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Shared May 1, 2013 comment

Yesterday’s Dollar Tree Shopping Trip

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 1, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I ran by Dollar Tree yesterday to see if they had bread in stock since we’re completely out. They did — and they had bagels, too. My favorite Cinnamon Raisin bagels. They haven’t had these for weeks and, of course, as soon as I go off of gluten, they get them in.

Oh well. I guess it’s a good opportunity to practice self-discipline. 🙂

I bought two packages anyway, since I knew the rest of my family would enjoy them. I stuck all the bread/bagels in the freezer and it should last us for at least a few weeks — especially since I’m not eating bread right now.

I love that Dollar Tree sells Nature’s Own bread for just $1 per loaf. Yes, I can make homemade bread for less than that, but it’s so nice to have in the freezer for sandwiches or to use for making Freezer-Friendly Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches.

Shared May 1, 2013 comment

Free samples in my mailbox

Published: by Crystal Paine on May 1, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Here are the free samples I’ve gotten over the past week:

Free bottle of Excedrin

Free Fiber One Protein Bar

Free Folgers coffee sample

Free Woolite detergent sample

What freebies have arrived in your mailbox this week?

By the way, if you want to start getting great freebies in your mailbox, just start signing up for the freebies I post every day that interest you. Within 4-6 weeks, your mailbox will start filling up with great freebies!

Shared Apr 30, 2013 comment

52 Different Ways to Save $100 Per Year: Grow Some Of Your Food {Week 17}

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 30, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Every week in 2013, I’m sharing a different way you can save $100 this year. If you do all of these things, you’ll be able to save over $5,000 this year alone! Many of these things will likely be things you’re already doing, but hopefully all of you will pick up at least a few new ideas or some inspiration from this series.

We all know that it’s usually much less expensive to grow our own food, than to buy it at the store. But it’s also a lot of work. And time is money, too.

So if you have more time than money right now and you have the space for a big garden, definitely go for it. However, if a big garden is just not feasible, here are a few money-saving options that might work for you:

1. Plant an herb garden.

Fresh herbs are so delicious and nutritious. Best of all, they are easy to plant and care for, too!

Growing up, I had an herb garden for a number of years and loved experimenting with different herbs, different recipes, and different drying techniques. I recommend choosing herbs that you use often in cooking. Otherwise, you’re going to end up with a lot of excess herbs that you might not really have a use for.

Tip: Here’s a quick way to freeze fresh herbs.

2. Only plant a few things.

This might seem like a no-brainer, but I think we often can get ambitious with gardening and then end up biting off more than we can keep up with.

Instead of planting 27 different things, think about what vegetables you use the most and consider just planting your top 3-4 favorites.

Sure, you won’t be able to fix entire meals mostly from your backyard, but if you don’t have to buy lettuce, tomatoes, or onions all summer long, that will help cut down your grocery bill some.

Tip: If you’re short on space, you might also look into Square Foot Gardening.

3. Look into community gardening.

Want to have a big garden, but don’t have the space or hours of time to devote to it? Consider starting or participating in a community garden.

These are all run differently, but basically it’s just a group of people who all go in together and work together to plant and take care of a garden — and then split the produce that grows.

This might be something you could do with extended family or a few neighbors or friends. Or, you could see if your community already has a community garden project that you could participate in.

4. Have your children plant their own gardens and then pay them for the produce.

Growing up, one of our favorite things about summer was planting our own little garden plots. It never seemed like work and I loved watching my plants grow and produce.

If you have children who will have free time this summer, this might be something to consider. And you can offer to pay them a dime or some similar small amount for every item they grow.

This can be a win-win situation: you get to enjoy garden fresh produce for much less than what you usually pay for it at the store, your kids stay busy, and they have a way to earn money, too!

5. Barter with someone who plants a garden.

If you don’t have any space or desire to plant a garden, another option for inexpensive produce is to barter with friends who have big gardens. Maybe you bake bread for them, or babysit, or mow their grass, or fix their appliance (or whatever your skills are) in exchange for their extra garden produce. I’ve also heard that many people find free garden produce offers on Craigslist and Freecycle.

Do you plant a garden? Why or why not?

photo credit #1, photo credit #2

Shared Apr 30, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #30 Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 30, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

We made it to the finish line — woohoo! And today’s electronics cleaning project was quick and easy.

Thank you to everyone who so faithfully joined me in this challenge. I’m excited to start the Clutter-Busting Challenge tomorrow, aren’t you?

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on linky below. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

Shared Apr 30, 2013 comment

Today’s Walgreens Shopping Trip

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 30, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

My Walgreens shopping trip wasn’t much better than my Dillon’s shopping trip.

I had a little trouble locating the Happy & Healthy magazine where the battery coupon was in. But it wasn’t by the front door. Instead, they had them at the photo counter and the checkout counter.

So if you haven’t been to Walgreens yet to get the battery deal, just know that you might need to scout out the store a little to find the Happy & Healthy magazine (the battery coupon is at the very back, by the way).

Our store only had a few packs of batteries left, so I got two of them. Maybe I need to start shopping on Monday. 🙂

Here’s how the deal works:

Walgreens Batteries are on sale Buy One, Get One Free this week. Plus, there is a coupon to get Walgreens batteries for $0.99 per package in the Happy & Healthy coupon booklet. So you can pair these two deals together and get batteries for just $0.50 per package!

In the end, I paid $1.09 (including tax) for the two packages of batteries. Not bad!

See more deals at Walgreens this week here.

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

Click here to sign up!

Shared Apr 30, 2013 comment

Today’s Dillon’s Shopping Trip

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 30, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Ever have shopping trips that feel pretty much like a bust? That was my shopping trip at Dillon’s (Kroger affiliate) today.

I stopped by because I was hoping to pick up some of the free Veggie Chips. But alas, the Veggie Chips were priced at $2.99 (if I’m remembering correctly. Whatever it was, it was definitely not $0.99!). I’m hoping maybe they go on sale tomorrow when the new ad comes out?

In addition, I was hoping to pick up some $0.99 Finish Powerball Tabs. But the Finish was on the very top shelf and all the ones with peelies on them were at the very back of the shelf and impossible for a short person like me to reach.

I thought about asking for someone to help me, but there were no tall people in sight and I hated to flag down someone at the store to get them for me just so I could get the ones with peelies on them… since there were plenty without peelies on right within easy reach. I guess I have limits as to what I’ll do for the sake of saving money — especially if it involves a little bit of a strange request from a store worker. 🙂

But I did find the Rice Dream priced at $2.29 and I still had the $2/1 coupons. I know it’s supposed to be free at Walmart and that you can make your own Homemade Rice Milk for pennies, but I was planning to use rice milk in the Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free waffles tonight, so I figured it wouldn’t hurt to pick them up. And then at least my trip wasn’t entirely in vain.

Sometimes, my shopping trips don’t turn out like I plan, but that’s okay. One good thing is that the not-so-good shopping trips make the great shopping trips seem even better! 🙂

Shared Apr 30, 2013 comment

Ask Jesse: Are there risks involved in using an online site to create your own Last Will & Testament?

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 30, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Hi, Jesse! I know you are an attorney and you guys are fans of Dave Ramsey. I saw Dave Ramsey’s website has a link for a recommended site for doing your own Last Will & Testament. I would appreciate your opinion on how to go about setting up a will, including guardianship/trustee for children.

I have heard attorneys say those online ones can have inaccuracies which would make the whole document void. I definitely need some guidance in this and I don’t want to go cheap just to save money on something so important. The one attorney I asked for a price said it would cost $900-$1000 to set this up and that sounded like a lot! Thank you! -Beth

Hi Beth,

Whether someone can or should do their own will with a kit or with a discount online company is one of the questions I get most often. And you touch on one of the main reasons that I discourage it generally: the possibility of mistake.

Every estate is different. In addition, every state is different. As such, it is my opinion that if someone is looking at getting a will or estate plan done, they should at the very least talk to a qualified professional who can offer help or some sort of direction.

For some background, Last Wills and Testaments have been around for hundreds of years for devising property to subsequent generations. Generally, it was a matter of common law, or tradition, as to what laws applied and what didn’t.

As we developed as a country, the various states developed its own laws pertaining to land and property within its own state and what constituted the proper documentation to make the transfers. In Kansas, for instance, anyone making a will must have it witnessed by two people and must attest to it, stating before a notary that the will expresses their desires. If it is handwritten and notarized, it is improper and will be invalidated.

Each state is different. There are some states where these handwritten wills (called “holographic”) are fine and will be honored. This said, many of the kits and discount websites are geared toward specific states and, at the very least, should meet the minimums necessary to be valid.

This, though, brings me to my second objection: lack of personal attention. Everyone has individual needs and circumstances for planning and goals and just filling in blanks on a website or on a form is very impersonal and consultation with a legal professional that is knowledgeable in this area may highlight issues not addressed by these kits and sites.

It seems Congress is constantly changing the estate tax threshold, which no doubt is good for business for the high-end estate planners. Nonetheless, it is my opinion that everyone needs to know exactly what they have and exactly where they want it to go and choose whatever route is best for you and your family. I will caution that you to be careful not to get overcharged or up-sold for these services, though, and shop around.

Jesse Paine is a licensed attorney who owns his own law firm. He’s married to Crystal and is the numbers nerd of the MoneySavingMom.com team! If you have a question you’d like him to answer in a future column, you can submit it here.

The content of this column intended for informational use only and is not to be construed as providing legal, investing, accounting, or other professional advice. Your situation is factually specific and you should accordingly seek qualified professional counsel concerning your specific legal, investing or accounting needs.

photo from Big Stock

Shared Apr 30, 2013 comment

Good Reads: Embracing Beauty by Trina Holden

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 30, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

I royally surprised myself. Because I loved Trina’s ebook, Embracing Beauty.

You all know I’m not a fashionista. I like looking put together, but I hate messing with trying to shop, match, coordinate, and figure out what things work together.

It takes so much time and effort and it drains me instead of energizing me. In fact, on the rare occasions that I do go shopping, I usually leave feeling frustrated by how fruitless the trip seemed to be.

{Yes, I know, all of you who love beauty and fashion and putting outfits together likely think I’m a little bit weird! I often wish I could be like you all!}

Trina’s ebook was a breath of fresh air for me. I loved her perspective on beauty from a Christian standpoint in the beginning chapters. In fact, it really challenged some of my preconceived ideas and beliefs–which I appreciated.

In addition, I loved her simple and frugal ideas for how to figure out what your style is and how to create beauty from the wardrobe you already have. Plus, her thrift store shopping tips were very helpful.

If you’re a Christian mom — and especially if you’re in the season of life when you are pregnant and nursing and caring for little people all day — I think you’ll be blessed and inspired by Trina’s ebook.

Shared Apr 30, 2013 comment

Do It Yourself: Funnel Cakes from Leftover Pancake Better

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 30, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

FromGarbageToGourmet.com shows you how to make homemade funnel cakes from leftover pancake batter.

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.

Shared Apr 30, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #30

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 30, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

April 30, 2013 Project

Today’s project is to clean all your electronics (computer, TV, iPad, iPod, smartphones, etc.)

If you’re a family who has very few electronics, then you have a pretty easy day today. 🙂

Does anyone have any great tips or tricks for cleaning electronics easily?

Come back here at 6 p.m. EST and I’ll have a linky so you can link up your pictures of your accomplishments today!

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on the daily check-ins. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

photo credit

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

Click here to download!

Shared Apr 29, 2013 comment

Yesterday’s Mud Experience & Why You Should Always Watch Where You Walk

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Yesterday, we went to a nearby nature trail for a picnic lunch after church. It had rained Friday and Saturday, so the ground was still wet and muddy in places.

But it was a beautiful spring day and we couldn’t resist, despite the mud. We walked the nature trail, observed animals tracks, discussed bird calls, walked down by the river and found shells, and just enjoyed the quiet, peace, and fun family outing.

When it was time to go, we found a short cut across the field to get back to the parking lot. A lot of people were taking this route and so we followed suit.

There were lots of muddy places on the short cut route, so we kept reminding the kids over and over not to step in the mud. Things were going well until about halfway to the car when one child forgot to look where they were going and stepped right into a mud hole.

They had trouble getting their shoes out from the strong suction of the mud. When they finally did, they had mud all over their shoes and feet and were pretty upset about the whole thing.

The mud slowed them down considerably and us, in turn. Then, we had to spend a long time wiping everything up with baby wipes (the only thing we had!) when we made it back to our car.

It was all good in the end and, once the mud was cleaned up, this child’s attitude lightened considerably. So the fun day was salvaged, in spite of the mud experience.

While we were dealing with all the mud, I kept thinking about the life analogies that it contained. How many times in our adult lives do we get distracted and not pay attention to where we’re going and all of a sudden end up in a muddy mess?

This is especially true when it comes to our finances: we can make a plan for our finances, but then we get busy and we take our eyes off of the path we’d mapped out. We get distracted, we become undisciplined, we let our good habits slip.

Little bit by little bit, we start veering off the path. And then, all of a sudden we can find ourselves stuck in financial mud and frustrated that we didn’t notice we were walking right into it.

The moral of the story? Keep watching where you’re walking.

Have accountability in place so that you’re constantly checking the path (your financial or life goals) to make sure you’re not getting way off course. Those little course corrections will keep you from ending up mired in a mucky mess.

Shared Apr 29, 2013 comment

10 goals for this week

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Last week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read 20 pages of Rascal by Sterling North aloud to the children. ~~Start reading The Hardy Boys Book #1 with Kathrynne, read two chapters of Life With Lily with Kaitlynn, read a few picture books with Silas.~~

~~2. Write a love note to Jesse.~~

Personal Goals

~~3. Memorize Romans 1:11-12.~~

~~4. Exercise five times.~~

5. Finish reading: A Lady in Waiting, 24/6, Start, and When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box.

~~6. Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night.~~

Homemaking Goals

~~7. Follow the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge.~~

~~8. Work on my embroidery project for at least 30 minutes.~~

Business Goals

9. Finish tweaking recipes for my new recipes page.

10. Finish editing the last five chapters for the second round of edits on my manuscript & turn into my editor {this should be done tomorrow!}

This week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read 20 pages of Rascal by Sterling North aloud to the children. Read 3 chapters of The Hardy Boys Book #1 with Kathrynne, read 3 chapters of Life With Lily with Kaitlynn, read a few picture books with Silas.

2. Write a love note to Jesse.

Personal Goals

3. Review Romans 1:1-12.

4. Exercise five times.

5. Finish reading: A Lady in Waiting, 24/6, Start, and When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box.

6. Get at least 7-9 hours of sleep every night.

Homemaking Goals

7. Finish the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge; Start the Clutter-Busting Challenge.

8. Work on my embroidery project for at least 30 minutes.

Business Goals

9. Finish editing the last five chapters for the second round of edits on my manuscript & turn into my editor.

10. Finish outlines for my talks for the Pennsylvania Homeschool Conference next week.

How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Of, if you’ve blogged about it, leave your direct link below. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives!

You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.

Shared Apr 29, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #29 Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

During the month of April, I’m encouraging my readers to participate in a 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week). Every week day morning at 9 a.m., I’ll post the daily project and every evening around 6 p.m. EST, I’ll post an update and link-up.

I’m kind of embarrassed to post these pictures seeing as I just cleaned out my bathroom drawers. But oh well, here the pictures are anyway…

Hiding under all that?

Was this sticky medicine spill from the weekend.

Much better — and I even got some of the other items back to where they belonged, too.

Join in the Chatter

::Want to blog about this challenge? If you’re blogging through this challenge with me, be sure to leave your link to your direct post on linky below. Plus, if you’d like to post your daily posts to the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge Pinterest Group, just shoot me an email (moneysavingmom @ gmail dot com) and I’ll invite you.

::Want to follow along on Twitter or Instagram? I’ll also be sharing some of my cleaning pictures on my Facebook Page, my Twitter account, and my Instagram account. I’d love to have you do the same or join in the discussion on Twitter and Instagram. Just follow hashtag #Cleanin30 to see what others are tweeting and Instagramming about this challenge!

Shared Apr 29, 2013 comment

This Week’s Menu {and yes, I temporarily gave up coffee & sugar–can you believe it?!}

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie

For a long list of reasons, I temporarily gave up coffee and sugar a week ago. Yes {gasp!} can you believe it?!

It’s been eight days, and now that the massive headache is gone, I am feeling so, so good (and sleeping better than I have in years). I’m happy and all, but on the other hand, I was sort of secretly hoping I wouldn’t notice such a marked difference. 🙂

Because of this success, I’m now getting brave and giving up gluten, too, as a 30-Day experiment. It’s amazing how health issues will motivate you to do things you used to think were pretty crazy!

So if you notice a bit outside the norm recipes on my menu, you’ll know why. And if you have any amazing gluten-free, sugar-free (I am eating some honey, but no other forms of sweetener outside of fruit) recipes you think I’d love, please do shoot them my way.

Breakfasts

Oatmeal, Cereal, Eggs, and/or Fruit

Lunches

{I’ll be eating a salad with chicken/tuna, etc. on it every day}

Mac & cheese, fruit
Snack-y lunch
PB&J, carrot sticks, apples
Cheese quesadillas, carrot sticks
Leftovers x 3

Snacks

Fruit/veggies
Popcorn
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Boiled eggs

Freezer Cooking {I’ll share how this goes later this week!}

Banana Oatmeal Breakfast Muffins
Easy Energy Bars (I’m going to sub raisins for the chocolate chips.)
Marinated Chicken

Dinners

Steak on the grill, corn on the cob, veggies
Supreme Egg Loaf, Gluten-Free Dairy-Free Waffles, fruit
Cheesy Hashbrown Casserole with ham, veggies
Simple Beef & Veggie Casserole, fruit
Dinner with friends
Dinner with extended family x 2

What’s on your menu this week? Share details and/or your link to your menu plan in the comments.

Shared Apr 29, 2013 comment

Join Me for the Clutter-Busting Challenge in May!

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 29, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Clutter-Busting Challenge: Get Rid of 7 Things Every Single Day in May

Beginning May 1, 2013, I’ll be hosting a Clutter-Busting Challenge right here on MoneySavingMom.com.

I’ll be going through my house from top to bottom during the month of May. And to keep me motivated and accountable, every week day at 2 p.m., I’ll be posting a picture of 7 things I got rid of that day.

I’ll invite you to join me in this project, by challenging yourself to find 7 things to get rid of every day, too. I’ll have a link-up on the daily post where you can share a picture of the 7 things you got rid of that day, too.

Who’s with me in this clutter-busting challenge? Leave a comment to let us know you’re in.

2hr Cleaning Checklist

2hr Cleaning Checklist

FREE DOWNLOAD: 2-Hour Cleaning Checklist!

1. Plant an herb garden.

2. Only plant a few things.

3. Look into community gardening.

4. Have your children plant their own gardens and then pay them for the produce.

5. Barter with someone who plants a garden.

More Gardening Articles:

Do you plant a garden? Why or why not?

Join in the Chatter

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

April 30, 2013 Project

Join in the Chatter

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

Join in the Chatter

Breakfasts

Lunches

Snacks

Freezer Cooking {I’ll share how this goes later this week!}

Dinners

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