Website of the Week: Mint.com

July 29, 2010 by

If you’re looking for a way to set up a budget or to just start managing your money better, Mint.com is the site for you!  The site is completely free and it will help you to create a budget, set savings goals (and track your progress), and it will provide you with graphs to help you “see” where your money is going and possibly cut expenses!  I just signed up for Mint.com recently, so I’m still learning how to use all of the cool features, but I love it so far.

If you’re looking for more ideas on how to get started with creating a budget for your family, check out this post:

Want to get out of debt?  Start with a budget!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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Thrifty Thursday: The "gift" closet

July 29, 2010 by

When I was a kid, my mom kept all of our Christmas and birthday gifts that she would buy throughout the year stashed in her closet under lock and key.  I guess I learned a bit from her because now I have my own “gift closet” and I stock it with deals that I get throughout the year.

Here are some reasons why a “gift closet” pays off:
*You spend less in the long run because you are not paying full price for things

*You always have a gifts on hand for those last minute birthday party invites that you receive

*You can sit back and enjoy the holidays a bit more because you’re not having to deal with all of the crowds to get last minute shopping done

Here are some starting your “gift closet”:

*Find a spot to store your stash (it doesn’t necessarily have to be a closet – you can use space under beds or even storage bins)

*Make a list of people that you traditionally buy gifts for throughout the year (birthdays, Christmas, etc.).

*Look for hot deals on items that you could use as gifts for people on your list throughout the year (Target usually clearances toys in January and July, Amazon has big clearance sales starting in November, and other stores offer clearance deals throughout the year).  As you find items and add them to your stash, write what you’ve purchased next to that person’s name on the list, so you know what you have and who it’s for and also so you know who you have left to buy for.

*Your gift stash doesn’t have to just be birthday and Christmas gifts.  I also keep a stash of things that I can use for baby shower gifts and other occasions, too!  If you buy “extras” for people who are not on your list, make sure that you keep a list of what you’ve got!

Do you shop for gifts throughout the year?  How do you keep track of your stash??

Do you have another Thrifty Thursday tip to share?  Feel free to link up below!

For more Thrifty Thursday ideas, check out Coupon Teacher, Madame Deals, and Life as a Mom.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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Disney’s Deal of the Day: Buy a backpack, get a lunch tote free!

July 28, 2010 by

If you’re still in the market for a backpack and lunch tote, you may want to take advantage of Disney’s Deal of the Day. When you buy a backpack, you get a lunch tote free! When I was browsing, most of the backpacks are priced at $16.50. You also get free shipping when you buy any back to school item and enter the code SCHOOLSHIP at check-out.

Get an additional 5% cash back when you shop through Ebates or Shop at Home (plus get a $5 bonus if you are signing up for the first time).

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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K’NEX Big Value tub for $10!

July 28, 2010 by

If you’ve got a birthday party coming up or you’re starting your Christmas shopping in July, you may want to take advantage of this hot deal. Walmart.com has a K’NEX Big Value tub (325 pieces) for just $10! If you select the “Site to Store” option, then you don’t have to pay shipping! These retail for $21.88, so this is a great deal.

Don’t forget to shop through Ebates or Shop at Home to get an additional 3% cash back (plus a $5 bonus if you are signing up for the first time). To learn more about these cash back sites, check out this post here.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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Get a 30 month subscription to All You Magazine for $25!

July 28, 2010 by

I love All You Magazine and recently realized that my subscription was about to expire, so I went searching online for the best deal and the best deal I found was a 30 month subscription from QSP for only $25.  That’s $.83 per issue, and it retails for $2.49 per issue!  This price is valid on new subscriptions and renewals!  If you’re not familiar with All You Magazine, it’s a great magazine that is published on a monthly basis and includes great coupons, money saving tips, recipes, and organization ideas.

As an added bonus, I found out that they have a fundraising option.  One of my New Year’s resolutions was to find more ways to give.  We’ve been talking about ways to save for Christmas this month and one of my family’s traditions at Christmas is to pick a name (or names depending on our circumstances at that time) from the Salvation Army Angel Tree.  I have been doing this for years, even before I was married and had children, and every year when I go to drop off our gifts, I am always saddened by the number of names that remain on the tree.  I always wish I could do more.  This year, I hope that I will be able to!  QSP will donate 40% of the cost of every magazine that you purchase ($8 if you purchase All You) and I will use that money at Christmas to purchase gifts for the Salvation Army Angel Tree program in my area.  I can’t wait for December when I’ll be able to share pictures of the things I’ve been able to get to help out needy children this year!

So, it’s a win-win situation for you:  you get a great deal (the best I could find) on a great magazine and you get to give back to others, too!  If you want to take advantage of this deal, click here to order and then click on “Support Us” and then search for “All You Magazine”

PLEASE NOTE:  I will not personally benefit from any of these sales – all earnings will go toward the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please refer to my disclosure policy for more information.

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