5 Simple Ways to Start Couponing

Sometimes couponing can seem a little intimidating.  I know if something seems too complicated I probably won't stick with it.  Here are five ways to keep things simple.

1.  Clip coupons the day you get them and file them.  They can very easily pile up to an uncontrollable mess.

2.  I like to put the coupons in individual envelopes. I write the category on the front.  I then put all the envelopes into a small coupon organizer.

3.  When I'm going to the store I put the coupons I know I will be using in a separate envelope.  You can even write your list on the back of the envelope!   I also take along the organizer with the rest of the coupons just in case their is an unexpected sale or purchase.


4.  When I'm making my grocery list I write a "C"  next to each item that I have a coupon for.  Try to use coupons on sale items only.  This way you'll get a better savings.


5.  If clipping coupons the same day just isn't feasible for you, keep them in their original bundles.  On the spine of the first page it will say if it's from Smart Source, RedPlum, or Procter& Gamble.  Write the date on the top page of the bundle.  Stack them in a plastic bin.  There are several websites that have database coupon lists.  They can be found at sites like  couponmom.com or moneysavingmom.com.  They will tell you when the coupon was published, when it expires, and the value.  You can even search for coupons for certain items.  If I know I'm going to the store for a certain item, I check before I go to see if there is a coupon.

I hope these are suggestions that will help you stay on top of your coupons.  Don't worry if you are not saving a ton of money at first.  Every little bit helps.  As time goes on and you have more practice you will save even more!  Happy couponing!

The Importance of a Good Breakfast

We have all heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  The word breakfast actually comes from the two words break and fast.  We our literally breaking our fast because we haven't eaten all night.  Breakfast is especially important  for our children.  My children are now in their teens, so it's important for them to have that "brain food"  to get them through their day at school.  Think outside of the box.  Breakfast doesn't have to be "normal breakfast foods.  My daughter doesn't particularly   like breakfast foods.  Here are some things that my children enjoy having for breakfast that are inexpensive and pack a punch of protein.

1. Apples with peanut butter
2. Whole grain waffles 
3. Grilled cheese with whole grain bread
4. Whole grain cereal with skim milk
5. Peanut butter on whole grain bread
6. Hard boiled egg
7. oatmeal with berries and nuts
8. smoothies (See recipes below)

Smoothie 1


1/2 c unsweetened almond milk
1c fresh spinach
1/2 frozen banana
1 kiwi


Blend in blender until smooth.

Smoothie 2:


1 frozen banana cut into small pieces
1 c frozen mango
1/2 c strawberries
3/4 c white grape juice or apple juice


Blend together in blender until smooth.











What are some of your favorite smoothie combinations or healthy breakfast foods?

Do You Want A Chance To Win A New Look For 2012?

Progresso soup is offering a wonderful opportunity to win a makeover!  Would you like a new look for the new year?  Tell Progresso why you deserve a makeover and what you love about Progresso soup.  The makeover will take place in Hollywood this Spring.

Souper You contest will provide three winners with a trip to Hollywood  that includes a trip to Los Angles, California.  The winner will get a head-to-toe makeover including hair and makeup, guided shopping spree with $1000 gift card, $1000 spending money and 2 tickets to this season's live finale of The Biggest loser.

I have been eating Progresso soup for as long as I can remember.  I especially like their chicken noodle, clam chowder, and chicken and dumplings.  With 40 delicious soups to choose from with 100 calories or less per serving it's easy to make healthy food choices.

Just visitSouper You and submit a photo with an essay of 300 characters or less about why you love Progresso soup and why you deserve a makeover, by no later than February 22nd.  Fans can check back on March 25th for the announcement of the top ten finalists, and to vote for their favorite finalist until March 25th.  Click here to watch a video of the 2011 winner experience.

This information was provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

In honor of the new movie The Lorax, all Target stores are having a storytime featuring a reading of the book by the same title.  Clear out some time and take your kids for an enjoyable, free event.

Wordless Wednesday

Become.com- A Shopping Comparison Website

I decided to check out Become.com.  It is a comparison shopping website, much like google only for shopping.  It has  over 20 million products from  over 5,000 retailers.  It helps the consumer make informed decisions about their shopping purchases.  I searched for  a sea glass sconce and five pages of results came up for many different price ranges and stores.  I also looked up a cheetah rubber boot tray and rubber boot tray target.  A list of boot trays with varied prices appeared.  Rubber boots were also in the results.

The website has any shopping category you can imagine.  Once you find the item you are looking for you can read other people's reviews at individual websites where the item is sold.  You can also participate in forums to find out what others have to say.  You can find out what some of the hot products are people are buying.  Articles on products are also available to give you even more information.

There is now a free ipad app so you can do comparison shopping away from home.  Overall I found this website to be very helpful for smart and informed shopping.  When you are in the market to find and research products I highly suggest checking it out.

These opinions are my own.

Helpful, Money Saving Website

Are you interested in good information on freezer cooking, drugstore deals, free e-books and the like?
I found a website that has all these things and more.  It's called Money Saving Mom.  I have actually been following this blog for a few months now.  I love the huge amount of information.  It has many giveaways and free downloads.  Some of the downloads include  freezer cooking planners, menu and meal planners, and household management forms. 

It has a huge coupon database and a Sunday coupon preview and explains coupon terms and abbreviations.  You can also print coupons.

Crystal Paine, the author of Money Saving Mom, is also the author of a new book called The Money Saving Mom's Budget.  It can be found on Amazon and other sites and is quite reasonable.  I haven't read it yet, but I plan to check it out.

Guest Blogger Today at Dominiquegoh.com

I am so excited about being a guest blogger on www.dominiquegoh.com.  Come check out my decorating ideas.

Guest Post: Low Cost Ways to Entertain Your Children

Occupying your kids can be a very daunting task. They have very short
attention spans and sometimes your well planned activities can fall flat on you. Here are some activities which kids love and will not burst
your budget.

1.Bubble Art
My kids love playing with bubbles and love taking bubble baths. It is
quite easy to create your own bubble solution with dishwashing liquid,
water, and a teaspoon of sugar. You can add in a few drops of food
colouring and use straws to blow bubbles that pop onto drawing paper. The
end result would be a collage made from multi-coloured bubbles.

2. Chef for the day

Let the kids create a menu based on the ingredients available in the
kitchen. They can take turns taking orders from each other and everyone can
chip in preparing the meals together. Younger kids can help set the
table while the older kids can help in meal preparation and cooking.
You can incorporate baking of cakes/cookies and teach them how to measure
ingredients using the right containers at the same time. Most of the time
the kids would be more interested and willing to eat the food/desserts
which they have helped to make and it will certainly make your mealtime more
fun and interesting.

3. Go Shopping





Let your kids set up a shop in your house and stock up the shop using
items found around the house. You do not need a toy cash register just a
calculator with a notepad or even your laptop with an open excel
spreadsheet so they can jot down and register the sales made. You can use
real or play money and at the same time teach your child how to budget and
make purchases. For older kids you can make it more challenging by having
sales or make them calculate the number of items needed to be sold to make
a certain amount of profit.

4. Visit the Museum



Over here in Singapore during the Kids Festival month
the Singapore Art Museum gives FREE entry to all kids.
There are many hands on activities specially arranged for kids and
exhibits which would be of interest to them. We bring the kids yearly and
they have lots of fun there.

Dominique Goh, Singaporean
elementary school teacher, freelance writer and mom of three who is
passionate about parenting and educating kids. In her free time you can
see her dabbling in photography, cooking and cake decorating and blogging
at Dominique’s Desk.

The Work at Home Success Bible

The Work at Home Success Bible is full of plenty of information for women seeking to work from home.
It is written by Leslie Truex.  She has been working at home close to a decade.  The book is broken down into sections.  There are sections on telecommuting, affiliate marketing, and making money online such as ebay and amazon. There are also sections on finding legitimate work at home jobs and starting your own home business.

It talks about spotting a scam, working through legal matters, and what you'll need to get started.  I really liked  the appendix which is chock full of resources.  A website can also be found at : www.workathomesuccess.com. 

I especially found the sections on affiliate marketing and ebay and amazon selling to be helpful.  I really enjoy receiving  the newsletter from the website.  It contains helpful articles and wwork at home jobs.  Check out the website for starters and if you want more information, check out the book!