by maria on January 2, 2012
America’s Best Idea – the national parks – gets even better with several fee-free days at more than 100 national parks that usually charge entrance fees.*
Mark your calendar for these fee-free dates in 2012:
- January 14-16
Martin Luther King Jr. weekend
- April 21-29
National Park Week
- June 9
Get Outdoors Day
- September 29
National Public Lands Day
- November 10-12
Veterans Day weekend
To make the fun even more affordable, check out these discounts and special offers from park partners and neighboring businesses:
by maria on January 2, 2012
Out with the old year and in with the new. I am kicking off the new year and making some Agreements (not resolutions) with the readers of The Lifeboat (keeps me more accountable I think!).
1. Speak Faith into My Future – heard a great message from Joel Osteen hope you can spend a few minutes and watch online: (choose Jan 1 broadcast) http://www.joelosteen.com/Broadcast/Pages/ThisWeeksMessage.aspx
2. Eat more real food – as a couponer it is so easy to amass large amounts of boxed, bagged, and jar items. But with the money I save on these items I will allocate a certain portion of funds everyweek for fresh produce – and try to choose them to build meals around and snack on.
3. Stick to a budget – My husband and I are going back to a system that worked for us years ago – the envelope system. Crown Financial at www.crown.org has budgeting tools and even a online Mevelop system. Dave Ramsey also has great tools to help – daveramsey.com. I setup a spreadsheet based on Crown Financials guidelines and will update you periodically on how things are going.
4. Excercise – 10 minutes everyday at a minimum. Walk, Dr. Oz workout videos (free and online), DVDS (drag them out and dust them off!). I found a few years ago that walking at least 15 minutes a day made a big difference in my energy levels, lost weight, felt better. So committing to it for 2012.
Thanks for all your support and encouragement, look forward to 2012 and appreciate your thoughts and prayers for The Lifeboat to grow in new directions to bless others.
by maria on December 21, 2011
Rushing around in December is pretty common place. This December for me has been very busy, gave a beautiful bridal shower with 2 close friends and had family intown for a week. I finally got around to decorating last weekend, got the tree up, stockings, Christmas houses, and my sweet Mama’s nativity scene. But then I put up my set of Nativity lights and saw them glowing. My hope for you is that Jesus – the Reason for the Season – glows deep in your heart this Christmas.
Blessings to you and yours this holiday season
by maria on December 14, 2011
Over 2,000 online retailers are offering free shipping with guaranteed Christmas Delivery if you order on December 16th. To see a complete list of retailers go to: http://www.freeshippingday.com/
My gameplan:
1. Wed/Thurs – check the list of retailers offering free shipping and look for items I want to purchase (check multiple sites to make sure you get the best price). Look for discount codes at http://www.couponcabin.com/ for additional % or $ off.
2. 16th – Login to my eBates account, go to those retailers and order, enter any discount code under Promo code, complete the order and get free shipping! Free shipping + discount code savings + rebates to my eBates account should be a big Win in savings!
by maria on December 6, 2011
Take a Holiday Break December 19th – 23rd, 2011!
In honor of teachers, Stone Mountain Park invites Georgia educators to take a holiday break, kick back and relax with their compliments!
From Monday, December 19th through Friday, December 23rd, Stone Mountain Park is offering all active and certified K-12 teachers and principals a complimentary Christmas Adventure Pass and the opportunity to purchase additional passes at a special rate of $20 plus tax. This offer is limited to 6 accompanying family members. The Adventure Pass includes admission to all open Stone Mountain Park Christmas attractions. Ticket does not include Snow Mountain admission.
To receive a complimentary Christmas Adventure Pass, teachers must first download and print a special redeemable coupon by visiting the school page of our website by clicking here. Then simply click on the Teacher Appreciation link and print out the coupon. To receive your complimentary and discounted passes, bring the downloaded coupon with you along with your teacher ID to any ticket location at Stone Mountain Park from December 19-23, 2011. Educators must pay for parking at the main gate.
Teacher identification includes a photo ID plus a recent paystub or a copy of your teaching certificate.
This educator event is for active certified public and private school teachers and principals and is not open to home school educators. The complimentary Adventure Pass is only valid December 19th-23rd, 2011.
by maria on November 28, 2011
The Monday after Thanksgiving is a great time to buy gifts. Be sure to use eBates or similar site to get a % of money spent as a rebate from hundreds of retailers. Before buying an item, use a compare shopping site to see what other retailers are charging for the item to make sure you are getting the best deal. At checkout be sure to look for for coupon codes for additional savings or free shipping and enter it under Promo Code field. Cashing in on the best deals takes a little bit of time, but can produce rebates and savings.
Websites:
Ebates.com – Get cash back on your online purchases.
Before adding an item to your cart check Nexttag, Pricegrabber, or Bizrate to see what online retailers are charging for that item to ensure you are getting the best deal.
Couponcabin – Save with free coupons, coupon codes for online retailers, & deals.
Retailmenot.com – find promotional discount codes for online retailers to get discounts, dollars off, free shipping and more!
BlackFriday.com – Lists CyberMonday deals also!
Be sure to use the sites below as you shop through December!
Priceprotectr.com makes it simple to watch prices, keep track of your purchases, and get rebates off price drops. Simply copy and paste the website address (URL) where you see the item to add it to your cart. Enter your email address and you will be notified when that product goes on sale.
Dec 16th – Free Shipping Day – Freeshippingday.com – Over 600 stores have joined to offer free shipping on Dec. 16th (items guaranteed to arrive before Christmas.)
Happy Holiday Shopping!
by maria on November 21, 2011
Thank you to all that have stopped by The Lifeboat from watching Friends and Neighbors. Please check out the tabs at the top to get information on Couponing, Assistance Programs, and to find out how to contact me (would love to do a Couponing Class or Speak at an event for your organization). You can get my posts automatially by subscribing above via email, Facebook, & Twitter. Be sure to look at the posts below to find out Ways to Save for the Holidays!
by maria on November 19, 2011
I am excited to share that I will be on WATC (ch 57) – Friends and Family – on Nov 22nd at 4:30 PM. You can also watch online at www.watc.tv at the same time to watch the program. I share information about The Lifeboat and how it started, Assistance Information and how you find it on my blog, and Ways to Save for the Holidays. Hope you will tune in!
( It will also appear on WBPI TV 49 in Augusta, GA; WGGS 16.2 in Greenville, SC; and Legacy TV and Golden Eagle Broadcasting across the U.S. at a future time and will share those dates with you as I get them.)
by maria on November 15, 2011
Celebrate the season together with someone – and something – you love at Starbucks. On November 17–20 from 2–5 p.m., when you buy one holiday beverage, you’ll get a second one free. Warm up with your choice of a Peppermint Mocha or new Skinny Peppermint Mocha, Caramel Brulée Latte, Gingerbread Latte or the longest-running holiday favorite, the Eggnog Latte.
Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la!
by maria on November 14, 2011
Inviting you to Couponing 101 at BridgeMill on Wed, Nov 16 from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. Added bonus – how to save money on your holiday shopping!
Where: The Terrace – BridgeMill Athletic Club
1190 BridgeMill Avenue
Canton, GA 30114
Members RSVP on www.BridgemillAthleticClub.com – Members Only section
Non-members RSVP by contacting Leah C. Dawson -770-345-5500 ext. 4 or
leah.dawson@hmsgolf.com
Admission – $10.00
(Pay at the Door)
