Archive for the ‘Ways to Save’ Category

Best Botox Prices in Dallas ~ Injectable Envy + Other Hot Injectable Prices

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Sunday, October 16th, 2016 at 7:00 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

Best Botox Prices in Dallas

So how do you know you are getting the best Botox prices in Dallas along with other injectables?  Trust me, I’ve shopped around on Groupon and didn’t have much luck, as what I thought was a deal ended not being such, with up-sells and more.

As many of you know, I’m a loyal customer of HerKare as they have changed my mental and physical well-being treating my hormonal imbalance.

Best Botox Prices in Dallas

Well, I learned a ton about pricing as Injectable Envy just moved into HerKare in Southlake.  Did you know the average cost for Botox in Dallas is $12 per unit. The highest priced botox can be found for $18!

Best Botox Prices in DallasInjectable Envy charges just $10!!!!  So to make the math easy, 25 units with Injectable Envy is $250.  At $12 per unit, you would pay $300! WOW!

In addition, Injectable Envy signs you up for rewards programs so you can get manufacturer discounts too! No one has ever shared that tidbit of information with me until now.  I did a bit of research and only found a few others offering that price. If you find one offering Botox for $10 or less, it’s a great deal.  Then do your homework on the person’s experience doing the injectable.

Why does Injectable Envy charge less?  Because, well…they’re good and one of the biggest buyers in the country. Because of that, they get discounts from the manufacturer. Instead of pocketing those profits, they pass those savings on to the consumer. Injectable Envy is a branch of Advanced Aesthetics from Las Vegas.  Samantha Daniel, RN has moved to the DFW Metroplex to build their business in our city and share the savings. She’s been doing this for 7 years now and is well respected across the country for her work.

screen-shot-2016-10-16-at-6-00-10-pmSamantha Daniel’s resume:

Samantha Daniel, RN, is a highly specialized Certified Aesthetic Nurse Injector (CANS) with more than seven years of ongoing advanced training in aesthetics. She is the co-owner of the largest Med Spa in Nevada, based out of Las Vegas. Samantha has injected well over 20,000 clients while growing Advanced Aesthetics into a top ranked national account.  Samantha is a national trainer for some of the leading global aesthetic manufacturers including Galderma and Allergan Cosmetics. She has trained hundreds of doctors and nurses on her technique and is a frequent injector and participant at national aesthetic conferences.

It’s rare when you see prices publicly revealed, but Injectable Envy is proud of their pricing and they want people from all walks of life to have a chance at feeling better about how they look!

Botox: $10/unit

Dysport: $3.50/unit

Juvederm Voluma: $700/syringe – 2nd syringe – $500

Juvederm Ultra XC: $450/syringe – 2nd syringe – $350

Juvederm Ultra Plus XC: $450/syringe – 2nd syringe – $350

Restylane: $425/syringe – 2nd syringe – $325

Restylane Silk: $425/syringe – 2nd syringe – $325

Restylane Lyft: $500/syringe – 2nd syringe – $300

Radiesse: $500/syringe

Sculptra: $700/vial – 2nd vial $500

Kybella: $600/vial – 2nd vial $500

So if you’ve been wanting injectables at a great price, you’re sure to get a fair deal with Samantha and her team!  Happy saving!

Cheapest Botox in Dallas

 

 

 

10 Overlooked Discounts & Deals You Might Be Missing

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Monday, October 10th, 2016 at 5:00 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

10 overlooked discounts & deals

Who doesn’t love a good bargain? There might be discounts, coupons and other ways to save that you might be overlooking!  Finding savings in coupons you get from your Sunday paper, or the deals we post online is pretty easy.  But there are a lot of other options that get passed by. From now on, keep your eyes open to these great ways to save:

1. Customer Surveys. Taco Bell, Chick-fil-A, and Subway are just three companies that entice you to take a survey with the promise of a reward. Many retail outlets and restaurants want the feedback and are willing to reward you for it!

2. Rebates & Coupons on Packages. “Peelies” are great coupons stuck to products.  You might even find a rebate attached, as well.  Compare the prices of the products, and if you can get a better deal with a mail-in-rebate or coupon, grab it!

3. Ticket stubs. Here in Texas, our sports are everything!  The next time you attend a Cowboys game or any other event or concert, be sure to keep your ticket!  The back of your ticket stub might have a coupon on it, or even a freebie if a team wins or score a specific amount of points.  

4. Work discounts. Cell phone plans might be covered or discounted by your employer!  Be sure to check, because you could be saving a little extra every month. Make sure you ask about fitness centers (gyms) and other public resources – your employer might already have a group account with them that you can be included in!

5.  Receipt coupons. Many store receipts have coupons on the back — especially those that come from grocery store registers. Common discounts include restaurant deals, local dry cleaning deals, reduced ticket prices to local events and more.

6. Car insurance discounts. You might be aware that a good driving record can save you money….but while you’re speaking with your car insurance representative, ask about other discounts.  Student drivers that maintain a good GPA, veterans and the elderly often have discounts waiting for them.  You just have to ask about them. 

7. Cash coupons. Stores like Kohl’s and Old Navy offer some great savings. By spending a specific amount, you’ll receive “Kohl’s Cash” or “Old Navy Cash” that can be used on your next shopping trip.  Drugstores are also popular for giving savings on your next purchase, like CVS “Extra Care Bucks” and Walgreens “Register Rewards.”  These retailers count on you forgetting all about receiving these discounts – so take note of the days you can use them, and mark that on your calendars. 

8. Home insurance discounts. Check with your home insurance company.  There are specific things you can usually do to receive a discount.  Sometimes installing a certain smoke detector or deadbolt can save you extra money you didn’t realize.

9. Online coupons. Discounts online are easy, when you follow blogs like My Dallas Mommy!  But when you’re shopping online or even in-store, retailers will often offer great savings via their app or website.  It’s usually worth your time to save that extra money, just by searching around a little more!

10. Coupon mailers. You’ve seen these in your mailbox – and probably tossed them in the trash immediately. Take a minute to look through coupon mailer packs like Valpak and MoneyMailer.  Don’t pass up a BOGO FREE dinner at a new restaurant, or savings on dry cleaning, car window repair and home carpet cleaning!  You never know when you’ll need to use them!

Thrifty Tips

September Deals: What to Expect to Find on Sale
Meal Solutions for Turning Leftovers Into New Meals
Choosing Quality Fruits and Vegetables at the Grocery Store
What Foods Can You Freeze? Save Time & Money
Top 10 What to Buy During End of Summer Sales
80 Non-Toxic DIY Cleaners
10 Uses for Muffin Pans
10 Items Worth Buying at the Dollar Store
Signature Mini Meals + 21 Meal Suggestions

+ More!

 

Meal Planning Tips + FREE Printable

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Monday, September 26th, 2016 at 6:35 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

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One thing families struggle with is keeping the grocery bill under control. Going in without a list and buying the first thing that looks good is no fun, and ends up costing way more in the end. Learning how to meal plan and sticking to it is easier than you think. Follow these simple tips to easy meal planning and a cheaper grocery bill.

  • Assign Each Day A Theme – This could make meal planning so easy! Salad Sundays, Meatless Mondays, Taco Tuesday, Wild Rice Wednesday, etc. There are so many options and making out your weekly grocery list would only take a few minutes. Make it fun for the whole family by asking the kids to pick their favorites!
  • Pinterest – This deserves it’s own category. Spend a few minutes daily searching around on Pinterest for great recipes. Pin these to a board called “Dinner,” or something similar. When it is time to prepare your grocery list, all of the recipes will be pinned in your folder.
  • Prepare Your Meat Ahead – When you are cooking, it is easier to prepare almost all of your meat at once. If you are going to be using a lot of chicken, it is easy to clean and dress it all at once, properly freeze and pull out what you need for dinner. This saves time during the week, especially for busy moms.
  • Don’t Forget the Sides – While making out your meal plan for the week, also include side dishes. There is nothing worse than having every night’s main dish planned out, but no sides. What I like to do is make side dishes that can use a lot of the same products.
  • Get Help – It get’s hard trying to figure out something to cook every night of the week, get the kids and spouse in on it. Ask them what their favorite meals are or if they have any suggestions for dinner. You would be surprised at how many great ideas they can come up with!
  • Keep Stocked Up – Keep a stock of basic supplies, both in your freezer and pantry. A few extra bags of frozen veggies or extra rice and cream of mushroom soup can make a big difference. No matter if it’s extra company or an emergency backup, it is great to have a nice stock.
  • Write Your Meal Plan – Having your meal plan listed in a central location will stop the confusion of everyone asking what’s for dinner. A great idea is to print out a free meal planner printable, frame it and hang in the kitchen. Easily fill it in every week and you are ready to go.

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I hope these tips help make planning dinner and cooking dinner just little bit easier. To help you prepare this coming week’s meal I am going to share with you a sample of one of my weekly meal plans. You can also print this PDF “What’s On The Menu” that you can print out and hang on your refrigerator or hang in the kitchen. Hope you enjoy!

Monday – Bacon Cheeseburger Soup

Tuesday – Healthy Beef Stroganoff

Wednesday – Philly Cheese Steak Sandwiches with Coleslaw

Thursday – Chicken Marsala with Fresh Garden Salad *I use chicken stock instead of wine*

Friday – Southwest Stuffed Acorn Squash

Saturday – Chicken Fajita Pasta

Sunday – Grilled Ribs with French Fries and Steamed Broccoli

Print your Free Meal Planner Here

Thrifty Tips

September Deals: What to Expect to Find on Sale
Meal Solutions for Turning Leftovers Into New Meals
Choosing Quality Fruits and Vegetables at the Grocery Store
What Foods Can You Freeze? Save Time & Money
Top 10 What to Buy During End of Summer Sales
80 Non-Toxic DIY Cleaners
10 Uses for Muffin Pans
10 Items Worth Buying at the Dollar Store
Signature Mini Meals + 21 Meal Suggestions

+ More!

 

Ways to Save at the Dentist

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Sunday, September 25th, 2016 at 11:15 AM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

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A trip to the dentist can be a pain in the mouth, and a pain in the wallet. So much so that cost is actually the #1 reason people do not visit the dentist more frequently, according to a 2016 report from the American Dental Association.

Unfortunately, dental care for adults is one of the most common exclusions from medical insurance and Medicare. Even with dental insurance, coverage on some of those big-ticket procedures — like crowns, bridges, dentures, braces and implants — can be limited, there might be a waiting period to start on an emergency, and your annual max is only $1,000.

The good news is there are some ways to help make dental care more affordable, and less avoidable.

Here are four tips that can help take a bite out of  dentist bills, thanks to the Consumer Health Alliance. 
First things first: Like most of our healthcare, preventive care is the key — brushing twice a day, flossing daily and keeping your twice-a-year cleaning at the dentist. This will help you to avoid costly problems in the future. Especially for dental care. A cavity that might cost you a couple hundred to fill now could lead to a root canal down-the-road that will cost you hundreds more.

Go to a dental school: The dental student teaching clinic at Texas A&M’s College of Dentistry offers high-quality dental care for much less than you would pay at a practice. The work is done by students under the guidance of a seasoned instructor, plus the tools and equipment are very up-to-date. But, the services may take more time or there might be a waiting list to get in.

Try a dental savings plan: A non-insurance dental savings plans can save you anywhere from 20% to 60% off the regular cost of dental procedures. Membership plans are similar to a wholesale store like Costco, but for discounts at the dentist. You get a list of in-network dentists and a discount on procedures when you visit those providers. Plans also have no waiting periods and may include discounts on cosmetic dentistry and braces. To look for options and participating dentists in Dallas, check out DentalPlans or Careington online.

Speak up: Ask your dentist for a discount or options to pay over time. Some practices may also offer reduced prices for referrals or if you’re paying upfront with cash.

Create a Gift Vault: Stock up & Save More Throughout the Year!

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Tuesday, September 20th, 2016 at 7:00 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

gift-vault
After each holiday throughout the year, retailers need to deplete their stock to get ready for the next season or holiday. Spending less, and getting MORE is a mantra around here, and we do that by stocking up on gifts for holidays, celebrations, birthdays, anniversaries and more, all year.  Why spend full price on items you need or will need,  when you can purchase them early for less, and store them until you’re ready for them?  We call these our “Gift Vaults.”

This is especially nice when you have a last minute birthday party for one of the kids’ friends, forgot about a special birthday and don’t have time to run out to find a gift, or want to put together a gift basket for a teacher, co-worker or friend that isn’t feeling well!  This is perfect for ANYONE that purchases gifts ANYTIME during the year.

Not only can you store gifts for the future, you can store the wrapping supplies you’ll need, too!  Use a separate tote, or put them in with the gifts!  Any way you do it, you’ll be glad you did!  Where do we store these gifts?  Here are some ideas!
gifts

Storage Totes
Storage totes are a great way to stock up on gifts, and keep them until you’re ready to wrap them up and hand them out.  Tuck it away in a closet, corner, garage or anywhere that is convenient, yet won’t get the kids curious about what’s inside.  As you collect them, just toss them in the tote.  When you need to have a last minute gift, this is especially nice, because you’ll have some great options if you’ve continued to shop all year.  Check out some affordable options HERE and HERE.

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Under Bed
If you’re limited on space, consider storing your gifts under a bed!  There are lots of great under-bed storage options available (see some HERE) that slide perfectly under the bed and stay hidden.

Closets
Re-arrange your closet to create a space perfect for gift items.  This works well if you don’t have the space for a tote.  Before using a tote, I used a medium sized duffle bag that I stashed in the corner of my closet to store gifts in.  This kept them hidden, but in a convenient spot, all together.

* Dates to Remember Sheet
Another suggestion is to create a gift list.  This can be stored with your stockpile of gifts, and help you remember important dates for your loved ones!  This will keep you more organized, and help you know what gifts to be on the lookout for, every year.  An example of this gift list could be something as simple as this Dates to Remember FREE printable:

dates-to-remember

Hopefully now, when you see some awesome online deals that we post, you’ll change your thinking from, “I’ll have to get that for John’s birthday in June,” to “John’s birthday is in June, but this is an incredible price.  I’ll get it now and store it away, so I save more money!”

How to you organize and store away gifts?

80 Non-Toxic DIY Cleaners & Hacks

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Thursday, September 8th, 2016 at 6:00 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

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What can you do with salt, vinegar and baking soda?  A LOT!  Making DIY cleaners that are natural and non-toxic will save you a ton of money, and keep your family safe. You’ll never have to buy household cleaners again after you read this awesome list.  Whether you need a great all-purpose cleaner, or want to find some simple ways to solve common household problems, you’ll find it here.

All-Purpose, every day DIY Cleaners

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All Purpose Cleaner: 1/2 cup vinegar + 1/4 cup baking soda stir into 1/2 gallon of water. Safe for basins, tubs, tile, windows, and mirrors

Bathroom Mold: one part hydrogen peroxide + 2 parts water in a spray bottle. Spray on mold, wait an hour, and rinse

Carpet Deodorizer: sprinkle baking soda on carpet and vacuum normally 2 hours later

Carpet Stains: equal parts vinegar and water. Spray on stain, let sit for 3 minutes, clean with a brush or sponge using soapy water

Coffee or Tea Stains In Mugs: put some vinegar on a clean sponge and wipe the stained area clean, wash normally

Coffee Maker or Tea Kettle: bring 2 cups water+1/4 cup vinegar to boil inside maker, wipe with clean cloth and then wash normally

Cutting Board Cleaner: rub a slice of lemon across the cutting board to disinfect it. If there is a blood stain, or other type of strong stain, squeeze the juice out of a slice of lemon on the stain, leave on ten minutes, and then rinse with warm water.

Dishwashing Stained Dishes: in the sink add 3 tablespoons of vinegar to the soapy water in the sink

Disinfect Kitchen Sponges: put them in the top rack of the dishwasher when you run a standard load

Disinfectant: 2 teaspoons borax + 4 tablespoons vinegar + 3 cups hot water. Put in a non aerosol spray bottle. Note that this is not an antibacterial cleaner, and kitchens and bathrooms do not generally require antibacterial cleaners

Drain Cleaner: 1/2 cup salt + 4 liters of water, heat until hot but not boiling and pour down the drain

Drain Cleaner (extra strong): 1/2 cup baking soda pour down the drain and then 1/2 cup vinegar, pour down the drain. Wait 15 minutes and pour boiling water down the drain. Do not use on plastic pipes, only metal ones

Metal, Laundry & Furniture DIY Cleaners

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Fresh Grease Stains On Carpet: sprinkle corn starch on spot wait 30 minutes before vacuuming

Furniture Polish For Unvarnished Wood: 2 teaspoons olive oil+2 teaspoons lemon juice, apply small amount to soft cotton cloth, wring cloth to mix fully into cloth, apply to furniture using wide strokes

Furniture Polish For Varnished Wood: 3 drops lemon oil+1/2 cup warm water, mix well, spray on slightly damp cotton cloth. Wipe furniture with cloth, finish wiping with dry cotton cloth.

Heavy Duty Carpet Cleaner: 1/4 cup salt+1/4 cup borax +1/4 cup vinegar. Rub into carpet, leave for three hours, vacuum

Laundry Detergent: 1 cup Ivory soap +1/2 cup washing soda +1/2 cup borax. 1 tablespoon of the mixture for light loads and 2 tablespoons of the mixture for heavy loads

Lime Scale On Bathroom Fixtures: squeeze lemon juice on lime scale, let sit for 5 minutes, wipe clean with wet cloth

Marks On Walls And Painted Surfaces: apply baking soda to a damp sponge, rub ink spot, pencil, crayon, or marker spot gently, then wipe and rinse

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Aluminum: use soft cloth with a solution of a shake of cream of tartar and a small amount of water

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Brass Or Bronze: dip soft cloth in a solution of baking soda and lemon (enough lemon juice to wet the baking soda)

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Brass Or Bronze #2: dip soft cloth in a solution of vinegar and salt (enough vinegar to wet the baking soda)

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Brass Or Bronze Tarnish Remover: apply a spot of ketchup to a soft cloth and rub over tarnished spots

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Chrome: polish with a small amount of baby oil on a soft cloth

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Chrome #2: polish with a small amount of white vinegar on a soft cloth

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Chrome #3: polish with a piece of aluminum foil shiny side facing outward

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Copper: soak a cotton rag in a pot of boiling water+1 tablespoon salt”+1 cup white vinegar. Apply to copper while solution is hot, let cool, wipe clean

More Metal DIY Cleaners

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Metal Cleaner And Polish For Copper Tough Stains: sprinkle baking soda on a soft cloth and then wipe

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Copper Tough Stains #2: squirt lemon juice on a soft cloth and then wipe

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Copper Cookware: sprinkle juice from a lemon wedge with salt, scrub

Metal Cleaner And Polish For Copper Cookware Tough Stains:  apply a spot of ketchup to a soft cloth and rub over tarnished spots

Metal Cleaner And Polish Gold: clean with non whitening (regular) toothpaste on a soft brush

Metal Cleaner And Polish Gold #2: clean with a paste made of salt and water (just enough water to wet the salt)

Metal Cleaner And Polish Gold #3: clean with a paste of vinegar and salt (just enough vinegar to wet the salt)

Metal Cleaner And Polish Gold #4: clean with a paste of flour and water (just enough water to wet the flour)

Metal Cleaner And Polish Silver: line pan with aluminum foil, fill with water, add one teaspoon baking soda+1 teaspoon salt. Bring to boil, immerse silver, polish with soft cloth

Metal Cleaner And Polish Stainless Steel: clean with a cloth dampened with white vinegar

Metal Cleaner And Polish Stainless Steel #2: clean with a cloth dampened with a small amount of olive oil

Metal Cleaner And Polish Stainless Steel Cookware: 4 tablespoons of baking soda+1 quart of water, apply using soft cotton cloth, wipe dry using clean cloth

Metal Cleaner And Polish Stainless Steel Sinks: club soda poured on a cotton cloth, wipe clean using dry cloth

Mothballs, Mold, Oven, Shoe & Plastic DIY Cleaners

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Mold And Mildew Remover:  white vinegar full strength apply with sponge

Mold And Mildew Remover #2: lemon juice full strength apply with sponge

Mothballs: cedar chips wrapped in cheesecloth

Mothballs #2: cedar oil on a cotton cloth (aromatic cedar, a.k.a. juniper)

Moth Repelling Sachets: lavender wrapped in cheesecloth

Moth Repelling Sachets #2: rosemary wrapped in cheesecloth

Moth Repelling Sachets #3: rose petals wrapped in cheesecloth

Moth Repelling Sachets #4: dried lemon peels wrapped in cheesecloth

Oil And Grease Spot:  pour baking soda on spot and scrub with wet brush

Oven Cleaner: moisten surfaces with sponge and water. 3/4 cup baking soda + 1/4 cup salt + 1/4 cup water mix until thick paste, spread throughout oven interior avoiding bare metal and openings. Let sit overnight, remove with spatula and wipe clean. Rub gently with steel wool on tough spots

Plastic Food Storage Container Stains: fill with warm water and 1 tablespoon of baking soda, let sit overnight, wash normally

Reduce Static Cling Naturally: dampen your hands and shake out individual articles of clothing as you take them out of the clothes dryer

Rust Remover: sprinkle salt on the rust, squeeze a lime over the salt until the salt is soaked. Leave on for 3 hours, scrub clean

Scouring Powder: baking soda on a damp sponge for the top of the stove, refrigerator

Shoe Polish: 2 drops olive oil+2 drops lemon juice, apply to shoes with thick cotton rag, leave on for three minutes, wipe and buff clean with a dry cotton rag

Tub, Toilet & Strong Odors DIY Cleaners

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Stickers On Walls Sponge: vinegar over the stickers, let sit 15 minutes, rub off stickers

Stone and Brick Tile Cleaner: 1 cup white vinegar+1 gallon of water, rinse with water

Strong Odors Around The House: bowl with dried herbs in the room with an odor

Strong Odors Around The House: small dish with baking soda and lemon juice in it

Strong Odors In The Garbage Disposal: put a 1/4 of a lemon slice in the garbage disposal and grind it up

Strong Odors In The Kitchen: keep a small dish of coffee grounds on the counter

Strong Odors On Kitchen Utensils And Cutting Boards: wipe with vinegar before washing. Will remove onion, garlic, and fish smells.

Strong Odors While Cooking: 1 tablespoon of vinegar +1 cup of water simmer on a back burner on the stove

Strong Odors While Cooking: 1 tablespoon of cinnamon + 1 cup of water simmer on back burner on the stove

Toilet Bowl Cleaner: 1/4 cup baking soda+1 cup vinegar, pour into toilet and let sit for five minutes. Scrub with brush, rinse.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner For Stubborn Stains: 2 parts borax and 1 part lemon juice on toilet brush, scrub with brush and rinse

Tub And Tile Cleaner: rub baking soda with a damp sponge, rinse with water

Tub And Tile Cleaner For Tough Spots: wipe surface with vinegar then follow with a damp sponge with baking soda on it. Use sparingly on grout because vinegar can break it down

Wood, Window & Vinyl DIY Cleaners

Vinyl And Linoleum Cleaner: 1 cup vinegar+1/4 cup borax+1 cup of warm water, use sparingly on linoleum

Vinyl And Linoleum Polish: 1 cup vinegar+3 drops baby oil+1 gallon of warm water, use sparingly on linoleum

Wallpaper Remover: equal parts white vinegar+hot water. Apply with sponge over wallpaper to soften adhesive, peel off lifting edges and reapply to stubborn patches. Run a fan to dissipate the vinegar smell

Water Rings On Wood: apply toothpaste or mayonnaise to a damp cloth and rub into spot, buff surface after ring is removed

Window Cleaner: 2 teaspoons of white vinegar + 1 liter of warm water. Clean with crumpled newspaper or a 100% cotton white cloth. Don’t use colored newspapers. Don’t clean  windows when the sun is shining on them, or if they are warm to the touch as it increases streaks once the windows dry. Don’t use more than 2 teaspoons of vinegar, or overtime you can cloud the glass of your windows.

Wood Floor Cleaner Damp Mopping: equal parts white vinegar and water + 15 drops of peppermint oil, shake to mix

Wood Floor Cleaner (painted):  1 teaspoon washing soda+ 1 gallon of hot water

Wood Floor Cleaner (unpainted): 1 part vegetable oil + 1 part vinegar, rub in well

What DIY cleaners do you use at home?

Want more Thrifty Tips?  Head over HERE to check them out!

Restaurant Rewards Programs & Clubs (Huge List) + More Tips For Dining Out

September Deals: What to Expect to Find on Sale

Meal Solutions for Turning Leftovers Into New Meals

Choosing Quality Fruits and Vegetables at the Grocery Store

What Foods Can You Freeze? Save Time & Money

Top 10 What to Buy During End of Summer Sales

Restaurant Rewards Programs & Clubs (Huge List) + More Tips For Dining Out

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Friday, September 2nd, 2016 at 5:00 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

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Going out to eat doesn’t always have to be a budget pincher!  By joining restaurant clubs and rewards programs, you’ll get freebies, discounts and special, exclusive promotions!  You’ll be able to afford more nights out with the family, treat yourself to special lunches with the girlfriends, and grab dessert for cheaper.   

Here’s a list of 48 restaurants that offer perks for joining their clubs and rewards programs. Just click the link and sign up. Note that this list is national, so be sure to check locations before you get their emails:

Hover over the box below to use the zoom tool, if needed.

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Bring the entire family with you when you venture out, and let the kids eat for FREE! This is a great way to save money and enjoy some family time together!  Each day of the week offers a new restaurant and new dining experience, where you can score FREE food for the kiddos.  That should save you some extra money for dessert 🙂

Kids Eat Free on Sunday
Kids Eat Free on Monday
Kids Eat Free on Tuesday
Kids Eat Free on Wednesday
Kids Eat Free on Thursday

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Saving money while you dine isn’t hard. In fact, one of the easiest ways to save is to purchase discounted gift cards.  Why pay full price, if you can score a gift card for 5-20% off?  Raise.com is a great site, always offering up new gift cards to your favorite restaurants and food & beverage places. I save at least $20 a month by purchasing gift cards for Starbucks through this site!

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Local deal sites like LivingSocial and Groupon are also great places to score some awesome deals on restaurant savings!  Try a new restaurant with a Groupon, or get a great deal on your local favorite at LivingSocial.

You never have to pay full price for the dining experience you want.  Use these tips and save BIG money – allowing your family to venture out more often.  And, save room for dessert! 🙂

Want even more?  Check out all of the current restaurant deals and freebies we have posted recently!  

How do you save money when you dine out? 

Ways to Save Money Eating Out

Posted by My Dallas Mommy on Sunday, August 28th, 2016 at 8:00 PM
The links in the post below may be affiliate links. Read the Full Disclosures!

Ways to Save Money Eating Out
Dining out is still considered a luxury for our family.  It’s rare that we actually do it because we save more eating at home.

But there are ways to save money eating out too! And with the kids in school and parents running around from event to event, eating out is sometimes a necessity. And let’s admit it, it’s nice eating out because there is no prep time, no dirty dishes and no menu planning.

Ways to Save Money Eating Out

Here are some obvious and not so obvious ways to save money eating out:

Restaurant Deals Tab

Perhaps the easiest thing you can do is look under our restaurant deals tab where we post some of the hottest new deals and coupons to help you save!

ways to save eating outUse the Right Credit Card

Use a cash back credit card when eating out. Getting 1-2% back may not sound like much, but the savings add up when combined with these other strategies.

Dine midweek and Early-bird specials (i.e. late lunch)

Weekends means crowds.  Many restaurants try to entice customers to dine on slower nights midweek by offering specials that can save you a lot of extra money.  Geno and I often have date nights during the week as it is less expensive eating out and cheaper getting a babysitter!

Eating before 6 p.m. can save you money with early bird specials! Most are available to all customers and offered at many dining establishments.

Kids-Eat-FreeKids Eat Free

Take advantage of the kids eat free offers all throughout the week.  That can be a great savings when you just have to pay for adults.  We have a full run down of places where kids eat free!

Eat Out on your Birthday

Check out these places that give you free stuff on your birthday. Free food ROCKS!

Eat at the bar or eat appetizers and sides

A number of restaurants offer a special bar menu that is considerably cheaper than the regular menu. Also, many restaurants offer a happy hour every afternoon, which includes drink specials and appetizer deals. You’ll also find appetizers and sides for your meal can end up to be much cheaper as well!

Sign up for emails and text alerts

Many restaurants offer email or text programs. When a restaurant offers these programs, make sure and sign up. Often, the best discounts can be found in this way.

Discounted gift cards

Mid-priced restaurants are becoming more and more promotional in recent years in an attempt to get customers in the door. Some chain restaurants, are directly discounting their gift cards as a backdoor way of lowering menu prices. Keep an eye out for offers like a $100 gift card discounted to $80. Another option is to take advantage of gift card programs like Tom Thumb where you get extra gas rewards for buying the gift card.

Screen Shot 2016-05-02 at 1.59.55 PMGet social

Follow the Facebook page or Twitter feed of your favorite restaurants and eateries. Many post exclusive deals and coupons, so give these social media outlets a quick glance before heading out the door.

Use coupons

We post coupons every Friday on the best coupons available.  Just look under our restaurant deals tab and scroll down and look for Weekend Restaurant coupons.  You can also search for a discount or coupon online. After all, there’s no sense paying full price for your next meal when a coupon is available for the taking.

Search For The Discount & Local Offers

Many sites such as Groupon offer discounts on popular restaurants in your area that you can widen your palate with new options in eating out.  Many restaurants also offer discounts to senior citizens, teachers, military personnel, college students, kids/toddlers, and others.

Screen Shot 2016-05-02 at 2.00.54 PMDrink water

Restaurants depend on the profit from sodas to help them make money. On average, a soda or tea costs about $1.75 – $2.00 not including tax. Instead of ordering soda, drink tap water with your meal. You will be healthier and your wallet will be heavier.

Dine out for lunch

Lunch menus are 25% cheaper than dinner menus.  Eat your BIG meal at lunch and smaller servings/meals at dinner.

Skip Dessert

Unless you have a coupon or free dessert, skip it!  Dessert is the often most expensive part of the meal.

Know the Management

Some of the best deals happen at any restaurant when you eat there frequently. Make sure and visit with the management each time you go into the restaurant. They will appreciate your regular business and often give you additional discounts or free food as an award.

Happy Hour Specials

Some restaurants give you deals like 1/2 off appetizers or reduced-priced meals during certain parts of the day (typically from 5 – 7 PM).

Screen Shot 2016-05-02 at 2.02.24 PMGet It To Go

To avoid paying an 18-20% tip on your bill, get the food to-go from the restaurant and eat it at home.  You should ALWAYS tip at least $1-3 dollars though on your to-go bill though!

Make It A Tapa Party

If you are with friends, have everyone order an appetizer or salad for everyone to split on separate plates and then divide the check by the total amount of people.

Share a large meal

Take advantage of big portions by splitting one with a dining companion.

Frequent Eaters Discounts

Many chains offer discounts to diners who eat there often. Keep these cards in your wallet or purse so when you decide to eat there at the last moment you have the card handy.

Eat beforehand

If you’re ravenous by the time you reach the restaurant, you’ll be tempted to order more. Nibble on a snack before you head out so that you can order from the menu with a cool head.