Free Samples from Walmart

Did you know that you could sign up for FREE samples on the Walmart website??? As Jessica has mentioned in the past - samples are AWESOME! Not only do you get to try something before you buy it, but there normally is a GREAT coupon that will come with the sample. The ones I have seen tend to be $1 or more!

Don't use the product they are offering? Stop a second and think about any friends or family members that could use it. You can then give the sample and coupon to them when it comes in.

They change up every so often what they offer, so check back often!

If you click HERE, you can see their current give away samples. Right now it includes:

Olay Body Wash

Prilosec

Crest 3-d

Playtex

Tena

What I like to do with any body wash, lotions, shampoo samples that I get is save them for trips! If we are going away for the weekend, staying at a friends house or family - it's great to have on hand, you don't have to bring big bottles, and you don't have to pay for travel size containers!

The added bonus is the surprise you get in 4-6 weeks, after you forget that you requested the samples, you get happy mail instead of bills!

Guest Contributor: Denise

Book Review: Lonestar Homecoming

I stuck to my word for book review Sunday-two weeks in a row! Let's see if I can keep this up. Thank goodness I can read really quickly because I don't know where the time came from to complete anotehr book. I do know that this book was one of those books you don't want to put down so it was easy to finish quickly.

Like last week's review, this is a third book in a series called the Lonestar Series. The first book was Lonestar Sanctuary and the second book was called Lonestar Secrets and the third is Lonestar Homecoming written by Colleen Coble. She is one of my favorite christian fiction authors. Check out her website for a complete list of her titles. I highly recommend all of them.

All of the Lonestar books were fast-paced and suspenseful. Fortunately, they all resolved at the end of each one so you weren't left wondering what was going to happen next and then having to wait a year for the next book in the series to come out (I don't like that!).

Lonestar Homecoming followed the story of a single mom named Gracie with a 5-year-old daughter named Hope. She was a runaway bride-literally-ran away with her wedding dress on and all and I won't tell you why. She ends up in Bluebird Ranch and met a very interesting guy who completely changes her life in many ways.

The theme of the book centered very much on facing your problems head on. Stop running from things you are afraid of and trust the Lord in everything! I really enjoyed this book and I hope the author will continue to follow these characters she has worked so hard to develop!

Birthday Freebies!

My sister-in-law, Joia, celebrated her birthday this week. Happy birthday, Joia! She sent me some great birthday freebies that she took advantage of and I wanted to share them.

Ruby Tuesday - Go to their website, click on the "So Connected" button at the top. (hopefully this link will take you right there) Fill out the form with your info and birthday and when your birthday comes around, they email you a coupon for a free Handcrafted Burger and endless fries! This has NO strings attached and you can even get it to go!

Tropical Smoothie - Go to their site, click on "Club Tropical", then click on the "Birthday Club" thing, fill out the info and you get a coupon for a free Smoothie!

Cold Stone Creamery - sign up, get an account with them, then once it's activated, go back in and join the Birthday Club and they'll send you a coupon for a free Like It Create Your Own Creation (Ice cream + 1 mix-in)!

There is also a great link HERE that I posted when I first started the blog that has birthday treats for adults, kids and pets! I figured it was worth re-posting it. I am going to sign up for all the freebies now so I don't forget when my birthday rolls around!!

My cousin also did a post on freebies for kids' birthdays over HERE.

Thanks Joia!

Mega Swagbucks Day!!

I am sure a lot of you have heard of Swagbucks and if you haven't already signed up then you probably don't know what it is all about. Check out my FAQ post HERE to learn all about it and then join in on the fun!

Every Friday is MEGA Swagbucks Day which means they are giving out bigger denominations of Swagbucks than on every other day of the week. Look for 40, 50, even 100 Swagbucks with your searches today. Sign up HERE! Woo-hoo!!!

Restaurant Deals

Buffalo Wild Wings

* 6 free wings when you try their new Dry Seasonings (no purchase necessary)

* Print coupon (exp 5/31)

Texas de Brazil (AWESOME place!!)

* Buy One Get One Free dinner entree (not valid on holidays or Saturdays)

* Print coupon this is a $50 savings!!

Mimi's Cafe

* $5 off any $15 purchase

* Print coupon (exp 5/30)

Navigation 101

I wanted to do a short post on how to navigate around my blog to help you better utilize all the resources here.

1.) There is a place on the top right-hand corner to enter your e-mail address. This is really helpful, in my opinion, to get my posts in your e-mail because then you don't miss out on time-sensitive deals (which most of them are!). Plus, you don't have to remember to my long blog name to try to find me again! :) Simply enter your e-mail in the box, feedburner will send you an e-mail to confirm that you really want to read what I have to say, click the confirmation link they send you and you are all set!

2.) I just added a Google search bar. It allows you to type in anything and it will search back through my previous posts and links. Say you seem to remember something about getting free stuff on your birthday, but don't want to go back and try to find it yourself. Just type in "birthday" and you will find it!

3.) I had an anonymous comment on one of my recent Publix posts requesting a glossary for all the weird deal-finding lingo I put on here. I have done mini-glossaries in individual posts, but I agree. So, check it out! I have put a permanent glossary on the right-hand side right under my "blog archive" (list of past posts). Hope that helps!!

4.) "Becoming a follower" If you regularly read a lot of blogs on blogspot, you can become a follower of my blog and blogspot will add it to your dashboard of blogs that you read. Plus, it makes me really excited when I see I have 19 followers when I used to have 16 two weeks ago! :) lol

5.) Coupon printing-you can print coupons from coupons.com directly from my blog. There is a banner at the very top and very bottom of the page.

6.) If you ever have any questions about what something means or how to do something or constructive/uplifting comments, please feel free to leave them on a post! I get all the comments sent to my e-mail and I will try my best to be quick to answer!!

Publix: 05/27-06/02

The new Publix ad starts tomorrow. Check out this week's ad that ends tonight so you don't miss out on anything. If you are ready for the new ad, read on!

There is also a new Green Advantage Buy flyer and I have all the freebies for that listed HERE. By the way, I know I link to a lot of stuff. If you hold your ctrl button and then click the link, it will open a new tab versus having to go back and forth between my posts. Helpful hint!

I am going to highlight some of the best deals with a little more in-depth explanation and then you go to the link below for the full list.

__________________________________________________________

Oscar Meyer Beef Franks (4 pks @.50 each)

Buy 4 packs for a total of $7.98 (BOGO $3.99)

Use Buy 3, get 1 free Target coupon HERE (click on groceries)

Combine with 2 $1/2 Oscar Mayer Franks printable or 5/16 SS

You get 4 packs (which can be frozen for later) for $1.99 or .50 each!!

_____________________________________________________

Nabisco Oreo Fudge Cremes, Fun Stix or Cakesters (4 packs @.75 each)

Buy 4 packs for a total of $5.98 (BOGO $2.99)

Use Buy 3, get 1 free Target coupon HERE (click on groceries)

You get 4 packs for $2.99 or .75 each!!

______________________________________________________

Helluva Good! Sour Cream Dip, 12 oz, (2 dips @.50 each)

Buy 2 for a total of $2.00 (BOGO $2.00)

Use (2) -.50/1 Heluva Dip Product SS 5/16 or printable (use your back button to print 2!)

You get 2 dips for $1.00 or .50 each!

Can you tell I am really hungry for junk food?!? :) These are great deals though! Don't forget to check out my post about all the FREE stuff you can get at Publix using the new Green Advantage Buy Flyer.

Go HERE for a more in depth look with coupon match-ups! Remember this ad does not start until tomorrow!

Free tea samples

Getting stuff in the mail is fun especially when it's free!

Send a friend 2 free tea samples from Yogi Tea

Free Teasta tea when you use the code TRYME

Free persimmon tea from Natural Persimmon

Thanks thethriftymama!

Blockbuster Express Code

Use the code GL14A at any Blockbuster Express kiosk to receive a free movie rental! Check HERE for a location near you. The code is good until June 30th.

Zenni Optical: $8 glasses!

This post was done by my friend Sharon. Thanks for sharing this great deal, Sharon!!

Need a new pair of glasses? Hate the idea of having to go to the eye doctor and spend hundreds of dollars? Here is a great opportunity to get a good quality pair of glasses, pretty much any prescription for just $8 at Zenni Optical.

My husband and I were both in need of glasses (both having stepped on ours somehow!) but the budget didn't really allow for this expensive item. My sister told me she had order glasses for her whole family and they were just $8 each with a single $4.95 ship fee. The real greatness of this is you just have to know your prescription, it does not need to be current. They do not call your doctor...you put the numbers in!

Our optician was nice enough to give me our numbers over the phone even though it had been over a year since our last visit. We received our glasses this past Friday and they are great! My husband was skeptical that his very high numbered prescription (numbers in the 800's) would turn out thin enough with the mid-index lenses which are offered as part of the $8 glasses. Turned out, they looked good even in a frameless pair.

Zenni has lots of choices, you can choose from glasses $8 and up. We were happy with the lowest price point, but the other choices were still very reasonable. It took 1-1/2 weeks to process and receive them. If you have any questions, feel free to comment here. The website pretty much explains it all. Hope this blesses someone who could use some new glasses today!

Guest post: Sharon Migala

Book Review: Greater Love

It is book review Sunday! If I can actually manage to finish a book every week, I will do my best to post a review of it on Sunday. If not, it be book review 3-1/2 weeks from now or whatever. :)

So, I FINALLY finished my latest BookSneeze book. It was the third in a trilogy, so naturally, I had to read the first two books in the series before I could read the third. Thanks a lot, Book Sneeze. No, really, thanks a lot! The series was great!

The first book in the Tides of Truth series was called: Deeper Water, followed by Higher Hope and finally Greater Love by Robert Whitlow. I have attempted to read some of his stuff in the past and never really got into it. I wasn't too thrilled to try this series in the beginning, but I am really glad I did. The first book was a tad hard to get into for some reason, but let me tell you, it was worth it. I just think that Robert Whitlow takes a long time developing his characters and storyline so where I am used to a "grab you on the first page" kind of book, this wasn't one of them and I came to find out that that is OK.

BUT, after you read the first book, you can totally jump right into the second and third books no problem because the first definitely leaves you hanging and you wonder what on earth is going to happen with Tammy Lynn Taylor (the main character). I think I am probably pretty bad at doing book reviews because I don't like when a book or movie is ruined for me so I am going to be pretty vague. I actually never read dust jacket blurbs on books because I don't want a thing to be revealed to me before I read it with my own eyes. :)

The Tides of Truth series follows Tammy Lynn Taylor, a law student who was homeschooled until high school. Her upbringing was extremely strict and regimented and the trilogy follows her through coming into her own. She completed college and was accepted into law school and she is coming to find out there is a whole big world out there. She is put in precarious situations that test everything she believes in and causes her to form her own viewpoints on things she previously hadn't thought of or encountered.

She gets a job as a summer clerk at a law firm and the first two books follow her experience there. The third book, Greater Love, is the perfect ending to the trilogy and it answers all the questions the author built up in your mind in the first two. Aaahh, that is really all I can say without ruining it for you! Go get these books and read them-they are great!!! :) I told you I am not good at reviews.

Summer reading programs

Barnes and Noble - Get your child (grades 1-6) to read 8 books and record them in the Passport to Summer Reading Program then turn them in for a free book!!

Borders - Read 10 books, get one free. The double dog dare you challenge! If your child is 12 or under, have them read 10 books, download the form and turn it in for one of ten popular children's books for free!

Pizza Hut's Book-It - From June 15-August 15, any child who is in grades K-6 and reads five books, has the chance to win a summer prize package!

Old Navy: Flip-Flops for $1...Saturday, May 22nd ONLY

Old Navy is having a One Day Wonder Sale on Saturday, May 22nd (tomorrow) with flip-flops for only $1! Limit 5 per customer. Stores open at 7 a.m. Find a store near you and call them to ensure they are participating.

Payless: BOGO 1/2 off, free shipping + 20% OFF

I just remembered that I signed up to buy a pair of shoes for a child in Guatemala (program we are running at our church right now) and never bought the shoes! I realized that I was going to have to make a run to Payless with my kids soon (not the most exciting idea) until I came across this great deal! Reagan also needed some new flip-flops too so get this...bottom line first:

I got a pair of shoes for Reagan AND a pair of shoes for a sweet Guatemalan baby for $11.89 without ever having to leave my house! Well, I had it ship it to the store to get free shipping so when they come in, I will have to go get them, but I am fine with that. :)

Here's how to do it:

1. Sign up or log in to Shop At Home , a site that pays you to shop through them-they give a percentage cash back for going through them to get to Payless (and every other store on-line) versus going straight to Payless.com. In this case, they are offering 8% cash back for Payless. Also, if you are new to Shop At Home, you will get $5 just for signing up! (They cut you a check when you get to $20). If you have any questions, let me know.

2. Search for Payless and click on the link. Then click on the green Shop Now button on the right. This will take you to the Payless website.

3. Place 2 pairs of shoes in your cart. The lowest priced item will be automatically reduced to 50% off.

4. When you check out, use the code 34318 to get an additional 20% off your purchase price. Choose Ship to Store to get it shipped for free!!

The 8% cash back will be credited to your account within 5-7 days.

Free Mini Clif Bar Sample

Like I have said before, I sign up for every and all free sample because more often than not, they send high value coupons along with the sample!

Sign up for the Clif Bar newsletter HERE and receive a free sample pack of mini Clif bars. These bars are healthy and very tasty too!

Publix: 05/20-05/26

Go HERE for a comprehensive list of this week's deals. Remember Publix deals (in Florida) run from Thursday to Wednesday. Below is a list of freebies this week (you have to wait until Saturday when the new Green Advantage Buy Flyer-found in the front of the store-comes out and some of them you have to do before Saturday when the current flyer expires).

Nivea body wash, 16.9 oz, Gel 8.4 oz, $3.99

-$4 off Nivea Body Wash for Women, RP 5/2 (makes it FREE)

Schick Hydro 3 Razor, $5.99

-$1 off Schick Hydro Razor, Refill or Shave Gel Green Adv Buy Flyer (exp 5/21)

Combine with -$5 off Schick Hydro Razor SS 5/9 (makes it FREE)

Schick Hydro Shave Gel, 8.4 oz, $2

-$1 off Schick Hydro Razor, Refill or Shave Gel Green Adv Buy Flyer (exp 5/21)

Combine with -$5 off Schick Hydro Razor SS 5/9 (makes it FREE)

Carefree 16 or 22 ct, $.99 (sale ends 5/21)

-$1 off Carefree Product, Any SS 4/25 (makes it FREE)

Stayfree Liners 16-24 ct, $3.24

B1G1 Stayfree Liners Green Adv. Flyer (starts 5/22)

Combine with -$2 off Stayfree products RP 3/28 (use store coupon and 2 mfr. coupons and makes both FREE)

Infusium 23 Hair Care $5.99

Free conditioner wyb Infusium 23 Shampoo Green Adv Buy flyer (starts 5/22)

Combine with -$3 off Infusium 23 SS 5/9

(use store coupon and 2 mfr coupons to make both FREE)

Phazyme 12 ct softgels $3.49

Vivarin 24 ct $3.19

-$5/2 Phazyme, Vivarin Green Adv Buy Flyer (starts 5/22)

Combine with -$2 off Phazyme or Vivarin printable

(use store coupon and 2 mfr coupons to make both FREE)

Ecotrin 24 ct, $3.49

-$5/2 Phazyme, Ecotrin, etc. Green Adv Buy Flyer (starts 5/22)
Combine with -$2 off Ecotrin printable
(use store coupon and 2 mfr coupons to make both FREE plus overage!!)


Noxzema Bikini Shaer 3 ct $1.50 (sale starts 5/22)
-$2 off Noxzema Bikini Shaver 3 ct RP 5/23 (makes it FREE plus overage-wait for coupon in Sunday's paper)


Benefiber Stick Pack 6-8 ct $3.89
-$2 off Benefiber, any Green Adv Buy Flyer (starts 5/22)
Combine with -$2 off Benefiber printable (use both coupons, makes it FREE!)

Chick-Fil-A: Free spicy chicken sandwich

They make you work for this one a little bit, but I love Chick-Fil-A! I would seriously eat it every day if I could. :)

1. Become a Chick-Fil-A insider

2. On Friday, May 21st (tomorrow), go to the spicy chicken website to reserve your sandwich. Chick-Fil-A will be giving away a limited number of sandwiches between May 31st and June 5th, but you have to reserve your sandwich first.

Chick-Fil-A insiders will be able to reserve their sandwich on the 21st, whereas if you are not an insider, you have to wait until May 24th.

Sonic: BOGO shakes

Sonic is introducing Real Ice Cream Shakes and for the next 6 weeks, Sonic will be offering buy one get one Free Shakes. Starting May 17 – June 27. You will also be able to get real Ice Cream single topping sundaes for just $.99 each. No coupon necessary.

Find a location near you.

Thanks savingmyfamilymoney.com

Taco Bell: FREE Limeade, Cherry or Classic Sparkler

No purchase necessary! Taco Bell is offering a free Limeade, Cherry or Classic Sparkler drink when you print this coupon. With normal bricks coupons, you hit your back button a couple of times and you can get another coupon. With this one, do not hit the back button, just hit this coupon link again and you can print a second coupon.

The coupon expires 7 days after you print it, but again, no purchase is necessary. These drinks are 150 calories for anyone who is interested. :)

Barnes and Noble: BOGO Frappuccino

Print a coupon for BOGO frappuccino at Barnes and Noble! Good through May 24th.

Publix: Last minute deal

Calling all contacts wearers! My friend, Sharon, just informed me of a great Publix deal, but it is only going to be good through tomorrow.

Complete Multi-Purpose solution is BOGO for $8.99 this week (ends tomorrow 05.19.10). In this past Sunday's Red Plum insert (RP 05.16.10), there are $2 coupons. Use 2 coupons and you can score 2 bottles for $4.99 or $2.50 each, a savings of $12.99!

Publix Coupon Clubs

I'm wish I had a Publix, and seeing all of Jessica's deals makes me so jealous! I'm in one of the right states for one, but too far west :(

As Jessica has posted before HERE are some printable coupons. A while back (when we moved and I was checking to see if we had a Publix) I remembered seeing some Publix Coupon Clubs.

Sign up today, they are FREE!

Publix Baby Club

Publix Preschool Pals

Publix Family Style Magazine

Publix GreenWise Market Magazine

Now, all of you that have a Publix - go wild with your new coupons! Don't forget to check out Jessica's Publix coupon matchups when she posts them!

Guest Contributor: Denise

Publix: 05/13-05/19; my trip: from $143.21 to $70.21

Ummm, not sure how I forgot to post the weekly deals, but here they are...very late! These deals are still good through Wednesday though with new deals starting Thursday the 20th. Go HERE for a complete list. Also, even if you could care less about how I saved $73 on this trip, you have to read a very funny story at the end of this post.

Here is a short glossary for newbies:
manufacturer's coupon (MQ)
out of pocket (OOP)
Smart Source newspaper insert (SS)
Red Plum newspaper insert (RP)
Proctor & Gamble newspaper insert (PG)
Prices start at (PSA)
Buy One Get One free (BOGO)

Advantage Buy Flyer ABF(green-front of the store)

My Publix trip this week went something like this:

Publix 5 lb bag sugar $3.19

3 Shick Shave Cream $6.00 - $3 (3-$1/1 SS 5/9) - $3 (3-$1/1 ABF) making all 3 FREE

2 Shick 5 Blade razors $11.98 - $10 (2-$5/1 SS 5/9) - $2 (2-$1/1 ABF) making both FREE

10 Welch's grape juice BOGO $24.95 - $10 (8- $1/1 SS 2/7 and 2 $1/1 printable HERE) = $14.95 for 10 or $1.49 each

Crisco spray $2.50

Strawberries $2.50

Bananas $1.43

1 lb. Boar's Head Everroast Chicken $6.92

1/2 lb. Boar's Head hard salami $4.70

Publix Sharp Cheddar $3.50

Apples (I only buy Fuji-I know this goes against everything I stand for as far as saving money, but I like them. So there.) $4.49

Publix salsa 1.99

2 bags of pretzels BOGO $2.99

Oscar Meyer premium hot dogs (no nitrites, etc) $2.00

Butter $2.79

Fresh Express bag salad BOGO $3.69 - $1/2 coupon from Publix Family Style Magazine (a post on how to sign up is coming tomorrow)

Tomatoes $1.97

Pillsbury bread flour $2.49

2 premium 4 pack Bumblebee tuna BOGO $3.61

Milk $3.15

Deli lemonade $2.99

I also had a $5/25 from Save-A-Lot to use, but the cashier claimed that they could not take it for some lame reason. I politely said OK, took my coupon back, checked out, went straight to customer service and said "that boy who checked me out (he looked like he was 12) refused to take this competitor's coupon." The sweet lady took it, apologized profusely and said she would "talk to him" and handed me a $5 bill.

THEN, I was about to leave the store when I noticed Hudson holding onto the popcorn chicken I thought that I had purchased. I know that I had taken it from him to put it on the conveyor belt, but that little guy must have grabbed it back when I wasn't looking. With a sinking feeling of the $5 bill I had just victoriously received going back to the cash register from which it came, I glanced at my receipt. No popcorn chicken on the receipt. UGH.

Turned right around, explained that I had thwarted my 2 year-old's attempt to shoplift popcorn chicken and handed over the $5 bill to pay for the $3.92 chicken. Received $1.08 back in cash, threw it in my purse and lo and behold, I was able to use that $1 to pay for my $.80 of tax I owed at CVS yesterday. :) All was not lost.

Free 10 Pampers Gifts to Grow points

NEW CODE! Enter code WELOVECHEERIOS2 into your Pampers Gifts to Grow account for 10 FREE points. This code expires on May 27, 2010.

For more information on Gifts to Grow, go HERE.

Missed past codes??? Click on the labels below the post to see what other posts are out there! Click on Gifts to Grow and see all posts that have codes!

CVS: $4/20 coupon and weekly deals 05/16-05/21

Sign up HERE for CVS e-mails and within 24 hours, they will send you a $4/20 coupon. After that, you will receive weekly e-mails with specials/coupons. You can unsubscribe at anytime, but I wouldn't because they send great deals!

I have been "CVSing" for over 2 years now and have saved lots and lots of money! If you want to learn more about what CVSing is and how to do it, head over iHeartCVS: CVS for newbies to read all about it.

There is a full list of CVS deals (starting today) HERE. I shop at CVS every single Sunday, first and foremost so I can use my Extra Care Bucks (ECBs) to buy my newspapers. I always buy 3 newspapers (Orlando Sentinel not FL Today because OS has better coupons).

Another CVS tip is to always scan your card at the coupon/price scanner when you go in the store (usually found right by the front entrance) for coupons on CRTs (cash register tape)

So, here is my plan for tomorrow and then you can hop on over to the list of weekly deals to come up with your own plan.

3 newspapers $4.50

Blade 5 razor system $6.99 get $6.99 ECBs

2 Herbal Essences (1 shampoo/1 conditioner) $5.98 (2.99 ea.) get $4 ECBs

2 packs of Orbitz gum $2.59 ish

Total: $20.03

Use $4/20 HERE

Use 2 $1/1 Herbal Essences 5/16 RP

Use BOGO Orbitz gum CRT that printed weeks ago

= 13.00 (approx.)

Use ECBs from prior visits and receive 10.99 ECBs for next week!

So, the whole transaction only "cost me" $1.01 but it didn't really because I used ECBs to pay and I got all that stuff too. Hence, why I heart CVS. :)

Smokey Bones: $10 off $20

Print a coupon for $10 off a $20 purchase at Smokey Bones. This coupon is good through May 25, 2010. The last time this coupon was out, my friend Sharon used it and had this helpful hint to pass along:

We had a nice dinner at Smokey Bones last night with the kids. The $10 off made a big difference. Great find! If anyone else tries it, the combo plate with 2 items is a lot of food. I split one with our 3 yr old and my husband got the combo with 3 items and said it was too much food. So if you r looking for an inexpensive dinner out, get (2) combo plates with water add either a salad or the donuts in a bag for desert, which r really yummy, and you will be around $13-$15 after discount then add a good tip. :-)

MORE Huggies Coupons

In addition to that awesome $3 Huggies coupon, coupons.com released MORE Huggies coupons tonight. I would print these as soon as you can-remember you can print each one twice!

$3/1 Huggies Snug and Dry

$3/1 Huggies Little Movers

$2/1 Huggies wipes 64 ct and 184 ct refill

$2/2 Huggies wipes 64 ct

Sunshine Award

I would like to thank the academy and my husband and my children... :) So, I have received my very first blog award, the Sunshine Award, from my cousin, Denise!

The Sunshine Award is passed on to blogger's that inspire others and show positivity and creativity.

These are the blogs that I enjoy reading the most. They have great suggestions and usually make me smile! It's great to catch up on their blogs when I need a laugh, smile or a little inspiration:

1. For You by Dee, my cousin's design blog-she has helped me out with countless collages, scrapbooks, invitations and even designed pillowcases for my boys!

2. EnJOIAble Desserts, my sister-in-law's dessert blog...YUM! She makes the best desserts and posts lots of pictures which I love.

3. Beyond Laundry, while still in it's infancy stage, this is my good friend, Angela's blog, that focuses all on the abundant life that we can live as young moms...Beyond Laundry!

4. Learning to Love What's Good, is a blog written by my friend, Amanda, who is successfully on a weight loss journey. She coined this journey, "learning to love what's good for me" versus calling it a "diet".

5. Baby Cheapskate has great deals for baby items including price comparisons on large ticket items (strollers, car seats, etc.)

6. Rocks in my Dryer, another mom's blog that I love to read every once in a while-she is a great writer and I enjoy reading what she has to say.

7. iHeartCVS, the blog that inspired me to really get into CVSing. The best part of it to read is the CVS for newbies section for a great explanation of what CVSing is all about.

Please comment and share any other great blogs that I may be missing out on!!!

For those that were nominated (or if you would want to do a post and nominate people), you should go and nominate more blogs!!!

Here are the suggestions for the Award:
1. Put the logo within your blog or on your post
2. Pass the award onto 10 fellow bloggers
3. Link the nominees within your post
4. Let the nominees know they have received this award by commenting on their blog
5. Share the love and link to the person whom you received this award from.

High-value Huggies coupon

It's backkkk! The $3/1 Huggies coupon has reset at coupons.com. This is one of the highest value diaper coupons that you will see. Remember you can print 2 of them. Also, if you know people who don't use diapers, ask them to print them for you too so you can use them. My friend, Jenny, does that for me now that her kids are out of diapers! Go HERE to start printing.

FREE Entertainment book!

Any Entertainment Book is only $5 (free shipping!) if you already have a ShopAtHome account. If you don't, and you sign up, it will be FREE! Looks like this was only supposed to be going on yesterday only, but I just found out about it and the countdown timer says there is still 17 hours left to take advantage of the deal.

Here's how:

1. Log in to or register for a Shop At Home account (a website that gives you cash back for shopping at regular sites you would shop at anyway. ie. instead of going straight to the entertainment book site, you go through Shop At Home and you will get $7 cash back!!!!)

2. Search "Entertainment Book" and then click the green "Shop Now" button on the right side of the screen.

3. Search for your city's book and add it to your cart (automatic free shipping).

4. You will pay $12 and receive $7 cash back AND $5 if you are new to signing up for ShopAtHome = FREE book! (not to mention all the money you are going to save by actually using your Entertainment book.

I already have a ShopAtHome account, but after my $7 cash back, my book will only be $5. I am excited especially because there are $5/$25 Save-A-Lot coupons in my area's book that I can use at Publix because they accept competitor's coupons! So, really, I will make my $5 back and much more.

If you have any questions, let me know!

Reminder...Starbucks: Happy Hour

You only have a few more days left on the half-price frappuccino at Starbucks! This offer ends on May 16th. See more details HERE.

Give an expired coupon a second life: Bless a military family with savings!

Every month those of us who clip coupons have to go through our prized coupon stacks and purge those that no longer have the hope of becoming part of the next greatest coupon savings story. But, those coupons don't have to be whisked away in the next curb pick up, they can be sent to an overseas military family.

Many men and women stationed overseas don't have access to weekly newspaper coupons. However, military commissaries where they shop, accept manufacturer coupons and they can be up to 6 months expired!

If you'd like to give your coupons a second life and bless a military family with coupons savings, then start by dividing your manufacturer coupons into food and non-food items (most bases have a commissary for groceries and a P/X for non-grocery items). Place each of your separated coupons in a resealable plastic bag and label "grocery" or "non-grocery" on the front. Get a Priority Mail Envelope and stuff it full of your goodies. No store coupons. Since it takes a while for processing, it is recommended to keep the coupons sent not more than 2 months expired.

Then go to http://www.ocpnet.org/ and "adopt" a base you would like to send your coupons to. Make sure the base you would like to adopt is still accepting coupon donations. Filling out the adoption form before you send your coupons is optional, but it helps them to keep track of those donating. Happy couponing!

Guest Blogger: Sharon Migala

Free First Hug Safety Blanket

I do Not like missing a day of doing at least one post, but yesterday was a nonstop day. Sorry! I am back though with a really great free item!

My friend, Heather, told me about this and I am definitley getting one for a new mom (since TWO of my friends went into labor in the past 2 days!) It is called the First Hug Safety Blanket. Invented by a veteran paramedic as a safer way to handle squirmy newborns, First Hug® is perfect for grandparents, siblings...anyone who cares about your baby's well-being.

They are offering it completely free, no shipping or handling, so I would get on this one quickly before they run out! Sign up HERE.

Dunkin' Perks

I don't know why a donut and coffee always sounds good to me? I honestly wish it didn't, but oh well, let's not fight it....especially when it's free. Dunkin' Donuts has a rewards program called Dunkin' Perks (how witty). When you enroll in the free program, you will receive a coupon for a free medium beverage of your choice which includes any iced or hot coffee, tea or latte, hot chocolate or Coolata®. All cooler beverages are excluded. PLUS, you will get a free beverage coupon your birthday. Enroll HERE.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

2.5 hours of transcription work, 1 load of dishes and 2 loads of laundry, all before 7:30 AM. Being a mom does not stop for anything or anyone even Mother's Day! And, I wouldn't have it any other way. (plus, anyone who knows me, knows I love laundry!) Being a mom is indescribable and I absolutely love it. I had the greatest of intentions of not getting married til I was 30 and not having kids til I was 35, etc., etc. God had different plans and I am so glad I listened. My husband and I will celebrate our 7th year of marriage this year and we have two handsome boys.

I walk into my 5 year-old son's room this morning and he asks me to lay down with him. I usually say no, I need to get back to work and you need to go back to sleep (because he is not allowed out of his room til "eight, zero, zero" on the clock and it was only 7), but today, I didn't even hesitate. I jumped in his bed with him and we snuggled.

About 5 minutes later, I told him what the plans for the day were (church, breakfast with my mom, lunch with his daddy's mom and church again) and he said, "is todayyyyy Mother's Day?" I cannot believe he thought of it all on his own. It melted me. I said, yes! And gave him a big hug. He said, "Happy Mother's Day!" in a big excited voice with his arms thrown up in the air. I said, "Thank you! I am so glad I am your mommy!" More big hugs. Then, he said, "I am so glad I am your s...(I clearly thought he was going to say son)...salami!" HAHAHAHA! Anyone who knows Reagan, knows he is a rhyming MACHINE! Mommy-salami! I laughed so hard and then he started giggling and then we couldn't stop.

I then said, "I love you my son" (knowing I was probably setting him up for another rhyme and laugh fest) to which he responded "I love you too, my hot dog in a bun!" Oh my gosh-this kid. He is so hilarious.

That was my present right there. Moments like that are precious beyond words and I wouldn't trade My plan for God's plan for ANYTHING. I love my boys and I love their Daddy-I told them all yesterday in the car "Thanks for making me a mommy!" To which my husband replied, "well, we all did our part. But, you did the most work." LOL. Priceless.

Also, by the way, my husband, who knows me so well, bought my present, an awesome white watch, last week because there was a great sale and he knew I would appreciate getting the present early if it meant saving $30 on it!!! Plus, this morning, he came back to the house with a bagel and a cappuccino for me-had Reagan make me a precious card, got Hudson up, changed his diaper and got him dressed, and started him on a card for me before he had to go back to work. I do it all alone on Sundays so that was a HUGE blessing to me. :)

Happy Mother's Day to all of the moms out there! Be encouraged that it's all worth it. Moments like I experienced this morning make it all worth it. Remember this today and every day:

1. You are loved (by God first and foremost).

2. You are not invisible (you are seen even when it doesn't feel like it).

3. You are wanted.

4. You are appreciated.

5. You are good enough!!

"Her children arise and call her blessed..." Proverbs 31:28a

Mother's Day FREEBIES

I was going to make a whole post on Mother's Day Freebies (because I knew there was going to be a ton of them) and then I found that thethriftymama had already done it for us! So, here is the link to check it out!

I will personally be taking advantage of the free Coldstone and maybe the hydromassage and the Walgreens 8 x 10 collage I just posted about. Pass the info on to all the mothers that you know!

Poise sample kit

The reason I love getting free samples is two-fold. First of all, I love getting fun mail for my kids to open and something that is NOT a bill! Secondly, with free samples almost always comes high-priced coupons!! So, I don't care what it is, I sign up! Sorry for any men who are grossed out by this particular free sample. Move along, move along. ;)

Sign up HERE for a free Poise sample kit!

Walgreens: Free 8 x 10 collage through Saturday (think Mother's Day!!)

OK, Mother's Day is fast approaching and I know I would love if my kids (when they are older) would be so thoughtful to give me any type of photo gift. Walgreens is offering a free 8 x 10 collage through Saturday (that is tomorrow, people!) when you use the code GOODTHOUGHTS. Choose "in-store" pick-up to make this completely free...especially since you are wayyy too late to get it mailed in time for Mother's Day. But, you have plenty of time to pick it up at the store. :)

Starbucks: Happy Hour

Go to Starbucks May 7th-May 16th to get a Frappuccino for half price! Happy hour lasts from 3-5 pm. Check out more information HERE. Man, I could use one of these right about...now!

Publix: 05/06-05/12

New deals start at Publix today! If you wait to shop until Sunday (or just go back for these items), you can get 4 items for FREE utilizing Publix in-store coupons and manufacturer coupons from Sunday's (May 9th) paper. ***Don't forget it is Mother's Day on Sunday!

Here are the freebies this week:

Nivea Body Wash, 16.9 oz, Gel 8.4 oz, $3.99

-$1 off Nivea Body Wash For Women, RP 4/18

-$4 off Nivea Body Wash for Women, RP 5/02 (makes it FREE)

-$3 off Nivea Body Was For Men RP 5/02

B1G1 Nivea Body Wash For Women, All You, May 2010

Schick Hydro 3 Razor, $5.99

-$1 off Schick Hydro Razor, Refill, or Shave Gel Adv Buy Flyer

-$5 off Schick Hydro Razor SS 5/09 (use both makes it FREE)

Schick Hydro Shave Gel, 8.4 oz, $2

-$1 off Schick Hydro Razor, Refill, or Shave Gel Adv Buy Flyer

-$1 off Schick Hydro Shave Gel SS 5/09(use both makes it FREE)

Carefree 16 or 22 ct, 99¢

-$1 off Carefree Product, Any SS 4/25 (makes it FREE)

-.50/1 Carefree product printable

Here is a link to the rest of this week's deals with coupon match-ups!

Also, if you missed my post about getting my total from $209 to $99 last week, check it out.

Reminder on Swagbucks/FAQs

See my earlier post on Swagbucks Winning Moments Week. The amount of times they are letting people win has really doubled this week plus if you sign up now, you will get 50 instead of 30 swagbucks to start you off! Here's how.

Also, this week, I was getting a lot of questions on the ins and outs of Swagbucks. So, I made up a little info page with 6 ways to earn on Swagbucks. I hope it will be helpful to you! It is nowhere near gramatically correct, so don't judge me. I was just typing out my thoughts really quickly! :) lol

Swagbucks Guide:

1. First way to earn is by searching. Instead of Google, use Swagbucks.com. Download the toolbar so you can always search right from there instead of going to swagbucks.com
a.) search everything i.e. yahoo mail, eccc.us, etc. You will earn SBs by searching several times per day
b) also by having toolbar and leaving a browser window open, you will have 1-3 awarded in the morning when you wake up every single day.

2. Ways to earn/special offers every day. on the right hand side no obligation offers, click skip, next offer through 1-5 offers and be awarded every day. There are also special offers that require you to do something or are trial things. Like Netflix, sign up and get 750 SBs or directTV or get a free auto insurance quote-all award you SBs

3. Buy things through SB and get SBs. Anything you could imagine-by thru “Shop and Earn” and get 2 swagbucks for every $1 you spend. Buy something for $50, you get 100 SBs.

4. Codes-this is the most elusive, but fun too. First become a friend of swagbucks on Facebook-they sometimes give out codes on FB. Codes are always time sensitive so that is why they are hard. They will come out and say enter “???” by 4 PM Pacific (7 PM eastern) and get 9 swagbucks. So you enter the code onto the swagbucks.com right hand side and click gimme to get the SBs. Sometimes the codes are on the swagbucks blog, sometimes they are on twitter and lots of times they are on the toolbar where there is a little envelope and it says From TSG (the Swag Guy) He will send you a little code through there so if you ever notice that it goes from 0 to 1 or 2, click on it and see if you can grab the code. I will try to email you guys when codes are out if I get them.

a) You can check the widget on the very bottom of my blog to see if there are swag codes out and it will tell you the location of the code or it will say “no code available at this time”

5. NEW** Just came out yesterday (May 6th) daily polls. Go to that link (or on swagbucks home page on the left hand side, go to daily polls. it is also under ways to earn on the top) and take a one click poll and win anywhere from 1-5 every day.

6. Referrals. Promote. Invite Friends and Earn. Or go to Promote. Promote Banners and it will give you a referral link-sometimes the invite friends email doesn’t go through…so you can just copy and paste your referral link with an explanation of what SB is.

Publix printable coupons

My cousin, Denise, just told me about this Publix printable coupon site. I didn't know about it!

Go HERE to find some great coupons. Remember, you can print two of each coupon per computer.

Also, if you missed my Publix post on how I got my total from $207 down to $99, check that out HERE so you can do it too!

Manatees Baseball: Wednesday (Tomorrow!) May 5th

There is a Manatees baseball game tomorrow at 10:30 AM. There is a promotion going on for tomorrow's game where they are offering students and military tickets for only $2 each!

HERE is a link to all upcoming promotions and the Manatees schedule.

Thanks Lauren!

NEW coupons!

So, the beginning of a new month means there are a ton of brand new printable coupons available! My favorite source for printable coupons is coupons.com. They update them several times throughout the month, but the very best time to print is the beginning of the month before they reach their print limits.

Here are some of my favorites this month:

$1/1 Welch's grape juice

$1/2 Starbucks ice cream

$.60/2 Old El Paso products

$2/1 Listerine whitening rinse

You can print each coupon twice per computer. You can print your coupons HERE!

Publix: $207.29 for $99.57

I will not have time to do this kind of post very often, but I will do my best to do it every so often so you can see just how much money you can save at stores like Publix by planning ahead! On this trip, I used a lot of BJ's coupons because Publix is awesome and accepts competitor coupons.

This week's deals at Publix do not end until Wednesday so if you want to take advantage of any of these deals, you have tomorrow and Wednesday to do it! For a list of coupon match-ups, go HERE.

Here is a short glossary for newbies:

manufacturer's coupon (MQ)

out of pocket (OOP)

Smart Source newspaper insert (SS)

Red Plum newspaper insert (RP)

Proctor & Gamble newspaper insert (PG)

Prices start at (PSA)

Buy One Get One free (BOGO)

So, as you can see above, I got $207.29 worth of product for $99.57 OOP. First, I will list the items I made money on or got absolutely free. I will TRY to tell you where all the coupons came from, but no promises.

The run-down:

(free or profit!)

Bounty napkins $1.99 -$2 BJs coupon and $.25 MQ PG 5/2 (profit +.25)

5 Lunchables $1 each -5 $1 MQs SS 3/21 (all free!)

Colgate toothpaste $2.69 -$2 BJs coupon and $.75 newspaper coupon (profit + $.06)

PLUS I got a FREE Colgate Wisp with purchase of the toothpaste (PSA $1.79...free)

Bush's baked beans $1.19 - $1.50 BJs coupon (profit + $.31)

Stride gum $1.19 - $2 BJs coupon (profit + $.81)

Heinz ketchup $1.79 - $2 BJs coupon (profit + $.11)

Aleve $2.99 - $3 BJs coupon and $1 peelie coupon on product (profit $1.01)

2 Right Guard deodarant (BOGO) plus use 2 $1.50 coupons to get both for free (push the back button a few times after the first coupon prints to get another one to print)

Classico sauce $2.69 which gave me Publix brand sauce ($2.49) free- Buy theirs, get ours free.

(rest of the stuff)

Tomatoes

2 blocks Kraft chunk cheese

1 bag Kraft shredded cheese

Texas Toast garlic croutons $1.59 - $.50 MQ 3/21 SS = $1.09

1 mango (splurge for Matt! $2! UGH!)

1 lb. Boar's Head Chicken

1/2 lb. Boar's Head salami

Publix bacon

1.68 lb red seedless grapes (on sale for 1.49/lb)

Publix spinach

Basil

Cilantro

4 Juicy Juice (on sale BOGO) plus use $1/2 coupon here

8 yoplait yogurt $.50/8 MQ (can't remember!)

Fresh pizza dough from bakery

Rondele Garlic/Herb cheese

4 Breakstone Sour cream BOGO at 2 for $.99

Milk

Post Alpha Bits and Post Fruity Pebbles BOGO

2 Triscuits (2 for $5)

2 Mission fajitas 20 ct BOGO

2 Kelloggs fruit snacks BOGO plus use this $1 coupon

Colgate 360 toothbrush $3.99 - $2.50 BJs coupon and $.75 MQ

2 cans Rotel BOGO

2 cans Bush's dark red kidney beans $.99 each with $.55/2 blinkie coupon

2 cans Bush's black beans $.99 each with $.55/2 blinkie coupon

2 Ken's dressing BOGO

2 Old El Paso taco mix on sale for 4 for $3 plus use this $.60/2 coupon

18 eggs

2 cans Publix green beans $.77 each

4 cans Hunts diced tomatoes BOGO

3 lbs. ground chuck

8+ lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast on sale for $1.99/lb!!

1 bag milk chocolate chips to make these cookies.

I made all of this into two transactions so I could use 2 $5/25 Save-A-Lot coupons that I had which gave me another $5 off of each transaction. WHEW-it was well worth it! Happy shopping!!