RiteAid: FREE Edy's Ice Cream & Lay's Stacks!!! (and no coupons needed!)

Who doesn't like ice cream and chips? This is a deal anyone can do. You don't need any coupons! But you do need a Rite Aid card (they are free, and you can even apply for one when you go to grab these deals)

So here's the deal:
Edy's Ice Cream: $2.99 each
     - Receive $2 +up reward (prints out on your receipt to use on next purchase)

Lay's "Stacks" Chips: $1 each
     - Receive $1 +up reward

Spend $15 on select foods (the ice cream and chips are included), get a $5 +up reward (one per household)

Deal Scenario #1:
     - Buy 5 ice creams
     - Spend $15+tax out of pocket
     - Get $15 back in +up rewards to use on your next purchase ($10 for the ice cream, $5 for spending $15)

Deal Scenario #2:
     - Buy 3 ice creams ($9)
     - Buy 6 cans of chips ($6)
     - Get $17 back in +up rewards

Repeat deal.... :-) Tonight I spent $21 out of pocket (combined from 2 separate transactions) and got the following:
- 7 tubs of Edy's Ice Cream (we have a deep freezer)- $21
- 8 cans of Lays Stacks- $8
- 4 Packs of Stayfree pads (On sale B1G1, and I had B1G1 coupons) $22
- 2 bottles of St. Johns Wart (vitamins on sale B1G1 and I had coupons) $18
- Nature Made Sleep Aid (had coupons) $13

Original Total: $82 +tax
Out of Pocket: $21 (savings of $61)
+Up Rewards still left: $9 (so basically I spent $12 for all of the above, because I'm sure I will find some more great deals at Rite Aid and score some more free stuff to keep these +Up rewards rolling!)

NoMoreRack: $5 for 5 Receiving Blankets @ NoonET

Figured I would give y'all the heads up in advance on this one: NoMoreRack has daily deals that start at NoonET every day, and they sell out FAST. Today I spotted two things: $5 for the 5 receiving blankets pictured above, and $6 for the Glass Handbag Hanger pictured below (you use to hang your purse on a table when you're out and about, instead of having to set it on the floor):

Like I said, this stuff sells FAST. Shipping is a flat rate of $2 an item. If you're new to NoMoreRack, after you sign up, go to your profile, then "Redeem a Gift Card" and type in "P1070", which will give you $10 off your first purchase of $20 or more.

*This post does contain my affiliate link.

Pampers Wipes: $1/1 Coupon

Sign-up at Pampers to receive a $1/1 Pampers wipes coupon mailed to you!

Whenever I get one of these coupons, I usually use it at Giant Eagle. Giant Eagle keeps having the electronic eoffer coupon you can add to your Giant Eagle advantage card, which you can stack with a coupon, making a tub of wipes about $.50. I stash the tubs to add to baby gifts for friends!

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!

More FREE E-books on Amazon!!!

Every week new FREE books are posted to download... grab them while they're free, because they don't stay free. Here's some a spotted this week:

- "After The Leaves Fall" by Nicole Baart
- "Listen" by Rene Gutteridge
- 1-Year Book of Devotions for Couples

Amazon also has a bunch of old classics (like Wizard of Oz, Anne of Green Gables, Jane Eyre, Pride & Prejudice, etc...). Just check out their top Top 100 Free books!

And don't forget you can download the ESV Bible (English Standard Version) for FREE, too!

$5 tickets to Pittsburgh Auto Show

Grab $5 tickets (normally $10) to the Pittsburgh International Auto Show that will be going on February 10th-13th. You can only purchase this Groupon deal through Monday, January 31st at midnight, so don't wait!

Target: Wheat Thins for $1/box

If you got today's (1/30) SmartSource coupon insert in the Sunday newspaper, look for the $1/2 Wheat Thins coupon. You can stack this with the $1/2 Nabisco Crackers Target coupon. Wheat Thins are on sale for $2 a box this week (1/30-2/5) at Target, so using these two coupons you can get 2 boxes for just $2!!!

Review: God Gave Us The World

Immediately when I opened this book, I smiled. I love the bright watercolor-type pictures, the colorful scarves around the little bears necks, and just the expressions caught by the artist of little kids.

The book "God Gave Us the World" shares about a polar bear family visiting a "Bears Around the World" museum, which sparks dozens of "but why?" questions from Little Cub. "Why do they wanna live there?", "Why do they eat that?".... And Mama Bear patiently answers them all with the basic but solid answers that all the bears live in different places, eat different things, and look different, because God is creative and had fun creating us all different!

The book is geared for children ages 4-8 years old, which I think is a perfect age. Not only is it educational on the basics of different bears, but brings up some great questions that provide Christian parents with the chance to talk about how creative God is, and take it the next step further to look out how we as people are all created different, too. The principles/statements are fairly repetitive as the book continues on, but for a child, this will be perfect. I look forward to my son getting old enough to enjoy this book with me!

Feel free to rank my review here: 

Just in case you're interested, Amazon sells God Gave Us the Worldfor $7.91.


* Disclosure: "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, as part of their "Blogging for Books" program."

Taking a few days off....

Friends and fellow bargain hunters, I just wanted to let y'all know I won't be posting deals very much for a few days. We have been battling being sick for the last week and a half, and I'm finally hitting my wall. After 9 days of having the flu & a severe sinus infection myself, while taking care of my 1 year old who got a cold, then an ear infection, then the flu, then double ear infections, and his little ears aren't responding to the antibiotic (after 5 days they went from 1 ear to both ears), he has to go in to get an antibiotic shot (this was his fourth round of ear infections in 6 months). I finally went to the doctor yesterday, and hope to be on the mend soon.

Anyway, I need to focus on my Levi, my body resting/healing, and getting back on top of things around the house. I'll be back up to posting sometime next week, but in the meantime I'll pass on deals from other bloggers when I see them pop up!

Mega Swagbucks Friday!!!

Don't forget that you have higher chances of getting Mega Swagbucks on "Mega Swagbucks Fridays"! So make sure to search with Swagbucks today! If you're not signed up for Swagbucks yet, sign up*, and start earning Swagbucks, which you can redeem for free giftcards. You can earn them for doing normal daily internet searches, taking surveys, using coupons, playing games, recruiting friends, etc... You'll automatically be started off with 30 Swagbucks (and it only takes 450 to get a $5 Amazon card).

* You earn extra Swagbucks for recruiting friends, so yes, that's my referral link above. I appreciate all referrals, as they help me continue to find creative ways to be a stay-at-home-mom. But if you would rather go directly to swagbucks.com, feel free to do so!!!

Amazon: $2.18 for 648 Huggies Wipes, shipped!!! (Updated)

Update: Price has changed slightly from last week. Now it is $17.40 (instead of $16 something), but after Amazon Mom discounts, and the $10 Amazon coupon, the price would be $2.18, which is still a GREAT deal!!!
Wow, oh wow. If you got the February issue of "Baby Talk", look for a $10 off your purchase in the Amazon Baby Store coupon. If you already belong to Amazon Mom, you might have gotten one of these in the mail last week. If you have this coupon, here's how you can get 3-refills of Huggies Natural Care Wipes (648 wipes) for $1.57.

- Login to your Amazon Mom Account (it's FREE to join if you haven't already).
- Find the Huggies Natural Care Fragrance Free Baby Wipes Popup Refill, 216-Count Pack (Pack of 3) - $17.40
- Get 15% off for belonging to Amazon Mom
- Select "Subscribe & Save" to get an additional 15% off (make sure to unsubscribe after you receive your wipes--the terms say you can unsubscribe at any time)
- Your price should now be $12.18
- You get free 2-day shipping with Amazon Mom
- Enter the promo code from your magazine/mailing card, then click "Sign Me Up"
- Your total should be $2.18* (for all you numbers-people, this is only $.003 per wipe!)

Like I said. Wow, oh, wow! We were on our last few wipes, too!

To make this even better, I used an Amazon giftcard I earned through Swagbucks, so it was completely FREE! (and yes, that is my affiliate link to Swagbucks, because referring people is another way to earn some extra Swagbucks. If that makes you uncomfortable, go directly to www.swagbucks.com yourself and sign-up!)

*If you have problems, just call Amazon customer service. It wouldn't apply the promo code to my order, which has never happened before to me, but I called and they adjusted it because the wipes meet the criteria for the discount. Customer service was very helpful and very friendly, and I didn't spend much time on the phone with them at all!!!

$10 off in the Amazon Baby Store Coupon!!!

Amazon is doing a great job of promoting their baby store and Amazon Mom. Today I had a surprise when I opened the February 2011 issue of "Baby Talk". A $10 off any purchase in the Amazon Baby Store! I received one of these in the mail last week (sent to Amazon Mom customers) but was not expecting one in a magazine! (and there was another valuable coupon for 20% diapers at Amazon in the Parenting: Early Years Feb. '11 which also came in the mail today)

If you haven't joined "Amazon Mom" yet, you should. It's a free 3-month Amazon Prime Membership available to all caregivers. And if you spend $25 in the Baby Store (before coupons!), they add another free month onto your membership. You can get up to 30% off diapers, wipes, etc... with this membership (and stack a coupon on that to get a GREAT deal!)

And the reason I got "Baby Talk" was because I signed up for a free 1-yr subscription. It's worth it even if you get the issue, check for coupons, and throw it in your recycle bin!

Still Going: $5 Amazon Giveaway!!!

Don't forget, to kick off the New Year, and the official launching of this blog, I am hosting my first-ever giveaway! This giveaway ends in less than two weeks, on January 31st. One lucky follower/reader will get a $5 e-giftcard to Amazon.com (an e-giftcard is a redemption code you can apply directly to your Amazon account). Here's how you can enter this giveaway:

- Become a follower of this blog (1 entry)

- "Like" Saving With a Smile on Facebook (1 entry)

- Invite a friend(s) to follow this blog or "like" it on facebook (1 entry per friend*)

So you can have multiple chances to win this giftcard. Current followers will automatically be entered into the giveaway. The giveaway ends January 31st at 12midnight ET!!!

*Email me at smilingwhilesaving@gmail.com with the names of your friends you invited, and when they become a follower of "Saving With A Smile" or "like" this blog on Facebook, that will qualify you for another entry. I won't use your friend's names for anything else--first name and initial of last name would probably work, if that would make you feel more comfortable! Your friend will also be entered into the giveaway, and can invite their friends, too!).

Want to earn more free Amazon giftcards? Register for "Swagbucks", where you can randomly earn "swagbucks" just by using their search engine for you daily internet searches, as well as by taking surveys, polls, or even printing & using coupons!!! (and yes, that is my affiliate link to Swagbucks, because referring people is another way to earn some extra Swagbucks. If that makes you uncomfortable, go directly to www.swagbucks.com yourself and sign-up!)

Yoplait $.50/4 Coupon still working...

If you didn't print it last week, the $.50/4 Yoplait yogurt coupon is still available. This is a great coupon to get some cheap yogurt, especially if you have a store that doubles coupons. Using this coupon (doubled) this week, I got yogurt for $.25 each. Yay!

Go to the bottom of the page, and click "Get Coupon Now".

Host a Philly "Dinnertime Dilemna" House Party (for FREE!)

If you like cream cheese, and you like cooking, here's a fun opportunity: sign-up to host a "PHILLY Dinnertime Dilemna House Party" on Saturday, March 12, 2011. If you are chosen, you will receive a FREE Party Pack that includes the following: 


For the Host:

• 4 Gratuity coupons for PHILLY Cooking Creme
• 1 GreenPan^™ Signature Stainless Steel Skillet
• 1 PHILLY Cooking Creme Oven Mitt
• 
  
• For Hosts and Guests:
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Coupons
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Recipe Booklets
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Notepads
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Magnets
• 16 PHILLY Cooking Creme Wooden Spoons
• 
  
• This is similar to the Coffee-Mate "Free Flavor Friday" offer awhile back (and that party will be happening in homes and online on Friday, February 4th, so stay tuned for more coupons and freebies from Coffee-Mate!

• 
  

Amazon: 10 Reams of Paper for $6.07

Update: The price has now been changed to $44.14 (which sounds more like what it should be). We'll see if the orders start getting cancelled or not!)
If you use a lot of paper for school, home, coupons, work, etc... go over to Amazon and snag 10 Reams of Hammermill MulitPurpose paper for $6.07. That's only $.60 a ream. This is probably a price mistake, so the order might get cancelled, but it might also be honored, which would make this an AMAZING deal! Pass this on to friends!!!

Thanks Passionate Penny Pincher and Hip2Save for the heads up!

Would YOU Live "Under The Overpass"

When you were in college, would you have dropped out for a semester to experience first-hand what living homeless in American might be like? Would you have such a heart for these people that you would leave behind family, friends & money... just to get a better idea of what a homeless man/woman goes through on a daily basis?

To be perfectly honest, I wouldn't. Maybe for one night, with a huge group of my friends. But not for five months, in 6 different cities across America. Yet that's exactly what Mike & Sam did, and Mike shares their story in his book, "Under the Overpass"*. These two students carefully embarked on this endeavor, did their research, and finally one day, were dropped off in a city, with everything they would own for the coming months in their backpacks.

A line in the book that made me come to an abrupt halt was: "While kids might people who don't exist do, it's the parents who pretend that unwanted people who do exist don't." I spent almost three years living as a college student in downtown Chicago, and walked by dozens of homeless people on a weekly basis. I learned to avoid eye contact and walk fast. I didn't want to get trapped into an awkward situation, or endanger myself. But I could have learned ways to treat those homeless men and women as individuals, to show them love, to recognize them, instead of just ignoring them.

In "Under the Overpass", Mike & Sam, two traveling companions with the same heart to put real Christian faith to the test, meet hundreds of homeless people, with hundreds of stories. I realized I have been guilty of judging people on the street just by their looks/situation. I see them as a person, but oftentimes automatically think of them as  person who just made all the wrong choices. I do this without even realizing that's what I'm thinking! This book was not written in a way to guilt-trip the reader, but gives the reader glimpses into dozens of various life stories. It challenges each individual reader to examine their own lives, and how they can be involved in reaching out into their community. Mike Yankoski brings his book to a close with an action plan. A practical, simple action plan that anyone can take hold of. Basic things like give food or giftcards instead of cash, to meet a true need (hunger) and not an addiction (drugs, alcohol, etc...). You can see all five suggestions in the Under the Overpass Action Plan here. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting to get a glimpse of another world outside their own. If you would be interested in getting a sneak-peak at the book, you can read Chapter 1. You can purchase "Under the Overpass
" on Amazon.

So why would I choose to read this book? Because I needed a prodding to once again be reminded of life outside of my comfortable home. To be reminded that there is a lot of life outside of my town, life that is not pretty. And most of all, to be reminded that God's heart is burdened for everyone, and He greatly loves "the least of these." Am I allowing God to use me to love on people that may cross my path?

Feel free to rank my review:


* Disclosure: "I received this book for free from WaterBrook Multnomah Publishing Group for this review, as part of their "Blogging for Books" program." 

More Free Kindle Books on Amazon...

Here are some more free books... I can't believe I'm getting to read for fun, read for free, all without even leaving my house! And most of them are from Christian publishers...

Romance/Comedy:
- "Always the Baker, Never the Bride" by Sandra Bricker
- "Love on a Dime" by Cara Lynn James
- "Happily Ever After" by Susan May Warren

Suspense/Mystery:
- "Last Light" by Terri Blackstock
- "Against All Odds" by Irene Hannon
- "Light of Eidon" by Karen Hancock
- "The Aedyn Chronicles: Chosen Ones" by Alister McGrath
- "A Woman Called Sage" by DiAnn Mills
- "Deeper Water" by Robert Whitlow
- "The Justice Game" by Randy Singer

You don't have to have a Kindle to download and read these. You can download the Kindle app for free to your Mac, PC, iPod touch, iPad, smart phone, etc... Enjoy! (and as always, check the price before downloading, because they change often!)

NoMoreRack: $5 Pasta Set

Update: Sold Out!
Well, the blankets are already sold out, but here's another deal on NoMoreRack today... $5 for a starter pasta set (+$2 shipping). They come in black, red, and blue.

New to NoMoreRack? Sign up, and get a code for $10 off your first purchase of $20* or more. When you sign-up, pay attention to the code at the bottom of the box (usually something like P1070). Then go to your profile, then select "redeem a gift card" and enter the code.

*This is an offer given to referrals of existing NoMoreRack members. That is my referral link, which enables you to get the $10 credit. If you would rather sign up directly, just go to NoMoreRack.com!

NoMoreRack: $5 Fleece Baby Blankets

UPDATE: Already Sold Out!!!
One of the deals today on No More Rack is an adorable fleece baby blanket for $5 + $2 shipping. (they have blue & pink, and they measure 30"x40") Hurry, because these things normally get snatched up very quickly!!!

Shop At Home: 10% Cashback at many stores...

This week, through January 16th, Shop At Home* is offering 10% cashback at quite a few stores. Here are some of them (and yes, this includes clearanced stuff in all the semi-annual sales going on):

- Target.com 10%
- Sears.com 10%
- Macys.com 10%
- Petsmart.com 10%
- Kmart.com 10%
- VictoriaSecret.com 10%
- Borders.com 10%
- Aeropostale.com 10%
- JCPenney.com 10%

New to Shop At Home? You can find out more about how it works here.

* Shop At Home offers referral credit when you have new members sign up through your referral link. That is my link above, so go directly to www.shopathome.com if you would rather not be a referral. As always, I appreciate referrals, since it helps me as I pursue being a stay at home mommy! But it's not the main reason I blog. I blog because I love good deals, and when I find them, I can't help but pass them on!

Online Shopping: Earn 2-10% Cashback...

I found out a few months ago that on top of getting cashback through my credit card, and using coupon codes for discounts/free shipping at online retails places, I can also earn cashback on purchases through places I already purchase from online... For example, in December, when my husband and I finally got to buy the deep freezer we had been saving cash to buy, we did it through Shop At Home to earn 10% cashback on our purchase. Shop At Home is one of many sites online that you can use to stretch your dollar even a little further... Here's the basics:

- Register or Login to Shop At Home.
- Click on "Online Shopping", then "all Stores".
- Find the store you were going to shop at online.
- Select the store... it will show you various coupons available to use when you shop.
- Shop At Home will redirect you to that store's main website, by opening a new window with a tracking number. (shop through that window, though, don't switch windows/browsers)
- Make your purchase just like you normally would. In a few days, your cashback amount should show up in your Shop At Home account. Once you reach a minimum of $20, Shop At Home will mail you a check. They mail checks monthly.
- Earn extra by referring friends* to Shop At Home.

So many of us already shop online to save time & money. This can be a great way to save more if you already shop online. As always, if you weren't planning on spending the money, don't do it just for the deal! Then it's really not saving anything!

* Shop At Home offers referral credit when you have new members sign up through your referral link. That is my link above, so go directly to www.shopathome.com if you would rather not be a referral. As always, I appreciate referrals, since it helps me as I pursue being a stay at home mommy! But it's not the main reason I blog. I blog because I love good deals, and when I find them, I can't help but pass them on!

Growing Giveaway: 2 $5 Giftcards???

Well, January 2011 is almost half-way over... Which means there are only a few weeks left to enter the first-ever giveaway on this blog! One lucky reader will win a $5 Amazon e-giftcard. How do you enter?

- "Like" Saving With A Smile on Facebook
- "Follow" this blog (click the button to the right)
- Invite a friend (and email me their name at smilingwhilesaving@gmail.com)

All of the above ways give you 1 entry each. Well, we have already hit 56 followers on Facebook, so I thought I would "up the ante". If we hit 125 Facebook followers by January 31st, I will give away TWO $5 Amazon cards (so there will be 2 winners, not just 1). So keep on spreading the word!

All entries must be in by midnight ET, January 31st.

Nursing Covers: $9.95 Shipped...

Here is another great deal if you're a new mom, or need a gift for a new mom... Udder Covers is offering their nursing covers for $9.95 shipped, using the promo code "SEVEN". This takes off $32, leaving only the $9.95 shipping cost.

I used a nursing cover almost exactly like this, which I had made from a pattern online, because these are usually so expensive and you can't buy them in most stores. They are lightweight, easily packed into a purse or diaper bag, washes easily, and looks nice when you're nursing on the go. Not to mention you don't have to wrestle it around you while holding a hungry baby who wants to eat immediately!!! I highly recommend them! (and it costs about $5 in materials, and about an hour in time... so $10 is a good deal to save your time!)

If you didn't catch the deal on baby slings & matching baby leg warmers for $16.95 the other day, you can still do that, or grab just the sling for $11.95 over at Seven Slings with the promo code "2011".

Thanks to reader Mary over at Passionate Penny Pincher for the heads up on the nursing cover deal!

Curves: 2 Months for $25 (Howland, OH only)

The Youngstown, OH Groupon today is $25 for a 2-month membership to the Curves located in Howland, OH. You can purchase this deal through midnight on Wednesday, the 12th (the deal is running for two days instead of the usual one day).

 The membership needs to be activated by July 13, 2011.

Veggies That Freeze (and good to have on hand!)

I grew up in the country of Texas... whoops, I meant in the country in the state of Texas. ;-) Although my husband will attest to the fact that sometimes Texas does feel like another country (he's from Ohio)! Living in the country, and in the South, meant two things for me growing up: you learned to cook large amounts of food since there was always some kind of family or friend get-together going on, and you couldn't "just run to the grocery store", since the nearest store was 30-45 minutes away.

This meant meal planning, buying in bulk, and freezing a lot of food. When I got married several years ago, I had several adjustments to make: most of my recipes were for 6-8 people or more, I live in a different culture (Ohio) and have to substitute for items I can't find here, and (drum roll), I didn't have a DEEP FREEZER!!! While the grocery stores are only a few miles away, I still was used to buying in bulk, instead of grocery shopping every week or every couple of days. And this was frustrating as I started on my adventure in couponing & bargain-hunting, because I couldn't buy some of the deals (that I would actually use), because I had no place to put it.

And like many other singles, couples, or small families, it's trial by error to find which recipes feed 1-3 for a meal, without having to eat it 4 more times before it's gone. Or how to buy ingredients that you need for one meal, and use up the rest before it goes bad... Especially onions. Onions are needed in several recipes, but my husband doesn't like them, so I slip them in for flavor, but often have half an onion left over.

This last year we started saving up for a freezer, and in December finally got to purchase one! So now I'm a busy little mama, working on meal planning and freezing stuff to use in the coming weeks and months! Oh it's so fun to look at the shelves in my freezer and realize the money & time saved by those bags/containers sitting so patiently. So I thought I would share some of what I'm planning on freezing...

Here are a few of the things I have found that freeze really well:
- diced onions (in 1/2c. increments in a snack-size bag, then put into a quart freezer bag marked "Onions")
- chopped bell peppers (same as above)
- sliced celery (same as above)
- raw ground beef (1 lb.
- browned ground beef (1 lb. increments for recipes)
- raw chicken (divided into meal-size portions)
- cooked chicken, cut-up (into 1 c. portions)
- grated cheese
- bread
- banana bread
- coffee grounds


This cuts down on meal prep. Like if I want to make tortilla soup or a chicken pot-pie, I just go grab the meat and veggies I need and pour them into the pot! And when I can buy cheese for $.69 a bag, I can buy 10!!!

What else have you found that freezes well?

Restaurant.com: 80% through Thursday, 1/13

Now Restaurant.com has marked their gift certificates down 80%... which means you can snag a $25 gift certificate for as low as $2*!!! Just use the promo code "SPOON" when checking out!

*Read the terms that go with it (ex. bill must total $35 and include 18% gratuity) before you buy, but whatever the terms are, it means you will cut your bill in half at least!

Special K B1G1 Coupon is reset!!!

Looks like the Special K B1G1 coupon that I mentioned last week has reset!!! I was able to print two more this morning (by clicking your "back" button, you can print it twice). Special K is on sale at Rite Aid for B1G1 this week, so you can get four boxes for free*!!! If you don't have a Rite Aid in your area, don't forget you can go to Target to get 4 boxes for $3, or at many other grocery store 4 for $5!!!

Thanks for the heads up, Money Saving Mom!

*Rite Aid Coupon Policy says:  "We accept a Buy One, Get One Free Coupon with an item that is in our flyer as Buy One, Get One Free, meaning both items are free. The cash register will compute any sales tax due, which varies by state law."

Cleveland Groupon: $10 for $20 at Quaker Steak!!!

Oh yummy! I love Quaker Steak! One of the new things I was introduced to when I moved to Ohio. One of the deals listed today on Groupon is $10 for a $20 ceritifcate to the Quaker Steak in Valley View (it says only valid at that location, though... bummer!)

So if you live in that vicinity (422 & 77?), this could be a really good grab!

Johnson & Johnson Travel First Aid Kit for $.25!!!

Both Target & Wal-Mart usually carry a Johnson & Johnson Travel First Aid Kit for $1 in the travel-size area of the health & beauty section in the store. It's a small white box, with the basic bandaids, wipes, gauze, etc... SmartSource currently has a $1.50/2 Johnson & Johnson Red Cross Products. You should be able to use this coupon on 2 travel kits, making each only $.25!!! I bought these over the summer and restocked them with more bandaids, some travel size Advil & Tylenol, and a small tube of Neosporin. Perfect size to slide into a glove box, purse, or diaper bag!

Coupons.com: Some Good Coupons...

Here are some of my favorite coupons right now on Coupons.com*:

- $1/2 Campbells Select Harvest Soups
- $.50/2 Pillsbury Crescent Rolls (great if your store doubles coupons)
- $1/1 Tilex Mold & Mildew Cleaner (contains bleach, and gets my ancient kitchen counters really clean!)
- $2/2 Reach toothbrushes
- $3/1 Similac Formula Purchase (can use on the "Ready to Feed 32oz. bottles that are $3.85 at Wal-Mart)

There are many, many more, but those are a few that can definitely kick-start a grocery shopping trip!

* If it's your first time to print coupons from Coupons.com, you will have to download the coupon printer. Remember, you can print 2 of each coupon by going back and selecting it again! And coupons are restocked at the beginning of every month!

Bed, Bath, & Beyond: 20% Coupon by E-mail

Sign-up to receive a 20% off coupon (for one item) from Bed Bath & Beyond. You can choose to receive coupon by email and/or the mail. I often receive $5 off a $15 purchase coupons, or $10 off a $30 coupons. Right now I'm using my coupons as I reorganize my dining room area (which I also use as my office). Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons never expire (even if they say they do, the stores still accept them), so stash them away if you don't need them now, and pull them out for a rainy day!

Gift Cards: Legit Way to Earn FREE Ones...

To be honest, as I started this "adventure" of couponing & budgeting, I was skeptical of "free" offers from sites and companies. Especially free giftcards. How could they actually be free? How could a website/company give away free things? My husband reminded me that the companies are banking on people getting hooked and spending money once they are a member.

In the last 6 months, I have received multiple giftcards. So yes, free giftcards are real. So I will share my top 3 favorite sites for earning free giftcards:

1. Shop It To Me: Get $10 for every 10 friends, without anyone spending anything

2. Swagbucks: earn free "Swagbucks" which you can redeem for hundreds of different things

3. Viewpopints.com: write reviews and earn giftcards (they will notify you when they are running a giftcard promotion)

All three of these programs have been legitimate ways that I have earned giftcards in the last 6 months (and no, those aren't the giftcards I've earned above... Just a fun picture!)

Swagbucks: Earn Free Gift Cards!

Swagbucks offers people a variety of ways to earn "Swagbucks", which can then be redeemed for things like giftcards or other merchandise. It's completely free to join, and you will be started off with 30 free Swagbucks. How can you earn more Swagbucks? Make Swagbucks your home page, and earn Swagbucks in some of the following ways...

- Sign Up or Login

- Use the Swagbucks search engine for your daily online searches (Swagbucks are awarded randomly)

- Participate in polls or surveys

- Print and use coupons

- Invite friends to get extra Swagbucks*

A $5 Amazon card is only 450 Swagbucks. They start to add up quickly!

* The above contains my friend referral link. I appreciate the referrals as I continue to seek creative ways to earn a little money as a Stay-At-Home-Mom, but please know that if you feel uncomfortable with it, you can just go directly to Swagbucks.com yourself to sign-up!

ShopItToMe: Earn $10 Gift Cards Without Making a Purchase

ShopItToMe is a website that notifies people when items from their favorite brands, in their sizes, are on sale online. ShopItToMe also offers $10 gift cards for every 10 friends you recruit. And yes, it actually does work! I got my first $10 Starbucks card the week before Christmas!


So what is involved? What does it cost?
- Sign up (Signing up is free, and the only information required to sign up is your first name and an email address)
- Recruit friends**: for every 10 friends who sign up under you, you receive a $10 giftcard of your choice* in the mail.
- You will receive an email alert once a week.
- You, nor your friends, have to purchase anything to get the giftcard.


Yay! Now Sign-Up and start earning your first card!!! (and yes, you can use a "coupon" or "junk" address so you don't clutter your personal email address)


*Here are some of the stores you can choose from: GAP, Old Navy, Starbucks, Whole Foods, Sephora, Amazon, iTunes, Banana Republic, Urban Outfitters, etc...


** This is my referral link, of course. You probably already knew that, but figured I'd let you know anyway)

Baby Sling + Matching Baby Leg Warmers: $16.95 shipped

SevenSlings is offering their 3-piece gift sets for $5 + $11.95 shipping. This gift set includes a baby sling, matching baby leg warmers, and a matching mommy bracelet. Use promo code "2011" when checking out! They come in a variety of sizes, so have a measuring tape handy to find out which size you should order*!

*SevenSlings offers a $3.50 sizing insurance (looks like it covers return shipping, too) in case you want to switch it out for a different size. You can opt out of it though if you're pretty sure what size you want.

Gift Cards: Legit Way to Earn FREE Ones...

To be honest, as I started this "adventure" of couponing & budgeting, I was skeptical of "free" offers from sites and companies. Especially free giftcards. How could they actually be free? How could a website/company give away free things? My husband reminded me that the companies are banking on people getting hooked and spending money once they are a member.

In the last 6 months, I have received multiple giftcards. So yes, free giftcards are real. So I will share my top 3 favorite sites for earning free giftcards:

1. Shop It To Me: Get $10 for every 10 friends, without anyone spending anything
2. Swagbucks: earn free "Swagbucks" which you can redeem for hundreds of different things
3. Viewpopints.com: write reviews and earn giftcards (they will notify you when they are running a giftcard promotion)

All three of these programs have been legitimate ways that I have earned giftcards in the last 6 months (and no, those aren't the giftcards I've earned above... Just a fun picture!)

Behind the Scenes: Why I Coupon & Budget

In January 2010 I began a new adventure in life: motherhood. My handsome Levi was born January 13th, and my life has never been the same since! As my husband and I began the greatest learning season in our life (and we both have BA's!), we wouldn't trade it for the world. We learn so much about God, about ourselves, and about life in general, from a little person who can't even talk coherently yet (but his faces tell lots of stories!).

Before "motherhood", my husband and I lived on a basic monthly cash budget (we took Dave Ramsey's "Financial Peace University" early on in our marriage and would recommend it to everyone). This helped us truly know where our dollars were going every month, and for me personally, it took the stress out of shopping, because I knew I could purchase something if I had the cash for it (and it also made me think twice before handing over the cash!). Using cash definitely helps keep a person accountable! My husband works full-time, and I worked part-time (before Levi).

After having a baby, I became a full-time stay-at-home mom. I love it, but within months we definitely had to start revising our budget and adjusting it as needed. I learned some new creativity when it comes to shopping clothing, food, and other household supplies! (and I'm still learning).

In July 2010, I started this crazy fun adventure of "Couponing & Deals". I can't believe how doing some basic things have radically changed our household finances, and coupons/deals even enabled us to do some fun things together as a "family" that we didn't have room in the budget for before.

There are so many other blogs on deals, freebies, and coupons out there. I follow several on a daily basis. But I'm also learning things personally that help out. Several months ago I started this blog to share with friends/local people, to save myself time on the phone and in person sharing about a deal. :-) I had the goal of blogging more intentionally starting in January after several other commitments I had made were completed.

Now it's January, so the fun begins! Over the next couple of weeks I'm going to share some of the small things that have saved us big, and some of the surprises that I didn't think were actually possible (like earning free gift cards through Swagbucks or ShopItToMe). If you already know all this stuff, bear with me. If you are at the beginning of this journey, or have a friend who is, then I hope some of this helps (feel free to pass this info on to your friends!)

I will be posting here again soon!

Restaurant.com: $25 gift certificate for $3!!!

Restaurant.com offers gift certificates at really reduced prices. Normally, a $25 gift certificate costs $10. Through Sunday, January 9th, you can get 70% off that price with the code "PLATE". That makes the price only $3. You can print the gift certificate immediately from your computer!

Over Christmas vacation, my sisters and I went out to a random Mexican restaurant. It was such a fun time as four adults now to get to hang out for a little while (we live in different places), and using Restaurant.com, for all four of us to get entrees, drinks, an appetizer to share, plus taxes & 18% gratuity, we spent $24 out of pocket. That made the evening even funner!

$5 Hats at Lids.com

Lids.com is having a HUGE clearance sale, with tons of hats for only $5 each. This includes brands like Addidas, Nike, & Under Armour, as well as collegiate teams and pro teams, in both adult & children's sizes. Select the "Ship to Store" shipping method, and you'll get free shipping, too! I've been looking for a knit hat with a brim for my husband for months, and now I finally was able to get him one!

If you shop through Shop At Home, you can earn 12% cashback on your purchase at Lids! (which is a little over $.50 a hat. Nice!) New to Shop At Home? Register and get $5 automatically added to your account.

Baby Genius: $25 for 5 DVD's & 5 CD's

Today Groupon* is offering a set of Baby Genius Sing-A-Long DVD's and CD's for $25. This is 5 DVD's, with their accompanying CD's, and includes shipping. That's only $2.50 an item! My son doesn't watch much TV, but there have been some days that a 20 minute baby video is what helps keep me sane! :-) This would make a great gift for someone, even if you split them up into 5 separate gifts for 5 different people. Or like me, you could definitely use them at home (Levi love to dance to music!).

*Groupon is a nationwide daily deals site that offers big discounts to restaurants, hotels, apparel, entertainment, etc... And like many other deal sites, they offer referral credit if you pass a deal on and a friend buys it. So the links above are my referral link. It's a perk to passing on deals, but most of all I want to help y'all get some great bargains, so feel free to go directly to the groupon website if you feel umcomfortable with that, choose Dallas as the city, and purchase the deal!

$5 Starbucks Card for $1!!! (SOLD OUT)

* Update: These are now sold out. I'll let you know if something similar pops up again!!!
Wow, go grab a $5 Starbucks card for only $1 shipped to your door! Yep, you read that right. Only $1 (and sadly, you can only buy 1!) All you have to do is go to FamilyFinds* (another of the dozens of deal site), type in your zip code, then sign up. This is definitely a great deal! Yummy, yummy!!!

And as with all great deals, act fast!!! They sell out quicker than you could ever imagine!

*FamilyFinds.com has a "Refer A Friend" program that lets you earn credit if you pass the deals on to friends. So yes, that's my link above. As always, feel free to go directly to FamilyFinds.com yourself. Make sure to pass this deal on to friends, too, so you can save them money, and earn a little bit yourself!!!

Silicone Sports Watches: $7 shipped

Ok, I just posted about the Waterproof iPad covers, but I also want to mention the Silicone Sports Watches on sale today at No More Rack. No More Rack* is another daily deals site, and several of their deals caught my eye today: the Silicone Sports Watches for $5. No More Rack always has flat rate shipping of $2 an item. So that would make these watches only $7 shipped to your door (they come in a variety of colors). These would make great gifts for a kid, or for someone who enjoys some color when they're working out!

These No More Rack deals go quickly, so if you're thinking about it, don't wait around!!!

New to No More Rack? Register here and type in "P1070" in the "Redeem Card" box and you will get $10 added to your account, which can be used on your first purchase of $20 or more.

* As with many of the deals sites, you can earn credit if you refer friends. So yes, that is my referral link above. Feel free to go directly to the website if you prefer!

Waterproof iPad Case: $5 + $2 shipping

No More Rack* is another daily deals site, and one of their deals caught my eye today: A waterproof iPad cover for $5. No More Rack always has flat rate shipping of $2 an item. So that would make this iPad cover only $7 shipped to your door (it comes in aqua blue or gray). Another fun deal today is the

These No More Rack deals go quickly, so if you're thinking about it, don't wait around!!!

New to No More Rack? Register here and type in "P1070" in the "Redeem Card" box and you will get $10 added to your account, which can be used on your first purchase of $20 or more.

* As with many of the deals sites, you can earn credit if you refer friends. So yes, that is my referral link above. Feel free to go directly to the website if you prefer!

Once Upon A Child: Clearance Blowout!!!

If you have kids, and need to replace or stock up on clothing, you should check out the "Once Upon A Child"  Clearance Blowout this Saturday, January 8th. I know locally that the Niles, OH & Boardman, OH will be participating in these event, and I checked a couple other stores nationally. If you want to find out if your store (or if you live near a store), just visit Once Upon A Child*. Anyway, here's the details for the event:

Save more by the hour, on selected Fall and Winter clothing.* 
The longer you shop the more you save!

From 10:00am - 2:00pm
SAVE 50% OFF

From 2:01pm - 5:00pm
SAVE 60% OFF

From 5:01pm - 8:00pm
SAVE 70% OFF

*Once Upon A Child sells gently used baby/children's clothing, toys, baby gear, and furniture. As with most places, you just have to watch the prices. Some items are considerably marked down from normal retail value, others are not (so I would personally rather buy the item brand new). Sign up for emails from your local store, and you can find out when sales are going on.