Family — Page 51

{Moms Rock!} Mother’s Day Freebie List

Happy Mother’s Day!

This is my first real Mother’s Day, although I did celebrate last year… I was about 6 months pregnant, and could feel that little girl kicking my tummy all day, and so I really did feel like a mommy. But I am pretty excited for my first Mother’s Day spent with my daughter…

This picture is a few months old, she is MUCH bigger than this now!! But I don’t have any new pictures of us, since my camera broke a while back. As soon as I learn how to download pics from my NEW camera into my computer, I can finally have new “Mommy & Me” pictures to share.

So, in honor of Mother’s Day, here are some freebies just for moms!!

The {Moms Rock} Freebie List:

Baby to Bee is an excellent site for new moms! You can find tons of coupons and samples, as well as a really helpful community to get answers to all of your questions. I’m a big fan.

Woman Freebies is a GREAT resource of coupons and free samples that are chosen JUST for women. Sign up to get one notice each day with a roundup of new free stuff.

Zuilily offers the VERY best selection of brands and products of any of these type of deal sites. I love getting their email, and seeing the amazing stuff that they have found. This is the only way I can afford this type of designer stuff! All sales are on merchandise just for mom, babies, or kids.

Vistaprint rocks my socks, no lie. I’ve ordered SOOOO much stuff from them, and have always been really happy with the quality. These Mommy Cards are such a fun idea! You can give them to new babysitters, teachers, other parents… Anyone that you want to have your contact info. Love it.

Are you a crafty momma? If so, join me in entering to WIN this Cricut Expression 2. I want one of these sooo bad…. *fingers crossed*

Planning Family is another favorite of mine, and is a super great resource for baby coupons and freebies! Plus, their weekly emails are full of tons of great tips and ideas too. You get a new email each week with an update on your babies development. I love these.

Use coupon code YMW4CP to get 40 FREE prints at York Photo, just for you!!

And a few more:

Power Pill Extreme Energy: Get a sample of their new energy product… I know all of us momma’s could use THIS stuff, lol. Click Here.
Garnier Fructis: This one is kinda funny, and seems to give a different sample option for each person! Should get you some type of shampoo, and then after you enter “female” you may get options for more beauty products! Click Here.
Free Nail Polish: Just text the word SUMMER to shortcode 467467. You must be 18 years or older to participate. If you’ve never used ShopText before, it’ll make you answer a few questions first. They’re legit, I’ve used them before… no weird charges or anything :) Sponsored by Cosmopolitan.
Tire Gel: Get another texting freebie… FREE Meguiar’s Tire Gel Sample by doing the following: Text TIRE3 to 44567! Maybe momma wants shiny tires, right?
Free Money for Mom: Get $5 FREE when you sign up at Ebates today, and ANOTHER free $5 when you sign up and start your profile at Inbox Dollars too! Both companies I use and love.
FREE Products and Cash: My very most favorite-ist survey site is taking new members right now… If you are a busy mom with not a lot of time to devote to these survey sites, then trust me, Synovate is the one to go with! You get FREE full size products to test {lately I’ve gotten to test salad dressing, plug-in freshners, styling products and more} and then you get reward points when you give your opinion on them! Those points can then be redeemed for cash! And you earn rewards pretty fast too.

I’ll post more too, as I find them! But I wanted to get at least one big post out for you ladies right now! I hope you all have a really wonderful day, and get to enjoy your families! Happy Mother’s Day!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 7, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | No Comments

3 Ways to Get in Shape on a Budget

I got these tips today from LearnVest, a daily newsletter filled with fun and frugal tips. It’s one of my favorites…

My New Goal Inspired by these Tips!

These are three {super easy} ways to get yourself in shape without wasting time or money. I’ve been working on getting our days on more of a schedule lately…. I’m a new stay at home mom, and also take care of my two nephews. Plus, we’re all living in this big new house, with lots of projects that need to be done. PLUS, I decided to take on a new project for myself and started this blog a couple months ago. PLUS, I’m an online student too! Woah. So not a lot of time to get everything done!

And, I’ve been wanting to lose that last big of baby weight, since our new home here has a really great in-ground pool. So, my new goal that I made today after reading these tips, is to combine my housework with my workout, and do it all in one hour each day!

That means, for one hour, I will clean this house so dang fast… Like, Batman fast. Just vacuuming the whole place once a day is a workout in itself! Plus, I’ll get the kids to help… We ‘ll put the music on loud, and wash windows, put away toys, dust, swiffer, and take out trash. Good times, right?

I really feel like doing this is going to be a great sanity-saver too. I won’t be always worrying about cleaning the house, because I know I’ll get it mostly done (and “good enough” is how we do it around here!) each day during that one hour. After that, I’ll stop worrying about it :)

So read on for the tips from LearnVest and see if they can help you make a new goal too!

Spring-Clean Year Round.

No reason to pay for a cleaning service when mopping and vacuuming could work off that extra serving of pasta from dinner. Turn up the volume on your iPod to get some pump-up favorites going as you choose a project to tackle, like reorganizing the junk closet or scrubbing down the bathroom. Take a few trips to the trash and recycling bins to maximize your movement, and remember that running up and down the stairs is actually a good thing.

Go Outside.

If you’re an avid gardener, you already know about the hard work involved in outdoor upkeep. Otherwise, try planting and maintaining a garden (think trundling around with flower pots and squatting to pluck weeds), which gives you the added benefits of fresh flowers or fresh food. Experts have already proved that spending time outside your four walls can improve your mood, lower stress, and boost energy. If you do have outdoor acreage to maintain try mowing, raking, shoveling, trimming, and pruning it yourself.

Do Just A Little Extra.

Instead of starting to do something you hate (your laundry), try adding exercise potential to things you already do. If you like being in the kitchen anyway, knead and roll your own dough instead of getting the pre-made quick fix. For the busy woman always fielding phone calls, walk or lunge as you talk instead of taking it easy. Make the bed instead of leaving it sloppy. And if you do love laundry, dance around as you hang up your fresh items.

Great stuff, right?

If you love this tip, and want to get more like it {you do, trust me!} sign up really quick for their daily newsletters right here: LearnVest Sign Up.

And if one of these tips helped YOU make a new goal today, share it in the comments to inspire everyone!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on May 6, 2011 Filed Under: Fun Stuff | No Comments

Spring Cleaning for New Mommys

I love Planning Family!! If you’re not signed up with them yet, you should check them out. They have links to lots of free offers for moms and babies, and so many helpful articles.

I wanted to share this one that came in todays daily email. Love it. Great tips!

The following article is from Planning Family, not written by me:

Spring cleaning! It’s the time of year when as everything starts to blossom and grow again many of us feel the urge to also tidy up. As a new mama, the thought of cleaning may be far down on the list. The first priorities are your baby, and of course you. Those two things can take up much of the day!

With a newborn in the home, you may feel like there is more clutter than ever. Did you ever think one little being could utilize so much gear?

If you are feeling the urge to get organized, but are feeling low on time and energy, there are still some things you can do. Remember, it all doesn’t have to be done today. It may take you more than one (or two) days to even figure out where to start. Baby steps are a good thing!

So, where to start? To get a jump on getting organized for spring, start with the basics:

Make a list. You have to start somewhere. Where will it be? What will be your priority? Your tasks can be as simple as cleaning off the kitchen counter, a basket by the couch, or the utility closet that hasn’t been touched since you moved in.
Conquer one task at a time. Although you may have great ambitions, start and succeed small. Remember, you may get limited amounts of time to work on a task and may have to start and stop working at a moment’s (or your newborn’s) notice. Go into a task remembering that even a small area may take you several times attempts (possibly over multiple days) to complete.
When you do work in an area, clear everything out. Make piles, sort items, and de-clutter!
Be prepared to downsize. Do you really need something? Consider donating unused items or put them away for a garage or yard sale to come (a big undertaking – don’t plan on tackling that one alone, especially as a new mama!).
Ask for and get help when you need it. Most folks are more than happy to help out a new mama. Your need may simply be for someone to hold your baby for a few minutes so that you have a little time to take on a task. Or, you may need a professional who can help tackle a task (there are even such things out there as professional organizers, if your budget allows!).
Celebrate your success. With each step you take, enjoy a moment to savor your accomplishment. A little step each day will equal a major spring-cleaning success in no time.

I know that all moms feel super busy, and it can be hard to find time to get spring cleaning tasks done. ESPECIALLY if you have a baby at home. But I also know that if you just MAKE the time to get things cleaned up and cleared out, it makes your days so much easier to manage! I hope these tips help you guys out too….

And for more, check out the Planning Family website here:

Formula Samples, Baby Magazines, Daipers Coupons and more! Click Here to sign up and check them out!

Posted by Meagan Paullin on April 19, 2011 Filed Under: Freebies | No Comments

{FREE} Register for the Positive Parenting Webinar

Get your kids to listen—the first time. No nagging or yelling required.

Register today for the Free Positive Parenting Solutions webinar with Amy McCready, sponsored by Frecklebox!

To sign up, click here to register. The webinar is one hour long, and takes place on April 26th, at 9PM EST.

Read more about this event:

Who Should Attend: Frustrated parents of kids ages 2-16 (Note: Please encourage your spouse or other caregivers to attend. Parenting is a lot easier when everyone is on the same page!)

What You’ll Learn: Amy McCready, Founder of Positive Parenting Solutions will present a strategy-packed, interactive, LIVE online webinar designed to teach you…

why kids really misbehave – it’s probably not what you think!
how your personality may actually fuel misbehavior
the 5 R’s of Fair & Effective Consequences so kids listen the first time you ask
training resources to reduce your parenting stress & stop nagging, reminding & yelling

I’m pretty excited to attend this… I love webinars, since they are such a great way for me to learn new things, without having to leave the kids with a sitter. And I’m always interested in learning new ways to keep our family and home happy!

Are you planning to attend? If so, hurry and RSVP today, since this is only available to a limited number of people.