In the course of living, there comes our way times where we must own up, eat humble pie, and simply give voice to an apology.

Be it that you hurt someone’s feelings, something did not go exactly as you had planned, or maybe even that you messed up… royally. Make it right.  Whether it is gifts for her at interflora or making up for your actions in amuch more dramatic way, flowers are a great way to open the door to repairing what went wrong.

Be sincere and heartfelt.  While you don’t have to spend your last dollar, you also don’t want something that appears cheap.  Be thoughtful and considerate with the floral arrangement and let it put a smile on their face & warmth in their heart.

Tip: The best way to avoid needing an apology bouquet is to be proactive with your appreciation.  Saying, “Thank you” goes a long way.  Saying “thank you” with a floral bouquet or special gift – you can get lots of unique ideas on the Interflora thank you gifts page – just kicks that “thank you” up a notch and emphasizes your appreciation.

Tip #2: Don’t forget those special dates on the calendar.  Whether a birthday, anniversary or Cupid’s Day, make sure your special someone knows truly special she is to you.  Interflora anniversary gifts will start you off in the right direction, loaded with ideas to keep you from needing to send that apology bouquet!
Links provided by Interflora.

Welcome to Kim B from Mom’s Paycheck!  Kim is an avid couponer and eBay Seller.  She also makes extra money and earn rewards using Survey and Points sites.  She blogs about thrifting, great finds to list on eBay, eBay tips, and other ways she makes and saves money.

Each week here at Savvy Frugalistas, Kim will be sharing tips and how-to guides for various survey and reward sites to help you earn rewards and make a little money on the side to further stretch your budget.  She will also be sharing reviews periodically.

If you have a request of a survey site or reward site that you would like to learn more about or get tips on how to get the most of it, leave a comment and Kim will be happy to consider those for upcoming articles.

If you are interested in becoming an editor at Savvy Frugalistas, drop me a line and we’ll talk! 

Starting July 27th through August 2nd, earn 5 Bonus Box Tops for your local school when you buy any two participating General Mills Box Top items at Winn-Dixie.

Now that Banan is starting Kindergarden, I am sure we will be looking for products with Box Tops For Education to help his school.  Thanks to Winn-Dixie, MyBlogSpark, and General Mills, I was provided a $25 Winn-Dixie Gift Card to pick up a few products so we can get a jump start on collecting Box Tops.

Cheerios is a big favortie here now that Calen {9 months} has discovered them.  We also buy a lot of different types of cereal – we love the variety and with a couple of adults and a 5 year old, we go through cereal pretty quickly.  Collecting Box Tops will be a no brainer for us as we have Taco Night – or some form of it – {Old El Paso} fairly often; Banan loves fruit snacks {GM makes lots of different kinds & with several different character themes}; and between Yoplait and Pillsbury… let’s just say we already buy most of these products!

To learn more about the Box Tops for Education Program and how you can help contribute to your school, visit Box Tops 4 Education.

WIN A $25 WINN-DIXIE GIFT CARD

…

Want Winn-Dixie, MyBlogSpark, and General Mills help you get a jump start on collecting Box Tops, too?  Enter to win a $25 Winn-Dixie Gift Card!  Here’s how!!

{Gift card can be used for any products of your choice at Winn-Dixie.}

MANDATORY ENTRY:
Leave a comment below telling us your favorite General Mills products!

That’s all you have to do!  Easy-peasy.  See “Rules” below for a few other details.  If you want extra chances to win, complete the extra entries below.  You MUST leave a new comment for each entry in order for it to count.

EXTRA ENTRY #1:
Like Savvy Frugalistas on Facebook.

EXTRA ENTRY #2:
Follow me on Twitter.

EXTRA ENTRY #3:
Subscribe to Savvy Frugalistas updates by email.

EXTRA ENTRY #4:
Connect with us via Google Friend Connect {see far right sidebar}.

EXTRA ENTRY #5:
Tweet this giveaway and/or share on Facebook – 1 entry each per day.
$25 Winn-Dixie Gift Card #Giveaway on #SavvyFrugalistas – Ends 8/6 http://wp.me/pF15d-rB @ShakeTheSalt #MyBlogSpark

EXTRA ENTRY #6:
Like the Box Tops for Education Facebook Page

EXTRA ENTRY #7:
Follow Box Tops for Education on Twitter

RULES

DEADLINE: 11:59 PM EST, August 6, 2011

You MUST do the mandatory entry and leave a comment stating such before any extra entries will count.

Tweet / Share via FB entry allows you up to 2 entries per day (1 each for Twitter and FB).

All other entries are a total of one per action.

Winner must respond within 72 hours of notification or another winner may be chosen,

OPEN TO US RESIDENTS.

The Winn-Dixie gift card, some information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark. 

Opinion Outpost is a survey research site.  They reward in both giftcards and cash.  I’ve been signed up with them for almost 2 years and I have nothing but good things to say.  They offer a  giftcards, checks, as well as the ability to donate to the Red Cross.  I usually cash out in the form of Amazon E-certificates or checks.  They recently raised the minimum for checks from $5 to $20, but earning is easy and the checks come fast.

I have no complaints for Opinion Outpost.  You will not qualify for every survey, but I do qualify enough that I don’t feel like its a waste of my time.  Surveys are generally compensated adequately for the amount of time spent.  You earn $2.00 for every referral you make after they complete their first survey.

All moms deserve to be rewarded. If your baby could thank you, they’d never stop. Gifts to Grow gives you the rewards you deserve, simply by buying Pampers diapers and wipes. Earn points toward scooters, strollers, books, magazine subscriptions, gift cards, and even charitable donations. Join now and get 100 Free Points. You will also receive periodic emails and special offers. Click Here

Don’t forget to save the codes inside the packages of diapers and wipes and log them online.  I’ve been collecting and not logging mine, so I really need to sit down one day and get them all in – then check out the rewards we qualify for.  Window shop, lol.  I never cashed in from the codes I collected when Banan was in diapers, so I hope we may qualify for something pretty cool.  If you haven’t signed up, do.  You are buying the diapers anyway – get something free out of it.

A recent article on The Consumerist found the TLC show, Extreme Couponing, has sparked a trend of out-of-control couponers who ransack stores with little regard for fellow shoppers. Merchants have taken notice and many major retailers are starting to change their policies. Here are some of the big ones.

Rite Aid
Rite Aid has taken the same steps as Target to crack down on shoppers looking to exploit BOGO coupon offers. The drug store chain has also made other changes including limiting the number of coupons per item to four. If inventory is running low, managers may limit the numbers further.

Target
The biggest change at Target comes to their buy one, get one (BOGO) policy. They now only allow one BOGO coupon per purchase. Previously, customers could “stack” Target printable coupons, combining store and manufacturer BOGO coupons to get both items for free.

Walgreens
Many high tech shoppers have even started to crack coupon barcodes, allowing them to use coupons on products they’re not intended for. Walgreens is working to combat this fraud by adopting a new type of barcode. New barcodes will be able to hold more data and can better make sure Walgreens coupons are used for the right product.

Publix
At Publix stores throughout the country they’re also limiting the number of coupons that can be used on one product. Their new policy limits couponers to one manufacturers coupon and one store coupon per item.

Shopping with coupons is certainly a smart way to save, but there are right and wrong ways to do it. Here are some basic do’s and dont’s to help you coupon with class.

DO play by the rules. Couponing isn’t too complicated and common sense should get you by in most cases. Rules vary store to store, so if you’re planning to use a large amount of coupons, it helps to brush up on coupon policies before you shop. This includes making sure you’re buying the item the coupon is intended for and checking to see if they’ll accept expired coupons or not.

DON’T clear the shelf. In the eyes of casual shoppers, clearing entire shelves of popular sale items crosses the line between couponing and hoarding. If you really want to stock up on certain products, try making multiple trips or call ahead and ask a manager if they’ll set aside an order for you.

DO be organized before you check out. It’s a nightmare for cashiers and people waiting in line when you hand over a haphazard pile of miscellaneous coupons. It’ll be much appreciated if you clip them before hand and make sure they’re all facing the same direction. Also, remember to remove coupons for products you didn’t end up buying.If you are using mobile coupons, have them ready on your smartphone for the cashier to scan.

DON’T shop during the busiest times. The stress level of those waiting in line during peak times is high enough. Using dozens of coupons takes time and will only irritate other shoppers. Instead, go shopping when business is slow. It takes the pressure off to complete the transaction as quickly as possible for both you and the cashier.

DO be polite to the cashier and fellow customers. Sure, you might have some knowledge other customers and even clerks don’t, but it’s no excuse to treat others like they’re beneath you. If a cashier isn’t familiar with coupon policies, stay calm and ask to speak with a supervisor. They’re much more helpful if you don’t lose your cool. When your cart is overflowing, give those behind you a heads up that you’ll be using coupons. If someone is waiting with just a loaf of bread and gallon of milk, let them cut ahead.

DON’T steal coupons! A growing trend turning the tide against couponers is theft. Newspapers and newspaper subscribers are increasingly finding coupon inserts stolen. This is a big no-no and can get you into some serious trouble. Many people will willingly part with their unused inserts if you ask nicely.

Written by Consumer Savings Expert, Andrea Woroch. 

GOOD DEAL SHOPPORTUNITY!

Oral-B Professional Care Power Toothbrush

Regular Price: $71.99, Right Now $34.99

Click HERE to grab this deal!

Only 15 hours left as of this posting (or when sold out, whichever comes first)!

The Oral-B ProfessionalCare 1000 (formerly ProfessionalCare 7400) provides dentist-inspired cupping action in which a unique, round brush head surrounds each tooth for a tooth-by-tooth clean. The combination of high-speed pulsations and the oscillating rotating technology has been shown to reduce plaque and gingivitis more effectively than a regular manual toothbrush

Product Features

Our washing machine is trying its hardest to stop working.  I’m milking it, but I know that any day – any moment for that matter – it may stop for good.  Sometimes when the load is all done, I open it to find it still filled with water.  Not good.  There’s other issues too.  Granted, it is just a basic model and has worked great for me for years.  And I will admit that it does present a nice little excuse to upgrade. 

We have also had periodic issues with the air conditioner.

Our house, like any other house, is full of well functioning machines that make our life easier. We have become adjusted to them and while on one hand we are spoiled by them, our increasingly busy lives makes some of them essential.  When they stop working for us, it can throw our lives upside down and the funds aren’t always there for a pricey repair or replacement.  A Florida home warranty would prove very beneficial if the air conditioner breaks.  Life in Florida without an air conditioner is not very comfortable. 

American Home Shield offers home protection plans that can help you from getting caught off guard when a much needed appliance breaks, you find yourself with a serious plumbing issue, or something goes a little faulty with the electrical system.  In some cases these issues can lead to further damages in the home and unresolved could be a safety issue. 

Links provided by AHS.  All thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

GOOD DEAL SHOPPORTUNITY!

Cloud B Soothing Sounds Gentle Giraffe

Regular price $29.00; Right now: $18.00

 To get the Cloud B Soothing Sounds Gentle Giraffe for only $17.99, click the logo below:

Also available (most almost 50% off):

Cloud B Soothing Sounds Sleep Sheep $17.99
Cloud B Soothing Sounds Mimicking Monkey $21.99
Cloud B Soothing Sounds Gentle Giraffe On The Go $16.99
Cloud B Polar Bear Cub Aroma Pillow $11.99
Cloud B Natural Double Sherpa Baby Blanket $21.99
Cloud B Soothing Sounds Sleep Sheep On The Go $16.99
Cloud B Pink Velboa Stroller Blanket $11.99
Cloud B Blue Velboa Stroller Blanket $11.99 

NOTE: This deal is LIVE and available as of this posting.  Savvy Frugalistas is not responsibile if this deal is no longer available.

TripAdvisor has launched a new sister site called SniqueAway.  It’s a by invitation only, member site that features top brand and A-List accomadations at very affordable pricing.  Each 4 to 5 star hotel deal is offered for a limited time only.  The featured hotels will showcase pictures, accomdations, reviews, as well as local hotspot. 

When you find a deal you like, book quickly.  Deals only last 7 days or until sold out.  They also offer a referral program which can allow you to earn credits from family and friends you refer.  I’ve been a member for a week and the deals that I have seen are really good.  The hotels offered are beautiful and the prices are excellent.  They also give you a “snique’ peek of what hotels will be featured soon.  If you are heading to Disney, be sure to look check out the Bonnet Creek deal on Feburary 17th.  Join Today!  As a BzzAgent I received a invitation to SniqueAway