Category Archives: Sensible Savings

8 Ways to Make $1.95 In Only 30 Days

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Make Cash Online

Have you ever wanted to make money online?

Oh, yeah. We’ve all heard the stories:

Make $100 a day doing what you love!

Get paid to just wake up!

10 Ways to Make Money While Traveling the World!

Make $100,000 in the next 30 days!

Well, I’ve actually clicked on a lot of those scams. Not those exactly, but things like “Become a Virtual Assistant” “Make Money Blogging” “Become a Writer in 30 Days”

Caution: Rant Coming Up, Stay to the Right

Of course, I do have a blog (that’s where you are now), but I’m not making money from blogging. A lot of people are making money from blogging, but some of them are doing something that I have a problem with–they’re selling INFORMATION. Not products just regurgitated information.

Information! They are actually selling books and ebooks and courses and webinars and starting clubs and tribes and membership sites that are filled with other people wanting to sell books and ebooks and courses, and webinars… Like their mentors, they’re wanting to SELL the thing that anyone can find for free online!

I’ve had it. I’ve had it with my email boxes being filled up to the gigabytes with soliciting emails because I gave them my address so I could get a “free” report or a “free” recipe.

The other day I saw a cookbook that had keto desserts in them for “FREE!”, just pay shipping. Ok, I’m not stupid. Shipping doesn’t cost $8.99 (plus tax, really?) for media mail to anywhere, look it up.

Although I don’t have a problem paying for a physical item, like a cookbook that’s being mailed to me, I do have a problem with the fact that they believe that I believe that they are giving me something for nothing when it’s actually costing me something.

Limited Offer

At any rate, I entered my information and clicked. Another window opened up with a “limited time” offer for $29.99 w/free shipping. I clicked No Thanks. Another window popped up with another “time-limited” offer. It had the clock clicking down for emphasis. I clicked No Thanks. ANOTHER window popped up!! By this time, I was going to cancel the first “free” offer, so I clicked the No Thanks button, again. It didn’t take me back to my original order, unfortunately, but the last click placed my order and I was immediately “Congratulated” for acting on such a great, time-sensitive, free deal.

Ugh! Whatever… Yes, I know I’m very susceptible to suggestive advertising. I know that it’s just a bunch of “gotcha bait”. I know it’s a waste of time and money. I know every time, but there’s a little voice in my brain whispering, “But what if it’s different this time?” “Maybe this is the golden goose.” “I’m sure you can glean some knowledge from what they say.”

No. Nope. Nada. Everyone is just trying to sell the next bestest, greatest, newest thing—and they’ve got nothing.

If I Could Write a Book

I could write a book books on all the things I have followed down the rabbit trail. The webinars alone… Don’t get me started. Okay, just this one point.

>So, there’s always been webinars where someone puts together a little video or does a live chat with an audience–I don’t have a problem with that. However, the last few (several) webinars that I have attended are ALL an hour long or longer. What!? Who has time for that? Who thought that would be a good idea? I assume it’s the whole salesman attitude that as long as you have your foot in the door, you can make the sell. Or a version of that. But I have to say, the longer I’m online listening to someone explain, and re-explain and over-explain a plan, I’m not buying the product.

Act Now on this One-Time Offer!

>Oh! And speaking of buying (just one more thing)—remember the whole sales pitch about, “You’re not going to pay $99. Not even $79. You’re not even going to pay $59 for this bundle of information that you can get for free on the internet. No! The total cost of this exclusive course, if you act now, is only $29.99 plus shipping and handling.”

Does that sound familiar?

Not anymore. Every webinar that I have listened to in the last year or two is charging upwards to $1000.00!!!!! Yes, one thousand! And more! Well, some are $895; others are $795. One was over $2,000!

If I had that kind of money, I wouldn’t need to be trying out their money-making products.

Real Ways to Make Some Extra Cash

Ok, rant over. I’m sure not all of you have experienced this. You’re probably strong enough to resist the temptation of impulse buying. It’s just one of my many weaknesses.

However, in saying ALL that (and at the risk of sounding like a charlatan) I do make money online. But the things that I am listing are legit and free to join, and does not lead you down any rabbit trails to be upsold.

The first way I make extra cash is by using Swagbucks. This is a search engine that you use instead of Google or Yahoo or Bing. There’s no extra advertising. Just sign up for a free account, set your homepage to Swagbucks, and you will begin to receive “Swagbucks” for different search terms that you enter. It’s all random so you can’t game the system. However, after you get 1,000 Swagbucks, you can redeem them for gift cards or other merchandise. I cash mine in for Amazon credit most of the time or Paypal.

Click Here >>Swagbucks referral if you want to use my affiliate link.

The next way I earn a little cash is by using a portal called Rakuten, formally known as Ebates. This by far is where I make most of my money. So this is how it works: sign up for a free account (using my affiliate link), download their Chrome app on your PC. When you are shopping online, a little reminder will pop up and ask if you want to get a percentage back on your shopping trip. Click “Yes” and it will open another window so you can shop in the same store but with a tracking number they provide.

After you purchase $25 worth of merchandise, we both will receive $10. But you will continue to earn every time you shop. I get a check from them about every 3 months. Especially useful during the Christmas shopping season!

Sign up using my affiliate link here>>Rakuten

And of course there are phone apps that you can download to help with saving money:

Fetch Rewards–scan grocery receipts to earn 1% or more. They have lots of different rewards, but if you want cash they have Visa/Mastercard gift cards. You can click on the link, but you also have to use my referral code: EVRQ3

Getupside– I downloaded this the day after I filled up my tank, but a quick look on the app shows that I could’ve earned $.11/gal. for that day. You can get paid via gift cards, PayPal, or they will send you a check. You’ll get $.15/gal. back the first time you use, and so will I (so thanks!) You may have to enter my referral code: GY3RU

Ibotta – earn actual cash and redeem it for gift cards, or have it sent it to your PayPal or Venmo account. referral code JWCDTBL

Rakuten–I listed this above, but be sure to download the phone version (app) use this EVERYTIME you shop online on your phone. I purchased an appliance online and received over $200 cash back. You can download an extension on your PC or an app on your phone. You’ll receive money back in a check.

Shopkick–earn rewards by scanning and shopping for items in various stores. You even earn for walking into the store! If you remember to turn on the app, before walking through the doors. Rewards are paid through gift cards like Target, Amazon, Sephora and lots of others. My referral code is JOY996593

All these begin to add up, however, it’s not a quit-your-job kind of money. More like a let’s-go-out-to-eat kind of money.

Affiliate Marketing

Another way I make money online is by being an affiliate of different products. All the various products I have on my website are affiliate links to Amazon. Which mean, if you click on them or purchase them, I will receive some cash at no extra cost to you.

Another is the 28-Day Keto Challenge. This is a very well laid out plan. But again, you can find it online EVERYWHERE! You can even find some free online plans. Of course, some of them are trying to upsell to something else, and you know how I feel about that.

I’m also a Bluehost affiliate. Bluehost is a hosting company like GoDaddy and HostGator and lots of other ones. If you have ever wanted to start a website or a blog, you need a host. I’m an affiliate for Bluehost because that’s who hosts this site, lifewithafarmer.com. I highly recommend them for a few reasons.

Firstly, it’s very economical at $3.95/month, if you pay yearly; I think it’s $7.95 if you pay monthly.

Secondly, I have dealt with them for years and they have an awesome customer support team. Quick to respond, knowledgeable, and professionally friendly.

Thirdly, and I consider this to be impressively important, Bluehost does NOT host adult sites.

If you love to write and want to start a blog, I highly recommend Bluehost. If you have a business and want to take it online, start a website–and I would be most appreciative if you would use my affiliate link here>> Bluehost *if you need help setting up a website or a blog, contact me by leaving a comment below and I will be more than excited to help you set that up!

Wait There’s More!

Make sure you sign up for Rakuten first, because they will give you $10 cash for signing up for Bluehost. And as I was getting my referral link, I noticed that right now Bluehost is advertising for $2.95/month!

Okay. End of Special Announcements.

If you find any of this information useful, great! I hope it helps you out. Share it with others and help them out. Which in turn helps me out. Whatever makes the world turn, right?

O’, Sweet Savings

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This has got to be one of the toughest times of the year. The Farmer and I are just now recovering from the “end-of-the-year crunch”, which includes the holiday spending, taxes, taxes, and more taxes. And the weather has been a little drastic…cold, snowy, cold, and cloudy (did I mention it has been cold?)

But hey, this is Missouri, so we know the weather will change soon enough and we’ll be complaining about the heat. However, our budget will stay the same.

Since The Farmer has retired, I’ve tried really hard to stay on a grocery budget, and I must say I’ve done quite well. “No brag; just fact” (anyone remember what TV series that quote is from?) 🙂

I used to do coupons, but they seem to take a lot of brain power and organization, which I lack in both areas. However, stockpiling comes fairly easy to me. I make a list of the staples that I need during the month: flour, sugar, 5 pounds of chicken, 10 pounds of bacon, 3 gallons of orange juice, and an embarrassing number of 24 pack sodas (etc.), and then I use the rest for items I see on sale.

The trick to stockpiling is to buy more than you’ll need. I always buy 2 of the small ticket items like toothpaste, shaving cream, and pain reliever. If I find them on sale, I’ll buy 3 or 4. With shopping like that at Target, I’ve been able to collect quite a few $5 gift cards which ultimately purchased my shelving unit on which I store my stockpile.

One of my sweetest stockpile items was a November purchase of Oreo cookies—double stuff!

I bought Oreo cookies for an unbelievable price of only $.97 a pack! That’s cheaper than a candy bar!

I’m sure you’re asking “How in the world??” So let me tell you:

When I walked into Schnucks I noticed a sign that said all Halloween items were 50% off. Oh, okay. Great deal if you’re buying candy, but since I just swore off sweets (again), I wasn’t too excited about the deal.

So picking up a sale paper, I noticed that there was a $3 instant savings for buying 3 packages of Oreos, so basically $1 off each pack. Not too bad, and The Farmer and the girls needed some snacks. When I got to the Oreo aisle, the regular double stuff were on sale for $3.00/pk, so I picked up 3 bags expecting to pay $2.00/pack after the $3 off.

After I did my serious shopping, I strolled down the Halloween aisle because I had time to kill waiting for The Farmer to pick me up (that happens—never). The shelves were almost empty, no candy but a few vampire teeth, sparkly paint, and some items that are intended to gross you out (and it did!). But then I noticed a semi-closed box on the shelf. It was full of Halloween Oreos. Wow! I could get 50% off of Oreos. The regular cookies were on sale for $3.00, so I could pay $1.50 instead of $2.00…maybe I should get more than 3 packs?

Being the suspicious shopper that I am, I had a quick thought that these cookies’ price was 50% off the not-on-sale price. But then it hit me! I wondered if I could get the buy 3 save $3 and the 50% off. Unwilling to pack up my cart and go up to the checkout, I just grabbed up three packages of cookies and took them to the cashier.

“Can you check the price on these?” I asked innocently.

“Sure, but they’re 50% off, ” she informs.

(Yeah, I know. But staying quiet, I wait for her answer.)

“$1.97. That’s a great price!” she exclaims.

(Yes, but that means the regular price was 4 bucks!)

Attempting to maintain my innocence I ask, “Oh, I wonder if I buy 3 packages will the $3 instant savings work on these?” (noticing my voice raising an octave higher)

“Oh, I doubt it,” she quickly replies as I hand her the other 2 packages of Oreos to scan. “Oh. Wow. It’s only $2.91 for all three!”

Grabbing the packages and rushing back to the aisle, I called out, “I’ll be right back.”

Daughter #5 was with me, so I told her the good news, as we went to get a small shopping cart. We rushed back to the Halloween aisle (like someone was going to get there before we did), and began loading the cookies into the small cart, three packages at a time.

“What are we going to do with all these?” she asked.

“Eat them, cook with them, freeze them; I don’t know, but they’re only $.97 a pack!”

I grabbed 15, then 18, and then consulted with her, “Twenty-four is not too many is it?”

After “the look”, I put some of them back. “Okay, 20 packages, that’s only $20. Should I spend $20 on Oreos?”

She wasn’t answering by this time, I don’t think… so I carried the conversation on with myself.

“No, I can’t spend 20 bucks on cookies. 18 then; 18 is reasonable, that will be less than $20. Ok, ok, 15,” I gave into myself reluctantly.

Back up at the register, I paid for my real groceries, and then loaded the 15 packages of Oreos onto the conveyor belt. After the cashier (new cashier) rang them all up and saw the price was under $15.00, I could tell she was trying to do the math. I just smiled and kept on walking. (I don’t know about you, but when I get a steal like that, I Do feel like I’m stealing, so there is a little guilt involved with my excitement.)

Unfortunately, The Farmer was late in picking me up, so I had time to lament over the fact that I didn’t get more! To give to others, of course.

I hate shopping, and unfortunately it is a necessary evil. But when I save money, and my pantry is restocked, I’m a very happy farmer’s wife.

Halloween Oreos

 

Affordable Phone Plans — Republic Wireless

Sensible Savings, ,

Republic Wireless is a fairly new company (launched first Beta product in 2011) with a new idea on how mobile phones should work.

The premise of the plans offered is to use WiFi as a default instead of cellular.

WiFi technology is an inexpensive option that you already have on your Smartphone. But your Smartphone, by default, connects to your carrier’s cellular technology. Like AT&T, Sprint, Virgin Mobile, T-Mobile…etc.

Republic Wireless sets their phone’s default to WiFi. Which, if you have internet in your home, would be free for you to use!

And this is where it becomes affordable–using Republic Wireless, by default your phone is connecting to WiFi instead of those expensive cell towers.

Republic Wireless offers 4 different phone plans, starting at only $5 per month.

For $5 per month you get unlimited Talk, Text, and Data. Sounds great, but this plan is restricted to WiFi only. Which means as long as you have an internet connection, you can talk, text, and search the internet as much as you want.

But if you were to lose that connection, your phone would be useless at that point. This plan would be a great starter plan for a young person, or a first phone, or maybe a home phone (if you have internet already).

The plus side is that there are free Wifi hotspots almost everywhere you go, and this is a really affordable plan at only $5/month.

The second plan (which I have) costs $10 per month. With this plan you get unlimited Talk, and Text over Wifi and cellular. But unlimited Data only when connected to Wifi (home internet or free hotspots).

Which means, as long as I’m connected to the internet, I can search the web on my phone. But if I’m not connected, I can still receive unlimited calls and text messages. If you’re on a limited budget, this plan is perfect. With taxes and fees (which are astronomical at AT&T) I pay a little under $12.00/mo. FOR A SMARTPHONE!!

The third plan costs $25 per month. If you want an affordable cell phone plan, but arent’ willing to give up any perks, then this is the plan for you. For $25/mo. you get unlimited Talk, Text, and Data whether you’re using WiFi or cellular (3G). I’m not sure, but it seems that they are requesting that each phone stay below that 5 GB of data. Which is understandable, because Republic Wireless is trying to give us a quality plan for an affordable price. (everything in moderation) 🙂

The last plan is $40 per month. It, too, has unlimited everything, just like the $25/mo. plan, but it runs on the 4G network. That’s not even an issue for me, but if you live where 4G is available, you may be more interested in this plan. At $40/month I bet you will still be saving 50% on your current phone bill.

Okay, so if I still have your attention, there is one more difference in this company than the other Big Boys (AT&T, Virgin Mobile, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, etc.)… Republic Wireless only offers Motorola Phones. In fact, starting tomorrow, they will issue their newest phone the Motorola E.

The Moto E will debut at Republic Wireless for only $99.00! (of course there’s going to be taxes and shipping–this is America for pity sakes!)

But $99 for a SmartPhone!! Click Here if you want to see the specs on the Moto E.

The other two phones offered are the Moto G at $199 and the Moto X (I have this one-excellent phone) at $299. Click Here if you want to see the specs on the Moto G or the Moto X.

And guess what– the white phone is the same cost as the black phone! And not to confuse, but the Moto G and E both come with optional colored phone shells.

Okay… ’nuff said… if you are interested in this plan click on the link below (disclaimer: this is an affiliate link…so, Thank you!)

I think all of your questions will be answered on Republic Wireless website, but if not, leave a comment below and I will answer any questions I can.

republic wireless moto e logo

Introduced October 15th for just $99 – with no contract required. 
Disclosure: I do earn a commission if you signup to Republic Wireless using my link–at no additional cost to you. Please know that I only recommend products and services that I find helpful and useful. If you do choose to purchase through my affiliate link, thank you for your support!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post. And if you don’t mind, please share this on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, or wherever you socialize.

Smartphone Plans Starting At $5 Per Month

Sensible Savings, ,

Has the high cost of living made an indention into your budget lately? It has ours. We have had to plan a budget, re-plan that budget, and then tighten it up just a little bit more.

Between Dishnet, Apple, Nintendo, and Sony, our budget had just about become unbudgeted!

So I had to get busy and find some way to save some money. One of our greatest expenses is the cell phone. When we first got a cell phone, I was the only one that needed it. We got rid of our home phone, which we couldn’t seem to get below the $30 mark (for local calling only), and used my cell phone instead.

But alas, as a frog being boiled, I got used to the convenience of the cell phone, and the luxury of became an expected need. It wasn’t long until I was lured into the seductive power of the Apple iPhone. What style! What ease! What power! I went from talking to family and friends on the phone to being able to map out a long trip, or look up an elusive meaning to any word I came across, not to mention when Siri came along. With these smartphones, we hold the world in the palm of our hands. (Ahh…I digress.)

However, as the kids became teens, they thought they needed phones too. Son #4 was able to purchase his own phone. He too started out with a nice convenient cell phone, but was quickly caught up with the whole fandomhood of Apple I-Phone-itus. Looking at the family plan, he could get an iPhone fairly reasonably, as long as he gave them two years of his life. And we soon found that two-year commitment had become very costly with purchasing the data plan, paying overage costs, and a little mishap with a river excursion. Fortunately, he was financially independent from us. 🙂

Daughter #4 was next. For a short while, she was satisfied with a $20 phone and that cost us $10 per month. But she quickly found that wasn’t sufficient for her. She now has Virgin Mobile prepaid, but it’s still quite a bit more than our budget likes.

So I got on the WWW and began to search “cheap smartphone plans”. I just couldn’t go back to a dumb phone. I tried to use The Farmer’s phone and didn’t even know how to operate it anymore. It didn’t do anything when I touched the screen. And all those push buttons just had numbers on them…it was so confusing!

Fortunately Daughter #1 lives very frugal and she told me about a site called mrmoneymustache (highly recommend you check him out). On his site I found a company called Republic Wireless.

Republic Wireless is a company that started a beta phone service in 2011. The way I understand it is that their phones use existing free wifi service to make calls. Unlike the big boys who use the cell towers and charge you an arm and leg, this company makes use of free wifi hotspots that you find everywhere. I have used free wifi from McDonalds, Lowes, Starbucks, Target, and my favorite car dealer, Chris Auffenberg Ford, in Washington. And of course I use the wifi I have here at home.

However, Republic Wireless doesn’t only rely on free wifi, their phones also use the cell towers. The default setting for their phones are free wifi, and the backup for the cell phones are the cell towers.

When I first began to look into it, the only phone they had was their beta phone—Motorola Defy XT. And the only plan they had was $19 a month for unlimited text, data, and talk (a lot cheaper then I was paying for that same service). So using Daughter #5 as a guinea pig, we purchased the phone for her and I tracked her activity for that first month.

She got great reception, always had service, and never missed a call (well, except when I would be calling her to check to see if she had finished her chores while I was away—not the fault of the phone). So when my servitude, I mean contract, with AT&T ended I switched to Republic Wireless.

Unfortunately the beta Motorola Defy XT was not available, but fortunately they offered an awesome Android phone, the Motorola X (and I could purchase the white color for the same price as the black-can’t do that with the iPhone). I love it! With a little bit of a learning curve, I find the Moto X as appealing to me as the iPhone.

Now here’s the best part (well another best part), Republic Wireless offers smartphone plans starting at $5 a month! The plans range between unlimited talk, text, and data (wifi only) for $5/month up to unlimited talk, text, and data (wifi and 4G) for $40/month. There are other plans for $10 and $25 per month.

I have had Republic Wireless for 1 ½ months, (Daughter #5 has been with them for 4 months) and I highly recommend their company. If you would like to look into what they have to offer, here is my affiliate link. Just link on the image.

Seriously, I will be saving $480 a year using Republic Wireless instead of AT&T.

That’s just enough money to go on a 7-day Caribbean cruise!

Save Money

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Back in October 2011, I started using coupons in an effort to save money on groceries. I began researching online and buying the Sunday newspaper at an alarming rate! But fortunately, I found that there are free online printable coupons from RedPlum, SmartSource, Coupons.com and Coupon Network.

Although I enjoyed collecting and matching up the coupons to the store deals, the whole process can be time consuming, a bit tedious, a little over-whelming, especially for those of us who struggle with time management.

However, there are other ways I have learned to save money:

Stockpile

I have slowly, but surely, begun a stockpile of items that I use often. When I find them on sale, I buy two or three instead of just one. This can be difficult when you are already working on a tight budget, but catching just a few items on sale can save you money in the long run.

Make Your Own

Instead of buying pre-packaged, we all know that homemade is usually cheaper (and healthier). Making homemade cookies may take a little more time, but if I want to save money, I make them instead of buying boxes of snack cakes. I also make pancakes instead of buying the frozen waffles or expensive Pop Tarts. And Daughter #1 even makes her own cereal instead of buying pre-sweetened cereal for her kids. Buying pre-packaged is a time-saver, but a money-waster.

Make Fewer Trips

I very seldom make a trip to town just for one reason. I save up my running and combine it with other errands. I like to go shopping once a month, but if I find I need something sooner, I’ll get it when we go out on our date night, or we are coming home from church.

Make a List

Make a list. I make a list every time I go shopping—sometimes I leave it lying on the counter, but I do make a list. So make a list of everything you need, take it with you to the store, and try to only buy what’s on the list. Sometimes it’s better to go by yourself (leave the kids and hubby at home), so there are no “extras” placed in the shopping cart.

These are just a few of the things that I do to save money with grocery shopping. Do you have any other ideas you would like to share? Leave your comment below.