Some of my Favorite Apps to Save Money

Sometimes I look at shopping as a game. What can I do to get the lowest price? What is in it for me? Well, with a couple of my favorite apps, you can find hidden money that converts to cash into your Paypal account. (Or you can even choose gift cards as your reward) Plus, you don't have to clip any coupons. It's all digital. Warning. It can be addicting.

First of all, the one I use most is called Ibotta. It offers various items on its app that if you buy you will get cash back into your account within minutes to hours. You also can join a team and work as a team to complete extra cash bonuses. My team is pretty fun, feel free to join it. The link above should automatically put you on my team.
You simply scan the code to make sure the item applies, then you "unlock" the rebate. Then, once you check out, you verify your purchases and take a picture of your receipt. (Don't worry, it doesn't clog up your camera roll -- similar to snap chat -- just goes away in the app).
I've mostly used it at grocery stores. Ridley's makes it the most convenient as you don't have to capture the receipt. If you link your shopper card to it, it will remember it if you unlock the item you bought. Wal Mart lets you scan the code at the receipt so you also don't need to take a picture.
Other vendors have been known to join in the game lately such as Best Buy, Sally Beauty Supply, and H&M. 

Most of the grocery stores I shop at are on it. It gets really fun once you add paper coupons to it, Cartwheel at Target, or digital coupons at Smith's to see if you can get the item for free or even make money on it. That happens every once in a while. Today I used a paper coupon and a digital coupon for Tilamook Ice Cream. 

This also leads me to the next app you can also double up on. I have seen the same item on both apps at the same time which enables me to save even more. For instance, I saw Stevia on both apps and was able to use the same store receipt on both apps and get Stevia for close to free. This app is called Checkout 51. This one doesn't make you only buy from certain stores. It let's you buy from any store, which makes me happy since my local Macey's doesn't participate in Ibotta, which I need to encourage them to. 

The last one I don't use as often. But you'd better believe I signed up just to get the free $2.00 Lindt Chocolate bar. This one is called Shopmium. (Looks like that one you will have to search in the app store) It doesn't offer as many items that I use, but every once in a while I find something or want to try something. If you want to get the chocolate bar simply go to Shopmium and if you want to enter my referral code it is MUYFUERP.

Let me know if you start using these apps and if you get addicted. Also, feel free to share some of you other favorite apps to use. 

Have fun hiding the money in your PayPal account!

Summer Sale on Great Magazines

Are you a magazine junky like me? I have way too many subscriptions. But, when I find deals like these, I can't pass them up. Right now, there are several magazines on Groupon for only $5 a year. And you know what? You can even score an additional 6% cash back if you buy through Mr. Rebates. 
You're going to want to sign up with Mr. Rebates. You simply create an account, then search for Groupon and go through that link, then automatically you will be stashing up cash into your Mr. Rebates account. (It will take a few weeks to actually access this money). The great thing about Mr. Rebates is you can ask them to send you your money to your PayPal account. I find this is a great way to find fun, spending money.
So, bottom line, you get a $5/year subscription to some wonderful magazines and an additional 6% cash back. That's almost the price of one magazine on the stand!
Have fun reading. Let me know which ones you get!
My favorites are Sunset, Cooking Light and Southern Living.

Chocolate Glazed Special K Bars

Looking for a quick dessert to make without heating up your kitchen? This is a great treat to share at any potluck, afternoon snack or just for any reason whatsoever. It comes together really quickly. I love the textures and the subtle hint the chocolate frosting adds to this easy snack.

Chocolate Glazed Special K Bars

5 to 6 c. Special K cereal

2 c. mini marshmallows

1/2 - 2/3 c. pecans, chopped

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. brown sugar

Over medium heat, mix together the marshmallows, butter and brown sugar and boil no longer than three minutes. (Any longer will make your bars too crunchy. I like to heat it just until the marshmallows dissolve). 

Place the cereal and nuts in a large bowl. Pour the boiled mixture over the cereal and stir until blended. Place in a buttered 9x13 baking dish and press down to even out.

Frosting

1/2 c. butterscotch chips

1/2 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Melt together at 30 second increments in the microwave until all the lumps are gone. With a fork, dip into the mixture and drizzle the frosting over the cereal bars as much as you'd like. Don't forget to lick the bowl :) Cut the bars into desired sizes. Then eat up!

Go Set a Watchman for only $4.99

Have you read it yet? Calling all Harper Lee fans. It's the highly anticipated novel by Harper Lee that was apparently written prior to To Kill A Mockingbird. It's on sale here for only $4.99. A perfect download for a summer trip.

And on a different note, we just had a colt born on our farm and decided to name her Scout (like the main character in these books). Isn't she cute?

Protein Shake Using PB2

Are you a peanut butter fan? Peanut Butter such a great source of protein but has a little buddy accompanying it called calories! That's what is so cool about this PB2 Peanut Butter Powder. You can add it to smoothies for the peanut butter taste with 85% fewer fat calories than regular peanut butter. And the good thing is, you can't taste a difference. PB2 also makes a chocolate, but I haven't had a chance to try any of that out. I'd love to know if anyone has.

I love to whip up this protein shake using it:

PB2 Protein Shake

1 frozen banana
2 T PB2
1/3 to 1/2 cup of Greek Yogurt
1/4 c. Almond Milk 

Blend it all together. I like to use my Cusinart Compact Blender. It's perfect for single servings.

This quick shake gives you an added 18 g of protein to your day. Not bad for a tasty treat, is it? I hope you love it. 

The Nightingale

Every summer I always seem to unearth a favorite read. This summer, I believe The Nightingale has surpassed most books and found its way to the top of my list. Would you believe this New York Times Best Seller is on sale this week digitally for only $2.99  here on Amazon? I assure you this historical fiction WWII novel will have you turning pages and wiping a tear from your eyes, too.

There are a couple of other books on Amazon that I also found that I am planning to pick up this week.

I've always wanted to learn more about Eleanor Roosevelt, and this book hasn't ever gone this low. Only $1.99. That's the price of some library fines!

Any Jodi Picoult fans? The Storyteller looks captivating as well. Again, only $1.99