4 Cheaper Alternatives To Cigarettes
Quitting smoking is something that most people, especially stay at home mothers, cringe at the thought of. How in the world are you possibly going to make it through the day without your nicotine fix? Well, we have a solution for you. It may not be the one that you are in search of though as we aren’t going to recommend expensive nicotine patches or gum. In fact, we have something even better for you. What’s that you ask? Well, we have some cheaper alternatives to cigarettes that you’ve probably never thought about before.
If that sounds like something that you’d be interested in, scroll down and take a look!
Sugar Free Candy
The only reason that we recommend sugar free candy is so you don’t crush your body with an overload of sugar. In other words, we don’t recommend eating 3 or 4 bags of Jolly Ranchers a day. Instead, try something like Sugar Free Werther’s Originals. Not only are they absolutely delicious but they’ll help you keep your mind off of those pesky cigarettes.
Chewing Gum
Okay, so this is kind of like candy but in a way, it’s not. This will give you more of a chewing motion and will actually last you longer per piece than sugar free candy will. Of course, this is assuming that you aren’t one of those people that need flavor all the time because as we all know, chewing gum tends to run out of flavor pretty fast. Some of our favorites include Big Red, Orbit, and Big League Chew (grape flavor). So, try them all!
Exercise
Most gym memberships will run you around $30 a month. That’s about half the price of a carton of cigarettes which only lasts most people for about 10 days (if that). Don’t even want to spend that much? Walking is free and unless you live in Alaska, you have no excuse not to walk for 20-30 minutes a day. It’ll make you feel better, help keep your mind off of cigarettes, and make quitting smoking a more enjoyable experience for you in the long run.
Tooth Picks
Yes, you read that right. We said “tooth picks.” They’re cheap and they emulate the whole “in your mouth” feeling that you get from a cigarette. Keep one handy at all times and when you get the urge to smoke a cigarette, pop one in! You can chew on it, move it around in your mouth, or whatever you need to do. Worried about not having a cigarette after meals? Most food establishments give tooth picks away for free. Yes, this works!
So, what are you going to do? Will you continue to let cigarettes suck the money right out of your pocket or give one of these cheaper alternatives to cigarettes a try? Quitting smoking is never going to be easy (unless you have killer focus) but these alternatives will prove to be very helpful in your effort to quit smoking. If one fails, simply move on to another one. Chances are, you’ll find that one of these will become your new best friend.
5 Energy Saving Tips
Saving energy, or going green as many people like to call it, is pretty important to most people nowadays. Sure, not everyone is all about saving the planet but we’re all pretty fond of cutting down costs and saving money on our electric bill. The 5 Energy Saving Tips below will help you do just that. Best of all, each one of these energy saving tips are very practical and don’t really require any extra effort on your behalf. Now, let’s take a look!
Turn Off The Lights
The majority of people who have high electric bills also have a bad habit of leaving their lights on when they don’t need to be. Why have lights on during the day? Why leave them on once you go to bed? It’s fine to leave one light on at night if you’re sketchy about the possibility of someone breaking in but there’s no need to have more than one on, right?
Control Your Thermostat
This one isn’t as common but a lot of people just turn their AC or Heat on as needed. Don’t do that. It’s actually much more energy efficient to set your thermostat to auto and pick a set temperature. It cuts on and off a lot less doing this and saves you a ton of money. If you use a different form of heat or air conditioning, you may want to consider switching it up.
Shrink Wrap Your Windows
No, we’re being serious. They make kits that you can find at most retail stores such as Walmart that’ll run you about $10 and will give you enough material to shrink wrap all of your windows. It’s a pretty easy job and will ensure that you aren’t wasting heat or air conditioning. This works like a gem especially if you have older windows in your home.
Watch Less TV
Okay, this one might be a little tough. We know that you don’t want to miss your regular programming but if there’s a time of the day that the TV is on just to be on, let’s work on cutting that out. We’re all guilty of turning on the TV from time to time just for a little bit of background noise but if you stop doing that, you can save a boat load on your bill.
Invest In Savings
This one is tricky. The title doesn’t really say it all but here’s our final energy saving tip. Invest in saving money. Still don’t get it? Well, when it comes time to buy new appliances, try buying stuff that is energy efficient. You know, like High Efficiency washing machines, energy saving fridges, and that kind of stuff. They typically cost more but in a year, they will have paid for themselves and then some. They really will save you a ton of money!
Now, what are you waiting for? It’s time to get out there, pinch your pennies, and save a little money. Or in this case, a lot of money. Electric bills can be downright outrageous but they don’t have to be especially if you refer to this great list of 5 Energy Saving Tips!
4 Cheap But Filling Foods
Grocery shopping is either something that you absolutely love to do or something that you absolutely hate. Not only can it be time consuming but it can also put a serious dent in your budget. Fortunately, we put together a small list that consists of a few foods that are both affordable and filling. What do we mean by that? Well, basically, foods that are filling are those that keep you full for a longer period of time in comparison to other foods. How cool is that? We think it’s very cool! Ready to check out what foods those are? Okay, let’s start!
Rice
Rice is a very affordable food that will fill you up like few other foods can. The type of rice that you buy is up to you but we think some of the tastiest rice on the planet is yellow rice. Brown rice is also good but if you want something more traditional, white rice may be your best bet. It can be seasoned however you like and you can eat it as often as you want. Why? Because rice doesn’t harm you nutritionally aside from the excess carbs.
Oatmeal
Not only is oatmeal mega cheap but it’s good for you and packed with fiber. Fiber essentially keeps your digestive system in check and has no trouble at all holding you over until lunch time. Have some oatmeal every morning for breakfast either with water or milk and your body will forever thank you. Trust us on this one. Oatmeal is some good stuff!
Bread
Bread is pretty common in most households and for good reasons. It’s been around for thousands of years and while it isn’t the greatest thing to eat in the world, it’s very filling for those of you on a set grocery budget. You can make grilled cheese, sandwiches, or plain toast. Either way, bread has no trouble keeping you full for as long as you need to be.
Water
Okay, so this one isn’t exactly a food but it works nonetheless. If you’re feeling hungry and don’t wanna dive into your pantry, have a glass or bottle of water. Wait about 10 to 15 minutes and see if you’re still hungry. Sometimes we have hunger pains (or what we think are hunger pains) and it turns out that our bodies are just thirsty. Don’t have the extra money to buy bottled water? Try making a one time investment into a water filter.
How are those for cheap but filling foods? Adding these 4 items to your grocery list will definitely cut down on your spending without starving you to death. Best of all, you can literally find all of these items at any grocery store on the planet. If it works out well for you, you may want to invest in a rice cooker for the rice but everything else is pretty much self sufficient. Need a recommendation for one? We like Rival rice cookers which will run you around $20. As far as water filters go, all of them are pretty much the same. So, with that being said, we hope that this list helps you save some serious dough in the store!
Making Extra Money From Home
Building a second income is a pretty scary thought for most stay at home moms. It doesn’t have to be though as it’s all just a matter of ideas and execution. We’ve saved you a little bit of the trouble though as we have a few ideas of our own that definitely work. It’s just up to you to put in the hard work and let your creative juices flow. Oh, and you’ll probably need a good Internet connection but if you’re reading this right now, you’re probably fine.
Now, are you read to find out what we have in store for you? If so, scroll down and enjoy!
Freelance Writing
Freelance writing is booming nowadays and chances are, you probably already know of someone that does this. There isn’t a lot of money in it at first unless you play your cards well but it can definitely help supplement your income. With sites like eLance and Guru, you’d be hard pressed to not find freelance writing opportunities out there somewhere.
Sell A Product
This one is a little tricky. What on Earth could you possibly sell? Well, that’s entirely up to you. You could go out, buy stuff used (thrift stores, yard sales) and flip it on sites like eBay. You could even register your own domain for about $10 and get hosting for as little as $4 a month. The hard part will be getting your product in front of people but what do we know. You very well may be a marketing and sales machine that has no trouble at all with this.
Consulting
Are you home to valuable information on something that someone else may need? Maybe you know a lot about mortgages or finance. If so, offer that information to those who need it for a fair price. Consulting is a great way to make money off of any unique information that you may know. This one is probably the toughest to get going with though on this list.
Blogging
Wait, isn’t this pretty much the same exact thing as freelance writing? No, not really. You see, with your own blog, you’ll be your own boss. You can talk about whatever you want as often as you want. How can you make money? Build a list and follow up with your readers later on down the road with a fee based offer or simply rely on ad revenue. This method may take the longest out of everything we’ve talked about but you’ll have creative rights.
Of course, these are just some of the ways that you can make extra money from home. Some people even work from home full time using one or more of these methods. Everyone is different so you may have to play around with these methods for a little while in order to see which one suits you the best. Either way, with hard work and drive, you’re sure to make a little extra money. Even if it’s just $50 a week, that’s $50 a week that you weren’t making before so it definitely makes it worthwhile. Good luck and have fun!
Cheap Sources of Protein
It’s 2014 and chances are, you made a New Year’s Resolution back in December or January. It seems like 9 out of 10 people make the resolution to get healthy or reach their fitness goals. It could be anything from quitting smoking to losing a few extra pounds to get ready for a beach vacation. If you’re one of the people who vowed to get in shape this year, you’ve probably though about protein and the craze surrounding it. Ask anyone that works out and they’ll probably recommend that you drink plenty of water, eat clean, and get the right amount of protein. Well, we have a few recommendations for you as to how you can get your protein fix without spending hundreds of dollars on stuff like Muscle Milk. Ready?
Milk
Milk gets a pretty bad rep these days and we’re not exactly sure why. Most people will tell you to avoid dairy products completely when trying to lose weight but we don’t agree. One serving of dairy a day won’t kill you and a glass of milk packs around 12 grams of protein. Of course, this is assuming you drink whole milk and aren’t drinking it out of a dixie cup. You also probably already have milk in your home right now which is great!
Almonds
Instead of snacking on potato chips in front of the TV in the evening, try about a dozen almonds. They’re packed with protein, are heart healthy, and come in some amazing flavors. We absolutely love Blue Diamond almonds which come in flavors such as coconut and wasabi which is great for those of you that like a little kick and punch with your food.
Peanut Butter
Although this is a “slow digesting” form of protein, it’s still great considering how cheap it is and how full it will make you. Grab a butter knife and eat a big gob of peanut butter on one of your workout days or if you’re feeling hungry right before bed. Do you absolutely have to have your peanut butter sandwich fix? Try it with two slices of wheat bread!
Egg Whites
Finally, we come to egg whites. You can buy these in a carton already prepared or simply do it yourself. Either way, it’s a delicious and affordable source of protein. The only reason we recommend cutting out the yolk is because a lot of people eat eggs daily and you don’t want all that extra cholesterol in your diet but eating them here and there is 100% fine.
So, there you have it. These are just a few of our favorite cheap sources of protein. If none of these appeal to you, you could always try things like beef jerky, tofu, or anything else that fits your budget. As long as you can get 15 to 20 grams of protein from something, you should be more than fine. As always, be sure to pinch those pennies and save money!
3 Ways To Save Even More Money
Here at PYP, we absolutely love saving money any way that we possibly can. Okay, so you probably know that by now but it’s okay. We can never say it too much but either way, we won’t keep reminding you. What we will do though is give you 3 Ways To Save Even More Money. These are just some quick tips that you can use to help you save even more money than you already are. That means that these methods are to be used in conjunction with whatever it is that you already doing to save money. You may even be doing these as well!
If you are, that just means that good minds think alike. If you aren’t, we suggest you start right now by scrolling down, reading, and implementing these methods as soon as you can.
Off Brand Condiments
This one might seem like a small step to take but you can actually work wonders doing this. Who cares if you buy name brand mustard or not? We certainly don’t! It all pretty much tastes the same anyways (and has the same ingredients). Save yourself a few dollars and go with off brand condiments as well as things like napkins, dish soap, and whatever else.
Schedule Your Errands
Okay, so this one might sound complicated but it’s not. Let’s say that you get your electric bill on the 3rd and it’s not due until the 15th. You get your Internet bill on the 5th and it isn’t due until the 12th. You also need to go deposit some money into your bank. Don’t make two special trips just to do all of this. Head out on the 5th or 6th so you can pay your electric bill, Internet bill, and swing by the bank just in time to deposit money. While doing this, you are also saving gas money (we all know how frustrating gas prices tend to be).
Make It Special
This one may or may not apply to you but it definitely applies to most people. Just about everyone loves to go out and have a good time. Most people probably go out at least one day a week. If you’d be willing to cut that in half (go out twice a month), you could save yourself a lot of money and make going out even better. When things are fewer and more far between, they tend to become more special. Don’t believe us? Try it for yourself!
Of course, these are just our personal recommendations. After reading this, you’re probably coming up with some ideas of your own. You may even be underestimating how effective these methods can be. Oh, what’s $5 in gas for an extra trip to town? Oh, who cares if Heinz Ketchup is $1 more? We do and so should you! Once you see how much money you can save with these simple tips, you’ll be thanking us. We absolutely promise!
Now, what are you waiting for? Get out there and get those savings! You deserve it!
Tips For Leasing A New Car
Getting a new car tends to be a pretty big deal for most of us. Not only are you getting a newer, more reliable ride but you’re taking on more responsibility and essentially, more bills. After all, a new car is never free whether you buy it or lease it. As you may or may not already know, we’re fans of leasing new cars. It really is the absolute best way to go!
Below, you will find a few tips that you should think about before you lease a new car though. As cool as leasing a new car is, there are some things to keep a look out for. Ready to learn what those things are? Ready to lease a new car? If so, scroll down and enjoy!
Learn The Mileage
What do we mean by this? Well, when you lease a new car, you are typically given a mileage allowance. In other words, you can’t go over a certain amount of miles per year or you’ll be charged per mile after that. Usually, you can expect that number to be 15,000 which is about how many miles the average American drives in a given year anyways.
What You Can Or Can’t Do
Are you a smoker? If so, you may want to get used to not smoking in your car because it probably isn’t going to be allowed in any vehicle that you lease. We highly recommend not trying to do it and covering it up later because it probably won’t work. Non-smokers can smell cigarette smoke from a mile away and it won’t be easy to hide potential burn holes.
Add It To Your Budget
If you make a budget and have to manage your money like 90% of us do, you’ll want to figure out how much this lease is going to cost you. Haven’t researched it yet? We know that VW typically runs a promotion where you can put $2,000 down and lease a brand new VW such as the Jetta for $200 (for 36 months). At the end of that 36 months, you can pay off the difference, give the car back, or lease something else. Sounds pretty cool, huh?
Figure Out Why You Are Leasing
Finally, this last tip is kind of a “no brainer.” We think it’s always a good idea to weigh your options. We are fans of leasing but it isn’t always the right way to go. Do you eventually want to own the vehicle? If so, will you have the money saved up to pay off the difference at the end of your term? How do you plan on getting the money? Are you just going to lease again and again and again? If you’re doing that, why not just buy a vehicle?
Well…
These are all questions that you should ask yourself before you finalize the deal but the main points that we wanted to bring up were the following. You are limited on how many miles you can drive but your monthly payments are not even half of what a new car would typically cost you to buy. You will also have to come up with the difference at the end of your lease agreement. If you’re fine with these two things, leasing may be right for you!
4 Money Saving Workout Tips
Do you like a good workout? Love going to the gym? Do you tend to spend too much money when it comes to working out? You know, on stuff like workout clothing, supplements, gym memberships, and special “diet” foods that go along with your workout? Well, anyone that has worked out has probably spent too much money on it. After all, it really shouldn’t cost a dime to work out but the gym is a good environment so people will pay for it.
Where most people over spend though is when they buy their gym membership, go once or twice, and then never go back. We’re assuming that isn’t you and that you make the most of your gym membership (or workouts at home). Below you will find 3 tips that will help you save money in the gym or for your workout efforts in general. We hope you enjoy!
Low Cost Protein
It’s pretty much a scientific fact that the world is now obsessed with protein intake especially when it comes to working out. Getting in a quality source of protein (we love whey protein but despise soy protein) is very important. Most people do this in the form of a protein shake. How can you save money on these? Shop around! Check venues online such as eBay, Amazon, etc. We were actually able to find Muscle Milk 4 Packs at Big Lots on sale for $2 each. They usually run around $8 each so those are some mega savings if you ask us!
Affordable Gym Attire
Unless you work out on a regular basis, you probably don’t have good workout clothes stuffed in your closet. So, you’ll have to go out and buy some shorts, yoga pants, whatever it is that you want to work out in, right? Of course you will! Now, how can you save money on them? Well, we’ll tell you the best and most efficient way to do this. Don’t pay attention to the brand. Who cares if it’s Under Armour? Who cares if it’s Nike? Get yourself a $30 pair of Champion shoes, a few pairs of off brand basketball shorts at $10 a pair, and get in the gym. We promise that it will be nothing close to a fashion contest in there.
Family Plans
Finally, it’s all about what type of gym membership you get. You may have to sign a contract (probably for a year) but you can get family plans at much better rates than individual plans. For example, a local gym we know of charges $30 a month for one person. However, if you sign a year contract with auto draft for their “couples” plan, you can get in for a grand total of $35 a month. That’s just $5 more for an extra gym membership!
So, hopefully these money saving tips will help you do what they’re supposed to. Save money! Working out doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby but so many people turn it into just that. An expensive hobby. Follow the guidelines above, look for the deals, and be smart about how you set up your membership. If you do this, you’ll definitely save money!
Spending To Save
Spending to save isn’t something that you probably hear all too often. After all, it doesn’t make much sense. How in the world could someone spend money, to save money? We know people spend money to make money but what about this? Well, we’re going to show you a few ways that you can actually do this. You know, spend money to save money.
Ready to find out how? If so, scroll down and enjoy!
V8? No Thank you.
This one is a pretty big deal because it’s something that most of us use daily. We realize how cool V8 Mustangs are as well as Camaros and whatever else but you can save yourself a ton of money by opting to get the V6 version. We know a few people that did this and literally went from spending about $10-$15 a day in gas to about $5 each day on gas.
Juice It Up!
Do you eat a lot of fruits and veggies? What do you do with the waste? You know, when you peel an apple or something. Well, why not invest in a quality juicer (it could cost anywhere from $30 to $200) to cut costs down? You can literally have your cake and eat it with a juicer. Not to mention the fact that any sane person LOVES fruit and veggie juice.
Central Air
If you’re a stay at home mom, you might have to run to the hubby for this one but that’s fine. He’ll appreciate it just as much as you do. It’s time to get rid of those high cost window units (that put out some of the best air for some reason) and opt for central air. It’ll be a pretty big investment at first but will pay for itself for years and years to come.
Shoes
Yes, you read that right. Buying a good pair of shoes can help you save money. How? Well, on medical bills. Duh! Wearing cheap shoes or shoes that aren’t made for your “foot type” can be damaging to your back, ankles, and knees later on down the road. Avoid that at all costs by investing in a good pair of shoes. Ask your friends for some recommendations!
So, there you have it. These are just a few money saving tips that you can implement into your already heavily equipped arsenal. Each and every one of these tips will save you a ton of money and are pretty practical. Sure, it may take you a while to save up for that new central heat and air unit but it’ll be worth it. Sure, you may have to juggle a few bills to get a new vehicle but again, it’ll be worth it. Regardless of what you decide to do…
Remember this!
It’s all about pinching your pennies, saving money, enjoying life, and doing all of this in the most efficient manner possible. Otherwise, what would you need us for, right? Now, what are you waiting for? Get out there and start saving yourself some very decent money!
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AMEX Bluebird: Truly FREE Checking and Debit Alternative
Have you tried the AMEX Bluebird card yet? I have, and I have to admit that I’m somewhat impressed!
I first got it to use for online shopping. Financial security and safety and all that, you know. I was a little skeptical about the “no fees” claim, but I was quickly proven wrong. There really are no fees, if you don’t want them!
You can load cash for free at most Walmarts, or you can upload checks via the AMEX Bluebird app. There aren’t even any monthly fees, like most prepaid cards have and like some checking accounts have. You can even withdraw cash at MoneyPass®ATMs for FREE, including MoneyCenter Express machines in Walmart, if you have received a Direct Deposit into your Bluebird Account within the past 30 days. You can also get free checks, have your paycheck or government funds direct deposited, make regular purchases, and pay bills with your AMEX Bluebird.
The AMEX Bluebird sub-accounts and SetAside accounts also make it easy to manage family spending and set aside emergency funds. You can create sub-accounts for anyone 13 years of age or older, making it a great way to dole out allowances and spending money to kids. With the SetAside account, you can also easily transfer money into a special savings account.
So, who might want to consider getting an AMEX Bluebird card? Well, you might want to consider getting one of these if you…
- need a FREE checking or debit alternative
- make purchases online
- want to easily give family members spending money
- need a credit/debit card but don’t want a credit check
AMEX Bluebird starter kits typically sell for $5 at Walmart, but you can register for a card for FREE online! That’s kind of a no-brainer there…