We all scream for ice cream! And when it's free - even better. If you're out and about in the next few days, be sure to stop in to nab your free ice cream at one (or both) of these places.
Walmart - Try a free ice cream sample from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 30th
Sonic - Get a free 10 oz. rootbeer float on Wednesday, June 3rd from 8 p.m. to midnight
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
On the Sugar Trail
Ants, ants, and more ants! Every year, we battle the invading hordes as they come in search of crumbs, trails, and leftover kibbles. Most of the time, we put out some ant bait on the back of the counter when we spot the first scout and a couple days later, they're gone. Well, not this year. We've put it out four, that's right F-O-U-R times and they're still coming back. After doing a little internet research, my husband declared that we have to move the battle outside to prevent them from coming in. Easy right? There are tons of products on the market to sprinkle around the outside of our house.
Except we can't use most of them. Did I mention that we also have a goat masquerading as a beagle? Sophie will eat anything not actually food - grass, sticks, socks, rocks, you name it. So I'm pretty sure if we put out anything poisonous, she'd have her nose to the trail before we finished sprinkling.
Fortunately, we've hit on a solution: cinnamon. Apparently ants hate cinnamon. Of course, being a devotee of Myth Busters, my husband first had to test the theory by sprinkling a circle of cinnamon around an ant on the counter. It actually worked too! The poor little guy frantically searched for a way out without getting too close to the cinnamon. As soon as my husband made an escape route though, that little booger sped out of that circle. Now I'm off to construct a perimeter shield made entirely of sprinkled cinnamon. It's frugal and fragrant. Who can beat that?
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Organizing Family Schedules
Like many busy families, we're busy shuttling between doctor's appointments, kids' activities, and work obligations. Keeping track of who needs to be where when can be a real challenge. A few months ago, I stumbled on a great free tool to help manage our various schedules: Cozi. If you use a smart phone, this would be even better because you could access schedules, photos, and lists anytime, anywhere. But even without mobile access, it's a nice tool. You can even set it up so that it'll send email reminders or text reminders to your cell phone. Very cool.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Menu - May 25th
Monday
Visiting the Inlaws - No cooking for me!
Tuesday
Meatball Subs
Chips
Wednesday
Chicken Caesar Salad
Mandarin Oranges
Thursday
Tuna Noodle Casserole
Peaches
Friday
Homemade Pizza
Saturday
General Tso's Chicken
Fried Rice
Steamed Broccoli
Sunday
Pot Roast w/Red Potatoes, Carrots, & Onions
Crusty French Bread
For even more menu ideas, check out I'm an Organizing Junkie.
Frugal Finds - CVS
Here's what I picked up at CVS today
2 Post Trail Mix Crunch Cereals - $4.79 ea., Buy 1/Get 1 Free, used 2 $2 coupons here FINAL COST: $0.40 ea.
Hello Kitty Bandaids - $2.99, used $1 coupon, got $2 ECB FINAL COST: FREE
Colgate Total - $2.99 used $1 coupon here, got $2 ECB FINAL COST: FREE
Revlon Nail Polish - $3.99, got $3 ECB FINAL COST: $0.99
Igloo Cooler - $9.99, used $4 off $20 CVS email coupon FINAL COST: $5.99
Friday, May 22, 2009
Summer Reading Programs
It’s that time of year again, when school is winding down and the summer stretches endlessly in front of us. For those of us with children, it’s also time to start thinking about encouraging summer reading. In that spirit, I thought I’d pass along some links for several summer reading programs. Whether they have great prizes or are just great fun, the one thing they all have in common is the ability to spark our children’s interest and imagination.
Your Local Library!
Of course, the best summer reading programs are often found at your local library. Ours not only offers the typical read so many books and get a prize incentive, but also has a specifically designed teen reading program complete with designated reading selections, book discussion groups, movies, crafts, and more. And the prizes are usually pretty cool too! Last year, my oldest received a nice t-shirt and a host of coupons from local businesses good for everything from a free ice cream cone to a free game of bowling. Be sure to check to see if your library has scheduled a kick-off event to start the program. Our event includes live music, dancing, collaborative chalk mural, and free snow-cones and popcorn. The kids and I are all looking forward to the fun!
Half Price Books
Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program
This is a great one! From June 1 – July 31, kids 12 and under can earn a $3 shopping card for each week they read at least 15 minutes per day. If your kids are anything like mine, they can make $3 go a long way at Half Price Books.
Barnes and Noble
2009 Summer Reading Program
Between May 26th and September 7, kids in grades 1-6 can earn a free book by reading 8 books over the summer. Download the Reading Journal here. Once your child has read the 8 books, take the completed journal to any Barnes and Noble store to select your free book.
Borders
Reading Challenge!
Children 12 and under can read 8 books to earn a coupon for 50% off selected items. For more details and to download the form, go here.
Reading Warriors
2009 Challenge
Kids aged 8 or older can take a summer reading journey inspired by the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. To participate, kids read at least 10 books over the course of the summer. Although there isn’t a guaranteed free book waiting at the end of the journey (there is a sweepstakes entry available after completing the reading challenge), what I love about this program is the fun. The website is great and should serve to get kids into the program. And in the words of the site itself, “Reading Warriors find their own rewards in the fun they have reading and the enjoyment of sharing books with others.” Who can argue with that?
Scholastic
Summer Challenge
Kids can score points by logging the minutes read each day and can earn bonus points by taking games, quizzes, and polls. Kids can also win prizes and sweepstakes along the way. What makes this program truly special though is that the winning team gets to vote on which charity receives a special donation from Scholastic at the end of the summer!
Kansas Talking Books
Be Creative @ Your Library
There is an awesome program through the State Library of Kansas’ Talking Books division for Kansas children who have trouble participating in a traditional summer reading program because of visual or physical impairments. Prizes include gift certificates for first and second place based on the number of books read between June 1 and July 31. For more info, go here.
Do you know of a summer reading program I left out? If so, be sure to comment and share the details.
Your Local Library!
Of course, the best summer reading programs are often found at your local library. Ours not only offers the typical read so many books and get a prize incentive, but also has a specifically designed teen reading program complete with designated reading selections, book discussion groups, movies, crafts, and more. And the prizes are usually pretty cool too! Last year, my oldest received a nice t-shirt and a host of coupons from local businesses good for everything from a free ice cream cone to a free game of bowling. Be sure to check to see if your library has scheduled a kick-off event to start the program. Our event includes live music, dancing, collaborative chalk mural, and free snow-cones and popcorn. The kids and I are all looking forward to the fun!
Half Price Books
Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program
This is a great one! From June 1 – July 31, kids 12 and under can earn a $3 shopping card for each week they read at least 15 minutes per day. If your kids are anything like mine, they can make $3 go a long way at Half Price Books.
Barnes and Noble
2009 Summer Reading Program
Between May 26th and September 7, kids in grades 1-6 can earn a free book by reading 8 books over the summer. Download the Reading Journal here. Once your child has read the 8 books, take the completed journal to any Barnes and Noble store to select your free book.
Borders
Reading Challenge!
Children 12 and under can read 8 books to earn a coupon for 50% off selected items. For more details and to download the form, go here.
Reading Warriors
2009 Challenge
Kids aged 8 or older can take a summer reading journey inspired by the Warrior series by Erin Hunter. To participate, kids read at least 10 books over the course of the summer. Although there isn’t a guaranteed free book waiting at the end of the journey (there is a sweepstakes entry available after completing the reading challenge), what I love about this program is the fun. The website is great and should serve to get kids into the program. And in the words of the site itself, “Reading Warriors find their own rewards in the fun they have reading and the enjoyment of sharing books with others.” Who can argue with that?
Scholastic
Summer Challenge
Kids can score points by logging the minutes read each day and can earn bonus points by taking games, quizzes, and polls. Kids can also win prizes and sweepstakes along the way. What makes this program truly special though is that the winning team gets to vote on which charity receives a special donation from Scholastic at the end of the summer!
Kansas Talking Books
Be Creative @ Your Library
There is an awesome program through the State Library of Kansas’ Talking Books division for Kansas children who have trouble participating in a traditional summer reading program because of visual or physical impairments. Prizes include gift certificates for first and second place based on the number of books read between June 1 and July 31. For more info, go here.
Do you know of a summer reading program I left out? If so, be sure to comment and share the details.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Save on Books
If there's one thing I love, it's books. But as any book lover knows, getting that paperback fix can get quite expensive. The library, of course, is a great aid for us cost-conscious readers. Sometimes, though, you want a keeper. That's why Half Price Books is one of my favorite stores in all the world. Our local store has a constantly evolving inventory, great regular prices, and fantastic clearance prices and selection. I have picked up many $1 books and movies there over the years.
From now through Monday, you can score some even better deals through their Memorial Day weekend sale. During that time, everything is an extra 20% off! That's 20% off my armfuls of $1-$2 books and movies. Guess who'll be heading to the bookstore right after work today?
From now through Monday, you can score some even better deals through their Memorial Day weekend sale. During that time, everything is an extra 20% off! That's 20% off my armfuls of $1-$2 books and movies. Guess who'll be heading to the bookstore right after work today?
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