Free Olive Oil at Meijer!!!

To all of my Midwest friends with access to a local Meijer, here's a great deal this week.  Thanks to the awesome website http://www.dealseekingmom.com/ for this!

Pompeiian Olive Oil - 16oz bottle is 50% off this week, making sale price $2.99/ea.  Go to this link for a $1 off coupon from SmartSource http://dealseekingmom.com/smartsource/  (it's on page 9) and then go to the Meijer Mealbox http://meijermealbox.publishpath.com/?coupon=1433160 to get a $2 off coupon.  You can stack these coupons and get the olive oil for free!!!  You can print the SmartSource coupon two times per computer and the Meijer coupons is limitless!

Check out http://www.dealseekingmom.com/ for awesome deals every day!  No, I'm don't get paid by them - I'm just a huge fan!

Rich

No sense re-creating the wheel - here's the deal!!!

Wow - there are some awesome resources out on the web, but the greatest site for finding ways to save and make money (yes, even make money) is http://www.dealseekingmom.com/ .  You won't believe the network already in place to help you save for your household.  This week at Rite-Aid, I used their advice and purchased three Jumbo packs of Huggies diapers.  After coupons, rebates,  and rewards - I had three packs of diapers for $10, a $10 gift card coming in the mail, and $6 towards future purchases - so I was plus $6 on that deal!  Take a look - they match up sales and coupons at Meijer, Wal-Mart, Target, Walgreens,  Rite-Aid, and more - plus they find a bunch of freebies all over the web.  Great site!!!  Happy shopping!

Come in from the cold... It's time to bundle up!

If you are looking for ways to save money in your budget, one of the first places to start is with your phone, cable/satellite, and internet costs.  All major providers offer some type of "bundling" package that allows you to package together two or three of these services and save some major dollars.  I currently package my internet and cable together with Charter and continue to call them every 4-6 months to see if there is a cheaper special or package.  Since I have high-speed internet, I also use a telephone service called Lingo.com.   I only pay $7.95/month and have used it for over three years now with absolutely no issues!  It's similar to Vonage, but cheaper.  Feel free to use me as a reference (rasaladin@charter.net) and we'll both get $25 applied to our next bill!

If you haven't explored bundling, I recommend calling today.  DirectTV also bundles with Verizon, AT&T, and others.  Even if you can't bundle, call and ask for a plan review for your best available price.  Be sure to ask if you can apply for the "new" customer rates.  This is an easy way to help save money and help keep your budget as lean as possible!  Good luck!

Pass the Cheese, Please!!!

Wow - talk about finding an awesome deal at Meijer.  This week, Kraft chunk cheese is on sale 3 for $5.  They also have a promotion for Kraft going that gives you $5 off your next order if you spend $15.  Now, the good part...  hit this link to print a coupon from Kraft for $5  off 5 items.  http://brands.kraftfoods.com/kraftcheese/index.html You can print it twice!  So, sometime tomorrow (the sale ends tomorrow), go to Meijer and buy 10 chunk cheese items for a cost of $16.66.  Take of $10 in coupons, $5 in next order coupon and you get a cost of $1.66 for 10 blocks of 8oz. cheese at a cost of just under $.17/ea.  Great deal - get ready for football season and tailgating!

Proverbs 24:33-34 Budget Wisdom

A special acknowledgment from the the late, great Christian financial counselor and radio host, Larry Burkett.  I am currently reading his book, Answers to Your Family's Financial Questions.  He stresses the importance of making a budget and "the most important step:  live within the budget!"  There is a lot of time, energy, and even stress in setting up your initial budget.  But now the real work begins - making your budget work for you and you working for your budget.  It takes discipline and dedication, planning and purpose, and attention to detail.  Proverbs 24:33-34 says "A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest, then your poverty will come as a robber, and your want like an armed man."  Once your budget is in place, stay true to it, don't get lazy, and only rest in the satisfaction of a job well done.

What goes out...Must come in!

Have you been asking yourself, "Where does all of my money go?" Are you living paycheck to paycheck and it seems like payday Friday will never get here? Putting yourself and your family on a budget is the first step in finding out where your money is being spent. http://www.bankrate.com/  has some great budgeting tools including a sample spreadsheet, budget calculators, and tutorials to help start you on your way to financial independence. Copy and paste this link from bankrate.com - http://www.bankrate.com/finance/financial-literacy/budgeting-tools-tips-and-work-sheets.aspx  Start with the Daily Expense Tracker worksheet and use it every day for one month. Include all expenses including bills, lunch, groceries, gas, etc - everytime you use cash, check, or credit. Then copy and past this link - http://www.bankrate.com/finance/money-guides/free-household-budgeting-work-sheet.aspx - to get a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to help outline your income, expenses, and monthly budget. Knowing where and how your money is used is the first step to financial freedom and becoming debt free. Don't be discouraged - when you complete your first budget and have control of your finances, anything is possible!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
Jeremiah 29:11

Oh, Oh, It's Magic! Save $$$ On Your Mortgage

Do you want a tip that will literally save you thousands of dollars in interest? By making one extra payment per year on your mortgage, you can literally take years off of your mortgage and save thousands of dollars. For example, if you have a $100,000 mortgage at 6% for 30 years, your monthly payment is $599.55. By making one extra payment of $599.55 per year, you'll reduce your payback time by 5-1/2 years and save over $23,000 in total interest. Wow! Banks will allow you to make extra payments against principal at any time. You can accomplish this in a variety of ways - but the easiest is to simply add 1/12 of your monthly total to your monthly payment. In this example, by simply adding $49.96 to $599.55 every month will save thousands of dollars. Another strategy would be to make an extra monthly payment every month that you receive an extra "paycheck". For example, most people get paid 26 weeks over a year - resulting in two months that have "extra" paychecks. In this example, if you doubled your mortgage payment in each of these months, the mortgage payback time would be reduced by 9 years and have savings of over $37,000 in interest. You can check it out yourself against your own mortgage by using the mortgage calculator at www.bankrate.com (see link below). It's not magic, but it will make you feel like a financial wizard!

Eat for Free, Play for Free, maybe even pocket some cash...

Have you ever heard of mystery shoppers? Yes, there are legitimate businesses that will pay you to visit restaurants and stores so you can provide customer feedback. I've been a member of www.mysteryguestinc.com for over three years. I've dined at McFadden's and Smokey Bones in Grand Rapids, Mecosta County Hospital, and even shopped at the Disney Store courtesy of them. Meals were paid in full and even received a $5 kicker for going. I've also signed up at www.secretshopper.com but have yet to visit one of their clients. I can vouch for these two websites - check it out. But if you sign up for others, be sure to do your homework first. Check out reviews on line and even visit the Better Business Bureau. Hey, who said there's no such thing as a free lunch?

Ready for Back to School?

This week at Meijer there are some grocery sales to help get you ready for school.

Juicy Juice 8-pack individual servings are on sale for 2/$5. There is a coupon at Meijer Mealbox www.meijer.com for $1 off 3. You can also print additional coupons at www.juicyjuice.com

Ziploc storage and lunch bags. On sale 2 for $4 - Meijer Mealbox has a coupone for $1.50 off 2. Couponmom.com has a coupon for $1.00/2 bags or $1.50/2 containers, you can piggyback them on to the sale for additional discount resulting in a grand total of 2 Ziploc items for $1.50 or $1.00!!!

24-pack of Meijer .5 liter bottles on sale 2 for $5!

Refreshing Run

I'm signed up for a 5k race this Saturday - Spectrum Health Reed City Crossroads 5k. I took a couple of days off (Sun-Tues), ran a nice easy 20min run last night, and then a 30min run tonight. My legs feel great and refreshed - I'm going to take tomorrow off (except for a run around the block with my 4 year old daughter) - and be well-rested for Saturday. Next time you're feeling beat up from running, or work, or the internet or friends or enemies - trying taking a break. Go for a walk, find a place to read quietly, or maybe just take a nap! You'll feel refreshed and ready to run!

but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint. Isaiah 40:31

Diaper Dandy

Do you need a great deal on diapers? Amazon.com currently has 30% off diapers when you use their "Subscribe and Save" option. You can also tag on an additional 20% off coupon from the August or September issues of Parents and Parenting magazines. Last week I purchased a 252 count Pampers Swaddlers, size 1-2, for $23.99 - equaling less than 10 cents per diaper. After you recieve your shipment, you can then cancel your Subscribe and Save option within Amazon. This includes free shipping! Great value!

Woot! Woot! Woot!

There's a woot-off going on! Check out www.woot.com for some awesome deals. Usually woot.com has a deal of the day that you can take advantage of until it's gone - but today...it's a woot-off!!! A multitude of items are up for grabs at great prices and only $5.00 shipping. Items range from laptops to cameras to games to headphones to MP3 players to beef jerky and more! It's a site that I check daily and have gotten some awesome deals. It's even more fun when it's a woot-off. The woot-off could go for one day or more. I've seen it go for as much as three days. Check it out - today and every day to get some great deals!

Coupon Clipping Chaos!

Are you looking for some great places to find coupons without searching all over the internet? There are multiple places online, but the best site I've found so far is www.couponmom.com . There are links to coupons.com, redplum, and more - all without signing up or sharing your personal info. A lot of these are duplicates from the Sunday paper - so if you cut out one from there, you might be able to find an additional one or two at couponmom.com. Also, if you have multiple computers at your household, you can print additional coupons. Our local library also has a coupon swap area - maybe your library does also - or, if not, it could be a great future program for your library to support! Happy clipping!

I'm One Smart Piggy!

Have you been looking for ways to save for big budget items while earning a fair and highly competitive interest return? Check out www.smartypig.com! I've used this site for just under two years and have only positive reviews. Save for annual taxes, annual insurance costs, etc. I use mine for property taxes, Michigan State season football tickets, and Christmas savings. I also use mine for a general savings account - all while currently earning 2.15%. Instead of using your credit card, save for it - all with a competitive interest rate and no debt! Check out and let me know if you have any questions!

Lean on the budget too!

If you know me, I like to save money! I am a coupon clipping, deal finding, money saving geek! So, in an attempt to find new ways to stay on top of the blog, I'm goint to add some money saving tips as well as some awesome deal finds. I live in Northern Michigan and my grocery store of choice is Meijer - so I'll be posting some of those deals on here. If you live in the Midwest - you're in luck!

Today's deal - Malt-O-Meal Cereal this week at Meijer. The Meijer sales price is $1.29 per bag. Mealbox at Meijer.com has Meijer coupons that you can print that will get you $1.00 off 2 bags. If you go to Maltomeal.com and sign up - go to Cereal Central, click on the Money tab, and you'll find a coupon for "Buy 3 bags, get one free". So, when totaling all together, it will be 59 cents a bag!!!

Also - Meijer has Lean Cuisine frozen dinners 5 for $10 - buy 5 get a free Market Cuisines dinner. Mealbox at Meijer.com has a coupon for $2 off 3. So, buy 6 Lean Cuisines for $12, subtract $4 in coupons - you get 6 meals for $8 plus one free Market Cuisies dinner - not a bad deal!

It's a Beautiful Day for...

Painting??? Yes, unfortunately. Northern Michigan was sunny and dry today - about 45 degrees and perfect running conditions. Was up and on the road by 7:00am. Finished an 11 mile run, showered, went to a baseball clinic meeting, and then came home to paint. At least there was some beautiful sunshine coming in the windows. We have a new addition on our house and I have to get the trim primed and painted so the carpeters can come and install. Then the new addition part will be done, so we'll move stuff in there, tear out old carpeting, repaint the older part, and new carpeting, etc. Hopefully I'll get it done before the real nice weather (60 degrees plus) comes.

As for the run, it was great. I have a slight Achille's pull or calf muscle pull or something in my bottom right leg. Been trying to rest but still get the long runs in and, finally, after about 4 weeks of dealing with it, it's getting better. Should be able to return to a full week of running next week and get back on the Riverbank Schedule. 12 miles runs the next two Saturdays with total mileage pushing 40 miles. Spring is almost here - but I'm sure Michigan is good for one more ice or snow storm.

I'm in the Lottery!

Yesterday was my 38th birthday (kind of, I was born on February 29th so I celebrate on the 28th). I also submitted my application for the New York City Marathon. The drawing is March 15th. Wish me luck!

My arms are SHAKING!!!!

Just finished week 4 of ChaLean Extreme. It's a very intense muscle building workout. I've been looking for something that would enhance my running by making me leaner and stronger - and this has fit well. I've been running in the morning, and doing ChaLean Extreme 4 nights (3 weight sessions, 1 cardio). Although I haven't lost many pounds (about 5-6), my clothes are looser and it feels good to be tired. Sunday night begins phase two of CE - with some heavier lifting. As for running, tomorrow morning I will hit 100 miles for the month of January. Right now I'm sitting at 98.48 with a 3 miler tomorrow and a 10 miler on Saturday. It's still over 3 months until 5/3 25k Riverbank Run. I just keep chugging along. Think I'll have some popcorn tonight :)

In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

www.beachbodycoach.com/rasaladin

3 plus 8 equals 11

What an interesting day. My training schedule called for a 9 miler today. Went to bed feeling great, woke up dragging but went out for my run anyway. After about 5-6 minutes, I was getting into my groove and thinking, "Alright, I'm glad I'm out here. I can do this!" Then a dog started following me. In the city, coming up to a very busy street. So I stopped, ran back to his house, told him to stay - nope. He followed me again, I sprinted at him and yelled "Go home! AGHAHAHAHAHAH!" That didn't work either. So then I walked him back to his house and he finally stayed. I started running again, but the kinks wouldn't work out from stopping, sprinting, walking, stopping, etc. I ran another two miles before putting the end to it. Went back out this afternoon and ran a nice 8 miler at 9:06 miles. Put some hills in on the back side. It felt good. Perfect roads, okay weather, although the wind was a bit chilly into the east. Looking forward to a day off from running tomorrow, singing at church, celebrating some birthdays, and just relaxing before hitting up the ChaLean Extreme workout tomorrow night.

Oh, and how about those Spartans! Some clutch play by the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year Kalin Lucas. MSU 65, Minnesota 64. 7-0 in the Big Ten!

Sore and tired and feeling great!

My 25k training has really pushed me to the limit. Ran just under 9 miles on Saturday and the training called for a 6 miler this morning. Combine that with ChaLean Extreme Workout DVD - and my legs were tired puppies today. But, as always, the hardest part is getting out of bed, then it's just putting one foot in front of the other until you finish. I ran by the local McDonald's around 5:55am - just when they were turning on their outside lights. I thought to myself, "Sure feels good to be running by here instead of pulling through the drive-thru." I was proud of myself and surprised myself with those two long runs within three days. I feel tired, but it's good tired.

I have an easy 3 miler tomorrow morning - looking forward to pushing myself a little bit and working on the speed. We'll see... But I know I'll be out there, and that's half the battle!

Fresh!

Getting off to a great start of a fresh new year! Ran a 7 miler on Saturday - little slow in the beginning, extremely darn cold - but finished strong and felt so good about finishing it! Ran this morning - dark and very cold. Took it nice and easy - running 4 miles in 38:15. I did not feel like getting out of my nice cozy bed at 6:00am - especially after sleeping in to around 7:30 or so the last two weeks of vacation. But... I am so glad that I did! It felt great and at the end of the run I knew that I had accomplished more exercise by 7:00am than most people would do all day! It's a new year - make a goal, find some support structure and accountability, and start fresh with a new you! Good luck!