Winner–ah–Winners!
I don’t know if my randomizer widget has a sense of humor, but the program that pulls a winner at random from the gift card entries came up with two names today. I can’t conclusively say if this is a sign from the Universe, but let’s go with it, shall we? So, our TWO winners for a $100.00 Target gift card each are: Wendy Lindsay and Amber Goo! Congratulations, women, you rule! Everyone else, thanks for participating with my overly generous randomizer prize widget, and our latest contest will already be up on our main page.
Zoe’s Nursery! (Nine Months…3 Hot Glue Gun Burns…16,101 Paint Splatters And $227.83 Later)
Look, I came from a family of 7 kids. I never got my own room. OF COURSE I’m going to wildly overcompensate with Zoe, just like I wildly overcompensated with Zachie and MacLean. Of course, I’m 11 years older and (please, Lord!) 11 years smarter than then. I’m more interested in putting money in Zoe’s college fund than her bedroom. I wanted to try a tree stencil to go with the Fairy Princess theme. You DEFINITELY need 4 hands for application! I got the crib on a daily deal site for a fraction of the regular price and painted it charcoal gray to go with the amorie I kept from the twin’s room. I LOVED the idea of a crystal chandelier, so I picked up one from IKEA for $21.00. There’s so much pink that it looks like a princess exploded across the room, but she’s my first girl!
The rocker and toy bench both come from IKEA, too. Another $94.26. I whitewashed both and sewed some pink mattress ticking stripe cushions for the chair. I really wanted something playful that respected Zoe’s Japanese ethnicity, so I ordered a bunch of Japanese paper lanterns online–$1.99 each or less! I had piles of pink ribbon left over from something else, so I suspended them from the ceiling over the rocking chair.
The bedding is a gray toile–I found it on Overstock.com for $12.98. I spent the longest time scraping the wood floor afterwards to get up all the paint splatters. A tidy painter, I’m not. I was at a luncheon the other day where another attendee was boasting about her granddaughter’s “$12,000.00 nursery.” What–seriously? I was proud of keeping on my budget. In an era of so much need, it seems so much more meaningful to spend time and thought to make something beautiful. So, it’s not a designer nursery, but I’m proud of it. And Zoe loves batting her paper lanterns around the room like giant balls. 
I’d love to see your pictures of your cute and clever kid’s room makeovers. Please send so we can all admire the cleverness of you!
Free Weight Loss & Fitness Support
It’s mid-January, which means no matter how hard we’ve all been working on our fitness goals, it’s easy to get discouraged. And after the financial drain of the Holidays, the last thing you may feel like investing in is yourself. All the more reason that you must, my friend! (Editor’s note: trust me, I’m giving myself the same lecture.) At least get started with some free and/or cheap options to give yourself the tools to succeed.
Exercise & Fitness:
Get a free week’s pass to 24 Hour Fitness–I love this one because with my schedule, 3am might be my only chance to work out! Click here toprint your pass and find your closest location.
Curves has always been one of my favorite fitness options. Just girls, incredibly supportive atmosphere, and you can print out a guest pass here that’ll only cost $10.00 to try them out.
Are you a “stay at home and do it on my own” sort? The Biggest Loser has an amazing “Home Coach” program that you can try out for 2 weeks for a mere $1.95. Click here to learn more.
Healthy Meal Plans & Recipes:
Sometimes just trying something new makes a diet bearable. Click above to download Fave Diets–find some cheap new options–in both calories and cost.
Back to new and tasty–more low-calorie recipes from Mr. Food by clicking above.
Another free cookbook from Fave Diets–still low cal, but very quick to make. Click above to download.
My girlfriend Patti subsisted almost entirely on Crystal Light during her diet. Click the box above to order your own for free.
Remedy Life is one of the best companies for excellent freebies and a free magazine full of health and wellness inspiration. Click the box above to sign up.
Women Freebies is as simple as it sounds–free high-quality samples from name brands you like. I included them because so far this month, I’ve received weight loss supplements, vitamins, an exercise band and some low-cal drinks. Not bad, eh? Click the box above to sign up.
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$60.00 In Decals For A Mere $25.00–Ugg-Style Boots For $22.00!
Just finished Zoe’s nursery (pictures coming!) and used a tree decal that was adorable. If you’re looking at something new, try today’s Eversave deal–$60.00 worth of wall decals from Sissy Little for $25.00, and shipping is free. Click here to take a look.
Eversave is also offering Australian-style Boots (like Uggs) from Shoe Scandal for a mere $22.00. Look just the same, and you’re not paying $200.00, which is more than a tad outside my budget. Click here to take a look at the styles.
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Today’s Free Offer
Daily Worth--I'm a big believer in women taking charge of their own financial destiny. Here's free tips, ideas and education delivered daily to your inbox.
Food On The Table
So, get this--Food on the Table is a FREE service that'll help you put together your weekly menu plan, post the needed recipes, create a shopping list and THEN scour the 'Net for coupons to download for your shopping list. I'm getting misty...sniff..
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It's like Groupon...but for dogs!
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Ready To Coupon?
"Extreme Couponing" on TLC has done one thing for all us would-be frugalistas--while no one I know wants to be quite that crazed, couponing is looking more attractive, am I right? Here's your coupon options in a tidy, almost shamefully easy format:
Cellfire loads coupons directly to your card. Scan that bad boy at checkout--no clipping!
Coupons.com, hands-down my favorite for ease of navigation and big fat coupons. You'll need to download a toolbar to print. Do not fear the toolbar, it will bring you many goodies.
Coupon Deals Daily.com offers 50-90% off items locally available. Worth checking often, since nothing lasts for long.
So, "catalinas" are the slips of paper-style coupons you get at checkout along with your reciept to use for next time. Print them on Coupon Network.com, and use them THIS trip. Clever you!
No insurance? Or does your lousy coverage refuse to pay for certain medications? Enter the Pharmacy Coupons--this network allows you to print coupons for up to 75% off your prescription costs. In the economy? A literal lifesaver.
Red Plum Coupons cover a huge variety--everything from grocery to your local tire store. Take a look around by clicking below.
Do you have estrogen? Then you will love Woman Freebies.com. They send free girly samplys and piles of high-value coupons. No catch!
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