Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!!

 
Wishing everyone of you a very Merry Christmas!  I hope you enjoy your day with your family and loved ones. 

Saturday, December 22, 2012

FREE 5 x 7 Photo at Walgreens Today ONLY!


Walgreens is offering a FREE 5 x 7 photo today ONLY!  Just enter coupon code FREE5X7 at checkout to receive yours.  Make sure you choose free instore pickup.

Ways I Earned/Saved Money This Week

- I read all of my MyPoints emails daily for my account and my husband's to add points to receive FREE gift cards.

- Cleaned out my coupon binder.

- Continued to use my FREE samples this week including toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.

- Only used my dishwasher once this week.

- Printed a few coupons for future shopping.

- Paid a couple of bills online. No money spent on stamps.

- Requested a couple of FREE samples.

- Stuck to my menu plan this week. No eating out.

- Used my Just Save fuel rewards when filling up with gas and saved .15 per gallon.

- Continued to cut my dryer sheets in half to save.

- Planned my grocery shopping using sales and coupons.
 
- Received some free return address labels in the mail.

- Finished wrapping my Christmas gifts with paper purchased from clearance last year for almost nothing.

- Still organizing and cleaning out my storage closet. It is taking me awhile because I work on it a little bit each day while my 2 year old is napping.  A work in progress.

- Need a couple of Dirty Santa gifts for a Christmas party so I went to my gift closet and found what I needed.  No money spent.

- Did a few Christmas activities with the kids for FREE - phone calls from Santa, watched a couple of Christmas movies, watched Santa feed his reindeer online, and colored Christmas pictures.
 
What did you do to save/earn money this week? Please link up below or leave a comment and share how you did.

Walgreens - 15% off Coupon

 
Click here to print your Walgreens coupn to use in-store or online today only for 15% off all items and 20% off Walgreens, W brand, and Nice products.

Thought of the Day

 
Countdown to Christmas .... Only 2 days to go!!

Friday, December 21, 2012

FREE Lysol Dual Action Wipes

FREE Lysol Wipes after mail-in rebate.  Click here to print your rebate form and receive a refund up to $3.00 on Lysol Dual Action Wipes - 35ct.  Offer expires 12/31/12.

My Favorite Deals at Lowes Foods This Week - 12/19-12/25

Here is a list of my favorite deals at Lowes Foods this week. Remember, Lowes Foods doubles coupons up to .99. You can use 20 coupons per transaction. They will accept 4 "like" coupons and 2 "like" internet coupons.

Also, you can earn .10 per gallon fuel rewards with every $100 spent.

Fresh eRewards Offer
Jumbo Cantaloupe - $1.97
Limit 4

Buy 2 Get 3 FREE
Green Giant Canned Veggies - $1.39
Total Price - .56 each

Dixie Crystals or Dixie Brown Sugar - .98
Use .50/1 printable coupon
Final Price - FREE

Green Giant Frozen Boxed Vegetables - $1.00
Buy 3 and Use .60/3 coupon 11/11 SS
Final Price - .60 each

Stove Top Stuffing - $1.39
Buy 2 and Use $1/2 coupon
Final Price - .89 each

Heluva Good Dip - $1.79
Use .75/1 coupon 11/11 RP
Final Price - .29 each

Farm Rich Snack - $5.99
Use .75/1 printable coupon
Final Price - $4.49 each

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE

Birds Eye Steamfresh Varieties - $2.59 = $1.29
Buy 2 and Use .50/2 coupon 11/18 SS
Final Price- .79 each

Kraft Shredded or Chunk Cheese - $3.79 = $1.89 each

Aunt Jemima Pancakes or French Toast - $3.29 = $1.64 each

Green Snap Beans - .97/lb.

Small Navel Oranges - 2/$1

Large Tangy Limes - 3/.99

Sweet Potatoes - .89/lb.

You can view this weeks sale ad here.

Sunday Coupon Preview

 
 
There will be no coupon inserts in this weeks Sunday paper since it is a holiday weekend.  There are lots of great printable coupons available from Coupons.com, RedPlum, and Coupon Network


Mega Swagbucks Day

 
If you haven't signed up with Swagbucks, you definitely need to. It is a great search engine where you can earn swagbucks every time you search. I average 20-30 swagbucks a day. You can also download the Swagbucks Toolbar and Swagbucks will give you FREE swagcodes occasionally.
You can redeem your swagbucks for great prizes. My favorite prize is Amazon gift cards. With 450 swagbucks you can earn a $5 Amazon gift card. I apply my gift cards to my Amazon account and save them to use at Christmas.

You can sign up for Swagbucks here and earn 30 swagbucks just by signing up!

New Coupons Available


Print these great coupons while they are available.  My favorites ones are the great Crayola coupons and the Burger King Whopper B1G1 coupon.

Thought of the Day

 
Countdown to Christmas....only 3 days to go!!

Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Thrifty Teacher's Gift Baskets - $46 worth of items for only $12

 


I am very proud of the gift baskets I made for Payton's teachers. Planning ahead definitely saved me lots of money.  I was able to put together a $46 gift basket for only $12.   Here is how I did it.

Christmas Container - Dollar General $2




Starbucks Tumbler and Starbucks Hot Cocoa - $15.98 - Used a Starbucks gift card that I won from another blog giveaway



Tiny Prints Personalized Notepads - $16.99 - Used a gift card I had earned



Bic Pens - $1 - I got these for FREE with a coupon during the year



Staples $10 gift Card



Planning ahead saves me money plus takes away a little stress during the holiday season.  I already had the ribbon and the basket bag.  I think they turned out great and I can't wait for Payton to give them to her teachers tomorrow.

Did you make any gift baskets as gifts this year?

New Coupons Available

 
Print these while available!  Great Huggies coupon available.

Thought of the Day

Countdown to Christmas....6 days to go!

Monday, December 17, 2012

Giveaway Extended - The Good Life for Less Review and Giveaway


MomAdvice.com is one of the first blogs that I began reading many years ago.  I immediately felt a connection to Amy Clark because she was a mom with small children like me.  I began to read her blog almost daily and loved how she always found thrifty ways to have fun and entertain with her family.

I was thrilled when the Penguin Group contacted me and offered me a book to review.  I couldn't wait to receive it.  As soon as I unpacked Amy's book, I opened the cover and began to read.  I read the whole book that evening.  I simply could not put it down.  Her book made me feel like I was have a conversation with a friend. 

Amy's book truly does provide ways to Giving Your Family Great Meals, Good Times, and a Happy Home on a Budget.  I especially loved the selection of recipes she included in Chapter 3 and how she keeps a clean home in Chapter 5.

About the Author
Named one of the Top 50 Power Moms in Nielsen’s Online list and a “Power Mom” by Parents Magazine, Amy Allen Clark consults with marketing teams for companies offering and offers guidance on how to reach moms. Clark has been featured in the New York Times, Miami Herald, Ladies’ Home Journal, Women’s World, Redbook, All You, MSN Money, and Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food blog, among others, and pens a monthly “Frugal Mom” column for Michiana Family Magazine. Clark lives in Granger, Indiana, with her husband and two children. For more information, visit her website at www.MomAdvice.com, or follow her on Twitter @momadvice.

Giveaway
If you would love the chance to read The Good Life for Less, enter my giveaway and receive a copy before it is available for purchase.  Her book's on sale/publication date is purchase January 2nd.


How to enter: (5 entries per person)

- Leave me a comment letting me know what you hope to learn from this book. (Required)

 - Follow/Subscribe to my blog (1 extra entry) and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- Follow me on twitter - and leave me a comment telling me you did.

- Tweet about this giveaway (@mariathriftyWAI) and leave me a comment telling me you did.
Tweet this - Enter "The Good Life for Less" Book Giveaway http://tinyurl.com/bawbgc7
- "Like" me on Facebook and leave me a comment telling me you did.

This giveaway will close on Saturday, December 29 at 9pm. The winner will emailed and posted on Sunday morning. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen.

 

Disclosure:  I did receive free copies of The Good Life for Less from the Penguin Group to review and giveaway.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are my own.

Carmex Everyday Lip Conditioner Review


As a member of the Carmex Blog Squad, I recently received a free sample of their new Everyday Lip Conditioner.  As you most know, I love Carmex and use it daily.  I have it at home, in my purse, and most of the time in my vehicle.  I try to prevent my lips from chapping especially during the winter months. 

I was excited to try the new Carmex Everyday Lip Conditioner.  It is not like any other Carmex product I have used.  It is like lotion for your lips.  It is creamy, fast absorbing, non-greasy and contains 13 mositurizers for soft, smooth lips.  It isn't glossy either.  I was able to apply it and then also apply lipgloss or lipstick.  The lip conditioner keep my lips soft and conditioned longer.  I didn't feel like I was wearing anything at all.  Also, the orange flavor was wonderful.  I am a fan of anything orange flavored.  Along with me reviewing it, I also let my 6 year old daughter try it.  She is not a fan of using anything to prevent chapping.  She too was impressed and really liked that it didn't make her lips feel greasy.  Her first response was "I don't feel it on my lips."   I also think it would be perfect for men to use also.

If you are looking for something new to try to prevent chapping and keep your lips feeling soft, give Carmex Everyday Lip Conditioner a try.  I truly believe you won't be disappointed.


Disclosure:  I did receive a free sample to review from Carmex Blog Squad.  No other compensation was received.  All opinions expressed are my own. 

FREE My First Christmas Bib from Babiesrus

 
Click here to print your coupon for a FREE My1st Christmas Bib from Babiesrus.  While supplies last. Offer valid until 12/24. 

FREE 1 Week Membership to Curves

Curves
 
Are you planning on setting a New Year's resolution to lose weight or get in shape?  If so, this may help get you started.  Sign up for a FREE week at Curves and start working on a healthier you.

New Coupons Available


Print these while they are available!!  Take advantage of the new game coupons if you have any last minute gifts to buy.

Menu Planning Monday - 12/17

 
 
Monday - Leftovers from a wonderful dinner my hubby cooked.

Tuesday - Christmas Dinner at DH's grandmas skilled care nursing facility.

Wednesday - Grandchildren Annual Christmas dinner out and to see Tanglewood's Festival of Lights.

Thursday - Skillet Chicken Parmigniana, Salad

Friday - Salmon and Grilled Shrimp, Rice, Corn (Didn't get too last week)

Saturday - Barbecue Pork Chops, Baked Potatoes, Salad

Sunday - I try to leave Sunday open. DH likes to cook!


You can find other great weekly menus at Menu Planning Monday at Organized Junkie!

My Favorite Drug Store Deals This Week - 12/16-12/22

My favorite deals at CVS this week:

Check your email, I received a coupon for 25% off my total purchase until Wednesday.  This coupon with the deals below equals great savings.


Colgate Total Advanced or Sensitive Pro-Relief - $3.99
Receive $3 ECB
Use $1 printable coupon
Final Price - FREE after coupon and ECB
Limit 2

Palmolive Dish Liquid - .99
Use .25 printable coupon
Final Price - .74 after coupon

Revlon Nail - $4.99
Receive $3 ECB
Final Price - $1.99 after ECBs
Limit 6

Revlon Super Lustrous or ColorBurst Lip - $6.99
Receive $4 ECBs
Final Price - $2.99 after ECBs
Limit 6

Spend $30, Receive $10 ECB
Huggies Diapers - $10
Buy 3 and Use (3) $3 printable coupons - 2 computers needed
Receive $10 ECB
Final Price - $3.67 each after coupons and ECBs
Limit 1


My favorite deals at Walgreens this week:








Tums Freshers - $4.50 with card
Receive $4.50 RR
Use $1 coupon 11/11 RP
Final Price - FREE plus $1 overage after RR and coupon

Campbell's Chicken Noodle or Tomato Soup - .70 with card and in-ad coupon
Buy 5 and use $1/5 printable coupon
Final Price - .59 each


My favorite deals at Rite Aid this week:






Post Cereals - 2/$5
Receive $2 +UPR wyb 2
Use $1/2 Post Cereals 11/4 RP
or $1 Post Shredded Wheat Cereal Printable
Final Price - As low as FREE after coupons and +UPR
Limit 2

New P&G Coupon Booklet

 
Click here to request your FREE Proctor and Gamble coupon booklet.  These booklets contain great coupons on lots of items I use daily.

And the Winners Are

The winners of the Shutterfly Photo Book giveaway is....
 
 
10 - Nichole
 
44 - Michelle
 
 
Nichole and Michelle has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond or new winners will be chosen.  Thanks to everyone for entering.


Note:  For some reason, comments on this post did not post.  Not sure what the problem is but hopefully, I have that corrected now.

New Target Coupons Available - $5 off $30 Grocery Purchase

 
Click here to print your coupon for $5 off $30 grocery purchase at Target.  Click on the grocery tab selection to search for the coupon.
 

Thought of the Day

Countdown to Christmas....7 days to go!

Friday, December 14, 2012

Ways I Saved/Earned Money This Week (Past Couple of Weeks Included)

- My computer crashed a couple of weeks ago and my dear sweet friends Shannon fixed it.  Thanks Shannon, you saved me lots of money!

- I read all of my MyPoints emails daily for my account and my husband's to add points to receive FREE gift cards.

- Cleaned out my coupon binder.

- Continued to use my FREE samples this week including - 589
toothpaste, lotion, shampoo, and conditioner.

- Only used my dishwasher once this week.

- Printed a few coupons for future shopping.

- Paid a couple of bills online. No money spent on stamps.

- Requested a couple of FREE samples.

- Read a (1) FREE magazine that I received in the mail this week.

- Stuck to my menu plan this week. No eating out.

- Used my Just Save fuel rewards when filling up with gas and saved .20 per gallon.

- Continued to cut my dryer sheets in half to save.

- Planned my grocery shopping using sales and coupons.

 - Did a couple of sponsored posts for cash and gift cards.
 
- Cashed in Swagbucks for (1) $5 Amazon gift cards.  I am already saving for next Christmas!

- Ordered 1 last gift from Amazon. Paid nothing OOP since I have a credit from my FREE gift cards from Swagbucks.

- Ordered my FREE Christmas cards from Shutterfly for doing a sponsored post.

- Sold 3 toys that my kids have outgrown to my hairdresser for $40.

- Wrapped all my Christmas gifts with paper purchased from clearance last year for almost nothing. 

- Used Christmas gift bags that I recycled from last Christmas for a few gifts.

- Still organizing and cleaning out my storage closet.  It is taking me awhile because I work on it a little bit each day while my 2 year old is napping.

- Donated 7 garbage bags of clothes, 1 box of books, approximately 100 items on hangers, and 2 garbage bags of toys to the Goodwill.  Got a receipt to use on my taxes.

- Donated a couple of toys from my gift closet to Toys for Tots.

- DH replaced my windshield wipes instead of taking my Tahoe to the dealership.  Thanks DH for saving me a trip and money.

- Cashed in 30 Coke Reward Points for a coupon for a FREE Coke 12 pack, one of the 12 days of Christmas offers.

 
What did you do to save/earn money this week? Please link up below or leave a comment and share how you did.

FREE Christmas Cookie Recipe eBook


Free eCookbook: The 9 Christmas Cookie Recipes for Hosting a Christmas Cookie Exchange Party. Hosting a Christmas cookie exchange is lots of fun. And, even if you're not hosting, but you're attending a homemade Christmas cookie exchange, it's a great experience to bake and swap your favorite Christmas cookies for the holidays. And, even if you're not participating in a Christmas cookie exchange at all, and just want to make unique Christmas cookie recipes, our free eCookbook provides great and easy Christmas cookies that all your loved ones are sure to enjoy.

Sunday Coupon Preview

 
There will be no coupons in this Sundays paper.  There are lots of great printable coupons available from Coupons.com, RedPlum, and Coupon Network

Thought of the Day

 
Countdown to Christmas has begun ..... 10 days!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Vistaprint - $2 Personalized T-Shirts - Great Gift!!


Christmas is only a few more days away so make sure you have all your presents and stocking stuffers ready to go! To spread a little more holiday cheer (and cross off another last-minute present off your list), design your own personalized T-shirt for everyone in your family. They'll make a perfect matching set for every member of your family to wear to your annual family reunion during the holidays or even for your annual family football game. For only $2, plus shipping and processing, you can easily design the perfect shirt for friend who just started her own gardening company, your cousin who is an aspiring musician, or your niece who just got back from studying abroad in Italy. You can even help your kids design "Best Mom" or "Best Dad" t-shirts for last-minute stocking stuffers or presents under the tree. Everyone is sure to love the one-of-a-kind, personalized T-shirts that are affordable enough for friends and family, but also comfy enough to wear every day after holiday season! Shipping starts at $4.14.

York Photo - FREE Offer


    Choose one Free Offer: 11x14 Collage Poster, Desk Calendar, or 4x6 Photo Book.
    Use code: SPECIALHOLIDAY.

    Does not include shipping.

Target Coupon - FREE $10 Gift Card with $50 Purchase

 
Are you heading to Target to do shopping soon?  If so, print this coupon to receive a FREE $10 gift card with a $50 purchase.  Coupon expires 12/15/12.

Wordless Wednesday - Christmas Lights Walking Trails

I love this time of the year.  So many fun thrifty things to do.  Here is a few pictures from the Pilot Mountain Christmas lights display.  Payton and Bryson had so much walking through the trails and enjoying the lights.







Merry Christmas!!

My Favorite Deals at Lowes Foods This Week - 12/12-12/18

Here is a list of my favorite deals at Lowes Foods this week.  Remember, Lowes Foods doubles coupons up to .99.  You can use 20 coupons per transaction.  They will accept 4 "like" coupons and 2 "like" internet coupons.

Also,  you can earn .10 per gallon fuel rewards with every $100 spent.


Fresh Rewards eOffer
Nestle Toll House Morsels - $1.88
Buy 2 and Use .75/2 coupon 11/4 RP
Final Price - $1.13 each
Limit 2

Birds Eye Steamfresh Varieties - $1
Buy 2 and Use .50/2 coupon 11/18 SS
Final Price - .50 each

Butterball Turkey Bacon - $2.25
Use .75/1 printable coupon
Final Price - .75 each

Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes - $1
Buy 2 and Use .50/2 coupon 12/9 RP
Final Price - .50 each

Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk - $1.99
Use .55/1 coupon 11/4 RP
Final Price - .89 each

Dixie Crystals Light Brown Sugar - .98
Use .50/1 printable coupon
Final Price - FREE

Carnation Evaporated Milk - $1
Buy 2 and Use .50/2 coupon 9/30 RP or $1/2 coupon 10/28 RP
Final Price - $1

Fuel Rewards
Alpo Canned Dog Food - .99
.10 per gallon wyb 12

Betty Crocker Cookie Mix - $2.49
.10 per gallon wyb 4
Use .50/1 printable coupon
Final Price - $1.49 each

Chobani Little Champions - $1.39
.10 per gallon wyb 9
Use .30/1 printable coupon

Nabisco Crackers - $3.49
.10 per gallon wyb 3
Use .75/1 Ritz Crackerfuls printable coupon
Final Price - $1.99

Zatarain's Dinners - $3.49
.10 per gallon wyb 4

You can the current Lowes Foods Circular here!

To Celebrate Today - 12 Freebies for 12-12-12

To celebrate 12/12/12, below is a list of 12 freebies that you can request.  Enjoy!



- Click here to design your FREE Postcard from the Gap. Use your photos on Facebook and design a FREE postcard.





 


Click here to request your coupon for a FREE Essence of Beauty Hand Lotion from CVS.






Click here to request your FREE subscription to American Baby magazine.






Click here to "Like" Nescafe on Facebook and request your FREE sample of Nescafe Memento.



Click here to request your 4 FREE samples of Airborne.




Click here to print your coupon for a FREE Lens Cleaner and Cloth from your WAlmart Vision Center.



 

Click here to request your FREE Sample of Greysky Coffee.



Click here to request your FREE subscription to BabyTalk magazine.








Click here to print your coupon for your FREE Revitalens Starter Kit from Walmart Vision Center.








Click here to request your FREE Propel Zero samples.











Click here to request your FREE sample of Kirkland Signature Super Supreme Diaper from Costco.  A Costco membership is not required.








Click here to request your FREE sample of Garnier Fructus Triple Nutrition.