More deals I've found in my email:

1. Today (12/6) only Carters is offering FREE shipping on all orders.  They have great prices and I love their baby/toddler clothes.
2. Fisher Price has free shipping on any order until 12/10.  I haven't compared prices to other sites yet, but I'm sure they have some deals.
3. Leapfrog has $10 off $50, $15 $20 off $75, PLUS 20% off with code (SAVE20) until 12/7
4. Overstock has free shipping
5. Snapfish has 2 deals on photo books: 50% TODAY (12/6) only (BKS50DL) or 35% off photo books until 12/12 with code (1206MERRY)

Happy shopping!  I'll update with any other good deals I've found!

Holiday shopping: American Eagle free shipping

I just got an email from American Eagle/Aerie and they have FREE shipping on everything today (12/6) and tomorrow (12/7), no codes needed.  I like to order from them because they offer easy exchanges in the store.  The website has much more availability for sizes too.  Although this deal comes around a lot, sweaters are selling quick...you might want to jump on this deal earlier.  Make sure you browse the clearance too, they had some cute stuff marked down already.

Coupons: Too much work?

As the holidays are fast approaching, my "to-do" list is a mile long and my coupons to clip are getting dusty. It is so easy to give up and just forget about worrying about the "best" deals.  I was at the store the other day and I realized half of the coupons I wanted to use were already expired! During the holidays I use a ton of store coupons and online codes for stores, but I usually care a lot less about grocery deal hunting.  Sometimes it is refreshing to take a break from couponing to focus on the more important things in life.  Also, the best way to save money is to NOT spend it! 

This month would be a great time to clean out the stockpiles and donate to someone who could use the products.  I have so many unused toiletries that I got for free that I have found I don't like.  These types of items are great for donations.  Many shelters need toiletries, food, cleaning items and clothes.  Just Swagbucks Domestic Shelters or Food Pantries in your area and you can find out where to take your items.  Toys for Tots is also huge this time of year, they just ask for an unwrapped toy.  Also, don't forget about our furry friends.  I cannot see those commercials for the Humane Society without tearing up, especially since we lost our beloved bulldog earlier this year.  They always need food, toys, blankets and leashes.  Don't forget to get a receipt for tax exemptions.  I know that is not the purpose of donations, but it is an added bonus as we are almost in tax season. 

After a refreshing break from couponing, in the New Year you will be ready to start all over again!

Happy holidays everyone!  Remember to stop and enjoy the little things in life.  I did this today when I put on music and silly danced with the twins for 15 minutes.  It was a great stress reliever and I got to see how old my little girls are becoming (they are almost 2).

Recipe: Smoothies!

I have noticed so many new smoothie products in the freezer section at Meijer lately and I had to try one out of curiosity.  I thought there had to be something new and super tasty in these that I don't usually put in my homemade smoothies...I mean it they are $2.99.  Guess what, its exactly the same except for that price you get 2 small smoothies and barely any fruit.

Here's my smoothie technique.  Nothing too elaborate, but it's way cheaper than Jamba juice or those freezer smoothies.  Homemade smoothies tend to be better because you can control the ingredients and sugar. 

Ashleigh's Smoothie Kits

Makes at least 4 big smoothies, these kits are baggies you put in the freezer ready for one smoothie at a time

• Big container of yogurt (16-32oz size).  Whatever flavor you like. Best choices tend to be simple like strawberry, raspberry or plain/vanilla
• Juice, once again whatever you want.  Best choices: apple, orange or pineapple. 
• Fruit: fresh or frozen, doesnt matter.  Aldi has some frozen fruit in their Fit n' Active brand which I love.  Banana doesn't freeze well unless sliced with other fruit.  I usually just add a banana when making my smoothie.

1.  In a bowl or liquid measuring cup, combine 1.5 cups of yogurt and 1 cup of juice.  If you like extra sweetness add a touch of agave nectar or sugar (not necessary at all)
• Note: if you want a super large batch, use 3 cups of yogurt and 2 cups of juice
2.  Pour into ice cube trays and freeze.
3. Once frozen, break the cubes into baggies, sandwich ones work great.  These have to stay separate from other fruit.  3-4 per baggie works best. 
4. In a pint size baggie, put 2 cups of fruit and then the baggie of juice cubes.  You want to keep them seperate, or it makes a huge frozen clump which is hard to break down in the blender.
5. When you want to make them, just put everything in the blender with a banana (if wanted) and an extra splash of juice
6. Enjoy!

Great combos:

• Mango, banana & raspberry
• Blueberry & Pineapple
• Strawberry & Banana
• Mango, Strawberry & Raspberry

Be creative!  Frozen fruit works just as well as fresh.  If you ever see fresh fruit on markdown at the store, stock up and freeze it! 

Yumm, I could go for one right now!  Smoothies are also great if you are under the weather and cannot eat much.  It's an easy way to get some vitamins in your system.

Try it out and let me know how they turned out!

Holiday shopping: online coupon codes!

Hello!  I have been finding some great coupon codes for online shopping this week.  When I find one, I will put it right up here for you!  Dont forget to use Ebates or Shop at home to make these deals even sweeter!  Although you don't get your money back right away, its nice to have a little bonus check next year when you are least expecting it!

Here's what I like right now:

• Kohls:  20% off = NEXTORDER20  and FREE shipping off of anything = FREECCDEC

Dont forget about Amazon's lightening deals!  They have hourly specials that sell out super fast.  I tend to check Amazon a few times a day to see what is going on sale.  I have been lucky enough to find some crazy toy deals lately.  Sign up for Amazon Mom and get FREE 2-day shipping for 3 months! 

I will make it a habit to put up any other good free shipping or % off coupon codes for the holidays!  It is always nice to be able to do shopping from home, especially when the weather outside is frightful.  Ok, sorry, but I had to say it!   

Have a great night!

Happy Holidays!

With 21 month old twins, it has been almost impossible to get a good Christmas photo.  It seems as if one will be smiling and the other will be completely melting down.  Another problem seems to be finding the perfect holiday card.  I've searched all of the websites and my favorites seem to be the Shutterfly Christmas collection.  We have gotten great results in the past with their photo cards and I cannot wait to get ours this year.  I used to buy cards at the store, but since we send out cards to so many people, it is nice to have photos from the year, especially for people who don’t get to see the twins as often.  Obviously, I won’t ruin which card I’ve picked, but here are some of my favorites:

Not only do they have many options of holiday cards, they have a card for every occasion imaginable.  My advice is to check out what is available and make sure you join their mailing list to get in on the special deals.  Our cards are ending up super cheap and it is a nice way to send some cheer and love to your friends and family.  

Now that the holiday season is in full swing, I hope you take time to enjoy life!  

Xoxo!

Ashleigh

Love music? Try digital downloads from Amazon.

One thing you should know about me is that I love music.  I have always been interested in finding new bands and artists that are new and different.  That being said, I do find it hard to invest money in a CD which I don't know if I will enjoy or not.  Somehow I got a gift card for Amazon digital downloads and I discovered a new great site for music.  I have an iPod touch, but all downloads are compatible with iTunes.  Best part?  Most downloads are at least 50% cheaper than iTunes and they always offer specials and freebies! 

More highlights:

• Free singles downloads every week of new music, most of upcoming bands 
• Most popular new releases start at $3.99 for the week.  That is a great deal!  Most new releases start at $9.99.  Yes, you don't have the case and artwork, but do you really use that anyway?  You can still burn it into CD format.  Plus, artwork does show up on iTunes and your mp3 player.
• Cheap TV shows and movies, if you watch those on your player

Here's the link, sign up for weekly emails and you will find something of interest!

*UPDATE*  There is a new $3 credit off any MP3 album!  It is good until 11/29.  When you click on the CD of choice, you can redeem it right under where it says "Buy MP3" and "Add to wish list": GET3MP3S. 

What to do with grocery store markdowns: recipes & tips!

I love any deal, but grocery markdowns are one of my favorite ways to save.  By markdown, I mean products on clearance or "manager specials" throughout the store.  Im such a dork that I get super excited when I see those orange stickers.  Maybe I need a life?  Anyway, I thought I would give some tips on what to do with some commonly found markdowns, as well as some great recipes I've come across.  Before buying anything, make sure there are no brown spots on meat, dents in cans or moldy produce!

• Bananas.  I actually like slightly brown bananas over ripe, but when I see a big bag of them I get them for two reasons: bread and smoothies.  Check back in a few days for my smoothie tips.  
• Banana Oatmeal Bread (from allrecipes.com) This is a new favorite and its amazing as bread or muffins!  It freezes well, too.  Just cover in foil and then a freezer bag (after cooking, of course).  I don't use shortening, I substitute 1/2 cup of applesauce and 1/2 c of butter, as a review suggested.
• Peppers. 
• With bell peppers I slice them and freeze for pasta, stir fry, fajitas or whole for stuffed peppers.  When you defrost them, make sure you let them drain liquid.  They loose their crispness, but the flavor remains when you use them for cooking.  
• Jalapenos and other spicy peppers also freeze well, but I try to use them right away.  My aunt gave me a great recipe for stuffed peppers, if you are interested, message me! 
• Meat.  I love finding chicken, pork roasts, sausages, or more expensive cuts of meat like flank steaks or NY strips on markdowns.  If you freeze them right away, they are okay for months. 
•  If you watch the Food Network, Tyler's Ultimate has great recipes.  Here is one for a pot roast.  So delicious!
• Ground beef or turkey can be made into meatloaf or burger patties.
• Italian sausage freezes well both raw and cooked.
• When I first bought a pork roast I had no idea what to do with it.  I find slow cookers are the best route for tender results.  This pulled pork recipe from allrecipes.com (can you tell I love this website?) gets a lot of compliments.  I usually add more of my favorite bbq sauce to it.
• Chicken the best bargain, especially if it happens to be Gold n' Plump because there are always coupons for it.  
• Flank steak is a great marinade & grill steak.  Slice it thin for tacos or just sliced with potatoes works too. 
• Avocados.  I can eat guacamole every day, I love it so much.  If you happened to miss my "Healthier Guac" recipe, you should try it!  It can be frozen too!  When I find bags of 12 avocados, I make huge batches and freeze them in cup sized portions.  Make sure you add a bit of extra lemon or lime juice.
• Berries & other fruit.  We fly through fruit around here, so finding edible fruit on markdown is a jackpot (sometimes fruit on markdown is mushy or almost moldy).  
• I freeze strawberries, blueberries and raspberries for smoothies. 
• Apples can be made into applesauce or apple cake or bread. 
• Canned goods: stock is a great find!
• Veggies. 
• Corn can be sliced off of the cobb and frozen.  Rachael Ray has a great corn chowder recipe that we love, also. 
• Zucchini doesn't freeze well by itself, but if it is mixed with other veggies for a stirfry mix it will be okay.
• Broccoli freezes or you can make soup first, then freeze.  I do recommend cutting it first. 
• Bread.  There is always day old bread which you can make garlic bread with (just combine minced garlic, butter and Italian seasoning) or bread crumbs super fast.  Both freeze well. 

There are many other great finds out there, but this should get you started.  Don't be scared of trying new recipes.  You can also find products or foods you would may have always wanted to try on markdown.

Keep your eyes peeled when you are shopping, you can find some great deals! If you need some suggestions or recipes, message me.  I have many saved!

Do-it yourself eyebrows: if you're brave!

Gigi Microwave Tweezeless Wax 

This tip is for you brave souls out there.  I really don't have the time or money to go get my eyebrows waxed all of the time, but I really love the look.  And, lets be honest, my eyebrows are out of control if I don't do anything with them.  It looks like my twins are going to have the same problem, poor girls! 

I've been doing my own eyebrows for about 10 years now and this product by GiGI
 is super easy to use.  I haven't tried any other products on the market because I love this one so much.

There aren't many places where you can even get your eyebrows done for that cheap.  The little bottle lasts me at least 3 months.  All you have to do is heat it up in the microwave and use the included applicator to put the wax on your brows.  So easy.  I usually buy it at Sally Beauty Supply, but I just found it on Amazon as well.  With my free shipping at Amazon, this saves a trip to Sally's!

I will be honest, there have been a few instances where I have messed up my eyebrows, but if you take your time it's a piece of cake.  The formula comes in sensitive and regular and I prefer regular, but both work well.  It does sting a bit at first, but the formula does not cause much redness.

It's worth trying, I promise!

Black Friday is looming

To be honest, I am still debating getting up to do Black Friday shopping, but I can't resist the ads!  I have found the last few years the sales have been even better in December and on Cyber Mondays. 

This website posts the deals and advertisements as they come in.  The Target ad has some potential!

Dont forget: printing photos can be cheap!

When the girls were first born, I had so much extra time to go through photos, print them and put them in photo books.  Now I realize I am a year behind!  This made me think to check out some deals and there are a TON for the holidays.  You can print Christmas cards, photo books, mugs, etc.  Every week there seems to be a new deal going on.  There are so many different photo websites out there, it can be a bit overwhelming.  I join most of them for the free photos or deals and it seems each has their pros and cons.  As always, I recommend using your "junk" email so your personal is not bombarded with too many deals.  Usually I put all photos I want to print in a folder and go from there.  This saves time on going through all photo files to figure out which ones you want to print.  Since most sites have slower uploads, it is very helpful to have a separate folder.  I also have a rule of thumb that I won't pay more than 10¢ per photo, which is very easy to do.

Here are my favorites:

• Snapfish :
• I like this for it's free gifts and they offer quite a bit of free shipping.  Also, you can print photos at various locations, including Target.  Very nice if you are already shopping. 
• Uploads tend to be slow.  It seems to be helpful to upload 10 photos at a time.
• Great photo books and they have very cute designs and templates.
• Their share option is nice if you dont want to show all of your photos on Facebook.
• Everyday 9¢ photos, but usually with deals you can get them much cheaper.
•  Kodak Photo Gallery :
• 10¢ photos everyday, but they also have deals
• They have a lot of specials on photo books and other freebies.  Usually if you order a larger item like a book, you get at least 100 prints free.
•  Dotphoto :
• I don't order too much from this website, but they do offer some deals from time to time
•  Shutterfly : 
• If you haven't joined, you can get 50 free prints!
• I really like this for its organization and it seems to have faster uploads than most.
• They also offer a lot of deals and their books have great templates.  Around any holidays, they offer a lot of themed items.
• Dont forget about drugstores!  RiteAid, Walgreens
• Convenient, fast- you can get them in an hour most times!
• A bit more expensive, but they offer weekly deals and freebies
• Quality prints and they offer matte finish, which I love.
• Walmart
• I will admit that I am not the biggest fan of Walmart, but they do offer great photo deals.

That should be plenty to get you started (or in my case, continued) with your photo printing!  There are many, many other options out there, as well.

What is your favorite site?

Barnes & Noble kids' club

Although I don't do much book shopping at Barnes & Noble, I came across a new rewards club they have for kids.  Best of all, its FREE to join!  Check it out here.   I sign up for any free rewards programs just for the potential of extra discounts throughout the year.  Quick overview:

• 30% off welcome gift
• Birthday surprises
• Special discounts throughout the year
• $5 back for every $100 spent

If you are a shopper at B&N, join!

Christmas Shopping: Toys!

If you are in the market for toys this holiday season, check your mailbox for the Target toy guide.  If you aren't on their mailing list, you can pick one up in the store or (even better!) you can print them here from their website.  The best part of the Target coupons is you can use any manufacturer coupons that may come out with them as well.  Since we have two little ladies to buy for, any extra savings are much appreciated!  These expire on 11/24, so unfortunately you cant combine these with Black Friday deals. 

If you shop at Toys/Babies R Us, they have an awesome money back deal this season for their Rewards 'R Us members.  It's a free program to join and until December 24, you get 10% back on all of your purchases.  The money will be returned in January in the form of a certificate.  Great way to save on diapers,etc in the future!

Im keeping my eyes peeled for any other toy coupons or deals.  Last year I found amazing deals at Amazon.com (no pun intended).  Don't worry, I will keep you posted!

Happy shopping!

Dont forget about Upromise!

Even if you don't have children at home, I would recommend signing up for Upromise.  I have been a member for years and I'm finally learning how to add up money on my account.  At first, it seemed I was earning a few cents every month and it wasn't worth it.  In the past year or so they have really improved their program by adding e-coupons, restaurant discounts and online shopping.

How it works:

1. Link your store cards and credit/debit cards to your Upromise account.  Once a qualifying purchase is made, the money is added to your account.  There is a list of stores in your area on the website, but a few big ones are Meijer, Copps/Pick n Save and Kroger.  Everything is super secure, I never have any worries about putting my debit card numbers on the website.
2. You can add as many cards as you want to your account, even invite parents or grandparents to your account too.  
3. E-coupons are added each month and you have to load them up to your account.  Although the coupon is not taken off of your order right away, they are added to your Upromise.  This is good because you get the amount no matter what you pay for the item.  Most have coupons you can use when purchasing.  I find most items listed go on sale at some point during the month and I can get items for almost free, then get money back for them.
4. Restaurant rewards are available for designated spots in your area.  Although there is not a huge selection, you can get up to 20% back from your dining out.  I usually don't even know when I've eaten at a restaurant with rewards, its always a nice surprise.
5. The online shopping area is a lot like Ebates or other websites like that where you get a percentage back of what you  buy online.  I usually search all of the websites and use the one with the highest percentage back.

Upromise is a super easy way to get a couple of extra dollars.  Although it is made for educational purposes, you can designate the money for something else if you want.  A friend of mine collects as much as she can throughout the year to cash out for Christmas shopping.

Check out the website and start saving!

A quick "thank you"

Since I love to cook, I had thoughts of making a new mini-blog about recipes, but I figured I could just incorporate a few recipes into my blog.  I have been writing this blog for about 9 months now and I feel as keep writing, it becomes more and more of a mixing pot of ideas.  At times I feel like I should be more focused, but I also feel it should be different than other blogs out there.  A lot of the ones I follow are considered "deal" blogs.  They list weekly specials at certain stores and which coupons are where.  Although I love that, I feel it seems less personal than something I would like to write.  So bear with me while I try to figure out exactly what I am trying to achieve from this blog.  Although I want to tell everyone certain special deals that stand out to me, I don't really feel the need to list everything that is going on since there are so many other people doing the same thing. 

I would like to thank my continued readers and subscribers, I really appreciate every one of you!  As always, I love any recommendations and also if you have anything to add to my blog, I would love some guest posts.  Do you have a favorite recipe to share or a bargain tip?  Email or message me and I can put your article in a blog!  I am working on  a few new ideas and I hope in the end my blog becomes something useful for you to turn to for quick tips on saving money, as well as a resource for money saving websites out there. 

Thanks again!

Quick! 50% outerwear at Old Navy

Head over to the Old Navy Facebook page and you can print a 50% off outerwear coupon!  It's valid from Oct. 26-28 and I am sure this will go fast.  Also, they have $5 fleece vests Saturday morning.

Happy shopping!

Just a thought- fix before you buy

Since we moved over a month ago, our vacuum hasn't been working.  I figured it was from all of the cleaning before me moved and it being shuffled around the moving truck.  With two toddlers, using a handvac was not going to cut it!  I tried everything: cleaning the filters, checking the belt, etc.  Nothing seemed to be working, so I decided to start researching new vacuums on Amazon.  Then, I went to the Bissell website and started troubleshooting.  From their message boards, I was able to find some areas to check and I actually fixed it.  I know this may sound stupid or common sense, but taking the extra few minutes to actually research the problem saved us $50-70 at least!

Everyone is so quick to run out and buy a replacement the minute something goes wrong... I know we are!  If you stop and try to fix what is broken, you could be lucky like us and actually fix it!  There are so many resources online (or even just do a Swagbucks search) that may help you!

Just a thought!

Recipe: Healthier Guac!

When I first came across the recipe for guacamole with peas, I wasn't sure.  I am not the biggest fan of peas after making gallons of pea puree for the girls when they were babies.  Since I found the recipe a few months ago, I have tried many different variations of ingredients- a lot of recipes called for Greek yogurt or cucumbers, which I thought did not work.  Here is my special recipe.  You are lucky I like you!  Best thing is, you don't have to tell anyone peas are in it!

Ashleigh's Guac (I need a fun name, help!)

Ingredients: Play around with what you like, though!

• 2 Avocados
• 1.5 cups of cooked peas
• 1 tomato (2-3 Roma tomatoes), seeded
• 1/4 cup of red onion
• Small handful of cilantro (if you are like my friend Cori who hates this, omit or try parsley or chives)
• 1 lime or lemon
• 1 jalapeno, seeded (if you don't like spicy, you can omit or use green/red peppers)
• S & P to taste
• Dash of garlic powder
• Mrs Dash's Fiesta Lime seasoning- a dash to taste (this seasoning is amazing for Mexican cooking)

Instructions (not quite necessary, since it's so easy)

1. Throw everything in a blender or food processor except the seasonings.
2. Once blended, add spices and a dash of hot sauce if you like it spicy
3. Squeeze lemon or lime juice and stir.  Refrigerate for 15-30 minutes to chill.

 Yum!  I promise you will like this.  You can tell it is different, but there is no pea taste at all!

Serve with chips or add to a salad or wrap.  I love guac with steak salads!

Xoxo!

Some new deal websites

Here are  two new daily deal websites I have come across thanks to some of blogs I read.  Most of the items are a little pricey, but they might have some great deals for someone special during the holidays.  Or even a nice gift to treat yourself!

• Haute Look : You get a FREE $10 credit for joining and $10 for each friend you add.  I was looking through winter hats and gloves for the girls and they would be around $4-5 shipped after the credit.  Not bad!
• Rue La La : Here you get a FREE $20 credit after about 48 hours.  I found a boutique for Yummy Tummy which I have been hearing a lot about, its a new type of Spanx brand.  You may find something great with your credit, which you have until 12/31 to use!

Happy shopping!

Like mail?

Hello!  I'm going to make this one short and sweet.  Its Sunday, you should be enjoying your day! As you should know by now, I love mail...I have always been this way.  I should clarify, I like fun mail.  Not bills.  Here are some websites that you really should sign up for. 

• Vocalpoint.  Not only do you get tons of samples of new products, you also get great high value coupons.
• Kraft First Taste.  I have gotten at least 4 coupons for free crackers and new products this year from them.  They have recipes and a lot of tips on their website too.

That's it!  Go enjoy your day!

Selling your junk online

Last week I was going through our endless clutter and I decided it was time to start selling stuff.  I tend to keep everything and I am starting to realize that its so pointless to keep clutter.  I have sold from many websites: Ebay, Amazon and Craigslist and they all have their pros and cons.  Here's my quick breakdown.  You many want to take a look around your home and think "do I need this?".  It is amazing what people will buy! Some sales are confusing, you have to try each website to learn how the ropes work. 

Amazon

Great for books, CDs and DVDs (especially seasons)

Pros

•  They pay for shipping
• Guaranteed to sell at your asking price

Cons

•  Some items have low asking prices
• You never know when an item will sell, or even if it will sell
• Not all items you want to sell are listed
  

Ebay 

Great for clothes, electronics and "hot" items like new toys

Pros

• You can get high prices
• You can set quick sales or Buy it Now prices
• Shipping is included

Cons

• Some auctions can end up at low selling prices
• You have to pay to list items, unless there is a special offer
• It is hard to get bids sometimes
  

Craigslist

 Pros

•  Local! 
• You can ask what the item is actually worth
• You can get cash and most sales are quick

Cons

• Unreliable offers: some people flake out on buying items
• Spam emails
• You may not get interest in your offers

I am by no means an expert at online selling, but I do have some tips and advice if you need it.  Just shoot me a message or email and I will try to answer any questions you have!  I also always welcome some tips for myself! 

Xoxo!

I am a survey queen!

If you know me personally, you know I am always testing products.  Our apartment is filled with plain white bottles of shampoo or plain boxes of crackers.  I love getting to try new products before they hit the market.  My old mailman/UPS lady were used to the amount of boxes I receive (who doesn't love mail?!), but I have to break in my new carriers. 

What do you get to sample?  Anything!  I have gotten diapers, wipes, laundry detergent, crackers, household cleaner, razors, face wash... the list could go on and on.  Most are full size bottles, although they do not always have labels on them.  I have been doing this for years and I have tested out many different survey companies.  Some are definitely better than others, especially with their incentives.  I have gotten cash, gift cards, e-cards and many other great prizes from my surveys- I even won an iPod touch! 

Some companies require you to invest a lot of time for a little incentive, which I obviously stay away from.  Most surveys are 20 minutes or less and it usually takes about a month of surveys for a prize, although I usually qualify for about 5-7 test products a week. 

Once you get the hang of taking surveys, you will be able to fish out the "good" surveys. Here is a list of my top 5.  Although I am a member of more than 5 companies, these are the best.



**Remember: you should NEVER have to pay to join a survey company!  There are some scam sites out there.

1. My survey (formerly Lightspeed Panel).  I like this site for great full sized samples and I use points for gift cards.  Points accumulate rather quickly.  I love the Gap/Old Navy or the Macaroni Grill gift card options.  Note: Most surveys that are 15 minutes and under lead to a product sample. 
2. Viewpoint Forum.  This is probably my favorite.  They send out their checks very quickly and I just got a $45 check for a product sample. 
3. Mindfield.  My second favorite.  Quick surveys and money adds up quickly!
4. Survey Spot.  This is the first survey site I joined.  Although points don't accumulate fast, they do offer PayPal and a lot of sampling.
5. e-Rewards.  Points add up quickly for magazine subscriptions and Macy's gift cards.  Not the best selection of prizes, but I always find something.
6.  UPDATE: I had to add one more.  Opinion Outpost offers quick surveys and fast results.  I love the ability to change points into Amazon gift cards. 

Honorable mentions:

1. Pinecone Research.  They don't always accept new members, but this is a great site.  They offer PayPal and very prompt payments.  Most surveys are under 10 minutes. If you want to join, message me and I can send you the sign-up email!
2. ZoomPanel.  I am still new to this one, but I think it has potential. 

Quick notes:

• You may want to sign up for these on a "junk" email because you may get a lot more surveys than you have time to take
• When do I have time to take surveys?  During my "shows".  It drives Ricky nuts, but if I can make money while wasting time watching TV, why not?!

Let me know what you think!

Xoxo!

Saving money for holidays using swagbucks

As you may know, I love Swagbucks.  Just recently when we moved, we signed up for our cable company through Swagbucks (it just happened to be one of their special offers) and we were able to cash in the points for a $100 Target gift card AND a $15 Amazon e-card.  Those really helped us get some odds and ends for the apartment for FREE.  During the holidays, Swagbucks features a lot of special offers to increase your points quickly, which is a great way to save on holiday shopping.  I will let you know if I see any good ones.

Every Friday is Mega Swag day, so try your luck today.  If you haven't signed up, here's my personal banner:



Spread the word!  Once you sign up, tell your friends about it through Facebook or email and you get additional points when they do.  You don't have to download anything, it is just a regular search engine powered by Google.  We have it as our homepage, so we can do quick searches. 

Have a great weekend!  This weather is amazing!

Xoxo!

Holiday countdown: introduction

My favorite time of the year is here!  I love Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The weather, decorations and food bring back some great memories.  I am going to start posting any deals I find to help you save time or money around the holidays.  I have also found some great recipes, so I may be posting those as well. 

I also hope that if you find anything you feel is worthy of sharing, you will tell me!  I will give you credit, I promise!

Xoxo!

Im back!

Hello! I apologize for the little hiatus.  We have had the worst flu going around this past week.  I think we are finally doing better!  Our poor little washer and dryer is getting a workout this week.  Right now I am working on some new topics, so get ready!

If you like what you have read, make sure you spread the word!  Every new reader is much appreciated by me!

Xoxo!

JcPenney $10/$10 coupon code is back!

About every month or so, JCPenney.com offers a coupon for $10/$10+ purchase.  Last time, I was able to get 6 pairs of shoes for the girls (separate transactions) for less than $10 total. 

The best way to use this deal is to do a little bit of shoe shopping.  They always offer free shipping and if you search through the clearance/sale areas there are many deals to be found. Its taking everything in my power to not go crazy shoe shopping, especially when they have $29.99 ($19.99 after the discount) Chuck Taylors! Those usually run around $40 at least!

How to use the code: just enter GO4TEN at checkout and it will deduct the $10 from your order.  This offer is valid until Sept. 28th.

The rest of the site has $4.99 shipping, which isn't bad either.  If anything does not fit right, it is super easy to make returns at the store.

Additional savings can be found if you order through Ebates or Shop-at-home, where you get an additional percent back from your order (each website offers 3% back).  It probably wont amount to much, but I guess every penny counts.

Happy shopping!

Cheese please!

Before I moved to Wisconsin, I barely thought about cheese (especially since Im lactose intolerant), but now Im in love!  It could also be because I started cooking more, but I will blame it mostly on living in the Midwest.  We fly through it in our house and whenever I find a good deal, I just throw it all in the freezer for a later time.  Bricks of cheese seem to freeze and thaw better, in my opinion.

Here's the link for $5 off Kraft cheese.  A lot of grocery stores have deals to go along with this coupon since it has a great cause behind it: each coupon used gets 5 meals donated in its honor.  If that is not enough incentive, I don't know what is!

A lot of stores have catalinas (printable coupons at the register) to go along with this which you get $5 back for your next shopping trip if you buy $15 in Kraft foods.  This works at Meijers this week for $0.17 bricks of cheese (when you buy 10).  Im sure Copps or Cub has this deal in Madison, too. 

Enjoy & have a great weekend everyone!

Old Navy shopper?

I would say about 75% of my wardrobe is Old Navy, I love the deals I can find there!  Before you head out to the store, make sure you go to the Old navy section on Facebook titled "Barkers Bones".  I have yet to be one of the lucky ones to get $75 off $100 or more coupons, but usually I can get a pretty good coupon to take with me.  Make sure you play more than once...the coupon changes each time. These are nice because you can still use them with a sale in the store!

Other great coupon mailing lists for clothing stores:

1. Ann Taylor Loft
2. Gap
3. American Eagle
4. Claires (if you have a younger girl in the family)
5. Aeropostal
6. New York & Co
7. Macys
8. Express
9. Kohls
10. JcPenney

There are tons more.  Like I have said before, I sign up for everything, especially restaurants, on my "junk" email and you never know what you may get!  A lot of stores have the new fad of "text coupons", so keep your eyes peeled for those.  JcPenney has a great one which we have saved a lot with these past months.

Happy shopping!

Coupon pep-talk!

Since I've been using coupons for years, I am used to the negative side of them.  When I go to the store, I'm sure I am the cashiers nightmare with the amount of coupons I use.  Now I am proud of my savings and I do not care what they may think, but it can be almost intimidating using coupons.  Make sure you know the rules for the store you are shopping at because the cashiers can be wrong sometimes! 

Here are some ways to make coupons less stressful for newbies:

1. Organize, organize organize!  I always keep an ongoing list on our fridge and before I go shopping I check out sales, finalize my list and get my coupons out that I may need.  I put the coupons for that shopping trip in a separate envelope so I know exactly where they are.  If I'm getting something like trash bags and I don't know what I will end up buying, I get out all coupons for trash bags, so I don't fumble around in the store. 
2. You don't have to hit every great deal.  This tip is one I should really follow.  You should see our linen closet and pantry.  I am addicted to free toothpaste and cereal.  If you try to go out and get every great deal, you would drive yourself crazy!  Buy what you can use.  Also, just because you have a coupon doesn't make that the best price- if you are trying to use a coupon for salad dressing, but there is a better deal without the coupon, go for the better deal!
3. Dont feel bad about using coupons.  Before you get in line to check-out, make sure you have everything you may need out and ready to go.  As long as you are organized, there is NO reason to feel bad about using coupons.  I get all sorts of comments from people behind me and I try to not let it get to me, but I will admit its hard to not want to give up.  Especially with a grouchy cashier.  My opinion is, if people get annoyed with you they can go in a different lane! 
4. Stand up for yourself.  This goes back to the whole "grouchy cashier" category.  Some cashiers refuse to deal with coupons and they will do anything they can to say "nope, we cant take this".  In my experience, 8 times out of 10, they are wrong.  If you know your coupon is right, say something!  If the cashier is still salty, go right up to the customer service desk after your transaction.  Yes, this sounds time consuming, but its worth it.
5. Have fun!  Coupons are not for everyone.  Its hard for me to understand, but a lot of people hate using coupons.  If you cant have fun saving money and you think of coupons as a burden, stop using them.  I find saving money fun, so I brush aside the negatives of couponing.  Once you get the hang of it, couponing is really quick and easy...I promise!

If you have any beginner questions, as always I'm here for you! 
My new email is: beingcheapiseasy@gmail.com or you can message me through this blog. 

I love all comments!

Ashleigh

Fall means movie nights!

One part of Fall that I absolutely love are the cool nights, especially with some good food and a movie.  We have been members of Netflix for over a year and we love it!  If you have not tried out Netflix yet, let me know and I can email you a FREE month.  Now that we have Tivo, its even better because we can watch movies instantly.

Here are some other cheap ways to watch movies:
1. Redbox.  I was shopping (at Meijer, of course) and I saw the Redbox and I thought we would try it out.  Movies are $1 a night, but there are many ways to get free rentals.  If you join their texting service, they send out a free rental the first Monday of each month.  There are also many other giveaways.  Join, its free!
2. Blockbuster Express.  This is the same concept as Redbox, it seems areas have one or the other.

This blog seems pretty simple, but I just thought I would remind you there are cheap ways to rent your favorite movies and TV shows!  The boy loves scary movies, so our fall movie list is filled with cover-your-eyes horror classics.  I sneak in a few girly movies or Glee when I get the chance though!

Dont forget the popcorn!

Ashleigh

Gap + Amazon deals

Since there are so many money saving blogs out there, I try not to post every great deal that is going on...that is their job!  Some are too good to not tell you about though!  Here are two that have the bloggers buzzing.

1. 15% cash back through Ebates at Gap.com.  Although you dont get the cash back right away, this is a great deal if you are already shopping for some new fall clothes.  Plus, if you sign up with my link, I am one person closer to that Ipad...no pressure though.

2. Amazon Mom.  This is my favorite!  I am a slight Amazon addict, especially when I start Christmas shopping.  With Amazon Mom, you get FREE prime shipping for 3 months (thats 2-day shipping), as well as diaper deals and many other perks.  You can use the free shipping on anything on the site, not just diapers.  I love the Amazon digital section, you can download MP3 albums for super cheap and they have a lot of great freebies. 

Happy shopping everyone! 

Stacking coupons

When I start to explain coupon use to people, I always get a lot of questions about the term "stacking" coupons.  Stacking is used with store coupons AND manufacturer coupons.  You can use both for one item to bump up your savings.  As always, make sure you read the fine print on store coupons to make sure there are not any restrictions.  Here are some of my favorite stores to "stack" with:

1. Target.  This is how you get a lot of great deals and free items there.  To find the coupons, go to the bottom of the website and click on the "coupon" tab.  Not all coupons listed are Target store coupons, some are manufacturer.  Once you print them you will know.  The store coupons say TARGET WEB COUPON on the top.  
2. Babies r Us/ Toys R Us- any mailed coupons or online coupons can be stacked with others.  This is great because their prices are higher
3. Drug store coupons: Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid all have store coupons.  If you visit the forums at Afullcup.com you will see people chatting about the deals they find.
4. Meijer Mealbox :I like these because you can print off numerous coupons.  You may not be able to use them all in the same shopping trip, but these are great for sales.

There are many other stores which allow coupon stacking, you may want to check your local stores.  Stacking is also helpful with places that double coupons, you can get things more than free that way.  We call that "overage".

Any questions?  Just ask! I have a new email: beingcheapiseasy@gmail.com

A whole new shopping world!

Hello again!  I'm baack!  The move was long and we are still unpacking, but Grand Rapids is great so far!  We get lost daily, but we will get the hang of it eventually.  I do miss everyone in Madison and my stores (Woodmans, especially).  I'm working on some new posts, so stay tuned! 

As always, make sure to email subscribe!

Ashleigh

Meijers new program- Mperks

When I was in Wisconsin, I really missed my Meijers.  If you are unfamiliar, you can get anything you can think of there.  Like a Walmart, but much better (in my opinion, of course). I love the grocery department and they have great prices.  Now, to make it even better, they are offering some new perks.  Mperks, to be exact.  You just add your cellphone number to the website, then load coupons to your phone number.  When you checkout, you automatically have the coupons taken off your order.  You can use other coupons with these, which helps you save even more!  There is an Ipod/I-touch application to use with this also which helps you find what you are looking for in stores.  Eventually you will be able to load Meijer Mealbox coupons to this also. I have yet to try this, but I am super excited to take my I-touch to the store...they have even added Wi-fi hotpots throughout their stores so people can use their I-touch.  I'm such a tech geek, this was the highlight of my day when I went on my first Meijer run.   Since I'm new to the stores anyways, this will help me save time from wandering around. 

Make sure you sign up soon!  They have a great coupon for $2 off any $5 purchase or more.

Moving!

Since we are moving on the 31st, I will be taking a little break from writing.  With the twins, I need to use every spare moment to pack!  Good news is when I return I will have a new schedule for more posts and even a giveaway or two.  That's enough incentive to follow me, right?  The great thing about going to a new city is that I get to discover new places and ways to save!  Being a bargain shopper is never boring and I am always learning new things. 

I'm always available for email

Deals on Facebook

When I joined Facebook over 6 years ago, I never thought it would be as popular as it is today!  Back then, it was all about finding people in the same classes as I was or posting photos of a crazy night out.  Now everyone and every company has a Facebook page.  At first when they added the "like" function for major companies, I found it annoying, but now I have realized how much you can actually save by "liking" a company.  Most Facebook pages offer high value coupons or samples.  Once I get the coupon I want, I usually remove my "like" status so my news feed isn't bombarded with junk.  Some companies that I "like" are Kraft, Cover Girl, Sara Lee Deli and many more.  Pretty much anything you can think of is on there.  I love the I-tunes one too because they always offer free albums or singles.  Its a nice way to bump up your music collection!

Let me know what deals you have found on Facebook!  I would love to hear about them!

Email subscribe

Blogging is a learning process!  I spoke with many people who were having problems with the "follow" area of my blog and I finally figured out how to do email subscriptions.  This will be a quick and easy way to get updated when I post a new blog.  Enjoy!

Also, for future giveaways (exciting, right?!) I will ask how you read my blog.  By subscribing to the email, it will give you one entrance in the contest.  More info about that later, I promise!

Endless.com

Not the most fashionable, but super warm!

As much as I love summer, I am super excited about fall.  This humidity is too much right now!  In the Midwest, fall means fun shoes and boots.  The past few years I have purchased all of my boots from Endless.com.  It is a shoe website from Amazon and they have great prices early in the season for boots.  If you sign up for their emails, they offer a lot of great coupons.  My favorite thing is that there is free overnight shipping and free returns.  Buying shoes online can be tricky sometimes, its nice to have the free return shipping as something to fall back on.  Usually this time of year you can find great deals on more expensive brands like Emu and Ugg.  When those boots first came out, I could not understand the big fuss over that style of boots, since they aren't the most fashionable, but now I cannot live in the winter without them.   When I was pregnant with the twins, they were the only ones that would fit my cankles in them! 

As always, when you shop online use Ebates!  You get 7.5% back from this website.  It may not seem like much,  but when you get a big check in a few months, it will be a nice surprise.  Back-to-school season always brings higher cashback rates, so keep your eye out.  When you make your first Ebates order through my personal link, I get a prize... no pressure though. 

Happy shoe shopping!  Let me know if you find anything!

Groupon!

I was getting really annoyed because everyone has been buzzing about Groupon and I had no idea what it was.  I felt so out of the loop! Once I checked it out, I was super disappointed that it was not available in Madison.  Now that we are moving to Grand Rapids, I can finally see what all of the hype is about.  This is more of an open forum blog, since I am very clueless about this site.  Does anyone have any tips for me?!  I know I am supposed to be dishing out the tips, but sometimes I can learn from you as well!  If you have not heard about Groupon, check out the website to see if its available in your area.  Its FREE to join! The main purpose of the site is to get you great deals, for a fraction of the price, yet you only get the deal if enough people sign up for it...hence the "group" part of the name.  I'm excited to get some deals!

Have a great day!

For all of you movie fans!

Having twins, Ricky & I never get to see movies like we would like to, but I feel a lot of people could benefit from this new website I have been hearing about.  For $15.99 a month, you get 3 Fandango coupon codes from Weekly Cinema.  For us, we just couldn't benefit from this, but if you are a frequent moviegoer, this is perfect!  Fandango has partnered with hundreds of cinemas across the country, but obviously you should make sure your local theater is participating.  If you have never used Fandango, you can pre-order tickets, so you don't have to wait in line for a movie ticket.  At our theater you just walk right up and get your ticket from a machine.  Super quick and easy!

If you try this out, let me know!  Once the girls get older, this will be great for them.  Three tickets is kind of an odd number, but that is a huge savings for the high ticket prices around here!

Xoxo!
Ashleigh

SwagBucks

Happy Monday everyone!

There are a lot of different websites out there that give you points for searching the web.  I really like SwagBucks because it is powered by Google.  I've been using it for almost a year now and I usually trade them in for gift cards from Amazon or Target.  Although points add up slowly from just basic searches, there are bonus offers that can really rack up your points.  For instance, we joined Netflix through SwagBucks and got enough points for a $20 giftcard for Amazon.  I have it as our homepage now and it is so easy to do searches now.  Also, although you cant expect to get tons of points right away, its nice to have a free gift card or two just for doing something you would normally everyday anyways.

There is a personalized link below and on the top of the webpage... if you click, I get points!

I hope you don't feel I am promoting too many websites.  I promise to give my truthful opinion and I am just writing certain helpful sites that I regularly use and save from!  Although I do get points by promoting SwagBucks, I obviously would not promote a website that isn't legit.

Here's a link for you:




Xoxo!

Cooking at Home

Since I've had the girls, I really have bumped up my cooking skills.  I have always loved to cook, but I never had the time or desire to learn how to cook well.  Now I'm a Food Network junkie and I love trying out new recipes.  Cooking at home is a great way to save money for many reasons.  Obviously, it is way cheaper, but there are other great ways to save.  If you use a slow cooker, you can make inexpensive (sometimes tough) meat very juicy and tender.  The slow cooking process helps tenderize meats.  I also love my slow cooker for days I have a lot to do.  I can throw some food in the crock pot and forget about it for hours.  There are a lot of great recipe websites out there.  One of my favorites is All Recipes , especially their ingredient search.  I use this when I have a lot of random stuff in the cupboard or veggies I need to use up quickly.  If you want some of my favorite slow cooker recipes, let me know!  I use my cooker year round, its great in summertime since it doesn't heat up the kitchen as much.  Plus, I make a great pulled pork in my slow cooker for barbecues. I find some great ideas on another blog, which she did an experiment a year or so ago which she cooked 365 days of slow cooking.  That's dedication!  Check it out here.

Other great websites to check out:

1. Food Network . I like this website to search for recipes for shows I've seen, plus the reviews are very candid and helpful.  I usually wont make a recipe with bad reviews.  
2. Epicurious My favorite part of this website is their Mobile application.  A lot of food websites have mobile apps which let you create shopping lists or search for recipes when you are shopping.  So convenient!

I was thinking about starting a recipe swap with my friends, maybe once a month.  I think themes are best, that way it will vary each month.  I have a lot of great recipes.  Whenever I make something we love, I print it off and put it in my homemade recipe binder.  Its getting so full I can barely close it!  Anyone interested in a recipe swap?

Thats all for now!
xoxo!

Ashleigh

Time is Money

Okay, that phrase is kind of cheesy, but its so true.  It just takes a little time to save a ton of money!  At first I was trying to avoid Twitter, but there are really some great offers available on there!  I am still in the learning stages of understanding what exactly is available on there (or even how to use the website!), but it really is beneficial.  Even if you don't want to venture out in the Twitter world, there are great offers on the internet.  I sign up for every website of places I go regularly.  From clothing stores to restaurants, I sign up for it all.  This is where the extra email comes handy, so your everyday email isn't flooded with junk mail.  If you do a little research, Im sure you will find your favorite restaurant or store on there.  Not all places offer great deals, but they are becoming more frequent.  A lot of the time you will get heads up on sales or special "members only" sales.  Here are a few of my favorite things to sign up for:

1.  Target Mobile (this is especially great with Smart Phones): they send coupons monthly.  Dont forget you can combine Target coupons with Manufacturer coupons for DOUBLE savings*!
2. Kohls.  Great sales and most of the time you don't need to use their credit card with the discount offers.  Best part, you get a $5 certificate for signing up!
3. American Eagle  I don't usually shop at their stores, but they offer free shipping and better variety of sizes on their website.  They have a lot of great sales that aren't featured in the stores.  Also join their rewards program
4. Some great restaurants to sign up for: Unos, Red Robin, Fridays (join their rewards program too!), Famous Dave's and Texas Roadhouse.  Even if you dont frequent these places, its nice to have a deal waiting in your email when you go there on a whim!  Also, during your bday month you get a lot of freebies!
5. Dont forget about your favorite grocery stores!  A few great ones are Meijer, Cub Foods and Whole Foods.  All of those send out coupons and special offers!  You can double up Cub and Meijer store coupons with Manufacturer coupons for double savings*, as well!
6. Babies R Us has a great rewards system and they have a lot of private member sales!  Once again, you can combine their store coupons with Manufacturer coupons*. 

There are plenty more places, but I figure everyone has their own preferences!

Thanks for reading! I found out I may have a writing job when we move to Grand Rapids, so you may soon be able to hear much more from me.  I knew all of my knowledge would pay off sometime!  I love to help people.   TBC on that topic.

Have a great weekend!


Ashleigh

*If you are confused by what the difference between a STORE coupon and Manufacturer coupon is, let me know...I can help you out!  Also, if combining coupons is confusing, contact me. You can also do this at Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid.

Sunday!

Hey! Just wanted to remind you all to run out and get your Sunday papers!  There will be 2 inserts this week.  Like I've said before, go to the Dollar Tree to save money on the paper. Just don't take all of them in the Madison locations! 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and Happy Fathers Day!

xoxo!
Ashleigh

Diapers.com- is it worth it?

I have always been intrigued by Diapers.com.  I always see ads in my magazines and the idea of having diapers mailed right to me for FREE is very tempting.  At the age the twins are at right now, its so hard to get out and run simple errands like for diapers.  On a side note, a few weeks ago I got a message from Huggies saying I won the diapers for a year daily drawing, but I have yet to hear from them again...I have my fingers crossed! 

So earlier this week, I was browsing my Pampers rewards and I saw that I could get gift certificates for Diapers.com.   With just over 1500 points, I was able to get $27 in certificates, plus I had a code for an extra $10 off with free shipping.  So basically, I could fill my cart with $37 of stuff for FREE.  I found many pros and cons with the website.  (I would love some feedback from people who use this site, since I am a newbie!)

PROS:

1. You can mail your coupons in and they can credit your account.  If you know you will mostly buy a certain brand (Pampers, Huggies), this would be a great option!
2. They have a lot of different offers and FREE shipping (mostly on orders over $49)
3. They price match any website for the exact same item.  Strangely, when I tried to price match some diapers from Amazon.com, they disappeared from the website.  Coincidence or not?  

CONS:

1. The prices are WAY above what I normally pay at Target or Walmart.   Without the extra deals, it would not be worth it to even check this out.  It is a matter of if the few dollars extra per pack outweigh the price of gas and struggle to get to the store.

I ordered the diapers on Wednesday and I got them first thing today (Saturday), not bad! Unless I find another great deal, I don't really see myself shopping there much, but it was a different experience.  I got almost 200 diapers for $14.  That is a great deal!  All in all, it was something I just wanted to try, but I love my Target runs wayyy too much to give them up.  Believe it or not, a late night run to Target once the girls are asleep is my little break for the day.

Want to check it out?  Here's the website: Diapers.com and use my referral code: ASHL0574.   

Let me know what you think!

XOXO

Ashleigh 

Movie Screeners

Ok, I've done enough blogging for today, but I have one more thing.  Can you tell my cable box isn't working? haha!  Maybe this should be a sign we don't need TV, I actually clean AND get my "to do" list partially done.  Anyway, I love going to the movies, although I never have time anymore.  I found this website for free movie screenings: Gofobo.  I'm not sure how popular this is, but in larger cities it seems that there are a lot of free movies available.  Unfortunately, in Madison there isn't much exciting.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that its a new and developing site!  One of the best parts of the summer in Madison, though, is the Terrace and they have lot of fun activities available.  Movie Monday looks very promising with their High School movie theme... I would love to see Nightmare on Elm Street or Superbad there.  Plus, the setting on the lake is perfect for summer beer drinking. 

Don't forget to leave me comments and follow for future updates!

xoxo!
Ashleigh

Bookworms!

Ever since I discovered Half Price Books years ago, I have been obsessed.  I am very sad that there will not be one in Michigan when we move, I will go through withdrawal!  If you don't have one around you, I'm sure there are other options.  In Madison we also have Frugal Muse, which I also love.  I am obsessed with magazines and I subscribe to at least 10 different ones, mostly because I find free subscriptions online.  Once I'm done with them, I can hand them in at Half Price, along with books I have read for money.  Each trip I get at least $10 back, which I usually just spend right away there.  They have DVDs and an amazing cookbook selection, as well as their Bargain corner which I get most books for $1.  Also, their children's section is pretty large and wayy cheaper than regular bookstores.  Now that I'm home so much I finally have time to read again (when the girls let me, that is!).  Sign up for their email list and they send coupons and let you know about certain specials they have.  Right now they have a summer reading program for kids 14 and under which you can get a $3 gift card each week for reading 15 minutes (or like us, we read to the girls).  

If you have not been, you should really check it out!  



xoxo!
Ashleigh