Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Frugal Living...How My Christmas Is Free!

I love Christmas.  It is absolutely my favorite time of the year.  As I type this, I already have Christmas music playing on my stereo~and yes, it drives my family crazy!  I thought about changing the music on my blog to Christmas music, too, but didn't want to drive you crazy as well!  Don't worry....it soon will be coming!


Last year I read different blogs about getting Christmas presents for free.  I wasn't sure it could be done, but I am proud to say that I have gotten, or will be getting many presents for free this year.  Let me share with you what I have done.


Swagbucks:  I told you about it HERE.  Swagbucks is a search engine that you use just as you would use Google or Yahoo.  The only difference is that you can earn "Swagbucks" each time you search something online.  You can then use these bucks to get prizes.  My favorite prizes are gift cards to Amazon or $5 deposited into my Paypal account.  I have then used that money to buy presents~free presents!


Pampers Gifts to Grow:   I don't use disposable diapers very often, but I do use wipes and Pampers are the only kind I like.  There are codes on each of the packages of wipes, and after creating an account, just enter your codes for points to be added to your account.  I used those points to "purchase" a gift for our son.  There is no charge for shipping, so this gift was entirely free!  Also, Freebies 4 Mom is a great resource for promotional codes.  I wouldn't have gotten nearly as many points this year if it weren't for Heather!


National Consumer Panel:  I told you about it HERE.  National Consumer Panel (NCP) is a program where you track your purchases via a scanner they provide and then transmit them to NCP by phone.  Each time you transmit your purchases you will earn points.  You will also earn points for answering surveys.  You then use those points to "purchase" gifts from their catalog.  All your equipment is provided by the company, and the gifts are also shipped free.  I also "bought" a gift for one of our children this way!


Inbox Dollars:  I told you about it HERE.  You will get paid to read e-mails and take surveys.  It isn't much money and won't make you rich by any means, but you do have the possibility of making a bit through out the year with this company.  There are various ways to earn money, and after your account reaches $30, you can request a check.  I have never had a problem with them~I've always gotten the money credited to my account, and have received and cashed the checks without problem.  I saved the money and purchased gifts with it~it was money I would not have had otherwise.  Every little bit helps!


Opinion Outpost:  I started with this company in September and I love it.  It is a survey company, and the amount you receive is dependant on the length and type of survey you finish.  After you have $5 in your account you can request a check.  I have made almost $30 in the two months since joining.  I have not had any problems with this company either, and have received the checks in less than a week after requesting them.  This has been a blessing to our family as well.  Again, you won't get rich with this company, but every little bit helps!


My goal in sharing this is to help others out during the Christmas season.  I know you may not be able to start these programs and get free presents this year, but what a great way to start the new year!  I was unsure at the beginning of the year if I could do any of these things, but I have done it.  It is great to be involved in these programs and help out our family.   I hope some of this information has helped you out today as well.  What have you gotten this year for free??


Have a great day!


Blessings,

Monday, November 22, 2010

Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY~November 22, 2010
Outside my window... cloudy, rainy, cold
I am thinking...about my niece and nephew who had a baby last night!
I am thankful for... healthy and safe delivery for my niece!
From the kitchen...pizza casserole, applesauce
I am wearing...jeans and sweater
I am creating...idea's for baby quilts for our local hospital
I am going...to have a wonderful Thanksgiving week!
I am reading...So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore, Bible
I am praying...for my niece and nephew and baby Jackson~he will be having surgery this afternoon to repair the complications of his spina-bifida
I am hearing...little ones playing and singing
Around the house...laundry, starting to get some Christmas decorations out and around
One of my favorite things...spending time with my family
A few plans for the rest of the week...doctor's appointment, a nice day with family on Thanksgiving, visiting my niece and nephew in the hospital, shopping for our Christmas tree on Saturday.  Nope...no black friday shopping here!!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
Hugs are the best!
Have a great week, and a very blessed Thanksgiving!  For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook. 

Blessings,

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY~November 17, 2010
Outside my window... cloudy, sprinkles, temps in 40's
I am thinking...about relationships God has placed on my heart lately
I am thankful for... family, friends, my warm home, God's Grace and provisions
From the kitchen...chicken noodle soup, finger jello, bread
I am wearing...jeans and black sweater
I am creating...idea's for baby quilts for our local hospital
I am going...to remember to get my turkey out of the freezer on Friday 
I am reading...So Long, Insecurity by Beth Moore, Bible
I am praying...for my niece and nephew who will be going to the hospital this week for induction of their baby~the baby has spina bifida and will require surgery shortly after birth
I am hearing...dishwasher-that's it!!  The little ones are taking a nap!
Around the house...laundry (of course!), vaccuming, I just feel lazy today!
One of my favorite things...spending time with my family
A few plans for the rest of the week...piano lessons~that's it....How wonderful!
Here is picture thought I am sharing...
The quilt I made for my niece~I absolutely LOVE to make these!

For more daybooks, please visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.  Have a great week!

Blessings,

Saturday, November 13, 2010

Frugal Living~Holiday Cards for 50% Off!!


See Here has a great sale on Christmas Cards right now.  You can get 50% off of all photo cards with the code cards-39.  Plus if you order 60 cards, you will also get free shipping.  I just made two different 4 x 8 cards for Christmas and the total for my order was $14.40 for 60 cards.  This offer expires on November 18.  Get a head start on your cards!!

Have a great weekend!

Blessings,

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Thankful Thursday!




“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
I Thessalonians 5:16-18



We all have people in our lives that make an impact on us.  That make a difference in our lives.  That you can't imagine life without.   In my life that person was my grandmother. 


This week I want to express my gratitude to my grandmother.  She is my dads mother.  She passed away 8 years ago this week.  I am very thankful that she was a part of my life, and for the things that she has taught me.  She was one of the kindest women I know.  I just want to share something with you that I shared at my bible study this week.

Today is the 8th anniversary of my grandmothers death.  I still miss her greatly, and think of her often.  I have had her on my mind a lot the past several months.  I didn't understand why, but certain sounds, smells, or sights would trigger a memory of her.  I have been thinking of the legacy she left behind.  She loved her family deeply and showed it in both words and actions.  I realized only recently that in my childhood, she was Christ to me.  She didn't speak to me of God's love.  She didn't pray with me or read the bible with me.  Her and grandpa did take me to church with them occasionally, but there was no discussion of the message or service~at least that I can remember.  But she showed me about God's love through her actions.  I don't remember a harsh word from her, although I do remember correction at times.  I saw her bring food to people many times for many different reasons.  I heard her call friends on the phone to see how they were doing.  I saw her help others when they needed it.  I saw the love she had for her family in everything she did for us.  She loved to bake and would always send us home with some of her goodies.  She and grandpa would keep us grandkids at her house for a week at a time, in order to spend time devoted to each grandchild.  Those are some of my best memories.   She treated each one of us as though we were special, because we were special to her!  She wasn't perfect, but to me she was the perfect grandma~just the one God knew I would need in my life.

My grandpa turned 82 this summer and still lives in the house he and grandma built 30 years earlier.  So much in my life still reminds me of her, and how I wish she were still here.  She never held 3 of our children (in fact, since she passed there have been 10 more great grandchildren born), and has been missing from countless family gatherings.  But I rest in the knowledge that we will be together again some day.  And until we meet again, I have lots of great memories of her~and for that I am very thankful.

For more thankful posts, please visit this months host, Laurie, at Women Taking A Stand.  Have a great week!

Blessings,