2018 Annual Savings Round Up

* Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. All opinions are my own.

Hello everyone,

Here we are. We’re facing the end of one year, and the start of the next. And admittedly, I have been MIA for quite some time. Two vacations, one promotion, a new kitten, and many other life obligations later, I’ve decided my hiatus was long enough. This year, I am setting out with my original goal for this blog—to have fun. I love sharing recipes and travel tips, but most of all, I really do love sharing my ways to save. And boy was 2018, a good year for savings! Check out my savings breakdown below!

Rebate Apps: (Check out my Top Ways to Save)

  • Ibotta – $248.25
    • I’ve earned nearly $450 since downloading this app!
      • This is one of my favorite apps because it is SO easy to use. In fact, I use it almost every time I shop because there is consistently a $0.25 rebate on any one item of your choice! Plus, there are great savings at places like Target, Walmart, Whole Foods, and more!
    • *If you sign up with my referral code, dlgmcji you can get a $10.00 welcome bonus.
  • Checkout 51 – $56.90
    • I’ve earned $121.00 since downloading the app!
  • Fetch Rewards – $20.00
    • I’ve earned $36.70 in Amazon.com gift cards since downloading the app!
    • *Join me and earn 1,500 points when you use my referral code (BU7GX). That’s $1.50 in free points! Download the app at http://www.fetchrewards.com
  • Berrycart – $7.25
    • I’ve earned $58.50 since downloading the app!
  • Shopkick – $28.00 in Amazon.com gift cards
    • I’ve earned $55.00 in Amazon gift cards since downloading the app!
    • Try Shopkick, and we’ll both get points toward a free gift cards! Use code BEST121199 or download the app here: http://getsk.co/best121199
  • Savingstar – $1.75 
  • Coinout – $8.19
    • This one is simple. Just snap your receipt and get a random amount of pennies.
  • ReceiptPal – $23.00
    • This is similar to Coinout, but instead of cash you can get giftcards for Amazon and a few other retailers. Additionally, it does have some restrictions.
  • Drop – $70.00
    • I LOVE DROP. Let me say it again. I LOVE DROP. You simply link your credit cards and pick five places where you frequently shop and earn points that build up to gift cards. My stores are Trader Joe’s, Starbucks, Target, Whole Foods, and Sephora.
    • Get a $5 welcome bonus when you use my referral code – g0wex
  • Dosh – $53.90
    • Save on hotels, restaurants, online and in person retailers, and more!
    • Limited time only – $15 referral bonus! Use my code JOCELYR68
  • *Cartwheel by Target – $834.74 in total savings since June 2013!
I saved $517.29 using the above listed rebate apps on my iPhone!

Online Savings Tools/ Browser Extensions:Swagbucks

  • Swagbucks – I’ve earned $50.00 in $25 Amazon.com gift cards this year ($250 in two years)!
    • Click the above graphic for $3.00 referral bonus when you earn 300SB! ↑
  • Coupon Cabin – $141.81 cash back in under one year!
    • This extension is similar to Ebates, but it seems to have a few extra perks. The more you use this extension, the more ‘bonus cash’ you receive. For example, I now get a certain percentage cash back, plus a 10% bonus on the cash back amount.  
  • Ebates – I received $124.52 cash back on purchases I’m already making.  Ebates Coupons and Cash Back
    • You’ve seen the commercials. Now, why not give it a try, too? Get $10 when you join with my link! It’s easy, just set it and forget it.

Other Ways to Save:

  • Chase Sapphire Preferred, in my opinion, is the best travel credit card out there. In one year I racked up 136,900 Chase points which is $1,711.25 in travel or $1,369.00 in cash. Here are the card’s basics:
    • It is a heavy, shiny, metal card.
    • Annual fee is $95, but it is waived the first year.
    • Earn 2x points on travel and dining, and travel is pretty broad – Uber, parking meters, and subway tickets count!
    • No foreign transaction fees.
    • Points are worth 25% more (1.25 cents) when redeemed for travel through the Chase portal.
      • Sign up with my referral and earn 50,000 bonus points after spending $4,00 0 in the first three months your account is open. (That’s about a $1,000 value).
  • Robinhood AppRobinhood let’s you join for as little as a $5.00 trade deposit. Plus, traders can buy and sell individual stocks for $0 a trade. On top of that, you and your referral each get a free share of a random stock when a referral link is used!

So all in all, I’m feeling pretty good about my savings this year. Over $800 in cash back/ Amazon gift cards, and I’m going to put my Chase points to use on my next vacation! 

What are you saving for this year?

Cheers!

Jocelyn

* Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. As always, all opinions are my own!

Hungryroot: My Honest Review

* Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. All opinions are my own. I did not receive my Hungryroot meal delivery service for free for this review.

Hello everyone,

You may have noticed that I’ve been a bit MIA lately. Well, my partner went back to work, I received a promotion which carries longer hours, and we got a kitten. So life’s been a bit hectic to say the least. I decided to be realistic about my new normal, and I registered for a subscription meal service. I had no idea that a plant-based meal service existed, but luckily for me, it does! What follow is my honest review of Hungryroot.

All of Hungryroot’s products are “vegan, gluten-free, high in nutrients, fiber, and good fats, and low in sugar, sodium and calories.” Hungryroot offers two subscription levels. The smaller version is called the Starter Set which costs $69 + free shipping. This package includes three meals plus four sides, snacks or sweets, or more meals and less sides. Essentially each item has a cost value and Hungryroot’s system will track how much you have left as you pick your items. The larger version is called the the Good Life which is $99 + free shipping and includes 1-2 more meals. You can customize your box or let Hungryroot pick what goes inside. I’m picky so I like to customize mine.

Kohlrabi Noodles

Each recipe contains two servings, and they are a very hefty portions. The meal kits range from Pad Thai Fried Rice to Creamy Corn Cauliflower Risotto to Thai Coconut Vegetable Curry. The bases of the meals vary from “noodle” or “rice” to a soup base. The “rice” is usually made out of cauliflower or broccoli, and the noodles are derived from beats, kohlrabi, or squash. I was skeptical, but the texture is actually really good. And the sauces honestly make the meals. They are low calorie, but so incredibly flavorful. I don’t know how Hungryroot does it, but I’m hooked—especially the peanut sauce!

Interested in trying Hungryroot? Here’s $30 off your first order! I tried them, loved the meals, and I haven’t looked back.

The best part of Hungryroot for me is that these meals come almost ready to serve. Most recipes simply require a short period of sautéing, adding additional ingredient packets, and mixing with water or sauce. Extremely easy! Plus, all of the meals/ snacks are under 500 calories which is great. I occasionally add tofu or beans to meals which might lack protein, but I find that most of the meals are well-rounded and filling.

I’ve used Hungryroot for about two months, and I don’t see an end in sight. It’s so nice not to worry about dinner four nights each week. I can’t even imagine how I was functioning before I started using this service. So, what’s your take? Have you used a meal delivery service? If so, which one, and do you recommend it?

Cheers and happy eating!

Jocelyn

August Savings Round Up

* Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. All opinions are my own.

Hello everyone,

How is August treating you? It’s the dog days of summer here, and I’m loving my air conditioning and cool evening walks. A few leaves have been falling, and I can’t help but feel giddy for the fall. And while most folks are preparing for “back to school,” I’m planning my next trip to Mexico City! In order to splurge while I’m away, I’m taking advantage of all the savings I found in my August Savings Round Up. Check out the full list of internet printable coupons, as well as, rebate apple savings below.

One of my most exciting finds was a rare Amy’s coupon for Buy 1, Get 1 on swirls, snacks or handheld items (like burritos) through 9/15/2018.

There is also a $1.00 coupon for Fieldroast products. I absolutely love their Apple Maple Breakfast “Sausage.” It tastes great chopped up in a tofu scramble for a spectacular weekend brunch.

Cheers and happy shopping!

Jocelyn

PS – As always, in case you missed them, check out my top ways to save and other recent savings posts.

Continue reading “August Savings Round Up” →

Homemade Dill Pickles

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. All opinions are my own.

Hello everyone,

Can you believe it’s August? I can. Because every  time I go check on my garden it looks like a jungle! My cucumbers and squash are going for gold this year, while my tomatoes seem to be slow starters. I’ve harvested so many cucumbers lately that I decided to make *drum roll please* … Homemade Dill Pickles!

I really should have been making dill pickles all along. Making the brine fills the house with an amazing dill-vinegar aroma. It’s also really simple. I thought there was way more to it, but all you need to do is bring a few ingredients to a simmer, chop your veggies for pickling, and put them in Ball jars. Once canned, you simply gently flip the Ball jar upside down a few times each morning to ensure it’s all mixing properly. These quick pickles keep in the refrigerator for a few weeks and are perfect for snacking, sandwiches, and so much more!

I went traditional, but what other veggies would you like to pickle? Let me know in the comments!

Happy snacking!

Jocelyn

PS – I found a new rebate app that I want to share. Makeena is an app that specializes in organic and produce savings. Yes, I said it, produce savings! Plus, the app can be used at any store that sells the products on the rebate tab. It’s very simple to use – you just scan your receipt and earn savings. Once you save $20, you can cash out to your PayPal or Venmo account. Get $1.00 by joining now – use my promorcode TXHRNK. Happy saving!

Continue reading “Homemade Dill Pickles” →

Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Vegan Cream Cheese

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. That means I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. All opinions are my own.

Hello everyone,

I am so excited to share a newly tested recipe that is sure to be a hit at your next summer soirée! Give my recipe for raw Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Vegan Cream Cheese a try!

This recipe simply calls for a handful of raw vegetables, vegan cream cheese, a few select spices, and requires minimal prep time and no cooking. How much simpler can it get? The best part—it’s a truly hassle free recipe but the end result still packs a serious flavor punch!

Raw Mini Sweet Peppers

I made these Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Vegan Cream Cheese as an appetizer for my friend’s veggie BBQ, and the entire plate with gone within the hour. People kept going back for seconds due to the bright colors and great taste. I believe I found another “goto recipe” to keep in rotation with my time-tested indulgent vegan macaroni salad and fresh summer pasta salad!

Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think! Printable recipe below!

Cheers & happy eating!

Jocelyn

Continue reading “Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Vegan Cream Cheese” →