Ideas For Adding Coins to Your Piggy Bank

     One thing I have noticed as a fairly typical trend of SAHMs is the compulsion, need, desire to contribute to the family money bucket. Most of the ladies I know are like me...once strong independent female leads, now strong independent female leads that don't work (in the typical sense. We definitely WORK as SAHMs!!)
     So, what do we do? Well, many of us get roped into those lovely pyramid schemes...or wait they're called multi-level marketing "opportunities". (Please take no offense here...I do not mean to offend) I get it. They seem very appealing and fairly convincing. However, I have a general rule...if i have to give you my money in order for me to try to make money it's a deal breaker. Not to mention the fact that I'd be selling to people I know...all of whom are pretty tight on money themselves or already wrapped up in the same scheme. I try really hard to be respectful of anyone who chooses to participate in this sort of thing. It's their choice, and they might actually be good enough to make a few dollars. I get invitations all the time to buy from my friends and I generally tell them no (because if I can't buy from everyone I like, I can't buy from anyone. I did the same thing with anything students were trying to sell to raise money for school or girl scouts or whatever. It seems only fair). Not to mention the fact that I find it very difficult to part with my money. There are some ladies that take it pretty seriously and spam my email and facebook page...that sort of thing just kind of pisses me off and makes me even less likely to buy from them. Believe me, if I had the money to share I would spread it around like the herpes virus! Why? Well, because I care about my friends and would want to do what I can to help them out. But, I'm in the same boat they are, so it doesn't really work.
     Pyramid schemes are out for me. I just can't. So I've tried to find alternatives. Small contributions to our family budget while also allowing extreme flexibility. This has led me to discover a lot of very legit work-from-home opportunities actually, but few that provide the sort of flexibility I require as a SAHM of a 3-year-old. Thus, I have settled for (drum roll please...) survey taking! It is almost as boring and mind numbing as it sounds. But I can whip out a little survey in a short time while I'm not otherwise occupied, earning me $.50 here and there, sometimes more.
     In the spirit of sharing with my fellow SAHMs I'll share some of my favorite ones and most "profitable".

Walmart Savings Catcher app: This is not an app in and of itself, but a component of the Walmart app (available on android (my preference ;) ) and whoever else does apps). This one is great if you frequent Walmart as much as I do. Scan your receipts and Walmart will pay you the difference if a competitor's price is lower than theirs on any given product. When you are ready to cash out you get a Walmart gift card/code and can use that again to purchase items as Walmart. (win win win)

MintVine: This is a survey site, primarily geared towards marketing research. I get a fair amount of surveys on here and there are plenty of ways to earn points. This one pays out in a variety of ways; gift cards, dwolla, or paypal.

YouGov: Another survey site, but this one has more than marketing questions. There are a lot of questions about current topics in the news and events going on. You can also connect with others (anonymously) in a social aspect and share your opinions on certain things. It's actually kind of fun (if you're a huge nerd like me when it comes to social issues and politics). You can kill a lot of time on this site if you let yourself. There are constant polls and surveys. The more you participate the more they get to know you and what they want to learn from you. Earn points and payout is on gift cards for a variety of companies, including Amazon (which is my second most frequented store so this works well for me).

OnePoll: This one I like, but has low payout. It might be because I'm not in the target pool right now as a consumer. But I don't get a survey very often so I haven't been able to collect a lot on this one. Payout on this one is via Paypal.

Google Opinion Rewards app: Survey app. These are usually very short surveys. Payout is in Google Play credit. I love this because it allows me to rent movies from Google Play for free once I have collected enough points. Right now I'm working on collecting points so we can watch Finding Dory!! The unfortunate thing about this one is that the surveys are few and far between. I maybe get a survey pop up about once a week, sometimes less than that.

iPoll app: Again, available in android and other. A survey app that can be very profitable depending on your commitment to completing surveys. They have it set up so that you can basically sit on there all day (if you can handle that) and constantly take survey after survey. Payout is in gift cards to various stores.

SurveyMini: This is another good survey app, but like some of the others, it doesn't pop up with a survey for me very often. Payout is store gift cards as well on this one.

     So far, I've earned probably a total of about $10 give or take. I've only been doing them for a few days and I only do them if I have free time. So considering that, it's not the worst thing. It's better than making zero contributions to the family money bucket. There are a lot of other work from home opportunities out there that I never even thought about. Many of them require time commitment though, which makes it hard for me. However, when my son starts school next fall (sniff) it will at least open up possibilities for me if I am unable to get a job in human services related to my field of study. If anyone is interested in other ideas I would recommend that you peruse reddit.com/r/beermoney or reddit.com/workonline.

Best of luck to you all!!

Three Helpful Household Items For The "Crafty" Mom

Ok, I'm just going to be straight up honest here...I am not crafty. I try to be sometimes, but mostly I suck at it. I have friends that can create beauty out of the broken and art out of the discarded. Me? I have aspirations of that level of creativity and praiseworthy results, but sometimes it's important to accept that no matter how hard you try...there are going to be things you just suck at no matter how much effort you put into it. While trying out different pinterest failures I have discovered a few useful things.

Puff Paint is almost as useful as duct tape. I started out using it to put a slip proof grip on the bottom of my child's footy pajamas. Then his socks. It also works great for headbands that tend to slip. I am going to try this on the bottom of my trash can too. Right now I have sticky tack and it works, but leaves gross sticky crap all over that collects gross. (This is used to prevent constant slippage from pushing on the foot pedal of the trash bin.)



If you make a glitter bottle, don't use hot glue to glue the lid on. There is science here I don't understand, but it did not seal it enough to prevent the liquid from pushing its way out when temperatures change. So instead, use epoxy. Be committed, because it will never ever open again once its epoxied. But no more leaky glitter bottle. As a side, the glitter bottle has worked really well for calming times of overwhelming emotion or to help my son wind down at night when getting ready for bed. I have used it as a distraction/redirection/calming tool for both my son and my nephew. I don't use it all the time. Mostly in novelty situations where other techniques have failed. I worry if it's used too often it will become less effective.



A stitch ripper (that's what I call them anyway) can be a very useful item in your home when you have a child. Especially if you have a child that is sensitive to every bothersome texture and tag known to man. Sometimes you can rip the stitches out on a tag so that it comes off nice and clean. Other times, your only option is scissors. (Puff paint or permanent markers come in handy here too if you want to mark on the clothing somewhere what size it is for later use once the tag has been removed.)



That's all for now. Happy Parenting!!

101 Things I Am Thankful For

   

[TLDR: I am thankful for at least 101 things]

     Tis the season to be thankful! A friend of mine wrote 101 things she was thankful for. It was moving and inspirational. And after recent events (crazy shitty presidential election...), well it got me thinking a lot about the things I have. Sometimes I forget. Sometimes I get too focused on the things we don't have. But I have much to be thankful for and these are just a few.

1. My husband. He is so patient and is such a great father. He works hard to support our family. He sticks by me no matter what. Sometimes we fight...because we're married and when you live with another human being that will happen, no matter how much you love each other. But he is always willing to figure it out.

2. My son. He is my anchor. He is my life. He is my heart walking around outside my body. I love him so much more than I ever imagined was possible. I never thought I would be able to become a mother and I am grateful every day for his existence.

3. My family in general. My family is awesome. They are loud, sometimes obnoxious, and loyal to the core. They would lay down on a grenade for me. They are the foundation of my soul. Without them I don't know where I would be right now. Some of them have been there with me through my darkest days, never judging, and always forgiving. They embody what unconditional love really is. I love them so much.

I even got really lucky and acquired really amazing in-laws over the years. all of my sibling-in-laws are incredibly amazing people. They are so special to me. And I actually don't fit the stereotype of the wife with the crazy and annoying mother-in-law. I love my mother-in-law. She's the most thoughtful, generous, and compassionate lady I know. She sees the good in all things. She is a beautiful soul and I adore how much my son loves her. My father-in-law, I love him dearly. He's kind of like a dad to me in a way. I had two growing up and both of those guys kind of checked out on me, so, he's there. We have too much in common and sometimes we irritate each other. But despite that, I know he loves me.

4. Alcohol

5. Clean water

6. A quaint little roof over my head

7. The Kingkiller Chronicles & The Slow Regard of Silent Things





8. Harry Potter



9. Being able to feed and clothe my family

10. Friends - like real ones, not just the ones you acquire on Facebook. The ones who ask you how you're doing every now and then. The ones who listen when you need someone to listen. The ones who are always there. The ones who hold you up when you can't do it yourself.

11. Forgiveness - I f*ck up a lot.

12. Being able to stay at home with my son while he's growing up (too fast).

13. Having two vehicles.

14. Having a privacy fence.

15. Pizza

16. Mellowcreme pumpkin candies



17. Finished walls.

18. Netflix

19. Clean air to breathe every single day.

20. Nebraska and all its beauty.

21. Husker Football

22. My nephew.

23. A warm bed at night.

24. Heat in the winter.

25. The internet

26. Autumn leaves piled all around and crunching beneath my feet.

27. Running

28. The Colorado Mountains

29. Random acts of kindness.

30. My son's curiosity.

31. Caffeine

32. My smart phone

33. Being able to order food delivered to my front door! Oh Dominos...I love you so much.

34. Flowers

35. Sunsets and Sunrises

36. Good credit

37. Apps that make my life more organized and easier. (Pepperplate, Google Keep, Google Calendar)

38. Music streaming services

39. Shoes

40. Vaccines

41. My doggy right after she has been bathed.

42. My deep bath tub. And hot hot HOT water.

43. The scent of vanilla.

44. Firefly



45. That my sister-in-law is a freaking amazing and talented stylist who does an outstanding job on my hair.

46. Sanuk sandals

47. Did I mention the Kingkiller Chronicles?

48. Ibuprofin

49. My kindle

50. Ally Hamilton

51. Yoga

52. That I have time in my days to run or do yoga.

53. People that aren't assholes.

54. Morning snuggles with my son.

55. Reading to my son.

56. Listening to my son read to me.

57. Doctors

58. Corrective lenses

59. Cameras

60. The sound of a thunderstorm.

61. The scent of morning, especially after rain.

62. Trees

63. Reddit

64. Quilts

65. Music

66. The sounds my son makes when he's fake crying.

67. Being able to hear my son say, "I love you."

68. Kisses

69. Hugs. It's a little weird that I am thankful for hugs. I have "personal space issues". I'm always unsure about hugs. But when I get one, my heart feels so happy. I feel connected and cared about.

70. That my son thinks poop and farts are as funny as I do.

71. Buckwheat pillows



72. Electricity

73. Skinny jeans

74. Living in a "city" versus a small, isolated, rural town. Although, I do miss the sunsets I used to be able to see.

75. The lessons and memories I hold of my grandparents.

76. Hope

77. Handkerchiefs

78. Sporks (Seriously people, why is this not a thing. It's so nice to have one tool for multiple jobs!)



79. The feeling of super soft fluffy carpet under my bare toes.

80. Things that glow in the dark.

81. Pies made by my mother-in-law.

82. Chocolate

83. Strawberries

84. Neighbors I don't hate.

85. That I was so lucky as to have been given a honeymoon in Hawaii.

86. Gifts with no strings attached because they are given with love, not an agenda.

87. The sounds of a tent at night when you're camping.

88. The smell of a campfire.

89. Bear spray

90. (Have people really even read this far? Kudos to you if you have!) Rainbows

91. Those beautiful sunny days where the sky is a rich blue and the clouds are all puffy and joyful.

92. Wooden train sets

93. The local children's museum.

94. Fun runs

95. Having a partner to do fun runs with for-eva!!

96. Siblings to grow up with. Sometimes we really beat the hell out of each other, but we loved each other with the same level of ferocity. And if anyone tried to mess with any of us, there would be hell to pay.

97. Being a citizen of the USA.

98. Having the right to be educated, to vote, or to be employed as a woman.

99. Being able to teach one person for another generation how to be kind, helpful, compassionate, generous, thoughtful, and open-minded.

100. November days that are so nice, I can go outside in a tank top. (Although I feel a little guilty about that...global warming and all. I mean..I do want snow at Christmas, but damn I hate being cold!)

101. And last, but certainly not least, and definitely not the last one by far. There is so much to be thankful for. I think that if everyone at least tried to see the bright side of a situation we'd all be a wee bit happier. But getting back to the completion of my short list. ;) I am thankful for being alive. To be able to tell people I love them. To be able to do a kindness for someone I don't know or someone I do. To maybe weave some goodness into this ugly world. To live a life of purpose, however small it may seem the impact is. It means something. It means that humanity is not lost. And we should never ever let it die.

Ideas For The Minimalistic Christmas

It's that time of year already! Gifting season has begun. If you are like me, or even if you aren't...if you have any kids at all, you also have a lot of STUFF. Everyone LOVES to get kids toys because kids love to get toys! But for the small, minimalist home, or for the family with 4 to 6 kids (or more if you are literally completely insane...even more than two in my opinion is a wee bit on the looney tunes side).

Anyway, another mom blog to share.

A Friendly Holiday Suggestion From The Mom With Too Much Stuff

It's sort of geared towards their particular area, but there are general ideas here that are actually really great. I call these "clutter-free gifts". Mostly because...well I was inspired by my mother. She likes 'stuff' and has enough 'stuff' to probably fill up the entire state of Nebraska (ok maybe not QUITE that much, but it's a lot). So her children (me and my bros) all decided to try to get her gifts that are not tangible. Things like gift cards to her favorite restaurants, gift certificate for a massage, or a pre-paid giant dumpster to throw all her sh*t in (ok we haven't done that last one yet, but don't think we haven't thought about it! We're not sure she would see the thoughtfulness in that gesture as clearly as we would hope. ;) ).
Another thing about these clutter-free gifts is that they often provide a level of thoughtfulness that might not otherwise come with a material gift. Material gifts can certainly be thoughtful, but most of the time we simply buy things that people have put on their wish list. So maybe they aren't quite as thoughtful as say getting your wife a gift certificate for a massage and mani/pedi, but they are thoughtful with respect to people wanting to make sure they get you something you will like/want/need. You could get a gift certificate to someone's favorite coffee place. A wine club or beer club subscription for a year would be an idea as well, although those do tend to be a bit on the pricey side. 

For kid's the clutter-free gift might be a little more challenging, depending on their age. Not many kids probably get massages (or maybe they do...I tend to be out of tough with the latest 'trends' most of the time). But consider perhaps a mommy & me painting class or ceramics decorating class. If they live in an area where they have access location-wise to cool things like a children's museum or a zoo, you could get them a season pass for a year (as long as it's not a significant burden for the parent's to be able to get them there). 

Consumables are also really great gift ideas. Things like maybe some healthy granola or a basket of goodies (good for you or bad). Hot chocolate and/or peppermint schnapps. Booze is a great consumable that we often exchange in my family (we like alcohol...don't judge us). I once did a "movie night basket" for my nephew. I packed a little tub or bucket with popcorn and a few other snacky foods, a dvd, and fuzzy socks. Or a relaxation basket with lotion, bath salts or epsom salts, and other yummy smelling things that can be used up quickly. 

Another idea we've done in the past is making a specific request that if people want to give us gifts, they simply send us the money they would have spent so we can use it to buy a new TV. We didn't get enough to cover the whole cost of the TV, but it was something we both wanted and we were able to get it for a bit cheaper then because people sort of gifted half of it to us. 

Just a few ideas as we approach shopping season. I hope you enjoyed our time together. Until next time...love yourself!

I Did Something I'm Really Proud Of

I think perhaps this might be the first time I have ever completely followed through on a bucket list goal. Particularly a fitness goal. I'll be the first to admit that I am (or at least I have been for the bulk of my lifespan thus far) pretty lazy when it comes to losing weight or fitness. I always wanted it to just melt off when I started a new workout routine so I could just go back to my old ways...which, naturally, resulted in getting fat again.

What changed? Honestly? I think there were a lot of factors. One very powerful factor was finally reaching that maturity level where I no longer give a flying fart what other people think of me. Now, let me clarify, when I say that I don't care what people think of me I am primarily referring to my body image (and sometimes my parenting practices...). Once I finally found the ability to love myself...to love the body that I was given upon my birth...well things just seemed to be easier. I was no longer hitting those "quit lines" all the time. I no longer constantly worried about how silly I might look when I run or how some people are probably making fun of me because I'm running around with a handkerchief on my face or stuffed down my bra so I can easily blow my nose during a run (stupid allergies. Thanks evolution.). I don't care if people think I look like a huge dork in my brightly colored running pants. I don't care if I am slow, or if my bellow jiggles, or if I sweat like a man. I really think that was the beginning for me.

It was the same for yoga. I enjoyed it more once I took the pressure off myself to be as flexible and bendy as the pros that were instructing me. I enjoyed it more once I stopped worrying about what my belly skin (thanks pregnancy) looks like when it's contorted into a splendid yoga pose. Another contributing factor was the incredible pain relief it brought for me (I suffer from chronic SI joint pain). It also has actually helped improve my running. Running packs my body down. It's hard on my knees and lower back. But yoga has helped to prevent those typical aches and pains from even showing up. Yoga has also been a spiritual and cathartic journey for me to begin. It's difficult to explain that part. I think people have to experience it to understand it.

Anyway...as I have digressed quite a bit...back to the original horn tooting. I ran my very first fun run on October 29th, 2016. I would never have committed to it if I didn't have the support and partnership of my so very awesome sister-in-law. I did it for her. I did it for me. Having someone important as a part of this commitment was very powerful for me. It gave me motivation and made it fun.

The run was only 2.5 miles, but included some crazy ass obstacles that I did not train for. Some of them were really hard! But I did it. I did it all. I didn't give up. I sprinted a few times (the zombies were going to get me!). I didn't 'survive' the zombie apocalypse this year. I learned some techniques I will need to implement next year. But I am elated. I did it! I accomplished something! I completed a goal from start to finish! And the feels! Wow. It's hard to explain. I'm not sure I've ever really worked this hard to accomplish something. I'm typically a "give it as much effort as I feel like it and if it doesn't work out then it's good enough at least I tried" sort of gal. I did complete Insanity once, but I didn't feel the same way about that as I did this. By the end of Insanity I had too many aches and pains (it's brutal on the joints) to really feel accomplished. And to top it off, I lost 0 pounds. This time...well I still didn't lose pounds, but I feel amazing. My body feels good, healthy, fit. My heart is happy and I got to make an incredibly important memory with an incredibly important person right there beside me. It was the best day (except for the results of the Husker game *sniff*).

So it has begun...my addiction to running, yoga, fun runs, and marathons.