Using Time Wisely

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Mimi’s Cafe: Free Soup – February 1, 2013

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Mimis Cafe - February 1 2013

Photograph Credit: Mimi’s Cafe

In honor of National Wear Red Day, Mimi’s Cafe is celebrating with Mimi’s Goes Red Events.

On February 1, 2013

On February 5, 12, 19, and 26 (every Tuesday)

  • Visit Mimi’s Cafe.
  • Donate to the American Heart Association.
  • Receive a free cup of Mimi’s signature soup.

If you plan to visit Mimi’s Cafe, then check out their other promotions. Their eClub offers monthly promotions. At our last visit, my daughter and I enjoyed breakfast using a buy one, get one free offer from the eClub.

In celebration of Go Red for Women Month, take care of your heart, go red, and enjoy these special savings. Sharing the love!

Home Depot: Valentine Card Holder – February 2, 2013

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Home Depot: Valentine card holder

Photograph Credit: Home Depot

On the first Saturday of every month, Home Depot hosts a free Kids Workshop. At the workshop, each child is given the monthly kit to build and keep, a free Kids Workshop apron, a commemorative pin for that project which can be pinned onto his apron, and a certificate of achievement.

The February project has a Valentine theme for all those juicy love notes that are coming your child’s way. 🙂

What: Valentine Card Holder

When: Saturday, February 2, 2013

Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon)

Where: Your local Home Depot store

These workshops offer enjoyable family time at an unbeatable price. If you are looking for other family weekend events, check Using Time Wisely’s event page for other options. While you are there, “like” the page to stay updated.

Enjoy your weekend while spending time with those you love. Happy planning!

Question: Does your family enjoy these free workshops?

IHOP: National Pancake Day – February 5, 2013

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IHOP - National Pancake Day

Photograph Credit: IHOP

On Tuesday, February 5, 2013, the International House of Pancakes (IHOP) celebrates National Pancake Day by raising money for the Children’s Miracle Network. To encourage donations, every guest receives a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes.

Our family loves this event as we eat breakfast for dinner, dine out, and give to others while staying within our budget. Yes, I said dinner since mornings are hectic enough without adding a restaurant visit to our routine.

With the IHOP event running from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., you can choose a time right for you. Wait times will vary, but in our area, the event is well attended.

In using time wisely, enjoy a fun, family dinner while supporting the Children’s Miracle Network. I’m looking forward to adding this event to my menu planner since Tuesday’s dinner is planned. 🙂 Thank you, IHOP, and happy National Pancake Day!

Question: What is your favorite topping for your pancakes?

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts: 12 Free Valentines with Dozen Doughnut Purchase

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Krispy Kreme DoughnutsA new Krispy Kreme Doughnuts location opened nearby within the past two weeks. As our family is a fan of their chocolate iced creme-filled doughnuts, I have exhibited great self control in passing by each day. However, this promotion defeated my will power. 🙂

With any dozen doughnut purchase, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts will gift you a dozen Valentine cards. Each card is a coupon for a free doughnut of your choice. I was giddy as last year’s Valentine’s coupons were limited to glazed doughnuts.

On Wednesday, I waited patiently in the drive-thru for more than 10 minutes. When I placed my order, I requested the Valentines as I was unsure if I needed to ask for them. To my joy and delight, the employee not only handed me the dozen of  warm chocolate iced creme-filled doughnuts, he also gifted me a few sheets of the Valentine’s Day cards due to the longer wait times.

Though your Krispy Kreme Doughnut location may not be as generous, you can still get a great deal. My son has already written out his Valentines and put together the little packages for his class. My daughter has her packages together, but we are still working on writing out the Valentines.

As to the doughnuts, we enjoyed them with breakfast Thursday morning before heading out to our museum field trip. We even had a few more remaining, but they will be devoured by the time this post publishes. I don’t have that much self-control. 😉

If you are looking for a sweet excuse for some doughnuts, then seize Krispy Kreme Doughnuts’ promotion before their supply runs out. Enjoy!

Question: What is your favorite variety at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts?

Planning for Success: Note Daily Deal Vouchers Expiration Dates – Day 11

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Planning for success - Day 11

Photograph Credit: iStockphoto

Knowing that a successful year will not materialize on its own, we must plan and prepare for a prosperous 2013.

Throughout the 31 days of January, I will choose one topic each day to prepare or schedule for this year.

Without preparation, I know I will forget, miss, or overlook certain items. If you desire an organized year, then join me in this adventure of Planning for Success for a prosperous 2013.

To receive a daily e-mail around 11:00 a.m. with the new posts of each day, subscribe to my free daily newsletter. In case you miss a post in this series, I will provide the link to each day as the month progresses. 🙂

Day 1: Select a Planning Tool

Day 2: Add Your Priorities

Day 3: Print and Display Your Menu Planner – with free printable

Day 4: Record Membership Expiration Dates 

Day 5: Mark Due Dates for Monthly Bills

Day 6: Insert Credit Report Schedule

Day 7: Schedule Your Annual Home Maintenance

Day 8: Set Your School and Work Activities

Day 9: Highlight Contract and Subscription Expiration Dates

Day 10: Download a Savings Tracker

Day 11: Note Daily Deal Vouchers Expiration Dates

As I continue planning for 2013 by adding items to my calendar, I find this exercise freeing. With all the dates and information in one place, I save time and energy by consulting one source rather than searching for the answer in multiple places. Hopefully, you are getting a jump start on your year by planning for success.

In updating my calendar, I am noting all our daily deal vouchers expiration dates. As our family enjoys outings together, I keep an eye on the daily deal emails I receive from the daily deal sites to which I subscribe.

When I find a great deal, I purchase it. Using Couptivate, I setup alerts to remind me to use those vouchers. Then I add the expiration dates listed on those vouchers to my calendar.

Since I work so hard to find family activities we will enjoy without paying full price, I do not want to lose the benefits of the voucher. Most daily deal sites will still honor the original amount paid after expiration, but you will lose the promotional value. In using time wisely and enjoying those savings, I schedule to redeem our vouchers prior to the expiration date.

In planning for success, note daily deals expiration dates on your planning tool. Depending on how many reminders you need, you might consider a month prior alert along with a week before expiration e-mail encouraging you to use your vouchers.

For the current list of free to inexpensive family activities, visit Using Time Wisely’s Facebook event’s page which is updated regularly.

Keep using time wisely as you plan for success and enjoy your family and friends. Enjoy your weekend!

Question: How full is your calendar getting?