Having twins, Ricky & I never get to see movies like we would like to, but I feel a lot of people could benefit from this new website I have been hearing about.  For $15.99 a month, you get 3 Fandango coupon codes from Weekly Cinema.  For us, we just couldn't benefit from this, but if you are a frequent moviegoer, this is perfect!  Fandango has partnered with hundreds of cinemas across the country, but obviously you should make sure your local theater is participating.  If you have never used Fandango, you can pre-order tickets, so you don't have to wait in line for a movie ticket.  At our theater you just walk right up and get your ticket from a machine.  Super quick and easy!

If you try this out, let me know!  Once the girls get older, this will be great for them.  Three tickets is kind of an odd number, but that is a huge savings for the high ticket prices around here!

Xoxo!
Ashleigh

SwagBucks

Happy Monday everyone!

There are a lot of different websites out there that give you points for searching the web.  I really like SwagBucks because it is powered by Google.  I've been using it for almost a year now and I usually trade them in for gift cards from Amazon or Target.  Although points add up slowly from just basic searches, there are bonus offers that can really rack up your points.  For instance, we joined Netflix through SwagBucks and got enough points for a $20 giftcard for Amazon.  I have it as our homepage now and it is so easy to do searches now.  Also, although you cant expect to get tons of points right away, its nice to have a free gift card or two just for doing something you would normally everyday anyways.

There is a personalized link below and on the top of the webpage... if you click, I get points!

I hope you don't feel I am promoting too many websites.  I promise to give my truthful opinion and I am just writing certain helpful sites that I regularly use and save from!  Although I do get points by promoting SwagBucks, I obviously would not promote a website that isn't legit.

Here's a link for you:




Xoxo!

Cooking at Home

Since I've had the girls, I really have bumped up my cooking skills.  I have always loved to cook, but I never had the time or desire to learn how to cook well.  Now I'm a Food Network junkie and I love trying out new recipes.  Cooking at home is a great way to save money for many reasons.  Obviously, it is way cheaper, but there are other great ways to save.  If you use a slow cooker, you can make inexpensive (sometimes tough) meat very juicy and tender.  The slow cooking process helps tenderize meats.  I also love my slow cooker for days I have a lot to do.  I can throw some food in the crock pot and forget about it for hours.  There are a lot of great recipe websites out there.  One of my favorites is All Recipes , especially their ingredient search.  I use this when I have a lot of random stuff in the cupboard or veggies I need to use up quickly.  If you want some of my favorite slow cooker recipes, let me know!  I use my cooker year round, its great in summertime since it doesn't heat up the kitchen as much.  Plus, I make a great pulled pork in my slow cooker for barbecues. I find some great ideas on another blog, which she did an experiment a year or so ago which she cooked 365 days of slow cooking.  That's dedication!  Check it out here.

Other great websites to check out:

1. Food Network . I like this website to search for recipes for shows I've seen, plus the reviews are very candid and helpful.  I usually wont make a recipe with bad reviews.  
2. Epicurious My favorite part of this website is their Mobile application.  A lot of food websites have mobile apps which let you create shopping lists or search for recipes when you are shopping.  So convenient!

I was thinking about starting a recipe swap with my friends, maybe once a month.  I think themes are best, that way it will vary each month.  I have a lot of great recipes.  Whenever I make something we love, I print it off and put it in my homemade recipe binder.  Its getting so full I can barely close it!  Anyone interested in a recipe swap?

Thats all for now!
xoxo!

Ashleigh

Time is Money

Okay, that phrase is kind of cheesy, but its so true.  It just takes a little time to save a ton of money!  At first I was trying to avoid Twitter, but there are really some great offers available on there!  I am still in the learning stages of understanding what exactly is available on there (or even how to use the website!), but it really is beneficial.  Even if you don't want to venture out in the Twitter world, there are great offers on the internet.  I sign up for every website of places I go regularly.  From clothing stores to restaurants, I sign up for it all.  This is where the extra email comes handy, so your everyday email isn't flooded with junk mail.  If you do a little research, Im sure you will find your favorite restaurant or store on there.  Not all places offer great deals, but they are becoming more frequent.  A lot of the time you will get heads up on sales or special "members only" sales.  Here are a few of my favorite things to sign up for:

1.  Target Mobile (this is especially great with Smart Phones): they send coupons monthly.  Dont forget you can combine Target coupons with Manufacturer coupons for DOUBLE savings*!
2. Kohls.  Great sales and most of the time you don't need to use their credit card with the discount offers.  Best part, you get a $5 certificate for signing up!
3. American Eagle  I don't usually shop at their stores, but they offer free shipping and better variety of sizes on their website.  They have a lot of great sales that aren't featured in the stores.  Also join their rewards program
4. Some great restaurants to sign up for: Unos, Red Robin, Fridays (join their rewards program too!), Famous Dave's and Texas Roadhouse.  Even if you dont frequent these places, its nice to have a deal waiting in your email when you go there on a whim!  Also, during your bday month you get a lot of freebies!
5. Dont forget about your favorite grocery stores!  A few great ones are Meijer, Cub Foods and Whole Foods.  All of those send out coupons and special offers!  You can double up Cub and Meijer store coupons with Manufacturer coupons for double savings*, as well!
6. Babies R Us has a great rewards system and they have a lot of private member sales!  Once again, you can combine their store coupons with Manufacturer coupons*. 

There are plenty more places, but I figure everyone has their own preferences!

Thanks for reading! I found out I may have a writing job when we move to Grand Rapids, so you may soon be able to hear much more from me.  I knew all of my knowledge would pay off sometime!  I love to help people.   TBC on that topic.

Have a great weekend!


Ashleigh

*If you are confused by what the difference between a STORE coupon and Manufacturer coupon is, let me know...I can help you out!  Also, if combining coupons is confusing, contact me. You can also do this at Walgreens, CVS and Rite Aid.