~Restaurant.com 80% off!~

GET $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR ONLY $2!
Enter Promo Code: PUMPKIN

Happy Monday!
SHO

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE to see what coupons are in the Sunday paper!

Sorry for the delay. My internet was down for 3 days! Sort of a strange feeling, yet nice at the same time. However, I've got some catching up to do. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Happy Saturday!
SHO

~Awesome Aldi Deals!~

A fellow couponer just reported that Aldi (across the lake) has sandwich bread for .39 per loaf and buns (burger & hot dog) for .59 per package! These items were not in the Sunday paper ad, but are AWESOME deals! This would be the time to stock up.

Happy Wednesday!
SHO

*Thanks Christy :)

~My Exciting News!~

This is my exciting news!!! Houston, we have a garden!!! After 2 years of no success, we thought this was a total loss. Honestly, we stopped watering it and everything about 3 months ago since nothing was happening. I was wanting to get out there and pull it all out a couple of months ago, but it was over 100 degrees here still. So glad I didn't :)

Look at these cantaloupe!!! We have several growing!


Tiny tomatoes too!


We have a couple of cantaloupe that are pretty big and probably ready to be picked. I'll keep you all posted. This garden has been a project that we started months ago! It is really fun and exciting to FINALLY see some results. Makes me want to try again next year!

~Aldi Comps!~

Good Morning Sassy Savers!

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine was nice and relaxing for a change. Much needed after several busy weekends in a row.

After church we ran into Wal-Mart for some fruit. I used the Aldi ad in the Dallas Morning News as my comp ad.


Apples
$2.47 per lb (Wal-Mart price)
.55 per lb (Aldi's price!)
*I saved almost $2 per lb by using the Aldi ad! Woohoo!

Grapes
$1.47 per lb (Wal-Mart price)
.99 per lb (Aldi price)

I rarely buy anything at Wal-Mart without a comp ad these days. It pays to take time to check the paper for the other store ads before you head out. It may not seem like a huge savings, but over time this ads up! Actually, even just over a month it ads ups. Using comp ads is a great way to get more food for your money!

Coming up tomorrow I have some exciting news! Stay tuned :)

Happy Monday!
SHO

~FREE 8X10 Photo Canvas!~

CanvasPeople.com is offering a free 8 x 10 photo canvas (just pay shipping) OR 40% off any larger canvas + free shipping as a special introductory deal!

This is a great deal and would make an AWESOME gift!

Go HERE to get started!

Blessings~
SHO

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE to see what coupons are in the Sunday paper!

Happy Friday!
SHO

It is now mid-October! Wow, this year has flown. Last week I was finalizing our September budget. Going over the numbers for each category. Some were more than I'd hoped (water & electric), but some were less too. All in all, it was a good month.

I have high hopes for October too! Honestly, I have high hopes for every month. I look at it with a fresh, new attitude! That is the beauty of having a budget. Each month is a new opportunity to set and reach your financial goals!

Disney is approaching and we still have several hundred to save. I've got some tricks up my sleeves. More to come on that later...

Hope you have a very happy day!
SHO

I'll be posting the coupon preview later :)

~6 FREE Products!~

Vistaprint is offering 6 Free Products for Fall! The products are FREE, just pay Shipping and Processing.

1 Free Photo Wall Calendar
Impress family, friends or customers with customized wall calendars. Choose icons, add captions and highlight individual dates. Upload your own photos from your computer, Facebook, Picasa, or Flicker or select from hundreds of designs. (Shipping starts at $5.67).

1 Free Photo Flip Book
Create a special keepsake with our handy 4" x 6" flip books. Upload your photos and customize with captions. Includes 10 pages with 1 photo per page. (Shipping starts at $6.01)

1 Free Tote Bag
Perfect for everyday use, our 100% canvas tote bags can be customized with your name and message. Choose from 24 designs. (Shipping starts at $5.67)

250 Free Business Cards
250 FREE Business cards. Perfect for networking, interviews, mommy cards and more! Choose from 45 professional designs and customize with your text. (Shipping starts at $5.67)

10 Free Invitations
Have an upcoming event? Take it up a notch by sending your guests premium invitations. With over 1,000 designs to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect cards to suite your event. You can even send them in matching envelopes. (Shipping starts at $4.52)

1 Free T-Shirt
Choose from a variety of designs and personalize with your own text or photos! Great for cheering for sports teams, team events, family photos and more! (Shipping starts at $4.41)

Remember to plan ahead as these would make AWESOME Christmas gifts!

Go HERE to get started.
Happy Wednesday!
SHO

~My Tom Thumb Trip~

There were 4 coupons that were going to expire this week that I really wanted to use. I don't actually drink Pepsi Max, but I will take it to events if it is FREE!

Here is how it went down at Tom Thumb:

Cheetos (Buy 2 Get 2 Free sale)
$3.49 x 2 = $6.98
-2 FREE (store sale)
-1 FREE Pepsi Max for buy 2 Cheetos coupon
-1 FREE Pepsi Max for buy 2 Cheetos coupon
-$1/2 Cheetos coupon
-$1/2 Cheetos coupon
=$4.98 for 4 bags of Cheetos & 2 Pepsi's

Dr. Pepper 10
$1.99
-FREE Coupon (used 2 coupons)
=FREE!


2 Organics spinach
$3.99 (BOGO sale)
*That makes it cheaper than the other spinach options!

I would also like to report that my transaction did not get messed up. Woohoo! That was a wonderful change :)

Blessings~
SHO

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE to see what coupons are in the Sunday paper!

Happy Friday!
SHO

~Prevention is Key!~

Americans aren't very healthy...There is hope (read to the bottom)!

*80 million people have some form of heart disease. (American Heart Association)

*1 in 3 women and 1 in 2 men will have cancer in his or her lifetime. (National Cancer Institute)

*Over 20 million children and adults have diabetes. (American Diabetes Association)

Why are we so unhealthy?

Poor food choices
Not drinking enough water
Lack of exercise
Stressful lifestyles
Environmental factors
Sleep deprivation

Approach to medicine is "treatment" instead of "prevention".

What can we do about it?

The U.S. government has spent billions trying to find a cure for heart disease, cance and other diseases.

THEIR CONCLUSION:
Disease is easier to prevent than to cure.

THEIR RECOMMENDATION:
Eat 7-13 serving of fresh fruits and vegetables every day.

THE PROBLEM:
Almost no one does!

MY SOLUTION:
Juice Plus+
Juice Plus+ gives my family the nutrition from 17 different fruits, vegetables and grains each day. It is easy, affordable and convenient. It feels so great to know that we are fueling our bodies with what it needs. We are all experiencing positive changes (more to come on that in a later post).

Go HERE to learn more about Juice Plus+. It is changing the health of my family.

Wednesday Blessings~
SHO

~FREE American Baby Magazine!~

Go HERE for your FREE American Baby magazine. I love FREE magazines!

Blessings~
SHO

~A Fun & Frugal Idea!~

Looking for something fun to do that doesn't cost much money for your family? I know, who isn't?!
Go CAMPING! My hubs & little girl have camped out in our backyard several times and had a BLAST! She was sad when the tent had to be taken down. I can only imagine the fun if we were at an actual camp ground!

The pro's to camping:

Cheap! Actually, it FREE if you do it in your own yard :)
Bring your own snacks!
Make your own meals!
Spend quality time "unplugged"!

If you are wanting to have a vacation, but need it to be a "staycation" due to your budget, consider camping. The kiddos will love it and you will save money! Everyone wins!

Happy Tuesday!
SHO

~Monday Updates~

Good Monday & Boomer Sooner!

Woohoo! What a game :) Hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine was crazy busy with a party, garage sale and then off to the OK line to pick up mini-me. It was busy! We had good traffic at the garage sale, but I still came home with some junk. Oh well, I've never cleared out everything at a sale. Actually, we ended up coming home with some items that our friends were selling. See that is the real problem ;)
We were excited to score a flat screen t.v. that had never been used for a very inexpensive price!

Did you all get out and shop some garage sales this weekend?

Monday Blessings~
SHO

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE to see what coupons are in the Sunday paper!

Happy Friday!
SHO

~Rockwall Area Garage Sales!~

If you are in the Rockwall area or even live in the Dallas area, make plans to come to Rockwall this weekend! There are 2 huge neighborhood garage sales going on. My plan is to go to the Woodcreek neighborhood sale on Friday. On Saturday, I'm hosting a garage sale in Buffalo Creek.

I love the neighborhood sales because it is one garage sale after another. You can park and walk to several sales on a street. It is great!

Happy Thursday!
SHO

~Hormone Free Chicken Sale!~

As you all know, I like to purchase my meats in bulk. So, I made a special trip to Brookshire's (a grocery store that I rarely shop) since they had hormone free chicken for $1 per lb. My bulk price point for hormone free chicken is right around $1, so this was great! The best part is that it is skinless! Woohoo! If you have spent anytime in the kitchen cutting off skin, you know why I'm so excited.


When were got there they were out. No big deal, hunky hubs asked if they had any in back and they did. When they brought them out, the sticker said $1.29 per lb instead of $1.00. Doesn't sound like a big difference, right? WRONG!

We asked the meat department guy about it and he said it should ring up at the correct price. Well it didn't. Luckily, I told the cashier about the problem before he started scanning. It ended up being an $11 difference that we saved by catching the error on the sticker.

Assume nothing and always check to make sure you are getting the advertised sale price (regardless of where you shop). It is smart shopping. Of course, be kind and they will be kind to you. Most of the time, they will have favor upon you! The best part of the story is that we ended up getting over 3 lbs of chicken for FREE from the store manager because he didn't want to have to figure it all out, so he estimated in our favor.
We all know by now...I HEART FREE!

Happy Monday!

SHO

~Information that changed my life!~

*By the age of 12, an estimated 70% of our children have developed the beginning stages of hardening of the arteries. (Bogalusa Heart Study)

*1 in 3 Americans born in 2000 will develop diabetes. (Journal of the American Medical Association)

*1 in 4 children is obese. (International Journal of Obesity)

*7% of school age children are diagnosed with ADHD. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

*About 6% of elementary school children and 7% of adolescent miss 11 or more days of school yearly due to illness or injury. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

*Over 93% of all children and adolescents do NOT consume the recommended servings of vegetables per day. (Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine)

This is part of the research that convicted me to make sure that my family is NOT part of these statistics. The answer for us is Juice Plus+!

What can we do about it?
Good nutrition takes time and planning. Clinically proven Juice Plus+® helps you bridge the gap between the 7 to 13 servings of fruits and vegetables recommended by The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the nutrition you actually get with your busy schedule.

For more information, please visit my website or email me at coachoshields@hotmail.com. Also, if you would like to sign up for a child study please email me.

Happy Saturday!
SHO

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE to find out what coupons are in the Sunday paper!

Happy Friday!

SHO

~Kellogg's $5-$10 in Coupons!~

Signup to get access to $5.00-$10.00 in coupons! Go HERE to get started!

~Coupons.com Printables!~

Go HERE to start printing FREE coupons from Coupons.com!

~RedPlum Printable Coupons!~

Go HERE to start printing FREE grocery coupons from RedPlum.com!

~Extra Money=Family Vacation!~

Plan a vacation strictly with extra money...

Let me explain...My friend, Christy, took her family on a Florida beach vacation and they didn't spend any money out of their bank account.
How did they do it?

They had a garage sale, sold items on Ebay, sold items on Craigslist, collected loose change, etc. They had a goal to only spend money that they had made "extra", not any from their savings or bank account.
Guess what?! They did it!

I'm so proud of them! Isn't that awesome?! I'm inspired!

Do you have a goal? Has someone inspired you lately? Please let me know if you have a story you would like to share!

Blessings~
SHO

~Kroger's New Coupon Policy~

Since so many of you have asked me. Here is my response to Kroger not doubling or tripling coupons anymore...

Life goes on. I will continue to be a smart shopper. I'll continue to shop the sales and get good deals. I will continue to use coupons. However, I just may not get as many FREE items now. Since we knew this was coming, I'm not in shock at all. Honestly, I'm too busy right now to be too shocked! Life is happening so fast. I'm just trying to keep caught up. Time really does fly when you are having fun!

Why do I think they stopped doubling and tripling coupons?

In my opinion, we can thank the show Extreme Couponing for this. Again, this is my opinion. I don't think it is a coincidence at all that the Houston area was the first to stop doubling/tripling shortly after an episode of Extreme Couponing was on located in Houston.

My advice:
Shop wisely. Watch the sales. Match the sales with your coupons. Comp sale items to avoid going to multiple stores. Relax. This is not the end of our couponing world. We are smart shoppers and we will continue to get great deals!

Blessed~
SHO

~Wal-Mart Comps~

Good Monday Morning Sassy Savers!

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend! Several of you have spoken to me about how excited you were to see the new Wal-Mart commercial that states that you don't have to actually have the competitor ad with you while comping something. I've expressed my concern to each of you as I've been given trouble by cashiers lately. Literally, I've been denied multiple times. Very annoying!
Trying not to be negative, I gave it a try on Saturday by comping milk. No problems at all! I left there telling my hunky hubs that Wal-Mart had redeemed themselves.

Well, all that changed when I went back in on Sunday afternoon. I was armed with the Albertson's ad just in case. At checkout I told her the comp price and store and she didn't believe me. She said "I need to see the ad". I said "That's fine, but your new policy says I don't have to have it". I showed it to her, she still questioned it (even though she was seeing it in print). Ugh! Moving on. At this point there were about 10 people wanting to shoot me in line. Literally, I was not the hold-up. It was the cashier! Anyway, I got my canned veggies for .49 per can and left the building.

All this to say, continue to take your ad with you while comping at Wal-Mart. It is obvious that they don't stand behind their word!

Yes, I will continue to hope for the best and continue to comp items at Wal-Mart. However, I will always keep an ad with me.

Happy Monday!
SHO

~FREE 8X10 Photo Collage!~

TODAY ONLY, Walgreens is offering a free 8×10 Photo Collage! Use coupon code COLLAGE at checkout. Be sure to choose in-store pickup to not pay shipping.

I HEART FREE!

SHO

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE for details!

Hope you all are out enjoying this beautiful fall day! We went on a nature walk and it was so nice to not be sweating bullets. I love days like today!

Happy Friday Sassy Savers!
SHO

*This is for you Jordan ;)

~Restaurant.com 80% Off!~

GET $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR ONLY $2!
Enter Promo Code: FALL

Friday Blessings!
SHO

~Healthy options are not always super expensive!~

I'm always curious as to what people are feeding their children. Today I took a long hard look around at the lunches in my daughter's kindergarten class. It was pretty extreme! I observed spinach, turkey, cantaloupe, cheese & veggie chips in one container. One student had rice, snap peas,cheese, etc. Another student had a lunchable and greasy chips. Hmmm. No judging, just observing!

So many people think that they can't "afford" to put good things into their children's bodies. I'm proof positive that you can. My daughter's lunch had all of the food groups in it and it was still cheaper than a store bought lunchable.

Am I anti-lunchables? Absolutely not! My daughter LOvES them, however they are a rare treat at our house.

Moving along...back to people think everything healthy is too expensive. Did you know that it only cost $1.35 per day for an adult to get 17 fruits, vegetables & grains from Juice Plus+? I was SHOCKED at how affordable it really is! If you sign up your child for a child's study, they can take the product for FREE (just pay shipping). So, for $1.35 per day my daughter and I can get 17 fruits, vegetables and grains through Juice Plus+. That was such exciting news for this Momma who tries so hard, but NEVER get the daily recommendation (7-13) of fruits & vegetables. Honestly, I don't know anyone who does. If you are interested in learning more about this, please leave me a comment or visit my website. Please note that all studies have to go through me (not the website). Leave me a comment with your contact information and I will get back to you asap.

Blessings~
SHO

~Check Your Receipts~

The saga continues with Tom Thumb! I've mentioned numerous times before to be careful and watch your receipt when shopping at Tom Thumb. I've done at least 25-30 transactions and NONE OF THEM HAVE BEEN CORRECT! Isn't that sad? Either the sale price didn't ring up correctly or some of my coupons were not taken off. Every time I end up at the service desk getting my money back. Extra time spent and very inconvenient.

A couple of weeks ago, they had a few things that I wanted and we happened to be driving by so we stopped. The "buy 5 get $5 off instantly" only took $2.80 off. As a consumer we shouldn't have to eagle eye every transaction, but boy do I at this store.

My point here is to really watch and make sure the sale items are ringing up the correct price. Don't assume that you did something wrong. More than likely it is an error on their end.

Yes, I will occasionally still shop there. I do believe they have a great meat department and a very nice meat department staff. I just wanted to give you a warning to make sure and check your receipt! Remember, you are not getting a good deal if something rings up the wrong price or if your coupon is never deducted.

As always, be kind. It is a computer error, not the cashier.

Blessings~
SHO

~6 FREE Offers from Vistaprint!~

Vistaprint is offering 6 Free Products for Fall! The products are FREE, just pay Shipping and Processing.

*1 Free Photo Wall Calendar
Impress family, friends or customers with customized wall calendars. Choose icons, add captions and highlight individual dates. Upload your own photos from your computer, Facebook, Picasa, or Flicker or select from hundreds of designs. (Shipping starts at $5.67).

*1 Free Photo Flip Book
Create a special keepsake with our handy 4" x 6" flip books. Upload your photos and customize with captions. Includes 10 pages with 1 photo per page. (Shipping starts at $6.01)

*1 Free Tote Bag
Perfect for everyday use, our 100% canvas tote bags can be customized with your name and message. Choose from 24 designs. (Shipping starts at $5.67)

*250 Free Business Cards
Perfect for networking, interviews, mommy cards and more! Choose from 45 professional designs and customize with your text. (Shipping starts at $5.67)
(I've ordered these twice and have had friends order them. We have all been very pleased.)

*10 Free Invitations
Have an upcoming event? Take it up a notch by sending your guests premium invitations. With over 1,000 designs to choose from, you are sure to find the perfect cards to suite your event. You can even send them in matching envelopes. (Shipping starts at $4.52)

*1 Free T-Shirt
Choose from a variety of designs and personalize with your own text or photos! Great for cheering for sports teams, team events, family photos and more! (Shipping starts at $4.41)

Think ahead for Christmas. Some of these things would make for a great personalized gift. I was just thinking the bag would be super cute with a scripture on it for a teacher. Endless possibilities!

Go HERE to get started! Better hurry, offer expires September 23, 2011.

Blessings~
SHO

~Natural Solutions~

Good Monday Morning Sassy Savers!

Hope everyone is off to a good start this morning. Wasn't the sound of rain awesome last night? Of course losing the satellite and electricity not so much. However, a small trade off for some much needed rain!

Last night as we were out enjoying some relays in our back yard my hunky hubs noticed something...Mouse poo! Ick! He then spotted 2 tiny mice. Gross!
Immediately I ran inside to get on the computer to see what we could do to get rid of them without harsh chemicals. I read that we need to sprinkle kitty litter around the perimeter of the house and they will leave due to the smell of cat urine. Isn't that interesting?
I'll keep you all posted. Praise the Lord they haven't found their way into the house!

There are always natural approaches to most household problems on-line. Plus, they are usually TONS cheaper than hiring a professional. A few years ago I had an ant problem in the kitchen and on my front porch. I ended up using grits on them and it worked! I'm hooked on natural solutions now.

Happy Monday!
SHO

~Exciting News Regarding Fruits & Vegetables!~

People often approach me to sell items (make-up, home products, candles, etc.) and I will consider for a few minutes and then decline the offer. Yes, I wear make-up. Yes, I enjoy home products, candles, etc. However, I don't "believe" in them. Does that make sense? I don't want to invest my time in trying to sell something that I don't believe is key to living a great life.

Recently, I was approached about Juice Plus+. A woman that I dearly respect started sharing about the product and how it completely changed her health. I then began to study all the research and listen to all the cds about the product. Boy, was I convicted!

As a mom, I do my best to give my child fruits and vegetables everyday. However, we never get the 7-13 recommended daily allowance. Actually, I don't know anyone who does!

Once I read about how so many diseases and illnesses can be prevented through our diets, I wanted to get my family on this product IMMEDIATELY! Yes, there is a cost to this product. However, it is minimal compared to the cost of getting sick with doctor visits and prescriptions.

For around $1.50 per day I can take the capsules that are full of 17 different fruits and vegetables! Plus, my daughter is signed up for a child study which gets her the children's chewables FREE. She LOvES the taste of them! Actually, she thinks they are fruit snacks. I tried them and they are good. I was thrilled to find something that my daughter is excited to take! If you are interested in the child study, please email me at coachoshields@hotmail.com.

For more information on Juice Plus+ go HERE to enter my site. You can read about all the research done on these products. It is very interesting!

Happy Weekend!
SHO

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE for details!

Happy Friday!
SHO

~A Woman Who Inspires Me!~

Someone who inspires me...

I met someone that has truly inspired me. She asked that I not mention her name, so I will respect that. We started talking about saving money and finances one day and I was just AMAZED! Very few people knock my "financial socks" off, but she did! The more she spoke, the more I wanted to know. Finally, I said "can I blog about you?" Of course, I wrote everything down and then lost the tiny piece of paper. Then today it just appeared out of nowhere. So, here is part of her story and secrets to financial success!

She purchased a home when she was single. She put 20% down and took out a 30 year note. Shortly after, she married and then they paid it off in 6 years!!!

A few years later they decided to upgrade to a nicer and more expensive home. This home was more than double the price of their first home. They were down to only 1 income as she had become a stay-at-home mother of 2 at this point. They lost 1/2 of their income when she became a full-time mom. They got on a budget, she took on a few extra jobs bringing in a little money here and there. . They took out a 15 year note and paid it off in 5 years!!!

Are you inspired yet?

During this time they also paid cash for a pre-owned suburban. Can you imagine having 2 small children with no car payment and no house payment? To be completely financially independent??? Imagine just how amazing that would be!

How did they do it?
They put all of their extra money towards the house payment. They didn't over buy or overspend on anything. They paid cash for everything purchased.
The biggest secret...they TITHE! She said that God truly blessed their money and made it multiply.

What is next for them?
They are currently saving for retirement and 2 college educations for their children.

I'm so proud to know a woman of such financial integrity. I'm inspired! Are you?

Blessings~
SHO

~Kroger No Longer Doubles/Triples Coupons~

Well, a day that I had warned long ago was going to happen...HAS!

"Kroger made the decision to discontinue the practice of doubling (up to 50 cents) and tripling (up to 39 cents) the value of manufacturer coupons in the Dallas – Fort Worth and East Texas markets.

The company said it’s instead focusing on lowering everyday prices and has been doing so in recent months."
-Myfoxdfw.com

I hope that statement is true!

Happy Wednesday!
SHO

~Crock Pot Recipe Tuesday!~

I tried out a new Crock Pot recipe and we all really enjoyed it Sunday after church. It is super easy and not many ingredients.

*It is not the best looking meal, but it was mighty tasty!

Salsa Chicken

2-4 chicken breasts
taco seasoning
1 cup salsa
1 can cream of mushroom soup
8 oz sour cream (I was out and it was still good without it)

*Top chicken with taco seasoning
*Mix salsa & soup and cover chicken
*Cook for 6-8 hours on low (I cooked for 4 hours on high)
*Mix in the sour cream and let it get hot before serving (optional)
*Serve over rice or taco shells (We ate it over brown rice. I wrapped my daughter's in a tortilla and she loved it!)

Enjoy!
SHO

~My Sprout's Trip~

Ran over to Sprout's this weekend and found a few deals. The fun thing about Sprout's is that I don't know what is on sale until I get there. Rarely, do I ever shop this way! This is what was purchased:

Veggie Chips-$2.50
Cantaloupes-.50 each!
Apples-$1.13
Nectarine-.38
Spinach-$1.74
Mushrooms-$1.69
Organic Puffed Kamut cereal-$1.59
*I'm excited about this cereal for my daughter as it is sugar, salt, sodium, fat and cholesterol free! A totally natural cereal! She picked it out and is excited about it. I was excited about the price ;)
UPDATE: She LOvES the cereal!

Happy Monday!
SHO

~JBF 1/2 Price Sale is TODAY!~

Today is your last chance to shop the Dallas JBF Sale. Make plans to head on over for some awesome deals as today is 1/2 price day!!!

Mesquite Rodeo Exhibit Hall

Sunday, Sept. 11th
noon-6pm (1/2 price!)

Happy Shopping!
SHO

~Only 2 Days Left to Shop JBF!~

Only 2 days left to shop the Dallas JBF Sale!

Hurry on over to the Mesquite Rodeo Exhibit Hall to get great deals on all things for baby, children and maternity. This is one stop shopping!

Saturday
10am-8pm

Sunday, Sept. 11th
noon-6pm (1/2 price!)

Happy Saturday!
SHO

~How I Save on Fruits, Vegetables, Milk & Eggs~

People often say that they there is NO WAY to save money on fresh fruits, vegetables, milk and eggs. Not true!
Each week grocery stores have some fruit and vegetables on sale. It may take you planning your menu around the sale items. Also, I rarely ever go to multiple stores. I don't like to spend my time or gas money cruising around. Many times I will just take comp ads into Wal-Mart and buy everything there.
Just this week I was able to save over $6 by using the Aldi ad that was in the Dallas Morning News.

Milk $1.99
Eggs .89 per dozen
Grapes .89 per lb
Cantaloupe .89

Thanks to my freezer cooking and stockpile, these were the only groceries I purchased for the week! Saving $6 may not seem like a lot, but it adds up quickly. Especially when I'm buying items that don't have coupons. I use any trick available to save money on these items!

Happy Weekend!
SHO

~3 Principles We Live By~

Hello Sassy Savers!

Hope everyone is having a great Friday! Boy, has this been a crazy busy week. All of my freezer cooking meals paid off big time this week. I didn't spend more than 20 minutes on any meal and we ate at home. I've found that if I have something that I can whip up in around 20-30 minutes, we will eat at home. After all, it takes about that long to go get takeout. Plus, you have to spend your precious money on fuel. No fun! Anytime we eat at home my hunky hubs calls it a "prepaid meal". In our house those meals are wonderful! Especially, since we are saving for Disney World!!!


Part of the reason that I started this blog was to encourage people. I'm asked all the time how we live off a teacher's salary. People are beyond curious. My answer is that we don't just "live", but we live in the "overflow blessings". Honestly, we live better now than we did with 2 full-time salaries. Part of the reason is that I'm not constantly worrying about money. Now that we live on such a strict budget, I know where the money is going. It is amazing the peace that I have felt since living on a written budget (of course, sticking to it is key).


3 principles we live by:

1) We are good stewards with our money (started using coupons). Started to think and plan ahead before every purchase. We were amazed at what we can talk ourselves out of! (Example: BMW 3 series...yes, it is my dream car...yes, we test drove several of them...yes, we put in offers...THEN we came back to a normal state of mind and decided that we have other goals that come before us driving a pretty BMW. After all, it will be even prettier when we get it AFTER we pay CASH for our home!)

2) We live within a budget. A very detailed budget is key for us! I keep track of where every dollar goes each month on a spreadsheet. That has really kept us on track. We have a game plan every month to make sure that we stay focused and are able to hit our savings goal.

3) Most importantly we HONOR GOD with our TITHE. We believe that God blesses the 90% that we keep and multiplies it. We have seen it in our finances!
Another thing is giving to those in need. I encourage you to pray and see if God is leading you to help someone. I promise, it is the BEST feeling knowing that you are truly helping someone in need. You will be so rewarded.


When we started combining those 3 things we were amazed at how God truly blessed us.
I want to encourage you today that whatever your financial situation is, you can start making changes today. You can get out of debt. You can live in the "overflow blessings". You can leave your children a legacy of financial freedom! Get excited! Change can be a wonderful thing. Change is uncomfortable, but so is living with debt looming over your head. Look forward to the finish line and never lose sight of your goals!

Be Blessed~
SHO

~Sunday Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE to view upcoming coupons!

Friday Blessings~
SHO

~JBF Sale!~

Don't forget to head over to the Dallas JBF Sale this weekend! I was there on Tuesday and it was full of great merchandise and at awesome prices too!

Location:
MESQUITE RODEO
EXHIBIT HALL
1700 Rodeo Drive
Mesquite, TX 75149


Sale Dates:
Sept. 8-11, 2011
Thursday-Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday (1/2 price) noon-6pm


Can't wait to hear about your awesome deals!

SHO

~The Home Depot Coupons & More!~

Sign up to receive emails about special offers, coupons and promotions from The Home Depot. I've used many of the coupons they have sent me. Typically, they are really good coupons (example: buy 1 tree get 1 FREE).
Go HERE to sign up!

~Restaurant.com 80% Off!~

GET $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR ONLY $2!
Enter Promo Code: SAVE


Blessings~
SHO

~JBF is HERE!

Make plans to shop the Dallas JBF Sale this week!

Just Between Friends Dallas
MESQUITE RODEO EXHIBIT HALL
1700 Rodeo Drive
Mesquite, TX 75149

Sale Dates:
Sept. 8-11, 2011
Thursday-Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday (1/2 price) noon-6pm

Pre-Sale starts today for those of you with passes!

Admission is $3 on Thursday, September 8th ONLY
all other days are FREE!

Go, have fun and save a ton of money!!!

Blessings~
SHO

~Final JBF Tip!~

JBF tip:

Have your items in order by size before you get there. I pack my car according to size. This will save you a great deal of time if you already have the clothing organized. It is no fun to keep going up and down aisles and wasting time at the drop-off. If the items are already in order by size, drop-off will be a breeze!

For more information on the Dallas JBF Sale on September 8-11, 2011 go HERE

Blessings~
SHO

~A BIG Week!~

Not only was it mini-me's 5th birthday, but it was also her very first day of Kindergarten!!! She started the day off in the 5 o'clock hour, yes AM. She got the treat of going to school with The Daddy this morning to meet some of his students before her school started. She loved that!


She got embarrassed again when her class sang Happy Birthday to her at lunch.

Since The Daddy had to work late again, we went on a dinner date to CFA. We were both exhausted after a long day of work & school. We came home and cuddled, watched our favorite show (Design Star), read some books and off to bed she went.

Of course the night before was a different story! I sobbed as I rocked her before bedtime. I said "this is the last night I will rock my 4 year old baby girl". She got out of bed later to come tell me that she "didn't want to grow up". I told her the good news is that she doesn't have to for a long time. She liked that.
Then she wanted to make sure that 5 year olds still get rocked at night. I told her that I would rock her forever. She said "But, I'll hurt your lap". I told her that I would find a way. Not to worry :)

Sissy~
I love you so much. You are truly my most precious little gift from God. I love you and our time together. I love how sweet and kind you are. I'm so proud that you are my little girl. Out of all the girls in the world, I'd choose you!
Mommy

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE to view upcoming coupons!

~JBF Tip-Reduce!~

JBF tip:

Don't be afraid to "reduce" your items for the half-price day (last day of sale). The first time I sold at JBF, I didn't do this and in return I had to go pick up many items that didn't sell. My friend, Christy, tags everything to be reduced. She made a great point to me that it was more important for her to get something out of it than to have to pick it up and keep storing the items. Such a great point! After all, the goal is to get rid of it and to make money. Now, I reduce probably around 90% of my items. Not everything sells, but I end up not bringing much back and I still make some money. Everyone wins!

*If you are a consignor, be sure to check out the new procedures regarding onesies and pj's. They are to be hung now!

For more information on the Dallas JBF Sale on September 8-11, 2011 go HERE

Blessings~
SHO

~Restaurant.com 80% Off!~

GET $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR ONLY $2!
Enter Promo Code: TASTY

Expires today!

Wednesday Blessings~
SHO

~FREE 8X10 Canvas!~

CanvasPeople.com is offering a free 8 x 10 or $50 off any size canvas as a special introductory deal! This coupon can be applied toward a larger size canvas, creative effects or beautiful frames!
If you buy 1, you will get 50% off the second canvas and 50% off shipping.

I have a friend putting these in her formal dining room. This is really a great value! Again, think ahead for Christmas gifts. These are the types of deals that make excellent gifts!

Go HERE for the deal!

Blessings~
SHO

~Chili's FREE Chips & Queso!~

I'm posting this again because this is such a great deal! We broke our 3 weeks of not eating out on Sunday to celebrate mini-me's birthday. It was so good, especially after eating at home so much!

Go HERE to sign up for Chili's email list and you will get a FREE Chips & Queso coupon! This is really a great value just for signing up. I LOvE Chili's :)

Blessings~
SHO

~JBFis 1 Week Away!~

Make plans now to attend the Just Between Friends Sales Event Dallas/Mesquite! 36,000 square feet of great deals!!!

Find great deals on everything you need for babies & children including:

cribs • joggers • strollers • nursery items • baby & children's clothing • maternity
toys, toys, toys! • books • family DVDs • dress-up clothing • playsets • and more!

MESQUITE RODEO
EXHIBIT HALL
1700 Rodeo Drive
Mesquite, TX 75149

Sale Dates:
Sept. 8-11, 2011
Thursday-Saturday 10am-8pm
Sunday (1/2 price) noon-6pm

Happy Monday!
SHO

~JBF Tip!~

JBF tip:


Make sure any items that you are selling that are not hanging (socks, pj's, shoes,etc) are in clear plastic bags. This is very important for several reasons. Most importantly, you want your item to remain clean and with the tags in tact.


For more information on the Dallas JBF Sale on September 8-11, 2011 go HERE
Blessings~
SHO

~Quizno's Coupons!~

Click HERE to get coupons!

Coupons include:
- Free Sub of equal or less value with the purchase of any sub and a regular fountain drink
- Free chip or cookie and regular fountain drink with purchase of regular salad or sub
- 2 Meals for $9.99 - Two small subs, chips/cookies, and regular drinks for $9.99
- $1 Off Regular Sub or $2 Off Large Sub

Some of you had a hard time printing these coupons the other day. I'm posting again to give you another opportunity to print. Let me know if you have any problems with this.

Thanks!
SHO

~Coupon Preview!~

Go HERE to preview the coupons!

~Awesome Jillian Michaels Fitness Deal!~

Three Reasons Jillian Michaels Program Works:

1. Experience
Jillian has been helping people lose weight for 18 years. She has struggled with her own weight issues. Trust her, she knows what works.

2. No Gym Required
You pick when and where you want to work out. You'll get all the tools, support, and motivation you need from my customized online program.

3. It's Customized
Based on your body type, fitness level, and goals - you'll get a customized weight loss program designed for maximum results

I'm excited for anyone who tries this! I'm a HUGE fan of Jillian Michaels. She motivates me BIGTIME! I think of her often when I'm running and want to stop short of my goal. I think to how she motivates so many people to completely change their lives for the better. If they can lose over 100 lbs, I can run 10 miles per week!

Go HERE to start getting fit & losing weight!

Remember the first 7 days are FREE to try it out. If you like it, then you will pay $4 per week after. Cancel anytime. This is a great deal!

Please let me know if you decide to give it a try. I'd love to hear what you think!

SHO

~Earn Cash Back!~

Why You Should Join Ebates!

You get cash back at any of 1,200 stores any time you start your shopping trip at Ebates.com. There are no points to redeem, no forms to mail in, and no fees. Stores pay Ebates a sales commission for sending shoppers their way, and Ebates uses the commission to pay you cash back.

Honestly, I'm a little sick that I wasn't signed up when I purchased some of my more expensive items! If you ever shop on-line, why not earn cash back?

Go HERE to sign up!

SHO

~Getting Ready for the Dallas JBF Sale!~

It's Friday! Did this week fly by for everyone? I was super busy school, JBF and life in general. I woke up this morning and couldn't believe Friday was already here. Whew!

If you are wanting to become a consignor at JBF, it's not too late! You will need to sign up and start tagging since drop off is next Tuesday. Plan to shop JBF next Thursday through Sunday. There are always some great deals!

For more information on the Dallas JBF Sale, go HERE. I'll be posting some of my JBF tips later today and this weekend!

Friday Blessings~
SHO

~Restaurant.com 80% Off!~

GET $25 GIFT CERTIFICATES FOR ONLY $2!
Enter Promo Code: TASTY


Happy Thursday!
SHO

~Be On A Consumer Panel!~

If you join Nielsen Home Scan Consumer Panel, you can earn valuable points, which are redeemable for electronics, household items, jewelry, toy, gift cards, and more. If they are accepting panelists in your area, you'll receive a price gun that you scan your groceries and coupons to earn points. This is a fun activity for kids to do while you're putting groceries away and the longer you're a panelist, the better the prizes get.

Go HERE to sign up!

This is just another way to earn items to give as Christmas gifts without spending money!

Blessings~
SHO

~FREE Photo Calendar!~

1 Free Photo Wall Calendar! The Calendar is FREE just pay shipping and processing. Choose from a variety of designs and upload your own photos. Add icons and notes to specific dates so you remember important events. You can even start your calendar any month of the year!

Go HERE to order one!
Offer good Monday, August 22 to Friday, August 26!

This would make a really nice gift for someone!

Blessings~
SHO

~FREE 8X10 Canvas!~

CanvasPeople.com is offering a free 8 x 10 or $50 off any size canvas as a special introductory deal! This coupon can be applied toward a larger size canvas, creative effects or beautiful frames!
If you buy 1, you will get 50% off the second canvas and 50% off shipping. This would be a really nice gift!

Go HERE to view the offer!

Blessings~
SHO