Easy way to save money online! Best Cashback sites!

Online shopping has become my favorite!! I can find the best deal, get what I want quickly delivered to my door, and I don't have to pack up all the kiddos to do it!

As a lot of us are doing some last minute Christmas shopping right now, I thought I'd share my favorite tip to save money when shopping online....cash back sites!  I shop at my favorite stores (like Kohl's, Home depot, Amazon...) as usual, but when I go through a site listed below, they give me a percentage back on my purchase!
It's SO simple to do:

• Go to the cashback site
• Click on the store of your choice (each store offers a different cash back percentage)
• Do your shopping and they'll credit you with the cash....nothing to redeem, no forms to mail!

It adds up in your online account, and when it reaches a certain point (varies by site), a check is in the mail (or another payment if you choose)!  To make it even better, it's free to sign up and many offer a $5-$10 bonus when you sign up and make your first purchase...and you can pass on a referral link to help your friends save money too!

Here are my favorite cash back sites that I check *every time* I make an online purchase (and some highlights of each site)...

Ebates: $10 new member bonus, over 1,800 stores

Mr. Rebates: $5 new member bonus, over 2,000 stores

Shop At Home: $10 new member bonus, up to 70% cash back, 110% cash back guarantee

TopCashback: no minimum payout threshold

I usually do a quick check to see who's offering the most cash back that day since it varies.  I've gotten hundreds back in just a couple years (on things we've needed anyway!) which has been a huge blessing to my family!  This is my favorite and easiest way to save online!








(photo credit)

Friday Feature: Pinterest! The Virtual Corkboard Wonderland!

Welcome to the Friday Feature, where I highlight something that I'm really loving -- but first, let me introduce myself...........
"Hi, my name is Mara and I'm a Pinterest addict."  Seriously, they need a support group!  If you're part of this wonderland already, you know -- and if you don't know what I'm talking about, you must check it out!

It's a virtual corkboard - a place to "pin" all those great ideas, crafts, paint colors, recipes, funny things.....that you come across online.  It's like someone looked in my head and knew that I was wishing for a simple, beautiful, user-friendly place to keep track of all the fantastic things I see on blogs and other places!  (My method of copying a link into a draft in gmail wasn't exactly ideal!)

It's an awesome place just to organize the things that float your boat, or browse others boards and find oodles of inspiration!  I've already come across so many things that I don't think I would've seen otherwise.  You can follow people with similar interests - either their whole collection if you like their overall style, or individual boards -- for example, when their "Living Room" board is full of pins exactly like what you imagine for your own, or when every recipe they post in "Yum yum" is making you drool on your keyboard.

You need an invitation to join, but it's free and fantastic!  Send me your email if you'd like an invite!  And if you leave your "username" I'd love to see your boards.  =)

You can pin whatever images you'd like, and create any boards that you want - whatever makes sense to you....here are some screenshots of my boards:


These are dreams for my laundry room once we get done with the "big" stuff (like siding, roofing, flooring...silly details like that) and can work on the "fun" stuff...

Whenever I come across recipes or decorations that I think would be perfect for our next soiree, this is where they go (sure, 'cause we're so fancy pants that we have soirees)  ;)

I want to create a playroom/art area for the kids in the basement.....and some of these funzies would be perfect for what I have in mind - and some are ideas that I never would've thought of!

Ahh, my "delish" board.....here's where I go to drool!  ;)   I love being able to tuck away tasty treats here, so when I need a yummy dish to pass, or an idea for an awesome chicken dish - tada!  No more...."there's a dessert I saw online that would be perfect for the party - which website did I see that on??"

I created a "to make" board where I keep all the fantastic projects that inspire me to be crafty - so when I get the creative bug (and 30 seconds of free time) I know where the great ideas will be!

Ohhh Pinterest, how I love thee!!

What do you think??  Are you already pinning?  Or are you inspired to go start your own pinboard?  Need an invite, let me know!  I'd love to see your collections!

Friday Feature: Kids Snack Ideas for Summer Break!

During Summer Break, if the kids aren't lamenting about being bored, they're saying "Can I have a snack? Can I have a snack? Can I have a snack?" {that's three of them asking right after one another, lol}

Here are a couple clever ideas for managing the snack monsters while they're home from school - either during Summer vacation, in the afternoons during the school year, or all the time if you're homeschooling!

I love Kristen Duke's idea of having the kids choose what to "buy" for their snacks - check out her blog for a great system to "Streamline Summer Snacking"! 
{Her photography is pretty awesome too!  And I cannot get enough of her Pink Lemonade birthday party!!}

Also, in her comments, I saw this suggestion from Lorie that I thought was a great alternative:

"Fun!! We used to do something similar. Actually the same, just without the fun money. After breakfast the kids would all back up their snacks for the day. They had to pick two healthy snacks (fruit/veggies), one regular snack (pretzels/crackers) and one treat (cookies, etc) and they could eat them whenever they wanted, but when they were gone they were gone. It helped them learn to ration! ;D"

So smart!!

How do you manage the 'snack attacks' at your house??  Do you have any great tips or tricks for keeping the snacking organized or keep it from getting out of control?

P.S. I'm so happy that I actually posted a "Friday Feature" on Friday!  haha!  =)

P.P.S. Make sure to see the BIG List of FREE and Cheap Summer Activities HERE!  Awesome resource for making memories, helping kids have a fun Summer and keeping the "I'm bored's" away.

Time Saving Tip: Peeling potatoes quick and easy!

I don't normally peel our potatoes, but for those times when I do, this trick is fantastic for getting it done fast!!  I love finding ways to save time in the kitchen!  I'm excited to try it and see how well it works!




Have you ever heard of this or tried it?  What are your favorite time saving tips in the kitchen?? 
{I'd love to do a post about saving time in the kitchen and I might include yours!}