10+ Nursery Organization Tips, Printables, More

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The Nursery

An infant comes with an overwhelming new wardrobe, but these clever strategies can help you keep his adorable duds corralled:

Wrangle footwear. Why not line them up on a shelf where they can double as decor or pair them in the compartments of an over-the-door organizer? It can serve as a happy home for all those bodysuits and socks too.

Sort accessories. Use a tool that divides your drawers into oodles of sections to make sure socks, headbands, hats, and other itty-bitties stay put.

Print these closet dividers

Decide whether to hang or fold. Go vertical with dresses, three-piece outfits, and collared shirts. If you're tight on closet space, you can mount a tension rod, and voil: You've doubled your hanging area! No closet? An armoire can solve your problem. 

Print these drawer organizers

Group garb by size. Even before baby makes her debut, you'll have heaps of clothing on your hands—and odds are, sizes will be all over the map. To keep track, hang and fold anything ranging from infant-size to 0-3 months. Store the rest of her togs in space-saver vacuum sacks or laundry bags, sorted and labeled by size. Label an empty box with your baby's size, and leave it in the closet so you can toss in clothes as they get too tight. If you plan on expanding your family, whisk the box up to the attic when it's filled; you can keep it on standby for the next baby. Identify a pregnant pal to be the recipient of your tot's too-small clothes as she grows, and pass them off every few months. 


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Toys and Books

Once Baby becomes mobile, he can blanket every inch of your floor with books and toys in a moment. 

Store kids' stuff in adult furniture. If your nursery is tiny (and your playroom is nonexistent), prevent the living room from looking like Plasticville by investing in a stately piece of furniture with lots of drawers. An affordable cube organizer, laid horizontally so it isn't a falling hazard, works. As your stuff grows, you can spring for a second cube and put them side by side. Hide toys in cloth bins, and switch to clear media boxes as your child gets bigger and his toys get smaller. Bins and baskets are better for storing all his great reads too, she says—bookcases have a way of becoming disheveled.

Rotate toys. Have two containers, put one out and leave the other in storage. 

Know when to let go. If your kid is no longer playing with a toy or reading a book, ditch it or donate it.You can recycle toys and fund future purchases through StorkBrokers.com (Like a Craigslist for kids' loot, it matches you with nearby buyers and sellers.)

21 Uses for Bounce Dryer Sheets

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I love the smell of Bounce dryer sheets. Besides popping them in the dryer, did you know you can also use it these 21 other ways?

1. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.

2. Put Bounce around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are parked for a time. Will keep mice from getting in.

3. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don’t get opened too often.

4. It repels mosquitoes! Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.

5. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.

6. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.

7. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.

8. To freshen the air in your home, place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.

9. Put a Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.

10. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.

11. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.

12. To freshen the air in your car, place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.

13. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.

14. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.

15. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.

16. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.

17. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.

18. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.

19. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.

20. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in your back pocket to keep the bees away.

21. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.

Boxed Review- Groceries To Your Door

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From snacks to household cleaners, office supplies and more, Boxed.com has you covered as the easy, quick way to get everything you need. No trip to the local warehouse store required!
Go here to get your Boxed deals and get FREE 2 day shipping on $50+. I ordered from them a few weeks ago and loved how fast everything shipped. 

They also offer regular deals and promotions. Boxed is a time AND money-saver!

 

I also just ordered my mom a surprise package of her favorite treats. It arrived very fast by UPS and she loved it. My mom is elderly and lives 10 hours away, so this was a nice way to help her out with some groceries. 

Live in an apartment? Boxed is perfect for stocking up on everything you need, no lugging up the stairs/elevator required!

Check it out here! And be sure to refer friends and receive $15 per friend who places an order!

 

Sam's Club Money-Saving Tips

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Sam’s Club benefits are based on your membership level. Sam’s Club has three: 

  • Sam’s Plus: $100
  • Sam’s Business: $45
  • Sam’s Savings: $45 

 

Earn rewards for shopping 

For every $500 you spend on qualifying Sam’s Club purchases, you’llget $10 back in cash rewards. That’s a 2 percent return on your spending. The cash-back reward is capped at $500 annually. 

Rewards can be used to buy products or pay for your annual membership. Or, you can simply redeem them for actual cash. This benefit is available for Sam’s Plus members. 

Get free and discount prescriptions 

Millions of us take prescription drugs on an ongoing basis. Sam’s Club can help you save a bundle on these medicines. Five drugs are free for Sam’s Plus members. They are: 

  • Donepezil: 30-day supply
  • Escitalopram: 30-day supply
  • Pioglitazone: 30-day supply
  • Vitamin D 50,000 IU: four caps
  • Finasteride: 30-day supply

In addition, Sam’s Plus and Sam’s Business members can get 600 generics for $10 or less, and 8 percent less on many brand-name prescriptions. 

Finally, Sam’s Plus and Sam’s Business members save between 10 and 30 percent when you purchase select brand-name prescriptions without using your insurance.

Save on your next pair of eyeglasses 

Warehouse club memberships can be a great way to save on eyewear. Sam’s Club members who purchase a year’s supply of contact lenses can get $50 off their next pair of glasses. This benefit is available for Sam’s Plus members. 

In addition, all Sam’s Club members can get $40 off second pair of glasses when you buy two complete pairs of regularly priced prescription glasses without using vision insurance. 

Earn cash back with a Sam’s Club credit card 

If you are looking for more rewards, consider opening a Sam’s Club MasterCard account. You’ll receive cash back on the following purchases:

  • 5 percent cash back on gasoline
  • 3 percent cash back on dining and travel
  • 1 percent cash back on all other purchases

Enjoy instant savings

When you join Sam’s Club, you’ll periodically receive an Instant Savings booklet. These booklets contain offers with special savings from Sam’s Club’s top suppliers that are added on top of the member-only prices you pay.

Best of all, these offers are electronically loaded to your membership card and automatically redeemed at checkout.

Pick up perks at the Tire & Battery Center

Sam’s Club members get free flat repairs. That’s true even if you purchase your tires elsewhere. Other benefits include:

  • Free battery testing
  • Free wiper-blade installation
  • Free emergency tire changing when you buy a Premium Tire Installation package

Grab discounted gift cards for your favorite retailers and restaurants

Sam’s Club members can choose from an array of retailer gift cards that the warehouse club sells at a discount.

For example, we recently saw the following deals:

  • $40 of App Store and iTunes gift cards for $36
  • $50 in Smash Burger gift cards for $39.98
  • $100 in Buca di Beppo gift cards for $74.98

Get email alerts and check out Shocking Values

Sign up for email alerts from Sam’s Club, and you’ll learn about ways to save when shopping online every day.

In addition, visit the Sam’s Club website’s Shocking Values page to find out about the latest deals. We recently saw an $80 Chaps women’s down vest for just $19.98 and the Shark Rotator Lift-Away vacuum for $129.98, a $60 savings.

Shop through a cash-back site

You can save even more at Sam’s Club when you shop through a cash-back site. For example, Ebates members recently could get 1.5 percent in cash back on Sam’s Club purchases simply by shopping through Ebates.

Get free Sam’s Club gift cards

Discounts are great, but free is even better. Join a site like Swagbucks and you can get free Sam’s Club gift cards simply for filling out surveys, watching videos and participating in other online activities. 

P&G College Stockup @ Bed Bath and Beyond

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This is a sponsored post but packed with lots of good info on Proctor & Gamble products and more.

It's always busy during August, especially for students going to college for the first time or back to school. We stopped into Bed Bath and Beyond recently to pick up some Proctor & Gamble must haves and dorm supplies.

The Harmon section of Bed Bath & Beyond has all your back to college essentials, like Tide, Secret, Crest, etc. All of your fave brands like Crest, Gillette, Olay, Old Spice, Herbal Essences, Secret, Tide, Always, Head & Shoulders & Tampax. This makes it so easy to stock up for school! These are perfect for making back to school kits!

What is your fave #CollegeSpeak terms? Mine has to be ALLDAYER. Because college students are on the go all day long!

  • MOMCLEAN (a): Clean like it came right from your mom’s washer
  • SPEAKYCLEAN (a): So shiny you have to say something about it
  • HAIRAPY (v): The action of washing your hair and getting a fresh start
  • LEGDAY (n): A great day for showing off those legs
  • FRESHZEN (n): A student who is completely focused on fresh
  • ALLDAYER (n): When you responsibly get through the day without even a nap

For HAIRAPY, Herbal Essences is awesome. Fresh scent, beautiful hair- 

And Tide Pods make it easy  to get MOMCLEAN clothes!

 

We got to try out the following products:

  • CoverGirl Intensify Me! Liquid Liner
  • CoverGirl Colorlicious Lipstick
  • Gillette Venus Flex Swirl Razor
  • Herbal Essences Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner
  • Old Spice Lasting Legend Dirt Destroyer Body Wash
  • Secret Outlast Women's Invisible Solid Deodorant
  • Tide Pods (6 pack)
  • Crest 3D White Arctic Fresh Toothpaste
  • Oral B Toothbrush 

Keep a look out for this dorm check list in store, so handy!  PRINT IT HERE!

PRINT IT HERE!

We also got more dorm supplies. Bed Bath and Beyond has everything!

Stamp Collecting How To's

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When my grandmother died years ago, I inherited her stamp collection. As I looked through the books, some went back as far as 1930! It has been amazing to look through these books and see all the time and care put into it. 

Here are some tips if you want to try stamp collecting!

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED:

- an album

- World Encyclopedia of Stamp Collecting

- stamp pockets

- stamps. USPS makes it easy to pick out stamps, and they are shipped right to your house!

 
Starting a Stamp Collection

As with any hobby, there are some supplies you'll need to get started with a stamp collection. While it may go without saying, a stamp album is essential. Since it is imperative to preserve the stamps as much as possible, a pair of tweezers will be needed for handling, and will prevent fingerprints, sweat or grease from getting on the stamp. Remember, the condition of the stamp has a large impact on its value. A magnifying glass is also very useful for inspecting fine details. Make sure to keep the stamps and stamp albums away from moisture, warm areas, and light. Depending on your preference, the collection can be arranged according to a theme, such as country, time period, or subject. Older collectors might even pass on their collection to children or grandchildren. As the collection grows larger, it becomes more and more important to properly catalog the stamps so that you know exactly what you have.

 

Finding and Collecting Stamps

An easy way to start collecting stamps is to simply ask people you know to pass on stamps from mail that they have received. If a friend is going on vacation, ask them to send you a postcard or purchase a few stamps for you. Elderly people may also have old pieces of mail with out of print stamps. These stamps can make an especially interesting addition to a collection. As the collection grows, you may become more interested in purchasing stamps to complete a theme. Try hunting at garage sales, at stamp collector events, at online specialty stores or through stamp dealers. Serious stamp collectors end up investing enormously in rare, vintage and unused stamps over time. There are plenty of online forums and communities for stamp collectors to compare and discuss their findings. These types of message boards are also extremely useful sources for new stamp collectors to find answers about stamps that they currently have or are seeking.

 

Additional Resources

Free Restaurant Food for Kids

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Applebee’s

Kids can eat free (or for $0.99 at select locations) with the purchase of an adult entrée on a select day of the week at participating locations. The day of the week will vary by location, so follow your local Applebee’s on Facebook or call your restaurant before heading over there.

Captain D’s

Participating locations offer up to two free kids meals for each adult entree purchase at regular price (for kids ages 12 and under), valid for dine-in only.Contact your local restaurant to verify participation.

Chevy’s Fresh Mex

Every Wednesday, kids 12 and under can eat for just $1 from the kids menu with the purchase of an adult entrée at regular price, valid for dine-in only. Plus, kids can get a tortilla dough ball and take home an avocado pit to grow their own avocado tree! Find a location near you.

Chick-fil-A

Kids can eat free at select locations on Tuesdays between 5:30PM – 7:30PM with the purchase of an adult combo meal (note that some locations may charge $0.99). Be sure to contact your local restaurant for details as the day and promotional participation may vary by location. Go here to find the closest location nearest you.

Denny’s

On Tuesdays from 4PM – 10PM (may vary by location), kids can eat free with an adult entrée purchase at participating locations. Offer is valid at participating restaurants for up to two free kid’s entrées from the kid’s menu per one adult entrée purchase of $6 or more. Go here and scroll down for more details or check your local Denny’s Facebook Page.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Every Sunday, get one free Kid’s Meal (for children 12 and under) per $10 paid adult meal, valid for dine-in only. Not valid with other offers or promotions. Gohere for more details.

Famous Dave’s

On Tuesdays, at participating locations, kids ages 8 and under OR anyone named Wilbur can get a free Lil’ Wilbur Meal with purchase of an adult entrée, valid for dine-in only. Go here for more details.

Fazoli’s

On Tuesdays from 5PM – 8PM at participating Fazoli’s locations, get three kids meals for just 99¢ each with every adult entrée purchase. Go here for more details.

Fricker’s

Kids can eat free all day, every day with the purchase of one adult entrée and child beverage, valid for dine-in only. Go here for more details.

IHOP

Kids eat free every night from 4PM – 8PM with the purchase of an adult entrée. Limit one kids’ menu item per adult entree. This deal seems to vary by location so call your location before visiting!

IKEA

On Tuesdays, get up to TWO free kids meals for kids 12 and under (regularly $2.49 each) with the purchase of one adult entree at participating locations. Gohere for more details.

Luby’s

On Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11AM to close, children 10 and under get one free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased. Click here for a list of participating locations or call your local restaurant.

Marie Callender’s

On Tuesdays and Saturdays, get one free kid’s meal (excluding drink) per adult entrée purchased for dine-in only, valid at participating locations. Go here for more details.

Moe’s Southwest Grill

At select locations, kids eat free (limit one free kids’ meal for each adult meal purchased) on a specific day of the week which varies by location. Be sure tofollow your local Moe’s on Facebook to see participating times and locations.

Choose from the Power Wagon (hard or soft taco), Mini Masterpiece (cheese quesadilla), or Moo Moo Mr. Cow (burrito). Each kids’ meal includes a cookie and beverage plus free chips and salsa.

O’Charley’s

Kids eat free all day, every day at participating locations! Get one free kids meal (beverage not included) with the purchase of an adult entrée, valid for dine-in only. Go here for more details.

Piccadilly

Kids 12 and under eat for just $1.99 all day Thursdays and from 11AM – 4PM on Saturdays. Kids Meals include a choice of entrée – like Chicken Tenders, Fried Fish, or Small Chopped Beef – plus two sides, a drink, and dessert (Jello, Pudding, or Cupcake). Go here for details.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

All day on Mondays and Tuesdays, kids ages 12 and under can eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée (excludes 3-course lunch and Romano’s Kitchen Counter Express Lunch or Dinner). Go here or check out your local Romano’s Macaroni Grill Facebook page for details.

Ruby’s Diner

Every Tuesday night is Family Night at Ruby’s Diner! From 4PM until closing, kids ages 12 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée, valid at participating locations only. Please check with your local Ruby’s Diner for more details. Limit one free kids meal per adult entrée ordered.

Ruby Tuesday

Every Tuesday from 5PM to close, kids can eat free at participating locations with an adult entrée purchase (limit one free kids entrée per adult entrée). Gohere for more details.

Steak ‘n Shake

Kids can now eat free any time on any day of the week with a qualifying purchase at over 400 participating locations across the country. There is a limit of one free kids plate to children 12 and under for every $9 spent, valid for dine-in only.

Kids Plates are served with a choice of fries or applesauce and include the Original Steakburger, Mini Corn Dogs, Macaroni & Cheese Steakburger Minis, Hot Dog, Grilled Cheese, or Chicken Fingers.

Best Rewards Programs: Regal, Papa John's, More

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1. Ace Hardware

Sign up for Ace Rewards, and you’ll get 10 points for every dollar you spend. Accumulate 2,500 points, and you’ll earn a $10 reward — which is equivalent to getting 4 percent back.

You also receive 1,000 points just for signing up, plus coupons and sale reminders.

2. AutoZone

Join AutoZone Rewards, and you’ll earn one credit every time you make a purchase of $20 or more. Once you earn five credits, you’ll get a $20 reward. That could equate to as much as 20 percent back, depending on the total amount of your five purchases of $20 or more.

3. Best Buy

Join the My Best Buy program, and you’ll earn 0.5 points for every dollar spent. Once you hit 250 points, you get a $5 reward.

 

4. CVS

Sign up for the ExtraCare rewards program, and you’ll score 2 percent back on purchases. Rewards are paid out four times a year — in January, April, July and October.

However, it’s worth noting that you must spend $50 per earning period — or earn at least $1 in ExtraBucks Rewards — to get your rewards. Also, some items at CVS — including prescriptions and copays — do not qualify for the 2 percent back, according to the ExtraCare frequently asked questions page.

5. Dick’s Sporting Goods 

Members of the Dick’s ScoreCard program get one point for every dollar they spend. With 300 points, you get a $10 reward. That amounts to 3 percent back on every purchase.

ScoreCard members also enjoy exclusive coupons and access to special events.

6. Kohl’s

Enroll in Kohl’s Yes2You Rewards program, and you’ll get a point for every dollar you spend. Once you accumulate 100 points, you’ll receive a $5 reward. In essence, it’s like getting 5 percent back on every purchase you make.

You’ll also receive eight other offers during the year, a special gift on your birthday and opportunities to earn bonus points.

7. Office Depot/Office Max

Sign up for Office Depot/Office Max Rewards, and you’ll get 2 percent back on purchases.

Spend $500 within a 12-month period, and you’ll earn VIP status. That gets you 5 percent back in rewards on ink, toner, paper and copy/print/ship services.

You’ll also get free shipping with no minimum purchase requirement, and receive free product samples and a gift on your birthday.

8. Papa John’s

Enroll in Papa Rewards, and you will get one point for every $5 you spend. As few as 10 points can earn you a reward. You’ll also collect 10 points on your birthday. 

9. Petco 

Pets can be expensive, but you can keep them from taking a bite out of your wallet by joining Petco’s Pals Rewards program. Members get one point for every dollar they spend, and a $5 reward once they reach 100 points. That’s a 5 percent savings on every purchase.

10. Regal Entertainment Group

If you love the movies, join the Regal Crown Club. When you do, you’ll get 100 credits for every dollar you spend on tickets and concessions. You can use the credits for things such as free admission or free food.

The more Regal movies you take in, the greater your reward. For example, once you see 20 movies during the year, you’ll earn “Diamond” status — the highest of three bonus levels — and get 1,000 extra credits for each visit.

11. Staples

Members of Staples Rewards earn either 2 percent or 5 percent back on in-store purchases, depending on how much they spend in a 12-month period.

Members also get free next-day shipping on orders of more than $49.99, and other perks.

12. Starbucks

In the Starbucks Rewards program, you earn two stars for every dollar you spend. You will also enjoy perks such as free in-store refills and a birthday reward.

Earn 300 stars and you will qualify for Gold Level status. Customers at this level get added perks like a reward of a free eligible beverage or food item for every 125 stars.

13. Ulta Beauty

Join Ulta’s Ultamate Rewards program, and you will earn one point for every dollar you spend. Once you reach 100 points, you will be eligible to redeem them for $3 off your next purchase.

That means Ultamate Rewards members get the equivalent of 3 percent back on their purchases — although members get even more back if they accumulate more points before redeeming them. For example, 2,000 points earns you $125 off your next purchase. That’s the equivalent of 6.25 percent off.

You also can earn up to five points on some special offers. And not only will you receive a birthday gift, but you also can earn double rewards for all purchases you make during your birthday month.

 

5+ Ways to Make $$ at a Resale Event

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Lately, I've been clearing out a lot of clutter before the holidays. I donate items to Goodwill but I also sell items at my local resale event in a few months.

If you have tons of baby clothes, toys and more that you no longer need, you have to keep reading! Many PTA’s around the country sponsor “resale” events, where for a fee, you can rent a table and sell your items.

Tip 1: Gather everything you want to sell

Here are some items that sell well at resale events:

-         baby and children’s clothing
-         brand new items
-         toys (new or barely used)
-         diapers
-         Little Tikes toys
-         Outdoor play equipment
-         Car seats
-         Strollers
-         Books

Items that don’t sell very well (or at all):

-         stained or torn clothing
-         toys with missing or broken parts
-         stuffed animals
-         fast food toys


Tip 2: Price competitively

You’ll want to price your items so you make a profit and still offer a great deal. Typically, here is how I price items:

  • Baby clothing: $1 each
  • Children’s clothing: $1-2 each, coats: $5 each, nice outfits $5 each
  • Brand new items: Depending on what it is, I take about 50% off what I paid
  • Toys: I charge more for new, in package toys. Used toys I charge less.
  • Diapers: $4 per bag
  • Little Tikes: Because Little Tikes is so expensive brand new, people are willing to pay a little more. So if your item was originally $150, try to get at least $50 for it.
  • Outdoor play equipment: Another popular category, price about 30-50% less than what you paid.
  • Car seats: You probably won’t get close to what you paid originally. Also, the car seat should be in perfect condition, never in an accident, etc.
  • Strollers: Depending on condition, 30-50% off what you paid.
  • Books: Typically, $1-2 per book
  • school packs. If you have extra, brand new school supplies, divide them up into Ziplocs and sell for $1 a bag.



Tip 3: Clean everything and price everything

It’s important to have great presentation when it comes to selling items. For example, I was all clothing and put into Ziploc bags, with the size and price on the outside of the bag. Toys are cleaned (baby wipes are great for this). Having great presentation at your table is essential for making sales.

Tip 4: Stuff to bring to the sale

-         tape
-         black marker
-         pens
-         change ($20-$30 in ones, $10 in quarters, some 5’s and 10’s)
-         snacks and drinks
-         a helper, to help sell and run the table, if you need to step out for a moment
-         A smile and a helpful attitude. Typically people who are coming to the sale are looking for specific items
-         Plastic bags to bag up their purchases
-         Box to keep money in

Tip 5: Have fun!

Resale events are great for not only getting rid of clutter and making money, but meeting new people! Have fun with your sale!

10 Best Lifetime Guarantees

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Abby Loves Purina Beyond Snacks #chewyinfluence

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We adopted Abby a little over a year ago as a 7 month old puppy. She will be 2 on Halloween! She is such a fun, energetic little pup. At only 32 lbs. she is a ball of energy and always getting into trouble! Abby is a mix of German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. 

She loves car rides and going to the park. She is always on the go with me.

One of her fave to go snacks is Beyond White Meat Chicken Cutlets. It has all-natural white meat chicken in every batch. For a natural, grain-free dog snack that offers both great taste and quality ingredients you can trust.


Instagram- @Beyondpetfood

 

Here is Abby romping at the park, all kinds of energy!

 

Abby says thank you to Chewy.com for sending the bag of treats. We will definitely be stocking up again on these in the future!

 

 

I received these goodies free of charge from Chewy.com in an exchange for my honest review.

10+ Food Storage Tips

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Stocking up on food but not sure how long food is good for, or where to store it? Here is what you need to know! 
  
Canned Goods: 

Commercially canned foods are good for two to five years from the date they were packed.  High acid food like tomato sauce will not keep as long as a can of beans, for example. Canned protein like tuna, chicken, corned beef and even bacon have a shelf life of five years, or longer. 

Canned foods lose vitamins as time goes by so you will want to rotate your food supply so you are using and replacing items before their “use by” dates. 

And canning is another great way to stock up on your own homegrown produce or great deals from your local store. Check out our canning guide.
 

Containers like Rubbermaid or OXO are also a good bet for tightly sealing in food.
  1. Rice. White rice should be used within two years after opening, brown within six months as it has more protein. You can extend the shelf life of white rice to 10 years or longer when properly sealed and stored.
  2. Flour. You can count on all-purpose flour lasting well for three to six months in its sealed bag, up to one year in the refrigerator and longer if stored in a freezer.
  3. Sugar. Sugar is one of the few products that lasts indefinitely. The only problem it presents for cooks is that it can harden. For this reason, plan on sugar having a useful shelf life of about two years.
  4. Soft grains — Barley, oats and rye are soft grains that can last as long as eight years.
  5. Hard grains — Corn, wheat and flax are in this category. They can last between 10 and 12 years.
  6. Beans — Hermetically sealed, they can last between eight and 10 years before they need to be tossed. As they age, they lose oils and may need to be ground.
  7. Pasta — It can last as long as 10 years. As with most other foods, cooler temperatures will help it last even longer.

I also recommend investing in a vacuum sealer. Amazon has them as low as $78 and watch for sales to bring the price down even more. One of the best ways to store anything, especially dry items in bulk, is in glass canning jars that have been vacuum sealed. 

So where do you store all this stuff? 

It may require a little creativity on your part to find space for your new food reserves. Just keep in mind that most of us have space currently occupied by stuff we never use and really don’t need.
  • Under the bed. Shallow plastic containers are perfect for holding canned goods and sealed dry goods.
  • Basement. I have shelves set up, just for my stored food. I mark everything with a marker, when I bought it, etc. so I know when I need to rotate the stockpile.
  • Closets. Another place to organize your food. Just be careful cans don't fall on your head! 
  • Under stairs. Simple shelves can organize this space and make it ideal for food storage.
  • Be sure to stock up on OXO and Rubbermaid containers.

$1200 For a Penny? Make Money Collecting Pennies

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Recently I got into collecting wheat pennies. The wheat penny is a classic iconic early 21st century American coin with a face value of 1 cent that was minted from 1909 to 1956. I had read that a few rare ones could be as valuable as $750+ so I decided it was worth the trouble to start looking around.

As you can see above, these are my newer pennies. I am saving the shiny, newer ones for a project, a penny top table.

The dates listed below are worth more than just a few cents, unlike most of the ones referenced above.

Values are for problem-free coins in a grade of good or better, and uncirculated for those dated 1959 and later.

  • 1909 — $3 and up
  • 1909 VDB — $10 and up
  • 1909-S — $85 and up
  • 1909-S VDB — $750 and up
  • 1910-S – $15
  • 1911-D – $5
  • 1911-S – $40
  • 1912 – $1
  • 1912-D – $6
  • 1912-S – $20
  • 1913-D – $3
  • 1913-S – $12
  • 1914-D – $175
  • 1914-S – $20
  • 1915 – $1.50
  • 1915-D – $2
  • 1915-S – $20
  • 1916-D – $1
  • 1916-S – $1.50
  • 1921-S – $1
  • 1922-D – $15
  • 1922 plain – $650
  • 1923-S – $2
  • 1924-D – $30
  • 1924-S – $1
  • 1926-S – $5
  • 1931-D – $4
  • 1931-S – $100
  • 1932 – $1.50
  • 1932-D – $1
  • 1933 – $1
  • 1933-D – $2
  • 1943-D boldly doubled mintmark – $10
  • 1944 D/S – $125
  • 1946-S/D – $35
  • 1955 doubled die, obverse — $1,200
  • 1970-S small date – $30
  • 1972 doubled die – $300
  • 1983 doubled die – $250
  • 1984 doubled die – $200
  • 1992-D close “AM” – $500
  • 1995 doubled die – $25
  • 1999 wide “AM” – $500

Here is another handy chart:

Here's a book to check out for more info and basics.

 

How I Cut Cable and Saved $200 a Month

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We were Directv customers for at least 15 years and had frequently thought about cancelling cable. We are big fans of Travel Channel, HGTV, Food Network and more and of course, we needed to have a DVR. 
After noticing that we weren't recording as many shows and hardly ever watching cable, we decided to cut the cord. And the bill inching towards $150+ a month did not help!
We had been subscribers to Amazon Prime, Netflix and Hulu, so making the transition wasn't that hard. The more difficult part was finding the right DVR and antennae to get the local channels. I love watching Wendy Williams and Dr. Phil, so local channels were a must.
Here is how we did it!
We bought the TIVO Bolt for $160 on sale at Best Buy. Amazon also has it right now for $190, but with some price-matching the price can come down. 

If recording shows and fast-forwarding through commercials is important to you, you will want to have a DVR.

Here are the features:
  • Record 4 shows at once and up to 75 hours of HD programming.(1) Replaces your cable box and works with your existing subscription (requires CableCARD); or plugs into any HD antenna to record over-the-air channels easily (over -the-air reception varies by location and is impacted by multiple factors).
  • TiVo service subscription is required. Options include a monthly service plan at $14.99/mo and a 1-year commitment,(4) and an annual service plan at $149.99/year.(5)
  • Your favorite streaming apps are fully integrated: No more switching inputs, remotes or devices. Access Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO GO, Hulu, Pandora and more from one, integrated experience.(2)
  • Watch eye-popping 4K/UHD content. Fully 4K/Ultra High-Definition compatible right out of the box, so you can soak up all that crisp color, clarity and detail.
  • SkipMode allows you to skip through entire commercial breaks of recorded shows at the press of a single button.(3) QuickMode lets you watch recorded shows 30% faster with pitch-corrected audio.

Or a little cheaper, choose the TIVO Mini for $149:

  • Add a TiVo Mini to additional TVs in your home for an easy, economical and entertaining multi-room setup.
  • Tru Multi Room functionality means you get the full TiVo experience on every additional TV you equip with a TiVo Mini
  • Provides full access to your streaming content from Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, VUDU, YouTube, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more.
  • Connects to your TiVo DVR through your home network via Ethernet or MoCA (does not support Wifi). Compatible with TiVo BOLT, Roamio, Roamio OTA, Roamio Plus, Roamio Pro, Premiere 4 and Premiere XL4/Elite.
  • Video Output Modes 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, 1080p

 

Next we bought an antennae. 

We bought this Clearstream Antannae and it's been working really well picking up about 20 local channels. This was $59. You can go a little cheaper with these options, but reception might not be good.

 

We decided which programming was most important to us. We got the channels free over the air but we had to think which shows we wanted to see the most. We found Hulu, Amazon Prime and Netflix were must-haves.

Try out Hulu for FREE!

For channels like Starz and Showtime, Amazon has some nice free 30 day trials with easy cancel if you change your mind before getting charged. 

Be sure you are an Amazon Prime member. Click below for a FREE 30 day trial!

Try Amazon Prime 30-Day Free Trial

 

Then click below which channels you'd like to try out!

10+ Uses For Borax

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You might remember Borax being a staple in your mom or grandmother's homes. Well, it's still a must-have for every home. There are so many uses, here are 10 to get you started! 

Preserving Flowers 

Fresh-cut flowers of many varieties may be permanently preserved. Borax removes moisture from blossoms and leaves, thereby preventing the wilting which would normally result. Two different mixtures (by weight) are recommended: two parts 20 Borax and one part dry white sand, or one part Borax and two parts corn meal. 

Carpet Cleaning 

Use a 1/2 cup of Borax per gallon of water in carpet steam cleaning machines. 

Toilet Bowl Cleaner 

Pour 1 cup of borax into the toilet bowl at night before you go to sleep. The next morning clean out the toilet bowl with a brush. The borax will loosen all the grime buildup. 

“Goo Gone” Remover 

Mix together borax and water in a 2-to-1 ratio. Rub on to get rid of sticky, gooey, gummy adhesive residue. 

Humidifiers 

To help keep your humidifier free of odor, dissolve one tablespoon of borax per gallon of water and add it to the unit. Be sure to rinse out this solution before refilling your humidifier with pure water prior to use. 

Pests 

Keep roaches, water bugs, and ants away by sprinkling a combination of equal parts all-natural borax and sugar. 

Flea Killer 

Sprinkle borax on dog beds, carpets, and other areas where you suspect that fleas are hatching. Borax releases boric acid, which is a poison (note that very high doses would need to be ingested to harm a pet or human). 
  

Mice Deterrent 

Sprinkle borax on the floor along the walls (mice like to run along the side of walls). They don’t like getting the borax on their feet, so they are less likely to return to that area of the house.  

Shower, Tub & Tile 

Sprinkle on a damp sponge or soft cloth and use as you would a powdered cleanser. This can even be used on fiberglass surfaces without scratching. Rinse thoroughly. 

Clean Hairbrushes and Combs 

Mix a quarter cup borax and a tablespoon of a grease cutting dishwashing liquid (like Dawn) in a basin of warm water. Swish brushes in the sudsy water, let soak, rinse, and let dry. 

Cleaning Cookware 

Borax is a mild and gentle cleaner for porcelain and aluminum cookware. Sprinkle on pots and pans and rub with a damp dishcloth. Rinse thoroughly. 

Refrigerator Deodorizer 

Spilled food can be washed away with a sponge or soft cloth using a solution of 1 quart warm water and 1 tablespoon of borax. Rinse with cold water. 

Mold Inhibitor 

Make a thick borax and water paste. Smear it on the moldy area. Let set until dry (overnight or longer). Sweep up the powder, and rinse off the rest. 

Garbage Can Deodorizer 

Deodorize your garbage pail by filling it with borax and water. Let it soak then rinse it out. Sprinkle some borax in the bottom once it’s clean. This will keep the bugs away and absorb any odor causing moisture. 

Remove Rust 

Remove rust by mixing the above solution with a tablespoon of lemon juice. 

Sink Cleaner 

Remove stains from stainless steel or porcelain sinks with a paste or 1 cup borax and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Using a sponge or cloth, rub the stain with the paste. Rinse with warm water. 

Kill Weeds 

Useful for weeds that surface in concrete cracks and on walkways, but shouldn’t be used in the garden because it will also kill your plants. 

Outdoor Furniture 

Mix 1 teaspoon dish detergent, 1 teaspoon borax and 1 quart warm water in a spray bottle and use to clean outdoor furniture. 

Cat Litter Deodorizer 

Minimize odor in your cat’s litter box by mixing a few tablespoons of borax in with the litter. 

Garbage Disposal Cleaner 

Clean and sanitize your garbage disposal by putting 3 tablespoons of borax down the drain. Let it sit for an hour and flush it with warm water. 

Shine China 

Make your worn china sparkle again by soaking in a sink full of warm water and a 1/2 cup of borax. Rinse well and wash a second time as usual. 

Linens 

Remove mildew and mustiness from linens by soaking them in 2 cups of borax mixed with 2 quarts of water. Let the linens sit for a few hours, then rinse clean. 

Unclog Drains 

Unclog drains with 1/2 cup of borax followed by 2 cups of boiling water. Let it sit for 15 minutes, then run your water for a few minutes to flush it out. 

Clean Mattresses 

Remove urine odor from a mattress. Wet the mattress, rub in borax with a damp cloth. Let dry, then vacuum up the remaining residue.