tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8665478275176813142024-02-20T06:58:42.249-06:00Lil' of This. Whole Lotta That!Day-by-Day,Dime-by-Dime,
Blogging About Life!Mom 'n' Morehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260399515259021706noreply@blogger.comBlogger220125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-4327384026108821572011-01-10T16:04:00.002-06:002011-01-10T16:05:35.643-06:00Embed an Audio File into Blogger1. Create a free account with <a href="http://www.dropbox.com/">DropBox</a>.<br />
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2. Follow the instructions and install to computer.<br />
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3. Copy audio file to the Public Folder.<br />
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4. Right click on the file, select dropbox, select copy public link.<br />
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5. In the HTML of your blog post add the following code, copy it exactly:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TSuCGuYm0uI/AAAAAAAABaA/Rg_AAa4_DEk/s1600/EmbedAudioImg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="50" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TSuCGuYm0uI/AAAAAAAABaA/Rg_AAa4_DEk/s400/EmbedAudioImg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">[click on image to enlarge]</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">That's it!</div><br />
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</div>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-76967929929762908102010-11-09T07:09:00.001-06:002010-11-09T07:12:39.753-06:00Top 5 Dave Ramsey Must Have Products Now $10!I was <b><i><u>delighted </u></i></b>to find an email from the Dave Ramsey store in my inbox this morning! They are having a $10 sale and the Deluxe Envelope System is included!<br />
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Here are five of my favorite Dave Ramsey products:<br />
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<img alt="Deluxe Envelope System " src="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/renderImage.image?imageName=drstore/budgeting_tools/bgt_des_black.jpg&width=120&height=120&padding=0" /><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 1.22em;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2037821970">Deluxe Envelope System</a></span><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/10-dollar-books-cds-dvds-software/c10-p1.html"> </a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$10 (Was $19.99)</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><img alt="<i>The Total Money Makeover Workbook</i>" src="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/renderImage.image?imageName=drstore/tmmo/bk_tmmo_workbook.jpg&width=120&height=120&padding=0" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="line-height: 1.22em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2037821975">The Total Money Makeover Workbook</a></span><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/10-dollar-books-cds-dvds-software/c10-p1.html"> </a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="line-height: 1.22em;">$10</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="line-height: 1.22em;"><img alt="Dave Ramsey's Personal Finance Software (CD-ROM)" src="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/renderImage.image?imageName=drstore/budgeting_tools/bgt_personal_software.jpg&width=120&height=120&padding=0" /> </span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="line-height: 1.22em;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; line-height: 1.22em;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_2037821980">Dave Ramsey's Personal Finance Software (CD-ROM)</a></span><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/10-dollar-books-cds-dvds-software/c10-p1.html"> </a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$10 (Was $24.95)</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><img alt="Dave Ramsey's Personal Finance Software (Immediate Download)" src="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/renderImage.image?imageName=drstore/downloads/dl_software.jpg&width=120&height=120&padding=0" /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #30363b;"><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/10-dollar-books-cds-dvds-software/c10-p1.html">Dave Ramsey's Personal Finance Software (Immediate Download)</a></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">$10 (Was $18.95)</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 14px;"><img alt="<i>More Than Enough</i>" src="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/renderImage.image?imageName=drstore/books/bk_more_than_enough_book.jpg&width=120&height=120&padding=0" /></span></span><br />
<ul class="product" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(221, 221, 221); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; clear: left; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; list-style-type: none; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 10px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center; width: 480px;"><li class="product-item-name" style="text-align: left;"><div class="prod-name" style="color: #30363b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal bold 14px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #30363b; line-height: 1.22em; text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.daveramsey.com/store/10-dollar-books-cds-dvds-software/c10-p1.html">More Than Enough</a></span></span></div><div class="prod-name" style="color: #30363b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal bold 14px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">$10 (Was $14.95)</span></div><div class="prod-name" style="color: #30363b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal bold 14px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="prod-name" style="font: normal normal bold 14px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #30363b; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.22em;">Some of these would make great stocking stuffers or under the tree gifts! I have my eye on the Deluxe </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #30363b; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal;">Envelope</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #30363b; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.22em;"> System, it's about time I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #30363b; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;">replaced</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #30363b; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.22em;"> my $1 store mini </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 14px;">accordion</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.22em;"> file!!</span></span></div><div class="prod-name" style="color: #30363b; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font: normal normal bold 14px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 1.22em; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div class="prod-name" style="font: normal normal bold 14px/normal Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin-bottom: 4px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #999999;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.22em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">* Budget Bella is NOT affiliated with Dave Ramsey in any way and receives no </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">commissions</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.22em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"> or products for this post. </span></span></span></div></li>
</ul>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-59712782044443718352010-09-10T19:40:00.002-05:002010-09-10T19:52:39.233-05:00OT:Stand Up To Cancer<span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">As I [Alison] type, Stand Up To Cancer is being aired. In the last three years I have lost 3 very close people to Cancer and have an uncle currently fighting Cancer. We were always a family that looked at others and said, "I couldn't imagine how people deal with that." Now we are a family that has and is.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I stand up for my GodMother, Gina Hastings (aged 54) who died of Ovarian Cancer (within 6 months of being diagnosed).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I stand up for my Auntie, Anne Howells (aged 56) who also died of Ovarian Cancer (within 8 months of being diganosed).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I stand up for my wonderful Grandmother, <a href="http://www.bmdsonline.co.uk/6246364?s_source=tmwa_dic">Megan Thomas</a> (aged 79), who died of Stomach Cancer, June 2010 (within 6 weeks of being diagnosed).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">I stand up for my couragous Uncle who has been battling cancer for two years and who lost his wife my Auntie to Ovarian Cancer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Should you feel led to Stand Up To Cancer, which kills a person EVERY minute in the US. Please donate whatever you can. Even a $1. I hope my message helps this cause. I Stand Up To Cancer.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><a href="https://www.standup2cancer.org/" style="color: #0089aa;" target="_blank">https://www.standup2cancer.<wbr></wbr>org/</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">Please forward, this is not spam.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: collapse; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"> </span>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-41669717816188848442010-07-25T14:59:00.001-05:002010-07-25T15:00:46.894-05:00Making the most of 75% at Target!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I paid just under $9 for this lot:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TEyW8y9yRAI/AAAAAAAAAqg/RCe-IXGpvig/s1600/DSCF6246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" hw="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TEyW8y9yRAI/AAAAAAAAAqg/RCe-IXGpvig/s400/DSCF6246.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">You can enlarge the picture to see the prices and original costs (if you so desire!).</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">Now that's how you shop for "new" clothes on a Dave Ramsey budget ... it's better than the everyday Goodwill prices for second hand. </div>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-64504751494518459582010-07-23T09:50:00.000-05:002010-07-23T09:50:35.734-05:00Restaurant.com $25 meal for $2!<div align="center" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://partners.mysavings.com/z/5458/CD750/"><img alt="Restaurant.com" border="0" src="http://partners.mysavings.com/42/750/5458/" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;">7/23 - 7/31 use promotion code <span style="color: red;">PLATE</span> and pay $2!!</span></strong></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-82130013204378892632010-07-10T14:11:00.000-05:002010-07-10T14:11:39.247-05:00Baby Step 1 Complete ... now on to Baby Step 2!Wow it's taken so much longer than expected to complete Baby Step 1 and move on to the snowballing part ... but we're moving on FINALLY! We are Baby Step One Graduates!!<br />
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Baby Step 1 took us 6 months to complete. Why that long? Life just kept happening. You can read more about that in my last budget post, <a href="http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/2010/06/5-months-of-ramsey.html">5 Months of Ramsey</a>. <br />
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Baby Step 2 is going to take even longer to complete ... not factoring in "life happening" events it should be completed in 2014. We have $58565 of debt to eradicate in this step (and that's not including the house). Geez $58565 where and when did did we rack that up? Stuff just kept happening and we weren't prepared for it. Also $37231 of it is a student loan incurred by <em>The Husband</em> putting himself through college, way before we met. I earned my degree in the UK and thankfully it didn't make a dent in the amount he had to borrow!<br />
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So how do the debts look and what order are we snowballing them? This should help you all understand (please keep in mind that we will be snowballing an extra $390 from this month):<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TDjDh2bFXtI/AAAAAAAAAnI/2C-9kutG5jg/s1600/BudgetBella_Pic1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" rw="true" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TDjDh2bFXtI/AAAAAAAAAnI/2C-9kutG5jg/s400/BudgetBella_Pic1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Would it make more money saving sense in the long term to snowball largest interest rate to smallest? Yes it would. But we are people that gain accomplishment and keep on track from quick results. This is why we chose the Dave Ramsey method. It works for us and our personalities. <br />
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I cannot wait to report back with how this goes. For now though we are sticking to the Gazelle Budget and Envelope System through The Total Money Makeover system ... but more on those in the future.Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-4298624943851715752010-07-09T07:44:00.000-05:002010-07-09T07:44:11.065-05:00Learn For Le$$: Do You Ebate?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TDcV_KKgyqI/AAAAAAAAAnA/IEOp1qsmzCM/s1600/BlogButton_LearnForLe%24%24_sz125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TDcV_KKgyqI/AAAAAAAAAnA/IEOp1qsmzCM/s320/BlogButton_LearnForLe%24%24_sz125.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Learn For Le$$, highlights how to have homeschool/daycare activities on a small budget.</em></div><div style="text-align: center;"><em>Here I post about bargain finds, sales, utilizing items from dollar stores and do-it-yourself money-saving stuff.</em> <em>This post was originally posted at <a href="http://www.itsybitsylearning.blogspot.com/">Itsy Bitsy Learning</a>.</em> </div> <br />
Shop via Ebates at over 1200 stores! You can actually earn cash back for purchases. What a neat way to save on the homeschool budget! The stores that jumped out to me were:<br />
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<ol><li><strong>Oriental Trading Company</strong> (2.5% cash back)</li>
<li>Scholastic Store (5% cash back)</li>
<li>Shutterfly (10%)</li>
<li><strong>LeapFrog</strong> (3% cash back)</li>
<li>Kid Surplus (3% cash back)</li>
<li>Ebay (1 - 3% cash back)</li>
<li><strong>Hooked On Phonics</strong> (10 % cash back)</li>
<li>Walmart (1 - 3 %)</li>
</ol><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Here is how it works:<br />
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<em>Shop through Ebates, and earn up to 25% cash back at your favorite stores. How? Our stores pay us a fee when you shop. We then share the fee directly with you - it's just that simple.</em><br />
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<em>Incredible deals don't end with cash back. We hunt down cut-rate coupons and exclusive offers plus amazing deals on hot products. Unlike any other savings site on the internet, you can layer the deals. Save big by using coupons and getting cash back at the same time! With deal layering, you really stack up the savings.</em><br />
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<em>Best of all, we never charge a membership fee or require mail-in rebate forms. We just send you your cash, no strings attached.</em><br />
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You can sign up through the image here:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://partners.mysavings.com/z/5384/CD750/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="eBates.com" border="0" src="http://partners.mysavings.com/42/750/5384/" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">If you have any experience of Ebate please leave a comment so others can make an informed decision too! I know that I am preetty excited about the Oriental Trading Ebates!</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>Get Up to 25% Cash Back at Over 1200 Stores – Sign-up Free at Ebates.com! <a href="http://partners.mysavings.com/z/5387/CD750/">Click Here</a>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-58612145509884010002010-06-25T09:44:00.000-05:002010-06-25T09:44:08.134-05:00You Have Mail: P&GeSavers Qs Are Back!<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Straight from my inbox:</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Beginning June 25, P&GeSAVER coupons can be downloaded to shopper cards for your favorite retailers. (Kroger is included!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Redeem the current coupons by June 30. Then, look for the next set of P&GeSAVER coupons, available July 1 through August 31.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">We value your loyalty to P&GeSAVER, and we are excited to keep delivering the savings you deserve! </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.pgesaver.com/?utm_source=esaver&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Kroger_eSaver_SSE-Jun10">Click Here For More Information and Sign-Up!</a></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-84863837746217482002010-06-22T08:14:00.000-05:002010-06-22T08:14:09.938-05:00Mail In Rebate: Save $20 on Laminator and Pouches (cheaper than Wal*Mart)<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="qpHeadline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="qpHeadline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I love my <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-TL901-Thermal-Laminator-roller/dp/B0010JEJPC?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Scotch Thermal Laminator</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0010JEJPC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" />! I use it most weeks and it has stood the test of time. For something so little and inexpensive it sure does help with my activities for my four Itsy Bitsy Learners! If you have yet to get a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-TL901-Thermal-Laminator-roller/dp/B0010JEJPC?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">laminator</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0010JEJPC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> or have been sitting on the fence for a while ... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Amazon has a great offer right now! </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="qpHeadline"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(I first read about it <a href="http://1plus1plus1equals1.blogspot.com/">here</a>)</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="qpHeadline" style="color: #cc6600; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #3d85c6;">Save $20 When You Buy a Scotch Thermal Laminator and Pouches</span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Through July 31, 2010, get $20 back on the purchase of a </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-TL901-Thermal-Laminator-roller/dp/B0010JEJPC?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Scotch thermal laminator</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0010JEJPC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and a 50-pack of</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_353297062_4?ie=UTF8&docId=1000516381&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=hero-quick-promo&pf_rd_r=1FNVZ3MR12Y24YA6K92Z&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_p=1265098602&pf_rd_i=B0010JEJPC" style="color: #003399; text-decoration: underline;"></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Thermal-Laminating-Pouches-TP3854-50/dp/B0019K3LI8?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thermal laminating pouches</span></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0019K3LI8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">via mail-in rebate</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Applies only to products sold by Amazon.com</span></b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">; does not apply to items sold by other merchants on the Amazon.com website. Not valid with any other mail-in rebate offers.</span></span></div></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-TL901-Thermal-Laminator-roller/dp/B0010JEJPC?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Scotch(TM) TL901 Thermal Laminator 15.5 in x 6.75 in x 3.75 in 2 roller system" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0010JEJPC&tag=cypdaycar-20" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0010JEJPC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Thermal-Laminating-Pouches-TP3854-50/dp/B0019K3LI8?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969" imageanchor="1" target="_blank"><img alt="Scotch(TM) Thermal Laminating Pouches, 9 Inches x 11.4 Inches (TP3854-50)" src="http://ws.amazon.com/widgets/q?MarketPlace=US&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL160_&ASIN=B0019K3LI8&tag=cypdaycar-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=bil&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0019K3LI8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0019K3LI8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Let's do the math:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-TL901-Thermal-Laminator-roller/dp/B0010JEJPC?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Laminator</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0010JEJPC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> $31.49 + </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-Thermal-Laminating-Pouches-TP3854-50/dp/B0019K3LI8?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Pouches</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0019K3LI8" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> $10.00 = $41.49 </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Minus $20 Mail In Rebate </span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Final Cost= $21.49</span></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">That's<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"> le$$ the cost of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Scotch-TL901-Thermal-Laminator-roller/dp/B0010JEJPC?ie=UTF8&tag=cypdaycar-20&link_code=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969" target="_blank">Laminator</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=cypdaycar-20&l=btl&camp=213689&creative=392969&o=1&a=B0010JEJPC" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important;" width="1" /> even if you purchased it from Wal*Mart</span> ( I paid $25 there!! The pouches cost $13.99 there too!). And it's eligible for FREE SHIPPING from Amazon!</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Happy Shopping!</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 11px;"> </span></div>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-64093223000851151872010-06-16T11:18:00.000-05:002010-06-16T11:18:09.929-05:00CVC Photo Center - Father's Day Special 50 Free Prints!<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" height="250" leftmargin="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://view.atdmt.com/QTS/iview/240246987/direct;wi.300;hi.250/01%DATETIME?click=http://partners.mysavings.com/z/5172/CD750/" topmargin="0" width="300"></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">... and FREE SHIPPING TO A CVS STORE!</div>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-46718915873865628812010-06-14T19:08:00.003-05:002010-06-14T19:18:19.688-05:00Precisely, my cup of tea: #1<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><em>I have decided to join in with the <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">Simple Woman's Daybook</a>. If you'd like to join in please head on over to the <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">Simple Woman's Daybook</a> for more information ...</em> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>FOR TODAY</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Outside my window...I see the leaves blowing in the breeze.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am thinking...I am trying to not think. I'm worried about my Nana and those who are by her side.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am thankful for...my family near and far.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">From the kitchen...I served fish, carrots and peas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am wearing...my old blue jeans one size too big and the t-shirt I had on yesterday (ew).</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am creating...a Home(pre)School Pack for Itsy Bitsy Printables.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am going...nowhere... except from one room to another. By tomorrow evening I will have been in my house for 48 hours.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am reading...Montessori Read and Write, Lynne Lawrence .. and wishing I had the time to do it all!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am hoping...I can find the strength to follow through with my plans for University.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am hearing...the cup fall on the floor. My baby's way of letting me know she's finished dinner.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Around the house...the paint on the trim is peeling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">One of my favorite things...the computer my parents bought me last birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">A few plans for the rest of the week: To start picking up around the house and planning day trips for my two week Summer break.</span><br />
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</span><br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>Here is picture for thought I am sharing...</strong></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
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</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.budgetbella.blogspot.com/" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><img border="0" qu="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUyG2bBPUJ9_jokZlg288i-pSLXpzJh9raOzSOEC_2HGXNsWOQTMrO6y_7yZkL1_ByE7hwaXUyZf5y3waH9zONaSg1IpubglragiNjYkA_LeztnbHtf3LRMAtxenm97AEA_2tdhjtvpoL/s320/IBP_UTS_8.jpg" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>(perhaps we should all take a moment to walk in someone else's shoes, no matter how difficult that walk may be .... )</strong></span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Are you joining in with <a href="http://thesimplewomansdaybook.blogspot.com/">Simple Woman's Daybook</a>? Leave a link in my comments section to the direct post. I'd love a chance to get to know my fellow bloggers more!</span></div>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-20768861953117859242010-06-12T15:20:00.001-05:002010-06-12T15:27:00.532-05:00Google Reader IssuesIf you are having problems with receieving the latest post in your Google Reader for this blog please make sure your feed is <a href="http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</a> . Go into the settings of your Google Reader and click on the subscrptions tab. Make sure the address under Budget Bella is this link <a href="http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</a>. If not go back into Google Reader and click on add a subscription and add the link <a href="http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default">http://budgetbella.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default</a> . You should see the feed immediately to the right. <br />
<br />
I have checked the feed and have it displayed in my sidebar to ensure Google is picking up the feed. I have checked feedburner too and my blogger dashboard. Everything seems to be working my end ... if you are still having issues, please leave me a message and I'll try something new. If you subscribed via Feedburner to have my posts emailed to you and are having issues please leave a comment for me!<br />
<br />
Hope That Helps!Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-40774559319032034532010-06-08T09:43:00.001-05:002010-06-08T09:44:14.402-05:005 Months Of RamseySo we have officially been using the Ramsey method for 5 months to guide us through our development in Family Finances.<br />
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As much as I'd love to blog that we have paid off debts that has not been the case. That is of no fault to the method. We are still on Baby Step One. The step where you have to save a $1000 for an intital emergency fund. We have saved this fund three times. <br />
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From February to now life events have just happened. Each time causing us to deplete the EF. The DH had a throat abscence and ended up in ER. The out-of pocket after insurance came to $890. Then just after that the air conditoning in the car went, the cost of that $1200. Then the car tires all needed replacing , that was $500. <br />
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And each and everytime we have paid cash. And there for us is a triumph. In our five short years of marriage we have never paid cash for large expenses. The credit card usually came to the rescue. <br />
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Of course we are still working on the Ramsey method. We need to get better aquainted with the envelope method (had we had done this we would have money in the car envelope to not to use the EF). And God willing, we can begin in a couple of weeks to start snowballing. <br />
<br />
But right now, my husband works a total of 2 full time jobs (Elementary Teacher, Coach and Pizza Delivery Guy) and I have been very creative with the budget we have. I am also looking into a new side line project to create some pocket money (<a href="http://www.itsybitsyprintables.com/">Itsy Bitsy Printables</a>). We are on the right track. So life so far may not be ideal, but life is good.Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-18239154848506425892010-06-04T15:51:00.000-05:002010-06-04T15:51:31.844-05:00GIVEAWAY - Under The Sea Simple Puzzles<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TAlms4mDaII/AAAAAAAAAcM/6kPSrOwKIh4/s1600/Under+the+sea+title+page.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TAlms4mDaII/AAAAAAAAAcM/6kPSrOwKIh4/s320/Under+the+sea+title+page.gif" /></a></div><br />
If you have preschool aged children and are looking for affordable learning activities please visit <a href="http://www.itstbitsyprintables.com/">Itsy Bitsy Printables</a>! <strong>Itsy Bitsy Printables offer FREE and low-cost downladable activities! Perfect for all budgets!</strong><br />
<br />
I am offering a giveaway for one of the activities on my other blog <a href="http://www.itsybitsylearning.blogspot.com/">Itsy Bitsy Learners</a>. You can earn up to five entries!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://itsybitsylearning.blogspot.com/2010/06/giveaway-under-sea-simple-puzzles.html">Click here</a> to participate!Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-8731772831264054092010-06-04T07:58:00.000-05:002010-06-04T07:58:53.459-05:00CELLFIRE:Surprise Cinderella Q at 3pm!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TAj4XF6L7GI/AAAAAAAAAbs/t3kTU71qiK4/s1600/cinderella_email_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="350" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TAj4XF6L7GI/AAAAAAAAAbs/t3kTU71qiK4/s400/cinderella_email_3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-33183811951922111412010-06-03T11:11:00.000-05:002010-06-03T11:11:23.192-05:00Kraft First Taste: Check your account!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.kraftfirsttaste.com/default.aspx" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" gu="true" height="110" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_F-obK01y51k/TAfTacuEaaI/AAAAAAAAAbc/3cFfikA0GYY/s400/hero_bottom.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
It seems <a href="http://www.kraftfirsttaste.com/default.aspx">Kraft First Taste</a> is offering coupons to those that missed out on the opportunity previously. You may want to check your accounts before they all disapper!<br />
<br />
Not a <a href="http://www.kraftfirsttaste.com/default.aspx">Kraft First Taste</a> member? <a href="http://www.kraftfirsttaste.com/default.aspx">Click here to sign-up!</a>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-55455489174932960182010-05-23T22:23:00.000-05:002010-05-23T22:23:03.117-05:00Stock up on shoes with PayLess!<div style="text-align: center;">I love it when Payless has their sales, and I make a point of waiting until then to buy my daughters their shoes. I have never had a problem with footwear at this store and the prices are comparable to Target and Walmart, so it makes sense to get in on the Buy One Get One Half Off Everything Deal. </div><br />
<a href="http://www.kqzyfj.com/click-3351103-10544408?cm_mmc=CJ-_-2618758-_-3351103-_-125x125%20BOGO" target="_top"><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<img alt="Payless Buy one get one 1/2 off sale" border="0" height="125" src="http://www.lduhtrp.net/image-3351103-10544408" width="125" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Did you find any ggod saving at Payless? I'd love to know, please leave a comment!!</div></a>Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-38166037415889997212010-05-23T08:25:00.000-05:002010-05-23T08:25:28.951-05:00Sunday Coupons - Check the Parade Magazine!Don't throw your PARADE magazine in the recycle bin yet! There are three, yes THREE high value coupons inside it this week!! <br />
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$1/1 Pantene<br />
B1G1Free on Olay Moisturizer<br />
$1/2 Dreyer's Ice Cream<br />
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Want to know what coupons are coming your way? Check out <a href="http://www.sundaycouponpreview.com/">Sunday Coupon Preview</a>!!Alison @ Educational Creationshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00234732064081780652noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-10677778991877994712010-01-06T13:41:00.000-06:002010-01-06T13:41:29.297-06:00Personal Loan or Short Sale?Well the time has come to put our house on the market. The Husband sat with a realtor today and talked about our options. We have two. Neither of them sunny. Our mortgage pay-off is currently $84500 the realtor stated he could move the house for $75000 (eek!) Which leaves a deficit of $9500 ( double eek!), and closing costs of about $6000 (triple eek!). So basically about $16000 remaining. <br />
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So here are options.<br />
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1. Find $16000 to cover it ... hmm, I'm pretty sure I don't have that kind of change under the sofa. <br />
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2. Ask for a short sale, and take a 7 year hit on our credit report. <br />
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I think we are going to choose option one. I honestly believe if you spend the money you pay it back, no easy way out. <br />
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I think we could probably save $4000 ourselves over the next 6 months (that's how long I think it will take to sell). Which would leave a personal loan of $12000. If we were lucky enough to be approved at 15% for 60 months this would our monthly payment about $300. This would mean us both taking on extra work (insert heavy sigh). But if it has to be done, it has to be done. <br />
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But wait! That's not all. We would need to save money also to move into a rental home and moving costs. I'm thinking that's $2000. <br />
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Is there any sunny side to this? <br />
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All I can think of at this time, is that by selling our house we decrease our debt-to-income-ratio, and closer to my desire of moving back to the UK one day (in the far far distant future). I'll take that for now. <br />
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So what would you do in our situation? I'd love any and all advice/opinions ... feel free to leave a comment below. And thanks for listening to my rambles --- again.Mom 'n' Morehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260399515259021706noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-68858796129686451942010-01-05T12:13:00.000-06:002010-01-05T12:13:51.699-06:00January BudgetI like to use Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makover site to create the family budget. At the beginning of the month my Husband and I sit together to complete this. It's important both of us are involved, otherwise fininacial miscommunication and over-spending occurs. The important thing about this systym is that it forces us to <strong>spend ALL our money on paper first.</strong> <br />
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Here is our overview for 01/01/10 - 01/31/10:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gLPtlxKSVl7mMvsSsu_fjJ3gHL_3FlOrhSYfdc3tnD9-dvvT7zRGXRwN0YsrBRKfD6G-TwIm-Dkp4rXQEUJsOHa_vacKDp0n1aNYnStI4Ja0RB0x66_-YxeHmvhE1WYItQbFg8upVUJV/s1600-h/Budget_Bella_January_Bud_2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-gLPtlxKSVl7mMvsSsu_fjJ3gHL_3FlOrhSYfdc3tnD9-dvvT7zRGXRwN0YsrBRKfD6G-TwIm-Dkp4rXQEUJsOHa_vacKDp0n1aNYnStI4Ja0RB0x66_-YxeHmvhE1WYItQbFg8upVUJV/s400/Budget_Bella_January_Bud_2010.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><em><span style="font-size: x-small;">Please take note, we are never normally able to save as much as we have done this month. From January to March we recieve an extra $500 per month from my Husbands coaching stypen. Coaching and referring are great ways to bring in extra income.</span></em><br />
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After creating a general budget, we then complete a worksheet from Judy Lawrence's book, The Budget Kit (shh! don't tell Ramsey) that helps <strong>divide all expenses up amongst the paychecks</strong>. This is especially helpful if your income does not arrive on the same date. It also helps overspending and timely bill payment. <br />
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Here is how our money has been divided this month:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh826ex3YT4pJP2WIAx4bJw_Wc-2_InXuZRO0iJMoSLlqBmPP0Bt2Wi6kdUIB3WmL8XXljF9BlxUrO3Btz8EKSEeUr_ocXGENkE5GAkt8W4mbEKir1kjNOwUJVdm-UCtLgmISGTIz2qPLR8/s1600-h/Budget_Bella_January_Worksh_2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ps="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh826ex3YT4pJP2WIAx4bJw_Wc-2_InXuZRO0iJMoSLlqBmPP0Bt2Wi6kdUIB3WmL8XXljF9BlxUrO3Btz8EKSEeUr_ocXGENkE5GAkt8W4mbEKir1kjNOwUJVdm-UCtLgmISGTIz2qPLR8/s400/Budget_Bella_January_Worksh_2010.jpg" /></a><br />
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From this we then put all expenses in envelopes. The idea behind the envelopes is that you should never take from one enevlope to support another. Any money leftover at the end of the month remains in the envelope. <br />
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Our envelopes for this month will be:<br />
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Groceries (includes cleaning, paper, health and beauty) - $320<br />
Eating Out - $50<br />
Gasoline - $150<br />
Medical - $26.00<br />
Clothing - $62<br />
Gifts - $50<br />
Entertainment - $40<br />
Daycare Business - $11.50<br />
Car Repairs - $104<br />
House Repairs $60<br />
Newspapers/Coupons - $24<br />
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I can already tell that adjustments will need to be made for February's Budget. I think I should have included a seperate envelope for Diapers, Pull-ups and Baby Wipes ($60). Hindsight is 20/20, right?Mom 'n' Morehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260399515259021706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-82880159176539033442009-12-18T21:18:00.000-06:002009-12-18T21:18:26.139-06:00Looking back. Looking forward.I have had so much fun writing my blog. It has provided me a place to "talk-out" my money woes. I have gained so much in the last 12 months. I have learnt to budget with the income we have. <br />
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<strong>I learnt in 2009:</strong><br />
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1. We are not victims of circumstances with finances.<br />
2. Credit Card debt is a no-no.<br />
3. Couponing is not for the nerdy.<br />
4. I have a duty to instill postive money habits in my children.<br />
5. Waste nothing.<br />
6. Do not be brand loyal. It can cost you more.<br />
7. Focusing on needs not wants makes you a "richer" person. <br />
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<strong>I have achieved in 2009:</strong><br />
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1. To halt all credit card spending. <br />
This has meant relatives have gone without gifts, cards.<br />
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2. Not to buy clothes.<br />
Until my current ones have no more wear. <br />
Note-to-self: If clothes are tight, this does not mean new clothes. It eans get thin.<br />
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3. To extreme coupon.<br />
I stuggled with this in November, and am slowly making my way back.<br />
<br />
4. Freecycle.<br />
Reduce-Reuse-Recycle. This has added perks besides <br />
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5. I don't keep up with the Jones'. They probably had it all on credit anyway.<br />
The green-eyes-monstor has slowly diminished. <br />
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6. We have gone 12 month without a cellphone, of any kind. <br />
And have managed to communicate with everybody!<br />
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<strong>So what for 2010? What will be of Budget Bella?</strong><br />
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I think 2010 will be entirely dedicated to following the Dave Ramsey programme. We need a plan. He has one. Budget Bella will no longer be blogging about coupon deals (even though these will be happening away from the blogosphere). There will be no stock-pile pictures. Nope. I want 2010 to be about getting debt free. Thanks everyone for following. I hope you will continue to support me on my journey. I want it to be a journey to a better way ....<br />
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Mom 'n' Morehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260399515259021706noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-60025267225505362732009-12-15T10:02:00.000-06:002009-12-15T10:02:25.886-06:00Last Minute Gift Ideas! Amazon Gift Card!!<div style="text-align: center;">It really is that easy! I have friends and family abroad and in the past we have exchanged amazon giftcards via email. Amazon gives you three options to send your giftcard. If your a last minute panic shopper like I am, this is a perfect stress free option. Especially for teenagers, das .. you know all the ones wh are hard to buy for!<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe border="0" frameborder="0" height="250" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=cypdaycar-20&o=1&p=12&l=ur1&category=gift_certificates&banner=127JF9E4530CSFRCY4R2&f=ifr" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;" width="300"></iframe><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!<br />
</div>Mom 'n' Morehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260399515259021706noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-43061478494365425022009-11-29T20:19:00.001-06:002009-11-29T20:23:02.711-06:00If she hadn't of mentioned it ...I had no desire/urge/need to visit CraigsList today ... untl CJ Simes made a comment about her use of it. I am constantly following rabbit trails (eailsly distracted), and so off I went to CraigsList. And boy I am glad I did. I was able to pick-up this afternoon an IKEA storage system for $10!! They are in excellent condition too! <br />
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Here is what I got:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTTg83mUIiurt4JfDWnbXH4RhGGCz3nwPTmoRVF3gRAGCGRHZu7ECEnEJbcM3sqAw9S_AAqrJvcuc1O9G5i3FGJR3ado05KUim-tnv3_fbXLgNRDPIolaPkYlCEPrj6yTKO5UrMOJnSlm/s1600/42517_PE130519_S3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFTTg83mUIiurt4JfDWnbXH4RhGGCz3nwPTmoRVF3gRAGCGRHZu7ECEnEJbcM3sqAw9S_AAqrJvcuc1O9G5i3FGJR3ado05KUim-tnv3_fbXLgNRDPIolaPkYlCEPrj6yTKO5UrMOJnSlm/s320/42517_PE130519_S3.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
</div>Two units worth $61.99 each! I got two! Already assembled!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WivihgWeFP5lJJeaQEd4ZZO-DGnCd0eHNBQtlrTD8IOBkR4rqmChG8IDE0Iju9xHXL8bIibmEfNwjpLr9ShjUvCbKUWFjRk_6rEtpsPf5wwiKenRqNi4W21EEE8eJdna1znHXOfR_4ii/s1600/42514_PE137383_S3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5WivihgWeFP5lJJeaQEd4ZZO-DGnCd0eHNBQtlrTD8IOBkR4rqmChG8IDE0Iju9xHXL8bIibmEfNwjpLr9ShjUvCbKUWFjRk_6rEtpsPf5wwiKenRqNi4W21EEE8eJdna1znHXOfR_4ii/s320/42514_PE137383_S3.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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Two large bins worth $5.50 each!!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7kTZ9AxfRxKD_teNQTxd0gNSvLWVXPCNYofncfP-H6xtW0GyZ-8xb7gXowD1eRUZCUCVxKrjT1L0Af75HYwiOnE0z7sWIYUF0AkjB4hdL88p4D4JqsZKX6sx13zh-jYH6JT4NxBMxmHD/s1600/46465_PE143279_S3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji7kTZ9AxfRxKD_teNQTxd0gNSvLWVXPCNYofncfP-H6xtW0GyZ-8xb7gXowD1eRUZCUCVxKrjT1L0Af75HYwiOnE0z7sWIYUF0AkjB4hdL88p4D4JqsZKX6sx13zh-jYH6JT4NxBMxmHD/s320/46465_PE143279_S3.jpg" yr="true" /></a><br />
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Five medium sized bins worth $3 each!! <br />
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If I had gone to IKEA today and purchased everything above I would have paid $149.98!! And I would have to assemble the thing myself. So <strong>I'm seeing this as a saving of $139.98</strong> --- better than any Black Friday Sale I know of! <br />
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Thanks CJ Sime ... for unknowlingly leading me down a rabbit trail ...Mom 'n' Morehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260399515259021706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-37714713021625297622009-11-28T18:41:00.000-06:002009-11-28T18:41:40.681-06:00Freecycle ... I'm addicted!Do you freecycle? Pat yourself on the backs if you do. If you don't, why ever not!? Freecycle for those that do not know is .. and I quote ... <br />
<br />
"<strong> ... a nonprofit organization and a movement of people interested in keeping good stuff out of the country's landfills. Check out freecycle.org for other cities and information on the movement!</strong>"<br />
<br />
This week I lucked out and was the lucky reciepent of three offers. I received a<strong> Little Tikes Basketball Goal</strong> (in good used condition, some fading). A <strong>bag full of school supplies</strong> (manilla file folders, envelopes, blank sentence strips, index cards and three children's journals). The third item was a <strong>Crayola Crayon Maker</strong> that has only been used once. The previous owner didn't have the patience for it, so kindly offered it on Freecycle!!<br />
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How's that for frugality and budget-makers?! I'm off now to return the good deeds of others and offer some items on freecycle too!!Mom 'n' Morehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260399515259021706noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-866547827517681314.post-84548844631423077972009-11-24T19:41:00.000-06:002009-11-24T19:41:11.803-06:00IKEA HOUSTON THANKSGIVING DEALSI was getting worried after seeing all the other sites that were harping on about IKEA deals for everywhere BUT Houston. Panic over I just got the ad in my inbox ... and now here's the link for you!<br />
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<a href="http://info.ikeahouston.com/">http://info.ikeahouston.com/</a>Mom 'n' Morehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10260399515259021706noreply@blogger.com0