http://flash.savingadvice.com info@savingadvice.com flash en-us http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/06/14/has-it-been-two-months_51714/ Wow, time flies even when you aren't having that much fun!<br /> <br /> Finances have remained fairly stable, and I've only been to the grocery store once in two months. Instead it seems like it's been a month of doctors, and everything that comes with them.<br /> <br /> Mom, well, she refused help from... Sun, 14 Jun 2009 13:24:11 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/04/09/todays-mail-had-a-check_50181/ Yea <img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="Smile" /><br /> <br /> $25 from Olay ProX, from a sale/coupon/rebate offer plus another rebate last month. There's another rebate for $25 this month, but I haven't decided if I'm going to use the last rebate to buy more and get the new rebate. It's pretty expensive, even after all the discounts.<br /> <br /> Also... Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:47:59 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/04/07/those-free-magazines-werent-so-free-anym_50118/ Well, we’ve also been sorting out our “media” bills…newspaper, magazines, cable, all the fun stuff!<br /> <br /> For the last year, I’ve been mostly leaving the bills and finances up to DH while I’ve been “recovering” from this accident. Which is great, except that he tends... Tue, 07 Apr 2009 10:47:09 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/04/06/free-sample-of-eucerin-plus-smoothing-es_50099/ Nothing like a free sample (and coupon) to brightening the day <img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="Smile" /><br /> <br /> You can receive a sample of Eucerin Plus Smoothing Essentials here: <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.eucerinus.com/foundation_oneclick.php?entity=" target="_blank">Eucerin sample</a><br /> <br /> HTH someone, or maybe brightens someones day <img src="http://www.savingadvice.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif" alt="Smile" /> Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:18:14 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/04/06/bringing-down-the-gardening-costs_50098/ Wow, we just saved $300 a month on lawn care!<br /> <br /> Which is embarassing in itself. We moved to the property 15 years ago with a plan to mow the lawn, do all the planting, trimming, weeding, maintence, mulching, have a fruit garden, a vegetable garden...and on and on.<br /> <br /> Then, DH was... Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:03:11 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/04/06/i-spoke-with-mom-this-weekend_50096/ and all she could say was that she was a burden and wished she would die. Argh! My sister was sitting right there with her on the cell phone, on speakerphone, and didn't do anything to help.<br /> <br /> I tried the "free services" logic, the "get help for these things and then there will... Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:48:41 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/04/04/trying-to-play-the-fiber-one-fiber-frien_50041/ General Mills has a promotion, play the fiber one fiber friend face off (try saying that fast!), and get a $1 /1 coupon for Fiber One Chewy Bars. You also get entered to win $50 every day. But...I can print the coupon, no problem, but I'm clueless on how to get to the game!<br /> <br /> Anyone... Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:48:00 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/04/02/elder-care-is-exhausting_49993/ Five phone calls and several hours on the phone long distance, but I think we at least have a plan. Even if it's just a plan to get more information.<br /> <br /> A social worker will go out and assess Mom and her living situation. They can't force her to take care of herself, but at least... Thu, 02 Apr 2009 11:58:44 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/04/01/were-in-a-heated-agreement_49966/ DH and I are so both upset with my sister right now, we are positively bristling. Unfortunately, since we've decided not to respond to her until we calm down and do some research, we're boiling over at each other. It's a scalding heated agreement that we are angry together about,... Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:36:17 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/31/mom-fell-again-today-twice_49928/ My Mom has steadfastly refused to accept in home care, a paid roommate, or (gasp) stay in a retirement home or facility. But since Dad past, she's really had a difficult time.<br /> <br /> She fell two weeks ago, and laid outside on the grass, in the rain, for over an hour. She canceled the... Tue, 31 Mar 2009 12:23:12 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/27/finally-a-reasonable-budget-based-on-rea_49836/ I’ve been sorting through the expenditures from last year, sorting out Mom’s and my families expenses, and updating with items we’ve already canceled or renegotiated. It's been a painful process (The magazines will be a story in themselves!)<br /> <br /> Here’s what I have so far:<br /> <br /> I’ve... Fri, 27 Mar 2009 17:02:50 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/27/free-filtrete-filter_49834/ If you haven't changed your air filter lately, this latest offer just might encourage you to do so!<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.filtretepromo.com/main/submitPhoto.aspx" target="_blank">Free Filter Offer</a><br /> <br /> <blockquote>Send us a short essay, 100 words or fewer, for why you choose Filtreteâ„¢ Filters. Include a picture of your dirty filter. Really—we want to see your dirty filter. It’s proof that Filtrete filters are helping to capture the particles and allergens from the air that passes through the filter.<br /> <br /> We’ll select the best stories and photos and post them with our featured submissions and the world can groan a collective “eeew!” To thank you for sharing your story and photo, we’ll send you a rebate for a free 1” Filtrete air filter.* </blockquote><br /> <br /> <br /> Filters... Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:55:22 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/27/25-staples-gc-when-you-sign-up-your-scho_49833/ Staples has started a new program for schools,SchoolKidzs. <br /> <br /> If you sign your school up, they will give 2 $25 g/c: One for you and one for your school when your school signs up to participate and is new to the program. <br /> <br /> The form for sign up is at<br /> <br /> <a href="http://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/marketing/schoolkidz/index.html?cm_mmc=email_retail_cons-_-cons_chainwide_032709-_-business_customer-_-num&cm_lm=" target="_blank">FORM</a><br /> <br /> Information: <i>The Staples® SchoolKidzsm provides convenient supply kits to elementary and middle schools at a great value, so your kids will be prepared from day one! It's simple, you just fill out the order form brought home from school and we'll deliver your kits right to your school for easy distribution. Inside each personalized kit you'll find all the supplies approved by your child's teacher.<br /> </i><br /> <br /> HTH<br /> <br /> Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:37:43 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/21/thank-goodness-blue-cross-came-through_49644/ One of the problems we've had in sorting out last years expenses is sorting out my parents expenses, and estimating my mother's costs for the future,<br /> <br /> Mom is 87. Her SSI is minimal, my Dad was a janitor, and she works hard to keep her costs down. She decided to find a cheaper health... Sat, 21 Mar 2009 10:57:59 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/17/summary-monthly-expenses-in-2008_49510/ Home - $<br /> Utilities - $<br /> Transportation - $<br /> Health related - $<br /> Grocery/Drug Store - $<br /> Entertainment/Media - $<br /> Dog/Wildlife - $<br /> Clothing - $<br /> Gifts - $<br /> Miscellaneous - $<br /> <br /> Total - $/month<br /> <br /> no way. we have ALOT of work to do here! Argh! Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:48:51 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/17/grocery-and-drug-store-expenses-2008_49504/ Average $400 a month<br /> <br /> Goal is $100 or less<br /> <br /> this includes all drug store, personal care, health and beauty, parents medical supplies, etc., so it should be fairly easy to reduce it this year. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:29:50 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/17/breaking-down-last-years-expenses_49499/ To start our new budget, and find more extraneous spending, I'm breaking down last year's expenses into categories, averaging things out into monthly costs, and them I'll roll them up into an overall spending review. Tue, 17 Mar 2009 13:12:31 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/16/just-a-quick-check-in_49470/ I spent the morning with DH estimating our monthly expenses from last years bills. WOW. Then I spent time removing services and miscellanceous charges, like magazines we had on a trial basis before my accident and somehow got renewed at full (outrageous) prices. Then shopping, with... Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:08:55 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/14/changing-cell-phone-plans-saved-serious-_49409/ I have been trying to deal with my cell phone provider by phone or email, which sounds logical, but HAH it's not.<br /> <br /> So I finally made it down to their store with DH (don't even ask, but two phones requires both of us). I've had the same provider for 15 years, back when Corporate... Sat, 14 Mar 2009 15:53:03 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash) http://flash.savingadvice.com/2009/03/13/hey-that-free-dr-pepper-offer-is-still-g_49375/ Dr.Pepper has been running SO many promotions that I hadn't really checked out the online offer. But, I looked into this offer, it's legit, just provide your snail mail address and they will send you a coupon for a free bottle of Dr. Pepper.<br /> <br /> <a href="http://promotions.yahoo.com/drpepper/freedietdrpepper/" target="_blank">Dr. Pepper Coupon</a><br /> <br /> They are sending... Fri, 13 Mar 2009 15:02:36 PST flashscoupon@aol.com (flash)