Great Finds....

I know... I know.... I am horrible at keeping this site up to date. It's no wonder I don't have a lot of blog traffic. I am a procrastinator lately. It kills me because I lay in bed at night writing blog posts in my head as I try to fall asleep! But after the mail call this morning I decided I really needed to sit down and share some of my exciting new finds with you. Although I am a true girl at heart and I love surprises that are sweet and shiny(.... even expensive!) Sometimes it really is the little things in life that brings out the excitement within me. 

I am a shopper... I am compulsive shopper, you could even go as far to say. The sad reality is if I could be a personal shopper, that would be the best career in the world for me. I LOVE shopping. My husband is not a big fan of my love of the consumer market. And his wallet may even dislike me at times! So I am sure you can imagine how elated I was to find I could use my iPhone (another one of my absolute favorite things in the world) to make money while shopping! While I envy the dedicated coupon clipping, price matching Mama's out there, I lack the attention span and the discipline to spend so much time to that task. Thankfully, there is an app for that! Well.... at least an app for people like me who are sometimes too busy (or too lazy) to research the constant price changes and best deals around town. I stumbled across three these apps that are legit ways to earn money back while shopping. 

Walmart Savings Catcher: 

So simple to use... Just scan the barcode at the bottom of your receipt and let the app do the rest. Within 72 hours if there is a price cheaper at a competitor store Walmart will refund you the difference. You can cash out your balance anytime for a Walmart gift card emailed to you. It's so simple... Almost too easy. I signed up in August of 2014 and by December of 2014, I had saved enough price adjustments I was able to buy Christmas gifts for my six nieces and three nephews. Gifts I didn't have to budget for and didn't come directly out of our bank account. Seriously worth the 30 second scan if you shop at Walmart as much as I do! 

Ibotta:

While you are buying your essential groceries be sure to check the Ibotta app. They offer you cash on your purchases for watching 15 second videos or taking quick surveys,scanning the product and scanning your receipt.  You have to reach a balance of $10 before they will cash you out. You get paid by Gift Card or money transferred to your account. A little more time consuming than Savings Catcher. But if you use with Savings Catcher you can earn twice as much. I have been using this app for about a month now and I have already gotten my first reward for it. I could have done better if I did it every time... But sometimes I just forget. 

ShopKicks: 

Who wants to get paid for absolutely nothing? This girl right here!!!!!! And probably most all of you who have stumbled across this blog. ShopKicks rewards you points for just walking into a store. It also awards you points for scanning items within the store as well... no obligation to buy. Just find it on a shelf, scan, and collect points. ShopKicks gives you a little more freedom of choice. You aren't tied down to a Walmart gift card. There are many reward choices... Target, Starbucks, Apple, just to name a few. I have used this app for about a week now and I have already collected enough points for gift cards. 

Use all three together and you could find yourself bringing in some extra cash every month. It may not be much but maybe enough to treat yourself to something you have been wanting but can't afford or don't want to spend money on. 

My next great find does not involve an app or shopping or even saving money. It involves saving time and potential stress. I found a personal planner I absolutely fell in love with. It was a bit pricey but worth every penny! It is customizable, simple, and inspiring! 

The Erin Condren Collection: 

Let me tell you I love this Life Planner! I designed my own cover from a template on her website. I chose my colors. The cover reminds me of everything that is important to me. It incorporates everything I love and everything that makes me who I am. That is the first step to keep me motivated to stay on task and make sure things are being done for myself as well as my family. 

Again with the customization. There are stickers you can buy to add motivational quotes to your pages. You can use Washi tape to block off a group of days for an event or a family vacation. Absolutely adorable little TV stickers to remind you when your programs are coming on. And so so much more. I chose the vertical design that spreads my week out in front of me and breaks down my days into time blocks. Morning, Afternoon, and Evening. This picture does not do the planner justice at all.... And as you can tell mine is a little bare. I just got it in the mail yesterday. 

This is a great find and exciting to me because I have ADD, OCD and Anxiety that thrive off of each other. I need organization and order in my life. I need a "go-to" where I can see the plan. And as you can see by the pens I color code everything and everyone. There is even a removable menu plan (with a shopping list on the back) I can wipe clean and transfer from week to week.

This is completely separate from the Family Household Management Binder. Which I will share with you in a another post at another time. This is personal... for me... my to-do, my goals, and even my rewards and gratitude journaling in the blocks under my Evenings. I am not going to lie, I am quite excited about this book. I am looking forward to spending time personalizing it and making the most out of it. Check it out... I promise you will love it!