My Princess turns 5 today. At 8:30am at this time 5 years ago, I almost died in childbirth. Not pleasant. I'm not letting it ruin my day, though. We had Gabrielle's birthday party and we had a blast! Lots of friends and family showed up and she got her Barbie Princess Corvette. God, I remember when she was in diapers! That link will give you a $5 off coupon on Pampers and wipes! Now, the beauty of it! Click on this link too and it is an additional $5 off of the Pampers and wipes! That's $10 off at all Target stores. That's an awesome deal.

Do you KNOW what kind of a mess a house full of small children can make? It looked like someone threw an atomic bomb inside of my house and ran..lol. So, I got out my Pledge Wipes free sample from filling out the questionnaire and no more fingerprints on the TV. It works well!

I get this thing in the mail that says "Celebrate Your Beauty Every Day." Ok, let's be realistic here for a minute. I work from home, I have 2 small kids, my clothes rarely match, I don't know if I remembered deodorant, and my husband filled up my Calgon Body Spray bottle with that Chloraseptic stuff that numbs your throat when you're sick. Wanna guess how I found THAT little gem out? Sign up there for a free sample of Ambi Skincare.

I was reading Woman's Day the other day and realized my free 1 year subscription was running out. So, I hopped online and found out if I join RewardsGold that I get another free year. I'm in!

I love free razors. Here's a free Schick Quattro. Just upload a picture, click on the razor, and it's yours. I love those razors. Or maybe I love the free part of it.

Gabby and Nick both love gum. They chew it for 3 tenths of a second and then swallow it. Starting July 1st you can text EXTRA to 467467 to get a sweet package of all four new Fruit Sensations flavors.

Is anyone in my audience getting married? I already took the plunge so this one isn't for me. If you join The Knot you will get a free wedding music CD.

I have normally dry skin. Here's a free sample of Clean & Clear for your skin! Here's a sample of Perfect 10 by Nice 'N Easy. It comes with coupons!

Do you have a Wet Seal store near you? I've never even heard of it but I have a coupon for a free tank shirt!

Now for the usual Walmart samples. They have BeneFiber, Creme Serum from Frizz-Ease, Multi-Grain Cheerios, Playtex Cloths, and Playtex Gentle Glide tampons.

I have a free sample of True Lemon. I bought this once in the grocery store. Love it!

As always, you need to join StartSampling.com and get in on their awesome coupons. There are coupons for Windex, Chex Mix, juice, Yoplait yogurt, Wisk, you name it, there's a printable coupon there for it. I saved $41.25 on groceries last week just by using coupons. They even have a buy one Dove ice cream bar, get one free. Oh yeah, that's what I'm talking about!

I have a free No Fear bumper sticker. My husband doesn't let me put bumper stickers on my car. Too bad, I think the Caddy would look sharp with some of them. If I put one on my car he'd make me scrub it off. Good thing I have a coupon for Scotch-Brite!

I even have a coupon for Spike today..lol! I have a free tube of Advantage Multi for the dog. Bring it to your vet to redeem!

Well, that's all I have for now. I didn't want to bore you with funny kid stories this time. Oh ok, don't twist my arm. Nick hates chicken with a passion. Last week my Mom is sitting at her desk eating a bowl of ice cream. He says to her "What are you eating, Grandma?" She says, teasingly, I promise you, "Oh, it's chicken, Nick." He says "That's not chicken, it's ice cream. I want a bite." So, she gives him a bite. Gabby comes into the office and says "Nick, do you have ice cream?" That boy looks her straight in the eye and says "No Gab, it's chicken. Yuck." I don't think she was buying it..lol.

Remember, dial 1-800-2ChaCha to ask your free questions or text ChaCha at 242242. It's the best money you'll never spend for the best service you'll ever get. Until next time...Happy Saving! Happy Birthday My Beautiful Princess. I love you!

I want to apologize. I seem to be doing that a lot lately. It seems as though by the time my posts make it up, many of the samples and coupons are closed. I will notify my editor and let him know that this is an issue and hopefully we can work together to avoid this. My blogs are usually long and time sensitive. My editor, bless his soul, is a very busy man. Now, if he were a woman, this wouldn't happen. She'd manage to juggle it all. (Sorry Justin!!) LOL. Seriously though, I will bring this to their attention and hopefully we find a resolution quickly. No one should be left out in the cold on these savings.

Sammi Sue, my English bulldog, hates the heat. She actually dug a hole to lay in out in the backyard. It was so funny just to see her head poking out of a hole. I have a free Pet Safety Kit for you.

Here's a sample of John Frieda Sheer Blonde. I'm not a blonde and can't benefit from this freebie but I'm sure someone else can.

I love J&J Snack Food. They send tons of great coupons for items like Italian Ice or Minute Maid. I also have a cool cookbook from Jiffy! Who doesn't use Jiffy products in their home?

Walmart has a free music download. They're offering one per week. I also have a free Mindy McCready download. She's the country singer that got sent to jail for violating her probation. She's also the one alleged to have been with Roger Clemens..lol. I'm supporting HER for dragging HIM through the mud. Rock on Red Sox.

I have a printable coupon for a free pair of panties at Macy's Department Store. Just print out the coupon and take it to the store.

Enter here for a chance to win a CoverGirl Lash Blast Eye Enhancer Kit. 10,000 winners! You need to enter July Seventeen for the code. Good luck!

As you all know, I love the Red Sox. I think golf is probably THE boringest game in the world. Every day, Staff gives out 50 balls or tees. Check in early to get yours.

How about some free samples from Edge. Fill out your info and they'll send you cool stuff. I have to laugh at their slogan of "Shaving Gel (not shaving cream). Learn from girls."

I don't get to the movies too often. Here's an odd one for us..lol. It's a movie called "CUD." They'll send you a free copy once it's been released. I signed up for it. I don't know why!

Got any basketball fans in your family? Here's a free subscription to Dime Magazine!

Here's a free sample of Tena. It is for pantiliners, pads, & overnight protection pads.

Here's a $2.50 printable coupon for Bertolli Frozen Dinners. That's a really good savings.

It's BBQ season. My absolute favorite. Most people gain their weight in the winter during the holiday season. Not me. I gain it all summer long. There's nothing I love more than grilling outside under the hot sun. I love homemade potato salad. It's my weakness. But, I only like my Mom's. She's the best. I have a gas grill but lots of people still like charcoal grills. Here's a $2 off coupon for Kingsford Charcoal.

I am a bad Mommy. My daughter is 4. She had waist length wheat colored hair. She cries and screams every single freaking day when it's time to brush it. So, in a fit of temper I took her to the salon and had them cut it shoulder length. Don't despair, she loves it. Me on the other hand..what was I THINKING? I cried when she wasn't looking. My nerves just couldn't take it anymore. So, if you need a haircut for your baby (24 months and under) you can use this coupon for a free cut from Magicuts.

Sign up here for free RemedyLife samples. I get their magazine every month, free of course, and I truly respect them. My husband is 22 days smoke free! I am so proud of him. He couldn't have done it without the patch. Here's a free sample of Nicoderm CQ and a $7 off coupon.

Yummy! Free sample of Better Crocker Warm Delights! Just sign up. I love those things.  Here's an awesome page of printable coupons from Start Sampling. There are some for Chex Mix, Taco Bell, Mott's, Cheerios, and Betty Crocker brownies. Did I say yummy yet??

Ok, I'm going back to the grind. I hope you've enjoyed these freebies. I'll talk to Justin and see if I can't coerce him into approving my posts quicker.

Today is my 7th wedding anniversary. It's an amazing feeling to still be in love with my best friend. We went to Bugaboo Creek for dinner. We took the kids and my Mom with us. It's not a party unless the gang is all there! Until next time....Happy Saving!

I bet you're wondering where I've been. I'm not usually so unreliable. I apologize to my faithful readers, the ChaCha administration who had faith in me to be a blogger, and everyone else that feels slighted. So, my husband had the audacity to have a heart attack last week. I know that I sound oh so blase about it, but, that's the best way for me to deal with it right now. I've blogged about how my husband doesn't read my blog, he lost our son at Water Country, he probably doesn't remember what day we got married, etc. In the grand scheme of life, it doesn't matter. If he never read my blog (but WHY doesn't he?) or if he couldn't remember my middle name, it wouldn't matter to me. For several days I didn't know if he'd  be coming home. For several hours I didn't know if he'd live. When I put it all in perspective, it's the fringe things that aren't important. I had such an epiphany tonight. I was sorting his medication for the week and I keep the list on the refrigerator of what he takes and how many milligrams. Next to it I hang Nick's art work from kindergarten. Tonight I stood there and sobbed. I realized that I'm 37 years old and I was almost a widow with 2 small kids. Scary stuff! I thought to myself "How will I support us?' It came to me...freebies..lol! Nah, but let me get you some.

I lost my eyeglasses..again. I'm notorious for this. I usually pay about $250 for designer frames. What a waste. Head over to Zenni Optical and if you send them your prescription you can get a full set of eyeglasses for $8. I kid you not. I'm going to order myself 2 pairs this week!

One of the most important things that Chris needs to do is to eat healthier. It's not one of my favorite things lately but I'm willing to give it a shot. You can go to Bragg Natural Foods and request a free sample of their new amino products. Sounds gross to me but it's free. I have an awesome deal that I can't help but pass on. If you go to Amazon.com you can get a $20 instant rebate on Kellogg's food when you spend $49. So you get about $50 worth of food for $29, with FREE shipping. In today's economy, $20 worth of food is a huge savings.

Ok...I just typed out this freaking awesome post for all of you. I hit one wrong button and the whole thing is GONE. Kaput. Vanished. I'm out of my mind. I'm going to redo it just for you but let me tell you, it's a LOT of work. ::sigh:: I had so many fantastic freebies. Let's see if I can recreate it.

Here's a free sample of Teddy Grahams. Good for a lunchbox or even a snack at home.

Here's an awesome freebie from Office Depot. It's a free 10 pack of DVD+R Media disks. Just sign up!

Here's a free sample of  Snuggle. I love this bear, he's just so cute.

I have a free sample of Splenda for coffee. It comes in flavors now. My Mom is diabetic and swears by this stuff. I am not and I swear by good old fashioned sugar!!

Take this survey and get a coupon booklet and free apron! This one is from Coleman's Meats and they're organic.

Trust me when I say, I've had a perpetual headache for over a week now. Here's a free sample of Excedrin. I should sign up 200 times for a full bottle at this point..lol.

One of life's embarrassing necessities..but hey, it's free. Here is a sample of Playtex Gentle Glide. Since we're on the topic of embarrassing, how about a  Huggies Pull Up sample. My "baby" will be 5 in June so I will not need to sign up for that one. Woooohoooo.

Very cool sample of Crystal Light Immunity! I let my kids drink as much Crystal Light as they like since it's sugar free!

Free sample of Ban deodorant. It's summertime so I'm ordering every free deodorant I can find!

I love new flavors and styles of toothpaste. Here is a Colgate Max Fresh sample. This looks really good, actually.

How about 50 free digital camera prints? Sign up at Picturewagon.com and use code Parent50!

Here's a cute freebie. It's a free coffee mug that says "It's A Jungle Out There."

My son is 6. He loves to get mail. So, I sign him up for magazines. I have a free 1 year subscription to Electronic Gaming. He can't read but like most men, he likes to look at the pictures.

Here's an awesome freebie. You can choose 1 of 8 free music CDs. You can use UPC codes 681421031035, 312547684101, or 312547686655.

I'm a total dork about some things. I love maps and brochures about places I've never been. Here is a free America's Byways map.

Ok, it's time for me to get ready for the Indy 500! There's a contest this weekend on ChaCha that I intend to win. Everyone, have a safe Memorial Day weekend. Don't drink and drive, take a taxi, I need the money! Remember, for FREE directions, trivia, sports, news, sales, and everything else, dial 1-800-2ChaCha or text 242242 from your cell! Until next time...Happy Saving!

Warm weather is upon us! So, I've been busy. I needed to have my driveway paved. It was gravel and it played havoc with my beige carpet in every season. It's trashed! The kids are good. Nick is doing wonderfully. Gabby is....Gabby. She still thinks she's royalty but hey, I think I'm funny. We all have our dreams. My sister-in-law came over last Saturday with my 13 year old nephew. It was really strange..and nice. Amazing how the older we get, the less desire for revenge we have. Well, mostly. ::evil smile::

Let's get to these freebies and sample. My mailbox has been overflowing lately with offers!

How about a free sample of John Frieda Frizz. I kind of have fuzzy hair. Can't wait to try it. I also have a coupon for a free 2 oz bottle of Head & Shoulders.

 How about a sample of On-The-Go Drink Mix? You have your choice of Crystal Light, Hi-C, or Country Time Lemonade!

I have a fabulous offer. A free pair of panties and matching bra from Stock 23.

Ok, you all heard how last year I planted flowers and not 10 minutes later the dog and kids dug them up. Must have looked like fun. This year, I was SO smart. I did it while no one was home. I planted a whole veggie garden, rose bushes, strawberry and raspberry plants, and flowers. Yesterday I asked Nick to help me water and put out the rest of the wildflowers. He was so excited he ran to the back and dumped about 2,000 wildflower seeds in my vegetable garden. ::sigh:: At least he watered it after..lol. I'm destined to live my life in the produce aisle. Here is a cool site. They give you $20 worth of trees, plants, shrubs, or bushes and you only pay for shipping! Head over to Spring Hill Nursery for this deal.

How about a free book! There's nothing so great as a book. Add to it that it's free and you can't go wrong. The EPA is giving them away. You just have to call in. Call 1-800-490-9198!

Register with Pond's and get free samples and coupons.

For help with gardening you can get a free pair of Nitrile Gloves.

I have a new Planet Heroes DVD. My kids love these!

Here's a coupon for a free pink water bottle from Victoria's Secret.

For some free magazine subscriptions  you can sign up here! There's a subscription to TokyoPop and Marriage Today. I also have a 34 page cookbook titled "Feed Your Kids Well." That is a growing concern in this economy. Millions of families depend on Food Stamps. The amount given to a family of 4 is approximately $375 a month. It may sound like a lot but it works out to be about $10 per meal per month that they have to spend on something healthy and nutritious for the kids. Making our dollars stretch is most important right now!

Even Fido needs a break now and then. Take the Purina challenge and get a free 30 day supply of dog or cat food! That's so awesome. I'll tell you a secret. I sign up for every piece of dog and cat food there is. I usually donate it to our local animal shelter or feed the stray cat that's been coming around my house for 3 years now. The jerk next door moved out one day and didn't take his cat. It won't come in the house but I feed it 3 times a day..lol. I don't think it likes me.

Ok, this is so totally cool that I had to share it. You can submit your name and it will be put on a microchip and it will go and orbit around the moon! For years to come. Thank NASA for this very awesome tidbit!

Here's a couple of freebies if you're over 21. They are from tobacco manufacturers. If you're morally opposed, that's great, don't sign up. First is a free keychain from L&M. Enter code: LNM5964. For a free beach towel, enter code: PMT2379. The cool thing about the towel is you get to design it with colors and logos. There is nothing on it to advertise it comes from a cigarette company.

Well, that's about it for today. I'll do some food and coupons later this week for you. I just love seeing a full mailbox and it's not stuffed with bills. I got my free Charmin toilet paper holder..lol. My husband thinks I'm nuts for signing  up for everything. It makes up for when HE forgets to send me something..lol. Until next time...Happy Saving!

Did you all have a nice Easter? I did. My whole family went out to dinner at Bugaboo Creek. We're quite the noisy crowd when we're all together. My Mom was in her glory. All of her kids were there, all of the grandkids were there, and we didn't even throw food at one another. Definitely a successful day. So...how are you? I'm doing ok. I'm enjoying the sunshine that breaks through the clouds. Of course, it snowed last night and it depressed the ever lovin' life out of me, but this too shall melt!

I talk about my kids, Nick and Gabby. I don't know if I've ever mentioned it here, I doubt it, but Nick is autistic. April is National Autism Awareness month. So, if you don't know much about this disease you should check out the National Autism Foundation for lots of info. Education is the key to success. Want to see the kids? I rarely show pictures of them..I hate to be one of those insanely bragging Moms who drags out every picture of their child. I like to see other people's photos but I'm not interested in every single picture since they were born. My Prince Nicholas and Princess Gabrielle.

So. You didn't come here to hear about my life. You want something from me, right? You want freebies, samples, and tips on how to live a more frugal life. Well, let's start with my favorite of the bunch...freebies! Off to our health and beauty department.

We have a free sample of Maybelline Mineral Power liquid foundation. I was blessed with good skin and I rarely ever wear make up. I'm going to try this out though. The older I get, the more I notice blemishes. Ok, there's nothing funny to say about this but it's a free sample of TENA Serenity Overnight Pads.  Now, here's a free sample I can wrap my head around. It's XCID Antacid. My husband suffers from horrible acid reflux/heartburn. He's always got it. I worry about it too. I'm ordering this as we speak. When the kids were babies I swore by Gold Bond powder. I can say that my kids never once got a diaper rash, even in the heat and humidity we have here in the summer. Here's a free sample of Gold Bond Ultimate. It's not powder, though. It's a cream. I don't have curly hair. I've always been intensely jealous of women who do have curly hair. I spent $275 on a perm once. Yep, came out looking like FiFi the wonder poodle and never went back. Redken is offering free samples of their products for curly hair. JJ Martin Clothing has a freebie of the day. Today it's a free sample of L'Oreal Color Juice Lip Gloss. Just send them your address and request the sample. Lovin' it! I wear glasses. Ok, let me rephrase. I am supposed to wear glasses. I lose pair after pair after pair. I don't bother anymore. Sign up at Windsor Eyes and get a free eyeglass case! I'm kind of weird. I have an incredible sense of smell. Shopping for detergents literally overpowers me because I have to sniff every one that I am considering..mostly to make sure that I find the smell appealing. I'm the same way with soap. Here's a sample of New-Formula Dial Antibacterial Soap. We have a free sample of Dove Ultimate Clear Deodorant. Choose from cool cucumber or grapefruit and lemongrass. Here's a free sample of Coty Beauty Fragrances. You get 12 free fragrance samples! Sometimes they're just those little pieces of paper like a scratch-n-sniff. I use them in the vents in my car..free air fresheners.

I live in Boston..or close enough that I can say "I'm from Boston." I am a huge Red Sox fan! Rock on Red Sox Nation! Opening Day is right around the corner. How about a free pack of Exclusive MLB Baseball Cards? I signed right up for them. I hate to give PETA even free mention in my little blog. I despise their methods. However, if you approve of their methods, you can sign up for a free No Fur PETA pin.

I have a free sample of NutraSweet Swirl. My Mom is a Type 2 diabetic and takes 3 shots of insulin per day. I am vigilant about sugar in her food. So, what do we put sugar in? We put it in COFFEE! Here's a sample of Seattle's Best Coffee. There are 3 flavors to choose from. I picked vanilla bean. After you've eaten and you want to wash your hands, how about using a sample of Klean-To-Go sanitizing wipes?

I am now a huge Trace Adkins fan. God, I just love that man. I'm a huge country music fan to begin with. After Trace's season on Celebrity Apprentice,  I'm even more in love with him. He was trying to raise money for a charity that deals with food allergies. Here is a Food Allergy Survival Guide. It afflicts millions of children every day. I was always pretty apathetic to it. The whole "it doesn't affect me, it's an allergy, big deal." Yep, Trace was a true eye opener and I am now a proud contributor to his charity!

My other favorite show is Top Chef. I blab about it every time I blog. Well, since I plugged Trace Adkins and his Celebrity Apprentice appearance, I will give you a cookbook for Australian Lamb. Now, I don't eat lamb. I may wear their sweaters but that's about it for me. On Top Chef there are always lamb dishes that the judges just adore.

My Dad loved to bird watch. I started putting up bird feeders last year. I love seeing the colorful birds sitting in my windowsills. You can sign up  for a Celebrate Urban Birds kit. It contains posters on how to identify birds and free seeds!

For you music fans, pre-order your free Walton Music Chorale Sampler CD.

I gotta tell you. I love blogging. I am a little disappointed in the other ChaCha blogs lately. Where are our crafts for the Spring? I'm diligently waiting for them. Where are the new recipes for Spring Smoothies? Come on people, motivate! Use the coupons I give you for ideas and materials. In Family Fun magazine this month there is a club house for kids built out of cereal boxes. It is the neatest thing. We should be reading about it in our blogs!

Well, I've made lunch, answered a few queries, checked the mail, patted the dog...I think this is it for now. Until next time...Happy Saving!

::singing to the tune of "I Want Candy":: I found freebies...woo woo woo. I sing out loud a lot here in my office. I'm not good at it. Gabby always covers her ears and says "Mommy, no sing." Rude child, isn't she? LOL!  I always have some stupid commercial music stuck in my head. The other night I actually woke myself up humming "F-R-E-E that spells free, credit report.com, bayyyy bee." I hate that commercial. Go to Freecreditreport.com to see what it's about. Many people actually worry about their credit. Not me. Can't be bothered. Either you have it and it's good, you have it and it's not good, or you just don't have it. I'm not losing sleep over my credit. There's enough things in this world to stress out about without thinking "Oh no, I may never get to buy that Italian yacht because I was late paying my monthly minimum payment to Wal-Mart. Darn them!"

I also don't like doing laundry. It's bad enough I have to earn the money to buy the clothes, go to the store to buy the detergent, then I come home and have to put it away. Then I have to gather up the dirty clothes, wash them, dry them, fold them, put them away, and empty that lint trap. How about a free sample of Tide with Dawn StainScrubbers? I love Tide but I won't usually spend that much money on detergent. I have one of those fancy schmancy washer/dryer sets that needs HE detergent. I also managed to get my greedy little hands on a free sample of Lysol Sanitizing Wipes. I love them. Then again, I have enough germs from when the kids were sick to start my own science lab.

Health & Beauty can't be beat. Here is a free sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue. Haven't tried it yet, ordered the sample though! Every Tuesday when I watch "The Biggest Loser" I decide I'm going to get serious and drop this "baby weight." Keep in mind that my "baby" is going to be 5 this June. I have less than zero will power though. Here's a free sample of Dexatrim Max20. I wish you better luck than I have! I also don't have an eye for "size." Thankfully, Hanes is offering a free KidFit tape measure. I live in Massachusetts, home of the cranberry. We have cranberry everything here. So, to honor my heritage I will give you the 3 day supply of TherCran. Enter to win the sweepstakes and you get a free sample of Degree deodorant. I abhor cheating. With that said, lol, the answer to the quiz is Salazar.

I'm looking out my window today. It's snowing and raining. My Christmas decorations are still under about 2 inches of snow. It's so sad really. The first day of Spring is only a day away. I have started to love planting flowers. They cheer me up out of the winter funk I'm in. Here's a free sample of Bentley Seeds Wildflowers.

I don't write traditional letters anymore. Email has taken the personalization out of communication. I also love history. I'm a big history buff. John Adams is offering a free greeting card! They will contain a special postmark to commemorate the Power of the Letter campaign!

Sometimes I come across a freebie that just cracks me up. I'll be sitting here at my desk just giggling. That's how I felt about joining the "Pork Chomp Club." It's for dogs so I had to sign up for it for my Sammi Sue. I just get a kick out of names like Pork Chomp.

Ok, by today's standards, I am old. I remember TV that had 5 channels (4, 5, 7, 38 & 56), I remember when reference material had to be found at the public library. I remember Dirty Dancing when it came out, I remember wearing jelly shoes and leg warmers. I do NOT get the fascination with Webkinz. I mean, what do they DO? My 8 year old niece is addicted to them. Every weekend she has my poor Mom out shopping for a new Webkinz. My Mom has no clue what they are. She just dutifully hands over her debit card and says "Is that the one you want, Sam?" It's really kind of funny. My Mom is the best Grandma around. She obviously learned a trick or two from my own Grandma. Let's hope it doesn't skip a generation and that I too can be an awesome Grandma. Don't get me wrong, I'm not rushing it, I'm only 37! OHHH, the whole point of this conversation, though one sided, is that Limited Too is having a Buy One Get One Free Webkinz sale!

I decided to poke around and see what kind of coupons and freebies I could find in the food department. So, here's a $1.00 off printable coupon for SmartOnes frozen dinners. I have a $1.00 off printable coupon for Organic Sensible Sippers juice. I just filled out the application to host a Hershey Bliss party! YUMMY! You can also sign up for a free coupon ($4.50 value) of Coffee Mate. I love that stuff. The vanilla cinnamon is downright evil. Check every day for a limited supply of Honey Bunches of Oats. Sign up for Qdoba email club and they'll send you a free coupon for chips and salsa. Vamanos! Need energy to sign up for all of these freebies? Get a free sample of LiftOff, a new energy drink that enhances the mind. Remember how I once said that any day is a good day for cake? Sign up at Cake Mate and get a birthday surprise! Make sure that you click on the tab in the middle that says "Join Now" and then choose the Birthday Club.

Well, this was all an unexpected pleasure! Plenty to keep you all very busy..and your mailman, too. I tip my mailman during the holidays and leave him a bottle of cold water in the summer. It's the least I can do. He brings me tons of free things daily and he is a good sport about it. He always laughs at me when he has to drive up the driveway because it's too much stuff to fit into my mailbox. Hats off to our mailman for making it all possible. I'd also like to wish you all a very Happy Easter! May you find all of the chocolate eggs! Until next time....Happy Saving!

Talk about a dry spell. There hasn't been anything out there to share with you! However, I've toiled and toiled and managed to find a few things to bring you this week. Nothing fantastic, which bums me out...but free and useful regardless. Things are going very well here. Everyone is healthy again! Oooohh..and my 6 year old, my oldest, lost his first tooth. It was such an awesome Mommy moment. The Tooth Fairy stopped by and didn't have change for a $10 so Nick got a note thanking him for the tooth and a reminder to keep brushing. The note is priceless and he will have it forever..and it was free. Something special like that you just can't put a price tag on it.

Ok, so...sign up at U.S. Divers and get a free luggage tag and fish id pamphlet. You can also sign up to show your support to help stop the spread of AIDS. Get your free "I Stand With Magic" pin by signing up. You can also join the Hopepond and make a free Button of Hope. I am a firm believer in charities and random acts of kindness. You can't put a price on an unselfish act. So, there's no savings in signing up..but..you never know..it could keep you focused on remembering that no matter how bad you think you have it, there are millions more that don't have it half as well as we do.

Ok, I don't even know what Beer Pong IS...but if you sign up here, they'll send you lots of free stuff. Even though I don't know what Beer Pong is, I know that beef jerky goes with beer. Here's a free sample of KC's Old Style Gourmet Beef Jerky. Is it just me or is it hysterical that the words "gourmet" and "beef jerky" are used in the same sentence?

Join Remedy Life and you can get a free sample of Purell Hand Sanitizing Wipes. For the man in the house, I can offer you a free sample of Brut Shave Gel. ::sniffs:: I think it'll be a winner! You can sign up for a free sample of Sensodyne. You can choose either the Sensodyne or the ProNamel. We also have a sample of Curel Moisturizer. Just sign up. I love Curel. There's also a free sample of Jergens Self Tanner. I was blessed/cursed with pale skin that doesn't care much for sunlight. I am going to try this one out, myself!

CCO Outlet is having an amazing 80% off clearance sale. You need to check them out. I recently went through my closet and weeded out the things I no longer wear, the things I no longer fit in (boo hiss cry), the things with just a "small stain" or a "little" tear. I bought an entire new Spring and Summer wardrobe. Let me tell YOU..it was invigorating.

Did you know that ChaCha Blogs also has a Cooking/Food section? There are some amazing vegetarian blogs going on over there. So, if you have any interest in learning about becoming a vegetarian you can sign up at GoVeg.com and get a vegetarian starter kit. Sign up at Wal-Mart.com for a free sample of Parent's Choice Gentle Baby formula. I used that brand when my kids were babies. I had started off by using the Similac. $30 a can. Yeah, ok. My kids both liked the Parent's Choice and it was more than half the price of the Similac.

Sign up here at Novell for a free USB bracelet. I signed up. It sounds really neat! Ok, I love software and downloads. Add the word free in front of it and you can just color me IN! So, Microsoft is offering a bunch of free downloads. Take advantage while you can. After I saw this, I decided to search "Free Daily Downloads." Well, after getting a trillion hits, I think this one, Daily Download, is the best.

Everyone knows my secret passion (if you all know, it's not really a secret) for chocolate. Well, I know you'll find this hard to believe, but I have another passion. Shoes. I love shoes. I love designer shoes! I love Bluefly.com. They're having a 70% off sale and an additional 15% off for their Spring Sale. Go for it. It's less calories than Chunky Monkey.

One of my biggest flaws is that I'm vain. There's no explanation for it, but I am. With that said, I refuse to wear my glasses. I'm too skeeved out by the thought of contacts but I know that millions of people benefit from them. So, I have a free sample of Bausch & Lomb Alaway Eye Drops.

Ok, ::yawn:: Nick was back to school this week so I am totally wiped out. I'm looking back over this post and I realize I found a lot more than I thought I did. Remember, to save money you have to want to save money. It doesn't just happen. I'm going to see John Edward, the psychic, on Friday night. Can't wait. I'll let you know how it went. Until then...Happy Saving.

OMG...you have been SO neglected. I am deeply sorry for my missing status. Lots going on, none of it good, all of it surmountable! The kids are still sick, I was kind enough to pass my flu on to my husband, so I'm right as rain again! I've missed you all so much but I'm back into the swing of things. Sometimes, when everything seems so dark, you need to realize that there's always light headed your way. Either that, or you were too cheap to pay the light bill. That's my prolific statement for the day. To all of my friends, you know who you are, thank you for being my friends and for believing in me. You can't put a price (or a savings) on something like that....

Okay, I've decided to share some really inexpensive recipes that I use here in my house. Technically, I could feed my family of 4 for about $70 a week. None of my meals have fancy names, it's hard to impress a 4 and 6 year old, but they're all yummy.

Pasta and sausage casserole

1 bag of wide egg noodles ($1.49)
1 package of sweet Italian sausage ($1.79)
1 block of Monterey Jack cheese, shredded ($1.50)
1 quarter cup of milk (.80 cents)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 loaf of garlic or French bread

Cut the sausage up and brown in a skillet on medium heat. Boil noodles. Preheat over to 350°. Pour noodles into baking pan, mix in sausage and cheese, pour milk over mixture. Add salt and pepper, bake for 20 minutes. Serve immediately. Makes about 8 servings. Serve with heated bread. Delish and inexpensive. You can add a small salad for greens. No one here, other than me, likes veggies.

Double Chicken Noodle Chicken Breasts

1 package of boneless & skinless chicken breasts ($3.99)
1 can of condensed Campbell's Chicken Noodle soup (.79 cents)
1 fresh zucchini (.79 cents)
1 onion (.40 cents)
1 half stick of butter (or margarine) (.75 cents)
4 baked potatoes
1 small pkg fresh blue cheese ($2.69)

Preheat oven to 350°. Put chicken breasts in shallow baking dish and pour chicken noodle soup over it. Add 1 cup of water, cover with tin foil and bake for 35 minutes. Slice zucchini and onion. Combine in a piece of tin foil, put half of the butter over it, salt and pepper to taste, seal well, bake 30 minutes. Bake the 4 potatoes for about 40 minutes, remove from oven, add rest of the butter and top each potato with 1 tablespoon of blue cheese. Nutritious and inexpensive.

Beef Stew
1 pound of cubed stew beef ($2.99)
2 potatoes (.99)
2 carrots (.29)
2 stalks of celery (.39)
2 pkg brown gravy mix (I prefer the Knorr's brand) ($1.00)
1 can Green Giant no salt added corn nibblets
salt and pepper to taste

Super easy. Get your crock pot or slow cooker out, combine all ingredients and cook on high for 4 hours. Stir occasionally. Add salt and pepper. Serve with fresh bread. No need to cook the stew beef first, it all cooks together. Just slice up veggies, add everything at once, and in 4 hours, fantastic comfort food!

And for dessert
Chocolate cream pie
1 Oreo graham cracker crust (pre-made) )$1.29)
2 pkgs Jello Chocolate pudding ($1.09)
1 container Cool Whip (.99)

Follow directions for chocolate pudding. Pour into graham cracker crust. Refrigerate for 2 hours, frost with Cool Whip. You can top it with chocolate chips or Reese's Pieces to break up the chocolate overkill.

All of the above meals cost well under $10 and are filling. They can be adapted into low fat, low carb, fat free, sugar free, low sodium, etc. for pennies. One of our biggest expenses in life is food. If we can learn how to stretch our dollar and still keep it healthy then we've been successful!

OHHHHH, remember in my previous blog about how I wished my husband would read my blog? In 7 years of marriage he's never sent flowers. Today, Valentine's Day, I received a beautiful arrangement of tulips. They're orange and red and blue and purple..stunning. He said "I was reading your blog and found a coupon and I knew you'd be proud." LOL..of course I am, I'm proud of everyone that takes the initiative to get the most for their money. Until next time...Happy Saving!

I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaack. Scary, isn't it? I'm glad to be back. I miss finding freebies and coupons and discounts for you. It was quite the long week. Seems as though the flu is running rampant through my house. I haven't caught it yet but I'm pretty sure it's because I locked the kids up in the shed.  Don't panic, I remembered to feed them just the other day. They weren't hungry though..poor things..just a bit cold. I hate being sick. I don't have time to be sick. When my husband is sick everyone knows it. Through the house you can hear "Honeyyyyyyyyy ::insert whining tone here:: have you seen the remote? My juice? Is it hot or is it just meeeeeeee?" Now, when I have the downright gall and audacity to get sick, I hear "Hey, honey?  Just a quick sec, sorry to wake you, where do we keep the juice boxes? Nick's backpack? Where's the dishwasher?" Such is the life of a wife and Mom. Let's move on to our freebies....

Well, we'll start with food..as usual. Chips are part of the great American diet. I love 'em all. I have tried the Flat Earth fruit crisps and the veggie crisps. Personal opinion, fruit is better. That is a printable coupon for a free full sized bag. Enjoy. Do a real quick survey for J&J Snack Foods and get a free gift. I did the survey, can't wait to find out what the gift is. The also send great coupons for Italian Ice. For those of you that are still doing the healthy thing..congrats! Here's a coupon for free Yoplait Kids Yogurt. Truth be told, my kids love that! I am also a huge fan of Betty Crocker products. It even sounds warm and fuzzy. I love my comfort foods. Sign up for a huge list of printable coupons! Want more samples? Me too! here is one for Betty Crocker's Chocolate Turtle Chex Mix, some free taco seasoning and recipes and a  Hamburger Helper sample.

We can't forget the kids and freebies for them! How about a free 1 year subscription to Disney's Family Fun Magazine? Sign up for the email notifications at Party City and get your free subscription! My kids love Star Wars. Take a very brief survey and get a free Star Wars Miniature as a gift! We have a Cooking with Kids free cookbook. Join Clowndergarten and get tons of cool freebies for the kids. Includes an award and stickers!

Moving on to health and beauty! Sign up here for a free Schick Titanium Quattro razor. How about a free sample of L'Oreal Skin Genesis. We also have a free sample of Dove Pro-Age. Ever have a nagging headache? I get them frequently from eye strain. Here's a free sample of Advil LiquiGel Pain Reliever AND you get a $2.00 off printable coupon! We also have a Dove Love Your Hair free sample. How about a Dove Cream Oil Body Lotion? I actually use this lotion and it's fantastic!

Well, phew, that looks like about it for today. That's some really great freebies and coupons for you. OH wait. Don't go just yet. One thing that always had me hesitate when signing up for things is the tediousness of having to continuously  fill in my name, address, etc. So, what I did was sign up for the FREE version of Roboform. It saves all of your passwords and fills in all forms with your information in only one click! NOW I think I'm done for the day. I'll be back soon..much sooner than I was this time. Until then...Happy Saving!

I'm back with some freebies, samples and coupons..You missed me, didn't you? I know you did..it's okay, you can admit it..my blog can be your secret guilty pleasure. Kind of like my secret passion for flavored Tootsie Rolls. I love those things..anyhow..let's get on to some rockin' savings!

We'll start with coupons. Here's a bunch from Baker's Square for free pie! Delish. Just print it out and you're good to go. Someone let me know how it is, we don't have that around here. Bummer, I'm always up for free pie. We do have an Auntie Anne's and that's great news since they're giving away a free pretzel, no strings attached! If you spend money at Office Depot then you can use this coupon for $5 any purchase over $25. I'm not a big fan of Target, I rarely shop there. However, I just found some great printable coupons for their store. Definitely check it out. I don't shop in bulk because I tend to forget what I bought, it goes bad or I don't like it by the time I get to it. I do love shopping at BJ's though. They have some really great deals. You should print out this free one day shopping pass and see what they have to offer.

I love to read..I am a voracious reader. I love Borders. Here is a 20% off coupon for you! I also love to take the kids to Build-A-Bear. Have you seen their prices? I think they build 'em with solid gold. So, here's a $5 off $25 purchase. That's as good as gold. If you like Carter's and you sign up for their site you get a 20% off coupon good for one item. Sweet! After we build our bear we head on over to Baskin Robbins for a hot fudge sundae. Coupon is good for buy one get one FREE..YUMMY! So, if the kids were good we can go hit KB Toys. If you sign up here you get a $5 coupon. If you're tired from spending the day with the kids you should stop and grab dinner. My first choice for fast food is KFC. I heart KFC. Put your zip code in and it will give you all available printable coupons in your area. Join the T.G.I. Friday's online club and get a printable coupon for a free appetizer. I love appetizers, too. Ok, a few more food printable coupons for you. I can't help myself, I am SO hungry now. Coldstone Creamery is buy one get one free when you join their email club. Free ice cream is just..dreamy. Little Caeser's has a coupon for a combo for $1.99 when you sign up and buy a pizza. Ok, I gotta get out of the food section, there's nothing to munch on here and I'm going to eat my monitor. Let's talk cars.

Here are some printable coupons for Goodyear Tires. It's a $10 off coupon for any service over $100. I personally don't like Goodyear, got lousy service once, but savings are savings.  Midas has a printable $10 off any $50 service. Or you can take advantage of $5 off an oil change.

Valentine's Day is coming so around here that means...Picture Time! Yes, it's that time of year where we dress up the lil darlins and pretend that they are normal and well-behaved kids. We send the pictures to Grandma and she thinks they're the sweetest kids in the world. Poor, misguided Grandma. Sears has a free wall portrait or a sheet of wallet photos for $2.99 with coupon. There's also JC Penney. Sign up here and get portrait coupons. If you want to suprise your honey with a photo of you, head on over to Glamour Shots. Sign up online for the appointment and get a free $175 package. The words Kerry and Glamour just don't go together. They don't even sound good in the same sentence. Hope you can use it though! I love Picture People! Here is a Valentine's special. Free 8x10 or 11x13.  Big savings!

Quick Brylane Home update: Use code BKSET and receive a free 10 piece salad set with ANY purchase. I ordered something and it's so summery and pretty. Well worth the cost..oh wait, it was FREE. Definitely worth the cost! I'll throw some free samples in, too. I love free samples. Here's a free sample of Caramel Fiber One cereal. Just sign up. If you sign up here you get a free floater keychain. The price is right. Free kids show dvd from Mom's World. I got this freebie and it's awesome! It's a free laptop or tower skin from HP. I am a big fan of HP products so this was a particularly great score for me.

So, again, we've had a ball and found some super savings! I certainly hope this is beneficial for all of you. I thought my vacation blog was boooorrrring. I mean, yeah, we saved money, but it doesn't come in the mailbox every day like our samples and coupons! I will post again this week and keep you all up to speed. Or feel free to call me at 242242! Until then...Happy Saving!

Sorry it took me so long to get back with you! The textChaCha has been a huge hit and I've been so busy with it. Remember, for FREE you can text 242242 and get any question answered that you need..we're here for you 24/7.  Ok, back to vacation planning.....

So, we have our airline and we have our hotel..I decided on the Runaway. It just looks so awesome. Granted, it's probably not the most frugal option but it IS a vacation, so I can afford to spend a few more of my saved pennies. So, the epitome of Florida is Mickey Mouse. The prices are OUT RAGE OUS..say it loud with me..OUT RAGE OUS. It's a necessary evil though. I happen to have my own little princess who is dying to see the Magic Castle. There are actually ways to save money on Disney tickets though. Truth be told, I think my kids are going to want to see Sea World a lot more! So, here we go with Disney World tickets. I first went directly to the Disney World official site. The cost for all of us, 2 adults and 2 kids, for a 2 day ticket is a whopping $512. I'm in the wrong business. Maybe I could open up a theme park with a singing moose and make a fortune. So, I head over to Orlando FunTickets and find that I can get my tickets at a discounted rate! More days, less cost. I don't think I want to spend 3 days in Disney though. It's a little bit of overkill. Another great site for discounted Disney Tickets is Know Before U Go. I found some great sale prices. One other thing that you can do is when you get to Orlando, if you stop at any of the hundreds of kiosks that are selling time shares, sign up, go to a 1 hour demo and they give you a 4 pack of FREE Disney World tickets. That's what I did last time. It was just my husband and I but we had a great time at the presentation (major AC) and we got our free Disney tickets.

Like I said, I can't wait to take the kids to Sea World! It was the highlight of my last trip to Orlando. So, let's see how much the tickets are for that. I head over to the official Sea World site. For all 4 of us it is $231.80! WOOHOO, great price..AND, with a 7 day advance purchase we can get a free day. So, we get 4 2-day passes for $231.80. I love it and so will the kids. We can also upgrade for a couple of hundred dollars more and get Park Hopper passes that will also get us into Wet N Wild and Universal Studios. I'll check their prices. I loved Wet N Wild and Universal bored me. It's only fair to find out though how much it would be. So, Wet N Wild will cost us $157.42 for the day for all 4 of us. Still sounds like fun and I spend that much to take the kids to Water Country up in New Hampshire. The good news is that you can very often find coupon and promo codes online prior to going and you can get the tickets for around $30 each! So, it could be as low as $120 for the day.

So, how are we going to get around while in Orlando? The obvious answer is rental car. But, you could probably skip that and either walk or take a taxi (shameless plug) while down there. It depends how far your hotel is from major attractions. We rented a car while down there the last time and I don't think we put 70 miles on it in 7 days. Such a waste at $50 a day and it was ugly neon green. I checked out the taxi service available and I am duly impressed. You can go to Orlando Sanford Taxi and find out all of the prices and amenities. 9 passengers can ride for the price of 1. When we were there last time we used Payless Car Rental. The price was fair and I shouldn't complain. It's live and learn. A good site to use is Rental Car Momma. This site has a list of all available discounts and coupons for rental cars. Check it out!

I recommend eating off property at any of these places. Go right after breakfast and leave before dinner. You can find many many family friendly restaurants available right on International Drive in Orlando. I think our best meal there was at Bennigan's.  Many of the chain restaurants have an inexpensive buffet which will satisfy everyone in the family or the have "Kids Eat Free." Free is always an excellent meal. One in particular jumped out at me..Gator's Dockside. Kids eat free on Tuesday nights. Great menu for everyone. I know IHOP also has a day where "Kids Eat Free." So, we've saved money on airlines, hotels, rental cars, taxis, food, and attraction tickets. OHHH, you should check this out..if you go without kids..last time I was there I saw a poster that said "Call 1-800-Roll-711." We called..it's a free gambling cruise. The bus picks you up for free and takes you down to Coco Beach for a gambling cruise..includes dinner! I lost a ton of cash but it was my own fault..lol. Children are NOT allowed. Until next time, keep textingChaCha and Happy Saving!

Welcome back, my Frugal Friends! Have you been doing the right thing and saving money? I've been trying oh so hard to pinch my pennies. Every penny I save can go right into the piggybank. I did a little bit of online scouring and found a bunch of free samples to share with you.

Let's start with a free Heart Attack & Stroke Prevention Kit. Just sign up and they'll send you valuable info. You can never be too careful and a heart attack can strike even the healthiest of people. Warning signs are different for everyone, so read up about it!

In the Health and Beauty section I came across a free sample of Eucerin Calming Cream . I am a huge fan of Eucerin products. I live in the Northeast and we have very dry weather. The Eucerin keeps my skin from cracking. What else, what else? Remember I said that I haven't had to buy shampoo or deodorant or toothpaste for a  year? Well, here's why. Stop in here to get your free sample of Head and Shoulders Shampoo and Conditioner. I love their new scent. If you don't have dandruff (does anyone ever admit that?) then you can sign up here for the Dove Hair Care sample. I never got into that whole "Beckham fever" that took over when they moved here to the US. I do, however, love free perfume samples. I put them near the heat vents in my car and voila, free air fresheners. So, I signed up to try intimately Beckham. I also stopped in at House of Gosh for some more free perfume samples. Gotta love those freebies.



As always, food. My favorite. I found a free sample of Meyenberg Goat Milk. I am not lactose intolerant so I haven't ordered this. It looks pretty straight-forward though. Besides, it's healthy. Not exactly up MY alley. I also found a free sample of South Beach Granola Clusters from Wal-Mart. I also found a free sample of NutraSweet. Not for me, I'm a sugarholic, as if you didn't know.

I love cookbooks. I kind of collect them and they're sort of a running joke around  here. Whenever I need a recipe I go right online..lol. I just cruise right by the shelves that are stuffed with cookbooks. I found the Gooseberry Patch Raisin and Dried Fruit cookbook. For free. Super-Savings! I also found a free downloadable eCookbook from Nancy's Kitchen here online. For you healthy people, a free downloadable cookbook from Vitalita chock full of vegan dishes and desserts.


I have savings and coupons and freebies for every member of our household today. Even our loyal fur friends. Let Fluffy try a sample of Dine With Your Canine. You can also sign up here to get a free sample of Flint River Ranch Pet Food. There's also a free sample of 
Cyberdog food available! If Fido's been a good doggy (aren't they always?), then he deserves a treat! Let him try a free sample of Yappy Treats. Go Fido, Go Fido, Go, Go, Go! Let's face it, our pets are like children to us, so we want to make sure that they too are getting the best that they can get. Of course, if we can get it discounted, even better. Fido's worth full price but why pay it if you don't have too?

OH, here's something to add to your free services list. If you have a question that you need answered and don't have the time to find your own answer, grab your cell phone and text 242242. That will bring  you to a live textChaCha Guide who will answer your questions FREE OF CHARGE..um, hellllooooo...free. The free trial period is for a limited time but enjoy it! I am having a blast with it! Until next time..Happy Saving!

They always say never go grocery shopping without a list or while you are hungry! Why? Because you will spend more money. Make a list and stick to it. Here is an extensive grocery list that you can check off and print before you go to the store.

Hello again- Today we are venturing into Walmart, Biglots, and Walgreens. I pick these specific stores since I have had most success with them in finding next to nothing deals.
 Lets start with Walgreens today. Now I am not talking about Extra Care Bucks here although they are nice from time to time but I have BETTER deals to speak about today. Now at most all Walgreen year round except around Christmas they have a end cap isle usually that is filled with about 5 shelves of HOT DEALS. Here you can find shampoo,conditioner,makeup,baby products,throw blankets,candy,toothpaste,feminine care,sexual health YOU NAME IT! You can also find t-shirts and clothing items as well as pet care items for next to nothing.
This isle usually has prices no higher than $2.00 most items are under $1.00 which is a steal if you can find things like what i see every time I check. They also hide some clearance in regular isles and you have to look for these sections. They usually have a yellow tag or red saying clearance. Most all items are marked down %50-90 off retail prices. You can really find some good stuff but think into the future here. Most items you can really stock up on. So if you ever run across something I did Gillette deodorant for men for $0.30 each go ahead and buy up as many as you can. It will pay off in the long run PLUS you are buying them for next to nothing. You can also snag some expensive face serums and such that are normally around $14.00 and up for a few bucks and most I have bought work very well for the small price I paid.  You CAN have your cake and eat it too when you read my blogs. I know I only mentioned two things so far I personally have bought but there are 100's more i didn't list that i have found as I have to still tell you about the other stores! 

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BIGLOTS

Now here I love b/c they have a shelf stable food clearance alot. You can but canned foods bags of pita chips and baby foods,pasta sauces (paul newman brand YUM) and many more items that can be stocked up on so you have a steady supply of them. Most prices there for clearance are under $1.00 for most items. The isle in my store is an endcap by the food isle and drinks. I have not seen much beauty or other items there but I have bought a lot of great food deals. I got some chips ahoy packs for a quarter each!! And once I found national arrowroot biscuits for my toddler for $0.10 a box. I bought all they had which was about 10 box's of them and they lasted him a while. It made me happy since now he had healthy snacks and I paid so little for them and he had them in supply for a while. Biglots has a variety of items but I would suggest going in and finding the clearance isle and checking t out once a week. I mean you cant NOT be happy buying items and being able to stock up for next to nothing. Bring home your glory and bestow it upon your family! You will be super mom the saver of money and the stocker of foods!
Biglots also has a regular clearance section usually by the furniture at the end of the toys section. Its OK as I have not found many deals there that were worth it but before christmas I found a Pod coffee system maker for $8.00. Not to shabby but could be cheaper! So venture in there and see if you find anything that you fancy and pick it up if you feel the price is reduced enough.
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WALMART

Ok, we not venture to good old walmart. Walmart usually has its clearance section open year round and you just have to find it. Ask an associate its that simple head that direction and get ready to save. A few weeks ago before Holidays I found some jars of cream bleach (for ladies) it was Jolen brand sells around $5.00 a tub I got mine for a QUARTER each so of course i bought ever one i could fince which was about 5 jars. They have a variety of health care items and makeups and also TOYS they have a ton of clearance toys those are great to buy up for birthdays and holidays or just to say thanks for being a great child. They are usually marked section per price there so pick your price starts at $1.00 can go up as high as $15 but if you can buy a $40 toy for $15 why not do it now and save for later?  Take your time and look around the clearance at walmart is cluttered and just a hodgepodge of STUFF. I have bought a lot of walmart clearance and always found great deals. If you know you go there for something check there first as you may find something very similar to what you came for and buy it almost FREE.

Now that you know where to look next time you go shopping be a clearance crusader like me! Your husband may scowl at you when you walk in with 10 bags but just show him the receipt and he will smile at you. Your taking great care of your family and providing them with things they may or may not have been able to have for next to nothing. This again leaves more money for the Bills and food. So live with bounty of what makes your family happy and you will smile inside knowing you saved probably around $100.00 per trip if you add what your items cost before clearance.
Just remember I only list a fraction of what they have so go and have a look around and find your treasures.
Please comment on what you have found and your deals if you go to some of the places I mentioned. If you cannot find the clearance ask an associate b/c they are there hiding I promise!

OH you can also buy this stuff and sell it for a little less than retail on e bay or craigslist and make money! If you find 10 perfumes for $7 each and they retail for $25 buy them up and sell them you can make $200.00 just right there!
Next we venture into INTERNET shopping with free shipping and clearance items and how to find them.

I spent all day thinking about this. How to live the "simple" life. There's nothing wrong with the simple life. We all get so caught up in being able to afford the most expensive toys that we forget to enjoy the toys. By the time we remember, it's too late. I came up with some tips to share on how to simplify our lives and save some money in the meantime. I always said my husband should have been an adult in the 1950s. He's so old fashioned. Doesn't think his wife should work, women shouldn't swear, and I should never contemplate getting a tattoo. I guess my point to that statement is that he thinks that back then, life was much more simple. I agree with him.

Remember when I said I needed to cut out the premium channels in my cable package to save some money? I thought about this all day and realized that I need to cancel my cable package altogether. Just call up and tell them "No, thank you." I'm going to invest in some board games for me and the kids. Too many Americans spend too much time in front of the tv. I rarely watch television and the kids could do without it. Just say goodbye to it and don't look back. Don't panic, you'll still have basic cable if you have a cable ready tv, but you won't have to go crazy with a $190 a month bill for channels you never watch. Invest in a VCR or DVD player and sign up for Netflix. I was spending $2.99 to rent movies from Comcast's On Demand service. At Netflix, movies are $1 each and they deliver them to your home with no shipping charges. That's a 200% savings right there.

Which brings me to family vacations. The last family vacation I went on is a blur. 3 or 4 days in Maine which was such a nightmare I think my subconscious has blocked out, to spare me more pain. The kids were 2 and 3, Maine broke a record that week for rainfall, and we stayed in our log cabin (pictured) in a town in the middle of nowhere. The closest hospital was 60 miles away. I'm from just north of Boston..NOTHING is 60 miles away. Buying that log cabin was not one of my smarter purchases. Either way, sometimes we don't truly "see" what is right in front of us. I was born in the first city in the United States to use water power. Lived here all of my life. Last year was the first time I ever took one of the free tours they offer. We took a boat down the Merrimack River, walked around inside of mills that are hundreds of years old, rode the trolley, and truly experienced history. The tours are offered by the National Park Service and are free of charge! Sometimes we don't see the beauty and history that's right under our noses. Check with the Travel and Tourism department in your state and see what hidden gems it has to offer. I just read that in Dillsburg, PA on New Year's Eve, instead of dropping a ball, they drop a huge dill pickle. I'd drive to see that. I don't need a plane ticket or a rental car or a limo to the airport if I'm staying in relatively close proximity to my home. All I need is my car and a hotel room. Huge savings. We all dream of these really exotic vacations..we daydream about Paris and Italy and Rome and Switzerland and the Caribbean and Aruba. What we don't daydream about is Mass and NH and ME and VT and NY. Which is a shame..because there's just so much here to see and do.

Family entertainment is no longer cheap..unless you're doing it right! I am a huge Red Sox fan (don't hate me, now). To take my small family of 4 to a game it would cost me about $300 between tickets, parking, food and souvenirs. Instead, look for things to do with your kids that are free or discounted. Boston Children's Museum is just an amazing place to take your kids. The regular price is $10 for adults and $8 for kids. It would cost me $36 for admission for us to take the kids there. On Friday nights I found out that it is $1 admission for everyone after 5pm. Now, we go on Friday nights. Nothing is different, you don't miss out on things because it's Friday night, you just save a lot of money. On Thursdays at the local library they have story hour. The kids love it and it's free. We have a Quilt Museum that has shows and exhibits and it is all free of charge. You just need to do a little bit of research on what you have near to you that you'd enjoy exploring. How about some bowling? I signed up with Brunswick Bowling for their newsletter and they send me some great coupons. Free bowling for an hour, highly discounted lane rates, etc. It's so funny to watch my kids learning to bowl. Don't forget library hour, either. Every Thursday at noon our local library has story time and cookie time. The kids all gather around while someone reads them a story and then they socialize and have cookies and punch. It's free. Doesn't cost anything and it's so great to see your kids interacting with other kids. Instead of an expensive meal at a restaurant with your kids, how about planning a picnic? My kids adore that. We have a lot of fun packing our picnic basket with foods we all love and finding a great spot to sit and eat. Sometimes, it's as simple as sitting on the big rock in our backyard. We lay our blanket out, unwrap our food and have a fun lunch. We don't disturb other patrons (a big no-no) and they learn how to help make their own lunch. Doing fun things doesn't have to cost anything. You can take half a loaf of bread (cost of about .50 cents) and go to your local pond or lake and feed the ducks. Saving money isn't about sitting in your home with the lights and heat off while you remember the "good ole days" of when you spent a quarter on a bag of chips. Being frugal just means being aware of where your money is going and how well you are spending it!

One quick tip on how to save on your electricity bill is laundry. Probably the chore I dread the most. I do love the smell of clothes that were hung out to dry. When we moved into our new house a couple of years ago, our "old" washer and dryer didn't have the newly required 5 prong plug. Instead of having my brother put a new plug on, my husband surprised me (Oh yes, yes he did) with a new front loading washer and dryer. I want to get as much mileage out of this as I can since he doesn't shop on sale and I almost fainted when I saw the price. So, during the spring and summer months I hang most of our clothes out to dry on a clothesline. Some of my best memories are helping my Nana hang out her clothes on the line with the basket and the clothespins. No one in my neighborhood hangs their clothes out..lol. I always make a remark like "Oh look honey, it's that nice young Boure couple hanging out their clothes. How passe." I save money on my electricity bill, it doesn't heat up my house in the summer making the a/c work harder and I'll get more life out of my dryer.

Thanks for all of the support and great comments you all leave! They are truly appreciated. Until next time....Happy Saving!

The day after Christmas...ahhh, blessed silence. No more "Do They Know It's Christmas?" blasting from every Wal-mart speaker available, no more "Dear GOD, where do I PUT this food," or even "What was I thinking when I bought THIS?" The good news? We have leftovers and our favorite food group..say it with me...SALES!

I thought I was pretty well shopped out. What was I thinking? The day after Christmas I had to make a <gasp> return. I could have waited for a few days (weeks, months, whatever) but decided I'd check out what was out there.

Wal-Mart. Horrible. Their prices didn't come down one cent and if they did, it was on items that I wouldn't take home if they were free of charge. I wasn't impressed at all. Now, I know they claim rock bottom prices and for the most part, deliver on this. However, I'm thinking that their sales could have actually BEEN sales.

So, who does have some fantastic sales? Well, I headed over to Michael's Craft Store and they were having a huge 50% off sale! I bought the entire Cha-Cha
      Carnival Village for half off. It is such a fun and whimsical set of village pieces. They had 2008 calendars (I got the M&M one) for .50 cents. Yep, you read it right, .50 cents. The same calendar at Wal-Mart was $7.99. If you enjoy our crafting blogs they had so many crafting supplies for 70-90% off. It's a great way to get a jump on next year's shopping. Seriously. You can have most of your supplies for literally pennies on the dollar. Gotta hurry though..they were putting Valentine's Day merchandise out.

Speaking of chocolate...weren't we?...I found a Free Slim Fast Starter Kit and Pedometer with a retail value of $30. Just sign up and they'll send it to you in 2-4 weeks. If that doesn't work for you, that whole diet thing, how about a free 11 piece fondue set with ANY purchase from Brylane Home? Use code BKFONDUE at checkout. Their lowest item for sale is a $1.59 set of towels, $4.99 for shipping, so for around $6.58 you can get the towels AND the fondue maker. Very savvy to  spend on this! Makes a great gift or even keep it for yourself for when you entertain. I bought a very small chocolate fountain at Michael's by Hershey for $5 and I'm off to buy something at Brylane so I can get the free one.

How about a free baseball cap? Just head over to UniTech Safety Services and fill out the request. Code is 605.

I used a ton of aluminum foil over the holidays for cooking and baking. So, would you be interested in a free sample of Reynold's Parchment Paper? I love that stuff.

I also love to help people. I don't know, I get this charitable feeling every now and then and just want to go out and cure the ills and ails of the world. Country Crock  Spread is offering a free Amy Grant download if you go and tell them a story about how you helped someone out. Now, one of the best freebies in the world is doing a good deed for someone else. Talk about an uplifting freebie..count me in! OH..do you love free music? The legal kind of course. I mean, it's not like I'd advocate the use of Frostwire or anything like that. ::shakes head:: Nope, not me. Well, I'm a total Amazon.com freak. I love their stuff and I love their prices and their sales. They have a huge list of free MP3's available for download. I'm a product of the 80s so I'm not really "cool" anymore and don't know who half of these artists are, but hey, you might! And again, it's free.

Know anyone having a baby? Well, I am sure that you can count me out on that one. However, there are always some good and cute baby freebies out there. How about signing up for the Beech Nut Baby Food newsletter and getting a free bib? You can also sign up at Baby.com for a free downloadable manual called First Ten Days Guide. Who says that babies don't come with instructions? I remember how much I used to love the coupons I'd get from Pampers. Even saving a dollar or two here and there on diapers was a blessing. I had 2 kids, 16 months apart. Double diaper duty. Not pleasant. One thing I loved about being pregnant was the anticipation of everything. I love to read and I would read every magazine I could get my hands on. Two of my favorites were Baby Talk and American Baby. Sign up at their site and they will send you a free 1 year subscription to both! A lot of women are choosing to go with the bottle since they go back to work. I'm SO not going to get into the whole  "breast vs bottle" debate. I think we have political blogs here for that type of discussion. So, if you'd like a free sample of Enfamil formula, head over here for a sample of your choice! I also found this site that promises lot of freebies and milestone appropriate samples. Sign up at Babytobee.com and check it out. Can't verify this one for you, though. I'm a little past the age where I need to worry about babies. Which reminds me..sign up here for your menopause survival kit.

And on that note, I hope you've enjoyed todays coupons, tips and freebies. I have plenty more to share with you. Keep the comments coming! I love to read them and I get ideas and encouragement from all of you! Until next time...Happy Saving!

Hello lets face it, living cheap these days are a thing of the past, as we all know most Americans use coupons when grocery shopping to cut down on price, for this post we don't need to think about them. I will have many more posts for retail shopping and mass merchants so watch for those! We will also look at buying non food items for clearance and selling for profit in another post.This is my fist post to my blog so i apologize if it seems a bit rough. Something that will come in handy now that you are a reader of my blog is an extra freezer.You can check for a local Internet trading-selling group for a free or cheap freezer, old or new any kind will work, throw it in the garage or basement and get ready to fill it up. You will have a lot of groceries to store up when we are done! If this is not your ideal way to save on groceries come back for more ways in the future. 



    Today we are going on a journey to the supermarket in search of the elusive clearance and discontinued items! Some of these products are close to being expired but when you go home and put some meat in the freezer its usually expired by date anyways by the time you get to it! As long as it is frozen the day you buy it it will be just fine. The grocery cannot sell food that is not fit for human consumption, so if its still on the shelf consider it good. First what we need to do is make a general shopping list so you don't go overboard and buy a lot of what you don't need. Choose general categories such as snacks,breads,meats etc.. Keep in mind what your family will eat. Now lets step into your local grocery store and have a look around. The key here is to look, a good place to start is in the produce department. Here you have to keep and eye out for managers specials or similar tags. These products are usually marked with a bright tag and easy to spot once you look around a bit. They tend to be in the end of cases or displays. A few weeks ago I snagged up some dehydrated fruits in a small round deli style container in produce. Original price was $5.99 they were marked down to $0.25 a container, so you see that was a significant price drop. I bought a lot of them for my toddler to enjoy and that he did! You can also find a lot of nice snack like pre-cut fruits on clearance and bagged salad mix. With produce you cant usually freeze them but if you know your family will eat the fruit by its expiry date go ahead and grab some up! The possibilities are endless and that is just one department to look in.

 Moving on to meat department. Once again look at the ends of the cases for the managers special tags. Here is where you can really stock up and save and freeze the products you buy. You can find roasts and steaks for about %50-%70 off the original prices. A few weeks ago I got two new york strips original price was $9.00 per steak my price was around $4 each. I took them home and froze them immediately and thawed them when ready and oh were they yummy! You can usually find a good selection of meats that are not expired by any means yet very cheap. Now something i don't recommend is buying fish products that are on managers specials. If you smell the package and it smells of fish don't buy it. You want to pick fish that has little or no smell. I have found a few items that were acceptable but not many.

Now lets journey to the deli department. In the deli I would stay away from lunch meats as they tent to go bad very fast anyways but there is a lot there that you can still buy cheap! Look around for pre-packaged potato salads and deli style side's. They are usually good but use them within a few days of buying them and don't stock up to much on these items as they aren't usually freezable. You can also find fresh baked breads and rolls on clearance if you look around. Breads are freezable so stock up if you can. Also look for cookies and cakes, those are great because you can freeze them or if you need some snacks for a function buy them up and save a lot. Another great time to look is after Christmas or other holidays where themed holiday foods are being sold. After the holiday is over all the products go on sale very cheap.

Now some stores have a certain isle  or table for general clearance items like bagged snacks and wine's and candy. These areas also can have some hidden jewels for mom. You can find makeup or hair products, deodorant or some vitamins.

Baby isle is always a must check place. I have found diapers on clearance and also wipes but most important is baby foods. Some stores will stop carrying certain flavors and brands of baby foods so they put them on sale for very cheap to get rid of extra stock. A few weeks ago i found some berger graduates diced green beans for $0.13 a jar orig was nearly $0.50 a jar. So you know i cleared it out I looked at the expiry date and calculated how many jars i thought he would eat in a week and went by that. Then i looked up above that on top shelf and they had Oral B toddler tooth brushes with training toothpaste for $1.00 each they were pushing $6.00.

So as you see this is just a start to the world of pinching pennies to the maximum. Using these ideas will not only allow you and your family to save money you are able to eat more,spend less, have more money for bills and have name brand food instead of bland generics. In the e