Canvas People has a great offer for St. Patrick’s day, because it includes shipping. Get an 11×14 canvas for just $29. Mother’s Day and Father’s Day is not that far off, order now so you have it.
Canvas People-great St. Patrick’s Day offer-$29 shipped! ends 3/19
March 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Review: Barbie in a Mermaid Tale 2 + Frugal Fun
March 17, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
I received a copy of Barbie in a Mermaid Tale to review last week. I knew my 4 year old daughter would absolutely love it since she loves Barbie AND mermaids right now. She didn’t know it was coming and when I opened the box you should have heard her screech. She was so excited and wanted to watch it immediately. The boys weren’t quite so excited, and honestly? That’s quite alright with me – time for a “Girl Party” as my daughter says.
In the movie, Merliah is a surf champion who is also a mermaid princess, although no one knows this about her. It has a slight resemblance to Little Mermaid only in that there is also an evil mermaid who attempts to take over the throne. As Merliah goes between two worlds, she learns the value of family and how to choose the things that are really important in life. She also learns how to be true to herself and not just do what other people think is the best option for her. Will Merliah follow her mother’s wishes or will she choose to do her own thing? Filled with bright colors, a princess, a dairing surfer girl (my daughter loved the part where they surf the waves), an evil fish and a pet seal,the movie is sure to keep the attention of your little princess.
My daughter says – “It’s cute. I liked the purple mermaid(girl) and how it took the necklace to turn into a mermaid. I liked…thinking…thinking…” ok, so she couldn’t think of anything else but as soon as it was done she wanted to watch it again.
Released in the beginning of March, the movie is just in time for an Easter present if you do Easter baskets. Once she opens it, pop some popcorn and have a “Girl Party”. Barbie in A Mermaid Tale 2
You may also be able to get free shipping on orders $25+ through this link- Mattel and using code WHEELSFAN25. They have a variety of Barbie Mermaid toys, including Barbie Merliah, featured below.
**Disclaimer: I received no financial compensation for this review. I received a complimentary copy to watch and review. All opinions stated are my own.
Home Furnishings on a Tight Budget
March 13, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Need a table? A couch? If you have gone furniture shopping lately, you know just how much the price tag on home furnishings has gone up in the last few years. Even on a tight budget you can furnish your house fairly inexpensively. To be quite honest I have found more quality products used than brand new in the last few years. Part of this is because older furnishings can be made better.
Freecycle – I don’t know how many items I have gotten free on Freecycle. Sometimes they need a little fixing up but many times they are perfect the way they are. I have gotten a few entertainment centers that way. As I needed a different size I have passed the old on to someone else. No knobs on the door? Home Depot or Lowes has them fairly inexpensively. No glass in the door? Get some pretty fabric remnants to match your decor and tack it to the inside or get some plexiglass cut to size at Home Depot or Lowes. Just yesterday it so happened that there were two items I have been looking for and was able to get through Freecycle – a nice table that has shallow drawers and is brimming with character and an outdoor table. The outside table is in good shape – just needs the rust sanded down and a can of spray paint taken to it. Do I stick to plain old white or go bold? Hmmmm…
Family and friends – get the word out on what you are looking for. Swap for something they need, give a little money or maybe they just give it to you. I was headed to Freecycle to ask for a bread machine one time. I posted it to my Facebook friends first and wouldn’t you know, a friend had one. I was willing to pay for it but she didn’t let me. (Thank you!) My sister and brother-in-law were given a table and gave us their old – good but not the one they needed most- one.
Consignment/Thrift stores/yard sales – there are so many treasures to be found in these stores. You just have to be patient and hunt them down. If you get used furniture, pull up the cushions to make sure there is no animal hair stuck in the edges which is a tell-tale sign of pets and if it was in a smoking home you can tell by being near it – trust me! It doesn’t have to be your favorite color either! If it is the perfect style or comfortable, buy a couch cover for it. You still get out WAY cheaper than brand new. Rent a steam cleaner available at many stores and give it a good clean. I also let furniture sit out on my covered porch a few days to air out.
Trash picking – haha. Yeah really. Don’t tell my husband but we only do that if he is with me and can be the one to get it off the side of the road. We have only done this once or twice and it wasn’t anything with cloth.
Craigslist – I haven’t done this one
What have I gotten through Freecycle/thrifting/sales/friends and family?
2 entertainment centers – passed one to my brother – FREE and $25 for an oak one
2 arm chairs – FREE and $35
1 set kitchen chairs – FREE
2 kitchen tables – one bit the dust – FREE
1 kids’ table and 2 chairs – FREE
3 bookshelves – FREE (separate places and times)
1 bread maker – FREE
1 bed frame – FREE
1 bunk bed set – FREE
4 dressers – FREE, and $25 for one
2 couches – FREE
1 air hockey table – FREE
1 breakfast table and 4 chairs – $35
3 tvs – FREE, plus I won one when I was in highschool
1 ginormous unframed mirror (4 ft. x 7 ft.) – FREE
8 Hotwheel track sets – FREE
2 strollers – FREE
bikes and a scooter (kids’ sale) – $20.50
1 outdoor picnicky table – FREE
1 office chair – $2
Stereo – promotion through husband’s work – chose something useful
Digital camera – same as above
The list could probably go on but you get it.
Notice that mattresses are NOT on that list. There are some things “you” (I) just don’t buy used.
You know what makes me the most proud? My kids! They are getting it. They are so use to the tight budget we utilize and how we debate and rationalize whether a purchase is worth it that they will exclaim over things that seem pricey to them. Some of them are laughable but it is still cool to see the wasy they attach value in dollar signs to things. Trust me, they still get to spend money on toys etc. sometimes. They are just learning how to be smarter about it. My hope is they retain the lessons we are teaching.
So what are some amazing deals you have gotten? Smart ways to shop? Creative ways to get what you want without killing your budget?
Consignment Sales: West Grove United Methodist
March 12, 2012 by · Leave a Comment
Every spring and fall West Grove United Methodist holds a kids’ clothing consignment sale. It is one of my favorite sales for several reasons. The biggest reason is that it is so close to me. Where we live we have to travel for most things. 30 minutes or farther is quite normal. It is nice to be able to hit a sale 10 minutes away.
If you are an avid “saler” you know that sometimes it can be like Black Friday shopping- from the prices to the crowds. WGUMC’s sale is nice in that it isn’t so huge you wonder where to start first. It has a wide range of sizes just like every other sale but the amount of product to look through is manageable. I always come out with some real treasures, like the first year when I first heard about it just in time for half price day. I walked in and unbelievably there was a “still so new it was crisp” Cinderella blanket with built in twinkle lights for $7.50!!! I did not wait around. I grabbed that right up and paid for it. My daughter absolutely adores “Cinderelly” and it is the perfect addition to her princess room. Even without the half-price sale their prices are reasonable and going to their sale is a great way to stretch your clothing budget. Plus I find it much easier to buy toys there – you know, the toys they forget about in a few days or break within weeks.
The same goes for the lines. While there is still a line at the beginning of the sale, it isn’t a “WalMart Black Friday” line like one or two other sales can be. I still advise you to get there a little early. The earlier you get there the better the selection. Plus, you know the best items with the best prices always go first.
Where: 300 North Guernsey Road, West Grove, PA
When: March 16, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm & March 17, 9 AM – 12 PM (1/2 price day)
Parking: plentiful
Cost: Free
Disclaimer: I received no financial compensation for this post. I received early entry in return for promoting the sale but all thoughts and opinions are my own.
