*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"

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Toddler Thursday - Customized Water Bottles

Now that we have had the official summer kick-off and pools are open and kids are almost out of school.  This is a fun idea on how to customize disposable water bottles for all your fun summer activities.  This is a great idea for parties of any kind or a day at the amusement park or if you are just a germaphobe and you don't want someone else accidentally drinking out of your water bottle!



Also, if you are not a Wal-mart shopper, 5 Below has all sorts of fun duct tape options too!

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Tuesday Tip - Easy centerpieces

Here are some easy and pretty centerpieces to make - if you use silk flowers, most of what you need can be found at the dollar store!


Monday, May 28, 2012

Friday, May 25, 2012

Freelance Friday - Take time to slow down

My friend Johanna has a wonderful blog where she writes almost daily about things that are so helpful to me. I'd encourage you to stop by and read some of her entries.

I thought this post about "Living slowly is beautiful" was a particularly good reminder to slow down in the midst of our crazy-busy lives! Take a minute to read it and enjoy!




Monday, May 21, 2012

Monday Munchies - Summer Coolness

Hmmm! With the 80 degree weather we've been having, I'm thinking about all the cool (pun intended) things I can be making this summer. Here are a few classics and a few newbies I'd like to try this summer. Yum! (If you are a Pinterest user, you can click on the picture. If not, click on the link below the picture).








Source: ttimechic.com via Anouk on Pinterest



Source: google.com via Anouk on Pinterest
















Thursday, May 17, 2012

Toddler Thursday - Reusing

Isn't this a great idea to reuse a no-longer-needed travel wipes container? Genius!



Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Tuesday Tip - Customize your light switch

Here is a great post with multiple links on ways to customize your light switches. Once you get to the website, click on the links below the picture to go to the details on how to make these yourself! I especially like these two!




Monday, May 14, 2012

Monday Meals - Easy Chicken Parmesan

I really like Chicken Parmesan, but we usually don't have it unless we go to a restaurant - maybe I'm lazy, but I think it's so much work! Until now!

I found this recipe and it truly is easy! We had it this Sunday and it was delicious! Hope you can enjoy it too!

Friday, May 11, 2012

Freelance Friday - Toddlers and Sharing





I'm not familiar with the website itself, so I can't vouch for it, but I thought this particular article on Toddler Sharing was quite insightful. Even if you don't have a toddler, it's a good article to read!

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Monday, May 7, 2012

Monday Munchies - Avocados

I don't know about you, but I love avocados! I'm starting to notice that it is popping up often in my recipes on pinterest, so I thought I'd share some of them with you! Do you have any favorite recipes using avocados?








Source: google.com via Anouk on Pinterest










Friday, May 4, 2012

Freelance Friday - Birthday Balloon Wreath

I love changing out my wreaths on the front door on a seasonal or monthly basis.  One night on Pinterest I came across this website with 90 beautiful wreath ideas.  Scroll down to number 10 and see one of my favorites, the balloon Mickey Mouse wreath.  This is my version that I made for less than $10.  It will grace our front door around the birthdays of those in our house!



Balloons - 2 pkg of 72 for $4 each
Floral Pins - 2 pkg for $2
Small Wreath - .50 at thrift store (haystyle type wreath)

The kids LOVED helping me with this project.  Click on the this link for the direct tutorial!


Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Wacky Wednesday

Not sure where this comic is from, but I thought it was a funny (and sad) commentary of our times!



Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Tuesday Tip - Glitter bottle

I thought this glitter bottle was a great idea for when a child needs some quiet time (or a time-out). I think I would even enjoy it to just relax!


Monday Munchies - Homemade Pizza Sauce

Whoops!  This should have posted yesterday but I just realized I had today's date on the post.  So, Monday Munchies is arriving on Tuesday!  The ironic thing is I whipped this up this morning for dinner tonight and that's what triggered I didn't see it post yesterday. 

We like this easy, inexpensive homemade pizza sauce.  No more paying $1.99 for a small jar of sauce; just mix up a batch of this in no time and you have 2 cups!

1 - 15 oz can tomato sauce
1 tsp of oregano, basil, garlic powder, and onion powder
2 tsp olive oil

In a small saucepan, whisk tomato sauce with the spices and olive oil.  Simmer for 6 to 8 minutes.  Makes 2 cups!


Search & Win