COUPONING FOR A CAUSE~BLACK FRIDAY GAME PLAN!

We've got 3 major Black Friday plans going on that I wanted to share with you guys.

1) As product reviewers, we decided to do a Black Friday video on our YouTube channel of our favorite "giftable" items that we've reviewed.  We asked the sellers for coupons and most of them obliged :)  If you haven't checked out our channel, go HERE and subscribe so you'll be able to find the sweet deals!

2) I had the pleasure once of trying UV color changing nail polish that my Mother-in-Law had bought.  That means that indoors it's one color and when you head out in the sunlight, it changes color.  It's pretty neat.  It turns out this company not only has nail polish, but they also have shirts, hats, backpacks, hair clips, and lots more.  I'm in LOVE with the shirts and plan to hint heavily for my husband to buy me one for Christmas, because....that's so cool!  Here are some examples of what they have:

Pretty dang neat eh?  The name of the company is Del Sol.  You can check out their inventory HERE (referral link).  For Black Friday sweetness---They are offering 50% Off Sitewide.
Use the Coupon Code: WOAH
- Valid 11/27 – 11/29

3) Our physical Black Friday plan of attack-which stores we're going to show up at and take FREE STUFF home.  Without further ado-here are the stores and the loot we're planning on getting:

WALGREENS


Scünci No Damage Hair Elastics 18 pack 2/$3 = $3 RR
Final cost FREE!

Oral-B Complete 5 Way Clean Toothbrush, Crest Select Toothpaste 4 to 4.6 oz, Pro-Health or 3D White Mouthwash 8 or 8.45 oz 2/$6 = $2 RR
Use the $4/2 Oral-B/Crest coupon available 11/26 to digitally clip to your rewards card here (one time use) Pay $2
Get back a $2 RR
Final cost FREE!

*RR stands for Register Reward.  Essentially, you'll buy 2 packs of hair elastics, pay $3, and then a $3 off of your next purchase coupon prints up.  You can only get a deal one time per transaction, but you can purchase multiples if you pay in separate transactions.

RITE AID

5 Hour Energy 2 Packs $4 *1offerpercard
Get 400 Plenti Points = $4 (limit 1)
Final Cost FREE!

Carefree 20 ct $1
Use the $0.50/1 Carefree Product coupon found here (prints with 30 day expiration date!)
Pay $0.50
Get 100 Plenti Points = $1 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE + $0.50 moneymaker!

Colgate Toothpaste Enamel Health 4 oz or Kids 4.6 oz, Toothbrushes 360 Total Advanced or Enamel Health or Slim Soft 1 ct or Mouthwash Total 250 ml 2/$6
Use two $0.75/1 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste coupons found here
Or use $0.75/1 Colgate Enamel Health Toothpaste coupon found here
Or use $0.75/1 Colgate Mouth Rinse coupon found here
Pay $4.50
Get 600 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $6 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE + $1.50 moneymaker!

Conair Color Vibes Brush or Scunci Hair Elastics 18 ct $3
Get 300 Plenti Points = $3 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Eucerin Calming Creme 1 oz $1
Get 100 Plenti Points = $1 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Glitter Tape, Gold or Silver 2/$5
Get 500 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $5 (limit 2)
Final Cost Cost 2 FREE!

Kleenex Facial Tissue 85 ct White $1
Get 100 Plenti Points = $1 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Nabisco Convenience Packs 2/$3
Get 300 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $3 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE

Nivea Creme Tin 1 oz 3/$2
Get 200 Plenti Points when you buy 3 = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost 3 FREE!

Oral-B 3D White, ProHealth or Complete Manual Toothbrush 1 ct (excludes ProFlex or Clinical) $3
Use the $0.50/1 Oral-B Adult Manual Toothbrush coupon found here or here
Or use $1.50/2 Oral-B Adult Manual Toothbrushes coupon found here or here
Pay $2.50
Get 300 Plenti Points = $3 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE + $0.50 moneymaker!

Rite Aid Home Gift Wrap Tape 3/4″x300″ 2/$2
Get 200 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE!

Russell Stover Holiday Candy Bags 1.5-2.95 oz or Gift Box 1.5-2 oz 2/$2
Get 200 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE!

Sharpie Pens and Markers 1 ct 2/$2
Get 200 Plenti Points when you buy 2 = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost 2 FREE!

Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Enamel $4
Get 400 Plenti Points = $4 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

TRESemme Travel Size Stylers $1
Get 100 Plenti Points = $1 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Zim’s Max Freeze Pain Relievers 4-3 oz $5
Use the $2/1 Zim’s Max Freeze coupon found here
Pay $3
Get 500 Plenti Points = $5 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE + $2 moneymaker!

Clear and Hair Therapy Shampoo or Conditioner 12.7-12.9 oz $2.99
Use the $1/1 Clear Scalp coupon found here
Pay $1.99
Get 200 Plenti Points = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Listerine Pocketpaks 72 ct and All Floss and Flossers $2.99
Use the $1/1 Listerine Floss or Flosser Product coupon found here or here
Pay $1.99
Get 200 Plenti Points = $2 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Plenti Points go onto a store rewards card (you'll want to sign up, it's free) and can be used as soon as the next day on purchases at Rite Aid, as well as AT&T, a gas station, and other stores.  I believe you have 2 years to redeem the points (I haven't couponed there since they changed to Plenti Points so it's a bit new to me.)

A couple of other Rite Aid deals you can get for free with points are:


GE Light Bulbs 1 Pack $4

Get 400 Plenti Points = $4 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

Philips Earbuds $6
Get 600 Plenti Points = $6 (limit 2)
Final Cost FREE!

So, one might ask: What do you need all of that stuff for?  We plan to donate a large amount of it to a local Women's Shelter.  Nail polish, lotion, hair ties?  Great items!  Now, you want to ask what we could possibly do with all of those Register Rewards and Plenti Points....because it's a lot!  You are potentially spending around $120 at Rite Aid if you get the maximum allowed amount of freebie items per card.  You should get about that much back in register rewards.  

The answer is simple-stock up!  We plan to buy some things that don't go on sale often i.e. the kind of sensitive skin lotion I like, I'm getting low on my favorite deodorant, and we'll probably stock up on toilet paper with the rest.  If all else fails....they have food too!  It's easy to re-spend that $120!

 
 We also plan to stop by some office supply stores for freebies:

Office Depot/Max


*Office Depot Brand Copy & Print Paper, 3 Reams $10.01 (Reg. $18.49)
Plus, Rewards Members will get $10 back in rewards
Final cost after rewards $0.01!

*Duracell Coppertop AA/AAA Alkaline Batteries, 16-pack $13.99
Use the $1/1 Duracell Coppertop or Quantum coupon found in the 11/1 PG (exp. 11/28)
Pay $12.99
Plus, Rewards Members will get $13.98 back in rewards
Final cost after rewards $0.99MM!

*McAfee Antivirus Basic $39.99
After $9.99 Instant Savings
Pay $30
Submit for the $30 Mail-in Rebate found here
Final cost FREE!
 
Staples


*Kaspersky Internet Security for Windows (1 User) $59.99
Minus the $14.98 instant savings at checkout
Pay $45.01
Submit for the $45 Easy Rebate (not yet available)
Final cost 1¢!

*Multipurpose Paper 500 sheet ct. $7.79 (I believe 4 is the limit?)
Submit for the $7.78 Easy Rebate (not yet available)
Final cost 1¢!

Easy rebates are easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy.  Rewards-again, can be spent on stocking up on printer ink, or toilet paper, or snacks, or any other office-y thing :) 

*Huge thanks to Hip2Save.com for the coupon match-ups-they are my favorite couponing site.  The links to print coupons for the 4 stores mentioned are their affiliate links.

“Where Have You Been All Of My Life?!” Products-2 Product Reviews

I was privileged to test out these 2 items that I really LOVE.

#1)

Once you get a set of these silicone “BBQ gloves” (I’ve only used them for baking so far), you’ll toss your oven mitts.  (Unless you’re a packrat like me….I have mine just sitting in the drawer “in case” for some reason we need to sets of mitts at the same time…I know, I know…packrat)

They look nice, they’re nice quality, and they do their job very well!

You can find them HERE (affiliate)   

#2) 

 

Being someone that struggles with anxiety and depression, I’ve been wanting to try one of the adult coloring books I had heard about.  I can’t say I don’t need medication or therapy, or chocolate (lol) But I have really enjoyed coloring and it helps me put away the screens for a while too!  The kit is currently sold out but I spoke to the seller and they’re working on improvements and a new batch of them early December.

You can find them HERE (affiliate) 

These items were provided at no cost for an honest and unbiased review.

What's the Purpose of this Blog?!

Ha! What a great question.  If you've been around for a while, you might notice that I'm a little ADD when it comes to hobbies.  I've covered everything here from crafts, fitness, emergency preparedness, spiritual matters, and most recently, product reviews.

I'm a woman with many hobbies....and they rotate a bit!  I'm hoping to be able to get back to more of the other topics, but it seems like product reviews and spiritual/life matters on my mind are what are making it as of late.

I want to make sure my followers know that I appreciate them and I'm not here to just be an advertisement.  When my husband and I decided to take on product reviewing, we didn't do it for money (to-date, we haven't gotten a penny for it, just free or cheap stuff) and we enjoy sharing some of the cool doodads we end up getting.

You might ask....have we come across any products that are trash, that we couldn't recommend?  There have been a couple that I've been pretty disappointed in unfortunately, but I don't like to drag them through the mud either.  I have a couple of products that I was asked to review lately that I feel like I couldn't give a perfect 5/5 stars, but maybe a 4/5 stars.  I'd still recommend them if they sound like they work for what you're looking for ;)

The first is a "Fogless" Shower Mirror

Pros:
It comes with a nice hanger for the mirror and for a razor.  They stay on nicely.
It's a nice design.
It's shatterproof.
My husband is liking the feeling of shaving in the shower-no nicks and irritation.
I like that there's not water and facial hair all over the sink and counter!

Cons:
We had problems with the "fogless" part.  After a couple of showers it stopped being magically fogless.  Andrew doesn't really mind it since you can just pour shower water over it to clear the fog.  Luckily it's shatterproof so you don't have to worry about breaking it when you take it to the stream of water.

The mirror can be found HERE.


The 2nd item is a book review (first product review I've done on a book, but I'm getting another one at the end of the month :)

#LukeWeil
I have adsense on my blog but I was curious about expanding, and possibly for some tips on my Youtube channel.

Pros:
---It's a nice compilation of different strategies all in 1 place, and perhaps some you may not have thought of before.
---I like how it discusses being true to your customers and how to appropriately disclose monetization while not scaring people away or annoying them. It's not just what kinds of methods, but how to balance it.
---It's not too long of a read. (33 pages)

Cons:
---Not too long of a read (also listed as pro, depends on your perspective)
---Fairly "common" information. I'm sure I could have found this for free on the internet. But I'm a bit old fashioned and I enjoy having physical books to reference sometimes.
---Not necessarily to-the-point. Sometimes I felt like it was more of a brief overview than it was helpful. i.e. I have NO idea whatsoever how to set up a mailing list, but it made me curious after talking about how great of a tool it can be.
---Not necessarily for a small blog. At the beginning it felt like it was for small blogs. As I got into it more, I felt like the options talked about are for bigger blogs. Again, "small" is up to perspective. Maybe the writer would consider my blog with less than 200 followers a "micro" blog, lol. But I don't anticipate getting an advertising deal with any big name products. Pretty sure ever...
---No real wrap up to the book/ending statements.

 The book can be found HERE.

A third item that I was able to review recently is a silicone wedding ring.  I would actually give this one a 5/5.

#nCiRCLEring
Silicone wedding ring....why?  They're great in case you're working with dirty stuff (think sweat, dirt, food particles....my wedding ring has lots of nooks and crannies!)  Also, it's great as a place holder if you lose your ring AND it works better than any other kind of ring if your fingers are swollen (think pregnancy, health problems, heat?).  And, it can be safer that regular rings (I'm assuming I don't have to mention how this is cheaper if you can't afford the "real" thing)-I banged up a finger and have known of other people breaking fingers by getting it caught on railing while falling down stairs or caught on a fence while rushing by, etc.  I have a deformed metal ring from such an incident.  This kind is not going to leave you with serious injuries if it gets caught!

We tested out a different brand of silicone ring a month or so ago.  This one tends to fit a little tighter and I'm not sure if I love the color choice, but they do have a couple of other color options.

The Silicone Wedding Ring can be found HERE.
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We received these items free for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.

Fun Stocking Stuffers!!!

My husband and I had the privilege to do a product review for these 3D Holiday Glasses.

First, let me show you some awesome pictures of how they look and what they do!

They have plastic glasses as well as the paper style.  Below are the 4 visuals that you see through the glasses pictured above.  Of course the camera doesn't do a very good job at picking it up, it looks so much cooler with your real eyes!

 Santa

 Reindeer

 Snowflake

Snowman

These are sold by American Paper Optics at 3dglassesonline.com.  Prices vary depending on quantity and style that you buy.  

The paper glasses come in several designs: snowflake, candy cane, ornament, gingerbread man, Christmas star, fluttering angel, santa, snowmen, reindeer, and elf.

The plastic glasses come in snowman, snowflakes, santa, and reindeer.

We received the set pictured for free in exchange for our honest and unbiased review, we are not being compensated in any way.  We genuinely think these are awesome stocking stuffers :) 

If you want to watch our video review of these, check it out HERE.

TRAVEL GIVEAWAY!!!! 5 Prizes!

My husband and I are hosting a giveaway on our Youtube channel JudkinsJourney.  

We have graciously been given these prizes by a couple of Amazon sellers.  There are 5 prize packs.  They each include 1 Fashion Running/Travel Belt and 1 set of Anti-Skimming Cards to help keep your information and belongings safe during travels!

Entering is easy and 100% free.

The basic (required) entry is to subscribe to our Youtube channel and leave a comment on THIS VIDEO. 

There are a few other ways to enter as well!

Make sure to check out the full set of rules and details on the giveaway video description!

This giveaway runs through the end of November 2015.  Your chances are actually pretty good since we're a pretty small channel (it's not like we have 6 million subscribers and have just 1 prize ;) )

Please take a minute to go enter, thanks so much!



*This post contains affiliate links.  We have not received any money or compensation for doing this giveaway.  The items have been donated for free via coupon code by the companies who sell them*