Deal Seeking Mom

win-it wednesday

Soft Skin for Any Season with Dollar General & Vaseline | Win a $25 Dollar General GC!

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Vaseline is made to keep your skin healed, but just how powerful is it? They’ve put it to the test in the driest regions of the U.S. to prove no matter where you go, you can still enjoy healed skin during the transition from fall to winter.

And now you can find it for an affordable price you’ll love at Dollar General! Get a $1.00 off coupon good on any Vaseline Lotion and stay healed with Vaseline.

I was sent a bottle of Vaseline Intensive Care to try for this fall season, so I can see firsthand how it protects my skin against the unpredictable weather. I took the challenge and my skin has gone from dry and itchy to soft and moisturized — and I want to see you do the same!

Win a $25 Dollar General Gift Card! #DGSoftSkin

See how Vaseline can soften your skin in any season. Use your $1.00 off Vaseline lotion coupon at Dollar General and then tweet using #DGSoftSkin to share how Vaseline has helped your skin survive this drier season. Leave a comment below for a chance to win a $25 Dollar General gift card!

Sponsored post by Lunchbox, all opinions are 100% my own.

This giveaway ends at 2pm on Monday, October 27, 2014 and is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older. I’ll use And the Winner Is to select the winning comment. Winner will be notified by email and listed on my Giveaway Winners page. Winners must respond within 48 hours of notification to claim their prize. Good luck!

How To Start A Gift Closet + $50 GoodNites Giveaway!

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Gifts on short notice can be a total budget buster, and it’s something that happens frequently around here. Last minute birthday party invites, dinner invitations and baby showers seem to pop up at the most inconvenient times, but with a little planning, unexpected gifting no longer needs to be a source of anxiety.

Okay, so you might be wondering how exactly you can plan for the unexpected… Well, my friends, that’s the beauty of a gift closet!

How To Start A Gift Closet

By creating a stockpile of gifts, you can simply “shop at home” when you need a gift at a moment’s notice — or even when you have adequate notice. A well-stocked gift closet will save you both time and money.

Do I really need a whole closet?
First things first, a gift closet doesn’t necessarily have to be a closet dedicated only to gifts. It’s anywhere in your home where you can store pre-purchased gifts while still being easily accessible. Get creative — you can store them under a bed, in the front of the basement crawl space, or a high shelf in a bedroom closet. We’ve even been known to tuck gifts away in our suitcases when we know we won’t be traveling anytime soon to keep them away from little eyes and hands.

How do I remember what I have on hand?
You’ll definite want to keep a running list of gift items you’ve purchased. For those of you that are digitally-minded (like myself), keeping a list on your smartphone is ideal. You can add and delete items as necessary. However, a spreadsheet on your computer, or even a simple pencil and paper work just as well, so go with whatever you’re most comfortable with.

What kind of items should I keep in my gift closet?
The items you stockpile in your gift closet will look a bit different for each of us. It greatly depends on the stage of life we’re in. If you have little ones that are constantly getting birthday party invites, then you’ll want to keep an eye out for age appropriate toys, games, puzzles and/or art supplies. If you get invited to a lot of dinner parties, you may want to keep a few bottles of red and white wine, pretty towels, and/or scented candles on hand. If you know a lot of expectant moms, you might keep your eyes peeled for baby toys and layettes in gender neutral colors.

How do I save money with a gift closet?
As I’ve already mentioned, a gift closet will save you both time and money. By picking up a few items each month, you can stockpile gifts without crimping your budget, especially when you shop the clearance aisles. After holiday and end of season events are also ideal times to find gifts. When you find a really great item, don’t be afraid to buy multiples! And while you’re at it, be sure to stock up on wrapping paper, gift bags, and blank cards so you have everything you need for the perfect last-minute gift on hand.

What are your thoughts on regifting?
My oldest daughter is the queen of regifting. Shortly before Christmas a few years back, I thought I was losing my mind, as I kept losing small items around the house. So imagine my surprise on Christmas Eve when my daughter presented me with an array of carefully wrapped gifts. As I opened each box, I “found” all of those missing items. It’s one of my favorite memories, but while I adore her giving spirit and ingenuity, I don’t typically recommend regifting used items. But unused or unopened items? I say they’re totally fair game as long as you don’t accidentally gift them back to the original giver — and that’s where a little note on your tracking list comes in really handy.

Using a gift closet strategy has saved me SO many headaches over the years. While I won’t say that I always have the perfect occasion-appropriate gift on hand, most of the time I do, and that makes it more than worth the minimal time I’ve invested.

Do you have a gift closet, and if so, what are some of the items in it right now? Share in the comments and you could win a GoodNites prize package valued at $50!

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Today, one lucky Deal Seeking Mom reader will win his or her choice of $50 in GoodNites products!!! Follow the instructions in the widget below to be entered to win…

Be sure to check out the Pick Up The Values website for more valuable printable coupons, including savings on GoodNites products!

This post is brought to you by Kimberly-Clark. All opinions are 100% mine.

3 Ways Freezer Cooking Can Save You Money + $50 Scott Towels Giveaway!

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I’ve touted the time-saving benefits of freezer cooking many times. It’s a great way to simplify the age-old “What’s for dinner???” question on busy weeknights. Sometimes referred to as “once a month cooking,” freezer cooking will also help you save money, as well.

Saving Money with Freezer Cooking

Save by buying in bulk.
While shopping at warehouse clubs isn’t an issue for my larger-than-average family, those of you with fewer or younger children might find that the huge packages you take home from a Sam’s Club or Costco are simply too much to use up before the item spoils. Planning a large freezer cooking session will allow you to use up these large packages in one fell swoop, allowing you to enjoy that savings that buying in bulk provides.

Save by grocery shopping less.
I don’t know about you, but even when I go to the grocery store with a list, I often end up coming home with items that weren’t on the list — especially when shopping at superstores like Walmart or Target. When you have a month’s worth of ready-made meals waiting in your freezer, you may only need to pick up milk and some fresh produce each week. Shopping less frequently helps you to avoid the temptation to grab unnecessary items altogether.

Save by limiting eating out.
It’s just a no brainer that cooking at home is going to save money over ordering takeout or eating out on any given night. My family enjoys eating out together, and sometimes it’s a necessity when we’re traveling for sports, but balancing those splurges with eating at home as often as possible the rest of the time helps us stay within our budget.

How To Freeze Cookie Dough

I know freezer cooking might seem a little overwhelming to some of you, and that’s okay. You know how they say there’s more than one way to skin a cat? Well, there’s more than one way to do freezer cooking. Maybe you’re ambitious and want to do a weekend spree to cook for an entire month — good for you! If you have less time, try a smaller 4-5 hour session.

Or if you’re really pinched for time (and this is my favorite method), simply double whatever you’re preparing for dinner on a given night. Finish one batch for dinner, and pop the other into the freezer for later.

And who says freezer cooking has to be limited to dinners? I love to make a double batch of cookie dough and freeze half to bake a few here and there. You can find instructions on how to freezer cookie dough on Unsophisticook.

Some other recipes that I often prepare for my freezer are:

:: Recommended Resources

If you’re thinking about trying freezer cooking yourself, I wholeheartedly endorse the following resources. They’ll guide you through the process step by step, from creating a meal plan, shopping and prepping, to tips for keeping your meals as fresh as possible!

What is your favorite meal or recipe to keep in the freezer? Share in the comments and you could win a Scott Towels prize package valued at $50!

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Today, one lucky Deal Seeking Mom reader will win his or her choice of $50 in Scott Towels products!!! Follow the instructions in the widget below to be entered to win…

Be sure to check out the Pick Up The Values website for more valuable printable coupons, including savings on Scott Towels products!

This post is brought to you by Kimberly-Clark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Discover Your Look for Less with TRESemme and Dollar General | Win a $25 Dollar General GC!

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I’m always on the lookout for great deals, while still keeping up with the latest looks and trends. That’s why I checked out The NEW DG Style Studio, where you can discover new hairstyle inspiration with helpful how-tos and video demos.

The video demos are key for me, as I learn best by watching. And not only will you find style inspiration — you’ll also find savings! Watch the featured video to get a $1 off TRESemme coupon.

TRESemme sent me a few products to try out: TRES Two Extra Hold Hair Spray, TRES Extra-Firm Control Gel, and Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray. My favorite is the hair spray — it’s light, yet has a firm hold, and it smells great! The gel is perfect for when my youngest boy wants his hair spiked up, and the keratin spray makes my girls’ hair soft and silky when I blow it dry.

There’s just no reason to spend money on pricier alternatives when TRESemme products work just as well at a very affordable price! Don’t forget to save your $1 off TRESemme styling products coupon to save even more.

Now’s your turn to update your look! Visit The NEW Style Studio to find new ways to style your hair with the products you love at great low prices.

Win a $25 Dollar General Gift Card + 2 TRESemme Products!

What style inspiration did you find? Share it in the comments for a chance to win a $25 Dollar General gift card, plus two full-size TRESemme products featured in the NEW Style Studio!!! Leave a comment below to be entered.

Disclosure: Sponsored by Lunchbox, all opinions are my own.

This giveaway ends at 2pm on Monday, October 20, 2014 and is open to all U.S. residents 18 years or older. I’ll use And the Winner Is to select the winning comment. Winner will be notified by email and listed on my Giveaway Winners page. Winners must respond within 48 hours of notification to claim their prize. Good luck!

Win a $500 Walmart Gift Card from Big Heart Pet Brands! #TreatThePups

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Treat The Pups Banner 2
Disclosure: Sponsored by Lunchbox, all opinions are my own.

Halloween is coming up quickly, and I’m sure you’ve all been stocking up on candy for Trick-or-Treat… But have you thought about setting a few treats aside for the four-legged friends that may be accompanying the kids?

My friend and fellow Walmart Mom, Linsey of Lille Punkin’, shared an adorable video with some ideas on how to put together a cute little Halloween treat that would make an easy gift for the playful pups in your neighborhood! I’d love it if you’d take a minute to check it out — I know she worked really hard on it. Plus, her dog, Gilbert, is just so darn sweet in his monarch butterfly costume!

Also, don’t miss the FREE Trick or Treat Em’ door hanger download! Hang it on your door to let guests know that you have a special something for their furry friends.

Win A $500 Walmart Gift Card!

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If you’ve got a favorite photo of your pup dressed up for Halloween, you could win a $500 Walmart gift card! (And if not, get him or her dressed up and snap one now!) Share your photo on Instagram via the The Big Heart Pet Hub Gift Card Sweepstakes, and you could be the lucky winner of one of the following awesome prizes:

  • First Prize (1): One (1) $500 Wal-Mart Gift Card (ARV $500).
  • Second Prize (1): One (1) $100 Wal-Mart Gift Card (ARV $100).
  • Third Prize (1): One (1) $50 Wal-Mart Gift Card (ARV $50).

Be sure to check out Walmart.com to see all of the photo entries! There are some seriously cute doggies on there already… But yours is cuter, right? Unfortunately, my grumpy 14-year-old Italian Greyhound is having none of that!