Atlanta's Frugal Mom

Ditching the Diapers: Potty Training in 3 (or 4) Days Disclaimer: The following is my account of potty training my daughter, using a particular method*. I am not claiming to be an expert on the subject. However, in 30 years, I've 20 years experience with working with kids, including two degrees in education. I've taught in middle school and elementary schools, and just finished up my first year in preschool. Again, I am NOT an expert in the matter, but I do feel my combined education and experience makes my account worthwhile. :o) During the third full week in May, I undertook the daunting task of potty-training my daughter, who was 26 months at the time. She was ready; she was more than ready, and I knew it. This just happened to be the first block of time where I could set aside to truly devote to the task. School had finished up the week before, and we had nothing critical that needed to be done. (Gym, schmym – we're ditching diapers!!) So, I began hypin

Right now, you can sign up to get a free sample of Honey Nut Cheerios, plus a $0.75 coupon.  Click here to get your sample.   Hurry!  Quantities are limited!  Thanks Cha-Ching on a Shoe String ! Keep on saving!  :o) --Barbara

$10.46 out of pocket. Not my best run, but not too shabby either, especially when paired with extra drug store cash. :-) (2) Schick Intuition razor blade refill ($8.99), in two separate transactions @ CVS: * used (2) $2.00 man coupon * used $5.00 ECB  *GOT $3 ECB from 1st transaction, to apply to 2nd transaction (1) can Pringles on-the-go can ($0.99) * used $1.00 coupon from CVS's "magic coupon center" -- yep, they were FREE! (2) rolls Scotch packaging tape from Walgreens * used store coupon to make them 2/$3.00 * used $1.00 off (2) manufacture coupon (1) Scotch paper cutter (on clearance for $1.82) * used $1.00 off manufacture's coupon ********How did YOU do thus far this week at the drug stores?  :o)******** Keep on saving!  :o) --Barbara

Every week, Target offers free gift cards (gc), just for purchasing select items. This week, there's also a few non-giftcard freebies, too. How nice! ;o) I think the winner this week is the Bounty deal -- just look at all the different deals you can get with your coupons this week.  And a bonus for those who got the $5 coupon on Friday from Facebook! Here are this week's deals. Y'all please let me know if I've missed a coupon or an offer. Buy This: (and use these coupons) Pay this (before coupons) Get this (10) SoBe Lifewater, Lean Tea, or Pure 10 for $10 $5 gc 8-pk Bounty giant-roll paper towels $1/1 Bounty Extra Soft Paper Towels @Target, exp. 9/15/11 (RP 06/26/11) $1/1 Bounty Paper Towels @Target, exp. 9/15/11 (RP 06/26/11) $5/1 Bounty Products (Facebook) FREE Target $5 Gift Card wyb Bounty Paper Towels, Charmin Bath Tissue, Pampers Diapers, Iams Dry Dog Food, exp. 8/31/11 (RP 06/05/11 R) $0.50/1

I have a few survey/opinion panel opportunities to share with you.  All three are currently accepting new applicants.  You won't make a fortune with any of these, but it can certainly amount to some nice pocket change and/or cool prizes.  Toluna -  Get rewarded for surveys and polls.  You earn points for taking surveys, which can then be traded in for sweepstakes entries, gift cards, or cold hard cash.   Click here to sign up today . Valued Opinions  - "Don't give your opinions away, get paid for them."  Valued Opinions rewards include Amazon.com, Macy's, and Marriott, just to name a few.  You can even earn rewards for referring friends.  Not too shabby, I say...  ;o)   Click here to sign up with Valued Opinions. Vindale Research  -  When you sign-up with Vindale research, you can get rewarded to give their opinions on products and services.   Vindale offers several different ways to participate and earn rewards: product evaluations, rese

TFS - New Freebies and Coupons Daily New freebies and coupons are featured daily at ThatFreebieSite . This site takes pride on only posting real freebies and samples. I'm certainly going to add a link to TFS to my " Samples and Free Stuff " page!   Click here to heck out ThatFreebieSite now!  :o) Keep on saving!  :o) --Barbara

Call me lazy, but I'm just going to post these codes directly to the blog.  First come, first served.  They're both good for 20% off, one for Gymboree, the other for Crazy 8.  Enjoy! P.S.  If you are able to use the code, please post directly to the blog (or shoot me an email ), so people will know it's been used.  Thanks!

Disney Parks - FREE Vacation Planner DVD               We all dream of taking our kids to Disney.  Now, whether it's a dream rather than closer to reality, you can go ahead and start planning your trip.   AND it's a great way to get your kids pumped about going there.  (Yeah, like they need help getting excited about a Disney vacation...)   Right now, you can get your FREE Disney Parks Vacation Planning DVD.   Click here for offer details.   Keep on saving!  :o) --Barbara

Here are two Redplum printable coupons, one for meat, and one for ants.  (I'll let y'all sort 'em out.)  :o) Amdro - SAVE $2.00 Tennessee Pride - SAVE $1.00 Keep on saving!  :o) --Barbara

Here are the latest printable coupons available from the CouponNetwork Grocery Coupons Looking for something in particular?     Hit "Ctrl F", and run a search! Save $2.00 on any TWO FRESCHETTA® Pizzas 12oz or larger 50¢ off when you buy EIGHT CUPS any variety Yoplait® Yogurt Save up to $3.00 when you buy three or more Fiber One® bars Save $15.00 when you buy $50 in participating Gift Cards Save up to $3.00 when you buy Nature Valley® Granola Snacks Save up to $2.00 on Hamburger Helper® Skillet Meals Save $5.00 when you buy $50 in Visa® Gift Cards Save $2.50 on Dr. Pepper™, Crush™ or A&W™ Dessert Toppers Save $2.50 when you buy any two Budweiser® Sauces 50¢ off when you buy any TWO Gold 'n Soft® 15oz Tubs $1 off when you buy any TWO Kellogg's® All-Bran® Cereal $10 off when you buy Philips Bikini Perfect bikini trimmer Save up to $4.00 when you buy OSCAR MAYER Lunchmeats Save $1.00 in future savings when you buy Dean's® Dip Save up to $4.0

Here's an opportunity for free reading games for kids! GoGo Kabongo develops cognitive skills that are essential to reading. Fun, educational children's games will build confidence and stay challenging with auto-leveling games that advance at your child's pace. Discover three different games in each habitat, each with six levels.   Click here to try it out.   Keep on saving!  :o) --Barbara

Play Bejeweled For Free Remember Bejeweled?  I first played it during my undergrad days, on my mom's Palm Pilot.  (Remember THOSE?) Now, you can compete for cash and prizes with other players on the Game Show Network!   Click here to play now.  :o) Keep on saving!  :o) --Barbara

As is characteristic of my life lately, I've had these coffee creamer coupons sitting in my kitchen for well over a month now, and piled under other **junk**, they were forgotten!  However, as I am not a coffee person (gimme a cold coke any day!), you can reap the benefits.   I have a small coffee gift pack to give away to one lucky reader.  The gift pack includes:  (1) coupon good for one FREE pint of Breve Creme coffee creamer, any flavor (exp. 7/31/2011) (5) coupons for $0.55 off any ONE CoffeeHouse Inspirations OR International Delight pint   (exp. 7/31/2011)   Don't think you'll blow through 5+ pints of creamer before the end of July?  Play coupon fairy, donate creamer to your office, or send as a gift to that special someone you know working the night shift! (2) sample (single-serve?) packets of Nestle's Coffee Mate, french vanilla flavor Don't think you'll blow through 5+ pints of creamer before the end of July?  Play coupon fairy, donate it to your

If you're like me, Father's Day has just suddenly crept up on you!  After all, didn't we JUST finish celebrating Mother's Day!?? But don't panic, you can still snag TWO free 8x10 collages at Walgreens!  WOO HOO! Enter the following promo codes to redeem them absolutely free: FREEBIE  and 1FREEBIE  -- Offer good through Saturday, June 18.  Plus, free shipping when you opt to pick up in store! Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom and Inspiring You 2 Save !

I am just so excited about this, I had to go ahead and give y'all a sneak peek!  I will be conducting a full review later, but I just have to share a little bit with you all NOW!   I recently got a foldable potty seat, from My Precious Kid , to replace my non-foldable potty seat I've been sporting around in a plastic reusable shopping bag for the last three weeks.  The order was finalized on Wednesday, June 8 and arrived today (Monday, June 13) via regular ol' USPS.   Good-bye bulky potty seat! Hello, foldable potty seat! You'll fit nicely in my daughter's bag!  :o) I must admit: I am quite impressed.  Not only with the speediness of the order, but with the product as well.  Although my husband and I hadn't planned on venturing out tonight, I insisted  we go somewhere, just to try it out!  We ended up eating at Target (my love!), and -low and behold!- my little monkey had to go potty.  (Never have I been more excited to hear her utter those words in publi

I've been pondering this for a quite a while now, so I'm just going to go ahead and put it out there: I'm considering hosting/offering a coupon class for those interested in the Atlanta area.  There's a TON of research I'd need to do to get it beyond the hypothetical stage, but I'd like to know: 1) Would you be interested in attending such a class?     2) Also, if you've already attended a couponing-type class, I'd love to hear from you.  Let me know what you'd like to learn from such a class.   3)Further, if you've ever GIVEN a couponing class, I'd really love to pick your brain.   I'll be putting out some preliminary forms via Google Docs soon, but wanted to just go ahead and see if there's much interest in a coupon class before I go any further.   If you can answer any of the above questions, please do so, either by commenting directly on the blog, on Facebook, via Twitter, or by  emailing  me.   I'm a teacher by profession

Extreme Wednesday's - Printable Coupon Reminders! As you all may know by now a new Extreme Couponing episode airs tonight on TLC, which serves as a perfect  reminder to grab your printable (and digital) coupons!     For a more extensive list of printable coupons, head here .  Also, you can brush up on all things "coupon" in the " Couponing 101 " tab above.  Coupons.com  -   You can print all your coupons.com coupons right here at AFM!    Remember, for each coupon, you may print it twice. Just hit the "back" button after the first printing.  ALso, if you haven't used it yet, you'll be asked to install  "coupon printer software" -- don't be scared, it's just their means to keeping track of which coupons you've already printed.  It's safe.  :o) Cellfire  -   Allows you to save digital coupons to your shoppers card, at stores like Kroger (and its affiliates.  It's the greenest way to Coupon.    Red Plum Coupon

Quiznos 30th Anniversary - 4 Coupons In honor of Quiznos 30th Anniversary, they're passing on some toasty savings to you.   Print all four coupons, and save them for a rainy day! Free Chip or Cookie and Regular Fountain Drink Free Sub or Regular Salad 2 Meals For $9.99 $1 Off Regular Sub or $2 Off Large Sub  Click  here  to print your coupons now!  :o)

When you join Chilis mailing list and get the latest news, offers and updates, you will also get a coupon for a BOGO burgers!  How cool is that!??   Click here to sign up now!   (...and then you can invite me to lunch with you, right?) .