Ya'll - I'm Published!

Last year, around August, I was contacted by a magazine and asked to write an article for their quarterly publication. To say that I was thrilled is an understatement. It was a total God thing because He somehow orchestrated the right people to be in the right meeting at the right time discussing the right topic and miraculously my name came up. I've since been asked to write for them a few more times and they have been so fantastic and lovely to work with. It's also been a great outlet for me as I love to write and this has given me a good excuse to get to use a thesaurus. Oh how I love the thesaurus. I know, I'm a nerd. Granted, I just had to use spell check to fix "thesarus." I love words but spelling them is a whole other story. :)

Anyhoo, I digress.

In case you've never heard of FUSION, they are a devotional magazine for adults published by Randall House and it's distributed in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The magazine is part of the D6 curriculum that my church uses. I love the D6 program because it is consistent across the board, meaning that I am studying the same themes that my 5-year-old is learning about in her Sunday School class. It's really neat to hear her take on the same subject and it makes it super easy to discuss Biblical principles together.

Because there is such a big lead time in the publishing world, my article has just been released but this is a perfect time to share it. In the article, I give some ideas for how to have a fantastic and fun summer without breaking the bank. We are seriously counting down the last few days of school over here. Bring on summer fun!!! So, without further ado, please check out my very first published article....

Summer Family Fun on a Budget

(can I just tell you how cool it is to see my name in print! squee!!!)

Vacation for a Fraction of the Cost

We are just 3 short weeks away from a little trip I like to call "School's Out For Summer." We will be spending a weekend in Chattanooga and I'm already scoring deals left and right.

Here's how you can have a fun vacation on the cheap too.

• Plan. My husband has a very laid back approach to vacationing but, in the back of his mind, he has a list of things he would like to do. I'm the exact opposite. I would be perfectly fine with a scheduled itinerary for every day of the trip. However, in order to save some money we have to meet in the middle because, typically, deals don't just fall in your lap after you show up. You gotta find them before you go.
• Hotel. Reservations are necessary to ensure you have lodging. I used Hotels.com to score a great price on a hotel that also serves complimentary breakfast. Be sure to look for those extra perks when you choose your accommodations. Also, Hotels.com has a reward program that earns you 1 FREE night for every 5 nights you stay (does not have to be consecutive).
• Dining. Hotel will have breakfast taken care of but we know that we will need at least 5 meals (2 dinners + 3 lunches) while we are at our destination. I've been following daily deal sites like Groupon & Living Social (new subscribers get $5) in my destination city, as well as Restaurant.com to find gift certificates for half price or less.
• Attractions. For this trip, we decided on 2 big things (1 each day) that we definitely wanted to see or do. I've been scouring Ebay & Craigslist for deals on those attraction tickets. So far, I've been able to save at least 50%, which is huge because these attractions are pretty pricey.
• Snacks. We are all big snackers. To save us from having to purchase these on the road, I will be packing a small cooler with food and drinks. I also plan to prepare small baggies of snacks to take with us while we are out and about each day.
• Gas. There isn't a whole lot you can do here and it always seems that gas prices rise in the summer. :( I like to take advantage of the Publix gas card coupons that will save you $10 off a $50 gift card to BP or Shell. They run these promotions about once every 4-6 weeks. I also use the Gas Buddy app on my phone to locate the cheapest gas in whatever area we are traveling. Sometimes it's worth it to go just one more exit.
• Cash Back. If I'm doing any sort of online purchase, I always go through Ebates. All of the retail links above can be shopped through Ebates where you earn a percentage back on your purchase. For example, right now, they are offering 15% cash back at Restaurant.com when you shop through their site.

A little planning really does go a long way as far as saving money on vacation. At this point, we know what attractions we are going to see and where we are going to eat but I'm leaving the WHEN up to hubby. See, I can compromise. :)

Do you feel like any of the above tips will help you save money on your summer vacation?

Have a Great Vacation on the Cheap

Are you taking a family vacation this summer? Are you looking for ways to save? Here are my top 10 tips for finding deals and saving on a great family vacation.

1. Airfare - Personally, if Southwest doesn't fly there we just don't go. They are my favorite airline by far. DING! is an application that you download which will notify you of deep discounts on Southwest airfare.
2. Frequent Flyer Card - No matter what airline you fly, you should definitely make sure you are registered for their frequent flyer program. Eventually all those flights can add up for a FREE one. This is also a great way to earn other rewards (drink tickets, discounts, ect.) depending on the carrier.
3. Hotels - My favorite site for getting the best deal on accommodations is Hotels.com. They also have a reward program that earns you a FREE night once you stay 5 nights anywhere.
4. Entertainment - A great way to save on activities and entertainment is by watching the Groupon deals for the city you plan on traveling to. You can save at least 50% or more by purchasing these in advance.
5. Food - For restaurant deals you can check Restaurant.com and save 50%-90% on food gift certificates.
6. Use your current memberships - If you have a zoo or discovery center membership, find out if they are part of a national program. Often times, you will receive FREE admission to the same establishment in another city or at least a discount.
7. Get paid to vacation - When booking any sort of flights, car rentals, or accommodations I always shop through Ebates first. For example, when booking at Hotels.com you can also earn 4% back!
8. Choose your dates - The best rates are generally during the off season and during the week. If possible, plan your vacation during these times.
9. Look for blogs - Search for specific blogs or websites that specialize in your travel destination. When I was planning our Disney vacation one of my favorite sources of valuable information was Mouse Savers.
10. Check with friends - If you know of someone who has been to your destination before ask if you can pick their brain for details. They may be able to offer valuable advice on things to avoid, which may not be worth the cost. They also may be able to suggest activities that were totally worth it!

Do you have any tips for finding vacation deals? Share them in the comments below or let me know where you will be vacationing this summer.

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from me to you!

7 ways to encourage your favorite blogger

Blogging is fun but sometimes it can be tough. Here are seven simple things you can do to encourage me to keep at it.

1. Subscribe. I know that I shouldn't measure things in numbers but subscriptions help me to know that there are indeed people out there who want to know what I'm up to. It's easy to subscribe. You can subscribe via RSS and have my posts delivered immediately to your reader or you can get daily email updates. It's up to you.

2. Read. There's nothing like having someone come up to me and ask me if I know about a deal when I just posted about the same deal yesterday. I smile politely and nod but it kinda leaves me scratching my head. Coupon Queen Diaries is also filled with lots of Frugal 101 plus some Staci humor thrown in for good measure. Don't miss out on a single thing: Subscribe (see above)!

3. Comment. After I've worked hard on a post and hit the send button, I sometimes think I hear crickets. That's what it's like if no one comments. If you've read a post and found it helpful, please let me know. If you tried a deal and had success or failure, comment with that too. It's a little known secret but bloggers live for comments. They are like little rays of sunshine in our day. I'm totally cool with blog lurkers (I used to be one) but I'd prefer if you'd at least let me know you are out there every once in a while. Besides, your comments could help out another reader. Comments are like the gift that keeps on giving.

4. Like me (on Facebook). Not only do I give extra little tidbits of info on Facebook but my readers share things too. You can find all sorts of good deals and local activities on my wall. If you see something you like, you can show it to your FB friends by clicking "share" under that post. Another thing that brings delight to my day is when you "Suggest To Friends." Feel free to comment away on Facebook too. It makes a girl feel good and it let's me know that you do indeed "like" me.

5. ReTweet. Twitter anyone? It took me a minute to jump on the Twitter bandwagon but it's pretty cool. It's a great way to get info on deals and it's really a no muss no fuss kind of thing. If you see something you like you simply put a little RT in front of it and share it with all your followers (friends). Seeing my info behind those two little letters is definitely encouraging because it means that you enjoyed something so much that you felt the need to share.

6. Contact me. Have questions? Did you spot a really good deal? Did you totally rock it at Publix today? I wanna hear about it. There are several ways to get in touch with me. The best ways to contact me have already been mentioned (Comments, Facebook, Twitter) but you can also email me at couponqueendiaries@gmail.com.

7. Click the links. Blogging as a business has certain costs associated with it. Therefore, I am an affiliate for several companies. When I promote their products, I get a teensy bit of compensation. The way they "measure" my advertising methods is through web clicks. If you see a deal you like be sure to click through with the links provided. If you happen to think about it, before printing coupons from popular sites like Coupons.com, SmartSource and RedPlum, stop by my site and use the sidebars or bookmark the links for future printing. You can also click on any of the icons down the side of my webpage. I am forever grateful for those readers who help me "pay the bills."

I can't thank you enough for being a reader of Coupon Queen Diaries. It's because of you that I continue to blog. I appreciate your encouragement for me to keep at it.

September 25th Museum Day = FREE Date!

Put September 25th on your calendar. The Smithsonian is offering another FREE museum day. This offer allows you and a guest a complementary visit to one of their participating museums.

Since the offer is limited to one per household, I always use this opportunity as a date for me and the hubby. Last year we went to The Hermitage. This year, I'm thinking we might try the Country Music Hall of Fame.

You can view a list of participating locations in your area and get your ticket.

(Thanks, Faithful Provisions)

Nashville: Adventure Science Center FREE Admission

Visit the Adventure Science Center and explore the exhibits for FREE on Sunday, September 12th from 12:30-5:30 pm. This event is sponsored by Regions Bank.

"Regions Free Days" highlight a different landmark, event or attraction in Middle Tennessee each month. Ms. Cheap has a look at the entire schedule for 2010.

I'm back! {AKA: Mission Statement}

I've had a lot of time to think this summer. A moment to think is rare for me. It usually only happens late at night when I'm trying to sleep (but can't) or in the shower. Don't judge. I've come up with a lot of good ideas in the shower. :)

I've thought a lot about blogging, and my family, and being frugal, and couponing, and keeping up with the Joneses, and priorities, and my readers, and deal finding. Whew! I enjoyed my little break and I had a great summer with my family and I was also available to serve in times of need (updates at the bottom). In the end, I missed blogging and I missed interacting with you folks. I missed helping people get their start and find their way in couponing. I missed encouraging folks to keep at it. I missed hearing your success stories. And that's when it clicked.

I started blogging to show people how to do what I do, how to find deals, and how to save money. I want to focus on that part. The deals may change from week to week, but the way you work the deals is the same. Before, I was exhausting myself with trying to blog about every single deal. I want to stick to the basics and show you my tried and true methods. That's exactly what I plan to do from here on out.

Yes, I still plan to highlight really great deals, but I'm going to focus on giving you some Frugal 101 in between. You need to know how to find and work the deals on your own. You need to know how to stick with it and maintain your savings in the long term. There will be tips and tricks that will work whether you are right here in Nashville, TN or over on the West coast. However, I think it's really neat to trade info with the locals (like where Publix is hiding that new booklet, ect.).

I may not blog every day. I may post 4 times a day. Who knows? If my family needs me, I plan to be available for them. If a situation comes up that needs my help, I plan to serve. My readers have always been great about chiming in to help out a newbie and I love that sense of community. We are all in this money-saving adventure together.

Of course, even with blogging, there are bills to be paid so you may see advertisements, affiliate offers and reviews (see new disclosure policy), but I would never share something with you that I'm not already doing myself or see frugal value in. There will also be giveaways here and there too, starting with one this week!

While all of the above isn't a "formal" Mission Statement it gives you the jist of what you can expect from me at Coupon Queen Diaries.

I'm thrilled that you are here. Let's crack the ole coupon queen diary. I'm gonna start spilling the secrets and juicy details that will save you money.

Don't miss out on a single entry. Make sure you are subscribed to my RSS Feed or receiving the daily email updates.

A New Look for Coupon Queen Diaries

Have you seen the new blog design yet?

If you are reading this in an email or RSS feed you will need to click through to view the actual webpage. It may take a few extra seconds to load (because it is ALL new). Check it out.

Isn't it awesome, and adorable?!

I started working behind the scenes a little over a month ago and found Angie at Strosgirl Designs. She was awesome to work with and managed to fit in all the little details that I asked for.

My favorite items:

• Custom social media buttons embedded into the header that change color when you scroll over.
• New logo and tag line.
• Drop-down menu bar. It changes colors too!
• The post break. I just love all my little colors all lined up in a row.
• Custom fonts.

Squeee!!! I'm so excited.

Seriously, you need to look at it again. I can't stop looking at it. I'm one proud blog mamma today!! Okay, I need to lay off the exclamation points now.

Step 1: New Look (check).

Step 2: New Mission Statement (stay tuned).

Step 3: New Giveaway (next week).

So, what do you think? Feel free to use as many exclamation points as you want. :D

*If you are using Internet Explorer 7, certain elements may not display properly. Upgrading to IE8 should resolve this issue. You can also use Chrome (my default browser), Safari or FireFox.

It's starting!

The new blog design is going in tonight! *Me doing the Happy Dance* If you happen to be visiting the site, it might look a little crazy for a while due to me moving things around and getting everything into place.

I should have everything ready to go by tomorrow (Friday) afternoon. I'll send out a message as soon as it's done.

I cannot wait for you to see it!! Above is a teensy weensy sneak peek. This is one of my favorite parts of the whole design and it shows all of the colors that I'm using.

Anyone else getting excited?

ALERT: Relaunch in progress!

Hello friends,

I just wanted to thank you guys for hanging with me during my summer-long hiatus. We have had an amazing time this summer. We've been lazy and we've played, HARD! We went to the lake EVERY Friday. We've traveled and visited family. We've stayed home and snuggled. We've been on dates. We've had drama and we've relaxed. We totally had popcorn and ice cream for dinner. It's been fantastic!

My little one started at her new big girl school this last week, which is so exciting but a signal that summer has come to an end. I've enjoyed my family this summer (mission accomplished) but I've missed you guys and I've missed blogging.

Things are in the works to relaunch the ole bloggerooski in the next week or so. It will have a completely different look and I'm so excited for you to see it. The relaunch of Coupon Queen Diaries will be complete with a fancy new design and a new mission statement. You won't want to miss it.

Here are a couple of hints. If you are new to couponing you will want to stick around. If you are a professional couponer and are dying to get your friends on board, you need to send them this way. If you are stuck somewhere in the middle and need a refresher course or want to brush up on the basics, you are in the right spot. There is a lot to be learned and I'm gonna be "sharing my saving secrets with you." {ahem, can I get a shout out for my new tagline?}

Don't miss a thing. Go ahead and subscribe to my email alerts, "Like" my Facebook page, and/or Follow me on Twitter. Why not do all 3 and send a few friends while you are at it?

New and improved is coming your way and I think you're gonna like what you see.

Get Bonus "Back To School" SwagBucks

Swagbucks is going all out for Back To School fun! For those of you who are already on the Swagbucks bandwagon, you will want to be on the look out for these specially marked "Back To School" Swagbucks pictured above.

There are 5 different denominations of 6, 9, 14, 19 and 23 Swagbucks. If you collect them all, you will be rewarded with an additional 50 Swagbucks!!

For new users, Swagbucks is offering a special sign-up bonus. You can get an additional 40 Swagbucks with the code BackToSchool.

Swagbucks is a search engine that randomly rewards you for searching. You can redeem your Swagbucks for awesome prizes and gift cards. My favorite prize is still the Amazon gift cards.

You can go learn more about Swagbucks or go ahead and sign up now.

Have fun searching and winning!