MOMumental Savings

MAJOR Savings by Stacking Coupons

2012-01-28T17:19:00.000-08:00

Quick Couponing 101 lesson: Stacking Coupons

Stacking refers to using TWO coupons on ONE item. Find out your store's coupon policy on this. My grocery store will accept ONE store coupon (issued by the store) and ONE manufacturer coupon (issued by the manufacturer) on EACH item. Some stores limit you to a certain number of times you can do this or will only allow you to purchase a certain number of the items at the special pricing with coupon.

Stacking store and manufacturer coupons along with a SALE is when you get deep savings of 70%-100%.

Here is what stacking did for me tonight:

Yep. I paid $1.44 out of pocket (OOP) for nearly $50 of groceries.

Here is how I did it:

6 boxes of Fiber One cereal on sale for 2/$5

(only two kind work for this scenario--Raisin and Caramel)

Use 6 $2/1 any GM cereal (also on back page of weekly ad)

Used 6 $.75/1 Fiber One from the 1/1 SS

Overage $1.50 on 6 boxes after coupons

2 Phazyme $3.49 each

Used 1 $5/2 Publix coupon--Green Advantage Flyer starting 1/28

Used 2 Printable coupons: $2/1 Phazyme MQ

Overage $2.02

2 Sominex $3.29 each

Used 1 $5/2 Publix coupon--Green Advantage Flyer starting 1/28

Used 2 Printable coupons: $2/1 Sominex MQ

Overage $2.42

2 Gallons of milk $3.79 each

$1.44 OOP for $48 of groceries

97% Savings!!! (Definitely a personal best)

Just to give you a REALISTIC perspective on this as well, I will add this to my weekly shopping totals from earlier this week.

My total OOP was $105

Savings: $213

Retail: $318 of groceries/cleaning products/produce/health and beauty/paper and plastic/pet food

77% savings for the week!

This is largely a food bank donation. We will keep 2 boxes of cereal and the milks and donate the rest to our local food bank. They are always so appreciative and I am happy to support their efforts to help the community.

Say it with me "Stacking is my friend!"

Find out how you can stack coupons at your local grocery store too. Knowing the coupon policy is going to be your FIRST key to saving money.

Questions? I love to help you learn how to save MOMumentally!

Customizing your weekly meal plan (E-MEALZ)

2012-01-20T06:47:00.000-08:00

It's no secret that I use and love E-mealz! Today I wanted to share with you exactly HOW I use it in conjunction with my couponing and money saving efforts.

First things first--what IS E-mealz? E-mealz is a meal planning service. You sign up for a subscription based on store, diet, family preference, etc.... Then each week you log on and download your 7-day meal plan with complete instructions and suggestions for sides. You also get a grocery list--conveniently divided by sections of the store--that you can take when you go shopping. Check it out and see ALL the meal plans they have for different stores and diet preferences (including organic and gluten-free meal plans!!)

Today I want to share with you my FIVE steps for customizing my weekly E-mealz meal plan for our family. It takes about 10 minutes TOTAL, but helps me make it work best for our family and save me some more money in the process.

1. Print your list and decide your meals

Some weeks I make all 7 meals, while other weeks I may scale it back to 4 or 5 depending on what we have going on that week (or what leftovers we still have in the fridge.) You can see this week I am cooking 4 of the meals on the list.

2. Cross off ingredients

Next I work off my grocery list and cross off any ingredients from the meals I am NOT making (in this case meals 1, 2 and 3) so I don't have to search through the entire list while at the store. I also cross off the staples list at the bottom for the meals I am not cooking that week.

3. Shop your stockpile

As a couponer, I have a stockpile in my pantry, freezer and fridge, so that is my first "shopping trip!" I consult the remaining ingredients and cross off any I already have in my stockpile. I also make any necessary changes to quantities. For example, if I originally needed 2 onions for my meals, but I have one already, then I change that quantity on my list to just 1 onion.

I also use this opportunity to decide what substitutions I can make. If one of the meals pairs the Tilapia with some brown rice, but I have a box of Rice-a-roni in the pantry, I make a note of that on my weekly menu. Then I cross the brown rice off my grocery list.

By simply shopping my stockpile I am using what I have and reducing my out of pocket expenses when I go shopping.

4. Highlight purchases

Next, I go through my list with a highlighter and mark what I will be purchasing at the store. Although this isn't a ground breaking step, it certainly helps you to shop quickly when you have two cranky toddlers with you right before lunch time! Plus I ensure that I don't miss anything when I am at the store. This is just one little thing, but it has really made a big difference in my time in the store!

5. Search for coupons

Finally, I look at my list of highlighted ingredients and I search for coupons. The easiest way I find to do this is by using a Coupon Database that you will most likely find on your favorite coupon matchup website.

For example you can see from my list that one of my ingredients is Keebler Townhouse crackers and the E-mealz team has noted it is on a BOGO sale at my store this week. So I will go to the coupon database and search for those crackers to find any coupons that I can use to go with that sale. You can also simply search the term "Crackers" if you aren't brand specific to also find coupons that way. The coupon database will tell you WHERE to find the coupons--either in a past insert, or in printable form. I love taking just a few minutes to check some of the ingredients with this database as I find I can usually shave another $5 off my total weekly grocery bill for this meal plan.

Here is an example searching for cream cheese coupons:

After I have all that done, I do some quick math to add up what my total should be (pre tax) after coupons and sales. You can see from my list that I am going to be able to get my 4 meals this week for just $35! That is under $10 a meal that will feed us and leave some left overs for our "left over" night we have every week.

Not bad!

This really does make my life so simple and I am never left to wonder what we are going to do for dinner! I usually go shopping over the weekend in a separate trip from my weekly "couponing shopping trip." This is my Monday- Friday menu, so I want to pick up the necessary items, along with the fresh ingredients, only a few days before I use them.

I hope you will give E-mealz a try! They have been so so kind and given my readers an EXCLUSIVE code to save 15% off your subscription. Click any of the E-mealz icons to get your subscription started! I ask that you become a follower here and on Facebook in order to use this code and save 15%: MOMUMENTAL.

AMAZING ORLANDO NEWSPAPER DEAL!

2012-01-13T01:30:00.000-08:00

***Edited--Deal expires WEDNESDAY 1-18-12!!

Yay! I can finally tell you about the incredible deal I am able to offer those local to Orlando!!!

Groupon has this deal today:

Now for a limited time only, Friday 1-13-12 through Wednesday 1-18-12, you can enjoy the most powerful source of savings delivered to your door for only pennies a week, The Orlando Sentinel! It is power packed with yearlong savings including coupons, retail circulars, peelies, samples, and restaurant discounts!

The Couponer’s Special, Wednesday through Sunday, is just $20 for the entire year.
Yes, that’s not a typo, just
$20 for the entire year!
Only 39 cents a week to enjoy the paper delivered to your door! Room service for savings!

This amazing Investment is a 94% savings on newsstand price! And you can get up to 4 subscriptions delivered to your home! For example, if you have one already coming to your home, you can get up to THREE more with this deal!!!

More papers + more coupons = more savings!

Here's the deal: it is NO SECRET that the number one source for coupons is the Sunday newspaper. If you are even REMOTELY serious about saving money--even a little bit--then you must get this deal!
You can easily recoup the cost of two subscriptions in just ONE WEEK's shopping trip. And then do it again and again and again for the other 51 weeks of the year
(Do the math on that! MEGA savings!!)

Now although it's a GROUPON deal, you I am asking you to purchase this deal through the link below. When you do, you will be supporting a non-profit that is near and dear to my heart:

I truly believe in the motto "In helping others, we help ourselves"
By subscribing through MOMumental Savings and The Simple Truth Foundation, you will get this great deal while also helping to support local food banks, shelters and other help centers.
(And doesn't that make you feel good??)

And don't forget about me!!!! To help you maximize this opportunity I am available to teach a class of 12 or more. If you are the hostess for the class you will receive a $25.00 appreciation fee!
Please share this information to anyone you feel will enjoy this tremendous opportunity.

Order now!! It's time to CHEER, you can lock in the Orlando Sentinel for PENNIES this year!!!

CVS shopping 78% savings!

2012-01-08T17:04:00.000-08:00

Here is the breakdown I promised from Facebook. And no picture because my sweet little helpers came and got my things out of the car! Maybe this can help some of you with your CVS scenario this week!

It was my first week since before Christmas to shop CVS, so I had my quarterly ExtraCare Bucks to spend (yay!) and the Magic Coupon Machine also awarded me a free pack of Huggies diapers

(such a happy surprise!)

That being said, many times !MANY TIMES! I will have some scenarios worked out and get to the store and they are out of things or my coupons do not match up. I actually expected that to happen tonight, because my coupons were fairly complicated, but it amazingly worked out!

You have until Saturday to get similar deals at your store!

Let me know how it works out for ya!!

Transaction 1:

6 Stayfree pads $4.49 each

1 Huggies Snug and Dry $11.99

1 Finish Gelpac $3.50

3 Fuze drinks $3

(The Stayfree, Fuze and Finish were all apart of the Buy $30, Get $10 cash card promo)

Used (3) Stayfree buy one get one free coupons from 1/8 SS

Used (1) $1/1 Finish coupon from 1/1 SS

Used my Free Huggies coupon (deducted $11.99)

Used my $4 quarterly Extra Care Bucks

Total: $14.97 and a $10 Cash card

Savings: $50.12

Transaction 2:

6 All small and mighty 32oz sale 2 for $8

1 Angel Soft Toilet paper 12 Big rolls for $5

1 Fuze drink $1

(All of these are apart of the Buy $30, Get $10 cash card promo)

Used (6) $1/1 All coupons from 1/1 RP

Used (1) $.45/1 Angel Soft from 11/13 RP

and the $10 cash card from Transaction 1

Total $13.55 and $10 cash card

Savings: $34.37

Transaction 3:

4 Mountain Dew 20oz 2 for $2.50

1 Mars candy $.75 and get $.75 in ECB

2 Triaminic $5.79 each (Buy 2, get $3 in ECB)

Used (2) $1/2 20oz Mountain Dew--Printable coupon NLA

Used (2) $3/1 Triaminic coupons 12/4 SS

and the $10 cash card from Transaction 2 (which covers tax too)

Total: $0 with $.29 left on cash card and $3.75 in ECB

Savings: $14.52

Transaction 4:

(2) TG Lee Milks 3.79 each ($1 ECB earned on each)

Used (2) TG Lee coupons from here

$3.75 in ECB from Transaction 3

$.29 from cash card

Total: $1.54 and $2 in ECB for next week!

Savings: $6.15

Total was $29.97 before tax for a retail value of $135.10

Savings of $105.16 or 78%!!!!

5 Savvy Saving Secrets Every Couponer Needs to Know

2012-01-05T09:38:00.000-08:00

Welcome Tatertots and Jello Readers!
Thanks for visiting MOMumental Savings!

So you can coupon! Great! But how can you take it a step further? I have 5 ways you can shrink that spending budget even more!

1. How to save $10-$15 every trip by clipping ONE coupon.

I use the coupons in my local weekly grocery ads that frequently come out for $5 off a $30 purchase or $5 off a $50 purchase. Since I get multiple newspapers, I have several of these coupons. By simply splitting my groceries into 2-3 separate orders, I can use one of these coupons on each order! My grocery store also accepts competitor coupons from other stores so I bought several of these books for $10 each. Each coupon book has FOUR $5 off a $30 purchase, so I actually MADE $10 for every book I bought! You might find similar coupons in your local Entertainment book as well. When you do, buy in multiple so you can use these coupons often!

2. How to save money on meat:

I buy my meat in BULK! There are nationwide events currently listed for 40lbs of chicken breasts, ground beef and even bacon! I recently bought the 40lbs of 93% lean ground beef and it has been AMAZING. So easy to pull out of the fridge and brown up for a meal!
The price is great too! If you don't need all of it, split it with a neighbor or friend! Either way, you will have meat and can shop the grocery sales for all your other needs! ;-) This saves me money twice: 1) I don't have to buy (higher priced) meat at my local grocery store weekly and 2) When we are in a pinch for dinner, I ALWAYS have something in the freezer I can defrost and through in a recipe instead of having to go out to get food!

3. How to save money on Newspapers:

I subscribe here in Orlando through the Simple Truth Foundation (a non-profit that assists in connecting people to food banks) because they SUBSIDIZE my subscription! YEP! For every subscription you order, you get a $10 Publix gift card!! Each 13 week Wed-Sun subscription is around $24, plus $10 back! That's just about $1 a week. And seriously, if you can't afford $1 a week per paper, then you need to "hang up the scissors" as Fran the Coupon Man says. I completely agree.

And if you aren't local to Orlando, call your local paper and see what deals they offer for couponers! The saying is true: "You never know until you ask!

  If you want to get "fiscally fit" for 2012, click on the link to the left to subscribe and start saving on your papers too!!!

4. How to save money outside of the grocery stores:

Make the most of online coupons, in store specials and store loyalty cards--then wait for a sale!!! 

This week I bought:

2 Wii games for the kids

3 Easy Bake oven mixes and 1 cake pan

an Orange Glow mop

a pack of boys size 4 underwear

superglue

Sally Hansen Salon Effects

and a dozen PERSONALIZED golf balls

Coupons used: 

$10 Best Buy rewards (Reward zone card) used on two Wii games marked down to $14.99 each (originally $29.99) 

$5 any purchase at Toys R Us (Rewards R Us email coupon) 

$5 Rebate peelie on Orange Glow mop 

Sally Hanson nail art marked down half price in the Clearance section at Target  

$10 off $25 purchase at Dick's Sporting Goods 

Free shipping and golf ball personalization (in store special) at Dick's ($17 value) 

Total retail value was around $90 and I paid just $50 after rebates and coupons! Not too shabby for retail shopping!

The strategies of grocery store couponing really can be applied to everywhere you shop!! Collecting coupons, waiting for a sale and then paying attention while you SHOP!

MOMumental Savings Tip: I love the website Retailmenot.com to look up coupon codes and printable coupons for retail stores!

5. How to save money on non-sale grocery items you need to buy, but don't have coupons for?

Here is the secret: The Coupon Database.

Go to your favorite coupon matchup website and look for a section called "Coupon Database." Once you click on it, you will be taken to a search engine type of page where you type in the name of the product you need coupons for.

For me it can sometimes be as generic as "sausage" and it the database pulls up every sausage related coupon of many different brands. Other times, I might type in "Jimmy Dean" because I am looking for a brand-specific coupon for sausage. Many times there are NO coupons for the things I am looking for! Oh well! Other times, I might be able to print or clip as much as $5 worth of coupons for things that I NEED, even if they aren't on sale. (And yes, that happens!!!).

So there you go! 5 MOMumental Savings tips to help you save even more!

Do you follow me on Facebook? You should!

It makes me feel important. ;-)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!

Using your stockpile: Clear the Pantry Taco Soup

2011-12-15T10:32:00.000-08:00

I made this Uh-MAY-ZING soup last week while trying to use up some stuff in the pantry! I think there are several variations on this same recipe and I just tried to remember from memory what it was (and threw in a few extra ingredients I"m sure). In any case, it turned out FABULOUS!

Check it out:

Cook 1-1.5 lbs of ground beef and 1/2 cup sweet onion in skillet until meat is no longer pink. Drain.
Combine the following in a 5-6 quart slow cooker:
Meat mixture
Taco seasoning packet
Ranch dressing packet
2 cans of Ranch style beans (you can also use pinto and black beans or any combination--I'm sure all would be great!)
2 cans whole kernel corn--I drained one and not the other
2 cans of diced chili-style tomatoes--undrained
Water (maybe 1 cup? I didn't measure!)
3/4 of a can of light beer

Then cover and cook on low 5-6 hours! That's it!

I sprinkled sharp cheddar cheese on the top and served it with tortilla chips. You could also garnish with sour cream.

I like to scoop and eat with the chips. Yummers.

I didn't take a picture because my family literally DEVOURED it.

It makes ALOT so if you have a smaller family, freeze the rest! I couldn't re-freeze because my ground beef had been previously frozen. (You can't re-freeze meat once it has been thawed--Yucky).

So that is how you can make use of some of your stockpile pantry items!!! I would love to hear from you if you make the soup! This was a GREAT "rainy day" meal!!

Letting it go (and being okay with it!)

2011-12-13T11:27:00.001-08:00

We are officially starting the 12 days before Christmas. Do you feel the pressure? I do! It seems there are a million things needing my time or energy: coupon classes, giving back (RACK), kid's parties, kid's gifts for said parties, designing, couponing, shopping for my own pantry, playing with my kids, all while trying to savor the season.

It's ALOT.

I was in my mom's group this past Friday where we had a guest speaker talk about her (many!) Christmas traditions. I love traditions--for our family, some are intentional (Elf on the Shelf) and some aren't (Christmas PJ's). As the speaker went on (and on!) about her glorious traditions and associated memories, I could see the other mom's eyes glazing over and I knew what they were thinking: Am I NOT a good mom because we don't make cookies/have 5 trees/ buy Christmas PJ's/make a gingerbread house/have an elf on the shelf? Of course we (should) know the answer: NO! However, this time of year it is easy to feel obligated, and as moms, it is very very easy to make ourselves feel bad about what we HAVEN'T done.

I am here to tell you to

STOP. THAT. RIGHT. NOW.

Let it go.

Here is a glimpse at what I haven't done:

I haven't RACK'd anyone in 3 days (yes three). I know it's sorta been "my thing." Life happens. ~~Mommies~~ People get sick and overwhelmed. And you know what? I'm letting it go.

I don't have a cool idea every day of where to move my elf. In fact, I am thinking that next year the Elf might just stay at the North Pole! People take time off, and maybe our elf will too. The kids will get a nice note saying he is sending secret spies so behave. And you know what? We will let it go!

I haven't looked at Pinterest in quite a while. Believe me, I love (and I mean really LOVE) Pinterest. What I don't love is how it makes you feel that Oh-my-goodness-I'm-not-a-good-mom-if-I-don't-make-fabulously-creative-homemade-treats-for-the-classroom kind of feeling. I love ideas. I don't love guilt.

I haven't made sugar cookies with my kids. This was a tradition I did with my mom and I try to carry it to our family as well. Oh well. I'm letting it go.

I haven't decorated the outside of my house. No wreath, no ribbon, not even a Merry Christmas doormat. It's okay and I'm letting it go.

I haven't contributed to my daughter's classroom gift for the teacher. Let me pull a Rick Perry here: "Oops". I have some coasters and mug and we will make it work (or maybe we won't! Time will tell!) Either way, I'm letting it go!

I have said NO to many "White Elephant gift" type of Christmas party events. I'll hug you in January and we will call it good.

I haven't sent out Christmas cards. We have moved 4 times in the last 10 years--You want to know what I'm up to? Find me on Facebook. You'll see where my 2 year-old is missing two teeth, has had stitches, drinks from the carton of milk and climbs to the top of the pantry. And that's just one kid! Case in point of why I don't have the time or patience to try to send out Christmas cards. I'm just trying to keep that kid alive.

I haven't had our family's Christmas picture made. Why? Aforementioned two year-old wouldn't sit still for it anyways. We'll see ya in 2012. I'm letting it go.

I haven't taken my kids to see Santa. I made a (FREE!) video online where Santa sent them his own (personalized) message and we're good. See ya in 2012, St. Nick!

I haven't used coupons as much as normal! This isn't related to Christmas, but hey--sometimes you have to do what you have to do. And sometimes that means that you have to buy Poptarts at full price without a coupon. And then you let it go. You can't make yourself crazy over missing out on saving $1.

And you know what? Despite what we did or didn't do-- I'M OKAY.

And better yet, my kids don't even really care.

The anticipation of the holiday itself is plenty. PLENTY.

And so maybe this point was a ~~little~~ mostly for my own benefit. To remind myself that the kids won't remember what we didn't do--truth be told, they probably won't remember what DID do or even that we skipped a year on ~~some~~ many things.

Because here is what it boils down to: CHRISTmas.

It's not JACKSONmas or SANTAmas. Really the only tradition that is important is reminding, and teaching, my kids that point.

All of the rest of those traditions are just icing on the cake.

Our guest speaker at that meeting made a great point--when you are gone one day, all that will be left is memories. Presents will make their way to yard sale fodder, food will get eaten, but it's the memories your family will still have of you during the season.
I don't want my kids to remember a crazy and stressed out mommy.
I want to smile more and find more joy in what I'm doing for the holiday.

What about you? How do you want to be remembered?

This my RACK for today--this advice for you (and probably for myself as well).

Let. the. guilt. go.

Or at least promise you'll try. ;-)

Drugstore Shopping

2011-12-08T11:07:00.001-08:00

If you have taken my coupon class, you know that drug store shopping is my FAVORITE. Believe it or not, I don't even go every week!!! I really depends on how much time I have or how badly I want the items that are on sale. Remember--it all goes on sale again eventually!

Here is what I did this week--no crazy scenarios, but I still managed to score diapers, medicine, a pedicure for a Christmas party, gifts for my RACK project (candy) and stocking stuffers for my kids for just $11=tax!

Take a look:

Walgreens:

Transaction 1:

(2) Triaminic Pain Reliever/Fever Reducer 2 for $10

-(2) $3/1 Q from 12/4 SS

Total OOP= $4 with $3 Register Rewards ($.50 each!)

Transaction 2:

(6) Snicker’s Nutcrackers $39 with in-ad coupon

-(2) $1/2 Mars coupons (December All You mag and printable NLA)

I bought six so I wouldn’t get beepage –all 6 totaled only $0.34!

(3) Nestle Butterfinger Coins at 3 for $1.50

-$.45/3 December Coupon booklet

Kiss Nail art kit $7.99

-$1/1 coupon my Jedi cashier hooked me up with

-$1/1 December Coupon booklet

-Used my $3 RR from Trans 1

Total OOP:$4.05

CVS:

1 pack Luv’s diapers at $6.99 $2 ECB

1 box Candy canes at $1.27 $1.27 ECB

And after FINDING peelies on the ground PLUS getting a coupon from the coupon machine I got…..

2 bags M&M’s 2 for $5 $1 ECB

-$1/2 peelie on ground

-$.50/2 CVS coupon from Magic Coupon Machine

-Used Black Friday ECB’s: $2.99, $.99, $4

Total OOP: $3.78 $5 ECB total

My total could have been lower, but I only went with the coupons I had in my coupon wallet (and found on the ground! ha!) so the M&M’s were a last minute purchase!

In total I spent $11.83 and saved $33.48 or 65% PLUS $5 ECB left to spend next week!

What is your favorite drug store to shop???

Random Acts of Christmas Kindness

2011-11-30T15:02:00.000-08:00

* Scroll to the bottom to see a running list of daily acts of kindness*

I don't open up very often about what is going on in my life. You come here to learn how to save money, right?

But the truth is, it has been a tough year.

Maybe it has been for some of you as well.

Well this was probably one of the toughest years

of. my. life.

My faith, family and finances have been tested in ways I would have never, EVER, suspected. I have had to face a lot of things about myself that I thought I had figured out in my 33 years on this earth. I have said, on more than one occasion, that I was ready for 2011 to come to an end. I wasn't participating in the Facebook "Thankful Status" campaign. I wasn't ready to be thankful. I was just ready for 2011 to END. Forget the holidays--all I could think was I just needed to "get through" so that I could start fresh in 2012.

And then, I was faced with a series of people in my life who were GIVING THANKS for trials, poor circumstances and misfortune. Many of whom had it MUCH WORSE than my "crappy 2011" had been for me. Some were losing homes, losing babies, and losing jobs, yet they were still grateful?

At this same time, I was rushing around getting Christmas gifts for my little ones and crossing things off my list. One of those things was purchasing an Advent Calendar for my kids. For my kids, the calendars now include toys, gifts, and fun surprises--

the bigger the better!

I lay in bed one night thinking about this dichotomy--people with nothing, yet filled with gratitude; and me having "everything", yet filled with attitude (and not the good kind!).

Something had to give!

That's when I decided what our Advent Calendar would be:

25 Random Acts of Christmas Kindness.

I can't take all the credit--I was inspired by very creative people around the blogging world and posts like this one and this one.

I needed so show some gratitude to get rid of my bad attitude. And my kids seemed to be picking up on it by turning into Brother and Sister Bear from the book "Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmes."

(Please tell me you've read that??)

So what does this have to do with saving money? Well, I'm not sure that it does. But maybe that is what I need after a year of clipping coupons and saving every penny I can at the stores: to give freely of myself, my talents, my service, my heart and my wallet to others--and asking absolutely NOTHING in return.

I have big plans for the next 25 days! I will post updates on our Random Acts as often as I can--most likely through my Facebook page--to help give you ideas for how you can R.A.C.K. someone this Advent. However, I want to be present in these moments for our family, not for the sake of "blogging about it" so there may be a day (or week!) where you don't hear from me. Don't worry, I'll do a recap in January.

To help you start your own journey, I have partnered with Punkin Prints who has generously created a free printable to leave behind when you leave your (mostly anonymous) RACK's.

You can also check out her super cute Etsy shop and get some paper products that will WOW your recipients!!! I'm so lucky to have such talented friends!!

Get the RACK'd download here.

Now go bless an unsuspecting someone (or some-more-than-one) with a surprise act of Christmas Kindness.I am committing to 25 acts of kindness, but what about you? Can you commit to one? Five? And what will you do? Leave comments and suggestions below!

Acts 20:35

"In everything I showed you that by working hard in this manner you must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He Himself said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive'."

Day 1: Made cookies for the husband who had a bad day and needed to smile.

Day 2: Was a "coupon fairy" at Walmart by leaving coupons next to a product that made it under $1 after coupon!

Day 3: Pulled a name from the Angel Tree (Melvin)
Day 4: Placed quarters on toy machines in Walmart

Day 5: Left waters on top of the garbage cans on pick up day for the garbage men.
Day 6: Left a bag of chocolates in the mailbox for the mailman (to which he exclaimed "YEE HAW" upon finding them)

Black Friday Daily Deals Roundup! {update}

2011-11-25T12:32:00.001-08:00

Here is a roundup of some deals you might want to snag today! Scroll through to see Saturday updates in red.

Groupon: $10 for a $20 gift card at Old Navy--must be used by 12/24! Limit 2.

Living Social: multiple deals!

$5 for a magazine subscription (great for stocking stuffers or gifts for teachers, office workers, etc...)

Office max deal is my favorite! $10 for $20 gift card! Think: printer ink and paper for printing coupons!!

$20 for $40 of credit to Skechers.com

And more!!!!!

Magazines.com. $5 gift today was in my inbox! Sign up and check yours!

Real Simple Subscription $12 (One of my FAVES!)

All You subscription $19.97

Start at Ebates.com (Sign up and get a $5 bonus in your account today when you spend $25) and search Magazines.com which is currently offering 52% cash back!!

After using Ebates.com, you can get Real Simple for $5.76 ($.48 an issue!!) and All You for $9.59 ($.80 an issue!) If you do All You for 2 years (you will spend the $25 and get the $5 Ebates credit), it nets down to $.47 an issue.

I love ALL YOU because each month it has TONS of coupons in it! (And many are high value!) What a deal! The double cash back offer on Ebates ends TONIGHT!

Eversave $25 for a $25 Walmart gift card AND $50 to Restaurants.com. That is like getting $50 FREE to eat out! YIPPEE!!!

Fab.com $10 credit if you sign up today PLUS almost free Melissa and Doug toys!

This pattern puzzle is just $13.49, so just $3.49 after the credit! I wish I would have posted earlier today because some of the toys that have already sold out would have been FREE after the credit!

They have tons of deals on there, so look around and decide how to spend your FREE $10!!

Plum District: This has become one of my favorite daily deal sites lately. Here is a sampling of what you can get tonight:

Omaha Steaks is offering a $135 Hoilday package for $75 Use the 40% off code today cyber40 on this and it brings it down to $45 SHIPPED. This is great quality meat!
Saturday code: Saturday40. Lots of new deals posted today as well! Scroll through several different cities to find lots of different deals!

There are tons of other deals you can use the ONE TIME code on. Plus they are also offering $10 off if you use the code enjoy10.

I have my eye on the Crafty Kids Playhouse deal ($10 after $10 off code)

$20 for Creative Playhouses from Crafty Kids Playhouses - a $40 Value

(Thanks Couponers United for the 40% discount code!)

8moms (I just joined this tonight!!) Looks like another fab daily deal site AND it's partnered with the magazine Parenting, which I love. I"m sorta obsessed with these.....
Anyways! Get a $50 Bloom.com voucher PLUS 3 free samples of your choice for just $25. Bloom.com is a beauty and cosmetics website. I'm thinking this would be a GREAT gift for any woman! My 18 year old niece would LOVE this for Christmas! (I hope she isn't reading this!)
And can I just say that the Green Garmento laundry bag and the Mommy Mitten (for your stroller!) look very interesting as well? And FUN BITES! I might have to have that--it cuts your child's food into (cute) bite-sized pieces. Uh oh....this site could mean trouble for me! Practicing restraint tonight though!!!

E-mealz: Seriously love them. Seriously. They make meal plans based on what is on sale at the grocery stores that week. Choose from tons of different plans from low fat to gluten free to weight watchers, regular meal plans and MORE! They are giving 30% off a gift subscription this weekend using the code CYBER30. That makes your first 3 months of meal plans only $10! That is $3 a MONTH!. Click my link in the upper right column to go to their site and to sign up!

My last favorite site is Groopdealz. I just love it because their stuff is cute. Period.

They have been introducing a new deal every few hours today. I love the $1.99 Crazy Silly Straw Glasses.

And the $20 personalized duffle bag!

Or Maybe the cute $12 Ruffled skirt for my daughter?

Whenever you can, ALWAYS start with Ebates.com when shopping online! You can buy tons of stuff and get a BIG FAT rebate check at the end of each quarter! Shopathome.com is another site that does similar rebate offers, but it has mixed reviews. I don't personally use it. Find out why here.

I am expecting some more awesome deals as the weekend goes on--especially into Cyber Monday. Get signed up NOW so that you can see the deals as they come in your inbox!

CVS BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING {My plan!}+Update

2011-11-24T06:21:00.001-08:00

My plan of attack for CVS shopping!--See my update below!

Here we go! See where I got my matchups here.

Transaction 1

Colgate toothpaste 4oz $2.87

-.50/1MQ

-$1/1 CVS coupon

OOP=$1.37 $2.87 ECB

L.A. Looks Styling Gel 26oz $2.49

-$1/1 Manu Q.

OOP=$1.49 $2.49 ECB

Bayer 20ct $.99

-$2/1 MQ (if overage is allowed)

OOP=$-1.01

Carmex .15-.35oz $1.00

OOP=1.00 $1.00 ECB

Benefiber sticks trial size 3ct $1.49

-$2/1 MQ (if allowed)

OOP=$-.51

(2) Theraflu Caplets 8ct $1.87

-$3/2

OOP=$.74 $1.87ECB

Finish Quantum 10ct. $2.99

-1/1 Finish Manu Q

OOP=$1.99 $2.99ECB

Total OOP $5.07 $12.71ECB

Transaction 2

G.U.M. Toothbrush 2pk $2.99

Breathe Right Strips Bonus size 10+2ct. $5.99

-$1.50 Breathe Right Manu Q

OOP=$4.49 $5.99ECB

FiberOne 90 Cal bars $3.99

-$.40/1 MQ

OOP=$3.59 $3.99ECB

Listerine Pocket Paks 3pk $2.99

-$.50/1 Listerine Manu Q

OOP=$2.49 $2.99ECB

Total=$13.01

-$12.71 ECB from Trans 1

OOP= $.85 $15.96ECB

Transaction 3

Sheets Energy Strips 10ct $3.99/$3.99ECB

Be Koool for kids 4ct $4.49/$4.49ECB

Softlips $2.00/$2.00ECB

Advil PM 4ct $.99/$.99ECB

CVS Batteries AA or AAA $3.99/$3.99ECB

(1) Mars Candy $.75/.$75ECB

Total=$16.21

-$15.96 ECB from Trans 2

OOP=$.25 $16.46 ECB

Transaction 4

Universal Remote $6.99/$6.99 ECB

Exederin 8ct+bonusPM $.99/$.99ECB

Kleenex Cool Touch $1.50/$1.50 ECB

Balance Bar $1.69/$1.69 ECB

Starbucks Double shot $1.69/$1.69 ECB

Pepto Bismol 4oz $2.99/$2.99 ECB

(1) Mars Candy $.75/$.75 ECB

Total $16.60

-$16.46 ECB From Trans 3

OOP=$.14 $16.60 ECB

Transaction 5

Advil 10ct $2.99/$2.99ECB

CVS Flossers 90ct $1.99/$1.99ECB

Revlon nail $4.99

-$1/1MQ=$3.99/$4.00ECB

iChill Relaxation shot $5.29/$5.29ECB

Theraflu travel size $.99/$.99ECB

(2) Hershey bar King size $1.98/$1.98ECB

Total=$17.23

-$16.60ECB from Trans 4

OOP=$.63 $17.24ECB

Transaction 6

Phillips Earbuds $6.99/$6 ECB

Wet n Wild nail kit $2.88/$2ECB

$9.87

-$5.29 and $3.99 ECB from Trans 5

OOP= $.59 $8.00ECB

Total OOP= $6.38 plus tax

Retail $92.44

ECB left to spend $15.95

Profit after ECB=$9.57

I will come back and update to let you know how it goes!!

Update: They were out of the Sheetz and BeKOOOL fever patches I needed for Transaction 3 so I subbed in the two items from Transaction 6.

My total was $9.87OOP and saved $100 with $17.97 in ECB left to spend!

CVS Black Friday Scenarios

2011-11-22T12:59:00.001-08:00

Here is the first of my Black Friday CVS Scenarios! I don't know about you, but I will be skipping the malls this year in favor of some Black Friday shopping at CVS!!! Even as a beginner, you can score some great products (for yourself or to donate!) PLUS make $3.50!

MOMumental Savings CVS Black Friday Scenarios (Beginner)

Transaction 1:

L.A. Looks Styling Gel 26oz $2.49

-$1/1 Manu Q.

OOP=$1.49 $2.49 ECB

Transaction 2:

Finish Quantum 10ct. $2.99

Hershey King Size $.99

-1/1 Finish Manu Q

-$2.49 ECB From trans. 1

OOP=$.49 $.99ECB and $2.99 ECB

Transaction 3:

Listerine Pocket Paks 3pk $2.99

Hershey King Size $.99

Hot Wheels or Matchbox car $.50

-$.50/1 Listerine Manu Q

-$2.99 ECB and -$.99 ECB from trans. 2

OOP=$0 $.99ECB and $2.99 ECB

Transaction 4:

Breathe Right Strips Bonus size 10+2ct. $5.99

-$1.50 Breathe Right Manu Q

-$.99 ECB and -$2.99ECB from trans. 3

OOP=$.51 $5.99 ECB

Total OOP=$2.49=tax

Total Retail value=$17

$5.99 ECB to spend next visit.

$3.50 Moneymaker plus $17 in products!!!!!!

See this post for details on where to find your coupons.

Happy CVS'ing!

Black Friday Gameplan {Series} Day 5

2011-11-22T05:41:00.001-08:00

Welcome back to the last day of my Black Friday Gameplan series!

Okay, you have done some research inside the stores to find out what your store will be doing on Black Friday. You have also made your gift-giving list, explored other options--online and beyond--for saving on those gifts. Finally, you have started your list of those items you want to purchase and track their prices to know what is a hot deal versus what is just Black Friday hype. Today we are addressing two final things before the big day.

Set your budget and create your itinerary.

Now your budget for Black Friday is going to be very different than mine or anyone else's! I have included a place on the Price Tracker download from Day 4 to include your budget (look at the bottom of the sheet!). It will automatically deduct the price of your items from your set budget. As you enter the price of each item you are purchasing, it will automatically deduct if from the overall budget amount at the bottom to give you a running total. Pretty cool, huh? Don't have the downloads from earlier this week? Email me! I will send them along! You have to get moving on this!! Remember my advice from Day 1? PREPARATION IS KEY!

Now for creating your itinerary.

You have may have seen commercials or the online ad scans advertising the times each store will open. Depending on what is on your gift list, and what store has the best price, you will need to create an itinerary for yourself so that you arrive at each store at the ideal time for you. Some things to keep in mind as you create your itinerary:

Are you getting "Doorbuster" deals? These are the "hot price" items from Day 4. If so, you might want to plan accordingly and get there early to get in line.

Will you have help? Sometimes to get the best deals you can "station" people at certain locations in the store to grab your item as they are brought out. How will you know where the items will be located? Check out the store map!!

(Thanks to a coupon class student for this tip!)

Here are the maps I could find for 2011:

Target
Walmart (click on my local Walmart tab then enter zip code)
Kmart
Sears
Best Buy
BJ's
Lowes
Sam's Club

*Keep in mind these maps were designed to show you what section to look for. Your store may be slightly different or a mirror image of the map. Also, items may shift around as things sell out*

Now you are ready to make your itinerary! Use my free printable to schedule yourself a Black Friday itinerary! I have left room for you to list the items on your list for each store.

Armed with this, you should handle Black Friday like a pro! Email me and get your itinerary in your inbox today!

Here are some last tips before you walk out the door:

Check the weather! It may be cold when you start out and warm up mid morning. Dress in layers if necessary in order to shed as you go store-to-store.
Don't bring a full wallet/purse. Black Friday is a thief's paradise. Only bring what you need and keep it close at hand.
Beware of fake vouchers--alot of stores give out vouchers for top items so that people aren't just grabbing. If you get the laptop, TV, iPod, etc...you will be given a voucher and (likely) taken to a different part of the store to pick it up to help ease traffic. Beware if someone wants to "sell" you their voucher because they got it and no longer want it (I know someone that this happened to!). It could be a fake! I mean, really: why would you wait in line for 6 hours then sell the voucher for $75?
Leave your kids at home. I know it's tempting to bring them to get extra vouchers, but really it could be dangerous. I know you've seen it (at least on TV) where the doors open and people don't care who is in their way! If they aren't at least 18 and 5' tall, leave them at home!
BE happy. So you missed a deal? Not worth being mean to store associates, other shoppers, or your shopping buddies over it! After all, there is always next year!

And there you go! You have a Black Friday Gameplan assembled and ready to shop!

What did you think of this series? Was this helpful? LET ME HEAR FROM YOU!

{Yes, YOU--who reads my posts daily, but never comments--you know who you are! ;-)}

I have NO IDEA what is helpful until you let me know! I would love to do other series as well.

What would you like to see?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING (and shopping) EVERYONE!

Black Friday Gameplan {Series} Day 4

2011-11-20T09:39:00.001-08:00

Welcome back to MOMumental Savings Black Friday Gameplan Series!

See my other days here: Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Since it is getting closer to Black Friday, today's topic is VERY important:

Know what is a GREAT deal--and know what is NOT

Hands down, there will be great deals on Black Friday. However, you have to be able to separate the hot prices from the hype! Let me break it down:

Hot price items: these are usually the "doorbuster" deals. Crazy sale prices are common on big ticket items like computers, television and iPods. They might enhance these prices with a refund offer like a gift card with purchase as well. It might also be a great price on a toy. Anything with a DEEP discount (50% or more off retail) is a hot price.

Hype: This is most everything else in the Black Friday ad! There will be plenty of other items on sale, but they may only be 10%-30% off retail. Sometimes even less!

Simply being aware of prices prior to Black Friday will help you determine what is a hot price or a hype item. You can do this easily (right now!) by doing an internet search to your favorite retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Target, Best Buy, etc....). Make a list of current prices of the items on your shopping list. Compare this list to the Black Friday ads to determine what (and where) has the best price on all of your items!

But remember, time is valuable too! If you work full time and Black Friday is "your day" to shop for gifts, then any savings is better than none!! Going to the store armed with a price list will help you determine the best prices, no matter what.

Now for another freebie!

Since you have made your F.R.A.N.K. gift list, now you can start to search for the best prices on those gifts! Email me to receive a free printable organizer for your gift list and price sheet. You will use it to track the price of items as well as what store has the best Black Friday price! It's essential to be organized for your BFG!

Black Friday Gameplan {Series} Day 3

2011-11-15T08:12:00.001-08:00

Welcome to Day 3 of my Black Friday Gameplan series!
(Better late than never right?)

If you missed the first two days, they are here: Day 1 Day 2

ONLINE SHOPPING and
WATCHING FOR PRE-BLACK FRIDAY SALES

We are going to take a little bit of an anti-Black Friday stance today. Mainly because many products and companies have great sale opportunities surrounding the week of Black Friday. So let's explore those options, shall we?

Although Black Friday has stellar deals, do you know that some of those deals can be found NOW? Through different online websites, there are already deep deep discounts to be found. My favorite places to find these discounts are at a number of "daily deal" type of websites. You have to keep an open mind on some of them!

For example, perhaps you never considered getting a wine sampler for your sister and brother-in-law, but there is a daily deal that gives them 6 bottles for $20! If they like wine, AT ALL, that could prove to be a nice, unique gift.

Here are some of my most favorite daily deal websites*:
Mamasource
GroopDealz
EverSave
PlumDistrict
LivingSocial
And with all of these daily deal websites, make sure you "look around" at deals other than the ones JUST in your subscribed area. Many times other areas will have online deals that you can redeem from any place you live!

What about a gift that keeps on giving? Long gone are the "Fruit of the Month" clubs, because concept has been updated with several new, hip monthly clubs. We personally subscribe to some of the ones below (and love them!) and I have listed several more I have my eye on getting a chance to try! For $30 you can give a gift to a child, man, or woman that keeps arriving into 2012. And let's be honest, who DOESN"T love to get a fun treat in the mail? Use your F.R.A.N.K. list from yesterday to determine where this type of gift might fit in your BFG.
Birchbox
HisBlackBox
ShoeDazzle
BabbaBox
Little Passports

Lastly, watch for Pre-black Friday sales (They can sometimes be BETTER!!)--both in store and online.

Some in store deals I was able to score on toys from weekly sales flyers recently will BEAT the Black Friday sale price!
(And save me milage and gas in my car!)

Online, many retailers begin their Black Friday sales on Thanksgiving Day! While my kids are watching the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, I am reading emails I have already received advertising Black Friday pricing! I can shop from home (in my PJ's with my hot coffee) and will not have to get to the store on Friday morning! Obviously, many "doorbuster" offers are in-store only, but I have shopped from retailers such as Gymboree, Crazy8, Gapkids and Children's Place on Thanksgiving day during their Pre-Black Friday sales.
That works for me!

And don't forget to sign up for places like these to save even more money when shopping online:

Swagbucks--search EVERYTHING you do online (instead of just using your bookmarks) and you earn Swagbucks for searching. Fill out surveys, take polls and other things to earn more swag bucks then redeem your swag bucks for gift cards and MORE in the Swagstore! I earned enough Swagbucks in just a couple of months to get a $45 Amazon.com gift card!
Ebates.com--Start all of your online shopping through Ebates to earn cash back as you shop!
Shopathome.com--similar to Ebates, but they also have coupons and more! I love the special offers!

Come back tomorrow for another freebie to help organize your BFG and help you structure a gift list based on the store ads!

*Disclosure: Some links listed above are referral links. All opinions are my own and I do not endorse anything I do not fully support and/or use myself.

Black Friday Gameplan {Series} Day 2

2011-11-14T10:09:00.001-08:00

Welcome back to MOMumental Savings Black Friday Gameplan (BFG) series!

If you missed yesterday's tip, go back and read it now!

Tip #2: Prepare your game plan early

As I mentioned a few weeks ago, Black Friday will be less stressful if you plan your gift list NOW. Think TODAY about your gift list!

Did you know that the average adult in the United States spends an average $750 on Christmas gifts?? Now, that is obviously an average and some will spend more or less, but isn't it hard to believe that some households spend over $1000 at Christmas alone? Preparing your BFG now could help you to cut that figure in half or MORE-just for spending a few hours getting organized!!!

Use this simple F.R.A.N.K. method to think about the different types of people you might need to purchase gifts for:

F--Friends

Obviously this is self-explanatory, but think about the types of friends you are going to buy gifts for. Age and gender will be important factors. Will you buy a gift for a set of friends that you and your significant other have mutually? One all-inclusive gift that can be used for a family or a couple could help save you money instead of purchasing gifts for each individual person.

R--Relatives

This is also a self-explanatory category. Some of the above ideas from the "friends" category apply here as well. If you have a large family consider a "gifts just for kids" rule or pick names to help cut expenses for everyone (your family will appreciate it!!)

A--Acquaintances

These are the people you want to show your appreciation to, but may not see everyday. Think your mailman, paper delivery man, hair stylist, secretaries at offices you frequent, etc... We are planning a Christmas project for our family where we show our thanks to these types of people, in particular. And this is the category where you will likely spend the least. In this case, it is all about showing your gratitude and letting them know they are thought of and appreciated. A plate of cookies, a cake, or an extra $5 dollars on their tip will go a long way for them during the holidays.

N--Neighbors

Neighbors help us lots during the year when we go on vacation by bringing in our mail, garbage cans and just being good to our kids. Consider what gifts you might need or want to buy for your neighbors. "Neighbors" can also mean your community as a whole and those that work in service to your community--fire fighters, policemen, etc......perhaps you plan on giving them gifts as well. Some gift ideas may be similar to the acquaintances listed above in hopes of showing appreciation and gratitude.

K--Kids

The "kids" category applies broadly to anyone you know through your kids, other people's kids and of course your own kid's gifts. Do you plan on getting your children's teachers gifts? Secretaries or workers at their school? Does your son or daughter have a special friend or group that they have to buy gifts for? And what is it your kids really want? The gift my daughter wants has been on sale for many weeks now, so it will not be apart of my BFG.

Once you have an idea of what you want to purchase, remember my first tip of KNOWLEDGE. Start researching now to find what these items are currently selling for so you will know if the Black Friday sales are actually a great deal or just a retailer's propaganda to get you in the store.

Example: A Crayola paint set my son wants currently retails for $14.99. A sneak peek at a retailer's Black Friday ad reveals it is one of their "Doorbuster" deals at a price of $12.99. To me, less than 30% savings is not a "doorbuster" deal! Knowing the going rate for items should be a part of your preparation.

Lastly, I have made a printable form for you to use as you PREPARE your BFG gift list.

Yay for FREEBIES! ;-)

Email me using the link in the upper right column and I will send it to you!

Come back tomorrow to find out how you can USE your F.R.A.N.K gift list for pre-Black Friday sales.

Preparing Your Black Friday Gameplan {Series}

2011-11-13T05:03:00.001-08:00

Join me this week for a series of tips on how to execute a successful Black Friday Gameplan.

Black Friday is defined as the day when many retailers hope to make enough sales to put them back "in the black" and out of the "red" in their financial books. I love nothing more than a good Black Friday shopping spree (for sport!). Despite the fact that most of my gift list has been completed by Black Friday, I still enjoy getting amongst the crowds to see what retailers have to offer. Some of you may be STARTING your holiday shopping on Black Friday. If you are one of the many that shop this way, you need to be prepared!

MOMumental Savings is here to help you!

Many retailers have already "leaked" their Black Friday ads.

As a couponer, how is this information helpful and relevant?
Furthermore, how does it benefit you to see the ads any earlier than Thanksgiving Day?

Know what you can expect

It's all about knowledge.

Store hours and special item sales are key when approaching your Black Friday Gameplan (BFG).

Talk to your local store associates and managers to find out how they plan on handling the large crowds and "must have" sale items.

Some helpful questions to ask:

Will there be "limit one per customer" type of sale items?
Will there only be a certain amount of people allowed in the store at a time?
Where is the best place to check out?
Will there be a "minimum two per store" type of rule in place for some of those must have items?
Some stores open at 10pm, but the sale on certain items (electronics, appliances) doesn't start until midnight--ask them how this will be handled.
What competitor coupons and ads will be accepted? (some retailers vary in what will be allowed as a "price match" on Black Friday)

Doing some reconnaissance work as you are shopping the store in the next two weeks can pay off BIG TIME.

Join me tomorrow as I talk about the importance of preparation and give some tips to help you think about some things you can do NOW that will help you with your BFG.

Check my favorite website for the Black Friday ad scans and sales.

Where are you planning to shop Black Friday?

VIDEO--How to Organize your coupons!

2011-11-10T14:34:00.001-08:00

How I organize my coupon inserts to save TIME (that is just as valuable as money, right?)

Enjoy!

There ya go!! Questions? Comments? Let me know what you think!!!

Guest Post: MOMumental style on a Budget

2011-11-07T14:29:00.000-08:00

I am thrilled to have fellow blogger, Kylie from Styled by MaryKylie give us tips on some money-saving styles! I know I need help in this area, so maybe this was more for me than anyone else (tee hee!).

I've had lots of requests from my fellow Mom friends on how to dress cute not only when on a budget, but when you are running kids here and there, running a household, and often times having a job outside the home. I was beyond excited when my long time friend and now fellow blogger Jaime asked me to do a guest post on her blog about this exact topic.

Being a Mom doesn't mean you have to dress boring or wear certain things just because you have kids. I hear so many women say "I can't wear that, I'm a Mom now", and that is so beyond false. Now I'm not saying you can still wear the mini skirts or bootie shorts, you must draw the line somewhere, but you all can be stylish Moms!!

There are tons of places that I get outfit inspiration besides my own closet. Being on a budget myself, I try to re-create outfits seen on celebs with things I have in my own closet. My new favorite place for outfit inspiration is Pinterest. I have used it to re-create a ton of outfits from my own closet. I know most of you Moms are using it for crafts and cooking, but zip on over and get inspired in the Women's Apparel section.

Being a Mom usually means you have little time to take for yourself to get ready, so you just throw on whatever is clean and run out the door. Hopefully after a little help from me those days will be soon over. Below I have put together some outfits perfect for work or play, and a few that can go day with the kids into a date night with Dad!! I tried to keep each outfit simple, comfortable, but looking effortlessly put together. Here is my philosophy on putting effort into your daily look... The same effort it took you to put on that t-shirt and gym shorts you could've taken to grab a cotton dress and boots, or a sweater, scarf, and jeans. This way you at least give the impression you put effort into your look! :)

I used pieces from mainly Target and Forever 21 below. Yes, you can find age appropriate clothes in Forever 21 if you look. They have tops, sweaters, jeans, shoes, jewelry, handbags, etc, all usually under $50!! Score!! And if you find a dress you like and it's a tad short, add leggings!! You can click on any piece in the collages to purchase or for more information.

I love this first outfit because the dress and boot a are perfect for a day with the kids, work, and dinner date with Dad.

Boots by Envy Bracelets by Forever 21

This is perfect for those days filled with errands!!

Longsleeve Tops by Merona Boots by Vince Camuto

I love this for those days when you are kid free for a few hours and have time for girls lunch/ shopping trip.

Bootcut Denim by New York & Co. Flats by Mia

Friday work casual or day to date night outfit.

Longsleeve Tops by Forever 21 Flats by Report

Great example of the effortless look I talked about earlier, basic top, jeans, and scarf come together to make a perfect ensemble.

Longsleeve Tops by Merona Flats by Charlotte Russe

I love this for work. The belt makes a boring dress put together.

Boots by Jessica Simpson Belts by Charlotte Russe

This last look is an example of what I mentioned earlier about finding a dress at Forever 21 that's a little too short, but adding leggings to make it work.

Leggings by Anthropologie
Boots by Charlotte Russe

Please email me anytime if you want me to style an outfit for you or help you shop on a budget!!

Thanks so much Kylie! Don't forget to check out her blog and see how she puts together awesome outfits each week! I TOTALLY envy her style sense!
Now this has given me some ideas and a little motivation to get out of the fashion rut I have been in (let's not go there, shall we?)

November sale items

2011-11-01T20:38:00.001-07:00

Here are the items you want to look for ON SALE this month!

There will be rock bottom prices on many of these items!!

Beverages: Hot Cocoa, Coffee, Tea
Baking Sales in Full Swing: Nuts, Chocolate Chips, Evaporated Milk, Sweetened Condensed Milk, Coconut, Cake Mixes (Yippee!! My favorite!!)
Canned foods: Soup, Broth, Vegetables, Fruits, Spaghetti Sauce, Yams
Thanksgiving Items: Turkey, Canned Pumpkin, Stovetop Stuffing, Betty Crocker Boxed Potatoes, Gravy Mixes, Frozen Pies, Cranberry Sauce, Jello, Marshmallows
Seasonal Produce: Anjou Pears, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbages, Carrots, Celery, Comice Pears, Cranberries, Kiwi, Lemons, Orange, Potato, Squash, Yams, Sweet Potatoes
Clearance: After Halloween Sales

Make your holiday menus NOW then shop the sales in the next few weeks and check things off your ingredient lists as you go through the month.

Other items:

Aluminum foil and plastic wrap
HDTV and home theater
Kitchen accessories
Recreational vehicles
Wedding dresses

Continued sale items from October:

Toys
Cookware
Electronics
Shrubs, trees, bulbs
Big appliances

Pre-Black Friday sales

2011-11-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

A few things to note leading up to that all-important Black Friday sale day:

Walmart has just started their pre-Black Friday sale on their website called "Amazing Online Specials". You can find a few hundred deals here: Walmart specials.

Amazon is doing something similar: a "Countdown to Black Friday" deals-- with exclusive items you can ONLY find on sale here. Check it out!

Target is opening at midnight this year of Thanksgiving and it has caused some people to voice their strong opinions (see mine here). What do you think of stores opening at midnight? Helpful to shoppers? Or is it "Black Friday propaganda?"

Well if you are out and about on Black Friday, check out this great set of "dos and don'ts" on this site. This is a great tool and my favorite tip is to SHOP ONLINE! Many retailers put their sales on their websites as early as Wednesday night!

And don't forget to check out my new feature on the blog in the upper right corner--get rewarded for reading the blog!! It's like a punch card to your favorite restaurant or store! Get your card "punched" each time you visit the blog and then cash in your points for a cool gift! JUST FOR READING! Love that. See the rewards ribbon for more info!

Happy Savings everyone!!

My thoughts on Black Friday......

2011-10-28T12:29:00.000-07:00

Another store makes a Black Friday announcement: For the first time, Target will open stores at midnight Thanksgiving night! This is not the only one. Toys R Us, Walmart, Best Buy and others will open at midnight or earlier in hopes of capturing your dollars.

Just a public service announcement--if you are paying attention to prices, planning your gift list early, following my page here and on Facebook, then shopping the sales, you can find MOST (if not ALL) of your items prior to Black Friday!

I post dozens of "daily deals" on my Facebook page! Why not get a $40 gift card to an online beauty store for $20? What a perfect gift for a niece or daughter! Or maybe order your parents the awesome Omaha Steaks deal that has been featured recently?

THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BLACK FRIDAY BOX!

I have most of my kid's presents done as well as a many of my relatives! (I have actually been shopping since summer--hey--a sale's a sale!) I'll work with the kids to make handmade gifts for the grandparents and call it good.

I am not against Black Friday shopping. In fact, if you are in the market for electronics or household appliances, and are not brand specific, Black Friday can really pay off for you. Year after year, however, I am in shock of the lengths people will go to, simply to purchase a toaster for $10 or a hand mixer for $3!

I'm not saying there aren't good deals on Black Friday, just keep in mind the retailer's ultimate purpose: TO GET YOU IN THE STORES. If you are there, you will likely spend money. Be a smart shopper.
And if you're there, and see me standing in line next to you, make sure to say hello. I'll be holding a hand mixer. ;-)

Cosmetic bag giveaway winner!!

2011-10-25T07:14:00.000-07:00

Well here is the winner using random.org

Comment number 5! Kayce, congratulations!!!

Send me an email with your address and I will get that in the mail to you.

Thanks again to 5Cuties for the fun giveaway! Don't forget to contact them if you see anything you like on their Facebook page! Take advantage of that FALL SALE they are having right now!

Thanks for participating everyone! More goodies coming soon!

Cosmetic bag giveaway!

2011-10-22T05:45:00.000-07:00

Check out this cutie patootie cosmetic bag!

5 Cuties is giving this puppy away!! WOO HOO!!

5 Cuties is an awesome home based embroidery business specializing in unique custom bags and gifts. They are local to Orlando, but I will ship the gift to the winner anywhere in the US. Right now they are running a Fall CLEARANCE sale on their Facebook page.

So what can you do to win it? Go to their Facebook page and "like" them. Then post in the comments here to let me know you did it! You have until MIDNIGHT (pst) on Sunday 10/23!

Ready set GO!!!

BOO on a Budget

2011-10-20T04:40:00.000-07:00

So here is the long-awaited (atleast for me!) post on how to decorate for Halloween for under $10! I like to think of it as "Boo on a Budget."

You can decorate your home for under $10 to give it some Halloween flair!

Take a look at what I did and see how LITTLE I paid.

It's frighteningly frugal (tee-hee!)

This little guy was easy! I re-used a jar (I rinse and keep jars and cans for things just like this!).

I added some gauze from the dollar store and some google eyes from my craft stash. Add a tealight and you have a cute little decoration.

The kids could even help you wrap it!

Total cost= $1

This was one of my favorites--the stick centerpiece. I re-used a vase and added some sticks that had fallen from a tree in my yard. I used some black spray paint on the limbs to add some "darker" appeal for Halloween. If I have time, I will likely add some spider webs to it before Halloween night. The rest of the centerpiece was from my stash. I actually liked the stark look of the sticks by themselves on the center of the table as well.

Total cost= $0

On a side note--if you don't already own several colors of spray paint, start collecting some!

I find it is the easiest and cheapest way to repurpose things around your home from frames to vases and sticks!

Here I have once again repurposed spaghetti jars, spray painted the lids black, and added some cute printables and dollar store candy. (You can see where someone had already depleted the candy corn and tootsie rolls by the time I got my camera out!)

Total cost= $0 for printables (found on Kikicreates! Love her!) and $3 for candy.

Okay, these lanterns were total impulse buys at the dollar store. I couldn't resist!

Total cost= $3

I re-used (again!) some frames from around my house. (My kids' pictures are behind these.) I used an online template and black scrapbook paper to cut out the silhouettes. You could use black construction paper just as easily as well.

Glue and frame and you're set with more free decor!

Total cost=$0 (Get the templates here)

Another freebie! Love the eyechart concept! Find this freebie at Tatertots and Jello.

Total cost= $0

This last free printable resides right after you enter the front door. (My kids had to add their own touch on either side!). I love the subway art concept and the chevron design that frames it out too. Again, reuse a frame from around your house. I figure my kids' pictures are displayed all the time, so it's okay to cover them up for a few weeks. All for the sake of decorating!

Total cost= $0
Printable from the girls at eighteen25

So that brings my total cost for decorating to just $7. Which leaves me enough money to go buy a pumpkin from the patch for our front porch!

There is your BOO on a Budget! I hope you enjoyed it!

Don't forget to find me on Facebook!