Why I Love Swagbucks

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Christie

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Have you heard of Swagbucks? If you follow any blogs, I’m sure you have at some point!

To say I love Swagbucks may be a bit of an understatement. Just ask my husband. He’ll tell you I’m a Swagbucks fanatic, or maybe a little obsessed. Although I’m sure he secretly loves them too.

I started to “Swagbuck” a few years back. At the time I made maybe 20-30 Swagbucks a day. And then I learned of different ways to earn MORE Swagbucks each day and there’s been no turning back.

So why do I love Swagbucks? 

1.  It helps me get stuff I want (or even stuff I need) without having to pay money for it.

2.  Swagbucks can be redeemed for gift cards for places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, PayPal, along with many other various stores and restaurants.

3.  I can use the gift cards I earn to buy Christmas and birthday gifts for other people.

To sum it up simply, Swagbucks saves me money!

In January of this year, my husband and I celebrated our 6th Anniversary. I decided to turn my Swagbucks into restaurant gift cards and put together a “Date Night” basket. Here’s a picture of some of the gift cards we scored:

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We also got some Papa John’s e-gift cards that we used for at home “Pizza and Movie” date nights. All this was on top of earning over $300 in Amazon gift cards for that year. Not so bad, right?

Do you want to start earning Swagbucks (or earn more than just a handful a day)? I’ll be starting a series on “How to Earn Swagbucks” on Monday. So check back and learn how you can earn money to put towards this year’s Christmas gifts…..or even a vacation, after all, you can even earn Southwest Airlines gift cards!

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Quick & Easy Chicken Stir-Fry

Posted on July 17, 2013 by Christie

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I love making quick dinners that don’t take a lot of prep or cooking time, especially on busy days! Chicken Stir-Fry is one of my favorite. There are just a handful of ingredients, it’s super easy to make, and few dishes are used so it’s a quick clean-up. Since I normally serve it over rice, it is always a huge hit with my husband. And since he tends to love the stir-fry vegetable blends (peppers, water chestnuts, pea pods, etc.) it’s a win-win.

However, I do have to warn you….this last time I bought a stir-fry blend that had green beans in it. I will probably never do that again. For me, the green beans were a little mushy, which I did not care for at all. My husband didn’t mind though. Despite the mushy green beans, it was a great dinner!

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Chicken Stir-Fry

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 14-16 oz bag of stir fry vegetables

sea salt

Garlic Powder

Black Pepper

1-2 tblsp cooking oil

Directions

  1. Sprinkle chicken on both sides with sea salt, pepper and garlic powder. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces.
  2. Heat oil in a large skillet or wok. Add chicken and stir-fry for 6-8 minutes, or until chicken is completely cooked through. Remove chicken from pan and keep warm.
  3. Add vegetables to skillet or wok. Stir-fry for 6-8 minutes, or until they are tender. (You can also steam these while the chicken is cooking and then just add them to the chicken when they are done). You may season vegetables with salt, pepper and garlic powder if desired.
  4. Add chicken to the vegetables.  Mix ingredients together. Serve hot over rice or noodles.
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Weekly Shopping Trip – 7/12/13

Posted on July 13, 2013 by Christie

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Who is loving all the produce deals the last couple of weeks? We’ve been eating so much fresh fruit and vegetables. My little guy even ate a couple bites of salad this week….though it didn’t last long. He then discovered he could suck off the salad dressing and discard the lettuce from his mouth. But hey, it’s an improvement that he ate even some of it. Up until now he would put it in his mouth and directly hand it back to me. One of these days he’s going to love salad!

(This week I only have a picture of our Aldi shopping trip)

Aldi and Deals (Dollar Store)

  • Flat Leaf Spinach – $1.79
  • Baby Lettuce – $0.99
  • Mushrooms – $0.69
  • Grape Tomatoes – $1.19
  • Cucumber – $0.25
  • (2) Baby Carrots @ $0.49 ea – $0.98
  • Multi-colored Peppers – $1.99
  • 3lb Red Delicious Apples – $2.99
  • Bananas @ $0.38/lb – $0.71
  • Strawberries – $1.49
  • Hamburger Buns – $0.89
  • Ranch Dressing – $1.29
  • (2) Milks @ $1.78 ea
  • Stir Fry Blend Vegetables – $1.00
  • 10 oz Frozen Mango – $1.00
  • Sandwich Bags – $1.00

Total Spent (after tax): $22.26

Berkots

  • (2) 24 pks water @ 1.99 – $3.98
  • Cream Cheese – $0.99
  • 8 piece Fried Chicken – $7.99 (less $7.99 store coupon) – FREE!

Total Spent (after tax): $5.06

Walmart

  • Mango @ 1.18/lb – $1.18
  • Peaches @ $0.79/lb – $2.50 (price matched with Chipains)
  • Kiwi @ 6/$1 – $1 (price matched with Tony’s)
  • Lemons @ 5/$1 – $1 (price matched with Food 4 Less)
  • Diapers – $8.97 (not pictured)

Total Spent (after tax): $15.47

Weekly Grand Total: $42.79

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Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Posted on July 12, 2013 by Christie

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Father’s Day weekend I watched my two nieces. We were planning to go to my grandparents for a Father’s Day get-together, so I thought we could make cookies for my grandpa, my dad, and my brother. When I mentioned we would make some cookies, my 4 year old niece jumped at the chance. She loves to bake and “cook” with her mom!

So we pulled up a chair to the kitchen island, pulled out all the bowls and baking stuff, and the baking fest began!

It has been awhile (like years) since I have made these chocolate chips cookies. I forgot how good they were! I am not going to let years pass before I make these delicious cookies again. They will for sure be put on my regular baking rotation!!

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Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 cups flour

1/s tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

3 cups rolled oats

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 cup raisins

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Combine butter and sugar. Cream until smooth. Beat in eggs.
  3. Add flour, salt and baking soda. Mix well.
  4. Mix in rolled oats, chocolate chips and raisins.
  5. Drop into rounds on cookie sheet. Bake for 15-18 minutes. (Yes, it really does take that long!) If you like a softer cookie, bake closer to 15 minutes. If you like your oatmeal cookies a little crunchy, bake for 18!
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Bathroom Cabinet Organization

Posted on July 11, 2013 by Christie

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For a long time the storage in my bathroom cabinet was a mess. It drove me crazy. I tried using baskets from the dollar store, but once filled with extra shaving cream cans, shampoo bottles and whatever else I couldn’t stack them.

Finally, this last Spring I went to Walmart and bought plastic drawers. I so wish I had done this years before! This is what is in each drawer:

  • Drawer #1 – Hair brushes, blow dryer, curling iron
  • Drawer #2 – Femine Care products
  • Drawer #3 – Extra make-up, facial washes, q-tips, etc.
  • Drawer #4 – Men’s toiletry items
  • Drawer #5 – Women’s toiletry items

Not only has the drawer help declutter and organize our bathroom storage, it helps my husband put things back in the proper place. It’s a win-win as far as I’m concerned! And just in case you ever have to move, this system makes packing and unpacking of this cabinet super easy, since all you have to do is pack the drawers with everything still in them.

 

 

 

 

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Food Pouches for Baby and Toddler

Posted on July 10, 2013 by Christie

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I am super excited! Yesterday I received in the mail these Little Green Pouches and Infantino’s Fresh Squeezed pouches that I ordered from Amazon. Better yet, I was able to use gift cards that I earned from Swagbucks (more to come on how to earn money and gift cards through Swagbucks).

I cannot wait to make some applesauce, smoothies, and yogurt to put in these pouches for my little guy. These pouches are going to be a great way to sneak in some extra veggies, especially on days that he’s giving me problems eating them! I’m thinking they will be a great thing to have when we are on the go (and we are out and about quite a bit), as well as traveling. It’s also going to be a less messy way for my son to eat smoothies. Better yet, he’ll be able to feed himself!!

I’ll keep you posted on foods that work well in them and how they hold up.

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Weekly Shopping Trip – 7/8

Posted on July 9, 2013 by Christie

After a couple weeks of unexpected traveling, we were in great need to stock up on produce. I was excited to find some great deals on fruit this week. And check out the Berkot’s deal!! I was so excited to have a high value store coupon.

Aldi

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  • Nacho Tortilla Chips – $1.19
  • Whole Milk – $2.29
  • Sour Cream – $1.29
  • Shredded Cheddar Cheese – $2.99
  • Colby Jack Cheese – $1.79
  • Broccoli – $1.29
  • Romaine Lettuce – $1.99
  • Blueberries – $1.19
  • Strawberries – $1.29
  • 2 lbs Red Grapes – $1.78

 

 

 

Total Spent (After Tax): $17.39

Walmart

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(Everything but the tomatoes were priced matched with Tony’s Finer Foods)

 

 

  • (6) Kiwi – $1.00
  • Apples @ $0.99/lb – $2.69
  • Plums @ $0.99/lb – $1.05
  • Roma Tomatoes @ $1.18/lb – $0.71

 

Total Spent (after tax): $5.55

Berkots

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  • (2 pkg) Italian Sausge @ $2.99 lb – $8.77 (less $7.98 store coupon) = $0.79
  • Ice Cream Bars – $0.99

Total Spent (after tax): $1.81

TOTAL SPENDING: $24.75

 

 

 

 

 

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Easy Breakfast Casserole

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Christie

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Breakfast. The most important meal of the day, yet how often do you skip it? While my husband and I often have smoothies for breakfast, sometimes I just don’t feel like making them.

One of the most helpful things for me is to have something pre-made, especially if I know it’s going to be a busy week. That way, all the “thinking” for breakfast is done, the mess of making it is already taken care of, and it’s super easy to heat up.

This week has been a busy week with having Vacation Bible School at our church, and next week my husband and I have our Teen VBS in the evening. I really want to make things easy for myself next week. I plan on making an Easy Breakfast Casserole! I can make it on Sunday and we can eat it for breakfast the rest of the week.  I love it because it only has four (yes 4) ingredients and takes barely any prep time at all!

Easy Breakfast Casserole

2 boxes of Brown & Serve Sausage, thawed

12 large eggs

2 1/2 cups milk

2 – 2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided*

Directions

1.  Cut sausge links into small pieces. Grease a 9×13 baking dish. Spread the sausage over the bottom of the pan.  Sprinkle with 1 cup of the cheese.

2. In a large bowl, whisk eggs and milk together. Pour mixture over sausage. Top with 1 to 1 1/2 cups of cheese.

3.  Bake at 375 degrees for 40 minutes. The middle should not jiggle when you take it out!

* You may use whatever cheese you like. I love using pepper jack sometimes to give it a little kick!!

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Summer Sun Tea

Posted on June 19, 2013 by Christie

While I was growing up my mom always had Sun Tea in the refrigerator. There’s something so refreshing about a cold glass of tea on an incredibly hot Summer day! Now as I have my own family, I often keep Sun Tea available as well. And my husband is happy that he has an option other than water and milk to drink!

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Sun Tea

4-5 black tea bags

1/2 cup sugar or honey

lemon (optional)

water

2 quart Glass Pitcher

Directions:

  1. Fill the 2 quart glass pitcher with water. (You do not want to use a plastic pitcher, as it will give the tea funny taste).
  2. Place tea bags in water. They will float at the top, but once they start to soak up the water they will sink down some.
  3. Cover the top of the pitcher with plastic wrap or a towel. Place pitcher outside in the sun for 2 hours.
  4. Remove tea bags. Add sugar or honey mixing well. You may also squeeze some lemon in for a little more flavor.
  5. Serve over ice.
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Weekly Shopping Trip – June 14

Posted on June 17, 2013 by Christie

After a little blogging break so I could focus on getting my house in order after our move, I am finally back! Here is last week’s weekly shopping trip…

ALDI

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  • (2) Milk @ $2.29 ea
  • Cream Cheese @ $1.29
  • String Cheese @ $2.49
  • Colby Jack Cheese @ $1.79
  • Shredded Parmesan Cheese @ $1.99 (not pictured)
  • Graham Crackers @ $1.49
  • Brownie Mix @ $1.29
  • Salad Mix @ $1.99
  • Flour Tortillas @ $0.99
  • Tea Bags @ $1.89 (not pictured)
  • (2) Raspberry Cereal Bars @ $0.99 (clearance)
  • Bread @ $1.29

Total (after tax): $24.37

JEWEL

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  • Bottom Round Roast @ $2.99/lb = $7.83
  • 5lb bag Idaho Potatoes @ $1.49

Total (after tax): $9.48

WALMART

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  • Peaches @ $1.28/lb = $2.53
  • Red Grapes @ $0.88/lb = $1.19

(Price matched above with Food for Less)

  • 3 lb bag Gold Delicious Apples @ $2.99 (price matched with Chipains)

Total (after tax): $6.83

TOTAL SPENT: $40.68

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