What I wish I’d known about college before I started – Blunt Money

6 Money Skills & Habits to Teach Your Kids Before College – Mrs Micah

Camp for kids, tax break for parents – Don’t Mess With Taxes

How to Buy the Best Bathing Suit for Your Body Shape – College Fashion

Bath & Body Works 20% off coupon – Gotta Deal

TGI Fridays buy one entree, get one free coupon – The Cheap Chica

1. Purple iPod Nano 8GB for $99 (deal)

2. Two sets of 400tc Queen size sheets for $25 each (deal)

3. One-year subscription to Seventeen magazine for $2.67 (deal)

4. JanSport backpack for $9.95 (deal)

5. Canon Powershot A590 IS, 8MP for $119 (deal)

6. SpongeBob DVD Collection, The Complete Seasons 1-3 for $48 (deal)

7. Three PS3 games for $10 each (deal)

8.  Comforter Set for $42 (deal)

Other things on my mental list of things to buy in the near future are:

• Comforter Set
• Bedroom window treatments
• Chest/Dresser

If you know where I can find any of these on a fabulous deal, please let me know.

They’re purple if you can’t tell.  Sorry for the bad picture, had to take it with BabyGirl’s camera phone. Mine was laid to rest in December.  Still searching for a replacement.

I found these babies on clearance at Ross for a grand total (including tax) of $14.16.  I just so happened to be standing in the aisle when the sales lady was marking them down from the regular price of $49.99.  I saw them from a distance – the color is striking – and noticed there were only two pair of its kind.  And wouldn’t you know – one of them was in my size.  Bingo!

I tried them on and immediately fell in love.  When I stood up, thoughts of spring/summer outfits began dancing in my head.  What?  I know y’all do it too – put together outfits in your mind when you’re buying something new.  I was thinking about my white linen suit, tan cropped pants, or any one of my bright colored, flowy, summer dresses.  Then I blurted out – to no one in particular – “I need jewelry!  Oh and a handbag too!”  BabyGirl thought I was nuts.  I really wanted a new bag, but I quickly suppressed the urge and settled for the shoes only.

As I approached the register, I noticed tiny scratches on the buckle of the right shoe and I was about to put them back.  I mean, the gold-toned buckle on this shoe is EVERYTHING!  I was so disappointed. :-(  Then BabyGirl said she didn’t notice the scratches at all and reminded me that I usually ask for an additional discount on slightly imperfect merchandise.  Well duh!  How can I forget to bargain during a critical shoe buying opportunity like this?  So I asked for an additional 10% off.  And BAM! They were sold!

In Single Ma land, it is officially spring shoe fever season.

Buy anything cute lately?  Do tell.

Sorry I’m late posting this but there’s still time left.  Download Suze’s new book for free.  You have until 11:59pm CT next Thursday, Jan 15.  [h/t DAMF]

1. BabyGirl: I actually spent about $60 less because several of her items were purchased with gift certificates or through Fat Wallet cash back links (refunds pending).  I found almost everything she asked for and a few things she didn’t ask for.  Maybe one of her gazillion aunts and uncles (or older cousins) will honor the rest of her requests because there are just some things I am NOT going to buy – even for my own child.  Also, if the interim report is not up to snuff on December 18th (yes the school sends a grade report home right before Christmas LOL), EVERYTHING I bought is going BACK – and I mean it.  Got it?  Good!

2. Mom: One of my aunts is planning a big New Year’s Eve bash, so my intent was to buy my mom a fab NYE outfit.  However, that idea went out the window when I was home for Thanksgiving.  We went shopping and she…*cough*…MADE me buy her not one, but TWO dresses.  Thank goodness we were in Ross, which just so happens to be both of our favorite store.  So I told her those dresses were her Christmas present and she looked at me like I had two heads.  Sheesh, that woman is no joke!

Sticking to my guns, yet being the dutiful daughter that I am, I decided to buy her a pair of pumps and accessories to match the dress I liked the most.  On NYE, ma dukes will be donned in an off the shoulder black dress with purple, silver, and black accessories.  Tres’ fab!

3. Brother: He’s into the COOGI name brand, which I think looks absolutely ridiculous.  But hey, I’m not a 20-something boy running after cute little girls, so what do I know.  Instead of spending $80+ for a darn shirt at the department stores, I learned a few tricks from my uncle – who’s an expert eBayer – and won two auctions.  According to the site, the shirts are authentic, the labels in the pics look legit and the seller had a 100% positive feedback rating since 2006.  Can’t expect any better than that.  Well, except I made the purchase through a Microsoft Live Search 30% cash back link, so I’m waiting for my paypal refund any day now.

4. Tenants:  They were not part of the original plan, but I already told you that story.

5. Adopted Family:  I bought almost everything the kids wanted (and needed).

– I spent most of my shopping effort and money on the 7 year girl.  Finding that Baby Alive doll at a reasonable price was difficult because I was NOT going to spend $59.99 for a friggin’ baby doll.  But when I finally found it at Kohls for $29.99, I snatched it up without a second thought.

– For the 11 year old girl, the only item I had trouble finding was a hand held video game.  I searched high and low for a DS-lite on sale, but eventually, I said forget it.  Then BabyGirl said “mom, can I give her my Gameboy Advance?  It has some of my favorite games, but if you can’t find what she wants, she can have mine.”  I was moved by her generosity, but called the mom to ask if this was ok.  Not that it would matter either way, I just didn’t want her to think I was giving her daughter something we considered trash.  She was very humble and said her daughter would appreciate anything we gave her.  So BabyGirl gathered her GBA, the carrying case, night light, magnifying glass, and all the games in their original boxes and put them in a gift bag.

We were going to get her a karaoke machine, but we found out she received one for her birthday.  I bought both of the girls’ clothes from Old Navy because they were having a super duper sale – sweaters $10, long sleeve Ts $6, jeans $12, cute skirts $8 – all with an extra 20% off coupon.  Man, I had a field day in there!

– The 13 year old boy was Mr. EC’s responsibility.

– One of my girlfriends chipped in to help me do a little something for the mom.  We bought shower gel, lotion, and body spray from BB&W in the Sweet Pea and Cucumber Melon scents – both of our favorite – hope she likes it too.  We also shared the expense of a $100 gift card from Safeway so she won’t have to worry about buying food for Christmas dinner.

6. Miscellaneous: Technically, after adding my tenants to the list, I had nothing left for miscellaneous.  Despite the budget limitations, I had to buy an extra box of Christmas cards because I didn’t have enough for my personal list and the office staff.  I also bought a bag of holiday chocolates for work.  AND.  I had to buy the ingredients for sugar cookies.  Yes, BabyGirl and I still make sugar cookies on Christmas eve…and wait up for Santa. LOL!

Overall, I exceeded my budget by ~$13.  Not bad, but not quite on target compared to last year’s budget and actuals.  That’s ok though.  I don’t expect to have anymore holiday related expenses because I’ve decided not to travel for Christmas.  I’m going to kick back in my comfy, cozy home and enjoy the rest of this holiday season with my two three babies. ;-)