Woot! Woot!

I realize I haven't posted here in what seems like forever, but some things just must be shouted from the mountain tops!

I have posted about Woot! before here (here and even here) so you may already know if you've been following this blog that it is one of my favorite online retailers. They have now added a Kids.Woot!

I knew you would be excited, too! Woot! Woot!

Feeling a Little Guilty...

Why? Because I just made $4 off hubby being sick! He's had an awful cold/congestion and finally broke down and went to the doctor today. He came home with THREE prescriptions. I quickly tracked down some KMart new Rx coupons (thanks, The Bargainist!) that my local CVS will accept, used a $20 off coupon for one of the medicines given to us by the doctor, and by the time all was said and done (including paying our co-pay for the visit)...I made $4! I probably could have found a better coupon for the scripts, but as I was typing away on the computer looking for one, I could feel sickly eyes boring into the back of my head...I didn't need any more guilt on my hands, so I cut the search short and headed out the door.

Moral of the story? If you are sickly right now like so many others, don't forget to inquire about samples or patient discount coupons for your medicine at your doctor's office and check around online for some pharmacy coupons!

Thanks, honey! Though I do hope you feel better soon. :)

I saw Twilight!

Okay - I did it. I went to a movie at midnight on the opening day, something I don't think I've ever done. I'd like to say it was for my 15 year old's sake, but actually she backed out and I still wanted to go! Then, at the last minute, she changed her mind. (I wasn't gonna let her miss school to do so, so it was a tough decision--we came to a compromise, she is sleeping through first period and off to school after that!) Here's some background, and here's some reviews. Like one reviewer said, don't go into it comparing it to the book--you might be disappointed. And, overlook a few corny (IMHO) scenes. Then, you just might enjoy it!

Buyer Beware!

Homeschooling and Frugal has a great article posted here about how product prices aren't necessarily changing, but the amount of product you are paying for is. I always shop by the price per unit--this is one way to catch them in the act! In fact, by doing so, I realized this weekend that the Walmart brand of lemon juice concentrate is now more expensive than buying the name brand in bluk at my local Sam's Club. A few months ago it was just the opposite (by a large margin).

The Caregivers Marketplace

Are you the caregiver for a child under 5? Are you the caregiver for a parent? If not, perhaps you at least take care of yourself by purchasing vitamins, natural supplements, or a number of other health-related items. If so, head on over to The Caregivers Marketplace and sign up for a FREE account. Once you purchase at least five items from diapers to pain relievers and a bunch of stuff in between, you can submit the receipts for a rebate on your purchases. While I haven't actually participated yet myself (I just recently learned about it), I have read about the program all over the blogosphere. It seems to be legit. So, click the above link, read the FAQs, and start saving. Oh, happy day!

Energy Saving Opportunities Defined

I first saw this link about appliance energy usage posted on The Crock Pot Lady's website. And now, I share it with you. Because it is awesome. Now I have proof (without having to defend my own calculations) that it is far cheaper to iron the wrinkles out of clothes. And, here's a bonus savings idea (for you, that is): set up a jar for your teenager to deposit loose change when choosing to use the dryer instead of the iron. :)

Thank you, Crock Pot Lady. Thank you.

Another Woot Off!

I hear there is another Woot Off today (Wednesday, 10/22)! Click here to check out the goods.

Freebie Friday: FREE Haircut!

Another freebie offer from Herbal Essences. Click here to see how you can receive a FREE haircut!

Wish Bone Bountifuls Salad Dressing Coupon

Woohoo! Click here to print a coupon for the tasty dressing I mentioned in my Menu Plan Monday post!

Freebie Friday: FREE Holiday Countdown E-Course

I recently learned from the Orgjunkie that Cara from The Household Helper is offering a free e-course that will get us through the holidays with our sanity in tact! Given how organized I will (hopefully) be, I'm guessing it will save me some money, too. No last minute trips to the store or overlooked gifting. And, it's FREE. So, mosey on over to The Household Helper's Holiday Countdown and sign yourself up!

Backpacks 75% off at Target

I noticed backpacks are finally 75% off at Target today. This is a great deal, especially if you pick up a Jansport backpack since they carry a lifetime warranty. I know of at least two people who had a minor problem (such as a zipper break or a rip in the bag), and the company made good on it by sending them a replacement that was as good or better than the original item. Even if you are set for school, think of using them for emergency preparedness--every family member should have his or her own 72-hour kit! Safely Gathered In has a great series right now on 72-hour kits. They are in week 7 or so of the series, but it's never too late to jump in and get started.

Woot Are You Waiting For?...

It's another Woot-Off! A new item is available for sale as soon as the previous item sells out. Don't miss all the great deals. Check it out here.

If you don't know what Woot! is, click here.

My Target Haul

I have been working on my couponing skills the last several months, trying to stretch our dollars. I had an excellent day at Target, thanks to 75% off select school supplies and 18 (count 'em! 18!!!) peelies (coupons found on the shelf) I found in combination with clearance prices on Garnier Fructis styling products and shampoo/conditioner. Woohoo! This is what I got for a total of $31.73 (after coupons and clearance prices)--I should mention, the Yoplait Yogurt was consumed by a certain 4 year old before we even made it home. So, it's not pictured. The loot includes:

36 bottles of Garnier Fructis styling products, shampoo, and conditioner ($1.08 for each two bottle pack after coupons)
4 poly three-prong folders w/pockets (.07 each)
1 cute puppy 3-ring binder (oh how I wish they'd had 3...the little ones will fight over this for sure!) (.74)
3 small plastic school boxes (.17 each)
3 puppy and kitten folders (.12 each)
40 three-prong two-pocket portfolios (4 pks of 10 at .25/pk)
4 large plastic school boxes (.67 each)
10 70-page spiral notebooks (2 pks of 5 at .12 each)
1 Physician's Formula Bronzer/Eye Shadow/Liner ($2.74)
1 Yoplait Yogurt (.52)

I had an even better haul from Walgreens, but I was tired Saturday evening from two shopping trips and so many bags I couldn't lay it all out to take a photo! On those trips, my total before rebates and coupons was $84....I ended up paying $23 (once I receive the Easy Saver rebates in a few weeks).

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On a side note, I was driving our 6 year-old home from dance class today, listening to talk radio. The reporter kept mentioning McCain over and over. After a few minutes, "Charlie" hollered, "ALL THEY TALK ABOUT IS HURRICANES!" "No, sweetie," I replied, "they are talking about Mc-Cain....not hurricanes!" Although, both have been in the news a lot lately!

And, on a sad note, I had several other cute things the kiddos have said over the past several weeks that I have been saving, but as I went to download the sound files from my PDA (because I can't possibly remember them all), I discovered the mic is not working. All I hear is static! So, while I thought I had the 4 year-old's ("Delta") reaction to her first day of preschool on my handy dandy mobile recording device...alas, I have nothing! Thank goodness I made a couple of notes in my journal.

Isn't modern technology wonderful?....WHEN IT WORKS!

Frugal Dilemma: Toilet Paper Wasters

Never in my life have I seen such waste in the bathroom (except lengthy showers...but that's another post). Our three youngest (known here as Beta-8, Charlie-6, and Delta-4) are toilet paper superusers! I have implemented a number of strategies to get this problem under control from squishing the toilet paper roll so that it doesn't spin easily on the holder to being the human toilet paper dispenser. The former doesn't work for us and the latter is rather time consuming. Maybe I should install one of those folded/square toilet paper dispensers like they do at school...and then not fill it, like they do at school...

I did find a few ideas here. Suggestions anyone?

Thrifty Thursday - MagicJack

Is anyone using MagicJack? I heard about it from my sister. It is a USB plug-in device that eliminates the traditional monthly land-line phone bill. For around $40, you receive the device and phone service that enables you to make and receive all of the long distance and local calls you want for one year. Thereafter, it is only $20 per year. Sounds pretty good to me! But, I'd love to hear if anyone is using it and their experience with the service.

BTW, that little diddy on the site that says the Free Trial expires on today's date has been changed each day for the last three days. I believe it is coded to display the current day's date. I don't much care for this marketing tactic.

WFMW: Saving Water

Although Rocks In My Dryer is not hosting Works For Me Wednesday this week, I thought I would pass along a little tip anyway for all two of you (thanks Mom and Dad!) who visit this blog. So, here it goes.

Sometimes I need to be motivated to make major changes. I am quite frugal by nature, but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE a long hot shower. To nip this non-frugal habit, I allow the tub to fill up while I am showering so that I can SEE how much water I am wasting. When the water level reaches a certain point, I tell myself enough is enough! Works for me. :)

Woot are you waiting for????

Looks like today will be a Woot-Off Day! Check out Woot.com all day long for stuff you probably don't need but really want. :) If you are new to Wooting, click the first link above for a crash course in all things Woot. Oh, and skim it our you'll miss out on all the great deals. Go. Now. HURRY!

Thrifty Thursday: When to Shop and Smell the Roses

I often find myself missing out on deals because I wait too long to act. It can be the Achilles' heel of frugal shoppers. I was happy to see that Lisa over at homeschoolingandfrugal.com posted a few guidelines on clothing sales that will help me decide when to shop and smell the roses!

WFMW: Frugal Eye Make Up Remover

The easiest and least expensive way I have found to remove eye make up (especially stubborn mascara) is to use a cotton ball with a bit of baby oil. I have had a large bottle of baby oil for a year or more and have hardly made a dent in it! The store brand works just as well as the name brand.

For more Works For Me Wednesday, visit Rocks In My Dryer.

Thrifty Thursday - RefundPlease.com

I first read about RefundPlease.com while searching the archives of Money Saving Mom for something totally unrelated. Since I recently purchased a few items from Amazon.com, the timing could not have been better. The site is pretty self-explanatory--you enter information pertaining to your purchases at Amazon, and you are notified if the price drops during the 30-day period following your transaction. The great thing is that not only are you notified, but the email notification contains a link to the place on the site where you can claim a credit for the difference between the price you paid and the new, lower price! While Amazon is the only retailer for which this service is being provided, they are looking to add more soon. To date, the largest credit found and claimed was for $3,860!