The Eco-Cheap Mom is doing an Event!

Hello all! So, we all love events. I love cloth diapering events so much. You find great products, read some awesome reviews AND you might get to win some even. Who doesn't love winning stuff?! So, Here is the button:

You can also find the button in my sidebar. It will stay there until the event is over, or whenever I remember to empty out the events section or past event buttons. :) Did you see how many giveaways she is going to do? 22! All in one month. That is almost a review and giveaway each day. I love this kind of stuff.
Oh, and if you check out her post about the event, you can learn how to get extra entries in to her giveaways. Gotta love the diapering love. :)
Enjoy!

Share the Love

So, I love coupons and want to share some of my coupon love. So, you may buy the Sunday paper for the coupons, but have you looked online or in your area for those who hold coupon trains? There are, I'm sure, tons of mom communities with groups dedicated to couponing. One such site is Cafemom.com. One this site there are multiple coupon groups and even one (that I know of) that is almost solely for conducting coupon trains. These are a great option to get multiples or coupons that your paper may not have, but you could still use. If you are not familiar with coupon trains, most trains have a list of participants. Each week the conductor sends out an envelope or two with a set amount of coupons inside. It goes to the first person on the list (think of chain letters of old) who gets to go through the coupons and keep what they want. They then make sure that they put the set amount of coupons into an envelope and sends it to the second person who keeps this all  moving. I have seen trains that may only pass on 20 or so coupons and others that have you include up to 50 coupons per envelope. 
I love the idea of coupon trains, but I wanted to tweak it a little when I found myself in the position of receiving stacks of inserts each week. A wonderful woman in my area had been posting on Freecycle.org that she had left over coupons and inserts a few times and I asked for them as they were for formula or inserts that I could really use. After picking up two or three sets of coupons, she asked if I would be interested in joining her coupon group. Each week her sister drops off stacks of the insert that holds the flyers and coupon inserts. This woman gets stacks totally probably at least three foot tall piles of inserts. She chose to share the coupon love and pass them on as she couldn't use all those coupons herself. I joined her group and now pick up anywhere from 40-70+ coupon inserts every time there will be coupons in the Sunday paper. How awesome, right?! Of course I can't use all those coupons either. I have started not a train but a "tree" of sorts. I now have myself and about 13-15 other people who I pass the coupon love on to. Each family I pass coupons to get 2-5 inserts each week depending on how many inserts I get and how many people are in the family.
A good rule of thumb I have found is one insert per family member. This can give you maximum savings for savvy shoppers.
So, do you know of coupon trains or groups in your area? Have you checked out sites like freecycle to help your family save and keep things out of landfills?
I love trains and my "tree" and thought I would write about it all, so that maybe those who had not thought of seeking out something similar in their area, might now know and seek. Not only are coupon trains great for getting coupons, but you can build some great relationships with other coupon savvy moms. :) Who doesn't love that?
Happy Couponing!

Wordless Wednesday #6

I know that right now it is Thursday, but my Wednesday was stinky so I am going to act like it didn't happen :)

 

play till mommy tries to show off the dipe

Then he has to lift his shirt to show off the belly

and be over all silly. :)

a Million Miles a Minute

So, I really want to write more posts. Here's the thing, I have so much going on in my head that when I try to think of something, nothing comes up. Well, at least not enough of something to write and make a full post. So, what are some things that you as readers are interested in reading about? If you are looking for tips, what kind of tips? Do you like the personal posts where I just talk about what is going on in my life? Do you want more cloth diapering posts? I know I haven't done any giveaways yet, but I hope they are coming soon. Should I do more reviews? I want to hear from you. Oh, and then there are the more faith based posts that I have done on occasion. What are your thoughts of those? See, my brain is all over. I have so much going on right now it isn't even funny. Well, okay at times it sort of is because well, I bring it all on myself. :) Anyway, there is why I haven't done tons of posts lately, and why I need your help, again....

Friday Follow

Have you heard of Friday Follow yet? It's a fun way to find new blogs and gain new followers. Here is how it works:

Welcome to the Friday Follow celebration hosted by One 2 Try, Hearts Make Families and Midday Escapades! We invite you to join us every Friday to get more blog followers and to follow other interesting blogs. It is all about sharing and having fun.

Here's how YOU can join the celebration:

--Link up your blog name and URL using the MckLinky below. Only need to add on one blog to be seen on all the blog hops.

--Follow the Friday Follow hostesses listed in the first 3 slots.

--Follow as many blogs as you'd like.

--Take a moment to comment on the blogs telling them you're from Friday Follow.

--Follow back when you get a new follower through Friday Follow.


Come join in on the fun! Be sure if you are leaving a comment about following me for Friday Follow that you do not leave it on a giveaway post as I may not notice it. Thanks!