Thoguht of the Day

Let go of super-high standards for yourself and others. You can be happy in an imperfect world.

Finally Friday

TGIF! Its finally here again. This week has consisted of getting back to our normal daily routine, catching up on chores around the house, my daughter starting "preschool" 2 days a week, and we have a birthday party to attend Sunday for my husband's grandmother. She just turned 97. Can you imagine being 97? She is such a remarkable lady. She is in great health for her age. She is very fiesty and always says what she thinks. I have more gray hair under my highlights than she does. Happy Birthday Grandma!

Have a great weekend and I'll see you Monday!!

Thrifty and Neat Blog Entries Found this Week

1) Parmesan Potato Wedges - These look great and at a great price.

2) Why Being Frugal Could Be Costing You More - You do have to work at saving money.

3) Three Tier Garden Container - Neat Idea.

4) How to Let Go of Worry - I am the one who worries in my family.

5) How to Use Left Over Pickle Juice - Anyone who has pickles could use these ideas.

FREE Sample of Osmoflex

Click here for your FREE Sample.

Thought of the Day

Compliment the cook.

FREE Sample of Eucerin Redness Relief Now Cream

Click here for your FREE Sample of Eucerin Redness Relief Now Cream.

FREE SLURPEE 7/11 ONLY

Thoughtful Thursday - Operation Christmas Child

As always, I have been trying to think ahead and prepare for Christmas. For the past couple of years, I have been doing shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child. I already have 4 shoeboxes almost full. I use lots of samples that I receive, items that I get for FREE by using coupons, things I find on clearance, and back to school sales. Its a great time to start collecting items for your shoebox. Please check out their website and start a new tradition this year.

Thought of the Day

Enjoy each moment as it happens. Your life is made up of one moment after another, either lived or lost.

FREE Subscription to TV Guide

Click here to order TV Guide for FREE.

Wedge Free Wednesday

Thanks to Freebies4Mom, a few months ago I registered at Hanes for Wedge Free Wednesday and I won!! I received a postcard in the mail stating that the selection I choose was out of stock at the moment but I had 3 options to choose from. I can't believe I won a pair of panties. I NEVER win anything. So sign up today at Wedge Free. I did notice their selections have changed and there isn't as many to choose from.

Sample Review

Pledge Wipes

I received this sample a couple of months ago and forgot that I had it until I spotted it last night. As soon as I found it, I decided to dust my family room. I was not impressed. The wipes streaked my table and I had to get my Pledge spray out to go over the tables again.

Price - Lowes Foods - $3.75 for 18

Definitely Would NOT buy.

Thrifty Idea for Dinner

Thanks to Money Saving Mom I had a great dinner last night and still have leftovers for lunch today for $5.35. Not too bad, especially since I didn't have to cook.

I picked up one of Little Ceasar's $5 pizza and I also got Free Crazy Bread. Click here for your coupon for Free Crazy Bread.

My husband was quite impressed with our meal. It was still hot and ready when he got home. I did make a tomato, cucumber, and onion salad. Cut up the veggies and add a little Ranch dressing. Tomato and cucumber are from my garden.

FREE Sample of Southwest Lifestyle Body Lotion

Click here for a FREE Sample of Southwest Lifestyle Body Cream.

FREE Sample of Biodegradable Golf Tees

Click here for your FREE Sample of Biodegradable Golf Tees.

FREE Sample of Celine Dion Fragrance

Click here for your FREE Sample of Celine Dion Fragrance.

Thought of the Day

Don't waste time regrettnig the past.

Fried Cinnamon Strips

I found this on my new favorite website - allrecipes.com - Click here for the recipe.

I made these last night and they were great. A quick, sweet treat. I did add more cinnamon when they were finished and I also had lots of sugar left over that I put in a ziploc bag to use next time.

FREE Sample of Biore

Send your skin to rehab. Get your sample of Biore here.

FREE Sample of Old Spice Body Wash

Click here for your FREE Sample of Old Spice Body Wash.

July's FREE Book from Billy Graham

Click here for this month's FREE book from Billy Graham.

FREE Sample of Nivea for Men

Click here for your FREE Sample of Nivea for Men Shaving Gel and Post Shave Balm.

Thought of the Day

Try new recipes.

Bath & Body Works Coupon

Click here for a new coupon.

Mail Call

My mailbox was full when I returned home. Look at what I had waiting for me!!


2 4-Pack Callaway Golf Balls
Pup-Peroni Sample and Coupon
$10 Certificate for Outback Steakhouse
Dapple Dish Liquid
Babiesrus Coupons
Kiehl's Ultra Facial Cleanser
Light and East Recipe Book
Lawry's Grilling Recipe Book
Belk Coupon for my Birthday
B&BW Coupon
FREE Issue of Lucky Magazine
FREE Issue of Woman's Day Magazine

SNAPFISH - ONE WEEK ONLY!!

GET 50 PRINTS FOR .50!!!


Use coupon code JUL4PENNY08 at checkout.

Hurry, this offer ends July 12!

Great Bargains Found While Shopping at Tanger Outlets

Tanger Outlets has become one of my favorite places to shop. I located a coupon book as soon as I got there which had some great coupons. I also had (2) coupons for Carters $10 off a $50 purchase a 20% off Coupon for The Childrens Place. I also visited the Kitchen Collection store, The Gap, several shoe stores with my mom and Koret Clothing. Below are the great deals I got.

Carters - 6 Winter/Fall Outfits for my Daughter for $41.02 - Averaging $6.84 per outfit.

The Childrens Place - A sundress for next year on the clearance rack for $4.19 with coupon.

The Kitchen Collection - Love this store. I had never been in one before and they some great things on SALE. I bought 3 Taco trays as Christmas gifts - $4 Each , 1 Paring Knife - .99 Each , and 3 Kids Sectional Plates on Clearance - .80 each , and 1 Cake Pan with Lid - $4.97.

Total Spent - $70.26

Items Purchased on Vacation for FREE or Almost FREE

Of course when spending a week at the beach, you have to make a grocery store trip the day you arrive or the next day. I have been trying to plan ahead and purchase as many items as possible when they are on sale. I have also been collecting coupons to take with me for my grocery shopping. I have compiled a list of my FREE or almost FREE items that I have been able to get.

Purchased at the Beach:
pasta - FREE with Coupon
pasta sauce - FREE with Coupon
4 - 2o oz. Cokes - FREE with Coupon
2 - 7up 2 Liters - .51 each with Coupon
2 - 7up 20 oz. Drinks - .22 each with Coupon
Free Chicken Biscuit - McDonalds Coupon
Free Chicken Sandwich - McDonalds Coupon
Free Coronza Chips - 2 Bags
Free Hot Pockets - Coupon from Food Lion
4 12-Pack Drinks (CVS - There was one close to our condo.)
Lunch Deli Meat - Food Lion Coupon
Free Plasticware - Given to us at Food Lion - Not sure why?


Items Taken with Us: Most of is this is Thanks to CVS :) and my Travel Size Samples for FREE
Party mix - FREE
candy - FREE
shaving cream - .19
razors - FREE
lotion
toothpaste - FREE
deodorant - FREE
shampoo - FREE
conditioner - FREE
hairspray - FREE
mustard - FREE
mayo - .29
3 - cereals .95 each
laundry detergent - Travel Size - 1.00

Items Gave to Us for FREE: Thanks to the place we stayed.
Beach Bag
3 Beach Balls
Free Lotion, Shampoo and Soap for Each Person (Of course, I brought those home)
Toilet Tissue
Free Brochure of Attractions in the Area

FREE or Almost FREE Things We Enjoyed While on Vacation

I have never really thought about all the things a family can enjoy for FREE at the beach until this year. Check out my list below of all the activites we did for FREE.

- Fireworks Show
- Live Band - Beach Music
- Collecting Seashells including Sand Dollars
- Breathtaking Sunsets
- Swimming in the Ocean
- Building Sandcastles
- Fishing - Took our own rods, my husband caught our own live bait - Caught 4 Trout,
3 Flounders and 1 Pompano (We'll be having a fish fry soon.)
- People Watching
- Playing in the Park
- Romantic Walk on the Beach with your Spouse

- Fresh Seafood Dinner at a GREAT Price at a very nice restaurant overlooking an inlet. You got to enjoy the view of the water and the boats. I purchased a $25 gift certificate from restaurant.com before we depart for $3. Our meal total for 3 adults and 1 child was $ 59 total (incl. tip) with our gift certificate our total came to $ 34. That's an average $10 per adult and $4 for a childs plate (total includes tip). Our meal included an appetizer, 3 entrees, 1 childs plate and drinks. I was very pleased with our meal and our savings.

This will be included Wednesday at Rocks in my Dryer for her Edition of Works-for-Me-Wednesday. Make sure you check it out for other great tips.

Thought of the Day

Consider mistakes nothing more than detours on the way to success. Learn from them, and then go on.