Check out these blog contests!

How about an awesome HP TouchSmart computer!   This thing is just way too cool!
You can find out more at: the mcmama blog

How about winning a Tiffany necklace?  Check out The Give Away Diva

Photo Gift Deals

My goal today is to get some photo gifts ordered, so check out some options for ordering yours!

American Greetings is offering a few free items (one per customer) or a $25 coupon towards a custom photo creation (excluding prints or gift cards). Thanks DizzyLady

Available items

• Free Photo Clutch Book - use code C3733859796
• Free Pack of 25 Photo Paper Holiday Cards - use code C3733852365
• Free 11" x 8" Photo Calendar - use code C3733858476
• $25 coupon towards any other photo creation - use code C3733847579

Snapfish - New customer deal
50 Free prints and a Free Classic Wall Calendar

ArtsCow
12 Free 8x8 Photo Books from Artscow - You pay shipping ($8/$12 per 20/39 page book)
Enter coupon code FREE8X8BKS to receive six 20 page, and six 39 page photo books.
You pay the shipping.
You don't need to get all 12 books.
FYI I have tried to order from this site, but am finding it difficult to use, I hope to have
more time to try again later today

Coke Rewards
Do you have Coke Rewards points waiting to be used? They can get you free prints, personalized phone, mp3, PDA, laptop skins


Do you have any great photo deals to share?


Thanks to SlickDeals !

I got to check out the new Wegmans today!

Yes, I am know I am behind the times on this, but I finally got to the new Collegeville Wegmans store today.

I've got to say I like it. I'll admit that I don't have the awesome catalina deals like we are used to at Acme, but the shelf prices seemed very good, the variety of products available is amazing. The store is somewhat of a maze of departments that our other local stores truly can not be compared to. My girls loved the samples being given out, and also enjoyed the train running around the ceiling area of the store.

Personally, I've got to say that I LOVE that it is a 24 hour store! I am a night owl, and I really miss having my Acme be a 24 hour store.

I did not check out the Cafe or Pub - perhaps we can get some couponers together there?

I did take advantage of the spend $25 get a turkey at $.29 a pound deal. Please don't harass me for being crazy, my family LOVES turkey, and how over can you seriously get that much meat for $.29 a pound? This turkey is currently defrosting in my fridge, and I will cook it later this week, then I can pick up my free Acme turkey and put that in my freezer later in the week. If I can find room in a freezer (I have 3 this shouldn't be such a hard thing to do, but it is), I may even pick up another turkey or 2!

One thing I will say for those who have not made their way to Wegmans yet, you need to go to the customer service desk in order to get your card. Being a new store, I expected that they would be available at the check out lanes. A kind manager did scan his card so they could go ahead and complete my order with the discounted pricing though.


Check out the Wegmans website

I would also recommend keeping an eye on the Frugally Blonde Blog for hot Wegmans deals.

There is a magic coupon machine at the Royersford CVS now!

Rofo cvs

I love Scrapbook savings too!

Nov 10 - Nov 30 Print 12 x 12 scrapbook pages for $.99!!

12x12 Standard Matte Prints are on sale for $.99! That is half off the regular low price of $1.99. This incredible deal will last for just a short time. Don't miss it. This sale will start on November 10th and end on November 30th. Start shopping now at www.ScrapbooksPlease.com.

Giant may not be my favorite store BUT I love a good gas deal and am excited to have a Giant gas station near me! Corner of Ridge Pike and Township Line Rd

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Awesome giveaway at: For the Mamas!

Thanks to Mindi at Moms Need to Know I have now found out about Shannon at For the Mamas!

For the Mamas has awesome deals and is undergoing a makeover (to feature more awesome stuff!) as part of the makeover she is doing a giveaway of:

(3) $10.00 Bath & Body Works Giftcards

(1) $50.00 Old Navy Giftcard

(1) $100.00 Home Depot Giftcard

(1) $25.00 Barnes & Noble Giftcard

(1) $25.00 Gap Giftcard

(5) $10.00 Old Navy Giftcard

(1) $50.00 Gap Giftcard

Head on over and check it out - the giveaway ends on October 10th at 12:01 am EDT.

ACME Savings 8/5-8/6

The sale actually lasted a week, but my life just didn't permit me the chance to get there.

So here is a quick summary of how I did

Spent out of pocket: 23.54

Saved: 394.38

On your next order Catalinas still to be used $65

So bascially right now I am sitting at a profit of $41.46

What I got:

10 Breyers Ice Cream

6 Klondike Ice Cream

11 Salad Dressing

13 Pasta Sides

1 Cereal Bar

14 Brownie Mix

6 Hellmann Mayo

12 Ragu

8 Dove Shampoo / Conditioner

8 Q Tips

1 pack hotdog rolls

17 Chex Mix

2 Cake Mix

2 Frosting

And I am missing a couple of receipts - I believe they were for 5 more Qips, 11 Skippy and 11 more Ragu

I had the pleasure of shopping with an awesome friend - and she actually took some pics of her haul:

Her pictures do not include 10 gallons of ice cream and 6 packs of Klondike bars

Her total spending $35.64, and she has $15 is coupons to use on another order.

ever wonder what 2700 Qtips looked like? And they PAID me to take them! Gotta love ACME!

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Grrr ACME! Give Collegeville a Break!

So, I admit I have been wondering what is going on with the former ACME Collegeville location, and I was in the Saladworks today and I found this petition:

Acme Deliberately Blocking Shop Rite/Wakefern Foods From Discussions Concerning Moving into Acme's Vacant Collegeville Space

Acme Markets announced in January, 2009, that it was closing its Collegeville Shopping Center location after operating here for over 40 years. It is our understanding that Acme which has a remaining four-year contract with the shopping center's manager, the Centro Properties Group, continues to pay rent to Centro for the vacant space, rather than allow another grocery store to move into its' former space. Unfortunately, Acme's marketing plan to limit competition is also forcing Collegeville residents to drive to the Acme stores in Limerick or Lower Providence - an unnecessary minimum eight mile round trip. *

Additionally, as the former anchor store of the Collegeville Shopping Center, the Acme vacany has very measurably adversely affected all the remaining shopping center tenants, and if the vacancy continues it could force many Collegeville businesses to close.

Jim Mandanci of Wakefern Foods, who runs an attractive and successful Shop Rite Supermarket in West Chester, PA, has approached Centro Properties Group to discuss combining the Acme and Riter-Aid spaces to build a high-end store in Collegeville that would contin a large, state-of the art grocery store, pharmacy and coffee sandwich/pizzeria area. For now, Centro is honoring the Acme lease and is not engaging in discussions with Wakefern Foods, to the detriment of Collegeville's residents and the mall business tenants.

Although legal, these actions, unfortunately, exhibit a total disregard for the best interests of our local residents and the viability of our Collegeville business community during the time we are alll suffering from this economic downturn.

If you believe as we do that Acme should instead demonstrate a positive community commitment in working in a good faith effort with Centro, Wakefern Foods and any other interested supermarkets for the best interest and outcome of our Collegeville community, and allow discussions concerning supermarkets moving into the former Acme space, please show your support by joining us in signing the attached petition or sign one that will be available at all the stores in the Collegeville Shopping Center beginning July 5, 2009. **

Thank you!

Andrea Baptiste
Tim Mahon
Jack Corr
Business Liaison Committee - Collegeville Borough Council



* This part is a bit misleading, yes to get to an Acme you have to drive 8 miles, but there is a Redners in the adjoining center, and a Super Fresh about 2 miles away

** This is not an official petition site, I am just sharing the information that I found, if interested in signing the petition please stop in the shopping center.

Related article you may find interesting:
Pottstown Mercury June 26, 2009

Superfresh just gave me 5

Superfresh just gave me 5 dollars off my order for turning in my ACME card. Jokes on them though I gave them my extra card!

SPECIAL OFFER FROM KNOEBELS!

2009 Opening Day is just around the corner and Knoebels has a special offer to start the season off right! Buy one Pay-One-Price ride plan good from noon until 6:00 pm and get another of equal value free.

This offer is good both Saturday April 25th and Sunday April 26th.

Free ride passes must be used the same day as purchased passes.

ENJOY!

2009 March of Dimes Fundraiser--Consignment Sale on April 25, 2009

Spring-Ford Area School District Consignment Sale

to benefit

March of Dimes

2nd Annual Children’s Item Consignment Sale to help raise monies for the Spring-Ford March of Dimes Campaign on Saturday, April 25, 2009.  As many of you know the March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization which assists in providing resources for pregnant women and baby health. 

The sale will include a wide variety of children's items as well as gently used prom gowns.   100% of all donated item profits will go to the March of Dimes.  They can provide a receipt for donated items should you need it for tax purposes.

If you are interested in participating as a seller in the sale please email Juliet Davidheiser (jdavi@spring-ford.net).  They are also in need of volunteers to help in the preparation process and on the day of the sale (which is also a lot of fun).

Important Dates  

April 7, 2009             Seller fee Due to District Office 

April 15, 2009            Tagged Items Due Date 

April 25, 2009            SALE---8:00 AM-12 Noon Intermediate School Cafeteria 

May 1, 2009               Seller Pick Up Deadline for Unsold Items 
May 8, 2009               Invoices to Sellers 

http://www.marchofdimes.com/

Genuardi 2/27 - 3/5

The new ad starts TODAY! On the front cover is the $10 off $50 coupon valid ONLY Friday, Saturday and Sunday!!!

Plus there is a FREE 2 Liter Pepsi coupon
$.99 Lucerne Butter Coupon
$.99 Kellogg's Frosted Mini Wheats or Raisin Bran Coupon

Slick Deals has a listing of 29 pages of products that are participating in the MONTH LONG Frozen Food Chil Out at Home Spend $25 get $10 reward coupon promo. Reports that I am seeing is that the $25 is based on SALE pricing.

Are you ready for Frozen Food Month?

March is Frozen Food Month - Clean out your freezers, clip your coupons and get ready!

Genuardis has:

Chill Out at Home

Between Feb. 25 - March 31
Spend $25 on participating frozen food items in a single transcation and get a $10 reward coupon at checkout good on your next frozen food purchase.

Freschetta, Marie Callendars, Birdseye Streamfresh, Ben & Jerry, Dreyers, Smartones, Breyers, Bertolli, DiGiorno, Edys, Eggo, Healthy Choice, Birdseye C&W, Sara Lee, Stouffers, Hot Pockets, Jimmy Dean, Red Baron, Green Giant and Weight Watchers Frozen Novelties

Look for special Chill Out at Home tags throughout the freezer section.

Giant PA

Has Gas Deals as part of it's frozen food month

ACME

has a freezer deal that ends today 2/26/09, so you can get your freezer (mine fit in my kitchen!) and have a 70% coupon for your ENTIRE frozen food purchase. I am not too impressed with the Acme ad that starts 2/27, but I am really hoping the next week will be better.

Weis

Chicken Leg Quarters for $.59 / pound - tip freeze them with your favorite marinade, then when you pull them out of the freezer to defrost they will marinate as they defrost! Great for tossing on the grill!

Dollar Weis rewards

up to on your next shopping order when you purchase qualifying dollar amount of participating Frozen Food products in one order Buy $25 get $5 Off Buy $35 get $10 Off

SuperFresh

2/27 - 3/26 March is National Frozen Food Month
Spend $75 on Frozen Food Items with your club card between 2/27/09 - 3/26/09 and receive a certificate on your receipt for $10 off your next shopping order between 3/27 - 4/16. (Excludes frozen seafood, frozen meat and frozen bakery items. limit one offer per customer.)
PLUS Triple coupons 2/27 - 3/2!

FREE Boost Kid Essentials!

Sign Up Here  to recieve a free trial offer coupon for Essentials Nutritionally Complete Drink multipack. This offer is limited to the first 25,000 registrants and is valid between January 5, 2009 and April 30, 2009. Limit ONE (1) free trial coupon per household. Each mailed coupon is valued up to $14.99 USD and is redeemable at select local retailers. 

Have you checked out the current Acme FUN?

This isn't me, but it is my BFF sharing her great joy of the Catalina fun at ACME this week. The current sales are great and there are lots of coupons to match up with them!

BTW - she posed for this picture just a little while before sharing the excitement that she is pregnant with child number 3! So when you start seeing a whole lot more posts about baby deals and such, it is because now we need to help her stockpile!

No Coupons this weekend 2/15/09 - And the ACME assignment!

There are no coupons this weekend, so don't make that special trip to the Dollar Tree for coupons.

What this does make it a great weekend to do:
Organize your coupons, lots of coupons expired in the last two weeks, clear them out.
Check out ACME- There are several good deals going on at ACME this sale cycle.

ACME Assignment, Take a look at these HOT deals for this week, if there is a current coupon out for the item I will put a "*" next to them so you know to get those coupons out:

Limerick ACME only

$1.99 Lean Ground Beef
$4.99 lb Great Lakes American Cheese
$1.49 1 lb ACME Butter Quarters
$.99 Baby Cut Carrots 1 lb
$.99 Fresh Baked Baguettes 8 oz

Also a $25 ACME Gift Card Coupon - with any new or transferred prescription


Regular Ad
Celeste Pizza for One 10 for $10
Ellio's Microwave Cheese Pizza 10 for $10

Save $10 on your next shopping trip, WYB $25 in participating products, Offer Valid 2/13 - 2/19/09
10 for $10
Chef Boyardee *
Crunch N Munch *
Hunts Stewed and Diced Tomatoes
Hunt's Snack Pack Pudding
8 for $10
Hunt's Manwich for Sloppy Joe's *
4 for $5
Healthy Choice Canned Soup *
Parkay Margarine
Act II Microwave Popcorn
Ro-tel Tomatoes *
Swiss Miss Cocoa
2 for $7
Marie Callenders Dinners and Pot Pies
Wesson Oil
2 for $3
Hunt's Ketchup
Banquest Select Recipes
2 for $5
Redi Wip Aersol Whip Topping
Kid Cuisine Frozen Dinners
$2.99
Pam Cooking Spray *

Save $10 OYNO WYB 10 Participating General Mill's Products
2 for $6 Pillsbury Toaster Strudels and Scrambles * (and printable HERE)
$1.79 Betty Crocker Frosting * (and printable HERE)
3 for $4 Betty Crocker Cake Mix
$7.99 Totino's 90 ct Pizza Rolls *
4 for $5 Pillsbury Grands! Biscuits *
3 for $5 Betty Crocker Warm Delights * (and printable HERE)
3 for $5 Betty Crocker Cookie Mix * (and printable HERE)
3 for $10 Pillsbury Savorings *
3 for $10 Betty Crocker Macaroni Grill meals *
4 for $10 Pillsbury Refrigerated Chub or Ready to Bake Cookie Dough
4 for $10 General Mills Cereal and Snack Bars
5 for $10
Bugles, Chex Mix and Cheerios Snack Mix * (and printable HERE)
Betty Crocker Brownies Mix or Lemon Bars *
Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks * (and printable HERE)
Pillsbury Crescent or Sweet Rolls *

Save $5 Instantly at checkout WYB $25 worth of participating homelife products
2 for $11
Liquid Laundry Detergent
Sweeper Kit
30 Gallon Trash Bags
8 Rolls Towels or Bath Tissue 12 rolls
2 For $5
Food storage containers
2 Roll Towels
Fabric softener Sheets
Cutlery Heavy Duty 144 ct
Party Cup
Designer Plates
2 For $4
Glass Cleaner or All Purpose Cleaners
Disinfecting Wipes
Storage and Freezer Slides
Scented Candles
Foam Plates and Bowls 24-60 ct
Liquid Dish Soap or Auto Dish Detergent
3 for $5
Bleach
Cleaning products




Meal Deal
Buy one of each of these 5 items and you save $4.50 at checkout
Tyson Ready to Eat chicken or steak
Uncle Ben's Ready Rice
Mann's Cut Vegetable
Fress Express Baby Blend Salad

High School Musical 3 $19.95 Buy HSM3 DVD and get One Package each Hillshire Farm Deli Select Lunch meat AND Kellogg's High School Musical Cereal

In Ad Coupons
Manufacturer:
FREE Bananas (up to $1.50) when you purchase any Skippy peanut butter (26.5 oz or larger) Expires 3/31/09

Free Milk, at Checkout when you purchae any FOUR Participating Kelloggs Cereals with coupon Expires 2/26/09

$1 off Colgate Total Toothbrush OR Colgate 6.4 oz Toothpaste Expires 2/19/09

$2 WYB 2 Cubes by the makers of Pepsi Expires 2/19/09

FREE 12 oz 8 pack Coca Cola Product WYB any 3 12 oz 12 pack cans Offer valid 2/13/09 - 2/19/09 Max Value $3.99

Come on , there is no way I can do that!

With just some basic tools you CAN do this! To be honest these aren't even my pictures. They were taken by my best friend, in her dinning room, tonight.







How much did all of this cost? About $55

How many stores to get all that? This table did involve shopping with 3 different chains stores, none more then 5 miles from where the purchaser would have gone anyway. The stores involved were Weis, CVS and ACME.

I could never use so many boxes of cereal!?! Really, well how many boxes of cereal do you buy a week? Have you ever checked the expiration dates on cereal - I have - and many times the expiration date in nearly a year from when I purchased it. So even if you family only used 2 boxes of cereal a week that is only about 8 weeks worth of cereal.

Ok, so how can I do this in 'babysteps'

Try this deal this week at ACME (through Thursday 2/5/2009)
Buy 4 Select General Mills Cereals 4 for $10 (as in ad includes Kix, Cheerios, Trix)
Use General Mills coupons from the Sunday Paper, or Print 2 Cheerios Coupons HERE

When your purchase is complete, the Catalina machine (awesome coupon printing machine located at the register) will print a coupon for a FREE gallon of milk (up to $4.50, on your next visit)

How much have you save with just this deal? Well the regular price of the Cheerios included in this deal is $3.49, you are getting is for $2.50, so that is a savings of $.99 a box (saving $3.96 for 4 boxes) plus up to $4.50 for milk, and your coupons. So you are looking at a savings of AT LEAST $9.46. Who doesn't like to have an extra $10 in their pocket?

While you are at ACME here are some other deals you may want to take a look at:
Totino's Pizza Rolls $1 - recent ad coupons for $.35 (doubled to $.70 means they only cost $.30) or a printable coupon HERE
Softsoap handsoap $1 recent ad coupons for $.35 (doubled to $.70 means they only cost $.30)

TY Weis and Betty Crocker!

I admit, I have become a bit focused on one store, ACME, and I forget to check the other stores for great deals too.

Well this week there is a  sale, ending  2/4/2009.  This sale includes Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks 4 for $4  AND get a $2.50 OYNO  (on your next order) coupon.    So my BFF and I gathered all of our Fruit Snacks coupons (during the Super Bowl last night)  and I headed out to 2 Weis stores today.

Here is what I ended up with:

28 boxes fruit snacks

4 boxes granola bars

3 chili seasoning mixes

5 boxes pasta

and a pack of mints

Out of pocket cost:   $5.76

SAVINGS                   $103.52 ! ! ! 

and a $2.50 OYNO catalina that I used at ACME

Only shame of it, my kids don't really like the fruit snacks - but my BFF's kids do!

Beat the Picture Time Blues!

I can't be the only parent whose stomache cringes with fear at
taking the kids to the mall for pictures. 

I also can't be the only one that is sick of  the same old forced poses and props.

The Solution - Wendy Campo Photography

Doesn't this look a whole lot better then a 'mall' shot? 

(Copyright Wendy Campo Photography 2009)

AND  she has a February Special:

1-2 Children $25.00
2-3 Children $35.00
4+ Children $40.00

Limited Time Offer Expires 2/28/09

Wendy also has a referal program going on right now,
so please tell her that Diane from DianeScraps and Saves sent you

Check out Wendy's Blog at  http://wcmemories.blogspot.com/

FREE Class Financial Learning Experience

3 PA and 1 NJ ACME stores will be closing

KYW is reporting that ACME will be closing the following stores:
Ambler
West Chester
Collegeville
Newton, NJ


Unfortunately I am not incredibly surprised about the Collegeville store, it has always been a rather odd setup, teamed with the area it is in and a new Wegmans opening down the street, I don't think it stood much of a chance.

Reports did advise that employees will be given the opportunity to transition to other stores. Personally, I would LOVE to see some of their customer service (ok at least 1) transfer to Royesford.

I am not sure what the overall plan is for emptying the inventory in these stores, but it will definitely be something to watch.

Two Newspapers - Two Sets of Coupons? WHY?!??!

I've been telling everyone, if you are going to even try couponing as a way to save money in 2009, you NEED at least 2 sets of coupons this week.

Why 2 sets?  Why would I buy more then one paper?

The answer - there are 5 sets of coupon inserts this week, there are a TON of coupons for everything from Green Giant Steamer Veggies to Dishwasher Detergent.  If you ever want to see just what coupons are included each week (before the paper comes out) check out Taylortown Preview  the values of actual coupons, and the exact coupons do vary from paper to paper and in different areas, but you can get a pretty good idea of what to expect.

Ok, now I've got my papers, and my coupons, where do I  start?

Clip the coupons!   And organize them into what makes sense for you, like types of coupons together like soup, cereal, veggies, etc.   And then put them in an envelope or a zip lock bag AND put them in your purse /wallet.  (These clipped coupons do you no good if they are laying at home while you are at the grocery store.)

Ok, next get out your ACME ad, take a look at the back page.  It reads spend $30 on the great offers  and get $15 in coupons for your next order (OYNO).   But here is the thing with ACME  when it is a OYNO deal (not an instant savings deal) is that the register bases the $30 purchase amount on the shelf price - not the sale price (this however doesn't apply to pharmacy, health and beauty items  such as Prilosec, Nyquil, Always, those items will be based on the sale price).

"Diane, YOU ARE CRAZY - I Am Confused!"

It's OK - Take a deep breath, I went to the store today with the intention of doing the simplest order I could with just the coupons from this week and one internet printed coupon.  

So go to COUPONS.COM  and print out one coupon for Bisquick, mine printed for $1, some are printing for $.75, but it is still a good deal either way.

Now go to ACME. This is what you are shopping for:

3 boxes Honey Nut Cheerios  Regular Price $3.49, Sale Price $2,   Coupon $1 on 3

1 box Bisquick  Regular Price $4.29, Sale Price $2.50, Printed Coupon $1 (or $.75)

4 boxes Betty Crocker Fruit Snacks   Regular Price $2.50, Sale Price $2, 2 Coupons $.50 on 2 (which will double)

2 boxes Fiber One Cereal Bars  Regular Price $3.50, Sale Price $2, 2  Coupons $.50 on 1 (which will double)

The regular price total of this order :  $31.76

Price you pay after sales and coupons $14.50  (or $14.75)  and the catalina machine (awesome coupon machine at the register) will print out 3 $5 coupons totaling $15.00 - you are AHEAD! and walking out the door with groceries.

Apply those 3 $5 coupons to your next order (we call this 'rolling')   For my next order I did 2 bottles of Tide (I LOVE Tide in my HE washing machine)

Order looks like this:

2 bottles Tide,  Regular Price $15.49,  Sale Price $10.99, less 2 $1 coupons (previous weeks inserts), less the $15 coupons from my first order, out of pocket $5.28, AND I got another $15 worth of coupons!

Don't be afraid to take paper and a pencil, and even a small calculator to the store with you.

I want to hear how you do!

Ready for more possibilities?  Want to know how to apply this type of deal to a store near you?  Check out Couponers Wanted!

Welcome 2009!

Ready or not, it's here - 2009!

I am going to start right off and admit that I am not going to be one of the bloggers posting that I am going to be going to setting a goal of an awe  inspiring food budget for the year.  I truly admire those that can, but for us it just doesn't work, my shopping not only include my family of 4, but it includes extended family, 3-4 weekend events where I feed approximately another 45 people of the weekend, and I donate to several causes.

If you want to see what some of the awe inspiring budgeters are doing check out:

Jane4Girls  $800 Annual Budget (single mom of 3 girls!)

Retire with Coupons   $1800 Annual Budget (family of 5)

Adventures in Couponing $2000 Annual Budget (family of 5)

However, I am going to do my best to:

Keep my blog updated and honest! I'm not perfect, my deals aren't always the best, and i've certainly had deals not go as I thought they would, or missed a better deal  just down the street.  But what I hope to offer is for others to learn from my mistakes and from what I do right.

I always want to make better choices and try and plan better with my purchases.  I had some great deals in 2008, but there were a few that I overstocked on, and some that I really understocked on.  

And probably the hardest for me, is to try and get my coupons under control!  I have switched to the binder system, which in a lot of ways I like alot better, but I still need to do some modifications to make it work for me.

Other goals:
Purchase / obtain an upright freezer - I have passed on way to many deals because my freezer was already bursting at the seams (even though I upgraded to a larger fridge/freezer in 2008).

Better evaluate and plan my revenue gaining activites (AKA Work).  My employment background is insurance, but I have been out of the  9-5 (ok 8-6) office life for about 4 years now, and I have no intention of looking back.  But the insurance auditing I was doing has dried up, I am pursuing other possibilites with insurance auditing, but am keeping my options open.   I have also found that well planned merchandising routes can be very beneficial, and still allow me the flexibility I need with the kids.   I also recently started with a company that I work from home making customer service review and training phone calls.  I LOVE not being on the road so much (and it extends the life of my 1999 car!).  I just need to work on my speed at handling those calls to make my time spent more profitable.