New Pampers Code

Enter LoveComesEarlyT for 100 points (!) on the Pampers site. I am not sure when this code expires, but high value codes like this tend to not be around for long. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

For more Pampers codes, check out my other posts!

20 Days of Homemade Christmas Ornaments

Starting tomorrow, I will be posting a homemade Christmas ornament project each day. Some I have come up with on my own, but many are great ideas that I have found throughout the crafty blogosphere. The Internet has it's advantages...

So. Enjoy the ornaments, and I certainly hope you make some of your own. Whenever possible, I will post pictures of my own creations, and links to the original idea, if it isn't mine. If you have some homemade ornament (or other crafty Christmas project) ideas, please tell me about them!

Free Sample Clorox Wipes

Sign up for the Clorox e-mail newsletter and get a free sample of Clorox Wipes. Thanks Common Sense with Money!

Tuesday Tips: Holiday Shopping

Have you started your Christmas shopping yet? Christmas is less than a month away, and we've just gotten through the biggest shopping weekend of the year. But before you start to stress out about buying every person on your list the perfect gift, wondering where the money is going to come from, or wishing you had more time, here is something to consider.

Christmas is not about presents. There. I said it. But. Presents are a fun part of Christmas, so how can you give gifts without breaking the bank or losing your mind?

• Plan ahead. I realize this may not be as helpful now, but take this advice next year. Set up a budget early on, and set aside money for presents. Or...
• Make homemade gifts. These are often even more appreciated than the newest electronic item because people can tell that you put thought and effort into their gift. If you have these items in your plan right away, you have time to create something really wonderful.
• Use deals. Some of our giftees will be getting photo presents this year, things we've had free credits (or found codes) for on which we've only had to pay shipping. Besides, what grandparent doesn't want more pictures of the grandkids?
• Go to the thrift store. This might require thinking outside the box, and changing things from their original state. Or, you might find that exact book or collectible or clothing item that was on someone's list!
• Use Swagbucks or MyPoints. Build up points all year long, and cash them in for gift cards. You can simply give those gift cards, or use them to buy something for someone on your list.
• Do the drugstore deals (I post my Walgreens deals nearly every week, for example), and use the Register Rewards toward your presents or supplies. Same goes for gift card deals at Target, or moneymakers at any store. Get creative with your coupons!
• Speaking of coupons, use them! I have gotten many craft supplies for less from Hobby Lobby by using their 40% off one item coupons over the past several weeks. Remember that $10 Hallmark coupon I posted? I used it to cover most of a Christmas present.

Our budget for Christmas presents this year is $100. That's still quite a lot, but not when you consider that we will be buying for 14 people, as well as my craft projects and baking supplies. If I can, I want to squeeze Jesse and Jonah's presents out of that $100 as well, but we'll see how that works.

How is that possible? I'm making the effort to have something homemade for everyone on our list. Some are far easier than others - I've had my mother's gift planned out since February. I still have no idea what to do for Jesse's uncles, whose names we got as part of the family gift exchange. I'm using many of the tips I listed above, and I hope you will too. That way the focus for Christmas can be where it truly belongs.

Bath & Body Works LuvBBW: Free Gift Every Month!

Sign up for a LuvBBW Membership here and you will be mailed a membership card. Take that card to a Bath & Body Works store on any Thursday of the month from January 1 through May 31, 2011, and get one free gift a month! It will be a punch card that they will punch when you pick up your free gift. Thanks Money Saving Mom!

Walgreens Deals

I like getting paid to shop. The subtotal before coupons was $22.01. After coupons was $2.37, and I got $4 in Register Rewards!

• Pampers Jumbo Pack: $7.99, get $1RR. Used $2/1 that printed out the last time I bought Huggies = paid $5.99 got $1RR.
• 2 Quaker Instant Oatmeal: 2/$5, get $2RR when you buy 2. Used two $2/1 printables (no longer available) = paid $1/2, got $2RR!
• Domino Confectioner's Sugar and Brown Sugar: $0.69 each with ad coupon.
• Mead 100ct. Envelopes: $0.59 with ad coupon.
• Wrigley's Eclipse Gum: 3/$2, get $1RR when you buy 3.
• Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses: $2.99.
• Used up my $12 in Register Rewards from last time = paid $2.37, got $4RR back!

$1 Skinny Cow Coupon

"Like" Skinny Cow on Facebook and go to their "Fan Exclusives" tab to get a bricks coupon for $1 off any Skinny Cow product, which would include the single serve cups! Those are usually only a little over a dollar anyways. Or, splurge on the ice cream sandwiches - they're so yummy!

Crafty Link-Up

How to make a home-made personalized notepad. This is pretty easy-looking, and the only thing I didn't have (but now do) is rubber cement. (Full of Great Ideas)

Fabric Memory Game. Fun for kids of all ages to play with. I know Jonah would enjoy simply taking the pieces out of whatever bag or container they ended up in, and older kids could actually play memory. (Chez Beeper Bebe via Money Saving Mom)

Make your own wire photo frame. This looks entirely too easy. If you couldn't tell, I like easy crafts. (Full of Great Ideas)

Homemade natural chapstick. I haven't jumped on the bandwagon of making my own toiletries yet, but I think I would like this project if only so I could have multiple chapsticks floating around so I would always have one with me instead of leaving my only one in my other bag. (Passionate Homemaking via Saving Naturally)

What I'm Reading...

13 Things Your Flight Attendant Will Never Tell You. Pretty funny, and I would guess, pretty accurate. (Yahoo)

Five Books. This website has an expert give what they feel are the five best books on any number of topics. A good place to start research, perhaps. (Five Books via Unclutterer)


What is Your Body Language Saying? I'm always interested in articles that sum up a topic like this. Informative, but easy to get little tidbits from. (Real Simple)

Hope you had a happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Walgreens Black Friday Deals

I got a bunch of good deals at Walgreens this morning. I did 3 transactions, and thankfully my cashier was really nice.

Transaction #1:

• 1 Dr. Pepper 2 liter: $0.99, get $0.99RR.
• 1 Crest 3D Vivid Whitening Toothpaste (4 oz.): $2.99, get $2.99RR. Used $1/1 (P&G 10/31/10) = paid $1.99, got $2.99RR
• Herbal Essences shampoo: $2.49, get $1.50RR. Used $2/1 Clairol Product (P&G 10/31/10) = paid $0.49, got $1.50RR
• 3 Kleenex 110ct.: $0.79 (ad coupon). Used $0.50/3 (SS 11/07/10) = paid x/3.
• Energizer Rechargeable Batteries: on sale $7.99, get 2 free Redbox rentals. Used free product coupon (Facebook promo) = free, got 2 free Redbox rentals
• Huggies Jumbo pack: $8.99, get $2RR. Used $2/1 (SS 11/14/10) = paid $6.99, got $2RR.
• Paid $13.32, got $7.49RR.

Transaction #2:

• 2 Scotch 3-pack tape: $0.99 (ad coupon).
• Gillette Facial Cleanser: $5.49, get $5.49RR
• Thermacare Heat Wrap (trial size): $2.49, get $2.49RR. Used $1/1 printable = paid $1.49, got $2.49RR.
• Used $3, $1.50, and $0.99RR from first transaction.
• Paid $3.98, got $7.98RR.

Transaction #3:

• 1 Herbal Essences conditioner: $2.49, get $1.50RR. Used $2/1 Clairol Product (P&G 10/31/10) = paid $0.49, got $1.50RR.
• 1 Crest 3D Vivid Whitening Toothpaste (4 oz.): $2.99, get $2.99RR. Used $1/1 (P&G 10/31/10) = paid $1.99, got $2.99RR.
• 2 Liter Dr. Pepper: $0.99, get $0.99RR.
• Scunci Elastics: $1.99, get $1.99RR.
• Energizer Rechargeable Batteries: $7.99, get 2 free Redbox rentals.
• Used $5.49RR from Transaction 2.
• Paid $9.08, got $7.50RR.

So, all told, I still have $3RR, $1.50RR, $2RR, $0.99RR, $2RR, and $2.50RR, plus 4 Redbox movie rentals. I plan on using my Register Rewards to get some of my holiday baking supplies for free. Yes, it took work, but what a great deal!

Coupon Friday

• Get a $1/2 Philadelphia Cream Cheese coupon, along with other valuable coupons, from Kraft. Thanks Common Sense with Money!
• This is where I'm going today.
• Coupons.com has a $1/1 NYC Nail Polish Target printable. Pair it with this $1/1 printable or the $2/2 from the December All You for free polish! Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!
• $0.50/1 Arm & Hammer Baking Soda should make it pretty cheap. Thanks Saving Naturally!

New Pampers Code

Enter GIVETHANKS10PTS for 10 points on the Pampers site. This code expires 11/29/10.

For more Pampers codes, check out my other posts!

More Photo Deals!

Along with the deals I posted yesterday, here are 2 more:

• Get 10 free 4x8 photo cards from Kodak. Use the code FREE10CARDS, and just pay shipping of $2.29. Jump on this deal - it expires 11/28/10! Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!
• Get another free 8x10 photo collage from Walgreens. Use the code THANKSGIVING, and choose to pick it up in-store to get it completely free! This deal is good through 11/27/10. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

New Photo Deals

If you don't have an account with the photo site SeeHere yet, sign up for one and get 25 free 4x6 holiday cards (just pay shipping of $4.99). Register here, and use the code "25cards" at checkout. This offer expires 12/31/10. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

For something completely free, use the code BFCOLLAGE to get a free 8x10 photo collage at Walgreens. I have created these in the past, and they turn out great! Choose to pick it up at your store to get it completely free. This code is supposed to be good 11/25/10 through 11/28/10, but it is reportedly already working. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Free Sample Starbucks Natural Fusions Vanilla Coffee

Get a free sample of Starbucks Natural Fusions Vanilla Coffee from Walmart. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Free Sample Vaseline Lotion

Get a free sample of Vaseline Intensive Rescue Lotion from Walmart. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

New Huggies Code

Enter BJRJLBZZLFBDPGB on the Huggies site for 5 points. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

For more Huggies codes, check out my other posts!

New Pampers Code

Enter NovemberThanks5 for 5 points on the Pampers site. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

For more Pampers codes, check out my other posts!

Tuesday Tips: Freecycle

Freecycle is basically a virtual garage sale, only everything is free. You join a Yahoo group based on where you live, and members post items they have to give away, or requests for items they want. Others can respond, meet up, and give the items away. You can choose to get a daily e-mail of all the offers and requests, or just log onto the website and check the postings when you feel like it.

So far, we've basically used Freecycle to get rid of clutter. I have posted a few requests for items, but none have gotten any replies yet. And that's okay. I like being able to give my not-so-loved items to someone who will actually be able to use them. One man's trash is another man's treasure, after all.

Free $3 MP3 Credit at Amazon

Enter the code GET3MP3S at Amazon to get a $3 credit to be used toward MP3s. This credit expires 11/29/10, so use it today! Thanks Coupon Cravings!

I used mine to get If I Die Young by The Band Perry, She's Everything by Brad Paisley, and What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong. The $0.17 I was over my $3 came out of my Amazon credits from Swagbucks.

What songs will you pick?

Save Money at Hallmark

In addition to this $10/$10 Hallmark coupon I shared with you recently, there are also $5/$5 coupons in many magazines. So far I have found them in the most recent issues of Martha Stewart Living, Real Simple, and Woman's Day (all free subscriptions!). I don't believe you can combine more than one per transaction, but your store may vary. Regardless, these should make for some free cards, wrapping paper, or other small items.

Crafty Link-Up

If you do lots of holiday decorating, you might be interested in this scripted Thanksgiving tablecloth. It's simple, but pretty (A Soft Place to Land)

Ever wanted to make your own play-doh? Here's an easy 5-minute recipe. (Saving Naturally)

5 Fingers Snowman Ornament. Cute and easy. (Full of Great Ideas)

I'm not personally a fan, but if you like foaming hand soaps, here's a cheaper way to refill them. (Full of Great Ideas)

Another something to do with all those free magazines! Magazine coasters. (How About Orange via Simple Mom)

Some projects just make me go "Oh that's cute!" This ruffly kid dress is one of those. (Kojo Designs via Money Saving Mom)

My nieces may be getting these princess notebooks with some snazzy pencils for Christmas. (Blissful and Domestic)

Anyone want a Pillow Pet? You can make one, if you can sew. (Twelve Crafts Till Christmas)

Before we get to Christmas time, how about some floral wire pumpkins? (Full of Great Ideas)

Starting December 1st, I will be posting a Christmas ornament project each day (either 20 or 25 - I haven't finished them all yet, so I'm not positive how many we'll end up with). A lot of these are kid-friendly (read: not breakable), and most use supplies that you likely either already have, or can pick up very inexpensively. I'm really excited to share these, and I may post pictures of other Christmas projects as well. Feel free to share some of your own!

$10/$10 Hallmark Coupon

Current and expecting moms can get a $10/$10 coupon for Hallmark when they sign up for Hallmark's e-mail newsletter. Thanks Money Saving Mom!

What I'm Reading...

I'm always intrigued to see how people use their space in ultra-small homes. This one is the size of a parking space. (CNN via Unclutterer)

Impulse control is especially important if you are on a tight budget, or are working toward a specific financial goal, but it's good to get in the habit regardless. (The Simple Dollar)

Since Harry Potter is coming out soon, here's a post about some of the mythologies in the series. (Neatorama via Not Martha)

Hyperbole and a Half always makes me laugh because of the absolute absurdity combined with reality. Dogs Don't Understand Basic Concepts Like Moving. (Hyperbole and a Half)

Possible Free $10 Gift Card

Sign up for an account with Shop It To Me and refer your friends. For every 10 people that sign up using your referral link, you'll get a $10 gift card. There are lots of options, but my favorites were Starbucks, Amazon, and Old Navy. Thanks Money Saving Mom!

Weight Watchers Magazine $2.99

I don't normally post Tanga magazine deals, because they aren't free subscriptions, but they are cheap if you are looking for the magazine, and I may have gotten this one for someone's upcoming present. Wink wink.

Today Weight Watchers is $2.99 for 1 year when you use the code WEIGHT at checkout. Tanga does change the price throughout the day, so if you want this deal, do it now! Your first issue should arrive in 10-14 weeks, or sooner, depending on the publisher. Thanks Money Saving Mom!

Target Deals

• 5 Betty Crocker potatoes: $0.79 each. Used five $0.55/1 (Pssst program mailer) = paid $1.20/5, or $0.24 each!
• 2 Stove Top stuffings: $0.79 each. Used $1/2 printable and $0.50/2 Target printable = paid $0.08/2!
• 2 Wheat Thin crackers: $2 each. Used $1/2 printable and $1/2 Target printable = paid $2/2!
• 3 Campbell's Cream of Mushroom: $0.50 each. Used $1.50/3 printable (no longer available, but some other coupons still are) = 3 free!
• 5 Tide travel size: $0.97 each. Used four $1/1 (P&G 10/31/10) and one $1/1 (P&G mailer) = 5 free!
• Paid $3.49 for everything! Good stocking up week!

Coupon Friday

• Print this $2/2 Welch's Sparkling Juice coupon from Coupons.com for your Thanksgiving and Christmas beverages. Pair it up with the $1/2 Walgreens coupon (November coupon booklet) for more savings!
• Did you get your $10 Jiffy Lube coupon earlier this week?
• Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the link to "Coupons" to get some holiday-appropriate coupons, including $1/2 Stove Top Stuffing. Pair with the $0.50/2 Target printable this week to get 2 boxes of stuffing for $0.08! Thanks Common Sense with Money!
• I hope you are finding some good clearance deals with your $10/3 Sleepwear Items Target printable.
• If you have a hankering for cookies, this is a good deal. Use the $1/1 printable listed here, pay $0.96 for your first package, and repeat with as many $1 coupons as you can, stacking the catalina that prints out for you. Thanks Couponing for 4!
• Coupons.com also released a $1/2 Hershey's Kisses coupon. These are yummy by themselves, but lots of holiday baking is just around the corner too! Thanks Money Saving Mom!
• Pick up your eggs for less with this coupon!

Eggs Coupon!

Print this smartsource coupon for $0.55/2 dozen eggs. I'm happy to see this, because we go through about 2 dozen a week, and they've been getting mighty expensive lately. Thanks Organic Deals & Coupons!

Free Sample Burt's Bees Lotion

"Like" Burt's Bees on Facebook and go to the "What Skin Says" tab. You do not have to take the quiz, but be sure to fill out what your skin says about winter, and then the form with your mailing info for a free sample of lotion.

Tuesday Tips: Enter Contests!

Lots of companies run promotional contests. Some have better odds than others, but my favorite are the daily entry contests, such as the Pepperidge Farm Strawberry Milano Cookie contest that ran a few months ago. I won a box of 24 packages of cookies, which you can see my little man helping me open.

I don't enter these contests every single day, but I do keep a running list of bookmarked links, listed by contest end date, so that if I have a few extra minutes of computer time, I can run through and enter some or all of them. Most only require you to fill in your email address each time after filling out all your information once. I love that!

Here are a few of my favorites:

• Burger King Kinect XBox 360 Instant Win. Contest ends 11/28/10. If you don't have free promo codes from BK products, they will e-mail you some to use.
• Dove Spa Gear Contest. Ends 12/01/10. Only requires e-mail address to enter after sign-up.
• Walgreens Stay Jolly Instant Win Game. Contest ends 12/10/10. Only requires e-mail address to enter after sign-up.
• HSN Great Gift Giveaway. Ends 12/14/10. Only requires e-mail address to enter after sign-up.
• Pillsbury A Million Morning Smiles. Contest ends 2/7/11. Only requires e-mail address to enter after sign-up.

$10/3 Sleepwear Items Target Coupon

Print off this $10/3 Sleepwear Items Target coupon and check the clearance section to make this a great deal! Thanks Money Saving Mom!

2 Free Issues Family Circle

Get 2 free issues of Family Circle magazine from ValueMags. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

$10 Off Signature Oil Change at Jiffy Lube

Coupons.com has a coupon for $10 off a Jiffy Lube Signature Oil Change. This is perfect timing, because we will need one of these soon, especially with winter travels coming up! It doesn't expire until 12/31/10, so if you're going to need an oil change in that time, print it out now. Thanks Couponing for 4!

What I'm Reading...

Commercials, Kids, and Materialism is a post that really made me glad that we don't have a tv. That being said, even without one, I've still seen the commercial discussed, and it bugged me too. (The Simple Dollar)

If you've ever thought about making homemade chicken/beef/veggie stock, here's a good (easy) way to do it. We use the water from cooking our dried beans as a hearty bean broth, but I haven't tried any of these yet. (The Simple Dollar)

Sometimes I feel like I wasted time getting a degree because I don't use it, and after Jesse's done with school, I don't necessarily plan on working outside of our home for awhile. Being a stay-at-home mom has immense value. You Matter. (A Soft Place)

Who says you need actual instruments to have a band? (Unclutterer)

How many of these apply to you? 10 Common Happiness Mistakes. (The Happiness Project)

Erica Jong on the Madness of Modern Motherhood, an article in the Wall Street Journal, talks about the high standards that mothers are held to, and how they can act as a sort of prison. I guess it depends on the mother. I don't feel imprisoned, although I do occasionally find that my own expectations are too high, and I'm sure there are societal influences there. (Wall Street Journal via Offbeat Mama)

I wish I could sew better. Sew Mama Sew has a really detailed tutorial about making your own cloth diapers, complete with links to patterns, information about diaper styles, fabrics, and other supplies. (Sew Mama Sew via Money Saving Mom)

I bet if we gathered all of Jonah's blue items, it would look like one of these photos. A Gender Study from Photographer JeongMee Yoon. (Offbeat Mama)

Possible Free Chef's Requested Product

"Like" Chef's Requested on Facebook and fill out the form on the "Signup" tab. They will be giving a free product coupon to every 10th person up to 2,000 coupons. No matter what, you get a $1 off coupon for filling out the form. For more coupons, go here and fill out the short email signup form on the left-hand side of the page, using FMF as the promo code. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

New Pampers Code

Enter Thanks2Veterans for 10 points on the Pampers site. Thanks Common Sense with Money!

For more Pampers codes, check out my other posts!

New Huggies Code

Enter BJSMXWWNSTSBPGB for 1 point on the Huggies site. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

For more Huggies codes, check out my other posts!

Coupon Friday

• Hopefully you got this coupon for $4/1 Wholly Guacamole, Salsa, or Queso product.
• Coupons.com has coupons for $1/1 Reach Toothbrush or floss, making them free at Walgreens this week! There is also a new $1/2 Werther's Originals coupon, which makes them less than $1/bag when they go on sale.
• $2/1 California Pizza Kitchen product when you share with friends, or $1.50/1 California Pizza Kitchen product at Coupons.com! These have been on sale at Walmart in the past for $2, so this coupon will make them really cheap! Thanks Money Saving Mom!
• Use this $0.25/1 McCormick Spice or Extract to pick up something for your Thanksgiving cooking needs. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!
• Use this $1/1 Barilla Plus Pasta (bricks) to get some cheap noodles - they're usually about $1.28/box at my Walmart. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Walgreens and Walmart Deals

First up is Walgreens:

• 2 Huggies Jumbo packs: on sale $7.99 each. Used two $2.50/1 printables = paid $10.98/2, or $5.49 each!
• 3 Kleenex 200-ct. boxes: $1.09 each with ad coupon. Used $0.50/3 (SS 10/03/10) = paid $2.77/3, or $0.92 each! There is a RR deal with these if you buy 4, 5, or 6, you get $1, $2, or $3RR, respectively.
• 3 cans Libby's Pumpkin: $0.99 each with ad coupon.
• 3 Betty Crocker Cornbread or Muffin Mix: 3/$1 with ad coupon.
• 2 Jell-O brand gelatin: 2/$1 with ad coupon. Used $0.50/2 (insert) = paid $0.50/2, or $0.25 each!
• Clabber Girl Baking Powder: $0.50 with ad coupon.
• 2 Nestle Tollhouse Morsels: $1.79 each with ad coupon. Used $1/2 printable = paid $2.58/2, or $1.29 each!
• 1 Reach toothbrush: $0.99 with ad coupon. Used $1/1 printable = free! I would have gotten more, but there were none left.
• Used $10RR and $6RR from last time.
• Total spent: $5.60. Total saved: $39.09!

Next was our biweekly grocery trip to Walmart:

• 2 Roma tomatoes: $1.58/lb. Paid $0.55/2.
• 1 lb. Jennie-O ground turkey: $1.58.
• Great Value frozen peas and carrots: $0.98.
• Great Value sour cream: $1.18.
• 2 Oscar Mayer lunch meat (9 oz.): $2.88 each. Used $1/2 printable = paid $4.76/2, or $2.38 each.
• Mission tortillas: $2.24.
• Great Value shredded cheddar cheese: $1.86.
• Boneless ham steak: $2.54.
• Yoplait Fruit Parfait 4-pack: $2.36. Used free product coupon from blog contest win = free!
• 2 California Pizza Kitchen pizzas: $4.98 each. Used two $2/1 printables = paid $5.96/2, or $2.98 each!
• 2 dozen eggs: $1.64 each.
• 2 Minute brown rice: $2 each. Used two free product coupons from Facebook win = 2 free!
• 4 Great Value mac & cheese: $0.46 each. Only got charged for 3. Oops.
• Great Value sugar (5 lbs.): $2.54.
• 2 FiberPlus bars: $2.78 each. Used two $2/1 printables (no longer available) = paid $0.78 each!
• 4 Great Value canned fruits, various: $0.98 each for 3, $0.82 for 1.
• Cottonelle Flushable Wipes tub: $2.22. Used free product coupon from promotion last month = free!
• Huggies Jumbo Pack: $8.97. Used free product coupon from Enjoy the Ride Rewards points = free!
• Renuzit air freshener: $0.94. Used $1/1 printable (no longer available) = free!
• 2 Arnold's bread: $1.88 each. Cheapest bread with no HFCS, by the way.
• Great Value popcorn: $1.48.
• 2 Schick 12-ct. disposable razors: $1.97 each. Used two $3/1 printables (no longer available) = 2 free!
• 2 Avery File Folder Labels: $4.22 each. Used two $5/1 printables (no longer available) = 2 free!
• Bath poof: $2. I thought these used to be $1. Oh well.
• My cashier pushed all of my over-the-amount coupons through because she didn't want to type in the numbers. So I got an extra $3.88 off because of that.
• Total spent: $39.02. Subtotal before coupons: $81.28. That's half off!

$20 Credit to Gilt Online

Create an account with Gilt Online and get a $20 credit for joining. You can use this credit toward shipping as well as the product itself. Shipping was $7.95 on the items I was looking at, but there are still a few left that will be free. I got a very cute stuffed organic frog, priced at $11. Even with shipping, it was still completely free! This will make a cute Christmas present for a certain little boy I know...

I'm sure the lower priced items will go fast today, but you have 30 days to use your credit if you don't immediately find something you want.

You do still have to put in credit card information to complete the checkout process. Your card is not charged unless you are over your $20.

Thanks Common Sense with Money!

Crafty Link-Up

Here are some cool crafty things I've found over the past few days...

• Using up old curling ribbon to make a new bow for a gift. (Proverbs 31 Living)
• Skirt remodeling. I have considered this, but I don't know if I'm a talented enough seamstress. (Proverbs 31 Living)
• 35 ways to use tin cans. My favorite is the desk organizer. (Proverbs 31 Living)
• Personalized cards and stationery. These would be lovely to make for someone else, or to send yourself. (The Simple Dollar)
• Homemade cloth napkins with family drawn designs. I want to do this like yesterday. Jonah's still too young, but I might have to do my own. (Hippos and Dinosaurs)
• Footprint snowmen. These would be a fun way to track your kid's growth each Christmas. (Blessed Under the Big Sky)
• Scrabble Cookies. The word nerd in me thinks these are pretty cool. (Having Fun at Home)
• Fake make-up. This would be a perfect present for a little girl. (Not So Idle Hands)
• This woven rug makes me want to go to the thrift store and buy some colorful sheets to try it myself. (Craft Passion)

New Pampers Code

Play the Eco-Nursery Trivia game on the Pampers site. At the end, you will get a unique code worth 10 points to enter on Gifts to Grow. Make sure you write your code down, because you can't return to the game page to see it again (only to play again). Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

For more Pampers codes, check out my other posts!

New Huggies Code

Enter BJRGHJHZNFSJPGB on the Huggies site for 5 points. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

For more Huggies codes, check out my other posts!

Free Flip Flops from Orbit Gum

If you have a pack of Orbit Gum somewhere, enter the UPC at this Walmart site for a free pair of flip flops! You should receive your flip flops in 10-12 weeks. Just in time for...the middle of winter? Still, they'll be ready for next summer. Thanks Couponing for 4!

$4/1 Wholly Guacamole Product

"Like" Wholly Guacamole on Facebook and go to the Coupons tab to print out your $4/1 Wholly Guacamole, Salsa, or Queso product coupon. They released this this morning and have said it will be up until Thursday, but print now just in case! I have never tried this, but I like guacamole and salsa, so I'll have to check it out. Retail is $2-4, so you should be able to get some for free! Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

Tuesday Tips: Cleaning the Oven

Yesterday I baked an apple pie (it is delicious, by the way!). Some of the filling bubbled up and dripped in the bottom of the oven. Today when I turned the oven on, it quickly turned into a burned on, smoky mess that had to be cleaned before I could attempt to cook anything else.

I didn't want to use the self-clean cycle, because I didn't want to wait for it to get done. I didn't want to use a fume-y, headache-inducing cleaner, because I'm pretty sure neither my pregnant self nor Jonah need that right now. How to get the gunk out, then, besides letting it burn off and smoke up the entire building?

I found a recipe for a homemade pretty natural oven cleaner online (Grandma's Tried and True Vinegar Recipe): 5 Tablespoons baking soda, 4 Tablespoons vinegar, and 3 drops dish soap/hand soap. I mixed it up and pasted it on the gunk. I will admit, I didn't let it sit there very long, so I still had some massive scrubbing to do. But it got the job done, and there were no nasty fumes. Plus, I had all of this in the cupboard already.

What I'm Reading...

Here are some eco-friendly gift wrapping ideas. I have plenty of wrapping paper left over that I've picked up on clearance after Christmases past, but I really like the last picture with the newspaper and simple bow - very classy! (The Simple Mom)

Create a Time Budget. We do the envelope system for part of our monthly budget, but I had never thought about budgeting time similarly. I wonder if it would work...(Money Saving Mom)

On Freaks and Geeks and Princesses, and Why Lady Gaga Is More Like Jesus Than You Think. I admit, the title got me curious enough to read the article. I agree with letting your kids grow up making their own choices, to a certain extent. And I'd like to think that if my kids want to wear mismatched clothing, I'll let them, but I also know that as pastor's kids, there will be a certain amount of expectation that they'll have to deal with. So I guess I'm undecided. (Her Bad Mother via Offbeat Mama)

I've had this link saved for a couple weeks, but finally got around to looking at it. Proverbs 31 Living is having a handmade Christmas link-up every week (this is the first post, but I believe they're up to week 3 now). I am attempting to make something handmade as part of everyone's Christmas present this year, and I could use some more ideas. (Proverbs 31 Living via Money Saving Mom)

Coupon Friday and Tuesday Tips

You may have noticed that there was no "Tuesday Tips" post this past week. Both Tuesday Tips and Coupon Friday will return next week. Thanks for reading!

Free Sample Jergens Overnight Repair Lotion

Sign up here for a free sample of Jergens Overnight Repair Lotion. Thanks Money Saving Mom!

Christmas Is Coming!

Do you realize that Christmas is NEXT MONTH? I don't know about you, but that puts me into a little bit of a panic when I think of all the things that have to get done by then. One item on my list is Christmas cards. I really like doing photo cards, because everyone gets a photo (or two, or several) of our family, and we get to share some of what we've done over the past year.

If you haven't checked them out yet, Shutterfly has a really good selection of holiday cards (they have lots of other cards too!). Here are three of my favorites, one of which we may decide to use for our cards this year:

This is the 5x7 folded Gorgeous Gift Tag. I like this one because the focus is really on the picture. What better way to give everyone a family shot? You can write a short personalized note on each one inside, or, as I hope to do, print a separate sheet detailing the events of the year and fold that up inside.

Next, there's the 5x7 folded Good Blessings card, which has three photo spots. I love the religious aspect to this one, and I'm sure Jesse would agree. He has already been eyeing some of the "Jesus cards" in the stores, and I think we would choose a picture of the two of us, one of Jonah, and a family shot.

I like this Many Memories Christmas Tree 5x7 folded card because you can include 6 pictures, whether of different family members, events that happened throughout the year, or one person's funny faces (do I see a Jonah-themed card in our future?).

I'm sure that as the holidays get closer, we'll see some deals come out for photo cards, but if you're like me, you're going to want to do your cards soon to cross at least one item off of that to-do list!

I've used Shutterfly in the past, mostly for photo books, and they have great quality. If you want to check them out before you order your cards, use the code CARD4U (expires 11/17/10) to get a free 5x7 folded card (just pay shipping). And, if you order over $30, use the promo code SHIP30 to get free shipping!

Disclosure: I was given 50 free holiday cards from Shutterfly for writing this post. All opinions expressed are my own.

Free Sample Tom's of Maine Toothpaste

Get a free sample of Tom's of Maine toothpaste from Walmart. Thanks Deal Seeking Mom!

50 Free Prints for Snapfish

Get 50 free prints from Snapfish and My Coke Rewards. Login or sign up for a My Coke Rewards account. This is currently a 0 point reward. Redeem it now and apply the code to your Snapfish account - it doesn't have an expiration date! You will still have to pay shipping, which should only cost $3 or so. Thanks Freebies 4 Mom!

New Huggies Code

Enter BJXGGGWLZJMNPGB for 1 point on the Huggies site. Watch the new video for 2 points and take the new poll for 1 point. Thanks Couponing for 4!

For more Huggies codes, check out my other posts!

Walgreens Deals

Today's Walgreen's trip was a little more complicated than they have been lately...

Transaction 1:

• Zarbee's All-Natural Cough Syrup: $5.99, get $6RR. Used $3/1 printable available a couple weeks ago = paid $2.99, got $6RR.
• W 100-ct. cotton balls (for crafts): $0.99 with ad coupon.
• Used $2RR from last time
• Paid $2.05, got $6RR

Transaction 2:

• 2 Carefree liners (22 ct.): $0.99 each with ad coupon. Used $1/2 (RP 9/26/10) = paid $0.98/2.
• 3 Trident gum: $0.69 each with ad coupon. Used $1/3 (SS 9/12/10) = paid $1.07/3, or $0.36 each!
• 3 Campbell's Tomato soups: $0.50. Used $1.50/3 printable (no longer available) = 3 free!
• 2 Red Baron pizzas: B1G1 $4.99. Paid $4.99/2, or $2.50 each!
• Old Spice body spray: $4.99. Used free when you buy two Secret deoderant coupons (P&G 10/31/10) = free!
• P&G Products deals: Buy $30 worth of products, get $10RR. I got 3 4-packs of Olay soap ($3.74 each), 3 Secret deoderants ($3.99 each), and 2 Gillette deoderants ($3.99 each), for a total before coupons of $31.17. Used three $5/1 Olay when you buy Secret coupons (P&G 10/31/10) and two $2/1 Gillette deoderant coupons (P&G 10/31/10) = paid $12.17, got $10RR!
• Used $6RR from Transaction 1.
• Paid $16.03, got $10RR

Transaction 3:

• Zarbee's All-Natural Cough Syrup: $5.99, get $6RR. Used $3/1 printable available a couple weeks ago = paid $2.99, got $6RR.'

So, total, I paid $21.07, and I have $16RR to use next time! According to my receipts, I saved $64! That means I got $85.07 worth of products for $5.07 after Register Rewards! Not too shabby...

New Pampers Codes

Enter NOVFACEBOOK2010 and FBHALLOWEEN2010 for 10 points each on the Pampers site. Thanks Mojosavings!

For more Pampers codes, check out my other posts!