Hawaii Money Saving Mama

FREE Pancakes and Sub Sandwich!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 11:23:00 +0000

Join IHOP today (Feb 24) to celebrate National Pancake Day! From 7 AM to 10 PM they'll give you one free shortstack of pancakes! One per guest. They do ask that you consider making a donation to support local children's hospitals through Children's Miracle Network, or other local charities. Also it says in fine print "while supplies last" and "valid at participating restaurants for dine-in only" so find one near you and contact them to see if they are participating.

Quizno's is giving away 1 million subs! Almost 200,000 given away so far! Register here.

FREE Dove Hair Care

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 10:30:00 +0000

Try a free sample of Dove's new Therapy System. Easy form.

More FREE samples:

Betty Crocker Homestyle Creamy Butter Potatoes

New Jergens Naturals Daily Moisturizer

Head and Shoulders Dry Scalp Care or Smooth & Silky

14 day supply of Nature Made Liquid Softgel Vitamins

Benefiber new single serving size

$10 from Ebates!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 10:14:00 +0000

I first mentioned Ebates back in April, and since then I have received my first rebate check of $16.48. Not bad! I got $5 for joining, and bonus $5 for making my first purchase, and $6.48 as a rebate from Magazines.com!

If you shop online regularly, or even once in a while, I highly recommend that you join Ebates! Right now, they are offering an even sweeter deal than when I joined. $10 just for joining! Woo-hoo!

If you'd like to get in on the cash back fun from Ebates, click here.

Free SAMPLE of Tide!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:49:00 +0000

Click here for a FREE SAMPLE of Tide Total Care!

More FREEBIES:

Free Ringtonica Correction Pen

Free Sample Bag of Purina One

FREE sample of Quaker Simple Harvest multigrain chewy granola bars

Ultra Gain with baking soda

Free Being a Girl sample kit from Tampax

Cutting Back Costs

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:03:00 +0000

Sorry, it's been a while...I'm still here. Just busy with family and normal day-to-day stuff.

Everywhere - you see prices rising, and with a family of our size (5 kids) we have to cut back where we can. This past month has been a serious financial reality check for us, and it's time to put our foot down. Here's what we've been "trying" to do better at to stretch our dollars...

Hang our laundry, and NOT use the dryer - We recently bought a new umbrella type clothes dryer (our first one broke), and we've been using it daily if the weather doesn't look like rain.
Use our air conditioner LESS or not at all - This is another obvious electricity saver. We started running more fans in the house...so far it's working. We have only been putting on the air when we are desperate! lol More home cooling tips here.

There are other cool alternatives that can be done... go to the library (we've done this). Enjoy their air conditioned space, and it doesn't cost a thing to bring some good books home! Go to an indoor shopping mall - careful you'll be tempted to buy stuff (especially if you have kids with you), so you probably won't be saving any money doing this. Go to Costco and stand in their large refrigerated section. It almost feels like a freezer though. I joke about doing this, and we've never done this just to cool down, but it sounds like fun. Oh..but it's another tempting "shopping" situation....remember..we're trying to save not spend!

Buy take-out less! - I believe our family is getting better at this. Planning is definitely the key here. Knowing what you are going to make ahead of time, making sure you have the ingredients on hand and your meat thawed, makes it less tempting to say, "Let's order pizza!"
Stay focused when shopping - Buy what you need, not what you want! Better yet, stay away from the mall and those SALES period, unless you have to get a gift (why not make a gift instead?) You may think you are saving when there is a SALE,...but you are still spending! I also try not to browse online or watch QVC - too tempting!
Use coupons when possible - You can get coupons online and/or from the Sunday's newspaper. I'm still new at this. I currently don't subscribe to the Sunday paper (because I believe our family just gets tempted from all the sales ads) so my mom passes the coupons to me from her paper. I just clip the coupons for the products that I normally use and keep them in a ziploc baggie in my purse. I only use the coupons on the products if they are ON SALE at the store. So that's double savings! The experienced Money Saving Mom has really great advice and ideas on couponing.
Saving more energy -We don't have a newer refrigerator with a water dispenser on the door, so my large family has been taking chilled water from our Pur water pitcher from the fridge. Well... opening and closing the fridge door wastes LOTS of energy, and the pitcher runs out of water frequently so we are constantly refilling it. To save time and ENERGY costs, we purchased a 3 quart water jug from Walmart. Filled with iced water, it sits on our kitchen counter for easy dispensing for thirsty family members. I REALLY should have done this sooner! My mom use to do this...so I SHOULD have known!
Well, better late than never.

Hopefully these little things we are doing, will pay off. I'll know when the next electric bill comes in. What are you all doing to cut back costs? Please share!

Nintendo Wii GIVEAWAY!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:46:00 +0000

Ok, WHO would love a brand NEW Nintendo Wii game system?!
Well - check out To Think Is To Create who's giving away one for FREE!

Go here to enter before July 16.
Sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents who are 18 or older as of 07-Jul-2008.

Supercook to the Rescue!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:05:00 +0000

This is not your ordinary "Super Hero"... but to me it's definitely a hero in my kitchen! Have you ever wondered, "What should I make for dinner?" You have ingredients in your pantry and refrigerator/freezer...but don't know what to throw together?

Check out Supercook.com, a recipe search engine that helps find thousands of recipes you can make right now with the ingredients you have available at home. Supercook returns recipes you can actually make right now with the ingredients you have. It even tells you exactly how many recipes you can make, broken down into 'Starters', 'Entrees' and 'Dessert' categories. With Supercook, finding a great recipe is no longer a hassle, simply put in all the ingredients you have at home and Supercook will instantly provide you with hundreds of recipes that are all within your reach. If a recipe requires ingredients you do not have, Supercook takes the guesswork out by clearly listing the additional ingredients you will need. This eliminates wasted time spent browsing through recipes to determine whether or not a recipe is right for you.

I used the website last night, and prepared a new dish for my family, and they loved it! What I love is that I didn't have to go out to buy any ingredients! I just typed in some ingredients that I had on hand and 12 recipes that I could make popped up on the website! I chose one that was simple and had great reviews..... Beef Mushroom Spaghetti. I definitely will be visiting Supercook.com again soon!

More FREE Coffee!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:30:00 +0000

Sign up now to receive a free sample from Folgers Gourmet Selections!
Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Available to U.S. Residents only. Limit one sample per location.

More FREE samples:

Purex Ultra Concentrate

Alaway Eye Drops and $5 coupon

Ob tampons

NicoDerm CQ and $7 coupon

Huggies Pull-Ups Training Pants

Color Me Hawaii Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 09:59:00 +0000

Keiki Gift Ideas is giving away a FREE copy of Sir Newton’s Color Me Hawai’i! Here is part of her review:

This book includes a little bit of Hawai’i’s history, language, animals, plants and more. After each exploration session is an activity idea suggesting places you can visit to learn more about what you have just read. Puzzles, games and coloring activities are included as activity lessons and “fact bubbles” identify intriguing information.

To enter, please visit her site here and post a comment telling what you like most about living or visiting Hawai’i. A random winner will be selected and announced on June 30, 2008. U.S.A. addresses only.

FREE Samples!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:33:00 +0000

Almost everyday this week I have received a FREE Sample in the mail! My husband calls me the "Sample Lady". Ha ha! He likes to tease...but I know he enjoyed his free Starbucks coffee sample...and we also just got a free Dunkin Donuts coffee sample yesterday!

Here are a few more for you to enjoy:

FREE sample of Multigrain Cheerios!

Free sample of Nutritioniste Skin Renew

Free sample of Playtex Personal Cleansing Cloths

Free sample of Pup-Peroni® dog snacks

Chuck E. Cheese SAVINGS

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:54:00 +0000

Today we'll be taking our two younger girls to Chuck E. Cheese to celebrate their 7th and 4th birthdays. We didn't book a "party", but we are having a few of their friends coming to meet us there to surprise the birthday girls! =)

Our family doesn't go to Chuck E. Cheese that often, but when we do, I always like to have one of their coupons on hand to get more bang for my buck. I normally would get their coupons from the Sunday paper, but this time I had recently went to http://www.chuckecheese.com/ and registered the girls for the Chuck E-club.

What is so awesome is that about a week before their birthday, I received an email from the Chuck E-club to print out a coupon for 20 FREE tokens for the each of the birthday girls! Wow - that's 2o FREE games, or $5 in FREE fun for each of them! Love it! If your children love to go to CEC, joining the Chuck E-club is definitely a good thing!

You can also print out food coupons from the website. These coupons were a much BETTER deal than the ones I got from the Sunday paper inserts! And each coupon DOESN'T say that I have to use one coupon per family. So, since we have 3 other families meeting us, I will be using 4 coupons. With those coupons I'll get 3 LARGE pizzas, 12 drinks. and 340 tokens all for about $120.. plus I'll have the 40 free tokens for the birthday girls. I think that's a pretty good deal!

Food and tokens for the kids....that equals FUN! Plus, I don't have to clean up after or purchase goodie bags for each child (they'll get prizes by redeeming their tickets from playing games). Hope they all have a great time!

FREE Steak Dinner for GRADS!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 10:38:00 +0000

Thanks to FreeMealsandMore for this great link! Through the month of June, 2008 graduates receive a FREE complete steak dinner with the purchase of 3 regular priced entrees at any Black Angus or Cattle Company Steakhouse.

Check it out here!

FREE Krispy Kreme Doughnut TODAY!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:48:00 +0000

I LOVE doughnuts!! I found this great information on Money Saving Mom that for today only (June 6) Krispy Kreme is offering a free doughnut of your choice! Please contact your local store to see if they are participating.

And if you sign-up with Friends of Krispy Kreme you will get a coupon by email for a free doughnut! Mmm-mmmm!

Planning a Hawaii Vacation?

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Fri, 30 May 2008 11:27:00 +0000

ALOHA! Are you planning to visit the islands soon? Be sure to get your get your FREE Hawaii Visitors Guide from GoHawaii.com! While you are at the website, be sure to click on History and Travel Tips, as well as register to create your own Hawaii Planner.

Another great site to check out is Go Visit Hawaii- a source for unbiased Hawaii vacation advice, news, and reviews.

The LA Times Daily Travel & Deal Blog also features a great post about saving while you are here on vacation.

More Hawaii travel tips:

Hawaii Vacation Blog

Another "Hawaii Vacation Blog"

FREE Coffee sample!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Fri, 30 May 2008 10:34:00 +0000

Sign up now to receive a FREE sample from Folgers Gourmet Selections. No purchase necessary. One(1) sample of Lively Columbian per address. Beginning in April through June 30th while supplies last.

More FREEBIES:

Free Sample of Clean & Clear Absorbing Sheets

Free Sample of Gillette Body Wash

Free Sample of Sweat Block

Free Sample of Aquaphor Healing Ointment

FREE $5 Target Gift Card!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Wed, 28 May 2008 10:08:00 +0000

I've been contacted by Lilaguide.com, a popular parent website, to start up an online group...similar to a Yahoo group. What's cool is that the first 10 people that join my group will be sent a $5 Target gift card from Lilaguide.com!

Visit the group link here. You have to register for a username first. After you register, you can then join my group. As a registered user on Lilaguide.com you can also submit online review of local stores or children products, and when you submit 10 reviews...you'll get another $5 Target gift card! I did my 10 reviews, and I then got an email that my gift card is on it's way! Woo hoo!

Go and register for a user name and join Hawaii Bargain Moms.

Here's the group description: A group for moms living in Hawaii that are watching their wallets and looking for (and can share about) great deals on.... grocery shopping, dining out, entertainment, childrens activities, etc. If you'll be visiting the islands soon and would like to know how to save in Hawaii, you may join us too!

I have 2 other groups that I also started if you're interested:

Work from Home Opportunities for Moms and Christian Homeschooling Moms

Hope you'll join us!

Handmade is best!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Tue, 27 May 2008 09:24:00 +0000

Need a gift for someone that seems to already have everything? Why not give a gift from the heart and create it yourself! I know I appreciate handmade gifts! I'm a craft supply junkie so this year I will try to stay away from the craft stores and make gifts using what I already have. I also have my children jump in and help me, especially if it's a gift for their grandparents. Here's a great site with lots of craft ideas that children can help you with. http://familyfun.go.com/arts-and-crafts/

The Simple Dollar also says that Gifts That Matter Don't Come From Walmart.

If you're a scrapbook lover, I know you have tons of paper lying around (like me!)! =) Paper Crafts also has wonderful ideas!

Okay... so if you are not crafty, but you want to give something that is unique and handmade, check out Keiki Gift Ideas. Offering whimsical and fun gifts for children (keiki) and adults too. These gifts are wonderful all year round.

Visit her blog here where there is currently great markdowns being featured!

Do you give out handmade gifts? I'd love to hear what your favorites are!

Cooling Down the House

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:49:00 +0000

It's getting warmer here in the islands (and humid!), and I find myself turning on the A/C when those wonderful trade winds seem to disappear. That of course sends my electric bill sky rocketing! Here is a great article from The Dollar Stretcher with tips about keeping it COOL.

More home cooling articles:

Hometips.com

The Frugal Life

MSN Money Central

What do you do to keep you and your home cool during the summer?

FREE Yoplait Kids Yogurt!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Thu, 22 May 2008 18:53:00 +0000

Fill out this easy form and receive a coupon for a FREE pack Yoplait kids yogurt!
One coupon per mailing address.

More Freebies:

Free Snuggle Fresh Release Sample

Free 20oz Smoothie with the purchase of Smoothie King Gladiator Meal Replacement

(sorry no Hawaii location)

Free Playtex® Gentle Glide® Slender Applicator Sample

Our Blog's new Header!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:46:00 +0000

I love giveaways, and I enter a few here and there when the opportunity arises. Well, the other week I visited Handprints on the Wall, and they happened to be doing a giveaway for a new blog header by Sashwhy's Studio.

"Hmm... I could use a new blog header!" I thought. So I entered my comment, and I was one of the 5 chosen winners! Woo hoo! Sashwhy did a fantastic job!

How do you like our new header? I'd love to hear what you think!

Thanks again Sashwhy!

Kids eat FREE!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:48:00 +0000

Yesterday was my oldest daughter's 13th birthday, and to celebrate, the whole family went out to eat. She requested Gyotaku in Pearl City, which I don't mind at all for 2 reasons. I LOVE Japanese food, and kids eat FREE on Mondays and Tuesdays! One free keiki (child) meal per adult entre. What's also great is there meal comes complete with a soft drink and a dessert! See Gyotaku's kids menu here.

I know there are more restaurants in Hawaii that kids can eat FREE on certain days, but I can't think of any at the moment. Please leave a comment if you know of any! I'd love to hear about it!

Follow up on 5/15: I also found that Tony Roma's offer FREE meals for kids (for each adult entre ordered) every Tuesday.

My FREEBIES are slowly arriving!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:30:00 +0000

I'm finally starting to see my freebies arriving in the mailbox. Today I got my free Huggies diaper sample from Walmart. Got a size 1...and just in time too because my baby is just about ready for size 2! He's growing SO fast! =)

I did get my free Fiber One sample a couple of weeks ago....well not really. The box arrived..but there was no sample in it...just a coupon. One side of the box did look like it was possibly opened. My 6 year old said, "Maybe the mailman got hungry!" LOL

Here are some new freebies to check out:

FREE sample of Benefiber

FREE sample of "Don't Bite Me Bug Patch"

FREE sample of Neutrogena Oil-Free Acne Stress Control Power Clear Scrub

Borders Coupon - 30% off!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:23:00 +0000

If you are a Borders Rewards member, there is a coupon for
30% Off the List Price of One Item with Purchase of $10 or More.

Valid until 5/11

Find it here!

If you aren't a Borders Rewards member, go to your nearest store to request a membership card. Then go here to register your card online. As a member you will get:

$5 in Borders Bucks for every $150 of qualifying purchases.
Great coupons and exclusive in-store offers in your inbox weekly.
Additional savings on the brands you love with Borders Perks.

Homeschool Freebies!

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Sat, 10 May 2008 10:11:00 +0000

Here's a couple of more Unit Studies compliments of Terri Johnson of Knowledge Quest, Inc.

New Zealand Unit Study

Scotland Unit Study

The Schoolhouse Store of the Old Schoolhouse Magazine is also giving away a FREE E-Book:

Happy Handwriting – Theme Tablet by Barker Creek. Get it here now.

"No Say Dat!"

noreply@blogger.com (hAwAii mOnEy sAvInG mAmA) — Fri, 09 May 2008 03:47:00 +0000

How many times have you told your keiki, "Hey! No Say Dat!"? Well now, a local stay-at-home mom has creatively made a game from these infamous words and it is now available to you, your friends and family to play at potlucks, parties and home. "NO SAY DAT!" is a team game in which players get points for guessing places, people, events, or terms without saying the "Zzzz" words. You get 4 games in one and various editions to choose from including the money saving power point and PDF editions.

“No Say Dat!” games are for everyone on your gift list:

Kamaaina moving to the mainland – Local or Hana Hou edition

Graduating seniors – Local edition

Kids on summer break – Keiki/Visitor edition

High school and college students studying for exams – NSD template to create a fun way to study

“No Say Dat!” games are unique, nostalgic gifts that are simple and play-anywhere fun.

After purchasing a game and writing a review on the Local Kine Games forum, you can get $5 off your next game!

Visit Local Kine Games for more information.
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A member of the Hawaii WAHMs team.
http://hawaiiwahms.info/