Who doesn't love a good freebie?

I've mentioned before that my husband LOVES freebies! I'm slowly converting to his ways of couponing and bargain shopping, but sometimes the effort it takes to get something "free" hardly seems worth it! (Remember economics? "There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch") A few times in our marriage, however, we've scored BIG TIME with freebies.

Scenario 1:
I was pregnant with my first child, and we were living in California. My husband's DREAM was to appear on The Price is Right, so for his 26th birthday, we decided to spend the ENTIRE day in line waiting for the show. As part of the process, each member of the live audience is interviewed. Throughout the day, we were honestly the most boring people in line. While others were spending the whole day bouncing off the walls trying to win over the producers, we sat quietly reading, sleeping, and coming alive only for our brief few minutes in front of the judges. After our little interview, however, I knew my husband's award winning Elmo impersonation was more than enough. And I was right! He was the first one called to COME ON DOWN! He went on to win a Big Green Egg BBQ, a hot tub, a portable sound system, my beloved treadmill, a stove/range, and A NEW CAR! Worth the effort? HECK YES!

Scenario 2:

You've all gotten random emails promising a free laptop, free money, free gift card, airline tickets, you name it, right? Well...most people disregard these emails, including me. A few years ago, however, we had a friend tell us about a legitimate offer for a free Plasma TV. Since he'd done it successfully, we decided to give it a shot. HUGE PAIN IN THE BEHIND! We had to complete about 18 "offers," which we traced on a spreadsheet, had to keep track of when to cancel these offers (keeping them long enough to qualify for the 42" Plasma TV but not longer than necessary to avoid extra cost). We probably spent around $100 when all was said and done. I was skeptical until the glorious day our TV arrived on our doorstep. I never thought I would do this sort of thing again, but recently found this blog. The writer of Money Saving Methods, a former-CPA-turned-stay-at-home-mom goes into great detail about how to complete such offers...and makes a pretty good living doing just that sort of thing! I recently spent about $40 doing the same sort of deal (spreadsheet, cancelling offers, etc.) and am anxiously waiting for a $500 Visa Gift Card. Worth the effort? It's debatable, but I'm starting to think it really is.

Scenario 3:

Several months ago, my husband informed me that we were going to listen to a timeshare presentation that would win us a free trip to California. We went into the presentation knowing there was NO WAY we would even consider purchasing a time share. However, as I mentioned before, I AM A HUGE WIMP WHEN IT COMES TO SAYING NO TO SALESPEOPLE. By the time we finally walked out of the meeting two hours later, after saying NO to no less than FOUR pushy salesmen, I felt like the worst person in the world. My family was going to suffer for the rest of my life because our vacations wouldn't be what they could be with a timeshare. But hey--we were going to California! The company actually tried several times to talk us out of the trip...they even offered us $200 NOT to go since we'd be leaving Wednesday night and returning home Friday morning. But we didn't take the money...we went on the trip! And it was GREAT! The hotel was probably the WORST hotel I've ever stayed at, but sometimes bad things make for great memories. It was just what my husband and I needed! We got to visit my hometown, Disneyland, we saw Avatar, and we ate out more in three days than we normally do in three months! It was just what this cranky mama needed! There's no place better than Disneyland to make you miss your kids (and to realize how old you're getting when the making-out-in-line-teenagers disgust you!) I hope I never have to listen to a timeshare presentation again, but was it worth it? DEFINITELY!

What about you? Are you a sucker for freebies, or would you rather just pay the dang money to avoid the hassle?

I'm leaving on a jet plane

I'm leaving in 1/2 hour for a quick get-away to California! I can't wait...even if it's only for a few days, I'm so excited to get a glimpse of warmer weather. Be healthy for me while I'm gone! I wish we were going on a Cruise, but incase any of you will be in the next little while, here are some tips for staying healthy while on board ... (Recognize these tips? They first ran last May after our glorious cruise. Vacation time is drawing near, so I thought it would be appropriate to publish again! Enjoy!)

1. TAKE THE STAIRS! We decided on the first day that we would take the stairs E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. Our room was on deck 2, we ate dinner on deck 3, we watched shows on deck 5, we enjoyed the buffet on deck 9, we swam on deck 11, and ran on deck 12. Each day gave us PLENTY of opportunites for stair climbing. (With many an ice-cream cone waiting at the end of the big climb!)
2. CHECK OUT THE GYM! We made it a point of finding the fitness center the first day. It was at the front end of the ship, with windows looking out. I decided that running on the treadmill while watching the waves crash in front of me would be worth a daily trip. Let me tell you...running on a moving boat is a killer core workout...you never know which way the incline is going to go! The gym also offered several free health seminars and fitness classes (for a fee--I would've gone--but I'm too cheap!)
3. MAKE FITNESS FUN! I LOVED the days at sea on the ship. My favorite activity of the week was probably the Disco Dance Class taught by the Cruise Director. We spent an hour learning a new dance. I was laughing the whole time, and sweating by the end. We also entered a free-throw contest, a ping-pong contest, and danced every chance we got.
4. TRY THE LOW-CAL ENTREES. OK...I didn't really do this one, but I did love the fruit and salad bars! I occasionally tried the "SPA" selections at dinner, but only in addition to the three other entrees I ordered. Yes, I ordered A LOT of food, but I never felt obligated to clean the plate! With so much food, a few bites of each entree (and dessert) was plenty.
5. ON DECK FOR THE CURE! I was really sad that our cruise coincided with Susan G. Komen's Race For The Cure. I was thrilled, however, to find out that a small scale version of this do-good race was on schedule for the week. I walked a mile in my flip-flops for On Deck For The Cure...and yes, I cried.
6. DRINK WATER! OK...I'm pretty sure the drink servers hated us. But the fact that we didn't spend a dime on a single beverage on board saved us not only a LOT of money, but a TON of calories!
7. PLAN ACTIVE EXCURSIONS! We hiked, we snorkeled, we swam, and we ran on the beach. (But I was also sore after holding on for dear life to my husband driving a motor scooter on the left side of the road in the Bahamas!)
8. ENJOY! Don't stress...you're on vacation. If you eat more for a week than you normally would, your body will adjust when you get home. Whatever you do, have fun! Your only real jobs while cruising are to eat and poop. Everything else is extra. Enjoy!

Are any of you gearing up for a Cruise or otherwise fun vacation? Do you try to stay healthy and active while you're gone, or is vacation an excuse to RELAX? I'm usually a combination of both...I'm healthy in moderation. That's what vacation is for, right? Have a good week!

8 Ways To Stay Fit on a Cruise

It's taken me all week to finally sit down to admit that the vacation is indeed over. So hi, fit-me-peeps, I'm back! I have to admit that it was pretty easy to adjust to kid-free life. Our cruise. was. fabulous. I've yet to weigh myself to see what damage was done, and I probably won't. I don't need to...my skinny jeans are tight enough to show me that poundage was definitely gained. But I enjoyed every last morsel of food I shoveled into my mouth. And the lovely souveniers I'm prominently displaying on my thighs would be even bigger if I hadn't taken my own advice. Here are a few tips to minimize the post-vacation-extra-body-baggage:

1. TAKE THE STAIRS! We decided on the first day that we would take the stairs E.V.E.R.Y.W.H.E.R.E. Our room was on deck 2, we ate dinner on deck 3, we watched shows on deck 5, we enjoyed the buffet on deck 9, we swam on deck 11, and ran on deck 12. Each day gave us PLENTY of opportunites for stair climbing. (With many an ice-cream cone waiting at the end of the big climb!)
2. CHECK OUT THE GYM! We made it a point of finding the fitness center the first day. It was at the front end of the ship, with windows looking out. I decided that running on the treadmill while watching the waves crash in front of me would be worth a daily trip. Let me tell you...running on a moving boat is a killer core workout...you never know which way the incline is going to go! The gym also offered several free health seminars and fitness classes (for a fee--I would've gone--but I'm too cheap!)
3. MAKE FITNESS FUN! I LOVED the days at sea on the ship. My favorite activity of the week was probably the Disco Dance Class taught by the Cruise Director. We spent an hour learning a new dance. I was laughing the whole time, and sweating by the end. We also entered a free-throw contest, a ping-pong contest, and danced every chance we got.
4. TRY THE LOW-CAL ENTREES. OK...I didn't really do this one, but I did love the fruit and salad bars! I occasionally tried the "SPA" selections at dinner, but only in addition to the three other entrees I ordered. Yes, I ordered A LOT of food, but I never felt obligated to clean the plate! With so much food, a few bites of each entree (and dessert) was plenty.
5. ON DECK FOR THE CURE! I was really sad that our cruise coincided with Susan G. Komen's Race For The Cure. I was thrilled, however, to find out that a small scale version of this do-good race was on schedule for the week. I walked a mile in my flip-flops for On Deck For The Cure...and yes, I cried.
6. DRINK WATER! OK...I'm pretty sure the drink servers hated us. But the fact that we didn't spend a dime on a single beverage on board saved us not only a LOT of money, but a TON of calories!
7. PLAN ACTIVE EXCURSIONS! We hiked, we snorkeled, we swam, and we ran on the beach. (But I was also sore after holding on for dear life to my husband driving a motor scooter on the left side of the road in the Bahamas!)
8. ENJOY! Don't stress...you're on vacation. If you eat more for a week than you normally would, your body will adjust when you get home. Whatever you do, have fun! Your only real jobs while cruising are to eat and poop. Everything else is extra. Enjoy!

I'm Sailing Away...

In the morn' I leave for a trip out to sea.
We're leaving the kids...hip hooray and whoopee!
Some sleep I must get. 'Bout a year's worth I'd say.
I'll come back refreshed, and ready to play.
Time away from the kids should help me love more.
I'll be ready to read, and to sing, and adore.
I know they'll be fine, but I can't help but worry.
But no time for that...I'm in a big hurry!
Bags to pack, plane to catch...I've just a few hours!
When it comes time to travel, I need Super Powers!
Packing...not a fan. I dread getting ready.
Workout? No need! Packing leaves me sweaty!
I'm hoping I don't come home with disease.
Swine flu pandemic? Why now? Oh puh-lease!
Our itinerary...all new from the one that we booked.
Our excursions? We cancelled. Swine flu's the new crook.
To Mexico, go we not. Virgin Islands instead!
No more Belize, just Bahamas, they said.
I'm sure we'll be fine. A Cruise is a Cruise.
A week with no kids...how could we possibly lose?
As for you, fit me readers, be sure to check in.
I've not left you blog-less, much to your chagrin?
Blog posts galore are coming your way.
Check in all week to read what's to say.
Leave a comment or two, help me adjust back to life.
As a mother of two, and a homemaker wife.
Not quite as charming as life on a boat.
But I'm sure I will miss you as we stay afloat!
Keep on working out, and eating good stuff.
I'm gonna need motivation to work off new fluff.
A eating I'll do...pretty much guaranteed.
And working out to lose it is just what I'll need.
But until then, my friends. Come back, pretty please!
Sayonara! Until then! Wish me luck! Smell the breeze!