Tired, but wanted to tell you....

I had a great "Get-Together" sponsored by General Mills and Yoplait the other day! I signed up under the group "Pssst..." from General Mills, and from time to time they invite me to apply for parties through their company. I got to throw a party at my elementary school, on their dime (and just a few of mine), for 15 lovely ladies (and some of their children!), and we shared recipes, snacks, and information about breast cancer awareness. I also got to read a very interesting book that was written by Susan G. Komen's sister.

All these opinions are my own. I was excited to get the party pack in the mail. They sent me 15 coupons for Yoplait (and boy, were they good ones.... 50 cents off 4 yogurts!!), 15 copies of breast cancer information, a shower hanger to remind myself to check my breasts monthly, a lovely pink leather bookmark for a door prize, and the hardback copy of the book by Susan G. Komen's sister to read aloud during the party. I think everyone enjoyed the party--it is nice to be able to do something for and with my fellow teachers that doesn't cost them anything. Everyone was very appreciative to the companies for their generosity and interest in women's health.

If you are not already a member of the Pssst! team, let me encourage you to do so. It allows you to gain access to exclusive online printable coupons, information about the brands you love, and maybe even have the chance to host a party like I did.

My First Cheapskate Post!

Since my husband has had it with all my talk of great deals and "working the drugstores" and coupons fluttering out of every folded piece of paper he takes off the counter....I thought I would help him out by posting my ideas and finds online. (Doesn't help file my coupons, though...:-)

On my first post, I wanted to talk about a great website that I got hooked up with....House Party. House Party is a company that matches curious consumers with willing companies who want to get the word out on their new, improved, or just plain awesome products. In the past, I have seen where there have been parties for Oscar Mayer hot dogs, Bullseye Barbeque Sauce, Splenda Sugar Substitute, and even specialty wines! Basically, there are parties and products that appeal to a broad base of individuals so that you can find something that really floats your boat!

By filling out applications that take less than 10 minutes, you can apply for parties that earn you complimentary product samples, coupons, and/or other assorted goodies that vary from party to party. You must, however, agree to host a party on a selected date, invite people via email/printed invitation with an invite code, upload party pictures afterward, and be a great host to the people you have over. It is a wonderful way to sample new products AND get together with friends, which some of us (crazy cheapskates always hunting deals) rarely make time for.

At our House Party, we tried out some excellent Kleenex Hand Towels as we engaged in lots of messy activities! I didn't know whether or not it would seem completely strange to be doing product placement at a get-together, but honestly, the hand towels just sort of sold themselves. We used them in the restroom, at the kitchen sink, for cleanup at the bubble station, and to mop up soupy ice cream and greasy pizza messes. (And it reminded me that, during cold and flu season, when I grab the nearest paper towel to blow my nose, I won't be wincing. These are actually quite soft and strong!)

So, take a gander at my House Party and leave a comment! Let me know what you think!

Erin