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Save Money This Summer + Have More Family Fun

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This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #GiantEaglePerks #CollectiveBias #cbias

It’s hard to believe that Summer is just around the corner. Preschool has officially ended, our Spring activities are wrapping up… and I’m in disbelief that I’ll soon be on maternity leave for baby number 3!

One of many things that has had me nervous about this round of maternity leave is that I am no longer working in a full-time position. Which means my ‘leave,’ much like the maternity leave of most women in this country, will be unpaid. Which has made me get insanely creative, budget-wise, these last 9 months!

Because, believe it or not, I’m still planning for my family to have a pretty awesome Summer of fun. One of the ways I’ve been amping up our Summer spending budget is by simply doing the same things I already do everyday!

1. Shop for groceries, as usual, at Giant Eagle or Market District, using my Giant Eagle advantage card! 

Giant Eagle has long been my go-to place for groceries, but with their recent price slashing on everyday items, I’ve been scanning my advantage card even more frequently — and earning fuelperks+ — which quickly add up to savings at the pump and savings of up to 20% off groceries!

I’m lucky that Miss Remy is a really big fan of our frequent shopping trips! Ha! She loves filling up our cart with all of her favorites — yes, even those darn baby food pouches still make an appearance in our cart every once in a while! But how do I say no when it’s healthy AND helps me earn perks!?

Regardless of how many times we end up at Giant Eagle each week, it truly is helpful to see the savings pile on for future purchases, whether they be on more groceries or on a tank of gas!

2. Plan all of your meals — not just dinner!

When I first started meal planning, I was only planning out our dinners. I would (incorrectly) assume that we would have leftovers from dinner for lunches the next day. Not exactly. Either the dinner would be consumed by two tiny, children-sized vacuums at dinner; or they would have zero interest in eating it for lunch the next day.

Instead of heading out for donuts in the morning or a fast-food lunch, I started to really think about easy things I could keep at home for these meals. So in meal planning for dinner, lunch, and breakfast, we have seen a huge savings in our overall budget!

Often times our breakfasts consists of cereal, either hot or cold, and our lunches consist of fruits, veggies, crackers, and cheese (what can I say — my children are just like me!).

3. Purchase gift cards at the checkout for everyday expenses — like home improvement projects, travel, or clothes!

Whenever I know that I have a purchase to make, whether it be at Target or if we’re going out to dinner at Chipotle, I’ll go to Giant Eagle and purchase a gift card so that I also earn fuelperks+. I mean, why not, right?! I’m already going to buy the kids clothes at Target, I might as well also earn some perks from it!

The gift card selection is so big that nearly everything we need to purchase, whether it’s those darn kids clothes (because they just continue to grow nonstop) or items for the home or car, can benefit from a gift card purchase!

4. Fill up the gas tank while running your errands and scan your advantage card.

It’s inevitable. I will need to fill up the gas tank in our new minivan at least once a week — it just doesn’t have the same fuel economy as our smaller car. So when I do hit the pump, I go to GetGo and scan my advantage card first! Not only is their gasoline incredibly competitive as far as price is concerned, but in doing this task — which I have to do anyway — I am also earning those fuelperks+!

5. Cut out the cable and sign up for streaming!

In an effort to save a good chunk of change where we can, we cut our cable and switched strictly to streaming-only. My kids will watch TV entirely too much, if I let them; but, especially during the Summer, there’s just really no need to be tied up to the TV.

Sure, it’s nice to have for a rainy afternoon or, in my case, those soon-to-be late night feedings; but it’s also totally unnecessary. And do you know how inexpensive Netflix is!? Bonus — you can purchase Netflix gift cards at Giant Eagle and earn those extra fuelperks+!

As I continue watch the savings roll in, we’ll be treating our family to a staycation that we so desperately need. My husband will be taking some time off work this Summer in an effort to help our family adjust to life with a new little; but we’re also going to indulge the older kids with trips to the movies, playing at the trampoline park, and a trip to the north coast (that’s the islands off Lake Erie, for those of you not in the Midwest 😉 ).

What would YOU do with extra savings

 

from Giant Eagle’s fuelperks+ program

 

this Summer ??

 

MEET ME AT THE CLEVELAND AUTO SHOW!

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It’s here! It’s here! This week marks the beginning of the Cleveland Auto Show at the I-X Center! For those who’ve missed my tweets, we’ve been busy ‘shopping’ (which really means stalking cars online right now, because, well, 2 kids and pregnant) for a new family vehicle! — and it’s our first time doing so for a long time!

As our family prepares to grow by two feet and two small hands (and one giant car seat) this June, we’re in desperate need of an upgrade. So the Cleveland Auto Show at the I-X Center is coming at a perfect time for us!

The Cleveland Auto Show has been a Cleveland tradition since 1903, and this years vehicles are sure not to disappoint! I’m especially excited to check out the Toyota Avalon! Holy smokes, that car looks GORGEOUS — I can’t wait to see it for myself!

I’m so excited to be partnering with A Girls Guide to Cars to cover the event LIVE on Friday — both on my FB page, Twitter, and Instagram! So make sure you’re following along!

And hey, do you wanna win one of TEN pairs of tickets to the Cleveland Auto Show at the I-X Center and/or a $100 Gift Card to Amazon!? Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Here are the official details of the 2018 Cleveland Auto Show:

  • Parking at the I-X Center is FREE for this event, thanks to our local new motor vehicle dealers!
  • The event runs from Friday, February 23rd to March 4th. 5-10PM on opening night, 11AM-10PM Friday-Saturday, 11AM-9PM Monday-Thursday, and 11AM-8PM Sunday!
  • Admission is $13 for adults, $11 for seniors, $11 for kids aged 7-12, and FREE for kids 6 and under.

So will I see you there?! You better go enter — NOW! It’s honestly the perfect stress-free way to car shop without any pressure from sales people — just people who are really passionate about cars!!

 

Disclosure: This post is written in partnership with A Girl’s Guide to Cars. As usual, all opinions herein are my own.

 

Contest rules:

Contest rules: Entries must be completed by midnight February 28, 2018. No purchase necessary; contest open only to US residents and subject to the laws of  Ohio. Winners will be notified by email by March 1, 2018. Winners MUST pick up tickets in person at the Cleveland Auto Show,One I-X Drive
Cleveland, OH 44135, between March 1, 2018 and March 4, 2018. Winners may be asked to provide identification to receive their prize. Prize value $26 per prize, not exchangeable for cash or other items. Grand prize value is $126. A total of 10 pairs of tickets will be awarded and a total of 1 grand prize will be awarded.

 

 

 

7 Tips for Safe Car Travel with Kids

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Disclosure: This post is sponsored from Car Junk Yards Near Me. 

With Summer nearing it’s end our vacation season is officially starting. That’s right — we’ve had several trips (one day trip, one weekend trip, and one week-long beach vacation) planned for quite some time. And with that comes quite a bit of travel anxiety. Well, atleast for me it does. I wasn’t always this anxious about travelling, but having children has certainly increased my level of nervousness. Like, tenfold.

In addition to making sure that we have all of the necessary equipment for our trip, road snacks, drinks, the right clothes, and everything else that comes with travelling with kids, I also worry that we won’t be safe enough.

We’ve all seen it — the awful mommy-shaming on Facebook for not having the proper chest strap alignment for a carseat; or the decision to move your three year old from rear-facing to forward-facing; or, God forbid, the choice to give your child a screen on a 9-hour drive. The shaming is ridiculous, yes. But in all seriousness, there’s a lot of truth in these safety concerns — we all wonder if we’re really ‘doing it right.’

So when it came to finding the perfect family car, we turned to Cars.com. At Cars.com we were able to do the proper research on safety ratings and reviews from real people — from real parents — just like us! With so many different makes, models, and vehicle-types, it could have been totally overwhelming. But I swear to you, it wasn’t. Before even choosing a dealership, we knew what we wanted. We knew the safety rating and that it would be the perfect vehicle for our growing family.

Armed with user reviews, average pricing, and all of the vehicle safety information a girl could want, we chose our dealership and picked out the perfect crossover SUV.

So besides getting the right car for your family, I’ve rounded up a list of other ways to travel safely through this vacation season!

Subscribe to AAA. A membership to AAA not only gets you discounts on all kinds of things (like hotels and outings), but it also ensures that if something does happen on your road trip, you will be ‘rescued’ by someone!

Pack a potty seat for your little ones. This may seem silly; but if you have more than one child and/or if you’re travelling without your partner, you may find yourself in a situation where you’re trying to shuffle 2+ tiny children through a busy rest area. That can be dangerous not only because of other vehicles, but also because of human trafficking. I’ve taken to just bringing along a potty seat to make potty pit stops a bit… ‘easier.’

Get your vehicle maintenance done at least two weeks before your trip. This will give you time in case something unexpected arises during your visit. For instance, what if you find that you have a damaged tie rod during the appointment? It’s best to know these things well enough in advance of your road trip that you have proper time for repairs.

Plan your route ahead of time. There will likely be construction or traffic jams to slow you down. Map out a list of potential stops or breaks, both for your childrens sanity and for your safety (frequent breaks are good for your body and your mind — and can help you refocus for the drive ahead!). Perhaps you won’t need to stop at that nifty roadside attraction; but at least you’ll know where they are just in case.

Check your spare tire kit and pack a first aid kit. Because who the heck knows what could happen! I keep a first aid kit in my trunk, right next to the jack. You really just don’t know what might arise (kids, ya’ll).

Hydrate and have plenty of water on hand. As moms we often think of the ‘worst case’ scenario. Well, what if you were stranded. Just, what if?? As inconvenient as it may be to make potty stops, make sure you and your family are remaining hydrated. Also, keep a jug of distilled water in the trunk of your car in case of an emergent situation. If all goes well, it will remain there. But you will have it for peace of mind if nothing else.

Drive safe and steady. There is no race. You will not win a prize for arriving at your destination 10 minutes earlier. Just drive safe. Remain aware of your surroundings. Don’t text and drive. Assign your co-pilot as your navigator. Slow down for stopped vehicles. Stay buckled. Just, please. Please.

With these tips in mind, I hope you spend the rest of your Summer days travelling the world, the country, or, heck!, even just your backyard!

And tell me — what is your best tried and true travel tip!?

Smoothies, Foodies, and the Vitamix Ascent Series Launch //

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In my constant search for balance in motherhood (and life) I have made certain concessions for the sake of time. For instance, we often forego eggs, toast, and cereal for breakfast in lieu of something we can take on-the-go — like smoothies.

I’m guilty of occasionally using those pre-made frozen smoothie fruit mixes. Yes, I know it’s basically nonsense because it’s just a mix of frozen fruit and still requires me to do the work of blending it all together. But, balance, friends. Lucky for me, we have been using a Vitamix for all the blending, chopping, and dicing in our home for the last 7 years!

So when I was asked to attend the launch of the newest Vitamix Ascent Series at their Solon, Ohio store, I was beyond excited!

Of all of the blogger events I’ve been to, this was quite possibly the most well put together event of all time! We were greeted at the door by the Vitamix store team and we were immediately handed a delicious cocktail, crafted by the Spotted Owl‘s very own Will Hollingsworth!

From there we snacked on mouthwatering appetizers, all made in the newest Vitamix! These Pork Belly Sliders on Brioche were absolutely heavenly!

After seriously munching (and by munching I mean devouring…) on all of this delicious food, we were given the rundown on the newest Vitamix Ascent Series blenders.

Even as a seasoned Vitamix user I learned so much! For instance, I was under the impression that we had to use a dry canister and blade to make our own seasoning or flour; but that simply isn’t true! Unless you’re making a lot — like, a lot — at once, even the regular Vitamix blade can handle it!

To call my bluff, they decided to make powdered sugar right in front of my eyes (PS. how was I so naïve to not know that powdered sugar is legit just sugar ground up into, well, powder?? Don’t judge me,  ya’ll.). Oh, and then they mixed up some ice cream in, like, three seconds (because, yum).

And I was happy to learn that Vitamix really stands true to it’s brand of being a family company with huge ties to the community. Vitamix is built and serviced all within a 200-mile radius! And, for those who may not be familiar, Vitamix offers an incredible warranty program on both their new and refurbished models! Our old Vitamix was a refurbished model and when the motor went, we just shipped it in and it was repaired within a couple of weeks and sent right back to us — at no cost!

In addition, the Vitamix Store offers help and assistance with all of your Vitamix needs. If you have questions abotu techniques? Come into the store. Questions about recipes? Come into the store! They also hold weekly in-store events and culinary classes to help you make the most of your Vitamix!

Seriously the best customer service from any company I’ve had any sort of contact with. 

If you are considering purchasing a Vitamix of your own, I strongly urge you to go check out their store this weekend! The Vitamix Store in Solon is running a huge sale this weekend, March 3rd and 4th, starting at just $199.95!

If you want visual proof at what can be done in a Vitamix (other than smoothies!) check out this delicious soup I made in my new Vitamix! It’s Maple Sweet Potato Soup — and the recipe is straight from The Vitamix Cookbook!

At the end of the day, I think this new Vitamix and I are going to create a more-balanced life for the whole family. Not only do I feel a teeny bit less guilty about feeding the kiddos smoothies every morning, but it’s helping me to break out of my comfort zone and make new dishes (like this soup) that I otherwise would be too nervous to do. So thank you Vitamix and my friends over at the Vitamix Store for such a fun event and fun new toys!

 

Disclosure: At the end of the night I was gifted with my very own Vitamix Ascent Series A3500, the Vitamix Cookbook, a Simply Blending spices ‘cookbook,’ and culinary classes for 2 at the Vitamix Store, in exchange for my honest review of the evening and of the new Vitamix Ascent Series A3500.

 

Saving Money in the New Year // Direct Energy Savings in Ohio!

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itsahero-DE
Winter has hit us in Ohio, finally! Last year was especially cold. And even though El Niño helped to delay winter this year; it’s definitely, definitely here. And we refuse to let our energy bill skyrocket because of it.

And one way of doing so is by reevaluating our electricity rates and finding if we can, first and foremost, save there.

  1. Compare costs. Ohio residents should contact Direct Energy this month to see what special offers they have available. Save up to 14%* over DP&L’s electricity rate, and up to 10%* over Duke Energy’s electricity rate. There’s more! Save up to *5% over The Illuminating Company’s electricity rate, and up to 3%* over Ohio Edison’s electricity rate!
  2. Make sure your windows and doors are energy efficient. If they aren’t, look into replacing them in the Spring! But in the meantime, use window shrink film to keep as much heat in your home as possible!
  3. Unplug appliances when not in use. Guys. This is a major one in our house! We have something plugged into nearly every outlet in our home. Are these things always on? Absolutely not. But they are still using energy!

We’ve definitely been actively doing these things in hopes of saving a few bucks this winter! In addition, we use our wood burning stove when we are home — and we only burn Eco-bricks, which are made up of sawdust, are CO2 neutral, and burn longer than wood. It also helps that Direct Energy offers a fixed-rate energy plan: so our electricity rate won’t fluctuate throughout your contract term. They’re also the only energy provider to be a part of Plenti. You can earn rewards every month with Plenti!
Just go to their website and plug in your zip code!

 

*All savings refers to the current difference between Direct Energy’s fixed rate offer and the Utility’s current Fixed Rate for Basic Service as of January 8, 2016, and does not include any other component of the electricity bill. Utility rates are subject to change and there may be no savings following the respective official utility rate change date. Direct Energy’s fixed rates include electricity supply charges only and excludes delivery/transmission charges, taxes, and all other utility-related charges. Offer is limited and valid for new residential customers only.

 

more pregnancy honesty | #MyPoiseMoment

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There’s been no shortage of honesty around this here blog. Always have been, always will be! And as we all know, this pregnancy has been completely and totally different than my pregnancy with Moosh. It has been full of aches and pains and lots of “really??” moments.

Including the fact that every time I sneeze, Baby Girl makes me pee myself a little. So lots of LBL (light bladder leakage). Fun. But it’s not just sneezing. Nope. One day she just moved onto my bladder while I was driving and a teeny bit of pee again. I know (thanks to the internet and lots of truly honest friends) that LBL is completely normal, but it being normal (it happens to one in 3 women!) doesn’t stop it from happening.

Luckily I adapted fairly early on and started wearing Poise liners to avoid any serious mishaps. Poise panty liners stay 3X drier than leading regular size feminine care liners where needed most because they are specifically designed for Light Bladder Leakage. The Absorb-Loc core quickly locks away wetness and protects against incontinence odor to help keep you fresh and dry. Now THINNER, Same Protection! Win-win!

poise-lbl-Sams-itsahero2
It’s made hauling around a toddler, while 9 months pregnant, SO much less stressful! Chasing Moosh at the Cafe is now a worry-free activity!

As an added bonus, I can now get these liners on the cheap at Sam’s Club. Since we’re members we save an average of $4 off of the cost versus other stores!

Poise-LBL-Sams-Itsahero
Members pay just $11.68 for 132 liners — that’s just 9 cents per liner! If you have to deal with LBL, you might as well do it on the cheap, right!?

Many thanks to Poise®for sponsoring today’s story and encouraging me to try Poise®Liners and share #MyPoiseMoment!