Box Tops

Hi everyone!
You've probably clipped those pink box tops for your children's school as a simple fundraiser, right? They have a great web site for the parent volunteers who are in charge of that program, but anyone can click on to their home page and take advantage of the special coupons, cooking ideas, and more that is offered each month. Go to http://www.blogger.com/www.boxtops4education.com

Here is a money and sanity saver idea from Julie Grow:
Gavin's brother has created a SPAM free e-mail service, it's really a great deal, and I was wondering if you would be so kind as to forward this information on to the people on your mailing list. It is a money saver for those who can't stand all the pop ups and extra e-mails from you don't know who. Thank you so much for your help.
Are you sick and tired of receiving SPAM? So am I !! My Brother-in-law has created an e-mail service which is 100% SPAM Free. Each e-mail is also scanned so that you won't have any more virus mishaps. Yes, there is a little cost of $1.49/month for the Basic Plan. The Premium Account has different features, one of them which I enjoy is the Calendar Sharing.
Gavin and I are able to fill in our appointments for the month, then, each of us can look at or even modify each other's calendar from within our own account. At any time, I can view his calendar when I'm logged into my account. With this feature you can also synchronize your Outlook address book and calendar, with your address book and calendar online.
In order to find out more about this, please visit the site below
http://in.linkmo.com/redir.aspx?CID=204&AFID=3631

And finally...not a thrifty tip, but a patriotic one written by a battalion chaplain in Iraq:
As a transportation battalion, my unit will be delivering the voting machines and the ballots to villages and cities throughout Iraq during the upcoming elections. (January 30/31) Our convoys are prime targets for the insurgents because they do not want the equipment to arrive at the polling stations nor do they want the local Iraqi citizens to have the chance to vote; timely delivery must occur so that the elections occur. Encourage your friends and family members and those within our churches to pray specifically for the electoral process. Historically, the previous totalitarian regime would not allow individual citizens to vote.
Democracy will not be realized in Iraq if intelligent and competent officials are not elected to those strategic leadership positions within the emerging government; freedom will not have an opportunity to ring throughout this country if the voting process fails.
Announce this prayer request to your contacts throughout your churches, neighborhoods, and places of business. Those with leadership roles within the local church post this message in as many newsletters and bulletins as possible. There is unlimited potential for God's presence in this process but if we do not pray then our enemy will prevail (See Ephesians 6:10-17) A prayer vigil prior to the end of the month may be an innovative opportunity for those within your sphere of influence to pray. This is a political battle that needs spiritual intervention. A powerful story about God's intervention in the lives of David's mighty men is recorded in 2 Samuel 23:8-33. David and his warriors were victorious because of God's intervention. We want to overcome those who would stand in the way of freedom. David's mighty men triumphed over incredible odds and stood their ground and were victorious over the enemies of Israel. (Iraqi insurgents'
vs God's praying people). They don't stand a chance.
I will pray with my soldiers before they leave on their convoys and move outside our installation gates here at Tallil. My soldiers are at the nerve center of the logistic operation to deliver the voting machines and election ballots. They will be driving to and entering the arena of the enemy.
This is not a game for them it is a historical mission that is extremely dangerous. No voting machines or ballots. No elections. Your prayer support and God's intervention are needed to give democracy a chance in this war torn country. Thank you for reading this e-mail. Please give this e-mail a wide dissemination.
Thank you for your prayer support for me and my family. Stand firm in your battles.
Blessings, Lyle
CH (CPT) Lyle Shackelford
Battalion Chaplain
HHD, 57th Transportation Battalion
Providing With Mobility
"Keep Em Moving"


Have a wonderful day!
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty

Tax season

Hey there!
Lovin this weather!!!
This is the first week that many people start compiling paperwork for their federal income tax return. Over the next four weeks, those expecting refunds will get their returns done and sent off. The likely timeframe for returns is about 10 days if you file electronically and between 12 and 16 weeks if you file through the mail. But it’s not necessary to file through the mail for most taxpayers because electronic filing is free for nearly everyone now. That’s right! This is the third year that that IRS is offering free e-filing. To find out if you are eligible and which organizations you can choose, go to irs.gov. Each of them has different rules for when you can file, how old you have to be and what your income must be. Also, these companies are allowed to market products to you in return for giving you free e-filing. So, why pay if you can do it for nothing!
Recently, most of my family has had the flu. Bleh. Health care has definitely been on my brain (even if it eluded my body.) Health care in the United States is outrageously expensive, as you well know. Problems started in the '60s when companies offered to provide health coverage in lieu of pay raises and other benefits. The problem was people began not caring how much it cost because they weren’t paying. The whole thing has been upside down and backwards ever since. Well, fast forward to today when there is help on the way. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) will provide us with that alternative. These are tax-advantaged accounts that allow individuals to shop around and keep track of how much health care costs them. You can end up with a big pile of cash if you remain fairly healthy. Information is slowly trickling out about these accounts and now there is a site that lists opportunities by state. It is hsadecisions.org.
Several pharmaceutical companies are now offering a free discount card for prescription medicines that will save about 25 percent if you have no prescription related discount. They did this in part to relieve some of the pressure involving current prescription cards in the United States. But regardless, it’s still happening and it will be available to about 35 millions Americans. The card will be available sometime in February and you can find out more information at togetherrxaccess.com.You can also call
800-444-4106 to learn more. To be eligible, you must be under 65, receiving no prescription drug coverage from the government or an employer, and you must be under a certain income based on the number of people in your family.
If you’re single, you must make less than $30,000. If there are two people in your family, it moves up to $40,000. Add $10,000 for each additional household member. If you’re eligible, don’t assume the price is always the best in the marketplace. Continue to check the three warehouse clubs, Costco, BJ’s and Sam’s. You don't have to have a membership to get prescriptions from these places.
Be healthy this week!
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty

Coupon Codes

Hi everyone!
77 degrees outside....now THAT'S what I'm talking about! I hope you're enjoying this glorious weather!
Because you subscribe to this newsletter you're interested in saving money and might even be thinking about how you could earn a few bucks on the side.
Check out www.drlaura.com and click on the left margin the "stay-at-home"
link. There are TONS of great articles and ideas about home-based business, selling stuff on E-bay, time management tools, and way more. Thanks Dr.
Laura!
To get 25% off the regular price of one item at Waldenbooks click here:
http://f.chtah.com/i/16/276579827/25offcoupon_115.htm
Valentine's Day is less than one month away, and many top restaurants just started taking reservations for your romantic dinner. Go to
www.opentable.com Remember, this is the web site where they give you free
points every time you make a reservation and then later you can use the points for $$ at whatever restaurant you choose!
You can also save 50% at www.restaurant.com when you use code 93530. It expires 1/28/05.
Here's a fun coupon for those of you who love Ebay shopping: When you pay for your little treasure using PayPal enter this redemption code during
checkout to save $5 off your next purchase of $24.99! Code:
C1Y5LZB84N6LTQ11
Alrighty, that's it for now. Go get some sunshine on your face! (Not too much though) CENTSerely, Sister Thrifty

Christmas Clearance

Hi everyone!
I hope your Christmas and New Year's Eve were wonderful! I thought I would
start off the New Year by getting the flu......bleh I hope you and your
families are healthy and happy! I haven't been able to get out there and take advantage of all the Christmas clearance sales, but here are a few items I thought I'd share with you today:
Excel Entertainment would like to announce that the bestselling series by Elder Gerald N. Lund is finally coming to the big screen. From the director of "The Lamb of God" and the producer of "Legacy" comes "The Work and the Glory," opening in theaters in our area on January 21st at the San Marcos Edwards Stadium theater. To watch a trailer or to find out more about this thrilling film visit www.workandtheglory.com. It's important that this movie have a big openeing weekend so that the message is sent to Hollywood that we want clean, family-friendly movies.

The annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade and festival in San Diego starts at 10:00 am from the County Administration Building and continues south on Harbor Drive to Seaport Village. The festival will be held from 11:00 - 5:00 at Martin Luther King Jr Promenade. 619-264-0542.
San Diego's oldest marathon features a stimulating course in Carlsbad, including 14 miles of scenic coast line on January 16. Start time 7:30 am at Plaza Camino Real. For more information call 760-692-2900. Nope, you won't see me running.
Double up on your vitamin C dose and wash your hands.
CENTSerely,
Sister Thrifty