*Saving you some money in the Rock River Valley*


Welcome to our blog! While a lot of our deals may be specific to the Rockford area, you'll find many deals that are also good nationwide! We hope that our blog will be fun, informative, and that it will help you SAVE SOME MONEY!

Read here about our "Coupon Ethics"

Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Wacky Wednesday or Wednesday Wisdom? Switching things up!

I'm all out of weird, witty and wacky! I'm having a harder time finding appropriate funny things to post every Wednesday, so we're going to switch things up a bit!

"Wednesday Wisdom" will consist of random quotes that we find encouraging, or funny, or uplifting, or challenging . . . well, you get the picture! If we ever find something REALLY funny we need to share, we may occasionally throw in a "Wacky Wednesday" for old times sake.

So here is something that fits in both categories for today! Enjoy!

Usually I try to give credit where credit is due, but in this case, I can't! I've tried to find the source of this quote, but can't seem to pinpoint it. Hopefully it wasn't said by someone awful that I'd hate to quote! :)

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Tuesday Tips - Haggling?!

Good Morning America did a news story earlier this month . . . 11 Tips for Haggling at the Mall (read it here). I am not a big haggler except for maybe at yard sales, but sometimes it just doesn't hurt to ask!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Freelance Friday - An easy printable project!


I was browsing the internet and found a website called eighteen25 with the above adorable download! You can download the same print in several different colors and print them in 8x10 or 16x20. There are also directions on how to send it to a photo store to have it printed.

My only dilemma is which color - I downloaded a couple different colors and if I can't find the frame here in my house, I will definitely stop by IKEA and pick up a new frame just for this printout!

Thursday, August 25, 2011

$20 for 2 yr subscription to the Chicago Tribune!

Today through Groupon you can purchase a $20 - 2 yr Sunday only subscription to the Chicago Tribune! This is so worth it for the coupons. Go here to sign up and then look under Chicago!

Toddler Thursday - Creating with Shapes


I love this post from "No Time for Flashcards" on Creating Projects with Shapes. We have made the #2 the dinosaur from shapes. Depending on the age level, your kids can cut the shapes and create the project themselves too!

Using shapes to make a bigger creation . . genius!

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Wacky Wednesday - Childbirth According to Cosby





We do our best to ensure that landing pages of these videos are suitable for all ages, but with youtube, we regrettable can't guarantee it!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Tuesday Tip - Tip for traveling with kids

We just got back from our vacation (staying with family in Michigan) and I must say that traveling with a baby is quite different than just 2 adults. I think we took more stuff for her than we did for ourselves - and her clothes are 1/6th of my clothes size! If you're a parent, you know what I'm talking about!

Although our daughter isn't old enough for "activities" in the car (other than gnawing on a teething ring), I'm tucking away this bit of advice for traveling with kids. Go check out iheartorganizing's post on "A Travel Bag Full of Magic." What a great idea, even for the quick trip to the doctor's!


Monday, August 22, 2011

Monday Meals - Cupcakes in a jar

For some reason if you looked at my meal posts they are never actually about a meal but more about the dessert at the end of the meal . . . hmmmm . . . what does that say about me?!

Check these out . . . cupcakes in a jar!! Adorable!

Well I thought this was too adorable to pass up and am going to use this idea at Valentine's for some special teacher/principle gifts this year!

I am posting this now because you can keep an eye out for good deals on canning jars . . . 'tis the season!

Friday, August 19, 2011

Freelance Friday - Planners to organize your life!

I don't know about you, but I need all the help I can get when it comes to being organized! I was glad to see this post on "design finch" with links to many planners and checklists.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Tuesday Tips - gr8t tips for Eight O'Clock Coffee

I am a huge coffee drinker! At our house we go through a LOT of coffee and have found a good whole bean we like without having to pay Starbucks prices. We like Eight O'Clock Colombian whole bean coffee!

Check out this email from Eight O'Clock with some gr8t tips on what you can do with your grounds! We make a small composting pile and then add it to our garden soil. Also, check out the coupon in the lower right!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Freelance Friday - A project!

If you have a daughter, then you know the frustration of trying to organize all those adorable bows that we as moms love to put in their hair. Here is a beautiful bow holder you can easily create yourself.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Wacky Wednesday - Kids

Kids always manage to say or do the funniest things! I thought that this post at one of my favorite blogs iHeartOrganizing was fun - just to see her "everyday" life with her kids.

So what have your kids done lately to make you laugh?

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Tuesday Tip - Don't throw that out!

Today we are interested in what you as our readers "re-purpose" - by this we mean things that would normally be thrown out, but that you find a second purpose for (and please, no "I save my dryer lint and spin into yarn to knit a sweater" I don't even believe it! :)

For example, I don't throw away the long, narrow plastic bags that the newspaper comes in. I roll them up (first I turn them inside out if the outside is dirty) and put them in my diaper bag. Then when we are out and about and I need to wrap up a stinky diaper to throw out, I pull out the newspaper bag and voilà!

So what do YOU re-purpose?

Monday, August 8, 2011

Monday Meals - School Lunches

Since . . . . I'm just gonna say it . . . summer is coming to an end and school will be upon us very soon. . . I thought some of you might enjoy this post from Baby Cheapskate on some Tasty Lunchbox ideas.

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Back to School price list!

Your Retail Helper has a weekly post on the best back to school prices and coupon match ups. . . check out this weeks post with sales through August 7th.

Tax Free School Shopping

FYI - check out Mummy Deals here for the dates on Tax FREE Back to School Shopping!

Toddler Thursday - Koolaid and Tie-Dye


Tie-Dye baby wipes is a great use for Kool-aid. I'm not a big fan of Kool-aid at all for drinking, but this looks like the perfect use for those cheap little packets!

FREE Sam's Club Shopping this weekend!

According to WIFR news this am, starting Friday through Sunday Sam's Club in Rockford will be free entrance to anyone and no 10% markup fee if you are not a member! Sam's in Rockford has done a complete remodel and wants to show off their new store.

For further information watch WIFR starting at 5am tomorrow am!

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

Tuesday Tips - Cut a Star from Paper with just one cut!

LOVE this How to video on . . . How to cut a star from paper with just one cut! It works and it is awesome!!! Click HERE!

Monday, August 1, 2011

Monday Meals - No Bake Energy Bites

I don't know about you, but sometimes I just need a little something to munch on between meals . . . and what better than something that will give you energy? I know there are snacks out there that claim to give you energy, but honestly, I sometimes wonder what they put in those thing - and they don't taste that good.

Enter the homemade "No Bake Energy Bites" - these look delicious and fun! And you know exactly what is in them. I can't wait to make these so I can have them on hand when I have those "I just need something to munch on" moments! Thanks Food Doodles!

Get Money Smart in 2011 - August

Here is August's Get Money Smart in 2011 - (find July here)

Get ready to button up your home. Set up a home energy audit to find out where heat is escaping and how you can seal those leaks. You will slash your heating costs this winter. Your utility company might be willing to conduct one free.

Find great deals on wheels. If you are in the market for a new car, start looking for lower prices on end of the season models.

Simplify paying bills. If you haven't already done so, set up automatic bill payment through your bank or credit union to eliminate late fees. And if your 401k is maxed out, set up an automatic savings plan.
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