My Carpool Memories

One of my favorite experiences was my carpool in eighth grade. It was such a fun group of kids. We were really close because we went to and from school together every day. If I didn't find the carpool I would have spent a lot of time before and after school waiting for my mom. So it was really a blessing. It was also so much fun getting to know them. Some of us hung out other than being just in the car. My friend Jamie was my favorite person in my carpool. We still talk on Facebook now. She lives in another state but I hope we can get together soon. It's been such a long time. I remember when her mom would drive, we would go to Taco Bell a lot after school. Her mom had the coolest van and there was even a TV and VCR in it. This was before everyone had TV's in their cars. The other kids in my carpool were cousins. I was kinda close with the other girl, she was kind of trouble. I used to go to movies with Jamie all the time. I remember when we saw a movie at the mall downtown. I don't know if she and I would be as close as we were if it weren't for carpooling. Her birthday that year was so much fun. We were playing Girl Talk and we had to ask her neighbor for ice. I don't think we got the ice or not. I think we all took the zit sticker.

I highly recommend carpooling to work or school. Your kids can make lifelong bonds and make some great friends. It's also a blessing to help someone who maybe works earlier or later than school hours.

For more information about many benefits of carpooling see my guest post.

Tips to Save on Cyber Monday and an Amazon.com Giftcard Giveaway

It’s almost time for the best sales of the year. I don’t participate in Black Friday. I think it is ridiculous, the crowds and the insanity just to save money. I went once and never again. It was not fun to me at all.  I worked at Bath and Bodyworks one year on Black Friday, and I wanted to walk out. I do however like Cyber Monday, because I can save money and shop online in my pajamas. I don’t have to wait in lines or deal with massive amounts of people. I remember the one Black Friday I went shopping the line was at the back of the store. Since I love to save money when I shop online, I thought I would share some ways to save money during Cyber Monday Sales.  That way you can really stretch your bucks and get more.

Shop around. If you want something particular, check out a few different sites. See where you can get the best deals.

Use coupon codes. I always use them when I can when I shop, but there are usually extra special coupon codes for Cyber Monday. I really like Coupons.com Coupon codes because they have a great variety and I don’t have to spend time looking at different sites.

Don’t get sucked in to minimum free shipping deals. If you aren’t planning on buying $50 worth of stuff, don’t buy $50 worth of stuff to save $5 dollars. Spend the amount you are planning and pay shipping if you have to spend a lot more than you planned on.  While you are saving but you have to spend more than you want to save a little.

Avoid impulse buys. Don’t buy something because it is on sale, if you don’t need it or if it’s not on your loved one’s list.  Trust me I have done this before.  Some of those things I have never used.

Stick to your lists. I know that it’s always fun to give some surprises. I used to put on my list to Santa and some surprises, but think if this is something they would really enjoy.

Stick to your budget, don’t go hog wild because it is cheap. All of those cheap purchases add up quickly.  Ever gone to the dollar store and picked out items and next thing you know you owe thirty dollars?  Me too.

You can enter to win a $100 Amazon Gift Card to help you with your holiday shopping.  Please use the Raffle Copter Form below

 

This Giveaway is provided by Coupons.com