What I've Been Up To

We have been really busy lately trying to get the house, yard and garden ready for summer. We have been mowing for about a month longer than usual by now.  It got warm early this year.  We have already picked cherries, and the blackberries are in full bloom.

We took a short vacation down to Lake Cumberland and had a really good time.  We took a ride on the Big South Fork Scenic Railroad.  It is an older train that goes through an old coal mining town that has been restored and then stops in another one that is more like a museum.

We did some antiquing and bought a couple of pieces because the prices there were very reasonable.  We bought a big oak china cabinet that we put in the kitchen and a maple corner cabinet that went in the living room.  I am in love with both pieces.  Here is the picture of the oak cabinet.

I love the primitive look and have been redoing some things.  Here is a candelabra that I redid.

Before

After

This was a yard sale find a couple of years ago ($1.00) and I couldn't decide what to do with it until I came across a website that told me how to prim it up.  I really enjoyed doing it.

Make sure you stay tuned as I will be holding another give away soon!

Mae

Money Saving Links

There are a few things I do that help earn money, gift cards or coupons through out the year. I have a PayPal account that I try to send as much survey money into each year as I can. It isn't much but it usually adds up to a couple of Christmas gifts.

I use Swagbucks which is search engine that pays you for searching. When I have enough Swagbucks I cash them in for a PayPal gift card which goes right into my PayPal account. Here is a link to get you started: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/lulerm

I also use SavingStar. This is a program that you attache your store loyalty card to, and load coupons onto your loyalty card. Then you shop as you normally would, using any paper or electronic coupons that you would normally use. The store knows nothing about your SavingStar coupons. The money for the SavingStar coupons are added to your account and once you reach $5 you can cash out. Here is the link: https://savingstar.com/

Ebates is another great way to save a little extra cash. Ebates is a rebate system. If you are shopping online all you have to do is go to Ebates, search for the store you are shopping at and click on Ebates' lnk to that store. Once you get to the store's website, shop as usual. The rebate is added to your Ebates account automatically. Then once a quarter you get a check. I have mine put into my PayPal account. Here is the link: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=AcF8Uk59LCPBAIric%2B9ZvQ%3D%3D It really is that simple. I usually only get a check around Christmas when I am doing a lot of ordering. Ebates doesn't have every store you would want use but they do have a very large variety.

I know these are just little things but the little things do add up. It cost you nothing to join any of these programs and it's not like it even cost you very much time. And with the economy the way it is every little bit helps.

Mae