Back from the 2012 Wilton Tent Sale

Some friends and I hit the Wilton Tent Sale on Sunday.  We got there in the late afternoon and were pleased to find plenty of parking and shopping carts, and not a large crowd. Unfortunately, many of the cookware bins were empty, but that's a gamble we took by going at the end of the day rather than at the beginning.

As I've stated before, each year the merchandise changes. This year, the sale was heavy on frosting and fondant stuff.  There were some crafts kits, scrapbooking materials and a bit of Copco brand stuff, but the majority of the sale offerings were Wilton.  Here's the small stretch of sale dedicated to Martha Stewart Crafts:

And here's what I bought:

For the most part, I stuck to my list. Last year I purchased a Copco knife and I really like it, so picking up another of the same brand was a no-brainer. 

I replenished my supply of candy melts:

And I had a few smaller purchases:

Though I had a lot of pirate-themed stuff on my list for Little Guy's fifth birthday party, all I could find were these fun picks. Cute, but not the boatload of pirate-themed stuff I was hoping for.

The only deviation from my list is this super-fun Linzer Cutter.  I've always wanted to try linzer cookies, and this kit makes it look easy:

It comes with seven designs for the hole in the top cookie. Fun!

The 2012 Wilton Tent Sale is going on now through June 19.  If you are in the area and into parties, cakes, cookies and candy, you'll want to check it out.  Happy shopping!

Wilton Tent Sale 2012

This year's Wilton Tent Sale starts in one week. As my regular readers know, this event is like a mini-version of Christmas for me.   I just can't wait to get my hands on all that great, discounted cake/candy/crafting stuff!

For those not familiar with the company, Wilton is famous for their cake-decorating and candy-making supplies.  But did you also know they are the makers of all things Copco, the Mario Batali Italian Kitchen line, EK Success products and....MARTHA STEWART CRAFTS?!!!

And during their once-a-year Tent Sale in Woodridge, Illinois, many of the items they make are sold at a substantial discount.  While the selection varies from year to year (some years there have been more craft items, some years it's more about the cake decorating supplies), all items are 40-75% off regular retail prices. 

Here's what I bought in:  2011, 2010 and 2009.  Substantial hauls, each and every one! This year, I'm on the hunt for all things pirate, since that will be the theme for Little Guy's 5th birthday.  These pirate cupcake liners and candy picks are on my "must have" list:

The Tent Sale runs from June 1-19.  On June 1, the sale is open 1-8pm.  After that, it is open Monday through Friday from 9am to 8pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 6pm.  Read all about the Tent Sale here.

My plan is to be there on June 3.  See you there!

You can do this, too!

As you know, I teach a Coupon Mastery course at Waubonsee Community College.  It's a fun class and not just because I sometimes bring in shopping trips for show-and-tell that may or may not have the shampoo lid securely fastened, thereby covering all my purchases in Pantene.  Ahem.

In my class, I teach the basics of frugal shopping: finding coupons, which blogs and websites are worth your time, organizing coupons, efficient and ethical coupon use, and how to get the best deals at area stores.  By using coupons and shopping smart, I regularly save 50-60% off my grocery bills, and I get many items for free at area drug stores. 

For example, here's my CVS Thanksgiving Day shopping trip: 

Here are some close-up pictures of what I got:

There's brand name cereal, dishwasher detergent, medicine, candy, nail polish, toothbrushes, Kleenex, a universal remote control and more.

This merchandise is worth $136.17, and I only paid $13.75 out of pocket for it.  And the truth is, I even made a mistake during this shopping trip. Had I gotten my coffee before I shopped instead of after, I would have been more alert and saved myself about $4.50 out of pocket. 

Here's what I got from Walgreen's on Thanksgiving:

And here are some close-up photos of the merchandise:

At Walgreen's I got toothpaste, laundry detergent, deodorant, razors, hair ties, toothbrushes, medicine, probiotics, vitamins and more. 

This merchandise is worth over $242.14, and yet I paid only $17.68 out of pocket.  Keep in mind that the majority of the out-of-pocket expense is tax. 
I can teach you how to do this!  My class is aimed at folks who are new to couponing, and those who coupon a bit but are looking to take their skills to the next level.  Of course, everyone is welcome, no matter if you are a coupon newbie or a coupon master.  If you have doubts about taking a couponing class, read this testimonial from a student who took my class in Spring 2011.  Then, sign up for Coupon Mastery.  There are two sections this semester, and the first one begins in two weeks at the downtown Aurora campus from February 9-23.  The second session will be at the Plano campus March 15-29.  I hope to see you there!

Happy couponing!

Last minute gift ideas

Christmas is only three days away...are you ready?  I have only one more gift to purchase, and I know exactly what it is so I'm not freaking out.  I do, however, know several people who are freaking out.  If that's the boat you're in, have no fear. Here are some super-duper last-minute Christmas ideas that are easy to buy and won't break the bank:

For her: gift certificates for manicures/pedicures.  You can't go wrong with this!

For him: new gloves, hat, scarf and a super-fancy heated windshield scraper. Cozy, yet technologically advanced. Win!

For kids: board and card games.  In a world where too many kids are plugged in too early and for too long, an old-fashioned board or card game is a nice break. How about a poker set?

For the couple:  chocolates and champagne.  No need to say more.

For the family: a family-friendly movie, popcorn, candy and a six-pack of high-end root beer.  Instant family movie night!

Need to buy a bunch of gifts?  My advice is to pick a theme and shop at a quality department-type store.

For example, let's say you are exhausted with all of this Christmas preparation and craziness. All you want to do is sleep, am I right?  THERE'S YOUR THEME!  There are lots of great gifts out there (for kids and adults) that relate to "sleep":

Pajamas (these are especially fun for kids)
Fancy sheets
New pillows
Fun and functional alarm clocks
Nightlights (again, especially fun for kids)
Cozy bathrobes
Throw blankets
Stuffed animals (for kids)
Night time reading materials (for kids or adults)
Slippers

Any of these items can be easily found at any major store, and at affordable prices. 

Here's another theme (and one of my favorites)....the kitchen!
What kitchen gifts would be suitable for a wide variety of people?

Cookbooks (good for kids and adults)
Popcorn maker (include popcorn and seasonings)
Blender (include drink mix)
Aprons
Food gift basket
Food kit--think cake pops, cupcakes, cookies, etc.
Platters and serving dishes
Vases and centerpieces
Tablecloths and placemats
High-end kitchen gadgets, such as a rotary cheese grater, omelet pan, food processor, etc.

Again, these are all items that can be purchased on a budget in any department-type store. 

Get an idea, make a list, check your budget and then get to the nearest store that suits your needs. Grab everything, check your list, make your purchases and go home to wrap.  At this point in the game, there's no reason to spend any time stressing out over what to get for whom...Christmas is right around the corner, and there are better things you could be doing with your time.  Such as sipping a nice Riesling while watching Miracle on 34th Street for the millionth time. 

And if all these ideas aren't working for you, head to Walgreen's or CVS and get everyone on your list a Chia pet.  Everyone loves those things!

Sign up now for 'Happy Holidays!'

For the fall semester, my Live Well, Spend Less! course has been divided into three one-night seminars for a fun "Happy Holidays" series:


Creative Gift Solutions at the downtown Aurora campus
Monday, October 24, 7:15-8:45pm
Cost: $19.00 (The cost of $59.00 as listed in the WCC course catalog is incorrect.)
We'll focus on fabulous and frugal gifts for everyone on your list, as well as great gifts for families, online deals and homemade goodies that friends and family will be delighted to receive. I'll have great ideas to help you shop for even the hardest-to-please person on your list.  I understand that resources are limited, and my suggestions for holiday gift-giving will leave you with time and money to spare!

Perfect Party Solutions at the Sugar Grove campus
Monday, November 7, 7:15-8:45pm
Cost: $19.00
Does the thought of hosting a holiday gathering have you stressed? I'll have tips and tricks for organizing and hosting everything from office cocktail parties to family feasts that will make you the host with the most!  Whether it's a simple gathering for friends or a 7-course meal for fussy in-laws, I'll help you create a memorable event.  Be careful, following my suggestions could have your family begging you to host the holidays every year!

Holiday Activities for the Whole Family at the Plano campus
Monday, November 21, 7:15-8:45pm
Cost: $19.00
I firmly believe that the holidays should be a time for fun, family and friends...if your holiday preparations have you threatening to cancel the whole season, then something must change! Let me help you find ways to reconnect with your family during this busy season, whether it be by creating new traditions, improving upon old ones, or finding ways to tackle holiday chores in ways that will leave the entire family feeling merry.

Registration information is at the links.  As always, you can find all of my Waubonsee Community College courses listed to the right. I hope to see you in one soon!

Weekend plans

Everyone knows I love a good resale...sale, and there are several good ones coming up in the Fox Valley. Woohoo!

This weekend, I'll be at the John Shields and McDole Elementary PTO Sale in Sugar Grove. I stumbled upon this sale by accident in the spring, and I was really impressed! Lots of kids clothes, equipment and toys, and everything was nicely organized.  The sale is Friday, September 9 from 6-9pm and Saturday, September 10 from 8am to 1pm at the Sugar Grove Community House. 

Next weekend, I'm giving the St. Peter Barn Sale a try. I first learned about this sale from a participant in my most recent Live Well, Spend Less! class at Waubonsee.  The St. Peter Barn Sale is held Saturday, September 17 from 8am to 3pm and Sunday, September 18 from 9am to 2pm at the Kane County Fairgrounds.  Based on the pictures at their facebook page, this sale looks huge!

Finally, in October I'll stop at the resale event hosted by the Tri-Cities Mothers of Twins and Triplets Club.  Held at the Mooseheart Field House, this sale is on Saturday, October 1 from 8am to 1pm. It costs $1.00 per person to enter, and you'll need to bring a stroller, wagon or large tote bag to haul around your purchases. 

At each sale, I'll be on the lookout for winter clothes for the Little Guy and Little Miss as well as Halloween costumes and dress-up outfits.  If you see a crazy woman frantically digging through the 5T and 2T sizes looking for footed pajamas, it's just me. Come on over and say Hello!

ReStore in Aurora

Have you heard of ReStore?  Run by Habitat for Humanity, ReStores are located throughout the US and Canada, and sell reusable furniture, household goods and building supplies.  We are in the market for an entertainment center, so we headed to our local ReStore in Aurora last weekend.

This was my first time at ReStore, and I was surprised by the amount of everything they had! Need a couch? Choose from over thirty available.  Interested in kitchen cabinets?  They must have had over 200 there. 

Donations come from individuals, building companies, restaurants, offices and more. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity, which is a great cause.  And bonus! All this stuff has the chance to find a new home which keeps it out of landfills.

The Red Lobster up the road was remodeling.  Hmmm, I wonder what they did with all of their old booth seats and tables?

Many of the building supplies are surplus and therefore brand new.  The Aurora ReStore had a great selection of lighting...everything from lamps to fixtures to chandeliers. 

I noticed some really nice antiques at ReStore. There were several bedroom sets and desks that were clearly very old but still in great condition.

We didn't find anything to suit our needs for an entertainment center (I have a particular style/function in mind), but the kids were excited to find the antique cradle and rocking horse. 

I found this great buffet that would be perfect for the foyer.  Big Guy, can you hear me?

I was really impressed with my local ReStore, and I'm sure I'll be back soon (quite possibly for that buffet).  Do you have a ReStore near you?  What's your go-to place for inexpensive furniture?

Live Well, Spend Less recap

I just finished my second installment of Live Well, Spend Less! with some lovely folks at Waubonsee Community College.  The Live Well, Spend Less! class is a three-week course where we discuss ways to live large on a small budget, including ways to save on clothes, furniture, vacations, holidays, weddings, children's items and activities, and more.  

Overwhelmingly, like the spring semester class, the summer class participants really enjoyed learning about all the online group coupon sites and the benefits to each one.  Groupon, Living Social, Family Finds and more are all discussed. With so many similar group coupon sites out there, and all featuring great deals on a daily basis, it's easy to be overwhelmed with all the offers flowing into your inbox.  Participants Suzie and Sandy (Hi, Suzie and Sandy!) suggested signing up for a generic email address just to use for these sites. That way, deals are kept separate from your regular email.

Jane (Hi, Jane!) was thrilled to learn about great places for cheap furniture, including ReStore and area flea markets.  Ann (Hi, Ann!) brought St. Peter's Barn Sale to our attention, and I'm so glad she did.  How did I not know about this?!  I will be there on September 17/18 to check it out. 

One thing I like to share with my Live Well, Spend Less! class participants is the TMI rule for Christmas gifts concerning the Little Guy and Little Miss:

Something you want, something you need, something to wear and something to read.

And that's it!  My kids only get four gifts for Christmas, plus their stocking and a special gift from Santa.  Their Santa gift may or may not overlap with the "Rule of Four" depending on what they're getting that year. This saves us a ton of money, and my hope is that when they get older, my children will be grateful instead of greedy.  Participant Matt (Hi, Matt!) said that this little rule about Christmas gift-giving was the best idea he got from the class.

Thanks to everyone who took the class! I had a great time, and I hope you all did, too.

In the fall, the Live Well, Spend Less! course will be divided into three one-night seminars for a fun "Happy Holidays" series:

Creative Gift Solutions at the downtown Aurora campus
Monday, October 24, 7:15-8:45pm
Cost: $19.00 (The cost of $59.00 as listed in the WCC course catalog is incorrect.)
We'll focus on fabulous and frugal gifts for everyone on your list, as well as great gifts for families, online deals and homemade goodies that friends and family will be delighted to receive.  I'll have great ideas to help you shop for even the hardest-to-please person on your list.

Perfect Party Solutions at the Sugar Grove campus
Monday, November 7, 7:15-8:45pm
Cost: $19.00
Does the thought of hosting a holiday gathering have you stressed?  I'll have tips and tricks for organizing and hosting everything from office cocktail parties to family feasts that will make you the host with the most!  Be careful, following my suggestions could have your family begging you to host the holidays every year!

Holiday Activities for the Whole Family at the Plano campus
Monday, November 21, 7:15-8:45pm
Cost: $19.00
I firmly believe that the holidays should be a time for fun, family and friends...if your holiday preparations have you threatening to cancel the whole season, then something must change!  Let me help you find ways to reconnect with your family during this busy season, whether it be by creating new traditions, improving upon old ones, or finding ways to tackle holiday chores in ways that will leave the entire family feeling merry.

As always, you can find all of my Waubonsee Community College courses listed to the right. I hope to see you in one soon!

Tips for a frugal Easter

Easter is only days away, and I'm busy dyeing eggs and filling baskets.  With all the cute bunny and chick stuff out there, it would be easy to go overboard, and over budget, on Easter. However, with a bit of planning and creativity, it's possible to have a nice Easter celebration without spending a lot of money.

To save money on the holiday meal:

• Have a potluck meal.  Even if you aren't having a potluck meal and someone offers to bring a dish, accept their offer! 
• Rotate holidays--if you had Easter last year, find someone else to take a turn.
• Host an Easter brunch rather than a formal dinner (breakfast foods are a lot cheaper).
• If you must go out to eat, save money by moving your celebration to Saturday instead of Sunday.

To save money on baskets:

• Don't go nuts on toys/candy/trinkets for the kids.  I'm limiting myself to $10.00 per basket. 
• Don't worry about fillers like that plastic Easter grass. It's messy and unnecessary. 
• Right after Easter, all the baskets, fillers and Easter-themed stuff will go on sale.  Think ahead to Easter 2012 as you peruse the clearance racks, and get what you need (and only what you need) at a steep discount. 

I got the Little Guy and Little Miss's basket at 90% off after last Easter for a cost of $0.99 each. The bunny ears were also 90% off, making them only $0.19.  Score!

The contents of the baskets all came from the Dollar Spot at Target. Seriously, whoever created that thing is a genius! 

I'll round out their baskets with fruit snacks (for the Little Guy) and fun crackers (for Little Miss).

To save money on entertainment:

• Look for free/cheap community events featuring the Easter bunny and egg hunts.
• Focus on activities (decorating eggs, making garlands, baking desserts) as a family rather than paying big bucks for passive entertainment.
• Combine resources with friends/neighbors to have a large-scale Easter egg hunt. 

Happy Easter planning!

PS. Did you know that I'm available for public speaking?  Neither did I!  As it turns out, I am able and willing to speak with community groups.  Kaneland WINS invited me to speak at their meeting today, and they got an abbreviated version of my "Live Well, Spend Less" class.  Thanks to Kaneland WINS for a fun lunch!  I hope you all enjoyed it as much as I did.

Manda Monday--After Christmas sales

In the December issue of Living, Martha's calendar denotes December 3 as the day to stock up on gift-wrapping supplies. 

This is totally, absolutely, positively wrong. 

Don't stock up on your wrapping supplies weeks before Christmas when everything is still full price; instead, buy your supplies immediately after Christmas to take advantage of sales.  Buy gift wrap, bows, ribbons and more at 70-90% off, and get everything you need for next Christmas on the cheap.

In other words, TODAY is the day to restock your gift-wrapping supplies.

This has been my way of doing things for years. In fact, I so love buying gift wrap after Christmas, and could get it for so cheap, that for many years BOTH of these wrapping paper bins were full.

Three years ago, I had over forty rolls of paper.  That's a bit much, even for a gift wrap fanatic like me, so I stopped hitting the after Christmas sales.  Well, at least, I stopped buying the discounted wrapping paper.  Now, I'm down to 22 rolls of gift wrap.

Yes, I know there are 24 rolls in the bin, but two of them are basket wrap, and I don't count that as wrapping paper. 

I did the same thing with bows: I bought bags and bags of bows at 90% off, and now I have an entire storage tote dedicated to bows. 

And do you know what the crazy thing is?  I'm more of a ribbon person, so I hardly ever use bows.

My supply of tissue paper is adequate, so if I see some really cute patterns then I will snatch them up.  I have plenty of the Scotch pop-up tape refills, so I'm good there.  And I have a few rolls of ribbon left over from years past.  Normally, this amount of ribbon would be too little for me, but I'm going to avoid buying more so that I can start using up all those bows next year!

Before you put your Christmas gift wrapping supplies away, take a good look at what you have and what you need. Then, with a list in hand, hit some of the after Christmas sales for super cheap supplies. 

Trust me on this one: save money by stocking up on supplies now, and you'll be ready to wrap for next Christmas.  Happy shopping!

Smart Christmas shopping solutions

I used to spend a ridiculous amount of time Christmas shopping. I would roam up and down the aisles for hours searching for that perfect gift, only to find out that not only is there no perfect gift aisle, but also that I wasted three hours in one store with a single so-so gift to show for it.  Bah humbug!

Fortunately, I've learned a few tricks over the years to keep my sanity, budget and free time in check.

Make a list--I make a spreadsheet in Excel of who, what, where and how much.  This list is king and really helps me stick to my budget.  When a person's name is ready to be checked off, I simply highlight their name on the spreadsheet so I know I'm done with them.  The list includes gift ideas and/or that person's wish list, so I can go into a store with a good idea of what I'm going to purchase.

Stick to the budget--Once you've determined your Christmas budget, stick to it like Martha on a craft project.  Use coupons and sales whenever possible.  The cost of Christmas can quickly get out of hand, but you can make your cash stretch farther by shopping sales, using customer loyalty programs and store coupons.  For example, at Kohl's they have great sales that can be combined with store coupons, and Kohl's Cash is a great incentive to do my shopping there.

Shop smart--There's no need to shop at forty different stores to find the right gift for everyone on your list.  Pick a few stores that offer a wide variety of items, and try to get as many people checked off your list there as possible.  For example, my go-to store is Kohl's: with clothes, toys and housewares under one roof, I can do 80% of my Christmas shopping there. 

When in doubt, shop with a theme in mind--Don't know what to get someone?  Or an entire group of people?  Choose a theme and stick to it.  For example, go to a bookstore and buy everyone books. Or pajamas.  Or Christmas ornaments.  Choose an item that can work for everyone on your list, and get all of your shopping done at one store.  Genius!

Support local merchants, small businesses and artisans--In the age of large stores and mega sales, this is something we all could be doing better.  Make a choice to support small businesses and buy handmade whenever possible.  

To that end, I have three (online) small businesses and artisans to recommend:

Darling Clandestine--You all know how much I adore Darling Clandestine.  Her fragrances and earrings are simply stunning.  Santa has orders for the set of three bottled fragrances (I want Serpentine, Big Top Train and Tapadero) as well as these earrings.  This Christmas, I'll have to switch gears and buy for others at Darling Clandestine, rather than thinking only of myself!

Maxwell Apparel--Have a big and tall man on your giving list?  This is the place to shop for him.  Maxwell Apparel specializes in stylish clothes that are made to fit and flatter men who are big, tall or both.  Right now they have a great selection of printed tees, along with plans to expand their line.  Check them out!

Dish of the Day--This is an Etsy store I just recently discovered.  Dish makes lovely handmade Christmas ornaments.  I especially like the set of beaded silver icicles.  Looking at Dish's offerings makes me want to buy several ornaments and have them shipped to my house where I can re-wrap them and pass them off as my own handmade gifts.  Dishonest?  Absolutely.  A great solution to any gift-giving dilemma I might have?  You bet!

Happy shopping, everyone! 

My purchases (so far!)

As promised, here are the pictures of what I bought at this year's Wilton tent sale.

In the above picture you can see my new oven liner, mixing bowls with lids (I bought a set of these at my first trip to the tent sale, and I've been looking for another set ever since), fancy cake stand, treat bags, decorating bag holder, meringue powder, candles, standing mixer scraper and cookie cutters.

The cookie cutters are a margarita glass, music note, airplane and racecar. 

I also stocked up on cupcake liners.

I got a little carried away with the mini-cupcake liners, and had no idea that I grabbed a package of 350.  What am I going to do with all those?  Time to start baking, I guess...

I also picked up vanilla extract, clear vanilla extract, a cookie scoop, white candy melts and an ocean-themed lollipop mold. 

It was a fun trip!  I wonder what next year will bring.  More importantly, I wonder if I can sneak in another trip to the sale before it ends on June 22. 

My trip to the Wilton Tent Sale

To refresh your memory, here's my trip to last year's sale along with what I bought in 2009.

I look forward to the Wilton tent sale like kids look forward to Christmas.  This year, my friend Shannon met me there, marking my seventh year at the sale and her first. 

There were plenty of carts to go around this year.  Exciting!

Last year, the sale threw me for a loop by featuring a ton of craft stuff, and a lot of Martha Stewart Craft items.  In the years before last, there was hardly any crafty stuff--the focus was solidly on Wilton and not their other brand names.  No problemo for me, though, because I love Martha Stewart and MS stuff.

So I went to the sale this year expecting to stock up on scrapbooking and craft supplies only to find that the pendulum had swung back in the other direction.  There was some MS Crafts stuff, but not the amount or type that I was expecting.

Here's a picture of the sale:

Do you need some parchment paper? Because Wilton has some for you.

Another thing I noticed was that there was hardly any holiday stuff. In the past, the tent sale has been fully stocked with all kinds of food craft items for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, etc. This year, the abundant items seemed to be from their character shop. 

Here, Shannon waits in line with her purchases: 

Doesn't she look happy?  See, the Wilton tent sale is just like Christmas.

Tomorrow, I'll show you what I purchased.

Birthday gifts on a budget

This year, I'm taking my Aunt Donna's approach to gift giving: buy people the things you know they need and will use, which will free up their money for something they really want. Since the birth of my son, Aunt Donna has given us huge boxes of diapers for major occasions. As any parent knows, a gift like this is worth its weight in gold. We always appreciate the diapers and then our money is spent of other things for our son...clothes, educational toys, college fund. Clearly, Aunt Donna is a gift-giving pro (and remembers what its like to have small kids!).

Today is my brother's birthday. Using the Aunt Donna approach and my knack for buying a lot of stuff for a little money, I'm giving my brother a gift bag filled with items he will actually use.

The Schick Quattro razor, Edge shave gel, Crest Spinbrush, Colgate toothpaste, Adidas deoderant, Thermacare patch and candy were all bought at CVS and Walgreens, on sale and with coupons. I estimate the total worth of this gift between $30 and $35. I'm betting that I spent less than $2 out-of-pocket for all of it.

I know toiletries might seem strange as a gift, but it beats another shirt/CD/video that won't be my brother's taste. I'm giving him items he can use, so the money he would have spent on this stuff can be used for a shirt/CD/video that he does like. And bonus! This gift didn't break the bank.

Gift for my brother's birthday? Check.

Gift given on time? Check.

Something he can use? Check.

Something I put a lot of thought into? Check.

Would Martha be proud? Check!

Happy birthday, Freddy!