Sent from reader, Renee:

My daughter is graduating from college. We were going to give her money and a card, but I wanted to give her something special too. I have seen the 52 Reasons I Love You done with a deck of cards, so I thought I’d make a 52 Reasons You Will Succeed instead. It was easy, but time-consuming to make, and turned out cute.

You measure a template to cover the center of the cards, print out your sayings (I numbered mine too), and glue everything onto each card. The holes are punched 1/2 inch, and 1 inch from the top and bottom. I bought the rings at Michaels, and the lady in front of me gave me her coupon that she didn’t use, so all I paid was $1.27 after 40% off. I had all the other materials on hand. Now my daughter will always have a list of 52 of her best characteristics to view, and hopefully it will put a smile on her face!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Gigi:

My husband is a first year teacher and I know first hand how much work they do for such little pay. I wanted to put together nice teacher appreciation gifts this year but knew I didn’t have a lot of money to work with, so I started “couponing my way to a good gift” way back in the fall. We made these cute little “spa” bags with this poem (printed in “chalkboard” font) attached:

We’ve got to “hand” it to you…This has been one great year! Close to our hearts… We will hold you near! You deserve a BIG bonus… Or at least a spa day! But we can’t give you either… Not on our pay (lol)! So take what’s in this bag… Get pampered & just sit back! You’ve done a nice job… There is nothing you lack!

I had enough stuff to make 3 bags that included everything you need for an at-home spa day! Most of the stuff was free but I calculated they only cost me less than $2 each to make! It made me feel good to be able to thank the teachers for all they do without breaking the bank!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Mary:

I wanted to share a story with you that taught me (and maybe will teach your readers) a little lesson.

My 86 year-old mother needed a new pair of shoes; she wanted to go to Kohl’s, so off we went. She has trouble walking, so she found a seat in the shoe department, and I went to see if I could find something comfortable and appropriate for a woman her age. I picked out a couple of pairs in her size and showed them to her. She liked the white sandals, but looked at the box and saw that they were marked $59. (I forgot to mention earlier that my mom also has hearing difficulty, and her hearing aid is not working).

So when she griped about the price, I said (very loudly, so she could hear me), “IT’S OKAY!!! THEY’RE ON SALE AND I HAVE A COUPON!!!” A senior citizen in the aisle came up to us and commented that my mother has “personality” and wondered about my coupon. The department manager behind us chuckled at the scene. After feeling frustrated all morning because I felt like I was yelling at my mom, I realized the value of patience, and humor, and coupons We not only bought the shoes, but I shared my coupon with the senior in the aisle. It’s the little things in life that count.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Sarah:

My family of four lives outside of Boston, Massachusetts. Last week was a devastating, terrifying, and heart-wrenching week due to the Boston bombings. Our hearts and thoughts go out to all of the victims of the tragedy. It was a sleepless, scary, and cold, rainy week here. My husband and I were up late at night, concerned for family.

My Happy Friday picture is of my girls playing in the yard yesterday on the first warm day we’ve had since the tragedy. We finally feel a sense of calm, and closure. The sun is shining, the streets are re-opening, and the flowers are beginning to bloom. We pulled out the magic markers, and some boxes from the recycling bins, and we had two yard-worthy boats that the girls loved playing in. We loved being outside in the sunshine, and using our imaginations to have a great time. Last week gave me a reminder to take advantage of the simple things in life like boxes and sunshine, and to give my loved ones an extra squeeze in the day. Carry on Boston!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Megan:

Our 3rd baby boy was born 2.5 months early in November. In spite of all that we went through over the course of his 11 weeks in the NICU, we are so blessed to have him. I breastfed my other 2 boys and wanted to provide this new little miracle with the same start, so I began pumping as soon as possible after the emergency c-section. At first the baby was on IV nourishment and when he started getting my milk through an oral-gastric tube it was less than a teaspoon each day.

Although I was initially concerned that I wouldn’t be able to establish an adequate milk supply using only a pump, I soon filled up the freezer at my house…and then the industrial size freezer in the NICU! When I realized that I would need somewhere to put all that milk when our baby was discharged, I began exploring options other than throwing it all away. My mom sent me a link to a milk bank in California that uses human milk to make a milk fortifier for premature babies in the NICU. I decided to go through the process of becoming a milk donor (blood testing, DNA profiling..etc) for the milk bank in California as well as for one in Texas and was able to donate over 1,621 ounces of milk that would have otherwise been tossed.

All costs were covered by the milk banks. The milk bank in California even sent me $300 for “breast pump reimbursement” and donated $1 to Make a Wish Foundation for every ounce that I donated. Being able to donate my excess milk helped me look outside of my own crisis as well as give me something to feel good about as I left the hospital day after day without my baby. I’m happy to report that my 3 lb 2 oz preemie has grown into my milk supply and now weighs close to 11 lbs!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Lisa:

When I saw this, I immediately thought of all my friends at Hip2Save and I had to share it with you.

When I came home from work today, I found a note my 8-year-old son left me on the counter. It reads “I finish the coupons. I am happy I can help. Austin” On top of the note, he placed all the coupons he cut out that I had printed the day before. I have never asked him to cut the coupons for me because I never thought he was aware of all my couponing (he has disabilities). It just melted my heart he was “hape to help”, and of course it is for something I just love to do….Couponing!!!

Thank you for letting me share this with you! I thought this was the sweetest thing ever.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Susan:

I just wanted to share the Easter baskets I will be gifting to my four teenaged sisters-in-law on Sunday. Most of the items are from deals I found on your site – so thank you! Here’s the breakdown:

* 3 pack socks from Foot Locker – FREE – buy one get one free, originally $9.99 a set, purchased with $20 Foot Locker Rewards card sent when I registered to be a rewards member (the youngest sister is getting a pair from Miss Matched instead, purchased on clearance at Michael’s – $1.99, originally $11.99!)
* Almay Make-Up Remover Wipes – free with in-store and manufacturer’s coupons from Walgreens, originally $5.99
* Personalized journals from Minted.com – free with credits, paid $1.25 to ship each, originally $16
* Matching pens – Michael’s, $1, originally $2, so half-price!
* Head massagers – Amazon deal, $1 each – now $1.85 (and MUCH more pricey at other stores!)
* Sally Hansen nail polish – CVS deal, originally $3.19, paid $1.32 each
* Ulta bath/shower/hair Smoothies – originally $4, paid $2.13 after coupon and rewards
* Flip-flops – $2.10 a pair from Silkies.com deal, originally $7
* Chocolate eggs from World Market, about $1 per basket (10% off a large bag, on sale for $7.99, originally priced at $9.99)

I also purchased the baskets for 10% off at World Market, and will reuse them each year, so even though they were also a great deal (not only were they 10% off, they came with Easter grass, a cello bag, and gift tag) I considered them an investment at $4.49 each.

So, the contents of each basket, if purchased WITHOUT deals, would have cost over $50. With all of these “Hip” deals, each basket was only $9.80! I was able to even pick out items in their favorite colors and in their individual styles. It seems the older our kiddos get, the more expensive the things they like. In this case, I think they’ll all be thrilled with the goodies – and I’m thrilled to have gotten such fabulous deals!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Dawn:

My 11-year-old daughter has been doing Irish dance since she was 5 and absolutely loves it—she dances at the highest level as an Open Champion. BUT, like any other competitive dance/sport, it can be VERY expensive! We are in a constant flux of buying Hardshoes, Ghillies (soft shoes), Wigs, Tiaras, the Dress (sewn by a local seamstress to save) and of course the monthly Tuition and Competition fees/travel plus many other “extras”, and you can see we spend a nice chunk of “Green” on Irish Dance—all of which I can never use a “coupon” for or rarely find a “sale” on, although we DO look for used Irish dance items when we can.

SO…..I truly HAVE to shop daily with Coupons and Sales, visit Thrift stores for clothing, use Craigslist and KSL.com, share and receive on Freecycle and with friends/neighbors, enter/win Contests/Sweepstakes, and often simply Do Without to help there be enough every Paycheck for what we absolutely NEED (food, gas, rent money) so that we can also pay for things like her dance that we WANT. In addition, my boys do competitive gymnastics and our family cleans 3 nights a week at their Gym in exchange for their monthly tuition. We are NOT rich people and this isn’t easy, but we are proof that saving in all other ways can help us pay for and enjoy what we choose. I also feel my kiddos are learning good lessons from us about working hard, saving, spending and just “doing without” other things so they can continue learning awesome skills….like Irish Dance!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Tera:

With St. Patrick’s Day coming up, my girlfriend and I decided to have a little silly fun celebrating our inner Irish by making leprechaun mustache straws and homemade shamrock shakes.

I picked up these cute green and white striped paper straws on Amazon.com, but you could use any green straws you happen to have around. Just cut a mustache shape from orange paper–I printed out some mustache clip art for inspiration–then cut two slits for the straw to slip through.

We used our Leprechaun mustaches to drink yummy homemade shamrock shakes. To make your own, blend together 4 c. vanilla ice cream, 1 t. vanilla extract, 1/4 t peppermint extract (more or less to taste), and enough milk to make it the consistency you want–I used about a cup. Add some green food color and enjoy!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.

Sent from reader, Samantha:

Last year, my mother started mentioning how she couldn’t believe she was going to be 50. So, around the time you posted the first Depends sample, it gave me an idea. I wanted to make sure she was well prepared for 50. It took about 9 months in the making, but with the help of your site, between samples, in store deals, and coupons I was able to equip her with an over-the-hill-survival kit and gifts with a value of over $85 that I paid about $3 (mostly coupon tax) to put together. She was a good sport, too. After about 20 minutes of nonstop laughter, she thanked me for the thoughtfulness and the stuff she could use.
Thank you, for all the time you put into your site. It helped provide me with means to give my mother a memorable and fantastic milestone birthday.

P.S. Pictured are the contents of the kit, plus a bottle of twilight woods (her favorite), a vitamin book, Robin Mcgraw’s book, a personalized card, and a certificate for a free blonde roast (her favorite) all free w/ coupons and deals, but priceless.

HAPPY FRIDAY!

Do you have a funny, “Hip”, or unique photo to share?! Email us at happyfriday@hip2save(dot)com. Every Friday, I will post one photo, submitted by you and/or another Hip2Save reader, that gives us a glimpse into your frugal lifestyle or simply makes us smile. If your photo is published on Hip2Save, we’ll email you a $10 Amazon e-card!

** Check out all of the previous Happy Friday pictures here.