T.L.C. VoxBox

I just received a free TLC VoxBox from Influenster.  It was sent to about 10,000 moms with free samples from different companies.

Here are the things it included and my thoughts about the box:

1) Shell Fuel Rewards Network Card 

• In all honesty, this was kind of a lame "sample" considering you can sign up for these at any Shell station or online.  In fact, I already have one and use it regularly.  I love it, but I was looking forward to trying new products. The good news is... if you have one, you can save 3 cents at the pump just for carrying around the car.  So... saving money... always a plus in my book.

2) Breyers Gelato Indulgences Coupon

• I was really excited about this because I love ice cream, fro-yo and all things sweet/cold.  My hubby and I tried the Triple Chocolate gelato and it was HEAVENLY! It was quite pricey for the size of the container, but if you are thinking about picking up some delicious ice cream, you can't go wrong here. 

3) Puffs to Go

• Again, this is a product that I feel like has already been around and don't get me wrong... I LOVE these purse-sized tissues, but it is nothing new.  It's a pocket/purse-sized tissue.  What's not to love?

4) Neosporin Neo to Go

• This is awesome and super handy for any mom (especially moms with boys).  Kids are always getting hurt and needing a little scrap "fixed".  This can go on a keychain or in a purse perfectly.  Two thumbs up. 

5) Ivory Bar Sop

• It's a bar of soap.  Period.  I actually don't really like bar soap-- I prefer body wash.  So, I am not sure how I feel about this. 

6)Avon Anew Reversalist Express Wrinkle Smoother

• I have super sensitive skin and it doesn't like all beauty products I test.  We shall see how this goes... 

My first impression was that I was honored to receive the box.  Was it a box full of innovative new stuff?? No--I had used/seen most of these things.  But, it did give me a chance to try some new stuff out.   I'd give it 3.5 stars out of 5.

All of these products were mailed to me as a free product testing courtesy of Influenster.com.

Working Out- For Less (even FREE!)

If any of you are like me, you may have a difficult time rationalizing spending money on a monthly gym membership when just getting to the gym is a task.  I don't mean finding your way there; I mean finding the motivation to get yourself there. So why pay for something you aren't 100% in love with?

Gyms are fantastic because they have all the necessary equipment in one place and many gyms offer classes to switch up otherwise monotonous workout routines.  But they are also pretty pricey.

But I discovered a wealth of resources at my fingertips (almost literally).  Youtube and Hulu have great links to exercise routines that can be done at home, with nothing more than the computer or TV in front of you.  They vary in length, difficulty, and areas of focus.  Just visit Youtube and type in what you would like to work on.

Here's an example of an ab workout I found on Hulu.com.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/35662/six-pack-abs-quick-abdominal-ball#s-p1-sr-i0

It does take some time to find an exercise routine you love, but I spent absolutely no money finding them.  Then, I bookmark it in a little folder and it is ready to go for the next time I want to use it!  This can save you about $50/month.

Cost-Saving Vacation Idea

Looking for a way to save money on vacation?  Here's one quick and easy way...

Find a hotel that serves breakfast for free!

Every time I go on vacation, I try to book a hotel that offers a complimentary breakfast, which saves you from spending money on one meal a day.

Here are some hotels that offer complimentary breakfast for their guests:

• Drury Hotels
• Hilton (Hampton Inn and Suites, Homewood Suites)
• Mariott (Springhill Suites, Courtyard, Fairfield, Residence Inn)
• Microtel Inn and Suites
• Holiday Inn-- only selected hotels
• Wyndam Hotels (Super 8, Days Inn, Ramada, Howard Johnson, Travelodge)
• Choice Hotels (Clarion Inn, Sleep Inn, Comfort Suites, EconoLodge, Quality Inn)

Some of these hotels offer free continental breakfast, but many of these offer more of a more filling buffet-style breakfast.

And there you have it.. Another way to save money! Who doesn't love that?

Image Source: http://portal.oakwood.com/profiles/images/0875/1386/Photos/OPCC_-_Breakfast_Buffet_Closeup.jpg

Mint.com is the bomb.com!!

If you haven't visited mint.com... you need to stop reading this, type it into your address bar and go explore.  Seriously... what are you waiting for?

I used to use a spreadsheet to track all my expenses.  I was really proud of my spreadsheet and proud that I religiously used it to budget.  But, let's face it... I'm kind of lazy sometimes (ok... more than sometimes).  I would dread the last day of the month when I would have to sit down and check over my accounts to make sure everything was set for the next month. 

I had heard of mint.com, but never checked it out.  It is awesome.  You can choose to input all your expenses on your own, or you can give it access to your accounts and it tracks your expenses for you.  It is very similar to Turbo Tax, which I think actually partners with mint.com.  And the best part is... it's FREE! There's no price better than free. 

Anyway, you can learn all about it but just clicking on that link above and going there.  Do it... you won't regret it.

Free Passport Photos

This site was a FANTASTIC find.  No more going to to the post office and paying $15 for a passport photo.  If you don't have a color printer, this is a terrific alternative. This site will do it for you-- all you need is a digital camera! The most you would pay is around one dollar (print and shipping).

Step One: 
Go here: http://www.epassportphoto.com/

Step Two: 
Choose "United State", "Passport 2x2" and then click on "Get My Passport Photos"

Step Three: 
Follow the directions about how to take the photo.  Take your photo.  Upload it onto the site.

Step Four: 
Drag the box around your photo.  Read the directions about the green rectangles. Click Next.

Step Five: 
This is where they get you to buy the photo through them.  You can choose to do that-- it's still cheaper than the post office.  Or you click on the small "No Thanks" option and it will skip right through those choices.

Step Six:
Download the passport photo sheet.  It saves it as a 4x6 jpg.  Then you can sign up for 20 free photos through Snapfish, upload your photos there, and VOILA... free passport photos.  (Otherwise, you can take it to any Target, Walmart, Walgreens, etc., and have them print it for around 15 cents).

Isn't getting stuff for free great?