
VintageRomanceStyle.com shows you how to she completely renovated her bathroom for less than $100.
Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Get your house cleaned up and ready to ENJOY in just TWO hours!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

VintageRomanceStyle.com shows you how to she completely renovated her bathroom for less than $100.
Do you have a fun and frugal DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I woke up this morning knowing something was really wrong.
One of my eyes seemed all cloudy and blurry.
I rubbed it. I washed my face. I tried going downstairs to see if a change of scenery would help.
I tried blinking multiple times. I waited ten minutes thinking maybe I just needed to wake up more or something.
Nothing. It was still all blurry and cloudy.
I started getting concerned… thinking through everything I’d done the day before, everything I’d eaten, how I’d slept.
Finally, I told Jesse that something was wrong with my eyesight. I confessed I was even worried I was going to slowly lose my eyesight (I know, I know, I’m a total worst case scenario person!)
And then it hit me: had I taken out both contacts last night? I was sure I had, but just to rule out every possibility, I stuck my finger in the eye that wasn’t blurry and starting swiping it to see if my contact was still there.
Um, yup. It totally was.
So instead of losing my eyesight, I appear to be losing my brain… because I somehow managed to only take out one contact last night before bed. Don’t ask me how, but I guess it’s better than accidentally showing up to some event and forgetting to get dressed (I have dreams that I do this all. the. time.)
I felt pretty dumb at this point. I mean, here I was running through all these scenarios of losing my eyesight and the problem was incredibly simple: I had a contact in one eye and didn’t have a contact in the other eye. This threw my vision out of whack and made one eye seem very, very blurry.
As I went about my morning, I not only felt relieved, but I also began thinking about how a change of perspective can change everything. Sometimes, it’s not exactly what meets the eye (pun fully intended).
For instance, not too long ago, I got a comment from a reader who was very upset that I had posted a picture of a Starbucks cup. She was upset that I’d spend so much money buying coffee when it’s so much cheaper to make it yourself. She went so far as to say she wasn’t sure if she could keep reading my blog because it seemed hypocritical for me to blog about frugal living and drink Starbucks at the same time.
While I completely understand that a picture of a Starbucks drink on MoneySavingMom.com might seem like a contradiction, it’s not always what it seems at first glance. In the case of the Starbucks cup, it was a coffee I’d bought at the airport, because you can’t bring homemade coffee through security (I wish!).
In addition, it was only plain coffee, not some fancy drink (coffee is actually one of the cheapest drinks you can buy at the airport). Plus, in this instance, the conference I was traveling to speak at, had given me a generous food allowance for everyday and was reimbursing me for all food expenses. And not only that, but I actually used a Starbucks gift card I’d earned from Swagbucks to pay for my coffee.
So you see, it’s not always what meets the eye. A change of perspective can make a big difference.
Now, I don’t say all of this because I feel the need to defend myself for occasionally drinking Starbucks coffee. I share this because it was a good lesson for me: I can be quick to jump to conclusions or judge based upon the appearance of what something seems when I don’t know all of the facts.
In the future, I want to remember that it’s not always what it seems. Before I criticize someone or get frustrated or worked up over something, I want to first make sure I know all the facts.
Because sometimes, I just need to change my perspective. Well, and make sure that I actually take both of my contacts out, too. 🙂
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
My friend, Ruth, who blogs over at Living Well Spending Less has a fantastic post up showing you how to make 10 Freezer Meals in just one hour!
There’s even a free printable with instructions and labels for your freezer meals.
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
I stopped by my local health food store this week right and scored quite a few good deals! I will be freezing a lot of these things so they will last longer.
5 pints Blueberries – $0.99 each (This is cheaper than Aldi!)
2 Organic Girl Greens – Marked down to $0.99 each
1 Super Crackers – Marked down to $0.99
1 Rudi’s Cracked Wheat Bread – Marked down to $0.99
1 Udi’s Gluten/Dairy Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread – Marked down to $0.99
1 pkg Pita Bread – Marked down to $0.99
Total with tax: $11.66

1 dozen Eggs – $1.29
1 gallon Milk – $2.69
1 Cottage Cheese – $2.29
1 Carrots – $0.99
1 can Black Beans – $0.59
1 bag Oranges – $2.99
1 Celery – $1.19
1 Flour Tortillas – $1.19
1 Old Fashioned Oats – $2.29
1 Cauliflower – $1.69
3 Cucumbers – $0.59 each
1 Strawberries – $1.25
1 Salsa – $1.69
Total with tax: $23.48

1 Welch’s Natural Jelly – $2.99
3 Chicken of the Sea Tuna – $0.79 each, used $0.75/3 printable – $0.54 each after coupon
1 Kroger Natural Peanut Butter – $1.67
2 Mott’s Fruit Snacks – $1.50 each, used $0.60/2 printable – $1.20 each after coupon and I will get $0.50 back from SavingStar
1 Angel Soft Bath Tissue – $1.25
1 Kroger Table Salt – $0.49
1 Kroger Baking Powder – $1.19
2 Chex Mix – $1 each, used $0.60/2 printable – $0.70 each after coupon and I will get $0.50 back from SavingStar (We have a vacation coming up in a few weeks and I thought these would be great for the trip. I always try to plan ahead and keep my eyes open for good deals on snacks starting several weeks before a vacation.)
1 Green Giant Sweet Potato Chips – $1, used $0.50/1 e-coupon – $0.50 after coupon
1 bag Kroger Brown Rice – $1
2.30 lbs Bananas @ $0.59/lb – $1.36
1 Red Leaf Lettuce – $0.99
0.55 lbs Broccoli Crowns @ $1.59/lb – $0.87
1 Kroger Detergent – $3.99, used Free coupon from mailer – Free after coupon
1 Suave Shampoo – $1.99, used $2/1 coupon from mailer – Free after coupon
3 Kraft Shredded Cheese – $2.99 each, used $1.50/1 e-coupon – $2.49 each after coupon (This e-coupon stated that I could use it up to 5 times in one transaction but it only came off once. I was terribly disappointed because I could have gotten the cheese cheaper at Aldi. Oh well!)
Total before coupons and sales: $50.52
Total with tax after coupons and sales: $27.31
Total for all grocery items: $62.45
Cereal, Oatmeal, Toast/Eggs, Homemade Juice, Smoothies
Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, Tossed Salad x 2 with Cinnamon Raisin Toast, Fruit/Veggies/Crackers, Pita with Cheese
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, Tossed Salad
Spaghetti Pie, Blueberry Muffins, Tossed Salad, Green Beans
Black Bean Quesadillas, Steamed Cauliflower, Fruit
Salad Bar, Freezer Biscuits
Deer Roast, Carrots, Potatoes, Canned Peaches
Blueberry Waffles, Scrambled Eggs
Grilled Chicken, Tossed Salad, Steamed Cauliflower, Sliced Cucumbers
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Addi of Frugal Fanatic
Do you have a child starting college? Or are you going back to earn a degree? You may be shocked at the high cost of textbooks that are necessary for each class.
Well, there’s good news — even though you do have to purchase the books, you do NOT have to pay incredibly high prices!
Here are five ways that you can save money on college textbooks:
It may be the easiest route to take, but is always the most expensive way. Be sure to check online first. You may be able to find all the books you need for a lot cheaper than the bookstore.
Sites like Amazon often sell books for a discounted rate. There are a lot of sites out there that offer gently used books for a much lower price. Buying used books is a great way to save yourself a ton of money on your books.
You also have the option to rent the textbooks you need for each class. You can find several websites that offer book rentals for a much smaller cost than buying the book outright. Most likely you will not need the book after the course is complete so this is a nice option to save some cash.
Be sure to check with your professor if an eBook is allowed for the course. You will often save more than 50% by purchasing the eBook version. Plus you won’t need to carry a book around with you each time you head to class.
Find friends who have taken the same courses and ask them about swapping books. If you are able to trade books with a group of friends you can save a ton of money on your books.
These are just a few ways to save on the cost of college text books — I’d love to hear any other ideas you might add to my list.
Also, keep in mind that you can usually re-sell your textbooks when the class is over and put that money towards your books for the next semester!
Addi Ganley is a work-at-home mom of 3 young boys. Her blog, Frugal Fanatic, focuses on how to live a frugal lifestyle. She is passionate about saving money and believes that if you save where you can then you can spend where you want to. Frugal Fanatic is her way of helping other people learn how to manage their finances in every day life.
Published: by Brigette on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
We’ve been traveling the past few weeks, visiting family and friends, so I haven’t done any weekly grocery shopping. I DID, however, visit a couple of my favorite places while we were back in Michigan (where we used to live).
We discovered the Amish bulk foods store by accident one day, years ago, when driving around. It is not advertised and doesn’t have a phone number or website! It is the cheapest place I have ever found wheat kernels (no tax or shipping!), and I have been a loyal, happy customer for many years.
I divide the 50-lb bags into ziptop bags and store them in the freezer
(2204 29 Mile Rd, Homer, MI 49245)
1 50-lb bag Prairie Gold Hard White Spring Wheat Kernels – $27.95
1 50-lb bag Oats – marked down to $16.95
1 3-lb bag Cocoa Powder – $14.95
(16 oz Cinnamon – $2.49) My sister-in-law actually bought this for me and gave it to me ahead of time – but I am including it in the picture because it came from this store and I was planning on purchasing it.
4 oz. Ground Ginger- $1.99
Total: $61.84

(13521 Allman Road, Concord, MI 49237)
1 gallon (12.5lbs) of Raw Honey – $37.50 (We actually bought four gallons while we were there, but only one is for us. This is the best, cheapest place I have ever found raw honey. We’ve paid as little as $25 a gallon over the years we’ve been buying from them, but apparently this was a really bad year for the bees and there is a shortage of honey so the prices are up. It’s still worth it to this honey-loving family!)
Total: $37.50
2 (54-oz) jars Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil @ $15.00 each – $30.00
Total: $30.00
I didn’t plan a weekly menu this week as my kitchen is undergoing a major renovation over the next few days and it’s almost impossible for me to cook in it right now. My older three children are staying with grandparents all week, so my husband and I are kind of in eat-whatever-you-can-find-that-doesn’t-require-kitchen-prep mode, supplemented by the occasional out-to-eat treat. 🙂 Looking forward to getting back to a more normal schedule soon!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Mallory
I love to bake, so when I found out I was allergic to wheat and gluten about two years ago, it was a rough transition. I eventually found some good recipes and resources — the next challenge was finding the right ingredients.
It’s difficult to find gluten-free flours for a good price in our small town, but after doing some research, I found a good deal on Bob’s Red Mill brand cases of gluten free flour on Amazon.com and starting ordering from there.
Then, a little over a year ago, I learned about Swagbucks and how it worked here on MoneySavingMom.com!
When I first signed up with Swagbucks, I didn’t really know what I was doing and felt like I was doing well if I earned enough for a $5 gift card every month. Now, I am able to get $15-$20 per month by doing the following:
1. Doing the NOSO every day
2. Answering the poll and doing to corresponding activity
3. Using the toolbar
4. Running videos for a large chunk of the day
5. Using the search bar
This has been a great help and has paid for many cases of gluten-free flours. Now I can continue to bake and feed good food to the people I love!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Amanda emailed in the following tip:
I just had an exciting frugal occurrence and I wanted to share! My husband and I are on a tight budget as we just started our own business. This week, we had an unexpected $200 expense (not work related) and that made our grocery budget extra tight.
As I was looking over our pantry and fridge, I realized I had an abundance of coconut oil and coconut flour. I posted the extras to my local moms group on Facebook asking if anyone would be willing to trade some meat for either of those items. Today I met with another mom who traded me for a chicken, 3 packages of bacon, and 6 pounds of ground beef (all pastured-raised, grass-fed)!
Apparently she had been planning to purchase a gallon of coconut oil anyway, so we both left feeling like we had helped each other and saved money at the same time!
I just wanted to encourage other families in tight situations to remember that bartering can be an option! -Amanda
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Tuesday was one of those days.
You know the kind… where it feels like you wake up behind, you feel frustrated, there are countless interruptions, and the more the day goes on, the worse it gets.
By the grace of God, I didn’t fly off the handle at anyone, but I certainly felt like it could happen at any moment. I was anxious, unsettled, and just plain irritable.
The house was messy, the kids were needy, I got some discouraging feedback on a project I’d put a lot of effort into, and I never made it out of my PJ’s.
Late afternoon, I had a conference call with my managers about a contract we’re negotiating. Since they are like family, when they started the conversation asking me how I was, they got the honest answer.
“Well, I’ve not showered today. I’m still in my pajamas. And I basically feel like I’m failing at everything in life… I’m a failure as a wife, as a mom, as a friend, and as a businesswoman.”
Overly dramatic and almost entirely unfounded, I know, but that’s just how I was feeling that day.
I want to be honest in my relationships instead of sucking in my feelings and pretending everything’s okay. Plus, confiding in true friends and letting them pray for you and encourage you can often be the best remedy when you’re having a tough day.
After we got off the phone call, instead of wasting more time and making my day even worse by beating myself up over having a bad day, I decided to assess what went wrong so I could help prevent the rest of the week from going downhill, too.
As I analyzed my day, I realized there were six key things that were major contributing factors to my bad day. And I thought I’d list them as a reminder to me (and anyone else) for the future.
So here are six ways to guarantee you’ll have a bad day:
1) Don’t Get Enough Sleep the Night Before
I stayed up way too late the night before… and it wasn’t because I was working on some world-changing project. Nope, I was mindlessly browsing the internet. I know, sooo noble and worth losing precious sleep over.
2) Don’t Have a Plan for the Day
I woke up late and tired. Without a plan. And just let life hit me as it came.
Eventually, I got around to writing out a to-do list for the day. But by that time, I was so behind it was just more discouraging than it was helpful.
3) Don’t Shower or Dressed
Yup. It’s true. I was still in my PJ’s at 5 p.m. and I finally just gave up hope of changing out of them.
So I felt gross and messy and unkempt all day… which totally makes you feel cheerful and excited about life. Or not.
4) Don’t Stay Focused
Some interruptions came my way and I let them suck way too much time and energy from me. Instead of waiting to answer that non-urgent email and phone call until I had a time block to deal with it, I let the inbox and phone control my morning — which is always a recipe for my day getting out of whack.
And it was a recipe for complete chaos and frustration when my day was already off to such a poor start.
5) Don’t Count Your Blessings
I spent too much time fretting over a negative comment someone made and let that frustrate and irritate me until I couldn’t see any of the blessings of my day. Which then, in turn, only made the day seem clouded over with more frustration.
6) Do Beat Yourself Up for All the Ways You’re Failing
This final point is KEY for having a bad day. Take a lot of time to mull over everything single last thing you’re doing wrong and every area of your life that needs improvement. It will seal the deal for you and your bad day.
So there you have it! Six guaranteed ways to have a bad day. Did I miss any points? If so, let us know in the comments.
And do yourself and your family a favor: don’t try this six-step plan at home.
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I’m f-i-n-a-l-l-y getting around to telling you about my very successful one-hour freezer cooking session that I did recently.
So this Peppermint Skinny Chocolate was a winner. I was kind of hesitant about how it would turn out, but I followed the recipe exactly — including the tips the blog suggested — and it was delicious. In fact, it was so good that I was tempted to literally lick the bowl out. Instead, I scraped it clean (see above).

If you are looking for a delicious and healthy chocolate recipe, I recommend this Peppermint Skinny Chocolate.

I cut it in small pieces and stored it in the freezer and it’s the perfect treat on a hot day!

Next up, I made a batch of Homemade Energy Bites. These are the snack of choice for my kids this summer. And I love it that they are packed with pretty healthy ingredients.

One batch lasts the three kids about a week. But I can’t always keep up with the demand, so Kathrynne asked me if she could learn how to make them, too. See pictures of how her batch turned out here. 🙂

And while I was busy making Skinny Chocolate and Energy Bites, the guys were whipping up a batch of Whole-Wheat Pancakes.
I love baking and cooking together in the kitchen as a family. And now that we’ve overhauled our lifestyle with the move to TN, it’s becoming a fairly regular occurrence around here — which is so much fun!
Recipes made:
Peppermint Skinny Chocolate
Whole-Wheat Pancakes
Homemade Energy Bites
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

As I shared in January, I’m changing the way I’m approaching my reading goals in 2014. Instead of picking books for the whole year, I’m just choosing books a month at a time.
Here’s my list of what I’m planning to read in July:
I also am reading through the Bible using the plan in my Blessing Journal and reading one devotional from Jesus Today every day.
What books are you planning to read in July? Leave a comment and let us know — and then you can come back at the beginning of August to tell us what you ended up reading and what you thought of the books you read!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I’ve heard rave reviews of this Homemade Latte Recipe ever since I posted it. And I’ve wanted to try it, but I was happy with my regular coffee with cream and sugar so I figured, why change it?
Well, in the last few months, I’ve been slowly weaning myself off of most sugar in my diet. And a few weeks ago, I stopped using sugar in my coffee altogether.
{Can we all take a moment of silence? Did you read what I just wrote? This girl who has had a lifelong sweet tooth, STOPPED USING SUGAR IN HER COFFEE?!?
I’m not even sure that I can communicate the magnitude of that statement. Next thing you know, I’m going to start a blog about doing car repairs or something. Well, I may need to first learn the name of the car I drive (babysteps, babysteps…). But hey, if I can do something I never thought would be remotely possible — drink coffee without sugar and like it — who knows what I might do next?! :)}
At any rate, as a result, I’ve been experimenting with different kinds of coffees and drinks, including Good Girl Moonshine and Bulletproof Coffee.
{If you Google the recipes for those, please promise me you won’t write me off as total crazy. Because I liked both recipes and have made them multiple times. I know… I may be going through a midlife crisis or something. ;)}

As I experimenting with different recipes, I remembered this Homemade Latte Recipe and knew it was high time I try it. I used some of my Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks to purchase the Aerobie Aeropress and AeroLatte Frother.

I’d never made espresso before and was super impressed with how easy it was to make!
When you pull the Aeropress off the cup, the most amazing coffee smell wafts up. Love it!
(Also, totally unrelated: but notice how I’m keeping my nails painted thanks to the encouragement from some of you in the comments here. And it’s been over a week and it’s totally working to kill my nail-biting habit. And it makes me so happy to look down and see my red nails. I have hope that they are going to grow out all pretty, long, and strong… but for now I’m celebrating the little victories.)

This frother is absolutely so much fun!

And there you have it! An amazing cup of Homemade Latte for much, much less than you’d pay at the coffee shop and without using an Espresso Machine.

You can find the detailed recipe here. Also: if you want to make a Breve Latte, just substitute Half and Half for the milk, like I did. And then don’t go look up the calorie count after you make it like I did… yikes! 😉

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

Walgreens Shopping Trip
2 Revlon Colorstay Eye Shadows – $2.99 each (On Sale Buy One Get One 50% off)
Used 2 $1/1 coupon from the 6/15 SmartSource insert
And used $1/1 Walgreens coupon from the July coupon booklet (took off $2)1 Schweppes Water – $1 (Buy 1, Get $1 Register Rewards)
2 Crunch Candy – $0.39 each
Used $0.50/2 coupon from the 7/13 SmartSource insertTotal before sales and coupons: $9.77
Total after sales and coupons: $1.76, Plus received $1 Register Rewards
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

While I didn’t quite get all the books read in June that I hoped to, I DID get in more reading than I had in April and May, so that’s progress!
I’m also reading through the Bible using the plan in my Blessing Journal and reading one devotional from Jesus Today every day.

The Nesting Place — Confession time: I’ve never nailed anything on a wall on any house I’ve ever lived in (friends & family have taken pity on me and done it for me), but this book moved me at a deep level. I want to stop making excuses that “I’m not a decorator” — borne out of my own insecurity and concern over what people will think or that I’ll do it all wrong.
Instead, I just want to be free to experiment, take risks, and try new things — not only when it comes to our home decor, but in all areas of my life. It’s time to say goodbye to performance, perfectionism, and people-pleasing… And to start living with braveness and boldness.
Love Idol — I highly, highly recommend this book if you find yourself (like me) having perfectionistic, people-pleasing tendencies. It’s well-written and engaging, but more than that, the message is powerful, freeing, life-changing!
Rhinestone Jesus — The title of this book alone was enough to challenge me. But the contents were even more convicting. I don’t want to “play it safe”. I want to step outside my comfort zone, even though it’s uncomfortable and hard. I only have one life to live. I want to live it to its fullest. Reading Kristen’s story in the pages of this book stirred me, moved me, and challenged me to not be complacent, comfortable, or content with mediocrity.
Runner Up: Carry On, Warrior — If you didn’t get to yet, be sure to read the post this book inspired: I’m Done With Being a People-Pleaser.
What books did you read in June? What were your favorites? Any books that you’d highly recommend for me?
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Are you a blogger or a business owner who would love some insider tips, secrets, and encouragement for skyrocketing your success? You MUST check out the Platform Conference.
I went to this conference last year hoping I’d pick up some new ideas and inspiration for how to continue growing my platform. Instead, I left the conference with a completely new plan of action and approach for my business.
The speakers and attendees were not only inspiring, but they challenged me to think far outside of my current business strategy. I only wish I had learned this information sooner! It has transformed the way I think and the way I approach business and blogging.
Without a doubt, I can say that the money I spent to attend the Platform Conference was truly the best money I’ve ever spent on any conference in my life. Yes, it’s that good!
I’m honored to be speaking at the Platform Conference this year, along with an incredible line-up of other amazing speakers. I cannot wait to sit and soak up wisdom from them and be re-energized and re-inspired as a business owner and blogger.
The Platform Conference will be held November 9-11, 2014, at the beautiful Broadmoor Resort and Spa in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
This event is for anyone and everyone who has something to say, share, or sell. This includes public speakers, authors, bloggers, business owners, entrepreneurs, sales people, pastors, nonprofit leaders, and more.
If you register by August 1, 2014, you’ll get the Early Bird Rate — which is $100 off the regular price. Plus, if you use coupon code CRYSTAL, you’ll get an additional $100 off. The coupon code CRYSTAL is valid up until conference registration is closed, but the Early Bird Rate ends August 1, 2014.
Do yourself a favor and go sign up for the Platform Conference. I’d LOVE to meet you there!
Sign Up for a FREE Group Mastermind With Me & My Husband
As a special bonus, if you sign up using my coupon code, my husband and I would like to invite you to an exclusive FREE one-hour Group Mastermind we’ll be hosting on-site. This will be an opportunity to get to meet with us and pick our brains with any business or blogging questions (or even life questions) you have. It will be fun and informal — a time for us to get to know you and encourage you in your business endeavors.
To be invited to this exclusive Mastermind with Jesse and me, just sign up for the Platform Conference using coupon code CRYSTAL at checkout. Then, forward your registration confirmation email to registration @ moneysavingmom.com and we’ll be in touch with further details on when and where the Mastermind will be held. We hope to see you there!
And I'll send you 1 to 2 daily emails with the best hand-picked hot deals as they become available!