Ruth Soukup's Blog, page 46

7 Reasons You NEED the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle

There are just a few days left to grab this year’s Ultimate Homemaking Bundle. It is a pretty incredible resource—106 eBooks, eCourses, printables, and bonuses worth almost $2,000 that you can snag for just $29.97.

But if you are on the fence, I totally understand why. 106 resources is a LOT. How is anyone realistically supposed to read that many books or take that many courses?

The truth is—you’re not. (Unless, of course, you are Superwoman, in which case, more power to you!) You’ll have to pick and choose which books and courses and resources seem most interesting to you, or which ones will help you with whatever issue you happen to be struggling most with right now.

But that’s also the beauty of it. It is like your own little personal library of homemaking resources, right at your fingertips. You get the ability to pick and choose what will be most beneficial at any given time.

Still not convinced?

Here are 7 very good reasons you don’t want to miss this opportunity:
1. You can gift the resources you don’t plan to use.

Yep, that’s right—you don’t have to keep them all for yourself! You can not only use this bundle to enhance your own life, but to bless others as well!

2. It will help you get your budget back on track.

There are some AMAZING budgeting and money-saving resources included in this bundle, including the Real Life Money Plan: Designing a Money Plan to Fit Your Real Life by Jessi Fearon, which is a $49 value all on it’s own. This powerful course will teach you not only how to make a budget, but how to stick to it! You’ll also get a copy of the most popular challenge we’ve ever hosted here at LWSL—31 Days of Living Well & Spending Zero!

3. It will help you create a home you love.

I don’t know about you, but I adore Myquillen Smith (AKA “The Nester”) & find so much inspiration in the simple, but purposeful way she decorates. Another one of the eCourses included in this bundle is Myquillen’s Cozy Minimalist Mom, and this one course is worth the cost of the bundle alone. In it, she shares 10 simple strategies for creating the home you want, even if you hate decorating.

4. It will help you get your life back on track.

This year’s bundle includes some awesome resources for creating more balance and purpose in your life. One is called Mama’s Best Self: Where Frazzled Mama’s Find Peace by Amanda Rueter. This course alone normally sells for $75—more than double the price of the whole bundle! But the value doesn’t stop there. There’s also the Productivity and Well-Being eCourse by Lisa Grace Byrne and the Overwhelm to Order: The Ultimate Homemaking Binder by Rachel Norman, just to name a few!

 5. It will help you have better S – E – X!

I’m just going to keep it real here—I’m pretty darn excited about the Boost Your Libido Course by Sheila Gregoire ($39.00) designed to bring a little heat back into the bedroom. Combined with the Rekindling Romance eKit: 7 Ideas to Help Reignite the Spark from Jami Balmet and the 52 Date Cards from The Dating Divas, you’ll be on your way to a much hotter marriage in no time!

 6. It will make cooking & meal planning easier.

You guys, there are some AWESOME cookbooks included in this bundle! You already know I am a huge fan of both freezer cooking and slow-cookers (especially when I can combine the two), and this lineup does not disappoint, starting with the Slow Cooker Favorites by Lynn Walls, Meat Free Slow Cooker Freezer Meals by Kelly McNelis, and Beef Dump Recipes by Sharla Kostelyk. There’s also the What’s 4 Dinner Challenge Meal Planning eCourse by Erin Odom and Holly Dvorak, which is a $47 value all on it’s own!

7. There is a 100% money back guarantee.

Yep, that’s right. Once you purchase, you have 30 days to look through all the resources, and if you’re not completely satisfied, you will get a full refund, no questions asked. You literally have nothing to lose.

For less than the price of going out for dinner, you get 106 eBooks and eCourses PLUS a whole bunch of FANTASTIC bonus products that will feel like icing on the cake—all in all, a nearly $2,000 value for just $29.97.

But only until Monday. And then this year’s Ultimate Homemaking Bundle goes away for good.

Here’s the thing–I don’t promote a lot of outside products here at LWSL. In fact, this is really the only one. Because it’s that good, and I because I truly believe I would be doing you a disservice if I didn’t let you know about it.

Grab it HERE.

The post 7 Reasons You NEED the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.

Decode Your Medical Bills

This is a Guest Post from Cherie at Queen of Free

“I want to rewind today and start all over,” my eight year-old cried out in pain.

“Me, too. Baby. Me, too” I replied.

That evening had started out routinely enough. We picked up a large order from our favorite Thai restaurant to share with our community group. In typical Thursday night fashion, our families mingled together sharing conversation and life updates and kids ran through our legs in and about the kitchen. Eventually, they made their way outside.

The unusually warm late September evening meant they could play freely in the yard, swinging on the swing set, kicking a soccer ball, and chasing each other around in circles. My husband Brian and I sat inside with all but one of the other adults at the kitchen table watching all of the fun while savoring our Pad Thai. Within minutes, the entire world tilted and our lives (and budget) traveled a path we’d never anticipated.

When we saw Zoe fall from the monkey bars, both of us knew it wasn’t good. Brian flew outside in two seconds flat, not even bothering to put on shoes. Hearing her cries, I knew her injury would require more than a kiss on the cheek and the reassuring words “You’re alright.” Upon seeing her arm, I couldn’t immediately tell if was dislocated or broken but I knew it wasn’t good. A dear friend held it in place as we hurriedly laced our shoes and headed to the car. We needed to find the nearest emergency room.

Over the next twenty-four hours, we learned that Zoe broke her arm in two places and fractured it in a third. Due to the proximity to the growth plate, a simple in office re-setting wouldn’t do. She’d need surgery and a titanium nail placed inside to ensure effective healing. It was a whirlwind of tears, IV, consent forms, and very little sleep.

In the weeks that followed, we navigated three different casts and adjusting to a new “normal” where I helped Zoe bathe, tie her shoes, get in and out of the car, and more.

And then the bills began arriving.

We had gone first to the nearest hospital’s ER and then been transferred a children’s hospital’s ER, and then finally admitted to the children’s hospital. Anesthesia, slings, surgeons, an overnight stay – the bill before insurance was well over $40k. Even after our insurance we were still looking at $10k+.

It was enough to take my breath away.

We had an HSA fund that could cover the majority of the bills. We also had an emergency fund that we could dip into. But we knew there would be at least one more surgery in the next year, too. EOB (Explanation of Benefits) after EOB rolled in, causing my eyes to glaze over. Codes and charges and dates filled each page. Even with a solid knowledge of personal finance, I longed to disengage and wish the entire stack of papers away.

If you’re like me and have faced a similar experience, more than likely, you’ve felt the same sting. Whether planned on unexpected, medical bills can complicate the already overwhelming process of household budgeting and bill pay. When dread fills your heart, take a deep breath. These five simple strategies helped us pay our bills in full and manage a painful physical and financial process.

Avoid the Avoiding

While you may want to close your eyes and ignore the entire situation, you’re doing yourself no favors by setting bills aside and pretending like they don’t exist. When you receive a statement from your insurance company or a bill from a medical provider, open it immediately. Fight the temptation to stick your head in the sand. Read each piece of correspondence from start to finish, making note of any charges you don’t understand.

Create an Organized Information Central

After you’ve opened those bills, don’t just let them collect on the kitchen counter. You need to create an organized system which will allow you to easily access each document when necessary. You may be able to keep everything in something as simple as a file folder, but if you’ve had a major medical emergency, you’ll probably need a banker’s box or expanding file. We used an expanding file to collect all documentation. Organize papers by date received and keep bills from separate institutions in different sections of your filing system. Crack out the paperclips and the Post Its. It’s time to get those medical bill ducks in a row.

Log Every Communication

More than likely, you’ll need to reach out to a representative of either your insurance company or medical service provider. Remember those notes you took on line items you didn’t deserve? Each time you speak to someone, carefully log the date, the time, the name of the individual you spoke with, and what you were told. Wading through working with insurance companies, doctors, and medical facilities is more than likely going to take you months. You need a clear record of who said what and when in case there’s ever any confusion.

Ask Questions and for a Discount

Again, don’t ever hesitate to ask a customer service representative to clarify charges or why the insurance company did not choose to cover a specific fee. If someone can’t give you a coherent answer that makes sense to you, then ask for a manager and repeat your questions.

Many hospitals and medical billing companies will give you a discount if you pay the sum in full. We were able to save 10% on two fairly hefty bills by asking if there was a price break for this payment method. It saved us well over $500 in the end.

If you can’t make a lump sum payment, your provider may allow you to set up an interest free payment plan to break up the total amount over several months.

When Necessary, Appeal

It’s extremely important to crack out your policy – either in digital or paper format – and read it carefully. If it seems like perhaps your insurance company should have covered a charge it didn’t and you know your policy well, write a letter of appeal.

As we read our policy and waded through what should have be covered for Zoe’s trips to two ERs, we realized over $6k had been denied. We fully believed as the policy stated they should have been paid. So, carefully we crafted a letter that clearly laid out the finer points of the policy. We had no guarantee that the company would agree with our evaluation but it was worth the try. If you feel like you’re not capable of writing a clear letter, ask a friend to help you.

You can imagine our relief when we received a reply stating our appeal had been granted and they planned to cover the cost in full. It was certainly worth the time spent evaluating our policy and penning the request. Even still, we had to carefully monitor that the payment was actually sent to the providers (there were two separate bills). It took two to three months and several phone calls, creating a very lengthy communication log. But in the end, checks were cut for both providers and we closed that portion of our file.

At times, tracking the expenses, communicating with the medical providers and insurance company felt like a part time job. However, the time we spent was well worth our efforts to the tune of thousands of dollars.

Doctors’ or hospital bills don’t have to derail your financial goals. And while no one wants to go through the pain of an illness, a broken arm, or unexpected hospitalization, you can still come out on the other side of the experience with your bank account intact. Take a deep breath and good records. You’ve got this. It might take time, but meticulously dealing with the details might help you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

 

Cherie Lowe is an author, speaker and hope bringer. Her book Slaying the Debt Dragon details her family’s quest to eliminate over $127K in debt in just under four years. As her alter ego the Queen of Free, Cherie provides offbeat money saving tips and debt slaying inspiration on a daily basis.

 

 

 

The post Decode Your Medical Bills appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.

Don’t Miss the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle Sale (Last Day!)

Once a year, for just a few days only, there is a resource for us overstressed, overworked mamas & homemakers that is SO amazing, I can’t NOT tell you about it. In fact, it is a resource SO good that it is actually the only outside product that I promote all year long!

Because here’s the thing that most of us have figured out by now–homemaking is hard work!  Between the cleaning, the cooking, the meal-planning, the child-rearing, plus juggling a full-time job or trying to build our own business, it often feels like there is just too much to do an not enough time to get it all done!

If you’re anything like me, I bet you wish your home felt more put together and peaceful, you kept up with housework better, you were more consistent about serving healthy, homemade meals and you weren’t running ragged so much of the time.

Our job is so important, and we really want to do it right. But so often, we end up feeling discouraged and even like we’re failing.

Maybe you wonder how you can keep up with it all and still have the energy and intentionality to be the kind of woman you want to be.  And I know as well as you do that homemaking is probably never going to be stress-free (though it sure sounds nice). But what if you had more (and better) tools to help make it stress-less?

Say hello to the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle

It was created to give you a plethora of amazing, high-quality resources to take some of the stress, overwhelm and difficulty out of homemaking.

To make you feel like you’re winning more often.

For six days only, everything you need (and then some) is in one fabulous package, for the most affordable price ever. (Seriously, just wait until I tell you the price.)

What’s IN the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle?

This year’s edition of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle includes 51 ebooks, 21 eCourses, 14 printables, 13 workbooks, 2 videos, 2 audios, 2 summits, and 1 membership site.

These top-quality resources cover everything you need to make homemaking feel less stressful… quick & healthy recipes, tips and advice for organizing, finding more balance, fantastic printable tools, cleaning tips, sizzling date night ideas, parenting helps, and so much more.

For less than the cost of a meal out, you’ll get a complete library to help you:

Get organized, be more productive, and find balance
Decorate your home (even if you hate decorating or have no budget)
Get your finances in order
Cook up wholesome recipes and conquer meal planning
Build stronger relationships with your kids (even your teens)
Discover speedy cleaning routines for the toughest messes
Rekindle the romance in your marriage
Put self-care back into your life
and finally, actually ENJOY homemaking again (or for the first time!)

Plus, it comes with over $290 worth of bonus offers from companies you’ll love.

You sort of need to see it to believe it, but the package includes 106 digital products and it’s worth over $1980!

Besides being so incredibly helpful, the thing I like BEST about the bundle is the price. By offering it for a short time only, they’re able to give you access to over $1980 worth of amazing products for just $29.97–a whopping 98% off! (crazy, right?!)

And to bolster you in the work you’re doing, because every awesome, hard-working mom deserves a little help sometimes.

You have a full year to download the eBooks and printables and take the online eCourses, and everything you’ve downloaded becomes part of your permanent library, so you can go back to it whenever you need it.

SO….is the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle worth it?

In a word… yes!

The creators of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle work all year long to make sure they are putting together the very best homemaking resource anywhere.They dig through hundreds of websites and connect with dozens of authors and teachers (including me!)  And then we all work together to make these resources the most affordable possible.

Now I know what you are thinking, because I thought the same thing: “Sure, it sounds like a great deal, but what on earth would I do with that many books and e-courses all at once? I would be overwhelmed just by the thought of reading them all!”

In fact, it is that exact thought that has held me back in the past from purchasing a previous bundle. But that was before I found out that you are allowed to gift the books you don’t plan to read! Say what? It’s a game changer!   Now I can focus on the books and resources that really interest me, and share with friends and family the books that I know I probably won’t get to. Talk about a win-win!

And after taking a peek at what this particular bundle has to offer, I can tell you that there are several books that I am super interested in. These few alone make the bundle well worth the price–in fact, almost every single one of my top picks is worth more than the cost of the bundle all by itself.  Check it out:

A Mom’s Guide to Better Photos: A Beginning Photography Class for Moms With Any Type of Camera by Meg Calton at Snap Happy Mom (a $99.00 value.) This class will teach you how to take better pictures quickly and easily, without the frustration of complicated settings and lingo.

How to Be Frugal: A Guided 10 Unit Course That Will Teach You How to Be Frugal Online, In the Store, and In Your Home by Jennifer Roskamp at The Intentional Mom (a $99.00 value.)  This incredible course shares 21 genius strategies that allowed Jennifer to support her family of ten on less than $25,000 a year.

Real Life Money Plan: Designing a Money Plan to Fit Your Real Life by Jessi Fearon at JessiFearon.com (a $49.00 value.) Finally–a course that will teach you how to make a budget and stick to it at last!  Use the Real Life Money Plan to quickly and easily implement lasting changes in your financial life.

Cozy Minimalist Decorating Class by Myquillyn Smith ($39.00) at Nesting Place ($29).  In this life-changing eCourse, the Nester shares her simple concepts for creating a Cozy Minimalist home–even if you’re not good at decorating! This one is a total game changer!

Boost Your Libido Course by Sheila Gregoire at To Love, Honor, & Vacuum ($39.00). Need a little help getting the spark back in your marriage?  Sheila Gregoire is a lot like the fun big sister you wish you had, sharing super practical, easy-to-implement advice to help you get in the mood more often!  (And if you need an excuse to justify this purchase to your honey, THIS is definitely it!)

Productivity and Well-Being eCourse by Lisa Grace Byrne at Well Grounded Life ($47.00). Designed for women who want to invest in themselves so they can show up as their best and brightest to those they love, this eCourse is designed to help you get more done AND take care of yourself along the way.

Your Morning Manual: A Guide & Workbook for Resetting & Maximizing Your Mornings by Emily Bredeson at Morning Motivated Mom ($15.00). Want to feel more in control of your day?  This game-changing workbook will help you reset your schedule and take back your time, all by walking you through a productive morning routine.

Command Center 101: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Command Center that WORKS for Your Family by Meredith LeRoy at Unoriginal Mom ($5.00).Command Center 101 is designed to help you create a centrally organized command station that you will actually use.

Skinny Slow Cooker Recipes by Martha McKinnon at Simple Nourished Living ($12.99) .  Want to cook healthier meals without spending all day in the kitchen? Don’t miss this collection of scrumptious soups and stews, comforting casseroles, mouthwatering meats and poultry and even a few breakfasts and desserts

Adore Your Wardrobe 14-Day “From Frustrating to Functional” Closet Makeover  by Kelly Snyder at Adore Your Wardrobe ($69.00).In this game-changing course, you’ll unpack the reasons WHY you are so frustrated with your wardrobe, gain a clear understanding of the things you do that sabotage your own wardrobe, and create a custom plan for a functional wardrobe that fits your current lifestyle.

What’s 4 Dinner Challenge Meal Planning eCourse by Erin Odom at The Humbled Homemaker and Holly Dvorak at Holly Dvorak ($47.00).  If you’ve ever struggled to get dinner on the table (or even just to figure out what to eat), this eCourse will walk you through a simple process for planning your meals and keeping your grocery budget in check along the way.

The Paperless Home: How to Use Evernote to Organize Your Life by Abby Lawson at Just a Girl and Her Blog ($35.00).  Ever feel like PAPERWORK is taking over every corner of your home?  This practical course will show you exactly how to minimize the piles by taking it all online…and keeping it organized.

Stretched Too Thin: 10 Days to Overcoming the Hustle and Thriving as a Working Mom by Jessica Turner at The Mom Creative ($39.00).  Think you’re too busy for this course?  Think again!  In 10 super quick 5-minute lessons, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to find more balance, stop hustling, and actually LOVE what you do.

All this and SO MUCH MORE…

The result? This collection is a fraction of the price of what someone would pay for each resource individually!

For a short time, the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle… a complete library of:

51 eBooks
21 eCourses
14 printable packs
13 workbooks
2 videos
2 audios
2 summits
1 membership site

…106 carefully selected resources–worth nearly $2,000 if sold separately–designed to help you nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships… is only $29.97.

That breaks down to 28 cents per resource.  

Your 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

If for any reason, you decide that the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is not for you, then please send an email to customerservice@Ultimate-Bundles.com and they will refund 100% of your investment. No questions asked.

Don’t Forget the Bonuses…

Of course, no Ultimate Homemaking Bundle would be complete without the generous, inspiring gifts donated by companies that understand homemakers like you. Every gift is yours to keep and enjoy.

$15 store credit from Cultivate What Matters (international shipping available)

Free 1 month subscription from Kiwi Crate, (a $20 value) ($15 off $50 shop purchase for existing customers, shipping available to U.S. & Canada)
Free 1 month MightyFix shipment from Mighty Nest, $17 value ($15 store credit toward next add-on order for existing MightyFix subscribers, international shipping available)
Orglamix Lip Balm Kit, $15 value (international shipping available)
One project box from Detox Project Box, $25 value (shipping available to U.S. & Canada)

$15 store credit from Strawesome (international shipping available)
Free 1 month subscription from Bookroo, $18 value (box of past favorites for existing customers, international shipping available)
Digital download of the 2017 Hope Ink Calendar, $20+ value -or- $15 credit + 3 art prints from Hope Ink, $99 value (international shipping available)

Homeowner Lifetime Membership from HomeBinder, $120 value (digital)
Free 1 year annual membership from MollyGreen.com, $29 value (digital)

Now It’s Your Turn

The proven, simple, and effective skills you need to transform your house into a home are all waiting for you in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle.

This is your chance to get all the love, support, guidance and inspiration you need to nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships with proven, simple, and effective tools that really give you a boost as a homemaker.

But here’s the catch (and it’s a big one!)–the UHB is available for just SIX days – from now until Monday, May 1st, 2017 at 11:59pm EST. That’s why the Ultimate Bundles team can offer so much, because they only have permission to sell it for such a short period of time. (So don’t wait or you will miss out!)

The total value is an astonishing $2000+ (plus over $300 in bonuses), but you get it for just $29.97. That’s 98% off what it would cost to buy everything individually!

Get your bundle now!

If you think getting all those homemaking helps for less than $30 sounds like a steal, then make sure to go HERE to see exactly what it includes and grab yours before this deal ends!

Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.

The post Don’t Miss the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle Sale (Last Day!) appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.

Don’t Miss the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle Sale (6 Days Only!)

Once a year, for just a few days only, there is a resource for us overstressed, overworked mamas & homemakers that is SO amazing, I can’t NOT tell you about it. In fact, it is a resource SO good that it is actually the only outside product that I promote all year long!

Because here’s the thing that most of us have figured out by now–homemaking is hard work!  Between the cleaning, the cooking, the meal-planning, the child-rearing, plus juggling a full-time job or trying to build our own business, it often feels like there is just too much to do an not enough time to get it all done!

If you’re anything like me, I bet you wish your home felt more put together and peaceful, you kept up with housework better, you were more consistent about serving healthy, homemade meals and you weren’t running ragged so much of the time.

Our job is so important, and we really want to do it right. But so often, we end up feeling discouraged and even like we’re failing.

Maybe you wonder how you can keep up with it all and still have the energy and intentionality to be the kind of woman you want to be.  And I know as well as you do that homemaking is probably never going to be stress-free (though it sure sounds nice). But what if you had more (and better) tools to help make it stress-less?

Say hello to the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle

It was created to give you a plethora of amazing, high-quality resources to take some of the stress, overwhelm and difficulty out of homemaking.

To make you feel like you’re winning more often.

For six days only, everything you need (and then some) is in one fabulous package, for the most affordable price ever. (Seriously, just wait until I tell you the price.)

What’s IN the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle?

This year’s edition of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle includes 51 ebooks, 21 eCourses, 14 printables, 13 workbooks, 2 videos, 2 audios, 2 summits, and 1 membership site.

These top-quality resources cover everything you need to make homemaking feel less stressful… quick & healthy recipes, tips and advice for organizing, finding more balance, fantastic printable tools, cleaning tips, sizzling date night ideas, parenting helps, and so much more.

For less than the cost of a meal out, you’ll get a complete library to help you:

Get organized, be more productive, and find balance
Decorate your home (even if you hate decorating or have no budget)
Get your finances in order
Cook up wholesome recipes and conquer meal planning
Build stronger relationships with your kids (even your teens)
Discover speedy cleaning routines for the toughest messes
Rekindle the romance in your marriage
Put self-care back into your life
and finally, actually ENJOY homemaking again (or for the first time!)

Plus, it comes with over $290 worth of bonus offers from companies you’ll love.

You sort of need to see it to believe it, but the package includes 106 digital products and it’s worth over $1980!

Besides being so incredibly helpful, the thing I like BEST about the bundle is the price. By offering it for a short time only, they’re able to give you access to over $1980 worth of amazing products for just $29.97–a whopping 98% off! (crazy, right?!)

And to bolster you in the work you’re doing, because every awesome, hard-working mom deserves a little help sometimes.

You have a full year to download the eBooks and printables and take the online eCourses, and everything you’ve downloaded becomes part of your permanent library, so you can go back to it whenever you need it.

SO….is the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle worth it?

In a word… yes!

The creators of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle work all year long to make sure they are putting together the very best homemaking resource anywhere.They dig through hundreds of websites and connect with dozens of authors and teachers (including me!)  And then we all work together to make these resources the most affordable possible.

Now I know what you are thinking, because I thought the same thing: “Sure, it sounds like a great deal, but what on earth would I do with that many books and e-courses all at once? I would be overwhelmed just by the thought of reading them all!”

In fact, it is that exact thought that has held me back in the past from purchasing a previous bundle. But that was before I found out that you are allowed to gift the books you don’t plan to read! Say what? It’s a game changer!   Now I can focus on the books and resources that really interest me, and share with friends and family the books that I know I probably won’t get to. Talk about a win-win!

And after taking a peek at what this particular bundle has to offer, I can tell you that there are several books that I am super interested in. These few alone make the bundle well worth the price–in fact, almost every single one of my top picks is worth more than the cost of the bundle all by itself.  Check it out:

A Mom’s Guide to Better Photos: A Beginning Photography Class for Moms With Any Type of Camera by Meg Calton at Snap Happy Mom (a $99.00 value.) This class will teach you how to take better pictures quickly and easily, without the frustration of complicated settings and lingo.

How to Be Frugal: A Guided 10 Unit Course That Will Teach You How to Be Frugal Online, In the Store, and In Your Home by Jennifer Roskamp at The Intentional Mom (a $99.00 value.)  This incredible course shares 21 genius strategies that allowed Jennifer to support her family of ten on less than $25,000 a year.

Real Life Money Plan: Designing a Money Plan to Fit Your Real Life by Jessi Fearon at JessiFearon.com (a $49.00 value.) Finally–a course that will teach you how to make a budget and stick to it at last!  Use the Real Life Money Plan to quickly and easily implement lasting changes in your financial life.

Cozy Minimalist Decorating Class by Myquillyn Smith ($39.00) at Nesting Place ($29).  In this life-changing eCourse, the Nester shares her simple concepts for creating a Cozy Minimalist home–even if you’re not good at decorating! This one is a total game changer!

Boost Your Libido Course by Sheila Gregoire at To Love, Honor, & Vacuum ($39.00). Need a little help getting the spark back in your marriage?  Sheila Gregoire is a lot like the fun big sister you wish you had, sharing super practical, easy-to-implement advice to help you get in the mood more often!  (And if you need an excuse to justify this purchase to your honey, THIS is definitely it!)

Productivity and Well-Being eCourse by Lisa Grace Byrne at Well Grounded Life ($47.00). Designed for women who want to invest in themselves so they can show up as their best and brightest to those they love, this eCourse is designed to help you get more done AND take care of yourself along the way.

Your Morning Manual: A Guide & Workbook for Resetting & Maximizing Your Mornings by Emily Bredeson at Morning Motivated Mom ($15.00). Want to feel more in control of your day?  This game-changing workbook will help you reset your schedule and take back your time, all by walking you through a productive morning routine.

Command Center 101: A Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Command Center that WORKS for Your Family by Meredith LeRoy at Unoriginal Mom ($5.00).Command Center 101 is designed to help you create a centrally organized command station that you will actually use.

Skinny Slow Cooker Recipes by Martha McKinnon at Simple Nourished Living ($12.99) .  Want to cook healthier meals without spending all day in the kitchen? Don’t miss this collection of scrumptious soups and stews, comforting casseroles, mouthwatering meats and poultry and even a few breakfasts and desserts

Adore Your Wardrobe 14-Day “From Frustrating to Functional” Closet Makeover  by Kelly Snyder at Adore Your Wardrobe ($69.00).In this game-changing course, you’ll unpack the reasons WHY you are so frustrated with your wardrobe, gain a clear understanding of the things you do that sabotage your own wardrobe, and create a custom plan for a functional wardrobe that fits your current lifestyle.

What’s 4 Dinner Challenge Meal Planning eCourse by Erin Odom at The Humbled Homemaker and Holly Dvorak at Holly Dvorak ($47.00).  If you’ve ever struggled to get dinner on the table (or even just to figure out what to eat), this eCourse will walk you through a simple process for planning your meals and keeping your grocery budget in check along the way.

The Paperless Home: How to Use Evernote to Organize Your Life by Abby Lawson at Just a Girl and Her Blog ($35.00).  Ever feel like PAPERWORK is taking over every corner of your home?  This practical course will show you exactly how to minimize the piles by taking it all online…and keeping it organized.

Stretched Too Thin: 10 Days to Overcoming the Hustle and Thriving as a Working Mom by Jessica Turner at The Mom Creative ($39.00).  Think you’re too busy for this course?  Think again!  In 10 super quick 5-minute lessons, you’ll gain the skills and confidence to find more balance, stop hustling, and actually LOVE what you do.

All this and SO MUCH MORE…

The result? This collection is a fraction of the price of what someone would pay for each resource individually!

For a short time, the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle… a complete library of:

51 eBooks
21 eCourses
14 printable packs
13 workbooks
2 videos
2 audios
2 summits
1 membership site

…106 carefully selected resources–worth nearly $2,000 if sold separately–designed to help you nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships… is only $29.97.

That breaks down to 28 cents per resource.  

Your 30-Day 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

If for any reason, you decide that the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle is not for you, then please send an email to customerservice@Ultimate-Bundles.com and they will refund 100% of your investment. No questions asked.

Don’t Forget the Bonuses…

Of course, no Ultimate Homemaking Bundle would be complete without the generous, inspiring gifts donated by companies that understand homemakers like you. Every gift is yours to keep and enjoy.

$15 store credit from Cultivate What Matters (international shipping available)

Free 1 month subscription from Kiwi Crate, (a $20 value) ($15 off $50 shop purchase for existing customers, shipping available to U.S. & Canada)
Free 1 month MightyFix shipment from Mighty Nest, $17 value ($15 store credit toward next add-on order for existing MightyFix subscribers, international shipping available)
Orglamix Lip Balm Kit, $15 value (international shipping available)
One project box from Detox Project Box, $25 value (shipping available to U.S. & Canada)

$15 store credit from Strawesome (international shipping available)
Free 1 month subscription from Bookroo, $18 value (box of past favorites for existing customers, international shipping available)
Digital download of the 2017 Hope Ink Calendar, $20+ value -or- $15 credit + 3 art prints from Hope Ink, $99 value (international shipping available)

Homeowner Lifetime Membership from HomeBinder, $120 value (digital)
Free 1 year annual membership from MollyGreen.com, $29 value (digital)

Now It’s Your Turn

The proven, simple, and effective skills you need to transform your house into a home are all waiting for you in the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle.

This is your chance to get all the love, support, guidance and inspiration you need to nurture the beauty and productivity in your home and family relationships with proven, simple, and effective tools that really give you a boost as a homemaker.

But here’s the catch (and it’s a big one!)–the UHB is available for just SIX days – from now until Monday, May 1st, 2017 at 11:59pm EST. That’s why the Ultimate Bundles team can offer so much, because they only have permission to sell it for such a short period of time. (So don’t wait or you will miss out!)

The total value is an astonishing $2000+ (plus over $300 in bonuses), but you get it for just $29.97. That’s 98% off what it would cost to buy everything individually!

Get your bundle now!

If you think getting all those homemaking helps for less than $30 sounds like a steal, then make sure to go HERE to see exactly what it includes and grab yours before this deal ends!

Read the fine print about this bundle and read the answers to frequently asked questions about the bundle.

The post Don’t Miss the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle Sale (6 Days Only!) appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.

Easy Breakfast Nachos

 

I don’t know how things are in your home, but in our family weekday mornings can be just a little bit hectic.  And while there are many things that contribute to the chaos, at the top of our stressor list is the task of making breakfast our kids will actually eat!

Luckily, these gluten free breakfast nachos come together with just 5 ingredients, are a fun alternative to plain old scrambled eggs and can be made for 1 person or 10. We even made a fun little video to prove how simple this meal is!

And here are the step by step instructions.

Here is what you need:

1 bag tortilla chips
4-6  large eggs
1 8oz. bag shredded cheese
1 jar salsa
1 4 oz. container sour cream

Step 1: Fill two bowls with tortilla chips, then set aside.

Step 2: Spray pan with cooking spray, then beat 4 eggs. Mix well and add to warmed pan.

Step 3: Cook until eggs are done. Split cooked eggs over tortilla chip.

Step 4: Top with salsa, shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Step 5: Serve along side some fresh fruit and enjoy!

    Print This!    




Recipe: Breakfast Nachos

Summary: This super easy breakfast can be made for 1 person or 10 and is sure to become a family favorite.

Ingredients

1 bag tortilla chips
4-6  large eggs
1 8oz. bag shredded cheese
1 jar salsa
1 4 oz. container sour cream



Instructions

Fill two bowls with tortilla chips, then set aside
Spray pan with cooking spray, then beat 4 eggs. Mix well and add to warmed pan.
Cook until eggs are done. Split cooked eggs over tortilla chip.
Top with salsa, shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream.
Serve with fresh fruit and enjoy!

Preparation time: 1-2 minutes

Cooking time: 3-5 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 2-4 (Adjust recipe by adding an extra 2 eggs per person.)

 

The post Easy Breakfast Nachos appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.

Stop Boredom in its Tracks

We’ve all heard it…“Mom, I’m bored! Moooooommmm, there’s nothing to do!”

For most of us, it’s a cringe-inducing question at best…and pretty frustrating at worst (especially if we’re trying to focus on something).

As moms, sure, we might feel annoyed—but sometimes we even feel…guilt. I know it sounds silly, but if it happens to me, I can’t be alone in this. It’s that little twinge of guilt…like we’re not “entertaining” enough or we’re not paying enough attention. We might even feel like we’re somehow failing as parents or that life isn’t fun enough for our kids.

But a lot of the time, it just makes us feel crabby. We’re thinking, “Here we’ve spent all this money on swim, dance, violin lessons, art classes, softball teams, etc., etc., etc. Plus, you have a billion toys, books and videogames—and you’re STILL bored?!”

First of all, when you hear, “I’m bored,” (and you will, believe me), take a deep breath and let all that guilt and frustration go. All kids get “bored” or uncomfortable when they experience quiet time and downtime. It’s part of being a kid. In fact, it’s an important life lesson: we don’t always need to be entertained, excited and thrilled to be fulfilled.

On top of that, YOU have a life. I have a life. We’re not just here simply to entertain our kids all the time. So, instead of dropping everything to entertain the kids, let’s help our kids come up with fun things to do on their own.

How to Handle “Mom, I’m Bored!”

So what’s a mom to do?

First of all, when I was researching this topic, I came across a few articles that pointed out an important fact: often boredom doesn’t really stem from a lack of activity. It stems from a lack of attention and a feeling of being unfulfilled or uncomfortable.

(I know, I know, I’m not helping alleviate the mom guilt! Sorry!!)

So the very first thing to do when you hear the boredom question raised is to give your child a little bit of positive attention. But this doesn’t mean drop everything. Instead, just hit the pause button for a minute or two and give your child some one-on-one love.

Maybe they just need to talk a little about what they’re feeling. Maybe they just need a little help brainstorming something to do or help figuring out a problem they need to solve. Rather than telling our kids to “go find something to do,” let’s pause and just focus on them for a minute or two.

Sometimes those few minutes of attention are all they need to get back on track. Remind your kids that it’s their responsibility to entertain themselves (within the parameters of your House Rules—so if screen time is limited, they need to find another option).

While sure, you can help them come up with a few things to do, but first, it’s best to try to help them reset. It could mean the difference between engaging and getting “into” what they’re doing, or continuing the day with a negative attitude.

If, however, the reset has happened and you’re both struggling to come up with something to do, might I suggest a “Boredom Jar”?

What’s a Boredom Jar?

Take a jar, box, basket, whatever…and write down as many ideas as you can—think up projects, fun activities, learning games, and more. When boredom strikes, kids pick a fun thing from the Boredom Jar. Let them know whatever they pick, they have to go with it (for at least 10-15 minutes) to give it a serious try. If after that long they still don’t love it, clean up and pick another slip from the Boredom Jar.

You’re only limited by your imagination! Plus, there are tons of resources online to help you find ideas for your Boredom Jar. Try to pick Boredom Busters that fit your kid’s age, abilities, and interests—and choose activities you KNOW they already love to do. Make each Boredom Buster a little challenging or physically engaging or focused to really ensure your kids stay out of the boredom zone for as long as possible.

Click here for your free boredom jar printables!

Here are 50 Boredom Busters to get your Boredom Jar started!

Please note: Almost all of these ideas can be modified and adjusted to fit each child’s age and ability. Plus, each of these Boredom Busters requires minimal “mom time” (meaning very little supervision and assistance) and these items can be created/activities can be played using items the average household typically has on hand. Feel free include all of these ideas in your Boredom Jar or change them up so they fit your kid’s age, style and ability level. (Mom knows best!)

Build the tallest tower you can out of household items.
Plan and carry out a scavenger hunt of “found items.”
Play a board game.
Make a dollhouse.
Play explorer and see how many living creatures and plants you can identify outside.
Read a short book and create a diorama from the story.
Make a friendship bracelet from beads, yarn, string or cording.
Make finger or sock puppets and act out a play.
Draw a map of your house or town, or a scene from a favorite book.
Make a “claymation” video.
Run a relay race around the block.
Make a simple bird feeder from items in your cupboard.
Create your house out of Legos or blocks.
Make a mini dinosaur habitat in the yard.
Use action figures to recreate a movie scene.
Do a “triathlon” using three sports and a timer. (For example: do 50 jumping jacks, bike around the block, run around the yard.)
Make an obstacle course in the living room or yard.
Decoupage a jar to make a candleholder.
Draw out a star map on dark construction paper, punch holes and project it onto the ceiling with a flashlight.
Put on a play with shadow puppets.
Have a “Chopped” competition/cook-off (or pretend to) and see who can come up with the wildest dish ideas.
Using newspapers or magazines, see who can build the strongest structure.
Make a picnic lunch and enjoy it indoors or outdoors.
Hold a read-a-thon.
Have a daytime slumber party. (Get out sleeping bags, put on pajamas, and play games.)
Plant something in the garden.
Rearrange your bedroom.
Set up a lemonade stand.
Make rainbow playdoh. (Add scented oils for a real sensory experience.)
Make no-bake cookies.
Make a gift for someone.
Write a thank you card to your teacher.
Sew a bag or a pillow using fabric scraps or upcycle a t-shirt.
Put on a musical theater production.
Dance party!
Build a “candy house” (using cookies, pretzels, candy, and frosting).
Make a fairy house from moss, leaves, sticks, etc.
Create a mini-scrapbook using photos of your friends or from your last vacation.
Update your desk and create a cool workspace.
Learn to play a tune on the piano, harmonica, guitar, recorder, etc.
Play “alien hair salon” and see who can come up with the wildest style.
Go on a photo “hunt” to document birds, bugs, cocoons, nests or other creatures.
Host a circus or a carnival in your yard or room.
Build a superhighway using toy cars and found items.
Memorize state capitols, times tables, or create another brain challenge.
Play charades.
Make a fort.
Create a time capsule.
Write a letter to your hero.
Come up with an exercise or dance routine.

There are so many ideas out there to add to your Boredom Jar—the idea is to come up with age-appropriate activities that are interesting, require minimal planning to carry out, and don’t involve screen time. You can make an indoor list and an outdoor list, depending on the weather and where you live.

Involve your kids in the planning process, especially if they’re older. Have them come up with different ideas they’d enjoy and add them to the jar OR surprise them by coming up with the list.

Remember, boredom isn’t always a bad thing. It helps kids learn to be more creative and helps them realize that life isn’t always exciting and action-packed. Sometimes you have to make your own excitement.

Whatever you do, when you hear, “Mom, I’m bored,” try not to take it personally or feel guilty! It’s a natural part of growing up and learning to cope with different situations in life.

Also remember that boredom doesn’t always mean literal boredom. It can also indicate your kids are uncomfortable in a situation or don’t enjoy what they’re doing. Often kids will say something is boring when really it’s challenging, difficult or a situation that makes them have to stretch beyond their norm.

So, the next time you hear the call, be armed with your Boredom Busters in your Boredom Jar, and come equipped a few minutes for some love and understanding. Take a cue from Mary Poppins and remember that life is what you make of it, so help your child find the fun in any situation!

 

DIG DEEPER

You can also help your child ward off boredom with these super cool Chore Charts. They will help your child stay on task allowing them to accomplish more in less time. Simply click the button below to get your set of 3 Chore Charts delivered straight to your inbox!

SEND ME MY CHORE CHARTS

The post Stop Boredom in its Tracks appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.

Modernize Your Grocery Shopping

The face of grocery shopping is changing—and you can benefit big time!

Just a few years ago, the main way to save, shop and get food on your table was pretty straightforward. You made a list, you browsed ads for deals and coupons (maybe you printed off a few online coupons), and you took said list and coupons to the store. Done.

At the store, big bright aisles, carts, and lines and lines of products awaited you. Smart shoppers avoided supermarket tricks (like putting expensive items at eye level) and “shopped the perimeter” for healthy foods.

Truth be told, most of us probably still grocery shop this way or in a manner close to this way. You can still find plenty of coupons online and scan your store ads for deals. Many of them still come in the mail every week, but pretty much every store also has their flyers online touting their latest sales and bargains.

In almost every town, there’s a Stop & Shop, Piggly Wiggly, Pick ‘n Save or some other variation, maybe Kroger, Jewel Osco, or Albertsons. These traditional stores are what we think of when we think “grocery shopping.”

But the face of grocery shopping is changing, rapidly and drastically. In fact, many of us are already starting to forgo brick and mortar stores all together.

We might order delivery right from our phones, based on the meals we’re about to cook. We might go to specialty markets to buy organic foods, local groceries and more, or we might shop in bulk to get better deals and more options.

In the last few years, the way we buy food has experienced a renaissance of sorts. There are many new ways to grocery shop—some you might not have even thought of (and some that are coming your way soon)! Get prepared for the new ways to shop and save on modern groceries.

Specialty Markets

Over the last ten years or so, there’s been a rise in “specialty markets.” Trader Joe’s, Aldi, Fresh Market (and even Whole Foods to some extent) offer their own brands and product lines.

These specialty markets are built similarly to big city grocers, which are often in small spaces with specific product focus (think Italian or Asian grocers, bakeries, and even the corner bodegas in New York). They offer gourmet products and they’re are fun to shop at. They probably don’t offer every brand of cereal or chips, or even brands you’re used to, but they have organic products and specialized items.

Aldi and even Trader Joe’s (note: they’re owned by the same parent company) offer fabulous deals because they focus on their own products. They’re usually in non-traditional spots like strip malls so they don’t have the same overhead as the big and bright grocery stores, so they can pass the savings on to you.

The Superstores

Walmart Supercenter, Super Target—these stores came into the forefront of grocery marketing in the 90s and they’ve stuck. Think one-stop shopping!

Stores like Walmart often offer great deals on products and you can use coupons as well. They even partner with community programs (like Box Tops for Education and Humana Go365) to provide discounts and rebates on partner products like General Mills cereals or Quaker Granola bars.

These stores are helpful if you live in a smaller town or if you just like to do one-stop shopping. The produce selection might not be up to grocery-store level and you might be giving up specialty cheeses, a butcher, fish counter, bakery and wide product selection BUT it’s definitely convenient. Where else can you buy socks, a flashlight, dog food and groceries all at once?

Wholesale Clubs: Costco and Sam’s Club

Also experiencing a huge rise in popularity over the last decade is the “big box” wholesale and bulk buys stores like Costco and Sam’s Club. Costco offers one of the largest selections of organic foods and both stores offer a huge selection of bulk buys.

There are definitely ways to save at wholesale club stores. Everything at these stores comes LARGE, so watch out for packaging that won’t work for your family (like tomato sauce in giant cans). These stores are great for stocking up on pantry items and you can also get amazing deals on things like paper towels, frozen vegetables, soap, coffee and snacks.

While these big box stores don’t work for every purchase, they can help you save when it comes to items you use frequently. Because you have to pay to join, it’s helpful to weigh the cost of your membership in before you make a decision. You can also purchase household items, gas, and even things like tires and electronics from these stores, so membership comes with major savings benefits for big spenders.

Shopping Local: Co-Ops and Farmers Markets

Many consumers are opting for local markets because they see the value in supporting their hometown businesses. There’s been resurgence in farmers markets and co-ops, especially as the culinary world leans toward the “farm-to-table” movement.

Formerly relegated to just “hippies” or summer tourists, local options are now on the weekly stop agenda for many busy moms. The produce you can find from local growers is second-to-none, plus, being able to “try before you buy” and support your hometown businesses just feels good—and it’s good for the community.

Again with co-ops and farmers markets, coupons are usually a moot point. For co-ops, sometimes membership fees apply (and members are often extended savings and special deals as well). You may pay a little more for these specialized items but you’re also getting a great product.

CSAs and Farm Shares

Bounty baskets, farm shares, produce boxes—they’re all part of Community Supported Agriculture or “CSA.” Buyers often pay a few months in advance to join a local farm share. Each week or every other week (typically over the summer), they pick up boxes of high quality produce.

There are several advantages to CSAs. You get great produce that’s often organic, you’re supporting a local farm, and sometimes you’re even invited to participate in events at the farms or within the community. You also learn to try new produce (like rocket arugula, flowering broccoli, or pak choi).

Of course, you don’t get a huge say in WHAT comes in your basket. So if your farm has a bumper crop of zucchini, you might be making a lot of bread and zoodles. Still, it can be fun and convenient and local, seasonal veggies just seem to taste better.

Online Grocery Shopping

The next wave of grocery shopping is online delivery services like AmazonFresh, Peapod and FreshDirect. This option is quickly growing in popularity, mainly (I suspect) because it’s extremely convenient for busy moms.

You often pay a membership fee ($299 in the case of AmazonFresh) or a delivery fee ($10-20/order). While retailers can extend some good deals because they’re forgoing the overhead of the brick and mortar stores, they can also charge a markup because of the convenience factor.

In many cases, traditional coupons don’t apply, but you can find other deals or site-specific sales.

There are other services like Rosie that allow you to order online and then pick up directly from your local grocery store. (You can even specify preferences like green bananas.) Whole Foods and Walmart also offer online ordering and pick up or delivery services, depending on your area. GrubMarket is another app that offers produce delivery from local farms and farmers markets.

Consumer Technology & Grocery Apps

Even if you don’t opt for grocery delivery, there are plenty of technology options to help you up your savings, plan better, and find the best deals wherever you’re shopping. Ibotta is a “cash back” app that gives you rebates on your grocery store purchases. You simply unlock the available rebates and then scan your receipt after you’re done. You can get more back by shopping at preferred and partner retailers like Walmart, Target and Kroger.

Wegmans, Aldi and Whole Foods are just a few of the retailers who offer their own store-specific apps. These apps can give you access to premium deals and help you find in-stock items, navigate the store, and plan your shopping trip. If you’re a frequent shopper at your preferred store, it’s worth it to download their app.

Coupon Sherpa offers printable coupons as well as coupons to online retailers, as does Cellfire. Shopmium is an app that offers rebates and cash back on purchases when customers try new products. With a quick scan, ShopSavvy lets you know if you’re getting the best deal in town (or if another store is offering a better price). Favado also helps you find your rock bottom price when you’re planning your shopping trip.

Are you sick of all those loyalty cards you can never keep track of? Key Ring is an app that stores all the numbers and helps you keep a handle on them (so you aren’t fumbling at the register).

Subscription Boxes

Subscription boxes are booming! People love the idea of getting a little present in the mail each month of new products to try and fun items to check out. While the subscription box industry started out with mainly beauty products, there are now a huge number of services that offer snacks, candy and more.

Chocolate lovers may want to check out the Cocoa Runners box: it’s gourmet and artisan chocolate. (Yum.) You can get farmers market finds from the Farm To People box. Treatsie offers sweets, candy and goodies that arrive at your door each month. The amazing Japan Crate contains totally cool Japanese candies and snacks that come to your house every month. (Your kids will love it.)

Vegan Cuts sells a snack box filled with vegan products, treats and snacks along with coupons each month. graze’s box is based on your feedback, so you’ll get more of what you love each month and a box that’s tailored to you. UrthBox offers a gluten-free option, as well as vegan and diet selections.

Subscription boxes are a great way to check out new products and find some fun snacks and items to try.

Meal Kit Services

If you want to take “food in the mail” to a whole new level AND save time, try meal kits. Services like Blue Apron, HelloFresh and Plated deliver all of the ingredients you need right to your door.

When you sign up for the service, you’re given a bunch options and menus to browse through. You pick whatever looks appealing to you, the number of people to feed, any special meal requirements (many meal kit services cater to dietary preferences like vegetarian or low-carb), and your delivery day, then order.

Your meal shows up with all of the needed ingredients neatly packaged at your door, along with specific cooking instructions. It can be a great way to try new meals, up your cooking repertoire, or have a fun cooking date night with your spouse.

These services are often reasonably priced, but don’t offer discounts and coupons like you would find in the store. Cooking time, skill level and effort can vary, but the instructions are usually user-friendly and specific.

The face of grocery shopping is definitely changing. People can order dinner right from their phones (or even from the subway platform) and have groceries in their kitchen at the push of a button. Amazon Dash literally sends buttons to consumers they can push when a product is up. With services like Alexa and Echo, voice ordering is an option as well. (You might not even need a button.)

Who knows what the future holds, but technology is constantly changing and making our lives more efficient, so the typical trip to the grocery store is becoming less and less typical!

  *   *   *

Have you taken advantage of any of these services, or any not listed here?  We’d love to hear how you’ve modernized the way you get groceries!  Share your tips in the comments below!

The post Modernize Your Grocery Shopping appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.

Pasta with Creamy Basil Sauce

 

I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not really a foodie.  Don’t get me wrong, I love food, and I don’t mind cooking, but most of the time, in the midst of a busy day/week/month/year, I just want food that tastes good, whips up fast, doesn’t use a ton of dishes and does use simple and cost effective ingredients.

This easy pasta with Creamy Basil Sauce definitely fits the bill!  With just a few ingredients and in less then 30 minutes you’ll have a meal that’s even “fancy” enough to serve to guests.

Here is what you need:

1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
1 box pasta
1/2 cup milk
2 8oz. packages of garlic/herb flavored spreadable cheese
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 small onion, diced
salt & pepper to taste
1 TBS butter

Step 1: Dice onion, slice tomatoes, and chop basil then set aside.

Step 2: Melt butter in large sauce pan then add onion, tomatoes, 1/4 cup of fresh basil and peas. Once peas have softened, remove from pan and set aside in a medium size bowl.

Step 4: Then add both packages of spreadable cheese to pan along with milk. Stir until combined.

Step 5: Season with salt & pepper. Then add tomato and pea mixture back into pan and cook for 10-15 minutes on medium low heat.  Cook pasta according to package, drain and add to pan with sauce.

Step 7: Spoon pasta into bowls and top with remaining fresh basil.

 

    Print This!    




Recipe: Pasta with Creamy Basil Sauce

Summary: This simple pasta dish comes together so quickly and is sure to be a new family favorite.

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
1 cup grape tomatoes
1 box pasta
1/2 cup milk
2 8oz. packages of garlic/herb flavored spreadable cheese
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 small onion, diced
salt & pepper to taste
1 TBS butter



Instructions

Dice onion, slice tomatoes, and chop basil then set aside.
Melt butter in large sauce pan then add onion, tomatoes, 1/4 cup of fresh basil and peas. Once peas have softened, remove from pan and set aside in a medium size bowl.
Then add both packages of spreadable cheese to pan along with milk. Stir until combined.
Season with salt & pepper. Then add tomato and pea mixture back into pan and cook for 10-15 minutes on medium low heat. Cook pasta according to package, drain and add to pan with sauce.
Spoon pasta into bowls and top with remaining fresh basil.

Preparation time: 5-7 minutes

Cooking time: 20-25 minute(s)

Number of servings (yield): 4

 

 

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Plan a Guilt Free Mother’s Day

Do you ever feel guilty about taking “me time”?

As busy moms, our lives are filled with pressures and lists of things we need to do, but it always seems like we never quite have enough time to take care of everything. Then, when we (finally) take a break and browse social media, it looks like everyone else is hand-decorating birthday cakes, growing prolific vegetable gardens, going out to glamorous parties, or having fun with friends.

It can be hard to keep up…and can even lead us to feeling guilty. Like, we feel guilty if we spend me time, yet somehow we also feel guilty if we don’t!

And ugh–Mom Guilt. Isn’t it the worst?! It weighs us down, nags us from the back of our minds, and takes away our ability to just enjoy the moment. Instead of taking care of our ourselves and thinking  “this is just what I needed,” we’re distracted by the thought of, “I should be doing X.”

So this year, for Mother’s Day (or your birthday, or ANY day YOU just want to be absolved of guilt and enjoy yourself), let’s resolve to celebrate, guilt-free!

The Benefits of Enjoying Yourself

There are so many benefits to enjoying yourself. Obviously there’s the immediate benefit: you have fun and you get what you want in the moment. You feel happy. You relax and smile.

Longer term, constant stress has really negative effects on our body, mind and soul. When we feel stretched too thin (maybe we find ourselves getting emotional and crying over commercials, for example), it might be time to take a reset and practice a little self-care. When stress takes over, we aren’t operating at 100%. Our sleep, diet and concentration are affected and we aren’t doing our best.

If you think it might be time to take a break and enjoy yourself, but you aren’t sure you can “afford” to make it a priority, consider all the benefits of enjoying yourself…

1. You’ll feel less stressed

By taking a break and allowing yourself a real Mother’s Day, you’ll feel less physically stressed. You’ll notice you have more energy and less exhaustion, plus, you might even boost your immune system, feel greater resolve, and experience better health in the long run.

2. You’ll be calmer and kinder

We’ve all heard the “kick the dog” story. (A man comes home after a terrible day at work, yells at his son, who pushes his sister, who ends up kicking the poor dog…who didn’t do anything!) It’s a terrible story (poor puppy!) but the point is, when we’re running on a short fuse, we end up taking it out on those we interact with. Maybe it’s the cashier at the grocery store who we snap at or our spouse who ends up being our emotional punching bag. Taking time to refresh and practice self-care will result in a kinder, calmer you.

3. You’ll be a better friend

Stressed out people aren’t always great friends. Now, most of us are lucky enough to have some friends who love us even when we’re not at our greatest. We’ve all got that girl we call when things are going awry and we’re ready to scream, but sometimes we have to turn the tables. If you find you’re isolating your pals because you never have time for them or when you do talk to them, it’s always a huge “venting session,” resetting will help you be a better friend.

4. You’ll be a better wife

Our partners often get us at our best and at our worst. When I’m stressed, I know my husband picks up the slack (and he’s already vying for Dad of the Year) and helps out tons. We’ve all experienced the pain of a spouse who’s unhappy or who’s going through a rough time, and of course, when that happens all we want is to help. When we’re stressed out, we’re distant and less affectionate. We’re irritable and tired. Your husband wants you to take care of yourself.

5. You’ll be a better mom and more fun!

Just like your husband might feel the brunt of your stress, your kids definitely get it too. If you’ve been in “mean mom” mode (and we’ve all been there), it’s time to take a step back and reset. It’s not that you should feel guilty about being overwhelmed, but look at it as getting back to the enjoyment of life. What do you like to do with your kids? When Mom’s happy, everyone’s happy!

6. You might even look younger

When we’re hunched over computers, running around frazzled and squinting and furrowing our brows over our smartphone, it’s not helping us look any younger. (I’m just being honest!) Stress takes its toll on our appearance: from dark under-eye circles, to extra weight to yes, wrinkles. Plus, taking time out for ourselves gives us a chance to really look and feel our best, not for others, but for US. When we feel good about our looks, we have more confidence and better posture, and we even might knock a few years off our looks!

7. You’ll have fewer physical issues

If you’ve experienced GI issues, headaches, back or neck pain, those can all be symptoms of stress. Taking a day or two off to recoup and take care of yourself can help alleviate all those symptoms and just generally leave you feeling healthier and more energetic. In the longer term, you might even see effects like lower blood pressure, less weight gain, and other tale-tell signs of stress.

8. No regrets!

YOLO, right? You only live once, and no one ever looks back on their life and says, “I wish I’d worked more days, cleaned more toilets, or scrubbed floors more often.” Taking a day to really do what you want and enjoy yourself will build memories and help you feel more alive, alert and lighter.

What Do YOU Want?

So, if you’re convinced to make this Mother’s Day ALL about you, you might be wondering, “What now?” Sometimes we get so bogged down and used to being in a state of stress that we aren’t quite sure what to do with ourselves when we finally get to take a break.

Of course, life still has to happen. Even if you throw caution to the wind and spend a whole day doing nothing but what YOU want, there might still be something that comes up…but rather than stress about it, roll with it. Put off laundry and housekeeping. Have someone else warm up dinner or eat sandwiches on paper plates (if cooking and doing dishes stresses you out). Resolve to spend a day doing what you really love.

Still having a hard time deciding? Well, here are a few questions to ask yourself:

1. What do you really enjoy?

Do you like painting? Do you enjoy long walks? Do you love getting your hair or nails done, going out with your friends or sipping tea and reading a book by yourself?

When you think about what you really enjoy, don’t worry about what you might be good at, what others like, or what’s productive. You might have two left feet, but if you love to dance, turn up the music and go for it! Your family might hate doing puzzles, but if you love them, then let them know they’ll need to entertain themselves for a while because you’re opening a puzzle.

2. What can you afford (in money, calories)?

If you have wanderlust and you’re dying to travel somewhere, but you know weekend tickets to a destination, a babysitter, plus a hotel would break the bank, figure out an alternative.

Can you go to a little town nearby and enjoy a daytrip with your spouse while grandma sits or a neighbor trades you a day of babysitting? It might not be Bermuda, but would a day at the pool, a visit to a botanical garden, or a trip to the art museum scratch your itch to explore and take in beauty?

If you’re dieting and don’t want a day of binging to derail your progress, consider enjoying one decadent meal or dessert and making the absolute most of it. Take photos, savor it slowly, and make it an indulgence to really remember. Don’t feel guilty—just love it!

3. How can you find the time?

If you can’t take off an entire day (maybe you’re a mom with an infant or a demanding work schedule), consider blocking out an evening or two or a few hour-long chunks of time to really do what you want.

We often think we just don’t have the time to spend on ourselves, but if a friend were in need, our child was sick, or our spouse had something important going on, we would squeeze it in. We have to make the same time commitments for ourselves as well. Block it out on your schedule and tell your family so you’ll stay committed to it. Make it a priority.

4. What should you avoid?

Now, being that it’s YOUR time to do what YOU want, the only things you should really avoid are things that make you feel bad about yourself, stress you out, or feel like obligations. For some of us, that might mean turning off our phones, avoiding social media, or not tuning into the news.

Avoid the things that don’t feel special, relaxing or rejuvenating. If your family loves going to ballgames, but you aren’t so into it, take a raincheck and go out with a friend instead. If you have familial obligations on Mother’s Day specifically, schedule your OWN Mother’s Day for a time when you can really indulge and enjoy the day just for you.

Throw Caution to the Wind with a Few Ideas

There are a so many great things you could do on your special day (and we each have our own hobbies and things we enjoy). If you’re struggling to come up with some ideas to inspire, here are a few:

Have a Spa day
Host your own Read-a-thon
Plan a staycation
Find adventure
Go outdoors
Create!
Connect!
Love!
Visit a museum
Go to a concert
See a play
Go to the park and swing
Enjoy a yoga class
Play games
Go for a long drive (optional: turn the radio up and SING)
Check out a new restaurant or try a new food
Plant flowers
Visit water: a lake, river, ocean, pond or pool
Play a musical instrument
Take your pup to a dog park or brush a kitty

Whatever really makes you feel happy and refreshed and gives you a zest for life, take time this Mother’s Day to make it all about YOU. Do something new you really want to try, enlist a friend, or go it alone.

Make this a Mother’s Day to remember, guilt free! You deserve it!!

P.S.  If you are looking for a way to treat yourself or another mom this Mother’s Day, be sure to take advantage of our awesome Celebrate Mom promotions in the Living Well Shop!

The post Plan a Guilt Free Mother’s Day appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.

Spring Clean Your Kitchen

A great sense of smell is a blessing—and sometimes a curse…!

While I’m quick to notice a friend’s new perfume, I’m also the first one to notice when the garbage disposal gets funky, or when something’s gone south in the fridge, or when someone forgot to take their lunch out of their backpack for a few days. (Ick!)

So when cleaning the house, getting it to smell fresh and clean is always part of my goal. One of the biggest challenges is the kitchen. Between onions, garlic, moldy cheese, and burnt food…well, it’s a whole plethora of less-than-idea scents. Unfortunately, the garbage disposal, fridge, freezer, and dishwasher can be the source. Then there’s the kitchen garbage! Even if you have perfectly clean appliances, chances are something smelly is going to go in the garbage can once in a while.

If you’re anything like me, while I love a clean-smelling house, I’ve grown leery of chemical cleaners. The great thing is that almost anything can be sparkling, shining clean and smelling fresh with just a few ingredients—most of which you probably have on hand already! The best part? They cost less and you know they’re 100% safe because you probably use these same ingredients for cooking and baking!

It’s time to tackle those kitchen odor offenders, safely and naturally. These natural cleaning tips will help you get your kitchen smelling fresh without using chemical commercial cleaners and solutions.

1. Fridge & Freezer

When your fridge and freezer start to get a little stale (or worse), it may be time for a good deep clean. Great news! Cleaning your fridge thoroughly takes less time than you think.

Gather Supplies First gather your supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

Old towel for floor
Baking soda
Bucket of water
Paper towels or rags
Multipurpose spray
Butter knife or putty knife
Trash bags
Cooler

Prepare After turning off the circuit breaker to the outlet, unplug the fridge. You may also want to put down a towel to protect floors from any spills (especially if you have wood flooring in the kitchen).

Remove Food Take all food out of the fridge. Place items in a cooler, wiping off lids and jars as you go. If you have any leftovers, assess each to decide if you’ll be able to eat them in the next meal or two. Check all produce and get rid of anything looking wrinkled or past its prime. Check produce for any signs of spoilage (wilting, brown spots or mold). Check dates on bottles and jars and toss anything that’s expired. If it’s close to the expiration date and your family will never use that entire bottle of pickle relish you purchased for ONE recipe six months ago—toss it!

Remove Shelves and Drawers Carefully wipe down each shelf with water and vinegar, or a water and baking soda solution (to absorb odors). For stubborn crust, use a butter knife or putty knife to gently loosen the gunk.

Soak Start shelves and drawers soaking in a sink or empty Rubbermaid bin filled with more warm water and more baking soda, plus a few drops of liquid soap.

While they’re soaking…

Wash Inside of Fridge Use your spray or a cloth dipped in the cleaning solution. Thoroughly wash built-in fixtures, the bottom of the fridge, and the nooks and crannies of the door. Your butter knife may come in handy again here to get in some of the cracks where crumbs and food particles tend to collect. Be sure to clean door seals and gaskets very thoroughly and dry impeccably. This will prevent mildew and keep the seal tight and working at maximum efficiency.

Clean Doors and Back of Fridge Wash refrigerator door and sides using spray and a paper towel. If you can enlist the assistance of someone, move the fridge away from the wall and vacuum or dust off the coils on the back (where dust can accumulate and lower the efficiency of your fridge). Be sure to clean the top of the fridge as well. It’s a major spot for dust, grease and dirt collection.

Dry Inside with Cloth Be sure the inside is fully dry and clean before replacing shelves and bins. You should wipe each bin dry with a soft cloth or paper towel. After their soak in the bin, they should be spotless and looking great!

Refill Fridge Fill fridge and freezer with the items you removed. Use a folded paper towel or shelf paper to line drawers and keep condiments from leaking in the door. Add an open box of baking soda in the back of the fridge and freezer to absorb odors.

2. Drains

Unfortunately, drains can also be the source of some less-than savory smells. Food particles get trapped within the gooseneck and can cause your drain to start to smell a little (or a lot) funky.

Clean Sink First, clear the sink and give it a thorough cleaning using a sponge and cleaning spray. Remove the drain stopper and be sure to clean the edges, where hard water and grime can build up. Use a toothbrush for any areas that are hard to get with a sponge. The area around the drain can be particularly stubborn. I also like to use the toothbrush on the fixtures and handles. Grime tends to accumulate in the back where no one can see.

Freshen Drain Once the sink is thoroughly clean, deodorize and flush drains by pouring 1/2 cup of baking soda down the drain while running warm tap water. If you’re having a difficult time getting the sink to drain, add half a cup of vinegar and let it foam up in the drain. Follow it with a kettle full of boiling (or very hot) water and your drains should be running smoothly and smelling fresh!

3. Dishwashers

How many times have you opened your dishwasher only to be greeted by a sour smell? Unfortunately, heat and food particles can create the perfect environment for mildew, mold and bad smells.

Gather Supplies First gather your supplies. Here’s what you’ll need:

Baking soda
Distilled white vinegar
Paper towels or rags
Multipurpose spray

Clean Debris Once a month, thoroughly check your dishwasher for any debris built up in the drain. Wipe it out with a paper towel and spray. If your dishwasher has a filter, remove the filter and soak it in a sink of soapy water for 15 minutes, then allow it to air dry before replacing.

Run Dishwasher Place a cup of vinegar upright in the dishwasher and run the dishwasher on its heaviest heat cycle (usually pots and pans).

Freshen Dishwasher After the dishwasher finishes the cycle, sprinkle ½ cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher to absorb lingering food odors. Allow baking soda to work its magic for at least 10-15 minutes before running a regular cycle. For particularly stubborn smells, leave baking soda in the bottom overnight.

4. Garbage Bins, Cans & Pails

Garbage pails can really get odiferous because they’re holding, well, garbage. To minimize smell buildup, be sure to regularly take your garbage out and deal with spills and messes immediately. It can help to spray the pail and wipe out with a paper towel or rag each time you change the bag. You can also use scented can liners or place a dryer sheet in the bottom of your cans to keep them smelling fresh and clean.

At least once every month (or more), spray out the inside of your garbage bin with a hose and wash it with a little warm, soapy water to keep it very clean.

5. Garbage Disposals

To freshen a garbage disposal, clean as you would your sink drain. Turn off the disposal and thoroughly wipe and clean the sink using a toothbrush to clean the crevice around the disposal. Using a tray of frozen vinegar “ice cubes,” run each cube through the disposal to freshen and sanitize (as well as sharpen blades).

Run citrus peels or small chunks of lemon and orange along with a tablespoon of baking soda through the disposal to eliminate any lingering smells. Running vinegar ice cubes regularly will keep the disposal smelling clean.

6. Old Odors in the Air

Ugh—fish, soup, burnt toast…all these smells can be hard to eliminate from your kitchen and can linger for days! Fortunately, there are natural ways to combat cooking odors. Simmer half a dozen lemon slices and a handful of cloves or other spices for 10 minutes to freshen the air.

If you’re cooking something that’s a little stronger smelling, be sure to run your kitchen fan or the ventilation on top of your stove. A plug-in fan will also work to blow the scent out of the house.

For lingering and smoky odors, fill a deep glass dish with half an inch of distilled white vinegar. Leave the dish sitting out to get rid of the odor. If all else fails, open a window! Fresh air is one of the best ways to combat cooking scents.

7. Microwaves

Even the cleanest of microwaves can harbor the scent of popcorn, curry or other strong dishes for hours after use. The simple fix is to fill a cup of water with a few lemon or lime slices, cloves, or even a few drops of essential oils. Run the microwave until the water boils, then leave it alone until cool. Wipe the microwave with a soft cloth or paper towel to dry. No more smells!

 

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It’s easy to remove smells from your kitchen naturally, using inexpensive products you already have on hand. By using simple, natural common kitchen goods like baking soda, lemon and vinegar, you can avoid the use of dyes, chemicals and other icky things you’d rather keep away from your family and your food. Use these kitchen deodorizing tips and natural cleaning solutions to help your kitchen smell as delicious as the meals you cook!

The post Spring Clean Your Kitchen appeared first on Living Well Spending Less®.