deals

Are You Looking for a Master Plan(ner) in 2017?

/ Toni Williams / Leave a comment

My first confession of 2017 is simple. I am a planner addict. I can go into a store for the most routine of reasons and end up trapped in the stationary/ school supply/ planner aisle for several minutes only to decide that I don’t need an 8th planner for the same year, or I’m on a time crunch and I absolutely must leave. That happens when that 5-minute trip to the store has now become 35 minutes, and usually the only thing that pulls me away is the fact that I must go pick up the teens I love from school.

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One of the reasons this is my absolutely favorite time of year is the notion of planning. I love the feeling of looking at a calendar and imaging what the next 12 months will unveil – where I will go, what I will see, or who I will meet. Because we are on the cusp of a new year, most planners are on sale – some for as much as 50 percent off the original prices. (That’s generally the part that makes it’s so difficult for me not to buy…I love a good sale!)  Continue reading →

Still Need School Supplies?

/ Toni Williams / Leave a comment

Whether we are ready or not, the school year is up on us and it’s time to rock and roll. About two weeks ago, I was so proud that I had accomplished everything and bought all of the kids school supplies on-line. I love on-line shopping, and I knew I did a great job for my three kids. Except for the baby composition notebooks.

You see, I’ve quickly found that when you are buying things on-line, you must read the description of what you’re buying, as items in the photo may look bigger than they are in really life.

The kids and I are still laughing about the “baby journals” that I bought but once I figured out that I needed to buy a few more items, I did what any good mom would do. I posed the question on Facebook. Where are the best places to buy school supplies?

And here are the responses I received:

  1. Office Depot (in-store and on-line)
  2. Walmart
  3. Big Lots

By far, the most responses I received were for Office Depot/ Office Max. However, I received one suggestion that you can take the Office Depot weekly ad to Walmart and they will price match. And if you use Walmart Savings Catcher, if you make your purchases at Walmart, the app will check to see if there are better deals and reimburse you the difference.

I did my shopping for school supplies at Office Depot on-line and had a fabulous experience. The baby journal incident was totally my fault, not theirs, and some of the items were delivered the very next day!

And just because I want you to enjoy the baby journal experience in photos…here you are.

CJ showing the journals a la Forrest Gump.

CJ showing the journals a la Forrest Gump.

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Jada letting the dog know that she has a composition notebook that’s just her size.

Too tired to shop?

/ Toni Williams / Leave a comment

As a single mom of three kids, I am tired a lot. As a single mom of three kids who struggles with thyroid disease, I am tired all of the time. But I still love shopping. And of course, I must have clothes and accessories, right? So I’m going to tell you what I do, and I want you to tell me what you do…so we can share shopping tips and be fashionable together. Especially now that spring is here!

1. Subscribe to http://www.JustFab.com
There are several sites like Just Fab, but they are my favorite. Here’s how it works. You become a member for free and they customize a boutique for you every month. The boutique consists of shoes, bags, and jewelry. Mostly everything costs $39.95, with free shipping. Your boutique selections are based on surveys where the fashion stylists can gauge your style and preferences. It took a couple of months for my boutique to sync with all the things I really like, but after a membership for a year, I’ve been quite pleased.

In order to enjoy the fabulosity that is Just Fab, you must be aware of one thing! Boutiques are available for viewing on the 1st of the month. You have until the 5th of the month to decline a purchase that month. If you do not decline a purchase, your credit or debit card will be charged for the month on the 6th. If you are charged, you have a credit for future use whenever you want.

So far, I’ve bought 2 purses, a pair of flats, and two pair of boots. Their products are stylish, classic, and good quality.

2. Ebay
I buy everything I can on Ebay. I keep a running list of items that I want and it truly allows me to comparison shop. It keeps my sanity, especially during the Christmas shopping season.

3. Amazon
This one requires another investment in order to really reap the benefits of the site. Subscribe to Amazon prime! Amazon is not just books anymore and is a great on-line shopping resource, and it gives you the opportunity to maintain a Wish List! The Amazon Prime membership gives you free two-day shipping and if your a techie, free access to movies, and television shows.

Those are my three on-line shopping staples. How do you manage to shop if you’re tired?