LOVING me some Purex Insiders and GIVEAWAY!

I became a purex insider quite some time ago!  They are the BEST!  I get free stuff from them all of the time!  I want to share the wealth!  I have 2 coupons for FREE laundry detergent!  With the economy in the shape it is, FREE is just my price!!  These coupons are for Purex's new detergent which I can honestly say works great!  I usually make my own laundry detergent, but when they sent me a coupon to try it for free, who could resist?  If you would like my recipe for detergent, I did a guest post here for Shopping Detox.  She's pretty funny!  Anyway....here's what you have to do to enter....

1) REQUIRED entry: Become a followers of my blog.  After you do so, leave a comment saying that you did!  If you already follow, just leave a comment telling me that!  Once you are following me, when I announce the winner, you will receive the post via email and be able to let me know that you acknowledge your win!  Then I can email you for your addy to snailmail the coupons!

2) For another entry, leave a comment telling me the top 3 things that you look for when purchasing detergent.

3) For a third entry, there is a contest going on through Purex Insiders. There is a $1,000 grand prize and fifty 2nd place winners will each receive $40 in gift cards.  As I mentioned I love this company and they are very honorable so I have no hesitation give you the link to click on to enter!  http://insiders.purex.com/soft-scrub?id=14227t Follow the link and enter to win for your third entry!  Leave a comment below telling me you have done so!

In all, you have THREE chances to win!  Since my blog is still in its infant stages, you have a VERY good chance!  lol You should be sure to leave a separate comment for each of the three entries.  I will randomly choose the winner using random.com at 10pm EST on Sunday, August 26, 2012.  Oh, and I just decided...if I have at least 50 entries, I will throw in a second prize of another coupon for free detergent!  Once I see some progress made with my readership, I will do LOTS more giveaways!  Tell you friends to enter!  I mean REALLY...what do you or them have to lose?!  :)  

STARBUCKS FREEBIE Friday, July 13th

July 13, Noon to 3 p.m. 

 

Enjoy a free Tall (12 fl. oz.) handcrafted Starbucks Refreshers™ beverage at participating stores. No purchase necessary. Limit 1 per person. 

 

Love me some FREEBIES!

FREE ZonePerfect Bar

This is totally FREE!!  Limit ONE per person, THREE per household!  Go HERE and simply fill in your mailing info and choose 1 of the 3 flavors.  FREE is always good!!

FREE Stuff for What you would do anyway???

So, I am a SKEPTIC!  When I first heard about SWAGBUCKS, I was in COMPLETE denial that folks would give me something for not doing anymore work.  I am SO glad to say that I was WRONG!  Here is a list of things I have "purchased" through Amazon.com using ONLY gift certificates used that I earned FREE from SwagBucks:

Tascam DP-004 Pocketstudio Digital Recorder (Rich's Christmas Present)

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $119.95 Shipping & Handling: $6.58   ----- Total Before Tax: $126.53

Sanyo HPS-SG3 200-Square-Inch Electric Indoor Barbeque Grill, Black (My Birthday Present)

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $39.99 Shipping & Handling: $10.30 Super Saver Discount: -$10.30   ----- Total Before Tax: $39.99

Honeywell 16216 HEPA-Type Replacement Filter for 16200 Desktop Air Purifier

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $9.00 Shipping & Handling: $4.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $13.99

Sinus Rinse Refill Packets 100 Ea

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $11.09 Shipping & Handling: $4.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $16.08

On a Dollar a Day: One Couple's Unlikely Adventures in Eating in America, Christopher Greenslate, Kerri Leonard

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $0.85 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $4.84

The Scent of Rain and Lightning: A Novel, Nancy Pickard

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $2.46 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $6.45

The Tightwad Gazette III: Promoting Thrift as a Viable Alternative Lifestyle, Amy Dacyczyn

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $3.48 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $7.47

Tender at the Bone: Growing Up at the Table (Random House Reader's Circle), Ruth Reichl

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $3.65 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $7.64

For You Mom, Finally, Ruth Reichl

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $0.06 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $4.05

Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx, Adrian Nicole LeBlanc

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $0.01 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $4.00

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, Dave Ramsey

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $7.65 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $11.64

Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It, Participant Media, Karl Weber

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $1.21 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $5.20

Before He Wakes: A True Story of Money, Marriage, Sex and Murder, Jerry Bledsoe

Payment Method:
Gift Certificate/Card

Item(s) Subtotal: $0.01 Shipping & Handling: $3.99   ----- Total Before Tax: $4.00
HOLY CRAP!  I didn't realize until I just did all of that copying and pasting from my Amazon account that I had earned that much stuff!!  That's right at...what...$300 of stuff that costs me NOTHING!! 

Here's how it works:  You use the SwagBucks search engine like you would "google" or whatever one you use, and you are awarded sporadic bucks for searching whatever you normally would.  This could be 7 bucks or 30 bucks a pop!  They have a store online where you redeem your bucks for TONS of stuff (kinda like earning tickets at the arcade) for various "prices".  The only thing I EVER buy are $5 Amazon gift cards.  They costs me 450 bucks and I buy them, wait for them to appear in my SwagBucks account, then I copy and paste the card number into my Amazon account.  I save up for various things I want.  Right now, I think I have around $30 in my Amazon account that will NEVER expire!  If I can STOP buying books, my goal is to earn enough for a new Keurig coffee maker!  NO STRINGS ATTACHED!!  I even added the SwagBucks toolbar to my internet window so I always have the search box available.  I never type in web addresses...I use that search box so I can earn bucks!  There are tons of ways to earn more as well.  I usually have Rich logged in on our home computer because he signed under me and when his account earns bucks for searching, I earn them too!

SPECIAL RIGHT NOW:  sign-up code “SummerSocial” for a 70 Swag Buck bonus upon registration.  This will allow you to start out with 100 Swag Bucks already in your account – 70 for the sign-up code and the 30 everyone starts with.  This code is only good for NON-MEMBERS and expires Thursday, June 28th at 5pm PDT.  The link below will allow me to earn bucks when you earn them for searching which helps me reach my goal.  I have been a member for probably a year and a half and I wish I would have known about it sooner!  If you have questions or question the validity, please asks me!!

http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/PirateGirl342

NEW Look and Need some Inspiration...Giveaway??

Hey, y'all!  Just wanted to take a sec and brag mention my new look.  I am proud of my work because I usually SUCK at this sort of stuff!  I kinda like it!  The only thing driving me CRAZY is the fact that the logo is off-center and blogger will not cooperate with me to fix it!  sigh....

I need your help!  I know I would update more frequently if I had more followers...I have lots to say...ask my hubby!  lol  Anyway, I truly appreciate those of you who have subscribed...makes me smile!  Anyway you can pimp me out to your friends??  I may be coerced into to doing a first-ever (for me) givaeaway if I can hit...umm....maybe 50 followers? 

Along that same note, hubby and I had to switch around some internet stuff and I lost ALL of my bookmarks.  I am SO dependent on my bookmarks.  One of the very first blogs (maybe even the first) I started reading is by J, who I kinda feel like I know!  Now, I can't find either of her blogs!!  J, if you read this, could you PLEASE send me via email or via comment the link(s) to your blog(s)?  Please and thank you!

Now, get to pimping me out!  LOL

LOTS & LOTS of FREEBIES!!

Do you love freebies as much I do?  I hope so!  I am including a few of my faves that I have come across lately!  Please share any that you have!  Free = GOOD!

FREE Personalized Father's Day Card  They mail it to your dad for free as well!  I have gotten free ones for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day as well!  They do great work!  You won't be disappointed!! Code is LUVDAD2

FREE Bodycology Wild Poppy Cream  Takes you to their Facebook page.  Just fill out the form!

FREE Arm & Hammer Toothpaste  Again, just fill out your info!

Parma Vegan Cheese Sample - Free!  Try it, you might like it!  Afterall, it's FREE!

StayFree Sample - Free  Just fill out your info!  I keep these stashed in my desk at work and my car for emergencies!  

Well, there ya' have it!  Enjoy!  And don't forget to SHARE your deals as well!

Father's Day...on the Cheap!

Father's Day is coming up on June 17th..any idea what you're gonna get your dad...or your baby's daddy??  If your dad is like mine was, he has everything!  Unfortunately, I will miss my daddy like crazy like I do everyday, but my Furrybabies always get their dad something.  Here are some FRUGAL Father's Day ideas:

Make a Daddy Caddy: use a recycled coffee can to make a decorative tool caddy for Dad to store things like nuts and bolts for DIY projects.

 Photos for His Desk: give Dad something that he can show off on his desk at his office at work. This cute photo cube is one idea, but use your creativity!

Other Homemade Ideas: a personalized blanket, a cool scrapbook or a duct tape wallet may be the way to go this Father's Day.

A Freshly-Detailed Car

Here are a few sites for Craft Ideas for the Kids!

Family Crafts

Family Fun

Martha Stewart

Father's Day Freebies

TCBY: head to your local TCBY location to pick up a free frozen yogurt on Father's Day! 

Free Personalized Cards: send dad a free Father's Day photo card from Cardstore.com. Just enter in coupon code LUVDAD2 at checkout after you've selected you card. Offer is good through June 8th and shipping is also free. 

Make Your Own Free Cards: print your own cards for free from one of these 20 great sites. 

Vistaprint Freebies: find free customizable gifts, like business cards, mugs, t-shirts and more over at Vistaprint.

Parents/Babysitters: Dreading Summer Boredom?

While I am definitely not dreading summer myself (I'm a teacher), I can see where going from having your kids come 4om each to having them from sun-up til sun-down can be scary!  lol  When your on a budget, what in world can you do to entertain the munckins?  I ran across from frugal, cute activities where you never have to leave the house...all FREE!!

Summer Activities for Kids
by Beth Hering
Activities to keep your kids occupied this summer

1. Create a safari.

Pretend your house is a jungle (not much imagination needed
for some of us). Hide stuffed or plastic animals in various
rooms. Send your child on an expedition to find the creatures
and bring them to a designated point.

2. Host a car show.

Have your child group together similar toy vehicles in
separate rooms, such as trucks in the living room, cars in the
dining room, and rescue vehicles in the kitchen. Tell the
child to arrange the cars in a design, such as in rows or in a
circle. Give the young showman a baby wipe to polish the
vehicles for the show. When all the vehicles are looking their
best, the child can escort you into each room for viewing.
Award a small piece of ribbon to the best in each category.

3. Do inventory.

Children like to keep track of their items. Write down a list
of categories, such as action figures, trading cards, and
board games. Have the child count the number of items he owns
in each group. Write that number next to the appropriate
category.

4. Set up an obstacle course.

Use blocks, toy kitchen items, or just about anything else to
create an obstacle course for Hot Wheels and other toy
vehicles. The child can drive a vehicle through the course
while you count or hold a stopwatch. Wild driving won't work;
a five-second penalty gets added to the score for each item
knocked down. Record the result. Repeat with vehicles of
different shapes and sizes. Compare the times at the end and
talk about which vehicles were the easiest or hardest to
maneuver and why.

5. Organize a parade.

Invent a holiday, such as "Mommy Appreciation Day" or "Only 30
More Days until School Starts." Hold a parade to celebrate.
Line up toy vehicles from smallest to largest, letting the
line run from room to room if necessary. Make banners for some
cars. Decorate others with bows and ribbons. Action figures
and plastic animals can join as riders. Stuffed animals can
line the route as spectators. Choose a grand marshal and build
a platform of blocks where he can stand.

6. Host Halloween in July.

Create a costume contest among dolls and stuffed animals by
dressing them up in hats, clothing, scrap material, and
decorated paper bags.

7. Set up a bookstore.

Want to sneak in some reading? Set up a "bookstore" where you
are the customer and your child is the seller. Describe the
type of book you would like to buy and have her recommend one.
Read it aloud to see if it is what you want. Pay for the
purchase with pretend money, or return the book to the shelf
and find another title.

8. Play mailman.

Slip in a bit of writing practice, too. Talk about what sorts
of things come in the mail: advertisements, cards, letters,
bills, invitations, etc. Make some of each. Be sure each piece
contains an address, a return address, and a sticker "stamp."
The young postal worker then puts the mail in a bag or in the
back of a toy truck and delivers it to the appropriate
recipient, such as a sibling, puppet, or pet.

9. Design the world's worst picnic.

Spread out a blanket as the site of an imaginary picnic filled
with the worst guests and food in the world. Drive toy cars
one at a time to park on the blanket, announcing each time who
the guest is and what he brought. Maybe it's Cruella De Vil
bringing rotten puppy chow or Captain Hook carrying slug soup.
Continue taking turns driving vehicles to the picnic until the
blanket is covered. Each vehicle must contain a different
driver and dish.

10. Swap with a friend.

If all else fails, arrange a week-long swap of a few books,
puzzles, or board games with another adventure-seeking family.
A toy doesn't have to be new, just "new-to-you" to be
exciting!

Purex Insider: Honey Bunches of Oats

About a year and a half ago I became a Purex Insider.  This means I sample products for various companies therefore I receive lots of freebies!  The latest product came in the mail last week...a full-sized box of Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal.  Hubby was VERY excited because he loves this stuff, but due to the price, I don't buy it on a regular basis.  

What did I think?

That had to be the freshest box cereal I have ever had!  I'm not gonna lie, I usually do not like cold cereals that much.  This one definitely was a step above the others.  It had just the right amount of sweetness without being over-powering.  I had it with both plain and vanilla almond milk...yum to both!  If I could get a hold of some coupons, I would buy this stuff!  Quick, easy, filling, and tasty...awesome!

Frugal Ways to Pay It Forward (PIF)!

How good does it feel to Pay It Forward (PIF)?  I have paid for the guy/gal behind me at the drive thru or printed out an extra coupon for Michael's and brought it with me to give someone.  Just because your broke doesn't mean you can't Pat It Forward!  Sometimes all it takes is time.  TipHero had a few ideas on how to frugally Pay It Forward and I wanted to share them with you!

• Roll Spare Change. Collect all of your spare change and roll it up. You can take half of what you gathered to a favorite charity or an animal shelter. You'll be surprised by how much you find and you won't even miss it when it's gone.
• Coupons. You might get coupon inserts in your Sunday paper or in the mail. Maybe you use them and maybe you don't. There might even be many that you don't have a need for such as ones for pet food or diapers. Many grocery stores have coupon exchange bins at the entrance where you can drop off your unwanted coupons or you can give them to families that you know of that use products that you don't.  I also leave coupons tucked beside the product they are for around the store.  
• Time. Giving your time doing a bit of yard work for an elderly neighbor, or watching a friend's small children while she runs errands are very valuable gestures. Volunteer groups are always looking for additional help.
• Food Pantry. Food pantries need contributions year-round. The next time you see grocery items at rock-bottom sale prices or a buy one get one free promotion, just toss a few extras in the cart. Every time you've collected a small amount, simply swing by a food bank and make you donation.  I do this all of the time, usually to friends/family/neighbors.  I clean out my pantry and freezer every time I know someone I know is having a hard time.  I appear on their front porch with several bags of groceries and a smile.  It makes me feel so good to see them smile!
• Clothing Drive. While donating your old clothes to clothing drives, women's shelters, and the Salvation Army is charitable in itself, why not take it a step further and throw some new items into the mix. Snagging heavily discounted toys after the holidays or hitting up end-of-season clearance sales will offset your out-of-pocket expense.  Recently, Wal-Mart had T-shirts and shorts marked down to a buck!!  I stocked up on various sizes and brought them to school.  SEVERAL kids truly needed a few new items.  

What are some other ideas do you have for PAYING IT FORWARD?  What are some things you have done??  After all, we are in this thing called LIFE together!

Yummy Giveaway!

One of my fave sites, RecipeLion, is having a giveaway for a big ole' 6 POUND bag of Casa Di Bertacchi Frozen Meatballs!  All you have to do is click HERE and fill out the form!

 

It doesn't cost you anything to enter so why not give it a shot!  While your there, take a second and check out their awesome recipes!!  I receive their newsletter daily and EVERY DAY I get at least 1 recipe from there to add to my collection.  

Good luck but don't you get my meatballs!!  ;)