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.

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Here’s an example of how I have used the “buy ahead principle” for purchasing my daughter’s Christmas gifts.

• bath robe – regularly $20, after Christmas sale in Feb for $5
• two-wheel scooter – regularly $17, Black Friday sale for $5
• Hanna Montana doll set – regularly $28-32?, after Christmas sale in Feb for $7-8
• guitar purse – regularly $8-9, clearance for $2-3
• Barbie Advent calendar – regularly $20, after Christmas sale for $5
• Pet Shop bubble bath – regularly $10, clearance for $2.50
• High School Musical umbrella – regularly $8, clearance for $2
• Pet Shop electronic game – regularly $13, clerance for $3.24

This is approximately $125 in gifts for the bargain price of about $35.  My daughter will have a nice selection of toys under the tree this year, and all things that she likes.

Those of you with older children may find buying ahead more difficult, however, it is not impossible.  Try picking up just a few things that you’ll know they’ll like, even if it’s just stocking stuffers or dvds.  Every little bit saved helps.

Did you shop all year for Christmas?

image (c) Karen Weideman

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Also, on Saturday, Toys ‘R Us will be celebrating the 50th birthday of Little People.  Stop by between 12 and 2 pm for coloring activities, storytime, playtime with Little People toys and a free Little People DVD for you to take home.

Thanks to Freebies 4 Mom and Coupon Cravings for the tips.

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We stopped at Target tonight to see if their clearanced clothes were an additional 30% off.  (FYI – they weren’t at my Target.)  We also went to check out the clearanced toys.  My kids had some gift cards and Christmas money left over anyway.  There were many toys that were 30-75% off.  Here’s what we got:

vtech Write & Learn Letter Pad $14.99  $3.74
Little Einstein’s Tub Toss Mission $4.99 $2.48
Barbie Advent Calendar $19.99 $4.98
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse figure $5.99 $1.48
Toy Story Toy Box Heroes figurines $6.99 $1.74
small monster truck $1.99 $.48
Woof Street Boutique dog $7.99 $1.98

Puparazzi poseable fashion purse $19.99  $4.98
Hannah Montana and Lola dolls, Target exclusive toy, contains 31 pieces $34.99 $8.74
Wow! Wow! Wubbzy! digital game $22.99 $5.74

Some of these items the kids bought with their money and some I purchased for gifts.  Thankfully, hubby was there to push the kids in a cart while I got my bargains.

If you have a little extra cash to spare, it’s worth dropping by Target for the toy deals.  Good luck and let me know what you find.

images by Karen

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KB Toys Gift Cards must be surrendered at time of purchase, and only one 15% Toys”R”Us coupon will be granted per gift card surrendered. The 15% Toys”R” Us coupon cannot be combined with any other “R”Us offer for the same item and excludes diapers, formula, Bugaboo, videogame hardware, Apple iPods, RobotGalaxy merchandise, computer laptops, gift cards, Kiddie Kandids, Motherhood Maternity, Buyer Protection Plan, assembly fee, breast pump rental fee, delivery fee, and shipping & handling.  KB Toys stores are operated by KB Toys, Inc. and are not affiliated with Toys”R”Us.

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Dear Valued Customer,

As you may have heard in the news or through online blogs, the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008 (H.R. 4040) was signed into law in August 2008.  This act is referred to as the CPSIA.  To view the Act, click here. In summary, beginning February 10, 2009 all children’s products that are sold must not exceed a specified lead content.  What this potentially means is —- may not be able to buy and sell untested merchandise!

The law is very vague as to how OR if it applies to resale retailers like —-. We are working diligently with associations and legal council to ensure we can continue to provide a place for you to buy & sell gently used kids stuff. We know it is important for you to be able to recycle your gently used toys and clothing as well as to buy low-cost, high quality items that you can currently find at our store.

With Congress back in session this week, it provides us with an opportunity to communicate concerns about this law to the respective Senators and Representatives.  The timing is perfect for us to raise our voices!  If you want to alert your congressmen about your concerns click here, we have created a template that you may use if you so choose.  To find your respective elected officials, go to www.congress.org.  Under “My Elected Officials”, simply type in your zip code.

We will keep you posted as we learn more about the affect of CPSIA on our business. Thank you for your time,

I am looking at this 2 ways, I love buying and selling at my local resale shop, but I also want to know that they toys I buy are safe for my kids.  So I am happy that this will make sure my kids are safe.  I have been a little leary of buying ANYTHING these days and was happy to hear about the new law.  Life should be interesting soon.

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• High School Musical Dolls – Gabriella and Sharpay
• Webkins -Black Bear, Pinto, Google, Leopard, Tie Dye Frog, and Black Poodle
• Polar Insulated Water Bottle
• Think Fun Cover Your Tracks
• Ty Beanie Buddy Patrick Star
• Educational Toys
• Crayola Color Fills Fairies
• Crayola Hanna Montana Color Explosion
• Cars Sound and Dirt Track Lighting McQueen

These are jsut a few things I found but I really liked the educational toy link.  You should check it out.

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Special offers valid now through Saturday, November 8.

FREE $10 Glimmering Disney Fairies Gift Card with any Disney Fairies purchase of $40 or more
FREE Fashion Pack ($9.98 value) with the purchase of any Cabbage Patch Kids 25th Anniversary Doll from Play Along
50% off Cinderella Dance ‘n Doodle from Spin Master
25% off ALL LEGO Racers, LEGO Ville and Belville sets
25% off ALL Erector sets
25% off ALL Skeleflex toys
20% off ALL Maclaren Doll Strollers
20% off ALL Shining Stars plush
$10 off FurReal Friends Kitty Cat from Hasbro

Doorbusters offered Friday, November 7 from 3 – 10pm and Saturday, November 8 from 7am – 1pm

60% off Spider-Man Electronic Sit ‘n Spin from Playskool
50% off Animal Alley 43-inch Sammie the Pup plush from Toys“R”Us
50% off Battle Wheel Warriors from Learning Curve
50% off Chicken Dancers from Fisher-Price
50% off Cook ‘n Learn Kitchen from Little Tikes
50% off Purse Pals from Wild Planet
50% off select Nintendo Wii videogames
50% off select preschool games from Hasbro Games
40% off “A” Kick Scooter from Razor
40% off select Nintendo DS videogames

All-Day Deals valid Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8

50% off Fast Lane Speedway Chasers from Toys“R”Us
50% off Hot Wheels Speed Racers Big Sounds Vehicles from Mattel
50% off Keychain Digital Camera from Sakar
50% off Spy Gear Spy Shooter Super Set from Wild Planet
50% off Rubik’s Revolution from TechnoSource
50% of Snoopy Sno-Cone Machine from Sababa Toys
50% off Dream Dazzlers Fashion Styling Head from Toys“R”Us
40% off Hot Wheels Xtreme Moto-Cross R/C Cycle from Mattel
40% off select Preschool Ride-Ons
40% off iPod Speaker System from Memorex

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We’re looking at getting a VTech Kidizoom camera.  It sells for $60 and it allows you to take photos and movies and then view them on the camera, or on your tv or pc.  You can also hook it up to your tv to play games.  It includes all the cables that it needs for the tv and computer, a wrist strap, 2 changeable faceplates, a photo editing program on cd-rom, and 16MB internal memory.

Have any of you used this camera? If so, do you think it’s a good camera?  If you have another one you’d recommend, please let me know.  We don’t mind spending the $60.  We just want to be happy with the purchase.  Thanks for your help!

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