Adventures in Deployments 3...2 months down!!

Hmmmm, life has been super busy.  We have had quite the month.  Actually, the anniversary date was the 16th so I am a little behind in my post, but I wanted to wait until I was done with the 25 Days of Super Savings deals that I have been doing this month.   

I think between the three of us we have been sick 25 out of the 30 days......yuck, yuck, yuck!  It's that time of year, everyone is sick and thus unless you live like a hermit you are going to get sick too.  J turned 3 this month.  It was very bitter-sweet planning a party and doing the actual birthday "day!"  It was nice that his birthday fell on a school day and I had extra back up to make it a special day from his teacher whom I adore.  J's birthday will always be a special day for my dear husband and I, not only as we celebrate our first born, but J's birth was 5 years in the making.  A feat that is not easy when you do 4 deployments in 5 years.

The kids are adjusting amazingly well.  Little ones are so much resilient than we are!  J occasionally goes on trips to Afghanistan where he drives a garbage truck.  We talk a lot about Marines and what their job is (I have never said a word about garbage trucks so I'm not sure where that is coming from) and why some Marines are here and some are gone.  He understands a lot.......I'm learning that kids understand a lot more than we think they do.

CB is a little clueless, but she loves to see her Daddy on Skype and she always shouts "dada," loudly when she hears the Skype phone ringing. 

We all can't wait for him to come home.  The mail cut off date will be soon which means we should be getting a return date window in the next couple of months.  That will be a good day!!

Adventures in Three Year Old Proofing

So yes, we are now 3 and with that comes a whole new slew of issues.  J has now decided that he needs to ask 800 million questions about everything.  He also is enthralled by medicine.  We had an incident 2 weeks ago where he decided to paint his fingernails and toenails hot pink, while I was one the phone with tech support for my laptop.  Honestly, he did a pretty good job...

He is also fascinated by medicine.  He has had this fascination ever since his sister has needed meds for her reflux starting at 2 weeks old.  I caught him in our "drug" stash numerous times in the last 3 days.  I have also called poison control for drinking infant Tylenol and eye drops.  Fun, Fun, Fun times.  So I bought a locking tackle box to put the meds in and I still find him climbing on top of the counter to get the box, but he can't open it....yet...........

In response to this past few days, I am suggesting you go to Safe Beginnings for all your child proofing needs.  You might not need to purchase from them (yes, you can find most of the products for cheaper at other site, but this site will point you in the right product direction), but they will have ideas and solutions for any "issue" you might be having. 

You know if  he turns into a pharmacist, or nurse, or doctor one day this will all be a funny episode in our lives.  A pre-curser to what he eventually became...a time we can look back and say "see, even at 3 he was showing this aptitude."  But if not, then this is just really super exhausting!!

Super Savings Day 25

It's the last day of Super Savings!!

Cyber Monday 2011 is tomorrow and retailers such as Amazon, Target, and Walmart are all ready to offer more ads and sales prices on items from electronics to apparel and more and you won't have to leave your house or office to shop. Do not forget to shop through Ebates so that you can earn cash back on all your purchases.  They have just added Amazon as a retailer, although you can't earn cash from shopping with Amazon you can earn coupons for future purchases..

Some Amazon deals include: Xbox 360 bundle for $199, Sony Cybershot DSC-HX5V 10.2 MP Digital Camera: $199, Pentax K-5 Digital SLR (Body Only): $999 and Nokia N8 (Unlocked): $299.99 (save $249).

The Target is promoting several deals online throughout what they are calling "Cyber Week."

Kicking off the event on Target's Cyber Monday will be the following discounted items:

Movies starting at $3.99

$100 in free accessories -- cradle, LCD screen protector and AC Adapter -- when you buy a Sony Tablet S ($499.99)

Over 30% off some electronics

60 percent off a top selling scooter ($19.99)

30 to 50% off toys

Buy one, get one free pillow sets.

Here’s a list of the deals released by Walmart:

Toshiba 32” LCD HD TV – $249
Hot Wheels Mega Garage Playset – $25

Xbox 360 Holiday Gamer Bundle with choice of select game plus bonus Halo Reach, Fable 3 and 3-month Xbox Live card – $319

Disney Cars 2 Lightning McQueen Talking Feature Chair – $19

Tramontina Dutch Oven – $35

Danskin Now Women’s Velour Hoodie and Pant Set –$12

Fuji Finepix AX330 14MP Camera Bundle with bonus case and 4GB card – $59

Oral-B Professional Care Electric Toothbrush with Bonus Free Crest 3D White Strips – $36

 

Super Savings Day 24

Right now, Netflix is offering up a FREE 1-month trial membership to their streaming movie and TV show service.  You can connect to Netflix and view any of their offerings through Wii, Xbox 360, PS3, phone or Apple TV.  After your free month is up, you can cancel or pay $7.99 for the next month.

If you decide to pay for your second month of service for just $7.99, you’ll also get a FREE $10 Papa Johns gift card! If you treat the gift card like cash, you’re getting paid $2.01 to try Netflix for 2 months!

Super Savings Day 23

Thanks to MaryBeth over at Baby Good Buys for this amazing deal!!
If you’ve been waiting for an amazing deal on a KitchenAid mixer, Kohl’s has one all lined up for you! You will get 20% off with the updated promo code. You’ll pay a bit less out of pocket but you’ll get less Kohl’s Cash.

Feel free to add something for about $8 to your cart to get your total over $150 AFTER the promo code is applied. If you do that you’ll get another $15 in Kohl’s cash! 

• Visit the KitchenAid page at Kohls.com
• Look for the white KitchenAid Plus 4.5 qt Stand Mixer that’s on sale for $199.99. Plus, you’ll get an extra 10% off that price because the Thanksgiving sale is going on!
• Add the mixer to your cart
• If you’d like to get another $15 in Kohl’s Cash, add something for about $8 (before coupon code) to your cart
• and head to the checkout screen.
• Enter Kohls.com promo code CON20HH4 to get another 20% off.
• Your total cost today should be $143.99 plus a $3.25 shipping surcharge and your local sales tax.
• You will earn $15 in Kohl’s Cash for every $50 you spent (a total of $30 to be used like cash at Kohl’s starting 11/28)
• Submit for this $20 KitchenAid Mail in rebate
• Your grand total after the rebate and Kohl’s Cash is right around $103 after taxes!

Finally, don’t forget to shop through Ebates and get 4% cash back on your entire purchase! Even better, new users will get a $10 gift card to a store of your choice!

Super Savings Day 22

Toys R Us and Babies R Us are cleaning out to make way for black Friday sales in all the  brick and mortar stores.  All clearance clothing is $2.00.  I picked up swim suits for both my kids (we need several down here in beach country) as well as several pairs of shorts and skirts.  They also have summer shoes on clearance. 

The R Us rewards program is pretty good, and they tend to send out coupons frequently.  You can earn 10% Back on your holiday purchases at Toys"R"Us and Babies"R"Us, in-store or online, from October 30, 2011 — December 24, 2011. You can receive up to $50 "R"Us Dollars during this period.  You may also earn Free Diapers, Infant Formula, Greeting Cards, and LeapFrog® items: LeapFrog program ends 12/24/11.  You earn rewards when family & friends purchase from your baby registry.  They are always having member-only Shopping Events and you will receive exclusive email discounts.

Super Savings Day 21

Dick"s Sporting Goods is having a one days sale right now with some great deals on hunting and fishing equipment.  They also have some good deals on exercise equipment as well as work out clothes and running shoes.

Super Saving Day 20

Ann Taylor Loft is having a 40% off EVERYTHING until Monday with the code TAKE40 at checkout.  This is an online only sale!!

Super Savings Day 19

Over at BabySteals and KidSteals they are having a shop the archive event.  BabySteals and KidSteals are both a deal-of-the-day website. They sell two awesome products per day at up to 80% off until they sell out. Everyday at 9am MST and 9pm MST another amazing "steal" starts at a price so good that it's not just a deal, it's a steal! the archives are a list of all the previous steals that haven't sold out yet.  There are tons of items including clothing, toys and even cloth diapers!! 

Super Saving Day 18

Shutterfly has 40% off all photo books with the code BOOK40.  You can also get free shipping on all orders over $30 with the code SHIP30. Right now is the best time to get moving on these for fantastic holiday gifts for grandparents!

Super Savings Day 17

Have you heard of Mamasource?  Mamasource deals offers you incredible discounts on family-friendly products and services in your area. It is a site very similar to Groupon.  I have used them several times for credits to various online stores.  Right now they are running a deal for a 16x20 gallery wrapped canvas though Image canvas for 65% off making the deal $39.  They also have deals for Little Heroes Personalized Children's books.

Super Savings Day 16

I love Zulily! You never know exactly what you'll find because the brands they offer change every day. It's like finding a treasure chest full of cute stuff. Membership is free and once you sign up you are not obligated to purchase anything, it just gives you access to the site sales.  Right now they have some super cute sales including Jelly the Pug clothing, Robeeze, and Hap clothing.  Future sales include Stride Rite and Melissa and Doug.

Super Savings Day 15

Have you joined Totsy yet??  Totsy is a private shopping site where members can find up to 85% off on products and services for the family.  Totsy holds exclusive sales events online everyday featuring the best brands for moms, moms-to-be and kids. Sales events last between 48 and 72 hours.
Find items for your family including kids apparel, shoes, toys, baby gear, travel accessories, education materials, maternity and so much more.   This site is where I found Stride Rite shoes for CB for more than 1/2 off retail last month.  Right now they have some great home decor items as well as some fantastic toy sales going on.

Super Savings Day 14

The Mini Social holiday shop it open!!  If you haven't joined Mini Social use the link here.  The Mini Social is an online sample sale website offering its members exclusive access to designer brands for mom, baby and child at up to 70% off.  There are some super cute items in the holiday shop and shipping is free!!  I just picked up a wheely lady bug for Thing 2 and a bag o'pirates for Thing 1!

Super Saving Day 12

You can start shopping Target's Black Friday 'like" deals right now.  To view the deals go here!  I am seeing some fantastic deals on electronics right now!!

Super Saving Day 13

Bath and Body Works has some really great deals online right now.  You can get $1 shipping on a $25 purchase with the code SHIP25.  The signature scent collection is buy 3 get 3 free, hand soap is 4 for $15 or 6 for $20, and wall flowers are 4 for $20 and 6 for $24.  This is a great time to stock up on holiday gifts for teachers and party hostesses!!

Super Savings Day 11

So, Wal-Mart has just released their Back Friday ad.  This is a good way to decide if going into the craziness will be worth it for you!  I am also noticing that they will be open on Thursday night and offering a lot of deals on toys while supplies last.  Remember that Wal-Mart is doing the holidays a little differently this holiday season.  You can read more about that at my previous post.

Super Savings Day 10

Sorry, sickness, birthday and the weekend has invaded my blogging efforts so these next few Super Saving tips will be all from the same day so that I can catch up!!

During November, Ebates (you know I love them!!!) is having several store who are offering double cash back on purchases.  Remember that Ebates lists all coupon codes available so you can be assured that by shoping with Ebates you do not have to go searching for coupon codes!!

Here is a sample list of store offering double cash back (know that there are many more!)

Bloomingdales 6%
Piperlime 10%
The Body Shop 10%
Barnes and Nobel 8%
Lancome 14%
Land's End 6%

Super Savings Day 9

So, it's not even Thanksgiving yet and we are already hearing Christmas music in the stores.  I am not going to lie though, I really kind of like it.  Christmas is our go-to holiday.  Mason and I both love it and all that it represents.  For us and our faith it is especially meaningful as we celebrate the birth of our savior. 

This Christmas will be our fifth deployment Christmas.  This is the first deployment Christmas with children.  Today's super saving deal is at Michael's.  Right now they are having huge sales on all Christmas decorations, including ornaments.  If you go to the website and join the email list you can also print out a coupon for 50% off one regular priced item.  The kids and I went yesterday to pick out a small tree to send to Daddy.  We picked a 1.5 ft tree and several small ornaments and a mini strand of battery powered lights.  Oh, and a red star.  J was insistent on a red star.  He was also insistent on getting a tree for his room "Just like Daddy's tree."  So yes, we came home with 2 trees and 2 sets of tiny (choking hazard) ornaments and 2 sets of lights...........I mean really, could you have said no?

Super Savings Day 8

Right now Diapers.com is having a sale on carseats.  Use the code CARTRAVEL20 for 20% off all car seats.  This includes those listed in the clearance section.  Remember you get free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Super Savings Day 7

Piperlime is a division of Gap.Inc.  This year they are celebrating their 5th birthday by giving everyone 20% off everything today only! Just head to Piperlime’s birthday page and get your unique Piperlime promo code to use at checkout.

There’s a kid’s sneaker sale that already has most tennis shoes for little ones discounted by 20%. Add in your promo code free and you’ve got a deal!

Even better, Piperlime ships everything for free, and you can return any part of your order at their expense if the item doesn’t fit!

Super Savings Day 6

The Wounded Warrior Project has launched a new campaign called “Believe in Heroes.”  This initiative “calls on Americans to recognize the enormous sacrifices made by our newest generation of veterans and to honor the service of these individual over a two-month campaign leading up to Veterans Day. The Believe in Heroes campaign will provide the American public with an opportunity to show their support and appreciation of our veterans in their communities, and across the nation. 

Smart Source has paired with the Wounded Warrior Project to create coupons for use on regular items where a percentage will be donated to the project.  Print these coupons here.

Super Savings Day 5

Today's deal is over at Vera Bradley.  Through Sunday (tomorrow) all sale items are another 20% off.  This is a great opportunity to grab some wonderful Christmas/birthday/ or just because gift items!  There are 23 pages of sale items with most of the patterns being plum petals, mocha rouge, or happy snails, BUT some items have 6 or 7 different patterns available!!

Some of my favorite deals are;

Hipster $44.99 PLUS an extra 20% off
Large Duffel $49.99 PLUS extra 20% off
Tote $36.99 PLUS extra 20% off

There is free shipping if you spend $100 or more.

Super Savings Day 4

AC Moore has some amazing sales starting on Sunday 11/6 and running through Wednesday 11/9. You can view the store ad online for all of their great deals and a fantastic in store coupon.

60% off wood frames and home decor
50% off all Crayloa
$19.99 Cricut Cartridges
$3.99 Poinsetta Pots
$1.67 Candy Melts
4 for $10 large candles
$1.99 ready to decorate wreath or garland

With holiday decorating time right around the corner now is the time to stock up on basic supplies to get started!!

Super Savings Day 3

Old Navy friends and family event starts this weekend.  Print this coupon or use the code ONFRIENDS for 30% off your total purchase.  While you are printing your coupon go ahead and sign up for their emails to get more exclusive coupons and a special coupon on your birthday.  Don't forget to use Ebates for an extra 2% cash back on all online purchases.  You can get free shipping for orders over $50.  This can be used on all sale items and if your store is like mine there are a lot of great clearance items out there.  I scored a pair of jeans for $0.68!!!

Super Savings Day 2

Shutterfly has some amazing deals going on right now through tomorrow, November 3rd.  First you can get free shipping on orders over $30 with the code SHIP30.

Save up to 30% on photo books
Save up to 25% on cards (this includes holiday cards)
Save up to 30% on calneders
Save up to50% on playing cards
Save up to 25% on prints
Save up to 25% on mugs
Save up to 25% on home decor
Saave up to 50% on magnets
Save up to 25% on notebooks
Save up to 20% on address lables
Save up to 25% on note pads

This is an excellant time to stock up for Christmas, get those holiday cards made, and make prints of your cute babies for grandparents!  This is the Christmas card I made tonight!

Stationery card

View the entire collection of cards.

Don't forget to shop through Ebates for 8% cash back on your order.  Just think of the money and time you will save when it's all done wayyy before you need it.  You will be able to rest, relax, and enjoy this holiday season just a little bit more!

Adventures in 25 Days of Super Savings

So, my friend and fellow blogger over at Four Corners of My Heart, suggested we do 25 days of "something."  More than happy to join her, I started racking my brain for what to do.  I get soooooo many emails daily from different stores telling me what promotion they are currently running that I decided to pick a different one each day to highlight!

Today's Super Saving highlight is Gymboree.  Gymboree clothes are super expensive, however you can always find good sales and if you are interested in re-selling I understand that you can almost always make your money back.  Gymboree clothing quality is exceptional.  Starting tomorrow you can get 30% off your entire purchase and earn $25 in gymbucks.  Shipping is only $5 for those of you like me who live far, far away from an actual Gymboree store.  All fleece outfits are buy one get one 50% off and they have a TON of items in the sale section online.

What are gymbucks you ask?  You can earn Gymbucks: October 10, 2011 - January 15, 2012.  at Gymboree retail stores, gymboree.com and Gymboree Outlet.  For every $50 spent at Gymboree retail stores, www.gymboree.com or Gymboree Outlet during an earnings period, you will receive $25 worth of Gymbucks. Gymbucks earned in a store may only be redeemed at Gymboree clothing stores located in the country of issuance or at Gymboree.com if earned at a U.S. store. If you return or exchange an item and the qualifying purchase falls below the $50 threshold, Gymbucks will be subtracted in $25 increments. One may redeem Gymbucks January 19, 2012 - January 29, 2012. At Gymboree retail stores and gymboree.com: You can redeem $25 off a $50 merchandise purchase during the redemption period. Original receipt or web invoice from qualifying purchase must be attached to the Gymbucks in order to redeem in-store.