Cha-Ching on a Shoestring™

Living Large on a Limited Budget

Amazon: ALEX Toys Hoops for the Tub or Water Flutes as low as $6.50 (Reg. $13)

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

Picture 12Amazon has the ALEX Toys Bathtime Fun Hoops for the Tub for $6.50 right now, regularly $13.

  • Suction-cup net hold balls so they are easy to retrieve
  • Includes 3 colorful balls
  • Balls are also water squirters
  • Safe for toddlers and phthalate-free
  • Award winner

Plus, the ALEX Toys Bathtime Fun Water Flutes are also marked down right now. Get them for just $7.50 – regularly $15!

  • Make music in the tub
  • Real water flute
  • Fill the flutes with varying amounts of water for multiple tones
  • Waterproof song sheets included
  • Part of the Tub Tunes Collection

These would make a cute gift set. Snag them while the price is hot!

Get FREE 2-Day shipping with Amazon Prime or FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of $35 or more.

Remember – Amazon prices change frequently and without notice. Please verify that this price hasn’t changed before purchasing.

Thanks, Couponing To Disney and Swag Grabber!

Amazon: PlasmaCars for $34.98 – Reg. $70! (Thru Today)

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

Picture 1Thru today (11/3) Amazon has several of the highly-rated PlasmaCars marked down to $34.98, regularly $70!

  • No gears, batteries or pedals. Just steer and away you go.
  • Multiple award winner
  • Great exercise inside or outdoors.
  • Sleek, innovative design
  • The PlasmaCar is meant to be used on a smooth, flat, hard surface and will not function properly on carpet, grass, gravel, sand or any surface with “give”.

These look super fun! Grab one while they’re 50% off and stache it in your Christmas gift closet.

Get FREE 2-Day shipping with Amazon Prime or FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of $35 or more.

Remember – Amazon prices change frequently and without notice. Please verify that this price hasn’t changed before purchasing.

Thanks, Hip 2 Save!

My Secret to a Stress-Free December {So I Can Savor the Holidays}

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

Secret to a Stress Free December

My Secret to a Stress-Free December

And just like that – the calendar page turns and Christmas is right around the corner.

If I’m being real, it wasn’t too long ago that the imminent arrival of Christmas struck fear in my heart. My theme song for the holiday season wasn’t as much “Joy to the World”as it was “Blue Christmas”. As hard as I tried to do Christmas well, the stress of the season overshadowed the joy I knew I was supposed to feel.

Then there was that year that I cried on Christmas and everything changed. I knew there had to be a better way.

Then I stumbled upon something that finally allowed me to participate in the wonder of the holiday season just like my children do. And I’m about to share it with you.

Are you ready? My secret to a stress-free December is: 

November. 

I used to be the one declaring that the word “Christmas” should not escape our lips until 12:01 am on the day after Thanksgiving and not a second sooner. And I still hold back from starting any Christmas traditions with my kids until then.

But now November is my month. I grab my To Do list and knock out as much Christmas prep as possible. All in the hopes that I can actually savor the Advent season.

There are three parts to my strategy:

1. 20 Minute Missions.

Each day in November, I tackle an item on my To Do list for 20 minutes. From Christmas cards to photo projects to de-cluttering, my goal is that by the end of the month I will have put in hours of Christmas prep without feeling like I did. And the result is a long list of to-do’s has become a very short list.

I’ll be sharing my 20 Minute Missions on The Merry Little Christmas Project Facebook page each day. Want to join me? Head over and LIKE the page to be part of our Christmas-loving community.

2. Shopping Complete by December 1st.

Sound crazy? Maybe, but it sure beats fighting the masses on Christmas Eve – as I’ve been known to do a time or two before.  I’ve found that crossing this off my To Do list in November has allowed me SO much more time to partake in the wonder of the Christmas season in December.

Are there usually still a few gifts to buy in those last few weeks? Sure. (I don’t want to mention any names, but some husbands people have a hard time getting their lists to me in a timely fashion. Ahem.) But this is my biggest stress reliever of them all – and it CAN be done!

3. Wrapping it Up.

Gone are the days of staying up all hours of the night the week before Christmas to finish wrapping all. those. presents.

I had a brilliant idea a few years ago – why not wrap presents as I buy them instead? Ok, so maybe I wasn’t the first person to make this discovery, but whoever did sure was smart.

So my goal is to wrap all my gifts during the month of November. What works for me is to set aside some time each Friday to do so (using my Gift Wrap Station, of course!). You might prefer to wrap presents as soon as you get them home or set aside a couple days during the month to accomplish the task. Whatever works for you!

One small word to the wise – be sure to find a way to indicate which gift is which. It’s easy to forget by December 25th! (I use my Gift Budget Tracker for this.)

Is a Stress-Free December Even Possible?

Of course, is there still a chance that there will be some stress in December? Sure. Christmas has a way of making us long for perfection – and when we don’t find it, stress is sure to pop up its ugly head. But, I promise – if you’ll tackle November with me like this, you’ll be singing “Joy to the World” all December long! And I’ll be singing along.

So what do you think? Are you ready to take the November Challenge with me? 

Want to transform your Christmas with us? My Book The Merry Little Christmas Project – Five Words that will Transform your Christmas has helped thousands of women do just that. If you have ever wished that Christmas didn’t have to be so stressful, I wrote this book for you. Click here to learn more and begin simplifying and organizing your Christmas with me! 

Merry-Little-Christmas-Project-335x500 6

Want help with your Christmas shopping?  I send out one email a day with all the BEST deals I’ve found on Christmas gift ideas.  Click here to sign up – it’s FREE! (Plus you’ll get a free Christmas Gift Budget Tracker just for signing up!)

MyPublisher: Classic Hardcover Photo Book just $10.99 – Shipped! (New Customers)

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

Free Photo Book MyPublisher

MyPublisher is offering new customers a FREE 11.25″ x 8.75″ 20-page Classic hardcover photo book ($35.99 value!). Or if you prefer a larger book, you can opt to take $35.99 off the price.

Choose from the following cover options: photo finish, book jacket, or linen.

Shipping starts at $10.99.

Hurry – this offer ends 11/5.

Click here to claim your coupon code.

Amazon: Manhattan Toy Baby Whoozit Stroller Toy for $7.90 (Reg. $15)

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

Picture 6Amazon has the highly-rated Manhattan Toy Baby Whoozit 6-Inch Stroller and Travel Activity Toy for $7.90 right now, regularly $15!

  • From Manhattan Toy’s award winning Whoozit collection – Baby’s Favorite Friend!
  • Baby Whoozit is a classic, soft, award winning, multi-sensory activity toy, with a big smiling face that babies love
  • Bright colors, patterns, and various textures capture and hold baby’s attention
  • Features include rattles, squeakers, crinkle paper, grasping loops, and a hidden self-discovery mirror under the bid red nose
  • Top loop attaches easily to cribs, car seats and strollers with hook and loop closures, a perfect travel toy

Shopping for a new or expecting Mom? This toy would make a fun gift!

Get FREE 2-Day shipping with Amazon Prime or FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of $35 or more.

Remember – Amazon prices change frequently and without notice. Please verify that this price hasn’t changed before purchasing.

Thanks, Frugal Living NW!

Amazon: Disney Frozen Lunch Tote + Water Bottle for $11.85 (Reg. $30)

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

Picture 4Amazon has the Disney Frozen Lunch Box Carry Bag with Shoulder Strap and Water Bottle for $11.85 right now, regularly $30!

  • Item Measures Approximately 9″ X 9″ X 3″
  • Insulated material and water bottle
  • Adjustable shoulder strap

If you have a Frozen enthusiast to buy for this Christmas, pick up this cute lunch tote while it’s 60% off.

Get FREE 2-Day shipping with Amazon Prime or FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of $35 or more.

Remember – Amazon prices change frequently and without notice. Please verify that this price hasn’t changed before purchasing.

Thanks, Couponing To Disney!

Amazon: NFL Raised Logo Gloves as low as $4.81 (Reg. $10)

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

Picture 2Amazon has several of the NFL Raised Logo Gloves marked down to as low as $4.81 right now!

  • Officially licensed
  • One size fits most hands
  • Rib Knit Elastic Wristbands
  • Machine washable
  • ‘No-Slip-Grip’ Palms and Fingers

These would make a great stocking stuffer for the NFL fan in your life. Or, grab a pair for yourself!

Get FREE 2-Day shipping with Amazon Prime or FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of $35 or more.

Remember – Amazon prices change frequently and without notice. Please verify that this price hasn’t changed before purchasing.

Thanks, She Saved!

Amazon: Disney Infinity 3DS Starter Pack for $25.99 (Reg. $75)

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

Picture 3Wow! Amazon has the Disney Infinity 3DS Starter Pack marked down to just $25.99 right now, regularly $75!

  • The Disney Infinity: Toy Box Challenge Starter Pack comes with the following: video game, three Disney Infinity Figures: Sulley, Captain Jack Sparrow and Mr. Incredible, Disney Infinity Base, one Power Disc, starter Pack Play Set piece, web code card.
  • Join the Disney Infinity Toy Box Challenge where you can compete in your own Toy Box game board! Race, jump, climb or shoot – test out your skills in over 50 mini-games!
  • Form your team and tackle competition in 15 Toy Box game boards and expand your game board experience and mash up characters and worlds.
  • Co-op play with up to 2 players.

If you have a 3DS owner on your Christmas list this year, grab this starter pack while it’s at a fantastic price!

Get FREE 2-Day shipping with Amazon Prime or FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders of $35 or more.

Remember – Amazon prices change frequently and without notice. Please verify that this price hasn’t changed before purchasing.

Thanks, Swag Grabber!