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Get Ready for Valentine Treats with Crest 3D White Radiant Mint!

February 8, 2019 by Laurie Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

This post is sponsored by Crest, but all opinions are 100% my own.

It's almost Valentine's Day . . . and while you're out picking out your flowers and chocolates – don't forget to snag some Crest 3D Radiant White Toothpaste!

Right now at Sam's you can get a GREAT deal – check this out:

Purchase a Crest 3D White Radiant Mint 5-Pack – $13.98
Use $2 OFF Coupon from the Instant Savings Booklet in stores
Makes it $11.98! *Shop SamsClub online here!

That comes out to only $2.39 per BIG 5.4oz tube! That's a great deal, especially for this extra-strength toothpaste. You can get some other incredible deals on Crest Toothpaste Multi-Packs at Sam's Club HERE!

I love the Crest 3D White Radiant Mint toothpaste – it makes your teeth beautifully white by removing a whopping 80% of surface stains! Plus it strengthens teeth and is safe on tooth enamel (so important). The radiant mint flavor is cool and refreshing – and will make your mouth extra kissable for Valentine's Day 😉

Plus, you'll need that extra clean/whitening power after you finish indulging in Valentine's Day sweets 🙂

Here are some of my family's FAVORITE Valentine Recipes:

Not Quite Homemade Heart Shaped Cinnamon Rolls

My kids seriously want these on every special occasion – but Valentine's Day is a MUST!

Valentine White Trash Candy

This is a fun one the kids can help you make – and take some to class parties!

Flourless Chocolate Torte

This is just one of the AMAZING recipes you can get in our FREE Valentine's Day e-Book here!

Reese's Peanut Butter Cake

If peanut butter & chocolate is your love language…

10 Stocking Stuffer Gifts Featuring Crest Pro-Health!

December 13, 2018 by Laurie Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

This post is sponsored by Crest, but all opinions are 100% my own.

It's almost Christmas . . . the weather outside is frightful, the fire is so delightful, and I'm finally starting to wrap up all my gift shopping. (WHEW!) The only thing I still need to take care of is picking up stocking stuffers for the family.

This is honestly one of my FAVORITE shopping tasks because I get to pick out whatever I want! I don't have to go off anybody's Amazon Wish List or hunt down a deal on a Patagonia Coat or a video game console. When it comes to stocking stuffers – anything goes! Mom gets to be in charge!

This year I've partnered with Crest to bring you a little inspiration as you head out to shop for stocking stuffers. Here's a list of great gift ideas that span almost any age – and balance the sweets out with some non-sugary treats 🙂

Stocking Stuffer Gift Guide

Candy and Snacks

Their favorite candies and sweets are a MUST in my kids' stockings. But also – bags of chips are great because you get maimum stuffing without the weight.

Fun Little Books

Mad Libs, Riddles or Joke Books are great – but word searches and journals also make a nice stocking stuffer!

These are especially good if you have a long car ride home from Grandma's….

Beauty Products

I like to give Lip Balms and Nail Polishes (both really inexpensive) but also sometimes nicer items that I've received in my FabFitFun boxes!

Cards/Dice

Another great way to keep the kids busy over Christmas Break – some great card games here!

Socks

Fuzzy Socks, Crazy Socks, or just normal socks – kids don't get excited about socks as a present, but as a stocking stuffer they're perfect.

Inexpensive DVDs

You can get ALL OF THESE for under $4 at Walmart!

Pens or Markers

Especially “special” pens you wouldn't normally buy the kids. I know I'll be using these for sure!

Pop Sockets

These are great for holding up your phone or getting a good grip for selfies 😉

Toothpaste/Toothbrush

Finally – something I always ALWAYS include in my kids stockings is new toothbrush and toothpaste. They need it to counteract all the Christmas cookies and candy!

Our family's favorite toothpaste is Crest Pro-Health Advanced Whitening Power. It is the one the girls will steal out of my bathroom when I'm not looking, so I'm getting them their own 😉

Did you know… Crest Pro-Health Advantage Whitening Power is the ONLY toothpaste accepted by the American Dental Association to treat all 7 attributes: Plaque, Gingivitis, Cavities, Sensitivity, Tartar, Whitening, Freshens Breath, and Fights Plaque and Gingivitis/Strengthens Enamel. (WOW!)

Right now at Sam's you can get a great deal on Crest Pro-Health toothpaste! Shannon was in Sam's earlier this week and spotted this HOT deal:

Crest Pro-Health Advanced Toothpaste 5pk – $13.98
– $2 Instant Savings (good through 12/24)
Makes it only $11.98 for FIVE BIG 6.3 oz tubes!

I'd love to hear what kinds of stocking stuffers you love to shop for – leave us a comment and let us know!

Family Dollar SmartSpins Game (An Easy New Way to Save Big!)

October 30, 2018 by Laurie Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

This post is sponsored by Family Dollar, but all opinions are 100% mine.

Have you taken a fresh look at Family Dollar lately?

Family Dollar is a super-convenient stop for good values on household necessities, last minute groceries, party supplies and seasonal items. Most items in the store are priced under $10 – with lots of $1 WOW items sprinkled here and there.

But did you know you can save a bundle with the Family Dollar Smart Coupons App? It's a simple savings app that's chock full of Digital Coupons you can stack with weekly specials. And the app just got better….

Family Dollar just rolled out a new in-app game called SmartSpins!

SmartSpins is Family Dollar's new in-app game that rewards you for shopping. Every time you check out at Family Dollar, you'll earn a Spin on the SmartSpins wheel. Prizes include high-value coupons that you wouldn't normally see – like $5 OFF your shopping trip!

I made quick stop at Family Dollar this week on my way to pick up the kids from school and had a great trip. I was out of paper towels and bath tissue – and the Smart Coupons app had a $5 off $15 Digital Coupon for me to use. It was super easy – and it earned me a spin in the game. I won a $5 off $25 coupon – which I'll be able to use on my next trip!

How to Use the Family Dollar App + SmartSpins Game:

1 . Download the Family Dollar Smart Coupons App.

Current version must be downloaded.

2 . Create an account and link it to your phone number.

3 . Clip digital coupons in the App (you can also view them here)

*You can clip them in-store but I'm always afraid I'll forget, so I clip them at home or while I'm sitting in the car!

4 . Shop your local Family Dollar

5 . At checkout enter your phone number on the pin pad.

(Or scan the barcode on the Smart Coupons app) Any coupons you've clipped in the app will be deducted (woohoo!) After you've checked out – you'll get a notification that you've earned a Spin.

6 . Spin to Win!

Open the Smart Coupons app to spin and win a 🏆Valuable Coupon!🏆 Every single spin wins 🙂

Pro-Tip:

If you're not 100% sure if an item works with an Digital Coupon – use the handy barcode scanner in the app to check it. It will save you time and frustration at checkout!

I'd love to hear if you've shopped Family Dollar lately using the SmartCoupons App – and what kinds of rewards you've won using the SmartSpins game!

Disclaimer: Deals and items in the post above are subject to availability and may vary 🙂

Halloween Traditions, Treats and Crest!

October 29, 2018 by Laurie Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

This post is sponsored by Crest, but all opinions are 100% my own.

It's almost Halloween . . . the weather is getting chilly, the leaves are starting to change, and if you're anything like me, you're probably buying way too much candy so you can end up with a few leftovers. 😉 (I know I'm not alone here. Check the stat at the bottom of this post!)

This season is just so fun – it's beautiful outside, and the kids get to go crazy playing dress up…

My kids favorite Halloween activity of course is Trunk-or-Treat at our church, where oodles of trunks fill up with some seriously amazing decorations as well as candy a full ten days before the big day, so of course, my kids fill up with oodles of candy too.)

(Here's the trunk my hubby created a few years ago for Trunk-tober ~ it was pretty incredible and almost blew away in the wind!)

Now, if you've been a regular around here at PPP for long, you know that I have a serious chocolate addiction, so as soon as chocolate season begins (ahem, the fall season . . . ), I look for ways to secretly sneak just a wee bit of candy from my kids tricks and treats. (Since they've hung around here for a few years they' know there's no hope that they'll keep all the candy to themselves. ) 🙂

But all those (yummy!) sugary sweets can do some serious damage, and that's where Crest comes in!

While we can't always eat all the sugar 🙂 on special occasions like Halloween those treats are a fun little splurge, as long as you take the time to brush away the evidence 😉

Thankfully Crest is on hand to protect your family's teeth after all that Halloween candy.

I've partnered with Crest this year to remind you to brush away sugary side effects of Halloween.

Brushing is SO IMPORTANT in keeping your teeth cavity-free and your gums healthy. My favorite Crest toothpaste is Crest 3D White ~ it makes my whole mouth feel SO CLEAN, and I absolutely love the Crest 3D Whitestrips too!

While lightening up on the sugar is always the best choice, it would be awfully hard to make Halloween completely healthy.

(Although- it looks like Crest tricked some kids into thinking they did in this cute prank video!)

So, brushing before bedtime can take some of the stress over the mini sugar-binge that might happen on Halloween!

Here are a few fun Halloween statistics from Crest Candy Confessions:

Most people (73%) purposefully buy more Halloween candy than they need for trick-or-treaters so they can eat the extra (HA!)
44% of parents admit to eating MORE of their kids' Halloween Candy than they do themselves (oh my word!)

I don't think I'm that bad… but maybe there have been one or two instances….

Leftover Halloween Candy Ideas:

If you find yourself with leftover Halloween candy, here are some ideas for what to do with it:

Add hard candies to your Operation Shoebox Christmas Boxes
Donate candy to the troops overseas
Take candy to your dentist's buy back program and let them donate it for you
Save your candy to donate to your children's church or school teachers for special rewards

Leftover Candy Recipes

If you save your candy in a Ziploc bag – you can use it later on when making cookies or other holiday goodies! These are my favorite leftover candy recipes – I'd love to hear some of yours in the comments as well!

Crest Toothpaste 5pks ONLY $8.98 at Sam’s Club! (after $2 Instant Savings)

September 12, 2018 by Laurie Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Crest Toothpaste 5-Pks only $8.98!

Have you gotten back into your school routine yet? It's hard to get used to working around the kids' crazy school and sports schedules again after being able to just float along all summer having fun! The stress of having a million things to do all of a sudden can feel overwhelming – so I try to be better at planning ahead once school's in session.

One of the ways I reduce stress in my weekly routine is to stock up on things we use all the time. (That means I can spend less time making last-minute store runs.) For instance, I often buy for our family is Crest toothpaste – I love the Crest 3D White and the Crest Pro-Health! I don't want to run out and have to run out and pay full price for it, so I try to grab several at once.

This week I was at Sam's and spotted the Crest $2 OFF coupon in the Instant Savings Booklet. It works on all of these Crest bulk packs – making for some fantastic deals. (And meaning I don't have to shop for toothpaste for months!)

Y'all – this makes an AWESOME deal on Crest toothpaste. Especially because we're talking BIG tubes of toothpaste, not little 3.5 oz tubes.

Here are a couple of the deals:

Crest Pro-Health or Crest 3D White 5-Packs – $11.98 after $2 Instant Savings Coupon

That's just $2.39 for a big 5.4 oz tube. Those are around $6 each at other stores!

Crest Complete Whitening Plus Scope 5-Pack – $8.98 after $2 Instant Savings Coupon

That's just $1.79 for a big 7.3 oz tube. Those are$4-$5 at other stores!

Best part? This $2 OFF Instant Savings coupon can be used up to 3 times on Crest and Oral B items!

Go HERE to snag this deal online – or head into a Sam's near you!

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Crest and Sam's Club, however all opinions expressed above are 100% my own ~ I was super excited because this is an awesome deal!

Crest Gum Detoxify: $2 Off Ibotta Rebate (Perfect Time to Try!)

June 23, 2018 by Laurie Leave a Comment This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Have you tried Crest Gum Detoxify? It's a new toothpaste that cleans not only your teeth, but also goes around and even below your gum line to provide protection against gingivitis and leads to healthier gums.

I'd never even heard about toothpaste that offers this kind of prevention, until I mentioned it to my friend last night who told me her dentist recommended this type of toothpaste for her family. So I headed to Walmart this morning to hunt it down. (I'd heard there was a new $2 off Ibotta rebate, so I couldn't wait to try it out!)

I was super excited to see the $2 off Ibotta rebate available on Crest Gum Detoxify (you can use it up to FIVE TIMES right now at Walmart!), so it's a great time to stock up.

Here's the deal:

Crest Gum Detoxify $6.97 at Walmart

Pay $6.97 out of pocket, submit for $2 off Ibotta rebate
Makes it $4.97 after Ibotta rebate, and don't forget you can purchase up to five and get rebates on all five!

Here are a few facts about Crest Gum Detoxify:

It goes around and below the gum line for lasting gum protection
It seeks out bacteria by penetrating hard to reach places
It's available in Deep Clean, Extra Fresh, Gentle Whitening and Two-Step varieties
It's available at Wal-mart, mass retailers, and your local drug store too!

After trying it out I loved how clean it made my teeth feel after brushing and will definitely be stocking up while the $2 off Ibotta rebate is available! If you have early signs of gingivitis or are concerned about gum health, this is a great way to keep your teeth healthy long term ~ go HERE to snag your Ibotta rebate to keep those pearly whites health and see some serious savings too.

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Crest Gum Detoxify, however all opinions expressed above are 100% my own ~ I was super excited to try this out and love that they're offering the $2 Ibotta off rebate on Crest Gum Detoxify right now!

Stone Mountain Park Review & Groupon Deal (Fun Family Summer Trip!)

June 8, 2018 by Laurie 4 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Stone Mountain Park Review & Groupon Deal

Jamie here!

Last summer my family took a mini-trip down to Stone Mountain Park in Georgia. It was such a fun experience I wanted to share how much we enjoyed it! I had heard from many friends that this was a nice destination and that it would be perfect for my family – and they were right 🙂

ALSO – we just spotted a hot deal on Stone Mountain Park memberships today – check this out!

Hurry over to Groupon and snag these Stone Mountain Park Memberships for a HUGE discount!

Adult Membership Pass – $44.95 (Reg $59.95)
Child Membership Pass – $37.95 (Reg $49.95)
Family of 4 Membership Pass – $149 (Reg $239.80)

Stone Mountain Park Review & Groupon Deal

We loved Stone Mountain Park! With 4 boys, it was the perfect blend of adventure, outdoor activity, cool things to see and rides (of a kind).

These are the things we enjoyed during our stay:

First we Rode the Summit Skyride up the mountain – and then hiked back down. (whew!!! I think next time I'll take the skyride back – it was just INSANELY hot that day!)

While on top we got a cool picture at this spot where it looks like you might be standing on the edge of a cliff 🙂 This is one my fave family pictures ever!

The kids did the challenging SkyHike – which is one of the nation's largest adventure Ropes Course. It's a whole giant section of the park with rock climbing walls and a little stream with sand to play in and just a ton of fun stuff to do.

We took the Wild West themed train ride around the mountain (more geared towards the littles – but still a nice ride!)

We walked through the little “town” and watched an awesome Glass Blowing demonstration, ate at a restaurant and browsed the gift shops. Be aware that the restaurants are a little pricey – you may want to pack a cooler lunch and have a picnic to save some money.

(There is a picnic area right outside the park where lots of families do just that!)

Because it was 104 degrees out – one of my favorite parts was the 4-D movie experience. It was a nice, short Ice Age film (maybe 10 minutes?) – but during it you got spritzed with water when the Mammoths sneezed, woooshed with air as you fell off a cliff, misted with rain, and all sorts of other effects. Just a surprisingly fun experience!

We drank SO many refills in our Souvenir cups – which were totally worth the price, I highly recommend getting those when you arrive! If you're a MEMBER (see groupon up top) you can bring these back and use them again every time 🙂

Maybe the kids favorite thing of all (which surprised me) was the Stone Mountain Duck Boat tour (so fun!) We got duck calls and the kids got to take turns driving. It was also just refreshing on such a hot day!

Things we didn't get time to do:

The famed Laser Light Show. It's why most people even GO to Stone Mountain park – it's supposedly SO COOL – but we were just so wiped out from hiking around in the heat all day that we unanimously decided to skip the grand finale of the whole park. (I know – we're so lame!)

The Geyser Towers Course – which takes visitors through a water-filled course of rope bridges and net tunnels that sporadically erupt water. We wanted to get to this – but noone wanted to walk around wet all day, so we kept saving it. And then – like I mentioned above – we were too phenomenally wiped to go back to it 🙂

Head over to get your Groupon today – so you your family can visit throughout the year! There are seasonal attractions as well – I'd love to go in the Fall when it's cooler!

Stone Mountain Park allowed my family to come visit in order to write this review. These opinions expressed above are 100% my own! (We REALLY DID have a great – albeit very sweaty – time 🙂 )

Hollar Back To School Haul (Great Deals and Cute Stuff!)

August 11, 2017 by Laurie 13 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

This post was sponsored by Hollar. All opinions are 100% my own.

Hollar has been running some fabulous back to school deals lately! The selection is great with new goodies added daily, so every time I come back there's something new to love. Check out some of my favorites on this page here 🙂

Plus right now new users can use code PENNYPINCHERAUG for 30% OFF one item and Free Shipping on a $10 purchase. (Return customers get Free Shipping on a $25 order)

Besides backpacks, gel pens, whiteboards and lunch boxes – I think their new Just the Nest line is SO super cute. It includes gorgeous little journals and pens, pretty desk sets and more.

I just recently got a box of back to school goodies from Hollar that my kids were SO excited about (Check out my unboxing video here) Here are just a couple examples of price comparisons from my back to school box:

The Board Dudes Mountable Magnetic Chalk Board Set
Hollar Price: $3 vs. Jet.com Price: $13.90

Hype LED Light Power Bank – 4400 mAH
Hollar Price: $4 vs. Walmart Price: $16.99

Home Basics Spice Organizer
Hollar Price: $2.25 vs. Walmart Price: $11.99

So what IS Hollar?

Hollar feels like a mix of T.J. Maxx and the dollar store combined. When you shop Hollar you'll discover a variety of really cute and unexpected finds, like office organization items, kitchen goods, trendy accessories, beauty products, and Melissa and Doug toys. You never know what new stuff they're going to have! Plus, most of Hollar's items are priced around $2, $3, $4 and $8. It just plain makes for a fun shopping experience 🙂

On top of already low prices, I've been able to find promo codes both times I ordered boxes. Right now when you head over to Hollar, PPP readers will get 30% OFF one item with code PENNYPINCHERAUG! (New customers only)

Here's one deal idea to get you thinking:

Just the Nest 4-Piece Desk Organization Set – $7
Lighted Marquee Star – $6.50
Fruit Scented Glitter Color Gel Pens 6-ct – $1
Use 30% OFF Code PENNYPINCHERAUG (Drops the desk set to $4.90)

Total = $12.40 + FREE Shipping for new customers

That's a GOOD little box for under $12.40 shipped! I used these items to fluff up a butler's pantry into a homework hub for the kids – since they use the kitchen to do their homework. It makes it so much more inviting and tidy and just… fun!

I've ordered a couple of items from Hollar so far (you can watch me unbox my last Hollar Haul here!), and really do love so many things they offer. Check out my post on the 3 Things I Love About Hollar!

If you're new to Hollar, free shipping on your first $10 order makes it pretty painless to try – check out what's new in stock HERE!

Have you tried Hollar? What kinds of items would you recommend?

Medieval Times Review & Current Deals

April 28, 2017 by Laurie 2 Comments This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click on a link and purchase something, I may earn a small commission (at no additional cost to you.) See my disclosure policy HERE.

Note from Laurie: My friend Jamie recently took her family to Medieval Times, and offered to share a review of her experience. I think this looks like such a fun night for the family, and am so glad she took the time to share! I'd love to hear your reviews on Medieval Times too ~ leave a comment to share.

UPDATE: The plot to the Medieval Times dinner show used to be one of knights jousting in an entertaining tournament – and (in a nutshell) a “bad” knight came to visit and started a ruckus. Some knights got hurt (booo) and some knights saved the day (yay!)

Recently the plot has changed – there is a Queen instead of a King running the tournament, and the story plays out much differently. Just a heads up that you may want to read reviews on the newer plot if you're thinking of going, as we've had one reader who had a negative experience.

When I was in 8th grade my class went on a field trip to Chicago, and while we were there we went to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament. It was such a thrill for me – easily my favorite part of the trip.

From the moment we arrived, I was wowed by the castle exterior. (I have easily 8 pictures of my friends and I in front of the drawbridge). I remembered jousting and cheering for our section's champion – go Green Knight!! And I recoiled in squealing-girl-horror while walking through the “Torture Dungeon” (ewww)

Fast forward to my mid-thirties and 4 kids (all boys!) and I decided it was time for a return trip. I did some research and discovered there was a castle in Atlanta attached to a mall. My husband and I didn't tell the kids where we were going, we just took a two hour drive one day and parked in front of a castle and said – surprise! The boys were BEYOND EXCITED guys. Picture beyond – and then go ahead and run an extra mile past that. 🙂

They couldn't believe how incredibly realistic the castle was. They explored the dungeon with the same excited horror. We watched a falconer with his bird walk through the great hall. And then when it was time to enter the arena – we were seated up front (what a thrill!) where we had a perfect view of the tourney field below. We were seated in the Black & White Knight's section – and we soon learned which knights were our allies (Huzzah!) and which ones were our foes (Boooo!)

While we sat and had a scrumptious feast brought by the castle serf (garlic bread and tomato bisque! a whole roasted chicken and buttered corn! soft drinks and pastry!) we learned more about our knight. I cheered when he rode out on his steed – but my kids completely drowned me out. I don't think anyone feels the tiniest bit silly cheering, booing and waving their penants – the atmosphere and excitement is really that contagious!

As the story played out before our eyes, we met the King and Princess, watched the knights entertain us with feats of (very cool) horsemanship and jousts, and witnessed the falconer release his trained falcon over and over on a live flight through the arena.

When greed and betrayal enter the plot (duh-duh-duh), the result is a series of very realistic battles. Swords clash and give off sparks! Battle axes and maces are wielded fiercely! Knights are “wounded” and then come back (huzzah!) for a final blow. It's pretty awesome, and just plain fun to watch.

After we'd collected a sufficient number of souveniers, had our pictures taken with the black and white knight, and exited the castle, I asked the kids about their favorite parts.

16 year old – “the atmosphere, and the excitement”

14 year old – “the feeling that you are really in a tournament”

12 year old – “when the black and white knight was like SWOOP (insert imaginary sword) and the Green Knight was like OOOF and fell back three feet!”

10 year old – “that they all were using real weapons!”

My husband and I?

We were just thrilled to have a solid block of time to spend with our kids watching a live show, seeing their faces light up with excitement and genuine awe (how rare is that these days?) and making some unforgettable memories. 🙂

Medieval Times Deals

If you're interested in a trip to Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament – there are a couple nice deals going on right now!

FREE Admission on your Brithday (with Paid Adult Admission)
FREE Admission for Mom May 8 – 14 (with Paid Adult Admission)
Kids & Students only $30.95, Adults $38.95 each with code SB18 (through April)
FREE Royalty Upgrade with full priced admission with code FRWEB

Also check Groupon because I've spotted them there a couple times as well 🙂

Thanks to Laurie for letting me tell everyone about my love for Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament – and to Medieval Times for providing tickets to my family this time around!