Inbox Dollars Review

I've decided to start doing a weekly review of different websites and items that I like or don't like (if they are "all the rage") that either help you save money or make money. I hope you enjoy my first one, and give me anything you want me to review!

So I've been using this website called Inbox Dollars for about a month.  Before signing up I scoured the Internet for reviews, but found very few from anyone who actually used it. Well here is my review.  It's definitely worth checking out and seeing for yourself, just don't expect to become rich overnight.

What it is: A website that pays you for referring friends, web searches, reading emails, taking surveys, redeeming grocery coupons, shopping, watching videos, playing games, and completing offers.

What they pay:
Sign up bonus: $5
Refer Friends: You get a percentage of what your friends earn
Web searches: .005/search up to .15 a day (30 searches a day)
Emails: .01-.05 each (usually .02).  You get a few a day
Surveys: .50 each on average.
Coupons: .10 each
Shopping: depends on the store. 1%-10% back
Watching Videos: .01 each (unlimited)
Playing games: About .05 for every dollar you spend
Completing offers: Varies. Some are free some you have to pay.

Inactivity: If you don't log into the website or read the emails in 10 days, you will become inactive.  You can become active again by logging in and requesting reactivation within 6 months of becoming inactive.

How do I get paid? Once you have $30 you can cash out with a $3 processing fee.

Fine Print: Only one person per household (mailing address) can have an account and be paid out.  If you and your partner/roommate/child both want to join, you need to use 2 different addresses.  They still let you sign up with the same one, but will not pay out until there is only 1 user with that address.

My thought:
-Great site for me.  I spend a little time every morning doing a survey, some web searches, and I watch a couple videos.  I print a bunch of grocery coupons from them (they are good ones you can really use) although those take some time to process.  At night while watching TV I do the rest of my searches, try for another survey (if I haven't done one yet).
-Not something to make any serious money on.
-Easily make $1/day just by searching, taking 1 survey, and watching videos.
-Make .20 just by reading emails and doing some searches.

Overall: Great website for anyone with free time.  Hop on while at work or at home and do a few searches or a survey with your free time.  The little bit you make does add up over time.  If you have time and want a little spare money Inbox Dollars is the way to go.

I hope this helps!

XOXO,
Sarah

22 Ways Save Money On Your Wedding

So with my wedding coming in 9 months, I've been compiling ways to save some serious money.  Luckily I have a ton of friends who've given me ideas (and an amazing sister who already paved the way!) and I've come up with a ton of ways to start saving money.  Please give me any ways that worked for you!! I am still working on my own wedding!

1.  Make a budget.  Now take out 20%.  Work with this new budget to help cover any extra costs that may come up.  Many vendors may give you a deal if you come in with a lower ceiling for what you're willing to spend.

2. Hire college students.  Photographer, make-up artists, chefs, DJs, and so many more can be found at your local college at a fraction of the price.  See if you can post an add on campus or through the website or contact the program directly.  These people are going to school for this, and they should work extra hard just for the experience (many can use your wedding as their final project for school).  Make sure you see their portfolio and have a preview of what they will do for you, as you would any other vendor.

3.  NEVER say you're booking for a wedding.  Most vendors jack up the prices for weddings and add in extra costs.  Get your quote first for the date and time, then later tell them it is a wedding.

4. When getting a dress, set your budget at least $500 lower than you want to spend.  You will most likely have alterations, a veil, shoes, etc to make the whole outfit complete.

5.  Check the cheaper bridal stores.  If you find a dress you love, go check David's Bridal or other stores.  Bring them pictures of the dress and see what they have that matches it.  You may find one you love even more. I did for 40% cheaper!

6. DIY.  Try and make sure you can do your centerpieces, decorations, favors, or anything else you may want all by yourself.  You can save some serious money, and have exactly what you want, if you put some effort in.

7.  Get married in your church or friend's large yard.  Both places shouldn't cost you a penny to be at for your ceremony.

8.  Get a good reception site.  If your church has a great hall, or your friend has an amazing house, see if you can use that.  You will also have more time to set up and take down the decorations if you are not in a wedding venue that has multiple people using it a week.

9.  Don't get married Saturday or Sunday.  These are way more expensive than if you were to do a Friday night ceremony.   If you do a mid-week ceremony you are also more likely to have less guests attend (all the really important people will be there for you regardless of what day you have it).

10. BBQ for your rehearsal dinner.  You have to take the wedding party and immediate family out for a rehearsal dinner.  Why not fire up your grill and make a party out of it at your house?

11.  Afternoon wedding.  Serving a meal is much more expensive than appetizers and cake.  If you wedding takes place in the morning or any time after 4, you will be expected to have food.  Think of the timing you would want to eat at when planning.  You also won't have people getting sloppy drunk in the middle of the day.

12. Have signature drinks only.  If you have an open bar, you are opening yourself for a big tab.  Pick 2 or 3 signature drinks (his, hers, theirs) to have available to your guests to drink along with beer and wine.  They won't feel cheated by not having an open bar, and you will only have to pay for specific alcohol.  Plus my friends had their drinks AND an open bar, and very few people got a non-signature drink.

13. Compare buying to renting.  I have heard that the majority of the time, it is much more cost effective to buy and then sell your tables, chairs, glasses, etc than renting.  Check craigslist and ebay for slightly used items as well and then sell them when you're done.

14. Give good, cheap favors.  Candy bars are all the rage, and they can double as part of your dessert (plus they're just fun).  Make your own jam, or other homemade good to send home with people as well.  Hit the dollar store or Oriental Trading to get some fun, cheap gifts (sunglasses, water bottles, anything that fits your theme).

15. Have something other to do than drink.  While you're off taking pictures, your guests will be waiting for you to come back.  This is normally the time they start hitting the bar and eating appetizers.  If your reception is at a venue with an open area, set out some yard games, maybe a snack bar with popcorn, candy, chips and drinks (water, lemonade, beer, wine).  If people are active doing something besides waiting, they will be much less likely to eat and drink.

16.  Easy on the photographer.  Make sure you aren't roped into any big photography packages from the start.  You never know how many photos you will want or NOT want from the photographer.  Also see if you can work a deal to get a digital copy of all the pictures so you can print what you want, when you want.  Make sure they leave once you cut the cake and throw the bouquet  you really don't need them taking pictures of everyone dancing until the end. Also you should...

17.  ...Give your guests a mission.  With everyone having smart phone, set up a picture scavenger hunt for your guests.  We're handing out different tasks for people with the program (get a picture of the kiss, X walking down the isle, when the bride sees the groom, when the groom sees the bride, etc) and another list or two at each table for the reception. I have a great link here from It's a Bride's Life giving tons of ideas.  Give your guests a drop box account or email address to send the pictures to.  Make sure you have plenty of overlap with the lists.

18. Get fake flowers.  Not only can you get the EXACT color you're looking for, the flowers will last forever.  They also are much cheaper than getting real flowers from a florist.  If you don't want fake flowers, get local flowers that are in season.  Bring swatches of your colors to your florist and let them get you the best flowers to match.

19.  Don't have servers for appetizers.  Lay everything out on a table and let guests help themselves.  Have your caterer (or server you hired) on the side to refill anything that goes empty.  Most caterers have the refill included in their cost.

20.  Don't give too many choices.  Having 2 or 3 crowd pleasing appetizers, along with cheese and crackers will go a long way and won't break the bank.  You can pick up bulk cheese and crackers at Costco for less than $1 a guest.

21. Cut out some guests.  Everyone has people they HAVE to invite, and then there is the slippery slope of people that you have to invite because you invited someone else.  Stick to family, close friends, and close coworkers and you'll be set.  If there is someone that causes an avalanche of invites, don't invite them.

22. Ask for help.  Everyone knows somebody who can help you and you'll never know unless you ask.  While talking to people just say you're looking for say someone to do hair and makeup.  Chances are someone will have a sister, cousin, neighbor, etc who does and they could get you a deal.

I hope these help you save some money!

XOXO,
Sarah

Staying Hydrated

With summer here, staying hydrated is more important than ever.  Dehydration can come on without you having a clue until it gets to be too late.  I saw this when my cousin who just felt tired fainted due to dehydration.  Water is one of the easiest liquids to consume, and is great for your body with 17 health benefits including weight loss and healthy skin.  You should be drinking about 64 ounces a day, more if you're active or are out in the heat. This is NOT something you can drink all in one sitting. First I'll give you ways to get the water down (I was a camp counselor and nanny, so I know many), then I'll get you suggestions to make the water more drinkable.  Give me your suggestions!

GET IT DOWN
- Drink 3, 8 ounce glasses of water at each meal.  Do them all before you eat, 1 before, 1 during, and 1 after, or make your own schedule of when you're drinking.
- Drink 1 glass of water before snacks (it helps to fill you up).
- Have a glass ready to go when you wake up.  Jump start your day (and your metabolism) with a nice big glass of water as soon as your alarm goes off.
- Make it a routine.  Once you get in the swing of drinking water, it will just come naturally.
- Bribery.  Yes bribery is not just for kids, it's for you too.  Give yourself a goal (32 ounces and you get a soda or beer with lunch) and stick to it.
- Get a reusable water bottle or cup.  Especially one with a straw.  You never know how much water you can drink until it's right next to you and you keep sipping it all day.  I've gone through a .75L (about 25 ounce) water bottle in 30 minutes, just by going 1 sip at a time.
- Always keep your bottle or cup with you and keep filling it.
- Mark your water bottle.  Water bottles are great, they can be reused and help you gage how much water you're drinking.  I saw this great idea here where she marked her water bottles with how much she should be drinking an hour.
- Make it a competition.  Get some coworkers or roommates together and see who can drink more water in a day.  Put some money down and it will get you drinking faster.
- Make a bet with yourself.  Every day you drink your 64 ounces, put some money away.  Use that to buy yourself a treat.  $1/day can really add up AND you're being healthy.
- Remember, water is free at restaurants.  Most nonalcoholic drinks are now around $3.  If you go out to lunch every day that's $15/week and $780/year!
- While you're at lunch, see if they can leave a pitcher of water at your table (and a bowl of lemons).  Trust me, you'll drink more when it's there and you won't have to wait on your waiter to bring you more water.

DRINK IT
- Try infusing your water with fruit.  I've been doing this for years and it's amazing!  You can buy fruit infusers from the store or just get a pitcher, add your favorite fruits, and let it sit overnight.  Google or search Pinterest for a recipe that inspires you.  I personally just toss a bunch of fruit in (make sure you cut up your fruit first).
- Always have a lemon, lime, and/or orange on hand at work.  Slice it up and stick it in your water when you finish what you have.
- Make sure your water is cold.  Cold water just tastes better for some reason.
- Remember that PURE water (this includes fruit) helps keep your skin looking healthy, along with all the other health benefits.
- You're saving money.  Again when you're thinking about soda, think about what you could do with $780.

SNEAK IT
Most of the things you're drinking already have water in them.  Milk, juice, sports drinks, coffee, and tea all are mostly water.  Why shouldn't you be drinking those for all your water needs?  Well milk, juice, and sports drinks contain a lot of sugar; coffee and most teas contain caffeine which actually dehydrates you (so you're at a wash).  You can count a couple glasses of these towards your water intake if you need to, but why not just make them extra for your day?

How to Rent a Room

So we have this amazing house, but only the two of us living in it.  What are we doing with the extra space?  Renting out a couple rooms to help pay the rent.  This is great if you have extra space you don't use, or if you have kids that have left the nest.  Luckily my amazing man has rented out rooms in his previous houses so he knows all the ins and outs (let me tell you I learned a lot).

Here is your basic guide to rent out a room.

BEFORE DECIDING TO RENT
There are a few basic questions you need to address before deciding to rent out your room:
1. Ask if you would want to rent out the room yourself.  The best rooms are easy to get to in a house and your tenant won't have to go through to much of your area to get there.  Your far back room past everything else is not a good fit.

2.  Ask if you really want someone else in your house.  By having a tenant, your secluded home is no longer going to be there.  You will have someone in your kitchen, laundry room, and with full access to the entire house.  If you have young children I definitely don't recommend renting to a stranger (background checks don't catch everything.

3.  Make sure there are no major repairs that need to be done.  See how much it would be to fix anything wrong in the room (a fan, blinds, paint, etc).  If you have a crappy room, you will get a crappy tenant.

4.  Look up landlord/tenant law.  There are a ton of things you as a landlord are required by law to do, and trust me you could be sued if you don't follow the guidelines.

5. What will you charge.  Figure out what you will charge for rent each month.  Look at similar houses in the area to get an idea.  Furnished rooms run higher than unfurnished, same with having a private bath.

6.  Start thinking of the rules you want for your tenant.  Again look at the tenant rights.  You cannot give someone a curfew, but you can have quiet hours in your house (when you go to bed).  Remember, you have to follow these rules too.

7. Download your forms.  There are many forms you can and should use when getting a tenant.  Renter agreement, deposit, move in/out condition, etc.  There are many places online that have these.  Try ezlandlordforms.com for everything you need (and they're free).

READY TO GO?
Now that you've decided to rent, there are more steps to take.
1. Clean the common areas and make space.  Making sure your house is clean from the beginning will set a good precedent, and you are more likely to get a clean tenant.  You also have to make space in the kitchen for another person's groceries.  Our storage in the kitchen is divided by 4 (how many people will use it).  You may find someone who doesn't want to use the kitchen and that's even better for you.  Also make sure your place settings are easily available (yes this person will be using your plates, cups, silverware, pots, pans, etc).

2. If you haven't cleaned the room to rent while looking for repairs, clean it.  You could have someone coming to look at the house the day you put up the ad (Not joking, we did and we were not fully ready).

3.  Take pictures.  Think of what you want to look at when buying a house.  Take pictures of your best features.  Be sure to include: the room, bathroom, common space.  You can also add: yard, front of the house, kitchen, utility room, any other common area they can use.

4.  Write up a lease agreement.  How long will they be staying, how much for rent, how will utilities be divided, where can they park, can they have guests.  Get all your forms (#7 above) together and start writing!  Anything you want to have cleared up before someone moves in.  Remember your ideas from #6 above and implement them.

PLACE YOUR AD!
Go to craigslist and place your ad.  Be sure to include pictures and any information you think may be relevant.  Look at other ads to use as a guideline.
DEFINITELY INCLUDE:
-Rent
-Deposit Fee
-Utilities
-How long you want them
-If you have pets/if pets are OK
-Move-in date
-Major cross streets
-If there is a college or major office area nearby

Once you place your ad, you will start getting responses.  You can either show your house on a one on one basis (what we did) or pick a time and date for everyone to come look at it at once.  You don't have to settle for the first person interested either.  Be sure to tell them before they come what the situation is, and to bring proof of employment (last pay stub, or a letter from employer if they just moved) if they are interested in moving in ASAP.

That's about it. Please be safe, and good luck renting!

XOXO,

Sarah

20 Cheap Dates

So now that we are saving money, I decided to come up with a list of cheap (or free) dates we can do.  I looked at other people's ideas of cheap dates, and most of them involve driving around the city.  I don't think they took into account the price of gas. Lucky for you I have, and hopefully you can use these. I've also figured out the approximate cost of each (yeah we now have a date budget, so the more money we save on these, the bigger splurges we can take out). Give me your ideas of great date ideas!

1.  Movie Night.  Rent a movie on Netflix or through Redbox.  Make popcorn, have a soda, buy some candy.  Turn up the sound and enjoy your movie.  Total Cost: $5 (more if you buy a lot of candy).

2. Take a Hike (or walk).  Search hiking trails or go to your local park and have an afternoon out in the fresh air.  Bonus points going to a point of interest. Total Cost: gas to location.

3. Picnic.  Either in your backyard or your local park (even combine it with your hike) lay out a blanket and enjoy each others company.  Be sure to leave your phones inside.  Total Cost: $10 (depending on what you want to bring to eat).

4. Game night.  Pull out some board games (buy one from goodwill or borrow one from a friend if you don't have one) grab a beer or glass of wine and prepare to duel.  Total Cost: $5

5. Massage Night.  Learn how to give a massage from Youtube (there are a ton of videos), light a candle and take turns giving a massage.  Split this to two nights if you each want a night of relaxing.  One bottle of massage oil should last at least 4 massages each. Total Cost: $2.50.

6. Make dinner together.  Pick any meal that you can both work together to make and get to it. Try a new recipe from online if you feel extra adventurous.  Total Cost: cost of dinner.

7. DIY project.  What do you have in your house that needs to be fixed?  Find something and work together to fix it. Total Cost: Project.

8. Play 20 questions.  Think outside the box and ask questions you wouldn't normally ask about each others days. Total Cost: $0.

9. Bonfire.  Turn on your charcoal grill or fireplace, roast hot dogs and marshmallows and enjoy an evening in. Total Cost: $5.

10. Costco Sample Party.  We love Costco (or Sams Club if you're a member of that) because they have a ton of samples all the time.  Before you shop, try every sample and see what your favorites are, then do your shopping. Cost: $0 (since you're already there for shopping anyway).

11. Bar at Home.  Try making a new drink (or a few) at home.  There are tons of websites with different drink ideas.  Many of them let you put what alcohol or mixers you have at home.  Total Cost: $5.

12. Clean your Closet.  OK hear me out on this one.  While cleaning your closet is no fun, turn on some fun music and go through everything.  Try stuff on, take it back off, and start piling what you want to get rid of.  You can even make some money from this.  Total Cost: Free

13. Ebay party.  After you clean your closet, list your items on Ebay. Check other ridiculous stuff that people are selling. Total Cost: You're making money here!

14. Wine and Cheese.  Crack open a bottle of wine, get some cheese, salami, and crackers, and relax on the couch or in bed.  You can get very good wines for under $10 at all sorts of beverage retailers (I prefer World Market or Costco) and artisan cheese and salami that can last you 2-4 wine nights. Total Cost: $15.

15. Dive Bar.  Go to your local bar (find one with pool and/or darts), grab a drink and play a game.  Check their website for special deals and promotions.  Total Cost: $10.

16. Volunteer. Through church, soup kitchen, or anything else you enjoy.  Helping others can be fun and fulfilling.  Total Cost: Gas.

17.  Start a garden.  Not only will this help you save money, it can be a fun outdoor activity for both of you. Pick up some veggies you both like and get planting.  Total Cost: $2/ pack of seeds (it all depends on how much you want to plant).

18.  Draw pictures of each other.  No matter how poorly you draw (my stick figures are amazing) you will have fun.  Total Cost: Free

19.  Get a book on tape.  Go to the library or library website and download a book on tape.  Play it while you do other activities or snuggle in bed so you can both enjoy.  Total Cost: Free.

20.  Free in your city.  Search for what's free in your city (Google is amazing) and mark it on your calendar.  Cost: Gas.

Enjoy these dates!  I'll be posting more soon!

XOXO,
Sarah

Chicken Tacos From Heaven

So I found this recipe when I was a nanny for the kids, and it's so easy!  It also gets so many compliments any time I make it.  I have no idea where I actually found it, but if anyone knows, please let me know so I can give credit!  I promise you this will be the best chicken tacos you will ever make, and it takes you maybe 2 minutes to put everything together.

Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos
3 lbs chicken breast
16 oz jar of salsa
1 packet taco seasoning.

Put chicken in slow cooker.  Cover with salsa and taco seasoning.  Cook on low 6-8 hours, high 4-6 hours.  The chicken will fall apart.

Put on a tortilla and top with your favorite taco fixings.

That is it.

This recipe is also very forgiving.  When it's only 2 of us I just toss 3 chicken breasts in, cover with salsa, and add a sprinkling of taco seasoning.  I don't think I've measured the exact recipe in over a year and it always turns out amazing.

XOXO

Sarah

Tasting Party

So the other night I had three of my cousins over to the new house.  What started as a little BBQ quickly turned into an amazing tasting party event!  The man and I bought a new pack of 4 BBQ rubs and we wanted to try them all out, so we made a chicken breast with each rub.

You will need:
Multiple rubs or marinades
Meat to infuse with said rubs or marinades
A fork for each person
Labels for each meat (or guess which is which)

Cook up the meat.
Place on a plate (or a different plate for each)
Start cutting pieces off for each person

We did one bite of each chicken per person, then we all went back and had our favorites.  We didn't remember which chicken had which rub, so it was really fun trying to figure out which was which (there was comparisons of colors what seasoning was in each rub).

Next time we will probably do a rub and beer (or wine, or mixed drink) where we ask our friends to bring the alcohol they would like to share with everyone.

You can also have a tasting party with anything you want (appetizers, sides, desserts, etc).  We may even have a battle of the best where everyone brings a dish and the recipe.  Incorporate that with a pool party, BBQ, or game night and you'll have a night at your house to remember!  As you can see, even my dog wanted to get in on the night!

XOXO Sarah