Toy Thursday: Christmas?

Christmas?

Yes. It is only October.

But as a saver, it's never too early to check your gift stockpile and research gifts. If you're a saver (like me), you know that EBates is a GREAT site to get paid to shop. But sometimes Ebates doesn't offer all of the sites you want to shop from. That's where MyPoints comes in. Click either of these links and get paid to shop.

Buy smart, save money. :)

Salvation Sunday: Keeping Christ in Christmas

We all know that saying and we know what it means...but do we really?

Quite often I see people too wrapped up in their Christmas shopping, decorating and baking that they're doesn't seem to be a glimmer of Christ in their CHRISTmas.

Someone fired shots outside of Valley West Mall on Black Friday. Someone was choked at the 8th Street Wal-Mart over a video game. Two teens got in a fight at Jordan Creek mall. Would Christ be involved in any of that? I don't think so.

We need to remember what's important...that HE is the reason for the season. We're celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. The man who came to Earth, the man who died for our sins. The man who is more than just a man, but the Son of God.

It's not about who has the "right gifts", who has the "house with the most lights" or who has the "perfect" decorations. It's about that "Dear 8 pounds 6 ounces baby Jesus, new born, not even spoken a word yet."-Ricky Bobby.

And now that you're laughing, keep sweet little baby Jesus in mind. Because, it is about his birth.

Tip Tuesday: Christmas Shopping Savvy

Whether we're ready or not, Christmas is coming. I find it hard to believe that some stores already have their Christmas gear out...did I miss Thanksgiving? No? Okay. Just checking.

I've been buying all year for Christmas. When items go on clearance, I grab them. I stash them. I spreadsheet them. I am a nerd. And in addition to my "gift tote" I also had to figure out a way to get the larger toys from the apartment to our new house in the move. It wasn't easy.

My boys LOVE Angry Birds. They love it so much, they "play" angry birds. That means on kid is sitting on the couch and the other "launches" himself from the other side of the room, to the kid on the couch, screaming "CA-CAW!"

When I saw this deal I couldn't pass it up.

A "live action" Angry Birds game, complete with sounds, for HALF PRICE.

My oldest (the biggest Angry Birds fan in the house) turns 6 just after Thanksgiving. I know what he's getting for his birthday!!

Toy Thursday: 100 Sleeps Till Christmas

You may be thinking "no way! It JUST started to cool down" but it's true. Only 100 sleeps until Christmas.

I'm a planner. Some may call me a gift hoarder. When I find a good deal, I buy it, enter it into my gift spreadsheet and put it in a closet. That being said, moving should be fun. It does make it easy for when a birthday comes up. I just pull up the spreadsheet, find something that's appropriate for the birthday boy or girl and wrap it.

I also did something "new" this year. When Target has the "buy X of Y, get a $5 giftcard" deals I snag them up...but I've been saving the giftcards for Black Friday spending. I've got them in an envelope (they don't expire) and this way, I can have a guilt free/bank account free shopping spree at Target the day after Thanksgiving. I'm almost to $200 in giftcards!!

Have you started shopping or saving for Christmas? Has the economy forced you to do anything different this year?

Shuffle Saturday: Shopping with Toddlers!

Shopping with toddler is not easy and so you pick your trips, planning your outings very carefully. This morning we even had both mommy and daddy to go shopping for shoes. For what seemed like a simple trip ended up exhausting all of us - just to find some shoes for this fall.

Toddlers have their own opinions. They seem to be very good at expressing their own independent ideas at just the right time. In this mornings case, it was what shoes he wanted to try on or did not want to try on. He also was good at telling us what other items he wanted to look at in the store...and touch....and hold. Then he though it would be fun to rearrange the mats on the store floor.

Toddlers also have a lot of energy that find its way out in strange ways. Again this morning it was taking his socks and shoes that he came with on and off. He then thought it would be fun to run away from mommy and daddy (against multiple warnings), hiding through the aisles. Daddy ended up chasing him (to his delight and our horror) clear across the store.

Finally we found a pair of shoes that we all agreed on and we headed to the check out. Even then we were tired, ready for a melt down anytime. But we made it home, putting aside all other errands we had to do this morning.

Do you have any shopping stories you would like to share or types on reigning in your toddler?

Toy Thursday: It's a Woot-off!!

If you haven't checked out Woot! today is the day. It's a Woot-off! What's that mean? Basically Woot! is trying to sell out their overstock. That means they sell one item until it sells out---and then it's something new.

You can snag some great deals...and it is a flat $5 shipping. So if it is a good deal, grab three of it and put it in your gift closet--and still only pay $5 shipping.

It's a good time to buy ahead for Christmas. I've also gotten items (for as little as .01) and put the games/toys in the Toys for Tots bin at Christmas. Be sure to check out Kids Woot and Wine Woot too!!

Have fun shopping!

Shuffle Saturday: Making a (Grocery) List and Checking it Twice

More often than not, I find myself heading to the store and realizing that I have left my grocery list. Things are crazy with three kids under the age of 6! Usually I can remember the necessities and get what is needed. During the holidays, however, my list often contains items that I don't usually use: condensed sweetened milk, baking chips etc etc.

It's important, when you want to bake and make items you normally don't make, to make a grocery list, complete with amounts needed. This will ensure you're not taking unnecessary trips to the grocery store...or unwanted text messages to your husband with a "Please pick up on your way home..."

This time of year, the store is filled with frazzled shoppers there for just a bag of flour, or a cart full of items for a family dinner. Making sure you've got everything you need in one trip will help you to not become one of the frazzled shoppers.

Compare and plan. Clip coupons and check ads. Make a list, check it twice, and stick to it. Sometimes it helps to shop with a buddy, someone who will help you keep to your list and avoid the impulse buys.

But most of the time it helps to leave the kids at home, as they have a tendency to add more items to the cart than what you went for. And by kids, I mean all of them. Including the 30 year old you're married to.

Tip Tuesday--Black Friday Countdown and Tips

10 Days and Counting....

I enjoy saving money. I almost turn it into a game. All year, I stock up on the "free gift card" deals. You know, the buy two boxes of diapers and get a $10 gift card? I always have coupons for diapers, so I'm getting the things I need at a deal price and then I tuck the cards away and treat myself to a little Black Friday spending spree...mostly getting toys and clothes for the kids for Christmas.

Even though I am one of those crazy people who gets up at 2 AM (or doesn't even go to bed the night before), I enjoy it. No one cares if you're wearing makeup, if your hair looks good or even that you're in your sweats. I find it's a fun "mommy time" for me. I usually treat myself to a Starbucks to energize me and off I go.

But there's always a game plan. I watch Black Friday Info and  Black Friday Net almost all year round, since the deals they post are not just for black Friday. I spend Thanksgiving with the in laws and while they watch a movie, I'm usually scouring over the ads and making a plan. It's fun!
 
Here are a few tips to make your Black Friday shopping a fun and successful time.

1. Make a game plan. Know what times stores open and make a "route plan" according to that. Hit the earlier stores when they open, and if there's only one item you want at a particular store, hold off. Get the majority of what you want first. That way you get the deals you planned on and really want.

2. Make a list. AND KEEP TO THE LIST. I know it may be tempting to grab items you didn't plan on buying, but you're setting yourself up for buyer's remorse (and bank account shock).

3. STICK to your budget. If you've budgeted $300 for gifts, stay under $300.

4. Don't get sucked in by the "deals".  Many stores are offering a $10 gift card when you spend $100.  Think to yourself, was I planning on spending $100 at that store? If not, why shop there. If you can get $100 worth of items for $70, shop at the other store. It's all about comparing prices and shopping around.

5. Be comfortable. Wear your sweats. No one cares. Everyone looks like a walking zombie the day after Thanksgiving. It might also be helpful to take band aids in your purse. Yes, band aids. People get a little crazy with the carts and occasionally bump you in the heels.

6. Rest up the remainder of the day. You've exerted a lot of energy in the hours you're usually asleep. You've come in contact with a lot of people and a lot of germs. The last thing you need/want is to be sick. When you get home in the mid-morning/late afternoon, take a nap.

Enjoy your Black Friday shopping, and if you see me out there, wave "Hello"!