Save That Money, Honey!: Ebates

Ok this is a BIG one!

I try to shop on here as often as possible simply because 1) it's easy 2) you simply link to the store you want to purchase and it will take you directly there to shop online 3) you make money back on purchases you make online and 4) you can still apply online coupons when checking out!

Here's how it works--
1) Click on the link: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=OMSnLaKvalqWZBdcF7pz8Q%3D%3D

2) Register for an account and automatically get $10 back to your retailer of choice.  (FYI Usually this will take about 6 weeks to arrive.)

3) Pick from the list of retailers you would like shop from and you will be directed directly to the retail site.  (You won't be returning to Ebates.com but know that Ebates does track your purchases if you follow these steps.)

4) Shop as normal!

5) Check out and apply any online coupons on hand or found online (www.retailmenot.com is a great place to find some).

6) Once your purchase is confirmed you can check Ebates.com in a day or so to see the credit returned to you for your purchase made. 

7) After each pay cycle, you will receive a check back for your shopping online!  How awesome is that?!

HERE'S A TIP...I often will go to the actual store I am interested in shopping in to look at the items personally vs. electronically.  For instance, let's say I want to shop on Macy's- I will go to Macy's to make sure the items I'm interested in fit and then I will go back home and make a purchase through Ebates.  The same is true of Sephora--I will go to the store to swatch the makeup or smell the perfume I am interested in and then I will make an online purchase through Ebates because most often they will offer 8% back!  Score!!!

And just another FYI, every retailer offers a different percentage back but sometimes they will double those offers.  For instance, I love to shop at The Limited for work, but sadly they only offer 1.5% back most of the time.  If you plan it right, and most of the time I do, I will make my purchases when Ebates is doubling The Limited offer to 3% and so then I can make the most of my purchase. 

In short, plan your purchases ahead, shop online through ebates, and watch for those double percentage offers!  You'll be so proud at how much you are saving- while still allowing yourself and your family to have the things you feel good in. 

Save That Money, Honey!: VIP Savings Network Card

Here's an example of how I save when it comes to going out!  I ordered this card from a kid fundraising for school.  It cost me $20 but I have made that back and more in all of the savigns.  Everyday this card holds some sort of special- todays is 20% off at Menchie's.  My kids love this, and in addition, when you text a code, you get a coupon text for a free 5oz cup.  Can't beat that!  Definitely a cheap treat if you and yours want to do something as a family on a Friday night. 

With this card, I have been able to save on dry cleaning, car washing, movies etc.  The point is I will save on locations I will frequent anyway!

This particular card is only available in California, New Mexico, Texas, and Chihuahua, MX.  If you're in these areas you can purchase yours at http://vipsavingsnetwork.com/ (not an affiliate link.  For the rest of you, that doesn't mean you can't get savings like this in your area.  Just look around for programs like this or you might even check out http://www.restaurant.com/ (not an affiliate link) to purchase gift certificates to restaurants for less than you would pay for the meal with cash after dining!

Save That Money, Honey! (A New Series)

I'm beginning this series of posts to show others how I go about saving as much as possible while still enjoying life and living comfortably!  I love saving---I feel invigorated and proud everytime I make good choices for my family and am able to watch our savings grow :)   

I know there are a million more mamas out there like me and I would love to hear your tricks for saving too!

Finally figured it out!

I've been on hiatus trying to really analyze where I want to go with this blog.  I read so many other blogs (which I love) and it seems the most successful are those that constantly feature new products, or advertise the latest and greatest, and understandably so.  And at one point, I was totally into that craze--but now that I've taken a step back I have had a chance to really think about who I am and what I want to blog about.

So here it is...
I love frugality as much as I love to be put together.  Savings invigorates me as does the idea of being the perfect mom-cooking, cleaning, spending time with family, organizing, couponing, blogging, sharing, being an awesome teacher, working my way towards administration (maybe youtubing?) ...doing it ALL...on a budget while looking good doing it :)

So that's the direction I decided to take this blog.  Ive decided it wouldn't suit me, the author, to write for the masses, but to write for me and others like me.  This blog is going to contain it all--my tricks to living life fabulously and frugally.

I'm feeling inspired already!  Hope you're feeling it too! 

July Glam Bag Opening!

Hello there!  Here is a list of the products I received in this month's Glam Bag:

• Yes to Cumcumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes (10ct)
• Yes to Cucumbers says these wipes have cucumbers and aloe vera to cleanse, remove makeup and nourish skin...all in one swipe.
• Paraben free
• Review on claims to come! 
• Nume Hydro Punch Hydrating Conditioner (.67oz)
• Nume says this is a professional solution for dry or coloured hair, making revolutionary synergy between traditional Moroccan Berber women Argan oil and innovative patented technology of SERATIN-K Pretein Complex.  The active ingredients replenish moisture for intense softness, movement and shine.
• Paraben free
• Review on claims to come! 
• Circus by Andrea's Choice in Reverso (full-size)
• Josie Maran Magic Marker Lip & Cheek Stain (full-size)
• Color: Tango
• Kiehl's Ultra Facial Oil-Free Lotion (1.0oz)
• For normal to oily skin types
• Kiehl's says this oil-free lightweight, moisturizing lotion helps visibly reduce excess oil on skin's surface, leaving a shine-free and balanced appearance.  Our non-greasy hydrator traps moisture to deeply condition skin and restore its moisture barrier.  A complex of hydrating ingredients - Imperata Cylindrica Root Extract, antarcticine and Vitamine E - helps keep skin fresh and healthier looking all day.
• Colorant Free, Fragrance Free, Oil-Free, Paraben free
• Review on claims to come! 

NOTW

I bought this nail polish at Marshalls for $1.99!  It is a pretty peachy color, but unfortunately the bottle has no name.  The accent nail is Essie "Jazz", and the dots are Loreal's "I Will" from Loreal's new nail line.

Makeup/Nail Polish Storage




 

Lipstick/Lipgloss Storage
I purchased this organizer at Marshalls.  It is supposed to be an office supply storage unit that rotates it, but I found it was very handy to store all of my lip products.  After trying many different ways to organize these (i.e. by color, lipsticks vs. lip glosses) I decided the most asthetic and less chaotic way for me was to organize them by brand.  The colors are so much easier to find now!



Another view of the my lip product storage.

Back-ups!
Because I love to coupon, I have aquired many back-ups in addition to my already large stash.  I have sorted all the eyeliners/lipliners I have duplictes of as well and put them in a little container so that as I run out of a color from my main collection I can just replace it.  Most of my duplicate items are from collecting many Urban Decay collections.  The little leather box that is holding my liners is a Michael Kors box one of my watches came in.  The larger leather box is from Target.  The little round box was given to me as a container for a gift. 




Lipstick and Powder Storage Stored Away Under Sink



Countertop Storage

This is my go-to area on my bathroom counter.  As you can see I have a rectangular marbe piece that holds containers for lipliners, eyeliners, and primers, and two palettes of drugstore eyeshadows I have depotted and am trying to use up.  (I have even hit pan on some of these! Yay!)  To the sides there are two more containers.  Both hold lipglosses I am working on finishing up as well.  Each glass container holds my makeup brushes--one for face brushes, the other for eye brushes.  The small leather containers are also Michael Kors boxes repurposed. 

Another view of my countertop storage.

Wall Storage

I purchased some plastic containers from the Container Store and used three 3M Command Strips per container to attach to my wall.  They hold up very well and I am able to store my concealer, foundation, finishing powders, blushes I am working on finishing, Fix-+, etc...in them without taking up counter space.

Here is what my entire counter looks like from afar.

Middle Drawers

I have three drawers down the middle of my bathroom cabinets.  In the first is where I keep all of my Loreal Infallible eyeshadows.  (I love these!) I also hold small everyday makeup tools in a rectangular storage here (think scissors, Clarasonic charger, eyebrow shapers etc..).  I also took three of the Michael Kors box tops and organized all of my Mac Paint Pots and Maybelline Color Tatoos (which I used as eyeshadow bases) and stored them in there.  The rest is night stuff, my husbands hair wax, lint remover...nothing special really :).

I keep all of my hair tools in my second drawer. 

I keep palettes, a Sketch Diary (with swatches of all of my eyeshadows by color), and two makeup bags full of fall/winter nail polishes (yes I have organized my nail polish stash to this degree!).  The lipstick bag is full of Back 2 Mac ready containers.  I like to store them there so that I can quickly grab it and pack it for the next time I visit a city with a Pro Mac store that will accept depotted eyeshadow containers. 



Nail Polish Rack
I have organized this rack to include all my glitters, nail art polishes, spring/summer colors, and universal colors.  I love being able to see everything right off the bat!