|
Here's What's New 
Apply to host a free American Girl Bitty Baby House Party. If you’re selected as a host, you’ll receive a free exclusive party pack. Your exclusive Party Pack will contain: - Bitty Baby Doll Set
- Additional picture storybook, doll outfit, and plush animal
- Bitty Baby coloring sheets, puzzles, wishing stars, and more for your guests
- Tip sheets for moms
…and more! Thanks, Coupon Pro! Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.    Related Stories Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more. 
Guest post from Jamie of From His Presence Do you ever feel overwhelmed? Do you wish you could get away from the rat race, and get your life back on track? I usually feel that way a few times each year. However, I have found something that makes me feel better every time — taking a personal retreat. A personal retreat is a time you set aside when you can just be alone. It doesn't have to be costly or adventurous; you could retreat to a local park or your spare bedroom. It doesn’t even have to be long; just a few hours alone can make a huge difference. The key to an effective personal retreat is simply to get away from your routine. Once you're away, amazing things can happen! Here are three ways to get the most out of your personal retreat: 1. Refresh. Go somewhere peaceful and beautiful. Take time to rest, and let the beauty of your surroundings wash the stress away. If you can, I encourage you to go somewhere outdoors. There's something about nature that will lift your spirits! Find a quiet spot at a nearby park, forest, riverbank, or beach. (If you have to stay inside, make sure you go to a clean room, so you won't think about the work you need to do the whole time!) In October 2012, when I was considering starting my blog, I was desperate for some time to think and pray. So, my husband and I drove to the nearby Smoky Mountains National Park for a one-night camping trip. After a good night's sleep, he went sightseeing so I could be alone. The first thing I did was to go for a walk around the campground. The autumn leaves were at peak color. As I soaked in the peace and quiet of the woods, nature's beauty brought healing to my frazzled soul. I felt like a new person by the time I finished that 30-minute walk. Whether your beautiful spot is a spare bedroom, the woods, or the beach, going to a place where you can be refreshed by your surroundings will make all the difference. 2. Revamp. After you feel rested, use your personal retreat to honestly evaluate what's going well in your life, and what's not. Here are some questions you might want to ask yourself: - "What are some things I've succeeded in recently?" (Celebrate these!)
- "Do I like the way my life looks right now? If not, what needs to change?"
- "Do I have a dream I need to get started on—whether in big steps or in baby steps?"
Revamping requires an honest appraisal of where you are and where you'd like to be. Before my personal retreat in October 2012, I felt like I was about to start a new season in life, but I didn't know what that new season would look like. I had ideas, but no real sense of direction. However, as I prayed, journaled, and even cried in my tent that day  , all my thoughts seemed to come together in one direction: writing and blogging. I knew that blogging would be a giant leap for me. Nevertheless, I also knew that my dream of writing and speaking would never happen if I didn't take action. It was time to revamp some things so I could chase my dream. You may need to revamp some things in order to chase your dream, too. So go ahead and identify the changes you need to make to get your life on track. Decide how to make those changes. You might have to be courageous, but it will be worth it! 3. Re-energize. After you refresh and revamp, use your personal retreat to pump yourself up for the future. - Envision what you want the next 3-6 months of your life to look like. Write your vision down.
- Set specific goals. Write them down.
- Brainstorm ideas related to your vision. (Don't critique your ideas; just let yourself dream!)
Getting specific with your dreams and goals will motivate and inspire you like nothing else can. A personal retreat is an opportunity for you to break with your past and design your future. If you are worn out, and dream of something better, I encourage you to take a retreat as soon as you can. Get refreshed. Revamp. Re-energize. No matter how simple your retreat is, it will help you prepare for the next season of your life. Have you ever taken a personal retreat? Jamie Rohrbaugh is a wife, financial analyst, Sunday School teacher, musician, and unlikely worship leader from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Her passion is to encourage and equip people to live powerful lives and to function in their gifts. She blogs at From His Presence about how to live ordinary life in God's manifest presence.
Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories 
Target Shopping Trip 2 Market Pantry Pasta – $0.87 each AND 2 Market Pantry Spaghetti Sauce – $1 each, used 2 $1/2 (spaghetti sauce and pasta) Target printable - $0.44 each after coupons 1 Van’s Gluten Free Frozen Waffles – $2.50, used $3/1 printable - Free after coupon 1 Chobani Campions Yogurt (4 pk) – Marked down to $2.08, used $1/1 Target printable AND $1/1 printable - $0.08 after coupons 1 Reach Floss – $0.92, used $1/1 printable - Free after coupon 1 Cover Girl Eye Shadow – $2.98, used $1/1 Target mobile coupon (text JULY4 to 827438) AND $1.50/1 coupon from the 7/28 P&G insert – $0.48 after coupons 3 Up & Up Crayons – $0.25 each AND 1 Up & Up Glue Sticks – $0.30, used $1/4 Target mobile coupon – $0.05 total after coupon (The coupon did not come off my phone so the cashier manually entered it in.) Total before sales and coupons: $15.27 Total with tax ($0.46) after sales and coupons: $2.23 See the full list of deals at Target this week. Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories 
Copy the following URL into your browser and you’ll be able to request free Bragg’s Seasoning samples: www.bragg.com/general/FSredirect.php#sthash.oubzY85A.dpuf Thanks, Freebie Finding Mom! Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories 
Here are some of this week’s best grocery & household deals from Amazon.com, courtesy of Terry and Mandi from Jungle Deals & Steals. Many of these prices are higher than what you'd pay by combining coupons with sales, but they may be good deals for you if you live where there aren't many stores or deals are scarce: Frito-Lay: Frito-Lay Flavor Mix or Classic Mix are on sale for $0.30/individual bag ($5.98 for the 20-count). Tom’s of Maine: You can get a great deal on Tom’s of Main Fluoride Free Silly Strawberry Toothpaste. Get the 4.2-ounce tubes for as low as $2.22 each ($6.66 for the pack of 3). Huggies: Huggies One and Done Fragrance Free Baby Wipes can be picked up for as low as $0.03 each ($11.61 for the 448-count). Gillette: Get a great deal on select Gillette Fusion products available now for as low as $2.32. Angel Soft: Stock up on toilet paper with this Angel Soft Double Rolls. Get them for as low as $0.40 each ($16.03 for the 40-count). Kleenex: Here’s a great deal on Kleenex Ultra Facial Tissues (Regular). Pick them up for as low as $1.02/box ($3.05 for the 3-count). Bob’s Red Mill: Pick up 27-ounce packages of Bob’s Red Mill White Popcorn for as low as $2.70 each ($10.78 for the pack of 4) Terry & Mandi are a busy mother-daughter team that look for ways to save money without sacrificing a lot of time, and they share their love for all things Amazon.com at Jungle Deals & Steals.
Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories 
Order a one-year subscription to Saveur Magazine for $4.99 per year when you use coupon code MONEYSAVING at checkout. About Saveur Magazine: Saveur Magazine is an award-winning food and travel publication that covers the world of authentic cuisine. Each issue of Saveur provides brilliant photography, extraordinary stories, and recipes that reflect the traditions, history, and lore of fine foods the world over. Saveur Magazine harks back to food before it was processed, lite, or artificial. Saveur is a magazine that still remembers what real food was meant to taste like. This offer expires tonight 07/31/13 11:59 PM EST. Are you looking for other magazine titles? You can use coupon code MONEYSAVING to save 20% off of most titles at DiscountMags! (Note: The link in this post is my referral link. Read my disclosure policy here.) Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories 
Missed the first posts in this series? Check them out here.
#6 Build Community If you want to build a successful blog, can I encourage you to stop focusing so much on building a platform and instead throw your efforts into creating a community? Listen to Your Readers A community is where people feel welcomed, heard, accepted, and a part of something. You have a voice. You have worth. You have influence. The worst thing you can do as a blogger is to write a post and then disappear and never come back to interact in the comments. Blogging is a two-way street. I’m not saying you have to respond to every single comment, but do take time to engage with your audience. Let them know that you appreciate them, that you care about them, and that you’re reading what they have to say. This blog has changed a lot since its early days. I’m no longer a one-woman show. In fact, I have some of the best and brightest people working for me. I’ve delegated a lot of tasks so that I can have a healthy balance in my own life and have margin to invest in my own health, marriage, and children. But one thing I’ve chosen not to delegate is reading and responding to comments and managing my Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest accounts. Yes, it takes time to keep up with all the comments on the blog and on my social media channels (and I don’t always get to respond to every one like I’d like to!), but it’s so very worth it because you all are my community. (Please note: I’m not saying that everyone should make the decisions I’ve made here, but I know that this is one decision I have yet to regret in the least.) This might sound a little weird, but it’s true: I love you all. I care about you all. And I want to know what you all are saying — the good, the bad, and the ugly. If dozens of you don’t like a post, I want to know that so I can step back and ask myself, “What did I do wrong?” and “What can I learn from my mistakes?” If a number of you found a post really helpful, I want to know that to so I can keep it in mind as I contemplate future post ideas and series ideas. Ask for Your Readers’ Input Reading what you have to say has taught me so much. I’ve grown as a person, my mind has been expanded, my understanding of the world has been broadened, and I’ve picked up more frugal tips and suggestions than I could ever count. Truly, you all are so brilliant and amazing. I learn something new from you each and every day. And that’s why I love asking for your input. I want to know your ideas and suggestions — because they are often a hundred times better than I could ever come up with on my own. Best of all, your comments and emails provide me with a never-ending stream of blog post ideas. If you ever run low on blog post ideas, try asking your readers for suggestions — either for post ideas or just asking for their input on a decision you’re trying to make, even if it’s something rather small (like what to do with all my canned biscuits). This makes your readers feel like they are more a part of your life and it helps to provide you with blog fodder, too. Value Your Readers’ Suggestions Don’t just ask for your readers’ input; really listen to what they have to say. Learn from them. Engage them in discussions. Ask for their advice and input. If your readers know they are valued, they are much more likely to interact in the comments, send you emails, and stick with you for the long haul. And this will guarantee that you’ll have an endless string of new blogging ideas coming your way for years to come! Just a Little Thank You It’s only fit that I end this post with a thank you note to each and every one of you who read here regularly. You have no idea how much your comments and emails mean to me. I don’t always get to respond to each of them, but I read and appreciate every one. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for being a part of this community. As always, if you have suggestions or ideas for how we can make this an even better community, I’d love to hear and consider them. I’m blessed by you every day. You’ve enriched my life more than you’ll ever know. Just thank you. Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories 
Visit the Colgate site and request a free Bright Smiles Bright Futures Kit for your classroom. Click "I am new to Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures and would like to receive an oral health program in February 2014," and fill out the form. Your free kit will include a video, posters, storybooks, curriculum, parent take-homes, and Colgate Kid's toothbrushes and toothpaste samples for each student. Thanks, Sample Stuff! Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories 
CVS Shopping Trip 2 Herbal Essence Hair Care – $2.50 each
Used Buy One Get One Free coupon from the 7/28 P&G insert (automatically took off $4.99) 1 Schick Hydro Silk Razor Cartridge Refills (4 ct) – $9.49 (This is regularly priced at $18.99 but was on sale this week at my store as part of the Schick deal. It’s a lot better deal than buying the razor.)
Used $4/1 printable 2 Nature Bounty Vitamins – $6.29 (On Sale Buy One Get One Free)
Used 2 $2/1 coupon from the 7/28 SmartSource insert
And used $2/1 CVS coupon from the coupon machine 2 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste – $3.79 each
Used $2/2 coupon from the 7/28 SmartSource insert 1 Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste – $4.49
Used $1/1 coupon from the 7/28 SmartSource insert
And used $2.50/$12+ toothpaste purchase CVS coupon from coupon machine Used 30% off CVS coupon from my email inbox (took off $3.63) And used $8 ECBs from my last CVS trip Total before sales, coupons and ECBs: $54.30 Total with tax ($2.38) after sales, coupons and ECBs - $3.11 PLUS received $5 ECBs (for buying 3 Colgate products), $1 ECB (for buying 2 Herbal Essence products) and $4 ECBs (for buying 1 Schick razor) See the full list of deals at CVS this week. Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories 
Guest post from Alexa of Single Moms Income As a single mother, I have learned what it's like to barely be able to fund a bare bones budget. At times, I have to scrimp and save every last dollar to keep the bills paid. I have found that when there is nothing left to cut out of your budget your only option is to increase your income. I have gotten pretty good at finding different income sources to supplement the income from my day job. If you are in a situation like mine, you need to find a way to bring in a little extra money to pay for the necessities, too. Here are some of the things I do: 1. Freelance Writing Freelance writing has come to be one of the best sources of extra income for me. When I first started writing for money, I used content mills such as Text Broker or Interact Media. The pay offered by these is very low, usually in the ball park of $1-$5 per article when starting out. I became unsatisfied with the pay from these sites and ventured out on my own. I decided to try to get writing jobs from freelance job boards. I also hunt down my own clients who I think may be interested in my services. While I do spend a lot of time looking for clients the pay from these jobs is much, much better. In fact, I now make $25 – $40 per article. If there are months that I can't find clients and need a few extra bucks, the content mills will always be there to fall back on. 2. Blogging Blogging is a huge time commitment but I really enjoy it. It took me three months before making the first dime off my blog. My blog is still relatively young and the income I make from it varies. So far, on a good month I'll make $300, while on a bad month I may not make anything. With time and consistent hard work, I know I will see the income from this increase. Note from Crystal: If you want to learn more about how to make money blogging, check out my series here. 3. Swagbucks & Inbox Dollars I have accepted the fact that I simply do not have money to stash away for Christmas this year. However, I am also grateful for this. I will be forced to spend less and concentrate more on the true meaning of Christmas. So, this year the majority of our Christmas presents will be funded by gift cards and cash earned through Swagbucks and Inbox Dollars. The money earned through these outlets is not huge, but by working on them all year long, it can really add up. I use Swagbucks as my search engine to earn points and I read emails from Inbox Dollars and complete any special offers that interest me. Neither one of these takes any real effort and can be done mindlessly. By the time Christmas rolls around, I should have at least a couple hundred dollars by doing each of these daily. 4. Stay Positive & Think Outside the Box There are tons of people in the same position as I am. If you can barely pay your bills and have cut every imaginable expense out of your budget, your only option is to increase your income. Think of things that you enjoy doing and find a way to make money from them. You could walk dogs, tutor children, give music lessons, clean houses, or offer landscaping services. The options are limitless. If you can think outside of the box and focus on the positive rather than the negative you will enjoy earning the money. You never know, if you keep at it you may be able to turn your side income into a full time income, all while enjoying what you do and solving your budgeting problems. Alexa is a single mother to two little girl's ages three and four. She is on a mission to create a happy, fulfilled life for herself and her family. She chronicles her journey as a single mother trying to make it big at Single Moms Income.
photo source Got student debt? Sign up for SmarterBucks (for free!) and earn rewards that help pay down your student loans. Click here to learn more.  Related Stories | 
