Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial. The post and rafflecopter contain affiliate links; I will receive a small commission if you purchase through them. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Welcome to the SuperDad giveaway hop! This multi-blog event is hosted by MamaNYC. The participating bloggers linked at the bottom of my post worked hard to bring you giveaways that offer prizes valued at $25 and up. I hope you’ll visit them all before the hop ends on June 18!

One Savings in Seconds reader will win a BobuCuisine peeler set and a copy of No More Perfect Kids. [Read more…]

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by IfOnly. The opinions shared here are 100% mine. The post contains affiliate links; if you make a purchase through them I will receive a small commission.

What’s the big deal about Father’s Day?  It’s a great opportunity to honor the guys in our life who keep things ticking.  My husband is looking forward to watching the U.S. Open all day.  There will probably be some sub sandwiches involved, Cliff Huxtable style.  It’s tough to pick out the right gift for my sweet man because he’s just so content with what he has.  Well, except for the fact that he loves to go over the top when it comes to the family.  Like the time that I asked for one of those blue pop-up pools and we ended up with an inground oasis.  But that’s another post for another day.

I’d love to find something really spectacular for my  husband to let him know how much he’s appreciated.

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Disclosure: I received this book to review. The post contains affiliate links; the opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Remember last week when I told you about the great show Fringe that I’ve been watching?  We only have 2 episodes left; I’m already suffering the sadness that comes when we reach the end of a terrific storyline.  When I picked up the book Hacker by Ted Dekker, it was like being shoved back into Fringe.  Wow!! [Read more…]

Disclosure: I will receive a product sample. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

With Father’s Day approaching, you might be scrambling to find the perfect gift for the guy in your life.  My husband never seems to want anything specific but I know he enjoys toys that he can use with the kids.  Sports equipment is always a hit because they can go outside and practice together.  Pool toys are a blast when the weather is hot.  He even enjoys kids toys that he can play with the kids — things like remote-control helicopters and such are fun for the whole family.

If you’ve got a grown-up kid called Dad in your house, check out the Battroborg!   [Read more…]

Disclosure **This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Even if we’ve just returned from a 10-day trip, I’ve always got Disney on the brain.   It comes up in conversation all the time in our house, whether we’re looking at photos or remembering a funny thing that happened on our last trip.  My son learned to walk on his first Disney trip.  My daughter got to sing with Ariel, her favorite mermaid of all time.  Those special memories are tucked away in my heart, waiting for new ones to be made.  Today let’s talk about the kind of clothes you’re going to pack for your trip. [Read more…]

Normally DIY projects turn out to be DIDon’t for me.  I kind of gave up on the whole thing when I spent all weekend making a Martha Stewart-inspired cranberry wreath for my future mother-in-law.  I used fresh cranberries and toothpicks, stabbing them into the styrofoam  wreath form until my fingertips were raw.  My sweet mother-in-law was delighted with the gift and hung it on the front door.  We walked back into the house (I was more than a little smug with pride) just as we heard a loud splat-slash-bang.  We ran outside to discover that the meticulously tied ribbon bow holding the wreath on the door had ripped, causing the wreath to fall on the doorstep like a smashed pumpkin.  Grrrr….    Since then, I’ve just bought whatever was needed.  If it needed to look crafty, I bought it at Hobby Lobby or the Farmer’s Market.

There was, however, one day when DIY could have been my initials. Notice that I say it was a day.  One. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received this book to review. The post contains my affiliate links; the opinions shared here are 100% mine.

I give Netflix a lot of credit.  For one thing, I don’t think the word “queue” was ever in my vocabulary until Netflix came along.  So you see, it’s really educational.  Also, my Netflix subscription has increased my organizational habits.  After one too many lost DVD mailers, sleeves, or discs, I finally came up with a system.  Netflix has reduced my spending habits as well.  Instead of buying a new DVD for the kids every time I darken the doors of Target, I put movies for them in my queue (there it is again!) and we watch those together.  Thank you Netflix for making my world a better place.

My husband and I have always preferred to watch series shows rather than movies.  We become invested in the characters and plot.  Whatever show we’re watching becomes a conversational fallback so we have something to discuss besides the kids.  We’re also pretty boring; we spend most anniversaries and holidays watching our favorite shows until the wee hours of the morn.   [Read more…]

Many of you use the envelope system to keep your grocery budget in check.  While our family doesn’t strictly adhere to a fixed limit each week, we have a budget in place and try to stick with it.  We’re working toward becoming debt free so it’s important to be aware of what we’re spending.  There are thin weeks when I feel like Old Mother Hubbard trying to find a bone in the cupboard, then there are weeks of abundance when we don’t even have to go to the store.  I find that the summer months tend to be leaner for us because we’re more tempted to eat out or spend more on entertainment.  Since I use coupons on most store trips, our grocery bill is usually reduced by $10 or so by the end.  That means there’s a little extra.  Sometimes I use that cushion to buy a gift card and save it for Christmas.  Last year that saved me when we had several gift cards already in an envelope, ready to give.    I’d like to give you another idea that will help keep the kids busy and also keep your pantry stocked!   Whether you have 50 cents or $5 extra, there’s something constructive to do with that money.

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Many of you visit Savings in Seconds because I share timesaving tips, money saving ideas, and sometimes a silly story about myself.   Lots of you visit because of the giveaways.  I really enjoy giving you a chance to win great prizes.  It also helps the brand to get the word about their fantastic products.  So whenever I see a new giveaway hop, I consider it.  I’m excited about this new theme; it’s one that I haven’t participated in before.  The Review Wire offered me a spot on the rafflecopter form in exchange for sharing it with you!

The Review Wire will be hosting a free Blogger Opp called the Celebrate Your State Giveaway Hop, which will run from June 27-July 11, 2014. [Read more…]

Disclosure: I received samples to review; this post contains affiliate links. The opinions shared here are 100% mine.

Today was a lazy summer day in the Savings in Seconds house.  We wanted to get out of the house so we took a little day trip.  One of my favorite things to do in the summer is visit local shops.  It’s a great way to learn about the area in which you live, especially if you don’t normally take the time to stop in those quaint shops. Summer days at home don’t have to be actually in the house.  Get out and explore places you don’t normally visit!  We are lucky to live in a historic area where old towns are held dear.  Jonesborough and Abingdon are popular tourist spots that would be the perfect setting for The Hatmaker’s Heart.  Isn’t this cover stunning?  If you’ve been visiting local farmer’s markets or craft shows this summer, you might have seen some artisans creating beautiful work like these hats.   [Read more…]