If Mama ain't happy....

Just gotta share a couple deals to make Mama happy.


The $5 and $3 Huggies coupons have been reset here. So if you already printed two out, you can go back and print two more now! Then, I recommend going here to find out how to get an amazing deal on Huggies diapers at Walgreens this week!






Target has Pepperidge Farm Whole Grain Goldfish Crackers on sale this week from $1 to $1.79, depending on your store. Use this $1 off 1 coupon to get them for $.79 or FREE!!!








While you're there, pick up some Mott's Applesauce for only $.22! Just use this $1 off 1 Target coupon, combined with this $.55 off 1 Mott's Applesauce coupon.

You should also be able to get some free broccoli if yours is a Super Target. Just use this $1 off 1 coupon!

And again with the cheap date theme...

Thought I'd add one more option for your night out. From now until April 28, 2009, you can use this coupon in your local Border's store to get a free mocha or latte when you purchase one of equal or greater value. Alas, we have no Borders nearby, so please enjoy one for me!

Thanks, Lori!

Money Saving Monday: The Cheap Date Edition

Wes and I have been wanting to go on a double date with my brother and his girlfriend for about 6 months now and this weekend, we finally made it happen. As we talked about what to do, I asked if I could find us some good clean cheap value-conscious entertainment. They humored me.

Aren't we cute?

So, we started the evening off at Arby's where we used this coupon to get a free roastburger with a drink purchase. Don't knock it until you've tried it...yummy. (Oh, this coupon expires today, but you can go here to sign up for another one.)

I thought it would have been fun to use this coupon to get our fries at Wendy's. But the coupon hasn't arrived in my inbox yet. Oh well--who needs all that trans-fat anyway?

Next, it was onto Barnes and Noble. I had a gift card to use here, plus this 10% off coupon. So I saved about $.30 on my caramel macchiato. Hey...every bit counts.

Then, we headed to Auntie Anne's--one of my favorite places on the planet--and used this Buy One Get One free coupon. Thankfully, the pretzel was much better than the customer service.

Our final stop was going to be a Redbox to score a free movie, but we opted to play a game instead. Which turned out to be fun because I won. I am a Triple Yahtzee Ninja.
Definitely a quality evening. Thanks for being such good sports, Ryan and Macia!

How about you? Been putting off going out because it costs too much? I think it's time for a night out. Let me give you some more ideas:

Sign up here for a free sammie (sandwich--in case you aren't a Quizno's aficionado) at Quizno's with the purchase of a side and a drink.

Sign up here to receive free Fazoli coupons with purchase. (One of my favorite college hang-outs--I miss that place!)

How about a trip to the ice cream shop? Go here for a Buy One Get One Free Baskin-Robbins Ice Cream Sundae coupon. I would be all over this if we had a Baskin-Robbins. (Oh--and if I didn't give up ice cream for Lent.)

Do you have a Melting Pot nearby? Sign up here for the Melting Pot club and you'll receive a FREE chocolate fondue for two.

Wanna go to the movies without having to take out a loan to buy snacks? Here's a free large popcorn at any AMC theatre.

And no date is complete without a great soundtrack to complement the evening. How about a complete Jack Johnson album download for only $.99??!!! (Thanks, Tami!!!! Oh--and Happy Birthday!!)
Update: This album is no longer available for $.99. Sorry!

Have fun!

How We Got Here, Part 1

Do you ever look at your life and wonder, "How did I get here?" Lately I've been asking myself that question about the frugal, deal-seeking, coupon freak fan I have become.

Less than a year ago, I would have told you that yes, I liked to save money. But coupons were those pretty papers that I threw out with the newspaper and my idea of thrifty was filling up my diet coke to the brim when I left McDonald's.

Now I'm making my own baby food. Whaa--what?!

In fact, a friend e-mailed me today after reading my blog and asked me what has happened to me. How did I become so interested in this world of saving money?

And so, I've been thinking. How did I get here? It's a really good question to ponder.

For those of you who don't know, my husband was laid off almost a year ago. Since that time, we have experienced a variety of new and different life situations, including the birth of our second son, some temporary employment positions, and months of no job at all.

This, of course, was the kick in the pants that I needed to begin seeking out new ways to cut costs in just about every year of our lives. I really didn't want to. But I had to.

So, I guess that's how I got here.

But wait, there's more...

Because in the past year, in spite of both cars breaking down and me giving up my job, and the birth of a new baby, and our vacuum cleaner going on the fritz and life happening, we have managed to make it without ever having to touch our savings.

And it wasn't because of all the extrabucks I earned at CVS.

I'm thinking about taking a trip down the road aways to explore 'how we got here'. It's sure to include glimpses of my childhood, my life as a poor m.k. college student, and my marriage into the Ehret family. In fact, I've asked Wes if he'd like to share a 'guest post', which promises to be fun.

Mostly, I think it will be about a journey down the path of God's grace.

Wanna come?

True Confessions of a Tired Busy Happy Mom

Lincoln just turned 6 months old. I'm running a 10-mile race in May with my cousin. Griffin asked if hot dogs were a vegetable the other day. I gave up Oprah for Lent. I am so looking forward to the end of Daylight Savings Time. I think the way they are doing American Idol this year is cheesy. At first, I was just going to give up ice cream. And why birds don't wear underwear. But then, I just made a chocolate cake instead. How do my children sense when I am up early? Lincoln used to sleep in the bathroom. Do they smell me? I just ate some chocolate cake for breakfast. Now he sleeps in Griffin's room. I'm doing just fine without her, thank you. I am in love with the children's play area at Wegman's. I'm not even Catholic. Is it ok to bribe my son with a fruit roll up to stay in bed? Wes and I have a secret. No, not Lincoln. I'm not pregnant. And why girls don't have beards. We'll tell you soon. So far, I have only run 3 miles. Griffin used to sleep in until 8:30 or 9. I'm pretty proud that I just taught myself how to cross off words. Arby's roastburgers are yummy. I am so looking forward to the end of Daylight Savings Time. Oops. I already said that. Griffin sings "Shot to the Heart" every day. All day long. I read a story about a mom with sextuplets last night. Is that wrong? I just noticed that Lincoln is working hard to push himself forward on the floor. I just got a whole bunch of free stuff from walgreens. When they were four months old, she and her husband turned off the baby monitor so they would learn to sleep through the night. I love to kiss my son's cheeks. They did. Let's see what Lincoln thinks about Baby Einstein. I guess I'm not as tired or busy as I thought I was. Actually, I've run more than 3 miles--just not all at once. He likes it. I cannot wait until I can sit out on my porch in the morning. Why didn't I think of making videos of pretty pictures and classical music? I promise I'm not pregnant.

A little Tuesday love

Go here to download the new U2 album, No Line on the Horizon, for only $3.99.

Thanks, Susan!

AND

Go here by 11:59, CST TONIGHT to get your FREE $20 gift card for dillyeo.com!

Money-saving Monday

Raise your hand if you're excited that it's Money-saving Monday again!

Me too.

'Cuz I've got some sa-weet deals for you!

Oh, and speaking of sa-weet, I am sipping my Hazelnut Gevalia coffee as I write this post. You too can be sipping your (fill in the blank with your favorite flavor) Gevalia coffee with me. I just checked and the deal is still available! C'mon...you know you want to...

Ok, let's get this show on the road:


First, a great find for my mom friends:

I have never before seen a $5 off coupon for diapers, but hallelujah...that day has come. Go here and print out yours before they are all gone! (I also found a $3 off coupon...they were on pages 3 and 5 for me. You should be able to print out two of each!)

Thanks, Mercedes!


And now something fun for my girlfriends:

Wanna receive free stuff for joining the brand new Victoria's Secret PINK Nation? I just did and got a coupon for a free gift and $10 off a $35 purchase, valid until March 31 . (Word on the street is that the free item is a PINK tote.) You'll need to bring a photo ID with you when you use the coupon. Hey...ya gotta love FREE!

Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!


And here's a little something for all you hungry people out there:


Doesn't that make you hungry just looking at it? Go here to download a coupon for a free Roastburger with any drink purchase at Arby's. It's valid through March 9. Are you thinkin' Arby's? I know I am.

Thanks, Money Saving Mom!


And finally, for all of my pre-teen friends...(who am i foolin'? I'm gonna use this one on me!)


Wanna save $10 on High School Musical 3? Right here, Right now print the coupon below and the Mail-In Rebate--hey, it's Now or Never.

$5 off 1 High School Musical DVD printable
$5 Mail-in Rebate for Sara Lee/Hillshire Farms products plus HSM 3

My Wal-Mart is still selling it for $19.98, but I've heard that some have it on sale for $10...which would make it FREE! Does anyone know a store where you can get a good deal? If so, let us know 'cuz We're All in this Together!

Thanks, Laina!


Don't ya just love Mondays?