AND THE WINNER IS......

I know it's been a long time waiting, but the Kellogg's contest has finally ended. Please don't forget to send in your rebate forms this week (by 09/30)!

And the winner is (by $1).... YOUR COUPON BUDDY.

She had an actual profit of $19!!!! Way to go!!!
I'll be emailing you to redeem your $10 CVS card!

introducing a new website

I've been wanting to switch domain names and give Discount Hero it's own domain. However, even though discounthero.com isn't being used, it is owned. I contacted the owner to see if he would be willing to give up the domain since it is not in use and he told me it would cost me $10,000!! That's not a good deal! lol That's actually quite insane. So I've been toying around with the idea of starting a new adventure with a new name. I've done it.

I am now the proud owner of a new website that will feature the things I talk about on here as well as other things that really benefit your family (advice, wellness, recipies, DIY, in addition to all the ways I come up with to save money). I've switched my name to Homemaker Hero. Please bookmark it as it will become my new internet home. I'm still debating continuing this blog since most of what I post here will be on the new website anyhow. However, I'll definitely keep this blog open until the end of the Kellogg's contest. The winner will be announced on here at the end of September. So be sure to enter your Kellogg's transaction (even if you didn't get the rebate in the mail).

I look forward to my new adventures with you and posting more of what I'm really all about. Please let me know what you think!!!

Tax Free Weekend in Texas

There's been some miscommunication that everything you buy this weekend is going to be tax-free. That is NOT true! Here is a list of what is tax exempt and what is not.

TAX FREE
Baby clothes
Backpacks for use by elementary and secondary students
Belts with attached buckles
Boots - cowboy, hiking
Caps/hats - baseball, fishing, golf, knitted
Coats and wraps
Diapers - adult and baby
Dresses
Gloves (generally)
Gym suits and uniforms
Hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts
Hosiery
Jackets
Jeans
Jerseys - baseball and football
Jogging apparel
Neckwear and ties
Pajamas
Pants and trousers
Raincoats and ponchos
Robes
Shirts
Shoes - sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking
Socks (including athletic)
Shorts
Suits, slacks, and jackets
Sweatshirts
Sweat suits
Sweaters
Swimsuits
Underclothes
Work clothes and uniforms

NOT TAX FREE
Accessories (generally) - barrettes, elastic ponytail holders, wallets, watches
Backpacks - unless for use by elementary and secondary students
Baseball cleats and pants
Belt buckles (without belt)
Boots - climbing, fishing, rubber work boots, ski, waders
Buttons and zippers
Cloth and lace, knitting yarns, and other fabrics
Dry cleaning services
Football pants
Golf gloves
Handbags and purses
Handkerchiefs
Hard hats
Helmets - bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports
Ice skates
Jewelry
Laundering services
Leather goods - except belts with buckles and wearing apparel
Pads - football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, shoulder
Personal flotation devices
Rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes)
Roller blades and skates
Safety clothing, glasses
Shoes - bicycle (cleated), bowling, golf

for the extended list please click here

The law exempts most clothing and footwear priced under $100 from sales and use taxes, which could save shoppers about $8 on every $100 they spend. Backpacks under $100 and used by elementary and secondary students are also exempt. A backpack is a pack with straps one wears on the back. The exemption during the sales tax holiday includes backpacks with wheels, provided they can also be worn on the back like a traditional backpack, and messenger bags. The exemption does not include items that are reasonably defined as luggage, briefcases, athletic/duffle/gym bags, computer bags, purses or framed backpacks. Ten or fewer backpacks can be purchased tax-free at one time without providing an exemption certificate to the seller.

A word of caution: If you sell items that do not qualify for the exemption, you may not advertise or promise that you will pay your customers’ sales tax. Additionally, you are prohibited from advertising that you will not collect sales tax on items that do not qualify. You may advertise that tax is included in the sales price of the taxable items that you sell, however.

For information on how to report tax on these sales, please visit Reporting Sales Tax on Tax-Free Items or call us toll free at (800) 252-5555.

new expedia deals

Expedia Extra: FREE GAS* $75 when you stay 4+nights, $50 when you stay 3 nights, $25 when you stay 2 nights - while supplies last.

new resturant.com code

Take 50% off $25 Gift Certificates.

Pay $5 when you use the code GOODBUY.

Now valid through 8-17-08.

super deal at super 8

SUPER 8 ROOMS ARE GOING FOR $8.88!!
(Every night online after 8pm from 8/8/08 through 8/15/08)

Things to keep in mind when trying to book your $8.88 room:

• The promotion runs each night beginning at 8 PM EDT from 8/8/08 through 8/15/08
• The first 800 guests to make a reservation on super8.com each night beginning at 8 PM EDT can get a room for $8.88!
• This special offer is only available online through super8.com
• Your stay must be within the 8/8/08 and 12/30/08 period only
• Limit of one room and one night per person
• Please have a valid credit card handy
• Rate valid at all participating Super 8 hotels in the U.S and Canada
• Wyndham Rewards points will be awarded based on the promotional rate of $8.88 (Putting in your Wyndham Rewards # will pre-populate your information, saving you time and giving you a faster chance at getting that $8.88 room!)
• Reservation cannot be canceled, refunded, transferred or resold
• Offer cannot be combined with any other promotion or offer

(thanks moneysavingmom)

Bath and Body Works

There's a major sale that ends tomorrow. Get it while you can. Shipping is only $4.95 if you prefer to buy online.

5 for $15 or 7 for $20:

Anti-Bacterial Hand Soaps

Anti-Bacterial 8 oz Gel Sanitizer

Anti-Bacterial Foaming Sanitizer

Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Sanitizer

Anti-Bacterial 3 oz Gel Sanitizer

resturant.com

There was a one day special going at Resturant.com and I totally missed it because I was out of the house most of the day. However, they have extended this sale and I think you should take advantage of it!!!



For the first time ever, Take 80% off 25 Gift Certificates.

Pay $2 when you use the code FIRST

Now valid through 8-10-08

Miracle Treat Day - AUGUST 7th!!

(just bumping this to the top so you don't forget!)

When you enjoy Oreo cookie crumbles in creamy DQ® soft serve on August 7th, you're helping kids in need. Visit a participating DQ to buy a Blizzard treat on DQ Miracle Treat Day and all proceeds* (sale price minus cost of ingredients) will benefit your local Children's Miracle Network hospital. Now that's sweet! To learn more, find a participating DQ store, and to plan your trip for Thursday, August 7th!

Celebrate Mama

2008 Celebrate Mama! Corpus Christi
Saturday, August 9th 2008
10am-3pm First United Methodist Church 900 S. Shoreline

Join us for the fun! Come check out exclusive mama owned businesses who cater to moms of all ages and stages! You could even win a Bob Jogging Stroller!

All proceeds from the event will go to Camp Hearty, a fun activity camp for local children who have congenital heart disease. Please contact Cathy @ 694-4511 for more info.

Click here to find a Celebrate Mama! event near you.

finally! something that benefits my husband!

My husband is a gamer. His favorite game of choice is World of Warcraft. We got this email this morning and thought I'd pass the news along to you who might be gamers or have gamer spouses.


Our new Recruit-A-Friend program has added features that reward you even more for bringing your friends into Azeroth™. Recruit-A-Friend and earn:

• An exclusive ZHEVRA in-game mount* when your friend pays for 60 days of subscription time.
  
• 30 Days of FREE** WoW gametime when your friend pays for 30 days of subscription time.

Also, from the moment your friend creates a character and starts adventuring with you (including the trial period), both of you will receive these additional in-game benefits:

• You and your friend will earn triple the experience when grouped together.
  
• For every two levels of experience your friend earns, they can grant one level of experience to any one of your characters of lower level.
  
• You and your friend will have the ability to summon each other from any point in the world.

For more details on the new Recruit-A-Friend program please click here.


To recruit your friends now click here.

resturant.com

August 5th thru 7th, 50% off $25 Gift Certificates at Resturant.com!
Pay $5 when you use the code GAMES.


I still don't know why anyone wouldn't take advantage of this. Even if you are planning to go out to eat soon, order a certificate for yourself and you'll eat cheaper than the value of the meal!

to those who live near a Jewel-Osco store

One of my bestest friends just emailed me about a chance to make a difference when shopping at Jewel-Osco, nationwide!! We unfortunately don't have a Jewel-Osco anywhere down here, but I wanted to pass the word to all of you who may live near a Jewel-Osco store. Please help!

This is a forwarded email from one of my bestest friends' friend (did ya get that?):

As most of you know, my cousin Maddie was diagnosed with CML leukemia in December. As part of our fundraising effort to offset some of Maddie's care, we organized three Shop and Share events at any Jewel-Osco nationwide. This first Shop and Share effort is being held at the end of August. I have attached the Shop and Share forms to this email, all you need to do is print it off, present it to the cashier upon check out and 5% of your total bill goes right to Maddie!!! Please pass along this form to your friends and family, every little bit helps. Thank you for your continued support as we continue on our Mission for Maddie (http://www.missionformaddie.com/).

If this slip doesn't print (click the picture and it should come up in a new window so you can print it) and you would like the attachment, please send me an email and I'll send the attachment to you.

Thanks!!!

CONTEST ALERT! did you get the Sunday paper?

Hopefully you found a special Kellogg's insert with LOTS of Kellogg's coupons (inside the RedPlum insert). There was also a mail-in rebate attached. If you send in 10 proofs of purchase from selected Kellogg's products, they will send you a $10 rebate check. (see insert for complete details on qualifications of rebate)

• Any Kellogg's Cereal 12oz or larger
• Any Keebler Product 8oz or larger
• Any Sunshine Product 8oz or larger
• Any Eggo Product 8ct or larger
• Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Cereal Bar 6ct or larger
• Kellogg's Special K Cereal Bar 6ct or larger
• Kelogg's Pop-Tarts Toaster Pastries 8ct or larger
• Kellogg's Rice Krispies Treats Squares 8ct or larger
• Kellogg's Fruit Flavored Snacks 6ct or larger
• Kellogg's Cereal Straws 5oz or larger
• Kellogg's Grab N Go Cereal Pack 5oz or larger

Here's my first Discount Hero blog contest:
Participate in this mail-in rebate promotion and the one to come out with the cheapest transaction with 10 selected products above will win a free $10 CVS gift card! If you don't know by now, $10 at CVS will most defintiely get you a LOT of stuff (a gift that keeps on giving). The rebate is due 09/30/08. Therefore, this contest will end 09/27/08 and the winner will be announced 09/29/08! Comment below or email me with your transactions. Participants are more than welcome to buy more than 10 items and then just choose the 10 cheapest to create your rebate and send those to me (as long as it's in one transaction). If there is a tie for the cheapest transaction, those winners will all be listed and one will be chosen at random. Good Luck!!!!!!!!


ALSO NOTE: Walgreens has a Register Rewards promotion on Kellogg's products this week. Buy $10 in select Kellogg's products and receive $5 in RR. :)


EDITED NOTE ABOUT CONTEST RULES: There seems to be some miscommunication about the contest rules. Hope this clarifys things.

ALL PRODUCTS MUST BE PURCHASED IN A SINGLE TRANSACTION ON ONE STORE RECEIPT. To receive a $10 rebate check, complete and mail this official form with the required original UPC symbols along with original dated Cash Register Receipt dated between 08/05/08 and 09/30/08 with the qualifying products circled. (Photo copies not accepted) LIMIT ONE REBATE PER ADDRESS OR HOUSEHOLD (no PO BOX). Requests must be postmarked by 09/30/08 and receive by 10/11/08.

Void where prohibited, taxed, or restricted by law. Limit one request per name, address or household. No PO Boxes allowed, only street or rual route addresses are acceptable. Fradulent submissions could result in federal prosecution under the US Mail Fraud Statues. Not responsible for postage due, lost, late, misdirected, illegible or undelivered responses. Duplicate submissions will be disreguarded and will not receive a response. This form must accompany your request and may not be reproduced. Please allow up to 8 weeks to receive a reabte check. Offer good only in the USA. Offer not good in rebate clubs.

E.L.F. (eyes lips face)

A friend of mine clued me in on this (thanks, Amy). E.L.F. is being bought out by Nordstroms and so they are cleaning out their inventory and selling everything for $1.00!!!!!!! This is totally an awesome time to stock up on makeup! I mean EVERYTHING is a dollar! Lips, blush, powder, brushes, etc. The only thing not a dollar are the kits and mineral makeup which is going for $8.00. Go get some NOW! :)

Also Amy included some deals at Bath & Body Works:

5/$15 aromatherapy soaps (save $15!)

$6 body wash and shower gels (save $7) ENDS TODAY

limited time: $3 shipping on orders $50 or more - no code needed!

TGIFridays member perk

I received my first TGIFridays member perk (aside from the 'jump the line' and 'free appetizer/dessert'). Aparantly if you show your card (you can use the temporary one if you haven't received your card yet) to your server and receive a special tasting of Chips N Dip starter pack. Hurry in because it's for a limited time only while supplies last.

Sounds like pretty good service to walk in and jump the line once, get a free tasting of this snack, and ordering a free appetizer or dessert (probably dessert since we'll already get the chips n dip)!!

Not a member yet? Sign up here.

free photos at walgreens

Walgreens is offering 25 bonus prints when you buy 25 prints or more (4x6). Use code: FATCAMERA at checkout. Offer expires August 2nd - so hurry!

free borders books

I've seen this deal floating around on other sites. Some people have had trouble having it work for them, but it's worth checking out. Use code: BR41925 to get $5 off purchase of $5 or more. Have it shipped to your local store and shipping becomes free!

I have been told this worked on multiple items allowing several items for free, but I just tried it and it would only take the first $5 off. Let me know if you can get it to work for more than one and exactly what you did.

suh-weet

It's been a long time since I've actually "won" anything. I'm really good at getting things for free, but not necessairly being the only person who will get a certain item. I've been following a Charleston, SC site because I have several friends in that area. To get more people to the site, she's offering free stuff twice a week. This particular gift was over a two day period. You have to watch the site for the item to switch from Inactive to Active over this two-three day period. The first person to contact Laura when it is switched to Active gets a FREE prize (no charge, no shipping, no catch)!

Last prize was a Blockbuster gift card. Today I won a $20 Borders gift card! Next prize up for grabs will be a $10 Chick-fil-A gift card between July 25th and July 27th. Head on over there and try to win it! Look around the site, too! Laura has some neat stuff posted - like recipies and favorite hot spots. http://www.itsfreefromme.com/

cool thing alert!!!!!

I've been using a new service online that I think all of you should try. It's really helping me stay organized. It's Cozi.com - an online family organizer. I'm sure you've seen a ton of different online organizers that claim to simplify your life but this is really the first one I've found that works for ME. It's so fantastic that it will work for your entire family.

First - you add yourself and all of your family members and assign each of them a color and a separate color for the entire family. When you add events to your calendar, you can color code it so that you will be able to tell which person has stuff going on. You can even add multiple family members to each of the calendar entries. When you're done, Cozi will save everything on your account and you can also print it off in weekly or monthly form. It's super easy for the whole family to know what is going on.

Second - you can make TONS of lists. Grocery list, To do list, Garage sales list, etc. You can even save recipies. You have total creative freedom. I actually made a different list for each of the stores I shop at so I can keep track of the things I need to buy from those stores. Each list will have its own color so that it is easy to separate. The best part is that you can add your mobile phone numbers for each family member (my children are obviously too young to have a cell phone, but it would be great for older kids). On the Cozi website you can actually have these lists sent to your mobile phone or to your spouse or kids. Maybe your husband is leaving work and you have a list of things you need him to pick up before he gets home. Cozi makes it possible to text a list to him so that he won't have any excuse to forget everything you wanted him to pick up. Or maybe you need your teenager to meet you somewhere. Make a list of the directions of where to meet up and send it to them via Cozi.com! You can even have your saved recipies sent to your phone! What's better than that??? If you happen to be out of the house and decide to stop by the store unplanned, Cozi offers a number you can call to retreive the list you need!! How cool is that?!?

Third - there is a mini-blog where you can detail little things that happen in your life. Whether you want to make note of something that happened on vacation, baby's first words, or whatever you wish, you can blog it on Cozi. You can even add a little picture next to the blog. As of right now Cozi doesn't allow others to view this blog. It's a family only view. They hope to eventually make it to where extended family or public can view it. For now though, only you and your family can see it.

Fourth - there is a collage screen saver that you can personalize with your own pictures. That's pretty self explanatory and you can view what it looks like when you check out the website. You'll have all of your organized information and favorite pictures in a quick view on this screensaver.

This has helped my family already and we've only been using it for a few days. It was too cool that I couldn't resist blogging about it here. Best of all - it's a free service!!! (although texting rates will apply via your cell phone provider)