Hurry and grab one of these Riddy Insect Monitor Traps!
You can get a Riddy Insect Monitor Trap (2 pack) for free! Just add it to your cart and it will be free at checkout with free shipping.

Get your house cleaned up and ready to ENJOY in just TWO hours!
Published: by Gretchen on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Hurry and grab one of these Riddy Insect Monitor Traps!
You can get a Riddy Insect Monitor Trap (2 pack) for free! Just add it to your cart and it will be free at checkout with free shipping.
Published: by Gretchen on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
If you have a Target Circle account, don’t miss this HOT offer!
Calling all Target Circle members! You can get a FREE 3-month subscription to Peacock Premium right now!
This is a hot deal and a great time to try out Peacock.
Valid through April 29, 2025.
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Want some creative ideas to help your teen earn their own money? Download this free list of 10 Genius Side Hustles for Teens that no one is talking about!
Most teens only hear about the same few money-making ideas (hello babysitting and lawn mowing!), but there are SO many other creative (and higher-paying!) ways for them to earn — and build real-world skills while they’re at it. That’s why I created this free download with 10 Genius Side Hustles for Teens.
Whether your teen is saving for something big, wants to start learning financial independence, or just loves a good challenge — this list will help get the wheels turning!
As a mom of 6 (including 2 teens and a college student!), I’ve seen firsthand how valuable it is to encourage teens to start earning early. Not only does it teach them the value of a dollar — it sets them up for long-term success.
When you download this FREE list of side hustle ideas, your teen will discover:
If you’ve ever thought, “I want to help my teen earn money… I just don’t know where to start!” — this freebie is for you (and them!).
Learning how to earn money is about so much more than just a few extra dollars — it’s about helping your teen step into their potential. These side hustles build essential life skills (like confidence, communication, time management, and goal-setting)!
Let’s help your teen learn some SMART ways to earn their own money!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
I have been working on a new product to help those who find it hard to save money or who feel like you just don’t know what to prioritize when it comes to saving money.
And I’d love your help!
If you find saving money challenging, would you take an anonymous survey sharing honestly about why you struggle with it, what is hardest about it, and what your road blocks and hang-ups to saving money are? This will help me be able to better create a product to serve you and help you!
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I know saving money can feel overwhelming, confusing, or even downright impossible at times — especially when life is busy and budgets are tight. This quick survey will help me understand what you’re walking through so I can create something that truly helps. Thanks for being honest — there’s no shame here, only support and practical hope!
Click here to take the survey.
Thank you so much!! Truly!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
If you saw my post on my goals for 2025, you’ll know that I’m doing monthly goals instead of yearly goals this year. So I didn’t set an overall reading goal for 2025, but I am planning to set monthly goals.

For March, my goal was to finish 6 books and I’m thrilled to report that I finished 6 books! And I finished a fiction book (and I’m over halfway through another!!)
My sister gently encouraged me to just try reading a little fiction every day before bed. Pretty soon, not only was I regularly doing that, but I’ve usually been finding a few little pockets throughout the day to get a little more reading in! I’ve been loving it and it’s been so good for my brain and my soul!
Each month, I plan to share reviews on the books I finished the month before since many of you have begged for me to bring back my book posts here on the blog. I’ll also be sharing more about what I’m reading in real-time over on Instagram stories, on the podcast, and in my personal email newsletter.

The Frozen River — This was a really interesting historical novel based upon a true story. I found it heartbreaking to hear how women didn’t have much of a voice at all during this time period. If you enjoy historical fiction, I definitely recommend this book.
How Great is Our God — I read this devotional aloud to the younger kids and they LOVED it!! It’s fascinating and really captured their attention. Definitely recommended if you have kids who like science!
Building True Intimacy — I read this in preparation for a podcast interview and loved that it challenged me — especially when it comes to my long-held belief that a strong marriage requires compromise. The authors make a case for why compromise actually hurts marriage and relationships in the long run and what to do instead. I have a podcast episode dropping soon where we discuss this, plus many more things they shared in their book!
The Fight For Us – Yes! I read two marriage books this month. Both were in prep for podcast episodes, but I said yes to the podcast interviews because I needed the encouragement. This is an area that I really want to grow in this year because I feel like, after 23 years of marriage, I’ve gotten into ruts that are unhealthy and am working to get out of those and build healthier rhythms and patterns. This book deeply impacted my life and I will likely be sharing more soon on the podcast — once I have some time to process it more with Jesse. And look for an upcoming episode where I get to sit down and ask some honest questions of the authors!
You’re Not Too Late – Rebecca George was a new-to-me author, but I was so blessed by reading her words and getting to interview her on the podcast. If you’re feeling like you are left behind, left out, or late to your life, I think this book and our podcast episode together will encourage you.
Celebrating Around the Table – I loved getting to know Trillia a little bit when she came for her podcast episode. She is so kind and wise and my conversation with her is a podcast episode I believe everyone will be challenged and encouraged by listening to. Her book guides you through history lessons and devotionals and provides yummy recipes to help you celebrate Black Christians.
For those who ask when I read: I always have a few books going at once and I usually read a chapter or two of a Christian inspiration book + a business book every morning. Then, my goal is to read a fiction/story-driven book for at least 15 minutes at night.

Let me help you set, track, and actually accomplish your goals this year!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
If you’re wondering how to make homemade mayo, I found the perfect recipe and it was ridiculously EASY! It turned out SO good!

Earlier this year, I added “Make Homemade Mayo” to my 12 Things to Attempt in 2025 list. It felt a sort of random at the time, but it’s one of those skills I’ve wanted to try for a long time. It seemed like it couldn’t be too hard to do and it was something outside my usual kitchen skills.
And guess what? I tried it, and it worked!
Once I decided to try making mayo from scratch, I did what most of us do — I searched online for a recipe that felt doable. That’s when I stumbled across this article and recipe from Inspired Taste. It promised creamy, fresh-tasting mayo in just a few minutes using ingredients I already had on hand.
I figured I had nothing to lose, so I pulled out my food processor.

This homemade mayo recipe I found has just a few ingredients:
You’ll also need a food processor or something similar to mix everything up but you can prepare a batch of homemade mayo pretty quickly. (Many people highly recommend using an immersion blender for homemade mayo but my little food processor worked just fine!)
One of the big things this recipe emphasized was something called emulsification. If you’re like me and hadn’t heard of that before, here’s the short version: It’s the process of blending two things that don’t normally mix, like oil and vinegar or oil and egg, into a smooth, thick, uniform sauce. In this case, it’s what turns your runny ingredients into fluffy, creamy mayo.
The first few minutes of making it, I honestly thought I had messed up. I slowly drizzled in the oil just like the recipe said, but it didn’t seem like anything was happening. But then, little by little, the texture changed. It started to whip and thicken… and suddenly I had actual mayonnaise!
(Note: It would be easier to have a food processor that has a spout at the top that you can drizzle the oil through while still blending. But I just used what I had — my food processor doesn’t have a spout — and it meant I had to keep taking the lid off, adding a tiny bit of oil, putting the lid back on, and so on and so forth. It worked, but it definitely wasn’t very efficient!)


One thing I did differently from the original recipe was use a farm-fresh egg and a dollop of mustard, which gave it a lovely yellow hue and a rich, tangy flavor. It was definitely more vibrant than the mayo you buy at the store, and I think that made it even more fun… er, maybe some people would say weird. (My husband was like, “What is THAT in the fridge?” But then he was very impressed when I told him I’d made homemade mayo!)
Some people might prefer the neutral color and flavor of store-bought brands, but I loved how real and fresh this tasted. And I loved knowing exactly what went into it — no preservatives or additives.
Depending upon what kind of oil and vinegar and mustard you use, you can really change up the flavors of the mayo and find a combo that you love!

Now, I wouldn’t necessarily call homemade mayo a money-saving must. A jar of store-bought mayonnaise is usually affordable (Kroger just had them on a crazy sale of $0.99 per smaller container!), and it lasts quite a while. That said, if you already have the ingredients or you’re someone who likes to avoid certain oils, preservatives, or allergens, this could be a fantastic alternative.
And beyond the practical side of things, I’ll just say this: there’s something really satisfying about making something from scratch. I felt so proud when it all came together (and yes, I might have done a little happy dance in the kitchen).
Now that I’ve dipped my toe into the world of emulsification, I’m curious what else I can make! Salad dressings? Aioli? Hollandaise sauce? I’d love to try a few more recipes that build on this same technique.
Have you ever tried a homemade mayo recipe? Or tried any other recipes that use emulsification? I’d love to hear your favorites in the comments. If you’ve ever done something new that made you feel more confident and creative in the kitchen, I’d love to hear about that, too!

Let me help you set, track, and actually accomplish your goals this year!
Published: by crystal on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Need some shorts for the upcoming summer months? Old Navy is offering 50%-60% off this weekend!
Though tomorrow, Old Navy is offering 50%-60% off Shorts for Men, Women, Boys, Girls and Toddlers! No promo code needed.
Get Men’s Shorts as low as $12.99!
Get Women’s Shorts as low as $7.99!
Get Boy’s Shorts as low as $4.99!
Get Girl’s Shorts and Skorts as low as $4.99!
Get Toddler Shorts as low as $5.99!
This is a great time to grab a few pairs for the entire family.
Shipping is free on orders over $50 for rewards members. Otherwise, choose free in-store pickup to avoid shipping costs.
Published: by Gretchen on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Yum! Here’s a great deal at Freddy’s!

Freddy’s is offering $10 off a $40 purchase when you order through the app this weekend!
This deal is valid through April 27, 2025.
Published: by Gretchen on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
If you love Hey Dude shoes, be sure to check out this sale!
Today only, Hey Dude is having a Flash Sale and select shoes for just $35! Plus, new customers can score a unique 20% off coupon code – just enter your email in the pop-up box! That makes them just $28!
There are lots of shoes included in this sale. This is a great time to grab a couple of new pairs.
Shipping is free on orders of $40+. Otherwise, you’ll pay $8.99.
Valid today only, April 25, 2025.
Published: by Sarah on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Stock up on snacks with this great deal!
Amazon has this Sun-Maid Vanilla Yogurt Coated Raisins 6-Pack for only $1.97 shipped when you check out through Subscribe & Save.
Note: Once your order ships, you can go into your Amazon account and cancel your subscription if you don’t want recurring orders.
Published: by Sarah on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
This is a hot deal on this NutriBullet Pro Single Serve Blender!
Walmart has this Nutribullet PRO Single Serve Blender for only $31.22 right now! It’s regularly $78 and available in four colors.
Choose free in-store pickup to avoid shipping costs. Or shipping is free on orders over $35 (or sign up with Walmart+ to get free shipping on all orders, no minimum!).
Click here for more Walmart deals.
Published: by Sarah on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Need new pillows? Don’t miss this great deal on Amazon!

Amazon has this Bedsure Pillows Queen Size (Set of 2) for only $13.99 when you use promo code IPKCNPVG at checkout!
This is a great deal on these highly-rated pillows!
Sign up for a free trial of Amazon Prime to get free two-day shipping (and possibly one-day or same-day shipping!) with no minimum. If you’re not sure Prime is worth it, read this post for some helpful info to help you decide! And don’t forget you can sign up for Swagbucks to earn free gift cards to use on Amazon deals!
Published: by Gretchen on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
These Monopoly Games would make such fun gifts!
Walmart has these Monopoly Games for just $5 right now! Choose from Star Wars, Avatar, or TMNT.
Choose free in-store pickup to avoid shipping costs. Or shipping is free on orders over $35 (or sign up with Walmart+ to get free shipping on all orders, no minimum!).
Valid for a limited time only.
Published: by Gretchen on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Get a FREE MusclePharm Pro Series PROTEIN+ Sample!
Sign up for a FREE MusclePharm Pro Series PROTEIN+ Sample!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Curious what Amazon Haul is all about? In this review, I break down how the Amazon Haul Store works, whether it’s legit, and what I scored for less!

If you love a good deal, you will definitely want to check out Amazon Haul! It’s Amazon’s own hidden discount section packed with crazy-good deals on clothing, shoes, accessories, and more for the whole family, all conveniently shipped for free by Amazon on a $25 purchase.
But what exactly is Amazon Haul, and is it actually worth shopping? I decided to give it a try and share my full review, including what I bought, how it worked, and how you can get the best bang for your buck.
Let’s dive in…
Amazon Haul is a discount section on Amazon that offers special, limited-time deals on a wide range of fashion and accessory items. Some people are even calling it Amazon’s best-kept secret for affordable fashion. You’ll find everything from cozy loungewear to stylish sandals, puffer jackets, baby clothes, men’s polos, and more.
The deals in the Amazon Haul store are AMAZING — in addition to discounted products, they often offer 20% off when you spend $40 or more (or sometimes even $20 off $40, like I got — more on that below!). The deals change frequently, and quantities are limited, so when something good pops up, it tends to sell out fast.
Quick tip: If you’re wondering how to find it, just search “Amazon Haul” on Amazon.com or in the app, and look for the “Haul” banner on eligible items. Be sure you’re logged into your account to see current promos.
Yes, it’s totally legit! The Amazon Haul section is not a scam or some weird off-brand third-party site. Everything I ordered was fulfilled by Amazon and came with the usual return policy and tracking updates. And though it’s shipped with Prime, it does take a week or two to receive your items.
That said, the extra promos only apply to regular-price items in the Haul section and there are a few exclusions to be aware of. For example, you won’t get the 20% discount on items like Similac, Enfamil, select electronics, or luxury beauty brands. Still, with or without the additional discount, Amazon Haul is a great way to score big savings!
There’s no separate app for Amazon Haul. It’s all part of the regular Amazon site or app. Just log into your account and search “Amazon Haul.” If there’s a current promotion (like the popular 20% off a $40+ haul), you’ll usually see it noted at the top of the page or under “Deals.”
You’ll also want to make sure the items you add to your cart are eligible. Look for the “Amazon Haul” label or coupon box under the price, and be sure your total hits the promo threshold.
Now the fun part! Here’s what I ordered using the $20 off $40 Amazon Haul coupon that was available a few weeks ago (there is currently a $10 off $25 coupon available on some accounts!):
I got three pairs of socks, two pairs of yoga pants, a dress, a cord organizer, a tank top, and a beauty set for ONLY $27.10 shipped from the Amazon Haul Store with the $20 off $40 deal that was available a few weeks ago!
It took about two weeks for my order to arrive, everything was packaged very well, and I was impressed with the overall quality!
My favorite item from my entire order was this beautiful cranberry floral dress. I got it in small and love how comfortable it is! It comes in so many different colors, it’s perfect for summer (or throw a jean jacket or sweater over it for cooler weather) and it has pockets!!
If you’re new to Amazon Haul, navigating the deals can feel a little overwhelming. But, with the right strategy, you can walk away with some amazing steals. Here’s how to get the most out of your shopping experience:
While there’s no official Amazon Haul App, you can access Amazon Haul through the standard Amazon app on your phone, as well as the Amazon Haul website via desktop.
If you’re shopping from your phone, just open the Amazon app and type “Amazon Haul” into the search bar. Look for the curated section that shows eligible items (especially clothing, shoes, and accessories) with that signature promo banner.
On desktop, head to Amazon.com and search “Amazon Haul” the same way as on mobile. Both platforms work well, but I’ve personally found that the desktop website’s layout makes it easier to sort and filter by categories like price, reviews, or Prime shipping. If you’re scrolling on the go, though, the app is super convenient.
Whether you’re using the Amazon Haul App or Amazon Haul Website, make sure you’re logged into your Amazon account. You won’t see current promotions unless you’re signed in.
The best-known deal in the Amazon Haul world is $10 off a $25 purchase, but it’s not available all the time. When the promo is live, you’ll usually see a banner at the top of the Haul page or underneath the price of qualifying items. Once it’s live, move quickly since items in popular sizes or colors tend to sell out fast.
If you’re not seeing the offer yet, don’t worry. Amazon tends to offer these awesome promos every few weeks. They’ve even offered a 50% off promo from time to time. Bookmark the Haul page and check back regularly. Or better yet, follow along here and we’ll be sure to alert you when there is an Amazon Haul coupon so you never miss a promo!
With so many items to browse on Amazon Haul, filtering is your best friend. Use the search tools to:
This helps you zero in on what you actually want and avoid overspending on impulse buys.
Want to stretch your dollar even more? Try stacking Amazon Haul deals with other money-saving tricks:
These small savings can add up quickly, especially if you’re doing a big seasonal shop or grabbing gifts!
One of the perks of shopping through Amazon Haul is that you’re still covered by Amazon’s standard return policy. However, some Haul items may have shorter return windows than usual, especially if they’re final clearance. Make sure to check the return info listed on each product page before you checkout, just to be safe.
Using Amazon Haul strategically can help you spot limited-time promotions, grab high-quality items for a fraction of the price, and avoid paying full price for basics your family needs anyway. With a little patience and some savvy scrolling, your next Haul could be your best one yet.
Q: Is Amazon Haul the same as Amazon Warehouse?
A: Nope! Amazon Warehouse sells open-box and used items, while Amazon Haul features new, discounted clothing and fashion items.
Q: Can I return items from my Amazon Haul?
A: Yes! As long as your items are eligible for Amazon’s regular return policy, you can send them back just like any other order.
Q: Why are Amazon Haul items so cheap?
A: Think of it like a clearance section. Amazon likely uses Haul to move overstocked or seasonal items at a deep discount, and many of the items are shipped directly from the seller.

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