Monday, July 25, 2011

Save Money, Save Time When Shopping Online!


The following sponsored post was provided by Bargain Jill—Your Free Personal Discount Shopper!

I know we are still in July, but how many of us are already starting to think about Christmas? Yep, Christmas in July is here, and I am already thinking of the shopping lists I need to make and what gifts to buy everyone. Eek. Like always, I will try and do most of my shopping online this year - I love shopping online not only because it can be a time and money saver, but also as a mom with kids, it can be a real stress-saver too! I wanted to share another site I have recently came across and am loving- Bargain Jill.

Bargain Jill compiles deals, coupons, and storewide sales from across the web, eliminating the need to subscribe to multiple bargain sites. The site’s team has partnered with thousands of well-known brands like Macy’s, Sears, and Home Depot to pack the most powerful punch of bargains possible. Bargain Jill features a variety of items so that women can refurnish their house with the home and garden deals page and spoil themselves to a new pair of wedges from the women's clothing deals page.

It's like shopping at Walmart but without having to search for parking!

Bargain Jill saves visitors even more time with the site’s user-friendliness. The site is specifically tailored towards women—featuring items like women’s clothing and accessories, beauty products, home and garden goods, and children’s items—so that women don’t have to waste time looking at men-centric bargains.


But for the men out there- don't worry: Bargain Jill has a male-counterpart site which is just as cool -  named Bargain Jack. Both sites were created by Austin native Dustin DeVries who felt that people were spending too much time bargain shopping and that they needed a way to save both money and time.

Users can sort deals by deal type, item type, vendor store, and recentness, and best of all, users can search for specific items using the search bar. If Jill doesn’t have a specific item, the site will show Price Grabber's listings and price comparisons for that item.

Best of all, if you  follow all Jill on Twitter, by RSS and via her newsletter--so you will never miss a great deal!


Friday, July 22, 2011

Swap Toys, Save Money!



If you house is anything like our house, then you have toys. Lots and lots of toys. And your kids are bored withing weeks, days, hours of getting new toys....and want yet more new toys. Save some money and head over to a couple of online toy swap sites where you can exchange your kids outgrown toys for other ones!



At ToysToTrade.com, you will find toys in categories of age and toy brands. There is a search option where you can enter criteria of a specific toy you are looking for as well. This is an independent, family owned company whose goal is to help parents and children find value in recycling their old toys by finding a new home for them. Membership is free (subject to change however in the future) and it takes minutes to sign up and start listing & trading. (I am thinking this could be a great Christmas money saver!)


Another website that offers a trading and selling platform for toys is ToySwap.com. While they do charge a small fee (about $1 currently), here parents can list the toys they are giving up and then create a "want list" of items their little ones are asking for. The site then matches up families that have compatible items on their lists. You can also list gently used toys for sale on ToySwap as well.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

So Healthy, So Cheap Meals: Broccoli Soup Recipe


A broccoli soup recipe that costs little to make but still tastes great!

Brocolli Soup

Ingredients:
1 lb. broccoli cut into small pieces
5 cups water
3 chicken bouillon cubes
1 cup small pasta (such as ditalini)
salt and pepper to taste
1 cup ricotta cheese

Directions:
Combine broccoli, water and bouillon cubes in a pot
Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and cook until broccoli is tender (about 30 minutes)
Stir in pasta, salt and pepper
Bring soup back to a boil, then turn heat back down to medium
Cook uncovered about 5-10 minutes (enough for pasta to be tender0
Remove from heat and stir in Ricotta Cheese,

Serves about 6.