Deal Alert: AVIA Spa Cut-a-Thon for MS, April 1st

AVIA Spa in Santa Barbara is having a Cut-a-Thon on April 1st to benefit the Walk for Multiple Sclerosis. For a minimum $30 donation, you can get a dry haircut, wet haircut, or blow dry/style up to $100 value. You can call to reserve a spot, or they will accept walk-ins on April 1st. Get a great deal on a haircut or blowdry and support a great cause at the same time!

Cut-A-Thon benefiting the Walk for MS
April 1st, 10 AM - 4 PM
The Salon at AVIA
350 Chapala Street
(805) 730-7303

Weekend Idea: Hunger Games at the Drive-In!

I just discovered the West Wind Drive-In Theater in Goleta, and it's awesome. It's a great deal and you get to sit in the comfort of your car without pesky interruptions from other movie-goers. You could even take the kids with you since no one else will hear them if they make noise! And you can bring your own snacks without having to stuff them in your purse or jacket. :)

This weekend, the drive-in is showing HUNGER GAMES! Score!
Showtimes this weekend: 7:30 & 10:15 (arrive early to get a good spot!)

West Wind Drive-In Theater
907 South Kellogg
General Admission $6.95
Kids 5-11 $1.00 (under 5 = FREE)

Deal Alert: $5 for $10 at Amazon.com

Right now you can get a $10 Amazon credit for only $5! Click here to grab this deal!

After your purchase, go into your AmazonLocal account under “vouchers” and you will be able to grab the code right away. Add to your Amazon.com account and the $10 is available instantly. (which never expires!)

Fine Print: Amazon.com Gift Cards (“GCs”) do not expire

• Limit one GC per household
• GCs may be used only for purchases of eligible goods on Amazon.com or certain of its affiliated websites. GCs may not currently be used for purchases on AmazonLocal. For redemption options, see www.amazon.cm/gc-legal
• Except as required by law, GCs cannot be transferred for value or redeemed for cash. Purchases are deducted from the GC Balance. You must pay for any remaining balance on your order with another payment method. Your gift card claim code may be entered when prompted during checkout. To redeem your gift card using the Amazon.com 1-Click® service, first add the gift card funds to Your Account. To redeem or view a GC balance, visit “Your Account” on Amazon.com. If you have questions about redeeming your gift card, please visit www.amazon.com/gc-redeem. Amazon is not responsible if a GC is lost, stolen, destroyed or used without permission. See www.amazon.com/gc-legal for complete terms and conditions. GCs are issued by ACI Gift Cards, Inc., a Washington corporation. ©,®,™ Amazon.com Inc. and/or its affiliates, 2012
• Purchase of GCs on AmazonLocal is valid for US-based customers only

Thanks, Southern Cali Saver!

CVS Shopping Trip 3/18/12

Periodically I will try to post examples of my coupon shopping trips so that you can see exactly how this couponing thing works! This week there are some really good deals on things my family uses often, so I ended up going to CVS, Rite Aid, Vons, and Trader Joe's. And it was raining. It was quite an exhausting afternoon, but getting the best deals usually means more work.

Note: SS = Smart Source Insert, RP = Red Plum Insert

CVS Shopping Trip

Transaction #1
• 2 Bags M&Ms Easter Candy - 2 for $6 and $1 ECB when you buy 2
  Used $1 off 2 M&Ms coupon from RP 3/18
• 1 Colgate Optic White Toothpaste - $3.49 and $2 ECB
  Used $1 Off Optic White coupon from SS 3/11
• Total: $10.31
  Used $5 ECB from Beauty Extra Bucks that I got on my last shopping trip
• Paid: $5.31 and got $7 back in Extra Bucks

Transaction #2
• OB Tampons - 2 for $9
  Used .75 off coupon from SS 3/18
• Carefree Pantyliners - $1
  Used $1 off Carefree product coupon from SS 3/18
• 2 Suave Deodorants - $1 each
  Used .75 off coupon from SS 3/18 (I only had 1 coupon but I bought another deodorant anyway)
• 1 Ziploc Gallon Freezer Bag - $4.59 (not on sale but we needed them)
  Used .50 off coupon from SS 1/15
• Total: $14.88
  Used $5 in ECB from Transaction #1
• Paid: $9.88

In total, I paid $15.19 vs. $47.86 at full price. That is a $32 savings, or 68%! Not too bad.

As a side note, when you watch "Extreme Couponing" and you see people getting a 100% savings or close to it, it's because they are buying only items that they can get for free with coupon match-ups. They are not picky about what type of items they buy - they just buy whatever is on sale, usually for around $1 since that's the value of most coupons. For me, there are certain items that I buy brand-specific for my family (such as deodorant and facial products), and other items that I buy based on the best deals (e.g. toothpaste and soap). I also buy things I can get for free regardless of the brand, and then I donate them!

Frugal Mama Deal: $1 Pediacare product at CVS until 3/17

Right now you can get a Pediacare product at CVS for only $1!

Pediacare product $5.99
Extra bucks: $5
Cost: 99 cents plus tax!

The limit is 1 per household, so you can't stock up on these, but it's still a good deal.

Need help understanding the Extra Bucks program? Check out this post for the basics.

Local Happenings 3/9-3/11

Check out these free/low-cost events in the SB area this weekend!


• Magic Lantern Films Presents the movie "Hugo". Friday 3/9 at 10 PM at IV Theater. 6960 Embarcadero Del Norte. Only $4!
  
  
• Princess Day at the SB Zoo. Saturday 3/10, 10 AM - 2 PM (9 AM opening for zoo members). Meet Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel and other princesses in person as they help celebrate frogs.There are also frog-inspired crafts, games and special animal appearances. All costumed princesses welcome – as are knights, pirates and cowboys. Adults and older kids can learn how zoos and aquariums are working to save the world’s threatened amphibians.It’s B.Y.O.T. (Bring Your Own Tiara), and costumes are encouraged… frog kissing is optional. Free with Zoo admission (entirely free for Zoo members).
  
  
• International Women's Festival Expo. Saturday 3/10, 8:30 - 6 PM at SB City College. The Women’s Festivals will celebrate the accomplishments and nurture the dreams of women in an interactive, multi-cultural, and multi-tracked format focusing on the five critical areas of women’s lives: Personal, Professional, Philanthropic, Political, and Planet— otherwise known as the “5 Ps.” Includes speakers, entertainment, and fitness activities. Free if you register ahead of time, $5 admission the day of the event. Click here for more info.
  
  
• Santa Barbara Music Club Free Afternoon Concert. Saturday 3/10 at 3 PM. Faulkner Gallery at the SB Library. The Santa Barbara Music Club’s 42nd season of presenting admission-free chamber music concerts for the community continues on March 11th at 3 PM with pianist Marian Gilbert opening the concert with the beautiful but seldom performed Sonata in B-flat Minor, K. 281 of WA Mozart. Oboist Adelle Rodkey, supported by Mary Patterson on piano, will then perform the poignant Rondo pastorale movement of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Concerto in A minor (1944). A special treat for audiences this afternoon is the appearance of the noted vocal ensemble, the San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers, led by Carolyn Teroaka-Brady, Music Director, leading in a program entitled "Festival Music".

Deal Alert: Gap Friends & Family Sale - 30% off until 3/11

Gap is having its Friends & Family Sale right now - 30% off until 3/11. Use code GAPFRIENDS at checkout. If you use Ebates, you can also get 2% cash back on your order! Sale includes Gap Baby & Gap Kids!

Frugal Mama Deal Alert: 20% off Robeez Shoes

Robeez, those awesome slip-on shoes for little ones, is offering 20% off their current collection! Visit Robeez.com and enter code SPRING20 at checkout.

Deal Alert: Old Navy - $10 off a $40 In-store purchase

Old Navy is offering $10 off a $40 in-store purchase right now on facebook. You can get the coupon by clicking here. Click on "claim offer" and they will send an email to the email account connected to your facebook. Print out the coupon and take it to your local Old Navy to use by March 7th.

Frugal Mama Deal Alert: 25% off and Free Shipping at The Children's Place - Today Only!

Today only you can get free shipping on any order plus 25% off at The Children's Place. Enter coupon code D7FQ5KTM22 to snag an extra 25% off your order.

Happy Shopping!

Local Happenings 3/2-3/4

Check out these free/low-cost events on the Central coast this weekend!

• Twinkle Twinkle for Little Stars at the Natural History Museum. Saturday, March 3rd, 11 AM - This presentation for families with children five years and under features a different topic every week. Come back again and again to learn about stars, planets, constellations, and more! Run time: 15 mins. Cost: $4 or Free for museum members.
  
  
• Paper Source Grand Opening Celebration - Saturday, March 3rd, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM. 1125 State Street - Stop by to learn clever tips & techniques from our creative samples experts (schedule below), and enter a raffle to win Paper Source goodies. DRESSING UP YOUR ENVELOPES · 11:00am - 12:00pm, EMBELLISHMENTS & FAVORS · 12:30pm - 1:30pm, RUBBER STAMPING MADNESS · 2:00pm - 3:00pm, FABULOUS PAPER SOURCE KITS · 3:30pm - 4:30pm. Cost: FREE