Stuff Parents Need - Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

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.

Rite Aid Renewal Avanced Cleaning System: Better Than Clarisonic?

July 13, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 10 Comments

Friends, I am SUPER excited to introduce you to a fellow blogger named Jean, who runs The Real Mom Review. She is, without a doubt, the beauty blogger I look to first for thorough and VERY honest reviews on beauty and skincare products. Jean knows what she is talking about and she also isn’t afraid to try products all along the spectrum in terms of price. She has helped me find some great beauty buys and also avoid some real duds. I hope you enjoy her review today and do yourself a favor…go subscribe to her blog!

I looked with half-interest, half-disbelief at the Clarisonic Skin Care System in the ad.

Didn’t my mom have something similar 20+ years ago, that she pretty much never used and eventually gave to me (and I eventually chunked)? Did she pay some crazy amount like that for the thing we both ended up discarding? I sure hope not!

Seeing this device and the reviews about it made me wonder if my skin, all these years later, might actually need such a thing again. Only, my budget doesn’t allow for such a luxury. So, I filed it away in my brain under “oh well”, and went on with life…until I was in Rite Aid looking for a face cream that was on sale. It was then that I spotted Rite Aid’s “Renewal Advanced Cleansing System”.

[Read more…]

Shark Sonic Duo: How My Floors Got Cleaner Than Ever Before

July 12, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 9 Comments

Shark Sonic Duo Review

In our home we have two vacuum cleaners. One performs better on our hardwood floors, and the other feels like a dream on the carpet. We also have a mop that we love. And for days when we are feeling old-school, we also have a broom. Having 4 different products to keep the floors clean is NOT in line with the ideal we are striving for in our home: simplicity. Tim, in particular, gives the stink eye to any product in our house that can’t do more than one thing or that isn’t a complete work horse. So I’m going to be honest with you, when I told him that I was offered the opportunity to test out the Shark Sonic Duo, he was less than thrilled. It would become the 5th contraption on hand just for cleaning floors. He thought that just didn’t make sense.

I was a bit more optimistic than he, though. I had watched the videos about how the Shark Sonic Duo cleans BOTH hardwood and carpeted floors, and I believed that it could really meet a need in our home. So I pressed forward and decided to review the item, and friends, I’m so glad I did! And what is even more satisfying is the fact that Tim is now completely in love with it. This gives me endless opportunities to dance around him singing, “I told you so!”

8 Reasons Why I Love the Shark Sonic Duo

1. It is petite and lightweight. The Shark Sonic Duo does NOT take up a lot of space which makes Tim feel much better about adding it to our collection.

2. It replaces our mop. Not everyone who owns a Shark Sonic Duo might agree with me on this one, but I fully believe that it replaces the need for a mop in the home.

3. It cleans SO much better than a mop. We used to have to get on our hands and needs and scrape food off the bottom of the floor before, and often after, a thorough mopping. Our mop was good, but even it couldn’t handle some of the messes made by our little ones. No need for this extra work thanks to the Shark Sonic Duo!

4. My house smells better. True story: after we used the Shark Sonic Duo to clean our carpet upstairs, we noticed that the house smelled cleaner. Not just immediately afterwards, but even the next day. I think removing all that built up dirt really made a noticeable difference.

5. The cleaning pads are reusable. This is eco-friendly and cost-effective. That’s how we roll, so I was extra pleased with this feature.

6. I can prove that the Shark Sonic Duo loosens up more dirt in the carpet than vacuuming. We conducted an experiment. We did a thorough vacuuming of our small upstairs hallway and our small bedroom. And we got up an embarrassing amount of dirt and hair, pretty much like always (I shed like a cat, plus we actually have a cat, plus we are a family of four…lots of dirt and hair!). Then we used the Shark Sonic Duo to clean the carpets. After letting them dry for most of the day, we emptied out the canister in our vacuum and then went back over the same area with the vacuum just to see if any extra dirt or hair came up. Tim was highly skeptical and wasn’t expecting to see much of anything. The photo below is of what came up, though. GROSS!!!! The Shark Sonic Duo claims to remove up to 4 times the amount of stuck on dirt as vacuuming alone, and I have first-hand proof that they are right.

7. Easy to maneuver. You would think that a product that is scrubbing the floor at a rate of 1,000 times per minute might be a beast to move around. But no! It easily glides over surfaces when it is turned on. It also have 180-degree swivel steering, and this is SO nice for reaching all the nooks and crannies in your rooms (like around the edge of the cabinets, under the table, and by other pieces of furniture).

8. Cleaning formulas are safe. I really appreciate that the cleaning formulas used for all surfaces are biodegradable and safe for children and pets. This is really important for me, as it isn’t practical to have my kids completely avoid any room in the house while the product dries. I don’t worry about that because I know the product is safe.

The Shark Sonic Duo retails for $249. That’s not cheap in my book. But it is providing much cleaner floors in my home, which I believe is going to help with some of our allergy problems. We are also going to offer it up to our neighbors to use on occasion to maximize the impact this little machine can have. I love the idea of sharing resources like this with other people you can trust! Mostly, though, I’m just really excited about having noticeably cleaner floors. It just feels good!

Are you having trouble getting your floors to feel really and truly clean? What do you think about the Shark Sonic Duo? Ever seen it in person?

Thanks to the great folks at Shark for supplying the Shark Sonic Duo for review. All opinions provided are strictly my own.

HALO Safer Way to Sleep Initiative (Giveaway!)

July 11, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 54 Comments

HALO is a company I have worked with several times. I believe in their products and I believe in their mission. HALO are the makers of SleepSacks, which range from infant swaddlers all the way up their new SleepSack Big Kids line.

Several of you inquired about the Big Kids design when I had my last review of the SleepSack Early Walker. HALO sent me the Big Kids design so I could show it to you. We are enjoying using it for Darah because she tends to run a little bit hot (just like her mama) and this time of year, that means her comforter is just too warm for her. The SleepSack Big Kids helps keep her body safely covered without overheating it. We love it!

The focus of my post today, though, is on the HALO Safer Way to Sleep Initiative. This initiative has helped 1,000 hospital nurseries make the switch to HALO SleepSack Swaddles instead of blankets. Babies and new parents are introduced to safe sleep practices from day 1! HALO believes that by modeling proper baby care in the hospital, and by providing free Slafe Sleep Practices kits, they are furthering the cause of SIDS prevention, which is the mission of the company.

My family has been using HALO SleepSacks from the very beginning with Layah. We didn’t realize the concern with hip displyasia with a tighter swaddle, so once we did, we fully made the switch over to HALO, which have been deemed “hip healthy” by the Hip Displaysia Institute.

Additionally, I really appreciate how their products have grown with my child. HALO has gone above and beyond by making products for safe sleep that go beyond the first 6 months of life, when the risk for SIDS is the highest. And I get major warm fuzzies when I read about the Safer Way to Sleep Initiative. HALO is very focused on making a difference in the lives of babies and their families, and in reducing cases of SIDS through safe sleep education.

HALO is a fantastic company, and I’m proud to use their products, as well as to recommend them to others!

Win it!: In celebration of the Safer Way to Sleep Initiative, HALO would like to offer a lucky reader a HALO SleepSack Swaddle!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

This post contains affiliate links. I only promote what I already use and love!

MasterCard Fuel Rewards Help Us Sponsor a Child #FuelFamilyFun #MC

July 10, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

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Are you a MasterCard card holder? I have been since 2002. I’ve always been very pleased with the customer service, as well as with the perks that have been offered through the cards I have owned. Just last week I learned about a brand new reward opportunity for MasterCard holders, and I am LOVING it! It is called the and it is FREE, FUN, and FANTASTIC (at least in my opinion!).

Let me tell you more about the Fuel Rewards Network. All you need to do is (again, 100% free) and then link up your MasterCard, as well as your eligible grocery store rewards account, and then get ready for the fuel savings to start racking up like crazy.

I signed up just 5 days ago and I am already showing 25 cents/gallon savings at the pump! That’s a $3.25 savings for me the next time I fill up for approximately 2 minutes of work that I did to get registered. And those savings will just keep on rolling in, every time I shop at my local grocery store (Bi-Lo) and use my MasterCard to pay for my purchases. There are also great opportunities to earn fuel rewards by shopping at certain local dining establishment, shopping online (very tempted by some of these offers, for sure!) and even downloading certain eCoupons for groceries. Basically, the Fuel Rewards Network is offering me big savings at the gas pump for purchasing all the stuff that I purchase anyway.

And now for the really exciting part: I want to tell you WHY we are saving.

And it has to do with increasing our family size…..

NOPE, I am not pregnant. Not even a little bit! 🙂 But we did just sign commit to this:

We are sponsoring a child through Compassion, International. We are committed to helping a little one, roughly the same age as our oldest child, to be lifted out of poverty over the next 15 years. It will cost us $38/month. This is not a negligible amount of money to my family, as we live on (mostly) one income. But it is doable. And part of how it is doable is by paying closer attention to the great reward opportunities out there like the Fuel Rewards Network that can help us save money just by purchasing the items we were going to purchase anyway. We can watch our savings add up online and then feel great knowing that what we saved can make a world of difference in the life of a child overseas.

Would you like to save some money at the gas pump just by using your MasterCard? Heck yes you would! and start saving. And consider taking those savings you accrue and paying them forward somehow. Maybe you could sponsor a child? Or even just make a one time donation to a cause that matters to you. It feels fantastic to save money, but it feels even better to give it away to those who really need it. 🙂

Don’t forget to follow MasterCard on Twitter and Facebook for even more tips and tricks to help you make the most of your MasterCard experience!

My Favorite Magazine Helps Me Save $$ Every Month!

July 10, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 2 Comments

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and All You, but all my opinions are my own. #lifeforless #pmedia http://cmp.ly/3/8vNxcO

Aren’t magazines like a mini-vacation, wrapped up in glossy paper and just waiting for you at the end of yet another LONG day (be it at the office, with the kids, or any combination therein). Sometimes my magazines have to wait a few weeks for me to get around to them. That’s just how life goes when you are juggling so many things: personal time takes a back seat.

But there is one exception: when the new issue of All You Magazine comes out, I am ALL OVER THAT BAD BOY! I read it the day I get it. Every time. Without exception. It is my very favorite magazine of all time, and if you have never experienced the joy of reading an issue, let me suggest that you give it a try. It used to be exclusively sold at Walmart, but now the floodgates are open and you can find them at many different locations! I found mine at my local grocery store, Bi-Lo.

Why I Love All You Magazine

It’s simple, really. I love All You Magazine because it saves me money every single month. And I’m not talking about $1. I’m not even talking about the price of the magazine, itself. I would estimate that it saves me anywhere from $10-$200 every month. I’m totally serious! It has the BEST tips and tricks for stretching the money you do have. It also gives you ideas for generating more income or finding other creative ways to meet the needs of your family without breaking the bank (clothing swap, anyone?). Here are just a few examples of how All You saved the day for me this month.

1. Free Food? There’s An App for That!

In the July issue of All You, there’s a fantastic article all about apps that can help you save money with ease. I downloaded the app Kids Meal Deals after it was suggested in the article, and then went about my business. Last week we had a cookout planned for one of our evening meals. It’s July…the perfect time of year to do that! Only this is what the sky looked like at 4:30 when we were ready to get the grilled fired up:

So I got on my new app, thanks to the recommendation from All You, and went for plan B, which is to go out to eat. Dining out is expensive, so this app showed me which restaurants in our area were offering special deals on kids meals. Two free/cheap kids meals = a much more affordable dining out experience!

It turns out that Captain D’s was offering a special (the app said free, but kids meals were actually 99 cents…still ok by me!). We loaded up the crew and headed down the street to have a visit with the Captain. Incidentally, my very first job was at Captain D’s. I lasted 4 months. I’m claiming it as a success, and if you’ve ever worked in fast food, I think you’l agree. 😉

We spent $10.35 for all 4 of us to eat. We only purchased one “adult” meal, and got two 99 cent kid meals to go along with it. Our kids are young enough that they won’t finish their meals, so we took full advantage of that and just polished off what they couldn’t eat. Don’t judge!

2. Coupons for Useful New Products!

So last week my beautiful glass olive oil dispenser broke. It was my fault. I knocked off the counter in a less-than-graceful move while cleaning up. It shattered into approximately 4,000 pieces. In other news, our floors are super shiny due to having a very expensive oil treatment! So I needed a new oil dispenser, but just didn’t want to have to spend time and money procuring a new one. Lazy? Maybe, but it is just the truth. I wasn’t in the olive oil container shopping mood, what can I say? And then I saw a coupon in All You for some olive oil. It was a brand I had never tried. I picked it up because saving $1 on something we need is good.

But now let me show you why I really bought it:

You guys, I can put off my olive oil dispenser shopping indefinitely, because All You just introduced me to a product that eliminates the need for one!!! Maybe I’m more excited about this than I should be, but this is one product that just blew my mind this month. I would have never noticed it without All You.

Do you real All You? If not, there’s no time like the present to start reading and start saving!

What I Just Purchased from DaySpring (Entire Site Extra 25% Off Now!)

July 9, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · Leave a Comment

(I’m an affiliate, as well as a customer of DaySpring).

So about 45 minutes ago I got an email from DaySpring, letting me know that their entire store was an extra 25% off. Just because they felt like it.

About 44 minutes ago, I started browsing the DaySpring website. I saw many things I wanted, but I exercised a bit of restraint and picked up the following items, all at impressive prices, I have to say!

1. His Eye is on the Sparrow birdhouse. Regularly $19.99. With the discount just $7.48!

2. The Goodness of the Lord Planter. I can totally see this on the back porch at my in-laws’ house! Regularly $24.99, and I snagged it for $7.48!

3. Crown Fashion Bobby Pin Set. These were 60% off, from $9.99 down to $3.99 (and then take an additional 25% off!). I picked up 3 sets and will hang on to them for Christmas gifts. I have 7 nieces…won’t be a problem to distribute them!

I barely scratched the surface of the good stuff DaySpring has available right now. Definitely take a minute today and go see if you can find some goodies for yourself, or for your gift closet! 🙂 Don’t forget to use code Summer25 at checkout for 25% off. And if you do buy something, come back here and tell me what you get. I want to oogle over it! 🙂

Edited to add: So I can’t stop thinking about this one. This was the purchase that got away from me. I didn’t buy it, and I regret it! So pretty!

Everything Beautiful Wall Mirror. Just $15 once the discount is applied. What a steal!

Tim’s Favorite Snack of All Time

July 9, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 179 Comments

A few years ago I introduced you to a very novel concept in the snacking industry: the marriage of popcorn and chips into a super snack known as PopCorners. The brand recently sent us some of their newest flavors to try, and I loved them so much that I wanted to tell you all about them.

Having a hard time picturing the concept? Let me give you an up-close and personal look at the deliciousness:

And one more for you:

Looks pretty tasty, right? It really is. PopCorners are all natural, gluten-free and non-GMO. Currently they come in Sweet Cinnamon, which I cannot wait to try, as well as the two flavors we’ve been munching on lately, Twisted Salt and Memphis BBQ.

We’ve been taking these travel-sized bags with us in the car and on various day trips, such as to the aquarium or to play dates. They are a snack that all 4 of us love to eat. I highly recommend them if you are on the hunt for a new snack that isn’t greasy like traditional chips or microwave popcorn. Check out the Popcorners website for a list of places where you can buy this product. Don’t forget, you can also buy it on Amazon!

Win it!: And lucky you! PopCorners would like to offer one lucky Stuff Parents Need reader a case of Popcorners!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

This post contains an affiliate link. I only recommend what I already buy and love.

Two Wardrobe Necessities for Dress-Loving Girls

July 9, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 4 Comments

Darah is ALL ABOUT dresses. She has a closet overflowing with them. She wants to wear them every single day. It is her jam, people.

But sometimes the dress might be right in Darah’s opinion, but the overall look is all wrong in mine. We encounter two primary problems with Darah’s dress ~~addiction~~ affinity.

1. She outgrows her dresses before she is ready. We have several frocks hanging up right now that are size 3 even though she has graduated to size 4. Since she can still squeeze into them, she sees no problem. But they are much too short!

2. She is a kid. And as such, she loves to PLAY. That means running around, rolling around, crawling around, jumping around, and while doing all of these things in a dress, modesty goes right out the window. I want Darah to feel comfortable and not at all inhibited by what she chooses to wear. But that means that we need a new undergarment strategy.

So here are my two wardrobe must-haves for the dress loving girl, courtesy of City Threads!

1. Leggings. Leggings can take your dress from summer to winter. And they are the PERFECT choice for that dress that is too short, such at the one Darah wanted to wear to school this morning. They are also a saving grace when it starts to get too cool outside for bare legs.

2. Boy short undies. These are REALLY hard to find, but such a necessity! City Threads has some at Diapers.com. You can get a pack of two for $17, and while that might seem a little pricey, I promise you that they are worth every penny. These are the undies we reach for the second they come out of the dryer. I only have 1 pair, but I’d recommend getting at least 2, if not 4!

Does your little one love dresses? Do you run into some of the same problems that we do (too short? too revealing? too cold in the winter?)?