Samples

First I want to warn you. If something looks too good to be true it probably is, so you have to be careful before starting your search for free stuff. A lot of sites will state they give away free stuff (they are usually high dollar/full size products), but they have sponsor requirements that have to be fulfilled before you get the free things.

If you want to do that type of thing I suggest you peruse my friend Brenna’s website for some details about doing that type of thing. NaturallyFrugalMomma She does a really good job at explaining how to do this type of thing and just scored a $500.00 gift card from IKEA.

My other recommendation before starting is to set up a “junk” email account. Gmail, Yahoo Mail, Hotmail whatever you like best works fine. You will use this email account only when you are filling out forms for the free items so you don’t get inundated with spam. Also I rarely use my real birthday. I have chosen a special day that I use for this. I don’t know why I’m uncomfortable posting my real birthday, but I just am. And make up a new password that you us only for this type of thing too. That way you can remember it easy and it doesn’t give away your password for other more important places (like bank accounts, etc.) in case the information is compromised for some reason.

After all that, the sites I visit most often are:

Wal*Mart

Kraft First Taste

http://www.nojunkfree.com/

Start Sampling please use "amazeofgrace" as you referrer when you sign up!

Slick Deals

Fat Wallet

FreeFlys (sign up then close the window to ignore all the referring stuff, go into the email they send you and you can skip all the referral sites)

Other ways to get freebies are:

Check out product websites directly for freebies and coupons/deals. Sometimes you have to sign up for their newsletters etc, but it is worth it. Dove, Oil of Olay, Tide etc are always giving away free samples of their products. A good one is Proctor and Gamble…they send out free stuff through their newsletter often.

As always use SWAGBUCKS to search for free samples or free stuff while earning money that can be redeemed for awesome stuff. I LOVE this website and recommend everyone sign up!

Here are a few samples I came across on the internet today while writing this up.

Free MaryKay Sample

SoftSheen Hair Products

Tide

Splenda

FlixSticks

Playtex Sport


Always remember though the items you get are usually just samples…so don’t expect huge bottles of products for your time. I’ll tell you though I have used the samples when traveling and for an emergency kit in my car that have really saved me some money. Plus I have found some great products that I now use on a regular basis.

Things I'm working on...

I've been busy around the home and haven't posted much recently, but I've been working on some things that I think you might like. I hope to have some really cool things coming here shortly, here is a teaser of some of the things I'm working on.

1. Give-a-ways. I have a few things in the works so stay tuned.

2. Some product reviews. You know you want the info!

3. More content. Yes I am working hard at trying to do this on a more regular basis. Of course as you all know life sometimes gets in the way of the best laid plans but I will do my best.

Sample Mania

Ok, I haven't finished my spring cleaning yet - life and kids get in the way all the time. Which is no wonder my blog is titled the way it is. Anyway no pictures yet of the finished product.

Part of my issue is that I need to come up with some creative storage solutions for a couple problem areas. I live in my grandparent's basement at the moment and storage is hard to find. One problem is I have lots of samples. I use them for travel, in the car and such, but until I need them they fill up a box in my bedroom. They really are valuable so I don't want to just trash all of them, but I have to find a way to corral them at least. I will be getting rid of a few though, there's some stuff that I won't ever use, so Flylady would want me to get rid of it!

I'm working on my menu for next week. I think tonight will be a crockpot meal, since we have track and football practice. I'm going to head over to either Hillbilly Housewife and Kraft to come up with some ideas.

Spring Cleaning for Clothing Article

Decluttering your clothes is as easy as 1 2 3
By Marcia Francois

Wherever you are in the world, the seasons change every three to six months and it's either warming up or cooling down. Whatever your situation, take the time to sort out your wardrobe.

Pareto's Principle states that 20% of your efforts result in 80% of your results.

Did you know that this principle also applies to your wardrobe? That's right - you only wear 20% of your clothes 80% of the time.

The aim of your wardrobe is to have clothes you love, that look good on you and that flatter your body shape.

I've been reading up a lot on clothes websites and blogs and I gathered some tips for everybody:


* If you wore the fashion the first time around, you shouldn't be wearing it this time.
* Even if it still fits you, the styles and colours will have changed.
* Pleated and tapered pants are out for all body shapes. Aren't you glad?!

Now let's get busy purging and organising your clothes.
1. Put on some upbeat music and call a friend or professional organiser to help you.

2. Set aside an afternoon and remove everything from your wardrobe.
3. Make 3 piles:

* Clothes you don't love, don't suit your lifestyle or don't look good on you
* Clothes you love and that fit you properly
* Clothes that you're not sure about, for whatever reason

4. Action the piles

* Donate or throw out
* Organise in your wardrobe or on your shelves according to your personal preferences - by colour, style (smart, casual, etc), or season/ sleeve length, etc.
* Move to another place in the house or to a storage container. Diarise a to look at again date (I think of this as a pending file for your clothes).


When you look at this pile again, fit everything on. You will then be able to look at the clothes unemotionally and decide whether they deserve to take up space in your wardrobe (you want to keep them) or whether they need to be donated.

Rather have half the amount of clothes and be able to wear everything than a full-to-overflowing wardrobe where you can only wear some items.


Marcia Francois is a time management and organising coach who empowers small business owners and other busy professionals who want to make the most of their time. You'll get simple, practical organising and time management secrets to help you work less and enjoy life more! Visit http://takechargesolutions.org for your free Organising Success Pack.

Frozen Burritos

I've been asked a couple times how I cook the burritos after I freeze them. See Mass Cooking Day

If I have time/remember ahead of time I pull out a bag the night before and then microwave them for about a minute. I have a real strong microwave so it might take a bit longer in other microwaves.) If I forget I usually defrost them (50%power for 2 minutes) then do the minute on high power. I only cook one at a time so they cook more evenly. If you cook them much longer the ends can become a bit tough.

I'm just about set to do another batch though. I'm down to my last bag. They have been quite a hit with my grandpa, so I need to make some more.

Spring Cleaning Sunday

I think I'm going to use the lists I posted earlier and do a couple of rooms tomorrow. I usually use the "Flylady" style of cleaning (you can do anything for 15 minutes she says). So I'm getting my timer out and going to plug away tomorrow.

Anyone want to join me? I'm going to start in the bedroom and the bathroom.

I'll hopefully remember to post pictures when I'm done.

Spring ....or is it?

It has been so cold here recently you wouldn't even realize it was spring. I think our area's fruit crop is going to be pretty bad this year due to the cold. I just want a nice warm day so I can throw open the windows and get some fresh air in the house. Because nothing feels better than a light spring breeze blowing through the window. It clears out all they yucky winter feeling and just makes things feel fresher.

That always gets me in the mood for spring cleaning. But WAIT, I don't like spring cleaning! Ok, well I suppose that's not entirely true, but I dread the fight I get to have with my kids about what jobs they get to do or what clothes they need to get rid of or throw away because they are just too small or worn.

But I'll do it anyway. My favorite spring cleaning tool came from here. The printables are pretty enough to hang on the fridge or wall, and are detailed enough to cover pretty much any task that spring cleaning should cover.

So hopefully in a week or two things will warm up and I can get in the mood for spring. And if you have any ideas about sorting winter to summer clothes let me know or any other spring cleaning tips you'd like to share. I can always use the help!