My $.03 Mr Potato Accessory Kits

I think I mentioned that my twin girlies love Mr. Potato Head right now.  Well we have lots of potatoes, but are always looking for new accessories for them.  I have a personal email account.  My husband has a work one and a personal one.  I entered my email address at Kohls a few days ago and received a $5 off  a $5 purchase coupon for my account and for my husband's account.  Kohl's happened to be having a night owl/early bird sale last night and this morning (I'm sure they will have one weekly until

Christmas).  The Playschool toys were originally 30% off with and additional 20% off last night and this morning.  Here is the breakdown of my Potato Head deal:

Original price: $8.99

Sale price: $6.29

Extra 20% off:  $5.03

minus $5 coupon: $.03

These are great and I am super excited to give them to my girlies.  They will love them.  Don't forget to sign up with Kohls here to get your $5 certificate.  You will get your $5 coupon via email within a few days.  It will only be valid for a week or 10 days so make sure you use it promptly.  Save it for a doorbuster or other great deal as it is valid on all sale and clearance merchandise.

A Stress Free Thanksgiving This Year

How are your preparations going for Thanksgiving? Is it a stressful time for you or do you enjoy all of the cooking and cleaning that comes along with the day? Do you go to a relative's house or are you that relative that everyone runs to? 

I must admit that I have yet to host Thanksgiving. I am a very willing participant.  As I have told you, we have a townhouse that is a split level and is not conducive to large family gatherings.  There are 7 floors from the basement to the attic.  That is why I am hoping some day to move  to a more normal 2 or 3 floor house (when we become debt free-God willing).  It was harder when the twins were babies- carrying the two of them up 5 flights of steps again and again.  You better believe I taught them to crawl up the steps ASAP!  It's easier now that they are 2.  They get up and down the steps quicker than I do.

Our family gathering at Thanksgiving is small by most standards I suppose, but we all live pretty close so we are fortunate to be able to spend the holiday together without having to fly or take a train.  We do a few simple things to make the day fun and as stress free as possible.  Maybe some of these tips can help to keep your Thanksgiving simple.

• Choose one person to host Thanksgiving.  I'm sure this step has been figured out for this year.
• Since we live relatively close, we split the cooking duties so that the host doesn't have to bear all of the cooking responsibilities.  Each person brings his or her signature dish(es).
• The older children are in charge of organizing crafts and decorations for the younger children to make (some examples would be to have the older kids take the younger kids outside to choose some leaves for leaf rubbings).  You can also download printable templates for placemat coloring sheets.  This keeps all of the kids busy while the adults assemble the meal.  The decorations are also treasured because they are homemade.  Each family can take home their child's(children's) decorations.
• You can cover the table in bulletin board paper and let everyone draw pictures on it.  Afterwards, you can laminate and use it again the next year.  Everyone will have so much fun looking at their drawings from the previous year.
• At the dinner table we all write on special leaves (cut out by the kids) what we are most thankful for this year ( I like to laminate these too so that we can look back from year to year- one of the favorite activities).
• After dessert we split up the left overs so that everyone has some yummy lunches and dinners for the rest of the week.  You can delegate someone to bring containers or each family to bring their own.
• Try to cook as much ahead as you can earlier in the week to alleviate the stress on Thursday.

We are planning a fun Thanksgiving this year! How are your plans coming along? I am wishing you a simple, loving Thanksgiving.  I hope you have the time to be Thankful for all of the blessings that you have been given! 

Aveda Rosemary Mint Hand and Body Wash Free Sample

You can go to your local Aveda store and snag a sample of this Rosemary and Mint hand and body wash.  It smells so good! Go on over here to print the email that you can take to the store to get your free gift.

HauteLook.com Great Prices on Toys

HauteLook is a designer store that features designer clothes, accessories and home fashions for up to 75% off retail prices.  You can also buy some very cute toys there.  For the next week or so they are having a huge toy sale.  Their prices seem to be better than Amazon.com for several name brand toys.  You can set up a free account here to start shopping.

Hallmark Crown Store $5 off of a $5 Purchase Coupon in Many December Magazines

You can find a $5 off of a $5 purchase coupon in lots of December magazines.  I mentioned it briefly, but I thought it worthy of chatting about again.  This coupon is good towards anything in the store including sale items.  I used it earlier in the week to snag 2 rolls of wrapping paper for free.  You can find the coupon in the following magazines:

Martha Stewart Living - December issue-Page 74


Oprah December issued - Page 119


Parents-between pages 84 and 85


Southern Living - December issue, insert after page 62


Womans Day December Issue - Page 33


Real Simple December Issue


Taste Of Home Dec/Jan issue, insert after page 42


**Let us know if you find it in any others and we will add them to the list!

Old Navy 50% Off of One Item

Tomorrow(November 21st) Old Navy is hosting Gobblepalooza.  There will be lots of in store sales.  Present this coupon and you will get 50% off any one item.  First head to their website to create a logo and brand name.  Print it out and bring it with you.  You can also register in the store to win a $50 or $100 gift card.

$10 off Code for Shutterfly

You can get a $10 off code for Shutterfly when you register at Parenting.com.  Just go on over here and register through the link on the top right (you don't need to upload a picutre).  Once you get your code you can follow the link to Shutterfly to add it to your account.  This should make for some pretty inexpensive gifts for the grandparents.  I made mugs last year and they were a hit ! The best part is that your code is valid until November 15, 2010. You should be able to pair it with a nice sale for a great deal.

I'm Dreaming of a Debt Free Christmas!

First let me say that I love Christmas.  It is without question my favorite time of the year.  It just feels good.  I think that people as a whole treat people at Christmas the way we should throughout the year.  That being said, I have become increasingly disillusioned with the commercialism of Christmas.  Everything is buy, buy, buy.  I think this mentality is why Americans are in as much trouble financially as we are.  We have to say enough is enough. It is more important to focus on the religious and family togetherness aspects of the holiday.  Our kids aren't going to remember in 6 months what they got for Christmas.  They would remember having a lot of good quality family time at the holidays.  They would remember baking with mom and playing board games with the whole family on the coffee table in front of the fire.  Most people don't pay off their Christmas debt until at least June of the following year.  Instead of starting 2010 with a mountain of new debt why don't you join me in keeping this a cash Christmas.  I'm not saying you shouldn't buy your children any gifts.  That is unrealistic.  I'm just saying to get out of the mentality that this year has to outdo last year and next year will be even better. 

I am having the best time this year searching for good deals when buying presents for my twin girlies.  I have gotten them each a few things and have by no means broken the bank to do so.  They are 2 now and this is the first year that they are getting the concept of the holidays (we had the best time at Halloween).  I just want to slow down and make each day about spending time with them and doing special holiday things.  After dinner tonight we cleared off the table and listened to Dora's Christmas CD while coloring Christmas pictures together.  I already have baking sessions and other craft projects planned for the next few weeks. 

My goal for our family is to be debt free by next Christmas (except for the mortgage).  We have already paid off over $78,000 worth of debt in under 3 years.  We still have a ways to go, but I am determined.  Our next Christmas will be a debt free one.  After this goal is met, we will be ready to move to a house with a little yard for our girlies. 

Here are my debt free Christmas tips:

• 
  
  Try to give your family fun traditions that don't involve spending money like giving everyone a mug of hot chocolate while you drive around looking at neighborhood light displays.
  
  
  
• 
  
  Have fun creating decorations with your children as these are the decorations you will treasure as the kids grow up-homemade is always better!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Write down several ideas for each person on your list and then hunt for deals to get an item(s) from your list as inexpensively as possible. As I said I'm kind of a dork when it comes to getting a really good deal on something specific I'm looking for.  It's like I'm sitting at the slot machine and all 7's come up.  I'm like the lady in the IKEA commercial "START THE CAR"!
  
  
  
• 
  
  Give neighbors, friends and family homemade gifts from your children (baked gifts or crafts made by the children)
  
  
  
• 
  
  Make a calendar for family members featuring pictures of your children and theirs with family birthdays and special days highlighted ( I did this last year- I made 8 for free using my  My Coke Reward points.  It didn't cost anything and everyone LOVED them.  I have gotten compliments about them all year long).
  
  
  
• 
  
  Think further ahead than December 25th.  What do you want for your children's future? Do you want them to have a fully funded college account or do you want them to be impressed with their presents for one day? 
  
  
  

Join me in wishing for a debt free Christmas.  Check out Life as Mom for other ideas to keep Christmas simple.  Check her out here.

Our Struggle for Financial Success

We're definitely not there yet, but we are making strides.  Since last November we have been able to pay off a whopping $27,368 of my hubby's $30,000 student loan debt.  We are only $2,632 shy of our goal.  We are hoping to achieve this goal by Thanksgiving, which I cannot believe is a little over a week from now.  It really snuck up on me.  We are close and it has been a struggle this year to tackle this monster.  We have scrimped, done without and generally lived well below our means.  I think we may meet the goal, but I am seriously counting pennies and forgoing any spending this week (and next for that matter).  I am hoping to meet this challenge and if we do I will announce our next goal on Thanksgiving next week and we can share that journey as well.  So far in the last few years we have paid off all of the credit cards, our mini van and now hopefully this student loan.  It is a $254 monthly payment so it will free up a good bit of money to divert to our new goal.  I am trying to spend $0 dollars this week, but I still love to shop so I will be bringing you lots of freebies over the next few weeks and beyond.

Origins $10 off $25 Purchase + Free Shipping and Gift Wrapping + $1.99 Mr. Potato Head

Origins is has a great deal going on until tomorrow (11-19).  You can save $10 off a $25 purchase by entering the code novbd11.  You can use that code all month, but you can also get free shipping until tomorrow.  Be sure to ask for complimentary gift wrapping if it's for a gift.  They even include a card.  You can essentially get $25 worth of merchandise for $13 shipped and wrapped.  Head on over here to check it out.

Toys R Us is having another 2 day doorbuster sale on Friday (the 20th) and Saturday (21st).  They will have Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head on sale for $3.99.  You can use the $2 off coupon from here to make them $1.99. You can check out the Toys R Us doorbuster ad for Friday and Saturdayhere.  My girlies are really loving Mr. Potato Head right now. We have plenty of potatoes, but I am always looking for the accessories. I happened to have a $5 off Kohl's coupon burning a hole in my pocket and was able to grab a cute accessory pack for $.39 after coupon.  They were 40% off.  They will be an additional 20% off on Friday after 3pm and on Saturday at Kohls.  They will make great stocking stuffers.

Free Steaz Organic Teaz

Steaz is offering coupons to try their Organic Iced Teaz.  Go on over here to print out a coupon for a free one.  They are redeemable only at target so grab yours and head on over!

CSN stores $15 off $15 Code= Free Toys

"Check out this $15 off $15 deal at CSN"

CSN Stores offers the largest selection of items for your home and office, at the lowest prices! As a rewards member you get $15 toward your first order and 3% back on every purchase. Plus, earn $15 for every friend you refer who makes a purchase!

View >>

JCPenney $10 off $25 Printable Coupon

Here is a hot printable coupon from JCPenney.  You can print this coupon and redeem it for $10 off of a $25 purchase at JCPenney.  You can use it through November 23rd. That should make for some great deals.

$15 off $15 or More Chadwicks Promo Code

Chadwicks is offering a $15 off of $15 promotion online.  You can get $15 off of a $15 purchase by entering the code CH15OFF at checkout.  There are a lot of nice items in the clearance section.  Here is the link to check it out.  If I could spend money this week, which I can't because of our upcoming money goal, I would grab a nice present for my mom since her birthday is next month. I would do this deal soon if I were you because deals like this don't tend to last too long.

My Freebie Shopping Adventure

Okay, so I had a fun little freebie shopping trip today.  I think I must be a freebie dork or something because I get such a rush from going around town to collect all of my free merchandise.  I had a good time today.  As I mentioned I am trying to have a freebie week in preparation for hopefully being able to pay off the balance ($2,632) of my husband's student loan (originally $30,000).  This loan has been riding on his shoulders for about 12+ years so I will be so happy to cross this off the list-God willing! 

I started my journey at Walgreens.  I had a few register rewards to use or lose (expired today) so off I went to make the most of what I had.  I was able to pick up:

• 2 boxes of Pecan Sandies $.50
• 1 box of Austin peanut butter crackers $.50ea
• 1 box of Austin Cheese crackers $.50ea
• 1 bag of Ricola mixed berry cough drops (19ct)
• 2 adorable Christmas cups for the girlies $.29ea(I am so looking forward to Christmas with them this year.  Can you tell??)
• 1 Almay Pure Blend foundation $9.99, but you get back a $10 RR this month
• My big splurge- 2 books of glitter adhesive gift tags 50ct $1.99(BOGO this week)

*My total was $15.50, I was able to use up my register rewards and get back $11 in Register rewards so free and $11 to spend next week!

The next stop on my journey was to JCPenney.  I had a $10 off $10 coupon burning a hole in my back pocket.  I was able to find a cute pair of Okie Dokie yoga pants for each of the girlies.  The twins are potty training right now, so trust me, we go through lots of pants these days when we have accidents.  These are so comfy and easy for them to pull up and down too when using the potty. Practical and free I love it.  The price of these was actually $4.99, but the nice cashier just price adjusted them to $5 each so that I could use my coupon.

My next stop was to my local Hallmark Crown store.  This was my favorite stop.  This month in several magazines (Martha Stewart Living, Good Housekeeping and others...) you can find a $5 off a $5 purchase at a Hallmark store.  I get lots of free magazines (stay tuned and you will too) so this coupon happened to be in one of them.  I took my time in the store thinking about what I could use.  I wanted to maximize my savings if you know what I mean:)  I decided that I really needed some cool wrapping paper to match my new glitter gift tags.  I have a van full of $.57 board games (see previous post) and $1.67 antibacterial hand soap (see previous post) and I really needed to clean out the van and get the gifts wrapped before prying eyes spy their gifties.  To make a long story short I found the perfect color wrapping paper that perfectly matched the glitter tags (see picture above LOL).  The 50 Sq. ft. holiday wrap at my local store was $5 and you guessed it BOGO.  The cashier (dressed to a T and the very picture of elegance, poise and grace) rang up my wrapping paper and gasped (actually gasped) when she scanned my coupon. She said "Do you know that you actually got 2 rolls of Hallmark Crown wrapping paper for free?????" To which I replied "Why yes I do, thank you!" She then promptly bagged in a very expensive looking bag (a nice long burgundy one).
My last stop on the freebie express was to grab a quick bite to eat. I stopped at McDonalds to use up my instant win coupons from the Monopoly game (expired after today).  I got a hamburger, small fries and medium drink.

Again I urge you to pay attention to the small freebies in life as they help you to pay off the big debts that are dragging you and your family down !!

Office Max Recycling Program

One of the things I do to earn a little bit of extra income is to recycle ink cartridges.  You can sign up in any Office Max  or Staples store and bring in your used cartridges and get the equivalent of in store gift certificates that can be used for purchases.  Office Max allows you to recycle up to 10 cartridges per week and with each one recycled you earn $3.  They only accept HP, Dell an Lexmark ink and toner cartridges.  You can access your account on line and print your certificates when they become available. You can find out about the program here.  The Staples program is similar, but they let you recycle any brand of cartridge.  You are limited to 10 per month and a store certificate is mailed to you.

Free Sample of Stacy's Pita Chips + Always Infinity Sample

Go on over here to grab a sample of Stacy's Pita Chips sponsored by All You magazine.  Another yummy all natural sample.  I love trying new natural products!! Go grab yours!

Also, while you're at it, run on over here and grab a sample of Always infinity.  You will be asked 2 or 3 questions in addition to your address.

CVS Freebies This Week

As I said yesterday, I am on a quest for freebies this week as I don't want to spend any more money this week.  I came across a few freebies at CVS this week that I though were worth mentioning.  Here is the rundown.  Stay tuned for more freebies throughout the week!

Glade Sense & Spray: Free

Sale: 2/$12.00


MQ: $4.00/1- 10/18 SS


ECB Earned: 4


Math: $12.00-$8.00 MQ - 4 ECB = FREE!!
 
 
Kleenex, FREE
TOTAL: -1¢


SALE: 99¢

MQ: NA


CVS Q $1 flu shot book


ECBs Earned NA


MATH: 99¢ - $1 = -1¢
 
There are some other pretty good deals with not too much OOP, but I am concentrating on FREE this week! I will be adding more freebies shortly...

Chick fil a Freebie in Your Neighborhood ??

Do you have a Chick-fil-a in your neighborhood? If so , they put out monthly calendars which list their special events for the month.  We have 3 in our area and 2 of the 3 offer a free breakfast once a week.  This a great freebie to grab while out with the kids.  Our Chick-fil- has offered a free breakfast for the past 2 months on Fridays.  I teach a class of 7 kids with special needs.  It's really fun to have the kids benefit from special events like this.  It helps them learn about special offers, calendars and coupons.  One of my kids even brings coupons in to save money on her lunch (adorable :)) At least once a month they offer a free meal at other times of the day.  I took the girlies there on Halloween for a free lunch.  We had a great time. Next week(Wednesday) they will offer a free kids meal for each child when they bring in a picture of a turkey (we'll be there).  In July, on their anniversary, they let you dress like a cow for a free combo meal.  It's always on a Friday, which is our trip day in school, so the kids eat well that day LOL!

Check out your Chick-fil-a to grab their calendar and check out their special events.  Making use of these free meals keeps more money in your wallet and eventually on your debt!  It may not seem like much, but these small things add up to the big things being paid off!

Lipton Green Tea Free Sample

Go here to snag a free sample of Lipton Green Tea. You will have a choice of 4 yummy flavors! I chose the mixed berry green tea.  I love that it's all natural because we try to buy natural when possible so I especially love to try natural products!

Free For Me and For You Too !

Well, I have decided that I have spent enough for the week.  I didn't go over budget, I am still under, but whatever money I don't spend goes into paying off our debt.  Don't forget my deadline to pay off my hubby's student loan is Thanksgiving ( I can't believe it's almost here!!).  So whatever I don't spend  we can use towards this goal.

I have decided that I am not spending another cent this week.  I am only collecting freebies! Here is my list for Walgreens:

Almay One Coat Mascara  Total = $1.01 Money Maker

On sale for $6.99-

Ad Q $4/1 (November Coupon Book- in Store)-

Register Reward -$4= Free + $1.01 Money Maker

Math Round-Up  $6.99-$4 Nov. coupon book=$2.99-$4RR=Free +$1.01MM

Ricola Mixed Berry Cough Drops (19ct)Free

Sale for $1+$1OOP You get $1 RR = Free

Aussie Hair Products $.01 MM

Sale $2.99

MQ $1 (11-10-09-PG)

RR-$2

Math= Sale $2.99-$1MQ=$1.99OOP, but you get $2 RR= Free

Stay tuned for the freebies from Rite Aid , CVS and others!!

Free Herbal Christmas Candle + free sample of Crest with Scope!

Here is your chance to grab a free Herbal Christmas candle from Beauty Herbal Spa.  Just enter your mailing information here.  I sent for mine so hopefully this will be nice!

While you're at it go over here to grab a sample of Crest with Scope Outlast toothpaste!! Enjoy!

When Do You Do Your Big Weekly Shopping Trip??

What is your shopping schedule? Do you have one? Do you end up running to the store several times a week or do you create a weekly menu and budget and then create a shopping list and shop accordingly?  I have to admit that I fall somewhere in between.  I am beginning to create a menu and corresponding list for it, but I admit with 2 small children and a full time job as a teacher it is tough to find time to do everything that I know I should do .  As I said before, we are really trying to pay down (eventually off) debt.  We have paid off about $78,000.00 dollars worth of consumer debt and student loan debt in just under 2 years.  This has been no small task, but there is a lot more to be done.  I really want to pay off my hubby's student loan by Thanksgiving (wouldn't that be something to be thankful for?)so stay tuned for that as I will be giving weekly updates!  Our next goal is to save enough money for a healthy downpayment towards a single house (we currently live in a town house).  Don't get me wrong, we are incredibly blessed to have a house at all.  I just really would like a small backyard for my girlies.  They are twin 2 year olds and they need more space to run and play.  Our current town house is a split level and is a whopping 7 floors from basement to attic.  Their bedroom is on the 5th floor (not full staircases but still !!).

I keep thinking that if I could make more time for menu planning, we might just do a little better.  What are your thoughts on this?  Do you have any other tips to offer? I would really be interested in any feedback anyone has to offer.  Also, what is your shopping routine? What seems to work best for your family? Do you do one big trip or try to hit different stores for their big sales?? I personally do a big trip on Sunday so that I can hit the sales at my top 2 or 3 stores.  Some of the stores have big 3 day sale items which come out on Friday.  Other stores start their sales on Sunday.  This way I can get the best of both worlds.  Also, do you do your drug store shopping on the same day or later in the week? 

Rite Aid Planter's Nut Deal 10 For Free + $1.55 Money Maker

Rite Aid has a great deal on Planter's Nuts this week.  My hubby is watching what he eats so I like to keep a lot of them on hand.  Here is the deal:

First of all they are on a BOGO sale this week.  There is also an SCR of $5 when you buy $15 worth of select nuts.  Finally, you can submit for the Jingle in Your Holidays rebate which will give you an additional $10 off when you buy 10 participating items- Planters is one.

So... Buy 10 Planters Honey Roated Peanuts at $3.29-BOGO=$16.45

Use the $3/$15 coupon from here (use zip code 01085)

Pay $13.34 then submit for the $5 rebate(#80)

You can then submit for the $10 Kraft Jingle in Your Holidays Rebate which makes all 10 free and a $1.55 money maker.  It's a little bit of work, but that's a lot of free nuts!

My Giant Sunday Shopping Trip + Fabulous Pampers Easy Ups Deal

I had a great shopping trip at Giant today.  They have lots of good specials this week.  I have a few pics to show as everything couldn't fit in one or even two pictures.  I will just give you the highlights!  First of all when shopping at Giant you need to look at one of the pages in the back first (the one that says Buy 7 get $5 or Buy 8 get $4-something like that).  You can often find ways to get things for free or close to free using these pages.  I did two of these deals today. 

Giant also has ground beef for $1.89/lb and boneless skinless chicken breast for $1.89/lb.  These are both great meat deals.  I stocked up today.

Also, grab the paper before you head to giant as they have the Marcal napkins for 2/$4 and you will get a coupon for a free pack in your coupon circular.  We go through lots of napkins in our house.  How about you?

Rice a Roni sides are 10/$10 .  I love the natural version (also on sale for $1ea).  They also had the Snuggle dryer sheets for $2.99 (free with the $3 coupon from a few weeks back).

Here are some more pictures

My favorite part of the trip were the Pampers Easy Ups.  If you have a child or in my case children potty training and you have a Giant nearby, my advice to you is to run-not walk to your nearest Giant to grab some of these.  They are on some kind of a clearance and are half price.  The jumbo packs are $4.49 (without needing any coupons).  The mega packs are $7.29(again without coupons).  I really stocked up on these! We shouldn't need anymore before the girls are actually potty trained LOL!  Anyway, that was my find of the day.  I will add my special deals later so you can see how they benefit you!

Anyway, everything you see pictured including 6 jumbo packs of meat, 2 mega packs of Pampers and one jumbo packs and everything else cost a total of $111.34 after coupons!  I think that's pretty awesome because most of it will last us 2 weeks or more.  I should only need to grab produce next week ( I won't be able to resist any freebies too!) 

Stay tuned ... I will be posting some great Rite Aid deals later!!

Sunday Shopping Trip Part 1 Genuardi's - Safeway Shopping

Here is the first trip I took today to my local Genaurdi's/Safeway.  They had some good 3 day sale items so make sure you make it there earlier in the week to fully take advantage!

I got the following:

• 
  
  14 cans of Green Giant Veggies $.39ea (some for a food shelter)
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 pack of Genuardi's hot dog rolls $.89
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 5lb bag of Russett potatoes $1.49
  
  
  
• 
  
  2 large bags of Tostitos tortilla chips $1.69ea
  
  
  
• 
  
  2 Hilshire Farms beef sausage links  $1.99ea
  
  
  
• 
  
  1 local Sunday newspaper $1.75
  
  
  
• 
  
  1lb of American cheese $3.99
  
  
  

Total for this quick grab of specials = $19.94

*not bad and we'll have veggies for a few weeks

Stay tuned for my Giant shopping trip at Giant!!

Free Photo Ornament Includes Free Shipping !

Right now you can go to seehere.com to create an account and grab a free photo ornament.  It is regularly $12.99 and will be free with the promo code :mallornament.  You won't have to pay for shipping! What a great deal!  I wrote previously about this company and getting free photo Holiday cards from them.  If you already have an account just sign in, select photo gifts and you will see the ornament half way down the page (choice of red or white). If you don't have an account go here and sign up for an account first.  I've already made mine and I'm super excited about this freebie!