Fabulous Free Finds!

I don't know anyone who doesn't like to save money. Following my last post on budget decor, I wanted to share with you some non-decor related ways to save too. Here is a list of 9 ways that you can save money today and  get some amazing freebies!

1. Free Movies- For the past six months, my husband and I have moved away from movie store videos and towards the library for our weekend flicks. We are fortunate enough to have a library 8 minutes from our house and it has an amazing selection of DVD's. They often have new releases too! Bye Bye Blockbuster and hello FREE!

2. Magazine Mania- Following the same vein as the movies, libraries have many magazines to choose from. Most just ask that you don't sign out the current issue, and voila, you've got free magazines for up to 3 weeks! They have everything from decor mags to fashion, cooking and crafting. So, if you can't afford a magazine subscription right now or are looking for ways to be more environmentally friendly, reusing vs. get a mailed mag is the way to go!

3. Sample It!- One of the best ways to try a new product without forking over the cash it to sample it first for free. Many vendors will send you free samples that come with coupons for the product and in some cases, they'll even send a coupon for a full size of the item for free. Set aside 30 minutes and google 'free samples' then fill out the info online and in the next few weeks you'll be getting everything from cereal to feminine products or diapers!

Always Infinity Pads

Huggies Pure & Natural 3-pack Sample

Free Magazine Issues

Food Freebies

Beauty Samples

Coupons to use on Sale items


4. Free Museum Admission (THIS SATURDAY SEPT. 26th ONLY)

Click on this link and scroll down to select your state to see which musems are offering free admission this saturday. Enjoy!

5. Swap Shop- If you haven't ever had a girl's clothing swap party, they are not only a lot of fun but free! The idea is that you bring several pieces of clothing or accessories and shoes that you know a close group of friends could use or fit into and they bring their items and everyone swaps. You can amp it up by giving out a certain amount of tickets to each guest and then bidding on each item. I've done this twice before and it is so much fun! You get some fresh, new items for your wardrobe to boot. It's great  way to stay glamorous and be green all at the same time, plus you get in some girlfriend time too! I also came across this website which might have locations that apply to some of you.

6. Get Paid for YOUR Opinion- I would never post anything on my blog if it were not legit, this is for real! I've signed up with these guys to provide my opinion in exchange for some cash! Take everyday products you use-cleaners, electronics, baby items, makeup and review it to get some upfront money and pay per clicks everytime someone watches your video. You do need a video camera or you can use the one on your camera, either way, upload it to your account and you're good to go! You will also need a paypal account so they can pay you, which is also free.

Look under promotions, then assisgnments for specific high dollar payout reviews. With their Tryology program, you'll get emails about reviewing up and coming products and you get to keep the full size product for free! I've been signed up for six months (posting for about 2 months only due to a busy schedule) and have made  $170 for minimal effort from the comfort of my own home.

7. Birthday Gift- You may have missed my previous post on a cool birthday gift from Cold Stone Creamery, so here it is again! Sign yourself up, your partner and your kiddos! Everyone will get a week to use their coupon for a free Cold Stone Creamery creation!



8. Free Target Gift Cards-In case you weren't aware of some of the cool things that Target offers, they often have sales items where if you buy multiples of an item (that you truly need), they'll give you a free $5 or even $20 gift card to use on future purchases. Free money, does it get any better than that!? Here is this week's gift card sale items. Go to their website and type in your zipcode for their weekly ad. These are quite common at Christmas time.

$20 Free Gift Card with Wii fit purchase at $89.99
$5   Free Gift Card with any (2) Arm & Hammer Multi Cat/Super scoop 28lb bags


Many are for lower ticket items too, like cereal bars. Stock up, save and keep those G.C's for your holiday shopping! They usually give $10 cards out for tranferred or new prescriptions too!

9. Craigslist- Need I say more? For anyone that is not familiar, craigslist is a site that allows you to buy and sell items online like ebay, but without any fees at all. They offer a free section where you can browse and pick up items in your area. It is categorized locally, so check out your local area or make yourself a little moola by selling some clutter you no longer need! You can also check out Freecycle too, which offers many free postings too.

For fun, here is one more money-saving idea that you can use at JC Penney!

What super thrifty ideas do you want to share? We want to hear from you! Do you have an amazing coupon website, secrets on where to get free goods, or do you have some items that you just fell in love with after sampling first? Leave us some comments and let us know if these tips were useful.

Makeover Part Deux: My New Office Chair

It wouldn't be fair if I only TOLD you about my office chair and that you couldn't SEE it for yourself. I used the remnants of my fabric from this office chair transformation to complete the look of my vintage footstool, so it was very economical. Above is the finished set!

BEFORE: This chair was purchased on craigslist, I knew I could replace the fabric and it was in mint condition. Cost $30. Bought fabric from Calico Corners' sale for $4. Total= $34

The first photo is how I purchased the chair, then underneath the plaid was another layer of colorful fabric (which came with the chair when it was purchased by the original owner). It was very clean but did not match my decor. I wanted something in a transitional style fabric.



This was very simple to do. I measured out the fabric so there was about 3 inches all the way around an then started stapling each side from the middle towards the edges. Don't get too close to the edges though so you can create a little triangle to pull the corner fabric in. This will ensure that the corners look clean vs. bunched up.

I'm very pleased with my new chair!

Do you have a makeover that you are proud of? Share the link to your site/blog with us in the comments below!

Travel Tips Part 1: Carry-on Bags

As the wife of a world-traveller, I travel quite a bit. I love seeing new places but holiday and summer travel are certainly some of the busiest and therefore some of the most frustrating times to jet set. After my latest trip this past month to Europe for two weeks I broke some of my own 'travelling rules' and watched them backfire on me. Here are some things that you will want to know before travelling this summer:

WHAT TO PACK

1. WHEELS ARE BEST-When purchasing a new carry-on bag or selecting one to pack, be sure to use one with wheels and a handle that extends. This will save your back and shoulders immensely. You can use it to roll around the airport and even down the aisle of the plane until you find your seat. This type also has plenty of room and is a standard size, unlike a duffel bag so there won't be any question as to whether it is suitable for the overhead compartment.

2. FILL IT- These days when it comes to regular luggage, most airlines are ready and willing to gauge you for excess baggage weight as well as extra bags, especially if you are carrying more than one check-in bag. Save yourself the grief by packing as much as you can into your carry-on. This will save you from opening up your luggage and shuffling pieces from one bag to the other at the ticket counter (where they weigh your bags). This may also save you from requiring a second piece of check-in luggage which can cost you more money. Generally the limits are 50lbs per suitcase and one standard size carry-on bag that can range 25-40lbs as well as another personal item such as a purse, umbrella, video camera or a laptop bag. Be sure you check with the airline on dimensions of baggage and weight before flying. Many charge around $25 per for more than 1 check in bag.

Other great things to pack are an ipod, a book or magazine, a neck pillow for long flights and ALL of your valuables like a camera, jewellery, money, a tiny bottle of hand sanitizer or hand wipes and a hair brush or comb. If you carry any supplements or prescription medication, you'll definitely want to pack that as well. You want to make sure there is no potential for theft or loss of any kind. See "Just in Case" below for more tips on what to bring.

3. SMALL LIQUIDS ONLY-There was a time after 9/11 where we were instructed NOT to bring liquids of any kind into a carry-on bag. This resulted in many perfume bottles, makeup, deodorants, water bottles being confiscated. How frustrating and expensive! Today similar rules are in effect, however you are allowed 3oz size bottles. In most airports you're good as long as you can fit all of those into a quart size ziploc bag, which is almost always required at security scans. Double check that any larger liquids or gels are stored in your main luggage. Beware-things can leak and shuffle in transit so do store them in a twist top travel bottle vs. a flip top which almost always leak during the flight. Also be sure to put these items in a a large ziploc freezer bag and then place inside another grocery bag for extra protection against your clothing.


**I used a flip-top shampoo bottle during my last trip (as I ran out of the twist on type at the last minute) only to find out upon arriving that it had leaked inside my suitcase and coated some shoes and other items with soap. Luckily I had some wipes and kleenex on hand to help clean it up at the airport and I aired out the bag in the hotel as well as washed all the toiletries that had become soapy and gooey. Not a fun way to begin any trip, I assure you!

4. JUST IN CASE-We all want to believe that our luggage will make it to its intended destination, but the reality is that it sometimes does not. I've heard many horror stories of those ready to board a week-long cruise with *gasp* NO LUGGAGE! Even if it is delayed by a day or so while you're travelling, that is still a really big inconvenience usually involving you washing your underwear and hitting a store for a toothbrush and paste or worse-having to buy all new toiletries, clothing, shoes and more. No fun!

I would strongly recommend packing two days worth of clothes in your carry-on bag. Try to pack in such a way that the shoes you wear on the day of your flight will also work with the next two outfits, eliminating the need for extra shoes. Try to make everything lightweight so it all fits and be sure to roll clothes tightly vs. folding which created more room and less wrinkles. Summer is the easiest time to pack a carry-on bag but perhaps for winter you can pack one pair of pants but two different tops. It's also a good idea to pack a long sleeved top (preferably zippered or botton-down) for the plane ride as it often gets cool and it's good for layering when needed.

This is where carrying small travel size toiletries comes in handy. Never be without a bottle of face wash, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, flushable wipes and some face moisturizer. You can bring some makeup too. If you get delayed and are stuck in the airport you won't be able to shower but at least you can freshen up. If you are forced into a hotel they'll always have the soap, shampoo and conditioner but it never leaves your hair feeling the same as your own, so be sure to pack some of your own. Just pack as if you really will be without your luggage for a couple days and you'll be ready for anything!

**I'm generally pretty good about packing 'just in case' but on my flight home from Rome I was dead tired and pressed for time to pack that particular morning. I was so concerned with my liquids and making sure hubby had enough room in his bags (he packs more than I do) that I totally forgot to pack some clothing. Well, wouldn't you know it-the airline messed our flight up and we had to stay in London for an evening and full day as well as another 6 hours overnight in a NY airport. Needless to say I was washing undies in the hotel sink, pressing my clothes in the morning and I had to buy a new deodorant (mine was a liquid and was an ounce too large for carry on). I will NEVER break this rule again! The airport did give us the option to pick up our bags if we wanted but I was too exhausted to lug my 2 heavy bags, carry-on bag and purse. We were not allowed to simply open our bags and take a few things or just take one bag. Thankfully the bags were at least available to us!

5. TAG IT- Although you'll likely have your carry-on bag with you at all times, it is a good idea to put a name tag on it. Since most bags look alike and are generally black in color it could easily be picked up by another traveller. Just this past month I was picking up some goodies at Starbucks and sat next to a woman on a bench while I waited for my hubby to pay for his food at another shop. It was early and I was tired-I reached down and rolled away with my bag when a lady said "Miss. You have my bag!" thankfully I was only about 10ft away. She laughed about how her clothes wouldn't fit me anyway since she'd gained 20lbs. For the first time I was able to see how this could easily happen to someone else too. I always have pretty monogrammed tags on my regular luggage and now I'll be adding one to my carry-on bag too.


**If I could add one final tip it would be on buying a new carry-on bag. In these economic times it's wonderful to get a great deal so I highly recommend shopping in discount stores such as Target, Ross, TJ Maxx, Walmart and the like. They are far less than luggage stores and if you don't travel frequently, the quality of these bags will be fine for what you need. As with items such as mattresses, try to avoid the urge to pick up a carry-on bag or luggage for free or minimal cost from craigslist or a yard sale. While it may be in good condition, you never know what has been inside, spilled in or on it and what it has come in contact with.

Happy and Safe Travels!