BJs Wholesale Club ~ The Go-To Place For Back to School

Where did the summer go?  I'm not ready to leave "Summer Stay at Home Mom" routine to get back to the grind!!

With summer almost over, the back to school shopping season is upon us.   It's the time that the sales for pencils, crayons, and backpacks start showing up in the stores.  Did you know that I LOVE new school supplies?  A fresh notebook and cool pens are so fun!  I know I'm weird.


Having two school-aged boys in the house really takes a toll on my wallet at this time of the year.  They both need everything to get ready for school, so I try to save money and stay sane at every turn.  Not to mention being a teacher also hurts the wallet a bit because there are certain supplies that I need and want for the classroom. 

Crayons & pencils & pens, OH MY!

What better place to stock up on the supplies that we all need for school than BJs Wholesale Club?  BJs is a one-stop shopping destination for name brand, high-quality food and merchandise.  BJs has everything you need to cross off the items on your back to school list.  



Both boys need multiple pencils, folders and glue sticks.  Why not get it in bulk?  They also need tissue boxes, wipes and Ziplocs.  It's a no-brainer!

Everything we need to get ready for school lunches!

A pack of 3 bins?  Perfect for organizing my classroom!

You can't forget about school lunches.  BJs offers many of the lunch items that my kids love.  From sandwich items to snacks, I can get it all!  Check out this BJs Backstage Sandwich Palooza video on how to make-over your lunch using all items from BJs.  

Why didn't they have these when I went to college...so retro!

And don't even get me started on all the items for the college aged kids.  Wow!  They didn't have this cool stuff when I was leaving for college.  Maybe I should go back....

Don't forget to use the BJs coupons for extra savings!

Did you know that BJs is the only wholesale club to accept manufacturer's coupons?  That's one of the mains reason I joined.  Who doesn't love to save money?  You can also partner your manufacturer's coupons with BJs in house coupons as well.  OH YEAH!  Check out their coupon policy here.

And BJ’s offers discounts on gift cards.  Many of the major retailer $25 gift cards that they sell go for $23.99.  That’s right, you’re payling less than the value of the card.  Perfect gifts for your child's teachers....hint, hint!




If you like to save money & you’re not a BJ’s Wholesale Club member, you can get a free one day pass here and start shopping.




Disclaimer:  I was a guest blogger at a local BJs Wholesale Club for their Back to School promotion.  All opinions expressed are my own.

 Alexis

A Guest Ready Bathroom ~ Easy Redecorating

We have a guest bathroom in the downstairs of our house that needs a make over.  When we first moved in 6 years ago, I thought it looked so cute.  Now I can't stand the sight of it.  It's embarrassing when guests come over.  I want a clean and visually appealing bathroom.


Since funds are tight and resources are limited, I had to make do with what I had and what I could find cheaply.  I would LOVE to paint the bathroom a new color, but I think my husband would divorce me if I tried.


Instead, I gave our bathroom a make-over without breaking the bank.  In fact, I only spent about $16.  

Here's how:


I had a picture hanging above the toilet that we've had for years.  I was tired of it.  I found these wall cubes at Target and thought they would be a nice addition to my outdated bathroom in place of the picture that was already above the toilet.

About $16

To make it easier to hang the cubes, I made a copy of the back of the cubes where the holes are.  I then taped the copies to my wall so that I could visualize the grouping.  Leaving the copies on the wall, I screwed the anchors in exactly where they would end up on the cubes.  Then I ripped the paper off the wall and hung the cubes.

I used small items from around my house to decorate the boxes. 

Do you have a towel holder with ceramic anchors?  We did.  "Little Ricky" decided one day that it would be a great place to "hang."  I'm sure you can guess what happened.  Yup, the plastic towel bar broke.  We went to buy a new bar.  Did you know that they don't sell them anymore?  Apparently people would rather have the fancy metal ones in their bathrooms.  Go figure.

My husband took the anchors down, so I placed pictures that we already had on that wall.  


Since so many people use this bathroom, it's better to use disposable towels.  I used a removable hook to hang my Kleenex hand towels for easy access.

Cute, huh?

See, you can redecorate your guest bathroom for next to nothing.  How do you change things up in your bathrooms?


Join the 14 million people who have already joined the Clean Hands campaign by using Kleenex Hand Towels, and click here for savings and more!    


I was selected for participation in this campaign as a member of Clever Girls Collective.



Alexis

Planning Ahead to Alleviate Morning Madness

I hate mornings!  The stress, the rush, the MADNESS!  Ugh!  
I wish I could have an "I Dream of Jeanne" moment, nod my head, blink my eyes and "poof" everyone is dressed, fed and ready to go.  


Until I can make that happen, here's what I do to stay sane in the mornings.


Planning ahead is key.  The night before work/school, I plan everything!  
I do a lot of my work the night before, especially since my husband isn't around most mornings.
 
I lay out the boys' clothes so that they don't wander around naked wondering what to wear...and I can make sure it all matches! (luckily, they wear uniforms so I don't have much thinking to do)

I pack lunches; the dry stuff goes straight into the lunch boxes, drinks and sandwiches go in the refrigerator (mine too!).  If I plan to send something hot, I place their Thermos cans by the microwave to remind myself to do that first when we get downstairs.

Dry cereal in bags...ready to go!

I plan breakfast; usually they will eat some type of dry cereal in the car or waffles or pancakes (NO SYRUP...too messy!).  Unfortunately, we have to eat in the car because my work (their school) is kind of far from our house and Miami has A LOT of traffic.  I have the kids eat a yogurt while I'm doing last minute stuff in the morning before we get in the car in case they spill so I still have access to a new shirt (happens all the time!).


I make sure all backpacks are packed and ready.  I actually sit them in front of the door so that the kids can't miss them on the way out.  

I even put my coffee cup in the Tassimo machine with a cartridge ready in the pod, so all I have to do is press start in the morning! Every little bit helps us get out of the house quicker.


FYI, if I wasn't so worried about bugs, I would totally have toothpaste on their toothbrushes the night before...but I guess I have to draw the line somewhere!




I guess most would think it would be easier on the days when my husband is around...WRONG!  He ruins our "flow."  An extra person adds a kink in our well-oiled machine....although I wouldn't mind a little help!


What do you do to stay sane in the morning?


Alexis

It's that time again....

Here we go again...panic, fear, frustration, and chaos!  No, not giant aliens soaring down from the skies...it's hurricane season!  Yes, we've been in the season since June 1st, but we're never really "IN" it until August and we continue through November. 

Our latest tracks....oh yes, there's one looming!

The meteorologists are all a buzz....showing the many computer models with varied colored lines pointing in all directions.  As the hours pass in a day, the teasers for the news become more intense.  "Tracking the Tropics" in dramatic overtones...I swear they love this!  As the days pass in the looming weather forecasts, the more extreme it becomes.  They discuss the "cone of uncertainty," which I lovingly call the "cone of death," as they create wide spread panic. 

People run around to Home Depot grasping at the last pieces of plywood to barricade their windows, frantically scurry to the grocery store for any non-perishables or water, and create long lines at gas stations to fill their cars and generators.  It's complete havoc! 

When I first moved to Miami, it was unreal!  I left my preparations until it was certain that the storm would hit us.  To my surprise, there was nothing left on the shelves, and the lines at the gas stations were 2 hours long.  NO JOKE!

NO JOKE...this is what it looks like!

Here are a few tips for getting ready for a hurricane warning/watch AHEAD OF TIME to prevent all the chaos (at least in your own home):

1)  Generator - BUY ONE NOW!  They can run anywhere from $400-$2,000 depending on the size.  This is an investment, but well worth it!  We have one that is small, but just big enough to power our refrigerator, stove, the TV and fan in our family room.  (of course the Murphy's Law of hurricanes is that we bought one and haven't had a hurricane yet...so it's been wrapped in the box for 5 years...thank goodness!)

2)  Water - before the season approaches, stock up on gallon waters so they aren't missing from the shelves when the time comes.  You need 1 gallon per person, per day.





3)  Non-perishables (canned foods, boxed foods) - same with the water, buy them throughout the season, especially when on sale for buy one get one.  Be sure to not buy foods that need to be cooked since you may not have electricity.

4)  Battery operated radio or TV - this will help when wanting to connect with the real world after the storm hits.

5)  Flashlights - don't think I need to explain this....

6)  First-aid kit - be sure it's fully stocked...you never know what could happen.

7)  Cash! - when a storm hits, 95% of the time, the power goes out...so does the credit card machines...and you never know how long they will be down.

8)  Batteries - all sizes....for all of the many battery operated items that you need.

9)  Medicines - especially if anyone has prescription medicines that they need to take.

10)  Trash bags - just because.

Well, I hope that it's an inactive hurricane season for all! 
If not, get ready now....


Alexis