Do you have a summer wish? I do! I am coming up on 7 months in my pregnancy, most of the time spent sick and/or weak, so the house has suffered and as much as I work on getting things done, there is much left to do before baby arrives.  My summer wish would be a combination of cleaning, packing, and organizing!  What? I don’t ask for much, heehee. 

The way I feel about the state of the house makes me think I’ll bypass a simple maid service and go straight for a commercial janitor, LOL!!  OK, maybe not, but it would feel really nice to get a whole top to bottom cleaning - on a regular basis - that isn’t done by me.  Since I am still in the process of turning the office / junk room into a nursery - and still stuck on the removing everything step - I would love to have someone come in with a gazillion boxes and pack absolutely everything up.  I probably wouldn’t even care if they labeled the boxes at this point, LOL! 

As for the organizing, I need to buy a few items to allow for that - bookcases, a china cabinet, etc.  (Am I sounding like a broken record yet? I know I’ve gone on and one about these things I need to get done).  I could stand for someone to reorganize me kitchen, though. Thinking about hitting up my sister to do that when she visits, lol. 

What’s your summer wish?

Sponsored Editorial. All opinions are 100% my own.

How much shopping do you do online? The current trends indicate that A LOT of us are doing A LOT of online shopping.  Do you think to look for coupon codes and discounts before checking out?  There are many available online such as Hewlett Packard coupons, Home Depot coupon code, Best Buy, and about any other online retailer you could possibly think of.  Boutiques may not have coupon codes as readily available, but even they issue them from time to time. 

I always try to check around to see if coupon codes are available before doing the final check out.  Doing so has scored me free shipping, free items with purchase, discounts off my total order, etc.

Links brought to you by Savings.com

I interupt my regularly un-scheduled random thoughts and posts to bring you some random thoughts on insurance. Excited? Oh, I know you are. OK, maybe a smidgen more excited if you are actually looking for a business insurance quote.  What? Discussing business insurance isn’t on your top ten list of fun things to do?  OK, for those of you that do not have a business, feel free to go on to the next post.

However, for those of you that do have a business (of any type or size), how do you decide if you actually need business insurance? What if you are technically the only “employee”? What if you work at home? What if your business is simply a company that you sell for, though you are your own business?  It seems today there are so many businesses that technically do not fall under the traditional business umbrella.

Like other forms of insurance, it appears insurance is sold by state, so there’s Alaska business insurance, Hawaii business insurance, etc. 

What about you - do you have or plan to get business insurance? How big does your business need to be to insure it? And how much insurance is enough?

Links brought to you by NetQuote.com. Thoughts & opinions are my own.

I’ve fallen off the frugal wagon (kinda, and shhhh! don’t tell) and boy did THAT hard landing hurt!!  I just haven’t had the time, energy, or care (to be completely honest) to do the leg work needed to get the deals lately.  It isn’t that it is a huge hassle, it is just that over the course of the pregnancy, a lot of prior priorities got back-burnered.  I’m not proud of it really, but it is what it is. 

As I am nearing the end of the pregnancy, I know there are a lot of things I need to get in order and that includes frugal shopping and stockpiling. I did slack on buying the Sunday papers for a bit and even when I restarted, it has been sporadic. In addition to the Sunday coupons, I need to use more online coupons. Deals don’t happen without the coupons. Although I take the lazy road and look up coupon matchups (where sites and blogs have the sales listed, along with what coupons to use and where to find them), I do still like to browse the grocery ads.  Along with the grocery ads, I pay special attention to the weekly ad circulars for the big box stores (Walmart, Target, etc) and office supply stores - especially during the Back To School season. 

In my money saving quest, I am always checking out new (or new to me) couponing sites and blogs, and recently discovered BeFrugal.com.  It is a plethora of coupon codes, free shipping offers, weekly ads, etc, etc. A good place to get in the know and to bookmark.

If you are buying something online, always, ALWAYS see if there is a coupon code available before finalizing and paying for your order. I have received free shipping and percentages off my orders by doing this, and sometimes when buying clearanced items, which just sweetened the deal. 

I will be letting you know how my quest to get back on the frugal wagon goes… just as soon as it is actually going…. 

Sponsored links, however all opinions are 100% my own.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Ramblers Way. All opinions are 100% mine.

I was invited to go on a $200 mock shopping spree at Ramblers Way Farm.  Granted, not nearly as fun as a real $200 shopping spree, but hey - I’m game. It is a lazy Saturday afternoon and I need a slight diversion from my four year old that refuses to simply lie down in his bed for more than 5.2 seconds at a time. We call it Quiet Time. He hasn’t napped since before he was 2, but Mommy certainly needs those little moments still.

 
We have a baby on the way, so I would love to include baby clothing on my wish list / mock shopping spree, but I guess mommies sometimes need a little push to focus on themselves? 

One basic in my wardrobe is the camisole. This is Forida, very hot 95% of the year. The cami is also great for layering even in cooler temps. It runs $55 at Ramblers Way Farm. Hard to believe this thin, comfy looking cami is actually wool. The only wool I was familiar with was thick and itchy. Hmmm, make that two camisoles.

The next item for my mock shopping spree would be the Cross Neck Long Sleeve Top (Regular) for $85.  This would be a great top for our Florida winters and I could easily throw a jacket or sweater over it if the temps dropped more than normal.  That would bring me to $195, just shy of the $200 mark. 

 Wool isn’t something I really considered as being a part of my Florida wardrobe, but I guess Ramblers Way kinda changed that. Thin, soft, NON-ITCHY wool that I can wear year round - even in Florida? Nice job! Technology certainly changes things and Ramblers Way Farm seems to have honed the wool industries technology to create more practical, desirable, everyday soft & light-weight wool clothing. 

I have this love / hate relationshp with bills. I love what I get out of it, I just hate actually paying the bill to make it happen.  I know, who actually likes paying bills, right?  I guess I have been like a lot of people and just going a long and paying “the bill” because that is what you are supposed to do. {Note: I am not advocating not paying the bills, stay with me.} Bill comes in, stroke a check - ha! Who am I kidding? I almost never write checks, anymore… most are paid online or over the phone… but I digress. 

Then one day I started questioning (to myself only at that point) if I actually needed to pay that amount on the bill. I am hearing people are calling DirecTV and getting rates lowered (which is on my to do list, can’t hurt to ask!), but the whole TV set up deal is something else I have plans for, which I’ve mentioned here, but I figure a lower rate in the meantime - for the same service - would certainly be nice.

Then, hubs was goofing around online and actually did one of those “check our rates” auto insurance thingies. And, oh-my-gosh, it was $40 less per month. We haven’t officially changed over yet, but I think we will be very soon. Then I can almost justify the fact that we just got storage because  I have  we have too much stuff.  {Look, baby is coming. Fast. And that room has to get cleared out. Now. It is what it is. But, I do plan to go through everything afterwards and do lots of tossing.}  My goal is to actually save money though and not just replace the savings with different bills.  We’ll see how that goes!

At least it is all still pretty much small potatoes in the big picture and I’m not out trying to find the best local business quotes. My work is pretty much all online. And in Florida. But for those in IL or TX with a business you need insured, here’s a couple quick links for ya: local Illinois business insurance and TX business insurance. 

Anyway, it looks like we are going to change auto insurance companies and I am going to keep looking for ways to cut back bills without actually sacrificing those things I’ve become spoiled with.

Links brought to you by localinsurance.com. All opinions are 100% my own.

… And thinking of getting mine cut. It has been awhile since I had it chopped and I am starting to think it is way past time to go that route again.  It is more comfortable and there’s less of it to deal with.  As for an actual style though, I’m not sure.  I have seen a lot of hair styles that look great, but I am concerned about the amount of time they would take to create each morning and not certain that I would really want to bother. Pathetic, I know. But I’m simple and more of a brush and go kinda girl. Plus my hair parts in an unusual way that if I don’t have it pulled back, the top center group of hair likes to fall into my face.  That’s typically why you’ll often find me with my hair pulled back. It isn’t as bad when it is shorter, which is really why I think it is time for another trim.

The plus to having longer hair though is that is affords me more options when I DO want to do something with it. Guess there are always clip in hair extensions from Pro Extensions if I want something different or fancy. 

Is it July and H-O-T every single day (and night!) and even in the fall with the baby coming… well, guess I better get to finding a hair cut I like, because it is time for a change!

Sponsored Editorial. All opinions are 100% my own.

I was asked to write about what I would do if I was presented with a free Mommy Makeover, so I started thinking about what all could be included in a Mommy Makeover:  massage, new haircut / hairstyle, more sophisticated shaped eyebrows, different makeup, a new wardrobe, or even more dramatic measures such as a tummy tuck, facelift, etc… possibilities seem endless.

Right now, at 26 weeks pregnant, I could go for a nice spa day… or spa weekend… or spa vacation. Yes, a spa vacation! That would be heavenly, but not exactly in a makeover sense.  With 26 weeks down and 14 weeks to go of this pregnancy, everything is constantly changing, so it is hard to say where I will be after the baby is born and what changes I would like to explore.

I still have weight from my first pregnancy, so I know that will be a big focus. Eating healthier, exercising more, and finding common-sense ways to get back to a happier number will be on my agenda. This will be my last pregnancy. With that in mind, I will be able to focus more specifically on areas where I want to see changes. I am all for new clothes, a new hairstyle, slimming down, etc, but I am not sure I am ready yet to take the plunge into the land of tummy tucks and facelifts.  Not to say that couldn’t change in a few years, lol. 

If you were presented with a free Mommy Makeover, what would your choices be?

Sponsored Editorial. All opinions are 100% my own.

I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about baby strollers.  I have been checking out baby stroller reviews, browsing Babies R Us and other baby gear sites, and thinking about which would make the most sense to our family - what style, what type, and what price range.  I am mostly leaning toward a sit and stand, something simple but durable, and something that I won’t have to add a second mortgage to the house to get.  While in most cases our four year old does well on foot, there are times when he would like a little break.  Plus, sometimes you can just move a little quicker if not going at a four year old’s pace! 

Of course, I did a little dreaming… looking at the Bob Revolution baby stroller review… if money wasn’t an option… and if I really didn’t need a sit and stand (or just wanted to have an extra stroller for times we did not need to use the sit and stand), it *would* be nice.  Or even if we were in the big city, where we’d use the baby stroller each and every day… then it might make more sense to allow more in the budget for a higher quality baby stroller.  Alas, the $389 price tag isn’t quite what I’m willing to spend right now. 

We checked out the Baby Trend Sit and Stand strollers at Babies R Us (simply because those were the ONLY Sit And Stand strollers at Babies R Us) and I’ve looked at the Joovy Sit and Stand strollers online. I think I may be leaning a little more toward the Joovy as it really isn’t much more cost wise than the Baby Trend.

Sponsored Editorial. All comments and opinions are 100% my own.

Much to my sister’s dismay, I haven’t been taken in - lock, stock, and barrel as the saying goes - by the Twilight craze that is sweeping the country (sweeping the world?).  When I visited her in 2008, she insisted she take me to see the original Twilight film, and I agreed to humor her.  The movie was pretty good, as movies go, but I just never bought into the craze.  I haven’t seen any of the sequels or read any of the books.  I do however tease her when she posts anything about Twilight on Facebook.  It is what I do, hehe!

Twilight related merchandise is everywhere, especially for the new Eclipse film.  If you have seen the same ole, same ole Twilight gear in the stores and are interested in more unique merchandise, check out custom Cafepress t-shirts for Eclipse gear.  While you are checking out the Twilight stuff, I’ll be a couple clicks over browsing cute custom onesies and bibs.  I won’t even tease you, like I do my sister, as you shop the craziness.  LOL! 

And, since I am pretty sure no Twilight related post is complete without asking “the” question, here goes…

Team Edward or Team Jacob?

 
 Links brought to your by friends at Cafepress.com; all opinions are 100% my own.

I recently created Savvy Frugalistas, which is a work in progress.  A slow process it seems, but in progress none-the-less. There’s been a little bit of a set back due to time and theme complications. I created Savvy Frugalistas to allow a more focused outlet for my love of saving money and have hopes of it being community-minded and promote fellow budget-minded bloggers. In the meantime (the “time” part of the set back) I learned I am carrying our second child (it is actually the related ickies that is/was part of the set back), working on another blog project, and looking for more ways to save money. Always. I’m a frugalistas at heart, remember.

One area I have been researching and doing a lot of thinking on is TV. We currently pay DirecTV a wad of money every month for shows that (in most cases) we can get free.  There are several steps I need to go through to get to the point of telling DirecTV goodbye, and I’ve written on it, but it is semi-backburnered due to time and other things on the to do list. This is an area that people spend a lot of money on simply because it is “just the way things are done” and I want to break from that mold.

Another area people can spend a good bit of dough on is moving expenses. It isn’t a monthly or even semi-regular expense, and moving can be so stressful, that many do not look for deals for moving services. It is either do it yourself or pay the big bucks to have it done for you. But, there is some middle ground: search for savings and deals offered by local movers. BTW, if you are in AZ, you can also check out Tucson moving companies for deals. My hopeful plans of getting the house ready throughout this year to put on the market didn’t happen, so that may be a focus for 2011.  While we may go the route of DIY moving, it is nice to know there are {frugal} options if we feel it is more than we can handle on our own.

Links brought to you by Billy.com, however all content & opinions are 100% my own.

The expanding belly tells me, without words of course, that it is time to buy clothes!  I’m in the midst of my second trimester and what little bit fits, isn’t exactly comfortable. Mini-disclaimer: Right now, I HATE having anything on my belly, so EVERYTHING is uncomfortable, but I digress…

I almost hate to spend a lot of money on maternity wear that I’ll only wear a short time, then not again.  (We’ve decided two children is the perfect number for us, so this. is. it. LOL!)  I guess that is the reason I keep putting off making the purchases. And probably the reason why I am easily distracted ny non-maternity wear.

I was checking out Womens Pajamas and it is pretty easy to get distracted there. Cute stuff! I will need button-ups, etc once baby arrives to make nursing a little easier and in those days and weeks (months?) following delivery, a few cute things in the wardrobe that fit - that are NOT maternity - would be a good thing. 

If you are looking to buy women’s pajamas, give this place a little browse - there’s even cartoon women’s pajamas (I spied Cat In The Hat, Pebbles, Hello Kitty, and Sesame Street.) As I was browsing around, I also spotted a few completely adorable infant rompers & kids PJs - some matching! If our little one on the way is a boy also, how cute would it be to have matching pajamas for them?

I know. I really must buy maternity clothes.

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are 100% my own.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of wellnessdaily.com. All opinions are 100% mine.

Health & Wellness

Content From Over 100 Sources All In One Place

Before (very recently) discovering I was with child, I was toying around with different methods of losing the little bit of weight I still have hanging on from my prior pregnancy (let’s not mention right now that he’s 3.5, so I should have done something about this a long time ago). I tried the one week fruit & veggies detox type thing, which wasn’t bad, but I didn’t make a plan ahead of time for week 2.  I tried counting calories, which lasted about 3 days. I do try to drink more water, though not always very successfully. My main issue has been a lack of thorough planning. If you want to successfully lose weight or just get healthier, it is a must to plan it out, for weeks or more at a time (and update the plan before the current one runs out). 

There is a plethora of information available online to help with weight loss & healthy living (and every other topic you can think of!), but I discovered Wellness Daily which is a website that basically collects hundreds of related articles, blog posts, videos, etc, etc all in one place. The two things I love best about it is that it is FREE and is simple to use and navigate (oh, and a third would be printable coupons for healthy foods!). The front page is a collection of boxes full of links to content.  A quick skim can find you exactly what you are looking for - or at least tons of great info - without going through pages and pages of search results. Visit www.wellnessdaily.com, sign up and take the pledge to a healthier life!

I’ve been over at Billy The Tree online jewelry shop, browsing around.  They have some beautiful pieces. If you are looking for a magnet bracelet, magentic jewelry looks like their specialty, but they have a wide variety of other pieces as well. On top of reasonable prices, they also offer free shipping worldwide and satisfaction guaranteed - their aim is to make jewelry shopping fun. I’ve heard a little about the benefits of a magnet bracelet, but never considered one because I honestly never came across a pretty magnet bracelet, just plain, cheesy ones. Guess they’ve come a long way because these are nice. Shake The Salt will be publishing a Mother’s Day Gift Guide, but if you want to get a head start on your shopping, I’m sure you’ll find something beautiful at Billy The Tree - plus I love the uniqueness of their shop’s name!

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Kiki’s Fashions Maternity offers stylish threads that are actually affordable.  There’s even an “Under $10″ section! I’m frugal (if ya didn’t know, lol!) - I like to spend wisely, but I want what I want.  We aren’t planning yet for #2, but I could see some of those cute tops and such on me when that time comes around again to buy maternity clothes.

Let’s see, cute & trendy? Check. Low, realistic prices for the non-celeb amongst us (especially for those who are feeling the economic crunch)?  Check.  New styles (they rotate the stock to keep it fresh)?  Check.  Coupon Code?  Check. I especially love the latter! Use code blogfriends to score 20% off!

cute maternity tank top

 This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are 100% my own.  Thxkbai.