Over the Hump Happenings 10/15 – Halloween Edition
by Briana Carter on October 15, 2008
Today is my youngest brother’s birthday! Happy 9th Birthday “B”!!!! (Yep, quite a bit of difference in age between me and my youngest brother!!!)
This week’s theme is the upcoming Halloween Holiday! It is almost here! Have you been stocking up on candy from all those great deals at CVS & Walgreens?
Thirteen for Halloween is dedicated to Spooky Projects to do yourself! Lots of great ideas! (Warning: This site does play music so you might turn your volume down!) Tip Junkie also has a Spook-ta-cular round up of Halloween ideas!
Costumes:
- Mommies with Cents has some fabulous ideas on making your own costumes. Simple costumes such as a Bee, Monkey, Lego, Sushi, and Pirate.
- Deal Seeking Mom gives some great tips on how to save on Halloween Costumes! My youngest son told me wants to be Batman! YAY! Because my older son was Batman last year or the year before and we already have that costume!
- If you aren’t creative or don’t have time, here’s a link to some of the hottest costumes! Includes coupon codes for free shipping from Celebration Express!
- Some book characters Halloween costume ideas from Scholastic. Characters such as Captain Underpants, Angelina Ballerina, Little Miss Spider, Hungry Catepillar are just a few ideas!
- Last minute ideas from Squawkfox.
- Costume ideas for your pet!
Food:
- Gross & Easy Food Recipes! Make a freakish Frog & More!!!
- Fancy Halloween Food…mine would never turn out like THIS.
- Wanna eat EYEBALLS?
- Monster Pudding – Not sure if my kids would go for this one!
Decorations:
- Free printable pumpkin carving stencils from Squawkfox (includes directions).
- Spooky candles to light your sidewalk.
- Plate Decorating – turn your plates into holiday plates!
- How to make your own weathered columns for Halloween Deocrations.
Other Tips:
- Green your Halloween from Mom Central.
- Great All Around Ideas from Kraft.
Giveaways:
- Halloween Themed Books from 5 Minutes for Books. Ends 10/22
- Thrifty & Chic Mom is giving away Promom Couture. Ends 10/17
- Grocery Price Books is giving away Free Frank’s Hot Sauce Coupons. Ends 10/19
- Little Window Shoppe is giving away a Mrs. Goodbee Dollhouse. Ends 10/24
Come back here for Freebie Friday & Tuesday Meals Under $10!
I also have an AWESOME giveaway going on and more to come!!!
Don’t miss out on any deals: Subscribe to my free newsletter via email or RSS.
Over the Hump Happenings 10/8
by Briana Carter on October 8, 2008
Today is my son’s 8th birthday! Happy Birthday “P”! Mommy Loves You!!! We had his party over the weekend but today is the official day of his birth. I can’t believe he is 8 already. I’m going to post some of the great links I used to get birthday ideas for the party for my son and my little brother (9) this past weekend. (They were born exactly 51 weeks apart.) We did a lego theme and I found some great ideas on the internet!
You can make your own lego character HERE. We made a Lego Batman guy and then made stickers for the goody bags, invites, etc. out of it. (Be advised you may not want to let your child play around on this site as it isn’t PG.) We also used EVITE for the invitations. I customized the invitation and added our lego guy to it!
Tip Junkie has some great reader ideas about Boy’s Birthday Parties. My mom made the Lego Cake and the boys then decorated it with lego creations. The cake turned out AWESOME!
I wasn’t quite ready to turn the boys loose on legos to build a tower at the party for a game like HERE. But it would have been fun if it had been more an indoor party and I didn’t think it would end up in a Lego War. We did do “Guess How Many Legos in the Jar.”
Thanks to all our friends and family who came. We really enjoyed seeing everyone. He has been playing with all the lego toys nonstop!
Now onto to some other things of interest around the bloggy world…..
Around the Blogosphere:
- Living on a Dime is giving away a free E-book called “Halloween on a Dime.” I’ve scanned through it and it has some great ideas in it. It is in PDF format and you can go here to download it.
- Penny Pinching Parent has a great blog post about Blog Etiquette. It is a must read for rookie bloggers and maybe some that have been doing this for awhile. On that same note, Angie @ Blog Coach has an article on Doing What is “Right” in the Blogging World and then this radical approach to blog piracy.
- Check out one of my bargain heroes HERE. Man, she is good! I don’t think I could quite get that low on my weekly spending. Love how she says her husband first thought she was doing something illegal.
- Jessica @ JessicaKnows tells how she is using Wishpot this Holiday Season. I just added the Wishpot toolbar to my browser. Very useful tool. Wishpot is great – you can even email a special email address and you can have access to the best price on an item. Jessica is also one of the Walmart “11″ Moms and gets to meet Harrison Ford AND Paula Deen this weekend. Plus tons of other cool stuff. I’m hoping these 12 moms (There are really 12 not 11) will give some awesome input to Walmart and encourage their stores to become more coupon friendly.
- Check out “Cents”able Momma’s Recipe Binder. I started one of these at one time and now I need to update it with all my magazine recipes I’ve torn out. On a similar note, check out Denise @ The Centsible Sawyer’s Video about step by step meal planning. She is also a Walmart “11″ Moms!
Bloggy Giveaways:
- Common Centsical is giving away a Blush Topless Undershirt. Ends 10/10.
- Interesting Requirements for this Giveaway at Mom Spark…Guess what the three pictured ingredients make. You will win the final product & a customized clipboard. Ends 10/15.
- $5 Dinners is giving away a Prego Valu Pack! Ends 10/13. (Go to this site anyway and check out all the great dinners under $5)
- Fishbowl Sense is giving away some of her Bath & Body Products. Ends 10/13.
- Frugal Finds is giving away a Yoplait Kids Prize Package. Ends10/10.
- For more giveaways, check out Mom Giveaways! I’m also a contributor to this site! So get over there!
Come back here for Freebie Friday & Tuesday Meals Under $10!
Don’t miss out on any deals: Subscribe to my free newsletter via email or RSS.
My Canon Party Pack Giveaway Ends 10/10. (TWO Winners!!)
Over the Hump Happenings 10/1
by Briana Carter on October 1, 2008
I can’t believe it is OCTOBER already! Before I know it, Christmas is going to be here! There are lots of Halloween themed things going on in the blogsphere: Spooky Giveaways & Halloween Money Saving Tips! October is going to be a fun filled and exciting month for my blog too! Look for lots of giveaways to come!
Around the Blogosphere:
- K-mart is having super double coupon days now through Sun. Check out Erin at Coupon Cravings for more details. (Also, be sure to check with your K-mart before heading out!)
- 2 Pamper Points Codes thanks to Deal Finding Mom!
- Check out Wags to Riches “Tuesday Thanks” post and post your favorite freebie you’ve received! She has all the latest Walgreen’s dish too!
- Deal Seeking Mom gives some great tips on how to save on Halloween Costumes! My youngest son told me wants to be Batman! YAY! Because my older son was Batman last year or the year before and we already have that costume!
- Free 2 Be Frugal gives some tips on how to save on gifts!
- Help from Smartsource if your store gives you a hard time about internet printables. Thanks to Freebies 4 Mom.
Bloggy Giveaways:
- Anna @ On a Quest to be Debt Free is giving away a Home Made Simple Coupon Book. Lots of good coupons in it! End 10/7
- Thrifty & Chic Mom is giving away some custom labels from Cutie Pies Custom Creations. Ends 10/3
- Relishing the Dirt is giving away a Yoplait Prize Pack: A cooler, a coupon for Yoplait Kids Yogurt and a Brain Quest game. Ends 10/16
- Act Quick on this one! Ends 10/1 at midnight! Classy Mommy is giving away a Leapfrog Tag Reading System! Just comment on a Halloween money saving trick or a Halloween tip!
- The Not So Blog Blog is giving away a Halloween Canvas Tote made by Etsy seller Mimi & Reese. Ends 10/5
- Momma Findings has several giveaways going on – all Spook-ta-cu-lar! HERE, HERE, HERE, and the one I want to win HERE.
- Deal Seeking Mom is giving away a Pillsbury Gift Package! Has lots of goodies in it! Just vote Brownie or Cake in the big Pillsbury Election! Ends 10/5
- Three Ladies and a Dad is giving away a Sesame Street Building Block Set! Ends 10/10
- Chief Family Officer is giving away some Weight Watchers Coupons 3 sets to be exact! Lots of money to save! Ends 10/8
- Frugal in Virgina is giving away a “Live Elated” Gift set. Ends 10/4
- Northern Cheapskate is giving away a 3 month subscription to ListPlanit. Ends 10/5
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Little Window Shoppe - Scribble It - Ends October 6th http://littlewindowshoppe.com/win-it-scribble-it
-
Little Window Shoppe - Bright and Bold - Ends October 8th http://littlewindowshoppe.com/bright-and-bold-giveaway
- For more giveaways, check out Mom Giveaways! I’m also a contributor to this site! So get over there!
Come back here for Freebie Friday & Tuesday Meals Under $10!
I also have a giveaway going on and more to come!!!
Don’t miss out on any deals: Subscribe to my free newsletter via email or RSS.
Over the Hump Happenings 9/24
by Briana Carter on September 24, 2008
Blog Giveaways:
Altered Art Junkies is giving away a Free Altered Frida Journal. Ends 9/30
Thrifty Momma is giving away a 2 year subscription to All You Magazine. Go HERE for details on how to enter. Ends 10/5
Wow, Wow, Wubzy DVD Giveaway from Mommies with Cents. Ends 9/26
Toilet Tattoo Giveaway. What a cool idea! From Centsible Mommy. Ends 10/1
My personal Reviews is giving away some coupons! Go HERE to enter. Ends 9/26 Plus, she is having a Savoring the Moment Giveaway which includes a coupon for the new Pillsbury Savorings. Ends 9/26 also.
Around the Blogosphere:
My friend, Lisa, has a new blog called Freebie Freaks. (Hopefully I won’t ever be featured! ha ha!!) The funny and unusual requests found on freecycle, craigslist, and similar sites! Enjoy!
Jess @ And She Lived tells you how to make money with Moms Auto Ads.
Over the Hump Happenings 9/17
by Briana Carter on September 17, 2008
Free Samples:
- Walmart Crest White Expressions Sample
- Walmart Pledge Multi Surface Wipes
- Walmart Jergens Daily Natural Moisturizer
- Walmart Huggies Supreme
- Walmart Goodnight Sample
- Reach Access Flosser
- Aquafresh Extreme Clean Sample
- Ponds Clean Sweep (Costco)
- Kotex Light Days Free Sample (Costco)
- Free Ultra Purex Laundry Sample
- Free Mini Eraser from Mr. Clean
- Sign up at P&G Sampling for the latest Procter & Gamble samples!
- Sign up HERE to get loads of Free Samples all in one place: Join now to get free samples from top name brands! Cheap is good, but FREE is better! Click Here
Printable Coupons:
- $1/1 Start Smart Strawberry Oat Bites (Thanks to Cheapsk8mom)
- Mr. Clean Coupons
- $1/1 Pillsbury Sweet Rolls (Thanks to Centsible Savings)
Free Magazines:
- 2 Free Issues of All You (A MUST HAVE Mag for couponers! Tons of AWESOME coupons each month!!!)
- Rouge Magazine – A new beauty magazine from P&G (IT does have coupons – Thanks to Mommy Making Money!!)
- 16 Issues of Traditional Homes Magazine
- 1 Free Issue of Bridal Guide
- 10 Free Issues of Waterski Magazine
- 12 Free Issues of Boating Life
- Free Pink Magazine (For business professionals)
- Free Lego Magazine (My kids love this one!)
- 2 Year Free Subscription to Parents Magazine compliments of Start Sampling. You have to sign up at Start Sampling First, then click HERE.
Blog Giveaways:
- Apron from Everyday Chic at Pennies on a Platter. Ends 9/17.
- 5 copies of the Flavor Bible from the Joy of Desserts. Ends 9/21
- Basket full of goodies from Penny Pinching Parent! Ends 9/20
Other:
- Free Tote from Nature’s Bounty when you sign up HERE. You will also get a $2/1 Printable Coupon.
- Printable 50% off Michael’s coupon
Around the Blogosphere:
- Penny Pinching Parent has opened up a design studio – Happy Apple Studios. Check it out she has already done some fabulous things!
- Bank Bonuses found a a great deal from Flagstar Bank – up to $500 in free gas. Go HERE to find out all the specifics. (MI, IN, and GA only)
- Just for Fun: Cake Wrecks.
Around here:
- Current CVS Deals
- Current Kroger Deals
- Current Marsh Deals
- Current Meijer Deals
- Free Breakfast at Ikea 9/19 to 9/21
- You can now get your “Deals on the Go” from Bargain Briana
- I announced the winner of my $100 Coupon Giveaway and I’m going to start doing this twice a month so check back regularly or subscribe to my feed or email subscriptions to keep updated when the next giveaway will be.
- Don’t forget about the $20 off a $50 coupon code from Shoe buy!
- What came in my mailbox this week?
- 3 AWESOME trips to Walgreens last week!
- New from Upromise: Ecoupons
- My Favorite Mattress – Free Information kit!
Over the Hump Happenings 9/10
by Briana Carter on September 10, 2008
Freebies:
- Free Fruit Roll Up Sample
- Check out Last Week’s Freebies! Most are still available!
Coupons:
Rebates:
Magazine Subscriptions:
Around the Blogosphere:
- BeCentsable has gone back to the “old” version of the Grocery Gathering with a few changes! Check it out! My Meijer and Marsh deals are featured. They are also starting to talk about frugal Christmas!
Blog Giveaways:
- Anna, On a Quest to Be Debt Free, is giving away some $2/1 Scrubbing Bubbles Action Scrubber. I really want to try this out! Ends 9/14.
- Honey, I shrank our spending is giving away Weight Watchers Coupons! Ends 9/10
- Coupon & Rebate Giveaway Approx Value $100 Ends 9/14
- Rocks in My Dryer gives a great tip on how to keep your Box Tops for Education in a handy place! I do something similar, only I use a zip lock bag.
Around Here:
- 9/4 to 9/10 Marsh Deals
- 9/7 to 9/13 Meijer Deals
- 9/7 to 9/13 CVS Deals
- September 9/1 to 9/30 CVS Monthly Deals
- Check out my series on “How to Save/Earn on Amazon”
- All You Magazine September 26th Edition
Over the Hump Happenings 8/27
by Briana Carter on August 27, 2008
Free Samples:
Coupons/Online Printables:
- $1/2 Blueberry Frosted Mini Wheats
- $4 off $50 Purchase at K-mart – Check out their Labor Day Sales!
- $2/1 Sun Crystals Natural Sweetener
- Save $1.00 on Happy to Fly – Natural Anti-Anxiety Formula for Travelers Click Here
- Don’t forget about all the coupons in my sidebar. You can print coupons without leaving this site!
Free Magazines:
Other:
- RecipeRewards.com – Hungry? Try our FREE brand-name recipes. Dig in to 1000′s of FREE recipes now. Click Here
Around the Blogosphere:
- Walgreens Moneymaker: Glade Scented Oil Warmers
- Penny Pinching Diva has preview list of the coupons available in the September All You Magazine.
- Deal Seeking Mom has a nice vlog about convenience and baby foods. I did not know that there was the exact same ingredients stage 1 & stage 2 foods!!! Check it out to see how to save money and not be inconvenienced!
- Marin, Frugonomics 101, has some tips on going Green. Sometime it is hard but you can do a few simple things to make a difference.
- Northern Cheapskates fills you in on how to Cash in with Coin Star.
- Get a Free Breakfast at IKEA this weekend. Thanks to Erin at Coupon Cravings.
- Family Fantasy Football? Chief Family Officer tells you how to have fun playing fantasy football and get a chance to win $25K for your 529.
Check out my Series on How to Earn/Save at Amazon and then enter to win a $25 Gift Certificate from Amazon.com.
Be sure to sign up for this free photo sharing site! It is free for you and I will earn $5 for each person who signs up for an account!











