We’ve all seen the ads. “Take it home today! No Down Payment!” blah, blah, annnnd blah. If you’re considering a rent to own “purchase,” don’t do it. It really isn’t worth it and I’ll tell you why. Simply put; the rent to own trap is killing your finances. How the Rent to Own Trap Is Killing Your Finances I’ll be the first to admit that the deals can look amazing, especially if money is tight and your own appliances, furniture or electronics are not in the best shape. A brand new computer for only $40.00 per month, a king size bed for just $100.00 per month, the washer you have always dreamed of having for $25.00 per week – They’re shiny deals with shiny prices. At least, until you really look at them. Let’s walk through the process of purchasing a rent to own item. Actually, I … [Read more...]
How I Get Paid to Read Emails
I love being able to get paid for something I already do, like how I get paid to read emails. Heck who wouldn't! There are so many misconceptions that any way to earn money online is a scam. That is not true. The best way to figure out if any site is a scam is by a few things, if you have to pay money to earn money, if can't find any payout proofs when you Google them, and by their BBB rating. But I can assure you that you can get paid to read emails and it's IS legit. The sites below have all paid me. It's not a way to earn a ton of extra money but if you do some of the other opportunities to earn on each site you can get paid once a month or once every other month. It's a great way to put money in savings, help pay off debt or even put money aside for Christmas. The Get Paid to … [Read more...]
Orange Crush Cupcakes
I have a bad habit of loving soda. I admit it but as a get older I limit my intake and now I don't even keep it in the house. I got through stages where all I want is Diet Coke, then it's Dr Pepper and then it's Orange Crush then is cycles back again. Orange Crush was my childhood favorite. In fact, I went through a stage where I wanted everything orange flavored, orange juice, orange popsicles, orange food, and of course, orange soda. So as an adult when I went through one of my Orange Crush stages this cake came to be in our household recipes and it's still one of my favorites! It's always a hit when I take it to a party or potluck and it doesn't taste like you used a box mix so it can be our dirty little secret let them think you slaved away all day to make it! Orange Crush … [Read more...]
165 Ways We Saved in 2015
Is it REALLY 2016?! I was just getting used to writing 2015 I'm all messed up! Hubby and I got to talking about our budget and what changes to make for 2016 and we started looking back on all the ways we saved this year and I want to share all the ways we saved last year! Somewhere things we started to do or things we stopped, others were lifestyle choices and others were simply changing our way of thinking! 165 Ways We Saved in 2015 Of course first things first, we tackled our budget and it did take us a bit to find our groove but we found that spending 10 minutes week together saved us a bunch! Throughout the year. I was dead set on adding more to our budget as possible without too huge of a change to our every day. This promoted me to over 45 ways to earn free Amazon Gift cards … [Read more...]
How to Score $1500+ In High Value and Rare Coupons
Ok yall I get asked a lot some fo the best places to find coupons or how to school coupons on my favorite products (sorry I admit it I'm a pop tart junkie and I ALWAYS have a coupon for them!) So I'm sharing my secret with my favorite places to find the rare and high-value coupons that I am always getting asked about. How to Score $1500+ In High Value and Rare Coupons These are the best places to find rare coupons. They offer them to people directly and don't advertise them much so remember to check them on your own! Atkins BOGO Coupon - Sign up and get a free welcome packet including a BOGO coupon and more coupons mailed throughout the year! Everyday Family Baby Coupons - Sign up and get coupons for formula, diapers, and more in the mail! Barber Foods - They often have $1 … [Read more...]
12 Budget Friendly Winter Wedding Ideas
I have always thought winter wedding could be so pretty, even though they can be cold you can't beat the sun glistening off the snow. The icicles and the way nature is in the cold is just breath taking! To embrace this beauty can be expensive since you can easily get carried away. So I want to share with you some great ideas I have found for having the beautiful winter wedding of your dreams.... on a budget! Remember use light to your advantage it glistening off the snow. Heighten it with glitter in your decor and you have a win win! 12 Budget Friendly Winter Wedding Ideas 1.Have a Hot Chocolate Bar - instead of expensive alcohol do hot chocolate to warm everyone up instead! 2. Give Everything a Frost - Use free nature items like pinecones and give them a frost touch with … [Read more...]
Peppermint Brownies
So I don't know about you but I always buy too many candy canes for Christmas. Now I'm sitting here trying to figure out what the heck to do with them! One of the recipes that my kids ask for every year are these Peppermint Brownies! One year we ate all the candy canes and my kids wanted these brownies they were so upset! I was able to use Andes mints instead but ever since they have made sure to save a few candy canes just to have these brownies! Peppermint Brownies Ingredients- 4 eggs 1/4 cup homemade brown sugar 1 cup cocoa powder 1/2 cup flour 1-3/4 cup sugar 1/2 cup softened butter 2 tablespoons peppermint extract 1/2 cup white chocolate m&ms 1/2 cup peppermint Andes mints / or Candy Canes Related: 23 of The Best Candy Cane and Peppermint … [Read more...]
Breaking the Myth: Breastfeeding is NOT Free!
Ok, I have to bust the Myth. I won't lie I was under the impression as well when I went to breastfeed baby #4, read for it? Breastfeeding is NOT Free! Shocker right? There are many reasons to choose TO breastfeed and I'm excited if you want to do it but don't go into it blindly. There are many 'hidden' costs that you need to budget for that wouldn't need to be in your budget if you are formula feeding. But don't fret I firmly believe breastfeeding is MUCH cheaper than formula feeding, especially has your child grows and is eating 8 ounces at a feeding! Clothes Yes, you will need to adjust your wardrobe and you WILL need nursing bras. I did the basics and bought the tank tops from Forever 21 for under $2 and put them under my shirts so my belly was exposed when I would have to lift … [Read more...]
Taking the Pain Out of Furnace Repairs
Nobody looks forward to an unexpected furnace repair. This inconvenient problem always seems to happen at the worst possible time. A record winter storm is on its way, relatives are visiting for the holidays, the kids have the flu — and the furnace is suddenly on the blink, leaving you with an icy cold house. Fortunately, there are some ways to make furnace breakdowns less painful. This quick guide can help you navigate the difficulties of furnace malfunctions. Why Are Furnaces So Prone to Malfunctioning? Home furnaces are large and powerful appliances, taking up a large amount of energy during the winter months. Many houses are still outfitted with old furnaces, which may be inefficient and prone to breaking down. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, older boiler systems and … [Read more...]
Thrift Store Finds Worth Money You Don’t Want to Pass Up
I love browsing thrift stores. I have found some great items for my house, some items to upcycle, some for projects, kids' clothes, and even presents for friends and family. Even now, I like to browse, you never know what you might find! If you know what to look for you can make some extra money shopping thrift stores. Wait, yes re-read that. You can MAKE money for SHOPPING. Let's check out a few thrift store finds that were worth money. Thrift Store Finds Worth Money You Don't Want to Pass Up Before you jump in to buy check on your phone what the item is going for. I always take my phone. Some items I thought would be really good weren't and some I didn't think I would get a whole lot out of were worth more than I thought! Related: 45+ Ways to Earn Amazon Gift Cards … [Read more...]
Most Popular Posts on The Frugal Navy Wife in 2015 – Money Savings, Recipes, DIY and more!
I can't believe the end of the year is here! There has been so many changes this year the biggest being our sister sites Roadschooling with The Frugal Navy Wife. We were able to make a long time dream come true to get on the road and travel full time. The new blog covers our travels the good the bad and the crazy! On the blog many changes have been behind the scenes to prepare for some upcoming changes. My book as also released this year: How to Have Your Dream Wedding for Under $1,500 Below are the top 10 viewed posts on The Frugal Navy Wife this year, some are old favorites from back in 2010, and some are new this year! Which ones are your favorite? 1. 10 Easy Kids Christmas Crafts 2. Copy Cat Chick Fil A Chicken Salad Sandwich 3. How to Have your Dream … [Read more...]
Cinch Financial Helps You Save Money on Your Biggest Bills
We are all looking for ways to save money, you wouldn't be on this blog if you weren't and let's not lie even Bill Gates hates spending money he doesn't have to so why should you be? Where am I going with this? I want to tell you about a service that by answering a few questions will help you start saving money from day 1. PLUS! Wait for it! You can scan in your bills things and they will have a guru look it over and find where you can be saving money! Get a phone plan recommendation from Cinch! Cinch was created with one simple goal: to reduce the financial stress and uncertainty in regular people’s lives. We do this by helping our users make complex decisions involving money. Yep really simple right? Well since getting on the road I'm looking for EVEN more simple things, being they … [Read more...]