Making Money Through Blogging?

I have seen the little buttons on several blogs that I frequent. The Pay per post button? I'm sure you've seen it, too. So, I figured I would check it out. The problem that I have come across with this so far is that I do not qualify for any of the offers. Because I have a low google ranking. Google ranking? Who knew that google ranked you according to how often people searched for your blog? Or how often people linked to your blog. If this is what I have to wait on, I may never get to make money this way! LOL My blog is just not viewed enough, I guess.

And that's OK. I like my readers and I like the way my blog is. So.... I may never get a chance to blog for money.... oh well! LOL

BUT.... the Free Money Exchange link is still working! Check my post here for more info. They have extended this until May 15th, so if you have not gotten your $25 for free yet.... now is the time to act! So far, I have made about $70 this way. My DH and I both got $25 for signing up separate accounts, I got $10 for referring him and I got $10 for referring someone else. I'm not sure who because y'all didn't tell me, but that's OK! LOL Thanks!

Money is so weird. You need it to survive in life. You need more to make your life more comfortable. You need even more to make your life great.... or so the world leads us to believe. I know that I need money to buy books. Really. That's my one vice.

But, when you look at it, so many people are sucked into working sooooo hard and for such long hours, just to make that extra money.... and then they never get to enjoy it because they are always either working or exhausted! Take my life, for example....

Before we moved to Mississippi, both my husband and I worked full time. I worked as a Fiscal Supervisor over a Gift Shop in a hospital. I grossed about $29, 000 a year (I had just gotten a raise) but only brought home about... $800 every 2 weeks. Insurance on all of us came out of that, breakfasts and lunches at the hospital came directly out of my check, taxes and incidentals. So, $400 a week. DH was working construction at the time and was bringing home about... $400 a week. I think. It all depended upon how much they worked. It was never dependable. So, figure we were making about $800 a week between the two of us. That's approximately $3200 a month. How come we were in trouble financially? That seems like A LOT to me, now. Really. We are bringing home about $1650 a month right now. So, moving to MS cut our monthly income by half. Why are we better off?

Well, when we were in FL, I was paying daycare for one baby. I was also concerned with clothing for myself as I was working in a professional environment. DH had to have work clothes and shoes as well. And money for lunches for him. And I definitely did not shop frugally. I had no time to clip coupons or bargain shop. And we did a lot of shopping at specialty stores, going out to eat and shopping for THINGS.

Our bills are actually higher now than they were in FL. But, that is because we have a larger family. We lived in a 2 bed/ 1 1/2 bath apartment in FL and paid $600/ month for it. Here, we live in a house that has 3 1/2 baths, 4 split plan bedrooms and a master bedroom, an office and a library, a spare room and a separate living room and kitchen. The house is huge. We pay $750/ month for it.

We have medicaid for the kids and receive help from the state through WIC and also food stamps. The food stamps are minimal. We get $240/ month in FS. Our other bills are higher as well. Right now, for all of my utilities I am paying approximately $800/ month.

So, our total income (including FS) is $1890/ month. Our outgoing is approximately $1550/ month. That leaves us with $340/ month, right? Now, figure out gas. Luckily, we live only 3 miles away from DH's job. Gas wise, I only need to fill the tank up about every week and a half. Right now, it takes approximately $60 to fill up. So, lets estimate and say I am spending about $50/ week on gas. That's $200/ month. That leaves me with $140/ month. Figure that out expenses for the kids, such as diapers, wipes, toiletries, etc. usually run us about $75/ month. And then figure in additional groceries and non food shopping. And that's not counting things like old credit card debt that we are trying to pay off.

Yeah.... now you see where I am every month. Broke.

That is why I have been struggling so hard to make ends meet. And working the deals at CVS and using coupons and.... trying to make money online! LOL

We sat down one day and figured out how much I could make going to work. AND how much it would cost us. Because I was feeling like I needed to contribute to the bills in some way. And that maybe going back to work would help out. sigh.... Daycare for 2 kids in diapers would cost us about $300/ week. That's the best price I could find. Add in extra gas, lunches and clothing expenses. And then look at the fact that we would lose Medicaid, WIC and Foodstamps if I went to work. The best i could figure was that it would cost me about.... $1700/ month to go to work. That means I would have to be making at least $425/ week after taxes just to break even. Then, look at the fact that the best job I could find when we first moved here was as an Assistant Manager at a dollar store. Making $7 an hour. hmmmm..... I think I would be paying to work.

Basically, besides the fact that I would be paying to work, the reasons that I have stayed at home with the kids is that we want them raised by us. Not by a daycare. And not by strangers with different ideas of morality and different ideas of what our children should learn.

With all of this financial breakdown, the one thing that has not been factored in is the amount of love and happiness in our life. We are happier now than we have been in years. Even scraping by with little to no money for extras. Even with having to borrow money from our parents for anything unexpected. Even with DH working long hours and being tired and never being able to help out around the house.

We are happy. Our children are happy and well cared for. My teenager has someone at home every day when she gets home to make sure she is OK. To make sure she knows that she is accountable to someone for her actions and that someone is aware of her and loves her. My toddler with speech problems is able to have in-home therapy every week and I am able to work with him daily on the issues he has. My baby never wonders where I am. I never miss those special moments. First steps, first teeth, first dance, first anything. Or tenth anything for that matter!

Yes, there are times that I regret making this move. And there are times that I would give my eyeteeth to back in the work force. Where all I had to worry about was someone else's money. And there are times that I am pulling my hair out, trying to make it through each day with my sanity intact. But...... I am so glad we are where we are. I am so glad that we made the decisions that we did. I am so glad that I am able to stay home with my children.

And so, being that I am glad I am at home.... I still want to contribute to our household finances. And that is why I am spending time on sites where you get paid to click and trying to get paid for my blog. And clipping coupons. And trying to get a damn good bargain for everything I buy... it's my job. And I think I am getting pretty good at it!

So, while I am trying to do one of my "jobs" and earn some money, I do want to try to keep this blog a little seperate. I may do one day a week geared specifically to discussing bargains and frugality. And keep the other days for other things. Now, to decide which day.....

Cool Times at CVS

Here it is! Cvs shopping trip gone wild! Above you see a picture of all of the wonderful items I got yesterday. Let's break it down, shall we?

I only did ONE transaction! I know, I'm shocked, too!

1 Asencion Contour Blood Glucose Monitor RP 79.99 SP 14.99
2 packs CVS Diapers BOGO @ 8.99 each
4 Arm and Hammer Laundry Detergent BOGO @ 5.99 each
2 Gas-X 20 ct @ 5.69 each
1 Blade Body Spray (The man likes to smell good for me) @ 4.49
3 Zyrtec 5 Ct @ 5.79 each

Before sales and coupons total = 155.17
After sales total = 69.20
Coupons Used:
2 $1/1 Arm & Hammer
1 $1.50/1 Gax-X
1 $4/10 CVS(Playskool) Diaper
3 $4/1 Zyrtec
1 $4.50 CVS coupon (special)
1 $10/$50 CVS coupon
1 $30/1 ASension (adjusted to $14.99)
total after coupons = 20.21
ECBs used = 22.00
Total after taxes = $0.22

YES! .22! Hahahahaha I am addicted to saving money.... ALSO, there is a mail in rebate for the glucose monitor so I will get back the 14.99 that I paid! Well, paid with ECBs anyway!

UPDATE ** I also went back to CVS and picked up 8 more detergents. I couldn't pass up the good deal. I paid a little over $3 oop. No ECBs back.... but I still have 10 to roll over next week anyway. I think I have about 6 months worth of detergent now! LOL

Make sure to stop by The Centsible Sawyer to view the CVS Superstars this week!


Here are a few pics of the Wingmen of Mayhem just to make you smile!

Yeah, I'm cool..... want to make something of it?

I didn't think so...

Boy, he sure looks tired! Nap time!!!!!!!!

Menu Planning and CVS deals UPDATED

Akkk..... my menu planning is behind. Here is what I have so far. I think I am only doing until Wednesday. I will start doing my new planning on Wednesdays after the sales papers come out....

Monday - Leftovers

Tuesday - Homemade Pizza and salad

Wednesday - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and corn

That's it folks. I need to go to Winn Dixie and go shopping. They are having one heck of a great deal going on for the month of April. Buy $75 worth of Kraft products and get a $25 Gift Card for free! The GC's are from places like Lowe's or Longhorn. Read more about this deal here... Homeschooling Four gives a great explanation of the deal and what products qualify. Kraft products are not just cheese! They include things like Koolaid and Digiorno pizza. So... I am headed to WD for the things I need to buy this month that will work towards this deal.

On Wednesday I will check out the new sales and post a week long menu...

As for CVS, I went last night to take advantage of a CVS coupon for $2 off of Huggies that expired yesterday. These were my deals...

Transaction 1 -

2 Febreze Air Effects sprays

3 packs Duracell batteries

1 pack Huggies pull ups

2 packs Huggies diapers

1 Febreze Noticables kit

1 Venus Embrace razor

1 CVS pantyliners

1 Bath Buddies

Total before sales = 87.98

After sales but before taxes= 68.50

I used a total of $60.74 in coupons and ECBs. I paid oop $9.51 and got back $25 in ECBs.

I saved a total of $80.22 per my receipt.

Transaction 2 -

1 Swiffer duster refill

1 Swiffer Wet refill

2 8 ct Zantac 150

Total before sales = $25.96

Total after sales but before taxes = $21.96

I used a total of $19.98 in coupons and ECBs. I paid oop $2.89 and got back $5 in ECBs.

I saved a total of $23.98 per my receipt.

So, with 2 transactions, I brought home $113.94 in product for only $12.40. AND I brought home $25 in ECBs for next week. Pretty darn good if I do say so myself!

UPDATE*** @nd Trip to CVS Thursday Night!

I went back because my mom sent me her spare CVS key card and some ECBs. So, I went to geta nother diaper deal! I did 3 transactions on mom's card but I will just give total info:

2 Duracell 4 pack AA @ 4.99 each

1 Duracell Ultra 4 pack AA @ 5.69

6 1 liter Dasani waters @ 1.79 each

1 Pepcid EZ chews 25 ct @ 7.99

1 pack Pull Ups @ 8.99

2 packs Huggies Diapers @ 8.99 each

Total saved after sales, coupons and ECBs = 54.85

Paid oop = 17.85

ECBs back = 5

On my card I did one transaction:

1 Pepcid EZ chews 25 ct @ 7.99

2 Covergirl TruBlend Whipped Foundations @ 9.49

Total saved after sales, coupons and ECBs = 28.79

Total oop = 1.67

ECBs back = 17

Yay!

End of Update ! LOL

No further progress on potty training.... but no accidents today! He did pee in his pullups when we went to get Sissy from school... but I expected that. Tomorrow we will be home most of the day and I am getting out the big boy underwear. I'll let y'all know how it goes!

Coupons, Frugal Shopping and a Recipe!

Bina asked yesterday where I get my coupons. Well, all I can say is "Thanks Mom!" LOL But, seriously, my mom mails me all of the coupons she gets in her paper that she does not use. And any that her friends or my other family members give her. I also get the Sunday paper every week. There are usually at least one or two coupons in there worth the cost of the paper. I also check out many different online resources for printable coupons. AND I recently signed up to get the coupon inserts mailed to me at home. UPDATE: This is not valid... it is just the ads and not the coupons! Darn... You can sign up for this here. I joined a couponing group on Yahoo that does coupon"trains" where you get about 50 coupons in the mail and take what you can use and replace with ones from your own stash. That is starting soon. I like this idea as different coupons are available in different parts of the country.

I know. So many of the coupons are for things you won't use! Or, in my case, the store brand is cheaper than buying a name brand with a coupon. For food, sadly, I have found this to be true. BUT. Sometimes you come across a really great deal. For instance, Wally World has Birdseye Steam Fresh vegetables on sale for 2/$2. I had a coupon for $1 off when I bought two. So, I got 2 bags of the broccoli for $1. Not bad. Definitely worth it to me!

The way I do it, right now, is that I cut out every single coupon I find in the paper or that someone sends to me. I have two little expandable coupon files, one for food items and one for nonfood items. I separate the coupons by category (dairy, meat, canned goods, dish soap, paper goods, etc) and file them away. I am in the process of creating a database on my computer of all of my coupons so that it is easier to know what I have and what is about to expire. Right now I just try to go through them periodically and throw out the expired coupons. I recently found out that military families overseas can use expired coupons so I will be saving these from now on and finding out where to send them.

Each week when the sale papers come out I take a look at them. I usually already have my menu planned for the week. If there is a really good sale for an item that I have a coupon for I might go and get that. It depends on the deal. Usually I would then incorporate that item into my menu for that week or the next. Sometimes I find such a good deal that I stock up on something and don't need to buy it for months. Recently I found Triscuit crackers on sale for 2/$1. I bought 4 boxes and will not buy crackers for at least 3 months now.

I also visit several different websites that lay out the deals for you and tell you what coupons are available online in conjunction with these deals. The sites I visit almost every day are: Money Saving Mom, Thrifty Florida Mama, Fiddledeedee, Centsible Shopper, The Centsible Sawyer, More Than Enough, The New Frugal Mom, Mommies With Cents and Freebies 4 Mom. There are other sites I visit too but these are the ones I try to hit every day without fail. Thanks to Jessica for sending me links to several of these! Many of the deals are overlaps but not all of them. It is worth checking out! Money Saving Mom has links on her site to many different couponing sites.

It takes some time to get the coupons together and check the ads and sites. But the more you do it the faster you get. Everybody has a different system. I am still working on mine. My best advice is just jump in and give it a shot! And MAKE A MENU for the week! It is an invaluable tool to being frugal and getting good deals. In fact, I am about to begin making up my menus on Wednesday instead of Monday because that is when the sale papers come out! That way I can shop from the new sales each week for my menu.

Speaking of menus... Jessica mentioned that my Hamburger Gravy and Rice sounded pretty good. SO, here is a recipe. The closest I can get anyway since I don't follow a recipe! LOL

1 pound lean Ground Beef ( You can use less or more and have no effect on the recipe really... it depends upon how much actual meat you want in the gravy)
1 onion, minced
Minced Garlic
salt
pepper
Worcetershire Sauce

Cook all of this until the meat is browned, drain and return to pan. (I use a LARGE electric skillet for this)

Add to meat:
2 packs of Knorr Vegetable Soup mix (this has all kinds of dehydrated veggies in it)
Sometimes I might add some dried or canned mushrooms as well
Enough Water to cover the meat and make as much gravy as you want.

Bring to a boil and add Beef Boillion (I use Better than Bouillion) to taste.
Thicken with cornstarch and water slurry to make a thick gravy.
Add pepper to taste. (We like a lot)

Spoon over cooked white rice and enjoy!

I like this recipe because it is an all in one. The veggies are right in the gravy. The Knorr mix is a little expensive so I am looking for alternatives. My family would eat this once a week if I cooked it!

So, there you go. I am still refining my coupon system and learning every single day how to be more frugal and save money. It's an ongoing process but the least I can do to contribute to our household finances!

CVS Deals of the Week and Walgreens Frustrations

OK. Last night I hit CVS. I really worked the deals this week. Here it goes...

First Transaction
1 32 oz Heinz Vinegar @ 1.99
2 Glucerna multi pack Shakes @ 10.49 each
Total before coupons - 22.97
Used 2 coupons for $10/1 on the Glucerna (!)
Used one ECB for $3 from last trip
Paid $1.40 Out of Pocket (oop)
Got back $5 in ECB AND my quarterly ECB printed for $11.50

Second Transaction
1 12 pack of Barqs Rootbeer Reg 4.69 on sale for 3.50
2 Lady Speed Stick 24/7 Deodorants Reg 3.29 each on sale for 2/$5
1 11 oz Palmolive Dish Soap Reg 1.59 on sale for .99
1 Fantastik Spray 32 oz Reg 3.79 on sale for 2.99
3 Scrubbing Bubbles 16 oz Reg 3.19 Each on sale for 2.99 each
1 Shout 22 oz Reg 3.39 on sale for 2.99
2 Softsoap Spa Radiance Body Wash @ 4.99 each
3 small Gift Bags (Essence of Beauty Product) @ 1.49 each
1 Garnier Fructiss Smoothing Milk @ 4.39
1 Garnier Nutrisse Towellete @ 5.99
1 Garnier Hair Dye @ 7.29

I used 1 of the $10/50 coupons I had. I then used a CVS coupon for $2 off of any hair dye purchase. I had coupons for many of the other products and had ECBs from last week and from the previous transaction. I saved a total of 60.22 on this transaction with sales, coupons and ECBs.

I paid oop $2.49 for this transaction.
And I got back $27.98 in ECBs for next time!

So overall on this trip I got $85.68 in products and only spent $3.89 oop!! Pretty darn good!

I don't need anything else for a while as far as toiletries go. I will make a trip next week as I have a 4/20 coupon that expires on 4/13/08. I will work the deals again and hopefully do just as well!

I went to Walgreen's this morning to get my free ink refill but my local store does not do the refills! Darn it. Now I will either have to drive to the other Walgreen's or not get the deal....

Saturday Savings

Made a quick trip to CVS today to get some last minute deals taken care of.

I bought:

1 Clear Care contact solution
1 Reese's King size candy bar
2 Tresemme Conditioners
1 Tresemme Shampoo
1 20 oz Pepsi
3 Playskool Baby Wipes 240 count each

This equals $49.10 after tax.
I used coupons and ECBs and sale prices equalling a savings of $38.56.
I paid out of pocket $10.54.
I brought home $17 in ECBs for next trip. I also got 2 coupons for $10/50 and one for $2 any hair color purchase. I also have a mail in rebate form for the Clear Care. SO I will get back the full purchase price of that.

Not too shabby. I may not have to buy wipes for the next three months.

I also made a quick stop at Winn-Dixie. They have Rayovac Batteries on sale 10 for $10. The way WD does it, you don't have to buy 10 to get the deal. It is just $1 each. So, I took my coupons and bought 6 packs of AA batteries (6 count) and only spent $2.58. I can never have too many batteries. I saved $21.94.

That's it for savings today.

I will be back later with another post... along one I have been working on. I just wanted to get the savings update out of the way! LOL