Blog Archives

Happy Birthday Oprah

1/29/2014

Happy 60th birthday today to one of the most influential and inspirational women in the world. That's a photo of Oprah in her bedroom at her gorgeous farmhouse in Maui.

How I wish I was related to Oprah, after all we share the same last name!:) All kidding aside, I also share her philosophy about money.

Here's some words of wisdom about money from birthday girl Oprah Winfrey...
"If you disrespect money it slips through your fingers".

The takeaway from this quote, according to SavvySugar is:
Learn to respect money. Money deserves respect and your time and concern. Spend time managing it and being aware of it, instead of letting it run through your fingers without thinking about it.

For me, being aware with how I save and spend my money has been an important key in my daily lifestyle, which has resulted in an overall richer life.

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Cheaper Cell Phone Rate Plans

1/24/2014

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Please note that the company Solavei is no longer in business.

Most companies for services such as cable, phone, internet, utilities, etc.. often increase their rates. Unfortunately, many of us end up just paying the higher bill. We either can't be bothered to find a cheaper deal or it's too much of a hassle to switch or cancel. I was beyond pleasantly surprised when Solavei offered lower mobile phone rate plan options a couple of months ago. How refreshing and unusual is that!? I was on Solavei's unlimited voice + text + data plan for $49/month. This included 2GB of 4G high speed data. Since my iPhone 3G is "vintage", I didn't need to have 2GB. I can get by with 500 MB. So I switched my plan to the $39/mo unlimited voice + text + data.

I am now (happily) saving over $10/month (including taxes & fees). Plus, if you refer someone to Solavei and they sign up for mobile service, you get paid $5 every month. So far I've referred 2 people, so I'm getting paid $10/month on my Solavei debit card. You do the math... I'm really only paying a little over $30/month for my mobile phone service! How cool (and frugal) is that. Savvy!

As you can see from the chart above and below, there are 4 rate plan options to choose from. For those who only need voice and text, Solavei also has an option for only $29/month. You will never have to worry about ever going over your voice, text, even data (it just slows down after you used up the high speed limit) with their UNLIMITED plans. I used to pay over $80/month with AT&T and it was NOT an unlimited plan.

If you are ready to save money on your mobile phone service, click HERE to get started. It's easy and smart!

Click on the image above for details on Solavei's mobile service plan options.

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Another Birthday? More Birthday Freebies!

1/17/2014

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It's been awhile since I've posted something. I've been busy serving as a juror on a civil trial case this past week and a half. We did reach a verdict and I believe it was a fair one. I think serving on a jury is quite interesting and I've learned a lot each time I have served (which is twice now).

Anyways, the start of every new year means everyone is having (or had) another birthday! Time flies and here we are again another year older. Let's celebrate and embrace our birthdays, after all, we get treated to lunch or dinner and receive birthday presents, right! Plus, what better way to spoil yourself on your day of birth than with free stuff?

Thanks to SavvySugar - here is a list of freebies each birthday boy or girl can and should score on their special day! Smart and frugal:)

Acapulco: Free two-item combo if you sign up for its eclub.
American Eagle Outfitters: Sign up to get 15 percent off during your birthday month.
Arby's: Get a birthday treat when you sign up for Arby's club.
Auntie Annie's: Free pretzel when you sign up for the pretzel perks program.
Aveda: Be a member of Aveda.com, and receive a free offer on your birthday.
Baskin Robbins: Get a free scoop on your birthday if you join the Baskin Robbins birthday club.
Baja Fresh: Free burrito on your birthday when you join Club Baja.
Ben and Jerry's: Become a ChunkSpelunker and get free ice cream on your birthday.
Benihana: Get a $30 certificate when you sign up for the Benihana email club.
BJ's: Get a free birthday mini Pizookie (basically ice cream on top of cookie). Yummy!!
Carrows: Sign up to get free birthday dessert.
Cheeseburger in Paradise: Sign up for a free birthday treat.
Chevy's: Sign up to get a free entrée on your birthday.
Chili's: Join the email club to get a free brownie sundae on your birthday.
Coldstone Creamery: Enjoy a free scoop on your birthday if you sign up for the My Cold Stone Club.
Corner Bakery: Free birthday sweet when you sign up.
Cousins Subs: Free birthday treat when you sign up.
Culver's: Free birthday treat if you are an eclub member.
CVS: Get a $3 coupon on your birthday if you sign up for the ExtraCare beauty club.
Dairy Queen: Get a coupon on your birthday if you're part of its eclub.
Daphne's Greek Cafe: $5 birthday reward. Sign up here.
Denny's: The Denny's reward program gets you a free grand slam breakfast on your birthday.
Del Taco: Join the Raving Fan eclub to get a free shake on your birthday.
DSW Shoes: $5 gift certificate on your birthday. Sign up here.
Duke's Chowder House: Free entrée on your birthday. Sign up here.
Dunkin Donuts: Free beverage on your birthday. Sign up here.
El Torito: Free entrée. Sign up here.
Famous Dave's BBQ: Free birthday treat. Sign up here.
Famous Footwear: Free birthday gift. Sign up here.
Fatz: Free birthday treat. Sign up here.
Firehouse Subs: Show an ID with your birth date on your birthday to get a free sub.
Fazoli's: Free birthday dessert. Sign up here.
Fuddrucker's: Free burger. Sign up here.
Ghengis Grill: Free birthday bowl. Sign up here.
Gordon Biersch: Birthday gift. Sign up here.
Hof's Hut: Free entrée and dessert. Sign up here.
Hooters: Get 10 free hot wings on your birthday by signing up here.
Houlihan's: Free entrée. Sign up here.
Huhot Mongolian Grill: Free grill meal. Sign up here.
IHOP: Get a free meal on your birthday, sign up here.
Island's Restaurant: Free birthday gift. Sign up here.
Jack in the Box: Free dessert with ID and coupon.
Jamba Juice: Free birthday treat. Sign up here.
Jason's Deli: $5 off. Sign up here.
Jersey Mike's Subs: Free drink and sub for your birthday. Sign up here.
Joe's Crab Shack: Free birthday treat. Sign up here.
Johnny Rockets: Join the Rocket eclub to get a free burger on your birthday.
La Madeline: Free pastry. Sign up here.
Longhorn Steakhouse: Free treat. Sign up here.
Maggianos: $10 off coupon. Sign up here.
Maggie Moo's: Free treat. Sign up here.
Macaroni Grill: Get free dessert on your birthday if you sign up for Macaroni Grill emails.
Marble Slab Creamery: Free birthday treat. Sign up here.
Marie Callender's: Free slice of pie and $5 off your bill. Sign up here.
Medieval Times: Free admission. Sign up here.
Menchie's Frozen Yogurt: Birthday treat. Sign up here.
Ninety Nine: Free dessert. Sign up here.
Not Your Average Joe's: Free entrée and dessert. Sign up here.
O' Charley's: Birthday surprise. Sign up here.
Pretzel Maker: Free birthday surprise. Sign up here.
Qdoba Mexican Grill: Free offer. Sign up here.
Red Lobster: Birthday surprise. Sign up here.
Red Robin: Pick up a Red Royalty card, and you'll get a free burger on your b-day.
Rubio's: Free meal up to $7. Sign up here.
Ruby Tuesday: Free treat. Sign up here.
Smoothie King: Buy one, get one free. Sign up here.
Sonic: Birthday surprise. Sign up here.
Soup Plantation and Sweet Tomatoes: Birthday discounts. Sign up here.
Starbucks: Free drink when you use your Starbucks Card within a year of your card registration.
Steak 'n Shake: Birthday surprise. Sign up here.
Sticky Fingers: Free entrée. Sign up here.
TCBY: Frozen yogurt. Sign up here.
Texas Roadhouse: Free appetizer or sidekick of ribs. Sign up here.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe: Free smoothie. Sign up here.
T.G.I. Friday's: Free dessert when you buy an entrée, if you are a member of their rewards program.
Tony Roma's: Get a free treat on your birthday for joining Tony Roma's membership program.
Wendy's: Birthday coupons. Sign up here.
Which Wich: Free treat. Sign up here.
Wienerschnitzel: Free treat. Sign up here.
World Market: Coupon. Sign up here.

CLICK HERE for other resources on how to score Free stuff.

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Magazines For Less

1/11/2014

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I know most people can now read their favorite mag on their tablet, laptop or smart phone. However, I still prefer to read my magazines the old fashion way.

I like to snuggle under a blanket at night and read one of my favorite gossip rags, or browse for inspirations from a home decor magazine, or bask in the sun on a lounge chair on some exotic beach vacation flipping through the latest fashion magazine!

Some of my favorite magazines are Country Living, Lucky, Entertainment Weekly, Money and InStyle. I of course, will never pay newsstand price for my favorite magazines! I found some savvy ways you can read for mags less... read on:

Rotate reading magazines amongst your friends. Each one of you can subscribe to a different magazine and pass it to the next friend when you are done reading it.
Go to the library, they usually have a great selection of magazines (and books) you can read there.
Save a lot of money on subscriptions by ordering online at Magazine Agent - up to 90% off cover price!
If you have unused travel miles, redeem them for free magazines at MagsForMiles.com.
Don't forget to recycle magazines when you are done reading them.

Click on the ba nner above and save up to 70% off your favorite magazines!

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Eco-Friendly DIY Liquid Soap

1/7/2014

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One of the many things I want to try to make are my own sundry items - such as liquid soap, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, etc... Not only are they more economical, making our own will also better for our health and our environment.

One of my favorite websites SavvySugar.com reports that many cleaning fluids, such as anti-bacterial liquid soap, contain methylisothiazolinone, a chemical found to be allergenic, cytotoxic and linked to nerve cell death, as well as Triclosan, another anti-bacterial chemical registered with the Environmental Protection Agency as a pesticide and is believed to destroy fragile aquatic ecosystems.

I already use all-natural bars of soap, but it gets messy and doesn't look as good as liquid soap inside a stylish dispenser that goes well with my bathroom decor! Alas, I found a recipe online where I can make natural liquid soap from a bar!

Supplies you will need:

4 oz. bar of natural soap
Grater
1 gallon of distilled water
1 big pot
Hand mixer

Step by step instructions:

Grate the bar of soap.
Heat the water just enough to steam.
Add the grated soap to the water.
Take the mixture off of the heat, and let it sit for 15 minutes.
Blend the mixture, with a hand mixer if you have one.
Let it sit overnight.
Make sure the mixture is completely blended. If not, blend again, and let it sit. Then, blend again.
Pour it into your choice of bottle or jar and wash your hands!