Travel Tuesday: Airbnb Love

It’s Travel Tuesday!! Where are you going on your first trip of 2018?!! In January, I headed to one of my favorite cities, Chicago, and booked an Airbnb stay!! Have you tried it? If you want to rest easy in a real home and live amongst the natives, book yours today too!!

Here’s how: If you have a Kroger, head there and get an Airbnb gift card for anywhere between 2x and 4x the fuel points!! Then, book your first stay and GET $40 OFF!! How? Just use my link here: Frugalicious Airbnb Stay

Then, relax and enjoy your vacay!! It’s a big ol’ world out there. Go explore it!!

Travel Tuesdays: Personal Bag to Mexico!!

Introducing Travel Tuesdays with Frugalicious Diva!!

I do a fair share of traveling and since I'm frugal in so many ways, why wouldn't I add Travel to the mix? Based on my experience, I ALWAYS have a tip or two about getting a Frugalicious deal!!

I just came back from Mexico and I wanted to share my frugal tips. I have to admit, I was forced into the first tip...my friend challenged us to take a PERSONAL ITEM for a four day, three night trip to Mexico, with another day in Florida. Sigh...I DID step up to the plate. Should I have though?...

So if you've followed me for ANY period of time, you'll know that I am an avid Spirit Airlines traveler. I will have to do a SEPARATE blog on Spirit because...well, just because. Let it be known though, I have ZERO issues with flying with them and I'm speaking as a plus size, semi-bougie woman who's taller than average (I'm 5'8").

Anyway, so I took on the challenge. Spirit changed their personal item dimensions in April to 18x14x8, so I went searching for a bag. I saw a video and decided on the Vera Bradley Weekender. First, I freaking LOVE this bag!! It's cute, has lots of room and the fabric makes a mold-able bag...because although it "fit" the new dimensions, there was a little bit o' finagling going on!!

So, it fits, it flies. Here's the thing with the Personal Item on Spirit, which is different than a Carry On. It's FREE, which is the plus, but it's also supposed to fit under your seat...which it did NOT. Technically, it did, but then I wouldn't have any foot room. I nonchalantly placed that bag in the overhead bin. #Unbothered

Now, packing: that was the fun part. I have had some packing cubes for over a year and have only used the shoe bag. This time, I pulled out this big one, rolled all the clothing I was wearing on the trip and zipped it up. They all fit nicely and the packing cube slipped nicely into the bag, leaving plenty of room for other stuff...or so I thought. By the time I finished packing, it was pretty snug, but I could still zip it with no issues. We jaunted off to Fort Lauderdale, on JetBlue though, so I took another bag with me to hold snacks and other stuff. I knew once we boarded Spirit to Cancun, we'd have to eliminate it though.

We ended up staying one night in FL, due to the times of the flights, but I didn't want to spend any money there, so I packed lunches and snacks for us. The beauty of this is that I didn't have to worry about food spoiling or getting old at home while I was gone. Win-win. So, at our Airbnb, which I only spent $4.30 on, thanks to referrals and a gift card, I decided in order to get down to one bag, I had to repack...

COMMERCIAL BREAK: If you're looking to book your first Airbnb stay, why not save $40? Use my referral link: Frugalicious Diva - Airbnb

Yeah, I repacked and found that I got a little bit more room, removing the packing cube and staggering the rolled clothing. It worked. We got it down to one bag. We flew.

 The bag was heavy though.

My thoughts on a personal bag to Mexico:

PROs:

• it fit and flew
• forced me to be decisive in what I brought
• packing cubes fit
• less baggage (literally) and you can move quickly

CONs:

• bag was heavy
• does not fit under seat
• can't bring many souvenirs back including teguila (I mean it is Mexico)

LOL!! All-in-all, I guess I'd do it again under the right circumstances, like a "beach bum" trip, but in general, I think I'll stick with the Carry On for international trips. I'll gladly pay the fee (UPFRONT, remember that) to make sure I have room and can roll my luggage around.

Happy Travels to you!!

$25 Starbucks Gift Card Giveaway

Hey bloggers! Here is a fun new blogger giveaway event opportunity (Hosted by Lil' Blog and More) and Sponsored by author and fellow blogger, Christine Luken!

This will be a great event, that will help gather a lot of exposure and followers - So be sure to join in! There are a lot of different options available. 
 

Prize for the event: A $25 Starbucks gift card, and a signed copy of "Money is Emotional" by Christine Luken.

Actual Giveaway Dates:  6/12/2017 - 6/30/2017.

This is a great way to gain a lot more followers on your social media channels! There are completely FREE options, sharing options (for additional entries on the form.) and paid options, available! 

Last day to sign up for this event: June 7th, 2017.

You can sign up for this event HERE

Frugalicious Giveaway: My Favorite Pastimes Giveaway

Enter for a chance to win the My Favorite Pastimes Giveaway!

3 Winners!

With summer just around the corner it is time to take a breather and do some things that we like. Who doesn't like music, reading and shopping?

Today, we are giving away one pair of Over Ear Headphones that have a round cup and star design. Those music lovers out there can enjoy themselves without disturbing everyone else in the house.

If music isn't your thing or if you would like a change of pace, you can enter to win one of three copies of the e-book The Lives We Lead by Alexandra Egi. Read my entire review here.

Can't wait to see if you won, you can purchase The Lives We Lead here.

As an added bonus, if you can wait that long The Lives We Lead will be free in e-book format from June 4-7!

And of course, who doesn't love to shop especially without leaving home. One reader will receive a $10 Amazon gift card. Aren't gift cards great!

Sponsor: Alexandra Egi, author

Follow Alexandra Egi on Facebook, Twitter or visit her website by clicking any of these links.

Host: IMHO Views, Reviews and Giveaways

Co-hosts are: Deliciously Savvy | Amy & Aron's Real Life Reviews | PaulaMS' Giveaways, Reviews, & Freebie

Hints and Tips Blog | My Silly Little Gang | Here We Go Again Ready

Our giveaways are a success and the main reason is because of our awesome co-hosts and participating bloggers!

Be sure to visit their blogs and look around as a thank you for working so hard to bring you so many giveaways.

We've been seeing some great stuff in giveaways lately and that is because of all of you taking the time to "like", "follow, and "subscribe". The sponsors almost always look at these numbers before deciding to sponsor a giveaway.

Keep it up and who knows what we might be able to giveaway next!

And now for the very best part!

The

  Giveaway dates: May 12 at 6 am CST - May 31, 2016 11:59 pm CST Open to entrants in the Continental United States and Canada. One set of entries per person. Prize: The first place winner will receive a pair of Headphones. The second place winner will receive a $10 Amazon Gift Card. All three winners will received a copy of The Lives We Lead e-book. Total value of the prize package is $69.97. (discounted prices may vary) Please enter the giveaway through the Giveaway Tool listed below. Giveaway Tool will randomly select a winner. Winning entry will be verified. All entries are optional, and the chance of winning depends on the number of entries. No purchase necessary, void where prohibited. By entering this giveaway, you are agreeing to have your name listed as the winner on the giveaway widget and winner's list of participating blogs. The winners name will be posted on the widget and also here. In the case of any malfunction of the Giveaway Tool the giveaway will be canceled and no prize awarded. The winner is responsible for any applicable taxes.

Entry-Form

*IMHO Views, Reviews and Giveaways received compensation for hosting this giveaway. Thank you for participating.

Disclaimer: IMHO Views, Reviews and Giveaways is responsible for the headphones in this giveaway. The sponsor listed above will be awarding the rest of the prize(s) to the winner(s). None of the social media platforms are affiliated with this giveaway. If you would like to sponsor a giveaway like this, email imho@imhoviewsreviewsandgiveaways.com and I will respond within 48 hours.

Black Friday Thrifting!! 50% off at Savers!!

Hey frugalicious divas and dons!! I know it's been a llllloooooonnnnngggg time since I've actually blogged in this format, but so many things have happened this year, so this had to be put on the back burner. You can ALWAYS catch me and my updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram though!! Join me there!!

So, about Black Friday. I'm not a big BF shopper but when I do, I shop small biz and support local!! :) But...SAVERS is the next best thing!! In addition to its 50% Monday holiday sales (Sunday, for Savings Clubers), they're also getting in on the Black Friday crowd.

They're offering 75% off Jeans, Pants & Skirts from 9am-Noon!! I WILL BE IN THE HOUSE!! This comes right on time, as I  need more dress pants and I'm always on the hunt for a cute skirt (or 3).

Now, if you're skeptical about thrift shops or "second-hand" stores, please trust me when I say you'll find something for you and your whole family!! I love Savers because the stores are clean, the staff is pretty knowledgeable (but not bothersome) and the store is arranged by category and size. Before you wonder if they will have anything in your size...YES!! I wear a range of 22-26, with a size 11 shoe and I almost ALWAYS find something in the store that I can wear TODAY (not when I "lose a few pounds").

Don't believe me, take a look...

...and this is just SOME of the items I've picked up there. I have a closet FULL of Savers deals!!

So, come Friday, get your thrift shopping ON!! You will NOT regret it!! 

Happy Shopping and stay Frugalicious!!

Ohio Sales Tax Holiday - August 7-9

Ohio!! Have you heard? Next weekend is TAX FREE WEEKEND!!

It's Back to School time (yes, ALREADY) and what better way to help Ohioans save than to take away that pesky tax!! Yes, taxes are helpful for the upkeep of our community, but it will be a welcomed vacation for frugalicious divas (and dons) such as yourselves!!

So, here's the deal!! This sales holiday will begin Friday, August 7, 2015 and will last through Sunday, August 9, 2015!! No sales tax!!

Here are the stipulations:

• Clothing priced at $75 per item or less
• School supplies priced at $20 per item or less
• School instructional material priced at $20 per item of less

If you have any specific questions, I suggest you read up on the Ohio Department of Taxation site. If you don't want to, it's cool, because I did it for you. Here are some frugalicious finds I pulled out of FAQs.

ALL clothing under $75 (per individual item) is tax free, meaning anything you put on your head, shoulders, knees and toes (knees and toes) Who else sang? LOL!! What's even better? This includes DIAPERS for my frugalicious new Moms out there!! 

Getting married? This would be the time to find a frugalicious deal under $75 and save even more because don't have to pay tax!! Have your kid's school supply lists? Get them ready because not only are the sales on, but you'll save the tax!! 

You can still use your coupons during the Sales Tax Holiday!! Though your OOP (out of pocket) will be lower, the coupons don't disrupt the actual sales price, so it's all good!! 

There are some exclusions (items used in a trade or business are not eligible), but if you following the basic three items up top, you will reap the benefits of paying NO TAX next week!! Don't let anyone give you any drama either because according to the law, they HAVE to participate in this Sales Tax Holiday!! 

Get ready to save next week!!

Refreshing National Iced Tea Day Freebies

Guess what today is? Not only is it HUMP DAY, but TODAY, June 10th, is...

National Iced Tea Day

I am a very big tea drinker, so when it's free, it's even more fabulous and frugalicious!! In my area, it's going to be almost 90 degrees today. Who wouldn't want a cool, refreshing glass of goodness?

To celebrate, here are some freebies I'm sharing with you!!

Snapple is inviting you to "Sip your Way into Summer" with a coupon!! 

FREE Snapple Tea!! 

Here's the link: Free Snapple Tea (you can print two)

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Teavana invites customers to celebrate with a 

FREE Pineapple Berry Blue Iced Tea

as well as learn about their exquisite Epicurean Loose Leaf Tea blends

Just visit your Teavana store to get yours!!

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Wendy's is inviting you to stop in an get a 

FREE 6oz FruiTea Chillers™ beverage

a cool, hand-shaken combination of freshly brewed organic tropical green tea, real blueberry puree and real pineapple & pomegranate juices. SOUNDS delish!!