Save Some Money This Christmas ***MORE DEALS

I have become addicted to saving money.  Always looking for a new way to save, Dan says I am going to bankrupt us by saving money.  Haha.  But with the Holidays fast approaching, I figured how can't stand to learn a few ways to save money this Christmas?

My personal favorite...Swagbucks.  I learned about this one at my MOPS (mother of preschoolers) group.  I signed up for it last January and use it as my search engine instead of Google or Yahoo - it's totally free.  It can seem tedious - like you aren't earning much but it adds up.  I earned $200 in Amazon.com gift cards this year just by switching search engines.  The key is never using the address bar.  Type EVERYTHING into swagbucks.com.  Going to Facebook?  Don't go directly there...swagbuck it first.  The points add up.  You get rewarded usually 3-5 times a day.  The best prize to exchange for is the amazon.com $5 card.  We got our kids a free Nintendo DS and more for Christmas.

Ebates  I just learned about this one from a friend on Facebook.  Sign up for an account - it's free.  Instead of going directly to a site, see if there is a link on ebates.  They will give you cash back for certain websites.  I live in Hawaii and most of my shopping has been online so I don't have to brave the post office during Christmas with my 3 short loud people.  In 1 week I have earned back about $15.  Just an extra little step online and you get yourself some money back. Not too bad...  Certain sites you even get cash back for gift cards (like Nordstrom!)

Giftcardgranny  You can purchase discounted gift cards here.  Some are pretty inconsequential, but others are quite significant.  And shipping is usually free.  I would say 90% are from ebay auctions, but there are many with card companies and have good ratings.  Even buying on ebay is not a bad idea if it is from a credible seller.

I just discovered this one today.  And LOVIN it.  HauteLook has all kinds of sample sales.  I just bought some killer Dav peacock rainboots for less than $25 with shipping.  The same brand on amazon was $70.  They also have deals on True Religion jeans starting at $89 right now.  Check it out, all.  I think I'm in looooove.

I know there are a lot more deals out there.  But these are the ones that are working for me.  I hope you have a blessed Christmas.  Mele Kalikimaka!!

Is that my butt?

I reached a milestone this week. At my chubby person meeting I weighed in and I finally achieved my 10% weight loss goal. I now only need to lose 1 more lb before I have reached my official goal. (Which truly is about 5 lbs more than what I want to be but once you reach your goal at WW you become a lifetime member and get to stop paying...) So I went shopping this week.

I actually went shopping for a swimsuit. And I bought one. I didn't burst into tears even once. There was some cringing and deep, heavy sighs, but I left the fitting room with (most) of my dignity in tact and a swim suit in hand.

The real challenge is whether or not I will actually wear said suit in public. That remains to be seen.

I also went out and bought some sexy dresses.

Me.

In a sexy dress....

Who could imagine?

I haven't owned anything "sexy" in a long time. Unless you count a button up shirt that barely stretches over my massive lactating breasts, sexy.

I decided I have been frumpy mom too long.

And since I have lost weight and my boobs, for the time being, are still in good shape I better get out there and show off my new improved behind.

Now I just gotta figure out how to FEEL sexy. That is the key, right?

Who Wears the Money Pants?

I am truly a 1950's wife at heart. (Except that I don't vacuum in pearls...or at all for that matter). I stay home, I make dinner (sometimes it isn't even a frozen dinner), I tidy the house (Yes, Dan I DO, I can hear you snickering...) and I haven't got a CLUE about our finances. I don't know how much money we make each month (even though it is even a matter of public record), I don't know where our investments are, I don't know how much our mortgage payment is. I DO know how to use a credit card and practice often.

I hide every month when Dan clicks open the "BUDGET" file on the computer, sneaking around the house like a ninja trying to avoid the "We're operating in the RED" talk. It makes me feel like a child outside the Principal's office. I am a spender....Dan is a saver. I am grateful for this and am please that I landed me a man that knows how to provide for me and my blissfully clueless ways.


Don't get me wrong. Dan doesn't try to keep this from me. He tries...actively...to get me involved and explain things to me. I glaze over and block it all out (not always intentionally) and start daydreaming about shopping at Nordstroms. I'll snap back to reality eventually and see Dan staring at me sternly and I bat my eyes and rub my hand up his thigh....that usually does the trick.


The other night hubby mentioned to me that he knows SO many different guys whose wives run the financial show. These women, whether career ladies or SAHM's like me, are wearing the pants and controlling the finances. Hey, if that works for you, MORE power to ya. I am happy settling into a more traditional role of ignorance. (And despite what my MIL LOVES to tell me... it IS, in fact, MY money too and I DO believe that I earn it as equally as my husband). I just don't really care to know what happens behind the scenes. It is so much less stressful.


Everyone has their own gifts and talents. Mine is not money. I am the official toilet scrubber, butt wiper, thigh rubber, and underwear folder of the family. I'm happy letting hubby wear the pants...I like dresses better anyway. I've got great legs.