Dare to Share #87

It's Friday night, and you know what that means! 

It's time to Dare to Share! 

Did you survive this holiday week? 

Paper Angel Ornament - Feature of the Day

Is anyone else putting up their Christmas tree today?  We usually wait until the Friday after Thanksgiving to put up ours.  Though we might wait a few days to put the ornaments on, so the cats have a chance to get used to having trees in the house again.  You can see one of the reasons why here.    I chose the The Pin Junkie's Paper Angel Ornament as today's Feature of the Day because it is not difficult to make, and can be used in many ways. You can use them as ornaments, as decoration on a wreath, or even on a present.  To see how to make your own angel ornament, but sure to stop by The Pin Junkie here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share!

Great Black Friday Toy Deals on Amazon

Disclosure: This site contains affiliate links to Amazon. 

Furby Pink and Blue Hearts Boom Plush Toy

 normally $64.98,  is  only $39.99 on  Amazon.com. It qualifies for free shipping 

 Update* I just checked, and it now looks like the price is $49.99 

You can currently get the Planes (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy)  normally $39.99, for only $16.99 on Amazon.com.  That is  62% off!

Monsters University (Blu-ray Combo Pack)

is also on sale for the $16.99 sale prices. 

LeapFrog My Own Leaptop (Frustration Free Packaging) normally $24.99, is now currently only $12.39.  Many of the Leapfrog products are also on sale. 

The LEGO Ideas Book hardcover,  normally $24.99, is now currently $12.49. That is half price!! This would be a great gift for Lego lovers.  

Crafting with Kara - Craft Turkey Tutorial

I am pretty excited about this craft.  Kara came up with the idea to make a turkey a few weeks ago. She sketched it out, picked out the supplies and made her idea come to life. She also took all of the pictures herself. (one of the reasons why she is not in any  them this time)   I am one proud mama! 

30% off Books, and lots of FREEBIES

 If you like to read, today is a great day to check out Amazon. Now through December 1st, use the code BOOKDEAL  to take an extra  Extra 30% off  any book. Are there any books that you have your eye on? 

I also found a quite a few FREE ebooks  that  you might be interested in.  They may not stay free for long, so get them while you can. 

Blogging 

How to Start a Successful Blog in One Hour (Better Blog Booklets)

MAKE MONEY ONLINE: How to Create $1000 Passive Income Per Month Recording 5 Minute Videos (Passive Income Series)

Crafting  

17 Easy Crafts With Yarn: Make Accessories, Decor and More with Lion Brand Imagine Yarn

25 Cool Things to Do with Wine Bottles

Practical Duct Tape Projects

Homemade Christmas Gifts: 14 Gift Ideas & DIY Home Decor

Christmas 

Gingerbread Houses

Christmas Beyond the Box

Baking 

The Art of Perfect Bread Baking (Delicious Recipes)

Last Minute Pilgrim Hat Crafts

Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and you just realized that the table is missing something.  Perhaps you would like a place card, or maybe a simple centerpiece.  Here are a couple of ideas, that you can make in a pinch.  The Pilgrim Hat Place card is simple to make.  You just need a styrofoam cup, some black pant, and a little bit of paper.   I used white craft foam for the hat band, because it was a little easier to wrap around the hat.  The buckle is a piece of gold paper.  I attached the name card to a toothpick, and then pushed it through the bottom of the cup.  

I made the Pilgrim Hat Centerpiece from a clay flower pot that you can find at most stores for about $1.50.  I painted it black, and then added the hat band and buckle. You can just place the hat on the table as is.   If you prefer a little bit of color, turn the hat upside down and fill with your favorite gourds or flowers. 

Both of these crafts take just minutes to make, and can easily be made tonight and used tomorrow.  

How to Roast a Turkey - Feature of the Day

Today's Feature of the Day by Robyn's View comes at the perfect time.   Are you having a houseful of guests, and roasting a turkey for the first time?  Maybe you have made one before, but need a refresher course.  Robyn shares step by step how to roast the your Thanksgiving turkey.  She even has a time chart to know exactly how long to keep the turkey in the oven.  (one thing that I can never remember)    Be sure to check out this turkey tutorial on Robyn's View here.  Thanks so much for linking up to Dare to Share Robyn! 

Guest Posting on Your Modern Family Today

\

I have a few last minute Thanksgiving crafts that I will be sharing later today, but this morning you can find my monthly  contributor post  on  Your Modern Family.   I share how Tuna Turkey Sandwiches are the perfect snack for kids (and even adults) who just can't wait until the Thanksgiving turkey is done.  My kids gave them a thumbs up.  They ate them as soon as I finished the photo shoot.  Stop over and say Hi. 

How to Save Money Christmas Shopping

Today the practical tip side of me wants to post about one of my favorite subjects...  Shopping!  Many years ago, you would often find me in the mall with my oldest at least 1-2 times a month.  She has loved to shop with me, even when she was a baby in a stroller.  While I shopped the sales, I did not save as much as I could.   Flash forward to 2008. The economy crashed, and our financial situation changed. There was just not enough money for monthly mall visits.  We still needed things like groceries and clothes, since having three kids who grow like weeds still need to be fed and dressed. It was at that time that I began taking saving money seriously. I started using coupons while grocery shopping on almost every trip.  I planned ahead and made a list.  When we ate out, we ate at restaurants that had coupons and rewards programs like Fridays.  I used as many coupons as I could while shopping for clothes, shoes and more.  

My favorite store to shop for Christmas presents so far this year, has got to be Kohls.  One reason is because in the last month, they have basically given me $95 to shop, on top of their sales, and coupon savings.  When you have a Kohls charge card, you receive coupons sometimes as high as 30% in the mail every few weeks.  They also will occasionally send you $10 and $5 promo cards from time to time.  In October they sent me a  $10 promo code for my birthday.  It was good for the entire month of October. Also for  my birthday at the end of the month  I was sent 2 Kohls gift cards. (one from my dad, and one from my BF)  In October, Kohls  sent  me another $10 promo card for having a Kohls charge when they sent the monthly coupons. 

On Halloween, I took my daughter shopping so we could use our gift cards, and my promo cards.  I bought a few shirts, a pair of yoga pants, and a $5 cookbook. The total came to $56.61 after coupon and one of the $10 promos. I used one of my Kohls gift cards, and an older one that still had an $18.86 balance. I also earned $10 in Kohls cash.   I paid only $12.76 out of my pocket, and saved $65.59.  I gave my daughter my other $10 promo card and a 15% coupon.  She got a sweatshirt, and a pair of yoga pants for only $16.21. She had a $25 gift card, and still has a balance on it!

In November, I received another  $5 promo card, and a 30% off coupon. (score!)  I went to the Veterans Day sale, to use my other birthday gift card and to buy a few presents that were on sale that day. I was able to buy myself two sweaters, and a purse with my gift card and 30% coupon. I also bought a sweatshirt, a shirt and a stuffed hedgehog for Kara, a 2nd purse on clearance, and a shirt for both Kristina and Kyle. The 30% coupon alone knocked $40 off my total. After my gift card,  coupon, $5 promo and $10 Kohls cash, I paid only $50.78, and walked away with another $10 in Kohls cash.  (It would have been $20, but I was about $5 short of the next payout) 

Before my 30%  coupon expired, I took my oldest back to Kohls so she could  pick out a few Christmas presents. At almost 17, she is difficult to buy for when it comes to clothes.  She picked out a few things, and I picked up a few more presents. I saved another $45.71 with my coupon, and walked away with another $20 in Kohls cash. 

Last Friday they had several items I wanted to buy my son on sale during their Power Hours sale.  I bought him a Lions jersey, sleep pants, and a Detroit Tigers T shirt.  I then bought several things for Kara.  A dress for 55% off, a ruffled owl top, a dance shirt, three clearance tee shirts and a 3 pack of earrings. I found a yellow  tank top for only $3.60 (I love tanks!). I also picked up 5 Woodland ornaments for only $2.24 each for our Woodland themed tree that we will be putting up this weekend. After my $20 Kohls cash, and a 20% coupon, I spent only $88. 

I had not planned on buying anything else at Kohls for awhile, but I found out this morning that they have their Black Friday prices online NOW.  You can also save 15% off with their code BLACKFRI AND earn $15 per $50 spent.  There were a few deals that I could not pass up.  I am in need of  a new winter coat.  I bought my last one 7 or 8 years ago, and it is really starting to show wear.   The picture of the ZeroXposur  purple coat   in the picture above is $180 regular price. It is on sale now for only $59.99!   After the 15% coupon, the price is $50.99, which also means I will get another $15 in Kohls cash. Final price for the coat was $35.99 after coupons, and Kohls cash. A 80% savings!!   Another great deal is the boots in the picture.  A small piece of trivia.   I also LOVE boots. I wear the same size shoes as both of my girls. We can easily share shoes if needed. These super cute fringe boots are a girls size 5. They are normally $59.99, but are on  sale now for only $14.99. A girls size 5 converts to a woman's 7, which means at least one of us will be able to wear them. After the 15% coupon, they are only $12.74 before tax. Some of the other great deals I found are a sleep set for Kristina. It is normally $30.00 on sale for $9.99 ($8.50 after coupon), a Lions sweatshirt for Kyle normally $35, on sale for $18.99. ($16.14 after coupon), a woodland themed Big One plush throw normally $39.99 for kara, on sale for $8.99 ($7.64 after coupon) smaller fleece throws in different themes normally $13.99 for only $3.99 ($3.24 after coupon)  a Christmas themed throw rug for only $3.99 ($3.24 after coupon)   That total saved with the coupon code today was $19.34, bringing  the total to  just over $100 for a winter coat, boots and all the other items. Considering the coat was originally almost $200, I was very happy about that.  Full price what I bought today would have been $401.94. My savings for today on the bottom of the receipt $273.03

Out of curiosity, I added up the totals for the last month. I normally do not go shopping this many times in one month, but with my birthday and the holidays, it  has worked out that way. 

Money given to me by  Kohls  in Kohls cash and promo cards, $95

Money saved by using Kohls coupons on every visit $135.16

Money saved with sales prices on the bottom of the receipts $897.68. 

My final savings total was 70% off. 

If you want to save money too, I will be sharing other great deals that I find in the upcoming weeks.  Be sure to check my Deal and Coupons page  here on the blog , and Facebook page to keep up with the latest deals.   

Thankful Tree - Feature of the Day

We are in the home stretch to Thanksgiving.  Is it just me, or does it feel like the days are going at warp speed?  I really like this pretty Thankful Tree linked up by Four and Know More.   It would make a great centerpiece, and a festive way for your Thanksgiving guests to show how they are thankful. There is still time to put one a Thankful Tree by Thanksgiving.  If you would like to see more about Moja's tree, be sure to see For and Know More here.  Thanks so much for linking up on Dare to Share Moja! 

Dare to Share #86

It's Friday night, you know what that means.. 

It's time to Dare to Share! 

How was your week?  Mine was a bit crazy as usual! 

Turkey Votive

Here is another quick and easy turkey craft just in time for turkey day.  The glass bowl is from the dollar store.  The head is made from a ping pong ball, also from the dollar store. The feathers are from Michaels.  I think I got them for about $2, and there are plenty in the package to make several crafts. 

Thanksgiving Photo Props - Feature of the Day

Thanksgiving is a day you spend time with family and friends.  It is a day when you want to make memories with the special people in your life.   A great way to make those memories is by taking fun pictures. Andrew and Dennis of The Crafty Lumberjacks are having a great time  posing with their hipster Thanksgiving photo props they made on their blog.  Wouldn't it be a lot of fun getting a picture of grandma posing with one of these props? To see more of their pictures and props be sure to check out The Crafty Lumberjacks on their blog here.  Thanks so much for linking up another great post to Dare to Share guys! 

Turkey Napkin Rings

I have been working on my turkey napkin rings since before the power outage. Those 24 hours without power threw my entire week off, so it took me a bit longer than planned  to finish these little guys.