Working from home most definitely has its advantages. Easy commutes, no dress code (heck, pajamas are actually encouraged) and no co-workers stealing your lunch. Not to mention the money-saving advantages like tax write-offs and filling up the car with gas maybe once every few weeks. But even still, there are things I do miss about not working in a "real" office. Tops on that list? Lunch.

No, I haven't given up eating lunch since I've been working from home, but lunch was more than just cramming food in your mouth for sustenance. It's a social gathering. Heck, my co-workers and I would spend hours every morning deciding which horrible fast food place we'd hit that day for lunch. That was the highlight of my morning. Followed by the actual mass exodus at lunch, and the inevitable "did we really just eat that?" regret upon our return. Ah, the memories.

But even better than just regular lunch, was a special lunch. Mainly, when a new employee was hired. It was always tradition to take out the "new guy" on his first day. Get to know him, make him feel welcome, show him a good place to eat, etc. And of course, since it was a "new guy," the company would end up paying for it. Nice long, free lunch. Yeah, that was living it. And at my old company, we went through a lot of hirings back in the day, let me tell ya.

Which brings me to the present. I don't have any free lunches to offer, but I do have a "new guy" to tell you about. Actually, it's a "new gal." I'm happy to annouce that we've got a new member of the Ultimate Coupons Team. She's going to be helping me out here on the Everybody Loves Coupons blog, bringing you tales of her own life, as well as those ever-popular coupons.

So who is this mystery woman? Her name's Barb and she's not only a moderator in the coupon forum over at FamilyCorner.com, but she's a blogger as well, busting her writing chops over at Mom's Fridge (chock full of yummy sounding recipes like Chicken Fajita Soup!) and her personal blog SFO Mom. She's also got her mind and finger on the budget pulse, as she feeds her family of five. A great personable writing style and affection for coupons? Yeah, she should fit right in here at EverybodyLovesCoupons. So please give Barb a big warm welcome, and be on the lookout for her very first post real soon. Welcome aboard, Barb!

COUPON CORNER:

All this talk about food has me hungry. Granted, I'm always hungry. But rather than post more food coupons, I'll play up the office angle and offer some great coupons for office supplies!

10% off online orders over $50 at 123Inkjets.com
Use coupon code ULTIMATE10.
Expires: December 31, 2008
Not valid on OEM cartridges, memory, or media items.

$5 off online orders over $50 at FranklinCovey
Use Promotion Code 18371.
Valid through: January 31, 2009
Offer is not valid on prior purchases, purchase of gift cards, electronic devices/accessories, kits, Build Your Own System, workshops, workshop materials, purchase of nondiscountable products, or with corporate, GSA, volume, Quixtar, or other discounts. Not valid on sale/outlet/clearance items.

15% off your order at OfficeDepot.com
Use this link and enter Referral ID/Coupon Code 10704167.
Valid through: November 10, 2008
Excludes most technology items. This offer is limited to one per customer and is valid for one-time use on delivery-only orders placed online. Valid on in-stock items only. Not valid for purchases: 1) by contract customers with Store Purchasing or Procurement Cards; 2) from www.techdepot.com; 3) of Gift Cards; 4) of any technology items (including but not limited to all computers, monitors, printing machines, networking, peripherals, cameras, memory, software); 5) of postage stamps; 6) of product protection plans; 7) of HP ink and toner products; 8 ) of wireless, satellite, internet, technology and installation or mailing, shipping or third party services. Cannot be combined with other "dollars off" or "percent off" coupons.

Up to $150 off select Epson printers at Staples.com
Use this link to view eligible items.
Valid through: November 1, 2008
While supplies last. Valid online only.

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