Sunshine and Sippy Cups — Page 281 — Smart Solutions for Busy Moms!

{Not So} Extreme Couponing Tips!

You all know I like to save money.

I’m a new {and unexpected, due to job loss!} stay at home momma. Losing your job is scary enough, having a brand new baby and all of those expenses is MUCH scarier!

So, I need to save as much of our money as possible, while still having fun and living a good life!

I loved the show Extreme Couponing when it first came out, because it made couponing a little bit more “trendy”, and my friends became more accepting of me and my dorky coupons at the grocery each week, lol.

Extreme Couponing Show:

So, after watching the show {which is totally unrealistic, just so you know. People save BIG money with coupons, but hardly anyone does what they do in the show. They are doing it FOR SHOW. So don’t feel discouraged if you can’t keep up!} if you want to find some fun new coupon sites, here ya go!

Check out some of my favorites:

Groupon: The best way to get LOCAL deals 90% off!. Click Here.
Coupons.com: One of the best coupon sites, with reliable and safe printable coupons! Save on your favorite brands. Get Coupons from Coupons.com Today! Click Here.
Vocalpoint: Great way to get really high-value free offers, like full size products! Vocalpoint was made for smart, deal-savvy women like you. Click Here.
Gerber: Get a free quote on rates, plus loads of coupons and great offers for new parents! Plus, get a FREE Child Safety ID Kit from Gerber Life Click Here.
Cellfire: Save grocery coupons directly to your supermarket savings card with Cellfire. Click Here. This is a cool one!
Free Coupon Alerts: Get notified of the best coupons available on the web! Click Here.
Kellogg’s: Get bunches of free coupons from Kellogg’s! $5-$10 worth of goodies! Click Here.

These are just a few that came to mind tonight. If you have been reading a lot lately, you know that I have a surgery scheduled for my baby girl tomorrow morning, so I’m a bit distracted tonight :) But I wanted to give you some good info!

Check ’em out, get some great goodies, and have a great night!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 7, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | No Comments

Join Me Today at Giveaway Blogs!

Visit Giveaway Blogs

Bloggers:

Are you a Blogger who loves giveaways? Are you interested in meeting and conecting with new companies?

Business:

Are you a company {big or small!} that would love to have your amazing product reviewed by some great bloggers? Are you interested in sponsoring blog giveaways too?

Join the party!

Then I invite you to join me and sign up TODAY for Free Blog Giveaways on GiveawayBlogs Network!

By joining today you can:

Enjoy the wonderful community of bloggers and host giveaways.
Become a partner and take advantage of the marketing opportunity by sponsoring giveaways to the members of the network.
Connect with bloggers and marketers for business opportunities.
Join the forum community for fun and helpful discussions.
Create or join a group of your choice.
Establish your business or blog as a leader!

Plus, you’ll find so many other blogs to learn from and partner with! Tons of linkys to help promote your own giveaway, lots of great advice in the forums, and groups to help you find new opportunities to grow your blog with exciting events!

Invite your friends!

Once you join, make sure to invite YOUR friends to join you too! The bigger the community, the more we all benefit, right? And make sure to tell them that Meagan from Sunshine and Sippy Cups sent ya! And you can also check them out on Facebook too, and say hello!

If you have any questions, or if you’re a member yourself and would like to share some tips on using the site {I’m still a newbie myself!} please leave some comments!!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 7, 2011 Filed Under: Contests | 4 Comments

TONS of New FREE Samples by Category!

Check it out:

You can now search FreeFlys Freebies and Samples by Category!

I found SO many new samples to sign up for this morning, love it.

FreeFlys Category Search:

Food Category: Find Steak Seasoning, Miracle Whip, Haagen Dazs, and other goodies!
Click Here.
Beauty Category: Samples from Loreal, Dove, Sephora, and Bare Escentuals, and more!
Click Here.
Children Category: Huggies, Beech-Nut, American Baby, and lots more!
Click Here.
Health Category: Natures Bounty, Purex, Emergen-C, and other health brands!
Click Here.
Other Category: Cat and Dog food, Netflix, Business Cards, and more!
Click Here.

Check it out yourself, and get a TON of new samples and goodies headed your way! This is a super quick and easy way to stock up on some great stuff. And, I have used FreeFlys forever, and they keep your info safe, no spam, so they are totally safe to sign up with!! You’ll LOVE their daily updates!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 7, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | No Comments

How To: Save Money When Dining Out! {Coupons, Deals, and More!}

Saving Money When Dining Out:

I’m a stay at home momma, so I don’t get out of the house a whole lot. I’m also nervous about leaving the baby with someone, and only have a very few trusted sitters, so my opportunities to get out are kinda limited!

Going out to eat is one way we can get out of the house with the baby, meet our friends, and I can actually have some type of social life still! But I hate spending a ton of money.

I LOVE when restaurants offer freebies, special offers or deals, and coupons, to help save when you go out!

A few quick tips to save money anytime you dine out:

Visit at lunch instead of dinner. You can often get the same options, but at a much lower price!
Dine at the bar during Happy Hour. Many times they have really amazing specials on appetizers, or maybe even dinner. And some places even have freebies during Happy Hour. Free is my favorite flavor!
Always ask your server if they have a special before ordering. Many times restaurants have a special deal that isn’t advertised on the menu, and your server may be busy and forget to mention it.

If you have some other great tips, I’d love for you to share in the comments below, so everyone can benefit from them too!

Here are a few deals and coupons available now:

Quizno’s: Celebrate Quiznos’ 30th Anniversary with Four Coupons! Click Here.
Restaurant Gift Cards: $25 Dining Certificate for up to 80% off! Click Here!
Olive Garden: Unlimited Soup, Salad, and Breadsticks is back for a limited time! I LOVE this one! We usually order a fun appetizer too. These three things are honestly my favorite things at Olive Garden, so this is perfect for me. In my area, this deal is going for only $6.95 per person, a great way to have a wonderful afternoon out on a budget.
Coupons.com: Check them often for new restaurant printables. Click Here
Groupon: TONS of great deals on local restaurants! And, if you’re going to be traveling for summer, sign up for alerts from the city you’ll be visiting, and get HUGE discounts up to 90% off on restaurant certificates, and other attractions. Click Here.

More tips:

To save at any of your favorites, especially local sites, just do a quick online search for the restaurant you’re interested in. You’ll almost always find their website, and maybe a facebook page too. Sign up for any club that they have, or reward program. Then you’ll be the first to know of special deals, and coupons!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 6, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | No Comments

Free {Very Pretty} Baby Sling!

I love these baby slings!

I used this offer the last time I saw it, when my baby girl was a few months old. We have the black and white one, since it matches the bedding and other baby stuff…

Black Magic

$39.00

It is such nice quality… The fabric is gorgeous.

Right now you can get one FREE, just pay shipping. Visit the Seven Slings website and choose the size and pattern that you want, and use code FAMILY2011 to take 100% off of the price!!

MAKE SURE to use the size chart to ensure you get the right size!

The first time I ordered, I thought it was based on the baby’s size, so I ordered a small… No, it’s based on YOUR size, to make sure it fits you correctly when you wear it. And girl, let me tell you, I am NOT a small :) ESPECIALLY not two months after delivery, lol.

I promise that you will LOVE this sling…. They are so pretty. I’ve bought a couple others at discounted rates for baby shower gifts, and they’re always really popular. They work great… I loved to have baby be able to snuggle up in there while I watched TV, and still have my hands free.

Are you a member of the Planning Family Community yet?

This offer is sponsored by Planning Family, one of my favorite baby information, freebie, and deal resources! Sign up with them today to get updates on offers like this too.

Would you like to receive some great free samples, offers, and coupons for your new bundle of joy?

If you are a new Parent, Grandparent, Aunt, Uncle or friend, register with Planning Family for some great stuff for the baby!

At Planning Family you will find free baby samples, free baby magazines, baby formula coupons and more.

Tons of free baby stuff from the brands you know and trust. Click Here to join!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 6, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | No Comments

Daily Bit of Sunshine…

“Always kiss your children goodnight – even if they’re already asleep.” – H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

I love this quote, and thought it was really sweet.

When I was pregnant, I bought a print to hang over baby’s crib that says “Always Kiss Me Goodnight” because I thought that really summed up what type of parent I wanted to be….

I want to make sure she knows that I love her, and take the time each day to show it.
I never want to get “too busy” to make moments just for her.
I loved ending my day with a kiss for baby girl, and that feeling of love and gratitude I get from being her mommy.

Do you have a favorite quote that makes you think of your child? Share it in the comments…

Posted by Meagan Paullin on June 5, 2011 Filed Under: Mommy Thoughts | No Comments