FatHeadDog.com Deals

For as much as I love cars, I’m shamefully bad about getting my oil changed on a regular basis. About 2,000 miles past due for my oil change, I recently glanced at that auto shop reminder sticker with guilt–I know I need to do it. I know it can’t be good for the car. But I procrastinate, figuring I’ll get to it soon.

Like a beacon in my mail box, the nice folks at MyBlogSpark invited me to visit www.motoroilmatters.com, sponsored by Shell Lubricants, and learn more about why frequent oil changes are so important. In return, Penzoil through MyBlogSpark offered FatHeadDog a gift certificate to have my oil changed and report on the experience.

Ok!  Gods of car care.. I’ll learn more about the importance of good oil and take my car in for heaven’s sake. I take the hint! Like they asked, I visited Motor Oil Matters, where I learned what the various oil weights, like 5W-30, 10W-30 and 10W-40, mean. And what does the ‘W’ mean? According to the site, not weight, but winter. (Really!?)  See, I did learn something.. how’s that for fun cocktail party trivia?

Here’s a heads up that the online community Mom Central is offering an invitation to The View Moms Group. The group offers you the chance to chat with your favorite hosts, and get the inside scoop on show developments, segments, and special promotions. All members of The View Moms Group may enter to win an all-expenses paid trip (with a friend!) to New York to see The View.

Moms joining The View Moms Group can also apply to become official “ABC Brand Ambassadors” to help promote upcoming guests and segments! Once a member of The View Moms Group, you can apply to become a Brand Ambassador.

As a part of the Purex Insiders program, Purex is giving its Insider members the early scoop on free samples of Purex Complete 3-in-1 before  the public to allow them to try it and see how “This Sheet Works”.  Here is a special sneak peek via the following link…trypurex.com/insiders

Purex Insiders is a consumer panel that offers opinions and feedback in exchange for special coupons and free samples. Purex® Complete 3-in-1™ Laundry Sheets come in three scents and are available in two package types – a Starter Kit (1 Dispenser + 20 Laundry Sheets) and a value Refill Pouch (24 Laundry Sheets).

It always seems FatHeadDog finds a great coupon at the most inoppertune time. A blinky machine at the grocery store while FatHeadPup is having a meltdown. A lonely coupon skipping in the wind across a grocery store parking lot. Or a clip-worthy coupon in my cache of magazines, inevitably found late at night and without scissors in sight. I’ve gotten quite a few grumpy glances from my husband as I try tearing a coupon by hand. Rip it slow and quietly, or fast and loudly, either way is intrusive to his beloved sleep.

While perusing your monthly magazines, grab a pair of scissors and keep an eye out for valuable coupons within ad pages. One particular mag that’s worth your while… at least for the coupons, is the Wal-Mart exclusive All You Magazine. This month,  there’s a special health & fitness edition of ALL YOU magazine that will be available on newsstands at Walmart beginning Friday 1/8. According to DealSeekingMom, here’s a glimpse at the coupons inside:

Coupons in the ALL YOU Health & Fitness special edition:

• $1/1 ALL YOU Eat Well, Save Big Cookbook, exp. 4-5-10
• $0.50/1 ALL YOU Magazine, exp. 4-23-09
• $1/1 Arm & Hammer Premium Vacuum Bags or Filter, exp. 8-19-10
• $1/1 Frito-Lay Baked! Snacks (8.75-oz.+), exp. 2-8-10
• $0.50/1 Log Cabin Syrup (24 or 64-oz.), exp. 4-1-10
• $2/1 Metamucil Product, exp. 6-30-10
• $1/1 Nature Made Vitamins, exp. 2-28-10
• $1/2 Ortega Products, exp. 3-31-09
• $1/1 Polaner Fruit Spread, exp. 3-27-10
• $1/1 Poise Product, exp. 3-31-10
• $1.25/1 Slim-Fast Product (excludes singles), exp. 2-19-10
• $1/2 Starkist Sandwich-Ready Tuna Salad Pouches, exp. 4-9-10
• $1/1 Tazo Filterbag Tea or Tea Latte Concentrate, exp. 3-21-10
• $2/1 Wellesse Joint Movement Glucosamine Liquid (16-oz.), exp. 4-30-10
• FREE Dessert wyb 5 Weight Watchers Smart Ones Frozen Products, exp. 3-31-09

FatHeadDog is many things, but not a squirrel. But that’s what some people think when I pull out a box of dry cereal and start munching. On a summer vacation with friends, I caught a few ribbings for my unusual morning, lunch and dinner snack but thanks to the nice folks at MyBlogSpark, I now have validation for my nibble habit. Did you know that ready-to-eat cereal eaters consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than non-cereal eaters? According to General Mills, cereals also deliver important vitamins, minerals and other essential nutrients, making cereal a top source of key nutrients in adult’s and children’s diets.

Earlier this month, General Mills announced efforts to further reduce sugar in cereals advertised to kids under 12 to single digit grams of sugar per serving. The company has already been reducing sugar in cereals while increasing key nutrients, such as calcium and vitamin D, and providing whole grain. To kickoff General Mill’s new efforts, they’re offering $1off coupons for four of their most popular cereals, including Trix, Cocoa Puffs, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Lucky Charms. So enjoy the $1off coupons and try General Mill’s new reduced sugar cereals while FatHeadDog gets back to munching. Free coupon, information, and giveaway have all been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

As promised, the Pampers Gifts to Go program has undergone some major plastic surgery.

The quick and dirty:

• Your existing points are now worth 10x the amount before, so a 1 point code is now worth 10
• Shipping and handling is now free (with the exception of Shutterfly rewards)

So finally, those measly 1 and 3 point codes look a little more hefty. To help boost your point balance, here are some “evergreen” Pampers codes for public consumption:

Through various sample and sponsored subscription sites, you can pick up some great finds of free magazine subscriptions. How does it work? The simple answer is free “sample” equals more exposure to new audiences who may convert their sample into a paid subscription.

The offers change frequently, but here’s some links for free newsstand magazine subscriptions. There’s alot of  magazine titles you may not have heard of, but here are some popular ones to start off your free magazine subscription stash:

Rewards Gold is a survey site that offers free one year subscription to popular magazine for completing targeted surveys. The ad link looks a little “splashy” but its legit. Just signup, complete the survey and they’ll offer one- or two-year subscriptions to various newsstand magazines as a reward:

• Golf Digest
• Business Week
• Other recent magazine offerings that are now expired include Car & Driver and U.S. News and World Report

E-Rewards Market Research is a great paid survey site–if you sign up through a good referral or sponsor link. Sponsors include Macy’s, Priority Club, Blockbuster, Borders and UPromise. You can seek these referral links through these sponsors.

Pros: The frequency of surveys is great, which means you’ll have lots of opportunities to earn rewards.

• Every survey is worth points, even if you disqualify. And the points–in this case, dollars, are generous amounts.
• Redeeming rewards is fast and easy. Whenever I redeem $40 E-Rewards dollars for a $25 Macy’s gift certificate, the transaction is fast and accurate.
• Good site for those who have frequent flyer or frequent hotel stay memberships. These rewards include Priority Club points, NorthWest Airlines miles, Airtran, Continental Airlines, Delta, Hilton Honors and Frontier Early Returns. 

Cons: E-Rewards places restrictions on how often you may redeem certain rewards within 90 days.

• I’ve read some complaints that the survey questions lately have become very personal–asking about health conditions and how much you have invested in various mutual funds, retirement and CDs.
• Your reward dollars can expire after one year but E-Rewards has introduced a new VIP (not sure the name) status that exempts members from their dollars expiring.

If you’ve ever shopped at Amazon, then no doubt you’ve had the free shipping dilemma where you find yourself xx.xx dollars short of receiving free shipping on your order. However, every item you click to add to your cart–of course–is not eligible for Super Saver free shipping. Here’s a resource for you: slickfillers.net

This site, an off-shoot of my favorite slickdeals.net, allows you to search for eligible free shipping items by the amount which you’re short of the shipping threshold. For example, if you’re a measly $.95 cents from reaching free shipping, this site will scour all eligible items for sale.

Kodak has been in a giving mood for the launch of their new, revamped Kodak Gallery. Kodak Gallery has extended their Million Thanks Giveaway through November 18th. Just visit the site, enter your email and contact information and you’ll receive either a free $15 gift code or 40% off your Kodak purchase.

Here are some suggestions for your free gift:

• 11 oz Collage Photo mug $12.99
• Collage Mousepad $9.99
• Round photo ornament $12.99
• Simplicity photo frame $12.00 plus cost of photo print (my fav!)