Life as a SAHM of 2 on a very tight budget. I share coupons, discounts, freebies, and stories of general life.
Custom Printing Information
Free Info On Saving Your Money For The Future
Speaking of savings, what do you do with the money you’re saving? Do you spend it on other things, or are you saving it for the future? I really want to look into saving more money for the future, so I’m doing a little research on that. I’m surprised at the number of websites out there that want you to spend money to find out how to save money! That’s why I stumbled across annuityadvantage.com, a website that explains in easy to understand terms various types of annuities.
I started by checking into fixed income annuities, and I see there are tons of options. One thing I like about this website is it lists all the different types of annuities available, compares them, provides lots of free info to help you make a decision, and then shows you what is available and where to get them! I'm definitely bookmarking this site for future reference.
Please, No More Rude Emails
And...
That brings me to something I want to address. In my email I found a pretty nasty message from someone who stopped by my blog and noticed that I hadn't posted anything since February 1st. The email stated I was "doing a disservice to readers" and should be "ashamed of yourself for failing to provide".
I did send a reply, but I also wanted to make a quick statement here for anyone else who may find the need to send me a rude and nasty email about my blogging habits. I am by no means a major coupon blogger nor do I want to be. I originally started this blog not because I want to run some huge coupon site but because I like sharing what I do find. Sometimes that may be a lot, sometimes nothing. I also maintain this blog because I have a couple family members who would like to print coupons but aren't computer savvy at all. These are little old ladies who barely know how to turn their computers on, and when they go to the doctor's office I normally go with them because they don't know how to use the medical computers to check in. I don't know if they do that where you live, but around here it's becoming the norm to walk in and check yourself in on the touchscreen instead of dealing with the receptionist. It can be overwhelming for those older folks who have limited knowledge of computers.
Anywho, that is one of the main reasons I maintain this blog these days. I've shown those ladies how to turn on their computers and they can navigate to the bookmark to my blog where I have shown them how to click and print. I would love to have them both surfing the web, finding things on their own, and learning computer skills, but they're both happy with what they know.
So, next time someone considers sending me a nasty email about the lack of content on my site let me remind you I am not here to be a massive coupons and savings blog. I'm just little 'ole me posting what I like while helping out a couple little old ladies at the same time. I don't have a team of people working around the clock to find deals for you. It's just me in the very limited time I have to get online these days. While you're here I hope you do find something that's useful, and I hope in the future I can post more, but I'm not here to compete with the major coupon blogs out there.
In fact when I do have time I'm going to try to compile a list of the major couponing sites that I often visit. Hopefully sharing a list with you in an easy to find location on my sidebar may help someone find what they need to save even more money.
Manilla: Free Online Household Account & Bill Organizer
Are you looking for an easy all-in-one solution to help you keep track of all your financial and household accounts? Manilla has the answer!
What is Manilla? It’s a free service that helps you manage all of your accounts in one place. You can add your bills, credit cards, subscriptions, rewards programs, etc, all in one secure place online for easy access. The best part is the service absolutely free! Managing everything in one place means you only have to remember login info for one site. You don’t have to visit multiple websites to compile a list of all your accounts. Manilla organizes everything in one easy to use site and allows you to instantly see what’s going on with your accounts.
Plus Manilla gives you the option to set text and/or email reminders to pay bills on time saving you from spending more money on unneeded late fees. You also have unlimited storage space for account documents, and you can see a list of your current balances, previously made payments, and upcoming bills all in one place instead of spread across multiple websites.
I love Manilla and now use it to help manage our household accounts. If you’re looking for a solution to keep your accounts organized give Manilla a try today. Manilla is free to join and free to use!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Manilla. All statements about my usage of the website are my own and true.
Addiction Treatment Help Information
I want to discuss something that most people don’t like to talk about, and that’s seeking help for addiction. It’s a hard subject to discuss because no one wants to admit they or someone they know and love has a problem. There are many people in this world struggling with addiction, and I have unfortunately dealt with a lot of addiction in the lives of my loved ones. Because of that I am adamant about helping others find the help they need.
I’m not going to shove information down your throat, but I do want to mention that there is help out there if you or someone you know needs it. Start by educating yourself on the options that are available. There is a san francisco drug alcohol rehab treatment center called Malibu Horizon, and their website is a great place to start if you would like to learn about types of treatment options that are available. I also always recommend when someone is seeking help they find a treatment center far away from home, away from the people and things that can influence the bad decisions that may cause a relapse into addiction. Malibu Horizon may not be the best option for everyone, but the website is a good place to start when seeking free information about the types of programs out there.
File Your Tax Return For Free
The new year brings with it a new season that causes stress for many. Tax time is upon us, and you’re busy getting your forms and receipts in order, right? If you aren’t don’t fret because you’ve still got plenty of time before that April 15th deadline, but here’s a little something that might ease a bit of the stress of tax filing.
H&R Block now has an online tax tool called H&R Block At Home that you can use to complete your Federal Tax Return for free. It’s free to prepare, print, and efile! H&R Block makes filing online simple and easy to use while keeping your personal information safe and secure. If you need to complete a State Tax Return you can also use this useful online filing tool to complete a State Tax Return for an additional fee.
Lowering Your Power Bill
I admit I absolutely love the cold season, but I hate the fact that our power bill always goes up. Considering we have free heat via the wood stove it’s always a mystery to me why our power bill is so darn high in January and February. Last year we received bills of almost $400 each month when our winter power bills are hardly ever over $100, and we weren’t alone. There were many people in our area who were complaining about the same thing. We all called our power company numerous times to complain, but it did no good. We live in an area where we don’t get to choose our power company. We’re stuck with whoever runs the service in our area, and we’re stuck paying whatever they decide to bill us.
I really wish we lived in a state that gave us the option of choosing which power company we’d like to use. If you live in one of the states with electric deregulation low cost energy may be more available than you think. Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey and Pennsylvania all allow consumers to choose their power company, and that could mean big savings for you if you live in one of those states. If you're a resident of one of the states mentioned above check out lowcostpower.com and use the drop down boxes on the right to see how much you could be saving. You can also get a $50 cash bonus if you sign up and switch your service to Verde Energy (but only do so if it means lowering your bill)!
No More Rack Accounts Possibly Compromised
As usual I’ve been slack, so I haven’t been sharing many freebies. That’s kind of my own fault because I’ve probably spent twice as much time online searching for coupons, especially for groceries, because of our current financial situation. Hubby has been laid off again for a month now, and the job market isn’t being kind at all. We’ve both applied for jobs all over the place, even at McDonald’s, and he finally got his first call back for an interview this morning. The interview is in the morning, and if he doesn’t get this job I don’t know what we’ll do. I’ve spent most of my free time searching for jobs and trying to find coupons to save every dime we can since we’re living on a grocery budget of about $20 a week right now.
That’s also why I freaked out this morning when I saw Thrifty Wife’s post about No More Rack having a security breach that possibly leaked the personal information our their customers. If you have ever shopped through No More Rack or just entered your personal info including your credit card number you really need to read her post. Your information could be compromised, and not even the best rfid blocking wallets will keep your credit card number safe if it's being stolen right out from under your nose online! Luckily I never got around to putting in my credit card information, so I don’t have to risk what little money we have being stolen from our account. I signed up to receive my free credit, but I never used it to order anything. Now I will most definitely never shop through their website. I understand security breaches do happen, but I'm not very happy with the way it is being handled over there. Instead of informing customers it’s as if No More Rack is trying to cover up the mishap!
A Few Guest Posts
Since I have been too busy lately to do much in the way of deal hunting I’ve decided to allow some guest posts from friends. Things are busy around here because I’ve got the little one’s birthday party next weekend, I’m super behind on hair bow orders, and we’re smack in the middle of what’s the busiest time of the year for our family because of multiple birthdays falling within the same month. That means there’s at least one birthday party a week from now until the end of November, and you’ve got to add Halloween and Thanksgiving into that mix! Then comes Christmas, and whew! I’ll finally get to rest my feet a bit after New Year’s Day!
Anywho, I hope you enjoy the guest posts, but I will do my best to pop in and blog as much as I can from time to time as well!
Find Those Clearance Items!
When shopping for electronics I always check out the clearance sections before I buy anything. Whether you’re looking for something small like mp3 speakers or a bigger item like an entertainment system clearance items are a great way to go. We purchased our home entertainment system for 70% off retail by picking up last year’s model (with all the features we need and want) on clearance.
I was checking out some great deals from The Source that are going on right now. There are quite a few items I want in the clearance section, and Oct 14-16 you can grab an extra 30% off during the Anniversary Employee Pricing Event. Also, new customers can signup for their newsletter to receive free shipping on their first order! If you can’t take advantage of the free shipping don’t worry. You can also have your items shipped to any store for free.Now that’s a ton of savings!
Free Information And Insurance Quote
If you're over 50 and you’ve been looking for life insurance, but you’re having a hard time finding a policy that doesn’t require a medical exam check out the graded benefit option. Graded benefit life insurance doesn’t require medical exams or medical based questions to be answered, so it’s a great option for those who can’t get insurance that requires either. Wholesaleinsurance.net has a lot of free information on this option, what it is, how it works, etc, and you can also request a free quote.
Send Those Expired Coupons To Military Families Overseas
I could just throw out those expired coupons, but I choose not to. I prefer to send them to military families overseas that need them. Most families living on military bases overseas are already on tight budgets, and depending on where they are stationed those budgets may be even tighter thanks to currency exchange rates. They don't have access to Sunday inserts like we do in the states, so it's always nice to have a chance to help out the military personnel who are risking their lives for our country.
If you would like to get involved there are many ways to do so. Here are just a few of the many organizations that can help your coupons reach a family overseas.
1. The Overseas Coupon Program- This program allows you to choose a base to "adopt" and send your coupons to. Read the Adoptions page to get started. It is recommended that you do not send coupons that are more than 2 months expired. Many bases will allow families to use these coupons up to 6 months past expiration date, but because they are sorted and handed out by the program you need to allow time for the coupons to reach the families before the 6 month limit.
2. Coupons For Troops- There is a directory listing at the bottom of the page where you can find information for local coupon drop offs in your area. If you're already on a tight budget and don't think you can afford to ship the coupons this is a great alternative.
3. Troopons- You will find the address at the bottom of the article to send coupons that are no more than 2 months expired. Please remember to follow all sorting instructions!
Gift Giving Doesn’t Have To Be Expensive
This has been a day of gift searching and making for me, and I set out to do it as cheaply as possible.
I started the day by making a diaper cake for my cousin’s baby shower tomorrow. If you’re looking for a great do it yourself gift for a mother to be a diaper cake is a fun and easy way to go. A lot of people think they are super expensive to make, but actually they’re not. It all depends on the type of diapers you choose and the value of the items you use to decorate.
Each cake I make costs me about $20 to make if I have to purchase every single item that goes into it, but most of the time I only spend about $10 including the diaper purchase. Keep in mind I prefer to give the Mom a supply of smaller items she can use instead of one or two larger more expensive items. The cake I made today cost me $19.12 to make because I had to buy some gifts, decorations, and of course diapers, but the value of items in the cake totaled closer to $40. I used an online coupon code to buy the $25 sock set I decorated with for a total cost of $12.63 including shipping. I purchased a pack of Huggies diapers on sale and with coupons for $3.49! Inside the cake is a bottle of baby lotion and a bottle of baby shampoo as well as a rolled up onesie. Each were items I previously picked up to go in my gift drawer when they were on sale for $1 each. Because this was a themed cake for a themed baby shower I picked up scrapbooking stickers to use for decorations at $1 a sheet, and I purchased 3 sheets. I matched the shower’s color scheme by using red and brown ribbon from craft supplies I already owned, and I added the new baby’s name, Roper, to the ribbon with t-shirt paint from my craft supplies as well. It may not be perfect, but it’s a gift from the heart, and it was within my budget.
After finishing that I went in search of a gift for my Grandpa’s birthday next week. I buy him the same type of item every year, but I try my best to make it a different item each year. His thing is chocolate, and my Grandma only lets him have it on holidays and birthdays because he’ll eat himself sick lol. This year I thought about getting him something gourmet, but I thought I might not be able to afford it. I checked out the sale section on berries.com and found a cute set of a half dozen assorted gourmet chocolate dipped berries for $19.99 (regularly $29.99). With my $25 gift budget I can afford them! I’ll have to keep this site in mind when I’m looking for a quick gift for dad's day next year! It definitely pays to look around in the sale sections. You never know what might be on sale that you couldn't afford otherwise!
Free RevitaLens OcuTec MPDS Starter Kit & Redkin Intra Force Samples
I’ve got a few things to share with you tonight for a chance to pick up a quick freebie or coupon.
First we’ve got Redkin’s ABC Giveaway. Today Redkin is giving away Intra Force Shampoo and Toner samples, but hurry because there are only 1,000 samples to go around! Click here for your chance to get a sample.
Speaking of hair, if you’re suffering from hair loss you may want to check out a website I found about the best hair loss products. On the site you will find reviews of some of the top products to combat hair loss as well as listings of the best price for each product found online. Follow this link to learn more.
If you wear contacts you’ll be interested in the next freebie. Walmart has updated their on site samples, and right now you can grab yourself a free RevitaLens OcuTec MPDS starter kit. Each kit contains a free lens case, multi-purpose cleaning solution, and coupons. To receive this kit you need to print the offer from the website and take it to your nearest Walmart Vision Center (located inside Walmart Super Centers).
New Rules For Contacting Me
I’ve been receiving a lot of emails lately asking me to share things with my readers, but I haven’t been sharing many of them. That’s because most of them don’t involve the types of things I share. This blog is for sharing free samples, coupons, discounts, contests, and anything else related to saving money. It is NOT for promoting your product or service unless you are running a promotion that offers my readers a money saver.
Because of this I am implementing a few new rules to follow when emailing me about something you would like me to share.
- Make sure a money saver is involved. I will not promote a product or service just because you ask nicely (although quite a few emails have not been so nice!). I will share the information if it regards a coupon, discount, free shipping offer, contest, etc.
- Make sure the information is relevant to most everyday readers. If it is not I most likely will not publish it. For example, I came across a deal on bovie electrosurgical generators. Even though the promotion involves a free warranty and $200 worth of accessories it is not something I would normally share because it is not relevant to most readers.
- Please do not spam me offering your SEO services. I receive quite a number of these emails on a daily basis, and I am not interested. If I were I definitely wouldn’t hire someone who spammed my email!
Deals & Discounts From ATO
Free Design & Quote From Pins For Anything
Normally when businesses host company parties and events you receive some type of gift with the company logo on it for attending. Likewise charity events often offer products like t-shirts with their logos to raise money.
Have you ever wondered where to get products for your party or event that you can give your guests or sell as a fundraiser? There are many websites out there where you can buy all types of products like that, but here’s a unique one. Maybe you’re a member of a local group and would like something with your group’s logo on it for your members. Consider offering a lapel pin with your event or logo on it!
Pins For Anything sells all types of lapel pins that can be used for your event, business, or whatever you may imagine. Your pin is designed for free by their team of artists, so you don’t have to worry about coming up with your own design. They also offer a free quote for custom pins!
Free Evaluation From Allsup
As someone who has watched a family member who is disabled beyond the point of working battle for years to receive disability I thought anyone in the same situation might like to know there are programs out there that can help you get your disability faster. I don’t know if it’s true, but I’ve heard in my state almost everyone is denied the first time they apply because those who don’t really need SSDI are less likely to try to apply again. Those who really need it will fight to get what they deserve.
I don’t really agree with that, nor do I know if it’s actually true, but if you are having trouble getting disability insurance you may want to look into Allsup. They offer a free Disability Evaluation to help you determine if you qualify, and they will work with you to help you get your application or appeal approved. They only charge if they are successful.
Demo & Free Business Software From inetSoft
If you run a business you can also check out inetSoft’s Style Intelligence bi software (business intelligence software) with a free demo download right now. This software is a business intelligence platform designed for reporting, analysis, and dashboard needs all in one location.
There are also a few free applications you may want to checkout for your business needs. Style Scope FE is a free dashboard software. There is also a free visualization software, Visualize Free, and a free AJAX charting service called Style Chart.
Good Sam Emergency Assistance Plus
Are you covered if you find yourself in a situation where you may need emergency assistance? Whether you have insurance or not you may find yourself in a situation where you need emergency via an emergency medical transport that isn't covered by your insurance or not available if you are paying out of pocket. Does your insurance cover emergency assistance if you are in a foreign country when something goes wrong?
Check out Good Sam Emergency Assistance Plus. For as little as $89 you can start a pre-paid medical assistance plan that could help you when you need it most. Note this is not insurance or a health plan.
Via the Good Sam website, here are the benefits to this program.
- Medical Evacuation
- Return of Traveling Companion Assistance
- Unlimited Cash Advance Assistance
- Legal Advice and Referral Assistance
- Message Delivery Service
- Lost Items Assistance
- Prescription Replacement Assistance
- Embassy and Consular Services
- Worldwide Medical Information
- Language Interpretation Assistance
- Return of Dependent Children Assistance
- Vehicle Return