Who doesn’t love to save some money? I have been jotting down some money-saving tips throughout the year that I wanted to share:
7. Don’t want to drop thousands on a mattress? Buy a less expensive firm mattress for good support and then buy a good memory foam topper -- this is similar to the one we love from Costco.
I shared this tip for keeping the topper in place!
6. Clean out your fridge and freezer before going to the grocery store to see what you need to use. Then make a shopping list that will get you through the week/2 weeks/month, whatever works best for your family. I was so bad about this over the summer and was going to the store almost every day and spending WAY too much. It’s worth the 1/2 hr-45 minutes to do a quick clean out & inventory and plan for the week and makes much less waste.
5. Take advantage of store savings! I was cursing Walmart because they didn’t have the receipt look-up like other stores do and I despise keeping paper receipts. My sister told me about their Savings Catcher – basically, you download the app and you can quickly scan the code at the bottom of the receipt after you checkout and it stores the receipt in their database so you can throw the paper one away PLUS if they find a better deal at a local store on any of the items you purchased, you get the difference!
I’ve already earned over $10 since I began a few months ago, then you can use it like a gift card on your purchases at the store or online.
- I also LOVE the Target Red Debit Card. This is a DEBIT card, not a credit card so it comes right out of your savings or checking account, no getting a big statement from your Target fling a month later. No fees, you save 5% on every purchase in-store or online, you get free shipping on every order, 30 extra days for returns.
4. Freebies for good grades! Check around your area. I know Krispy Kreme offers a free donut for every A (or A equivalent), what a fun outing at the end of each term.
3. Use Camel Camel Camel -- I often get asked how I know something is a lowest price on CME + Deals every week and this is what I use! Let’s say I saw LEGO Poe’s X-Wing Fighter at Costco last week for $70 (which I did!) and I wanted to know if that was a good deal. I find the product on Amazon, paste it into Camel Camel Camel and it will show me that the lowest it has been on Amazon is $67.95 and right now it’s 67.99 so yes, it’s a great deal. So then you can decide if you want to get it at Costco right now or order it on Amazon.
PLUS, you can set a price watch ^^ on it so you will get an email if it gets down to the price you want and you can jump on it quickly.
2. Haircuts! A good haircut around here runs $30-$40. I’ve found that you can save money by going to a less expensive chain salon in between cuts – check the reviews on Google to get good person at the salon, look at how they do their own hair!, and tell them you just want a trim and to follow the lines of what you normally have done. Most people get haircuts 7-8 times per year, so if you went to a cheap salon for 4 of those times for a $10 haircut you would save at least $100.
1. Check your auto & home insurance! If you have been with your carrier for more than a year or two, have they raised your rates? Usually companies give great introductory rates and it is so worth the hour to call around/ search online and make sure you are getting the best rate every few years. Make sure you are getting all of the discounts with your employer, safe driver, home bundle discount, etc. You can save $50-$100/month by doing this.
What are your best money-saving tips? We’d love to hear!
Hello! We have Fall Break this week, so CME + Deals is early, enjoy!
The Adeline from Garrison Hullinger design:
* What Halloween Looked Like the Year You Were Born
* Thank you, Canada! ♥ We need to hear that
and DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1
* Today/tonight only! 40% off at Old Navy with code QUICK and you don’t have to be a cardholder
* $10 off your first $30 grocery pick up order at Walmart with code REALEASY at checkout
* lowest price: Settlers of Catan $28.01
* lowest price: Sargent Art 50 pc colored pencils $7.95
* free shipping at Children’s Place + 50% off!
* Hershey’s 75 pc candy bag for $7 when you clip the coupon
* lowest price: 120 ct Hershey’s Miniatures $7.69
Macy’s great deals:
* get a free 5 piece Philosophy gift set with any Philosophy purchase + free shipping!
* Corningware 6 pc bakeset $14.99
* Ralph Lauren Lawton pillows $7.99
* flash sale today only: lots of different sterling pendant necklaces only $21.25 when you use code POPUP at checkout
* Early Bird Special: 50 photo cards for $10 at Sam’s Club
* LEGO Architecture Buckingham Palace $35.99
* lowest price: Snap Circuits Jr. Electronics Discovery Kit $17.50
* lowest price: Apple & Eve 32 ct 100% juice box $7.58
* Anchor Hocking 7-pc bakeware set $9.97
* 15% off your check at Outback Steakhouse
* 4 lb pair of walking dumbbells $3.99
* lowest price: Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Tea Set $11.81
birthday gifts! * Lego Island Prison Set $6.39
* Mrs. Meyers 3 piece hand soap set, rhubarb $7.40 when you clip the coupon = $2.46 each – these make great gifts too!
* Thomas the Train mini advent calendar $27.01
Have a wonderful week!
a free brush lettering course from One Artsy Mama:
* a homecoming king’s act of kindness ♥
and DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1
Today only: 30% off bedroom furniture at Target – no code needed. Plus, if you spend $200 you get $50 off!
* Fashion Friday All The Boots for 30% Off (Starting at $14!) + FREE SHIPPING w/code BOOTS16
* Under Armour girl’s shirt $9.99
* Old Spice Denali deodorant 4 pk $10.08 when you clip the coupon
* Sportbrella X-Large Umbrella $36.94
* $5 off your first book purchase at Google Play
* today only: Janie & Jack has free shipping – use code FRIDAYDELIGHT at checkout.
* going on a tropical vacation or to a luau? Ocean Pacific maxi skirts only $3.50
* lowest price: Ball Mason regular mouth canning jars, set of 12 $7.68
* North Face Women’s Kindling Jacket $80
* today only: Sterilite Ultra Seal Food 36-pc Storage Set $22.99
* great for Halloween parties: Bean Boozled spinner game $4.95
* lowest price: Lindt milk chocolate caramel 60 ct $12.62 when you clip the 20% off coupon
* stocking stuffer: Nautica Blue cologne $9.99
* Red enamel dutch oven $29.99
* lowest price: Fisher Price Nativity $25.05
Happy Weekend everyone!!
* Walking into the grocery store and not knowing where your favorite items are
* Arriving at an event and not knowing a soul or not even having a chance of bumping into someone you know.
* Sitting at the first soccer game and hearing the conversations around you and wanting to chime in but you don’t know them!
* Not feeling comfortable enough calling someone for a ride for your preschooler when your baby is still sleeping or you don’t know people well enough to be in a carpool yet.
picking leftover cotton in Texas
* Finding new doctors and dentists
* Not knowing the best routes or shortcuts and getting LOST!
* School pickup and drop-off routines
* Sending snacks for the class or birthday treats. What do they like around here? Homemade or store bought? Is sugar ok? Organic only, allergies??
* The FORMS. The dreaded filling out every.single.one That right there is a reason to never move again. And then not having anyone to put for emergency contact.
When we are moving and looking seriously at a buying a house, we have a little trick: walk down the street after school and work. Are there kids out playing, bikes or snowmen in the front yard? People taking trash out, walking dogs, or working in the yards? Talk to anyone who is outside. They will tell you what no realtor can and you can really get a feel for a neighborhood. “Oh that house has had the worst problems with drainage, I hope they got it fixed!” “We’re so sad to see the Jones’ move, he got a job transfer” “ But that dog next door barks ALL night” “This is such a great neighborhood, we love it” “It’s all right, people pretty much keep to themselves” We have actually changed our minds about a house after a walk through the neighborhood!
But do you know what? I have loved every place we have lived and miss things about each place. Some, more than others – but I am convinced that there is beauty and good people to be found everywhere. My friend Melody just wrote a book called This Is Where You Belong and she combines research, her personal experiences, and experiments of her own to help you feel at home wherever you are.
I know Melody from when we lived in Blacksburg and I adore her – she was my daughter’s youth leader and one of the most intelligent people I have met, and yet is a fantastic listener and knows all of the best books. She is warm and engaging and I just love all of the personal anecdotes she included in This Is Where You Belong, it’s such a delightful read that really makes you think about the happiness involved with where you live.
You can get to know her better on her podcast with Modern Mrs. Darcy or her website here. You know I only recommend things that I love, please enjoy getting to know Melody and her book!
I would love to know – do you love where you live? Do you think that you can learn to love living anywhere?
* This beautiful porch photographed by Brian Jannsen
* Mom hears son’s heartbeat 3 years after his death ♥
* How to raise kinder, less entitled kids
and DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1
* World Market Friends & Family – 30% off and free shipping over $200 using code FALLFF at checkout
* lowest price: Enchanted DVD $5.41
* E.T. anniversary edition blu ray combo pack $6.99
* the Chewbacca mask is back in stock! $27.48
* Madden NFL 17 all platforms $39.99 at Best Buy
* Poe’s X-Wing Fighter $2.41 (add-on item)
* lowest price: Wilton 24 cupcake perfect results pan $12.82
* It’s here! Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets Illustrated Edition $23.99
* Buy one get one 50% off on all Halloween costumes and buy one get one 50% off on big candy bags
* Cottonelle 12 pack only $3.99 (add-on item)
* Free 45 Day Subscription to Hulu through Groupon
* Venus Spa Razor $4.57 when you clip the $3 coupon
* Pyrex 3-piece glass measuring cup set $13
* Disney Store has $10 fleece throws, ornaments, and mugs PLUS you get an extra 20% off your $75 purchase with code SAVE20 and free shipping on that $75 purchase with code SHIPMAGIC
* Fall pencil skirts $14.99 at Jane
* lowest price: Philips Sonicare 3 Series Rechargeable Toothbrush only $49.95 when you clip the $10 coupon OR Sonicare 2 Series $29.95 when you clip the coupon
* Vera Bradley Friends and Family: 25% off sitewide + free shipping
These test tubes were actually a spice set that I found at a thrift store – kind of like this, I couldn’t find the exact one but you get the idea. I just filled them with Halloween sprinkles and little plastic spiders from Walmart and candy eyes. The printed labels are from Etsy.
Do you remember the cart on the porch that was given a makeover? It’s a perfect storage for my halloween hoard.
Some more fun decor on the porch!
This phone is still a favorite and goes off when people come on the porch – our cutest little neighbor boy just got brave enough to come up and knock on the door and I hear him whispering, “it’s just a toy, it’s just a toy.”
I do have my eye on the spooky radio though!! Do any of you have it? I am waiting for a great sale/clearance so let me know if you see one.
I pulled out a ladder from the basement storage room that worked great for a display!
Happy Spooking!!
* How to make a free corn tassel wreath at All Things Thrifty
* the toy smuggler that brings smiles to Syrian children
* what a Stanford dean says parents are doing to ruin their kids
and DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1
* today only: I wait for this battery deal to stock up!
* Halloween candy! Hershey’s 140 pc bag for $7.80 when you clip the coupon
* Karate Kid dvd collection $5.99
* lowest price: Coleman double high airbed $34.22
* 6 pack LED lightbulbs $14.99 when you use code RSHKZDMQ at checkout
* Macy’s: free 7 piece Clinique gift set with any $27 purchase
* lowest price: Tom’s of Maine natural white toothpaste, 6 pack $12.20
* $20 off $45 purchase or $50 off $100 coupon at Yankee Candle
* lowest price: Kolcraft lightweight stroller with umbrella & basket $47.99
* 100 pack white tealights $12.99
* lowest price: LEGO City Ferry $19.19
* today only: free shipping at Gymboree with code WHEEFREE + 40% off dressed up styles
* Waring Pro Convection Oven $59.99
* Scott soft toilet tissue – 24 pk $12.29 when you clip the coupon and choose subscribe & save, same price as Costco
* Coleman Brazos sleeping bag $15.20
* Elf Ears Christmas Hat $2.37
This is a simple salad but it’s sooooo good. It’s the one I always get a request for when I make it for company or bring it to a gathering.
The secret ingredient: this English cheddar that I buy at Costco – sweet & rugged and it crumbles perfectly – it is divine with the lemon poppyseed dressing. This cheese was introduced to me by GoToRecipes on Instagram in another salad she shared that is also soooo good –she has the best recipes.
Lightly toss together:
- Spring mix salad mix (or just whatever dark greens + spinach you have on hand)
- Coastal English cheddar cheese, crumbled
- Dried cherries (or cranberries, I like the cherries)
- slivered almonds (you can caramelize them if you like)
- thinly sliced apples or pears (dipped in lemon juice to prevent browning if it will be awhile before adding dressing)
Lemon Poppyseed Dressing
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup lemon juice
1 tsp onion powder
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup oil (whatever I have on hand: canola, vegetable, or olive)
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
In a blender or food processor, combine sugar, lemon juice, onion powder, mustard and salt. Process until well blended. With machine still running add oil in a slow steady stream until mixture is thick and smooth. Add poppy seeds and process just a few seconds more to mix. Toss with salad right before serving.
Yum.
Enjoy! Here is the printable version
My top 3 popular recipe posts:
1. Banana bars
Jenna Sue’s laundry room makeover!
* 9 U.S. cities where your pay will go the furthest
* what happens when this band plays for a herd of cows
and DEALS! These are the prices when I hit publish, they can change or run out at anytime. Lowest price means it is the lowest price within a year, within $1
*lowest price! Oreck 8 lb upright vacuum $137
* Ulta 21 Days of Beauty! Too Faced Lipstick & Benefit Eyeliner
* 50% off North Face women’s jackets + 50% off North Face men’s jackets at 6 pm
* Crazy 8 has free shipping on any order today using code MEGAFREE + an extra 40% off markdowns
* Ohuhu Lightweight Sleeping Bag $22.99
* think Halloween! * 100 ct glow stick bracelets $8.99 or 40 ct finger lights $8.29
* Libbey Ring Glass Baking Dish $6
* lowest price: Frigidaire 6 slice toaster convection oven $36
* lowest price: InStep 2 seat Bicycle Trailer/Stroller $72.22
* Super Strong fold up step stool $9.99
* $5 Magazine Sale is still going on at Amazon! Southern Living only goes down to $5 twice a year –jump on this! Here are some more:
Note that these are for auto renewal, after you subscribe go into Amazon's Subscription Manager if you want to turn it off so it won’t automatically renew
If you want some free gift tags for these, they are here.
We have not shared a Under $10 Under 1 Hour project in a long time, so here’s one I whipped up this morning!
I found these pumpkin stems at the Dollar Tree called Floral Garden Pumpkin Filler – I couldn’t find them online so you’ll probably have to search at your local store.
I used 8 stems and just cut them with a wire cutter and tucked them into an 18” grapevine wreath I already had on hand. You can see I also bought some burlap ribbon that I thought I might use but I actually liked it better without.
I hung it from a command hook above my cooktop but I was a little worried it might catch on fire, so I moved it above:
That’s it – so easy, inexpensive, and ready for autumn!
Happy dollar store crafting!
Social Icons