Get Right Guard Total Defense deoderant for only $.75 ea this week at Walgreens after sale and coupon. This deodorant usually goes for close to $5 ea, and I can tell you from personal experience (having a teen boy under the roof) it works!

Here is how this deal works:

Head to Walgreens between now and Sunday, 2/26.

Buy 2 Right Guard Total Defense – $4.49 (on sale for buy 1 get 1 FREE)
Use $3/2 Right Guard printable coupon
Pay = $ .75 each each after sale and coupon!

Thanks Thrifty and Thriving!

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The VitaCost deal is so hot today, I had to post a few more ideas for you on how you can use the  FREE $10 promo code if you have not used yours yet, or have not signed up with VitaCost yet (sign up here for a  FREE $10 promo code, it will be emailed to you in around 15 – 20 minutes from when you sign up).

I posted earlier on how to get 20 rolls of toilet paper shipped to you for $3.12, but here are some other ideas:

Head to VitaCost here and start shopping for these items:

Scenario 1: 

Add (7) DaVinci Short Cut Rigatoni to your basket – $1.43 ea
Apply your $10.00 credit
Shipping fee of $2.22 added
Pay = $2.23 to get 7 bags of pasta shipped to you ($ .32 each)!

(Thanks Queen Bee Coupons!)

Scenario 2: 

Make Your Own Pizza Kits – Get 2 for

Add 2 bag of Bobs Red Mill Gluten & Wheat Free Pizza Crust to your cart – $3.22 ea (we use this, its good)
Add 2 can Muir Glens Premium Pizza Sauce to cart – $2.06 ea
Apply your $10.00 credit
Shipping fee of $2.22 added
Pay: $2.78 to have two kits ready in your cupboard to add cheese and toppings too!

Scenario 3:

Newman’s Own Extra Virgin Olive Oil $10.81
Apply your $10.00 credit
Shipping fee of $2.22 added
Pay: $3.03 shipped

(Thanks Thrifty and Thriving!)

Let us know what great scenarios you come up with!

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If you have kids, Groupon has a rockin deal on summer camp at the Seattle Childrens Museum going on right now.  Get half off of summer day camp for your kids, at the Seattle Children’s Museum.  This deal was hugely popular last year (made the best of 2011 list), so you might want to grab yours soon.

Here are your options:

• Pay $35 for a full-day summer camp, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (a $70 value);
• Pay $15 for an afternoon half-day summer camp, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. (a $30 value);
• Pay $15 for a morning half-day summer camp, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. (a $30 value).

Fine Print:

• Expires Jun 1, 2012
• Limit 1 per child. May purchase multiples but may only redeem 1 per child. Valid only for option purchased. Must be redeemed by June 1, 2012, for camps running from May 28-August 31, 2012. Subject to availability. Rescheduling fee up to Groupon price may apply. Valid for ages 4-10 years. Must sign waiver. Not valid for pre- or post-camp care. Classes are non-transferable

Thanks Seattle Moms Deal Finders!

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And yet, another great Panda Express freebie coupon!  Today only, get a Free Peppercorn Shrimp with coupon. This Panda Express coupon is good today only (2/22) and for a free single serving of the Peppercorn Shrimp, while supplies last. No purchase is necessary. Sounds like a great lunch option to me.

Thanks Cheap Bastard Seattle!

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If you are new to VitaCost, or have yet to spend your FREE $10 promo code, today is the day to shop.  

Today only, VitaCost is offering free shipping on orders over $22 or $2.22 shipping on orders less than $22. That means you can shop for $10 in merchandise, and spend only $2.22 on shipping!

Here is one idea on how to use that FREE $10 promo code. Pay only $3.12 to have 5 packs of toilet paper shipped to you. I did this deal when they had a free shipping offer, and have packs of the Green Forest Toilet Paper in my stockpile right now. Its not Charmin, but it is eco-friendly, and a great deal to boot!

If your not in need of toilet paper VitaCost carries lots of great natural and organic products, including many gluten free food options, beauty products, baby products and more.

To do this deal:

• Sign up for VitaCost and get your FREE $10 promo code. It should arrive in your email inbox within 15-20 minutes.
• Next add (5) 4-packs of Green Forest Bathroom Tissue ($2.18 each) to your cart (select Brands then Green Forest).
• Apply your $10 off coupon code at checkout.
• Your final price should be $3.12, once they add the shipping cost in, for 5 packs of toilet paper delivered to your door!

 

Thanks Money Saving Mom!

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If your family has been considering getting a pet, today may be the day to make the commitment. It is Homeward Pet Adoption Center’s 22nd anniversary & to celebrate the are offering dogs, cats, puppies and kittens adoptions for just $22!

This is Sadie, their featured pet available for adoption.

Homeward Pet Adoption Center’s will make the $22 adoptions available today only from 12pm-6pm!  They are located in Woodenville, but for this price it may be worth a short trip for some of you. All animals are spayed or neutered, vaccinated (if appropriate), de-wormed, & micro chipped.  $22 is a great deal. My mother in law recently took my kids down to our local pet adoption center to get a kitten for her house. They paid close to $100 when everything was said and done.

You will find the adoption guidelines here. Be sure to read them ahead of time to make you have everything you need, and are prepared to make the commitment.

Thanks Because More Is More!

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If you are still sitting on your SneakPeeq free $10 sign up bonus, or you have yet to sign up with SneakPeeq then you can get this Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Skin Gift pack for $2 shipped. If you have never joined before you can also get a free silk scarf through today (2/22) or while supplies last.

If you already have signed up with SneakPeeq and have your $10 credit to use you can:

• Login to your SneakPeeq account
• Click on STYLE and look for Yes to Carrots.
• Then click on “Yes to Gentleness” – (pictured above) to peeq at the Yes to Cucumbers Soothing Skin Gift Pack.
• Apply your $10 credit at check out and you should only have to pay $2, and get free shipping for the beauty pack pictured above.

If you are new to SneakPeeq you will get a FREE Silk Scarf ($50 value), free shipping on the scarf and a free $1o sign up credit you can use to shop this deal or other deals, when you sign up here.

To get the free silk scarf and $10 to spend:

You must be a NEW Members to SneakPeeq to qualify for the  FREE SILK SCARF and the $10 sign up bonus.  Sign up for SneakPeeq here and then follow these instructions:
1. After you click on the link, become a member by clicking on the pink “sign in” button.

2. After you click on the pink “sign in” button you will see a pop-up from our partner, Facebook. We are a social shopping company, so the only way you can become a member is through Facebook connect.

3. After you officially join, you will see an introduction screen. Please click on the pink “get your reward” button to get your Free Silk Scarf and Free $10!

4. Now that you have received your Free Silk Scarf and FREE $10, send your friends a FREE $10 badge! Please limit the sharing to ONLY 3 friends. sneakpeeq is about sharing and giving so spread the joy of FREE $10!

5. After you have shared the joy sharing $10 with friends, click on the pink “Style” tab on the top. Scroll down to “Spring Fling” scarf.

6. You will be taken to the “Spring Fling Silk Scarf” page. Now it is time to get your Free Silk Scarf! Click on the pink “peeq for your price” button.

7. Lucky for you, you do not have to pay the $24.99 because you have received a “Silk Scarf Badge” when you joined sneakpeeq! So for you, you will see a price of $0.00, also known as FREE! Click on the pink “buy now” button.

8. You are taken to the Checkout page. Enter your address so we know where to ship your FREE Silk Scarf. Then, click on the pink “submit payment” button — once again, there is no payment, because the price is $0.00!

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Yes, my wallet has really looked like this before.

Before I get too far into this post, let me clarify one thing. Being broke in the good old US is not the same as what its like to live without food and water, and basic necessities in other areas of the world. Even here in the United States, being ‘broke’ to one person can be very different from what it means for another.  I was not being flippant with my title here. I did not mean that its a blessing to watch children go hungry, or die from treatable diseases, or not be able to go to school because they lack water.

What do I mean  by ‘being broke is a blessing’ then? Well, I mean that learning to live without a perceived financial security for my families future has been a blessing. Not knowing if we will make our bills each month, and having to watch every penny in our account has been a blessing. Learning to get by for weeks with sometimes a negative bank balance has been a blessing. Being forced to go without things we want, or even sometimes thought we needed has been a blessing. I say perceived, because truly that is what it is for all of us. Even if you have a hefty savings account, a 401k, a great job, and you did everything right according to financial advisors – you can still lose it all in a blink of an eye.

For some they are broke because the economy took a nose dive. They can say, we did everything right and we still ended up here. I cannot sit here and tell you we did everything right, and that’s why we ended up in a financial mess. On one hand I had to deal with a lot of difficult repercussions of things that were not my fault, completely out of my control. But on the other hand, we made a lot of irresponsible decisions with our finances, and are dealing with the consequences of that too. And guess what. Its a blessing to know I screwed alot of things up along the way (excuse my language).

Why do I see these things as blessings?  Besides the fact that it can be a great reminder to count your blessings, here are just a few more reasons:

** Its good to be reminded of the fact that we need each other.

Its nice to be the recipient of someone elses helping hand, and its great to be able to reach out to someone else with a helping hand. Truth – seems like both of these things are easier when you live a life of greater need. A) You need more help, and so your more likely to experience others care in that regard and B) if you are living off of a lesser income, chances are you are living in an area where many others are too, so you have more of an intimate knowledge of what folks needs are and can respond.

** As difficult as it can be, its great to live a life that provides a consistent reminder of what your source of provision is.

I believe that God is my provider, and by having daily bills that need to be met, without an obvious source to meet them tends to drive one to their knees. I do not mean that God is a genie of sorts, whom I rub…ahem, I mean pray to, every time I want something. I mean that when hope is slim, and circumstances are tough, its amazing to be able to take your eyes off of your circumstances and put them on God and watch Him come through on your behalf. There is a security that comes from walking through circumstances and knowing that you have a source of provision more faithful then any bank account, or job, etc. I have learned that no matter how dire circumstances look, when I get on my knees before God He has always provided for my needs. I don’t worry about the bills like I use to for this very reason, so a huge source of stress has been removed from my life by having to live this way and learning to depend on God. It has become a very freeing way for me to live my life. I don’t have to perform nearly as much as I use to, now that I trust more.

** Things are just that – Things. Period.

Do they provide comfort, and happiness and warm fuzzy feelings. Sometimes, or for a time. But they also often take away from spending time with ones that you love. Or another funny thing happens. Getting the things you want, sometimes just leads to wanting more things. You lose the joy you once found in things, and stuff just gets in your way, or needs to be better or more expensive to give you that fulfillment.

** Having less fosters creativity and resourcefulness.

And sometimes more knowledge. I have learned not only how to make a penny stretch, but also how much my family consumes, and what we need vs. want, and what it really takes us to live off of each month, and how to exchange goods without actual money, etc. Its empowering to learn that there are more ways to get by then just the green bills, or debit card you carry around in your pocket. I also have more investment in the things I do have when I had a hand it making it, or had to find really creative ways of getting it. It becomes a part of your whole lifestyle. You model it for your kids, and they learn how to be creative and resourceful too. Personally I think that is really cool!

** Its freeing to let the world know I am not perfect.

In fact my credit score would tell you that I am a big fat loser. Why is this a blessing. Well, because if you let it, it keeps you humble. It keeps you real. It keeps you compassionate towards others struggles and less judgmental. The world of fugality can be funny sometimes. On one hand you have folks that seem to have been born frugal. They made great frugal choices from the beginning, and frugality is mostly about living a life of responsibility (no over consumption, etc). For others of us, it was something we fell into out of necessity when the pocketbooks suddenly got tighter. Guess what, I don’t care how you got here, but just that you did. I respect you if you made all of the right choices from the get go with your finances. I respect you even more if you had to eat a big fat piece of humble pie to begin to walk the frugal walk.

** Being financially broke, does not mean you are broke in other aspects of your life.

Sometimes when you are doing well financially it can act as a band-aid. You can medicate other areas of your life that are broken with shopping trips and vacations and nice cars. You can more easily put forth a persona that you have it all together, and hide the “real’ broken parts of you. When your not putting an imbalanced amount of time and energy into earning, spending and stressing over finances, you can focus on being rich in other areas of your life. Enjoying the richness of spiritual growth, and connecting with others, and enjoying the simple things in life that can get overlooked with hectic schedules.

Do I think rich people are bad people. Of course not! There are folks with great financial wealth that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. Do I think you have to be ‘broke’ to enjoy the upsides I describe above. Not always. I do think there are great lessons to be learned in the process though, that many of us (not all) can be too stubborn to learn without trials. I for one am grateful for our struggles. Do I hope for a little more financial security moving forward for my family. I do, but hesitantly. I don’t want to go back to being lulled into forgetting to take all of my needs before God, and then giving Him thanks for meeting them all. I don’t want to stop being giddy about being able to go out for dinner, because its only something I can do once in awhile – and thus really enjoying the experience rather then take it for granted. I don’t want to forget to resort to playing board games with my kids, or taking advantage of just hanging out at the park, just because we can afford more expensive movie or event tickets. Mostly, I don’t want to miss that connection to others that are still in the heart of the struggle, and do what I can to comfort their needs because I have been able to move on to more comforts myself.

These may just be my experiences. I would love to hear from you all in terms of what lessons or blessings have come out of hardship for you.

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Whole Foods has asked me to host a Value Tour at their Roosevelt store, this coming Friday 2/24. Its an opportunity to get a tour of the store, and talk about ways to save while shopping at Whole Foods. I met with the folks at Whole Foods late last week, and they said there are only a few spots left for Fridays tour, so be sure to RSVP here to hold your spot if your interested in attending. The tours are free, but space is limited. They cap the tour size so we have a chance to answer any specific questions you might have.

Not only would I love to meet any of you who are able to make it in person, I would also love to hear from you ahead of time. Are there specific questions or topics you are hoping will be addressed on the tour? I have a list of items I am looking forward to sharing with you, but if there are things you are hoping to learn more about while shopping at Whole Foods or grocery shopping in general, please leave me a comment below and I will do my best to work that info into the tour.

A few of you mentioned having to get a babysitter. That is completely up to you. I have three kids of my own (they won’t be there) but I am accustomed to having kids around all the time – so you are welcome to bring yours if needed. Even if you do not bring your kids, I plan to work in a few tips on shopping with the kids, since its a reality for many of us!

Lastly, you might want to consider coming a little early and you can also attend a FREE Facial Party, with free samples and all. You could make a whole afternoon of free fun.

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Did you pick up the FREE $10 credit that was recently available from Rue La La (NLA)? If you are still sitting on that credit you can use it to grab this custom 12 month photo calendar for free from My Publisher after credit (and have $3 left over for a later purchase).

Here is how to do this deal:

• Head to Rue La La and sign in.
• Select Local from the top bar, and then Seattle.
• Select the MY Publisher 12 Month Calendar deal for $7
• Apply $7 of your $10 credit at checkout to make this deal FREE for you!
• It does not say if shipping is included or not, once you create your calendar on MY Publisher. I will update post if I am able to confirm that detail.

You will get a customizable twelve-month calendar from MyPublisher. Calendars measure 17-inches x 11-inches when open.
Choose from nine different styles and design your own unique calendar. Printed on 110-pound premium cover silk paper, these sturdy calendars can display up to 12 photos per month all with your choice of text and formatting.

Validity: February 24 through May 15, 2012, unless prohibited by law.

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