Crystal Paine on September 27, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Recently, I was honored to have the opportunity to be interviewed by WAHM.com — a site for work-at-home moms or those who want to be work-at-home moms.
In this interview, I share:
Thinking of starting a blog? Check out my step-by-step post on how to make money blogging.
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Source: moneysavingmom.com
Guest post from Emily of The Unextreme
Do you know the BEST way to score free items?
In case you haven’t heard, free product coupons are the new way to shop! I’m talking a 100% savings on full-priced items. The only problem is that they can be hard to come by.
It’s not impossible though and I will let you in on my little secret!
The way that I have earned the majority of my free product coupons has been through playing games. That’s right: I enter and play sweepstakes and giveaways all the time. Many companies offer these free product coupons as prizes.
You may say that you don’t have a lot of time to give to enter sweepstakes everyday. After all, you’re not guaranteed to win. However, it might not take as much time as you think — and you might just be amazed how many freebie product coupons you’ll end up with!
I make time for sweepstakes every day — just like I did when I began couponing. I allot myself 30 minutes in the morning to enter as many as I possibly can before my son wakes up.
There are a few different types of sweepstakes that you can enter online:
If a giveaway is open for 30 days and allows you to enter every day, make sure to try and enter each and every day to increase your chances of winning!
Some sweepstakes require you to enter once and others allow you to enter daily until the giveaway has ended. Always make sure that you read the contest rules before you enter! Entering multiple times in a “single-entry only” game can eliminate your chances of winning completely!
My favorite sweepstake games are instant-win games. You know the feeling that you get when you save a ton of money at the register, better known as the “coupon high”? That’s the way it feels to win an instant-win game!
If you are interested in some of these games, always remember to “Like” you favorite companies on Facebook! Not only do they often offer coupons on their Facebook pages but some will host giveaways and sweepstakes! A good bit of Facebook sweepstakes are instant-win games. You can find single and daily entry sweepstake promotions on Facebook as well.
Another great way to find free product coupons is by emailing your favorite companies. I have been sent numerous free product coupons as a “thank you” for telling them how much I enjoy their product. Companies love to hear how much you love them.
Finally, always check your coupon inserts from the Sunday paper! They are not common but some companies will offer a 100% rebate on the purchase price of one of their items. Although it’s not a coupon to receive it for free at the register, it will be free once you are reimbursed for the product. Free is free, right?
Emily is a freelance writer and also the blogger behind The Unextreme. As a new mom desperate to be able to afford to stay at home, she found a way to save and make money with coupons. Her blog focuses on work-at-home options, sweepstakes, freebies, and more!
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Source: moneysavingmom.com
Guest post from Holly of The Work at Home Woman
It’s no secret that Americans are foodies! In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Americans spent an average of $6,602 a year on groceries and eating out alone (source).
If you’ve been looking to launch your own home-based business and you love to create culinary delights here are 5 different food careers to consider:
Do people always rave about your cooking? Then perhaps you should launch a home-based cooking class business. Gather individuals or small groups of people in your home and teach them how to cook or bake like a pro.
Don’t want to mess with a business plan and all the logistics of setting up a business? Consider joining Healthy Hands Cooking. It’s a home-based franchise that certifies instructors to teach kids how to cook healthy meals and snacks. Start-up fees are minimal and include training, certification, marketing tools, business materials, as well as ongoing support.
Are you a whiz in the kitchen? Then consider starting your own gourmet food business. Foodies not only love to consume delicious goodies, they also make make great gifts! From fancy gourmet sauces and treats, to healthy and specialty snack items.
Set up your own website or use an e-commerce platform like Foodoro and you’re ready to start selling your custom treats.
Would you love to own your own cafe or bistro but don’t have the funds to invest in a brick and mortar storefront? No problem. The direct sales industry has made it easier than ever to have your very own home-based business within the food industry.
Companies like the Traveling Vineyard, Tastefully Simple, and Dove Chocolate Discoveries offer home-based business opportunities selling products like wine, gourmet mixes, spices, desserts, chocolates, and gift sets.
As a direct sales consultant you will be paid a commission on each product that you sell. Most direct sales companies will also pay you a small bonus commission from consultants who you refer into the program.
Do you enjoy writing? Do you love to test out new recipes? Then join the ranks of Julie Powell, who set out to cook all the recipes in Julia Child’s cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking.
Not only did Julie’s blog quickly generate a huge following, but she went on to the write the bestselling book Julie & Julia, which was later turned into a movie. While you can make money through book sales, bloggers can also make money through direct ad sales, affiliate marketing, as well as working with brands.
Tip: Read more on how to make money blogging here.
Do you have an eye for detail? Then working as a food stylist may be your calling. Food Stylists prep and prepare food items for displays, cookbooks, photo shoots, advertisements, and menus. Becoming a Food Stylist requires knowledge of the culinary industry as well as additional training or apprenticeship.
Denise Vivaldo, a seasoned food professional with over 27 years of experience has created workshops and classes for those who are interested in this field. You can also check out her book on Amazon, The Food Stylist’s Handbook.
For more information on ways to make money, visit The Work at Home Woman, where you can read about topics like how to make money completing short tasks, selling your used stuff online, and businesses you can start with no money.
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Source: moneysavingmom.com
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have your own money-making blog? You want to start – but you just don’t know how? Or, maybe you have a blog that would like to take to the next level and start earning an income from it?
For four days only, Blogelina is offering a special deal for my readers who want to start a money-making blog. Enroll in their popular 4-week blogging class—Profitable Blogging for Beginners—for just $0.99!
If you want to learn the basics of how to set up a blog, how to take your blogging to the next level, or how to begin earning money from your blog, this class is for you.
When you sign up for this class, here’s what you’ll get:
This class will cover:
Blogelina has been featured on the Dave Ramsey show, and is well-known for their ability to help bloggers make a successful start. Many of my readers here have gone through this course in the past and have great reviews to share with me.
And for $0.99? That’s a steal! But this offer is only valid for the next 4 days!
Sign up for the Blogelina Profitable Blogging for Beginners class today!
*If you’re not 100% satisfied with your experience with Blogelina, you are free to walk away at any time during the class session! PLUS, you’ll get to keep your copy of the class manual and your free year of hosting – Blogelina will refund your money!
Note: This post was underwritten by Blogelina. Read our disclosure policy here.
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Source: moneysavingmom.com
Published: by Crystal Paine on August 13, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here. I was honored to be interviewed by iBlog Magazine recently about blogging, online marketing, and what I’ve learned from this crazy and wild adventure I’ve been on as a blogger for the past almost 10 years. In … [Read more…]
Guest post from Sarah of Saving Money Never Goes Out of Style
When it comes to savings, we often spend a lot of time focusing on coupons, special sales, and the hottest deals of the week. However, some of us frugal moms know it goes much further than that! Saving money for your family isn’t just about hunting down the next deal, but about making small lifelong changes in your home.
Here are 7 simple ways to save money every day that are easy to implement into your daily life. While not all will work for every family, you’ll easily find some tips that are simple changes you won’t even notice or feel like you’re sacrificing.
If you have kids in the house you know that paper towels can be a monthly investment. Between meals, cleaning spills, and wiping sticky hands you are throwing away a ton of money each year.
Instead of buying paper, invest in some nice cloth napkins for your kids to use at meal time. Grab some old hand towels and wash cloths and designate those for cleaning up spills.
Tip: Colorful bandanas make great color coded dinner time napkins for large families! Each person has their own color to use.
This is a great way to save money. While the savings are small, they do add up over time. Turn off all electronics when not in use and make a habit of hitting light switches as you leave a room as well.
Go even further by unplugging in between uses, too. That toaster sitting out on your counter that is rarely used? Simply unplug it and save yourself some money.
Taking the time to make a menu plan will cut back on last-minute take out and wasted food. And don’t forget to utilize your slow cooker during the school year or a busy season!
By having a plan in place, you will use more of what you have on hand and cut back on extra spending. No more running to the store for that one ingredient you forgot!
This is a great tip for those with girls, especially. Old pillowcases, t-shirts, ladies’ dresses, or men’s shirts can all be easily revamped and tailored into dresses for little girls. Shopping the thrift shop for gently used clothes in different patterns and styles can also lead to fun new revamped ensembles with a bit of sewing.
If you’re not a seamstress, even something as simple as replacing a button instead of throwing an item out is helpful. Or, if you have a son like mine, when he blows out the knees in his jeans, you can easily make them into shorts for the next season!
Taking your own lunch consisting of healthy portions of leftovers or specific lunch items can really save you a lot of money over time. If you also learn to make your own snacks and gourmet coffee, you’ll significantly increase your savings.
Don’t have time to make your own snacks all the time? Buying a box of granola bars in store is far cheaper than buying a single bar from the gas station or vending machine.
Do your kids like Lunchables? Make your own! All it takes is Ritz crackers, some deli meat, and cheese singles, and you’re good to go.
It may seem like it will take so much more time, but simple things like making soups and beans in a slow cooker can cost a fraction of what canned varieties do.
Grab dry beans for $1-$2 a pound and cook them in your crock pot all day. When cooked, a $1 bag of dried beans will often be the equivalent to 4-5 cans you would have purchased at $1each. Over a year’s time, that can add up to quite a bit of savings in your grocery budget.
Make a point of paying for things with cash. There is a lot to be said about the concept of not buying anything else for the month once you run out of cash on hand. It helps you stay within your means, and not rely on credit cards. It also gives you a chance to save that change in a piggy bank for rainy days, treats, or vacations.
No matter what your household budget is, you can easily put into place a few of these 7 simple ways to save money every day and increase the money in your pocket. These things can free up money to pay off debt, or simply help you stop living paycheck to paycheck.
What simple things do you do to save money every day?
Sarah is a stay-at-home mom of two wonderful children. From homeless to well-off, this single debt-free mom is most known for her ability to live well on $18k/year. Sarah loves encouraging others that dreams do come true if they are willing to consistently work for it. Follow her blog: Saving Money Never Goes Out of Style.
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Source: moneysavingmom.com
MSM Team on November 14, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Another great survey opportunity for you to check out is Toluna. They pay $1 to $5 each time you qualify and take surveys. You’ll also be given opportunities to test products for free and share your opinions. Plus you will get an entry for a $2,500 sweepstakes when you register!
Find more legitimate survey companies to sign up with here.
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We love comments from readers, so chime in with your thoughts below! We do our best to keep this blog upbeat and encouraging, so please keep your comments cordial and kind. Read more information on our comment policy.
Source: moneysavingmom.com
MSM Team on August 28, 2014 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Laurie and Shannon from Passionate Penny Pincher compared prices on dozens of products at Sam’s Club and Costco to discover Who Really Has the Best Savings?
Here’s a snippet from her post:
This might just be both my friend Shannon’s and my favorite post ever here on PPP! Because we’re a couple of penny pinchin’ nerds, we love to see the low-down-nitty-gritty of a good price, and always (always!) do the math to know just how much we’re spending.
So, when I called Shannon on the way home from Costco the other day, we started discussing how fun it would be to price war Sam’s and Costco and see who actually won. I was very surprised with some of the results, but loved seeing them matched up evenly. This is just a small sample of the things we watched for this week, and if you all enjoy it, we may both make another trip back for more.
Click here to read the full post and see how each store compared to the other!
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We love comments from readers, so chime in with your thoughts below! We do our best to keep this blog upbeat and encouraging, so please keep your comments cordial and kind. Read more information on our comment policy.
Source: moneysavingmom.com
I’ve heard rave reviews of this Homemade Latte Recipe ever since I posted it. And I’ve wanted to try it, but I was happy with my regular coffee with cream and sugar so I figured, why change it?
Well, in the last few months, I’ve been slowly weaning myself off of most sugar in my diet. And a few weeks ago, I stopped using sugar in my coffee altogether.
Can we all take a moment of silence? Did you read what I just wrote? This girl who has had a lifelong sweet tooth, STOPPED USING SUGAR IN HER COFFEE?!?
I’m not even sure that I can communicate the magnitude of that statement. Next thing you know, I’m going to start a blog about doing car repairs or something. Well, I may need to first learn the name of the car I drive (babysteps, babysteps…). But hey, if I can do something I never thought would be remotely possible — drink coffee without sugar and like it — who knows what I might do next?! 🙂
Good Girl Moonshine
Bulletproof Coffee
At any rate, as a result, I’ve been experimenting with different kinds of coffees and drinks, including Good Girl Moonshine and Bulletproof Coffee.
If you Google the recipes for those, please promise me you won’t write me off as total crazy. Because I liked both recipes and have made them multiple times. I know… I may be going through a midlife crisis or something. 😉
As I experimenting with different recipes, I remembered this Homemade Latte Recipe and knew it was high time I try it. I used some of my Amazon gift cards from Swagbucks to purchase the Aerobie Aeropress and AeroLatte Frother.
I’d never made espresso before and was super impressed with how easy it was to make!
When you pull the Aeropress off the cup, the most amazing coffee smell wafts up. Love it!
(Also, totally unrelated: but notice how I’m keeping my nails painted thanks to the encouragement from some of you in the comments here. And it’s been over a week and it’s totally working to kill my nail-biting habit. And it makes me so happy to look down and see my red nails. I have hope that they are going to grow out all pretty, long, and strong… but for now I’m celebrating the little victories.)
This frother is absolutely so much fun!
And there you have it! An amazing cup of Homemade Latte for much, much less than you’d pay at the coffee shop and without using an Espresso Machine.
You can find the detailed recipe here. Also: if you want to make a Breve Latte, just substitute Half and Half for the milk, like I did. And then don’t go look up the calorie count after you make it like I did… yikes! 😉
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Source: moneysavingmom.com
A testimony from Kara Almost a year ago, we found out I was pregnant AND that we needed a brand new HVAC system within a weekâs time. The dollar signs and a small amount of panic crept into my mind. My husband and I are very frugal and have been good with our money, butRead More