I was asked by a friend of mine to contribute to their blog on saving money and I told her I'd try (it was for her work, but no I wasn't paid for it). As they are my words and it was public blog I thought I repost:
Ok, I’ll admit it, I tend to use the internet for a lot of things these days...originally it was a way to pass the time, but then, a few years ago I noticed that I was actually saving money! Nothing astronomical, but still it was there.
529s and Upromise
We wanted to put money back for the kids future education so we looked into how we could save the money, and we decided on a College Savings Plan for them. A predetermined amount is automatically withdrawn from our account every month and contributed to their plans so we don't forget or put off contributing. We also signed up for Upromise and asked some friends and relatives to do so as well. For those not familiar with Upromise, you basically sign up for a free membership, register your debit, credit, and grocery cards with them and for the most part use them as you normally would and you get between 1% and 25% for things you do already like grocery shopping and eating in restaurants. I say for the most part because when you grocery shop you should push the “credit button” and use your debit card as a credit card to guarantee that get your contributions to your account, but other than that you just shop as usual. We then linked the 529 accounts and the Upromise account together and now every quarter our earnings from Upromise get deposited into the 529s automatically.
Shopping online
I do shop online. I do this mostly out of sheer laziness and the convenience of having things delivered right to me, but I also do it to save a little money. I do shop through the Upromise website to get the college contributions, but that’s not the only way I’ve saved money online. I’ve used online stores like Drugstore.com where I can buy all sorts of items usually cheaper than in the store (even with shipping), and if I happen to have a big order then shipping is free.
Online Coupons
My online shopping has lead me to two other websites that have saved me money as well. One is Coupons.com and the other is Restaurant.com both are sites that are free to join. At Coupons.com you check the coupons you want to “clip” and then print them and take them to the store to use and use them like you would any other coupon. At Restaurant.com you buy a gift certificate from the participating restaurant at a discounted rate (for example: a $10 certificate to a certain restaurant can be purchased for $3), and then print out the certificate and then follow the guidelines for that certificate when you use it (for example: the $10 certificate at certain restaurants are only valid for lunch orders).
I’m saving a little money doing these things and maybe one of these can help you save money too.
Weight Tracker
Created by MyFitnessPal - Nutrition Facts For Foods
Thursday, February 21, 2008
How I save money
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
The weighty update, and another milestone
I went to the doctor today:
Starting weight: 264.4 pounds
New weight: 224.2 pounds
Weight lost this week: 3.6 pounds
Total loss thus far: 40.2 pounds
YEA!!!! I crossed the 40 pound mark!!!! More importantly, my BMI is below 40 now!!! Thanks for keeping me honest!
Friday, February 15, 2008
I've added a weight loss ticker to my blog
In an effort to keep me honest (Not that ya'll don't, because ya'll do) I have added a daily reminder to myself what my weight is. As you can see, I've put it right at the top of my page for the world to see. God help me! I must be crazy!!!! But if it helps me that's all that matters...right???
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
I have really been busy these past few days, and really nothing is going on in my life that is interesting enough to write about...unless you're interested in the Potty Training and the "Sharing" that involves one of my children picking and inventor and an invention to share with their class. Let's just say that Google and Wikipedia have been a must have in our house these past few weeks.
Well, today is Valentine's Day and we've gotten the kids their presents...one got a new bathing suit for swimming and the other got a movie. My husband and I surprised me last weekend with a nice dinner (I know the chef) and a babysitter so we could have and entire night away from home to just be a couple again. Don't get me wrong...I love my children, but I think everyone needs time with there spouse from time to time to remember why you're together in the first place and to get to know the person they've become over the years. Cause, let's face it, I'm not the girl my husband married! Oh she's still in here, but she's evolved and changed as life has happened to her. I like that I'm not the same. I like that my husband isn't the same. AND we date each other so that we don't become just our children's parents. I don't know...it's worked for my parents and it's worked for my husband's parents as well.
ANYWAY!!! Happy Valentine's Day!!!
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Weighty Update
I went to the doctor today:
Starting weight: 264.4 pounds
New weight: 227.8 pounds
Weight gained this week: 0.6 pounds
Total loss thus far: 36.6 pounds
Oh well, not a good week weight wise, but there's always next week's update. As always, Thanks for keeping me honest!
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Just wanted to give my opinion
I know that I keep writing about Seriesse, and I've been using some of the products for a little while now and I love them. So I thought that I'd take the time to share what I thought about the products I personally use. Ok, here goes:
On the Skincare and Makeup side of things I am using the A Essentials Line daily, the Glycolic Essentials & Mask Set (the 4oz. version) once a week and my face is softer than it has ever been! Even though the S.I. Color only launched on January 30th I have absolutely fallen in love with it as it doesn't weigh down my skin and I feel like I have no makeup on at all. I personally am using the The Neutrals Set - Minerale Light and it is really easy to use! Oh and I am constantly drinking more water because I keep putting our Essential Green Tea Water Amplifier drops in it...I won't say that's why I'm losing weigh, but the extra water never hurts when trying to lose weight!
On the S-Force side of things both my husband and I have been taking the Cholesterol Control twice a day. I'll keep you posted on our levels when we have our yearly blood work done later next month. Every morning I've been drinking Amla Rush Energizing Powder Mix; however, you should consult a physician before using this product if you are on any medication or have a caffeine sensitivity...I am not sensitive to caffeine, but it does get me up and going in the morning and I (personally) think it tastes like fruit punch.
I keep getting unsolicitated comments on how great my skin looks so it's been very easy to share this without being pushy. All in all I like the products I'm selling and I'm certain that I will do well in this venture.
If you've read this far, then thanks for letting me promote my business a little more, and you can always ask me questions (if you have any) here or at my website through the email there. Thanks again for listening/reading!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Mardi Gras aka Fat Tuesday (or the "weighty" update)
I went to the doctor yesterday and I got sooooo busy that I forgot to post this:
Starting weight: 264.4 pounds
New weight: 227.2 pounds
Weight loss this week: 1.4 pounds
Total loss thus far: 37.2 pounds
As always, Thanks for keeping me honest!
E is for Excellent!
I’ve been chosen for the Excellent Blogger Award by Leigh at Eternal Flux! Woo Hoo! She is my cousin and a great friend and I can't wait to see her again in June!
Now, I am supposed to name 10 other people…I’m not sure I can, so I will try my best.
1) Texas Medical Freak This blog is about all sorts of medical conditions and is a FANTASTIC resource for information without being too technical.
2) Menopause Princess Her blog is always a fun read and she is always insightful!
3) Grape Scott Do you want to learn about wine or join in a virtual wine tasting? This site is for you!
4) Saphrym I love this blog. He blogs about his weight loss journey (among other things) and he is always entertaining.
5) Plus Size Model Loses Weight She is the Saphrym female equivalent. Also very entertaining.
6) Not Just Mama Actually, ALL of her blogs are excellent, (but Pink Lemonade took one of her other ones.
7) Sweet Mummy She's a hoot! She blogs about everything in her life...trips, sewing, being a Pastor's Wife, unfrumpy pjs...
Yeah...I'm out of ideas...I'm NOT OFFICIALLY TAGGING Angelika but I am giving her the "E" award as well as she is a FANTASTIC read all the time, but I seem to tag her all the time...so I'm giving her a break on this one.
Friday, February 1, 2008
An interesting site
Yet another big THANK YOU to Texas Medical Freak for filling me in on this.
Clipbook (aka DiggFreak)
Well, I have just found a brand new “Social Bookmarking” site called Clipbook. How does it work? It works a bit like StumbleUpon and Digg. At DiggFreak (Clickbook), you can earn FREE advertising and/or CA$H by bookmarking other DiffFreak members blogs and websites. Once you have (unless you already do) a StumbleUpon, Digg, del.icio.us or technorati accounts (and more to be added soon). Go to DiggFreak, sign up and start promoting your site through campaigns. Did I mention you can also make credits and $ through referrals? For each referral you bring to DiggFreak, you receive 5 credits! Just Click Here
I'd never thought about posting this before
Texas Medical Freak Linked to me because of my Five For Fighting post. My response to them made me realize that it would be a good post. So here goes:
As you already know, my son has Asperger's Syndrome and even that is mild, but he's been doing very well with a therapy called Relationship Development Intervention and we are able to upload our videos for our therapist (and share them with other parents if they are a good example of the assignment) through their membership only website https://www.rdios.net
For those interested in checking it out or looking for a RDI therapist in your area check them out at www.rdiconnect.com
