Printable Coupons for $1 Off Kashi Products

There are a lot of printable coupons for Kashi products available right now:
- $1.00 off Kashi GOLEAN Cereal
- $1.00 off Kashi GOLEAN Crisp! cereal
- $1.00 off one Kashi Soft n Chewy bar

I just printed these Kashi coupons along with a $1 off Barilla Pasta Sauce, $1 off Nivea Lip Care product, $1 off Bear Naked Granola, and a few others from Coupons.com.

Happy Savings!

Thomas's Christmas Delivery - Only $38 on Amazon!!

Our 3 year old is a big fan of Thomas the Train and his friends.  We have a growing set of Trackmaster trains, which he loves because they are powered but can also be manually pushed and pulled.  We have been watching for new additions to his collection for Christmas, and today found Amazon had reduced the price on Thomas's Christmas Delivery to just $38 - this set was over $100 when it was first listed.

Better yet, Amazon is offering Free shipping that will arrive by Christmas eve if you order by Monday, Dec 19th.

The set includes a special Snow covered Thomas Engine, Three Cars, and Four different "stations" which each respond when Thomas passes by.  Note that from the reviews this set needs 10 AA batteries to operate all of the features. This Thomas set will look great around our Christmas Tree, and should be tons of fun for our little one.

Link to Thomas's Christmas Delivery on Amazon

Christmas Tree Decorating Surprises - 3 Year Old Boy Style

My son is really into Christmas this year, and has been super excited about decorating the tree ever since we set it up after Thanksgiving.

I like to make decorating the Christmas tree a family activity that we work on together while enjoying some minty hot chocolate and homemade cookies...fun and yummy.

My son keeps asking about putting “Christmas Balls” on the Christmas Tree. I told him we would decorate the tree together this week when everyone was home to share in the fun. He accepted my explanation and patiently waited to put ornaments on the tree or so I thought...

I later realized he took matters into his own hands, when I noticed a few little “decorations” he decided to sneak in. :) It’s definitely not what I would have planned to put on our Christmas Tree, but Trucks, Cars, or anything with wheels is very “in” right now around this house.

Sometimes the unexpected is exactly what is needed to brighten the day and make you smile!

Make sure to throw in something unexpected in your decorating this year. It just might be a highlight of your Christmas Tree.

Baltimore National Aquarium Discounts - Our Family’s Savings Finds

via www.aqua.org

We recently visited Baltimore, Maryland and decided to take our son to the famous National Aquarium, a top attraction in the city.  We scoured the web for discounts or coupons and found very little useful information. One website indicated that they offer discount coupons in brochures available at Maryland Welcome Centers.  After calling a couple welcome centers, they informed us that they never had coupons to the aquarium and have been having trouble ever since someone posted it online.  We found several “stay and save” packages at local hotels, which include aquarium tickets with a hotel stay, but the prices were not great deals.  We were able to get discount tickets through my husbands workplace, but after doing the math it would still cost a lot of money for our family of 3 to enjoy a day long visit.

Since our son recently turned 3, he’s no longer free.  Although he loves this type of activity in small doses, he does not have a “hang out at an aquarium, museum, or zoo for a full day” kind of attention span yet, so we weren’t sure it made sense to spend a small fortune taking him on this excursion now.

via www.aqua.org

We had almost scrapped our plan when we learned about Fridays After Five.  From September 9th through March, all basic Aquarium admission tickets are only $8 for entry at 5 pm or later on Fridays.  Dolphin and 4D shows can be added on for an additional $4 each.  This is a huge savings, check out the current regular admission prices:

  Aquarium Only Senior Admission Price (60+): $23.95
  Aquarium Only Adult Admission Price (12-59): $24.95
  Aquarium Only Child Admission Price (3-11): $19.95
  Fridays After Five Aquarium Only Admission Price: $8.00

We were planning to go on a Friday anyway.  For only $24 (admission for 3), we all had a super fun evening exploring the Baltimore Aquarium.  Even though we didn’t pay extra for the dolphin show this time, we could see the dolphins in their underwater viewing area.  My hubby and I both agreed that paying full price for a full day at the aquarium wouldn’t have been worth it for our family right now due to our son’s young age, but this discount price was definitely a great deal.  There were lots of other families at the aquarium too and, not surprisingly, it was a popular date night destination.

Saving Tip:  Save on Parking - The aquarium website lists parking garages that they validate for $3 off the daily rate, but the garages were still pricey especially when you’re only parking for the evening.  We were able to park at a garage up the street that only charged $7 after 4pm, which worked perfectly for an evening outing to the aquarium.

Also Note:  The Baltimore Aquarium does not allow strollers inside.  

One of our favorite parts of this visit was the giant lively octopus that was putting on quite a show and attracting a huge traffic jam sized crowd of onlookers.

If you’ll be near Baltimore, definitely stop by the National Aquarium and check it out!  If you’re going for the Fridays After Five deal, please be aware ticket availability is limited and the aquarium recommends advance purchase.  They charge a small fee per ticket for advance purchase, but you’ll be guaranteed to get discounted tickets.  This may be a worthwhile option if you’re making a special trip or are traveling from a distance.  We did not purchase advanced tickets.  There was a short line to purchase tickets, but we were permitted to immediately enter the aquarium.  During busy times, tickets purchased may have a delayed entrance time (so you might drop someone to get tickets while you park the car, if arriving right at 5pm).

When we visited the aquarium closed at 8pm, but as long as you were inside they allowed you to stay until 9:30pm.  In case you’re wondering, although there is a lot to explore and take in, we did not make it that long...that’s life with an active 3 year old. :)  

National Aquarium. Baltimore Inner Harbor
501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21202
http://www.aqua.org
Hours | Admission Prices | Fridays at Five, Promotions and Discounts
(410) 576-3800

Printable Coupon for $.75 Off Muir Glen Organic Tomato Products

- $0.75 off any flavor/variety Muir Glen product (FREE or cheap organic tomato products)

This is a high value coupon especially if your grocery store doubles, but if not Walmart often sells Muir Glen organic tomato paste for only $.97 making it super inexpensive to stock up.

There are a lot of new coupons available at Coupons.com right now since it's the start of a new month.
Happy Savings!

Pomegranate Turkeys - A fun and healthy Thanksgiving Favor or Hostess Gift

Two years ago, we tried Pomegranates and learned how to easily remove their juicy seeds from the tough exterior. Now we look forward to enjoying this super food when they're available each year. We purchased four packs at Sam’s Club and can’t wait to enjoy them. So many people commented to me in the store that they love Pomegranates when they noticed them in our cart. I barely knew about this super fruit a few years ago, but I’m so glad healthy foods are becoming popular.

This year instead of just eating the Pomegranates immediately, I decided we could use them in a craft project as part of our Thanksgiving decor and worked to transform the fruit into Pomegranate Turkeys.

I first saw the idea on Martha Stewart’s TV Show and even found a turkey template available on her website.  Rather than card stock, I used a brown paper bag from the grocery store to cut out the template.  I like the natural look it gives the Pomegranate Turkeys and it's zero cost. :)  I also chose to adhere our turkey embellishments with double sided tape rather than toothpicks that would probably pierce a few of the seeds inside and possible leak dark red juice on our table and place settings.

Pomegranate Turkeys would look great at each place setting on Thanksgiving.  Rather than a favor featuring candy, I love that Pomegranate Turkeys are a healthy, yet tasty treat to enjoy after the holiday.

This year we are celebrating Thanksgiving with family, so we made a few Pomegranate Turkeys for hostess gifts with a simple message of thanks on the back of the turkey feathers.

Happy Thanksgiving!

FREE Burrito at Chipotle with $30 Gift Card Purchase

Hold onto your receipt! Chipotle is offering a fun holiday promotion of a Free Burrito with the purchase of a Chipotle Gift Card.

Here are the details to get your FREE Burrito:

"Buy $30 or more in gift cards at any Chipotle restaurant between November 18th and December 31st.  Then bring in your receipt on your next visit for a FREE Burrito, Bowl, Order of Tacos or Salad.

Last day to redeem receipt is January 31st, 2012.  Must be original receipt, no copies.  Limit one free menu item per customer.  This promotion does not apply to gift cards purchased online or at other retailers.  Gift cards must be purchased in a single transaction at a Chipotle restaurant and be accompanied by a Chipotle restaurant receipt to qualify."

We'll definitely be taking advantage of this offer as we're big Chipotle Fans. :)