Jill Cataldo


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GIVEAWAY: Win a TRVL Large Utility Tote!

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored by JillCataldo.com. I purchased a TRVL Large Utility Tote at Meijer for purposes of this giveaway. All opinions about this product are my own.

UPDATE: Giveaway has ended! The winner is Iamthatgirl!

Super-Couponers, summer’s right around the corner (despite these 50-degree Midwest days, we hope it is, anyway!) and one of my favorite bags to use to tote all things summertime around is this TRVL Large Utility Tote.

Last year, I was having “bag envy” when I saw this style of bag being carried around by my parent peers, especially other moms at our local pool. These utility totes are huge, almost the size of a laundry basket, and they have a wire frame to hold themselves open in a box shape. This style has been popularized by an in-home bag party brand, but this version (from Meijer) actually has a few improvements on the original — a Velcro pocket inside to securely hold keys, a wallet, or other small items; and two end pockets too.

I have used this bag for everything. At the pool, I no longer carrying a separate cooler, tote bag, snack bag and purse all looped over one arm. Everything goes in the tote! We’ve taken it camping with us, and it holds a lot of gear (it came with us on the RV trip we just took!) It is the perfect bag for any occasion in which you’ve got to take a bunch of bulky items with you in a neat, organized way.

And now I’ve got one for a lucky reader! Want to win this TRVL Large Utility Tote? To enter, simply post a reply in the comments! Why not share what you’ll carry in this tote? This giveaway begins today, May 15, 2014, and runs for one week. The giveaway will end on May 21, 2013 at 11:59pm CST, and on May 22, one winner will be chosen via a random number generator!

What will you put in your utility tote? Here’s mine loaded for a day at the pool!

Legal: This giveaway is sponsored by JillCataldo.com. Responding to this post with a comment qualifies readers to enter. Duplicate posts do not increase chances of winning. The contest began at midnight CST on May 15, 2014 and will end at 11:59pm CST on May 21, 2014. One winner will be chosen via random-number generator on May 22, 2014 and announced the same day. Winner will receive one TRVL Large Utility Tote as shown above. Prizes, information, and giveaway have been provided by JillCataldo.com. I purchased a TRVL Large Utility Tote at Meijer for purposes of this giveaway. Winner will be contacted via the Private Messaging feature of JillCataldo.com and via email. If a winner does not reply to the message within 48 hours of notification, that winner will forfeit the prize and a new winner will be chosen. Fulfillment will be handled by JillCataldo.com. Giveaway is only open to residents of the United States. Odds of winning are determined by number of eligible entries received. Good luck to everyone!

Comments

  2. This would be perfect for a day at the beach with my little one! I could carry everything I need all in one bag…towels, swim diapers, snacks, sunscreen, you name it! Our family would definitely enjoy this!! Thanks for a chance to win!

  4. My family loves going to Magic Waters in the Summer. It would be nice to be able to carry everything in one tote rather than in multiple backpacks and a cooler.

  7. This looks VERY much like the in home party bags, even the print. LOVE IT!!! I’m like u were, cooler, toys bag, towel bags all carried in. This would make it much easier to make it to the pool. THANKS! LOVE your Kiss attire and towels BTW!

  8. would love this. we lug everything for our small picnics (snacks drinks, blankets, coats, umbrellas) this would def. make it easier

  11. The pool , the beach, little kids sporting events, the zoo, park, car organizer, grocery bag organizer for back of the car….. The list goes on and on!

  12. We take weekly trips to the library, and I’m always lugging around piles of books, DVDs, CD’s, video games, etc. This bag would be great to hold all that stuff, and it looks plenty sturdy to hold the weight.

  13. I am always envious when I see people with these at the pool or at the park. I would take this camping.

  14. I would love to have this bag. It is stylish and great for all my stuff. Thanks for the chance to win this.

  15. I would use this bag for the beach. It is perfect for towels, sunscreen and sand toys.

  16. My mom is in a nursing home and I am constantly hauling clean clothes, dirty clothes, and any thing else she needs. This bag looks like it has a lot of other uses too! Thanks for the chance to win it.

  17. I just started a job with my mother in law and when I bring my kiddos I have three bags holding lunches, diaper stuff and finally my work supplies. I would loooove to have just one big bag to carry it all!

  19. Wait! That’s not the same old one you’d been using?! Just kidding! :)
    I’d love it for our long across the USA driving trip we have coming up. Thanks!

  20. I’d LOVE this bag. I’d use it in the car to corral all the items that seem to be so important to have there but always seem to be in the way.

  21. I would use it to pack all the food we take to our cottage a few times a year. Once there we would use it for all our beach stuff when we go down to the lake.

  24. I would put towels, drinks, snacks, and whatever else I would need for the beach!

  27. Perfect for collecting stray children’s items in the car…shoes, coats, toys, etc

  28. I try to limit my shopping trips to one a week to save gas since I live out in the country. It would be so much easier to unload my weekly haul if I had a bag like this to put it all in. Thanks for the opportunity to win this tote.

  29. It would be my pool and beach bag if the weather ever gets warm enough to go to either one!

  33. I’d use mine to tote all those amazing snack bargains I’ve picked up on our camping trip!

  35. I love to have a variety of Tote Bags around. Depending on the size, I can carry everything needed for trips to the park, lake, or any venture taken with the grandkids. They range from 11yrs to 14mths so alot of variety is needed. Extra clothes, food, and toys. You name it, and Grandma has it!! Thanks for thinking of us!!

  36. I love totes! I put on a scrapbook weekend twice a year, and this would come in very handy to tote some of my raffle prizes or works in progress! Thanks for the chance to win it:-)

  46. Hi, I would use this bag in my car for trips. We always pack a bag of things to do and eat on long drives. It’s so pretty too!

  50. I would use it to store our family’s lifevests and equipment for our jetskis!

  51. I’m back in school again at Judson in the MBA program. Love it! The class members pair up and rotate bringing in food for all in attendance (14 people). This tote bag would be outstanding for carrying in all the meal fixins!

  52. We babysit our 2yr old triplet grandchildren so this would be great as the summer approaches and we do more outdoor activities with them.

  54. Since my 2 kids think I am their personal pack mule, there is an endless list of what this bag would hold! Soccer, dance, band, beach, camping, wow… I’m tired and summer hasn’t even started!

  56. Seems like this one would hold everything, including our flat screen tv…. Just kidding! But would be very handy to bring to the pool. :)

  57. Love this tote! It would be perfect for lugging all my stuff that needs to come with me during my kids softball tournaments: cooler, snacks, sun protection, lawn blanket and lots of activities to help keep my youngest child entertained!

  58. I would use it for ALDI trips and for snacks in the car while on vacation!

  63. Would love to use this tote for the beach to haul all 4 kids’ toys and towels with snacks around!

  64. I would probably use this to schlep my laundry to get washed … great shape for folded clothes.

  65. Could use this bag all summer, fall, winter, spring, to bring all kinds of stuff with.

  66. Yep, I have bag envy, too. I am dreaming about all the stuff I can put in it.

  68. I was just looking for something to put the sports equipment in in my car trunk to easily remove it when I need to go grocery shopping! Would love a durable Tote.

  69. With the plastic bag ban this would be really useful in getting groceries!

  71. I have been dreaming of owning one of these totes. They are really nice and I would use the tote to carry around all the summer pool/beach items this summer.

  74. I would love this bag. I have 3 under 5 and carrying 4 different bags all the time is a bit much. This would make my life more convenient.

  76. I love the colors & design of the bag. Perfect for going to the beach, pool, water park, etc. I can put towels, change of clothes, sunscreen bottle, snacks and drinks. Hope I win it!

  78. This tote is exactly what I have been looking for. I would put it to good use hauling things to my son in college when we visit him.

  81. I have the one from the “in home party” but it doesn’t have any pockets. I would love this one! Fun giveaway!

  82. I love totes and bags. I would probably use it when I go as a car organizer for car trips. It would be a nice way to hold drinks, snacks, napkins, a blanket or two, and CDs for the trip all in one location.

  85. This is such a great bag. I can see using this going to the pool or picnics this summer with the family. Would make a great bag for Christmas time to, bringing home all the kids presents.

  86. cute bag..great for beach towels and supplies or/and even a picnic tote!

  88. I like yours. We are going to Myrtle Beach this year and I would probably use your idea. :)

  89. I had a similar bag once but it finally wore out and now would like a replacement, plus the color matches the interior of my car.

  91. It seems like when we go to a hotel there are always a lot of little things that don’t go in the suitcase. We end up using a lot of grocery bags. This would be way better.

  92. What wouldn’t I use it for? Soccer, Swimming Lessons, Gymnastics, Baseball, Pool, Beach Vacation, BBQs!

  94. I would love to win this. I would keep all of the stuff that tends to roll around in my car organized and clean!

  96. I would use it to carry all that stuff we “NEED” to take to the beach. LOL

  97. This tote looks perfect for packing up stuff for a day out with the kids! There looks like there is enough room for toys, lunch bags, etc.

  98. I would use this for everything from work, picnics, going to the pool, overnight outings and much more.

  99. Been following you for years. Thanks for all the great tips! The one splurge is my weekly visit to the farmers market. This bag would be a perfect way to bring home awesome fresh and organic veggies!!

  102. I love these totes and use them for carrying class supplies for cardmaking classes that I teach. They make for easy packing for weekend getaways too. I can’t have enough of these bags!

  103. This tote would be so handy to carry around everything my 3 children need on day trips!

  104. I would love to carry our swim gear in this great bag for a fun day at the pool or on the boat! Happy summer!

  109. I would love one of these wonderful bags – and today’s my birthday! Wouldn’t that be cool?

  110. I have this black and white pattern in my kitchen. Rugs, towels, lamp shade. I love it! Thanks, Jill!

  112. I’m sure I’d find a very different use for it.

    Is there a picture of this somewhere? In that rare chance that I don’t win, I might be interested in one.

  113. I have been looking for a good beach bag–and this looks like it would fit the bill! Although I need a new church bag too! hmm ;)

  114. Love this bag! I would use it for our trips up to Door County. In the summer, I could use it to hold beach towels and in the winter, I could use it to hold snow pants and boots ;)

  115. What a great style bag! I have seen these too and wondered where people are getting them!

jillcataldoheadshotI'm Jill Cataldo, founder of Super-Couponing® workshops and author of the nationally-syndicated newspaper column and video series "Super-Couponing Tips" enjoyed by over 20 million people each week.

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