.My Favorites.

So I am doing this post mostly because of Megan. :) I am always talking about great things I find, or great bargains, so she told me to pass them along to you.

First are a few ways I have found to save money:

Buying Used Books
I have found a great used book store up here in Frederick. It is called Wonder Books and they also have a Gaithersburg locatin but it is smaller. As much as I love Barnes and Noble and Borders (which I still buy from) nothing can beat buying a used book that is in great condition for at least half the price. Mom's, getting kids books here is a must. I think the last time I went, I walked away with 7 new books for Kaylie and paid around $8. You can also find books in almost every category imaginable, and even some very old first editions. Check out their website at www.wonderbk.com (you can even order online)

Totswap
I am pretty sure I have told everyone about this at least twice. :) So basically, if you are a mom, know a mom, or plan to be a mom, you need to go to totswap. Or find something like it in your area. I have made a ton of money, and saved a ton of money from being involved in this!!! The next ones start in September so you better mark your calenders!! Visit www.totswap.net

Toys R Us/Babies R Us

It is well worth signing up for their rewards card. I constantly get coupons in the mail from them probably weekly, and the best part is, the coupons are for like $5 off diapers, $2 off wipes, and then they also accept multiple manufacturers coupons. I went this past week to stock up on diapers/wipes/genie refills and I saved about $15 off my bill just by coupons. It is well worth it to sign up for free!!


Now on to just some favorites:

Need a bathing suit? I just recently found this website and I am in love with the prints on these suits!! I ordered mine and just got it in the mail a few days ago. I absolutely LOVE this suit. I decided to just embrace the tankini all together, especialy ones that help hide the problem areas all you mommies are familiar with. :) The top is great because you can wear it 3 different ways: halter, criss cross, and tank top style. The bottoms are great, you can choose between regular bikin, boy shorts, skirts, and tummy tuck bottoms. As hard as it was to accept the fact that I no longer have the body of a teenager, I bought the Tummy Tuck bottoms. They are exactly what they sound like. Bikini bottoms that come up high enough to tuck in that little extra baby belly that never seemed to go away. :) Sure I had to pay more for this tankini than I would at Target, but it is worth every single penny! Everyone should check it out www.hapari.com
The also sell suits for little girls! :)

Border's Books
Ok so I always seem to end up in Barnes and Noble. Its right in the mall, they sell Starbucks, and they have a train table for the kiddos to play with. I probably am in a Barned and Noble at least once every few weeks. Yet I am not a member there, I actually am a member at Border's. I signed up for a rewards card there a little over a year ago. I heard that Barned and Noble charges a $25 a year fee to become a member and then you get member discounts. I have no idea how often they send coupons but I am sure they do sometimes. Well when I signed up at Border's I didn't pay a thing, and weekly I get emailed a coupon that is anywhere between 30-50% off one item. Sometimes I even get 2 coupons a week. What I have come to realize is that in about a year, I have never paid full price for anything at Border's. And 99% of the items I have bought have been in the bargain section.
Border's clearly has way more and better bargain books than Barnes and Noble does. The kids books that Border's has are in massive abundance and usually $7 or less. Then I just use my coupons on them. :) I have also gotten a few great cook books for only around $5. Sure B&N is just better marketed...but I feel like I have saved a lot more at Border's. If you are a B&N member then that is great! But you should sign up for Border's for free also and see what kind of deals you can get at both places. :)

Mays

I just have to write about Mays because I just went there for the first time and it was a blast. Up in Frederick, its a crab and seafood resteraunt. Not fancy at all just a super fun place to sit with some friends and pick crabs. There is a small inside eating area, or outdoors they have a huge tent that you eat under, on picnic tables. Soooooo good. Great place to go with a bunch of friends to just eat, drink, and get some great seafood.


Sugarboo Designs
The wesbite speaks for itself...but if you have never seen something Sugarboo, you are gonna be hooked. I saw my first Sugarboo photobox frame 4 years ago...and they still make me want to by every piece they make. Check out www.sugarboodesigns.com

Well thats all I have for now. Hopefully you can enjoy these things like I do! :)