money Archives — Thrifty Mommas Tips

4 Easy Ways to Save Money on Your Next Pair of Contact Lenses

Paula — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 01:31:57 +0000

While eyeglasses are more common as a corrective tool, many individuals opt for contact lenses for multiple reasons. One of the most prominent is how they provide more natural vision from all angles, as they sit right on the eyeballs. Aside from this, contacts have the advantage of being without frames, which means they don’t block the peripheral vision, and they are less likely to be affected by surroundings. This means they’re not as prone to falling out, and they’re not at risk of smudging or fogging up. Given the above, contact lenses are an essential expense for many people who rely on them for clear, unencumbered vision. More specifically, a Global Newswire post states over 125 million people worldwide use contact lenses regularly. Nevertheless, the cost of contact lenses can add up over time, making it important to find ways to save money on this necessary purchase without sacrificing quality or comfort. By making several considerations and smart choices, it is possible to reduce the overall cost of contact lenses. As such, below are some ways to save money on your next contact lenses. Order Contacts Online One way to save a considerable amount of money on contact lenses is by ordering online. Online retailers often offer lower prices than physical stores since they do not have the same overhead costs, such as rent, utilities, and staff salaries. Ordering contact lenses online also eliminates the need to travel, which ultimately reduces both the time and money you shell out. Furthermore, buying online allows individuals to compare prices and products from a variety of retailers easily. With a few taps on a device, consumers can easily find, compare, and buy contact lenses online without the need to make trips to multiple physical stores. Clearly is one such reputable online store that carries many different types of lenses, such as the Acuvue Oasys disposable lenses, which also come specialised for users with astigmatism. They also regularly offer 5% to 20% off discounts and during events such as Black Friday. This level of convenience and accessibility will not only lead to significant savings but can also help consumers make more informed decisions regarding their purchases. Buy in Bulk For contact lens wearers who prefer disposable lenses or “dailies,” one of the best ways to save money is to buy multiple boxes of contact lenses at once. While this may seem expensive upfront, it can actually save you a lot of money in the long run. This is because shops tend to give larger discounts to those who buy contact lenses in bulk due to various reasons such as reduction in waste, packaging costs, and transport miles. By purchasing a six-month or one-year supply of lenses, you can take advantage of bulk pricing and rebates, as there is likely to be a cost reduction per box or an overall purchase discount. Providers like Contacts Direct offer up to $100 off on annual supplies of many brands, such as Dailies Total 1, which can also be bought as specialised multifocal lenses. Additionally, some retailers offer free shipping for bulk orders and orders that reach a certain minimum amount, further increasing the potential for savings. Observe Proper Maintenance On the other hand, for those who use reusable lenses, proper maintenance, including correct sanitation and storage, is crucial both for saving money and for your eye health. Most reusable lenses can last for up to one year. However, improper handling of contact lenses can lead to faster degradation and potential contamination. Lens contamination can cause infections like bacterial pink eye, which can lead to serious eye damage. One of the most critical aspects of maintenance is choosing a suitable lens solution. It is essential to use solutions from pharmacies or those recommended by your ophthalmologist and to ensure that they are not expired. Some of the most popular today are OPTI-FREE and CooperVision. Additionally, the lens case should be regularly cleaned. The process of cleaning should be done after every use by rinsing the case with the solution and leaving it to air dry. On top of this, it is recommended to replace the lens case every three months to prevent bacteria build-up. Overall, proper maintenance of reusable lenses will result in lower risk and less frequent replacement, ultimately saving a lot of money. Understand Your Insurance Selecting the best type of insurance is another way to save on contact lenses. Insurance coverage varies widely depending on the provider and specific plan. Some may have more comprehensive coverage for eye care and provide better benefits for corrective eyewear compared to others, which is why it is essential for individuals to review their insurance plans carefully. Some of the ways in which insurance plans help save money on contact lenses include covering costs for comprehensive eye exams. Through this, individuals can better ensure the health of their vision and avoid constantly changing their prescriptions. In addition to this, insurance can also help offset the cost of corrective eyewear, including contact lenses themselves. Many coverage plans make a noticeable difference and can be extra beneficial for those who need more expensive specialised lenses, such as toric lenses for astigmatism or multifocal lenses for presbyopia.

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11 Ways to Save on Groceries Now!

Paula — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 14:19:00 +0000

Have you been to the grocery store lately? Or any store for that matter? Prices have gone up dramatically since the pandemic began and the cost of food continues to rise. It’s frustrating and depressing and no fun at all to grocery shop anymore. So, I thought it was time to share some of my ideas about ways to save on groceries. It’s no longer optional, unless you are independently wealthy you have to find ways to save on groceries this year. Of course, we all love to save money at the grocery store in general, but these days that’s harder than it ever was in recent memory. In a recession, it’s more important than ever to trim costs where possible. So shop smarter and make food go farther. How to Save on Groceries First, let’s talk about how to save on groceries while we’re at the store. This is where it all begins. Before we can make our food go farther, we have to actually buy it. These tips will help you get more for your money every time you hit the aisles. Check Sale Flyers Anyone who’s been grocery shopping for any appreciable amount of time knows this one, but it is worth repeating. Always check your local sale papers for what’s on sale. That’s the first and easiest step to save on groceries. Don’t Commit to One Store Many people shop exclusively at one store just because they always have. If you live in a metropolitan or suburban area, there’s no reason to stick to one store. Remember those sales I just mentioned? Look at all of them for all stores in your area. Often times, you can find different items for better prices at different stores. If you live in a populated area, it might only take you a couple of extra minutes to drive to another store to stock up on items you need that are cheaper there. Take Advantage of Loyalty Programs Some grocery stores offer loyalty programs that allow you to get discounts on items, special coupons available only to members of the program, or points that build up as you shop. Always take advantage of these programs, even if you only buy a few items at a particular store. Over time, the points can add up. I have redeemed Optimum Points many times over to purchase gifts for the kids. Some Christmases when they were younger, redeeming these points for gifts meant the difference between having a magical Christmas morning and missing out on gifts under the tree. Use Apps to Your Advantage Technology is your friend if you want to save on groceries. There are tons of apps out there that can help you save money on your groceries. These days I use Flipp app a lot and a new friend got me into Flash Food. From apps that scour every circular for you to apps like Ibotta that let you get cashback on your receipts and apps for those loyalty programs I mentioned earlier, technology can help you save a lot of money! Plan Your Meals Meal planning is a great way to save on groceries. Try planning your meals around what you find on sale and those special deals you can get with loyalty programs. When you plan your meals, it makes it easier to shop and stick to your budget, especially if you can find the things you need at a discounted price. Buy in Bulk When you find great deals on items that can be stored for long periods of time, stock up. Buying in bulk can help you get the most bang for your buck. Canned goods and other non-perishables along with frozen foods and meats are all excellent choices when on sale. Stock your pantry with the canned goods, rice, beans, and pasta that you buy in bulk on sale. If you have the room and the money, invest in a deep freezer, so you can buy meats and other frozen items in bulk that are on sale. Shop Late This is a pretty well known one I think now. At the end of the night after 7:30 or 8 p.m., if you have to go get food either check a Flash Food app, or visit a nearby store and check the racks near the bakery and in the produce section. Produce and baked goods are discounted at the end of the night especially if they are approaching the end of their shelf life. How to Stretch Your Groceries Now that we know how to get the most out of our money while we’re at the store, let’s talk about how to get the most from our food after we’ve purchased it. This is the other key player in making sure you make those food dollars go farther. Freeze Your Meals This goes hand in hand with meal planning. If you buy in bulk, cook in bulk, and then freeze your meals. This allows you to make meals faster during the week and ensures that you don’t waste any food due to spoilage. Don’t Throw Out Blemished Food If you see food beginning to go bad in a certain spot, don’t throw the whole thing out. Rather, cut around it, and eat the good part. For example, an apple with a big brown spot is still good everywhere else. Likewise, a banana that has gone soft and brown in certain spots can still be eaten if you cut those spots away. Or, you can use them in another recipe Use Your Pantry to Your Advantage Before shopping, always look in your pantry to see what you can make with what you have. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that there are more meals in the pantry than you might think. I’ve already organized the pantry this year as decluttering is one of my goals here. Check out your pantry for things like canned vegetables, creamed soups, beans, rice, and other staples that have gotten pushed to the back or that you simply haven’t gotten around to using. Remember, the less you buy, the more you save. It’s Easier Than You Think to Save on Groceries It’s a lot easier than you think to save on groceries. Simple things like meal planning, using apps, and being careful not to waste food can really add up to savings over time. Try these tips on how to save on groceries, and I’m certain you’ll see a decrease in the amount of money you spend. Right now, every penny counts.

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Six Ways I Make Money Writing Online

Paula — Mon, 08 Jul 2019 03:36:40 +0000

This is a sponsored post written by me for QUID. I received compensation for this content. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. Diversifying income streams has never been more vital for online content marketers, bloggers and writers. Here’s what I am doing this year to stay alive and afloat here. A Dynamic Landscape It’s no secret that content marketing has changed. There are many ways to make money online with both passive and active income. When I started writing here on Thrifty Mommas Tips and sharing our stories, sponsored posts were my bread and butter. In the first few years writing I made a full-time income with sponsored content, brand ambassadorships, and consulting. I sold my own ads on the side and didn’t want to join an ad network. I was an idealist. If you read Thrifty Mommas Tips now, you will see that I use ads. Times change and if you are savvy you will try to stay on top of those trends. I have become realistic and practical as an entrepreneur. This is how I support my family. It’s my business and I rely on the income streams here to make money writing online and to pay the bills. I also believe I provide a unique and useful service to readers. So, that’s worth time and money. Lately I have been looking at alternative, passive, solutions, that work for writers, content creators and consultants too. Sponsored posts have changed. Smart content marketers, bloggers and writers have diversified. What does that look like here? Well, here it looks like me adding more affiliate links, apps and programs to my list of tools. Six Ways I Make Money Writing Online: Affiliate income Sponsored posts and brand ambassadorships Leveraging my online writing for my social media consulting business and traditional writing opportunities (This has been a goal of mine for the last 18 months. I am now content coordinator for two traditional trade publications – Neighbours of Oakridge and Hunt Club and Neighbours of Sunningdale.) Both of those aid positions allow me to stretch my editing, reporting, writing and publishing skills. I began working with Oakridge and Hunt Club trade publication in April and have added Sunningdale to the mix just this summer. QUID– a micro-payments solution that allows readers to contribute. Ad networks – I am currently with one ad network. I know some content creators are not fond of ad networks, so for those of you who don’t want to do that QUID could be a tool for you. Even if you are with an ad network you should consider adding QUID, because it is a simple way of supplementing income. It’s easy to install, especially if you have WordPress. Support is fantastic too. Merchandise – I am still working on this and assessing regularly as to whether this is the way forward for me. Many people make money with this approach. If you have any ideas about what kind of merchandise, or product, I should sell let me know. Drop me a comment here. What are You Waiting For? QUID is a new tool that is easy to implement and provides another source of passive income for content creators. Payments and payouts are totally secure. It’s risk free and there are no monthly fees with a starter account. It is a micro-payments solution that makes sense to me as a content creator. Give Your Fans Easy Ways to Support You You should always make it easy for people to support you. A Quid widget on your site is hassle free. Add Quid to posts where you want it to appear, or put a widget in your sidebar. Seems like a no brainer to me.

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Is Your Wallet Weighing You Down? – Try This…

Paula — Tue, 26 Mar 2019 11:51:48 +0000

Ekster Wallet is also a convenient and stylish travel tool for skiers and snowboarders too. It's perfect for après ski and mid day breaks in the lodge. #EksterWallets #SmartWallets #ad #Ekster

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How to Increase Fuel Mileage Now

Paula — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 10:11:15 +0000

Everybody wants to know how to save money on gas. What if that could be done by attending to fuel mileage over time with a few small changes to your habits? Well, with the prices of gas constantly fluctuating any and all tips are welcome here. Fuel saving techniques are obviously related to driving habits, but did you know they are also dependent on vehicle maintenance? It’s true. Combined with changing your driving habits a bit, regular vehicle maintenance can make an impact on your fuel mileage and gas costs. I mean individually each idea here is not extremely new, but if you pay attention to most or all of these then the fuel savings could be substantial. Vehicle Maintenance for Improved Fuel Mileage Adhering to a routine vehicle maintenance regimen can improve the number of miles or kilometres per gallon. Keeping the car’s engine running at its peak performance level helps burn less fuel. Some maintenance services that should be performed as a scheduled routine include: Engine oil and filter changeEngine air filterFuel filterTire rotation – stay on top of this or you wear your tires out faster too and that’s wasteful. Oil is a lubricant that reduces friction in moving engine parts. A dirty air filter restricts the amount of air inducted into the motor. A dirty fuel filter can reduce the fuel flow. If these routine maintenance items go unchecked, the engine may burn more fuel to compensate for increased friction or lack of air. Tire Care for Improved Fuel Economy Underinflated tires increase the rolling resistance of the vehicle. To compensate for the increased rolling resistance, the engine has to work harder to maintain a given speed. A harder working engine translates into more fuel consumption. Underinflated tires will also wear prematurely and have an increased chance of a blowout. Nobody wants that. These are the three big reasons that a vehicle’s tires should be maintained at the recommended tire pressure. I wrote about the difference our new snow tires made to that in this snow tires post. Nitrogen? One method that can help maintain tire pressure is to fill the tires with nitrogen instead of air. Since the molecules are larger, nitrogen tends to escape at a much slower rate than air. Most auto repair shops that are in the business of selling and servicing tires have nitrogen available at a minimal cost. There are a few other benefits of nitrogen-filled tires besides maintaining the appropriate tire pressure, but that’s a post for another day. Driving Habits for Increasing Fuel Mileage Individual driving habits can have a dramatic impact on fuel consumption. Aggressive drivers that consistently have their foot on the accelerator, weaving in and out of traffic, will burn much more gas than drivers that obey the speed limit. So take that rambunctious driver!! Using low gears to gain more engine power for quick acceleration will create more engine revolutions per minute (RPM). Did you know that engines that turn at a higher RPM naturally burn more fuel. Since an engine that runs at a higher RPM burns more fuel, overdrive (if equipped) should be used as often as possible, even in stop and go traffic. Overdrive allows the engine to run at a lower RPM while turning the wheels at a higher rate. This might sound obvious but it isn’t always. If you really want to save fuel and do the environment a favour while you are at it, then walk, or carpool, or ride a bike. Ask yourself if you really need to use the car to pick up your children at school. Or, do you really need to drive by yourself to work every morning. There might be a better way. Make Smart Driving Choices More importantly, owners of any vehicle have to get in the right mindset with respect to driving to save fuel. Keeping within the posted speed limits and using overdrive are just some positive driving habits. Other things like coasting to a stop without riding the brakes and light acceleration on take offs can help to improve mileage and gas costs. Change a few of these things and keep track of the impact. You may be surprised.

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Everything You Need To Know About Feng Shui Now

Paula — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 04:18:03 +0000

In February people are still in the groove of the new year making changes and adjustments to their life, their relationships, and even their indoor spaces, which makes it the perfect month to talk about Feng Shui. You only have to look at the runaway success of the KonMari Method right now to see that getting organized and making a change has sparked the interests of millions of people worldwide. These long, grey, February days, with spring hovering on the horizon, and the Chinese New Year upon us, makes right now the ideal time for a Feng Shui reboot of your space. People have more energy around the time of Chinese New Year, so it is a great opportunity to start those new projects and press the reset button. But what exactly is Feng Shui and how does it work? What exactly is Feng Shui and how does it work? Well, for a few Feng Shui tips and tricks, I recently spoke to world renowned Feng Shui expert Patricia Lohan. Lohan is the author of the new book The Happy Home: Your Guide To Creating A Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Life. Lohan has helped thousands of people understand and embrace Feng Shui to achieve their dreams. Patricia lives in Bali with her husband Ken. She has appeared in Forbes, She Knows, Essence, Mind Body Green, and USA Today. Lohan’s interest in Feng Shui was sparked when she was a teenager. “When I was 15 we moved houses and we were all getting our own bedrooms so I asked for books about Feng Shui that year and I consumed them.” Patricia Lohan went to college in Ireland and taught yoga in India for a few years. She used Feng Shui in her own home when she was ready for romance and that’s when she met her husband Ken. It wasn’t long after that when people began asking her how they met and the topic of Feng Shui came up often. People were curious, so she started sharing a bit of her knowledge. Eventually that grew into a full time business and now a book as well. Background Did you know that more than one billion people celebrate the Chinese New Year? And it is an ancient belief that the holiday (beginning Feb. 5th this year – today!) is a more powerful time of the year to start fresh. The Chinese New Year runs with the cycle of the moon and lines up with the new moon, rather than a date on the calendar. “It’s the perfect time of year to take action and declutter to make way for incoming good luck,” says Lohan. Oddly, ever since I spoke to Lohan by video chat recently, I’ve had the urge to purge. That alone is making me feel a bit more organized and I am nowhere near done. Her easy practical tips make so much sense and are frankly so simple that there’s no harm in adding them to my routine. In fact, I am fully prepared to accept that there could be a lot of merit in applying some easy Feng Shui tips to my home, my office and my life. Patricia gives clients concrete tips and ideas for easy changes people can make to their environment at home, or at the office, to create energy to achieve things such as optimal health, financial success and lasting relationships. So Feng Shui can help you as a business? According to Lohan that’s exactly right. “Feng shui is like acupuncture for your home. Every part of your home has a purpose just as every part of your body has a purpose.” Feng Shui expert on how to re-organize your space for the Year of the Pig Patricia gives clients concrete tips and ideas for easy changes people can make to their environment at home or at the office to create energy to achieve things such as optimal health, financial success and lasting relationships. While there are many different types of Feng Shui she practices classical and through her business provides consultations via Skype or Zoom. Pronounced Feng SHWAY, Feng Shui, is an ancient Chinese practice that is basically about balancing the energy in your home to achieve good fortune and harmony. The practice dates back about 6,000 years. You’ve probably heard of yin and yang or the opposites of the feminine and masculine. You might even recognize that those two – yin and yang need to coexist and should be balanced. Harmony A good flow of energy leads to a happy, harmonious, home. Feng Shui isn’t something you need to fear, but more like a means of using simple ideas such as placement of furniture, use of colours, and removing clutter in order to create positive flow. Last year one of my kids began to show interest in this concept actually so when I heard about Patricia Lohan I thought it great timing to learn a bit more. I wondered too if I might apply a couple of these Feng Shui principles in my home. Here are some quick Feng Shui tips for many rooms in your home: Patricia Lohan’s Feng Shui Hacks for the Kitchen: Keep your knives off the counter – knives represent weapons, and when they are in certain areas they can create a feeling of anxiety and aggression and harness negative energy because of their potential for harm. Eliminate red from the kitchen – red is fire and represents anger. A kitchen typically has enough fire from the stove. Good colours to have are earth tones, creams, browns and grey. Put out a bowl of 9 oranges – 9 is a lucky number for abundance. Feng Shui Hacks for the Bedroom: Art, anywhere in your home, is a very basic spot to begin the process of addressing Feng Shui. For instance, Lohan indicated you don’t necessarily want your walls full of old photos of things in the past. Far better to treat them as a vision board of sorts to help attract what you want. Be mindful of what images you have on the walls. If you want love, remove single images and to attract love, put up pictures of a couple, people doing things together, or family. Clear out under your bed – it’s the under belly area of your home, so having things of emotional importance under your bed could affect your sleep or even produce nightmares. Get new Linens / Quilts – upgrading your sheets can create a fresh start and represent a sanctuary for better sleep. In a separate note I just did a post on new sheets and can vouch for the fact that new sheets do give your bedroom a fresh feeling. Feng Shui Hacks for the Office: Desk Position matters – pay particular attention to where you desk is located in a room. The ideal position is to have a wall behind you and be able to see the door, so you can see what is entering and leaving your work space. What’s on your desk – have as little as possible visible on your desk – limit it to a notepad, computer and one picture, maybe of your family (I have a lot of work to do here) What are you sitting on – it’s important to have a strong “I’m the boss” chair. Feng Shui Elements: Wood: Green, Brown. Fire: Red, Strong Yellow, Orange, Purple, Pink. Earth: Light Yellow, Sandy/Earthy, Light Brown. Metal: White, Gray. Water: Blue, Black. It’s not always dramatic. According to Patricia sometimes people worry that she is going to advise them they need to move to a new home if the home has a problematic layout or area. “We can fix or work with a lot of things. I would never tell anyone to move homes. There are are many parts to it. It’s a little like a jigsaw puzzle how they fit together.” If You Just Want to Implement a Couple of Fast Fixes: Patricia Lohan recommends always start at the front door. The doorway is the space where the energy comes in. It should be attractive and welcoming, as well as working. Buy a new welcome mat and pay attention to the door itself. Everything should be in excellent condition. The handle needs to work and so should the lights. Wash off your door, or give it a fresh coat of paint and in summer of course find some flowers and dress up the front walkway. Inside: At a very simple level, art can provide either positivity or negative energy. Start with the art on your walls. Make sure it reflects your goals and vision. If you want to attract wealth and travel make sure your artwork supports that goal. Let all the broken, old, things go. They attract negative energy. You could also take a quick look at your bathrooms. Ideally bathrooms should not be facing the front of the home. If they are, then close the doors to the room. Don’t let your wealth and good fortune go down the toilet. Always close the toilet. PUT THE LID DOWN! How many times have you said that before? Here’s proof it matters. A Feng Shui Moment Right now Feng Shui seems to be having a bit of a resurgence. Clients who engage Patricia, her husband Ken and their team of consultants are often women, frequently Moms and many are also looking for insight into building prosperity in business as well. When Feng Shui is done in the home, and you put the effort into achieving something you desire, that all builds towards success. Imagine mindfulness and manifesting applied to the centres of your home and the objects in your home. You can do the decluttering and tidying, and after you’ve done all that, then Feng Shui is the next level. You could also think of it as showing gratitude to your home. If you want more information on how to apply Feng Shui to your home and business purchase the book: The Happy Home: Your Guide To Creating A Happy, Healthy, Wealthy Life Post may contain affiliate links. Any purchase made via qualifying links mean I make a small commission.

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How Do You Budget When You Have Nothing Left to Spend?

Paula — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 12:34:59 +0000

Having nothing left to spend in the middle of the month way before a pay cheque comes in is a brutal spot to find yourself in, but it happens to many people. Listen, when we were living on one income with small children before I started my business Thrifty Mom Media Consulting there were many times we had zero money to spend, so I had to get creative. Living off of credit is a losing proposition that will dig you further into debt so you need to find a way to stay afloat without going bankrupt financially and spiritually. Believe me I know how brutally hard this is. Living a life where there seems to never be enough money can be rough. It is stressful and sometimes heartbreaking. Trying to figure out how to budget when you have nothing left to spend is seemingly impossible; especially if you must do it month after month. Here’s What We Did When Money Was Super Tight… If you are in this situation, these budgeting tips may be able to help. Stop, take a deep breath and get brainstorming ways to either organize finances better or build in a side hustle of sorts. There are a lot of ways to make it better so don’t give up or spend all week paralyzed with worry. Like I tell my kids often no problem is too big to solve. Ten Ways to Find Money When The Well is Dry Know your income – The first thing you need to do is take stock of what money or income you currently have. Even if you know you won’t have enough to make all your basic expenses, you still need to have a dollar amount to work with. Be sure to account for any irregular income that you may have forgotten about. Check the Pre-authorized debit charges – I thought of this because I literally just had to do this myself. At the end of the year sometimes it pays to take stock of what is still coming out of the bank automatically. There was one computer software related program service monthly costing me $30 US which I rarely use. So I cut it out just this week. No point paying for something I do not use. Those fees are ones the companies themselves count on as passive income but they can slowly destroy your budget. Be Realistic – Chances are good you are not going to win the lottery tomorrow. Don’t keep banking on it. Settle in during a tough spell and get creative. Buy a lotto ticket if you need to but please do not make that a strategy. It’s not going to help. Get brainstorming options instead. Do Not Live Beyond Your Means – Please, please do not travel or buy luxury splurges when you cannot afford them. As much as I love family travel, this year there is less disposable income for that annual family trip. That’s reality. So the trips you see me taking here are ones that are all work related right now. I am a travel writer and a health writer, so I travel and I receive products that are amazing. It’s my job. Honestly if you can’t pay cash for something or you know you will spend the next year paying off that trip to a ski resort then please stop yourself from going. Lately I see a few people I know travelling to destinations right after I have been there, which is amazing, because that’s part of the job. But if it’s not affordable for you, please wait. It worries me when I see someone that I know who is struggling with money leveraging the grocery money for travel. Total all expenses – Make a list of all expenses your family has coming out this month. While you need an idea of how much money you have incoming, you also need to know what you have going out. Don’t forget to include expenses that only come out every so often and pop up expenses that are easy to forget about. Cut unnecessary expenses – Once you have all expenses listed, go through your list and cut anything that is not necessary. In other words, take your expenses down to nothing more than housing costs, food and transportation. When you are finished, everything that is a want should be removed from your list. Sell Something – Take a look around your home or apartment and find things you are no longer using. It’s never been easier to sell items you aren’t using. Kids outgrow their clothing? Check your local Facebook groups for Moms that are selling or trading old clothing. Old vacuum around the house that you no longer use? Sell it. Split what you have wisely – Finally, assign your income to your expenses. Start with your most important expenses. This would be your housing expenses such as rent or mortgage. Next, move onto other housing expenses such as your utilities. If you can’t pay the full amounts of every utility, split the amount you have to work with across each one. It is better to pay something than it is to pay nothing. Once you have covered your housing expenses, move onto transportation. I know it may seem odd to cover transportation first, but if you can not get to work, you will be in a worse situation. Cover your food costs. Find the cheap grocery stores and get more for less. The clearance produce rack at Farm Boy is one of my favourite food budgeting resources. The other day I purchased about 12 large tomatoes that were less than perfect for $2.50. I made tomato sauce, tacos and salads with them for well over 7 days. Produce doesn’t need to be perfect and I kind of always feel horrified that the entire rack of less than perfect produce could be food waste if someone doesn’t buy it and use it. So that covers two purposes for me. If you can not buy food, reach out to local pantries or other assistance agencies in your area for help. There are too many people struggling with nothing left to spend. You are not alone. Use Subsidy if you have to – Is there nothing left to spend, but the kids still have lessons ongoing? Kids require hockey lessons or swimming lessons? Approach the city or the private organization that runs them to ask about subsidy. This is intended as a temporary fix so don’t abuse the privilege. But it can help in a tough year. Or maybe you are a senior and have a fixed income but you still need to get out of the house and join a group yoga class or recreational skating. Here’s some information on City of London subsidy for residents who need it. And there’s also subsidy at the YMCA as well as for Child Care if you need it. Do not be too proud to ask. FIND a Side Hustle – Seasonal job somewhere stocking shelves? Drive an UBER? Write for someone or help edit something? Become a virtual assistant. Ask yourself what marketable skills you have and figure out a way to offer those. Craigslist? Zip recruiter? Kijiji? You got this. There’s truly no problem too big to solve.

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Quality Insurance and FREE GAS with Desjardins Insurance #GetAQuoteAndWin

Paula — Mon, 12 Nov 2018 12:51:53 +0000

This post has been sponsored by Desjardins which means I received compensation. My opinion is my own. Quality insurance is something I’ve always known I would need. As many of my regular readers know by now, I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease by the age of 14. It’s a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with no known cure, only management. From high school on I knew any career path I chose would have to be one that offered great insurance I could trust. I have been dealing with insurance companies from the time I was a teen. I used to fill out our insurance forms with my Mom’s supervision. She was a single parent and ever had enough hands for things like that. So, I know many insurance companies and have had interactions with several over the decades. When I got married and then later when we adopted our two girls we needed reliable health, property and auto insurance. Reliable quality insurance was crucial and of course auto insurance and home insurance were necessary to protect us as a family. We ended up with Desjardins Insurance several years ago, long before they approached me to share this free gas promotion. Quality Insurance is Key for My Family For years, my family and I have relied on Desjardins to help us keep us healthy, and frankly, sane. We have multiple people with health issues and complex needs in our home, and I use our insurance weekly or even more often, in some cases. They make it simple and easy, which I appreciate. When someone in my family is sick, the last thing I want to do is fight with an insurance company about coverage or reimbursement for costs. When you are sick, or parenting kids with special needs and complex mental and physical health issues, everything is already an uphill battle. Every single step involves advocating for something. Insurance and health care should support and help, not place additional obstacles in your path. I’ve had challenges with some previous companies, and it absolutely adds insult to injury in a very real way. Similarly when you have a car accident you want the car fixed promptly and you don’t really want to have to argue with anyone to get that done. When our fence blew over in a violent windstorm in May, I was glad we had homeowner’s insurance that helped. I remember going through a claims process 25 years ago with a different insurer. In the end, I worked it out, but I had to work it out. I came away from the whole thing feeling defeated and exactly like a number, not a person. That has never been my experience with Desjardins. When I call them – whether it be for a claim or to ask a question – I am treated well, and I come away feeling glad that we have this particular insurer for our family. Get Quality Insurance and Maybe Free Gas I know from personal experience that Desjardins is an excellent company, and I want you to know, too. We have been with them for health insurance for about 10 years now. They have a vast range of other insurance products too from home and auto insurance to critical illness insurance and even identity coverage insurance. My point is – they have everything needed to help give you peace of mind. Right now Desjardins is also providing the chance to win free gas for a year, which could be an amazing prize for someone. Here’s hoping it’s one of my readers! Contest Details: When you get a quote from Desjardins, you’ll be entered to win free gas for a year. Here are the details straight from Desjardins. Desjardins Insurance has the right coverage to help you protect the things that matter most to you. And now, for a limited time, you could be entered to win FREE GAS for a year when you complete an online quote. It’s quick and easy – and you can see just how much you can save with a Desjardins Agent. Here’s how to enter: Simply visit their FREE GAS page and click “Get a Quote”. That’s it. There are no hoops and no runaround. You get a quote, and you might get free gas. I KNOW you’ll get a quality insurance provider if you decide to sign up with them. So get a quote on the insurance you need and maybe get some free gas. This contest closes December 17th, 2018 at 11:59am EST. This contest is open to Alberta, Ontario and New Brunswick residents only. No purchase necessary. See full Contest Rules. Good Luck!

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How to Make Money Now – Best Affiliate Programs

Paula — Wed, 22 Aug 2018 04:06:39 +0000

Blogging can be a lot of fun. What other job out there offers the freedom to set your own schedule, be flexible and work as much or as little as you want? Sounds pretty awesome, right? If you are a blogger, then you probably know this already. Being a blogger may sound as though you spend your days writing about anything and everything that you want, while waiting for people to read what you’ve published….but, it’s so much more than that. Blogging is a job. There is a lot of time and effort that goes into every blog post. Successful bloggers do make a full-time income from their blog. I started Thrifty Mommas Tips in 2009 and began making a steady income shortly after. By 2012 I exceeded my goals. No Need to Hunt for the Best Affiliate Programs I’ve got them right here. This is no get rich quick scheme though. And there are no short cuts. But hard work, dedication, and persistence can pay off if you enjoy writing and have an authentic voice. While there are ways to earn money as a blogger by partnering up and having sponsorship opportunities or selling products, many influencers earn money from different affiliate programs too. If you are looking for some of the best affiliate programs to consider joining as a lifestyle blogger, here are a few to help you get started! 10 Best Affiliate Programs to Join as a Blogger Ultimate Bundles. Being a blogger is about providing information to your readers. Ultimate Bundles is a great way to make that happen. THESE have worked for me. Join via my Ultimate bundles link here, build your traffic and promote. They have some amazing bundles you can purchase at a discount to educate yourself or promote to your readers, and each bundle offers a TON of valuable information that your readers are sure to enjoy! Convertkit. A great way to not only learn how to grow your email list but also sign up to be an affiliate to sign up others as well! They offer a great commission of 30% for every person that signs up through your link! Grammarly. Grammar matters in the blogging world, right? Why not help out your other bloggers by helping them find out about this awesome grammar checker that is sure to improve their writing skills? Their affiliate program is super simple to sign up for and pays well also! Zazzle. Let your creativity shine through on your blog with this great affiliate program! Sign-up is a breeze, and commission pay-out hovers around 15 %. They also provide great banner options to promote via your blog as well for a nice clean look. Teachable. If your blog revolves around teaching and education, this is a great affiliate program for you to consider. They offer a ton of different course platforms and options for people to take and learn, all from information posted on your blog. Plus, if one of your readers sign up, you earn a nice piece of that money pie. Tailwind. This is one of my favourites. It simplifies Pinterest and helps you build assets there. Part of being a blogger also means that you have to promote your posts as well. Pinterest is a huge source of traffic to many blogs. Tailwind helps drive that traffic by pinning and scheduling pins with ease. If you want to share the awesome benefits of using Tailwind with others, why not become an affiliate so you can earn money as well when you refer someone to sign up? Dollar Tree. Yes, you can totally become affiliates with stores as well! If you write about frugal living and saving money on your blog, why not become an affiliate with the Dollar Tree to offer some of their great products to your readers? Amazon Associates. No blogger should pass up on becoming an Amazon Affiliate or Associate. It’s literally the largest online retailer out there, offering the potential to earn commission off millions of different products. The sign-up process is super simple, and immediate as well. Many bloggers make a great income off being an Amazon Associate affiliate! Lowes. If your blog is about DIY projects, home projects or redoing/re-purposing, why not become an affiliate with Lowes where they offer all things home repair? If you are writing about ways to repair items, give your readers the details on how they can find those items at Lowes as well! JoAnn’s Affiliate Program. Calling all craft bloggers! This is a great affiliate program for you to be a part of as JoAnn’s has a great online store listing their inventory and items that all crafters need to have! Their current commission payout is currently one of the highest in their industry as well. Finding Affiliate Programs is Not Hard Finding affiliate programs as a blogger is actually a pretty simple process. There are a zillion affiliate programs out there. Do your research on which affiliate programs make sense for you and ones make sense for your audience, and then apply to be a part of them. Get Started Now Once your traffic starts to increase, affiliate income can really be a passive way to earn some extra money! Get earning more. Passive income is something you need to cultivate. This post contains affiliate links as a service to readers. If you make a purchase via the links here I receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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Family Fun 2.0 with Ebates Travel Thursdays

Paula — Thu, 09 Aug 2018 10:13:52 +0000

This post has been sponsored by Ebates Travel Thursdays which means I received compensation. My opinion is all my own and it is also truthful. Summer is rapidly running out and that makes me sad. I still don’t feel like I got enough of a vacation. Why does summer go so fast? Every year I love to take time with my family before they go back to school. This year my oldest had a job and work was ridiculously busy here too so we didn’t really get time away together as a family. Don’t get me wrong I am glad she got a job and I am happy to be busy working too, but I keep feeling I missed something. The older my kids get the more precious summers are in some ways. Why? Because there are very few summers left before my teenagers leave for college or university. Oh I know we can still vacation together when they are older but it’s not quite the same. And there are still so many places to visit. Family Fun 2.0 Lately I can’t stop thinking about Orlando and Disney. In fact, all roads are pointing to Disney lately. Odd but true…multiple little signs this week screaming Orlando or Anaheim, LA. I feel like it might still be possible to squeeze in one final summer trip and why not Disney? For months now it’s been in the back of my mind. If not now, then when? My kids are still into rides and Disney travel experiences. We have still not seen The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Orlando. I’d love to make that happen. California is on our family travel and vacations bucket list too. Or what about Disney in California and Anaheim, LA? Universal Studios Hollywood would be an incredible family adventure too. Disneyland Park and Adventure City look amazing. The last time we actually were at Disney World together it was my older daughter’s tenth birthday. Together we braved as many rides as possible to celebrate her turning double digits. 10!! And we went to the Space Coast afterwards to visit the Kennedy Space Centre. The trip was magical and I wanted it to spark interest in science and motivate my daughter to learn. The sky is the limit, right? That family trip was a success. Frankly it feels like we might be in need of a bit of Pixiedust and Disney magic this year too. And speaking of magic…when it comes to booking travel I work hard to find the best deals. Family travel has to be affordable. That’s why Thursday is now my favourite day to look for and book travel. So What is Ebates Travel Thursdays? Ebates launched Travel Thursdays back in February, a 24-hour promotion on Thursdays. Don’t miss out on 10 % Cash Back at Ebates Hotels and more, Thursdays only. And there are impressive savings on airfare, rental cars, cruises and activities too. Each Thursday, Ebates shoppers can earn up to 10 percent cash back on more than 280,000 hotel bookings worldwide listed on the site. The service works similarly to other major travel booking platforms but uses Ebates’ cash back for extra savings. At 10 percent cash back, with Ebates Travel Thursdays members can receive an average of $40 cash back for a three-night stay or $70 for a five-night stay. Ebates Cash Back Visa® Credit Card holders will automatically receive an additional 3 percent cash back when booking travel through Ebates, increasing the total amount saved to 13 percent. WHAT? That is my kind of savings! I love Ebates. If you are going to purchase anything online visit the site and purchase through their links. You get cash back on purchases. Many of my friends, who are also moms, use Ebates too. They have great coupons, discounts, promotions and special deals, including free shipping. Anything Else You Should Know About Ebates Travel Thursdays? Additionally, each Ebates Travel Thursdays offers special pricing and deals on airfare, rental cars, cruises and activities, offering members up to 50 percent savings and the cash back. Cruises and rental cars can add up fast, so don’t forget to use Ebates every time you book either one of those travel items. There’s still time to cap off your summer with a batch of fresh memories and a wonderful trip. Family travel is one of my favourite ways to spend time together. And saving money makes me happy. Put the two together and it’s a winning combination. Now that I’ve put the bug in your ear…or your Mickey Mouse ears…where will you go next?

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