Planning My Goals
For day 2 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge I’m planning my goals. First are my earning sites where I do tasks, surveys, watch videos and other easy ways to earn points to turn into gift cards or Paypal. My main site is SWAGBUCKS and when I make the daily goal every day I get a bonus at the end each month. I have set my personal daily goal for Swagbucks at 200 points but I usually get much more. 200 daily points including my monthly bonus gives me about $70.00 per month! Not bad for cashing out for a variety of gift cards including Amazon or Paypal. Last November I cashed out $100.00 to Paypal and $110.00 in December. I have been using this site since 2013 and love it!
Then I have my receipt sites when after scanning shopping receipts the points can also be converted to gift cards or Paypal. These don’t add up as quickly as my earning sites but every now and then I have enough to cash out $50.00. Just the other day I cashed out $50.00 on COINOUT and the confirmation is sent within a day or two. These sites I have to keep up with when I get my receipts since some give you a time frame to scan them. So that is a goal also, scan as soon as I get home!
My other goal I’m planning is to share my healthy and inexpensive meals for the first week of the challenge, starting tomorrow. This is like another challenge to me, see what heathy meals I can make and some even have leftovers for another meal!
This is my third or fourth year that I have stopped buying food in January! About the only things I may need is bread, milk and fresh fruit. I even have over 10 pounds of butter stocked up so Lia can still do her baking! I use this month to clean out what I have in our freezers and pantry. I took inventory a few weeks ago when I reorganized the freezers and when all that’s gone, I’ll go shopping again. This pertains to eating out also but if I have gift cards or free items I told Rich we could use them up! This plan is a good way to use up food from the freezer plus save money! I’m still on goal with my healthy eating recipes and great ideas for leftovers.
By writing things down in a notebook I find it’s much easier for me to track since I just pull it out and it’s in front of me. So as far as my UBC goal planning, I’ve got the first week down with healthy and inexpensive meal blogs then from there I’ll see what the other topics I may be able to come up with for the next week!
I like using Swagbucks too for getting gif cards.
Yes that is certainly a plus Amanda!
Interesting concept to not buy food in January. I can definitely see cleaning out the piles up stores.
I’d heard of Swagbucks but never knew I’d it was legitimate. Glad you can make some extra cash that way.
Yes I have been my no food buying in January for a few years now. It’s a great way to start over and also save money for the month Laurie! Swagbucks is definitely legit, I’ve been earning over $1000.00 per year!
Oh, Martha! This post is so chock full of great information. I love the idea of not shopping in January. My favorite saving grace is this place in Acme that has four meats for $20. I can get more than a week’s worth of main courses from that spot alone. Helpful with my college aged son home! I also may check out the site you mention – I can always use more PayPal and Amazon! Oh, and finally – I am big on notebooks rather than spreadsheets, etc. Just works better for my “old-school self.”
Wow that Acme deal sounds super Julie! I’ve never figured out how much I save by not shopping in January but it’s probably at least $100.00. It seems like every time I go to the store I end up picking up things I don’t really need so this is really helpful for January. Swagbucks is great and if you join, let me know and I’ll help you with the best offers!
I see I am not the only one with a month where I have stocked up enough to not buy most foods. It is kind of a great feeling, isn’t it? Thanks for sharing this and all of your other tips packed into this post!
It certainly is a great way to “declutter” the freezers and panty Beckie not to mention save money!
I don’t have a whole month without buying food (since I eat a SLEW of vegetables and fresh fruit- and they do NOT stay), but I don’t need to buy my kosher meat except once a quarter. I buy those items when the sale prices are great and keep them frozen, until needed.
And, yes, it saves a bunch of bucks.
Buying meat once a quarter sounds like a great way to save Roy! I do buy fruits and vegetables during the month but not buying meat is a big money saver.
Martha, I love the way you think! Now I am not familiar with Swagbucks– do you think it would be worth doing for a single person? And where can I learn more about scanning receipts to earn $? I want all your suggestions that could work for a single person! <3
Kebba, Swagbucks is definitely worth it for anyone, single included. Once you get the hang of it, it’s easy to make $100.00 or more a month. I’m thinking of making a You Tube video showing all the different ways to earn on it. If you do join, let me know and I can give you a crash course! I will also message you about some receipt scanning sites! I’m starting the New Year of saving money!
Hi Martha and Lia. Those are some great goals. I am going to download CoinOut tomorrow. Do you have any meals that would aid in weight loss? It seems like no matter what I eat I’m always hungry. We don’t eat meat, but any ideas would be helpful.
Most of my meals are low in fat and while they may not be “diet” food they are healthy Amanda. If snacks I find trail mix is good and filling. I know you said Matt is allergic to nuts so keep it away from him! Another good snack food is salad, I love snacking on broccoli slaw or cole slaw!
So interesting, especially the meal planning part! I am super excited to see pictures of the things that Lia bakes with all of that butter. I am sure that it will look delicious! How is Lia enjoying school?
I’m all for meal planning Alice. I like to meal prep individual freezer meals for the days I don’t have time to plan a normal meal. Lia only uses butter when she bakes, she’s planning a few surprises in her bakery!
Keeps on keeping 💯 on O but really enjoying
Loving making goals Rich!