Katie's Frugal Finds

Five Mom Inspired Driving Tips

2012-01-25T21:36:00.005-06:00

Living in Chicago for nearly 30 years I have become very accustomed to the winter weather. Almost so much that I tend not to think about it and I can say I am not prepared at all. I admit I don't even have snow brush in my car. After what happened last year where hundreds of cars were trapped on Lake Shore Drive for hours I should be better prepared for anything even though I am in a big city. So here are 5 tips for not only you but me to follow:

1. Have proper winter equipment-snowbrush, ice scraper, small shovel are just some essentials. There have been times when I have even thrown the broom in my car because not only is it easier to brush the car off with but it is faster as well.

2. Keep an emergency winter kit in the car-extra blankets, snacks and bottles of water. Its probably a good idea to have snacks in the car anyways if you are a mom but even more so in the winter.

3. Keep a set of jumper cables in your car. Not savvy enough for jumper cables then there are also one time use jumpers that plud right into you cigarette lighter to get you going

4. Drive slowly and carefully. When it is snowing or sleeting go a little slower and take your time. It is easy to lose control when conditions are slick. My rule of thumb is to go with the flow of traffic so if everyone around me is going 20 miles an hour due to snow then so will I. Plus you want to make sure you keep a good distance between you and other cars. It is harder to stop in snow and ice and just because you may have 4 wheel drive and a snow plow the person next to you may have never driven in snow before.

5. My last tip is stay home! If weather conditions are bad and you don't have to go out then dont't. Especially if you have small children. It is hard enough traveling in the car with them on a regular day throw in a good snow storm and an extra two hours in the car and you have a tantrum waiting to happen.

Hopefully if I have not helped you to be a little more prepared and a little safer this winter season.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Esurance blogging program for 8,000 My SocialMoms Rewards Points. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

Nicholas-A Birthing Story

2012-01-24T21:31:00.006-06:00

I can't believe that my little peanut is already two months old today. This time last year I wasn't even pregnant yet. I decided that before I blink and he is already 2 years old I wanted to take the time to write about the day he arrived and my experience the second time I gave birth. His older brother, Chris, is now over two years old and it is something I never took the time to do. I must warn you though, if you are not interested in the gory details of giving birth then stop reading now!

First off let me start by saying I am not the type of person that is into a home birth or doing it naturally. It is great that there are so many options, I personally like the comfort of being in a hospital environment with doctors, nurses, and all the proper equipment should something go wrong. I also like being as pain free as possible. Wimpy? I don't care

My labor and delivery was very planned out this time and I have to say I loved it. Once I reached 39 weeks (I was due November 30th, 2011) my doctor asked if I was ready to have the baby or if I wanted to wait. With all of the constant heartburn and horrible acid reflux I was thrilled to be able to have an induction. It was the day before Thanksgiving and the doctor said I could come in Thanksgiving night to start the induction process. I couldn't believe it! The day after Thanksgiving he would finally be here. It was nice being able to plan everything and also being able to pick a long weekend so no one would miss out.

After Thanksgiving dinner my husband and I left Chris with my parents for the weekend and checked into the hospital. They quickly checked me in and hooked me up to the monitors and checked to see how far dilated I was. I was at 2 cm when I checked in at 10pm. After monitoring me for 30 minutes they started the pitocin. We were having our baby! I wanted to make sure I got my epidural right away this time so as soon as I was at 3 cm they obliged. Let me say that getting an epidural before you are in severe pain is a million times easier. I did not feel one bit of pain whatsoever the entire time. The labor seemed to be moving very slowly but it was progressing. Every time they checked me I was a little more dilated.

Around 6am my mom and sister arrived. My best friend Arwen had been there a majority of the night and of course my hubby Josh was there the whole time as well How he slept I have no clue. I wanted everyone to be here this time and the doctor said they could all be present for the birth. The nurse had me walking around to help me progress faster. The doctor also came in to break my water and by 7 am I was at 7 cm. At 7:15 I started feeling lots of pressure and they checked me again and low and behold I was ready to push! I could barely wait for them to set up the urge to push was so strong. As everything was moving so fast they suddenly decided only two people could be in the room. Two! I wanted all 4! This is my birth not yours but there wasn't time to argue a baby was coming so my mom and sister graciously left and allowed my bff Arwen and of course my hubby to stay.

After the first push his head was practically out and the doctor asked if I wanted to touch it, um ewe, no thank you. I just wanted him out of me! Then the doctor seemed worried his head was really blue and the cord was tightening around his neck as he was coming out. Josh was really looking forward to cutting the cord but that was not going to happen as the doctor calmly said she would have to cut the cord immediately. Thankfully he was fine and with one more push he was out. My baby Nicholas William Klein had been born at 7:50 am and was a whopping 8 lbs 9 oz. As soon as he came out the doctor placed him on my belly, again ewe, but also an incredible moment at the same time. The first moment you get to hold the little baby you have been carrying inside of you for the past 10 months is one of the most amazing moments ever.

You will always be my baby, I love you Nicholas <3

Tips for Helping to keep your Family Cold & Flu Free

2011-10-05T14:10:00.006-05:00

With summer ending and the start of fall there are many changes that take place. Holidays approach us, the leaves change colors and the kids go back to school. One thing that goes hand and hand with the weather changing and a new school is the arrival of cold & flu season. This is one part of fall I can do without and I am sure you would like your family to avoid as well.

Here are some tips on how to help your family avoid the cold & flu season:

-Hand Sanitizer! A staple in my purse or car is always hand sanitizer. It is good before you eat, after school, or anytime hand washing is not feasible.

-Wash those hands. When at all possible make sure to was those hand before you eat, when you come home, even after you sneeze. Stop those germs dead in their tracks.

-Flu shots. I am one to avoid going to the doctor at all costs, especially for a flu shot. I do on the other hand make sure my children get their flu shot. Although it only protects against some strains it is well worth the effort to avoid passing the flu throughout your family.

-Sanitize. If someone in your family does get a cold or flu it is important to keep things sanitized. I personally like using Lysol sanitizing wipes. They are quick and easy and get the job done. Info about their great line of products can be found here.

-Quarantine & avoid. I will segregate sick family members and keep them away from healthy ones to help avoid the spread of sickness. I will also ask someone that is entering my home or around my family if they are sick at the first sign of sniffle or cough.

-Vitamins. I try, with the key word being try lol, to have members in my family take a vitamin everyday. I think this helps strengthen their immunity and give them a better chance against avoiding sickness.

-Eat healthy. With the arrival of cold and flu season we also try to eat healthier to keep our bodies awake. By adding more fresh fruits and veggies I think it makes us healthier all around. It also provides the energy to combat germs trying to invade our body.

Hopefully my tips help your family avoid one cold or flu sickness this season. I know that in my house mom isn't allowed to get sick but when daddy is sick he is the biggest baby of them all!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Lysol blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

10 best strategies for de-cluttering and organizing toys in your child’s playroom

2011-09-28T09:13:00.003-05:00

Having an almost 2 year old and another on the way your home can quickly become overrun by toys and clutter. Our house is on the smaller side meaning our playroom is also our living room and the playroom upstairs is my sons bedroom. If you come into my house you may think it has been over taken by toys but I assure you in 5 minutes I can clean it up and everything has its place. Here are my 10 tips for organizing and de-cluttering your child's toys.

First - My first tip is making sure you have storage. A toy box is a must and I love having a book shelf which is open and easy for my son to have access too. We not only use the book shelf for books but toys and puzzles as well. Another good storage option is the bin or cube storage systems which run about $50.

Second - Get the children involved! Kids love helping especially at a young age so show them how to pick up their toys and put them away. Turn it into a fun activity or game by asking "Where does this go?" and give praise to your child when they do it properly. You will be surprised at how many toys end up where they belong. My little guy loves to show me when he puts something away.

Third - Make sure to keep out toys that are age appropriate. Is your child a 18 months and you still have rattles sitting out? Then it may be time to go through and de-clutter. Put the baby toys away and keep toys that are geared towards your child's age group to avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Fourth - A good time to do de-cluttering and organizing is right before a birthday or Christmas. You will most likely be getting lots of new toys as gifts so in order to not feel overwhelmed I strongly advise getting rid of some toys just before. This way you will have room for all the new toys and be able to transition easily. Your child is not going to want to wait to open the new toys and those are the ones they are going to want to play with anyway.

Fifth - Less is more! I think that children can play better when they have less toys. If a child doesn't have room to play then it is frustrating and will become messy before it becomes productive. It also makes the child feel more at ease and less overwhelmed if they don't feel overtaken by a mountain of toys.

Sixth - Shelving. Shelving is a great way to add more room and de-clutter any space. I like to put "special" toys on higher shelving so that way when I bring them down they receive more attention and are played with longer and more attentively.

Seventh - Make it a fun learning experience. So your child doesn't have a tantrum when he sees that his toys are disappearing make sure he is involved. Have him help put them in the bag and find a local charity, shelter, church, or daycare that needs donations. Tell them that they are helping other children that don't have toys and that it is good to share. Keeping them involved in the entire process makes them feel better.

Eighth - Labeling. If you child is learning to read or can read, labels are a good way to help with that well keeping toys tidy at the same time. You can label shelves, bins, or even make a list for the toy box of what toys belong in there. Or use pictures of what belongs where to help your child know where to put toys back. You can even turn this into a fun art project coloring and designing the labels with your child.

Ninth - Have too many toys and want to keep them all? Rotate! I like to rotate the toys in our house. It not only keeps my son from getting bored with toys but helps with the clutter. We rotate between toys that are upstairs and downstairs and if he brings a toy either down or up we then pick another toy to rotate back the other way.

Tenth - Relax! You have kids, there is going to be clutter, I can guarantee it. Your house is going to be messy from the toys at some point in time so just remember that everything does not have to be perfect and kids make messes. I would much rather have a mess from them playing with their toys then sitting with their hands folded all day (which we know would never happen)

Hopefully this helps and maybe you don't need all ten tips but if you can take at least one idea and apply it then yay! It can be hard going from a perfectly organized home to one that is full of toys. Especially if you have grandparents and friends that love to spoil.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and HotWheels blogging program, for a gift card worth $40. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Ten tips for preparing your home for your new baby's arrival

2011-09-23T20:10:00.003-05:00

Already well into my third trimester and 29th week of pregnancy their starts to be an urgency to prepare for the new baby's arrival. With my first I was well prepared in advance but with a demanding toddler this time around I don't nearly feel as prepared. To help I have put together a list of my top ten ways to prepare for your little ones arrival.

First - Supplies! Every baby no matter what needs to have diapers, whether cloth or disposable, wipes, diaper cream, baby wash, baby lotion, and a good baby detergent. One of my personal favorites is Seventh Generations line of wipes, diapers, and laundry detergent which I already use on my 21 month olds highly sensitive skin. Their great line of natural and chlorine free products can be found here!

Second - Prepare the nursery. You first have to decide if you want to use a crib or a bassinet. I personally use the pack and play for the first 3 months so the baby can be close to me me for those long sleepless nights. Once we get to 3 months we are usually in a pretty good routine so I can switch to the nursery which is upstairs. Other nursery necessities might be a glider, changing table, and of course picking out a theme.

Third - Another big decision is deciding whether or not you are going to breastfeed. If you decide to go the formula route make sure you have some on hand so you don't have to run out to the store. The ready to feed nursers are great the first couple of weeks. If you are going to be breastfeeding then make sure to invest in a good pump.

Fourth - My fourth tip stems from my third with sterilization! No matter which route you go you have to make sure everything is cleaned and sterilized for the baby. Wash pump parts, bottles and pacifiers. When you get home baby is going to be hungry so make sure to have this ready.

Fifth - Pets! Besides already having a toddler running around I also have a dog. He is a very jealous dog at that and does not like having his attention spent on someone else. We like to prepare the dog for the babies arrival by having someone bring an article of clothing from the hospital home early for him to sniff and get used to the scent. Its also a good idea to have a baby gate to keep him separated at first or for times when you just don't want him jumping on the baby.

Sixth - All that baby equipment is very overwhelming. The most important piece is the car seat and do not wait until you are in labor to try and figure out how to install it in the car. This weekend is actually car seat awareness weekend with many locations offering free safety inspections of car seat installation. Most fire and police stations offer free help as well. My advice is have them check it. It doesn't hurt and puts your mind at ease.

Seventh - Prepare the siblings. If you have other children at home I think it is important that they are aware. I have constantly been telling my son that his brother is in my tummy and to give him kisses. I also try to have him around other babies so he knows to be gentle around his new little brother. If you have older children ages 3 and up ten a hospital offered class is a great option as well.

Eighth - Clean, clean, and more cleaning. I have a constant urge to clean and once I start its hard for me to stop when I am pregnant lol. I tend to clean weird things too such as walls and ceilings. I guess its nesting but I fell that its important to get all the cleaning out of the way because I know that will be the last thing I will want to do when the baby is here. (Seventh Generation makes great natural cleaning products too!)

Ninth - Clothes would be next for me. Make sure you cut off the million little tags that are on all the clothes and wash them once before baby comes. My advice with clothes is less is better. Avoid anything that has lots of snaps or multiple pieces. Zippers are great and gowns are even better. When it is 4am and you are changing a diaper the last thing you want is to have to figure out how to snap the outfit back together.

Tenth - Relax! Make sure in all of this getting prepared for baby that you take some time for yourself and also some special time with your significant other. You life is about to change in a wonderful but hectic way make sure you share and enjoy some moments of me time.

After writing this all out I actually feel more prepared then I thought. Baby Nicholas is going to be joining our family in 10 weeks and I know we all can't wait to meet him. Nothing is more exciting then the miracle of life and meeting your baby for the first time and nothing can prepare you for the happiness felt holding your baby for the first time.

Also don't forget to check out Seventh Generation's line of products for you home and baby here.

Disclosure: "I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Seventh Generation blogging program, for a gift card worth $50. For more information on how you can participate, click here."

And the Winner is.......

2011-08-29T10:22:00.003-05:00

And the winner of the Frito Lay giveaway chosen by random.org was #59, Sabrina who said "Like you on fb".

Your prize should be sent to you soon and congrats!

Pampers Kandoo coupons in Sundays Paper!!

2011-08-18T08:10:00.001-05:00

Don't Miss Out -- Pampers Kandoo coupons will be in this
Sunday's Paper. On August 21, Pampers Kandoo will feature an
introductory $1.00 off coupon good for any Kandoo Soap, Shampoo,
Body Wash or Sanitizer AND a $0.50 coupon good for any package
of Flushable Wipes in the SmartSource insert in select U.S.
newspapers. What a great way to try something new and stock-up
on products you use every day.

Frito Lay ‘Taste from Home’ Recipe and Giveaway!

2011-08-06T12:31:00.006-05:00

When it comes to making food together as a family I love recipes that are quick, simple, easy, and fresh. One of my favorites to make especially at the end of summer early fall is Pico De Gallo. We like to plant tomatoes and around that time of year we have so many we can't possibly eat them quickly enough so that is how we came about making our very own Pico De Gallo which is easy enough for the whole family to help with.

Basically you need the following but you can use any quantities to make as much or little as you like:

5-6 medium tomatoes diced small
1-2 small yellow or white onions chopped small
1 jalapeno pepper chopped finely
salt and pepper to taste

Just combine everything together to appeal to your taste and there you go instant and fresh chip dip and taco night side dish!

Frito Lay has recently introduced a new line of chips with regionally inspired flavors which can be seen on their website here. I am personally excited about trying their Creamy Garden Ranch which is actually inspired by my very own region the Midwest and the Garden Tomato and Basil.

Frito Lay has graciously offered to give away a variety pack of Lay’s Regional Flavors potato chips to one of my readers or Twitter followers! To enter simply follow the rules and comment below.
You're variety pack includes the following Lay’s Regional Flavored potato chips that are inspired by popular American regional cuisine and include:

1. Northeastern U.S. – Lay’s Honey Mustard

2. Midwestern U.S. – Lay’s Creamy Garden Ranch

3. Northwestern U.S. – Lay’s Balsamic Sweet Onion

4. Southwestern U.S. – Lay’s Chipotle Ranch

5. Southeastern U.S. – Lay’s Cajun Herb & Spice

· All of the Lay’s Regional Flavored potato chips are made with all natural ingredients, and are cooked in healthier oils so they contain 0 grams of trans fats per serving!

· There’s also less sodium in them than you might think – a 1-oz serving of our Lay’s Regional Flavored potato chips contains less salt than a plain bagel!

Rules:
You must leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry to count.

You must complete the mandatory entry in order for extra entries to count.

You must leave an e-mail for me to contact you in at least one of the comments.

All ineligible entries will be deleted.

Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.

All winners are chosen with Random.org

Contest ends July Friday August 19th at 10 pm CT

Have Fun!!

Mandatory Entry: Tell me which flavor you are most excited about trying.

Extra Entries: If you already do something let me know (one separate comment for each one!)

Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect (right hand side)

Like me on Facebook

Like Frito Lay on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Follow Frito Lay on Twitter

Disclosure: Frito-Lay provided me with the chips and my blog post is a form of entry for the contest.

And the Winner is...........

2011-08-02T10:14:00.003-05:00

And the winner of the Honey Nut Cheerios giveaway as selected by random.org is comment #1!!

Anonymous said...
I love Honey Nut Cheerios! This is my family's favorite cereal.

Arwen Peszynski
arwenpez@hotmail.com

Congrats!

Honey Nut Cheerios Review and Giveaway!!

2011-07-18T09:53:00.007-05:00

Not only has Honey Nut Cheerios been named "America's Favorite Cereal" but it is my households hands down favorite cereal. It is one of the few brands I can buy that I am not only sure everyone will eat but I also know it won't last more than a couple of days in my house. Everyone from my 34 year old husband down to my 19 month old son enjoy the taste in every bite!

As a special thanks for making Honey Nut Cheerios® cereal America´s #1 choice, they are hosting a "Billion 'O' Giveaway" providing free samples of Honey Nut Cheerios® cereal to fans beginning July 4, 2011, available while supplies last. Zip on over to http://www.blogger.com/www.FavCereal.com for your sweet sample.

They have also been generous enough to offer one of my readers a Honey Nut Cheerios prize pack as pictured below.

To win this awesome prize pack which includes the following, t-shirt, 2 honey nut cheerios bowls, your very own bee antennas and of course a box of Honey Nut Cheerios, just leave a comment on this post telling me what your family's favorite cereal is!

Rules:

You must leave a SEPARATE comment for each entry to count.

You must complete the mandatory entry in order for extra entries to count.

You must leave an e-mail for me to contact you in at least one of the comments.

All ineligible entries will be deleted.

Winner will have 48 hours to contact me or a new winner will be chosen.

All winners are chosen with Random.org

Contest ends July Friday July 29th at 10 pm CT

Have Fun!!

Mandatory Entry: Tell me what your families favorite cereal is.

Extra Entries: If you already do something let me know (one separate comment for each one!)

Follow my blog with Google Friend Connect (right hand side)

Like me on Facebook

Like Honey Nut Cheerios on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

"Disclosure: Honey Nut Cheerios® cereal, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark."

Babies 'R Us Sweepstakes Sponsored by Baby Brezza

2011-01-13T22:08:00.003-06:00

How would you like a chance to win your entire baby registry? I know that would be the ultimate gift to any expectant mom and Babies R Us and Baby Brezza have teamed up to make someones dream come true! To be entered all you have to do is add the Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker to your Babies R Us registry. You can check out all the details of the contest here.

Disclosure: I was entered for a chance to win a gift card and Baby Brezza One Step Baby Food Maker in exchange for this post. No monetary exchange took place.

All Natural Baby Products From Episencial

2010-12-07T10:41:00.001-06:00

Thanks to Mommy Parties I was recently given the opportunity to try the new line of Episencial baby products along with a group of my friends. I was super excited because these products feature some of my favorite characters from Eric Carle!

I couldn't wait to test out their full line which includes, foaming wash, bubble bath, body butter, soothing cream, and sunscreen. I love that not only are their products all natural but they are eco-friendly as well. My favorite product by far is their soothing cream as my son has terribly dry skin and by using this product his skin has become soft and less irritated once again.

Everyone was thrilled to try out their products and they raved about the delicious scents the products have. You can find all of their products at Ulta and some Targets carry them as well. I will definitely be purchasing this for my future mamas as baby shower gifts!

Free Sample of BG Bar!

2010-10-26T14:20:00.001-05:00

Free Sample of a BG Bar. Just go here and fill out the short form! Yum, Yum :)

REVIEW: MIX PUPS!

2010-10-07T13:51:00.004-05:00

I was recently given the opportunity to host a Mix Pups party through Mommy Parties and I have to say I was impressed. Everyone that came to my party had the opportunity to come and test out the newest toy and even take one home with them. They each have their own name such as Roxy, Anne, and Chloe and they are all a different breed of dog. They come with outfits, accessories and you can even get a mix pup dog house playset to keep them all in.

These are very entertaining and kept the girls busy for hours. They were also excited about collecting all the different dogs that are available. You can check out their website here and they are available for purchase at Toys R Us. With Christmas right around the corner this is sure to please any little girl.

DISCLOSURE: All comments and opinions are those of my own. I was not compensated to write this review but was given the product to try out.

Winners Announced!!!

2010-07-03T08:50:00.004-05:00

I have used random.org and the winners it selected for the Country Bob's giveaway are:

#13 - skbrush said... FB fan of you!

and

#5 - Meganlovesyou said...I'd just dip my meat (steak, chicken etc) in the country bob's sauce :)

Congrats you two! You have 48 hours to send me your name and mailing info. Thanks and keep reading :)

Country Bob's Review and Giveaway!

2010-06-17T17:07:00.003-05:00

I recently was given the honor of trying out some of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce. I must say it was delicious! I am usually the person in the house that dips everything in barbecue sauce but I must bid it a fond farewell as my new favorite sauce is Country Bob's. Not only is it perfect for dipping your steak in, (I am a dipper my husband is a pourer) but it is also great on burgers, in meatloaf on hot dogs, in an omelet. You name it and I think I just might try it with some country Bob's on it. They have a variety of recipes available on their website here.

My husband was thrilled when he heard I was going to make Country Bob's Meatloaf. Normally I use ketchup when making meatloaf but this really improved the overall taste and there were absolutely no leftovers. See if your family notices a difference with the recipe found here.

Still skeptical....well then try it for yourself because over at Country Bob's you can get your first bottle on them!!! Just fill out this short form and they will send you a coupon. I am sure once you and your family try it you will be hooked.

Giveaway

Country Bob's has also very kindly offered to send 2 of my readers 2 bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce just in time for the summer grilling season! To enter just comment below for doing any/all of these things. Make sure you leave a separate comment for each entry. Also make sure to leave an e-mail address so I can contact you should you win.

First Mandatory Entry:

Visit Country Bob's and tell me what recipe you would make with your bottles of all purpose sauce. (1 entry)

Extra Entries (1 entry each)

1. Follow Katie's Frugal Finds via google friend connect in the upper right hand corner.
2. "Like" Katie's Frugal Finds on facebook here.
3. "Like" Country Bob's on facebook here.

Contest is open from now until Friday July 2nd at 11:59 CT at which time a winner will be chosen via random.com. The winner will be contacted via e-mail and have 48 hours to respond. If I do not here a response within that time frame another winner will be chosen.

Good eating & Good luck!

Disclaimer: All opinions are those of my own. I was compensated with 2 bottles of Country Bob's in exchange for my opinion.

Playtex Bra Makeover

2010-05-18T15:10:00.003-05:00

Do you need a bra makeover? Know a friend that could use a bra makeover? Then head on over to Playtex where you can either nominate yourself or a friend for a complete bra makeover. Ten lucky women will win a trip to New You where they will be fitted and styled by Alison Deyette. You only have until Friday May 21st so HURRY!!! The winners will also get to star in their vey own wepisode. Good Luck :)

By posting this information, I am entered into a contest to win a free bra from Playtex. I did not receive any compensation for this post and thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

What My Mailman Brought me Today!

2010-05-15T13:03:00.002-05:00

My mailman brought me lots of goodies today! I got my Kraft summer pack (no longer available) which had 3 snack bags of wheat thins, coupon for a free bottle of Kraft Olive Oil Mayo, Free coupon for Kraft Home style deluxe mac & cheese, a rebate for $10 when I purchase $30 worth of Kraft products and 3 samples of international delight vanilla caramel latte. I also got my monthly issue of Forbes (don't remember where I signed up for this) and a huge bottle of Neutrogena Ultra Gentle foaming Cleanser to test for Mindfield Online. You can sign up to do surveys for them here. I just love when the mailman brings me goodies instead of bills! Did you get your Kraft sample pack yet?

Free Sample of Purex 3 in 1

2010-05-13T21:41:00.004-05:00

Go here to request a free sample of Purex 3 in 1. I absolutely love these because you just throw it in the washer and then it goes into the dryer and works as a dryer sheet. If only everything was this easy. They are quite expensive, but I'll take the free sample.

Free Full Size Bottle of Suave Professionals!!!

2010-05-13T08:58:00.002-05:00

There is a great freebie this morning. If you "Like" Suave on facebook you can then sign up to receive a coupon by mail for a free full size bottle. What a great way to start off a Thursday. :)

Free Samples from Walmart

2010-05-10T18:25:00.004-05:00

Walmart is offering some great free samples right now. Just head over here to check them out. Right now they are offering Dove deodorant, Secret clinical strength deodorant, Old Spice body wash, baby formula, Prilosec otc, John Freida shampoo & conditioner, and Eucerin lotion. These samples tend to run out fairly quickly so don't wait!

Free 8x10 Photo Collage @ Walgreens!

2010-05-06T09:42:00.004-05:00

From now through Saturday May 8th head on over to Walgreens and make an 8x10 photo collage for free by using the code GOODTHOUGHTS. Select the option to have the collage delivered for in store pick up and this is entirely free!! What a great mothers day gift.

Free Can of Libby's Fruit or Veggie's

2010-05-04T19:06:00.003-05:00

Like Libby's on facebook an then click on the tab that says Libby's table. Fill out the form and receive a coupon via snail mail!

Free Sample of Pampers Cruisers!

2010-05-04T10:01:00.004-05:00

Vocalpoint is giving away free sample packs of pampers cruisers with new dry max. Even if you don't have a toddler in need of diapers I suggest signing up for this website. They send lots of freebies in the mail even without requesting them. I have received coupons for free full size Rice Krispies, Kashi cereal, Pantene and more.

Free Kraft Summer Pack

2010-05-03T21:46:00.005-05:00

Like Kraft Foods on facebook and you will be able to pick one of four sample packs. Just click on the tab that says savings. I picked the homestyle mac & cheese one because we are huge macaroni and cheese fans at my house.

Free After Rebate

2009-01-30T17:54:00.001-06:00

Who doesn't love something for free? I know I do. Here are some links to try lots of products for free. Hurry some expire January 31st!

Yo-Plus Yogurt
Pert Plus for Men
Aunt Jemima Frozen Pancakes
Smart Balance-You can get all of them!!
Clorox 2 with Stainguard
Quilted Northern Ultra Plush
Feline Pine Cat Litter
Scotch Lint Roller
Scotch-Brite Kitchen Scrubber
Duncan Hines Carrot Cake
Liquid-Plumr
Orville Redenbacher
Progresso Soup
Peter Pan Peanut Butter
Dannon Activia Yogurt
Venus Embrace

Don't forget to use coupons to save even more!

A Frugal Friend

2009-01-30T17:29:00.001-06:00

I want to say thank you to my new frugal friend. I won her first giveaway for a Precious Girl gift pack. It is definitly a wonderful gift set for a little girl. It came with a backpack, necklace, charm, book, and stuffed animal.

Head on over to her website for free samples, coupons, and rebates.

Welcome!

2009-01-23T23:19:00.000-06:00

Welcome to my very first blog! With my blog I hope to accomplish several goals over the coming months. Not only do I want to share what I have learned about being frugal, but I hope to teach as well, so everyone can take advantage of the great ways to save money out there. I believe there is no greater gift than the gift of sharing. By sharing things you know with others you help them grow and vice-versa.

I look forward to getting to know everyone and starting our journey together!