Archive for OTHER GREAT STUFF

Simple Saturday Reads: Coming Home Edition

May 30, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / No comments

Simple Saturday Reads: Coming Home Edition It feels so good to type those words, coming home. I am coming home! I will be working from home as of Monday and I can’t wait to make this transition.

I think I will love being a work from home Mom. I will be fielding calls from across the United States on behalf of one of the major cable/internet providers. I am the person you turn to if you lose your connection. It is a pilot here north of the Border. Those of us selected to do were chosen because we are leaders in customer service. I felt excited when I got chosen!

This will also allow me to dedicate some time to my blogs and my life, and be here for my daughter too. Can you tell I am excited about this?

Now when it comes to reading this week, there were so many great informative posts. I have highlighted some of my favorite reads this weeek. So I hope you spend some time simply reading this weekend.

1. Talking about reading Being Frugal posted a great post on Summer Reading Programs. Each summer Roo has always done one of these, north of the border TD Bank and your local library often partner together to offer up great summer programming.

2.I loved Frugal for Life’s take on Making a Thrifty Investment in Yourself. The more we practice at something the better we get!

3.Gail wrote an incredible post of Forgiving Yourself. It is one of the most important things we can I can do. This is a constant battle for me because I tend to beat myself up over past mistakes.

4.I like to cook so I enjoyed The Simple Dollar’s: The Art of the Marinade. When you are buying cheaper cut of meat a good marinade is an essential thing, and it is so much better if you can do it for cents.

5.Million Dollar Journey did a cool post on the Scanning Code of Practice. I have been a scoper for years. Here is the story of one of my trips to Shopper’s when I scoped and got the product free.

6. On Wisebread there was a really good post about Things You Might Not Know About Your Local Thrift Store.I really do love my thrift stores, really who doesn’t?

What did you enjoy reading this week? You can always leave me a comment.

Category: OTHER GREAT STUFF /

13 Websites I Can’t Live Without

May 28, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / 5 comments

t13 113 13 Websites I Cant Live WithoutI am a money saving frugal mom who has needs, most of these needs can get met with my regular visits to these 13 websites. Some are blogs some are sites with great info. Each of them has a purpose in my life. I wanted to share mine this Thursday Thirteen.

What are some of the sites you simply cant live without? What do they add to your life?

1. When it comes to saving money, and learning how to I must give credit to Kim Clancy and the gang at Frugal Shopper. I was a lurker for a long time before joining. Now I have gotten to meet a few of the women and I love the generous spirit on the forum boards. Heck it was my membership on this Frugal site that helped my daughter’s school win $5,000 for classroom libraries from Please Mum. If the contest wasn’t shared on the boards I wouldn’t of known about it, nor would I of shared it with our Parents Ass who ran with it.

2. I love love love Spark People! If you are wanting to get healthy, lose weight, get an exercise plan in place, this is the site to use. I love it and it is free. I love the community here. Everyone cheering everyone on as we each work toward individual goals.

3. Red Flag Deals is another Canadian site that has a great forum and it truely is about saving, and finding the best deals. One of the things I love best about this site, finding the best finds in my email each week.

4.Link to Learning was an initiative of the Ontario government and this site offers the best educational links for our kids. My daughter Roo has spent hours over the years using links found here to play educational games and to learn facts. If you are a homeschooling family this site should be in your favorites.

5. Facebook is where I keep track of family and friends. If you are on my facebook list it is because I want to stay connected with you. I even have a fan page there for this blog. If you want to keep connected with me, just add me to your list of friends.

6.Wisebread is one of my favorite blogs and it has often been a source of inspiration for this mom.

7. I will admit I am in love with Dave Ramsey. Actually following his advice was one of the things that helped this mom most.

8.Frugal Hacks is a great little website with an even better blogroll, when I need to enter the land of frugal bloggers this is where I go.

9.Twitter is a new love affair, and you will often find me here tweeting and learning from others inTwitterville.

10. Problogger, Darren is one of the gurus of blogging and recently I got to participate in making this blog better, because of a series he ran on his blog. When I want to learn more about the art of blogging I go here first.I really do want to become a better blogger.

11. The Frugal Chef is chalked full of frugal recipes. A mom has to have recipes, right? By reading here and doing Menu Monday I have plenty to work with.

12.Kijiji- When I am looking to buy things I look second hand first and this is one of my first stops!

13.Freecyle- A girl has to LOVE free stuff! I know I do and by participating in Freecyle over the years I have picked up alot for free. What has some of my haul included? Breadmaker, clothes for Rachel, board games, books, a sofa, and a tv..pretty good I think.

Thanks for reading my list, what’s on your list?

Category: OTHER GREAT STUFF / Tags: ,

My First Month on Twitter

May 3, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / 2 comments

Just over a month ago I made my very first post on Twitter. In my first month I have learned much about Social Media, about tweets, and how one can become a Twitterolic. This is my story about my first month as a resident in Twitterville.

I have learned there are both pros and cons to tweeting and to Twitterville. I have also learned there are rules to follow as well.

First the Rules:

1. Do post a picture, nothing is as annoying as one who hasn’t figured out how to do that. Personally unless you have a picture I am not following.

2.Do fill out the profile. It is a great way to find like minded people on Twitter.

3. Get rid of the generic background, it then seems like you really are setting up house on Twitter.

4. Don’t auto follow and don’t auto DM (direct message either).

For me I have found those to be the big ones.

The Pros of Twitter:

1. I have connected with some great fellow bloggers that I may not of found otherwise, it really allows you to connect with other like minded people.

2. Great links. This month those that I follow have shared great links from :Utube videos, to great blog posts, to links to some pretty great sites.

3. New friends, I cant wait to meet some of my new online friends at perhaps a future Tweetup.

4. I have learned plenty about Social Media and what it is and what it can do.It can do some great things. Ie: raising $50,000 for the March of dimes in a few days, or broadcasting an amber alert, there are so many different ways this space on the web can be used.

The Negatives:

1. Auto DMs that iclude a link to some gimmick, just plain yuck!

2. It is addictive, if you allow yourself you can spend you whole day following tweets, remember to keep a balance.

3. Tweets that scream me me me. It aint all about YOU.

For me this month has been more then intersting. It has been great meeting new friends and connections. I loved watching the outpouring of love for @mamasphor and@newbornidentity after there daugther Maddie  died, and the funds that were raised for the March of Dimes. I loved staying up late to watch the Ashton verses CNN race to a million followers. I thought it was cool that it was my tweet that made the New York Times when Oprah joined Twitter. For me it definitely has been an interesting month and I am sure there is much more to learn as I journey through Twitterville.

Category: OTHER GREAT STUFF / Tags: , ,

Have I Arrived?

April 17, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / 3 comments

Have I Arrived? Okay a few hours ago Oprah tweeted on Twitter for the very first time.

Well those who know me, I am fairly new to the medium as well.

I have been tweeting a month now, and well so far have 400 followers who follow me.

One of the lessons I have learned since I started tweeting was to share great links and to participate so even though I don’t follow Oprah on Twitter( I don’t follow any celebrities). I sent her a tweet welcoming her to the Universe that is Twitter. Well my little welcome made a well respected newspaper..The NY Times. You can find the article which is on Twitter and Oprah here. Of all the thousands tweeting her I got picked as the quote, so have to say it more then made me smile. Probably the only time you will see me and Oprah mentioned in the same article.

Category: OTHER GREAT STUFF / Tags: , , ,

What Works for Me: Holding Myself Accountable Online

April 15, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / 3 comments

6a00d83451c5ac69e20112791ced0428a42 What Works for Me: Holding Myself Accountable OnlineBack in January I wrote about how to lose weight without spending money after all it is all about calories in vs calories out right? You can find out here why I recommend Sparkpeople. It is really a great free site that holds you accountable if you so choose and I love the support system of the forums there. I have also lost 10 pounds, now I know that isn’t much but I would rather slow and steady then fast and furious only to regain.

Then on April 1 st I wrote about how this was a no spending month challenge. Well we are now almost at the half way point and I have so far only spent $12.54 besides what was budgetted. Have had to walk past plenty of wants in the meantime, and really all the fun we have had this month has been free fun ie watching movies, going to the library, going to a walk and playing board games. Now we will be going to the movies this weekend, how am I doing that without spending? Roo got Movie money for Easter from her Aunt, nothing better then a well timed gift.

Do you use your blog to hold yourself accountable and to help you reach goals? Now I am off to We are that Family to see what works for others this week.

Category: OTHER GREAT STUFF / Tags: , , ,

Won 2 Contests on Blogs This Month

April 14, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / 2 comments

I am so thrilled! Last month I participated in the Ultimate Blog Party hosted over at 5 Minutes for Mom and won International Prize #1which was sponsored by Sweet n’ Simple Design.My Simply Hollie blog will get the new design by, this blog will be getting a new header too this week although it will be done by my niece.

Then yesterday I won a prize from  Kristen Friesen of  Sweeter then Me Designs who was hosting a prize on the wonderful blog of Sandier Pastures! Grace DMed me on Twitter, to tell me I had my pick of jewellery. I chose this piece.Can’t wait to wear the Antique Leaves necklace!

Won 2 Contests on Blogs This Month

Category: OTHER GREAT STUFF /

Menu Monday: Highlighting the Recipes of MM Participants

April 13, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / One comment

Menu Monday: Highlighting the Recipes of MM ParticipantsDecided this week I would use recipes that come from participants in Menu Monday! So this is all you the moms who share your recipes and links each and every week. Menu planning itself is hard, but when you also combine it with flyer shopping, and the desire to highlight others well that puts it at a whole new level. So who’s recipes are we going to try this week:

Monday- Ranaee over at Arabian Nights offered up this great recipe for Mejeddarah which I will serve with a cucmber and yogurt salad.

Tuesday -we are going vegetarian with  the Portebelleo Penne Casserolle  found over at Cooking for my family.

Wednesday- We are trying the Crockpot Salsa Chicken  from over at Whats for Dinner.

Thursday-we are trying a Ratatouille in a Crockpot  from Finding Joy in the Kitchen.

Friday is for leftovers..

Saturday-Not just Leftovers has a good recipe for Chicken Tetrazzini.

Sunday-we will be at my mother’s.

Now I am headed off too Organizing Junkie  to see what is on the menus of those participating this week!

Category: OTHER GREAT STUFF /

Teaching Our Kids With Allowances

April 10, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / One comment

Teaching Our Kids With Allowances Preet over at Where Does All My Money Go posed a really great question this week about children and their allowances and these times that we live in.

It got me thinking about what I have been doing for my daughter Roo, and why I think it can work for anyone especially if they have a tween like me, or perhaps even with teens.

I have become the Bank of Mom. We made it a real bank, based much on The First National Bank of Dad book (by the way that was a great read for a parent wanting to teach their kids about money). Now my bank has no where near the interest rate suggested in the Bank of Dad and I think that is ok and gives Roo a more real picture of what the world of money is like.She does get a good rate of return though 10% per year.Now here is what I did to teach one Canadian kid about money.

1. The Bank of Mom was an offical Bank. Roo has her bank account on my computer, so hers is close at hand.

2. We use one Excel spread sheet. She has a running balance, deposits made, withdraw column, loan column, and RESP balance column. We have another page that shows her where she is spending her money. Right now the columns are: Savings, giving, piggy, toys,cell, music, club penguin, books, dollar store, other.

3. She has a set amount and it is delivered on the 20th of each month come rain or shine ( after all our pay days come regularly when employed right)

4. She has responsiblities with that money: cell bill, guinea pig supplies, savings, and the rest of hers is to do with as she chooses. Roo is a natural giver, so giving is not something I have made a must. For her it is a joy and she loves it.

5. We enrolled her in Futura Rewards. A way to add to savings for college and much more. This was to top up my input, she helps me clip the UPC codes and get the mail in ready and we shop at Coop here in Nova Scotia some of the time. She now knows the balances of her RESP, and we update that line quarterly.

6. She gets what I think is a reasonable amount for an 11 year old with responsiblities. She is responsible for $75.00 a month. I know not much but it is hers and with it, she is learning skills.

Category: Money, OTHER GREAT STUFF / Tags: , , ,

What Works for Me : Saving Money on Dental Care

April 8, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / 3 comments

6a00d83451c5ac69e20112791ced0428a41 What Works for Me : Saving Money on Dental CareLast January I wrote a post on getting dental care on the cheap. To be honest it is one of my posts that gets the most hits. People are looking for ways to save on dental care. So here is my short list of how I saved for years when I didn’t have dental benefits. I now work at a job where I do and I am thankful for that. So how did I manage dental care when I had a very limited budget:

1. First we have fairly decent dental hygiene practices here at home. Meaning we brush and floss well. I also bought a $6 tube of PreviDent 5000. It is a sodium fluoride dental cream. My dentist recommended it for my daughter. She brushes with it once a week.

2.We found a good local dental hygiene school. These places let you get cleanings done for next to nothing. In most of the major cities you can find these: here in Canada I know of ones in Halifax, Hamilton, and Toronto.You can often save hundreds but you will spend a few visits in the chair, but think clean teeth for less then $50.00 and sometimes even for free.

3. Find a close by dental school for the major work. Here in Nova Scotia there is Dalhousie University and in Toronto there are two really good schools George Brown and University of Toronto. Most universities or college campuses that have a dental program are always looking for new patients. The one drawback there is a bit of a wait but the good news is if there is an emergency you can always call and they can usually get you into there emergency clinic within a few days.

For me when I was on a fixed income these few things helped me and my daughter. Now I still need some more work done but I am getting there.

Now there are many things that work for many people and we all share them at We are that Family on Wednesdays. Come join the fun. As well, if you know other sources for great dental care that can leave you with cents in your pocket book let me know.

Category: Frugal Tips, HEALTH, OTHER GREAT STUFF / Tags: , ,

Top 10 Canadian Blogs that Help You Save Money

April 7, 2009 / Common Cents Mom / 5 comments

For me the common sense mom that I am, I am always looking for great ways and sources for saving money. I am all about saving in ways that make sense and leave me with cents in my wallet.

For me one of my best resources have been blogs that help this mom live a frugal lifestyle while taking me from welfare to middle class. I have read most of these Canadian bloggers for awhile now and well I think they are simply the best.

1. Four Pillars They blog about investing, real estate, personal finance and even have some frugal posts too.

2.Million Dollar Journey Here you can find all kinds of money saving and investing help, and I love his freebie section!

3.EllenRoseman is a columnist and author, and has some great posts!

4.The Money Gardener. The Gardener’s goal is to make money unimportant in his family’s life. Another good Canadian fiance blog.

5.Where Does All the Money Go is another great blog especially for beginners like me! I also love their contests.

6.Simply Frugal Canada is a newer blogger, with links to great deals in ways that help you save.

7.Bargainista is another blogger who finds deals and more, if y0u notice her sidebar and are in Toronto she always knows where the best value for your dollar is!

8.I am an Organizing Junkie. Here you find the lots of organizing tips but more important Laura is the host of Menu Monday. Menu planning equals saving cents.

9. Smart Canucks is the oldest Canadian deal blog. Lots of freebies and even a forum here.

10. Me, well I want to be a source that you can come to and find tools and posts and help you save cents, loonies and more in ways that make sense while I do the same.

Are there others you think need to be on this list, if so leave me a comment!

Category: OTHER GREAT STUFF / Tags: , , ,
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