Saving Money on Gift Cards

One of my favorite money saving tips is to buy discounted gift cards.  There are several places you can buy these gift cards but my favorite is cardpool.  I usually buy egift cards which they email me in usually less than an hour.  I then use the codes to either shop and order online or just order actual gift cards.  You have to be familiar with each stores policy as some online stores limit your ability to use gift cards to 2 or 4.  However, using this site can save you anywhere from a few percent all the way up to 20% and sometimes more.  When I pair this with ebates I can save a good amount of money on every order.  So try Cardpool and ebates next time you are looking to shop online!

Mutu Systems - Starting week 3

I have finished 2 weeks of the Mutu System.  Let me tell you I feel amazing!  My core feels so much more supported than it has been in years.  I am able to hold my baby and keep my posture correct.  I am able to pick up my son easily.  I am able to go on walks and come home feeling energized instead of sore.  Beginning the program these types of things were my goal.  If I lost some weight that would be fine (I would like to lose about 15 pounds), but I REALLY was hoping it would help me gain strength.  Everything I tried seemed to be wrong and I have learned it is because I was asking my body to do things that was hurting it rather than healing the muscles.  Now as I said weight loss wasn't my top goal but I got on the scales yesterday and in two weeks lost 4.5 pounds.

Onto week 3.  Week 3 begins some interval workouts that help burn fat.  I did it for the first time today and my heart rate went up and I broke into a sweat for the first time.  BUT the workout is less than 30 minutes (I did it while my two year old ate breakfast) and the moves are manageable and workout so many muscle groups.  I can see how they are going to tone my arms, legs, and stomach all while burning calories.  I am LOVING Mutu.

Children's Education

As a first grade teacher, reading readiness and early education are very important to me.  As I have an almost two year old I am beginning to prepare for more formal educational opportunities for him this next school year here at home.  To this point we have done a lot with letters and numbers mainly in reading and in ipad apps.  Beginning this August, I am planning to have a one hour school time with him each day.  During this time I plan to do a Bible lesson, an alphabet activity, and a number activity each day.  I am planning to have a letter and number of the week.  I would love for each of you to join me on this journey as we begin school together.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Bars

I have combined a couple different recipes and added some of my own ingredients for taste and family allergies.  My husband took one bite of these and said how wonderful they are.  I make a pan, cut them into bars and store them in the fridge.  This provides quick breakfasts or snacks when needed.

Oatmeal Cinnamon Bars
3 C Oatmeal
3/4 C ground flax seed
1 1/2 C White whole Wheat Flour
2 t baking soda
1/2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1 T Cinnamon
1/2 C brown sugar (or honey)
4 t vanilla
1 C your favorite milk (I use vanilla soy)
2 eggs
1 C raisins

Mix all ingredients together except raisins.  Add raisins mix till just incorporated.  Pour into a lightly greased 9 X 13 pan.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.  Let cool.  Cut into bars or squares.  Store in refrigerator for one week.

MUTU System - Helping My Post Partum Body Recover

One thing I am beginning to realize more and more each day is the importance of staying healthy in order to save money.  I delivered baby number two in March. Since delivering the baby, it seems everything I do is too difficult.  My core muscles just weren't functioning properly.  Also my clothes just weren't getting any closer to fitting (really do I want to buy a wardrobe a size up?).  A friend had talked about her use of the Mutu System and I decided I needed to give it a try (since she was looking at least as good as she did in high school!)!

My first time trying, I was shocked.  First of all there were several exercises I had never seen before.  Not only that my muscles, muscles I didn't even know I had, were being engaged and used.  This program for the first two weeks requires 2 (8 minute) workouts and a daily walk outside.  I am shocked already by the definition that my stomach is achieving.

The system is complete with exercise, nutrition, allignment - all things that were not working properly for me after having two children back to back.  I am planning to post a weekly post about how the program is working and what results I am seeing.  I am also planning to post recipes that we are enjoying as we follow this nutritional journey!  If you are a postpartum woman (whether a few months or a few years) and you struggle with core muscles, don't see results with hundreds of crunches and want something that women (real everyday women) are using and working!  A program that works to put your body back together.  Simple, achievable, wonderful.  Try MUTU!  I am loving every minute of it (and my almost two year old thinks it is the best thing and tries to join me in the exercises.  It is great!

Note: the links are my affiliate links.

Easy (healthy) pancakes

My husband loves his bread.  He has a special love of eating carbs for breakfast.  I have altered some recipes to make what we believe to be a wonderful and pretty healthy pancake.  It uses soy milk but you can also use regular dairy milk. 

Pancakes
3/4 Cup milk (we like vanilla soy)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg
1 T white sugar (some people like them a little sweeter but that is what I generally put in
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 C flour (we use whole wheat)

I throw all this in a bowl and whisk it together.  (actually I usually triple or quadruple the recipe and store the leftovers in the fridge for breakfast all week).

Heat frying pan with a little oil or cooking spray on medium heat until water sizzles when you drizzle it on.  I like big pancakes so I use a soup ladle and spoon a ladle full in the middle of the pan.  Cook on first side until most of the bubbles have popped and then flip it over and cook on the other side. 

Serve with fruit or syrup. 

Save Money on Cell Phones - Ting

With a husband in school, a child, and my teaching salary, I have worked hard to find places to save money on things we need and use regularly.  Recently I have found a new cell phone service that will save us close to $50 a month.  That is $600 a year or  more than half a house payment.  It runs off the Sprint network so if you have sprint in your area this is something you should look into.

But saving money is not the only thing that impresses me about this company.  They have a no holds policy.  Which means during the day if you call them the phone rings until they pick up.  I had a question for them so I called.  The phone rang 3 times and a person (AN ACTUAL PERSON) picked up the phone, competently answered my question, asked if he could help anymore and wished me a good day.  It took me less than two answers and was a pleasant experience.

Now lets say you sign up for the service and you hate it, guess what you can cancel online easily.  There is a button that says cancel my account.  IT is as easy as that. 

Before you sign up you can find out how much you are likely to save a month.  There is a calculator and you sit down with your last three months of cell phone bills, enter the minutes etc. you have used and it will show you your savings. 

You can have as many cell phones as you want associated with your plans.  This could be good for small businesses etc.  As someone who grew up in a big family, I like this feature!  No more limits of five phones on your plan!

If you currently have a Sprint phone you may be able to use it on this new network.  Check into it!

Now there are people who may not like this service

1.  people who want the newest cell phone at all times (you buy your own cell phone so you would end up spending more, I think)

2. I am told if you use a lot of data this service may not be good for you (but look into it).

3. People who like spending lots of money.

Now if you are interested in signing up for this service here is the information you need.  The service is Ting and you can find it at www.ting.com BUT WAIT!!!  When you are convinced this is a great deal and you are ready to sign up, I have a referral link.  IF you use my referral link you can get $25 off your first phone purchase or off your monthly service (and I a get a referral bonus as well).