Making Life Sweet...one deal at a time!

Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon When You Take the North "Poll"

2011-11-16T00:00:00.001-07:00

Melissa & Doug want you to tell them which of their educational toys you think is the best! Just click on the image below to place your vote in the North "Poll!" You'll Get a Melissa & Doug 25% Off Coupon** to use at MelissaAndDoug.com just for voting!

Winner!

2010-05-10T11:07:00.002-06:00

The winner of the $25 American Express gift card is commenter #16!

Ulberich said...

I bet I could get at least 20 box tops depending on what coupons I have-maybe many many more! We love box tops at our house and were sad to not win our school's comeptition this year because we have tried to get lots this year but came up short! Getting 50,000 would be great for next year! It is such a great program! Thanks!

Congrats Edee! And thanks to all who entered. Now go get some box tops for your school!

Box Tops Promo + a GIVEAWAY! CLOSED

2010-05-05T09:51:00.004-06:00

MyBlogSpark contacted me about helping to spread the work about the great Box Tops for Education promotion going on right now at all SuperValu stores. Of course, I agreed to participate. I love participating in ways that help my children's elementary school. So keep reading! It is explained below how you have a chance to win $5,000 for your child's school!

Through MyBlogSpark, General Mills & SuperValu sent me a $25 American Express gift card so I could go to my local SuperValu store and stock up on Box Tops labels. Here is what I bought with my gift card.

Want to know about the promo? Here is the scoop! General Mills explains:

Every year 24 million parents and children join in clipping Box Tops to support their local schools. As a result, SuperValu shoppers helped participating schools earn more than $10 million in the 2008-09 school year alone!

To make it even easier to participate in the program, the SuperValu family of stores (ACME, Albertsons, Cub, Farm Fresh and Jewel-Osco) joined Box Tops for Education in creating a website that not only tracks your Box Tops contribution and the school´s redemption, but also offers recipes, coupons, store promotions and more.

From now through May 31, SuperValu stores and Box Tops for Education are giving you a chance to win 50,000 bonus box tops for your school. That´s a $5,000 value! All you have to do is register at http://www.growinglocallearning.com/, and click the link to the 50,000 bonus box tops sweepstakes*. You will automatically receive 5 Bonus Box Tops just for signing up!

*Please note that the sweepstakes is void in some states.
Visit http://www.growinglocallearning.com/ and view the sweepstakes´ official rules
for more details.

After you´ve entered the sweepstakes, be sure to stick around and browse the website where you´ll find a variety of great offers on your favorite General Mills brands including Betty Crocker®, Old El Paso®, Totino´s® Pizza Rolls® and Pillsbury®. Once you register you can also find recipes that will earn you even more Box Tops and you can access coupons for the latest deals at your local SuperValu store!

Are you ready to go shopping?

Because MyBlogSpark and SuperValu are giving away a $25 American Express gift card to one of YOU!

Then you can go shopping and load up on box tops labels and hopefully win some money for your school! (and don't forget to take your coupons with you when you go shopping!)

All you have to do it leave a comment on this post telling me how many box tops you think you can accumulate in your shopping trip if you win.

HURRY! This giveaway ends Saturday May 8, 2010 at 6pm EST.

Thanks to General Mills, SuperValu and MyBlogSpark for this opportunity!

Guest Post: Stockpiling Tips

2010-04-16T13:58:00.005-06:00

I am being featured over at The Preparedness Pantry today! Check out my post on stockpiling tips.

Have a good weekend!

Printable Lunch Box Notes

2010-04-01T21:29:00.002-06:00

How cute is this?

Printable lunch box notes. Put some love in your child's lunch!

See you after spring break! Have a good Easter everyone!

Thank You Campaign

2010-03-26T19:25:00.004-06:00

My FABULOUS friends at Fabulessly Frugal have put together a Thank You campaign. Brilliant gals!

Don't we all have a favorite store cashier, manager, or clerk? I know I do! Let's take the time this week to THANK them for all they do for us couponers! Call and find out the information for your local store that you shop at and THANK them!

Read the full post on The Thank You Campaign for all the details.

Frugal Living Friday: Excel Money Tracker

2010-03-26T11:26:00.004-06:00

Welcome to Frugal Living Friday! Each week I will feature a tip that can help us stretch our budget and live more frugally! If you have a tip that you want shared on Frugal Living Friday, let me know and you could become a guest blogger for a day.

We all know that budgeting and keeping track of your money is very important when it comes to being frugal. I am so excited to share with you something I found that will help you in this endeavor! A few weeks ago I ran across this incredible spending and saving tracker online at The Coupon Project. (I love talented people like this!)

She has made a spreadsheet in Excel where we can see everything at a glance...most importantly our savings! LOVE IT! Now I don't have to keep track of it all separately...which took a long time and was a pain.

I downloaded the spreadsheet a few weeks ago and here is an example of the last few weeks of receipts I have entered: (click image for a larger view)

Isn't this awesome? I love seeing at a glance what I spent, how many coupons I used, and how much I saved. Now I can print this off and show people exactly how good using coupons can be! (I still have lots of skeptics talk to me.)

Here is what she says the spreadsheet can do:

Easily imput your monthly and yearly goals
Enter data from your reciepts and let my preset formulas tally your spending, savings, actual-to-budget, and more
Track and manage your rebates (NEW!)
Determine how much you saved with coupons, store sales, and rebates
Have your monthly and year-to-date savings ratio update instantly

I have only played with it for a few weeks and haven't explored everything it can do yet. But I am already loving it. So will you! Head on over to The Coupon Project and download your spreadsheet today! Start keeping track of your savings!

Rite Aid Deals

2010-03-22T12:55:00.002-06:00

This morning I paid only $5.97 for all this at Rite Aid, plus I will get back another $1 in rebates. So my total will be $4.97. Awesome!

There are some SWEET deals this week at Rite Aid on Huggies diapers, Pull-Ups, and Little Swimmers! GO HERE to see how to do it.

Free Olay Quench AND in-shower body lotion at Walgreens!

2010-03-22T12:01:00.003-06:00

Want to get FREE in shower body lotion AND free Quench lotion? I just noticed this deal as I was looking at the Walgreens at this week! Awesome!

Here is how it works:

Buy:
1 Olay Quench, 20.2 oz, $7.99
1 Olay in shower body lotion, 8.4 oz, ($4.99 value free when you buy the lotion)

Use:
Olay Quench Hands and Body Lotion, any excluding trial size $1/1 (4-30-10) PG-3/7

Pay $6.99 out of pocket for both.

THEN submit for the free Quench lotion rebate from Olay! You will get back the $7.99 purchase price from the lotion to make this deal a moneymaker!

Nothing like Olay freebies to make your Monday better, right?

THANKS PYP!

Frugal Living Friday: Discipline

2010-03-19T12:58:00.004-06:00

Welcome to Frugal Living Friday! Each week I will feature a tip that can help us stretch our budget and live more frugally! If you have a tip that you want shared on Frugal Living Friday, let me know and you could become a guest blogger for a day.

Something has been on my mind a lot lately. Discipline. We need discipline in many ways in our lives: children, food, exercise, cleaning, education, and goals just to name a few.

But the one area where EVERYONE needs discipline is with money. We all need to be better at not spending our hard earned cash on things we won't want next week. Or only buying what food we will eat. Or not giving in to the begging child at the store just to keep him quiet.

Discipline is hard. Really hard. No matter what you need it with. But it can even be more difficult with money and budgeting. Just like I am an emotional eater, I know emotional spenders. Spending money can make you feel better, just for that moment, or just for that afternoon. Then you come home and say to yourself, "Why did I waste my money on that?"

Let's stop the spending!

Set up a plan for yourself, and a small goal. A goal that WILL be attainable. You need to be able to reach it so you can move forward. And keep your promise to yourself. If you decide you will save $50 every month then do it! Don't cave in. It will become a habit before you know it.

Here are some things to remember that I have found helpful in my life as I have worked with my husband to reach our financial goals. Maybe they will be helpful to you as well. Just remember, everyone is in a different place in their life with finances, debt, and obligations. So don't compare yourself to others. Just start where you are and move forward!

1. Objects won't buy happiness. No matter what you think, that certain toy or that certain pair of shoes will not make you happy. I promise!

2. Pick a day once a week to go over your budget together. Decide how much you will spend and don't go over it. Period. This way you can both know where you are and if changes need to happen you can discuss it.

3. Pay yourself first. Before you spend any money you must pay yourself. Decide how much money you will put into savings, IRA's or whatever and do that...THEN you may spend.

4. Only buy what you really will use. This includes food storage and other items for emergencies. Not only does this help with the budget, but keeps clutter down.

5. Don't use your credit card for purchases unless you know you can pay for it in full the next month. I have really strong opinions about this. Your life will be so much better if you don't get into debt with credit cards! If you don't have the money for it, don't buy it. Period.

6. Plan for big purchases or expenses ahead of time. Not only do we save ahead for vacations or other large expenses, I also save ahead for dental, auto insurance and emergencies. We don't have dental insurance so I figured how much we spend per year, divided by 12, and I save that amount every month. When we go to the dentist every 6 months it is already paid for. It is such a nice feeling!

7. Don't buy something just because it is on sale. There will always be another sale. Believe me. Unless you need that item immediately.

8. Don't tempt yourself. If you find yourself spending money when you go out, stay home! Find free activities to do in your area. Take the kids to the park, or on a bike ride. You don't have to spend money to have fun!

What are your tips for having more discipline with money?

Website Review: Repair Pal

2010-03-18T12:47:00.005-06:00

Are you looking to get some comparisons, advice, and review on auto repair? Repair Pal is the site you are looking for! Plus, it is FREE! (and we know how I like free.) There is lots of great information on Repair Pal. I am excited to know about it.

Let's say you live in Dallas, TX. And you are wanting to find a place for Dallas auto repair. When you do a search, you will find:

top rated repair shops in Dallas
customer reviews of those shops
maps, addresses, and phone numbers
what the repair shops specialize in

You can also look up automobiles individually, by model and year. For example, if you have a Chevrolet Silverado. You can find out:

ratings and reviews
common problems, questions, and answers
recall information & TSB's (technical service bulletins)

I looked up my van, a Dodge Grand Caravan. It said that a common problem is the power window motors commonly fail. I can vouch for this. We had to replace the driver's side a few years ago. Even if you are looking to buy a certain vehicle I would think this would be a good thing to do.

What if you are needing information for a specific repair, like a brake job? You can read about where the specific brake problem is located, recommended repair, how to do it, and why it even happens in the first place. Then you can take it one step farther and find shops in your area for the brake job and get estimates. And, you can even ask a question and have it answered. Awesome!

You can also register on Repair Pal and have all your car records in one place. How is that for organization?

Additionally, Repair Pal can give you generalized information in their auto repair encyclopedia. Things like common problems with cars, answers to common questions, and what your car repair should really cost. They even tell you how to save money on your auto insurance. Who doesn't want an unbiased opinion?

Check out Repair Pal. They just might have all the information you need!

What can you buy for $29?

2010-03-05T13:08:00.001-07:00

ALL THIS!

Rite Aid How-to

2010-03-04T13:35:00.006-07:00

Want to get going shopping at Rite Aid and using their rebate program? Don't know where to start? Check out my posts on how to shop at Rite Aid!

Post #1: The Basics
Post #2: Getting Started
Post #3: Coupon Policy
Post #4: Results!

Blog Makeover Winner!

2010-03-03T20:13:00.002-07:00

The winner of the blog makeover giveaway from Zip. Zog. Zoom. is commenter number 5!

The Miller Family said...

I've been SOOOOOO bad at blogging regularly lately. I'm certain a blog-lift would be just the motivation I'd need to pick it back up again!

Thanks for the giveaway!!!

CONGRATS The Miller Family! Watch your email inbox!

Thanks to all who entered. Even if you didn't win, head on over to Zip. Zog. Zoom. You can still have Julie do a custom design just for you!

Make it Monday: Country Pasta with Mozzarella

2010-03-01T13:01:00.003-07:00

8 oz. uncooked rigatoni (I used penne and it was wonderful)
8 slices bacon, cut in 1 inch pieces (I used real bacon pieces from Costco)
2 c. broccoli flowerets
1/2 tsp. minced garlic
2 c. shredded Mozzarella cheese
1/4 c. Parmesan cheese (I used real Parmesean)
pinch of cayenne pepper
1/4 c. chopped parsley (I used much less)

Cook rigatoni according to package directions, drain. Meanwhile, in 10 inch skillet, cook bacon over medium high heat until brown. Reduce heat to medium. Add broccoli and garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until broccoli is crispy-tender.

Add rigatoni and remaining ingredients, except parsley. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until cheese is melted. Sprinkle with parsley.

Notes: Since I used bacon pieces I just cooked my pasta, and while it was cooking I steamed my broccoli. When they were both done I added everything together. Really easy and delicious!

Clipping Coupons: What is it worth?

2010-03-01T11:01:00.003-07:00

If you are a coupon clipper, you might wonder sometimes if that time is worth the savings. If you are a reader of my blog you know that just clipping a coupon for $.35 cents here and $.50 cents there is not how to maximize your savings. It's when you combine coupons with sales, rebates, and clearance items where you get ahead. Not to mention doubling coupons! (I just did that this morning!)

Jared emailed me this morning with this article from the Wall Street Journal. The math figures are sure interesting! Make sure you read the entire article to get the entire picture.

Average saving per coupon: just $1.44, according to the Inmar report.
Figuring it takes one minute to clip a coupon, saving $1.44 a minute is the equivalent of saving $14.40 for 10 minutes.

That averages to an hourly rate of $86.40.

Does that change your mind about clipping coupons? Of course, you still don't need to spend hours a week. I spend about 45 minutes (or less) each week putting my 6 sets of coupon inserts into my coupon binder for the week. I don't clip my coupons, either.

When I can build up my family's food storage for less than half the cost why not do it? Seriously, people! Jump on board! Couponing is the new bling. Just in the past few weeks I have gotten many, many great deals with my coupons. Here are a few:

45 Chinet paper plates: FREE
4 bags Goldfish crackers: FREE
2 bottles Suave shampoo: FREE
7 packs Trident gum: FREE
8 boxes Ronzoni pasta: FREE
4 boxes Kelloggs cereal: $.38 cents each
Pampers diapers: $4.50

I have literally saved thousands of dollars every year! And on a regular basis I save about 65% when I go shopping, and up to 95% when I have double coupons at Albertson's. So those $1 coupon here and $.50 coupons there really do make a difference!

What is your verdict? Are coupons worth it? They are to me!

Frugal Living Friday: Homemade Foam Soap

2010-02-26T08:22:00.000-07:00

How many of us have had these empty foam bottles left over? Thrown them in the garbage? Or even in the recycle bin?

Well....no more! Save those foam soap pumps, because when the soap is gone you can refill it yourself...for a fraction of the cost!

It is really easy. Just take your regular liquid soap, any scent, and fill it about an inch or so in your pump container, like so.

Then fill it up with warm water (slowly or it will foam up like crazy and go everywhere) until the container is full. Put the lid on and shake it up to mix the soap and water together. Warm water helps it mix together better.

See how nicely it foams when all done?

I really like to use foaming soap with my kids. They don't waste so much soap this way. I have also done this with scented soap. Works great and it gives the soap color too.

Have you tried this before?

GIVEAWAY: Blog Makeover! CLOSED

2010-02-25T17:42:00.007-07:00

I am sure you have all noticed my lovely blog makeover! Julie from Zip. Zog. Zoom. has decided she wants to give one of YOU a FREE blog makeover! YAY!

Maybe you want a fresh look for your blog. Or something funky. Or something colorful. Or something simple. Julie is your gal! Very talented. Have you noticed? I love my new blog look....and you will too!

Julie is offering a $50 credit towards any blog makeover! She has different packages to choose from, so depending on which package you want will depend on whether your makeover is free or a $50 credit. Your choice!

If you want to WIN a $50 blog makeover from Zip. Zog. Zoom., here is what you need to do! There are 4 possible ways to enter this giveaway. Please leave a separate comment for each entry. It makes it easier to tally.

1. Leave a comment on this post telling me why you want or need a blog makeover!
2. Start following my blog.
3. Subscribe to my blog.
4. Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment.

Guidelines:
Giveaway goes from Fri. Feb 26, 2010-Wed. March 3, 2010 at 6PM MST. You MUST leave your email address or another way to contact you in your comments unless your email is already listed in your profile. No anonymous comments, please. Winners will have 72 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen. Winners to be picked via random number generator.

Construction Zone!

2010-02-20T10:32:00.002-07:00

I'm sure you have noticed my new blog layout! Thanks to Julie at Zip Zog Zoom!

Bear with us as the rest of the blog gets put back together. It has been quite a process!

Free nursing cover, pay only S&H

2010-02-10T09:09:00.003-07:00

Back in October I posted about how you could get a FREE nursing cover, pay only $8.95 shipping. And guess what....I tried the code just now and it STILL WORKS!!

So head on over to UdderCovers.com and order yours today! Use code cranberry2 at checkout.

These would make great gifts if you don't need one yourself.

Two RAOK Gymboree 20% off codes

2010-02-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

I have TWO 20% off codes for your entire purchase at Gymboree that expire 2/28/10. The first two people to leave me a comment can each have one!

General Mills Cereal

2010-01-29T10:02:00.001-07:00

MyBlogSpark contacted me at the beginning of December and sent me coupons for 4 free boxes of General Mills cereal courtesy of General Mills. They also sent me this new information from General Mills.

General Mills has announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereal marketed to kids ages 12 and under. They are also adding more whole grains, calcium, and Vitamin D to many of their cereals as well. It's also been proven that people who don't skip breakfast have a healthier weight and lower Body Mass Index. GO HERE to read more on cereal health.

I have always been a breakfast eater. I am hungry in the morning, plus I know that eating breakfast kick-starts my metabolism for the day. Eating a healthy breakfast is important! And we love cereal in this house. We eat cereal almost daily either for breakfast or a snack. Right now I have 60 boxes of cereal in my stockpile. And that is low for me! :)

These are the cereals that I bought with my free coupons from MyBlogSpark. Yes, I know that some of these cereals have more sugar in them than others, but I chose to get these kinds as a treat for my kids since I never buy these types of cereal. In fact, the Lucky Charms is what we are having for breakfast on St. Patrick's Day. I love to plan ahead!

Anyway, back to breakfast....there are so many kinds of great cereals out there. And General Mills is taking a step in the right direction by lowering sugar content and adding whole grains and vitamins. According to General Mills, cereal eaters also consume more fiber and get more folic acid, while eating less calories for breakfast than non-cereal eaters. Start eating cereal for breakfast and see for yourself!

Here is a link to a printable coupon for $1/1 of four General Mills Cereal. Remember, you can print it twice!

Thanks to MyBlogSpark & General Mills for sending me the coupons!

I am alive!

2010-01-28T09:26:00.003-07:00

I'm sure it has been noticeable that I have not been blogging. :)

Thanks for all your inquiries. I suppose I should let you know that everything is fine. We are not sick nor something bad happen. Just real life. Nothing special, I'm afraid. Only trying to keep up with the homework, scouts, piano lessons, sports, church callings, meals, chasing after a 8 month old, laundry, projects, house problems, occasional date nights, job issues, etc. etc. Sound familiar?

Towards the end of November I knew I needed to make some sort of change. I was spending so much time on the computer that my family was paying the price. And I was getting frustrated because I was not having the time to get the basic things done or even things I wanted to get done.

I love blogging and I especially love finding deals and sharing them. But through the past 6 weeks or so I have discovered that for me and my family, I need to back down a little. I am not closing down my blog, but I will be blogging less frequently. It is just the right thing to do for us.

I will be making some blog posts in the next week of a product review and a few other things that I made prior commitments for. So watch for those.

Thanks for understanding! I appreciate all the support I have gotten over the past 2 1/2 years here on Making Life Sweet! I'm not going away for good, though. I couldn't ever do that. Blogging is in my blood. :)

Christmas Breakfast

2009-12-23T14:00:00.002-07:00

Are you still trying to decide what to have for breakfast on Christmas Day? Try one of my favorite recipes. We always have this breakfast omelet on Christmas Day. I had this every year growing up and it isn't Christmas to me without it! We also have lots of fresh fruit, cinnamon rolls and juice.

I hope you all have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

$5 magazine sale at Amazon

2009-12-21T08:40:00.003-07:00

Are you still needing some Christmas gifts? Amazon is having a $5 magazine sale on some great publications! Magazine subscriptions are a great filler item too as they qualify for free shipping! Here are the magazines that are on sale for $5. The sale is this week only!

Southern Living (1-year)
This Old House (1-year)
Coastal Living (1-year)
Golf Magazine (1-year)
Sunset (1-year)
Essence (1-year)