For years okay, months, I resisted it. Facebook seemed like one more distraction I did not need. And while it can be a distraction if not kept in moderation, it has also brought many good things to my life.
Connections with old friends, sharing of information, a way to keep up with long distance family members… oh, and of course the freebies are a nice perk, too. 
But what I most enjoy about Facebook is the “page” feature. Since creating a page for KingdomFirstMom.com, nearly 3,000 of you have clicked that infamous “like” button. There, I post updates, ask questions, share Bible Verses, and interact with my readers every day. Much to my surprise, it has become a community extension of my blog, which I love!
With that mission in mind, I was recently inspired to start sharing daily frugal tips on Facebook. Updates are quick and instant, and can be shared with a simple click. There I can help others “find creative ways to reduce spending”.
But I want your help! I would love to share YOUR frugal tips on Facebook. There are so many ways we can inspire each other to save more in order to give more.
So here is what I am asking. A call to action! Send me your simple, yet creative frugal tips. You can even include a photo or a link!
You can email them directly to:
facebook@kingdomfirstmom.com
I will choose one random tip to share on Facebook each day, with a shout out to the reader who submitted it! Each month, one random tipster will win a $10 Starbucks gift card that I have collected via Swag Bucks. That’s right, I am not above bribery. With coffee, no less.
If you have not yet “liked” Keeping the Kingdom First on Facebook, I hope you will join us. I look forward to learning and sharing more ways to honor God with our finances through this community!
It is hard to believe, but the new Walgreens August Coupon Booklet will be out in stores starting this Sunday, August 1st. These coupons are valid 8/1 through 8/28.
Instant Value, or IVC coupons are considered Walgreens store coupons and therefore can be stacked with manufacturer’s coupons for even bigger savings! Be sure to include these coupons when planning your $5 scenarios each week.
Here are my favorites from this month’s book:
:: Grocery
- $0.50/1 Hershey’s Candy (8.5 or 9.2 oz.)
- $1/1 Poppycock (8 or 8.5 oz.)
- $0.50/1 Pepperidge Farm Cookies (7.2 to 8.6 oz.)
- $1/1 Combos (7 oz.)
- $1/2 Kraft Dressing (16 oz.)
:: School Supplies
- $1/1 Easy Touch Pro or V5 Retractable Pens (2 pk.)
- $1/1 Pilot Frixion Gel Pens (2 pk.)
- $1/1 Pilot Precise V5 Pens (2 pk.)
- $10.50/1 Uni-Ball 207 Gel Pens (2 pk.)
- $10.50/1 Paper Mate Profile Retractable Pens (4 pk.)
- $1/1 Fiskars Recycled Scissors (8 in., 2 pk.)
:: Household
- $1/2 Kleenex Anti-Viral Facial Tissues (75 Sheets)
- $5/1 Lysol No-Touch Hand Soap Kit (8.5 oz.)
- $1/2 Ziploc Freezer or Storage Bags (15-25 pk.) or Sandwich (100 pk.)
- $1/1 Glad Trash Bags (25-80 pk.)
- $2/1 Raid Ant & Roach Spray (17.5 oz.)
:: Beauty
- $1/1 Garnier Fructis Anti-Dandruff Shampoo (13 oz.)
- $3/1 L’Oreal Preference Dream Blonde or Color Expert Hair Color
- $1/1 L’Oreal go 360 Clean Cleanser or Exfoliating Scrub (6 oz.)
- $1/1 Maybelline XXL Pro Mascara or Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner
- $2/1 Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara or Perfect Point Eye Pencil
:: Baby
- $3/1 Enfamil RestFull (12.5 oz.) or Enfagrow (24 oz.) Infant Formula
- $1/1 Huggies Baby Wipes (64 or 72 pk.)
- $1/1 Pediasure Nutritional Drink (6 pk.)
- $0.50/1 Pedialyte (33.8 oz.), Freezer Pops (16 pk.) or Powder Packs (4-8 ct.)
- $5/1 Evenflo Comfort Select Auto-Cycle Breast Pump
- $1/1 Dr. Brown’s Bisphenol Free bottle (8 oz.) or Silicone Nipples (3 pk. )
- $10.50/1 Humphreys Teething Relief Tablets (135 ct.) or Strips (18 pk.)
- $2/1 Philips Avent Pacifier or Nipples (2 pk.) or Bottle (9 oz.)
:: Personal Care
- $1/1 Aquafresh Advanced, Extreme Clean or Ultimate White Toothpaste (5.6 or 6 oz.), Iso Active Toothpaste (4.3 oz.)
- $7/1 Aquafresh White Trays (14 pk.)
- $2/1 Listerine Total Care, Advanced or Natural Citrus or Whitening Plus Restoring
- $1/1 Purell Hand Sanitizer (8 oz.)
- $2/1 Kotex or U by Kotex Tampons (18 pk.), Pads (14-24 pk.) or Liners (48-64 pk.)
- $3/1 Veet Hair Removal Products (5.1 to 13.5 oz.)
- $1/1 Men’s Zone 6 Blade Razor System or Cartridge (4 pk.)
:: Health
- $3/1 Bayer AM Aspirin (50 ct.)
- $2/1 Benefiber (6.4 to 16.7 oz.) Chewable (100 ct.) or Stick Packs (28 ct.)
- $2/1 Advil Pain Relief (80 or 100 ct.) or PM (32 or 40 ct.)
- $5/1 Johnson & Johnson All Purpose First Aid Kit (170 pieces)
- $0.50/1 Curad Non-stick pads or Hold Tite Dressing Wrap
- $1/1 A&D First Aid Ointment (1.5 oz.)
- $4/1 ThermalOn Neck or Back Wrap
- $2/1 Alavert Non-Drowsy Allergy Relief (48 ct.)
- $3/1 Benadryl Allergy Relief (48 ct.)
- $1/1 Robitussin or Dimetapp (4 oz.)
- $1/1 Clear Eyes Eye Relief (.5 oz.)
- $2/1 Blink Tears, Lubricating Eye Drops (.5 oz.) or Gel (.33 oz.)
- $2/1 Visine Eye Drops (.5 oz.)
- $3/1 Natrol Resveratol or AcaiBerry Diet (60 ct.)
- $3/1 Natrol AcaiBerry (60 ct.)
- $3/1 Natrol Melatonin Time Release (100 ct.)
:: Miscellaneous
- $5/1 Kodak Max One Time Use Camera Water & Sport (27 exp.)
- $0.50/1 Energizer Batteries 4x Lithium AA or AAA (2 pk.)
- $0.50/1 Energizer Max AA or AAA (4 pk.), C or D (2 pk.), 9 Volt (single)
:: W Brand Products
- $0.50/1 W Antibacterial Wipes (40 Sheets)
- $2/1 W Infant Gas Relief Drops (1 oz.)
- $10/1 W Digital Instant Ear Thermometer
- $10/1 W Temple Touch Thermometer
- $5/1 W Pain Relief, Assorted
- $1/1 W Green Tea Tablets (30 ct.)
- $1/1 W Organic Medicated or Vitamin C Lip Balm (.15 oz.)
- $2/1 W Children’s Gummies Multi-Vitamin (60 ct.)
Thanks, Deal Seeking Mom!
You can find all of these coupons and more in my searchable Coupon Database.
DaySpring’s mission is “to help you share your heart and God’s love.” Awesome, right?
They have some lovely items in their online store, and right now, you can save 25% off your entire order with coupon code THANKS2010 at checkout.
Offer valid through July 31, 2010. Shipping is free on orders of $50 or more and they do accept PayPal!
You must check out their unique selection of school supplies. There are binders, notebooks, pencil cases and more- all accented with scripture and artwork.
Visit DaySpring.com and see what inspires you. Also, if you have never seen DaySpring’s sister site Incourage, with writing by Christian women, it is a daily must.
Exactly two years ago this month, I made a big announcement. Our final credit card had been paid off completely after years of living with consumer debt. I have to say, I am so glad I publicly shared that success. It has kept me accountable over the last two years.
Some people can manage credit cards effectively, racking up rewards points and paying off the balance each month. I am not one of those people. My husband is not one of those people. Occasionally, an offer letter will arrive in the mail or that friendly cashier at JCPenney will ask if I’d like to “save” on my purchases by opening a line a credit.
The old me would likely hesitate. Maybe even pause for a moment to consider it. But today, my readers are my accountability partners. I can firmly and confidently decline a new credit card without reserve.
Have there been temptations?
Of course. We recently moved into a larger home with our growing family and the addition of my sister to the mix. Financing a new sofa or rug would be so convenient. Instead, we paid cash for those. There are other items on my “wish” list. Items that can wait.
In the meantime, we continue to enjoy a life without credit cards. The first few years of our marriage saw lots of plastic. Reflecting now on the last two years without them, I see major differences in our family life.
To name a few:
- Less mail: Far less paper clutter comes into our home without credit cards bills.
- Better sleep: New babies aside, we honestly sleep more soundly without debt hanging over us day and night.
- Fewer payments: This is rather obvious, but just having the basic bills to pay each month saves time and hassle over making payments.
- No surprises: When purchases are made, they are carefully planned and researched. There is no spontaneous splurge with a credit card.
- Less uncertainty: We no longer question how we are going to pay for emergencies, or even our upcoming (frugal) family vacation.
- More giving: Without hundreds of dollars going towards credit card bills every month, we have been able to be far more generous with our finances.
Two years later, I can look back and realize the peace that paying off that final card brought to our lives.
If you are struggling with debt, read how we stayed motivated by using visuals.
Note: In the spirit of full disclosure, my husband does use one company credit card for travel and business expenses as is required by his employer. But thankfully this is never part of our family finances.
Linked to: Frugal Friday
