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Learn things you can do around the house to reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions or your overall greenhouse gas footprint and get 30 free Recyclebank points.
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Guest post from April of Power of Moms We all have busy lives (four little boys are having a Nerf war in my living room as I type), which is why I love it that moms online can share their best ideas with one another! Below are three incredibly simple calendar tips I use to help all of us stay on top of the tasks we need to accomplish — and believe it or not, these tips have helped me to save thousands of dollars in the process! Tip #1: Create Calendar Triggers I’d never heard of a “calendar trigger” before reading David Allen’s best-selling book, Getting Things Done®, but now they’re my best friends. Here’s an example why: Last year I signed up for a discounted Internet plan through our local phone company. After locking in an incredible rate for 12 months, the customer service representative warned me, “If you want to keep this rate, you have to give us a phone call right before your first year is up. Otherwise, your bill will increase by $30 a month.” Panic set in for a moment. What if I forget to call? But then I remembered this calendar-trigger approach, and I simply went to my Google Calendar and created an event titled “Call Phone Company for Reduced Internet Rate” and added an email trigger for 11 months into the future. Sure enough, the trigger came through, I called and secured an even better rate, and now I’ve got a calendar trigger set up to remind me to call again next year. This one simple trigger has already save us $780 — with no stress. Tip #2: Keep Your Calendar Clean by Using Context-Based Lists Have you ever cluttered up your calendar with undone tasks you keep forwarding from page to page to page? (You’re not alone.) This idea, also from Getting Things Done®, has enabled me to group tasks by context, so instead of sighing over a super long list of random things to do, I can work on clusters of important responsibilities whenever the time is right. Because I’m a paper planner girl, I just use a small card stock insert that is divided into the following sections: - Home
- Errands
- To Discuss (usually with my husband)
- Phone
- Computer
A list like this could also be created on a phone or tablet’s notepad (I love the Evernote app). Using context-based lists saves me tons of time and tons of money. I don’t waste gas because I can get all my errands done at once. I don’t forget to call the insurance company when they make a mistake on my bill, and I can easily keep up with basic home repairs, dental appointments, and hundreds of other little issues that would otherwise grow into time-consuming, expensive problems (like that time I ended up with $63 in library fines). The point is that we clearly define these categories, collect our lists into one easily-accessible place, and keep them short and actionable so we are consistently getting things done efficiently and well. Tip #3: Partner Your Calendar with Your Email Inbox I used to work off of two different systems — my calendar/paper planner and my email inbox. Now I keep my emails to zero by shuttling action items onto my calendar (and filing or deleting the corresponding email messages). Here are a few examples using the emails I receive from MoneySavingMom.com: I recently saw Crystal's offer for us to download a free copy of her Guide to Freezer Cooking. I quickly downloaded the PDF (because David Allen’s two-minute rule encourages us to “just do” any task that takes two minutes or less), and then I added "Review Freezer Cooking Guide" to my Computer list. Then I knew I wouldn't forget to read it. (And I love it, by the way.) When I find coupons for items I need to buy at my local store, I simply print the coupons, place them in my purse or car, and add the store name to my Errands list. If there are specific expiration dates I don't want to miss, I note those on my actual calendar pages. Other offers (like the online family job chart or the student loan repayment service) can go on my "To Discuss" list if I want to talk them over with my husband before moving forward. Calendar triggers could be used here, as well, if the offers are open for a limited time. Uniting our tasks into one seamless system gives us the brain space to more fully enjoy time with our children. It helps us to feel more in control of our lives. And yes, it helps us to wisely use our resources and save lots of money. As a special gift to the Money Saving Mom community, I am excited to offer a free giveaway of our Mind Organization for Moms program, which regularly sells for $50 on our Power of Moms site. (No strings attached!) It's basically "Getting Things Done® for Moms," and it's is full of simple tips, photos, videos, PDFs, podcasts, and mom-created organization tips you'll love. Signing up takes just two minutes (so you don't even have to add this to your calendar!) and this offer is only valid for the next 72 hours. Click here to learn more about the Mind Organization for Moms giveaway (and please feel free to share it with your friends!). April Perry is married to her best friend, Eric, and is the mother of Alia, Grace, Ethan, and Spencer. She co-directs Power of Moms, blogs at Power of a Family, and satisfies her insatiable love for organization through her GTD®-based Mind Organization for Moms program.
top image credit 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 
Breakfasts Breakfast Cookies, Oatmeal, Cereal, Eggs, and/or Fruit Lunches Mac & cheese, fruit
Snack-y lunch {veggies, cheese, yogurt, fruit, crackers, etc.}
PB&J, carrot sticks, apples
Cheese quesadillas, carrot sticks
Leftovers x 3 Snacks Fruit/veggies
Popcorn
Boiled eggs
Single Serving Peanut Butter Cookie
Breakfast Cookies Freezer Cooking in an Hour (I'll share more how this goes later on this week!) Healthy Choco-Cherry Oatmeal Cookie Recipe
To Die For Blueberry Muffins
Breakfast Cookies (different recipe than I tried last week — just because I wanted to compare it!)
World’s Easiest Crockpot Refried Beans 
Dinners Steak, Cheesy Hashbrown Potatoes, fruit, steamed veggies
Crockpot Mexican Lasagna, steamed veggies, fruit
5 Star Cheeseburger Casserole, steamed veggies, fruit
Chicken Broccoli Rice Casserole, To Die For Blueberry Muffins, fruit
Bean & Cheese Burritos, fruit, steamed veggies
Dinner with extended family
Dinner with friends 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 
Toys “R” Us has 24-count Crayola Crayons on sale for $0.25 per box again! You must purchase in quantities of 4 to get the deal. There is a limit of 8 boxes of crayons per customer. Remember that you can price match the Crayola Crayons at Target (you need the actual Toys “R” Us ad) or Walmart. Note: These would be great to purchase for the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes!
Toys “R” Us also has clearance backpacks for $5.98 and clearance lunchbags for $3.98. Thanks, My Frugal Adventures! 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 
Sign up or login to print a $1/1 International Delight coupon. The coupon is valid on singles, pints, quarts, or half gallon sizes, which means you could use it to get International Delight Coffee Creamer for FREE at Dollar Tree, if your local store carries it. You could also use the coupon at Walmart: Buy 1 16 oz. International Delight Coffee Creamer at $1.88 each (price varies by flavor)
Use $1/1 International Delight printable coupon
As low as $0.88 each after coupon
Thanks, Common Sense With Money! 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 the best educational deals and freebies available right now from Katie who writes at Cincinnati Cents: Swingline Laminator for $14.99: Amazon has their Swingline Laminator on sale for $14.99. This laminator typically retails for $51 (a savings of 71%) and laminates up to 9 inches wide. This is an inexpensive way to make charts, graphs, and posters and is an ideal way to preserve your child’s artwork and papers throughout the school year. Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden for $11.93: Amazon has their Insect Lore Live Butterfly Garden on sale for $11.93. This set includes a collapsible, reusable butterfly habitat and a mail-in voucher for five butterfly larvae and special food (there is a $5 fee for processing). Amazon also has their Insect Lore Ladybug Land on sale for on sale for $13.20 and their Insect Lore Ant Hill on sale for $14.07. Free Kindergarten Daily Math Questions Set: Educents has their Kindergarten Daily Math Questions Set available for free. This bundle includes smaller packs with a focus on a variety of different standards such as counting and cardinality, operations in base ten, measurement and data, operations and algebraic thinking, and geometry. American Girl Crafts Stuff & Sew Bear Kit for $12.05: Purchase the American Girl Crafts Stuff & Sew Bear Kit on sale for $12.05. This kit enables children to create two bears – one for themselves and one for their doll. The kit comes with 20 pieces of pre-cut and perforated felt pieces to stitch together, and will teach five different sewing stitches throughout the course of the project. Imagination Station Books 1-3 for $11.98: Amazon has their Imagination Station Books 1-3 on sale for $11.98. This set includes the first three titles in the Imagination Station Series – Voyage with the Vikings, Attack at the Arena, and Peril in the Palace. Free Digraph Playdough Mats: Download a free set of Digraph Playdough Mats from 3 Dinosaurs. These mats include the following digraphs – ch, ck, gh, gn, kn, ng, ph, qu, sh, th, wh, wr, tch. Alex Toys String-a-Farm Set for $11.34: Amazon has their Alex Toys String-a-Farm Set on sale for $11.34. This set includes 12 wooden beads, a wooden needle, cotton lace, and a stopper and is designed to improve fine motor skills and manual dexterity. Slamwich Collector’s Edition Game for $8.71: Purchase the Slamwich Collector’s Edition Game for $8.71. This fast-paced game reinforces memory, visual discrimination, and hand-eye coordination. Free Ancient Egypt Unit Study: Royal Baloo has a free Ancient Egypt Unit Study available for download. This pack includes geography, history, writing skills, and more. Learning Resources Calculator Cash Register for $24.39: Purchase the Learning Resources Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register for $24.39. This set features extra large buttons, a storage drawer, a working solar-powered cash register with an LCD display, and includes 30 play bills and 40 plastic coins. Zoobooks Magazine Subscription for $10: Groupon is offering customers a one-year subscription to Zoobooks, Zoobies, or Zootles Magazine for just $10. You can also purchase a two-year subscription to any of these magazines for $19. Free Issue of Home Educating Family Magazine: Request a free sample issue of Home Educating Family Magazine. There is a limit of one sample per household. Snap It Up! Phonics & Reading Card Game for $8.40: Amazon has their Snap It Up! Phonics & Reading Card Game on sale for $8.40. This fast-paced card game typically retails for $10.99 and provides kids with practice in their reading skills. Twistz Bandz Rainbow Loom Set for $18.99: Purchase the Twistz Bandz Rainbow Loom Set for $18.99. This set includes two templates, a hook, C-clips, instructions, and 600+ pieces of latex free rubber bands and makes up to 24 rubber band bracelets. Free House for Hermit Crab Educational Pack: 3 Dinosaurs has a free House for Hermit Crab Educational Pack available for download. This pack is an ideal partner for the book A House for Hermit Crab by Eric Carle, and it includes such skills as beginning sounds, addition, patterns, puzzles, sorting, and more. Kingston 8GB USB Flash Drive for $6.09: Amazon has their Kingston 8GB USB Flash Drive on sale for $6.09. This flash drive received a 4.5-star rating from over 3,000 reviews and includes a sleek capless design with no cap to lose. Free Kindle e-books: Amazon has quite a few free Kindle e-books available for download including On a Farm, Abraham Lincoln, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Cougar Cub Tales, and If You Have a Hat.
Katie is a wife and homeschooling mother of four who writes at Cincinnati Cents about saving money and having fun as a family without breaking the bank. She enjoys sharing new recipes, ideas for frugal family fun, and tips for spending less at the grocery store.
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 
Today's Swagbucks success story is from Melissa: One of my favorite hobbies is taking pictures and scrapbooking. I have always wanted a nice digital camera that was a step up from a point and shoot, but I couldn’t afford a new one right away. I decided I would save up my Swagbucks to buy a camera on Amazon. After a lot of research (I knew I wanted one that was less than $200, had a good zoom, and used a lithium battery), I found the camera I wanted to buy, took note of the price, and set my goal! I do not spend hours upon hours on my computer a day, but I try to always earn some Swagbucks by doing the daily poll (1 swagbuck), NOSO (2 swagbucks) and through the toolbar (1 swagbuck). I do this daily right before I do anything else on the computer and it takes less than 3 minutes! Because of that, I earn a minimum of 4 Swagbucks a day. I have also found if I search 4 or 5 times within 20 minutes that I’ll often get awarded anywhere from 6-15 Swagbucks (once I earned 25 with one search!) In addition, sometimes when I am just browsing the web, I will pull up SBTV and watch something in the background. This earns me 3 Swagbucks for every 10 videos I watch. I didn’t get my camera as soon as I wanted one, but I think that patience is one of the many traits of being frugal! If you earn just 15 Swagbucks a day, you can get a $5 Amazon gift card every month! Swagbucks hasn’t made me rich, but it has let me spoil myself every once in a while.  Now I get to enjoy taking pictures on my nice NEW camera that Swagbucks paid for!
Melissa: Could you email me? We don’t have your email address on file and want to make sure we send you your $50 Amazon gift card as a thank you for submitting your story! 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 
Printable coupons: $0.50 off SNICKERS or MILKY WAY Brand Bites
$1.00 off any El Monterey Taquitos or Mini Chimis
$2.50 off Scoop Away and 9Lives canned cat food
$0.50 off TEMPTATIONS Cat Treats & Cheezy Middles
Buy any 10 Regular KOOL-AID Envelopes, Get 3 Free
$1.00 off Purina ONE SmartBlend wet dog food
$3.00 off Purina ONE SmartBlend Dog Food
$2.25 off Any One Nature Made Vitamelt
$0.75 OFF ANY Package of BAR-S® Deli Shaved Lunchmeat
SAVE $0.50 Off any TWO (2) ZATARAIN’S® Rice or Pasta Products
SAVE $0.75 on any ONE (1) all® Liquid, Powder, or mighty pacs® Laundry Detergent (excludes trial size)
SAVE $0.50 on any ONE (1) Snuggle® Liquid Fabric Softener or Sheets (excludes trial and travel sizes)
SAVE $1.00 on any ONE (1) bottle or package of Advil® 20ct or larger, Advil® PM 16ct or larger, Children's Advil® 4oz or larger, or ThermaCare® Cold Wraps 1ct or HeatWraps 2ct
SAVE $1.00 on any ONE (1) bottle or pack of Centrum®, Centrum® ProNutrients®, Centrum® Flavor Burst®, Centrum Specialist®, Centrum® Silver® 100ct or larger, or Caltrate® (Excludes Trial Sizes)
SAVE $1.00 on any ONE (1) bottle or package of Dimetapp®, Robitussin®, Advil® Congestion Relief or Allergy & Congestion Relief (Excludes Trial Sizes)
SAVE $1.00 on any ONE (1) Preparation H® product (Excludes Totables™ Wipes 10ct)
$1.00 OFF on any ONE (1) NECTRESSE™ Natural No Calorie Sweetener Product
$1.00 OFF any ONE (1) TUMS® freshers® (50ct.)
(Note: Some of the links in this post are my referral links. Read our 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 
Here are the best back-to-school deals at Office Depot for the week of August 25-31, 2013. Be sure to check your ad online to verify that these sales are running at your local store: $0.01 – $0.25 Deals: Slider Pencil Boxes — $0.01 (limit 3)
Office Depot 2-Pocket Folders — $0.01 (limit 3)
Personal Care Hand Sanitizer with Clip 1.8 oz. — $0.25 (limit 3)
2-Hole Manual Pencil Sharpener — $0.25 (limit 3)
Office Depot Pink Beveled Erasers 3 pk. — $0.25 (limit 3) $1 Deals: Select Die Cut Post-It Notes — $1
Fiskar Scissors for Kids — $1
Foray Retractable Ballpoint Pens 4 pk. — $1
Office Depot Pen Style Highlighters 6 pk. — $1 Thanks, Moms By Heart! 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 | | |
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