Archive for the ‘Ways to Save’ Category

Top 10 Best Camping Tents From 2-Person to Family Size

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Friday, August 26th, 2016 at 5:30 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

Top 10 Burger Joints in Dallas

Welcome to our new series, “My Dallas Mommy’s Top 10”!  Each week, we’ll highlight a top 10 list of our favorite things!

Top 10 Best Camping Tents

It’s camping season!  Whether you need a 1-person tent or 5-room tent, you want quality and affordability.  Shopping for a great camping tent doesn’t have to be frustrating, because we’ve rounded up our favorite camping tents for you!  We factored in price, ratings, quality, durability and assembly when compiling this list.  So without further ado, here are the Top 10 Best Camping Tents!

Top 10 Best Camping Tents

The Tent:  Nemo Losi LS 2P Tent
Capacity: 2 Person
Price:  around $400.  We found it on sale at Moosejaw for under $300!
Features:  This tent is waterproof and built from lightweight materials. It has a unique pole structure that gives it extra sturdiness, and space.  With 2 doors, 2 vestibules and a mesh canopy, it’s a great quality tent that will last for years.
Why we love it:  This tent is perfect for the backpacking, hiking couple.  It weighs just under 5 pounds when packed up, so it’s super easy to carry on your back.  It also has an interior floor space of 32 square feet, which is plenty of room for 2 people.

Top 10 Best Camping Tents

The Tent:  REI Kingdom Tent
Capacity: 4, 6 or 8 person
Price:  4-person $389, 6-person $439, 8-person $529, Only at REI
Features:  The Kingdom Tents offer a great place to create a base camp area.  You can have 1 large room, or create 2 separate rooms. It covers 104 square feet of floor area, and has 2 doors.  Another great feature – it has vertical walls and a rectangular floor plan to maximize space.
Why we love it:  This tent is truly amazing.  It has a peak height of 6’5″, and is super versatile.  It also includes a backpack carry bag with pockets for the poles and stakes.  There’s so much room in this tent, you’ll never want to leave it!  Great for a family camping trip.

Best Camping Tents

The Tent:  Marmot Tungsten 2P Tent
Capacity: 2-person
Price:  around $200.  It’s only $160 at Moosejaw!
Features:  Pre-bent corners on the free-standing poles increase inside space.  It has a cool lamp shade pocket that securely holds your headlamp for ambient light.
Why we love it:  This tent is SUPER easy to set up!  It also has 2 doors, 2 vestibules on the rain fly and lots of storage space.  It also has jingle-free zippers, which might not seem like a big deal – until it’s rainy and windy outside and you’re trying to sleep!

 Best Camping Tent Deals

The Tent:  Coleman Camping 8-Person Instant Signal Mountain Tent
Capacity:  8-person
Price:  around $300.  $216.99 at Amazon!
Features:   This general purpose camping tent is a standard for campers that need a durable and efficient tent.  It features a Weather Tec System with patented welded floors and inverted seems to keep water out.  It also features a height of 6’4″ and 14 x 8 ft foot print.
Why we love it: This tent is seriously easy to set up!  It literally takes less than a minute, and has pre-attached poles.  That definitely helps in getting it up and ready in no time.  Just extend and secure the poles.  You could have this tent for years and years – it’s definitely worth it’s price!

Top ten best camping tents

The Tent:  Mountaintop Outdoor 2-3 Person Camping Tent/Backpacking Tent
Capacity:   2-3 Persons
Price:   around $100
Features:   This tent features a waterproof 210D Oxford material on the floor, which is a Urethane coating for repelling water. It’s also anti-tear and moisture-proof.  That helps for dewy mornings!  It only weighs about 5.1 lbs, and comes with easy to assemble pieces (pegs and ropes).
Why we love it:  The all important dual doors are a great part of this tent!  Who wants to climb over their camping buddy when Mother Nature calls in the middle of the night!?  The rainfly can also double as an awning or canopy, which is really nice.  It’s a great overall tent for camping, fishing, hiking and picnics.

best camping tents

The Tent:   Cabela’s XPG Expedition 4-Season Tent
Capacity:   4-person
Price:  around $500 (we found it for only $299 at Cabela’s!)
Features:  4-season tents are amazing – they stand up to snow, violent winds, rain and sleet.  This tent even features a tub-style floor, to get maximum protection from the elements.  The reinforced, continuous pole sleeves also give it durability in harsh weather.
Why we love it:  This sturdy little tent offers plenty of room for 3 adults to sleep comfortably.  Although the maximum heigh is only 4’4″, it’s only meant to be a sleeping chamber, so that works for it.  The waterproof coating and weather-resistant material really makes a huge difference for those that like extreme camping.  It also works well for areas with unpredictable weather.

top ten camping tents

The Tent:   Eureka Copper Canyon 6
Capacity:   6-person
Price:  around $300 (check Amazon prices!  At time of publishing, this was $199)
Features:  This tent has a 10×10 floor space and 7′ center height.  It’s ROOMY!  the full mesh roof not only allows you to see the stars at night, but offers ventilation and circulation.  The large D-style door offers easy entry and exit, too.
Why we love it: This tent is bulkier than the average tent, but it IS a large tent for 6 people.  If you aren’t hiking down a trail, or crossing a river to pitch your tent, this works well.  Move it from your vehicle to the pitching area and set it up easily.  For the price, it’s super spacious and offers a great durable tent for family adventures.

best camping tents

The Tent:   Nemo Hornet 1P Tent
Capacity:   1 person
Price:  around $300 (only around $200 at Moosejaw!)
Features:  A wider head and narrower foot makes this tent perfect for the hiker or backpacker that spends more time out of their tent.  It’s SUPER lightweight for a double-walled tent – only about 2 lbs!  In fact, this is the only 2-lb tent on the market that features 2 doors and 2 vestibules.
Why we love it: The setup and take down of this tent is ridiculously easy.  The hubbed poles create a single pole – so you don’t have to worry about leaving any pieces behind.  It’s also nice and roomy for a single person.  But, if needed, 2 could sleep fairly comfortably in this tent, too. Great for the hiker and backpacker!

best camping tents

The Tent:   MSR Hubba Hubba NX 2P Tent
Capacity:   2-person
Price: around $300
Features:  Weighing in at just over 3 lbs, this lightweight tent offers more than meets the eye.  The almost vertical walls and sides and rectangle floor maximize interior space. It also has kickstand vents that help increase airflow to the tent.
Why we love it:   This tent is pretty amazing.  It has 2 vestibules for storing gear, and built-in rain gutters.  It also is super compact once it’s taken down and ready for travel.  For the price, this is one of the best, and highest rated (not just by us) tents for backpacking and camping in the 2-person catagory!

best camping tents

The Tent:  REI Half Dome 2 Plus
Capacity:    2-person
Price:  around $200
Features:   The “plus” in the name stands for the plus sizing.  It’s 10 inches longer and 4 inches wider than the standard REI Half Dome 2.  It has 4 ceiling vents on the fly to protect it from condensation and allow for airflow.  With 2 doors and 2 vestibules, there’s plenty of storage space and room to move.  The fly can also be used without the tent, as a shelter.
Why we love it: This 5-lb tent is our favorite 2-person tent on the market.  Not only is it really spacious, the price is far less than nearly comparable tents.  It’s made with thicker material than most lightweight tents, so it’s a little heavier to carry long distances but perfect for short trips.  The overhead crossbar creates almost vertical walls and offers more headroom inside the tent, as well. Overall, it’s a great tent offering affordability, durability, comfort, protection and space!

 best camping tents

The Tent:   Coleman Instant Cabin Tent
Capacity:   4-6 person
Price:  under $200
Features:   One piece design allows for set up and take down in about a minute.  The pools are steel, and the material is super durable, so it stands up to inclement weather.  It also has an Illumiline reflective guy line so you don’t trip over the doorway in the middle of the night.  The built-in rainfly is also really handy.
Why we love it: For under $200, you can get a highly rated (see the Amazon reviews!) family tent!  If the price isn’t enticing enough, how about QUICK assembly?  The poles are pre-assembled, so there’s very little effort required to put this tent up.  It fits 2 queen-size air mattresses, and it’s tall enough for adults to stand up-right inside of it with a 6’2″ maximum.  For a family tent, you can’t beat the price, setup time, quality and features.  That’s why the Coleman Instant Cabin Tent is our favorite camping tent for 4-6 people!

 

arrowWant more?  Be sure to shop our favorite places for the best deals on camping tents: Cabela’s, Moosejaw, Amazon and Walmart for the best deals on camping tents!

Choosing Quality Fruits and Vegetables at the Grocery Store

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Wednesday, August 17th, 2016 at 6:00 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

Choosing quality fruits and vegetables at the grocery store

Eating healthy is really important to my family.  When I shop for fruits and vegetables at the grocery store, I want to be sure they are fresh.  Debbie Meyer GreenBags have saved a ton of my produce from going bad!  These bags keep your fruits and vegetables SUPER fresh for longer periods of time.

If your fruits and vegetables are too ripe, you risk them going bad before using them.  When they aren’t quite ripe enough, you can’t eat, cook or bake with them right away.  Make sure you know the tricks for spotting fresh, ripe and ready fruits and vegetables!  Here’s how to tell if the produce you pick up at the grocery store is fresh and ready to take home:

Choosing quality fruits and vegetables at the grocery store

Apricots  Good apricots are firm and have a nice, solid amber color. Stay away from pale yellow or greenish colored apricots. Apricots that are too soft are no good!

Blueberries  You’ll want to buy firm, dry and brightly colored berries.  If they are dull or watery, pass them up!

Cantaloupe   Perfect cantaloupes have a delicate aroma, yellowish skin and a thick texture on the rind. Do not buy cantaloupes with a sweet and pungent aroma or those that have a soft rind.

Cherries   Pick cherries that have new looking stems and a smooth, shiny surface. Bad cherries have dried steams and dull surfaces.

Grapes   The best grapes are tender, plump, firmly attached to the stems.  Green grapes should have a slight amber blush near the stem.  Bad grapes are brown in color, have a wrinkled surface and brittle

Grapefruit   Don’t bother looking at the color.  Look for heavy, thin-skinned grapefruits that are slightly springy.  Avoid thick or rough skin.

Choosing quality fruits and vegetables at the grocery store

Kiwi  Good kiwi gives slightly when pressed.  If it’s too hard, don’t buy it.

Mangos  Mango can be several different colors.  The best way to test it is to grab a yellow fruit, and expect it to be slightly soft to the touch.  It should have a ripe aroma at the stem.

Oranges   Good oranges are firm, heavy and have a smooth texture all over.  You don’t want oranges that are spongey or rough.

Papaya  Choose fruit with a red-orange skin.  Avoid green or hard papaya.

Peaches  A nice peach is firm and plump. You want it to be yellowish-orange with a little red blush around it.  If it’s super soft, don’t buy it!

Pineapple  Watch for fruit that smells sweet at the stem and is heavy for its size.

Plums  The best plums are those that yield slightly to pressure.  They should have a deep purple color and semi-soft tip.  Rock hard plums should be avoided, as they won’t ripen.

Strawberries  Deep, shiny red skins are what you want.  Avoid blemishes or green spots.

Watermelon   Good watermelons should be symmetrical in shape. They should have a cream-colored underside. Do not buy watermelons with cushiony spots.

Choosing quality fruits and vegetables at the grocery store

Artichokes Choose globes that have tight leaves and feel heavy for their size. The leaves should squeak when pressed against each other.

Asparagus  Good asparagus have closed tips and straight green stalks. Bad asparagus have open tips and the stalks are curved.  This is the first sign of wilting.

Avocados  Avocados feel slightly soft to the touch. Firmer avocados may be ripened at home, but avoid rock-hard ones. Also avoid avocados with cracks or dents.

Beets  Pick firm beets with fresh stems and slender taproots. Avoid beets with wilted leaves, scaly tops, or large, hairy taproots as they may be older and more woody.


Bell Pepper 
 A bell pepper of any color should  have bright and glossy skin. They are firm and thick, while bad bell peppers have soft spots and shriveled surfaces.

Broccoli  To pick a nice batch of broccoli, you want it to be firm.  It should have closed florets and have a deep green color. Stay clear of broccoli that are yellow in color, with open florets and water-soaked spots.

Brussels Sprouts  Choose firm, compact, bright green heads. Avoid sprouts with wilted or loose outer leaves.

Cabbages Firm, compact heads that feel heavy for their size are the best. Check that the stems are also fresh and compact.


Carrot
  Picking carrots is easy.  Carrots that are firm and have a bright orange color are good. Bad carrots have a rough texture, soft and have green roots.

Cauliflower  Choose heads with tightly packed, creamy white florets. Avoid yellowed, spotted, or flowering florets.

Celery  You want firm, unblemished stalks. The stalks and leaves should be green, not yellow.

Corn  Pick corn with bright green husks and moist but not slimy silk. Peel back the husk to ensure the kernels are plump and not dry.

Choosing quality fruits and vegetables at the grocery store

Cucumbers  Choose cucumbers that are uniformly green (not yellow).

Eggplant  You want an eggplant that is shiny, heavy for its size and firm.  A slight bounce back will indicate a great piece of eggplant.  Don’t bother with the ones that are dull or lightweight.

Garlic  Pick firm, plump heads. Avoid heads with soft spots or green sprouts.

Green Beans  Slender beans that snap rather than bend are green beans you want. Avoid bulging or dried pods.


Lettuce, Spinach, and Other Leafy Greens
 Choose greens with fresh, crisp leaves. Avoid any that are wilted or slimy.

Peas  You’ll want crisp, green pods. Avoid bulging, dried, yellow, or white pods.

Potatoes  These should be firm, smooth potatoes. Avoid those with bruises, green spots, or sprouts.

Radishes  Go for radishes with fresh, green tops and firm, unblemished roots.

Summer Squash  The best squash has naturally shiny, taught, unblemished skin. Avoid squash that appear dull or have soft spots.

Sweet Potatoes and Yams  Choose potatoes with firm, unwrinkled skins and no bruises or cuts, as they are highly perishable.

Tomato  Good tomatoes are plump, smooth and have a rich red color. Bad tomatoes look shriveled and have blemishes.

Winter Squash  Choose squash that have stems intact and feel heavy for their size. Avoid squash with cuts or soft spots.

Knowing that your fruits and vegetables are ripe and ready to use or eat will save you time and money.  Cooking some broccoli for the family tonight?  Make sure that head is firm and green!  Baking a peach pie for dessert? Watch for that red blush around the fruit.  Get ready to grab some great quality fruits and vegetables on your next trip to the grocery store!

What tips and tricks do you have for choosing fruits and vegetables?

What Foods Can You Freeze? Save Time & Money

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Tuesday, August 9th, 2016 at 6:10 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

What foods can you freeze?

What Foods Can You Freeze?

You work hard to get the best deals on your groceries. So when things in your refrigerator go bad, it’s almost heart-breaking to have to throw them away. There are a lot of products that you may not know you can freeze to keep fresh and longer! Another advantage of freezing is that it’s a time saver. Cook your rice, mashed potatoes and more. Freeze them, and thaw out for a quick meal fix!  Here are some foods you can freeze:

Fresh Herbs

If you don’t have a herb garden, it can be expensive and wasteful to buy packages of herbs at the store. Freeze them for long lasting freshness. Once you get them home make sure to wash and shake off any excess water.

For herbs like cilantro and parsley you can keep them standing in a cup of shallow water in the refrigerator. I like to use the bottom half of plastic water bottles before recycling them. For other herbs like rosemary or sage, puncture some holes into a plastic bag. Then simply wrap them in a moist paper towel, and place them in your freezer.

Alternatively, you can pull the herbs off the stalks and chop them up. Take an ice cube tray and fill it with your cut herbs. I love this Elbee Ice Cube Tray. Cover the herbs with water or stock and freeze. Because the appearance is compromised by the freezing process, you’ll want to use them differently.  Soups and sauces are perfect for this method. Here’s a fun tip – instead of water, use stock! That way, when you toss them in your stews, crock pot, soups and more, you’ll be adding even more flavor!

Fresh ginger should be peeled and wrapped tightly before freezing.  When you’re ready to use it, grate and slice away.  Be sure you wrap it up really well before re-freezing.

You can also use those minty ice cubes in teas and alcoholic beverages!

Eggs

When eggs are 99¢ per dozen or less, I definitely want to stock up. But how many eggs can you really use and eat before they expire?

Just crack them into a bowl, pour into a freezer bag or airtight container and freeze!   You can also use ice cube trays – just crack the eggs into the sections, stir them up a little, and freeze! These will defrost and work wonderfully for baking or eating as you normally would!

Mashed Potatoes

Do you have a big family dinner to prepare? Make your mashed potatoes as you normally would, the day before. Then, let them cool to room temperature. Scoop out single portions onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, and freeze. Once frozen, you can put those portions in bigger freezer bags and keep for up to 2 months! What a time saver! When you see potatoes on sale for 78¢/5 lb bag, THAT is the time to stock-up and freeze!

Dairy

There are so many dairy products on the market now.  Wouldn’t it be great to stock up on inexpensive milk and butter?  Now, you can, without worrying about them expiring before you use them.

  • Cheese – You can throw your bricks of cheese into the freezer, as they are (in the plastic wrap), but be warned that the consistency will be altered. If you let it thaw completely before putting it in the refrigerator, this might not be the case, though. I suggest shredding or slicing before freezing. If you shred it, throw in a little cornstarch or flour and shake it around in the bag, before freezing. This will help it to not clump when it defrosts. If you slice it up, make sure to add a divider like wax paper, in between each slice. When a 2-lb block of cheese is $4.99 (my stockpile price), you’ll be able to stock up and save it by freezing!
  • Coffee Creamer – Most coffee creamers are actually dairy-free.  You see them in the refrigerator section at the grocery store, but it’s not necessary.  If you want to freeze coffee creamer, go for it.  Just be sure you thaw it out and give it a GOOD SHAKING before using!
  • Cream Cheese – Freeze and thaw before eating or using. It’s pretty sturdy and doesn’t have much of noticeable change.
  • Butter – Freeze and thaw. Just like cream cheese, the consistency and taste aren’t altered much.
  • Milk – This one you will hear some mixed opinions about freezing. I say YES! When you do freeze it, the milk fat will separate and will look… weird, for lack of a better word. Don’t worry, that’s normal. After you thaw it, give it a good shake to distribute the fat particles. I have used it for cooking, eating, and drinking after being frozen. You will also want to be sure you leave some room at the top of the container you freeze, to allow for expansion.

Breads

I haven’t met a bread we couldn’t freeze. With 2 kids, stocking up on bread is essential in my house. Freeze loaves, rolls, buns, whole, sliced, biscuits, muffins, cakes… Just remember that packaging is super important. You want to keep as much of the air out of the package, as possible. If you have a FoodSaver, just freeze your breads until they are solid, take them back out, place in your special bag and vacuum seal like normal. If you don’t have a vacuum sealer, simply suck the air out of the bags with your mouth. Get all that air out. Then, thaw out your bread and use as you normally would.

The next time you make homemade pancakes, french toast or waffles, consider making some extra batches. You can freeze these on a cookie sheet, then throw them in airtight bags to thaw out and microwave later.  This is a great tip, when time isn’t on your side in the morning.

Fruit

Fruits! They are awesome in smoothies, yogurt, baked goods, pancakes and SO much more. Why waste fruit before you can use it? You can freeze your fruit to help it last longer.  Items like berries and pineapple will freeze better by placing them on wax paper on a cookie sheet. After they are frozen, place in baggies – and you can pick your portion. For bananas, just keep the skin on and toss it in the freezer.

Get the most out of your citrus.  Zest oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes and mandarin.  Place the zest in a freezer bag.  This will last a long time in your freezer.  You can also use ice cub trays to freeze the juice.

Snacks

Salty snacks are easy to freeze.  When chips, crackers and cookies are on sale, stock up and freeze them. Life gets busy, so when Super Bowl weekend, New Year’s Eve, the holidays, the beginning of school and parties pop up, you’ll be ready. You can throw those bags as they are, in your freezer to keep them fresh! No need to thaw, because they’ll be even crispier frozen!  This is also a great tip for stale chips and crackers.  You can freeze them, and they will taste fresher.

Nuts can also be stored in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 6 months in your freezer.

Rice, Soup, Chili & Stew

Cook your rice and freeze it.  Simply spread it out on a parchment covered cookie tray.  Freeze until it’s solid, then store in airtight freezer bags. When you need it, just thaw and re-heat.

Soups, chili and stews can also be frozen.  What a great way to keep your leftovers from going bad!  Just place them in airtight containers, and leave a bit of room at the top.  When you’re ready, reheat and enjoy!

Wine

When you have a little leftover wine in the bottle, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze. You won’t be able to drink it, but it’s AWESOME for cooking!

Pasta

Cook your pasta, and freeze in an airtight bag. Reuse it by running warm water over the bag to thaw out.  Re-heat it by placing it in the microwave, and voila, you have pasta ready to eat.  Can you freeze the sauces, too?  Absolutely.  Airtight containers and ice cube trays work well for this.

Corn

Corn is awesome for BBQs and cookouts.  When it’s on sale, grab that deal!  You’ll be able to freeze it for later. Put the ears in the freezer, still in the husk, then microwave for about 5 minutes for perfect corn!

Cookie Dough

Here’s a nice tip for after school treats.  When you don’t have the time during the week, make cookie dough on the weekend, and freeze it.  Make your dough like normal, then freeze in bags OR roll into a “log” for easy “slice and bake” cookies later!

Juice

When you have a new bottle or carton, pour a bit into ice cube trays to freeze for sauces, cooking and baking. Tighten the cap or close the container, and freeze. You need that extra room at the top, because the liquid will expand in the freezer.

Save time and money from now on with these awesome tips on what you can freeze.  Your perishables will last longer, and you’ll be able to stock up when sales hit the stores.

What are your freezing tips?
Share in the comments!

KWTX Viewers ~ Ways to Save Money Series ~ MyDFWMommy

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Monday, July 25th, 2016 at 6:00 AM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

Ways to Save Money

Ways to Save Money Series

Over the past several months we’ve shared ways to save money on just about anything. Here is a recap of all our articles! Enjoy!

HOUSEHOLD

Ways to Save on Cell Phone Bills

Ways to Save On Cable Bills

Ways to Save on Internet Bills

ways-to-save-on-energy-billsWays to Save on Energy Bills

Ways to Save on Groceries

How to Buy a Car and Save Money

New Technology Slashes Electricity Bills for Texans

Air Conditioner Refrigerant Costs – How to Determine Fair Pricing

Furniture Buy Consignment ~ Great Furniture on the Cheap!

Buying a Mattress Online~ Crave Mattress Starting at $480 (+ $50 Off)

How to Determine the Right Energy Plan For You – 90% of Texans Being Overcharged

How To Save Money On Tires

Save Time & Money on Your Holiday Baking

How to Buy a Car and Save Money

365-Days-Penny-ChallengeEARNING MONEY

Save More In 2016 – The 52 Week Money Saving Challenge

Real & Legitimate Ways to Earn Money from Home

Loyalty Programs ~ Not So Obvious, But Great Ways to Save

How to Win Giveaways and Sweepstakes ~ Insider Tips on Increasing Odds

PERSONAL CARE

Best Cleansers and Moisturizers For The Money + GREAT Deals at CVS Starting 4/10 + Oil of Olay Deals

Best Sunscreen For the Money

Ways to Save on Prescription Drugs

 

ways-to-save-on-retailSHOPPING & RESTAURANTS

Ways to Save on Retail

Ways to Save Money Eating Out

Kids Eat Free Deals

Birthday Free Offers and Deals

Benefits of Amazon Prime

Additional Ways to Save on Amazon

Ways to Save at Target

Ways to Save at Kohl’s

Ways to Save Money at Home Depot

10 Ways to Save Money at Starbucks

Ways to Save on American Girl Dolls & Accessories

Summer Staycation DFWENTERTAINMENT & VACATION

Summer Deals in Dallas & Fort Worth ~ Free and Cheap Camps, Bowling, Movies and Tons More!

Summer Staycation Guide ~ Dallas & Fort Worth

MyDFWMommy “Plays” and Saves at the Ballpark!

Ways to Save at Hawaiian Falls

2016 Texas Rangers Discounts and Deals

Ways to Save at the Movies

Ways to Save at Perot Museum

Fun & Free Things to Do With Baby in North Texas This Summer

Ways to Save on Travel

Best Frequent Flyer Programs

Ways to Save Tailgating

Ways To Save On Vacation

How to Save on Dallas Cowboys Games

Dallas and Fort Worth Spring Break Staycation Ideas ~ 2016

Additional Ways to Save on Amazon

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Thursday, July 14th, 2016 at 6:00 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

Ways to Save on Amazon

Additional Ways to Save Money on Amazon

We are in the aftermath of Amazon Prime!  They had some super good deals and I will assume many of you are Amazon Prime members now or at least trialing it.  We’ve discussed perks of Prime and ways to price match.  Let’s discuss additional ways to save on Amazon.

7-Day Price Protection

Amazon will give shoppers price protection for up to 7 days after your item is delivered. To get this, simply start a chat session and tell the rep that an item has gone down in price since you purchased it and they’ll quickly refund you the price difference. To qualify, the item must have been fulfilled by Amazon and not a 3rd party seller.

You can use CamelCamelCamel.com as an easy way to automatically track Amazon prices. You enter the product whose price you want to track, and they’ll notify you via email when the price drops.

Use a Double Browser

Amazon has been known to charge Prime members more for products compared to non-members. Use two internet browsers to see if this is happening.

In one browser, let’s say Firefox, login to your Amazon account and find the item you want to purchase, but DON’T add it to your cart. Just take note of the price. Then in another browser, perhaps Chrome, check the Amazon price. BUT…before you do, be sure to clear your browser’s cookies and cache so that Amazon thinks you’re a non-Prime member. Once you’ve done that, visit the Amazon website and check the price of the item. To get the lower price, simply add the item to your cart using Chrome, then login to your Amazon account and buy as you normally would. If Amazon tries to raise the price on you after you login, you should call them at 1-(888)-280-4331 and make sure you get the lower price.

You can also try using your “incognito” window as well!

Search Results Can Hide the Best Deals

When doing a search on Amazon for a specific brand and model, don’t always trust the search results. When doing specific searches, one of the most secretive ways to save on Amazon is to always dig a little deeper and don’t buy the first item that appears. This is especially true on consumer electronics that sell for more than $100. Always browse through the “Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought” carousel as well as the “Sponsored Products Related To This Item” carousel located on the individual product page. Many times you’ll find a cheaper version of the same exact model, either sold by a 3rd party or the actual manufacturer.

 “Add-On Items” Work Around

If you’re a Prime member, you’ve probably noticed that Amazon has gotten very good at using “Add-On Items”  to save on their overall shipping costs. Instead, you can add all your add-on items to your Amazon “Shopping List” and then buy only when your list reaches $25 and still get free 2-day shipping.

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Trade-In Items for Amazon Gift Cards

Consider the Amazon Trade-In program as a great way to offset future Amazon purchases. The program even looks through your old Amazon orders and will tell you what specific items are worth. But, the items you trade-in do NOT have to be purchased originally through Amazon. Just enter any item and they’ll tell you if they’ll buy it and for how much. Shipping is completely free via a prepaid shipping label.

Use Coupons

Amazon has coupons available and they’re a great way to save money. Go here to check out these coupons.

Here is a breakdown of the most popular coupon categories that they offer:

Diapers Delivered For Free at 20% Off

Do you have a baby in diapers along with a Prime membership? If so, use Amazon Family and get 20% off all diapers mailed to you via their Subscribe and Save program. Free shipping. Cancel anytime. Choose the delivery date that fits your needs.

Save More with Amazon Prime Store Card

Save 5% on Prime Day and every day at Amazon.com. Prime members who open an Amazon Prime Store Card now through Prime Day and get a $50 Amazon.com Gift Card instantly.

How to Get a Price Adjustment

Amazon Price Adjustment

As we tell you often, prices on Amazon can change on a moment’s notice.  If the price goes lower, you can get a price adjustment.  For many, that might seem like too much of a hassle.  But in reality, spending a few minutes can save you some good money that goes back into YOUR wallet. Here are easy steps on how to get an Amazon Price adjustment.

How to get an Amazon Price Adjustment:

1. Go to the Amazon help page. Click on the “Need More Help” at the bottom, then Contact Us.

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2. Make sure you are logged in to your account. Then click on the tab for “most recent purchases.” If you do not see the purchase that you are inquiring about click on the button that says, “Choose a Different Order”.  Select the item and click “done”.

How to get An Amazon Price Adjustment

3. From the drop down menu, choose, “Returns and refunds” and then “Other return or refund issue”. Then in the fill in the blank type, “Partial Refund Price Change”.  Then you can email or call them, or start a live chat.  Explain the price change and you’re DONE! Easy enough and well worth the effort!

Items to note:

  • Amazon won’t adjust on a daily or lightning deal.
  • Limited to 7-days from the shipping date.

Air Conditioner Refrigerant Costs – How to Determine Fair Pricing

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Thursday, July 7th, 2016 at 7:30 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

Air Conditioner Refrigerant Costs
As a DFW savings blogger, I cringe when I have to get my AC units serviced.   Both units are 15 years old and we’ve nursed them along for years!  The fact is, my AC is still working.  But last year, I was charged $750 for Freon!  What???!!! That was a shock to our pocketbook.  So I went on the hunt to figure out why it was so ridiculously expensive and if we should consider new air conditioning units.

Air Conditioner Refrigerant Costs

Air conditioners use refrigerants to move heat from inside your home to the outdoors and are essential to all air conditioning systems. Many call it “Freon”, but that term is a brand name like Kleenex. R-410A and R-22 or “Freon” is the lifeblood of an air conditioner’s cooling system, but R-22 air conditioner refrigerant costs have definitely risen over the past few years.

To read more go here as I provided a guest post for Fixd!

 

Father’s Day Freebies and Deals ~ Entertainment, Restaurant + More

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Tuesday, June 14th, 2016 at 7:30 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

Father's Day Deals

Here are some of the best Father’s Day freebies and deals for 2016!

Entertainment

Dinosaur WorldDinosaur World:

RAWR! means “I love you” in dinosaur. Show dad you love him and all he does for you during the year. Bring your family to visit our family on Sunday June 19, 2016. DAD receives FREE* admission with a fully paid child’s admission!

 

*Offer valid only on Father’s Day, Sunday June 19, 2016 with a fully paid child’s admission.
Dinosaur World
1058 Park Rd 59
Glen Rose, TX 76043
254.898.1526

Hawaiian FallsScreen Shot 2015-06-16 at 1.47.12 PM: Dad and/or Granddad can get in free when accompanied by a child with a day ticket or season pass plus a “Dads Free” coupon, which can be downloaded at http://www.hfalls.com/special-offers/ .

As always, kids 2 and under are free.  Hawaiian Falls water parks in Garland, Mansfield, The Colony, Roanoke and White Settlement will be open 10:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. Father’s Day, Sunday, June 21 thru Friday June 26. Season pass holders always get in 30 minutes before the general public.

Getaways & Entertainment Deals

KOA

Koa is getting in on the Father’s Day action by allowing all kids to camp free in parks nationwide.

Omni Hotel Father’s Day Promotion

This Father’s Day, book a stay for a special $159 rate, late checkout of 4:00 p.m., 20% off spa services and complimentary parking on June 19, 2016.

Title Boxing

TITLE Boxing Club locations in North Dallas (3909 Frankford Rd) and Plano will be hosting a Father’s Day special to honor dads in the Dallas area!  The club is gifting dads with a free gym bag, T-shirt & hand wraps when they sign up (or their children sign them up) for a monthly membership at the the North Dallas or Plano TITLE locations!

Williams Sonoma

You can head along to select Williams-Sonoma locations for a free Junior Chef Class for dad and the kids, where you can create your own tasty something.

Restaurant Deals

BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse: Free commemorative pint glass and a 20% off VIP Card for future use for dads on Father’s Day.  More details in This Email from BJ’s.

Denny’s: Free Father’s Day Sundae with purchase of two entrees. CLICK HERE for your Denny’s coupon.  Good for a free Build-Your-Own Sundae on Father’s Day.  Coupon is required.

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Firehouse Subs: Free medium sub when you buy another sub, chips and medium drink on Father’s Day.  CLICK HERE for your Firehouse Subs coupon.  Offer valid at participating locations only.  Must present printed coupon or show it on your mobile phone to redeem.

Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse: Dads get a $25 dining card when they dine at Fleming’s on Father’s Day.  Available at participating locations on Father’s Day only.   Restrictions apply.  Also at Fleming’s get a special Tomahawk Steak Dinner for $85.  Visit the Fleming’s Father’s Day website for the Father’s Day menu and more details on the free dining card.

Fogo de Chão Brazilian Steakhouse: All Dads who dine on Father’s Day (June 19) will receive a Dining Card good for one complimentary lunch or dinner (the Full Churrasco Experience!) on their next visit. All locations will open early on Father’s Day at 11:00 a.m. and will serve guests until 9:00 p.m.

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Hooters: Buy any 10 wings, get 10 free boneless wings deal on Father’s Day.  Buy any 10 wings and a beverage and get 10 boneless wings for free.  Hooters announced the Father’s Day special on the Hooters Home Page and Facebook Page.  Also at Hooters buy a $25 gift card leading up to Father’s Day, and earn $5 in Dad’s Bonus Bucks while supplies last. (Dad’s Bonus Bucks are redeemable at participating Hooters locations from June 20 to July 27, 2016.)

Joe’s Crab Shack: All-you-can-eat shrimp for $29 on Father’s Day weekend. Get all you can eat Peel ‘n Shrimp served with corn and potatoes. Get an initial 1.5-pound serving with half pound refills. Beverage purchase required. Dine-in only.

Kincaid’s: Everyone dining on Father’s Day weekend, Saturday, June 18th and/or Sunday June 19th, will receive a special gift.

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar:. Dads will be gifted a limited edition pint glass (while supplies last), as well as $3 drafts all day.

McCormick & Schmick’s: $26.99 Steak and Lobster or King Crab special; more details at McCormick & Schmick’s  Father’s Day Special.

Medieval Times: Valid June 13th – 19th. Dad is Free. Upgrade to get the Father’s Day package (additional $25) and get a framed photo of Dad, hero cape, and 25 oz glass stein with choice of beer. Use Code: DFWEB16

Screen Shot 2016-06-15 at 12.09.11 PMMorton’s The Steakhouse: A three-course Father’s Day menu on Sunday, June 19, 2016.  Includes your choice of salad, entree and dessert from a select menu for $59 per person.  Tax and gratuity not included.  Click here for Morton’s Father’s Day menu more details.

Outback Steakhouse: A huge 35-ounce Tomahawk Bone-In Ribeye, topped with roasted garlic butter, starting at $49.99*. Available from June 13 – June 19, 2016, Outback is offering a limited number of Tomahawks first come, first serve, so get one while supplies last.    Outback also just introduced the all new Center Cut Sirloin – the most tender sirloin cut of all, and to celebrate dads, Outback is inviting customers to ‘go a size bigger’ on the house. Just visitwww.Outback.com/gobiggerto claim your coupon.

PDQ: Free combo meal for fathers with the purchase of any kids’/combo meal

Pollo Tropical: 2 Can Dine for $9.99 meal deal. To receive the offer, guests simply text “DAD2016” to 52198. The offer is available Sunday June 19 and includes:

  • Any combination of 2 entrees, including the Small TropiChop or Quarter Chicken with rice and beans
  • 1 regular size Sweet Plantains or Fried Yuca
  • 2 fountain drinks

Pluckers Wing Bar: Dads can enjoy a complimentary entree, side, and non-alcoholic beverage (up to a $15 value) from Pluckers’ menu when they post a photo of their family at the restaurant to any social media channel with the hashtag #Pluckers. The offer is good at all Pluckers Wing Bar locations, all day on Father’s Day, June 19.

Ruby Tuesday: Buy a $50 gift card for Dad, get a free $15 Bonus Card in return. Ruby Tuesday is also launching a special, very limited time Father’s Day menu just for Dads (June 10 – 19) that includes the Big Daddy Burger (100% USDA PRIME beef, lots of bacon, Swiss, Cheddar and American cheeses) and a Knob Creek Classic (Knob Creek Bourbon with a dash of bitters, ginger ale and a slice of orange).

Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Dads get a $25 dining card when they dine at Ruth’s Chris on Father’s Day.  Available at participating locations on Father’s Day only.   Restrictions apply.  Visit the Ruth’s Chris Father’s Day website for the Father’s Day menu and more details on the free dining card.

Spaghetti Warehouse: Locations are treating any carb-loving pops to its 15-layer lasagne orspaghetti and meatballs dish for free.

TCBY: One free small size cup of frozen yogurt (up to 6 ounces) for Dad on Father’s Day. Valid at participating locations.

Screen Shot 2016-06-10 at 1.54.23 PMTexas de BrazilEnjoy the taste of flame-grilled meats, seasonal sides, and decadent desserts. All fathers dining will receive a certificate for a complimentary lunch or dinner to use on his next visit. Doors open at 11:00am except the following: Texas de Brazil will open at noon.

TGI Friday’s: Buy a $25 gift card, get $5 in Bonus Bites or buy a $50 gift card for $10 in Bonus Bites

The Melting Pot: The Melting Pot is offering various discounts throughout the week and weekend leading up to Father’s Day, including endless entree fondue, complimentary beers, and more. The promotion offer and date(s) depend on the specific location. Check to see if your local restaurant is participating.

The Pizza Buffet (Fort Worth):  All dads eat free Sunday, June 19th.

Wingstop: Make Dad’s day with Wingstop’s new Summer Boneless Bundle (or dinner), which includes 20 boneless wings, 2 fries, 2 medium drinks, 2 dips – all for just $20. Available now (Father’s Day) through the end of July.

 

MyDFWMommy’s Reverse Shopper Tool ~ Companies Bid for YOUR Business, You Save!

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Monday, June 13th, 2016 at 12:40 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

announcing-my-dallas-mommy

Need a service?  How about having them bid for YOUR business? The Reverse-Shopper tool allows users to flip the relationship between business and consumer. Instead of searching far and wide for the best price for a product or service, you can simply request what you’re looking for through the tool.

Local providers will receive the request and reply with their quotes and special offers to try and win YOUR business. It’s a great way to compare your options and ensure you get the best deal available.

The MyDFWMommy Marketplace is also a hub for parents and families to connect with reputable local businesses in the North Texas area. Check it out here!

If you know of a local business you love, please share this post as we want to make sure they are in our marketplace!  Businesses simply visit the marketplace and click ‘Join’ to register. The marketplace is an interactive business directory powered by our tech partner, EZBZ.

As a user, you simply type what you are searching for…any product or service.  That request is sent to reputable businesses in the directory that can help.