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You are here: Home / Archives for 2014

Archives for 2014

Living without Regrets: Playing Hookie

March 27, 2014 by Tracy

Living without Regrets: Playing Hookie

Living without Regrets: Playing Hookie I only remember playing hookie from school one day. I was in 10th grade, and my mom kept me out for the day.

We went shopping and had lunch. There was something magical about the experience because everyone else was in school, including my younger brother.

My mom never regretted taking me out that day, and I have no regrets from missing one day of school.

Though I do not want my children to miss school work, I am careful about keeping them away from their studies.

With my children’s school scheduling an all-day outdoor service day and the allergies already flaring in our home, Paul and I took our kids out of school for the day.

We did sleep in this morning, but then we ventured out this afternoon to visit three museums. Admission to all three was FREE with our science membership.

Living without Regrets: Playing Hookie Art Museum with Charles Dickens’ Works

The first museum had a scavenger hunt for the children to assist with the two-floors of art and culture during the 1800’s, specifically the life of Charles Dickens.

The children’s play room allowed my children to play and explore on their own, that is, until they found the same item with which to play.

Local History Museum

The second museum was next door to the first and housed local history. Though we have visited this museum before, we saw two updated exhibits and visited our favorite rooms.

Art Museum with Greek Culture

Living without Regrets: Playing Hookie Our final museum visit was on the campus of a local university. This museum also had a scavenger hunt for the children. This art museum was the best one of the day.

My son is studying Roman and Greek culture this year, and this museum had a children’s area focused on Greek culture.

From deciphering Latin into English to solving Roman numeral puzzles, this play area encouraged learning and applying the knowledge from the Greek culture.

My girls enjoyed creating with mosaic pieces and shopping for fruits and vegetables.

The scavenger hunt was geared toward the composition of the art where even my 4-year-old could find the colors in the paintings and figure out the clues.

We concluded the day by meeting up with Daddy at the university’s dining hall. With a smorgasbord atmosphere, our children enjoyed going from station to station. It cracked me up that all three of them wanted cereal as there was a vast variety of flavors. The day was definitely special as we missed school without missing any school work.

Skipping school is not a habit I endorse. However, it was fun taking the day off from school to attend these museums and spend time together. In using time wisely, we played hookie while living without regrets. Happy living!

Question: Have you ever played hookie? 

Filed Under: Time Management, Miscellaneous Tagged With: miscellaneous

Cleaning: Combine Tasks for Better Efficiency

March 26, 2014 by Tracy

Cleaning: Combine Tasks for Better Efficiency

Cleaning: Combine Tasks for Better EfficiencyMy spring cleaning is underway.

In getting our routine maintenance completed for our heating and air conditioning units and having our home pressure washed, I was ready to get the inside clean.

In between loads of laundry, I worked to dust, organize, and vacuum our downstairs.

With our kitchen needing more attention than most of the other rooms, I found that I could combine tasks for better efficiency.

Needing to soak some soiled clothes before adding them to the washing machine, I decided to soak them in my kitchen sink.

Usually, I soak the clothes with OxiClean in our utility sink located in the garage. Knowing that OxiClean gets my kitchen sink sparkling white and my sink needed cleaning, I chose to let the cleaner do the work for me.

Once the clothes had soaked for about 2 hours, I washed that load of clothes and drained my kitchen sink. The result was a sparkling white sink and stain-free clothes. By combining laundry and cleaning my kitchen sink, I saved money from using 2 cleaning products, energy from scrubbing my sink, and time doing two tasks.

As I continue working on spring cleaning, I seek opportunities to combine tasks for better efficiency. Another combination I use is boiling 2 cups of water for homemade baby wipes while steam cleaning my microwave.

In using time wisely, remember to combine tasks for better efficiency. From making phone calls while checking e-mail to making tea while cooking dinner, you can save time while knocking those tasks off your to do list. Happy combining!

Question: What tasks do you combine for better efficiency? 

Filed Under: Cleaning, Household Tagged With: cleaning

CVS: FREE Paper Towels through March 29, 2014

March 25, 2014 by Tracy

CVS: FREE Paper Towels through March 29, 2014
CVS: FREE Paper Towels through March 29, 2014

Photograph Credit: CVS

If you have been skeptical about FREE products at drugstores and if anyone can actually leave the store without paying a penny, then CVS has a skeptic-crushing deal for you.

Now, you must have a CVS Extra Care card. If you don’t have one, then just go to the register and request one when you arrive.

The cashier will have you fill out a short form (use your junk e-mail), and then give you a card.

With your card in hand, go to the coupon machine. It is usually located in the front of the store at the beginning of an aisle. If you don’t see it, then just ask. CVS cashiers are so friendly.

1. Scan your CVS Extra Care card, and wait. At least one coupon will generate. The one for $.79 off a Just the Basics single roll paper towel.

2. Locate the paper goods aisle, and pick up a single roll of Just the Basics which is on sale for $.79 this week*.

3. Go to checkout.

4. Present your CVS Extra Care card which the cashier will scan.

5. The paper towels will ring up at $.79*.

6. Give the cashier your coupon.

7. Watch the balance go to $0.

8. Walk out of CVS with your FREE paper towels.

*This deal is available through Saturday, March 29, 2014.

Dear skeptic, you can get items for FREE, and I know you can always use an extra roll of paper towels. I love to have my children handle these transactions because it requires one coupon.

They love seeing how to get items the legitimate way for FREE. It also builds their confidence in using coupons. Because coupons are great ways to stretching your dollars while using time wisely. Happy savings!

Question: Do you shop at CVS?

Filed Under: CVS, Drugstores, Stretching Your Dollars Tagged With: CVS

Walmart: Blue Rhino Propane Deal through April 5, 2014

March 24, 2014 by Tracy

Walmart: Blue Rhino Propane Deal through April 5, 2014
Walmart: Blue Rhino Propane Deal through April 5, 2014

Photograph Credit: Walmart

Are you getting ready for spring cleaning? I am ready to whip our home into shape. We have been getting routine maintenance done, and I’m glad to be making headway.

In preparing for grilling season, we took advantage of the Blue Rhino propane deal at Walmart this week and next week.

Blue Rhino Tank (New), $46.82

Buy 1, get a $25 Walmart gift card

$3/1 Blue Rhino Coupon *print limit reached*
$3/1 Blue Rhino Rebate – one per household per calendar year

 

Blue Rhino Tank Exchange, $18.92

Buy 1, get a $10 Walmart gift card

$3/1 Blue Rhino Coupon *print limit reached*
$3/1 Blue Rhino Rebate – one per household per calendar year

Our First Propane Tank Exchange

I knew we needed one of our tanks refilled, so I printed the $3 off coupon from coupons.com earlier this week. We ventured out to our Walmart, and I exchanged our tank for $15.92 and received the $10 Walmart gift card. I will also submit for the $3 mail-in rebate which is the best deal I have found on propane.

After putting the new tank away, Paul discovered that we had another empty tank. So, I will be off to Walmart again. Since I do not have the $3 off coupon as the print limit has been reached, I am going to wait until Tuesday, April 1, 2014, as this deal continues in our area through next week.

Our Second Propane Tank Exchange

At the beginning of each month, Coupons.com resets their coupons. I am hopeful that the Blue Rhino coupon will reset. Then I can snag a second tank exchange for $12.92. If the coupon does not reset, then I will make sure to stop by Walmart by Saturday, April 5, and proceed as follows.

I will exchange the second tank at the $18.92 price, use the $10 Walmart gift card from the first tank purchase, and pay $8.92. I will then get another $10 Walmart gift card. For both tanks, I will pay $24.84, get $3 cash back from the rebate, and have a $10 Walmart gift card remaining.

If you are in need of a propane tank exchange or a new one, then make your plans to snag this deal. Our Walmart will exchange any tank for a Blue Rhino. If you have another brand of tank, then check with your Walmart. You might be able to get this deal even without an original Blue Rhino swap.

With offers like the Walmart Blue Rhino propane deal which is available through Saturday, April 5, 2014, we can enjoy grilling in the great outdoors without paying retail or full price for our propane. In using time wisely, I found this propane deal worth the time to stop by Walmart to keep stretching our dollars. Happy savings!

Question: How often do you grill out during the year? 

Filed Under: Shopping, Stretching Your Dollars, Products Tagged With: Walmart, propane

TurboTax: 2013 Income Tax Filing Options

March 23, 2014 by Tracy

Turbo Tax: 2013 Income Tax Filing Options

Photograph Credit: TurboTax

Passing a costumed Statue of Liberty lady this afternoon as she waved and jumped around attracting attention, I scanned the vacant parking lot. Her business was slow today.

I know some people prefer to sit down with an individual to file their taxes. If you are one of those, then this series is not for you.

In using time wisely, this series on tax filing options is centered on online versions designed to get your taxes prepared and filed in one online visit.

Choosing to review these options, I started with TaxACT, moved to H&R Block, and will conclude with TurboTax.

Military Edition – E1-E5 – Cost $0

This military edition is the only FREE 2013 income tax filing option. Active military personnel and reservists ranked E-1 to E-5 can file a FREE federal and FREE state return with FREE preparations and e-filings.

Free Option – Cost $0

The free option is suited for first-time filers and students and includes preparation for simple federal tax returns and e-filing. Tax help is available via live chat, and each state filing incurs a $29.99 fee.

Military Edition – E6+ and officer – Cost $44.49

This military option assists with all tax preparation and e-filing for active military personnel. Each state filing is an additional $29.99 fee.

Deluxe Option – Cost $49.99

Designed for homeowners, the deluxe option includes everything from the free option plus mortgage interest, charitable donation deductions, and e-filing. State filing costs an additional $39.99 per state.

Premier Option – Cost $74.99

For rental property owners and investors who sold stock, bonds, or mutual funds, this premier package contains everything in the deluxe option plus gives guidance on investment deductions. State filing is $39.99 per state.

Home and Business – Cost $99.99

Created for business owners, this option includes everything from the premier package plus maximizes business deductions (Schedule C). State filing costs $39.99 per state.

Since I have to file Schedule C for Using Time Wisely, I would have had to pay $139.98 to file our taxes with TurboTax. Yikes!

Though this price might be reasonable for the services provided, I am truly grateful for TaxACT. Paying $17.99 seems more than reasonable for their services as we continuing stretching our dollars.

If you are still considering your 2013 income tax filing options, then I hope that you have found some answers through this short series. Though TaxACT works best for my family, you might find another resource more beneficial – like the TurboTax military edition.

Whatever your choice, keep a close watch on your calendar and file your taxes before the April 15, 2014 deadline. Happy filing!

Question:  What is your favorite option for filing your taxes?

Filed Under: Services, Stretching Your Dollars Tagged With: TurboTax

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