Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Daily Deals 1/31/2012

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Zulily Events

Gerson & Gerson
up to 60% off | Event ends 2/2
It's good to be a girl. Highlight your sweetie's natural beauty with tasteful floral dresses, pretty pointelle boleros and frilly fleece coats.

Petit Lem
up to 50% off | Event ends 2/2
A la cute. Cotton sets with stripes, bright colors and embroidery make every cutie feel cuddled in comfort.

Me Too Boys
up to 70% off | Event ends 2/2
Intercontinental closet. This Denmark-based brand brings international flavor to classic corduroy pants, crisp button-up shirts, layered tees and jeans.

Samara
up to 60% off | Event ends 2/2
Parade of prettiness. Your little petunia will adore showing off these dresses with rickrack trim, embroidered embellishments and ruffles.

Manhattan Toy
up to 65% off | Event ends 2/2
Playtime plush. Hours of fun await these alien finger puppets, sweet Lilydolls and doll-sized play tents!
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Monday, January 30, 2012

Daily Deals 1/30/12

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Zulily Deals

Chatti Patti
up to 55% off | Event ends 1/31
Created for cartwheels. Watch your sweetie's acrobatic endeavors become pinwheels of captivating colors with these spirited separates.

Book Boutique
from $5.99 | Event ends 1/31
Hardback bonanza. Fill your little one's bookshelves with engaging toddler books, Disney sing-alongs, scrapbook albums and more

Crafty Kids Playhouses
up to 50% off | Event ends 1/31
Fuel the imagination. It's easy being queen of the castle or commander of the shuttle with these 100% recycled cardboard creations.

Olive and Plums
up to 45% off | Event ends 1/31
Peas in a pod. Playdates and impromptu tea parties turn into matching games when your little girl and her dolly are wearing these couture combos.
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Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Daily Deals 1/25/12

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Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Daily Deals 1/24/12

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Friday, January 20, 2012

Daily Deals 1/20/12

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Daily Deals 1/19/12

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Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Daily Deals 1/18/12

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Preparing for Baby

My husband and I are so excited, we finally decided to make the decision to start trying to have our first child in the near future. So I decided that, as with everything else, I would try to save as much money as possible on baby preparations as possible. There are a few things I have started undertaking based on extensive reading of pregnancy preparedness books, blogs, and talking to everyone I know who recently had a baby.

  1. Start stocking up on diapers and wipes. I compared all around and found that the best prices to buy diapers and wipes is Amazon. It might not always be cheaper, but Amazon also has a feature where you can "Subscribe and Save" on products which means that the product (in this case diapers and wipes) are not only discounted, but they are automatically delivered to my house without a second thought from me. The amount of time I save driving all over town comparing prices and trying to find deals more than makes  up for any small price difference between Amazon and me buying diapers locally.  (You can check out the subscribe and save deals in Amazon's baby department here.)
  2. Start crafting for the nursery. Sewing items for the nursery is a great way to save money on essentials, plus ensure that it is tailored to my needs and wants. For example, I am sewing all of our crib sheets and blankets, as well as thermal curtains and diaper bags. To save money on my fabric costs, I am making small items our of scraps from other projects. I have a few sets of baby booties and bibs already finished. I am also buying smaller pieces from the remnant section of my favorite fabric store, which saves tons of money for smaller projects.
  3. Add to the store-bought stockpile. We keep a generous stockpile of items I buy couponing or find for a rock-bottom price, but I am hoping to double it's size so that during the later months in my pregnancy and  after the baby is born (or as my husband has been saying, after our little person arrives) I can have time to focus on the little person instead of doing a lot of couponing. I will be stocking up on things like garbage bags, paper products, ziplock bags, kitchen staples, and anything else that comes to mind. 
  4. Add to the homemade stockpile. I make all of my laundry soap (I found my recipe here), dish washing soap (like Dawn, not the kind you put in the dish washer) and stain treatment. Because my laundry soap has minimal scents or dyes, it is perfectly safe to use on the baby's clothing and other items. Plus I don't have to buy over-priced baby laundry detergent. It takes no more time for me to make a double bath of most of these things, so I am spending time to make a stockpile so I won't have to make them for a while. 
  5. Create a registry. This might seem a little premature, but I love planning, and it makes me feel better to do things ahead of time. So in my mind, the more time I have to add things to my registry before the baby comes, the more time I have to ensure the things I registered for are really the products I want. I decided to go with an Amazon membership, because it is shared with The Bump and I can add items from any site to my registry. Plus, I just love Amazon! (Feel free to check out my registry for ideas, or if you are a compulsive shopper and need  someone to things buy for.)
That is all for now. I figure that once we know the gender of the little blessing, I can start begging my friends with little kids for their old clothes and anything else they want to get rid of. 
Did you do anything to prep for your children? What was effective and what wasn't? As a first-time mom, I would love to hear any and all advice you have! 
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Friday, January 13, 2012

Daily Deals 1/13/2012

Eversave deals


Zulily Deals
Mega-Colossal Blow-Out Event | Event Starts Tomorrow - Our best deals ever on thousands of items.

Cherry Stix - up to 50% off | Event ends 1/16 - Days of play. Let your ray of sunshine express her personality with these bright tops, dresses and yoga pants. Up to size 16.

Divas and Pearls - up to 55% off | Event ends 1/16 - Pixie dust. Give your glamorous sprite all the gear she needs to imagine a land of enchantment—fairy wands, butterfly wings, crown headbands and more.

Chic Baby - up to 50% off | Event ends 1/16 - Party princess. Special occasions call for outstanding attire—these fancy dresses will suit all your darling's most formal events.

Pink Vanilla - up to 55% off | Event ends 1/16 - Favorite flavor. This too-sweet line mixes pretty prints, comfy fabrics and modern silhouettes to create delectable dresses for your little lady.

Vacation Day Delights: Girls' Sets - up to 50% off | Event ends 1/16 - Sunny days. Your little princess's favorite Disney and Sesame Street characters come out to play on these comfy cotton sets and dresses.

Dreamy Dresses Collection - up to 65% off | Event ends 1/16 - Step one-two. Your tiny dancer will be ready to twirl on tiptoes in these velvet and tulle dresses.

Kushies - up to 60% off | Event ends 1/16 - Cotton classics. Keep your sweetpea comfy in these cute cotton outfits and slip-on booties. Preppy polos for big kids too!

KidKraft - up ot 50% off | Event ends 1/16 - Kid-size furnishings. Style your sweetie's room with heirloom-quality children's furniture, attractive toy boxes and play kitchens stocked with pretend food.

Link - up to 55% off | Event ends 1/16 - Cute boots. Your angel adores trying on your too-big shoes—pick up sophisticated, stylish kicks that fit her teeny feet from this fab collection.

Beach Rays - up to 70% off | Event ends 1/16 - Spring break. Time to start planning your next vacation—pack your suitcase with these summer-ready swimsuits and board shorts.

David & Young Hats - up to 60% off | Event ends 1/16 - Think ahead. Cap your cool girl's curls with these hip hats, warm beanies and faux fur earmuffs.

Pink Petunia Boutique - up to 40% off | Event ends 1/16 - Fringe benefits. Crawling and twirling around gets a little bit more glam when your itty bitty girl is sporting these lace rompers, ruffly diaper covers and cozy leg warmers.

Sweet As Can Bee - up to 75% off | Event ends 1/16 - Tortoise and hair. Create an endless combination of looks with these crocheted headbands and sweet clips featuring teeny turtles, puppies and bows. Beanies too!

Adore La Vie - up to 40% off | Event ends 1/16 - Precious dresses. Find darling frocks, elegant outerwear and warm knit leggings in this colorful collection of fashion-forward pieces.

Nui Organics - up to 55% off | Event ends 1/16 - Happy sheep. Each of these timeless pieces is crafted from 100% organic merino wool for an incredibly soft, cozy feel. Sized from newborn to 10 years.

Decidedly Dapper: Boys' Suits - up to 65% off | Event ends 1/16 - Suit up. Dress your debonair dude up in these picture-perfect button-ups and suits for his next formal affair. Available in husky sizes too.

The Happy Kid Company - all items 50% off | Event ends 1/16 - All-in-one fun. Your little explorer's imagination will soar with these Fun Forts—play spaces that easily transform from teepees to canopies and tunnels.

Mobi Technologies - up to 40% off | Event ends 1/16 - Go-go gadgets. From bath toys that tell you the water temperature to baby monitor cameras, this company's products utilize technology to provide simple, portable solutions to your daily needs.

Tivoli Couture - up to 40% off | Event ends 1/16 - Toasty travel. Your little cruiser will roll in comfort with these stylish memory foam stroller pads, warm fleecy carrier covers and buntings that unzip into play mats.

A Story Before Bed - save $48 | Event ends 1/16 - Sweet goodnights. Get an unlimited year of this service that lets you and other loved ones record audio and video of yourselves reading one of over 300 children's stories.

Blue Pacific Fashion - up to 80% off | Event ends 1/16 - That's a wrap. Look perfectly put-together when you drape one of these lushly colored cashmere blend, silk or cotton scarves around your neck.

Spring Street - up to 70% off | Event ends 1/16 - Dazzling accessories. From wristlets and iPad covers to cocktail rings and bejeweled hair pins, these charming finds amp up your daily glamour.

ELIO - up to 80% off | Event ends 1/16 - Sleek sweaters. Stay cozy through winter and easily transition to spring with these elegant, lightweight sweaters and knit tops.

Cure-Couture - over 40% off | Event ends 1/16 - Feel your best. These bright, colorful patient gowns let you express your personality—and cover all your assets—during childbirth, recovery and other hospital stays.

Mikasa - up to 65% off | Event ends 1/16 - Classic glass. These vases, home accents and stoneware serving pieces will give your home a touch of old-school elegance.

LunchBots - up to 35% off | Event ends 1/16 - Rad and reusable. Keep snack time eco-friendly and easy to clean up with these ultra-durable, high-quality stainless steel food containers.

KAS Rugs - up to 65% off | Event ends 1/16 - Charming floor coverings. From cool neutrals and classic motifs to kids' patterns, these premium hand-tufted wool rugs will tie your whole home together

Zulily's Exclusive Affiliate Promotion! - $5 Off $50, Save with code GA4152
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Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Daily Deals 1/12/2012

Eversave Deals

         
$25 for $60 worth of wall decals from Sissy Little, plus free shipping!
Offer expires: 11:59 PM - Jan 20, 2012

$389 for a four-night stay in a suite, penthouse or bungalow at Hacienda Cerritos near Cabo
Offer expires: 11:59 PM - Jan 13, 2012
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Wednesday, January 4, 2012

How to Coupon Step-By-Step

So many people ask me how to coupon, and I can think of no better way than to tell you what I do every week. It isn't hard and usually takes me an average of about 5 hours a week from start to finish. There are some rules to know which I will post later that you will need to know, but for now here are the steps I go through every week to save big on my grocery bill.

1. Buying Your Coupons

In Louisville our Sunday papers cost anywhere from $1.00-$1.75. I just discovered this week that you can purchase them for $1 at the Dollar General where everything is a dollar. Go figure. There are also plenty of ways to find coupons without buying the Sunday paper. There are dozens of websites where you can print out coupons, or you can load e-coupons to your store loyalty card for paper-free couponing. In my experience the Sunday paper offers the biggest, and most consistent savings.

2. Clipping and Organizing Your Coupons

Separate your newspapers from the inserts that include coupons. It is a good idea to also keep the weekly store ads because these can also contain valuable coupons. Choose one kind of insert (for example, the P&G or the Red Plum insert) and and separate the individual pages and cut the pages together. That way if you have multiple newspapers you only have to cut each type of insert once. This will save your fingers from hurting later!

There are several ways to organize coupons, but for the sake of simplicity I will just tell you about the method I use today. I got a trapper Keeper style binder (one that zips closed) and then purchased baseball card holders. These can be found at Walmart for a few dollars a pack. Then the clipped coupons go into the slots of the baseball card holders. I have two different sections in my binder, food and non-food, both are organized by letter. In my mother's binder she has her coupons all together then organized by letter, not organized by category. Neither one of us actually takes the time to truly alphabetize our coupons because we both think that it is too time intensive to be productive. If you want to alphabetize your coupons or no, arrange them into food and non-food sections or keep all types of coupons together is completely up to you. The most important thing is to keep it simple so you can easily find your coupons when you need to use them.

3. Finding the Deals

If you are a do-it-yourself type of person here is where you can pull out a pen and paper and look over all of the ads and go through and find what you have coupons you have to match sale items, then calculate the price of each item after coupons to see if it is a good price. I am not that person. I like it when other smart people do all the hard work for me and have it laid out in an orderly fashion It makes it easy to scan through all of the sale items and see what I want to buy.



There are dozens and dozens of websites that lay out all of this information for you. We call this information an Ad Matchup. I will list my favorite sites that I use, but here is one very important thing you have to know. Whatever website you look over your ad matchups every week should be free. Do not pay for this information! There are so many free websites out there, do not waste your money going to a website that requires you to pay for free information. That being said, here are the websites I use:

  •  Deal Seeking Mom - this is the website I use every week. It is very rare that I use any other sites for my ad matchups. I love the format it is very easy to read and uncluttered. They also have a Facebook page where they post all of their deals. If you Like them you will have all the deals in your news feed.
  • Stockpiling Moms - I love this website because she always has the matchups listed earlier than everyone else.
  • A Full Cup - this site is the only other site I have used recently. I do not use their ad matchups because I do not like the layout as much as Deal Seeking Mom, but the information is just as accurate. I do love their forums where I have connected with other couponing ladies. :)


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