Find savings in product newsletters

If you have a product that you particularly love or use often, check their website to see if they offer a newsletter or some sort.  For example, I love to use Land O Lakes products and they do offer a newsletter plus printable coupons for consumers who sign up for their newsletter.  If interested check out:  Landolakes Simple Rewards

Christmas or Holiday Gift for Kids

A great idea for gift giving is a child's magazine. My children LOVE to get mail,especially when it arrives with their name on it.  Today, I was able to secure a 1 year subscription to Scooby Doo Magazine for my youngest.  She always sees it in the book stores and wants it, but it's normally $4.99 in the stores per magazine and costs $3.99 an issue if you buy a 1 year subscription.  I got it for $16.96 today through best deal magazines using promo code of  PXSS1204.  

You can use the promo code on any magazine.  I even got myself a little something extra.  Country Magazine 1 year for only $3.73.  

Christmas Time means buying safe and responsible toys, right?

I often turn over items to see where it's made.  If it's made in China or Mexico, I put it back on the shelf.  My family's safety is more important than saving a few pennies.  So, as I am searching websites for toys, I often type in "Made in USA".  On the TOYS R US website, only 1 item came up.  I am awaiting a response as to whether I can search in a different manner on their site.  Hopefully, there are more options.   A site I found while googling  Made in USA toys came up called FatBrainToys.  I love it because there are thousands of toys made in America.  Check it out and remember.... Savings are great!  Safety is better!

Cutting boards and Placemats...not just for the kitchen

I was just thinking about how many placemats I have around the house not being used for eating a meal.  I have saved several dollars by utilizing placemats and clear cutting boards on wood tables to help keep them protected.  When we first got nice furniture, I wanted to ensure it stayed that way.  Free from cup rings, sticky fingers, and dust!  I went and spent about $20 each on customized cut tempered glass to protect my night stands and end tables.  After having children, I realized I needed to do that on all my wood furniture, but just couldn't afford to do that for every piece.  I figured out at some point that a really nice $5 placemat would do basically the same thing.  If you find a good placemat, it will keep the moisture away from your wood in the event of a spill.  I also have utilized clear glass cutting boards that I found at my local home store for approximately $6 each to use at my kids nights stands.  Recently, my brother moved and he had his coffee pot on his dresser, so I simply went upstairs and pulled out an old (but in great condition) placemat I no longer used.  I simply put in underneath to protect his wood furniture.  So, sometimes, thinking outside the box (or kitchen in this case) can save you several dollars.

My good "Target" deals

Honestly, I only shop at Target on occasion.  This run to Target got me some items on my need to buy list as well as the items in the picture, which are my MamasGoodDeals for the day.  I had used my Target beauty coupon book which I got from their website in conjunction with some of my own personal coupons.  Here's the breakdown after coupons:  

• Windex $1.50 (I love Windex and don't ever buy an off brand of window cleaner)
• Low Sodium V8 $2.64 for my daughters lunch bag (yes, my daughter actually loves the stuff!)
• Two Ortega Taco Kits $0.60 each ($2.20)
• Kashi GoLean cereal $1.49
• Old Spice Shower Gel plus small deodorant $2.40
• Suave Professional Care 1 bottle was FREE and the other was $2.74 (or 1.37 ea.)
• Two Full Repair hair care bottles $5.98 (for both)

Grand Total: $18.95

The trick to this trip was to try and use my coupons with the Target coupons.  When I didn't have a Target coupon, I made sure the item was on sale.  

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Get a great deal on eating out!

Every once in a while I utilize the site Restaurant.com to see if any new restaurants in my area are available.  It's a great way to invest just a little in a place you want to try, but perhaps you are not sure if you will have a good meal.  Well, today for just $4.00, I was able to pick up a $25.00 gift certificate to a local restaurant that has been opened for a while, but my family has not yet tried it.  I'm sure we'll probably exceed the $25.00 limit, however if you get a special and the kids share a kids meal, I'm hoping we can get out of there for out of pocket expense of $10.00.  Tip: check out the menu first to ensure you would have a choice of something you generally find appealing in addition to figuring out the cost ahead of time.

Another great example is while picking out my dining gift certificate, I was able to get a $25.00 gift certificate to the website!  SCORE!  Great birthday present or holiday gift for someone you know!  I only paid $6.00 for that gift!   Add it to a really nice card and you have a solid gift to give:)

If you are traveling, you might consider using this site as well to help you in your travel dining budget efforts.

PS - the promo code I used is "Treat" good for today but if you sign up with them you'll get the emails alerting you to future savings when they come up.

Saturday Morning Yard Sale Success!

Well you just never know when you're going to get a deal! Went out this morning for coffee and saw a yard sale sign for a community yard sale so decided to stop.  Boy, did I get some great deals!  I absolutley love Longaberger baskets!  Unfortunate for hubby that his sister in law sells them and always has anything you could want on hand (her inventory is huge!)  Because of this, I do know how expensive it can be to collect them.  I always try to get items I would actually use to store stuff in or use when entertaining.  Here's todays yard sale success items.  I paid a total of $35 for all three baskets.  They are in excellent condition.  Two christmas baskets and one everyday basket.  I checked ebay's sold listings and I would estimate these 3 items at a value of $60.00!  Can I get a Whoo-Hoo!

Today's Acme Freebies

Today's run to Acme was great because anytime I get anything for FREE, it's a win!

Using coupons, I was able to get these items totally free.
Toothpaste was on sale for $1.00 and I used a $1.00 any crest toothpaste coupon.
Toothbrush was on sale for $1.00 and I used a $1.00 any OralB toothbrush coupon.
Betty Crocker mix was on sale.  My coupon stated I must buy the premixed frosting & the SuperMoist mix for $.75 off.  Acme doubles, so I got $1.50 off. The cake mix was on sale for $1.49 hence getting it free.
Lysol wipes on sale plus I had a coupon for a rebate to try them, up to $3.00.  They were on sale for $2.50, so they were free too.
The iced tea was on sale for $1.00 and I had a $1.00 off coupon for one.

Welcome to my Good Deals Blog

Well I have decided to bite the bullet and start a blog about my "bargain hunting" adventures.  Since becoming a stay at home mommy, I have learned to be thrifty.  The surprise part is that I have been to places that I never would have ever pictured myself shopping.  Thrift stores and consignment stores for one example.  Now my couponing, antiquing, thrifty style, and preused items have become a challenge in life, in a good way!  It's become fun!  So, here we go with my blog on sharing my little finds which I find fruitful.  Hope you enjoy:)