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Shared Jun 28, 2013 comment

Reader testimony: We paid off our second mortgage 7.5 years early!

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 28, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I got this email from Heidi yesterday and was so inspired by it that I asked permission if I could share it with you all:

I absolutely love your blog! A few years ago we had credit card debt and within a year was able to pay that off. We found Dave Ramsey (whom I told my husband about because of your posts) and followed the steps he outlines for getting out of debt.

Last month, we were able to take money from our savings (while still leaving a size-able emergency fund) and pay off our second mortgage 7.5 years early! The man at the bank was shocked that we saved the amount and didn’t take from our 401K.

Now we will pay ourselves back in a year and take what we paid on the second and put that towards the first to pay that one off early, as well. I can’t wait until we can say we are completely debt-free!

Thank you for all of your posts and deals. I love it! I, too, am a stay-at-home mom to two boys (4 and 6) and love reading about the things you do with your children. -Heidi

Shared Jun 27, 2013 comment

Amazon Subscribe and Save: A Good Alternative for Warehouse Membership?

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 27, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Have you ever wondered if the Amazon Subscribe and Save program can actually save you money? Read this for a really honest cost comparison and review!

{Don’t miss our post on how the Subscribe & Save program can help you take charge of your budget!}

Guest post from Sumitha of A Fine Parent

A recent post here on MoneySavingMom.com raised the question can a warehouse membership save you money?

What if your answer came out as a “No”? Or, like me, what if you could possibly save some money, but dread the warehouse trips because (a) it’s too far away (b) it’s too crowded and (c) you end up buying way more than you planned to, because they entice you with those super yummy samples (Can you tell I have an incredible love-hate relationship with those samples?)

Maybe the real question is: Can you still save money withOUT the warehouse?

A Cost Experiment

I recently ordered a whole bunch of household supplies using the Amazon Subscribe and Save option (details here), and I think the overall bill came out much lower than what it would cost me at Costco.

I’ll be honest — I did not cross check the price on each and every item. Instead, as always, I ran a quick litmus test by comparing the prices on two things — toilet paper and paper towels.

For toilet paper, we use Charmin Ultra Soft and my “stock up” price is $0.25 per regular roll. At Costco, when I had last checked they had a coupon running and the cost of a regular roll was $0.23. At Amazon, using the subscribe & save option, the cost of a regular roll was $0.22.

Similarly, for paper towels, we use Bounty and my stock up price is $0.75 per regular roll. At Costco, when I last checked, with coupon, it was $0.77 per regular roll. Amazon currently has a coupon too, and the cost came up to $0.59 per regular roll.

I was sold! I even ended up buying some items that are not available at warehouse locations and paid much less than the standard grocery store prices.

A Few Tips on Using Amazon Subscribe and Save:

1. You can cancel the subscription immediately after you receive your shipment if you don’t think you will need the supplies at regular intervals, and re-subscribe when you do need the items again.

2. The subscribe and save items will be shipped in the month after the one that you place your order in — so you will need to plan ahead.

3. Shipping is free on subscribe and save orders.

4. Taxes will apply depending on your state.

5. You can stack Amazon coupons with the subscribe and save discount, so be sure to check for coupons before you place your order.

6. You get the 15-20% subscribe and save discount only if you have 5 or more subscriptions arriving in a month, otherwise the discount is just 5% (You can get up to a 20% discount if you have an Amazon Mom account).

7. There are no fees (equivalent to the warehouse membership fees) for using subscribe and save.

8. I personally think there is a better choice of items using Amazon subscribe and save. So, if you are brand-loyal or just like the ability to pick and choose, you may have better luck on Amazon subscribe & save compared to warehouse clubs.

9. You can shop 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 🙂

I better stop before I start sounding like an ad for Amazon — I am just flush with the joy of avoiding a trip to the warehouse by shopping in my jammies while the kiddo sleeps!

And, as it may be obvious from my excitement, I’m fairly new to this. If there are any veteran Amazon Subscribe and Save shoppers here, will you please share some of your expertise with us?

In your experience, what are the best products to save the most on compared to the warehouses? Any other tips, tricks, or gotchas to watch out for?

Sumitha is a long-time reader of MoneySavingMom.com and blogs at A Fine Parent. She believes that “Good Parents are Made, Not Born” and is dedicated to helping parents master the skills and habits required to become the best parents they can be. Click here to see how her passion can change your life!

Shared Jun 27, 2013 comment

Karen’s CVS Shopping Trip: 3 packages of Huggies + 5 other items for just $8.68 out of pocket!

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 27, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Karen emailed me details on her CVS shopping trip:

I wanted to share with you my trip to CVS today. I wanted to share my deal for your readers with little ones. I have two in diapers and it can be very expensive.

I spent a total of $6.63 out of pocket. Here’s what I got —

Transaction #1

2 Crest Pro Health Mouthwash1 Liter for $4.99
2 Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste

Total before coupons $15.96
Used 2 $1.10 coupons for the Mouthwash
Used 1 $2 off purchase of 2 Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste
Used 10 ECBs from last week’s purchases
Total before tax $1.76
Tax (7%) $1.12
Total after tax $2.88 and I earned $12 Extra Bucks

Transaction #2

1 Johnson and Johnson Head to Toe Body Wash $3.00
2 Huggies Snug and Dry Diapers $18.98
1 Pull-ups Diapers $9.49

Total before coupons $31.47
Used $6 off $30 purchase emailed from CVS (Readers need to join the CVS email club to receive these great coupons!)
Used 2 $3 off Huggies coupons (Note from Crystal: There are printables printable here and here.)
Used 1 $1 Johnson and Johnson Head to Toe Body Wash
Used $2.50 off Pull-ups coupon
Used $12 EB from Transaction #1
Total before tax $3.97
Tax (7%) $1.78
Total after tax $5.75 and I earned $12 Extra Bucks

I spent $8.68 out of pocket on this trip, but because I began with 10 ECBs and ended with 12 ECBs! This is an incredible deal on diapers!

See the full list of deals at CVS this week.

Have you gotten a great deal thanks to a tip you’ve found here on MoneySavingMom.com? Take a picture of your deal/purchase and write a short post on the deal details and submit it here. If your submission is chosen to be posted, I’ll send you a $25 Amazon gift card! Note: the more creative, unique, and well-written your post, the more chance it will have of being posted.

Shared Jun 27, 2013 comment

There’s power in being debt-free!

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 27, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

My friend, Ruth, emailed me last night with the following. I thought some of you would be encouraged by reading it so I asked her permission to share it here:

Last night, someone stole the catalytic converter off my car. Apparently they’ve got some kind of precious metal in them, so thieves use a saw to cut them off people’s car super quickly–they got 4 in our apt complex.

I went through the process of filing a police report, insurance claim, and driving the car over to the repair shop. As we were driving home, David (my husband) said something like, “Well, at least we have our emergency fund and this won’t make much of a dent in it.”

And I realized that in all the stress of those hours, I hadn’t worried once about how we were going to pay for the repair. The power of being mostly-debt free (we just have a small student loan left to pay off)! -Ruth

Shared Jun 26, 2013 comment

Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 26, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

There is such a thing as “healthy chocolate” — well, sort of! These chocolate no-bake bars are perfect for your next sweet craving. And since they are packed with nutritious ingredients, you don’t need to feel guilty!

You Need to Try These Chocolate Oatmeal Bars (No Bake!)

I saw this recipe on Pinterest and immediately knew I wanted to try it. But I took awhile to get around to it.

However, the other day, my friend Angie asked me if I’d tried it yet. When I told her that I hadn’t, she told me that I must, must try it as soon as possible.

I’ve never known Angie to steer me wrong, so I made it a priority. And I’m so very glad I did.

Best-Ever Chocolate Oatmeal No-Bake Bars

Folks, these bars are the bomb. What’s even more amazing is that they are packed with nutritional goodness.

There’s only one problem: it’s near impossible to eat just one. So if you’re trying to watch your calories, you might just skip over this post.

But for the rest of you, please do yourself favor and run to your kitchen and make these. You can thank me later. 🙂

Chocolate Oat Bars Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil (or butter)
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts, raisins, or dried cranberries
1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips (or semi-sweet)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

1. In a large sauce pan, melt the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil over medium-low heat, stirring regular as it can burn easily.

2. Once everything is melted together, remove the pan from heat and add in the oats, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, nuts/raisins, and vanilla. Stir together until the chocolate is completely melted.

3. Pour into a greased 9×13 pan and cool in the fridge. If you’d like thicker bars, you can pour the mixture into a smaller pan.

4. When the mixture is hardened, cut into bars and eat.

5. Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Easy No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars Variations

Substituted quick oats for the traditional oats for a different texture (the bars will probably be a little firmer too).

You could also try a variety of different mix-ins — dried fruits, nuts, seeds, etc.

You could also add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to really pack in the nutrients!

How to Serve Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars

These delicious bars are a perfect mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack. They are great for school lunches, and could easily serve as a nutritious dessert!

How to Store No Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars

You’ll want to keep these bars in the refrigerator as they can get a bit melty at room temperature. You can also free them for months!

Recipe

Chocolate Oatmeal Bars (No Bake)

Author Crystal Paine

Course Snack

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Chill Time 30

Ingredients

1 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup coconut oil or butter
2 cups oats old-fashioned
1 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup chopped nuts or dried fruit
1 1/4 cups dark chocolate chips or semi-sweet
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

In a large sauce pan, melt the peanut butter, honey, and coconut oil over medium-low heat, stirring regular as it can burn easily.
Once everything is melted together, remove the pan from heat and add in the oats, shredded coconut, chocolate chips, nuts/raisins, and vanilla. Stir together until the chocolate is completely melted.
Pour into a greased 9×13 pan and cool in the fridge. If you’d like thicker bars, you can pour the mixture into a smaller pan.
When the mixture is hardened, cut into bars and eat.
Store in the refrigerator or freezer.

Nutrition

Love this recipe?

Make sure to share and save it on your favorite platform below!

Pin Recipe

Other Healthy Dessert Recipes:

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Shared Jun 26, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s $38 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 26, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

1 Strawberries – $0.99

1 Carrots – $0.99

1 Roma Tomatoes – $1.29

1 Cauliflower – $1.69

1 bag Oranges – $2.99

Total with tax (7.3%) – $8.53

Dillons

1 (3 lbs) Kroger Frozen Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts – $6.98

1 Kroger Applesauce – $2.19

2 M&M’s Ice Cream Sandwiches – $2.99, used 2 $2/1 printable – $0.99 each after coupons (These are great to have in our freezer when we have last minute company, which happens quite often.)

1 gallon Horizon Organic Milk – Marked down to $0.99

1 Kroger Napkins – $0.95

1.42 lbs Organic Bananas @ $0.67/lb – $0.95

2 Nivea Lotion – Marked down to $2.56, used 2 $2/1 coupon from the 6/23 RedPlum insert – $0.56 each after coupon (Always keep your eyes open for items marked down on the shelf. These are normally $7.49! We can never have too much lotion around our house.)

1 Betty Crocker Mac & Cheese – $1, used Free e-coupon (no longer available) – Free after coupon (We prefer homemade Mac & Cheese but I’ll use the pasta from this and throw the “cheese” away.)

1 Romaine Lettuce – $0.99

0.65 lbs Broccoli Crowns @ $0.99/lb – $0.64

1 Cucumber – $0.59

1 Kroger Canned Black Beans – $0.69

Items a part of the Mega Sale (Buy 4 – Get $4 off instantly): (Prices listed below are after $4 savings)

2 Turkey Hill Natural Ice Cream – $2.49 each, used 2 $1/1 printable – $1.49 after coupons (I think we should be stocked up on ice cream for a while!)

2 Huggies Baby Wipes – $0.99 each, used 2 $0.50/1 coupon from the 6/23 SmartSource insert (doubled) – Free after coupons

2 Kraft Cheddar Cheese – $1.99 each, used $0.50/2 printable (doubled) – $1.49 each after coupon

1 Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes – $1.99 (I asked my husband before I went shopping if there was anything he needed me to buy. Frosted Flakes was his answer. 🙂 )

3 Old Spice Shave Gel – $0.99 each, used 3 $1/1 coupon from the 6/2 P&G insert – Free after coupons

2 Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese – $0.99 each, used $0.50/2 printable (doubled) – $0.49 each after coupon

4 Ken’s Salad Dressing – $0.99 each, used 4 $0.50/1 coupon from the 5/5 SmartSource insert (doubled) – Free after coupons (I will donate these because we don’t eat this kind of dressing.)

Total before coupons and sales: $93.23

Total after coupons and sales: $30.25

Total for all grocery items: $38.78

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Oatmeal, Applesauce, Bananas, Cereal, Toast

Lunches

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Cheese Quesadillas, Leftovers, Cauliflower Cheese-Sticks, Fruit

Dinners

Chicken & Rice Casserole, Steamed Broccoli, Gluten-Free Oatmeal Spice Muffins

Chicken Pockets, Tossed Salad, Sliced Oranges

Hamburger Vegetable Soup, 30 Minute Rolls, Steamed Carrots

Haystacks, Steamed Cauliflower, Toasted Organic Multigrain Buns (I got these a while back on clearance and froze them.)

Taco Pasta, Grandmother’s Buttermilk Cornbread, Tossed Salad

Crock Pot Black Bean Chicken, Parker House Rolls, Fruit, Steamed Broccoli

Dinner with extended family

Shared Jun 26, 2013 comment

Freebies in My Mailbox: Gluten-Free Cookie Mix, Ovaltine, Garnier, Pond’s, and Gud

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 26, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Here are the freebies that arrived in my mailbox in the past two weeks:

:: Free Ovaltine samples

:: Free Pond’s sample

:: Free Gud sample

:: Free Garnier sample

:: Coupon for a free tub of Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Cookie Mix

What freebies have arrived in your mailbox this week?

By the way, if you want to start getting great freebies in your mailbox, just start signing up for the freebies I post every day that interest you. Within 4-6 weeks, your mailbox will start filling up with great freebies!

Shared Jun 26, 2013 comment

How to Survive on an Allergy-Free Diet

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 26, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Bethany of All Natural Savings

I’ve had to go on a few different allergy-free diets in the past… and I’m currently on a dairy-free diet while I nurse my son, as he doesn’t react well to dairy. It didn’t take long for me to realize that allergy-free diets can be expensive and time-consuming. However, I soon adapted to my new lifestyle and found ways to make it affordable and manageable.

If you or a family member are dealing with a food allergy or intolerance, here are a nine ideas that should help you make the transition a little easier.

1. BYO”F”

I’ve found that it’s a lot more convenient for myself (and the host) if I bring my own food. I bring along my purse-style cooler, which doesn’t attract much attention, and pack food that doesn’t need to be heated up.

This saves having to read labels of every ingredient they used in their cooking. It’s a bonus if I find something allergy-free there that I can munch on.

2. Use coupons.

Allergy-free diets can often mean higher grocery bills. This doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. There are many allergy-free coupons available and when paired with a sale, make for some cheap, allergy-free food.

Online coupon sites such as MamboSprouts.com, Coupons.com, and SmartSource.com offer many gluten-free, dairy-free and other allergy-free coupons.

3. Ask to read labels.

When we go out to eat, I’ll ask to read the labels on their bread packages, and other items that could contain dairy. They are usually happy to oblige and I still get to enjoy the food, knowing I’ll be safe from any dairy ingredients.

4. Find allergy-friendly restaurants.

I’ve found Outback Steakhouse and Applebee’s to be two of the best allergy-friendly restaurants. Outback Steakhouse has a gluten-free menu, and Applebee’s has a paper list of all of their food that is allowable for each allergy-specific diet.

I’m always impressed at Outback, as everyone from the hostess to the manager usually acknowledges it and assures me that my food does not contain any dairy.

5. Shop online.

Amazon and Vitacost are a great, frugal choice for buying allergy-free pantry items such as gluten-free flours, allergy-free snack bars, cereals, chips, and even allergy-free makeup. By using Amazon’s Subscribe and Save program, you can receive a percentage off discount on top of their already low prices.

6. Host a party.

I always find it much more convenient to host. I know what ingredients I used, and I don’t have to worry about reading labels or packing my own food.

7. Eat healthfully.

Because there are so many options, it can be tempting to eat a lot of allergy-free packaged foods. Use this as an opportunity to clean up your diet by replacing the allergy foods with more fruits and vegetables.

8. Know the lingo.

While many packages of food will specifically state if an allergen is used, some packages still do not. Brush up on all the different ingredients that contain your specific allergen. Printing a list and keeping it in your purse or walled can also be helpful for use at the grocery store or restaurant.

9. Don’t deprive yourself!

There are so many recipes and products that allow you to still indulge in your favorite foods. With my dairy-free diet, I really missed whipped cream, cream cheese, and ice cream… however, I’ve replaced these with whipped coconut milk, soy cream cheese, and the occasional treat of soy ice cream.

Stores like Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods offer a ton of allergy-free substitutes. Pinterest and other online sources are a great resource for allergy-free recipes. Get creative with other ingredients you have on hand and substitute them in your favorite recipes.

With a little creativity, being on an allergy-free diet doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive.

What are some ways that have helped you on an allergy-free diet?

Bethany is a stay at home wife and mom to her husband, Chad and sweet baby boy, Silas. She is passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and encouraging others on how to eat healthy, frugally. Her blog, All Natural Savings, offers tons of information on eating healthy, living healthy on a budget, healthy recipes and natural health.

Shared Jun 26, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s CVS Shopping Trip: $58.92 worth of products for $10.76 out of pocket!

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 26, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

CVS Shopping Trip

Transaction #1

2 Crest 3D White Rinse – $4.99 each
Used $1.10/1 printable(I had 2 coupons, but in looking at my receipt at home, I realized the cashier only took off 1 coupon. I’m wondering if they were stuck together since printable coupons sometimes do that. I’ll try really hard not to let it bother me…)

2 Colgate Max Fresh Toothpaste – $2.99 each
Used $2/2 printable
And used $2/$10 Toothpaste and/or Mouthwash CVS coupon from the in-store coupon machine

1 Venus Razor – $11.49 (I was disappointed that our store was out of the $6.99 razors.)
Used $5/1 coupon from the 6/16 RedPlum insert

Used $6 ECBs from my last shopping trip

Used $5 ECBs from Beauty Club Rewards

And used $5 CVS gift card from Viggle

Paid $2.99 out of pocket (total plus 7.3% tax), Received $8 ECBS (for buying 2 Crest Rinse), $4 ECBs (for buying Venus Razor) and $4 ECBs (buying 2 Colgate Toothpaste) – $16 ECBS total

Transaction #2

3 Huggies Diapers – $9.49 each
Used 3 $3/1 printable here and here

1 Desitin Diaper Cream – $3
Used $1/1 printable

Used $16 ECBs from Transaction #1

Paid $7.77 (total with 7.3% tax) out of pocket, Received $12 ECBS (for buying $30 in participating baby products)

Total before coupons and ECBS: $58.92

Total after coupons and ECBS: $10.76, plus $12 ECBs leftover!

See the full list of deals at CVS this week.

Shared Jun 26, 2013 comment

Ask The Readers: All You magazine subscription?

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 26, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s question is from Rebecca:

My All You magazine subscription is about to expire. I used to love getting it when it was first published because of the high-dollar coupons. However, now I find that it doesn’t have very many coupons that are relevant to me. I’d like to know if other readers have continued to renew their subscription. Do you think it’s worth it? -Rebecca

Do you have a question you’d like to ask Money Saving Mom® readers? Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Click here to download!

Shared Jun 25, 2013 comment

Video Interview with Robert D. Smith: How I Manage My Time

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 25, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

When my husband and I spent the day with Robert D. Smith, he asked if he could interview me on how I manage my time. He has the clip of our interview up on his blog today and I thought I’d pass along the link for those who might be interested.

We talk about my daily schedule, how I juggle homeschooling and blogging, and the importance of goal-setting and living with intention. Head on over to Robert’s blog to watch it.

Note: There was so much that I didn’t have time to say in the interview and Robert played me up to be a lot more amazing than I am in the interview and blog post, so for anyone who watches and feels a little discouraged or thinks that I have it altogether, please go watch this video and take a deep sigh of relief. {Oh and you can also laugh that I have the exact same thing on in both videos. Remember that I kind of have a limited wardrobe? ;)}

Shared Jun 25, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s Target Shopping Trip: $37.72 worth of products for just $6.39 after gift card!

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 25, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Target Shopping Trip

2 Kandoo Flushable Wipes (50 ct) – $1.79 each (price cut), used 2 $2/1 printable – Free after coupons

4 Reynolds Baking Cups – $0.97 each, used 2 $1/1 coupon from the 6/23 SmartSource insert and 2 $0.55/1 printable – $0.19 each after coupons

1.05 lbs Gala Apples @1.29/lb – $1.35, used $1/1 Target mobile coupon – $0.35 after coupon

1 Vidal Sassooon Hair Styler – $3.99, used $2/1 Target mobile coupon AND $1/1 coupon from the 6/2 P&G insert – $0.99 after coupons (There were $2/1 peelie coupons on almost all the Vidal products, but my store had put plastic over the bottles so you could not peel them off right there in the store and use them.) 🙁

4 Bayer Aspirin (36 ct) – $2.24 each, used 2 $4/2 coupon from the 6/23 RedPlum insert – $0.24 each after coupons

2 Up & Up Paper Towels – $0.99 each, used 2 $0.50/1 Target printable – $0.49 each after coupons

2 Coppertone Oil Free Sunscreen Lotion – $6.99 each, used $5/2 coupon from the 6/23 SmartSource insert AND 2 $1/1 Target printable – $3.49 each after coupons, Received $5 Target gift card for buying 2 (Like paying $0.99 each)

Total before coupons: $37.72

Total with tax (7.3%) after coupons: $11.39 AND received $5 Target gift card (Like paying $6.39)

See the full list of deals at Target this week.

Shared Jun 25, 2013 comment

Gretchen’s Walgreens Shopping Trip

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 25, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Walgreens Shopping Trip

2 Lever 2000 Bar Soap (2 ct) at $2.79 each – On Sale Buy One Get One Free
Used 1 $1.50/1 printable and 1 $1/1 printable (I wanted to use 2 $1.50/1 printables but the cash register would only take one.)

2 Mitchum Deodorant – $3 each
Used 2 $1/1 coupon from the 6/2 SmartSource insert

1 Go Fish Game – Marked down to $0.25 (filler item)

1 Jolly Rancher – $0.49 (filler item)

Used 2 $2 Register Rewards from last week’s shopping trip

Total before coupons and Register Rewards: $12.32

Total with tax (7.3% pre-coupons) after coupons and Register Rewards: $1.73, Received $4 Register Rewards (for buying 2 Mitchum Deodorants)

See the full list of deals at Walgreens this week.

Shared Jun 25, 2013 comment

Swagbucks Paid for Our Cloth Diapers

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 25, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Carmen:

I have been an avid user of Swagbucks for the past four years, saving up my points and always cashing them in for Amazon gift cards. This perk came in handy recently as I saved my codes for a couple of months (cashing in enough each month to get the $25 of Amazon gift cards) to purchase a cloth-diaper stash for my now-newborn daughter.

I’d always known that I wanted to cloth-diaper my children, and after doing a lot of research before she was born, I found all the essentials could be found on Amazon.com. I picked out six diaper covers (Thirsties brand) and two dozen high-quality, unbleached prefolds.

On Amazon you can make a baby registry and once your due date draws near, they email you a code to get 10% off any remaining items on your registry. That discount alone made for a great deal, but since I’d saved up my Swagbucks, the deal only got sweeter. I was able to get my daughter’s cloth diapers (and some cloth-diaper friendly laundry detergent, too!) for absolutely nothing out of pocket!

It took a couple of months to save up enough of the codes to cash them all in, but it was worth the wait because now I don’t have the dreaded cost of disposable diapers. (Not to mention my daughter sure looks cute in the cloth diapers!) All it took was simply switching my search engine!

Carmen is a brand-new mom to three-month-old Claire. She blogs about these early days of parenthood (turns out it’s a lot harder than it looks!), her faith, marriage and more at Life Blessons.

Have you saved up and purchased something using your Swagbucks? If so, you could get a $50 gift card just for sharing your Swagbucks success stories with MoneySavingMom.com readers!

Shared Jun 25, 2013 comment

Do It Yourself: Sun Catchers With Crayon Shavings

Published: by Crystal Paine on June 25, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

BuggyandBuddy.com shows you how to make a homemade sun catcher with crayon shavings.

Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List

FREE Summer Bucket List!!

A Cost Experiment

A Few Tips on Using Amazon Subscribe and Save:

In your experience, what are the best products to save the most on compared to the warehouses? Any other tips, tricks, or gotchas to watch out for?

Transaction #1

Transaction #2

You Need to Try These Chocolate Oatmeal Bars (No Bake!)

Chocolate Oat Bars Ingredients

How to Make No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars

Easy No Bake Chocolate Oat Bars Variations

How to Serve Chocolate Oatmeal No Bake Bars

How to Store No Bake Oatmeal Chocolate Bars

Chocolate Oatmeal Bars (No Bake)

Ingredients 1x2x3x

Instructions

Nutrition

Love this recipe?

Other Healthy Dessert Recipes:

FREE One Week Menu Plan!

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Aldi

Dillons

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Lunches

Dinners

1. BYO”F”

2. Use coupons.

3. Ask to read labels.

4. Find allergy-friendly restaurants.

5. Shop online.

6. Host a party.

7. Eat healthfully.

8. Know the lingo.

9. Don’t deprive yourself!

CVS Shopping Trip

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Target Shopping Trip

Walgreens Shopping Trip

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