Zulily: Costco New Membership or Upgrade Deal - $55 (Retail $105)!!

I've heard such great things about Costco, and we'd already been looking into getting a membership.  I was wondering if it was worth the cost, and the more I find out*, it just looks better and better!  Especially with this great deal on new memberships or an upgrade:

Become a new member or upgrade your existing Gold Star or Business Membership with this limited deal. You'll also receive more than $50 worth of coupon savings including:

• free rotisserie chicken
• free 48-pack of batteries
• free 35 count case of Kirkland Signature™ water
• and more

Check out the details and sign up here!


*Our family has been eating more whole "real" food lately, which has made saving money on groceries with coupons more difficult, but I just read a couple great articles about how to save on healthy, organic, whole food at Costco - making this deal even more appealing than it already is!

• "What does a Real Foodie Buy at...Costco?" at Kitchen Stewardship (I am loving this series that Katie is doing!)
• "Is it possible to eat a Weston A. Price and shop at Costco?" at Dyno-Mom (I'm new to her blog, but I love her perspective of doing the best you can for your family, and that's good enough - even if it's not "perfect")

FREE ebook download on Amazon: "Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn" ($14.99 value!)

Amazon is offering the "Sparkly Green Earrings: Catching the Light at Every Turn" e-book for Kindle for FREE! 

I've heard about this book for while and am looking forward to reading it.  It sounds like I'd really love it -- and from the awesome 5-star reviews (out of 233 reviews!), it looks like you would too!
And the book description (below) cracks me up!

• If you don’t have a Kindle, you can just download a free reading app from Amazon which will allow you to read this on your PC, iPad, iPhone, blackberry, android, Mac and more!
• Prices change often.....if it's still FREE the price will be listed as $0.00

“There is really no better indicator you’re a mother than acquiring the ability to catch throw-up in a plastic bag, disinfect your hands, and immediately ask your friend to pass the beef jerky as you put on another Taylor Swift song and act as if nothing has happened.”

This is the type of insight Melanie Shankle offers in this quirky memoir of motherhood.

Written in the familiar, stream-of-consciousness style of her blog, Big Mama, Sparkly Green Earrings is a heartwarming and hilarious look at motherhood from someone who is still trying to figure it all out. Filled with personal stories—from the decision to become a mother to the heartbreak of miscarriage and ultimately, to the joy of raising a baby and living to tell about it—Sparkly Green Earrings will make you feel like you’re sitting across the table from your best friend. A must-read for anyone who’s ever had a child or even thought about it.



(thanks Money Saving Mom!)

Winners Announced for the Purex Baby Laundry Detergent!

The giveaway of the Purex Baby laundry detergent has ended, so it's time to pick the winners!

My 3-year-old, Lucas, helped me out this morning.....*drumroll*

Congratulations to Julie L., Jamie B., and Angie B.!!  Emails have been sent and I'll be mailing your coupons right out!


(If you want to know what I thought of the new Purex Baby detergent, check out my review here)

Purex Baby Laundry Detergent - Review and Giveaway!

{Levi was very interested, lol!  *he's gotten so much bigger since this picture!}

*This giveaway has ended, and you can see the winners here!

I was really excited to be able to review Purex Baby - Purex's new laundry detergent for infant.  I already like the Purex line, so I was more than happy when they sent me a bottle to try on our little Levi's clothes, and 3 FREE bottles to give away to you too!  =)

Very funny timing since it was just after I asked you for your favorite tips for getting out baby stains on the Super Savings Facebook page!
*By the way, my best tip is to wash it out right away! Whatever pre-treater or detergent you use, if you've rinsed/washed it out as soon as you can after the stain has happened, you'll have much better luck getting it completely out!

I first noticed the scent was very light and fresh - not overwhelming and perfumey.  I've used a "free and clear" detergent for quite a while, since I broke out in hives because of Tide, so I'm always a little cautious when it comes to scented detergents. This one is hypoallergenic and dermatologist tested and I like that it's gentle on sensitive baby skin.

I used it on laundry for the whole family, and we really liked it -- the scent was good for all of us, it worked great at getting out all the messes (and with our crew of 8, we know how to test it, lol! ....food, dirt, and mystery stains from the older kids, baby stains from Levi...), and it was perfectly gentle for my allergy-prone skin, as well as Levi's brand new birthday suit.

Bottom line: I really liked it, and I would buy it again!
a Rafflecopter giveaway



Purex provided me with a sample of Purex Baby detergent in exchange for a product review.  However, all the opinions expressed here are mine.

Easy Rice Pudding Recipe

We had some leftover rice from dinner the other night, and since then, all I could think of was how good rice pudding would be!  For some reason I always thought it was difficult to make, but I'm not sure why...this could not have been easier!  It was so good - exactly what I was hoping for!!

It's a great way to not let leftover rice go to waste, but rice pudding has to be one of the cheapest desserts too! Deliciously frugal and easy peasy!  ;)

I found this recipe online, but tweaked it just a little.....

Easy Rice Pudding

2 cups cooked white rice (I used jasmine rice)
2 cups milk
3 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins (you could omit if you don't like raisins)


Directions:

1. Mix all of the above in a heavy sauce pan.
2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium low heat. Stir often to make sure it doesn't burn.
3. Cook for 15-20 min., or until thickened.
4. Let cool for 10 minutes.
5. Serve hot or cold, and enjoy!

I love this hot, warm, cold...room temperature - you just can't go wrong!

FREE Movie Theater Tickets!

My husband I both enjoy seeing movies in the theater, but it's gotten so expensive! I'm always on the lookout for ways to make date night cheaper, so I was thrilled to come across these two different FREE movie ticket offers!

We stopped at Walmart to get some frozen pizza and a free Redbox movie for a family night, and came across these specially marked Red Baron pizzas!  You get a free movie ticket when you buy any 4 marked packages (which include Red Baron, Freschetta, Tony's, or Pagoda Express products).
The pizzas were $3.33 each and the free ticket is worth up to $12 - that's a difference of $1.32.  Not bad, $13.32 for four pizzas and a movie! (and could even be cheaper if you had coupons!)

*Limit of two certificates per household. Offer good through 8/31/13.

I found these General Mills cereals at Meijer that offered a free movie ticket (worth up to $12) when you buy only 2 boxes of specially marked cereal! Your total cost will vary based on the reg./sale price, whether or not you have coupons...etc.  But, unless your cereal is $6 a box, lol, you'll still pay less for the cereal than for a movie ticket!  =)  And the best part may be, I don't see any limit of how many you can redeem!  We probably bought 8 or 10 boxes and have had some super cheap dates!

*Codes must be entered by 12/6/13.