Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

Living Large on a Limited Budget

Groupon Local: Save an Extra 20% for Two Days Only (Christmas Cards from Staples for $0.15 Each and More!)

By
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Christmas Card Deal at Staples

 

There is a new Groupon Local Coupon Code good for 20% off a local deal when you use code GIFT20 at checkout. You can use the code on up to THREE Local deals this time!

Just head over here and click on the Local tab to find deals available in your area. I love the idea of giving experience gifts – and it’s even better when you can find them at a discount!

This makes for an awesome deal on the Staples Christmas Card Deal Groupon. Get 50 5×7 Double-Sided Flat Christmas cards from Staples for $8 or 100 cards for just $15.20 after coupon code. Makes them as low as $0.15 each plus FREE next day pickup!

Valid through 12/13 only.

My Brief Encounter with TLC’s Extreme Couponing Show

By
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Ok…I interrupt my little blogging break for a quick post about last night’s Extreme Couponing show on TLC.  Did you watch?

When this show was being cast, I actually received an email from one of the producers asking if I was an extreme couponer and letting me know that they were going to air a special on this type of person.

My first thought: “Oh fun!  I could be on TV!”

My husband’s response: “But are you sure this is a show you would like to be on?”  (It was shortly after my whole debacle with the Nightline show that ended in my recognition that possibly I do not fit in the classification of Extreme Couponer–or at least in the media’s version of what one looks like.)

So I decided to be completely honest in my response to the producer.  I asked what she meant by ‘extreme couponer’.

The producer’s response: “I guess the real question is, are you an extreme couponer? Do you have mountains of stockpiles?”

To which I replied:

“Ah yes…the mountains of stockpiles.  I have a pantry and a closet that are pretty well filled.  I guess the issue is that I am not a hoarder, so I choose to give much of my ‘loot’ away!  I’m sure I could coupon with the best of them though if given the opportunity.  The drugstore is my playing field.  I regularly walk away from drugstores having paid pennies for bags of health and beauty and grocery products.

But if you are looking for someone who has a garage full of three years of toilet paper, then I guess I wouldn’t fit the bill. :)”

And I never heard from them again.

And now I see why.

What were your thoughts on the show if you watched it?  I had mixed reactions, but I’d love it if you leave a comment and share your thoughts!

Note: If you didn’t get a chance to watch the show last night, check out the schedule to find out when it will air again.

Ask the Readers: How Do You Give Back?

By
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Reader Julie left this comment on the Facebook page today and it warmed my heart, so I wanted to share:

“I just got an email about a food pantry that needs donations for Thanksgiving. Thanks to couponing I went to my pantry and loaded up a HUGE box for them!!! It feels so good to be able to give back. I used to feel stressed and that I was taking away from my family because I was giving to others. Now, I know that these items will easily be replaced for little or no money, but the reward is so much greater because our family can help another have a great Thanksgiving meal!!! Happy Giving All!!!!!”

I am a firm believer that couponers have the knowledge and resources to help those who in need.  We have learned how to stretch each dollar to the point that it can feed not only our own families, but others as well.

I encourage you to take Julie’s challenge to heart and begin thinking of ways that you can use your couponing skills to bless others, particularly during this holiday season.  I currently have a box in my garage that is getting filled with food for our local food bank.  (Now I just need to remember to take it there!)

How about you?  How do you bless others with your great deals?

Ask the Readers: Simple Healthy Lunch Alternatives

By
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Would you like to have these great deals delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email digest. Or if you use a feed reader, subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for stopping by!

I went to make lunch today for my boys and I was not feeling the sandwich love.  So I threw a post up on Facebook asking readers to share ideas for simple, healthy lunch alternatives.  I am loving the response!

Check out the great ideas on the Facebook page and while you’re there, feel free to leave your own!  (Or scroll down and leave a comment on this post.)

My boys thank you for helping their Momma out!

Ask the Readers: Birthday Cake Ideas

By
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.


A while back, I asked you for Frugal Birthday Party ideas.  I loved your response!  You all had some great ideas.

I have decided to keep things extra simple this year since both boys’ birthdays are in August and it appears that we will be in the midst of a move to our new home.  (*We hope!*)  I know, I know.  I’ve vowed every other year to keep things simple–but this time I mean it!  I’m sticking with a cake and ice cream only event.  (I’m not promising that there won’t be any decorations though!)

I need your help again, dear readers. Ever since the birthday cake fiasco last year, I no longer trust my cake-making skills.

Do you have any recommendations for a simple, easy-to-make, but super cute birthday cake?  (That’s not asking too much, is it?)  And if you happened to have a link to a how-to recipe online, I’d be even more grateful!

By the way, the picture above is a Popcorn Cupcake that my friend Anna made for her daughter’s birthday.  How adorable is that?

Ask the Readers: How Do Keep your Kids Busy over the Summer?

By
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Would you like to have these great deals delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email digest. Or if you use a feed reader, subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for stopping by!


This is the first summer that I have a child who is on ‘summer break’.  Granted, it’s just a break from his 3 day pre-school, and yet for the first time I feel that I need to have PLANS to keep him occupied and active during the summer.  (His daily morning question “Where are we going today, Mommy?” motivates me as well.)

Here are a few FREE ways that I plan to keep my very active four year old busy this summer:

  • We sat down and created a ‘Summer Fun List’.  It’s got lots of ideas and we may or may not get to all of them.  However, I think just knowing that we have activities to look forward to over the summer months has helped to ease his worries about not having anything to do.  (And yes–‘Wrestle with Daddy’ was at the top of list.  I love boys!)
  • We printed out two different  Reading Club Rewards program sheets from our FREE Summer Fun guide.  I like the idea of rewarding him for an activity that he loves to do anyway.  I also discovered that we have a Regal Cinema nearby that is showing FREE family movies two days a week.  We put that on the calendar as well!
  • In two weeks, he will be attending our church’s Vacation Bible School.  This is a great activity to check out in your area.  I know Griffin will love spending time making crafts, learning Bible stories, and singing songs.  (And I’ll enjoy the break too!)
  • We created his first chore chart.  So far he is very enthusiastic about this.  (How long does that usually last, would you say?)  There are many resources available for printing free chore charts.  I just googled free printable chore charts to find mine.

I definitely feel like a rookie at this, so I’d love to have some reader input as well!  What are your plans for making summer fun and rewarding  for your kids?

Ask the Readers: Birthday Parties on a Budget

By
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I will make a small commission if you click and make a purchase.

Would you like to have these great deals delivered right to your inbox? Subscribe to our email digest. Or if you use a feed reader, subscribe to our RSS feed. Thanks for stopping by!

Some of you have asked recently for ideas on how to have a great birthday party on a budget.

And you know what? I think this is a GREAT question to share with you all.

Both of my boys’ birthdays are in August.  I am a big fan of birthday parties and usually end up trying to outdo myself each year (even though each year I vow I will keep things simple!). I just can’t help myself.  I like themes and decorations and lots of people and food and fun.

However, since the birthday cake fiasco last year, I am feeling a little uncertain about my skills in the birthday party arena.

So, help me out, dear readers.

What are your tips for making a birthday party fun without breaking the bank?

{And while you’re at it, I could use some tips on decorating cakes too!}