Let's Go Krogering at the Cart Buster Savings NOW!

Since I haven't been able to leave the house in two days (Princess A seems to be going through a second cycle of these bugs going around), I was starting to worry I would miss the Kroger Cart Buster Savings going on this week at Kroger.

As someone who was an extreme couponer before that was even a term, I do NOT like missing these sales where I can walk away paying next to nothing!

This morning I got 14 Banquet single serve frozen meals at 58 cents each, less 7/50 cents off/2 coupons that were doubled to $1.  Total paid:  $1.12.
. 
Pillsbury Grands Biscuits 8 count are on sale for 99 cents.  I had a 50 cent coupon off 3, doubled to $1.  Total paid:  $1.97.

Chef Boyardee on sale for 70 cents.  I had 3 coupons for 50 cents off 3 cans, doubled to a $1.  Total paid for 9 cans:  $3.30.

I absolutely love Kroger's weekly specials.  With double coupons and money off next purchase printed with receipts, their prices more than beat the big Superstore prices.

Not only do I stretch our grocery budget, but I can stock up on items - saving an untold number of trips to the store!

So you ready to go Krogering?  Before you go, be sure to check out Kroger's Daily Deal for even MORE savings!

GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  Save even more with a generous offering from Kroger through My Blog Spark!  One lucky reader of The Mom Trap will win a $25 Kroger Gift Card!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER: Mandatory entry: What's the best deal using coupons you've ever gotten? (Be sure to include an email address or have one available on your profile in case you win!)

Want to increase your chances of winning with extra entries? (Leave a comment for each additional entry; i.e. 2 extra entries = 2 comments)

• Like Kroger on Facebook (1 extra entry.  Current Fans also receive extra entry)
• Become a Facebook Fan of The Mom Trap at www.facebook.com/themomtrap  (1 extra entry. Current followers also receive extra entry.)
• Follow The Mom Trap with Google Friend Connect. (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Follow The Mom Trap on Twitter (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Tweet this giveaway for 2 extra entries, including @kdcantrell in your tweet. (Include the Tweet status URL in your comment.)
• Blog about this giveaway for 5 extra entries. (Be sure to include the URL of your post in your comment)
• Add The Mom Trap button (lower right column) to your blog for 5 extra entries.

The Fine Print: Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM Central Time on Thursday,March 10, 2011. Winner will be chosen by random number generator. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to U.S. and territories residents only; void where prohibited. Winner will be notified via email no later than Friday, March 11, 2011, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.

Thank you to My Blog Spark and Kroger for providing me with a $25 Gift Card. 
However, receipt of same did not in any way influence my opinion for the purposes of this review.

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Dreft Isn't Just For Babies (Enter to win a New Mom Gift Basket!)

It's been a few days since I've posted. For some reason, my family just can't seem to beat all these nasty little viruses going around. (Could it have something to do with having one in kindergarten? Ohh I shudder, little kids are the biggest germ carriers!)
Moving on to a much more pleasant topic -

What product comes to mind when you think of a baby's smell?

The pink lotion, I know. Okay, let me try again - name the laundry detergent that smells like a new baby?

Dreft Laundry Detergent? Bingo!

When it came to my babies, I was loyal to the pediatrician-recommended Dreft. For 75 years, Dreft has been trusted to be gentle as water on baby’s skin and specially formulated for the unique needs of baby items; leaving each article of a baby's wardrobe soft, comfortable, and smelling fresh (which isn't always an easy task with babies, right?).

I love Dreft! It's not just for babies clothes, but toddlers to teens (and us older kids too!) love the smell and softness of Dreft in our own clothes!

If you're a Mom-to-be, a new Mom, or just a Mom looking for some great laundry tips, visit http://www.dreft.com/. And don't forget the $2.00 off coupon while you're there!

One more thing - GIVEAWAY!
Dreft is offering one lucky reader of The Mom Trap a beautiful New Mom Baby gift basket which includes Dreft detergent, a cozy soft baby blanket, and a cuddly teddy bear!

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER: Mandatory entry: Visit the Dreft Laundry Detergent website then return here to leave a comment telling me one of the great laundry tips you learned. (Be sure to include an email address or have one available on your profile in case you win!)
Want to increase your chances of winning with extra entries? (Leave a comment for each additional entry; i.e. 2 extra entries = 2 comments)

• Become a Facebook Fan of The Mom Trap at www.facebook.com/themomtrap (1 extra entry. Current followers also receive extra entry.)
• Follow The Mom Trap with Google Friend Connect. (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Follow The Mom Trap on Twitter (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Tweet this giveaway for 2 extra entries, including @kdcantrell in your tweet. (Include the Tweet status URL in your comment.)
• Blog about this giveaway for 5 extra entries. (Be sure to include the URL of your post in your comment)
• Add The Mom Trap button (lower right column) to your blog for 5 extra entries.

The Fine Print: Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM Central Time on Thursday,March 3, 2011. Winner will be chosen by random number generator. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to U.S. and territories residents only; void where prohibited. Winner will be notified via email no later than Friday, March 4, 2011, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.

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Helping Our Aging Parents Help Themselves

Thinking about our parents aging is difficult. We all like to think they'll be here forever.

Unfortunately getting older is a fact of life and something we can't stop. So we face it head on, and one of the things we can do for our parents is to help them make the best choices when it comes to their Medicare Supplemental Insurance.

When you start researching all the different supplemental plans, it can be very confusing.

All of the information in hand, it appears that Medigap Plan F is the best option; covering parts A and B copayments, hospital and outpatient services copay, nursing care facilities, help getting medical attention during overseas travel, and offers coverage for one full year after Medicare coverage expires.

I don't know about you, but that sounds like some great coverage to me. With all of the Medicare information available online and elsewhere, I like plan that's simple, straight-forward, and covers the needs of its insured.

Why make things harder than they should be?

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Valentines Day Is All About the PURE ROMANCE™ (Giveaway!)

I've been married going on 8 years to the love of my life. While everything in "that" department is still all hunky-dory, every now and then we like to spice things up.

When I was given a chance to try and review products from Pure Romance™, I thought "giddy up!"

Pure Romance™ is a company offering a variety of products that add a little spice to your love life; all in a classy, discreet style.

I was given a variety of products to sample and while I'm not going to kiss-and-tell the details, I will say that Brian and I both enjoyed a great, long and fulfilling date night! ;)

And while all of the "toys" were fun, I was most impressed the Pure Romance™ founder Patty Brisben, who started the company in 1993 to empower, educate, and entertain women. Since then, the company has grown to over 70,000 product consultants who live the company’s mission each and every day.

What is that mission?

EMPOWERMENT: This jobless recovery is taking its toll on families, however very often our Pure Romance consultants report that they are meeting or exceeding their income expectations. Sales have been recession-resistant. Pure Romance experienced a 37% increase in sales in 2010. Pure Romance also empowers women because they are able to take control of their sex lives, which can have an impact on quality of life.

EDUCATION: Pure Romance products resonate with women unlike any other in the category due to our commitment to educating women about their bodies and our products. The Pure Romance partnership with the Kinsey Institute, coupled with our curriculum developed by our Director of Sexual Health Education, means our 70,000 consultants are trained to provide the most helpful information and advice. Pure Romance doesn’t sell in stores because in-home parties offer women fun, private, peer-to-peer learning opportunities about romance, intimacy and sex.

ENTERTAINMENT:  Whether it’s the fun and camaraderie of the Pure Romance parties themselves, the use of Pure Romance products by a woman, or a couple’s inventive Pure Romance fun, entertainment is at the core of the company’s mission.

Like I said, I'm not going to share my naughty little details (too bad for you, eh?) but I loudly proclaim that Pure Romance is a wonderful company, with a classy style, and products that curl your toes and leave you with "that" glow. ;)

For a great selection of products for your Valentine's Day "celebration" or learn more about how you can become a consultant, visit http://www.pureromance.com/.

AND, in the meantime, you can take a shot at the following GIVEAWAY!  Pure Romance is offering one lucky reader of The Mom Trap a fabulous prize package that includes:

MINI NIGHTS OF PASSION (pack allows you to enjoy a bottle of Aura, Ex-T-Cee, Excape, Sensations and Sweet Seduction); AURA MASSAGE OIL; EX-T-CEE arousal cream; EXCAPE  pheromone-infused bubble bath;  SENSATIONS lubricant; and SWEET SEDUCTION flavored lubricant.

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER: Mandatory entry:  Visit the Pure Romance website then return here to leave a comment telling me the name of your favorite Pure Romance product. (Be sure to include an email address or have one available on your profile in case you win!)


Want to increase your chances of winning with extra entries? (Leave a comment for each additional entry; i.e. 2 extra entries = 2 comments)

• "Like" Pure Romance on Facebook. (1 extra entry)
• Follow Pure Romance on Twitter. (1 extra entry)
• Become a Facebook Fan of The Mom Trap at www.facebook.com/themomtrap (1 extra entry. Current followers also receive extra entry.)
• Follow The Mom Trap with Google Friend Connect. (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Follow The Mom Trap on Twitter (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
• Tweet this giveaway for 2 extra entries, including @kdcantrell in your tweet. (Include the Tweet status URL in your comment.)
• Blog about this giveaway for 5 extra entries. (Be sure to include the URL of your post in your comment)
• Add The Mom Trap button (lower right column) to your blog for 5 extra entries.
  

The Fine Print: Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM Central Time on Thursday, February 17, 2011. Winner will be chosen by random number generator. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to U.S. and territories residents only; void where prohibited. Winner will be announced on Facebook and notified via email no later than Friday, February 18, 2011, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.


Thank you to Global Influence and Pure Romance for providing me with free prodcuts to review.
However, receipt of said products had no influence over my review of same.

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So What Are You Getting For Valentines Day?

The Christmas ornaments have barely been packed up and stored, then here comes Valentine's Day.

So have you made any specific requests this year from your sweetie?  Has your Valentine hinted at any certain gift?

Brian keeps asking me what I want, but I can't think of anything specific.  Of course, we do this every year and, even though I never know what I want, he always comes up with something fantastic.

This year though, I've decided that I'm going to hint for a new computer.  Since my little bit got hold of my keyboard, I'm missing about ten letter and number keys.  It's driving me CRAZY!

So what I plan on doing is sending him an email, asking him to check out the great deals with Savings.com coupons at places like, oh say, Dell.

And then pray that he gets the hint.

I'm pretty sure he will.  He's just kinda smart like that. :)

Ah shoot, if it doesn't then I can always go check it out myself.  After all, truth is I don't really have to wait for a gift giving holiday to get something that we all use.  Honestly, I'm not even sure anyone would even notice a new computer. ;)

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Help the Guys Keep Track of Time

I was trying to think of something to get Brian for Valentine's Day this year.

What do you get for the man who has everything he wants?

Then I remembered our vacation this past summer. Let me explain.

If we vacation in the summer, it must involve water since most everyone in this family (well, everyone except me) is hot natured.

So this past summer, as is expected, we visited a waterpark.

Having a little one who wasn't able to ride most of the slides, the group split up on several occasions so that everyone could enjoy everything while Princess A got to stay in the toddler areas.

I can't tell you how many times my group (Brian and the boys) were late returning to "change out." (Men complain about women...ha!) Their excuse? They lost track of time. This is what I heard every single time.

So I'm going to fix at least one of them; that being Brian. This year he's going to get a Invicta pro diver watch so that this year, no matter where we go, there's no excuse to NOT wear a watch.

And, of course, I'll be ordering from the trusted BlueDial.com.  With free second day shipping in the continental United States, I've still got "plenty of time" to order.

Kind of ironic, huh? :)

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Vista Print Coupon Codes For Free Shipping and More!

There's nothing I like more than a great deal.

And Vista Print offers some spectacular deals on printed products - many of them FREE! Combine that with awesome Vistaprint coupons found online, and you'll find prices that you that can't be beat!

With all of the rebates, book swaps, and coupon trains I mail each month, one of my favorite items to order is return address labels. With just minimal effort, I can find Vistaprint coupon codes that let me purchase them for cheaper than I could print myself. And I can customize with pictures, backgrounds, and more!

Some of other favorite items is the customized family cartoon sticky notes (my kids love these too!), the photo flip books (I use these to memorialize vacations, births, birthdays, etc.), and the thank cards are always nice to have around for quick notes of appreciate for gifts and such.

And since I make the most of my online shopping, I can always couple my order with a Vistaprint free shipping codeto maximize my savings - with little out-of-pocket expense.

If you haven't checked out the list of what's available at VistaPrint lately, be sure to do it - especially their freebies list, which really ROCKS!

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2 Days Remaining on the Cinch! Diet How Am I Doing? AWESOME!

Well, I'm down to the last two days of the Cinch! diet.

I won't treat you like an idiot and tell you that it's been easy. It hasn't.

But I dare you to name a diet that IS easy and gives you the results you want.

When I started the Cinch! diet on January 5, 2011, my goal was to push the scale down to 125 and shave a off enough inches to step one size down in pant size.

I know, low goals - but reasonable goals, wouldn't you agree?

Now here I am on day 28 and I am so pleased with myself.

Not only have I almost hit my goal of 125 pounds (and when I say almost, I mean the scale read 126.1 this morning!) but about halfway through the plan I was down one pant size.  And judging by the feel of my jeans these days, going down another size isn't too far off.

I also continually checked my blood sugar during this diet and found that I maintained healthy levels all the way through.  Although I'm not a diabetic, after having gestational diabetes I very aware of my potential for Type 2 diabetes.  Hence, why I check regularly - especially with new diets.

It's been quite a journey, at times I believed that I couldn't finish it.  But I'm glad I did.  Not only am I Dr. Pepper-free now (and that's a very, very big deal) but I've greatly increased my water intake, feel more energy, and added many more healthy foods to my diet.

Does this mean I'll never eat any fatty foods again?  Honestly, no.  I'm sure I'll have my fair share here and there, but I like the way I'm feeling and there's only one way to keep this energy - healthy eating.

Thank you for joining me on my journey with the Cinch! diet.  If you decide to try it and blog about it, please let me know as I'd love to follow your results - and I'm sure it'll keep me motivated too! :)


P.S.  Thank you for everyone's patience as I ran a little late in posting this and announcing the winner of the giveaway.  The winner is..........Marcy L.  Thanks everyone for playing!

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Calgon, Take Me Away...To A Warmer Climate!

Am I the only one who is sick and tired of this cold weather, ice, and snow?

Considering all of the complaints in the Facebook status, I don't believe I am.  Seems like every other status makes a comment on the temperature, school closings because of snow, and the current icy conditions around the country.

Snow is beautiful.  Once.  But I don't care to see another snow flake this year.  So says I while there's snow flurries outside now. *sigh*

I am so ready for spring to get here.  Too often I find my mind wondering to a warmer climate destination; for example, the beautiful beaches of Hawaii.

Sounds so awesome, doesn't it?

I'd even settle for somewhere a little closer to home like the Sunshine State of Florida.

Wait, wait, wait -

If I'm going to dream, I want to dream big.  I want to dream about a place that has summer during winter (well, during a U.S. winter anyway):  Australia.

Ohh, I can only imagine.

As I look out the window and watch the snow flurry around, I can only dream.

Please, Calgon, take me away.  Take me away to warmer weather!

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Visit A Museum for FREE on Bank of America This Weekend

Bank of America today announced the 14th season of its national Museums on Us program which will now include 150 of the nation’s finest arts, cultural and educational institutions. Designed to increase access to the arts across the nation, the program offers Bank of America and Merrill Lynch debit and/or credit cardholders the opportunity to visit these popular cultural landmarks, free of charge, on the first full weekend of every month. Museums on Us program participants include national and regional art museums, science and history museums, zoos, aquariums, and gardens.

To qualify for Museums on Us, customers simply present their Bank of America or Merrill Lynch credit or debit card along with a photo ID to gain one free general admission to any participating institution. Not valid for special exhibitions, fundraising events or ticketed shows. Not to be combined with any other discounts or offers. Free admission does not guarantee reservation. Offer valid the first full weekend of each month through December 3-4, 2011.

For more information and a complete list of participating locations, visit http://museums.bankofamerica.com/

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Coupon for Free Yoplait Yogurt on Facebook

Like free stuff? Especially free food?

If you answered yes, then you need to visit Yoplait's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/yoplait.  After you "like" them, then click on the "Calcium" tab and enter your address for a free Yoplait yogurt coupon by mail.

There's a limited quantity available, so head on over there NOW!

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