LEAP! Into the New Year and Follow Your Dreams

From the time they were old enough to understand, I've always told my children that they can do anything they put their mind to.  When you fall down, you get back up and you never give up! I've also told them that we all make mistakes and that we must learn from them...

Other life lessons that I have instilled in my children is that we are all different and unique in our own special ways.  Everyone comes from different lifestyles and backgrounds, everyone has weakness and strengths, others have advantages. We can't let our life struggles stop us from doing what we want to do!  Own it and stand out from the crowd... always be yourself!

LEAP! is a heartwarming movie that takes those life lessons and brings them life!  You will laugh, you will cry, you will be inspired!   This movie encourages children (especially young girls) to have the courage to pursue their dreams, no matter what obstacles might stand in their way.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! 

 

May your day be filled with joy, love, and memories!

Blue Buffalo Holiday Santa Snacks Dog Treats (Review)

With Christmas right around the corner, it's important not to forget your furry family members!  We don't wrap presents and fill stockings for our puppies, but that doesn't mean that they get left out.  In fact... this year they got cookies!

 

I am fortunate enough to be a Chewy Influencer and in exchange for my honest reviews, my two spoiled pups get special food and treats every month!  Zena (English Mastiff) and Thor (Great Dane/Mastiff) are lucky dogs!  When they see the blue Chewy.com box being delivered, it's almost like they know it's for them!

In the spirit of the holiday season, Thor and Zena got a bag of Blue Buffalo Holiday Santa Snacks with Oatmeal & Cinnamon dog treats.  These cookies are adorable and perfect for Christmas... shaped like stars, gingerbread men and Christmas trees.  They also smell like the holidays too!  The name, Kringle's Cookies couldn't be more perfect!

Swago: Holiday Shopping Edition Is Back!

The holidays are here and the online rewards site Swagbucks has a smart and fun way for you to earn and save while you spend.

Swagbucks is hosting another round of Shopping Swago! What is SWAGO you ask? It's a bingo-inspired promotion run by Swagbucks, a website that rewards you with points (called SB) for completing everyday online activities. You can redeem those SB for free gift cards. If you've never used Swagbucks, participating in SWAGO is a great introduction to the site and an easy way to earn a good amount of points quickly. 

 

Click here to get started!

Here’s what you need to know to get your 300 SB ($3) Bonus (and don’t worry, you don’t have to make a purchase to complete a pattern):

Despicable Me 3 ~ Rediscover How Good it Feels to be Bad!

What could be better than Despicable Me?   Despicable Me 2 and Minions?  Nope... how about Despicable Me 3!  Did you know that Gru has a long-lost twin brother?  Does it "feel good" to be bad?

 

Illumination, who brought movie-goers Despicable Me and the biggest animated hits of 2013 and 2015, Despicable Me 2 and Minions, continues the story of Gru, Lucy, their adorable daughters — Margo, Edith and Agnes — and the Minions in Despicable Me 3.

After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin’s despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad.

Huge Cash Back deals during the Swagbucks Green Monday Sale!

You can earn money while saving it during Green Monday! The Cashback Shopping site Swagbucks is offering big cash back - 2x or more - at a number of different stores today only. They're also offering big payouts on a varieties of different deals and offers from companies that would make great gift ideas. Get great deals without waiting in lines or even leaving your home!

If you're not familiar with Swagbucks, they offer cash back in the form of points when you shop. Then you can turn those points into free gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Target, or PayPal cash. You can also earn points for discovering deals, watching videos, answering surveys and more! 
 
To take advantage of the cash back, just create your Swagbucks account when prompted (it takes less than 30 seconds) and then you're all set!

Festive and Affordable Holiday Treats, Candy & Favors That Make Great Gifts!

Are you looking for some festive and affordable holiday treats to have on hand this Christmas?  Maybe some Mint Truffle or Christmas Hershey Kisses, Walker's Shortbread Chocolate Chip Cookies or Coldstone Creamery Chocolate Cones?

Let Oriental Trading help you with some special holiday treats and Christmas candy that are both festive and affordable! 

These festive red and green self-sealing jars filled with Christmas candy make a great gift for anyone on your list... or that unexpected visitor!  Simply fill each one with holiday candy and put a bow on top!  After the candy is gone, the jars can be used for anything.

Watch Ya' Mouth Game (2017 Holiday Gift Guide)

How many times have you been at the dentist, tools and mouthpieces in your mouth, and they are asking you questions and expecting you to answer?  Or when you're eating out, and your waitress asks you a questions just as soon as you take a bite of food?

Want a hilarious family game to play during the Holidays? Your search is over... the hilarious game of Watch Ya' Mouth takes you to that awkwardly hilarious moment that we have all experienced!

Imagine the silly faces your friends and family will make while they try to say "Warm Beef Meatballs" while wearing cheek retractors.  Get your group together (3-10 players), insert the cheek retractors and speak out phrases while your friends and family try to guess what each other are saying.

I can't wait for my kids to open this game on Christmas morning so that we can all play together!  I can already picture their faces and all of the laughs!  I think the kids will be super excited to see Ma and Pa play this game too.  Oh my!

Get more free gift cards for the Holidays from Swagbucks during December's Swago with Spin & Win

The digital rewards site Swagbucks is offering big payouts during their December "Swago" promotion starting Monday, December 4th at 9am PT and running until Monday, December 11th! Swago is just like bingo, but in this case you're filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online. If you're thinking of trying Swagbucks, this is a great chance to learn all about how the site works and earn bonus points while doing it, meaning you can get more free gift cards faster. 

Here are a few tips:

• Each square on your Swago Board will contain an action item to complete. They can be anything from getting a search win, completing a survey, or just visiting one of our popular stores!
   
• Once you complete the action item in a particular square the square will change color signifying the action item is complete.
   

Make Your Daughter's Mermaid Dreams Come True ~ with a Gorgeous Mermaid Tail! (2017 Holiday Gift Guide)

At one point or another, I think that every little girl has dreamed of being a mermaid!  I also think that Ariel helped make that dream a little more real... who doesn't love The Little Mermaid?!

My daughter has always loved the water, swimming and mermaids.  For Christmas this year, she will be getting a Dragon Tail Mermaid Tail + Monofin Set from Sun Tails.  I can't wait to see her face when she opens her package and realizes what she got!  It's going to be priceless! 

 

The thing I love most about the mermaid tails are the colors!  There are so many bright, bold, beautiful colors available!  Orange, pink, blue, purple, green... absolutely gorgeous!

Monofins are such fun for kids and adults to swim with!  You can use them with a mermaid tail or without.  One super cool thing about their mermaid tails is that they are swim-able and walk-able (meaning, you can remove the monofin and pull them up for walking).  

They have sparkly tails or smooth and silky premium realistic scale tails to choose from.  That does leave one slight issue though... which one to choose!

Affordable Christmas Gifts for Everyone on Your Holiday List ~ Shop Oriental Trading!

 A special thank you to Oriental Trading  for partnering with me for this Holiday Gift Guide post!

We all know how stressful and expensive the holidays can be.  I also know that there are frugal ways to do just about everything... including buying Christmas gifts for everyone on your list!  I shop year round in order to get the best deals and will purchase items on sale or clearance and save them to give later.  I also make sure I have a few "extra" gifts wrapped up and placed in a special spot under our tree for those "unexpected" giving moments that arise.

One special thing that I like to do is attach a Christmas ornament to every package that I wrap!  I love giving and receiving new ornaments every year.  I write the year on the back of each one and love walking down memory lane as we decorate our tree each year.

 

 
There is one place that always has the best selection of affordable items for every holiday and special occasion.  That place is Oriental Trading!

I'm always excited when my Oriental Trading Company package arrives... it's just like Christmas morning as I open up the box!  Even though I'm the one that made the order and know what's inside the box - I'm always excited to see the items up close and in person. 

My most recent shipment included everything Christmas!  Believe bell ornaments, chalkboard message ornaments, Christmas ball splat balls, Christmas and mint truffle Hershey Kisses, "Pres-mint" mint tins, Christmas disposable coffee cups, self-sealing red and green jars, Faith stones, and more...  including festive Christmas gift bags!

Get $3 when you sign up for Swagbucks in December!

If you haven't tried Swagbucks before, you can get a bonus $3 for signing up as my referral during December. Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching, watching videos, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for free gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash. 

When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a $3 bonus! Here's how:

1. Sign up for FREE

Fuel Your Child's Creativity with Kwik Stix, Thin Stix & Magic Stix! (2017 Holiday Gift Guide)

 A special thank you to The Pencil Group for partnering with me for this Holiday Gift Guide post!

Do you have a creative child on your holiday shopping list? Are you a parent that dreads letting your child paint because of the hassle and mess?

Kwik Stix and Thin Stix are tempera paint sticks that allow children of all ages to paint without making a mess. Plus they can be used on multiple products. Simply uncap, twist, and paint! The only difference between the two is that the Thin Stix are longer and thinner, which are better for older children.

 

The Magic Stix markers are a new product. would you believe me if I told you that these markers won’t dry out for 7 days with the cap off?   It's true, and it is guaranteed!

5 in 1 Waterproof Man's Grooming Kit (2017 Holiday Gift Guide)

Are you looking for the perfect gift for that special man on your holiday shopping list?  The Sminiker Professional 5 in 1 Waterproof Man's Grooming Kit is sure to please.

This 5 in 1 trimmer has everything a man needs to stay groomed and trimmed... it includes a full trimmer, detail trimmer, nose trimmer, beard and mustache trimmer, making it the perfect accessory for all the men in your life. 

  

This trimmer is perfect for men of all ages; including teens.  This trimmer allows them to easily remove unwanted hair and create fine lines for the perfect groomed look.

Purina Pro Plan Focus Digestive Health Dog Treats (Review)

If your pets are anything like ours... they are spoiled!  I feel as though I have a husband and 4 kids, instead of a husband, 2 kids and 2 dogs. 

I am fortunate enough to be a Chewy Influencer and in exchange for my honest reviews, my two spoiled pups get special food and treats every month!  Zena (English Mastiff) and Thor (Great Dane/Mastiff) are lucky dogs!  When they see the blue Chewy box being delivered, it's almost like they know it's for them!

Thor and Zena recently had the privilege to sample a bag of Purina Pro Plan Focus Digestive Health dog treats.  When I opened the bag, they smelled good enough for me to eat; they smell like jerky. They are soft and moist, are the perfectly bite-sized.

Huge Cash Back deals during the Swagbucks Cyber Monday Sale!

You can earn money while saving it on all your big Cyber Monday purchases.  The Cashback Shopping site Swagbucks is offering big cash back - 3x or more - at over 120 different stores today only. They're also offering big payouts on a varieties of different deals and offers from companies that would make great gift ideas. Get great deals without waiting in lines or even leaving your home!

 

If you're not familiar with Swagbucks, they offer cash back in the form of points when you shop. Then you can turn those points into free gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Target, or PayPal cash. You can also earn points for discovering deals, watching videos, answering surveys and more! 

Drink Wine and Have a Merry Christmas with Winc Wine Club!

Are you or someone you know a wine lover?  What if I told you that Winc delivers wine right to your doorstep?

 

That's right!  Winc is not your traditional wine club: they are a direct-distribution global wine company that personalizes the entire wine experience specifically to you!

They  are perfecting how wine is made, distributed, perceived and purchased via their Palate Profile quiz that recommends wine based on your unique tastes.  They make their suggestions based on how you answer the initial questions, taking the hassle and guesswork out of picking a bottle perfect for your style and taste.  How cool is that?

Winc has a great selection of wines that start at just $13 a bottle.  Affordable and convenient!

Get Big Cash Back during the Swagbucks Black Friday Sale!

The Cashback Shopping site Swagbucks is offering big cash back at over 120 different stores all throughout Black Friday weekend. They're also offering big payouts on a varieties of different deals and offers from companies that would make great gift ideas. Get great deals without waiting in lines or even leaving your home! 

If you're not familiar with Swagbucks, they offer cash back in the form of points when you shop. Then you can turn those points into free gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Target, or PayPal cash. You can also earn points for discovering deals, watching videos, answering surveys and more!  

To take advantage of the cash back, just create your Swagbucks account when prompted (it takes less than 30 seconds) and then you're all set!

Get exclusive Swagbuster deals on your favorite stores, offers, and gift cards

Running now through December 3rd, the cashback shopping site Swagbucks is running a series of exclusive "Swagbuster" deals that offer increased cash back (in the form of SB points) at stores, when buying gifts cards, and big SB payouts when you discover offers from different companies. 

You can take all of the points you earn from these deals and redeem them for free gift cards for places like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, or PayPal cash, helping you extend your holiday budget further!

The Pre-Black Friday Holiday Sale!

As a pre-Black Friday warm up, Swagbucks is offering big cash back for shopping online at several of your favorite retailers right now! Be sure to check it out to see all of the deals available and get a jump on your holiday shopping.

In order to take advantage of the cash back, just create your Swagbucks account when prompted (it takes less than 30 seconds) and then you're all set! Your cash back comes in the form of SB points, which you can redeem for free gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, or get PayPal cash!

GrandBox ~ The Perfect Gift for Grandma and Grandpa (2017 Holiday Gift Guide)

Are you looking for the perfect gift for your Grandma and Grandpa this Christmas?  Maybe you're looking for the perfect gift that will keep on giving even after the holidays are over.  If so, let me tell you a little bit about GrandBox!



GrandBox is the original subscription gift box for Grandma and Grandpa. Every box is filled with unique gifts and personal touches to show them how much they are loved! December's box will be themed for the holidays and will ship on December 18th.

Having a monthly subscription box sent to your loved one is as simple as 1...2...3!

2017 Holiday Gift Guide Seeking Sponsors!

With the holidays quickly approaching we are starting to put together our 2017 Holiday Gift Guide.  Beginning November 15th, Being Frugal and Making it Work will launch its 6th annual Holiday Gift Guide!  The holiday gift guide is going to feature gift ideas for everyone on your holiday shopping list... from toys and clothing to food and electronics, and much more!

 

 

This year's holiday gift guide will include:

• Gift ideas for children of all ages (babies, kids & teens)

• Gift ideas for women

• Gift ideas for men

• Gift ideas for pets

 

Some of the items already in the Holiday Gift Guide line-up include:

Perfect Photo Gifts for the Holidays!

Canvas On Demand has awesome gifts for everyone on your list! Based in Raleigh, NC, @canvasondemand has everything you need to get your shopping done early.

 

They offer more than just canvas prints. From incredible photo-to-canvas art for parents, Coloring Canvas for kids, and customizable photo gifts, including ornaments & more, Canvas On Demand can help with your holiday haul.

For a limited time, they're offering my readers a whopping 60% off your entire order at Canvas On Demand with code USFAM. Select from canvas prints and more! 

Watch Ya' Mouth Throwdown Edition

Watch Ya' Mouth Throwdown Edition is the evolution of the original, wildly popular, hilarious Watch Ya' Mouth game. Rather than just speak phrases, players now go head-to-head with hilarious and challenging tasks - while wearing mouthpieces. Throwdown Edition takes competition - and laughter - to the next level and builds on the multi-generational gaming phenomena. 

 

Get more FREE gift cards during November Swago with Spin & Win!

The digital rewards site Swagbucks is celebrating Thanksgiving early with another big "Swago" promotion starting Monday, November 6th at 9am PT and running until Monday, November 13th! Swago is just like bingo, but in this case you're filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online. If you're thinking of trying Swagbucks, this is a great chance to learn all about how the site works and earn bonus points while doing it, meaning you can get more free gift cards faster. 

Here are a few tips:

• Each square on your Swago Board will contain an action item to complete. They can be anything from getting a search win, completing a survey, or just visiting one of our popular stores!
  

The 2017 Swagbucks Holiday Sale!

Swagbucks is offering double cash back at dozens of different stores (like Macy's and Target) during their 2017 Holiday Sale. Just go to this page to see all of the deals available and get the jump on your holiday shopping. 

In order to take advantage of the cash back, just create your Swagbucks account when prompted (it takes less than 30 seconds) and then you're all set! Your cash back comes in the form of SB points, which you can redeem for gift cards to places like Amazon, Target, Walmart, Starbucks, or get PayPal cash!

Make Your Daughter's Dream of Being a Mermaid Come True! Save 10% Just in Time for the Holidays!

Make your little girls dream come true! Sun Tail Mermaid has created the world's best swimmable mermaid tails and mermaid flippers. Their mermaid tails are soft, comfortable, and come in a wide variety of designs and colors. They are made of high quality swimsuit fabric with 4-way stretch.

 

Sun Tail Mermaid's monofins are extremely comfortable and virtually unbreakable. Their patented monofin is several steps ahead of everyone else in engineering, durability, comfort, and functionality. The propulsion and control is exceptional. The monofins come in a wide range of beautiful colors, so you can match your mermaid tails or look amazing wearing it alone.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Dog Food (Review)

I am fortunate enough to be a Chewy Influencer and in exchange for my honest reviews, my two spoiled pups get special food and treats every month!  Zena (English Mastiff) and Thor (Great Dane/Mastiff) are lucky dogs!  When they see the blue Chewy box being delivered, it's almost like they know it's for them!

Our pups recently got the pleasure of trying Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain Natural Turkey & Potato Recipe Grain-Free Dry Dog Food.

 

I love that this dog foods has meat as the first ingredient, and each recipe is gluten-free and grain-free for a protein-rich meal. It's great for every dog, and perfect for pups with food allergies or sensitive stomachs.

Rachael Ray Nutrish Zero Grain recipe dog food comes in 4 delicious, natural varieties that dogs love:

Get $3 when you sign up for Swagbucks during November's "Three for Fall"

If you haven't tried Swagbucks before, you can get a bonus $3 for signing up during November as part of their Three for Fall promotion. Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching, watching videos, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash. 

When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a $3 bonus! Here's how:

1. Sign up - it's FREE!
 

Dont Let the Bugs "Bug You" While Camping or Outdoors

I grew up loving camping with my family, and my husband and I now enjoy camping with our children, family, and friends.  We all know that when you're camping, there are bugs!  Having a "safe place" when you're camping or outdoors is a huge bonus!

Most times when we are camping, we have a screened canopy for dining and cooking.  It doesn't always keep all of the bugs and insects out, but they do make a huge difference! 

The RORAIMA screen house canopy is designed for campers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to have enough space to picnic and eat outside while keeping the bugs out... protecting themselves and their food! 

Purina Pro Plan Savor Tender Strips Dog Treats (Review)

I am fortunate enough to be a Chewy Influencer and in exchange for my honest reviews, my pups get special treats every month!  Zena (English Mastiff) and Thor (Great Dane/Mastiff) are lucky dogs!  When they see the blue Chewy box being delivered, it's almost like they know it's for them!

Their most recent treat were Purina Pro Plan Savor Tender Strips with Lamb & Sweet Potato Dog Treats.  Zena and Thor both absolutely loved these treats! I'll admit that even I think they smell really good and they are very tender.

 

I loved that these dog treats are made in the USA, lamb (real meat) is the first ingredient, and they come in a resealable bag!

Follow Your Heart Straight to Adventure with Disney On Ice!

Last night was a girl's night out with Disney On Ice - Follow Your Heart at the Spokane Arena!   This year, I took my daughter, two of her friends and fellow Girl Scouts, and my friend and troop co-leader.   Our seats were located at one end on the corner, just 6 rows up.  We had the perfect view of the entire ice arena!!

We arrived about 45 minutes early, so the girls could walk around and look at all the souvenirs.  We also wanted to arrive early so we could re-create a photo from last year when we also attended Disney On Ice together.

 

One of the three teens was excited for the show, another was skeptical, and the other made it clear that she was "too old" to be there!  In fact, she even went as fat to say that she didn't want to be there.  I'll admit that it made me a little sad to hear that. After all, it's always been my opinion that you are NEVER too old for Disney!

Swago: Shopping Edition Is Back!

The holidays are close and the online rewards site Swagbucks has a smart and fun way for you to earn and save while you spend. 

Swagbucks is hosting another round of Shopping Swago! What is SWAGO you ask? It's a bingo-inspired promotion run by Swagbucks, a website that rewards you with points (called SB) for completing everyday online activities. You can redeem those SB for free gift cards. If you've never used Swagbucks, participating in SWAGO is a great introduction to the site and an easy way to earn a good amount of points quickly.

Click here to get started!

Here’s what you need to know to get your 200 SB Bonus (and don’t worry, you don’t have to make a purchase to complete a pattern):

Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart ~ Get Your Tickets Now!

Only 6 more days until Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart skates its way into the Spokane Arena!  My daughter and her Girl Scout troop are so excited for opening night!  Thursday night can't get here soon enough.

When I ask the girls who their favorite Disney characters are, they can never give me just a single answer because they love so many of them!  Who is your favorite?  Your favorite movie?

 

Record-Breaking Animated Hit Disney•Pixar’s Finding Dory Makes a Splash as part of Disney On Ice presents Follow Your Heart

 

Plus Riley and the Emotions from Disney•Pixar’s Inside Out Take the Ice for the First Time in the New Skating Production

 

Get more free gift cards during October Swago with Spin & Win

The digital rewards site Swagbucks is celebrating the fall with another big "Swago" promotion starting Monday, October 9th at 9am PDT! Swago is just like bingo, but in this case you're filling out squares as you earn points on their site for doing things you already do online. 

If you're thinking of trying Swagbucks, this is a great chance to learn all about how the site works and earn bonus points while doing it, meaning you can get more gift cards faster. 

Here are a few tips:

• Each square on your Swago Board will contain an action item to complete. They can be anything from getting a search win, completing a survey, or just visiting one of our popular stores!
  

Get a $3 Bonus when you sign up for Swagbucks during "Three for Fall"

If you haven't tried Swagbucks before, you can get a bonus $3 for signing up during October as part of their Three for Fall promotion. Swagbucks is a rewards site where you earn points (called SB) for things you're probably doing online already, like searching, watching videos, discovering deals, and taking surveys. Then you take those points and exchange them for free gift cards to places like Amazon, Starbucks, Walmart, Target, or PayPal cash. 

 

When you sign up through me this month, you can earn a $3 bonus! Here's how:

1. Sign up using this link

2. Earn 300 SB total before 11/1/17. You'll get a $3 (300 SB) bonus for it!

3. If you want even more bonuses, you'll get a $10 (1000 SB rebate) bonus for making your first shop purchase! That's in addition to the SB you earn for every dollar you spend.

That's it. It's super easy, and Swagbucks is for real. I use it myself, and I "bank" and save my rewards all year long and redeem them for "FREE" Christmas gifts for the kids!  The kids are always thrilled with their gifts and I'm happy that I was able to stick to our holiday budget and not break the bank!