What’s the Best Value: Buying Big vs Buying Small?

Sometimes you have to buy big and sometimes you have to buy small if you want to get the best value for your money. It all depends on the circumstance. At the grocery store, you want to buy big when buying in bulk will save you the most money. Of course, it doesn’t always work that way. Always check unit price and do a comparison of your various options. Usually this works well on items that aren’t otherwise on sale, don’t have coupons, can be used up before they expire or are purchased at a bulk warehouse store where normal … Continue reading

You Got a Food Deal Where? Unexpected Places to Save Money on Groceries

I’m a pretty boring person when it comes to grocery shopping these days. I usually only shop at one grocery store per week, although it isn’t always the same one. Some weeks I don’t go to the grocery store at all, choosing instead to stock up on grocery deals in unusual places. Knowing where to go to get certain items can help you decrease your food budget. Check out the following unexpected places to save money on groceries. Dollar Stores If you haven’t been to a dollar store lately, you may be in for a surprise. Many dollar stores now … Continue reading

Love Your Pet but Not the Cost? How to Reduce the Cost of Raising Your Best Friend

Have you ever taken the time to calculate how much your furry or feathered friends are costing you each month? There is food, vet care, that regular application of flea and tick protection, grooming fees, litter or bedding, and of course toys, treats and equipment such as carriers, cages and the like. Depending on where you live and how eco-friendly or upscale you want to go with food and supplies, expect to pay up to $1,500 for a cat and $2,000 for a dog during the first year. Rabbits, hamsters, birds and fish are somewhat less expensive. Let us take … Continue reading

Can Your Homeschool Blog Earn Money? {Part 3}

In, Can Your Homeschool Blog Earn Money?, Part 1 and Part 2, I discussed the background information you need before starting a blog that has the potential of earning you a profit.  If you missed those two posts, please take time to read them as blogs without a proper foundation do not earn profits. Not all profits can strictly financial but we all want to know now to earn cold hard cash.  There is no easy answer but there are avenues you can take to drive your blog to the bank. Here are some of the most popular ways to … Continue reading

Unexpected Travel Freebies

If you think tiny bottles of shampoo, conditioner, and lotion are the best you can score for free at a hotel, then you aren’t staying at the right property. Those mini amenities are nothing compared to the major freebies you can enjoy at some of the country’s top resorts, such as: Fish: The Hotel Triton in San Francisco is known for its iconic under-the-sea-themed lobby, but now you can experience that same tranquility from the comfort of your own room. The hotel is providing guests with a swimtastic roommate for free–a real goldfish. Your aquatic companion can stay in your … Continue reading

My Best Use It Up Ideas

Extend the life of common household consumables, from laundry detergent to cleaning wipes with my best use it up ideas. You’ll save more, spend less and have fewer trips to the grocery store. Cleaning Wipes/Baby Wipes It is inevitable that once you use that last wipe up, you still have a nice little pile of cleaning solution left in the container. Take advantage of the extra cleaner to get another five or six wipes, more cleaning than you expected. Simply detach a few paper towels and put them in the solution where they will soak it up and be as … Continue reading

Do Your Best And That Is Good Enough

“Even the best players don’t hit it every time”, I reassured Dylan after he asked me why he did not hit the tennis ball that I had tossed in his direction. He picked up his bat again and smiled, ready for me to toss the ball again and again. Every time he asked me why he did not hit it, I offered some variation of the above statement as well as praise for his continued efforts. He is two and a half years old, and I feel that it is important for him to understand that missing the ball is … Continue reading

What To Expect From The What To Expect Movie

If you are pregnant, there’s a good chance that you are aware that one of the most popular pregnancy books out there has been turned into a movie. “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” has helped many women (and men) to understand what goes on during pregnancy. I have read the book, and have found it to be a great resource that I referred to often during both of my pregnancies. When I heard that the book was headed for the big screen, I began to wonder how a movie about being pregnant would do in theaters. While I have … Continue reading

Insurance Blog Week in Review – July 1 – 7, 2012

Each week, the Insurance Blog Week in Review gives you a quick and easy way to “ketchup” on everything that has been posted here in the past seven days. There can be anywhere between twelve and fourteen blogs that appear. What did you miss? Just the Facts – About the Health Insurance Tax The Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Care Act is constitutional. Many people are confused about how the individual mandate tax will affect them. This blog gives you just the facts about that tax. The Insurance Blog Week in Review went up on July 2, 2012. As … Continue reading

Special Needs Blog Week in Review – July 1 – 7, 2012

Once a week, the Special Needs Blog Week in Review gives you a brief summary of each of the blogs that appeared here in the past seven days. This is a fast way to find out about the blogs that you might have missed when they were first posted. The Special Needs Podcast Roundup went up on July 2, 2012. This week, I’d like to point out an episode of The Coffee Klatch podcast. The episode is called “The Best of the Coffee Klatch – Sensory Processing Disorder”. The episode features Dr. Lucy Miller, author of “Sensational Kids: Hope and … Continue reading