Untie your apron and tell the hubby to pick up pizza – because Thursday night is Ladies Night!

Well, couponing ladies that is.  And, of course, couponing gentlemen are welcome too.   Point is – Thursday night is coupon night and we’ll be meeting for our monthly swap on February 18th at the Cleveland Public Library (go through the Carmichael House entrance once you reach the 3rd floor).

I’ve been asked to change the time from 7-9, to 6-8 PM for those who’d like to come soon after work.  I am nothing if not flexible, so 6-8 it is!  Come and join us, and if you have friends/coworkers who are interested in joining in, bring them along!  The more folks we have, the more coupons get passed around to the people who want/need them.

Also, if you have questions, frustrations, or any beginner qualms – bring them with you.  Between me and the rest of the girls, I’m sure we can help you out!

Leave a comment if you plan on coming – and I’ll try to rustle up some snacks to bring along!

HINT: My snacks rhyme with JOREO….

It’s that time again ladies…. Coupon Group  time!  I know it’s been forever since we’ve met – the Holidays wore me OUT and I’ve been in survival mode lately.  But those winter blues are getting me down – and that can only mean one thing….  I need to see your beautiful shiny faces again!!

As we discussed at our last get-together, we’re going to start meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month.  (I hope that doesn’t prevent anyone from coming!) So this Thursday from 7-9 at the Cleveland Public Library Carmichael House Conference Room.  Or, as we all fondly refer to it as: the CPLCHCR!

Bring your unwanted coupons, printables, found booklets, tearpads and blinkies, and any other random coupon you won’t use.  Stuff them in a few envelopes (Preferably classified by food, baby, pets, etc..) and we’ll all pass our envelopes around the room giving, taking, and sharing!  If you want your envelope back, write your name on the front.  Otherwise, we’ll donate them to the Military Expired Coupons program.

Alright, now that you know (I know, I gave my usual late notice), get on the horn and call your gal-pals and invite them to come!

Feel free to bring a snack, a funny shopping anecdote, and a buddy!  The more the merrier!

I was just reading over at Fun&Frugal about the Chick-Fil-A 12 Days of Christmas, and today’s giveaway requires no purchase, just a church bulletin!  (To see the other giveaways, go HERE)

Bring in your church bulletin and receive an 8-piece Chicken Nugget for FREE!  This is only valid at the Cleveland Location, check with yours to see if they offer any specials for the HOlidays!

If you’re looking for free stuff to do with your kiddos this week while they’re off school – here’s an oldie but a goodie.  I’ve been paper-snowflaking for years – like 25 years in fact – but mine never looked anything like a snowflake.  More like an unfortunate square that was victim to a drive-by.

Snowflake Fail.

Today I finally found REAL instructions on how to make avery awesome paper snowflake.  I always use these to decorate the living room windows – so this year our house is going to look a little less ghetto.  SWEET!

Level 1) Go HERE to find out how to fold correctly to get your basic magical paper snowflake.

Level 2) If you fall somewhere in between “Easy-Peasy Flakes” and “OCD-Level Snowflakes”, then you might want to take all those homemade snowflakes, slap them on construction-paper, and send them to family & friends as sweet Christmas cards.  Very reminiscent of vintage Valentines – which I love.

(Img courtesy of WeAreHeavyDuty)

Level 3) OCD Flakes.  If you’re weird and a perfectionist, HERE are instructions for meticulously cut (you’re going to need a straight razor for these) and planned snowflakes.  These are not to do with your kids.  For real, don’t try it unless you want to give them horrible Christmas memories of you cursing at them while holding scissors.  Creepy.  But cool!

Level -1) That’s right. Negative 1.  If you’re too lazy to get out paper and scissors, you can always have the kids go HERE to make virtual paper snowflakes.   Although I consider this an artistic sub-level, my kids thought this was really cool to “cut” them out and watch them spin around pinwheel-fashion.  Plus, you can email them to the grandparents and that’s just nice.

I got an email about this from an old friend, Jillian- and I wanted to pass it on to you guys.  I know I’ve gained about 12 pounds since I started couponing (will junk food just STOP being Free already!?) so losing weight is once again one of my New Year’s Resolutions.  Here’s a sweet deal if that’s yours too!

Learn about Cleveland’s NEW Get Fit Boot Camp:

Cleveland, TN—Ladies— if you’re tired of failing at your New Year’s weight-loss resolution and are ready to lose weight, Cleveland’s Get Fit Boot Camp can help.

To make it as easy as possible for you to lose weight and feel great, the Cleveland Get Fit Boot Camp is offering a FREE 1 Week Trial ! (limited time offer) by pre-registering today.

Jillian believes in her program so much that in the event you’re not satisfied with the improvements you see and feel after 30 Days you can ask for a full refund, hassle free.  Stick with Get Fit Boot Camp and you’ll feel and look better than you ever imagined possible—all you’ve got to lose are unwanted pounds and low self-esteem.

What are you waiting for? Good health awaits in the coming year! Visit www.ClevelandsGetFitBootcamp.com today, Pre- Register for your Free 1 week trail and Bonus Gifts. Space in the Boot Camp is limited. For more information visit www.ClevelandsGetFitBootcamp.com

Woo-Woo!!  Our Christmas Party is only 2 Days away, let the countdown begin!!  Here’s the info, in case you forgot:

When: Thursday Dec. 17th,  7pm – 9pm

Where: Cleveland Public Library’s Carmichael House (go to the regular desk and ask, they’ll direct you)

Who: Only Fabulous People of Course.  (Coupon Nerds, that means YOU)

Extras: Bring a friend, a food, a few coupons to trade, or just yourself!

The current guest list and what they’ll be bringing:

Jamie: Plates, Crackers, Cheese, Cups, Music, Awesomeness

Amanda + Friend: Brown Sugar Weenies  (Girl, I know you got those on sale at Bi-Lo….)

Andrea: Cookies

Marla + Friend or Two: Vague but Delicious Goodies

Monica: Possibly Latecomer/PartyCrasher

Dinah: Her Classy English Self

Janice: Drinks (Spiked?  Fingers Crossed!)

Lisa: Goodies

Lisa T. + Sister: Goodies

Sasha + Possibly Friend: Her fashionably late self

If you’d like to join in, leave a comment and say hey – or just show up all rude and unannounced (we’re forgiving) – either way, we’d love to party with you!!!

eCoupons – Coupons and Deals
Sign Up and Save

Have any of you ever tried out Ecoupons.com?   It’s a FREE online trading service that allows you to send in coupons you DON’T want, in exchange for coupons you DO.   It’s pretty darn simple, and pretty darn effective – here’s how it works if you’re unfamiliar:

A local Chattanooga reporter (I’m not allowed to name names….) needs at least 2 people who have already used this site to interview for an upcoming story on couponing.  If you have used them to trade coupons and would like to participate – please leave a brief comment on this post including your email, so that the reporter can contact you directly!

You guys know I have been super-busy blogging over at Time2SaveWorkshops for the past couple months, but I wanted to give everyone a little local deal heads up on my own little blog!

• The United Wholesale Outlet just opened up a new store on South Lee Highway (think right across from the Cleveland Speedway, where the Salvation Army used to be).  I have been shopping there (at the old location down on Waterlevel Hwy.) for years for things like housewares and out-of-season gifty things.  They get scratch-and-dent, end of season, and clearanced items that come from Target, Kohls, Kmart, and other stores in the area.  You can find super-deals (and some not so super ones) for pretty cheap- and since this is a new location they’re having a GRAND OPENING sale.  There’s a new group of markdowns every day.  When I went a couple days ago, all their toys were 50% off!  I got a Creepy Crawler Bug Maker for $3, an Imaginext Dinosaur w/cavemen for $1.50, and a very big, but squashed, box of Clip-O blocks (the old-school bristle blocks) for $5!!  *Be sure to check out your item well before buying, many are missing pieces, or damaged in some way, but some are just fine!
• The UGO Grocery (United Grocery Outlet) on Keith St. behind the Goodwill has wrapping paper for 25¢/roll!  They have two kinds, Strawberry Shortcake Holiday paper, and Santa Clause paper.  It probably won’t last long, so get some while you can!
• The monthly Pajama Day at Chik-Fil-A is tomorrow morning from 8 – 10:30 am.  I’ll be there with the kids getting our FREE Chicken Biscuits and letting dad sleep in, come on down so I have a grown-up to sit with!

I know you’ve all been wondering when the next coupon-swap is going to be – and I think we can squeeze one more in before we take a Holiday break.  Thursday, December 17th, we are going to have a little Christmas Shin-Dig!  I really wish I could just invite you all over here, then we could have a dance-your -pants-off-party, and maybe a drink or two, and possibly spin the scissors (I was trying to incorporate couponing in there a bit, but that actually sounds fairly dangerous.)  Unfortunately, my husband and 4 sons will be here, so that’s out.

However, I thought we could meet up at “Ye Old Library” (that’s my Christmas-y way of saying the library), bring some goodies and hang out before the year ends.  What do you say?  Anyone up for a Coupon Christmas Party?

We can also swap coupons, you know, while we’re there – I’ve got my littlest potty trained, so I’m finally willing to hand over some Huggies coupons!  I know for a fact Andrea’s coming, and then there’s me, and of course probably Monica and maybe Lisa, and if you want to be on this highly exclusive guest list - just leave me an RSVP in the comment section!

Alright then, it’s settled.  You guys bring some good cheer, and I’ll bring my homemade Christmas Mixed Tape to get the party started!! (HINT: It is almost 60% made up of my mom’s old Tupperware Christmas Party Tape – if that tells you just how GOOD it is.)

P.S.  Feel free to bring a friend or co-worker.  The more people that are around to pass around coupons, the better your chances at getting things you need while you’re having a good time with the girls!

I just wanted to check, because if you HAVEN’T – you missed out on so much good stuff the last few months!  (Sign up HERE.)

I got a full-size fancy pants Night-Cream (Olay Pro-X)

Kashi Sample and High-Value Coupons

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant and High-Value Coupons

Free Rice Krispies and High-Value Coupons

$2.50 off Bounce Dryer Bars & extra High-Value Coupons

and more…..

I’ve heard that some people get randomly turned down for Vocal Point. If so, try again – answer a few questions differently.  Tell them you talk to like 1,000 people a day and they all trust your opinion.  Do NOT tell them you are friendless and spend no money.  That just won’t get you in the club girls.