Shop Online, Save & Get Cash Back!

Okay, okay, I'll admit it.... I have a slight shopping addiction.  Not your average shopping addiction, but one fueled by good deals.  And before I get into the details of saving money, I want to be very clear about two rules I hold true to in order to keep myself in check:

1. Budget the amount of money you will spend vs. give to God bi-weekly (base this on how often you get paid!)...... This rule sparks another blog idea- stay tuned! :)
2. Only buy things you would normally buy even without the deals offered below

Alright, now for the fun part! Below are my absolutely favorite money saving tips/websites/apps!

Amazon Prime 

Amazon Prime Membership allows me to find great deals on Amazon, get FREE Two-Day Shipping, Free instant streaming of movie and TV shows (definitely comparable to Netflix), and the ability to borrow thousands of Kindle Books for free (I just finished "The Five Love Languages")! College students luck out even more- it's free the first year & $39/year until you graduate!  For the average Joe-shomes it costs us $79/year (That's $6.60 a month! Less than Netflix only).  

 If you won't to know more, check it out here!

Ebates

This is my absolute favorite website!  If you shop online, you just have to make one quick trip to ebates first, where you can find coupons and find out how much cash back you can receive.  Click-through to the website and shop like normal! Ebates tracks how much you send and sends you a big-fat-check every 3 months!

You can get 2-25% back back and coupons that either provide additional discount or free shipping! If you click the link below, it will direct you to the site.  As a disclaimer, if you sign-up and make a $25 purchase through Ebates, I receive $5! Which I will give to charity! :) So thank you!

 

Enjoy & Happy Shopping!

American Express "Amex" Credit Card

First of all, I do not enourage anyone to get a credit card if they have had issues paying it off in the past, or if they don't have a budget for sepnding!

But if you do, then I would have to suggest one of the American Express Credit Cards.
You an pick the card that is right for you, whether you love perks such as travel, VIP tickets, 24-7 concierge, or even cash back! I personally love my Blue Cash Everyday^®.  This no annual fee cars provides me with 3% cash back on the groceries, 2% on gasoline, and 1% on all other purchases.  Additional perks include travelers insurance, available  coverage if you rent a car and is it damaged or stolen, identity protection services, and much more! 

eBay

 eBay is the place to go online when you can't find a good deal on amazon!  In particular, I love to buy my electronics here!  I mean $4 for an iphone charger! You just can't beat that!

 SnipSnip

A recent addition to my money saving weapons! SnipSnip can be downloaded on your smartphone to bring coupons with you as you shop! I like this app because you can store and share your coupons on your phone and get alerts when you enter a specific store that you have a coupon for! Additionally, you get to use other people's coupons as well! :) 

 

 Retail Me Not

The best website to find coupon codes to use while shopping online.  Rule of thumb: Don't buy anything online from a regular retailer without using a coupon code! It's worth searching for one here!

Enjoy! & Happy Smart Shopping!

Bring the Mustache Back!

The Movember Effect: Awareness & Education, Survivorship, Research

Men everywhere are displaying their "Mo's" to raise awareness and funds for men's health issues- specifically, prostate and testicular cancer initiatives!



Movember hits close to home for me, as my father was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer a few years ago.  Luckily we caught it early and it seems to be under control! But I can't help to imagine what life would be like if we hadn't.

My favorite aspect of Movember is it is a Conversation Starter.  "Mo Bros" become walking, talking billboards for 30 days in November.  In hopes to trigger conversations about men's health that tend to be ignored! Ignored, primarily because of men's discussion not to discuss health issues openly! Additionally, some men tend to not get regular health check ups.

So what can we do?

• Men: It's never too late to grow your own 'stach!
• Donate Here (This is my Friend Sam!) Funds raised go directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation, LIVESTRONG Foundation, & Movember's Global Action Plan

Men (especially the ones in my life I love dearly), please continue to:

• Have an annual physical
• Know your family Health history- You are at a higher risk if your family has a history of health issues
• Don’t Smoke
• Be Physically Active
• Keep your schedule regular and consistent
• Sleep Well
• Know Your Body- Watch out for irregularities 
• Eat a healthy diet
• Stay in a healthy weight
• Manage your stress
• Drink alcohol in moderation

Toasted Almond, Pesto & Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken over Barley

Ingredients (Serves 2)
1 pieces of aluminum foil
1/4 c. Toasted Almonds (Slivered Almonds roasted from 8 min at 350 degrees)
1 Chicken Breasts
2 Tbs. Pesto
1 String Cheese (Mozzarella) 
1/2 c. Barley (rinsed, and soaked in water for 2 hours
1 c. Chicken Broth

How you make it....
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Spread half of the almonds onto the piece of aluminum foil
3. Slice the chicken breast in half (like you are slicing a bun), place on top of almonds and foil
4. Open chicken breast to expose the inside
5. Spread Pesto on the inside of half the chicken ("bottom bun")
6. Add remaining toasted almonds inside the chicken
7. Tear string cheese into long pieces, add to inside of the chicken
8. Close chicken ("top bun" on top of "bottom bun")

9. Wrap foil tightly and securly around chicken
10. Cook for 35-40 minutes
11. While chicken is cooking, combine barley and chicken broth in a saucepan
12. Cook until tender and there in no more chicken broth
13. Place barley on a plate, top with chicken (Make sure to dump the juices from cooking the chicken onto the barley for extra flavor)

Enjoy!