Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Raising Amazing Kids (with Monica Swanson)

I loved getting to have this conversation with Monica Swanson, an experienced mom of four boys who has so much wisdom to share! Her new book is called Raising Amazing: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being ...
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Intentional finance. Intentional family. Intentional business.

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Raising Amazing Kids (with Monica Swanson)

I loved getting to have this conversation with Monica Swanson, an experienced mom of four boys who has so much wisdom to share! Her new book is called Raising Amazing: Bringing Up Kids Who Love God, Like Their Family, and Do the Dishes Without Being Asked — I mean, I’d buy the book just to have someone share how to get your kids to do the dishes without being asked! 🙂

In this episode, I asked her to share more about this book, we talk about her book Boy Mom, too, and how she has fostered in her kids friendship with each other, love for God, and a sense of responsibility.

She also gives some helpful advice such as how to motivate kids who are failing in school, how to be an effective parent while also taking care of yourself and your marriage, how to maintain a loving relationship with teenagers who are quickly approaching adulthood, and more!

If you are a parent, if you ever plan to be a parent, or if you interact with kids and teens, I think this episode will really encourage you!

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In This Episode

[00:46] – Today’s guest is Monica Swanson, author of Raising Amazing.

[01:27] – Monica shares about her life in Hawaii raising four boys.

[04:15] – How did Monica encourage her sons to be friends with each other?

[05:25] – What it looks like to set an example of loving Jesus with our kids.

[06:35] – The million dollar question: how do we teach our kids to do the dishes — without being asked?!

[11:29] – What does all-in parenting mean practically?

[12:59] – But what if my kids are unmotivated?

[14:26] – How to set boundaries well, even if our kids resist them.

[18:34] – Is it possible to parent well without making our kids our entire identity?

[20:46] – All-in parenting isn’t getting our self-worth from our kids’ successes.

[22:59] – All-in parenting is not a formula or raising perfect kids.

[26:15] – How to nurture your marriage in the midst of raising kids.

[27:44] – What does fun look like at Monica’s house?

[29:13] – Monica offers insight into having kids on the cusp of adulthood.

   
 
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Saturday, February 25, 2023

How to Earn Amazon Credit On Your Grocery Purchases with the Amazon Alexa App! and more...

Did you know you can earn Amazon credit for your grocery and household purchases?! This is such a great savings tip from Brigette on our team! (Psst! Check out all the latest Amazon deals!) If you already shop at any grocery store AND buy things on ...
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Intentional finance. Intentional family. Intentional business.

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How to Earn Amazon Credit On Your Grocery Purchases with the Amazon Alexa App!

Did you know you can earn Amazon credit for your grocery and household purchases?! This is such a great savings tip from Brigette on our team! (Psst! Check out all the latest Amazon deals!)

If you already shop at any grocery store AND buy things on Amazon, the Amazon Alexa app could be a fantastic way to earn a little extra cash!

I’ve had the Alexa app on my phone for quite a while, but never realized it included rebate options until recently. Now that I’ve figured it out, I’m hooked!

How to Earn Amazon Credits on the Alexa App

Here’s how to utilize this free app to get credit toward your next Amazon purchase — even without owning an Alexa device!

Step 1: Download the free Amazon Alexa App.

Just go here to download the free app for iOS or Android!

You don’t need to own an Alexa device, but you will need an Amazon account to get your money back.

If you don’t already have an Amazon account, you can create one for free after downloading the app.

Step 2: Set up the app.

There are a few preliminary steps to set up the app. It’s fairly self-explanatory, so just follow the instructions on your screen.

Eventually, you’ll get to your home screen, then you can proceed with the steps below.

Step 3: Load offers to your shopping list.

It can be a bit confusing the first time you load offers because it takes a few clicks to actually get to the “offers” page.

how to use the Alexa App

Here’s the easiest way to get your offers:

  1. Open the app and click on the “more” option in the lower right-hand corner of the home screen (see above photo).
  2. Click on “Lists & Notes” (it should be the first option at the top)
  3. Then click on “Shopping”
  4. Next click on “Savings”
  5. And finally, click on the “+” sign next to each individual offer to add them to your list
how to create your list

Step 4: Earn money buying groceries and household products!

After you’ve purchased items on your list, click on “Get Paid” and then “Redeem Offers”.

how to get paid

Scan the barcodes of your purchases with your phone and upload a picture of your receipt (you’ll need to do a separate redemption for each receipt).

Within a day or so, you’ll get an email from Amazon listing the credit you’ve earned. This credit goes straight into your Amazon account and is automatically applied to your next Amazon purchase! Score!!

amazon alexa app

Pros & Cons of the Amazon Alexa App

Pros

  • It’s free! There’s no cost for the app or to use this service.
  • You can double up with other rebate apps. Many of the rebates offered are things also offered on other rebate apps like Ibotta. By combining Alexa rebates with other rebates, I’m often able to get several items free, and sometimes actually MAKE money on items like shampoo, razors, and toothpaste!
  • The rebates are automatically applied to your Amazon account. I love that the rebates automatically load to my Amazon account and don’t require a minimum amount before I can redeem them.

Cons

  • Not as many offers. The shopping list doesn’t have nearly as many offers as most of the other rebate apps. However, there are enough offers that it’s worth the time. Even a few dollars saved is a big deal to me!
  • It doesn’t work with manufacturer’s coupons. You cannot combine manufacturer’s coupons with Alexa app rebates. I learned this the hard way!

Have you used the Amazon Alexa app? I’d love to hear your tips, if so!

   
 

Brigette’s $84 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

My older sister, Brigette, shares her shopping trips and menu plans every week! You can go HERE to see all of her weekly menu plans and you can go HERE to read all about her family!

We didn’t eat as much as I anticipated last week, so we’re starting out this week with a surplus of food in our fridge and pantry. Lower grocery total this week, but I’ll take it (and we’ll make up for it next week I’m sure!).

Aldi

1 16-oz pkg Deli Meat – $4.19

1 pkg boneless fresh Chicken Breasts ($2.49/lb) – $13.07

1 pkg pkg Chicken Drumsticks ($0.89/lb) – $5.02

1 pkg Turkey Bacon – $3.49

3 dozen Eggs – $9.30

3 16-oz pkgs Shredded Cheese – $9.97

1 16-oz pkg Deli Sliced Cheese – $1.79

1 can Parmesan Cheese – $2.65

1 24-oz carton Cottage Cheese – $2.39

4 bags frozen Broccoli Florets – $3.88

2 pkgs Blackberries – $2.58

1 3-ct pkg Multi-Colored Peppers – $2.69

2 cartons Strawberries – $3.58

1 10-lb bag Russet Potatoes (which fell behind the table and didn’t get in the picture!) – $5.99

4 cans Green Beans – $2.32

1 jar Baby Dills – $1.25

3 boxes Macaroni and Cheese – $1.50

1 jar Pasta Sauce – $1.39

1 bag Tortilla Chips – $1.79

2 loaves Sandwich Bread – $2.59

1 gallon Milk – $2.61

Total: $84.04

Weekly Menu Plan

Breakfasts

Oatmeal, Cereal, Yogurt, Cottage Cheese, Apples, Toast

Lunches

Deli Meat/Cheese Sandwiches, Peppers, Strawberries/Blackberries x 2

Peanut Butter on Crackers, Cucumbers, Oranges

Leftovers x 3

Dinners

French Toast, Bacon, Applesauce

Date Night Out (kids eat Macaroni and Cheese, Green Beans)

Roasted Chicken Drumsticks, Mashed Potatoes, Broccoli

Taco Salad, Rice

Chicken Gravy over Rice, Green Beans

Spaghetti (using ground venison sausage), Tossed Salad, French Bread

Roasted Garlic Chicken Pizza, Broccoli

Cut your grocery bill!
Want to cut your grocery budget? Go here and sign up (it’s free!) I’ll send you my 10 Easy Ways to Cut Your Grocery Bill By $50.
   
 
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