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