shopping

New Month, 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 Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks! New offers are added on the Smartphone Savings Apps all the time!

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

$1.00 off one Dial Body Wash
$0.75 off any 1 Zest Shower Gel or Body Scrub
$0.50 off TWO any LaRABAR, uber or ALT Snack
$1.00 off one Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Bread

Club Cards: An Easy Way to Save Money

Abby H.

Every time I teach a couponing class, there is one person who announces that they are too busy or important to print or clip coupons. They need to save money but it can’t be too hard or involve any actual work.  Basically they are lazy but won’t cop to it.

For those people, I ask them if they are too busy to spend 5 minutes filling out a form that can save them thousands of dollars over their lifetime. Most people say that they would spend 5 minutes to save thousands. I present…. The store club card.

This is my keychain. img_9216Yup. I have tons of club cards. Grocery stores, drugstores, restaurants, office supply stores, department stores, movie theaters. There are even more in my wallet for those stores that don’t have a key fob. I save money where ever I go, and you can too. These cards are free to apply for and use.

Stores utilize the information they gather when consumers scan their cards to look at shopping trends. Grocery companies look at sales trends to help them decide what items should be sold, put on sale or completely discontinued. Cards also offer information about what each consumer purchases, and coupons tailored to the individual cardholder can be mailed or emailed to each card holder.

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Two of the coupons I loaded to my Shop Your Way Rewards Card

Most stores allow you to link up your card number to an online account, and you can add coupons to your card (via the store website or app) to save you even more.

Sears and KMart have a great program called Shop Your Way Rewards. You earn points on every purchase and points are converted to dollars off future purchases. They have coupon on their website all the time!

Both Vons and Ralphs have easy to navigate apps where you can load coupons to your card, including quite frequently freebies (Ralphs has a Free Friday Download most Fridays). Ralphs sometimes has games you can play online to win free grocery items. I won Goldfish crackers and BBQ sauce last week, which just two clicks of the mouse!

Regal Cinemas has the Regal Crown Club. Download their app or visit a local theater to pick up a card. Present the card to be scanned at the box office and when you buy concessions and earn points that you can redeem on free snacks or tickets. The points add up really fast!

Some clubs like the Ikea Friends and Family card offer discounts and extra perks.. check it out:

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With these clubs, if you do not present the card or your phone number, you will not receive a discount, which is usually advertised at the sale price.  Some stores don’t even require that you present your card, you can just punch your phone number into a Credit Card terminal or give it to the cashier.

Later in the week, I’ll share with you my favorite club card and how I use it to get free gas every month!

What is your favorite club card?

 

 

Life is… Shirts from Cents of Style!

Abby H.

I love the great deals from Cents of Style- Recently they sent me a Life is an Adventure shirt.

They have a whole line of Life Is shirts on sale today for Fashion Friday!

img_8968 img_8967 img_8966I chose the Adventure shirt because being the mom of two busy kids really is an adventure. I had planned on wearing my shirt on the day were were going to hike at Old Mission Dam, but it was raining and not too safe (the rocks are really slippery when wet, not fun to traverse while wearing a 25 lb. baby).

img_8983Instead we started the day with donuts, Lil’ Man headed to school and Bitty Bird and ran errands. Bitty and I got into the outdoor play while Big Boy was at School. She wanted to spend some time outside in the “waa-woo” (water), so we tidied up the patio and splashed in the rain collection bucket.

I also baked some cookies during nap time.

img_9007 img_9004 img_9002 img_8999 img_9003After school we went to the YMCA for exercise and play time, and then headed home to play on the patio in the rain. We have a hand me down water table (It’s this one). It was a perfect adventure to end a fun day. Lil’ Man and and Bitty Bird splashed, measured, and made “science potions”. Afterwards the kids cleaned up in a warm, bubbly tub and had some yummy milk (hot cocoa for Lil’ Man and warm white milk for Bitty)…

My adventure is that each day is never the same! And plans change- The weather thwarted our hiking plans, but we were still able to make the day fun! We were able to be active and play in nature!

img_9013Covered in flour from baking cookies and raindrops, my day was full of hugs, laughter, and love. And that’s a pretty great adventure!

If your life is an Adventure, check out the awesome shirts Cents of Style has available for their Fashion Friday this week!

With five styles and phrases, you are sure to find your “life is…” Shirt! This weekend, the coupon code is LIFEIS1 and it will make the new Life Is Tees for $15.95 + FREE SHIPPING!!

I received this shirt free to facilitate this post, all opinions are my own. If you happen to buy a Life is… Shirt I will receive a small commission, which I will spend on another adventure with the kids!

 

Two free offers at San Diego area McDonald’s!

Abby H.

Right now there are two great free offers at McDonald’s! Both of which are on the healthy side.

screen-shot-2016-09-08-at-9-50-19-amThis week, Sept. 8-10 from 7 to 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., visit a participating San Diego County McDonald’s restaurant to sample a Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfait made with nonfat vanilla Chobani® Greek Yogurt.

Combined with the sweet taste of strawberries and blueberries, and topped with granola, Fruit ‘N Yogurt Parfaits are perfect for breakfast, as a side, or a mid-day snack – especially with the classic vanilla taste of Chobani® Greek Yogurt.  YUM! I think Bitty Bird and I will hit up our local McDo’s after the Y today and get a coffee and free Parfait!

And offer #2 is a favorite around these parts!

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On Tuesday, Sept. 13, participating restaurants will offer free breakfast from 6:30-9:30 a.m. to students in kindergarten through eighth grade when an accompanying adult uses the McDonald’s App. In San Diego County, students can enjoy an Egg McMuffin or Egg White Delight, apple slices and milk.

To redeem this offer, an adult must download or have already downloaded the McDonald’s App, present the offer to the cashier and ask the cashier for the free back-to-school breakfast. Students younger than 13 years of age are required to be accompanied by a parent/adult to redeem this offer at participating McDonald’s restaurants. This offer may vary throughout the state and only one breakfast is allowed per student.

The MCDonald’s App is pretty cool. You can earn free McCafe Beverages, and there are coupons that are only available on the app (like BOGO happy meals and free upgrades!).

So there you go! Two tasty deals. Thanks to my Friend Su for the heads up on the second offer!

New Month,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 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 BOX Reese's Puffs cereal
$1.00 off any ONE PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Brick
$0.60 off any 2 Lipton Recipe Secrets
$2.00 off one Persil
$1.00 off one Jennie-o

School is Back in Session- Time to Start Saving!

Abby H.

Bus2I don’t know about you, but when I’ve got both kids home all the time, it’s a lot harder to keep on my frugal goals.

I’m all about taking advantage of local free and cheap fun (like events at our local library or community center, local parks and splash pads), but for some reason summer vacation always distracts me from frugality. Maybe is the 100+ degree temps we’ve been having most of the summer.

Well, we are into our second week of school and I’ve re-committed to my frugal lifestyle for my family.  Here are just a few things I’ve done over the past two weeks:

  • Meal Plan using what’s on hand in out cupboard before heading the the store. I’ve also planned out school lunches too!
  • Committed to taking drinks with us when we leave the house.  This doesn’t sound like a lot, but when it’s over 100 degrees in the shade, we go through a lot of water on our daily adventures. Check out the cool growler I got on Amazon. It’s supposed to be for beer, but I fill it with ice cubes and water each day and it comes with me in the car- it’s an easy way to get your 8 glasses in! I also take iced coffee with me in the morning to school drop off.
  • Set a schedule for Bitty Bird and I.  Again, a schedule doesn’t sound like a way to save money, but now I know what we are doing each day after Big Boy is at school. I have time each day while she is napping to write, research, and do Amazon Reviews.
  • Plan out shopping trips a little better.  Now that I don’t have two extra sets of hands helping me shop (especially a 5 year old who is constantly near death starvation when in proximity to a grocery store), I can look at ads, check my smartphone apps for rebates and deals. I also have more time to print coupons! This really saves me money (and time).

Now that school has started, I’d love to hear how you’ve recommitted to your goals (whatever they might be).

 

Review: The Monkey Mat

Abby H.

A few months ago, I posted that I was excited about trying the Monkey Mat.  Well, it arrived not long ago and we took it to our play group end of summer splash party at Santee Lakes!

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Relaxing while brother splashes!

Overall, this mat is great for those who picnic or head to the beach frequently. I thought it was a little too small for all three of us and our stuff. For a park picnic is was great, but it’s def. not a good beach blanket, since we have a lot of stuff to keep sand-free.

I like the stakes- they came in REALLY handy!

With weighted corners, a place for your keys, and lopps to be staked down, what more could you ask for?

Monkey Mat, AS SEEN ON SHARK TANK, allows you to make your space, any place! Originally inspired by an unexpected six-hour layover at the airport (constant cringing while two babies crawled all over dirty floors!), and also by overall active lifestyles, this go-everywhere large mat in attached ultra-compact pouch gives you a clean space on the go – no more bulky blankets! Perfect for all ages, all places – park, beach, concerts, dirty airport/hotel floors, camping, hiking, sports events & more! http://www.monkeymat.com

My readers get to save! Use coupon code “USFAM” for $5 off + Free Shipping!

New month, 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 Smartphone apps that can save you the big bucks!

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

$0.55 off one Nature's Harvest
$0.55 off one Stauffer's Great to use at Dollar Tree for some low cost snacks!
$0.75 off any 2 Meiji
$1.00 off 1 JENNIE-O Turkey Breast from Deli
$1.00 off one The Laughing Cow

Having a Safe Summer with Patch-Up First Aid Kit!

Abby H.

Screen Shot 2016-07-07 at 8.14.59 PMSo, if you are a mom, specifically a mom of little boys, you should probably own stock in a bandage company.

I was pretty excited when I was offered a First Aid Kit from Patch-Up. I am CONSTANTLY re-stocking our family first Aid kit. Between Lil’ Man’s damn near constant desire for bandages, and other household injuries (we’re all pretty accident prone), The ladies at the check-in desk at Urgent know several of us by name!

This kit has EVERYTHING I could need!

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I love how small the case zips down. It’s tri-fold, and really contains everything I might ever need to use! The best part is that it’s really affordable. There is no way I’d be able to put together this kit on my own for less than what this kit costs! This first aid kit would make a great baby shower gift, or even a housewarming gift.

You can pick it up here on Amazon.

I received this product for free to in order to facilitate my review, all opinions are mine and I received no financial compensation.

Our Rockin’ Party at Rockin’ Jump!

Abby H.
Me and Bitty Bird getting our jump on!
Me and Bitty Bird getting our jump on!

Lil’ Man’s Birthday is in March and Itty Bittums turned one mid-June, but I’m never one to turn down a party! When Rockin’ Jump offered me a party for 10 jumpers in exchange for a review, well, I jumped at the chance!

Screen Shot 2016-06-30 at 4.58.31 PMThe party was so much fun! We had 9 jumpers, and we bounced, jumped, and played for 90 minutes. In addition to the Open Bounce area, There is the X-Beam, Dodgeball, basketball, Stunt Bag Arena,Vertical OPS Climbing Wall, and mini golf! Mini Golf wasn’t included in the party package, but you can add it for an extra cost.Screen Shot 2016-06-30 at 5.00.33 PM

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YUM!!
YUM!!

Then we retired to our private party room for pizza and drinks. The parents enjoyed a pitcher of Diet Pepsi, and the kids had Capri Sun’s. You can bring in your own cake, so not one to pass up a chance to eat cake, Lil’ Man asked if I could bring one. So I did. It was soooo good. It was from the nearby Gaemme Bake shop.

The kids had an AMAZING time. I got lots of texts and messages via Facebook afterwards letting me know that the kids took naps in the car or spoke of nothing else but the fun time they had bouncing.

Having done a lot of research for party venues, I am completely impressed with the value that Rockin’ Jump offers! It’s clean, well-maintained, and the party package is perfect for any busy family! You even get an editable email invitation to email out for your party!

No clean up, no food to prepare (other than the cake you bring), no games or prizes to think about, in other words: no hassle! You even get your own party host (ours was Stevie- he was super nice!).

There are discounts off the Ultimate Birthday Package, Jump Time and Jump and Mini-Golf combo’s! Find all the great deals here.

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PIZZA!!! Even Bitty loves it!

I received this party for free from Rockin’  Jump and USFG in order to facilitate my review. All opinions are my own, and all of the photos are courtesy of Christine Boyce at Clicks by Christine!