Target Snack: Update Sale Week of June 28
There are a few more sale items I have been alerted to at Target this week.
$1 Renu Contact Solution (travel size)
$1 Printable in the coupons.com widget in right side bar
Net Price FREE *Thanks, Money Saving Mom!
$3.29 Degree for Women Fine Fragrance
$2 Target Printable
$1.25 in the 5/17 RP Insert (exp 8/9)
Net Price $.04 each *Thanks, Cutting Coupons in KC
$6.64 Pictureka Card Game *find in the end caps in Toy Department
$5 Printable in the coupons.com widget in right side bar
Net Price $1.64 each
Check the Snack Summary for other Store Coupon Matches!!
Begin to Blog | General Writing/Formatting Tips
The writing and formatting of your site can really make or break getting that return visitor.
Have you ever visited a site that is written in all caps or an unappealing font? Did you want to go back? Me either. Here are some general tips for formatting your posts/site:
Use images
It can immediately help the reader know what the topic is about without reading. It also just makes words appear more interesting. If you are using images through flickr, photobucket or other online sites (more on those in a bit), be sure to ALWAYS give credit to the source. Copyright laws are applicable with pictures just like anything else.
Caps
Don’t write in all caps UNLESS of course you are trying to make a bold statement. I see many blogs written in all caps and that isn’t proper type. It just hurts my eyes!
Spell Check
Now, I’m not the grammar police (truth be told, I spelled grammar incorrectly in this draft :-). Your writing is an expression of YOU! Unless you are trying to make a point by purposely misspelling something, grammatical errors aren’t cool.
Paragraphs
Several sentences form a paragraph. That paragraph express one general thought. Start a new paragraph so you don’t jumble thoughts all together. You will lose someone trying to skim to find the point. To make it even easier for some to find that point, create words or sentences that are bold.
Try to break up the paragraphs and make sure there is proper spacing between paragraphs. Sometimes HTML gets funny and while it looks like you have the spacing right in the draft, when you publish it, it messes up. When that has happened to me, going into the HTML Draft view, editing and adding those hard enters usually works. Sometimes you have to edit formatting several times to get it to look right.
Everyone has that one hot button they are annoyed by when they read or visit a site. For some, it’s music. Others can’t stand entering the verify text when trying to leave a comment. You never want one minor format issue to prevent someone from returning.
You want your work to represent who you are. The written word and formatting is forever!…well, until you edit it that is :)
Also check out Blogging Basics 101 who shared other great tips for new bloggers.
| Action Plan: As you write, be conscious that it is a representation of you. Edit carefully and throw in the improper grammar/punctuation (or smileys, I love me some smileys) as you see fit! |
Lunchables House Party
Do you remember the Domino’s House Party I shared? Well, I actually got accepted for that! And, Katie did too!
Since I applied and am in the system for the House Party site, I got the notification on the new House Party for Lunchables!
Details from the House Party site:
Sign up as a host, and on August 22nd you’ll lunch everybody’s tummy right by inviting your child’s friends and moms over to try the all new, more wholesome LUNCHABLES Lunch Combinations. They’re great-tasting new recipes that kids – and moms – will love!
Then it’s time to put your skills to the test by assembling into mom and child teams to compete in an amazing adventure. Games, activities, laughter, and a grand prize for the winning team!
At the end of the competition, everyone gathers for awards, parting gifts for the kids, coupons for the moms, and information on the Golden LUNCHABLES Awards. Great food and tons of fun… it’s a party that can’t be beat!
You can’t hurt to apply! Try out some great food with friends sounds fun to me!
Fat Burnin’ Friday: The Result of Perseverance!
I’m like a turtle, but that’s OK :)
So, I have 2 pounds down this week! I gained those 4 pounds last month. I didn’t lose any weight since that (three weeks ago) UNTIL this week. One to two pounds a week is a healthy loss, but in my case it’s like .5 pounds a week and then it all happens at once! Either way, I’m fine with it!
You know, it got me thinking. If I would have given up, I know for sure I would have gained MORE than the 4 pounds I was trying to get back off. It is so easy to get super emotional over a weight gain! Especially since I have been trying for what seems like forever to rid these last few pounds!
This is a result of MY perseverance. My weight is going DOWN! I’m NOT going to give up!
I shouldn’t admit this, especially during a week with an actual loss, but I didn’t exercise. Well, unless you count the miles I know I walked on Monday and Tuesday. But, real hard-core I’mgonnasweatandnotlookpretty kinda exercise, I did not get to. Hubs was traveling so I couldn’t get to my 6a routine. I could have used the treadmill, but I just decided not to. It’s all about choices. Hopefully I’m not paying on the scales next week for the choice of NOT exercising this week.
So, no exercise and add in the holidays…am I setting myself up for a gain? I mean, the holidays are always a challenging time for eating. I haven’t planned how well I will behave. It will probably be good though since we aren’t planning any big celebrations. I think I will just focus on moderation.
What about you?
Any plans for the holidays to ensure you stay on track? How was your week of exercise and weight results? I can’t wait to hear about your week! I’m always happy with my progress but just as excited when you have good results too!!
Fat Burnin’ Pounds Lost since Jan 1-08: 28
Fat Burnin’ Pounds to go: 12
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Time for you to share your Fat Burnin’ tip and results. Feel free to grab the logo above by right clicking and saving to your computer. If you have written a post related to your weight-loss journey, feel free to drop the it in the comments (please leave a link that goes directly to your post). Please leave a comment either way - I lurve comments :)
FREE Kotex Sample
Request your FREE Kotex Sample today! This sample is for the Kotex Ultra Thin Overnight Pad with Wings.
You can also get Kotex products cheap at Walmart (thanks, Deal Seeking Mom):
$1 Kotex LightDays Pads
$1 in the 6/14 SS Insert (exp 8/8)
$1.50 on 2 in the June All You (exp 7/31)
Net Price FREE - $.25 each
$1 Kotex Pantiliners (14, 16 and 18-ct.)
$.75 in the 6/14 SS Insert (exp 8/8)
$1.50 on 2 in the June All You (exp 7/31)
Net Price $.25 each
I always cut out the Kotex coupons and keep them in the Walmart section of my Coupon Folder (this Coupon Organization is not to be confused with a coupon binder). I know I can always get them cheaper at Walmart versus any other store I shop!
Find other Walmart deals here!
All You Magazine | Blogger Panel
I had a blast during my trip to NYC and meeting with All You!
Again, I got to enjoy this trip with Mercedes @ Common Sense with Money, Erin @ Coupon Cravings and Briana @ Bargain Briana.
I arrived early on Monday afternoon so I could enjoy the city a bit with Briana (since our flights arrived around the same time). Later, Mercedes and Erin arrived so we got to go do some more exploring and enjoying Manhattan! The hotel we stayed in was right next to a restaurant that had a mechanical bull. I did NOT re-live my bull-riding days though :)
Monday evening we spent time with PR Director, Jen Zawadinski, and Susan Spencer, Executive Editor. The dinner at The Harrison in the West Village/Tribecca was soooo good! We took the subway - it was economical and fun to do since some have never experienced it before!
Tuesday morning we got all dolled up for our Photo Shoot. The Photographer said we *stacked* well with our varying heights. Hey, he knows some of our coupon language :) We then enjoyed lunch with the editoral staff of All You - the minds behind the magazine folks! YES, I met so many of them!!
I’m sure you have noticed the page in the front of the magazine that says “these readers helped create this issue.” All You is all …about YOU! The team wants to make a magazine that really is about US and what WE WANT! Having real people in the magazines sets them apart.
That’s part of the role of a Reality Checker.
YOU can be a part of the community of All You! They want real people to share their lives. By sharing, YOU may help someone too! And, the fact that the staff *keep it real-YO* with their money-conscience ways was pretty impressive!
Susan shared they are doing a brown bag challenge. The staff will see how much they can save by bringing lunch rather than going out. When I heard this, I was impressed that they walk the talk, ya know. The authenticity is not just in the pages of the magazine - it’s in each of the employees! That means something to me!
Raise your hand if you love All You’s coupons!!!
During our discussions with the Editorial and Sales teams, we learned and shared a LOT! All You is passionate about the quality of the magazine! They want to create a publication that we find value in. Our voices, as readers, are included in the pages published. All You not only speaks our language, but they want to hear OUR thoughts!
All You’s passion, desire and focus is so similar to what I want for all of YOU! Live better on less. Have hope when the economy can make it glim. Sharing my personal story, that isn’t always easy to share, but doing so in hopes that it inspires just one person to achieve a goal. Having a resource like All You, and many of the amazing blogs available, hopefully helps YOU make it a reality!
| Don’t forget about the Grocery Challenge. There are over 4,000 of YOU signed up already! That’s amazing. I am sooooo hoping one of you WIN!! |
Begin to Blog | Content Schedule
Content is KING! Seriously, whatever niche you are in, quality content is a MUST!
After you understand what you will be writing, see if there is an opportunity to schedule posts throughout the week. Having this schedule will give your readers some predictability for your site. It also allows you to create impromptu posts or engaging discussions throughout the week.
If you are working in a time-sensitive posting environment (i.e., deals, politics, entertainment news, etc), you could work out a schedule each day you commit to publishing. This will help you set your personal limits and YOU controlling your blog, not the other way around.
For me, having a general schedule of events for the week helps me have balance (which is still a struggle). It also helps me to interact more in comments, with other blogs, and social media sites! If I’m scurrying to share something, post a store deal or other topic, I can’t always respond to comments, emails, facebook, twitter (you name it). Not that I can always respond, but it helps having a schedule to keep me focused so I can try! I also try to fit some time in each day to share really good deals.
Each blog will be different regarding how much time they spend. In just content, I probably spend about 15-20 hours a week. I feel like the weeks I plan better and schedule posts, I have a more efficient week. Now, with the social network sites, I spend more time too. That time is more about building my brand and creating relationships (plus, I get to talk to lots of my friends :).
Oh, and there’s the thing about having a family too (I’m not taking that lightly either). I am a work at home mom. That means, I work for my family and I work on my business (my blog). Because both of these require a lot of my time, having a schedule I can be focused on and committed to during my *business time* helps me be accountable to self-imposed deadlines.
Working from home is challenging. Try to find a balance that works for you. I used to work part-time from home for a large corporation. I have also been running Mommy Snacks.net for the past year and a half. It is easy to get working and home-life blurred.
Working from home takes so much self-discipline and motivation. Those behaviors make people give 150% to everything! It can be easy to give too much if you aren’t careful. This paragraph comes from love and experience :)
| Action Plan: Determine if you want your blog to have a schedule. It may not be a fit for your blog. If you do, make the schedule and try to stick with it. |
New Month | New Printable and eCoupons Available
New Month, New Coupons! YES!
There are so many coupon goodies to bring to your attention given the new month for coupons!
With the printable coupons, be sure to print them right away if you think you will use them! Not only do you have a limit of two printable coupons per IP address, but the printable coupon companies have limits too. Once those print limits are met, the coupons are removed from the sites. No more can be printed whether you got it already or not!
Coupons.com has several new printables too which can be printed in the Coupons.com widget in my right side bar! Some coupons worth the mention: $2 Listerine, $1 Blueberry Special K (my fave cereal), $1 Starbucks Pint Ice Cream, $1 on 2 Keebler Fudge Shoppe Cookies and so many more! I bet that Listerine coupon goes pretty fast since they occasionally expire the print limits.
CoolSavings has new coupons available to print too. Some coupons worth the mention: B1G1 FREE Velveeta Shells Cheese Cup, $.55 Cheerios, $.50 Betty Crocker Frosting, $2 Huggies Overnight Diapers, $2.25 Ecotrin Aspirin. There are many others worth printing now if you think you’ll use them!
RedPlum has a few good ones. You can print RedPlum coupons from my RedPlum coupon page. Some coupons worth the mention: $1.50 on 2 Kellogg’s Frosted Mini Wheats, $1 Eggo Bake Shop, $.50 Kellogg’s Yogos, $1.50 Ponds Wet Cleansing Towelettes, B1G1 FREE Meaty Bone Dog Biscuits. There are a few more that you may want too!
Upromise eCoupons has a new set of e-coupons too. Remember, these don’t come off your total but are deposited into your Upromise account. Sign up for Upromsie today and register your CVS and Kroger (and affiliated stores) cards to start saving today! You can read my Upromise snack here. Some coupons worth the mention: $1 Krusteaz Waffles, Pancakes or French Toast, $1.50 Huggies (Supreme), $3 on 2 Bic Soleil Disposable Razors, $1 on 2 Post Cereal. The Little Debbie e-coupons are back too - I love those!
Cellfire has a new set of e-coupons available. You can now click the Cellfire banner on my ride side bar to go directly to the site and load your e-coupons! You can read my Cellfire snack here. Some coupons worth the mention: $.75 Total Cereal, $1 Fiber One Yogurt, $3 on 2 Huggies Diapers, $.75 Speed Stick 24/7, $.75 Colgate Total Advanced and many more!
Shortcuts has their new e-coupons available. You can read my Shortcuts snack here. Some coupons worth the mention: $.60 Lucky Charms, $1 Yo-Plus Yogurt, $.50 Chex Mix, $2 Pull Ups, $1.50 Huggies Diapers, Several Magazine coupons, and a few more!
P&G Esaver coupons expire on August 31. You can read my P&G Esaver snack here. Some coupons worth the mention: $1 Gillette Hair, $2 Aussie Product, $1 Bounce Dryer Bar, $2 on Venus Razors, $1 Pampers, $1.50 Luvs and many more!
And, don’t forget that you can also purchase manufacturer’s coupons {from Sunday Inserts} from a clipping service too. Several popular coupon clipping services are: The Coupon Master, The Coupon Clippers, and Coupons & Things by Dede.
Or, the method I typically use is ordering through from Ebay. If you click on the Ebay link from your BigCrumbs or Ebates account, place your bid on the auction as normal {and pay for the auction}, you will receive cash back in your BigCrumbs or Ebates account within 7-10 days for that Ebay purchase!! You can read a previous post I did on Buying Coupons on Ebay and Clipping Services.
Be sure to check out Taylor Town Preview for the 2009 Insert Schedule (on the right hand side at the bottom of the page) .
What other coupons are you liking this month? It doesn’t matter the source: a printable, an e-coupon or Sunday insert? With summer being here, I am waiting for Chex Mix to go on sale for $1 so I can get a few more bags for pool-side play!
| Take a look at the Printable Coupons Page for other coupon resources that are sure to help you save too! |
CVS Snack: Sale Week of July 5
Here are a few highlights this week. Be sure to scan your ad for complete sale/ad information in case there is something else you may need!
You can still get in on the 50 FREE Photos too!
ECB Deals
$1.49 Caliber or CVS Transparent or Invisible Tape: $1.49 ECB. LIMIT 3 *Sunday/Monday ONLY*
$.99 Caliber or CVS Pencils 20 pk or Double Blade Pencil Sharpener: $.99 ECB. LIMIT 3
$.89 CVS Brand Pantiliners 22 ct: $.89 ECB. LIMIT 1 | FREE after ECB!
$3.33 Post Cereals: $5 ECB (purchase 3). LIMIT 1
$1 on 2 in the 6/21 SS Insert (exp 8/2)
$2 Trail Mix Crunch Printable here
$1 on 2 via Upromise eCoupons
Net Price $1.33 - $2.83 each | 4 Boxes Trail Mix Crunch: Money-Maker of $2 after coupons/ECB!
Buy $10 in Febreze Products: $5 ECB. LIMIT 5
Includes: $3 Febreze Air Effects / $5 Febreze Fabric Refresher / $6.50 Febreze Candle, Febreze Noticeables
$4 on Noticeables in the 7/5 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
FREE Air Effects when you buy any Febreze Fabric Refresher in the 7/5 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price $2.50 - Full Price each | 2 Noticeables: FREE after coupons/ECB!
Buy $15 on Cover Girl Cosmetics: $5 ECB. LIMIT 1
$1 in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
$2 on 2 in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price varies upon product | use multiple coupons and save even more!
$6 Olay Body Wash: $5 ECB (purchase 2). LIMIT 1
$1 in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price $5 each | $5 total after coupons/ECB!
$3.49 Colgate Total Advanced or Sensitive Toothpaste: $2 ECB. LIMIT 1
$.75 in the 6/28 SS Insert (exp 7/18)
$1 Printable here
$1.50 in the March All You (exp 12/31)
Net Price $2 - $2.75 each | FREE - $.75 each after coupons/ECB!
$8.99 Gillette Venus Embrace or Spa Breeze Razor: $2 ECB. LIMIT 1
$2 on Venus in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
$2 on Venus in the 7/5 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price $6.99 each | $4.99 each after coupons/ECB!
$4.99 Head & Shoulders, Gillette, Pantene Restoratives or Expressions Shampoo/Conditioners: $2 ECB. LIMIT 3
$2 on 2 Head & Shoulders in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
$1 on Gillette in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
$1 on 2 Pantene in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
B1G1 FREE Head & Shoulders in the 7/5 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Buy Pantene Shampoo/Conditioner get Styler FREE in the 7/5 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price $2.50 - $3.99 each | $.50 - $1.99 each after coupons/ECB!
$9.99 Metamucil Powder, Capsules or Clear & Natural 11.7 Oz: $2 ECB. LIMIT 1
$2 in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
$3 in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price $6.99 - $7.99 each | $4.99 - $5.99 each after coupons/ECB!
$1 Dawn Dish Liquid: $1 ECB (purchase 2). LIMIT 1
$.25 in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
$.25 in the 7/5 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price $.75 each | $.50 for both after coupons/ECB!
Other Deals
$1.50 Chex Mix
$1 on 2 in the 6/7 SS Insert (exp 8/1)
$.50 Printable in the coupons.com widget in right side bar
Net Price $1 each
L’oreal Lip Cosmetics B1G1 FREE
$1 in the 4/26 RP Insert (exp 7/19)
$2 on Hip in the 6/14 SS Insert (exp 9/6)
Net Price varies upon products | use 2 coupons
Schick Quattro Titanium or Schick Intuition Razors or Cartridges B1G1 FREE
$4 on Quattro in the 6/14 SS Insert (exp 7/27)
Net Price varies upon products | use 2 coupons
$3.99 Dove Shampoo, Conditioner or Styling Products B1G1 FREE
$1 in the 6/7 RP Insert (exp 8/30)
Net Price $1.50 each | use 2 coupons
$3.99 Lay’s Potato Chips B1G1 FREE
$1 on Frito Lay Snacks AND Dip in the 6/28 SS Insert (exp 8/8)
Net Price $1.50 each
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Do you see anything else? Please leave comments if there is something else you would like to share. I always appreciate hearing from you!
Some other General CVS reminders:
:: The complete ad scan for the week can be found here (thanks to Slickdeals).
:: Don’t forget the July ECB Offers and Clipfree Coupons.
:: Alyssa hosts the $5 CVS Challenge every week. A great resource to achieve a low OOP while shopping and earn ECB’s too!
New to CVS shopping? Please read my Top 5 Tips to Play CVS! Most of this information may seem a little confusing until you know how the play the CVS game!!
Check the Snack Summary for other Store Coupon Matches!!
Walgreens Snack: Sale Week of July 5
Here are a few highlights this week. Be sure to scan your ad for complete sale/ad information in case there is something else you may need! The sales are really light this week because of the holiday!
Register Reward Deals
Buy $10 in Cover Girl Make Up: $3 RR
$1 in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
$2 on 2 in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price varies upon products | use multiple coupons and save even more!
Buy $10 in Keebler: $5 RR
Includes: $2.50 Fudge Stripes, Pecan Sandies, Club Crackers, Cheez-It Crackers
$1 on 2 Printable in the coupons.com widget in right side bar
Net Price $2 each | 4 Packs of Fudge Stripes: $3 after coupons/RR!
Buy $10 in Oral Hygiene Products: $3 RR
Includes: $2.50 Crest w/Scope and Crest ProHealth Toothpaste, Oral B Toothbrushes, Glide Floss
$.75 on Floss in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
$.50 on Toothpaste in the 6/7 P&G Insert (exp 7/31)
Net Price $1.75 - $2 each | 2 Floss/2 Toothpaste: $4.50 after coupons/RR!
Other Deals
$.49 Mars Candy Bars w/ Walgreens Weekly Ad Coupon
FREE Coupon from Friday RealChocolate.com (mailer request each Friday)
Net Price FREE | Give FREE coupon than the Walgreens Coupon to get the regular price deducted!
$3.99 Nestle Pure Life Water 24 pack
$1 Printable here
Net Price $2.99 each
$4.79 Starbucks Ice Cream B1G1 FREE
$2 in the 6/21 SS Insert (exp 9/13)
Net Price $.40 each | use 2 coupons
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Do you see anything else? Please leave comments if there is something else you would like to share. I always appreciate hearing from you! You can find the complete ad scan for this week here (thanks to HCW).
New to Walgreens shopping? Please read my Top 5 Tips to Play Walgreens! This may seem confusing until you know how the play the game!!
Check the Snack Summary for other Store Coupon Matches!!
