Porch and Garden Farmhouse Finds on Amazon

I don't know about you, but I'm obsessed with HGTV's Fixer Upper and Joanna Gaines' Industrial Farmhouse Style.  Summer has me dreaming about redoing our outdoor spaces so I thought I'd put together a collection of great Amazon finds to bring you some farmhouse inspiration on a budget.  | This post contains affiliate links |

My Porch + Garden Farmhouse Picks

Click text for direct link to item on Amazon

| Westinghouse Watts Creek Wall Lantern | Mason Jar Wild Bird Waterer | Coca Cola Bottle Opener |
| Zinc Pitcher | White Porch Rocker |
| Red Enamelware Mug | Rustic Tin Planters |
| English Garden Trowel | Country Church Birdhouse | Rustic Wooden Crates |
| Game of Horseshoes |
| Chicken Wire Jar Lantern | Galvanized Beverage Tub | Trellis Panel |

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5 Things I Should Have Done from the Start with my Handmade Business

I've been selling my hand-etched ornaments and other small crafts locally and from my Etsy shop for a little while now, and I've learned quite a bit during this time.  In the beginning I was totally "winging it" and looking back now there are a few things that I really wished I had started right from the get-go.  | This post contains affiliate links |

DISCLAIMER: Always consult a local tax and business professional for the best advice for your situation regarding finances and how to legally set up your business.

5 Things I Should Have Done from the Start with my Handmade Business 

Keep All Receipts

In the beginning this all started out more as a hobby than anything else, and so I never kept my receipts from supplies bought, postage, etc.  I really didn't know how much I was spending vs. how much I was making or if it was really profitable.  However, you need to keep track of how much you're spending for these things - this is especially important for taxes (whomp, whomp) since you can write off a lot of your expenses, but only if you have the receipts.  You can use a receipt organizer to make it a little easier to file and organize everything for your records.  

Supply & Materials Records

Knowing how much everything costs for your business (craft supplies, packaging materials, etc) as well as how much you use is important for planning ahead and having enough materials on-hand.  In the beginning you can expect a learning curve where you'll run out of padded envelopes or ribbon from time-to-time.  But figuring out your demand and flow of goods and materials can help make sure you always have enough supplies on-hand without having too much surplus (also not good).  

Separate Bank Account

Keeping a separate bank account really helps keep track of expenses as well as makes sure you're only spending what you're making and not more.  Consider opening a new checking/debit account (and possibly a credit card) and use those methods of payment for all business related expenses - buying supplies at the store, shipping items, etc.  When Etsy payments are deposited, or checks from wholesale orders, they should go into this checking account.  By only using the money you're making to spend on expenses you won't go into debt.  Also make sure to set some money aside to pay yearly or quarterly taxes if applicable (your accountant can help you figure that out).  

Better Overall Financial Record Keeping

Keeping track of expenses vs. income can be hard and it's easy to forget infrequent or small expenses that can really add up (yearly website hosting, Etsy listing fees, advertising, items sent to bloggers for collabs, etc).  You'll definitely want to create or purchase a spreadsheet template to keep close tabs on all of these expenses.  

Rather than try to make one myself, several months ago I purchased the Etsy Seller Spreadsheet from Paper + Spark and was really impressed! Janet from Paper + Spark is a Certified Public Accountant, so she really knows her stuff. The Etsy spreadsheet template can input all the data (sales, Etsy selling fees, listing fees, etc) right from Etsy and populates them into the spreadsheet for you so you don't miss anything. There are also sections you can customize so you can put in expenses from website hosting, office supplies, etc or income from local craft shows or wholesale accounts. It can be hard to realize how much Etsy's cut is (they charge a listing fee, a transaction fee, and a percentage of the sale), so seeing just how much their take actually is has helped me adjust my pricing better. Recording all these details was so important to finally see what my bottom line actually is - I really wish I had kept better track of everything right from the beginning!

I had purchased Paper + Spark's original spreadsheet, but Janet's since come out with more detailed spreadsheets as well as “bundles” that include documents to help you with inventory, pricing, and selling on other platforms (Shopify, Square, etc) so you can decide what spreadsheet and package is best for you and your business. And the best part? Paper + Spark’s customer service is AMAZING! Janet will continue to make available the latest version of your purchases each year. That way if Etsy or another platform tweaks anything, you’ll know that your current spreadsheet will be up to date and working properly.

Social Media + Collaborations

Never underestimate the power of social media!  Social Media is the place to see and be seen - make sure you're always posting, commenting, and connecting with other handmade buisnesses, gift shops, bigger brands, and bloggers.  Always use hashtags on Instagram, but hide them in your first comment so they don't clutter up your caption.  In particular, Instagram is a great place to get exposure - in fact my photos have been reposted by brands like Nuby, Kohl's, and Yankee Magazine and one was even featured in print in Martha Stewart Living Magazine!  I was also contacted by Food Network Magazine to be a contributor for one of their articles.

Another great way to gain exposure and a following is to reach out to bloggers for collaborations (collabs).  Usually this entails you sending your product to them, free of charge, and they will style and feature your item on their blog and across their social media accounts.  You could also team up with them to host a giveaway.  Some larger bloggers may also charge you a fee to collab with them, but many bloggers will feature for free if your product fits their aesthetic.  This is a great way to get your name and your products out there and increase your following.  And don't write-off the power of smaller bloggers either - sometimes the smaller bloggers (aka, micro influencers) have the most active and devoted followings.  

DISCLAIMER: Always consult a local tax and business professional for the best advice for your situation regarding finances and how to legally set up your business.

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Looking for FREE Etsy listings to get started?  

If you're thinking of opening a brand new Etsy shop, please feel free to use my referral link HERE - and we'll both earn some free listings on Etsy :)

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- I purchased Paper + Spark's products myself and was so impressed that I chose to become an affiliate.  All my opinions are my own and I honestly love her product.  As an affiliate, if you purchase anything from her site using my links I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you -

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Amazon Prime Day is Coming!

Amazon is a lifesaver in our house.  We live about an hour from the nearest big box store, so whenever we run out of paper towels, cereal, garbage bags, dog food, whatever - Amazon comes to the rescue.  We've been Amazon Prime members for years now, which grants us FREE 2-day shipping on most items on Amazon.  Right now we also use Amazon Video exclusively for our streaming TV service.  

This year Amazon Prime Day is July 12th, which means that Amazon will be having Black Friday-type deals that day but for Prime members only. If you're one of the few people out there that doesn't have Amazon Prime yet, you can click the link below to start your Free 30-Day Trial and take advantage of the savings on Prime Day. Happy Shopping! :)

| Affiliate Link |

Kitchen Herb Garden in a Mug

Ever have a favorite mug but the handle broke?  :(  Well that very thing happened to this great Salmon Falls Chowder Mug I have.  I superglued it back together and while the repair looked pretty good I didn't dare trust it to hold a piping hot cup of soup or coffee over my lap anymore.  I was thinking of tossing it but decided to repurpose it into a little herb planter for the kitchen instead.  

The first step was to fill the bottom with some gravel so my herbs won't sit directly in water.  Alternatively, you could drill a hole in the bottom for drainage and put a saucer underneath, but since I don't have anything to put under the mug that matches I decided to use it as-is.  

Then I filled it with dirt and added an Italian Chive plant I picked up at the local garden center and it was done!  (Pretty easy, right?)  Depending on the size of your mug and your plants, you could add more than one type of herb in it.  You could also grow your herbs from seed.  

Now I just need to keep it on a sunny windowsill and water it very carefully as needed.  Keep in mind since there's no drainage hole at the bottom and it's a small container, it would be very easy to over-water a plant like this.  

Things to Do in New Hampshire This Summer

I'm a New Hampshire native, born and raised.  I love this state and all the great things it has to offer.  I thought I'd share some of our favorites - from the city, mountains, ocean, and countryside, New Hampshire has it all!  

Things to Do in New Hampshire This Summer

- This list will be continually added to, so be sure to check back often for more ideas -

The Flume  

Located in the White Mountains, The Flume is a fairly short loop trail that brings you right through a narrow gorge with a rushing river and several waterfalls.  There is a covered bridge, stairs, and deck walkways to help you through the tricky parts with ease.  

Castle in the Clouds

I confess I'm biased to this place - afterall it's where my husband popped the question and where we got married :)  But Castle in the Clouds does offer some of the most breathtaking views of the Lakes Region from the lawn of the Lucknow Estate (aka "The Castle"), where you can also explore the rooms of the mansion during your-self guided tour.  There are also miles of hiking trails, horseback riding, and a restaurant on site.  

Polly's Pancake Parlor + Lupine Festival

Pancakes - do we really have to say more..?  But seriously folks, Polly's has amazing pancakes, delicious hearty breakfasts, and great views of the mountains.  We recommend making the trip up there in June for the Lupine Festival and checking out the gorgeous fields of lupines in bloom after your hearty breakfast.  

Strawberry Banke

Strawberry Banke, a 10-acre historic collection of buildings along the seaside in Portsmouth is rich in history and historic architecture.  The buildings on the property span 300 years and costumed guides and artisans fill you in on interesting stories and facts from an era gone by.  I especially love seeing all the quirky features of the buildings there.  

4th of July Parade in Wolfeboro

As "The Oldest Summer Resort in America," Wolfeboro does the Fourth like no one else with the largest parade in the state complete with their traditional Precision Lawn Chair Drill Team, Antique Tractor Brigade, and Presidential hopefuls.  Jimmy Fallon and Mitt Romney are frequent attendees of the parade.  

Isles of Shoals

The Isles of Shoals is a group of islands off the coast of NH is known for it's rugged coastal beauty and it's historical significance.  Guided tours are available through the Isles of Shoals Steamship Company.  (Taking a tour of the islands is something we haven't done ourselves yet but have been meaning to for years - this year we plan to change that though and finally go!)  

Paddleboard Yoga

There are various places around NH that offer this new trend, one being Full Moon Paddleboard in Wolfeboro.  It's a lot of fun and adds a whole other level to your yoga practice.  Whether you're a yogi master or just a beginner, you'll have a fun (yet challenging) time.  

Zip-Lining

There are many places throughout the state that offer zip line tours and obstacle courses.  We've gone with Alpine Adventures in Lincoln before and highly recommend them - great staff, great views, and a lot of fun.  

Go Hiking

There are countless mountains and great hiking trails in New Hampshire (this website is a great resource for trail info), but Mount Monadnock is definitely the most popular.  After all it's one of the most-hiked mountains in the world, and with good reason - a moderately difficult hike rewards you with great 360-degree views atop it's rocky peak.  If you hike Mt. Monadnock we recommend getting there early to beat the crowds, then getting lunch and ice cream at Kimball's in Jaffrey after.  

Cog Railway

A must-do, the Cog Railway brings you up Mount Washington (the tallest mountain in the Northeast) on the first mountain-climbing train in the world!  Make sure to bring extra clothes for the summit since Mt. Washington is also home to some of the world's worst weather.  

Go Camping

There are countless campgrounds across the state, with varying degrees of amenities.  Two of our personal favorite campgrounds are Fransted Campground in Franconia and Crawford Notch Campground in Hart's Location - both are family friendly, well-kept, and convenient to hiking trails.  

Canoe Trip

There are also many canoe tour companies throughout the state, but we really love Contoocook River Canoe Company in Concord, NH.  They offer many choices for rentals, shuttles, and tours of surrounding rivers and lakes.  I've done the 9-mile Contoocook River Tour a few times and can't say enough great things about it.  

Clark's Trading Post

A true NH novelty, Clark's Trading Post is a little theme park tucked away in the White Mountains.  It's best known for it's trained black bear act and "The Wolfman," an ornery prospector who chases the train ride to keep visitors away from his mine.  

A day in Portsmouth

Portsmouth is a gem of a city tucked away along the seacoast - there are countless amazing restaurants to eat at, unique shops to explore, and historic buildings to see.  Get into downtown before 11AM to best ensure finding a parking spot in the downtown parking garage, then spend the rest of the day eating and shopping your way through town.  

Fisher Cats Game

The Fisher Cats is NH's own Minor League baseball team - their beautiful new ballpark is located conveniently in Manchester where affordable tickets ensure everyone can enjoy America's favorite pastime.  

Storyland

Storyland is a wonderful theme park where kids of all ages will find rides and attractions to enjoy.  I have so many great memories of going to Storyland with my parents and exploring the different themed areas.  Our young daughter really loves Storyland as well and I'm so excited to share the experience with her too.    

A Day Out with Thomas

If you have a Thomas fan in your family, going to A Day Out with Thomas in North Conway is a must.  You'll not only be able to meet Thomas, Percy, and Sir Topham Hatt but you'll also be able to go for a ride on the famous trains!  

Easy Ways We Saved Thousands on Our Dream Wedding

My husband and I have been married for nearly five years now but it seems like our wedding was just yesterday.  We got married before Pinterest was a thing and so it was up to us to figure out all the details on our own.  It was a learning process and we came up with some great ways to cut costs and still have our dream wedding.  | This post contains affiliate links |

From the start we knew exactly where we wanted to get married - a beautiful historic mansion overlooking the lakes and mountains we love (it was also where my husband proposed).  So that helped narrow things down quite a bit.  But the downside?  It was expensive and didn't include much of anything.  In order to have our wedding where we wanted, we had to cut costs in other parts of the budget and in doing so we saved thousands of dollars.  

Tips for Saving Big on Your Dream Wedding

Start planning as early as you can.  We started planning our wedding about 13 months out; we thought we had plenty of time but we were shocked at how many dates were already taken at our venue of choice, how many DJs/photographers were already booked, etc - even more than a year out.  Starting early means you have the most options to choose from and are more likely to find affordable vendors that you like.  Waiting until the last minute can leave you stuck with expensive options or ones you aren't happy with.  

All photos by Steve Holmes Photography

Find a venue that includes a lot.  Okay, so this tip did not really apply to us (our venue included little other than the physical ceremony location, reception hall, and a day-of wedding coordinator).  But many venues include at least something, and some include a lot more than others.  Some items that may be included in the venue cost include:  the wedding cake, toasting champagne, linens, DJ, flowers, cake cutting fee, bar credit, coffee service, hors devours, or even all of the food/catering.  If you can find a nice venue that includes at least some of these items, it can save you big in the long run.  

Pick a venue that's beautiful in itself.  If you can find a venue that looks pretty as-is, you don't have spend a lot (or anything) on decor costs!  An outdoor wedding with a pretty view means you don't need anything for the ceremony.  And a pretty looking old hall with a lot of character means you can get away with little or no decorating for the reception.  We spent almost nothing on decor costs since we felt our ceremony location was so beautiful already. 

Use details of the wedding venue to your advantage.  One of the little touches that people remembered most about our wedding?  The wishing fountain!  Our venue had a beautiful fountain in the middle of the ceremony location and we decided to use this feature as part of our day.  We put out a jar of brand new shiny pennies dated our wedding year (which cost $2 - literally), and put a little note in our wedding program about throwing pennies in the fountain for happy wishes for the bride and groom.  

Don't get married on the weekend.  I know this sounds strange but many locations offer a great discount if you get married on any day other than a Saturday or a Sunday (and some locations offer off-season discounts as well if you get married in the winter).  The date we really wanted for our wedding had already been booked (even though it was over a year out!), and so when were deciding on a new date we chose to have our wedding on a Friday evening.  By having it on a Friday we saved around $750 just on the venue cost!  

Opt for the buffet.  When selecting a caterer (presuming it's not included with your venue), look for ones that also offer a buffet option and compare that price to their "plated meal" price.  Buffets generally cost about 1/3 less than having the meal plated and served to your guests.  We choose the buffet option for our wedding and saved a lot on meal costs!  

Make your own invitations - or at the very least assemble them.  Originally we wanted to design, print, cut, and assemble our invitations ourselves.  But with all the time and stress going into wedding planning on top of regular work, we decided to forgo the stress of designing and sourcing paper/printing services and order our invitations.  We found a beautiful invitation design that fit our theme and colors perfectly and it was all printed on thick, gorgeous paper.  The best part?  It was from a small designer/paper goods company that was priced really reasonably and also had the option of sending all your invitation materials uncut and unassembled for $150 less which was a great savings.  

Don't get sucked into buying "wedding-specific" items.  Next time you're at a bridal shop or craft store, check out wedding day items like guest books and flower girl baskets and you'll be in for some sticker-shock.  I still remember looking at a flower girl basket and not believing it cost over $25!  Because of that we decided to for-go the (ugly in my opinion) while silk flower girl basket and get a basic woven basket at a craft store for $5 and tied a piece of coordinating ribbon to the handle.  We also skipped the traditional guest book and had guests sign the photo mat of one of our favorite engagement pictures - this keepsake is now hanging in our master where we can see and appreciate it every day.  These days with Pinterest the alternative guest book ideas are endless!

Borrow your petticoat.  If your wedding dress calls for a petticoat, see if any of your friends or family has one you could borrow for your wedding.  (If they do, make sure to try it on with your dress before your dress is altered to make sure it will work.)  No one sees the petticoat and it's not a sentimental part of the day, so there's no need to actually buy one.  

Offer to do the leg work.  If you're working with a vendor and have some extra (and very reliable!) hands willing to help on the day of the wedding, offer to do the leg work for the vendors - in exchange for a discounted rate of course.  For example, the cost of our linen rental included delivery and pick-up of the linens but my husband's parents offered to take care of it since they lived nearby.  By having them pick up the linens the day before the wedding, and then drop them back off the day after the wedding it saved us $100.  Also, our florist was about half a mile from the hair dresser where we all were getting our hair done - so, rather than pay the delivery fee for our bouquets my mother-in-law ran over and picked them up for us.  

Take advantage of family and friends' talents.  If you know someone that has a great talent or hobby, feel them out to see if they'd be willing to help you with an aspect of your wedding.  My sister-in-law is super-crafty and an AMAZING baker.  She made our gorgeous custom wedding cake for us and my brother-in-law made the cake base, saving us hundreds of dollars - not to mention it's much more meaningful knowing it's made with love by someone we know.  

Willow Tree Cake Topper (Affiliate Link)

DIY wedding centerpieces.  If you choose flowers for your centerpieces each arrangement can easily cost $80+ and that adds up to a lot, fast.  We decided to make our centerpieces ourselves and save this money.  My husband and I opted for flower-free centerpieces that we could make way ahead of time; we used birch logs with hearts and table numbers carved into them (a nod to when we carved our initials into a tree while dating), along with river rocks and some other natural elements.  Everything we choose for our centerpieces meant something to us which made our them very personal.  In order to make them we only had to purchase the candles and some river rocks - for all 10 centerpieces it cost us about $35.  
(My only other piece of advice for making your own centerpieces would be to bring it to your venue and see it on one of their tables ahead of time, if possible.  Our centerpieces looked awesome on our kitchen table and we thought they were the perfect size, but once they were set up at the venue we realized they didn't fill in the center of the tables quite enough and we should have brought some smaller elements to fill in around it.)  

Simplify the bouquet.  Florists charge more for having to source out more flowers.. if you have mixed bouquets they can cost a lot more than a bouquet the same size that contains just one type of flower.  We wanted to keep it simple anyways and decided to stick with straight yellow roses for all the bouquets and that saved us a lot of money in itself.  

Borrow a fun car instead of renting a limo.  We had the advantage of having our ceremony and reception at the same location, so we didn't need to transport the wedding party from one place to another.  Even still, we wanted a fun "getaway" car to leave in at the end of the night.  Luckily for us, our family is into restoring cars as a hobby and we got to use a '66 Chevelle that we all helped fix up - definitely made it more fun and more meaningful than using a limo service.  

The One Thing Worth Splurging On

A great photographer.  Seriously folks, hire a great photographer and you won't regret it!!  Your wedding photos will be what you look back on to remember the details of your day, and it's so important to have ones you're proud of and that truly capture all the magic.  A great photographer can also do wonders with what they have - even if you don't have the most ideal backdrop for a photo they can make it look amazing with some artful focus or composition.  

When hiring a photographer make sure to look at their full portfolio; see if you like their style, if they're consistent with editing techniques, if the overall mood of the photos fits your personal taste.  It's also a good idea to hire a photographer that comes with an assistant photographer - this way you get double the photos and more angles of the ceremony.  It also allows the photographers to be in two places at once, especially helpful for taking getting-ready photos.  

You also want to find a photographer that gives you full rights to your photos - after all you want to be able to print as many copies as you like, make photobooks, send photos to your local newspaper for your announcement, post them on Facebook and other social media, or even possibly submit them to be featured in bridal magazines.  Without a letter stating you have full ownership and publishing rights to your photos you'd be unable to do any of that without going through your photographer every time (and doing so would cost you extra money each time).  

And don't forget to quiz any potential photographer on things that may go awry and how they'd handle it... just in case.  A personal emergency came up and they were unable to photograph your wedding at the last minute?  (They should have some photographer associates of equal or better caliber they can call on to fill in for them at no additional cost to you)  If a camera or lens gets dropped on the big day?  (They should have backup equipment with them as well as extra fully-charged batteries).  A great, experienced photographer should have a game plan for anything that may come up and still get you beautiful photos of the day despite any challenges that may arise.  

Photos from our wedding were featured on New Hampshire Bride Magazine's website, Maggie Sottero's website, in Super Chevy Magazine, and on Love & Lobster.

All photos by Steve Holmes Photography

Disclaimer:  Please note this post shares my opinion and prices and information mentioned are based on our experience of planning our wedding five years ago.  *Prices and packages from vendors that we used may have changed.*  

How to Get Paid to Shop and Save Money with Ibotta

Ibotta isn't new, I'd heard a lot about it but was always a bit skeptical... "So I buy groceries and the things I always do and get some money back for it?  Really??"  Sounds too good to be true, right?  
Well that's what I thought at first, until a few friends signed up for the app and converted me.  The only "catch" to this program is that in exchange for earning money back on your purchases, you're providing some market research info to Ibotta.. that's it.  Pretty good deal, right?  | This post contains affiliate links |

How Ibotta Works

Signing up for Ibotta is easy - download the app and create an account (pssst, right now they're offering a $10 bonus for new users!). Then search for the retailer (Walmart, Target, Hannaford, Kohl's, etc) you will be shopping at next and scroll through the available offers. When you see an offer for something you want to buy, click on it and view a short advertisement or answer a basic multiple choice question (i.e. "What's your favorite brand of orange juice? - A, B, C, or D"), once you complete that simple task the offer is now unlocked and is able to be redeemed.

Rebates for validated purchases are automatically deposited into Ibotta, usually within 48 hours.  Once you hit a minimum of $20 (which isn't that hard), you can transfer that money to your PayPal account - it's real money.  

Earn Money Back on Things You Never Get Coupons For

One of my favorite parts of Ibotta is that they always have some rebates for things you buy every week but will very rarely, if ever, get coupons for.  I'm talking about things like dairy products, juice, eggs, fruit, and vegetables - and these rebates are for any brand, even organic!  

These "any brand" rebates can vary from week-to-week on what's offered and the exact rebate amount, but the milk, bread, eggs, and a particular type of fruit or vegetable rebates are pretty standard and seem to be offered almost every week.  For example right now on Ibotta they have $0.50 back on a gallon of milk, $0.50 on eggs, $0.50 on a package of sliced bread, $0.25 on bananas, and $0.25 on tomatoes.  These are items that most people buy every week, and even if you only used Ibotta for these five rebates each week you would save $104 (!) over the course of the year!  (I used the current rebate amounts as an example, however keep in mind that some weeks the rebate amount on items like these may vary - but you get the point.)

Stack Those Savings!

Another great thing is that you can use Ibotta in conjunction with manufacturer and store coupons, store loyalty programs, sales, etc.  For example - the other week I bought Glad trash bags at Walmart; they cost $8.99 - Ibotta had a $2 rebate and then the Walmart Savings Catcher App found the same trash bags cheaper at Shaw's so it credited me the $1.49 difference.  So instead of $8.99, the trash bags only cost $5.50 = savings of $3.49 (40%) just on this one item!  

Use Ibotta at More Than Just Grocery Stores

So far I've only used Ibotta at the grocery store and Walmart, but you can use it at so many other places too - like restaurants and clothing stores!  You can even "star" your favorite stores to save them on the home screen, that way it's fast and easy to look up rebates on the fly when you're in the store.  

Invite Friends to Earn More

Whenever you refer a friend to Ibotta you earn $5 in your account (wahoo!) as well as add them to your Team. Ibotta always has ongoing bonuses each month to reward teams to save more - for example, right now if you redeem 10 rebates this month and your Team collectively redeems $15 of rebates, you earn an extra $1 in your account. There are several "Levels" each month, and the more you and your team use Ibotta, the more levels you achieve and the more money in your pocket. This is all easy to accomplish if you invite a lot of friends ;)

I know, I know - you want to know the bottom line.  So I've been using Ibotta for almost a month and I currently have $23.75 in my account.  $10 of that was my sign-on bonus, so $13.75 was earned in rebates and bonuses.  That doesn't seem like a ton, but the grocery store in our town actually doesn't participate with Ibotta (it's an independent grocer), so I can only use it when I make a trip to the big chain stores.  Also, because we buy a lot of organic and natural foods, $13.75 is also more than I usually can save with coupons since coupons for those items are few and far between.  I've also made a point not to buy anything that I wouldn't normally buy, because I wanted to be realistic and get a sense of what I can earn back for our essential items.  

My earnings may not seem like a ton, but it's money in our pocket and it certainly helps!  You can also be more proactive so save even more - I have a friend who meal plans around what's available on Ibotta and saves an average of $35+ every month.  You also earn a $5 referral for every friend you get to sign up (which I haven't done yet, but certainly will be doing).  Overall, I've really enjoyed using Ibotta so far and will definitely continue to use it.  

If you'd like to sign up for Ibotta, please use my referral link here or enter in my referral code: jkuddhs

Make sure to check out our other money-saving grocery tips:  

• Saving Money on Groceries - Rural Edition
• Birch Landing Home on Pinterest

This post was not sponsored and all opinions and experiences are my own.  This post does contain my referral link to Ibotta, if you sign up using this link I will earn a small referral bonus (the same one you can earn too for referring others).  

Our 4th Pampers Rewards: Melissa and Doug Tool Kit

If you're not familiar with Pampers Rewards, you can check my previous post here for all the details - but essentially it's a program to earn free gifts for buying Pampers diapers!  Our little girl has been really into "helping" Daddy build things lately, so we decided to get a tool kit just for her.  | This post contains affiliate links |

The tool kit is by Melissa and Doug and we were pleased with how sturdy it is. Our daughter really put it to the test, whacking the whole thing all over with the wooden hammer but it still survived.

The kit contains a wooden wrench, screw driver, hammer, bolts/screws, nuts, "nails", and some pieces of wood with holes in it that you can screw or nail together or attach to the side of the tool box.  

Miss M and Daddy have really been enjoying building with this set and we've even caught her "working" on her trains with the wrench - this Reward has definitely been a big hit!  

Want to see what else we got from Pampers Rewards?  Check out our other posts:  

• Our First Pampers Rewards - Free Gifts for Buying Diapers!  
• Our 2nd Pampers Rewards:  Little Tikes Shopping Cart
• Our 3rd Pampers Rewards:  Potty Training Chart

Please note, items available from Pampers Rewards are subject to change.