CSN Stores Review - A Cut Above the Rest!

With Christmas less than a month away, holiday shopping is at the top of everyone's "to-do" list. CSN Stores include 250 specialized online stores that offer a wide variety of items. They have everything from children's toys to kitchen cutlery sets.

Shopping CSN Stores is like being a kid in a candy store.  So many choices and never knowing what item to choose. We all know how difficult it can be to choose just one thing, even as an adult!  After what seemed like an eternity, I finally decided what to spend my $55 CSN Stores gift certificate on.  I must admit, it wasn't an easy decision.

 

Ordering/Arrival Time Line:

Placed on:   11/18/2010 at 11:53 AM

Shipped on: 11/18/2010 at 1:47 AM

Arrived on:  11/24/2010 at 4:35 PM

I was shocked when I got an e-mail stating that my order had shipped less than 2 hours after placing my order.  That has got to be some of the fastest turn around time that I have ever experienced when ordering with an online company.  I'll admit that I was very impressed and had to call my husband and tell him the news.

My cutlery set arrived quickly as well, less than a week after the order was placed.  Excellent considering it was shipped UPS from across the country.  When my order arrived, the packaging was perfect.  My cutlery set was very well protected, ensuring it's safe arrival.

We have been needing a new set of kitchen knives for months, possibly even over a year now.  My husband and I were always complaining and frustrated about how dull our knoves were.  They literally wouldn't cut much of anything.  Our bread knife would barely cut a loaf of fresh baked bread, that's how dull they were.

I absolutely LOVE my new cutlery set.  I do have to be very careful with these ones though.  I'm not used to sharp knives, so it's like I'm a kid learning all over again how to handle a sharp knife.  No more sawing action to get things cut and sliced.  With these new knives, I barely have to add any pressure at all for them to cut perfectly!



Zwilling JA Henckels International Eversharp Pro 7 Piece Block Cutlery Set 

The list price was $134.95, but was on sale for just $64.95.  That's a savings of $70 and 52%!  As an added bonus, this item had FREE shipping.  I paid just $9.95 out of my own pocket.  Talk about a great deal!

If you're looking for some great holiday gifts or some items for your home, stop by and check out CSN Stores Cyber Week Sales!  You can save up to 70% on housewares, toys, games, furniture and so much more!  I'll guarantee they have something for everyone on your holiday shopping list.

**This cutlery set was partially paid for with a $55 gift certificate from CSN Sores .  I received the gift certificate in exchange for a review on the item of my choice.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.

Thank You CSN Stores!



Adopted Ed by Darren Maddern: A Book Review

November is National Adoption Month, a month set aside each year to raise awareness about the adoption of children and youth from foster care.  Did you know that there are 115,000 children and youth in foster care that are hoping and waiting for a family to adopt them?

 

Adopted Ed is a simple, easy-to-read and understand children’s book with important underlying messages of personal empowerment and social pressures and acceptance.   It focuses on the life of Eddie, an adopted little boy, who is just like every other boy and girl. At school, when he is teased by bullies about being adopted, his mom offers words of wisdom, which ultimately gives him self-confidence to deal with the situation.
 
 
Written by Darren Maddern, this story is very close and personal to his heart.  Darren was adopted himself and loves to encourage and empower others with his story.  Adopted Ed is dedicated to both his biological parents and his adopted parents. 
 
Adopted Ed is super cute.  Just looking at those big blue eyes on the cover was enough to put a smile on my face.  Who couldn't love a sweet little face like that?   I absolutely LOVED how the entire book rhymed, page by page!  My daughter, almost 7, noticed it almost immediately!
 

"She told him that adoption is a great act of love.  It's a gift from the Heavens sent down from above.  "I'm adopted, I'm special!" he proclaimed aloud.  Then he said it again and grew very proud."

 

"Life is to be enjoyed, whether you're young or you're old. 

It matters not the cloth we're cut from or even the mold."

 

 

You don't have to be adopted, or even know someone who is adopted to love this story.  Adopted Ed will teach you about being yourself.  It will also teach children to be proud of who they are and where they came from.  We are all special in our own way, often times we forget that.
 
 
On the very last page, there is a list of famous people who have also been adopted.  You just might be surprised, I know I was.  Proving once again, that who you are comes from within! 
 
Adopted Ed has got to be the sweetest book I've read in ages.  The story, message and illustrations (by Erin Fusco) are simply amazing.  Each page is cute and colorful - sure to capture the attention of every child.  I would also have to say that Adopted Ed would make the perfect addition to any family library, school library, classroom and counselor's office.  Not only is the book perfect for bonding, it's also perfect for education.
 
Adopted Ed is the first in a series of children’s books that Darren Maddern has been working on. The second one, Tall Moll, is written in same the style and spirit as Adopted Ed.  In Tall Moll, we will meet sweet Molly, who is just like all the other boys and girls until she encounters a growth spurt and is and foot and half taller than all the other kids.  We call all meet Tall Moll early next year.

 

**I received a copy of Adopted Ed from the One2One Network for the purpose of this review.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  By posting this review, I'm eligible to win a gift card.

A big Thank You to One2One Network and Darren Maddern for sending me this wonderful book!

Five Helpful Tips for Holiday Tech Shopping!

The holiday season can prove to be very stressful for many people.  So much to do with not enough time in the day to get everything done.  We are all concerned with buying the perfect gift for everyone on our list and often times forget to stop and relax.  A little "me time" and relaxation can go a long way, especially this time of the year.

One of the big things on many holiday shopping lists are electronics.  For me, the task of buying electronics can be very frustrating.  I'm not tech-savy and no little to almost nothing about all the latest electronics and gadgets.  Here are a few tips for tech-savy holiday shopping.

1.  Shop Around!  Don't buy the first one you look at.  You might not even buy the second or third ones you look at either.  Make sure you shop different stores, both local and online, to make sure that you are getting the best possible deal.  Saving money may be as simple as driving across the street.  Plus, many stores nowadays will price match and even offer a little extra % off as a bonus for shopping their store.  Sales and clearance deals can save you a bundle!  All of those little things really add up.

2.  Don't Be Afraid to Shop Online!  Often times the best deals are those you find online.  Many online retailers will offer free shipping, cash back and other discounts that local stores don't.  Ordering online is fast, free and easy.  It's also safe, credit card companies guarantee your consumer safety from fraudulant purchases.  You also avoid traffic, crowds, winter driving conditions and having to pay for gas.

3. Do Your Research!  Make sure that you research the products that you have on your holiday shopping list!  Many people make purchases blindly and that can often lead to problems.  Just because something sounds good doesn't always mean that it is.  You can easily do your research online through several different sources. 

4.  Read Customer Reviews!  They always seem to be the most helpful because people tend to be honest.  If they bought a lemon or got ripped off, they are going to tell people about it!  Bad reviews are just as helpful as good reviews.  Amazon.com, Target.com and Staples.com make posting a customer review and reading them simple for everyone!

5.  Take Your time!  Impulse buying can be brutal.  Don't make a purchasing decision that you're going to regret later.  There is always time to stop and think about the item that you're wanting to purchase.  I know how hard it can be to wait, espeically when you really want something.  However, taking your time might just pay off in the long run.  Then you will be thanking yourself.


Just last week, I got a great deal on a Tom Tom GPS online and ended up saving a total of $129.  It was an item that was on my shopping list, but I wanted to get a good deal.  By knowing ahead of time, I was able to watch sales ads in advance in order to get the best possible deal. 

My husband has been wanting a new TV for the living room.  He wants a big one, atleast 47" and possibly 55".  It's an important purchase and one that is a little pricy.  I've been saving for several months now, waiting and looking for the "right" deal to come along.  My husband has been doing his research and I think we are finally close to making a decision.  Maybe!

I think that it helps by knowing what you want and not having to be in a rush to get it.  Patience is a virtue!

About Staples:

Staples, the world's largest office products company, is committed to making it easy for customers to buy a wide range of office products and services. Our broad selection of office supplies, electronics, technology and office furniture as well as business services, including computer repair and copying and printing, helps our customers run their offices efficiently. With 2009 sales of $24 billion and 91,000 associates worldwide, Staples operates in 26 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia serving businesses of all sizes and consumers. Staples invented the office superstore concept in 1986 and today ranks second worldwide in e-commerce sales. The company is headquartered outside Boston.



**I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible for a $50 gift card.

Cell Ranger Stix Signal Booster Review and Giveaway

In this day and age, it's nearly impossible to survive without a cell phone.  We haven't had a landline in almost 6 years.  We rely solely on our cell phones for everything.  You can do everything on your cell phone these days: call, text, check and send e-mails, update your Facebook and Twitter status, shop online and even order dinner.  It seems as though there is an app for just about everything you can possibly imagine. 

 

I live in a small, rural town of about 3,500 people.  Although we live just about 10 miles from a larger city of nearly 70,000 people.  We love living just far enough out of town to avoid the crowds and heavy traffic.  We like our little piece of quiet while we are at home.

Of course, we can't always stay home and I make frequent trips into town.  Running errands, grocery shopping, taking the kids to various activities, etc.

There have always been two locations fairly close to home where I lose my cell phone connection.  It happens every single time, without fail.  One is right by my children's school, where cell phone coverage is critical.

I was recently given the opportunity to try the Cell Ranger Stix Signal Booster from the Repeater Store.  This handy device claims to improve voice and data services in your vehicle.   It even comes with a 30 day money back guarantee.

The Cell Ranger STIX is the first device to feature a microprocessor, making it the next-generation of cell phone repeaters. The Cell Ranger series are driven by a microprocessor, which actively monitors the frequency and concentrates it's power where it is needed. This gives reliability and performance enhancements that you cannot get with traditional repeaters.

The Cell Ranger STIX is wireless, and so works with all cell phone and data card models – from the most basic handsets to the latest smartphones!. It is dual band, and so works with all US carriers except Nextel.

Installation is very easy. Just place the magnetic antenna on your car's roof or trunk, and plug the unit into your car's cigarette lighter. The cable from the antenna to the unit can be run through a door or trunk seal. Once plugged in, the Cell Ranger is up and running and improving your reception.


I'll admit that both my husband and I had our doubts on whether the Cell Ranger STIX would work, especially in our neck of the woods.  Of course, we had to install it in my truck and drive through the locations that my cell phone always loses my calls.  That way we would know for sure whether or not this device really makes a difference and boosts my bars.

I'm pleased to report that my cell phone worked in both areas that they didn't before.  That's right, I was able to keep my conversation going through both trouble spots and even had as high as 4 bars on my cell phone.  The lowest number of bars was 2.  Which is great in comparrison to nothing at all.

The Repeater Store offers a variety of other products as well.  If you're looking to boost your cell phone signal at home or in a small office, the WiEx Soho YX545 would be perfect.  If you're in need of something for a larger space (greater than 5,000 sq ft.), give the Wilson DB Pro 841262 a try.

 

Cell Ranger STIX Kit Includes:

Cell Ranger STIX in-car unit

4" external magnetic mount antenna

15 ft coaxial cable

Installation manual

WIN IT:

 ONE lucky Being Frugal and Making it Work reader is going to receive a Cell Ranger Stix Signal Booster (MSRP $149) for their vehicle

Mandatory Entry:

Visit The Repeater Store and tell me something that you learned about their company or what other product that you would like tr try.

This must be completed before other entries will count.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on Monday December 13th

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.

**I received a Cell Ranger Stix Signal Booster for the purpose of a review.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner. 

A special thanks to the Repeater Store for this great review and giveaway opportunity!

Last Chance to Enter to Win a KitchenAid Blender (MSRP $100)

One of Being Frugal and Making it Work's readers will win  a fabulous 3 speed KitchenAid Blender and 2 FREE Yoplait Smoothie coupons of their own.  I will tell you that I LOVE mine!!  Hurry!!!  This giveaway ends tonight at midnight!

Good luck to everyone who enters.  And don't forget to enter my other great giveaways while you're here!

 

Click below to enter:

 Yoplait Smoothie and KitchenAid Blender Giveaway (Ends 11/30)

A New Winner Has Been Chosen

I want to thank everyone who entered my Alight Plus Size Top Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Alight.com, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers.  Don't feel bad if you didn't win a beautiful top this time... I've posted another Alight Plus Size Top Giveaway for November!

Unfortunately the first winner that was chosen did not respond to my e-mail.  :(  So, a new winner has been chosen!

 

The winner is #22:

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS, Ronda!! 

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.



**Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

Last Chance to Enter - Yoplait Smoothie and KitchenAid Blender Giveaway (Ends 11/30)

One of Being Frugal and Making it Work's readers will win  a 3 speed KitchenAid Blender and 2 FREE Yoplait Smoothie coupons of their own.  Hurry!!!  This giveaway ends tomorrow night!

Good luck to everyone who enters.  And don't forget to enter my other great giveaways while you're here!

 

Click below to enter:

 Yoplait Smoothie and KitchenAid Blender Giveaway (Ends 11/30)

Announcing the Rock ‘N Winner

I want to thank everyone who entered my  Rock ‘N Learn’s DVD Money & Making Change Giveaway.  I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Rock ‘N Learn, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers.

 

The winner is #41:

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS, April!! 

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.



**Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

Joseph's Grainery Whole Grain Cookie Mix Review and Giveaway

The smell of fresh baked cookies might just be the best smell on earth!  I think that we all have a very special memory when it comes to baking cookies.  Whether it be baking cookies with your mom, your grandma or someone else.  Baking cookies always holds a special place in my memories, as a child and now as a mother.

I recently had the honor of trying Joseph's Grainery Whole Grain Cookie Mix.  My children enjoy helping me bake desserts.  They get all of the ingredients out and then help me mix and measure.  Not only is it fun, it's also educational.

 

 

My family loves peanut butter and chocolate chips, so we decided to bake the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies.   I used the entire package of whole grain cookie mix and ended up with 5 dozen cookies!   The cookies were delicious.  The tops were a little bit crisp and the center was soft and moist.  Perfect for eating alone or for dunking in your milk.  I must confess, we are a family of cookie dunkers!

 

We doubled the following ingredients:

1/2 c shortening

1/4 c peanut butter

1 2/3 c Joseph's Grainery Whole Grain Cookie Mix

1/2 c sugar

1/3 c brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla

1 egg

3/4 c chocolate chips

1/2 tsp lemon juice

Preheat your oven to 375. Combine the shortening and penaut butter until well mixed. In the bowl of your mixer, with the whisk attachment, cut this combination into the cookie mix and sugars until the mixture resembles fine crumbs.

Add the vanilla and egg and mix on low for 1 minute allowing the dough to fully blend and come together. Stir in the chocolate chips. Form the dough into1 inch balls and place on a greased cookie sheet, bake for 8-10 minutes.

The Joseph's Grainery Holiday Gift Pack would make the perfect gift this holiday season!  From whole grain cookie mix to whole grain flour to lentils...

 

Joseph's Grainery is your source for thoroughly cleaned whole grains direct from the farm. Located in the beautiful rolling hills of the Palouse in Southeastern Washington State, the Pea and Lentil Capitol of the World.  Joseph's Grainery is a family owned and operated business. Farming quality wheat, barley and lentils has been a family tradition for 5 generations now.

WIN IT:

 ONE lucky Being Frugal and Making it Work reader is going to receive.a bag of Joseph's Grainery Whole Grain Cookie Mix

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Joseph's Grainery and tell me what cookie recipe you are most excited to bake.

This must be completed before other entries will count.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on Friday December 10th

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.

**I received Joseph's Grainery Whole Grain Cookie Mixfor the purpose of a review.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner. 

A special thanks to Joseph's Grainery for this great review and giveaway opportunity!

Follow Us Monday Morning 11/29 - Promote Your Blog and Win A Free Ad Space

Welcome to Follow Us Monday Morning - the Monday blog hop and Google friend follow here at Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free. This is the place where we casually meet and greet, have a little conversation and expand our blogging networks.

I am honored to have been chosen to represent the 'Us' in Follow Us Monday Morning!  My co-host,  JR from Frugality Is Free are looking forward to meeting new friends.  I know that we have so much to share and so much to learn from one another.

Each week we will feature a blog as Hot Blog of the Week, and we will post a question to get the conversation started. The Hot Blog of the Week will get the first place in the linky, and the featured blogger will win a free ad space here at Frugality Is Free for a week.

The Hot Blog of The Week is:

**********************************************

HOT BLOG OF THE WEEK

Unus Sed Leona  is written by Sophie. Sophie is a dancing, passport stamp collecting, book in her hand and pencil in her hair type of gal. She's generally reading when everyone else is doing hard labor in FarmVille.

Please visit Unus Sed Leona  to learn more about Sophie and show her our support from the participants at Follow Us Monday Morning.



Congratulations Sophie!


You have won a feature, a free ad space for a week at Frugality Is Free and the third spot in the linky.

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Follow Us Morning Feature BONUS!!! As a new bonus, the Follow Us Morning Featured blogger will win a FREE ad space for a week at Frugality Is Free.

 

Tip: The best way to gain more followers during a blog hop is by following others first, and leaving a link back so that they can easily find you. So don't forget to let someone know, if you are following their blog. One way to do this is by commenting and leaving your clickable blog signature (see below).

 

To participate:


Answer the Follow Us Monday Morning question (in the comment area or in a post) and post the button in your post. This is not mandatory, but it sure is appreciated, as it will help spread the word.

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Question of the Week

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Question of the Week: Are you done Christmas Shopping?



My answer:    Absolutely!  I have actually been done with the majority of my Christmas shopping for a couple months now.  I'm one of those who shops year round.  I shop sales and clearance for the best deals!  The only gifts that I wait until December to buy are those that the kids ask Santa for.

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Do you want to be Hot Blog of The Week?

***

•Blog about Follow Us Monday Morning (leave direct link)

•Post the Follow Us Monday Morning button in your sidebar (leave link)

•Tweet about the Follow Us Monday Morning Blog Hop (leave link)

***If you do any of the above, please leave a link and let us know in the comment field, otherwise your entry might not be counted***

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100% FREE and Frugal Shopping!

 

Earning and winning online is my most frugal way of living! I blog and enter giveaways and contests on a daily basis. I'm in it to win it and most of the time it really pays off.

It's like Christmas almost everyday at my house, between the mailman, UPS and FedEx --- I never know what's going to show up at my door.  I'm not sure who enjoys it more, my kids, my hubby or myself!

Just a few minutes ago, I completed an online shopping spree at Target. I had recieved a $50 e-gift card for participating in a blogging program.

Gift Message:

Thank you for participating in the Snuggle blogging program. As one of the first 50 qualified paricipants, you get a $50 Target e-gift card. Enjoy!

 

 

My wonderful hubby has been wanting an indoor/outdoor thermometer for quite some time now.  So, this was the perfect opportunity for me to get one for him.  I got $70 worth of items for FREE!  It just doesn't get any better than shopping for free!

Have you gotten any great deals lately?

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce Review and Giveaway

I recently had the opportunity to try Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce.  The day that my sauce arrived, I had already thawed steaks out for dinner.  It was the perfect solution for my dinner fix!

I'll admit that my family has a bbq sauce that we have used on everything for the past several years.  After trying numerous different bbq sauces, we had finally found one that we loved.  I was excited to try something new.  No matter how much you love something, sometimes it's nice to have a little change - especially when it comes to cooking.

Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce is perfect for hamburgers, steaks and chicken.  Perfect for marinating, grilling, baking and of course, the bbq grill!  The smell alone will make your mouth water and the taste will do exactly the same.  It's delicious!  We have used it 3 times in the past week!

Country Bob perfected his sauces in 1968 and it shows!  He began to sell his sauce in 1977 and in October of 1982, Country Bob Inc. became the company, which remains today.

 

From all purpose sauce to bbq sauce to gift packs!  Country Bob’s Sauces are available in stores nationwide and online.  Want to try before you buy? 

 

WIN IT:

 ONE lucky Being Frugal and Making it Work reader is going to receive (2) Bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Country Bob's and tell me what other product you would like to try.

This must be completed before other entries will count.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on December 10th

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.

**I received (2) bottles of Country Bob's All Purpose Sauce for the purpose of a review.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner. 

A special thanks to the Country Bob's for this great review and giveaway opportunity!

Alight Plus Size Top November Giveaway

 

A couple months ago, I won a shirt from Alight.com through a giveaway at Frugality is Free. It arrived about a week after I was notified that it shipped, and it's beautiful! I first noticed the pretty peachy color upon opening the package. noticed how soft and silky it was. It's not the typical t-shirt and sweatshirt material that I'm so comfortable with. I took the shirt out of the package, and I'll admit that my first comment was... "OH MY GOODNESS!"

I'm a baggy t-shirt kind of girl but have recently made a commitment to myself to lose weight! I've lost 11 pounds since September 8th, and in another couple of months - I'm going to look HOT in my new "fancy" shirt! Family and friends aren't going to know what to think when they see me wearing something other than a t-shirt!

This silky, peachy shirt will look great with a pair of leggins or skinny jeans. Or maybe even a cute skirt! That means I'm going to have to go shopping for the rest of my "date night" outfit!

 

Alight is an online clothing store that carries plus size clothing, from 12 to 34. The thing I first noticed about Alight was their wide variety of clothing. They have something for every occasion, from jeans to workout clothing to formal wear!

 

Alight.com is very user friendly. You can search in a very specific manner, from category (jeans, shirts, dresses, etc.), brand/designer, event (wedding, formal, etc.) and even size. It doesn't get much easier than that. Alight even carries jewelry and accessories, so you can create the perfect outfit for any occasion.

 

Alight carries over 1000 unique and trendy plus size clothing items from over 75 brands for both women and teens. I will guarantee that you'll find something that you love and can't live without. I'd even go as far as saying that you will have a hard time choosing which item(s) to buy first!

Be sure to check out their Holiday Contest! Win a FREE item to flaunt this holiday season. Check out the "Holiday Contest Tab" on their Facebook page.

 

WIN IT:

For 3 months (October, November and December), I'm going to be posting an Alight giveaway for my readers. Each month, Alight.com will send one winner a beautiful top (of Alight's choosing) in the winner's size! 

Mandatory Entry:

Sign up for Alight's mailing list, then  leave me a comment telling me that you did and which email address you used to sign up. 

This must be completed before other entries will count.

In addition, if you do not sign up for the newsletter and are selected as the winner, your entry will be forfeited and another winner will be chosen. Email subscriber list will be checked for verification.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 EST on December 26th

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.




**I did not receive any compensation for hosting this giveaway. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner.



A special thanks to Alight.com for this great review and giveaway opportunity!

Announcing Another Giveaway Winner!!

I want to thank everyone who entered my Alight Plus Size Top Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Alight.com, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers.  Don't feel bad if you didn't win a beautiful top this time... I just posted another Alight Plus Size Top Giveaway for November!

 

The winner is #7:

 

 

CONGRATULATIONS, Charity!! 

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.



**Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

Last Chance to Enter - Rock ‘N Learn’s DVD Money & Making Change Giveaway! (Ends 11/28)

One of Being Frugal and Making it Work's readers will win a  Money & Making Change DVD of their own.  This would make a great Christmas gift! This giveaway ends tomorrow night and there are currently a LOW number of entries. The odds of winning are very good!


Good luck to everyone who enters.  And don't forget to enter my other great giveaways while you're here!

 

Click below to enter:

Rock ‘N Learn’s DVD Money & Making Change Giveaway   (Ends 11/22)

My Black Friday Savings: $247!

I did something last night that I swore I wouldn't do...

I went Black Friday shopping with a friend, for the first time in 13 years!  We left at 10:00 pm and didn't get home until 5:45 am!  We had a GREAT time and LOTS of coffee - Yes, we ended up drinking 3 each.  One of them was even a double.  LOL!

Even though we were shopping for hours and hours, the only thing I bought was a new set of luggage.  It's a 5 piece set, teal in color.  It was normally $180 and I purchased it for just $38 at JCP. 

 

After getting home, I went to bed and managed to get just 4 hours of sleep before my phone woke me up.  So, why not get up and get the kids and hubby ready and do another round of Black Friday shopping!  And that's exactly what we did!

We went back to the mall, so I could use the coupons that I wasn't able to use in the earlier hours since those stores weren't open yet.  I had a $50 off ANY purchase coupon at Samuels Jewelers, a $5 off $5 purchase at Hallmark and a FREE item (up to $13) with any $10 purchase at Bath and Body Works.

At Samuels, I got a lovely silver and diamond ring for FREE!!!  It was normally $69 on sale for $49.99. I was surprised that I didn't even have to pay sales tax - it was a 100% freebie.  WOW!  I did spend $1 there though, I made a donation to the Jewelers for Children fund.

 

 

At Hallmark, I got 2 rolls of wrapping paper.  $4.99 each - but they were on sale.  Buy 1 get 1 for just 99 cents.  I used my $5 coupon and paid just $1.34!

 

Last but not least, at Bath and Body Works - I bought a Wall Flower and a set of refills.  Normally $12.50 each, on sale for just $5 each.  Then for my FREE item, I got a cute little coffee mug with mini shower gel, body spray, lotion and a pice of chalk.  The side of the mug has a little area that's a chalkboard, you can write messages on it!  It was normally $12.50.

 

 

Black Friday Savings:

JCP:   $140

Samuels:  $69

Hallmark:  $10

Bath and Body Works: $28

GRAND TOTAL SAVED:  $247

What about you?  Did you go shopping today? 

Win 150 Dog Toys - The BIG Pile of Everything Giveaway

Every single day between now and January 2nd, a winner will be chosen at random to WIN a great dog toy!  All you have to do in order to be entered, is simply sign up for their e-mail list.

Then, on January 3rd, one lucky person will WIN a Big Pile of Everything!  It includes, (1) of every single dog toy that the company carries!  Over 150 dog toys with a value of over $1000!  The one who wins that is going to have one lucky dog.


Sign up to be entered into the BIG Pile of Everything Giveaway today!


To help spread the word, Tweet:

 #Win 150 Dog Toys  http://t.co/kaBHBOX  in The BIG Pile of Everything #Giveaway = A Winner Daily!

Fantastic Frugal Fridays - 11/26 - Link up your Frugal Posts and Black Friday Deals Too

 

I would like to welcome you to the Fantastic Frugal Fridays blog party.

The Fantastic Frugal Fridays blog party is hosted by JR from Frugality Is Free and me (Bridget) here at Being Frugal and Making it Work, and we are both very excited to invite all of you to share your frugal adventures with us.

It is always great to know a little about the hostesses at any party, so here is a bit about us.

JR and I are two frugal stay-at-home moms, and we both manage our household budgets with a very frugal hand. Being frugal moms does not mean that our families live without though, as we spoil our kids and sometimes our husbands rotten on Christmas and birthdays.

We both earn our own spending money by writing about our frugal lifestyles, and through various online earning sites. Every year we also treat our families to a frugal vacation on us....and our frugal budgets. JR's favorite place to take her three wonderful sons and husband is the Florida Keys, while I take my two kids and husband to the Oregon coast.

JR lives in urban South Florida, and I live in rural North Idaho, but frugality has brought us together, and I hope that the Fantastic Frugal Fridays will be a place, where you too will meet and connect with other frugal-minded friends.

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Each week we will feature a Frugal Expert, this week's Frugal Expert for the 3rd week in a row is Nike from Choose to Thrive!

 

Nike is a SAHM of six adorable kids, all under 9 years of age. She is determined to THRIVE in spite of a layoff, bad economy and her household budget being slashed in half.


Nike created her blog, Choose To Thrive to share coupon scores, frugal finds and all around thriftiness to remind herself just how blessed and lucky she and her family really are.
I hope you will stop by and share your ideas on how you "choose to thrive" as well!


CONGRATULATIONS to Nike for being our Frugal Expert of the Week!


The Frugal Expert will:

• Receive" a feature on both Frugality Is Free and Being Frugal and Making It Work.
• Win a free week ad space at Frugality Is Free
• Get the third spot in the linky

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To keep the party neat and clean, there will be a few rules.

The Rules:

1. Link up a frugal post

it can be anything frugal:. DIY projects, frugal deals, thrift store buys, frugal gardening, recipes etc...you name it...anything frugal except for grocery store deals

The Frugal Expert of the Week:

For a chance to be featured at the next Frugal Expert at the Fantastic Frugal Fridays and win a free ad space:

*1 entry per method - let me know below what you do and leave links)*

1) Make a blog post about Fantastic Frugal Fridays.
2) Add the Fantastic Frugal Fridays button to a blog post..
3) Add the Fantastic Frugal Fridays to your main page sidebar.
4) Tweet about the Fantastic Frugal Fridays (Leave tweet link in comment)


*(If you don't comment below with your entry method, it will not be counted)

Don'ts:

Don't link up to your main page, link up to your favorite blog post of the week.
Don't link up your blog hop!
Don't link up your giveaway!
Don't link up your business

All of the above will be deleted.

Please link up below: Blog Name, Frugal Post Title

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Last Chance to Enter - Alight Plus Size Top Giveaway! (Ends 11/26)

One of Being Frugal and Making it Work's readers will win a  beautiful top from Alight.com. This giveaway ends tomorrow night and there are currently only 93 entries. The odds of winning are pretty good! 

Good luck to everyone who enters.  And don't forget to enter my other great giveaways while you're here!

 

Click below to enter:

Alight Plus Size Top Giveaway  (Ends 11/26)

Build-A-Bear Black Friday Weekend Deal - Hal and Holly Moose $5 Each

Hal and Holly Moose are adorable!!  Now through November 28th, they are just $5 each!  They are regularly $16 and $18 each, so this is a great deal!  Just in time for Christmas too!  The $5 price will show up when you check your shopping basket.

 

You can also add Holly's coat & cat or Hal's coat & goggles for just $5 as well.  They are normally $12.50 each.  Whether you decide to purchase just the moose or both the moose and the outfit, the savings are fantastic!

For example:

Moose $18.00 + Outfit $12.50 = $30.50!  But, you can get it for just $10!  That's a savings of $20.50!

What child wouldn't love getting Hal or Holly this Christmas?  As a matter of fact, I just ordered Hal for my son and Holly for my daughter!

 HURRY!  Supplies are limited!

Frugal, FREE Shopping!

 

Earning and winning online is my most frugal way of living!  I blog and enter giveaways and contests on a daily basis.  I'm in it to win it and most of the time it really pays off. 

It's like Christmas almost everyday at my house, between the mailman, UPS and FedEx --- I never know what's going to show up at my door.

Just a few minutes ago, I completed an online shopping spree at Drugstore.com.  I had received a $25 e-gift card for participating in a blogging program. 

Gift Message: "Hi Bridget, Thank you for participating in the Vaseline blogging program.  As one of the 50 qualified participants, you get a $25 Drugstore.com e-Gift Card.  Enjoy!"

 

I'd never shopped there before, but was excited to do so. For sure!  I couldn't believe all the items there was to choose from.  I spent over an hour browsing around and had the most difficult time making a decision on what to purchase.  Hubby was laughing at me, because I was having a hard time spending money.  LOL!

In the end, this is what I got:

 

When you add the $25 gift card to the $39.74 savings, I actually saved a grand total of $64.74!  I absolutely love buying things without actually having to pay for them! :)

HAPPY THANKSGIVING from my Family to Yours!

Carmex Moisture Plus Tint Lip Balm Review and Giveaway

Growing up, Carmex was always the brand that my mom bought and used.  Even after all these years, my mom still uses it.  She has one in her purse, by her chair and in all 3 of her vehicles.  Carmex Cherry was always my favorite growing up, but I always ended up licking it off my lips! 

I recently received (2) Carmex Moisture Plus Tint Lip Balms as a member of the Carmex Blog Squad.  I received the Sheer Pink and Sheer Peach.  It is also available in Sheer Clear. 

 

I've never worn lipstick, only clear lip gloss and chapstick.  I'm just not comfortable wearing bright or dark lip colors, I prefer the glossy, subtle look.  That being said, these lip tints were perfect.  The colors were soft, glossy and natural.  I was highly impressed with how long they lasted and stayed on my lips.

Carmex Moisture Plus Tint Lip Balms have vitamin E, aloe and SPF 15.  They left my lips feeling refreshed and silky smooth.  I will be keeping one in my purse and the other in my car.  Frigid temperatures and bitter weather are upon us and my lips will definately be thanking me for using Carmex this winter.

Carmex moisturizes, heals and protects!  With Christmas right around the corner, these would make the perfect stocking stuffers (hint, hint)!  Carmex Moisture Plus Tint Lip Balms are only available at Walgreens and Walgreens.com.

 

About Carmex:

Invented in 1937, Carmex lip balm restores the moisture that wind and dry, cold air can suck right out of your lips. One of the moisturizing ingredients in Carmex lip balm is cocoa butter, a natural emollient. Cocoa beans were discovered by the mysterious ancient Mayans. Whatever caused their great civilization to vanish, at least it wasn’t chapped lips.

WIN IT:

 ONE lucky Being Frugal and Making it Work reader is going to receive (2) Carmex Moisture Plus Tint Lip Balms --- Sheer Pink and Sheer Peach.

Mandatory Entry:

Visit Carmex and tell me what your favorite product is.

This giveaway will end at 11:59 pm EST on Thursday December 9th

This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen using Random.org, with the winner will be notified by e-mail. Please make sure I have a way to contact you. You can leave your email, or link to your blog site. The winner will have 48 hours to respond, if there is no response another winner will be chosen.

**I received (2) Carmex Moisture Plus Tint Lip Balms for the purpose of a review.  The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely my own.  Results may vary.  I was not compensated in any other way for this review.  The generous sponsor of this giveaway will mail the prize directly to the winner. 

A special thanks to the Carmex Blog Squad for this great review and giveaway opportunity!