GIVEAWAY: MyBlogSpark & General Mills Cereal

Woo hoo! It's another GIVEAWAY! Details are below.

"This week General Mills announced a commitment to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain."

As a family who regularly eats cereal (babies, kids, & adults) it's important that our cereal be good for us.

It was interesting to read this information shared by General Mills through MyBlogSpark:

Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? ... Ready-to-eat cereals, including presweetened cereals, account for only 5% of sugar in children’s diets.

More frequent cereal eaters tend to have healthier body weights and lower Body Mass Index measures.

Studies also demonstrate the benefits of eating breakfast. A 1998 study showed that children who eat breakfast tend to perform better at school. Compared to children who skip breakfast, children who eat breakfast score higher on tests, are less likely to miss class or be tardy, have fewer reported discipline problems, and make fewer trips to the office.

More information about kids and cereals can be found here Cereal Health and Wellness. If you visit here you will find a $1 off coupon for one of four General Mills cereals.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Who can't use a little savings? In appreciation of my wonderful readers, I'm giving away a coupon for a FREE BOX of General Mills cereal (up to $6) to 2 lucky winners!

All you have to do is:

Leave me a comment telling me if you're a cereal eater and if so, which cereal you like best! That's it!

And...

If you're feeling realllly ambitious, post about my giveaway and receive an additional entry. Just send me the link!

I'll pick 2 winners via random.org on Friday, January 8th.

Thanks to General Mills Cereals for providing the FREE coupons through MyBlogSpark!

*Frugal tip- if you happen to be one of the lucky winners, save your FREE coupon until your store has a Buy One, Get One sale. That way, you will get 2 boxes of cereal FREE!

TIGI: FREE Beauty Products to Your Door!

I've seen these freebies before but the site was sooooo slow I gave up. Welll... I just tried again and.... I got through and checked out in less than 2 minutes!

Right now you can get:

TIGI lip palette (pictured above)
Wonderful Tonight hair product ($60 value)

100% FREE!

Yup, the items are FREE and shipping is FREE! Click here to claim your goods! No credit card info is needed.

You can also get a Dream Experience Perfum sample for FREE but shipping adds $6.

Thanks Mindi!

PETCO: $5 off $25 and Dog Whisperer Steal

It expires today (12/31) but if you're going to Petco, take this $5 off $25 coupon with you. To get the most savings, get your transaction right to $25 or maybe a little over. Present the $5 off $25 Petco coupon first and then all other manufacturers coupons.

I was at our local Petco 2 days ago. I got a ginormous candy cane rawhide for our dog Dahlia. A black lab/chow mix, even she was stunned by the size of this rawhide and stared at it for some time, not knowing where to begin!

I also stumbled upon a mega Dog Whisperer clearance! The products regulary retailed at Petco from $9.99 to $29.99 and were marked down to $.70 to $6! The Restore 16 oz. bottle was only $.70 (yes, seventy cents) and retailed for $29.99. If you use these products, this is a HUGE savings!

Walgreens: Bayer Glucose Meter Deal

On Tuesday I went to Walgreens to pick up the 2 Bayer meters for FREE and earn $13 in Register Rewards (a.k.a. FREE Walgreens money).

I don't need the meters. I'll just donate them to the nursing home. What I wanted was the $13 in FREE Wags money so I could get my ink refills for FREE!

Check out the scenario Mercedes posted here.

Target: After Christmas Steals

I went to Target on Tuesday to scope out the after-Christmas deals (and DS8 had to spend his $25 in gift coins from Aunt Aubrey!). The clearance items were still at 50%. Ehhh.

So, with just "ehhh" deals I didn't get much but I do want to point out a few things I found:

FREE Rayovac batteries. They are in the Dollar Spot and have a black dot. All black dot items are 50% off making them $.50 each.

I used the $1 coupon from here (key in code 74016761) to get the batteries for free. I used 6 coupons. I don't typically use more than 5 or 6 coupons for the same item in one transaction. I don't like to "push it."

$.54 Method Hand Soap. I found these mixed in with the regular hand soap pumps. The peppermint scent is marked down to $2.54. I used (2) $2 coupons from here.

$.30 Coffee-Mate liquid creamer. The holiday flavors are marked down 15% to $1.30. I used (2) $1 coupons from here.

Are there any other steals I missed?

Avon: 4 for $5 to Your Door!

Woo hoo! I just stumbled across a pretty good deal with Avon!

I purchased 4 hand creams (retail $15.96) and am having them delivered to my door for just $5!

I typically don't pay much for lotions; I generally get them FREE or nearly free with all my drugstore deals. BUT- it's winter and my hands are in desperate need of some hand cream so I splurged (YUP- $5 is a splurge when you normally don't pay anything!)

Here's what I did and how you can do it too:

Go to ebates.com and search Avon for 5% cash back.
Once redirected to Avon's site click on Special Offers on the left.
Then click the red skincare link near the top/middle of the page.
A little past halfway there's a link for Hand Cream Sale: 4 for $5. Click it.
Shop for your 4 items and then go through checkout.
Enter code CONFETTI for free shipping to your door!

If you are comfortable navigating the site, you can also shop under a local Avon rep (click icon at the top of the page). I always find a local rep. I think they might get credit for the order? Can anyone confirm?

Either way, happy saving!

House Party: I WON!

Woo hoo! I won my 2nd House Party!!!

The first Party I won was for my son last year. It was Star Wars Clone Wars. My son had about a 10 friends over and they all watched the first episode of Star Wars Clone Wars from Cartoon Network.

The party pack I received was full of glow sticks, real full-sized "humming" light sabers, masks, temporary tattoos, stickers, and more!

This latest House Party is for ME! I won the new Fun, Fit, and Guilt-Free House Party featuring Jenny McCarthy's Your Shape Wii game and JELL-O Mousse Temptations.

I received my party pack the other day and whew! am I stoked! My box was filled with Wii games, JELL-O FREE product coupons, and many, many other giveaways!

To all my girlfriends reading this... stay tuned for your party invites!

ALL YOU Reality Checkers

Let me start by saying that I LOVE ALL YOU magazine. It's full of helpful tips and advice and... coupons!

Some time ago I received an email about becoming an All You Reality Checker. I'm glad I enrolled because since then I've completed several brief product and magazine cover surveys and have reaped the benefits!

I've received FREE product samples to try, FREE product coupons, and FREE magazines. All the surveys I've received have been verrrrry short (trust me, I'm not patient enough to fiddle around with anything longer than a couple of minutes).

To make things even better, on Friday I received a surprise box in the mail from All You Reality Checkers. It was a goodie bag filled with tons of loot! All You sent it as a holiday "thank you" gift!

If you have the time and are interested, check out All You!

GIVEAWAY: Fishful Thinking Program

Pepperidge Farm Goldfish has a unique (and FREE) program Fishful Thinking (check out the button on the bottom right of my page). It's a program for parents that helps them raise children who have positive attitudes and who can confidently tackle life's challenges.

As a parent, former pre-school teacher, and Fishful Thinking Ambassador, I thought I'd share this useful parenting resource.

The Fishful Thinking site has many great activities that you and your children can do. You can find the activities links under the tabs at the top of the page. I particularly like the Treasure Box.

What activities will you try with your children? Leave a Comment to let me know. On Friday, January 8th I'll choose one Commenter who will receive a Fishful Thinking tote bag of goodies!

I[2]Y Cancer Foundation

I generally don't write these type of postings but I'm going to make an exception...

This is about a friend of mine, Kurt Owen, and his "cause."

Kurt and I met at EVI in 2003. We worked together for a little over 4 years. He had a relaxed, easy-going personality but was also up beat and had an ambitious outlook.

During that time we played 2 seasons on the EVI co-ed softball team and sailed 2 seasons on boats Shadowfax and Unga Bunga.

Kurt was an awesome coach for the softball team. He gave everyone time on the field and was always there cheering everyone on (although for some players, all the cheering in the world wouldn't have made the difference!)

One of my funny memories about Kurt and softball were his black Reebok Pump football cleats. If you aren't familiar, Pumps were popular in the 90s.

I remember noticing Kurt's feet one day at softball and asking, "Are those Pumps?" Kurt smiled and nodded his head "yes." Kurt's Pumps were funny because at that time they were nearly a decade old. Kurt didn't care and neither did the rest of us. It was just funny he had shoes that old that were still in tact and functioning!

Another fond memory of Kurt was the time he grabbed my butt. Yup, tis true but let me explain! He, Jaime Davis and I were sailing one afternoon. The wind was picking up and the water was getting hairy.

I was leaning over on the side of the boat and fiddling with a line when the boat suddenly leaned in the direction I was bent over. Had Kurt not grabbed me by the back of my pants to pull me back, I would have went overboard. None of us on the boat cared to wear bulky life vests so who knows what would have happened had I been tossed into the river. I've never been more grateful for a butt grab!

Kurt was a great guy, full of life and eager to take on challenges. He left a positive impression on all of us. Unfortunately he left this world earlier this month, on December 13th.

Kurt's wife Jennifer shared on their blog the names of a few cancer organizations who were helpful to them this last year.

I was surprised to discover i[2]y. They support young adults who are diagnosed with cancer. According to Jen, there aren't many organizations out there who focus on people "my age" so it was nice to read about this support group.

SC Johnson $5 Mail-In Rebate

Ok, ok. I know... I'm realllllly late in posting this but better late than never!

Get $5 back via mail when you purchase any 3 SC Johnson products between 10/1/09 – 6/30/10. Read more and print your rebate form here.

Some of the participating brands include:

* Ziploc
* Glade
* Windex
* Scrubbing Bubbles
* Pledge
* Shout
* Fantastik
* Drano
* Raid
* Off
* Saran
* Nature’s Source

This offer would be really good with a CVS or Rite Aid deal. In fact, if you do Mindi's CVS/Glade deal this week, you are more than 1/2 way to your $5!

Another option, I think Target has small packs of Ziploc bags at checkout for cheap. Buy 3 and send in for your rebate!

Worthwhile Printable Coupons

Here are a few good printable coupons that I suggest. Print them out and keep them on you. When you are at a store that doubles coupons, these should make for FREE or Nearly Free items.

$0.75/1 No Yolks
My Acme store carries the Thin No Yolks Noodles for $1.88. The doubled $.75 coupon makes them just $.38 per bag.

$1/1 Muir Glen Product
I use these at my Weis store. The organic Muir Glen tomato paste is $1.29 per can. I hold onto the paste and use it when I make soup. The $1 coupon makes the tomato paste just $.29 cents per can!

$.75/1 Kleenex (last page)
I only know CVS pricing for Kleenex off the top of my head- $1.59 for a regular box. Print this and save it for your next grocery trip at a store that doubles. This should make for a FREE or Nearly Free box of tissues!

Remember, you should be able to get 2 prints of each coupon per computer!

FREEBIES!

Here's a rundown of some recent Freebie offers. Enjoy!

Free Stacy's Pita Chips
Receive a coupon for a free bag of Stacy's Pita Chips! Log onto your Facebook, become a fan of Stacy's Pita Chips, then click on "Free Stacy's" tab on the upper right section of the page. Enter your home address, and your free coupon should arrive in 2-4 weeks. Limit one sample per household, only available to the first 65,000 fans.

Take the Pledge & Get a Coupon for Wet Ones Wipes

Take the pledge to help stop the spread of germs. Each of the first 100,000 pledges will trigger a donation of one Wet Ones antibacterial wipes travel pack to the Kids In Need Foundation, a national organization that provides school supplies to children in most need. Each participant will also get an instant coupon for $1.50 off a Wet Ones product purchase and can download a Flu Prevention Plan.

Free Dove Shampoo & Conditioner Sample

Try Dove's new Intense Damage Therapy Shampoo and Conditioner. Fill out the form and your free sample will arrive in 8 to 12 weeks. One sample per household. Limited while supplies last.

Free Huggies Diapers Sample
Receive three free diapers from Huggies new Pure and Natural Diapers line. Fill in your name and address & answer a couple of questions to get your free sample AND coupon. One sample packet available per household. Allow 4-6 weeks for delivery time.

SheSpeaks & Aquafresh Iso-Active

SheSpeaks recently sent me a free can of the new Aquafresh Iso-Active toothpaste to try.

WOW! Not just me, but my entire family, LOVES it!

Iso-Active comes in a new style of pump can. All you do is depress the top and out comes the toothpaste onto your toothbrush.

As you brush, your mouth gets all foamy and clean. Iso-Active has a nice minty flavor and left our mouth's feeling FRESH!

Click here to print out a $1 coupon to save on your purchase of Iso-Active.

$17 Acme Score with Pictures!

I went to my local Acme store last night and had a great time! I went with coupons and sale paper in hand and came out with all of this for just $17!

Check it out!

While yesterday was the last day of the sale, the concepts for saving money I outline below still apply. Here's what I did and how you can do it too!

I visited Moms Need to Know and got the list for coupon match ups. I subscribe to The Grocery Game but Acme isn't a list store. So if I shop at Acme, I go to MNTK.

I focused on the On Your Next Offer (OYNO) deal this week that was on the last page of the sale paper. If you spent $15 in qualifying products you earned a Catalina coupon for $5 off your next purchase.

I printed out the applicable internet printable coupons and also clipped a few from the Sunday paper inserts. I also had some matching coupons from Betty Crocker cooking magazines I received in the mail.

I did 4 transactions to roll the $5 Catalina coupons and pay the least amount of money out of pocket.

At checkout, I lined my items up on the belt, separated each transaction with a bar, and told the cashier I had 4 transactions. The cashier knows me well and didn't have a problem with my multiple transactions at all.

Trans. #1
(4) Progresso Bread Crumbs
(12) Green Giant frozen vegetables

Out of Pocket $7
Earned $5 Catalina

Trans. #2
(1) Chex Mix snack mix
(5) Betty Crocker potatoes
(3) Betty Crocker cookie mixes
(1) Pillsbury Cresent Rolls

Out of Pocket $4.08
Earned $5 Catalina

Trans. #3
(12) Progresso Soup cans

Out of Pocket $3.48
Earned $5 Catalina
Earned SURPRISE $3 Catalina that was Progresso Soup-specific

Trans. #4
(1) Gallon of whole milk
(1) 1/2 gallon of skim milk
(2) 2 pks of stuffed green peppers
(3) Bananas
(2) Pears

Out of Pocket $2.45

You might be thinking to yourself that this is a strange shopping trip. Where's all the meat, bread, etc. for the week you ask?

My answer- I don't need any! I am at a stage in my shopping now that most of my usual items are well stocked. I only pick up what I need each week such as fresh fruit & veggies, and bread and milk. Of course, I also pick up what's FREE or NEARLY FREE.

My family will easily consume the soup and frozen veggies. The other items I grabbed because they helped me get the most out of my dollar by generating the $5 Catalina coupons. What I won't use in the near future I'll delve out to family members or send in to school with my son for the needy families.

Moral of this post? Monitor the sales and stock up when you can. By stocking up on 12 packs of frozen veggies and cans of soup for example, I should be able to get by for some time before I get low again. By the time I need more, it will be time for another stock up sale. At that time I'll stock up again. Never, ever, paying FULL PRICE!

What good deals have you scored lately?

Holiday Giggle Elmo: $10!

I didn't think this was bad at all! Get this cute Holiday Giggle Elmo delivered to your door for just $10.

Here's what you do:

Go to FisherPrice.com

Click on the Free Shipping icon on the top right (through 12/11)

Click on the Sale link at the top and choose Toddler

The Holiday Giggle Elmo is there on the left.

He's marked down to $10 (from $22!) and shipping is FREE!

Happy savings!

Barnes & Noble: 30% off Thomas the Train

Thanks to reader Jaime for sharing:

Earlier this week, the Barnes & Noble in Ellicott City (MD) had Thomas the Train items (located in the children's section) discounted 30%. This is a nice savings for Thomas the Train gifts!

Thanks Jaime!

Piggy Paint: 15% Off

A couple of months ago I introduced you to Piggy Paint. I'm back to say that they are once again offering 15% off EVERYTHING on their site, including sale items!

I'm a fan of Piggy Paint not only because they're a woman-owned company but also because their products are safe and all natural!

Enter code THANKYOU15L at checkout to receive your savings. Purchases of $25 or more ship FREE! You have until Valentines Day 2010 to take advantage of this offer!

To begin shopping with Piggy Paint, click here.

Macy's: 25% off In-Store & Online

Thanks to reader Jaime for sharing this HOT Macy's coupon!

Now through December 7th, take this coupon to Macy's and enjoy an extra 25% off your entire purchase.

Not into fighting the crowds this year? Make your purchase online at Macys.com and enter code MACYSFF at checkout.

Make this deal even sweeter by going through ebates for 5% cash back!

Thanks Jaime!

BGE: WinterReady Program

Here's a great money-saving program that reader Angela shared with me!

The BGE WinterReady program provides information to help you conserve energy and keep heating costs reasonable this winter season.

A BGE representative will spend about an hour in your house assessing:

• insulation levels
• air tightness
• heating and cooling systems
• windows and doors
• lighting and appliances

The fee for BGE's assessment is $40. HOWEVER, should you decide to go ahead with 3 or more of their suggested energy-saving measures, the $40 fee is waived.

Angela reports that the energy-saving changes BGE suggests are at BGE's cost (uh, that means FREE to you!!!). She allowed BGE to install 2 low-flow bathroom sink spigots, a new lower-flow shower head, and 6 CFL lightbulbs. All for FREE! How cool?

For more details, be sure to check out the BGE WinterReady site here. Thanks Angela!

Kohl's: 15% off In-Store and Online

Kohl's email subscribers recently received a coupon for 15% off any purchase. Use this with sale and clearance items to save even more!

If ordering online, you can use coupon code SAVE4XMAS for 15% off. Valid through 12/5.

If you aren't already a Kohl's email subscriber, you can go here to sign up. By signing up you'll receive $5 off your next in-store purchase and 10% off your next Kohls.com purchase.

PETCO: 20% off In-Store Coupon

Click here to print your PETCO coupon for 20% off any regular-priced item. Valid through 12/6.