Thrifty Maven

The people at Animal Charms is going to give one of our lucky readers will receive a one color photo pendant and chain for their very own. Will that winner be you? Enter today and every day through August 1st. I may just be announcing your name as our latest winner.

First of all I’d like to congratulate our latest winners.

Jennifer J who is from McLean, VA with the winner of our Show Us Your Pizza Giveaway. Don’t forget to Enter their Show Us Your Pizza Photo Contest Jennifer. You could WIN $500 and your pizza could be featured in a future ad.

Deborah W of Andover Kansas who won our McDonalds gift pack. I know you’re lovin’ it Deborah.

Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t note here how very touched I am by the many winners who actually take the time and energy to write me thank you notes and emails when they receive their prizes.

How very sweet and I truly appreciate that you actually took the time to do such a sweet and wonderful thing. I save all these emails and notes because they mean so much to me.

I love Rewards programs and with the kids getting ready to head back to school, you might want to consider taking advantage of the Mead Money Madness® Points Program

Mead Money Madness® is a points program that rewards you for all your eligible Mead purchases and for spending time on their site. First you earn the points, and then you can exchange them for all sorts of rewards.

There are Two Ways to Earn Points

1. Look for the Mead Money Madness tag on the Mead® products you buy to find out how many Mead Money Madness points you can earn. Enter the UPC online and we’ll add the points to your account. Save your receipts – you’ll need them to claim your rewards.

2. You’ll also score points for doing certain things on this Web site. So when you play a game, take a poll, create a quiz, view a demo or download a template, look for the Mead Money Madness points value. You can use these points to get rewards, too.

Free Tea at McAlister’s Deli on July 29, 2009. Be sure to call ahead to see if your store is participating as the offers states participation may vary by location. Limit one per guest. (This offer does not include catering or gallons.)

Beat the heat with this coupon for Buy One Get One FREE Regular Soft Serve Cone from Baskin Robins.

Some restrictions may apply. Offer valid at participating Baskin-Robbins stores in the US only. While supplies last. Offer expires August 8, 2010.

This July 29th can enjoy a slice of Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory for $1.50 with printed invitation!

To get your coupon you need to “like” the Cheesecake Factory on Facebook. You’ll get a Preview Day Invitation to take in to the store.

If you can’t make the 29th, you can come back the next day to celebrate National Cheesecake day with half off any slice of Cheesecake.

(PS. If they Cheesecake factory would take me out for dinner on my birthday I would be an even bigger fan. Call me.)

If you are an animal lover like me then you are going to want to hear about this great gift idea for yourself of the animal lover in your life.

This weekend, I received a gorgeous pendant that features a color photo of my cocker spaniel “Little Dog”. Little dog came into my life thirteen years ago when I bought him from the animal shelter in Newport News, VA. For me it was love at first sight and he quickly wrapped me around his paw.

Let’s face it, many of us consider our pets part of their family and I’m no different. I love my dogs and I simply love the idea of creating a lasting memory of my little boy.

This is why I was thrilled to learn about Animal Charms Animal Charms.

Animal Charms is a family owned business built by the husband and wife team, Steve and Diane Gerencser. Steve is a jeweler who has been designing his own jewelry for nearly 1 year. Diane is a retired Lt. Colonel from the USAF Reserves and they both have a passion for animals.

Each piece is definitely one of a kind and even better 10% of EVERY single sale at Animal Charms is automatically donated to charity. As someone who has adopted every pet I’ve ever owned from local shelters, I can’t begin to tell you how much this generous act says to me about their commitment to animals.

Animal Charms Animal Charms offers a coupon programs to various animal rescues and charities’ to enable them to raise even more money for themselves through purchase made by their members and supporters.

From horse pendants and rings to dog and cat jewelry, Animal Charms provides their customers the finest jewelry at the best value while at the same time helping the animals

You can buy a a sterling silver chain to go with it, 16″ with a round pendantjust like mine featuring your favorite pet photo or any number of beautiful pieces. They’re easy to create and order and pendants are available in dog tag, round, and heart shapes.

You can also engrave a limited amount of text on the back of your pendant. If you would like to include your pet’s name or dates on the back, please select Text Engraving when placing your order and add the text desired on the checkout page

Ready for some good news? Animal Charms is offering my readers 10% off every purchase made on their website. Just use the coupon code: BLOG23.

I bet you know someone who would just love this special gift. Check them out today, you won’t be sorry.

How to Connect with Animal Charms:

Website: www.animalcharms.net
Check out the Animal Charms Blog
Follow Animal Charms on Twitter
Find Animal Charms on Facebook

Now for the truly wonderful news. The people at Animal Charms is going to give one of our lucky readers will receive a one color photo pendant and chain for their very own.

You’re excited aren’t you? It’s easy to enter and you get a chance to brag on the furry love of your life. To enter, simply tell us about your pet. Is it a dog, a cat, a horse, a snake? What’s your baby’s name? If you don’t have a pet, tell me what your favorite animal is. That’s it. You can enter this way once each and every day.

This giveaway will begin on July 28 2010, and ends on August 01, 2010 at 11:59 PM ET. You MUST leave a separate comment for each entry you wish to make. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only, 18 years old or over, and the winner will be chosen by random.org. The winner will be contacted by email and will have 48 hours to respond. Once I have received a response from the winner’s the name of the winner will be posted here.

Looking for other ways to enter our giveaway?

1. If you are a member of the ThriftyMaven community then simply post the following comment: “I am a member of the ThriftyMaven community & I really want to WIN a color photo pendant and chain from Animal Charms” (You can enter this way once each day.)

2. Not a member yet? It’s easy to join. Simply sign up to receive our Maven Moments. I promise I won’t overwhelm you with emails. Let us know that you are now a member in the comment section.

3. Twitter about this giveaway. Simply Tweet “Enter to WIN a color photo pendant and chain from Animal Charms on ThriftyMaven.com.” (You can enter this way EVERY DAY. Just let us know by submitting the link for your tweet.)

4. FOR 5 EXTRA ENTRIES – Blog about this giveaway, with a link to my blog. Come back and leave the link to your blog post. Post FIVE separate comments that you’ve blogged about this. (Let us know that you did that by posting the link to your blog. Make sure you do this five times so you can get five separate entries into our giveaway)

5. Not following us on Twitter? Why not change that and earn an entry in our giveaway. We will also follow you in return. Let us know that you are following us on Twitter and you have a new entry into our giveaway. (You can enter this way one time)

6. Add my button to your site and let me know that you did. (You can enter this way one time)

7. Finally why not become a fan? Head on over to Facebook and “Like” us at Facebook. Leave us a comment below to tell us you’ve joined us on Facebook. (You can enter this way one time.)

In keeping with the FCC rules I would like to inform you that I received no financial compensation for this post. The people at Animal Charms have provided me with a color photo pendant and chain described above agreed to will also be supply a color photo pendant and chain for one of my readers. The opinions expressed in this post are my own.

Residents of Fulton County, Georgia should check out Zoo Atlanta library program (Free pass to Zoo Atlanta). Resident of Fulton County, Georgia and have a valid public library card, you have a FREE annual pass to Zoo Atlanta! Each of the 33 branches of the Atlanta-Fulton County Library System have one Family Pass available for checkout. Because there is only one pass at each branch, you should plan accordingly for peak attendance times. The Pass is good for two adults and up to four kids age 18 and under and may be checked out once per year, per card, per household: http://www.af.public.lib.ga.us/

El Pollo Loco is offering up a FREE Queso Crunch Burrito (chicken or carne asada) with the purchase of a Queso Crunch burrito with this coupon on or before August 3rd.

Tis the season that has become a ritual of back-to-school season. Sixteen states will temporarily suspend sales taxes on pens, pencils, binders and bookbags, as well as moderately-priced clothes, and in some cases, computers.

The list of these states and when these dates are scheduled can be found here:

• Alabama: August 6-8
• Connecticut: August 15-21
• Florida: August 13-15
• Illinois: August 6-15
• Iowa: August 6-7
• Louisiana: August 6-7
• Maryland: August 8-14
• Mississippi: July 30-31
• Missouri: August 6-8
• New Mexico: August 6-8
• North Carolina: August 6-8
• Oklahoma: August 6-8
• South Carolina: August 6-8
• Tennessee: August 6-8
• Texas: August 20-22
• Virginia: August 6-8

By the way, you will notice that Georgia will not be participating this year. State lawmakers called off this year’s tax free shopping period, saying it would cost the state $12 billion.

Be sure to check ThriftyMaven to find out what items will be included in each states tax holiday.

These days, in addition to notebooks and pencils, many parents are finding that mobile phones are an essential back-to-school supply. When choosing the right cell phone for kids, texting trumps phone calls every time when kids are communicating with their friends and family. Note: Close to 70% of T-Mobile customers are text messaging and more than half of teens text daily with their friends and family!

That is why T-Mobile is kicking off a new promotion to help families stay connected just in time for back-to-school. Starting this week, customers can sign up for T-Mobile’s Even More Family Plan with a two-year contract and get the latest messaging phones (Samsung , Gravity 3 and Gravity T) for free after a mail-in rebate…and unlimited texting for everyone on your family plan is just $20 per month.

More details are available for customers at http://www.T-Mobile.com.

If you’re a teacher or a homeschooler, you can sign up for a free Random Acts of Fitness Kit from Subway. The free kit includes information and tools to help your students become excited about fitness and nutrition.

Every Tuesday, the Orange Julius is offering a buy one get one deal on Julius Fruit Drinks. This promotion runs through October 26 at participating locations.

Not valid with other offers, promotions, or discounts. No coupons necessary. Valid at participating locations.

With a new school year just around the corner, you can save on everything you need to get your families ready for the first day — whether it’s kindergarten or college — at Amazon.com.

College students are flocking to our new Amazon Student page , where they can sign up to get FREE Two-Day Shipping for one year with a free Amazon Prime membership ($79 value). This page also features one-stop shopping for the dorm or apartment dweller with laptops, textbooks, clothing, bedding, electronics, and more.

And on the Back-to-School Savings page, parents can find backpacks, uniforms and other clothing, healthy snacks, and every classroom supply that ever made it onto a teacher’s list.

The latest winners on ThriftyMaven.com were from our Day In The Park Prize Pack. The Grand Prize Winner was Sunshyn V of Enfield, CT. Congratulations!!!!

There were five runner up winners and I will Identify them as Denise S, Tracy D, Winfield, Marlyn L, and Storm. Each of these winners has been contacted and the sponsor has been provided their info so they can receive their prizes.

We had two more giveaways expire and you might be one of them. Be sure to check your email because you might just have an email that says “You’re A Winner On ThriftyMaven.com”

Big Lots would like to show their appreciation to America’s teachers and educators with a special Teacher Appreciation Day (home educators included).

On Saturday, August 14th, 2010, all educators will receive a 10% discount on all purchases with a valid school ID.

It’s that time of year again. Teachers are going back to school and Staples wants to help you save on YOUR school supplies.

• Receive a FREE thank you gift (for the first 100 teachers, while supplies last)
• See the hottest new items for your classroom
• Learn about Copy & Print services that can help make your school year easier
• Find out about our Staples Rewards Teachers Program, which now includes teaching and art supplies

For information about your local event click HERE.

If you live in the Rome, Georgia Area, here’s your info:

212 Shorter Ave., Rome, GA 30161
Date: Jul 31, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM (noon)

Free After Max Perks

• Any Backpack (limit 2)

More Great Deals

• 12″ Wooden Ruler with Metal Edge, 5¢ (limit 6)
• All Schoolio Poly Binders, 1″ or 1.5″, 30¢ (limit 6)
• Just Basic Assorted Cap Erasers, 25 ct., 50¢
• OfficeMax #2 Pencils, 12 pk., 10¢ (limit 3)
• OfficeMax Filler Paper, 100 ct., 20¢ (limit 6)
• Paper Mate Black or Blue Ballpoint Pens, 10 pk., 10¢ (limit 3)
• Schoolio Flexible or Shatterproof Rulers,12?, 50¢
• All Avery Notetabs Buy One Get One 50% off
-$1 off Avery Note Tabs or Pocket Tabs printable coupon
• All BIC Pens, Pencils, Highlighters, or White Out Correction Tape Buy One Get One
• All In Place Heavy Duty View Binders Buy 2 Get 1
• Helix Protractor and Compass Set $1
• Sharpie Permanent Markers, 5 pk., Buy One Get One
• OfficeMax or Elmer’s Glue Sticks $1.50
• Pentel Wow Retractable Ball Point Pens, 5 pk., $2
• Select Post-It Flags $2.50
-$1 off Post-it Flags or Tabs printable coupon

Note that the OfficeMax deals do seem to vary some by region, so be sure to check your local weekly ad to verify the offers for your area

This is another Facebook FREEBIE gang!

Simply visit V8 V-Fusion’s Facebook page on Monday at 11 AM CST to sign up for a free sample of their new V8 V-Fusion & Tea. (Good for the first 1,000 who sign up each week). Don’t forget to “like” them and then click on the “samples” tab to sign up for this free sample. *One sample per household until September 30, 2010, while supplies last.

As always, feel free to stop by our Facebook page and like us too. Thanks

Are you feeling Hot, Hot, Hot? Then it look no further for relief from the heat than ThriftyMaven We have some great giveaways and I’m certain one of them has your name written all over it.

Are you Lovin’ McDonalds? If so then you’ll defnitely want to enter this giveaway. You can WIN a gift pack that includes 2 $5 McDonalds GC and more.

Haven’t tried Domoino’s new pizza yet? Why not? There’s still time to enter to WIN a $20 Dominos Gift Card.