Home Made simple coupon book

Sign up now to receive your coupon book.  Looks like some great coupons are included inside of this. 

Click here. 

Enjoy :) 

Tori

Fast food eating tips for health and savings

I know we all know fast food is well, less then healthy.  But life is busy and we all have those times when we need to eat a fast meal on the go here are some tips for saving money and eating well at fast food restaurants.

1. Coupons - it seems I am always getting fastfood coupons in the mail or newspaper.  Save a few dollars by planning ahead and taking some coupons with you. 
2. To eat a healthier fast food meal plan ahead look up the menu on line ahead of time to see the nutrition guide.  Some times that chicken sandwich is not healthier than the burger.    ( few you are doing Weigh Watchers Dotties weight loss zone is a great website to check out for points on tons of places to eat at.)  If you have not planned ahead you can always ask for a nutrition guide at the restaurant to help make wiser choices.
3. Don't forget to ask for ketchup if you are going through the drive through.  Sometimes they will automatically add it but most of the time they won't. 
4. Always check the bag before driving home if you are not eating there.  There is nothing worse then getting home to find you did not get the food you paid for.  
5. Look into kid meals - if  there is not age limit on the kids meal this is often a way to save money and eat more appropriate portions.  If you are trying to eat healthy do not say super size it!!! 
6. When thinking about doing a combo do the math and see if you are really saving money.  Could you order the items separately and get a smaller drink or fries and save money?
7. Always do the math and make sure the cashiers rang things up at the advertised price.  Cashiers are humans to and do mess up at times - if you do need a price double checked please talk for the cashier nicely!! 
8. Thinking on the thrifty side of things if the cup is plastic save it and reuse it, those cups make great drinking cups, watering cups for watering your plants, bath/pool toys.  sand toys, pencil holders - etc.  and the nice thing about them is if you do reuse them and they get gross you will not feel bad tossing them.
9. Don't throw away unused ketchup and napkins - save them they are great for in the car or when you run out of ketchup at home.
10. Share a combo a lot of times DH and I will share a combo and just add an extra sandwich.  That saves us a lot of money over time!!

The savings in buying used

     There is a lot of money to be saved in buying things used.  Books are one thing that I am constantly buying used.  We have a local bookstore that accepts books for store credit.  I took in a huge box of books last year and earned a large amount of store credit.  Now when I need a new good read I head over to the bookstore and use the credit to get some new books.  I also used the store credit to buy my sister's Christmas present a whole series of books in like new condition.  (She is thrifty like me and does not mind a used gift.)

     Then there is the wonderful world of consignment sales.  What a great way to buy children's clothes.  These sales often sale clothes at 75-80% less than the original prices.  I am especially fond of the last day of these sales which is often 1/2 price day.  Getting these clothes for very low prices.  If you are in TN click here for a site with some local sales.  Alot of times you can search consignment sale and the state you live in to find your local sale dates and times.  

     Then there is always Goodwill. This is a great place to find all kinds of great deals, while doing something great for your community. 

     Lastly don't forget those yard sales.  I love the hunt for good deals.  This is one of my favorite ways to spend a Saturday.  You never know what you will find. 

Happy Shopping 

Tori

Mailbox Monday

It is time for mailbox Monday again!!

Hosted by A Frugal Friend

Here is a peek into my mailbox:

Samples:

Aveeno

Bodycology

Vitamin D 

Nivia lotion

Coupons:

$10 khols cash

Joanns coupons

What was in your mail box this week? 

Monday BLog hoppin'

It is time to do a little blog hopping I always like to take a little tour around the world of blogs to meet and great new friends and such. 

Happy Hopping

Tori

Back to school deals

It is that time of year again!!  Time for back to school shopping.  I still remember the excitement of a fresh crayon box stuffed with crayons, glue, and fresh number 2 pencils.

It seems all the office supply stores are running good sales this week check it out:

Staples

Office Max

Office Depot

Be sure to check for stipulations - like the price only counts with mail in rebates, and limits and such.  

Happy Shopping.

Tori

House Cleaning with a thrifty touch

There are many ways to be thrifty when house cleaning.  Here are a few: 

1. don't buy expensive cleaners for everyday cleaning use one part vinegar to four parts water in a spray bottle for all the everyday cleaning.
2. Cut dryer sheets in half they will still work fine and go twice as long.  
3. After the dryer sheets come out of the dryer stash them in the bathroom they work great for a fast clean up of the tub.
4. Use old rags instead of paper towels cheaper on the budget and better for the environment.

Here are a few links with other money saving tips for cleaning:

Thrifty Tips for tricky cleaning jobs

Thrifty cleaning and safe products

Natural, Thrifty Cleaning tips

Do you have any thrifty cleaning tips?  Please do share them!!! 

CSN - American Plastic Toys Toy Organizer - Review

     Ever since babybug was born I have had trouble with organizing all her things.  There are the diapering supplies, the bath supplies, the bottles, the clothes, and all those toys!!!  When CSN contacted me to do a review I started searching through the children's section and quickly knew I wanted to find a product to help organize all her toys.  They have many great options for organizing lots of children's shelves and toy boxes.  I quickly zeroed in on the American Plastic Toys Toy Organizer. 

 

 

I really liked having both the big storage at the bottom and the small buckets on top.  I put in my order and my package arrived within a few days.  I was very pleased with the speedy service. 

I opened the box to find to find many pieces to put together and a simple instruction sheet.  It does require two tools: a screw drives and scissors.  I was able to put this together by myself but it did take quiet a bit of time as there are many screws to put in.  I learned the hard way that the blue pieces do have a front side and back so make sure to line these up properly before screwing them together.  After about half an hour of work the organizer was put together and I was able to put all the toys away in it. 

I was able to fit all of babybug's small rattles and toys in the buckets, and most of her larger toys fit in the bottom section.   I really like that the top buckets are removable so I can bring down a whole bucket of toys down to the living room to play with at a time.  I also like the fact we will be able to use this product for many years to come.  I am sure one day the rattles will be replaced with barbies and blocks.  I can easily see this organizer accommodating big kid toys very nicely. 

To buy:  This is a very useful organizer and I could see it working for many different ages.I defiantly recommend this product to anyone who needs organization help in their children's rooms.
Not to buy: I can find very little reasons to not buy this organizer.  The only negative I saw was the fact it took a bit of effort to put together but I feel it was worth the work!!

If you have not checked CSN stores out what are you waiting for?  They have a large variety of items to choose from, great prices, and wonderful service.

Disclaimer: CSN stores sent the organizer for review purposes only.  This review has not been monetarily compensated and the opinions and views are mine and have not been influenced by the sponsor in any way.

Blog Hop - Traveling Through Thursday

This looks like a fun blog hop a little different then most. 

Here are the rules from the hosting sites:

Welcome to the Traveling Through Thursday Blog Hop, hosted by Living on Love and Cents, Mom On Dealz, Prenda Le Stelle, and Clipping for Cash! Traveling Through Thursday and a new kind of blog hop! We will be traveling to a new destination each week!

1st week -Google Friend Connect

2nd week - Facebook

3rd week - Twitter

4th week - Networked Blogs

Each week we will randomly pick a Spotlight Blog of the Week! To be choosen you must follow the rules and have our button somewhere on your blog. (We have to be able to find it!)
Join us on our journey as we discover new blogs and gain new followers every week!

The rules are super simple!

1. Follow the Thraveling Through Thursday Hosts (Listed as # 1-4) as well as the Spotlighted Blog of the Week (listed as #5)

2. Link up ONLY THE NETWORK being featured this week (twitter, facebook, google, or network blog)-Others will be deleted.
3. Grab our Traveling Through button and include it in a post about the event on your blog.

4. Visit as many blogs as you would like and follow them. Be sure to tell them you are a new follower from Traveling Through Thursday!
5. Follow back as many followers as you would like from Traveling Through Thursday. Following back is appreciated!


Help spread the word and get more followers:
-Put the same linky list code on your blog and you'll have the exact same list!
- Your blog visitors can add their blog to your list and it will show up on all lists!
-Don't forget to add this button to your blog so that you can participate in a our "Spotlight Blog of the Week"!

THIS WEEK WE ARE VISITING BLOGS AND FOLLOWING VIA GOOGLE FRIEND CONNECT! Have Fun!

Thursday

Hello all my blog world friends!!!

I know it has been a while!!! I have had a lot going on, but things are settling back down to normal around here. 

I hope everyone is having a great week and is ready for a fantastic weekend that is just around the corner.  

Here is a great resource for your budgeting check these Dave Ramsey print offs out!! I am planning to put these to work for me very soon!!

Keep your eyes open I will be doing my CSN review very soon!!!

Let's make today Thankful Thursday!! There is so much to be thankful for what are your thankful for? 

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Ephesians 5:20

My thankful list:

1. My family  - it is so nice to know I have such a loving family!

2. My house - it is good to know I have a place to call my own

3. my job- not only does it provide a paycheck but it also gives me a chance to help my students to better their lives

4. Sunshine - even though it is hot outside I like looking out to see a nice sunny day

5. My health - it is good to be healthy, and to have a healthy husband and baby!

Have a great day!! 

Tori

gigi giveaway at- ebmr

This is a neat GiGi pack giveaway over at energizer bunny mommy reports
Click here 
ends: 8/7

zero water pitcher giveaway

Check out this giveaway for a Zero water system
Click here 
ends: 7/27

Win a target giftcard

Clicke here for a chance to win a gift card
Ends July 15

A trip to the mall

     Yesterday I took Babybug to the mall.  I took her to get her pictures done at Sears.  I had a coupon for a package of pictures in one pose for $4.99.  And guess what I actually got out of there only buying that one package.  I have decided I would rather take her more often and spend less each visit.  For this visit I dressed her up in a dress my grandmother made for her it is such a pretty dress all in white with matching drawers and a bonnet. 

     Anyways I had some time both before and after the photo before I had to be anywhere so we did a little mall hanging.  When I first got there it was lunch time so I circled through the food court trying to choose what I wanted to eat.  I have always thought food courts were really neat how you have so many choices.  It is fun when you are with a group for each person to get to choose their own place to eat, but be able to stay together too.  I love seeing all the different places, but it always so hard to choose one. The all American burger joint pointing out their specials and calling out,  "you want my special today!!"  The Mexican place smelling so yummy with their tacos and salsa.  Subway looking as healthy as ever, and the cookie shop urging me to skip lunch all together and just eat a cookie.  Yesterday I landed at the Chinese place were I ate yummy honey chicken, noodles and fried potatoes.  I thought it was funny that the menu was for a meat, noodles and a veggie.  When I asked what the veggie choices were he pointed to a fried veggie egg roll or fried potatoes such healthy veggies right. :)

     After lunch I still had about 45 min to waste before our photo appointment.  I landed in Carters.  They have some of the cutest baby clothes ever!! I love how comfy their clothes seem to be. As I was browsing through the clearance I spotted a friend from work who happened to have a baby on the same day as Babybug was born.  We call them birthday twins.  It is always so fun to see her and laugh and play with each other's babies.  

     After that it was time for photos Babybug did a great job smiling and we got some cute shots.  It was hard to choose just one but I resisted and only went for the best shot.  

     At that point Babybug was getting hungry I hate having to nurse in public but more than that I hate the thought of nursing in a nasty bathroom so I made myself comfy in a chair at the edge of Macy's and got of the nursing blanket.  This gave me a great chance to people watch and where better to do that then the Mall.  First thing I noticed were the old men in the chairs outside of the stores half asleep.  They were there only to drive the wife and possibly hoping to keep her spending in check :).  These men seem to have made an art out of mall shopping.  some with their heads back against the edge of the chair mouth open lost to the world.  Other perfecting the head tilted forward technique.  Next there was the much less nursing momma, she was alot braver then I with her shirt whipped up and the baby stuck on,  I have not hit that level of nursing comfort but I must admitt she looked alot more comfortable then I did not having to keep an eye on her nursing blanket to make sure the edges did not slip or get pulled off by baby, not having to worry about her baby being hot under a blanket in the middle of July!  The last group of interesting people to watch was the why are you weraing that crowd?  I am admittly out of touch with the current styles.  Not sure if I want to be in touch with either, but it is so interesting to see the many styles at the mall.  From the girls with dresses short enough to be shirts, I just kept wondering how they could bend over to pick up and dropped item or get in a car without exposing their pretty Victoria Secrets.  There were the older couple in matching wind breakers from the eighties.  The lady with 6 inch hoop earrings - don't those hurt your ears?   And so many other wardrobe choices that make me go huh?  

      It was a fun trip I enjoyed browsing the stores and getting a great shot of babybug at the studio.  Sorry portrait lady that I did not spend more!!! 

Thanks for reading my mall ramblings!!! 

Tori

 

Exfoliating Moisturizer

Check out this giveaway for Exfoliating Moisturizer.
Hurry it ends tonight!!
Click here

Found a book giveaway

Check this one out from Giveaway lady:
The new book by Ann Gabhart The Seeker
Click here 
Ends: Not sure ?

Friday at last!

Hello everyone!!  Happy Friday.  

     I won some books from the Giveaway Lady. They arrived yesterday.  They were a three novel trilogy by Delia Parr.  I have just started book one in the Candlewood Trilogy, A Hearth in Candlewood.  I can already tell this is going to be a good Series.  I am very excited to see what adventures lie ahead for the main character Emma.  I can already tell this widow is a lot of fun.  I think I am quickly becoming a hooked Delia Parr fan.

    I am taking Babybug to Sears to get some pictures.  I know I just had pictures made, but I got this coupon for a portrait pack for $4.99 so I am planning to take Babybug and get a good picture of her in the dress her Great Grandma (Nonnie)  made for her.  I am hoping to get a good shot out of it.  And will be working very hard not to spend extras on today's shoot just to get that basic package. 

Has anyone used Youdata before.  I saw this over at Staying Learn in Oakland and am thinking about trying it.  What has been your experience with it?  I would love to get paid for watching ads. 

I will be having a surgery Monday and have been trying to get everything in order here at the house so I can return to a cleanish house.  I have been using a new method as I clean.  I take 2 baskets and a trash bag with me to the room.  Everything that goes somewhere else in the house goes in one basket everything yardsale in another and everything trash of course in the trash bag.  I think it really cut down on my cleaning time not to go back and forth all over the house several times putting things away.  I found this way of cleaning on Flylady.  She has a whole system for cleaning, it's pretty neat.  

I hope everyone has a great summer day today!! Enjoy that sunshine.  But I must admit I am hoping for a bit of rain for the garden's sake. 

Happy hopping!

CSN Review coming soon

     Have you heard of CSN?  This is a very neat on-line place to shop.  They have over 200 stores to buy from and their prices are very reasonable.  They carry everything, this is a store where you can buy a treadmill to exercise on, a pan to cook with and a bed to sleep in, all at the same time.  

CSN has contacted me to do a review.  It was a tough choice deciding among all of CSN's great buys.  I decided to review something that would help organize babybug's things.  I know all of you moms out there know that we can always use more ways to organize the kids' things.  I will be reviewing this children's organizer.  Isn' t it cute?

I am looking forward to reviewing this product, I can't wait to see how we are able to use this to organize babybug's toys. 

You can go to CSN to find your own great treasures.  Their stock is very large, I am sure you will find many great things you need and many that you want. 

Tori

MailBox Monday

Here is a look in my mailbox

Giveaway wins:

 1. Greeting Cards from PIA - Won from The Tuckers Take Tennessee

(these are so pretty if you need some unique cards check her work out!!)

2.Item picked from a gift card to Maiden America From Saving Obession

 - I got two reusable shopping bags and a hair bow

Samples:

3.Bounty paper towels from sam's club

4. Home water test kit

Coupons:

5. Lifeway savings

6. gerber coupons ( not pictured)

What was in your Mailbox?

Go to a frugal friend to be nosy and see other people mail for the week!

Found a giveaway - win a misikko flat iron

Check out this giveaway for a flat iron over at Between the lines!! 

Click Here 

Ends 7/14

EcoUsable - Found a giveaway

Found a good giveaway over at Mom of all Trades

It is for these great Stainless steel bottles from a company called EcoUsable 

Click Here to Enter

Ends 7/5

The Body after baby project

Ok so I have been very slack on myself about fitness and health since I have had Babybug!! Several times I have tried to start getting back on track just to get side tracked by a tasty something or other.  So I have found this very cool project to join:

I will be posting each Monday with my weekly progress.  The goal is to have small goals and to reward yourself for achieving these goals.  

Starting weight as of July 2 - 192.2 eekk!!! 

Final Goal weight - 150 

That is 42.2 pounds to work on.

First mini goal now till Monday 

* Get in exercise each day Either walking or video workout

Reward: Buy new notebook for food journal

Friday Exercise:

Saturday Exercise:

Sunday Exercise: