100th Post Starbucks/Bath and Body Works Giveaway

In honor of my 100th blog post, I'm hosting my first giveaway. I am having a blast writing this blog and I hope you enjoy reading it. I know I have a lot more guests than when I first started and I'm so thankful for each one of you that stop by.

This giveaway includes:

$5 Starbucks Gift Card

Starbucks Milk Chocolate Bar

2 oz. Warm Vanilla Sugar Shower Gel

2 oz. Warm Vanilla Sugar Body Lotion

2 oz. Warm Vanilla Sugar Moisturizing Shampoo

2 oz. Warm Vanilla Sugar Moisturizing Conditioner

To receive up to 4 entries:

1) Leave a comment to this post.

2) Become a follower of my blog and leave a separate comment here. If you already are a follower just leave another comment letting me know.

3) Become a subscriber to my blog and leave a separate comment here. If you already subscribe leave another comment letting me know.

4) Blog about this giveaway and come back and leave a comment here with a direct link to your blog entry.

Giveaway open to U.S. residents only. You do not need a blog to enter just be sure to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win.

Contest ends Friday, February 6th at noon. Winner will be chosen in a random drawing.

Check out Bloggy Giveaways for more great giveaways.

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CVS Kodak Picture Movie DVD deal 1/25/09-1/31/09

This week CVS has their Kodak Picture Movie DVDs on sale for $9.99. There is a printable coupon for $5 off a Kodak Picture Movie DVD available at coupons.com making these $4.99. These make great gifts. I gave my nephew one for his birthday this past year and he got the biggest kick out of it. They are also a fun way to enjoy your own photos.

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Deals of the week 1/18/09-1/24/09

This was a great week for deals. I went over my grocery budget slightly but I've been under for many weeks in a row so it all averages out in the end.

My best deal was not grocery related at all. I was in Michael's this weekend and they had their Christmas items 80%-90% off including Christmas trees. We knew we were going to have to buy a new one later this year since the one we've had for 6 years bit the dust 2 days after Christmas. It's pre-lit and all the lights quit working 2 days after Christmas. There was no finding the source. Plus, a couple of years back some of the branches were damaged so it was already looking rather worn. Anyway, Michael's had several Christmas trees left and had them marked 90% off. Yes, 90%. I bought a 7.5 foot pre-lit tree for $29.99!!! I was planning to save $200 this year to purchase us a new tree. This is one of the best deals I've found in awhile. I'm sure this is a YMMV situation but you may want to check out Michaels if you are looking for Christmas items. Ours still has quite a bit of stuff left.



Walgreens-I didn't really need/want any of the deals at Walgreens this week, however, I had $8 in Register Rewards expiring on the 20th. I decided to use the RRs to purchase my husband's favorite toothpaste since we rarely get good deals on it along witht the Revlon eyeshadow since it's something I'll use and I would get a rebate on it.

Arm & Hammer Toothpaste $4.29

Revlon Matte Eyeshadow $4.99

Subtotal: $9.29

Paid with $8 Register Rewards

Total w/ tax OOP: $1.84

Will get: $4.99 rebate

CVS-Another week when CVS was out of most of what I was looking for.

I bought:

3 American Greetings Cards $2.97

2 Maybelline Mineral make-up $19.98

Subtotal: $22.95

Qs:

$12 ECBs

Total: $11.61

Paid: $8.63 on GC

Total OOP: $2.98

Received: $13 ECBs

Kroger had their Mega Sale going on so I took advantage and did some stocking up which blew the budget slightly. I paid $58.01 for $102.62 worth of groceries for a savings of 43.4%.

Weekly Summary: I paid $62.83 for $134.86 worth of groceries for a savings of 53.4%.

For more great deals be sure to check out Money Saving Mom and The Centsible Sawyer.

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Making Money Selling Your Kid's Gently Used Items: Why I Love Community Consignment Sales

I've been a mom for 8 1/2 years and during that time have tried about every way out there to sell my kid's gently used clothing, toys, books, etc. I've sold them on Ebay, in yard sales and through consigment stores but I think my favorite way to sell kids stuff is through community consignment sales. Community consignment sales have been growing in popularity and chances are you will find them in your community. If you're not familiar with them, they are what I consider a perfect combination of a yard sale and a consignment store. You gather up all the gently used items you want to sell, tag them, and take the to the consignment drop-off. The organizers and volunteers get all the racks and tables ready to go for the sale. The sales usually last just 3 days with consignors getting to attend a pre-sale to get the first chance at the items. You do have to pay a consignors fee although this is often waved or reduced if you refer other consignors. And the organizers get a percentage of your sales but they also handle all of the advertising and organization of this event.

The reason I prefer this way of selling is because:
1) The event draws a bigger crowd than you would at a yard sale.
2) The organizer handles the organization and advertising for the event.
3) The price points for the items are much better than a yard sale and comparable to Ebay and consignment stores.
4) While the money isn't in your hands immediately like at a yard sale, it is a much quicker turnaround than using a consignment store. I usually have the money within a week of the sale. The one exception would be the consignment stores that pay when you drop the items off. However, you generally don't get as much for your items when you do that.
5) As a consignor you get to attend the pre-sale events and get first pick at the great bargains.
6) It is less labor intensive than Ebay and you generally make as much money selling the item as you would on Ebay unless it's a highly desired clothing line/item. You also don't have to deal with all the fees, shipping and feedback concerns.
7) It is a wonderful community of moms helping moms. These resell events benefit all who participate by providing affordable clothing and kids items for purchase while at the same time affording moms a way to make some extra money to help cover the costs of needed items. This past Fall, when my husband was unemployed, I was able to make enough money by selling my children's outgrown clothing items at a community consignment sale to buy them all the clothing they needed for this school year.

I know there has been some concern over the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) and how it will impact the resell of children's clothing. I'm hoping the recent clarification will allow resell events to continue without any problems. I know my community's Spring sale is going on as planned. I'm sure the wonderful community of moms, resellers and small business owners will demand further clarification if need be to protect those who benefit from the resell of children's products.

Do you participate in community consignment sales? If not, what's your preferred way to sell your children's gently used items?

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Freebies

Go here to get a free sample of Gold Bond Ultimate Soothing Lotion.

Go here to get a free sample of Crest Whitestrips Advance Seal.

Go here to get a free sample of Always Infinity.

Go here to get a free sample of Kotex Lightdays THIN liners.

Go here to get a free sample of Prilosec OTC.

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$2 off Bertolli Oven Bake Meals

Go here for a coupon for $2 off Bertolli Oven Bake Meals. After you enter and submit your information, you will be able to print your coupon. You should be able to print it twice.

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FREE 3-year subscription to Today's Diet and Nutrition Magazine

Go here and enter code INAUG09 to get your free 3 year subscription to Today's Diet and Nutrition Magazine.

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FREE Sample Quaker True Delights

Go here to get a free sample of Quaker True Delights granola bar.

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All You Magazine February Coupon List

Here's a list of coupons found in the February issue of All You magazine. This magazine is a great coupon resource and can be purchased at Wal-Mart and by subscription.

page 10
-$1 off any Emerald Breakfast on the Go! 6 Pouch Carton

page 12
-$3 off Open Season 2 on DVD or BLU-RAY

pg. 25
-$1.50 off Dove Cream Oil Body Lotion or Hand Cream(includes 8.5 oz., 13.5 oz., and 2.5 oz.)

pg. 43
-$2 off any K-Y Brand Product(excludes trial sizes)

pg. 46
-$1 off any Softsoap Ensembles Liquid Hand Soap Pump(with disposable base)

pg. 56
-75 cents off 1 Wet Ones Wipes 40 ct. or larger canister or 1 box of singles

pg. 59
-55 cents off one Splenda No Calorie Sweetener Product

pg. 72
-$2 off any Advil or Advil PM 32 ct. or larger
-$2 off any Thermacare 2 ct. or larger
-$5 off any Advil or Advil PM or larger AND any Thermacare 2 ct. or larger

pg. 79
-$1 off any Caltrate product (except 30 ct)
-$1 off any Centrum product(except 30 ct)

pg. 84
-75 cents off Fiber One Frosted Shredded Wheat cereal

pg. 88
-Buy any 2 StarKist Pouch Products and get a FREE Pouch(up to 4.5 oz.)

pg. 95
-$1 off any 2 Ortega products

pg. 99
-$1 off any 1 Hormel Compleats microwave meal. Any variety.

pg. 102
-$1.50 off any 2 Ziploc Brand Bags

pg. 104
-$2 off any two 1-liter bottles of Pedialyte

pg. 107
-$2 off any 1 Spot Shot Instant Carpet Stain and Odor Eliminator

pg. 116
-$1 off any Nature Made product

pg. 119
-75 cents off Banana Nut Cheerios cereal

pg. 122
-$5 off when you buy Fireproof and either Facing the Giants or Flywheel

pg. 124
-$1 off 1 Gerber Infant Tooth & Gum Cleanser or 1 Gerber Toddler Tooth & Gum Cleanser

pg. 130
-55 cents off any Little Debbie Family Pack 100-Calorie Snack Cake variety

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FREE Krispy Kreme Doughnuts January 20th

Get a free doughnut of choice at Krispy Kreme on January 20th. No purchase necessary. Details can be found here.

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