Frugal Friday With Marsha 12/27/13

Christmas day has past and we are heading in to the New Year.
We are officially in the 12 days of Christmas now.  Do you celebrate?  We really don't here, but I have always wanted to.  

Yesterday I sat here and wrote out a list of goal and challenges for myself going in to the new year.  I may share those in a separate blog post, but will share my savings plan with you today.

I have been saving all of my change as well as $1 from every check that I get in.  This savings, I hope, will be for my sewing hobby.  I have an annual membership to pay at quilt guild.  I like to do the workshops when they are offered.  I need $60 to pay for the retreat my guild is having in June.   

This plan will stay in effect until I get this laptop paid off.  At that time I will then put $5 in from each check I receive.

I also have started a savings that I am keeping in my purse at all times.  There I am saving any change that I find around the house......you know, in the laundry, bedroom floor that hubby drops......and any change that I might find on the ground while I am out and about.  I am also putting $1 from every check in there.  This money I will use when I see something on clearance, for example, throughout the year that will make a good gift. 

Back to the subject of this laptop.  Not a frugal thing on my part.  I am buying it from a rent to own place.  If I can pay it off before February 23, the 6 month mark, then there is no interest.  I have been paying $50 or $54.16 each week in hopes of paying it off in that time.  However, I have missed 4 weeks of doing this over time.  This week makes week 5 of no payment, and this is NOT good.  Silly me anyway.  I picked out a Dell which retails for $1,039.

Lesson learned:  Had I been patient with my slow computer and had been putting that $50 into savings, I could have bought say a $500 or so computer out right.   

Do you have any ways that you save money?


I look forward to what you link up this week  :)
 

Squidoo Hopping 12/26/13

I hope that everyone had a very Merry Christmas!   Here's also to a Happy New Year.

I read a post on bubblews yesterday and the person was pretty much making fun of those of us who make goals for the new year.  She wanted to know why we can't work on goals all year, or why can't we start now?
I commented that it just seems appropriate-new year, new you, but that I do try to work on my goals all year, and make new ones throughout the year.  And, that I have already started on the goals that I have written down.

Do you have any goals with squidoo that you would like to share?
Mine is the same as always-----to be more active.   I'm sure willing to give it a couple of months and see how things go anyway.  By a couple of months I mean a couple of months of payments, and I won't see for my efforts in January until March and for February in April.

I am going to share in the linky this week a couple of lenses that are down at the bottom on my lensranking.  

Happy Hopping!

 

Silly on Sunday with Everything Susan

Everything Susan has a new Sunday blog hop with linky called Silly on Sundays.
You can check our her post here: http://everythingsusanandmore.blogspot.ca/2013/12/silly-on-sundays-ttot.html   and link up your own Silly on Sunday post.


Yesterday my daughters and I got pretty silly while we were having our Confection Day. 

One time we all laughed because I was measuring out the brown sugar and Liz was rolling her peanut butter balls.  Next thing we know, I was rolling the brown sugar in to a ball instead of measuring it.

Another time, 7 of the 8 children were being super loud.  Liz started teasing them that if they didn't settle down she was going to have to give them the "smack down"....just as she was saying that, Ariel had walked up to the table and asked "Can I do it?"
I said, "What, give the kids the smack down?"    
She actually meant could she help roll the balls, but the smack down became a running joke the rest of the time we baked.

It was fun to be silly while we were making Christmas goodies.  Laughter really is good for your soul....and your health.

If you would like to see pictures, you can check out my bubblews post if you like.  http://www.bubblews.com/news/1872739-confection-making

Frugal Friday With Marsha 12/20/13

5 more day until Christmas.....are you ready?   I'm not.
Tomorrow my daughters, and possibly my mom, will be over for confection making day.  I look forward to it.  Hubby has promised to buy my goodie making ingredients for me this evening.

I think that I only need to buy the gift for the exchange at my brother's and one other gift......like I said, I think!
I set up my wrapping station last night and got some of the gifts wrapped and started putting together my Christmas sacks.

I thought to myself----I really don't think it's much, but if I got as much as I am giving to EACH person from everyone put together, I would feel really blessed.

Call me crazy, but I already have my plan and a start on next years Christmas.   I plan to use points once a month from gsn.com to get something.  I used some of my points from neilson home scanner and got a DVD too.    I have solid plans on things to make for gifts as well that I plan on starting on ASAP.

I can't let myself get into this boat again next year.  We are sacrificing on groceries in order to buy gifts!  In a way it's ok as it's forced us to use those leftovers that have been in the freezer as well as get creative with our meals from what is in the cupboard.

If you would like to see some of the gifts that I have made, you can check out my WIP Wednesday post from this week.

I look forward to seeing what you link up this week and how your Christmas is going.

 

Squidoo Hopping 12/19/13

Christmas is right around the corner! 
How are you doing on having your gifts ready?
I am making a lot of the gifts that I am giving, but not as many as I should have been making.
I didn't get started soon enough.  I hope that 2014 brings a lot more craft time for me.

I also hope that next year I am able to do some online shopping.  I do mean shopping throughout the year, not just in December!

I've not spent too much time in squidoo this past week.   I plan on working it a lot more in 2014.  I will know more on that in March and April as we see pay then for January and February.

Choose 1 or 2 of  your lenses to share with us this week, plus any blog posts you have done about squidoo.   I think this week I will choose 2 of my lenses that are at the bottom of my lensrank scale.

 

 

WIP Wednesday 12/18/13

I am still in the process of knitting scarves for Christmas gifts.
I have the one in the picture to finish yet, then make one with the brown skein.

 I've not made anymore progress with my QAL of the Penny Patch quilt.
Sadly I have had to put that aside until I get all of my Christmas crafts made.  Yep, that's what I get for getting such a late start on them.

Forgive me for showing you pictures of things that I have completed over this past week:

A cute cat and a bed for her.  I wrote a review of the book this is out of if you would like to check it out:  Fill Your House With These Crafty Creatures.

 Pillowcases for my son and his girlfriend.  I am picking up fabric today at the quilt shop when I am at the needlers group this afternoon.  I still need to make a set for my oldest daughter and her boyfriend.

 This wall hanging I bought as an unfinished project from the member's booth at our guild's quilt show last July.   I have now finished it and it will be a gift for my mom.
OMG!  This is the best job I've done on binding corners.  They look awesome.

 I have worked here and there this week on getting projects in to their own bags.  Once I get that done, I am going to make a written list for my bulletin board and then also list those projects each week here on my blog as well.   

I am linking up with the following blogs:
 

Yellow Pages Prize Pack Giveaway

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Frugal Friday With Marsha 12/13/13 Linky Party

I am late getting this post up today. First my daughter was sick so I had to take the grandkids to school. While I was out I knew I better get my merchandising job done at Walmart and a little shopping....plus scanning with my checkpoints and shopkick apps.
I then went to the bank. I had money in my account from selling books at half.com that I didn't realize.
My bank is next door to Target so I stopped on in to scan with the apps there too. I should have cashed in my points to pay for most of the cat litter that I bought, but decided to wait and just pay the cash.
I then headed to Walgreen's.

Walgreens is where my morning went awry. I wanted to go ahead and get some stocking stuffers and such and use the $5 Jingle Cash we had gotten before.
Sigh---it's not like last year when it was just $5 off period, it's $5 off $30. I was ok with that as I had my $10 gift card that I redeemed from mypoints to also help me pay.
What I didn't know is that the $30 is before coupons.
I didn't read the fine print ahead of time to know that, but I have now read it. It states: Walgreen's Jingle Cash can only be redeemed on a total qualifying purchase of $30 or more. Only one Jingle Cash coupon redeemed per transaction. Jingle Cash can not be redeemed for cash. Jingle Cash is earned after all applicable discounts and before any manufacturer's coupons or taxes are imposed.
In other words, it doesn't tell you what a total purchase of $30 or more is!! It should state $30 after all discounts and manufacturer's coupons.
Oh well, lesson learned.
To be honest, if I had known it was going to be $5 off $30 anyway, I wouldn't have worked to get up to that first $30 last week anyway! Again, I am guilty of not reading the whole thing....just assumed it would be the same as last year.

I am still happy with my purchases as I got candy for my Christmas sacks, coloring books for the children's sacks, a couple of nail polishes for my teenagers sack, toys for my youngest grandchildren, and a gift for my teenager too.

I really should keep all receipts for anything that I buy for gifts so that at the end of the year I know just how much I have really spent. I know it would be WAY above what I think I am spending, even though I am a frugal type person.

God willing, this evening I will be at the quilt shop for 4 hours of sit n' sew. I will buy my son and hid girlfriend pillows and I am making them pillowcases. I spent $14 on the fabric. I bought it from the clearance fabrics. I only spent $4 and some change as I had a $10 gift card that I won. Also, I bought about a yard more fabric than I needed.
Now my oldest daughter said that her and her bf could use the same gifts.
I also ran across an unfinished wall hanging that I had bought at the member's booth of our quilt show for 50 cents. I am finishing it up to give to my mom.

I bought what I think is the last skein of yarn for the scarves that I am knitting for gifts.

I still have what feels like many gifts to think about and get! How are you coming along? I can't believe that Christmas is only 12 days away!

Squidoo Hopping 12/12/13

Less than 2 weeks until Christmas!  How are your Christmas sales?
I'm confused on sales.  I am showing 11 games bought from one of my lenses and showing $2.97 commission on the dashboard, but they aren't shown in my activity under sales.
Does anyone know why this is?

Otherwise a week ago I show 3 sales in another lens.  This is also confusing it as it was 5 sales, then it showed 4, today it shows 3.

Maybe one of these years at this time of year I can get the kinds of sales that some of the rest of you do!

I can't wait to see what is linked up this week  :)

 

WIP Wednesday 12/11/13

Here we are with Christmas day only 2 weeks away!  I have so many projects that I yet need to get sewn up for gifts!

On the Penny Patch quilt for the QAL, I do have it sandwiched and pinned.  Now I need to see if I can figure out how to do the dogwood quilting.  I sure like that that looks.

This is not a current picture but I am still working on knitting scarves for Christmas gifts.  Since taking this picture a couple of days ago I have finished the one with the skein on yarn laying there and started on the other one with the teal yarn.

 Yesterday was the monthly sewing day at church.  This is the progress on the quilt that I am currently working on.  I am actually going to finish this one all by myself because I am doing it in quilt as you go.  I hope to have it finished by the end of next month's sewing day.

 I was able to get some work done on making my yo-yo's while my youngest daughter was at the doctor and while we visited my middle daughter this past week.  Unfortunately I left my yo-yo box at my middle daughter's house.  I don't think I would have taken another picture though as I am still just making them with the fabric in my box and then will start putting the table runner together.

I didn't get any applique bunnies done this past few weeks at home, but I do have stitch group this afternoon.  I had hoped to have them done and to get to spend this afternoon squaring up the blocks.  Such is life though!  I will applique on them today and then next Wednesday and hopefully then next month to start squaring them up.

This past week I did a review lens on on Squidoo for a book called Crafty Creatures.  You can click to check it out if you would like.  It will open in a new window:  Fill Your Home With These Crafty Creatures.  I will be making the cat's bed, along with the cat, that I show at the bottom of my lens for my 2 yr old granddaughter.  She's going to love it!  I hope to make lots of of the projects in the book as well.

I am linking up with the following blogs:
 

Color-Glide Pro Brushless Painting Review and Giveaway!

With the Color-Glide Brushless painting system you will have space and have long term storage.
These are pretty darn cool!
Each tube comes with a pump.  In this picture I am pumping paint from the can and into the tube.  Very easy.

Each tube has space to fill out the color, brand of the paint, which room you used it in, what project etc.

The top is a soft felt applicator.  Here I am starting to work on painting the stairwell to our basement.  The paint goes on easily with the applicator.   What I really like is that there is no mess on the edges.  I didn't have a need to tape and tape to avoid going over the edge.

Each tube comes with it's own pump.  I did wash my pump out so that I could re-fill the tube, but I am not sure it's intended to do so.
I need to fill my other tubes to empty the paint can----and finish my painting, of course.

My next project that I want to use the brushless painting with is to paint the shelves in my craft room and my daughter's bedroom.


You will find more instructions below and you can also visit http://www.ColorGlidePro.com as well.

 One lucky Marsha's Spot winner will receive a 4 pack of the brushless painting tubes as shown below!  Enter using the rafflecopter form below.

 
Disclosure:  I was sent product to use and give my opinion on as well as information to share.  I was not compensated in any other way, and all opinions are my own.   Sponsor also provided the prize for me to giveaway.





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Blu-ray #MovieMagic GIVEAWAY

About Blu-ray #MovieMagic:

You Haven’t Seen Your Favorite Movie Until You’ve Seen the Special Features!

This Holiday rediscover the #MovieMagic behind your favorite films. Blu-ray offers exclusive special features that put you in the filmmaker’s chair, with a behind-the-scenes access to all of the magic: Special effects, talent interviews, alternative endings, unreleased scenes, bloopers, and more!

With a Blu-ray combo pack, you can enjoy your favorite films in high-definition whenever and wherever you want. You can keep the Blu-ray disc in the living room, DVD in the car, and the digital copy on your phone for when you’re on the move!

Grab your favorite movie lover a Blu-ray this holiday!

Highlights:
• With the combo pack you can take your favorite films wherever you go. You can keep the Blu-ray disc in the living room, DVD for the car, and the digital copy on your mobile phone while on the move!
• Blu-ray lets you to watch your favorite movies with unmatched sound and video that is SIX TIMES the quality of DVDs!
• Blu-ray offers the most premium possible in home entertainment experience
• You don’t have to worry about the buffering that happens with streaming videos




One lucky Marsha's Spot winner will receive a copy of one of the following titles (chosen at random from the list below).

• The Little Mermaid - Diamond Edition
• The Lone Ranger
• Monsters University
• Angels Sing
• Rise of The Guardians
• Despicable Me 2
• Turbo
• Grown Ups 2
• Wizard of Oz 3D
• The Wolverine
• Star Trek: Into Darkness
• White House Down
• Fast 6
• Pacific Rim
• After Earth
• Man of Steel
• Red 2
• World War Z
• 2 Guns
• Weeds: The Complete Collection
• Predator 3D

(Each household is only eligible to win ONE #MovieMagic Title via blog reviews and giveaways. Only one entrant per mailing address per giveaway. If you have won the same prize on another blog, you will not be eligible to win it again. Winner is subject to eligibility verification.)



Disclosure: This giveaway if sponsored by partnershub. All information and the prizes is provided by partnershub.

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Frugal Friday With Marsha Linky Party 12/6/13

The Christmas tree is put up......I've looked through my stash tote.....I've divided things up.
I have a list of the personal care items that I need so that all adult males and females each have the same items from me.

Oh, that's not as bad as I thought. I did end up having more than enough nicer women's razors for each woman.  I only have one man's razor though.
I have enough men's body wash, but no women's bodywash.
None will be getting deoderant this year.
I have loads and loads of men's shave gel, but need one more women's.

Hubby and I hit Walgreen's and used the $4 coupon off $9.99 toy and got the boys each a gift.
I got in the Zeenie doll for review for one granddaughter.  For 2 other girls I used the $5 off $25 toys coupon at Target along with $15 in Target gift cards I earned from shopkick and didn't pay too much for 2 My Little Pony Dolls.

I also hit the $1 section at Target and picked up $1 goodies for my Christmas sacks.  I still need to make another stop in that section to make sure everyone has goodies in their bag.
I am thinking of picking up the package of mini flashlights at Walmart. 10 in a package for $10.
I have a little stock up on AA batteries in the draw already from a recent sale and using coupons.  I think those will be good for the guy's Christmas sacks, including the boys.

Men and boys are the hardest to shop for----all the "toys" they want cost too much.

I only have $2 in register rewards to use at Walgreen's.  My plan is to use it to help buying the candy for my Christmas sacks.

I am knitting on the 3rd scarf.  I still don't know how many I am making.   I know of 5 for sure.  I will pick up another skein of yarn at Walmart this morning.

There is my update----how is your Christmas shopping shaping up?

Link up!

Squidoo Hopping 12/5/13

I finally did it!  I finally built 3 lenses using the new formats.  I chose to do one from each format too.   I filled out the form to re-apply for giant squid.
I got an email back from Bonnie the same day.  

I like the review format except I wanted to put in more pictures for the review.  There I am feeling lost.  
I could put the book as the amazon link in the intro.
I could only have one other picture.   I guess I could have had 2 if I hadn't put in the video.
Most book reviews I wouldn't have a video for.  However, a lot of the books that I review are craft related and PR likes me to show a few of the pages for example, or photos of crafts that I make out of the books.

Is there no way to "Sneak" more pictures in there.  Even the photo gallery module would work.
Maybe on the craft type books I better just stick to building not using the format.

Can we "squidoo it" from the favorites bar and not have to use the review format?

Yes, I am full of questions today!

I like the how to format, especially that we can add up to 10 items from amazon that are needed for the project.  That one is cool.

I like the recipe format.....and here in my question there.   I am seeing others who are updating recipe type lenses and I am seeing that their recipes are in the format that we see in the recipe format.    Is that now a module that we can add to those lenses?  Forgive me for not looking myself, just not going to be building or updating today.

Link away this week!  Keep me busy!  Please remember to also link up any blog posts you have written pertaining to squidoo as well.

 

WIP Wednesday 12/4/13

Christmas is getting closer.  Here is my progress on the knitted scarves.  I am not sure how many I am making.....6 or 7 I think.

Some time ago I started working on making yo-yo's.  I keep this box in the car and work on them here and there.  I have been taking them in to my quilt guild meeting and working on them there for the past 3 months.   I am wanting to make a table runner for our coffee table.  I did start on it but decided I wanted to make the yo-yo's that I could out of the fabric I had put in the box first.  You can see that I have a lot in the bag ready.
I see that some sell the yo-yo's by themselves on etsy.  I'm thinking I might try that too at some point.

 The top should be done for the Penny Patch QAL but I didn't work on it for a week once Thanksgiving hit.  I have my top half way to being completed.

I am linking up with the following blogs:
 
 

Enter To Win the Peaceful Happy Girl Giveaway from Marksville!

My friend Pamela of Marksville and Me is having a Peaceful Happy Girl Giveaway to celebrate 1000 likes on her MarksvilleandMe Facebook fan page.

One lucky winner will win everything pictured!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Zeenie™ Dollz Series Introduces a Fashion-Forward Environmentally Friendly Toy to Young Girls Nationwide

Saving the planet…that’s our style!™ is the catch phrase for the Zeenie™ Dollz.

Created for young girls and eco-conscious parents, the dolls are fashionistas, donning the latest in groundbreaking style, but Zeenie Dollz stand for much more. Each doll also brings to light an environmental cause that needs attention, bringing together education and green ideals for young girls. Zennia, the special edition doll in the series, leads the pack and embodies Mother Earth, the protector of our planet.  As the giver and sustainer of life on earth, Zennia is passionate about combating the evil anti-environment villains that threaten to destroy the world. To assist her in protecting our environment and spreading eco-awareness, Zennia is joined by a team of five eco-warrior fashionistas:
 

• Evee, Protector of the Skies and Defender against Pollution
  Kazumi, Protector of the Polar Regions and Defender against Global Warming
  Lina, Protector of the Rainforest and Defender against Deforestation
  Sini, Protector of Farmland and Defender of Mistreated and Abused Animals
  Yana, Protector of the Oceans and Defender of Marine Conservation

Zeenie Dollz started with a sketch by Hansini Wadhwani, the creator, designer and inventor of the series.  She showed her mother, Laxmi Wadhwani, the first sketch of a girl with flowing blue hair and explained that her persona was that of Mother Earth.  Her mother's support was overwhelming and she brought Zennia, the first doll in the series, to life.  The mother-daughter duo then worked together with their passion for the environment and the entire set of Zeenie dollz were created.

Zeenie Dollz are made of a combination of two completely recyclable, non-toxic materials. The packaging also follows suit with the sustainable message; the shipping cylinder is made of a biodegradable plastic. In addition to their sustainability, the Zeenie Dollz also come standard with 12 ball joints offering much more flexibility and movement during play time.

Zeenie Dollz retail for $39.99 and are available for purchase at www.zeeniedollz.com and will be available at select retailers nationwide.  They are a series of eco-friendly, eco-warrior fashionista dolls that combine style and education into one perfect package. The 12-inch dolls are made of recyclable materials and bring to light environmental causes that need our attention.

***A portion of each sale is donated to organizations working to preserve the environment and protect all animals and the places they call home. ***


We received Lina, pictured below:

My thoughts:
These dolls are just too cool!
You will notice that I only took her out of the outer plastic but not out of the package completely.  This is because one of my granddaughter will get her for Christmas this year.

I had my 6 yr old granddaughter check her out and she was excited right away.  She wanted to take her out to play....take her to church....and then take her home.  Sadly I told her no.

Lina is the protector of the rain forests.  She comes with her pet ocelot named Abby.
She also comes with an Eco-Warrior membership card, a hairbrush shaped like a leaf and a gel bracelet for her owner to wear.
She is indeed fashionably dressed.

The fist thing that I had checked was how her arms and legs move.  They are jointed to move very easily, almost real like.  Much better than other nationally known dolls.

I really like that each doll represent a different environmental cause.  I also like that they are made from recycable materials.  We are heavy into recycling in our household.


Find Zeenie in all of these places!
www.zeeniedollz.com
www.facebook.com/ZeenieDollzLlc
www.twitter.com/Zeeniedollz
www.pinterest.com/zeeniedollz
www.instagram.com/zeeniedollz
www.flickr.com/photos/98118508@N02 

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Frugal Friday With Marsha 11/29/13 Linky Party

I hope everyone a blessed Thanksgiving.
Last week I said that this week I wanted to talk about Christmas.  It's less than 4 weeks away now!

I am finding myself feeling stressed.  For years and years, and I do mean years and years, I have collected things to use for gifts all year long.
I would get items in the mail, maybe for sending in cereal proofs of purchase, or laundry soap, candy bar wrappers etc.  Then that aspect of my life pretty came to a stand still.  That was my refunding days. Now you rarely see those offers out there anymore.

I kept little savings in envelopes (this really does work, but is a different post).  I had one envelope where I saved for Christmas.  I kept that one with me all the time so if I seen something good on a great sale, or on clearance I would pick it up out of that savings money. 

I would so a lot of coupons throughout the year stocking up on health and beauty aids getting them cheap or free.  A lot of that shopping was done at Walgreen's.  
Every year my grown children could expect a box of health and beauty.......razor, shave gel, deoderant, shower gel, and more.
They have come to expect it.....and count on it.  In fact, they know it's coming so they don't buy that stuff at Christmas time knowing that I will be giving it to them.

This year couponing changed for me.  I had stopped shopping at Walgreen's pretty much all together once we moved farther away from the store.  We did live less than a mile straight up the street from the Walgreen's store.
Our grocery store stopped doubling coupons.  I lost my source of 10 or more Sunday coupons inserts free each week.

I have picked up a few things here and there on the clearance shelves, but not much.   I do have some health and beauty items stashed.
I'm working at making knitted scarves that some have requested for gifts this year.

I'm feeling a bit sad that I don't have that overflowing huge tote in my closet full of gifts.

It's the day after Thanksgiving, the day we always put up the Christmas tree.  My usual spot in front of the front window is no longer available.  I must clean another corner for it.  Wish me luck as that is what I am going to work on next.
 Once the tree is up is when I get out that tote from the closet.  I get out my notebook of names of everyone I need gifts for.   I start by sorting, then I start wrapping and keeping track of what I have for who.
I really do hope to get to that this evening.   

Would you be interested in next week's post being about what I find in that tote and in my coupon stash?  Maybe I am a lot further ahead than I think!

I look forward to the posts that you link up this week.   
If you know of a linky list where I can post this weekly linky for more participation, please let me know in comments.

I also want to mention my handmade gifts linky page here on my blog.  I have it opened up until the end of this year and would love to see more posts linked up there with handmade gift ideas.  It's open to all url's, not just blog posts.   Thanks!!
http://marshasspot.blogspot.com/p/homemade-in-2012-linky.html


 

Squidoo Hopping -- Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving and a Happy Hanukkah too!

Short and sweet post today as I have to get to cooking :)

Let's try to share holiday related squidoo lenses today, along with any blog posts you have made related to squidoo.

Thanks so much, and again, a Blessed Thanksgiving to all.

 

 

BLACK FRIDAY + CYBER MONDAY: 2 Swag Code Extravaganzas

Have you heard about the latest Black Friday news? It's not the latest shopping deal or tip to get an early bird special, it's Swagbucks. This Black Friday they're hosting a HUGE Swag Code Extravaganza! With this Extravaganza, you can get up to 50 SB without spending a cent. What's more? They're topping that on Cyber Monday with another Swag Code Extravaganza for up to 60 SB! On both days, they will also offer 3X per dollar spent on your online shopping through Shop & Earn during the times below:    
                 Thanksgiving, November 28: 6 pm - 10 pm ET / 3 pm - 7 pm PT |
Black Friday, November 29: 8 am - Noon ET / 5 am - 9 am PT |
Cyber Monday, December 2: 9 am - Noon ET / 6 am - 9 am PT           

The way Swagbucks sees is, this time of the year may be great to save money on your holiday purchases, but why just save money when you can earn it at the same time? Between their shopping specials and the Swag Code Extravaganzas, going to Swagbucks.com on Black Friday & Cyber Monday can get you enough SBs for your next gift card. Haven't started with Swagbucks yet? Now is a great time -- I've gotten more than $200 in gift cards (and about the same in paypal)  since I started and it's easy to start. Sign up here.

WIP Wednesday 11/27/13

First of all, let me with everyone a 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Next up is a finish.  It's been a very long time since I've actually finished anything quilting wise.

This is my Log Cabin wall hanging.  I can see myself going on a log cabin craze, and I do want to make it with the one inch strips next.  Plus, I am truly going to use scraps so it won't be all the same.    I look forward to starting it, but do have to think Christmas gifts right now too.

 
Next up is my progress with the Penny Patch QAL.   I have 4 rows together---8 to go.  Busy long weekend ahead with family and Christmas decorating but I still hope to get progress made on it.

I have a start on the knitted scarves that I am making for Christmas gifts.  Since taking this picture I did finish this one except putting on the tassels.  Next up is the other skein there.  I am just buying one skein at a time and testing different fancy yarns along the way.

I am linking up with the following blogs:

 

Hurry for 4X the Fuel Points from Your Kroger Co. Family of Stores!

From mid-November to early December you will receive 4X the fuel points when you buy a 3rd party gift card from your Kroger Co. store!! 

Stores in the Kroger family are:
Kroger
Baker's

Market City
Loaf 'N Jug
fry's
Gerbes
Dillons
Kwik hop
King Soopers
Smith's
Turkey Hill
Tom Thumb
Jay C Food Stores

Normally you do earn 2 fuel points for every $1 in 3rd party gift card purchased.  ****See your store for the end date in early December.****

Choose from these gift cards:
Google Play
Lowes
Itunes
Subway
McDonalds
Amazon
Kohl's
Toys R Us
Olive Garden
Applebee's
and LOTS more!!!


Here is an awesome plan:  Purchase gift cards for your own use. Purchase them prior to Black Friday and Cyber Monday to spend them where you already plan to shop.  It's a win-win situation since you are also getting the fuel points!   Every $1 spent is 4 times or 4 points....and every 100 pts is .10 off per gallon of gas!  (Good at every qualifying Kroger Fuel Center)  Wow!  1,000 pts is $1 off per gallon!

Gift cards make the most convenient gifts (and the free the recipient up from having to return that ugly sweater).

Give gift cards to:
teachers
coaches
babysitters
neighbors
your boss, co-workers, or employees
mail man
hairdresser
Hosts of parties
etc.


Disclosure:  This information was shared with me as a bzz agent to pass along to my readers.

No-Ad Reminds You to Not Forget the Sunscreen Even in Winter! (giveaway included)

Winter Sun, Winter Fun...Don't Forget the Sunscreen!

 

We're conditioned to use sunscreen all summer, but when you're outdoors in bright winter sun, are you sufficiently protecting yourself?  A new study found that daily, year-round sunscreen use can significantly slow the skin's aging process by as much as 24 percent. (as reported by http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=1691732)

Whether you are at home playing winter sports or on vacation, ultraviolet rays lead to skin damage, so sun protection is a must every day. Take care of your skin now to prevent wrinkles and possibly melanoma later.

 Remember, the sun's damaging rays can harm your skin even during cold winter months and on cloudy days.

Follow these sun protection tips from NO-AD:

·         Limit sun exposure, particularly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.  when the sun's harmful UV rays are the strongest and most damaging to your skin

·         Use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum SPF sunscreen with a value of 30 or higher

·         Liberally apply sun protection 15 minutes before sun exposure

·         Reapply every hour as needed, particularly after swimming or perspiring

·         Your lips need protection, too—use an SPF 15 or higher lip balm

 

A great choice for the winter athlete and vacationer is NO-AD Sunscreen, which has been protecting families for generations.  NO-AD is beloved by the savvy shopper who takes a common sense approach to skin care. Smart shoppers now that great quality does not need to mean high price.  By not buying expensive TV, magazine or radio ads, NO-AD saves money and offers the same advanced sun care ingredients as other national brands, at a great value. 

 

All NO-AD products are made in the U.S.A. in sunny Cocoa, Florida.   

NO-AD is recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation and has received their seal of approval.

 

NO-AD can be found in most food, drug and mass retailers throughout United States and in 35 countries around the world.  NO-AD products can be ordered through drugstore.com or walmart.com   

 

 

My Opinion:

I have been using the NO-AD  30 sunscreen lotion.  The frangrance is very pleasant.  It feels good on my skin......makes my skin feel silky smooth.

It contains Aloe and Vitamin E.  The bottle states that it's water resistant for 80 minutes. 

 

I admit that the thought of using sunscreen in the winter hasn't ever crossed my mind.  It is important though! I'm glad that NO-AD brought this to my attention.

 

I was also sent the NO-AD Kids 50 sunscreen lotion as well as a NO-AD Kids 50 continuous spray.

The scent of the Kids lotion is not the same as the adult version.  I can't quite describe it.  It's not over-powering.

The continuous spray has a top that turns to spray.  I like this idea so the younger kids can't easily just go spraying it all over the place.    It does spray evenly and even at any angle.

It does have a rather strong scent.

Both of the Kids products are also water-resistant to 80 minutes.

 

All NO-AD products are about twice the ounces of the other leading national brands for the same retail pricing.  

 

One other thing that I notice is that the expiration dates on the products are 3 years down the line.  I like this as in the past we've not used all of a product in one season and had to throw it out and buy new the following season.

 

I believe this is an excellent product. 

 

 

The makers of NO-AD are being very generous for my readers!  Three (3) lucky winners will each win one NO-AD SPF 45 and 1 NO-AD kids product.  Just enter using the rafflecopter form below and good luck to all.

Disclosure:  I was sent sample products as well as information for the purpose of this review.   I was not compensated in any other way and all opinions are my own.  Sponsor is responsible for delivery of prizes. 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway