Bargain: Free books

(Okay, it is still 2009, but this sounded like a great deal so I wanted to share.)

Want to try some new books (or give them as gifts)? Sign up here for 3 free books:
http://read-it-forward.crownpublishing.com/

Bargain: Free items at Harris Teeter

This week, Harris Teeter is doing Super Doubles (doubling up to 1.98), so a $1.50 coupon = $3.00. There are tons of clipped coupons that make items free, but I've listed below the printable coupons (for those of you that don't clip).

I went yesterday and lucked out with tons of free items. Here are some of the best printable deals, if you want to make a trip.

* Weight Watchers Snack Cakes, Cookies or Muffins $1.99
Print $1 coupon, doubles to $2 = item will be free http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/index.aspx?pid=13903&nid=10&zid=xh20&cid=0&bid=1018300001

*Coffee-Mate Creamer 16 oz $2
Print $1 coupon, doubles to $2 = item will be free http://www.coffee-mate.com/Coupons.aspx

*Ore Ida Easy Fries $1.45
Print $1.50/2 coupon, doubles to $3 = buy 2 and items will be free http://offers.oreida.com/Coupon/

*Wholly Guacomole $1.99 (in produce section)
Print $1 coupon, doubles to $2 = item will be free http://coupons2.smartsource.com/smartsource/index.jsp?Link=QR7W6QB5B2VPW

*Lip Smackers $1.99
Print $1 coupon, doubles to $2 = item will be free http://bricks.coupons.com/Start.asp?tqnm=qlhxcgd74341699&bt=wi&o=58456&c=BB&p=g64DoRuH

*Lance crackers $2.00
Print $1 coupon, doubles to $2 = item will be free http://coupons.smartsource.com/Web/index.aspx?Link=GLPAHOLHDARLS

*Contessa seafood on sale for $2.50-$4 Print $1.50 coupon, doubles to $3 = items will be $1.00-$3 if you buy two http://www.contessa.com/promotions/

Enjoy!

2010 - Let's save some money!

Everyone knows I love a bargain! Yes, I can afford full priced groceries and kid's clothes...but why should I pay full price when I don't have to? I'm always hunting for free/almost free items, online coupon codes and freebies. With 2010 around the corner and the economy in its current state, I wanted to use the new year to share the best deals and also start tracking my grocery spending to show everyone that you can still find good deals. Although we don't have a budget, I'm curious to see how much we really do spend on food and hopefully inspire others to find good deals.

My goal is to start saving even more money to afford our dream kitchen renovation!

Below are some of my favorite sites to get you started. Look for shopping tips to start in 2010!

www.retailmenot.com
www.southernsavers.com
www.hotcouponworld.com
www.forthemommas.com

Early December (Part 2)

After the Baptism, we headed up to Chapel Hill for another scan. Fortunately, Grandma and Grandpa were still with us and took Katie back to Virginia so we could concentrate on Emily and her appointments. We received an early Christmas gift when we found out that Emily's tumor shrunk from about 4.2cm to 2cm in diameter! We are due back to Chapel Hill in January for another visit and scan.

From Chapel Hill, we headed up to Virginia for a week long visit. We stayed with Grandma and Grandpa...it was quiet a full house! Katie stayed busy playing with everyone.

Katie watched the Rockettes and practiced their moves. Maybe she'll try out one day!

We ended our visit with Grandpa's holiday party. It is always a great time and has so many fun activities for kids - Santa, sugar plum fairies, toy soldiers on stilts, arts and crafts, family photos and much more! Katie was thrilled to see Santa, until she actually got there. We got a few Santa pictures, but no smiles. At least she wasn't screaming like some other kids!

She loved the crafts...decorating ornaments, making jewelry, and candy cane decorating.

We can't wait for Christmas with Uncle Mikey, Grandma and Grandpa. Now that Katie is starting to understand the holiday, it makes it so much more special. She loves Christmas music, lights that are "booootiful" and Santa's HO HO HO.

Time to start thinking about those fun New Years' resolutions...hmmm....

Early December (Part 1)

We've had a busy December already, so I'll attempt to chronicle everything here BEFORE Christmas arrives. We'll see how I do...

We started off December by going to the the Town Center's holiday parade and tree lighting. Katie was overjoyed to see Santa ride in at the end of the parade and even got a hot pink glow stick necklace.Uncle Ken came for a visit and Katie had lots of fun bossing him around. Here he is "babysitting" Katie while we did things around the house. Nice job, Uncle Ken.

On December 5th, we celebrated Emily's Baptism. So many family and friends attended, it was wonderful. I wish they could all be around more often.

Of course, Emily looked like a little princess. The Christening gown is the same one I wore 29 years ago! Katie also wore it for her Baptism and I hope their kids wear it too!

Miss Katie was also looking snazzy in her new outfit from Gma. She did some posing for the camera because she knew she was too cute.

Lots more to share, but this post is getting long. I will continue with Part 2 later this week!

"Uhhh Peekaboo"

Katie had so much fun with her Uncle Mikey last week!

Emily at 2 months

Miss Emily turned 2 months old last week and has been starting to show lots more personality. She did great at her 2 month checkup and they said everything looks perfect (from the outside). She is starting to track with her eyes, lift her head more and show signs of wanting to roll over. She weighed 10 pounds, 6 ounces (22 percentile) and 22 inches long (17th percentile). She is our petite one, but that is OK!

She has started to smile and the best part is this little grunt/chuckle she does when we are acting goofy. She thinks it is pretty funny when Daddy does piggy noises or when we make cooing sounds. Katie is still being a great big sister and rubs Emily's head when she cries or tells her it will be ok.

We also had a nice Thanksgiving. Just the four of us. I probably spent too much time cooking and made too much, but oh well. We took the traditional photo of "baby in a roasting pan". Our little 10 pound turkey thought it was pretty fun. The last picture is of Katie in the roasting pan 2 years ago!

We are preparing for Emily's upcoming Baptism and then will be headed to Chapel Hill for more testing before we decide to 1) wait longer or 2) get the surgery. Please pray for her and let's hope that the tumor has shrunk or disappeared all together! Miracles can happen!