You are here: Home / Archives for Coupon Shopping
post

GIVEAWAY ~ More Sam's Club eValues News! (CLOSED)

October 5, 2009 By

savingsmadesimplelogoLast week Sam’s Club sent out an ad that talks more about their eValues program.  Did you get it?  It’s pretty cool because it actually shows some really common household items and the automatic, electronic “coupons” that go along with them. It’s a pretty effective visual showing the amount of money you can save with this program.  Here is a sample section of it (click to enlarge):

evaluesamplesI actually feel a bit like a schmuck because I haven’t actually gotten down to Sam’s Club to really check out this program.  I have only had a chance to get my membership and browse around my local store.  But, I went online this morning to check out what eValues I had waiting for me and HOLY COW!

myevaluesI have over $100 in coupons waiting for me on my card!  Already preloaded, nothing to clip.  And what’s more, I went through the eValues and it’s all stuff I actually need to get.  Not some weird obscure brand of powdered milk, ya know?

  • 12 pack Disposable Venus Razors – $5.00 off eValues
  • 240 count Advil Liquid Gels (Bob’s “vitamins”) – $3.00 off eValues
  • 3 pack Secret Deodorant (my favorite) – $3.00 off eValues

It goes on and on…paper plates, frozen dinners, toothpaste, toilet paper, laundry soap, snacks!  Oh my!

I need to shop!

There are some amazing deals to be had.  I’m impressed.

giveaway title

So to celebrate my upcoming shopping excursion, I am going to be giving away my next Sam’s Club Plus Membership Card!  It is a gift card worth $100 and can be used to purchase your own Plus Membership (and gain access to cool eValues) or if you are already a member, you can use it to just shop and have fun.

First Mandatory Entry

For this giveaway I want you to pay a visit to the Sam’s Club website and look around.  Come back and tell me something you think would be a good buy.  Do they have your favorite bag of chips for a good price?  Do they have that Plasma HDTV on sale?  I don’t care what it is, whatever strikes your fancy.  I think you will also be impressed with their great selection and great prices.

Here are my Extra Entry requirements as well as my Contest Rules.

I will end this giveaway on Monday October 12th at 10pm Pacific Time.  Winner will be chosen from all eligible comments by Random.org.  Winner will be notified by email and have 72 hours to reply.

Filed Under: Giveaways, Sharing the Savings Tagged With: , ,
post

I Hated Shopping

September 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Yesterday I asked for help picking out an outfit to wear in New York.  

Today, I started out this post as a “hey, look what I bought at Lane Bryant, isn’t it cute?”

2353514Only, it’s black and not blue.

Then I decided to get fancy and take a picture of myself in my new outfit to share.  And now I can’t stop crying.

How did I allow myself to get SO big?  I tell myself “I’m healthy.”  I tell myself “I’m normal.”  I tell myself “I’m not that big.”

Heck, I really am pretty darn healthy.  No high blood pressure, no diabetes, nothing.  I’m always cleared for surrogacy because I am so healthy.  But sadly, I am that big and I realized it today in the dressing room of Lane Bryant.

I tried on so many clothes.  Skirts and shirts and dresses.  I wanted something cute and fashionable to wear in NYC.  Nothing fit.  Nothing looked cute or fashionable.

Nothing.

I almost started to cry in the dressing room.

Then my mom brought me this dress.  I remembered seeing it online and it was a similar style to that purple sweater dress thing that I liked.  So I tried it on.

OH, it was comfortable!  It doesn’t look so bad.  Throw on a pair of Spanx.  That will fix it up.

I think I was just so relieved that I found something that fit and was comfortable and affordable ($12!).  I found some cute red shoes, a new slimming bra and leggings.  All set.

I came home with my purchase.  I decided to put it on so I could show my husband and take a picture to post for you all to admire.

HA.

My husband says “that looks fine.”

FINE???!!!

Then I get my camera and shoot a couple shots.

Oh God!  I look terrible!!!  I am just a big fat fucking cow and am going to look ridiculous in New York City.

Great, now I am crying again.

Here is the picture of my new outfit.  I’m sorry it is blurry.  I couldn’t stand to take more pictures of myself.  You are lucky I am even smiling.  I would tell you to be honest, but I don’t know if I could take it.  So lie to me and tell me it looks great because right now I am ready to not go to NYC.

NYDress

Filed Under: Mommy Time Tagged With: ,
post

Need Help Shopping

September 10, 2009 By Leave a Comment

I have some exciting news!  I really don’t know if I am supposed to talk about it yet, but I need help so I have to talk about it…just a little bit. :)

I have been invited to New York City to a very cool blogging shindig!!!

But since I don’t know if it’s supposed to be “public” knowledge yet, I am not going tell you what it’s for.  But I can say that it’s going to be awesome.  It’s for a major network, meeting a famous lady and getting a preview of some new products.  That’s all I am saying.  You can’t make me say anything else.

I will only be in the City for one night.  About 26 hours total.  Which is actually a total bummer because I have never been to NYC and there is so much to see and do.  I don’t know how to fit it all in with only about 10 free hours to myself.  I arrive at 4pm on a Wednesday and take off again at 6pm on the Thursday.  Talk about a wild ride!  I will be staying at a hotel right in Times Square so at least I will get to see and do some pretty cool things in my free time.

I’M SO EXCITED!

And then I started thinking….holy crap!  I don’t have anything to wear to said cool major network event.  I can’t possibly show up to a fancy luncheon wearing my stained mommy t-shirt and stretchy pants now can I?

And then I also realized…I am broke.

Excitement turning to panic here.

I am a big girl.  It’s not easy to find cute and trendy on the cheap.  Also, I am a stay at home mommy, not good at being cute and trendy period.  I’m not saying that a SAHM can’t be cute and trendy…it’s just not what I am good at anymore.  Haven’t been good at it in a long time.

So that brings me to needing you all.  I need help picking some clothes.  I am hoping to be able to run down to the mall tomorrow morning and check out Lane Bryant’s clearance rack.  But in the mean time, I found a couple of half way decent options online and I would love to have your opinions on them.

0305_91873_moI found this cute outfit at The Avenue.  I had never even heard of The Avenue until Lee from My Sentiment ExactLee told me about it.  But I went looking and found this.  What do you think?  I love the color and that it’s not too short.  But it’s a sweater dress with 3/4 sleeves and I am afraid I will roast.  I am hot, hormonal and chunky.  So will I melt into a purple puddle?  I would most likely not get the $50 boots (even though I love them), so what other shoes do you think might go well?

0305_93250_mmOr how about this Printed Ponte Dress also from The Avenue?  What does “ponte dress” even mean?  I don’t usually go for brown colors.  I am a bright and colorful kinda gal.  But I like the style and it seems flattering enough.  I am just not sold with the colors.  Besides, at $40 bucks it’s a good price and I could afford to get some shoes, too.

I really like some of the stuff out of the new Icon Collection from Lane Bryant but it’s really out of my price range.  Like this cute dirndl skirt…love it!  I don’t know what shirt I could wear though.  *sigh*

See, I am bad at shopping.

It’s why I need you!

What do you think about either of these first 2 outfits?  Don’t be afraid to tell me to scrap either one.  Like I said, I am going to try to hit the mall in the morning so I may very well come back with something totally different.  But if there is nothing, I will get one of these.

Filed Under: Mommy Time Tagged With: , , ,
post

Green Product Highlights

April 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

earthweekm23m

I’ve been pretty fortunate these last couple weeks and I’ve gotten to try a few really great eco-friendly products.  I thought I would share them with you.

whitecloud

First up is White Cloud Green Earth toilet paper and paper towels.  The Green Earth paper products are made from 100% recycled fibers!  I told my mom I was using “recycled toilet paper” and she didn’t think that sounded so great.  LOL.  But I rephrased to “toilet paper made from recycled paper” and she wasn’t so grossed out.  I think the toilet paper works as well as any other toilet paper.  I mean, it all does the job the same as far as I’m concerned.  So I was perfectly happy with it.  On the other hand, the paper towels are not very soft.  I am used to spending big bucks on Viva, and the White Cloud wasn’t nearly as soft.  But in a house full of kids and spills, this brand worked just as well at cleaning up messes.  I just wouldn’t use it for faces or cleaning your glasses.  But seriously, for wiping your butt and cleaning up Vaseline from the back of your dog, the White Cloud Green Earth brand is great.  And you can get it cheap at Wal Mart.  YAY.

glade

These next items I’m really excited about!  I am a HUGE candle lover.  I used to sell PartyLite candles and it’s very rare that I burn anything else.  But when The Fragrance Collection by Glade samples showed up at my door, I was pleasantly surprised.  They are soy wax candles made with over 90% natural ingredients.  They use all cotton wicks and are fragranced with pure essential oils.  I have the “earthly awakening” scent burning in my kitchen and the scent throw is really impressive.  My whole house smells yummy.  I love that Glade is recognizing the consumers desire for these safer, less toxic candles.

e1240314649

Finally, I love Envirosax.  They are a company making designer, re-usable shopping bags that are a.d.o.r.a.b.l.e.  I like them so much, I tried to get them to host a giveaway here so I could really show you how great they were.  Unfortunately, we didn’t get anything set up.  But the next best thing to hosting a giveaway here, is them hosting a giveaway there!  On Earth Day (tomorrow, in case you hadn’t noticed) they will launch their new Planet Green series of bags.  Wednesday only, if you purchase one of their 5 in 1 pouch sets, you will be intered into a drawing for one of 20 new Planet Green bags!   Cool, eh?  I think so.  Go visit Envirosax.com for all the details.

So there is my cool green roundup of products for today.  If I find any more, I’ll be sure to let you know.

Filed Under: Family Life Tagged With: , , , , , ,