My friends at RetailMeNot sent me a couple of links for your shopping needs. The weather is so pleasant isn’t it? Usually, by this time of year I am homebound with snow or ice…waiting for a chance for the snow to get plowed and an opportunity to go shopping. Of course, with the weather so mild for January, you might want to shop online so you can enjoy the days with family and friends. So without further ado I give you the latest RetailMeNot links.

Use code TGTHTT5Z to take 10% off your Target.com purchase! Hurry – for a limited time only!

Save $5 off your College Book Renter purchase with code CBR1161000 or 5% off your rental with code CBR542012.
 

Extra 10% off for E-mail subscribers at Hotels.com with code USJMC10.  Book by 1/22/12.

All affiliate links are to my RetailMeNot account. The views expressed in this post are my own.

Christmas break was short this year. Very short. School ended for the kids at 3 p.m. on Friday, December 23rd. The next day was Christmas Eve. The next Christmas Day. The best day for Christmas Day to fall on is a Wednesday. Schools won’t Here are instructions and editorial guidelines for your post: The school system will never schedule school on Christmas Eve. Plus, the system won’t open schools for a one-day week. But, the hand we were dealt was a short Christmas break.

Since Christmas break was so short, we spent lots of time at home. Opening presents. Playing with presents. Watching movies. And eating. Lots of eating. We’re n0t a “cook a 5-course dinner”-type of family. We’re more a “let’s heat up a bunch of hors d’oeuvres”-type of family. With snacking, meals, and of course, candy and dessert eating, making sure that the kids brushed regularly was essential. You know how teens want to skip the daily shower? Well, younger kids want to skip the whole toothbrushing routine. Ick, I know!

I always ask myself the question: “Just how much energy does a child need to expend to brush their teeth twice daily?” Really, how hard is it to pick up a toothbrush? Apparently, the twice daily act of oral care takes too much energy! Thankfully, we had started the kids on the Listerine Oral Care Challenge before the holidays.

Each day the younger one will place a sticker on the Listerine Oral Care Challenge calendar whenever he brushes his teeth, rinses with Listerine, or flosses. I don’t require the older two to use the stickers. As one is just out of braces and one is in braces, both know the value of regular brushing, and of course maintaining a regimen of good oral care and hygiene.

As the kids start back to school, we’ll continue our Listerine Oral Care Challenge. I an pleased to say that since starting my youngest has not once missed brushing his teeth. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, kids love using a sticker or reward chart. The fun Listerine products don’t hurt either. My kids liked using the Listerine Smart Rinse in the Phineas and Ferb or Barbie versions.

• Save $1 on Listerine or Reach kids’ products.
• For oral care advice by age, check out the Listerine Kids site.
• To learn more about the Listerine family of products, go here.

I wrote this review while participating in a blog tour by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Listerine and received a sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Is there a speed faster than fast? I’m thinking about the Spinal Tap amp that goes to 11. Right now, my speedometer is at about 250. Fast. Speedy. Vroom. Whoosh.

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of school, work for two parents, dental and doctor appointments (with 3 kids…someone is ALWAYS at the doctor!), holiday activities, band and strings concerts, and more. Life is obviously too fast paced for little old me, because guess what I remembered that I never put out for the holidays? Guesses? Hint: I should have put it out on December 1. If you guessed the Advent calendar, you would be right! It’s December 8…how in the world did I forget to hang the Advent calendar?!

While I go and find the Advent calendar, here are some pics from last week’s Just Dance 3 party. We had the most fun family/friends game night. Some played. Some watched. Those that played didn’t want to stop. Those that watched loved seeing the happy expressions on those that were playing Just Dance 3.

Just Dance 3 is a game rated E for Everyone 10+. My son is 8. He had no problem keeping up with the game. Just Dance 3 is available for PS3, Wii, and XBox Kinect. Great for family game nights. Perfect icebreaker or activity for a tween or teen party/gathering. And don’t forget that the holidays are just around the corner. Still time to buy a game for that special someone! Another Holiday Gift Guide post: If you’re out and about shopping til you drop, you might need one of these or buy one for someone to stay connected.

• Just Dance 3 Wii
• Just Dance 3 XBox Kinect
• Just Dance 3 PlayStation 3

Shopping is a necessity not a desire. For me I shop when I need things. My days of browsing the racks and window shopping are long gone.

I have a more precise, laser-like method of shopping than in my teen/college/premarriage years. If I need it, I buy it. If I see it on a rack, I buy it. If I browse the internet and see something I want, I buy it. And the item must be on sale…or I have a coupon…or it is a deal on a deal site. If I can’t save money, I’m not buying it.

Even before I was serious about shopping with a stack of high-value coupons in one hand and a bunch of coupons loaded on to my store discount card in my other hand, I liked to save. And way before I had a coupon pouch, I was a bargain shopper. Especially on Black Friday.

The bargains to be had can be plentiful. No matter what time of day, day of the week, or season you shop. You just have to look for the deals. And the bonanza bargain time is Black Friday, particularly Black Friday 2011.

My daughters and I will scan the ads. Even my son and husband will get busy. Peruse the books. Ogle at the savings. Analyze the bargains. And plan our assault on Black Friday. Armed with the Black Friday ads I’ll establish a game plan. Set the alarm and Go!

One Black Friday, in particular, I spotted a sale on Power Wheels cars at Walmart. I was beside myself with glee and joy and excitement and every other emotion as I cradled the Black Friday ads book in my hot little hands. I knew my kids would love seeing the two surprises under the tree.

I rose at 4 a.m. to get over to Walmart. Raced back to the toy area. Spotted the two cars I wanted.

• I knew my 5-year-old would love the Fisher Price Power Wheels Kawasaki Quad. I could see her four-wheeling through our yard. This was a little girl who could rock a pair of camo cargo pants one day and wear a Disney Princess dress the next.
• The Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler Rubicon would be perfect for my 3-year-old. I knew that though she wasn’t quite ready to “drive” on her own. she would love to be driven around in style by her big sis.

I manhandled one Power Wheels vehicle in to a shopping cart while keeping an eye on the other vehicle. The first vehicle was boxed up, which made it slightly easier to get in the shopping cart. How I managed to lift it in to the cart…I don’t have a clue. Brute force and determination I guess! I rolled the cart containing one of the Power Wheels vehicles while pushing the other boxed Power Wheels vehicle. Took me a while to get to the register as I slid and pushed and shuffled and rolled and dragged both of the huge boxes. I was relieved that the check out line was short.

Once at the register, I was surprised when the prices rang up differently than what I thought I saw. I looked at the Walmart Black Friday ads. Looked at the cash register. Looked at the two Power Wheels boxes I had just manhandled. To my horror I realized that the “too good to be true” sale prices were actually not Black Friday deals at all. No! The deals were just sale prices. I had misread the ad circular. I felt a little kooky. I told myself I’d come back the next day. I abandoned both Power Wheels boxes with a sales clerk and shuffled back home to bed. I knew I needed backup (AKA my husband) to help me manhandle the boxes in to the van.

So, if you’re headed to Walmart Black Friday 2011, don’t forget to check out the amazing deals here.

This post is sponsored by the coupon and deals experts at www.BlackFriday2011.com. Visit their site to browse the latest Black Friday Ads and find the best holiday savings at top stores, including Walmart, Lowes, and Walmart Black Friday 2011 deals.

A few years ago, I scored the coup of a deal for my family. Medieval Times had long held one of the top spots on my “Musings from Me List of Must-Do Stuff.” After many years of having kids who were too young to appreciate all that is fabulous about Medieval Times, we were able to go.

The tickets are pricey. I knew going to Medieval Times with my family of 5 would be an expensive endeavor. Too expensive even with 3 children. I thought about and thought about it. Finally a light bulb went off. I asked my parents if they would consider counting going to Medieval Times as my birthday dinner and birthday present all rolled in to one. While I wasn’t sure how my parents would deal with the noise level of MT, my parents love eating out as a family. They readily agreed. Our group of 5 became 7 then 11 once another relative’s family joined us. Add in two visiting friends from England and we had a real Baker’s Dozen.

Now, taking 13 people to MT is very pricey as I said before. Next stop…deals!

I’m no #extremecouponer. I once saved $40 grocery shopping, but I don’t go to the extremes of buying…uh…stockpiling 60 jars of mustard. No, I go for coupons for a free item that I get from blogging conferences and events or I find the high value coupons and stock up on food and drinks and cleaning products that we need.

A passion of mine is discounts on events, plays, and sporting events. I don’t know about you but taking the family to a museum can get really pricey. I always try to find a coupon or a deal. Here’s a deal–actually a couple of deals–for events in D.C. and Baltimore.

For our family experience at Medieval Times I was able to avail myself of a special offer where anyone with a birthday the month you were going to MT got in free. We had 3 free birthdays! Love a good saving!

And before I forget, here’s a deal from GoldStar for discounted tickets to Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament in Baltimore, MD. Full price tickets range from $38.44-$60.44, with the GoldStar price $21.64-$33.92. Find the deal here!

I am a GoldStar affiliate. Sign up to be an affiliate with my link. Earn $$ for deals sold.

Halloween is an evolving holiday in our house. From the earliest days when I placed my baby in the infant car seat so that I could be near the front door to give out the Halloween candy to the year when my tween decided she wasn’t going trick-or-treating until about 8:55 p.m., which meant we had to run to a few houses before all the candy was gone.

What is your Halloween tradition? Do you eat dinner as a family? Do you make a special dinner for your family before everyone heads out trick-or-treating? We love eating dinner as a family. On most nights, we scarcely all sit down to eat together due to afterschool sports and activities. But, when Halloween falls on a weeknight we hope we are blessed by teachers who don’t give homework and activities that are canceled.

On those nights we gather and talk about Halloweens past and present and even future! My teen — when she was little — knew what she wanted to be the next Halloween! I would laugh and say “But, we haven’t even gone out trick-or-treating yet!”

With Halloween just a few days away, it’s time to think about what to have for dinner on Halloween night. Methinks we’ll have something easy. Filling and easy. Pizza might be a good choice. Do you like Tombstone Pizza?

Do you want to win a couple of Tombstone Pizza coupons? Well, you came to the right place! Just leave a comment or two or three below. I’ll choose a winner very soon. Until then Happy Halloween!

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I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Tombstone Pizza and received coupons and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate. Giveaway ends November 6, 2011. Giveaway is open to U.S. and Canada.

New deals from RetailMeNot for beefing up your fall wardrobe and more…

30% Off at Kohls.com! Coupon code: SAVEATKOHLS. Expires 10/29/2011

Free Shipping Everyday at Gap.com on orders over $50! No coupon code necessary.

Save up to $195 on special order windows or patio doors at HomeDepot.com! See store for coupon codes. Expires 1/1/12

$30 Off $100+ at Coldwater Creek! Coupon code: NZA8152. Expires 10/31/11

The links are to my RetailMeNot affiliate account.

I wanted to give you a headsup on savings from RetailMeNot.

Vistaprint $2 Halloween Tote Bag and Other Halloween Treats From Vistaprint!

Kohls Friends and family get 20% off with coupon code: OCTFF20. Valid through 10/16/11.

Spirit Halloween Get 20% off highest priced item in your order with coupon code: SPAFF20. Valid through 10/26/11.

Macy’s $10 dollars off orders of $75+ with coupon code: XJW56A992.

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All links click to my RetailMeNot affiliate page.

I’m excited to post about a very cool event in D.C. Very last minute, I know. I’m heading to the event in a bit myself. But, before I go, I want to share about the launch of a New Happy Meal.

That’s right, McDonald’s is launching a new Happy Meal. The ubiquitous McDonald’s® Happy Meal® is getting a healthy makeover. And the launch events are taking place all over the USA, including in our neck off the woods.

So if you are in the vicinity of the McDonald’s at 4130 Wisconsin Avenue, NW — huge parking lot behind the restaurant and it is walking distance from Tenleytown Metro. Stop by at 1:30 p.m. today — Friday, September 16.

If you can’t make it to the launch of the new McDonalds Happy Meal, follow the event on Twitter — @McDonalds_DMV and hashtag #NewHappyMeal.

The 411 about the event:

McDonald’s has launched a new Happy Meal in support of the company’s recently announced ‘Commitments to Offer Improved Nutrition Choice’ which strive to help customers – especially children and families –make nutrition-minded choices whether visiting McDonald’s or elsewhere.

As one of the first markets to offer the new Happy Meal, the Greater Washington, D.C. region will commemorate the occasion, by unveiling the new Happy Meal with a panel discussion about McDonald’s commitment to nutrition. The event starts at 1:30 p.m. today (September 16).

Guest Panel:

• Shaye Arluk, MS, RD, HFI, Dietitian
• Craig Welburn, Jr. McDonald’s franchisee owner
• Neva Van Valkenburg, McDonald’s franchisee owner

Special Guest: Ronald McDonald

Giveaway for Musings from Me readers

So, here is the deal…if you want to go to the event, I’ll see you there. If you can’t go to the event, leave a comment and I’ll have McDonalds send you a free coupon for the New Happy Meal.

A second way to enter… Send out this tweet:

@McDonalds_DMV is launching the #NewHappyMeal today. @MusingsfromMe is at the launch. Enter to win a free #NewHappyMeal here> http://bit.ly/owx9pI

I was invited to the McDonalds #NewHappyMeal launch. I was given a gift bag for participating in the launch. Giveaway ends October 31, 2011, 11:59 p.m. Open to U.S. residents only.

From time to time I post about deals. After Blogher, I became a tad obsessed with deal sites. Previously, I didn’t think deal sites were for me. I’m not a huge shopper. I was surprised to find how many of the daily deals were of interest to me. Over the past few weeks I have purchased a deal for kids to bake their own cookies from PlumDistrict…a phone skin from Eversave.

While I haven’t purchased any event tickets yet from ScoreBig, I am eyeing a couple of New York shows.

I’m no #extremecouponer but the coupons and deals on ebates are too good to pass up most days.

Locally, I am a fan of Certifikid’s D.C. and Baltimore deals — the only deal site for moms, dads, and kids. One day when the kids are out of school we are going to a local trampoline place called Rebounderz to spend our Certifikid daily deals.

And finally a site that I would have adored when my girls were little…Kudzoom. With up to 60% off designer and boutique clothing and accessories, what is not to love about this site! Brands featured included Danica and Dylan, Baby Deer shoes, Scribbles tees, and Mixed Up Clothing.

One more thing before I go…a couple of affiliate links to stuff we have purchased on amazon or received as review item in the past few months. All items get the Musings from Me Family Seal of Approval.

• Boys Knight Warrior costume…a good idea for your 7 or 8-year-old boys who want a costume that looks cool. My son loved the silver and gold shoulder pads. I liked how the costume looked weather beaten. A nice touch was the cotton pants.
• Accessories for knight costume just right for your little knight in shining armor. Perfect for Halloween.
• My Tween is still in to Halloween and trick-or-treating. While she has outgrown the traditional costumes, she gets her creative juices going “inventing” her own costume. Last year she paired a rainbow tutu with a blue short wig and no I don’t know who she was supposed to be, but she looked cool…very cool!
• My son and daughter are currently quite enthralled by these Geomag kits. I would love to do a giveaway for one of these magnetic building kits. Perfect gift for the girl and boy in your life. Tweens and teens would love these kits, too!

I was not compensated for this post. I was given several Geomag kits to facilitate my review, but the views expressed in this post are my own. All links are to my affiliate pages on the sites mentioned on this post. I follow the tenets of Blog With Integrity.