Purex 31 Days Of Summer Sweepstakes – Day 1

                                                                                  Giveaway for today 8/1 only!!

Let the games begin! Purex is giving away a prize a day from now until August 31st. 
Also, Purex is giving one of my readers a $10 Amazon gift card!Come back each day for your chance to win one of 31 prizes or the $10 Amazon gift card!

                                                                              Go HERE to enter...Good Luck!

Purex 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes: Starts Tomorrow.

Anyone else excited for the 31 Days of Fun Sweepstakes from Purex? What's that? You haven't heard about it. Well, let me fill you in. During the entire month of August, Purex is giving out a new prize daily to one of their Facebook fans! Are you a fan of Purex? If not you should take a second and become one.

 Here is a calendar of the prizes being given away:

Ok, so now you  see why I am so geared up for this. Personally, I would love to win ANY of the prize packages but I really have my eyes on the Back to School Shopping Spree, the patio Furniture Set, the Patio Gazebo or the Digital Camera Package. Now that you have seen the awesome prizes, are you planning on entering? If so, which prizes do you have your eye on? Leave me a comment below, I would love to know what caught your attention. 

But wait...there is more!  The awesome peeps at Purex want to give one of my readers a $10 gift card to Amazon.com, simply for being a reader! Be sure to check back on 8/18  and I will have more info posted about this $10 amazon.com giveaway. 

Remember: Only Purex fans will get special access and the chance to win so don't forget to like Purex on facebook! Seriously, go now! 

Good luck to all my readers; be sure to let me know if you win anything! 

Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, I received no monetary compensation for this post. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from the Purex website and email.

KROGER: LYSOL DISINFECTING WIPES AS LOW AS $0.49

Right now at Kroger Lysol Wipes are part of the new What a Deal Mega Event ~ Buy 5 participating products and save $4 instantly. There is also a $0.50/2 Lysol Disinfecting Wipes printable coupon making each container ONLY $0.49 (if your store doubles) wyb 5 participating products!! This is a great deal for back to school!

Target Back To School Printable Coupons

If you didn’t get the Target Back to School Coupon Book, some of those coupons are available to print.

Back to School Coupons:

• $2.00/1 Kids Character Backpack
• $.50/1 Wet Ones Wipes
• $1.00 Post It Notes
• $1.00/2 Paper Mate Pens
• $1.00/1 Bic Writing Supplies
• $1.00/1 Mead Five Star

Back to Collaege Coupons:

• $2/1 GE Light Bulb pack Target Coupon
• $1/1 Axe Body Care item ETS Target Coupon
• $2/1 Conair You styling tool Target Coupon
• $5/1 Hamilton Beach kitchen appliance Target Coupon
• Get 2 FREE SodaStream syrups wyb Soda Stream soda maker Target Coupon
• B1G1 50% Room Essentials Decorative Pillow Target Coupon
• 20% Off Xhilaration bedding item Target Coupon
• $2/1 Right Guard Body wash or deodorant ETS Target Coupon
• $1.50/1 Aquafresh Extreme Clean Toothpaste ETS Target Coupon
• $3/2 All Laundry Detergent AND Snuggle Fabric Softener ETS Target Coupon
• $1/1 Uni-ball Mechanical Pencil or Pen Target Coupon
• $3/1 Schick Hydro 5 Refill or razor ETS Target Coupon
• $4/1 Schick Hydro Silk Refill or razor ETS Target Coupon
• $2/1 Bic Disposable Razors 3-ct Soleil Bella or Flex 4 Target Coupon
• $1/1 Energizer Batteries AAA or AA 20-pk Target Coupon
• $1/1 Playtex Tampon items 36 to 50-ct Target Coupon

Kroger and Affiliates: FREE 4.6 oz. Colgate Toothpaste on 7/26/2013

Have you been taking advantage of the FREE Friday Downloads from Kroger? Activate your eCoupon on Fridays for a FREE item and you will have two weeks to use it at the store. 

Friday, July 26th, Kroger and Affiliates are offering a FREE 4.6 oz. Colgate Toothpaste via coupon you can download to your card.

You must download the coupon ONLY on July 26th – and – you have through 8/10 to redeem.

2013 Entertainment Books JUST $5.99!!

Now THIS is a great deal! If you love the Entertainment Books that are full of exclusive coupons on all your favorite stores, theaters, restaurants and shopping venues, then don’t miss out on this deal! You can get the 2013 Entertainment Books for JUST $5.99!! 

 This deal only lasts through  7/31/2013, so don’t wait too long!

With the Entertainment® Coupon Book you get:

• Exclusive Buy-1-Get-1 and up to 50% off savings 
  on dining at restaurants, movies, shopping, gift giving, 
  hotels, travel and much more.
• Great local and national coupons
• Access to mobile coupons with the Entertainment® 
  Mobile App
• Best of all, coupons are valid now until November 2013

Purex Fabric Softener Sheets Review and Giveaway

"Take a deep breath & experience the freshness of Purex Softener Sheets."

New improved formula with 3X the fragrance!

Walked in the front door this last night, exhausted after a long day of work, only to find out I received a package from Purex. My daughter tossed it to me and immediately I was hit with a wonderful aroma of Mountain Breeze! Could this be what I have anxiously been waiting for? Oh yes, yes it was! My box of Purex Fabric Softener Sheets have arrived! Let's not forget I did mention I was exhausted and honestly the LAST thing on my mind was doing the laundry so I set the package aside and started to prepare dinner. 

For the 15 minutes I was preparing my homemade pot-pies my little blue box sat about 2 feet away staring at me, whispering "use me, use me" (okay, not really but you get the idea) every so often I would get a whiff of the awesome fragrance. Seriously, they are not lying when that say 3x the fragrance! By the time I was ready to put dinner in the oven I also found a sudden burst of impatience energy and next thing you know Boo and I are doing some laundry! 

Boo loves to help pour the Purex into the washer.

After we ate dinner it was time to put the clothes into the dryer. I am neurotic when it comes to my towels smelling clean so I added one dryer sheet dryer to them for about 30 minutes then added another. Though, in reality, one seemed to be doing the job. Sidenote: Yes, that is my random mix of towels, darks and lights all tossed into the dryer as though they belong in there together. Martha's worst nightmare I know. I have no justification for this other than to simply say, today is not my normal laundry day. I just really, really, really wanted to try my new fabric softener sheets! {Go back and read that last sentence in a really child like whiny voice and it will be like you are sitting right here with me!) 

Purex Fabric Softener Sheets don’t just reduce static cling while leaving your family’s laundry soft and smelling fresh: They can also help repel pet hair and lint and they can be used to keep your whole house smelling fresh! Can't get enough Mountain Breeze or Sweet Lavender scent? Choose your favorite fragrance and tuck a sheet in hampers, in your closets, and any other laundry storage areas to keep that ‘just-washed’ smell happening for weeks..  Have shoes that give off an odor that you aren’t particularly proud of? Place a used dryer sheets into the shoes after you wear them, this can help reduce the bad smell. Place a few old dryer sheets in hidden places around the car such as under mats or in seat pockets to help your car retain a clean and fresh smell; no need to buy any car deodorizers. Tuck one in your pillow and sleep on a fresh scent every night!  

Don't believe me that they smell so awesome? Head to Walmart, find these on the shelf and take a sniff! You won't be disappointed.  If you happen to actually go to the store and sniff a box, feel free to send me a picture so I can add it to this post! :) 

The only thing I have found so far that I am a little disappointed with is that there are only 40 sheets in my box and I have about 50 uses for them. In retrospect it could be worse, they could not work effectively, so it is hard to complain. I will just have to head to Walmart tomorrow and see if a larger box is available if not, looks like this girl is writing a letter suggesting it. I just can not get enough of the smell! 

As I mentioned above, they are available in two scents:

For more information on Purex Fabric Softener Sheets and other great Purex products please visit Purex.com or  Purex FB.

BUY IT

 (coming soon to other retailers)

WIN IT
I have been given 3 coupons for a free box of Purex Fabric Softener Sheets to give away to 3 of my readers. All you have to do is enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclaimer: As a Purex Insider, I received no monetary compensation for this post. Purex did provide me a free sample of their Fabric Softener Sheets for review purposes. All thoughts and opinions are 100% mine. All quotes and stock photos are from the Purex website and email. Prizes are in coupon form and will be mailed. This blog is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen prizes and in this case, I am not responsible for replacing coupons under any circumstances.

From Coupons to Groupons: Adventures in my life

Have you ever used Groupon? If not, allow me to tell you why you should consider it! 

This year I was able to go on a 2 hour/2 person Ghost Adventure at Morse Mill Hotel in Missouri for just $69.00! For $20 I was able to take my daughter, her best friend and my best friend rock climbing. Most recently I was able to have a 30 minute introductory flight lesson/flight prep and that only cost $49.00! 

As you can see, Groupon is awesome! I also use livingsocial but the only thing I have purchased there is tickets to local baseball games. Livingsocial is great if you are wanting to purchase items for your home but they seem to be lacking in the Adventures area and that is what I am looking for! 

Groupon is a middleman service that promotes your city's restaurants and stores by encouraging people to try a different restaurant or store each day. Of course they earn a commission whenever they successfully refer a customer, but I feel for all the effort they deserve to be paid. All in all I have purchased about 15 Groupons and most are for adventures I would probably NEVER done and most places I have been to I had never even heard of! 

The only catch is the time-limited nature of the Groupon discounts. Once a deal is announced, it will only remain online for a few days usually, after which the discount will no longer be available for purchase. The coupons themselves are valid for commonly 6 to 12 months after you purchase them, so there's no rush to redeem the coupon the same day. What if your Groupon expires? Good news, you can still redeem it for the amount you paid.

Recently, I have noticed the deals I previously passed up purchasing are now available again, which rocks! Though, I do not bank on this happening all the time and I can only speak of my local St. Louis area deals. Curious? Go check out what deals are being offered in your area! There is no harm in looking! 

Personally, I am a huge fan of Groupon and could not have nearly as much fun with my children or friends without it. Have a date coming up soon? Best friends birthday? Consider purchasing a Groupon deal near you for an exciting adventure that will not bust your bank account!

Frugal Confessions: Coupons= $$$ {$42.18 for everything pictured; over $90 in coupons used!}

If you have ever used coupons at a store? A coupon is, essentially, free money...and I just can not pass up the values! 

My children are, once again, hosting a Lemonade Stand for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation this year. Therefore, we need Lemonade and a lot of it. I have been holding off purchasing some as I was hoping for a sale. Thankfully, we lucked out at Walmart! 

 Walmart: $20.06 (including tax)

Purchased 12 Country Time Lemonade containers for $2.00 - (6) $1/2 Country Time Lemonade Mix Coupons = $1.50 each!  (Note these all the contain 25% more so they make 10 quarts instead of 8.) 

Purchased 1 Venus Embrace 1 ct Razor $5.97 - Minus $5.00/1 Venus razor from RP 6/16 = $0.97

 Dollar General: $1.36 (including tax)

Purchased one chapstick at full price $1.25. (They would not let my total equal $0 and I needed chapstick so it was a win/win.)

Bought 4 Head & Shoulders (2 classic clean & 2 Men 2-in-1) with Old Spice Deodorant on sale for $2.50 each - Minus (2) $5/2 Head & Shoulders Products, RP 6/16 = FREE! 

 Dierbergs: 2 Transactions; $0 and $4.21 (including tax) & Schnucks: $9.56 (including tax)

Dierbergs Transactions 1: FREE

Bought Udi's brownie bites $4.19, plain bagels $5.59, chocolate chip cookies $4.19, and 2 packages of muffins $6.19 and $5.69 - Minus (5) FREE (1) Udi Gluten Free Product Product coupon (for hosting a Udi's Houseparty) = Free 

Dierbergs Transactions 2: $4.21

Purchased Udis 4 Bread $5.29 each -  Minus (4) FREE (1) Udi Gluten Free Product Product coupon (for hosting a Udi's Houseparty) = Free 

Purchased 2 Green Giant Veggie Snack chips $2.99 each - (2) $0.50/1 Green Giant Veggie Chips Coupon which doubled to $1/1 = $1.99 each

Schnucks Transaction: $9.56

Bought one box of Cocoa Dyno Bites monster box on sale for $3.50

Bought 2 Buitoni noodles $3.29 each - (2) coupons for FREE Buitoni Products = FREE
(Thanks Dad for the awesome coupons!)

Bought 1 Dr. Pepper 2 liter $1.00 - coupon for $0.75 off (which doubled)= FREE

Bought 1 Canada Dry Ten 2 liter $1.00 - coupon buy one regular Dr. Pepper get one free Ten product (in store hanger)= FREE 

Bought 2 Ronzoni Pasta's $1.00 each - Minus - $1/2 Ronzoni Garden Delight Pasta 6/2 SS = $1.00 

Bought  Cascadian Farm Organic Cereal Granola $3.77 - Minus $0.75/1 Cascadian Farm Product printable (which doubled)= $2.27

Bought 2 Chex Mix $1.00 each - (2) $0.50 printable coupons 1 doubled 1 did not)= $0.50

Bought 4 Kraft BBQ Sauces $1.00 each - Minus $1.00 off any TWO (2) KRAFT Barbecue Sauce= $2.00 

Walmart: $6.99 (including tax)

Bought 5 Tony's Pizza's - Minus B4G1F $4.75 max Tonys Original Crust Pizza coupon SS 6/2= $7.92

Bought 2 Folgers Classic Roast Packets Instant Coffee Crystals, 7 ct, $1.00 each - Minus (2) $1.50/1 Folgers Product = FREE + $1.00 Moneymaker!!

Bought 1 Vlasic Pickle Stacker $1.98 - Minus $1/1 Vlasic Pickle Product =$0.98

Bought 1 French's Mustard $1.00 -  $0.30/1 French's Mustard SS 6/16= $0.70

Bought 1 Pepsi Next $1.98 - Free Pepsi Next coupon (mailed to me) = FREE

Ok, so my total is now at $8.60 but I claimed above that I paid only $6.99, that is because when I got home I realized the cashier voided one of the pizza entries and the coupon still scanned so I got 2 free. 

When printing coupons from sites such as Coupons.com and RedPlum, you may be prompted to install a coupon printer before your coupons print. Please know that the coupon printer is safe software that will not harm your computer, and you will only have to install it once. Be sure to check your store’s coupon policy to make sure they accept printable coupons.

Kids Travel The Globe With Michaels' Passport To Imagination

Don't have the luxury of traveling to faraway lands this summer? You may just be in luck. Michaels' Passport to Imagination started today and will continue for the next 7 weeks. Children have the opportunity to explore the 7 CONTINENTS and their amazing landmarks and icons on a 7-week voyage around the globe!

 The 2-HOUR CRAFTING ADVENTURES take place on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 am to Noon for just $2 PER SESSION for children ages 5 & up. 

North America

6/17:  Grand Canyon Model 

6/19: Mexico: God’s Eye Craft 

6/21: Canada: Cloothespin Moose Craft 

South America

6/24: Easter Island Moai Craft 

6/26: Columbia Paper Lizard Craft 

6/28: Peru  Yarn Art Vase Craft 

Asia

7/1: China Cherry Blossom Painting  

7/3: Indonesian Mask Craft 

7/5: Chinese Dragon Craft China 

Europe

7/8: Russian Dancing Doll Craft 

7/10: Eiffel Tower Craft

7/12: Germany Nutcracker Craft

Africa

7/15: Ghana Kente Cloth Craft 

7/17: Egypt Pyramid With Mummy Craft 

7/19: Tunisia Mosaic Craft 

Australia

7/22: Clown Fish Mobile Craft 

7/24: Outback Sunset Painting 

7/26: Aboriginal Turtle Craft 

Antarctica

7/29: Penguin Tube Craft 

7/31: Wind Sock Craft 

8/2: Swirling Snow Craft 

 As part of the Passport to Imagination program, children  make crafts representing different countries, like a Moai for easter Island-South America  and an Aboriginal Turtle for Australia. For each country that they "travel" to, children will be able to make and take two items.

Additionally, there  is a suggested take-home project that families may opt to do together. Within the passport books, you and your child have the opportunity to learn about the countries, their culture, and then make items that represent them. 

Today my 12 and 6 year old daughters participated in the North American Journey, judging from just today's experience it is well worth the $4 I spent. Not only did they complete beautiful Grand Canyon Drawings (USA) and make Hockey Sticks (Canada) but they also learned fun facts about our continent, as well as, how hot air balloons work! Hopefully some time this week we will be able to create the at-home project, making a Bald Eagle! 

They are a little bummed out that they will not be able to attend all the weekly events but my oldest was invited back as a helper so we are going to attempt to attend as many as possible. Some of the projects in the Passport to Imagination booklet are completely doable at home whereas others are probably best done at the in-store events. 

Well, it is past midnight and I have a wicked busy day ahead of me tomorrow. Hopefully, I will have time to post some pictures of their awesome Grand Canyons tomorrow night! 

Frugal Confessions: Couponing Lesson Learned: Count your coupons and make sure they ALL scan!

Today's shopping adventure was a success if you ask me. I went to 3 stores and spent $20.68 on all this above! Here is how I did it:

Walgreens:
3 Purex  Liquid Laundry Detergent (33 loads) $5.49 each - Minus the buy 1 get 2 FREE sale = $5.49 total. I then redeemed $1.00 in Balance Rewards so after tax I paid $5.01 for all three or $1.67 each! 

Dollar General:
2 Maxwell House 11.5 oz coffee (original and master blend), $2.95 each - Minus (2) $1.00/1 any Maxwell House or Yuban coffee = $3.90 total. I also picked up 10 scrub pads for a dollar (70% off sale item) so after tax I paid $5.19.

Walmart:
4 Oscar Meyer Hot Dogs for $1.50 each - Minus (2)  $1/2 Oscar Meyer Hot Dog coupons = $4.00 total or $1.00 per package. 

1 Venus Embrace 1 ct Razor $5.97 - Minus $5.00/1 Venus razor from RP 6/16 = $0.97! 

2 Snickers Ice Cream $2.35 each - Minus  $2.00/1 Snickers Ice Cream Bars = $0.70 for both. (Inside the boxes there was a code for a free Redbox rental which I redeemed for $1.20 each. So technically these were a $1.70 moneymaker!)

4 VO5 Shampoo or Conditioner 15 oz  (2 of each) for $0.78 each - Minus $1/4 Alberto VO5, shampoo or conditioner, SS 06/16 =  $2.12 total or $0.53 each after coupon wyb 4!

International Delight® Cold Stone Creamery™ Founder’s Favorite Coffee Creamer 16 oz., $1.88 - Minus $0.75/1 International Delight Coffee Creamer, singles, pints, quarts, half gallons Common Kindness 06/01/2013 = $1.13. 

2 Folgers Classic Roast Packets Instant Coffee Crystals, 7 ct, $1.00 each - Minus (2) $1.50/1 Folgers Product = FREE + $1.00 Moneymaker!!

2 Duncan Hines Flavor Creations, $0.84 each - Minus (2) $1/1 Duncan Hines Frosting Creations = FREE + $.16 Moneymaker!!

When I got home I realized $1.75 of my coupons did not scan (I thought my total sounded high but since I did not have a master list with me I was not about to hold up the line.) This is a good reason to ALWAYS pay attention to the coupons as they are scanning in. My final total after tax was $10.48. If all my coupons would have correctly scanned I would have paid around $8.85. But still it is nothing to cry about, I still got a really awesome deal... You live you learn. 

Frugal Confessions: Walgreens Great Purex Deal 6/16/2013

Almost forgot about my $2.00 register rewards I had for Walgreens that expire today! Thankfully, I remembered in time to run up there. Pictured is what I bought and here is how I did it: 
Purex Buy 1 get 2 Free = $5.49 for 3 bottles
Right Guard Buy 1 get 1 Free used 2/$2.00 coupons = $0.49 for 2. 

Used the $2.00 register rewards I had and redeemed $2.00 of my balance points thus spending $2.36. {Without the RR it would have been $4.36 which is still an awesome deal if you ask me!} Time spent preparing for the trip was about 5 minutes and now I have 2 deodorants to drop off at the local food pantry! :)

"Earth laughs in flowers." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

WIN $50 from Purex.com

Search through the pages of Purex.com and find Dad’s yellow necktie for a chance to WIN $50!

FREE: Family Summer Camp Workshops at Bass Pro Shop

Looking for a fun idea this summer? Bass Pro Shop is hosting FREE Family Summer Camp Workshops  to select your store to see what activities will be happening at your store and for more information! every Tuesday,Thursday,Saturday and Sunday from June 8-July 14. 

Bass Pro Shops Free Family Summer Camp Workshops Event Activities:

• Free Casting Challenge - (every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) Test your skills using a rod and reel at the Bass Pro Shops target casting area
• Free BB Shooting Range - (every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) Try out the new Bass Pro Shops Daisy BB Shooting Range
• Free Shooting Arcade - (every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday) Take aim at the shooting arcade and compete against others to see who hits the most targets
• Free Catch and Release Pond & Free Photo - (Saturdays and Sundays June 8 & 9 and Father's Day Weekend June 15 & 16 from noon-5p)
• Free Homemade Ice Cream - (Saturdays only from 5p-6p)

Craft Schedule for Bass Pro Shops Family Summer Camp (Every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from noon-2p while supplies last):

• Design Your Own Compass - July 8, 9, 11, 13
• Make Dad a Bobber Key Chain - June 15, 16, 18, 20
• Color Your Own Bracelet - June 22, 23, 25, 27
• Design a Lizard Door Hanger - June 29, 30, July 2, 4
• Create a Popsicle Stick Fish - July 6, 7, 9, 11
• Paint a Deer Track - July 13, 14

Head on over to Bass Pro Shop to select your store to see what activities will be happening at your store and for more information!

Christmas under $20 out-of-pocket for 35+ people? That's my goal!

Have you ever heard of EXPO? If not you should check it out! It is seriously awesome! Here is my profile. I have completed just 8 videos and have redeemed my points earned and gotten almost $50 worth of Amazon Gift Cards! You read that correctly...$50 for 8 videos! Oh and through there Tryology Program I received a free Playskool Sesame Street Come 'N Play Cookie Monster Kitchen Cafe which sells for about $50 and up; all I had to do was let my kiddos play with it and tape a review! 

Wanna join? Click HERE 

(If you use this link to join I will earn 200 points once you create a video! And if 3 of you upload a video I will earn a free $5.00 gift card! You will then have the opportunity to earn the same when you refer friends and they upload videos. So please be awesome and use my link if you plan on joining. Thanks, Love ya! )

What is EXPO?

EXPO is an online community of consumers who share their unbiased, honest opinions in video through various word of mouth programs with their peers and brands. They have come together to have some fun, get rewarded and share their opinion with brands and help other consumers just like them make educated purchasing decisions. After all, who doesn't love earning rewards for telling people what they think and connecting people just like them!

What are the benefits of joining?

You get to rant or rave about the products that matter to you in video, connect with some major brands and help other consumers make purchasing decisions. Benefits don't stop there though! All EXPO members can earn points for the videos they are sharing that can be redeemed in the EXPO store and lucky members get the chance to try products for free--sometimes before they even hit store shelves.

"EXPO knows that it takes time and energy to create a video� especially the great videos that we see come through the community every day. Since we know your time is valuable, we award points to all of our members for participating as a thank-you. Points that are earned can be redeemed in the EXPO store for awesome items like Amazon gift cards and the hottest DVDs."

These are just some of the products I have purchased with the Amazon gift cards I have redeemed: 

My ultimate goal is to not have to spend more than $20 out-of-pocket for Christmas this year. So far it is looking like I am going to be able to accomplish this goal! Keep in mind this means I will spend just $20 OFP on my 6 children, my mom and dad, my cousins and their families (14 people), my aunts and uncles (9 people), my grandparents (4 people) plus some of my friends and my kiddos friends! 

I really wish I could share all the AWESOME things I have purchased with you all but if any of my family members stumble across my little blog here it will ruin the surprise! Hence, you are only getting a small preview of the things I have bought.