back to school - Stuff Parents Need

How I’m Maximizing My Savings Online for Back-to-School Shopping

July 28, 2015 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

Thanks to ShopAtHome.com and Belk for partnering with me on today’s post about back-to-school deals. All thoughts, opinions, and total lack of creative skills are my own. Affiliate links included.

Yesterday I had to go shopping for clothing for an upcoming trip. I only shopped inside a store because I didn’t have enough time to order stuff online. I spent an hour scouring racks and trying on a dozen things in the fitting room. I did walk away with the items I needed (a new skirt and 2 new pairs of shoes) but it absolutely WORE ME OUT.

Additionally, when I got to the register I realized that I didn’t have any coupons to help shave something off the bill. This is hardly ever a problem when I shop online because I can often find additional savings opportunities through ShopAtHome.com. Shopathome.com back-to-school

Most everyone still has at least a week before school starts back, and most of us have 3-4 more weeks, so let’s take advantage of the current time lead and get that back-to-school shopping done online!

Right now, Belk (a department store largely in the South, but available for everyone to shop with thanks to the internet!) is having some terrific sales, and ShoptAtHome.com has DOUBLED their cash back offer. By clicking through the Belk link on ShopAtHome.com you are eligible to save 12% on your order, and that’s in addition to any coupons you might be using (currently ShopatHome.com has 23 coupon coupon offers for Belk).

Let me demonstrate how to rock what ShopAtHome.com and Belk have going on right now:

First head to the Belk page on ShopAtHome.com.

Then look through the coupons. Right now I’m seeing one for $10 off a $50 order. I’m going to click this link to get my savings code, and then I’m taken to the Belk site. Right now I’m looking for a few adorable pieces for my youngest, who is starting preschool in a few weeks. I’m a fan of Rare Editions and Bonnie Jean, because both lines tend to have whimsical, colorful prints and patterns that remind me a bit of Matilda Jane. But thanks to the Belk sale and the ShopatHome.com discounts, I won’t be paying Matilda Jane prices! 🙂

This 2-piece set is already marked down 40% and is currently priced at $30. Into my cart it goes!

And this owl outfit? Yes, please! It’s also on sale right now for $30, also 40% off.

Now given the ridiculously cute factor of these outfits, $60 isn’t too terribly bad, but I definitely want to do better. So I’m going to use that $10 off coupon code I found at ShopatHome.com to bring my total down to $50. Then I’m going to check out and pay the total, but here’s where the perks of ShopatHome come back into play: after checking out, I know that I am going to be credited back 12% of my purchase through ShopatHome. So I’m going to see $6 of that payment come back to me, and all I had to do to earn it was use ShopatHome.com. By using this site, what would have cost me $60 actually only cost me $44. And FYI if you like these brands…I saw quite a bit on the site that was 75% off!

And on top of all that awesome, ShopatHome.com also has the ShopGold program, which I think of as a loyalty program. Each store you shop at through the website is worth a certain amount of ShopGold coins. Coins that you earn by shopping can be redeemed for gift cards down the road. It takes a while to earn enough to get a gift card, but I see this as icing on the cake and a really great way that ShopAtHome.com is thanking their members for remembering to shop with them. More savings on top of all of the other savings is a pretty nice thank you! 🙂

ShopatHome.com sends checks out monthly, once you reach a minimum of $20 in your account. With the great cash back offers they have on hand, it won’t be too hard to earn that amount, friends. If you haven’t signed up for ShopAtHome.com, what are you waiting for? It’s completely free to join and is designed to save you as much time and money as possible.

The First Lunch: What I Packed (And a FREE Photo Printing Offer!)

August 18, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

This shop is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and Del Monte, but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #DelMonteBTS http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV.

My baby girl is at her first day of Kindergarten at this very moment. I was all smiles dropping my Darah off this morning for her first of approximately 2,340 school days that stretch from 8-3 from now until she graduates from high school.

I pretty much cried like a baby all the way back home. This is such a HUGE milestone. It feels much more monumental than her first day of preschool or her first time heading to a school program 5 days a week. Now we are fully in “the system” of American education. All day, 5 days a week, 9 months of the year. It’s like my baby has entered into the work force, only her job is to learn.

I will miss her, you guys. She’s one of my lunch buddies. But now it’s time for her to sit with her friends at lunch and form new relationships over soy butter sandwiches (peanut-free…that’s how our school rolls) and juice boxes. But lunch will also be an opportunity for her to feel connected to her mama, even if only for a brief moment while she inspects the contents of her lunch box. This is just one more reason why I want to have lots of ideas on hand so that I can offer her a fun variety that she will also love.

Del Monte

One of the brands I look for on the shelves to add to my lunch box supply arsenal is . They have some great healthy products designed to give your kids the nutrition they need to stay focused in school. We regularly use Del Monte Fruit Cups as add-ins to our smoothies. For school lunches, though, we go with Fruit Burst Squeezers.

These are a HUGE hit with both of my girls and Darah in particular gets tickled any time she gets them as part of a meal or as a snack. So I knew it was the perfect thing to include in her very first school lunch box. I can promise you that it will be the very first thing she eats. I really love it because there’s NO high fructose corn syrup and no artificial flavors.

Lunch Box Breakdown

Here’s the complete breakdown of what I packed in Darah’s first lunch box. Maybe it will give you a few ideas to have on hand if you are a bout to launch into daily school lunch packing duty!

1. Soy butter and jelly sandwich. We don’t have nut allergies at my house, but they are very prevalent in her classroom, such that we have been asked not to send any food with nuts in it. I found soy butter at the store and it tastes quite similar to peanut butter, so we are going with that!

2. Cream cheese and celery. Ordinarily I would go with peanut butter and raisins on a piece of celery, but that’s not an option, so I headed in another direction. Darah loves cream cheese, so she’ll go to town on this. The celery isn’t going to load her down with awesome nutrients, but it’s still a veggie, so that makes it a win. Plus it has an awesome crunch factor! Carrots would be another great “crunch-tastic” veggie to send.

3. Del Mont Fruit Burst Squeezers. I have complete and total success getting my kids to eat these. More so than if I send a piece of fruit. I think it has to do with how fun they are to eat, and how easy they are to eat. Darah is a very slow eater. She always has been. So she might not make even finish her lunch in time if some of it isn’t liquid. Totally serious about that. Fruit Burst Squeezers go from full to completely sucked dry in about 30 seconds. It’s quite amazing to watch, actually!

Free Photo Offer

Right now at select Walmart Super Store locations you will find a free back-to-school photo offer! You can take your first day of school photo (or really, any photo you want!) of your child to Walmart between now and September 13th (or while supplies last) and get a free 5×7 print with a back to school border (the photo will be 4×6 and with the border, it will be 5×7). I had one printed of Darah in her classroom so that I can see her in her element during the day.

But it gets even better! When you get your free print you will also receive a $1 off Del Monte products coupon in the photo envelope. I took mine and headed straight over to the aisle with the products I wanted and got stocked up for a great price. That was a total win/win! Prices vary by area, so I can’t guarantee that you’ll find the same prices at your store, but the Fruit Burst Squeezers for me were priced at $2 per pack of 4. So with my coupon, I only spent $3 (plus tax) for 8 individual squeezers. Woo hoo!

Do you have any great ideas for stuff to include in school lunch boxes? And have you tried Del Monte Fruit Burst Squeezers, yet? Did your kids love them as much as mine do?

My #1 Back-to-School Purchase Recommendation

August 2, 2014 · by Tiffany Merritt · 20 Comments

Disclaimer: I am sharing my own personal experience, but I am NOT offering medical advice of any sort or attempting to diagnose or treat anyone for any condition. Please consult your physician should you have any questions or concerns.

So my oldest is headed to kindergarten this year and my youngest is starting her first 5-days-a-week program. It’s a big school year for us, and I’ve already started on the process of gathering all the necessities like glue, scissors, school lunch ideas and a Hipsterpotamus notebook for myself. Because, obviously.

(Image from david & goliath. I found the notebook at Target, FYI).

But last week brought the arrival of the one item I knew I wanted to get more than anything else on the entire list (yes, even more than a brand new pack of crayons, and everyone knows brand new packs of crayons are THE BEST THING EVER!).

It set me back $33.75 and while it’s only 15 ml in size, it is what I am personally choosing to use in my home, whereas in the past, I might have chosen to use several different types of products that all have various side effects. True story.

It’s called Thieves, and it is a blend of essential oils by Young Living that supports healthy immune function, especially when you are around lots of people (like in school!). A 15 ml bottle has roughly 250 drops in it, so one bottle will get my family through the entire school year, or at least most of it!

How I Use Thieves

The very moment that I realize that one of us is starting to feel some minor aches and pains, I put 4 drops of Thieves in the diffusers (I have two…one for upstairs, and one for downstairs) and get them running twice a day to provide some support to our immune systems. I also apply two drops of Thieves mixed with almond oil to the bottom of everybody’s feet. It needs 4 or 5 minutes to get soaked in, and then people can be on their way. I also will diffuse Thieves by the bedside when it’s time to sleep.

Why I Use Thieves

I’m very mindful of what I give to my children to help them out when their immune systems need some support, and I wouldn’t personally feel comfortable with many of the essential oils on the market, as essential oils aren’t regulated by the FDA, and 98% of them have fillers and additives and aren’t manufactured in a way to provide maximum therapeutic benefit. Young Living sticks out head and shoulders above other oil companies, based on my research, due to their Seed to Seal promise. These products are most definitely the right choice for my family. You can read more about how I reached this conclusion (as a skeptic, no less) here.

Other Back-to-School Oils to Consider

Thieves is the oil that I would suggest first and foremost for anyone with a child in school. But essential oils can help with so much more than simply aiding a healthy immune system! Here are a few key suggestions:

Of the 8 essential oils listed on this graphic, 4 of them are included in the premium starter kit, which is absolutely the way I recommend getting introduced to essential oils. You can read more about my love affair with this kit (I’ve purchased 2 and I’m aiming for a third in the next month or so!) and exactly how to get started with Young Living. You can also reach out to me (stuffparentsneed@gmail.com) if you’d prefer to just try one or two oils (such as Thieves) and go in on my monthly group order so you can buy them using my wholesale member discount. That’s just one way I give a little love back to my readers!

Why Amazon or Ebay is a Bad Idea

Whether you purchase from me, or not, I hope you will make your purchase through a Young Living distributor. If you purchase from a distributor, your products will ship directly from Young Living. If you purchase from someone on a third party site, you are taking the risk that the product has been tampered with in some way. Young Living does not sell on these sites, and Young Living does not allow distributors to sell there for less than the price that a distributor will quote you. If you see a “better deal” there, that should raise a red flag, because it likely means that a diluted or altered product is being sold to maximize profits. The wholesale, or discounted price, is the price every distributor has to pay, so selling it cheaper either means that they just want to lose money and not even break even, or that they are somehow stretching out the product so they can make a profit. You can even buy sealed caps online so that they don’t look like they have been tampered with. Just a word to the wise…get your oils from the source so you can feel confident about them!

I Let My Husband Pick Out the First Day Of School Outfits! (Giveaway!)

August 20, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 181 Comments

This post on back-to-school fashion for girls may contain affiliate links.

Yesterday was Darah’s first day of school. She’s in year 2 of the 3 year cycle at Montessori school, but if she were in a more traditional classroom, this would have been her first day of preschool. I was aware of this fact, and as a result, I teared up more than once while taking pictures of her in the morning.

I thought I was going to hold it together, but I just couldn’t get over how grown my sweet baby looked. Her outfit was beyond adorable, and her socks…well…those sent me over the edge. Yes, I cried at the sight of her adorable socks!!

My friends over a Gymboree were kind enough to send me a gift certificate to get our back-to-school shopping started off right. I was so happy to work with them, as I order things from Gymboree fairly often (who can resist with all those Gymbucks offers, am I right?). But I decided to do something a little different this year: I gave Tim FULL REIGN over picking out something for both Darah and Layah to wear on the first day of school.

Did I lose my mind? Oh no, friends, this was a very strategic move on my part. You see, Gymboree makes is SO easy to find coordinating pieces, since they create entire collections around one theme. I knew that Tim would have to really make an effort in order to get something that wasn’t absolutely adorable. Gymboree makes that really hard!

The socks shown above were just part of the “so cute I cried” outfit he chose for Darah. Wanna see it???

I think she caught on to how cute I thought she was in this colorblock dress, because the model attitude started coming out early on in the photo shoot! She’s 4 going on 14….heaven help us!

And while Layah wasn’t starting a new year in school today, she did go to her Parent’s Day Out program, and I wanted her to take part in the back-to-school festivities, so she also got an outfit (the flower dot sweater dress). And Oh. My. Word!

I just love how the dresses are completely different, and yet those stripes pull them all together for a coordinated look. The dress is a soft sweater material, which I know will be comfy for a on-the-go toddler like Layah. And those sleeves! The little poof in them! Makes me swoon…

Tim reported back to me that he really had a lot of fun picking out clothes for the girls. He said he loved the selection at Gymboree, the ease of finding outfits that coordinated without being too “matchy-matchy” and he also loved that there were so many options that weren’t pink! 🙂

I think he rocked it out. Do you agree?

Win it!: Gymboree wants to celebrate the start of a new school year by offering one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader a $75 gift certificate to Gymboree!!!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

How I Tackle Back to School Shopping

July 19, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 5 Comments

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of White Cloud for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

As I mentioned earlier this week in my girls backpack post, it is time to start getting serious about back-to-school shopping. You may be scratching your head at this idea, as depending on where you live, school may not be starting back for another month or even more. We are 30 days, exactly, from the first day of school for Darah. While I technically could go get all the supplies she needs the week before school (or maybe even the day before…her list is still relatively short since she’s in preschool), that is not my strategy.

My strategy is to shop the sales for the entire month leading up to the first day of school. I do this because every single week from now until then there are some great items at a fantastic price. But the entire list of things I need is never on sale at one time. But by watching the sales for the next month, I should be able to pick up almost everything I need at a hefty discount. And that leaves more money in my budget to cover things like another pair of shoes or some new clothes for the school year.

One of the things on my shopping list is White Cloud Facial Tissue. I love that you can buy it in multipacks (3 or 6). This is great for those of you who have more than one going to school. That isn’t the case for us, but I happily send along some extra tissue for the classroom. I’m not in a position to make large financial gifts to Darah’s school, but I can help out by picking up some extra supplies at a good price.

Have you ever tried White Cloud tissues? They are a brand carried exclusively at Walmart (check out the White Cloud Store Locator to fin your nearest location, as they are only available in select markets). They are an outstanding value because they are priced with the budget conscious shopper in mind, yet they feel so soft, like a more expensive brand.

I also love that when you purchase this product, you can also support the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals by purchasing the limited edition White Cloud CMN Facial Tissue boxes. Why not help a great cause while taking care of things on your shopping list AND getting a great deal? Win-win-win!

Speaking of getting a great deal, there’s going to be a coupon in the July 28th Sunday paper. You can also visit mywhitecloud.com/school-supply-list/ and get a coupon so you can check this product off your shopping list right now! Additionally, you can also find the coupon in several magazines out this month, including Better Homes & Gardens (be sure to wave at me, as you’ll find me in there, too!).

And to really stay on top of the savings opportunities with White Cloud, be sure to follow them on their social media outlets, including the White Cloud Facebook Page, White Cloud Twitter Page, and the White Cloud Pinterest Page.

So what’s your back-to-school shopping strategy? Do you have to buy tissue for your classroom? Ever tried White Cloud?

Back-to-School Savings Made Easy with RetailMeNot

July 14, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

Back-to-School Savings!

Want to know a simple online shopping trick that has saved me several hundred dollars over the years and takes all of 5 seconds? Every time I shop online, prior to checking out I head over to RetailMeNot.com and see if there is a special coupon or offer for that store that I can take advantage of and save a bit of money. As back-to-school season gears up, I want you to get in the same habit I’m already in, and check out RetailMeNot before placing any more online orders!

I would say that at least 75% of the time I discover a way to knock the price down a bit, either by scoring free shipping or taking a certain dollar amount off the price. If I’m not feeling picky about the particular store I shop at, I can almost always find at least one store that is running a special offer for that type of item, as well. It is one of the easiest ways I have yet to find to save money, and it all happens at RetailMeNot, the largest digital coupon website in the United States.

photo credit: Krissy.Venosdale via photopin cc

Right now at RetaillMeNot you can score coupons for everything from school uniforms, to backpacks, to books, and even for desktops and laptops.All of the coupons found on RetailMeNot are totally free. There’s nothing to buy and LOTS to save!

In particular, think about all that you can save on supplies for the classroom. For the 2013-2014 school year, schools in 35 states are operating with budgets that haven’t been this low since 2008. Budget cuts are very real and teachers are having to dig even deeper into their own pockets to help pay for supplies for their students. Be part of the solution this year by donating some supplies you can score through RetailMeNot for an amazing price!

Win a Classroom Shopping Spree!

RetailMeNot is also hosting a really fantastic contest where you can win a classroom shopping spree! Entering is really simple. All you need to do is create a video (nothing fancy necessary!) nominating your favorite teacher who could really use some extra school supplies. The teacher who wins will get a 3 minutes Costco shopping spree, all thanks to RetailMeNot! From computers, to crayons to snacks for the kids, there’s no limit to the great things that could be snagged at that store! Check out the official rules and details here, and get your nomination in by Saturday, August 10, 2013. One lucky teacher is going to win…why shouldn’t it be the one you know deserves it?

Find Even More Deals!

Back-to-school savings at RetailMeNot barely even scratch the surface of all you can find there. You can find sales (one of my favorite things to browse!), as well as deals at local ! You can even stay informed about the best deals while you are out and about. Just download the, and you can make sure you are always getting the best deal at the mall or other stores you might frequent. This was something I actually didn’t know about, but you better believe I just downloaded it, myself!

Are you ready for back-to-school shopping? Can you believe it is already time??? What’s on your list this year? Are you already a RetailMeNot fan, like me?

Thanks to RetailMeNot for sponsoring this content. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own, as always.

Make Something “AstroBright” and Give a Brighter Year to Your Child’s School!

July 21, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Astrobrights Papers by Neenah Paper for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Something's in the air…can you feel it? Something exciting, something fresh and new.

It's BACK-T0-SCHOOL, and the season is just around the corner!

AstroBrights papers want to be part of your back-to-school shopping this year, and once you see the 23 bold and beautiful colors that make Astrobrights unique, it will move to the top of your shopping list! This company provides hues that really stand out from the crowd and that will help unleash your child's creativity.

Not only are AstroBrights papers the right choice for the school year, but they also are the perfect choice for your work projects. If you've got a great new idea or brochure, why not give it the opportunity to truly shine? Put it on AstroBrights paper!

Another thing I really like about AstroBrights is that they offer support to educational instutitions. In fact, right now they are hosting a giveaway called the Give a Brighter Year sweepstakes, and one lucky winner will get a cash prize and school supplies valued at $30,000 for the school of his/her choice. Just imagine how your child's school could benefit from this great prize! You can enter over at the AstroBrights Facebook page.

But the fun doesn't stop there for AstroBrights. They also are hosting a "Make Something AstroBright" design challenge. You can upload your awesome crafts on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest using the hashtag #goastrobrights and then you'll be eligible for lots of great prizes! How awesome is it that you can win a prize by doing something fun with your kids and with AstroBrights paper? Love it!

As you are shopping for your back to school supplies, you might want to pick up more than one package of AstroBrights, as you and your children might work your way through an entire pack before the first day of school arrives!

My First School Supply List as a Parent

August 16, 2011 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

Well, it came a little bit sooner than I expected, but I received my first school supply list last week. Fortunately, it was not overwhelming. Here’s what I have to bring with Darah on her first day of “school” (a parent’s day out program):

Cotton balls (200 count)
paper bags (50 count)
glue sticks (6 count)
crayola crayons (chubby 8 count)
pipe cleaners

That’s really not so bad! I actually picked it all up at Walgreens and made good use of some register rewards I had there to cover most of the cost. The only thing I’m missing is pipe cleaners. I’m guessing a trip to Wal-Mart is in my future to get those (unless they are sold at The Dollar Tree? Does anyone know?).

I don’t feel sad or scared about Darah going “back to school” this year, but that’s because she’ll be going to the same place she went to last year, with many of the same children. The teachers will be new, which does make me a little bit nervous, but I am confident that wonderful people will be hired. Darah will also only be away from home for 10 hours each week, which is an amount that I find very helpful as a work-at-home mom. Ask me about next year, though, and I’ll probably start crying…

I always think of late August as the new year. Perhaps it is because that’s when my birthday falls, so it literally is a new year for me, but mostly its because of heading back to school. For 20 years of my life I did start a new year at this time. And then I worked in higher education, so I continued to be immersed in a work environment that had a August-May heartbeat (not that we weren’t busy during the summer, but the vibe was decidedly different).

Even though it isn’t back to school time for me, personally, I actually do have a supply list that I need for the upcoming fall. It is time for me to have some new business cards for the blog! Since I had a blog makeover, my cards need a similar facelift. And with school headed back into session, this is the perfect opportunity for me to connect with other moms who might be interested in Stuff Parents Need. I need to be able to hand them something to take back to their computers or else they will likely forget the name of my site (I know I’ve done that before after hearing about something cool I wanted to check out online). As a bonus, they will also have a way to contact me if they ever want to schedule a play date!

Even if you don’t have your own blog or business, having a personal calling card on hand is a great idea, as it makes exchanging personal information with another parent quick and easy. Tiny Prints has some great templates that you should check out, and they also have an entire section of goodies that are perfect for back-t0-school. One of my personal favorites are their genius allergy cards that you can send along with your child so that teachers can have the information they need on hand about what your child can and cannot eat, and what to do if a reaction occurs. Definitely check out their selection for everything from labels to classroom wall art!

Disclosure: TinyPrints is providing a gift card as a thank you for my post. All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.