5 Tips to Save Big on Back-To-School Shopping

Below are five easy ways to save loads of time and money preparing your child for school.

Do Your Homework 

Start by making a complete Back-To-School Shopping List. Know exactly what you need to avoid over-buying. Next, compare prices online to find the best deal. There are way too many apps and websites available today to NOT to compare prices both online and in-stores. Write down the store/website with the best deal next to the item. When you've gone through your list, jotting down the best stores/websites, check for stores or websites that overlap. It takes time, but it will save BIG BUCKS!

NOTE: Between the coupon apps and the compare-and-save apps, and the in-store price matching offers, there is no reason to pay full price anymore, Online AND in-store. 


Shop Online to avoid temptation.

My husband is always giving me shit about how it's impossible for me to walk into Target without spending $100 in the first four aisles. You can get your child's entire school supply list online. With free shipping after $25, it's become the only way I can shop Target without spending at least $100. To reduce budget busting temptations, shop from the comfort of your couch. TIP: Make sure the kids are around driving you crazy, this will further reduce the temptation to buy extra stuff for the heathens.

TIP: GiftCardGranny is a totally legit website to get gift cards at super discounted prices. So before you head to the store or buy a gift card, check Gift Card Granny first so you can add even more to your savings.


Don't Discount The Discount Sites

Websites that offer deep discounts like Groupon, Zulily, Overstock, Wayfarer, Amazon, and my new favorite, Jet.com...  all will be fighting for your attention during the back-to-school season, so capitalize on it!  Most are offering free shipping with no minimum purchase.

ALWAYS USE A COUPON! 

If you buy ANYTHING online and don't search for a coupon code first, you need to be slapped. Hard. It's seriously as easy as typing into the search bar, "Coupon code for Target," and like magic, money-saving coupons appear. It takes thirty-seconds to find the coupon, copy the code then go back to your shopping cart and apply the coupon code. Seriously,  in less than a minute, you can save up to 90%! Agin, if you're not doing this, you need to be slapped. Hard.

Moms, you know how your child thinks Forever 21 is what their Heaven looks like? Groupon Offers Coupons that will save you big there!

Get Cash Back!

And last, my favorite tip of all, get cash back on your online purchases. My longtime time readers know, I stress this every chance I get! I have made so much CASH BACK over the years using Ebates. I don't even do anything differently. I added the Plug-in to the browser, and now every time I shop an Ebates pop-up shows me how much cash back I can earn (3%, 5%, 10%) and any available coupons. It's mental, at checkout, Ebates automatically tries the coupon codes. I love love love Ebates! Seriously. On August 15, a check for $100 will be deposited in my account.

PLEASE, SIGN UP FOR EBATES!!!!!

Do you have a super Shopping tip? Please share, us Parents need all the help we can get over the next two months!

Read This Before You Spend A Dime Online Holiday Shopping

1. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE AMAZON PRIME FREE 30-DAY TRIAL! If you don't have Amazon Prime, get it! New members can take advantage of a 30-Day FREE trial. Yes, you do have to give your credit card number, but once you sign up, "cancel" the Prime Membership and the clock will still run for 30 days. So no worries about remembering to cancel. 

Here is a screen shot of me canceling my 30-day free trial early, but still have the benefits through the full 30 days. 

                                               

TIP: Haven't used Amazon in a long time or not even sure what email you used? Your account may be eligible for a new free trial! Or, just start over. Sign up with a new email address, take advantage of the free 30-day prime membership and shop away in your PJs!  You also get all thePrime Extras like Free TV, Movies, Books, Music. Click the banner below to sign up now.

                                                   

2. Coupon like a crazy person.  Coupons are everywhere these days, don't buy without them, in-store and Online.  I needed a big ticket item from a big box hardware store. I went to their website, found what I wanted, then searched for a coupon code. I was able to save 20% at checkout with a coupon code I found. What made the deal even sweeter was that I opted for an in-store pickup, and by the time I got to the store, it was waiting for pick-uo. This saved me time and money. DO THIS!!!

3. GET CASH BACK ON EVERY PURCHASE! Did you know, you should be getting cash back for every online purchase you make? And I'm not talking about 1% of your purchase. Try up to 25% off your purchase! Seriously. No. Shit.

Last year, I reviewed a website that offered cash back. It worked. I REALLY got a check for the purchases I made when I shopped through the website. The problem was remembering to use the website before shopping.

Which is why EBATES has taken the online shopping world by storm with its browser button feature. Ebates created a button that installs on your web browser to easily find coupons offered on every site you shop at. INSTANTLY! The second the webpage opens, Ebates notifies you of the cashback percentage, then at checkout scans a bunch of coupon codes until the biggest savings is found and auto-enters the code.

If you learn anything from me shopping this holiday season, it to sign up for Ebates!  When the check arrives, you will thank me!

To check out or Sign up for Ebates, click Here.


Have an awesome way to save, please enter it in the comments below!  

10 Ways Save Big Money And Your Sanity This Holiday Season

Before I get started, I need you to repeat your new Holiday Shopping Mantra after me...

I WILL NOT PAY FULL PRICE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

The following tips will help you stick to that mantra.

1. Make A List.  Probably the biggest holiday shopping mistake a person can make is going shopping without a solid plan. Going to the shops with a 'loose list' of people to shop for and only a vague idea of what you want to buy is dangerous on so many levels. From over buying to completely forgetting Aunt Thelma... Everyone's been naughty, just make the damn list already!

TIP: Make a list of anyone and everyone you may want/need to buy gifts for, then add your vague gift ideas. Maybe even go so far as to just come out and ask them what they want. Then use this as your master list. Stick to it, and when that person has been taken care of, write down what you got them, and cross them off the list. Organization is key.

2. THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU! I am so bad about shopping for myself during the holidays. So bad. As much I'm a huge fan of retail therapy, there are two major flaws with this:

1. My holiday shopping time and budget are limited.
2. The post-holiday clearance sales in January are WAY BETTER.

It's best to leave yourself out of the equation until after the holidays.

3. Leave the distractions at home.  When possible, avoid taking your child(ren) with you.  Even if this means trading all of your lunch breaks until January.  Brown bag it and shop in peace. Kids only complicate the mission with their begging, meltdowns and diaper blowouts.

4. Price shop from home.  There are way too many apps and websites available today to not to compare prices both online and in stores. Take Your Master List and price shop online before you step foot in an actual store. Write down where the best deal is, then check your list once finished for stores or websites that overlap. This can save you a bundle on shipping and time. Between the coupon apps and the compare-and-save apps, there is no reason to pay full price anymore in store or online.

Example:  I needed a big ticket item from a big box hardware store. I went to their website, found what I wanted, then searched for a coupon code.  I was able to save 20% at checkout with a coupon code I found on Ebates.  What made the deal even sweeter was that I opted for an in-store pickup.  This saved me time and money. DO THIS!!!

5. Regift it! Before you do any of the things on this list, grab a box and walk around your house filling it with crap you don't want anymore. Remember, your crap is another person's treasure. Somehow. Once you have filled the box, sit down and decide which friend/family member or what holiday party's Secret Santa you can pawn your crap gift the goods to.

6. Coupon like a crazy person.  Coupons are everywhere these days, don't buy without them! Don't just rely on coupon specific websites and apps, check the website for the store you are heading to.  So many stores will scan the coupons off your phone. If you shop at Target and don't use the Cartwheel app... bad, bad, bad.

7. Don't discount the discount sites. Websites like Amazon, Groupon, Zulily, Overstock, Wayfarer...  all will be fighting for attention this season, so capitalize on it!  Most are even offering free shipping on the smallest orders. I have each bookmarked this time of year to check quickly for steals on things on my list.

TIP: GiftCardGranny is a totally legit site to get gift cards at super discounted prices. So before you buy a gift card in a store, check Gift Card Granny first.

8.  Shop Secondhand. What does every parent have in common at 2 am on Christmas Eve/Hanukkah? They're putting together toys. So, if you are going to give your child a fully assembled toy anyway, why not just buy it secondhand, shine it up and slap a bow on it? Second-hand children's stores and higher end consignment shops have incredible deals on gently used items... so worth checking out!

9. Hit up Pinterest and get crafty. Make something for the person that has everything.  Every year I knit hats and scarves for family and friends. They all look forward to them now; some even put in orders for specific colors.

10. Never Shop Online unless you get cash back! I'm OBSESSED with Ebates. The site not only gives you cash back on purchases, it enters the best coupon code for you. No shit. If you've never checked out eBates, YOU'RE MISSING OUT!!!   I have made over $110 in cash back shopping. Some of the money has already been directly deposited in my PayPal account. Seriously, if you shop online, I cannot recommend enough signing up for Ebates. (Tip: download the browser buttons and all cash back offers and coupons are automatically offered when you start shopping on a website.)

How do you save big during the holidays? If you have any tips or tricks, please please please share them!!!!

Buy This For The Person That Already Has Everything

It's time to kick off the, First Time Mom and Dad 2017 Holiday Gift Guide! To get this party started, I'm partnering with the Canvas Factory, for the second year in a row, the quality is incredible, the price is right, and it's such a cool personalized gift.

You may remember last year's post about The Canvas Factory. I was super skeptical about how a photo would transfer to canvas. I was also skeptical because the prices for the products were so low! I chose the photo The hubs created for me for my birthday the year before. It's a family favorite.

 Below is a photo of the canvas on my wall, and a close up of the print to show the color and quality. 




Needless to say, WOW! I was amazed by how well the photo transferred to the canvas. 

The quality is so nice, no frame needed! The canvas is stretched around the wood frame, secured with nails and staples, then covered with soft felt-like tape to give the back a smooth finish. 





This year, I decided to make a collage of our first home in, Tanjil Bren, Australia. One of the hardest things about being married to someone who is literally from the other side of the world is no matter where we are, one of us is far from home. I wanted to make a collage of our first home in Australia in Tanjil Bren. It's such a special place. 

I picked out a few of my favorite photos for the collage then used the Canvas Factory's free online photo editing software to guide me through the process. It took about ten minutes total to upload, organize and order my collage. The Canvas print took about five days to arrive. 


Oh, how I love my Australian home in Tanjil Bren. It's not easy living in the 'bush', but it's so beautiful and peaceful, it's worth sharing a yard with deadly spiders, snakes and lizards. 

Both the hubs and I were over the moon with how the turned out! In fact, I love it so much, I'm going to fill the stairwell leading to the second floor with multiple collages created using favorite photos from my wedding, pregnancy and child birth,  Oliver's first year through fifth and keep building on it. I'm also giving my mom a collage of her five grandsons. Yes, five boys. No girls between my two siblings and I.

Here's a close up of the quality and clarity of the photo transfer.





The prices are fantastic, too! Canvas prints start at $11 and  if you sign up for their mail list $10 off your first order. If printing on canvas is not your thing, Canvas factory offers printing on acrylic glass or metal. 

I, one-hundred percent, wholeheartedly recommend the Canvas Factory's products. This gift idea is definitely a winner and a holiday pleaser.

To check out the many printing options offered at the Canvas Factory, click here.
SaveSave

Do This To Save Up To 90% On Back-To-School Shopping

**Today, I'm partnering with Groupon to talk about Back-To-School Budget saving hacks. This is my list. I made it up on my own. 

Being that this is my first year experiencing the true back to school frenzy, it's safe to say I'm freaking out a little. I honestly thought I was just going to sign my kid up for school, buy a few pencils, glue sticks and crayons and send him.

Oh, how wrong I was... The list of shi... things I need to get to prepare my son for Kindergarten is intense.

• Forms for days
• School supply list for days
• New shoes... that will probably last a few days the way my kid's feet grow.
• New clothes
• Lunch stuff
• God knows what else, but I'm sure there's more...

I have no other choice than to treat this back to school business like holiday shopping; tactics must be used to not go buttassbroke.

Below are five easy ways to save loads of time and money preparing your child for school.

Do Your Homework 

There are way too many apps and websites available today to not to compare prices both online and in-stores, before making a purchase. Start by making a complete Back-To-School Shopping List, then check prices, especially for the big ticket items to find the lowest price. Go through the entire list, writing down the store/website with the best deal. When you've gone through your list, jotting down the best stores/websites, check for stores or websites that overlap. Do that, and I promise you will save a bundle shopping and time, in-store or online. Between the coupon apps and the compare-and-save apps, and the in-store price matching offers, there is no reason to pay full price anymore, Online AND in-store. Check out these Groupon Coupons for online and in-store shopping at, Khols.

TIP: GiftCardGranny is a totally legit website to get gift cards at super discounted prices. So before you head to the store or buy a gift card, check Gift Card Granny first so you can add even more to your savings.

Shop Online As Much As Possible. 

The Aussie always jokes about how I have to pay a $100 cover to walk into Target because I can never get out of there for under a hundred... or so.  I always tell him it's not my fault the magical place is filled with all kinds of things I never knew I needed but HAVE TO HAVE NOW! I digress, don't got to target by car, go by WiFi. You can get your child's entire school supply list online. With free shipping after $25, it's become the only way I can shop Target without spending at least $100. To reduce budget busting temptations, shop from the comfort of your couch. TIP: Make sure the kids are around driving you crazy, this will further reduce the temptation to buy extra stuff for the heathens.

Don't Discount The Discount Sites

Websites that offer deep discounts like Groupon, Zulily, Overstock, Wayfarer, Amazon...  all will be fighting for your attention during the back-to-school season, so capitalize on it!  Most are even offering free shipping on the smallest orders.

ALWAYS USE A COUPON! 

If you buy ANYTHING online and don't search for a coupon code first, you need to be slapped. Hard. It's seriously as easy as going to Groupon Coupons, enter whatever you're buying in the search bar, and like magic, money saving coupons appear. It takes thirty-seconds to find the coupon, copy the code then go back to your shopping cart and apply the coupon code. Seriously,  in less than a minute, you can save up to 90%! Agin, if you're not doing this, you need to be slapped. Hard.

Moms, you know how your child thinks Forever 21 is what their Heaven looks like? Groupon Offers Coupons that will save you big there!

To check out today's Groupon Coupons, or just make it easy on yourself and bookmark the page, or to look for a specific product, Click Here! (A new window will open so you can come right back!)

Do you have a super Shopping tip? Please share, us Parents need all the help we can get over the next two months!

6 Things To Know Before Shopping Amazon Primeday #Primeday2017

There's no doubt about it, when you become a parent you also become a broke ass budget conscious shopper. Every penny counts. Every. Friggin'. One.

Since we broke ass parents have to stick together, I'm sharing my mom's group six best tips making Amazon Primeday work for you, and things to keep in mind when purchasing from Amazon in general.

Get Amazon Prime

Primeday means NOTHING without Amazon Prime. In fact, Amazon doesn't make sense most of the time unless you're a Prime member reaping the rewards of fast, free shipping. Even if you have to do it the dodgy way and start a new account with a different email address, get Amazon Prime NOW. For those of you holding out on getting prime because of the upfront $99 payment, now you can pay monthly. Can't afford it, cancel. Keep this in mind for holiday shopping. It's like paying a $10 flat fee for fast shipping for the month!


I cannot recommend enough once you get prime, get ALEXA!  I love her so much. She talks to me, sings, tells jokes, plays ANY song I want, tells me the weather, traffic and pretty much anything else I ask, including recipes!  Get 50% off Amazon Echo on Primeday!


Price Check Before Purchasing

More and more, my broke ass mom friends and I are finding, Amazon's prices are near par with big box stores, and sometimes Amazon charges more for the product! Gone are the days of Amazon beating the store's lowest price by at least 10%. And here's why, Amazon doesn't have revolving sales like big box or Mall Shops. It's not unusual for stores like Macy's, Nordstrom's or Target to regularly clearance the crap out of seasonal products. Amazon does not. Also, major brands are now selling directly through Amazon, charging regular retail prices, and never giving a discount.

Seeing this trend on the rise, before buying anything on Amazon over $20, I copy the name of the product and paste it into a new Google search bar then click the shopping tab to quickly scan the results of the search to for a better price.

Reign-In The Retail Therapy.

I admit it, I've purchased many things from Amazon solely for retail therapy purposes. And I have no shame about it; it's fast, cheap cheer-me-up fun. Thanks to my Amazon Prime,  I can spend less than ten dollars for a little bit of happiness that repeats itself a few days later when my new purchase arrives in the mail. I've learned on those retail therapy days, (Primeday is Def One!) I always check the Amazon daily lighting/ Primeday deals tab then sort showing the lowest price first then set a purchase limit. Thankfully, there may be thirty pages of deals under ten bucks, and hundreds of cool gifts and gadgets I had no clue existed. (Think: Christmas shopping on budget while finding random cool things).

Buddy Bulk Buying

If what you need comes in a package of 10, but you only need two, phone family friend and see if they want to split the package with you. Do this with Prime Pantry and back to school shopping to save a bundle on home and school supplies.

Check for an 'open box deal' in the Amazon Wharehouse 



I've scored a couple of really great things for the help of the box item list the time it's just things that of been returned for one reason or another, some refurbished. Bottom line, Amazon's great return policy makes taking a chance on big box items a no-brainer.

Amazon Is Not The Only One Cleaning House Today

Back-to-school sales kick-off in July, causing many stores to clearance season items to move them off the floor, fast. How else are the stores going to rob you blind during the back-to-school shopping craze AND shove Halloween in your face by the end of August?

Big box stores are under a time crunch to move out summer items to make room for fall and winter inventory, so expect a few great sales and season clearance to come to your local stores, too. Check the local listings over the next couple of weeks. TIP: Most stores do further markdowns on Wednesdays and new markdowns on Thursdays, so focus your in-store shopping days on those days for the best deals.


Ok, Jedi, take what you have learned and go smash Primeday and don't forget, when possible, buy local!

May The Super-Sale Force Be With You... Start shopping now, here, or click the banner below.


                                        

Boutique Chic Upcycled 3-Panel Partition Accessory Wall

When we bought our house a few years ago, I found an iron three-panel partition left in the shed by the former owners. It was covered in dirt and dried vines and a few rusty spots. Clearly, it had spent a few years in the garden serving as a trellis. Thankfully, for the most part, it held up well to life outside.


I knew what I wanted to do with it the minute I saw it.

Cute, right? I knew all it needed was a serious scrub down, and a fresh coat of paint.

The only obstacle was the yellow gem-like details. I had to figure out how to paint the panels, but not the gems. My friends, the light bulb went off, and genius came through; Teacher Stickers!

I called for help with this tedious fun job.

Once the stickers were in place, I sprayed the hell out of the screen. Two coats later, I called for my assistant to remove the stickers from the middle while I did the top the top ones. 

I couldn't believe how well it turned out! And that my teacher sticker idea worked! 

I took the partition up to my office where I draped it in jewelry, scarves, and small handbags, organized by color. 

LOVE IT!!!

I was so pleased with the finished product, so so so boutique chic and barely takes up space when pushed in the corner against the wall. While I didn't mount it to the wall, it could be done to anchor it, or even hang on the wall to save floor space. 

TIP: If this inspires you, next weekend scavenge yard sales for partitions. I see them all of the time in ever shape, color, material and size. If nowhere to hang things, buy a bag of small S-hooks or 3M Command clear hooks with adhesive.

10 Tips To Save Big AND Avoid Having A Holiday Shopping Meltdown

Nothing says I hate my life like shopping for holiday gifts at the last minute, with a child in tow.  I know, I've done it.

Twice.

Last year, I vowed NEVER again. I was sick of standing in a line that snakes all the way to the back of the store just so I can to buy overpriced crap because I'm in a last-minute pinch.

So I made a plan. A really good plan. This is year two, and I've finished most of my holiday shopping, with my sanity intact. Here are 10 Tips To Save Big AND Avoid Having A Holiday Shopping Meltdown.

Before I get started, I need you to repeat after me...

I WILL NOT PAY FULL PRICE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

1. Make A List.  Probably the biggest holiday shopping mistake is going shopping without a solid plan. Going to the shops with a loose list of people to shop for, and a vague idea of what I want to get them is dangerous on so many levels. From over buying to completely forgetting Aunt Thelma... Everyone's been naughty, just make the damn list already!

Make a list of anyone and everyone you may want/need to buy gifts for, then add your vague gift ideas. Maybe even go so far as to just come out and ask them what they want. Then use this as your master list. Stick to it, and when that person has been taken care of, write down what you got them, and cross them off the list. Organization is key.

2. THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU! I am so bad about shopping for myself during the holidays. So bad. As much I'm a huge fan of retail therapy, there are two major flaws with this:

1. My holiday shopping time and budget are limited.
2. The post-holiday clearance sales in January are WAY BETTER.

It's best to leave yourself out of the equation until after the holidays.

3. Leave the distractions at home.  When possible, avoid taking your child(ren) with you.  Even if this means trading all of your lunch breaks until January.  Brown bag it and shop in peace. Kids only complicate the mission with their begging, meltdowns and diaper blowouts.

4. Price shop from home.  There are way too many apps and websites available today to not to compare prices both online and in stores. Take Your Master List and price shop online before you step foot in an actual store. Write down where the best deal is, then check your list once finished for stores or websites that overlap. This can save you a bundle on shipping and time. Between the coupon apps and the compare-and-save apps, there is no reason to pay full price anymore in store or online.

Example:  I needed a big ticket item from a big box hardware store. I went to their website, found what I wanted, then searched for a coupon code.  I was able to save 20% at checkout with a coupon code I found on Ebates.  What made the deal even sweeter was that I opted for an in-store pickup.  This saved me time and money. DO THIS!!!

5. Never Shop Online unless you get cash back! I recently found out about Ebates and I'm OBSESSED!  I have made over $110 in cash back shopping. Some of the money has already been directly deposited in my PayPal account. Seriously, if you shop online, I cannot recommend enough signing up for Ebates. (Tip: download the browser buttons and all cash back offers and coupons are automatically offered when you start shopping on a website.)


6. Coupon like a crazy person.  Coupons are everywhere these days, don't buy without them! Don't just rely on coupon specific websites and apps, check the website for the store you are heading to.  So many stores will scan the coupons off your phone. If you shop at Target and don't use the Cartwheel app... bad, bad, bad.

7. Don't discount the discount sites. Websites like Amazon, Groupon, Zulily, Overstock, Wayfarer...  all will be fighting for attention this season, so capitalize on it!  Most are even offering free shipping on the smallest orders. I have each bookmarked this time of year to check quickly for steals on things on my list.

TIP: GiftCardGranny is a totally legit site to get gift cards at super discounted prices. So before you buy a gift card in a store, check Gift Card Granny first.

8.  Shop Secondhand. What does every parent have in common at 2 am on Christmas Eve/Hanukkah? They're putting together toys. So, if you are going to give your child a fully assembled toy anyway, why not just buy it secondhand, shine it up and slap a bow on it? Secondhand children's stores and higher end consignment shops have incredible deals on gently used items... so worth checking out!

9. Hit up Pinterest and get crafty. Make something for the person that has everything.  Every year I knit hats and scarves for family and friends. They all look forward to them now; some even put in orders for specific colors.



10. Regift it! Before you do any of the things on this list, grab a box and walk around your house filling it with crap you don't want anymore. Remember, your crap is another person's treasure. Somehow. Once you have filled the box, sit down and decide which friend/family member or what holiday party's Secret Santa you can pawn your crap gift the goods to.


How do you save big during the holidays? If you have any tips or tricks, please please please share them!!!!

Holiday Shopping PSA: Need A Reality Check?

VOTE FOR ME!

Nothing says I hate my life like shopping for holiday gifts at the last minute, with a child in tow.  I know, I've done it. Twice. Last year I vowed to NEVER find myself in a line that snakes all the way to the back of the store, to buy over priced crap because I'm in a last-minute-pinch.  So I made a plan. A really good plan to not only save time, but money too!  Here are my best 10 Tips To Save BIG On Holiday Shopping... and not find yourself crying in a mile long line holding overpriced junk.

Before I get started, I need you to repeat after me...

I WILL NOT PAY FULL PRICE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON!

1. Plan ahead. Everyone's been naughty, just make the damn list already! Probably the biggest mistake I make is heading to the stores with a loose list of people to shop for, and a vague idea of what I want to get them. Nothing says FAIL faster!  Make a list of anyone and everyone you may want/need to buy gifts for, then add your vague gift ideas... maybe even go so far as to just come out and ask them what they want. Then use this as your master list. Stick to it, and when that person has been taken care of, write down what you got them, and cross them off the list.

2. THIS IS NOT ABOUT YOU! I am so bad about shopping for myself during the holidays. So bad. As much I am a huge fan of retail therapy, there are two major flaws with this:

1. My holiday shopping time and budget is limited.
2. The post holiday clearance sales in January are WAY BETTER.

It's best to leave yourself out of the equation until after the holidays. Plus, won't it feel so much better trading in Auntie Nell's ugly sweater for the one you've had your eye on since the holidays... that's now half price!?

3. Leave the distractions at home.  When possible, avoid taking your child(ren) with you.  Even if this means trading all of your lunch breaks until January.  Brown bag it and shop in peace.  We all know, kids not only complicate the mission, they can make it costly needing extras... and don't forget the chance for meltdowns and diaper blowouts.

4. Price shop from home.  There are way too many apps and websites available today to not to compare prices, both online and in stores. Pull out the list you made and start going through it before you start shopping. Write down where the best deal is, then check your list once finished for stores or websites that overlap. This can save you a bundle on shipping and time.  Between the coupon apps and the compare-and-save apps, there is no reason to pay full price anymore.

Example:  I needed a big ticket item from a big box hardware store. I went to their website, found what I wanted, then searched for a coupon code.  I was able to save 20% at checkout with a coupon code I found on RetailMeNot.com.  What made the deal even sweeter was that I opted for in-store pickup.  This was fast, seamless and saved me time and money. DO THIS!!!

5. Crowd-Sourced Deals.  There is a new trend going on where websites are crowdsourcing for cheaper deals. Basically, if 10 people show interest in an item, then the website reaches out directly to the manufacturer for a bulk buy rate, then passes the deal on. Look for theses deals on those big ticket items.

6. Coupon like a crazy person.  Coupons are everywhere these days, don't buy without them! Don't just rely on coupon specific websites and apps, check the website for the store you are heading to.  Many are offering in-store coupons.

7. Don't discount the discount sites. Websites like Amazon, Groupon, Zulily, Overstock, Wayfarer...  all will be fighting for attention this season, so capitalize on it!  Most are even offering free shipping on the smallest orders. I have each bookmarked this time of year to check quickly for steals on things on my list.

8.  Shop Secondhand. What does every parent have in common at 2am on Christmas Eve/Hanukkah? They're putting together toys. So, if you are going to give your child a fully assembled toy anyway, why not just buy it secondhand, shine it up and slap a bow on it? Secondhand children's stores and higher end consignment shops have incredible deals on gently used items... so worth checking out!

9. Hit up Pinterest and get crafty. Make something for the person that has everything.  Every year I knit hats and scarves for family and friends. They all look forward to them now; some even put in orders for specific colors.

10. Regift it! Before you do any of the things on this list, grab a box and walk around your house filling it with crap you don't want anymore. Remember, your crap is another person's treasure. Somehow. Once you have filled the box, sit down and decide which friend/family member or what holiday party's Secret Santa you can pawn your crap gift the goods to.


How do you save big during the holidays? If you have any tips or tricks, please please please share them!!!!