I love to save money on items I’m already purchasing and there are two Apps that you add to your browser that will help you save money if there is a coupon code available or promotion going on.

Ratuken

I can’t tell you how much I love Ratuken! They have paid me so much money for shopping it’s hard to believe. To date, I’ve earned around $1850 just for shopping and buying what I already planned to buy. They payout once a quarter and next month a check will mail out for over $250, my credit card is going to love that payment. 

Companies love Ratuken too. One of the companies I shop at often has 10%-15% Ratuken promotions versus the normal 1%. So I try to plan my shopping around the higher cashback days. Ratuken emails me with companies that are doing promotions and what the extra cashback is. If I plan on shopping or need something from one of those companies I jump on the extra cashback. On $100, 10% cashback versus 1% cashback is a big difference. 

Ratuken has a pop-up when your shopping, you need to click on it to activate it. Then all the items in your cart are counted for. You can go to the R at the top of your screen to make sure Ratuken is active. One thing to remember is sometimes Honey will have an offer that Ratuken doesn’t so if you click on the Honey offer it disables Ratuken. All you have to do is go up to the R again at top of the screen and reactivate. Always go back up to the R to check you are still active if you’ve clicked on any Honey offers before you check out. 

Ratuken also pays for referring friends and family and currently has a limited-time offer of $40 per referral. When you refer someone you get $40 dollars after they spend $40. You can refer as many people as you like, just make sure to use your individual link. 

It’s the season for shopping, not only are the holidays coming but weather changes often call for new clothes and shoes, not to mention those honey-do projects. 

Here’s my link if you would like to join. https://www.rakuten.com/r/MSANDO99?eeid=28187

Honey

One of the greatest things about Honey is that they give you points even if they can’t find a coupon code. They have also recently started offering money for certain items when you are shopping. Example: I bought a pair of jeans, Ratuken only had a 1% reward going at the time but Honey paid me almost $16 for the jeans. A pop-up will appear if the item qualifies and you click on it to activate the coupon. 

The other change I like about Honey is they allow you to cash out every time you have 1,000 points. You don’t have to, you can wait and collect more but it’s available. Another big change I like is you don’t have to get a gift card, you can have the money sent to your PayPal account. 

This month alone I’ve been able to cash in close to $50 by getting in on the special offers for what I’m already buying. That’s $50 cash to PayPal and straight to my bank account. 

Here’s my link to join. joinhoney.com/ref/gvehf5o

You can’t find a simpler way to make money and find coupons than with Ratuken and Honey. 

Happy Saving!

Melinda

 

So you’ve decided to go on a weekend away with friends. Being prepared for this trip is essential to have an amazing time! Here are the top 10 things you need to remember on any weekend away.

1. Bring snacks

If you’re driving somewhere for the weekend, make sure you bring some easy-to-grab food along with you. If you get hungry while driving (or even on the plane/bus), it can be dangerous to try and get your bag or dig through your purse. It’s also important because if there isn’t anywhere nearby to get food, this will help you last until dinner time.

2. Have an emergency kit

Pack a travel-size first aid kit in case of any accidents! It’s also essential to bring Tylenol, Band-Aids, hand sanitizer, Imodium AD (in case of diarrhea), floss, and any other personal necessities because there may not be a store nearby to buy these things. Have car accident lawyers on speed-dial, just in case.

3. Prepare an itinerary

Make sure you prepare an itinerary for the weekend. This can include anything from finding fun activities to do if it’s raining outside (such as visiting museums or finding exciting shops to explore) to finding a restaurant to eat dinner at and making sure there is somewhere for breakfast.

4. Bring water bottles

It’s smart to bring reusable water bottles along with you. If it’s hot outside, this will help keep you hydrated as well as cut down your chances of buying a bottle of water at a gas station, which is known to be very overpriced.

5. Pack extra clothes

Pack a backup set of clothes in case something gets spilled or ripped on your trip. It’s also wise to bring pants so you can wear sweatpants if it’s colder outside than you thought/you didn’t pack any warm clothes, as well as a sweater or jacket if it’s colder outside than you thought/you didn’t pack a coat.

6. Bring extra money

Whether you forget to bring enough for dinner and need more, lose your wallet, or have a bank card not working, this will come in very handy. This is also helpful because there may not be a place nearby to buy anything extra from, so it’s wise to have some money set aside just in case.

7. Don’t forget your passport

Your passport might expire soon, or you might need it for other reasons while traveling. It’s much easier to keep track of your passport if you put it in the same spot every time, such as your underwear drawer or backpack pocket. This will save you the hassle later on.

8. Don’t overschedule yourself

Don’t make plans for every hour of your trip because things always happen unexpectedly, and there’s no way to avoid that! It’s essential to relax and be flexible on trips so you can have more fun.

9. Bring a camera

It’s nice to capture memories of your trip with pictures, whether photographing landscapes or taking selfies with friends. If you already have a smartphone, it wouldn’t hurt to bring along an additional camera – make sure to charge the battery, as it doesn’t last forever.

10. Have fun!

Don’t forget that this is your trip and you should enjoy every minute of it – talk with friends, explore new places, take lots of pictures, try new things. And most importantly: don’t stress yourself out over little things because there are bigger things to worry about!

This is a collaborative post.

Melinda

If you crave creamy foods but don’t care for or can’t eat dairy, these vegan substitutes for heavy cream will help.

Elizabeth Shaw

Cashew Cream

“Cashews are frequently used in dairy-free products because they provide a texture similar to dairy without tasting like a nut,” Shaw says. “Cashew cream can easily be made with cashews, water, and salt.” If you can’t eat nuts, pureed white beans work similarly. 

Best In: sauces, mousses, salad dressings

Dairy-Free Milk + Olive Oil

Once blended, this combo mimics the higher fat content that gives heavy cream its thick, silky texture and taste. Shaw says-but it’s not a one-for-one substitute, so you’ll have to add it in stages until you get the consistency you’re looking for. 

Best In: sauces, soups, stews

Coconut Cream

It’s like a thicker, creamier coconut milk, and you’ll want to buy it sweetened or unsweetened depending on what you are using it for. If you can’t find it or already have full-fat coconut milk on hand, you can DIY it. “Place the coconut milk can upside down in the fridge overnight, then drain to remove the milk solids. Place the solids in a chilled bowl and whip with a hand or stand mixer until light and fluffy.” Shaw says.

Best In: mousses, whipped cream, sauces, curries 

Silkin Tofu + Plant Milk

“This combination is a great alternative and can be made by blending equal parts of each-plus, it boosts the protein of your recipe,” saw Shaw. It’s also lower in fat than heavy cream but still delivers the vibe you’re looking for. 

Best In: sauces, dressings, smoothies, puddings

Enjoy!

Melinda