The Fun @ Savers

If you are a bargain shopper like myself you already know the fun of shopping at thrift stores. Now they can be smelly, dirty and gross sometimes. But you need to decide for yourself what you can handle.

I myself have tried Salvation Army and Goodwill with little success. My favorite store is Savers. I feel that it is cleaner and more organized than other thrift stores. There are still a few smelly things, but everything I buy gets tossed right into the wash machine when I get home anyway.

You can check out their web site here to see if there is a location close to your home. I have two in opposite directions from my house half an hour away. I try to shop on Mondays now thanks to a readers tip that Mondays are $.99 days on certain color tags. Every tag is color coded by how long they have had that item in their store. The longest items are normally the $.99 items. And that is throughout the store, clothes, furniture, etc...

They also have great 50% off days normally on major holidays: Memorial Day, Labor Day & 4th of July. I do tend to hit both stores on those days. But do get there early, don't bring along the littlest of kids, and be prepared to wait in a long check out line.

Plus at the end of the year they offer calenders for the next year with 12 great coupons attached to use every month of the next year. The coupons can't be used on the 50% off days, but they are a good deal themselves.

90% of the book my children have right now are from Savers. Children's books at my Savers are $.69 everyday. I let them pick out books they want so they will read them. They have tons of books in their rooms now. And when they have a book sale at school with used books, I never feel bad donating tons of books because we didn't pay full price for them.

My daughter and oldest son's back-to-school clothes have mostly come from Savers this year. My daughter finally fits into the junior clothes, so she is having a blast finding Abercrombie and Aeropostale shirts for normally around $2 and jeans for $5. My son has countless Abercrombie shirts for $.99 from Monday sales. They are looking good with their peers, wearing designer clothes, and I don't feel bad because I can afford these. My daughter found a practically brand new pair of DC shoes without the laces for $5, we had laces in the basement for a craft project. She just washed them with baby wipes and they are brand new!

I do have to admit, when my daughter started telling everyone where she was getting her clothes, I was a little embarrassed. But that is something I need to work on. She was not embarrassed at all, to her it is the greatest store in the world, she can't figure out why more people don't shop there.

So, check out Savers web site to see if there is a location close to you, and go with an open mind and check it out. I am not receiving any compensation for writing this review, I just really love this store and want to help other Mom's dress their kids for less this year.

It's Never to Early to Think About CHRISTMAS!

With all the great deals going on for school supplies, it got me to thinking about Christmas Shoeboxes. Samaritans Purse is a wonderful charity that distributes Christmas Boxes to underprivileged children all over the world. You can click here to get all the directions on how to pack your own Christmas box.

Step one:

Get a box.

If you shop at Target you notice that the majority of their shoes come in boxes. Obviously if you are in the market for new shoes, just use that box. But you can ask your Target cashier if he/she has any empty shoe boxes in their garbage at the lane. You can also go through the shoe department and pluck out boxes that are already empty. Lots of people don't want the bulky shoe box at their home, so they just take the shoes and leave the box. Be sure to ask if it is OK before you leave the store.

Step Two:

Decorate the box.

This is optional, but it makes for a fun project for little ones. We have decorated our with everything from paint, contact paper, to wrapping paper. Use what you have around the house already. The wrapping paper doesn't have to be Christmas paper, just cheerful. You can also use old paper grocery bags and decorate with stickers. Use your imagination. Be sure to wrap the box "Hollywood" style, so you wrap the bottom separate from the lid of the box for easy opening.

Step Three:

Fill the box.

This is by far the most fun part. There is a detailed list of suggestions to pack on their web site.

This is the list of items NOT to include:

Used or damaged items;

war-related items such as toy guns, knives or military figures;

chocolate or food;

out-of-date candy;

liquids or lotions; (including Purell products)

medications or vitamins;

breakable items such as snowglobes or glass containers;

aerosol cans,

So aside from the above items, use your imagination again! Small toys, beauty supplies, school supplies, clothing, socks, hard candy, etc... Make sure it will fit into the box, and fit in as much as you can. You can also include a letter and picture of your family if you would like.

Step Four:

Drop off box.

My kids and I normally make a day of this. We talk about how these boxes will help children all over the world. They are even normally planning their boxes for the next year at this point. This is the link for drop off locations, they do not have the 2008 year updated yet. Drop off this fall is November 17 - 24th, so they can get them to the children by Christmas time.

What my family does:

I am always on the lookout for inexpensive toys and clothes to put into my box. I start shopping for our shoeboxes the day after Christmas. This year we have Target clothes (shorts & tops) that I got for $.74 each, harmonicas that were $.24 each, small stuffed animals $1.00 each, and countless crayons and coloring book for real cheap. This year thanks to discovering CVS, I already have countless tooth brushes, tooth pastes and deodorants. Go into your freebie stash to see what you can use too! If you are always looking for inexpensive toys and such, you can fill the boxes easily in the fall. I have a large box in my pantry that I keep putting the "finds" in. When it comes time to pack them, we sort through the stuff and see what fillers we need.

It is a great family tradition in my house, and teaches the kids to be grateful for what they have everyday.

So, while you are finding the great back-to-school sales on supplies, why not get a few extra crayons for a quarter and send them to some kids who would really appreciate them.

Free Trip to the Minnesota Zoo

My kids and I enjoyed a free day at the Minnesota Zoo on Wednesday, thanks to 107.1FM and Stephanie & Meridith. I was driving to pick up the kids on their last day of school Tuesday, and they wanted people to call in to tell them how they are being frugal. WHAT! I grabbed my phone and dialed as quickly as possible. Stephanie & Meridith asked what I did to cut back and save money, I told them about how my husband works in the mortgage business, and we have been struggling, income wise, for over two years now. I then told them about my coupon clipping and asking for free samples here on my site. I was just expecting a "thank you" but she told me I could have 4 free tickets to the Minnesota Zoo the next day to watch them do their broadcast!


The kids were so excited! The price to get in to the zoo is $14/adult and $8/kid and $5/parking, we got all that free. We were then escorted into a secret room behind the new Grizzly Bear exhibit to where Stephanie & Meridith were broadcasting. The station also provided each of us a free catered lunch of yummy sandwiches, chips and bottles of water. We got to sit there and watch the show, but we were able to roam in and out to explore the zoo at our convenience. Timmy wanted to go see the bears, so we watched for about 45 minutes, then hit the zoo.

We made it all the way back to the trailer ride to the farm. We saw at least half the zoo in a four hour period. We took in the bird show, and made it back to the broadcast to see an owl up close and personal. The older kids said it was the most fun day ever. I told them that sometimes being frugal pays off in strange and unusual ways, like free tickets to the zoo.

So for the cost of 1/4 tank of gas we had a great day. I want to personally thank 107.1FM and Stephanie & Meridith for being able to give my kids this treat. We would not have been able to make the trek to the other side of the cities without their help.

At-Home Pedicures

The following video is a good example of a home pedicure. It is a little sexy in nature, but shows the basics of pampering your own feet. My daughter & I often give each other at-home pedicures, just for fun. Just remember, you don't need to wear fishnets & heels to pamper yourself!


Polish Tips from http://www.footcandy.com/:

Remove yellowing and dark polish residue with a cotton ball dipped in hydrogen peroxide. Leave on for 3-5 minutes.

Use a nail buffer to smooth ridges and buff out stains.

Always file in one direction for a smooth finish.

When it comes to polish, look for shimmer - not glitter.

Brush on a basecoat before polish for a smooth surface.

If polish has separated, roll the bottle between your hands to mix it -- shaking can cause air bubbles on nails.

To keep polish from bleeding, dab cuticle oil skin surrounding the nail before applying color. HOWEVER, keep oil off of nail bed or polish will not adhere.

Get a thin coat of polish by pressing the brush against one side of the bottle lip as you pull it out.

With dark polish, paint the nail tip first then coat the whole nail.

Opalescent polish coats should be extra thin to avoid looking thick.

Avoid quick-dry topcoats that dry prematurely. Your pedicure will end prematurely as well.

Reapply topcoat every other day to extend pedicure.

Quick chip fix: lightly rub polish remover over chip to smooth edges. Then apply a coat of polish and a top coat.

Store your polish in the fridge to preserve consistency.


Not everyone has the time or money to have a pedicure done at the salon. But everyone can do a pedicure at home, using supplies that you already have around the house.

1. The first step in a pedicure is to clip or file the toenails. The nails should be filed straight across, rounded slightly at the corners conforming to the shape of the toe. You should never clip or file into the corners of the toenails as this could cause you to have ingrown nails.

2. Soak feet in a foot bath of warm, soapy water until the water cools. This will allow the dry, calloused skin to soften. You can use a foot file, which can be bought at a beauty supply store, to rub off the dry skin. Wet the foot file, apply soap and rub gently in a circular motion across all areas of the foot. Repeat on the other foot. Allow one foot to continue soaking while you work on the opposing foot.

3. Remove feet from the basin and pat dry with a towel. Use a cotton swab or an orangewood stick to apply a cuticle removing solution to the cuticle and under the free edge of each nail. Gently loosen the cuticle of each nail, keeping the cuticle moist with water or additional cuticle solution. Do not cut the cuticles, this can cause pain and infection. If you have any hangnails or loose pieces of skin around the nails, you may carefully trim them with cuticle trimmers or toenail clippers.

4. Wipe excess cuticle solvent off of feet with a damp towel. Massage each toe and foot with a thick foot cream or lotion. Allow lotion to penetrate feet for 5 minutes. For extra soften of extremely dry feet, wrap feet in a wet warm towel after you apply the foot cream. Wet your towel, ring out excess water, and heat the towel in the microwave for 30 or 40 seconds. Do not leave the towel unattended in the microwave.

5. Rinse both feet in a warm, soapy, basin of water. Scrub off any excess lotion or dry skin by using an exfoliating cream such as an apricot scrub. Rinse feet and dry them throughly.

6. Wipe each toenail with a polish remover to remove any residue of the lotion or exfoliant. Apply a clear, base coat of nail polish and allow it to dry completely. Then apply two coats of the nail color of your choice. Allow polish to dry.

7. Rub a light hand or foot lotion on feet, ankles and calves.

Giving yourself a pedicure twice a month will keep your feet looking healthier and more attractive. In the summer time when feet are exposed to the weather, pool and beach, your feet may benefit from a weekly pedicure.

Mom's Favorite Things

When I started thinking about posting my favorite things, this bag is the very first thing I thought of. My favorite things for this week is SNAPTOTES.COM

I have two bags in my house from Snap Totes. Mine is a Everyday Bag that starts at $95.00, and my daughter has a Clutch purse that starts at $50.00. Here is what Snap Totes is, and how it works:

First of all you must have a digital picture that you want on a bag or purse. Go to the Snap Totes web site here to look at the different bag options. They are expanding their collection every year, and it has grown alot. There are many bags to look at from other orders. My bag was on there for a year, but has been taken down to show new ones. When you find one you like, just follow the prompts to download your picture. You can do one side or two sides with different pictures on each side. There are so many options, you will be playing for awhile!

This is the inside picture of my bag. I have my daughters first solo with two different pictures on both sides. I use the bag at dance competitions and conventions only. My reason, I want it to last until she is a senior in high school. As you can see, the Everyday Bag can hold alot of stuff. This is what I typically carry on competition days: program, book, book light, flashlight, large can of hair spray, hair strainer, curling iron, pop or water bottle, snacks, candy of some sort, female hygiene products, pens, highlighters, bobby pins, safety pins, hair brush, hair comb, lipstick, eye liner, a costume, and foot undies. There is normally a camera shoved in there too, but I needed it to take the picture. It is heavy, but the straps fit over my shoulder comfortably so it isn't to bad.

My daughters purse is smaller, but the perfect size for her. I ordered it in black & white for a different effect. She also got the bright green liner to make it pop. Hers fits all that she needs and has tons of room left. She likes caring it to competitions too, it has two pictures of her dance friends from a dance convention a few years back. I know it was alot of money for a young girl, but these are her best friends, and I thought it was worth it. Plus I told her how much it cost, so she does take care of it better.

As many of you know, I like to get good deals. Two years ago when I started looking for these bags, I did my research. Snap Totes was the nicest, best quality bag I could find, and they were the most inexpensive too. Now that's a bargain in my book. I know of at least three good friends of mine at dance that have gotten purses or bags too. Theirs turned out just as beautifully as mine did. This is a high quality company, producing a high quality product. I can not say enough about Snap Totes.

Other ideas for using them if your kids are not in dance?

Sooooo many things:

Sports pictures

Wedding pictures

baby pictures

pet pictures

vacation pictures

Christmas pictures

graduation pictures

family portraits

kids art work pictures

collage pictures

vintage pictures

In Memory of pictures

The possibilities are literally endless. They offer many different collections, including men's and a leather collection. The reusable lunch bag or messenger bag will probably be my next purchase!

So go check out Snap Totes to see how your picture will look on a bag or purse. With Mother's Day coming up, this would truly bring tears to her eyes!

Mom's Favorite Things...seeds

I have been planting inside my home for the last month now, waiting for spring to finally arrive in Minnesota. It is nice out, but not warm enough to work the land yet. I found a new seed and plant resource this winter while planning out my garden.

Burgess Seed & Plant Co.

They have: Bulbs, Fruits and Nut Trees & Shrubs, Ground Cover, Hedges, House Plants, Perennials, Roses, Shrubs, Trees, Vegetables, Vines and Water Plants.

If there is something hard to find that your local nursery doesn't carry, this is the place that has everything. They offer a free catalog to browse through to find everything you need, and have great sales through out the year. Processing your order takes 1-2 weeks, then they ship them when the temperature is right for planting in your zone.

So whatever you are looking for , be sure to check out Burgess Seed & Plant Co., it is one of my favorite things.

Mom's Favorite Things

Do you already receive the Family Fun Magazine? It is a great magazine about crafts with kids, vacation ideas, and fun stories about real families. I have been reading this magazine for over 5 years now.

Did you know they have a Research Panel? It is free to join, and they send you a few e-mails throughout the year. They are looking for input about story ideas and want your ideas and tips. I have been on the research panel for a few years now, and have answered all the e-mails but one. If they select your story or idea they can print it in the Family Fun magazine and you will get paid $100 for it! After each survey question you are entered into a drawing for cash prizes. Plus after you answer two surveys you are eligible for a free prize! Last year we won a craft project of decorating your own Frisbee. Today I got to choose between a free Family Fun book or a free one year subscription for myself or a friend.

We have never won the drawing or been in the magazine yet, but the prizes have been coming in the mail. You do not have to have a subscription to Family Fun to be in the research panel, but some of the questions are about their advertising in the magazine. Alot of the idea questions are about things you do around your house, and their is often a place to download your picture to go along with the story.

Sign up today to be on the Family Fun Research Panel, it is easy and one of my favorite things.