The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker

Reminder: Sprout Baby Giveaway Ends Tonight!

2010-03-11T07:13:00.002-05:00

Just a quick reminder that the Sprout Baby soothing cream giveaway ends tonight. There aren't many entries, so you have a pretty good shot at winning!

$10 Credit at bTrendie

2010-03-10T15:38:00.002-05:00

Sign up with bTrendie and you will automatically receive a $10 credit into your account! This credit can be used to cover shipping too. bTrendie is a deal site with 2-4 flash sales of quality name-brand baby & kid gear. The prices are fantastic - up to 70% off! Right now, they are offering some cute umbrellas that are just under $5 shipped after your $10 credit is applied.

Thanks Bargain Briana!

Target Daily Deal: Women's Gauchos 2 for $10

2010-03-10T07:26:00.003-05:00

Target daily deals has these women's gauchos in four different colors for only $10, buy one get one free! Shipping is free! If you decide you don't like them, you can return them in-store.

Free Shipping at Bath & Body Works

2010-03-08T09:45:00.003-05:00

Today only, you can get free shipping on ANY order at Bath & Body Works with code SHIP4FREE. They have some great sale and clearance items, so it's worth checking out!

Easy Lunchboxes: Review & Giveaway

2010-03-08T07:00:00.000-05:00

Our biggest financial goal as a family this year is to pay off the rest of our consumer debt. One of the ways we are cutting back on costs is to pack lunches rather than eating out at restaurants. Taking 15 minutes to pack a lunch for everyone before we head out for the day can easily save $20 per meal or more! Unfortunately, I am sick of packing (and eating) the same things every time. Then I came across a nifty product to make packing lunches easier: Easy Lunchboxes.

The Easy Lunchbox system is made up of 4 compartmentalized containers with lids and a cooler lunch bag in the color of your choice. The containers are made of non-toxic, BPA-free & phthalate-free plastic, and are refrigerator, freezer, microwave, & dishwasher safe. The 3 separate compartments are sized for perfect portions, and the containers fit perfectly in the cooler lunch bag. Kelly Lester, the owner & creator, came up with the idea of Easy Lunchboxes from her desire to send her daughters to school with simply, healthy food, with little to no extra packaging or ingredients. These containers make it easier to eat healthy and are also eco-friendly; you no longer have to buy individually packaged snacks, which not only saves money, but reduces waste.

I was sent an Easy Lunchbox System to review. As I said, we have been cutting back on costs, so this system definitely came in handy! A few days ago, we took our dogs walking in a local park. I packed my daughter a sandwich (on large, multi-grain bread, which still fit in the compartment perfectly!) and I used the small compartments for baby carrots and applesauce. She ended up eating in the car, and the container made it much easier; it was the perfect size for her lap! I love that I can pack different foods like fruit and pasta salad and I don't have to worry about bringing several bulky plastic containers. I just throw everything into their own little compartments, snap on the lid, and toss into the cooler bag. Owning an Easy Lunchbox system is a great way to be frugal and more efficient at packing lunches, and I am excited to have the opportunity to own such a great product!

Want To Buy Your Own Easy Lunchbox System? They are available for purchase at www.easylunchboxes.com. Four-packs of containers cost $13.95, and the cooler bags are $7.95 each. While you are on their website, make sure to check out their neat ideas section - they provide some great lunch ideas, recipes, hints, & tips!

Want To Win An Easy Lunchbox System? One lucky reader will win a set of containers and a cooler bag in the color of their choice. Just go to www.easylunchboxes.com and tell me which color cooler bag you would choose.

For additional entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each!)

1. Subscribe to The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker via RSS, Google Friend Connect, or E-mail. (If you are already a subscriber, just let me know!)
2. Follow The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker on Twitter & tweet about this giveaway
3. Follow Easy Lunchboxes on Twitter
4. Become a Facebook fan of Easy Lunchboxes
5. Become a Facebook fan of The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker

Make sure to include your e-mail address! This giveaway is open to the US only and will end Thursday, March 18, 2010. This review was made possible by MomMadeThat.com

Disclaimer: I was sent an Easy Lunchbox system to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no compensation. All opinions expressed are my own.

Winner of the Lennah Designs necklace giveaway!

2010-03-05T06:49:00.002-05:00

Thanks to all who entered the Lennah Designs necklace giveaway! I used Random.org to choose the winner. The winner was...

rcbutler

Congratulations! Please e-mail me at niftythriftyhomemaker@yahoo.com with your information.

If you would like to buy your own Lennah Designs necklace, you can still use code "niftythrifty" for 10% off any necklace. Remember, these also have free shipping!

Don't forget to enter the Sprout Baby giveaway! Another giveaway will be posted on Monday, so make sure to check back!

Lessons Learned from Waiting

2010-03-04T13:28:00.005-05:00

Photo by stevendepolo

About two weeks before a pregnant mother's due date starts something I like to call "the waiting game." You wait, and try not to make any plans because you never know when you could go into labor.

That's where I am right now.

I am currently 10 days away from my due date, and have been suffering severe bouts of impatience. But, realizing that my daughter was 9 days late, I could very well go over my due date yet again, so I have no choice but to wait. I've been learning a lot during this time, like how much more productive I am around the house when I don't have many plans to go anywhere or do anything. I've washed and organized all the baby's clothes; the baby seat is ready to be used, the car seat is sitting by the door, waiting; my hospital bag is packed, chopped onions and browned ground beef have been frozen, and as of today, cookies & scones have been baked.

Besides getting things ready for the baby, I have also been spending more time with my daughter. I am a stay-at-home mom, so I am with her all the time, but that's not always quality time. Instead of telling her "not now" because I don't feel like doing something, I find myself saying, "sure!" And I am learning so much about my daughter and how much I like to be with her. We've been having discussions about God and why He protects us, and we've talked a lot about what life will be like when baby Noah comes into our family. I am really cherishing this time we are spending together, and I feel like God is showing me how to be the mother I need (and want!) to be.

My prayers have changed from "Lord, please let me go early this time!" to "Lord, please keep the baby inside until he is ready to come out." I know I need to slow down and enjoy right now, rather than always wishing for the future. My daughter won't be little forever, and (God willing) I won't be pregnant forever. The Lord is taking this time to really teach me patience in so many areas of my life, and especially with my children - even the one who isn't born yet. :)

Reminder: Lennah Designs Necklace Giveaway Ends Tonight!

2010-03-04T07:57:00.002-05:00

Just a quick reminder that my giveaway for a Lennah Designs necklace ends tonight. This is a great giveaway you don't want to miss out on! These necklaces are great for moms, and there aren't many entries into the giveaway, so you have a pretty good shot at winning!

February Financial Checkup

2010-03-03T07:00:00.002-05:00

Photo by borman818

February flew by, didn't it? I think we did fairly well financially this month. We received the title to our vehicle and the paid off statement for our car payment, which we were able to pay off in January. It's a great feeling to have one account paid off, and definitely helped fuel us this month to really work on paying down our credit card!

Debt Repayment

This month, we started to attack our credit card balance. I have a base payment we aim for every month, which is much more than the minimum payment; we were able to double what we planned on paying into the balance!

Additional income

I made a bit of income from blogging this month, which was added to our credit card payment. My husband also had the opportunity to work overtime.

Budget

We did really well with our budget this month. We came in under-budget in a few categories, and just slightly over in a few others. My husband did eat out a few times when he was working overtime, but he gets reimbursed for meals when he works more than 12 hours of overtime, so that covered his eating out. We did not have to dip into our emergency fund this month, although we may need to next month due to car issues.

Changes I Made

I stayed home more; I have only 2 weeks until my due date, so I am more comfortable hanging out at home anyways. When I did go out and was tempted to make purchases, I really took the time to think everything through and decide if I really needed it or not.

Conclusion

I am happy with how things went this month. Seeing the numbers go down on our credit card balance has really helped me to stay focused; and so has the fact that we are no longer paying a car payment! In March, my husband is receiving a pretty substantial raise, so we are excited to add this to our debt payment. We will also be welcoming our son into the world sometime this month!

Ben & Jerry's: $1 Scoop TOMORROW & Free Cone Day 3/23!

2010-03-02T13:13:00.005-05:00

I just got an e-mail from Ben & Jerry's. In honor of Hannah Teter for bringing home a silver medal, head over to your local Ben & Jerry's tomorrow only and say "way to go Hannah!" You'll get a scoop of Hannah Teter's Maple Blondie ice cream for only $1.

Also - free cone day will be March 23rd from noon to 8pm. Make sure to get yours!

It's Back! Hurry! FREE Kraftmaid Kitchen Idea Book!

2010-03-01T12:12:00.003-05:00

THIS DEAL HAS ENDED! THAT WAS QUICK!

Hurry and click the banner above to get your FREE Kitchenmaid idea book! This book is filled with great ideas for your kitchen; they actually are sold at hardware stores, but this is your chance to grab one for free. This deal only lasts a few hours at a time, so hurry!

Here's how to order your book:

1. Click the banner above

2. Click on the link at the top that says "request literature"

3. Click 'consumer/homeowner' on the left

4. Put your zip code in the appropriate space

5. Fill out your information

That's it! Let me know if you were able to grab one before the deal ends!

Sprout Baby: Soothing Cream Review, Giveaway & Discount

2010-03-01T07:00:00.001-05:00

One of the parts of being a good steward of my finances is making sure I can get the best quality for my dollar. I personally feel it's important to pay attention to where my money is going, which is why I prefer to purchase eco-friendly products created by environmentally conscious companies. That's why I was excited to have the chance to try out a product from Sprout Baby, the one-stop shop for all baby things eco-friendly, organic and natural.

Sprout Baby has an impressive variety of products; they carry everything from baby food to home cleaning solutions. The site is the brainchild of parents and professionals who wanted to make it easier for families to shop for healthier, eco-friendly products. All products sold on Sprout Baby must meet up to their high standards, so you know all products are safe and of the highest quality. It really allows parents to have peace of mind, especially in a time when product recalls are nearly commonplace. If that weren't reason enough to shop Sprout Baby, they also send 1% of their sales directly to Healthy Child Healthy World.

Sprout Baby offered to send me the Episencial Soothing Cream to review. It's made to relieve eczema, itchy skin, cradle cap, psoriasis, and dermatitis, but is completely organic and free from additives, parabens, and petroleum. It's made in the USA actually manufactured with solar power - how cool is that? I can't wait to try the soothing cream on my baby when he is born (my due date is in two weeks!) but luckily, I have constant issues with dry skin, so I was able to test it out myself. First of all, I have to mention how much I love that they feature images from Eric Carle's "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" on the packaging. I know it's not a big deal, but I just love that book! The lotion itself has been a lifesaver since my pregnant belly has been so itchy lately. I've been using it every day, and have noticed a little goes a long way; the 4oz tube will probably last quite a while. The best part is, it works! It's a lot thicker than other lotions I've tried, and it's fragrance-free, which is important when you plan to use it on the sensitive skin of a newborn. Knowing it's organic and free of irritants (especially when planning to use it for a baby) makes this product worth every penny.

Want to shop Sprout Baby? Check out their site, www.sproutbaby.com. The Episencial Soothing Cream I tried is $10.99, but they also have a lot of other awesome products worth checking out. Just for my readers: you can get 15% off your first order with coupon code SBBL148.

Want to win your own Episencial Soothing Cream? First, head over to Sprout Baby and and let me know what other products caught your eye.

For additional entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each!)

1. Subscribe to The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker via RSS, Google Friend Connect, or E-mail. (If you are already a subscriber, just let me know!)
2. Follow The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker on Twitter & tweet about this giveaway
3. Follow Sprout Baby on Twitter
4. Sign up for Sprout Baby's newsletter
5. Become a Facebook fan of The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker

Make sure to include your e-mail address! This giveaway is open to all of North America, and will end Thursday, March 11, 2010.

Disclaimer: Sprout Baby sent me the soothing cream to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no compensation.

Winner of the ReUsies Giveaway!

2010-02-26T07:55:00.003-05:00

Thanks to all who entered the ReUsies reusable snack bag giveaway! I used Random.org to choose the winner. The winner was...

Nonsensicalgirl

Congratulations! I will be e-mailing you shortly.

If you would like to buy your own ReUsies, you can still use code 3ORMORE to receive 10% off!

Don't forget to enter to win a necklace of your choice from Lennah Designs! Another giveaway will be posted on Monday, so make sure to check back!

Children's Place: Free Shipping + 15% Off

2010-02-25T12:25:00.003-05:00

The Children's Place has some great deals on their site right now; $5 knit tops, and lots of winter clearance priced around $2.99 and up. You can get an additional 15% off with code free shipping with code FAMILYA9 and free shipping with code FSFEB2010. The free shipping code is only good through tomorrow, so make sure to use it!

Reminder: ReUsies Giveaway Ends Tonight!

2010-02-25T07:00:00.000-05:00

Just a reminder: the giveaway for a reusable sandwich and snack bag set of your choice from ReUsies ends tonight. Make sure to read the review and enter to win - these are a must-have for anyone who has children!

Current dads & expectant first time moms needed!

2010-02-24T16:04:00.003-05:00

Parents Insight Network is still looking for a few people to sign up to test new products. They specifically need current dads, and expectant first-time moms. If you fit this criteria and are interested, please e-mail me at niftythriftyhomemaker@yahoo.com

5 Reasons To Buy On Etsy

2010-02-24T06:30:00.001-05:00

I have to share that one of my favorite websites EVER is Etsy.com. Their slogan is "your place to buy & sell all things homemade" and they aren't kidding. You can find just about anything on Etsy. I could browse the site for hours! I've made several purchases this month, and have been impressed by the quality of the items. Once you sign up for an account, you can buy & sell, as well as save favorite items & shops. Etsy shops receive ratings from buyers whenever an item is purchased, so you can buy with confidence. There are so many awesome reasons to buy from Etsy, but here are my top 5, in no particular order:

1. Your purchase supports small businesses.

Etsy was created to give talented artisans and crafters a place to sell their products. These are ordinary people just like you! Personally, I'd rather have my money go to them than to some multi-million dollar corporation.

2. Quality handmade goods.

In my experience, handmade goods have a certain quality mass-produced goods don't.

3. Fantastic prices.

You can find awesome bargains on Etsy. Many shops have specials and sales, and you can search for items by price - in case you have a limited budget.

4. Large, unique selection.

You can find just about anything on Etsy. Soaps, jewelry, clothing, food, toys - it's all there! Many of the items you wouldn't find in a store.

5. Custom items.

Many Etsy shops will work with you to create the perfect custom item. If you like one item, but don't like the fabric, send the seller a message and see if they'll make one in an alternative fabric. A lot of shop owners actually enjoy working on custom orders, so don't be afraid to ask!

Have you ever bought from Etsy? Do you have any favorite shops?

Lennah Designs: Review, Giveaway & Discount!

2010-02-22T06:30:00.004-05:00

NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

When I became a mother more than three years ago, it changed my life in so many ways. I traded my cute purse for a bulky diaper bag; my fashionable clothes for whatever wasn't covered in spit-up. Let's face it; sometimes, it's hard to be a mom and feel like an attractive woman at the same time. If you have ever felt that way, you are going to love the necklaces offered by Lennah Designs.

Lennah Designs necklaces are made for moms of small children. They are fashionable and safe; each necklace is made of high-quality acrylic beads that are sent to a certified lab to ensure that the lead and phthalate content is safe for handling. They are fitted with a special breakaway safety clasp that pops open when the necklace is pulled - but if you do have an unfortunate accident within one year of purchasing your necklace, send it back to be re-strung for free! These necklaces are perfect for nursing mothers, because they give your child something to play with, to help avoid pinching and hair-pulling. This is actually how Stella came up with the idea for Lennah Designs.

"Lennah Designs was created during our breastfeeding journey. With the constant pinching and poking, I abandoned all of my jewelry including a special necklace that was given to me by my mother. This, along with lack of sleep and not packing away my maternity clothes led to many frumpy looking and feeling days. I have always loved painting, photography, sewing, designing, and all things crafty so I decided to make a sturdy necklace my daughter could pull on while doubling as an attempt to look civilized and presentable. What I didn’t realize was how something as simple as wearing a necklace lifted my spirits! Not to mention it was a great distraction for my daughter during feedings." (Read more about how Lennah Designs got it's start by clicking here)

Not only is Lennah Designs committed to helping women feel beautiful, but they also donate a portion of each purchase to SickKids Foundation (The Hospital for Sick Children) to invest in health and scientific advancements to improve the health and lives of children in Canada and around the world.

Lennah Designs offers 12 collections of beautiful, unique necklaces. Each collection is available in single or double strands, and offers different choices of pendants and lengths. I was sent the Madison donut necklace to review. I fell in love when I opened the package; this necklace is gorgeous! I have already received more compliments on it than any other piece of jewelry I own. Each necklace includes a tiny silver tag strung onto the back of the necklace that says "made with love" - it's something small, but makes me feel like every necklace is made with the future wearer in mind. My 3-year-old daughter loves to try it on and twirl it when I hold her, and I love knowing that it's not too delicate for her toddler hands. I can't say enough about how much I love my necklace! I'm excited to wear it while I am nursing my son, and I already ordered my second necklace, the Emma double strand.

Want to buy your own Lennah Designs necklace? They are available to purchase on their website, www.lennah.com Shipping is FREE within North America. The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker readers can receive 10% off any necklace with coupon code 'niftythrifty" through March 31, 2010. (Please note that all prices shown on the site are in Canadian dollars!)

Want to win a necklace? First, head over to Lennah Designs and let me know which necklace you would choose.

For additional entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each!)

1. Subscribe to The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker via RSS, Google Friend Connect, or E-mail. (If you are already a subscriber, just let me know!)
2. Follow The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker on Twitter & tweet about this giveaway
3. Follow Lennah Designs on Twitter
4. Become a Facebook fan of Lennah Designs
5. Become a Facebook fan of The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker

Make sure to include your e-mail address! This giveaway is open to the US & Canada and will end Thursday, March 4, 2010.

Disclaimer: I contacted Lennah Designs about doing a review & giveaway. They sent me one necklace to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no compensation. All opinions expressed are my own.

Free Pretzel at Aunt Anne's This Saturday!

2010-02-19T08:24:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow, February 20th, between 10am and 3pm, head over to Aunt Anne's to get a FREE pretzel! You can choose from original or cinnamon sugar. (My personal favorite is cinnamon sugar!) For details, click here.

File Your Taxes Free with TaxAct!

2010-02-18T16:37:00.002-05:00

For the passed three years, I have filed my taxes with TaxAct. TaxAct is an online-based Tax software program that lets you prepare your taxes for FREE. As I said, I've used this for the passed 3 years, in which we've moved, started a business, and bought a house. TaxAct is user-friendly and guides you through all the deductions and steps to insure that you get your highest refund possible.

This year, I decided to try both TaxAct and TurboTax free edition. My refund came to the exact same amount, but it cost more money to e-file with TurboTax, so I stuck with TaxAct. I believe for your first time, it doesn't cost anything to e-file, but after that it's somewhere around $15. I highly recommend e-filing - we got our taxes back this year in less than one week.

If you have any questions, feel free to ask; I've always loved using TaxAct. To sign up, click the banner above.

Free Subscription to Family Circle Magazine

2010-02-18T10:51:00.004-05:00

Get a FREE subscription to Family Circle Magazine at Mercury Magazines. I have received free subscriptions from them before without any problems, and I am a subscribed to Family Circle. I highly recommend it! Make sure to grab this quickly, it won't last long!

How to Bargain Shop: Tried & True Tips

2010-02-18T06:34:00.002-05:00

I am guest posting over at 3 Boys & A Dog today. Go check out my post on how to bargain shop!

Want to Guest Post? Call For Guest Bloggers!

2010-02-17T07:00:00.000-05:00

As many of you know, I am pregnant and expecting my second child in mid-March. To plan for this, I have been setting up some great giveaways for the rest of this month, all of March, and into April. But I am also looking for a few guest posts! So if you are a blogger, or just love to write, and you are interested in guest posting here on The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker, send me an e-mail at niftythriftyhomemaker@yahoo.com. All I ask is that your post fits with my blog; here are a few ideas, but if you have an idea that is not listed, just e-mail me and we will discuss it:

*Frugal living

*Saving money

*Handling money/finances

*Marriage & homemaking

*How-to's

*Recipes

*Christian living

...I am sure you get the idea. I am asking that the posts be sent to me sometime during the first week of March, so I can have them on reserve for whenever my little Noah decides to make his appearance. Just make sure to e-mail me and we can discuss the details. Thanks so much for your patience during this time!

2010 Entertainment Books Now 40% Off

2010-02-16T15:07:00.004-05:00

For a limited time, you can get 40% off of 2010 Entertainment Books. These are a great source of local coupons - everything from dining to family fun! The local book for my area costs just $21 and contains more than $17,000 worth of coupons - definitely worth your money!

ReUsies Snack & Sandwich Bags: Review & Giveaway!

2010-02-15T07:00:00.005-05:00

NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

I have a 3-year-old daughter who loves to snack. (What toddler doesn't?) So several times during the day, I'll hand her a clear plastic baggy filled with cheerios, grapes, or some other kid-friendly snack. Of course, using all those bags is not exactly environmentally-friendly. I've tried setting the bags aside to rinse them out and reuse them, but to be honest, it just never happens. Which is why I was thrilled to find ReUsies.

ReUsies are reusable, machine-washable cloth snack bags. They are made from 100% cotton, lined with leak-resistant nylon (BPA, Lead and Phthalate free) and are easily closed with Velcro. They come in several different prints and colors, and just one has the potential to replace hundreds of plastic bags!

I had been wanting to try reusable snack bags for quite some time, so I e-mailed ReUsies about reviewing their bags. They generously offered to send me one snack bag and one sandwich bag to try. I have been using them for well over a week now, and in this small amount of time, these ReUsies have been used over and over again. My daughter loves the cute pink print and carries them around as if they were purses rather than snack bags. She has no problems opening and closing the bags, and she loves to put food in them! These have held dry cereal, grapes, cut apples, pretzels, and countless other snacks and have been everywhere from friend's houses to church Sunday school.

I love the durability of these bags. You can wash them in the washing machine and the dishwasher, which is a big plus. I was worried about two things; snacks falling out, and moisture-rich snacks leaking through. Luckily, I haven't had a problem with either; the bags fold all the way across at the top before securing the Velcro, so snacks have no way of escaping; and the nylon keeps anything from leaking through. I haven't so much as looked at a plastic bag since these arrived in the mail. That may not sound like a big deal, but we had been going through 2-3 a day minimum.

The bottom line? I am now a proud ReUsies convert!

Want to buy your own ReUsies? Snack bags are $6.75 and sandwich bags are $8.75. Get 10% off your order with code 3ORMORE.

Want to win a snack bag and sandwich bag of your choice? First, head over to ReUsies and choose your favorite pattern. Come back here and comment letting me know which one you chose.

For additional entries: (Please leave a separate comment for each!)

1. Subscribe to The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker via RSS, Google Friend Connect, or E-mail. (If you are already a subscriber, just let me know!)
2. Follow The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker on Twitter & tweet about this giveaway
3. Follow ReUsies on Twitter
4. Become a Facebook fan of ReUsies
5. Become a Facebook fan of The Nifty Thrifty Homemaker

Make sure to include your e-mail address! This giveaway will end Thursday, February 25th at midnight EST. The winner will be announced the following day.

Disclaimer: I contacted ReUsies about doing a review & giveaway. ReUsies sent me two reusable bags to review in exchange for my honest opinion. I received no other compensation.