Monday Madness: 5/24/10

MGR is looking for a resident designer for our forum! If you're interested, please click here. Now on to the fun Monday Madness!

What is Monday Madness?

Monday Madness was created by us: mommy bloggers Micael and Meghan. Mommy, daddy, single, stay at home parent, working parent, blogger, non-blogger, pie lover, pie hater (who hates pie, seriously?).... it doesn't matter who you are or what you do, Monday's tend to be crazy, right? So we thought we would bring a little fun into your Monday routine. And at the same time you'll get to check out new blogs, network with others, make new friends and connections - multitasking at its best!

So what do I do to participate?

It's really easy to participate with us!  Just follow the steps below and you'll be set!

1. Follow the hostess blogs at Saving Obsession and The Tuckers Take Tennessee for some Madness Lovin'.
2. Grab the McLinky code and make a post on your blog about Monday Madness, so more people can join in the fun! Also grab the Monday Madness button on the right.
3. Add your blog name and link to the McLinky below.
4. Check out some of the blogs on the list and follow ones you like. Leave a comment to let them know you're from Monday Madness.
5. If someone follows your blog, follow them back to keep the Madness going.
6. Each week we will "feature" a new blog right below. Who knows, it could be you next week!
7. That's it! Visit and follow as few or as many blogs, twitter pages, and facebook pages as you'd like! 

This week's featured blog is JanDee Crafts Make sure you check out her blog! It's definitely worth the follow! 

New Friend Friday & Follow Me Friday 5/21/10

Two awesome linky parties today! Make sure you join in the fun. Click the buttons below to add your blog! As alway, come join us at My Great Retreat www.mygreatretreat.com

Little Painted Polka Dots opened her co-op today. Everything is 30% off!

Weekly Deal Wednesday: Crazy 8 Shorts Just $9.99!

It's time for another great round of Weekly Deal Wednesday! This week, what are some of your favorite deals that you have found?

My Great Retreat has an awesome Deal Diva named Micael. She knows everything about deals, saving money, and the latest in coupons and codes to help save you moo-la!

Who is a fan of Crazy 8?  I know alot of us moms are! They have adorable and reasonably priced clothing for our little ones. Crazy 8 is owned by Gymboree so you know you're getting nice clothing when you buy from them. 

For a limited time only, check out all the spring markdowns and the shorts for just $9.99! www.crazy8.com has more details!

Welcome to Monday Madness! 

Hosted by: Saving Obsession & The Tuckers Take Tennessee!

What is Monday Madness?

Monday Madness was created by us: mommy bloggers Micael and Meghan. Mommy, daddy, single, stay at home parent, working parent, blogger, non-blogger, pie lover, pie hater (who hates pie, seriously?).... it doesn't matter who you are or what you do, Monday's tend to be crazy, right? So we thought we would bring a little fun into your Monday routine. And at the same time you'll get to check out new blogs, network with others, make new friends and connections - multitasking at itsbest!

So what do I do to participate?

It's really easy to participate with us!  Just follow the steps below and you'll be set!

1. Follow the hostess blogs at Saving Obsession and The Tuckers Take Tennessee for some Madness Lovin'.
2. Add your blog name and link to the McLinky below.
3. Grab the McLinky code and make a post on your blog about Monday Madness, so more people can join in the fun!
4. Check out some of the blogs on the list and follow ones you like. Leave a comment to let them know you're from Monday Madness.
5. If someone follows your blog, follow them back to keep the Madness going.

That's it! Visit and follow as few or as many blogs as you'd like! 

The McLinky will be open every Monday from 8:00 AM (Eastern Time) until Midnight (Eastern Time), that way nobody feels like they have to stay awake the night before to try to get a hot spot on the list!

Tasty Tuesday-Breakfast Cookies

You can have cookies for breakfast!!! This is a great recipe that your kids will love. My kids really liked the breakfast cookies from Quaker, but they were a little pricey and you only got 5 in a box. I went searching and found this recipe

3/4 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg
1/4 cup (1 small jar) strained carrot baby food (I sometimes use 1/4 cup canned pumpkin that I have left over from pumpkin bread)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup bran cereal flakes
1/3 cup raisins
1/3 cup walnut pieces, lightly toasted in a dry skillet for 2 minutes, until fragrant and chopped
(I leave out the raisins and nuts because my daughter is allergic to nuts and add 1/2 cup chocolate chips instead)Place rack in center of oven and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk together flours, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Combine butter, oil and sugars in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high speed, scraping down sides if necessary, until sugars have dissolved and mixture is light in color, about 1 minute. Add egg, carrot puree and vanilla and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add flour mixture and beat an additional 30 seconds. Add oats, flakes, raisins and walnuts and mix over low speed just until incorporated. Dough will be slightly sticky and less cohesive than traditional cookie dough. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Using between 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter, form a ball and place on cookie sheet. Repeat with remaining batter, leaving about 3 inches between cookies. Wet hands and use palm of hand to flatten cookies until about 1/4-inch thick. Bake for 12 minutes, until cookies are fragrant but still soft. Let cookies cool slightly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Coupon Communities

I have been a member at A Full Cup for a long time now, and I have to say it has been incredibly helpful. When I was just a beginner at coupons, so many wonderful people helped answer my (what I realize now were silly) questions. It really set me on my path to learn more about couponing, and then later to start teaching others how to save in my community.

Besides that (and a lot of other things), they offer a fun thing called 'Coupon Trains'. They are vary on how they work (since they are run by individual members) but they have the same basic idea. It's a group of members that agree to send an envelope chock full of coupons that you want - and you send an envelope out to someone with coupons they want. It's a great way to get multiples of those coupons you really use all the time - all for the cost of a stamp! And if you don't want to join a train, you can just post up trades with other members!

And I love their coupon database! When I do my match ups for Weekly Deals, that's the database I use for about 95% off it!

It's a great site, and if you're just getting into couponing or are a seasoned veteran - you should still check out A Full Cup!
   
P.S. - These opinions are my own and I'm not being compensated to brag on them. I just wanted to share one of my favorite resources!

If you ever have any questions about coupons, or what to see some hot deals, be sure to visit me at my blog, SavingObsession.com!

Amazing Toy Story 1 & Toy Story 2 movie deal!

I'm sorry for not posting this sooner, but you have until Saturday that you can do this!

If you own Toy Story 1 or 2 (dvd or vhs) you can join http://www.disneymovierewards.com and enter their bar codes. When you enter the bar code you can get a coupon for which ever movie you entered for $10 off the dvd/blu ray combo pack. If you can get both, here's an awesome deal for you....

Go to Toys R Us (with both coupons!)
TS1 and TS2 combo packs are $29.99. But for purchasing BOTH at the same time you'll save $13 off of each! Plus you'll have your coupons. So this is how it will look:

TS1 combo pack - $29.99
TS2 combo pack - $29.99
Total before discounts/coupons - $59.98 + tax
Minus - $26.00 (for buying both)
Minus - $10.00 (TS1 combo pack coupon)
Minus - $10.00 (TS2 combo pack coupon)

Total after coupons - $13.98 + tax! (or $6.99 each)

That is AMAZING for a DVD/Blu Ray Combo pack!!! That's saving over 75%!

But wait! There's more!

Each TS combo pack comes with a code for a FREE MOVIE TICKET to go see Toy Story 3! So if you got both movies, you'll have $17 in free movie tickets! Making everything wash out to be FREE!!

P.S. - if you don't own the Toy Story movies to get the bar code, ask friends or family. That's what I did. Each coupon can be printed a limit of 2 times! So what I did was my friend gave me her codes, I printed (2) TS1 coupons and (2) TS2 coupons - then went and did our deal (part of the dvd awesomeness) for her. So it was coupon sharing love! Want to see how I did my deal? Click HERE!

Need help understanding this? It's ok - I know it's a little complicated, but worth it and you'll totally get a couponing rush! So please feel free to come HERE and ask questions!

THIS DEAL WILL END ON SATURDAY MARCH 27TH!

 Want to see how I did my deal? Click HERE!

Thrifty Thursday

Please check out our great What a Deal forum at My Great Retreat!
While there, don't forget to join our 2010 Savings Challenge!
Also, check out this thread that lists some great coupon sites!

Great Huggies coupons!! (you can print each of these 2 times) They expire on Apr 5
coupon 1
coupon 2
coupon 3

Free Photo book
just pay $8.99 shipping thru 3/31  Enter code AFFLGB when checking out!

GREAT deal on an Ergo baby carrier

What A Deal! April-June Blog Advertising Spots Now Available!

Every three months or so, we're going to feature a new type of business, blog, site to advertise on top of the normal advertising spaces. Just a way to pay special focus to all kinds of sites out there and offer discounted pricing.

So April-June, we're going to focus on blogs. Want to drive more traffic to your blog? Then join in and get this spot!

If you want to advertise on our site but are wanting to advertise something other than a blog, please click here for our rateshttp://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=19

We will have the following available. First come, first serve.

If you prepay for all 3 months, there will be discounted pricing:
*Option 1 pricing will be $10.00 instead of $11.25
*Option 2 pricing will be $8.50 instead of $9.00
*Option 3 pricing will be $5.50 instead of $6.00

If you have any questions, or are ready to get your spot reserved, please PM me.

Month of April Spots:
(OPTION #1) $3.75
3 spots available in the very top header (This is prime advertising space!)

(OPTION #2) $3.00
2 spots available right above posts/threads

(OPTION #3) #2.00
4 spots available on the footer of each page

Month of May Spots:
(OPTION #1) $3.75
3 spots available in the very top header (This is prime advertising space!)

(OPTION #2) $3.00
2 spots available right above posts/threads

(OPTION #3) $2.00
4 spots available on the footer of each page.

Month of June Spots:
(OPTION #1) $3.75
4 spots available in the very top header (this is prime advertising space!)

(OPTION #2) $3.00
2 spots available right above posts/threads

(OPTION #3) $2.00
4 spots available on the footer of each page.

Win It Wednesday: Dee's Bugaboo Boutique

This week's giveaway is for Dee's Bugaboo Boutique cards. Enter by 9pm CST tonight for your chance to win!


Click here to enter.

Where's Your Focus?

focus: 5 a : a center of activity, attraction, or attention b : a point of concentration... Merriam Webster dictionary

Today I want to talk to you little about focus. When I'm taking a picture I ask this question often... where's your focus? Usually, I'm taking portraits of my kids and so I want my focus to be on their face and more specifically on their eyes. Since people are generally who we want to focus on in our photos that's usually where we want our focus to be but sometimes we want it elsewhere to draw our attention to the story behind the photo..

Every camera is different and therefore your settings are different but in general every camera has a focus point which is normally in the center for p&s cameras or you can have from 3 to several focus points in higher end p&s camears and dSLRs. Your goal is to use that point to get the most tack sharp focus exactly where you want your focus to be... Many cameras allow you to pinpoint your focus area, press the button down halfway and then you can move the camera around to get the composition you want before pressing all the way down to take the shot and your focus will stay on the object or person that you had locked in the focus on.

In my photos I want to bring your attention to something... so most of my photos will focus on a child's face and more specifically the face... but sometimes I want to tell a story with my photo so I'll focus on that storytelling part of the photo... take this photo for instance... I want people to see how messy my sweet boy is... I have the focus on his messy hands after eating but you can still see that it's him who is being the messy boy. So, I set my focus point to focus on his hand and I set my aperture pretty wide so that the rest of him is blurry but you can still tell it's him.
Here's another example, again of my sweet boy... this time focusing on the fact that he bent the drill bit, so I took a picture of his hands playing with the drill and my focus is on the hands not his face or even his whole body or the whole scene... can you tell he's my little trouble maker?
Normally, this is what my photos look like... a picture of my child with the focus on their face and more specifically on their eyes, although in this photo, I could have told the story by focusing on the ASL "I Love You" sign but chose to focus more on my sweet girl by focusing on her eyes showing how happy she is
and here is another one not focusing on the face but focusing on something on his face to show the story... my child has a snotty nose and he's reaching for kleenex... is that what you see with this photo? Is your attention drawn to the snotty nose?
OK, here's your assignment... take a picture that tells a story, drawing our attention to something or some place using the focus point(s) on your camera. Post the photo here in this thread for us all to see.

Tasty Tuesday: Blueberry-Almond Granola

This recipe comes from one of our members, Kristin! Thanks for submitting such a great recipe.

Do you have a recipe you love and want others to enjoy too? Post it in our Cookbook forum.

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 T vegetable oil
2 T honey
1 cup dried blueberries

1. Preheat oven to 350*. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss oats, coconut, and almonds. In a small bowl, stir together oil and honey. Pour over oat mixture and toss. Bake, tossing occasionally until lightly toasted, 16 to 20 minutes.

2. Place mixture in a large bowl and stir in blueberries. (To store, keep in an airtight container, up to 1 month.)

Win It Wednesday: Saving Obsession!

This week at Tuckers Take Tennessee there is an awesome giveaway going on. Saving Obsession has donated one of her adorable binders. Its perfect for coupons and comes with coupon items that make your grocery shopping trip easier on you!

Come check it out and enter! Winner will be chose after 9pm CST tonight. (3/3/10)

MGR Monday: March 1, 2010

MGR has lots going on in March and we want to make sure you know about it all! It's madness!  


1. Weekly Auctions. We just concluded our first MGR auction. Micael won an adorable custom vinyl wall hanging from one of our members, prariestorm! Make sure youre around and checking out the upcoming auctions. They will be in the Coffee Talk forum!  


2. Co-ops: Carey has some great co-ops planned. We just concluded "Naturally Pampered" and "Everyday Minerals". Some of the upcoming ones are: CraftMonkey (applique tee's), Prairiestorm Designs (vinyl lettering), Little Painted Polka Dot (adorable stamped jewelry and gifts), Frontier, A Time To Dye, and many more! Check out the co-op forum for more details!  


3. ATTENTION ALL SITE SUPPORTERS! You now have a forum just for you! If you are a site supporter, please make sure you can see the forum. Instead of sending out PM's to all the site supporters about when their account is up for renewal, we've created a forum for you to subscribe to. (I got this idea from a friend on another forum and am so thankful for it!) :) If you aren't already a site supporter and would like to know the perks that come with being one, click this link: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=118  


4. We are looking for a Resident Designer. Please click here if you are interested. http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4008  


5. 7 Days Left to get in on the special for banner advertising. Click here for more details: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=3957  


6. MGR has social icons for you to share on your blog, website, etc! Click here to get the coding for them! http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4015  


7. Make sure youre a follower and read the MGR blog! http://mygreatretreat.blogspot.com  


8. Subscribe to the MGR tweets! http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=3682  


9. As always, you can become a fan of MGR on Facebook. Just type in "my great retreat" and join.  


10. There are TONS of great ways to win prizes on our forum right now. (1) Picture Play Contest, (2) Blog Assignments, (3) Scrapbooking Assignments, (4) Photography Assignments, (5) And the newest is the Chat For Fun Contest (located in the contest forum). Great prizes!  


We hope you have a great March and hope Spring reaches you very soon!  


MGR Team

MGR Monday: February 22, 2010

MGR has a hashtag to use on Twitter!

When you post to another MGR member or link back to our site, www.mygreatretreat.com ,  use #mgr or #MGR in your tweet. It will help create a bit of buzz and will help us find each other on twitter.

Money Saving Monday: Stretching that dollar at Target

Would you believe me if I told you that I think shopping at Target (or Super Target) is actually cheaper than Wal*Mart for your groceries and household goods? Probably not. But more often than not, it's true. In fact, I find it so true, I no longer shop at Wal*MArt, for anything.

At the beginning of my coupoing journey, I dragged my mom along for the ride. My mom, mind you, was a die-hard Wal*Mart shopper. Every Friday we'd load up and head to FIVE different grocery stores for "the best deals". (Of course my argument was if Wal*Mart is so great, why are we spending hours driving to all these other places??). It was all this crazy running around, and my being immensely pregnant with baby #3 that made me say "Enough!" and I learned how to coupon the right way. Within a couple weeks I stopped going to all those stores and forced my mom into going alone. Two whole months later I *finally* convinced her that we could get our groceries for cheaper at Publix (and the occasional trip to Super Target) than Wal*Mart or any of those other places. She now never shops at Wal*Mart. Hooray!

Now during the time I was teaching/convincing my mom we did a little recon at Super Target. I am like a human price book when it comes to the things we frequently buy (yes, as in I remember the prices not only for my families items, but my moms as well, lol). So she would point out something there, look at the price, and I'd tell her Wal*Marts price. But that's not all. It's not just the everyday pricing that has me loving Target more (or the cleaner stores, or the friendlier service....) but it just so happens that Target has a *fantastic* coupon policy. (You can check out their policy HERE) They allow you to not only use a manufacturer coupon per item but you can also use a Target coupon AND manufacturer coupon per item! Wal*Mart has no coupons folks, so right there alone Target has them beat.

There are now 2 great ways to get Target coupons. You can either print them from HERE or you can now receive Mobile Coupons that you can sign up for HERE.

I wanted to show you how great some deals can be with these Target coupons.
Gillette Venus Embrace Razor (purchase 2)
Sale Price: $6.99
Use: (2) $2/1 mfr q (2/7 PG) AND (2) Free Olay Body Wash wyb Venus Embrace or Breeze Razor (2/7 PG)
Receive: Free $5 giftcard with purchase of any 2 Gillette products listed
Final Cost, OOP: $9.98
Final Cost after GC: $4.98. or $2.50 each
*Sweeten this deal and save an additional $2/1 if you've signed up for Target Mobile coupons. *

Gillette Fusion Razor (purchase 2)
Sale Price: $6.99
Use: (2) $4/1 mfr q (2/7 PG)
Receive: Free $5 giftcard with purchase of any 2 Gillette products listed
Final Cost, OOP: $5.98
Final Cost after GC: $0.98
*Sweeten this deal and save an additional $2/1 if you've signed up for Target Mobile coupons. *


I have also already taken the time to do some manufacturer coupon match ups with the current Target mobile coupons:
$2/1 Gillette Fusion Razor
Pair up with: $4/1 Gillette Fusion mfr q from 2/7 P&G insert

$2/1 Gillette Venus Razor
Pair up with: $2/1 Gillette Venus mfr q from 2/7 P&G insert
AND
with: Free Olay Body Wash when you purchase a Venus Razor mfr q from 2/7 P&G insert

Yesterday I got these:
$1/1 Kraft Cheese (chunk or shredded)
Pair up with: $1/2 Kraft mfr q from 1/24 Smart Source insert (or check here or here)

$1/1 Planters food products (5oz or larger)
Pair up with: $1/2 Planters mfr q from 1/24 Smart Source insert

$0.75/1 M&Ms Premium chocolate candies (6oz or larger)

$3/1 The Fragrance Collection by Glade (excludes 2 oz mini candle)
Pair up with: $3/1 The Fragrance Collection any product mfr from 2/7 Smart Source insert
OR
with: $3/1 The Fragrance Collection any 10oz Candle or Reed Diffuser mfr q from 1/24 Smart Source insert

Quite a few good deals! The Razors would be wicked cheap (especially with the current Gift Card deal going on) and using the $3 off mfr q for any Glade should mean a free or very cheap candle!

I hope I have opened your eyes to stretching your dollar when shopping at Target!!

Please feel free to check out my blog, Saving Obsession, and become a follower to see hot deals and coupons every day!

                 Happy Savings!

Calling All WAHM's! We'd Love Your Help!

MGR would love to help you get your products out there!

Calling All WAHMs!

My Great Retreat needs your help!

This is growing into such a wonderful and loving community, which is just what we want! The problem is love alone doesn't cover the cost of running a board, and this is where we need your help. My Great Retreat is going to be offering a host of different raffles and/or auctions to keep this site alive and well! We are currently looking for any WAHM who is willing to donate one (or more!) of their items to be raffled or auctioned here on the site. It doesn't have to be anything large, or high dollar (although a minimum of $10 value would be appreciated).

Just think, not only will you be helping out our great community, but you'll be getting your business out there as well! And we all know that WAHM's can use all the advertising they can get.

So please, I hope you'll consider helping us out. If you would like to, please just shoot me a PM! Thank you!

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We've decided we'll do 1-2 auctions/raffles per week as donations allow. If you're going to donate, please PM me the following info:

Item(s) to be donated (if more than one please let me know if you want them auctioned together or separate)
Retail Value
Shipping Costs to winner
Website (if you have one)
Picture of item(s)
When the items will be available

Weekly Deal Wednesday: Publix Shoppers!

Let's just get to it shall we? There are some great deals this week!

Acronyms found here
Order extra mfr coupons from here or here
And remember, if your store doubles coupons, your final cost will be less than what I've stated (lucky you!)


 
Chapstick Medicated
Price: $1.49, Buy 2
Use: (1) $0.50/2 mfr q (12/13 RP) AND (2) $1/1 Publix q (Green Adv. Flyer)
Final Cost: $0.48, or $0.24 each

Chapstick Original, Cherry, or Moisturizing
Price: $1.49, Buy 3
Use: (1) $1/3 mfr q (1/31 RP) AND (3) $1/1 Publix q (Green Adv. Flyer)
Final Cost: $0.47, or $0.16 each

Classico Pasta or Alfredo Sauce
Sale: BOGO Price: $2.49
Use: (2) $0.75/1 mfr q (1/10 SS)
Final Cost: $0.99, or $0.49 each
OR use (1) Free Pasta Sauce wyb Alfredo Sauce (1/10 SS)
Final Cost: Free (if you live in FL)

Nestle Coffemate Chilled Creamer
Sale: BOGO Price: $2.19
Use: (2) $0.75/1 mfr q (Print IP) OR (1) $1/2 mfr q (Print IP)
Final Cost: $0.69, or $0.34 each OR $1.19, $0.59 each
*If your store accepts Food Lion as a competitor use (2) $1/1 FLIPs combined with either of the above mfr q to get free creamer! Or use them alone to get creamer for $0.19!

For the rest of my Weekly Deals, click the button below to check them out on my blog!

Win It Wednesday: MLK Designs

Come check out the awesome giveaway on Meghan's blog at Tuckers Take Tennessee

This week, get a FREE design by MLK Designs! Enter now through 9pm CST tonight!

Intro to Money Saving Monday

Hi! My name is Micael (or The Deal Diva as they call me over on My Great Retreat)! Each Monday I'm going to be bringing you a little slice of what I talk about on my blog: saving money...and a lot of it!

A little about me: I'm about to be 26 (!), I have 3 lovely daughters, and I am a busy busy busy stay at home mom to them. I love to sew, craft, create, bake, sleep, be outside, and wouldn't you know... I love coupons too. ;) I got into couponing in November 2008. But I failed miserably at it. I did all the common mistakes most newbies make and ended up spending way more than I normally would, so I quit. But in March 2009 I took another stab at it, and by George I got it! It took countless weeks of research and loads of trial and error, but I got it. (Don't worry, I'm currently putting finishing touches on my couponing E-book that simplifies couponing by giving you detailed information all in one spot so you don't have to waste all that time!) From March - December 2009 I was able to save my family just over $6,000.00! That's no typo, I really saved 6 thousand dollars in 9 months! I always get asked "But can you get stuff you really need?" And the answer is a big fat YES! Do you use household cleaners? Do you use toiletries such as shampoo, razors, and toothpaste? Do you eat things like Kelloggs, Post, or General Mills cereal, fruits and veggies, crackers, soups? If you answered yes to any of those, then I've proven my point: you can use coupons for things you use. (Please note: that is a ridiculously small list in comparison to things you can indeed buy with coupons and smart shopping!!)

On Money Saving Mondays I'm going to post on several different topics. It could be a tip for when shopping with coupons, tips for maximizing your dollars, hot deals, or anything else that I can come up with the help save you money!

Here's what I'm going to tell you today to prep you for the beginning of your saving journey:
1. Where ever it is you do your grocery shop, find out their coupon policy. (And in most areas I will tell you that you can save more at your local grocery store than even Wal*Mart. Yes, I'm serious.)
2. Start making sure you receive at least 1-2 Sunday newspapers (the best source for your coupons!). If you live in Central Florida, click here for discounted rates I can give you!
3. Join in on our Savings Challenge! All you have to do is set a personal goal for your family for the year, and post each month how much you've saved. Sign up here and I'll be answering any questions you may have here. (If you're not a member of My Great Retreat yet, come join us! It's free, and lots of fun. In the referral box let them know Micael sent you!)
4. Start reading things on my blog to see what types of things I'll be teaching you!

Alright, so who's excited to start saving money?!

Scrappin' Sunday: 2/14/10

Book Of Me Prompt For This Week:

Scrap about your favorite color and post it here for us to see!

Some of the ones that have already been submitted are:

Fun Friday!!! What Does your Candy Heart Say About You??

I thought this would be fun for Valentine's Day. What Does your Candy Heart Say about you?

Your Candy Heart Says "Hug Me"

A total sweetheart, you always have a lot of love to give out. Your heart is open to where ever love takes you! Your ideal Valentine's Day date: a surprise romantic evening that you've planned out Your flirting style: lots of listening and talking What turns you off: fighting and conflict Why you're hot: you're fearless about falling in love

What Does Your Candy Heart Say?

Blogthings: We'll Tell You The Truth... Someone Has To!

     

Thrifty Thursday-February 11, 2010

Please join us at My Great Retreat for our 2010 Savings Challenge

Here are some savings you can find this week:
Preschoolians shoes-overstock sale 30% off plus free shipping

1-800-FLOWERS free shipping/no service charge (no code needed)

Free Ecards

Restaurant.com-
The new 80% off discount code for Restaurant.com is: HEART

free bowling at Brunswick Bowling

Walgreens.com
25 free 4X6 prints when you buy 25 or more (exp 2-13)
Coupon code Love10

 

Win It Wednesday: Bebebows!

Meghan has great giveaways on Wednesdays!

This week Bebebows is giving away a $30 voucher to their store! Adorable products for your little girl or great for gifts too!

Enter here for your chance to win!

http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4210

Tuesday's Top Ten: 2/9/10

Come check out Tuesday's Top Ten at MGR! Some of the items that made this week's list are below! Adorable products and top notch sellers!

MGR Monday: February 8, 2010

Whats going on this week at MGR?

Join in our Referral Contest! Winner gets $25 cash via paypal! Click here to join in!

A great prize is being given away in February for the Facebook contest! Make sure you're a "fan" of MGR on Facebook and answer the QOTD's when they are posted, to get your chance to win! Click here!

Come get to know "OhhMomma". She is our member of the week!

Do you have recipes? Want some new recipes? Come here and enter your recipes for our site's cookbook we are having printed later this year.

Are you a WAHM and like to get your name out? We'd love to help! Click here for our banner advertising or visit our WAHM forums for free advertising.

We are looking to add another Resident Designer. Do you love to design signature, banners, avatars? Come help us out! Click here for more info.

Do you love natural bath and body products? Come join in our co-op with Naturally Pampered! Great discounted prices!

Hope your week is great! Happy Valentines Day! 

Fun Friday!! What Flavor Toothpaste Are You?

My kids had to go to the dentist the other day for a checkup, so I thought this would be a fun quiz. What Flavor Toothpaste are You?

You Are Bubblegum Flavored Toothpaste

You are impulsive about most things in life, and you can't say no to fun! You are always in search of a new adventure. You try to lighten up every task and bring a little zing to your day. You like whimsical little treats, like bubblegum Like everyone else, you have your struggles and problems in life. Unlike everyone else, you don't let the difficulty of life get you down. The world may be a harsh place, but knowing that you can bring sunshine into other people's lives keeps you going.

What Flavor Toothpaste Are You?

Blogthings: A Fine Line Between Insight and Stupidity

Tasty Tuesday: Rib-Eye with Whiskey Cream Sauce

I have loved every recipe from The Pioneer Woman. Yesterday was my husband's birthday, so I decided to give this recipe a try. I made some modifications but it turned out great!!

Rib-Eye Steak with Whiskey Cream Sauce
5 tbsp butter
3 tbsp diced onion
1/4 cup whiskey (I substituted a dry white wine)
1/4 cup beef stock
salt and pepper
1/4 cream
2 rib eye steaks
**I also added some chopped up mushrooms when I added the onion**
Melt 2 tbsp butter. Add onion (and mushrooms) and cook until brown. Turn off burner and add whiskey (or wine) Turn burner back on and add beef stock and salt and pepper. Whisk in 1 tbsp butter and allow to bubble for 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low and whisk in cream. I then covered while I cooked the steaks.
Melt 2 tbsp butter in large skillet. Season steaks with salt and pepper. Add steaks to hot skillet. Pioneer Woman recommends 2 minutes on each side for a thin steak to be cooked medium rare. A thicker steak will be 3-4 minutes. After the steak is done, cover with the sauce and enjoy!!!

MGR Monday: February 1, 2010

We have lots going on and many new members! Thats awesome!

So a little rundown about the happenings on MGR...

1. We have many new members who haven't gotten involved or posted an intro yet. If this is you, we really are excited you are here and cant wait to get to know you and see you more involved. Check out the "Getting To Know You" forum and post an intro today!

2. An awesome co-op is going on right now. Naturally Pampered. To join in and get some great deals click here: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4039 Our next co-op this month will be with Everyday Minerals. Make sure to check out the Co-op Calendar for more details.

3. WAHM Banner Advertising Special! We have a special going on for our WAHM's! If you are a WAHM or own a business/blog and want to advertise for an affordable price on our forums, then this is for you! Check out this thread for more details: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=3957

4. We have several swaps going on this month. Right now you could join in the "All About Kids" Swap. Click here to join: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4017  Also, later this month we'll be having a Pamper Mama Swap. Don't miss out!

5. Love to send little somethings to others anonymously? Or do you have a few things that you are in need that you would love to receive from someone randomly in the mail? Join in the Blessings forum. Click here for more details: http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=122

6. Our Referral Contest is now open! You could be the winner of $25 cash via paypal from our admin! Make sure you check out this thread to see how you could win! http://www.mygreatretreat.com/showthread.php?tid=4041

7. Make sure you're a follower of our blog! http://mygreatretreat.blogspot.com

We hope you have a great month and can't wait to see you around!

MGR Team

Are You A Follower & Fan?

Did you know that you can join our Facebook fan page or follow us on Twitter?

If you aren't already a "follower" or "fan", do it now!

Be a fan on Facebook We'd love to get to 100 fans by the end of March!

Follow us on Twitter

Win It Wednesday: What Is It?

Every Wednesday, Meghan picks a new WAHM (Work At Home Mom) or business owner to feature on her blog for a giveaway. It's called Win It Wednesday.

This week we'd like to display some that have been featured in the past as well as let you know how you could get involved in this great and fun way to get your business name out there.

In the past, the following have been featured:

1. Stitchen Mama

2. The Lil Shoppe

3. The Salty Peanut

4. dotcomkari

and many others!!!

So, how do you get involved? Here is how:

1. Send Meghan a message telling her you'd like to get involved.

2. Please include your name, store web address, a short description of what you sell, and the best way to get in contact with you.

3. A date will then be picked that works for both.

4. You will then send a short bio about your store, your store web address, and a few pictures of what youre going to do for the giveaway and if its a custom item, similar pictures of products you've made in the past.

5. The contest ends on Wednesday nights at 9pm CST. A winner will be picked using www.random.org

6. Meghan will then contact you to give you the email address of the winner. It's then up to you to get in contact with the winner and ship their item.