Archive for the ‘Money & Finance’ Category

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Friday Freebie: Free Museum Passes

Friday, August 4th, 2006

Looking for a family trip that will only cost you gas? I have one planned for your family! How about taking your whole family to the museum for absolutely free? On September 30, 2006, for one day only, museums across the country will join the Smithsonian Institution in its long-standing tradition of offering free admission to visitors.

For the first time though, Museum Day is open to the general public as well as Smithsonian magazine’s subscribers!

The only restrictions included within their guidelines are:

General admission only
Not valid for special exhibits, IMAX screenings or for use with any other offer
Only valid (one time use) on September 30, 2006

For a list of participating venues, please visit this site to view the participating locations and to print out your passes for the day.

How much we will save? Well, I have made plans for our family to go to the Air Zoo in Michigan. Total cost for our family to be admitted into this museum (even with the two kids in for free) is $39.00! We will pack a lunch and snacks, have a day at the museum where the admission will include all the rides, theaters, and simulators in the Air Zoo & Flight Education Research Center and only have spent money for the gas. What is not to love about that?

Now I just need to find out how to get that gas for free…Hmmm…Maybe I need to reread my blog entry on how to save on gas again. At that time the gas was only $2.22 per gallon. What the heck was I complaining about? Not enough reading material? Well, here is more reading material on surviving the gas hike. Sometimes I really need a refresher course.

Enjoy your free day and feel free to share if you are able to take advantage of this opportunity and how much money you will be saving in your neck of the woods.

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Posted in Freebies | 5 Comments »

Friday Freebie: Free Samples & Subscriptions

Friday, July 28th, 2006

Whirlpool is running a sweepstakes right now. Enter to win a Whirlpool Gold Dishwasher with PowerScour option and get a FREE OPI Nail Laquer, just for entering. The color is, “I Don’t Do Dishes” (how funny is that?) Sign up here– hurry, only while supplies last!

I signed up for a one year free subscription to Family Fun magazine. This is my favorite magazine and it had expired. This site has lots of free subscriptions. Unfortunately, most of them made you sign up for stuff or take a survey. The Family Fun one was really free though, so take advantage of it. The others…enter at your own risk!!

Get a free Schick Quattro Titanium Razor by signing up here– hurry, only while supplies last!

Get a free half gallon of milk. This one is only for residents of Los Angeles, Las Vegas, & San Diego. If you live there and are drinking free milk, I am officially jealous of you! Sign up here.

Free sample of Biz- click “Take the Stain Challenge.” There should be a little soap bubble that says free sample on it. This will get you a free sample of six ounces of detergent. Sign up here.

Try Poise Panties for free. These are the kind that are not supposed to not show your whosits and whatsits and rid you of that panty line. Only smalls and larges are available. Sign up here.

Complete a short survey for Pfizer (regarding your heart health) and get a free pedometer for answering the questions. Sign up here.

Visit this page, to print out a free coupon for one hot 12 ounce beverage from Borders. This offer expires on 08/15/2006. It says you need a Rewards card, but that is also free (unlike Barnes & Noble).

Enjoy, everyone!

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Saturday Sales

Saturday, July 22nd, 2006

Lots of great sales are happening as time is approaching for the kiddos to return to school. I know, I know. I can just hear you guys groaning. But we want our kids to stay home! Why, God? Why must my children return to school (*shaking fist at the sky*). I am sorry to say that summer is coming to a close, moms. Be sure to read my Back to School article, which should offer some helpful tips on how to get your family back into the groove and find new ways to utilize all of your free time (yeah, right!)

Last week’s sales are still applicable. Visit them by clicking on this link.

This week’s sales:

Each week, Ebates will double the cash back on Tuesdays for one merchant. Check their site on July 25th to find out who was chosen for the week.

Getting the kids a new pair of jeans? American Eagle is running a great coupon code. Take 15% off of your order at AE.com. Use code 68911546.
*Ebates members receive additional two percent cash back on purchases*

Take ten percent off at BabyAge.com , using coupon code JULY10. They have some great things under the clearance section, in particular a really nice train table for $99, which would make a great Christmas gift from Santa. You can use their coupon code on clearance items, so this is one worth checking.
*Ebates members receive additional four percent cash back on purchases.*

Barnes & Noble is having a GREAT sale. All books under ten bucks. Check it out! Again, for the Christmas Queen Bees (like myself), these would make lovely Christmas gifts for the bookworm in your life! I noticed many board & felt books for the kiddos. These could be put away for all of those birthday gifts.
*Ebates members receive additional three percent cash back on purchases.*

Dell is running several coupon codes. If you are still hunting for a computer for a recent high school graduate, they are running several specials.

Save $200 on select Inspiron™ notebook B120 (E-Value code 6vaff- ib120s1) with free external wireless card at Dell Home. Use coupon code 51V2R10JHTZSL8.

Save 30% on select Inspiron™ notebooks $1499 or more at Dell Home, not including XPS systems. Use coupon code 34?058XPTKZ4CP.

Save $350 on select Dimensions™ $999 or more, not including XPS systems at Dell Home. Use coupon code N6LJQJRFXLC2LZ.

Save $750 off select Inspiron™ notebooks $1999 or more at Dell Home, not including XPS systems. Use coupon code 9BCP1T8V?340DL.

Save $350 on select Dimensions systems over $1049. Use coupon code $1K$46W?HNNQ9Q. Not valid with other offers.
*Ebates members receive additional two percent back.*

Take up to $20 off at DisneyShopping.com. Use coupon code SCHOOLSAVE. Exp 07/23/2006. Visit the Outlet (you will see the outlet on the homepage) for great deals on beach towels, pajamas (cute princess pajamas for girls & great boy prints for only $4.99), and back to school items.
*Ebates members receive additional two percent cash back.*

If you are interested in learning more about the Ebates program, please follow this link for more information. An additional $5 is applied to your account, upon making your first purchase.

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Posted in Frugal, Money & Finance, Saving | No Comments »

Friday Freebie: Eat Free on Your Birthday

Friday, July 21st, 2006

Do you know of a better way to celebrate your birthday than with free food? Here is a list of restaurants that offer birthday freebies. Feel free to add to the list (in the comments section) or let me know if one of these restaurants is no longer participating.

Oh, and an embarrassing serenade from the wait staff from your friends…yup, that is free too!

ALFY’S PIZZA – free mini pizza

ALL-AMERICAN CAFE – free dessert

APPLEBEES – free dessert

AUTO ZONE – free oil change

BAKERS SQUARE – free pie

BANDIDO’S – free entree

BASKIN ROBBINS – free ice cream treat

BENNIGANS – free dessert

BILL KNAPP’S – gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day

BOB’S BIG BOY – free hot fudge ice cream

BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) – free dozen hot wings

BURGER KING – free kids meal to all Kid’s Club members (check within the store because there is no reference to the club on their website).

CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN – Register First – free kids meal during the month of their birthday

DENNY’S – free meal (for children who are ten and under)

EINSTEIN’S – free meal

FAMOUS DAVE’S BARBEQUE – free meal (w/advance signup)

FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB – free cake (party of 5 min.; 2 drink min.)

HARD ROCK CAFE – free dessert

HOULIHAN’S RESTAURANT – free entree

HOLLYWOOD VIDEO – one free video rental

MACARONI GRILL – free dessert

MAX AND ERMA – free $5 dessert

OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE – free meal

OUTBACK Steakhouse – free dessert

RED LOBSTER – free slice of cake

STEAK-N-SHAKE – free dinner for “birthday club” kids (I didn’t locate a form on the site so you will probably have to ask about this one in the store).

TGI FRIDAYS – free birthday dessert

WENDY’S – free kids meal to all Kid’s Club members (check in stores for this one- no form is located on their website).

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Posted in Freebies | 20 Comments »

Saturday Sales

Saturday, July 15th, 2006

The sales are flying since we are quickly approaching the end of summer. Take advantage of all those summer clearance racks before the items are gone!

Here are some hot places to show this week…

Bluefly (should directly link you to their clearance section). You can use Coupon Code AFF15 to receive $15 off of a $100 purchase. This coupon code is valid only for new customers.
*Ebates members receive an additional four percent cashback bonus*

Ebags buy two items, receive a 20% discount. Good for gearing up for the back-to-school season. Lots of great backpacks to choose from. Sort your prices from low to high and there should be some great choices (in an affordable range).
*Ebates members receive an additional six percent cashback bonus*

Snapfish offers free shipping on your first thirty prints. Use coupon code HPFREESHIP (expires 07/31). You can also get thirty free prints & save twenty percent on photo gifts using coupon code AFFMEM2006 (exp 10/01)
*Ebates members receive an additional ten percent cashback bonus*

Etoys has a great Christmas in July sale, currently running. If you sort by price, you will see a ton of stuff under five dollars. These would make great gifts to keep stashed for all of those children’s birthday parties. I also noticed a great Bunco Party Game set (for the mommies in your life!) for only $4.49!
*Ebates members receive an additional three percent cashback bonus*

123InkJets offers free shipping & 5% off with the coupon code SAVES. These are SO much cheaper than in the store- you really can’t compare their prices to any of your local retailers.
*Ebates members receive an additional sixteen percent cashback bonus*

Netflix offers a free trial for one month on their movie subscription plan. If you are a movie buff, this is worth the money. When we had time to watch movies, we used this service. They offer plans now (starting at) $5.99 per month.
*Ebates members receive an $18 cashback bonus*

The Children’s Place is currently running their Back to School specials. Use coupon code FA76, now through September 4th, for an additional fifteen percent off of their already low prices.

If you are interested in learning more about the Ebates program, please follow this link for more information. An additonal $5 is applied to your account, upon making your first purchase.

For current Ebate members, they have recently added a blog to their site, where you can catch up on the latest & greatest in good deals!

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Posted in Frugal, Money & Finance, Saving | No Comments »

Friday Freebie: Freely Treating Yourself

Friday, July 7th, 2006

Today is our son’s fourth birthday! It is hard to believe that he is already that old, but time with him is passing so quickly. Since we are having a day of celebration, I will keep this post brief.

I think, as moms, we just don’t treat ourselves enough. Worse yet, we feel guilty about it. Sometimes I just feel like I am on overload with guilt- guilt from not keeping up with things around the house, guilt as the laundry mounts, guilt for not spending as much time as I would like with family…Just a big ugly dose of guilt. It is sad that we put this on ourselves and we need to realize that moms are human just like everyone else. Maybe I stand alone in this guilt, but I just had to mention why I think it is important for women to give themselves a break from it.

Every Friday, I have been trying to treat myself in some small (and free) way. Friday doesn’t have to be your day, it is just the day that I enjoy & look forward to the most. Here are some examples of things that I indulge in on Fridays:

1. Official Foot Soak Friday day. I purchased (a brand new boxed) Conair foot spa for my feet from a yard sale that I went to (only $5). Since I got this, Friday has been my official day for soaking my feet. I fill it up with water and soak my feet while I read a library book. A girlfriend suggested maybe adding powdered milk to the foot soak bath, to help soften the skin, so I am going to give that idea a try today. You don’t need a fancy foot spa for feet soaking- a dish tub works just as good and achieves the same results.

2. A long soak in the tub, with a glass of wine, and a magazine that helps me to escape (celebrity magazines always go over really well). I fill the tub with bath oil and just unwind.

3. Good music & a cup of homemade hot chai tea.

4. If I can get out of the house for the evening, I love to go to Barnes and Noble and just look at the books & magazines. I bring a small notebook and just write down the books that I really would like to read. This goes into my Wish List or I hit the library and pick them up there.

5. A movie- and this one is just for me! Lifetime movies on television or I pick a good chick flick up at the library.

Please feel free to share things that you do for yourself- it will help inspire me (and hopefully you) to be good to yourself!

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Friday Freebie: Simon Mall Kidgits Program

Friday, June 30th, 2006

Today I wanted to discuss the Simon Mall Kidgits program. If you have a Simon Mall, this is definitely a program to take advantage of. For a mere five dollars you receive a child’s t-shirt, family-friendly & money-saving coupons from mall retailers, birthday club & gift redemption for kids, a mailed newsletter publication with games & educational elements, & other membership exclusives. Each mall offers something different (as do their retailers), but I will share with you what we receive each month for our five dollar membership.

Each month, we head to the customer service desk and pick up that month’s worth of coupons. In our packet is a free Chickfila kid’s meal & a 1/4 pound of jelly beans from the South Bend Chocolate Factory. We take these coupons and get our son’s meal with them (he eats free) and my husband and I get something to eat. After we eat that, we go pick up his jelly beans (these get hidden for a treat the next day). We then head over to our mall play area and he plays his little heart out with the other kids. On our way out, we then head over to the DQ, located within our food court, and get him his fifty cent kiddy cone. He has the best time and eats for free once a month.

In our packet are additional discounts for other retailers. There is usually a five dollar off coupon for Stride Rite (which can be used for his back-to-school shoes), a free 8×10 for the Picture People (no sitting fee), buy one pretzel get one free coupon, and twenty percent off cookies at the little cookie place. Each month they change, but I can usually expect to see these coupons pretty regularly in my packet.

You can apply to be part of this program online or request an application at the Customer Service desk at your mall. If you would like to see what coupons are offered in your area, just visit this link and it will bring up the month’s current offer.

Many thanks go to my girlfriends who finally convinced me that it really was worth five dollars a year!

If you are interested in more freebies, please visit the following links for even more great offers!

Free Samples
Free Money
Starbucks Coffee
Baby Freebies
Free Baby Goodies

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Posted in Freebies | 2 Comments »

Sam’s Club Click ‘N Pull Review

Monday, June 26th, 2006

Today I had to pick up an order from Sam’s Club so I decided to give their Click ‘N Pull option a try. I had talked a little bit about this in last week’s blog entry on online shopping, but had not gotten a chance yet to give it a shot at our local Sam’s Club. Basically, you can do all of your ordering online (place your order by 5 PM) and then you come and pick the order up the next day.

I placed an order for some frozen goods, produce, and water. I did not have to enter my credit card online or anything like that, just placed the order and got an email confirmation that they received it. The following day I received an email that my order had been processed and I could pick it up within the next seventy-two hours. That sounded good to me because I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to rush over there with the two kids.

When my husband got home, I headed over to the store and went to the Customer Service Desk to pick up my order. I gave my name and they scanned a bar code on my order, which brought all of my items up in one scan and provided my total. While I wrote my check, they called someone to get my items from the freezer and cooler. By the time I finished my check, my order was ready to go and I was in and out of there in a matter of ten minutes. That HAS to be a record for me.

Since I am always looking for ways to save money, I found this a true benefit to my wallet in a few different ways.

1. I can comparison shop online and find out if the biggest bag of chicken really is the best deal (which it was not!). Shopping online gave me the time I needed to browse through all of their selections and price everything. Trying to figure out prices, when many times it offers price per pallet, was much easier when I was doing this from home.

2. By having my order ready for me, I did not have to walk around the store and feel overwhelmed. I have a really hard time shopping in places when they offer too much. I get that sick feeling in my stomach, get overwhelmed, start throwing things in my cart, then decide to put things back, then grab them again, etc.. I don’t know if this is just me or if other people go through this- Sam’s Club is one of those places for me.

3. I avoided all of the unnecessary shopping that seems to sidetrack me when I am shopping there. No looking at books, getting clothes, buying everything from the people offering samples (Do they really need to get the sweetest ladies in the world handing those out because it makes it hard for me to refuse???) I got exactly what I needed and was home to spend an evening with my family. This makes my wallet happier and our family happier.

I hope that you guys can take advantage of this service. There was no charge and it was so simple. I told the associate that I thought it was a wonderful service that they were offering and she said that it usually works out really well. The only thing that they have had trouble with is when people take things out of the carts that have items reserved in them.

Other than a small wait for the frozen/cooler foods, it was a great service for this tired momma!

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Posted in Frugal, Money & Finance | 5 Comments »

Friday Freebie: Free Samples

Friday, June 23rd, 2006

Today I am going to post a few free samples that you can take advantage of, for our Friday Freebie.

I love to get free stuff in the mail. In fact, I love to get anything in the mail except bills & junk mail. Free samples are one of my favorite things because they are the perfect size for guests who come to visit or they are the perfect size to take when you travel.

Here is this week’s samples list:

A free limited edition Holly Hobbie art print from American Greetings. Use the coupon code HOLLY FRIENDS.

Walmart offers tons of free samples. These change often so bookmarking this page would be a good idea! Fibersure, Nivea, Jergens, & Dove free samples are currently posted.

Enfamil offers a free diaper bag, samples, a free sippy cup, and sixty dollars in formula checks for joining their Enfamil Family Club.

Can’t get enough free formula? Parent’s Choice Formula (made by Walmart) is offering a free sample of their new organic baby formula. This organic formula is twice the price of their regular formula so this is a great free sample! When I signed up for this one they said that you could also sign up for a free newsletter and coupons- can’t beat that!

Earth’s Best, another organic baby company, offers a free sample of their rice cereal, a feeding guide, & coupons that you can receive in the mail.

Traditional Medicinals offers free sample packs of their tea. Samples change throughout the year!

Bausch & Lomb has a free Wear & Care kit that you can receive for free. I requested this offer a couple of weeks ago and am still waiting on it, but it is definitely worth a try. Just click on the button under the Learn More category.

Make the Connection has a free bracelet that they are offering. Just by signing up, Merck will donate one dollar to Cancer Research & Prevention. You get two kits to make a bracelet (for you & a friend) for free.

Lysol is offering a free sample of sanitizing wipes. Just register to receive two free samples of citrus scented wipes.

Taster’s Choice is offering fourteen single serve packets & two $2 coupons for free. Just complete their short survey and they will mail these off to you!

Want more freebies? Here are some links to past Friday Freebie Deals…

Free Money
Starbucks Coffee
Baby Freebies
Free Baby Goodies

Posted in Freebies | 7 Comments »

Saturday Sales

Friday, June 16th, 2006

Saturday Sales are going to be a tad early because we will be out of town tomorrow. I wanted to make sure to get these up before we left. I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and I am hoping someone can take advantage of these great deals! I will try to post more on Sunday!

The Children’s Place is currently running their Monster Sale. Everything has been drastically discounted. They are currently offering an additional fifteen percent off through June 18th. The coupon code to receive the additional discount is: BCMA16

Don’t forget to sign up for Ebates too because that will give you an additional three percent back on your purchase at The Children’s Place. If you haven’t had a chance to read my blog entry on Ebates, this is a freebie worth looking into & signing up for. You receive five dollars just for starting your account.

Other sales happening right now:

Gap’s Really Big Sale is still going on! You can get ten percent off & free shipping on orders of $85 or more by using this discount code: YAYFJUNE Expires 06/30/2006

More Gap Coupon Codes:
10% off your Gap Card purchase on the first Tuesday of every month. Discount Code: TUESDAYS
Free shipping on orders of $100 or more. Discount Code: FREE100
Free shipping on orders of $50 or more (when using your Gap Card). Discount Code: FREESHIP

Ebates members receive an additional three percent cash back on all Gap purchases.

Take advantage of Old Navy’s $5 shipping for any size order.

You can receive free shipping on a purchase of $50 or more at Old Navy. Discount Code: SPECIAL

Ebates members receive an additional three percent cash back on all Old Navy purchases.

Snapfish has tons of coupon codes that are running right now:

5 Extra Prints Free
Code: MAYAFF59906
Valid from 5/4/06 through 07/01/06

20% Off All Memory Books
Code: MAYAFF52006
Valid from 5/4/06 through 07/01/06

Apply a $.99 Shipping Credit to your Order
Code: MAYAFF59906
Valid from 5/4/06 through 07/01/06

$2 Off Order Over $10
Code: MAYAFF5206
Valid from 5/4/06 through 07/01/06

Free Shipping on 5 Prints
Code: MAYAFF59906
Valid from 5/4/06 through 07/01/06

Ebates members receive ten percent cash back on all Snapfish purchases. In addition, just by placing your first order, you will get your first thirty digital camera prints free.

More Saturday Sales:

FoodSaver, 1-800 Contacts, & Entertainment Book sales are found here.

If you are looking for more information on the Ebates program- read my blog entry where I explain how it all works.

Posted in Frugal, Money & Finance, Saving | 2 Comments »

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