RedflyCreations.com shows you how to make homemade self-hardening clay.
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.
Summer Bucket List
Classic View
Grid View
Monthly Sponsor Spotlight: An interview with SmarterBucks®
We’re excited to have SmarterBucks® as one of our monthly sponsors in August.
I had the opportunity to interview them and get to know their company a little more recently:
1. Tell us about the history of your company.
SmarterBucks® was launched in 2012 by the same team behind SimpleTuition. Since 2006, SimpleTuition has helped over 20 million students and families better afford their college education.
Now, with SmarterBucks®, we are empowering them, and the one in five households in America living with student debt, with the tools and information needed to be smarter about their student debt management. Our rewards program is built around the power of interest: for every dollar you earn in SmarterBucks® that gets contributed toward your student loan debt, you save that dollar plus interest over the life of your loan. It’s that exponential effect that makes the SmarterBucks® rewards program so powerful, and enables us to help our users crush their student debt faster and for less.
2. What product or service does your company offer?
SmarterBucks® is a rewards program that helps its users pay down their student loans. To earn rewards, members currently have four options:
- Shopping in our online rewards marketplace featuring hundreds of leading retailers like Target, Walmart, Groupon, J.Crew, and more
- Inviting family and friends to make contributions or earn rewards on their behalf
- Using their SmarterBank® Visa® Debit card (optional) on everyday purchases
- Completing brand-sponsored online surveys
Signing up is completely free, and once a user has earned $15 in SmarterBucks®, those rewards are automatically contributed as an extra payment to the student loan that the user has set up in the SmarterBucks® system. Our thought process: you are online shopping/in-store shopping/taking surveys/getting gifts (etc) already, so might as well put those everyday activities to work in getting you out of student debt. We try to make it as simple, powerful, hassle-free, and automated as possible, and there are never any caps on rewards earnings.
3. The main focus on Money Saving Mom® is saving money and making our dollars stretch. How does your product help us to do that?
We call it the power of accumulated interest. Because SmarterBucks® rewards are contributed as extra payments, which are meant to be in addition to a user’s regular monthly payments, our users not only get out of debt faster, but they also save interest on the overall cost of their loan. That means that for every $1 earned and contributed in SmarterBucks®, a typical user is really saving up to $2-$3 over the life of their loan. A little math to drive home the point:
4. Does your company have any new products or promotions coming up?
Just for joining, SmarterBucks® members are always entered into our monthly student loan payment giveaways, worth anywhere between $1,000-$2,500 in SmarterBucks®.
In addition, until September 15th, we are running a special promotion to help people reach their first extra student loan payment: any new SmarterBucks® member who earns $5 in rewards (and sets up a valid student loan) will receive their next $10 in rewards on us. Click here for more information.
5. Does your company do any charity work that you’d like us to know about?
Though SmarterBucks® is a for-profit organization, we do consider ourselves social entrepreneurs in the business of smarter student debt management.
6. What would you most like your customers or future customers to know about your company?
Here at SmarterBucks®, we live, breathe, eat, and sleep our mission to help you get student debt-free faster and for less. We’re constantly brainstorming new ways for you to earn rewards, seeking out new inspiring #crushstudentdebt stories to share, and creating or curating new content to help you take control of your financial future. We don’t whine, brood, or vent about the struggle of paying off student loans. We’re action-oriented, and our products and content help you get debt-free faster.
Perhaps most importantly, however, is that we listen to our members. Our SmarterBucks® Ambassador community, a community open to all members who wish to share their feedback and opinions with us, has played, and will continue to play, a critical role in shaping the future of our program.
7. How can your customers get the most out of your product or service?
Make SmarterBucks® a part of your daily routine, and sign up for the SmarterBank® Visa® Debit card. When we look at our members who have gotten the most out of our program, they are the people who are taking a survey a day, doing all of their online shopping in the SmarterBucks Marketplace, asking friends and family for SmarterBucks contributions in lieu of birthday and holiday gifts, and using the SmarterBank® Visa® Debit card for all of their purchases, both in-store and online. It can be a bit of a behavior adjustment at first, but the rewards are worth it.
8. Is there anything else that you would like for Money Saving Mom® readers to know about your company?
SmarterBucks® is part of a unique suite of products, all brought to you from the same parent company, SimpleTuition, dedicated to leading the path to an affordable education. We’re serious about this mission and hope you will join us in our quest.
Interested in becoming a monthly sponsor or advertising with us? Find more details here.
Shared Aug 26, 2013
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52 Different Ways to Save $100 Per Year: Plan a Weekly Menu {Week 25}
52 Different Ways to Save $100 Per Year: Plan a Weekly Menu {Week 25}
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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.
Menu Planning Saves You Stress and Frustration
Do you dread 5 p.m. because it’s when you have to try to pull something together for dinner or feel guilty about ordering takeout yet again? Do you often find yourself running to the store at the last-minute in a frazzled state rushing through the aisles and throwing random things into your cart in hopes it will magically create a five-course dinner?
The truth is, you could throw away the 5 p.m. dread and almost completely eradicate the frazzled last-minute grocery store trips if you sat down at the beginning of the week and made a menu plan.
Menu Planning Saves You Money
I can’t even begin to calculate how much we’ve saved over the years through the simple act of menu planning.
By planning ahead and buying all the groceries we’ll need for the week in one shopping trip, we save numerous trips to the store throughout the week. In addition, when you have a plan in place for what you’re supposed to be eating each meal and you’ve already purchased the ingredients for those recipes, it’s a lot harder to justify chucking the plan for takeout.
There’s No Perfect Way to Menu Plan
Everyone is going to plan their menu a little bit differently — and that’s perfectly okay! What matters is that you do it, and that it works for your family.
For the record, I’ve tried multiple menu-planning methods. Some have worked better than others and some have worked better for us in certain seasons than in other seasons.
Free printable Weekly Meal Planner from Gifts We Use
My Current Menu-Planning “Method”
I always start by planning my menu around what I have on hand and what’s on sale at the store. I’ve found that freezer cooking definitely makes menu planning easier since it means you have meals already in the freezer ready to go.
I also keep a running list of Recipes I Want to Try on a Pinterest Board. I always consult this when making our weekly menu plan to get some fresh ideas and inspiration.
Finally, I add in things that I know I can get inexpensively — either at Aldi or elsewhere. I’m so thankful we have the luxury of having an Aldi close by!
There are times when my cupboards and freezers are pretty bare and it seems the sales are sparse. If that’s the case, I see how much grocery money I have to work with, and I usually pull out some cookbooks to get the wheels in my head going. Or I’ll go to some of my favorite food blogs for ideas. (You can also check out Menu Plan Monday for a plethora of menu ideas from around the blogosphere.)
We keep our meals simple around here, so that makes menu-planning a lot easier. I also pretty much never follow the menu plan to a tee — I’ll usually shuffle some things around, nix a recipe or two for lack of time or because I discovered another recipe that I think will work better.
Find a Method That Works For You
You might find it helpful to take 30 minutes and make a list of 30 meals your family loves to serve as inspiration if you’re ever feeling a lack of creativity while menu-planning.
Or, you could have pre-established themes for dinners each week. Tsh, over at SimpleMom, does this and here’s an example of what her Themed Menu Plan has looked like:
Mondays – pasta
Tuesdays – soup, salad, and/or sandwiches
Wednesdays – stir fry
Thursdays – crock pot
Fridays – pizza
Saturdays – something new
Sundays – something easy
Jenna from the Newlyweds blog left a comment sharing how she plans her menus:
I try to plan two meals around items I already have at home in the pantry or freezer, and then plan some meals based on what’s on sale, and some based on what we would like to eat. I keep my plan flexible and allow for anything that will pop up. I also like to keep items on hand all the time for a few quick meals like taco soup and spaghetti. This way, if some comes up, I can whip these up in a jiffy. –Jenna @ Newlyweds
It might seem like a daunting task at first — especially if this is all new to you! — but don’t be overwhelmed. Do the best you can do and remember that it’s never going to be absolutely perfect. Over time, though, you’ll likely begin to realize significant savings just by taking a few extra steps and putting the effort forth to make a plan.
Free Menu Planning Worksheet and Grocery Shopping Lists
To aid you in your menu-planning and grocery-list-making, Joy from FiveJ’s and I put together some free downloads for you. (By the way, Joy put together a snazzy free downloads page here so you can access all the free downloads we currently have available. Enjoy!)
Meal Planning Worksheet :: This brainstorming form contains spaces to write down store deals, coupons, items on hand, and recipes that can be made from those items.
Shopping List :: Contains space for the items to purchase, the cost of the item, whether there is a coupon for it, and how much the coupon is for. Also includes a space for notes where you can record extra information about your shopping trip.
Two-Store Shopping List :: Two separate shopping lists on one page, each of which includes space for the items to purchase, the cost of the item, and whether there is a coupon for it. Also includes a space for notes where you can record extra information about your shopping trip.
Psst! If you don’t have the time or energy to mess with planning a menu, but you really would like to benefit from the organization and cost-savings of having a menu plan, I’d recommend checking out eMeals.
Do you have some menu-planning tips & tricks to add to my list?
11 Blog Post Ideas For Those Days When Your Brain is Fried
Ever have a day when you want to blog something, but you just feel like you have nothing to say or no energy to come up with a creative idea? Well, here are 11 tried and true ideas for you:
1. Ask a question
People love to share their opinions and thoughts. A lot of the questions that readers submit to me via email are ones that I post as reader questions. I learn so much from the input that you all post!
Example: Ask the Readers Questions
2. Share a quick tip
As you’re going about your day, look for simple things you do that others might find helpful. Maybe a time-saving tip, a kitchen tip, an organization tip… anything you do that makes your life easier and might be helpful to someone else, too.
Sometimes it’s the simplest ideas that are people’s favorite posts!
Example: Shop With a Calculator
3. Comment on an article or quote from a book
When you are reading articles or books, write down quotes you love or thought-provoking ideas you come across. A simple quote or idea from a book can be a great springboard for an insightful post.
I keep a running log of these ideas/quotes and they are instant blog fodder on days when I need a quick post idea.
Example: The Multitasking Myth
4. Tell a story
Did something funny or interesting happen to you that day or week? Share it as a post — especially if there’s a great example or lesson you learned from the story.
Example: A Shiny New Car is Not Always All It’s Cracked Up to Be
5. Write about a product you love
Have a kitchen gadget, app, or other sort of tool that is a life-saver? What about a product you just love? Write a quick post about it.
Example: Our Craigslist Table
6. Share a picture post
Sometimes, few words are needed.
Example: Freezer Cooking Posts
7. Answer a comment or email from a reader as a post
If you get an email from a reader that asks a question you think others would be interested in hearing the answer to, turn it into a post. (Be sure to remove details that the emailer might not want publicly shared or get their permission to post the question on your blog first.)
In addition, if you’re answering a comment and your answer begins to get lengthy, consider turning it into a blog post instead.
Example: Is it Possible to Survive on a $30/Week Grocery Budget?
8. Request help and input
Are you trying to decide which paint color to use, craft project to try, or book to read next? Why not ask your readers? I bet they’d love to give their input — and these types of posts always bring out lots of responses and fun engagement.
Example: What Should I Do With All These Canned Biscuits?
9. Write a book review
If you read a great book, don’t keep it to yourself. Write a quick post sharing your thoughts on the book and why you’d recommend it to your readers.
Example: Platform by Michael Hyatt
10. Share 10 links you love
Top 10 posts are always a hit — and they are usually pretty simple to put together, too. Best of all, the possibilities for Top 10 lists are just about endless. Can’t come up with 10 ideas, share 9 and ask your readers to supply #10.
Example: Top 10 Apps That Will Save & Make You Money
11. Give something away
Readers love giveaways. And they love them even more when you give away something of your own — even if it’s something small. Put together a fun little package of goodies and write about why you chose each item and then give the package away to one commentor.
Example: Reader Giveaway Extravaganza
What are your ideas for quick & easy posts you can write when you feel like your brain is fried? I’d love to hear.
10 Goals For This Week
Last week’s goals:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1. 
Read 3 chapters of Caddie Woodlawn with Kaitlynn. Read a few picture books with Silas.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Start our fall homeschooling schedule.
Personal Goals
4. Work on memorizing & reviewing Romans 1:1-22.
5. Continue with the ChaLean Extreme Program. Run 6 miles. {I’m so enjoying running again that I ran out of time to work on the ChaLean program… I’m not sure whether that’s a good problem or a bad problem, but I’m aiming to do both this coming week.}
6. Read The Myth of Multitasking, Loving the Way Jesus Loves, First: What It Takes to Win by Rich Froning, Leaving Yesterday, and Love Works.
Homemaking Goals
7. Work for 30 minutes on my embroidery project.
8. Try two new recipes.
Business Goals
9. Work on updating some posts for Pinterest.
10. Start working on a new ebook.
This week’s goals:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Go on a date with Jesse.
Personal Goals
4. Work on memorizing & reviewing Romans 1:1-23.
5. Continue with the ChaLean Extreme Program. Run 10 miles.
6. Read Loving the Way Jesus Loves, First: What It Takes to Win by Rich Froning, Leaving Yesterday, and Love Works.
Homemaking Goals
7. Work for 30 minutes on my embroidery project.
8. Try two new recipes.
Business Goals
9. Work on updating 10 more posts for Pinterest.
10. Write at least 3 posts for the 52 Ways to Save $100 a Year series. {Finally!}
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 Aug 26, 2013
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Anna’s Shopping Trip at Martin’s: $137 worth of items for $24!
Anna’s Shopping Trip at Martin’s: $137 worth of items for $24!
The following shopping trip was submitted by Anna who blogs at Frugal For You:
We moved to Virginia almost two years ago. All of the grocery stores were new to me and I had no idea what to expect. Money Saving Mom® has a database for regional store deals. I was able to find coupon match-ups for grocery stores in my area and start saving money. I even used this to search for grocery deals when we vacationed in California!
With the help of the store deals page, not only did I find match-ups, but I also found a local frugal blogger in our area. I even met her in person at a coupon swap she hosted at the library!
Now, about my shopping trip. I was able to buy $137 worth of items for only $24. Martin’s is often more expensive, but they sometimes have great sales. Also, Martin’s still doubles coupons, unlike our area Kroger stores.
This is what I bought in two transactions:
- Evol Fire Grilled Steak – $4.99 – Used FREE coupon from contacting company!
- Pepsi Next – $1.79 – Used FREE coupon from mailer!
- 5 Nature Valley Oatmeal Squares and Bars ($2.50 each) – $4.75 – Used various coupons (these doubled up to $1.00)
- 2 Quaker Chewy Bars – $2.00 each – Used $1/2 coupon from 8/4 RedPlum insert
- 6 Twizzlers – 3 for $5.00 – Used two $1/3 coupons from 7/28 SmartSource insert
- 1 Nabisco Premium Rounds – $1.99 – Used $1 off coupon from 8/11 SmartSource insert
- 3 Belvita Breakfast Cookies – $2.50 each – Used three $1 off coupons from coupon booklets
- 4 Teddy Grahams – $2.50 each – Used three $1 off coupons from coupon booklets
- 6 Classico Sauces – $2.50 each – Used two $1 off coupons
- Silk Almond Milk – $2.60 – Used $1 off coupon from register
- Kikkoman Soy Sauce – $1.66 – Used $1 off coupon
- Kikkoman Panko – $1.66 – Used $1 off coupon
- 5 Batman Treats – $0.27 each – 75% off markdown
- 12 Angry Birds Gummy Snacks – $0.27 each – 75% off markdown
- Grapes ($0.88 per lb) – $1.94
- Bananas ($0.39 per lb) – $1.02
- Cantaloupe – $2.00
- Craisins – $1.00
Three store promos, two Catalina deals, store coupons, and a “return” helped to lower my out-of-pocket costs:
- Buy $20, get $10 off instantly for Nature Valley, Quaker, other breakfast products
- Buy 7 snack items, get $5 off instantly (for Nabisco and Twizzlers)
- Get $2 Catalina back for 3 Classico sauces (did this twice)
- Get $3 Catalina back for 5+ Nature Valley items
- $5 off $40 purchase from the local newspaper
- Customer service gave me $11.34 refund, honoring their 200% money-back freshness guarantee. I asked for a refund at customer service for meat that went bad before the sell-by date (my first time asking them for a refund!).
Total out-of-pocket: $24, plus I got a $2 Catalina for next time and I will get $5 from Saving Star for buying $15 in Classico Sauces
Some money-saving tips I used in this shopping trip:
- Sign-up for Saving Star to get extra savings on top of coupons.
- Check the Sunday paper for extra coupons. The $5 off $40 Martin’s coupon was in the front page section of the paper, not in the coupon inserts.
- Check out stand-alone product displays since they usually have tearpads or coupon booklets.
- Some libraries allow certain coupon printing (another source for extra coupons).
- Know the store’s satisfaction guarantee. Martin’s gives 200% refund with receipt and the product doesn’t have to be returned.
Anna Thomas blogs at Frugal For You. In 2009, she Googled “frugal mommy blogs” and came across Money Saving Mom®. She learned better couponing skills that allowed her to be a stay-at-home mom and homeschool her kids. Anne is still in awe of the gifts that a frugal lifestyle has given her family.
Have you gotten a great deal thanks to a tip you’ve found here on MoneySavingMom.com? Take a picture of your deal/purchase and write a short post on the deal details and submit it here. If your submission is chosen to be posted, I’ll send you a $25 Amazon gift card! Note: the more creative, unique, and well-written your post, the more chance it will have of being posted.
3 Unbelievably Simple Calendar Tips that Will Save You Money
Guest post from April of Power of Moms
We all have busy lives (four little boys are having a Nerf war in my living room as I type), which is why I love it that moms online can share their best ideas with one another!
Below are three incredibly simple calendar tips I use to help all of us stay on top of the tasks we need to accomplish — and believe it or not, these tips have helped me to save thousands of dollars in the process!
Tip #1: Create Calendar Triggers
I’d never heard of a “calendar trigger” before reading David Allen’s best-selling book, Getting Things Done®, but now they’re my best friends. Here’s an example why:
Last year I signed up for a discounted Internet plan through our local phone company. After locking in an incredible rate for 12 months, the customer service representative warned me, “If you want to keep this rate, you have to give us a phone call right before your first year is up. Otherwise, your bill will increase by $30 a month.”
Panic set in for a moment. What if I forget to call?
But then I remembered this calendar-trigger approach, and I simply went to my Google Calendar and created an event titled “Call Phone Company for Reduced Internet Rate” and added an email trigger for 11 months into the future. Sure enough, the trigger came through, I called and secured an even better rate, and now I’ve got a calendar trigger set up to remind me to call again next year.
This one simple trigger has already save us $780 — with no stress.
Tip #2: Keep Your Calendar Clean by Using Context-Based Lists
Have you ever cluttered up your calendar with undone tasks you keep forwarding from page to page to page? (You’re not alone.)
This idea, also from Getting Things Done®, has enabled me to group tasks by context, so instead of sighing over a super long list of random things to do, I can work on clusters of important responsibilities whenever the time is right.
Because I’m a paper planner girl, I just use a small card stock insert that is divided into the following sections:
- Home
- Errands
- To Discuss (usually with my husband)
- Phone
- Computer
A list like this could also be created on a phone or tablet’s notepad (I love the Evernote app).
Using context-based lists saves me tons of time and tons of money. I don’t waste gas because I can get all my errands done at once. I don’t forget to call the insurance company when they make a mistake on my bill, and I can easily keep up with basic home repairs, dental appointments, and hundreds of other little issues that would otherwise grow into time-consuming, expensive problems (like that time I ended up with $63 in library fines).
The point is that we clearly define these categories, collect our lists into one easily-accessible place, and keep them short and actionable so we are consistently getting things done efficiently and well.
Tip #3: Partner Your Calendar with Your Email Inbox
I used to work off of two different systems — my calendar/paper planner and my email inbox. Now I keep my emails to zero by shuttling action items onto my calendar (and filing or deleting the corresponding email messages).
Here are a few examples using the emails I receive from MoneySavingMom.com:
I recently saw Crystal’s offer for us to download a free copy of her Guide to Freezer Cooking. I quickly downloaded the PDF (because David Allen’s two-minute rule encourages us to “just do” any task that takes two minutes or less), and then I added “Review Freezer Cooking Guide” to my Computer list. Then I knew I wouldn’t forget to read it. (And I love it, by the way.)
When I find coupons for items I need to buy at my local store, I simply print the coupons, place them in my purse or car, and add the store name to my Errands list. If there are specific expiration dates I don’t want to miss, I note those on my actual calendar pages.
Other offers (like the online family job chart or the student loan repayment service) can go on my “To Discuss” list if I want to talk them over with my husband before moving forward.
Calendar triggers could be used here, as well, if the offers are open for a limited time.
Uniting our tasks into one seamless system gives us the brain space to more fully enjoy time with our children. It helps us to feel more in control of our lives. And yes, it helps us to wisely use our resources and save lots of money.
As a special gift to the Money Saving Mom community, I am excited to offer a free giveaway of our Mind Organization for Moms program, which regularly sells for $50 on our Power of Moms site. (No strings attached!)
It’s basically “Getting Things Done® for Moms,” and it’s is full of simple tips, photos, videos, PDFs, podcasts, and mom-created organization tips you’ll love. Signing up takes just two minutes (so you don’t even have to add this to your calendar!)
Click here to learn more about the Mind Organization for Moms giveaway (and please feel free to share it with your friends!).
April Perry is married to her best friend, Eric, and is the mother of Alia, Grace, Ethan, and Spencer. She co-directs Power of Moms, blogs at Power of a Family, and satisfies her insatiable love for organization through her GTD®-based Mind Organization for Moms program.
This Week’s Menu Plan + Freezer Cooking in an Hour Plan
Breakfasts
Breakfast Cookies, Oatmeal, Cereal, Eggs, and/or Fruit
Lunches
Mac & cheese, fruit
Snack-y lunch {veggies, cheese, yogurt, fruit, crackers, etc.}
PB&J, carrot sticks, apples
Cheese quesadillas, carrot sticks
Leftovers x 3Snacks
Fruit/veggies
Popcorn
Boiled eggs
Single Serving Peanut Butter Cookie
Breakfast CookiesFreezer Cooking in an Hour (I’ll share more how this goes later on this week!)
Healthy Choco-Cherry Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
To Die For Blueberry Muffins
Breakfast Cookies (different recipe than I tried last week — just because I wanted to compare it!)
World’s Easiest Crockpot Refried Beans
Dinners
Steak, Cheesy Hashbrown Potatoes, fruit, steamed veggies
Crockpot Mexican Lasagna, steamed veggies, fruit
5 Star Cheeseburger Casserole, steamed veggies, fruit
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, To Die For Blueberry Muffins, fruit
Bean & Cheese Burritos, fruit, steamed veggies
Dinner with extended family
Dinner with friends
Swagbucks Paid for My Camera
Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Melissa:
One of my favorite hobbies is taking pictures and scrapbooking. I have always wanted a nice digital camera that was a step up from a point and shoot, but I couldn’t afford a new one right away. I decided I would save up my Swagbucks to buy a camera on Amazon.
After a lot of research (I knew I wanted one that was less than $200, had a good zoom, and used a lithium battery), I found the camera I wanted to buy, took note of the price, and set my goal!
I do not spend hours upon hours on my computer a day, but I try to always earn some Swagbucks by doing the daily poll (1 swagbuck), NOSO (2 swagbucks) and through the toolbar (1 swagbuck). I do this daily right before I do anything else on the computer and it takes less than 3 minutes! Because of that, I earn a minimum of 4 Swagbucks a day.
I have also found if I search 4 or 5 times within 20 minutes that I’ll often get awarded anywhere from 6-15 Swagbucks (once I earned 25 with one search!) In addition, sometimes when I am just browsing the web, I will pull up SBTV and watch something in the background. This earns me 3 Swagbucks for every 10 videos I watch.
I didn’t get my camera as soon as I wanted one, but I think that patience is one of the many traits of being frugal! If you earn just 15 Swagbucks a day, you can get a $5 Amazon gift card every month! Swagbucks hasn’t made me rich, but it has let me spoil myself every once in a while. 🙂
Now I get to enjoy taking pictures on my nice NEW camera that Swagbucks paid for!
Melissa: Could you email me? We don’t have your email address on file and want to make sure we send you your $50 Amazon gift card as a thank you for submitting your story!
Shared Aug 25, 2013
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Freezer Cooking in an Hour: Bananas, Chicken, Breakfast Cookies, and 5-Star Cheeseburger Casserole
Freezer Cooking in an Hour: Bananas, Chicken, Breakfast Cookies, and 5-Star Cheeseburger Casserole
I finally did some more freezer cooking yesterday — and it felt so good! I first froze a bunch of too ripe bananas to use in smoothies and banana bread.
Then I baked some chicken to chop and freeze for homemade pizza and chicken casseroles.
This little guy loved helping me make breakfast cookies.
Of course, I didn’t follow the recipe exactly… what’s new?! 🙂
But I was super happy with how they turned out — see the tweaked recipe here.
I also made some 5 Star Cheeseburger Casseroles to freeze (and yes, those are peas you see peeking out from under the cheese — I threw them into the mix since I had some leftover in the fridge!)
OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!
Click here to download!
Homemade Breakfast Cookies
Looking for a quick healthy breakfast option that will fill you up, give you energy for the entire morning, and taste great too? Try breakfast cookies — a nutritional and delicious breakfast on-the-go for busy morning.
Quick and easy Breakfast Cookies Recipe
Believe it or not, as far as I can remember, I’ve never made Breakfast Cookies. So when I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I knew I had to try it.
Of course, I tweaked it because we didn’t have all of the ingredients on hand, but I was super happy with how my tweaked version turned out. They are delicious, healthy, and filling!
What is a Breakfast Cookie?
They are a cross between a cookie and a muffin — usually using more nutritious ingredients like dried fruits and nuts and containing much less sugar.
Breakfast cookies are usually a healthier option than sugary breakfast cereals or granola bars, yet still super convenient for busy mornings or even eating on the go.
Breakfast Cookie Recipe ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups oats (I used whole oats because that’s what I had. The original recipe calls for quick oats or said you could coarsely grind whole oats in the blender or food processor.)
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup peanut butter (or other nut butter)
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 bananas, mashed
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
How to make Homemade Breakfast Cookies
1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together.
2. Drop heaping Tablespoons of mixture onto greased cookie sheet and flatten the tops slightly (these cookies won’t rise or spread when they bake).
3. Bake at 325ºF. for 15-16 minutes or until slightly browned.
4. Cool completely and store in an airtight container or freeze in a freezer bag.
(Makes 12-15 cookies.)
How to Serve Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
These cookies are great for a quick breakfast on-the-go, or an energy-boosting snack in between activities.
They are perfect on their own (maybe with a big glass of cold milk) or can be a yummy side dish to eggs and bacon.
They are also pack well in school lunches.
How to Store Breakfast Oatmeal Cookies
These cookies will store at room temperature for several days, AND they freeze wonderfully!
They can be a bit sticky, so if you plan to freeze a bunch in the same container, it usually works best to freeze the cookies flat on a cookie sheet or baking rack first, then, once they are frozen individually, transfer them into a zip top bag or food storage container.
Breakfast Cookies Recipe FAQs
Why are my oatmeal cookies always dry?
Usually dry cookies are a result of baking too long or using too much flour. Since this recipe doesn’t call for flour, a dry cookie is likely due to a few too many minutes in the oven. Try decreasing the baking time by 2-3 minutes and see if that helps.
Are oatmeal cookies healthier for you?
While oats are a wonderful source of whole grains and essential vitamins and nutrients, the “healthiness” factor depends on what you mix with the oats! If you mix in lots of sugar, oils, chocolate, etc. the finished product will likely be as nutritious as any other cookie. However, if you mix in fruits and nuts, these cookies will offer a higher nutritional value.
What type of oatmeal is best for cookies?
Quick cooking oats usually work best for baked goods because they are more finely chopped and hold together better than whole oats. That said, whole oats (or traditional oats) will taste fine — the cookies might just be a little messier. You should not use oat grouts for this recipe!
Recipe
Homemade Breakfast Oatmeal Cookies
Ingredients
- 2 1/4 cups quick oats
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 cup peanut butter or other nut butter
- 1/4 cup honey
- 2 bananas mashed
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/4 cup raisins or dried cranberries
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together.
- Drop heaping Tablespoons of mixture onto greased cookie sheet and flatten the tops slightly (these cookies won’t rise or spread when they bake).
- Bake at 325ºF. for 15-16 minutes or until slightly browned.
- Cool completely and store in an airtight container or freeze in a freezer bag.
Nutrition
Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Sodium: 240mg | Potassium: 322mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 16IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 2mg
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6 Simple Ways to Save on Baby
Guest post from Alisha of The Savvy Bump
Are you pregnant or planning on starting a family and concerned about the cost of having a baby? Well don’t worry just yet, babies can actually be more affordable than you might think!
Here are 6 simple ways to save on baby expenses:
1. Have a Smart Baby Registry
Many pregnant women are generously thrown a baby shower — and a baby registry is often appreciated so family and friends know what you need. Make sure the majority of your baby registry items are “needs” and not “wants” and wait to shop until after your shower.
If you receive mostly needed items at your baby shower, your shopping list will get much smaller and your bank account will thank you. Even if you are not having a baby shower, create a baby registry or two anyway so you can take advantage of the 10% of completion coupon that stores like Babies “R” Us and Amazon will give you later on.
2. Use Gift Cards Wisely with Price-Matching
Price-matching can save you a lot of money on baby items, so make sure you take advantage of this strategy even when you’re shopping with gift cards. It can be easy to see gift cards as “free money” but you should stretch your gift cards as much as you would your own hard-earned cash.
Shopping with a Babies “R” Us gift card doesn’t mean paying Babies “R” Us prices! Take advantage of the price-matching policies at Target, Babies “R” Us, and other stores and pay the often-lower Amazon prices.
3. Don’t Open It
It is tempting to open all your gifts and purchases before your baby arrives so that everything is organized and ready — especially when the nesting urge hits. But beware, you’ll find that some items will get very little use.
For my family, it was the bouncer I paid for with a Target gift card. It ended up being an unnecessary baby item for us because we always used the Rock ‘n Play.
If you find you don’t need something after the baby arrives, then return it! Amazon, Target, and Walmart all have a 90-day return policy so if you end up not needing a gift or particular baby item you can either get a refund or exchange it for something you really need. That will definitely save you money!
4. Wait for the Best Price
Over at The Savvy Bump, my goal is to help you get the best prices on baby items. I post a variety of baby deals, and although you certainly don’t need everything you see, if you have a gift card, Swagbucks reward, or money in your budget to use on baby gear, I want to help you get the lowest price possible on quality items.
If you’re patient, you can save a lot of money because you’ll get the best deal on wipes, diapers, nursery furniture, car seats, and so on. Prices on Amazon change by the minute and you usually don’t have to wait long for a price drop — you just need to be patient and pay attention.
5. DIY and Buy/Sell Used Items
I am not that great with DIY projects, but I am getting better, thanks to Pinterest. Did you know that you can easily make your own Moby Wrap for a fraction of the price? Just start a Baby DIY board and do a search on Pinterest. You’ll find lots of great tutorials for many baby and nursery related DIY projects!
Another tip is to buy and sell used baby items. Garage sales, Craigslist, and eBay can be great places to score great deals on used or even new baby items. When you’re done with an item, sell it! Most things can be easily disinfected and they’ll work just as well as something new right out of the box.
6. Just Don’t Buy It
Do babies really need a swing, bouncer, and a Rock ‘n Play? Does a crib need to be $500 in order to give your baby a good night’s rest?
A Bumbo is cute but can you manage without it? Yes, you can! Some items might be useful and a lot of fun, but is it worth credit card debt or a decreased savings account?
If I could go back in time, I would definitely buy less and keep it simple. It is easy to get so excited about your first baby that you want everything you see at the store! It just isn’t worth it if your finances cannot handle it. Talk to experienced mothers and ask them what they could have done without. You’ll learn and save a lot!
The best strategy for keeping your finances healthy with a baby on board is to keep things simple. Your nursery needs to be full of love — not expensive furniture. You don’t need the latest and greatest baby gear, just make sure everything is safe and functional.
The most important thing to provide your baby with is your love and attention — and those things are always free.
Alisha is happily married to a husband she considers her best friend and they enjoy the adventure of raising their two year old daughter together. She blogs at The Savvy Bump to help pregnant women and moms find the best maternity and baby deals.
Slow Down Challenge: Taking Time to Express Gratitude (Day 5)
This week, I’m joining Jeff Goins for his Slow Down Challenge. If you want to participate, sign up for the free Slow Down Challenge email list. Also, you might consider grabbing a copy of his book, The In-Between. Jeff is such an inspiration to me as a writer and I highly recommend reading all of his books, if you have a chance!
Expressing gratitude doesn’t require money. It doesn’t require much thought or effort. But it can change our whole outlook on life.
I started keeping a gratitude journal last year. It helped me to keep a positive, thankful attitude in the midst of some health problems I was experiencing.
But once those health problems were resolved, I saw such benefit in recording my blessings every day, that I continued doing it. To keep it simple, I’ve just been using the one-line-a-day journal my mom gave me for Christmas.
Every morning, when I first wake up, I read my Bible, pray, and write down at least one line of blessings from the past day. Some days it’s easier to come up with blessings than others, but I can always come up with at least a few good things from the day before — even if it was a hard day.
I’ve found that starting my day by recounting the blessings from the previous day puts me in a different state of mind. And it gets the day started on a great foot! Plus, it reminds me to live with a grateful, thankful spirit.
Do you have a method for remembering your blessings and the things you’re thankful for? If so, I’d love to hear about it in the comments! And if you’re blogging about this challenge, be sure to leave the link to your blog post below.
10 Guaranteed Ways to Never Run Out of Blog Post Ideas (#10)
Missed the first posts in this series? Check them out here.
10. Give Generously
I’m going to let you in on a little secret here: Want to know one of the best ways I’ve grown my blog? By promoting other people.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but it’s not. When you live your life with outstretched arms, you are richly blessed in return. You shouldn’t give so that you’ll get blessings — because otherwise it’s not true giving at all! — but I guarantee that you will lead a much more fulfilled and joyful life if you spend your life pouring it out for others.
Promote Others
Don’t keep a good thing to yourself!
If you find another great blog post, pass on the link. If you read a great ebook written by another blogger, share it. Not only is this a great way to have endless blog fodder, but your readers will appreciate the great finds you pass along.
Go out of your way to look for ways to build up and encourage other bloggers. You’ll be blessed and inspired in return!
Share Your Knowledge
If you’ve learned a great tip or trick, freely share it with your fellow bloggers. I can’t tell you how many great ideas I’ve gleaned from people who were willing to share their knowledge. And I find so much joy in being able to share ideas and tricks I’ve learned along way with others, too.
You know what I’ve found? Not only is it a lot of fun to freely share ideas, but it also tends to fuel new inspiration for future blog posts and strategies. The more that I pour out to others, the more I seem to be inspired myself.
Blog For Something Bigger Than Yourself
What is your purpose for blogging? Can I challenge you to make it something that is bigger than yourself? Blogging for income or fame won’t give you the lasting satisfaction and fulfillment that blogging for a bigger purpose will.
Maybe you want to encourage people, share practical ideas, inspire others to be givers, motivate people to rethink their positions on something… or a host of other things. There is so much amazing good that can be done through blogging.
At the end of your life, the money you made won’t matter. The house you lived in won’t matter. The car you drove won’t matter. The clothes you wore won’t matter. What will matter is the lives you impacted and the people you invested in.
Be a generous blogger. Catch a vision for what your unique gifts are to bring to the world and then go invest your life into things that matter! I promise that this will give you more amazing motivation, momentum, and fulfillment than you may have ever dreamed was possible.
Swagbucks Paid for My College Textbooks
Today’s Swagbucks success story is from Holly:
From the time that I was very young, my mom made it a priority to teach my siblings and me to be frugal. So when I started working on my B.A. in 2012, I knew that I wanted to keep my expenses to a minimum. However, as anyone who’s gone through college will tell you, textbooks can quickly break the bank because of their outrageous prices.
I started college right about that same time that I started using Swagbucks, and I quickly realized that by earning and using Amazon gift cards, I could pay for my textbooks without having to pay any money out of pocket.
Here’s what I did:
- Made a concerted effort to take the daily poll, NOSO and the toolbar every day when I first got on to the computer for 4 easy Swagbucks.
- Used the Swagbucks search engine to look up websites and information that I needed online. Since it seemed like I was constantly having to look something up, I usually earned about 20 or 30 Swagbucks every day from that.
- Got several friends and family members to sign up and was able to earn referral points from their earnings.
- Turn on Swagbucks TV with my speakers muted and allow the videos to play without becoming a distraction.
- Take surveys when they were available (this is the way I’ve earned the most Swagbucks).
Using Amazon.com, I could shop around for the best prices on textbooks, usually used, and buy them for considerably less than the average student would pay going into a college bookstore. Over the course of a year, I was able to pay for almost all of my textbooks — 32 courses’ worth — without having to spend any money out of pocket!
Once I completed the course, I then sold my books and, in some cases, was able to make a small profit. Once I finish college, I’ll look forward to putting my Swagbucks gift cards to good use in other areas.