If you’ve been reading Thrifty Mommy for a while, you’ll know that in the last year we’ve dealt with a poor housing market, moving, have a mortgage payment and rent, adoption, and now purchasing a home.  It’s been a financially exhausting year and I’m just not ready to lay down $200+ for something we don’t need.  Sure, we’d like to have one, but it’s not a need.  Say it with me, “Need versus want, need versus want.”  There really is a difference.  

This week I was shopping at CVS for some of the free (with Extra Care Bucks) three day sale items.  (They didn’t run out this time in the first few hours.  Yes, I’m shocked too!) After my purchases, the register printed out a coupon for $20 off an Xtreme Fit gaming mat.  I asked the cashier what the item was.  I figured it must be a pretty expensive item for it to be $20 off.  She showed me the item and I was pleased to see that it was only $49.99. 

Here are some features of the gaming mat:

• choose from aerobics, yoga training, muscle workouts, and more
• interactive trainer analyzes your progress
• create your own personalized workouts
• easy plug and play set-up
• over 80 games and exercises
• does not need any additional remote controls or game cartridges

I decided to give it a shot and spend the $30 and I’m so glad I did.  My family has had such a blast playing the gaming mat this week.  There are fishing games, running games, walking, racing, bowling, tetris, long jump, high jump, dance mat game, and so much more. You should see my kids running, jumping, and moving with this game.  Honestly, I have been dreading the winter months because of the kids being cooped up inside.  I was starting to picture them running through the house and making me crazy.  Now we have this gaming mat and I can set it up for them to play games that will help to get their energy out.

Alligator Girl watched her dad play bowling this week.  She must have picked up on his skills because she bowled a perfect game!

Cuddlebug is 4 years old and he has a great time playing too.  (Sorry for the red eye!)

The Xtreme Fit gaming mat is normally $49.99. I’m not sure what triggered the register to print out the $20 coupon, but it might be worth asking a cashier how to get a coupon.  The CVS site also has the mat on sale for $39.99 and it says it’s eligible for free shipping.  If you do decide to order it, please know that you probably won’t receive it until after Christmas.

You may call it a poor man’s Wii, but I call it a practical solution and a great buy for our family.

Have you seen the CVS Xtreme Fit Gaming Mat in the stores?

I was not paid for this product review nor did I receive any free products.  Image 1 from CVS.  Images 2 and 3 (c) Karen Weideman.

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

Although I have been eating tuna since I was a small child, I was excited to try some of the Bumble Bee products.  Bumble Bee has an assortment of inexpensive and nutritious lunch ideas that I want to share with you.

One of my new favorite tunas is the lemon pepper tuna. Bumble Bee now has three flavored tunas – Lemon Pepper, Sundried Tomato, and Spicy Thai Chili.  For less than $1.50, you can get a small can of flavored tuna with crackers.  This is a great inexpensive and healthy lunch idea. Bumble Bee offers the new flavored tunas in larger cans with no crackers.

For those that prefer their chicken and tuna with mayonnaise, Bumble Bee has premade chicken and tuna salad lunch packs. There is also a fat free tuna salad.   

Bumble Bee has a sustainability intiative.  They support global policies and management initiatives that ensure long-term sustainability of these resources. 

By becoming a Bumble Bee facebook fan, you can print a coupon good for $1 off three specialty items such as crab, shrimp, oysters, and sardines.

What inexpensive lunch ideas can you share?

images (c) Karen Weideman

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

I was relieved and excited to find out that Lands’ End has a video explaining the different body types.  In addition to this, they sell swimsuits specific to your body type!  With this information, I suddenly felt more at ease about my swimsuit shopping. 

I clicked on the Lands’ End website, clicked on swimwear, and then clicked on the shape for my body.  Immediately, a selection swimsuits appeared which were designed to be more flattering for my shape.  What was even more surprisingly is that they weren’t all black or solid colors.  There were some nice prints.  I pondered upon this and decided to go for it.  I chose the polka dot floral enhancing v-neck swimshape tank swimsuit. 

I am extremely pleased with this swimsuit.  It is the nicest swimsuit I have ever owned.  The suit has a built-in seamless bra and figure smoothing panels.  I also like that the fabric provides UPF 50 sun protection.  This suit feels great and is definitely well made.

By the way, I have a special surprise for you all this week. (hint, hint!) 

Have you tried any Lands’ End swimsuits?  What is your favorite feature?

image from lands’ end

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Best parts of the sandals:
• They were easy to get on and off, both for me and her.
• My kids have fat feet so they were easily adjustable over the arch of the foot.
• They were easy to walk in for both the kids and didn’t cause my son to trip. I am presuming that a new walker wouldn’t have a hard time learning in these.
• They seem to wear well as my daughter is so hard on shoes right from the start.

The main issue I had with the sandals:
• I have always heard that you should have an ever so slight arch. These shoes don’t have any arch at all.

I know Stride Rite shoes are more expensive than say Payless shoes. But when they run good 50% off sales, they are more than worth it. My kids get hand-me-downs a lot and it seems that Stride Rite shoes are the best for wear and tear so the money is well worth it most of the time. You can also get them on Ebay. But these days the debate is this … Do we support our stores that run good sales to keep others in a job or do we do everything second had? What do you think?

images from stride rite

Post from: Thrifty Mommy

All the current information about plastics, BPA, chemicals, and contaminants is enough to make a parent’s head spin.  Lunchbots helps take away the worry and confusion by offering 100% stainless steel containers.  LunchBots provide an environmentally friendly alternative to disposable containers and they go a step further to eliminate all plastics from its containers.  Finally, there is a stainless steel alternative with a lid.  The LunchBots containers are easy to clean, sturdy, and provide a great storage container for lunches and diaper bags. 

LunchBots are available in two styles, both measuring 6.25″ x 4.5″ x 1.75″.  The LunchBots Uno is perfect for packing sandwiches, sushi, burritos, or snacks. The LunchBots Duo has a handy divider for crackers and cheese, fruits and nuts, and more.  LunchBots also provide a fundraising opportunity for schools, which I certainly would prefer to overpriced candy and gift wrap. 

LunchBots is offering free shipping to our Thrifty Mommy readers (US addresses only).  Simply use the code FREESHIP09. 

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Tic Tac Chill

I got the opportunity to try the new Tic Tac Chill product line.  They gave me the Paradise MInt and the Cherry to try.  The kicker was that they are sugar free.  That usually knocks me out of liking something.  I took them to work and so did my husband.  I think I was the only one who didn’t like the Cherry.  The Paradise Mint was ok though.  I thought the Cherry was overpowering but my co-worker barely tasted the cherry.  So I have to say, we were torn.  But I didn’t have that awful sugar free shock that normally comes with those kind of products.  So I have to say, they aren’t my favorite tic tacs but they aren’t horrible either.  Try some today and tell me what you think.  Do the cherry ones overpower you or do you think they are weak?

Image: tic tac

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I was in the company vehicle and we’ve been switching vehicles a lot lately.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take my new Sony Nav-u with me today.  Thankfully, someone was able to give me some assistance and help me on my way.

The new Sony Nav-u has a ton of awesome features that I’d like to tell you about.  This info is especially helpful for someone that’s been thinking about purchasing a GPS.

Here are the options that I really like:

• Has option of QWERTY keyboard or ABC keyboard.  This was a big deal to me because I prefer to use the QWERTY keypad. 
• In addition to showing the direction you are traveling, it also has an indicator that points toward your final destination.  (You may be currently going east, but your final destination is southeast.)
• Shows trail of other route previously taken to destination 
• Touch screen control
• bright 4.8 inch screen
• easy access of frequently used buttons
• shows icons for major restaurant chains, fast food, and gas stations (Very helpful!!!!)
• recalculates routes quickly

And here are some other things it does that are pretty cool too:

• different voices available – male/female
• built in hands free calling to use with blue tooth equipped cell phones
• spoken street names
• preloaded maps for the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico
• has ability to upgrade maps
• traffic capable – The Nav-u lets you know if there are traffic jams.  It tells the best route to take.

My biggest issue:

• The speed of picking up satellite isn’t very good.  But then again, it may just be the area I live in. 

Have you tried the new Sony Nav-u?

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