Saturday, January 28, 2012

Because I'm Me Sale

$8.50 | Fun & Creative Crayon & Pencil Roll-Ups - 10 Styles! 

These Because I'm Me pencil and crayon roll-up holders regularly retail for between $15 and $19, for this very special off at Very Jane they are only $8.50 each.

If you haven't "met" Very Jane yet it's a great site for daily deals on handcrafted items. There are four or so deals offered each day and the offers last for a few days, and all are at great discounts, like the Because I'm Me pencil and crayon rolls that are 56% off regular price.

The sale on the pencil and crayon holders ends Monday and quantities are limited.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Tip: Label Leftovers

Label your leftovers and always store them in the same place in the refrigerator. Everyone will know where to find them and what they are. No excuses for not eating leftovers!

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Tip: Gift Cards

Search eBay for gift cards to purchase.

If you've got a purchase planned search eBay for a gift card for the store you're heading to (or shopping online). You can often save 10-20% by doing so, and shipping is usually very inexpensive and quick. A quick search returned 30,492 results for "gift card" on Ebay, plenty to choose from. Be careful to check feedback and read the fine print on the gift card.

The flip side ... eBay is also a great option for selling gift cards you won't or can't use.

Join Nielson Consumer Panel

HomeScan NCP
Sign up with National Consumer Panel and voice your opinions to help manufacturers and retailers make decisions on what products to develop or improve.


Many moons ago, thanks to my friend/roommate (I have no idea how she got into the program) I was a "Nielson family". I had a box hooked up to my tv and all crap quality programming I watched was recorded and was a part of the Nielson ratings.


Back then I thought it was very neat that my viewing, my opinion, mattered. I was proud to be a Nielson family (of one - this was pre-kids). And I still think it's neat, which is why I love programs like this. And the "cash and prizes" aspect is great too.
KoopikKoopik collects daily deals from the best daily deal sites and then suggests deals for you based on your personal preferences. The daily deal industry is growing fast, but visiting multiple sites and receiving countless emails from these deal sites adds unnecessary clutter to your life. Koopik puts all the deals for you in one place.

Click for a video that explains the program.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

January Savings From Double Ink

Enjoy a 10% discount on your order through end of January at Double Ink. On the checkout page type My10 (coupon code is NOT case sensitive) in the redeem box, and click on the Redeem button to apply your discount.

If you purchase through MyPoints you'll earn 300 points towards MyPoints gift cards and rewards, making it an even better deal.

FREE Valentine's Notecards from VistaPrint

Vistaprint
Receive 10 Free Valentine's day Notecards from Vistaprint and cut them into 3's to make 30 Valentine's Day Cards.

Tanga - Shape Magazine Subscription Just $2.99

Shape Magazine

Another great magazine deal, Shape magazine subscription for just $2.99! Use coupon code "SAVINGS".  Hurry, this offer ends Thursday, 1-26-12.

Gift Cards: Ben & Jerry's, Pottery Barn, Build a Bear, Boston Market


There are some great gift card deals available through Saveology right now. Upon entering the site click on "all deals" and all these gift card offers, and more, will be listed.

Watch Free Films with Fandor

FandorLog in to facebook to get a free 7-day pass.


Start watching today for free

  • Independent, international and short films
  • Hundreds of handpicked movies
  • Great content you can’t find anywhere else

$2 Ink Garden Valentine's Day Mug

Ink Garden

While I'm not sure I'd give this to my significant other (if I had such a beast wonder) on Valentine's Day, this is a great idea for a gift from the kids or to the grandparents.

Customize an 11 oz. mug at Ink Garden, then use coupon code MUG2 at checkout to get your mug for just $2.

Tip: Repurposing Cardboard Boxes

Another reader tip:


"I'm really into making little cardboard boxes out of cereal (and other) boxes right now, to put in my drawers and sewing boxes as organizers. I just made one for rechargeable batteries with a little ribbon border around the top and happy and sad faces for the dead and charged batteries."

I love this idea. I've seen it before and finally tried it myself after seeing it on the side of a cereal box. We made a recycling junk mail holder and it is awesome. I can't believe how sturdy and handy it is.

Pinterest is a great place to find wonderful box uses, all of which are significantly fancier than our recycling bin!

Earn rewards points by taking surveys from J.D. Power Panel

J.D. Power PanelJ.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors across a variety of industries, providing customer satisfaction research, market research, automotive forecasting, social media research, and performance improvement programs. Take as many or as few surveys as you’d like and earn rewards for your input. The more survey opportunities you participate in, the more rewards you earn.

I do a few survey programs and they can be rewarding if you're willing to put a little time into them. To stay organized I have tagged all e-mail from the survey companies and other point earning programs and have them all go to one e-mail file. Once a week, or as I have time, I go through the messages and work to earn the points.

iMemories - Save 33% Now

iMemories

Sign up for iMemories and get all your old camcorder videos, family films, slides and photos converted to digital masterpieces on DVD.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Good News / Bad News - Picnik is Closing

(Cross posted to Because I'm Me, no you're not experiencing deja vu.) 

FB profile pic, from Picnik
If you've ever used Picnik to edit photos you know how awesome all their tools are, and have seen the wonderful things that can be done on their site with a photo. A lot of it could be done for FREE. FREE collages, free frames, free text added in all sorts of awesome fonts. I love Picnik.

The bad news is that Picnik is closing.

An e-mail was sent out Saturday saying, "Since joining Google in 2010, we have been creating editing magic in Google products while continuing to keep Picnik awesome. But now we get to focus on even awesomer things. Picnik will be closing on April 19, 2012."

I don't know what the "awesomer things" are but I'm happy for them, and so so so sad for me. If you know of a comparable photo editing site please let me know. The e-mail from Picnik goes on to state, "We are excited by the photo-editing fun we have already brought to Google products, like Google+, where you can find many of your favorite Picnik effects in Creative Kit. We encourage you to visit Google+ and give it a whirl." Has anyone tried Creative Kit? If you know of another comparable photo editing site please let me know.

The good news, and the reason I'm sharing this, is that Picnik's premium services are FREE FOR ALL until they close on April 19, 2012. Folks, there's some fun stuff to play with there. I plan to spend the next three months colorizing, decorating, framing, doodling, skewing, collaging, and whatever else I can until my images bear no resemblance to their former selves. Well, maybe not that much, but I will be making some collages for Because I'm Me merchandise, and a back stock of banners for blogs, websites, and Etsy.

Also, if you are a Picnik premium member you'll be getting a full refund of your annual fee, whether you signed up last week or eleven months ago.

I'd love for you to link to some of your photo creations in the comments.

Free - Canvas People - Free 8x10 or Save $35

Canvas People Turn your favorite photo into a free 8 x 10 canvas or get $35 off toward any size canvas and free shipping at Canvas People.

I love the idea of doing this with kids artwork. Wouldn't it be cool to have your own drawing or painting hanging in your room looking super professional? I'd like to have the kids so self-portraits, turn them into canvases, and hang them in the breakfast area.

It appears that shipping is $14.95, which isn't bad at all.


Here are a few user testimonials/reviews from their site:

"We ordered for Christmas and we were so happy happy that we have already ordered 2 more prints! and have plans for some more. love the prices and quality! Thank you Canvas People, Keep up the great work, and we will keep coming back time and time again!" - ABDC Halderman

 Ya! We got our canvas in with plenty of time before Christmas! YAY! I was so excited to see how it turned out..and I was very happy! Our canvas was a gift to our parents from their daughters and grandkids ;) THank you and I WILL order again! - Tennessee

FREE H&R Block Federal Tax Return

H&R BlockYup, it's THAT time of year. Tax time. Not all that much fun, I know.

Here's a deal to make the process a lot less painful:

Receive your free Federal Tax Return with H&R Block. Users can prepare, print and e-file for free.

Hurry - FREE KraftMaid Inspiration Guide




Click on image above to get a FREE KraftMaid Inspiration Guide on kitchens, baths, home office, entertainment centers, bedrooms, laundry rooms and more.

Everyday with Rachel Ray Subscription Just $4.99 - Hurry, good til Wednesday

Tanga Magazine Deals

Great Tanga Magazine Offer:

Everyday with Rachel Ray Magazine Subscription, $4.99 with Coupon Code: EVERYDAY (Up To 4 Years!) Click Here or on image above. Hurry, this offer expires Wednesday, 1/25

Tip: Tomato Paste Leftovers

Felt Tomato Slice Tutorial
Recipes always seem to call for 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Tomato paste is never purchased in 1 tablespoon portions, leaving us with the rest of a can of tomato paste.

Freeze the leftovers in little baggies. Put a heaping tablespoon of paste in each baggie and freeze (after labeling and dating) until you need it.

Eversave.com - Local Daily Deals

Eversave.com

Save 50% - 90% at the best places to shop, eat, see and do in your own neighborhood. New places featured every day.

I know there are a lot of these sites out there, but the deals don't overlap, at least not in my area, and they are a great way to save on products and services you really do use.

Sign up and receive emails with the latest greatest doggy deals!

doggylootAnother deal for dog lovers.

Stay in the loop on the newest DoggyLoot. Great daily deals for dogs.

This seems like such a fun idea! If you sign up please let us know what kinds of deals they offer; my imagination is running wild with images of doggy manicures and blinged out dog toys.

Sunday, January 22, 2012

FREE Disney Cruise Line® Vacation Planning DVD

Disney Cruise-Planning DVD

Cereal Deals

I came across these boxes at Target the other day and wanted to give a "head's up".

First, the Total Raisin Bran is free after mail in rebate. Look for the boxes with the rebate blurb on the front. Limit one rebate per household/person/address and you must have the receipt and a portion of the box. The rebate form is inside the box. I didn't see the offer on any other Total cereals, but you may have different results at your local store.

Second, the Cars gas deal on the Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats box. Collect five codes from various marked cereal boxes to receive a $5 gas card. I haven't seen any of the marked boxes in a while, so I was excited to see these. Like the total deal, I didn't see this offer on any other types of cereal, but YMMV.

Tip: Shout Color Catchers and a Free Sample

A reader tip:  Use Shout Color Catchers to keep clothes looking great. "They soak up any dye that might come off your clothes so it doesn't bleed onto other items. I've even mixed reds in with other items and not had a problem."

I have limited experience with these myself, having only used them once or twice when washing new quilts, particularly ones with red. I've been quite pleased with the results.

Of course, I searched for a "make your own" solution and found nothing. I did find a link for a free Color Catcher sample so you can try it yourself.

FREE Disney Fairy Tale Wedding and Honeymoon Planner


Saturday, January 21, 2012

Save with Swagbucks (and have fun doing it!)

Swagbucks
Search the web and earn Swab Bucks to redeem prizes. Get prizes for doing things you already do on the internet.

Swag Bucks is different. Following them on facebook, twitter, and through their blog will give you opportunities to enter random codes or participate in fun (but not easy!) contests to earn even more points.

Points are redeemable for gift cards, swag, and even cash.

Tip: Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

These things are the bomb. They clean grout, walls, stoves, crayon, pen, paint, EVERYTHING. I can't recommend them highly enough for both everyday and off-the-wall cleaning tasks.

We cut our magic erasers into 1/4's. That's usually plenty for a quickie cleaning task and doesn't waste the rest of the eraser.

According to Homemade Mama's, Magic Erasers are actually just melamine foam, a soundproofing material and can be purchased at Amazon.com for much less than the original Magic Erasers cost, making them an even better frugal choice.

Curves Guest Pass $10

Curves

Canvas People - Gree 8x10 or Save $55

Canvas People

Friday, January 20, 2012

Saveology Daily Deals

Saveology

Tip: Reading

“If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.”
― Albert Einstein


Read to your children.

When I was doing home daycare curriculum was not recommended for babies and toddler. A positive, open play area that allowed them to explore and create, music, arts and crafts, and reading to them was what was suggested. Always, in every article or class, reading was key.

Reading to kids directly affects their literacy development and success in school.

Not a money/home economics tips, but an important tip nonetheless.

The Biggest Loser Coach - Still Available

Biggest LoserIt's New Year's resolution time. One of my resolutions is to get in better shape and to continue to develop better eating habits -- basically to be healthier. Anyone else?

Right now you can sign up for the Biggest Loser Coach Network and receive a 14 day trial for only $1.95.

From their website:



The Biggest Loser Coach Network program gives you unlimited online and telephone access to Success Experts who will work with you step-by-step to uncover and focus on areas where you can make improvements towards a healthier lifestyle. With the help of the Coach Network experts, you will get the support you need to create the life you've always wanted.

The Biggest Loser Coach Network experts will help you make the lifestyle changes necessary to become successful and help you gain insight into the driving force behind the behaviors that have held you back.
  • Discover and use the tools necessary to create a healthier lifestyle.
  • Find out how to manage your time efficiently.
  • Achieve a balance in your life by setting achievable weight loss goals.
  • Develop a deeper self-awareness to help you stay true to your 'goals'.
***If you don't want to continue at a monthly rate of $59.95 you must cancel the program before the end of the 14 day trial.

Save on Handcrafted Items at BelleChic

BelleChic

You may recall that I also participated at BelleChic as a vendor. Great company, wonderful people. I purchased a Christmas gift through the site at substantial savings and was thrilled with the entire transaction (especially the product!).

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Great Deal for Puppy Parents from Puppy Chow, Save $2

Purina Puppy Chow
New four legged canine family member?

Sign up for the Purina Puppy Chow Brand Puppy Food Healthy Start Program and receive a $2 coupon good for any Purina® Puppy Chow® brand Puppy Food formula.

24 Hour Fitness - Free 7 Day Pass Still Available

Resolving to work out or lose weight in 2012? Here's a free start! Just click on the image.


24 Hour Fitness

Got 10 Minutes?

Don't have the time or energy to change your financial situation? Think again ... try a few of Dave Ramsey's 10-minute changes.

I'll be doing a few of these myself today.

Tip: Bread Machine

Using a bread machine is much cheaper than buying bread at the grocery store and makes the whole house smell yummy. While making bread can be very daunting, the bread machine does the work for you and usually creates a great loaf of bread.

Sign up for a FREE SUBSCRIPTION to American Baby Magazine.

American Baby Magazine

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Posts

Writing blog posts ... what money and home economics issues do you want to see addressed? Feel free to comment or drop me an e-mail at becauseimfrugal@gmail.com

Join Pampers Gifts To Grow and Recieve 100 Points

Pampers

Join Pampers Gifts to Grow Rewards program and receive 100 free points toward your purchase of Pampers goods.

Here's another code for 10 points: FBMLKKU4RPP6P12

Join MyPoints and Get Rewarded

MyPoints
Complete a short form and activate your account by clicking on activation email to receive coupons and savings offers.

I've been a MyPoints member for years and am very happy with the results I've had.

Most days I receive a few e-mails from them asking me to visit sites. Most visits earn 5 points, without making any sort of purchase. Some earn more and some less, but either way it only takes a second to glance at a site.

Participating in surveys earns more points.


Making a purchase through MyPoints at retailers like Overstock.com earns more points. If' I'm going to buy something online I check to see if they are affiliated with MyPoints at the MyPoints site and then order through that link instead of directly through the retailer ... costs me nothing extra but earns me points.


I have my e-mail set up so that all MyPoints (and other similar sites) e-mails are directed out of my inbox and into a specific folder. Once a week or so I can go through all the messages and deals and be done in an hour or so.


Points are redeemed for gift cards a large number of vendors, including Paypal (yup, your points can be converted to cash). Great way to treat yourself or use them as gifts for others.

Oddles of Games and Toys coupons


$8.00 off SCRABBLE, SIMON, or YAHTZEE FLASH

$3.00 off TRANSFORMERS Deluxe action figure

$5.00 off when you buy one NERF VORTEX PRAXIS blas

$8.00 off when you buy one BABY ALIVE MY BABY ALIV

$5.00 off when you buy one PLAY-DOH MEGA PACK

$5.00 off BOP IT! XT game

$8.00 off when you buy one PLAYSKOOL SESAME STREET

$1 off $3 Post -It Tabs

Another Post-It offer. 
Save $1 on $3 purchase of Post-It Tabs products, expires 2/29/12

I'm hoping there will be a good deal on these soon to combine with this great coupon.

If you're not on their mailing list yet it's a good one to join.

Friday, January 13, 2012

Earn rewards points by taking surveys from J.D. Power Panel

J.D. Power PanelJ.D. Power and Associates is a global marketing information services company operating in key business sectors across a variety of industries, providing customer satisfaction research, market research, automotive forecasting, social media research, and performance improvement programs. Take as many or as few surveys as you’d like and earn rewards for your input. The more survey opportunities you participate in, the more rewards you earn.

I do a few survey programs and they can be rewarding if you're willing to put a little time into them. To stay organized I have tagged all e-mail from the survey companies and other point earning programs and have them all go to one e-mail file. Once a week, or as I have time, I go through the messages and work to earn the points.

Tip: Save a Tree

Well, maybe not a whole tree, but every little bit helps!
Keep a basket next to your printer, or in some other area convenient to your family,  for paper that's no longer useable (and not full of confidential information) but still clean on one side - what we commonly refer to as "scrap paper".

Use this paper for:
  • kids to color and scribble on, to practice cutting on, and to use under craft projects.
  • printing coupons on the clean side, the store doesn't care one bit what the other side looks like and it won't affect the useability of the coupon at all
  • scrap paper for jotting notes
  • doodling
  • shredding, then use it as packing material
  • paper airplanes - if you have children and they can make an airplane they need a good stash of paper to use or they'll go through every ream of copy paper in the house before you can say "cleared for take-off", I know

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Awesome Great Stupendous Deal - Dave Ramsey and Money Saving Mom

Can you tell I'm excited about this deal?


If you don't have Dave Ramsey's book or program yet, this is a great offer through Money Saving Mom.

A few important points:
*Her book is only $8.40 today at Amazon.com and the Dave Ramsey program is worth up to $120 (seriously, it's worth way more ... the book alone has been worth millions to me)
*This offer is valid TODAY ONLY
*Only the first 100 (99, I just bought mine and will give both as gifts next Christmas) to participate get the deal so HURRY


Crystal Paine, blogger at Money Saving Mom, has just posted this incredible offer on her blog:


Thank you for all your amazing support of my book! It was SO fun to see all the photos you sent in yesterday of you buying my book at bookstores around the country!
Many of you were unable to find it at a local bookstore or your bookstore was already sold out, so I wanted to do a promotion that everyone could participate in today. So, here’s today’s special offer:

1. Buy a copy of The Money Saving Mom®’s Budget today, January 12, 2012 (either online or in-store).

2. Take a picture of yourself (or someone else) with the receipt in hand.

3. Email your picture and mailing address to support@moneysavingmom.com and I’ll send you this Money Education Bundle from Dave Ramsey for free.
This offer is only good today, January 12, 2012 and is only valid for the first 100 people. Your picture must be of you (or someone else) with a valid receipt showing the purchase of The Money Saving Mom®’s Budget.

Biggest Loser Coach $1.95 for 14 days

Biggest Loser
It's New Year's resolution time. One of my resolutions is to get in better shape and to continue to develop better eating habits -- basically to be healthier. Anyone else?

Right now you can sign up for the Biggest Loser Coach Network and receive a 14 day trial for only $1.95.

From their website:


The Biggest Loser Coach Network program gives you unlimited online and telephone access to Success Experts who will work with you step-by-step to uncover and focus on areas where you can make improvements towards a healthier lifestyle. With the help of the Coach Network experts, you will get the support you need to create the life you've always wanted.

The Biggest Loser Coach Network experts will help you make the lifestyle changes necessary to become successful and help you gain insight into the driving force behind the behaviors that have held you back.
  • Discover and use the tools necessary to create a healthier lifestyle.
  • Find out how to manage your time efficiently.
  • Achieve a balance in your life by setting achievable weight loss goals.
  • Develop a deeper self-awareness to help you stay true to your 'goals'.
***If you don't want to continue at a monthly rate of $59.95 you must cancel the program before the end of the 14 day trial.

Watch independent, international and short films for free with Fandor

FandorLog in to facebook to get a free 7-day pass.

Start watching today for free

  • Independent, international and short films
  • Hundreds of handpicked movies
  • Great content you can’t find anywhere else

Tip: Storing Out of Season Clothing

This is a fun little tip, and makes me want to move somewhere where the seasons actually do change:

Store out of season clothing in old hard-sided suitcases; stack the suitcases to make a nightstand or side table.

Wouldn't that look great? And so functional too. Love it.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Ink Garden - Now Free Business Cards and $1 Calendar

Ink Garden 
Build your own desk calender for $1, using coupon code "DESKSP"


Ink Garden

Free State of Alaska Vacation Planner - Hurry before they're gone

Travel Alaska

Get your free Alaska travel planner.

Our Alaska vacation planner arrived in the mail last week and we've been reading it cover to cover since it got here. The kids are ready to pack and go, and after looking at the gorgeous pictures I can't say I blame them. It's a great little resource book.

Tip: Homemade Microwave Popcorn

image source: wikipedia
Would microwave popcorn at $.09 a bag work for you? It sure does for me!

You can make your own microwave popcorn using a bag of regular popcorn ($1.80 at Walmart), a paper bag (which you use countless times to make popcorn), and whatever seasonings float your boat.

It's as simple as tossing 1/4 cup popcorn into the bag, folding the top down twice, and microwaving it just the same as the bags of microwave popcorn.

If you choose you can add a little oil or butter to the popping and then experiment with toppings (salt, garlic, parmesan cheese, chili powder, cinnamon(?), etc) until you find your perfect mix. Seasoning the popcorn yourself allows you to cut down on oil and salt, and to cut out any other funky stuff that might be in the prepackaged bags.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

$2 Post It Notes Coupon

Save $2 on a $10 Post it Notes purchase. Good through June, 2012.

To introduce their 8 new color collections Post It is offering a $2 off coupon. This could be a great deal when combined with one of the office supply store sales. And with an expiration of June, 2012 you've got time to find that great deal.
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