America's Cheapest Family on the Today Show!

In case anyone missed it, "America's Cheapest Family" was on the Today Show. here is a link to that clip! They also have a book out! This would be a great reference on how to cut back on grocery bills and live frugally!

October Purchases!

October is just days away! So what are the best items to buy in October to save the most amount of money?
(Oddly enough, October was the shortest on cheap purchases for the entire year. I call it, Odd October :)

According to numerous online sources, the best buys in October are:
* Big appliances (last years model, since the new models are being put on the showroom floor for upcoming holiday season and tax refund time!)
* Cookware (for the approaching holiday season)
* Toys (shop early, since stores are wanting to make room on their shelves for the most-desired Christmas toys)
* Jeans (Stores are left with huge amounts of inventory, since the back to school clothes shopping is over)
* Tires/Car supplies
* Air Conditioners (not in demand as much, since winter is approaching)
* Camcorders, TV's, and GPS units (last years brands, since new models will be displayed)

*Also a personal tip, if you can hold off om Halloween costumes (and it isn't an issue as to what to be), most places try to clearance out of costumes days before Halloween (the longer you can hold out the better).

* Back to school supplies (Stores want it gone!)
Good Luck! Please comment and tell us your October buys!

Information gathered from Money Central, Tip Hero, Life Hacker,

50% off Oral B Toothbrushes

Oral B is offering 50% off on select electric toothbrushes! Wish I had waited around to buy my new one, because I miss out on this great offer! However, stocking up is what a Dealin' Diva does, right? So check out the Oral B electric toothbrush ad and pick one up today! :)

Colorado Springs Independent

Sorry this is a few days late! Remember to pick up your Independent for extra details on these events and to grab your "bring-this-ad" deals for restaurants and services around town!

September 23-29th

* September 25th Saturday Sixth Annual Art of Living Open House, Art Show, and Festival (free) Page 6
* September 25th Saturday Healthy Baby Fair at Citadel (free) Page 4
* September 25 + 26th Saturday and Sunday Chile & Frijoles Festival (fee, kids under 12 free) Page 7
* September 25th Saturday MountainBoard Event (raffle and coupon code) Page 8
* September 25th Saturday Inaugural Garden of the Gods Pow Wow Page 23
* September 25th Saturday 6th Annual Museum Day Page 23
* September 25th Saturday Palmer Lake Arts and Community Event Page 23
* September 25th Saturday Jook Joint Thunderclap (fee) Page 23
* September 25th Saturday RSVP to Lance Armstrong's Mother's Lecture Page 23
* September 25th Saturday 11th Annual Pikes Peak Lavendar Film Festival (fee) Page 23
* September 25th-26th Oyster Fest at Jack Quinns Page 26
* September 25th-26th Local Food Week (free) Page 29
* September 25th Saturday View "Meet the Robinsons" at Penrose Library and East Library (free) Pull out insert
* September 25th Saturday Ruth Holley Library presents Abracadabra: Stories from the History of Magic with Inspector Magic (free) Pull out insert
* September 25th Saturday East Library presents latest gadgets (free) Pull out insert
* September 25th Saturday Briargate Library presents Snow Bubble (free) Pull out insert
* September 25th Saturday Fountain Library presents Snow Bubble (free) Pull out insert
* September 25th Saturday Monument Library presents Mathtastic! from Ormao Dance Company (free) Pull out insert
* September 26th Sunday Sand Creek Library presents Mathtastic! from Ormao Dance Company (free) Pull out insert
* September 26th Sunday East Library presents Abracadabra: Stories from the History of Magic with Inspector Magic
* September 26th Sunday "A Hero's Life"  by Colo Spgs Philharmonic (fee) Page 23
* September 26th Sunday H.A.M JAM Benefit for Hunger Awareness Month (free) Page 6
* September 28th Tuesday Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings with Grace Potter & the Nocturnals (fee) Page 39
* September 27th Monday Author Fest of the Rockies at D.Vine Wine Page 23
* September 28th Tuesday "Raising a Champion: The Lance Armstrong Story told by His Mom Linda Armstrong" (fee) Page 23 RSVP by September 25th
* September 28th Tuesday "Coudy With a Chance of Meatballs" Old Colo. City Library (free) Pull out insert
* September 29th Wednesday Beers with Engineers Without Borders (fee) Page 11
* September 29th Wednesday Richard Lewis (fee) Page 24
* September 30th Thursday Sea Wolf, with Patrick Park and Sera Cahoone Stargazers Theater (fee) Page 38

Plan Ahead!

* October 1st Mark Twain, Everything That Can Be Invented, Has Been Invented (free) Pull out Insert
* October 1-31 $50 dollar discounts for mammograms and bone density tests. Page 4
* October 2nd Saturday Penrose Library Teen Invention Ignition (free) pull out insert
* October 2nd Saturday Solar Tour and Expo (free) Page - Inside cover
* October 2nd Snow Bubble at Manitou Art Theater (fee) Pull out insert
* October 2nd Saturday Stop Child Trafficking Now Walk (free) Page 21
* October 2nd Saturday Tesla: Master of Lightning (free) Monument Library Pull out insert
* October 2nd Saturday Penrose Library presents Innovation with the Storm Troopers (free) Pull out insert
* October 3rd I am Nikola Tesla UCCS Theatreworks (fee) Pull out insert
* October 6th Wednesday An Evening with Wes Cowan (fee) Page 9
* October 6th Wednesday A Conversation with Erik Larson (free) Pull out insert 
* October 7th Thursday Old Colorado City Library Teen Invention Ignition (free) Pull out insert
* October 7th Thursday A Conversation with Erik Larson (fee) Pull out insert
* October 7th Thursday Book Club Cheyenne Mountain Library "The Devil in the White City" (free) pull out insert
* October 7th Thursday Book Club Fountain Library "The Devil in the White City" (free) pull out insert.
* October 7th Thursday Innovation: Elusive Creativity to Reinvent & Try Something New -Penrose Library (free) Pull out insert
* October 8th Friday Create Your Own Game East Library Pull out Insert
* October 9th Saturday Holley Library Teen Invention Ignition (free) Pull out Insert
* October 9th Saturday High Prairie Library presents Innovation with the Storm Troopers (free) Pull out insert
* October 9th Saturday Monument Library presents Snow Bubble (free) Pull out insert
* October 9th  Saturday PawtoberFest 5K (free) Page 14
* October 9th Saturday Healing Spiral led by Master Mingtong GU (free) Page 19
* October 9th Saturday View "Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs" Penrose Library (free) Pull out insert
* October 10th  Sunday Michael Bolton Concert Page 39
* October 10th Sunday East Library presents Snow Bubble (free) Pull out insert
* October 10th Sunday KCME will play 2 hours of "The Sound of Technology in Music" (free) Pull out insert
* October 10th Sunday A Sweet Time at the Ranch - fundraiser for parks (fee) Page 10
* October 12th Tuesday Penrose Library presents latest gadgets (free) Pull out insert
* October 12th Tuesday Old Colorado City Library presents Abracadabra: Stories from the History of Magic with Inspector Magic
* October 13th Wednesday East Library Teen Invention Ignition (free) Pull out insert
* October 13th Wednesday Panel discussion about entrepreneurs (free) Centennial Campus Atrium (free) Pull out insert
* October 14th Thursday Briargate Library Teen Invention Ignition (free) Pull out insert
* October 14th Thursday Tesla: Master of Lightning East Library (free) Pull out insert
* October 14th Thursday America's First Fantasyland, The Chicago World's Fair of 1893 PPCC Rampart Range Campus Library Pull out insert
* October 16th Saturday Fountain Library Teen Invention Ignition (free) Pull out insert
* October 16th Saturday Colo Spgs Philharmonic presents "Oh What a Night" Pikes Peak Center - Pull out Insert
* October 16th Saturday East Library presents Innovation with the Storm Troopers (free) pull out insert
*October 17th Sunday Penrose Library presents Mathtastic! from Ormao Dance Company (free) Pull out insert
* October 17th Sunday Colo Spgs Philharmonic presents "Oh What a Night" Pikes Peak Center - Pull out insert
* October 19th Tuesday Sand Creek Library Teen Invention Ignition (free) Pull out Insert
* October 19th Tuesday Mitchell High School Presents Storytelling Under the  Stars (free) pull out insert
* October 23rd Saturday Challenger Learning Center of Colorado Presents Return to the Moon (fee) pull out insert
* October 23rd Saturday East Library presents latest gadgets (free) pull out insert
* October 25th Monday The Secret Life of a Snowflake East Library (Free) Pull out insert
* October 26th Tuesday Rockrimmon Library Teen Invention Ignition (free) Pull out insert
* October 31st Sunday Murder Mystery Dinner (fee) Page27
* November 19th Friday Colo Spgs Conservatory presents "Einstein Goes to the Opera" Pull out insert
* November 19th Friday Colo Spgs Conservatory presents "Einstein Goes to the Opera" Pull out insert

Deals:
$125 off coupon for ABBA Eye Care Page 18
10 % off with ad for Shin Sa Dong/ Taste of Korea Page 20
$5.00 off any dinner item at Halla San Page 25
$2.99 Apple Bottom Chai Page 28
BOGO Taste of India Restaurant Page 28
Penny Draft Beer Coupon Another Pint American Ale House Page 29
BOGO and $2.00 off Lunch Buffet India Palace Page 29
$2 Bristol Pints with college ID Brewer's Republic Page 28
1 Free Week of Yoga Corepower Yoga Page 49
Free Intro Class to Fit Body and Pole Sept 25th
Springs Vitality Spa Deals Page 50

Toys R Us Deals...

Ok I think I rocked the Toy R Us deals this week, these deals were posted on the Bargain Blessings website.
The first day, I printed off a few coupons and got the rest from last Sunday's paper and bought:

-Disney Pictureka $1.50 ($19.99)
-Game of Life High School Edition- $1.50 ($9.99)
-35 outlet covers (we needed them, but I didn't have a coupon) $3.50
- 5 Travel Editions of Sorry $1.50 each ($6.99)
- 5 Travel Editions of Connect 4 $1.50 each ($6.99)
Total with tax about $21.00, saved about $80.00

Today I went back for the toy deals (many things are Buy 2 get 1 free).  I got:

(I broke out the prices the best I could after coupons and free items etc. The first price is about what I paid per item and the second is the advertised, regular price.)
-2 Potato Heads- $3.05 each ($7.99)
-1 Animals wheeled 4 pack- $3.05 ($9.99)
-3 Weebles 2 packs- $1.93 each (6.99)
-2 Weeble Musical Treehouse $13.33 ($29.99)
-Ball Popper $13.33 ($24.99)
-2 Animal Track Playset $6.12 each ($14.99)
-Ball Gear Center $11.86 ($24.99)
-Iron Man Rocket Boost $12.04 ($19.99)
-3 Super Hero Squad 2 pack $2.98 each ($6.99)
Total was about $113.00, I saved $126.00

I'm on my way to getting my Christmas Shopping done!
How far along are you?  Have you started yet?  What are you hoping to score for cheap this holiday season?

Coupon Previews!

Have you always wished you could know which coupons would be coming in your paper? Well, we found the site for you! At Sunday Coupon Preview you can find out which great coupons are coming your way on Sunday morning! No more guessing and waiting! Enjoy!

Christmas is less then 100 days away!

This morning Jennie, over at Bargain Blessings, started her Countdown to Christmas "support group".  With less than 100 days until Christmas, she thought it was time to start chipping away at the list a little by little to help alleviate stress and chaos as the holidays draw nearer.   One of her readers suggested making and freezing meals ahead of time for the week of Christmas.  I would love to start a discussion here about things that you can check off your list early to make your holiday season run more smoothly. I don't want to limit this strictly to Christmas, if you celebrate any other holiday, any time of the year, please feel free to chime in with things you do to help reduce stress around that time!

I have done a few things to get started:
-I started shopping a few months ago as I found great deals (most posted by Jennie).
-I have three vouchers bought through Groupon.com (voucher for photo stamps for the Grandparents), Jasmere.com (voucher for a handmade wooden toy) and Eversave.com (voucher for non-toxic kids toys) that I have plans to purchase a few gifts with.
-Since we only have Gracie every other weekend, I have started helping her make her Christmas crafts/gifts in hopes of being able to finish during Fall Break.

What have you done to get started?  If you haven't gotten started, what is on your list that you think you can check off first?  Do you have any ideas for other readers on ways they can wade into this holiday season?

Colorado Springs Independent

 Pick up your copy of Colorado Springs Independent! A new edition each Thursday!!! And it's FREE!

September 16-22

* September 19th, Sunday, Inaugural Yoga for Peace Day Page 6,8
* September 19th Sunday Concert Chris Isaak (admission fee) Page 25
* September 19th Sunday concert Leon Russell (admission fee) Page 25
* September 19th Sunday "A Day at the Ranch" Benefit event (admission fee) Page 38
* September 20th Mon Debate between candidates for El Paso County clerk and recorder (free) Page 14
* September 20th Monday Local Food Week Page 25, 29
* September 21st Tuesday Concert Colcannon (admission fee) Page 25
* September 22nd Wednesday International Film Society film screening (admission fee) Page 25
* September 23 & 24 Restorative Justice Symposium (admission fee) Page 17
* September 25th Saturday, Healthy Baby Fair (Free) Page 11
* September 25th Saturday Concert Jook Joint Thunderclap (admission fee)  Page 17
* September 24-26th Fri-Sun, Pikes Peak Lavendar Film Festival (admission fee) Page 30
* September 25-26th Sat-Sun Palmer Lake Arts and Community Event (ticket prices) Page 34
* September 25 Saturday Fit Body & Pole introduction class (free) Page 46
* September 25 Saturday "No Child Left Inside" Event (free) page 51



Bring this ad deals at:
Taste of India Page 27
Halla San Korean Cuisine Page 29
Another Pint American Ale House page 28
India Palace Page 29
Spyce Salon and Spa Page 30
Springs Vitality Spa Page 45

Surprising Safeway Spree...

I had an incredible grocery shopping experience yesterday (9/17) at Safeway! With shopping list, menu, and coupons in hand, I had already anticipated what my total was going to be. Much to my surprise, I was about $50 over with my estimate. What makes this even more amazing is that I bought extra items and a Christmas gift, and I was still below my target amount! At the register, I received two more surprises! The first was 100 free Campbell points to donate to any school of my choice and $1 off my next shopping purchase! In the end, my 2 week food-supply total for a family of 5 and a Christmas gift was $111.00!

Things to save for collecting...

There are many things around the house that can be saved rather than thrown away or recycled.   Here are a few that I thought of:
-Box Tops for Education (these are usually found on General Mills products).  Most schools collect these as they can turn them in for $.10 a piece.  If you don't have a school to donate them to, bring them to the meetings and we can find one for you!
- Labels for Education (usually found on Campbell's soup products).  Some schools also collect these, they are turned in for points which can be used to "buy" supplies from their catalog.
- Classico Spaghetti Jars (they have to be this brand).  If you have friends who are into canning their own food, I just learned that this specific brand of spaghetti jar will fit the Regular Mouth Kerr Brand and Ball Brand lids and rings for canning.
- Sour Cream/Butter containers-  I *think* that there are places that will use these.  When I was trying to get all the feral cats around here fixed, Hamlett Spay and Neuter clinic would send them back with food and water in these types of dishes.  School art programs might use them, or someone at one of the meetings could probably use them for sandbox toys, arts and crafts storage, or pet food dishes (we use them for the ferals and they come up missing about once a week.)
What other things can you think of that we need to collect?