Good morning, it’s time to rise, shine and save!
I have lots of fun things planned for March. I have decided to do my Memory March series next month and it will be my intent to get my kids baby books complete and get some photos framed on the wall. I should have some fun giveaways with this and I”m hoping you’ll join me for the journey to get some of those digital photos off your computer and in a place where you can enjoy them. I’ll announce more Friday!
Yesterday I made a lump sum payment to pay off both mine and my husband’s student loans. This was the only debt we had besides our home – but it was substantial, as we both went to a private college. I didn’t make the best choices trying to pay for college on my own (I was young and naive!) and ended up paying for it longer than I would have liked. We graduated college nearly 10 years ago and after nearly a decade of frugal living and chipping away at our student loans and paying more than the monthly payment (even when I didn’t want to) we no longer have that burden. If you are in the process of paying down debt – don’t give up. Although it’s hard to justify paying more on a principle when you have wants and needs in other areas – I believe it is worth it. I still don’t think it’s hit me, but the freedom I feel and the weight lifted off our shoulders is beyond any words I can find. I’m no Dave Ramsey or debt reduction expert, but I hope to share more about this journey at a later date. For now, I’m just enjoying it and wanted to encourage you to keep on truckin’ – you can do it.
Only TWO more days! Don’t forget to enter to win the night stay at Skamania Lodge, near Portland, Oregon!
COUPONS
Only TWO more days to print coupons before they either expire or reset at the end of the month!
$1 off any ONE (1) Post Sesame Street Cereal
$3 off South Beach Diet Snack Smoothies
$1 off any 2 packages of O-Cel-O™ Scrub Sponges
BOGO (up to $3.00) Edge Shave Gel
$1 off 6 single cups or 1 Meow Mix pack
55¢ off when you buy any two (2) 5.3oz cups or one (1) 16oz cup or one (1) 4oz 4-pack of Stonyfield Organic Oikos Yogurt
50¢ off when you buy any three (3) 11 or 15 oz. Dole® Canned Mandarin Oranges
50¢ off when you buy any two (2) Dole® Canned Tropical Fruit
Head over here to see the latest coupons.
FAVORITE DEALS
Today over on Groupon you can get a the FULL version of the Rosetta Stone French, Italian or Spanish (Latin America) program for only $259.99 shipped (free returns as well). Save 42% – regular priced is $449!
Sign up for UPS My Choice and you’ll get notified anytime a package is coming your way. You can opt for email or text messages. I’ve had an account for nearly a year and I love it. I know when to expect a package and I can easily reschedule delivery if I know I’m not home!
RECIPES & MEAL PLANNING
New ads started today we posted – Albertsons QFC Safeway yesterday.
TOP Foods and Haggen will be up later today. I’m contemplating dropping TOP Foods all together. It gets about 200 page views a month, there just doesn’t seem to be the demand?
We’ll have a Bee Healthy produce round-up for you later today. You can see our recipe round-up by ingredients here.
Here are this week’s grocery match-ups and deals: Albertsons Fred Meyer QFC Safeway Winco
FOR THE LOCAL NW FOLKS
HOT! Seattle – The Roosevelt Hotel – One-Night Stay for Two in a Deluxe King Junior Suite with a $40 Restaurant Credit. Combine Up to Two Nights – Start at $139! I love this place, see my recent review and read about my stay!
NEW! Long Beach, WA – Adrift Hotel and Spa – Two-Night Stay for Two with Bonfire, Dining Credit, and Optional Surfing Lesson. Combine Up to Four Nights. Start at $99
NEW! Dalles, Oregon – Cousin’s Country Inn – One-Night Stay for Up to Four in a Standard Room. Combine Up to Two Nights – $71
NEW! Whistler BC – Aava Whistler Hotel – from $89/night
ONLINE DISCOUNTS & PROMO CODES
Joe’s New Balance Outlet deal of the day are these Women’s Running New Balance 790 $29.99 (reg. $84.99). Shipping is $5.95
REI Deal of the Day – prAna Parfait Jacket – Women’s – $56.93 (reg. $119) Ships FREE
NEW 6pm.com deals (free shipping on all orders, no minimum):
Sophisticated & Comfortable Boots – Aerosoles, Bearpaw, Rialto and more select styles $50 or less! (2/27)
Dr. Martens, Naot, Eric Michael and more up to 65% off! (2/27 – 3/1)
Nine West up to 65% off! (2/27 – 3/1)
Fashion-Forward Boots – Kelsi Dagger, C Label, Jessica Simpson and more select styles $90 or less! (2/27)
Vibram Five Finger up to 60% off! (2/25 – 2/27)
Reebok up to 70% off! (2/25 – 2/27)
AMAZON
Amazon Deal of the Day – Simmons ProSport 12x 50mm Roof-Prism Waterproof/Fogproof Binoculars (Black) – $49.99 (reg. $146.95)
Candy Land Disney Princess Edition Game – $15
Totally Bamboo 20-7930 3-Piece Cutting Board Set – $11.64
Cook Pro 4 piece Mixing Bowl Set – $8.99 (reg. $19.99)
Qtips Cotton Swab, 1875 count for $10.44 with Subscribe and Save. Clip the $1 coupon on the page and you’ll pay only $9.44 shipped.
Radio Flyer The Inchworm – $29. Regular price is $79
The Anne Stories: 11 Books for only $0.99. This includes: Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne’s House of Dreams, Rainbow Valley, Rilla of Ingleside, Chronicles of Avonlea, plus links to download the audiobooks for FREE!
Hope you have a great day!
Brooke Kingston says
Woo hooo on paying off the student loans!!!! You must feel like a million bucks with that debt gone. Congratulations to you and your big achievement, Heather!!!
Heather says
Thanks, Brooke! It feels great. 🙂 It’s been a looong road so it’s mostly just a relief!
Jenny says
Oh man! I love the Top Foods posts!!
Heather says
Thank you for the feedback Jenny. We are still discussing it and possible options. But it’s tough when we spend time/money on a post that gets so little love. 🙂