The Not-So-Confidential Informant

Free Birthday Chronicle

2012-04-21T08:15:00.002-05:00

On a whim, I decided to check out the Free Birthday Chronicle from BecauseITriedIt.com. They offer a variety of low-cost Personalized Gifts for Anyone, Anytime.

Not only were they as low as $2, but you could print the Chronicles from your home computer. It was so fun to read it and see my name in some of the articles! I am glad I tried it out.

How it works:

After placing your customized order, you'll be sent your mini newspaper via a PDF file. You can then open the file and print! I used standard printer paper; although I'd recommend investing in some cute stationary or card stock to really make the Birthday Chronicle "pop!".

Check it out:

BecauseItriedit.com offers an assortment of customized gifts for holidays and other special occasions. You can even send a letter from the Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny. They offer free items, too, so you'll want to connect with them to be informed!

Join the newsletter.
Friend "Because I Tried It" on Facebook.
Follow "Because I Tried It" on Twitter.
Circle "Because I Tried It" on Google+

***I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.***

Free MOTT’S for TOTS for Vocal Point members

2011-06-18T21:30:00.000-05:00

Vocalpoint is offering its members a FREE Sample & Coupon of Mott's for Tots. Sign up / sign in to grab yours!

Mott's for Tots^® has 40% less sugar than 100% apple juice.

My New Kindle Only Cost Me $6.58!

2011-06-09T10:00:00.000-05:00

Last week, thanks to Swagbucks I was able to buy an Amazon Kindle w/WiFi & 3G ($189 value) for only $6.58!!!

Swagbucks.com is a search engine that pays you to search using their search engine. You can win anywhere from 5 - 50 bucks in a day multiple time. My favorite way to redeem the swag bucks has been to get Amazon Gift cards (450 bucks = $5 AGC).

I have already loaded over 600 books onto the Kindle and am finding it amazingly easy to use. I love the e-ink feature. The text is so clear even in direct sunlight. I am now in need of a book light so I can read at night.

Now that I have my Kindle, I think I will start turning my swag bucks into CVS gift cards. Yes, I said CVS gift cards!!!

05/02 CVS Shopping Trip

2011-05-03T14:10:00.000-05:00

Okay here's the skinny:

A friend gave me $4 in ECBs & $10 cash...plus the phone number tied to her card to spend for her because she could not go. She wanted to be surprised by what I could do so did not give me a specific list of what she wanted.

With these three things in hand, I decided to go by CVS yesterday to see what I could spend the $$ on. After scanning my card at the red coupon box at the front of the store, I walked around. I noticed that if you bought Charmin Basic you'd get $1 ECB back. With the $4 ECB, I'd be spending $.99 and getting back $1. So in my cart the 12 pk of tissue went.

Then I thought, now what am I gonna spend this $1 ECB on when I get it. My friend doesn't want it back. So to the oral care aisle I went. There were 3 Colgate MaxFresh toothpastes ($2.77, get back $2.77 - limit 2) left. I stood there thinking for a minute. I thought to myself "I know I have a coupon for $.75 off any colgate. With the $1 ECB & the $.75 q, I'll only be spending $1.02 for toothpaste. But if I buy that, I'll end up with another $2.77 in ECBs, which I can use to buy another toothpaste." So I grabbed two.

Off to the cashier I went.

Transaction 1...Up goes the TP.
$4.99 sale price
(3.00) CVS ECB
(1.00) CVS ECB
$0.99 Subtotal
$0.07 Tax
$1.06 TOTAL OOP, Got $1 ECB back

Transaction 2...Up goes one Colgate.
$2.77 sale price
(1.00) CVS ECB...I always give the ECB/CVS coupons before the manufacturer coupons
(0.75) Colgate q
$1.02 Subtotal
$0.19 Tax
$1.21 TOTAL OOP, Got $2.77 ECB back

Transaction 3...Up goes 2nd Colgate...had to add in 2 filler items because my total would have been in negative...so I grabbed 2 bags of Cheetos.
$2.77 sale price
$0.33 Cheetos
$0.33 Cheetos
(2.77) CVS ECB...always give the ECB/CVS coupons before the manufacturer coupons
(0.75) Colgate q
(0.09) Subtotal
$0.24 Tax
$0.15 TOTAL OOP, Got $2.77 ECB back

So here I am thinking " I got another $2.77 to spend. I don't want to get anymore ECBs back. I am through. I looked around and decided to spend the $2.77 on more Cheetos for the kiddies snack. So I grabbed $3.00 worth of Cheetos (9 bags).

Transaction 4...Up goes the 9 bags of Cheetos.
$0.33 * 9 = $2.97 sale price
(2.77) CVS ECB
$0.20 Subtotal
$0.21 Tax
$0.41 TOTAL OOP...Out prints my receipt. The cashier says "You got $3 ECB back." I said "WHAT!?' Looked on the back of the chip bag and it says Frito Lay. Dang! Okay! Okay! Now I have $3 to get rid off? Thought for a minute and then noticed the Nestle Pure Life water. Asked cashier if the water was giving ECBs. She said no. I said "Okay, let me grab a few more chips to get my ECBs up to $5.

Transaction 5...Up goes $2.00 worth of Cheetos (6 bags)
$0.33 * 6 = $1.98 sale price (only needed 4 to get the $2 to print, forgot I had already bought 2 in Trans 3)
$1.98 Subtotal
$0.14 Tax
$2.12 TOTAL OOP, Got $2.00 ECB back

Transaction 6...Up goes 2 - 24 packs Nestle Pure Life Water
$3.49 * 2 = $6.98
(3.00) CVS ECB
(2.00) CVS ECB
$1.98 Subtotal
$0.49 Tax
$2.47 TOTAL OOP

TOTAL SPENT OF THE $10 I CAME IN WITH: $7.42

R.I.P. Josh...You will be missed...

2011-04-21T21:15:00.000-05:00

Just lost one of my favorite cousins today in a car accident. Three of the other four ppl involved are listed in critical condition. Of the other four victims, 2 are my aunt and another cousin. They are mother and sister to the cousin who died in the accident.

What's Your Favorite Facebook Game, Part Duex

2011-02-10T09:42:00.000-06:00

Well, here I am with an update on my earlier "Enter At Your Own Risk" blog post about the Facebook game survey on Swagbucks.

After putting in a where's my swagbucks request, I recieved the 45 Swagbucks earlier this week. Yay!

What's your favorite facebook game?

2011-01-24T08:14:00.000-06:00

Swagbucks has a survey out for 45 Swag Bucks titled What's Your Favorite Facebook Game. You have to choose between Mafia Wars, Farmville & Frontier Ville. At the time of this posting, Farmville was ahead by 10%. After going to countless offers, I finally made it to the Final Screen (see pic above). I sat back to wait for my 45 Swag to hit my account.

I completed the survey on 01/21/2011. It should have been a 15-30 minute wait for my bucks. It is now 01/24/2011 and I have not seen the payout yet. I am posting this so as to say, "Try this one at your own risk".

CVS just keeps getting better all the time!!!

2011-01-05T16:35:00.000-06:00

Exciting News!!!

CVS launched the ExtraCare Care Beauty Club today.

As a member of this club you will enjoy many perks like:

10% off beauty shopping pass after enrollment...Prints on receipt and is good for three (3) days only!!!

$5 Extra Bucks for every $50 spent on qualifying beauty purchases...Need to buy more...lol

$3 Extra Bucks as a birthday gift...CAN'T WAIT TIL APRIL!!

Plus if you join ONLINE today or tomorrow (1/5-1/6) you can be entered to win a trip to the 2012 People’s Choice Awards and $500 in beauty products. No purchase necessary to join online.

Made it through

2010-10-27T08:42:00.000-05:00

Happy to report that we made it through the storm with no damage.

Got my internet turned back on but really wish it was DSL instead of HughesNet. I had to downgrade to the Home package (lowest pkg @ $59.99/month) and talk about sloowwww! I hate trying to play Farmville and Restuarant City on Facebook, but since those are two of my favorite games, I perservere.

I read Shiloh Walker's Always Yours last night. I loved the story! But I also can't wait to read No Longer Mine also by Ms Walker. It seems like that's the next story but feels a little backwards seeing as how the main characters in No Longer Mine are married in Always Yours. But oh well, I don't mind...I wanted to know Nikki's story anyway. So yes I have added a new book to my ever-growing TBR pile.

What to read?

2010-10-15T09:38:00.000-05:00

I have been on the search for something good to read for the last month. I want something that doesn't make me fall asleep. I want something with a lot of gratuitous male/male sex in it. But I also want a plot line that the author sticks to more that 25% of the time. I want a love story that makes me wish I was in the middle of the relationship or that I had the same type of love in my life. I wanna be blown away by the descriptions.

Is that too much to ask? Do any of you know of some great books I could try?

UPDATE FROM TSG...RE: SWAGBUCKS SITE

2010-09-23T16:04:00.000-05:00

Site Problem Update 0 9/23/10 1:30 pm PT
Posted by The Swag Guy
at 9/23/2010 01:26:00 PM

Dear Loyal Swaggernauts-We are aware the Swagbucks site continues to cycle up and down. We are working to resolve this problem but it may take longer than first anticipated, it could be up to 72 hours before we are sure.

First and foremost, your accounts are safe! You will not lose any SBs from your account. We will make it up to you when we can be sure the site is stable again. We really appreciate your patience during this time.

We WILL have normal service again and are not going away.

Please help TSG and repost this blog so those just joining the fun know that we are working on a solution.

We will inform you all through facebook, twitter and this blog when the site is stable again. -TSG

5 FREE Philadelphia Cream Cheese at Walmart YMMV

2010-09-13T10:27:00.000-05:00

Thanks to Saving Everyday for the heads up!

Right Now at Walmart - FIVE (5) bars of Philadelphia Cream Cheese for FREE!

Philadelphia Cream Cheese 8 oz. Bars @ $1.00
Buy 5
*Use the $5 off 5 Kraft products printable that was re-set recently
Total = FREE

Need something to do with all that cream cheese? Click HERE for recipes!

* Walmart prices can vary. I am called my area store today and the price was $1.98 >:(

2010-09-13T10:15:00.001-05:00

Hi dudes & dudettes!

I found a great Disney $50 gift card giveaway today. All you have to do is complete 5 easy peasy steps and you are entered to win!

SoBe LifeWater

2010-08-12T11:53:00.000-05:00

CVS is having another Buy One, Get One Free (BOGO) sale for SoBe LifeWater from 8/15/2010 until 8/22/2010!! I have come to love this water. I mean who doesn't like free stuff, right?!

Did you know that if you have a BOGO coupon for SoBe and use it during next week's BOGO sale, you can get both bottles of water for free (except sales tax where required). I got 16 bottles of water (retail $1.59 each) for $0.89 last week!

Where'd I get BOGO coupons for Sobe you ask? Here!

SwagBucks

2010-08-10T13:58:00.000-05:00

I recently jumped on the SwagBuck bandwagon and have to say that I'm liking it a lot. It's fun to "win" a buck with every 5-6 searches (my experience). I am currently up to 347 SB. I am striving so hard just to reach 450 SB so I can blow them all on a $5 Amazon GC. At least that's what I'm telling myself right now. More than likely, when I reach my goal, I will hold out until I have 900 SB so I can get 2 Amazon GC...lol ;=)

Anyway, I just wanted to post my referral link for any who're interested in playing.

My Referral Link is:
http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/FaeGrl32

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

2010-01-02T07:15:00.000-06:00

Hi everyone! Sorry it's been ages since I last posted. I promise to do better this year. Look there's my resolution! Just wanted to wish everyone a great new year. Did ya'll have fun kicking off the new year?

What are you reading?

Right now, I am reading a male/male romance erotic by Claire Thompson titled The Perfect Cover. It's good! I started with her romantic male/male BDSM erotics Golden Boy and Golden Man. They were AMAZING!

Well, I am going back to my book and cocoa. Ya'll have fun and be safe, now!

BTW, Don't forget to click the graphic for the cool contest by Lauren Dane and Anya Bast. Who knows? You could win a Nook!

Michael Jackson

2009-07-07T21:08:00.000-05:00

I watched the Memorial on tv today. I was doing fine until Brooke Shields speak and Usher perform. After that, I pretty much cried through the rest of the service. I am and always have been a fan of MJ. I just wanted to say REST IN PEACE, MICHAEL. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE GIFTS YOU BROUGHT TO MY LIFE.

What have I been doing?

2009-07-03T16:03:00.000-05:00

Well, I recently started writing reviews for Fallen Angel Reviews. I love it! I can't wait until my probationary period is up. Then I will be able to review more than 2 books at a time.

I have also come to the conclusion that I a step away from bankruptcy. I can't win for losing sometimes. I try to pay everything on time, then a bill will come up out of the blue (that I forgot needed to be paid) and I will end up paying out more than I make every two weeks. I am looking for a part-time job now. My current job is 8-5 but I am willing to work from 6-11 on weekdays and anytime on weekends and holidays. I mean who wouldn't want to hire me? I'll tell you who: Wal-Mart! It's enough to drive a body to drink!

I am trying to think of anything I own that I can sell for some quick cash.

The Dinner Solution Software Giveaway

2009-05-18T08:21:00.000-05:00

The Dinner Solution Software Giveaway Posted: 17 May 2009 12:39 PM PDT

The Dinner Solution: Menu Planning and Freezer Cooking Made Simple is a unique meal planning program that allows you to plan out your meals on a calendar and print custom grocery lists. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can plan out a week of meals in minutes.
PROGRAM’S FEATURES
Plan your dinners and side dishes out on our calendar a week or a month at a time. Easily enter any of the recipes or menus from $5 Dinners! Add your own recipes or use the family-friendly recipes we’ve already included! With the click of a button, print a complete grocery list — sorted by store aisle and store name! Print a “What’s For Dinner” fridge report so you and your family can easily see what’s on the menu that week! Do your own at-home Freezer Meal assembly sessions in a snap! And more!

Using The Dinner Solution for just 10 minutes a week, you can easily:
Save hundreds of dollars a year on your grocery bill
Save hundreds of hours a year of your precious time
Feed your family healthier home-cooked meals (and lose weight if you need to!)
Reduce your stress level – meal planning actually becomes fun!
The system makes it so easy to get dinner on the table, you will wonder how you ever managed without it!!!

In this week’s giveaway, one lucky winner will receive a free copy of The Dinner Solution software, a $59.95 value. Also, the lovely ladies at The Dinner Solution are offering all $5 Dinners readers a 25% Discount, a savings of $15! Just enter 5DD25 at checkout for your discount!

Giveaway Details
1. Contest ends Wednesdsy, May 20th at 5 pm EST. Winner will be announced back here on this post.
2. Entry #1: Leave a comment just saying you want to win.
3. Entry #2: Leave a SEPARATE comment telling me in what way you promoted this contest (i.e., posting it in a forum, posting about it on your blog, Twitter about it, and/or subscribe to my feed by email or in a reader).
4. Entry #3: In another separate comment, let me know a little about your biggest struggle or success with meal planning.
5. Winner will be selected by Random.org.

Sex in books

2009-05-03T18:48:00.000-05:00

I have to admit, I am from the school of "the more, the merrier". If I pick up an erotic book, I want to be made to feel like reaching for my B.O.B. I have never understood why someone would pick up an erotic/erotica book and then complain that there was too much sex and not enough story. Is there such a thing as too much sex?

I am not ashamed to admit that Laurell K Hamilton is one of my top 5 authors...but that's for another post.

I am a single 31 year old woman. Somedays the sex in the books is what gets me through this rough patch I'm going through. When you don't currently have a significant other on the horizon, it can get a little lonely, if you know what I mean.

BTW, my name's Nickie and it has been nice meeting you.