​This updated post is in memory our our beloved rescue senior bulldog, Mr. Momo.

Sadly, we had to say our tearful goodbye on March 26, 2020. We are immensely heartbroken and sad, but also grateful that we were able to extend his life and provide him a safe, happy, loving home during his twilight years. We will most likely foster again when we are ready. Please consider fostering and/or adopting. Thank you.

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​I've always wanted to work with animals, specifically dogs. I love all dogs, especially bulldogs! So, when I was looking for a way to work with dogs and make a little extra money, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that Ace of Hearts Dog Rescue in Los Angeles pays people to foster their dogs. Plus, they mostly rescue the bully breed - it's as if I manifested my dream "job"!

​We have been fostering our senior English Bulldog mix now for over 2 years. He was found roaming the streets of L.A., thank god Ace of Hearts got him out of the shelter in time. Everyone at Ace of Hearts works super hard to find good homes for all their dogs. Since I work from home, it's ideal that he's not home by himself for a long time, plus he keeps me company.

Fostering a rescue dog has been one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences I've ever done. I literally saved our foster dog's life! Fostering does take a lot of patience and dedication, but it's all worth it -- in return for the unconditional love from your rescue pup.
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​Get Paid to Save a Dog's Life

Ace of Hearts is a non-profit dog rescue that saves dogs from the shelters, giving them a new chance at life. They need your help by providing them a loving home until they're adopted, they'll provide everything else - the dog's bed, food, treats, toys, a leash, and a collar. 

​If you live in the Los Angeles area and are interested in providing a temporary home for a rescue dog and get paid for it, please contact Ace of Hearts at dogsfromheaven@aol.com or here. Tell them you found about their foster program from me, Marissa Winfrey. 

For fostering a dog that loves other dogs, they will pay you $50 per week. For dogs that need to be the only dog in the house, they will pay you $70 per week. Being accepted into their foster program is an extremely rewarding experience - you get to help rehabilitate dogs that were left to die at the shelter, giving them a second chance to be adopted! For complete details on what it takes to be a foster parent, click here.
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​Get Paid When Your Friends Foster

Ace of Hearts recently started a foster referral program. When you tell your friends and family about their paid (and volunteer) foster program, and they foster a rescue dog for 30 days, you get paid a referral fee. Contact Ace of Hearts for more details and tell them you heard it from Marissa Winfrey. Please consider fostering a dog in need, you're not only saving their life, you might just end up adopting them. Please contact them to verify this program is still in place.

Opening your heart and home to a dog in need can bring you joy and the satisfaction that comes from knowing you've made a difference in an animal's life. Check out all their adoptable dogs on Petfinder and Adopt a Pet.

Follow Ace of Hearts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Happy Frugal Friday!! Jim and I just got back from gorgeous Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. It was perfect weather the whole week we were there. Pristine beaches, luxe resort accommodations, delicious food... all in all, one of our best vacations ever! 

That's me in the picture at our resort's courtyard, over looking the chapel. The architecture is quintessential spanish hacienda (which I love) with stunning landscaping and views of the Pacific Ocean from every room. 
 
In booking the trip, I used some of my savvy and frugal ingenuity (of course). We have had our "vacation ownership" for 10 years now, it is similar to a timeshare, but way better - since we are not locked in only one destination or one resort for a specific week(s). We had some credits expiring (which I did not want to go to waste) so I searched for the best holiday getaway that was fun yet frugal. I settled on Cabo San Lucas, since it was close enough to Los Angeles, which meant airfare should be fairly reasonable. Plus, it was the perfect climate (vs. the caribbean, which would be too humid). 

I booked our airfare through Priceline.com, which is usually a couple of dollars less than other fare sites. Towards the end of my transaction, it asked me if I wanted to apply for their rewards card - so I did and got approved instantly, plus I received a $50 credit on my new Priceline Visa card. Savvy!

I picked Pueblo Bonito Sunset Beach, a 5 star luxury resort, plus it had several great reviews. This is one of the best resorts in the entire Los Cabos area, I hear this is where the cast of The Bachelor Season 11 stayed. Here are a few beautiful pictures of the resort.

Normally, it would cost upwards of $500+ per night - but since I booked it via our vacation ownership through RCI's exchange program, I only had to pay the exchange fee of $100 (which is half of their normal exchange fee, since I took advantage of RCI's special promotion). Savvy!

But our savings got even better!!! Since the resort caters to mostly Americans and Canadians seeking a home away from home, they are in the business of selling vacation ownership or fractional ownership at their resorts. So, we had to attend a 90-minute presentation (which ended up being 2 hours for us) while we feast on their delicious Mexican breakfast buffet (one of the best I've had). Although their offer was tempting, we were smart enough to not buy on impulse. However, their "gift" for sitting through their sales pitch was a $250 credit towards the restaurants in all four of the Pueblo Bonito resorts. How awesome is that... and believe me I made sure we used most of that $250 restaurant credit. Savvy!

Since there are a total of 3 other sister resorts within Pueblo Bonito, we took their free shuttle to and from each resort and to dine in their other delicious restaurants. We took the local bus to San Jose Del Cabo, which only cost $4 total one-way. Savvy!

Overall, our trip was fun, relaxing, adventurous (we went on an outback camel safari) and decadent. You really can have a luxurious vacation without breaking the bank. But most importantly, the memories we have are forever priceless.

Happy Frugal Friday! Do you know anyone who loves to eat? What if you can also save, earn money and donate to a worthy cause at the same time? If you live in California, there's an wonderful program from MOGL that not only gives you 10% cash back for dining at participating restaurants, but you also have a chance to win monthly jackpots! Plus, if you tell your friends and they sign up - you both make money! But, in my opinion, the best part about their program is every time you spend over $20 at a MOGL restaurant, they donate a meal to someone in need. 

Did you know that in California over 6 million people (1 in 4 children) don't know where their next meal is coming from! I was both shocked and saddened by this statistic, we are very blessed that we can afford a fundamental basic necessity such as food. 

For the month of September (which is Hunger Action Month) MOGL's partners Food Share Ventura, Feeding America San Diego and the rest of their network of food banks unite to take action against hunger. To participate, dine at a MOGL restaurant, use your linked card and spend at least $20 - a meal will be donated to your local food bank. Plus, every Friday in September is double meal donation! MOGL's valued partners are matching donations on their sponsored Friday. Let's do our part in helping others while we help ourselves. Click here to sign up for free! It's as simple as 1, 2, 3 ...

Happy Tuesday! I've always looked for ways to save a buck or two. But, I've also donated to various charities, from Goodwill to the Humane Society to Disabled Veterans to Habitat For Humanity among others. But it never felt like I made that much of a difference. There's always been a purpose I've been seeking that's beyond my frugal lifestyle. I believe I've found something that is fulfilling on a deeper level. 

The new company I'm a part of, New Earth has a GIVE program that facilitates their associates to purchase nourishing products and donate them on our behalf to impoverished and undernourished children in the United States through organizations such as Feeding America. 

Not only are their superfoods healthy and nutritious, but we can earn commissions by donating them. As the saying goes, it's better to give than to receive, but with this business you are both the giver and the receiver. It's my opportunity to be both an entrepreneur and a philanthropist in my own small way. While giving selflessly to hungry children compensates me monetarily, the payback is much more rewarding spiritually. I believe it can make a profound difference in peoples lives, both to the children we help and ourselves.

Please watch the GIVE program video below to learn about New Earth's vision and mission. 
If you want to help nourish hungry children + earn an additional income, click here to join.

TeamNewEarth.com/MarissaWinfrey