Recommended Resources

Hello! As a busy mom of three crazy boys, I know how much time and energy it takes to keep a home running smoothly. Honestly, I can’t always keep up! That’s why I love taking advantage of resources that save me time and money. I’ve put together this list of my favorite companies that make my life easier. I hope they can help you as much as they have helped me! If you have any time-saving or money-saving resources that take a little weight off your shoulders, please let me know. I would love to add to this list and help more moms live simpler lives.

Acorns is an app that helps you invest spare change. It is the cheapest way to invest in a diversified portfolio that is managed for you. Additionally, Acorns has partnered with a few retailers and will add cash to your account when you shop with them. The app is easy to use, and no minimum balance is required. You can get $5 by opening an Acorns account here, or you can go here to read my full review of Acorns.

Ebates is a cashback site that is so easy to use!  You simply choose what store you want to shop on ebates.com, then you complete your purchase just the way you normally would, and bingo! — You’ve just earned a rebate on your purchase. Ebates will send you a check or deposit your earnings straight to your PayPal account.  You get real CASH back when you shop! They are reliable and offer a huge selection of stores so that you can save money anytime you buy something online. When you sign up through this link, Ebates will give you $10. You can read a complete review of Ebates here.

I use the Ibotta rebate app every single time I buy groceries and household supplies. They offer rebates on common purchases like milk, bread, produce, and so much more. I once got over $20 cash back after a routine trip to stock up the house. You can get a $10 bonus for downloading and using Ibotta, and you can read more about this app and other ways to save money on groceries here.

If you don’t already use Groupon to find local deals, you should. Before going out to eat or doing a family activity, I almost always check Groupon first to see if there are any deals or coupons that will bring me savings. They also offer discounted goods. Plus, you can get cash back from Ebates when you shop Groupon! I browse Groupon the most during the holidays, but it’s a great place to find gifts or treat yourself all year round.

Cooking and meal planning does not come easily for me. Home Chef is a food delivery service that sends you all of the ingredients plus a recipe with detailed instructions for really delicious meals. It can be a huge time-saver because you don’t have to search for a recipe or measure any ingredients. Home Chef does everything for you – except the cooking. You get to prepare a gourmet home-cooked meal and feel accomplished for doing. I have liked every meal of theirs that I’ve tried, and I love the opportunity to learn new cooking skills. If you eat out a lot, Home Chef is a great way to transition to cooking at home. Click here to get $30 off your first order from Home Chef.

If you already eat at home more than you eat out, then I recommend using $5 Meal Plan. For $5 a month, you get a meal plan and a grocery list. Having this plan can save you time and money! It’s definitely a win-win resource.

Ever since I discovered Walmart’s free grocery pickup, I have decreased our spending on groceries by over $100 per month. I started using Walmart’s service when I couldn’t get to the grocery store during the day with my twin babies and my toddler, and my husband often came home from work so late that I was too exhausted to go to the store in the evening. We would sometimes go days without essentials, like produce, just because it was so hard to get to the store. Grocery pick-up changed my life! Once a week, I order my food online, schedule a pick-up time, drive to Walmart with all my kids, and have my groceries loaded into the back of my car for me. The whole process is so easy, and it saves me a ton of time! Here’s $10 to try Walmart Grocery.

Mornings are a crazy time in our house! I have two babies and a little boy who all cry to be fed and changed, and I am not left with any time for myself. I have found that IdealShape shakes are the easiest way for me to fit in breakfast in my mornings. They taste good, too! Plus, if you have weight loss goals, IdealShake and IdealBoost drinks seriously help curb hunger. I love their products!

It is so easy to find child care, pet sitting, and cleaning services on Care.com! Plus, if you want to make some extra cash, you could sign up to get connected with clients as a nanny, pet sitter, or cleaner.

If you have ever thought about getting a personal loan, I definitely recommend getting one with Upstart. Most lenders only consider your income and credit score to determine creditworthiness, but Upstart also takes into account your level of education and GPA. If you’re in school or fresh out of school, getting a personal loan could be a great option. I had to leverage some credit during my senior year of undergrad, so I got a personal loan to consolidate debt, and it saved me a lot of money in interest.

Your credit score plays an important role in your life. Having a good credit score determines your ability to leverage credit for business, buy a house, and even get a job. Yes, some employers will look at your credit to see if you will be a responsible and trustworthy employee. Credit Sesame is a website that will let you see your credit score for free and provide you with tips on how you can improve your score. I have learned a lot about credit just from using this site. Sign up for Credit Sesame now and learn how to improve your financial situation.

What sets Swell apart from other investment companies is that they focus on investing in companies that aim to make a positive change in the world. With that impact, they make sure that you also get the greatest returns. You don’t have to sacrifice returns at all when you invest in what matters to you. You can put your money toward green tech, renewable energy, zero waste, disease eradication, clean water, and healthy living. Swell has put together a guide to help you determine what you want to invest in.

Personal Capital is a website that allows you to track the performance of your investments. It also allows you to create a budget and track your spending. You can see all of your accounts on one dashboard so that you can save time and really understand your finances. Sign up for Personal Capital for free here.

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