Future Food Photographer?

My preschooler received a kids' digital camera from one of her uncles for Christmas. Within the first two hours it was opened she had taken 265 pictures. She has since decided that she is going to photograph all of her meals before she eats them and then look at them later on the computer. Why she wants to do this, I am not sure. It is funny to see the world from a 4 year old's eyes though as I download her pictures.  I guess I better step up my food preparations though in case she ever shows her pictures to someone, maybe add some garnishes.

Snapfish and Hershey's Free Mug or Desk Calendar

I received an email with a new offer from Hershey's and Snapfish. If you enter two UPCs from selected Hershey's products they will provide you with a code to create a desk calendar or a mug and pay only shipping. I was going to try the deal last night using UPCs of candy I had in the house to see if it would work, but I noticed that when I went to enter the UPCs there was a link you could click if you did not have any UPCs. I clicked it and it automatically filled them in for me and then gave me my code for my free product. I went to Snapfish and entered my credit and created a mug and paid only shipping of $2.99.  I thought it was a pretty good deal.
It states on the site that you will pay shipping only of $4.99, but my shipping for the mug was not that much maybe it would be that cost for the calendar. Here is the link to the site.
Enjoy this deal!

Great Deals at The Body Shop

If you purchase a tote bag from The Body Shop for $5 you will receive 50% off any other items you purchase (with a few exclusions, such as gift cards). Combine this with holiday sales and you can find some great deals. You can get bars of soap for $1.00 each, lip balms for $1.50, and many other items for very low prices. These would be great items to stock up on for Valentine's Day, Teacher Appreciation, or even Mother's Day. Just be sure to click under Specials to find the items at discounted prices.

Don't forget to shop through ShopatHome to receive 10% cash back on your purchase also!

After Christmas sales

The big day is over and now it is time to start hitting the sales! We actually ended up having a white Christmas beginning around 8pm last night and it has not stopped snowing since. Living in the South used to mean warm mild winters, but apparently this is a thing of the past. As we are not really used to this snowy weather, driving is not recommended. :) So the in-store sales will have to wait.
There are some great deals to be found online.

The Disney Store is having their twice a year sale with up to 50% off. Lots of cute things like these Minnie pajamas for $8. 

Charlotte Russe has a great sale going on; lots of shirts $5 and less. I think the Fringed Tank looks fun!

Thanks, A Coupon Chick!

Rapunzel, Rapunzel Let Down Your Long Hair

We took my daughter to see Tangled, the new Rapunzel movie recently and she LOVED it. When I saw this idea in my issue of Family Fun, I was thrilled because it seemed like a great solution for the many hair bows and barrettes that could be found everywhere throughout the house. It is a long braid made of yarn that hangs on the wall and you can attach barrettes and clips on it. This has worked wonders with my daughter and she was positive that her cousin would like one for Christmas as well. I will post a picture in the morning, my camera ran out of batteries.
I purchased several cute barrettes and made some hair bows  for my niece to give along with this gift. Altogether this gift cost less than $5.

Homemade Gifts for Friends and Family

I love being a stay-at-home mom and would not trade it for the world, but it does mean operating on a tight budget. So, we have had to get more creative with our gift-giving. (Believe me, I am so far from Martha Stewart, so don't judge.) I found many great ideas in magazines that I was able to adapt to work for us.

In the December issue of Martha Stewart Living, I saw a cute packaging idea. I was able to get several free Ghirardelli chocolate bars using coupons that doubled at my local Harris Teeter. My preschooler and I wrapped the bars in a sheet of white paper and then she used markers to decorate them to look like snowmen. These snowmen chocolate bars were slipped in to her teachers' gift baskets, given to her dance teachers, the mailman, and her neighborhood babysitter. She was excited to have made the gift herself and it cost absolutely nothing thanks to coupons.

For our neighbors we gave them a gift that allows them to be both naughty and nice. A box of Christmas cookies when they want to be naughty and a jar of homemade apple cranberry walnut oatmeal when they want to be nice (or healthy). I again used coupons to get large containers of instant oats for $0.50 each. I used free credits from Groupon to purchase dried fruit and nuts for my oatmeal from Nutty Guys for the oatmeal and then used other basic pantry ingredients such as sugar and cinnamon. I recycled empty jars I had collected over the year for the oatmeal. And the cute boxes the cookies are in were free also with $5 off coupons for Hallmark that I had received in several magazine subscriptions (which were free as well).

And now I am off to finish up a gift for my niece, which I will post when I am done.

$15 for $30 at ProFlowers have delivered by Christmas

Wow, this is perfect. I somehow forgot to get a gift for my husband's grandma (I know, shame shame). I was planning to pack up the kids after my little one's morning nap to go pick something up and then go stand futilely in the line at the post office when I know it wouldn't arrive before Christmas.  But alas, my day is now my own again due to Mamapedia. Mamapedia is another daily deal site, similar to Groupon, but one of the great things about this site is that 5% of your purchase is donated to the school of your choice, so not only are you getting a great deal but your child's school receives a portion of the proceeds.

Anyways, today's National deal is $15 for a $30 credit to Proflowers.com. The voucher credit may be used towards shipping.  This deal will be available for 3 days. If you are like me you should hurry up and buy so that you can use to order a gift for someone you may have forgotten.  :)
By the way, I just checked and there are multiple types of flowers you can order that cost $19.99 and shipping is usually around $10, so it should cost very little out of pocket after you buy the certificate. Also found a coupon code for Mampedia, when purchasing enter DECEMBER3 and receive $3 off so it will be only $12 for $30.

Hi-Ho Silver $50 for $100 giftcard (Hampton Roads)

If you live in Hampton Roads area you need to check this deal out at Living Social. Living Social is a daily deal buying site similar to Groupon. Hi-Ho Silver is a wonderful store with beautiful affordable jewelry with locations across Hampton Roads, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Newport News, and Williamsburg. The deal today is $50 for a $100 gift certificate there.  Guys, your holiday shopping could be finished without even getting in the car.
Honey, hint hint, if you are reading... this is one of my favorite stores. 

Oprah magazine only $10! Great Gift Idea

My mother-in-law is a big Oprah fan, so this is a great gift idea for her. Today only at Magazines.com, Oprah magazine is $10. Now this is only for 6 issues, but I think that is still a pretty good deal. Now remember to shop through ShopatHome.com and you will save even more! ShopatHome is offering 33% cash back at Magazines.com, which would make the subscription less than $7. 

The best part is you don't have to worry about wrapping or getting it delivered before Christmas. You could go out and buy a current issue of the magazine to give the recipient if you wanted.  Happy shopping and saving!

Brrrrrrrrrr...It's Cold Outside

I am so cold. Seriously I am not cut out for temperatures like this. I live near the beach in Virginia, an area that does not get overly cold. We have already had snow 3 times this month, which never happens. Growing up it snowed in kindergarten and then in 11th grade. It has been in the 20s and 30s this past week and I am frozen. believe me I know some of you would welcome temperatures like this, but I am just not used to it and we don't really have winter clothing.

So anyways, this brings me to a great deal at Amazon today. They have 75% off winter clothing as part of their Daily Deal. If you are part of Amazon Mom's you will receive free shipping. They have a pair of kids' ski bibs for $8.50. I am thinking these would be good for the kids playing outside on snowy days, if we are going to continue getting snow like this.   As cold as I feel the whole concept of the Snuggie is not seeming quite as ridiculous anymore.  :)

Christmas Cookie Weekend

I hope my oven is ready for the baking I am planning this weekend. I started the morning off with a chocolate cappucino birthday cake for my husband.  I do feel for people with December birthdays; it is tough to get out of the Christmas mindset and focus on a birthday when Christmas is only 7 days away.  He celebrated his birthday earlier this week, but had dental work done and asked me to make his birthday cake over the the weekend when he could properly enjoy it.

Anyways I am planning to bake plates of cookies for my family, friends, and neighbors.  My daughter is excited to help me with the baking. She is excited about the sugar cookies decorated with royal icing. Today is the day of traditional cookies. We are making the green cornflake wreath cookies. I love the almond crescents and snickerdoodles. I stocked up Hershey's kisses for the classic peanut blossom cookies.  My husband has not an adventerous bone in his body when it comes to cookies and wants me to finish it off with some good old chocolate chip cookies and stop there.  I feel like chocolate chip cookies do not even deserve a place on a Christmas cookie platter, those are cookies for the rest of the year. What do you think?

Tomorrow I can make the fancier recipes that might be found in a Martha Stewart magazine. I can't wait.

Free Shipping Day

Today is free shipping day, not all retailers are participating, but alot are.  If you are planning to place an online order today is the day to do it.

Great Deal $15 off $15 purchase at Sahalie.com

Do you have an outdoorsy person in your life you need to buy a gift for?  This deal is for you. $15 off any $15 purchase from Sahalie.com (make sure the item is $15 or more, it won't work on a $14.99 item). You will have to pay shipping; I paid $5.99 for shipping and handling, not too bad.

There are several cute hats, warm socks, gloves, even games to choose from.  When you are ready to check out, enter code 13973 for your discount.  Also shop through Shop at Home to receive 2% cash back.
Thanks, A Coupon Chick!

When Hubby Does Housework...

Yes, he used dish soap in the dishwasher because he figured it would work and he didn't want to ask where the new detergent was.  Guess what, he doesn't stop for directions either when he's lost.  :)

Baby on the shopping list? Great deals at diapers.com. $6 Robeez!!!

Do you have any babies or young children to shop for? Diapers.com has some amazing deals. My favorite is the pair of adorable brown and blue T strap Robeez for only about $6 after discounts, that is major savings on these shoes. These are the best shoes(in my opinion) for little ones beginning to walk or cruise. There are also great deals on Carters clothing if you look in the Sale/Carters clothing section of the website. Click through my link on the sidebar to save an extra 15% on your order, to make this deal even better!
By the way, typically shipping is super quick!!!

Magazines.com Great Deals $5 off any order Lucky $7 for 1 year

Last year I purchased several magazine subscriptions for friends and family through Magazines.com (they have great deals!). I received an email that I could send up to 5 people a code for $5 off any order, but could not post the code. If you are interested in the code, leave a comment and I will send the email to you. They have a great daily deal during December, today's deal is a year subscription for Lucky magazine for only $12 and with the $5 discount, this is only $7.

$10 off $10 coupon for Hallmark

Yea! If you haven't gotten enough great deals from Hallmark, print this coupon to enjoy $10 off a $10 purchase.
Thanks, A Coupon Chick!

Prepping for Gingerbread House Party

Tomorrow we are having our 2nd annual Gingerbread House Party. The kids decorate and take home a gingerbread house. One of our neighbors at our old house threw this party and I have continued the tradition. I have baked 10 gingerbread houses and have the bowls of candy all ready to go.

Now to focus on the fun desserts and appetizers for the adults. The best recipe I have ever made; my husband labeled this "the best dessert he ever ate" (like the Food Network show. They are called Bubbly Pear Cupcakes; here is the link. Enjoy; they are amazing.

$10 off $10 Bath and Body Works

There is a great deal at Bath and Body Works if you need to pick up some gifts. There is a coupon code for $10 off a $10 order. You will need to pay shipping. If you order through your Shop at Home account, you will receive 4% cash back on your order as well. The coupon code is: F102785.

Travel size body butters and body lotion are on sale 3 for $10, so you would just need to pay shipping, which should be about $6. There are several gift sets available for $10, or you could order 10 of the $1 Reindeer Pockbac Antibacterial Gels. These are great to stick in gift bags for teachers, neighbors, kids, anyone.
Have fun shopping!

Thanks, My Frugal Adventures!

$20 gift certificate to Pier 1 for using your Pier 1 card

If you have a Pier 1 credit card, this is a fantastic deal. Use your Pier 1 credit card anytime between November 29-December 12th and receive 2000 bonus points automatically on your account, which equals a $20 gift certificate that will be mailed to you. Look for more details here.
They had this deal available last year and I made a very small purchase on our credit card (under $3) and then I actually received my $20 gift certificate in time to use it to buy Christmas gifts (although I think it was available earlier; I have a feeling you won't receive the gift certificate in time for Christmas gifts, but cross your fingers, maybe in time for Christmas clearance!)

$5 off $5 purchase at Hallmark

I LOVE this coupon and have been waiting to see it again this year. Warning: this printable coupon is only good through the weekend, so keep this in mind before printing. Here is the link to the printable coupon for $5 off any $5 purchase at Hallmark.
This is a great coupon to buy a small ornament to slip in to a gift basket or tie on a present. Other ideas for the coupon are candy or it is great to stock up on quality wrapping paper at an inexpensive price. Wrapping paper is on sale buy one @$4.99 get a second roll for $0.99, with the coupon this would be a great deal.

This coupon can also be found in many magazines this month; I received one in my Martha Stewart Living and Real Simple magazine. Check your magazines!

Saving on Everyday Items $10 off $25 at The Natural Store

Holy cow! I placed this order at noon on Thursday and received it Friday afternoon and I had just chosen standard shipping. I have reduced our grocery budget immensely this year through the use of coupons, but there are some items that are expensive to buy that there are not coupons for.  I try to buy organic whenever I can and so this is a great deal. Create an account through the link below at TheNaturalStore.com and you will receive savings of $10 off an order of $25 or more (you must sign up through this link to get the discount). Shipping is $4.99 and ships very quickly. This is a division of Drugstore.com, a company with a great reputation.  And remember shop through ShopatHome.com to receive cash back on your purchase.  I use this site to stock up on organic baby food, healthy snacks, and vitamins.

Christmas Gifts on a Budget

So we have really tried to cut back this year on our spending, but now the holidays are upon us and it is easy to get caught up in the gift giving frenzy. An important tip to keep you from overspending is to plan ahead. This allows you to buy gifts throughout the year as you find them at amazing prices.  If there is a particular item that you are planning to buy check around with several different stores to find who has the best prices. Amazon has done a great job this year of offering very competitive pricing and if you sign up for Amazon Prime you get free shipping. You can also join Amazon Moms and you will receive free shipping on things you buy.

Magazines are a great gift giving idea. Magazines.com has a different daily deal each day in December offering deep discounts on one magazine.  Today order 1 year of Seventeen magazine for $6.99. Also if you shop using a program like Shop at Home you will even earn money back on the purchase you make. The percentage varies, but if you shop through ShopatHome to Magazines.com you will receive 33% of your entire purchase back, which would make that $7 subscription really cost $4.70.

Are you a member of the daily deal buying sites, such as Groupon, Living Social, and Eversave? If you are not you should be, these sites offer amazing deals at great prices. Today at Eversave you can buy $26 towards magazine subscriptions for only $12 from Blue Dolphin. 

Stay tuned for more tips on saving money over the holidays.