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Shared Apr 3, 2013 comment

52 Different Ways to Save $100 Per Year: Rent Movies for FREE {Week 13}

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 3, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

At the beginning of every week in 2013, I’ll be 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.

One of the ways my husband and I have saved a lot of money over the years is by having at-home movie nights instead of going to see a movie at the theater. On the rare occasions when we do go see a movie, I always choke at the prices they charge.

$8+ per ticket? That adds up quickly!

We love a good movie as much as the next person, though, so we’ve found creative ways to enjoy the occasional movie on the cheap. Here are some of those ideas:

The Library

When Jesse was in law school, we lived in Topeka, KS, home to one of the best libraries in the U.S. (yes, I’m a little biased and oh how I miss that library!). Not only did we check out dozens of books each month, we also frequented the DVD section for our at-home movie dates. You can’t beat FREE DVD rentals!

Not all libraries offer free DVD rentals, but if your library does, take advantage of it! Our kids especially love checking out old TV series to watch during movie time each day.

Redbox

Sometime near the end of law school, Redbox came to town and we switched to getting most of our movies from the Redbox kiosks. Back then, they gave away free movie codes like they were going out of style so whenever we wanted to get a free movie, we’d just check Inside Redbox for a valid code.

Now, the codes are a little less frequent, but they still release them on occasion. Coupon Dad keeps a running list of free Redbox rental codes and I also post any that I find as they are valid. (There’s a free Redbox code available through May 8, 2013).

You can use one free code per card, so if you have multiple cards, you can use the free codes more than once. If you have a texting plan, you can text SIGNUP to 727272 and you’ll get a free rental code the first Monday of every month, plus Redbox coupons and occasional free rental codes throughout the month.

Amazon Instant Video Rental

Thanks to Swagbucks, Amazon is becoming more and more our go-to place for renting movies. The Amazon Instant Video library contains thousands upon thousands of movies, TV shows, and more.

They occasionally release free Instant Streaming credits that we use to download movies and they also often have $0.99 rental specials. The thing I love best about the $0.99 rental offers is that you have 30 days to start viewing them. So I can purchase one and save it for a movie night later in the month. Once you start viewing the video, though, it’s only available in your account for 48 hours.

I use a few of the Amazon gift cards I earn through Swagbucks each month to pay for some Instant Video library purchases from Amazon. We’ve been very happy with Amazon video rentals and we love that we don’t have to mess with going out and getting a video or the possibility that they might be all rented. In addition, if we’ve had any connectivity issues with a movie playing, Amazon has always refunded our money all on their own — even when the connectivity issues weren’t anything major.

There are also other options like NetFlix, Hulu, and watching shows online, but the library, Redbox, and Amazon Instant Video are our top three favorites.

How Much Can You Save?

If you go to a theater once a month and spend and average of $20 (two movie tickets + popcorn), you’ll save around $240 per year by having at-home movie nights. That’s fairly significant!

Plus, you don’t have to mess with finding a sitter and you can make your own snacks — which are much better than most of those icky movie theater options (can you tell I’m not a soda pop and candy bar girl?!).

Do you like at-home movie dates? What are your favorite alternatives to paying for movie tickets?

photo from Big Stock

Shared Apr 3, 2013 comment

Ask the Readers: Help me stretch our $200 per month grocery budget!

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 3, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Today’s question is from Kari:

My husband and I recently started the Dave Ramsey program and we are halfway through baby step #2 (the debt snowball). I’m having a hard time with how much I should budget for grocery — and making that stretch for the whole month.

Can any of your readers share some ideas and/or cheap recipes for a family of 4 (our boys are 3 and 5) with a $200 monthly budget? I am doing a lot of freezer cooking, making a lot of rice meals, and using my bread machine like crazy, but I am having trouble with wanting to use meat but just cant afford it. We are already doing some meatless meals and I am buying my flour in bulk at Sam’s Club. -Kari

Do you have a question you’d like to ask Money Saving Mom® readers? Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.

Shared Apr 3, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #3

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 3, 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 3, 2013 Project

Your project for today is to surface clean your bedroom(s).

If you have multiple bedrooms in your house, you can choose whichever one most needs a good surface cleaning. I’m planning to do our room (I’ll save the girls’ room for later this month, because it definitely needs a good cleaning!).

Here’s what I’m planning to do:

Set the timer for 20 minutes and pick up and put away all items that are out of place. (Bonus: find 7 items to get rid of.)

Pull out any items under the bed that don’t below under the bed and make the bed (wash sheets/bedding, if needed).

Vacuum/sweep the room. (Bonus: use an attachment on the vacuum to vacuum around the baseboards and vacuum under the bed.)

Clean fingerprints on the windows.

Bonus: Spot-clean the carpets and walls.

You’re done!

You can follow along with my list — or do whatever constitutes “surface cleaning the bedroom” to you. There is no one right way to do this. 🙂

Then, come back here at 6 p.m. EST and I’ll show you pictures of my cleaning accomplishments for today and have a linky so you can link up yours, too!

Are there any bedroom-cleaning tasks that you’d add to my list? Let us know.

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

Shared Apr 2, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #2 Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 2, 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.

How did your Day 2 Project go?

I have a confession to make: I only scrubbed one bathroom.

But my kids clean their bathroom every day, so I skipped that one and I plan to do our bathroom tonight (and I’ll show you pictures of my accomplishments there later this week). Excuses, excuses, I know.

Coffee + my cleaning = ready to go!

Here’s what I look like in the mornings before my workout and shower: Yoga pants and sweatshirt, headphones in, and — yup — no makeup or even so much as a brush run through my hair. Yikes! 🙂

Oh and in case you’re wondering about the signs on the door behind me in the picture above. The closet off the bathroom is Kathrynne’s “office”. It’s constantly changing as far as what sort of business it is, but it is currently a travel agency. 😉

Tackling the sink with my trusty Norwex cloth.

And then it was on to the toilet.

I broke out the Mr. Clean Eraser for some scuffs on the floor.

Speaking of Mr. Clean Erasers, did you know you can purchase them in bulk for much, much cheaper online? They aren’t Mr. Clean Erasers, but they are made with the same thing that the Erasers are made from. Just look for MELAMINE SPONGE CLEANING ERASER CLEANERs on eBay or Amazon. I just ordered a pack recently, thanks to this hot tip from Pinterest.

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!

photo credit

Shared Apr 2, 2013 comment

Earn While You Burn: 5 Benefits of Being an Exercise Instructor

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 2, 2013 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Leslie of PeterAndLeslie.blogspot.com

Would you like to get paid to exercise?

I was taking an aerobics class last year when the instructor suggested that I get certified to teach. It didn’t take me long to conclude that getting paid to exercise would be a good thing for our bottom line (pun fully intended)!

Staying fit is something most people seem to struggle to find time for, but if you’re already a regular exerciser and you can bring in a little income while you’re at it — that’s a good use of your time! And if you’re not a regular exerciser, getting paid to exercise may help keep things affordable and keep you consistent.

5 benefits of being an exercise instructor:

1. Savings.

Getting certified as a group exercise instructor will require an initial investment, but if you teach at a club or gym, you will most likely receive a free membership there. This may also include free or discounted family memberships and other classes or programs that may be offered.

Right now, we’re saving about $600/year in gym membership fees.

2. Flexibility.

There is a broad selection of gyms and clubs that offer a variety of aerobics classes at various times from early morning to late evening. There is a good chance you can find a type of class you’d like to teach at a time that works for you. Of course when you’re just starting, you may have to be flexible, but there are a lot of options.

3. Childcare.

Many gyms offer childcare which contributes to both flexibility and savings: you can take your children to work with you, and you don’t have to pay for baby sitting.

4. Income.

I’ll admit, the income will probably be small, but even an extra $100/month could make a big difference for some people. Additionally, staying healthy and fit may pay dividends in the long-run in terms of health care costs.

5. Chiseled Physique.

Okay, this might have more to do with your genes and your dietary habits than with your decision to acquire a group exercise certification, but I will say that my arms are more toned than they’ve ever been! I mean, that’s not saying too much, but my husband noticed! 🙂

How to Get Started:

If you’re not already doing so, start take a variety of group exercise classes so that you can familiarize yourself with the format. Talk to the instructors to find out how they got certified; ask them about employment opportunities at the gym.

There are several organizations that certify group exercise instructors, and all will require an initial investment: the fee for the certification workshop and study materials. However, there my be ways that you can cut down on those initial costs.

A little online research will help you learn about the options and compare prices. If there is not a workshop hosted near you, some organizations also offer online certifications. I got certified through AFAA, and all organizations will require you to also be certified in CPR.

Here are some ways that you can minimize the initial costs of certification:

Try to find someone who has already been certified and borrow their study materials — this saved me almost $100.
Look for cheap or free CPR classes. I had to pay $90 for my class, but I have since learned that there are online classes that run about $20 or so.

For me to get certified through AFAA and get a CPR certification, I paid roughly $400. It’s not pocket change, but you may be able to recoup that investment quickly.

If you go ahead with certification, be sure to network with the people at your workshop — the instructors and other students. I got my job through the instructor at my AFAA certification workshop.

After I had my second child, I struggled to get back in to regular exercise. This job increased my enthusiasm and commitment and helped me to shed the last of my baby weight.

It may not be for everyone, but you may be surprised to find that it works for you. I never saw myself doing something like this, but it turned out to be a good decision for me.

I’m able to generate a little cash flow while staying in shape and encouraging others to do the same. And those toned arms don’t hurt either!

When she’s not teaching aerobics, Leslie she does a lot of toddler lifts — which also contribute to toned arms! She lives in Houston with her husband and two young children. She loves to read, write, exercise, and cook. She blogs at PeterAndLeslie.blogspot.com

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

Click here to sign up!

Shared Apr 2, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #2

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 2, 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 2, 2013 Project

Your project for today is to clean your bathrooms.

Here’s what I’m planning to do:

Set the timer for 20 minutes and put toilet cleaner in each of the toilet bowls and let it soak.

Remove any items that don’t belong in the bathroom, put away items that need to be put away in the bathroom, empty the trash.

Spray and wipe down the sink and tub.

Finish swishing and cleaning the toilet.

Shake the rugs outside (or throw them in the laundry) and mop or vacuum the floors.

Wipe down the outside of the cupboards and clean the mirror.

You’re done!

You can follow along with my list — or do whatever constitutes “bathroom cleaning” to you. There is no one right way to do this. 🙂

Then, come back here at 6 p.m. EST and I’ll show you pictures of my cleaning accomplishments for today and have a linky so you can link up yours, too!

How long does it usually take you to clean your bathroom(s)? I’m going to be timing myself this morning to see if I can do all of that in all three of our bathrooms in less than 20 minutes. I’ll let you know!

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

Shared Apr 1, 2013 comment

Punching One of My Greatest Fears In the Face

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

Over the last two years, I’ve faced a lot of fears head on, stepped outside my comfort zone, and experienced the shrill joy that comes from doing what I once thought was impossible.

But there was one fear lurking in a dark closet that I hoped I would never have to face again. I had shut that closet and locked up tight almost 10 years ago with no intention of ever finding the key. As far as I was concerned, it was done. Over. Past.

What was that fear you ask? The fear of playing my violin in front of an audience.

For those of you who didn’t know, long before I was a blogger, I was a violinist. I took violin lessons for many years, spent countless hours practicing, played for many different occasions and events, and taught violin for a number of years.

As long as I was playing in a group, I loved it. But get me up on a stage playing a solo or duet and I was scared sick and a nervous wreck. I can’t tell you how many times I messed up in public due to nerves nor how many opportunities I said “no” to because I was so afraid of performing.

Zipping Up My Violin Case Once and For All

When I got married, I zipped up my violin case and put it at the top of closet. I was sad to say goodbye to what was once a big part of my life, but also thrilled and relieved that I didn’t have to live in fear of my next violin performance.

Years past, babies were born, jobs changed, and the violin moved with us and got stuck at the top of a closet with each move. I pulled it out on a few occasions, but mostly it just sat there.

I Don’t Know What Got Into Me, But I Said “Yes”

A few months ago, my sister was planning her senior recital and she said that she’d love more than anything if all of her sisters could play together as part of her recital. I hadn’t touched my violin in over three years, so I don’t know what got into me, but I told her I’d do it.

Life’s been full and I didn’t think too much about it until last week as I was practicing in earnest for the recital. All of a sudden, all of those fears from the past came on with a vengeance.

I remembered those recitals I’d bombed. Those quartets I’d squeaked through and played wrong notes in.

And I started having major panic. “Why had I signed up to do this? What on earth was I thinking?”

Every time I thought about walking up on that stage and attempting to play, I got sick to my stomach and felt my chest constrict.

I Knew In My Heart I Was Supposed to Do This

I started concocting a lot of reasons why I could and should back out. I even hoped that maybe I’d get really sick so I wouldn’t be able to do it.

But I knew in my heart that I was supposed to do this. I was suppose punch this lifelong fear of mine in the face (thanks, Jon Acuff!).

That didn’t make it any easier, though.

The day of the recital, I was a ball of nerves. I couldn’t think straight. And I had to keep stopping to pray, breathe, and remind myself that “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” {I even went and hid out in the bathroom twice before the recital to try and calm my nerves!}

Punching Fear in the Face

Before I knew it: the moment arrived. I went up on stage, trembling and fearful, but determined.

My hands were shaking. My heart was pounding. And I had no idea what kind of crazy squeaking might result from my violin because I was so nervous.

But, I made myself breathe, I said a quick prayer, and I told myself, “Go punch fear in the face.”

And I did it!

No, it wasn’t an award-winning performance, but it was the first time ever that I have made it through a performance where I was the sole violinist without making major mistakes or basically botching the piece.

It felt so, so good. And I am very happy I didn’t back out at the last minute. Because I would have missed the sheer exhilaration that comes from punching fear in the face.

P.S. I’m posting a video of the performance — not because I think my part was amazing (if you have a good ear, you’ll hear some slightly flat notes coming from my violin at times!) — but because I want to inspire you to face your own fears head on and punch ’em in the face. It feels really good. 🙂

Related: I loved this post by David Molnar on how he faced the one thing he feared most.

Shared Apr 1, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Day #1 Update

Published: by Crystal Paine on April 1, 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.

How did your Day 1 Project go? I decided to not procrastinate and actually did my project before breakfast this morning.

I fixed a cup of coffee and turned on the EntreLeadership podcast (my husband got me hooked on it last week! I can’t believe I waited so long to start listening to it. It’s packed with such good stuff!)

The kitchen didn’t need much cleaning up this morning — mostly thanks to the fact that we had a big one-hour house clean-up session yesterday afternoon! It’s always nice to start the week off with the house in good shape. 🙂

I loaded the dishwasher and started it, wiped down the countertops with a Norwex cloth, put the things away that were out, and I was done!

The living room was in great shape, so it didn’t need much work other than some pillow-fluffing, and my computer stuff put away. And then Kathrynne vacuumed it later in the morning (that’s one of her daily jobs).

And that was that! Not too hard at all. Hopefully, it was somewhat the same at your house, 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!

photo credit

Shared Apr 1, 2013 comment

10 Goals for This Week

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

I’m so excited to be heading back to the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention again this year — and bringing my family with me! We met so many of you last year and I can’t wait to see many of you again, as well as to meet a number of new readers, too!

I’m speaking four times this weekend and would love to get to meet you. Truthfully, meeting my readers is one of the greatest highlights about conferences to me, so if you’re planning on being at the conference, definitely drop by the booth or find me after one of my sessions!

This week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

~~1. Read four chapters of Rascal by Sterling North aloud to the children. Read four chapters of Paddington Abroad with Kathrynne, read four chapters of Life With Lily with Kaitlynn~~, finish reading The Adventure of Laura and Jack with Silas.

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

Personal Goals

3. Memorize Romans 1:9-10.

~~4. Exercise five times.~~

~~5. Finish the Early to Rise Challenge.~~

6. Finish reading Uneclipsing the Son, A Charlotte Mason Education, Sleep: It Does a Family Good, and The Chance.

7. Follow my planned early to bed, early to rise schedule. {I did really great on this for three days & then things got a little out of whack with the schedule!}

Homemaking Goals

~~8. Do a Freezer Cooking in an Hour session.~~

~~9. Work on embroidery project.~~

Business Goals
~~10. Get three chapters of my book edited per my editor’s suggestions.~~

This week’s goals:

Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals

1. Read 20 pages of Rascal by Sterling North aloud to the children. Finish reading Paddington Abroad with Kathrynne, read three chapters of Life With Lily with Kaitlynn, finish reading The Adventure of Laura and Jack with Silas.

2. Write a love note to Jesse.

Personal Goals

3. Memorize Romans 1:9-10.

4. Exercise five times.

5. Finish reading Uneclipsing the Son, A Charlotte Mason Education, Sleep: It Does a Family Good, One Question, and The Chance. {I really & truly am hoping to finish these this week!}

Homemaking Goals

6. Follow the 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge.

7. Work on embroidery project.

Business Goals

8. Tweak & practice my talks for the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention.

9. Speak at the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention.

10. Finish all my book edits per my editor’s suggestions.

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 1, 2013 comment

This Week’s Menu

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

Whole-Wheat Blender Pancakes

We’re headed to the Cincinnati Homeschool Convention for half of this week, so meals are going to be super simple around here and I’m only planning four days of meals since we’ll be traveling or at the conference the rest of the week. In addition, I’m going to skip freezer cooking this week.

Breakfasts

Oatmeal, Whole-Wheat Blender Pancakes, Cereal, Eggs, and/or Fruit

Lunches

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

Snacks

Fruit/veggies
Popcorn

Dinners

Dinner with extended family
Black Bean & Corn-Topped Potatoes, fruit, tossed salad
Bean & Cheese Burritos, fruit, veggies
Ritzy Chicken, fruit, veggies

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

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

Click here to download!

Shared Apr 1, 2013 comment

A Peek Into Last Week

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

My current treadmill read: One Question by Ken Coleman. I was blessed to meet Ken at a conference recently and was just completely impressed with his wisdom, authenticity, and humility.

After meeting him, I’m in no way surprised that I love his book. I told him last week that he’s motivating me to stay on the treadmill longer because I don’t want to put it down! 🙂

Kathrynne and Kaitlynn spent one afternoon last week collecting lady bugs from our yard. They ended up finding around 50, which they observed for a few hours and them let back into the wild.

After seeing my embroidery project, Kaitlynn asked if she could do her own sewing project. I showed her how to thread the needle and sew a little and she just took off. Here was the project she came up with on her own — no pattern at all!

My younger sister had her senior recital on Saturday. So all of the cousins were together for a few days. They had a blast.

Here was the picture that we told them to “act silly” in. As you can tell, we don’t lack for personality in our families. 😉

They all sang Holy, Holy, Holy together for the recital and it was priceless and rather hilarious. 🙂

Shared Apr 1, 2013 comment

How We Saved $700 by Cutting Cable …and Still Watch Great TV

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

Guest post from Abby of Just a Girl and Her Blog

When my husband and I decided to get serious about budgeting, one of the first things we cut out was cable.

Still wanting access to some form of at-home entertainment, we weighed our options and finally came up with a solution that saved us almost $700 this year while still watching great TV!

Here’s how we did it:

1. Investigate internet service providers.

When we decided to drop cable, we had the infamous “bundle” plan which gave us a reduced rate because we held our cable and internet with the same company. We were worried that we wouldn’t be able to find an internet-only option that made dropping cable worthwhile, but after a little bit of calling around, we were able to get a deal with Comcast where we paid $30 a month for internet only instead of the $103 we were paying for internet plus cable through Verizon.

2. Choose a video streaming service.

We looked at Netflix, Hulu Plus, and Amazon Prime. We ultimately chose Amazon Prime because along with video streaming, free two-day shipping, and the Kindle Lending Library were also included in the $79 yearly fee.

3. Meet Roku.

Roku is a little box that hooks up to your television and allows you to stream videos via your subscription service straight to your TV. It also offers additional TV and movie programming, a lot of which is free. (And have I mentioned no commercial interruptions?!) We purchased the Roku HD for $60.

4. Get a Leaf for local channels.

The Mohu Leaf is a flat antenna that we were able to mount behind our TV in order to pick up our local stations in HD. (Yep, high definition from a digital antenna!) My hubby especially loved this feature because he didn’t have to completely give up live sports.

We live in Pittsburgh (hello, hills!), so rabbit ear antennas weren’t really an option for us; however, since the Leaf gets about 10x better reception than standard rabbit ears, we probably would have gone with it anyway. We found our Leaf for around $40.

So let’s do the math:

$73 savings/month by dropping cable x 12 months = $876 – $79 (Amazon Prime) -$60 (Roku) – $40 (Leaf) = $697 in savings. And we don’t feel like we’re missing anything!

I was hesitant to start the process in the beginning because it sounded like a lot of work, but once we figured out how much we’d save without much sacrifice, it was well worth it. And since we won’t have to factor the cost of the Roku or the Leaf into next year’s budget, we’ll save even more!

Could we have saved more by getting rid of TV altogether? Yes. But for those of us who still like to have an at-home entertainment option, this strategy is a great way to go!

Abby Lawson is the author of JustaGirlandHerBlog.com where she shares her creative ideas, DIY projects, activities for the kiddos, and random happy thoughts. She lives in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and two little boys, ages four and one.

Shared Apr 1, 2013 comment

30-Day House Cleaning Challenge: Project #1

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

Welcome to April’s 30-Day House Cleaning Challenge (read more here, if you missed my announcement about this challenge last week)! Are you ready to whip your house into shape? I know I am!

April 1, 2013 Project

Your project for today is to surface clean your living room and kitchen.

Here’s what I’m planning to do:

Set the timer for 15 minutes and pick up and put away everything that’s out of place. Bonus project: Find 7 things to get rid of.

Next, wash the dishes in the kitchen (if there are any), wipe down the countertops and surfaces in the kitchen.

Finally, vacuum the living room.

You can follow along with my list — or do whatever constitutes “surface cleaning” to you. There is no one right way to do this. 🙂

Then, come back here at 6 p.m. EST and I’ll show you pictures of my cleaning accomplishments for today and have a linky so you can link up yours, 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 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

Shared Mar 30, 2013 comment

Frugal Ways to Occupy Kids While Traveling

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

Guest post from Rachael of Nothing if Not Intentional

As the snow melts and ice thaws, many families look forward to getting away for a spring break trip or a summer vacation. And whether you’re road tripping to Grandma’s or flying to the beach, these travel plans often include long hours with little ones strapped into their car seats.

How can we occupy little ones who can’t yet read and don’t like to sit still?

Since my husband is a pilot, our family has had a fair amount of practice traveling with our young girls (7 months and 2 ½ years). We keep a small bag packed that is filled with special travel toys. This bag is updated before trips, and we don’t play with it any other time. This keeps the activities special and new.

Here are a few cheap, screen-free ideas to help you pack your travel bag of tricks!

Babies:

With diapers, wipes, clothes, and bibs, babies require more than their fair share of luggage. Luckily, there’s no need to fill your car or carry-on with lots of toys.

Play peek-a-boo or let them giggle at the friendly passenger in the row behind you! Make sure the toys you do bring are easy-to-clean. Baby toys will likely end up on the floor or ground.

Other ideas:

paper or magazine pages to rip
a ball to drop or roll
rattles that are fun to shake and chew
a small photo album filled with pictures of friends and family members

Toddlers:

It’s tough to keep a mobile toddler strapped into a seat!

Make sure they get plenty of exercise before they’re expected to sit still. Cruise around your boarding gate and do laps up and down the airplane aisle.

If you’re traveling by car, play a game of follow the leader that includes jumping, running, hopping, and skipping each time you stop.

Other ideas:

Finger puppets
Color wonder markers
Stickers
Mr. Potato Head
Magazine cutouts of pictures toddlers recognize (e.g. animals, food, vehicles)
Tape to squish, roll, and tear
Body parts book using pictures of child
Small foam blocks to stack, match, or encourage color/shape identification

Preschoolers:

Preschoolers still fidget and move, but you have the advantage of being able to engage their minds.

Encourage your preschooler to fix and serve a pretend feast. Talk about your child’s favorite memories. Ask your child to tell you his favorite story. Make up a story together. Let the imagination run wild since the body can’t.

Other ideas:

A tiny toy car or plane to drive or fly
Puzzles
Magna doodle or etch-a-sketch (from a dollar store!)
Bingo markers (also from a dollar store!)
Coloring sheets and printables
Camera (perhaps a real one you’ve retired? Kids love imitating parents and helping to capture memories and moments!)
Eye-spy books
Paint with water sheets
Busy Bags
Songs—“Wheels on the Bus,” “Old Macdonald,” “Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes,” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”

With all of these ages, bring snacks, offer drinks, pack a few books, and don’t forget your child’s lovey.

With a little frugal preparation, you’ll be on your way to a travel adventure the whole family can enjoy!

How to you occupy kids while traveling?

Nothing if Not Intentional started as a blog to share stories from Nate and Rachael’s ten trips to Guatemala. It is now an outlet for Rachael’s writing (she’s a former English major), and a place to share stories from their travels (Nate’s a pilot) and life with two young girls.

Shared Mar 29, 2013 comment

Reader Tip: Save More with Facebook Co-Op Groups

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

Meg emailed in the following tip:

I am always looking for ways to pay less than retail price for the items I buy every day. So when I heard about co-op groups on Facebook, I was intrigued — and they turned out to be one of the best things I’ve ever done to save money.

A Co-Op (or Co-operative) negotiates a wholesale price on an item by having it’s members combine their individual orders into one large order. For example, if I were to buy designer lipstick from a store, I might have to pay $15 per tube. However, the stores themselves only pay $3 per tube. In a co-op, because there are 50 of us buying lipstick, we are able to pool our money together and buy an entire case – and we get the price that the stores would pay. Even after paying shipping from the “host” (the person that places the wholesale order) to my home, I’m still seeing savings of 15% to even 80%!

I have had great luck with buying cosmetics, children’s toys, clothing, organic body products, craft supplies, clothing, and even household items through co-op groups.

Most groups on Facebook are “closed” groups, so just ask to join!

2hr Cleaning Checklist

2hr Cleaning Checklist

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April 3, 2013 Project

Join in the Chatter

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April 2, 2013 Project

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Breakfasts

Lunches

Snacks

Dinners

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

1. Investigate internet service providers.

2. Choose a video streaming service.

3. Meet Roku.

4. Get a Leaf for local channels.

April 1, 2013 Project

Join in the Chatter

Babies:

Toddlers:

Preschoolers:

How to you occupy kids while traveling?

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