Digging Out

Whew, what a day! I'm mostly off the computer, just hanging out with the kids and digging, digging, digging. It's been nice having a forced break from the daily routine, everyone having to slow down a lot. The Federal Government is closed Monday, so we know we've got Daddy home at least another day. I spent a lot of time in the kitchen today, cooking for the freezer and baking (French bread, muffins, waffles, breadsticks, chocolate chip cookies, etc.). The weather just demands it, you know?

Hope you're safe and warm wherever you are tonight.

It's Snowing, All Right

Wow. They weren't kidding. Here's what's on tap for this weekend (and much longer?) with the kids:

• Making waffles, and probably baking up some of my stockpiled brownie mix. I also picked up marshmallows (while everyone else in line was buying milk & bread--so I felt silly) to use up several boxes of Rice Krispies I got for free a while back. We'll make some heart-shaped treats for Valentine's Day.
• Making Mod Podge bookmarks to give as birthday gifts this month, and make our own Valentines for school.
• Moving the couch around to build a boat, fort, etc. (also my chance to vacuum up many months' worth of Cheerios).
• Watching movies together and cuddling. We'll also play lots of our favorite board games together.
• Shoveling, lots and lots of shoveling. This morning, my hubs had to shovel from inside the house just to open the front door!

What are you up to in your neck of the woods?

Mark your Calendars for Spring Consignment Sales

Photo courtesy of plump_pudding

The Northern Virginia consignment sale season will be revving up soon, starting with my very own Fairfax County Mothers of Multiples (FCMOM) sale in Chantilly at the end of February. Look for another post from me in February on How to Shop Consignment Sales so you can learn the best ways to stretch your dollars. Click on each organization's website for hours and directions:

• FCMOM, Chantilly, VA--Saturday, February 27
• Prince William Mothers of Multiples, Manassas, VA--March 6
• Classy Kids Consignment Sale, Manassas, VA--March 10 through 14
  
• Christ Church Children's Consignment Sale, Fairfax Station, VA--March 13
• Northern Virginia Parents of Multiples, Arlington, VA--TBA, but probably March 20
• Loudon/Fairfax Mothers of Multiples, Sterling, VA--March 27
• Classy Kids Consignment Sale, Woodbridge, VA--April 14-18
  

These are the largest sales in my area of Northern Virginia. For the Maryland side of DC and smaller area sales, check the list at Our Kids. If you live in another part of the country, try Googling "consignment sale" and "multiples." The sales done by multiples groups tend to be quite large and very organized. Happy Resale Shopping!

Enter to Win a Year's Supply of Pampers

Join Pampers Village (click on the banner above) and you'll be entered to win a year's supply of Pampers Diapers. You'll also receive age-appropriate e-newsletters, offers and coupons.

*Disclosure: This banner is served by MySavings, of which I am an affiliate.

Hitting the Winter Clearance

Last night I saw on Redemption Unlimited that there were some great little girl clothing clearance deals at Walmart, so this morning I went to check it out. While the store was swarmed with locals stocking up on groceries for this weekend's big snowstorm, my 3-year-olds and I scoured the children's clothing. We found Carter's blanket sleepers for $3.00 each, cotton 2-piece pajamas (that we'll need in the spring) for $3.00, and toddler sweatpants for just $1.00. There was a lot more selection in the 12-18 month and 2T sizes, including very cute holiday dresses for just $3.00. In the boys' section, they had sweatshirts and pants for $3.00 each, and I picked up some Garanimals khaki cargo pants for $3.00 for my son too. In the older girls' section, they had really soft Organic Cotton long-sleeved tees and turtlenecks for $1.00 and $3.00. They were too big for my girls (sizes 6, 8, 10, etc.), but what a great deal!

This two-pack of Gerber blanket sleepers was $7.00, making them $3.50 each, and if they don't fit next winter I know I can resell them at a consignment sale or yard sale for the same price I paid for them, making them FREE.

What clearance deals have you found in the past few weeks?

WFMW: Blogging Tip--Increasing Your Traffic/Subscribers

This week's Works for Me Wednesday is themed--what are your blogging tips? Here's one of mine:

One way I've increased my traffic and subscribers has been by participating in memes (like this one!), but particularly those outside my niche. I read a lot of non-frugal blogs--decorating, parenting, cooking--and I love all the linkups they share. So I've made a point to participate some of their memes, and I've really seen an increase in traffic from those blogs. Besides getting some home projects done and having fun crafting, I'm also getting new people to check out my blog. And sometimes they stay! Here are some memes you might want to try:

• DIY Day at A Soft Place to Land
• Menu Plan Monday at OrgJunkie
• Tackle It Tuesday at 5 Minutes for Mom
• Works for Me Wednesday at We Are That Family (that's this one!)
• Ultimate Recipe Swap at Living as Mom
• Freebie Friday at Bargain Briana

There are TONS of memes happening in the blogosphere. Find one or two that are a good match for you but are outside your niche, and give it a try!

What are some ways you increase your readership and subscribers?

Go see the big Linky at We Are That Family for lots of great tips! 

Fan Me on Facebook--Amazon Giveaway

I'm still working on my 2009 To Do list for my blog, so I'm finally getting a Facebook page up for MoneywiseMoms. Please stop by and Become a Fan--thanks!

To entice you, and because you all love a good giveaway, come back here and leave a comment saying, "I'm a fan" (or something similar) and you're entered to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card*. I asked over on FB what gift card people would like to win, and that was popular.

I plan to visit FB once or twice a day, just to check in with you and ask questions like that. Today I was wondering what to do with our day off school (SNOW again). Would love to have you stop by!

*Update: Giveaway is CLOSED. Thanks for entering!

This giveaway will end on Saturday, February 6th, when I will apparently be snowed in again (they're calling for 2 ft of snow this weekend in the DC area). If I'm not completely mental by then, I'll have Random.org pick a winner at 10:00pm EST. Good luck!

*Disclosure: I am providing the prize myself.

Safeway this week 2/3

NOTE: Safeway deals are also applicable to their partner stores: Dominicks, Genuardis, Vons, Pavilions, Tom Thumb, Randalls, and Carrs.

I base my write-up on the Washington DC area weekly ad.

I have almost certainly missed a few deals, as I am typing this up with children sprawled on top of me. Another snow day/no school! Please feel free to leave comments with anything I missed. Thanks!

Safeway Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast is $1.99/lb. in the Extreme Value pack. This is the lowest Safeway usually goes on fresh chicken breasts.

93% Lean Ground Beef is $2.47/lb in the Extreme Value Pack. If you are eligible for the Just4U printable coupons (only good in some parts of the country), there's a $3.00 off ground beef coupon.

5-lb Bag of White Potatoes is $1.99.

Cheerios 8.9oz and Nature Valley Granola Bars are $1.50 each when you buy 4. Sign up here to get a printable $1.00 off Cheerios coupon via email, and there is a printable .40 off NV Granola Bars.
 
Quaker Instant Oatmeal is BOGO at $2.79. Here's a printable $1.00 off coupon.

French's Mustard is $1.50. The .50 off coupon from the 1/24 insert will double, making it only .50.

Healthy Ones Lunchmeat Tub is $2.99, and there was a .55 off coupon in the 1/3 insert, which will double.

5-lb. Box Clementines for $4.99.

Mission Flour Soft Taco Tortillas are .99 with in-ad Super Coupon, limit 10. There was a $1.00 off coupon in the 1/10 insert.

Reynolds Wrap Foil is $2.99 with in-ad SuperCoupon, and there was a .75 off coupon in the 1/31 paper that will double, making it $1.49.

Pillsbury Brownie Mix is .79/each with in-ad SuperCoupon, limit 6. Mmmmm...brownies. This is a good stock-up price so you'll have goodies to bring to club meetings, potlucks, etc.

There's a Pillsbury Catalina promo running through February 24th. When you buy 4, you get a $2.00 Cat coupon for your next purchase (wyb 5, get $3.00; wyb 6 or more, get $4.00).

Wednesday through Sunday Only:

• Lucerne Chunk or Shredded Cheese 8oz. is only $1.49.
• Nabisco Snack Crackers are $2.00/box. There was a $1.00 off coupon in the 1/24 insert.
• Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce is .99/bottle.
• Digiorno, California Pizza Kitchen, and Freschetta Frozen Pizzas are $3.99 each when you buy 3. There were $1.00 off coupons for Digiorno and Freschetta Pizzas in recent newspaper inserts.

Friday through Sunday Only (confusing to anyone else?): 

• 12pk Pepsi or 7-up are $2.48.
• Johnsonville Bratwurst or Italian Sausage is $2.49, limit 5, with in-ad SuperCoupon.
• Kraft Miracle Whip or Mayo is $1.99, limit 1, with in-ad SuperCoupon.
• Breyers Ice Cream is $1.99, limit 1, with in-ad SuperCoupon.

Add E-coupons to your Safeway card three different ways at Shortcuts, Cellfire, and P&G eSaver. You can also print paper coupons at Safeway.com. I have used manufacturer's coupons on products and still seen the e-coupon savings appear on the receipt.

For coupon matchups at stores nationwide, check out BeCentsAble's Grocery Gathering. For the other Mid-Atlantic chains like Wegmans and Harris Teeter, head over to Frugal in Virginia.

Free Kids Workshop at Home Depot

This Saturday, February 6th kids can make a car display between 9:00am-Noon at The Home Depot. You'll need to check with your local store for participation, then register your child. Projects are for ages 5-12 and are on the first Saturday of each month.

My son went for the first time last month and was excited to get the same treatment as at Lowe's; kids receive an apron, a badge for completing their project, and a certificate.

28-Day Organizing Challenge

Laura from OrgJunkie.com is hosting a 28-Day Organizing Challenge during the month of February. Now that you're past the holidays, you're probably looking around thinking it's a good time to get the house in order. Laura can help, and she's encouraging participation with lots of great PRIZES. I'll be tackling my own home--will you join me? Laura's site will provide lots of tips and support.

Go read yesterday's Day 1 post: Plan to Organize, and let's work together to get organized this February!