Free Bowling - Central Ohio !!!

Its about 2 weeks into summer vacation (ok, so maybe less) that the kids start whining that they are bored.

My son decided his birthday activity this year would be for the whole fam to go bowling. I would like to stop and interject here that its sad when you still bowl bad as an adult.....with the bumpers out but that is another post.

Anywho, I picked up a little pamphlet that promised free bowling all summer long to kids 16 and under. Here is the skinny......

AMF is offering a program where kids under 16 score free bowling all summer long.

Just visit freebowling.amf.com to sign up and learn more.

Each week you will be e-mailed coupons for 2 free games per day, per child.

They can bowl for free and also enjoy activities, contests and more!

Just thought I would pass it along :)

What's better than Free!!!

I just heard a rumor that today only at Bob Evans you can get free Sweet Potato Fries!

A little birdie also told me that you "like" Bob Evans on facebook you have the chance for A TON of coupons and free kids meals every month.

What is better than free?

Mama knows best - Coupon limits

We as mamas have to be innovative and thrifty all in the same beat. Somehow we find new ways of doing things that save us money, time and maybe if we are really blessed.... sanity!

Oh my goodness! I have not done a Mama knows best in... forever! I just couldn't let this pass without sharing with y'all!

I was checking out at my local Kroger. I had gotten a couple of things that had peelie coupons located on them. I didn't bother peeling them off, however because they were for products that I was not going to purchase. ( It was on a pack of blueberries and was for ziplock containers) The cashier asked me if I wanted to use the peelie coupon. I explained to him that I didn't purchase the ziplock containers so I couldn't.

He then informed me that I could indeed use the peelie even if I had not purchased the second item, as long as I purchased the item that the peelie was on. He ripped it off and scanned it and sure enough I was given the discount on just the blueberries! I asked how it was possible ? He informed me that the manufacturer pays for the coupon already. So as long as you buy the product that the peelie was on they go ahead and give you the discount.

Then he goes on to tell me that they also except expired coupons because the manufacturer pays them anyway. I was so excited to learn about these two things that I just had to share!!

Do you have a money/time/sanity tip to share? E-mail me at everythingmom@live.com !

Did you know?? - Pharmacy deals!!

I love my pediatrician. I mean I loooooovvvvvveeeeeee him. He loves my babies like his own and showers them with songs and hugs. On top of all that he is a grocery bargain shopper. Can it get any better?!?!

He told me something very interesting at this weeks appointment. ( Am I the only mama that feels like I am at the pediatrician multiple times.... a week ? )

He told me to cut and save the Giant Eagle coupon for $1 off fuel with a new prescription. Then take it to a Kroger store and they will give you a $30 gift card.

THAT IS $30 OFF YOUR GROCERIES!!!!!

Of course fuel perks are nice too but if you don't shop Giant Eagle this may be a great deal for you!!

How I keep my coupons organized....

I have gotten several e-mails wondering how I keep my coupons organized. I have to tell you that I have just now gotten a system that I feel works.

What I used to do is have a coupon "wallet". You know the accordion style. It worked for quite a while. What I found however, is that I was wasting alot of time shuffling through my coupons each week at the store trying to see if I had a corresponding coupon! All of us mamas know that time is limited with kidlets and a hungry hubby at home!

I needed a way to be able to see all my coupons fast and easy. (I take all my coupons with me everytime I shop because many times I will find deals at the store that are manager markdowns or on sale. The last thing you want to do is make another trip back to the store!!)

This is what I came up with.......

I use a 3 ring binder. (I liked pink.... pink makes me happy.) I then got some nifty tabs that are erasable. This way when I want to use them in another way I can re-use instead of re-buy.

I then organize my tabs by grocery isles. Most stores are set up the same. Produce is first then personal items, etc. I almost always grocery shop the same store so I set it up by that. No more flipping through tabs.... they are all in order!

I found some baseball card holders which has large slots-9 to a page. They work perfect for coupons. I can see whole coupon, expiration date and value. (No more shuffling through coupons to see which ones need to be thrown away as well. woohoo!! ) I organize the coupons by brand withing the tab.

Example: In the hair tab I have all the Dove shampoos together, then Pantene etc. This also saves me alot of flipping and time!

This may seem like alot of extra trouble but I assure you that it saves you a ton of time and money in the end. It may take some extra time to set it up initially but once its set up, it takes less time to maintain then a "pile".

So yes I look like a freak at the grocery store with my binder. I realize. I am a money saving freak, however and I can live with that !!