My Tips For Saving Money

I am not a great coupon user.  Honestly, whenever I try to clip coupons, I find myself spending more money than I normally would.  I think it's because I feel like if I have a coupon for something, I must use it, even if it is on a product I wouldn't normally buy.  For instance, I don't usually buy candy, but if I have a coupon, I will buy it simply because it is for a great price.  Not only do I end up spending more money, it's money spent on something I not only don't normally buy, but something I don't need.

So, I am going to share with you some of the ways I save money, without using coupons.

Know The Prices Of The Things You Buy Most

This is a big one for me.  I do a big grocery shopping trip once a month, and then stop in again for things like milk and bread when we run out.  I do make a list ahead of time for the things we have run out of, like sugar and cereal, but when it comes to specifics like meal planning, I wait to see what is on sale.  I have gotten really good at knowing the prices of the things I buy regularly, which makes it easy for me to determine if a sale at one store is cheaper then buying the same thing at a different store.


Buy What Is On Sale

I love BOGO's.  I have been known to have twenty boxes of Mac & Cheese in my pantry at one time, simply because I found a great sale.  Stocking up on things that don't go bad when they are on sale is a great idea, especially when you can find several different ways to use them.  For instance, most people think of Mac & Cheese as a side dish, but if you get creative, you can use it in casseroles too, making it part of the main dish, too.

Only Buy Marked Down Meat

This one is a must for me, especially when it comes to chicken.  We only eat boneless, skinless breasts, so when I find it on sale, I have been known to buy every package in the display case.  Just last month, I bought 24 packs of chicken strips in one trip.  I have many different recipes, which helps us not tire of eating chicken every night. I find that stores usually mark down their meat a day or two before the "sell by" date, and some stores will even let you know what time of day they do it so you can plan your shopping trip accordingly. Buying meat that is marked down is fine as long as you use it that day, or freeze it.

Look For Meal Deals

I have a store right around the corner from my house that offers different "meal deals" every week.  Most times, you simply buy one main ingredient (which is usually a frozen entree of some sort, like pizza, pasta, or chicken) and get three or four side items for free.  Most of the time, the free itmes total more than the main ingredient costs, so it is a great buy.

Avoid Impulse Buys (aka: SAY NO TO THE KIDS!)

This is a hard one for me, but I try really hard to stick to it.  I try to never shop hungry, because when I do, the cart usually ends up full of things I wouldn't normally buy.  And when the kids come shopping, I find myself saying "no" a lot, which is hard to do, but necessary.  Otherwise, we would end up eating chips and ice cream for supper every night.

Try The Store Brands At Least Once

That one is pretty self explanatory.  Most store brands are just as good as the name brands, so give them a try.  They cost less, which can add up to big savings.

I don't have many tips for buying non-food items, because honestly, I am loyal to certain brands that I know work for me.  For instance, hanes makes great products when it comes to underwear for the kids, and I have specific shampoo, conditioner, and tampons that I use, even though they are a bit more expensive than the store brands. 

So those are just a few of my tips for saving money.  Fell free to share yours with me in the comments!

No More Rack

My sister-in-law came out yesterday to take my mom shopping and show her how to get the most out of using coupons. I will admit to using coupons in the past, but I am not very good at it.  I usually end up spending more money because I buy what I have coupons for, even if they are for things I don't normally buy.  For me, it's easier to shop clearance sections, and plan my meals around the deals I find. 

The same holds true for everything I but.  I refuse to pay full price for things like shoes and clothes.  I only buy what is on clearance.  It's a good thing I am not too worried about dressing in the latest fashions.  When I learned about No More Rack, I knew I had to check it out.

Simply put, you can save tons of money on some pretty cool stuff.  They offer merchandise for up to 90% off retail prices, but you have to be quick.  They have new deals everyday, and they even have free stuff sometimes.  That's right.  I said free.  And who doesn't like free stuff?

I did a little research, and some people believe that there is a nomorerack scam because their site was hacked.  I know of several very reputable sites than have been hacked in the past, so to base your opinion on this one thing can make you miss out on some awesome deals.  Plus, there are all kinds of nomorerack reviews you can read written by people who have used the site and know what they are talking about.

I just clicked on the site to see what kind of deals they are offering right now, and they have a Nikon Coolpix S4100 digital camera for less than $7.  It was one of their insane deals.  I wish I had signed up, because I would have snatched that up.  They also have a $2 flat shipping rate, so you don't have to worry about huge shipping costs.

After checking out their current deals, I plan on signing up.  I don't want to miss out on any more of the awesome deals they offer.

Christmas Shopping

 So, we are less than a month away from Christmas.  For the first time ever, I am not done with my shopping.  In fact, I only started shopping this past weekend.  A lack of money has a lot to do with it, as does the fact that my kids are being pretty tight lipped about what they actually want this year.  I think it might be partly my fault, since they know I am struggling with money, so they don't want me to feel bad if they ask for something that would be impossible for me to get for them.

I have more for the girls at this point, simply because they are easier to buy for.  I was having trouble buying stuff for Ryan, so I took him shopping with me and he picked out a bunch of stuff for himself.  Sure, he won't be surprised Christmas morning, but at least he is getting things he wants.  I know there are things he didn't ask for that he really wants, and most of those things are electronic.  To be honest, I would needs a few Geek Gadgets and Discount Coupons to afford even the cheapest of the things he wants, but I promised him, and the girls, that when I get my tax refund in February, they will each get $100 to spend on whatever they want.  I also promised to buy them an xbox, which is what they really want.  They seem to have developed an unhealthy addiction to Call Of Duty, which they play at their dad's house.

I was talking to my sister the other night while we were Black Friday shopping about how I am not going to be able to get anything for my nieces or nephews this year.  She understands, but that doesn't change the fact that I really wish I could.  I especially wish I could get something for my newest niece who was born yesterday.  I could use a Things Remembered coupon to get something engraved for her.  I also wish I could get more for my mom and dad, seeing as how they have both done so much for me this past year.  I could use some RedEnvelope promo codes to get each of them something special, but I will probably end up just letting the kids paint them some ornaments or something.  Luckily, I have a stash of unpainted ornaments that I have accumulated over the years during after Christmas sales. 

I am hoping my kids, and my family, won't be too disappointed this year.  I plan on making it up to them next year, though, when I am more financially secure.

Save Money Buying Christmas Gifts

I have been thinking a lot about what I want for Christmas, which is pretty funny because I don't have anyone to buy me presents anymore.  Well, I have my parents, and they always give me great gifts, but I don't have a husband anymore, so there is no one to buy me that something special.  Make sense?

Anyway, there are a few things I want that I will probably end up buying for myself after Christmas when I have some extra money.  I really want a blender, which may seem like a funny thing to want, but I borrowed my mom's a couple of months ago to make a frozen mixed drink, and I am hooked.  She asked for her blender back, so I am going to need one of my own.  I want a good one, too, which means it will probably cost me a small fortune,  But, I know I can find some Savings.com coupons to use and save some money.  

I also want a breadmaker.  Nothing tastes better than freshly baked loaf of bread, which I know for a fact because my mom loves to make bread in hers.  And it is so good! Especially when you dip it in her homemade spaghetti sauce. 

One other thing I would love is to be able to buy my kids what they want for Christmas.  Unfortunately, this year, money is so tight I don't know how I am going to get them anything.  But, I will find a way, because my kids deserve to have presents under the tree.  I can wait until I get my taxes back next year to get the things I want, but my kids will have what they want Christmas morning.

Time For Heat

The beginning of this week, the weather here in South Carolina was beautiful.  Today, it's cold.  Really cold.  I still don't have a thermostat on my car and I had to go out this morning to drop off medicine with Ryan, and I was freezing.  I wanted to put the heat on in my car, but I think I need the thermostat before I can.  Though I'm not sure.  Maybe I froze for nothing.

I still haven't turned the heat on in my apartment either, and it's almost November.  I know I will have to do that soon, but I am enjoying the lower power bills, since I am not running my a/c much anymore either.  I would love to look into solar energy california and find a way to lower my power bill that way, but since I do live in an apartment, I don't think that is a realistic option for me.

I think the best way for me to keep my power bill under control is to wait as long as I can to turn the heat on.  The kids and I can layer our clothes and snuggle under blankets while watching television.  And I don't know about you, but I always sleep better then the house is a little chilly.

Especially when I have someone in my bed to snuggle with.

Upgrading My Television...Someday

I am going to share something with you that you might not know about me.  I'm kind of a Trekkie.  That's right...I like Star Trek.  Specifically, Star Trek Voyager.  I have tried to watch the other ones, but for some reason, I don't like them.  But Voyager, I just can't get enough.  I recently found it on Netflix, and have started from the first episode and plan on watching the entire series.  That's 168 episodes, just in case you were wondering.  The kids are even starting to get into it.  I have already seem most of them, since I watched it when it was on actual television, and I love it.

The only thing that would make them better this time around was if I was watching them on a new television.  I still have an old, regular, bulky television, which works fine.  In fact, that is one of the main reasons I have yet to buy a Flat Screen TV.  Why replace something that isn't broken?  

When I do finally upgrade, I want the best for my money.  I have lived my life settling for the cheapest of everything, but not anymore.  I am going to do some research and find the best deal for the amount I have to spend, and who knows how much that will be.  Hopefully, the TV I have now will last a few more years, and by then, who knows what kind of options will be available.

Save Money On Eyeglasses

I know I have said it before, but it's worth repeating.  This single mom thing is hard.  Seriously, I don't know how some women do it.  There is never enough hours in the day to get everything done, and there certainly is never enough money.  Every time I think about Christmas, I have a panic attack.  It's going to be pitiful when the kids see very little under the tree this year.  The good thing, if there is a good thing, about it is that none of them believe in Santa anymore, and they know I am struggling for us just to live day to day.  But, I am doing it, hard as it is.

I have been trying really hard to make every cent count, and one of the things that helps is never paying full price for anything.  Okay, so many never isn't the right word.  If something is cheap enough regular price, I will buy it.  One of the things that I know you can get for a good price, if you know where to go, is prescription eyeglasses. My nephew just got new glasses from Zennioptical.com, and they are awesome. In fact, if I remember correctly, his parents got him two pairs, just in case one breaks.  I desperately need new glasses, and have been debating using them.  Now, after hearing about my brother's experience, I think I am going to order a pair.  My problem will be picking out which ones, because they have a huge selection.

Clark Howard just released a new book called "Living Large in Lean Times", and in it he shares his secrets to saving money, spending less, and not getting ripped off.  One of the things he talks about is buying your eyeglasses from Zennioptical.com, and since he is a money expert and nationally syndicated consumer advocate, I think he knows what he is talking about.

Did You Get Mother's Day Flowers?

 Yesterday was Mother's Day, as I am sure you all know.  I was showered with lots of home made cards from my girls, with a hug thrown in from Ryan.  I have to say, I love the hand made stuff so much more than anything they could have bought me at the store.  That said, I certainly did enjoy my cookie cake that the girls decorated for me, thanks to my mom.

I know there are moms out there who received Mother's Day Flower Delivery, and I hope someday when my kids are grown and on their own that they might remember me on Mother's Day with some flowers.  I also hope that they look up ProFlowers coupon codes online before making a purchase.  I forget sometimes that you can find all kinds of coupons, not just ProFlowers coupons, online and save money.  

I spent my Mother's Day with my mom and my kids.  My mom took all of us to the zoo, and you all know how much I love going there.  I took lots of pictures, this one being my favorite:

Yes, that is me and my babies (who aren't babies anymore) posing on and around an elephant statue.  This is my family now, and I couldn't love them more.

Purple Couches

I have got to find a way to save money.  When it comes to buying groceries, I can find all the good deals, though I think my way of shopping will have to change for a bit until we move and/or I get my license and a car.  I used to go to several different stores, shopping the sales and stocking up for the entire month.  For now, I think I will start shopping weekly, and using all the things I already have on hand, that way when we do move, I won't have too much food to get into my mom's pantry. 

I also need to start remembering to use Savings.com, especially when we move into our new place and I will be looking to replace my bed and couch.  I plan on taking everything else, but I just can't bring myself to continue using those two things.  If I could afford to replace them now, I would, but I can't.  Brandi asked if we could get a purple couch when we finally get our own place, and you know what?  If I can find an affordable one, I think I will.

There is no one here anymore to tell me I can't.

Credit

Do you know what happened to a lot of people last month?  The credit card bills from all the Christmas shopping they did in December started coming in.   Were you one of those people?  If so, were you shocked when you realized how much money you actually spent?

Thankfully, we don't have credit cards, so we did all our shopping with cash.  That means no credit card bills, and no surprises.  But, it also means that we have a hard time getting credit.  For instance, we tried to qualify for one of those instant refund loans for our taxes.  We were denied because we don't have current credit.  The tax lady actually recommended getting a card to buy groceries, and then paying the entire balance at the end of each month.  The question is, which card is the best for us?

I like finding websites that let you compare all the different features of several different cards so that you can make an informed decision.  For us, getting a card with 0 apr on balance transfer isn't a priority, because we don't have any balances to transfer to a new card. For people with a lot of credit card debt, this might be something that they want to look into.  Saving money is hard, and paying less each month in interest is always a good thing. I think what will work best for us would be a low interest rate, though I'm pretty sure that with our not so great credit score, we will only qualify for cards with high interest rates.  

The good thing is, we are taking steps to correct our credit standing.  I know that it's not something we can change overnight.  It's going to take a while, and we have to make sure we are diligent in our monthly payments.  The goal is to get better credit, not get buried in debt.

Money. I Need More Of It

It's been three days since my last post?  How did that happen?  Oh wait.  I know.  I have been obsessively researching computers and cameras online so that when our tax check comes in tomorrow, I can spend my money wisely. 

And speaking of money, why does it seem like there is never enough?  I had planned on not only getting myself a laptop, but a new desktop computer as well.  I planned on spending no more than $1200 on both. 

I must have been living in my own little world.  It is pretty much impossible to get both for that amount of money.  Or should I say, it's impossible to get reputable computers for that much.  The laptop I decided on costs $600 by itself.  That's not including the software I have to buy to go on it, or the wireless mouse and laptop case I have my eye on.  So, instead of settling on a less than stellar desktop, I am going to buy a new computer desk and bookshelf to make my "office" a little less confined, and buy a new flat screen monitor for the computer I have.  My dad suggested I go to a pawn shop for that, so hopefully I can find one pretty cheap.

Now I need to find a way to make more money.  I love working from home, and it doesn't make sense for me to go back to work right now.  I wish we had the funds to look into some Dallas investment property and make money that way.  I've heard you can make a lot of money with investment properties, and I am pretty sure that Bob and I could manage the renovations ourselves.  You all saw the pictures of the renovations he did in my mom's kitchen and dining room.  He does great work!  Living in South Carolina, we would have to rely on the internet to find the perfect Dallas investment property.  Thankfully, MyHouseDeals.com offer free access to investment property leads.  I love that thanks to the internet, people from anywhere can find out what they need to know about anywhere else.  Did you follow that?

For now, I guess I'll just have to dream about investment properties.  Maybe someday we can find the time and money to invest in a home, but for now, I'll have to find another way to make some money.  Maybe I'll go back to clipping coupons.  I wonder how many times I'll have to save $.55 before I have enough money for that new computer?

Coupons

Tomorrow is the big day - the kids go back to school.  They have been home for over two weeks now, and I really need a break.  It's not that they have been bad.  It's just that I have had someone around twenty four hours a day, and this mommy needs some "me" time.  They have also eaten all the food in the house, so a trip to the grocery store is in order as well, and that works a whole lot better if I don't have six other hands adding groceries to the cart. 

I have started using coupons again, which can be very time consuming.  It's hard work matching the coupon to the store where you can get the best price.  The ideal situation is to use a coupon at a store where the item is already on sale.   I have, in the past, actually gotten items for free this way.  It doesn't happen often, but I have also had the store pay me money for an item, when my coupon puts my balance into the negative.  I had this happen a lot with those fruit coupons I printed a couple of months ago. 

I do know that now that the kids will be back to eating two meals a day at school, my grocery bill will go down.  Hopefully this means I will be able to save enough money to get that new camera I need.

Four More Months And This Will Be Mine!

 I can not wait until February.  Not only is it my birthday month, it is also when we get our income tax refund every year.  Usually we spend that money on bills and car maintenance and underwear.  All the things we kind of put off during the year because we don't have the extra money.  This year, though, I am spending some money on myself.  I plan on buying this:

Isn't it beautiful?  I love it because it's purple, but also because it will allow me to be mobile.  I will no linger have to ask Ryan to borrow his laptop when we go to the library or McDonald's.  Yes, I love to play on Facebook while the kids play in the play land. 

I also plan on buying a new desk top computer, because mine is driving me crazy.  I can't tell you how many times I have been in the middle of a post and the whole thing shuts down on me.  Or I get booted offline.  And don't even get me started on how slow it can be sometimes when I have to restart it.  I yell at it several times a day.  The kids think I'm a little nuts.

Of course, just because I will have the money to buy new computers doesn't mean that I want to pay full price.  I plan on taking advantage of as many discounts as I can.  I found some really good Dell deals from Savings.com, and I am hoping that when the time comes, I can take advantage of them.   I wish I had the money now to at least buy the desk top, but I have learned that patience is a virtue.  I know that having to wait will make me appreciate them all the more when I can finally afford them.

Do you think I can find a purple monitor for my new desktop?

Who Doesn't Like Saving Money?

I am a "sometimes" coupon user.  For me, the coupons have to make the purchase worthwhile, or I will not use them.  For instance, if I have a coupon for veggies, and even with the coupon the name brand veggies cost more than the store brand, I will but the store brand.  I am just cheap that way.  The last time we food shopped, I had two coupons for $.50 cents off Chex Mix.  It just so happened that the store I was in had them on sale BOGO at 2 for $5.00.  The bags also had a $1.00 off two coupon, so I went to the counter expecting to pay $.50 for both bags.  Well, imagine my surprise when I realized that the store doubles coupons under $1.00, so my $.50 coupons were now $1 off each bag, which in the end meant I made money buying the Chex mix.  Not bad, right?

The one place I always try and use coupons is when I buy things online.  For instance, when I renewed my domain names a few months ago, I searched online for coupon codes, and ended up saving 30%.  It's such an easy thing to do, too.  You can find coupon codes for just about anything at Savings.com.   I wish I had thought about looking up coupon codes when I bought the girls some stuff on Amazon last week.  Kasi got a book bag, and Brandi got a Wizards of Waverly Place lunch box, and I may have been able to save some money if I had thought about searching for coupon codes.  Savings.com also has an "Answers" page, where you can ask questions about the things you want to save money on, and other people can respond in real time with (hopefully) helpful answers.  I know when I find a good deal, I love to tell people about it so that they can get in on it, too.

I bookmarked this site, so hopefully the next time I am buying something online I will remember to use it.

I Need New Pots

I have pots that are about 15 years old.  They are Teflon covered; or at least they used to be.  The bottoms of all of them are peeling up and flaking, but I just can not bear to throw them away.  I don't use them anymore, but my mom gave them to me when I got married, so they have sentimental meaning.  I know, I'm a little nuts.

I do have pots that I use everyday that are no-coated.  These work well for most things, but sometimes I really need a non-stick pot.  I have had my eye on a set from Rachael Ray, but they are pretty expensive.  I looked for Cooking.com coupons, and found a few coupons I can choose from.  I just need to figure out which coupon saves me the most money.   (I am not good at math, so it's hard for me to figure out if I save more money using a coupon for 10% off, or one for free shipping.  This is where Junior comes in very handy)

I love the Silicone handles on the pots and lids.  They are even oven safe up to 400 degrees.  The glass lids make it easier to see what the food you are cooking is doing, and this is a good thing, especially for me.  I have a tendency to remove the lids off pots too frequently while checking the food inside, and I know this messes with the temperature inside the pot.  I want to be a better cook, and I think having good pots will help me get there.

Now if I can just convince myself to throw away the old ones.

Coupons

I just had to buy new ink for my printer, and let me tell you, it cost almost as much as the printer did. Why do they have to make those cartridges so expensive? A couple of years ago, I took my cartridges to a local drug store to have them refilled, but I don't think they were filled completely. Sure, it was cheaper than buying new ones, but I still don't think I got my money's worth.

How hard is it to offer cheap ink? I have been printing a lot of coupons lately, and it seems like the money I am saving on groceries is going towards buying new ink cartridges. Okay, maybe not all of it, because I have been finding some really good deals. I have gotten good at using coupons at stores that have the item on sale. For instance, when we went shopping on Saturday, I had a coupon for vegetables. It was a save $.50 per bag of steamable veggies. The veggies were on sale at the grocery store, and the bags had a "save $1 on two bags" coupon on them. When all was said and done, I think I paid about $.50 a bag. Not too bad, right? The cashier tried to give me a hard time about using two coupons on one product, but I eventually won. I am new to the whole coupon thing, so who knows if I was right or not, but apparently persistence pays off.

Now if I could just talk my way to cheaper ink cartridges.

Using Discount Codes

I think everyone likes to save money. I mean, if given the option, why would you choose to pay full price for something when you can find discount codes online that can save you money? I know that when I have a big purchase to make, I always jump online and see if there are any discount offers or better deals available.

I really should get into the habit of checking for discount codes for everything I buy. For instance, buying sneakers for my family of five can get very expensive. Sure, we can go to a discount merchandise store and get a cheap pair for each of us, but chances are we will be back in a month or two buying new ones, because let's face it, when you buy the cheap stuff, they are usually cheaply made. I bet if I went online and searched for Nike discount codes, I could probably get a really good deal. Sure, it may cost me more than if I went to the discount store, but I am sure that a good pair of sneakers will last at least a season, if not longer.

I guess my point is that if you want to save money, it is easy to do if you know where to look. Using Discount Codes you find on sites like this one just makes sense. You can find discount codes for everything from mp3 players to kitchen appliances. So before you make that next big purchase, find out how much you can save by using discount codes.

Saving Money Is Fun To Do

Shopping online is going to become the norm someday. Why do we need malls and super stores when we can buy the same things from the comfort of our homes in our pajamas? Heck, even grocery stores are starting to deliver groceries. Hermits like me can live forever, and never leave home. I just need to convince Junior that we need to move closer to a Chinese restaurant that delivers. And a pizza place. Oh, and maybe a McDonald's. Can you imagine how much money McDonald's would make if they delivered? Maybe I need to pitch this idea to my local franchise owner, who I happen to know personally since I have worked for him in the past, for many, many years.

I think I am getting a little off topic, which was shopping. I am not a big fan of shopping. At all. But, I know that sometimes I just have to suck it up and buy the things that my kids and husband need. That's right, very rarely do I buy myself anything. Only when I get gift cards and money for my birthday, which happens to be in three days. Then I like to shop. I am hoping to get enough money together this year to buy myself the wii fit. This is something I really want, because I have heard such good things about it. I also want the Biggest Loser wii game. Maybe I will get enough money to buy both. Who knows.

But before I buy anything, I will check online for the best deals. If I can buy them while sitting here in my comfy clothes, that would be awesome. I love finding sites that offer coupon codes and discounts, like DealTattle.com - Coupon Codes & Discounts. Having coupon codes can save me money, and sometimes I can find deals for free shipping. Saving money is high on my list of priorities these days. In fact, I think saving money is high on a lot of people's lists these days.

I am off to see what other types of deals I can find. I want bookshelves for the kids room when we move, and I'm hoping to find a good deal on those. Wish me luck!

Online Shopping

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of CSNStores. All opinions are 100% mine.

I think it is an understatement to say that I have been feeling a little overwhelmed these days. I didn't think it would be so hard to pack up this little apartment. Who knew I had so much stuff? As I am packing, I am weeding out the things we don't use, or need. I am throwing out broken things, and trying to get rid of the things the kids have outgrown; clothes and toys alike. Part of this process is keeping a list of things that I use, but are broken, that need to be replaced.

One of the things I want to replace is my desk. There is nothing wrong with the one I am using now, other than that it is not something I picked out. It is a hand me down, and not exactly my style. Since I spend most of my day sitting here, I think I should have a desk I like. I found this desk online at csnstores.com, and I love it. I like the combination of black and wood, and I think it will fit nicely in my "office" once we move.

One of the other things on my list is a whisk. I did have a nice one, but it got caught in the drawer when I tried to open it, and it bent. It still whisks, but it looks funny. I really like this colorful one. It has personality, kind of like me. I also found this at csnstores.com. In fact, I found all kinds of neat things on this site. They offer everything from office furniture and whisks to luggage and pet supplies.

Like most things these days, you can find CSNStores on Facebook. I became a fan so that I can find out about all their great sales and giveaways first hand. It is only recently that I have become a fan of online shopping. I have missed out on so much! It is so much more convenient to sit here and search for the things I want with a click of the mouse than it is to go traipsing to different stores all over town.

I look forward to ordering lots of things for the new place once we get settled. The trick is to find the perfect house first.

Need New Glasses? Ryan Does

Ryan is supposed to wear glasses at school to see the board. I asked him the other day if he was wearing his glasses like he is supposed to, and he said no. When I asked why not, he said it was because they were broken. It seems he had them in his book bag, at the bottom, and then got squished. This happened months ago. Months! I was so angry with him; not because he broke his glasses, but because he didn't tell me. Luckily, we have insurance on the kids and eyes are covered 100%, so I can get them replaced for free. He also needs an eye exam, so he will have that done, too. The glasses he wears look like this:
Now, if you don't have eye coverage on your insurance plan, let me tell you about Zenni optical. They offer eyeglasses for as low as $8. In fact, the pair pictured above is from their $8 selection. You can check out this article written for the Examiner to read for yourself how satisfied Zenni customers are. In fact, I know someone personally who bought two pairs of glasses from them, and they were extremely impressed with the quality of the glasses. To be honest, they were expecting an $8 pair of glasses, otherwise known as a cheaply made pair. They were pleasantly surprised with the glasses they received. It's nice to know that in these hard economic times that you don't have to neglect your eyes. You can get cheap, but not cheaply made glasses, for reasonable prices. In fact, you can buy multiple pairs of glasses for the same amount of money that one pair typically costs. That is what I call an awesome deal.