With the start of the new year, as I scroll through my Bloglovin' cue, I find many bloggers talking about their new years resolutions. In the last few years, I have shifted my thinking about new years resolutions. I don't look at them so formally. When I reflect upon this year on December 31, 2014 I won't judge the success or dismay by how well I made my resolution. Instead, I view it as things I am going to continue to work on throughout the year. I have a few in mind, one of them revolving around this blog. I am going to try to update more frequently. I won't say that I will post every (insert day here) but I will try to keep it going even when there isn't much to share.
The last few days of my Winter break, I had grand ideas of what I was going to share. Tackling our entrance hallway closet was on the top of my list. I bought
these baskets when we were at IKEA in Chicago this November. Cheap & functional. Just what I needed! (See below!)
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| BASKETS FROM IKEA |
I keep going back and forth about this idea I found on Pinterest for that closet. I love how open and easily accessible it is. But, I have reservations about how messy it could get and how exposed it would become in that hallway.
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| CLOSET IDEA?? |
Until then, my cheap IKEA baskets will help with organization! I was planning ton sorting through our winter accessories and organizing the closet. Instead, here I am propped up on our couch with Oscar, coffee, reruns of Law & Order: SVU, Chipotle leftovers (thank you, Z!) and enough cold/cough medicine to make me function somewhat normally.
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| GOOD COMPANY ON THE COUCH. |
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| TAKING TURNS WITH OSCAR |
So, since I don't have updates or pictures of the closet I was hopping to get to today, I wanted to share a number of websites that will occupy my time for a bit today. If I am going to sit around, I might as well get rewarded for it! I have no affiliation with any of these sites, other than that I have accounts with some of them that require accounts. I do get referral points for some (not all) of the links listed, so if you are going to sign up, I greatly appreciate that you click on these links. :)
Hope you all have a healthy and happy weekend! If you're in the Midwest where the snow is approaching, stay warm! I'm a bit disappointed with our predicted snowfall amounts, but we will see what happens. Perhaps I will be able to get a snapshot of the snow from my prop on the couch. ;)
EARN!
SURVEY SAVVY
This site was just as good as it has claimed to be! Essentially, they send you surveys that you fill out and they give you money for each one that you successfully complete. Then, whenever you have above $3.00, you can cash it out and they will send you a check! Sounds too good to be true? I promise - it's true! I received a check from them in 2013. Only downsides that some may find is the time period to get the check (4-6 weeks) and that you don't always quality for surveys. But, it's FREE money!
RECYCLE BANK
Through learning about recycling and the environment and pledging to become more green, you can earn points! It's as simple as a few clicks of your mouse! I have redeemed my points for a number of magazine subscriptions through this site! (Check your city! If your city has partnered with Recycle Bank & you recycle, you can earn additional points!)
SWAGBUCKS
This website is an all-in-one kind of site. It has surveys, search engines, videos, and more that you can participate in to get points. Through these, you get points that can be redeemed for magazines, gift cards (my favorite is Amazon), sweepstakes, and more! Their search engine isn't the best, but, you can earn points to get a gift card! The best part is that just by doing the "daily things", you can earn a few points with a few clicks.
AMAZON BOOK BUY BACK
During one of my first semesters of graduate school, I came across this option through Amazon. If you have a textbook that you are trying to sell back, give Amazon a try! You put in your ISBN barcode and Amazon either politely declines your book or will make you an offer! If you like what they offer, they will pay for you to ship them your book (aside from packaging.) Once they receive your book and confirm its condition, they will deposit their offer into your Amazon account.
ON THE PHONE!
SURVEY MINI
My Sonic addiction of a Route 44 with Sprite Zero & Diet Cherry has been fulfilled this past year with this phone app. Note though that at this time, this app is available for phones with an iOS operating system. (Hang on Android users!) When you head out and about to run errands or for a day out, open this app and let it run in the background. It will detect your location and send you short surveys - about 11 questions - for points. You can redeem for an array of gift cards ranging from coupons to $50 gift cards. (I have been loving the Sonic ones, although I may try to save for a larger $25 gift card next!)
VIGGLE
A friend told me about this app! When you are enjoying your favorite TV show, open up this app and it will listen in (like Shazam) to what you're watching. Once you confirm the show that you are watching, you check into it and get points just for watching TV! You can save up points and redeem for rewards! Even sweeter deal - if you are a DirecTV user, put in the code: DIRECTV when you sign up and you can get 5,000 bonus points! Make sure to have your account number ready!
RECEIPT HOG
The same friend who told me about
Viggle also referred me to this site! After completing your grocery shopping, you snap a picture of your receipt and submit it through the app. After being reviewed, you are given coins for your receipt! You can save up your coins to get an Amazon gift card or a PayPal deposit. The downside is that it may take a while to save up, but again - it's FREE money!
iPOLL
I downloaded this app this week, so I am still trying it out. You can earn two ways through this app. The first is to log on to your account through your computer to complete surveys and profile surveys, too. You get "paid" for each one that you successfully complete. By signing up, they give you $5.00 then the surveys - that I have seen - vary from $0.10 to $2.00. The other way to earn is to complete "tasks" on your phone. It will detect your location and give you missions to do. The ones that I saw when I signed up was answering questions about a gas station and a bank. You have to be at (or very close) to the location to get these missions! When you have accumulated currency, you can redeem for gift cards and other rewards. I am eyeballing the Lowes gift card!
TRY!
Hey, It's Free!
This site was the one that turned me on to surveys online which rewarded you and free samples. Because, what is better than free?! This site posts free things! Simple as that. There isn't one specific thing that this website targets - just anything free! You never know what you'll stumble across on here! My favorites have been free K-Cup samples for my Keurig machine! Mmmm... Coffee!
PINCHme
I joined this website in November '13 after seeing it... somewhere! I love it thus far. Each Tuesday, PINCHme posts new samples that you can redeem for that they will send you in a bright blue box. The samples and time are limited so you have to act quick! It reminds me of one of those subscription boxes that you may get in the mail, but it's all free samples! I have already received pet treats, Lady Gaga perfume, and cereal to name a few. Typically, when quantities allow, you can add up to three things into your box!
SAVE!
Kansas City Mamas
So, as you read this one, you may be thinking, "I don't live in Kansas City" and, or, "I am not a mama." No worries! Don't let that title scare you away from this one! A Target shopper turned me onto this site as she described it to the cashier. A mom in the KC area blogs about great finds that she has found, coupons, and coupon match ups to make things very cheap. Once per week, usually on Saturdays, she will post retail coupons (from
Surviving the Stores) and restaurant coupons. Planning on going out this weekend? Give it a try! (I have loved the Bath & Body Works coupons! Hello free candles!)
All Things Target
If you know me, you know that I have a slight obsession with Target. When we moved first out of our hometown to an area with a Target supermarket and Starbucks, I thought I had found my heaven. One stop shop for everything. The person who writes this blog focuses on finding the best deals at what other store?! Target! I am a self proclaimed bargain shopper and clearance aisle lover, so I especially appreciate when this blog is updated with what is on sale!
Target Cartwheel
If you don't know me personally, you now know that I love Target. And, I love this app. It looks like you can sign up with an email (and not your Facebook account) now! Weary about having your things posted on Facebook? You can switch your settings so that not everything is posted which is my preference for my settings. Without rambling on, if you like Target, give this app a try. I like to go in and double check with what I 'm buying with this app. Since getting the app, I have saved quite a bit already! Yippee! More for clearance shopping.... ;)
LOVE!
Dropbox
This thing has changed my life for the better. Coincidentally enough, the person who referred me to
Viggle &
Receipt Hog told me about this one, too! This has apps for your phone (Yes, Android and iOS!) and computer. You can upload documents, back up photos, and more through this free service! You can pay for more space. There are ways to earn some extra storage, though, at no additional cost!
