Author: ThriftyMomma

Friday Ramblings- Graduation Day!

January 14, 2012 Family Life, ramblings

I now realize today is Friday 13th, but I went pretty much all day without even realizing it. See how superstitious I am. I wanted to do a little bit of rambling today, and even pose a question to my fellow bloggers. First for the question to other bloggers. Do you write posts in advance for your blog and schedule them? I am thinking this is something I should start doing since my classes start again on Thursday the 19th.

Today I had graduation day at my university. Basically I got to meet with my adviser, and then have my graduation application signed with several signatures. I wasn’t interested in spending money on invitations, a ring, or even professional pictures. I will not send out invitations, but I am throwing a graduation party afterwards. I will invite everyone by phone and through Facebook. Yes I am so original. I am getting an Associate’s Degree so I can’t actually buy an official ring which I would never wear so why waste the money. I am leaning towards buying the cap and gown which will cost $50, but I can use them again when I graduate with my BA in two more years.

I forgot to mention last week I found our Christmas tree for next year on clearance at Wal-Mart. It was a $100 tree marked down to $22 so I paid $23 with tax! I was thrilled when I saw it so cheap. It’s a 7.5′ Douglas Fir which is a foot bigger than the tree we had. I donated that one today along with some old decorations. I can’t wait for next year to use our new tree. It will be here before we know it. I also bought our blue and silver decorations for next year at different stores. I paid around $100 which included a tree skirt, stockings, wreath, and decorations plus bags and such. I love those wonderful after Christmas sales especially when it’s marked 75% or more. The pickings are slimmer but the savings are fantastic.

My son received his report card on Tuesday and he made Honor Roll! I am so excited as he was having a little trouble the first part of the grading period. I am looking at him fast asleep on the couch. Kids have this wonderful innocence about them especially when they are sleeping. I am going to stop rambling for tonight. I do have some good posts lined up for next week. I just need to get some pictures taken for one post, and I need to get some more information lined up for the next one. This weekend I will be a busy bee writing and visiting family and friends. I have to watch the Saints beat the 49ers tomorrow night!

Save More Money with Walgreens Prescription Savings Club

January 12, 2012 Uncategorized

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Healthcare is expensive and on the rise. Insurance providers have you jump through so many hoops in order to stay covered. Prescriptions are not any different. You might not have heard, but there has been a dispute between Walgreens and Express Script program for the last year. If you are part of the Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network , it means as of January 1, 2012, you can longer use Walgreens pharmacy to fill your prescriptions. This includes all Walgreens pharmacies nationwide and Duane Reade pharmacies in the New York City area.

Now all Express Script patients will have to change their pharmacy. Walgreens has more 24 hour stores than any pharmacy in the country so you can get a prescription filled day or night which is great for emergencies. The worst part of this dispute is that the costs are not going down as a result. The Express Script program stated clients will not see costs drop by excluding Walgreens pharmacy from its network. It’s quite possible that costs might go up as Walgreens offers competitive pricing on prescriptions.

In order to help many customers, Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is offering a special discount on annual membership for the month of January. For $10 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse, dependents 22 and younger and pets. Individuals may join for $5. Join and receive discount prices on your prescriptions.

Other great benefits included:

Savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications
Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies
Bonuses when you purchase Walgreens brand products and photo services

This is a great savings to help ease the burden of higher costs. If you are not following Walgreens on Facebook or Walgreens on Twitter then you should start today. I already follow them on both and I am signed up for special emails for special discounts and coupons.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #88

January 9, 2012 Beauty and Fashion Tips, cleaning, Frugal Living Tips, saving money

Today’s thrifty living tip is to use baby wipes to spot clean your clothes. I know they have the Tide fabric wipes, but baby wipes do the same job and cost less to buy. Baby wipes are very effective at cleaning up spilled food or drink. I keep a small pack of wipes in my purse. They have the hard case or you can buy the small pack of samples. I also receive free wipe samples from time to time in the mail. My little one is a tween, but I still keep a box of baby wipes in my house to use for many things as they are so versatile. You can even use them as makeup remover especially for your eyes.

Get to Stepping with Cafe Well

January 7, 2012 Uncategorized

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Cafe Well. All opinions are 100% mine.

This year I have resolved to exercise regularly. I did great last year until I started college. Then I got lazy and made excuses not to exercise more. I was excited when I read about CaféWell and the Race to the Moon program.

Cafe Well is a great online social network site which allows you to connect and support others who are also trying to lose weight and get healthier. You can find healthy lifestyle tips, information on health issues you might have and challenges. The site is free to use and join.

One program CaféWell is offering is called Race to the Moon through HealthAmerica. This health challenge encourages people to get more active by offering free wireless pedometers to track participants steps by either walking or running. Each participant will earn rewards for reaching milestones and total steps taken. Health \America is offering the free wireless pedometer to their members in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, Ohio, and West Virgina. Even if you are not a member, then you can still join CaféWell.

I would love to start a fun workout challenge with my friends. We could keep logs of doing something daily, and keep each other on track by posting our logs for everyone to see. It would be a great way to encourage each other by losing weight together as well as getting healthier. The grand prize will be a day of shopping to replace the clothes that will be falling off of us.

Calling in Sick Today

January 5, 2012 Family Life, ramblings

What do you write about when you have a sinus infection? You write about how sick you are, and how you have nothing to write about today. At least I’m filling up some space, and technically it’s a post. I apologize but I’m really at a loss on what to post today. My head feels like someone is pounding on it with a hammer, and I can’t breathe. I look really cute right now with a tissue hanging out my nose. My husband always gets a chuckle. I might try to start a fashion trend. Do you think it will catch on?

Now I have my post written for today so please comment if you think whether or not tissues hanging out your nose will be seen on the runways this spring. Or you might be like me and not care what is fashionable but comfortable. I’m not a stick so those clothes won’t look good on me regardless. You can comment on that as well. I don’t really care as I’m going back to bed, and calling in sick today!

TMR Frugal Living Tip #87

January 3, 2012 Christmas, Freebies, Frugal Living Tips, Gifts, Holidays, Personal Finance, saving money

Today’s thrifty living tip is to take an inventory of purchased gifts. This is the time of the year I take advantage of clearance sales by purchasing gifts now to give throughout the year. I like to have a stockpile of gifts for teachers, last minute gifts, kid birthday parties, or gifts you know a certain person would love. You aren’t saving money if you forget you have Aunt Sally’s gift sitting in the closet so go out to buy her another one. What if no one else on your list likes poodles? Then you’re either stuck with it or donate it to charity.

I like to keep a list either on my smartphone or computer with all the gifts I have purchased. I know what I have in my gift closet, and I know who is getting what. I do make changes if I find something else during the year, but I make sure to change it on my list. This keeps me organized and on budget. I also have a special closet where I store all the gifts. Lately I have started storing them in a chest, and I keep an extra list taped to the inside lid. I have my list in two spots. Do you have a system to keep you organized for extra gifts? I have also created a gift list that is printable for anyone to use. I would appreciate a link back to my blog if you decide to post it on your blog or website. Just save the picture and then you can print. Enjoy the free printable gift list.

EntreCard Top Droppers for December

January 2, 2012 Uncategorized

Here is the first post for the new year! I can’t believe it’s already 2012. Time really does fly by, and December is already over. It proved to be a busy month with the holidays. This is a brand new year with lots potential. I have listed the top 10 EntreCard top droppers for December. These are great blogs you should stop by and read. Thanks again to everyone for dropping by.