Need encouragement to set goals, live with purpose, and cultivate self-discipline? Be sure to get a copy of my ebook, 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life.
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4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 10
Welcome to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified} series!
From November 5 to December 7 (skipping the week of Thanksgiving), every weekday morning at 9 a.m. EST, I’ll be posting the day’s assignment and then every evening at 7 p.m. EST, I’ll be posting my progress and pictures, along with a link-up for you to share your progress and pictures, too.
::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! Get your free copy of SarahMae’s ebook, Frumps to Pumps, if you need more motivation in this.}
::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.
::Dust all ceiling fans and clean all light fixtures in your house. Check for burned out light bulbs and replace.
::Set the timer for at least 15 minutes and do something you really enjoy and that relaxes and rejuvenates you. If you need ideas, here are a few: read, write, call a friend, pray, exercise, bake, play with your children, laugh with your husband, stop by the bookstore and browse the book selection, work in the garden, or take a nap! Take some time to just stop and enjoy life today!
Take pictures of your accomplishments and blog about them, if you’d like. And then come back here at 7 p.m. EST to share your progress posts or tell us about your accomplishments in a comment.
Shared Nov 15, 2012
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31 Ways to Earn Extra Cash Before Christmas: 9 Ways to Get Christmas Gifts for Free (Day 30)
31 Ways to Earn Extra Cash Before Christmas: 9 Ways to Get Christmas Gifts for Free (Day 30)
Welcome to our series on 31 Ways to Earn Extra Cash Before Christmas. In this series, I’m highlighting simple and legitimate ways you can earn extra cash over the next few weeks for those of you who could use a little extra cash to help you pay for Christmas — or just for your living expenses if you’re in a tight spot right now.
We’ve talked about a lot of ways to earn extra cash before Christmas in this series, but I wanted to also include a post in this series with some ideas of ways to get Christmas gifts for free.
1. Recyclebank
Complete quizzes, watch videos, and more on Recyclebank to earn points. You can use these points to earn high-value coupons, magazine subscriptions, and gift cards.
There are typically opportunities to earn at least 200 to 400 points each month, meaning you could earn at least a gift card or two each year. You could also request magazine subscriptions for people who live in your home (at this time, it doesn’t appear like you can have subscriptions sent to addresses other than your own).
2. Mailbox Freebies
Sign up for the mailbox freebies that I post and some of these might work for a stocking stuffer or to make a fun gift basket for someone! There are free bath & beauty products, free hair products, free tea/coffee/cappuccino samples, and sometimes even free gift cards!
3. Swagbucks
I’ve already blogged about Swagbucks in this series, but I wanted to plug it again here as it’s an excellent way to earn free gift cards for just a little bit of effort each day. If you’ve not signed up for Swagbucks, go find out all about it here.
4. MyPoints
You can earn points by reading emails, playing games, searching the web, or taking surveys through MyPoints. Cash in your points for free gift cards and more! Just by doing simple exercises each day, you should easily be able to earn at least a few gift cards each year.
5. Coupon/Drugstore Freebies
So many of the freebies that you can pick up by playing the drugstore game or using coupons could be turned into gift baskets or stocking stuffers.
6. Blog Giveaways
Liz emailed in and said: “I earn Christmas gifts by entering blog contests daily. I shoot for one hour a day, usually at night when watching tv. I follow about 100 blogs through email and they usually do giveaways weekly. I have won gift cards to grocery stores, lots of kids’ dvds, toys, body washes, free coupons, etc. I enter contests for pretty much everything. You never know when you will need an infant gift, toddler gift, or gift for your mother.”
Read more about how to save money on Christmas gifts by entering contests.
7. Pampers Gifts to Grow
Lori emailed in and said: “This isn’t earning cash, but it helps me fulfill my Christmas list without costing anything out of my budget at all! I just enter all the free Pampers Gift to Grow points throughout the year and cash them in for some gift cards at Christmas. This year, I got two $10 Applebees gift cards. I’ll be able to cross two people off my list with no money out of pocket.”
8. Kellogg’s Family Rewards
Have you signed up for Kellogg’s Family Rewards? You can earn points by inputting the codes from Kellogg’s products or by using the free coupon codes they are regularly releasing. You can use this points toward high-value coupons, magazines, toys, and other rewards.
9. Nielsen Homescan
If you are accepted as a panel member with Nielsen Home Scan, you will be sent a small hand-held scanner and will scan all the bar codes of everything you purchase. Once a week, you’ll transmit this information to Nielsen and you’ll earn points that can be redeemed for a variety of items from the Nielsen Gift Catalog.
What creative ideas do you have for earning free Christmas gifts? I’d love to hear your ideas!
photo from BigStock
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 9 Update
If you missed this morning’s assignment, find it here.
It was such a good day today. After a full and busy few weeks, today was a much quieter day — and I’m going to bed with everything crossed off my to-do list today (which I forgot to get a picture taken of on accident!). It feels blissful and it’s not even the weekend yet!
Two of today’s projects: Wiping down all the light switches and tackled the bathroom (this is pre-cleaning, it looked worse in real-life than it does in the picture).
To top off a great day: I stopped by Starbucks for their Buy One, Get One Free Holiday Drinks this afternoon for Jesse and I to enjoy tonight for our at-home movie date. Yum!
How you do on Day 9? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.
Shared Nov 15, 2012
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The Secret to Staying Organized & Sane During the Busy Holiday Season
The Secret to Staying Organized & Sane During the Busy Holiday Season
Feel like you’re always running around crazily and always behind in December? Here’s my no-brainer secret for staying organized and sane.
I bet, if you’ve been reading here for any length of time, that you can already guess what it is. But go check out the guest post on I’m An Organizing Junkie to see how well you know me. 🙂
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 9
Welcome to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified} series!
From November 5 to December 7 (skipping the week of Thanksgiving), every weekday morning at 9 a.m. EST, I’ll be posting the day’s assignment and then every evening at 7 p.m. EST, I’ll be posting my progress and pictures, along with a link-up for you to share your progress and pictures, too.
Day 9 Assignment
::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! Get your free copy of SarahMae’s ebook, Frumps to Pumps, if you need more motivation in this.}
::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.
::Set the timer for 15 minutes and do a quick-clean of your bathroom. Need specific directions? Read this article on How to Clean Your Bathroom in 15 Minutes.
::Clean your light switch plates. You can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this project!
Take pictures of your accomplishments and blog about them, if you’d like. And then come back here at 7 p.m. EST to share your progress posts or tell us about your accomplishments in a comment.
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 8 Update
I had planned to do yesterday’s 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home projects after dinner last night… and that plan failed. And rather than stay up late to do it and post about it, I went to bed at a decent hour and got up and did it this morning.
Here’s what my dresser looked liked pre-cleaning… {Yes, my dresser is in our closet!}
And the top dresser drawer was even worse!
After 20 minutes, the entire dresser was cleaned out and oh so much better!
How you do on Day 8? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.
I also wiped down the doorknobs and was surprised that it took me less than 5 minutes to do!
Shared Nov 14, 2012
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How Not to Overbook Your Christmas: Create a Christmas Bucket List
How Not to Overbook Your Christmas: Create a Christmas Bucket List
I love the Christmas season. I love the sights, smells, tastes, sounds… all of it.
But you know what I don’t love? That so many people feel rushed, hurried, and frazzled during Christmas.
The heart of Christmas is not about impressing people or running around at a crazy, frantic speed. And making either of those things your focus is certainly not going to help you celebrate and savor the season!
Creating a Christmas Bucket List
One thing that has helped us to slow down and just enjoy December is to create a Christmas Bucket List. We all sit down as a family and choose a few things that each of us really wants to do for Christmas.
Last year, the girls wanted to build a snowman, play in the snow as a family, decorate Christmas cookies, and go ice-skating. I wanted to do an Advent project and take the girls to the Nutcracker, Jesse wanted to go look at Christmas lights as a family and watch one of our favorite Christmas movies together.
By the time we’re done discussing our Bucket List, we’ve come up with a great list of memorable activities to do together and since everyone gave their input, there’s something (or more than one thing) on the list that each person will really enjoy.
We spread these activities out during the whole month of December, doing a few items each week. Because our list is not long and overwhelming and because we have four weeks to do it, we’re able to really take time to enjoy each thing and create beautiful memories.
This tradition has been one of the best things we’ve ever implemented to help us stay focused, calm, and intentional during the Christmas season. And it also helps us to say “no” to most of the other ideas and opportunities that come up that aren’t already on our list.
photo courtesy of BigStock
Seeing your goals written, in ink on paper…
Need encouragement to set goals, live with purpose, and cultivate self-discipline? Be sure to get a copy of my ebook, 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life.
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 8
Welcome to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified} series!
From November 5 to December 7 (skipping the week of Thanksgiving), every weekday morning at 9 a.m. EST, I’ll be posting the day’s assignment and then every evening at 7 p.m. EST, I’ll be posting my progress and pictures, along with a link-up for you to share your progress and pictures, too.
Day 8 Assignment
::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! Get your free copy of SarahMae’s ebook, Frumps to Pumps, if you need more motivation in this.}
::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea, refer to your list of weekly goals, and make a list of no more than 5-7 specific things you want to accomplish today.
::Set the timer for 10 minutes and go through your messiest dresser drawer. Remove items you no longer love, need, and/or wear. Quickly organize the remaining items.
::Wipe down all the door handles in your home. You can use a damp rag with a little disinfectant on it or a cleaning wipe. If you have younger children, they’d probably enjoy joining you in tackling this project!
Take pictures of your accomplishments and blog about them, if you’d like. And then come back here at 7 p.m. EST to share your progress posts or tell us about your accomplishments in a comment.
OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!
Click here to download!
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 7 Update
If you missed today’s assignment, find it here.
I’m really late… again. It was a long and full day of normal life, releasing my Christmas ebook (thank you all for sharing in my excitement for this project!), an appointment, an interview, and we capped the day off with dinner with all of my extended family to celebrate a birthday. We didn’t arrive home until close to 10 p.m. and I’m just now checking my email and comments and blogging.
Such is life sometimes! But I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s, even if I don’t always get my blog posts written when I plan to. 😉
The good news? I did get pretty much everything done on my list today — and my house is clean, to boot!
I had some great help with my vacuuming project!
Silas is so “into” vacuuming right now that I sometimes have to ban him from the vacuum cleaner or I think he might run it for hours on end!
How you do on Day 7? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 7
Welcome to the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified} series!
From November 5 to December 7 (skipping the week of Thanksgiving), every weekday morning at 9 a.m. EST, I’ll be posting the day’s assignment and then every evening at 7 p.m. EST, I’ll be posting my progress and pictures, along with a link-up for you to share your progress and pictures, too.
Day 7 Assignment
::Get dressed in something that makes you feel great {there’s something about dressing in clothes that make you feel great that just gives you more energy and zest for life! Get your free copy of SarahMae’s ebook, Frumps to Pumps, if you need more motivation in this.}
::Sit down with a cup of coffee or tea and create a list of weekly goals. I’ll be posting my weekly goals later today along with a link-up so you can share yours, as well.
::Set the timer for 15 minutes and vacuum the main living areas of your home.
Take pictures of your accomplishments and blog about them, if you’d like. And then come back here at 7 p.m. EST to share your progress posts or tell us about your accomplishments in a comment.
4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}: Day 6 Update
Missed this morning’s assignment? Find it here.
So, those 10 minutes I had assigned you to spend on picking up your house? Well, my house needed a whole lot more than 10 minutes.
Gulp.
That’s why this post is so late. I didn’t start on the project until later in the day — and it ended up taking me quite a bit longer than I was expecting! But better late than never, eh?
And the good news? My house is now quite clean — as is my vehicle!
Yup. That’s what the car looked like. I can’t believe I’m posting these online. But hey, you might as well see it exactly as it is so that you don’t somehow have some impression that I have my act altogether.
Ah. Much better. Oh and that tub? It’s our emergency box, packed with every thing you might ever wish you had when you’re out and about (wipes, ibuprofen, bags, hand sanitizer, etc.)
It’s been a life-saver on more than one occasion. I highly recommend everyone have a similar tub in your car. It’s a great way to use some of the freebies and samples that come in the mail, too.
How you do on Day 6? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.
Focus on One Small Change At a Time
I recently guest-posted at Naturally Knocked Up on focusing on one change at time. Whether or not you’re interested in healthy living or fertility, I think the principles in this post will be applicable to anyone in any situation:
Have you ever tried to do a major overhaul in your lifestyle and your habits all at once? Were you successful?
I have never been successful at making major changes all at once. Usually, I can keep up with everything for three days, tops. Then all my honorable changes come crumbling down in a huge heap of disappointment at my feet.
I was reading through Donielle’s book, Naturally Knocked Up, and I really appreciate all of the health advice that she gives. However, I was thinking about how overwhelming the advice might seem to someone who is trying to go from a very unhealthful lifestyle to a much more wholesome and healthful lifestyle.
Transforming your life isn’t something that will happen overnight. In fact, if you try to change overnight, you’ll likely crash and burn within a few days.
Read the whole post.
By the way, have you gotten a copy of my new ebook, 21 Days to a More Disciplined Life? I’ve been so blessed to hear that so many of you have found the ebook helpful, inspiring, and even life-transforming.
10 Weekly Goals
Last week’s goals:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1. Finish three read-aloud books with the children.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Go on an overnight trip as a family.Personal Goals
4. Read Erasing Hell by Francis Chan, Anything by Jennie Allen, Pinterest Power, The Wings of the Morning, and
Wreckedby Jeff Goins.
5. Listen to one hour of Made to Stick.6. Do 5 days’ worth of the Couch to 10K program. {Only managed to run three days last week, but hey, that’s better than none at all!}
Homemaking Goals
7. Follow the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home plan & blog about it.
8. Finish 25 more rows of the scarf I’m working on knitting.9. Make at least two new recipes.
Business Goals
10. Finish all the details for a new Christmas ebook I’m launching next week.
This week’s goals:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1. Read three chapters of A Way Through the Sea with Kathrynne, read at least five chapters of The Imagination Station: Book 8 with Kaitlynn, and read three chapters of Cameron Townsend aloud to the children.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Go on a date with Jesse.
Personal Goals
4. Finish Erasing Hell by Francis Chan, Anything by Jennie Allen, Pinterest Power, and The Wings of the Morning.
5. Listen to one hour of Made to Stick.
6. Do 5 days’ worth of the Couch to 10K program.
Homemaking Goals
7. Follow the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home plan & blog about it.
8. Finish 25 more rows of the scarf I’m working on knitting.
9. Make at least two new recipes.
Business Goals
10. Launch my Christmas ebook!
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.