Wednesday, October 21, 2026

We couldn’t afford $3 fish food and more...

When my husband, Jesse, finished law school, I thought we were finally about to have a little breathing room in our budget. We had worked so hard to get through the law school years without taking on debt. We’d lived in a tiny basement apartment, ...
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We couldn’t afford $3 fish food

When my husband, Jesse, finished law school, I thought we were finally about to have a little breathing room in our budget.

We had worked so hard to get through the law school years without taking on debt. We’d lived in a tiny basement apartment, stretched our grocery money, worked side jobs, and said no to so many things.

But the job we’d been counting on didn’t work out.

We were devastated. We’d been living on around $1,000 a month, and this new job paid $36,000 a year. To us, that felt like a HUGE pay increase! We’d planned so much around that income.

I remember how shocked I felt… and honestly, just numb.

I was pregnant with our second baby, so sick and tired in my pregnancy, trying to get a side business off the ground, and adjusting to motherhood with our toddler.

Just when we were starting to feel really desperate, Jesse got a last-minute job offer in another city. With only about a week’s notice, we found a new townhome to rent, packed up our little apartment, and moved.

I thought we would finally be able to breathe a sigh of relief.

But that was short-lived. That job didn’t last long, either.

We found ourselves with a toddler, a newborn, a bank account with very, very little in it, and no steady paycheck. Plus, we now lived in a new town where we only knew a few families.

It was lonely. It was exhausting. And I was so anxious so much of the time.

I remember running the numbers over and over in my head. My chest would tighten as I wondered how we were going to pay our bills.

In fact, I will never forget the day money was so tight that we couldn’t afford fish food for the little fish we’d gotten free when I mystery-shopped a pet store.

It cost around $3.

We had to wait two full weeks before we could find those $3 in our budget.

(Gratefully, the fish somehow survived and lived quite a while after that no-food incident!)

So if money feels heavy to you right now, I remember that feeling. I get what it looks like to have a really tight budget and to feel so much stress and anxiety around money.

For me, starting with what I had meant using a laptop, an internet connection, and the things I’d learned about stretching our money. Eventually, those became the starting point for MoneySavingMom.com.

I couldn’t see that future when I was sitting there scared about our bills. I could only take the next step.

It’s one of the reasons I wrote The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women.

I wanted to put the encouragement AND the practical help I needed back then into one book.

If you’ve been asking yourself…

  • “Where is our money actually going?” I’ll walk you through getting a clear picture of your income and expenses.
  • “What could I possibly do with what we have right now?” I’ll help you identify resources you already have that could help you save or earn money.
  • “What if I’m just bad with money?” We’ll look at beliefs that might be keeping you from trying—and how to begin challenging them.
  • “Where do I even start?” I’ll help you choose a manageable next step instead of trying to fix everything at once.

My heart is to help you sit down with your money and have a clearer picture of what you have, what needs your attention, and what you can do next.

If you need help finding your next step, I wrote this book for you.

And right now, when you pre-order, you can also receive FREE bonus resources to help you put what you’re learning into practice.

We’ll be selling these bonuses as a bundle starting in January, but you can get them FREE when you pre-order before the offer ends Tuesday, October 27, at midnight.

Pre-order your copy + see how to claim your FREE bonuses here!

P.S. If you already know you want the book, order before Tuesday, October 27, at midnight so you can get the bonuses, too! Get your copy and claim your FREE bonuses here.

   
 

How to Brick Your Phone on the Cheap

Have you ever picked up your phone to check one thing, only to look up 30 minutes later and wonder where the time went?

Between social media, email, news, games, and endless notifications, our phones make it incredibly easy to get distracted. And, while you can set app limits or tell yourself, I’m just going to put my phone away, sometimes those strategies aren’t enough.

That’s part of the reason a little device called Brick has gotten so much attention lately. Brick gives you a physical way to block distracting apps on your phone. And many people are huge fans of it!

There’s just one catch: It currently costs $59. If you’re intrigued by the concept but aren’t ready to spend nearly $60, there are some inexpensive, and even free ways to create a similar setup.

What is Brick?

Brick is a small physical device that pairs with the Brick app on your smartphone. You decide which apps and websites you want to block, and then tap your phone against the Brick to activate your chosen mode. When you’re ready to regain access, you physically return to the Brick and tap your phone again.

You can create different modes for different situations. For example, you might have a Work mode that blocks social media but leaves email and other work apps available. Or you could create a Family Time mode that removes most distractions while leaving your camera, phone, and other essentials accessible.

Smartphone positioned in front of a gray Brick device designed to help limit phone distractions.

Brick also lets you schedule modes to automatically activate and deactivate at certain times. The important part isn’t necessarily the technology. It’s the physical barrier.

If your Brick is sitting in your office while you’re downstairs with your family, you can’t mindlessly override your limit from the couch. You’d have to make the conscious decision to get up, walk to the Brick, and unlock your apps.

One person from my Instagram community explained why this works so well for her:

“I have a hard time ‘just putting my phone away,’ so I’ve learned for me I need [Brick] to help me.”

Another said she keeps her Brick in her office, which means she has to physically walk upstairs or across the hall to regain access to distracting apps. That little bit of extra effort is often enough to make her move on to whatever she was supposed to be doing instead.

And that’s really the appeal.

Crystal Paine sitting cross legged on a gray couch while tapping her smartphone screen.

Why Not Just Use Screen Time?

Of course, your phone already has tools designed to limit screen time. The problem is you might be the person who set the limit, and also the person who knows exactly how to override it!

It’s easy to tap “ignore” or change your settings when you’re really tempted to scroll. Brick’s physical device adds another layer of friction between the impulse and the action.

Brick even offers Strict Mode to make it more difficult to work around the restrictions, plus five Emergency Unbricks in case you lose access to your physical Brick and immediately need to unlock your apps.

One follower told me she uses it to avoid doomscrolling when her kids get home, and said:

“I can bypass the time controls in my phone, but I can’t with the Brick unless I physically get up and find it.”

Another mom appreciated that she could still use her phone for work while blocking the apps and notifications that tend to distract her. That’s an important distinction: Bricking your phone doesn’t necessarily mean making your entire smartphone unusable.

You can choose which tools you still need. But do you really need to spend $59 to accomplish this?

Not necessarily.

Crystal Paine sitting in front of white bookshelves while holding and using her smartphone.

How to Brick Your Phone For Less

The concept behind Brick is relatively simple: Make distracting apps harder to access.

Here are several ways to recreate that friction without paying full price.

1. Try Foqos and an NFC tag

If you’re an iPhone user, one of the closest inexpensive alternatives I’ve found is Foqos. Foqos is a free, open-source iPhone app that uses Apple’s Screen Time tools to block distracting apps and websites. You can start or stop a focus session with an NFC tag, QR code, barcode, timer, or other options.

That’s where things get interesting from a money-saving perspective.

You don’t need a $59 proprietary device. You can use an inexpensive compatible NFC tag and place it somewhere inconvenient like on your refrigerator, in your office, or across the house.

Want to scroll Instagram? You’ll have to get up and walk over to your tag first. The Foqos app itself is currently free, although its App Store listing notes that it offers in-app purchases.

2. Repurpose Something You Already Own

Before you even order NFC tags, look around your house. Some cards you already own may contain NFC technology that can work with apps that allow you to register your own NFC tag.

For example, people have reported using old hotel key cards or other NFC-enabled cards as their physical “Brick.” Compatibility can vary, so don’t assume every card will work.

If you already have a Yoto Make Your Own card, that’s another option worth trying. One Yoto user shared that they paired a spare Make Your Own card with Foqos and kept it on the refrigerator. Other users reported successfully doing the same thing.

In other words, your DIY Brick might already be sitting in your junk drawer!

Tip: I wouldn’t experiment with an active credit or debit card for this. Stick with an unused card or an inexpensive NFC tag that you don’t need for anything important.

3. Use a QR Code Instead

Don’t have an NFC tag? You may not need one at all. Foqos can also use a QR code or barcode to control a focus session.

You could print your code and put it somewhere that requires you to intentionally get up and retrieve it. For example, tape it inside a kitchen cabinet, put it on your refrigerator, or leave it in your home office.

The goal is to make unlocking your apps inconvenient enough that you have time to ask yourself, Do I actually want to do this?

That extra 30 seconds may be surprisingly effective.

4. Try a Free Android Alternative

Foqos is currently designed for iPhone, but Android users have options, too. One example is TapBlok, a free, open-source Android app that works with compatible NFC tags or QR codes.

You select the apps you want to block, then create or register your physical tag, start your session, and then put the tag somewhere else. You need the tag again to exit the blocking session.

As with any third-party app that requests permissions related to your apps or screen time, read the permissions and privacy information before installing it.

5. Put Your Phone in a Timed Lockbox

Maybe you don’t need access to your phone at all. One Instagram follower shared a decidedly low-tech solution: Her friend puts the phone inside a timer safe for 30 minutes or so. Once it’s locked, the safe won’t open until the timer expires.

This could be especially helpful during dinner, family time, Bible study, homework time, or before bed. The downside is obvious: You won’t have easy access to your phone if someone calls or you suddenly need your maps, camera, authenticator app, or another essential tool.

But if you already own a timer lockbox, or can find an inexpensive one, it’s one way to create a very literal physical barrier.

6. Make Screen Time Harder to Override

The cheapest option is still the one already built into your phone. Instead of relying on a limit you can easily dismiss, consider adding an accountability layer. For example, you could have your spouse or another trusted person create and retain your Screen Time passcode so you can’t immediately override your own restrictions.

It’s not exactly the same as Brick, but the principle is similar: Remove the easy escape hatch.

You can also experiment with your phone’s Focus settings, Do Not Disturb, scheduled downtime, notification settings, grayscale mode, or simply deleting the apps that waste the most time.

Before spending money, give the free tools on your phone a fair shot.

Crystal Paine tapping her smartphone as she sits on a couch

The Trick Isn’t the Brick, It’s Creating a Barrier

I think this is the biggest takeaway from all the feedback I received. You don’t necessarily need a particular gadget to use your phone less. You need to figure out what makes you stop and think before opening a distracting app.

For some people, a Screen Time notification is enough. For others, it’s way too easy to tap past it.

And, for some people, physically walking across the house to unlock Instagram creates exactly the amount of friction they need.

That’s also why I’d hesitate to say spending $59 on a Brick is automatically a waste of money. Sometimes paying for a polished solution you’ll actually use is better than cobbling together a free system you abandon after three days.

But, if you’re interested in the idea and aren’t sure whether it will work for you, try the cheap version first.

Download a free blocker, grab an NFC tag you already own, print a QR code, or experiment with your phone’s built-in controls. Put your “unlock key” somewhere inconvenient and try it for a week.

If you suddenly find yourself spending less time scrolling and more time doing the things you actually wanted to do, you’ll know the concept works for you, whether your Brick costs $59 or practically nothing.

Have you tried any of these ways to Brick your phone on the cheap? Share your advice in the comments below!

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The Best Candy and Sweet Treats Without Refined Sugar

If you’ve been following on Instagram, you know that I recently stopped eating refined sugar. I’ve been trying out different no sugar desserts, candy, and sweet treat options that don’t have refined sugar and wanted to compile some of my favorites (so far) plus a few I haven’t tried that have come highly recommended.

The Best Sweet Treats Without Refined Sugar:

A variety of 6 Hu chocolate bars, a refined sugar free candy option.

Hu Chocolate – This delicious chocolate comes in a variety of flavors and is sweetened with coconut sugar. You can also get the Hu Chocolate Bites in a few different flavors.

Box of Lara Bars made with two ingredients: Cashew Cookie.

Larabar – There are a number of different Larabar varieties that are made with just fruit or fruit and nuts. Do note that the chocolate varieties have cane sugar in them.

A stack of 5 Bon AppeSweet date-sweetened chocolate bard.

Bon Appesweet Chocolate – These chocolate bars are sweetened with dates. I have not tried them but they come highly recommended to me! These come in a variety of flavors.

Lily's Chocolate bars, with no sugar, sweetened with dates.

Lily’s Chocolate – This brand is sweetened with stevia. You can get a variety of chocolate bars, chocolate peanut butter cups, and chocolate chips.

Realsy Stuffed Dates

Realsy Stuffed Dates – I just discovered these and haven’t tried them yet, but they look delicious!! They come in a variety of flavors and dates are the sweetener.

Smart Sweets swedish fish, peach rings, sour blast gummies, and sourmelon bites.

Smart Sweets – These are sweetened with stevia. Personally, I’ve only tried the sour blast buddies and I didn’t think they were great, but I know many others disagree with me.

ChocZero Vegan fruit snacks

ChocZero – This brand is sweetened with monk fruit and fruit. I have not tried it yet.

Simple Mills Sweet Thins and Chocolate Chip cookies.

Simple Mills – We love the Simple Mills Chocolate Chip Cookies and the Sweet Thins. There are so many other Simple Mills options to choose from and all have very high quality ingredients. They are refined sugar-free treats that are sweetened with coconut sugar.

IQ Bars peanut butter chip and chocolate sea salt flavors.

IQ Bars – These bars are sweetened with stevia and have pretty high protein and fiber content! I really enjoy these and they are great for traveling!

Rx Bars, set of three, made with egg whites, nuts and dates.

Classic RX Bars – These bars are delicious and do not have sugar and are just sweetened with dates. I love these for traveling or quick snacks, too! (Be sure to read the ingredients – some of the non-classic bar lines have other sweeteners including honey or agave.)

That's It fruit bars

That’s It Bars — These bars are made with fruit only! Great for a quick on-the-go snack or for traveling!

Honey Mama's Chocolate Fudge Bars

Honey Mama – These products are sweetened with honey and coconut sugar. I haven’t tried them yet because someone just told me about them, but I’m excited to try them!

hand holding Smart Sweets and Behave gummy stars in a store aisle.

I’m still discovering new refined sugar-free treats, so I’d love to hear your favorites!

Crystal Paine sitting in the driver's seat of her car holding an OLIPOP drink.

By the way, if you are looking for delicious sugar-free drinks? I love and recommend Olipop and Zevia!

We also regularly share deals on these snacks and more, so check out all the recent grocery deals here!

What would you add to this list? Leave a comment and tell me what I need to try next!

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Fetch Rewards App: Earn Cash for Scanning Receipts (Plus, get up to 3X points this week!)

Looking for honest Fetch Rewards reviews? The Fetch Rewards app is SO easy to use to save money on groceries!

Looking for other apps where you can earn money or gift cards for free? We recommend Ibotta, Upside, CoinOut, and Swagbucks.

What is Fetch Rewards?

Fetch Rewards is a free app (for iOS or Android) that allows you to earn free gift cards to Amazon, Panera, Barnes & Noble, and so much more — just for scanning your grocery receipts. (Psst! You can now also redeem eReceipts to earn points for online purchases, too!)

Want to make a little extra money from scanning your grocery receipts? Keep reading! (Plus, use my link to sign-up to get a BONUS 2,000 points!)

Fetchtopia Week

Wow! This week is Fetchtopia Week which means users can get 2X-3X the normal amount of points on select brand offers, shopping, and receipts during the event. There is no unique link or code required.

Check your app as there are hundreds of amazing offers starting today.

Valid through October 27, 2026.

How does Fetch Rewards work?

All you have to do is download the app from your mobile device, take a picture of any receipt (within 14 days), and hit submit.

Just like that, you’ll get points back (literally, you get 25 points just for submitting the receipt!)

You can then cash in these points for fantastic gift cards to help you stretch your budget a little further OR be able to afford some fun splurges!

how does fetch rewards work

How to use Fetch Rewards

After you download the Fetch app on your mobile device, you’ll sign up with your email address or through Facebook.

Once you’re in, use the orange camera icon to scan any receipt within 14 days.

You’ll get points for every receipt you scan, and when you earn enough points to redeem a gift card (minimum 3000) you can cash in your points for eligible gift cards.

The gift cards will show up in your email within a few minutes… then all you need to do is spend them!

fetch rewards app

Are Fetch reviews positive?

Here are a few PROS of Fetch:

  • It’s free!
  • It participates with almost every store, including chain and local stores.
  • There’s no need to clip coupons before you shop — just scan your receipt.
  • It works with a HUGE network of brands.
  • Scanning receipts is quick and easy.
  • You don’t need to wait to get your gift card rewards.
  • The app currently has a 4.8/5 star rating in the App Store and a 4.6/5 star rating in the Google Play Store.

And some CONS:

  • You need to remember to upload your receipts within 14 days.
  • In order to upload eReceipts, you must connect your email and/or Amazon accounts.
  • You can not get cash back or a direct deposit to your Paypal or bank account.
  • There’s an upload limit of 35 receipts per 7-day period.
  • Your points expire after 90 days of inactivity.

Reasons I Love the Fetch App

Here are 7 reasons why the Fetch Rewards App is so great:

1. You Can Scan ANY Receipt

Just about any and all receipts qualify — including receipts from Aldi, Dollar Tree, gas stations, retail stores, local stores, restaurants, department stores, and so much more! (You can now also redeem eReceipts to earn points for online purchases, too!)

2. You Can Scan Up to 35 Receipts Per Week

This is great if you make multiple grocery shopping trips in a week or you save your receipts and then scan them all in at once (you have up to 14 days to scan in your receipt from the day you went shopping).

3. You Earn Points On Every Receipt

While they have various items you can purchase to earn bonus points, no matter what you bought, if you scan your receipt, you’ll get 25 points just for scanning your receipt! It adds up really quickly!

4. You Don’t Have to Mess With Scanning Bar Codes

Unlike some of the other rebate apps, you don’t have to mess with finding the offers and checking the boxes for them or scanning the barcodes on the individual items. You just scan your receipt, they automatically add the points to your account, and you’re done!

5. You Earn Bonus Points for Referring People

Fetch Rewards offers a great referral program and you can earn 4,000 points for every person you refer who signs up with your code and then scans a receipt. Spread the word about this great app and they’ll reward you for doing so!

6. You Don’t Have to Earn a Minimum Before Cashing Out

There’s no need to wait until you’ve hit a $25 payout with Fetch Rewards! As soon as you have enough points, you can start trading them in for $3 and $5 gift cards!

7. There’s a Big Selection of Gift Cards to Choose From

Choose from popular stores like Amazon, Panera, Target, Dunkin’ Donuts, Starbucks, TJMaxx, CVS, Kroger, Marshall’s, and tons more.

How to Earn With The Fetch Rewards App

You won’t earn a TON of money for scanning receipts, but every little bit adds up! And since it only takes a few seconds to scan my receipt, it’s so worth it! (Plus, you can use my link to sign up to get a bonus 2,000 points just for signing up!)

Most people report earning more points in the beginning and then earning fewer points the longer they use the app. But hey, all points are free money in my book, so I’ll take them!

This is a great way to stretch your grocery budget each month. Or it might be fun to set aside all of the money you’ve earned in a year and use it for Christmas gifts or one larger purchase.

How to sign up for Fetch Rewards App (+ bonus 2,000 points!)

Want to join me in this fun journey to earning free gift cards just for scanning your grocery receipts?

Just sign up through this link on your mobile device and submit your first receipt to start earning right away! And use my referral link to get a bonus 2,000 points when you sign up!

Fetch Rewards FAQs

Can I redeem my fetch app points for cash?

You currently can’t get cash back, but you can redeem your points for a Visa Prepaid card — which is basically just like cash!

Do I need to enter my credit card info to use the Fetch Reward App?

Nope! It won’t even ask for your credit card information.

Are there certain stores that offer more points?

Yes! While you will earn at least 25 points from EVERY receipt you submit, you can earn additional points on eligible receipts from grocery stores, supermarkets, wholesale club stores, hardware stores, pet stores, gas stations, and convenience stores when you buy participating items and complete special offers at those stores.

Looking for other apps where you can earn money or gift cards for free? I recommend Ibotta, Upside, CoinOut, and Swagbucks.

Have you tried this app? I’d love to hear your Fetch Rewards reviews in the comments!

Want to EASILY earn $1,000+ this year from your PHONE?!

 With this FREE Cheatsheet, you’ll learn about 11 apps that help you earn extra $$$ with very little effort!

   
 
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