Published: by crystal on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Need some new magazine titles to read? Don’t miss this sale!
Discount Mags is running a Red, White, and Boom Magazine Subscription Salethis weekend and there are so many amazing deals with prices as low as $4.66/year! There are over 100 titles to choose from and these make great gift ideas.
This sale includes many of our readers’ favorite magazine titles:
Southern Living — $6.03/year
Bon Appétit — $5/year
Magnolia Journal — $16.90/year
Taste of Home — $12.03/year
The Pioneer Woman — $14.45/year
Cook’s Illustrated — $10.27/year
HGTV — $9.66/year
All Recipes — $6.25/year
Golf Digest — $5.34/year
Entrepreneur — $5.12/year
Architectural Digest — $6.50/year
Reader’s Digest — $12.47/year
Family Handyman — $12.30/year
There are also many kids’ magazines included at rare prices, like Highlights, Ranger Rick, National Geographic for Kids, and more!
No promo code is required. Valid through July 7, 2025.
This is such a great deal as these are regularly $109.99!
I have a similar one of these Carry On Luggage Suitcases and have been super impressed by the durability and quality. I highly recommend it if you plan on traveling soon. Mine has held up through multiple flight trips and I love it. You cannot beat this price for this quality!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
While getting organized sometimes feels like a luxury we don’t have time for, it can be a brilliant money-saving hack, especially for busy families. These organizing tips will help you save money and live a more peaceful life!
As a busy mom trying to stretch every dollar, I used to think organization was a luxury I couldn’t afford. Between buying expensive storage systems and constantly replacing lost items, staying organized felt like another expense on an already tight budget.
Then I discovered something surprising: the right organization strategies don’t cost money—they save it.
Money-Saving Organization Hacks:
After implementing these five simple hacks in my own home, my family saves over $200 annually while living in a more peaceful, functional space. Best of all, most of these solutions cost under $10 to implement.
1. Create a “Bill Station” Using a $3 Accordion Folder
The Problem: Late fees from misplaced bills cost the average family $50+ per year. The Solution: Transform a basic accordion folder into your family’s financial command center.
Tips:
Label sections: “To Pay,” “Paid This Month,” “Tax Documents,” “Warranties”
Keep it in the same spot every day (kitchen counter works great)
Set a weekly 10-minute “money date” to process everything
Money Saved: $50-100 annually in late fees, plus you’ll never miss another discount deadline.
2. The “One-Minute Pickup” System Prevents Replacement Purchases
The Problem: We waste $75+ yearly replacing items we can’t find (phone chargers, scissors, kids’ socks). The Solution: Every family member does a one-minute pickup in their main area before bed.
Tips:
Set a timer for exactly one minute
Focus only on putting things back where they belong
Make it a race or play upbeat music
This tiny habit prevents the “black hole” effect where small items disappear forever. Money Saved: $75+ annually on replacement purchases.
3. Repurpose Grocery Containers as Custom Storage
The Problem: Storage solutions can cost $20-50 per room. The Solution: Before recycling, consider these free alternatives:
Yogurt containers: Perfect drawer dividers for office supplies or makeup
Baby food jars: Ideal for screws, buttons, or craft supplies
Egg cartons: Great for jewelry or small toys
Cereal boxes: Cut to create magazine holders or desk organizers
Tips:
Clean thoroughly and remove labels
Cover with contact paper or decorative tape for a polished look.
Money Saved: $60+ on storage containers.
4. Master the “Launch Pad” for Smoother Mornings
The Problem: Chaotic mornings lead to expensive quick-fixes: drive-through breakfast ($5), forgotten lunch money ($8), last-minute store runs for forgotten items ($15+). The Solution: Create a designated “launch pad” near your main exit.
Include:
Basket for keys, sunglasses, and wallet
Hooks for bags and jackets
Small basket for permission slips or outgoing mail
Phone charging station
Tip:
Prepare everything the night before during your one-minute pickup.
The Problem: Disorganized pantries and fridges lead to overbuying and food waste (the average family wastes $1,500 worth of food yearly!). The Solution: Create zones in your pantry and use a simple inventory system.
Tips:
Group similar items together (all baking supplies, all snacks, etc.)
Keep a running grocery list on your phone with categories matching your store layout
Before shopping, do a quick “shop your pantry first” check
Use clear containers for bulk items so you can see quantities
Money Saved: Even reducing food waste by 15% saves $225+ annually.
Results of Money-Saving Organization:
Your Total Annual Savings: $200-$1,000+
The beautiful thing about these organization hacks is they work together. When your home has systems in place, you naturally spend less on replacements, late fees, and impulse purchases driven by stress and disorganization.
Getting Started:
Choose just one hack to implement this week. I recommend starting with the launch pad since it creates immediate daily benefits. Once that becomes habit (usually 2-3 weeks), add another system.
Organization is about creating simple systems that make your family’s life easier and your budget healthier.
The money you save can go toward things that truly matter: family experiences, emergency savings, or finally tackling that home improvement project you’ve been dreaming about.
Carol is a passionate advocate for sustainable, budget-friendly home organization. After transforming her own chaotic household on a tight budget, she now helps families create organized, peaceful homes without breaking the bank. She shares practical tips and real-life solutions at Get Sustainably Organized.
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!).
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
I used to love reading fiction, memoirs, and great stories. Curling up with a good book at the end of a long day or on a weekend felt like breathing for my soul. There was something so comforting about slipping into a good story for awhile.
But then life shifted. Babies came. We stepped into foster care. And everything just started to feel like… a lot.
After we said goodbye to the sweet baby we were fostering in 2020, the stories I once loved so much felt heavy. The grief settled deep. And slowly, without even really noticing, I stopped reaching for books — and started reaching for my phone instead.
It felt harmless at first. I was just checking email. Posting on Instagram. Watching a few Instagram stories or videos on TikTok. But night after night, the scrolling stretched longer. And the reading? It faded into the background.
I kept telling myself I didn’t have time to read. But the truth? I did have time. I was just spending it on things that didn’t fill me up.
Somewhere along the way, I’d forgotten how much joy reading used to bring me. How a beautifully written novel or biography could whisk me away and refresh my spirit. And I missed that. I missed her — the girl who found delight and inspiration in the pages of a good story.
The Turning Point: One Small Change
At the beginning of this year, I knew something had to shift. I was spending too much time on my phone scrolling, I was staying up too late, and I was missing the peace and rest that reading used to bring me — those quiet moments at the end of the day where I could exhale and just be.
So I made a simple commitment: I’d turn off my phone at 8 p.m. every night. I wanted to be more intentional — to create space for the things that filled me up, instead of being drained and distracted by the things that didn’t.
I meant to stick with it. I really did. But somehow, I kept getting pulled back in. I’d tell myself I was just going to check one quick thing… and then five minutes turned into thirty. I’d scroll without even thinking — thumb scrolling, mind buzzing, soul weary.
Eventually, I realized I needed help. That’s when I discovered the Opal app.
It lets you schedule downtime for your apps. And the best part? You can set it so you can’t override it. I set it to turn off my social media apps at 8:10 p.m. sharp, no exceptions. And just like that, the option to scroll disappeared.
No more “just one more minute.” No more temptation. And honestly? It felt like such a relief. Like I was finally giving myself permission to rest again.
How Five Minutes Changed Everything
With my phone off and the apps locked down, I made one more small commitment. With my sister’s encouragement, I decided to challenge myself to read for just five minutes every night.
Five minutes felt doable. No pressure. No long chapters. Just a little reset at the end of the day.
So I picked up a book that had been sitting on my nightstand for quite awhile (The Frozen River) and settled in. At first, it was hard. My mind kept drifting — wondering what I was missing, what I needed to check, what I should be doing instead. But knowing my phone was locked down helped me stay present. I literally couldn’t check it even if I wanted to.
So I kept at it. Just five minutes.
And something happened. That little five-minute rhythm started to grow.
Five minutes turned into ten… then twenty. And now? Most nights, you’ll find me curled up with a book for 20–30 minutes before bed — and sometimes even longer if I get swept up in the story.
The Surprising Benefits of Swapping Scrolling for Reading
Switching from mindless scrolling to intentional reading hasn’t just given me back my love for stories and the inspiration I get from them — it’s felt like it’s given me my evenings back. For real!
Here’s what I’ve noticed since making the switch:
I’m going to bed earlier. No more scrolling until midnight. I’m closing my book, turning out the light, and actually getting the sleep I’ve been craving.
I’m sleeping better. My mind is calm, not buzzing with social media highlights. I’m not thinking about someone else’s pictures or the latest TikTok controversy. I’m just at peace.
Our evenings feel calmer and more connected. Jesse and I spend more time talking, unwinding, and actually being present instead of separately scrolling!
My brain has more space to create. When I’m not cramming my mind with endless updates, I feel more inspired and creative. I’m dreaming up projects again, thinking about new goals, and feeling like I actually have time to pursue them.
Our house is staying cleaner. Less time scrolling means more time tidying up. It’s funny how ten minutes here and there makes such a difference.
But the most surprising thing? Replacing scrolling with reading has been like reconnecting with a part of me I forgot I missed. I’m diving into stories, laughing, and sometimes even holding my breath at the twists and turns of a good plot. It’s like I’m seeing an old friend again for the first time in years.
My Word of the Year: Unplugged
I’m learning more and more about what it means to unplug — not just from my phone but from the distractions that pull me away from the things I love. It’s felt so good to prioritize something I love so much again.
I recently finished The Frozen River and One Good Thing and I’m now reading The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife. I’ve loved each one in their own unique way… and I also have started creating a long list of other books I can’t wait to read. Which has motivated me to read even more!
Want to Reclaim Your Evenings?
If you, too, want to reclaim your evenings, here’s how you can start!
1. Set a Hard Boundary
Choose a time to turn off your phone — 8:10 p.m. has worked well for me, but find what works for you.
2. Get Accountability
I highly recommend the Opal app. It shuts your apps off at a set time, and you can’t override it (if you set it up that way). It’s the best kind of tough love.
Commit to just five minutes of reading each night. Pick something fun, light, or adventurous — whatever will get you turning the page.
4. Create a Cozy Space
You could even light a candle, grab a cozy blanket, pour a cup of tea, and make it a ritual you look forward to.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins
Celebrate that you’re sticking with this new habit, even when it’s just five minutes! (And maybe, just like for me, you’ll find that five minutes quickly turns into 10 or even 20 minutes!)
If you’ve been telling yourself you don’t have time to read, I’d encourage you to look at where your time is actually going. I realized I had plenty of time to read — once I stopped the habit of scrolling every night before bed!
You, too, might just find that you do have time for the things that bring you joy. You just have to unplug long enough to notice.
What are you best tips for making time to read? Share them in the comments! And, I’d love to hear any must-read book recommendations!
FREE Summer Reading Challenge Printable Pack!
Sign up below to get your free summer reading pack that includes 30 books to read this summer, tips for how to read more, reading trackers/checklists, and more!
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Plus, most of the items are available through Subscribe & Save for an extra 5% off + free shipping! Even better, some of them have an extra 30% off e-coupon available to clip.
Note: Once your order ships, you can go into your Amazon account and cancel your subscription if you don’t want recurring orders. If you’re wondering how Amazon Subscribe & Save works, check out our post on Making the Most of Amazon Subscribe & Save.
