Trader Joe's

I feel like Trader Joes is a big secret.  It is a great way to make organic affordable!

I recently went on a tour of Trader Joes with my local MOPS group and I really learned  A LOT.  Trader Joes is a great place and just so you know they give FREE tours! That in itself is a great free activity to do with your kids.  You can get a group of people together and call to make an appointment for a tour.  On our tour we got samples and a free reusable bag.

Trader Joes only carries one kind of every item.  They do this to keep the costs down.  They find a product they like and go to the manufacturer with a list of specifications.  The manufacturer comes back to Trader Joes with a price quote.  Trader Joes then decides if they like that price and if they do they put their label on it and start selling it in their store.  They say the reason there is only one of every item is because that one item is the BEST of that item.

I will let the rest of the Trader Joes story be told to you when you go on that FREE tour!

Target Toy Clearence1

I have to say that I'm the kind of shopper who spreads out my purchases throughout the year. I'm going to be almost done Christmas shopping this Thursday and this is why...Target summer toy clearance. This Thursday most of the toys on clearance will hit 75% off. I will be sure to post what I've found and for how much. I already know I'm going to get 2 of my nephews each a game and lego set and be able to stay under my $15 budget. I'm getting my niece an apron set for her play kitchen. I'm getting my hubby u-build battleship and I will find a game for his brother too. I'm stocking up on games for my son as well. I know we will need lots to do inside this winter when its SOOOO cold outside.

If you want to do the toy clearance make sure you are there when they open. Toys go fast once they hit 75% off. That is about as low as Target goes, but trust me its still wicked cheap!

Let others do the work for you...

I am all about letting others help you out by doing the hard coupon matching work for you! I follow several blogs:
www.kansascitymamas.com
www.coupondivas.com
www.frugalgirls.com
www.womanfreebies.com
www.becentsable.net
http://thecrazycouponlady.com

All of these great sites and others find you either free products, products on amazing sale, or tell you how to use your coupons and where to find the coupons you need! Its great to have someone else do all the hard work for you and you still get to save the money!

My First Post

Hey everyone! I am writing this blog to show others how I am able to stay at home with my son. My husband and I live off a VERY small budget, but still manage to live well.


I'm going to show you all my most recent purchase...


This is from MaJ-r Thrift in Olathe, KS

Melissa and Doug Puzzle .69
Discovery Toys Kaledescope .99
Amelia Bedelia .49
Diseny Princess Roll-O-Rama 1.49
Pocohantas book 1.00
Rex 1.99
Cars My First Look and Find 1.99

Total (with Tax) 8.50

Disocery Toys are AMAZING! They are incredibly expensive to buy new, but they last FOREVER so you are typically able to find them at thrift stores, garage sales, etc. Every time I see a discovery toy I buy it. Even if we already have it because they also make great gifts.

The dinosaur is from Toy Story and I'm sure it cost an incredible amount of money new! Its from Disneyworld. It looks like its never even been played with!

This purchase includes a birthday present for a family friend. I was able to find two disney princess books for 2.49 and they will make a great present for a 5 year old girl. Have serveral neices and nephews as well as lots of friends with kids we go to a lot of birthday parties! I always try to buy presents at garage sales, thrift stores, or goodwill. I can typically find brand new unopened stuff and pay pennies on the dollar!