You bet! There is nothing like getting out of a shower and having a warm towel to wrap around your body.
Like the good mother I try to be I would throw the towels in the dryer to warm them up for my little pumpkins but by the time I came up the stairs they would have cooled off. Or I would hang them in front of the fireplace which seemed to work, but then I started thinking hey what about me will anyone warm a towel for me? And then when I exit the shower would they come running with a warm piece of heaven to wrap my aging sagging body in (It does need more care then normal lately). No the towels never came.
Ah ha! So when I saw a towel warmer listed in a Brookstones catalogue I asked Santa right away for one. I pictured that this addition to my slightly larger than 5'x5' bathroom would transform the room to an elite spa (I could practically hear the slight dripping of the waterfalls in the distance). So it was to my dismay that Santa did not deliver one (I secretly think he thought it was a great idea himself so deciding to keep it, him and the misses Clause are enjoying my gift?)
I decided after that my husband needed to take the family for a nice visit to the outlets the week after Christmas. To my delight in the Brookstone's outlet, there right in front of my eyes, were towel warmers! And what a savings almost 50% off. These were ones that were returned, I still cannot fathom why anyone would return such a piece of the future. But still I was going home with one and with a great savings. So I picked the one that I thought had everything it needed in the package, and the box looked great. Got home and plugged it in, one problem no directions. Well how hard can this be, an on and off button. Easy. I threw a towel in and waited. The light clicked off I pulled it out and wa-la the right and left corners of the towel were warm as a hot bun in the oven, but that was it.
Ok, I seriously had a problem, how do I fold the towel so that I get warmth all over. I tried folding it this way and that, I piled in multiple towels. I even made animals shapes like they do in some hotels, though mine looked more like rodents, but no luck. My last attempt was to leave the towel open unravelled and placed gently in. I found this to be the best option. Warmth now meets me getting out of the shower in the cold New England days.
Now that it has been almost a year later since I bought the towel warmer, I once again cannot wait to dust it off and be transported back to my Venetian spa trance like state, even if it does only last for 1 minute 30seconds after it touches your body. It is one item I will not want to go without.
(if you have a better way of improving the towel crumpling so it warms more effectively, or if you have the directions on one, I would love to hear from you)
Super Coupon-ing - My Effort To Save Some Money (Bulk Shopping Stores)
My Trial Run:
Ok, so you've heard about the Super Coupon-ers who buy a $1000's worth of food and get $.01 back. Sounds great right?! So I thought why can't I do this, I mean you can never have too many antacids, or cans of petrified meat that never expires.
So I did a little planning.
I decided where I wanted to shop, a local grocery store and then a large bulk chain, BJ's. I looked over their weekly ad for specials and any extra coupons. And decided what I needed to buy.
Then it was time to look for the coupons. I bought the local paper, but a little disappointed with only a couple of fliers, and mostly adds for designer checks and back supporting bras. So I clipped the few coupons that I thought would be worth the purchase.
Then I joined a flurry of coupon sites on-line, to find out that they all have the same online coupons that are available.
Next it was onto the manufactures sites directly. This I found to be pretty tedious and time consuming. But the sites that did offer coupons I felt excited and a rush to continue looking.
After hours of preparing, over two days I was ready to shop. I could tell at this point I wasn't going to be getting any money back from the stores, but I was hopeful that I would be saving quite a bit of money.
So I decided to try BJs, bought items I mostly needed, added a few extra I may not have normally bought, to qualify for some of the coupons you need to purchase multiple items.
Total amount at register $300 - coupons $91 = $209 amount paid. Ok so not a super shopper but I felt great about the savings.
The thing to remember about this chain is that they will take a manufacturer's coupon in addition to their coupons that they put out. BJs coupons are sent out monthly to members and can also be found online in their website.
One of the better ways to save here is when they put out their coupon magazine, inside some of the manufacturers come out with the Buy 5 items save $10. And then on top of that savings I also add at least one coupon for each item, so their could be at least 5 additional $1.00 coupons on top of that for a total savings of $15 for buy 5 items. This is almost like buying 2 items get 3 free.
Couple of other tips I found, you do need to know your prices just because it is bulk doesn't mean it is a better price. You may have a coupon to save $1.00 when you buy one, but the item may run $6.00 for the larger bulk size so you pay $5.00. But if you were to use the same coupon at a grocery store the smaller item may only be $2.50 and you only pay $1.50, and then use 2 coupons for buying two of the same item you may be at the bulk size and have only spent $3.00 rather than $5.00
Also when you start searching for coupons and deals it might be a good choice to have a separate email address for all the Junk email to go to. Then you only need to check it when you are ready to shop and won't bog down your regular email.
So are there savings to be had, absolutely, will I be saving $1000s of dollars? Maybe not next month, but I will be getting ready for my next trip to the grocery store to see how much I can save. Wish me luck!
Ok, so you've heard about the Super Coupon-ers who buy a $1000's worth of food and get $.01 back. Sounds great right?! So I thought why can't I do this, I mean you can never have too many antacids, or cans of petrified meat that never expires.
So I did a little planning.
I decided where I wanted to shop, a local grocery store and then a large bulk chain, BJ's. I looked over their weekly ad for specials and any extra coupons. And decided what I needed to buy.
Then it was time to look for the coupons. I bought the local paper, but a little disappointed with only a couple of fliers, and mostly adds for designer checks and back supporting bras. So I clipped the few coupons that I thought would be worth the purchase.
Then I joined a flurry of coupon sites on-line, to find out that they all have the same online coupons that are available.
Next it was onto the manufactures sites directly. This I found to be pretty tedious and time consuming. But the sites that did offer coupons I felt excited and a rush to continue looking.
After hours of preparing, over two days I was ready to shop. I could tell at this point I wasn't going to be getting any money back from the stores, but I was hopeful that I would be saving quite a bit of money.
So I decided to try BJs, bought items I mostly needed, added a few extra I may not have normally bought, to qualify for some of the coupons you need to purchase multiple items.
Total amount at register $300 - coupons $91 = $209 amount paid. Ok so not a super shopper but I felt great about the savings.
The thing to remember about this chain is that they will take a manufacturer's coupon in addition to their coupons that they put out. BJs coupons are sent out monthly to members and can also be found online in their website.
One of the better ways to save here is when they put out their coupon magazine, inside some of the manufacturers come out with the Buy 5 items save $10. And then on top of that savings I also add at least one coupon for each item, so their could be at least 5 additional $1.00 coupons on top of that for a total savings of $15 for buy 5 items. This is almost like buying 2 items get 3 free.
Couple of other tips I found, you do need to know your prices just because it is bulk doesn't mean it is a better price. You may have a coupon to save $1.00 when you buy one, but the item may run $6.00 for the larger bulk size so you pay $5.00. But if you were to use the same coupon at a grocery store the smaller item may only be $2.50 and you only pay $1.50, and then use 2 coupons for buying two of the same item you may be at the bulk size and have only spent $3.00 rather than $5.00
Also when you start searching for coupons and deals it might be a good choice to have a separate email address for all the Junk email to go to. Then you only need to check it when you are ready to shop and won't bog down your regular email.
So are there savings to be had, absolutely, will I be saving $1000s of dollars? Maybe not next month, but I will be getting ready for my next trip to the grocery store to see how much I can save. Wish me luck!
From Working Mom to Stay at Home Mom - The Journey Begins
The Economy... don't you just love hearing about it everyday?! You want to reach for the remote to turn the channel but you have that small glimmer of hope that the one time you turn the channel it will be good news.
Its had it's effect on us all in different and similar ways. For me a full time working mother with two children in grade school to now a full time stay at home mom.
I would like to say that this was by choice, but it wasn't. Boy did I daydream about all the things I could and would do if I was only a stay at home mother. Make handcrafted presents, have a lush garden, be the mother bringing the kids to after school events and parties, and of course working out every day.
Of course I always felt some guilt for working. I always felt I needed to be there more for my children. Though secretly I think I need them more than they need me. This is not to say that being a working mother does not have its advantages, you have a career and if you are so lucky to have a job that you love well its not just "a job" but part of what makes you, you. I had no choice in my situation. My husband works full time but to make ends meet I needed to also work. So now being thrown into a "stay at home mom" situation (at least temporarily), and not so secretly loving it, I have a challenge.
Its had it's effect on us all in different and similar ways. For me a full time working mother with two children in grade school to now a full time stay at home mom.
I would like to say that this was by choice, but it wasn't. Boy did I daydream about all the things I could and would do if I was only a stay at home mother. Make handcrafted presents, have a lush garden, be the mother bringing the kids to after school events and parties, and of course working out every day.
Of course I always felt some guilt for working. I always felt I needed to be there more for my children. Though secretly I think I need them more than they need me. This is not to say that being a working mother does not have its advantages, you have a career and if you are so lucky to have a job that you love well its not just "a job" but part of what makes you, you. I had no choice in my situation. My husband works full time but to make ends meet I needed to also work. So now being thrown into a "stay at home mom" situation (at least temporarily), and not so secretly loving it, I have a challenge.
Lets Get Healthy
Join me on a personal challenge to get healthier.
Watch our Fitness counter at the bottom of the page, long term goal spring 2012.
I find it there is always an excuse for myself not to get out and exercise. One of my many challenges is to finally get in shape and feel healthier. Weekly I will post what activities I will do to get me closer to my goal.
Leave your comments below on ways you plan on getting healthier and share your ideas with everyone.
Lets work together to reach our own goals.
Goal : 14 days 2 lbs....why not go slow, besides the holidays are coming (you noticed I didn't say lose 2lbs, I just hope I don't gain 2lbs)
Watch our Fitness counter at the bottom of the page, long term goal spring 2012.
I find it there is always an excuse for myself not to get out and exercise. One of my many challenges is to finally get in shape and feel healthier. Weekly I will post what activities I will do to get me closer to my goal.
Leave your comments below on ways you plan on getting healthier and share your ideas with everyone.
Lets work together to reach our own goals.
Goal : 14 days 2 lbs....why not go slow, besides the holidays are coming (you noticed I didn't say lose 2lbs, I just hope I don't gain 2lbs)
Re-arrange, Stain, Paint & Renovate the house
Day 1:
Sounds motivational to me, right? To start on all the projects I usually walk by and say "ughhh, tomorrow I'll have to get to that." Painting & fixing furniture, hanging pictures, moving that chair 1 foot to the left so I no longer bump into it when I walk through the door!
But one problem, where to start? Maybe it's better to sleep on it and get started first thing tomorrow?
Sounds motivational to me, right? To start on all the projects I usually walk by and say "ughhh, tomorrow I'll have to get to that." Painting & fixing furniture, hanging pictures, moving that chair 1 foot to the left so I no longer bump into it when I walk through the door!
But one problem, where to start? Maybe it's better to sleep on it and get started first thing tomorrow?
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