It’s that time of year, all 2012 Entertainment Books are now 50% OFF with FREE SHIPPING. That means that the 2012 Entertainment books just went on sale for $15 in almost all areas (usually they are $35 so that is an amazing $20 savings). This is one of my top recommendations for great savings, especially when traveling.

If you know you’ll be going to a destination that’s not local to you, this is a great time to get savings. Hurry though as there is only a limited number available and the offer doesn’t last forever!

I personally am looking into the Entertainment.com Savings Membership. It costs a little more, and I’m concerned if it will be worth it or not (though I’m pretty sure it will). The Savings membership is mobile, basically it’s an app that allows you to take advantage of all the great deals Entertainment has to offer on the go and year round. They are on sale now at an introductory price of $24.99.

This week I began the first of the many many projects it will take to get our home from chaos to function so I thought I’d give you all a little update. It definitely is true that getting even bits done can accomplish such a huge lift mentally.

Although we still have a long ways to go, the first project that I have on my list is quite possibly the largest one we will have. The living room is the largest room in the house. This room serves many many purposes, from entertainment to homework and well anything else one shared space could be used for.

We have wall to wall furniture in that room including two large couches and two large chairs. We also have the massive ikea cube bookshelf along with a table. Granted, this is a lot to cram into this room, but when done right I figure it can not only offer us the right amount of seating but possibly setup a homework station as well.

As I moved the bookshelf from one wall to another it opened up a lot of possibilities for this room. Not just that of creating a homework area, but one full side of the room will now become an office/homework center. One wall is filled with the bookshelf, the adjoining wall has the table and will have chairs around it. One of the chairs has been moved over there (though it may be replaced with a more compact yet still comfortable chair) and soon the rest of my office shelves will move over there as well.

This keeps the rest of the room open, since the room is very much a box we still have a chair and the two couches around the perimeter, the television on one wall and the entire middle of the floor is open. This will eventually have a cozy carpet and possibly allow us to bring in our oversized (4ft x 4ft) ottoman to put in the center of the room for the moment.

There’s still a ton left to finish this project. The office area is currently in the “living” portion of the room still and it is filled with books, papers and massive amounts of cords. All of this has to be organized so that the current combination of a small bookshelf unit stacked on top of a nightstand can be moved to the other side of the room.

Also still remaining is a TON of laundry. Although it has now been dug out from under, over, in and behind every single piece of furniture in the living room, it is still overwhelming. Since this is the main living area, starting to organize the laundry was yet another part of this project.

The crazy thing is, that although I realize we accomplished only part of the project, I’m surprised we got as much done in one week as we did. I seriously thought that this project would take forever to do but it totally gives me hope!

Note: Yes, I know I’m cruel and mean for not offering you photos this week. But the thing is, I did not take any before pictures just as I started the project (totally lame I KNOW!) so I need to go digging through the fast numbers of images I have to find some for you and as soon as I do, you’ll see the project in action.

I have a goal. It’s kind of a big one and seems a little daunting to me at the moment but it isn’t unreasonable. In fact, I know that if I setup the steps I know I need to take I can totally attain this goal by the deadline.

I’ve said it a million times, our house is tiny. I often refer to it as the cubicle, it’s that small. Cramming 8 people plus all their stuff, even if you go through and weed out all the non-essentials it still adds up to a lot of clutter.

THE GOAL!

This year I want my home and yard organized enough to actually host my boys’ big Birthday Bash at our house. Now, before anyone who knows me gasps with pure shock (or faints entirely), keep in mind there was a time I was able to do this in the past. It’s just been forever and a day ago.

So, I have until July to accomplish this goal. I am not looking for perfection and beauty (that may be a later goal lol), but I am looking to completely rid myself finally of the C.H.A.O.S. (Can’t Have Anyone Over Syndrome – no I did not create this and do not know who did but it’s brilliantly spot on)!

Do you have CHAOS? If so, I encourage you to stop in from time to time for updates on this goal of mine as I plan to post often on the progress – the steps I’m taking, resources and tips I find, and even the occasional contest!!!!

Today’s tip: Find one small goal to set for yourself around the home… it could be something tiny like “clear the top of the washer and dryer” or something huge like “paint the living room” (though those might seem in reverse order to some of you haha).  Own it, set a deadline and go for it.

As February enters most of us start thinking about the end of Winter and looking forward to Spring. With that comes a lot of snow clothes, holiday decorations and much purging to be done.

Of course, in my home there’s always a lot of clutter, but finding clever and convenient storage solutions can be the perfect answer for keeping things running smoothly when seasons change. This doesn’t have to be expensive, sure it can be, but there are ways to keep it down to a minimum.

Buy them all the same!

Try to buy the same containers for storing seasonal items. These containers can be different for each season but making sure you’re buying the same ones makes them simple to stack, find and label.

Shop Sales

Right after Christmas is usually the perfect time to shop for storage as most stores have big sales on it. Sure, some of them may be red and green big plastic containers but those are perfect for storing all your winter and Christmas stuff and you’ll always know what boxes to look in for that time of year! Even snow suits, winter clothing, boots, etc are perfect for storing in these containers.

Label Well

Label all your containers with not only the season, but the basic contents. For Christmas/winter stuff I’d typically have one box for lights, another for ornaments/stockings and another for winter clothes. You get the idea.

Plan Ahead

Make an area in your home or garage or basement that’s just for storage. Take time to find that one spot that’s not damp or wet, but isn’t used much. Keep in mind that it does NOT have to be a large area. I would venture to say that for seasonal storage you really don’t need more than a 6ft x 6ft area to fit all four seasons.

This is a great time to get rid of any lights that don’t work or clothes that are worn out, too small or won’t be used again! Fill your boxes and stack them all together by season. The great thing about doing it this way is that it doesn’t take long at all and everything is going to be so very easy to find next year when you need it.

Now I’m off to find that pesky Valentine’s Day table runner I didn’t put away last year !

This post was brought to you by Uncle Bob’s storage company! All opinions and content is entirely mine you can see my full disclosure policy here. 

If I think about the top 10 things I’m asked in day to day life with 6 boys, definitely one of them would be “How on earth can you afford to keep them all clothed?”  Then there’s always the temptations of this season’s cutest shoes ever for myself!

Keeping my boys looking decent, preferably with no holes in their shoes (sadly I discovered one of them needs a new pair just this morning), and allowing myself the occasional “indulgence” of fun clothes or shoes requires a little patience and a lot of perseverance.

Here’s some great tips for huge discounts when shopping on a budget for your family!

This post is brought to you by Macy’s, my favorite shoes for girls.

Know Your Store

Most of us have a few select stores we shop at a lot. Then there are the ones we visit a little less frequently for specific items. The biggest tip I have is to get familiar with the patterns of the store you frequent most.

The one I shop at almost always has a percentage off of their clearance items. I know that they will have about two weeks each year where there is no extra discount on the clearance products, every other part of the year they will be anywhere from 40% to 60% off the clearance price. Point is, there’s a pattern to their discounts and there are many stores that do the same so plan ahead for those biggest savings weeks and try to do most of your bulk shopping then.

Shop the Clearance Rack

Yes, usually you will find mostly “off-season” items, but if your store has a clearance section (mine always does though they do move it occasionally) frequent it and think ahead to what your family may need soon. My store usually has deeper discounts off the clearance items, so as mentioned before I tend to try and do even more shopping then.

Always Be Prepared

Always know your children’s clothing and shoe sizes and what they are currently in need of (or will be soon) when visiting the store. You want to be prepared to shop for any of them at any given time based on what is actually available for a great deal in the store (I love getting $50 shoes for under $20).

Be Flexible

Here’s a tip that can be a little challenging for some people. Know what you or your children need, but if you go to the store with a particular brand or exact style in mind you will usually be disappointed and pay far more than you need to. I have the benefit of shopping at a store that carries some great brand name clothing, that said though, they are not always going to have one brand on sale. If you do have a specific brand in mind, just wait to see if they go on sale another month.

Look for a Return Policy

Did you know that there are some stores that have a return policy for children’s clothing that covers them if they get holes in the knees or if they outgrow them too soon? For some people this is a great way to shop!

Look for Coupons

Another great tip is to shop with a coupon. A lot of stores will have their own “bucks” to earn and use which is a great way to get a discount. Other stores will have sales and sometimes they will even have those sales in conjunction with a coupon in their weekly ad or in the mail…. look for these, they are so great!

Online vs. Offline

Honestly this is a matter of personal preference. There are tons of amazing deals to be found both ways! I talked primarily today about physically going to a store to shop, but that doesn’t mean that even better deals can’t be found online, it’s simply a little different technique to find the best deals and we will cover that another time!

Have a tip of your own? We’d love to hear it! Just leave a comment and tell us your best frugal shopping tip!

Disclosure: This post was brought to you by and written by me on behalf of Macy’s, my favorite shoes for girls. 

Ok, I will admit it right here and now, teaching kids to clean is not an easy task for most of us. I for one am not good at keeping an upbeat attitude when it comes to cleaning. If i was, I think I’d have a much better chance of having perfectly angelic little children who wanted to pitch in at every turn. But that is not our reality.

Teaching kids to clean can be frustrating, yet strangely, I can’t think of a better way for them to learn about life than through that very process. Someday, like it or not, they will need to know how to clean a shower or a toilet or a floor, they should know how to operate a vacuum a washing machine and a dishwasher.

So, before we get to the giveaway info part, here’s a few tips that help us when teaching our kids how to clean.

Lighten Up

As much as I dislike cleaning, I think hubby has the right idea when he turns on the music and lightens the mood. It changes the whole environment and helps everyone’s attitudes…yes, even mine.

Make it Work

There’s nothing worse than having a system that simply doesn’t work. Our cleaning system is mediocre at best even now, but that’s primarily due to living space.

Having a cleaning kit that makes things simple to get to really helps the process of teaching kids to clean.

Answer the “Why’s”

Ok, truthfully, I definitely fall into the “because I said so” category of motherly sayings on a frequent basis, that said though, I think it’s very important for kids to understand why cleaning up is so important.

It’s not just about the visual appeal, but also very important for hygienic and safety reasons. Kids are smart, smart enough to act like they don’t get it even when they do, so taking a few minutes to explain the why’s can help a lot.

Keep it Clear

Helping kids not only understand why cleaning is important, but making sure they know exactly what their part of the cleaning entails is key. Kids have an extremely keen sense of “fairness” and while there is no way to be precise in measuring fair when it comes to cleaning, making sure that each person knows their job, knows how to do it and are solely responsible for completing that task can help eliminate a lot of those issues.

Despite it all, there will just be times that the house looks like a tornado ran through it (6 kids qualifies right?). So I’ll be the first to admit that I often wish someone else could do it for me!

Do you want to hand over cleaning to the experts? Tell us how you have taught and encouraged your kids to clean and be entered to win one of two prizes!

• First Prize:  House Cleaner for a day plus $100 in product from GreatCleaners.com.
• Second Prize: A Copy of the Book Over 100 Helpful Household Hints

With GreatCleaners.comClean Club, you’ll never have to shop for cleaning products again. With the simplicity of automatic shipments that fit your schedule and free shipping on every order, plus 25% off your first order, you’ll never have to be without your favorite, essential cleaning products. Click here to join the Clean Club today!

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of GreatCleaners.  The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Arm & Hammer Brand.

Yesterday I mentioned how much I love honey for cooking, but did you know that I’m really starting to get into making beauty products for myself as well? Believe it or not, it’s super simple, amazing for your skin and you know exactly what you’re putting on your body.

Think about it for a minute. We’re constantly being told that our skin is the largest organ the human body has, yet we are forever exposing it to harsh products and chemicals without even batting an eye. Even the water we use to shower with is sub-par!!!

So when I realized that it takes only a few simple ingredients and a tiny bit of my time to make my own bath, body and spa treatment products I simply marveled! When i awakened from the bliss induced momentary coma, I decided to try some out.

In honor of National Honey Month, the very first recipe I want to use in my Homemade Beauty section features none other than HONEY! Grab your Magic Bullet and head to the fridge (yep you read that right!), and be prepared to create amazing and beautiful skin!

Today we’re going to start with a refreshing and rejuvenating Toner for your skin! I do have a lot to say on this subject so be sure to check back soon for great ideas, more recipes and even interesting information on the importance of these ingredients for your skin.

Cucumber-Honey Toner

1 medium cucumber, cut into pieces
2Tbsp distilled water
2 teaspoons honey
3Tbsp Witch Hazel

Directions:

• Puree cucumber using the Magic Bullet (a food processor or blender would also work). Add the water as you’re blending.
• Grab a bowl and cover with a cheesecloth then pour the pureed cucumber onto the cheesecloth, squeeze out the cucumber juices through the cheesecloth.
• Pour the clear juice into a clean bottle and add honey and witch hazel.

To Use

Shake the bottle before each application and saturate a cotton ball with the toner. Sweep over face, neck and chest morning and night, and let it air dry (about 3 to 4 minutes).

Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Makes about 1/2 to 1 cup.

Note: if you don’t have the distilled water or witch hazel, just make this toner with the cucumber and honey it’s still got all the amazing benefits and will purify and rejuvenate your skin!

Wouldn’t it be nice to have a coupon for everything you buy and anywhere you shop? Well, although that isn’t entirely possible, one of the best sources for online coupons and savings is definitely Savings.com.

Quite possibly one of the things I love about this site most is their Savings Pledge. The pledge involves committing to take control of spending to reach a goal. Learn all about it here.

There’s so much more to Savings.com than the pledge though. Finding unbelievable deals to use when shopping is really the backbone of the site.

This week for instance the Deal of the Week is a coupon that saves you $30 on a $90 purchase at The Limited. Sure, not everyone can use this, but it’s a great example of the huge savings that you can really amass when you check with Savings.com before you shop!!!

With all the cash going out with back to school shopping what better way to stretch every precious dollar we have? Some deals are definitely bigger than others, but the idea here is to add Savings.com to your list of stops before you go shopping online! Enjoy the savings.

This year all 6 of my sons are going to be in school. While this may not seem particularly monumental to anyone but me, it also brings a mile-long list of supplies that need to be purchased for the collective masses.

Money is tight, my dollar doesn’t go nearly as far as it used to and I need to be careful that back-to-school doesn’t break the bank. I know I’m not alone, so here’s a few suggestions to keep back to school more affordable, and maybe even a lot less stressful.

Plan ahead – who says back-to-school shopping has to be done during summer break?

I know it’s a little late for the new school year, but the biggest tip I have for the cheapest back-to-school prices, is to shop year round. Every time I go to the store, I can be found scouring ads and shopping the clearance rack at the stores I frequent. Often I can find name brand clothing even for 70% off or more!

Just get to know your stores, the locations of their clearance racks and how often they have big sales.  Of course, since some of my boys are growing like weeds (literally), this is rather necessary anyway or their pants start fitting them like capris (trust me, this is not the look a boy is going for).

Keep a List – we even have a standard clothing “supply” list around here.

I’d rather not have a child with 10 t-shirts and 1 pair of jeans in their drawers, and with a lot of kids it’s easy to mix up who has what. So, keeping a checklist for each child to ensure they have the right amount of all the necessaries is key around here.

Be Flexible – sometimes the best deals are where you least expect them.

I was recently doing a search for coupons and sales for back to school online and was surprised when it suddenly occurred to me that using the annual local Entertainment book is an incredibly simple option. If you don’t have an Entertainment book, look on craigslist or sites like that for the current edition, or simply put it on your list for next year (shop for it several months after it’s released to get it for $10 or less).

That’s just one example of thinking “outside the box” for a super cheap back-to-school, imagine the possibilities.

We want to know how you’re saving this year!!!

Share your back to school money saving advice below for a chance to win a $500 Back to School Shopping Spree from BlogFrog! 

Want to exchange more tips and ideas with other moms? We’d love to hear your solutions (or questions even) for healthy snacks, school supplies and saving money!  Visit the Horizon® Healthily Families Back to School Community!  

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon.  The opinions expressed by me do not necessarily reflect the view of the Horizon Organic brand. 

As we talk about Back-to-school we simply have to mention lunches. This year I’m going to do a little more than mention it though as we delve into great lunch ideas and in an effort to go completely green in the lunch department, Bento will be key. From supplies to recipes and great sites for you to use as resources, we’re going green and Bento all over the place!!!

Care to take the plunge with me? Great!! Today, we’re going to look at the basic supplies and where to buy them.

Going Bento is not as challenging as it may seem, or as expensive. I admit I was so lost at first. I loved the idea of doing bento type lunches for my family, but I was struggling with the “hows” and “where-to-buys”.

In keeping with my standard back-to-school shopping advice, you have to “think outside the box” more than ever here. From where to shop for Bento boxes and supplies to how to creatively package daily lunches (without going crazy). While you’re thinking outside the box however, keep in mind that there’s a lot of products out there and you’ll be building your Bento supply box over time.

Start with the Box!

Finding the perfect box may seem daunting, but there’s simple solutions for those who are just starting. Here’s some ideas.

EasyLunchboxes is probably the simplest of them all! Last fall they sent me a set of their fantastic lunchboxes and it was an amazing introduction for me into the world of Bento. Alas, my life was so crazy at the time I wasn’t able to fully appreciate it or share it with all of you until now, but I’m so excited to do so.

Since these boxes are already compartmentalized you will have no problem building a cute lunch without needing an excess of supplies. Just purchase a set of these sturdy, durable boxes (comes in a set of 4 for around $14.99 – WOW!) and a couple little bento goodies and you’re totally ready to send up to four kids back to school for under $20.

Local Finds

Search for local shops (specialty, Walmart, Target, etc) and even look at garage sales, Craigslist, etc for bento options. If you can buy locally (and if their prices aren’t through the roof), you won’t have to worry about shipping costs and of course there’s the whole supporting local businesses idea to feel good about.

More Box Shopping

Feel like you want to take the plunge even deeper into bento? Check out AllThingsForSale.com a surprising little online Bento store that has simply amazing prices!

There’s a lot of creative solutions there and while it may seem daunting, I hope to offer a little more information on these over the next few months as we try some out ourselves.

Though there are tons and tons of places to shop here’s just a couple links to keep you going:

• Amazon.com - offers very cute bento boxes and accessories at definitely affordable prices!
• Ebay – honestly a fabulous place to shop for bento just use the normal cautions (ie: beware of sellers that gouge you for shipping or have low feedback ratings).
• The Container Store – another surprising find with amazing options!
• http://megasuperbento.ecrater.com/ - haven’t shopped here but got the suggestion from a few bento sites.
• Bento&Co – admittedly not the cheapest place to shop for bento but definitely unique.

Accessories

Wondering where on earth to begin? Well it all depends on how in depth you want to go right off the bat, but frankly I recommend keeping it simple. Although all accessories are truly optional, I do recommend that you at least start with silicone cupcake cups (can be found literally at any store that sells cooking supplies or online) or food separators of some sort (usually purchased in bento specialty shops or online at the stores I mentioned). Most can be purchased at any of the above mentioned ideas/links.

• Bag – if you buy boxes that don’t have one you may want to find something that fits the containers and a thermos or drink container for portability.
• Picks – the ultimate accessory for cuteness and keeping small food (grapes, olives, etc) where you want it to be in the box.
• Sandwich Cutters – not all boxes fit standard sized bread and let’s face it kids love shaped sandwiches!!! This is an affordable, simple and fun option to have.

More on Lunch

Be on the lookout for future posts that expand on ideas, suggestions, accessories and more all to do with Bento! Also, I plan to feature some fun lunch ideas over the next few weeks that are (of course!) simple simple simple!!!