Congratulations to Lisa and Amber!
Comments #34 & #16

You have won a $25 Gift Certificate for Del Monte Fruits!

I encourage both of you to post a picture of what you get with your gift certificate so our friends at Del Monte can join in on the happiness :)

“Necessity, the mother of invention.”
(George Farquhar)

The Savvycents wallet is one of those inventions that is so perfectly designed for the NOW. With the status of our economy, nearly everyone is looking for ways to save and budget their money more wisely. This wallet was created by Melinda Claudpierre after she attempted to get debt free by using the envelope system of budgeting. She became frustrated with the disorganization (and, probably, ragamuffing look!) of using and carrying around numerous paper envelopes. So, in her genius, she designed....

The Savvycents Wallet
(TA-DA!)

It helps you organize your money, coupons, receipts or store discount cards, or whatever else you need in your wallet to help you budget and save! Amen!

Enter now for your chance to win one of your very own at Mom's Focus on Cyber World.

Can't wait? Buy one for only $24.99 at the direct website.

(Which is great because wallets on SALE at department stores are at least $30!)

Hallmark is classic when it comes to greeting cards, the best of the best. One luxury they are providing this year for the holidays is that they will personalize, stamp, address, and SEND the card for you! How easy is that? I'm more traditional, however, and love to write a handwritten note in each card I send. I browsed through all of the 2010 holiday designs and there were some really SUPER cute ones. Just look:
Several blogs are hosting giveaways for gift certificates for hallmark.com where you can get your own personalized holiday cards. Check out the giveaways here:

Katydid and Kid

Nicole's Nickels

Two of a Kind, Working on a Full House

I love photo cards. The year is so busy, we often don't have a chance to keep in touch with all of our friends and family. When Christmas rolls around, I get such joy in seeing their happy faces and well wishes. I can't wait to share that this year and Shutterfly is going to help me do that. Shutterfly is known for quality photo products, but their selection of Holiday Cards for 2010 is just outstanding! There is most certainly a diverse enough selection that anyone can find the card to really fit their personality and taste. Here are a few of my most favorite holiday designs:

Vintage Village
Elegant Black DamaskLove, Peace, JoySpread PeaceStylish Snowflakes

Shutterfly has also banded with Heifer International, the American Lung Association, and Livestrong to make holiday cards with these charity themes. Shutterfly will donate 10% of the net sales to these organizations.

If you're looking for a more general card, maybe a New Year's card is great for you. Here are just a couple of my favorite New Year designs:

Shutterfly also has a wide range of gifts that are really great for anybody. Their make-your-own calender is great for grandparents, parents, college students, long distant friends and relatives, a newly married couple, etc.


There is a great opportunity to turn your priceless pictures into a decoration or keepsake. Shutterfly will take your picture's image and print it on a stretch of canvas so it turns into a beautiful work of art. Just think of all the special pictures you could use! This is also a great gift for parents, grandparents, newly married couples, etc.


Further, they have a ton of great items you can personalize with a photo. Things like mugs, stickers, jewelry, tee shirts, coasters, puzzles, desk accessories...you name it, they got it!

Follow Shutterfly on Twitter and Facebook.

Attention Bloggers!
Get 50 FREE Holiday Cards from the generous folks at Shutterfly.
Sign up here.

Americans are fed up with flavorless, boring snacks and claim they are a contributor to diet failure according to a recent survey. Fiber One yogurt is a guilt-free, tasty way to help watch waistlines and avoid snacking boredom. I LOVE yogurt and have been jumping on the bandwagon as far as adding fiber to my diet. I love the way it makes me feel!

Yoplait Fiber One yogurt has 50 calories, 5 grams of fiber and 0 grams of fat and is available in four flavors – Strawberry, Vanilla, Peach and Key Lime Pie. It contributes 20% of the recommended daily value of fiber and is a good source of calcium as well as vitamins A and D. I recommend the Key Lime Pie (with even some added granola!) because it is deLISH.

Watch the video below with one of my favorites, Hungry Girl (she's got some GREAT cook books) to get your coupon for $1.00 off Fiber One Yogurt!



Yoplait provided me with this opportunity, information, and coupon link.

Congratulations to my 32nd Comment!

Donna, you are the winner of two pairs of earrings from Family Christian Store!

Thanks for participating everyone, and God Bless.

With my favorite tips...

(Because why add more stress?)

1. If you don't feel comfortable having a food potluck, ask people to bring their own drinks. It can oftentimes be more money to try to purchase a plethora of drinks (especially alcoholic!) to meet everyone's needs. Guests will certainly not mind bringing their own bottle of wine, 6-pack of beer, or soda can. Just think of the money you'll save cutting beverages out of your budget.

2. Take advantage of our technological advances and use online invites. Evites is a superb website for this. Consider social networking sites as well such as Facebook.

3. Build menus around dishes you know how to make. If you're feeling daring, add one or two new recipes. Plan as many make-ahead dishes as you can. This means knowing what you can and cannot freeze and how long things keep. Here's a great site to hopefully answer some of your questions: National Center for Home Food Preservation.

4. Unless this is a family gathering, take advantage of the ease of finger foods and appetizers. Make sure you plan your party at an obvious non-meal time, such as 2:00 pm or 8:00 pm. This way you are not responsible for full meal courses.

5. Invite only enough people that will comfortably fit in your space. Do not feel obligated to invite every person in your address book.

6. Don't be afraid to use paper products. Party stores, heck, even Dollar Tree and Target, offer really cute paper plates and matching napkin sets. Okay, maybe this won't save money, but it sure will save time and make things a tad easier.

7. If someone asks if they can bring something, LET THEM! Maybe something special that they make or simply a plate of cookies or box of crackers. I have found that people really want to help out, so be polite (and save some dough) and let them.

8. Though this may be far too late, I always try to stock my pantry throughout the year with things I know I will use more of throughout the holidays. Things like chicken broth, elbow macaroni, coconut, etc. Get the staples when they are at the best price so you are not at the mercy of the retailers around the holiday season.

9. Don't waste your money on expensive decorations. Use what you have, make sure your tree is up (what is a holiday party without a tree!?), and if you really want to add ambiance, get some cheap candles (for example, when Walgreens has 6 votives for $1). Candle light can be warm, romantic, classy, etc. You can also use your creativity if you don't have enough candle holders (any glasses, small plates or bowls, ash trays, jewelry holders, etc. may work) or get some holders at the Dollar Store.

10. If there is a gift exchange involved, encourage (or DEMAND, politely of course) a "secret santa" or the such. This means that each person will be assigned another person in the group and there will be a monetary limit. Spending $20 on one person is much better than spending $20 on 10 people.

Good Morning Blog World!

Del Monte (yes, the fruit folks!) is undergoing a simply wonderful project. It's call Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms.

Every Monday, for five consecutive weeks beginning October 18th, ten teachers in the U.S. and Canada will win $1,000 each ($750 in cash and $250 in fresh fruit gift certificates) in the “Teacher Monday: Cash for Classrooms” online contest. The cash is to help teachers purchase much needed school supplies. The fruit is for classroom snacks and to encourage educational activities about fruit and healthy eating choices.

To celebrate and promote this GREAT giving project, Del Monte is giving TWO readers $25 fresh fruit gift certificates. (US only please)

hOw tO enTeR:
1.) Be my friend on Facebook for 1 entry.

2.) Gain 2 entries for posting this giveaway on Facebook (please include in each of the 2 comments a link to the post).

3.) Follow me on Twitter for 1 entry.

4.) Follow Del Monte on Twitter for 1 entry.

5.) Tweet this giveaway for 2 more entries (please include in each of the 2 comments a link to the tweet).

Win a $25 GC for @delmontefruit with @emmycoffeechttp://thethingswehopefor.blogspot.com/2010/11/teacher-monday-cash-for-classrooms.html

6.) Be my friend through Google Friend Connect.

7.) Follow me on Networked Blogs.

8.) "Like" Del Monte Fresh Produce on Facebook.

***Entries will be accepted until midnight, CST, on November 21st, 2010***

I've gladly accepted a challenge to participate in the 30 Day Giving Challenge. I noticed a post by Simplified Savings and was intrigued. What a great way to celebrate the coming of the holiday season! Thus, I'll be doing something small (or big!) for someone each day. I won't just be giving gifts, but non-material items as well. I'll post each of my gifts on my blog to inspire others.

BONUS: For every gift that you match and tell me about, you will be entered to win a $10 gift card from Target. On November 30th, I will pick the winner from all the comments/stories.


Let's start. Today, November 1st, I am going to donate food to our local food pantry. During this month, if you also donate food to your local food pantry, leave me a comment and give me the details (where, what did you donate, what was the process like, did you get a good feeling, is there a large need in your area, etc.?) and that will be an try for Target giftcard!

November 2nd: I am donating a trunk-full of stuff to our local thrift shop that supports the underprivileged in our community and also local vets. If you are also making a donation to your local thrift store this month, let me know in a comment for your chance to win a giftcard to Target.

November 3rd: I handmade about 20 bookmarks which I will be donating to foster children. Will you use your craftiness to give this month?

November 4th: Goodsearch is the single-most easy way to donate money to charity. How many times a week do you use Google, Yahoo, or Swagbucks search engines? Well, when you take advantage of Goodsearch, every search you perform sends a little bit of help to the CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE! I have this at work and change my charity every so often from Rescue Missions to Second Harvest. Will you GoodSearch this month?

November 5th: I'm bringing in a plethora of cookies for my work team today. Anything to bring a bright moment to a work day! Will you bring in a surprise treat to your co-workers?

November 6th: It's a good friend's 30th birthday. My giving this day is his birthday gift. Anyone else giving a birthday gift this month?

November 7th: Rescue Missions all over the country help people in the most dire of times supplying them with life's very basic necessities including food, shelter, and clothing. I am donating enough money today to feed 8 people this Thanksgiving. I encourage you to donate to your local rescue mission or similar organization.

November 8th: I donated money to our local American Legion. Anyone else contributing to a local vet organization?

November 9th: There is a teenager on my caseload that has been abused, rejected, then abandoned my her family. I visited with her and brought her a book filled with stories of children and teens who have survived abuse. I also brought her a encouraging journal from Journal Buddies. I can't wait to see how she uses the journal and what she might learn from it! Are you giving to someone less fortunate?

November 10th: I offered to do some work for a co-worker to make sure she got the time-off she wanted. Anybody else giving of yourself to a co-worker?

November 11th: Random Acts of Kindness are some of my favorite things to do. Today, I'm taking out my friend for lunch, for no reason other than because he is my friend. Will you commit a random act of kindness this month?

November 12th: I took a "newbie" under my wing today to help her learn the ropes of our job (which, I have to admit, no amount of training without being in the field is going to help).

November 13th: I will be sending a random post card to a long-lost friend back in graduate school. Will you reach out to an old friend today?

November 14th: One of the things I do for the people I care for is to cut out coupons for things I know they use. The strong majority of my friends and family do not bother with coupons because they find it annoying, but I love them! I happen to find some great coupons for formula, wipes, and diapers which I collected to give to one of my foster parents (total of 20 coupons!).

November 15th: I've collected Campbell's Labels for Education and Boxtops for Education all year long so I can donate them to my church! They will be in the mail tomorrow.

November 16th: My tithe to church. Do you tithe?

November 17th: I picked up a couple of Christmas craft kits for my two adopted sisters. I'm going to send them in the mail as a surprise. Will you give a gift of creativity?

November 18th: Secret Santa time! I'm sending out my gift for the "Surprise Me! Secret Santa Gift Exchange with Survey Junkie and Simply Stacey". Are you doing any Secret Santa activities this month?

November 19th: I had a giveaway on my blog by my own accord. I wanted to spread some holiday cheer and help a reader either dazzle up or get a jump start on their holiday gift list. I'll be (FINALLY!) sending off those gifts in the mail to the lucky winner. Better late than never, right Donna? Do you have a blog? Have you coordinated a giveaway with something you purchased or are passing on?

November 20th: I mentioned one of my teenage foster kids above in the entry for November 9th. What I did for her today was buy her a mini-wardrobe. Four pairs of pants and six shirts. I hope she likes them!

November 21st: I started working on Christmas cards today! Some may say I'm crazy, and some may say "I'm way ahead of you!" Have you started thinking about Christmas cards? Have you made the list of recipients, bought them, designed them, labeled them?? An extra bonus entry if you've already sent out your Christmas cards!

November 22nd: I made a donation to the Ronald McDonald House.

November 23rd: I've collected nearly 100 coupons, both recently expired and not, and am sending them to Operation Expiration. This is a program where military families can use our expired coupons. Read more about it at Cake Mom. Will you join me in doing this?

November 24th: I gave myself to work today. Left my house at 8:00 am. I got home about 30 minutes ago. (Don't worry, no math required, that's 13.5 hours). Did you go above and beyond in your job this month?

November 25th: What's better than Black Friday? Black Friday Eve! There were great deals at both Walgreens and CVS. With the money I saved (nearly $100!) I was able to buy 5 toys for children of our troops with Operation Homefront. Are you going to donate toys to children in need?

November 26th: I took my wonderful mother out to lunch today!

November 27th: I have birthday presents for three of my friends!

November 28th: And now I have a baby shower gift for a friend of mine!

November 29th: Oh how I love the holidays. One of the things that I look forward to is the merry sound of bells. It reminds me not only of cheer, but philanthropy, Reindeer, and angels getting their wings. This month I've donated to nearly every Red Kettle I've seen in order to support the great Salvation Army and their wonderful mission. Have you donated to the Red Kettles yet?

November 30th: I get to give away the $10 Target Gift card to one of my wonderful readers!

True story!
How many of you noticed Christmas items out at stores BEFORE Halloween? I saw Christmas things beginning to make their display in SEPTEMBER! I know that bothers a lot of people, but in my own little world, I'm thrilled! I am one of those crazy individuals who shop for Christmas all year long. This is for several reasons:
1.) I have a TON of people to shop for. I couldn't possibly do it all in just one month. I'm a very busy person and I often work 60 hours a week and then am rarely home for the weekends.
2.) I am frugal and will only settle for the very best price possible. When you wait until December (or even November) you have much less leeway in the prices. You don't have the liberty of waiting until a better sale comes along. Because you NEED that gift NOW, you are, in essence, under the control of the seller.
3.) I want to give the perfect gift. I don't want to settle for the stereotypical coffee and cookie basket--I want to give each person something that will bring them joy. Sure, it could be the coffee and cookie basket, but how many other baskets will they be getting that year? I pay attention to the likes and needs of those I love and make a conscious effort to tailor a gift especially for them. If I see that perfect gift for an individual, and it happens to be March, I'll buy it and put it away until December! I have no problem waiting several months to wrap it and give it.
4.) One word: CLEARANCE. Have you ever seen a 90% off sale at Target or Wal-Mart? It's Heaven. 90% off ornaments, decorations, wrap, cards, dishes, gifts, etc...Why pay full price when you know immediately after Christmas they will be drastically cheaper?

I love this time of year. I love being able to give and make others happy. I love the colors, the decorations, the music, the cheer, the snow (YES, I love the snow!), the food, the gatherings. What is not to love?

All throughout the season I'll be posting little tips for helping you save this holiday. It might work for you, it might not, but let's share!

Feliz Navidad!