Ringing in 2016 - Happy New Year!

The Being Frugal and Making it Work family would like to wish you a Happy New Year!  I hope that the New Year brings you success and happiness.  Make 2016 a year to remember.

 

 Have a Safe and Happy New Year!

How will you be welcoming the New Year?  I'll be totally honest here... my husband and I will be sleeping when the ball drops at midnight.  That's right, we are a couple of hard-core party animals!

Get Cheesy! Sonic 50¢ Grilled Cheese, Tomorrow 12/30

Get cheesy, all day, December 30th. Tomorrow Sonic is offering 50¢ Grilled Cheese sandwiches ALL DAY long!  

 

I think I the kids and I are going to have to make a special trip to enjoy some grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch.

End the Year With a FREE 6" Sub From Subway!

How would you like to enjoy a FREE lunch?  That's right!  You can grab yourself a FREE 6" sub from your favorite Subway restaurant!

Swagbucks Search & Learn: Mind, Body, Spirit

The New Year is right around the corner. Take a minute and reflect back on all the goals you set your for yourself for 2015. Did you accomplish all of your goals? Great! Did you fall short on a couple? Not a problem, it’s important to always try and better yourself! 

New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition. There’s is nothing better than giving yourself an official start date to a new you. And what better date than January 1st!

It’s no secret that better health is at the top of most people’s New Year’s resolution lists. Improving the health of your mind, body, and spirit is an integral part to success in almost all facets of life whether it be in your relationships or business! Hopefully this month’s Search & Learn from Swagbucks is a step in the right direction:

Swagbucks Search & Learn: Mind, Body, Spirit

Merry Christmas From Our Family to Yours!

The Being Frugal and Making it Work family wants to wish you a very Merry Christmas!  

  

I hope you have a day filled with joy, happiness, love, and most importantly MEMORIES!

Track Santa on Christmas Eve ~ FREE NORAD Santa Tracker

Santa Clause is coming to town... Can you believe that Santa comes tomorrow night?  Here is something super fun for children to do on Christmas Eve before they head off to bed... they can follow Santa and his every move with the FREE NORAD Santa Tracker.  

 

It won't be long now!  We are SO EXCITED for ‪#‎NORAD‬ to start tracking ‪#‎Santa‬ on his trip around the world!!

Official NORAD Tracks Santa! Starting Dec. 1, visit for games, videos & to track Santa on Christmas Eve!

Hot Chocolate Cocoa Mix Ornaments ~ The Perfect DIY Holiday Gift!

Are you looking for a fun and festive homemade Christmas gift for friends, teachers, or coworkers?

 

I have always loved simple homemade Christmas gifts that I can make with my children.  I recently ran across several different Hot Chocolate Mix Ornaments on Facebook and Pinterest and couldn't resist!  I knew I had to make them with my kids this year for Christmas gift giving.

These adorable hot cocoa mix ornaments are such a cute idea and a great way to give a little love this Christmas.  Not only are they super easy to make, they are also a frugal gift that you can afford to hand out to everyone on your list...  you will want to give one to everyone you meet!

Whether you decide to give them alone or with a decorative mug, they are sure to be a hit this Christmas.  Perfect for family, friends, co-workers, your child's teachers, or holiday craft fairs!  They are perfect alone, or tie on a chocolate dipped spoon or candy cane with festive ribbon for an extra special touch.

 

Finding a Healthy Balance ~ Staying Active and Healthy in the Winter!

A special thanks to the Dr Pepper Snapple Group for partnering with Being Frugal and Making it Work for today’s post. All opinions are my own.

With every new year comes new promises, new choices, and New Year's Resolutions.  Finding the balance between everything that life throws your way can prove to be a challenge.  Healthy living depends on balance, balancing the calories you consume through food & beverages with the calories you burn through physical activity. 

 

Instead of making resolutions (that I probably won't end up keeping), I try to strive to make better choices each day, even if it's just one.  Something as simple as choosing to drink a glass of water with a slice of lemon in or walking to check the mail instead of driving.  

During the summer months it's easier to be active due to the weather.  However, as a parent, I know how important it is to be active with my kids year- round.  That's why we don't let the cold winter weather keep us inside.  We play in the snow, have snowball fights, build forts, go sledding, and so much more...

 

Spice Things Up This Christmas ~ Give the Gift of a Monthly Pepper Box!

Do you like it a little hot?  Your best friend in the pursuit of all things hot sauce, Monthly Pepper Box is like having a miniature hot sauce festival delivered to your door every month. Each month discover savory gems of artisan hot sauces for only $22. Every box, you'll get 3 bottles of succulent heat ranging from a "Low Burn" to "Call the Fire Department" from hot sauce companies you've never heard of. 

 

Just in time for the holidays... My readers can save 10% off your membership (Gift & Ongoing) at Monthly Pepper Box. It's the perfect box for the Pepper Head in your life, especially if that Pepper Head is you! Use special code: 10HOLIDAY

Give the Gift of Coffee This Christmas & Save 25% ~ Single Cup Club!

The perfect friend in the pursuit of amazing coffee, Single Cup Club is like having your own "guy" in the coffee world. Each month, a box of artisan coffees is shipped right to your door for just $19. You'll experience three small batch roasted coffees with each month's box in the convenience of Kuerig compatible single serve cups. 

  

Get 25% off your Single Cup Club membership (Gift & Ongoing Membership). It's the perfect box for the coffee lover in your life, especially if that coffee lover is you!

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 30

I made it!  I made it through the month on November and completed the  30 Days of Thanks Challenge!  I know that there are so many more things to be thankful for than just the thirty that I mentioned in my posts.

 

I'm thankful for my two amazing children, my fantastic husband, family, friends, family memories, making memories, chocolate, fireplaces, walking on the beach, the past, the present, and the future... the list of things to be thankful for is never ending...

I've always been one that is thankful for everything, no matter how big or small.  Looking back one day, you are going to realize that the small things were the big things!

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 29

The weather is getting cold... below freezing, in fact.  Fact is, it's winter in North Idaho!  

 

Today I'm thankful for the fireplace in my bedroom... on my side of the bed... that my wonderful husband bought me for Christmas a couple years ago!  Now if I only had one in the living room.  A girl can dream, right?!

4 Tips To Avoid Overspending on Cyber Monday

Well, Thanksgiving is over, and you know what that means! It means it’s time once again to clutch on to your laptops or electronic devices and visit a few (or a lot of) websites for those crazy discounted offers. 

Cyber Monday is a great way to save on cash, but the temptation of over clicking, and thus overspending, can be far too great for our credit cards and bank accounts to handle. If you’re looking for a way to keep yourself from spending more than you should on one of the greatest holiday discount sales of the year, then stick around for four great tips to avoid overspending on Cyber Monday. 

1. Know What You Need – One of the reasons why people tend to spend more than they should on Cyber Monday is because they don’t keep a list of things that they actually need. Before you hit those holiday sales, make sure you know just exactly what you need so you don’t end up purchasing things that aren’t necessary. 

2. Wait It Out – In the event that you do come across something and then realize that you might really need it (or really want it), then you should give it some time before you click that purchase now button. A lot of times, we give in to our impulses and end up buying things because of the heat of the moment. Try to wait it out – if you still want the thing after cooling off from the ecstasy of discovery, then go ahead and buy it. But if you feel that the emotion wanes after a while, then it’s best to just let it go. 

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 28

It's the last weekend off before heading back to school and work after the extended Thanksgiving holiday.  I'll admit that I loved having the entire week off with my family, and kids... plus my sister-in-law was in town from Missouri!

 

Today I am thankful for lazy days...  I just wish I had more of them!

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 27

It's Black Friday... sometimes there are some great deals to snag for holiday gift giving, but this year I decided to stay at home and sleep all night!  I did venture out for a couple of hours with a girlfriend mid-morning, but ended up just having lunch!  No Black Friday purchases for me this year.

  

Today I am thankful for the beauty in every single day.

Exotic Angels' Joy Globes Ornaments ~ The Perfect Stocking Stuffer‏ (Holiday Gift Guide ~ Review & Giveaway)

 

Joy is always one of the first words that comes to mind when I think about the holidays.  Love, Peace, and Joy...

 

I would love to introduce you to Exotic Angels' Joy Globes. They are the perfect holiday gift for your kids’ teachers, your best friend, co-worker or for a Secret Santa.

Each of these stunning globes contains an Air Plant (Tillandsia), which adds an ethereal element to these ornaments. These low maintenance globes are easy to care for and do not require much water. The glittering globes come in festive colors including red, gold and silver to match everyone’s holiday décor.

Exotic Angel Joy Globes are also great hostess gifts so be sure to keep them on hand for last minute invitations. After the holidays, the plants can be easily transplanted to any open top container to enjoy year round.

 

These ornament globes are cute, fun, and festive! Perfect to enjoy during the holidays and all year round.  I gave one to my best friend and she instantly fell in love with it!  My almost 12 year old daughter begged me for one to keep in her room too.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 26: Happy Thanksgiving!

From our family to yours... Happy Thanksgiving!

  

May your stuffing be tasty. May your turkey be plump.
May your potatoes n' gravy have nary a lump.
May your yams be delicious. May your pies take the prize.
May your Thanksgiving dinner stay off of your thighs.

Today I am thankful for family, friends, food, and holiday traditions!

Walgreens FREEBIE: *HOT* FREE 8X10 Photo Print + Free In-Store Pickup

Now through November 28th, you can grab a FREE 8x10 photo print at Walgreens!  Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, so be sure to take lots of photos... then you can get your favorite for FREE!  Or take advantage of marking a frugal (free) Christmas gift off your list!  I know that grandparents LOVE getting photos of their grandchildren for the holidays!

  

To get your Free Photo at Walgreens:

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 25

It's the Day before Thanksgiving... I can already taste the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and pumpkin pie!

Today I am thankful for getting a good night sleep last night.  Often times it is the little things...

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 24

Today I am thankful for my parents who raised me right and taught me right from wrong.  My parents taught to to be the better person, to help others, to stand up for myself and what I thought was right!  They were always there to support me, no matter what choices I made.  If I fell down, they were there to pick me back up.  They were always there to guide me and tell me how proud they were.

 

  

My parents mean the world to me, and I'm so thankful that they are now a very important part of my children's lives.  They are amazing grandparents - although growing up, I knew they would be!

Go Flameless This Holiday Season with a Candle Warmers Carriage Lantern (Holiday Gift Guide ~ Review & Giveaway)

Two of my favorite ways to make our house smell good are by baking and scented candles.  I'll be the first to admit, I burn more candles than I do baking!

As a mom who worries about everything, I love the fact that Candle Warmers don't require a flame like ordinary candles. I don't have to worry about the kids (or pets) knocking them over and starting a fire or getting burned by them.  I also don't have to worry about forgetting to blow them out or turn them off when I leave the house, after all it's just a light bulb! 

 

 

A couple of my personal favorites this year include the Carriage Candle Warmer Lantern and the Santa's Cookies candle!  The candle smells exactly like fresh from the oven sugar cookies topped with rich vanilla icing!

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 23

Wow, we are already nearing the end of the month... only a week left in November.  Time flies by so fast.  Makes me stop and realize just how important each and every single day is.

 

Today I am thankful for my husband!  We have been married for 16 year, together for 18.  He is my rock!  Hardworking, loving, caring, a little annoying... he's my perfect package!

No matter what, he is always there by my side.  He's there for our children and so involved in our lives.  I honestly couldn't have dreamed of having someone like him in my life for so many years.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 22

Today is my sister's birthday... she lives in New Mexico and I live in Idaho, so we don't get to see each other on a regular basis.  However, we are only a phone call away.

  

Today, I am thankful for my siblings!

Coobie Seamless Bras are the Most Comfortable Bras EVER!

I dislike bra shopping almost as much as I dislike shopping for new jeans.  But, having a comfortable and supportive bra is very important!

 

Coobie Seamless Bras are ultra comfortable and versatile without sacrificing style. These affordable, stylish bras are seamless, one-size (comfortably fits 32A through 36D), available in 10+ styles and 50+ fashion colors and patterns. There is also a full size that fits 38-42D.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 21

A friend and I met up this morning with our daughters and went to a local Christmas Bazaar.  Lots of fun crafts and treats perfect for the holidays.  It also made me realize that I need to finish getting ready for our Christmas Gift Shop at school that begins on the 15th of December!

  

Today I am thankful for true friends!

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 20

TGIF!  It's finally Friday and I'm looking forward to spending the weekend with my family!  It's the beginning of our Thanksgiving break... well, the kids don't have school all next week and I don't have work since I also work at the school.

 

Today I'm thankful for the beginning of our extended Thanksgiving break!

Get Lovely Candy for the Holidays & Sweeten Someone's Day!

Are you looking for a way to sweeten someone's holiday?  Or maybe you're looking for that perfect stocking stuffer!

 

The Lovely Candy Company makes premium, consciously crafted candies for consumers looking for indulgent treats which offer the best ingredients available. Lovely candies are all natural, certified gluten free, tested non-GMO, certified kosher and contain no high fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients. They have Chewy Caramels, Fudgee Rolls (think a better Tootsie Roll), Fruit Chews with real fruit pieces, and Gluten-Free Licorice. 

Christmas Forest Wreaths ~ A Holiday Must Have (Holiday Gift Guide ~ Review & Giveaway)

The holidays just aren't the same without a Christmas wreath hanging on the front door.  The look, the smell, the childhood memories!  I remember as a little girl spending the day at my grandparents house making swags for family and friends.  We would go for a walk on their property, cut evergreen branches and gather pinecones.  The house always smelled so good and it was such a fun day!

To this day, Christmas Wreaths hold a very special place in my heart... 

When my Christmas Forest Wreath arrived, I couldn't wait to tear open the box.  As I opened the box, I could smell the fresh scent of pine.  My wreath was beautifully wrapped and packaged for safe shipping.  The Christmas wreath was full and gorgeous, absolutely perfect.  The large bow was stunning and ready to be attached.

After much deliberation, I chose the 20" North Pole Christmas Wreath.  The candy cane wreath is decorated with a taffeta red and white bow with images of Christmas candy. Paired with the beautiful forest fresh evergreens of the northwest, it's a perfect match.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 19

Another day off from school and work due to the wind storm earlier this week.  Today I am thankful for unexpected days off that I get to spend with my children!

 

LEGO Club Exclusive ~ Save 20% Off Your BrickSwag Subscription Box!

My daughter is a huge LEGO fan.  She loves building them and has an entire LEGO city created on our air hockey table.

 

Do you have a LEGO lover in your house? If so, this is going to be perfect for you to keep the inspiration flowing and achieve master-builder status! BrickSwag is box full of LEGO-themed merchandise that arrives in the mail just for your builder. It even arrives with their name on the package.

BrickSwag is the #1 membership for LEGO fans. Each month includes official LEGO kits to build and keep, exclusive t-shirt, Build magazine, Funky Fig trading cards, and more surprises.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 18

We had a major windstorm in our area last night.  Two trees in our front yard came down, one barely missing the house.  According to Avista, "Wind Storm Damage Has Caused 'Largest Crisis in 126 Years."  About 180,000 customers are without power.  School was cancelled today, and again tomorrow.

 

So many of our friends and family are without power right now.  Today I am thankful for  the fact that our electricity is still on.  And that I get another day at home with my kiddos!

Triple Your Cash Back this Holiday Season ~ Black Friday Shopping!

You may have heard me rave about Swagbucks before... but the Being Frugal and Making it Work family LOVES earning free Amazon gift cards year round, especially once the holidays roll around!

Most of us have some sort of cash back rewards on our credit or debit cards. Every time we use them, we get a percentage back in the form of cash or redeemable points that we can save in our rainy day fund, or use to splurge guilt-free, depending on your personality. But you may not know that, with Swagbucks, you could be multiplying those cash back rewards without changing anything about your credit card or spending habits. 

As you finalize your holiday shopping plans, don't miss out on this chance to double, triple or even quadruple your cash back from online shopping!

Here's how it works - 

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 17

Another day down, another day to be thankful.  Today I am thankful for my wonderful students at work.  They keep me on my toes, make me laugh, teach me something new each day, and sometimes drive me a little crazy!  That's what makes my job so rewarding... each day is a new adventure!

  

Swag Feast Team Challenge ~ Join Today for FREE!

Yup, it's that time of year again. Time to start getting ready for family, turkey, and deals!

To get the feasting started, lets start with the Swag Feast Team Challenge. We love Swagbucks Team Challenges because they get our competitive streak going and they are such an easy way to get cash back for stuff we were already doing. This Swag Fest Team Challenge is no different - starting next week, you can earn 200 SB for your team and get up to 520 bonus SB added on top!

So pull up a chair to the table, there’s plenty to go round at Swagbucks. Search the spread for your favorite fowl, white or dark, just save us a leg. Discover delicious dressings, try our gravy or cranberry sauce (canned or fresh) or even both if you’re feeling adventurous. Watch the mashed potatoes and corn bread stuffing though, they’re always a favorite so grab some quick. Don’t forget to Survey our dessert table for your favorite apple, pumpkin or pecan pie unless you’re overquota!   

The feast will begin November 16th at 9am PT/12pm ET so get ready to gobble up those points, but you can sign up for your team as early as November 12th. The Swag Feast Team Challenge isn’t over until you hit the next hole in your belt (or November 20th at 12pm PT/3pm ET, whichever comes first)!

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 16

I am really trying to focus on the simple things in life... today I am thankful for beautiful sunsets. 

My brother took this photo in North Dakota.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 15

Today I slept in which was greatly needed!  It was another rainy day... perfect for a lazy Sunday!  We spent the afternoon at a friends house watching movies, eating munchies, and visiting.  We ended the evening with tacos for dinner.

 

Today I am thankful for friends, family and lazy days... 

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 14

It's a rainy Saturday... it's dark and gloomy outside.  We left the house at 6 am to go to a wrestling tournament an hour from home.  Our son's life revolves around wrestling, he was reffing at the tournament to earn a little money to help pay for his wrestling expenses.

 

From there, we went to NIC to watch the college wrestlers, two of which we have known since they were in grade school.  Getting home at 8:30 pm... it was a long day, but it was worth it.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 13

It's Friday the 13th... are you superstitious?  My daughter's 13th birthday will be on Friday the 13th in 2017.  I'm excited to throw her a child friendly "spooky" party that Friday night!  She's excited too, and of course she wants to watch really scary movies.  We will have to wait and see!

  

Today I am thankful for my "super" children!

 

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 12

Today I'm going to keep it simple... today I'm thankful for MEMORIES!  Here is one from our family whitewater rafting trip this summer!

  

The best thing about memories... is making them.

Do Your Kids Hate Eating Soggy Cereal?

Do your kids hate eating soggy cereal for breakfast?  Nothing ruins your breakfast faster than a bite of soggy cereal, or having to pour an entire bowl of cereal down the drain!  Never eat soggy cereal again...

That's right... Cereal Never Gets Soggy!

 

Obol "The Original Crispy Bowl" made in the USA is the favorite for cereal lovers around the world. Inspired by a playground slide, its Spiral Slide Design changed the mundane cereal bowl into an everyday kitchen sensation. The pleasure of eating cereal at the table, while watching TV or even is bed is easy, just Swoop n Scoop!  Crispy cereal... your way, your pace.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 11: Happy Veterans Day!

Our freedom does not come free... Today, both of my children's school will be having a Veterans Day celebration with videos, slide shows and having the students write letters to thank our Veterans.

Today is Veterans Day and I am thankful for all of those who have served our country and have sacrificed so much for our freedom!  My dad, both grandfather's, and several of my uncles have all served our country in different branches of the military.  My dad was in the Army and was stationed in Germany in the early 70's.

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 10

This morning was super cold... below freezing!  I had to start the car and turn the heater and defroster up at high speed for 10 minutes before leaving for school and work!  I know that winter is right around the corner.  In fact, snow is in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow...

Today I am thankful for hot tea, fuzzy sweaters, and slippers!

'30 Days of Thanks' Challenge ~ Day 9

Today has been an emotional and stressful day... As hard as it is, I am trying to focus on something positive.  Today I am thankful for second chances!

 

Life isn't always easy... but it's always worth it! 

Stylish, Unique Mix & Match Designer Baby Clothes: Zutano (Holiday Gift Guide ~ Review & Giveaway)

For as long as I can remember, baby clothes have been one of my favorite things!  I first fell in love with Zutano baby clothes during the summer of 2012.  Each year I get a new outfit for my nephew for Christmas.  This year, I am shopping for my niece who will join us the end of December.
 
Mix and match baby clothes make the perfect gift! Long and short sleeve tops, bottoms (pants and shorts), and socks that interchange with one another, no matter what the weather.  Simply put... mix and match baby clothes means fewer outfits and more options!

 

One unique thing that I love about Zutano is that they have such a great selection of fun clothing prints.  Before I start shopping, I always look at their latest designs.  Right now you can choose from over 20 adorable prints including: Cottontail, Dino City, Happy Camper, Cats Meow, Jungle Boogie, and Owls.  

My favorites?  I don't even know where to begin.  I received a few adorable items for my niece that were from the Cottontail and Owls collections.  I have to admit that they were too darn cute and I wish I had a daughter small enough to wear them.  But, giving them to my niece is the next best thing since I will still get to enjoy the cuteness!