So one night I was cooking and ran out of seasoned salt. I use it in many recipes, one of my kids favorites is seasoned salt pork chops. So what was I to do? I made homemade seasoned salt recipe. It was either have cranky, fussy kids who didn't want to eat because the pork chops are 'ewwy yucky' (their words not mine!) or make my own. I don't know about you, but I'd make anything to avoid cranky kids..... I have noticed that the more things we make, the more we save. Why buy an expensive bottle of seasoned salt when I can make it from spices I already have in my cabinet? Plus I find I can always adjust it and make a better version. Like my seven things I stopped buying and started making posts. I also started making my own hickory bbq sauce and using it to make my own slow cooker … [Read more...]
27 Ways to Save Money at Target
Ok y'all I admit I love heading to Target, treating myself to a cup of Starbucks and doing the dirty work of shopping. Even days when I run in for ONE thing I leave with more and is it bad I can't remember a time I spend less than $100 there? Well, that is before I actually started getting down my savings hacks and making sure to use them to save money. I also found a few I didn't know about! Now I want to share them with you! 27 Ways to Save Money at Target Search the End Caps - The ends caps are where you will find clearance, reduced, damaged items. Now I'm not talking about the end caps in the main aisles; those are going to be new and promo items. I'm talking about the ones at the back of the aisles facing the walls, the more 'hidden' ones. Know Your Mark Down Schedule - While … [Read more...]
8 Fun Ways to Practice Spelling Words
As a kid, I HATED spelling words, and spelling tests and practicing them. My kids don't seem to mind the spelling words, but I want them to have fun with them and be a better speller than I am. So I am always on the hunt for fun ways to practice their spelling words. 8 Fun Ways to Practice Spelling Words Use Puzzlemaker - You can create different games for your child using their spelling words. This one is a word search you can pick all sorts of options to make it easy or harder. Use Spelling City - Type in your kids spelling words on Spelling City and there are over 37 games they can play to help them master their spelling words. Kids can have fun and forget they are supposed to be learning with this site! Ball Toss - This game is pretty fun but requires a few players. … [Read more...]
My New Addiction, Smores Trail Mix from Dream House Fine Foods
Ok y'all Do you remember me posting on how I loved these Carmel Chocolate Cover Pecans? Well they are by Dreamhouse, and I picked them up at Rite Aid, and now I have the chance to try out six more varieties from Dreamhouse and Rite Aid! So I was able to try out several candies from them. First we tried out the jelly beans because it is almost Easter and in our house that means lots of jelly beans! We are a house divided my husband, and 2 of my kids LOVE the sour jelly beans. I gravitated toward the juicy jelly beans. The bag says there are over 41 flavors and as a kid I loved trying to guess the flavors, and I still do as an adult. When I opened the bag it smelled like coffee. I was excited because I might have a *small* coffee addiction. The first brown one I tried was for sure … [Read more...]
17 Unexpected Benefits of Honey
Honey is natural and fantastic source from nature. There are many unexpected benefits of honey. I was on the hunt for natural ways to help my morning sickness with baby #4 and was told about honey and ginger and oh my did they work well! While searching, I saw many other ways honey can be used! I already knew it helped with sore throats but that it can help you get to sleep or give you an energy boost during a workout it is amazing! 17 Unexpected Benefits of Honey Note: Make sure you pick up raw honey, it can also be called unpasteurized. It is healthier and works better than the processed stuff. I also suggest finding local honey. Found at many farmers markets or produce stands. This will help with allergies as mentioned below along with other problems that might be local to … [Read more...]
Blogging Tax Questions – Is My Blog A Business Or Hobby?
With tax time upon us, so many have tax questions. The tax questions for us bloggers are even harder to find answers to because so many people don't fully understand what we do. If you are making money as a blog people, just don't 'get it'. So I have stopped telling people I run a blog and starting to say that I am a writer. Since I have two different sites, I tailor what I say based on what we are talking about. If It's about the travel blog, I say that 'I am a travel writer' and if they want more info, I tell them that I have a blog and do freelance writing along with social media promotion. If it's this blog, then I say I'm a financial writer who does freelance work and social media work along with blogging. Why? Because I got so sick of people thinking it was a hobby, and I needed to … [Read more...]
Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe
So the other day I went to make my Brown Sugar Garlic Glazed Pork Chops and realized I was out of brown sugar. Now, if you have been around the blog for any length of time, you know I am not a fan of running out to the store for just one item. You never actually walk out with just that one item, you will grab a few other things even if you think you really need them. This drives up your grocery budget or breaks it and costs you money. If you were to do this once a week, that extra $5 will cost you $240 a year, and that is assuming you only spend $5 extra. I don't know about you, but I don't walk out with only $5 in extras! Heck, I can't remember the last time I walked out of Target spending less than $100! Homemade Brown Sugar Recipe So with this in mind I was faced with a … [Read more...]
Sams Club Dare to Compare Your Winter Tires
This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Sam’s Club . All opinions are 100% mine. It's no secret that it's winter time with snow, cold, and frozen roads. This all means wear and tear on your car and you REALLY need your car to be in the BEST possible condition to get you and your family to work, school, and around town to home safely on a daily basis. To do this, you need to start with the tires. Now come on don't cringe, I know when you think of replacing 4 tires you hear "cha-ching" in your head and see your money flying out of you wallet right? Well, it doesn't need to be that way! A Sam’s Club membership continues to get you unbeatable winter deals on everything, including auto & tire services! The Sam’s Club Dare to Compare all-in tire offer is truly … [Read more...]
Weddings on a Budget – 21 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Cake
Looking for ways to save money on your wedding cake? Well, the biggest way is not to have one, at all. Not for you? Don't worry here are 21 ways to save money on your cake form small cost cuts to big ones! Weddings on a budget don't have to sacrifice style or the things you want you just have to do it smartly. Find the ones that work for you. Many of these I used to save money on my wedding cake, I spent less than $100 on my cake, others I picked up over the years from friends during their wedding planning. Some are easy some are a bit drastic find your groove, not every thing will work for everyone! Weddings on a Budget - 21 Ways to Save Money on Your Wedding Cake Small display cake - Use a small two tier display cake and serve your guests from sheet cakes. They will never know the … [Read more...]
8 Must Haves for Preschool Homeschool Curriculum
Starting your child’s learning experience at home might seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. In fact, the earlier you start teaching your kids, the better they will do in the long run. Giving them an early start to the education they will need in life means starting around the age of pre-school. Starting homeschool at preschool can be an overwhelming change though for you and your little one, but it doesn’t have to be. These 8 must haves for preschool homeschool will help you make the transition to learning easy and help you get them ready for Kindergarten. 8 Must Haves for Preschool Homeschool Curriculum Board Games – For preschoolers, learning absolutely has to be made fun and what better way to do that with a board game? Games like Apples to Apples and even Chutes & … [Read more...]
Top 3 Important Debt Myths Debunked
Society has changed in the last 100+ years since the Great Depression. That's an understatement. The way we look at money and debt have changed because of a few debt myths that society now believes are facts. Fact: Millions of Americans are in debt. OUCH! We live in a very must have it now society where credit cards flow free, and it's nothing to have bad credit with a high-interest rate. There was no such thing as credit in the Great Depression; they had to save every penny for items they needed and wanted. Ever remember watching The Waltons? They had to grow food, raise a cow for milk, and save money in a hidden change jar. They wore clothes with holes and mended them. They lived within their means and didn't go into debt. Top 3 Important Debt Myths Debunked Myth: Debt is the … [Read more...]
#1 Money Saving Secret The Millionaire Next Door Won’t Tell You
Ever wonder what the millionaire next door isn't telling you? What is he doing that your aren't? Well I'm going to tell you, but please don't tell them that i let the cat out of the bag... #1 Money Saving Secret The Millionaire Next Door Won't Tell You Buy quality at the best price. That is it. Now before you roll your eyes at me lets expand on this for a minute. When you buy something cheap, and it lasts for say a month, and you have to buy another, your cost for the item just doubled. Let's use a dining room table and chairs for an example since it was a real life scenario for me. We bought a cheap dining room table and chairs when we got our first place. We paid about $100 for the set. Six months later we had one working chair left and a very wobbly table so bad no one ate there. … [Read more...]