Doing Things Yourself

What services do you pay for that you could do at home? This takes some thought, but there is generally some things that you can change…..things you can do yourself and keep more cash in your pocket. Many times you may have to learn a new skill in order to complete the task at home. But that is all about being self-reliant, right? Maybe things like:

  • haircuts for the kids (my boys for sure)
  • detailing the car
  • changing the oil in the car
  • pedicures/manicures
  • lawn maintenance
  • basic home repairs
  • Growing your own vegetables

Sometimes you have to weigh the amount of money against the amount of time it will take you to fix/complete the task. And sometimes it isn’t worth it, depending what is going on in your life. I just think this is a good concept to think about, and maybe try one new area to save money where you weren’t before.

Another way to get a service or “perk” is by trading with someone else, or working a bit in exchange for what you want.

For example, I wanted a gym membership a few years ago but didn’t want to pay the monthly fee, setup fee, etc. So I did some checking and I got hired to work in the daycare at the gym once a week, for a three hour shift. Because I did that, I got my gym membership free! I was able to take my younger kids with me for free when I worked and the commitment was easy. It saved me $360 a year!

I used to teach piano lessons, but no longer do so. I am attempting to teach my own children, but that can be difficult at times. For awhile a friend and I traded teaching children…she taught my son and I taught hers. It worked great for us while we did it.

Do you do any type of trading services? What advice/tips/info can you share about doing your own services or exchanging? What do you do on your own to save money?

Extra 70% off Dining Certificates

Code: Extra 70% off Dining Certificates TASTY – exp 07/22/10
Restaurant.com LINK
*Be sure to read the fine print for each offer, not all offers have the same terms!

Charmin Ultra Strong

Get TP delivered to your door for a great price! Awesome! LOL!

Charmin Ultra Strong 6 Mega Rolls 352 2-Ply Sheets per Roll, (Pack of 3)
List Price: $40.44
Price: $17.99 ($1.00 / roll)
You Save: $22.45 (56%)
Save an extra 15% with Subscribe & Save: Sign up to have this item delivered at a regular interval of your choice, and the current price drops to $15.29. Shipping is always free. No fees, no risks, no obligations. Cancel Subscribe & Save anytime after your order ships.

Vista Print – 10 Free Products!

It’s Vista Prints 10th anniversary so they are celebrating with their top 10 Free Products. Plus Save 80% off all other products!
Celebrate with VistaPrints! Get 10 Free Products! Just pay shipping and handling on free products.
Choose from Free business cards, Return Address Labels, Rubber Stamp, Sticky Notes, Flipbook, Mug, Tote, Photo Wall Calendar, Mug, Photo Notebook, or Mouse Pad!
Vista Print – 10 Free Products LINK

Men’s Dockers Sale at Amazon – $26.99 shipped!

GREAT prices and free shipping!
12 styles in lots of colors and sizes.
Men’s Dockers Sale at Amazon LINK
Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping and FREE Returns.
Great deals like:
Dockers Men’s Flat Front Comfort Cargo Pants
was $55.00   now $26.99

Additional 50% off Clearance at OldNavy!

Is your store participating? Reports are coming in and it seems many stores are already offering an additional 50% off their clearance prices. Some are still at 30% off. Give your local store a call to find out if the additional 50% off clearance sale has started near you!

Toys R Us Daily Deals for Wed July 21st!

Today’s Daily Deals — Valid 7/21/10 only

BUY 1, GET 1 50% OFF ALL Little Tikes infant or preschool toys
Valid Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 ONLY. Use code 939375 during checkout.
BUY 1, GET 1 50% OFF ALL Matchbox vehicles & play sets
Valid Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 ONLY. Use code 939391 during checkout.
Save $10 ANY bike priced $59.99 or less
Valid Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 ONLY. Use code 939384 during checkout.
Save $20 ANY bike priced $60 to $119.99
Valid Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 ONLY. Use code 939386 during checkout.
Save $30 ANY bike priced $120 or more
Valid Wednesday, July 21st, 2010 ONLY. Use code 939388 during checkout.
**NOTE: Once you put in the code then you can see all eligible products for the various promotions.
PLUS Free Shipping on $49! No code required.
ToysRUs.com LINK

Sign up to to receive the free Hotwire Travel Ticker newsletter!!!

Get first dibs on great travel deals delivered to your inbox.
Subscribe today to Travel Ticker from Hotwire and increase your chances of getting a deal before it’s gone. These include travel packages, hotel, air, and rental cars.
Just enter your email address and ZIP code.
LINK to sign up for Travel Ticker

Extra 70% off Dining Certificates @ Restaurant.com!

Code: Extra 70% off Dining Certificates TASTY – exp 07/22/10
Restaurant.com LINK
*Be sure to read the fine print for each offer, not all offers have the same terms!

Charmin Ultra Strong 6 Mega Rolls 352 2-Ply Sheets/Roll, (Pack of 3) $15.29 shipped!

Get TP delivered to your door for a great price! Awesome! LOL!

Charmin Ultra Strong 6 Mega Rolls 352 2-Ply Sheets per Roll, (Pack of 3)
List Price: $40.44
Price: $17.99 ($1.00 / roll)
You Save: $22.45 (56%)
Save an extra 15% with Subscribe & Save: Sign up to have this item delivered at a regular interval of your choice, and the current price drops to $15.29. Shipping is always free. No fees, no risks, no obligations. Cancel Subscribe & Save anytime after your order ships.

July 29th – Free Lasagna Day at Buca di Beppo


Buca Di Beppo is offering a FREE lunch sized portion of Lasagna on July 29th!

To get it free you need to purchase any Buca Small or Buca Large Pasta or Entree.

Here’s a link to details: HERE.

Combine this with the coupon available at City Deals and you’ll have yourself a great inexpensive meal!

See ya there!

The Trading Post

Are there specific coupons you are looking for?

Do you have some extra coupons you would like to share?

Registered PYP Members have access to a great forum called “The Trading Post”.

Here are some tips for trading coupons:

– Have good communication and make fair trades
– Mail Fast!!
– Make sure you keep up your end of the trade
– Leave feedback – here’s the link to the Feedback Forum.

Get familiar with the PYP rules, which include: no selling or soliciting. We do not allow the selling of coupons on PYP.

Most importantly have fun!

FREE personalized tote bag from VistaPrint!!!

Introducing FREE Tote bags from VistaPrint.
An eco-friendly carry-all for wherever you go. 100% canvas tote bags can be customized with your name and message. Choose from 36 designs.
FREE tote bag LINK
Shipping is $4.41.

Lemonade Kool-Aid

You know all those lime stains that build up in your dishwasher? Have you bought those cleaners at the store for $4-$5 a bottle? Sure, they do the trick….but, there is a less expensive way to clean your dishwasher…save those pennies and do it the frugal way!

photo courtesy Real Simple

Yes, you are seeing correctly….lemonade Kool-Aid! Real Simple magazine says that the citric acid in the Kool-Aid is a pro at wiping out stains. You put the packet into your dishwasher soap dispenser in an empty dishwasher. Run through a cycle. And whalla!! For a whopping 10 cents you can have a stain-free dishwasher! Oh, and lemonade Kool-Aid is the only flavor of Kool-Aid that works. I have tried it and it works pretty well.

Granted, it doesn’t clean it perfectly but it does do a mighty fine job at wiping out stains. Try it! It works for me.

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