frugal

WOW Summit in San Diego, CA 10/23 &10/24!

Abby H.

Ya’ll know I love Mom’s Meet (I’ve written about them before here), well they have an AWESOME event coming up next month, the WOW Summit!

summit2015_badge_attending_250x250_2I’ve got my tickets and I can’t wait to go! This year’s WOW Summit is sponsored by Solgar, Veri, SmartFlour, and Dr Bronner’s (check out the full list of sponsors here). There will be  plenty to do and learn about!

The Moms Meet WOW Summit will take place in San Diego, CA on 10/23 and 10/24. This annual conference brings healthy-minded moms and bloggers together to attend expert-led seminars and workshops, sample amazing products, build lifelong connections, and have fun!

Friday’s events will be all about bloggers! The day kick off with several workshop sessions, where you’ll learn from successful bloggers about building your brand, boosting your social media presence, and more. Then, there will be a special networking event (think speed dating!) where bloggers and brands can connect one-on-one. The day concludes with an awesome cocktail party where you can unwind and have a fun night!

summit2015_social_sponsors (1)On Saturday, get ready for a full day of learning and connecting! Moms in attendance will hear from guest speakers, attend educational workshops, and sample tons of free products in our exhibitor room. At the end of the day, you’ll walk away with an amazing goody bag!

Learn more here http://greenmosmeet.com/summit2015

 

If you are going to, don’t forget to RSVP on their FB page and leave a comment on this post. I’d love to connect with my readers at the event!

If you can’t make it, don’t worry, I’ll be reporting back with TONS of photos, and hopefully a giveaway or two!!

Free 8×8 Photobook from Shutterfly!!

Abby H.

This offer has been extended until September 17th!

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In need of a late summer treat? Treat yourself to a free 8×8 hard photo cover photo book with promo code FREETREAT at checkout from your friends at Shutterfly! Show off all of those great summer memories or get a head start on Holiday shopping- Photobooks make GREAT gifts!

If you are new to shutterfly, you’ll also score 50 free 4×6 prints! No Coupon Code needed!

Boring Fine Print: Offer expires September 17, 2015 (11:59 P.M. PT). Offer is good for one free 20-standard finish page 8×8 hard photo cover photo book through shutterfly.com, our mobile-friendly site, the Shutterfly Photo Story app for iPad or iPhone app (some book restrictions apply via the iPhone app). Offer cannot be redeemed more than once per account and/or billing address. Taxes, shipping, and handling will apply. Customer may add options to their 8×8 book (additional pages, StorytellingTM styles and elements, photo book accessories, other cover types, etc.) at additional cost. Alternatively, customer may apply the current price of a 20-standard finish page 8×8 hard photo cover photo book (after taking into account any current discounts on shutterfly.com) toward the purchase of a larger photo book. Not valid on 5×7, 7×9, or 8×8 soft cover photo books, TripPix, prepaid plans, other products, prior purchases and purchases made on the Shutterfly apps. Cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers or credits. Not valid for resale.

Frugal Costumes!

Abby H.2 Comments

Halloween is coming, are you ready? If your family is like our family, there are times throughout the year when you need a costume. Prior to being mommy and Mrs. Bear, full time, I owned a costuming company, specializing in medieval and renaissance costumes, but I made all kinds of stuff, including a few wedding dresses (never again!), costumes for exotic dancers (helped me learn how to sew velcro in really well!), and pieces for local theatres.

Here are some tips on putting together inexpensive (and awesome) costumes:

1- Plan each costume.  Start with a sketch.  You don’t have to be Bob Mackie, it can be as simple as a stick figure wearing the costume you want or a collage of photos from magazines or the internet.

2- Make a list of everything you need, including accessories (shoes, hats, jewelry), and makeup.

3-Check your closets before you shop.  You might be surprised at what you alredy have and how it can be re-purposed.

4-Ask friends if they have anything you can borrow.  We were able to borrow a lab coat for one of Hubs Comic Con costumes last year and that saved us about $20!

5-Start at your local thrift stores.  Most thrift stores have a great selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, and even fabric!

6- If you find piece(s) that fit, but require minor alterations (hemming, shortening sleeves) and you have the skills, consider buying the piece(s).

7-Give yourself time to plan, sew, and shop. It may take a few trips to various shops to find what you need.

8-Set a budget and stick to it. If you are making an expensive costume, make sure that you will wear it multiple times.  You want to get your moneys worth!

9-Know your limits. If you can’t sew, don’t plan an ambitious costume without assistance!

10-Check estate sales, yard sales, garage sales and Craigslist.

11-If you are planing children’s costumes, check with your mommy friends to see if someone has a costume you can borrow. One of my local mommy groups does a costume swap each August. It’s a great way to score new to you costumes without breaking the bank!

12- If you are going to be sewing your costume, pre-wash the fabric, and follow the pattern directions!

Here is Mr. C. in his Dr. Jonas Venture Sr. Costume (thanks to the Frame Guy for the Pic):

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If you are looking for some books about easy costuming (and no sew costumes) here are a few titles that are in our collection:

Score some food freebies from Ralphs!

Abby H.1 Comment

I love that Ralphs has their Free Friday Download each week where you can score something free each week. This week, there are THREE freebies!

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If you are new to Free Friday Downloads from Ralph’s, here is more info about how it works:

WHAT IS FREE FRIDAY DOWNLOAD? An exclusive benefit to having an account online at ralphs.com is FREE products (yes, we said FREE!). When you download the free product coupon, it will be loaded directly to your Shopper’s Card and applied at checkout in-store.

HOW DOES IT WORK? Visit this page on Fridays

DOWNLOAD the digital coupon for the free product (make sure to download between 12:01 am and 11:59pm PT). View the coupon under ‘My Coupons’ in your account online or in the mobile app.

You have two weeks to redeem this coupon in store! Pick up the product at your local Ralphs store and digital coupon will automatically apply at checkout.

A New Month means New Coupons!

Abby H.

file000786402730Here is your monthly reminder!  A new month means new printable and electronic coupons!

Check out the following sites:

One of my favorite website is the Sunday Coupon Review.  It helps me plot out scenarios in advance and I can email friends to ask for coupons in advance. Remember if clipping coupons isn’t your thing, but saving money is, check out my list of https://hewesfamilyfun.wordpress.com/2015/03/04/saving-money-with-your-smartphone/Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks!

Here are just a few of the new coupons that have me excited:

$0.50 off ONE (1) package of HUGGIES Wipes
$0.50 off 1 Reese's Puffs cereal It’s our favorite family snack!
$1.00 off any 1 BOCA Foods product
$1.00 off any one HORMEL ALWAYS TENDER Meats

Review: Disney Pink Minnie Costume from Wholesale Halloween Costumes

Abby H.

Halloween will be here before we know it. So I’ve started the hunt for costumes early. Lil’ Man is presenting a challenge because he keeps changing his mind every 20 minutes, but Birdy is easy. Whatever I want to put her in works!

So this year she’s going be Minnie Mouse! Wholesale Halloween CostumesIMG_0731 IMG_0730 IMG_0729 has TONS of great, quality licensed Disney costumes. It was hard to chose, but after lots of hemming and hawing, we settled on Minnie. Right now it’s too big, but by Halloween it should be perfect!

The Minnie Mouse Costume Includes Onsie Tutu with Headband with Ears. It comes in two sizes: Fits 6-12 months or Fits 12-18 months.

What I love most is that the costume is based on a onsie, so in case of diaper change, it’s a quick job, no fussing to get the entire costume off and back on.

The fabric is excellent quality, and after inspecting it from head to tail (figure of speech, there is no actual tail on this costume) and I couldn’t find an errant thread or missed stitch.

I can’t wait to pair this dress up with a pair of white lace ankle socks and a cute pair of patent leather Mary Jane shoes (or maybe I’ll just get her a pair of Trompette socks)!

Wholesale Halloween Costumes has tons of incredible costumes new for 2015, including this cute Minnie Mouse costume. If you don’t have a little girl, don’t fret, they have costumes for little boys, teens of both genders, and and great variety of adult costumes.

If you order your costume before 4pm EST and your costume is shipping THE SAME DAY!

You can catch up with Wholesale Halloween Costumes on Twitter, Facebook, and of course, their website!

Lil’ Man is carefully weighing his costume options. We go to a bunch of Halloween events before the big day, including the Boo Parade, local community carnivals, and our play group halloween party. What do your kids want to dress up as for Halloween?

Disclosure: I was provided this costume in exchange for my unbiased, honest opinion. I was not financially compensated to write this review.

 

Savings Bonds: The gift that keeps on giving!

Abby H.

file0001658617775Thanks to hubs for the idea to post about this! Savings bonds are an awesome gift for the kiddo in your life that may have everything, or for the sullen teenager on your list.

Savings Bonds are an awesome long-term investment for kids. It teaches patience, and the value of savings.

You can no longer purchase paper savings bonds (the government nixed that program a few years ago), however, the $25 EE bond can still be given electronically.

The 0.10 percent interest at purchase turns into 3.5 percent-plus rate of return once the bond is held for 20 years and its value doubles! Depending on the age of the recipient, it may mature in time for college expenses!

A friend of hubs Grandmother purchased bonds for him and his sister each year got about 10 years. The bonds started to mature a few years ago, so he’s been cashing them out as they mature. It was a very thoughtful gift, and over the years the money has come in handy.

The interest is subject to federal income taxes, but free from state and local levies.

To give a savings bond (available in any denomination from $25 to $10,000) an adult has to set up a Treasury Direct account in the child’s name, but the account is only accessible by the giver until the youngster reaches 18.

While the savings bond is only digital, making a certificate and attaching the receipt to the back (for mom and dad’s records) is a good idea. The Treasury website is there to help! There is still a choice of seven colorful gift cards that can be printed out and wrapped.

Heck, I heard that even Santa likes to give Savings Bonds!

For more details on giving savings bonds and the paperwork, click here.

Free Lemonade at Hot Dog on a Stick this week!

Abby H.

unnamedIt’s hot, and all Lil’ Man wants to drink is lemonade. Well he’s in luck because this Thursday, August 20th, we’ll be heading over to Parkway Plaza to score a free lemonade at Hot Dog on a Stick!

Hot Dog on a Stick is pouring sunshine and hope on National Lemonade Day! On Thursday, August 20th, to celebrate the holiday, Hot Dog on a Stick is giving away its famous hand-stomped lemonade for free to raise awareness and funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). To date, Hot Dog on a Stick and its parent company, Global Franchise Group, have raised more than $1 million for LLS and is committed to raising $500,000 in 2015.

Customers who visit any Hot Dog on a Stick location in the San Diego area on National Lemonade Day and say the phrase, “Lemonade for LLS,” will receive a free 12-ounce lemonade. Customers can also upgrade to a souvenir cup for $3, and $1 from each upgrade will be donated to support LLS’s investment in research to advance lifesaving new treatments for blood cancer patients.

Here is the list of participating San Diego locations:

Fashion Valley
7007 Friars Road
San Diego, CA 92108

Westfield Plaza Bonita
3030 Plaza Bonita Road
National City, CA 91950

Parkway Plaza Mall
713 Parkway Plaza
El Cajon, CA 92020

Otay Ranch Town Center
2015 Birch Road
Chula Vista, CA 91915

Westfield North County
200 Via Rancho Parkway
Escondido, CA 92025

Westfield Plaza Camino Real
2525 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, CA 92008

 

Learn a new Skill for Free from Craftsy!!

Abby H.1 Comment

Online Sewing ClassLooking for a good way to spend your weekend? Check out the new free mini classes from Crafsty.

Here are a few of the free mini-classes that are on my to-do list:

And here is another class I’m the MOST excited about taking…  the Perfect Pizza at Home will provide me with some tips and tricks to make our next pizza extra delish!

Want to check out the classes and see what the big deal is? Here’s the full list of Craftsy free mini classes to choose from!

 

Frugal ways to help your Child’s School!

Abby H.

For most of us, school starts soon, if it hasn’t already started… That means the fundraising will start.  Wrapping paper, candy, candles, you name it, you’ve probably seen a catalog and a doe-eyed child selling something to raise money for their school.

We’ve got a pretty tight budget around out house, and $12/roll wrapping paper is not in my budget, but I do want to help Lil’ Man’s school. Here are a few ways that you can help your kiddo’s school. If your kid isn’t in school yet, ask the parent of your favorite mini-fundraiser if their school participates in any of these programs!


Screen Shot 2015-08-12 at 10.21.07 AMBox Tops for Education (BTFE): This Program has been around for a while, and it’s probably one of the easiest ways that you can help the school of your choice. Look for these little box top doodads on hundreds of products that you probably already buy (here is a list), clip them, and drop them by your school’s office. LIl’ Man’s class sends home a cute themed Sheet for us to attach up to ten each month. If I have more, I just staple a ziploc bag full to the worksheet. Any parent would be thrilled to receive an envelope of bag of BTFE from family or friends!

Screen Shot 2015-08-12 at 10.21.16 AMLabels for Education: Similar to BTFE, but this program is run by Campbell’s. To find products that are a part of the Labels fro Education Program, click here.

Screen Shot 2015-08-12 at 10.21.24 AMTarget’s Take Charge of Education®:
Choose your kids’ elementary school, the neighborhood middle school or any other eligible K–12 school. We’ll donate up to 1% of your REDcard purchases at Target stores in the U.S and at Target.com.

 You can learn more here. 

Escrip: Now this one has been around since I was in High School. It’s super easy. Once your school is registered, all you do is sign your various loyalty cards (like your Vons Card), and shop like you usually do. You school gets a percentage of your total purchase!

The best part about these four programs is that you just do what you already do: Shop and save money! Clipping Box Tops for Education and Labels for Education are not that much different than clipping coupons off of packages.