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Pledge to Recycle and Earn Money for Your School

The coupons for product redemption, information, and gift card have been provided by Entenmann’s Little Bites® so that I could try the product and share information about the Entenmann’s Little Bites ® Pouch Recycling Program with TerraCycle® and my thoughts and information about Entenmann’s Little Bites®. The opinions expressed in this post are my own and do not reflect the opinions of Entenmann’s Little Bites®.

After School Snack. I love having a treat for my kids, but often dread getting something out and prepared. Baking cookies takes too long in my busy days. Popcorn becomes a hazard for the baby. Popsicles leave a sticky mess everywhere.

My favorite snack to give the kids is Entenmann’s® Little Bites®. They come in individual packets – yay for no arguing over the snack bowl! They are also made with real ingredients. AND we can turn around and send the pouches Terracycle and earn a little money for the kids’ school.

Enjoy Reading: How to Have Big Conversations In Little Moments

I’ve got some budding environmentalists here in my house. Chloe loves saving every scrap of garbage and creating all kinds of things out of them. That is pretty much what Terracycle does too.

Terracycle® is an international recycling company that turns waste into reusable plastic. From park benches to recycling bins, to playground equipment – Terracycle is turning our trash into treasures.

The great part is we can get involved too! All you have to do is take the pledge to recycle today. When you send in your box of Little Bites Pouches weighing over 5lbs you’ll receive 2 points. These points can then be redeemed for cash for your school!

BONUS! Now through the end of April when you make the pledge to recycle you can enter to win a Classroom Party for the school of your choice, and your first and second shipment of Little Bites Pouches will receive 500 and 1000 bonus points. One lucky school will win a classroom party that includes 5 boxes of Entenmann’s Little Bites and 100 recycled Pencil cases.

When the kids finish their snack I have them collect the pouches together so we can save them for our next shipment to Terracycle.

Will you take the Pledge to Recycle?

March 26, 2018
Tips for Buying a Used Car
Tips for Buying a Used Car is a Sponsored Post.

Here’s the deal. I’ve never ever owned a new car. Even as a kid, my parents always bought used cars.

See, when you drive off that car lot in a brand new car, all that money you just spent will never get back to you. New cars can lose between 10-20% of their value within the first year of ownership.

Used cars, however, well they’re valued what they’re valued. Just as everything loses a little value over time so will your used car, but not at nearly the same rate a new car does. For this reason, we always buy second hand when it comes to our vehicles.

Of course, when buying used it means making some compromises. You won’t have that new car smell, and there will be some wear and tear. However, with these tips, you can avoid clunkers and pricey repairs on your ‘new to you’ used vehicle.

Research. Reseach. Research.

A car might look pretty. It might have a cool name. A cool car does not always a reliable car make. This one time we bought a car because it sounded like a fun ride. Well, a day after making our purchase we found the car dying at every stop sign. The fun car was no longer so fun. Lesson learned. Cars.com is a fantastic resource to find reviews of every car you may be considering purchasing. You’ll see pros, cons, and what others think of the vehicle.

Take it for a Test Drive.

Head out on a few different terrains (that you normally drive). If you live in the country with dirt roads, make sure the car you are driving will handle well on the dirt. If you drive more inner city, and freeways, your car should be able to handle higher speeds and frequent stop and go’s.

Call in a Mechanic.

Usually, on our test drive, we’ll run the potential vehicle to our trusted mechanic – one not affiliated with the dealership. For 10-20 bucks you can get a full inspection. Just remember, it is a used car. There will be some problems. The question is how big are the problems, are they problems you can live with? Common problems you will run into with used cars are:
- tires
- cv joints
- control arms
- link pins
- brakes – rotors/pads/brake lines
- fluids – deposits in coolant, dirty oil.
Look Up the Car’s History

Every car has a history. It’s a good idea to know what your car has been through. A car’s VIN number can tell you whether the car has been to the dealership for routine maintenance, if it’s been in a crash, and how many owners it’s had. You want a car that has been taken care of with only normal wear and tear going on. Unfortunately, a full history won’t always be available if the previous owners did the maintenance themselves. This would be an area to ask your mechanic to check if the car appears to have been taken care of properly. You can check the history of a car on Cars.com

Check for Recalls

I wouldn’t have thought to check for recalls until the last few years. Our newest used car purchase has gone through not 1, but 2 airbag recalls. Thankfully the company contacts us and replaces everything for free. However, you don’t want to start out buying a car that is full of recalled parts. Ask the dealer if there are any known recalls, and whether they have replaced the needed parts, or if you would need to have that done.

Sleep on it.

And by that, I don’t mean sit on the car. Sit on your decision to purchase. Rushing into buying a used car is never a good thing, no matter how much you may want a car right that moment. Letting yourself sleep on the decision, and coming back to test drive a day or two later will help you see any components of the car you don’t like. If we had waited a bit more, I would have realized just how much I don’t like the small trunk in our current car.

Now you are ready to purchase your car! Congratulations on what should be a reliable car for years to come.
November 27, 2017
Back to School Savings at Disney with TopCashBack

This post on back to school savings at the Disney Store is sponsored by TopCashBack. All opinions are my own.

Are your kids back in school yet? We love this time of year around our house. We get back to a better routine, and I get a little bit of quiet adult time. One thing for sure, though, going back to school is not cheap. Whether your school provides a list of items for you to purchase or charges a standard fee, parents everywhere are looking to send their kids back to school with the tools they need to succeed while saving money.

I give you TopCashBack. The site that gives school savings back to you with every purchase.

It’s pretty simple to use really. First, you’ll want to sign up for a Free account. Search the over 4000 retailers for the store you want to shop at. We’re checking out the Disney Store because I can count on them for clothes my kids will love wearing, and they even have school supply sets that Lincoln is obsessed with.

Once you find the store you want to shop through click on “Get Cashback Now”, and you’ll get this message above while being redirected to the store.

Go ahead and shop as normal, get your items. Check back to your TopCashBack account within 1-2 days to see your earnings. 100% commissions are given back to members, and it costs you nothing to shop with them.

Finally go ahead and cash out to your bank account. With TopCashBack there is no minimum payout, so whether your have .01 or $100+, you’ll always be able to get that money back where you can use it.

Back To School Savings at the Disney Store

I’m loving the Back To School section at the Disney Store right now. There’s already a good number of savings up to 40% off going on, but then you add the 5% cashback from TopCashBack, and you can really snag some great Disney deals for your kids.

School Gear

Personally, I love the Cars 3 Lunchbox, but Lincoln is wishing for the Spiderman Lunchbox, Backpack and Stationary combination. Venice fell in love with the Emoji back to school set pictured here.

Back to School Clothing

Everyone knows that first day back can set the tone for the rest of the year. This is why we dress our kids up in brand new clothes every year right? First impressions with teachers, staff, and possibly new friends can change their year. Of course, new clothes I always found gave me a bit more confidence too. Graphic tees are always in style, and pair with so much that they can wear them all year and sport their favorite characters. I’m kind of loving on this Belle Tee and want it in my size.

What are you waiting for? Sign-up today at TopCashBack and start getting your school savings today.

August 21, 2017
Graeters Ice Cream New Mystery Flavor

I received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

Have you ever been to a Graters Scoop Shop? Maybe you’ve seen Graeters ice cream in your local grocery store’s frozen section. Today, they announced their newest mystery flavor!

Strawberry Cheesecake

Oh my tastebuds! I took Lincoln and my sister-in-law out for an afternoon treat because we just had to try this new flavor the same day it came out. It tastes exactly like a strawberry cheesecake, only in ice cream form. Ah heaven. The cheesecake ice cream is filled with the right amount of graham cracker crumbles to delicious strawberry bits ratio.

Due to a peanut allergy my nephew has, we also shared some of Graeters Buckeye Ice Cream – equally divine! Lincoln made out with a sprinkle covered cone filled with good old vanilla. Of course I had to take a photo of our fantastic server as well. One of my favorite things to do while visiting Graeters is tasting the ice cream before buying. With little spoons, you can try any flavor, including the new Strawberry Cheesecake!

March 1, 2017
Earn $3 when you buy MorningStar Farms® at Walmart

This shop for MorningStar Farms® has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DailyVegolutions #CollectiveBias

Are you tired of your same old meal plans from last year? Are you ready to introduce new healthier options in 2017? Do you and your family want to incorporate more vegetables into your meals but are not quite sure where to begin? Now is the time to make some New Year’s “Vegolutions” for your busy lifestyle! MorningStar Farms® products are a great way to incorporate vegetables into your weekly meal planning. These items are not just for vegetarians, but are great for everybody!!

With MorningStar Farms® products, it is easy to substitute meat for veggies and use them for breakfast, lunch & dinner!

Don’t miss this great Ibotta offer! When you buy any 3 MorningStar Farms® products at Walmart, you will earn $3.00! *Offer available through 2/15/17 or while supplies last.

January 11, 2017
Make a Difference with Graeters and Brewhaus

This post on Graeters and Brewhaus is sponsored. All opinions are 100% my own.

With a new year, many of us are looking for ways to better our own lives and make a difference. I still haven’t figured out my “word” for the year, but I do know I want to feel more fulfilled as I make a difference around me. Graeters Ice Cream is making it easy for you to make a difference in the life of those who need it most.

Before moving to Indiana I had never even heard of Graeters Ice Cream. Now I drive past one of their scoop shops on a weekly basis as I head into town for a myriad of different things. I always made a mental note that I wanted to check them out one day. The year went by, and in late fall a few of my girlfriends and I decided to head out for the evening and get some ice cream. It was delicious, and they let us try all the flavors before deciding on our final choices. Basically, it was a fun night out.

So fast forward to fall, and I receive an email letting me know that Graeters is reintroducing Dog Treats at their store. OK, that’s cool I thought, but we don’t have a dog. OH, wait, it’s not just a new product that Graeters is offering for sale! Nope. These Dog Treats are made by Brewhaus! Ever heard of Brewhaus?

OK, honestly, neither had I, but there had to be some catch as to why this would garner a special email, so I looked into it. Brewhaus is a not for profit bakery that offers vocational training for young adults with disabilities! Now we’re talking! OK OK, I still don’t have a dog, but if I did, I’d be buying our Dog Bones from Graeters. Instead, I will continue to support Graeters with my ice cream purchases so they can continue to support companies like Brewhaus that are truly making a difference.

Find your Local Graeters Scoop Shop.

This is just one of many reasons I love living in our small town. In the summertime, you can see many shops lining our main shopping district with water bowls and free treats for pets. Now with Graeters addition of Brewhaus Dog Bones, I’m checking to see which other local stores are giving back to the community and those in need.

January 4, 2017
Give the Gift of Reading with Book of the Month Subscriptions

Give the gift of reading! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links.

Odds are there is someone in your life who loves to read. Someone who you buy a book for every time a gift is needed. Perhaps, though, you’ve run out of book ideas to match your friend and loved one.

If you’re like me, you’ve been giving books as gifts for so long that you’ve probably exhausted your library of favorites. As I’ve grown I’ve also found my own taste of genres widening and changing. Most likely, the people I gift books to have also had a slight change in their favorite genres. Perhaps they’ve branched out to more historical, or maybe they now find the science fiction fascinating.

Of course, that’s one of the joys of books. There are so many options out there, you’ll always be able to find something to give. However, my new favorite subscription comes from the Book of the Month club. Each month they put out new books to choose from, and with your subscription, the power to choose which book fits your current style is in your own hands! It makes it the perfect gift of reading.

Give the Gift of Reading

Book of the Month Club would make a fabulous gift to give that special book lover this year. You can choose from 3-month, 6-month, or 12-month gift subscriptions. Or better yet, buy yourself a Book of the Month Subscription, and give yourself the gift of reading in 2017.

Check out my bookshelf for more reading suggestions.

November 25, 2016
Check out the 2016 Parent Tested Parent Approved Holiday Gift Guide

Information and images of the Holiday Gift guide were provided to Home Maid Simple by PTPA. This post contains affiliate links.

In past years I’ve shared my own holiday gift guide with you all, but this year has seen me taking on more work than I ever imagined possible. I still love the holidays and helping you find great gifts for your loved ones, so I turned this year to the great folks at Parent Tested Parent Approved.

As the company’s name states, all products they endorse have been tested by real-life parents and approved by real-life parents. I love seeing what other parents have checked out, what they love, and what I may already have that has been given the seal of approval by the PTPA community. Check out just a few of the gifts in this years guide, and then make sure to go see them all!

First up is the Worry Eaters. We actually got to try these out earlier this year, and absolutely love them! They have really helped me children with anxiety, and just general childhood fears.

Then there’s the UviCube which is looking pretty awesome after a few bouts of sickness have run through our home this past week. Any parent would love to receive one of these.

I hadn’t even heard of these until the PTPA Holiday Gift Guide, but my girls would love the Project MC2 Experiments and Dolls! Just today I found them all constructing their own experiments with water, soap, glue and paint.

PTPA’s holiday gift guide also includes a couple recipes for those loved ones who prefer home baked goods over the tangible gifts, as well as some great tips on regifting items, traveling for the holidays.

Check out the PTPA 2016 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE

November 21, 2016
When Kids Refuse to Clean Their Room Get a Hefty Helper

When the kids refuse to help clean their own rooms, it’s time to grab a helper you can trust. I turned to Hefty for its exceptional performance and strength I knew would be needed!

GRAB A $1 OFF HEFTY COUPON HERE

In this room, 2 of our children share the space. I always thought one was fairly on top of keeping her stuff up and organized and knew that if I asked her to go clean up, she would. The other child would cry, complain, and the proceed to become distracted by all the cool stuff she was hanging on to.

As it turned out, my super awesome helper was just stuffing everything under her bed. Doh! I thought as I attempted to hold her mattress up with one shoulder, and fit my slowly growing pregnant belly between the frame, that I sure could have used the strength of WWE Fighter John Cena. I imagined him coming in and easily holding the mattress aloft while I took my time to get every last toy and piece of garbage out that I could find.

She had at least done a good job of stuffing it all against the back wall so it wasn’t apparent unless anyone actually really looked under there. My so-called messy child turned out to have very little under her bed, other than items I could tell had only accidentally fallen beneath. Give me bad mom of the year for comparing the two, when in fact, they’re pretty equal in their cleanliness. Some just hide it better than others.

So what do you do when the kids really and truly refuse to clean up their mess? Well, this is what I did.

Give them a timeline

I told the girls that they needed to get their room clean, and if they didn’t I would come in and clean for them. Now, I probably should have put a timeline on it, but I figured I’d just take the next day I wasn’t too busy and do it. Turns out that gave them a full month to clean. Throughout this month I would give them friendly reminders.

example: “Mom I’m bored”
“Well, I haven’t cleaned your room yet. Why don’t you do it, before I can?
“Nevermind”

Invite Them to Help

I had finally found the perfect day that I could mentally and physically clean their room. I thought about doing it during school hours but chose to wait until the kids got home. By doing this, they could see exactly how I cleaned up the mess – eliminating the excuse “It’s too hard”. This also offered the opportunity for them to join me in cleaning their mess and absolved me from any tears for what may come up missing later.

At least twice one of them came in to talk to me, and I invited them to help. They wanted to play in their room, but I let them know their option was to help me clean or to find another room to play in. Say this with kindness, and no expectation that they will actually help. Who know, maybe your kids will actually stay to help.

Know What is Important and What is Not

I promised the girls when we moved here that I would no longer get rid of their toys without their permission. With our many moves I had gotten in the habit of picking and choosing what they could keep and not while downsizing our living spaces. So I knew I couldn’t throw out anything important. In fact, the only thing I could throw out was the garbage. Of course, I got to decide what was garbage, but as their mom, I knew what would be too emotional to let go of, and what I could get away with trashing.

Start making piles. One pile of trash. One pile of donations. Everything else should have a place in the room.

Get Hefty

I don’t know about other kids, but I have a very recycling conscious child. She loves creating things out of boxes, and whatever else I toss into the recycling bin. Of course, I am perfectly fine with this, IF she would not then leave her treasures strewn across her room. I knew I’d need something strong to hold all the potential garbage I would be finding, so I picked up some Hefty kitchen trash bags in Clean Burst Scent. After all, if I was going to clean their room for them, I would want it to smell clean too. With Arm & Hammer’s patented odor neutralizer, you’ll want to grab these bags too.

Use the Hefty Ultra Strong bags for gathering your different piles. With the active tear resistant technology and break resistant grip drawstring, you can really fit a lot into these tough bags. I fit at least 3 decent sized cardboard boxes into our designated trash bag, something that I have seen easily rip trash bags in the past.

You all know I love a good deal too! So I was pleasantly surprised when Hefty’s new tougher bags were at a new low price! Add on the downloadable $1 off coupon from iBotta and these bags are practically a steal! Head over to Hefty to get your coupon, and then go do a little bedroom cleaning yourself.

October 7, 2016
Simple Honest Pure Lunch with Michael Angelo’s Seafood Meals

All ideas, recipes, & opinions are entirely my own, however, this is a sponsored post on behalf of Michael Angelo’s™.

When you go from feeding kids all day long, to only worrying about yourself and a little one for lunch – sometimes you can fall into a rut of pb&j and potato chips.

Once school started, and I found myself lacking energy from this pregnancy that is exactly what was happening. Little Lincoln was living off hot dogs while I was snacking on potato chips because they required nothing of me but to open the bag.

Please tell me I’m not alone in doing that!

Obviously, these aren’t terribly great lunch options and definitely weren’t helping with my lack of energy. So I decided to try something new. I’ve been needing to add in more seafood to my diet for cholesterol purposes, while at the same time limiting it for pregnancy reasons. I found the Michael Angelo’s new Seafood meals in the frozen aisle at my local Kroger’s and figured I should give them a try.

So I picked up every single variety to give them a fair chance of appeasing my weird pregnancy taste buds.

I started with the Stuffed Tilapia. The tilapia itself was perfect! It cooked up beautifully, and I could distinctly pick out all the ingredients in the stuffing. For me the spinach and garlic was a bit overpowering, but with a bite of Tilapia the flavors blended well. The whole 4 minutes it took to cook in the microwave I had to answer continuous questions from the kids about “What smells so good Mom?” and “Can I have some?”

Today I went for the Shrimp Scampi. Oh how I love a good shrimp scampi. Michael Angelo’s did not disappoint me. I was actually quite impressed with the garlic butter sauce. It was the perfect blend, and exactly what I needed this week after a few nights of rough sleep.

I find having one Seafood Meal a week is really good for me. Keeping Michael Angelo’s stocked in my freezer gives me one day a week I can ignore thinking about lunch, and get my weekly intake of delicious seafood. It will help me avoid making a mess in my kitchen that I know won’t get cleaned up because all my energy went into cooking.

I can’t wait until the next few weeks to try the Salmon Piccata and Seafood Primavera! Mark makes faces when I start talking seafood, but if I could, I would live off these delicious fish. Salmon and Shrimp followed by anything else from the sea – just yum! Who else feels the same?

Follow Michael Angelo’s on Facebook, and check them out in your local Frozen Food Aisle.

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Michael Angelo’s . The opinions and text are all mine.

October 6, 2016