Nix9to5

More Love from Groupon

// August 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Children and Babies, Couponing, Money Matters

Charla from Confessions of a Stay at Home Mom and HootieMomma sent me this little tidbit.  The Groupon from Grand Rapids, Michigan is really great, and anyone can get it.  You can get $25 worth of jewelry from the Loved Stamped Etsy shop for only $12.  That makes this precious mommy necklace only $12 shipped:

I’ve been wanting one of these since the Bear was born, and now that I can get it for only $12, I have no excuse not to get it!  To get in on this deal, log into your Groupon or sign up for Groupon in your area.  Then click “Visit More Cities” and find this deal on the Grand Rapids link.  Thanks, Charla!

Today’s Sweaty Groupon: 86% off Boot Camp

// August 30th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing, Money Matters

I’m the kind of girl who wants my workout to be a WORKOUT.  None of this namby pamby business.  If I’m going to go to all the effort of getting tired and sweaty, I want to feel like I’ve actually accomplished something.  I don’t do the high reps with light weights thing for “toning” (which I think is just some fake girlie word for muscle building), I do low reps of weights so heavy I can barely lift them.  Of course, I say all this with the disclaimer that I haven’t set foot in a gym or done anything resembling a workout since I got pregnant in February 2008.  Because the only reason I work out is to not get fat, and when I got pregnant, I knew that no matter how hard I worked, I was going to get fat, so why bother?  Also?  Being pregnant is exhausting enough without trying to add actual physical exertion to the mix.  And in the nearly two years since delivery . . . well, who’s got time?

Today’s Groupon could help with that.  For only $35, you can get one month of unlimited boot camp sessions at Edmond Bootcamp.  I’ve always wanted to try a boot camp workout.  I think it would be truly torturous but would make me feel smug and morally superior upon completion.  I could be all proud of myself as I soaked my aching muscles in a bathtub filled with Icy Hot. (more…)

The Work at Home Reality

// August 27th, 2010 // No Comments » // Balance, Time Management, Work at Home

My dedicated readers have noticed that, once again, I have been missing in action.  My husband returned to work two weeks ago when teachers reported for the beginning of school.  Since that time, the reality of being a work at home mom has set in.  I am so happy to stay home with my Bear all day, and I don’t regret my decision for a second.  I went up to my old school yesterday to have lunch with a friend, and while it was good seeing them, and I miss my friends, being there for even the short time I was there just really helped solidify that I made the best decision for myself and my family.

However, the reality of being a WAHM is more difficult than I anticipated.  I told myself that I knew that I would be every bit as busy as a WAHM as I was as a mother who worked outside the home.  I told myself that, but I am not sure I fully grasped it.

Here is the reality: (more…)

New Clip SmART Seminars

// August 20th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing, Money Matters

You may remember that a few months ago, I attended a Clip SmART coupon seminar to explain how to effectively use coupons.  This seminar is conducted by Amanda G., who routinely buys her groceries for pocket change (click here to see what all she got for .69 in one shopping trip).

If you missed your chance to attend one of her earlier Clip SmART seminars, you now have another chance.  Amanda offers both a beginners class and an advanced class in Edmond.  Here are the details for both upcoming seminars:

Clip SmART (Couponing 101)
Monday, August 23, 6:30-8:30
Learn where to find coupons, how to organize them, and how to use them to get groceries and household items for free or cheap at WalMart, Target, Crest, and Homeland

Super ClipSmART (Advanced Couponing)
Monday, August 30, 6:30-8:30
Take your coupon knowledge even further.  Get items for free or cheap (or even make money on them!) at CVS, Walgreens, and through mail-in-rebates.  Learn how to create a stockpile to go weeks without buying anything except perishable items.

Each class costs $20, but you will save well over this amount in no time at all with your new knowledge.

If you are interested in attending either of these classes, email me through the Contact Nix9to5 page, and I’ll send you more information and Amanda G.’s contact information.

Today’s Groupon (valid nationwide): 50% off at Gap

// August 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing, Money Matters

How do you like this picture from my latest photo shoot?  The photographers for Gap are really easy to work with and I look great in all their ads.

Lies.  Not me.

Today’s Groupon is not just for my OKC readers–this one is good at any Gap nationwide!  Get $50 worth of merchandise for only $25.  Act fast on this one–you have to redeem it by Nov. 19 (they are usually good for a year).  That’s just in time to finish up your back to school shopping or do some Christmas shopping to beat the rush.  Here’s what Groupon has to say about this deal:

Like underground kickboxing, finding the perfect ensemble requires flexible limbs, a balanced knowledge of styles, and a willingness to go shirtless in compact, windowless rooms. Attack the shelves with today’s Groupon: for $25, you get $50 worth of apparel and accessories, including sale items, purchased in-store at Gap, which has hundreds of locations nationwide. Today’s Groupon is not valid for online or previous purchases, or at Gap Outlet, Gap Factory, or Gap Generation stores.

Since its first store opened more than 40 years ago, Gap has been clothing knee trunks in premium jeans, swathing stomachs in swanky shirts, and adorning spleens with fashionable, shiny accessories. The latest manifestation of the company’s devotion to fresh styles and high-grade fabric: a new line of women’s black pants. Ruthlessly resistant to lint and wrinkles, this versatile leg armor can fight static while fielding spellbound stares at work, at happy hour, through dinner at a fancy restaurant, and into the wee hours, or simply while riding a freshly painted horse. The black pants are made from premium material that’s stretchy or relaxed depending on which of the seven tailored fits you choose. There’s true straight, skinny, curvy, boot cut, slim crop, boy fit (relaxed and roomy), and perfect trouser (slim hips and flowing bottom cuffs).

Likewise, today’s deal lets you select any of Gap’s premium 1969 Jeans to fit your physique: The men’s vintage wash standard fit jeans please classic cowpokes, while the authentic fit, whiskered wash jeans outfit scores of sincere cat people. Fashionable females can alphabetize their wardrobe with the ballerina gown pintucked raw-edge top, the shawl collar cardigan, and embossed floral belt.

Sign up for Groupon and get in on this and other great deals!

Low-Fat Whole Wheat Pancakes

// August 19th, 2010 // No Comments » // Cooking, Life in General

Several days ago, I gave you a recipe for Low Fat Whole Wheat Waffles and promised you a similar recipe for pancakes.  Well, here it is!  These pancakes aren’t as good as the waffles, but they are still good.  One batch made 14 pancakes at 93 calories, 1.5 grams of fat, 16 grams of carbohydrate, and 4 grams of protein.  These make very dense pancakes, so if they are too much for you, you could make them with half all-purpose flour and half whole wheat flour.  Here’s the recipe:

2 cups whole wheat flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, well beaten
2 cups skim milk
2 tablespoons applesauce

Mix, pour by 1/4 cupful into your skillet, and cook like pancakes.  I’ll be honest, I didn’t beat the eggs ahead of time, and the world didn’t end.  These are so hearty that Bear ate about a third of one–that just means they’ll last longer!  I’m flash freezing the remaining pancakes as we speak, and when they are frozen, I’m dumping them in a gallon ziploc bag in the freezer for quick breakfasts.

If you try this, let me know what you think.

Today’s Groupon (not just for OKC!): $25 for $100 worth of photo books

// August 17th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing, Family, Life in General, Money Matters

I love photo books.  Since Bear has come along, I’ve made several that commemorate the big events in his life.  These make great gifts, and they are also just a really nice way to showcase your photos–my sister has made some great vacation books.

With today’s Groupon, you get $100 worth of photo books for $25–that’s 75% off!  And the great thing is that this offer can be spread out over multiple orders, and it can be combined with other offers.  Here’s what Groupon has to say about this fantastic deal: (more…)

More Fall Consignment Sales

// August 17th, 2010 // 2 Comments » // Children and Babies, Money Matters

I began my Fall Consignment list about a week and a half ago, and I have a new one to add.  The Original Children’s Consignment Sale will be held in the Market Plaza at NW Expressway and Rockwell from Sept. 17 – Sept. 25, with 1/2 Price Day on Saturday, Sept. 25.   The sale is open from 10-6 daily, except for Sunday (closed).  Thanks to Stephanie and Katherine, two local Nix9to5 readers who sent me information on this upcoming sale.  Katherine sent me this information:  “If you want to put things in the sale you can this coming weekend, Aug. 21-22. You get 55% of the profits, but the nice thing about this sale is they provide hangers if you need them, and they price everything, unlike the Pass it On sale. The website is www.occsale.com.”

EDIT:  Thanks to Summer for providing information about the Just Between Friends sale at the Fairgrounds.

This brings our OKC area fall consignment sales to:

Aug.  23-28:  Just Between Friends; Oklahoma City Fairgrounds; $2 admission first day, 25% off Aug. 27, 50% off Aug. 28
Sept. 10-11:  Pass It On Kids Consignment; Church of the Harvest, Edmond; 1/2 off Saturday, Sept. 11
Sept. 17-25:  Original Children’s Consigment; 6925 NW Expressway, OKC; 1/2 off Saturday, Sept. 25

For more information or to learn how to sell your items at these sales, click the links above.

Solution to Saturn Grill Groupon Mix-Up

// August 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Couponing, Money Matters

For those of you who signed up for Groupon in OKC, you may have received an email stating that Monday’s Groupon was for Saturn Grill, only to find out that it was actually for Jump Zone–not the same at all.  In an effort to fix the problem, Saturn Grill is offering this solution (copied from their Facebook page):

Hey everyone, Chef Joseph here. As many of you are aware, there was a considerable mix-up today surrounding a Groupon promotion. Groupon accidentally got their wires crossed and sent out an email promoting a Groupon deal for Saturn Grill instead of the actually deal for Jump Zone. This email was a mock up they were using to try and attract our participation and was never intended to be used for today’s deal. This was an unfortunate situation for everyone. There ended up being a lot of frustrated and disappointed people due to this mistake. Naturally I don’t like to see our loyal Fans be disappointed even if it’s not our fault. So I got to thinkin’, all of you have been so great to us over the years. Even through the frustration of today’s debacle, so many of you expressed your love for Saturn Grill. Well, seeing that just makes me wanna do something nice for all of you. So tomorrow (Aug. 17, 2010), 1 DAY ONLY & ONLY AT OUR NEW LOCATION AT 4401 W MEMORIAL ROAD ACROSS FROM MERCY HOSPITAL, we will be selling $20 Gift Cards for $10! This promotion will go on all day during normal business hours from 10:30 am-9:00 pm. There will be a limited number available (750) and we will need to limit 3 per person. I really do appreciate ALL of you and your continued support. Thanks! ~Joseph

Groupon: $17 for 6-Visit Pass to Jump Zone

// August 16th, 2010 // No Comments » // Children and Babies, Couponing, Money Matters

Ooh!  Today’s Groupon looks like fun!  You can get a 6-visit pass to Jump Zone for only $17–that’s 60% off.  JumpZone in Oklahoma City has six inflatables for kids aged 2-12.  My Bear isn’t quite 2, but the Groupon is valid for a year.  I think that this will be a fun way to keep him entertained and busy when it is too hot–or too cold–to play outside.  For those of you with more than one child, this Groupon can be used for multiple children.  That means you could take one child six times, or six kids one time, or any mathematical combination between the two!   Here’s what Groupon has to say about this deal: (more…)