Girl- You Lookin' Good in those Jeans!

If there is one thing that makes every girl happy- it's a good pair of jeans!

Searching for just the perfect pair is an arduous process, but the rewards are great. Your bum is pushed up perfectly, your legs look miles long, and you can shaky shaky and look fabulous!

There are two new boutiques in Downtown Statesville that are a must visit for ALL sizes! They both have specials that run frequently, but their "non-sale" prices are still wonderful. Overall, you get what you pay for in life. If you pay more, expect more. Expect to look more fabulous, expect to feel better, and expect them to last longer. My newest purchase from the jean department is a pair of "Miss Me" jeans- and wow! They're perfect!

The two boutiques are Gracie! and Salice. Check them both out- you will not be disappointed (unless, you're in a hurry- then you'll only be mad at yourself that you can stay longer and try on hanger after hanger after hanger).

My friends LOVE these stores and I'm sure you will too (if you're from our area...or order online!).

Shake it in those jeans!

Erica

Do Yo Chain Hang Low?!?!

Yesterday I busted out my keychain and immediately thought of that song "Do Yo Chain Hang Low"- why? Because my keychain was SO FULL of 1x2" "MVP" cards that it weighed close to a pound!

Since then, I have moved these valuable little plastic devices to my wallet in a specified area for "savings"!

A lot of people just toss these savings cards to the side, but they really are valuable money saving coupons!

Just for example (from a few of my favorite MVP card spots):

- Bi-Lo: I have swapped that thing every time I go grocery shopping and WHAM! I'm up to $1.00 off per gallon of gas (up to 20 gallons)- so that's essentially $20 in my pocket (I'm trying to get it up to $2.00 off before I use my points!)

- Toys-R-Us: I have used this card for baby showers/Gage's diapers/all online Christmas purchases/etc. and every single month I receive a minimum of $20 in coupons/vouchers. Now, they have to be used within a certain time frame (which I hate) but, they're still **free money!**

- East Coast Wings: they just started a new program and for every $1 you spend you get a point and the points are redeemable for food. We have already racked up enough points for a $20 voucher. The nice thing about this card is: you don't have to wait for the coupons to arrive in the mail. You use the same card for getting and redeeming points!

- Hallmark: I RARELY send "real" cards- everything is practically done online these days! But, for my important, special occasion shopping I use my Gold Crown Card and POOF! I have (so far) received a $5 voucher and TWO $5 off a $10 purchase. Last week, I went to Hallmark with my coupons/voucher and got 4 rolls of wrapping paper, a card and adhesive name stickers for $8.00. That's right! Beat it!

While these things do cause "yo chain to hang low"- they are a little piece of money saving heaven! So, move them to your wallet, take the strain off of your ignition, and keep saving money!

1x2 Cards are my BFF!

Erica

Is this "Scrooge" Like Behavior?

Do you make a list, check it twice? Not only does Santa do this, but a budgeter does, too!

In this "wealth" post, I have decided to post how I do our Christmas shopping and how I save money while buying great gifts for all of those we love.

While I posted earlier on Black Friday the reality is that not ALL of our Christmas shopping can be done then; although I like to believe that I get at least 85% of it done on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Our Christmas shopping always starts with a list and a budget. The list is created and then adjusted as needed.

First, we make a list of names for people to buy for. Of course, the top of our list is our baby boy...then grandparents...then people who's name we drew for Christmas exchanges. The list is reviewed before Black Friday by myself and my husband and we add/subtract as needed.

Second, we place a dollar figure beside each person. For Gage (our son) we put two dollar figures- one for presents and one for his savings account. For each grandparent, they got the same figure, etc. Now, keep in mind that this figure is <at least> the amount that the gift must be worth.

Third, Josh and I go through the sales papers and Groupon offers to see if there is anything listed that we know would fit one of our gift needs. If we see something, we write it on the list. If we don't see something specific, we write down what we are looking for.

Last, we shop. Now, back to the dollar figure...this is the amount that the gift must be WORTH! If it's on sale, that's to our benefit and it proves that we are smart shoppers. I don't know about you, but we don't have thousands of disposable dollars to spend on Christmas shopping. If I want to spend $100 on someone and if I find a gift that is worth $100, but I got it on Black Friday for $40, then I found myself a good deal. The recipient will never know the amount that you paid for it...hopefully they'll love it and appreciate it!

So, is it Scrooge like behavior for trying to save money on gifts during the Christmas season? In my opinion, NO! It just means you are a smart shopper!

He LOVES Santa- and opening gifts!

Save Your Dollars...And Give Gifts Galore!

Erica

The CRAZIES Are OUT!

One of my favorite shopping days is right around the corner...BLACK FRIDAY! Or, I think it should be called "Tromp you over Thursday" and "Frenzy Friday."

In our area, a few stores are opening on Thursday night. So, a few of us girls are leaving to shop at 10 pm. I "hope" to be back by 10 am- that's 12 hours of death defying, gift grabbing, punch the other person in the face shopping.

This year, I'm on the prowl for a Powerwheels car for the main man and possibly a LeapFrog learning tablet too. Of course, not just "any" Powerwheels will do- I'm looking for a tiny, high-end car (hoping for a Range Rover!). Also, mom wants a Kindle Fire- but if I have to, I'll buy it on Amazon on cyber-Monday and not fight anyone over it (electronics are the WORST on Black Friday).

In my excitement about what my future shopping excursion will bring, I was reminiscing on my past experiences. My college roommate and I shopped at the beach for a few years on Black Friday. We'd leave at 11 pm, hit up the Tanger Outlet Stores then we would go sleep in the dog beds at Walmart and wait for their 4 am opening. That's right, we'd SLEEP in DOG BEDS! Then, once the 4 am bell rang, we fought (yes, tugged and pulled until victorious) for a flat screen TV. After strutting out as the "winner" we went to the mall, struggled to stay awake and finally arrived back home (delirious) at noon. We saved a lot of money and saw a lots of crazies- so it was worth it!

My veteran advice: take a list- stick to it. Have a budget- don't break it.

Our 1st Christmas

Enjoy the fight,

Erica