What toys and games are worth spending money on?

I really think it depends on the kids and their personality. What my kids love another child might find boring. One toy that I have found to be worth every penny are LEGOS. My boys play with them for HOURS….seriously.

Worth EVERY PENNY.

This toy for the tub really helped my daughter when she hated her baths. And this Little People Camping Set has been very well loved at our house. (I found it at Walmart so it was much cheaper than this link shows).

I really don’t have a lot of toys for my kids. We don’t have a playroom and their bedrooms are fairly small, so we have limited space. And…how MAD does it make us when we buy toys for our kids and they play with them for 5 minutes and then could care less. FRUSTRATION. We just hate wasting money, don’t we!

Even when I find new toys on clearance or at thrift stores I am still careful on how much I buy. I can’t stand too much clutter. We have 6 people in a 1650 sq ft house, people. I don’t have much space. But I still like to make sure my kids have things to play with. Here is what I have found to work for me.

TOYS
From my perspective, giving toys to children can be less stressful and easier on your pocketbook. My oldest is 9 years old, so I have had toys around my house for awhile. Here is what I have done to keep the cost of toys down but also give my kids some fun things to play with. I am less likely to be frustrated with them not playing with the toys when I spent a fraction of the retail cost.

1. Shop clearance deals. Rarely do I purchase toys at retail price. When I do purchase brand new toys I buy them on clearance. Amazon and Target have fabulous clearance sales every year I try to hit. I love not only stocking up on toys for birthdays and Christmas, but also for birthday gifts. It’s so nice to have toys already on hand when the kids get invited to a birthday party. About 2 weeks after Christmas every year stores start clearancing toys. Interesting, huh?

2. Go to second hand stores and garage sales. My kids have grown up with used toys, so they don’t know any different. Countless times I have found toys in superb condition at second hand stores. Many times you will find brand new things there too! For my 4 year old’s birthday two years ago, everything she got was either from a second hand store or from a clearance sale. Here is what she received. All for less than $10!

My Little Pony, new with dvd– $3 Amazon clearance
Care Bear plush, brand new w/tags–$1 at thrift store
Fisher Price My First Dollhouse w/all figures & accessories–$5 at thrift store
Dora the Explorer magnet set–.75 cents at thrift store

3. Save up gift certificates and reward points. When there are specific things I want to buy, I will save up my reward points from my credit card to get a gift certificate to Target to buy what I need. Or Amazon, or whatever store. For example, my husband’s birthday is coming up and we like to go out to eat. He loves Olive Garden so last week I got a $25 gift certificate from my reward points so we can go out to eat free. (I know it’s not a toy but you get the idea…same thing.) Sometimes the things we are going to buy don’t go on sale very often but this way I can avoid part of the cost.

4. Shop Craigslist. If you haven’t shopped on Craigslist, you don’t know what you are missing! Whenever we need to buy anything (not just toys) I always look on Craigslist first. Two years ago we needed to get one of my children a smaller bike with training wheels. I didn’t want to pay $50 at Walmart…no way! We found a bike on Craigslist in almost new condition for only $10. It pays to look around.

Want to know a few toys that have been a complete waste of money for me? Good thing I didn’t pay retail price for any of them.

Leapfrog LeapPad Plus Writing
Disney princess Belle doll
Pokemon accessories & plush
Spiderman racetrack (couldn’t find a picture online of it)
Moon Sand (I hate this more than anyone)
Little People Town Village (we love Little People at our house but this one was not a hit)

GAMES
Obviously everything above applies to games as well as toys. So I thought I would highlight a few of our families favorite games. We are a game family, though, and we play games all the time.

Monopoly Express
Blokus
UNO
Cranium Cadoo
Druthers (an LDS game)
Snorta
Battleship
Zobmando
Cranium Hullaballo
Checkers
Mancala
Yahtzee

What are your tips to share? What games and toys are worth spending money on in your eyes?

Safeway, Vons, and Genaurdi’s stores are doing a great promo right now – shop at home and get FREE delivery (a $12.95 value) plus $5 off your order!  If you have these stores in your area, now would be a great time to try out this service.

Free Delivery & $5.00 off online order. Enter Promo Code: CJOFFER at checkout. Offer Exp 2/1/2010. Up to $17.95 savings.

Free Delivery & $5.00 off online order. Enter Promo Code: CJOFFER at checkout. Offer Exp 2/1/2010. Up to $17.95 savings.

Free Delivery & $5.00 off online order. Enter Promo Code: CJOFFER at checkout. Offer Exp 2/1/2010. Up to $17.95 savings.

There are some fantastic printable coupons right now at Coupons.com.  For example – save $1 on cheese.  That’s right, ANY cheese.  Pick your favorite brand or buy whatever is on sale, and use the $1 coupon.  Many coupons are available early in the month, and then drop off after the print limit has been reached. Print them before they disappear!

Current Offer — Free Shipping Both Ways. No code required.

Rent your textbooks now and save!

BookRenter.com LINK

“Buying your textbooks is expensive, and finding high-quality, cheap used textbooks can be a hassle. Be smarter: at BookRenter, you can rent textbooks for a fraction of the cost, and have them delivered right to your door as fast as the next day. At BookRenter, we’re focused on making education more affordable for everyone by being the best way to rent textbooks for college.”

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1. Girls Tie-dye Dress $5.99 with FREE shipping at LandsEnd.com

was $24.50
now $5.99
Item # 38498-7WA4

Free Shipping code JAN7 Pin 00005024

Deal Discussion

2. Personalized case for iPod Touch, iPhone, BlackBerry for $5 w/ FREE shipping!

Deal Discussion

3. Victorinox Saint Andrews Travel Daypack – 21 Liters

Was: $59.99
Now: $17.93 + Free shipping with REI Store Pickup.
You Save 70%

Deal Discussion

4. Free Movie Ticket with purchase of 2 General Mills Cereals!!

More info

5. Buy three specially marked Kellogg’s® cereals and get $10 in bonus bucks to spend on electronics, toys, sporting goods, books, concessions and movies!
Watch for specially marked boxes of Kellogg’s cereal for the big 30 oz. boxes. The front of the box has a big green and yellow circle on the bottom right side that says “Buy 3 get $10 bonus bucks”. These have been spotted recently at WalMart for $2.88 each, but watch for them at other stores as well.

Participating Products
•Kellogg’s® Froot Loops® cereal: specially marked packages
•Kellogg’s® Frosted Mini-Wheats® Bite Size cereal: specially marked packages
•Kellogg’s Raisin Bran® cereal: specially marked packages
•Kellogg’s Frosted Flakes® cereal: specially marked packages

Purchase 3 boxes, then you enter the unique codes from the boxes at www.kelloggbonusbucks.com and get a $10 certificate to use at Target, Walmart, Albertson’s, movie theaters, and a variety of other places.

For a full list of where to use the certificate, see http://www.usekelloggbonusbucks.com/

To summarize the offer if purchased at WalMart – in the end you’re getting 3 30 oz boxes of cereal at $2.88 each = 8.64 + tax.

Then get $10 back to spend! Your Bonus Bucks certificate will arrive via 1st Class US Mail in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. There is no limit to the number of Bonus Bucks certificates you can receive. Each Bonus Bucks certificate requires the submission of three unique codes (one from each of three qualifying packages of Kellogg’s products.

6. Disney is offering a free day’s admission to 1 million guests who complete a day of volunteer work next year.

More info

7. CurrentCatalog.com Sale: up to 75% off!

Deal Discussion:

8. Download FREE Subway & The Biggest Loser Workout Mix!

Link

Code:
50 Prints for 50 Pennies (applies to first 50 ordered only) NEWYEAR50 – exp 1/7/10

Snapfish.com LINK

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Get Special Email Bonus Offers with Smith’s fresh values rewards!

Smith’s has added a new feature to it’s Rewards Program – Bonus Point offers. Bonus Point offers provide you with a way to earn more points, which turn into more rewards!

Sign up here to receive personalized coupons and offers sent straight to your inbox. If you already have an account with Smith’s, just log in and update your preferences and choose to receive rewards offers.

Once you’ve signed up, you can receive email rewards offers that have been selected specifically for you. The offers are good for one month. You’ll receive a new set of bonus point offers on or around the first of every month. Simply click on the “Add Offers” button in the email message and the offers will be automatically loaded onto the your rewards card. Offers are good only for the month listed.

Some sample deals received by PYP members:
(The offers you receive may be different!)

• 75 bonus points – when you buy any pet product
• 50 bonus points – when you buy one (1) package of laundry detergent
• 50 bonus points – when you buy two (2) packages of liquid or bar soap
• 50 bonus points – when you buy two (2) bottles of condiments or sauces
• 50 bonus points – when you buy one (1) non-refrigerated pourable salad dressing
• 75 bonus points – when you buy any two (2) boxes of facial tissue
• 75 bonus points when you buy two (2) packages of lunchmeat from our Meat Department
• 50 bonus points when you buy two (2) packages of cookies, crackers or snacks from our Grocery Department
• 50 bonus points when you buy two (2) packages of paper towels, any size
• 75 bonus points when you buy two (2) boxes or bags of cold cereal
• 50 bonus points when you buy one (1) carton of eggs, any size
• 100 bonus points when you buy any two (2) packages of granola bars, breakfast bars or toaster pastries

More info at this link.

LINK TO OFFER

Fill out the form at THIS LINK, and StoreBrandFormula.com will send you a coupon for a free can of store brand formula.

What are store brand infant formulas?
Store brand, also known as private-label, infant formulas are labeled with the names of retail store brands and typically save up to 50 percent versus name-brand formulas for a potential savings of $600 a year per baby. That’s one reason why hundreds of thousands of parents have switched from name-brand formulas to a store brand. Here’s another reason: nutritional equivalence.
If parents choose to formula feed and need to buy formula, store brand infant formula, which is labeled with the “store brand” names of retailers such as Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, CVS, Kroger, Walgreens, and Babies “R” Us, are nutritionally comparable to more expensive national brand formulas and are subject to the same exacting standards of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pursuant to the Infant Formula Act of 1980. This legislation vested FDA with the authority to ensure that all infant formula products sold in the United States provide the necessary levels of identified nutrients required for the growth of healthy babies.

40% off any one regularly priced item with the printable coupon at THIS LINK. Excludes custom framing, custom floral, gift cards, Cricut & Slice products, special orders, online orders, class fees, and rentals. Expires 1/9/10. One per customer per day. (Not valid on clearance, item must be regular price.)

All remaining Christmas merchandise is now 80% off! Excludes fabric. Through 1/9/10.

Just one of the awesome tools here at PYP…ready-made shopping lists. We scour grocery ads to find the best deals at many of your favorite stores, and match them with available coupons. Check the list below and see if you find your favorite store!

ALL YOU MAGAZINE INTRODUCES COOKBOOK OF AFFORDABLE DINNER RECIPES: EAT WELL, SAVE BIG

Over 148 Recipes Filled with Easy-to-Make, Family-Pleasing Meals – Priced as Low as 73 Cents Per Serving

New York, NY – Time Inc.’s ALL YOU magazine, geared to the value-driven woman, introduces Eat Well, Save Big, featuring 148 affordable, easy-to-make dinner recipes all under $2.50 per serving, with some priced as low as 73 cents per serving. The cookbook will hit bookshelves at Walmart stores nationwide on January 5th. The list price is $14.97 ($12.00 in Walmart). The cookbook contains $6 worth of grocery coupons valid through 2010.

“Eat Well, Save Big is perfect for women on the go who are balancing work, family and the budget,” says ALL YOU food editor Beth Lipton. “It takes the stress out of cooking by offering healthy, time-saving meals that are both good for you and your wallet — and your family will love them.”

Designed to help busy women solve the daily “what’s for dinner” dilemma, these quick-to-prepare recipes use inexpensive ingredients available in any supermarket, and appeal to both adults and children.

You’d be amazed by what you can make for under $1 a serving including:

• Chicken Piccata: 91 cents
• Sautéed Chickpeas with Broccoli Parmesan: 80 cents
• Beef Kebabs with Orange Glaze: 89 cents
• Spinach-and-Cheese Quiche: 93 cents
• Refried Bean Tostadas: 75 cents

Helpful “smart tips” are sprinkled throughout the cookbook and offer ideas for side dishes, easy ingredient swaps and alternatives for different tastes.

CLICK HERE TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY. (You must post on PYP at that link – posting on PYP blog or PYP Facebook fan page will NOT enter you in the drawing.)

Walgreens Jan 3- Jan 9

Transaction #1
Try out this cereal deal! If you’re like me and vowed to loose weight this year this is a good jump start:
Kellog’s select cereal, 12-18.2 oz
Sale: 2/$5
Buy Kellogg’s Special K Cereal, get one FREE, up to $4.49 (has to be Special K Original 12 oz. if this is included)
Pay: $2.50/2 boxes (2/$5 -$2.50 cause of the “get 1 free”)
Get: $2 in register rewards
so that’s like paying just $0.50 for 2 boxes of Special K!

Transaction #2-
Head and Shoulders Shampoo or Conditioner 13.5-14.2oz
Sale Price: $3.99
Use Manufacturer coupon:Head and Shoulders shampoos or conditioners, any excluding trial size $2/1 (1-31-10) PG-12/27
Use Register Rewards: $2 from Kellogg’s (you will need something that costs $0.01 or more to be able to use the register reward since the coupon takes the Shampoo down to $1.99)
Pay: Tax!
Rating: *****

It is time for resolutions: here are some deals if you are looking to loose weight:

Alli- 90ct starter kit, includes 30 free
Sale Price: 38.99
Use coupon: Since its 90ct + 30 free its technically 120ct so this coupon may work, but as always YMMV. $10/ 120ct Alli IP Coupon
Pay: $28.99
Get: $9 in register rewards

Alli- 120 ct
Sale price: $59.99
Use coupon: $10/ 120ct Alli IP Coupon
OR Alli Weight Loss Aid, 120 ct or 170 ct $10/1 (2-13-10) LOrealRP-1/3
Pay: $49.99
Get: $10 in register rewards

And some more great deals if you want to quit smoking:

Transaction #1
NicoDerm CQ patches 14pk
Nicorette Gum 100 pk
Commit Lozenges 72pk
Sale: $39.99
Use man coupon: Nicorette 100 ct. or larger, NicoDerm CQ 14 ct. or larger, or Commit 72 ct. or larger $15/1 (2-8-10) LOrealRP-1/3
Pay: 24.99
Get: $10 in Register Rewards
Thats like paying $14.99

Transaction #2
W brand stop smoking products
160- 170pk gum
108 count lozenges
Sale: 34.99
Use store coupon: $10 off Walgreens nicotine gum, 160 or 170 ct or Lozenges 108 count., 2mg or 4mg- This is in the January coupon pamphlet if theres not one by the checkout stand, a clerk should be able to direct you to one.
Use Register Rewards: $10 from Quit smoking transaction #1
Pay: $14.99
Get: $10 in register rewards

With the RR from transaction #2, you can do another Transaction #1 paying just $14.99 and wash rinse repeat.

Check out the Walgreens Forum for even more deals: PYP Walgreens Forum

Here are the best deals I found at Rite Aid this week. Let us know if you found anything else. Also, be sure to check out the Rite Aid thread on PYP for LOTS more deals this week and discussion.

Also, don’t forget you can earn a $5/$25 purchase at Rite Aid when you watch their Video Values and earn 20 credits. Only takes about 15 minutes or less!

Listerine $3.50
Use Listerine Antiseptic, any 500 mL or larger or any Plax Rinse, or any Efferdent 78 ct. or larger, or any Listerine PocketPaks 24 ct. or larger or any Listerine PocketMist .50/1 (5-31-10) SS-6/14
Get a $3 Single Check Rebate
Final Price: FREE plus overage!

Stayfree Maxi Pads, B1G1Free
Use Stayfree product, any Buy 1 Get 1 FREE, max. value $7.50 (3-31-10) LOrealRP-1/3
Final Price: Get 2 for free!

Nivea Lip Treatment B1G1Free
Use Nivea Lip Care, .17 oz. 4.8g Buy 1 Get 1 FREE, max. value $3.99 (1-17-10) LOrealRP-1/3
Final Price: Get 2 for free!

GE Reveal Lighting 2/$4
Use $1 off 2 printable for FF or IE
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate
Final Price: .50 cents each after coupons and rebate!

Wet N Wild Cosmetics 40% off regular retail
Get a $2 Single Check Rebate on any Wet N Wild item regular retail $3.99 and up
Final Price: unknown, but could be as low as .40 cents after rebate!

Tylenol Cold $5.99
Use either of the following:
Tylenol Cold or Sinus or Sudafed PE or Sudafed OM product, any excluding trial size $1/1 (4-3-10) JCPOpticalRP-1/3
Tylenol Cold, Cough, Sore Throat or Sinus product, any excluding trial size $1/1 (3-31-10) RP-12/6
Get a $3 Single Check Rebate
Final Price: $1.99 after coupon and rebate!