Welcome to all visiting from 5 Minutes For Mom’s Ultimate Blog Party, I am so excited to have you here!
I am participating in the Ultimate Blog Party again this year! I have had so much fun the last several years at the Ultimate Blog Party that I could not wait to do it again! Not sure what the Ultimate Blog Party is? You can find out all about it here.
Welcome, my name is Kristie and I have been blogging here at Saving Dollars and Sense for several years.
You can read more about me here.
I started Saving Dollars and Sense as way for me to keep track of my finances and learn better ways to use our money. But it has become so much more since then.
This has become a wonderful place for me to learn and grow and share. I love having the opportunity to connect with others, and that is what this little blog has given me.
If you look around a bit you’ll notice that I have a bit of an eclectic blog, which basically means that I blog about all kinds of things.
You’ll always find Hot Deals, reviews of products I’ve tried myself, lots of freebies and giveaways scattered among my more personal posts about my faith, family, and homeschooling life.
Here are a couple of my favorite posts if you feel like exploring:
Frugal Grocery Shopping
Shamrock Shake Recipe
Agree With Your Adversary?
Five Ways To Save On Your Restaurant Bill
Free Virtual Art Museum
Extreme Couponing Interview: Mr Engles
Good Report Card Rewards (FREE)Change Your Financial Perspective
Maybe You Know My Old Friend?
A little more about me:
As of 2011, I’m in my eighth year of homeschooling and can hardly believe that I am currently homeschooling my 13 year old son who is in the eighth grade along with my 17 year old daughter who is graduating this June!
Please allow me introduce you to my family!
My best friend in the whole world is my husband, his name is Rich. We have been married for 13 years and each year gets better and better for us.
He loves anything to do with the Great Outdoors and drools over every Gander Mountain ad that comes into the house. He LOVES fishing and hunting.
He is a builder by nature and surprises me all the time with his skills! He knows just the right things to say to me.
And has perfected knowing when to comfort me and when to tell me to stop whining which is a brave thing. And he knows that a Tim Hortons coffee will brighten the worst of days for me.
My daughter Kalene is the most beautiful girl I know, inside and out.
Although she is more of a woman than a girl these days. She makes me proud each and every day. She has such a genuine love for all people which is refreshing and rarely seen in people her age.
She is a talented piano and guitar player, singer, and photographer. She is graduating this June and has already taken several college classes in order to get a jump start on her college career.
I am so blessed that she is in my life and I thank God for her all the time!
My son Richie is the thinker of the family. The gears in his brain have been running since day one and do not appear to be slowing down any time soon.
He has lots of plans to make this world a better place one gadget at a time. He has the great ability to make me belly laugh with his unique sense of sarcasm.
His sense of humor is pure genius! He is the king of April Fools Day and I am certain he already has many tricks planned for this year.
I am proud to be his mom and I look forward to the man he is becoming. He loves playing Call of Duty, basketball thinking up the next big invention.
I can hardly believe how quickly my babies have grown, it seems like just yesterday I was looking into these sweet little faces!
If you ask me they are still the same sweet little faces, just don’t tell them I said so!
Yep, that’s my family!
Here’s a little more about this blog:
I have a few giveaways going on right now which you are welcome to enter here.
You might also be interested in getting a FREE 8×10 Canvas Print worth $50!
You can find Saving Dollars and Sense on Facebook where I share a lot of time sensitive deals and freebies that I am not able to share here.
And I’m also on Twitter too! If you have a Twitter I’d love to meet you there. You can find me on Twitter here.
We’re so glad you partied with us again this year.
I am still Blog Hopping from the Ultimate Blog Party for 2011 and hope that one of my blogs interests you too! I also do a weekend hop open Thursday 10pm-Sunday 11:59 PM EST please come link up your blog, FB and Twitter!
Have a great day!
Tawna
Hi! You have a beautiful family. Your post is a nice introduction to you and your blog. I’m just starting to work my way through the UBP list. I’m a new follower.
Thanks,Dena
Hi I am following from the UBP11 & I am super excited to not only have found a Christian blog but someone with some financial sense. I definitely need it! I hope to see you around my blog sometime as I will definitely be frequenting yours.
Stopping by from the UBP11! So glad to meet you!
I am now following your from the UBP 2011. I hope you will take the time to like me back.
Hey friend! I’m late to the party, but wow you’re kids are lovely! Beautiful family. =)
Came to visit from #UBP11. Like the title of your blog.
Hi Kristie! Heading over from the UBP. It’s nice to meet you!
Stopping by from UBP. Look forward to more of your posts!=)
I am so glad to find your site! I kind if fell off the couponing/frugal life wagon when I had my last baby. I need back on!
New follower via Ultimate Blog Party 2011.
Love your blog!! We are your newest follower! Come check us out over at
trulie-scrumptious.blogspot.com!
Thanks for stopping by!!
Hi there!
So nice to “meet” you. What a cute family you have! I love all the tips you have for saving money.
Stop by my blog if you can, I hope my story can inspire you to believe in the impossible.
xoxo.
Tahnie
I follow you on twitter and for sure have added you to my g. reader now. Stopping by for UPB. Blessings!
Just dropping in and following from the UBP11.
Found your site from UBP11! I cant wait to follow your blog!
Stopping by from UPB11. Great to meet you! There are so many fun blogs to visit! Your children are gorgeous! Following you on FB and twitter now.
Amber
I’m visiting from UBP11. I just wanted to say hello.
Lisa
I found you through the linky at the party! Great site! I love that you are still homeschooling. I stopped schooling my son when he was in 5th grade because I was afraid I was doing it all wrong. Now I am homeschooling my soon to be 10 year old and I don’t plan on stopping.
Such a lovely blog. Thanks for sharing!
Hi we’re new fans from the UBP party! Love your site!
I’m visiting from the UBP11! Thanks for sharing your story and all the deals you find! I will be following you indeed!
i love blog giveaways. And I enjoyed visiting your blog.
Your family is beautiful! We’re thinking about going back to homeschooling next year so I love hearing success stories. Has it been tricky for you teaching two kids who are at different levels? The last time we homeschooled I only had one in school.
Stopping by from UBP! I’ve been following your blog since last year’s party. It is amazing how quickly little ones grow! Thank you for your money-saving tips!
Hi! I found you through UBP11 and I love your site. I am a homeschooling mom, too and I am always looking for ways to be a better steward of our finances. I also own a home based business!
Stopping by from UBP11. It’s great to meet you. We’re homeschoolers too and also have a graduation this June. You should add all your giveaways to my linky on my Giveaways 24/7 page. Looks like you have a great blog. I’m following you on Twitter and I added you to my blogroll.
Hey! You have a beautiful family. I am a Christian, and was homeschooled in ninth grade. I feel like we have something in common! I’m new to UPB 2011, so this is all very exciting to me. I’m having so much fun meeting new people! Please follow me, as I am also new to blogging. When I reach 100 followers, I will be giving away Lavender Essential Oil to 1 lucky winner! I hope you enjoy. 🙂
Oops, that was supposed to be UBP! 🙂 Guess I need to go to bed, huh?
Hi! Visiting from UBL! Looking forward to seeing you on the web!
Visiting from UBP 11, its great to “meet” you! I’ve been reading and following on Facebook for a while, now via GFC as well.
Hi! I’m stopping by from the UBP. Very nice to get to know a bit about you – like you, I also homeschool – and I’d be honored if you would make it to my place this week. :^)
Hello my new friend! VIsiting from the Ulitmate blog party.
Hi there!
Stopping by — love all this partying!
Have to say, it’s amazing you homeschool. I know my strengths and weaknesses and homeschooling would probably not even last a month let alone years. My hat is off to you, lady!! 🙂
Just stopping by from UBP! I’ve been here before but I thought I’d say hi. 🙂
Happy partying!
Just dropping in from the UBP11! Nice to “meet you.”
Lois
Stopping by and now following from UBP11!!! On my tight budget there is nothing better than to be able to save a few bucks!! Love your blog!
I love Tim Hortons and your kids are beautiful!
I am having a blast meeting new blogger babes. I love saving a buck so I know I will be a regular here.
Happy blogging!
First I found you through the blog party and am happy I did. I now have a new location for savings. 🙂 I love a good deal. Your children look wonderful by the way and yes I still think they have sweet faces. Mine turned 14 last week and I still picture that little boy that use to walk all over the place with me when he was only 3. Hope you stop by. Looking forward to reading more of your posts. (I did subscribe)
How lovely to meet you! You have a beautiful blog. This is my first time participating in the Ultimate Blog Party. I think it is such a wonderful way to meet new people.
Have a wonderful day!
My kids are still in the little stage. I loved seeing the picture of your kids now and then. So nice to meet you throught the UBP.
Stopping by from the UBP11. I think we’re two peas in a pod since I’m the most frugal person I know. I can’t wait to read more…
🙂
Hello! I’m visiting from the Blog Party. I was already a facebook fan, but hadn’t yet visited your blog.
I’ve been couponing for many many years! I started as a teenager. I love the feeling of saving more than I spend! 🙂 I’m a mother of 3, grandmother of 2, a wife of 25 years, and a Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.
I’m here for the PARTY : )
Lovely site, I email subscribed and liked on FB! Thanks so much for hosting one of the giveaways for the UBP!! Cute kiddos!
~Melissa
http://www.mnmrheinlander.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/KUWTR
I am following you (suelee1998) from the blog hop party, you have a great site. Would you like to follow me back? http://susansdisneyfamily.blogspot.com/
thank you 🙂
Hello! I am visiting from UBP11. I love your introduction post : ) It must have been so great to home school your children all the way through graduation!!! Although my son is only one I am already thinking that I would love to home school him and any of my future children as well. However, my husband gave me an absolute NO! : ( But anyways! I look forward to reading the rest of your blog and your future blog entries. If you have time please visit my new blog @ http://survivingsahm.blogspot.com/!
Hi, I just found your blog on UBP11! I love it already and I can’t wait to read more! You have a beautiful family 🙂
Lauren
http:/www.theintermissionblog.com
Stopping by from UBP11. I enjoyed “meeting” your lovely family!
Lisa
Hello! I’m stopping by from the Party! I’m having a blast and I hope you are too! http://www.midgetmomma.com
What sweet faces…big and little. And it makes me look into my little sweet faces and remember that it GOES SO QUICKLY.
We homeschool too!
What a terrific blog you have here, and what a beautiful family! I definitely could use some tips on my finances, so I’ve bookmarked you to come back to later. Blessings!
I’m here from the party! Couldn’t remember if I left a comment or not, but I visited last night, and am now following you.
Stopping by from the UBP. It is nice to meet you! I am a homeschooling momma as well. I will be entering my third year of homeschooling this fall.
Blessings to you!
Stopping by from UBP party to say hello. Following you on Twitter and Facebook 🙂
Just stopping by to say hi! Congrats on your daughter graduating, that must be so exciting! My hunni loves anything to do with outdoors and likes to build, too! I thought that was pretty neat 🙂
Have a great week partying and I hope you have time to check out my parenting blog!
I’m now following you on Twitter & I LIKED your Facebook Page!
The Facebook page link didn’t work for me, so I searched for you and found you that way! 🙂
Thanks for visiting me and I hope that you are having fun meeting new bloggers too!
Hi there! Visiting from UBP:) Looking forward to getting through your saving ideas! 🙂
It’s really awesome to see you partying! I have been here quite a few times in the past and I don’t believe I have ever actually left a comment. The Ultimate Blog Party is definitely a great reason to start!
You have a beautiful family and a fantastic blog here. I had never even heard of Tim Hortons until I started talking to a really great friend of mine that I made through blogging and she felt the same way about their coffee as you do.
Well I am so glad you decided to comment today! It’s nice to meet you.
As for Tim Horton’s…girl you have to try it lol!!!
Stopping by for the party. Hello!
Beautiful family! I homeschool too. Nice to cyber-meet you!
Oh, I love saving dollars!! I am currently trying to learn how to use coupons more efficiently. I look forward to following you, so cool!
btw, I’m from the UBP11 🙂
I plan to share all my couponing secrets so make sure to stop back by often!
so nice to meet you i am a new follower of yours come see me at http://shopannies.blogspot.com I shared about my family as well I enjoyed reading about you and also visited a few of your post I will be back to see you again
Thanks fo stopping in, I’ll be sure to visit you too!
Dropping by from UBP11! Look forward to getting to know you and your blog better–I need to save more dollars and cents!
Blessings!
Helen, thanks so much for visiting.
Hi! Visiting from UBP11 – I can relate to the husband telling you to stop whining thing – haha – but sometimes we need that, no?
Looking forward to reading more!!
I know I definitely need him to tell me to suck it up sometimes lol.
Thanks for stopping by!
Don’t our kids grow up so fast? My 2nd daughter graduates this year, too. My 4th child is the gears in his brain kid. He’s always thinking. Gander Mtn does have some great outdoor stuff! =) My boys love fishing. How precious to have such a sweet love with your DH!
Thanks for stopping by!
When my kids were little I was always told to cherish it because they grow up so fast, but I don’t think I really got it then.
Stopping by from the party! Would you like to do a blog roll link exchange? If so, add me to your blog roll & then leave a comment on (any) post on my blog along with your link & i’ll add yours in ASAP as well! 🙂
I’ve run across your blog a couple of times! Thanks!
Thanks for stopping by and I hope you enjoy the party!!
You have gorgeous children! This is my first time doing the Ultimate Blog Party, it’s a little overwhelming! But very fun and exciting. I’m a new follower.
Thanks!! I just know that you’re going to love the party!!
It’s great to meet you! Your family is beautiful!
Thanks for stopping by Kat!
What a beautiful family:) I’m so glad I swung by! I have homeschooled my oldest daughter for the last year and she’ll graduate in May. Then I get to start all over again with my twins who just turned 4!
Hope to see you by my place too:)
God Bless,
Michelle
Congrats on your daughter graduating I know how exciting that feels! Oh how I would love to start all over again, I miss those early homeschool learning moments. Enjoy and thanks for stopping by!
Stopping in from UBP and MomDot. You are right kids grow up so fast. New follower on twitter and here.
Hey Julia! Fancy seeing you here too. Off to visit you are your party shortly.
So nice to get to know your family a little bit. Always nice to see the personal side of someone. I think your tree in your logo is fabulous!
Jennifer, thanks!! I’ve actually been following you on Twitter FOREVER!! I LOVE your lists!
What a sweet blog! Pleased to meet you.
Cxx
Clair thanks for stopping by I’m pleased to meet you too!
Hi there! here from UBP! your blog is perfect for me! LOL can you say FACEBOOK FAN? – im officially yours! :
xoxo
Thanks for visiting!! I just checked out & fanned your Facebook too!!
Your daughter is beautiful
Hopping over from the UBP to say hi, but you already know I love ya!
Kas
Hi! Stopping by from the UBP 🙂 You have a lovely family and tons of good info here on your blog.
I’m your newest follower!
This is our 6th year to homeschool. I keep adding more kids and making my workload harder : ) lol Enjoy the party!
new follower via the blog party…loving your blog!!
Stopping by from UBP11 – thanks for sponsoring a prize!
New follower – nice to meet you and your family. I’m trying to learn how to tighten our budget…making some progress and actually paying off some debt AND building savings! 🙂
your kids are beautiful. I’ve been here before but sometime UBP is great for getting to know someone better, sort of from the beginning again!
Stopping by from UBP11. Hope you’ll stop by mine when you get a chance. Looking forward to read more from you in the future.
Stopping by from the UBP! It’s always great to find another homeschooler, Christian, and deal hound! I signed up for your email feed and look forward to reading more!
Following you from UBP11! I look forward to your deals and tips!
What a great blog. In from UBP and will be following now
Have a blessed weekend
Hi, from the UBP and frugal students. Thanks for a link to your favorite posts, I may try that next year. I don’t plan to homeschool my (future) kids, because I don’t have the patience but I want to have them learn spanish at home and find something else they find interesting and learn it as well because school can be boring and I don’t want learning to be as well. What is the hardest part about teaching your own kids?
Stopping by from the party and MomDot to say hi! 🙂 Happy Friday to you! 🙂
Your family is really a great family. I just wish your daughter and son will graduate college with flying colors! My daughter and sons will just start pre school this coming year and I am so excited about it. By the way, if you want more traffic to your website, you can use the service I got from advancedwebads that provides unlimited banner impressions and click services for a flat rate fee a month.
Hello! Stopping by from UBP 2011. Love your blog
New follower from UBP!! Great blog! Hope you can stop by and return the follow 🙂
Love your blog! You are one busy lady!
Awe, I agree. Your kids have sweet faces!
you DO have a beautiful family!! I hope you have fun blog hopping, I’m always amused by it.
Your family is just beautiful! I got all sentimental seeing your photos of the kids as little and then now – it makes me realize how quickly my boys will grow up!
Christi ~ Thanks so much for replying to this question!!
Hey – I’m not new but wanted to say Hey 🙂
I am a new follower from the Ultimate Blog Party!!! Nice to meet you!!
Sarah
what a gorgeous family!! My husband is a builder too; it’s nice to have someone around who can slap things together in a jiffy! Party on!
Stopping by from from the UBP – love your site! Just entered the Progresso giveaway – so fun!
Happy partying!
Stoppin in from UPB11! Wow you cover a lot! I’ll be staying tuned for new tips and tricks! 🙂 AND you have a beautiful family!
Wow. Beautiful family! This is my first year at the blog party. I’m in the midst of preparing my post as I just found out about the party lol. Love the blog here and I stalk you everywhere haha. Happy April Fool’s and hope you have a great weekend!
BK
Met you through the blog party,Nice to meet you family.I dont have a blog but love to read others . Glad I found your site.signed up for email updates. I have two daughters.One is 16 and the other is married and is 23.Been married for 24 years. Love to read , craft and cook also love to shop and save money.
Stopping by from UBP! Nice to meet you. I look forward to reading more!! Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Stopping from the UBP ’11. I love that you cover so many different areas! Saving can mean so many different things.
I am your newest fan from the Ultimate Blog Party 2011. I would really appreciate it if you follow me back through Google Connect Friend. I have a lot of contest going on Madame Deals. $25 amazon gift card, Vera Bradley purse, $100 in jewelry, 200 cut coupons, bare minerals gift pack, $30 for an organic outfit, $75 P&G products, and the chance to win $1000. Thank you Amee
Stopping by from MomDot and the UBP! Wow, #2 spot, good for you! Have fun partying. 🙂
I also like you on facebook barb g.
It’s party time cute family.
Stopping by from the Ultimate Blog Party! What an awesome blog you have! And such a great looking family too. Looking forward to taking a closer look around your blog. Feel free to visit me at Ramblings of a Stay-at-home Mom. I’m on Twitter and Facebook too!
Hi, I’ve been following you on Twitter for a while. I really enjoyed getting to “meet” you and your family at this Ultimate Blog Party 2011. SandwichINK has a give away as well – an Amazon gift certificate. Have fun with the par-tay!
Stopping by from the Ultimate Blog Party 2011!
I of course already read your blog!
Stopping by from the UPB11. Wow, you certainly wrote a lot more than I! 😉 You have a lovely family!
Have a great weekend!
Kristie, I found you via the UBP Christian blogs list. It would seem that you and I have a number of things in common. We homeschooled for 5 years – grades 3-7. We put them back in public school in 8th grade. We have two teenagers. Michael is a thinker/analytical member of our family. He is 17. Lauren is our social butterfly. She is stubborn and hilarious. She is 16. They are both juniors in high school.
Anyway, I look forward to getting to know you now that I’ve “met” you here. Swing by the party at my place any time. I have a giveaway every day during the party.
Happy partying!
Pam
Wow – graduating….well done mom, teacher, lunch maker, everything! We are in our 6th year of homeschooling. I look down the road and wonder what graduation will feel like when it gets here!
I am a Twitter follower already! Hope you have an awesome #UBP11!
You totally don’t look old enough to have kids as old as they are! Beautiful family & great blog!
Let’s get the party started 🙂 I had a ton of fun last year as well and am sure this year will be no different (maybe only better! Haha!)
Love the pictures … your children are beautiful!!
Hi! Nice to meet you! You sure do have a gorgeous family. I look forward to reading more from you blog! I can always use some saving $ tips!! I am an awful budget-er!
Happy UBP11!
Emily
Family and Life in Las Vegas
Hi,
Blog hop from UBP 2011. My name is Juliana. Nice to meet you and see you around.
Hi there – just stopping by to say hi as part of the party route. Enjoy the party.
You have a beautiful family! We are in our 6th year of homeschooling, but we still have many more to go. I just followed you on twitter. Need all the money saving tips I can get!
aww beautiful family 😀
stopping by from the UBP 😀 Hope you have a great weekend!
So nice to meet you! It sounds like our husbands would get along quite well! He is a hunt, fish, camp, builder/handy kinda guy too – and he loves Gander Mountain/Bass Pro/Cabelas! He’s had to put that hobby on hold while we live over here in Germany with the Army – but I’m sure he’ll dive right back in when we move back Stateside!
Thank you for sharing! I look forward to getting to know you better! 🙂
Hello! Lovely Blog :)!! It is very nice to meet you and I’m super excited for this week !
What a beautiful family you have… can’t wait to look around your site some more!
joy & blessings,
Alida
Love this. So glad to have found it.
You are a lucky Mama! Beautiful family.
Nice to meet you. Enjoy the party!!
You have a gorgeous family! Nice to ‘meet’ you. You might want to ‘meet’ mine too. 😀
I always think that you homeschooling parents are so incredibly brave. I always wanted to be homeschooled, but it never worked out for me. And I’ve thought about it with my daughter, but she is crazy driven by socialization and LOVES her time away from home at preschool. I’m looking forward to learning more about you and your family, as well as tips on how to save!
I’m stopping over from the UBP! We are in our 15th year of homeschooling, my oldest graduated last May and is now a sophomore in college! Best wishes on your homeschooling journey.
oh time goes so fast! You have a beautiful family! I just started couponing, haven’t gotten to the point where I just spend $4 on $400 worth of groceries yet, but one day! LOL nice to meet you!!! Happy partying!!
I enjoyed getting to know you and meeting your family. Love your blog, lots of great resources. Have fun this week!
Nice to meet you! This is my first time joining in!
Thanks for stopping by, this is going to be sooo much fun!!
So glad to “meet” you!! Heading to explore the rest of your blog right now!! Hope you have tons of fun this week!! 🙂
Nice to meet another frugal mama! We sound alot alike. I too like to save some cents. Enjoy the Ultimate Blog Party, it is always a great week.
You have a beautiful family! Can’t wait to roam around some more!
Thanks so much for stopping by!