I don’t know why, but the cup holders in my car get dirty fast. They’re a pain in the you-know-what to clean too. So, I came up with an easy solution. Silicone cupcake holders. Yep. We found the 3″ size in the store, but we were pretty sure they would be too small. So, we went on the hunt and this is what I ordered.
They fit nicely into my car and they are easy to just pull out and clean. No more dirty cup holders. On a side note, I picked those colors on purpose. Go Chiefs!
Trash. What to do with it in the car. I tried several different trash cans that you buy for the car. The collapsible one kept, well, collapsing. I also tried the kind that hang from the back of your seat. That’s fine if you are sitting in the back seat, but apparently they frown on you driving from the back. It would also be fine if you had ‘go-go gadget’ arms. I don’t though. So, I saw this on one of those life-hack posts. So I tried it. I went to ‘The Dollar Tree’ and bought a cereal container.
There was a problem though. It kept tipping over. So, I added some weight to the bottom.
Then I put in a plastic bag, put the lid on and it’s been very handy. Now, they will ‘never catch me ridin’ dirty’.
That’s enough about my trash. Those are 2 little things I use in my car for a little more convenience.
When I was first married and wanted to host something, it was almost always dinner. I mean, that’s what you do, right? You have people over for dinner. You get a date on the calendar for a Friday or Saturday night. You search the World Wide Web for a new, fun recipe. Once you find one that doesn’t have too many ingredients, or at least all ingredients that you’ve heard of, then you realize you’ve wasted 2 hours and move on. The day arrives and you scrunch in all of the last-minute cleaning that you procrastinated all week, light a great smelling candle in the powder room, put on some music and you are ready for your dinner guests. They get there, you take their coats, pour some drinks, maybe have a little conversation and then dinner is served. I have had many a fun night with this same scenario. I will always want to have people over for dinner. But, there are some fun options. I’m learning to host outside of the box. I’m sure none of these are original ideas from me. You may have tried every one of them. I’ve tried some, but I plan to try them all. Here goes…
Brunch
Our little town has a parade in May every year and it is a blast to host brunch on our sun porch and watch the parade.
Afternoon Tea
Little sandwiches and delicious desserts. So many fun things you can do with this.
Progressive Dinner
This was quite popular when I was younger. You have hors devours at one house (or I’ve been to one at restaurants), salad at another, dinner at another and dessert at the final house. You could add after dinner drinks if you wanted to.
1 House Progressive Dinner
You could have hors devours on the front porch, salad in the eat-in kitchen, main course in the dining room and dessert in the back yard or any combination of those. The fun thing about that would be that you could have a different ice breaker or trivia type game in each location. You could also choose to set each table with a different theme or the same theme with different colors. The possibilities are endless!
Dessert Under the Stars
Invite people over late in the evening. Set up a table with lots of candles. Put some blankets in a basket or wagon in case it gets chilly. Have a separate table with a bunch of different mini desserts, or set the table and put a little piece of several different things at each place setting. Try some new drink recipes and put some coffee in a thermos so it stays hot. Play music softly in the back ground. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Let creation be the main attraction.
Movie and Popcorn Night
Have a popcorn bar. You can do so many things. A couple of my favorites are popcorn with Hot Tamales for a cinnamon popcorn taste or popcorn with Milk Duds for a caramel popcorn taste. If you do popcorn on a regular basis I highly recommend this (it has changed our popcorn popping and eating experience). You could add movie trivia to the night for fun. Have a prize for the winner. It doesn’t have to be expensive. You could give a box of Hot Tamales or Milk Duds and a gift card (physical or digital) from Red Box. The cost for the gift card could be as little as $1.00.
Game Night
A classic that is always fun.
Pot Luck
Don’t be afraid to let people bring food too. Have your posse over and set a theme (or don’t) and you can have a blast. You might end up with all desserts, but life is short, live a little!
Think outside the box about who you invite sometimes. Don’t be limited by only people your age or people who may have kids the same age. Branch out. You will get to know some lovely people that way!
We’ve all heard of Meatless Monday. It’s a great idea. It saves money and it forces you to eat some vegetables, for pity sake! My husband and I recently started Tech-less Tuesdays. Trust me, I realize the hypocrisy, as I’m posting this on Tuesday, but it’s an exception. When I arrive home on Tuesdays, we turn off the technology. No phones, no tv, no computer. We haven’t died yet. It’s a great way to actually look each other in the eye. It brings back something from the past, called c-o-n-v-e-r-s-a-t-i-o-n. Can we say, conversation? Very good! Now, we’re not perfect. We fall back into old habits. But, we really don’t want this stuff to own us. Sometimes we still turn on the tv at bedtime to wind down a little. However, that’s after we’ve had several hours of no technology. We are adding to this too. We are going to turn of technology from the time I get home until after dinner every night. So, I have to go. I’m already breaking the rules. You should try it. It will surprise you how creative and fun you will become. Less like robot, more like person. Except this blog. You can read it on Tuesdays, but that’s it.
NOT the black screen of death. Just turned off. Your phone will do this without breaking. I promise.
Well, by now hopefully you are saving at least a few bucks but clipping aside, here are a few more ways! Just to review where to start, first, pay attention to your most frequently purchased goods so that you can stock pile, watch the sales via the ads on Wednesdays and Sundays, and clip those coupons in Sunday papers or from online sources. Here’s a great way to just add a little extra or a lot, depending on how you commit to it. Apps and loyalty cards. Beautiful things. My mother never had these amazing little money savers when I was a wee girl. I have a HyVee Fuel Saver card, a Chopper Shopper card, a CVS Extra Care card, a Walgreens Balanced Rewards card, a Hen House Rewards card. I even have a Lamar’s donut card because I have a donut addiction. If you use it, find a way to save while using it. They are loyalty cards afterall, and if they want to pay for loyalty, let them. These might get you a discount on products in store, or fuel, or even give you cash back for future use in the store. Now that you’ve signed up for these plastic wonders there are some apps you should know about.
SavingStar.com
You clip coupons via the app or online and it tracks your purchases by your loyalty cards. You enter those in when you set up your account. You can get your coupon savings back via your back account, PayPal or gift cards from various retailers. I had this before I finally jumped on board the the smart phone train.
Ibotta
You take surveys, post on Facebook, or watch a video to earn a certain amount of money. You do need a smart phone or tablet for this. You buy the product, scan the UPC, then take a picture of the receipt and viola, the money is yours. They have bonuses for completing certain tasks which earn you extra money. They also can be used at restaurants, online retailers, pet stores, home improvement stores, health and beauty retailers, and movies. In less than a year its given me back $160. You get your rebates back via PayPal, Venmo (like PayPal) or giftcards. For me that was about $20 a month.
Shopmium
This app lets you upload the receipt for certain products and then once confirmed the rebate is put directly into your PayPal account.
Shopkick
This you don’t even have to buy anything. You earn kicks for walking into stores with app open and for scanning products. However if you want to enter your credit card info, they will give you more kicks as you buy certain items within these retailers. You can buy gift cards with these kicks and if you just save them up over time maybe that can help with a big purchase.
Checkout 51
This app lets you upload the receipt for certain products and then once confirmed the rebate is added to your account. When you reach $20 you can cash out and they will send you a check in the mail. It changes every Wednesday and occasionally has a bonus way to earn extra.
Cartwheel
This is a Target exclusive but my favorite. This one can be used simultaneously with Target coupons and manufacturer coupons. This is a flat percentage off of items. It can be anything from groceries to toys to clothing and more. You don’t actually need the app but can sign up on Target’s website for it and select the items you’d like to save on then print out the barcode before going to the store. Sometimes it just saves a buck or two and other times it saves way way more! I’ve been using it since May 2013, so a little over a year, and have saved $468. You can only use it in store but it is a gold mine. The more you use it the more slots for savings you get. I have 23 slots to fill and I can move things off if I want something else more. There are limitations. You can only buy four of each type of Cartwheel item and only use it once a day.
Little by little you will see the savings add up. Then you can feel less of the squeeze each month or save for that special vacation or splurge or maybe just that rainy day. However, you choose to use your savings, enjoy! And remember, there are savings everywhere, you just have to look!
We have a budget. I’m not saying we’re always perfect about following it. However, when we’re really on a roll and following it to the letter, we sometimes don’t have a lot left to spend on date night right before the next payday. This was the solution I came up with. I got 3 jars. 1 has “Free” on it, 1 has $5.00 on it and 1 has $20.00 on it. In each one is a bunch of folded papers with different date night options that correspond with the amount in that jar. It’s a fun way to be a little spontaneous without spending a lot of money. We draw a piece of paper according to our budget and do what it says. Here are some of my ideas:
$20.00 Jar
I will start with the $20.00 Jar. It’s pretty easy to come up with date ideas with 20 bucks.
1. Take the dogs to PetSmart and get them each a treat or a toy.
2. Split the money and go to the thrift store (we both love thrift stores).
3. Buy a new movie (either my choice or his depending on the paper), pop some popcorn, and watch it together.
4. Pizza and a movie rental.
5. Go out for dessert and coffee.
6. Go out for appetizers (there are a lot of restaurants that have 1/2 price appetizers after a certain time).
7. Go to the grocery store, buy the stuff for dinner and cook together.
8. Go to a retail store and buy each other a $10.00 gift. You can do a theme (romantic, funny, fun etc..) Try to keep it a surprise until you get home.
$5.00 Jar
You have to get a little more creative with $5.00, but it can be done.
1. Go to Red Box for a movie and get drinks from QuickTrip (local gas station) or from Happy Hour at Sonic
2. Go to the $5.00 movie bin at the local retail store and find a fun, silly, or old movie.
3. Split a $5.00 foot long from Subway or other deli’s that have a similar deal.
4. Go to the Dollar Tree and pick out some fun snacks for a movie at home.
5. Take $5 worth of quarters and go clean the car together.
6. Go out for ice cream.
Free Jar
This one can be a challenge, but you can do it! Here are some of the things I came up with. Feel free to comment with any other ideas you have.
1. Print up instructions from the internet for a card game you’ve never played and teach yourselves how to play it.
2. Give each other pedicures (if you can talk your husband into it).
3. Load the dogs in the car and go for a nice drive. Play the car alphabet game while you’re at it.
4. Figure out something new to make for dinner with the ingredients you already have.
5. Make dessert together.
6. Take the dogs for a walk.
7. Gather and take donations to the thrift store. You can spend time together for a good cause.
8. Go to the library. Pick a book to read together or a book on CD to listen to together.
9. Picnic and/or camp out in the living room (one of my personal favorites).
10. Dress up and make a candlelight dinner.
So, there are a few of my ideas. There is more to do than you think for very little money. Have fun, be creative. It doesn’t just have to be a date night thing. You can get the whole family involved!
We decided to join forces for this one. This will be the first in a series about some of our favorite things. We thought this one would be appropriate for Father’s Day! We hope you have great memories of your dad and have things that you love about him.
by Kendel
His Sense of Humor
One of my favorite memories about my dad is how much he made me laugh. He’s funny. He has a dry, smart sense of humor. I married a really funny man and my dad made me appreciate that about him. He also loved to hide and scare the living daylights out of me and I loved every second of it.
His Patriotism
My dad raised me to be proud of my country. To vote (you can’t complain unless you do). He was in the military. He is a Vietnam vet. He doesn’t talk about it much, but I’m proud that he served his country in the Army.
His Love of Baseball
I got that from him. I love going to the game. I love the whole experience. Peanuts, Cracker Jacks, Hot Dogs and the 7th inning stretch. He took the time to really teach me about the game. I can’t go to a game without thinking about him. We need to go to a game again soon Dad.
His Compassion
I always felt loved. ALWAYS. Even when he wasn’t very happy with what I did. I never doubted for one minute that he loved me. He told me often and he proved it always.
His Protection
I always felt safe. He always did a thorough job of checking out any guy that wanted to date me. At the time it was a little embarrassing, but I still love that he protected me.
I feel blessed indeed that this is the man God saw fit to raise me. I love you dad!!
by Melissa
His Care and Concern for Others
My dad has a real caring heart for others. I am so glad that this is one of the things that I have learned from him. He never thinks twice about plowing an elderly neighbors driveway in the winter, most of the time he just does it and leaves without even letting them know who did it. He has been a police officer longer than I have been alive and has helped thousands of people in his time with the force. He has received several life saving awards for going above and beyond to save a life.
His Love of the Outdoors
I have so many fond memories from my childhood of camping and fishing with my dad and the rest of the family. We had all kinds of crazy things happen, everything from a flooded tent to a squirrel chewing through our Tupperware and eating our bread! It never slowed us down or stopped us. I am looking forward to taking my kids along with their grandpa for more outdoor adventures!
Taking the Time to Teach me to Drive a Car with a Manual Transmission
I was a month away from graduating from college and really needed a new car. I bought a truck and it had a manual transmission. I had no idea how to drive it and one of my parents drove it home from the car lot for me. My dad then got the fun job of taking me out and teaching me how to drive it. It took more than one trip out for me to get the hang of it but my dad always stayed calm and patient with me the whole time. Knowing how to drive a manual transmission has come in handy several times and I’m glad it is a life skill that I have!
His Stories
My dad tells the best stories! The story could be about one of his police adventures or some crazy cooking idea that he had to try out. The stories always get a good laugh or touch your heart. I could listen to my dad’s stories over and over again all day! Dad we really should write some of these stories down so that we will always have them. I love that you share so many things that have happen to you with all of us through your stories.
How Great of a Grandpa He is
It is amazing to see how much my dad loves my kids. He never thinks twice about taking my daughter out to the neighbors “park” ( this is a swing set next door to my parents house but my daughter calls it a park) or hold my new little son so that I can eat a hot dinner. I know that he did those things for me when I was growing up but being little myself I don’t think that I viewed them the same way. I love the way his eyes light up when my daughter runs to him yelling “PAPA!” or when my son grasps his finger.
by Ali
His Silliness
My dad has always been so silly! From the shenanigans of chasing us around the house as the daddy monster to the terrible jokes he told our friends when we were teens (we were so embarrassed!), he’s always been able to show us that it’s okay to be silly! It’s something my sisters and I have carried into our families with our kids and nieces and nephews. And, as a grandpa, his silliness continues, which the grand-kids find hilarious!
His Concern for Our Spiritual Welfare
My dad took the time to have Bible studies with us. He took the time to pray with us. He didn’t mind us listening in on his conversations with other adults about the Bible. I learned so much. He gave me a Spiritual background that not many get and that I often take for granted. And I know that he prays for me, which means so much.
His Hard Work
My dad taught me the value of hard work. He was always doing things around the house and fixing things himself to save our family money. And, by watching him, I learned how to do a lot of those things myself!
Sunday Afternoons and Bedtime
Sunday afternoons were the best! They were usually lazy times in between Sunday morning and Sunday evening church services. Sometimes we’d watch the dust floating in the sunbeams from the window. Sometimes, we’d lay outside on the grass and find shapes in the clouds, and sometimes we’d listen as dad told us stories about when he was little. Bedtime, too, was so much fun with the “Everybody Game”. Each person got a turn picking a motion that everyone had to do (“Everybody… wave their right hand”; “Everybody… pretend to sleep!”). I don’t know why, but we so enjoyed that simple game!
His Love of Gardening
My dad, like his dad, has always had a garden. It was something I was never interested in until I became an adult with my own house. Now, I too love to plant seeds and watch them grow and eat the fruits (or vegetables) of my labor.
How Much He Loves His Grand-kids
My dad loves my kids as much as I do! He loves spending time with them and playing games with them. He lets them help with little tasks, which makes them feel important, and he’s always telling me how smart and strong and amazing my kids are, which every parent loves to hear!
A great post from a guest blogger, a Pharmacist, Dr. Becky.
Greetings friends! My name is Becky and I’m probably the oldest “new” pharmacy graduate you’ll ever meet! After earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology (back in the Jurassic period), I spent 11 years working as a juvenile officer. And then, one fine day, I got a wild hair and decided to go back to school to become a pharmacist. It was a long, hard journey (let me repeat…it was a long, hard journey) but definitely one of the best decisions I’ve made. Last May, I finally became Dr. Becky (did you know most pharmacists have a doctorate???). And since then, I’ve been practicing community pharmacy and loving every minute of it!
I will probably jinx myself by saying this, but I think I’ve just about seen it all during my time in the pharmacy. Stop it. I know what you’re thinking. How could she have possibly seen it all in one short year? Keep in mind I worked as a pharmacy technician for 5 years before becoming a full-blooded pharmacist. And as I soon found out after entering the world of pharmacy, most folks assume EVERYONE behind that counter is a pharmacist and they aren’t ashamed to share the goriest details of their lives with anyone who will listen. So…I really have seen, heard (and smelled) it all. Believe me when I say nothing really shocks me anymore!
With that being said, and drawing upon the most frequently encountered scenarios in my pharmacy, I’d like to share the top three things I think you should know:
It’s all about the Benjamins.
Just because your doctor wrote for generic doesn’t mean it will be cheap. Yes, in most instances, generic is cheaper than brand. However, drug prices and insurance co-payments depend upon lots of things, unfortunately none of which I can control. But, I can help save you money by suggesting therapeutic alternatives and calling your doctor for permission to change. And as a side note, it also helps to know if your insurance plan uses a “preferred” pharmacy or mail-order services, or if you have an annual deductible. I can’t stress enough how important it is to become familiar with your prescription drug coverage, preferably before you need it. This can save you tons of money, time, and frustration. And if you don’t have insurance, take the time to call different pharmacies to compare cash prices.
No magic bullet.
Please do not waste your hard-earned money on weight loss products. Generally speaking, they are ineffective and can have detrimental effects on heart rate, blood pressure and even mood. It pains me to say this, but when it comes to weight loss, there is no quick and easy fix (despite what you hear on Dr. Oz!). No pill will melt away unwanted fat. It’s all about good old-fashioned diet and exercise. Strive to make long-lasting life style changes that incorporate a healthful, balanced diet and adequate exercise.
Don’t believe the hype.
The internet is a great place to get reacquainted with old friends, check movie times for date night, or even find a last-minute gift for Father’s Day (which reminds me…), but it is NOT a great place to get your medication information. While there are some reputable sites, it still takes some specialized training and clinical skills to appropriately interpret the information. Otherwise, you run the risk of scaring the pants off your behind or discrediting a potentially beneficial treatment option. Listen folks, as tempted as you may be to google the name of the new drug your doctor just prescribed, do yourself a favor and come see me instead. Let me educate you. It’s what I spent 5 years of my life learning to do. And it’s my favorite part of the job.
Take care, God bless, and always remember to be nice to your pharmacist!
I have terribly dry skin. In the winter, in the Midwest, it’s something I have to stay on top of or pay the price. So, I went to one of those places with all kinds of smell-good bath supplies. I bought a lovely smelling set of lotion and body wash. I confess that I have learned through the years that any lotion that has fragrance in it isn’t the best choice for my dry skin, but that’s beside the point. I was excited to use it. The next morning after I got in the shower I realized I had forgotten to put my body wash in the shower, but it wasn’t worth it, so I just used the regular stuff and decided I would just have to use it the next day. I got out of the shower, dried off, and applied the lotion. It smelled really good. It made me happy. So, from the neck down, I hydrated my skin. I put the body wash in the shower so I didn’t forget again, finished getting ready, and I was on my way to work. Once I arrived, I noticed that my legs were starting to itch a little. I chalked it up to dry skin and tried to ignore it. As time went on, the itching got worse and spread. I excused myself to the ladies room and pulled up a pant leg. My skin was bright red. Bumps were everywhere. Great. What was going on? I made it through the day. When I got home I went to the bathroom to assess the damage. I went to grab the lotion and look at the ingredients (I’m not really sure why I did this, because I wouldn’t have known what I was allergic to). As soon as I grabbed the bottle I realized the problem. I had put body wash on me instead of body lotion. Yep, just rubbed it all over. I jumped in the shower to wash it off, but it was too late (it suds up really nicely though). The damage was done. A visit to the dermatologist and a lot of oatmeal baths later, I had learned my lesson. Put you glasses on first Kendel.
Well, I get a Sunday and Wednesday paper (no, not at full price, haven’t you been reading?) I buy a 6 month subscription for $19 (less than $1 per paper) on LivingSocial or Groupon with a one month hiatus in between so I qualify as a “new subscriber” by the fine print of those deals. In that month I have to truck it to a Dollar Tree that sells a Sunday paper for, you guessed it, $1 when it is $2 everywhere else. You should be getting the ads in your mailbox if you don’t receive the paper every Tuesday. Man I love saving everywhere! But, look out it gets addicting.
At the store with the catalina coupon printer (you know the thing that spits out a whole bunch of paper next to your receipts when check out that the cashier might be throwing away in the trash…eek Money!)
What you should know about online coupons is when you print them off, usually they are set up to only let your computer print them two times and sometimes just once. This is where having a second computer comes in handy. You have to download a lot of coupon printer software as you go, but once its set up, you’re golden.
Combining coupons:
My personal favorites for Super Savings is Target because you can use a store coupon, a manufacturer coupon, cartwheel (to be discussed in the next entry if you’re curious), and a sale. A lot of times I can get things FREE or very very cheap if I’m paying attention. If you add a red card there’s an extra 5% off your purchase too.
Rules:
The rules for couponing are…read the fine print. Some only allow you to use a few per shopping trip and one per product purchased. Also, know the store’s coupon policies. Most have it on their website, but you can always ask a manager for it if you are in the store without it on hand. While you can probably get away with using more with an absent minded cashier, it doesn’t mean you should. Save by the rules please! That way this beautiful way of keeping your money in your pocket instead of the store’s pockets keeps on happening!
Now that you’ve got all those coupons you have to find a way to organize them in a way that works for you. The couponistas out there use binders. I have 3 kiddos that go shopping with me 95% of the time and that little precious basket seat at the front is taken so there is no room at the inn for a behemoth binder. I use a coupon organizer that I got at Target in the office organizing aisle and that goes with me everywhere. Just in case I run into a store unplanned to pick up something. Nothing hurts like knowing you have the coupon for something but its not with you.
Coupon Organizer
Big thing here…do what works for you. If its not manageable, you won’t stick with it. If you don’t stick with it, then you’ll be missing out on A LOT OF DOUGH over time! Happy saving!
Here are 3 recipes that use the same basic ingredients.
Naked Burrito Dip
This recipe is super easy and great for parties. It’s also easy to double or triple if need be.
Ingredients:
1 can of Rotel (any will do, I use original) OR 1 jar of salsa
1 can of corn (you can use mexicorn if you prefer)
1 can of black beans
2 blocks of cream cheese
Drain Rotel, corn and black beans.
Put the cream cheese in a microwave safe bowl and soften 30 seconds at a time until it is easy to stir.
Now mix all ingredients in the microwave safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second increments until it is warm all the way through, stirring occasionally. Serve with tortilla chips or corn chips.
Naked Burrito Dip
Naked Chicken Burrito
You can also make Naked Chicken Burrito out of this. Use all of the same ingredients plus 1 lb frozen chicken breasts and 1 container of chicken broth. Note: This would be a great time to use Ali’s recipe for homemade chicken broth. Put frozen chicken breasts in the slow cooker. Put all of these ingredients on top (the cream cheese is optional for this). Cook on low for 8 – 10 hours or on high for 4 – 6 hours (making sure the chicken is thoroughly cooked). The chicken will just fall apart. You can serve it in soft shells (although it’s usually too juicy), on tortilla chips, or even on rice.
Naked Chicken Burrito
Naked Burrito Soup
If you want to make soup out of it, leave the cream cheese out and add a couple of containers of chicken broth or use Ali’s recipe for homemade chicken broth and add that. You could add rice to make the soup go farther.
It’s very versatile and it makes a lot for a little.
The Crazy Hat Box 