Since I am pregnant again, I am starting back at square one for baby supplies like diapers, bottles, etc.  I always recommend signing up on as many websites as possible to get coupons sent to you.  I also recommend using your "junk" email so your inbox isn't bombarded with unwanted emails.  Also, you might want to consider signing up other family members (think aunts and grandparents) so you get multiple coupons! Ask first though! As always, some are better than others.  Here is my list of favorites:



*NOTE: If you are clicking on links, you might want to right click and choose "open in new tab/window".  I cannot figure out how to change it so you wont be directed away from the page!*

1. Gerber Onesies. Every 2 months or so they update their printable coupons.  I like their onesies and it is easy to pair these coupons with a sale!
2. Huggies.  Dont forget to save the codes from the packs of diapers.  I have gotten at least five $25 Visa gift cards from playing their instant win games.  Also, they mail out coupons every few months.
3. Pampers. Save the codes from these packs of diapers too!
4. Formula companies.  They send out a lot of freebies before the baby is born, especially.  Similac, Enfamil and Good Start
5. Clothing stores: Babies r Us and Target are my favorite.  Also, even if it's not your first, start a registry to get nice gift bags in-store filled with freebies and coupons!  Dont forget: you can combine store coupons with sales & manufacturer coupons!!
6. Sign up for Amazon Mom.  You get 30% off AND free shipping.   Plus, lately there have been great 20% off or $10 coupons in the regular baby magazines.  I found a box of over 200 Pampers Swaddlers for $20 shipped to your door!  Thats a great deal! 

There are many, many more ways to get baby items for great prices.  I could talk about this topic all day!  If you have any specific questions, don't hesitate to email me or comment on this post.

Even if you are not pregnant, I would sign up for any regular brands you use with your baby and toddler.  If you don't end up using the coupons, you can always give them to another friend who is a parent!

Cooking rut? Try a recipe binder!

I must admit, this winter I have been in kind of a cooking rut.  As much as I love cooking, I get so tired of thinking of what to make for dinner.  One thing that helps me find dinner ideas is my cooking binder.  I started this in 2007 and I take any recipe I see that sounds appetizing and put it inside with page protectors.  This past year I had to move to a larger binder and it is still almost full.  Its fun to remember recipes this way and you can just take out the page protector when you want to use it.  I also write anything I may have changed or added to the recipe with either a post-it or right in the margins of the recipe. 

The best way to use a binder is to get dividers and keep it organized.  A binder with pockets on the side is nice too.  When I dont have time to categorize a recipe, I just put it in the pocket for a later time.  Here are the dividers I use, obviously use what is most convenient for you.

1. Chicken
2. Beef
3. Sweets/Dessert/Holiday Treats
4. Seafood
5. Vegetarian/Sides
6. Soups
7. Pasta

There is probably a better way to categorize everything, but I have yet to change my binder in 4 years.

Where do I find recipes?  Everywhere! Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Before you recycle your magazines, cut out any recipes you might want to try.  If I try a recipe and we dont like it, I throw it away.  Its pointless to keep a gross recipe!
• I am a Food Network junkie.  Whenever I see a show with a recipe I want to try, I go to the website and print it.  This is usually where I end up writing any additions/subtractions to the recipe in the margins.  If I dont have time to print it, I add it to my bookmarks until I want to use it.
• Allrecipes.com, Epicurious.com or any cooking website. 
• Sunday inserts.   Sometimes our Parade magazine or even the coupon inserts have great sounding ideas.
• From others!  If you go try something you like, ask them for the recipe!
• I just started collecting holiday recipes a few years ago and now when its time to make cookies at Christmas time, we have a huge selection.  

 A great way to do this project for FREE would be to use Amazon.com gift cards from Swagbucks. I have been racking up the points more than usual lately, which is very nice!  If you haven't signed up yet, use the link above.

Enjoy the snow!


Xoxo!

Daily Deals + Swagbucks!

I love the daily deal websites: Groupon and Living Social especially.  If you aren't familiar with this concept, each day there is a local deal which is offered for a fraction of the price (usually over 50% off!).  Not only are there local deals, there are national deals and for online retailers as well.  I love the variety of deals available.  One day it will be for a restaurant, the next for rock climbing or a salon.  These are great for presents too.  If you are a frequent buyer of these daily deals, you MUST go through your Swagbucks!  Each deal is worth 280 points!  By the time you purchase two deals, you have enough points for a $5 Amazon gift card. 

This week I bought myself a birthday gift of Groupon at an Aveda salon.  Since it was so much cheaper, I can get not only a haircut (much needed, I have to add....) but a pedicure too.  I need to get it while I can still see my feet...I am almost 19 weeks pregnant, if you did not know.

Check it out!

Birthday Goodies!

For a girl who loves freebies and being cheap, my birthday month is super exiting for me.  Everyday when I check my email, I get so many fun surprises.  Gift certificates, free food, free products, etc.  I was reading another blog and she suggested going to each place and getting all of the freebies at once.  I never realized I could get my free meal or dessert To-Go!  I don't know how this is really going to work, but I am making a list of great deals so far and I will plan a special day to go get my freebies.  More information to be continued.  My favorites so far?  A free $10 gift certificate to World Market and a free meal AND dessert at Quaker Steak.  It was so funny when Extreme Couponing was airing the past week, I got about 10 texts from friends who thought of me while watching it.  If you missed it, dont worry!  It will be a new show on TLC in the spring.  Basically, they showed the extreme cases of people who use coupons and save crazy amounts of money.  Who really needs that much pasta?!  I think people should use savings to benefit themselves, but just in the present and near future...not 3 years of products! 

If you know of any great local freebies I may not know about, let me know!  I have signed up for pretty much every restaraunt and store I frequent.

Have a great weekend and stay warm!

XOXO

Happy New Year!

Hello again! 

I guess I took an unintentional break during the holiday season.  I'm not sure if it was because I had nothing new and exciting to share, or if I just needed a breather.  Regardless, I'm back!  I had a wonderful holiday season and now we are heading into birthday months.  I have 15 birthdays within a 6 week span between friends and family.  Its crazy!  My birthday is coming up in about 2 weeks and I will be 27! I know that is not old at all, it just feels like time is flying by!  I am still in the process of figuring out where I want to go with this blog and what I would like to include.  I love adding random recipes throughout the month and other things that might not be under the category of "being cheap". Thank you for bearing with me, it has been almost a year!  I always love suggestions and comments, I appreciate every one of my readers!

I promise I will be up and blogging this week!

Happy 2011!

Holiday Shopping: Cyber Monday deals!

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.