Ruth Soukup's Blog, page 109

DIY Sharpie Stained T-Shirts

This is Week 1 of our 12-week Summer Fun with Kids series here at LWSL!  Today we are welcoming Laura from Finding Home, who is sharing a fun and easy way to make fashionable DIY Sharpie T-shirts.  For more summer fun, check out the overview page.

Hello sweet readers of Living Well, Spending Less, I am Laura from Finding Home, where I share about the journey we are all on to creating a home for our families. I was so excited when Ruth asked me to be part of this summer series. When my girls were little (like little wee ones!), I was in charge of the crafts for our church play group. Now, that they are getting older, I still love to take the time to sit down and craft with them.

We decided to make fun t-shirts that could not have been easier (and mess free!).

Over the years, they have brought home a lot of tie-dye t-shirts from camps. I just did not want to deal with the hassle and mess that creates. Since I seem to be addicted to Sharpie art projects, I decided, why not make a t-shirt?

And, best of all, it can be done by almost any age child with any art ability.

Here is what you need:

T-shirts (I ironed ours quickly first). White t-shirts will work best for this project
Stained Fabric Markers by Sharpie
Pieces of cardboard for each shirt
Print outs of the image you want to trace.

 

Step 1: Start by placing the cardboard inside the shirt to prevent the ink from transferring through to the back and then place the image you want to trace inside the shirt, on top of the cardboard.  We found our image by simply searching on the web for “Elephant silhouette” and “whale silhouette”. A page from a coloring book would work really well also.  If you child is younger and / or does not want to trace, you could also use stencils, or better yet – just have them draw what is in their imagination.

  Step 2: Simply start tracing the image that is inside the t-shirt. The markers have a longer tip so they can also easily be used to add details like shading if you would like. However, the work pretty easily to just draw a line. The ink feathers a little but does not run.

Step 3: After the outline is complete, you can add more details. My older daughter chose to just add “Summer 2014”. My younger daughter decided to add more details. Because, really, all purple elephants should have pink toenails.

 

In the end, both shirts came out super cute. The funny part was I had really expected my younger daughter, who is 11 to be into it. While she was, my older daughter came home telling me how she had told her friends at school about her new whale shirt! According to the package directions, the shirts should be machine washed in cold water and hung to dry.

Of course, I didn’t want to be left out, so I made a whale shirt also – but mine has a case of the pink measles. Of course, the best part is that we all slowed down for a little bit and had something to do together. That is always a win in my book!

 

If you would like to see more projects from me and my love for Sharpies, you can start planning for Christmas and make these great with your kids. These would make great gifts with art created by your child at any age.

Thanks so much for having me here today and wishing you all a happy summer filled with fun activities that don’t cause any stress!

And now it is time for another fun giveaway!  Today we are again giving away something EVERYONE can use–a $100 Amazon Gift Card–that you can use to purchase your own set of Stained by Sharpie markers (plus a whole lot more!)  To enter, just follow the instructions in the box below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can’t see the box?  Click here.

 

Laura Putnam of Finding Home is a Jersey Girl who married her maple syrup making husband from NH.  After living all about the country, they have settled in the Hudson Valley of NY where they are raising their two daughters.  Nothing makes her happier then scouring through estate sales, junk shops and auctions to find vintage treasure to pair with her traditional style – with a little modern twist.  Her blog tells the story of the journey we are all on…to making our homes a true reflection of ourselves and our families.

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What fun design would put on your Sharpie Stained t-shirt?

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Weekend Wandering

Happy Sunday!  I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend celebrating all those amazing dads in our lives!  Our plan today is to do my husband’s favorite thing…..absolutely nothing!  :-)  What are your plans for Father’s Day?

This past Thrifty Thursday was one of our biggest ever–just under 500 budget friendly posts linked up! I especially enjoyed all the fantastic summer recipes and ideas, and it is SO hard to narrow it down to just a few.  In any case, here are my picks for Weekend Wandering:

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First of all, this Smoked Fish Dip from Leaving the Rut looks super easy to make and sounds like the perfect starter to any meal!

Next, this Grilled Chicken & Nectarine Salad from Cozy Country Living is full of fresh ingredients and can be made in minutes!

This next Summer Veggies & White Bean salad from Living Surrendered would be a perfect accompaniment to any barbeque.

These California Chicken Wraps from Love Bakes Good Cakes look like a delicious and easy lunch option for the whole family!

Pizza is one of those dishes that can be made with all your favorite ingredients! Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom has an awesome Easy Southwest Chicken Pizza that sounds really yummy!

Of course pizza doesn’t just have to be for dinner–this Fruit Dessert Pizza from Little House Living sounds fantastic too!

Need a healthy snack to have on hand this summer? These No Bake Almond Butter Granola Bars from Luv a Bargain are made with wholesome ingredients and only take 15 minutes to make!

Let’s not forget the drinks! She Saved has a Watermelon Punch Recipe  that can be served in a half a watermelon for a fun & festive treat!

How cute are these Festive Summer Mason Jar Vases from View From the Fridge? So pretty!

Planning to do any canning this summer?  These Honey Spiced Peaches from A Life in Balance look like a great new recipe to try!

Finally, these Summer Activity Jars from Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom are such a clever way to encourage independence and promote family fun!

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What did you love this week?

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6 Tips for a Budget Friendly BBQ

 

This is a guest post from Kalyn Brooke of Creative Savings

To me, Summer means long days, warm nights, bare feet, and barbecues. It’s one of my favorite seasons, and though it gets quite hot here in Florida, there nothing better than a day at the beach, charbroiled hamburgers, and a glass of ice cold sweet tea sipped slowly between the pages of a good book.

Although our days of cooking out are often left to the cooler months in the South, Northerners are just getting the party started at local parks, backyards, church parking lots, and family reunions.

But a big barbecue can also be a financial burden, especially if you have a large guest list, need to rent a pavilion, and your shopping list is about a mile long with expensive meats, rolls, and elaborate Summery desserts.  The planning that goes into such an event takes a lot of work, and sticking to a budget doesn’t seem so doable anymore once you’re knee deep in deciding what kind of hot dogs or paper plates to buy.

Thankfully, there are 6 ways you can significantly save on your next backyard barbecue, and all of them will help you come in way under budget. Each budget friendly BBQ tip can be used whether you are planning a huge party or a simple and small get-together with close friends and family!

1. Let Your Friends Bring the Food

I used to pride myself on providing absolutely everything as a hostess. Then I realized I was focusing less on people, and more on preparation. And because I was buying all the food, I wasn’t being very kind to my budget either!

Since then, I’ve learned there is no shame in allowing guests to pitch in. Now I prepare a menu with guests in mind, and either highlight or circle each of the items I’m able to delegate. Anytime someone asks me what they can bring, I just give them one of the options on my list. Usually, it’s hamburger buns and hot dog rolls, salad fixings, chips, fruit, or dessert. Even simple foods can be huge help!

If you’re not sure exactly what to include on a barbecue-themed menu, or need a reminder of all the essential items you should have on hand before the big day, this free Summer BBQ Checklist will definitely get you started on the right track.

2. Make Your Own Invites and Decorations

With Pinterest, it’s super easy nowadays to gather party inspiration and DIY ideas that don’t break the bank. Start a Summer BBQ board, and pin anything you can find that strikes your fancy. There’s usually a simple tutorial involved that you can easily replicate, and Ruth has a ton of ideas in her Party DIY section of her blog.

For invites, simple card stock, stickers, and stamps can work wonders, and the handmade touch makes it really personal. I can usually whip out 25 in an hour, and they always receive raving compliments.

If you find out you don’t have a particular supply item to make an invitation or a DIY project, think about what you can use around your home without buying new. Now is the time to get creatively crafty and make do with what you have!

3. Look for Grocery Store Deals

During the Summer, grocery stores run a ton of sales that include everything from hamburgers and hot dogs, to chips, soda, and marshmallows. Combine these sale prices with coupons from the Sunday paper, and you can score items for quite a bit cheaper, and sometimes free!

I like to stock up on these rock bottom prices for the entire year, so I have enough to last me until the beginning of next Summer or Memorial Day, when everything goes on sale yet again. By Labor Day, sales are phasing their way out for the Fall and Winter baking season, so grab what you can while the prices are right.

And for those who are new to couponing and matching stores sales, Ruth’s Beginners Guide to Coupons the best place to start!

4. Save on Meat

What’s a barbecue without meat? This essential item can take up your entire budget depending on the type of meats you buy, but there are a few ways to cut down on the costs while still pleasing all the meat lovers on your list. 

I’ve found that ground beef from Save-A-Lot and Aldi discount stores taste just as good for a fraction of the price, and if you’re short on time, frozen patties from the grocery cooler work great in a pinch. For any sort of kabob, just slip a few veggies in between the meat to stretch it even further. Your guests won’t even notice!

If you need even more meat-saving ideas, read 7 Easy Ways to Save on Meat before you plan your next barbecue!

5. Create Your Own Seasonings

While pre-packaged seasonings can cost anywhere from $4-$6 for a tiny bottle, you probably have most of the same ingredients at home that you can just throw together for pennies a cup.

We personally love making our own Jamaican Jerk Seasoning for pork and ribs, and a simple salt, pepper, and garlic powder blend sprinkled on the burgers just before they come off the grill is one of our favorite ways to enjoy ground beef, or check out Ruth’s homemade seasoning ideas here.

It can be really fun to experiment with all sorts of flavors and blends…I’ve seen anything from taco seasoning to various chicken rubs, and the best thing is you can always try something different each time you bring out the grill. It’s a great way to add some variety to your barbecue, without spending anything!

6. Learn How to Grill Properly

This might seem like a no-brainer, but you’ll want to figure out how to use the grill before you invite a ton of people over for a barbecue. Despite the easy “fire-up-the-grill-and-throw-on-the-meat-til-it’s-done” mentality, it’s a bit more complicated than that if you want some exceptional burgers and hot dogs, without wasting your time, food, and money.

Here are some of my best tips {with help from the husband!}:

Wait at least 20 minutes after lighting the grill before you put any meat onto it. Otherwise, your burgers will taste just like lighter fluid, and they won’t be very edible. After the 20 minutes are up, you don’t need to reapply any more fluid.
One sheet of aluminum foil on the grill will protect the metal from touching your meat and keep food clean.
A grilling thermometer can be a small investment that makes sure your meat is perfectly cooked. Undercooked meat results in sick guests, and overcooked meat just tastes bad.
Lastly, don’t leave your food unattended, particularly if you are using a public grill or have lots of critters in your backyard. We had a bird one who swooped in an stole an entire package of chips!

Are you excited to plan a backyard barbecue now that you’re armed with these cost-effective tips? I’m seriously itching to write up a guest list and start grilling stat.

We only have a few short months to enjoy Summer, so it’s time to impress your guest with a warm welcome and your ability to throw a fabulous barbecue on a budget, not your money. You can always save the extra cash for Christmas!

 

 

Kalyn Brooke is a full-time writer and blogger at CreativeSavingsBlog.com,  where she gives a fresh perspective on frugal living, and the kick-in-the-pants you need to create a budget from scratch. She lives in beautiful Southwest Florida with her news-photographer husband and the most adorable bunny you’ve ever seen. She loves making to-do lists, reading good books, eating chocolate peanut butter ice cream, and pursuing big dreams….all carefully planned out, of course.

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What’s your favorite way to save on a backyard barbecue?

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Thrifty Thursday {Week 64}

Happy Thursday!  I hope you are all having a fantastic week!  If your kids are anything like mine they are having a blast being able to PLAY together all day long.  I think sometimes I forget how much kids just need time to just be kids without all the structure or pressure of organized activities.  So far they have had fun swimming, playing school, swimming, building forts, swimming, blowing giant bubbles, and, well, more swimming!  This week I’d love to see what fun and simple activities your family has been enjoying this summer, as well as more ideas for light and fresh summer recipes!

Here are the most clicked links from last week:

 1. Sarah Titus {15 Things I Don’t Spend Money On}

2. Frugality Gal {8 Frugal Things I Did Last Month}

3. So They Can Fly {The Card That has Saved Me Thousands}

4. Simple Life Mom {Lessons from a 1930′s Farmer }

5. Snail Pace Transformations {10 Summer Dates that Cost Zero}

6. An Inviting Home {Monthly Budget Breakdown}

7. Fruitful Families {8 Tips to Affording a Large Family}

8. Angela Says {The Proper Way to Hand Wash Dishes}

9. A Life in Balance {Keep Your Food Budget on Track this Summer}

10. The Real Thing With the Coake Family {How to Remove Chair Rail-Part 2}

Never linked up before? Here’s how:

Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that.
Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
Please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too.

Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week at Weekend Wandering!

If this is your first time here I also invite you to check out my eBook, How to Blog for Profit (Without Selling Your Soul).  It is a fantastic resource if you are interested in building your blog, getting more traffic, or learning how to monetize.  Or, if you have read the book and are still looking to take your blog to the next level, I encourage you to check out my options for one-on-one blog consulting.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Easy Slow-Cooked Ribs

It only took me ten years to discover that the fastest way to my husband’s heart is simply to cook more MEAT!  Over the past few months, as I’ve been working on developing more quick & easy freezer friendly recipes for my family, I’ve never seen him quite so enthusiastic about dinnertime  While it was a little intimidating at first, as a life-long vegetarian, to start cooking meat, I have to admit that I’ve been having a lot of fun coming up with new ideas.   I am also pretty psyched about being able to maintain a whole freezer full of meals that my family absolutely loves!

These super easy slow-cooked ribs take just five minutes of prep before throwing them in the freezer (or directly into the crockpot if not planning to freeze them ahead of time.)  The liquid smoke is optional but it does add a nice dose of smokey flavor & is highly recommended.  You can find it in the grocery store next to the barbecue sauce!

Here is what you need:

4 pounds pork ribs
salt & pepper
2 cups ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 tablespoon liquid smoke (optional)
 

Step 1:  Rub meat with salt and pepper.

Step 2: In medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, ground mustard, seasoned salt, and liquid smoke until smooth.

Step 3: Divide meat into two gallon-size Ziploc bags.  (Be sure to label bags before using!)Divide sauce in half and pour over meat; freeze until needed.

Step 4: Thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours; pour contents into slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.  If you don’t have time to thaw them ahead of time, you can throw them in the crockpot frozen, just be sure to cook them a little longer–5-7 hours instead of 4-6.

 

    Print This!    




Recipe: Easy Freezer Slow-Cooked Ribs

Summary: These slow-cooker freezer friendly ribs melt in your mouth and are sure to be a new family favorite!

Ingredients

4 pounds pork ribs
salt & pepper
2 cups ketchup
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1 1/2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1 tablespoon liquid smoke (optional)



Instructions

Rub meat with salt and pepper; set aside.
In medium bowl, whisk together ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, garlic powder, ground mustard, seasoned salt, and liquid smoke until smooth.
Divide meat into two gallon-size Ziploc bags. (Be sure to label bags before using!) Divide sauce in half and pour over meat; freeze until needed.
Thaw in refrigerator for 24 hours; pour contents into slow cooker and cook on low heat for 4-6 hours.   If you don’t have time to thaw them ahead of time, you can throw them in the crockpot frozen, just be sure to cook them a little longer–5-7 hours instead of 4-6.

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Cooking time: 4-6 hours

Number of servings (yield): 12

 

 

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What’s your favorite place for ribs?

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Giant Homemade Bubbles

This is Week 2 of our 12-week Summer Fun with Kids series here at LWSL!  Today we are welcoming Cindy from Skip to My Lou, who is sharing a fun and easy way to make gigantic homemade bubbles.  For more summer fun, check out the overview page.

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Hi everyone! My name is Cindy and I blog at Skip to My Lou. I blog about simple crafts, sewing, crochet and recipes. Be sure to come visit my site if you are looking for more fun crafts and activities!

Right now we are having a blast at our house with these giant homemade bubbles. They are super easy to make! You probably have all the supplies in your kitchen right now! Be patient with this mix though…the more you play the better it gets!

Here is what you need for the bubble mix:
3 cups water
1/2 cup Dawn dish-washing liquid

1/4 cup corn starch

1 tablespoon baking powder

1 tablespoon corn syrup
 
 
 
 
Here is what you  need for the homemade bubble wand:
 some string(Bakers twine)
straws bendable straws

 

Step 1:  Cut about two yards of string or baker’s twine. Thread the straws onto the string and fasten the ends of the string with a knot. Move the knot around until it is hidden inside one of the straws.

 

Step 2:  Mix together water, Dawn liquid detergent, corn starch, baking powder and corn syrup. Place bubble mixture in a container large enough for the straws to fit inside. We used a dish tub. 

Step 3: Dip the bubble wand into the solution and gently bring it out of the solution one side at a time. It will take quite a few tries until the mixture will start making bubbles. Be patient, it will be worth it. Slowly pull the string apart, allowing the bubble solution to stretch across the string.

Step 4: Slowly walk backwards allowing giant bubbles to form. SO FUN! Look at these giant bubbles!

 

We found it took some time to get the bubbles to work. The motion of our hands in the solution seemed to make it better and better. Once it started working it was amazing. Although,we found a few days later the solution didn’t work well.

And now it is time for another fun giveaway!  Since this week’s project handily uses materials you probably already have on hand, we thought we’d give away something EVERYONE can use–a $100 Amazon Gift Card!  To enter, just follow the instructions in the box below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Can’t see the box above?  Click here.

 

Cindy Hopper is a crafter, DIY-er and blogger. Her blog, Skip to My Lou, is full of free patterns, downloads and plenty of inspiration. She uses her arts education background as well as her practical experience as a mother to three children ages 21,17 and 9. Cindy hopes to share ideas that allow her followers to create memories with their friends and family.    

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Have you ever tried making homemade bubbles?  If so, how did they turn out?  If not, why not?

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Weekend Wandering

  Happy Sunday!  I hope you are all having a fabulous weekend!  Today is my girls’ big dance recital, which is always a lot of fun.  They work hard ALL YEAR for this one show so it is a pretty big deal to see all those weeks and months of practice finally come together and pay off.  This year they tried Acro, along with Ballet & Jazz, and it was a lot of fun to see them learn how to do cartwheels, walkovers, and handstands.  I’m sure our neighbors got a kick of watching them practice in the front yard too!  This dance recital is our last big commitment of the year and then we are really looking forward to a summer of FREEDOM!  Am I the only one who is ready to be free of obligations and extra-curricular activities for a few months?

But moving on to the important stuff….this week’s picks!

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First of all, I really shouldn’t make my picks on an empty stomach!  I wanted to eat everything I saw, especially this White Clam Pizza from Upstate Ramblings.  It looks & sounds so delicious!

Oh and this Feta and Fire Roasted Tomato Focaccia Bread from Faith Filled Food For Moms sounds so good! Did I mention I was hungry?

I love eating light & healthy dinners this time of year and this Roasted Asparagus Salad with Strawberries from Love Food Will Share looks like the perfect Summer meal!

Along those lines, these Cucumber Cups Stuffed with Grilled Chicken Salad from Sizzling Eats look pretty darn tasty as well!

Eating more vegetables this summer? This Creamy Avocado Dressing  from Madly Wish can also be used as a dip! I absolutely love avocados!

Need a quick sugar fix? These pretty Lemon Blackberry Tea Cookies from Pure Grace Farms look absolutely delightful!

  Who doesn’t love Nutella and Oreos? These Nutella Oreo Brownie Bites from A Worthey Read sound dangerous (but delicious!)

This next dessert is super cute! Mini S’Mores Pies from Surf and Sunshine can be made in 3 easy steps!

Father’s Day is just a week away! This free printable Shirt & Tie Father’s Day Card from Designs by Miss Mandee comes with step-by-step instructions and detailed pictures.

Here’s another cute Father’s Day printable. Pounds 4 Pennies has a detailed tutorial on How to Make Father’s Day Candy Bar Wrappers.

Moving on to some frugal beauty tricks and travel tips. The Seasoned Homemaker has a recipe for Natural Deodorant. Only 8 ingredients needed and it’s also moisturizing!

Lastly, if your Summer plans include travel then this post from Leaving the Rut on How to Come Home From Traveling with Your Sanity Intact is a must read!

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What did you love this week?

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9 Smart Ways to Save on Car Insurance

Much like having to pay for utilities or car repairs, paying for car insurance is one of those annoying expenses that we all have bear, even if we don’t really want to. But while purchasing auto insurance may be unavoidable, paying too much to insure our vehicles IS something to watch out for.

Although most of the time we simply just pay the bill without really thinking about it, there are actually some clever ways most of us can decrease our car insurance rates, at least a little.

Don’t believe me? Here are nine smart ways to save on car insurance that are well worth reviewing. Even if you’ve heard some of them before, taking the time to make sure you are following them could save you hundreds with just a phone call or two:

1. Review Your Policy Annually

Like with home insurance, it is important to be vigilant about reviewing your auto insurance policy on an annual basis to make ensure you are getting the best rate and to find out if there are any new or additional discounts available. Your insurance agent will not do this for you, at least not without you asking him to. Instead, you must be your own best advocate when it comes to paying less for insurance.

2. Shop Around

While it is easy to get attached to a particular agent or agency, particularly one who has served your family for years, it always pays to shop around.  Even if you decide to stick with your current provider, comparing prices and getting multiple quotes will give you a much clearer idea of what you could or should be paying, and will also give you more leverage for negotiating rates.

Interestingly, according to the Allstate policy specialist I spoke with, choosing the cheaper premium may not always be the best route to take. He suggested determining what coverage you need or expect to require as well as researching claims procedures (such as time to respond, special benefits, etc.), and then determining what type of relationship you want (face-to-face, web only, etc.) Once you’ve researched all these factors, and created a list of companies that offer what you are looking for you will have a much better way of comparing cost to value.

3. Combine Insurance Policies

While shopping around is important, it can also payoff big time to carry all your various insurance policies with the same carrier to take advantage of a multiple-policy discount.  Furthermore, bundling policies can not only cost you less money, it can also make life easier by giving you one reliable contact (your agent) for your insurance needs and questions.

4. Be a Safe Driver

One of the most effective ways to pay less for insurance is to be a safe and conscientious driver, as the best premiums and rates are offered to those without speeding tickets or accidents tarnishing their records. On top of that, many insurance companies give bonuses and credits for every additional year of safe driving.

But what if your record is already tarnished? Is there any way to redeem yourself once you’ve made a mistake?

Surprisingly, yes. While you can’t magically erase a bad driving record, you can vow to become a better driver from now on, and the longer you can go without any driving infractions, the more likely you will be to get a discount. Turn off your cell phone before getting in the car, eliminate other distractions as much as possible, and obey the speed limit and other traffic signs. Furthermore, it is sometimes possible to go to traffic or driving school to keep tickets from appearing on your driving record. Be sure to inquire if this is a possibility in your area!

5. Increase Your Deductible

Increasing your deductible is a quick and easy way to get a lower rate. Yes, your deductible will cost more if you ever need to file a claim, but as a good driver you may never need to. Even increasing your deductible by just a few hundred dollars can save you thousands over the long run. Of course, as our Allstate policy expert reminds us, just make sure it’s still an amount you can afford in case there comes a time that you do have to make a claim. Remember too that changes you make don’t have to be permanent—if the deductible feels too high you can always lower it again later on.

6. Drive an Older or Safer Vehicle

Insurance is often the last thing we think about when shopping for a new vehicle. We become distracted by all the beautiful colors and the shiny bells and whistles, and it isn’t until we actually have to write that first insurance check that we consider how much our pretty new car is really going to cost us.

Thus, before purchasing a new or used vehicle it is important to do a little research in order to factor in the cost of insurance. Older vehicles are generally much cheaper to insure than new vehicles because their value is greatly reduced. But, according to our Allstate analyst, age and value are not the only factors that come into play: “The type of car could impact your insurance rates. For example, safety aspects of certain vehicles may end up costing less, while an expensive car could cost more to insure because it can cost more to replace. You also may be eligible for discounts if your vehicle includes certain safety features or is deemed an economical car.” 

My husband and I both drive older vehicles–me a 2002 Tahoe and him a 2002 Acura (which we inherited from his sister)–which keeps our policies very reasonable.  An added bonus?  Neither of us get too worked up about minor scratches or the occasional bump into the mailbox.  (Not that I’ve ever accidentally hit my mailbox.  Or the neighbor’s mailbox.  Nope, not me!)

7. Drive Less

Most auto insurance companies will offer discounts for vehicles that incur low annual mileage, which means that if you own a car that doesn’t get driven much or if you can find a way to drive less, you can save a bundle. There are many ways to do this, including carpooling to work (which can also provide additional carpool discounts), moving closer to work, walking, bicycling, or taking public transit when possible, or becoming more efficient with your errands by bundling them as much as possible. The added benefits of driving less include less wear and tear on your vehicle, significant gas savings, and less risk of accidents. 

8. Install Safety Features

While most newer vehicles come pre-equipped with standard safety features, installing additional safety features to older cars can help greatly decrease your insurance premium. Vehicles equipped with safety features such as automatic seat belts, running lights, an alarm system or anti-lock braking system can all save you money on your policy.

If your car doesn’t already have ABS installed in it, check to see if it would be worth the cost of installation. Insurers love the anti-lock braking system because its been tested thoroughly as a safety device and has a track record for effectiveness. Anti-lock brakes are highly effective in driving conditions where you may need to brake hard. You can keep control of the vehicle better especially when it comes to stopping on ice in a pinch.

Likewise, installing an anti-theft device may also help reduce your premium. Check with your insurance agent to be sure.

 

9. Take Advantage of Special Discounts

In addition to safe driver discounts, most insurance companies offer a variety of other discounts on auto insurance. While these do vary by state and company, just a few of the discounts that you may be able to take advantage of include Good Student Discounts, Senior Discounts, Retired Discounts, and Resident Student Discounts. At Allstate, Teen drivers can even take a TeenSmart driving class to lower their premiums.   There can also be significant discounts available for paying early, paying in full, or paying through automatic withdrawal.

Furthermore, while some occupations are not at all favored by insurance companies, others may qualify for discounts. You can end up with a higher rate of insurance for jobs in such fields as journalism, real estate agents, sales representatives and even entertainers, but giving your insurer information that is as specific as possible can help lower your rate. A journalist for example may get a high premium but if she is listed as an editor then she can get a lower premium. In any case do NOT be dishonest about your occupation or you may hurt your chances of qualifying for future claims. The occupation you state has to be reasonably close to what you do for a living.

While taking the time to review your auto insurance policy may not be the most enjoyable hour of your life, the thrill of saving a couple of hundred dollars should more than make up for a few minutes of tedium. These nine smart discounts are certainly a great place to start, but always remember be your own advocate and to seek out the best possible rate no matter what.

 

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How do you save on car insurance?

 

This post was written as part of the Allstate Influencer Program and sponsored by Allstate. All opinions are mine. As the nation’s largest publicly held insurance company, Allstate is dedicated not only to protecting what matters most—but to guiding people to live the Good Life, every day.

 

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Thrifty Thursday {Week 63}

Happy Thursday!  I hope you are all having a great first week of June!  I don’t know about you, but I feel like the days have literally flown by this week!  On the blog front I have a couple of BIG projects I’ve been working on that I can’t WAIT to share with you all!  Am I the only one who has to be juggling at least five different things at once or I can’t seem to get anything done?  On the home front my whole family has been busy this week with Vacation Bible School.  My kids have had a blast so far, and my husband and I are both really enjoying our time as leaders!  I think by tomorrow night I will definitely be ready for a few days of downtime, but it has definitely been a FUN week!

Here are the most clicked links from last week:

 1. The Latina Homemaker {How to Save Money When You’re Barely Surviving}

2. Life in the Orchard {Making Do and Pinching Pennies}

3. Carrie This Home {Easy Ways to Save Money(Part 2)}

4. One Cheap Utah Chic {13 Things I Always Stock Up On}

5. Pulling Curls { Family Summer Plan}

6. Provident Home Design {10 Steps to a High-end Kitchen on a Low-end Budget}

7. Retired by 40 {Find Money in a Too Tight Budget}

8. My Mothermode {How to Stockpile Food: 5 Easy Steps}

9. Meemaw’s Cottage {My 4 Favorite Shopping Tips to Get Organized & Cut Costs}

10. Cha-Ching on a Shoestring {20 Minute Extra Cash 5 Day Challenge}

Never linked up before? Here’s how:

Scroll down, find the little blue “Add your Link” Button and click on that.
Follow the instructions on the next page – add a great image of your project and an interesting title. Make sure you link to the direct page of your budget friendly post – not the main page of your blog!
Try to visit at least a few other blogs at the party. Be sure to leave a comment to let them know you stopped by!
Please link back to this post somehow. There are badges available here; a simple text link is just fine too.

Feel free to tweet about Thrifty Thursday so others can join the fun, and don’t forget to check back here Sunday morning to see which posts have been featured this week at Weekend Wandering!

If this is your first time here I also invite you to check out my eBook, How to Blog for Profit (Without Selling Your Soul).  It is a fantastic resource if you are interested in building your blog, getting more traffic, or learning how to monetize.  Or, if you have read the book and are still looking to take your blog to the next level, I encourage you to check out my options for one-on-one blog consulting.

An InLinkz Link-up

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Coconut Lime Chicken

Nothing says summer like dinner on the grill!  This easy-peasy coconut lime chicken is another favorite “cheater” freezer recipe–it is almost like taking a trip to the Caribbean without a passport!  Not only is it almost ridiculously easy and practically mess-free, it also involves the grill, which makes my husband extra happy.

To make it as part of a freezer cooking day, just split the marinade & chicken into multiple bags, then throw it right into the freezer–no cooking required!  Making it ahead of time is not necessary, though, as it is equally delicious just marinated at room temperature

You can use any type of chicken but my family much prefers the boneless, skinless chicken thighs, which are a darker, juicier meat and also tend to be cheaper than the boneless skinless breasts.

Here is what you need:

3-4 limes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 can coconut milk
3-4 cloves garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
3.5-4 pounds boneless chicken
 

Step 1:  Squeeze limes to release 1/3 cup of fresh lime juice.

Step 2: Mince or crush garlic in garlic press.

Step 3: Whisk lime juice, olive oil, coconut milk, minced garlic, ground ginger, parsley, seasoned salt, & pepper together in bowl, then divide into 2 1-gallon freezer bags.  (If freezing, be sure to label bags ahead of time.)

Step 4: Marinate chicken in bag for at least 30 minutes or longer, or press out air from bag and freeze.

Step 5: Thaw if frozen.  Grill 6-8 minutes per side, basting with additional marinade, if desired.

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Recipe: Coconut Lime Grilled Chicken

Summary: This freezer friendly recipe is full of flavor and perfect for outdoor dining!

Ingredients

3-4 limes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 can coconut milk
3-4 cloves garlic
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
2 teaspoons seasoned salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley,chopped (optional)
3.5 -4 pounds boneless chicken



Instructions

Squeeze limes to release 1/3 cup of fresh lime juice.
Mince or crush garlic in garlic press.
Whisk lime juice, olive oil, coconut milk, minced garlic, ground ginger, parsley, seasoned salt, & pepper together in bowl, then divide into 2 1-gallon freezer bags. (If freezing, be sure to label bags ahead of time.)
Marinate chicken in bag for at least 30 minutes or longer, or press out air from bag and freeze.
Thaw if frozen. Grill 6-8 minutes per side, basting with additional marinade, if desired.

Preparation time: 30 minutes

Cooking time: 12-16 minutes

Number of servings (yield): 8

 

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What’s your favorite grilled chicken recipe?

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