Building with Ryan

New house? New Taxes! Get YOUR taxes done for FREE! And get a $10 Gift Card for TARGET or HOME DEPOT!

2012-01-29T06:46:00.000-05:00

Here's how to get your TAX RETURN done for FREE with eBates & FreeTaxUSA.

Sign up for eBates by clicking the word eBates anywhere in this posting.
After signing up on eBates, use their search box and type the word FREE TAX USA and then click on it.
Click the Shop Now button
THAT'S IT! And with FREE efile of both your FEDERAL & STATE return, you can get your $$ as fast as 7 DAYS!!!

For only $4.46 more (reg. cost $5.95, use code DLX4LESS at checkout) you can file unlimited amended returns, get Audit Assist which provides access to audit specialists who can answer your specific questions as well as access to the FreeTaxUSA Audit Center, & move to the front of the line Priority Customer Support and have your questions answered as quickly as possible. Your questions will be given top priority with this service.

File your Federal return for FREE and pay only $9.95 for preparation, e-file, and everything you'll need to file your STATE taxes.

Final Cost: $9.95 for STATE return
$4.46 for Deluxe upgrade (after discount code)
25% CASHBACK = $10.80!!!!

By joining eBates (which is FREE) you get your choice of a $5 cash credit to your account or $10 gift card to Barnes&Noble, Target, or Home Depot after signing up & making your first $25 ANYWHERE through eBates!! Now you can use your BIG FAT tax return to shop online through any of eBates 1,200 stores (Kohl's, Target, Walmart, Home Depot - just to name a few!) and make that $$ s-t-r-e-t-c-h even further!!

FreeTaxUSA is 100% MADE IN AMERICA. All customer service representatives live and work in the United States. When you file your taxes with FreeTaxUSA, you are supporting American families and creating American jobs.

There are no surprises or extra fees to finish a tax return. FreeTaxUSA has an A+ rating with the BBB and a documented history of taking care of customers.

*I personally used FreeTaxUSA (and added the Deluxe service) and am VERY happy! The cost to have this done online through TurboTax was almost $30! I did my return online on both TurboTax's website and FreeTaxUSA's website and got the same exact return results.*

Little Giant ladder systems

2011-12-05T13:08:00.000-05:00

I am obsessing about owning a Little Giant ladder system!! I know you've seen their infomercials - and now that we all have these wonderful new houses - can you just IMAGINE how many times you would use this!!?? I am the painter for our house and can not possibly paint up our main stairway or down our basement stairway using a conventional ladder. I have contacted a contractor about painting these 2 areas and the cost is almost $600!! If you've read my blog long enough, you know that I am EXTREMELY thrifty with my money. I can't imagine spending that amount of money just to paint! Especially when I know how to do the job, but just don't have the right tools! I happened to stumble upon a giveaway for this ladder system that I am dreaming of...it's located at Mommy Living The Life of Riley!. I am crossing all my fingers and toes in hopes of winning one of these! And if you enter, GOOD LUCK and come back to let us know if you won!

Don't Forget To Use eBates When Shopping online for your House, Christmas, and Everything In Between!

2011-11-15T13:28:00.000-05:00

Wouldn't it be nice to not only be able to use discount codes but to also be able to get actual Cash Back from all this online shopping you are doing right now? Whether it be for gifts, your new house, or just because - there's a great way to make a little money while spending it! Come check out eBates and get paid to shop through them. You can still access all your favorite online stores, but if you go through eBates first, you will start to get paid back anywhere from 2% - 52% on your purchases.

Right now my yearly cash back total is almost $150.00. You get an actual CHECK in the mail (or direct deposit into your PayPal account). And you can STILL use ANY discount codes you find online. Don't have any discount/coupon codes? eBates has TONS of them for you to use too! You will be AMAZED at the amount of stores on their site. And even local stores like Kohl's, JCPenney, Walmart, Target, Sears, The Shade Store, - go take a look! You get $5 from them after making your 1st purchase over $25!

How can they do this? There are no points to redeem, no forms to mail in, and no fees. Stores pay Ebates a sales commission for sending shoppers their way, and Ebates uses the commission to pay you cash back.

Plan Your Room - map out furniture placement!

2011-10-23T07:36:00.000-04:00

I stumbled upon this while looking at new furniture for our family room (finally sold our loveseat & couch yesterday!!). Plan Our Room It seems pretty user friendly and fun to do!

BTW - we DID refi our mortgage. We just closed and dropped our payment $136 a month! I scouted out 4 different mortgage companies and banks. After doing my usual comparison shopping I am extremely happy with the lender we picked. Their closing costs were very, very good and their service was exceptional! If you need a lender in Ohio or Michigan, send me an email. You won't be disappointed!!!

Mortgage Refi

2011-09-13T15:12:00.000-04:00

WOW - rates are crazy low. We've been talking to alot of people about refinancing and it seems to be a pretty hot topic! We're looking into it also. Who wouldn't want to save a couple hundred bucks each month?!

Pier 1 RARE FB coupon! $10 off $10 purchase = FREEEEE

2011-07-26T15:37:00.002-04:00

Did you get your FB Pier 1 Daily Deal yesterday?? It's a coupon for $10.00 off a minimum $10.00 purchase!! It's not a unique code so it can be shared!! Expires WEDNESDAY!!!

I got some GREAT free stuff yesterday...and so did my daughter...and so did my husband....and, well, we went today too....and we'll go tomorrow too.....get the idea....

Get YOURS here: Facebook Pier 1 coupon

The dog days of Summer...

2011-07-17T10:09:00.001-04:00

Not too much to blog about lately. All is well with our house and yard. We had some settling touch up with more dirt and grass seed in spots. And we're REALLY enjoying our pool and clubhouse! I don't know what I would do if I didn't have a pool! We had one at our previous house too. Summer seems to go by so fast when it's filled with lazy days at the pool!

Groupon = cheap dining when all the food is packed up! TGI Fridays!

2011-05-31T08:45:00.000-04:00

Do you Groupon yet? There's no hidden fees, they have a $$ back guarantee if for some reason you are not satisfied with the certificate you have purchased, they are in all major cities around the U.S., you can buy a Groupon featured in any state and city (not just where you live!) and the deals are pretty awesome! At least take a moment to sign up for Groupon emails so you can be in the know too! Click on the word Groupon anywhere in this post. I've posted plenty of Groupon deals previously and here's another neat one.

Right now TGI Friday's has a Groupon in the Akron/Canton Ohio listing for $20 worth of food for ONLY $10. And there's some very user friendly "fine print" with this:

Expires Dec 2, 2011
Limit 1 per person, may buy 1 additional as a gift. Limit 1 per table, 2 per table of 6 or more. Must purchase 1 food item. Dine-in only.

This particular Groupon is good at multiple Ohio locations and 1 location in Erie, PA.

Updated patio pics

2011-05-21T16:29:00.001-04:00

It's finally not raining here, or in the 40's, and it's actually sunny. Welcome to our patio as we see it in the morning.

The other side of the hammock are 6 arborvitae "trees/bushes". Got these at Home Depot during a great sale for $9.99 each! Normally $19.99.

There's that "swingasan" from Pier 1 that I obsessed about. And yes, it's the best swing EVAH! The pink flower bushes are rhoderdendrons. To the far left of them are small hydrangea bushes and the taller, lighter green bushes are burning bushes (turn deep/bright red int he fall). All super buys at Home Depot with coupons they mailed out for being a Garden Club member and the 10% off coupons.

Get those new address labels!! For almost FREE, of course!

2011-05-17T22:47:00.000-04:00

Vistaprint is offering a GREAT deal on address labels. I just ordered 140 for FREE and $3.25 shipping. PLUS, you can get 5% back by going through eBates (you know how I love me some eBates!). You can do this deal 2 ways:

To get this deal through eBates, you need to be a member (join for free + get $5 just for joining!) by signing up HERE
Then use their searchbox and type Vistaprint
Once on Vistaprint's website, search Holiday Address Label
Choose, design, and purchase
Skip all those special offer pages

********************************************************

You can also do the deal by just going through Vistaprint directly, but you will not be eligible for the 5% cash back.

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Here a copy of my order - note the item number for a design that's pretty non-holiday like, it's the label on the far right when you search Holiday Address Label...

Item # 147-001

Holiday Return Address Labels

qty. 140

FREE

Subtotal :

FREE

Shipping & Processing :

$3.25

Sales Tax :

$0.00

Total :

$3.25

Levin Furniture 72% off ($35 for $125 certificate!!!!) Ohio only - Decorate for LESS!!

2011-05-14T19:26:00.000-04:00

WOW - check this out. You can buy a $125 gift certificate for ONLY $35 by going HERE. The deal is on until Sunday, midnight.

Levin Furniture locations in Ohio: North Olmsted, Middleburg Hts., North Canton, Oakwood Village, Mentor, and Akron.

fine print: Limit 1 per person, and 1 as an additional gift • Limit 1 per person per visit/ household • Entire value must be used in one visit • Not valid for pillows, rugs, lamps, accessories, extended warranties, clearance items or floor samples, for previous purchases or with gift certificates • Levin employees not eligible • Tax and delivery not included • Other conditions apply • Promotional value expires on November 16, 2011

Pier 1 $20 Rewards Certificate BONUS!!!

2011-05-10T11:06:00.000-04:00

Now through 5/30/11, use your Pier 1 credit card for ANY purchase and automatically get a $20 Pier 1 bonus reward certificate mailed to your home!!! You can purchase $0.30 (yes, I said 30 cent) candle and STILL get the $20 reward certificate!!! Valid only once per card this month.

ps: going to pick up my Swingasan and stand today from there!!!!!

Home Depot 10% off coupon!!

2011-05-05T09:36:00.000-04:00

Did you know you can sign up on Home Depot's website for a 10% mover's coupon? It's all right here: Save 10% at Home Depot. Is anyone else in your house moving? Because he/she can sign up with THEIR email addy too....KWIM?????????

And make sure you sign up for their Garden Club while you're on there. I get coupons in the mail from them ALL THE TIME for great deals - like the one recently for Buy 2 Shrubs Get 1 Free. And then I went on eBay and bought another one. You'll see pics off all those great shrubs (around our patio) sometime soon.

Did I ever share with you how much I LOVE coupons??

Free Dirt!! Where else can you find me?

2011-05-03T15:03:00.000-04:00

If you're in need of dirt for your flower beds and landscaping here's how you might be able to score some for FREE. If your development is still actively building, there's lots of dirt to be had. Ask your PM if they have extra dirt from recent excavations. We've been able to get many, many yards of dirt for FREE - saving us HUNDREDS of dollars. You might even find someone working in your development using a bobcat. You could pay that person a small amount to dump that FREE dirt in your driveway. I hope to have updated pictures of our patio (and flower beds with our free dirt) in the next few days or so. Unfortunately we seem to be getting NON-STOP rain around here for weeks and it's been hard to enjoy anything outside, let alone work on our yard.

I love sharing good deals. Some of these deals really have little to do with the original intentions of my blog. So...follow me on Facebook and Twitter - ThriftyAmy on both. Send me a quick note on either one so I know who you are and can approve you.

Buying Patio Furniture? Like Beer?

2011-05-01T14:46:00.001-04:00

Beer companies annually put out great rebates in the summer months. For the last couple of years I have been able to cash in on these offers. And this year is no exception. On Friday I purchased some new patio furniture at Pier 1 (see previous post). Today, I went on eBay and searched "Patio Rebate". As usual, there's more than 1 rebate valid in my state when you purchase patio/outdoor furniture & grills plus beer. I should be able to get $50.00 back on my recent patio purchases after purchasing a rebate form. Always make sure the rebate forms are valid in your state. It's pretty simple to do. Purchase patio furniture, go to grocery store and purchase required beer. Follow directions on rebate form to claim your money!! (Even if you don't like beer - buy it to cash in on this deal and then give it to your new neighbor!)

I also saved alot on the purchase at Pier 1. I mentioned in an earlier post about opening up a Pier 1 card. When you initially open one up, you'll get in the mail various coupons. I got a 20% off any 1 regular priced item, $10 off $50, $5 off no min. purchase, and 20% off regular priced purchase in April. And I got a $20 rewards certificate based on my first purchase when I opened the card. Here's how my deal is going to shake out:

Swingasan Stand $129.95 less 1st 20% coupon = $104
Swingasan $269.95 less 2nd 20% coupon = $215
= $319 less $20 rewards certificate = $299

rebate form cost on ebay $3 + $28 for (2) 18-pks of beer = $31

$299 for patio furniture + $31 for beer and forms = $330
less $50 rebate = $280 for patio furniture and (2) 18pks of beer instead of $400 for just the furniture!

And, I'll be getting another $20 rewards certificate from Pier 1 based on the points I already had and the one's I accumulated from this recent purchase (4pts for every $1. Get $20 certificate when you have 2,000 points). When I initially opened my card up, their double points promotion was going on. It's been really easy for me to rack up the points to get the rewards certificates.

If you don't want to open up a credit card with them - do yourself a favor and buy some Pier 1 gift certificates on eBay. You can always get them for below cost and save yourself some money that way. I did this alot before deciding to open up their credit card.

ps: and I'll get 2.5% back from eBates for my eBay purchase by going through them!!

Try to win a Pier 1 $100 Gift Card!!

2011-04-29T15:47:00.000-04:00

Click here to enter the Tatertots & Jello Pier 1 $100 Gift Card giveaway!

Just went today to buy the swingasan and stand for our patio....I think I would buy another one if I won this giveaway!

Before & After!

2011-04-27T17:46:00.002-04:00

BEFORE

AFTER

I am LOVING my new Ginsu knife set!!! It never needs sharpening because it has serrated blades! LOVE IT!! Want one too? Here's the deal: Ginsu Kotta for $29.99 with free shipping!! . I ordered my set on Monday and got it TODAY!!

And to save even more, don't forget to go through eBates first for 3.5% cashback!! Log into eBates, search for Buy.com, and then on Buy.com's website search Ginsu Kotta. And if you're new to eBates, they'll give you $5 just for signing up!!! Sign up here eBates.com

Spruce up that new kitchen counter!!

2011-04-25T08:31:00.003-04:00

Need a new knife set? Here's an AWESOME deal for you!!!

~~It's through eBay here: Ginsu Kotta Series 20pc. Stainless Steel Cutlery *But Wait!!* If you go through eBates - you'll get 2.5% back on this purchase!!!! Use the link for ebates HERE.~~

I just picked one up and can't wait to put in on our counter. We really needed a new set and I've been looking for a couple of months now but just couldn't justify the prices I was seeing - and now I've got what I wanted for less than $30 delivered to my door!!!!

~~Set includes:~~
~~8" Slicer~~
~~8" Bread Knife~~
~~6" Chef's Knife~~
~~5.5" Utility Knife~~
~~5" Tomato Knife~~
~~Eight 4.5" Steak Knives~~
~~3.5" Paring Knife~~
~~Kitchen shears~~
~~Spoon~~
~~Slotted spoon~~
~~Pasta spoon~~
~~Spatula~~
~~Block~~

Ginsu deal is now DEAD

ps: did you see today's Groupon deal for $45 worth of The Body Shop products for ONLY $20??!!! Go HERE. (or go through eBates for an additional 3% cash back) This deal is being offered Nationally. You can find it under cities like Akron, Columbus, Pittsburgh - just to name a few. Anyone can purchase this, regardless of your city. Can be used in-store only (no online purchases). Click HERE to locate a store near you. The Groupon is for $40 worth of products for $20, but if you use your Groupon certificate before 5/30/11, then it's worth $45. *Think Mother's Day gifts or cool lotions and products to have in your new bathrooms!!** (fine print: you can purchase up to 3 and may be used on SALE items).

The Easter bunny came...and never left...

2011-04-24T08:10:00.000-04:00

Meet Thumper!


PLEASE no potty accidents Thumper.... LOL!

Happy Easter everyone!

Need a cool magazine for that new coffee table? Like the Ohio State Buckeyes?? (or maybe a Father's Day gift?)

2011-04-21T07:49:00.000-04:00

Groupon has a GREAT deal for the magazine Touchdown Buckeyes. This magazine will be mailed out and you will ALSO have special online access. Take these steps to get in on this GREAT deal

Sign up for Groupon by clicking HERE, then
Go through eBates to get 6% back HERE and use their search box and type Groupon
Once you are back on the Groupon site, change your location to Columbus. On the right side of your screen after you scroll down, you will see the deal for this magazine
With the 6% cash back through ebates, you will be getting the magazine for $18.80, PLUS if you're new to eBates, you'll get an additional $5.00 - so now the magazine is only $13.80!!!

Joining ebates and Groupon is FREE and there's no annual fee. eBates mails out their checks in May, August, November, and February. I've made a great amount of money going through eBates for ALL of my online shopping!!

Starting this fall, Touchdown Buckeyes Magazine will preview every home game with a periodical packed with content to keep the Ohio State faithful well-informed. As a gold member, you'll receive seven annual doses of authoritative coverage and postgame analysis in an attractive print package. Touchdown Buckeyes subscribers also get exclusive access to player and coach interviews, recruiting updates, and video features on the web, as well as a special bonus issue for the annual Ohio State versus Michigan game. The magazine's sponsors frequently reward those whose fandom extends deep into their color-coordinated red-and-white blood cells with special discounts.

Fine print

Expires Aug 1, 2011
Limit 1 per person, may buy multiple as gifts. Must activate subscription by 8/1/11.

Need food for moving day? Want to reward those guys working on your house?

2011-04-20T07:14:00.005-04:00

Hey fellow Ryan Homes bloggers - here's a neat deal for all of you. Click HERE to get in on today's Groupon deal for a LARGE up to 10 topping Pizza from Dominio's for only $8 - wahoo!!! You can purchase up to 3 of these sweet deals today. Offer must be redeemed online at Dominos.com and only one offer can be redeemed per order (that means you and s/o each order and go pick up together, now you just got 2!) Click HERE to find a Domino's Pizza location near you.

Choose up to 10 of these available toppings: White Sauce, Pepperoni, Italian Sausage, Sliced Sausage, Green, Peppers, Black Olives, Pineapple, Mushrooms, Onions, Beef, Ham, BBQ Sauce, Bacon, Salami, Philly Steak, Premium Chicken, Jalapeno Peppers, Banana, Peppers, Spinach, Roasted Red Peppers, Shredded Parmesan, Feta, Tomatoes, and Diced Tomatoes.

Expires May 19, 2011; Limit 3 per person; Limit 1 per order. Must order online.

Mudroom Bench

2011-04-17T09:12:00.001-04:00

Seems like lot of you like the Kohl's mudroom bench. Here's how to save BIG on this purchase. Follow these steps EXACTLY:

Go HERE and sign up for ebates. You will get $5 from ebates just for signing up. There's NO FEE to join them. Once you are signed up, use THEIR searchbox and type in Kohls. This will take you to the Kohl's website.
Once on the Kohls website, use the Kohls searchbox and type mudroom bench. Scroll down a little bit until you see the Sonoma life + style Storage Bench for $89.99. Click on that bench and add it to your shopping bag.
Check out. You must use your Kohls credit card as form of payment. In the Promo Code box use code shopnsave30 for 30% off. Also use code free4mvc for free shipping.

Your total should look something like this:

Subtotal: $89.99
Percent Off : -$27.00
Shipping $0.00
Estimated Tax (6%): $3.78
Total: $66.77

You will qualify for $10 in Kohl's Cash because you spent $50 or more and you MUST do this deal TODAY (current Kohl's Cash offer ends today). The Kohl's Cash certificate will be emailed to you, usually within a couple of hours. Print it out and now you can take that Kohl's Cash certificate to your local store beginning tomorrow or use online. Kohl's Cash certificate is good 4/18-5/4.

By going through ebates for your purchase, you have just been paid back 2%. Your deal should work out like this:

spend $66.77 on bench
get $10 in Kohl's cash = it's like spending $57.77
get $5 for signing up for ebates = it's like spending $52.77
get 2% back on purchase before tax ($1.26) = it's like spending $51.51 instead of $89.99

If you want the matching mudroom shelf, here's a good scenario: you have to buy the matching mudroom shelf in-store, it is not available online. Shelf is $59.99, but will be discounted to $49.99 if you use the Kohl's Cash certificate you just got. When buying in-store, use your Kohl's credit card and get an additional 15% off. This will bring your total to around $42 (15% is taken off total after Kohl's Cash is applied) Both of these items are in today's Kohl's circular, page 57. Now, it;s like spending $93 for 2 items that would cost $150 on sale or $260 regular price!!!

Here's my post about ebates if you have more questions: previous ebates post

Check out our Patio!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2011-04-15T17:39:00.000-04:00

Our Border

The steps (and dog leash)

Close up of border & step stamp

View from steps


Patio and Hammock stand


View from upstairs in Master Bedroom

We are beyond amazed and HAPPY with how this turned out. And these pictures were taken under a completely overcast sky. Be prepared to see more pics once the weather is sunny and then once we finish accessorizing out there (a side table, the hammock, and slate fire pit are still in the garage) and landscaping. We've got 500 sq. ft. of relaxation in our backyard. And I think we have a patio that no one could imagine and one more unique niche in our home. I can't wait to landscape around this, put the hammock on the stand, and add some wine and friends!!! Our cement guy is THE BEST!!! If you want a patio and live in Ohio, YOU ARE CRAZY TO NOT AT LEAST GET A QUOTE FROM HIM!!! His price is truly unbeatable and the quality and craftsmanship of his work is something you won't be able find with your average cement guy. Trust me, this did NOT cost anywhere near what you think it did. He does NO advertising, strictly word of mouth. Summer, here we come!!!!

Bed Bath & Beyond coupon!!

2011-04-14T15:10:00.000-04:00

Do you belong to Bed Bath & Beyond's email subscription list? If not, sign up now!! I just got a 20% off a single item printable coupon in my email. Sign up with multiple email addy's to get more than one!!!!

Bed Bath & Beyond email sign up