Pinterest

Have you ever heard of Pinterest? Well you should! Get yourself an invite, and get ready to be amazed. There are so many ideas out there with how too's and cheap to free solutions! I've seen recipes for laundry detergent and weed killer, DIY home projects from supplies you get at the dollar store, kid activities to keep them busy for hours...the list goes on. Follow my board: here and  you can find all of the things I've enjoyed. Then you can start pinning onto your own. It's a great (freeeeeee) site to get creative and start dreaming. One of my top things to check out right now is the gardening pins to get ideas for our new garden next year!

More Recipe Sites

Here are some more recipe sites to check out:
Mine (aka mr. & mrs. smith)
Blog Chef
Delish
The Sisters Dish
Stacey's
Cheeky Kitchen

Serving sizes

Okay, first thing that came to your mind when you read serving size? Maybe, "No, I can't eat that, I'll be starving in 10 minutes!" Or "You're kidding, that much has this much calories?" Well let's take another spin on a serving size. Sticking to serving sizes will save you in more ways then one. You'll eat less and therefor use less food and save money. Also, using the correct portions in non-food items. For example, instead of guessing how much laundry detergent to put in, measure it. You could be using what should be an 80 load bottle as a 45 load bottle.

College Town

If you are lucky enough to live near a college town, you should know this: Take advantage of what the university has to offer! As a student pretty much everything is for free. (The gym, work-out classes, tutoring, most performances, art galleries...) As a community member, things are dirt cheap for you too. At least at my school. But at any college if you get on their site and check out their events calendar, there is plenty to do at a lower cost. Find their outdoor/activity resource center and rent equipment for cheap. Ultimately, take advantage of the resources around you. Don't get annoyed by the college students, join them in their merriment!

Diets

Don't bother spending money on the latest diet book, pill, whatever. There is no quick fix to losing weight-you know that and I know that! We all want quick fix, but losing weight takes work! Just eat right, and exercise! Make sure that you are eating a well-balanced diet. You should never have to forgo eating something, because a real diet is all you can eat...in moderation. Here is one of the best free free free sites to help with that. MyPyramid.gov

TV commercials

This would be a love/hate for me, TV commercials. Right when I'm watching one of my favorite shows and then boom. Commercials! However, I do like them when they give me free stuff. You've heard of promotions and might have read my thing on free food. But within 2 sessions of commercials, I got 2 free things. I logged onto my computer which was sitting next to me and got a free sample of laundry soap stuff and a free taco (which my husband used happily). If you just keep your eyes and ears open, it's amazing the free things you can get!

Saving on Sleep

Do you have problems falling asleep? Well don't go buying a new bed or a pill right away. Try some basic things to help you fall asleep that are for free!

• Get away from TV, computer, PDA, what have you at least an hour before you head to bed. Your brain and eyes will thank you for it.
  
  
• Try not to eat or drink foods specifically with caffeine or sugar at least 2 hours before bed.
  
  
• Try not to eat or drink much of anything an hour before bed, your stomach will be churning for quite some time.
  
  
• Don't schedule your day up to the last 10 minutes before bed, give yourself time outside of the covers to unwind.
  
  
• Leave work, at work.
  

Once you are in bed:

• The more you think about trying to fall asleep, the longer it will take for you to fall asleep.
  
  
• Use simple relaxation tools to relax your body and face. Concentrate on your breathing, relaxing the face muscles, letting your limbs go loose...
  
  
• Get in a comfortable position, and stay there!