My Side-Hustle: The Top Ten Money Making Apps I've Used This Year

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Last year I tried to get a part-time job. It didn't exactly pan out the way I hoped it would.

My full-time job as a marketing analyst got in the way and I knew it wasn't going to work out. I'm a salary employee  also so when work needs to get done, it needs to get fucking done regardless of how long it takes you. All I had left were part of my nights and the weekends, which was basically the time I spent with my husband, family, and procrastinating going to the gym.

So I was sorta stuck. But last November, just in time for the holidays, my mother told me about the app Ibotta and the rest is history. I found the solution to my problem and a slippery slope to a few other great apps. Pennyhoarder and other bloggers helped guide me to other apps and I can honestly say I will never go back.

However...

All Money Making Apps Are Not The Same!! 

&

Don't Buy Things Just to Receive the Money Back!! 

 The key to making it work is not going out of your way to buy something you won't use! Keep track of daily shopping habits and use the apps where applicable. Plain and simple. Some take time, others are more instant gratification with little planning. It's up to you and your personal discipline to use them at your own discretion. 

Now for the Fun Part...

March Savings: Several Ways I Saved Money in March!

To accomplish my yearly goals there is one important thing I need to move forward...Money! I'm grateful and lucky for my salary job and I need to stretch it a little further. 

Each month in 2016 I've been keeping track of my finances and attempting to make more responsible decisions to minimize my spending. 

I'm starting to truly see the difference, especially in my credit card statements. I still can't believe my AMEX bill was under $200?!?! That has happened in months!! I have to keep it up and I have to keep going! =)

Saturday Savings: How I Saved Money in February

This year Saving Money is always on my mind and it's been a successful run so far! January was a great month of savings for me. I kept up my $35 a week for lunch goal and was able to save an extra $40+ for my mad money jar. As well as additional savings brought on by my heightened awareness of my daily life and decisions.

Toots + Dill: 40 Day Challenge of Self-Reflection

Well more like 47 days... 

Lent has 7 days built in for rest...

The past few weeks have pretty much knocked me on my butt in more than a few ways and it's resulted in me stepping back to really look at my daily life a little more closely. A New Year's resolution I didn't plan on has presented itself and I'm happily about to embrace the change!

 Embracing Self-Reflection 

Simple Math for Simple Changes Week #3 Progress

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Happy Snow Day!!! I have to admit the snow is pretty when I'm safe & warm and

don't have to drive in it! While the snow is piling up outside I'm happily reflecting how well I'm doing with my lil Lunch Money Budget Project. It's not easy and yes I've had some freak out moments at 11am when I still have not decided what I'm going to have for lunch. But for three weeks now I have successfully kept within budget and have some extra cash now to add to my savings jar.

Simple Math For Simple Changes - Progress Week #2

Happy Saturday!! I'm so excited to share with you my progress from week #2! It's hard to explain how shocked I am that I'm sticking to this budget as strict as I am. I'll admit it...I'm one of those people who goes hard and fast at something for a brief period of time and then slowly drops it off course. The follow through and keeping up has never been my strong suit. But I'm two weeks in and I've been able to keep to my budget and see real saving results! 

Simple Math for Simple Changes - Progress #1

Happy Sunday! Today is one of those rainy Sundays perfect for brunch and a movie matinee. Also some much needed self evaluation and bookkeeping. 

Before the holidays I made a promise to myself to start saving money and to pay attention to my spending. Read Post Here - Simple Math for Simple Changes. In my blog post, I decided to target my lunch spending as a good area to improve and limit. It's so easy to spend over $10 a day on lunch and if I want to achieve any of my hopefuls this year - I'm going to need the extra money to do it.

Simple Math for Two Simple Changes

I promise no common core will be discussed here!!! No seriously, not joking.

Lately I've been reflecting on the holidays and the upcoming new year. A lot of changes are going to have to be made in order to move forward and finally take those next few steps. Some changes I've already put into motion and I'm so happy I did!