Mark your calendars!
To celebrate National Cheesecake Day, The Cheesecake Factory is offering half-priced cheesecake slices on July 30, 2012.
Thanks, Capitally Frugal!
Shared Jul 12, 2012
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4 Weeks of Frugal Family Fun: Elephant Toothpaste (Day 17)
We had a busy day today so we didn’t get to do our planned frugal family fun project until after Jesse came home tonight. He was quite impressed with the project and amazed at the creative idea I came up with (Thanks, Pinterest, for making me look like I’m a cool mom! :)).
The kids were scratching their heads when I told them we were making Elephant Toothpaste. “Elephants have to brush their teeth, too?” “Oh wow, so this is what their toothpaste is made of?”
They were a little disappointed when I broke the news to them that this wasn’t actually Elephant Toothpaste, but regardless, we sure had fun making up crazy stories with the idea, anyway. 🙂
We didn’t have 6% Hydrogen Peroxide like the recipe called for (only 3%), but I thought our end result was still pretty cool — and the kids had a blast watching it bubble up and overflow.
Did you do something fun and frugal as a family today? If you blogged about it, I’d love for you to leave a link to your blog post below. Or, you can just tell us what you did in the comments.
Note: Since the purpose of this series is to encourage you to be intentional about fun in your home this summer, please only link up posts showing pictures/sharing details of fun things you did as a family today (or within the last few days). Posts that do not adhere to these guidelines will be deleted in order to make it fair for those who are putting forth a lot of effort to participate in this challenge.
How to Avoid Spending Traps
Renee emailed in the following tip:
Recently, I read this infographic about avoiding spending traps. Not long after, one of my local stores had Arm and Hammer detergent on sale Buy One, Get One For $0.01.
At eye level, they had containers with 35 loads, but on the top shelf, they had containers with 50 loads for the same price — also on sale Buy One, Get One For $0.01.
I don’t know that I would have thought to look above eye level if I hadn’t seen this post! -Renee
Good-For-You Peanut Butter Freezer Fudge
Are you looking for ways to satisfy your sweet tooth on a no-refined foods diet?
This recipe will hit the spot and become one of your favorite afternoon snacks. It’s the perfect pick-me-up — especially on a warm day!
This fudge is SO delicious, you won’t believe it’s actually good for you! 🙂
Peanut Butter Freezer Fudge
- 1 cup natural peanut butter
- 4 Tablespoons coconut oil
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons maple syrup
- 4 ounces quality dark chocolate (I used Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips.)
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Spread mixture into a foil-lined 8×8 baking dish. If desired, drizzle with melted chocolate chips.
Freeze for at least two hours.
Remove from freeze and remove fudge from foil. Cut or break into one-inch squares and store in an airtight freezer bag.
Makes 20 servings.
Recipe adapted from Food Babe.
July Reader Giveaway Extravaganza: $25 Old Navy gift card, $100 Vitacost gift certificate, Burt’s Bees gift pack, plus much more!
It’s time for another Reader Giveaway Extravaganza! This is just a little way for me to show my appreciation to you all for reading here!
This month’s prize pack contains some of the books I’ve enjoyed recently, a character-building book our family really enjoyed reading for our morning devotions, some of my favorite coffee (and a French Press — makes the best coffee ever!), plus a number of other fun goodies I’ve picked up here and there recently with this reader giveaway in mind.
One reader will win the following prize pack:
$25 Old Navy gift card
$10 Papa John’s gift card
$100 Vitacost voucher
French Press
1 bag Starbucks Medium Breakfast blend ground coffee
Mrs. Meyer’s lavender candle
Just for Kids Organic Nighty Night tea
Yogi Tahitian Vanilla Hazelnut tea
Stretch Fruit Island Fruit Strips
2 boxes Annie’s Macaroni & Cheese
Burt’s Bees Gift Pack
Double Chocolate Brownie Cookies
Vanilla from our Dominican Republic trip
Night Song by Tricia Goyer
The Swiss Courier by Tricia Goyer
Unshaken by Dan Woolley
Crossroads of Character by Kate Boyer Brown and Marilyn Boyer
8 Peel-and-Stick Scripture Promise Cards
Peel-and-Stick Weekly Meal Planner
To enter this giveaway, just click on the graphic below and type in your name and email address. One winner will be chosen and posted on Monday. This giveaway ends Friday, July 13, at 11:59 pm, CST.
Ask the Readers: How can we save money in a rural area?
Today’s question is from Christina:
My husband and I are recovering from a bankruptcy — which was the result of many, many financial mistakes and poor planning. I am realizing the value of saving money and even couponing to keep food on the table for our family of six. However, I have no idea how to save money because we live in an extremely small town where coupons are scarce and stores are even scarcer!
Other than a small Walmart, there isn’t a major grocery store (or Target) for over 100 miles! We just have a small, local grocery to choose from. Things seldom go on sale (hello $4 gallons of milk and $3 loaves of terrible bread) and there are no coupons or inserts in our papers!
How do you still save money when you are in this situation? -Christina
Do you have a question you’d like to ask Money Saving Mom® readers? Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.
Shared Jul 11, 2012
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Get $4.30 (or more!) off a package of Oscar Mayer Selects (Facebook offer)
Get $4.30 (or more!) off a package of Oscar Mayer Selects (Facebook offer)
Share a Taste-A-Monial on the Oscar Mayer Facebook Page to get an Oscar Mayer Selects coupon.
The more people who share a Taste-A-Monial, the higher the value the coupon will be. It’s currently at $4.30 off, but could go up to as high as $6 off or a free product coupon.
So what are you waiting for? Go share a Taste-A-Monial and help us all out!
Free ebook: Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland
Download a free copy of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Please note that the price is currently $0.00, but that could change at any time. Be sure to check the price before checking out to verify that it is still free.
This ebook is specifically for Kindles, but you can go here
Find more free ebooks here. You can also find hundreds of free classic children’s audiobooks available to download here.
Thanks, Common Sense With Money!
Choosing Gratitude
Guest post from Tracey of Our New Adventure
My husband and I celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary last month. One of the reasons we have a good marriage is because we choose to stay optimistic. Every night before we go to sleep, we name three good things. It’s wonderful way to end the day.
We started this early in our marriage and the habit has helped us through many difficult days, especially after our son was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 2010.
Some days are hard and we’re often exhausted, but we always take the time to count our blessings. We’re teaching our son to do the same!
Here are some tips to help your children develop an attitude of gratitude:
1. Name Three Things
At bedtime, have your children think about what happened that day. What are they thankful for?
2. Be Specific
Instead of just saying Dad, I’ll ask my son what about Dad? Maybe it was “bike riding with Dad” or “Dad is funny.”
3. Put it in Writing
Several years ago, we got our son a Thankful Notebook. He keeps it on his nightstand as a reminder to count his blessings. Our habit is to name good things right before bedtime prayers.
4. Play the Gratitude Game
At least once a week, we make a game of it. I’ll say a random date and he’ll look back in his notebook to see what fun things happened on that day.
We love to look back and be reminded of our joyful life!
Tracy is a Christian wife and television meteorologist turned stay-at-home mom, turned Doctor Mom. That last turn happened when her son, Matthew, was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. The goal of her blog, Our New Adventure, is to give practical, uplifting encouragement to other moms who have kids with Diabetes.
Amazon.com: The best household and grocery deals this week
Here are some of this week’s best grocery & household deals from Amazon.com, courtesy of Terry and Mandi from Jungle Deals & Steals. Many of these prices are higher than what you’d pay by combining coupons with sales, but they may be good deals for you if you live where there aren’t many stores or deals are scarce:
Pampers Easy Ups: Save $3 on Pampers Easy Ups in Size 5 or 6, bringing your total to as low as $0.19/diaper. You can also still get Pampers Baby Dry Economy Plus Packs for as low as $0.13/diaper.
Pampers SoftCare Unscented Wipes: Pampers SoftCare Unscented Wipes are also back on sale for $0.02/wipe.
GoGoSqueez: Stock up on these GoGo SqueeZ Pouches in AppleCinnamon, ApplePeach or AppleBanana (48 ct.) for as low $24.17, or $0.50 each. These are our favorite on-the-go snack because they’re convenient and no-mess!
Earth’s Best: If you’ve got a little one who eats baby food, be sure to check out these great prices on Earth’s Best 2nd Foods. Pick up a 12-count Earth’s Best 2nd Vegetables Variety Pack for $5.56 or a 12-count Earth’s Best 2nd Fruits Variety Pack for $6.60.
Bob’s Red Mill: I’ve been putting lots of unsweetened coconut on our homemade granola cereal, and you can pick up four 12-ounce bags of Bob’s Red Mill Unsweetened Flaked Coconut for $2.76 each.
Q-tips Swabs: This great Q-tips deal is back (although if you’ve purchased it recently I can’t imagine you need any more just yet)! Stock up on three big boxes of Q-tips Swabs — a total of 1875 swabs — for $9.49.
Terry & Mandi are a busy mother-daughter team that look for ways to save money without sacrificing a lot of time, and they share their love for all things Amazon.com at Jungle Deals & Steals.
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Whole Living magazine for $3.99 per year
Right now, you can get a one-year subscription to Whole Living Magazine for only $3.99 per year when you use coupon code MONEYSAVING at checkout. You can order up to four years at this price!
Whole Living Magazine: Whole Living magazine provides smart ideas on taking care of yourself, your family and the planet in ways that are natural and sustainable. Whole Living magazine promotes wellness, fitness and beauty, balance, community and living green.
This offer expires tonight 07/11/12 at 11:59 PM EST.
Are you looking for other magazine titles? You can use coupon code MONEYSAVING to save 20% off of most titles at DiscountMags!
(Note: The link in this post is my referral link. Read my disclosure policy here.)
Free ebooks: Past Forward (Episode 2), Sanctuary Gardens, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Lover’s Recipe book, Home Decor on a Budget
Download a free copy of Past Forward – A Serial Novel (Episode 2).
Download a free copy of Sanctuary Gardens: Create a Butterfly and Hummingbird Haven.
Download a free copy of The Peanut Butter and Chocolate Lover’s Recipe book.
Download a free copy of Home Decor on a Budget.
Find more ebooks that are free today over at The Prudent Pantry.
Please note that the price is currently $0.00, but that could change at any time. Be sure to check the price before checking out to verify that it is still free.
These ebooks are specifically for Kindles, but you can go here
Free ebook: Olympic Activities For Kids
Subscribe to I Can Teach My Child and you’ll get a free Olympic Activities ebook plus a Fascinating Science for Kids ebook to download.
4 Weeks of Frugal Family Fun: The Long Jump Contest (Day 16)
Inspired by watching the Olympic trials recently, we had our own Long Jump contest in our basement.
Maybe we didn’t quite match the jumping style or finesse of those participating in the Olympic trials, but we sure had a grand time attempting to leap through the air.
I made a Long Jump line with yarn and then we recorded the jumps with pieces of tape.
Everyone had fun trying to beat their own best jump.
It also was a great way to expend a lot of energy, without wilting in the heat outside!
I think this is my favorite picture of all the ones I took. The way Silas lives life with such gusto and joy brings a smile to my face and a reminder to me to take time to celebrate the little things each day.
Did you do something fun and frugal as a family today? If you blogged about it, I’d love for you to leave a link to your blog post below. Or, you can just tell us what you did in the comments.
Note: Since the purpose of this series is to encourage you to be intentional about fun in your home this summer, please only link up posts showing pictures/sharing details of fun things you did as a family today (or within the last few days). Posts that do not adhere to these guidelines will be deleted in order to make it fair for those who are putting forth a lot of effort to participate in this challenge.
Shared Jul 10, 2012
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Free magazine subscriptions: Parenting magazine, BabyTalk, American Baby, Parents, and Thriving Family
Free magazine subscriptions: Parenting magazine, BabyTalk, American Baby, Parents, and Thriving Family
Take a short survey and you’ll be able to sign up for a free two-year subscription to Parenting magazine. (Thanks, I Crave Freebies!)
Sign up for a free one-year subscription to BabyTalk magazine.
Sign up for a free six-month subscription to American Baby magazine
Sign up for a free 7-issue subscription to Parents magazine.
Sign up for a free subscription to Thriving Family magazine.
(Note: Some of the links in this post are my referral links. Read our disclosure policy here.)