Let me jump right in. I've been away from blogging. I've been busy licking my wounds and being all pissy about some things. I'm over it. I'm better. I'm back!

Free movie for the kids from Feature Films for Families.

Free Aquaphor samples are always good to have. It's that time of the year. I have a free gift from Nivea. Click on "Get a Rockin' Gift."

I also have a free potty training kit from Pampers. I remind all of my faithful readers every single time I come across one of these that I'm so lucky that I don't need it..bwhahahahaha. No gloating here. For those still in need, how about a free sample of Under Jams. It's waterproof pajamas.

You can get a free Mom's Kit by calling 1-866-JNJ-Baby!

I have a free sample of Fiber One cereal that you can have!

How about a free Craftsman baseball hat? Enter Password: COOL TOOLS.

Free sample of Attune Probiotic Wellness Bar. They give out 100 per day. You can have mine..lol! If you live in Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky you can click here for a coupon for free pizza from Dominos.

Free clip-on radio from the AARP for signing up. Intended for people over 50. I do NOT qualify!

Sign up for Insider Emails at Sephora and get free "cupcake" bubble bath. Great, once I'm in the tub I can hardly wait to get out so I can go eat some sugar.

Text Fusion to 467467 on your cell phone for a free 46 ounce bottle of V-8 Fusion. I'll try it right now and let you know if it works. Worked for me!

Free sample of Tide Total Care. Free book about Alli, a weight loss drug. I did an online focus group for them. I liked what they had to say but it wasn't for "me." Free sample of Kotex. Free sample of Wholesome Goodness for your pet. Free sample of Gillette Shampoo for Men. Free sample of BeneFiber Sticks.

Here's a bunch of coupons and samples from Start Sampling.


Ok, so. I missed all of you. Very much, so. I've been really busy this summer. That's no excuse. I'll be better. Summer is almost over. Nick starts first grade. Gabby starts full day kindergarten. I will have more time on my hands than I've had in 7 years. How bittersweet. I miss them both already. Yesterday, I was babysitting my 2 year old niece. She's a doll. I took all 3 kids, my Mom, my other sister in law, and my 9 year old niece, to Walmart, to kill some time. Within 15 minutes I had lost track of Nick. They had to call a Code Adam to find my son. I was a sobbing mess at the service desk until they said they'd found him. He was feeling overwhelmed by all of the women in the family. It is every Mother's worst nightmare come true. I know I'm a deals blogger. However, I have to share this. There are tracking devices for autistic kids...or even for kids that just don't listen or you are afraid they will wander off. Some of them cost about $199 but well worth it. Check out tracking devices. When they brought Nick to me, I realized that in the blink of an eye, my life could have changed. I'm not a bad Mommy. I never take my eyes off of my kids in public. This time, I was dealing with the 2 year old and lost track after less than 20 seconds. Never again. I'll have some funny stories for you next time. Hugs to all.

Until next time...Happy Saving!!

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!

$4.11 a gallon. Helllllllllllloooooooo, that's a lot of gas. Now, imagine if you're ME and you own around 40 cars that are driving 20 hours per day. Anyone want my gas bill? No? I thought not. It's robbery. In my business though, it's a necessary evil. I hate to see my hard earned..well, if I worked hard it would be hard earned..cash going out of a tailpipe. Nothing to show for it after except for a stack of gas receipts that the IRS hates to get from me. I thought I'd share some tips on how to  make your car run more efficiently and in turn, get better gas mileage.

First and foremost, make sure your car is in good running condition. Have your oil changed. Here's a $5 off coupon for Jiffy Lube. It's good until January of 2009. Print it every 3,000 miles.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. The better condition they're in, the better gas mileage you'll get. Here's a bunch of coupons for tire stores around the US. I decided to link directly so as not to leave out one region.

Make sure your air filter is clean. They get so dirty and it really adds drag to your motor when the clean air isn't getting in.

Going on a long trip? Consider leaving your big ole bad ass SUV home.  Rent yourself a smaller and more fuel efficient car. You'll actually save money on this deal. Here's a bunch of coupons for different offers.

Empty the trunk of the car and insides too if it's a mess. For every 250 pounds there is in the car, you lose 1 mile per gallon of gas. It's also dangerous to have a bunch of stuff crammed into your car. It can become a projectile if there's ever an accident.

Carpool! Save money and time by taking turns with other parents or co-workers. If you had to drive only twice per week you're saving 3 days worth of commuting gas. There's got to be savings in there.

If your car manual doesn't recommend higher octane gas, don't buy it! Buy the cheapest octane available.

Just stop driving so much. Sounds painful, right? I thought so too. Me, the Queen of "I must go out and shop today." Instead, I'm making lists and shopping every few days. I've got half a tank more of gas left over this week than I did last week. Now, on to the more fun things...FREEBIES!!

Ok, I recently hooked my printer back up. It was $200 and I got it on sale for $34 over Christmas last year. I used it twice, it hogs up space on my desk, so I put in on the floor under a big picture window I have. BIG mistake..big big big. It's a nice HP All in On. I hooked it up last night to use the scanner and it's not working. Lo and behold, Princess Less Than Charming comes into the office and goes into a snit because her "Stand ta see out da winnow" is now on my desk. She's got a $200 step stool and my printer isn't working. Coincidence? I think not! Regardless..head over to SmartSource.com. They have TONS of printable coupons.

Here's a free sample of Dove Mist. I love Dove products. The ad is in Spanish but that's ok. Por Favor, check it out! For the man in our life I offer you Vaseline Men. It's a free sample.


I love books, I love to read. I am very pleased and proud that both of my children simply adore books. When they're given the option of a toy or a book they usually always choose a book. Here is a free book for kids! Speaking of kids, when Nick wakes up in the morning he has what we lovingly refer to as "Death Breath." It's SO bad. He has perfect teeth, goes to the dentist regularly, and he's enough to knock me off my feet! Enjoy the $1 off printable coupon for Listerine Kids. I also have a free Klean to Go sample. It's a disinfectant.

Ever since I worked the Sundance Film Festival for ChaCha I'm interested in Utah and Nevada. Seems like a beautiful area. Click here for a free travel brochure and CD about what Nevada has to offer!

Do you know someone who has been touched by stillbirth, infant death, or miscarriage? Here is a free bracelet. Please, if you don't truly qualify for this, don't sign up for it. Thanks so much.

How about a free sample of..uh..well..lubricant? I am not talking for your car either..lol! Playtime Lubricants is offering a free sample. In the spirit of offering full circle freebies, I give you a free lambskin condom. Don't look at me to order it though. I have a crush on the Serta Sheep. I think they're totally cute. If you suffer from Catholic guilt over ordering all of these freebies, sign up and get your free rosary.

Here's a free sample of Sinuclean. Honestly, my allergies get worse and worse every year until I feel like I'm a prisoner in the house. I can barely stand it. AaachhhhOOOOOOOO. See what I mean? I know it's hard to find inexpensive and fun things to do with the kids over the summer. It's much easier and cheaper to cage them up in an institution of learning..lol. Check out the Kids Bowl For Free Program. We took the kids bowling once. The operative word being "once." I figure when someone has to scream "DUCK" and we're not in a restaurant, bowling may not be their sport. Enjoy it though!

Free sample of Gold Bond Powder. It's good for so many things.

Ok. I was serious when I said I know it's not cheap with kids over the summer. We went to Water Country last Sunday. It cost us $148 for 4 tickets. Darn my son for getting taller and needing a big boy ticket this year! One of the great women at CafeMom put this together and I am going to cross post it.

5 Awesome Amusement Park Deals                               

BUSCH GARDENS
Whether you visit the African themed Tampa Bay, Fla. location or the European themed Williamsburg, Va. park, there are lots of ways to cut costs. Show your AAA card at the gate for an automatic $5 off up to six tickets. And once you've purchased a ticket, you can return a second time completely free as long as it's within seven days. Active duty military and National Guard members can take up to three dependents to any of the Anheuser-Busch theme parks, including Busch Gardens, Sea World Orlando, San Diego, or San Antonio, Sesame Street Place, Water Country USA and Adventure Island, completely free. All you have to do is pre-register on Hero Salute and show your Department of Defense ID at the park's gate.

SIX FLAGS
Buy your tickets online for one of 11 park locations, including the flagship Great Adventure in Jackson, N.J., to get the biggest breaks. Tickets are slashed by $20 online to $39.99. If you're willing to stand in line, bring an empty can of Coca-Cola to the ticket booth to purchase two tickets for $24.99 each. Six Flags.  Get the scoop on rides, events and entertainment. Receive discounts and special offers exclusively for Team Six members. All delivered right to your inbox. Want an easy way to stay on top of all things Six Flags? Join Team Six now.

CEDAR POINT
Trying to figure out if you can squeeze a family vacation into your summer? Cedar Point says YES, you can – with their family four pack of admission tickets for only $132! Stimulate your inner thrill-seeker (and the economy) with this money-saving deal. And by the way, you can use this four pack during any day of the 2008 season. Hurry, it’s only available online through June 15, 2008.  Families of four can buy a package of four tickets for $132, leaving an extra $40 in your pocket. http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/admission/tickets/deals.cfm

Pay Once, Visit Twice
You can’t conquer the thrills and family fun at Cedar Point in just one day…so why not come back for a second day of fun? Here’s how this special ticket works: pay one price of only $52.95 online through June 15, 2008 and visit on the operating day of your choice. Then come back for another visit on any other operating day of the 2008 season*. That includes HalloWeekends! Two-visit tickets must be used by the same person and are non-transferable.  http://www.cedarpoint.com/public/admission/tickets/deals.cfm

WALT DISNEY WORLD
See&Do Orlando offers the deepest package discounts. Hotel and park admission deals are upwards of 50% off retail with four nights accommodations at hotels like The Best Western, The Radisson and The Mystic Dunes Resort &Golf club. If you book a Magic Your Way package directly through the Disney Resorts between August 24 and September 20, not only do you get your hotel room and admission tickets, but your entire group will eat for free. (Must be booked by June 22, 2008.)

HOLIDAY WORLD
It might be summer, but that doesn't mean you can't visit Santa Claus. For the 2008 season, Holiday World and Splashing Safari (yes, located in Santa Claus, Ind.) are offering tickets to both parks for $39.99, including inner tubes and all-you-can-drink fountain soda. Bring an empty Pepsi can or Bunny Bread wrapper to the gate for an additional discount between $2 and $11 off, on up to eight tickets.

No matter where you choose to spend your summer, don't forget the deals that already in your back pocket. Both AAA and AARP often offer discounts like free parking, hotel and restaurant coupons, so check with your state's website to start saving.

Ok, I'm done! At least for today. I have a trazillion things to do today. I have to watch the grass grow, observe them putting up my new pool, watch my husband put up the screen house, and play with Gabby. For those who have asked, thank you. My husband Chris is doing much better. It's taking time, of course, but I am feeling good that I may have him with me for another 41 years. God willing. I put my faith in God again. Sometimes, I forget. Not to get all religious on  you but prayer is free. My friends and ChaCha family all prayed for us when we needed it. I thank you all.

Happy Father's Day to all of my male readers. Happy Father's Day to all of the women who are Moms AND Dads.

Until next time...Happy Saving!

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!

So,  a mini update of my Hatfields & McCoys family. I'm still in touch with my sister in law. We're not exactly long-lost but I'm making the effort and so is she. Only time will tell.

I have lots of freebies and samples for you. I'm going to jump right in and get them and then I'll give you your much needed funny story fix that I know you really come here for.

Free samples of 5 flavors of Dunkin Donuts coffee. I only drink decaf, though. Can you picture ME with caffeine? ::shudder:: Perish the thought!

Free sample of Oxyfresh Toothpaste. Gotta get rid of the coffee stains, right?

Y'know those new rolls of toilet paper that are so big that they don't fit on a standard roller? Well, Charmin has a free toilet paper extender for you! I always loved Mr. Whipple when he said "Don't squeeze the Charmin."

REACH is offering a free personal flosser. It's great for the office or the car. I mean, who doesn't floss their teeth while driving 85 mph down a highway in rush hour traffic? It's still a good find though!

Sign up for a free 14 day supply of Nature Made Softgel Vitamins. I should order these, I am so Iron deficient that the doctor told me not to bother with a supplement. He said that even if I took the maximum dosage, it wouldn't bring mine up to acceptable levels. How comforting.

Remember, I love cookbooks. I bought one at a farmer's market in Boston last week. Can't wait to use it. Here is a free Bean Recipe Book from Bush's! Since I'm doing recipes and cookbooks, let me throw in a free issue of Cooking Light.

Ok, this one is useful. A free Child Safe Kit. There is nothing so scary in life as thinking you've lost your child. I misplace my car keys, I lose the remote to my TV, I have even left my purse in a carriage and left the store. Big deal. Last year my husband (can you believe he's STILL my husband?) misplaced our son at Water Country. They were floating down Lazy River and Chris went one way and Nick went the other. I see Chris come around but I don't see Nick. I say to him "Where's Nick?" He said "OH, he was just with me. I must've left him behind." You MORON. Ok, Mommy Survival Mode kicks in. You ain't seen NOTHING until you've seen a 5' woman running (I kid you not) through Lazy River. No floats, just running. I finally find him after 10 minutes just kind of swimming around waiting for me. I burst into tears and he's like "Wassamatta Mommy? Nicky is swimming." I congratulate him for not drowning or going with strangers (Thank you, God)..I threaten to divorce my husband, and the rest of the day was relatively normal. Unless you count the fact that I went into the wave pool with my cell phone in my pocket. Cell phones don't like water, in case you're wondering. 3rd one that month. Verizon actually told me I'd maxed out my insurance policy and had to buy another one at full price. HA. My contract was over. I went with Nextel. Either way, sign your child up. God forbid we ever need these things, but better to have them and not need them than to need them and not have them.

Who doesn't love Legos? I still love them. I love seeing the masterpieces created by some people. Now that's dedication. I have a free 2 year subscription to Lego Magazine!

Ok, a rule of thumb that I learned early on while scouring for freebies is to ignore the sites that are all Google ads. They're usually just harvesting sites for your email address. However, I took a chance and signed up for these 2. They both came!
Free beer mug and free USB.

I love Caress Exotic Oil Infusions body wash. It smells amazing and it makes my skin so soft. I like the Asian one. Get your free sample!

Well, that's about it for today. I'm working like a maniac lately..I actually have a job. Most people think I sit around eating bonbons and doing my nails. I actually work, but don't let it get around, it's bad for my reputation. My husband always says "Honey, if you want to cheat on me, don't make him crawl through the bathroom window, if he can afford YOU, let him in the front door. It's only polite." LOL! He'd be so lucky to get rid of me.

Until next time...Happy Saving!

Families are strange. Every last one of them. Mine probably more than others. Let me rephrase. My husband's family, that I married into, is probably stranger than most. I call them my out-laws. They're actually very well-to-do people. Which only provides more evidence that you never really know someone unless you live their life. My 6 year old has autism. Not the end of the world. My mother in law & father in law decided that when Nick was 3 years old he shouldn't be allowed in their home because "he could break something." He was allowed to play in the yard. My husband decided that enough was enough (Rock on, Chris..love you, babe!) and made the decision not to speak with his family anymore. It's been 3, almost 4 years, since we've spoken to a single one of them. Strangely enough, we all live in the same town and I've had the good fortune not to run into them. It would be awkward for me. They never liked me anyhow. They thought I was too abrasive. Can you imagine? LOL! A few days after we came home from our honeymoon, my mother in law says to me, "Chris is a tough guy, I always said he'd need to marry a bitch to keep him in line. You're perfect for him." Gee, thanks, Mona. Don't miss you, either! Well, my luck ran out on Friday. I had to run to the Registry of Motor Vehicles in the next city over. Doesn't it figure? I don't see them in our town but in a city with over 1 million people. I'm done with my business, I'm walking out the door and I hear "Kerry, Kerry." I turn around and there is my sister in law (another one who couldn't stand me). She bursts into tears and the whole "How is Nick, how is Gabby, Chris? I heard your Dad died, blah blah blah." Sobbing all over my new Coach bag. I felt so bad for her..an emotion I'm unfamiliar with. I brought her to the car to meet Gabrielle. She was less than a year old when the argument took place. She begged me to get Chris to call her. I promised to try. I tried. He said no. He said he's not ready. I told him that tomorrow's are not guaranteed and to stop burning bridges. Move on and get over it. Fall's on deaf ears. Either way, that's my lesson for today. For the low price of a free phone call you can speak to someone you've lost touch with, someone you should forgive, someone you should allow to forgive you, etc.  It sounds corny but it's true. My kids have a full set of grandparents that live 6 miles from me that they don't remember. They have Aunts and Uncles and cousins they barely know.  I don't care that they don't like me. My husband loves me, my kids love me, I have friends and family that love me..not everyone is going to love me. As odd as that concept is to me..lol. So, do something nice for yourself for free. Reconnect with someone in your life that you don't speak to anymore.

Take a survey and receive a free hypoallergenic pillowcase.

Printable coupon for FREE Scotch Brite toilet scrubber. Woohooo. Love it.

Free Duracell hearing aid batteries. Batteries aren't cheap. I think they were invented by toy companies.

Free Sunsilk gift cards will get you free samples!

Free MaxPro condoms. No need for them here (Mom is watching). I actually DID get my kids from a Cabbage Patch.

Free magnet from KinderStart with completion of brief survey.

Free BioFreeze Med Gel with completion of survey.

Do you know who Hannah Montana is? I had no clue..lol. My 4 year old told me "Mommy, dats uh Hanna Monnanna." Love her Dad, Billy Ray! Here's a printable coupon for a free Hannah Montana Karaoke CD from Club Libby Lu.

Do you like Women's basketball? I'm about basketballed out right about now. However, sign up quick and get 2 free pre-season tickets to see the WNBA Seattle Storm.

Here's a neat one! Design a free "green" bag for Kroger. They'll not only send you a free bag, but you'll be entered to win $500 AND you may get to see your bag nationwide in stores. We don't have Kroger here. I'm going to design one anyhow!

Pull-Ups has a free DVD for "How to Potty Train Your Toddler." Ok, where was this 2 years ago? I thought the answer was Gabby (my stubborn one) and I sleeping on the floor in the bathroom for a month. Go figure.

Ok, this is a little off topic (what in my life isn't?)..I love to play instant win games online. I have won $100 from Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, hundreds of dollars in awesome prizes, free airline tickets, etc. Go to MyInstantWin.com and check it out. It's a great site and she organizes it so well. If you need codes to play, she provides those, too! I once won, I kid you not, 40 coupons for free Banquet Chicken and Banquet Crock Pot meals. It was a riot!

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it. Hope you enjoyed yet another peek inside of my insane life. Until next time...Happy Saving!

Indulge me for a moment. I love my kids. I truly do. If I tell myself that often enough today I may even let the 4 year old live through the night. She is making me crazy the last few days. Today she was outside playing and she told our new neighbors, "Mommy left me here alone. I am scared to be alone. Will you play with me until she gets back? I don't know when it will be." Well. Needless to say, my husband was in the doorway listening to this. I was upstairs changing their sheets. How nice of her to tell the neighbors that she is neglected and abandoned. This is after our store trip today. If the kids are good they go to the Dollar Store on Saturday. So, off we went. Within 3 minutes Gabby had stolen a carriage and crashed it into this huge Snuggle Air Freshener display. It took me half an hour to pick it all up and fix it. It has been a very long day with her.

Here are some freebies I found. There are a lot more than I thought I would find. OHHH, I just have to tell you. Last post, remember I posted about the Hershey Bliss Party? I applied and I got chosen to host one..woohooo..free chocolate! Life is good.

Ok, sign up here for a free Choose to Know bracelet. It supports women in their fight against cervical cancer.

Here is a sample of Sweat Block deodorant.

I  am scatterbrained. I mean to do certain things, I start to do them, get sidetracked, and forget. I am a Catholic (notice I didn't say good). I mean to pray nightly and thank God for my blessed life. What actually happens is I crawl into bed after a long day, say "Hi hon, gimme the freaking remote, CSI is on," and am asleep in about 10 minutes. You know what they say about the road being paved and good intentions.....Here's a free prayer cloth.

I love office supplies..much to the chagrin of my former employer..lol. Ah, I digress. Here is a free sample of sticky tabs.

Here is a neat one. If you sign up for their catalog they send you 3 free cigars and a free hat. I hate cigars. When I got caught smoking at 13 my Dad made me smoke an entire package of them as punishment. Can't stand the smell of them to this day. I still smoke, too. Thanks for the lesson, Dad!

Take the Pledge and get a free uniball pen. This pen makes it impossible for your checks to be washed and it keeps your signature safe. Good deal.

Here is a free reusable tote bag. It's for the tree hugger in your life..lol. It's supposed to cut down on waste so you might as well give it a try.

I have a free sample of Yogurt capsules..or something that resembles that. It's actually acidophilus pearls. It's good for you, so I don't recognize it.

Free coffee samples. You can also win a $5 gift card for signing up. I've said it before and I'll say it again..I love my Senseo. Sign up for free pods! Don't have a Senseo? Good Lord, go to ShareSenseo.com and get one. You have to pay $15 for shipping. Big Whoop..it's the best $15 you will spend all week.

Okay. I'm going to do something a little different. Instead of packing my post this week with freebies, I'm going to give you some money saving tips. I love flavored creamer for my coffee. I like the Vanilla Cinnamon and my husband likes the Amaretto. It can get expensive. So, I found a few recipes on how to make it yourself..at a much lower cost! Here are a few of them!

Each of the following coffee creamer recipes can be stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator. For each recipe, mix all ingredients in a glass container, and shake before pouring.

French Vanilla Coffee Creamer
1 can sweetened condensed milk (also available in low fat)
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
1 tablespoon vanilla

Almond Orange Cappuccino
1 can sweetened condensed milk (also available in low fat)
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
1 tsp almond extract and 1/2 tsp orange extract for cappuccino.

Amaretto
1 can sweetened condensed milk (also available in low fat)
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1 tsp almond extract

Almond Cappuccino

1 can sweetened condensed milk (also available in low fat)
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
1 tsp almond extract
1/2 tsp orange extract

Chocolate Almond
1 can sweetened condensed milk (also available in low fat)
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp almond extract

Chocolate Truffle Mint
1 can sweetened condensed milk (also available in low fat)
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon peppermint extract.

Now you have your cream for your coffee. How about how to save money on flavored coffees? Here's how to make your own and not pay expensive prices at gourmet shops.

Save money on expensive coffees by making your own. Add a drop or two of vanilla extract and vanilla non dairy creamer to your coffee for an expensive coffee taste. If you really want to "walk on the wild side" experiment with different flavors of extracts like hazelnut. Use a light hand and only a small amount because pure extracts can be strong.

You can also try adding a dash or two of cinnamon into your grounds, and brew your coffee.

Here's another tip....add a Vanilla Bean to a little jar of sugar let is sit a few days  and you have Vanilla Sugar. Use on anything you put sugar in.

If you like coconut coffee you can add a teaspoon of shredded coconut to your coffee grounds before brewing.

Thanks to the ladies at CafeMom who had these fantastic ways to stretch our dollars. Coffee is a huge industry. We should be able to save while enjoying it!

Ok..and my last and most coolest freebie of the week..Call ChaCha. Dial 1-800-2ChaCha and ask your questions. You will then receive your answer in the form of a text message. It's...drumroll please...free. That's right..no charge. Totally smokin' deal! Try it, you'll love it. I tried it, loved it.

Ok, Prince Nicholas and Princess-less-than-charming Gabrielle are finally asleep. I may get some searches in..woohooo. 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!

Here I come! Sorry I was late. I'm often late. I try so hard to be on time. I budget my time the best way that I can and it usually is a massive waste of time..lol. However, I firmly believe in fulfilling my obligations. I promised I'd see you guys this week and as tired as I am, I have arrived. I have been through 3 bottles of Lysol, 2 bottles of Children's Tylenol Flu, 2 bottles of Pediatric Robitussin Cough Syrup, and still the kids are up all night. Literally. I took a nap the other day because Gabby was coughing and fussing. Thank God I took that nap. She was up from 11pm until 7am crying and coughing. She finally managed to fall asleep comfortably. How excited was I? Well, that lasted about 3 minutes when Nick came screeching down the stairs "Mommmmmyyyyyy...I am sickkkkkkk." ::sigh:: Ok, baby, come sit with Mommy.  So, I am a 12 cylinder car running on about 3 cylinders..lol. So, let's see what we have in store for you today. Freebies are a little on the lean side.

The Disney Store is having a 30% off sale and $5 flat rate shipping. Woooohhooooo,.

I love jewelry. I don't wear much of it but I love to look at all of the shiny baubles. I also love designer name brands. I recently discovered Bidz.com. I bought a $255 pair of Prada sunglasses for $24, a $415 diamond and platinum necklace for $21, a $375 pair of diamond earrings for $11 and a $2700 man's watch for $8. Shipping was extremely reasonable and I had my items within 3 days. You have got to go look. It's auction style but it's not half as bad as eBay. I am not a fan of eBay. If auction style isn't your thing then you can go over to Overstock.com and enjoy their 3 day 15% off jewelry sale. I've bought from them also and was always very pleased with the way it went.

Chadwick's is having a great sale. They're having a 40% off sale and then you can take $50 off an order of $150 or $25 off an order of $75.

Health and Beauty freebies are never in short supply. Let's start with a free sample of Garnier Nutritioniste Wrinkle Treatment. We also have a free sample of Dove hair care. There's also a free sample of Jergen's Natural Skin Care. I have a sample of Curel Life's Stages Moisturizers, also. That makes me laugh. At this stage of my life, moisturizing is the least of my problems. Here is a sample of FreshLook Colored Contacts. I was born with very green eyes and can't imagine wanting to change the color of them. If you do, more power to you! If you just want a free sample of regular contacts then you can check out the sample at Dailies. I just remembered I'm almost out of toothpaste. Here's a free sample of Aquafresh!

I am slowly getting addicted to reality tv. I always thought, "What a waste." Top Chef and Celebrity Apprentice and The Biggest Loser are now the highlights of my life. I watched Top Chef religiously last season. I wasn't rooting for Casey. Yet here she is, with a free sample of Glad Trash Bags.

This one is for all of you fans of the St. Pauli Girl. Ok, she doesn't make my pulse quicken but I'm pretty sure she does something for my husband. Every day they give away 400 free posters of her. So, run on over there are sign up.

I have signed up for this freebie several times. It always comes and it's actually kind of good. It's True Lemon and True Lime.

I love magazines. I get probably 30 a month. I read them all, it enriches the mind. So, here's an offer for 3 free issues of Cosmo Girl and 3 free issues of Seventeen. No obligations and no hassles.

I love my Sammi Sue. She is my 5 year old English Bulldog. She's a love and has the most incredibly sweet temperament that I've ever seen. Ok, so she snorts and snores but hey, I'm married, I'm used to it. Hill's Science Diet Nature's Best is offering a free sample.

More excellent news! ChaCha.com has decided to extend their free trial period for text ChaCha! Remember to text 242242 for answers to everything and anything! I love the service. If you're very very lucky, you will get me as your uber-awesome Guide.


 

Free sample of Post-It Notes. Love those things.

Ok, if you want the truth, I do have a few more freebies. I'm saving them though. I always worry that if I give everything up right away, there may not be anything for next time. Then I'll be like the dorky kid in class drooling on herself when called upon to answer "What is the true relevance behind the story of Oedipus Rex?" As you can see, I have experience in this phenomena..lol! Life is good. I love being a Guide and a blogger. Much more fun than I anticipated. I hope you all have a great weekend. I'll slam you with some more this week, early. With Easter coming there will be more than usual. Until then...Happy Saving!

We meet again! There hasn't been much to share with you. I spent a few days shopping last week and I have to brag. I went to Kohl's with my Mom last week. I didn't need anything but she needed a bathing suit for her trip to Puerto Rico. Which, incidentally, I found her RT airfare and a hotel for a week for under $200! So anyhow, I go to Kohl's and they're having a 90% off sale. I bought 3 pairs of Vera Wang pants that are usually $185 a pair for...$1.40 each! It was totally unreal. I got some Ralph Lauren clothes for $2.60 each, clothes for the kids, clothes for my husband, and a few things I will never "need" but have always wanted! Sometimes, it's all in the timing. I made a KILLING that day. One good way to save money is to season shop. In the middle of the summer, stores will begin getting rid of their merchandise to make room for the next season. The same goes for every season. So, if you are wise, you will buy next year's clothing during this year!  Unless you're Elle, Cindy, Naomi or Carol, you don't have to worry about "What's Hot and What's Not" as far as fashion. Buy what YOU like, not what the fashion experts like.

So, here are the sales I've found this week. During the Christmas holiday season I was looking for a unique gift for someone. I didn't just want to grab the first thing off of the shelf. So, I went over to Things Remembered and found a neato and peachy keen gift. They're having a huge sale!

Another favorite store of mine is TJ Maxx. They're having a green sale. They're offering their new line of organic products at a huge discount. Check out the store nearest to you!

Attention K-Mart Shoppers! We have a 38-60% off clearance sale now going on. Stop by the blue light to see what type of savings you can find!

Do you need, want or love to shop in the Big and Tall stores? I will NEVER have to worry about shopping in the Tall store. More like I'd need a "Shorties R US" store. Yet, many people are not as vertically challenged like me. So, head over to King Size Direct for a 66% off clearance sale. Did you know, I have never opened their emails and thought they were a bed company? I opened it on a whim in a desperate attempt to find you more savings. I was shocked..lol.

Lee Jeans is having their annual 20% Spring Sale. 20% isn't much but it's better in my pocket than in theirs. I actually like the cut of Lee jeans.

Burlington Coat Factory is having their annual Men's 2 for sale. Buy 2 suits for the price of one. Now, I don't need to buy suits here. We're pretty casual people. So, I won't be taking advantage of this. However, if they ever run a sale on Buy 2 shirts that say "My Wife Works For ChaCha and All I Got Was This Stupid Mention" then I guarantee I'm on it!

Bluefly.com is having a 40% off sale on designer handbags. You can get a $600 purse for around $325..Sounds like a great deal to me. I go to the Coach outlet stores when I feel the need to feed my passion for handbags.

Brylane Home had a problem with their website last week. So, in addition to their rock bottom prices, enter code BHSORRY and receive an additional 25% off. Last week I got a free sewing machine, a free steak knife set, and a set of mixing bowls. All very cool and all very trendy.

You can save up to 50% at Chadwick's this week, also. They have a great selection of clothing.

One thing I try to do in my blog is to give you a glimpse into my life but not offer you an open door. It's always better to keep 'em guessing. I also try never to use it as a platform for my personal beliefs. Sometimes, it's unavoidable. I am throwing this in here merely for those of you that may have never even considered it. When a loved one passes away, there's nothing harder to deal with. Until you have to figure out how you're going to pay for their final expenses. My Dad passed away late last year. He had no life insurance, thought he was invincible. When I called his credit card companies, most were extremely wonderful. They offered sympathy and told me not to worry about the balances on the cards. They were minimal in today's world. However, there was one company. I shouldn't name it, it wouldn't be overly ethical. It rhymes with Fears, Hears, Wears, Bears...sounds like Sears to me! When I notified them that I had just lost my Dad the woman on the other end of the phone said to me "Well, what about his estate?" I said "Ma'am, there's no estate. There is nothing. I'm sorry." Her reply was "I am going to send someone over there and we'll take your furniture and your car to satisfy this debt." Ooohhhhh, you THINK so? Over my cold dead body will anyone EVER speak to me like this. Especially over a pathetic amount like $1200.  I could pay it. Why should I? It wasn't my debt. However, I was angry at Dad after that. WHY didn't he have life insurance? Why why why? So inexpensive and so easy to buy. I didn't buy those policies for the kids that Gerber offers when you're pregnant. I was afraid to jinx myself. Having been born on Halloween I am just full of superstitions. Now they've changed. My superstition is that if I'm stupid and don't follow through and buy these policies, we may not have them when we need them. So, for just one lousy dollar you can start a policy at Globe Life. One thing you can't do is put a price tag on peace of mind.

Well, those are my savings for the beginning of the week. I'll try to find some more and post again this week! So, today seems to be "Story" Day. I have no short supply of stories about my life. Some of them are the funniest things you'll ever hear. Some are heartbreaking. All are true. I did promise a follow up to my trip to see John Edward. I have to tell you, I am always skeptical. I don't trust easily. Especially lately. It was general seating and we had great seats. For $225 a ticket he should've sat on my lap. I went with 2 of my friends. One of them lost her husband recently in a motorcycle accident. It was NOT his fault. Someone ran a light and hit and killed him. His name was Jerry. Her name is Jess. They have a 4 year old named Sandra Elizabeth. So, imagine our surprise when John came right towards us and said "Who are the 2 J names? Who is S..Sandy, Sandra.." I was whispering "Jess, stand UP." She didn't know what to do and some dork in front of us stood up and said "I think it's me. My brother Gary died 18 years ago in an accident. I work with a woman named Sandy." Yeah, ok Slick. Nice job. There's no doubt in my mind that John was talking to my best friend. Jerry died 2 days before my Dad. Jess didn't know what to say or do and she let opportunity go by her. She emailed John Edward after the show and asked if the reading could've been meant for her. She got an immediate reply that yes, it most definitely could've been directed at her. She was there at that particular show for a reason. My Dad had a dog named Ghost. We had him for 11 years. He was white with a black patch. He got nose cancer a week after my Dad passed away. We kept him for 2 more weeks and then we sent him to the Rainbow Bridge to be with my Dad. They were always together. Literally inseparable. Halfway through the show (2 hours long), John said "There's a white dog with a black patch running down the aisle." He supposedly stopped near me and John said "Oh, his owner just came to take him." So, was that my sign? I don't know. I want to believe it. My problem is that i didn't go there with any questions. My Dad died but we know how. There's no treasure buried under the floor in the garage, and I am 110% sure that he loved me. I don't need him to come back to tell me. I feel it every day when I think about him. I have to say that John Edward is amazing. He's right on target, he's friendly and outgoing and he is the FUNNIEST person. He made me laugh throughout most of the show. He read a woman directly in back of me. She had some serious family issues. She didn't look like she was believing it too much..until the end. He said to her "Mom says it's ok, buy the new microwave." The woman screamed and her knees buckled. She said "My microwave blew up yesterday and I didn't know if I should buy a new one." She was convinced..lol. So am I. I would love to see another of his shows.

Thank you for indulging me this week. I don't often talk about myself so specifically. It is my reward for working so hard to help you to learn to save money. So, 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!