An announcement from Acting Balanced ... and some good deals...

If you haven't already become a fan or follower of Acting Balanced (my other blog), now might be a good time... along with 14 of my fellow bloggers, we will be giving away $750 in CASH this fall... click here to find out about how you can get in on the winning!


Sign up for JC Penney Savings Newsletter, and get great store/online offers including new brand launches and coupons delivered directly to your inbox. Register today and save! 

And if you are ordering from JC Penney Online - why not do it through Ebates and get cash back for your purchases - Plus when you make your first purchase through any one of the thousands of Ebates retailers you get either an extra $5 cash back or a $10 gift card!

And don't forget to check out Coupons.com for the latest in printable coupons

Frugal dressing!

I made a fairly uncharacteristic purchase yesterday - I actually went shopping for 'not mommy clothes' - or specifically a top to wear with some cream coloured chiffon pants I unearthed when shopping in my own closet.. I am preparing to get gussied up for a trip to Bubbles and Sweets next Saturday night and I took advantage of the fact that Wayne had a meeting near the Tanger Outlets for a little me shopping (with the kids, but beggars can't be choosers)...

My thought was to find a dressy top and then a pair of metallic, but comfy wedges or flats that I could wear all summer cause I can't afford shoes for just one occasion... and its an outdoor thing so no way am I doing anything with a small heel...

I got:
A fabulous green pseudo-jacket with 3/4 sleeves in a satin fabric for $18.24 taxes included (70% clearance),
Pewter slip ons - $15.48 taxes included
so, with the additions of the pants and a cream cami from my closet, a vintage beaded cream and silver handbag (thanks Mom) and yet to be determined jewelry- probably pearls, my outfit will have cost... $33.72!!!  I will post a pic when I get everything including my make up together

Some tips for frugal clothing shopping -

1. Go with an idea of what you want, but don't be too specific (I almost told the salesperson that I didn't want to try on jackets)
2. Ask the sales person for help - they know what's in the store and also what's in back...
3. Inspect clearance merchandise thoroughly - I almost bought another top instead, but looking at the seams there were threads hanging and it was starting to deteriorate in places... making it a one and done garment at best...
4. Go with versatility if possible - when weighing your choices figure out what has potential to be worn again in different situations - the green jacket is light enough coloured for spring, but dark enough to be worn to a Christmas party if needed!

P.S. - for my readers in Charleston, if any of you are not Tanger Club members and want to be, I have ONE coupon to get your membership half off - that's $5 instead of $10 and its not an annual membership, its for life... and includes a tote bag every year, a $10 gift card on your b-day, a coupon book every time you go, mailings of all the coupons and promotions and for the other mommies with little ones - free strollers!

Is stockpiling wrong?

I had someone stop me in the supermarket the other day and ask me if I was feeding an army because I was buying 10 boxes of Honey Nut Chex... I said no, I am taking advantage of the sale (BOGO) and my coupons to get ahead and the fact that my family including my GF son eats Chex.  She then made a non-repeatable comment about people who stockpile... the gist of which is stockpilers ruin the sales for other people...

My thoughts on this once I recovered from the fact that I was verbally accosted in Publix by a very nosy and rude person... was to reflect that if the stores were against multiple purchase buying then they would put limits on the number of items you could buy in a week or transaction... and that if you can't find what you want on the day you are shopping in Publix they have a fabulous rain check program...

I know that it can be frustrating to go looking for an advertised 'deal' item that is a feature ingredient in your dinner plans or something you've been salivating over since you saw they were on sale in the flier... because it has happened to me... and not just with sale items... and sometimes you just have to adjust...

but the good news is that stores often do limit the number of 'sale' items you can purchase if they have a limited supply and for those they have run out of unexpectedly they offer rain checks... and most will attach your expiring coupons to the back of the rain check to be used when they are back in stock...

I've also had situations where I've asked for a rain check because there is less than the quantity I want on the shelf and rather than deprive the 'single item' shopper, I will wait for all my stockpile items...


I've said my piece... now I open it to you .. what do you think?

Walgreens Fans?

If you're not a fan of Walgreens on FB - consider doing it today!  They have a free 8x10 Collage print link on their page - makes a nice post-holiday keepsake!

Free Milk for a Year!

Click here to have a chance to win free Milk for a year... instantly

And if you don't win, you can print a coupon for a free 1/2 gallon of chocolate milk when you buy 2 gallons of white milk!

Am I nuts?

I had coupons burning a hole in my pocket tonight and as I was finishing chores and editing my presentation for tomorrow night's coupon class, I counted down to see if I could get Liam to sleep before 9:45pm tonight (he had 2 long naps, so I knew it would be a challenge) so that I could do one last Publix run and get discounted diapers...

Now, Publix is less than 1/2 a mile away, and Liam was asleep at 9:33 pm and I waited to make sure he was really out before leaving the house, because if he wasn't I wouldn't get out of the house without a tearful boy, but that's a story for my other blog...

I bought just over $20 worth of stuff and used a $5 off $20 rite aid coupon I had
Pull-ups 44 count $15.99
     - $3 in ad publix coupon
     - $2 printable coupon
     - $1 competitor coupon
International Coffee Liquid $1.99
     - Free I C coupon from Facebook give away last week
2 Juicy Juice BOGO 2 for $3.65
     - $1 off 2 man printed coupon
Total OOP: $7.74, saved $17.64

Is it really free?

Bargain hunters beware... there are as many scams as there are deals on the internet...

Check out this article from my hometown newspaper, the Toronto Star

http://www.thestar.com/business/article/738127--roseman-beware-free-sample-online-offers?bn=1