Noticed the Lull in Posts/Deals?

Friends and other Frugal Deal Finders, just wanted to give y'all a quick update around my house... If you've noticed I haven't been posting much, it's not because I'm hogging all the deals for myself, or because I forgot about this blog... My little Levi, usually all smiles, has stayed sick again for the last 8 days. He is cranky, fussy, and wants to constantly be in Mommy's lap. And while being on the laptop finding great deals would be way more fun sometimes, I have to love on him and comfort him as he is growing in molars, battling a cold, and possibly fighting another set of ear infections.

So if you stop by to check on coupons/deals, know I miss y'all, and we appreciate the prayers! I will post stuff when I can, and look forward to being back on here regularly!

Book Review: What Am I Waiting For?

In her book, "What Are You Waiting For?: The One Thing No One Ever Tells You About Sex", author Dannah Gresh handles the topic of sex in a refreshing way, very different from other mainstream sexual purity books written for teens in recent years. Dannah Gresh starts out by laying the groundwork of God's design of man/woman, with a biblical perspective of our sexuality, that leaves the female reader feeling affirmed in how God created her to be. Following that introduction, she starts expanding that biblical view in the context of today's culture. Instead of answering questions specifically with "do's & do not's" (actions), she answers it with thoughts & attitudes (the heart), pointing the reader back to the Bible and the heart of God again and again.

The book tackles topics like masturbation, pornography, lesbianism, how far it too far, etc... with honesty and humility, while quickly taking readers right to the heart of it all: "Is this pleasing to God? Is this in line with God's incredible plan for me to experience intimacy with my future husband?" I just about laughed in the chapter that was titled "Where is the line?" Because she said we're asking the wrong question... by asking that question, we're really asking, "How much can I get away with?" So true, so true. :-) Anyway, the book from the first page to the last page carries the message of a God who intends for an intimate relationship between husband and wife, man and woman being created in His image, for an intimate relationship with Him, and most importantly, that as humans we fall, but He is a God of redemption, Who is calling us back to Him, no matter what our stories in the past might be.

I already know several young women I'd like to pass this book on to. This is a message of hope: hope that sexual activity is worth waiting for, hope for healing from past sexual experiences, and hope for an personal relationship with a God who cares so much for His daughters!

Read and rank my review right here: (thanks... bloggers can earn prizes depending on their rankings!)


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

Grocery Shopping Trip...

I would take a picture, but I already put everything away in the fridge... Today was a GREAT shopping trip at Giant Eagle to re-stock up on basics. And my little Levi patiently shopped with me, despite the fact that I forgot his "Cookie Card" which lets a child pick a cookie at the bakery to eat while mommy shops (the card costs $1 and is good for the entire year).

Anyway, here's a recap of today's shopping trip, matching coupons with weekly sales at Giant Eagle:
- 3 bottles of Coffee-Mate flavored creamer (FREE after coupons doubled from here)
- 4 of Yoplait Kids yogurt 4-packs ($.67 each 4-pack after coupons from here)
- 4 YoPlus yogurt 4-packs ($.67 each 4-pack after coupons from here)
- 1 individual Yoplait yogurt (FREE after coupon from here)
- 2 tubes of Crest toothpaste (FREE after coupons in SS coupon booklet)
- 4 cans of Muir Glen Organic tomato sauce ($.19 after coupons from here)
- 5 oranges (5/$1)
- 1 gallon of milk ($1.98)

Shopping Total (after coupons): $8.19

Yay! When I got started on this couponing journey, I learned a lot (and I'm still learning!) and was encouraged when people posted about successful shopping trips, because it showed me first of all where coupons could be printed to match sales, and that some things that were "expensive" before (like yogurt) can actually be easily affordable. So while not every shopping trip are as amazing as today's, it inspires me to keep on meal planning and watching the weekly ads to match up my coupons to make a fantastic deal!

$20 for $50 to use on Toys, Baby Blankets, and More...

Today an online daily deal site, called Eversave, is offering TWO interesting deals.

First, if you are new to Eversave*, they are offering a $5 credit to all new members. This offer is only valid today and tomorrow (2/16-2/17). I'd recommend going ahead and signing up to get the credit, even if you're not interested in purchasing anything today. You can always use it later. I've done this at several deal sites, and it definitely came in handy later!

The second deal is the actual daily deal: $25 for $50 to use at ShopZoolu (kids clothing, baby blankets, toys, etc...). If you're a new member, your $5 credit would make it $20. I went to ShopZoolu to check out their products, and like a lot of sites, some are pricey, some are normal... My favorites are the Melissa & Doug Toys (like the wooden blocks, $19.99) and the beautiful Bebe au Lait nursing covers ($35). They also sell bottles, sippy cups, the belly bandit, and more...

Basically, with this "save", you could get things 50% off!!!

* Eversave is a daily deals site that offers new deals every day. They also offer referral credit when you share Eversave with friends, so the above link is my referral link. I appreciate honesty & integrity in other bloggers, especially when they may be getting some credit for posting deals, so I strive to do the same. And I really appreciate referral credit, since it helps comp for some of the time I spend blogging to share deals! As always, you can go directly to www.eversave.com to sign up if you would rather not be a referral.

ViewPoints: 10 Reviews for $10 Amazon Card...

Viewpoints offers people the opportunity to write reviews on household products they already own, and in return, earn rewards. They are once again offering their popular "10 for $10", meaning you write 10 qualifying reviews (basically, over 900 characters and in certain categories), and they will email you a $10 Amazon e-card within 30 days of the program ending. I have done several of these, and between Viewpoints and Swagbucks, I have been able to make multiple baby purchases (like diapers & wipes), as well as help pay for part of my most recent Amazon purchase... our new tent!

So register or sign-in to Viewpoints, and start writing reviews!

FREE Nescafe Sample Pack...

If you haven't requested the Nescafe Taster's Choice Sample pack yet, you definitely should. Just "like" them on Facebook, fill out your address, and wha-lah! And you can request two per household, so sign up your husband, wife, mom, dad... You get 6 "sticks" of their 6 different coffee flavors. When I got mine in the mail, I stashed them away for our camping trips this summer. You just pour the stick pack into 6 ounces of hot water, and you have coffee on-the-go!

I love getting all these freebies in the mail. Makes checking the mail so much more interesting!

My Favorite Lullaby CD: Heaven Sent by Tia Ciferno

My all-time favorite lullaby cd is "Heaven Sent" by Tia Ciferno. I listened to this while pregnant, while holding my newborn son, and now I sooth his little forehead while humming the tunes in the few precious moments he holds still long enough to snuggle. The songs are absolutely precious about how babies are a blessing from the Lord, and as mommies we get to teach our children about Jesus. I have given away many of these to new moms. Actually, one of our local hospitals gives a copy of the cd to every new mom when she leaves. "Heaven Sent" by Tia Ciferno is available for MP3 download on Amazon for $8.99, or you can purchase the cd for $12 and read a little more about the songs & the heart behind them here.

Groupon: $35 for $100 at Picaboo!!!

One of the Groupon deals today is you pay $35 for a $100 voucher to use at Picaboo, and online website where you can create customized photo books, calendars, and cards. Sign-in or Register for Groupon, and select "Pittsburgh, PA" as your city, and you will see the Picaboo deal. I bought this back in the fall, and used it to make photo books as Christmas gifts. This voucher will cover the cost of two large custom hardbacks ($39.99 each), plus their shipping ($8.99 each). The voucher can be applies towards tax & shipping, but not combined with other deals. Have fun!

YoBaby Yogurt: B1G1 Coupon!!!

"Love is in the Air" so share a YoBaby coupon with a friend, and you will be able to print out a B1G1 coupon for yourself (and press the back button to print it twice!). Most stores in my area have the 4-packs for around $2, so that will be some yummy organic yogurt for my little Levi!

Diaper Deals on Amazon: really cheap!!!

Wow. I continue to be amazed by the diaper & wipes deals on Amazon. If you haven't already, sign up for a free "Amazon Mom" membership (all caregivers are eligible, not just moms), which gives you free shipping on ALL your orders, no matter the size, that ship directly from Amazon. With the discount for Amazon Moms, and the "Subscribe & Save" option, you get 30% off the Amazon price. Here's an example of the prices of diapers of these deals on Amazon (without every having to leave your house, they get dropped at your front door!)...

Huggies Snug & Dry Diapers, Size 1-2, 192-Count for $21.45 ($.11 each), and if you have the additional 20% off coupon, that would be $17.16 ($.09 each)

Pampers Baby Dry Diapers, Size 1 (8-14 Lbs), Economy Plus Pack, 252 Diapers for $31.49 ($.12 each), and if you have the additional 20% off coupon, that would be $25.19 ($.10 each)

Luvs Ultra Leakguard Stretch Diapers, Size 1 (8-14 Lbs), 264 Diapers for $24.88 ($.09 each), and if you have the additional 20% off coupon, that would be $19.90 ($.08 each)

With gas prices the way they are, those are some crazy good deals! If you don't need size 1 diapers (my Levi is in size 4!), check out these other Diapers Deals on Amazon. You automatically get 15% if you're an Amazon Mom (and membership is free), and an additionaly 15% for Subscribe & Save (which you can cancel after your first order just by going to your Amazon Acount and clicking on "Manage Subscribe & Save"). Keep your eye out for lime green Amazon diapers coupons in magazines like Parenting: The Early Years, BabyTalk, American Baby, etc... which can be stacked on top of the 30% you're already getting!