Depending on your budget, schedules, wishes and interests, a memorable spring break is possible for anyone. While you’re planning for spring vacation, remember summer’s on the way too!

 Ideas & Tips for family travel: http://travelingtoday.com/

Memories can be made with your children without traveling thousands of miles to Mickey or Minnie. Vacations spent playing tourist in your own state are fun-and educational (don’t tell the kids!) Priceless memories, made without spending a fortune!

Find a map, close your eyes and point to your adventure! When you decide on a place, the first thing to do as a tourist is to contact your destination.

The internet is helpful, but be sure to follow your surfing with a call to the chamber of commerce.  Ask for coupons, dining recommendations, community events (theater, exhibits, etc).  Find their local paper on-line to read up on local events and places of interest.

When choosing lodging, compare prices and amenities. Consider paying a little more for kid friendly amenities (free meals, larger rooms, pools, etc.) Some family favorites are Embassy Suites & Holiday Inns- family rates & packages designed to make travel fun for all involved.

If you plan to visit many areas in your area –or you plan to travel out of state, a popular savings option is an Entertainment coupon book. You can buy a book for most major cities in the country. (Entertainment books are usually cheaper this time of year!)  They can pay for themselves within a single trip (and certainly within a year’s use for your home book). Once a member; you can find other discounts for other areas you travel as a member of the Entertainment website.

Visit http://www.entertainment.com for more information; enter your zip code to see potential savings. An Entertainment book has many coupons for attractions, dining, movies,  (these must be ordered in advance), shopping and travel.  (After your vacation, sell the book via Craigslist.org to someone living in that city.)

Planning a spring break at home? With your family, plan some fun activities. Consider an indoor camp-out, “theme days” with a particular country’s ambiance (where are your ancestors from?) or relive your Jr High Days with some PJ Days, Backwards Days and silly contests!  (Imagine the scrapbook pictures!)  If you’re in the mood to drive, play tourist in a neighboring community. Call ahead for suggestions & ideas.

For an online tour of National Parks & their amenities: http://www.nps.gov/

Remember your camera and capture your vacation in your family scrapbook. Be sure to mail yourselves postcards too, as these pictures also will be something to enjoy in years to come.

Close to home vacations are an awesome opportunity to journal your family’s history & adventures. Show yourselves a good time and share with your children some of their heritage.

Family activities both at for your home and on the road can be found at 

http://www.gameskidsplay.net

http://www.activitiesforkids.com

http://www.amazingmoms.com

http://www.apples4theteacher.com
(this site has online-timed (or printable) word searches which are educationally addictive- other activities for reading, poems, science & more!)

Travel back in time, visit a new state or meet amazing Americans at http://www.americaslibrary.gov
Check out the jukebox tunes & animate a cartoon!

Begin your changes slowly, investigating the possibilities and trying your new mixes with an experimenting-spirit.  As you become more versed in using homemade cleaning solutions, you will very likely save time, avoid common toxins and spend less money.

When researching this topic, the other tips I found most often repeated:

*Purchase new spray bottles and other sealable containers for your homemade cleaning mixes. 

*Label the cleaning solutions clearly, and keep a notebook (or file) of your successful recipes so that you can duplicate them easily later. 

*Maintain the same baby-proofing precautions with your homemade cleaning solutions as you would with commercial products.

*Essential oils and other ingredients may become as costly as commercial concoctions. Work with your friends to purchase them in bulk together or at least share when possible.

Baking soda, as you may have heard, is not just for baking.   As a kid, my mom always had us dip our toothbrushes in baking soda, now they have made Arm n Hammer baking soda toothpaste.  I guess Mom had the right idea!  Many products, following the trend of frugal and more natural cleaning, are boasting that they contain baking soda.  Baking soda is very affordable and can cut many costs of maintaining your home.  Make-Stuff. Com has a list of “Sixty Uses For Baking Soda”:

http://www.make-stuff.com/cooking/baking_soda.html

Vinegar is another more affordable product to use for your homemaking needs.  It’s not just for pickles, anymore!  As you’re gathering in fall apples, did you know vinegar will help deter the fruit flies?  Mixed with other common ingredients such as olive oil and lemon juice, you can freshen up your home.  Here is a list of “Vinegar Tips”:

http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7

Salt, I read is another wonder-product which can do more than season – it can clean, freshen and solve several kitchen conundrums.  Now, take it “with a grain of salt” (Trial and error is the spirit), but here are “Sixty Uses for Table Salt”, by BellyBytes.com (check out their long list of healthy recipes too!):

http://www.bellybytes.com/articles/salt.shtml

Housework won’t kill you, but then again, why take the chance!
–Phyllis Diller

 Learning Can Be Fun:

 DoverPublications.com – Sign up for their weekly FREE Sampler, which includes puzzles, art, reading and activities for all ages.  Print out your choice, every week!

HighlightKids.com – All the fun of the childhood favorite, available to you (for free) online!

Familycorner.com – An online community, your source for family fun, craft projects, and more.

Nps.gov/archive/yell/kidstuff/scavhunt/index.htm:  Kids of all ages can find an online tours, an alphabet book and scavenger hunt through Yellowstone Park.

Windowsintowonderland.org:  Take an e-field trip through Yellowstone.  Includes “Ask an Expert” and spectacular photos featured as you meet animals who call Yellowstone home.  

Preschoolprojects.net: Daily (free) preschool projects, preschool topics of information and more daily delivered to your e-mail.  There is also an offer for a free sample of their preschool projects.

Nationalgeographic.com invites you to online “Congo Trek” adventure and other fascinating experiences. 

Creative Times:

Familyfun.go.com: Fun stuff for kids and fun family ideas.  This is free online content from Family Fun Magazine, and more.  Includes recipes, coloring pages, puzzles, crafts… all designed to keep your family having fun.   

Kaboose.com: Kids crafts, online games, and information for parents. Offers free Kids Crafts & Activities e-newsletter.

Crayola.com:  Join Crayola’s free Creativity Central community for 1,000+ coloring pages, craft ideas, online games, and an e-card creator.

Share your favorite learning places, online….  Where are you finding your creative, learning adventures?

 Rules and Tips for the Money-Saving Weekend Sport:

You see the signs and if you know the game, you follow them. This is a sport like any other. It requires speed, knowledge, determination and – cash?? 

Termed “Garage Sale-ing”, as it is known to seasoned competitors, it adequately defines this game of buying and selling. Like any other sport, those who are successful veterans arrive prepared each week and usually walk away as winners. You can see them around 2pm on Saturday, a little spring in their step and grinning as they head home with their scores of great deals.

How do they do it week after week – and just what are the rules of this (usually) non-contact sport? Let’s take a look at what the great sale-rs know.

One: Fuel Up: You’ve heard that “Early to bed, early to rise…” saying.  With garage sale-ing, it’s a must. The night before is crucial for vehicle and physical preparation. Making sure that all of your gauges are on “F” for full will insure you an edge over the competition at the first sales. For proper pre-game fueling, fill the car, set out breakfast, pack snacks, a lunch if desired and get to bed early.

Two: In God We Trust: This means carry cash and coin. Exact change speeds up the payment process and enables you to better present your final offer. How can you offer only $5 for a $7 item when you’ve just flashed them a ten or twenty? Cash is good; checks are time-consuming and increasingly unaccepted.

Three: Mind Your Manners: Garage sale-ing is as much of a social affair as it is a sport. Remember those out there are often people you will see again, long past the possible score of a great deal. Good manners and sportsmanship go along way toward netting you not only new treasures, but new friends as well. Be respectful of others’ belongings. Listen politely to them about their prized possessions (and how much they can’t bear to part with them…”.

Make an offer that is reasonable, leaving room for their inevitable rebuttal. If you are a ready, cash-carrying competitor, you’ll win the deals. Fighting over plates or digging through someone else’s stash of finds won’t earn you any points with your fellow sale-rs (neighbors).

Four: Love Thy Neighbors: Those would include the neighbors of those who are holding the sale. Patient courtesy is required with long, narrow driveways. Be mindful of whose lawn you may be parking on. Respect the property of others! Even if it means walking the extra steps up the driveway, instead of across the driveway, do go the extra mile.

Neighbors also include our honorable mail carriers. Please do not park in front of mailboxes. After the sale is over, whomever you are buying from will appreciate a peaceful rest from their undisturbed neighbors.

Five: Map Your Course: I have to hand it to my Dad here. He’s a seasoned sale-r (sailor) through both the high seas and the garage sale-ing game. Dad knows how to map a route and he’s got his map book in the car. (Great maps are found in your local phone directories or by contacting your chamber of commerce).

Dad numbers the sales by time and location (or sometimes by items listed in the ad he’s particularly interested in). Charting a course before you set off saves you time and prepares you mentally for the game ahead. When you know where you’re going, you can get there faster.

Six: Networking, Networking, Networking: Though this “hobby” may be seen as a sport to some, it really is about people helping people. Get to know the folks and let them know what you are looking for. While you are seeking the deals, seek information about what the other sales are like today or about an unknown address. Networking pays here- you may even find your next job, home or best friend while garage sale-ing.

Seven: Know your goals, Seek your Goals (or “Look Quick, Grab Fast!)”: There are sale-rs out there who are very quick on the draw! Some write lists, some take orders and others are seeking specific things (bookworms, antique collectors, handymen, ebay-ers, ect).

Do your homework. When you see something you like, grab it fast! Items move very fast and so should you! By knowing what you’re looking for, you know whether a sale is for you – or whether you should cruise on down to the next one.

Garage sale-ing, whether for sport or for keeping the cost of living within a reasonable budget, is great fun—and adventure. Once you’ve been out there, seeking the treasures and finding great deals, it can become addictive. Garage sale-ing fits in well with the rising popularity of living simple and recycling. Many local organizations also, hold great sales, as fundraising events.

My hometown is home to the best garage sales seen in our region—and your community, as well. Our neighbors hold the best sales—and the best stuff. 

The sale-ing folks believe that perhaps nothing new comes onto our island, we just move it from house to house, from year to year. This can be illustrated by the reappearance of my highchair, coming back into my family just in time for my son’s use – 15 years after my parents sold it at their garage sale.

There are many other stories like ours. Many happy reunions of old things once owned, super deals made and neighbors met when someone else’s discards become someone else’s treasure.

Tips and Links for Buying Second-Hand:

Be advised of Product Recalls and research products you may be looking to buy used: http://www.recalls.gov/ (six federal agencies)

Consumer Product Safety Commission:

http://www.cpsc.gov/

To Find a List of Thrift and Second Hand Stores Near You (and tons of other frugal shopping blogs, links and information) http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

Garage Sale Listings around the country and Garage-Saler Tips:

http://www.garagesaleshopper.com/

 http://gsalr.com/

 Estate Sales (Tag Sales, Auctions and Estate Sales around the Country.  Companies who conduct Estate Sales as well-has a “notify me of local sales” option):

http://www.estatesales.net/

We must have the tools, (and use them), so that we are effective, efficient consumers.  Instead of impulse buying and buying in “blind faith”, it is important to have a working knowledge of our options and rights.  Taking the time to seek out the best product, and then find it at the best price is one way to use our resources wisely. 

Consumers have tools at the ready, available to help them in nearly every situation – it just takes knowing where to look.  Being aware of these tools before you need them (that is, before disaster strikes), is arming yourself (and those close to you), with priceless information. 

Connect yourself to what I consider to be the “Go-To Yellow Pages” of buying, selling and being a wiser consumer.  The Consumer Action Handbook (http://www.consumeraction.gov/) is available on-line or you can order a print version.   If you have a consumer question, a need in your life for signing contracts, filing a complaint or recovering from identity theft (and more subjects), you must have a copy of this FREE and valuable resource. 

It is enlightening reading.  I find that in listening to others, I am the one who is able to point them in the right direction – and often time save them a lot of time and money, because I know of the Consumer Action Handbook.

What sort of information is found in the Consumer Action Handbook? 

*A step-by-step process for filing a consumer complaint

*Identity theft prevention and recovery

*Contact information to major corporations, including retail and manufacturer

*Buying a car, home or looking to invest? – You can find tips and references here

*Your local consumer protection agency and Better Business Bureau

*Military Specific Better Business Bureaus (for military-related consumer news) and Military Support Agencies

*Teaching outlines for Teachers and other Consumer Mentors

*Subject information for Internet, Travel, Television, Health Care, Insurance and More

*Tips for shopping from home, junk mail and telemarketers – be aware of your rights.

 How Can Consumeraction.gov be of help to me?

*It acts as a guide when you meet a consumer crisis.  It begins with “be calm”, and continues as it provides a sample letter for you to use as you resolve your circumstances.

*If you want to learn the signifigance of your credit score and how to improve it, or you want to know how to correct negative information on your credit report.  (Links to all major credit-related organization and governing agencies.)

*When you have issue to report a fraud, product defect or safety hazard, or want to be informed of current product recalls and safety guidelines.

Tools You Can Use in These Financial Times:

*“How to Make Ends Meet”, tools and links to forms which can help you calculate your circumstances and forms to apply for assistance: http://www.aarp.org/money/personal/real_relief_aarp/

*Ten Things You Must Keep in a Fireproof Safe:

http://www.legalzoom.com/legal-articles/10-Things-You-Must-Keep.html?WT.mc_id=EM_NEWS_JAN09BEST_NPFINAL&WT.mc_ev=EmailOpen&spMailingID=2332991&spUserID=NDE3MjE0MjY4OAS2&spJobID=64470653&spReportId=NjQ0NzA2NTMS1

*Ten Ways to Protect Yourself against Scams and Fraud:

http://www.consumerfed.org/pdfs/ten_ways_to_protect.pdf

Once you have become familiar with these tools,  pass it on.

 Frugal Quote for Thought:

“Seek the wisdom of the ages, but look at the world through the eyes of a child.”

-Author Unknown

Contribute to an IRA for yourself and your spouse. You have until April 15, 2010 to make IRA contributions for 2009. (From cnn.com: check out CNN.com or MSN.com for their money-related articles)

Consider your withholdings allowances and withholding status:  Though many of us look forward to a tax refund every year, ask yourself if what you’re getting back could be paid to you throughout the year, instead of loaning it to Uncle Sam at 0% interest—wouldn’t that be better? Evaluate your W-4 and see if any changes can be made.

Get Organized: Make it a resolution! Designate one area in your home and one set of files to organize all of your financial/home data. Start collecting those pieces of information that you’ll need at tax time. Being organized can save you lots of time and money when you know what you have and can find it fast! This includes receipts for big purchases, warranties/instructions, credit card statements, etc.

Want More Money Information? Check out these sites:

Money Instructor:

http://www.moneyinstructor.com/

This site has information for parents, teachers, homeschoolers and individuals who want to teach kids money matters—and learn for themselves as well! Read more about personal finance and other helpful money saving/investing/credit ideas.

Yahoo Finance:

http://finance.yahoo.com/taxes 

Several finance articles on money and personal finance can be found here. Lots of information on new tax laws and how to prepare for filing taxes.

Best Consumer and Finance Freebie:  Order your free copy of the “Consumer Action Handbook”!  It’s the yellow pages/encyclopedia of everything you need to know to protect yourself, make wise spending decisions and more!:

http://www.consumeraction.gov/

Restaurant.com – Dining Gift Certificates, at a fraction of the cost.  Find your city on Restaurant.com and discover a new favorite dining escape.  Purchase and print your gift certificate, from home, and then go out and enjoy.  Frequent coupon codes, offered via their email updates net you a $25 gift certificate for as little as $2!

Visit the website of your local Radio/TV Stations/Newspapers  Look for “ Half-Price” Gift Certificate Deals or coupons for dining, attractions and more!

Want to Create A Custom Date Night or Day-Out Adventure? 

Start with a little research.  Internet, local libraries, and chambers of commerce are great sources of where to go and what to do in your area.  In the Seattle area (and in many other cities), there are the “Best Places to Kiss” books, and similar which direct you to the best for your time and money.   Ask around, look around and then plan something uniquely memorable.

Need More Sizzlin’ Inspiration? 

Here’s what I found when I googled “Cheap Date Night”:

Redbook Magazine gives you many fun, affordable ideas:

http://www.redbookmag.com/love-sex/advice/43-date-night-ideas-2

Focus on the Family offers ideas for “Keeping the Romance Alive”:

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/marriage/daily_living/keeping_romance_alive.aspx

RomanticLyrics.com offers their Romance on a Shoestring Ideas (and if you need a love poem, romantic song suggestion, or lyrics to a love song- they’re your website.):

http://www.romantic-lyrics.com/ros.shtml

Ready.gov:

http://www.ready.gov/america/index.html

Ready.gov is the best and most user-friendly emergency preparedness resource.  This website will lead you through the process of putting your plan in writing.  Ready.gov advocates that we “Get a Kit, Make a Plan, Be Informed”.  Here are some of the resources you can download, complete and refer to.  You can complete them online or print them and fill them out by hand.

Family Emergency Plan:  Communicate now how your family will reach each other and where you will go in the event of an emergency.  Make copies once you’ve completed them (for your emergency kit, automobile, work, and vital contact people):

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/familyemergencyplan.pdf

Family Communication Plan:  This form identifies and establishes communication plans should an emergency occur while the family is separated:

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/family_communications_plan.pdf

Adult Folding Wallet Card:  An emergency plan, to carry with you in your wallet.

http://www.ready.gov/america/_downloads/fep_download/FamEmePlan_Adult.pdf

“QuickShare” Your Emergency Contact Information, The Email Text Option:  Complete this form online.  Your information will be transferred into a text format which you then email to those who need this information.  Ready.gov suggests that families complete the Family Emergency Plan to be best prepared; the Email Text option is not as comprehensive. 

http://ready.adcouncil.org/beprepared/quickshare.html

“Readiness U”: Communicating With and Including Children in the Emergency Preparedness Process: Children, with their caregivers, can find emergency preparedness information at this website.  Features are written in an easy to understand language, with the help of Sesame Street Characters and other kid-friendly activities.

http://www.ready.gov/kids/home.html

Sesame Workshop has an entire “Let’s Get Ready” website devoted to explaining emergency preparedness to young children.  Printable activities, video segments, and more can be found here:

http://www.sesamestreet.org/ready

 In our next segment, we will list resources which will help families prepare an emergency kit.

43 Things.com:

http://www.43things.com/

Be encouraged by people who have already accomplished what you’ve set as a goal for yourself, or find people to partner with in your shared goals.  You can even set up for automatic emails to be sent to you, reminding you of your goals.  There is also an iPhone app from 43 Things.com

SparkPeople.com: is the place to find free advice and assistance in meeting your diet goals.  Free diet plans, calculators, and trackers are some of the tools you’ll find.

http://www.sparkpeople.com/

MoneywiseWomen.com: Washington State based network of finance authors, speakers and mentors who provide information to inspire women to have the best financial futures possible.  Sign up as an email member and you will receive free periodic articles, full on encouragement and vital information.

Moneywise Women is holding a one-day conference in several Washington State cities this year.  For their conference in Bellingham on March 20, they are offering half-price tickets (limited supply) for those that register soon.  Visit their website for a full list of upcoming conferences.

http://moneywisewomen.net/

Free Consumer Action Handbook ( full edition available online):

Order your free copy of this annual encyclopedia of all things money.  Consumers become instantly wiser when they get their hands on this free publication — or view it in its entirety online.  Anything you want or have to do with your money — it’s here.  Be aware of scams, “who to contacts” for when circumstances go wrong, and how to prevent your becoming a victim of identity theft — and more!  The processes of filing a complaint, investing, bankruptcy, and other topics are here in a convenient, easy-to-read format.

http://www.consumeraction.gov/

Share with us online resources which encourage you!

BargainMama.com:

http://www.bargainmama.com/

Deals, Money Saving Tips, and More about Being Cheap but Chic

A bargain mama’s blog about how she saves money and finds bargains.  Twitter updates, blog, and more.

Bargainsit.com:

http://www.bargainist.com/

Updated daily, this treasure trove of money saving information includes freebies, coupons and a free daily email.  Sales are listed by store, category, and by the “Latest, hand-picked deals, sales and coupons.”

 When you want to find a book, CD, or DVD –

and you have some you’d like to swap for them:

 Paperbackswap.com

http://www.paperbackswap.com/index.php

Register here and list the books you’re willing to send to someone else.  You can purchase book credits, or earn them for mailing books to other members. 

 Bonus: Cash for Your Books!  Check Out Cash4Books.net:

http://www.cash4books.net

Type in the ISBN of the books you have.  If they are worth cash from Cash4books.net, box ‘em up, print a free shipping label – and then, you’ll get cash!

Help for the Homework:

Factmonster.com:

http://www.factmonster.com/

Colorful, Fun and Fact-packed website on every homework topic.  Get quick, useful information on the subject your student is studying.  Links to online almanac, dictionary, thesaurus, and encyclopedia.  Games, quizzes, and features on kid-popular current favorites. 

This Week’s Holiday Preparation Tasks:

Talk with your family, friends and extended families about this year’s “gifting plans”.  If there are names to be drawn, spending limits to determine, etc. – get those decided now.  Share information such as likes/dislikes, favorite colors, home décor theme, etc. (Note all this down in your notebook!)  Then, begin to form a gift-giving list.  Inventory your home gift closet (or start one!).  Set an upcoming date to gather to work on those homemade gifts too!

 Holiday Fun Task:  Start the conversation with friends about their holiday traditions.  Create an email letter, Facebook post, or simply get together to share these ideas.  As a family, pick one or two “new-to-you” traditions to try this year.  Transfer the list of supplies to your upcoming shopping list.

Free Learning Games, Ideas and Printable Resources:

http://funschool.kaboose.com/

http://www.fisher-price.com/fp.aspx?st=30&e=gameslanding&mcat=game_infant,game_toddler,game_preschool&site=us

http://preschoolprojects.net/sample.php (Sign up for their free newsletter and view a free preschool product sample)

http://familyfun.go.com/printables/

http://www.freeprintable.net

http://www.starfall.com

http://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/

Online Reference Tools:

Online Medical, Financial, Languages, and other types of Dictionaries.  Fun Feature: “Hangman” game on the homepage:

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/

Lots of ads, but the dictionary, crossword and translator tools are there:

http://www.reference.com/

Online Encyclopedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page

Search National Geographic (also features games, videos, and activities)

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/

http://kidshealth.org/ (Features a Parents, Kids and Teens Site)

Learning into (Fun) Action Resources:

Free Online fieldtrips through Yellowstone Park (includes lesson plans & more):

http://www.windowsintowonderland.org/

Find Fieldtrip Locations and Opportunities in Your Community.  Locate, Book and Review available fieldtrips:

http://www.fieldtripfactory.com/

More Resources and Educational References for Parents:

List of Organizations and Websites Geared to Parent Education and Learning Inspiration:

http://www.preknow.org/families/athome/learnathome.cfm

Rebate Websites:

Ebates.com: When you begin your online purchase at Ebates.com, you will receive a percentage refunded to you.  Ebates.com offers retailer coupons and discounts via email updates and at their website.  Some discount coupon codes you find elsewhere can be combined with your Ebates.com refund.  Receive $5 just for signing up, and $15 for referring two friends (who make qualifying purchases.)  There’s a blog featured which informs you of updates and promotions.

UPromise.com:  A free program that refunds a percentage of your participating purchases into a college savings account. Receive contributions to college funds when you register your grocery rewards card and purchase participating products.  Relatives of yours who register at Upromise.com can add to your savings account with their purchases. 

Swagbucks.com: Use this free website as your search engine and you’ll be rewarded with “Swagbucks”.  Earning of “Swagbucks” can also be done by shopping, inviting your friends (when they win a “Swagbuck” for searching using the site, so do you), promoting Swagbucks.com and by trading in particular electronic devices. 

When you have accumulated a number of “Swagbucks”, you can exchange them for merchandise, gift cards, magazine subscriptions, ITunes singles/albums, PayPal cash and more.  Tip: Instead of using your “Favorites” feature of your internet browser, type the name into Swagbucks.com and you’ll accumulate “Swagbucks” much more quickly. 

Coupon Code Website:

CouponChief.com:  CouponChief.com is one of the largest and most user friendly coupon code websites.  Coupons can be easily found by a keyword search, alphabetically and by category.  Users report back to each listing, letting you know the recent validity of the discount.  Register with CouponChief.com for updates on discounts from stores you prefer to shop with.  Visit CouponChief.com and you’ll immediately see where others are saving money, as they offer a list of the most popular coupons. 

CouponChief.com’s online discounts vary by retailer, ranging in percentage discounts to offers of free shipping.  Some offers can be combined with the refund site Ebates.com.  When you find a discount coupon code, they have a “Pays-2-Share” program which will pay you 2% of purchases made through that discount code.  CouponChief.com offers a Google Group Forum where users can discuss discounts and use of the site.

Money Saving Example:  I began my shopping with Ebates.com.   I clicked on “JCPenney” and received an immediate rebate tracking ticket from Ebates.com.  (Tracking tickets are your “receipt” from Ebates, confirming for you that this purchase will result in a refund when you move to the online retailer’s site from Ebates).  Through Ebates.com, I was taken to the JCPenney website where I was able also use a 15% off my order coupon code from CouponChief.com.  I combined the offers, saving 5% on my purchase (which I’ll get back in PayPal cash), and a 15% discount on the JCPenny purchase.  What a great deal for my pair of jeans!

We’d love to hear about your money-saving tips and websites.  Where are you finding great discounts?

So, here’s a reminder for all of us, to look over those September to-do’s and deadlines! 

Here are a few things to look forward to (and enjoy) in October:

October: Children’s Magazine Month:  Share titles you may remember such as “Highlights”, “Spider” and “Sesame Street” as you explore childsmagmonth.org.  Many titles can be found at your local library.  For great deals on magazine subscriptions, check out Amazon.com’s frequent specials or bestdealmagazines.com.

October is “National Dental Hygiene Month”:  Get a head start on all of those upcoming “Goodie-Holidays”, and ensure that your kids (and yourself) are practicing good dental hygiene.  Find and print a cute chart to keep track of your kids brushing at spaceshipdentist.com/media/games/getupandbrush3.jpg.  Colgate.com also has some neat tools to help teach your kids the importance of brushing their teeth.

“Fire Prevention Week” is October 4-10.  Is your family ready in the event of a fire at your home?  It’s more than replacing the batteries in your smoke detector.  As your kids age, they’re more able to be ready and somewhat more likely to be curious about fire.  Create a fire escape plan, provide collapsible fire ladders for second-story bedrooms, and find teachable moments to discuss fire safety.  Firesafety.gov has escape plan procedures, free puzzles and coloring pages, and other tools to help you.

Fall leaves mean color and traditions aplenty.  Cherish the moments with your camera and scrapbook.  Take it all in, with your family.  Enjoy a tour of a pumpkin patch, leaf-strewn park, and heat up some cider. 

Remember though, that fall means holidays…and as the month goes on, we’ll be closer to family gatherings, gifts, and special moments we’ll want to be prepared for.  Get some friends together now to share holiday traditions – and take this time to try some new ones.  Block out time in your calendar to begin creating a memorable, home-made Christmas. 

Make your holiday season merrier (and more affordable) when you put this month’s “coffee-money” away for future gift and holiday purchases.  If your family does gift exchanges or sharing of home-made delights, make those plans known now, so that everyone can enjoy the gift-giving preparations.

Share your Fall Ideas with us!

Send your kids to school with little surprises awaiting them in their lunchbox.  Thoughtful notes can communicate your love and strengthen bonds between parent and child.  Your child will feel special; the extra attention and praise will be priceless to them. 

When creating lunchbox notes consider your child’s age and peer environment.  Young children will be delighted with cute words and pictures.  Older children will be thankful when you keep pet names and sweet words out of the notes.  Include a joke they can share with their lunch mates.  Children who do not take a lunch to school can be pleasantly surprised with notes of encouragement in their backpacks. 

Making fun and loving notes can be as simple as paper notes of stick figures, words large or small, or stickers.  Use copies of photos, jokes, drawings, colored paper, comics, and whatever else your heart leads you to create.  Notes on everyday napkins with or without drawings are a great idea as well.  If you’re out of ideas, Hallmark sells a line of .99 cents cards meant for children.  Tip: To avoid a rush to make your notes amidst the morning routine, make enough cards for the entire week ahead of time.

Choose words which communicate your love.  “You’re special to me”, “We’re proud of you”, “Thanks for all of your hard work”, etc.  Younger children can be aided in their quest to learn reading when you use the same words, on different backgrounds.  In your notes, compliment your kids and/or give them something to look forward to when they get home.

There are a number of books with tear-out notes or, online, you can find printable notes, decorated with their favorite cartoon characters (or other décor).  Here are a few sources:

http://www.nickjr.com/printables/dora-lunchbox-love-notes.jhtml

http://www.nickjr.com/printables/oswald-lunchbox-note.jhtml

http://printables.familyeducation.com/

Here are some jokes to inspire your sense of humor:

Question: What do you call the smelliest fairy? Answer: Stinkerbell.

Question: What did the computer do at lunch time? Answer: Had a byte!

Question: What do you call a bee that is always complaining? Answer: A grumble bee!

Knock Knock

Whose There

Candy

Candy, who?

Candy cow jumped over de moon!

However you create your lunchbox notes, you will be making memories and affirming your kids in these valuable years of their life.  And, you just might inspire hundreds of laughs throughout the lunchroom with your new lunchtime jokes.

Local phone books, printed community guides and chamber of commerce offices are great sources of information.  Promotion of extra-circular events will be distributed through your child’s school as well.  Contact the office of your city’s parks and recreation office.  Local community colleges, churches, and creative retail stores may also offer programming for families. 

Websites of these organizations will also list event information.  If you’re looking for the nearest scouting troop, boys and girls club or retail franchise activities, check with their national website online.  Entering your zip code can connect you with local chapters and programs.

Community newspapers are an excellent source of community events.  A phone call to a local community resource office or school office can help you find things to do in your community.  When you find this information, consider ways you can help provide this information to other families in your neighborhood.  Flyers, emails, and bulletin boards posted with this information can be a great service to others — and you may make some new friends as well.

Area MOPS, MOMS and other support groups or playgroups are resuming their regular schedule of meetings.  Reach out and find a place to be encouraged.  If you find there is no ”oasis place” for moms or families, start one with a friend.  Beat cabin fever before it starts!  Making an effort to become connected to others will bless you in the fall and winter months ahead.

In our North Whidbey area, we have created an online bulletin-board style community website.  Our goal is to be a resource, connecting people to family fun and more.  MoreFun4Life is a free, one-stop site for all things community:

http://www.orgsites.com/wa/morefun4life

Perhaps it will inspre a similar site in your community.  This website looks at events this week, and is advance notice for events to come in the next month.  We also offer lists of family fun places and community organizations, to close the gap between neighbors.

Where do you go for family fun in your area?

This day was no different.   Bored with cooking dinner — and having watched some television with fast food looking so easy and so good — I challenged myself to take the “better road”.   I wanted something better than burgers — and I wanted it for the cash I had in my pocket.

Kids in tow, I was on a budget for both time and money. 3:30 in the afternoon is past my shopping curfew.  My kind, with coupons and averaging unit prices, aren’t too welcome at this time of day.  Shopping today, after my better hours, I was unarmed.   

It nearly hurts me physically to pay full price for anything. This day, even with kids and without my coupon file, I would stay within budget – and eat well tonight.

Produce came first, as I wanted a salad.   I like to “up-do” a bagged salad with any fixings I can find for a reasonable price.  Right away, I see that Fresh Express Salads are BOGO (Buy One Get One Free) — and I do happen to have one coupon for them in my wallet (I carry coupons for my favorite things).

Avocados are $10/10 (an ingenious marketing tool by most grocery retailers– and so easy to match with coupons when they’re name brand products).   I grab one to top the salad. I pass by all of the other vegetables.  When my kids beg to buy apples, I compliment myself. We’ve already got apples at home (bought cheaper at a competitor store earlier in the week) — but I like to mentally record the price of produce to compare prices later.  It’s a good idea to know what items of produce sell for in the area.

Fresh Meat, up next.  (No, I’m not describing myself to the grocery manager — It’s the department I find myself in.)  I want something “good”, but I have walked into the most expensive store in my city.  No problem, I say. I walk past the “premium beef” displays, visualizing my husband’s falling lower lip, and head for the meat’s clearance department. On first glance, and between refereeing the kids, I don’t see anything of great savings.  I do see though, that family packs of pork chops are $1.99/pound.

I do love pork chops — and, they’re not chicken. Chicken is the least favorite of my Navy husband.  (He tells me frequently how on “on the ship, it’s all chicken…chicken this and chicken that…)  Pork then, so far, has been the great compromise.  I tell him, ‘It’s the other white meat’ — it’s meat, its lean and it’s better for you than red meat — so eat!”   I grab a package large enough for two meals.  Only my husband and I eat meat at our house (unless it’s breaded or on a stick, the kids choose cereal or soup.)

A quick glance back to the clearance meats; a roast catches my eye. I picture it over the potatoes and onions I already have at home, with steamed carrots and just the right amount of hubby’s “poor man gravy”.  It’s 30% off? No, wait, it’s 50% off!  My money savings-brain instantly calculates the sale price of the roast and figures out that for the original price of the roast; I’ll get nearly everything in my shopping basket.

Success!  Spending under $15, I brought home at least 4 meals for the price of a roast!  We took the challenge head-on; only one coupon, two kids and shopping after 3 PM in the afternoon.

My advice, if not plain in this narrative already, is to look for the savings and know where they can be found.  For a fast food price, following these guidelines will feed you well for a meal or more. I could have filled the basket with faster, more expensive food (or bypassed the grocery store completely and just ran through the drive through).  But, then I’d have heartburn, both fiscally and physically.

I bring my kids along to make things interesting and to entertain the older couples who think my kids are fun. While we’re entertaining the public, I hope to be teaching my kids something about making good choices and getting the most for their money. They raid the coupon feeders in the aisles (that always gets the “looks”), but they also have learned to read the labels and count for themselves how much money we’re saving.

They’re taking part in the choosing of and enjoying a variety of meals. Granted, they don’t eat roast or salad (their dinner was waiting at home), but they can tell their friends (and Grandma) that they helped me save money. That makes them feel pretty smart too.

The roast was delicious; the pork chops were enjoyed for two later meals.  I loved the thought that I was eating a $15 roast (and got all of dinner for that price) and husband loved eating a $15 roast.  Add to that, he had something to brag about at work the next morning.  I had money for the next “need” the kids came up with. I think it was ice cream.

Efficiency in coupon use is the determining factor in how successful you will be in saving money.  Invest a little time and money into coupon storage and organization.  Your efforts will be more profitable when the coupons you need are easily accessible.

At home, designate a filing cabinet drawer with hanging files, plastic hanging file storage box, large shoe box, or expandable accordion-style file to store coupon inserts as you receive them each week.  Gain extras from family, friends, playgroups, recycling centers, etc. 

Each week, go through the coupon inserts.  Clip coupons of products that you use often. File them in your portable coupon file.  (We’ll discuss these in a future post).  Keeping coupons close to you for items you use often will prepare you for unadvertised sales or last-minute, rushed shopping.

Mark the insert cover with the date.  Label the hanging file (if you’re filing the inserts) with the date, and the insert distributor.  Example: “8/2 S” would translate into August 2’s SmartSource Insert. 

To match coupons with what’s on special this week, there are several bloggers and website out there that can help.  Each week, they let you know where the savings can be found, and how to match the coupons with sales- maximizing your savings.

Some of the best bloggers and money-saving sites out there are:

AThriftyMom.com

CouponMom.com

SurvivingtheStores.com

MoneySavingMom.com

HotCouponWorld.com

AFullCup.com

These websites offer forums and updates which direct you to the use of your coupons in conjunction with current sales.  You can subscribe to their websites, and in time for grocery store shopping preparation, you will be sent updates. 

You can purchase this information, sent directly to you, from “The Grocery Game” and others.  I find that with the amount of excellent bloggers out there, who work hard to help us, that I get all I need – and more without the need for a subscription.  The Grocery Game would be useful to those that have limited time or perhaps beginners to this “sales-matching” process.  The Grocery Game also requires that you have some of the larger grocery store chains in your area, and depending on where you live, its value will vary.

At the money-saving websites or blogs, find the forum or list of the stores you frequent. 

You will read the best that the writers have found, and often times input from other shoppers as well. 

The website entries will detail and clearly illustrate:

Current Sale price and promotions

Coupon’s to use to “better” the deal.  This will include the publish date of the coupon insert (example 8/2 SmartSource), the discount the coupon will give you and a link to print a coupon if necessary.  This is the detail that makes matching coupons to deals a snap!

The price you will pay, after coupons and promotion/discounts are listed as well.

This week’s Example:

A few days ago, I received my update from A Thrifty Mom.  Post Select Cereals are on sale at Albertsons.  She informed me that we can get a real thrifty deal when we combine Albertson’s “Buy 4; get each box for $1.50” promotion with recent insert coupons.  There is a $1/2 coupon in the July 26^th Smartsource insert that will bring the price of each box down to $1 each.  Post Cereal and South Beach Cereal bars are included in this deal.  A bonus “Catalina” coupon (printed at the register following your payment) will print beginning Friday, when you choose to purchase the Post Select variety.  Purchasing two boxes of Post Select variety will net you a $1 Catalina OYNO (On Your Next shopping Order) coupon.  For every 3 Post Select boxes you buy, you will receive $2 OYNO and when you purchase 4 boxes of Post Select, you will receive $3.  OYNO coupons are good for anything you want to buy in the store, with few restrictions.  If you want to get more of these when you purchase additional sets of 4 cereals, be sure NOT to use the ONYO’s that you received from this Post deal.  The smart computer will detect the use of the OYNO, and not give you any more.  Use OYNO’s for the “bread and milk” items you need to purchase.

It really can be done, that simply:

Get the inserts

File them (or at least stack them chronologically in your large shoe box)

Refer to the money saving sites

Make your list

Clip n File your Coupons in your Shopping Coupon File(divide by store, to make it easier)

Go shopping as an informed, prepared and thrifty shopper.

Impress yourself and your fellow shoppers!

There are other things to consider when couponing and determining what you will buy each week.  New tools, such as “clipless coupons” and other advances in technology offer further ease in saving money.  There’s a lot to learn, but take small steps every week.  Learn and grow with your thrifty shopping.  Find a friend or two with whom you can work as a team to share information.

Whether you meal plan, choose your shopping list by what you already have on hand, or other planning tools (which we’ll detail in future posts) – these websites can offer you a wealth of additional information on how to cut everyday costs.  They really do make couponing easier, and dare I say, even more fun when you join the networks of many other thrifty shoppers.

Send us your couponing questions and any obstacles you face in saving money.  We’ll help you find the answers.

We’ve cleaned out the closets and reviewed the school supply lists  I feel more prepared than usual.  Watching my “baby” get ready for “real school” drove me to be ready so I could enjoy some free time with my kids before school schedules take over.

We’ve just returned from camping, so I’m a bit behind in my deal finding.  I noted that Office Max is offering school supplies at big discounts.  Still going on is the BOGO-Half Off promotion at Payless Shoes.  The entire store is buy one, get one half-off.  When you make a purchase, you’ll recieve a coupon for $10/$30 at Office Max.  (Use that for their sales and you list minute stockups).  At Office Max, when you make a purchase, youll receive a coupon for $5/$25 at Payless Shoes (which you can combine with their current BOGO-Half Off promotion).

There is a super, Free Community Clothing Swap planned for September 19th in Oak Harbor.  As you’re going through your closets, set some clean, wearable items aside.  Bring them to the VFW Post (3037 Goldie Road, Oak Harbor) from 10 am to 3pm.  Even if you don’t have items to swap, you’re more than welcome to come by and find clothes for anyone (Maternity, Infant, Kids, Teens, and Adults).

There’ll be a Kids Book Exchange Table, for kids to find a new book– bring a few to leave for someone else if you have them.

Enjoy this week of September, before school starts.  Plan something to look forward to this weekend, to celebrate summer.  Try a new tradition to start the new school year of to a fun, memorable beginning. Do you have one you’d like to share?