Recycling - Upcycling - Repurposing: Part 2

I have gathered the full list of items that are being collected for the Terracycle program that Moneta Elementary school is participating in and listed it below.


--The plastic wrappers from Huggies diapers or wipes
--Candy wrappers for mars, wrigley, cadbury and skittles 

--Cheese packaging -- The program is currently sponsored by Kraft Singles, Kraft String Cheese, Polly-O String Cheese, Philadelphia Cream Cheese, Kraft Natural Cheese, Cracker Barrel Cheese, Velveeta, Kraft Grated Parmesan, Athenos, Breakston...e's, Knudsen Cheese, and all other delicious Kraft Cheese products
--Lays Chip Bags, Tortilla Chip Bags, Pretzel Bags, Pita Chip Bags, Bagel Chip Bags, Soy Crisp Bags, Salty Snack Bags 

--Keebler Cookie packaging for Cookie Wrappers, Cookie Bags, Individual Cookie Bags, Inner Plastic Trays

---Capri Sun Aluminum Drink Pouches, Plastic Drink Pouches.

--Elmers glue sticks, glue bottles, glue tops

--Ziploc sandwich bags, plastic baggies, to-go containers, storage containers, plastic freezer bags, produce bags, storage bags, microwave cooking bags

--Bubblelicious, Dentyne and Trident paper gum wrappers, foil gum wrappers, plastic gum trays, foil gum trays, plastic gum packages, cardboard gum packages, gum multipack bags, cardboard gum boxes, plastic gum dispenser.

--Luchables Lunch Kit plastic trays, Lunch Kit plastic lids, Lunch kit plastic film, lunch kit outer wrapping.

--And Malt-o-meal cereal bags !

If you are still reading thanks. I am new at this and trying to make sure my posts are interesting and informative. Anyways.... :) This Program is absolutely awesome! For each approved package that you send in your account is credited a minimum of $.02 which you can donate to a charity or assign a local school to recieve your donation. Everything sent in helps to reduce our carbon footprint and keep usable products out of landfills. There is a really good article at http://www.terracycle.net/how-terracycle-helps-the-environment.html that gives a good overview of how they help the environment. Most of their programs will send you a pre-paid shipping label or through the mail to use when donating items as well, so it costs nothing but time, an empty box and some tape. :)

It's really simple! Get involved today! Leave me a message below or join the brigade yourself! or Both!

Free Family Outing!!!

Come out to the "Touch a Truck" event on  July 30th @ Greenhill Park in Salem VA from 10am to 3pm. This event is free and open to the public.  Kids big and small get the chance to see, touch and learn about over 200 awesome vehicles. From fire trucks to  motorcycles, cement trucks to police cruisers, UPS trucks to garbage trucks, and NEW this year they have added airplanes too!
Favorite activities:
         Fireman's Foam and Water Spray --- these are wet activities
         Face painting
         Balloon sculptures
         
There will be costumed characters, food venders and other special attractions that will make your outing complete.

Parent supervision is required and cameras and video cameras will be highly recommended!

call or check out this link for more information:

 540-387-6078 Ext. 251  or http://www.roanokecountyparks.com/

Finding Freebies

I have been hunting freebies since I was in my pre-teen years. The internet has always provided a wide variety of freebies, but you can also get some by shopping the right way. In order to get the best freebies you must have a good source of referrals and sometimes its as simple as being online at the right time.

Online Freebies can be divided into 3 basic categories. The first category is found online by liking certain Facebook pages and filling out a simple form. The second category is also found online by being online at the right time.  Last but not least, the third category is participation required. In store freebies are obtained by using coupons properly or shopping deals that provide Register Rewards / Extra Care Bucks / etc.

The freebies available online by liking certain Facebook pages and filling out a simple form are posted all day everyday by several different sites. My favorite sites that post these freebies are MoneySavingMom.com , www.CouponDivas.com , CouponProBlog.com ,  www.NiftyThrifySavings.com , and AdventuresOfACouponista.com . These sites also specialize in finding great deals for coupon match-ups and special sales on the web.

The second category of being online at the right time requires you to be watching for the freebie post to be put up. These giveaways are limited in number and could be for 100-100,000, always first come first serve. The sites I listed above try to get the word out in advance so you can plan to be online, but sometimes its just luck that scores these for you.

The third category of participation required can be done in several ways. Sometimes you get a freebie by purchasing a different item or participating in a certain number of sponsor offers. (these are my least favorite freebies) Other times the participation is just to go online once the product is received and post a review of the product on a certain webpage, after you have used and reviewed it of coarse. Right@home.com and www.Crowdtap.com are my favorite sites to get these types of deals.

I do have a lot of fun collecting in-store freebies/cheapies too. My favorite stores for this type of deal are Walgreens, Kroger, Walmart and CVS (although I rarely make it to CVS they have a lot of this type of deal).  I do my own research each week using my Sunday paper ads to determine the best prices and deals according to the coupons that I have in stock.  Once I have found my own deals I then go to 3 websites in this order CouponDivas.com , MoneySavingMom.com , and then ShoreSavings.blogspot.com . I use Coupon Divas first since they have a printable list of deals, then I check out MoneySavingMom to see if there are and additional deals, and then Shore Savings with Patti to see what shopping trip scenarios they have come up with to inspire me on my shopping trip too.

The main thing to keep in mind when trying to get freebies is that no one deserves these items, they are free to the first people to ask or show up to get them. It does stink to miss out on a freebie, but there will always be more. If for some reason you find a link for  a freebie ad it doesn't work, a lot of times if you send a message to the company they will make every effort to still get you a sample and/or coupons and if a store runs out of a sale item (and there is still a little time to use your coupon) it never hurts to ask if they offer rainchecks.

Hope you are having as much fun finding freebies as I am.....

What is your favorite freebie/cheapie that you have gotten recently?

Earning free things and/or discounts by having parties!

There are a lot of people that are turning to work-from-home solutions to save money on childcare and to get the opportunity to spend more time with their children and spouses.  These parties can be for Pampered Chef, Tupperware, Mary Kay, and a number of other products.  If you want to host a party you want to choose a product that not only you are interested in, but you have friends that are as well. Most of the time, the more people you have attending and the more they buy the better deal and/or free product you get.

 My good friend Bethany has recently become a Mary Kay consultant and has struggled to get started, but she seems to have the determination to accomplish  her goals.  From what I have seen, the people that are successful in these ventures are very determined to succeed. ~~If you don't believe in yourself, noone else will either~~ So far she has been a consultant for 3 monthes and she has already earned her pearls... and is loving this new venture in her life.

She came over to do a facial for my mom and myself.  To my surprise the products were reasonably priced for the results they produce and I was able to earn discounts for having the party and getting orders afterward by getting additional orders. Due to the work schedules where my friends and I work there were a lot of people that couldn't make it, by their orders still count towards my party.  There was even a gift basket that the guests could earn tickets to win by participating in the "FREE" game. We got to try the Satin hands and Satin lips product which amazed me with their smooth feel (once they had dried) and 7+ other products. When I scheduled my party I had the choice of mineral or liquid fondation and the choice of facial or make-up themes.

~~~~~*****~~~~I totally  loved the gift basket! it had a cute stuffed animal bear, bath and body hand sanitizer, a MK product and some chocolate. [Mom wanted the chocolate :)]
~~~~~*****~~~~
So far I have been able to get $75 worth of product for $35 and one 1/2 price item. There are still one or two more products taht I have my eye on so over the next week I will be seeing what kinds of orders I can get placed so I may be able to get even more discounts. Right now my Mary Kay wishlist includes: The Oil-Free Eye make-up Remover currently$15 for 3.75fl oz (which I think is awesome), the Mary Kay Eye Primer currently $12 for 3 oz. and rhe Indulge Soothing Eye Gel currently $15. 

I decided to start out with basic clensers and lotions as I have never taken an interest in doing extra things to beautify myself and retain my youthful look.  I wear make-up when I get the urge to maybe once a week or I will go for 3-6 day spurts.  I got the Miracle Set - "the products work together day and night to provide 11 age-fighting benifits and turn back the hands of time" and Satin Lips -- buffs away dry skin and moisturizes to keep lips soft.  So far I love both products. I have combination dry/oily skin on my face and usually break out around my mouth and above my eyebrows. I also have issues with all lipstick products taht I have tried, finding that they all made my lips peel. I still did not like the feel of lipstick over the satin lips product, but it adds a good shimmer to my natural lip color so that lipstick is not required and it felt so nice. I plan on trying these products regularly and will let you know if my opinion is better or worse in a month or so.

If you are interested in trying the Mary Kay Line of products, would like to place an order, would be interested in joining the Mary Kay family or would toschedule a party please contact Bethany Stewart @ bstewart4402@marykay.com or visit her website www.marykay.com/bstewart4402 .If she is not local to you she will find a consultant that can help you as well.  Please tell her I sent you. Lisa ~ FunFamilyFreebies414

Mail Call - What goodies did you find in your mailbox this week?

I got lots of coupons and free samples this week! :) :) :)

Early on this week I got a 2 pack of Invisible glass samples and three MC as well.  My husband and I love this product and it's streak free quality.

Thursday was a really big day for coupons and I got a free sample too. ((I had found a website that had information on how to get freebies when you have twin babies.)) I got 3 coupons from Johnson & Johnson for $5/1, a sample Glad Bag w/febreeze and 5 coupons for $.50/1 that will double at Kroger From Vocal Point, 8 coupons from P&G for $1/1 various products, 2 coupons for $5/1 Similac Baby Formula, 8 coupons for Gerber Baby food and 4 $2 Checks for Gerber Baby Formula......And all I had to do was make some phone calls...(I also found some deals where you get free things by mailing proof of birth to certain cos... I will share more about that in another post)

Friday was a big pet day!. We got a FREE 6-ball Penta TP pack from Taylormade in a very nice pacakge. 6 horse cookies from Winnies organic animal products (Aiden can't wait to visit he horses across the road and give them the treats), A large portion sample from Rachel Ray's dog food line and a $1.50/1 MC, and an Omega-1 sample for dogs.

Saturday was a super great day for coupons! 2 coupons for -$2/1 pampers diapers, 1 for -$5/1 pampers diapers, 1 for -$1/1 pampers wipes, 1 for -$1/1 luvs wipes, 2 for -$2/1 luvs diapers, 1 for -$5/1 luvs diapers, and 1 for free luvs diapers up to $9 all from P&G.  Walmart sent me a sample of crest toothpaste and mouthwash, oral-b floss and 4 coupons.

What free samples and coupons did you get this week?

crowdtap - a site where you can get free samples and clothes!

I recently joined a site called “crowdtap” and have been trying it out to see if it is worth the effort. This site features “product testing” and polls. Occasionally there are videos to review as well. Each poll taken earns points, which enables you to gain levels and improve your odds of being selected to test products. The videos are connected to discussions which earn more points than polls and your feedback can earn stars if it is thoughtful and complete (provide personal experience and unique insight). You can also earn bonus points and $ if you post the video to your FB wall and get 5 -10 friends to view and rate the video as well.  As far as the product testing goes, I have not gotten the chance to participate yet. I have been selected to apply for an “Old Navy” campaign and the applications for that were due on July 24^th and the samples will be shared between August 5^th and August 19^th.  For this particular opportunity the reports need to be filed between August 12^th and August 26^th. Depending on how good the report is you can also get bonus points and $$ ($2-$5 and 500-1500 points), plus you get to keep the product you were testing. I love free stuff and I love sharing my opinion so I hope this site lives up to my expectations. 

Periodically I will recommend websites that I have had a good experience with. I will let you decide if you enjoy them as much as I have J Below is a link to join me at crowdtap and see what kinds of free things you will be selected to try… Good luck J <3 J.

http://bit.ly/pjpnUw

Currently they are offering a $5 bonus for the first 5 friends you can get to sign up and then 100 points per friend after that.

Here are some links to a few of the discussion videos. They are short, but I liked them… Do you?

http://bit.ly/nxder3

http://bit.ly/pdqVvg

http://bit.ly/rhMfWe

Recycling - Upcycling - Repurposing: Part 1

Moneta Elementary School in Bedford County VA does a whole lot of recycling... They collect Aluminum cans, Box Tops for Education, Campbell Soup Labels, Drink pouches, Malt-o-Meal Cereal Bags, Gum packages, Lays potato chip bags (large and small), used ziploc bags (all sizes), mars candy wrappers (all sizes), Lunchables plastic trays and much more... and turn them into profit... Now granted all of the money earned is turned over to the PTA and used to fund school activities, but isn't that really the BEST part? The kids and families that support this school and their rcycling programs not only help the environment, but they also get money back on their purchases to enrich the life of a child. I can't think of any better rewards for giving someone your trash and keeping it out of the local landfill. If you would like to donate anything to them please visit them @

http://www.bedford.k12.va.us/mnes/

In my home we save all of the items listed to donate to Moneta Elementary Scool except for the aluminum cans which I usually give to my nephews or my "Momma". You will hear me refer to "Momma" in other posts I'm sure and she is actually my Mother-in-Law. My "Mom" has and always will be "my Mom" and I love her dearly.

How do you recycle?

Kroger Mega Savings Event

Most every week it seems like Kroger offers a Mega Savings event on certain products. This week the deal is you save $5 for each 10 items you purchase that are part of the sale. One of my favorite blogs "CouponDivas" has an excellent page for each store that allow you to select the sale items you are interested in and print the list to take shopping with you. So last night I reviewed the sale items included this week and choose my favorite 10 items for purchase.

I got:

4 Nivea Body washes @ $.99 each by using $2/1 MC coupons
1 package of Aunt Jemim Frozen bkueberry waffles @ $.39 with a $1/1 printable MC
1 Reach toothbrush free with $1/1 MC
1 4pk of Colgate Wisps for $.49 with a $1/1 MC
1 Colgate toothpaste free with $.50/1 MC that doubled
2 20pk Dixie Paper plates
+ 9 70 sheet 1 subject notebooks @ $.15 each (back to school special)

I spent: $9.10 including tax. It is great to save moeny and get free things. My stockpile is growing and I am very proud of the inventory I have been able to accumulate for little to nothing in just 2 short monthes. I look forward to watching it grow and turn into an all inclusive stockpile (right now it is mostly toiletries, dish washing and laundry supplies).

What was your choice of products to take advantage of this week at Kroger?

Freebies and keeping yourself organized.

Some Days I find quite a few freebies on FB and I have gotten a lot of free samples in the mail. A lot of times they come with coupons for use on a future purchase. Today wasn't a big new day, but still to find two great new freebies in one day was pretty nice. I also got too look at my "Mega Deals" save $5 wyb 10 items and I have got my list of 10 items that I can get free or cheap this week. I will post it later today and the deals will be good until 7/26 (but as always verify the sales based on your local flyer just to be sure).

I have listed the two new freebies I found today. There are many others still available and I have shared them on my FB wall for all of my friends for a few weeks now and I will slowly start migrating them to my blog instead. Some offers will be available on FB only and will require you to "Like" their pages and be logged in at special times.

Also I recommend creating two special folders in your e-mail. One for "FREEBIES" and one for "COUPONS". I keep all of my confirmation e-mails and follow-up on them, making sure to post a "thank-you" message and how I liked the product or what I plan to use it for. All of the free samples I have gotten so far have come with couons and most were a better vallue than the ones I find in the Sunday paper.

Free Sample of snack chicks by joining their mailing list:
http://www.snackchicks.com/#/mailing-list/4550045818

Free Sample of Prilosec OTC:
https://prilosecotc.hostedwebform.com/?src=Jtyipj&id=CD3105

It is late and I must hit the hay. I hope you all have a good night and check back later for more updates.

Weekly Grocery Shopping - this week's trip was to Kroger

This week at Kroger I got 48 items for $86.25 with a total savings of $63.93 and I got 98 Fuel Points.  When you deduct the $13.18 for the dog food and $3.22 for the cat food I paid an average of $1.52 for each of the items I got.

Great buys from this trip:

Danimals yogurt and Danosuars yogurt $1.88 each - $1/1 MC (I got 2 and 4)
Purina Cat Chow cat food $4.22 -$1/1 MC

Mega Savings Deal:
Lean Cuisine meals from $1.68 - I got 8
Stouffer's French Bread Pizzas $1.68 - I got 4
Klenex Facial tissues $.99 -$.50/3MC (which doubled) - I got 6 boxes
Pringles $.83 -$1/3MC - I got 3
Duncan Hines Cake mix $1.09 and frosting $1.85 -B2 Duncan Hines products G1 free cake mix (-$1.09x2)
                     --- I used two of these MC

I got some other decent deals but nothing notable, just general good buys on things I wanted this week.

It looks like Kroger may not accept stacking two coupons on one item anymore (MC+SC) so make sure you check with your local store or try it and don't be too disappointed if the second coupn is not accepted.

Below is a link to Kroger's Coupon policy page:

http://print.coupons.com/couponweb/partners/kroger/krogercouponacceptance.html

My trip to Walgreens -- these deals are good til 7-23-11

My trip to Walgreens wasn't as big as I had intended due to them being out of tuna and hamburger helper (I was able to get a raincheck for the sold out items). My intent was to have two orders which I did.

The first order totalled $10.39 and I got:
2 Mitchell's deoderants -- 2/$6 --  -.75/1MC x2 -- got $4 RR
2 Sheick 12 pack disposable razors -- $5.99each -- 1 BOGO MC(-$5.99) -- 1 $1/1 MC -- got $2RR

The second order totalled $3.48 and I got:
2 Sheick 12 pack disposable razors -- $5.99each -- 1 BOGO MC(-5.99) -- used $4RR -- got $2RR
Dawn $.99 each with IAC -- -$.25/1 MC
2 pair Disney socks for Aiden $1 each - used 2 $1RR that were going to expire today

total spent = $13.87 and I brought home 2 $2 in RR for my next shopping trip!

Today I went back to Walgreens to hit a couple of more deals before they expired. I had three orders today. The first and second order were for Mitchums deoderant on sale 2/$6 with a -$.75/1 and -$1/1 on each order. Plus each order earned $4RR.  -- Out-of-pocket $4.55 on each order

My third order was the best value totalling $1.31. I got 4 bottles of Downy liquid fabric softener on sale 2/$7, 3 crayola model magic on the go packs on sale $.50, a pocket-size composition book $.49, and some lip gloss on sale for $.50.  I used 4 coupons for $1/1 downy product, 2 $2 RR and 2 $4RR.

total spent: $10.41

I have been stockpiling freebies for a couple of monthes now...

I have been stockpiling freebies for a couple of monthes now... below are pictures of the things that I have gotten free just by filling out a form on the internet. The freebie business can be tricky because sometimes there are a very limited number of items to be given away and its all about being in the right place at the right time. I have liked several pages on my FB account and been able to keep track of all the new products on the market as well as coupons and samples that are available. There are also quite a few blogs I follow that post different deals from simply putting in your address and leaving feedback or completing tasks like taking polls or how to get free/cheap things to stock-pile or creating photo projects that are free/shipping only deals.

I will start moving all of my follow-up posts here and hope that you will share your success stories too.

Tips and Tricks for a Couponing Newbie

If you are new to couponing there are some basic things you can do to get started. I recommend having some sort of filing system- Mine is divided into 12 basic categories and then the coupons are alphabetized according to product within the category so that I can quickly find them for a sale I may happen upon.

I also purchase two Sunday papers at the local Dollar Tree ($1 each). When I find a BOGO deal (buy one get one) I will use a coupon on each item and really rack up on the savings.

I like to watch the deals at the local drug stores as they tend to have some of the better deals when you take the time to divide your purchase into separate orders so you can us your store rewards as you earn them instead of having to worry about them expiring.

Whenever I have coupons for -.50 or less I will usually take them to Kroger as they will double them in my local store.

And lastly there is coupon stacking where you use a MC (manufacturer's coupon) and  a SC (store coupon) on the same item and if you are buying formula you can also use those handy checks that are sent out stacked with a MC and SC for even more savings.

I hope that you will find this info useful and I hope you keep checking back to see the deals I have found.

Getting started

I am new to blogging, but have wanted to start one for awhile now. I love hunting for freebies and good deals and I will share the things I find with everyone. I am a mother of twin girls that just turned 4 mos. old and a 3 yr old little boy. My husband is a full time student and we share the housework and taking care of the kids.