Thoughtful Maven...

Well, I changed the name of the blog. I am reading The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell. He is talking about how change happens...how little things can make big things happen. I always saw myself as an agent of change, but I didn't know why or how. I am not a persuader (one of the types of people he talks about). I am definitely not a connector. I am not an "up-front", talk to everyone kind of person. So, how is it that I am always on the front end of change? I found in this book, that it is because I am a maven. When I took the Higlands Ability Battery, it said I was a specialist, that I prefer to be an expert on a subject & therefore, my opinion or knowledge on very particular matters and issues is often heard. This is similar to being a maven. A maven is one of three types of people that, as Gladwell says, control word-of-mouth epidemics. It means "one who accumulates knowledge". You need to read the book to understand fully, but mavens make sure that what is advertised as on sale, really is on sale. And, then, because we care about people, we desire to share our knowledge. We keep the marketplace honest & then allow others to experience in the same way we do. I am not a "passive collector of information". I am not "just obsessed with how to get the best deal" but I "want to tell you about it too". So, that is me...a maven...someone looking for info that I can use and share with you. That is why I changed the name. That is what keeps me motivated to keep looking and keep sharing with you.

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My friends who have been to Rethink Money know all about this one. Click here to check out the monthly spending plan we use. There are so many reasons to have a spending plan--we have a plan to kill off our debt at a good pace, we know where every penny is going (even though it doesn't always go where it is supposed to go), and we are able to feel more freedom in our spending, giving, and living. I want to talk about that last one for a minute. In our spending plan for each month, we have a designated slush fund for Buck & me. It is usually only about $10. But, I cannot tell you how much that has freed me up. I still feel guilty for spending it on "me" sometimes, but Buck does a good job encouraging me in that way. If I want to stop in and grab a drink somewhere, or pick up that small thing at Hobby Lobby I just have to have....I have that money sitting there for me to spend however I want. It is a part of our plan. We don't have to feel guilty when we eat out since it is a part of our plan. The plan changes each month for us, but we sit down before the month and figure out what it is going to look like. Then we just do our best to follow the plan throughout the month. We sit down together several times a month & talk about where we are winning and losing for the month.

Anyway, I encourage you to have a plan, because it removes so much of the stress related to finances. Check out the Rethink Money link to the left for other resources.

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Buck & I use REDBOX almost every week because we get a code for a free movie on Mondays. (Comment on this post & let me know if you want details about how it works) We make that our movie night. After we get Peyton down, we cuddle up and watch a good movie...okay, not always a good movie. Anyway, I came across this great deal for the month of December. You must use a Redbox kiosk that is in a Walmart though.

Redbox, your favorite resource for low-cost family entertainment, and the Elevenmoms are teaming up to provide you with some free, quality family time throughout the holidays!

Every Sunday starting December 7th through January 4th, you’ll be able to get a free Redbox rental at any Walmart Redbox* using one of the exclusive Elevenmoms codes below.

• Week 1 – 11moms4uS (good Sunday 12/7 only)
• Week 2 – 11moms4uA (good Sunday 12/14 only)
• Week 3 – 11moms4uN (good Sunday 12/21 only)
• Week 4 – 11moms4uT (good Sunday 12/28 only)
• Week 5 – 11moms4uA (good Sunday 1/4 only)

*Use the Redbox kiosk search to find the nearest Redbox Walmart location. The codes can be used once per debit/credit card, so you can rent more than one for free by using different cards!

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I found this site. I actually used most of these on my birthday & there are a few others, but this is a great site to find all the deals in one place. You can look for adults & kids! Check it out: www.freebirthdaytreats.com

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Much of my adult life I told myself I would use coupons and discounts, but I didn't have a plan. Your plan can look a number of different ways; you just need to have one. Our plan includes occasionally getting a newspaper & clipping coupons, using online coupons, using freebies on receipts, and things we get in the mail. I have a small accordion file that I keep everything in. It has coupons separated into several categories like household, groceries, baby, and eating out. Then I have a place for any gift cards we have with balances remaining. I also have a special spot in the back for specific deals or ads from different stores. Before I go shopping, I pull out any coupons I will need for that day & put them in the front where it says "This Week". Then I don't forget to use any coupons I have. So, now I am much more organized & usually get the most out of any coupons/discounts I can get. Yesterday, I went to the outlets and bought something. I used a five dollar certificate and an additional 10% off and got a great deal!

Figure out a plan that works for your family and start using it...even if you have to start small & build it up--you will save a lot of money.

Comment on this post to share what works for you or your family. How do you get organized?

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Well, I know we don't eat out as much as most people which saves us tons of money right there. But, if you are going to eat out do your best to look for coupons or discounts on certain nights of the week. What is your favorite restaurant? Figure out when they have certain deals. Do you need to make Tuesdays pizza night instead of Friday? If you have kids, you probably already know to go on the nights when kids eat free. Also, and this is big for us...join their "club" in-store or online. First, you usually get something for joining. Then you get tons of great stuff on your birthday like a free meal from Captain D's, or a free burger from Red Robin, or free ice cream from Coldstone. I sign us up for everything with Buck's e-mail address and mine. Plus, you sometimes get special coupons. Did you know Black Friday was free fri-day at Arby's? I got the coupon in my e-mail. It allows us to eat out more often & not feel guilty about how much we are spending.

*FREE TIP OF THE DAY: SHARE A MEAL INSTEAD OF NEEDING A DOGGY BAG. Buck & I usually share a burger & fries...we might even get chips & salsa or something, but we can go to a nicer restaurant for $10-$15 rather than $20-$25.

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Here is an easy thing to always do. Anytime you go somewhere, look at your receipt. Many restaurants and stores will have savings at the bottom the next time you come in if you fill out a survey online or over the phone. For instance, most Moes give a free burrito on your next visit. That means our family can eat there for under $5. Gap gives 15% off. I saved an additional 15% off of the 50% off savings I got there on black Friday...great deal! So, don't throw away or file that receipt without looking it over. Plus, some stores like Kroger will give you coupons attached or on the back.

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People are constantly asking me what we do in our family to save money...to give ourselves a raise. I am planning to use this blog to discuss and share some of those things. I would love for you to ask questions, leave comments, and share your stories as well. I hope you are helped & encouraged by what you read here and the resources offered.

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