Frugal Living, Money Saving Tips, Freebies, and More!

  • AN AWESOME Mailbox Freebie

    This was on my doorstep:

    This is what was in the box, courtesy of SC Johnson and Right at Home Giveaway!
    1. Box of 25 Quart Size Ziploc Storage Bags
    2. Box of 50 Ziploc Sandwich Bags
    3. Package of 5 SmartSnap Bowls
    This has been one of my favorite freebies so far!
  • Mailbox Freebies

    1. Glad ForceFlex 33 Gallon Trash Bag
    2. Mini Box of Kleenex (has already come in handy!!!)
    3. Nivea Body Wash and $1.00 off Coupon
    4. Nivea Body Lotion and $1.00 off Coupon (these are coming in handy at the gym!)
    5. Dove Hair Care Shampoo and Conditioner (I like these samples so much I have considered buying this shampoo and conditioner!
    6. Nescafe Taster’s Choice 6 Flavors with $1.00 off Coupon: 100% Colombian Gourmet, Original, Decaffeinated, Hazelnut, Vanilla, and Gourmet Roast (these are perfect for this time of year when I drink more coffee than usual, especially in the evenings!)
    7.  JCPenney Coupons (stocking up on my fall warddrobe)
    8. Good Housekeeping Magazine
    9. Woman’s Day Magazine

  • Mailbox Freebies

    -Downy Fabric Softener with coupons (1 $2.50 Off, 3 $1.50 Off)
    -Oxy Clinical Facewash, Hydrating Therapy, and Clearing Treatment with coupon
    -Biore Steam Activated Cleanser
    -People Magazine
    -Travel & Leisure Magazine
    -Woman’s Day Magazine
    -Self Magazine
    -All You Magazine

  • Smart Ways to Save Money on All Your Pet Needs

    Have a pet?

    If you answered yes, we all know how expensive having a pet can be. I have a calico cat. You can see her photos here. I buy cat food, cat food, cat treats, and of course I had to buy cat food bowls/litter boxes and cat toys for her. This adds up. For those of you that have more than one pet, especially hungry dogs, I know you are having to spend a lot of money to take care of them. Then you have vet bills, medicine, collars, bones, chew toys, etc.
    Are you interested in saving money on your pets needs? Visit Pet Smart Savings. This website has great information that will help you save as much money as possible on your pet’s food, toys, and services. Be sure to check out this website soon if you have pets!

  • Mailbox Freebies

    1. Parent’s Choice Formula (to be given to a friend)
    2. Jiffy Recipe Book (this has a lot of great recipes in it!)
    3. Emergen-C Packets with Coupon
    4. Diet Dots Pedometer
    5. Nature Made Pedometer
    6. Pink Earplugs
    7. Notepad
    8. Mailing Labels
    9. Remedy Magazine

    Which of these freebies have you received so far?

  • Why I Love Consigning Clutter

    Pay day!
    Who says Stay at Home Moms can’t make a little extra income?
    This is a check from my local consignment store. I receive one of these every few months, most of them over $100. Each month I go through each room of my house and box up things that I do not need or use, and things that are taking up valuable space in our house. I am not a fan of clutter so if it doesn’t serve a purpose, it goes. I have to live this way as a military wife–we pick up and move often.
    How do I consign my items?
    My consignment store accepts almost everything. I call them when I know I need to “lose a little weight” with the clutter and make an appointment. I box my items up into categories: seasonal clothes, shoes, accessories, and housewares. Then I take them on my appointment day and time and they take the boxes from me.
    They do the rest.
    That’s right…no pricing, no garage/yard sales, no dealing with money and change…I just sit and wait for my check to arrive in the mail. The consignment store I go to prices items very fairly. Most of the time I earn more than I would if I were selling the item at a yard sale. They earn 60% of my sale, I earn 40%. They send me a nice little statement on which items I have sold and for how much. Then I get to deposit my check!
    Do you have extra clutter around your house that you could do away with? Try consigning them by following these steps below.
    1. Look in the phonebook or search your city for consignment stores that will give you the most for your items.
    2. Call ahead and see which items they are currently accepting and ask if you need to schedule an appointment or if you can walk-in with items ready.
    3. Ask about their packing policy. How will they accept items? Do they need to be in boxes/on hangers/in bags? Do they need to be cleaned?
    4. Ask about their payment policy. How much you will earn on items? How often will you get paid? When can you expect to receive checks? Is there a consigning fee for each item that may be taken out of your check?
    5. Ask about their expiration policy. What happens to items that have been out for a while that are not selling? Do you pick these up, donate to charity, or do they belong then to the store?
    6. Try consigning at several different consignment stores. One store may take items that another store will not.  
    Consigning may or may not be for you. Some of you may prefer having garage/yard sales. You could try it out and see if you like it and get a little bit of extra cash in your pockets!