It's OC Fair Time!

Mmmmm... the smell of deep fried treats (think Twinkies and Snickers bars) and chocolate dipped bacon is in the air.... we all  know what that means- the OC Fair is in town!

Going to the fair is an annual tradition in this household. But, as our family grows, and our bank account seems to shrink, it is hard to rationalize a trip to the fair for a family of 5 (and a preggo mommy who HAS to have a pickle and funnel cake!)

Well, I have some tips that will hopefully help you save you some $$$ so you enjoy the fair during it's short lifespan this summer. (The fair runs until August 15!)

General Info:
Hours: Open Wed-Sun (yes- they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays- good to know!)
Open 10am to 9pm  (but, they happen to be open Tues, July 27 for some odd reason)

Admission Prices:
General (ages 13-59) $10
Child (6-12) $5
Senior (60+) $5
Children under 6- Free!

Parking: $7  
Preferred Parking: $12
*We like to park across the street by the Police Station and walk- it's usually $5 or so, and so worth it!

Weekly Deals- the good stuff :)
Free Admission for active military with valid ID

"We Care Wednesdays" 
Free Admission from noon-6 pm and 1 carnival ride with the following:


7/28 Book Drive: One new children's book or 3 gently used books
8/4 Clothing Drive: 5 gently used clothing items
8/11 School Supply Drive: Donation of 1 school supply item valued at $3 or more. 


Wednesdays and Thurdays- Unlimited rides $25. Sold until 5pm, valid until 8pm.


Kids Free Thursdays- Kids admission (under 12) free all day!


Fridays- noon-4pm  $1 Food Tastings
All rides $1 on Fridays until 7pm

Here is my plan :)
Go on a Wednesday
Drive through Taco Bell or McDonalds for a quick and cheap bite to eat on the way.
Park across the street, around 5:30 or so.
Bring the donation items (enough to cover 3 admissions)


The most expensive part is the rides (and food!). Last year, we were lucky to run into a youth group as they were leaving, and they gave the kids their wristbands for unlimited rides (score!) which lasted until 7pm. If this doesn't happen, I would suggest buying each child their own card (maybe $10 or so), and explaining to them once it's gone, it's gone! Give them a little freedom to pick and choose which rides they want to go on. My goal is to spend no more than $40- and this is totally do-able! Oh, and mommy gets a funnel cake for dessert, of course ;)

Thrifty Thursday

Thought I would get all cute and creative, and dedicate a day to my favorite word: Thrifty.
Okay, okay, we all know I have an over abundance of favorite words- most having to do with being cheap and saving money (Free is my all-time fav!) but "thrifty" and "Thursday" just seem to go together, right?

Lately, I have been loving on a few blogs that feature Dollar Store creations. I am so amazed by some of the crafts and creations these crafty chicas come up with- all with items from their local Dollar Tree or 99 cent store.

Yesterday, I came across this amazing mirror, sort of a dollar store imitation of a Pottery Barn classic. Total cost including all dollar store materials- aprrox $11. Pottery Barn price: $249! Not kidding!

Go HERE to check out the tutorial- and don't blame me if you spend an hour (or more), snooping around the blog- and mentally making an extensive shopping list for your next dollar store trip :)

Here is the inspiration (at a whopping $249- no thanks!)

And..... the dollar store creation (less than $15- YES PLEASE!)

(image courtesy of DollarStoreCrafts.com)

Ahhhh-mazing, isn't it???

7/25 Sunday Paper Coupon Preview

It's been a while since I posted the Sunday Paper preview! A HUGE thanks to Deal Seeking Mom for this amazing list! (Please keep in mind that all coupon inserts are regional- so some coupons and/or their values may not be in your papers!)

Click on this link to see the entire list :)

Sephora Sun Safety Kit- $95 value- only $10!

Sephora has their limited edition Sun Safety Kit marked down from $25 to $10! This set is jam packed with lots of small sized sunscreens, skin products, and much more! This set is a $95 value- so $10 is a real steal! Here is what is included in this awesome set:

- 0.14 oz Murad Essential-C Eye Cream SPF 15
- 0.23 oz DDF Ultra-Lite Oil-Free Moisturizing Dew UV Moisturizer SPF 15
- 0.10 oz Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 in Lemon and Chamomile
- 0.25 oz Peter Thomas Roth Max Sheer All Day Defense Lotion SPF 30
- 0.16 oz Kate Somerville Protect SPF 55 Serum Sunscreen
- 0.27 oz Clarins Delectable Self Tanning Mousse SPF 15
- 0.16 oz Cover FX BritePrep FX Brightening Foundation Primer & Photo-Aging Defense SPF 50
- 0.34 oz Bliss Best of Skintentions Daily Moisturizer SPF 15
- 0.23 oz Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream SPF 60 PA+++
- 0.25 oz Ole Henriksen Herbal Day Cream SPF 15
- 0.25 oz Smashbox Photo Finish UVA/UVB SPF 15
- 0.02 oz Bare Escentuals BareMinerals Multi-tasking Face SPF 20 in Summer Bisque
- Pink Sephora makeup bag
- 2 x single-use UVSunSense UV monitoring bracelets

I would recommend using Ebates to get 4% back on your purchase. Also- 100% of the proceeds from this kit go to the Skin Cancer Foundation (I hold this foundation close to my heart- my little sis was diagnosed with Melanoma a few years ago- skin cancer is a serious issue!) 

Don't forget to enter a deluxe bonus freebie code at checkout:

• SCULPT -- free StiVectin Instant Facial Sculpting Cream sample
• RAREEYE -- free RareMinerals Active Triple Treatment Eye Cream sample
• JUICYCOUTURE -- free Juicy Couture Parfum Rollerball sample
• KATESUN -- free Kate Somerville Sunscreen sample

These are in addition to the 3 FREE samples that you can select with every order.

Thanks to Deal Seeking Mom for this sweet deal!

Baja Fresh Burrito Deal- 7/22 only!

Head over to Facebook, "Like" Baja Fresh, and print out the "coupon" (make sure you follow their specific directions) and receive 50% any burrito today, Thursday July 22- between 11am and 8pm! Some locations are excluded, so be sure to read the fine print! Enjoy this yummy treat :)

Here is the "fine print" and specific directions from the Facebook fan page (I wasn't kidding when I used the term "fine print!")

Great news Facebook fans, another exclusive offer just for you! On Thursday July 22, 2010, come into Baja Fresh and enjoy 50% off any burrito!! Step 1- Open the picture with the offer, Step 2- Click account in the upper right hand corner of the page (make sure your name appears under account). Step 3 - Print the page and ENJOY! (please see coupon for rules and restrictions)

$1 Popcorn or Soft Drink at AMC Theater

Go HERE and print 2 coupons- one is good for any size popcorn for only $1 and the other, any size soft drink for only $1! These coupons are only valid this Sunday, July 25! You can use these coupons together, but not with any other offers! $2 for a large soft drink and large popcorn?!?! You can't beat that!

Grocery Store Lists

The newest lists and match-ups are available from Grocery Smarts now! Click on your store of choice below, the new lists are good from 7/14- 7/20.  I am looking through the lists right now, and I will be sure to update each store with the best deals I see!

Ralph's  Buy 10 Save $5 Promo (.50 savings per item)

Vons/Pavillions 

Albertsons  

Quiznos Coupon- Print it NOW!

It's ba-aaack! The Quiznos meal deal coupon is here for a limited time only! This coupon will go fast, so print it now if you think you may want to use it! Go HERE to print the coupon- enjoy!