time. Both boys eat full meals and now need their own kids' meal when we go to restaurants. Today I was pleased to read an article in our daily paper about local restaurants that have "Kids Eat Free" menus on certain nights of the week. (If you live in the South Bay, check out the list here). The following chain restaurants may have a "Kids Eat Free" night in your area. (Granted, these aren't normally places I'd LOVE to go to, but if we need to save some money, then these are the places to choose from). I've included the "typical" night that they offer this deal, although you may want to call the location nearest you just to double check:

Carrows - Monday & Tuesday nights

IHOP- Every night

Norms - Monday night

Texas Loosey's - Every night

Tony Roma's - Monday & Tuesday nights

Denny's - Tuesdays (and some Saturdays)

Rocky Cola Cafe- Tuesdays

Rubys- Tuesdays

Another great resource to check out the deals in your neighborhood is mykidseatfree.com.

Mervyn's Closing Stores

2008-08-28T21:33:00.000-07:00

If you are a fan of Mervyn's, you may be interested in visiting one of their 26 stores that will be closing soon. They have filed for bankruptcy, and some stores began liquidating as early as today, August 28th (scheduled to officially close in October or November). Stores closing are: Phoenix (3) and Scottsdale (1), AZ; Antioch, Canoga Park, Fairfield, Foothill Ranch, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Livermore, Napa, Palm Desert, and Thousand Oaks, CA; Boise, ID; Carson City, Reno, Las Vegas and Sparks, NV; Lubbock, Midland, Odessa, and San Antonio (3), TX.

If you live in Orange County, here are the addresses of the stores that are closing there:
7651 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach
3960 Barranca Pkwy., Irvine
27200 Alicia Pkwy., Laguna Niguel
26732 Portola Pkwy., Foothill Ranch

Happy Early Christmas Shopping!

Free Products

2008-08-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

About two years ago I became a BzzAgent, which basically means that I became a "test marketer" for various products, and I earn points to promote them. All I had to do was go to their website, sign up, and wait for them to email me about a marketing campaign. When I receive an email, I read about it and decide whether or not to participate. If I say "yes", they send me a product in the mail to try out (and KEEP), and my job is to promote that product through word-of-mouth. As I write (simple) reports about my efforts to promote the product, I earn points through MyPoints.com. So far I have received enough points to almost get a $50 gift card to any store I want!

Some of the things I have received through being a BzzAgent include:
-A Sonicare Toothbrush
-A Sonicare UV Sanitizer
-A Frozen Jennie-O Turkey delivered right to my door
-LypSyl lip balm (about 10 of them)
-Four coupons to try Chili's Bacon Smokehouse Burgers for free
-Listerine Whitestrips

It really is so easy and fun to get free things like these in the mail! If you would like to try it, sign up today - just please be sure to tell them I referred you (if they ask)! :)

Habitat for Humanity Store

2008-08-13T19:45:00.000-07:00

We have been needing to repair some things around the house lately, and I recently heard about the Habitat for Humanity Home Improvement Store, so tonight we decided to check it out. This is a little like a giant Goodwill for home goods. There are new items from stores brought in, as well as used items that were donated. They have aisles of doors, windows, furniture, appliances, cabinets, knobs, lights, flooring, tile, lumber and much more. It was really a great selection of assorted items, many of which have character - not your typical Home Depot stock. They are also inexpensive, comparable to a thrift store. My favorite thing about this store was a whole aisle of brand new Shabby Chic sheets (in the original packaging) for only $10 each. These aren't the Target "Simply Shabby Chic" brand, but the original, real Shabby Chic label. They had more sheet sets than I could count, along with other Shabby Chic accessories (lamp shades, for one). It appeared that a store who carried this brand must have gone out of business and donated it all to this store. I can't guarantee these would be at any other location.

So, if you need some new knobs for your cabinets, outdoor furniture, or even wood for a project, this is the place to go. For a store directory of locations within the US, visit this site.

Enjoy!

Free Cable?!

2008-08-11T12:45:00.001-07:00

Well, maybe that's kindof misleading. But if you are anything like us, we have never paid for cable. So last night when we installed our new DTV Converter Box, we were pleasantly surprised to find that suddenly we had about 50 new channels! Okay, about 20 of them are in other languages, but there are still about 30 good channels we never had before! ABC alone now gives us 4 different ABC's to choose from! No more bad reception, either. We now have reception that is good on every single channel, without having to get up and adjust the "bunny ears" on top of our television! All without the hefty cable bill every month!

If you haven't yet gotten your converter box coupon, be sure to get one soon (although if you have certain types of cable you might not need a converter box). Then, you can go to either a store to purchase your box, or online, like I did. (I looked at some of the stores listed on their site for months but they were always out of stock, especially at Wal-Mart). We settled on the Artec model, which we are really happy with. Some of the remotes that come with these boxes don't have volume control on them, but ours does. The box was only $9.99 plus shipping (also between $5-10), but we still paid less than we would have at some of the in-store retailers, plus I didn't have to drive anywhere to buy it. We got it within a week.

If you don't have cable, this is definitely the way to go!

Overstock Deals

2008-08-09T14:59:00.001-07:00

If you haven't already discovered the great bargains on Overstock.com, I highly recommend you head over to that site. Shipping is only $2.95 per item, and if you need anything for your home, this is the place to get it. I just found that I can get a brand new dining room set for under $400 (including shipping!!!). Need curtains? Blinds? Sheets? A new shower curtain? A new couch set? Seriously - before going to any furniture store from now on, this is where I will shop. The bonus is that others who have bought the items have rated them so you can know the true quality.

They also sell electronics (IPods), computers, jewelry, and tons of other stuff (even sewing machines!). Two years ago I did about 75% of my Christmas shopping on here and was absolutely amazed. Get a head start this Christmas and head over to Overstock!

Goodwill Online

2008-07-26T21:52:00.001-07:00

If you like to make things for people, have I found the Jackpot for you! Goodwill is now online, and they have 2 full pages online of craft kits for around $2.25 each. You can make a Baby Memory Frame, a Lamp Kit, necklaces, bracelets, keychains, scarves, totes, etc... These would be great for church groups or retreats! They have a LOT of other great things as well. Shipping is a flat fee of $7.99 but you still might be able to find a deal here you wouldn't be able to find anywhere else. Visit Goodwill Online.

I found out about this on one of my new favorite websites (I have a link to it on the left and below). Check this webpage out weekly for the best internet deals (including Dooney & Bourke purses from Macy's!). Visit Bargain Hunting Moms.

Greeting Cards!

2008-07-24T15:41:00.000-07:00

Every year, I estimate that I give and send about 30 greeting cards: birthdays, anniversaries, new babies, sympathy, thank-you's, etc... It just pains me that to get a nice card I usually have to spend at least $4.00 each at Hallmark. This equals about $120 a year just on greeting cards! I am not crafty, so making them is out of the question for me. BUT, I have found ways to save on greeting cards:

1) Costco. Every year Costco sells this huge pack of assorted greeting cards. These are quality cards. There are 41 handmade cards in the box, which retails for $119. Amazon sells this box for $54.95. However, Costco sells the same box for only $15. I use these all year long.

2) The Dollar Tree. I know, not the place you'd think of buying a greeting card. But they actually have some cute ones here! I bought a few recently and couldn't even tell the difference between these ones and some Hallmark ones I had purchased. (I wouldn't buy the ones at the 99cent store, though - they look like you bought them there).

3) Friends- if you have friends who do Stampin' Up, you may want to ask if they make and sell their own cards. I have a friend who has a whole box of homemade cute cards and sells them for only $1-3 each. I usually look through her box and purchase a few at a time.

4) Hallmark - You just can't beat a Hallmark card. So, if it's a really good one, I will shell out the $4-5 for the card. But be sure you get a Hallmark Crown card. That way you rack up points every time you buy a card, and you get coupons in the mail towards more cards, or even gift certificates. Their dollar cards are okay, but you can usually tell if someone bought you one. I would stick with the Dollar Tree cards if I am going to only pay $1.

5) Trader Joe's - Trader Joe's actually sells greeting cards for only .99! They are good quality and cute. Stock up next time you're there!

Good Idea!

2008-07-24T15:37:00.000-07:00

My friend Melanie has a great idea to help save money. You can read about it on her blog here. Basically, she bought this soap dispenser that you put on your shower wall, and it helps you to use less product (which, in turn, saves you money!)

Melanie also inspired me recently to do more to save on gas money. Her husband, who was commuting to work, decided to start taking the bus instead. He found it only added 20 minutes per day to his commute time, and cost only $1 a day. They are saving around $8 every day he rides the bus instead of driving. Amazing! You can read her blog about this here. Go Melanie!!!

Coupon Codes

2008-07-22T21:07:00.000-07:00

A recent visitor to this site, Lana, reminded me about Coupon Codes! Coupon Codes are online codes that you can use for discounts or free shipping for online purchases. Many times you can find items cheaper online than in the stores, especially if you use a coupon code. There are entire websites devoted to updating these codes weekly and even daily. So, next time you want to make an online purchase, if you know the site you want to order from, simply type in your search bar "Coupon Code for _________" (and insert item or store name).

For example, say I want to order some clothing from Eddie Bauer online. I would simply type in "Eddie Bauer Coupon Code", and immediately I would find a code to use that will give me either $10 off or 20% off my online purchase. I would type in the code at the end of my transaction on their website. It's that easy!

Discounted Dental Work

2008-07-22T20:55:00.000-07:00

I come from a family with a LONG line of bad teeth. I have spent more money on my mouth than I have on either of my cars. Here are three ways to save on dental work if you need it.

#1) Shop Around. Dentists charge different fees for the same work. If you need a particular procedure done, it may help to call 3 dentists to see what they charge baseline for, say, a crown, a filling, a cleaning, etc. Many times dentists in large practices (groups) encourage more work done to your mouth than is necessary, as this is how they make most of their money. I had a dentist who recommended 4 cerac crowns, and said I had no other option as he did not do any other cheaper types of crowns. These are $800 each and insurance does not cover them. When I found a new dentist, she told me I only needed one crown, and the rest were small fillings. She "filled" me in on what other dentists do - that sometimes they recommend unnecessary work that insurance will not cover. I am so glad I found a new dentist.

#2) See if there is a "school of dentistry" in your area. These schools provide dental treatments for much less than a typical dentist. The downside is that the appointments usually take longer, because they are done by students being overseen by teachers. Before you balk at this idea, remember that many procedures done in doctors offices and hospitals are also done by "residents" who are being taught and overseen by their doctors. Two schools of dentistry in the Southern California area are the USC School of Dentistry and the Loma Linda School of Dentistry. (On a side note, I would not really recommend taking a small child to these schools as the environment can be a little scary for them, especially if it takes 3x longer for a procedure than it would at a regular children's dentist).

#3) If you don't have dental insurance, you may want to check out AmeriPlan. This is not dental insurance, but is a discounted program for dental services. You simply join AmeriPlan for a small fee and then choose one of their providers for your dental service. This is similar to an HMO. I have compared the rates with my own insurance plan and they are similar.

If you have any other tips, please let me know!

Student Loan Forgiveness Program

2008-07-09T19:40:00.000-07:00

While this program may not help those of us who graduated 10 years ago, if you graduated from college within the last few years (or especially in 2007), this program may be of tremendous help to you. In October of 2007, The College Cost Reduction and Access Act of 2007 was passed, which forgives any remaining balance of your student loans after 10 years of full-time employment in public service or in a non-profit agency. The catch? Only payments made on or after October 1, 2007 count toward the required 120 monthly payments. Some of the jobs that make people eligible for this program include:
Government employees, police officers, firefighters, military personnel, public school teachers, employees of tax-exempt nonprofit organizations (i.e. churches?!), public child-care workers, public healthcare workers, public social workers, and librarians.

So, if you are like me, and have TONS of student loan debt, this program may help you. Especially if you re-consolidate your loans through the federal government, which often times stretches out your new loan balance over a new 15 or 20 year term. Unfortunately, our loans will be paid off before 10 more years is over. Bummer.

Anyway, to read more about this to see if it might work for you, visit www.finaid.org or read this very informative article from the LA Times.

"Cheap" Jewelry

2008-07-08T15:31:00.000-07:00

I don't spend a lot of money on jewelry. In fact, right now every necklace that I own is tied up in a big knot in my bathroom. Why? I have nowhere to hang my necklaces! I do appreciate earrings, though. So I have been on the hunt for places that sell nice, but inexpensive, jewelry. Here are some places I have found:

-Kohls. They always seem to have jewelry on clearance. You just have to look for the racks in the jewelry department. I can regularly find jewelry that is 70% off here, so I don't even shop anymore from the regular priced racks there.

-Claire's Boutiques. Yeah, it is not the greatest quality, but if you just want some cute options, they do have some good sales. I love their 10 for $5 sale.

-Forever 21. While nothing in this store would actually fit my body, they have a great jewelry section where everything fits! :) Their prices on jewelry are fantastic, probably because they know that teeny-boppers are usually strapped for cash. Their normal price on earrings, necklaces, etc. is around $6-12 each.

Where have you found the best jewelry deals?

Video Rentals

2008-07-06T20:22:00.000-07:00

While I have been a loyal Blockbuster customer for many years, I have not subscribed to their monthly service, nor have I joined Netflix, for the simple reason of not wanting a new monthly bill to have to pay. Yeah, I know it's only $10 a month, but we don't rent very many movies. And still, it's another commitment, and another bill.

Well, I just discovered a rental service at my local Albertson's the other night, and I'm a big fan of it now. It is a vending machine for DVD's called "Red Box DVD". They had a ton of new releases, and it's only $1 a night. I rented a movie on a Friday night, watched it, and had it back by Saturday at 9pm, and only spent $1!! If I remember correctly, I pay $4.32 every time I rent a video from Blockbuster. Yeah, I get to keep it for a few days, but I usually end up watching it the night I rent it anyway.

It may not be as fun as perusing the aisles looking for something interesting, but if you know what you want already, then give Red Box a try. You can save a few bucks!

Red Box DVD (locate one near you).

Aquarium of the Pacific

2008-07-06T20:14:00.001-07:00

If you live near the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, you may want to consider getting an annual pass. For only $110 a year, an entire family can get unlimited admission. This includes 2 adults and any dependent children in the same household. You can also get 5 parking passes for only $15 (parking is normally $7 each trip). In addition, they often have a promotion which includes 1-2 free guest passes when you purchase an annual membership.

However, you can also get FREE admission once a year if you work for a non-profit organization. The only catch? Your HR office has to fill out the form and send it in, and then the admission is good during the month of September. In order to qualify, your application has to be received by August 8, 2008. For more information, visit this site.

We have passes to the Aquarium and can tell you from first-hand experience that our kids love it, and it is great to be able to go for 2-3 hours at a time. It's not Sea World, but it's sure a lot closer to us! :)

Emotional Shopping

2008-07-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

Recently I was feeling really overwhelmed at home, and decided that I needed to get out of the house. I got in the car and headed down the street, feeling the urge to go shopping, which is fun and relaxing for me. I realized that I was getting excited about the prospect of finding some good deals, and I felt my stress and anxiety turn to happiness and excitement as I drove towards the shopping center. I also thought that maybe after I went shopping, I could go pick up a cupcake at the bakery on the way home. "That will make me feel better!" I thought. But this time was different. I felt really strongly that I needed to turn around and go the other way; I needed to go park the car in front of a park by my house. Normally I would just ignore this "sense" and keep driving, but I couldn't do that this time. I felt like I really needed to go park at the park.

So, this time I listened. I drove to the park and sat in the car. It was silent. I wondered "What am I doing here?!" As I sat in the silence in the warmth of my car, my emotions swept over me and I started to cry. I allowed myself to feel what I had been trying to push away. I felt overwhelmed. I felt sad. I felt angry. I felt tired. So I just sat in the car and cried. Definitely not what I had been planning to do. Then I prayed. I prayed for a long time. I prayed through all of my emotions, I asked God my tough questions, and I sat in the silence. After awhile, for the first time in a long time, I felt peace.

God spoke to my heart that day in the car. He reminded me that I was seeking pleasure and fulfillment through my "shopping spree" instead of going to Him. I realized that I do that a lot. Many times when I'm feeling stressed and overwhelmed, right when my husband gets home, I will jet out of the house for some "alone" time and go shopping. I spend money on things I don't really need, including food that I think will help me feel better, and try to cover my emotions with temporary pleasure.

Just like there are emotional eaters, there are also emotional shoppers. Many people do both (including me - note the reference to CUPCAKES?!) :) Next time you feel the "need" to go shopping, just stop. Ask yourself if you are feeling overwhelmed, depressed or tired. Is that why you are going shopping? If so, turn that car around and find a park. You may find more peace and joy than you ever would at the store. You will also save your pocketbook! :)

Coupon Clipping

2008-07-05T10:05:00.000-07:00

If you are a coupon-clipper, you probably already heard that Ralphs is no longer doubling coupons that are $1.00 or more. This is sad news to those of us who have religiously planned out our shopping adventures so that we can fill our carts with numerous free items every week. Vons stopped doubling coupons about two years ago and then did an about-face shortly after they lost thousands of customers (including myself) for doing so. So, I guess it is back to Vons for me.

Clipping coupons is not fun for some people, but for those who take the time to do it for about 10 minutes once a week, it is well worth it. Some people don't clip because they feel they will end up with a bunch of items they don't need, but I only clip coupons for things I do need, unless I will get it for free (if I know it is about $2 and I have a $1 off coupon that can be doubled).

If you would like to get the MOST out of your coupon clipping, you might want to try visiting The Grocery Game website. This is a site where you pay for a monthly subscription to the store of your choice (Ralphs, Vons, etc...) and they do the work for you. They tell you what coupons are coming out each week, where your best savings will be, and what you can stock up on. I have done a trial subscription to this site and it was pretty amazing. However, I do most of my shopping at Trader Joe's (where they don't take coupons), so I don't really need a subscription. My shopping at Ralph's has been mostly supplemental. Check it out! It pays to use coupons! When I do shop at Ralph's I regularly save 40-50% on my total bill by using coupons.

Need a Drink?

2008-06-22T16:18:00.001-07:00

This Tuesday, June 24th from 4-5pm, the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf will be giving away free Yogurt Ice Blended drinks (size small). They are available in mango, original and strawberry. YUM!

Saving on MAKEUP!

2008-06-18T21:29:00.000-07:00

Tonight a friend of mine told me about a website where they sell all makeup for only $1! I checked it out and it looks great. There is even a coupon code floating around online that lets you save $7.50 so you can get free shipping ("carolina" - not sure when this expires). E.L.F. has been featured in O magazine, Real Simple, Marie Claire, and many other magazines. It has also been featured on many TV programs like the Style Network and CNN. I am placing my first order this week!

E.L.F. Makeup

Buying the "Unmentionables"

2008-06-17T21:23:00.001-07:00

I just read an article in Consumer Reports magazine about purchasing bras (see article here). Basically it says that when they ran tests on expensive bras, they found that the BEST bra was actually one for $11 from Target. Even a lingerie designer with more than 50 years of experience wore a $14 bra herself.

Lesson? Victoria's Secret is just a brand. It doesn't mean quality. (So I guess this just confirmed what I already thought.) Go Target!!

If you are looking for great prices on bras, underwear and lingerie (besides going to Target), try going to TJ Maxx or Ross. These stores have name brand bras for so cheap. I just bought two name-brand bras, both normally between $30-40, for $7.50 and $9.99.

Cheap Children's Clothes!

2008-06-17T21:10:00.001-07:00

I am finding that as my boys get older, the hand-me-downs come less. That's probably because older kids (boys especially) run down their clothes so fast! My oldest son is now in size 3T and so I have been on the hunt for cheap (but quality) children's clothes. Here are my top 5 picks for cheap children's clothing stores:

1) Children's Orchard - the clothes here are quality, clean, ironed, and cheap. Shirts run about $1.99 each and shorts are about $2.99 each. This is even cheaper than Goodwill sometimes! But the BEST part is - you can sell clothes here too and get store credit. You have to make an appointment, which I did for last Friday, and they bought $32 worth of clothes from me. I had a lot of unused clothes that had been given to me for my youngest, who has outgrown those sizes. I took my $32 of store credit (or they would have given me $24 cash), and I bought my 3 year old's entire summer wardrobe (well, almost!). I got 3 shirts, 4 pairs of shorts, 2 pairs of pants, and one pair of shoes. Some of the items were brand new with the tags on them! I went over by .12 cents, so I I got ALL of that for .12 cents! Here is a picture of everything I got:

2) Mervyn's - sometimes they have the greatest sales. I have been there twice when they had these $1 and $3 sales, and I got fanstastic deals on clothes. Those sales are usually at the end of the season.

3) Kmart - while I generally don't like shopping at Kmart (for oh, about 100 reasons), they have great sales on kid's clothing. One time I saw shirts on a clearance rack for .25 cents! They also frequently sell kids shirts and shorts for under $3.

4) Walmart - same reasons as Kmart. Check the clearance racks in the children's section.

5) The 99Cent Store - Okay, I know what you're thinking: Either "What?!" or "Ew!", right? :) Well, I was there last week and they had collared polo shirts for boys for only .99 cents each! They were from a chain store - I couldn't tell which one - but I know I have seen clothing there before from Kmart and Walmart. You can either check the baby section or the aisle where the underwear and socks are - they sometimes have a rack of kid's clothes there. Surprised?! I was!!

Hurry In!

2008-06-14T15:33:00.001-07:00

If you are looking for some CHEAP presents for birthdays or even Christmas, hurry in to Bath & Body Works because they are having an amazing 75% off sale. You can get some great lotions, shampoos, soaps, body scrubs, gift baskets, and candles for around $2-3 each. I don't know when the sale ends, so hurry in now!!

The Best AAA Discounts

2008-06-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

Most people I know have AAA service, but did you know that your card can get you discounts at some great places? Here are a few of my favorites:

Food:
El Torito - Save 10% on your bill
Chart House- Save 10% on your bill
(They no longer give discounts for Soup Plantation- bummer!)

Stores:
Linens N Things - Save 10% or $10 on a purchase of $50 or more
Visit AAA.com/linensandthings to download coupon.
New York & Company (one of my favorite clothing stores) - Save 15% on your total purchase
Payless Shoes - Save 10% on regularly priced merchandise
Target.com- Save 10% on purchases online, by shopping at aaa.com/target
The UPS Store - Save 15% on purchases or 5% on shipping

Attractions:
Knotts Berry Farm - Save 20% on tickets
LegoLand - Save $10 on each admission (until August 31, 2008)
SeaWorld - Save $5 on each admission
"Special Offer valid May 24 – September 1, 2008: Adults at Kid’s Price with Kids 1/2 Price! Show your AAA membership card at the SeaWorld San Diego ticket window and ask for the special Adults at Kid’s Price with Kids 1/2 Price offer or call 800-25-SHAMU and press 14."

Other:
JCPenney Portraits: Save 50% on your entire portrait purchase including sitting fees

Time for Updates!!!

2008-06-06T23:04:00.001-07:00

First of all, I'm so sorry to you, my loyal readers, who have been checking in over the last few weeks and have seen no new posts! Don't fear, though, today I sat outside and thought of about 20 new topics to blog about! So starting next week I am going to be more consistent and get some new posts up.

To start, I want to post what my friend Corrina blogged about last week, because it is really helpful information. Here are her tips in a nutshell (to read her full post, go to her blog):

A few things Corrina does to save money:

-Shop at Dollar Tree and discount stores
"Today at Dollar Tree (all at $1) I found Puffs Kleenex, bleach, mozarella cheese, popsicles, pretzels, Rubbermaid reusable tupperware and a Fitness magazine."

-Skip the paper products. "We used to go through a ton of paper plates in a month. It was just easier. But I realized--although I would buy them inexpensively, it adds up and isn't too green either. It's been 2 or 3 months since I last bought paper plates. We just use the dishawasher more! And rags work just as well as paper towels."

-Buy in bulk at places like Henry's.

-Shop at children's resale stores and craigslist.

-Split food items at Costco with a friend.

-Shop at little (local) markets

Thanks for all the tips, Corrina!! If any of you have any tips, please let me know!

It's The Little Things

2008-05-19T16:24:00.000-07:00

This week I have been really inspired to try to save more money at home. In our home, we are really noticing the effects of the gas prices as well as the increasing cost of food. We feel like we are not buying any more than usual, yet we are spending so much more. It is really frustrating. So, for the past two days, I decided to not use our dryer and actually hang out our loads of laundry to dry. "WHAT?!" You are probably asking yourself! :) Yes, I have decided to go back to the Little House on the Prairie days :) Really, the motivation was more about not making my house any hotter than it already was, but I also felt like maybe we could save just a few dollars by line-drying our clothes. It's actually been pretty fun! I don't know how much we are saving, and hope to try to figure that out, but every little bit helps.

Singing the Praises of Freecycle!!

2008-05-19T08:47:00.000-07:00

I have written about Freecycle once or twice before, but I just have to stop and write about how great this Yahoo Group is. Last week Martin's cell phone broke, and we did not want to spend $200 on a new one. I went on Freecycle and asked if anyone had an old cell phone that took a SIM card, and immediately 3 people replied. One even offered us a Blackberry, but we ended up receiving a phone that was in perfect working condition and was BETTER than my husband's old model! He just put his own SIM card in and it rang immediately because someone was calling him.

In the past few months we've also received:
-A brand new umbrella base for our patio umbrella
-2 Redwood benches for our back yard
-A brand new bottle of Shaklee cleaner (safe for children) that is concentrated and makes over 100 bottles from the one!
-A perfect looking bassinette for my friend who is having a baby

I also might receive this week a kid's soccer net and a kid's patio set for outside.

If you haven't joined this group yet, there are Freecycles for each area. Just go to www.freecycle.org. You have to have a Yahoo user name and password, then every day just go to your "yahoo groups" when you log in, and see what people have posted. You have to act quick to get things you really want, but it's worth it! They also require you to post something for free first, before you get something for free (you only have to do that once).

I have given away a lot of great items on there as well, and it is really a great feeling knowing you are giving something to someone who really needs it, versus donating to a thrift shop where someone will eventually have to pay for your item. It is very rewarding!

Buying Baby Formula for Less

2008-04-24T12:54:00.000-07:00

Last month I transitioned Jaden from breastfeeding to formula. He is almost a year old (next month), but I had no idea how much formula I would go through in two months - WOW. It has really made me appreciate the money I saved by breastfeeding! I have been on a mission to find the best-priced formula, since we are going through about a can a week. I have used different brands and Jaden has never known when I've switched them. He seems to like them all. The research I did on this said it is fine to switch brands as long as they are both milk-based and he is not on a specialized formula. The government regulates what goes in them, so I'm really not concerned about one being less nutritious for him (other than a few minor things here and there).

Right now he is on Enfamil Lipil, and a 12.9 oz can costs about $15. The bigger can costs between $20-$30. I have found that not only is it cheaper to buy the bigger can, but Wal-Mart has the best prices on formula that I have found anywhere. They are consistently as much as $10 cheaper than anywhere else. Here are some tips I have found for getting cheap formula:

- Shop at Wal-Mart. Not only are the prices the best, but they have an Organic brand of formula which I love, that is $10 cheaper than the already discounted Enfamil and Similac. That means I get a giant 24 oz. can for $15. The non-organic (regular) Wal-Mart brand is only $11 for this same size (and it has the exact same ingredients as Enfamil Lipil, with DHA & ARA).
-Check Craigslist. I know this might sound risky at first, but I have been on there every day seeing people selling brand new, unopened cans of formula because their baby switched brands. Some of them are cases still shrink-wrapped from Costco. People sell them as low as $8 a can if you're willing to go pick it up and take if off their hands. I also got 2 FREE cans of Enfamil from a lady on there who received the cans as samples from her doctor. They were unopened and saved me about $20.
-Ask your Pediatrician. They have tons of samples of formula to give away. I asked mine for a sample last week and she gave me three containers full.
-Sign up online for coupons and samples at formula websites. Enfamil.com and Similac.com both send free cans when you sign up and tell them when your baby is due (or was due). I got a few cans this way as well.
-Lastly, check your grocery store's discount bins. Usually these are located in the back of the store. One time I went to Ralph's and they were trying to get rid of about 100 cans of Similac Organic, because the label had changed or something like that. They didn't expire for almost a year, and they were only $5 each for 24 oz. (and larger) cans. I stocked up and bought so many that I ended up giving some away (they were expiring before Jaden was on formula).

I hope this helps some of you!!!

FREE (or nearly free) ICE CREAM!!!

2008-04-24T12:52:00.001-07:00

I just read in the paper today that you can get ice cream for free next week at the following places:

-Ben & Jerry's - Free Cone Day
12-8pm, on Tuesday April 29th

-Baskin-Robbins - .31 cent scoop night
5-10pm on Wednesday, April 30th

Can anyone say, "Cheap Date?!"

The Cruciality of Tithing

2008-03-23T21:08:00.001-07:00

Okay, okay, I know "cruciality" is not a word, but I made it up because I think it should be a word :) Growing up in the church, I have actually been surprised at how many people I have met that do not tithe. However, tithing is one of the ONLY instructions given to us in Scripture that is tied with a PROMISE - Malachi 3:10 (New International Version) "Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it."

Many people believe that because tithing was an instruction given by God under the old covenant, that we no longer need to do it today. However, tithing was a regular New Testament practice. Without getting into all of the theological arguments for this case, I just want to encourage anyone reading this to really pray and search your heart about this issue. Most of the people I know who have financial problems are in trouble because of one or both of these reasons: 1) They have gotten into too much debt and/or 2) They are not honoring God through tithing. I personally believe both of these are sinful behaviors.

Getting into too much debt (crown ministries distinguishes between good debt - i.e. college loans, etc.- and bad debt - i.e. credit cards for purchases we don't really need) means that we are "borrowing" money from a company when we do not have (and many times, do not plan to have) the money to pay it back on time. Romans 13:7 says "Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor." Not tithing means that we are holding onto our money as if it was our own (when it is all God's money), and we are not respecting or honoring him by choosing to pay our cable bill instead of tithing.

I have heard many stories of people who say "I can't pay my tithe! I don't have enough money!" yet turn around and pay bills for a new flat screen television, a cable bill, a brand new car payment, a designer purse, etc... These items are not "needs"; they are "wants" and we have confused the two terms until we have convinced ourselves that we truly do not have money left to honor God. However, when we honor God FIRST by paying our tithe before anything else, He will always provide for our needs. I have never, ever known anyone who is tithing to not have food on their table or to be homeless.

If you are struggling financially today, I encourage you, I plead with you, to test God and see if He will not bless your desire to honor Him. Give to him first, before going shopping, before paying your cell phone bill. Ask Him to help you prioritize what your true needs are so that you can put Him back in first place in your life. Because if you are not tithing, I would really encourage you to examine if He really is first in your life. Do you trust him enough to try it?

This is an excellent article on the topic of tithing while you are in debt: http://www.crown.org/LIBRARY/ViewArticle.aspx?ArticleId=574

Crown Ministries

2008-02-16T16:16:00.000-08:00

I want to tell everyone about a dynamic financial ministry that Martin and I were a part of a few years ago. When we got married (8 years ago), we had a considerable amount of personal debt that we brought into our marriage. Not only did we each have over $30k in school loans, but we both had credit card debt, which combined equaled more than $10,000. Our marriage counselors (more than one) actually encouraged us to pay off our debt before we got married because it seemed so insurmountable. Instead, we got married and decided to make it our first priority to work as hard as we could to get out of debt together.

First we had to re-train our thinking. We had both grown up without money, so credit cards, to us, were how we survived in college. We didn't have parents who sent us money every month; we both basically put ourselves through school and took out large loans to do so. So, we had to agree that we had used credit cards too liberally and needed to cut them up and trust God to provide for our needs. We would pay cash (or debit), or do without. We also had to put all of our money towards getting rid of our debt, which meant no new furniture for awhile, and no new - well, anything at all.

Thankfully God intervened and some friends of ours began a Bible study through Crown Ministries. We learned how to handle our money, we memorized Scriptures together, and walked with about 8 other couples through the process of all getting rid of our debt together. Within 2 years, we had paid off our credit card debt of over $10,000 - and Martin didn't even have a regular job (he was temping at the time). AMAZING. I still tell people that story today to encourage them and let them know that they can do it too.

To find a Crown seminar or study near you, all you have to do is go to this website and find one in your area. http://www.crown.org/ (Go to the left side under "Find an Event") Their workshops and seminars will change your life. They even have FREE financial counselors that will meet with you to help you get out of debt.

We have stayed virtually debt free now our entire marriage. We currently have no credit card debt, our cars are paid off, and the only debt we still currently carry are our student loans, which are going down every month. As the old saying goes, "If we can do it, you can do it."

Don't wait - Do it TODAY!!!

Free Money!!!

2008-01-28T16:40:00.001-08:00

Most women I know have a diamond wedding ring of some sort. If you do, and it was purchased after 1994, you get FREE money back! As part of a class-action suit against De Beers diamond company, you can get up to 59% of your money back. Here is a news article about this lawsuit:

http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SmartSpending/ConsumerActionGuide/BuyADiamondGetARefund.aspx

To file your claim and get your refund, go to:

https://diamondsclassaction.com/

Saving on Prescriptions

2008-01-28T16:31:00.000-08:00

Did you know that both Target and Wal-Mart have $4 prescription programs? They are amazing! I personally use my local Target pharmacy, and have personally used this program. I usually say "Is this prescription covered by your $4 program?" and they will look it up for me. My insurance co-pay is $25 for generic prescriptions, so already I have saved so much money by getting them cheaper this way. Not all prescriptions are covered, but all of the antibiotics for my kids have been. Yippee! Here is the link for what prescriptions are covered at Target:
http://sites.target.com/site/en/health/page.jsp?contentId=PRD03-004319

Saving on Airfare!

2008-01-08T15:27:00.001-08:00

I am amazed at how many people pay full price for airline tickets, not knowing how many great deals are out there. One person can pay up to $500 for a flight, while the person sitting next to them on the same flight paid only $79. It helps to know where to look for these deals, so here are some tips for you:

1) I always check the major travel websites first, to see what's out there and what the going rate is. These sites will quote the lowest available fare that they know of on the web. Great sites to start with are: http://www.orbitz.com/ and http://www.travelocity.com/.

2) If you prefer a certain airline or know that an airline services the area you are going to, check that airlines website yourself. Practically every airline I know of offers "internet only specials" that you can easily find by going to their web page. Southwest Airlines frequently offers internet only specials of only $39 each way to various places across the country. These may not show up on the sites listed in tip #1.

3) It helps to fly out of a larger airport than a smaller one if you want to save money. For instance, try LAX for cheaper flights instead of John Wayne (Orange County) or Long Beach.

4) Flying on "off" days are also cheaper. For instance, Tuesday or Wednesday instead of a Friday or a weekend. On the travel sites listed in #1, you can also enter in different dates and times to see which would be cheaper options.

4) You can always try sites like http://www.cheaptickets.com/ or http://www.priceline.com/ if you want a really low ticket price. Just be aware that any discount tickets do not allow changes or refunds.

5) If you want to buy a very cheap ticket but need the assurance that you could get your money back should something happen, you may want to look into getting travel insurance which might only be about $30 a person, versus an expensive plane ticket where you are allowed to make changes.

Overall, I would personally never buy from a travel agent, as they will not get you a rock bottom price, and they make money off of the tickets you buy. It does take more work to do the research yourself, but it is worth it if you want to save money!

Where to Find the Best Deals on FOOD!

2008-01-05T19:13:00.001-08:00

I admit, grocery shopping on a budget can be a daunting task. To save the most money, I have been known to go to about 5 stores in one day to get different items at the cheapest price. If I don't have time, typically I'll just head to Trader Joe's and then a regular grocery store to pick up the extras. But here are where I have found the best deals:

1) The 99 Cent Store: I know what you're thinking, "Ewww! Aren't all their products old or expired?" The answer is thankfully "No!" More and more, the 99 cent store is stocking Organic produce and items that you would find at your local grocery store. In fact, many times I go to both stores in one day and find the exact same items. I always check the expiration date first, but have never gotten an expired item from there. It is almost always cheapest to buy the following items here: Napkins, Paper Towels, Soap, Soups and other canned food items, and items from their freezer section and refrigerated section.

I am fortunate to have a brand new 99 cent store down the street, and it is the nicest one in the area. But if you have an old smelly one by you, it might be worth the drive to find a better one! :)

2) Costco: I wrote a previous blog about the pros and cons of Costco, but they do have cheaper dairy, bread and meat.

3) Target: Have you checked out Target's food section lately? WOW! They have the same great products that are at Ralph's but for half the price, not even on sale! This is the best place to buy cereal, canned food items, drinks, and household items (cleaners, detergents, etc.) Their cereal is so much cheaper than a regular grocery store, as well as shredded cheese (only $2 a bag vs. $4 at Ralph's!)

4) Trader Joe's: Some people think Trader Joe's is more expensive, but I have found the opposite to be true in many cases. Their cheese and meat is more expensive here, but canned food items are comparable, and they have great cheap snack items.

5) Ralph's: Ralph's is one of the more expensive grocery stores out there, BUT if you are a coupon clipper, this can be the best store for you! I can't even count how many free items I have gotten by using double-coupons (esp. toothpaste). However, if you don't use coupons, it is probably best to stick with Albertsons.

6) Your Local Farmer's Market: Almost every week I head to our Farmer's Market for fresh produce. It tends to be cheaper and fresher than at the stores, and you don't pay extra typically for organic items. I have a rule that for fruit, I won't pay more than $1.50 a pound. If a fruit is more than that, I'll choose a cheaper item instead. It also helps to go an hour before closing, because many vendors start cutting their prices to sell what is left. Sometimes, if I know that Ralph's is selling apples for .99 cents a pound, I will buy them at Ralph's instead of the Farmer's Market (since it might be cheaper), but the FM often sells at very low prices.

Costco & Sam's Club: Are We Really Saving Money?

2008-01-05T08:48:00.000-08:00

I am actually one of those people that loves going to Costco, even during the rush hour. The prospect of finding some good bargains, along with food samples to keep my tummy full - what more could I ask for? :) I don't know if you saw the expose' of Big-Box Stores on 20/20 a year or so ago, but it talked about this subject exactly. Do we really save money by shopping at these stores?

Well, if you are buying name-brand products like shampoo, many food items, toiletries, etc... then the answer is NO. I have comparison-shopped numerous times and found the prices to be exactly the same as if I bought 40 rolls of toilet paper at the regular store. However, if you buy the Kirkland or Sam's Choice brand, sometimes you will find them to be cheaper.

Where CAN you save at these stores?

1) Dairy - For instance, a 2-lb. block of cheese is $5.35. At the grocery store, a 1-lb. block of cheese is $4.99 or higher. Milk and eggs are also cheaper.

2) Bread and Tortillas - You can get 2 loaves of whole-wheat bread for $3.99, whereas you might pay $2.99 for one loaf at the store. You can also get 36 tortillas for $2.65.

3) Meat - If you need to buy meat in bulk, this is the place to go. I love Foster Farms chicken, but it is $5.99 a lb. for chicken breast at Ralphs or Albertsons. It is only $2.99 a lb. here, with the breasts packaged separately, which I love!

4) Laundry Detergent and other household items (store brand). It is nice to have a 3-month supply of laundry detergent, but you'll probably only save money if you use the store brand.

I know there are many other great deals at these stores on books, clothes, electronics, etc.... so I'm mainly talking about Food Shopping.

The bottom line, though, is that if you don't have the money in your budget to spend $10 on 8 rolls of paper towels, then don't do it. Go to the .99 cent store and buy what you need for 2 weeks, and spend only $2. Don't go over your budget because you *think* you are saving money. You don't need to buy 5 months worth of shampoo if you don't have the money right now. Stay within your budget and don't get lured into the temptation of thinking"if I buy it at Costco, I am saving money!"

Saving on Eating Out

2008-01-05T01:06:00.001-08:00

If you are anything like me, eating out is a hobby. I enjoy it immensely. Not only do I not have to cook and do the dishes, but I love getting out of the house, trying new things, and getting great meals for cheap!

So, how can we save money on eating out?

1) Cut coupons! I actually do go through my junk mail just to find coupons for local eateries. I also cut coupons out of our paper on Sunday. In my coupon book that I use for groceries, I have a section titled "Restaurants" where I put coupons for eating out. When we decide we want to go out to eat, we make our decisions (many times) based on what coupons we have available. For instance, Acapulco Restaurant has a regular coupon in the Sunday paper for "Buy one meal, get one for $3.99". We eat out a lot at this restaurant because we love mexican food and it is cheap! SoupPlantation also has regular coupons in the paper.

2) Get an Entertainment Book. At the beginning of each year, these sell for about $20. The book is packed full of "Buy one, get one free" coupons at various restaurants. Saving money on one meal out can pay for the whole book!

3) Find out what nights or times restaurants offer food cheaper. For instance, The Cheesecake Factory offers all of their appetizers for at least 50% off Monday-Friday from 4-6pm. Some Mexican restaurants have "Taco Tuesdays" where you can buy tacos for $1 and appetizers for 1/2 price. You will probably have to sit in the bar area, but most restaurants have booths available in these sections, and the earlier you go, the better.

4) Split a meal if the selections are big (we do this often at Lucille's BBQ). Instead of ordering a kid's meal (if your kids are young enough), share your food with them and order an extra side salad instead.

5) Skip the drinks. These alone can save you over $5 each meal.

We eat out about 3x a month at restaurants, and each time is special because we don't do it all the time. You CAN have a great, full meal and save money at the same time!

FREE Stuff?!!!!

2008-01-05T00:57:00.001-08:00

Many people have asked me how my husband and I have gotten so many things for free. Honestly, the #1 reason is God's blessing. When we need something, we rarely go out and buy it immediately. We almost always wait until we can at least find it at a price we can afford. Sometimes that means we wait a long time. But in the waiting, occasionally someone will find out about our need and just give it to us! By waiting, we have received a computer, three vehicles (at different times), a piano, two guitars, baby furniture, a television, a stereo, and many more items. So, my first tip for you would be - WAIT. Keep a running list of "needs" and "wants" for your household. We keep ours in a notebook. We also check it off and date it when we obtain the item, and are always sure to thank God and pass a blessing on to someone else.

I want to share with you two websites you may not know about where you can find free things:

1) www.craigslist.org - Find your local city, and there is an entire FREE section (under "For Sale")! You can type in what you are looking for in the "search" box.

2) www.freecycle.org - Find your local city, again, and check this site daily for things you need. Just last week I got a free umbrella stroller for our baby that we needed for a trip we were taking. The woman who gave it to me also gave me a bag of clothes for my oldest son. What a blessing!

Be sure to post items on these sites that you no longer need, as well, because we have definitely found that God blesses us when we give!

Saving Money on Books, DVD's, and Videos

2008-01-05T00:24:00.001-08:00

Whenever I need to buy a book, DVD or video, I almost never buy it from a store. I always go online FIRST. My favorite site to buy these items from is www.half.com. This is a site connected to EBay, where individuals or stores can sell books or videos to you for dirt cheap. They are required to put the condition that the item is in: Excellent (Brand New), Good or Fair. Shipping is usually a standard price, around $3.99 for media mail, or you can upgrade to expedited shipping for $5.99. While this may deter some people, keep in mind that you can easily find brand new books for as low as .99 cents, so you can get a brand new book, with shipping included, for under $5.00. WOW!

Just this week I ordered three brand new books, and got all three for less than $25 which included shipping. I received them all within one week. This is also a great site for college students who need to buy new or used textbooks. Just be sure you have the right ISBN number and volume number before you purchase it, to make sure you are getting the correct edition.

If you absolutely cannot wait for a book to arrive in the mail and need it immediately, only then would I suggest going to Barnes & Nobles or Borders. To me, these stores are expensive and I would only go there if I was desperate. However, it is fun to peruse through their books if you're not sure exactly what book you need on a certain subject yet. For DVD's, I would choose either Wal-Mart or Target, or Blockbuster if you are okay getting a used copy. These stores usually carry them cheaper than other major retailers. Good Luck!

PocketWise is Up and Running!!!

2008-01-05T00:22:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of 2008 and New Year's Resolutions, along with the encouragement of family and friends, I have decided to start a blog on how to save some money! Many of my friends have encouraged me to start this blog so that I can share some tips I have learned on how to find the BEST deals on things they want to buy. Please give me your feedback and let me know what topics you would like me to cover. I am still learning, but will pass on anything new I come across!