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 6 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 2 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!}
::Set the timer for 10 minutes and do a quick-clean of your kitchen: wash the dishes/load the dishwasher, clear off the counter tops, and, if you have time, wipe down the counter tops and the outside of the cupboards with wet rag or cleaning cloth.
::Set the timer for 10 minutes and do a quick clean of your refrigerator. Remove all the contents that are past their prime, wipe down the sticky spots, and re-organize things so they are easier to get to. If you have more time, there’s a step-by-step guide for cleaning out your refrigerator here.
Take pictures of your accomplishments and blog about them, if you’d like. And then come back here at 6 p.m. EST to share your progress posts or tell us about your accomplishments in a comment.
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
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 in the next two months 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.
If you’ve found a great way to make extra cash before Christmas that doesn’t require an outlay of cash upfront, please email me your tip. I’d love to hear it and possibly share it during this series!
Guest post by Mary
One easy way to earn an income is donating plasma. Now, before you all say “EWW!” and stop reading, hear me out…
Yes, I realize that plasma collection centers don’t always have the best reputations. And, for some of them, this reputation is rightfully earned. However, most of them (like the one I work at, for example) certainly do not fall in to this category.
Our donor population, for example, is made up of mostly college students, soldiers, and locals who are simply looking for a way to put extra cash in their pocket while doing something that helps people.
Here are a few things you should know if you are interested in earning a little more money in this way.
It is a perfectly safe process.
Plasma donation is highly regulated by the FDA, as well as several other agencies. (Many of our medical staff employees have told us that we have more regulations than hospitals they have worked at).
When you donate, you only come in contact with sterile supplies. All lancets, sample collecting tools, and supplies for our machines are brand new and thrown away after each use, eliminating any possibility of transmission of a disease.
Now, that being said, there are some people who aren’t not suitable for donating due to health reasons. This is why every donor goes through a screening and physical process consisting of medical history, examination, and testing of a sample of blood.
And, for this reason, it is crucial that you are fully honest with the employees so they can be sure you are a suitable candidate. Also, each center is overseen by a licensed physician and there is always a nurse on site.
You are saving lives.
I mean this quite literally. Plasma is filled with proteins and clotting factors. These can be used to help people with primary immune deficiencies, certain protein deficiencies, clotting disorders, burn victims, babies born with hemolytic disease of the newborn, shock victims, and the list goes on and on.
For most of these conditions, there is absolutely no synthetic substitute for plasma, which is why it is in such demand — these people would either die or have a significantly reduced quality of life without these donations.
The money you earn is worth it.
You go through a screening process and then sit in a bed while you read, watch a movie, or surf the Internet for about an hour and get paid for it. The amount you earn per donation varies by location, company, and the weight of the donor, but our center pays anywhere from $20-$50 per donation, and you can do this twice a week! That is quite a chunk of change in your pocket!
Yes, I know this incoming earning ideas isn’t for everyone; but I really encourage you think beyond rumors you have heard about the process and check it out for yourself, for your own good and for the sake of the people you could be helping.
If you are interested, find a plasma center in your area and check it out.
Because plasma centers are run by separate companies, there is no one good way to find a center in your area. But, if you just run a google search “plasma center in (your town)” you should be able to find one easily if there is one around you.
Well, my morning wasn’t exactly how I’d envisioned it and mapped it out the night before. I woke up later than I’d planned to, forgot I had a radio interview at 7:30 a.m. until a few minutes before it was scheduled, and then we spent some time before our homeschooling started for the morning signing all the paperwork to put an offer on our first piece of rental property (we’re excited and hopeful that our offer will be accepted!).
So, to be completely honest here, I never made it out of my PJ pants and haven’t exercised yet, but we did have a great homeschool day, my house is clean, and dinner is just about done. So I’ll consider that a success even if I feel a bit grungy. 🙂
Our living room always seems to get pretty messy while we’re in the midst of homeschooling. By the time we’ve finished all our books and lessons for the day, there are books, papers, crayons, pencils, glue, maps, and lots of other items strewn about. I try to remind myself that the mess means there is a lot of hands-on learning going on around here — and that’s a good thing. 🙂
But I always breathe a sigh of relief when our homeschooling is finished for the afternoon and our living room can get back to normal. Here was our post-15-minute clean-up photo.
And my purse wasn’t all that bad. I switched to a small, cheap purse after the strap on my larger purse irreparably broke a few months ago. The thing I’ve noticed about a smaller purse is that it’s harder for it to get really messy — since there’s plain just not room for a lot of trash or extras.
So other than a cracker wrapper and a few slips of paper, some loose change, and a few extra pens, my purse didn’t take a whole lot of work. But I’m sure I’ll have plenty of other much worse areas in my home to show in the days to come to make up for my purse being in pretty good shape. 🙂
How you do on Day 1? 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.
WANT TO SAVE $100 FAST?!Join the FREE 14-Day Savings Challenge!
It was nice to have a break. I slept a lot more than usual (I slept 10 hours total on two different nights!) and just had a very relaxing, laid-back week. It was bliss and a good change of pace. And I feel all refreshed and re-charged to jump back onto the goal-setting bandwagon!
Goals from two weeks ago:
Family/Marriage/Mothering Goals
1. Read aloud to the children every day (Monday through Wednesday).
Personal Goals
2. Read Erasing Hell by Francis Chan, The Memory Jar by Tricia Goyer, Anything by Jennie Allen, Pinterest Power, The Wings of the Morning, Wrecked by Jeff Goins. {So much for all my big reading goals while I was traveling! However, instead of getting a lot of reading done, I was engaged in fantastic conversations almost the entire trip — so much better than even reading a good book!}
10. Finish all the details for a new Christmas ebook I’m launching next week (more details to come!)
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!
CloudCrowd is a Facebook app where you can earn money for completing different tasks. For those who have done Amazon’s Mturks, the tasks are similar to that. The variety of tasks range from writing to data entry and each task earns a different amount.
You need a Facebook account in order to sign up and you will also need a Paypal account in order to get paid. Once you accept a task and complete it, it is reviewed and either accepted if correct or rejected if your work is incorrect.
Work completed correctly by 5 p.m. is paid the following day regardless of how much you earned. There is no minimum payout amount you have to reach in order to be paid. You can sign up here.
Alaina shares her twelve years of work from home experience at her blog Telecommuting Mommies. She also opens up her personal life as a homeschooling, blogging, work-at-home mom of four at The Maestro Mom. Follow her on Twitter at TelecommuterMom.
Once a year, my husband and I choose a month to practice financial fasting. Fasting is to willingly abstain from something… and we practice financial fasting to intentionally work toward not spending extra money.
We focus on using our leftovers and digging deep into our freezer. We might work together to make a big batch of homemade waffles and freeze them. Our grocery bill decreases for the month, because we are using what we already have.
We choose all activities that are free for the month.
We visit the library for books, music, and movies. We go hiking and exploring. We make all our treats and snacks at home. On the weekend, we also pick family activities that complete a house project, like organizing the basement or raking leaves.
We use up all our free toiletry samples.
We go through our cupboards and make sure nothing has been sitting unused. If it has been sitting idle, we put it to use. We also go through drawers and use up any idle cleaning supplies, candles, or craft supplies.
We organize our house.
We gather anything for donation and take it to one of our local secondhand stores. Anything not in use, but worthwhile, we might sell or give to someone who can use it.
We gather all our monthly bills and review their costs. We cancel anything that is unnecessary, and adjust anything that we are paying too much for. Doing this on a regular basis ensures that we are not missing anything that might waste our resources.
We do without.
If we run out of something in that month, before we purchase a replacement, we ask if can do without it or wait until the month is completed. For example, if we run out of lined paper, can I use the back of old documents for writing or drawing? Is there a homemade version we can make to replace what is out? Can I take time to mend or repair something that is broken?
We gather all our loose change and deposit it into our family giving bank.
When the bank is full, we choose where and for what cause to send our money.
A financial fasting month does not mean you won’t spend any money. It just provides an opportunity to be very intentional about what money you do use.
This intentional time also allows you to use the resources you already have and might have forgotten about. We find these months to be beneficial because it helps our family be intentional in everyday life throughout the year.
Lisa is a freelance writer from Holland, Michigan. She blogs about placing yourself in the proximity of renewal at About Proximity. She works with the Global Team of 200 of the organization Mom Bloggers for Social Good. Her favorite thing is to encourage others. She laughs daily with her husband, and kids Ellie and Josiah.
Have you blogged about an idea that would be a great gift to give to someone this Christmas? If so, we’d love to consider sharing it with our readers! Submit your post here and we’ll consider sharing it as part of this series.
OVER-SPENDING EVERY SINGLE MONTH?Grab these FREE Budgeting Sheets!
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Welcome to 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home {Simplified}!
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 6 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 1 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!}
::Set the timer for 15 minutes and quickly pick up the main living areas of your home.
::Clean out your purse and/or diaper bag.
Take pictures of your accomplishments and blog about them, if you’d like. And then come back here at 6 p.m. EST to share your progress posts or tell us about your accomplishments in a comment.
As a budget coach (and someone who’s been working my way out of debt for the past six years) I’m not willing to paying more for something than I absolutely have to. While many of my family and friends believe my wife and I are “cheap”, I’ve become comfortable knowing that we’re simply “frugal” and do our best to make the most of what God has entrusted to us.
Whether your looking to save some money on a big-ticket purchase or just trying to find deals for holiday gifts, here are a few ways to avoid paying retail.
1. Ask for a deal.
Businesses want your sale and they’re typically willing to earn it. Do your research before you head to the store: browse competitor’s websites, search ads, shop around on Amazon, and come to the table prepared to negotiate.
2. Shop at the end of month, quarter, or year.
Most businesses have monthly, quarterly, and yearly sales goals — so by shopping at the end of these periods, you’re more likely to get a great deal.
If you’re dealing with a sales rep that isn’t willing to budge on the price, ask for a store manager or department manager as they’ll have more power to negotiate.
3. Be the king/queen of Black Friday.
Black Friday is quickly approaching, and as most of you frugally-minded shoppers know: it’s a great time to get a bargain!
With the power of the internet, nearly every major store’s ads are available a few weeks in advance. Search all of the ads and get a game plan ready for your attack.
Of course I should add a caveat here: don’t go overboard. There’s no reason to buy something you don’t need just because it’s a good deal!
4. Take advantage of online banking.
The banking industry has evolved with the onset of tablets, cell phones, and increased internet use.
Online banks are becoming the standard, and their high-interest CDs and Savings Accounts, low fees, and reward debit cards are giving consumers much more incentive to leave their traditional brick-and-mortar banks.
5. Buy refurbished or floor models.
You can save a bundle of money if you buy used and refurbished tech gadgets. And if you’re searching for other big-ticket items such as couches, refrigerators, TVs, or kitchen tables, buying the floor model or searching the “scratch-and-dent” section will save you at least 10-30%!
We were able to save $200 on our refrigerator even though the scratch was on the side that is now covered up by our counter!
What are your tips to avoid paying retail?
Jason is a financial advisor and Dave Ramsey-trained counselor who blogs over at Work Save Live. He aims to educate his readers on a variety of financial topics while sharing his family’s journey out of debt and a weekly delicious recipe.
To make a little extra change you can become a mail decoy. Mail Decoys are used to track how long it takes for mail to be delivered along with the shape it is in when it arrives.
It depends on how many mail decoys there are in your area already, how quickly you will hear back from them so you may be able to make some money before Christmas if they contacted you right away. As a mail decoy you receive mail delivered to you other than your own mail.
Usually they are catalogs but they will be marked in a way that you will be able to tell them apart from your regular mail. Each day, you stamp the mail with the date and then enter a code from the piece of mail on to their website.
You store the mail in a file box for six months before discarding and in rare cases they may ask you to send in a piece that you received. If this is the case you will be reimbursed for the cost of mailing those items.
The pay is 25 cents per piece of mail, which is not much but it only takes a few minutes of your time each day.
You can enter your zipcode on the Hausernet website to see if they need someone in your area right away or just apply and they’ll notify you if they have openings in your area. SBKC is a similar type of mail decoy company, but instead of paying you in cash, you earn points that you can redeem for gift cards.
Alaina shares her twelve years of work from home experience at her blog Telecommuting Mommies. She also opens up her personal life as a homeschooling, blogging, work at home Mom of four at The Maestro Mom. Follow her on Twitter at TelecommuterMom.
Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Many of you have asked if I could run another 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home series in preparation for the holidays. I waffled about doing it since I didn’t want to commit to something that I couldn’t follow through with (I have a few big projects going on in my life right now and am trying to do my best to not over-commit and end up feeling stretched too thin and burnt out!)
In the end, I decided to do the series in the month of November, only this time around, I’m going to simplify it to something that can be done in 30 minutes or less per day. We’ll mostly be following along with the 4 Weeks to a More Organized Home series that I initially posted, but it will be a much more simplified version.
Beginning Monday, I’ll post each day’s assignment at 9 a.m. EST and then have the link-up for you to share your pictures, posts, and comments at 6 p.m. EST each day. I’ll only be posting assignments on weekdays and we’ll be skipping the week of Thanksgiving — so the series will actually last five weeks total and will run from November 5 to December 7, 2012.
Leave a comment below and let us know if you’ll be joining in! I can’t wait to be inspired by you all!
I like soups that are rich, creamy, and full of veggies and carbohydrates (who needs meat?) My husband, on the other hand, only eats soups that are hearty, meaty, and not rich (veggies optional).
This recipe is our happy compromise!
Why you’ll love this Recipe For Cheeseburger Soup
It’s inexpensive to make.
It feeds a crowd.
It’s full of ingredients you probably already have.
It tastes amazing!
The type and amount of meat are flexible. I often use a mixture of ground turkey, ground beef, and venison in place of the ground beef. Sausage would probably work quite well, also. And I always scrimp on the meat in soup recipes – so feel free to do the same (or leave it out completely… which I could never get by with at my house).
The chilly fall evenings are the perfect time to serve this filling, warm-me-up soup. Add some fresh bread and a tossed salad or veggie tray and you have a simple meal that’s good enough to serve to company.
My picky 4-year old requests this for dinner every. single. night!
Cheeseburger Potato Soup Ingredients
3/4 – 1 pound ground beef (or less)
1 medium onion, finely chopped (or 2 tsp onion powder)
2 cloves garlic, minced (or 1 tsp garlic powder)
6-8 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon parsley
4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
2 cups milk
1/3 cup flour
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese*
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
*NOTE: If you use mild cheddar, you will need to use more of it to get the same amount of cheesy flavor.
Does beef need to be cooked before adding to hamburger vegetable soup?
Yes, before you start making the soup, you’ll cook the ground beef with the onions and garlic to give it extra flavor. Then drain the grease off and add it back (cooked) into the broth with the rest of the ingredients.
Cheesy Hamburger Potato Soup Recipe Substitutions
Try ground turkey or even diced ham for a totally different flavor.
Feel free to substitute onion powder and garlic powder for fresh onions and garlic if you don’t have them in the house.
You can also use any type of broth (or water) and any type of milk or cream.
Swap cornstarch or a gluten-free flour for wheat flour if you need to make this recipe gluten-free.
And mix up the types of cheese you use for a little flavor tweak.
How to Make Hamburger and Potato Soup
1. In a medium-sized pot, combine ground beef, onion, and garlic. Cook and stir until meat is no longer pink.
2. Drain the meat and return it to the pot.
3. Add the potatoes, carrots, basil, parsley and broth and bring to a rolling boil.
4. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 15-20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
5. Combine milk and flour until smooth (this only takes a few seconds in my Vita-Mix). Gradually pour the mixture into the soup, stirring constantly.
6. Cook and stir until the soup is thickened and starting to boil.
7. Add cheeses and continue cooking until cheese is melted (another minute or so).
8. Add salt and pepper to taste. Ladle into bowls and sprinkle with additional cheese if desired.
Potato and Hamburger Soup Tips
Don’t cook this soup too long as the potatoes will start getting mushy.
Also, you’ll want to continually taste-test it throughout the process to make sure you’re adding the right amount of salt.
What to Serve with Cheeseburger Potato Soup
This soup is a very hearty stand-alone meal, so don’t feel like you need to come up with a bunch of side dishes… however, here are a few ideas if you want them.
Bread or rolls
Crackers
Lettuce salad or raw veggie salad
Fresh fruit
More cheese!
How to Store this recipe for Cheeseburger Soup
Let the soup cool to room temperature and then transfer leftovers to an air-tight food storage container. Refrigerate for up to a week.
This soup does not freeze as well as other soups as the potatoes will be quite mushy after defrosting it.
Brigette is a full-time wife and mother who is blessed with three amazing bundles of energy. She enjoys music, experimenting in the kitchen, homeschooling her children, finding great deals, long-distance running, and anything chocolate.
FREE DOWNLOAD: 60 Meals To Help You Avoid Takeout!
Do you have a fun and frugal Thanksgiving DIY idea to share? I’d love to hear about it! Read the submission guidelines and submit it here.
