Mommy Has to Work

My New Look!

January 27, 2012 By Anne 4 Comments

My blog is almost three years old and I thought I could use a new look!

It will take a little getting use to, but I like it!

What do you think?

Thanks Greg!

A few years ago when my husband could no longer work due to Multiple Sclerosis I did everything I could to lower our monthly bills. I think I’m going to re-visit this again. Over time a person can get laxi daisy and kinda slip up. I’m going to try and do this every couple years.

One thing I did was check out our electric bills. I went on to their website and they had some great tips on how to lower our bill. Like checking our windows and doors to see if any air was leaking out, or in. I tried to replace the weather stripping, but I didn’t do a great job. I really need to get a handy man in to do a better job. See the space in above where you can see light? It shouldn’t be like that.

Another, was to call my mortgage company and I worked for over a year to get our interest rate reduced. Wow, what an ordeal, but it saved us $500 a month!

I called our satellite TV service and lowered our bills for the next 12 months. It’s now hiked back up to where it was before. I need to call them again.

I started couponing. Nothing like Extreme Couponers, but I clipped what we would use and bought most of our items only when they were on sale.

I called our car insurance company and lower our insurance by a little. By changing the mileage my husband drives monthly, helped lower the payments.

MoneySupermarket.com is a wonderful place that can help consumers make some of these same changes. It’s set in the United Kingdom, but you can still get an idea of some changes to make if you don’t live there. Maybe they can do an American version.

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What have you done to lower you monthly bills? I’m going to get started after we move in March.

Publix $25 GC Giveaway!!

January 26, 2012 By Anne 23 Comments

I love Publix. It’s close to my home. Everyone there is super friendly. It’s clean. They accept coupons!! lol

I love when I go shopping and they are cooking up some delicious smelling foods. Yumm! What happens is they cook up an easy dinner, show how to make it and give you a recipe card. I like finding new meals my family will enjoy and this is one way I do it!

Right now Publix is having a ”Best Meals Happen at Home” event. You can find great savings on some of your favorite products.We just got the sale flyer yesterday and I saw some awesome deals! Publix is even giving you in-store coupons that you can combine with your manufacturer coupons. Check out BestMealsatHome.comto find fantastic recipes, which can be cooked in 30 minutes or less, and your family is sure to love.

Check them out on Facebook too!

Here is one recipe I thought I might try:

Chipotle Ranch Taco Salad

4 Servings | Prep Time: 20 Minutes | Cook Time: 10 Minutes

INGEDIENTS
6 corn tortillas, cut into thin strips
3/4 lb. lean ground beef
1/2 tsp. ground chipotle chili powder, divided
1 can (15.5 oz.) low sodium red kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup Wish-Bone® Ranch Dressing, divided
8 cups torn romaine lettuce leaves
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup shredded low fat cheddar cheese (about 2 oz.)

INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 400°F. Arrange tortilla strips on baking sheet. Bake until crisp, about 10 minutes. Reserve handful of tortillas for garnish.
Meanwhile, brown ground beef with 1/4 teaspoon chili powder in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Remove skillet from heat, then stir in beans and 1/4 cup Wish-Bone® Ranch Dressing; set aside to cool.
Layer 3 cups lettuce, 1/3 of the tomato and onion and 1/2 of the beef mixture in trifle dish or deep glass bowl. Sprinkle with 1/2 of the tortilla strips and 1/2 of the cheese; repeat layers. Top with remaining 2 cups lettuce, remaining tomatoes, onion and cheese. Sprinkle with reserved tortilla strips.
Combine remaining 1/4 teaspoon chili powder with remaining 1/4 cup dressing and serve with salad

I received a $25 gift card to Publix and can’t wait to get some great deals this weekend! Want a gift card too? One Mommy Has to Work reader will get $25 too!

See below for details!

The above product, prize pack, information, and giveaway have all been provided by Publix through MyBlogSpark. Opinions are always my own.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Our New Home… w/w

January 24, 2012 By Anne 46 Comments

We are moving next month to Ponte Vedra, Fl, near Jacksonville. It will be about 5 hours north of where we are right now.

Okay it’s not ready yet, but here a few pictures of work in progress. This first one is us on the land back in August.

This last one is the latest picture. It’s not painted yet on the outside. It should be all ready for us at the end of February. We are super excited!!