The Fresno Bee

If you are considering couponing, The Sassy Saver has a deal with The Fresno Bee to receive only the Sunday paper for about 50 cents a week. You pay the cost for one year at once, which is just over $28. Which means, if you save over 50 cents a week, then the paper pays for itself. To subscribe click HERE it will take you to her site, then click on the top right of her page where it says Need a Paper?
There is also a promotion going on with The Fresno Bee to receive the Weekend Bee including ontv for 95 cents a week, plus tax for a year. You can call at 1-800-877-3400. If the ask, the promo code is tW452wek. Expires January 31, 2009. The subscriptions will continue after one year unless you call and cancel.

Victoria's Secret

Hopefully, you signed up for Pink Nation account (you don't have to be in college) and your Victoria's Secret email subscription. Many promotions are going on right now, including a Free Secret Reward Card for $10, $50, $100 or $500(while supplies last) if you order online or by phone between November 1st and November 30th. Tomorrow I'm going for my free bra fitting that includes a free Beauty Rush lip gloss. I also got another free panty coupon plus $10 of a bra with Pink Nation. The Sassy Saver mentioned using retailmenot.com to get promotion codes when ordering online to qualify for the Free Secret Reward card. So if you haven't signed up yet, do so! Lots of deals from Victoria's Secret and Pink right now. If you have an Angel's credit card even more offers are available to you.

Update your wishlist daily on your online Victoria's Secret Account and enter to win one of four $250 egift cards to Victoria's Secret given away daily. One grand prize will be $1000. This runs through December 21, 2009. (Must be 18 or older). Click HERE for details. Seriously, VS knows how to advertise.

Ashlan and First Walgreens Steals #2

So, the deal with the new opening and all was too sweet to not try out a second time.
My second case for couponing.
I went again today, picked up my free 8x10 (only for the Walgreens on First and Ashlan)and bought over $36 worth of products for $12.97 (with tax) and $5 in register rewards so it was like I spent $7.97.
I bought two kids toothbrushes on sale for $2.18 right away, so they cost 18 cents.

Granted, I used Sunday coupons from the last couple of weeks, a coupon from Herbal Essences for a free shampoo/conditioner for signing up as a fan on Facebook($3.50 off).
The November Walgreens coupons for Almay ($4 off), and Dawn dish soap in the insert
(99cents-25cents from Sunday paper.)

Almay products are buy one get one 50% off and they deduct $4 from both, so you pay about $3.75 for 2, or $1.88 each
I bought Nyquil and Dayquil 2/$9 with $3 in rewards, -$1.50 from the Sunday paper
Herbal Essences products 2/$7 with $2 in rewards. (which one was free)
The $3 off $10 came from the Grand Opening coupon only available at Walgreens on First and Ashlan.
I also used my $2 in register rewards from the last trip.

You can grab the Walgreens coupons when you walk in the door, or email me, Sarlin12@hotmail.com, if you want to meet up(in Fresno), I have a couple extra.

Don't Underestimate-The Library

When I had kids, I rediscovered the library. After five years of college, the library came to mean a source of work and boredom. Now it is a resource in a whole different way and best of all it's free. One example is the activities for children 5 and under.

Infant/Toddler Lap-sits and Storytime.
Many local libraries have a baby storytime or infant/toddler lap-sit with music, stories, fingerplays, rhymes, bounces, and games for infants to age 2 with an adult. Make sure to get there on time, the singing is a blast, but can be over quickly. No reservations needed. Call ahead because some weeks are canceled or click HERE to see the calendar from the Central California Parent Magazine.

Big Creek 11am Mondays call 893-6614

Fig Garden 10am Fridays call 438-4071

Sanger (Preschoolers included) 10am Tuesdays call 875-2435

Visalia 10am Tuesdays call 713-2731

Woodward Park 10am and 10:45am Thursdays call 433-3135



Preschool Storytimes
Like the infant/toddler lapsits, storytime includes stories,crafts(depends), fingerplays, and music. For ages 3-5 with an adult. No reservations needed.Call ahead because some weeks are canceled or click HERE to see the calendar from the Central California Parent Magazine.


Auberry 10:30am Wednesdays call 855-8523

Clovis 11am Fridays call 299-9531

Fig Garden 10am and 1pm Wednesdays call 438-4071

Fresno Central 10am Fridays call 488-3195

Fowler Branch 11am Tuesdays call 834-3114

Gillis, Fresno 10:30am Tuesdays call 225-0140

Kingsburg 10:30am Wednesdays call 897-3710

Mendota 10am and 1:30pm Tuesdays call 655-3391

Riverdale 11am Mondays call 867-3381

San Joaquin 10am Wednesdays call 693-2171

Selma 10:30am Wednesdays call 896-3393

Sunnyside 9:30am Thursdays call 255-6594

Tulare 11:15am Fridays and 6:15pm Tuesdays call 685-2341

Visalia 10am Wednesdays. Incorporates yoga as well at 12pm Fridays call 713-2731

Woodward Park 10:30 and 11:30 Wednesdays call 433-3135

Since these activities are over within a half hour or so, you have time to browse movies and books, while gives your little ones a chance to choose as well. We don't have a TV (by choice), but a fresh kid's show or book is a welcome change.

Huntington Learning Center SAT Prep.

It's that time again, Juniors in high schools everywhere are considering which colleges they want to apply to and with funds at a low for everyone, schools included, the competition has heated up. I will make no pretense about being unbiased. I work at Huntington. I've been there since I graduated. Their SAT program is costly, but effective. I tell my students, there is a reason parents pay for this program, it works.
Huntington's SAT prep begins with a diagnostic evaluation. It costs $195
($75 off at the Fresno Huntington if you mention my blog)and the student takes a retired SAT test and we evaluate his or her strengths and weaknesses, including the essay portion. An individual prescription is created to meet the student's needs to help the student earn his or her target SAT score goals. On average students improve their SAT score 200 points. Huntington teachers have Bachelor's degrees, some are current elementary and high school teachers. I love teaching the SAT, it takes serious instruction and commitment because it is such an intense test. We go beyond tips and tricks, not only do we cover strategies on how to approach the questions, we teach critical reading, math, and writing in detail. If your student has trouble with noun-pronoun agreement, we will cover that grammar skill carefully. We focus on students' needs and go at their personal pace. What they learn for the SAT will stay with them through college. Give Huntington a call at 434-2028 or check out our website HERE

The Dirty Dozen

Babytalk magazine published an article about the controversy regarding the nutritional value of organic foods. I just wanted to share the facts and myths they unearthed. Even if organic produce may not not superior nutritionally, there are plenty of reasons to buy organic. Click HERE to read the article. The Environmental Working Group cites these fruits and veggies on the top of the pesticide list. Babytalk called them the dirty dozen encouraging to buy these organic when you can.

1. Peaches
2. Apples
3. Sweet bell peppers
4. Celery
5. Nectarines
6. Strawberries
7. Cherries
8. Kale
9. Lettuce
10. Imported grapes
11. Carrots
12. Pears

The BEST sales.

The best sales always occur after holidays and at the end of each season. Whenever a store needs to dump they're merchandise, it usually goes quick (especially Halloween candy for some reason). My favorite stores for clearance include Target and Old Navy. At the end of last winter I bought Taylor multiple long sleeved shirts a size big for this winter. Yes, she's wearing last year's fashions, but she's 3, who cares? I spent $1-$4 a shirt.
I learned this shopping savviness from my mom, we always bought our new swimsuits at the end of the summer. I didn't appreciate the wait then, just like getting shoes that were a little too big, but I appreciate the wisdom in it now.

PS. The Old Navy on Shaw near Villa or Minnewawa has baby and kids clothes.

Target regularly lowers it's clearance prices every Monday. So, if you are watching something, that is not worth it to you at $17, but will be at $6 just check on Mondays (hopefully no one else will snag it before you). I usually get Easter dresses this way (after Easter of course).

So right after posting this blog I went to Walgreens and Target.

First, is my case for couponing. Now granted it takes some energy, but with a Sunday newspaper and some help from other bloggers, you can put together some pretty good deals.

So Walgreens on First & Ashlan and Bethel & Jensen are having a grand openings this week. They are offering $3 off your purchase of $10 or more. I purchased everything in the picture Taylor is modeling (except the Mr. Potato Head) for $8.37, but when you factor in the $2 register rewards, then it was like spending $6.37. I miss a $1 coupon off the Herbal Essence product, so it could have been $5.37. The Halloween T-Shirt(for next year) was $2. They are also offering one free photo enlargement either size 5x7 or 8x10. If you are interested, I have some of the flyers and the November coupon book. Honestly, The Sassy Saver is more talented at this sort of thing. Check out her site HERE. She gives weekly updates on deals at drug stores, grocery stores, etc.

Now Target- disaster with hungry and tired kids, left my wallet in the car, then forgot the Capri-Sun box and had to run back in. Thanks to a tip from My Frugal Adventures, I was able to find possibly the last Halloween Themed Mr. Potato head in the Bullard store for $1.80 with tax! I used a coupon print out from ClipnGoCoupons.com after doing a survey that thankfully doesn't require you to purchase anything HERE for $2 off Mr. Potato head. The Jones soda were .75cents, and the cider $2.58, the pretzels were $3.99(which will be great to keep for snacks in the car). Of course everything Halloween is 50% off or more, but they will clean it up quickly, and we may see some things at the Goodwill, because Target tends to donate there (ironically some things cost more there than they did on clearance at Target).

So I share these two examples as a case for couponing and bargain shopping. It does take some effort, but with a little help from others we enjoy the savings!

Free Child Safety Kits/Create a "Just in Case" File

A couple of websites provide Child Safety Kits.

My girls tend to be overly friendly. While I am thankful they are not shy, it can really be unnerving at times because they will walk off without glancing back. I've started a "Just in Case" file with emergency information regarding our life insurance, wills, etc.

"ADT is so committed to safety, we created this guide for the whole family, filled with loads of tips and advice to keep kids safe at home, at play, and even online. We’ve included a cool fingerprint kit, a magnet, a reflective sticker for kids to wear in the dark, and games, too. We’re serious about safety but we also believe it can be fun learning about safety. ADT hopes this kit will help and encourage you to sit down and talk with your kids about personal safety." Click HERE

Global Life Insurance also offers a similar kit. Click HERE to order. There is an option to request multiple kits.

I ordered from both to see which one I like better, I figure I can give the extra two kits away.

If you want to start a "Just in Case" file or binder, some websites give information and even templates, to fill out or follow, to create legal documents for free. I used Free Legal Documents Click HERE. to check it out.