Nix9to5

Moolala: 6 Months at E-Mealz.com for only $12

// March 23rd, 2011 // 2 Comments » // Budget, Cooking, Deals, Life in General, Money Matters, Organization, Time Management

I’ve heard about E-Mealz before (endorsed by Dave Ramsey, for all you Financial Peace graduates), but I’ve always been hesitant to pay for a subscription.  I mean, sure it gives you cost-effective meal plans to help you save money and give you dining ideas, but . . . well, I just wanted to see if I could cut costs on my own.  I will say that saving money on groceries has been more time consuming than I expected, and when push comes to shove, sometimes the coupons just don’t get clipped.   Today’s Daily Deal from Moolala is going to give me the chance to try E-Mealz at an attractive price.

Right now through Moolala, you can get a six month subscription to E-Mealz for only $12–60% off the standard price of $30.  Here’s what Moolala has to say about E-Mealz:

Until the advent of fast food, Americans deferred to the wisdom of the Meal Planning Committee, a congressional caucus tasked with handling such conundrums as ‘fish or chicken?’ Tap into some old-school wisdom with today’s Moolala deal: for $12, receive a six-month subscription to E-Mealz.com, a meal planning resource for busy families (a $30 value).

Breadwinning may not seem like an easy task, but wait until it’s time to put those loaves into the oven. E-Mealz takes care of the groundwork: the recipe testing, menu planning, and price comparisons. This isn’t a one-size-feeds all system: E-Mealz offers a cornucopia of meal plans, including gluten-free, low-fat, and vegetarian options. Popular stores (Wal-Mart, Publix, Kroger) are covered, as well as plans for food found at smaller grocers. Additionally, E-Mealz has unveiled specialty meal plans based on both the original and new Weight Watchers point system.

Although children may insist they’d be happy eating pizza, burgers, or baba ghanoush for every meal, the pros at E-Mealz know better. The site’s extra-special recipes are seasoned within the meal plans in the perfect proportions. E-Mealz also makes wrangling with picky eaters a breeze: dropping a potentially unpopular meal is as simple as crossing off a few ingredients. The plans arrive every week – just log onto the site with your username and download the plan. Each plan is posted for an extra week, which is a pleasant aroma indeed for busy noses.

With the mealtime makeovers from E-Mealz.com, caring cooks will have access to a graduate-level Home Economics course. Whether you’re preparing meals for two or a whole tableful, E-Mealz will help you make the right choices. Buy today’s Moolala deal for yourself – or as a budget-ballasting gift for a love one – and swap stress for togetherness.

I’ll definitely be taking advantage of this deal.  Don’t forget Moolala’s excellent referral program–instead of getting credit for a referral’s first purchase, you get commission on every sale . . . and their referrals’ sales . . . and their referrals’ sales . . . and so on!  Sign up for Moolala today to take advantage of this E-Mealz deal and the Moolala PayMatrix!

Thinking Other Moms’ Homes are Neater Than Yours?

// March 10th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Balance, Life in General, Organization, Time Management

I admit it.  I think everyone’s house is cleaner, neater, and tidier than mine.  I just assume that everyone else’s house ALWAYS looks like it does when I visit, and not just that they cleaned it up for company.  This article by guest writer Jennifer Tankersly of ListPlanIt really sheds some light on TOMHANTY Syndrome and how to combat it.

Thinking Other Moms’ Homes are Neater Than Yours?

Do you ever visit other moms’ homes and wonder how they keep it so neat? Do you ever sit around in your own home with toys strewn over the floor, laundry piles (both clean and dirty) beckoning for attention, and three meals worth of dishes stacked next to the sink and wonder why you are the only mom on the planet who cannot keep up with her home? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you may be suffering from “TOMHANTY” Syndrome (Thinking Other Moms’ Homes Are Neater Than Yours). The symptoms of this terrible disease are guilt, envy, stress, and even withdrawal (did I mention guilt?). You look around as you walk from room to room wondering how it could have gotten so messy since yesterday. You believe that the new friend you just made from your weekly visit to the library could never let her house look like a tornado just went through it. You are sure that your friend whose house you visit occasionally for a scheduled playgroup would never have dust bunnies the size of . . .well, a bunny.

Welcome to the Real Moms Club, where it is not just about being a mom, but being real and knowing that you don’t have to be a perfect housekeeper. Maybe in the days of our grandmothers when society said that kids could roam unsupervised and free around town, but a mom’s house was a reflection of who she was as a woman. Today, there is a different set of priorities for many moms, and a perfect house is not usually the highest on the list, although we still imagine we are being judged on everything from how we raise our children to how much education we pursue to how great a job we land and finally to how tidy we keep house. Moms of today are stretched and pulled in many directions. Life is rarely as simple as a clean house. Stop telling yourself that you are not a good mom because your house is not always as neat as you think other moms’ homes are. Most moms are struggling to keep up as well. What is the cure to TOMHANTY Syndrome, you ask? Well, you could drop by a friend’s house unannounced with the pretext of delivering some home-baked cookies; you could watch her face turn beet red with shame as she turns to survey the wreck of toys, laundry, and dishes behind her; you could listen to her offer up every reason why her house is in such disarray; or maybe you could just take me at my word when I say that you are not alone. Release your guilt by making a list of what you DID accomplish today: got kids dressed, dropped kids off at school and picked kids up after, washed and folded a load of laundry, paid bills, took dog to vet, fed family for the day. It all counts toward making your house a home in which your family can grow and feel loved.

——————-

Jennifer Tankersley is the creator of ListPlanIt where you can find 400 lists and planning pages including cleaning schedules, daily to do lists, grocery lists, and holiday/party planning to put your world in order.

Get Organized with today’s DealPulp deal

// March 5th, 2011 // No Comments » // Deals, Money Matters, Organization, Time Management

Today’s Daily Deal from DealPulp will help get you organized and keep you that way–something that is a constant struggle for me as my loyal Nix9to5 readers know.  For only $8, you can get $20 to spend on notepads and planners from LobotoME {goods to keep me sane}.

With a range of planners including Mom ME and Organize ME, and quick planning notepads like Feed ME, Fit ME, Save ME, Pack ME, and just ME, you can find the perfect planner or notepad to help you organize you life.  They also have organizing kits, perfect for gift giving.

Sign up for Deal Pulp to take advantage of this great deal.

Big Shopping Trip

// February 28th, 2011 // No Comments » // Balance, Couponing, Life in General, Money Matters, Organization, Time Management, Work at Home

As most of you know, one of the most significant changes I made to allow me to become a WAHM was to become more frugal in our spending, trimming the grocery/household budget by clipping coupons and matching with sales.  As I got further behind on work and on housework, however, I really started slipping with the couponing.  I did still try to be more conscientious in my shopping–usually–and I tried to shop at Aldi as much as possible for low-priced groceries.  However, none of the savings are as good as when I’m really into couponing.  My “stash” of products was getting depleted (except for body wash, which we may never run out of), and I knew it was time to get back to thrifty shopping.

Luckily, I’ve done better with managing my time, getting caught up on my copywriting projects, and getting the house straightened up.  That means that I have the time to get back to coupon-clipping and smart shopping.  Yesterday I threw out expired coupons and clipped the ones for this week’s sales.  Today, I hit four stores (CVS, Walgreens, Crest, and Homeland) and came back with a lot of groceries and household goods for not a lot of money.

I wish I had taken a picture for you, but I was too concerned about getting everything put away immediately (part of my strategy for keeping the house clean).  Here’s the breakdown, though:

• 69 items (which also includes “bulk” items, like an 8-pack of paper towels, and two 6-packs of paper towels, and two 6-packs of toilet paper)
• Total out of pocket:  $134.91
• Total back in Register Rewards and Extra Care Bucks:  $46.28
• Like paying $88.63

My receipts show I saved $83.95 with combined sale prices and coupons, plus I got the $46 in RR and ECB, so theoretically, I paid $88.63 for $218.86 worth of products.  Not too shabby.

Also, in a different transaction, Soap.com was offering $10 off to first time customers with the code 10bucksoff.  I used the code to get 6 boxes of protein bars for Hot Husband.  These run around $9/box at CVS, and he goes through them pretty quickly.  With the lower price at Soap.com, plus the $10 savings, plus free shipping, I got them at $6.15/box.

Today, I’ve done a better job of saving money than making money, but I did get a new client today, so I have another project (and paycheck) coming my way.

Being a WAHM is hard work.  It takes a lot of time and energy, and it requires more balance and organization than I thought possible.  Luckily, after several months of being a WAHM, it seems like it might finally be coming together.

Productivity at Last!

// February 26th, 2011 // No Comments » // Balance, Life in General, Organization, Time Management

I have been working really hard lately at trying to get caught up on copywriting projects and making a dent in the housework, which is why I’ve neglected Nix9to5 a bit.  Fortunately, I had a highly productive week, and I am actually NOT BEHIND on copywriting.  I mean, I’ve got plenty on my to-do list, but none of it is past deadline or has a looming deadline.  That’s such a sense of relief.  Also, my bathroom counter is clean, my bed is made, and there are only two loads of laundry to be done . . . and they are in progress as we speak.  I have a chicken cooked and deboned and homemade stock waiting to be defatted.  I have a crockpot full of beans, a menu plan, and a shopping list.  It may not be much, but I’m getting there.

I’ve come up with some ideas on how to better organize my time, accomplish tasks, and not feel completely overwhelmed at all times.  I’ve also found some tools to help me implement those ideas.  Next week, I’ll begin sharing those tools and ideas with you.

In the meantime, I’m going to keep taking advantage of Bear’s unexpectedly long nap and get a little more housework done.  I’ll “see” you Monday!!

Now THAT’S Busy!!

// January 12th, 2011 // No Comments » // Balance, Family, Organization, Time Management

I’ve been thinking a lot about how even though I say I’m busy (and I AM), I’ve actually got things pretty easy by comparison.  My excuses for not getting things done seem pretty weak when I think about how much other women have to juggle, and how they seem to be are much, much better at it than I am.

My friend Kelly at Sowell Honey Farm is one of these women who amaze me with their ability to successfully balance tasks and chores that would wipe me clean out.  Kelly not only raises her children, but also goats, chickens, pigs, bees–who knows what else?  Her bees make THE BEST HONEY, and Kelly makes the most wonderful beeswax and honey skin care products.  While my work at home job involves sitting on my couch or at my desk and typing, Kelly’s involves a slew of tasks I can’t even fathom–taking chare of a farm; running a small business; making lotion, soap, and lip balm; inventing new products.  I need a nap just thinking about it.

And yet, Kelly explains that she has no excuse for feeling like she’s busy.   She wrote a guest post called “I Have No Excuse” on Farm Bell Recipes at Chickens in the Road.  She writes about her great-grandmother Mary, and what it must have been like for this 46-year-old mother of 19 kids in 1895.  Nineteen kids in 23 years. Can you imagine?  That alone would have flat killed me.

If you need a dose of reality or a reminder of just how good you have it, head over and check out Kelly’s article.  While you’re at it, “like” Sowell Honey Farm on Facebook and check them out on the web.  Buy yourself some Creamed Cinnamon Honey or beeswax lip balm.  You’ll be glad you did!

Hmm . . . perhaps this could be one of my giveaways if enough people “like” Nix9to5 on Facebook by this weekend.

Suck it up, Princess.

// January 11th, 2011 // No Comments » // Balance, Children and Babies, Family, Life in General, Organization, Time Management, Work at Home

Those of you who have been following me for a while have read numerous posts about how I really struggle with effectively managing my time since nixing the 9 to 5 to become a work at home mom. Yesterday, I complained about how I felt guilty for taking my Bear to Mother’s Day Out and to his grandparents’ house so I could have time to focus on my work. And while I did get several pages written for my two biggest clients, my house is still unkempt, and the Christmas decorations, which have at least been taken down, are piled in boxes on the kitchen floor and dining room table, just waiting to be taken to the garage, where they will remain until November 25–or later, depending on how far behind I am.

Today, Amanda at Simple Saving Savvy reposted an article from Money Saving Mom on her Facebook page that really made me stop and think.  The article was a guest post from Lisa at Warrior Mama called Time Management Tips for Parents with Special Needs Children. The article begins:

“I’m a mom of two special needs kids. I make all of my kids’ foods from scratch to avoid their combined 35 food allergies and sensitivities. I also manage multiple specialists, food supplements, medications and education IEP’s.  Here are a few things I do to make my days run more smoothly.” (more…)

More Organization Help from the Blogosphere

// January 5th, 2011 // No Comments » // Balance, Budget, Family, Organization, Time Management

I was looking for some hot deals on Hip2Save and I came across an article on getting organized.  The article listed several free downloadable resources, including budget trackers, meal planners, and more.  As I looked through these, I found several I really liked on Mommy Tracked.  These “Tools for the Tired and Time-Starved” (which describes me perfectly) include to do lists, to delegate lists, week-at-a-glance sheets, menu planners, weekly family planners, baby schedules, checklists, cleaning schedules, and more.  There are three pages of organizational downloads, so there is sure to be one (or more!) that works for you.

Check it out and  let me know what you think.

On a related note, one of my goals this year to help me more effectively manage my time is to be sure I’m up and dressed before the Bear.  Unfortunately, after exactly one day of accomplishing this, Bear decided to get up earlier and earlier each of the subsequent two days.  I thought we were finally getting him closer and closer to a 7:00 wake-up time, and then–bam!–6:00 this morning.  That means that it is now 9:00 and I’m still in my pajamas as I write this post.  Comfy, but not so much organized.  Maybe we’ll have more luck tomorrow.

Any suggestions for keeping the Bear in his room until 7:00?  We have the “bunny clock,” and he knows he’s not supposed to get up until the bunny wakes up, but he understands that more in theory than in practice . . .

Working at Home and Staying Organized: Free Organizer

// January 4th, 2011 // No Comments » // Organization, Time Management, Work at Home

If you’ve been following my blog for the last almost-a-year, then you know that organization and time management have been two of my biggest struggles as I’ve switched from working outside the home to being a work at home mom.  Even after enrolling the Bear in a mother’s day out program two days a week and dropping him off at his grandparents’ house one or two days a week, I still stay constantly behind on work with a messy house.  I know some of the reasons I’ve been inefficient (to say the least), but I’ve addressed some of them and expect things to improve.  Still, there are other things I need to do to improve my organization and, in doing so, become a more effective manager of my time.

One of the things I’ve done (thanks to Amanda at Simple Saving Savvy) is to download a free organizer/planner from Michele Conolly, the Get Organized Wizard.  Right now, if you “Like” the Get Organized Wizard on Facebook, you can get a free “Goals and Priorities Diary,” as well as a 2011 and 2012 monthly planner.  I wasn’t sure I’d want or even like a “Goals and Priorities Diary,” but after I downloaded it, I was impressed.  This organizer allows you to take your yearly and monthly goals and break them down into manageable tasks.  Those tasks can then be assigned to a day in the month, with each day having a space for three priority tasks.

For me, that translates to a to-do list that keeps me focused, prioritizes tasks, and isn’t overwhelming.  I can look at each day’s to-do list and think, “Okay.  Here are the three things I absolutely have to do.”  That makes everything seem more achievable.  I have a tendency to make impossible to-do lists with more tasks than I have time to complete, setting myself up for failure.  With this planner, I can still make my super-long lists, but I can feel that I’ve succeeded if I get the priority tasks accomplished.

To get your free monthly planners and Goals and Priorities Diary, visit the Get Organized Wizard on Facebook and click “Like” for download instructions.  The free organizers will download in .PDF format, so you can keep them on your computer or print them out, whichever you prefer.

Coupon Organization Help

// September 21st, 2010 // 4 Comments » // Couponing, Organization

I can’t believe it has been nearly a month since I’ve posted.  My life has been a whirlwind lately, and I’ve been letting things slide . . . like posting here and keeping up with couponing.  I’ve probably wasted a bajillion dollars on groceries and toiletries the last month by not being organized or taking the time to focus on coupons, when my focus has been in other places.

So. 

I’m trying to get everything rolling again, and today, while the Bear has been doing such a great job of playing by himself, I started working on the disaster my coupon stash has become.  As I’m trying to reorganize, I am becoming frustrated with my organization system.  Well, not the system so much, but the coupon categories.  So if I still have any readers out there after I so rudely abandoned you all, I’d love to hear the categories you use to file your coupons.  It seems like there is always some stupid oddball coupon that doesn’t fit anywhere.

If you have any suggestions, post them here or email me through the Nix9to5 Contact page.  Thanks!