JeepMom Savings

Even with a broken foot, I'm still a busy mom on the go. While it's embarassing to me, I have learned to use the electric carts at the stores. I've also learned to accept the "would you like help out to your car" that the bagger offers.

There are lots of great ways to save money even if you are in hurry, here are 10 of my favorites:

1) Earn while you search the web! Check out the Swagbucks link on the side of this page! I am constantly looking for coupons online. Drop the google. You can earn swagbucks and redeem them for great prizes like Amazon or Starbucks Gift Cards!

2) Use the swagbucks rewards to load your Starbucks reward cards and earn more free drinks! What's better than getting a free drink on top a free gift card? How about not having to take your wallet into Starbucks. Just grab your phone (and car keys) and head in the store!

Starbucks for Android™ and the Starbucks Card Mobile App for BlackBerry®, iPhone® or iPod® Touch have five core features:

Pay with your phone: Enjoy the fastest, more convenient way to pay at nearly 9,000 Starbucks locations. Just download the app, enter your Starbucks Card number, scan and go.

Manage your card account: Access your Starbucks Card balance directly from your phone.

Reload your card balance: Use your smartphone to reload your Starbucks Card using any major credit card.

Check your My Starbucks Rewards status: Find out how close you are to earning your next free drink.

Find nearby Starbucks stores: Save time by finding a Starbucks store near you.

3) Use blogs! I'll admit, I compile the ads on my site but I don't do the match-ups myself. I use multiple blogs to find the store deals that are in my area. No one else collects Quincy's match-ups in one place.

4)Pre-plan your trips. I know I am going to stop at HyVee on the way to the kids Karate class tonight. (I'm out for three more weeks thanks to this lovely broken foot). I already have my coupons & list ready to go. Most people would think I am crazy taking two kids in white karate uniforms to the grocery store right as the after-work rush hits. Even using the coupons, I should be out of the store in 10 minutes because I pre-planned my trip.

5) Find meals that work for your family. I know 2 nights a week I am gone from 4-6:15pm. Those nights I plan for steak or chicken that marinades in the fridge. Cooking time is down to 20-30 minutes when I get home. Two different nights a week I know I have to leave by 6pm. Those are my longer cooking nights and we eat early. Also find out what offers are avilable for free kids meals in your town! Here, Wendy's offers free kids meals on Monday nights. I have perfected saving time & money with this. The kids Karate school is right behind Wendy's. You can get 3 free kids meals with the purchase of one adult meal (we opt for the $2.99 Jr. Dbl Cheeburger meal) and I feed a family of 4 for $3.22 with tax. (Yes, I eat a kids meal).

6) Shop at the oddest times. I know, I know, I just said I was going at the worst time, but that's to save on gas and driving because the store is across the street from the karate school. I find if I shop at 7am or 8pm, the stores are empty. You save a TON of time not having to wait for the crowds of people to clear the store isles.

7) Do not sit idle! I find myself rushing to get to kids activities to only sit and be bored for an hour. With the invention of laptops & wifi, there is no reason for someone to say "I want to coupon but I don't have time". Yes, I pay attentio tno my kids and their activities, but yesterday we were at the library for a movie. Durring that movie I updated this site & searched for deals and coupons. I honestly don't need to learn to train my Dragon as I don't have one nor do I plan on getting one.

8.)Ask your spouse to help. WOW!! This seems simple doesn't it? I never realised my husband wasn't lazy, he was clueless. He would see the sink full of dishes and pass right by them. I finally asked him one day to help. OMG-He did! His response was "Oh, I didn't realise you needed help".

9) You have kids, make them work. Do you know how much time you can save by making kids help!?!?

10) Just have fun when you are late. Sounds crazy but it's true! I have been running so late and angry that I end up sabotaging myself. I have learned that if I just accept that we are late and slow down, we'll get out the door faster than if I were to keep yelling and screaming to hurry up, get your shoes on and get out of the house!

So, have some fun, slow down, and save some time!

I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Starbucks blogging program, for a gift card worth $30. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”