Great Deals On Nivea For Men At Walgreens

Perfect timing!  There are NEW Nivea for Men coupons that go perfectly with some clearance deals available right now at Walgreens!  Print your coupons now, while they're available.
Buy (2) Nivea for Men Shaving Gels $1.99 
Total = $3.98 
$2.25 off when you buy any TWO NIVEA® FOR MEN Shaving Products (7 oz. – 8.7 oz.) 
Final Price = $0.86 EACH 


Buy (1) Nivea for Men Face Wash $3.49 
$2.25 off any ONE NIVEA® FOR MEN FACE CLEANSING PRODUCT (3.3 oz. – 5 oz.) 
Final Price = $1.24 EACH 


Buy (1) Nivea for Men After Shave Balm $3.49 
$2.25 off when you buy any ONE NIVEA® FOR MEN After Shave Balms (3.3 oz.) 
Final Price = $1.24 EACH
Thanks, Wild For Wags!

High Value $1.50 Bird's Eye Voila Coupon

Bird's Eye is celebrating 100,000 fans on their facebook page by handing out high value coupons to Save $1.50 on one Bird's Eye Voila.  Get yours while you can!  These will come in handy for summer lunches - we actually have eaten these before and really enjoy them (even the kids).  I was able to print TWO.

Bananas And Their Surprising First Aid Uses

I love eating bananas, they're not only yummy but we all know they have great health benefits.  Did you know they also have a surprising number of first aid uses?  

• Zapping Zits
• Soothe Poison Ivy And Bug Bites
• Remove Splinters (who knew!)
• Get Rid Of Warts
• Hangover Cure
• Morning Sickness Relief
• Banish The Bloat
• Glowing Skin Facial
• Workout Energy Enhancer
• Improve Sleep And Mood

Head HERE to read the full article!

Get Your Ice Cream Fix For Less

According to the weathermen, it's gonna be 93 today and super muggy.  Sounds like an ice cream fix is in order.  Head to the Marble Slab Creamery facebook wall and get a coupon for a FREE Medium or Large Favorite Combination with a purchase of the same.  This coupon is valid Monday-Friday from 12pm-4pm.

Free Personalized Gift For Dad (Just Pay Shipping)

Ink Garden is helping you make Dad's day extra special.  Get a FREE personalized notebook, mouse pad or coffee mug (you will have to pay shipping).  Simply enter coupon code FREEFORDAD at checkout to score the deal.   Not liking these three free options?  Use coupon code ALLFORDAD to take 50% off your entire order - they have a huge selection of personalized gifts, including custom playing cards, shirts and fleece blankets.

It's A Cruel, Cruel Summer

Summer Break is very nearly here!  With unbearable heat, a seemingly endless amount of hours to fill entertaining kids, and an increasingly tight budget, getting thru summer can be a real challenge. 


Here are some things we're doing that you might not have thought of that you can do for little or no money.  If you have any suggestions that I missed, let me know.  I'd love to hear how you're surviving the summer!

• Reading!  My kids belong to every summer reading program out there.  A summary of all the various reading programs can be found HERE.  We even have one from their school, which will net them a free book when school starts up again.
• Your local library is a fantastic resource.  Our has a great selection of books, music, dvd's, and read-along tapes.  We've been checking out the read-along books and loading them onto the kids' mp3 players.  Works great for long car rides or boring afternoons!  Many local libraries are participating in the Reading With Ringling Bros. program - check to see if yours is!
• Public pools.  Alas, we are not one of the fortunate who have their own pool.  But guess what - we don't have that expense either!  We simply pay $3/ea. to go to one of the many public pools or splashgrounds in the area.  I've found that if you go on Sunday right when they open, you'll have the place virtually to yourself for at least an hour - woo hoo!  We've even been known to run around the fountains at the Eismann Center (shhhhh - don't tell anyone!).
• Michael's has lots of great (free!) craft projects.  Last summer they ran a Passport To Fun program that we attended and made duct tape wallets, foam coozies, and homemade cards.
• Home Depot does free kids workshops the first Saturday of every month from 9-noon (no sign up necessary, just show up).  For a full list of their upcoming workshops, you can go HERE.
• Lowes does two free kids Build And Grow workshops a month - on Saturdays & Sundays.  For a full listing of their summer workshops, you can go HERE.  Go here to sign up: http://lowesbuildandgrow.com/Home.aspx
• The hose and/or sprinklers.  It costs nothing, and I was amazed at how much fun the boys had just spraying each other with the hose.  Bonus - the grass got a good watering too!  ;)
• Homemade slurpies http://momadvice.com/blog/2009/04/worlds-greatest-homemade-slushies, homemade smoothies, homemade ice cream sundaes - everything is cheaper if you do it yourself.  Plus one more activity to keep the kiddos busy (how may days into Summer Break do you think it will be before you hear the dreaded "I'm bored"?  My guess is day 3!)
• Daily Deal Sites (i.e. Groupon) are a fantastic way to entertain on the cheap!  Check the big deal sites daily to scoop up entertainment or dining options at deeply discounted rates.  Daily Deal vouchers are also a great way to save money during a vacation - simply change the city location on the deal site and see what's available in the city you will be visiting!  Here are the sites I prefer:  Groupon, MamaSource, KGB Deals, EverSave, and Sweet Jack.
• Join the RedBox Text Club and you'll receive monthly freebie codes sent straight to your cell phone.  You'll get at least one free rental code a month - that can even be used on video game rentals!
• There are two free bowling for kids programs out there - each will allow your kids to bowl two games every day for FREE.  You will have to pay for shoe rental.  Go HERE to sign up for Kids Bowl Free and go HERE to sign up for AMF Unplugged.   We ended up buying some cheap bowling shoes online and have bowled many, many times for free.  I believe the shoes were about $20 each child shipped.  NOT BAD for a summer (or two or three) for FREE bowling.  In Texas, sometimes it's too hot to go outside, and bowling is a great option.  
• Sign up for a FREE 30 day trial of Blockbuster Total Access when you enter promo code VIDEO here.  Guess what - video games are INCLUDED!  This is a fab way to save on entertainment over the summer - just remember to cancel before your 30 days are up!
• Head to the movie theater for some thrifty, air-conditioned fun!  Most major theater chains offer a free (or nearly free) kids summer movie program.  Here are the links to what is available:  Cinemark, Regal Cinemas, Studio Movie Grill.
• Apple Retail Stores Camp/Youth Workshops - two of my kids have attended these FREE workshops, and they're highly recommended!
• National Parks Free Fee Weekends: June 9th, September 29, November 10th – 12th
• Bank of America Card Holders, Free Museum Weekends: The first weekend of every month.
• Target Sponsored Activities - Free admission to the Nasher Sculpture Center.
• REI Passport to Adventure Program for Kids: download your free kids adventure journal, plus more!
• Bass Pro Shop Free Events for Kids and Families

I hope this has sparked some new ideas for you, and can give you that much coveted few minutes to sort thru the mail, read a chapter in your own book, or simply breathe quietly for a sec!

Physician Formula Giveaway

If you're a fan of Physician Formula cosmetics you'll want to keep your eyes on their facebook wall.  They will release a secret password.  Then at 4:00pm CST click on the Promotions Tab.  The first 1,000 people to enter the secret word and register will receive a FREE full-size Youthful Wear Illuminating Face Powder.

Oh My!

Free Krispy Kreme Donut?  Yep, we'll be there!  What a great way to kick off our summer break.  Head to Krispy Kreme on Friday, June 1st and get a FREE donut of any variety!  No purchase or coupon necessary.  Head HERE to find a Krispy Kreme near you.

50% Off Rusty Wallace Racing Experience

REALLY exciting deal for men today (think Father's Day)!  There are two options available for this Texas Motor Speedway deal:

• $64 gets you a $129 value shotgun experience
• $249 gets you a $499 value Shootout driving experience

But wait - it gets even better.  Enter promo code social12 at checkout and save an additional 12% off the price!  That brings the $64 experience down to $56.42, and the $249 experience down to $219.12.  If you've got a man in your life who's into cars, this is an excellent opportunity to wow him with the untamed velocity of a hot-off-the-track stock car.  This day is only available today and tomorrow, so get it while you can!  Go HERE for full details.  Don't forget, new subscribers get a $5 instant credit!

Buy any Angeles Trike for just $99, and get a FREE helmet thru June 17th.  Click on the banner above for details.

UT Arlington Planetarium- 4 adult passes for $5.56

 

This is a GREAT deal and yet one more way to occupy the kiddos on the cheap this summer!  For $6 you can score TWO adult tickets to the world class planetarium at UT Arlington ($12 value). But wait - it gets significantly better.  Enter promo code social12 to save an additional 12% off the cost.  Then, new subscribers to SweetJack will instantly get a $5 credit when you sign up thru THIS LINK!   If you are a new subscriber, you can score 4 adult tickets for just $5.56.  That's less than the price of ONE ticket.  If you're already a SweetJack subscriber, you may want to consider signing up your spouse or another family member's email address to take advantage of this deal.   To find it, click on More Deals (this is not today's featured deal).  

Free Pool Test Kit

I am SOOO wishing that I had the need for this!  For those of you with pools,  I have just one word for ya - JEALOUS!  Head HERE to request a FREE Pool Test Kit that will measure the pH and free chlorine levels in your pool.  Once you receive your kit they request that you test a pool in your area and report your findings back on their regional map.  NOTE:  The picture shown is not necessarily indicative of what they'll send you!
Thanks, Savvy Student Shopper!

Welcome To Summer

photo/idea credit

What a great way to welcome your kiddos home from school on the LAST DAY before Summer Vacation!  Family Fun magazine has this (and LOTS of other) great ideas on their website.  They suggest hanging this fun banner that your kids can CRASH THRU when they get home.  Sounds like fun to me!

TONS Of Blockbuster Express $3 Movie Rental Codes (25 Free Rentals!)

Here's a great way to grab some FREE entertainment this summer!  How does 25 FREE movie rentals from Blockbuster Express sound?  Text the following words to 39777 to get a unique code worth $3 off any movie at Blockbuster Express (the codes expire 10 days after you receive them, so don't text 'em all at once - use 'em throughout the summer): 
HORSE
LION
STREEP
COURAGE 
DARK 
BRAND 
TOM 
BERRY 
SING 
FLICKA
KISS 
ASSASSIN 
ALVIN 
HYBRID 
VOW 
GLENN 
WOODY 
HEIGL 
DEVIL 
POWER 
PARIAH 
DANIEL 
REESE 
TAILS 
MARK
Thanks, Who Said Nothing In Life Is Free!

Callie’s Kids - Free Gardening Events Throughout The Year

Little gardeners ages 5 to 10 can head to Calloway's Nurserys throughout North Texas for free children's events and learn more about nature and gardening. Enjoy a fun and playful event at our garden centers. Kids take a completed project home with them. Some events require registration. 
Callie's Kids Schedule for 2012:

June 20, 2012 - 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 
The Prince/Princess and the Pea 
Have you heard of the fairy tale, "The Princess and the Pea"? If you haven't, come join us as we have story time and plant a seed or two. And if you already know the story, come to the garden center to hear an old favorite and learn with other little (girl and boy) gardeners!

July 18, 2012 - 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. 
Tin Can Planting 
Recycling is good, and tin cans make nifty plant containers. Accompanied by a parent, children can pot a tomato seed and learn more about the edible tomato plant. Children are encouraged to bring their own empty, clean tin can. Join us at the garden center for this easy, fun and educational gardening event.

August 15, 2012 - 9:30 a.m. - 10: 30 a.m. 
Beautiful Butterflies
Did you know that certain plants attract beautiful butterflies? Come to Calloway’s or Cornelius Nursery and learn about wildlife pollinators. Accompanied by a parent, children will make butterflies out of coffee filters and pipe cleaners while they learn about wildlife pollinators. Have fun as your child colors and learns about the natural world!

October 6, 2012 - 9:00 a.m. - close 
Fall Harvest Festival 
It's Fall Y'all! The great Fall Harvest Festival takes place at all Calloway’s and Cornelius Nursery garden centers on Saturday, October 6 beginning at 9 a.m. Enjoy Texas garden centers filled with pumpkins, gourds, cornstalks, hay bales and colorful Fall flowers. Celebrate the season, and participate in family fun throughout the day! Come early and take in all the fun! Tradition and fun merge at the annual Fall Harvest Festival! Activities for children include free pumpkin decorating, children’s shows, and much more. Adults can take advantage of the free Fall gardening clinic. Come early for the best selection of supplies and opportunity for seating. Explore a miniature Farmer’s Market, the Picture Takin’ Place, a fun Scarecrow Village and more! Enjoy an outing in the cool October weather. Let your children take part in gleeful pumpkin decorating. We give each child a free pie pumpkin and decorative materials. Attend a free gardening clinic. Watch children plant at the Potting Station. Fall fun at every store..

Lose The Mustache For Just $0.53! :D

UPDATE:  I just got back from doing this deal, and it's even better!  I got TWO of the Sally Hansen Hair Removal Wax Strip Kits.  They were on sale 2/$8.98.  I used the coupons listed below and paid a grand total of $1.06 for BOTH.  $0.53 each - can't beat it!


I was THRILLED to see this deal (as I'm sure my husband is too - 'cuz, I ain't gonna lie, my mustache is about to rival his)!  Walgreens has Sally Hansen Wax Kits on sale B1G1 50% off through June 2nd. Use the following coupons to get them for $0.99 each. 
Buy (2) Sally Hansen Wax Kits, $5.99 
Use 2 : $2/1 off any Sally Hansen Wax Kit coupon 
Stack with: $2/1 Walgreens Coupon Booklet 
Final Price: $0.99 each 
Thanks Moms by Heart!

2 Large Pizzas - $10 (Mon-Wed)

Here's a good pizza deal for you!  Every Monday-Wednesday thru 7/18/12, you can grab TWO Large 1-Topping Pizzas for just $10 from Papa Murphy's.  Choose original or Crispy Thin deLITE crust (our fave!).  No coupon necessary.  Sign up for the Papa Murphy's eClub, and you'll receive a coupon for FREE Cookie Dough on your birthday!

Gorgeous Mikasa Vase - $29

Great deal on a gorgeous vase!  Get a SASAKI by Mikasa Ebony Stripe Vase for $29 ($145 value).  I'm imagining this with a fresh bouquet of gladiolus!

New Blockbuster Express Promo Code

$17 For $50 at David's Cookies + Free ShopRunner Shipping

Today you can score a sweet deal on a voucher for David's Cookies from Eversave.  $25 gets you a $50 voucher.  But wait - it gets better!  New Eversave customers get a $10 instant credit when they sign up thru 5/31.  You can use $8 of that credit towards this deal.  So your $50 voucher would actually only cost you $17.  Even better - score FREE 2-day shipping thru your ShopRunner account.  Don't have ShopRunner?  Get a free 30-day FREE trial HERE.  It will net you unlimited free 2-day shipping at all sorts of great online stores (even free delivery from Domino's!) with no minimum order.  Check out what I found at David's (this is what I'm using my voucher on!):


Edible Cookie Play Dough Set - $44.95
Two sets of four assorted colors in 12oz tubs (totaling 6 pounds) of our edible classic sugar cookie dough.  Colors included are:  Red All Over, Mellow Mood Yellow, Jelly Bean Green and Too Blue 4 You.  But if you mix the colors together you get all the colors of the rainbow.  Make anything your creativity can think of!  Keep frozen for up to 6 months or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.


What fun for a HOT summer day when the "I'm bored" sets in, or when you're having friends over for a playdate!


You can also take $5 off any David's Cookies order when you enter promo code MD5FS at checkout.  (This promo code expires on 5/30/12).  I'm not sure if you can combine that promo code with this Eversave voucher.  Sometimes they let you, and sometimes they don't.  It's certainly worth a shot!  I'm purchasing regardless.

Daddyland Coupon Book

photo/idea courtesy of Disney Family

Looking for a super-cute (and cheap) Father's Day Gift?  This is one your child can help you with.  Disney Family has posted this adorable Daddyland Coupon Book - perfect for Father's Day.  All you have to do it print out their template, and follow the instructions.  LOVE IT!

Splash Day - June 2nd!

Mark your calendar!  The city of Richardson is celebrating Splash Day on Saturday, June 2nd.  All city pools will be open from 1pm-8pm and everyone gets in FREE!  We'll be there.  Will you?

Kids Eat Free At Chili's (May 29 & 30)

Chili's is at it again....giving kids free meals with the purchase of an adult entree.  Valid May 29 & 30th only.  Go HERE to print the necessary coupon.  Limit of TWO free kid's meals per adult entree purchase.  (love that!)

For My Fellow Thrift City Fans

Dual Pool Squirter Set - $19.99

AWESOME deal from Kid Woot today (I really could have used this yesterday when we went to the pool)!  Get a Manta Ray Dual Squirter Pool Set for just $19.99.  This exact same set is selling for $49.99 on Amazon today.  Shipping at Woot is just a flat $5, so you really are getting this set for half-price.  Just in time for summer!

$16 For 11"x14" Photo Canvas SHIPPED (Think Father's Day)!

WOW - this is a photo canvas deal, just in time for Father's Day!  But you only have a few more days to get this price.  Get an 11"x14" Photo Canvas for just $16 SHIPPED (It is priced at $26 - but new Eversave signups will get an instant $10 credit to their account.  NOTE:  This is an $84.94 value, so you are really getting a bargain.  Already an Eversave subscriber?  You may consider signing up for a new account under another family members' name to take advantage of this limited time $10 new signup credit (thru 5/31).  Go HERE for all details.

50% Off Family Meal - Boston Market

Wanna take a break from cooking?  TODAY only, you can get 50% off a Family Meal at Boston Market.  Click HERE to print your coupon.  NOTE:  This is valid on Memorial Day ONLY.

Got A Child Heading To Summer Camp?

All across Texas, parents are busy planning summer camp plans for their kiddos.  Do you have fond summer camp memories?  You won't want to send them off without labeling EVERYTHING.  Mabel's Labels makes that an easy peasy task, with their Limited Edition Camp Combo.  Go HERE to check it out, and save your sanity!

Gift Cards = Cheap Gas (4X Gas Reward Points)

I know many of you will be gifting various gift cards within the next several weeks - for birthdays, Father's Day and graduation.  Just wanted to remind you that you might as well make those gift cards WORK for you!  Both Tom Thumb and Kroger have fuel rewards programs that can save you BIG BUCKS at the gas pump.  Buy gift cards, and you'll get an instant fuel discount per gallon. Which will equal cheap gas.  OK, maybe not CHEAP gas.  CheapER gas!  These points add up really quickly - the other day I had a $0.50 off per gallon fuel reward from Tom Thumb just from filling our monthly prescriptions!  Both stores have a large selection of gift cards - so if you're gonna buy one anyway, you may as well buy it from someplace that will reward you in some way, right?!


Here's how the Fuel Rewards Programs work.
There are three ways to earn. 
1) Every $1 spent on groceries = 1 point
2) Every $1 spend on qualifying gift cards = 4 points
3) Every prescription filled = 50 points


Tom Thumb has increased their program rewards this summer, every $1 you spend in gift cards will earn you 4X Fuel Points.  


Not to be outdone, Kroger is doubling the limit on it's fuel reward program from $1 to $2 per gallon May 27-September 30, 2012 with it's "Hot Savings on Fuel, All Summer Long" promotion.  This summer, customers can earn & redeem up to 2,000 fuel reward points for up to $2 in savings per gallon.
Among its other offers, for every purchase of $50 in gift cards from Kroger's Gift Card mall, customers receive 100 fuel points.  Currently, Kroger is offering quadruple fuel points on most gift cards as part of it's "Dads and Grads" savings event.


No, you cannot buy grocery store gift cards and totally maximize on your savings.  They were smart enough to exclude those.  Good thought, though!

High Quality Baby Accessories - 75% Off

Bebe Bella Designs is at it again - this time discounting their special Paisley Series by 75%.  Enter promo code Memorial75 at checkout and the prices will adjust.  These are normally very pricey items - but they are HIGH quality, featuring soft pastel colors highlighted in a ribbed minky chenille.  I ordered a minky pillowcase from them years ago, and it is awesome.  If you've got a baby shower coming up, are pregnant, or know someone who is - this is a great sale! 


Here's a summary of the deals to be had:
Paisley Bibs:  $3.75 (retail $15)
Paisley Burpies:  $3.75 (retail $15)
Paisley Ball:  $4.00 (retail $16)
Paisley Blankee (15x15):  $6.00 (retail $24)
Paisley Baby Blanket (30x30):  $13.00 (retail $52)
Paisley Toddler Blanket (35x43): $16.50 (retail $66)


They are also having a special facebook promotion, where you can score a $20 credit.  Here's how to get it:

1. Visit their facebook page.
2. Share their Memorial Day sale post with your friends.
3. You will receive a FREE $20 coupon code to use on their website, just for sharing their Memorial Day sale post directly from their facebook page.
4. Your free $20 credit will be sent via facebook message and will be received the following business day.  NOTE:  The free $20 credit cannot be used in conjunction with this 75% off sale or any other sale.  It is not valid towards shipping.

FREE $3 Saveology Credit For Memorial Day!

Saveology is helping you celebrate Memorial Day by giving ALL subscribers a $3 credit towards any deal on Memorial Day.  Click on the banner to check out all the deals!  You have until midnight tonite to use your $3 credit.  Then it goes ba-bye.  Deals I saw that looked good include (all these prices are less the $3 credit):

OK, my husband and kids would LOVE this.  I'm thinkin' this would replace Family Game Night, and the competition would get pretty fierce!  Pay just $21 for this Mini Foosball Table w/Accessories and FREE shipping ($69.99 value).  I might even have to get in on the action and show 'em all how it's done!

$12 gets you $30 of men's grooming products on EveryManJack.com.  We have tried this line at Target before, and it's really good stuff.  The prices are reasonable, so a $30 voucher should get you quite a few items (best of all, you only paid $15 for it!).

This is the perfect size for a desk or computer table.  Grab an Optimus 3.5" Digital Picture Frame in red or pink for just $12.00 (59.99 value).  Shipping is included.

This one sounds fabulous!  Splurge on a 2-night fantasy Vegas Getaway at the Signature MGM Grand for $462 ($979 value). 

Birth Announcements - Buy 10, Get 10 FREE

OMG - does this make you want a baby, or WHAT?!?!  So stinkin' adorable.  If you're a new parent or know someone who is, then this Card Store promotion is for you.  Thru 5/31 you can get 10 FREE birth announcements for every 10 birth announcements you buy.  I remember what it's like to be the proud parent of a newborn - you really want to show 'em off, so this promotion can save you some serious cash.  Head HERE to check out their extensive selection of birth announcements.  Personalize 'em with your little cutie patootie, then enter promo code CCG2507 at checkout to score the deal.

Abe's Market - 30% Off +Free Shipping

Abe's Market is having a Memorial Weekend sale, where you'll get 30% off select products, AND score FREE shipping.  Not familiar with Abe's Market - it's kind of like an online farmer's market filled with eco-friendly and organic products.  Click HERE to check it out!

And Thus Begins Summer Vacation

Yes, I know there are technically three more days of school left.  But I gotta say, we are definitely in summer mode.  We're talking trips to the pool, late bedtimes, lax eating schedules.  Too much time playing video games.  Letting time get away from us.  Riding bikes in steaming Texas heat.  Coming home for a popsicle.  We're there.


Friday night we started our annual summer ritual - the making of the Wish List.  You write down all the things you want to accomplish over the summer.  Spend time with your best friend, learn to play the Pokemon card game, go to Disney Land, ride a horse, read a good book, visit Grandma and Grandpa, swim with your cousins. All that stuff.  Not all of it will get done.  Some of it will.  
You don't see any pictures of the teenager in these shots, do you?  That's because he's got his own summer ritual.  He's laid up in his Man Cave with a bag of chips in one hand and an XBox controller in the other.  (Plus he wouldn't be caught DEAD at the public pool swimming and actin' a fool with his little brothers).


I've researched all the summer reading programs.  We're scheduling swim lessons.  Right now it's all in front of us, and we're looking forward to it. In the blink of an eye it will be Fall and we'll be getting back-to-school supplies.  But in that brief in-between time, we'll be sporting red marks under our eyes from where we wiped the sunscreen off & spent too much time in the sun. Here's to a rocking Summer of 2012!

50% Off Michael's - ONE Day Only

Today only, you can save 50% off on regular priced item at Michael's. Go HERE to print the necessary coupon. NOTE: If you plan to buy several items it may be smarter to wait until tomorrow and use THIS 20% off your entire purchase (including sale items) coupon.  This 20% off coupon is only good on 5/28/12.