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Shared Apr 6, 2015 comment

Help! Looking for the reader who wrote this comment!

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 6, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I have kind of a crazy request, but I’m trying to track down the reader who emailed me this tip about Cooking Clubs in 2008. If that was you or you know who it was, could you email me?

All You magazine would like to use the example in their print magazine, but I need to connect them with the reader so they can get written permission to use it.

If you didn’t write that comment, but you have participated in a Freezer Club or a Cooking Club and you’d be willing to share about your experiences and possibly be quoted in All You magazine, can you email me, as well?

My email address is: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Thanks so much!

Shared Apr 6, 2015 comment

How I Made Money Redecorating My Home

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 6, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Jennifer of The Intentional Mom

I love the change of seasons because it provides me with the opportunity to dress up my home in a whole new way as I accessorize with the colors and themes that each new season brings.

This past year, I found myself getting bored with the same accessories, but with a tight budget, there was just no wiggle room to allow for anything new, no matter what kind of deal I could find.

Determined to still make this happen, I decided to weed out decorations that I was tired of in hopes of selling them to earn the extra money that would allow me to turn around and buy some new and “new to me” things, too.

My plan worked like a charm!

I went to town weeding out things that I didn’t love, and if I hadn’t displayed it during the prior season, it went, too. At first it was hard, but as I got going, it was rather freeing to clear things out. I got rid of some cool wall sconces and a Pottery Barn wrought iron wall decoration in addition to candles, flowers, tablecloths, and pictures.

I sold some of these things in my garage sale, others I sold on Craigslist, but the bulk of what I sold was done on Facebook garage sale pages.

It took some time, but over a few months I had sold it all, leaving me with a little cash to play around with. Altogether, I had $174 to spend on new treasures!

In looking for new decorations, I knew the kinds of items and colors that I was looking for. With this in mind, I just waited patiently until I found things on Craigslist, the Facebook garage sale sites, and in stores that I got on sale and combined with a coupon.

I scored some amazing deals. I got a huge amount of “bang for my buck” when I bought someone’s former bridesmaids bouquets of artificial green and pink hydrangeas, orchids, and some greenery along with a bunch of tulle. I paid just $20 for over 75 stems altogether plus the tulle! I used what I needed in three different arrangements and then turned around and sold the extras I had left.

Among my other treasures were some handmade rustic items like a dining room table decoration with jugs, a large FAITH sign, and a fun hanging picture frame for a grand total of $40. I bought a new picture for my bathroom and some other hip vases and things, but the most amazing purchase was two brand new chevron chairs from Kohl’s for $25 each on clearance with a sale and Kohl’s cash during the holiday season!

Over the course of about six weeks, I had everything I needed and wanted. With all of my selling and buying done for now, I still have about $32 left over to spend on some new things for this upcoming summer or fall.

Had I never purged my home of the old things, I wouldn’t have had the resources to give my home a whole new look. The old saying, “out with the old and in with the new,” paid off for this frugal girl in a major way!

Jennifer is a busy, homeschooling mom of seven who enjoys keeping a home, living a frugal and active lifestyle, and loving the little and not so little people in my life. My mission is helping other moms find contentment in living intentionally every day over at her blog, The Intentional Mom.

Shared Apr 6, 2015 comment

My Monday Morning Plan + Today’s Cleaning Project

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 6, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Good morning! I hope your day is off to a great start!

After a full and wonderful weekend, my cleaning project for today is to just get our house back in order and to get back on top of our laundry. I let both slide in favor of time with friends, family time, memory-making, celebrating Jesus at church, and taking time to just rest.

Here’s my plan for this morning:

Bible reading/journaling
Blogging/Business work
Breakfast/Morning Time — start a load of laundry
School with Silas
Morning chores/pick up the whole house — switch the laundry
Get girls started on their independent work
Fold & put away the laundry — wash bedding
Run/shower
Ready to go — lunch made — head to work at our office space
Tonight: finish all laundry, remake beds, & go to bed with a clean house! 🙂

This evening, I’ll share a post about how our day went and give you an update (with pictures) on my progress on our house and the laundry pile. 🙂

Need some motivation? Check out my post on 10 Ways to Make Cleaning More Fun.

Want to join me? Leave a comment to let us know you’re participating! If you have time, tell us what your morning plan is, too.

Shared Apr 4, 2015 comment

The Top 8 Most Popular Posts From This Past Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 4, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

A Day In My Life: Flooded Bathrooms, Leaking Ceilings, and Entrepreneurial Kids

When You Feel Like You’re Failing at Everything (6 Things to Do)

Make 10 Organic Freezer Meals From Costco in 60 Minutes

How to Make a Homemade “Latte” in Less Than 2 Minutes

How a Family of 4 Happily Lives in a 700 Square Foot Home

How to Become a Successful Blogger (video)

12 Goals for 2015 + the Progress I Made in March

How to Make Money as a Proofreader (free 7-day course)

Shared Apr 4, 2015 comment

There will be no coupons in Sunday’s paper

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 4, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Just a heads up! Since tomorrow is Easter, there will be no coupons in the Sunday paper.

Enjoy your day with family — and don’t worry about having to collect, clip, or sort any coupons! 🙂

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Click here to sign up!

Shared Apr 4, 2015 comment

Gretchen’s $42 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Gretchen on April 4, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Walmart

1 Cantaloupe – $0.99

1 pkg Strawberries – $1.29

1 bag Halos – $3.75

1 Pineapple – $1.29 (Price matched to Aldi)

Broccoli – $1.31

Bananas – $1.29

Total with tax ($0.75): $10.67

Dillons

1 dozen Kroger Eggs – $1.79, used $0.25 Snap rebate and $0.50 Ibotta rebate – $1.04 after rebates

1 pkg Pecan Pieces – $2.57

1 bag Kroger Chocolate Chips – $2

1 Red Leaf Lettuce – $0.99

3 Chobani Yogurt – $1.25 each, used $1/3 printable – $0.92 each after coupon

1 C&H Brown Sugar – $1.49

1 gallon Dillons Milk – $2.59

2 Brut Deodorant – $1 each, used 2 $1/1 coupon from the 3/22 SmartSource insert – Free after coupon

1 Kroger Salt – $0.57

1 Orowheat Bread 24 oz – $2.50, used $1/1 printable – $1.50 after coupon

1 pkg Chicken Thighs – Marked down to $3.30

1 Johnsonville Sausage Links – $2.50 (I thought I had a coupon on my Dillons card for these but it turns out I didn’t. Oh well!)

Total with tax ($1.99): $23.29

Homeland Trip #1

2 cans Peanuts – $1.69 each, used $1/2 printable (doubled) – $0.69 each after coupon

1 pkg Honey Buns – $1.25, used $0.95/1 printable (doubled) – Free plus overage after coupon

1 Keebler Crackers – $1.99, used $1/1 printable (doubled) – Free after coupon

2 Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies – $0.79 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 2/22 SmartSource insert – Free plus overage after coupon

2 Kraft Shredded Cheese – $2 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 3/29 SmartSource insert (doubled) – $1 each after coupon

1 McCormick Vanilla Extract – $2, used $0.75/1 coupon from the 3/15 RedPlum insert (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon

1.89 lbs Tomatoes – $2.17

2 pkgs McCormick Brown Gravy – $0.50 each, used $0.50/2 coupon from the 3/8 RedPlum insert (doubled) – Free after coupon

Total with tax ($0.92): $6

Homeland Trip #2

1 Honey Buns – $1.25, used $0.95/1 printable – Free plus overage after coupon

2 pkgs Kraft Cheese – $2 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 3/29 SmartSource insert (doubled) – $1 each after coupon

1 pkg Kraft Chipotle Cheese – $2, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon (I now have 15 packages of cheese in my freezer after getting such great prices the last few weeks! I’m so happy to be stocked up for a while.)

2 Birds Eye Steamfresh Veggies – $0.79 each, used $1/2 coupon from the 2/22 SmartSource insert (doubled) – Free plus overage after coupon

1 McCormick Vanilla Extract – $2, used $0.75/1 coupon from the 3/15 RedPlum insert (doubled) – $0.50 after coupon

Total with tax ($0.15): $2.19

Total for all grocery items: $42.15

Menu Plan for This Week

Breakfasts

Cereal x 2

Toast & Eggs x 4

Biscuits & Gravy, Pineapple

Lunches

Cheese Quesadillas, Fruit

Cheese/Crackers/Fruit/Veggies x 2

Peanut Butter & Jelly on Ricecakes, Oranges

Baked Potatoes, Steamed Carrots

Oven Fried Chicken, Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Butterhorn Rolls (Easter Sunday lunch)

Leftovers

Spinach Smoothies x 5 (for me)

Dinners

Homemade Cheese Pizza, Smoothies

Venison Burgers, Steamed Peas, Cantaloupe

Spaghetti, Biscuits, Green Beans, Tossed Salad

BBQ Venison Meatballs, Mashed Potatoes, Fruit, Steamed Broccoli

Salad Bar

Leftovers

Dinner with family

Snacks

Double Fudge Banana Muffins, Peanut Butter Oatmeal Choc Chip Cookies, Banana Protein Shake, Applesauce, Yogurt

Shared Apr 3, 2015 comment

Reader Tip: How To Give Yourself A Weekly Raise

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 3, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Tshanina from Thrifty T’s Treasures emailed in the following tip:

I always cringe when I hear friends share their excitement about getting a tax refund. It’s as if they’re getting an unexpected bonus every Spring.

What they might not realize is that their tax refund is actually their very own money and the government’s been keeping it all year! Yes, you heard me right, the government has been earning interest on your hard-earned money!

How would you like to give yourself a raise?

If you consistently receive a tax refund every year, with just one simple step you can give yourself a weekly raise. All you have to do is change the withholdings on your paycheck.

Talk with your H.R. person at work and take a few minutes to change your withholdings. If you’re not sure what your withholdings should be, ask your tax person or accountant.

photo source

Shared Apr 3, 2015 comment

The Tiniest Apartment I’ve Ever Seen (just 86 square feet!)

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 3, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

So, I guess I’m on a small house posting kick this week, but I just couldn’t help but share this tour of an 86-square-foot apartment!

I was blown away by how minimalist it was and how functional it was. You have to watch the video and then let me know: would you love to live in a space like this? Why or why not?

Shared Apr 3, 2015 comment

Brigette’s $52 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on April 3, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Aldi

2 8-oz canisters Parmesan Cheese – $4.98

2 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $3.98

1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes – $1.99

1 32-oz pkg Spaghetti – $1.59

1 bunch Bananas (2.28/lb @ $0.35/lb) – $0.80, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51 – $0.55 after rebate

3 16-oz bags Baby Carrots – $2.07

1 Cucumber – $0.49

1 large bag Kale – $1.99

1 24-oz pkg Zucchini – $1.99

1 container Artisan Baby Lettuce – $1.99

1 3-ct pkg Romaine Hearts – $1.99

1 Pineapple – $1.79

1 3-lb bag Sweet Potatoes – $1.17

1 3-lb bag Yellow Onions – $0.99

2 pkgs Pepperoni – $3.98

1 24-oz jar Gourmet Pasta Sauce – $1.79

Total: $33.31 after rebate

Harris Teeter

2 20-oz pkgs Sara Lee Butter Bread (B1G1) – $2.79, used 2 $0.55/1 Sara Lee Bread, exp. 6/1/15 (SS 03/01/15 R) (doubled) – $0.59/2 after coupons

2 16-oz bags Mahatma Brown Rice – $2.00, used 2 $0.50/1 Mahatma or Water Maid Rice, exp. 4/30/15 (RP 01/25/15) (doubled) – FREE after coupons

4 5-oz bags Mahatma Rice Mix – $3.00, used 2 $0.75/2 Mahatma Rice Mix, exp. 4/30/15 (RP 01/25/15 R) – FREE after coupons

2 8-oz pkgs Sargento Sliced Cheese – $5.00, used 2 $0.55/1 printable (doubled) – $2.80/2 after coupons

2 8-oz chunks Kraft Pepper Jack cheese (B1G1) – $3.79, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $0.79/2 after coupons

2 16-oz boxes Land O Lakes Half Sticks Butter (B1G1) – $5.49, used 2 $0.50/1 printable – $3.49/2 after coupons

1 gallon Milk – $2.99, plus receive $0.25 rebate from Ibotta – $2.74 after rebate

1 container Truwhip – $1.74, used $2/1 printable – FREE plus overage after coupon

Total: $10.15

Walgreens

4 pkgs Walgreens Diapers (B1G1) – $8.99, used 2 $1.50/1 printable, plus receive $0.25 back from Ibotta – $5.74/2 after coupons and rebate

5 dozen Eggs – $4.95 (this may have been a local price), plus receive $0.25 back from Snap by Groupon – $4.70 after rebate

Total after Taxes, Coupons and Rebates: $11.07 (Note: I did not include the diapers in my weekly grocery total, but I left them in the Walgreens picture in case anyone else is interested in picking up a couple of packs of diapers for a great price!)

Weekly Total for all Groceries: $52.16

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Cereal x 3

Eggs and Toast x 2 (Veggie Omelettes for me)

Oatmeal x 2

Lunches

15-Minute Parmesan Pasta, Oranges, Carrot Sticks

Baked Potatoes with Cheese, Apples

Perfect Oven Sweet Potato Fries, Bananas, Cucumber Slices

Build-Your-Own-Tossed Salad, Boiled Eggs x 2

Leftovers x 2

Dinners

Spaghizza, Homemade French Bread, Tossed Salad, Buttered Broccoli, Fruit Salad (Company for Dinner)

Fried Egg and Cheese Sandwiches (meatless), Green Beans, Fruit

Chicken Fried Rice, Steamed Broccoli, Leftover French Bread

Scalloped Ham and Potatoes (from the More With Less cookbook – we still have lots of ham in the freezer from generous friends!), Easy Whole Wheat Bread (recipe coming soon), Tossed Salad

Venison Roast in the Crockpot, Cheesy Hashbrown Potatoes, Make Ahead Butterhorns, Buttered Carrots, Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies (Easter Meal)

Leftovers x 2

Snacks

Healthy Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting (for me), Popcorn, Strawberry Cheesecake Smoothies, Ultimate Double Chocolate Brownies, Fresh Fruit, Carrot Sticks

Shared Apr 2, 2015 comment

12 Goals for 2015 + the Progress I Made in March

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 2, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

March was a full month, but a good month. And we made a LOT of headway on our goals for this year… which was so encouraging to realize. Here’s an update on how I did on my goals for 2015 in March:

My 12 Goals for 2015

Marriage

Read 1 book per month on marriage.

Read in January: 52 Ways to Wow Your Husband

Read in February: From This Day Forward

Read in March: For Married Women Only

Write at least 1 love note to Jesse each week.

Done in January

Done in February

Done in March

Motherhood

Read at least 1 book aloud to the kids per month.

Read in January: James the the Giant Peach

Read in February: The Imagination Station Book 15, The Cricket in Times Square

Read in March: The Imagination Station Book 16, Thoughts to Make Your Heart Sing

Write 1 love note to each child every month.

Done in January.

Done in February.

Done in March.

Myself

Complete all She Reads Truth 2015 Bible Studies + memory work.

Done in January — I absolutely loved the John study.

Done in February — I really enjoyed the Esther study.

Done in March — I’m almost finished with the Lent study — so, so good!

Read 1 fiction book per month.

Read in January: What Alice Forgot

Read in February: The Cricket in Times Square (read aloud to the kids)

Read in March: Lizzy & Jane

MoneySavingMom.com

~~Hire a local personal assistant.~~

Done! And I’m so grateful! My new assistant, Ashley, is amazing!

Launch 2 courses (we’re planning one for spring and one for fall — stay tuned!)

In March, we did all the filming for the first course, Makeover Your Mornings. We’re currently finishing up post-production and I can’t WAIT to share this with you very soon!

Launch our new product line (slated to soft launch in the summer).

Release my third book (slated to come out November 2015).

I finished copy edits in March and now we’re working on all the graphic design.

Money

~~Increase last year’s overall giving totals by 10% in 2015.~~

Part of my going to South Africa was to investigate the possibility of our family personally supporting the work of Take Action. After coming home, we both felt this was the direction we were supposed to take and our partnership with them will allow us to meet this goal. We’re so thrilled with what God is doing there in South Africa and, for those who have joined us in this through the #TenDollarTribe.

Finish funding our Rental House #3 Savings Account.

Yay! We moved from 35% to 44% this past month. So excited to see some significant traction here this month!

How are you doing on YOUR goals for 2015?

If you set goals for this year, I’d love to hear how you are doing on them! Leave a comment telling us about your progress on them or leave the link over to your blog post about them. Here’s to a year of living with purpose, intentional, impact, and meaning!

OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!

Click here to download!

Shared Apr 2, 2015 comment

How to Become a Successful Blogger (video)

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 2, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I wish that I could come and have coffee with each of you on a regular basis, but since that’s not possible, I thought I’d share this video that I recently filmed with Kelsey Humphreys.

She came to Nashville and sat at our kitchen bar and we talked about my blogging journey, the lessons I’ve learned, the struggles I’ve experienced, and some key takeaways I’ve found through many mistakes along the way.

As you’ll discover if you take the time to watch it, this is not a highly edited video but just real, authentic footage of me sharing my heart… kind of like I would if we could sit and have coffee together.

If you’ve ever wondered how I got started blogging or ever thought about starting your own blog or ever wished you could talk “shop” with me over coffee, I think you’ll enjoy this video.

And feel free to comment and ask any followup questions you might have — about blogging or anything else we talk about on this video — and I’ll do my best to try to answer them.

Thinking of starting a blog? Be sure to check out this page where I share How to Start a Blog & Make Money Blogging.

Shared Apr 2, 2015 comment

Toluna: Take online surveys and earn cash, gift cards, and prizes!

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 2, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Have you signed up with Toluna yet?

When you sign up, you can earn cash, gift cards, and prizes by taking online surveys, voting, and testing out products. Plus, you get to make your voice heard to the companies, retailers and designers of the products and services you use.

Register here today and you’ll get 500 points for joining.

Find more legitimate survey companies you can sign up with here.

Shared Apr 2, 2015 comment

How a Family of 4 Happily Lives in 700 Sq. Ft. Home

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 2, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

After I posted the guest post on Why I Like My Smaller House, Roni left a comment talking about how their family of 4 lives in a 650-square-foot home. I was intrigued and asked if she’d do a post on it sometime.

I loved the post she put together giving us a very thorough walk-through of their small home and how they make it work. It’s inspiring and if you are currently living in a small space or you are thinking of downsizing to a smaller space, be sure to read it here.

Shared Apr 1, 2015 comment

Sign up for the 30 Days to an Organized Life series!

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 1, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Kimberlee over at The Peaceful Mom is doing a 30 Days to an Organized Life series starting today. Sign up here for free to receive daily emails to help you get your home and life in order.

When you sign up, you’ll also receive a customizable Daily Planner and a free The Best Times to Buy Everything printable.

Shared Mar 31, 2015 comment

Limited Time Offer! 4-Week Online Blogging Class {Includes Blog Set-up} – For Just $.99!

Published: by Crystal Paine on March 31, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your own money-making blog? You want to start – but you just don’t know how? Or, maybe you have a blog that would like to take to the next level and start earning an income from it?

Through April 6, 2015, Blogelina is offering a special deal for my readers who want to start a money-making blog. Enroll in their popular 4-week blogging class—Profitable Blogging for Beginners—for just $0.99!

If you want to learn the basics of how to set up a blog, how to take your blogging to the next level, or how to begin earning money from your blog, you’ll want to check out this class!

When you sign up for this class, here’s what you’ll get:

A FREE Blog Set Up – Blogelina takes care of the techie side of the set-up so you don’t have to. All you have to do is just have to start blogging!
A FREE Year of Web Hosting
A 60-Page How-To Manual – packed with information that will help take the overwhelming out of starting your own blog
4 weekly online class sessions where you can ask your questions and get personalized feedback
Blueprints, step-by-step tutorials, networking with other bloggers — everything you need to grow your blog.

This class will cover:

How to Get Your Blog Started on the Right Foot
Questions to ask as you begin blogging
How To Actually Set Up A Blog
Why Your Blog Design is So Important
9 Different Ways to Easily Monetize Your Blog
How to Draw Visitors to Your Blog
and so much more!

Blogelina has been featured on the Dave Ramsey show, and is well-known for their ability to help bloggers make a successful start. Many of my readers here have gone through this course in the past and have great reviews to share with me.

And for $0.99? That’s a steal! But this offer is only valid until April 6, 2015!

Sign up for the Blogelina Build Your Own Profitable Blog class today!

*If you’re not 100% satisfied with your experience with Blogelina, you are free to walk away at any time during the class session! PLUS, you’ll get to keep your copy of the class manual and your free year of hosting – Blogelina will refund your money!

Note: This post was underwritten by Blogelina. Read our disclosure policy here.

Summer Bucket List

Summer Bucket List

FREE Summer Bucket List!!

Here’s my plan for this morning:

WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!

Walmart

Dillons

Homeland Trip #1

Homeland Trip #2