Save Money with Double Stuff at Swagbucks

 If you participate with Swagbucks.com, an online reward point company, then don't miss Double Stuff today, November 4. You get double points on filling out surveys, no obligation offers, watching Swagbucks TV, search, toolbar and shopping. Shopping at some stores already earns 3-4 points per purchase and that is doubled today. Check blog, Facebook and Twitter for codes.  Save Money with Double Stuff at Swagbucks

Once a Week Cooking Shopping Tips, Recipes, Save Time and $

I am a Domestic Goddess Mama. My domain is kitchen efficiency and cost-cutting. To achieve that, I've created 2-4-1 recipes. Entrees are repurposed for several dishes. I get twice the meal bang for half the cooking investment. I use once-a-week cooking strategies, doing the bulk of preparation on Sunday when I have the most time. Here's a weekly meal planner that serves six people with seven dinners. There are usually lunch leftovers. These recipes feature lighter calorie options and are very healthy.  Once a Week Cooking Recipes for Economical, Healthy 2 for 1 Meals

McDonald's Gives Books in Happy Meals

McDonald's is the poster child for fast-junk food. We have them to thank for teaching kids they need prizes for eating fat-saturated, sugar-drenched food. Micky D is responsible, in large part (pun intended) for super-sizing the world.

But the Golden Arches is trying to expiate these sins. From Nov 1-14, McDonald's will nix Happy Meal plastic toys in favor of books. It's to celebrate National Family Literacy Month. Ebooks will be available online.  
McDonald's Puts Books in Happy Meals to Boost Literacy - News - Bubblews

Save Money with Recycled Kids Halloween Costumes

Halloween is fast-approaching, parents. Time to think costumes. Even if you don't celebrate Halloween or trick-or-treat, you might do a church dress-up. Catholics celebrate All Saints Day on November 1 and as homeschoolers, we did Bible character and saints costume parties. Here are money-saving, green tips to make costumes with recycled items. These costumes are generally warmer than store-bought, too. Read on. Recycled, Repurposed Kids Halloween Costumes 

Diet Tips Skinny Cow Truffle Chocolate Ice Cream Bars

I've been dieting for 10 months and lost 86 pounds. I've made a lot of food swaps: lowfat butter, cream cheese and yogurt, soy and skim milk, light bread. I cut meat and sodium and upped vegetable and fruit intake. I use zero calories sweeteners.

All that cutting sometimes leaves me feeling deprived. Sometimes, I crave something sweet. When I do, I'll have a Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle ice cream bar. Skinny Cow is made by Nestle. They're expensive-- $3 for 6 bars. I don't get why less costs more but I do indulge. That way, I won't be tempted to binge on fattening food. I only have one occasionally.   Diet Tips Skinny Cow Truffle Chocolate Ice Cream Bars for Sweet Tooth

Tightwad Mama's Common Sense Christmas Shopping Tips

I have a long shopping list of people to buy for at Christmas. Four kids and their three significant others, 15 extended family members, husband--and I buy several church giving tree gifts. I'm also a tightwad mama, by necessity and choice. Here are penny pincher shopping tips to save money, keep costs low and buy meaningful gifts for everyone. And best of all, it keeps Christmas the Biblical way--simple, the ways it was meant to be.Tightwad Mama's Common Sense Christmas Shopping Tips

McDonald's Sued for Payroll Card with Fees

Associated Press wrote about a Wilkes-Barre, Pa., McDonald's worker who's suing her former employer for putting earnings on a payroll card. The debit card had loads of fees attached (as they do). Each transaction cost her money. Employers are doing this gift card or debit card thing more frequently and it's no surprise why. They get perks from banks which they don't pass on to employees. They do pass fees along, however. McDonald's Sued for Payroll Card with Fees