The Year I Learned How To Save Money

This was a serious penny pinching year for me.  We move from California to Michigan, not only starting a new life in a new home, but a new job as well…more like 3 new jobs…all in one year!

Each job better than the one before, each job a stepping stone to something better.

I really had to watch my spending this holiday season and having three girls made it very difficult.  I had to compare prices and find the best shopping deals out there in order to get my girls what they asked for from Santa.

I planned out every step so that I wouldn’t go over my budget and I did a great job!  I surfed the web, printed the deals, added up the prices and stood in line outside of Toys R Us for 2 hours to get the Black Friday deals and stretch every dollar as far as I could.

I even watched the following Sunday ads and made price adjustments when I found better deals.  Better deals meant I could get all of the items on their lists without going over the budget I set for each girl.

Now I’m on the lookout for a nice freezer that I can store all of the great deals that I find on food this year.  I’m tired of finding great deals at the grocery store only to say, “Not today,” because of the lack of room.

What great deals did you come across this holiday season?  Did you get the deals you were hoping for?

Courtney is the ultimate multitasking mom!  She runs  three blogs Giftfully Simple, The Digital Mommy and Detroit Mommies , is a Social Media Marketing Consultant and has 3 girls under 6 years old.  Courtney is the founder of Detroit Mommies.  You can follow her on Twitter @theappleofmyeye.  She has worked with companies like Johnsons & Johnsons, Dove, e.l.f., Stride Rite, Sorel, 20th Century Fox, The Palace, Melissa & Doug, Panera, Tiny Prints and Ford (to name a few).  Courtney is a Purex^® Insider and a Max Mom for Office Max.

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are mine.

Fight Breast Cancer by Buying Orbit White Gum

I’m always buying gum.  I like to keep a pack in my purse to freshen my breath or tide me over until my next meal.

During the month of October, ten percent of the sales of the purchase of Bubblemint flavored Orbit White gum will be donated to support Bright Pink’s mission to help women to proactively take control of their health via education, support and community development for those at risk.

The unique on-pack promotion is designed to help fund Bright Pink’s awareness programs and will be available on a limited-edition 60-count Big-E-Pak® dressed in Bright Pink graphics and featuring www.bebrightpink.org.

If you are going to buy a pack of gum, why not buy one that supports a great cause!

Courtney is the ultimate multitasking mom!  She runs  three blogs Giftfully Simple, The Digital Mommy and Detroit Mommies , is a Social Media Marketing Consultant and has 3 girls under 6 years old.  Courtney is the founder of Detroit Mommies.  You can follow her on Twitter @theappleofmyeye.  She has worked with companies like Johnsons & Johnsons, Dove, e.l.f., Stride Rite, Sorel, 20th Century Fox, The Palace, Melissa & Doug, Panera and Tiny Prints (to name a few).  Courtney is a Purex^® Insider and a Max Mom for Office Max.

Hallmark’s Annual Ornament Debut is coming!

Hallmark Gold Crown Sotres are getting ready for their annual Ornament Debut on October 10th and 11th. The 2009 Keepsake Ornament Debut is an event that no collector will want to miss! With over 200 ornaments to choose from, you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift for everyone on your shopping list.

For a sneak preview of this years ornaments, click HERE. They are listed by categories, Memories & Traditions, Family & Friends, Kid’s Favorites, Hobbies & Interests, Series Ornaments, Holiday Magic, Personalize-It & Recordable (NEW this year), and the $10.00 and under category.  

There are 9 Werner’s Hallmark Gold Crown Stores in the Metro Detroit area and they are all prepared to provide you with their usual, exceptional customer service for this exciting 2 day event! For all the lucky Gold Crown Reward Member Card Holders, you’ll receive 200 bonus points for purchasing 2 or more ornaments and 400 bonus points for the purchase of 4 or more. Happy Shopping!

For your convenience, here is a list of Werner’s 9 Gold Crown Stores. Find one near you; 

Werner’s Hallmark  22433 Kelly Road  EASTPOINTE 48021 ~ (586)445-0212

Werner’s Hallmark  1817 Van Dyke  IMLAY CITY 48444 ~ (810)721-1116

Werner’s Hallmark  516 N. Lapeer Road  LAKE ORION 48362 ~ (248)693-8004

Werner’s Hallmark  614 S. Main Street LAPEER 48446 ~ (810)664-0618

Werner’s Hallmark  21509 21 Mile Road MACOMB TOWNSHIP 48044 ~ (586)949-2577

Werner’s Hallmark  4866 N. Adams Road OAKLAND TOWNSHIP 48306 ~ (248)475-0919

Werner’s Hallmark 64716 Van Dyke WASHINGTON/ROMEO 48095 ~ (586)336-4011

Werner’s Hallmark 1992 25 Mile Road SHELBY TOWNSHIP 48316 ~ (248)650-1925

Werner’s Hallmark 2073 W. South Blvd. TROY 48098 ~ (248)879-0064

  About the Editor;

Michelle Cunningham is a single mother, licensed Esthetician at Virtuoso Salon in Birmingham, Editor for SkinJunkie and a Social Activities Director for her wonderful community at the Village Green of Rochester. “I’m quite passionate about gaining and sharing knowledge in all areas of my life, especially when something changes who I am and I feel myself grow into a better person because of it. We are not going to live long enough to make every mistake on our own so we should make serious efforts to learn from those around us”. Detroit Mommies Editor. @SkinJunkie on twitter.