Air purifiers?

Air purifiers are very expensive. Who doesn't want clean air? I am definitely one of them but I don't see my self buying an air purifier. 1) they are expensive 2) I have 2 small kids and 2 furry beasts and I could see one of them knocking it over and breaking it 3) I live out in the country (sort of) so we are lucky not to be around as much "city" pollution. However, I would still like our air as clean as possible.
I have some cheaper ideas for you. Here are 10 of the best air cleaning house plants:
1. Bamboo Palm
2. Rubber Plant
3. Spider Plant
4. English Ivy
5. Janet Craig dracaena
6. Dwarf Date
7. Boston Fern
8. Peace Lily
9. Corn Plant
10. Schefflera

Garage Sales and Growth Charts

This is my first official season going to Garage Sales and I have scored the past two days! My advice is to go the first day and when they first open. OR go on the last day and at the end of the day and if there is anything decent left, offer them less than they're asking. No one wants to haul their stuff back indoors.

I have seen some expensive wooden Growth Charts in stores and online. They are cute but over priced in my opinion. A couple creative ideas for a Growth Chart substitute are:
-plant a tree and every year on your child's birthday take a picture of him/her standing next to it
-take random pictures of your child and frame them and hang them at the height they were in the picture, have the frames stacked or staggered in a line on the same wall
-take pictures of your daughter in a bathing suit or dress (pre-teen or teenage size) and see the progression as she grows up
That's all I have for now, let me know if you have any others.

Free Cats

Our local Humane Society is offering 2-for-1 cat adoptions. Sadly they are receiving too many unwanted cats and not enough homes. I used to voluteer at one of their locations and these cats are so sweet and just want a good home. 2 cats isn't much different than 1 as far as supplies and work. Please help keep the pet polulation down and unless you are a breeder have your pets spayed or neutered (I'm not trying to be Bob Barker, I'm totally serious). I used to get so mad at my own mother for letting her animals have litters.
You are saving the cost of the second cat by getting it for free from the Humane Society. Since I am forever trying to save money and/or get free things I would say you can just find a free cat in the paper or on the side of the road but cats from the Humane Society have already had a complete check-up for diseases, received shots, been spayed or neutered and have one of those microchip implants (the size of a grain of rice) so much cheaper than a free cat plus vet bills.

Puzzles

Do your kids love puzzles? One tip is when you first open the box, use a Sharpie and put the initials of the puzzle design on the back of each piece. One day when your kids dump out tons of puzzles you know which pieces belong together. Yes it is a money saving tip. Who knows, maybe one day when you're cleaning up your kids mess since it's easier than asking them nine million times - you might get frustrated and just throw the puzzles pieces out rather than figure out which pieces belong in which box. Now you'll know!

Hair Myths & Cheap gifts

Okay so I read this article about 8 Hair Myths and thought it was worth passing on. For sure I can find a way this could save you money. For instance all that money you spend on products to make your hair shine? Use cold water before you get out of the shower:

True or False? A Cold Rinse Adds Shine and Tames Frizz

TRUE. A blast of cold water at the end of your shower can make hair appear shinier because it temporarily helps the cuticle flatten down onto the hair shaft, explains Desai. But the results might not last if you don't properly dry your hair. Make sure the cuticle remains flat by applying a deep conditioner or silicone-based product to seal it.

Cheap Gifts that I promised: Know of any little girls having a birthday soon? Or your own little girl and want to invite a bunch of little fairy friends? Check out this website for really cute fairy wings, tutus, tiaras etc for so cheap and use the code MOVING before June 25 to get an extra 10% off. Keep in mind shipping is a flat $8 so make your purchase worth it!!!

Kids Eat Free

I stole the following Kids Eat Free schedule from a fellow mom to share:

MONDAYS
The Club Car - Kids eat free Monday and Tuesday from 5 to close with the purchase of an adult meal.
IHOP - One kid eats free for each adult meal purchased from open to close on Mondays.
The Longest Yard - Kids eat free Monday through Wednesday night. One child for each paying adult.
Maxie's - Mondays kids eat for $.99 from 4 p.m. to close.
Spaghetti Works - Kids eat free Monday evenings.

TUESDAYS
B&B - Kids 10 and under eat free on Tuesdays.
Bakers Square - Kids eat free all day Tuesday with purchase of an adult meal.
Bennigans - Tuesdays kids eat free with purchase of adult meal, 4 to close.
Carlos O'Kelly's - $2 & $2.50 discount on kids meals for each adult meal purchased.
Champps - Tuesdays 2 kids eat free for each adult meal purchased from 6 - 9.
The Club Car - Kids eat free Monday and Tuesday from 5 to close with the purchase of an adult meal.
Fazoli's - $.99 kids meals from 5 to 8 p.m. every Tuesday.
Fuddruckers - One free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal on Tuesday evenings.
Hy-Vee - Kids eat for $.99 with an adult on Tuesdays from 4 to 8 p.m.
Kriegers Hometown Sports Grill - Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal all day Tuesdays.
Lonestar Steakhouse - Two kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal all day.
The Longest Yard - Kids eat free Monday through Wednesday night. One child for each paying adult.
Murphy's Bar & Grill -Tuesdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal from 5 to 8 p.m.
Perkins -Tuesdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal all day.
Philly's Finest - Tuesdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.
Pizza Hut - For each paying adult, one child 10 and under eats free at the buffet, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Pizza Ranch - For each paying adult, one child 8 and under eats free on Tuesday evenings.
Trophy's Sports Bar & Grill - Kids eat free on Tuesdays.

WEDNESDAYS
Applebees - Wednesday is $.99 kids' meals, 4 to close
IHOP - One kid eats free for each adult meal purchased from 4 to 10 p.m. on Wednesdays.
The Longest Yard - Kids eat free Monday through Wednesday night. One child for each paying adult.
Papa Chubby's - Kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of two regular entrees on Wednesday nights.
McDonalds - All metro locations offer reduced-price Happy Meals (From $1.69 to $2.00 depending on store) on Wednesdays.
Shane's Rib Shack - Kids 10 & under eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.

THURSDAYS
Hooters - Kids eat free all day Thursday.
Mama Lacona's - Thursdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.
West End Diner - One kids meal free for each purchase of an adult meal on Thursday evenings

FRIDAYS

SATURDAYS
Daytona's - Kids eat free all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Gateway Market West - Kids eat free all weekend. One child per ordering parent.
Murphy's Bar & Grill - Saturdays kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal from Noon to 8 p.m.
Z'Mariks Noodle Cafe - Two kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal all day.

SUNDAYS
Bostons - Sundays kids meals are $1.99.
Daytona's - Kids eat free all day on Saturday and Sunday.
Fireside Grill - Kids eat free every Sunday.
Gateway Market West - Kids eat free all weekend. One child per ordering parent.
Legends - Kids eat free all day on Sunday's with the purchase of an adult meal.
Okoboji Grill - Sundays kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.
Planet Sub - Sundays kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult meal.
Qdoba - Free kids meal with purchase of an adult meal on Sundays.
Spaghetti's - Kids eat free all day on Sunday.
Guadalajara - Kids eat free with an adult meal.

I can count on one hand how many times I have gone out to eat with my kids (another money saving tip) so this list will be of no use to me (and we only have a fraction of these restaurant chains), but I am hoping they help some of you out there! Verify the day of the week with your closest location - quick phone call before you leave could save you from disappointment.

Tip of the day

Money saving tip pf the day: Don't buy nice furniture (or anything for that matter) if you have young children and/or pets.

Almost 250 Digital prints for FREE

Summer vacation has begun and some of us have free time with our kids. Why not do some crafts with pictures, create a memory book, or get started on some birthday/Christmas presents! If you don't already have a membership to the sites below you can get 245 digital prints mailed to you with only the price of shipping. I mentioned in the CVS blog entry about 50 free prints...now I will tell you about some other sites.

Snapfish you get 50 free prints for joining and you only pay shipping (around $1)
Winkflash you get 50 free prints for joining and you only pay shipping (around $1)
Kodak Gallery you get 20 free prints for joining
Shutterfly you get 25 free prints
FujiFilm offers 50 free prints via coupon code "prints-6"

These sites changes their offers all the time. Earlier this year Kodak was offering 75 free prints. I've seen as little as 20 and as much as 75. Once you are a member there are always great deals for prints, collages, gifts, photo books, etc.

GET CRAFTY!

Free Movie

One of my new interests is Historical Fiction (books by Phillipa Gregory who wrote The Other Boleyn Girl). Now that I am just about finished with her series I have moved on to Marie Antoinette since I don't know much about her other than her name and she liked sweets. (History and Politics have always been my weak areas.) I did a search with my library (see 1st blog entry) and created a list of books and movies about her. I rented (from the library for free**) a recent movie titled "Marie Antoinette" staring Kirsten Dunst and while it wasn't full of informative historical facts it had amazingly vibrant colors and fabulous clothes. Check it out if you are into that sort of thing....cake, champagne, shoes and cool dresses that is.

**Aside from free DVD's from your local library here is a code for a free rental from Redbox per credit/debit card good until Monday, June 8 DEVRY6268

Record your shows - Burt's Bees Lip Balm

I don't know what I would do without my DVR (sometimes known as TIVO, but that's just a name brand). I basically watch 3 shows (Survivor, So You Think You Can Dance, and Jon & Kate + 8) but they typically come on during our bedtime routine so I have them automatically set to record. It might take a few days but I eventually get to them and it's lovely "me" time. I despise commercials and love to fast forward through them - I mean, why do we have to have commercials anyway? The radio in the car is free and therefore we have commericals. SIRIUS doesn't have commercials because you have to pay for it. Ummmm, I totally have to pay for cable so why must we get inudated with commercials, most of them being gross movie previews or stupid drug companies trying to sell us sleep aids and depression meds. Geez. You might be wondering is this a rant or is there a money saving tip in here somewhere? Well they say time is money so watch your favorite shows in almost half the time and get something else done in the time you save not watching TV's terrible commercials :)

Also, every day between 9am-noon EST Burt's Bees is giving 1000 FREE LIP BALMS away until June 20th. We love Burt's Bees and use it on the babies and I love the chapstick.

FREE Donuts, Root Beer Float, Sandwiches, Cookies, Pictures, Ice Cream....

You know I love free. Did you remember to go to Wal-Mart on 5/30 for free ice cream? I bet you didn't. No one ever listens to me.

If you live near a Sonic, go TODAY to get a FREE 10 oz. ROOT BEER FLOAT from 8pm to midnight.

On this Friday, June 5th, go to your nearest DUNKIN DONUTS and get a FREE DONUT with the purchase of any beverage.

Register with Quizno's and receive a FREE SAMMIE with signup and FREE COOKIE on your birthday!

Get 50 FREE photo prints at CVS (actually there are other sites to get free prints too if you didn't already know...I'll touch on that subject at a later date) when you register online and have an Extra Care Card.

I used to go to Friendly's in the Exton Mall when I was a kid and I haven't seen one in over 5 yrs but Saturday, June 6, from 12-5pm they are giving away a free single scoop of ice cream

Coupon Trading

I have been trading coupons for years. It sounds silly but it started when I would randomly receive formula coupons (checks) in the mail for high dollar amounts. I then realized that these were valuable to the moms that used these formula brands. So I began trading them for coupons that I could use (dollar for dollar). Thus began my love affair for coupon trading and my excitement at handing over a fist full of coupons and the end of my grocery expedition. Note: I never purchase an item JUST because I have a coupon, that's just silly.
There are many trading sites but the one I use is on BabyCenter. At the very most my trading costs me the price of a stamp - which is pretty expensive in my opinion so I make sure to make the trades big and well worth my stamp. Often times I receive over $20 in coupons that are valuable to me in one trade. Now I trade Internet printed coupons, baby coupons (Toys & Babies R Us, Huggies, Gerber, and formula), Newspapers inserts and anything else of value that I receive in the mail (once a year I receive a $20 off coupon for Sunglass Hut). It may sound daunting, but if you know how to check your email, start a post (like a blog), and send an envelope of coupons you can do it! I may spend 2 hours a month doing this and my savings are as high as the time I put in.

Seatbelt wearing???

I hope everyone had a fabulous and SAFE Memorial weekend! We didn't travel too far but during our travels I noticed several ads for seat belts with my favorite being "Click it or ticket." Ummmm. Really??? Why does it make sense for people to be fined for not being safe? When are the cops going to start issuing fines for not applying sunblock (over 1 million Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer annually)?!? I mean, I am all about keeping our vehicular fatalities to a minimum: I wear a seat belt, my 4 year old son is in a harnessed car seat that goes up to 100 lbs, my toddler is still rear facing and can stay that way until 35 lbs BUT COME ON! Apparently Kelly Ripa is involved in an awareness campaign for seat belts. We need an awareness campaign? My cars beeps at me something ridiculous if my seat belt isn't on before I pull out of my garage. Whatever. I think it's dumb. Be safe for yourself and be an example for your children. My money saving tip of the day is um, wear your seat belt, I guess.

Target

I love Target and they love all the money I give them. I hear some of you aren't as fortunate to have Super Target close by, but some of the Targets should at least have a small grocery section. They are our primary grocery store. I love them because of their prices and of course the convenience of one-stop-shop. Gianna (15 months) will spaz at least 50% of the time when we put her in the car seat. My favorite way to save money at Target is combining Target coupons with manufacture coupons (plus if the product is on sale I'm golden). I am not sure how I got on Target's mailing list but I get so excited when I get coupons in the mail. They send grocery, non-grocery and $5 off $25 etc. Money in my hands basically. Today I used a $1 Band-aid coupon and bought a trial size Hello Kitty (I think it had like 10 in the box) ....AKA FREE! Love it! Also, if you want to take a sneak peak at the circular coming up Hot Coupon World always has a preview. Even if you buy something today and it goes on sale on Sunday, Target will price adjust for up to 14 days (you do not need to have the product with you just the receipt).

*After thinking about it....I think the way I got on Target's mailing list is by checking the box saying I wanted to be informed of future deals when completing one of their surveys for a $5000 gift card (why haven't I won one yet by the way???). I wasn't on the mailing list after having a baby registry and I don't have a credit card with them. Well worth completing the survey...I will not give up hope on winning the gift card. I have that $5000 spent in my head.

Free Samples

I really don't want to become one of those blogs that just lists sites that are already up and running with giveaways and coupon trading with CVS and Walgreens bargains because they are already out there. What I will do is give you a daily tip on where to find them and other money saving ideas because I am truly packed full of them.
Love them or hate them Wal-Mart has a free ice cream day on Saturday, May 30 11am-4pm. Pick up your free product and head to the park to enjoy this beautiful weather. Wal-Mart always has a 'free sample' section with baby goods and beauty products that are a perfect size for your trips and travels.

Cleaning

A wise woman once told me "time spent cleaning is time spent away from your kids." First let it be known that this woman can completely look past a huge mess and disorder where with me I hear "alert! alert!" and must straighten everything. The last time I was at her house it took everything I had not to organize her home office. I do agree with her but I work 15 hrs a week (thanks James) and get to spend a lot of time with my kids. Yesterday it was essential to literally spend time away from my kids to get some cleaning done. James (my husband) has owned a taekwondo (TKD) school since 1997. I do everything I can (other than nag) to help him with this business. I know his areas of need and thankfully those are my strengths. He has an after-school program and I am pretty sure they are all clones of the same kid from Charlie Brown (Pig Pen). My goodness. Where does trash go? On the floor, naturally. Sigh. I will always disagree with the idea that I have OCD but I do love order and cleanliness. Cleaning and organizing are the same task for me and his school needs it! We had to plan to have a babysitter (sister-in-law) watch the kids so we could actually be productive. This brings me to Craigslist. I LOVE CRAIGSLIST! I will update you on recent purchases and sales as our relationship continues. Although I sell way more than I buy, an ideal bookshelf/storage unit is a perfect purchase from Craigslist (CL). I good wipe down with the strongest chemicals I can put my hands on and *poof* new bookshelf for a fraction of the price. I am constantly amazed by what people buy off of CL- things I never would but to each their own. I've been selling stuff since 2004 and it's so easy! If you have junk laying around put it on CL even if you think nobody would want it. Take a picture. All my searches are done with the image box checked. Have a default message that you copy and past and use a code word so people can search for your other listings.

Okay.....

So. Many people have told me I should write a book. You will see later that I would actually advise you NOT to buy the book but just borrow it from your local library. In that case I would never make money off of all my hard work. My dream is to be able to charm you and make you laugh all while giving you money saving tips. In this dream I would have numerous followers and fabulous sponsors that pay for my grocery bill (we'll touch on that subject at a later time).

I currently live in MN (I'll explain that later too) with my husband, 2 kids, a dog and a cat. I look forward to giving you tid bits of information on how to stretch that dollar - or at least not just throw it away. For starters I will tell you what I have already told you earlier:
VISIT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY. If you don't already, go to yours! They are fantastic! I do not buy magazines, books or DVD's. I don't even listen to the radio anymore. I went through my "top 40" stage for a long time on the radio....then I went through my "talk radio" stage (even Howard Stern when I was in college) and now I am just bored so I have been listening to audio books and it's great! Being a mother of a (almost) 4 year old and a one year old I don't have a ton of free time so 'reading' books in the car is perfect since driving is so boring. I even rent semi-new DVD's from the library. Online requesting is key. I go on waiting lists if I have to. Also, the library has great activities for kids! Especially in the summer. When Andre (my almost 4 year old) is at story time I can sit and read a magazine (this week's People if I want to) while Gianna sits "quietly" in her stroller. Well, at least she used to. Get to it folks! I will suggest readings as we go along as well. For now I suggest Phillipa Gregory series for historical fiction. Start with the Constant Princess.
Now I am off to put clothes away. Why is it that my 12 year old cat, Missy, always find clean clothes to shed on during her marathon sleeping? They aren't even warm out of the dryer they just happen to be clothes or a blanket that someone didn't use for whatever reason (maybe we packed too much for an outing) and she seems to find it and get it all nasty as if I didn't already have enough laundry to do. I don't think I can ever have another cat. But we love her.