Find yard sales near you

First read about this online tool from Baby Cheapskate (one of my favorite savers) called Yard Sale Treasure Map. Basically, the tool "finds" the ads on Craigslist and then automatically maps out a route for you based on where you live (using Google Maps). So cool! Can't wait to try it out.

Happy 10 months!

Taken at 9 months, but so darn cute!

I can hardly believe it - 10 months already and just 2 months from a year old - going from infant to toddler!

I recently read an article on BabyCenter.com: Your 10-month-old: Week 1. It gave tips on how to carry a growing baby - and growing J is!

One tip, to avoid wrist pain, is to alternate arms when holding or feeding. It reminded of me of wrist pain back when J was about 3 months old. My right hand would be numb most of every morning. I thought it'd be permanent. Luckily, it wasn't. I don't even remember when it went away but so glad it did. These days, J doesn't want to be held for too long. He'd rather crawl on his own, so no wrist pain here. Now, lower back pain is another story...

Favorite savers

• A Thrifty Mom, she's gotta pretty awesome coupon database
  
• Baby Cheapskate, does a weekly roundup of diaper & formula deals, also where I first learned about Amazon's Subscribe & Save program
  
• Common Sense With Money, the site that got me started couponing and now offers a free PDF book, Extreme Couponing 101
  
• My Frugal Adventures, there is a weekly roundup of Safeway deals
  
• Sunday Coupon Preview, I've used this site to see if I can get a better deal on a sale if I wait for the Sunday paper
  
• Totally Target, the name says it all, whoever writes this must live at Target

You'll find that you'll see the same deals on multiple websites. But many times, some will report on a deal that other's don't or will do it first (good when you want to get in on a limited quantity deal). Anyways, below are the remaining favorite savers:

• Coupons Deals and Steals
• Coupon Saving Game
• Deal Saving Mom
• Hip 2 Save
• Money Saving Mom
• Hip 2 Save
• Southern Savers
  
• The Mommy Trade

Enjoy!

My deals at Target

French's Worchestire sauce
Regularly $1.54
Sale $1.09
Used $0.75/1 coupon
Final price $0.34
Savings 80%

Wrigley's 5 Gum
Regularly $1.27
Used $1/2
Stacked with $1/2 Target coupon
Final price $0.27
Savings 80%

Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear polish
Regularly $2.04
Used $1/1
Stacked with $1/1 Target coupon
Final price $0.04
Savings 98%

You could have also bought 2 nail filers for $1 each and got them for FREE

I'm so glad my husband supports my coupon obsession and that I like to post my deals online ;).

My deals at Safeway

In addition to the deals I mentioned previously, below are some extra finds:

Tostitos, selected varieties
Great with the FREE avocados and 2/$1 guac mix I got
Regularly $3.99
Sale $2.49
Used $1/1 coupon
Final price $1.49
Savings 60%

I got my avocados free because the FREE milk coupon I received previously deducted the price of the avocados ($3.75) instead of the milk (which was $3.49)

Yakisoba noodles
Regularly $1.39
Sale $0.79
Used $1/2 coupon
Final price $0.29
Savings 80%

Lunchables Cracker Combos
Regularly $2.99
Sale 4/$5 or $1.25 each
Used $1/1 coupon
Final price $0.25
Savings 90%

Carefree pantiliners
Regularly $1.19
Sale $1
Used $0.50/1 coupon which was doubled (I see all coupons for their doubled value)
Final price FREE
Savings 100%

Suave Professionals volumizing product
Regularly $2.99
Sale $2.69
Used a "TRY ME" coupon from their Facebook page
Final price -$0.30 because the register deducted the regular price instead of the sale price
Savings 100% (with $0.30 overage)

Joining in on the conversation

While having lunch, the hubby & I were discussing something. J didn't want to be left out, so from the high hair he balked "BAH BAH AH AH". So cute! He's almost ready to say Ba-Ba and mean it.

Reading Ohdeedoh

Have you read Ohdeedoh.com before? They have great (and short) articles on nursery ideas for small spaces, clever crafts, and more. I love the clever crafts and really can't wait to do them with J on a lazy Saturday afternoon (when he can, of course!). Parenting's fun!

Animal Art Collages (by Paste, but totally could DIY with some cardboard & newspapers - not that I am condoning stealing people's ideas for profit - just inspiration)

Turn Your Crib Siderail into a Magazine Rack (by Salty Pineapple)

Chalkboard Coffee Table (by Offi, but could totally DIY with some chalkboard paint and possibly a cheap yard sale find)

Scavenger Hunt (by I Am Momma - Hear Me Roar)

DIY Dry Erase Bubble (by Katie Steuernagle)

Deals at Safeway 5/18-5/24

I'll definitely using that FREE gallon of milk store coupon I received this week.
I also have another $1 off $5 produce purchase coupon.

Some $0.99 deals
○ Glade air-freshener sprays, maybe use $2/2, this coupon only for the "premium" sprays
○ PowerBar, sign up here for a BOGO coupon for Iron Girl product, or could use the BOGO printable for Harvest Bar (was available on coupons.com)
○ Kleenex

Ball Park Franks
Great to have for summer BBQs, even though Hebrew National is still my fav brand
Regularly $3.99
Use $0.75/2, or could use the $0.55/1 printable (was available on coupons.com)
Sale: BOGO free

Ragu Pasta Sauce
Sale 2/$3
Use $1/2

McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning
Sale $0.99 (must buy 3)
If you know of a coupon for this, let me know!

My deals this week

Selected cereals (small boxes)
Regularly $3.59 Cinnamon Toast Crunch, $3.89 Special-K
Sale: Mix & Match - 4 at $1.99 each (must buy 4)
Bought 8
Used 2 printables for $1.00/2 General Mills cereals
Used 2 printables for $1.00/2 Special-K cereals
Received a store coupon for a FREE gallon of milk for purchasing 3 General Mills cereals (if I'd known about this, I would have done two transactions to get 2 store coupons!)
Final price $1.49 each
Savings as much as 60%

2-liter Coke products
Regularly $1.99
Sale $0.99 each (must buy 4)
Bought 4
Used 1 Recyclebank rewards coupon for buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) 2-liter Coke product
Used 1 Recyclebank rewards coupon for $1/1 any Coke product
Final price $0.97 for 4 (the BOGO coupon deducted $1.99 {reg. price} instead of $0.99 {sale price} - sweeeet!)
Savings 90%

Side note: What is Recyclebank? From their website:

Whether you pledge to use less energy, increase your at-home recycling or even just learn how you can increase the green in your home and neighborhood, we’ll reward you through grocery store savings, drugstore coupons, and discounts on the brands you buy every day.

Rewards come in the form of printable & mail coupons, and gift cards. You can take pledges to get rewards or enter points from specially-marked boxes like Ziploc products. Join now!

I also used a $1 off $5 produce purchase coupon from Safeway's Facebook page.

Finish Dishwashing products
Regularly $6.49
Sale BOGO free
Bought 2
Used 2 printables from their Facebook page for $1.75/1 (if not available anymore, check here) (though the coupon was for the Quantum product, I thought I'd give it a shot since the manufacturer's code was the same)
Received a $2 +UP rewards printed from register (I was surprised to receive this reward since the ad said receive a $2 reward for purchasing $6 of Finish product - they must calculate that before coupons! Sweeeet!)
Final price $0.99 for 2
Savings 90%

Crest toothpaste, Oral-B floss
Regularly $4.49 toothpaste, $3.99 floss
Sale: $2.99
Bought 2
Used 1 coupon from P&G book for $1/1 any Crest toothpaste
Used 1 coupon from P&G book for $1.50/1 any Oral-B satin floss
Received two $1 +UP rewards printed from register (limit 2)
Received a $3 off $15 purchase survey invitation
Final price FREE (plus overage b/c of $1.50 coupon)
Savings 100%

Neutrogena suncare products
Regularly $10.49 for Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch SPF 55 Sunblock
Sale: Receive $10 in Extra Care Bucks (ECB) when you buy (wyb) 2 Neutrogena suncare products
Bought 2 (both expire 2013 so I have plenty of time to use them)
Used printables for $2/1
Scanned CVS card at Coupon Scanner in store and received a $3 off $10 healthcare purchase
Received $10 ECB printed from register
Final price $1.99 each
Savings 80%

So…you (and I) can always get toothpaste and floss for free (among other dental items like toothbrushes and mouthwash). Also, I am happy if I don't pay more than $1 for 2-liter soda.

I can't believe J is...

A little over a 3 weeks ago, at J's 9-month checkup, the doc worried me a bit saying J may be "behind" since he wasn't crawling or standing or able to pick up small objects or saying da-da, etc. But he also said that maybe in 3 weeks, it'd be a different story. And it is!

I can't believe J is... (and how quickly he's progressing to each thing):

• Pulling himself into standing (can't use this mini pack-n-play anymore)
• Trying to crawl up stairs (yes, we are right behind him)
• Handing me books to read to him
• Crawl to me and wrap his arms around my calves as if saying "Mommy, I luv u...pick me up!"

Lastly, aren't babies hands the softest! Sometimes his palms brushes my hand while we turn the page in a book, and it's like nothing else on this earth!

Reflecting

When we first had J and were tired and stressed beyond words, most parents told us it'd get better. Some parents told us this part is easy - it's when they start having a mind of their own and can move around - that's hard. I'd say that at every point in J's 9 months with us, we've found some aspect of raising him difficult/challenging or rewarding/fun. Of course, it's always much more rewarding and fun in hindsight!

As a newborn, he wanted to be held constantly and was especially difficult from the hours of 10pm-3am. Did I mention we were both exhausted? On the other hand, besides those difficult hours, he was "easy". He didn't even mind the crowd and noises at his 1-month celebration in Chinatown. Even now, he still likes "re nao" (熱鬧).

As J went from eating every 2-3 hrs to every 4 hrs at 3 months, our lives got a bit easier. J fell into his own waking-eating-sleeping routine. He still wanted to be held constantly, but then he also started cooing, making funny faces, and smiling socially. He also started to discover his hands.

Then came 6 months, the month that many parents told us was a turning point. We were looking forward to that turning point - whatever it'd turn into. He started sleeping 9 hrs (with an adjustment in his schedule) at night for about a week, and then went back to waking for a feeding afterwards. Since A read in a book that babies 6-8 months may still wake once a night for a feeding, we decided not to wean him as suggested by our pediatrician. At 6 months, J was learning to make a variety of sounds including grunting and moaning (e.g., I'm bored! Entertain me!). He finally turned over at 8 months though doc now says that milestone is pushed back from 4 months since they started advocated sleeping on the back. He also started the beginnings of crawling at 8 months.

And here we are at 9 months. Only two more weeks away from 10 months, and then two months away from one year (I can hardly believe it!!).

A and I were just saying last night that it was like switch went off at 9 months. J went quickly from rocking back and forth on his butt to full-fledged crawling. He went from being able to flip onto his stomach from lying down to being able to sit up. He went from watching us play with his toys to wanting to discover them for himself. He went from listening to us read books and feeling the different textured surfaces in them to grunting when he wants you to flip the page and knowing exactly where the different textures are located in each book. J also likes to copy our facial expressions and gestures. It's so amazing!

I like that J has a mind of his own and is mobile. He's even starting to want to get up on his feet! He may complain when you take a toy away or complain when he wants to be out of the high chair, but hey, you'd be mad too if someone took away your iPhone while playing Angry Birds (play for free on Google Chrome) or if someone strapped you in a chair for an hour. Haha...

Fun stuff to get with Pampers Gifts to Grow codes

I've entered Pampers Gifts to Grow codes since our first diaper purchase. I've accumulated 1,369 points and am saving up for one of these neat awards. The Radio Flyer Grow 'N' Go Bike seems like the best "investment" since it can be used at J's different bike-riding stages. If you want to donate any codes to me, feel free, hehe!

My deal at Giant

 

Coffee-Mate liquid creamer (16 oz)
Regularly $2.29
Sale $3/$5
Bought 6
Used 2 printables for $0.55/1
Used 2 printables for $0.75/2
Final price $0.80 each after doubled coupons
Savings 80%

3rd wedding anniversary

The hubby and I are oddly in-sync today.

Evidence #1: We made "happy anniversary" posts on Facebook within minutes of one another.

Evidence #2: We received 3 fortune cookies after lunch (the 3rd was for J, which of course we didn't give him), and the 2 we opened, were exactly the same! (We checked the 3rd to see if it was different, and it was) Something about love…A kept them.

Anyways, happy 3 years!

Happy Belated Mother's Day

Friday on the radio, a woman called in to ask the DJs and listening audience for their opinion on whether or not her husband should get her a Mother's Day gift - she is pregnant with their first child at the moment. Most women who called in said, "Yes, of course he should...or at least celebrate it some other way."

I can't remember if we celebrated Mother's Day while I was pregnant with J. Mother's Day is so close to our wedding anniversary and all the holidays seem to be flowing right into another...

Anyways, Happy Belated Mother's Day to all the moms and moms-to-be out there. Sunday was beautiful and sunny - who could ask for anything more? I got a lovely card from my hubby & son (my hubby signed for the 9-month-old :P) and tulips. And I didn't have to change a poopy diaper or cook dinner :).

Ebates offering 12% back on 114 stores

Link

 

Man, and I just made a purchase on Sephora for 8% cash back! I mean, it's usually only 4% on Sephora, so I should be happy but I always hate to miss out on the best deal...

Crawling at 9-1/2 months

A month ago, J was "tripod"-ing and just rocking back and forth on the floor. Now, he's crawling! He likes to bump into walls and corners and crawl toward anything that is not a toy ;).

Chewing like a big boy

Why are the most mundane things that J does so entertaining? Hehe....J sprouted two bottom teeth about a week ago. They aren't fully grown but he sure is starting to utilize them!

Evolution of hair

The top right photo is our desktop background, and A made a comment the other day about how little hair J had at 2 months (he was born with a full head of hair, see picture at top left). Poor J didn't start to get his hair back until 6 months (bottom left). So funny seeing him without hair!

My deals at Rite Aid

Orbit gum
Regularly $1.49
Sale $1.00
$1.00/2 coupon from newspaper
$0.25 coupon from Rite Aid Video Values. Could print 2 if you have 2 accounts.
Final price $0.75 for 2
Savings 75%

Crest toothpaste
Regularly $3.99
Sale $2.99
$2.00 +UP reward printed from register
$1.00 coupon from P&G Coupon book
Final price FREE
Savings 100%

Dawn dish liquid
Regularly $1.99
Sale $0.99
$1.00 coupon from P&G Coupon book
Final price FREE
Savings 100%

Total savings 90%

How many?

I recently asked A if he'd consider having more than 2 kids. He gave me a 15-min answer which included the cost of college tuition and child care…on top of which we'd have mortgage and car payments and insurance…not to mention the waking up in the middle of the night, diapers, formula, etc.

He then concluded with…unless our second child is a boy…then we'd have a third because I'd like a "daddy's" girl. What a softie!

Enfamil for $0.82/oz on Amazon!

Great deal on Amazon today for {Enfamil Premium Infant powder refills}. They are on sale for $30.59. Go to the Amazon coupon page to "clip" a $2 {coupon} (you might have to refresh the page a few times). That makes the price $28.59 or $0.82/oz. That's the best price I've found so far. Too bad Amazon only applies the $2 coupon to one of each product.

My {last deal} was $0.86/oz. There was a {Target deal (4/24-4/30)} for $0.74/oz (with "get $10 Target gift card when you buy 2" promotion and $2 coupon. I didn't get in on this deal because I had no more Enfamil coupons!

$25 gift card when you spend $100 at Giant

Between Apr 22 and May 12, spend $100 on select P&G and Kellogg's brands and get your choice of a $25 gift card at Giant {link}. Choose from any gift card sold in the store, except the Visa, MasterCard, and Amex gift cards. That's as much as 25% savings on products you probably already buy!

My deals at Target

I'm such a dork to share my recent deals, but I just can't help joining the extreme couponing craze, though I am far from extreme. My deals at Target:

• Tide Free & Gentle 75 oz, regularly $10.99, on sale $8.99. I used a $1.00 coupon {link}, so I got them for $7.99 each (30% savings). 
• Wrigley 5 Gum, regularly $1.27. I used a $1.00/2 manufacturer's coupon {link}. You can stack a manufacturer's coupon with a Target one for $1.00/2 {link}, so I got them for $0.27 each (80% savings).
• Lysol wipes 35-ct, marked regularly as $2.04 but rang up $1.89. I used a $1.50 coupon {link}, so I got them for $0.39 each (81% savings). 
• Reach floss 55 yd, regularly $0.97 (though other "flavors" are $3.99 which I don't understand). I used a $1.00 coupon {link}, so I got them with $0.03 overage (103% savings). Most place  won't give you overages in cash but will apply them to the rest of your order.
• Secret deodorant trial size, regularly $0.97. I used a $1.00 coupon {link}, so I got them them with $0.03 overage (3% overage). Remember, as long as the coupon does not specify a size limit and as long as the store will take the coupon, you can use them on trial sizes.
• Secret clinical strength deodorant trial size, regularly $2.49. I used a $3.00 coupon (forget where), so I got it with $0.51 overage (20% overage).

Total of 50% savings :).