Couponing 2.0 or Why I Love Amazon Subscribe and Save

So its been a while since I wrote a post. A lot has changed in my personal life since I last blogged. The biggest change was the birth of my first baby, a boy named Liam. He is the greatest thing that ever happened and I love him so much! I've since gone from working full time and being career driven, to working part time and being happy family driven.

Also, my thoughts on couponing have shifted quite a bit. I no longer have the time to run out to CVS or Walgreens as soon as I find a hot deal. Scoring a sweet deal on toothpaste or any other household item used to be such fun but now I just don't want to have to go to the trouble of loading the baby in the car seat and getting him back out...blah blah blah. With that said, I've discovered the joy of Amazon's subscribe and Save program. Now, everything I need shows up on my door step and I don't have to clip a coupon or make a special trip. I love how the prices are broken down by oz. or wipe or diaper. It helps me to know exactly what I'm spending and if I'm getting a good deal. In addition to that, I do a lot of internet searches for my job as a designer so I use Swagbucks for all of my searches and when I accumulate enough Swagbucks, I redeem them for Amazon gift cards and use them to pay for my Subscribe and Save purchases.

I'm not saying I've given up on couponing completely, its just at this phase in my life, Amazon is a better deal for my time and money. I'd love to hear your thoughts on Amazon and if it has helped your family.

Also, if you haven't signed up for Swagbucks, you can click on the link to the right and get started.

Good Deal on Colgate Toothbrushes at CVS

Look in the travel size section of CVS and you'll find Colgate toothbrushes on sale for .99 cents. Purchase this toothbrush and receive $1.00 Extra Care Buck. Its like getting them free after Extra Care Buck.

Consignment Shop Deal

As part of my recent birthday suprise, my hubby took me clothes shopping. Of course my penny pinching self had to figure out how to score a good deal. I can't bring myself to pay full price on my birthday! For a while now, I have been wanting to visit this new consignment shop called Renaissance that recently opened up in the Lee Branch area of Birmingham. When hubs asked me if there were any new shops I wanted to try, I immediately thought of this place. The atmosphere of the shop feels really upscale and boutique-y however, their prices are so great!

I looked around for a while and found several things that I loved. They have casual and formal clothes and they also sale accessories and bridal gowns. But imagine my shock when I spotted this J. Crew seersucker suit for $19. Its in excellent condition and it fits perfectly. I kept telling my hubby, "can you believe this?" After I tried the suit on I was so excited that I didn't look for anything else to purchase but I will definitely be back very soon to update my wardrobe.



Renaissance is not only a fun place to shop but charitable. On the first Friday of every month, they donate 5% of total sales to a charitable organization. If your in the Birmingham area, you should definitely check them out.

E-Mealz

In my quest to save time and money with menu planning, I have recently started using E-Mealz. I saw the menu on a friend's refrigerator while I was visiting her one day. Needless to say, it peaked my curiosity. She started telling me how it cut her monthly grocery budget almost in half. I was hooked by this point, then she tells me how E-Mealz will plan menus based on whats on sale at Publix this week. I could have squealed, this is the answer to menu planning.

As soon as I got home, I looked up E-Mealz and started reading about all the benefits. Here is the breakdown:

• $15 for 3 months
• Plans a menu for seven days
• Organized shopping list is printed for you
• Meals are numbered so you can eliminate meals you don't need that week.
• Meals are developed based on what is on sale at several stores including Publix, Wal-Mart, Aldi & Kroger
• Choose from Low Fat, Low Carb & Points System Menus

So what are you waiting for? I've been doing this for about three weeks and it has saved us so much time and money. And did I mention the food is delicious as well?! The recipes are printed on the side of the menu and they are real simple and easy to follow. The food is quick to prepare as well.

If I've peaked your interest, just click on the button on the right to save time & money for your family!

Blogger Giveaway

Head on over to Trina's blog at Fabulously Frugalicious. She is giving away TWO cute handmade key fobs. These things are sooo cute, the would make great gifts ideas plus they are perfectly practical. They come in all kinds of stylish fabrics that are sure to suit your taste. Let me know if you win!

Free Christian Music Downloads

One of my favorite sites to check out new Christian music is iTickets. Every Tuesday they offer a free download of a new Christian artist or a well known artist's new song. They promise one every week but usually there is two or sometimes three. I have discovered so many new artists this way such as Kari Jobe, Since October, Deluge, Dizmas, House of Heroes, Fiction Family, Starfield, I could go on and on. When you open the page, look to your lower left to see who the download of the week is. This week its Mercy Me and Future of Forestry. By the way, Future of Forestry has an awesome Euro-rock sound!

In addition to free music, you can stay up to date on Christian concerts and events that are going on in your area. You will have to create a log in with your email address and a password and then you'll be on your way to tons of positive, upbeat free music!

Coupon Roundup

Horizon Organic - Sign up here to print coupons for Horizon Organic products, currently you can print $.55 off of their Tuberz products but usually you can find $1.00 off of their milk.

Artscow.com is offering their custom cushion case for $5.99. These would make great Mother's Day gifts...just have her favorite picture of her children or grandchildren printed on them. Use coupon code CUSHIONCASE599 at checkout.

Click here to print a $10 off a $30 purchase from Party City.

Bath & Body Works is having a buy 3 get three free promotion on their Signature Collection. Check out this awesome sale here. They offer free shipping for orders over $65. Use code FREESHIP65 at checkout.