`

MyLitter - One Deal At A Time

Extreme Couponing, Houston Frugal Living Blog

Home About Contact/PR Coupon Database


How to make a doll iPhone (guest post from Storie I.)

By 6 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.

how to make a play iphoneOk humor me on this one guys!

My girls have been busy all night printing, cutting, looking for tape, and playing with their dolls. It is really sweet and I want them to stay little for a long time. Mostly because their oldest sister is upstairs sulking and throwing a fit about a school project and a sweat shirt she is missing….

My 11, 9 and 7 year old’s got American Girl dolls for Christmas (thank you Today show sale!!) and they play with them all day long. They also make them the most elaborate set ups in their rooms, that are REALLY very clever! The 11 year old is sweet and let’s the 2 1/2 year old play with her doll most of the time, but tonight all 4 played together.

They made their dolls iPhones.

mylitter.com

Kids these days!

Anyway, this is where you come in…

“I know you are going to post this for your people in your blog (because you guys all live inside the computer in my blog right?) They are going to want to know how to make them” said a really proud 7 year old!

How to make a doll iPhone (by Storie I.) 

  • Google iphone case and click the “images” button
  • Pick the case you like the most
  • Print it off in color (she stressed the IN COLOR part a few times)
  • Cut it out
  • Cut out cardboard the same size
  • Tape the iPhone case cut out onto the cardboard both on the back and on the front. If you don’t have a back that is ok, just “borrow your Mom’s phone and copy what the back looks like”

They also wanted me to tell you that you can also make an iPad the same way, FYI. 🙂 They started that project but I made them go to bed! Next thing you know, and all the dolls are going to have debit cards and the kids will be making ATM machines!

Fiscal Cliff Survival Guide – Learning to Say “NO” to Our Children.

By 13 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.

Learning to say “no” can be a really hard thing to do. As Moms (and Dads) we often overextend ourselves with friends and work by not telling people no, and on the surface happily saying “yes” to extra work, errands and more. We hear all the time to learn to say “no” and not get taken advantage of, that our time is precious, and to not overextend ourselves.

What about learning to say “no” when finances are involved? Especially with our children, and ourselves. The very people we don’t want to tell “no” to.

I love my children dearly and want them to have the things that they need and of course the things that they don’t need, but really want. They are good kids, and as far as I am concerned, they are pretty great people. But, they have too much stuff.

When I was a kid, I didn’t dare ask for toys and things for no reason. It had to be around my birthday time or Christmas. Maybe my parents remember differently, but I knew I wasn’t getting anything until there is a reason. I didn’t have designer clothes or even clothes from a store in the mall, they were clothing from either Walmart, Kmart or Target if I was lucky. At Christmas, I would search for the gift from my Grandmother because I knew it was clothing from a department store, was probably a name brand and had matching pants or jewelry. It wasn’t that my parents didn’t have money to spend on us, they just were really good at saying “no”. Plus, I didn’t need any of it.

Candy and treats are another area that I am starting to say “no” to. We didn’t get treats at school and we especially didn’t get the bags of candy that my kids do now from school, stores and friends. After sporting events that we played in we got orange slices and a bottle of water. Not the Capri Suns and full size snacks we see now, and recently one kid came home with a paper gift bag full of snack packs and candy. I thought someone had a party, no it was the snack a Mom had brought for after the game. I could not imagine what that must have cost!

Saying “no” to my kids is hard. I WANT them to have stuff and be happy. But “stuff” doesn’t make them happy, it makes them want more stuff, and think that they should just get more stuff all the time. Plus, it is more to clean up and wash, and I hate yelling at kids to clean up!

Recently one of my kids texted me when I was on my way home from a meeting. She was able to text me because she had an iTouch, granted something she got for Christmas, but still she is only 11. *I* don’t have an iTouch! She wanted me to stop and pick up a pair of white sweat plants that she could wear to school the next day because all her friends were going to match. I was already going to Walmart and so in the store I found the pants they were *only* $6 and as I stood there I thought to myself,  I need to say “no.” I knew she wanted to match badly, and as a Mom I hate to see my kids unhappy, but by not saying “NO” even to the little things I was feeding this spending monster we were creating in our kids.

I could ramble on and on about the things our children are not learning now days that they should be. By buying them EVERY little thing they ask for all the time, we are creating kids who are going to be financial messes when they get older. As young adults they can easily spend themselves into bankruptcy thinking they need every pair of white sweatpants or shoes that comes along.

Saying “no” to our kids doesn’t mean and isn’t showing them that we don’t have the money or can’t afford something. It means that we are trying to teach them something. I have stopped saying “I don’t have the money for that”  and have started saying, “you don’t need that” or explaining that I am choosing to spend money on other things, OR SAVE my money because in 5 minutes they will have forgotten all about it.

As much as we love our kids, we are not doing them any favors by not telling them no, even on the little things. I think that we are getting nickled and dimed to death buying things we don’t need.

This is written for ME. I am learning everyday and realizing some mistakes I have made along the way. Hopefully you can take something from it, and maybe this applies to your family as well.

As part of our families Fiscal Cliff Survival Guide, my husband and I are saying “no” to our kids MUCH more. It doesn’t mean that we don’t love them, we are trying to make them more responsible financially and SAVE money on the little things that add up!

Call me maybe?

By 21 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.

Can we please have a moment of silence?

If you have tried to call or text me in the past 12 hours, I just want you to know that I have a good excuse for not answering. See the above evidence. Also known as my Christmas present from my husband.

Just incase you were wondering, the “Find my iPhone app” actually works. We spent all night pinging my phone and never found it. Put the kids to bed and stood on the porch to try one more time at 1:00am and heard a faint pinging.

Started following the sound down the street in my cookie monster footie P.J.’s and about a block away found it in the middle of the road.

Sad day.

King Soopers Cherry Chip Cookies Recipe {Good for Valentines Day}

By 15 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.

cherry chip cookies

When I was a kid a grocery store called King Soopers in my area always gave kids free Cherry Chip cookies. They were just like chocolate  chip cookies but were make with Cherry flavored chips.

They also had lemon, but those were never very popular.

This was a highlight of our week, getting the free cookies. They also had $.10 hotdogs and so we often had dinner there while my Mom got groceries!

king soopers cherry chip cookies

It is not easy to find the cherry chips. They are not just colored chips, they taste like cherry. I had to order mine from Amazon and they came in 2 days. They were less than $2 a bag and with Amazon Prime I got free shipping.

There is a really good recipe on the bag and I am making those tomorrow, it calls for mini marshmallows and evaporated milk. I will let you know how those turn out.

I made mine using the same recipe from the back of the Nestle Toll House bag but used almond extract instead of vanilla.

King Soopers Cherry Chip Cookie Recipe 

Ingredients

  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Cherry Chips
  • 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions

PREHEAT oven to 375° F.

COMBINE flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.

Follow Me on Pinterest

10 Tips for buying a USED Car

By 10 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.

:: Looks like it will be THURSDAY at 4:55pm :: 

This should be a guest post from Paul over at I Heart The Mart but since I am writing it up I am not giving him credit 🙂

Today on Houston’s Chanel 13 Paul will be on at 4:55pm talking about Used car buying tips. Plus talking about how he did not follow his own advice and got a bad deal.

We bought a car from Gillman Acura and were shown a carfax that the car had never been in a wreck. There were a few scratches on the mirror and we were told ” oh, that was the older lady that owned it before you.” We bought the car and left without the carfax we were shown.

Last month we decided to trade the car in, it was too small for us. Paul was given a quote from a dealership for $15k for the car as he was trading it in. But when that dealership pulled a Carfax they offered us $12k for it as it had been in a wreck. We were shocked. Upon pulling our own carfax we could see that it in fact had been in a wreck, had frame damage and was previously a rental car.

Gillman had lied to us. Paul went back and they apologized and said they would “make it right.” By making it right, they tried to roll the difference into another car. Which meant we were still paying for it. Paul was in there 3 different times and tried for 2 weeks to get the general manager to talk to him. When he was finally reached, he was not any help and the only way we were going to be able to do anything with them was buy another car from them and “eat” the amount our car was now worth.

Tips when buying a car: 

  • Check the body – Run your hand down the lines of the car and make sure there are no bumps, or uneven paint.
  • Make sure the lines of the car match up.
  • Make sure there is consistent texture in the paint job.
  • Open the doors and hood. Look for “over spray” and mis matched colors in paint.
  • Check to make sure the mirrors match.
  • Take the car to your OWN mechanic and have them check it out. Even if a private seller seems like the nicest person in the world…. My brother bought a Subuaru from a Houston Symphony director only to find that 200 miles into a 1,000 mile trip back to college it had a bad transmission. “But the guy was soooo nice….”
  • Buy from a referral.
  • Check their carfax with the Vin number on your car to make sure they match up and check the date of the carfax.
  • Campare Prices / Do your homework. Search for your car and get an idea what your trade in would be worth. What you see online your car selling for subtract about 20% for trading it in.
  • Check Kelly Blue Book, Autotrader and Cars.com to get an idea what cars are selling for.
  • It is not always better to sell your car privately. You will loose the tax savings if you are buying another car. Say you are getting $10k for the trade and buying a $20k car. You will only be paying tax on $10k after they take out the trade.

Finally, Gillman tried to “make it right” by buying back my husbands car from him at the quote of $15k. This is after they were contacted by Chanel 13 for an interview. Paul sold it to them and we are currently car shopping. This time we will make sure to do the things that Paul tells EVERYONE else to do! 🙂

If we had not had access to the news media, or had an online presence, there is nothing Gillman would have done. As an “average” consumer you are on your own, make sure you do your homework and get all the help you can!

Christmas 2012 Report. Can’t Wait Until Next Year!

By 6 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.

We got back from one of the best family trips we have ever had! It has become tradition to all meet in the Texas hill country for Christmas. I am the oldest of 6 kids and it is fun to have a chance to see everyone that can possibly make it, together in one place. My kids ADORE their aunts, uncles and cousins.

We met at the Hill Country Bungalow just outside Fredericksburg TX. Home to Enchanted Rock state park.

I had a new lens for my camera, a macro lens, and so I was learning how to use it. The center of town had the most beautiful Christmas Tree, and although it was dark I was able to get some good pictures of everyone.

This is my little sister Anna and her husband and son.

My brother Ben, and his beautiful wife and family were there. They have 5 girls who are EXACTLY the same ages as my 5 little ones. They are the best of friends.

This is us. Everyone is getting so big! 🙁

The kids had a HUGE game of Duck, Duck, Goose going. My Uncle Dan and his family met us there as well. He and my Mom are 2 of 15 kids in their family!

Look at that face. Try and say no to that! 🙂

My parents were here from Beijing China. Aren’t they cute?

Back at the cabin, this is what pure happiness is… 2 girls getting exactly what they had asked for from Santa!

A little boy gets a bike, and a SIL gets the boots she has been asking for all year long!

And, thanks to Amazon this year, I went to about 3 actual stores to Christmas shop! That Brave horse was a BIG hit this year!

The cabin was beautiful. This red silo you see actually holds the hot tub. The large barn has a bunk house and upstairs a game room.

The main house is an authentic 1800’s cabin that was added onto. The little details and feeling is so quaint and comfortable. I LOVED this place.

The front porch was PERFECT!

P.S. I hate that I even have to say this…. Just my own opinions. No one gave us ANY kind of discount or anything like that! We paid full price! 

Each room was decorated with all 1800’s antiques. It was BEAUTIFUL!

My sister took pictures of my kids. I am not sure that I am really happy about that. They are so BIG! When did they grow up?? She does an amazing job.

Finally, these little kids all had so much fun, and got to spend time with their Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and siblings and that is all they really wanted to do!

Anyone done a Juice Fast or Cleanse?

By 21 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.

We had the most amazing last few days full of family and friends. My parents are here from Beijing and we spent a few days at the most amazing TX hill country cabin. I will be posting more pictures later tonight because the week between Christmas and New Years is a little slow for deals. Plus I took a few cool pictures I want to brag about some. 🙂

My husband bought me some cool footie PJs you can see above, and like a dummy I posed with a cookie and my sister posted it all over FB. That is pretty much how I spent my break, eating junk food. Which is fun at the time, but as we left  my SIL and I just didn’t feel good. I really felt gross eating all that high sugar food.

We decided to do a 5-7 day juice cleanse this next week. I have not done one in a long time, and looking around on the internet I am having a hard time finding a good plan or schedule. These are the 2 that I think are the most helpful, The Happy Family Movement and Mary Crimmins. But, if you have done a juice fast or cleanse I would love some advice and information! Wish us luck!

Merry Christmas with love from The Ivanovsky’s!

By 41 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.

* We didn’t take a new picture this year, so I had to give you our picture from last year!

Merry Christmas! I can’t even begin to tell you how much I love this time of year! I love that my kids are home from school, I love that I am off from work, I love that my blogging schedule is lighter, I love that it gets colder and family is around! I love the smells the lights, and food!

On an even deeper level and I am so thankful for the the reason why we celebrate Christmas. There was a talk that I heard recently about the choice that we have to be grateful, and it really struck me for this time of year and not just in November.

Thessalonians – 5:18 In every thing give athanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

A few years ago at Christmas time, Paul had been laid off and things seemed REALLY bleak. I was physically sick each day thinking of what my kids would have to open Christmas morning. I planned and planned and worried even more. More important than presents I had to worry about just paying basic bills, I felt selfish even worrying about how I was going to get them something cool to open. I was mad at Paul for getting laid off (as if it was his fault) I was mad at pretty much everyone that I could possibly be mad at including myself for not seeing ahead that this could happen.

One afternoon when my little kids were sleeping I got a church magazine and a Simple Living magazine in the mail the same day. I sat for a few hours while they napped and read both of them completely through. From the church magazine I got a peace of heart that all would work out and from the Simple Living magazine I knew that I had wanted too much and lost sight of what was reasonable for my little family.

That was when I decided that just like Christ received 3 gifts from the wise men, my children would get 3 gifts each year from us. They would also get a gift from Santa, but it gave me a place to start and a plan to keep it in control. I also worked like crazy to make it happen and have a peaceful heart that all bills were paid before I bought a single present. I cut hair, made personalized ceramic plates, I babysat and cleaned friends homes. I swallowed my pride and let people know that I was doing all these things if anyone knew someone or needed anything themselves.

I had everything paid for and presents bought. I was patting myself on the back. Then on the 20th of December, our baby at the time, had gotten so sick she was admitted to the hospital. As I sat up there with her wishing we were home with the other kids, I wasn’t so proud of myself anymore. All I wanted was to be with my family. None of it mattered anymore. My heart hurt so bad that the Christmas that I had worked so hard for would be celebrated without the baby and I. Even more difficult was watching my baby hooked up to the breathing machines and that she just could not understand why she she was there and couldn’t move around.

I prayed and prayed she would get better. Slowly she started breathing better, the 2nd set of antibiotics started working and we were sent home at 9pm on Christmas Eve. I cried as we walked in the door at the relief of us all being in the same place. The next day for Christmas was the first Christmas that I really felt the miracle of what that day represented. It all came together for me that day. The love that Jesus Christ has for all of us, the simple nature of how it should be celebrated, the CRAZY love that I have for my kids and just how GRATEFUL I was for EVERYTHING. I wrote a journal entry to myself, begging ME to remember the feelings that I had that day and to make sure I had them every Christmas.

I know that many of you have had situations of stress that are difficult to imagine. Husbands and children gone for the Holiday’s, job loss, stressful family situations, even death. Please know that you are not alone, that there are people who love you, and that many situations although hard to imagine, are only temporary. I believe also, that Jesus Christ is our savior and that Heavenly Father has a plan for us and that are blessings in store for us. It can be hard to be grateful when we have challenges, but when we try and have a grateful heart and serve others we can see that we all have many blessings and a reason to celebrate this Christmas season.

Please be safe if you are traveling this week! Have a wonderful Christmas!

With Love from,

Paul, Tiffany, Tucker, Emma, Paige, Avery, Storie, Rush and Andie! 

Footprint Canvas Christmas Pictures – Last Minute Gift Idea

By 2 Comments By clicking on our links, we might make a SMALL commission - Thanks for the support! See our full DISCLOSURE here.


 – Pin Me!

These are the GORGEOUS canvas’s that the kids from the preschool made for the Christmas silent auction this past week.

Each one has all the kids from the class footprint or their handprint.

If you need a last minute gift idea for someone special these are very quick, easy and inexpensive. You can even just have one child make the canvas and use only their handprints or feet. So, don’t think you need a bunch of kids to make it work!

The canvas sized we used were 18×24. Use acrylic paint and add a little acrylic paint medium for the best results. The medium adds some depth to the paint. You can really use ANY paint and skip the medium, I am just suggesting what has looked the best when done.

Use different colors of green to get a more layered look. This is the Christmas tree above. I like it with the hands facing down, but I have seen it with the hands up as well, up to you!

This was the holly wreath. Take a bowl and with a pencil lightly trace a circle so you can judge where the palms of the hands should be to end up with a circle when you are done.

Then just add some little details when done. Like holly berries, Christmas lights and a star on the tree. You can even let the kids do it to make it more homemade looking.

All of these supplies can be found at ANY craft store. Hobby Lobby has a 40% off coupon HERE and Michaels has one HERE for 50% off! 

When they are done, they are so fun and special, I would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE to open this on Christmas day!

Follow Me on Pinterest

Amazon Deals

Click Here for More Amazon Posts

Drug Store Deals

Click Here for More Drug Store Deals

Kroger Deals

Click Here for More Kroger Deals

Latest Freebies

Click Here for More Freebies

Local Deals

Click Here for More Local Deals

Latest Recipes

Click Here for More Recipes