Need to save some time + moola this year? 4 ways to save right now!

1. Chuck Starbucks - If you have a thing for frappes, you can buy a 4-pack at the market + a pint of ice cream. Blend. Homemade frappe heaven is what that is! Totally delicious + so much easier on your purse.
2. Cut off cable - You can watch a ton of shows on the network apps. And Netflix + Hulu is cheaper than cable. Period.
3. Park in the first spot you see - you know how much gas you waste circling the lot for a closer space? Pull in the first available spot. Save time. Save money. Get some exercise. 3 birds, 1 stone.
4. Razors - how much money do you spend on razors (for yourself + your hubby)? Well you could spend $1 buck/month with Dollar Shave Club, and they will deliver high quality razors straight to your door. That means you save time (because you won't have to drive to the store) and you'll save money (on razors + gas). BOOM! You do the math.

Feel free to share some of your money saving ideas too!

What's Your Passion?



 For the last couple of days, I have been trying to figure out what I am passionate about. I mean, I love to read and write, but is that my passion?
I am completely and totally at home in the kitchen, I love coming up with new and tasty things for my family to eat, but am I passionate about that? To be totally honest, I have been completely stumped trying to figure out where my passion really lies.



Here's what I am sure of...

I love to help people. There is nothing that gives me a greater sense of accomplishment than knowing that I have said or done something that will make a difference in someones life. Of course I am not always aware when I've helped someone, he/she may not say one single word about it, but there is always an undeniable energy shift when you've inspired or encouraged someone. I believe that when we give of ourselves with a genuine heart, the entire molecular structure of all parties is forever changed (I'm no scientist, so there may be no supporting evidence, but trust me).

I'm selfish...

If you ask anybody who knows me they may venture to say that I am one of the most "selfless" people they've ever met, but that is not the truth.  The truth is I do the things I do for others because it makes me feel good, selfish, I know. I get serious gratification from giving myself away! I recently allowed a complete stranger to bend my ear for 5 hours! I listened while he talked and vice versa.  When the conversation finally ended he felt supported - but so did I. See completely and utterly selfish!

The future...

I don't know what the future holds, but I'm still moving full steam ahead into the abyss of the unknown and feverishly trying to awaken the passion that I know is in here somewhere, I will continue to spread joy throughout the land, simply because I can. For now I'll just continue to be passionate about that!

What's your passion?  When and how did you realize what your passion was?

Vons - Just For U

I was invited to me to a VIP Blogger event for the roll out of the Just For U program. Just For U is an extension of the existing VonsClub Card program, but more beefed up!

Just For U allows you to customize your savings with Digital Coupons, Personalized Deals, and Your Club Specials. All you have to do is register your existing VonsClub Card online, then add coupons, deals, and specials to your shopping list. You can also add additional items to your list, so that you can have everything you need to pick up at the store all in one place.

I emailed my list to myself so that I would have access on my smartphone, super cool and convenient! Wondering if there is an app for that?  Glad you asked, we were told that the iPhone app will be available in the next week or so and the Android app will be rolled out in 6-8 weeks.

What makes the Just For U program unique is that they are able to customize savings specifically for you based on your purchase history. You can even stack your coupons on top of your Personalized Deals and Your Club Specials!  The savings potential is insane!

During my visit at the Vons headquarters, I had the honor of meeting other Southern California Bloggers and visiting the most beautiful Vons store I have ever seen!

I racked up a 40% savings during my shopping excursion, which is huge! I have already signed up my Grandmother and hooked up her shopping list too! 

Visit the Vons website and register your card today! Need more incentive? You'll get a free dozen eggs when you register! Thought that would get your attention, I know how much you love freebies...J

I received a free gift card from Vons. The views and opinions expressed are my own and are not influenced by any form of compensation.

NickMom - Confusing Things Mom's Say

This morning NickMom's Top 9 spotlighted the Confusing Thing Moms Unintentionally Say To Their Kids, if you haven't read it...click here.  You are sure to find a few things that you have said to your child on the list.

If you don't already subscribe to the NickMom newsletter, you should. The Top 9 lists are to die for and they have a ton of other funny, Mom-friendly, articles, pictures, and videos too!

Like NickMom on Facebook, subscribe to their RSS Feed, or both!  If you've got something funny you would like to share with NickMom, shoot them an email - they'd love to hear from you!

This is not a paid post. The thoughts and opinions expressed are the views of Just Say I Told You So!

Celebrate Leap Year with One More Disney Day!

If you haven't heard, 2012 is Leap Year!  To commemorate this auspicious four year occasion, Disney is giving away 60 vacation packages to Disneyland Resort in California or Walt Disney World in Florida! There will be a winner every single day until February 29th!

Enter the One More Day Disney Day Sweepstakes today... I already did!  You can even enter by texting "Disney Day" to "347639" (messaging and data rates may apply).  Limit one entry per day.

No purchase necessary. Sweepstakes ends at 11:59pm (EST) on  2/29/12.  Click here for official rules.

Pre-Mid Life Jitters

I am not ashamed to say that I am fast approaching 40 (two years and 1.5 months to go).  I entered the 30's with much apprehension.  I beat myself up for all the things that I'd planned to do but didn't.  I drove myself crazy with regrets about my failed marriage and was completely consumed with the fear of giving my daughter a ton of emotional baggage to carry into adulthood.

By the time I was 35 I was completely in love with being 30-something. I found self-confidence that I didn't know existed.  I took risks and made big life changes. I learned how to express myself fully and completely. I even learned how to listen (this is an ongoing lesson by the way).  I am more aware of myself and my surroundings than ever. I embrace the not-so-great stuff and love all my "fleshy" parts too. I no longer strive to be something I'm not, because I have learned to love all that I am.

Now that many of my friends have breached the threshold of 40 I find that I'm getting a bit nervous about taking the plunge.  Make no mistake I am grateful for every single moment that has led up to this place, but as I look on and watch people that I've known for most of my life lose their minds, I'm a bit spooked.  Some have had "oops" babies, others have fallen into funks so deep that they can no longer see the light, and a few have ditched their mates and replaced them with "different" models.  This could all be a coincidence, a figment of my overactive imagination - or not.

I am holding on to the hope that my awareness will carry me through the transition. I am confident that I will make it through unscathed (perhaps a little singed). In the meantime I will continue to live in the moment, love with reckless abandon, and embrace change and challenge as they come.

If you have any mid-life survival stories to tell, please do share!

Luther - BBC America

Although I am much more of a book reader than I am a TV watcher, every now and then I come across a show that grabs me. My latest TV obsession is BBC America's Luther, starring Idris Elba. I stumbled across this brilliant show on Netflix the other day and I'm totally hooked!

Detective John Luther is a very complicated man. He's just returning from a suspension when a murder case lands on his desk, with only one suspect and no evidence, he has his work cut out for him.  To add insult to injury, his wife (whom he's been separated from for 7 months) is ready to move on with her life (without him). Despite the obvious strain of his work and personal life, he is a brilliant detective who will stop at nothing to catch a perp.

Here's the trailer for the original broadcast:

The series is slated for 4 more episodes in August.  I certainly hope they decide to do a third round, that would please me very much!

Inappropriate Movie Crushes

So this morning I was reading an article on Flavorpill, "10 Inappropriate Literary Crushes."  What is an inappropriate crush?  Someone that is morally corrupt, married or otherwise unavailable, unattractive, or downright disgusting?  So I started thinking about movies and there must be a million bad guys you love, but should hate! 

Here's a few that came to mind:

Silence of the Lambs - Hannibal Lector

Sir Anthony Hopkins gave a stunning performance as Hannibal the Cannibal.  I mean you know that he's an absolutely disgusting human being, but he's devilishly charming, don't you think?

Takers - Gordon Cozier

A thief is a thief, right?  Unless he is tall, dark, handsome, with a fine British accent!  Idris Elba was irresistible as the bank heist mastermind.  He could steal from me anytime! LOL

Primal Fear - Aaron Stampler

I happen to LOVE Edward Norton, so naturally I thought he was adorably cute as the seemingly innocent/psychotic alter boy in Primal Fear. How can you not love this face?

Public Enemies - John Dillinger

Johnny Depp can make just about any character attractive, bank robbers are no exception.  He was absolutely dreamy as the ever charming John Dillinger.



Who's your inappropriate movie crush???

Summer Movies!

Summer is here and you know what that means? It's movie time!  I love going to the movies anyway, but I especially love it in the summer, because that's when all the cool movies come out.  So here are some of the flicks that I am looking forward to:

Green Lantern
Release date: June 17th

Transformers: Dark of the Moon

Release date: July 1st

Horrible Bosses

Release date: July 8th

Now these may or may not be Oscar contenders, but they have piqued my interest. I will be posting reviews as soon as I see them...stay tuned.

What's on your summer movie list?

I Want to Plant a Garden

My family has gotten a lot more "green" over the years. We recycle everything possible, we separate our trash, and we don't litter.  We eat a healthy diet and visit our local farmers markets as often as possible, but I have dreams of planting my own garden.

My space if very limited so I've been looking into Standing Planter Boxes (sometimes called waist-high planters). I've seen them priced as low as $150, but if I tried I'm sure I could make one (fat chance, but it's possible).

You can't get more organic than growing it yourself, right? I don't want to have a whole vegetable garden or anything like that, but it would be nice to grow my own herbs, a few tomatoes, maybe some green onions or something. 


So I'm looking for some advice, some direction on where to begin.  I don't have much of a green thumb, but I don't kill plants either. I want to start small, but I want to get this project started for summer. 


I am going to use this blog to make me accountable! This planter is one of the things on my Summer To-do List, what's on yours?