Tonight, 10/10/11,  is the premiere of the movie “Five”, an original Lifetime Movie directed by Jennifer Aniston, Demi Moore, Alicia Keys, Penelope Spheeris, and Patty Jenkins.  "Five" is a powerful collection of five short films exploring the impact of breast cancer on people’s lives.

I definitely recommend you watch it tonight (with a box of Kleenex!). It touches such an important topic and made an impact on me, especially as a mom of a daughter. You can read my review HERE, and let me know if you plan to watch.

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

If you saw me on Arizona Midday today, Welcome!

Make sure you subscribe to my FREE Email Updates or to my Facebook page to make sure you don’t miss any good deals, FREEBIES, or tips to help you save. You can also follow updates Twitter.

I talked about the Top 5 FREE Money Saving Apps for Your Smartphone. And in case you missed it, or need a recap, here they are:

1. Groupon – Find daily deals around town. Everything from Restaurant and spa deals to even vacation packages.  You’ll find all kinds of products, events or services. Great to use for holiday gift shopping.

2. Mint.com – Free budgeting tool. Track spending and saving while on the go. Manage all your online banking accounts all from your phone. Allows you to set a budget, track goals, and stay on track.

3. GasBuddy – Find the cheapest gas wherever you are. Locate gas stations near your location and compare prices before you go. Location stations throughout the US and Canada.

4. Skype – Already popular to talk on the computer via the internet, now there is an iPhone application. Calls between Skype users are free, and calls to landlines and cellphone are just pennies. This is especially good for those with international friends or family.

5. Saving Cents with Sense (iPhone App or Android App) – Find hot deals on everything from the grocery store to online deals, to ways to save around town. The coupon match-ups will help you find the best savings at the grocery stores around town – and with holiday shopping coming up, I’m always on the lookout for the best bargain.

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

I mentioned yesterday about all the coupons available in the new All You October 2011 edition, but I also wanted to point out that this magazine has more than just coupons.

All You magazine has money saving articles and tips, like this Back to School tip from me!

The October Issue also has some fun Halloween Decorating Ideas that you may want to check out, too! I am still in denial that October is almost here – the holidays are upon us! :)

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

Welcome Arizona Midday viewers! Make sure you subscribe to my FREE Email Updates or to my Facebook page to make sure you don’t miss any good deals, FREEBIES, or tips to help you save. You can also follow updates Twitter.

I enjoyed chatting today about Making Your Own Non-Toxic Cleaners and Bug Spray. As you saw, it is really easy to help you save money, be eco-friendly, and keep toxic chemicals away from your home. In case you missed it, here are some tips:

Make Your Own Foaming Hand Soap

Make Your Own Non-Toxic Bug Spray for Your Home

Vinegar is an effective household cleaner because it kills most mold, bacteria, and germs. White Distilled Vinegar is the best to clean with, here are some examples:

• Spray full strength vinegar around the kitchen and/or bathroom to remove germs. Just rinse with water.
• Pour vinegar into the toilet and let it sit for 30 minutes. Sprinkle baking soda on the toilet brush and remove stained areas.
• Remove stickers on furniture or other surfaces with vinegar.
• Clean windows with half vinegar and half water.
• Make clothes in the laundry “brighter” by adding a 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Baking Soda is also a great household cleaner because it deodorizes and cleans:

• Sprinkle it on the carpet to neutralize odors before vacuuming.
• Keep an open box in the refrigerator to keep it smelling fresh (replace every 3 months)
• Create a scouring paste with baking soda and vinegar to clean your kitchen sink and counters.

Have questions or a comment- let me know, I’d love to hear from you!

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

If you saw me on Arizona Midday today, make sure you subscribe to my FREE Email Updates or to my RSS feed to make sure you don’t miss any good deals, FREEBIES, or tips to help you save.

You can also follow updates on Facebook and Twitter.

I enjoyed chatting today about resources to help make moms’ lives easier. In case you missed it, or didn’t get a chance to jot them down, here are 5 HOT resources for you:

1) Baby Center.com: A site perfect for moms to be or new moms. You can receive FREE email newsletters each week tracking your baby’s development, read articles on healthy, safety, and other new mom concerns.

2) Allrecipes.com: I love to find recipes here because you can search by ingredient, or type of meal, plus there are plenty of “how-to” articles. I don’t always follow the recipes perfectly, but it is a great place to find inspiration.

3) 5Dollardinners.com: Another great resource for finding recipes, but the added plus = recipes only cost you $5 for the meal. Erin shares more than recipes, too, she has tips to save on shopping and meal planning. For those of us looking to save, this is definitely a site to bookmark.

4) Momslikeme.com: Want to find out what is going on around town? or set up a playdate? This is the place to connect with other Phoenix moms (there are also chapters for other cities). Here is a highlight, check out a list of 2010 Summer Education Camps.

5) Shop4Freebies.com: Who doesn’t love FREEBIES? This site has new FREEBIES listed each day ranging from food to healthcare and even dog treats.

And of course, you can always check out the latest FREEBIES that I’ve posted, too. I find all kinds of good stuff, each day, so make sure you come back.

Looking for more recipe ideas? You may also want to check out my new series on Saving Money with Garden Recipes, too.

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

If you saw me on Arizona Midday (KPNX Channel 12)  today- welcome, I’m glad to have you here.  It can be expensive to eat out, especially for a family, and that is why finding Restaurant Deals is a big plus!

Here are a few deals that I highlighted, along with some more money saving finds:

::Restaurant.com: Buy discounted gift certificates for restaurants around town (over 15,000 nation wide!). Right now, you can save 70% with code FEAST and pay $3- but hurry this deal ends today, 4/22.

::KidsMealDeals.com: Find FREE kids meals when you search by zip, day, or type of food. Plus, there is a FREE iPhone or Blackberry app that you can download so you can find a deal even on the go.

::Facebook: Check to see if your favorite restaurant has a fan page- many times restaurants with offer coupons for FREE or discounted items. Some current finds:

• Einstein’s FREE Bagel Fridays (through 5/22)
• Corner Bakery Cafe FREE Coffee (April)
• Joe’s Real BBQ Customer Appreciation Day with a FREE meal 5/5

::Restaurant Websites: Many restaurants offer coupons directly on the site or offer a specific coupon when you sign up for their newsletter. (Ex. Chevy’s offers a free appetizer when you sign up, TGIFridays offers a free dessert or appetizer) The other nice part about signing up for these newsletters is that they will occasionally send more coupons for discounted or free meals.

Tips for using Restaurant Coupons:

• Read the fine print on the coupon and purchase the minimum requirement to get the best value. For example, if you have a Buy 1, get 1 free coupon, make sure that the 2 meals you order are equal in price.
• Check to see if there are any restrictions (dates, minimum order, etc)
• Call ahead to make sure the restaurant will take the coupon.

I’m always finding new Restaurant Deals, so to stay up to date with all the great deals (and FREEBIES) subscribe to my FREE Email Updates or to my RSS feed. You can also follow me on Twitter and “like” my Facebook page, where I post even more deals!

Have questions or a comment- let me know, I’d love to hear from you!

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

When I was asked to write an article for the Women & Education issue of Stiletto Women, I was extremely excited since I have such a passion for higher education. Nothing is more life changing, eye opening, or fruitful than pursuing education. That is why this edition of Stiletto Women magazine is so amazing- it is full of inspiring articles from women that have conquered challenges, persevered, and accomplished their goals.

Stiletto Woman is dedicated is written for women and by women. Their mission is: “to empower women to dream big and believe in the impossible! Stiletto Woman is for the woman who wants to be in sync with her career, her business, her family, her money, the way she looks, and the way she feels!”

Some of the articles in this Education issue include:

The Long Way to my MBA
Life Balance Through Sleep Deprivation
Women & Education
Going Back to School is Within Reach (my article)

The best part is that this magazine is FREE to read online, just go HERE to read the current issue, and check out my article. I’d love to hear your thoughts, too!

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

Looking for FREEBIES? If you saw me today on Arizona Midday (Channel 12), you know that I have found plenty of products, events, and even meal deals for FREE.

Some FREEBIES that you may be interested in:

FREE Dunkin Donuts coffee on Mondays in March

Lakeshore Learning Center: FREE craft projects for kids

Michael’s FREE Craft Events

Lowe’s FREE Kids Events

Home Depot FREE Kids Events

KidsMealsDeals.com

If you are new to requesting FREEBIES, you’ll want to check out FREEBIES 101. And don’t forget to come back tomorrow for FREEBIE Friday, a BIG list of the best FREEBIES available this week!

There is always something new here at Saving Cents with Sense, and many deals go fast, so I recommend that you subscribe to my FREE Email Updates or to my RSS feed. You can also follow me on Twitter and become a fan on the Facebook page.

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

Welcome Arizona Midday Viewers! My name is Melissa and I am the blogger behind Saving Cents with Sense. I’m excited you are here and hope you enjoy the savings you’ll find. If you saw my segment today, then you know I am passionate about helping people save money, as well as find the best deals and products. You’ll find great resources here to help you save including:

• Grocery Store Deals with coupon match-ups 
• Drug Store Deals with coupon match-ups 
• The Latest FREEBIES
• Restaurant Deals, including FREEBIES and coupons
• Money Saving Articles
• and more!

If you are new to using coupons, I also have great resources to help you get started. You’ll want to start with Couponing 101 , Coupon Lingo , and Coupon Organization and then check out all the printable coupons available right now to help you start saving!

There is always something new here at Saving Cents with Sense, and many deals go fast, so I recommend that you subscribe to my FREE Email Updates or to my RSS feed. You can also follow me on Twitter and become a fan on the Facebook page.

I look forward to hearing from you, as well as all my readers, so please let me know if you have any questions!

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

Back to School shopping can be overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be! With some smart planning, you can get everything that your child needs and find some great deals along the way!

I enjoyed writing this month’s article on 10 Money Saving Tips for Back to School for Perfectify magazine since not only do I love finding a great deal, but I love helping YOU find a great deal!

To read my 10 Money Saving Tips for Back to School, go to Perfectify.com and look on page 49. Although this is an Arizona based magazine, you’ll find that most of the tips apply to any location.

If you are in the Phoenix area, you can pick up a hard copy of the magazine (after 8/10) at any valley CVS or one of the other 500 locations it is available! There are also many other local deals available in the magazine. The best part is that this magazine is FREE, so you don’t want to miss it.

Find the Best Deals:

Each week, many stores have amazing deals for Back-to-School and to make your shopping experience easier you can check out my Back to School Deals page (link available on top of my header) for 8 popular stores and their best weekly deals!

Do you have more Back to School Tips? Please share!

To find out what works for other people, visit Works for Me Wednesday.

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

If you are a blogger and on twitter, you don’t want to miss #journchat on August 17th, 4:30-7pm PST, for the first LIVE event here in Phoenix, as well as other cities around the country. If you aren’t in one of the  live locations, you can still be a part of this event by join in the conversation with #journchat.

What is #journchat?

Their mission:

has always been to improve the relationships between public relations professionals, journalists and bloggers. Together we’ve created a safe environment to explore each industry and ultimately how social media is influencing all of us.

Zooloo.com will be hosting the Phoenix event and has put together a wonderful panel. The Phoenix panel includes:

• Joe Cockrell, ISBITN (@joeprguy)
• Chad Graham, Arizona Republic (@AZJobTawk)
• Alison Bailin, HMA PR (@abailin)
• Melissa Hurst, Blogger for Saving Cents with Sense (@savingsense)
• Adam Kress, Phoenix Business Journal (@KressOnBusiness)

Yes, that’s right, I’m on the panel and would love to hear from you, my readers! And if you are in Phoenix, you can still get tickets to the event!

Tickets for Phoenix Event

There are only 60 tickets available, but they are FREE! If you are interested in getting a ticket, sign up Here.

There will be one moderator (@aaronmbaer) asking questions led by Sarah Evans (@prsarahevans), the founder of #journchat. Sarah will lead the main discussions and the panel will participate as a group. There should be some great conversation between panelists, attendees, and other tweeting participants around the world. (They will also share video and photos from the Live event on Twitter!)

If you aren’t on twitter yet, so ahead and sign up (f0r FREE) and come find me @savingsense! I look forward to tweeting with you!

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved. 

I have exciting news! I have been published in Perfectify magazine. This Arizona based magazine is available in over 500 valley retailers and online, so you can always find the article you are looking for. One of the best parts? Besides being a great resource for beauty tips, the latest fashion, and some great discounts, the magazine is FREE!

And since it is available at all valley CVS stores (as well as many other locations) you can pick it up the next time you stop in for the weekly deals.

So, what does Perfectify mean?
From the website:

1. to conform absolutely to the description or definition of an ideal type.
2. to vary, adjust, shape, modify accurately, or exactly in every detail.
3. to bring to perfection; make flawless or without blemish.
4. to bring nearer to perfection; improve.
5. to bring to completion; finish.
6. to be or become PERFECT FOR YOU!

The magazine discusses issues relating to beauty, diet, health, fitness, parenting, and now, money saving tips!

To check out all the articles, including “Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half”(pg 29), check out Perfectify online.

________________________________________________

©2009-11 Saving Cents with Sense™, a website of Saving Sense Media LLC. All rights reserved.