Moms Check In – Money Saving Tips
New Year resolutions are in full swing right now and many of you are hoping to spend a little less and save a little more. I know I am! Here are a few of our best money saving tips for 2015!s #MomsCheckIn
The thing we spend the most money on is food. If I slack in the menu planning department we are at the store a few times a week and it adds up fast. Really fast. This year I’m planning to be more strict with myself about planning a menu, doing one shopping trip a week, and shopping from the flyer so I can buy what’s on sale and plan my menu around that, stocking up while I can save. It makes a huge difference and just requires a little bit of planning each week!
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
I’m not much of a couponer or a flyer watcher. But I do watch our spending tightly so that we can focus on the priorities for our family — like retiring early and giving Sam an excellent education. When I am going shopping, I take out the amount of cash I want to spend for the day and keep to that budget. That way, I’m not tempted to use my credit card or overspend because I see something that’s too good of a deal to refuse. It’s worked well for our family and helped us keep on budget — which I’m really proud of!
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
My biggest tip is to turn down the thermostat a few degrees in the winter and turn it up a few degrees in the summer. Our heating/cooling bill is the biggest chunk of money spent and just by turning it up or down a few degrees can REALLY make a big difference. I’m a big believer in wearing layers in the winter. If you’re cold, put on a sweater…haha! Actually though…keeping it a little cooler in the house during the winter is better for you too. Doctors will tell you to keep your home between 65-70 degrees. The cooler the better, because heat dries up your sinuses, making infections easier to breed. Yuck!
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
We try to keep our electric bill in check. We do lots of different things like using power strips, using energy efficient appliances, and using smarter lights. You can find lots of energy saving tips here! I also do the $5 method. Every time I get a $5 bill it goes into savings. When I am out at the store, I try to spend just $5 less. It makes it easy and at the end of the year, all of those $5 bills really adds up!
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
How do you plan on saving money in 2015?
Be sure to pin!
7 Christmas Cookies We Love #MomsCheckIn
Christmas is a time for a lot of great things. It’s the time of giving. It’s the time of family. It’s a time of remembering what is truly important.
In our house it’s a time for all of those things and for celebrating our faith, friends and family!
One way we do that is with baking. We love cooking up treats to give to neighbors, for surprising the kiddos after they get home from school and for Cookie Exchange parties to hang out with our friends. Here are 7 of our favorite Christmas Cookies that we love. What is your favorite kind of cookie?
7 Christmas Cookie Recipes We Love
We love Christmas cookies! It’s definitely one of our favorite holiday traditions. My Mom always baked with me when I was a kid and I do the same with my kids. Our favorites are Chocolate Crinkles, Peanut Butter Kisses, and Sugar Cookie Cut-outs. But I love to try new ones every year too. The Red Velvet Cookie Cupcakes are so easy and festive, and the Nutella Stuffed Cookies are honestly the best things in the entire WORLD!!
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
I love to bake, especially during the holiday season! My little helper, Sam joins me in the kitchen — just like I used to join my grandmother. He loves to help measure and mix… but of course his favorite part is tasting! We have a few classics we create each year that are family favorites, but we also loves to experiment with new recipes. It’s definitely one of my favorite ways to create memories together.
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
My favorite Christmas cookies are the peanut butter cookies with the Hershey Kisses on top! Doesn’t get much better than that in my book. My husband and kiddo though, love these Triple Chocolate Nutella Cookies. My all time personal favorite Christmas treat though (besides cookies), are these yummy-licious Peanut Butter Balls. They are absolutely heaven on earth! They’re also Eli’s favorite. We can polish off a batch of those in no time.
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
Our motto is if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Josh absolutely loves my secret ingredient chocolate chip cookies and he insists that we make them for every kind of occasion – including Christmas! So I love going to Cookie Exchanges where everyone brings all their fancy cookies!
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
What are your favorite cookies?
Be sure to pin this on your Christmas Pinterest board!
Moms Check In – Favorite Holiday Movies
The holiday season is here again! One thing that we look forward to each year are watching the holiday movies. It’s a great tradition for us to gather around, eat some popcorn, sing along with the movies and recite our favorite lines. Here are our favorite movies. What are some of yours? #MomsCheckIn
Christmas movies are a huge part of our holiday celebrations. They definitely get us in the spirit! Some of our favorites are Elf, Arthur Christmas, and A Christmas Story. The kids were already asking to watch Elf this weekend but I’m holding them off til Thanksgiving is over. Then, popcorn and movie time! Bring on Christmas!
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
My favorite Christmas movie of all time is White Christmas. I love the numerous set and costume changes. The will-they/won’t they love story. The behind the scenes of a variety show. And the poignancy today of a generation of soldiers who kept their wartime experiences bottled up inside.
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
I get so excited when the Christmas movies start each year. Our absolute favorite is A Christmas Story. Our entire family has actually called it “the You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out Movie” for years! Our second favorite is Elf. Then I’d say Jim Carrey’s The Grinch and Polar Express tie for our third favorite.
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
I love, love, love the classics! Miracle on 34th Street, It’s a Wonderful Life and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. Gosh, actually, I really just love all of them. Eek! So excited for this time year! Christmas movies are on NON-STOP at our house!
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
What is your favorite holiday movie?
Be sure to pin this on your Christmas Pinterest board!
Moms Check In – Best Stain Removal Tips
Kids and laundry seem to go hand in hand. But kids and stains? They REALLY go hand in hand! If your kids are like mine, you deal with grass stains, food stains and those I-Have-No-Idea-What-This-Is stains. This week, Moms Check In is all about sharing our best stain removal tips and we want to hear about yours!
My best tip, and one I’ve learned the hard way (multiple times – I’m a slow learner) is to make sure the stain came out in the wash before you put the garment in the dryer. Once you dry it, it’s kind of set in there and really hard, if not impossible, to get out.
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
Oh my word I am the one that needs tips. Never buy white shirts? Eat with a bib? Hope for the best? I have learned over many ruined clothes to look for stains and pre-treat them, check pockets twice for tissues and use good quality cleaning products.
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
I pre-treat everything that needs it, but if it’s going to be awhile before it gets in the washer…I keep a small pail with a lid filled with water and stain remover or detergent. That way it doesn’t dry out on me before I can get the stain out. Once the stain dries, you’re in trouble!! I also keep an old toothbrush in the laundry room to scrub out any gunk!
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
Cold water! As soon as you can with a stain get it in some cold water and use a little stain remover. Hot or even very warm water can set the stain.
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
I’m the mom of two non-stop kids, one who likes to make mud pies and one that likes to wear her food. Both together give me a run for my money on dirty laundry. So, what do I do at the end of the day when their clothes are covered in stains? My best laundry stain removal tips are relatively simple, because I like easy. My first tip is to put a stain-treating spray on it as soon as you can. Even if you aren’t going to wash the clothes that day, put the stain-treating spray on it first and leave it until you’re ready to wash. My next tip is to soak the clothes for a few minutes in the washing machine. Most washing machines have a Pre-Wash or Soak setting and that’s what I’d do after pre-treating the stain and before running through the regular wash cycle. I have a few more tricks up my sleeve, but these are my go-to favorite tips for battling the laundry stains.
– Sherry is a stay-at-home, homeschooling mom to two little ones and has been married to a wonderful man for the last fifteen years. Join her on her journey to celebrate family, rant about anything and keep it all positive. She writes about family, travel, recipes, kids, reviews & fun over on her website Family Love and Other Stuff.
Did you know that Dreft has more than just laundry detergent? They also have the most amazing stain removers! The To-Go Instant Stain Remover Pen removes stains, well, instantly and it’s the perfect size for keeping in your bag. The Laundry Stain Remover is sure to find a permanent home in your laundry room. It will become your best friend for getting out the toughest stains! I really love the Laundry Stain Remover also comes in a smaller spray! Perfect for taking with you on the go! Want to know more about Dreft products and have the chance to win some amazing prizes? Join us for our #DreftClean Twitter Party! It will be Thursday, November 13 from 1-2 PM (Eastern). You will need to RSVP here to be eligible to win some fantastic prizes (including: Dreft prize packs, copies of Scary Mommy’s new book and even a Kindle Fire!)
Dreft, Kandoo and Boogie Wipes are all working together this year with Scary Mommy to help feed 100 families this Thanksgiving. You can read more about the Scary Mommy Thanksgiving Project and find out how to get involved here!
What are your best stain removing tips? See you at the Twitter Party!
This Moms Check In post is sponsored by Dreft. All thoughts and opinions are 100% our own.
#DreftClean Twitter Party 11/13 From 1-2 PM (Eastern)
Are you ready for another FANTASTIC #MomsCheckIn Twitter Party? This time we are so thrilled to be partnering with Dreft to bring you the #DreftClean Twitter Party!
Dreft has more than just laundry detergent! Did you know that they have a whole line of stain removers, odor eliminators and multi-purpose cleaners? Dreft products are made to clean up the biggest and toughest stains while still being gentle and safe for even the smallest members of our families.
We love the stain removers! The To-Go Instant Stain Remover Pen removes stains, well, instantly and it’s the perfect size for keeping in your bag. The Laundry Stain Remover is sure to find a permanent home in your laundry room. It will become your best friend for getting out the toughest stains! I really love the Laundry Stain Remover also comes in a smaller spray! Perfect for taking with you on the go! Want to know more about Dreft products and have the chance to win some amazing prizes? Join us for our #DreftClean Twitter Party!
When: Thursday, November 13 from 1-2 PM Eastern
Where: On Twitter! Just follow your hosts (below) and use the hashtag #DreftClean
@MomsCheckIn
@Dreft
@its_a_fab_life
@SeeMomClick
@SweetPennies
@SpaceshipsLB
@FamLuvStuff
After you follow your co-hosts just RSVP below to let us know you are coming! You can only be eligible to win if you RSVP and are at the party!
‘); // ]]>
Speaking of winning…Want to know what we are giving away?
Four lucky people will be winning a Dreft Gift Bundle and a copy of Scary Mommy’s new holiday book!
One lucky winner will be winning a Kindle Fire and a copy of Scary Mommy’s new holiday book!
If you are looking for more laundry tips, check out this week’s Moms Check In post! See you at the party!
Moms Check In – What Is Your Favorite Pumpkin Recipe
I love pumpkin everything! I think pumpkin pie is probably my favorite but pumpkin in baked goods (breads, muffins, etc.) is soooo delicious.
I love a good old fashioned pumpkin pie, piled high with Cool Whip!
Pumpkin is my thing. I love it. Before fall even started I ordered a case of pumpkin.
‘);
Moms Check In – What is your favorite pasta?
October must be a month for foodies. Pizza is being celebrated all month long. Of course pumpkin is everywhere. Candy is abundant. Did you know that it is also the month of National Pasta Day? It was last week! Did you celebrate?
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
My favorite pasta dish is chicken parmesan. We have an easy peasy one that we fix almost WEEKLY. I’m actually craving it right now as I type! Other than that……I’m not a huge pasta person, but I do also love a good homemade mac-n-cheese. Mm. Mmm. Mmmmmmm.
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
here) from the basil in my garden and freeze it to enjoy all winter long. It’s so easy to toss with a box of cooked pasta and absolutely
delicious.
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
My absolute favorite pasta dish is Pad Thai. I love the fried rice/noodle combo, stir-fried with eggs and tofu, and the flavorful nuances of shrimp,
garlic, pickled vegetables and spices, peanuts and a wedge of lime. My mouth is watering as I write this.
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
What is your favorite pasta dish? Did you celebrate National Pasta Day?
Moms Check In – What is Your Favorite Pizza Topping?
Did you know that October is National Pizza Month? It’s also Friday which means for us, it’s pizza night! So this Moms Check In topic couldn’t have come at a better time! We want to know – what is your favorite pizza topping?
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
I love ham and pineapple, but I’m also a fan of just plain ole’ pepperoni. Sometimes nothing is better than pepperoni. YUM!! I could seriously eat pizza EVERY single day.
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
Hawaiian – pineapple is my #1
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
What is your favorite pizza topping? Are you celebrating National Pizza Month?
You Are Invited! #EasyToGive #UNICEF Twitter Party
We are so excited to be partnering with UNICEF and HSN to bring you the #EasyToGive #UNICEF Twitter Party!
Did you know that while your child is out collecting candy this year that they can be helping to save the lives of children around the world? Trick or Treat for UNICEF started in 1950 as a way for kids to help kids. Since then, children have taken UNICEF collection boxes (you can get one for free here) with them trick or treating collecting change for this amazing cause! Since 1950 children have raised over $170 million dollars while trick or treating!
This year UNICEF has made fundraising even easier! In addition to taking the iconic boxes with you while trick or treating you also have the option of creating an online fundraising page. In just a few seconds, you can set up a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF fundraising page to share with friends and family. The money you raise will help save and protect children by providing clean water, nutritious food, lifesaving vaccines and more. Because some kids need more than candy.
Your donation can make a big difference!
Be sure to join us on Thursday, Oct. 16th from 1-2 PM (Eastern) to learn more about UNICEF, their mission and to talk about what you can do!
During the party we will be giving away some pretty fantastic prizes including:
- 1 Wolfgang Puck Bistro Elite 18-piece “Favorites” Cookware Set (Valued at: $199.95)
- 1 Bella Rotating Belgain Waffle Maker (Valued at: $29.99)
- 1 David’s Cookies Spooky Box with Assorted Crumb Cakes and Brownies (Valued at: $27.95)
- 1 Hamilton Beach Power Elite Blender (Valued at: $39.95)
- 1 Simply Ming Bamboo Cutting Board with Magnetic Knife Stations (Valued at: $29.95)
You MUST follow all of your hosts and RSVP below to be eligible to win!
Step 1: Follow Your Hosts
Step 2: Let us know who you will be tweeting as!
Step 3: Send us a tweet (or RT the one below!) so we can say hi! Can’t wait to party with you!
‘); // ]]>
Can’t wait to join @momscheckin @unicefusa & @HSN for the #EasyToGive #UNICEF Twitter Party Oct. 16 from 1-2 PM (Est) http://t.co/1CUycDt1Sj
— Amanda Faulkner (@its_a_fab_life) October 10, 2014
Moms Check In – What Will You Hand Out For Halloween This Year?
Can you believe that Halloween is so close? Eeek! Me either! This week we want to know, what do you hand out for Halloween?
And don’t forget, next Thursday (10/16) from 1-2 PM we will be having a Twitter Party with UNICEF and HSN! There will be some pretty amazing prizes – over $300 worth! Be sure to RSVP here!
I go for the good stuff! But honestly, it’s probably more for selfish reasons than anything. I buy lots of candy “just in case” which really means so when we don’t use it all I can claim it. I’m a big fan of Kit Kats, Twix and Milky Way. YUM!! 🙂
– Amanda is the mom to Joshua and owns It’s a Fabulous Life. If you are looking for a one stop place for all things mom, It’s a Fabulous Life is it! Full of recipes, fashion, DIY projects, recipes and parenting articles it’s the place for all of Mom’s favorites to come together! Follow her on Twitter here!
– Jenni is the mom of one and the author of Sweet Pennies From Heaven. A hearth and home website, Sweet Pennies From Heaven focuses on recipes, crafts and creating a comfortable home. Follow her on Twitter here!
We give out candy, and sadly it’s usually candy that I like so I munch on it before Halloween…which usually means I need to go buy another bag before the trick-or-treaters get here. You’d think I’d learn my lesson, but apparently not. Those Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups just cannot be denied!
– Lindsay is the mom of 2 and author of See Mom Click. She shares great deals, Disney happenings and recipes. You can follow her on Twitter here!
When I was a kid it was a big deal to get mini chocolate bars for trick or treat so that’s what I give out. I may or may not have to sample a few of them.
– Stephanie is the mom to Sam and the author of Spaceships and Laser Beams. If you ever need party ideas her site is the place to visit! Specializing in all things boy, it’s full of inspiration! Follow her on Twitter here!
Did you know that while your child is out collecting candy this year that they can be helping to save the lives of children around the world? Trick or Treat for UNICEF started in 1950 as a way for kids to help kids. Since then, children have taken UNICEF collection boxes (you can get one for free here) with them trick or treating collecting change for this amazing cause! Since 1950 children have raised over $170 million dollars while trick or treating!
This year UNICEF has made fundraising even easier! In addition to taking the iconic boxes with you while trick or treating you also have the option of creating an online fundraising page. In just a few seconds, you can set up a Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF fundraising page to share with friends and family. The money you raise will help save and protect children by providing clean water, nutritious food, lifesaving vaccines and more. Because some kids need more than candy.
Don’t forget that next Thursday, 10/16 from 1-2 PM Eastern we will be having an #EasyToGive #UNICEF Twitter Party! You will want to be sure to RSVP to be eligible for one of 5 amazing prizes (Over $325 worth!) from HSN! RSVP here!