Saving - LeapFrog LeapPad 1 $59.99 + Free Gel Skin!

Wow!  Grab a LeapFrog LeapPad1 Explorer Learning Tablet for just $59.99 shipped Free with Super Saver shipping PLUS for a limited time grab a Free Gel Skin!

This same LeapPad sells for $79 online at Walmart!

There appear to be some great reviews on this LeapPad product!  Check one more gift off your list!

Saving - Great DVD Deals on Amazon!

There are some nice sales going on over on Amazon for DVDs.  They make great stocking stuffers and gifts!

Score Free Shipping with Amazon Prime or when you purchase $25 with Super Saver!

Dr. Seuss' The Lorax $3.99

The Sandlot $2.99

Barbie: The Princess & The Popstar $5

Planet 51 $4.99

And many more to check out!

Saving - LEGO Friend City Park Cafe Just $19.40!

What a nice deal over on Amazon for the LEGO Friends City Park Cafe 3061 !  Grab it now for just $19.40 (regularly $29.99).  Plus spend just $25 and it qualifies for Free Super Saver shipping!

Thanks, Hip2Save!

Saving - Shopping Dollar Stores!

I have always been a fan of dollar stores. In fact, I remember as a young shopper heading to the mall in a neighboring city with my parents and finding my first dollar store. What?! Everything is a dollar?  Talk about pure joy for a young gal with little money!

Dollar stores have changed over the years, with many offering items for sale for more than a dollar.  The Dollar Tree, however, is a great dollar store with items not exceeding a buck. 

If you haven’t given dollar stores a chance to help you save on your family budget, I encourage you to do so.

First, a few tips when shopping dollar stores:

*Quality – Not everything is worth a dollar. Whether it is due to poor quality or the ability to get a better price elsewhere, be sure to weigh the value before purchasing.
*Inventory Changes – Some dollar stores (like Dollar Tree) will get in name brand products from time to time or random items they don’t usually carry that come and go quickly, so be sure to review aisles for special finds.
*Expiration Dates – If purchasing food items, be sure to review expiration dates.
*Higher Prices – When shopping dollar stores aside from Dollar Tree, be sure that you keep an eye on the price of the item you are purchasing as some products sell for more than a dollar.
*Coupons – Many dollar stores do not accept coupons.  The Dollar Tree recently started accepting coupons.  Their policy is available on their website.

Some great finds for a dollar:

Loopy's Dollar Store - Sycamore Ave

*Craft supplies - Check out the aisle for foam stickers, pom pom balls, googly eyes, popsicle sticks, glitter glues, pipe cleaners, etc!  Such a great way to stock your kid’s craft buckets!
*Containers – There are so many fun containers, depending on the season. Baskets, buckets, etc. Find a red or green, or other seasonal color and use them for gift baskets for Christmas or a way to deliver homemade cookies/goodies. Check out here for another fun idea!

Dollar Tree

*Coloring Books and Workbooks - Love, love, love the workbooks that can be found at dollar stores for a buck! Help your toddler or school aged children practice different activities like their ABCs, colors, shapes, reading comprehension and more. And don't forget the coloring books; some include favorite characters or even stickers. 

Dollar Tree

*Stickers - If your toddler is anything like mine, you will thank me for this tip! Grab stickers at the dollar store for those busy hands.  There are many options for their favorite characters.  Why pay $1.99 or more, when you can get it for a dollar?
*Gift Bags – Gift bags at the dollar store come in a wide array of sizes and occasions, including Christmasr.  This makes for great savings, if you are used to picking up bags elsewhere for $3 or more!
*Kitchen Items – Spatulas, tin disposable cookware, measuring cups, oven mitts, character zipper baggies, brown bags, etc.
*Cleaning Supplies – Think dish soap, liquid cleaners, rubber gloves, mops and more for $1!
*Party Supplies – Plates, napkins, cups, decorations, table cloths and more!

Dollar Tree

*Bubble Bath & Body Wash – lately I have noticed many character body wash and bubbles popping up on the shelves!

Dollar Tree

*Band-Aids – You may even find Barbie and Avengers band-aids!

Dollar Tree

*Hand Sanitizer – This is a great way to grab sanitizer, we even found Angry Birds and Spiderman individual size sanitizer!
*Lip Gloss – So many fun options for the lip gloss-loving gal in your life!

Dollar Tree

*Toothbrushes & Floss Picks – Character toothbrushes and floss picks at a nice value.
*Helium Balloons – They offer ‘get well’, ‘happy birthday’ and more!
*Greeting Cards – Individual cards are 2 for $1 and have really improved in quality.  They may also offer hand-crafted cards for $1 each and are super cute.

There are truly some great finds at the dollar store!  Now start checking over your Christmas shopping lists and put these great items to work for you this Christmas!  Save money by substituting one or more of your gifts with items purchased at the dollar store.  Simply switch out your kid’s character body wash normally purchased at Target for $3.99 a bottle for one (or 2) from the dollar store! 

Many items above would make great stocking stuffers.  Or combine products and make a gift basket out of them!

Stay tuned for an article highlighting some fun Christmas ideas from the Dollar Tree!

Note: This article was originally written for a MOPS group I participate in. 

Saving - Del Monte Pineapple Coupon & Cards! THANK You!

I posted a quick note on the Living,Laughing,Saving Facebook page this morning to say a quick thanks to all of my fabulous readers!  For those that don't do Facebook I wanted to be sure to say it over on the blog as well.  And then funny, I was cruising Facebook and saw Del Monte's post with their fun cards you can share....so I thought, how fun for this post. 

And then...even better I noticed a coupon available!  (I am not 100% certain that this a reset, but I was able to print.)  Get $.50/1 Del Monte Gold Extra Sweet Pineapple!

Thank you to everyone that keeps coming back for more on this blog!  I know I don't post much to the actual blog anymore, as it becomes time consuming, but I do a lot of sharing of deals on Facebook.  With the holidays on the way, I will probably be posting more here.  Thanks for continuing with me on this fun ride.  Have a great day!

Saving - Toys R Us Crayola Deal!

Toys R Us has a nice Crayola deal going on this week, which coincides with a deal they are offering in their toy book catalog.

This week's deal (through 11/17/12)
Purchase $19.99 in Crayola arts and craft products receive the Twistable Crayons set $11.99 value FREE

Toy book deal (through 11/21/12)
Purchase $19.99 in Crayola arts and craft products receive the Pip Squeaks set $10.99 value FREE

Combine both of these deals through this Saturday 11/17 to grab both items Free with a $19.99 purchase!  As you can see the above receipt, one purchase of $19.99 or more will trigger both items to ring in for Free!

This is a great way to score some fun and creative gifts for Christmas!

AND if you have seen the $3 off $10 Crayola purchase coupon inside your Kraft String Cheese packages, you will be able to save even more! (Spend $19.99 before coupon - $3 coupon will not affect the trigger of the free items.)

Local Tip: HyVee on 49th/Louise has the Kraft String Cheese packages with the coupon inside on price decline for $2 a package!  (This is a special display near the meat case.)  Plus use the $.75/1 Kraft String Cheese coupon from 10/28 SS to grab them for $1.25!

Also, be sure to check out additional mail in savings from Crayola here.

Saving - Veteran's Day Specials Today!

Thank a Veteran not only today, but every chance you have!  Happy Veteran's Day!

Here are a few specials going on today 11/12/12 for Veteran's:

Champps - Free burger and fries all day today - here

Lonestar - Free entree today - here

Mixed - Any day, including today receive 10% off - here

Outback Steakhouse - free Bloomin' Onion and Free Beverage today only.  And grab 10% discount off your entire purchase starting tomorrow through 12/31. 

Red Mango - Get a free frozen yogurt today - here

Texas Roadhouse - Free lunch today - here

There are sure to be more deals popping up today, please leave a comment to share!

Saving - Free 2013 Calendar From Pillsbury!

Grab a free 2013 calendar from Pillsbury, while supplies last!  Head over here, login or register and complete the calendar request form.

I love these calendars!  The recipes are fun and great!  I also like to fill out a calendar for each kid with events or memories on the date it happens.  And these are great to use!

Saving - Free 8x10 Collage From Walgreens Photo!

You have through Nov 3 to grab a Free 8x10 Collage Print from Walgreens Photo!  Just enter COLLAGEFREE at checkout, then choose in-store pick up so there are no shipping charges added!

Put together a cute collage page of the kiddos in their costumes or think ahead to the holidays coming, a nice collage print can make a fantastic gift as well!

Saving - Dairy Queen Half Off at Sioux Falls Benson Location!

There is a fun deal on Groupon good for $10 of treats/food at Dairy Queen for just $5!  Appears this deal is only valid at the new Benson Rd location.  And it doesn't expire until after Christmas, so you could use it for a stocking stuffer!