Ulta Gift Set

Ulta has a great make up set on sale right now.  It is normally 24.99 but on sale for 19.99 and says it has a value of $200!  If you didn’t save your flier in the paper or if you don’t get the one mailed to you there is one online here that you can print out for $5 off!  So you can get this make up set for $14.99!!!  Think ahead for a Christmas present!

If you sign up for the Ulta Rewards program (or are already a member and scan your card) you will get 4 points for every dollar you spend, so 56 points.  I am doing this based on pre-tax subtotal because I don’t know if it’s based off that or the entire total. 

If you did get your ad in the mail there is a coupon for $3.50 off and 3x the rewards (FYI… in the middle of the mailer there is yet another coupon for 3x the reward points on all your purchases during this promotion, expires 10/23/10).  You have two ways you can do this transaction if you are a rewards member and got the flier in the mail…

Buy the kit for $19.99, use the $3.50 off/3x rewards points, would mean $16.49 OOP and 192 points.

OR you can buy the kit for $19.99, use the $5 printable coupon AND the 3x bonus points coupon from the middle of the flyer, spend $14.99 OOP and get 168 points.  I will probably do this transaction.  Least OOP expense and good deal on rewards.

Rewards scale

500 points = $4.00 off

1000 points = $9.00 off

2000 points = $20.00 off

3000 points = $32.00 off

4000 points = $45.00 off

7500 points = $100.00 off

 

 

P&G Cooking Up Early Detection

I had a catalina print out at Harris Teeter with the following promotion…

Purchase $25 or more worth of qualifying products IN ONE TRANSACTION and receive a Free P&G Pink Cooking Set!

Participating products include:
• Align
• Always
• Aussie
• Bounce
• Bounty
• Cascade
• Charmin
• Cheer
• Clairol
• Cover Girl
• Crest
• Dawn
• Downy
• Duracell
• Era
• Febreze
• Fixodent
• Gain
• Gillette
• Head & Shoulders
• Herbal Essences
• Iams
• Ivory
• Joy
• Kandoo
• Luvs
• Max Factor
• Metamucil
• Mr. Clean
• Natural Instincts
• Nice & Easy
• Olay
• Old Spice
• Oral B
• Pampers
• Pantene
• Pepto Bismol
• Prilosec OTC
• Pringles
• Puffs
• Pur
• Safeguard
• Scope
• Secret
• Swiffer
• Tampax
• Tide
• Vicks
• Zest

Send: Name, address, zip code and phone number, along with the ONE RECEIPT dated between 9/20 – 10/17/10.

Stores that are NOT participating are: Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid, WalMart and Target.  The receipts from these stores will not be honored for this program.

Most grocery stores are participating (call to confirm your local grocer) as well as K-Mart.

Receive a free Cookware Set from Good Cook’s Hope Line including the following (just a reminder that all of these items are PINK as it is for breast cancer awareness… they are hoping cooking with pink items will remind you to “Save the Boobies”!)

• Classic Balloon Whisk
• Nylon Scrub Brush (2 piece)
• Saucepan with lid, (2qt)
• Three Piece Mini Tool Set (spatula, slotted spoon looks like a rounded spatula)

Mail to:

Cookware Offer
P.O. Box 49461
Strongsville OH 44149-0461

Must be postmarked by 11/13/10 and received by 11/27/10 (per the Terms and Conditions on the catalina)

To confirm you can call (866) 315 - 2203

 

 

RDU Day Care Groupon

Do you know anyone who lives out towards the 55 and Highhouse/Green Level Rd. area and needs or uses day care?  There is an AWESOME deal on Groupon today for the Childcare at Little Pros Academy West Cary.  You can get four weeks of daycare starting at $234.  The $234 is the price of the entire four weeks of day care (not weekly cost) and INCLUDES the registration fee!!!  I only wish we lived out closer to that area because I would put Brynn in there in a heartbeat to see how she likes day care.  Only if the one at Tryon and Cary Pkwy were doing it!

 

Here’s the stuff from Groupon for more information…

 

CLICK HERE FOR THE DEAL!!

 

The Fine Print

• Expires Dec 9, 2010
• Must register by 12/9.
• Limit 1 per student.
• May buy 3 more for age 6wks-1year, 4 more for age 1-2, 7 more for age 2-3, 8 more for age 3-4 & 11 more for age 4-5.
• Valid for age level purchased and listed location only.
• Must use 4 weeks consecutively.

Today's side deal gets you a four-week childcare session from Little Pros Academy in West Cary. Choose from the following five options:

• For $304, you get four weeks of full-time childcare for ages six weeks to one year (up to a $1,366 value)
• For $284, you get four weeks of full-time childcare for ages 1–2 (up to a $1,286 value)
• For $250, you get four weeks of full-time childcare for ages 2–3 (up to a $1,150 value)
• For $234, you get four weeks of full-time preschool for ages 3–4 (up to a $1,086 value)

·         For $234, you get four weeks of full-time pre-kindergarten for ages 4–5 (up to a $1,086 value)

·         Registration fee (up to a $150 value) is included with your Groupon

• Brand new facility features daily or weekly enrichment programs, including Spanish, language arts, technology, and movement & sports
• Drop off your child as early as 7 a.m. and pick up by 6 p.m. every weekday

Must begin classes within two months of today. Valid for West Cary location only.

RDU Groupon

 Today’s Groupon is $99 for three laser hair removal treatments at Bella Trio Day Spa which is up to a $600 value which makes it a 84% discount.  Bella Trio is located at 5826 Fayetteville Road Suite 103 in Durham (27713). 

 Also appears to be a side deal… $25 for paintball premium package at Xtreme Kombat which is a $70 value!  This might be a good present for a man in your life (or boy!).

My Weekend Goal

My weekend goal is to learn how to use Google Docs so I can put stuff out there that I use and then you can have access to them for your own use!  I have so many forms and lists and such that I come up with that it has to be helpful or useful to someone other than myself!

I’m such a nerd when it comes to stuff like that, but for some reason people still like me!  Hope you are up for a good weekend!  I know I am… I don’t have to clean.  I have hired a lady to come in and clean the house.  I feel like a slacker for doing that, but more on that later.  I have to concentrate on getting down my to do list that I have been longing to get to and will possibly have the time this weekend since I won’t be scrubbing and cleaning every nook and cranny that is in my house.

Have a great day!

Aldi's Deals for the Week

Baker’s Corner 4-n-1 Halloween Sprinkle Jar – 2.99

Baker’s Corner Halloween Frosting – 1.29

Baker’s Corner Halloween Confetti Cake Mix - .95

L’Oven Fresh Mini Cupcakes – 1.99

Bake House creations Halloween Sugar Cookie Dough – 1.99

Southern Grove Peanuts & Candy Corn Mix – 1.99

Hallween Orange Cream Soda – 1.79

PurAqua Purified Water – 2.79

Bake House Creations Halloween Cookie Dough – 1.99

Bake House Creations Halloween Cinnamon Rolls – 1.49

Bake House Creations Halloween Cinnamon Twists – 1.79

Benton’s Haunted House Kit – 6.99

Children’s Halloween Costumes – 12.99

Blue Motion Girls’ Opaque Tights – 2.99

Autumn Tableware – .99

Renwick Fall Candle Assortment – 4.99

Happy Harvest Chili Style Diced Tomatoes - .49

Happy Harvest Whole Tomatoes – .89

Brookdale Chili with Beans – 1.19

Chef’s Cupboard Family Size Soup – 1.19

Chef’s Cupboard Soups – 1.99

Chef’s Cupboard Hearty Soup or Chili Mix – 1.69

Chef’s Cupboard Refrigerated Soups – 3.69

Plats du Chef French Onion Soup – 3.99

Savoritz Soup, Chili & Chowder Crackers – 1.69

Savoritz Cornbread Crackers – 1.29

Kirkwood Boneless Buffalo Style Zings Chicken – 4.99

Bremer Select Dinner Size Italian Meatballs – 4.99

Sea Queen Breaded Fish Strips – 2.99

Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Deep Dish Mini Pizzas – 2.29

Cooper’s Toasted Ravioli – 2.69

Season’s Choice Sweet Potato Fries – 1.89

Blue Horizon Pasta – 3.99

Bremer Frozen Rice - .99

Reggano Pasta Skillet Dinners - .89

Fit & Active Light Cranberry Juice – 2.29

Nature’s Nectar 100% Apple Juice (Caprisun-esque drinks) – 2.29

Beaumont Flavored Coffee Creamer – 1.29

Earthwise Electric Chain Saw – 39.99

Earthwise Electric Blower/Vacuum – 34.99

Gardenline Lopper and Mini Shear Set – 7.99

Gardenline Expandable Garden Bag – 6.99

Gardenline Telescopic Rake or Broom – 3.99

Workzone 32 Piece Screwdriver Set – 7.99

Workzone 16 Piece Wrench Set – 9.99

Wells Lamont Work Gloves – 4.99

Adventuridge Mens’ Hooded Sweatshirt – 14.99

Adventuridge Men’s Stell Toe Work Boots – 24.99

Fruit of the Loom Men’s Work Socks – 4.29

WD 40 Oil – 2.49

Fall Holiday Flower Assortment – 4.99

** The below items may Not be available at all locations **

O’Donnells White Chocolate Cream Liqueur – 8.99

Crofton Utility Heater – 14.99

Adventuridge Men’s Work Coat – 29.99

Burrylane Ladies’ Fleece Lined Hoodie – 12.99

 

 

Link to Get You Thinking

DIY Natural is a site that I found some information on a few months back regarding homemade laundry detergent and then it populate for a search I did for the homemade dishwasher detergent.  Matt Jabs says a few things that caught my eye…

“I do not publish any homemade product recipes until they are tried, tested, & approved by both me and my wife!”

“This post is just another small step toward another form of independence – another notch in the self-reliance belt if you will.  It’s about changing our mindsets to encourage creative thought.  It’s also about family fun time together.”

I think I am going to peruse the site and see what else is out there that we can make for ourselves.

Homemade Dishwasher Detergent

I am so tired of paying so much for dishwasher detergent!  I found it for a great deal many many many moons ago and bought six things of it, but those have now run out and I was forced to pay almost full price for dishwasher detergent.  I have contemplated many times on whether or not I should just stop using the dishwasher because I have so much Dawn that I have netted for free (or just tax) with sales and coupons.  Seriously, I have at least TEN THINGS of dish soap under my sink.  Whilst reading my daily email from Money Saving Mom today there was an entry on how she found a recipe for making your own dishwasher detergent, so I perused it and am thinking that it might just work. 

Ingredient list

::  1 Cup Borax

::  1 Cup Washing Soda

::  ½ Cup Kosher Salt

::  ½ Cup Citric Acid

Directions

::  Put all ingredients into a container with a tight fitting lid and shake.

::  Use about 1 TB per load

::  Pour some white vinegar into the "rinse aid" compartment of your dishwasher. This will help to keep your dishes from having a "cloudy" look!

Julie also states on her site, Flitterbugs, “If you do a bit of research on homemade detergent, you will find lots of "controversy" as to how well it works. Apparently, much of this has to do with what type of water you have. Also, it is debated as to whether or not borax is "good" for the dishwasher, as it can build up in your plumbing. Dig a little deeper, and you will find that all commercial dishwashing detergents have a borax-like ingredient....they just also have a chemical to keep the plumbing clear. It is a good idea to every month or so use a regular detergent for just one cycle to clean out the buildup. Enjoy!”

I made my own laundry detergent a while back and it’s worked out great so why wouldn’t this?  I’m not sure what hubs is going to think about this venture, but why not?  I don’t think that I really spend that much on dishwasher detergent each year… let’s say an average of $4 (paired with sale and coupon) for a thing of the packets, tabs, gel packs, whatever you call them as we don’t use the liquid stuff.  One thing last for about two months, so $4 x 6 = $24 per year.  Is that really worth the time and effort to make my own?  It doesn’t sound like it takes much time or effort and I already have all the ingredients less the citric acid.  I wonder how much that is?  I could probably get away with getting the liquid detergent and probably not spend as much and cut my cost without having to worry about making this stuff.  I don’t know… I have to find out how much citric acid is first.

Here’s another helpful link for homemade dishwasher detergent.  I’ve checked out this site before and it is extremely helpful for homemade alternatives and a wealth of information.

 

 

Operation Christmas Child

This year I have decided that Aly is old enough to start learning that Christmas is not all about Santa bringing a bunch of presents, but is about giving, especially to those that are less fortunate than we are.  I have decided this year that we will be contributing to Operation Christmas Child.

Operation Christmas Child is where you fill a shoe box with small gifts, toys, hygiene items, etc. and wrap with Christmas paper and they get sent to a child in a different country who otherwise probably wouldn’t receive any gifts. 

Here are the basics on the program…

::  Determine which age/sex you are buying for

::  Fill a shoebox with little things

::  Include a note (picture if you want) to the child and include your address, you might get a letter back

::  Wrap the box and lid separately

::  Put a rubber band around the box

::  Put a label on the box (denoting who you are preparing it for)

::  Include a donation of $7 (or more) per box

::  Drop off at a location near you

That is all you have to do! 

Helpful links

::  Operation Christmas Child home page

::  Directions on how to prepare your box and labels

::  EZ Give option (can track your box) and labels

::  Find drop off location near you

To help Aly understand this concept I am going to get on the OCC website and tell her about it and explain what it is, what they are doing, who the kids are, what their lives are like, how they wouldn’t have any Christmas presents otherwise and stuff like that.  I think putting pictures with the words will help her little mind understand it better.

 

Lyrical Friday

We are going with a Lyrical Friday this week.  I normally rock out to some music at work on Fridays.  My play list is very diverse and includes a lot of various music types that some might be surprised to hear from me!  Regardless… Here is the first one for the day.  See if you can’t figure it out!

“They can beg and they can plead but they can’t see the light cause the boy with the cold hard cash is always Mr. Right!”