The Thrify Modern Mom

6/21 Sunday Coupon Preview

2009-06-19T15:04:00.001-03:00

This week's Sunday paper will have two flyers - Smart Source and RedPlum.

As always, remember that differences are possible based on region.

Smart Source 6/21

FREE Air Wick Warmer Unit when you buy Air Wick Scented Oil Refill (8/2/09)
B1G1 Schick Disposable Razor (8/2/09)
B1G1 Kemps Frozen Yogurt Parfait, 6oz single serve OR IttiBitz Ice Cream, 5oz (8/9/09)
.25/1 Bob Evans Roll Sausage (8/23/09)
.35/1 Johnsonville Turkey Smoked Sausage (7/31/09)
.35/1Pam Cooking Spray – (8/31/09)
.50/1 Bob Evans Bratwurst, Italian or Smoke Sausage (8/23/09)
.50/ 1 Bounty Paper Towels – (8/31/09) TARGET COUPON
.50/1 Charmin Ultra Soft Toilet Paper (8/31/09) TARGET COUPON
.50/1 Charmin Ultra Strong Toilet Paper (8/31/09) TARGET COUPON
.50/1 Curad product, any – (9/21/09)
.50/1 French’s Mustard (9/10/09)
.50/ 1 Reddi-wip (8/31/09)
.55/1 Mentos Gum (x9/30) (two coupons)
.60/1 Luzianne Iced Tea Bags (8/30/09)
.75/ 1 Mitchum or Mitchum for Women product (7/20/09)
.75/1 Aquafresh Premium Toothpaste 5.6oz or larger (8/31/09)
.75/1 Curad Hold Tite & Non-Stick Pads (9/21/09)
.75/1 Hormel Pepperoni Pack (8/16/09)
.75/1 Huggies Baby Wipes, 64ct or larger (7/18/09)
.75/1 Kraft Mayo, 24oz or larger (7/19/09)
.75/1 OxiClean Laundry Pre-treater Spray (9/30/09)
$1 off Air Wick Scented Oil Twin Refill Pack or (2) Single Refills (8/2/09)
$1 off Aquafresh Premium Toothbrush (Gel Flex or Deep Action) (8/31/09)
$1 off Buitoni Refrigerated Pastas or Sauces (10/31/09)
$1 off Dannon 6oz Single-Serve Cups, 0 OR Light & Fit 6-packs, any 2 (8/31/09)
$1 off Dulcolax Laxative Tablets or Suppositories (9/30/09)
$1 off Dulcolax Stool Softener (9/30/09)
$1 off Fisher nuts product, 4oz or larger (12/31/09)
$1 off Gold Bond Ultimate Lotion or Cream, excludes 1oz size (10/31/09)
$1 off Gold Bond Powder, excludes 1oz size (10/31/09)
$1 off Gold Bond Anti-Itch Cream or Lotion (10/31/09)
$1 off Gold Bond Foot Care Product (10/31/09)
$1 off Grande Tortilla Chips (9/30/09)
$1 off Kraft Salad Dressing, any variety (7/21/09)
$1 off Krunchers! Kettle Cooked Potato Chips, 9.625oz (9/30/09)
$1 off OxiClean Versatile Powder, 56oz or larger (9/30/09)
$1 off OxiClean Stain Fighter Liquid (9/30/09)
$1 off Starbucks Bottled Frappuccino Coffee Drink or Doubleshot Espresso Drink (9/13/09)
$1/ 2 International Delight Quarts (8/21/09)
$1/ 2 Land O Lakes Butter with Olive Oil (8/15/09)
$1/2 Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs (8/16/09)
$1/2 Post Grape Nuts, Shredded Wheat, or Raisin Bran (8/2/09)
$1.25/2 Freschetta Pizzas OR Edwards Whole Pies (8/15/09)
$1.50 off Charmin Toilet Paper AND Bounty Paper Towels when you buy Both (8/31/09) TARGET COUPON
$1.50 off GoodNites Sleep Pants, jumbo pack or larger (7/31/09)
$1.50 off Huggies Diapers, any (7/18/09) (2 coupons)
$2 off Huggies Overnites (7/18/09)
$2 off Iams Premium Protection Pet Food (8/31/09) TARGET COUPON
$2 off ANY Sugar wyb (10) Regular Kool-Aid Unsweetened Packets (7/31/09)
$2 off L’oreal Excellence or Excellence Cremelights (9/13/09)
$2 off Sarna Original or Sensitive Anti-Itch Lotion, 7.5oz (8/30/09)
$2 off Starbucks Ice Cream (9/13/09)
$2 off Wanchai Ferry Frozen Entrée (8/15/09)
$2/2 Oust Air Sanitizer or Surface Disinfectant & Air Sanitizer products (8/15/09)
$3 off Bausch & Lomb Soothe or SoothXP Lubricant Eye Drops (9/30/09)
$3 off L’oreal Couleur Experte or Frosting, Highlighting, or Blonding Brands (9/13/09)

Red Plum 6/21

FREE Nivea Body Wash for Women when you buy (1) New Nivea My Silhouette (7/12/09)
FREE Nivea Body Wash for Women when you buy any Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite product (7/12/09)
.50/1 Goodlife Recipe Treats for Cats (9/12/09)
.50/1 Hefty EZ Foil or EZOvenware (9/30/09)
.50/1 Hefty, Hefty Hearty Meals, or ElegantWare Plates or Bowls (10/31/09)
.50/1 Nestle Nesquik 100 Calories 4-pack (8/16/09)
.50/1 Sparkle Paper Towels, 2-Giant Roll Pack or larger (8/17/09)
.50/1 Weber Seasoning (8/31/09)
.55/1 Quaker Fiber & Omega-3 Chewy Oat Granola Bars (8/15/09)
.75/1 Quaker Chewy Granola Bars (8/15/09)
$1 off Pedigree Food For Dogs 8.8lb or larger (8/16/09)
$1 off Advil 40ct or larger (8/31/09)
$1 off Angel Soft Toilet Paper 6-Double roll (9/13/09)
$1 off Clairol Nice ‘n Easy Haircolor product (7/31/09)
$1 off Goodlife Recipe Treats for Dogs (9/12/09)
$1 off InStyle Magazine (9/11/09)
$1 off L’Oreal Revitalift product (9/13/09)
$1 off L’Oreal Skin Genesis product (9/13/09)
$1 off L’oreal Age Perfect or Collagen product (9/13/09)
$1 off Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed Milk (8/31/09)
$1 off Minute Ready To Serve Rice products (9/12/09)
$1 off Nestle Nesquik products (8/16/09)
$1.50/2 Morton System Saver Salt Bags (10/25/09)
$2 off Loud N Clear Sound Amplifier (9/30/09)
$3 off Neutrogena Face Cosmetics (8/2/09)
$4 off Zyrtec Adult 30ct or larger (7/21/09)
$5 off Clairol Perfect 10 Haircolor product (7/31/09)
$6 off Flex-a-min Joint Care Product (8/5/09)

Jon & Kate Plus 8 - My Take

2009-06-19T12:50:00.004-03:00

I'm going to jump on the observation bandwagon and give my take on the Jon & Kate marriage woes.

I've been a fan of the show since the very beginning, starting with their very first hour long special "Surviving Sextuplets and Twins". I thought they were a cute family that wasn't play acting for the cameras.

It wasn't until the debut of their series that we got to see the overly organized and slightly neurotic Kate. But in all honesty, who wouldn't - at the very least - try to be that organized when you have that many kids running around. I have one and at times wish I could have her organizational skills. And with just one child, I am probably just as crazy in some aspects as Kate is in others. Who can fault her for that? She's got a lot on her plate.

As the series continued though, I started to find myself cringing when Kate would open her mouth. I would wonder why, with this great gift she had of staying home with her children to watch them grow and participate in their every day lives, she was too busy scrubbing bits of dust out from the inside of bookcases. And would the kids really drop dead if she served them a non organic lunch of pizza and frozen french fries? She could have found so many more ways to spend time with her children than to run off doing her own thing in the house, alone.

There were a lot of episodes in the following seasons that I wanted to jump through the tv and yell at her. When she picked up the habit of insulting her husband, I labeled her a real PITA and wondered why Jon stuck around. I certainly wouldn't want to put up with her BS. But then again, I also wouldn't be strapped with child support times eight if I hightailed it out of there...

Fast forward to the past month or so, with all the cheating rumors flying around and the pictures of him out late at night with college girls and I see everything in a very different light.

I watched the repeats TLC has been playing (and play them they have - every time you turn that channel on there's another repeat on). Am I the only one who sees Jon just sort of drifting around, not doing much? The "Twins Turn 3" episode was on the other night, where Jon and Kate's brother, Kevin, put together the carnival stands. Has anyone actually watched what Jon did? Kevin put together the stands, Kevin painted the stands, Aunt Jodi helped, Kate set up the yard, and Jon was... absent. Until the final product, that is. Then he was there telling the world just how tired he was.

Watch a couple of episodes with this in mind and there starts to be a pattern. Jon starts a project and then disappears. The family goes out and Jon wanders off, lost in his own little world. The kids are in a tizzy, running in five different directions and Kate has to scream at him to pay attention. It happens a lot in the show. No wonder Kate was neurotic and would yell at him.

Eventually the yelling changed though and it got ugly. It's one thing for a couple to be snippy with one another when they have the weight of eight kids and a hectic household on them. It's another when your wife is complaining about the way you breathe, right?

Look at it the other way though:

Have you ever been so upset with someone that you just going looking for something to complain about? Have you ever been so fed up with all the big things bothering you that the smallest thing sets you off?

Today's divorce rate is at 50%; I'm sure that more than a small handful of people have felt like this on one or more occasions. And I wonder if we haven't been watching the breakdown of a marriage for a very long time.

We'll never know if it was Kate's nagging that led Jon to stray. Or if it was Jon's lackadaisical attitude toward everything that led Kate to nag, which then led Jon to stray, which may have led Kate to stray.

Ultimately, we don't even know for sure if either of them cheated on the other. All we can do is play arm chair psychologist to a reality show. And if I were to hang a shingle out today and give my opinion, it is this:

I love the show but they've let it tear them apart. They are both at fault but not for the reasons everyone else thinks. They are both at fault for now seeing themselves through a camera lens. They've had their most annoying traits magnified - not for the world to see - but for each OTHER to see.

In a "regular" person's everyday life, annoying habits are centered in only that moment. If I do something to annoy my husband, it happens, we move on. For Jon & Kate, their annoying habits are captured, replayed, analyzed, talked about, played again for the world and then rehashed again when the couple has to experience the moment over and over. That can't be good for a relationship.

Keep the show going for years and years and what outcome did we all expect?

Let's face it though, we've all loved watching it play out. Whether it was because we enjoyed the show, we thought the kids were cute or we wanted to see what would happen next. I'm sure there will be record numbers tuning in for Monday's show, when they will release some more big news.

Till then, we can all just sit back and speculate.

6/7/09 Coupon Insert Preview

2009-06-05T14:54:00.005-03:00

This week's Sunday paper has three inserts and includes P&G! I think this might be a week to buy a stack of papers.

As always, coupons can vary by region and there is no guarantee this list will be the same everywhere.

But just browsing over everything quickly, I can see quite a few I can match up with ongoing sales. A&P has Zatarain's Rice on sale 3 for $5. With the $1.25 coupon, that comes to $1.25 for each box. Go-Gurt is also on sale. And Yoplait is on sale at Pathmark. Tonight, I'll be going over the sales flyers better to see what I can come up with.

Hopefully this Saturday's shopping excursions will be worthwhile!

P & G - all P&G coupons expire 7/31/09

Gillette Fusion Manual or Power Razor $4 off (7/31/09)[
Fusion Pre or Post Shave Product $1 off (7/31/09)
Gillette Shampoo, Conditioner or Styler $1 off (7/31/09)
Gillette Body Wash $1 off (7/31/09)
Gillette Clinical Strength Antiperspirant Deodorant any one or any two Gillette Antiperspirant Deodorants $2 off (7/31/09)
Venus Razor Save $1 (7/31/09)
Old Spice any one anti-perspirant/Deodorant product $1 (7/31/09)
Old Spice Body Wash save .50 (7/31/09)
Pampers Diapers or Pants Save $1 (7/31/09)
Pampers Splashers save .50 (7/31/09)
Charmin Save .50 ( 7/31/09)
Bounty Save .25 (7/31/09)
Infusion Save $1 on one (7/31/09)
Dawn Pure Essentials Save $1.50 (7/31/09)
Dawn Save .25 on any size (7/31/09)
Dawn Direct Foam or Dawn Simple Pleasures save .50 (7/31/09)
Covergirl Save $1 off any Covergirl (7/31/09)
Covergirl Save $2 off any 2 Covergirl Products (7/31/09)
Crest Whitestrips Classic Save $3 (7/31/09)
Crest Whitestrips Premium Pro Effects, Advanced Seal Daily Whitening Multicare or Daily Whitening and Tartar Protection Save $5 (7/31/09)
Secret Clinical Strength Save $1 excluding trial (7/31/09)
Crest Glide Floss 35 M or larget or Oral-B Advantage Floss Picks 30 ct or more save .75 (7/31/09)
Crest 4.2 or larger Paste or liquid Gel Save .50 (7/31/09)
Crest Rinse 440ml or larger save $1 (7/31/09)
Oral B Stages Battery Powered Toothbrush or any two Oral B Stages Manual Toothbrushes or Toothpastes Save $1 (7/31/09)
Metamucil Clear & Natural or Fibersure Save $2 (7/31/09)
Clear & Natural or Fibersure product Save $3 (7/31/09)
Prilosec OTC Save $3 (7/31/09)
Prilosec on (2) 42 count packs of Prilosec save $7 (7/31/09)
Pur or Pur Flavor Options System pitch or faucet $5 off (7/31/09)
Pur 3 pack Pitcher or Faucet Mount Replacement Filter or any one PUR Refrigerator Filter $5 Off (7/31/09)
Align Save $5 (7/31/09)
Any 2 Secret Anti-Perspirant or Deodorant Save $1 (7/31/09)
Olay Body Wash $1 off (7/31/09)
Olay Facial Moisturizer or Cleanser $1 off (7/31/09)
Covergirl Product $1 off any one (7/31/09)
Pantene Hair Care Products off 2 Save $1 (7/31/09)
Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Color Save $1 (7/31/09)
Head & Shoulders on any two (2) $2 off (7/31/09)
Duracell hearing aid batteries with Easytab Save $2 (7/31/09)
Always Infinity (28 ct or higher) $4 off (7/31/09)
Always Infinity (14 ct or larger) $1 (7/31/09)
Always any (2) Always Pads, Liners or Cleansing Cloths $1 off (7/31/09)
Tampax .50 off any one 18ct or larger (7/31/09)
Tide Save .35 on any one (7/31/09)
Tide to Go save .35 (7/31/09)

RED PLUM

9Lives Wet Cat Food, (1) 12can Variety Pack, (12) Individual Cans OR (3) 4packs - $1.00 off (8/15/09)
9Lives Dry Cat Food, 3.15lb+ - 75 cents off any 1 (8/15/09)
Ball Park Franks, any variety - $1.00 off any 2 (7/5/09)
Bertolli Frozen Meals - $1.00 off any 1 (8/15/09)
Bertolli Mediterranean Style - $1.00 off any 1 (8/29/09)
Centrum Ultra 200ct product - $3.00 off any 1 (8/31/09)
Centrum Ultra product - $1.00 off any 1 (8/31/09)
Dove Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant or Body Mist - $1.00 off any 1 (8/30/09)
Dove Beauty Bar, 6-bar pack+ - $1.00 off any 1 (8/30/09)
Dove Body Wash, 10oz+ - $1.25 off any 1 (8/30/09)
Dove Cream Oil Body Lotion or Hand Cream, excludes Energy Glow and trial sizes - $1.25 off any 1 (8/30/09)
Dove Energy Glow Beauty Body Lotion - $1.75 off any 1 (8/30/09)
Dove Face Care product - $1.00 off any 1 (8/30/09) E-T-S
Dove Hair Care product - $1.00 off any 1 (8/30/09) E-T-S
Dove SkinVitalizer - $3.75 off any 1 (8/30/09)
Dove Visibly Smooth Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant - $1.25 off any 1 (8/30/09)
Dramamine product - $1.00 off any 1 (9/7/09) E-T-S
Folgers Gourmet Selections products - $1.00 off any 2 (8/31/09)
Folgers product, 7oz+ - $1.00 off any 1 (7/18/09)
Healthy 10 Kefir Beverage, 32oz bottle - $1.00 off any 1 (7/31/09)
Hefty OneZip Fresh Extend Bags - $1.00 off any 1 (10/31/09)
Hillshire Farm Smoked Sausage - $1.00 off any 2 (7/31/09)
Hungry Jack Syrup product - $1.00 off any 1 (8/31/09)
Imodium product - $1.00 off any 1 (9/7/09)
Isaly’s Barbecue Sauce, original or spicy flavor, 16oz jar – 25 cents off 1 (9/30/09)
Kellogg’s All-Bran, Special K or Raisin Bran Cereal, 11.4oz+ - $1.00 off any 1 (7/19/09)
Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes, Froot Loops, Cocoa Krispies, Corn Pops, or Apple Jacks Cereal, 10oz+ - $1.00 off any 1 (7/19/09)
Kellogg’s Mini-Wheats, Rice Krispies, or Crispix Cereal, 10oz+ - $1.00 off any 1 (7/19/09)
Kellogg’s Pop-Tarts, 8ct+ - 55 cents off any 1 (8/2/09)
L’oreal Men’s Expert Skincare product - $1.00 off any 1 (8/30/09)
L’Oreal Preference, any shade - $2.00 off any 1 (8/30/09)
Lactaid Fast Act product, 12ct+ - $1.50 off any 1 (9/7/09)
M&M Brand Chocolate Candies, 9.9oz-42oz bags - $1.00 off any 2 (7/18/09)
M&Ms Brand Ice Cream Multi-pack - $1.00 off any 1 (10/31/09)
Milk-Bone Dog Snacks - $2.50 off any 2 boxes (8/2/09)
Mylanta product - $1.50 off any 1 (9/7/09)
Nature’s Bounty Vitamins and Supplements - $1.00 off any 1 (7/21/09)
Nexcare or Nexcare Tattoo Bandages - $1.00 off any 2 (8/31/09)
Noxzema SpaShave 4-Blade 3pk, Super Smooth Triple Blade 4pk, Soft-n-Sassy Twin Blade 10pk, or Bikini Grooming Wand - $1.00 off any 1 (8/31/09)
Osteo Bi-Flex product - $6.00 off any 1 (7/22/09)
Pepcid product - $1.00 off any 1 (9/7/09)
Pup-Peroni Dog Snacks, 4.8oz+ - $1.00 off any 1 bag (8/2/09)
Rolaids product, 12ct+ - $1.00 off any 1 (9/7/09)
Sara Lee Bites - $1.00 off any 1 (9/6/09)
Sara Lee Simple Sweets Pie - $1.00 off any 1 (9/6/09)
Scotch-Brite Scrub Sponges, Scour Pads, Ultra NailSaver Absorbent Scrub Sponges, Dishwand or Refill - $1.00 off any 2 (7/31/09)
Scotties Facial Tissues, (5) Boxes or (2) Multipacks - $1.00 off (9/30/09)
SlimShots Liquid Appetite Controller - $5.00 off any 1 (9/30/09)
Smooth Away or Smooth Away Vibe Hair Removal System - $1.00 off any 1 (9/30/09)
Snickers Brand Ice Cream Multi-pack - $1.00 off any 1 (10/31/09)
Temptations All Natural Treats for Cats – 50 cents off any 1 (8/29/09)
Temptations Treats for Cats – 50 cents off any 1 (8/29/09)
Tylenol Extra Strength product - $1.00 off any 1 (9/7/09)
Tylenol PM product - $1.00 off any 1 (9/7/09)
Whole Fruit Fruit Bar - $1.00 off any 1 (8/31/09)
Zatarain’s Rice Mixes or Pasta Mixes - $1.25 off any 3 (8/30/09)

SMART SOURCE

Ban Clinical Defense $2 (6/8/09)
Ban any .40 (8/8/09)
Bic Shavers $2 (7/19/09)
Bic Soleil Bella Shaver 3 pack $2 (7/19/09)
Bic Soleil Disposable Shaver 4 pack $2 (7/19/09)
Boca Meatless product $1/2 (8/2/09)
Chex Mix or Chex 100 calorie Snack $1/2 (8/1/09)
Claritin or Childrens Claritin 15 ct + $4 (7/5/09)
Colgate Total Advanced Whitening, Colgate Total Advanced Clean, or Total Advanced Fresh 4.0 oz+ $1 (6/27/09)
Colgate Total, Max Fresh, Max White, Sensitive or Kids Toothpaste 4.0 oz+ .75 (6/27/09)
Colgate 360, Max Fresh, Max White or Kids Manual Toothbrush .75 (6/27/09)
Ensure 6 pack Shakes $3 (8/31/09)
Finish/Electrasol Powerball Tabs or Gelpacks .75 (7/5/09)
Finish Electrasol Powder or Gel .25 (7/5/09)
Finish Jet Dry Rinse Agent or Turbo Dry .40 (8/2/09)
Finish Dishwasher Cleaner .40 (8/2/09)
Finish Quantum .75 (7/5/09)
Hamburger Helpter, Tuna Helper, or Chicken Helper Skillet Meals $1/3 (8/1/09)
Healthy Ones Lunchmeat Deli Presliced or 1 lb deli meat .50 (7/31/09)
Jello Gelatin or Pudding Snacks .60 (7/7/09)
Joint Juice 4 pk or 6 pk $2 (7/30/09)
Joint Juice 16.9 oz B1G1F (7/30/09)
Lysol All Purpose Cleaner Pourable, Trigger, Plus Bleach or Antibacterial Kitchen Cleaner .75 (8/3/09)
Lysol Disinfectant Spray $1 (8/3/09)
Lysol Disinfecting Wipes $1 (8/3/09)
Lysol Bathroom Cleaner or Mildew Remover .75 (8/3/09)
Lysol Toilet Bowl Cleaner .75 (8/3/09)
Mop & Glo $1 (8/30/09)
Nature Made Sam-E Complete $3 (7/7/09)
Nature Made Vitamins $1 (7/7/09)
Nature Made Heart & Stress Defense Fish Oil $2 (7/7/09)
Neutrogena Men item $1 (9/30/09)
Opti-Free Solution 10 oz+ $1.25 (7/31/09)
Opti-Free Solution two 10 oz or one twin pack $3 (7/31/09)
Palmolive Dish LIquid .25 (6/27/09)
Playtex Personal Cleansing Cloths $1 (8/9/09)
Playtex Gentle Glide Tampons $1 (8/16/09)
Playtex Sport tampons 18 ct+ $1 (8/16/09)
Purina one Dog or Cat food, any size, any variety $3 (8/7/09)
Purina Healthful Life, Cat Chow or Naturals Plus two 3 or 7 lb or one 14 lb bag $2 (8/30/09)
Reynolds Wrap Foil from 100% recycled .55 (7/5/09)
Romano's Macaroni Grill Dinner Kit $1 (8/1/09)
Rubbermaid Easy Find Lids $1 (7/31/09)
Sea Breeze Astringents $1/2 (7/31/09)
Sea Breeze Astringent .55 (7/31/09)
Shout Laundry Stain Remover .55 (8/1/09)
Shout Color Catcher .55 (8/1/09)
Softsoap Body Wash .75 (6/27/09)
Splenda with Fiber $1 (8/30/09)
Splenda products $2/2 (8/30/09)
Tony's Multi-Serve Pizza $1 (9/15/09)
Tony's Single Serve Pizza or Pouch Tiwn Pack .50 (9/15/09)
Tyson Skillet Creations meal kit $1 (9/7/09)
Vivid Easy On or Cling Free .50 (8/9/09)
Yo-Plus Yogurt 4 pack $1 (8/1/09)
Yoplait Go-Gurt Yogurt, Yoplait Trix Multipack $1/2 (8/1/09)
Yoplait Yogurt B6G1F (8/1/09)

Missing: One Pair of Sneakers

2009-06-05T11:19:00.002-03:00

Just the way I wanted to start a rainy and cold Friday morning.

I lost my sneakers.

How do things like this happen to me?

The last ten minutes of my morning routine is always a little crazy. If I could get my act together, I'd start packing up all the things I need to schlep to work the night before. But getting my act has slowly dropped further and further down my list of things to do.

So after a crazy rush of packing pump stuff, my lunch, figuring out where the hell I left the umbrella last time I used it (my husband was nice enough to put it away which totally drives me crazy; away is always the last place I look), I moved on to finding my sneakers.

They were not in the front hallway where I usually leave them. They were not under the bed, in the closet or in the corner by the dining room. After a three minute hunt of my own, it was time to call in reinforcement and get my husband involved.

We tore the house apart. Where the hell could they have gone? The last time I remember having them was at the front door, where I took them off. How could I lose a pair of sneakers in the house??

After another ten minutes of searching, I was convinced that this was my husband's idea of a not so subtle hint that I should start putting my stuff away where it belongs. He swore it was not and promised he would never do that to me on a work day (note to self: apparently weekends are fair game for teaching lessons).

At some point in this fiasco, any reasonable person would just go into their closet and get another pair of sneakers, right? Right. Except this very reasonable person made a genius move back when she was on maternity leave to purge her closet. I thought I would replenish my closet quickly and was very proud of myself for packing up quite a few bags of sneakers, shoes and clothing to be donated. I dropped them off in one of those big dumpster things in the parking lot of our local supermarket and was happy to help someone and relieved to have more room in my closet.

Little did I know that filling the closet back up would actually be harder than I imagined. And since I only wear sneakers two or three times a week, buying another pair was never top priority.

Anyway, eventually I gave up looking and now had to decide what shoes would match my outfit instead. Since my office allows casual Friday attire, I loathed the idea of changing into dress clothes but at the very last second, I remembered a pair of boots stashed under the bed that would match my jeans. At least I wouldn't be the only idiot wearing slacks in the office today.

I agonized where my sneakers could possibly be for nearly half my ride to work. I tried retracing my steps, thought about the last outfit I had on when I wore them, counted back the days since I've seen them. All I did was end up making myself crazy. I decided to put it out of my mind.

Like a slap in the face, I'm turning into the parking lot, thinking only about what we are going to have for dinner tonight, and it hits me.

The sneakers are in the back of my parents van in a bag that I packed to go down to the boat marina with them. I did not lose them in the house and my husband wasn't trying to torture me. I wore flip flops down there but packed sneakers in case it got cold.

Now... why couldn't my brain come up with that this morning so I didn't have to run around like a banshee??

Eliot

2009-06-04T16:18:00.003-03:00

For the last two years now, we've had a painter turtle. Eliot was saved by my husband's nephew from the bottom of a community pool one winter. There were four turtles total, most likely all from the same nest, who wandered into the pool through the shallow end and couldn't find their way back out. Our nephew could have easily scooped them up and set them free in the woods to fend for themselves, but he was worried that they wouldn't survive the cold.

Since there was no one willing to take four baby painter turtles, they were split up and we became proud parents to Eliot.

When he came to us, he was no bigger than a silver dollar. Our nephew brought him over in a plastic Chinese take out container with holes cut into the lid. I took one look at him and cringed.

I'll admit, he was cuter once my husband set up the turtle tank and he was behind glass.

For the next two years, this reptile was treated like royalty in our house - at least by my husband. I paid very little attention to him. There was an understanding that I would not have to feed him, clean his tank or remember to turn his light on or off (that turtles even needed a special light was news to me). He started out getting turtle pellets for food, but slowly moved up in the world to dried worms and live fish dinners.

One day I walked passed the tank and saw three dead crickets floating at the top of the water. After having a near heart attack, my husband and I had a little chat about what Eliot could and could not have to eat. God knows what would end up in there next. And no, I didn't care that the pet store sold them for food. It was bad enough that there was dried worms hanging out in my refrigerator; I did not need to include dead crickets too.

Eliot more than doubled his size in a matter of months. We upgraded his tank to a very nice larger-than-allowed-in-our-apartment floor model. I started to enjoy watching him float and swim around in there. It was very relaxing.

When Baby M was born, I would sit with her next to the tank and she would watch him, even as a very small infant. I thought she'd be afraid of his talons or the way he would come right up against the glass to watch you watching him. But she loved him. As she got bigger, I'd let her touch the glass and she got a kick out the way Eliot would follow her hand from one side of the tank to the other.

Because of The Wonder Pets, his name morphed into Eliot Tuck. Could we be the only people to have a turtle that had a first and last name? Baby M loved it though. Any mention of an Eliot or a Tuck in our house had her immediately looking over at him.

We made a decision the other day to release Eliot to the wild. With Baby M starting to toddle around, we're both afraid that she might pull the tank over onto herself. The likelihood of that is very slim, but since there is still the chance, it's time to let him go.

My husband said he would do it by himself. He'd bring him down to the lake he was found near and let him go. I got the call just a few minutes ago. Eliot is safely, and hopefully happily, swimming in his new home.

I'm surprised by how upset this has made me. I am actually going to miss him.

Maybe there is a little bit of an animal (and reptile) lover in me after all.

Wordless Wednesday

2009-06-03T13:35:00.006-03:00

After a truly disastrous morning at work, I can't get my mind off of this:

From our honeymoon, the view from the top of Diamond Head on Oahu. What I wouldn't give to be right there now instead of right here.

Babies Are Germ Factories

2009-05-21T15:36:00.000-03:00

Lesson # 1 in New MommyHood:

Babies are germ factories.

And not just any germs either. They house super germs. Smart germs. Germs that know to make their debut when you’ve got zero energy and a thousand and two things to do (as opposed to the thousand and one things you normally have sitting on your plate). And I’m convinced these super germs know how hard it is to resist a huge kiss from an adorable eight month old or how difficult it is to keep her slobbery finger out of your mouth after she’s discovered you have teeth.

After a very long Thursday night of holding Baby M while she coughed and goo’d and slobbered all over me, I “awoke” Friday morning with the same thing (if you can consider hearing the alarm clock go off from the other room while teetering on the brink of delirium due to sleep deprivation “waking up”, that is).

I’m guessing that most working mothers have the same Call-Out Guilt that I have. Or is it just me? Am I the only one who makes absolutely sure not to speak too much before making the call so my voice is just the right amount of raspy? Am I the only one who has talked thru the nose? Laid it on a just a little too thick? It’s not so much the guilt of not going to work – lord knows I would give anything to not have to go on a daily basis – it’s the guilt of having to explain why I’m not coming in. It’s that guilty feeling I get when my boss’s voice gets that slight lilt, the one that says “well, did you at least try this morning?”

In any case, I did not have to put on an Oscar winning performance that Friday morning. The Smart Germs did their thing and I sounded very much like a 70 year old smoker with a bad case of bronchitis. And wouldn’t you know it, my boss wasn’t even in the office to take my call. I had to leave a message with the secretary, missing out on one of the times where my spinning head and gooey nose washed that guilt right away.

Fortunately for Baby M, those Super Germs ran their course with her and were virtually gone by Friday evening. But the damage was done for me. Too many hours of little sleep, a lot of worry and a bit of self pity (hey, we’re all allowed our moments) all melted together to create The Flu That Would Not Go Away. Three whole days of being horizontal barely shook it. The endless glasses of juice and tea and water that my wonderful husband pumped me full of barely shook it. All the home remedies my mother and grandmother continuously called me with barely shook it.

Why couldn’t I get sick during the week, when the doctor’s office was open? It had to happen over a weekend. And of course a weekend jam packed with events.

All the phone calls that I made where I graciously and apologetically bowed out of our engagements all came along with the same questions: Do you think its Swine Flu? Oh, to get sick in the middle of a feared pandemic. No, it is not Swine Flu. At least, I don’t think it is.

Either way, I spent the weekend holed up in the house, fighting to not fall off the spinning world and going thru tissues at an alarming rate. By Sunday night, I could sit up without seeing stars and was able to finally manage a shower that didn’t require bracing myself up against the wall.

And now, here it is, a week since Baby M’s Super Germs did their thing and I’m still feeling like crud. She is happy, healthy and full of energy and I am still fighting The Plague.

I guarantee the moment the weather goes downhill and all the things I need done are done and I have all the time in the world (*snort* like that ever happens), I will suddenly feel better.

Cause that’s just how those Super Germs work apparently.

Free Groceries!

2009-05-13T14:28:00.003-03:00

Peapod is offering new users $10 in FREE groceries.

If you dont have the time to get out there and get that list tackled Click here for $10 in FREE groceries from Peapod!

Picture Perfect Monday - Photocubbie.com

2009-05-11T10:54:00.003-03:00

Today I am only including one photo site for Picture Perfect Monday. And that's because Photocubbie stands in a class all its own.

Sign up today to upload, share and print all your digital prints. Photocubbie also offers video hosting, so start uploading all those videos too.

Some of the great features of this site include photo sharing with friends and family without making them sign up to view your albums. This right here makes this site great for me. People who aren't computer savvy are always skeptical of the photo links I send them because it requires them to sign up to the service just to view my pictures. Photocubbie doesn't work that way and friends and family need only click on the link to see your pictures and videos!

But probably the greatest feature is the 100 FREE photos each and every month. Yes, 100 FREE photos each month! And first time users get free standard shipping on their first order - another $4.95 savings!

Sign up today for a free trial and Get Your FREE Photo Prints HERE!

A Mess of Coupons

2009-05-09T02:19:00.000-03:00

It's 1am.

What am I doing?

My child isn't up. My husband isn't up. I have all the reasons in the world to be in bed, blissfully sleeping the night away.

Instead, I am scouring the internet for coupons. More coupons. I have coupons coming out every nook and cranny of this desk. I have coupons stuck in my wallet, coupons floating around the bottom of my purse, coupons sitting in my pants pocket, shredded and tissue-like after being sent through the wash cycle.

I am addicted to hoarding them. I have got to find a better system than I've got now.

My challenge for tomorrow is to visit three different stores and complete my food shopping. I am arming myself with a list, a half hazard envelope of coupons, 50 bucks and a prayer.

Think I can do it? We'll see...

Mother's Day Freebies

2009-05-08T13:22:00.007-03:00

It's time to pamper Mom. Want to do it without breaking the bank? Check out these Mother's Day Freebies that are sure to make Mom smile :)

TCBY is offering a free cup or cone for Mom on Mother's Day, May 10th.

Bring Mom to T.G.I.Fridays for an extra special treat. With the purchase of an entree, she'll get a "Mom Sized Portion" (I have no idea what size that amounts to) of Brownie Obsession or a Spiced Up Cupcake.

Visit IKEA for a breakfast treat. One small breakfast and small cup of coffee free for Moms. Hours and locations vary. Once on the IKEA site, scroll to the bottom left and search for your local store.

McCormick & Schmick's is featuring a free chocolate dessert with the purchase of an entree.

Does Mom like Sonic? While not exactly a Mother's Day promotion, you can still get her a Free CroisSONIC Breakfast Sandwich with purchase of a large drink. Enter your email address to get a free coupon.

Are you from the Tri-State (NY, NJ, CT) area? If you're looking for a great place to take Mom to eat and get some special perks, OpenTable.com has a list of hundreds of restaurants offering specials. Listed by area, you can also sort by location, cuisine and price. Check out this website and make your reservations today!

Other Mother's Day Freebie ideas: Want to get out and do something with Mom? Many local zoos, museums, theatres and parks are offering free admission, concerts or activities. Check your local newspapers or websites for ideas!

Preview of Sunday 5/10 Coupons

2009-05-08T11:12:00.003-03:00

Thanks to the forum over at SlickDeals, I can pass along the preview of Sunday's coupon inserts. Expect one Redplum insert and one SmartSource insert. However, remember that not all areas are the same and there may be differences based on region.

RedPlum:

.35 off Hillshire Farm Select Lunchmeats, 8oz+ (exp 6/15)
.75 off Luigi’s Real Italian Ice (exp 7/31)
.75 off Luigi’s Real Italian Ice (exp 7/31)
.75 off SuperPretzel product (exp 7/31)
$1 off Eucerin Body Product, 2fl oz – 16.9fl oz (exp 8/31)
$1 off Harvest Selections Microwavable Meals (exp 7/5)
$1 off Betty Crocker Cupcake Icing (exp 7/31)
$1 off (2) Bar-S 16oz Franks or Bologna (exp 7/9)
$1 off (2) Dixie or Dixie Ultra Paper Plates or Bowls (exp 8/10)
$1 off Eucerin Face Product, 1.7fl oz – 8fl oz (exp 8/31)
$1 off Scotties Facial Tissues, 5 boxes or 2 multipacks (exp 8/31)
$1 off (3) Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice (exp 7/5)
$1 off Pedigree Jumbone treats for dogs (exp 7/4)
$1 off Quaker True Delights Granola Bars, box (exp 6/27)
$1 off McCormick Onion, Black Pepper or Garlic seasoning (exp 8/31)
$1 off Pedigree Good Bites treats for dogs (exp 7/4)
$1 off (3) Uncle Ben’s Rice products (exp 7/5)
$1 off Viactiv Soft Chews Dietary Supplement (exp 8/31)
$2 off Max Factor product (exp 6/30)
$2 off L’oreal EverPure Shampoo, Conditioner, or Treatment (exp 8/2)
$2 off KY brand product (exp 12/31)
$3 off (5) Harvest Selections Microwavable Meals (exp 8/2)
$5 off KY brand Intense, Yours+Mine, or Intrigue product (exp 12/31)
$6 off Osteo Bi-Flex product (exp 7/1)
Free Nivea Body Wash for Women 16.9fl oz when you buy New Nivea My Silhouette 7fl oz (exp 5/31)
Free Nivea Body Wash for Women, 16.9fl oz when you buy New Nivea Sun-Kissed Beautiful Legs 6.7fl oz (exp 5/31)

SmartSource:

.30 off French’s Classic Yellow Mustard (exp 8/31)
.50 off (2) Betty Crocker Box Supreme Brownie Mixes (exp 7/4)
.50 off French’s Mustard (x8/31).50 off French’s French Fried Onions (exp 6/30)
.50 off French’s Worcestershire Sauce (exp 8/31)
.50 off Curad product (exp 8/10)
.55 off Pledge Furniture Care product (exp 7/5)
.55 off Tyson Any’tizers snacks, box (exp 8/10)
.55 off Tyson Frozen Breaded Chicken, box (exp 8/10)
.75 off Trident, White, Xtra Care, Splash, or Fusion gum single pack (exp 7/5)
.75 off Curad Hold Tite & Non-Stick Pads (exp 8/10)
.75 off Claussen Pickles jar (exp 7/5)
.75 off Mitchum or Mitchum for Women product (exp 6/9)
$1 off Activia, Activia Light, Activia Fiber, or Activia Drinks, 4pk (exp 7/31)
$1 off DanActive 4-pk (exp 7/31)
$1 off (2)Fisher product, 4oz+ (exp 11/30)
$1 off (2) Lindt Bars (exp 8/31)
$1 off Litehouse product (exp 12/31)
$1 off (2) Oscar Mayer Hot Dogs (exp 7/5)
$1 off Pledge Multi Surface product (exp 7/5)
$1 off Rachael Ray Isaboo Treats, bag (exp 8/31)
$1 off Real Simple Magazine (exp 6/14)
$1 off Ronzoni Bistro item (exp 8/8)
$1 off Sweet Baby Ray’s Barbecue Sauce, any flavor (2)18oz or (1) 28oz+ (exp 6/30)
$1 off Trident White Gum, single bottle (exp 7/5)
$1 off Tyson Any’tizers snacks, bag (exp 8/10)
$1 off Tyson Frozen Breaded Chicken, bag (exp 8/10)
$1 off (2) Wacky Mac (exp 12/31)
$1.50 off Kraft Salad Dressing, 16oz+ (exp 6/10)
$1.50 off (2) Poise Pads (exp 6/20)
$1.50 off (2) Poise Pantiliners (exp 6/20)
$1.50 off St. Ives Body product (exp 7/10)
$1.50 off St. Ives Facial product (exp 7/10)
$2 off Depend Guards for Men (exp 6/20)
$2 off Depend product (exp 6/20)
$2 off A1 Steak Sauce or Marinade (exp 6/10)
$2 off Oust Air Sanitizer OR Surface Disinfectant & Air Sanitizer (exp 7/4)
$2 off Rachael Ray Nutrish, 6lb bag+ (exp 8/31)
$2 off Remifemin 60ct or 120ct or Remifemin Good Night 21ct (exp 8/10)
BOGO Glade Fabric & Air Odor Elminator (exp 6/20)

Freebies

2009-05-08T10:28:00.006-03:00

Today's Freebies from Walmart:

Go here for a FREE sample of Cottonelle Ultra toilet paper and a FREE sample of Cottonelle Fresh Wipes.

Go here for a FREE sample of New Always Infinity.

More About Me

2009-05-08T07:00:00.000-03:00

I guess it's time now to do a more indepth "About Me" post. If you've been checking back here for the last couple weeks, then you've probably seen quite a bit of changes, both small and large, as I wrestled with the ins and outs of the blog world. I've learned quite a bit in that time, had a quick crash course in html coding thanks to the magic of google, toyed with some posts and I'm proud of my work in progress.

But just what is this work in progress? And who am I?

I'm Jamie. I'm semi-newlywed (married three years this year) and a new mommy to a wonderful 8 month old. I'm twenty-fjkdlsafj, which is code speak for closer to thirty than I would truly like to admit. I'm a college graduate in a job that I kinda-sorta like.

I am swimming in student loan debt.

I think - or maybe I would like to hope - that I'm in the same boat as a lot of people my age. I have a family, I have a career, I want some changes and I have to work at making them happen.

The biggest change I look forward to in the future is living a more relaxed, less stressed and less expensive life. I'm putting myself to that challenge now.

I'm great at finding a sale, but I'm nowhere near the super savers out there. I thought I was, but alas, I am not. And so I created this space to share my findings while also tracking my journey.

I expect there to be bumps. I live in New Jersey, a notoriously expensive state. I am married to a man whose philosophy is "spend now, figure it out later". Up until now, I had a goal with no plan.

Today starts my plan.

Let's see where it takes me :)

Freebie - Free Sample of Gain with Baking Soda

2009-05-07T10:42:00.002-03:00

Walmart is offering a free sample of Gain with Baking Soda.

Go here to get yours!

Coupon of the Day

2009-05-06T14:37:00.003-03:00

Today's Coupon of the Day:

Save $0.50 on any THREE Kleenex® Packages of Kleenex® Facial Tissue or one Bundle Pack.

It's allergy season. You know you need these!

Freebies - Zyrtec

2009-05-06T14:32:00.004-03:00

Allergies bothering you?

Walmart is giving away free samples of Zyrtec here. Try them out and see if you get some relief this allergy season.

National Nurses Week

2009-05-05T11:23:00.004-03:00

According to the American Nurses Association "National Nurses Week begins each year on May 6th and ends on May 12th, Florence Nightingale's birthday. These permanent dates enhance planning and position National Nurses Week as an established recognition event. As of 1998, May 8 was designated as National Student Nurses Day, to be celebrated annually. And as of 2003, National School Nurse Day is celebrated on the Wednesday within National Nurses Week (May 6-12) each year."

Visit the NursingWorld.org site for a brief history of National Nurses Week.

Are you a nurse or a health care professional? Know someone who is? Check out some of the great deals on nursing uniforms and attire in celebration of Nurses Week!

At My Nursing Uniforms get 10% Off on all orders $50 or more with coupon code NNW10 OR Get 15% Off on all orders $150 or more with coupon code NNW15. My Nursing Uniforms carries a huge selection of scrubs - including Dickies, Urbane, Landau, Cherokee and Baby Phat - and has the lowest prices online guaranteed. Also, Get Free shipping on Orders of $100! Stock up now and save!

Also on sale, LydiasUniforms.com has scrubs as low as $4.49. Name brand clearance. Fast shipping.

And May Clearance at Uniform City – the Best for Less!

Free Country Bob's Original All Purpose Sauce

2009-05-05T10:54:00.003-03:00

Go to The Original Country Bob's Website and fill out the form for a coupon for a FREE bottle of the Original All Purpose Sauce.

Browse around the site while you're there for some awesome recipes, products, hints and tips!

Today's Freebies

2009-05-05T10:17:00.003-03:00

Go here for a free sample of the John Freida Collection Root Awakening through Walmart.

Also at Walmart, go here for a free sample of Crest WhiteStrips Advanced Seal and here for New Aveeno Active Naturals Nourish+ Hair Care Collection.

Dunkin' Donuts is offering a free 1.1 oz. sample pouch by mail of coffee.

Go here to get a free 3 Pack of Ban Invisible Solids Deodorant. This freebie requires a short survey.

Coupons.com - Coupon of the Day

2009-05-04T14:14:00.002-03:00

It's a new month and that means new coupons at Coupons.com. Visit the site for the latest coupons on all the brands you love.

Not sure how it works? There's no registration necessary, however you will have to download a simple printer program. This aligns the printer for proper coupon printing. It took me about 30 seconds and the program does not interfer with any programs on my computer.

Today, I'm doing the coupons for the day since the site is offering so many for Kellogg's brand cereals: Rice Krispies, Raisin Bran, Special K, Fruit Loops, Frosted Flakes, Apple Jacks and Corn Pops. Print them all out and stock up on your favorites.

And remember to check your local grocery stores for sales on Kellogg's. The best way to save is using your coupons during a sale. Expect brands with current coupons to go on sale within 3 to 4 weeks.

Save on Groceries at Coupons.com!

Picture Perfect Monday

2009-05-04T08:00:00.002-03:00

Kodak Gallery
20 free prints for new members. Other deals this week include buy one calendar get one free, free shipping on Mother's Day gifts, free shipping on prints and a free personalized Mother's Day greeting card.

Click here to see all the Current Promotions at Kodak Gallery!

Photoworks.com
50 free prints for new members! Other deals this week include free shipping on calendars, free shipping on prints and Get 20% off office photo gifts when you use the coupon code 20OFFGIFTS

Snapfish.com by HP
20 free prints to new members. Other deals this week include Saving up to 63% on pre-paid photo prints at Snapfish!
and Great Deals Under $15 At Snapfish by HP

And finally, need a professional grade place to store your photos and home videos? Try SmugMug. Not a SmugMug member? Upload UNLIMITED photos to gorgeous galleries! Free Trial.

Unilever Freebies

2009-05-01T10:14:00.003-03:00

Unilver has four free samples they are giving out. Visit the sites below for yours today.

Go here for a free sample of Caress Skinwear Collection.

Go here for a free sample of Ponds rejuveness.

Go here for a free sample of New Degree Women Fine Fragrance Collection.

Go here for a free sample of Hellman's Light Mayonnaise.

Huggies Free Sample

2009-05-01T10:07:00.001-03:00

Huggies is giving away free samples of their Pure & Natural line of diapers.

Go here to get yours while supplies last!

Things Remembered - Mother's Day Sales!

2009-04-29T15:00:00.002-03:00

With Mother's Day around the corner, all the stores are getting in on the deals. Things Remembered is doing the same.

For the online shopper, get 15% Off Orders Over $80! Use Code: 15MOMTR. Valid ONLINE ONLY! Offer good until May 11, 2009.

If you're thinking of jewelry for Mom, get a FREE Keepsake Box with the Purchase of Select Ladies Jewelry! Limited Time Offer!

Not sure what to get? Celebrate Mom this Mother's Day with a One-of-a-Kind Personalized Gift from Things Remembered. Click Here to See Our Top 10 Gifts for Mom!

Please remember that Things Remembered has certain coupon restrictions. CLICK HERE for information and restrictions regarding Things Remembered coupons.