Save money on home phone service!

I have been using a VoIP (voice over internet protocol) phone service for around 7 years now!  When we moved from PA to MD 7 years ago, we were able to keep our local PA phone number, and still have that same number now that we're back in PA!!  I have used 3 different companies and have no major complaints with the service itself.  I recently went looking for a less expensive option, since our bill had climbed over $40/month!  I am loving our newest VoIP service - Phone.com


One of the neat features of phone.com is that they offer a referral program to save you even more money!  So yes, not hiding anything, if you click this link to sign up, I will receive credit!  Sign up for Phone.com!

But the best news???  My phone bill is $9.88/month.  Yup.

I also love that you can log onto phone.com's site and see your incoming calls, listen to voicemails, send a fax, even send a text message!  Many more features are on their site, there are just too many to mention.

I hate laundry... but I love saving money!

I guess I can't get around the hatred of laundry....  (it's really the folding & putting away that I despise most), but I can learn to like it a bit more when I save money doing it AND do it in a safe *green* way.  Not to mention how easy this is... making my own laundry detergent took about 15 minutes!!!  And according to other bloggers, I will have enough for about 32 loads of laundry.

What you need:
1 bar Fels Naptha Laundry soap (any bar of laundry soap can be used)
1 Cup Mule Team Borax
1 Cup Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda

That's it!!!  Now, you just grate the entire bar of soap, then add the cups of borax and washing soda.  Mix it all together and you're done!  You only need to use ONE TBSP per load!  And no, this will not make suds; suds do not = clean!  All of the ingredients are easily found at the local Walmart!

The recipe came from Mommy's Kitchen.  She also has a recipe for a larger batch!  The cost per load is calculated to be approx 7 cents per load!  Can't beat that for safe, chemical-free laundry soap!

Looking for a liquid laundry soap?  I have links to several on my Pinterest board - Naturally.

Outlet savings (using foursquare!)

Do you use Foursquare?  I started using it just for fun (it's an app for your smartphone!), but have found it useful in saving money!  When you go to any location, you "check in" using your phone.  There are tons of locations (retail, food) that offer specials just for checking in!  Our recent trip to the Grove City Outlets allowed me to use several discounts.  My total savings for the day was $95.37 - plus by checking in at the Outlets, I was given a free coupon book that is normally $5, so bonus coupons!  :)

• The Children's Place - Subtotal $79.  30% off = $55.30 *savings of $23.70!

• aerie - Subtotal $46.41 - 15% off = $39.45 *savings of $6.96

• Old Navy - Subtotal $80.64 - 10% off = $72.49 *savings of $8.15

• Justice - Subtotal $128.83 - 40% off = $77.27 *savings of $51.56

• Skechers - Subtotal $59.92 - $5 off = $54.92 *savings of $5.00

Reusable produce bags

I'm guessing about a year ago, I made these cute reusable produce bags for my sister!  She loves them and uses them every grocery trip... and tells me that she receives compliments on them *every* time!  So why haven't I made myself a set yet?  Excellent question with no good answer!  I shall add it to my to-do list.  :)

My CVS plan...

I'm not planning to spend $19+ out of pocket though.

I want to purchase the John Frieda deal first, using $2 ecb from last week, spending $8 oop.

Then I will use the $10 ecb from the John Frieda transaction to purchase the remaining items on my list.  Balance should be around $0, and I will receive $8 in ecb.  (I HOPE!)

Vocalpoint is giving away free bags of Fresh Express salad and more!

Click HERE to get yours!

Fresh Express^® has developed a breakthrough, eco-friendly produce wash called Fresh Rinse^™ that is 7x more effective in cleaning salads than traditional chlorine wash,¹ but is still gentle on lettuce.

• Environmentally friendly
• Acceptable for use on organic produce

¹Based on average reduction of bacteria (Total Aerobic Plate Counts,

and indicator for the level of microorganisms on a product)

Great deals at Target this week!

Here is what my plan at Target was for this week...



...and I accomplished everything except for the 40 free prints (cause I don't have them chosen yet, lol).

Bed pillows for $.50 each!
FREE pens and Sharpies!!

I will try to link my spreadsheet to the IP coupons (internet printable) in case anyone is interested in using these deals themselves!

**Update - Get Target store coupons HERE!