Don't Miss the Big Sprint 4-Day Sale 2/5-2/8

This post brought to you by Sprint. All opinions are 100% mine.

Being back in school, I need to have a cell phone with me. My son's school needs to be able to reach me in case of an emergency. I have to be able to access my email if a class is canceled. Since I am on a tight budget, I cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars for a cell phone. I was thrilled when I learned Sprint has a sale going on from 2/5 until 2/8 on their online site.

Sprint is offering the Nexus S™ 4G for FREE when you open a new line of service or add to your account. A few of the great features this phone offers is built-in Google apps, integrated Google Voice™ service, 4G speed and a superfast processor. This phone would definitely come in handy at school. The faster the better for me.

Or you could purchase the HTC EVO™ 3D for only $49.99 when you open a new line of service or add to your account. This phone is really cool as you can capture and share pictures in 3D. That is really amazing and I would make my classmates jealous with this very high tech phone.

Sprint is also waiving the activation fee for new lines of service and free shipping on sprint.com site. Hurry as this 4-Day sale will end on 2/08/2012. You do not want to miss out on these great savings.

Win a Kindle Fire at Freetail Therapy

I want a Kindle Fire from Amazon really badly to use for school. I was excited to see this giveaway going on at Freetail Therapy blog. This blog has come together with several others to give away a Kindle Fire. The giveaway ends on 2/11 so hurry and get your entries in and click here to enter.

*Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with this blog or any of the other blogs hosting this giveaway. I came across it while surfing other blogs, and thought I would share this awesome giveaway with my readers. I am not being compensated for posting this giveway.*

Try the Inviting Scents of New Glade® Expressions™

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Triad Retail Media. All opinions are 100% mine.

I know I love coming home to a fresh smelling house. I also want my guests to feel welcome when they are in my home. I was excited to try the new Glade® Expressions™ Fragrance Mist & Oil Diffuser products.

I have tried the new Glade® Expressions™ fragrance mist and I find it so easy to use. The best part is you peel off the label which then becomes an attractive bottle that fits in with my decor. It does not scream to guests I am a fragrance can. The cans are refillable so you can change the scents out if you wish.

I prefer to use oil diffusers in my bedroom so I just place it and I'm done. I have placed the new Glade® Expressions™ oil diffuser in Pineapple & Mangosteen which comes with a bamboo colored diffuser. It matches my decor perfectly. The diffuser has a no-spill design and does not need to be plugged in. It saves my outlets for items that I might need to have plugged in plus saves money on my electric bill. It easy to change by just changing out the oil bottle. The oil diffuser will last 30 days.

The available fragrances are Pineapple & Mangosteen, Cotton & Italian Mandarin (only available in Fragrance Mist form), Fuji Apple & Cardamom, and Spice Lavender & Juniper Berry.

So if you are ready to try the new Glade® Expressions™ products, then print out a $1.50 coupon which can be used at Walmart on thenew Glade® Expressions™ fragrance mist to save even more money.

The best part is Glade's® satisfaction guaranteed or your money back. Mail the original UPC and purchase receipt within 30 days (Click here to complete the form if unsatisfied). This is a great offer so you have nothing to lose by trying.

What fragrance or item will you try? I currently use the Cotton & Italian Mandarin fragrance mist in my bathroom and the Pineapple & Mangosteen oil diffuser in my bedroom.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #90

Today's thrifty living tip is use baking soda to whiten your teeth. I know you can purchase toothpaste made with baking soda, but I don't find they work all that well. Those whitening strips are very expensive even with coupons and sales.

I find the very best way to whiten my teeth is to use plain baking soda. I make a paste with a teaspoon of baking soda, a pinch of salt, and add a little water. Use that paste to brush your teeth. You could also just sprinkle a little on a wet toothbrush. I find the paste cleans better. I then rinse my mouth well with water. You can use a little hydrogen peroxide, but be careful to never ingest peroxide (even food grade). I would suggest if you ever want to swish with peroxide then mix it with an equal amount of water.

I only use this mixture once to twice a month. Baking soda is abrasive and will wear away the enamel if used often. My dentist reassured me it is safe to use but not daily. He recommends no more than once a week at most, but said every other week would be safer. My teeth are not overly stained so I stick to once a month.

Have you tried baking soda as a tooth whitener? If you have, then what were your results?

Join Walgreens Prescription Savings Club for Big Savings

This post brought to you by Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

I am constantly looking for ways to lower my costs. With the ever increasing costs of prescription medications, I was thrilled to learn about the special discount Walgreens Prescription Savings Club is offering. This is a wonderful plan for both families and individuals. Walgreens is a great pharmacy that is open 24 hours a day with lots of locations around the United States.

For only $35 a year, a family membership covers everyone in your immediate family, including a spouse and dependents aged 22 and younger plus your pets. Individuals will only pay $20 a year. This is a great savings plus you can get prescriptions covered for your pets. 

There are many other benefits you will receive through the savings club other than discount prices on your prescriptions. You will receive savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications. Discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nedbulizers, and diabetic supplies. Plus receive bonuses on any Walgreens brand products and photo services. I love to use many of the Walgreens brand products especially on their vitamins and supplements. 

Show your support by following Walgreens on Twitter and liking Walgreens on Facebook. I also get their emails for special discounts and coupons plus their weekly ads. I know I save more money by shopping Walgreens.

EntreCard Top Droppers for January

WOW! Another month down in the new year of 2012! I can't believe it's already February which is my birthday month. Yes I celebrate a whole month of me! Just kidding, but I will be turning another year in 20 more days. No I will not be sharing my age as a lady never tells her age.

I want to thank all the people who drop my blog regularly. My new blog theme has been installed on Wordpress as early this morning. I should be in my home very soon. I am so excited, and I cannot wait for everyone to see my new blog theme.

1. Fell The Beat of The World

2. Photography by KML

3. A New Concept for a New Life

4. My Life's Perception and Inspiration

5. Bouncing on Words

6. My Kids Are My World

7. The Ad Master

8. Dwayne360

9. Confessions of a Psychotic Housewife

10. Seek No More

Beautify Your House and Garden with Dig, Drop, Done Bulbs

This post brought to you by Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done.. All opinions are 100% mine.

Spring is quickly approaching, and I am already planning my spring garden. I love using bulbs as they are super easy to plant. Anyone can dig a hole in the ground, drop in a bulb, cover it back up with dirt, and water. Viola, you are done. Planting is a really fun project you can do with the kids. They learn how plants grow by watching the bulbs grow into beautiful plants or flowers.

I was relieved to find very easy bulbs to plant in my garden at "Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done" website. This site is very well laid out and easy to navigate so visit www.digdropdone.com to learn more.

While you are there, you will meet three ladies named Marcy, Juliana, and Evelyn. All three have great tips to share with you on these wonderful bulbs and video clips you can watch. Marcy, The Super Mom, is the lady I mostly related to as I am also a mom looking for kid friendly projects.

You can do many fun family projects using bulbs to decorate inside the house. Why not use an old watering can as a planter. Just use your imagination or have the kids help you come up with creative planters. Mother's Day is coming up so planting bulbs now would make great gifts for the grandmothers or any mom.

Visit Curbside Chaos to use the Garden Guru Tool located in the bottom left of the screen. This is a very handy tool to pick out the best bulbs to grow in your area.

  

The first step is to pick your country, and then find your area on the map. You will then click on the colored square that is your planting zone. That will bring you to which month you want the bulbs to bloom. You will see choices based on your selection and mine was for April. I have always loved how pretty Crocus looks. The tool also tells you how to plant that particular bulb. This is a great tool.

  

"Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done" is giving away a $5,000 yard makeover! All you have to do to enter is submit a photo of your yard at CurbsideChaos.com website. Wait, there is more to this great giveaway! The lucky winner will also receive a visit from Taniya Nayak. This is very exciting as I love her show and trust her advice. She will give you creative ways to update your yard, and help you add more bulbs to make your house stand out from your neighbors.

For every share on Twitter, "Bulbs. Dig, Drop, Done" will donate $1.00 to Rebuilding Together. This is a great nonprofit working to make home ownership affordable and revitalizing communities.

Make your yard the envy of the neighborhood with easy and affordable bulbs this year!

Moving My Blog

I finally took the plunge, and will be moving Thrifty Momma Ramblings to Wordpress this week. I am so excited and nervous about the move. It will take me a few days to have the blog designed the way I like it. You might see the blog design change a bit this week into week. I am having it professionally moved as it's a big undertaking. I just do not know enough about coding and such to move the blog myself without screwing something up and stressing myself out. I found a wonderful service that will do it for me plus set it all up for me for a very low price.

Once the move is complete, then I will let everyone in on the great service I found. I will be very busy for the next few days, and my next post will be on my brand new shiny site! I just wanted to update you guys as I'm not leaving, but just moving to make the blog better than ever. I have a great giveaway scheduled for the end of the week that you won't want to miss.

Genie Bra- Big Disappointment

*This review is my own unbiased opinion and I am not being compensated.*

I admit I have trouble finding a bra that gives me a great fit and support. I want one that will look smooth under tops and still feel comfortable. I actually prefer soft cups as the under wire bras will poke me. I was intrigued by the commercials for the Genie Bra. When I found a pack of two at Target for $20, then I had to have it.

On the back of the package, there is a chart which shows you the size you should buy based on your shirt size. I bought the next size up since I put on some weight after the holidays. The pack comes with a beige and black color. I prefer the nude color since it is more of a flesh tone. I could not wait to get home to try them on.

Each Genie bra comes with the pads, but they are easily removed if you prefer. I tried it on first with the pads. I quickly realized the pads were going to have to come out as they were not completely covering. It just did not feel or look right. I took out the pads, but I still did not feel the cups were separated properly. It was not quite as bad as my sports bra with the one boob look, but it was not too far from that look.

The Genie bra promises comfort and no need for shape wear as you will eliminate the back fat lumps. I can tell you this was not the case. This bra did not look smooth under my top. The bra came down very low in the back. It did nothing to help smooth out the back or on the sides. The material is very thin so if you do not use the pads, then you can see your nipples. That is not a good look.

The worst part of the Genie bra is the lack of support. I am well endowed and let's just say my cup size is past C. I need a bra with support and cups that will lift and separate. It did not lift or separate. I was more comfortable with it off than on. I am definitely returning this package. The only positive thing I can say about the Genie bra is it is inexpensive at $10 a bra. I would rather spend more on a good quality bra that will support and look good while wearing.

The Genie bra might be great for some people, but I would definitely not purchase if you are on the fuller side. I would save your money and use that $20 towards a bra that will give you good support and comfort.

Spring is in the Air

I realize many people reading this post title are thinking I have lost my mind! They are looking out their windows to see snow covering the ground. There isn't a hint of spring to be seen.

Here in the deep south, we are seeing a much different sight. We did not have much of a winter this year. It was pretty mild, and this is the warmest January I can remember in years. January is normally one of the coldest months of the whole year in South Louisiana, but not this year. We are getting a day or two of cold weather, but then it warms back up to the 70's and flirting with the 80's! I have even had to run my air conditioner a few times already this month. That is really crazy!

The biggest sign of spring are the clover patches in my grass, and many trees are already blooming along with my azalea bushes. The picture above are blooms from one of my azalea bushes. They are so pretty. I usually do not see this sight until mid to late February. My husband actually had to cut the grass earlier this month. Again our grass is usually dead and no clover in the yard.

All of this spring like weather has gotten to me thinking about my spring garden. If you want to grow your own transplants of tomatoes or bell peppers, then in Zone 9 you would have started earlier this month. I decided to skip growing tomatoes as we do not really eat them. I simply do not have the time to make sauces. I am growing bell peppers, but I have my fil giving me some next month as I only need a few plants. I usually chop them up to freeze. The main plant I want to grow this year is cucumbers. I eat at least 2-3 weekly in my salads, but I want to make Refrigerator Sweet Pickle Chips again this year. It was a huge hit with everyone. I will also get some blackberry shoots from my fil as I love fresh berries. One year I plan to tackle growing strawberries. I think I will also grow some red potatoes as well. Nothing like harvesting fresh vegetables and fruits.

Are you seeing signs of spring in your area, or does old man winter look like he is staying? Are you planning your spring garden yet? If you are, then please share with me what you are growing. I love reading about what others are doing in different parts of the country and world.

TMR Frugal Living Tip #89

Today's thrifty living tip is to bathe the kids together or if they are too old, then bathe them back to back unless they are very dirty. If they are that dirty, then I might think about rinsing them off before bathing them. As a child, I remember taking a bathe with my brother until I was about three or four. My mom did it to save time and money.

Another way to save money on water and conserve water is only fill the tub partially. I never fill mine more than half and sometimes less. We are all taking showers now with a low flow shower head so I can turn it off while soaping up.

One more tip to conserve money even while showering might be to take a shower with your significant other. I know it sounds a little risque for a family orientated blog, but I'm just merely pointing out the fact that it does conserve water plus puts more money in your wallet instead of going down the drain. I hope these tips help you to find ways to conserve water plus time and money.

Tophatter Live Auction Site- Where Moms go to Bid

This post brought to you by tophatter. All opinions are 100% mine.

As a mom, I am always on the lookout for unique gifts for the kids on my shopping list. I like to give gifts that are creative and even crafty in nature. I also like to buy from other moms and small businesses. I was thrilled when I came across the Tophatter live auctions website.

Tophatter runs live auctions daily starting at 9AM pacific time. You can browse the lots to see what will be offered, and see pictures and descriptions of each item listed. There is a tutorial I recommend you view to get an idea of how to bid.

The most exciting part of the whole website is you will be bidding against other moms in a live auction. There is a timer so get your bid in before time runs out. What makes this site unique is you will see an animated auctioneer and people standing around. You can also preview the next lot up for auction.

Tophatter has created a social experience for the other bidders to chat with one another. You can hang out and chat while bidding. I know I will be going back to visit often to find great gifts.

I saved the best for last. Tophatter is offering 10% off your first purchase just by sharing on facebook! Get your bids in on that special item before it's sold to the highest bidder.

I Saved at Book Renter Textbooks

First I want to mention I am not being paid or reimbursed by the website. This is a review with all my own opinion. I truly enjoyed the site and savings so I had to share with my readers.

I needed three textbooks for my Spring college classes. These books were not cheap even if I rented them at my local stores and many online sites. When I came across BookRenter.com, I was excited at the prices I was given for my three books. The most expensive book was well over $100 to buy, but still would have cost me well over $60 to rent. I was given the same price for a digital rental. The Bookrenter.com price was $30 for the semester! That was a 50% savings. One textbook was only $3 cheaper. The last book I needed, I couldn't even buy at many stores as they were sold out. Their price was $27! Again that is a 50% savings.

My total for all three books was $94 with tax. Shipping is free both ways. You can upgrade your shipping to express for $20-40 depending on the weight. I ordered them a couple of days ago and will receive them by Tuesday. It took less than a week with free shipping. They shipped them the next business day after purchasing. I also went through Ebates (double money offer) and received $8 in cash back. I paid less than $90 for all three textbooks which is a huge savings. If I rented them at any of my local rental stores, then I would have paid close to $200 with tax. I saved almost $100 on my books. I can definitely use that money in my pocket.

If you refer 5 people to rent their books within 5 days of your purchase date, then you will receive your order for free! That is a great incentive. I'm still more than thrilled with my savings. If you or your child want to save more money on renting their textbooks, then please go check out Bookrenter.com! I also saw they will buy back textbooks. I don't know much about the program as I prefer to rent my textbooks. I did buy one textbook last year for Dreamweaver. I got it at Amazon for $50 used. It was in excellent condition.

STOP SOPA/PIPA- Internet Blackout January 18, 2012!

I usually do not post political articles on my blog, but this is something that affects all of us regardless of your political views.

SOPA/PIPA what? I have read about the bills in the last couple of months, but Washington is going to vote on this bill on January 24th, 2012! You have probably read about the protest on many big internet sites such as Google, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Wordpress, and many more. Basically this bill is meant to stop "piracy" of rogue sites. This is fine in theory, but the way the bills are worded it will hurt the internet as a whole and everyone who uses the internet. I have embedded a YouTube video below which will further explain the bills proposed before Congress and the Senate.



If you think this doesn't affect me, then you are wrong! If this bill is passed, it's a slippery rope we Americans don't want to go down. It won't stop at the internet. Do we really want to give the government this kind of control?

We need to kill this bill, and the government needs to find another way to fight piracy. As bloggers, we really need to take notice and write our Congress and Senators to vote NO to SOPA/PIPA! This will hurt how you make money to help support your family. Does the government really want to further hurt the economy? So many people are finding ways to help make a little extra money while out of work. Please visit Stop American Censorship to learn more.

Give Your Furniture a Makeover

Last May I posted about remodeling my house. We painted almost every room in the house, put down new vinyl floors, painted kitchen cabinets, fixed cracks above the door frames, and put in a new bathroom sink and toilet. I bought new furniture for our bedroom which I got on clearance. We only had nightstands, and we needed a dresser. I wanted a nice set of matching furniture for our bedroom. When it came time to redo our son's bedroom, we didn't want to buy him all new furniture. He has lots of shelving in his closet so he doesn't need a dresser. He already had a couple of mismatched pieces of furniture in his room. He had an entertainment center and a nightstand. They were still in great condition but in dire need of a makeover.

We watch a lot of remodeling shows on DIY and HGTV channels. My husband had already completed the kitchen cabinet hardware project (you can read about it here). The obvious solution to our problem was to paint the furniture. It was going to be a lot of work with sanding, priming, and then painting. I already did that with the kitchen cabinets and was not in the mood to do another big painting project. My husband had a brilliant idea to solve our problem. He decided to spray paint the furniture. We already had the black satin spray paint from the kitchen hardware project. My son's room was gray with diamond plated outlet covers. Hubby thought black furniture would compliment the room nicely. He was exactly correct. I told you we watch a lot of remodeling shows on tv.


The spray paint had primer already mixed in so no need for another step. He did rough up the nightstand with a 120 sanding block. Then he wiped it down thoroughly. He used a satin black finish which brought out beautiful details of the piece. He used two coats which dried very quickly outside. It was a very sunny day with little humidity which helps it to dry faster. The one mistake we made was not using a clear coat protector afterwards. The nightstand has a few chips as you can see in the pictures. I am going to wait until spring to add another light coat and then apply a clear protector coat. To further protect the top of the nightstand I had a glass top cut by the local glass shop. It cost me $12 plus tax. I think it adds a nice touch to the nightstand. I also did the same thing to my nightstands and my bathroom vanity. It's a built-in vanity to the wall. I spent around $80 for all four items. It makes cleaning so much easier and protects the pieces more from water stains.

The project was very easy and inexpensive. I paid around $15 for two cans of spray paint to makeover the entertainment stand and nightstand. I didn't take pictures of the entertainment stand, but it looks just as nice. Hubby also spray painted the drawer pull a nice silver which gives it a wow factor. It was just a plain brass color. We already had the silver spray paint color. I am planning to do the same thing for my living room end table and entertainment center. I promise to do more of a step by step with pictures for those pieces. This project extends the life of furniture you already own. Why spend more money when you can just give your furniture a makeover. Do you have any furniture you would like to makeover? I would love to read about it.