tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8840577722278020802024-03-19T00:20:07.008-04:00Zucchini Summer~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.comBlogger640125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-40960105632341235442021-03-16T17:27:00.001-04:002021-03-16T17:27:00.760-04:00What a new teacher should include on their resume<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Heyyyyy new teachers! You're about to graduate and super excited about looking for that first job! It is such an exciting time as you start the job hunt, full of anticipation for getting your own classroom.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Most school districts have online portals that you will use to submit your application. Some will ask for a resume, a few may not. Regardless, you need to have a high-quality, professional looking resume at the ready to upload for applications or to print and hand out at interviews and career fairs.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial"></font></div><blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">But what exactly do you put on a teacher resume when you have no experience?</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Been there, done that. Jobs want people with experience but you can't get experience without a job. It's a lousy circle that just keeps going. Never fear, even as a brand new teacher, there ARE things you can list on your resume for experience!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWVbe9qc3rg/XvvLNBzBVOI/AAAAAAAAIK4/5b60zPuxllsvE3aP5jtdFKehxPGjEltYACK4BGAsYHg/s1500/What%2Bcan%2Ba%2Bbrand%2Bnew%2Bteacher%2Blist%2Bon%2Btheir%2Bresume_.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Writing a resume as a brand new teacher" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWVbe9qc3rg/XvvLNBzBVOI/AAAAAAAAIK4/5b60zPuxllsvE3aP5jtdFKehxPGjEltYACK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/What%2Bcan%2Ba%2Bbrand%2Bnew%2Bteacher%2Blist%2Bon%2Btheir%2Bresume_.png" title="New teacher resume tips when you have no experience" width="266" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">1. Any actual, paying jobs, working with kids.</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Did you pay your way through college by working at a childcare center? Go home every summer to work day camp? Put those experiences on your resume! You can add that you were responsible for a group of X children, supervised field trips, created an activities schedule, etc. Whatever is applicable to your role!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">2. Student teaching</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">You didn't get a degree in education without student teaching. That experience is what you will draw from the most in interviews, so be sure to include it on your resume under experience. You can specify what you did such as: "responsible for teaching five 7th grade social studies blocks per day", "planned and facilitated reading intervention groups", "assumed all classroom responsibilities for 23 second graders", "contributed data to IEP case conferences" and so on. Think back to all you did during the student teaching experience to choose the best highlights for your resume.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">3. Field Experiences / Practicums</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Most teacher preparation programs include many hours of pre-service work, classroom experiences before full student teaching. These can also be added to your new teacher resume!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">"100 hours of 2nd grade field experience in which I was responsible for leading a math center each week that targeted fluency skills". </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">There you have it! 3 things you can put on a resume when you're looking for your first teaching job and don't have experience! Remember: keep the resume to 1 page and print on high quality paper!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_n9dbvSMixk/Xvzg-8NfgaI/AAAAAAAAILU/fSfT6A1-Sssa3mGXrxY9OS6Xce2mw2I6QCK4BGAsYHg/s1500/Resume%2BExperience.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="How to write a resume as a brand new teacher" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_n9dbvSMixk/Xvzg-8NfgaI/AAAAAAAAILU/fSfT6A1-Sssa3mGXrxY9OS6Xce2mw2I6QCK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/Resume%2BExperience.png" title="Resume tips for new college graduates with teaching degrees" width="266" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font face="trebuchet" size="5"><i>Good luck on the job search!</i></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-37093312494670002482021-02-09T19:37:00.001-05:002021-02-09T19:37:00.411-05:00The Blogging Rules I Break: As Told By Schitt's Creek Gifs<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As a kid, I was a rule follower. As a blogger? Nothing but a rule breaker.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My little corner of the internet has been going for 10 years now. While the idea of blogging has evolved over the years, there are some evergreen blog rules that I break. And because I am not done obsessing over Schitt's Creek...the blog rules each have a Schitt's Creek gif to go with them. Because why not?</span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rule 1: Choose a blog name related to what you write about.</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Heh heh. "Zucchini Summer" </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H0dKOgPtPrM/X-_BfD3F0nI/AAAAAAAAIn8/DnuoH8OAmAI0J47iaM1vbqa2N5mfKLZKwCLcBGAsYHQ/schitts%2Bcreek%2B1.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="david rose gif" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H0dKOgPtPrM/X-_BfD3F0nI/AAAAAAAAIn8/DnuoH8OAmAI0J47iaM1vbqa2N5mfKLZKwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/schitts%2Bcreek%2B1.gif" title="schitt's creek gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rule 2: Use your name</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">"TheBargainBabe". </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What a stupid name. You shouldn't say it to me because that would be rude and socially awkward but I can say it about myself. <br />I chose it back when dinosaurs roamed the earth and I was super focused on finding good deals. Bargains. I like alliteration and am a female. Hence "babe". </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I don't want to use my real name because I'm not tryin' to end up on an episode of Dateline. Thankyouverymuch.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h-M7xKahAjY/X-_CworRsnI/AAAAAAAAIoQ/nBfHmfpmgrM1tiyOocUgSmh9JUvVtRHewCLcBGAsYHQ/no.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Schitt's Creek Gif" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="480" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h-M7xKahAjY/X-_CworRsnI/AAAAAAAAIoQ/nBfHmfpmgrM1tiyOocUgSmh9JUvVtRHewCLcBGAsYHQ/no.gif" title="Schitt's Creek David Rose That's a real quick no gif" width="240" /></a></span></div><p></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rule 3: Have a niche.</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One major blog rule is to brand yourself as the expert in something fairly specific. Some bloggers specialize in all things travel. Others focus solely on books/reading. Yet other bloggers have found their niche in the world of creating beautiful spaces in their homes.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then there's me. Zucchini Summer Blog written by The Bargain Babe. Do I write only about bargains or zucchinis or summers?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xE6-6atw72w/X-_IWpmH4BI/AAAAAAAAIow/U2W5ApqsW0QFuBCppB_pNwaF4hN_zqa5wCLcBGAsYHQ/%2B%2Bsg%2Bno.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="schitts creek gif" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xE6-6atw72w/X-_IWpmH4BI/AAAAAAAAIow/U2W5ApqsW0QFuBCppB_pNwaF4hN_zqa5wCLcBGAsYHQ/%2B%2Bsg%2Bno.gif" title="schitts creek no gif" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This blog's "niche" is "some of everything". Some posts are about favorite books. One month you might find a more serious toned post about <a href="http://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2019/07/dear-mom-letter-from-your-childs.html" target="_blank">special education</a>. Some posts slant to social justice. There's even one or two <a href="http://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2012/05/baked-bean-blessings-frugal-hospitality.html" target="_blank">recipes</a> around here. </span></p><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rule 4: Use a photo of yourself.</span></h2><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Articles with blogging tips abound with the same advice to make yourself real to your reader. Use a photo of yourself in your profile. Even better if you have photos of yourself making your recipe or visiting Greece (assuming cooking or travel is your niche blog topic. See #3 above.).</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This blog rule is tempting to follow. A few readers know me in real life. (*waves hello*), but most of you don't. I'd love to pop on here with a selfie so you can see the blog-rule-breaking-face behind the scenes. I post photos sometimes, of my dog, of some decor, etc...but never any of the human faces around here. It's a layer of privacy for my family. Besides, if you all knew I was an exact look-a-like for Salma Hayek, you might get jealous.*</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dr4MCofj2DM/X-_GpG7V5bI/AAAAAAAAIoc/78m9EUCPDNcS27CEGr56X8C17XqZFnL-QCLcBGAsYHQ/salma.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Salma Hayak" data-original-height="594" data-original-width="364" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dr4MCofj2DM/X-_GpG7V5bI/AAAAAAAAIoc/78m9EUCPDNcS27CEGr56X8C17XqZFnL-QCLcBGAsYHQ/w196-h320/salma.jpg" title="Photo of salma hayak" width="196" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Def Salma Hayek and not me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VrOo_SCO-E4/X-_HTH_4TWI/AAAAAAAAIok/PXR8JlJ2Kkg0xl_dlXreZrueOc3v6LwcwCLcBGAsYHQ/closet.gif" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="moira rose schitt's creek" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="500" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-VrOo_SCO-E4/X-_HTH_4TWI/AAAAAAAAIok/PXR8JlJ2Kkg0xl_dlXreZrueOc3v6LwcwCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/closet.gif" title="schitt's creek gif moira rose hiding in closet" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Keeping my face off the 'net gives some privacy.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">Rule 5: Use Wordpress or self-host your blog</span></h2><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These days most people have gotten away from the blogger platform and gone to Wordpress or buying their own domain. Yours truly however is still here hanging with the blogger/blogspot home. I don't want to have to try to figure out how to change it all over myself. And don't want to pay a hosting service or pay to have it migrated. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kbIMUQVglU/X-_KLCJG8wI/AAAAAAAAIo8/dQFr-KjMw04CeOK0f4QKJvB0p1vr_sSiACLcBGAsYHQ/its%2Btoo%2Bmuch.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="220" data-original-width="220" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_kbIMUQVglU/X-_KLCJG8wI/AAAAAAAAIo8/dQFr-KjMw04CeOK0f4QKJvB0p1vr_sSiACLcBGAsYHQ/its%2Btoo%2Bmuch.gif" width="240" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;">While it is true that different hosts may offer different/better options for blogging, I'm just hitting the easy button and staying put for now.</span><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: trebuchet;">Are there any blogging rules that you also break? </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: trebuchet;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: trebuchet;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XSyO6rPqumg/X-_K59BvTpI/AAAAAAAAIpE/REiWjzyYuXkcixFxRvtFsrNt72uCoe1hACLcBGAsYHQ/do%2Bwhat%2Bi%2Bwant.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XSyO6rPqumg/X-_K59BvTpI/AAAAAAAAIpE/REiWjzyYuXkcixFxRvtFsrNt72uCoe1hACLcBGAsYHQ/do%2Bwhat%2Bi%2Bwant.gif" width="240" /></a></span></div><span style="color: #800180; font-family: trebuchet;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #800180; font-family: trebuchet;">I can't be the only one out here not showing my face, still hanging at Blogspot, and with a wide "niche", can I?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sty3uBo2EoM/X-_SMKAmBZI/AAAAAAAAIpQ/D9RjxpHlOOgPNvMu5o7VL9qJqJO1DF-2gCLcBGAsYHQ/blogging%2Bmistakes%2BI%2527m%2Bstill%2Bmaking.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="popular blogging mistakes" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sty3uBo2EoM/X-_SMKAmBZI/AAAAAAAAIpQ/D9RjxpHlOOgPNvMu5o7VL9qJqJO1DF-2gCLcBGAsYHQ/w213-h320/blogging%2Bmistakes%2BI%2527m%2Bstill%2Bmaking.png" title="blogging mistakes I still make" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-90838626609954344682021-02-01T05:05:00.001-05:002021-02-01T05:05:00.863-05:00The 10 Things Saving My Life Right Now<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">These lists are apparently a thing? I first saw one from <a href="https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/">The Lazy Genius</a> (mine doesn't contain Oreos like hers does but there is definitely food involved!) and now Anne Bogel from <a href="https://modernmrsdarcy.com/" target="_blank">Modern Mrs. Darcy</a> has a yearly one? Yes, please! Tell me what is getting you through this winter/plague/world right now?</span></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">1. Libby app</span></b></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is a library app (FREE) that you can connect to your local library and use to check out digital books and magazines. I've long been in the "physical books only" camp but then Covid19 came around and mucked everything up. Unable to get to a library in person and without a zillion dollar book budget, what's a girl to do?</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Enter: Libby.</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oSNIB3LIFiw/YBdHS9EaYxI/AAAAAAAAIrc/EMZIwcokZZA3ygIIz_4Aa8EkGwk_TIKOACLcBGAsYHQ/libby.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="libby app" data-original-height="188" data-original-width="269" height="224" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oSNIB3LIFiw/YBdHS9EaYxI/AAAAAAAAIrc/EMZIwcokZZA3ygIIz_4Aa8EkGwk_TIKOACLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h224/libby.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I can place books on hold, read magazines, listen to audio books, or read a book. Over the months of library shut down, I've gotten pretty fond of reading on my phone. A major advantage is that I always have a book available to read. When I had a sick kiddo and needed to sleep next to them, I was able to read on my phone while still keeping the room quiet and dark so they could doze.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">2. Schwan's Frozen Pizza</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You know the Schwan's truck? You order frozen food and they deliver it to your door? Now they have lots of delicious things and some can be pricey but let me fill you in on the budget saver. Frozen pizza. Schwan's frozen pizzas are 5 bucks--less than the cost of a frozen pizza from the grocery store and WAY better. </span> <b><span style="font-family: courier;">Pro tip:</span> </b><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Got teenagers? Get 2 pizzas.</b> </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XESt5VT0HZU/YBdHdUiO0nI/AAAAAAAAIrg/efNNiXZRpF0fwxj2669plzfE8d13xHfGwCLcBGAsYHQ/schwans.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="251" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XESt5VT0HZU/YBdHdUiO0nI/AAAAAAAAIrg/efNNiXZRpF0fwxj2669plzfE8d13xHfGwCLcBGAsYHQ/schwans.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">3. Paper plates</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Look. I love the earth and as a global people we're doing a crap job taking care of it. I also use paper plates most days. Pretty sure that the billionaires taking trips around the world on private jets all the time are far more damaging to the environment than my family using a paper plate. Now, if you're hardcore earthy or budget-y and don't want to buy consumable dishes? Rock on! Me? I'm exhausted from teaching / momming / wife-ing in a pandemic so I'm going to serve our frozen pizza (see above) on paper plates without feeling bad.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">4. 6 Outfits</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Working in a school with confirmed Covid-19 cases, I need to wash my clothes on hot water and dry on high heat. Not wanting to ruin all of my dress clothes, I have 6 outfits that I wear right now. No jewelry (too hard to sanitize from school to home). This isn't a forever thing, it's a "just right now" deal. But you know? Having minimal clothing options really makes laundry and preparing for the week super easy.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>UPDATE: I wrote this earlier in the school year and have since transitioned into more dress clothes and accessories but darn if it isn't more stressful. I'm going to pick out my 10 favorite outfits and just rewear those.</i></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">5. Life In Pieces reruns</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Super funny show with short episodes that are the perfect escape from the currently...ahem...dark...<wbr></wbr>world we live in.</span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6NCWUBoYaeg/YBdIX8SX3qI/AAAAAAAAIro/QtyUimLCrjYMY4-LeXXL6d3RktDi_eCiwCLcBGAsYHQ/life%2Bin%2Bpieces.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6NCWUBoYaeg/YBdIX8SX3qI/AAAAAAAAIro/QtyUimLCrjYMY4-LeXXL6d3RktDi_eCiwCLcBGAsYHQ/life%2Bin%2Bpieces.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">6. Budgeting for each month and each paycheck</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">It's kind of a hassle to break down the budget for each paycheck but it really does help to make sure that each monthly category/bill gets the amount it needs. It helps us track and have more to put towards our mortgage-pay-off goal.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We aren't shopping in person for things right now so instead of cash envelopes (we only have one for drive thrus and one for chore money) we use a google sheet with color coded boxes for each category. The nice thing about this is that my husband and I can each update it. If he wants to spend $20 ordering something we need for the house, he just adds it to the Google Sheet tracker and then I know that I can't order $30 worth of widgets because our house budget only has $5 left.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">7. Book of the Month</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Subscription boxes are available for everything these days. Makeup, kids crafts, clothes, food, and on. But did you know...there are BOOK subscription boxes? There are multiple companies to choose from. I chose Book of the Month because each month you get a choice of books. Other companies just send you a pre-selected book. I'm not a horribly picky reader but definitely stay away from some genres (fantasy) or styles (I cannot handle a wordy "classic" right now. Thankyouverymuch.). With BOTM they have 5 options and I log in on my phone or computer and can read the description and a sample of each. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h_FTLRFLCVM/YBdJIx4vqUI/AAAAAAAAIrw/VDZusLAwx5kIG-UCuf43PhblWplhH6pIQCLcBGAsYHQ/botm.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="book of the month club" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="800" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-h_FTLRFLCVM/YBdJIx4vqUI/AAAAAAAAIrw/VDZusLAwx5kIG-UCuf43PhblWplhH6pIQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h200/botm.webp" title="book stack" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(from BookOfTheMonth)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can do a 12-month subscription (I got it as a gift for Mother's Day!) or a 3-month or 6-month subscription.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, it is more expensive than getting the book through the library but there isn't a waiting list (one of my "to read" books on the Libby app had a 26 week waiting list when I added my own name) and it gives me something in the mail to look FORWARD to. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you'd like to try Book of the Month, <a href="https://www.mybotm.com/og5bbivtbcs?show_box=true" target="_blank">my referral link</a> might give you a discount. I'm not super sure because I've never done it before. However, I do know it doesn't cost you any extra and it does give me a bonus book pick so, you know, that's cool.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">8. Online Grocery / Pick Up</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Around late last fall, I discovered that my local grocery stores had online ordering. You order, show up, and they bring it out to your car and load it for you. We started doing that. Then Covid hit and we've never stopped! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Occasionally I miss roaming the grocery aisles myself but it's not often. Being able to have it loaded in my car is not only a time saver, but it's helping me and the community stay safer too because I'm not roaming around the store potentially exposing others.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nDJQAuXaEO4/YBdKxWVQsfI/AAAAAAAAIr8/D7z4UhKVpaM2UVWEo8Py43eonUTI-yzQwCLcBGAsYHQ/grocery%2Bfart.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="277" data-original-width="182" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nDJQAuXaEO4/YBdKxWVQsfI/AAAAAAAAIr8/D7z4UhKVpaM2UVWEo8Py43eonUTI-yzQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w263-h400/grocery%2Bfart.jpeg" width="263" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not sure who this guy is but I love him.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><span style="font-family: courier;">Pro tip:</span></b> <span style="font-family: arial;">I always do the grocery survey that is emailed to me afterwards. I give the employees all 5 stars...I think it helps them get points or rewards or something. <b>Can anyone confirm?</b></span></div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">9. Sojourner's Daily Emails</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This ministry sends a daily email with a verse of the day/quote of the day/thought of the day. The email is short and uplifting. If you're finding yourself discouraged with the world, with the lack of justice, this will help feed your soul. There's a <a href="https://sojo.net/magazine/current" target="_blank">Sojourners</a> magazine that you can subscribe to, but the emails are free.</span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: arial;">10. Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese & Town House Pita Sea Salt Crackers</span></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I bought the cream cheese for a Halloween recipe my son wanted to make. It was amazing! Why did I wait so long to eat garden vegetable cream cheese! You could dip veggies in it but I prefer Maximum Carb Consumption. I've been eating it with the TownHouse brand pita crackers (sea salt variety). It's so good I have my own stash at work. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: courier;"><b>Pro tip: </b></span><span style="font-family: arial;">The Philadelphia brand cream cheese is better than the Walmart brand texture wise but the flavor is comparable. I've started buying the Walmart brand to save a buck.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Try some flavored cream cheese on your next grocery pick up order (Remember #8?)...and hide it from your family so they don't eat it all.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mpbp0hD-k48/YBdLahnL_WI/AAAAAAAAIsE/Qq3TY3Iq8tQ7fqRBxgmd7R6_1b3SH-eYQCLcBGAsYHQ/hide%2Bfood.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-mpbp0hD-k48/YBdLahnL_WI/AAAAAAAAIsE/Qq3TY3Iq8tQ7fqRBxgmd7R6_1b3SH-eYQCLcBGAsYHQ/hide%2Bfood.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>-----</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are my top ten things saving my life right now....books, food, and tv. That's healthy, right? Let me know if you have a similar list!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3tzF9hLID7o/YBdNNFSKQfI/AAAAAAAAIsQ/ozbPbrpIYO44Mu5m_Sp7flzdFwm1rpP4gCLcBGAsYHQ/10%2BThings.png"><img alt="10 things saving my life right now" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3tzF9hLID7o/YBdNNFSKQfI/AAAAAAAAIsQ/ozbPbrpIYO44Mu5m_Sp7flzdFwm1rpP4gCLcBGAsYHQ/w267-h400/10%2BThings.png" title="libby, book of the month, cream cheese, life in pieces" width="267" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7BwFRvP1rPU/YBdOajfgE_I/AAAAAAAAIsc/Jc7N_CbBk-Qk-Cnmox7qVYgw0EBijnMYACLcBGAsYHQ/10%2BThings%2BSaving.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="10 things saving my life right now" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7BwFRvP1rPU/YBdOajfgE_I/AAAAAAAAIsc/Jc7N_CbBk-Qk-Cnmox7qVYgw0EBijnMYACLcBGAsYHQ/w267-h400/10%2BThings%2BSaving.png" title="Frozen pizza, paper plates, BOTM, Libby app, philadelphia cream cheese, grocery pickup" width="267" /></a><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-87739040306592319212021-01-05T17:25:00.001-05:002021-01-05T17:25:00.361-05:0050ish Things About Me as a Reader<p></p><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Anne Bogel of <i>Modern Mrs. Darcy</i> linked to </span><a href="https://readingyear.blogspot.com/2010/10/100-things-about-me-as-reader.html" style="font-family: helvetica;" target="_blank">this older post</a><span style="font-family: helvetica;"> from another site and it was interesting to read about the reading lives of other people. It fascinates me how there is diversity among us bookworms. I recently heard someone say that about all they want to read is biography and I thought "Eww." I'm all for biographies and memoirs---but only if they are about someone I'm interested in or value. </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Did I pre-order Barack Obama's latest memoir? Yes, yes I did.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uE6mzXXwy0E/X-OrlyZRPCI/AAAAAAAAIjs/XzkOJ-4vYrowF-XKldMQOlBGontJdsV5ACLcBGAsYHQ/obama%2Byes.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="280" data-original-width="500" height="179" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uE6mzXXwy0E/X-OrlyZRPCI/AAAAAAAAIjs/XzkOJ-4vYrowF-XKldMQOlBGontJdsV5ACLcBGAsYHQ/obama%2Byes.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Would I ever purchase a biography about Kim Kardashian? </span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jAS2QSOE78A/X-OqxfnSlkI/AAAAAAAAIjk/5VjdeuwNhnsPOyKm0nDT3it7GNbOgRovACLcBGAsYHQ/kardashian%2Bno.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="280" height="229" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jAS2QSOE78A/X-OqxfnSlkI/AAAAAAAAIjk/5VjdeuwNhnsPOyKm0nDT3it7GNbOgRovACLcBGAsYHQ/kardashian%2Bno.gif" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /> </span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">We all have unique reading preferences and styles. If you have a bookish list about yourself, please share in the comments. I'd love to read it!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Z7rFOS9rAU/X-OpoeoDZHI/AAAAAAAAIjY/cv31lfrjSqET0t6QYMf0BXUOyOLAxYvRgCLcBGAsYHQ/Dark%2BRed%2BPhoto%2BDad%2BAppreciation%2BTwitter%2BPost.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="50ish things about me as a reader" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0Z7rFOS9rAU/X-OpoeoDZHI/AAAAAAAAIjY/cv31lfrjSqET0t6QYMf0BXUOyOLAxYvRgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h225/Dark%2BRed%2BPhoto%2BDad%2BAppreciation%2BTwitter%2BPost.png" title="bookish facts" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">When I was ten, I read the book "Not Without My Daughter" and getting through four hundred pages of an adult book felt like the biggest accomplishment of my life.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I volunteered at our local library thirty hours a week the summer I turned twelve or thirteen.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have never read Catcher in the Rye.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Did not finish: Jane Eyre. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The only books I have ever pre-ordered were Barack Obama's and Jeff Kinney's. That mix probably says something about me on a psychological level. If you figure it out, lemme know.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sgh4bNWrWA0/X-PBkkeVpCI/AAAAAAAAIlI/lLvT5GEYgkwGmLEwFS9qMbP8M2OQI7lzACLcBGAsYHQ/shrug.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Joey Friends shrug" data-original-height="241" data-original-width="200" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sgh4bNWrWA0/X-PBkkeVpCI/AAAAAAAAIlI/lLvT5GEYgkwGmLEwFS9qMbP8M2OQI7lzACLcBGAsYHQ/shrug.gif" width="199" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm a teacher and HATE when other teachers or parents try to make a child choose a book "at their level." </span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If I weren't a teacher and had to pick a second career, it would be something like librarian or bookstore owner.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">People who fold book pages down make me cringe. But by all means, you do you.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm a purist about folds -see above- but have dropped crumbs onto my pages plenty of times. Yes, you <i>can</i> read without snacking, but why would you want to?</span></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Baby-Sitters Club books were my JAM. Quite certain I read them all. </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5fWVco6J6FM/X-Or6fPvRjI/AAAAAAAAIj4/EPsHKBtlzFQL6lKiZuw-K939vQHjd668ACLcBGAsYHQ/babysitters%2Bclub%2Bbooks.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="617" data-original-width="1100" height="179" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5fWVco6J6FM/X-Or6fPvRjI/AAAAAAAAIj4/EPsHKBtlzFQL6lKiZuw-K939vQHjd668ACLcBGAsYHQ/babysitters%2Bclub%2Bbooks.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look! A photo of my entire childhood!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Apparently many bookish people hate book covers that have the movie tie-in. They aren't my fave but it doesn't bother me.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I used to hate e-reading and only wanted paper books. Covid changed that and I downloaded the Libby app so I could get digital books from my library. I love that as long as I have my phone-I have a book with me. Now I read probably three fourths of my books on my phone and the other fourth as a physical book.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">My husband gave me a subscription to Book of the Month as a gift last Mother's Day and it has been the best gift in the world.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've only been able to finish one Stephen King book. He's a great writer, but I'm easily distracted and apparently unable to sustain attention long enough for his books.</span></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">James Patterson makes me question things like: How many hours are in a day? How many hours are in James Patterson's day? How does he write so many books? Is he using a ghostwriter? A billion ghostwriters? How much of he and Bill Clinton's book did each of them write (because I quite enjoyed it)? </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1CtlTQbmbwA/X-PBQ8djaLI/AAAAAAAAIk8/6c-UkmOJVTQVQ6VuNr9JPI17sWH8f_sHgCLcBGAsYHQ/book%2Bmovie.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="I hope the guy who cut me off in traffic has his fav book turned into a movie" data-original-height="390" data-original-width="584" height="268" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1CtlTQbmbwA/X-PBQ8djaLI/AAAAAAAAIk8/6c-UkmOJVTQVQ6VuNr9JPI17sWH8f_sHgCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h268/book%2Bmovie.jpg" title="savage tweet" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing to do with James Patterson but this<br />tweet is s.a.v.a.g.e.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Some schools are turning their libraries into "STEAM Rooms" and I wail and cry about it. Can we not have both a library <i>and </i>a STEAM room?</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Starting last April, mid-pandemic-shut-down, I started keeping a list of each book I read. It's just in a cheap little notebook but this is fun and helpful to go back through the months and see what I've accomplished with reading. Also helps me find authors that I love.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Fantasy is the hardest genre for me to read. Evidently my brain prefers realistic settings and characters and when things start flying or casting spells it's hard to keep up.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Thus, I've only ever read the first Harry Potter book. </span></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">That classic children's book "Love you Forever" is stupid and I hate it. So is The Runaway Bunny. </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5pKK1mENKj8/X-Os_LpVQFI/AAAAAAAAIkA/-ceRFxxlMbwTi77VrFV0cG5vbenl2gvFACLcBGAsYHQ/runaway%2Bbunny.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="207" data-original-width="244" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5pKK1mENKj8/X-Os_LpVQFI/AAAAAAAAIkA/-ceRFxxlMbwTi77VrFV0cG5vbenl2gvFACLcBGAsYHQ/runaway%2Bbunny.jpeg" width="283" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bunny Mom is a stalker. Hard pass for me.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In the Not-Stupid category: Sesame Street "Monster at the end of this book". Other people have copied the idea since, but Sesame Street is the OG.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">If you teleported me to the library I went to as a child, I could still walk you back to where the Berenstain Bear books were kept.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">As a kid, our school library had the cards you had to sign your name and date in. </span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I'm real bad about racking up library fines. </span></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I go through reading spurts. Many times I read every day but sometimes there's a week where I don't read for pleasure at all. </span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fYKDDLBw2KQ/X-PChLIANCI/AAAAAAAAIlQ/-6KVUrT2awYhU1HlfErRDAa4toBz1iI9QCLcBGAsYHQ/sue%2Bme%2Bthe%2Boffice.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="the office sue me" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fYKDDLBw2KQ/X-PChLIANCI/AAAAAAAAIlQ/-6KVUrT2awYhU1HlfErRDAa4toBz1iI9QCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h240/sue%2Bme%2Bthe%2Boffice.jpeg" title="Michael Scott" width="320" /></a></div><br /></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I currently have eight books on hold on my Libby app.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I generally like movies based on books. Maybe not as much as the book, but I enjoy seeing someone else take the same book and create their own vision from it.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">The latest I've stayed up to finish reading a book was two a.m.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Our biggest bookshelf broke---because it was cheap---so until we replace it with something sturdier, I have piles of books just sitting around randomly. Ahem. MORE piles than would normally be sitting around.</span></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I threw one of my kids a <a href="http://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2012/06/bookworm-party-for-2-yr-old.html" target="_blank">bookworm birthday party</a> and it was adorable.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ITSr2YuC_K8/X-PAaGfiqjI/AAAAAAAAIk0/xy_SBHWuyJgi9mbgvVj9CgjsR94SXA6AQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="bookworm birthday party" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="320" height="320" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ITSr2YuC_K8/X-PAaGfiqjI/AAAAAAAAIk0/xy_SBHWuyJgi9mbgvVj9CgjsR94SXA6AQCLcBGAsYHQ/w320-h320/image.png" title="bookworm party for 2 yr old" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look how little he was! *sniff, sniff*</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">"The Bad Seed" and "The Good Egg" are the BEST children's picture books and I will fight you on it.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">D.E.A.R, Drop Everything And Read, was my favorite part of the school day. </span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Greg Boyd's "Is God to Blame" and Brian Zahnd's "Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God" changed my theology and my life. </span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Bookstore cats are cool but can we get a trend of bookstore Golden Retrievers going? </span></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In middle school I read all of the Janette Oke books I could get my hands on. She writes Christian western romance. When you go to a fundie school you take what you can get, ok?</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AW1bPclds1g/X-O7AGY_U9I/AAAAAAAAIkk/5UXy18Ew8WciurMzkBPVa2Td37GnfHe6QCLcBGAsYHQ/resurrection.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AW1bPclds1g/X-O7AGY_U9I/AAAAAAAAIkk/5UXy18Ew8WciurMzkBPVa2Td37GnfHe6QCLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h400/resurrection.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh those fundie years. <br />Comic from the awesome <a href="https://www.nakedpastorstore.com/products/women-and-the-resurrection-cartoon?variant=29494553739309" target="_blank">Naked Pastor</a> who has <br />tons more to make you laugh!</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">In high school we read The Scarlet Letter. I didn't understand ALL of the symbolism until the teacher pointed it out. Was I dense or does no one understand it on their own in high school? Dense probably.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I hate what Amazon is doing to independent bookstores so much that we are not going to renew our Prime membership.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I've never been to a book signing.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I get annoyed when people talk to me when I'm reading. I. am. clearly. busy.<br /></span></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I use any scrap of paper nearby as a bookmark.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D56S0eW0WxE/X-Otrd19LLI/AAAAAAAAIkI/2fzcxP_PDikjmyXS7Cw-2mRKXdBjO2V8QCLcBGAsYHQ/receipts.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" data-original-height="167" data-original-width="302" height="177" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-D56S0eW0WxE/X-Otrd19LLI/AAAAAAAAIkI/2fzcxP_PDikjmyXS7Cw-2mRKXdBjO2V8QCLcBGAsYHQ/receipts.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You say "receipt", I say "bookmark."</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have read all of Chevy Stevens books.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Twilight and Fifty Shades of Grey remain on my "have never read this" list.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I loved the Divergent series along with Hunger Games. And their movies.</span></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Amazon functions as my "TBR" pile. I add books to the wishlist and then buy them from an indie bookstore or request them from the library.</span></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Audio books don't hold my attention. I've only been successful with one or two. I think if my brain isn't looking AT the words on the page, it starts to wander and before I know it, the chapter is over and I've got no clue what happened.</span></div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HSl0ILk-2S8/X-OvdySymoI/AAAAAAAAIkU/in2XHZHqc8wMD2hFqJ0kAOBjmJJyveZCACLcBGAsYHQ/squirrel.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="220" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HSl0ILk-2S8/X-OvdySymoI/AAAAAAAAIkU/in2XHZHqc8wMD2hFqJ0kAOBjmJJyveZCACLcBGAsYHQ/squirrel.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I discovered the Shopaholic series by accident...browsing the library for a Karen <b>Kin</b>gsbury book years ago and saw <b>Kin</b>sella. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">Even though I'm a sensitive person, books rarely make me cry. Except that children's book about a sled dog who dies during the race. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: helvetica;">I have a running list of independent bookstores to visit once Covid settles down. Michigan, Kansas, Massachusetts, Kentucky, Tennessee, Hawaii...I'm coming for you!<br /><br /></span></li></ol><div><span style="font-family: helvetica;"></span></div><blockquote><div><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: verdana; font-size: medium;">Okay, that's close enough to 50! Anything from the list that is true for you too?</span></div><p></p><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-color: white; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;"></h3></blockquote><h3 class="post-title entry-title" style="background-color: white; color: #341473; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18.2px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 1.4em; margin: 0.25em 0px 0px; padding: 0px 0px 4px;"><br /></h3><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-3189419719206065212020-12-28T07:03:00.001-05:002020-12-28T07:03:04.910-05:002020 in the Rearview Mirror<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">2020 is coming to an end (is that a collective "Amen!" I hear?) and between the Covid and the politics it feels like this year was really 10 years smooshed into one. Let's recap, shall we?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bR3xyJL4-g0/X-aAy3n5jmI/AAAAAAAAImk/NbQ1HNisjWYUDOil41NGrT5d23uOhr3tACLcBGAsYHQ/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bat%2B2020.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="a look back at 2020" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="336" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bR3xyJL4-g0/X-aAy3n5jmI/AAAAAAAAImk/NbQ1HNisjWYUDOil41NGrT5d23uOhr3tACLcBGAsYHQ/w400-h336/A%2Blook%2Bback%2Bat%2B2020.png" title="2020 in the rearview mirror" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Most popular post this year:</b> You all really liked reading about <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2013/01/4-ingredient-d-i-y-laundry-detergent-no.html" target="_blank">how I DIY my own laundry detergent.</a></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Least popular blog post: </b>It's a tie between <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2020/03/daylight-savings-time.html" target="_blank">Daylight Savings Time</a> and the <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2020/04/out-with-old.html" target="_blank">Blog Redesign</a>. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Favorite books read this year:</b> Probably Evvie Drake Starts Over and The Silent Patient. I wrote a <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2020/08/the-3-books-i-couldnt-stop-reading-this.html" target="_blank">brief review</a> about each of them back in August.</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ullbgu7E2jM/X-PvaNweXRI/AAAAAAAAIlc/KnCh5hhkSwMn7TyUcb2t1-DEFhevUFoUgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="The Silent Patient book" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="165" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ullbgu7E2jM/X-PvaNweXRI/AAAAAAAAIlc/KnCh5hhkSwMn7TyUcb2t1-DEFhevUFoUgCLcBGAsYHQ/w132-h200/image.png" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pQ79zFtpg8Y/X-PvdvfjtQI/AAAAAAAAIlg/3EafuReXPPEJyE8BY23XmKPNQn_7elowQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Evvie Drake Starts Over book" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="165" height="200" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pQ79zFtpg8Y/X-PvdvfjtQI/AAAAAAAAIlg/3EafuReXPPEJyE8BY23XmKPNQn_7elowQCLcBGAsYHQ/w132-h200/image.png" width="132" /></a><br /><br /></div><span style="font-family: verdana;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-weight: bold;">Things our grocery store was frequently out of besides toilet paper and cleaning supplies: </b><span style="font-family: verdana;">Salmon, black beans (what was <i>that</i> about??), Christmas sprinkles, Christmas paper plates, yeast, flour, sugar, ice cream.</span></div></span><p></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Biggest accomplishment:</b> Surviving. We've had plenty of laughs and good times this year but I won't pretend like the anxiety didn't overwhelm at times. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><b style="font-family: verdana;">Biggest fail: </b><span style="font-family: verdana;">I burned a pot of spaghetti. Yes, apparently, that's a thing that can happen. Who knew?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Things I did to help preserve democracy: </b>Phone banked, donated to campaigns, made sure friends/family voted.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Things to look forward to in 2021 (in expected order of occurrence): </b> The inauguration. Graduating. Sitting inside a coffee shop. Browsing a book store. Taking a vacation (destination TBD). Visiting long distance family. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: verdana;"><b>Netflix Binges: </b>The Mindy Project, Schitt's Creek, The Office, Tiger King (That was </span><i><span style="font-family: courier;">this</span></i><span style="font-family: verdana;"> year? Feels like forever ago.), The Great British Baking Show, Man With A Plan. </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: large;">What are your reflections on the year? Did you find any great new books or tv shows? Enjoy extra family time or nearly kill each other? Did anyone <i>else</i> burn spaghetti? No? Just me. Okay then.</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span></p><p><br /></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-79349571001089814112020-11-16T18:56:00.001-05:002020-11-16T18:56:01.003-05:00Gift Ideas for Teachers When You're E-Learning<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> Whatever you call it: remote learning, e-learning, digital learning, etc...it is all the same. Many students this year are e-learning due to either their parent's choice in an effort to keep them safe or the school having to go to remote learning because of rising Covid-19 cases. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A common misconception is that teachers are doing nothing during e-learning. The truth however, is that teachers are still working and probably harder than they had to when they were in the building! Lesson videos have to be made, every student checked in with, paper packets made for students who don't have internet, assessments changed into digital format, classwork still needs graded, parents and students have constant questions, etc.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">As we roll towards the winter holiday season, please don't forget your child's teacher. Gift giving can be hard when you aren't going to SEE the person. Ordinarily you could just tuck a gift in your child's backpack and send them on the bus. But what do you do now when there's no way to get a gift to the teacher?</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;"></span></span></p><blockquote><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="color: #3d85c6;">Here are some ideas for gifts you can give your child's teacher this Christmas that they will love and that honor the social distancing rules.</span></span></blockquote><p></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">1. Target gift card. </span></h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: georgia;">Is there a gift list that doesn't include a Target gift card?</span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> LOL Everyone loves them. These can be very easily emailed to the teacher and I've always had luck with the recipients getting the email. Bonus: There's no physical card to risk getting lost!</span></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">2. Teachers Pay Teachers gift card. </span></h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This website allows teachers to get many things for free but there are also items that cost money. Things are reasonably priced, many at $1-5. Teachers can get extra games, activities, and lesson ideas from this site. In fact, I don't know any teacher who doesn't use TpT at some point in the year. A $5 gift card would go a </span><i><span style="color: #45818e; font-family: courier;"><b>long</b></span></i><span style="font-family: arial;"> way and just like the Target cards, these are digital and simple to email.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YiLpmwBVlo/X0BYqcVGrXI/AAAAAAAAIYA/E8QGmGRaWQMVJ-dqzE-e_swJW99ivqPSgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1500/Gift%2BIdeas%2Bfor%2BE-learning%2BTeachers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Elearning gift ideas for teachers" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_YiLpmwBVlo/X0BYqcVGrXI/AAAAAAAAIYA/E8QGmGRaWQMVJ-dqzE-e_swJW99ivqPSgCLcBGAsYHQ/w427-h640/Gift%2BIdeas%2Bfor%2BE-learning%2BTeachers.png" title="What to give the elearning teacher" width="427" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">3. Write a note telling them what you appreciate about them. </span></h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Be specific: the funny video they sent your child when he was sick and they wanted to cheer him up? How organized they have been through e-learning? That they still found a way to honor your child's birthday while e-learning? That they always have a smile on their face? </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Find some specifics and write them down. Email it or write it by hand and snap a pic that you send. This gift costs nothing but will mean the world to the teacher. Trust me.</span></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">4. Send their boss an email and CC the teacher. </span></h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Let the principal know how much this teacher has done for the students. It doesn't have to be long "Dear Principal Pat, I just wanted to say how much Jimmy has enjoyed being in Mrs. Great's class this year. Even though we've had to distance learn, Mrs. Great has found ways to build a relationship with Jimmy. He talks constantly about what book she is reading to them and is always eager to log in for his daily Zoom. Signed, Parent."</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Bonus tip: This is a nice way to acknowledge specials teachers too. Gym, art, library, music---those teachers love your kids too! </span></p><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #674ea7; font-family: arial;">5. Coordinate some parents to create a book.</span></h3><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you are able to contact the other parents, you could ask them to do #3 (write a little card/note about what they appreciate about the teacher) and snap a pic of their child with the card. Parents will send you the photos and you can assemble them into a Google Slides presentation that you then share with the teacher. The teacher will be able to print the pages and make themselves a book. Alternatively you could make the book yourself with an app like Shutterfly, though then you couldn't deliver the book to the teacher digitally.</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Wzp5C5ObPs/X0BcHskLA5I/AAAAAAAAIYM/zyReiJOWQBAcDCUYeLZzkghyXsbXSbpDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s500/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-21%2Bat%2B7.42.49%2BPM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Gift ideas for elearning teachers" border="0" data-original-height="359" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Wzp5C5ObPs/X0BcHskLA5I/AAAAAAAAIYM/zyReiJOWQBAcDCUYeLZzkghyXsbXSbpDgCLcBGAsYHQ/d/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-08-21%2Bat%2B7.42.49%2BPM.png" title="What to get your child's virtual teacher" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-47540537431315080442020-10-20T06:55:00.000-04:002020-10-20T06:55:02.089-04:00What to do the day you lose your job<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Job loss. Layoffs. Getting fired. No matter the reason, losing your job is scary. We've been through it before. I remember being surprised at how BUSY we were even though neither of us had a full time job (I was a stay at home mom at the time)! </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><font face="arial"><br />If you're reading this, you've likely just found out your job has been cut. I'm here to share with you the first things to do when you lose your job.</font></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">1. Don't beat yourself up. </font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Layoffs happen. People get fired for reasons that are stupid. Hold your head high and march forward.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">2. Find out how to continue your health insurance. </font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">It's unfortunate in our country that our health care is tied to our employment but it's how things are for now. <a href="https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ebsa/laws-and-regulations/laws/cobra" target="_blank">You may be eligible for COBRA insurance</a>. Try your very best to not go without health insurance even when you are unemployed.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">3. Look up the hours for your unemployment office.</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">If they are still open, call them. Find out what you need to do to file. This process takes awhile so you want to start filing for unemployment benefits <i>ASAP.</i> </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEvYintRx9s/XvuuCZcFzAI/AAAAAAAAIKA/BMKTwNYck_EmhNdHregUqsp-XT4S9IewACK4BGAsYHg/s1500/What%2Bto%2Bdo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What to do the day you lose your job" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gEvYintRx9s/XvuuCZcFzAI/AAAAAAAAIKA/BMKTwNYck_EmhNdHregUqsp-XT4S9IewACK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/What%2Bto%2Bdo.png" title="Do these 9 things the DAY you lose your job!" width="266" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">4. Call the local WIC office</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">If you or your spouse have children under the age of 5 or are pregnant or breastfeeding, you may be eligible for WIC (Women Infants Children). <b>The eligibility is less strict than food stamps</b> and you would have a good chance at being eligible. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">WIC doesn't provide all your food for the month but they do give things like milk, cheese, carrots, cereal, bread, some baby formula if you formula feed, etc. It can be a huge help to your finances. <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/wic/wic-eligibility-requirements" target="_blank">Click here to see the eligibility requirements for WIC</a>.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">5. Visit your SNAP office</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><b>SNAP is the food stamp office. </b> You can find eligibility information on the USDA website <a href="https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program">here</a>. Like unemployment, filing for SNAP benefits is a process that requires you to gather various pieces of paperwork and submit an application. Start by visiting or giving them a call to find out how to proceed.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">6. Stop all non-necessary monthly bills</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">If you're paying monthly for HBO, a cleaning service, subscription boxes like ipsy, or any other kind of monthly bill that's not necessary...cancel it TODAY. We don't have cable or satellite any more but when we did we preferred Dish Network because you were able to quit at any time without a penalty. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><font color="#b51200" face="arial">You will need to keep internet and cell phone service if at all possible. It's extremely hard to job hunt without home internet. Your local library is an option but for now I'd try to keep your home internet. </font></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Many people don't have a home phone and just have cell phones now. Perhaps you can move to a cheaper plan or have one with less data. Call and see if you can lower the monthly bill.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">7. Sell stuff online</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">When my husband lost his job I immediately listed 3 or 4 things for sale in one of those Facebook sales groups. I had photos taken and posted before he even got home that night. It was just a few Longaberger baskets worth $75 or less but it was something. If you've got a few things laying around that you know you don't need, <b>go ahead and list them online</b> for sale.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">8. Organize your contacts</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">So you've lost your job and now you need a new one. Make a list of some contacts you know who may work for competitors or at jobs in a similar field. <b>Plan on calling them</b> today or tomorrow and letting them know you're in the market for something new and do they have any leads.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#3367d6" face="arial">9. Update your resume</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Some advice I got years ago was to <b>keep your resume updated regularly.</b> Hopefully your resume is fairly up to date but regardless, pull that bad boy out and update it so that you can start attaching it to applications and applying for jobs. There are free templates online if you need to start from scratch and I've also had success with the basic Microsoft Word resume templates available. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><b>Keep your resume to 1 page</b> unless you have very technical job certifications and experiences. As a general rule, those of us under 45 years old shouldn't have more than a 1 page resume. Employers aren't going to read every little thing on there. You just want them to look at it and think "YES, we need to interview this person!" </font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial" size="6">- - - - - - - - - -</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">I hope doing these 9 things immediately after you lose your job will help you make it through and find your next opportunity! Remember, keep your head high and don't take rejection personally. When I was job searching, I read that it takes an average of 100 "no"s before you get a yes. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><b>Good luck!</b></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weyI0FCMgzI/XvuyGaazSEI/AAAAAAAAIKc/kZy_CWJB1bgHCP4ZrwdR37-5gZkVt2a4ACK4BGAsYHg/s1500/Lost%2Byour%2Bjob_%2BPinterest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Lost your job? Do these 9 things ASAP!" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-weyI0FCMgzI/XvuyGaazSEI/AAAAAAAAIKc/kZy_CWJB1bgHCP4ZrwdR37-5gZkVt2a4ACK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/Lost%2Byour%2Bjob_%2BPinterest.png" title="What to do first after you lose your job." width="266" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-59821771879710486762020-10-13T05:26:00.000-04:002020-10-13T05:26:01.468-04:00The #1 Trick That Gets People to RSVP!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You've spent money buying invitations or spent time hand making them yourself. All the perfect party details are ready. You wait to hear back. <i>*crickets*</i>. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote><font color="#7b1fa2">When no one sends an RSVP, it puts the party host in a lurch. Do you plan goody bags for 5 kids or 25?! Without an RSVP you can't be sure whether to tell the caterer 30 people or 100 people for the retirement party.</font></blockquote></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">A few years ago I stumbled upon one trick that gets guaranteed RSVPs. It's simple and effective. <b>I first tried it for one of my children's birthday parties and got RSVPs the day after mailing invitations and had nearly 100% of people reply, even the ones who couldn't come!</b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Knowing who was going to be at the party made it much easier to plan!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dq1ancp6-I0/XsqBrw_j-OI/AAAAAAAAHsM/Yrvg6NGxdZ4zAFEylnsHNOpDkR6gQTe1gCK4BGAsYHg/zucchini%2Bsummer%2Bblog%2B%252810%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One trick to finally get those RSVPs" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dq1ancp6-I0/XsqBrw_j-OI/AAAAAAAAHsM/Yrvg6NGxdZ4zAFEylnsHNOpDkR6gQTe1gCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/zucchini%2Bsummer%2Bblog%2B%252810%2529.png" title="An easy way to get RSVPs to a party" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">Are you ready to know the secret to getting RSVPs?</span></h2></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2" face="courier" size="4">Offer a door prize for the first person to RSVP. </font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">That's it! On the birthday invitation, or as a slip you include inside the envelope, let guests know "Door prize for the first person to RSVP!" You could even offer it as "The first 2 people to RSVP will get a prize!"</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h3 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>What to offer as the RSVP prize?</b> </span></h3><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Anything you want! It could be a gift card, a houseplant, locally made snacks, or a small candle for a grown-up party. For a child's party you might give the first RSVP a pack of bubbles, or the $1 size giant box of movie candy, a gift card to a local store, playdoh play pack, etc. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">What you offer doesn't so much matter (and the guests won't even know until they show up to claim the prize) but just putting "Door prize for first person to RSVP!" on the invitations guarantees you'll hear back from most people and be able to plan your party accordingly.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I absolutely hate not getting RSVPs when I've worked hard to plan a party! This rsvp trick has helped me be able to better plan for party day! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">Try it out and let me know if it works for you too!</font></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50Vb7LJr3sI/XsqDcmG3RkI/AAAAAAAAHso/Y3ulcl4A1P4sUNaQJZ9UqDKOUk9YcLcGQCK4BGAsYHg/1%2Beasy%2Bway.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="One easy way to get people to rsvp to your invitation" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-50Vb7LJr3sI/XsqDcmG3RkI/AAAAAAAAHso/Y3ulcl4A1P4sUNaQJZ9UqDKOUk9YcLcGQCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h200/1%2Beasy%2Bway.png" title="Get those rsvp's back with this one trick!" width="400" /></a></div><font color="#f57c00"><br /></font></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-8918365256160232962020-09-23T04:38:00.000-04:002020-09-23T04:38:03.998-04:00Feed Your Family of 4 on just $99 / week!<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Meal planning and grocery budgeting. The bane of everyone's existence. Groceries are the most flexible spending category when it comes to budgeting so it is the area we all work at being the most frugal in when trying to save money. And yet. It seems so tedious sometimes. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">I've created a week's worth of meals that will feed your family for $99, including all breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and a couple of snack items too. Whether you're on a tight budget or just looking to tighten up the wallet a bit, hopefully this meal plan will give you a starting place! </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d48wQu1ffc8/XtQ-DvaxD8I/AAAAAAAAHzQ/nTboqeBzAJkpUk06sM9g3RwfFpO-BTdbQCK4BGAsYHg/Free%2BPrintable%2BMeal%2BPlan%2BGrocery%2BList.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Budget meal plan and grocery list free printable" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d48wQu1ffc8/XtQ-DvaxD8I/AAAAAAAAHzQ/nTboqeBzAJkpUk06sM9g3RwfFpO-BTdbQCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/Free%2BPrintable%2BMeal%2BPlan%2BGrocery%2BList.png" title="cheap meal plan and grocery list for family of 4" width="213" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">*Your costs may likely be lower than $99 for the week if you already have a few of the items on hand such as pancake mix and salad dressing.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">*The estimated costs are based on my mid-west existence at stores like Kroger and Target. If you live elsewhere or shop at pricier places, obviously, your expenses could vary. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">*Likewise, if you can get these items at an Aldi near you, you may spend EVEN LESS than $99 to feed your family of 4 this week!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Ready to meal plan and save money? Here's what we have:<br /><br /></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbPQ3N9UwJI/XtQqhUX16qI/AAAAAAAAHxo/nm5Xv9PkWpAW7XnVSSZMZB8AgY-btu0rwCK4BGAsYHg/Breakfast.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Inexpensive breakfast ideas" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NbPQ3N9UwJI/XtQqhUX16qI/AAAAAAAAHxo/nm5Xv9PkWpAW7XnVSSZMZB8AgY-btu0rwCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h160/Breakfast.png" title="Feeding a family of four on $99 a week" width="320" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Oatmeal ($2 for a container that has 30 servings)</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Banana (.25 each. $7 for the week)</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b>Breakfast Costs: $9 total</b></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Oatmeal- $2 for large container</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Bananas- $7 (.25 each, x 28 bananas)</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wip2BwmJMm8/XtQq4qT0BrI/AAAAAAAAHx8/LbHG70hrQ-w7T7qG3LJ-3l6YnISCEXInwCK4BGAsYHg/Lunch.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Inexpensive lunches" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wip2BwmJMm8/XtQq4qT0BrI/AAAAAAAAHx8/LbHG70hrQ-w7T7qG3LJ-3l6YnISCEXInwCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h160/Lunch.png" title="Feeding a family of 4 for $99" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">1- PBJ, celery sticks, pretzel sticks</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">2- PBJ, strawberries, yogurt</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">3- PBJ, hard boiled egg, yogurt</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">4- PBJ, yogurt, pretzel sticks, apple slices</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">5- PBJ, strawberries, yogurt pretzel sticks</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">6- PBJ, apple slices, celery sticks</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">7- PBJ, apple slices, yogurt, pretzel sticks</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b>Lunch Costs: $23 total</b></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Yogurt- 3 lg tubs at $2 each=$6</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Pretzel sticks- $2 </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">2 loaves bread- $2</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Jar PB- $2</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Jar Jelly- $2</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Bag of apples- $4</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Eggs- $1 </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Celery- $2</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Strawberries- $2</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_P6lXlO3-0/XtQrT2dPVzI/AAAAAAAAHyQ/UKJsBQcb5rkJ4kK10kcPe0hhz2KEjWSSwCK4BGAsYHg/Dinner.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Dinner ideas on a budget" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M_P6lXlO3-0/XtQrT2dPVzI/AAAAAAAAHyQ/UKJsBQcb5rkJ4kK10kcPe0hhz2KEjWSSwCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h160/Dinner.png" title="Feeding a family of 4 for $99 a week" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">1- Whole roasted chicken, mashed potatoes, frozen peas</font></div><div><font face="arial">2- Spaghetti with sauce, garlic bread, organic salad w/ dressing</font></div><div><font face="arial">3- Soup, g</font><span style="font-family: arial;">rilled cheese</span></div><div><font face="arial">4- Baked potatoes, baked beans, frozen broccoli</font></div><div><font face="arial">5- Frozen pizza, green beans, baby carrots, fresh or canned peaches</font></div><div><font face="arial">6- Pancakes and scrambled eggs, fresh oranges</font></div><div><font face="arial">7- Tacos, frozen or canned corn</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b>Dinner Costs: $52.50 total</b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Whole chicken- $5</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Bag of potatoes- $3</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Frozen peas- $1</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Spaghetti- $1</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Spaghetti Sauce- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Garlic bread- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Organic Salad- $3</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Salad dressing- $2 (you may already have)</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Soup (2 cans)- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Bread for grilled cheese -$1</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">American cheese slices-$2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Baked beans- $1.50</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Frozen broccoli- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Frozen pizza- $4</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Green beans- $1</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Baby carrots- $1</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Peaches- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Pancake mix- $2 (you may already have)</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Scrambled eggs- $0 (use the remaining 8 eggs from the $1 eggs you bought for lunch)</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Fresh oranges-$3 (about .75 each)</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Ground beef- $3</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Taco Kit- $3</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Sour cream- $1</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Tomatoes- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Taco cheese- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Frozen corn- $1</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Now that meals are planned for, there are a few extras you may want. Sure no one needs coffee but really? Let's try to work it into the budget. Along with creamer. If you're able to drink your coffee black, more power to you. But I've gotta add some vanilla creamer. Also included are string cheese and popcorn in case someone in the family needs a snack between meals.</font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ji2X7_WL4s/XtQrxlS1saI/AAAAAAAAHys/3cy2FPbToPsueP__fVGZcZFtErsewej6gCK4BGAsYHg/Extras.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Grocery list for families on a budget" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ji2X7_WL4s/XtQrxlS1saI/AAAAAAAAHys/3cy2FPbToPsueP__fVGZcZFtErsewej6gCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h160/Extras.png" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b><br /></b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial"><b>Grocery Extras Total: $14.50</b></font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Milk- $3</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Coffee- $4.50</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Creamer- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">Popcorn- $2</font></div><div><font color="#b51200" face="arial">String cheese- $3</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote><font color="#9c27b0" size="6">Grand total of all groceries for one week for a family of 4: $99!</font></blockquote></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tUxn6MnmOA/XtRAQCCxrCI/AAAAAAAAHzs/oe1mIV7s8P8H8qhnkyCE0ooDNHHzpTuvwCK4BGAsYHg/Feed%2Byour%2Bfamily%2Bfor%2B%252499%2Bthis%2Bweek.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Feed your family for $99 this week with this free printable menu and shopping list" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_tUxn6MnmOA/XtRAQCCxrCI/AAAAAAAAHzs/oe1mIV7s8P8H8qhnkyCE0ooDNHHzpTuvwCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h268/Feed%2Byour%2Bfamily%2Bfor%2B%252499%2Bthis%2Bweek.png" title="Budget grocery shopping and meal plan for families" width="320" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Honestly when I started planning this post, I was just trying to be under $110. And it came out even less than $100 to feed our family of 4! Humbling <i>(we can definitely be spending less than we have been!)</i> and encouraging <i>(holy smokes, we can really lower our food budget and free up money for other things!)</i>.</font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDwAYXqzVLQ/XtQpZ7Q2w3I/AAAAAAAAHxM/5Q1DeDgPSoAvob8nHC7QkHmlpZ_CA_fGwCK4BGAsYHg/down%2Barrows.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="860" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uDwAYXqzVLQ/XtQpZ7Q2w3I/AAAAAAAAHxM/5Q1DeDgPSoAvob8nHC7QkHmlpZ_CA_fGwCK4BGAsYHg/s320/down%2Barrows.png" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font color="#7b1fa2" face="arial" size="6"><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/i73x2xamrgo70qz/Grocery%20List%20for%20%2499%20Budget.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Here's your free printable meal plan and grocery list for this $99 meal plan!</a></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="hhttps://www.dropbox.com/s/i73x2xamrgo70qz/Grocery%20List%20for%20%2499%20Budget.pdf?dl=0" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-D6BVR_cQa5k/XuKWBujPKQI/AAAAAAAAH9M/qTkyHOWJpUsk943Z7MGnXTEUNTdveTR5wCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Free%2Bprintable%2Bshopping%2Blist%2B%2526%2Bmeal%2Bplan%2521.png" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-86889200410416033112020-09-14T15:57:00.001-04:002020-09-14T15:57:01.820-04:00Do this 1 thing on Sunday to make the rest of your week easier!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDaO350mbJc/XwECG3BmTyI/AAAAAAAAIPM/B84t9J0SRQIIlYP5v-yiubN6BdBLuwUJwCK4BGAsYHg/s940/1%2Bsimple%2Bhack.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1 simple hack to make your work week easier" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="335" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oDaO350mbJc/XwECG3BmTyI/AAAAAAAAIPM/B84t9J0SRQIIlYP5v-yiubN6BdBLuwUJwCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h335/1%2Bsimple%2Bhack.png" title="Get rid of the Sunday night blues with this simple tip to organize your week" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">Ahhh Sunday nights. I love my job as a teacher but I still get that back-to-work anxiety setting in on Sunday nights about the upcoming work week. You too, eh? After having been a stay at home mom for about 12 years, I entered the workforce full time. With 2 adults working full time and 2 children in school, mornings can turn stressful. Yet, stress while getting ready in the mornings is NOT what I need!</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">About 1 year in to working full time, I discovered that doing 1 simple thing on Sundays made the entire rest of my week (and the mornings!) go much smoother.</div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;">It sounds like the simplest trick to getting ready for the week, I almost feel silly posting it. Yet a lot of people I talk to DON'T do this!</div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/p/advertise.html" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="93" data-original-width="685" height="86" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SpuW2pr0RD4/XwECXKbOGGI/AAAAAAAAIPg/_z5G2PLuNOwibJqZlv1WXjAoxRf0CltvQCK4BGAsYHg/w640-h86/Screen%2BShot%2B2020-07-04%2Bat%2B6.07.49%2BPM.png" title="Affiliate disclosure" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><b><u><font size="5">Here it is:</font></u></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><blockquote><font size="5">On Sunday afternoons/evenings, I choose my clothes for the <i>entire</i> week and hang them in the closet in order (Monday-Friday). The kids ALSO do this. </font></blockquote></b> I sit with my kids and have them choose their outfits for each day of the week. Theirs go into a hanging divider in the closet. I forget where I go theirs (the picture below is a <a href="https://amzn.to/2YWpjIW">closet divider from Amazon</a>) but you can also find them at Target, Walmart, and sometimes even Aldi sells closet organizers!</div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07FX8RZJZ/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07FX8RZJZ&linkCode=as2&tag=zsblog09-20&linkId=eefabd1688ab75920ee9b9c336dc350d" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07FX8RZJZ&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=zsblog09-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=zsblog09-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07FX8RZJZ" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /><div style="text-align: justify;"></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The top shelf is their Monday outfit (including socks and underwear!), next is Tuesday, and so on. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#f57c00" size="5"><b>For the kids: </b></font>The benefit of planning clothes for the week ahead eliminates any morning arguments ("But I don't want to wear the green shirt!") because the kids picked the outfits themselves. This trick also wards off laundry panic ("You have to wash this for me so I can wear it tomorrow!!")l</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font color="#f57c00" size="5">For me:</font></b> Planning and laying out my clothes for the week helps me see what I have available and make sure I have enough nice teacher outfits for the week ahead. Often if I plan to wear a certain necklace, bracelet, or scarf with the outfit, I go ahead and add that on the hanger too. It stops me from standing in front of a full closet with "nothing to wear" in the mornings!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wN2lU-dDuQ/XwD48t40zrI/AAAAAAAAIOU/aZDR7M9r6L0QipMTrcHuMOsXOc4XxWWPACK4BGAsYHg/s603/laundrymeme.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Laundry mem" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="603" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9wN2lU-dDuQ/XwD48t40zrI/AAAAAAAAIOU/aZDR7M9r6L0QipMTrcHuMOsXOc4XxWWPACK4BGAsYHg/w400-h398/laundrymeme.png" title="Me: I'm going to put away all my laundry! Me after one shirt" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kaydenhines/?hl=en" target="_blank">Kayden Hines</a></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#f57c00" size="5"><b>For all of us:</b></font> planning the outfits for the week ahead also allows us to plan for those special days without being frantic. Oh, the school is doing spirit wear on Tuesday? Cool. We'll throw your logo shirt in the Tuesday divider. You have to wear crazy socks on Friday? Alright, neon orange and green socks are in your Friday spot.</div></font><div><br /></div><div><font face="arial">If I have a conference on Thursday and need to dress up extra, then I can make sure Thursday's outfit includes a blazer. Staff is told to wear your school themed shirt for Monday? Check.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">See? It's so simple: plan your clothes and set them aside on Sunday. Yet it prevents morning meltdowns, laundry panic, and work worries.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">As we get into the grove of getting up and ready for school every day, this is really helping us and will help you too! </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Are you going to try it out? Let me know how it works for you!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omibGh7KuY4/XwD2chFuZGI/AAAAAAAAINg/t8xgyxsEoPEJydzt-imkZAIajbOFri0sACK4BGAsYHg/s1102/1%2Bsimple%2Bsunday%2Btrick.png" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-omibGh7KuY4/XwD2chFuZGI/AAAAAAAAINg/t8xgyxsEoPEJydzt-imkZAIajbOFri0sACK4BGAsYHg/s320/1%2Bsimple%2Bsunday%2Btrick.png" /> </a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9ytKYIKbEA/XwD3g6092NI/AAAAAAAAIN4/vr2AP-OZ_Y44GXjxK6RqIs0un9lJQMBjACK4BGAsYHg/s1102/Sunday%2BNight%2Bblues.png" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A9ytKYIKbEA/XwD3g6092NI/AAAAAAAAIN4/vr2AP-OZ_Y44GXjxK6RqIs0un9lJQMBjACK4BGAsYHg/s320/Sunday%2BNight%2Bblues.png" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-6272808596604255472020-09-08T19:50:00.000-04:002020-09-08T19:50:02.026-04:00What I Wish I Had Known As A 1st Time Mom<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My oldest child is now 17. <b>One year left before he's a legal adult. </b> As cliche as it sounds, it truly does feel like just yesterday I was feeding him in the middle of the night, then potty training, and then signing him up for Kindergarten.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">That first year as a mom was hard. Bless my heart, I had no idea what I was doing. No first time mom knows what she's doing! Here's what I wish I had known when I first became a mom:</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1wKjYt2Fr0/XsE_PRrblYI/AAAAAAAAHls/Hcs_XzbK7WABg-orF7xVbENRSAszrh2BwCK4BGAsYHg/As%2Ba%2BFirst-Time%2BMom.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-A1wKjYt2Fr0/XsE_PRrblYI/AAAAAAAAHls/Hcs_XzbK7WABg-orF7xVbENRSAszrh2BwCK4BGAsYHg/s320/As%2Ba%2BFirst-Time%2BMom.png" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#9e9e9e">Babies need fed, changed, and loved. You don't have to do it on a schedule just because your friend does. Feed, change, love. That's it.</font></span></div><font color="#9e9e9e" face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></font></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#9e9e9e">You WILL sleep again, but it will be a few years. </font></span></div><font color="#9e9e9e" face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></font></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#9e9e9e">You will also eventually be able to walk and stand without pain but it's going to be awhile. Also. You'll bleed for every second of those 6 weeks postpartum. Your friend who felt the need to tell you that she only bled for 3? Uh...you're not going to be that lucky. </font></span></div><font color="#9e9e9e" face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></font></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#9e9e9e">You can shove ice inside baby diapers and wear it as a pad. This is both horrifying and wonderful. You're welcome.</font></span></div><font color="#9e9e9e" face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></font></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#9e9e9e">Breastfeeding is great. Formula feeding is great. Do what works for you and your baby and <b>tell everyone else to bug off.</b></font></span></div><font color="#9e9e9e" face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></font></li><li><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#9e9e9e">The sacrifices that you're making for this baby right now? The pain of those? You won't regret them 17 years later.</font></span></div><font color="#9e9e9e" face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></font></li><li style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#9e9e9e" face="arial">Some poop stains will not come out. Throw away the outfit.</font></li></ul><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">If you're a new mom: Hang in there!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">If you're in the teen-trenches with me: *raises solidarity fist*</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qhDe28IEnw/XsFAtu5Pj0I/AAAAAAAAHmI/pZn7A5MgwuIoZsSm3RTAP1Oajx1oy0bqACK4BGAsYHg/As%2Ba%2BFirst-Time%2BMom%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="What I wish I'd known as a first time mom" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qhDe28IEnw/XsFAtu5Pj0I/AAAAAAAAHmI/pZn7A5MgwuIoZsSm3RTAP1Oajx1oy0bqACK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/As%2Ba%2BFirst-Time%2BMom%2B%25281%2529.png" width="213" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-86227319580333393922020-08-26T05:58:00.001-04:002020-08-26T16:08:09.584-04:003 Crucial Things New Special Ed Teachers Should Focus on (and 1 to avoid!)<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Hello new special education teachers, welcome to the wild world of sped! If you are new to teaching children with disabilities, there are 3 crucial things you need to focus on in your first year of teaching. And one to not worry about.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nU3hSVaPZ8/XsB6faZGA7I/AAAAAAAAHjU/-xtrlpc9OEw4Ax8LpdZJKEJNpNzwH7r_gCK4BGAsYHg/zucchini%2Bsummer%2Bblog%2B%252810%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3 things new special education teachers should focus on" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nU3hSVaPZ8/XsB6faZGA7I/AAAAAAAAHjU/-xtrlpc9OEw4Ax8LpdZJKEJNpNzwH7r_gCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/zucchini%2Bsummer%2Bblog%2B%252810%2529.png" title="The 3 things you NEED to worry about as a new special education teacher" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#f57c00" face="arial">1. IEPs</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">This is a doozy. You have to follow them, write them, present them to parents, and progress monitor. The first year can be overwhelming with how long it takes to write an IEP. But don't panic. It gets easier the more you do it and I can whip out high-quality IEPs in warp-speed these days.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Reach out to your mentor, other special ed teachers, and your principal for help on writing goals. SLPs are a fantastic source of help as well!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><font color="#f57c00">2. Quality Instruction</font></font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Focus this year on delivering fabulous instruction. Lessons don't have to be "cute" but they should be engaging and standards based. If you don't get to visit other teacher's classrooms for support in the general education setting, or for observations, ASK to visit some. It's great to see how other teachers manage the classroom and present information.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Find a professional development and ask your admin to send you. Participate in Twitter chats. Look for a free webinar. Make your goal to deliver superb instruction.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#f57c00" face="arial">3. Build Relationships</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#7b1fa2"><b style="font-family: arial;">With staff:</b><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Don't gossip! </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Be friendly to everyone. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Say 'thank you' every time the secretary or janitor does you a favor. These people are THE key to school. We know teachers are underpaid. School secretaries and janitors are paid even less! </span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Participate in the staff events. Dinner night out, lunch time pitch-ins and secret pal swaps all let others get to know you and will help you form relationships.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;">Let others overhear you talking POSITIVELY about someone else "Did you see Mary's bulletin board? It's so clever!" "I heard one of Mrs. Jones' students say the cutest thing..."</span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#7b1fa2" face="arial"><b>With parents: </b></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><font face="arial">Send newsletters with updates on lessons you've taught, a resource (article from Understood.org or local event happening). Always include your contact info. Never include photos of students due to privacy laws.<br /><br /></font></li><li><font face="arial">Send positive notes home with students frequently. A ton. As much as you can. <br />Sammy told a cute story. <br />You're so glad to get to work with Tom. <br />Alice read 4 new sight words today! <br />Maria helped tidy the room. <br />Luis had a wonderful day!<br /><br /></font></li><li><font face="arial">Call all parents the first week of school. "Just wanted to say how much I am enjoying getting to know Ayden. He's got such a good sense of humor!" "Tanya is just precious! I'm so glad to get to work with her this year."<br /></font></li></ul><div><font color="#7b1fa2" face="arial"><b>With students:</b></font></div><div><ul><li><font face="arial">Greet them by name.</font></li><li><font face="arial">Show an interest in them. Discuss the character on their t-shirt, ask about the Pokemon backpack when you see them in the hall. Compliment their headband. </font></li><li><font face="arial">Smile. A lot. </font></li><li><font face="arial">Celebrate successes with them. "Mr. Jones said you were so good at the recorder he had you helping other students! Man, that's awesome." <br />"You read more sight words today than ever before! A new high record!"<br />"I saw you out there with the hoola hoop. You go girl!"<br /></font></li><li><font face="arial">Leave them positive notes on their desk. I like to leave one before I go home for the day so that they will discover it when they come in the morning "Hi Alice! Hope you have a great day!" </font></li></ul></div></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">The one thing a new special ed teacher should not worry about:</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#7b1fa2" face="arial">A cute classroom.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QV4YuGDAwmc/XsB86Ijfd3I/AAAAAAAAHkI/NTuQ__bntegHe1V3jCYBdAiPun5UyVbBQCK4BGAsYHg/Some%2Bof%2Bthe.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Some of the best teachers have the ugliest classrooms." border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QV4YuGDAwmc/XsB86Ijfd3I/AAAAAAAAHkI/NTuQ__bntegHe1V3jCYBdAiPun5UyVbBQCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/Some%2Bof%2Bthe.png" title="Your classroom doesn't have to be cute! New teachers: focus on quality teaching and worry about double-border bulletin boards later." width="213" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Sure, there's nothing wrong with having an adorable classroom. However, cute classrooms don't make students learn more effectively. A perfect double-border bulletin board with a punny saying has 0 effect on whether or not your students learn the difference between long and short vowels.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><font color="#f57c00"></font><blockquote><font color="#f57c00">And quite honestly, if you have students with emotional challenges, the cute decor you spent hours laminating can get ripped off the walls and destroyed in a matter of seconds. </font></blockquote></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">You can have a theme. You can hang cute stuff. But don't spend hours and hours on it right now. </font><span style="font-family: arial;">Book bins can be labeled with hand-scrawled post it notes. Even if your handwriting is meh. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><blockquote><font color="#f57c00">Sometimes the <b>best</b> teachers have the <b>blandest</b> rooms. </font></blockquote></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Your hours are better spent on webinars, learning the curriculum, hanging out with the kids at recess if you have the chance, fine-tuning lesson plans, and observing other seasoned teachers. Let's not forget, you're going to be busy writing IEPs too!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoJU5B2KXr4/XsB7FM-UORI/AAAAAAAAHjo/PaAV-ePHHU88aqMbqJQBHCpXacDnH28JQCK4BGAsYHg/3%2BThings%2BNew%2BSpecial%2BEd%2Bteachers%2Bneed%2Bto%2Bfocus%2Bon.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3 things new special ed teachers should focus on" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoJU5B2KXr4/XsB7FM-UORI/AAAAAAAAHjo/PaAV-ePHHU88aqMbqJQBHCpXacDnH28JQCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h160/3%2BThings%2BNew%2BSpecial%2BEd%2Bteachers%2Bneed%2Bto%2Bfocus%2Bon.png" title="IEPs, Building Relationships, and quality instruction are key for a successful first year in special education teaching!" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#0b8043" face="georgia">Related: <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2018/02/8-essentials-for-special-education.html" target="_blank">{8 Essentials for Special Education Teachers}</a></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2018/06/games-to-boost-executive-functioning.html" target="_blank">{Games to Boost Executive Functioning}</a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2018/07/post-it-notes-in-classroom-classroom.html" target="_blank">{Using Post-it Notes for Classroom Management}</a></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-9492779364544744912020-08-10T05:55:00.002-04:002020-08-10T05:55:00.465-04:00Dear Mom, (A Letter From Your Child's Special Education Teacher)<div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#0f9d58" face="arial">As we head into a new school year, in the midst of a pandemic no less, I wanted to share some thoughts with moms of children with disabilities. When your child is a different learner than most, school can be a new challenge. This open letter to moms of children with disabilities is from me, a special education teacher. I hope it gives you peace and comfort at this time of year!</font></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4j37SInHF8/XtKrgU8uk5I/AAAAAAAAHww/ymWWKbhBmRA2mf533mhbbJX7u5iIG1cmQCK4BGAsYHg/Dear%2BMom%252C.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--4j37SInHF8/XtKrgU8uk5I/AAAAAAAAHww/ymWWKbhBmRA2mf533mhbbJX7u5iIG1cmQCK4BGAsYHg/s320/Dear%2BMom%252C.png" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;">Dear Mom-of-a-child-with-a-disability,</div></font><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Welcome to the new school year! I know that this time of year is exciting and scary for you as your child heads back to school. We're in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic still, your child has a disability, and the world can be a beautiful, frustrating, place. Even though I don't know you personally, there are some things I know about you.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" style="font-family: arial;"><br /></font></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;"><ol><li><font face="arial" style="font-family: arial;">I know that this is </font><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;"><b>scary</b></span><font face="arial" style="font-family: arial;"> territory for you.<br /><br /></font></li><li>I know you wonder where they will end up in 5 or 10 years. <br /><br /></li><li>I know you are exhausted. No matter whether your child has a learning disability, ADHD, emotional disability, Autism, etc... you. are. tired!<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv8eLqFJv6Y/XtKZz4f2QqI/AAAAAAAAHvc/AADxlHB7CrYpgx7pLvtoJgj50w9RPDTBgCK4BGAsYHg/so%2Btired.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="702" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Jv8eLqFJv6Y/XtKZz4f2QqI/AAAAAAAAHvc/AADxlHB7CrYpgx7pLvtoJgj50w9RPDTBgCK4BGAsYHg/s320/so%2Btired.gif" width="320" /></a></div></li><li>I know you may have doctor and therapist appointments to keep up with, meltdowns at home (the child's. Also, maybe your own), and of course, the homework battles.<br /><br /></li><li><b>I know you may be grieving this diagnosis. </b><font face="arial"> You grieve the life you thought you wanted and the life you have. You grieve the hardship your child may experience. You grieve that others don't really understand. Anger, denial, bargaining. It's all part of grief and I've seen parents in all of those stages.</font></li></ol></div></font>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font face="arial"><br /></font></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><font color="#f57c00" face="arial">There are some things you should know about me and the staff at school:</font></b></div>
<div style="font-family: arial; text-align: justify;"><ol><li>All of the staff at school are on <i>Team YourKid</i>. Team Joey. Team Allie. Team Rosa. My colleagues and I want your child to be safe, healthy, and learning. Everything we do revolves around that goal.<br /><br /></li><li><font face="arial">When we have an IEP meeting with you, everyone sitting around that table is focused on YOUR child. Yes, it can be daunting to walk into the office and have 6 professionals sitting there (I think my record is 10 staff members in one conference). </font><b><font face="arial">The entire world has stopped and we are JUST there for </font><font face="courier"><u>your child</u></font><font face="arial">.</font></b><font face="arial"> <br /><br /></font></li><li>We know you are doing the best you possibly can! <br /><br /></li><li>We know you love your kid. <br /><br /></li><li>When your child starts to get frustrated in the classroom, I go and help. If he needs a break, we go get a drink of water or play with play-doh.<br /><br /></li><li>If your child has a full on meltdown? I'm not judging them. Or you. Whatever your child did today---they weren't the first and they won't be the last! I'm unfazed and will gently help them re-regulate themselves.<br /><br /></li><li>I'm always trying to do better. There are countless webinars, twitter chats, conferences, and articles about teaching students with disabilities. I spend as much time as I can attending and reading so that I can do the very best job for your child. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUTGdy40y8s/XtKb8eoH6PI/AAAAAAAAHv4/SV2LSyrkTOILIJalFat6kOk4a8Ao9xI3wCK4BGAsYHg/studying.gif" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="500" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GUTGdy40y8s/XtKb8eoH6PI/AAAAAAAAHv4/SV2LSyrkTOILIJalFat6kOk4a8Ao9xI3wCK4BGAsYHg/s320/studying.gif" width="320" /></a></div></li></ol></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Mom, that's all I have for you today. I hope you walk into this new year knowing we are on your side. <b>Whatever this next wild school year brings, we're in it together! </b></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">With Love,</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#7b1fa2" face="georgia"><i>Your Child's Special Education Teacher</i></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#7b1fa2" face="georgia"><i><br /></i></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#7b1fa2" face="georgia"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbMuxmgRPFE/XtKpXCbQ8pI/AAAAAAAAHwU/gk0RbPo7xiM10iXCnCHSEYGqjKMDqzGxgCK4BGAsYHg/zucchini%2Bsummer%2Bblog%2B%252811%2529.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="An open letter from your child's special education teacher" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FbMuxmgRPFE/XtKpXCbQ8pI/AAAAAAAAHwU/gk0RbPo7xiM10iXCnCHSEYGqjKMDqzGxgCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h200/zucchini%2Bsummer%2Bblog%2B%252811%2529.png" title="moms of kids with disabilities; back to school special education" width="400" /></a></div><i><br /></i></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-76067714266408320882020-08-06T19:33:00.000-04:002020-08-06T19:33:01.386-04:00The 3 Books I Couldn't Stop Reading This Summer<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">I've read a lot this summer but 3 books really stand out as the best summer reads. These were the 3 that I devoured within 48 hours each. These are the books that I just couldn't put down! </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial" size="1">**Amazon links are affiliate links. Full disclosure <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/p/advertise.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TX4nSue3VsA/XsE3ub861lI/AAAAAAAAHk0/FLJWD4-qz0wPsQfTzzbYZJgYYrefTqKHACK4BGAsYHg/3%2Bbooks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3 books I couldn't put down" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TX4nSue3VsA/XsE3ub861lI/AAAAAAAAHk0/FLJWD4-qz0wPsQfTzzbYZJgYYrefTqKHACK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/3%2Bbooks.png" title="The books I couldn't stop reading this summer. #TheSilentPatient #EvvieDrakeStartsOver #TheGardenofSmallBeginnings" width="213" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#9c27b0" face="arial">1. The Silent Patient</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1250301696/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1250301696&linkCode=as2&tag=zsblog09-20&linkId=57f881760647ef2979fe1523f0172926" target="_blank"><img alt="The Silent Patient" border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=1250301696&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=zsblog09-20" width="132" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=zsblog09-20&l=am2&o=1&a=1250301696" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">The Silent Patient has topped many best-seller lists and been the topic of book bloggers. Indeed, The Silent Patient did not disappoint! I was lucky enough to get it from my local library via the Libby app. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">I can't always read on my phone, preferring a physical book most times, but sometimes a book is SO good that I don't mind it being digital and can devour it nonetheless.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">The Silent Patient had a few twists that knocked my socks of! If you're looking for a suspense that will keep you guessing--this is the book for you!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3dSNjBl" target="_blank">Amazon</a> I <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/the-silent-patient/9781250301697" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></b></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#f4a900" face="arial">2. Evvie Drake Starts Over</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0525619240/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0525619240&linkCode=as2&tag=zsblog09-20&linkId=6eb3dbb305270df167a1f68326f912fb" target="_blank"><img alt="Evvie Drake Starts Over" border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0525619240&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=zsblog09-20" title="A rom-com book" width="132" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=zsblog09-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0525619240" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">I read Evvie Drake Starts Over <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2020/04/quaran-reading.html">earlier in the summer</a> and it's just so lovely and refreshing! A charming story of a widowed woman and a washed out baseball star. It's the rom-com of books. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">If you're needing a book to take your mind off the heaviness of the world, this will do it. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/3fW9fgJ" target="_blank">Amazon</a> I <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/evvie-drake-starts-over/9780525619246" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></b></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#0f9d58" face="arial"><b>3. The Garden of Small Beginnings</b></font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399583580/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399583580&linkCode=as2&tag=zsblog09-20&linkId=06f245122e81f75faf7799f04f3f7b62" target="_blank"><img alt="The Garden of Small Beginnings" border="0" height="200" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=0399583580&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=zsblog09-20" title="Well written book by Abbi Waxman" width="133" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=zsblog09-20&l=am2&o=1&a=0399583580" style="border: none; margin: 0px;" width="1" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">My first time to read Abbi Waxman, I read this one while I waited for Other People's Houses to arrive in the mail. Like with The Silent Patient, I was able to get The Garden of Small Beginnings as a library loan on the Libby app. Yay for free!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Abbi Waxman has a delightful way of wording things and working humor into her novel. Like Evvie Drake Starts Over, this book is a lighter take on the world that will give you an enjoyable break from whatever has you consumed at the moment. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Some authors I reread and some I don't go back to but after having read The Garden of Small Beginnings, I know Abbi Waxman is an author I will follow and read everything she puts out!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><b><a href="https://amzn.to/2X6k07E" target="_blank">Amazon</a> I <a href="https://bookshop.org/books/the-garden-of-small-beginnings/9780399583582" target="_blank">Bookshop</a></b></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjOKT38_qFk/XsE5Y50KyjI/AAAAAAAAHlQ/M44xml7MvuUoOgxn16j861UfKYoetSVtwCK4BGAsYHg/3%2Bbooks%2Bcopy.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My favorite books of the summer" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TjOKT38_qFk/XsE5Y50KyjI/AAAAAAAAHlQ/M44xml7MvuUoOgxn16j861UfKYoetSVtwCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/3%2Bbooks%2Bcopy.png" title="The best books I read all summer" width="213" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font color="#b51200" face="arial" size="4">Did you do much reading over the summer? What's the best book <i>you've</i> read lately?</font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-39937799910379490442020-07-22T06:02:00.000-04:002020-07-22T06:02:01.169-04:00Do This 1 Thing No Matter How Tight Your Budget Is<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Look, I know we are in the middle of a pandemic and for millions of Americans, times are tough financially. People are job searching, redoing their budgets, and cutting corners. <b>2020 is not a year many of us will miss when it finally packs its bags and leaves.</b></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Huqrlg569c/XtRVraj8WdI/AAAAAAAAH0I/BjzobtRFkXgnVnrKl5ewN9u6mvFDxKaWgCK4BGAsYHg/hallelujah%2Bgif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="164" data-original-width="220" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4Huqrlg569c/XtRVraj8WdI/AAAAAAAAH0I/BjzobtRFkXgnVnrKl5ewN9u6mvFDxKaWgCK4BGAsYHg/hallelujah%2Bgif.gif" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Years ago when my husband and I got married, my dad passed down some advice for budgeting. He said, (paraphrasing here because it was nearly 2 decades ago): "Always have some money that you each get that isn't accountable to the other one."</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><font face="georgia">You need to have spending money each month that is YOURS. </font></blockquote></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjIjMZ_XDCA/XtRfVtFxjrI/AAAAAAAAH1A/2iD_9qwTLScKmcEl2r2A3lIsI-e-7UEiwCK4BGAsYHg/Do%2Bthis%2B1%2Bthing%2Bnot%2Bmatter.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Budget tip even when money is tight" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FjIjMZ_XDCA/XtRfVtFxjrI/AAAAAAAAH1A/2iD_9qwTLScKmcEl2r2A3lIsI-e-7UEiwCK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/Do%2Bthis%2B1%2Bthing%2Bnot%2Bmatter.png" title="Do this 1 thing no matter how tight your budget is" width="266" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><u>Here are the rules:</u></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><font face="arial">The amount is agreed upon ahead of time and each person gets the same amount. It might be a minuscule amount. That's fine. Write it in the budget. <br /><br /></font></li><li><font face="arial">You get your spending money. You spend it on whatever you want. <br /><br /></font></li><li><font face="arial">The other person does not get to complain about what you bought with your spending money.<br /><br /></font></li><li><font face="arial">If you want to spend it all at Starbucks. <i>Fine.</i> <br /><br /></font></li><li><font face="arial">If you want to save up your spending money for awhile and buy something big? <i>Fine.</i></font></li></ul><h2><font face="arial">Why do we need spending money in our budget?</font></h2><div><font face="arial">If you don't budget spending money for both you and your partner, you will either a) overspend, b) underspend, or c) be resentful of your partner. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><blockquote><font face="arial">If money is super tight and your spouse comes home with a $5 frappe from Starbucks, you might be ticked. </font></blockquote></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfaYeeImPak/XtRZpiZmvjI/AAAAAAAAH0k/HgkJRsUHQo8yDnIwuSfpCa87yHP8jxGlACK4BGAsYHg/mad%2Bcoffee.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="250" data-original-width="300" height="167" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CfaYeeImPak/XtRZpiZmvjI/AAAAAAAAH0k/HgkJRsUHQo8yDnIwuSfpCa87yHP8jxGlACK4BGAsYHg/w200-h167/mad%2Bcoffee.png" width="200" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">But if it came out of their spending money, then you can't get mad---it was their money and furthermore, you have YOUR money so if you want a frappe too, you can get one!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial"><i>Having your own spending money allows each person to feel free to purchase something without feeling guilty for taking money from another budget category.</i></font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2><font face="arial">How much should we budget for spending money?</font></h2><div><font face="arial">It depends greatly on your budget. Generally we now do $50 each, each month. Sometimes we do less if a big expense is coming up. In the early years of marriage when money was really tight, we started with $5 a month and worked up to $10.</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2><font face="arial">Can we use a credit card for our spending money?</font></h2><div><font face="arial">Uhh. It should really be cash so that once it's gone, it. is. gone. If you must use a card (or order online), be sure to write down what you spent and keep track of how much you have left. Do NOT go into debt for spending money. If you can't afford more than $3 that month, then you only get $3! </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2><font face="arial">Why should I listen to you?</font></h2><div><font face="arial">My husband and I aren't financial advisors, we're just people who've been married for a long time, rarely argue about money (you can count our money arguments on one hand), have been poor, have been not-poor, and have no debt except our reasonable mortgage. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">Plus, technically this advice came from my dad and he's the smartest person I know. ;) </font></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNasxs0eO9U/XtRg6a91GrI/AAAAAAAAH1c/N_Loy9YFuKg1iMZnmUVjT9laNsifuUowACK4BGAsYHg/1%2Bthing%2Byou%2Bhave%2Bto%2Bdo%2Beven%2Bwhen%2Bmoney%2Bis%2Btight%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="1 thing you have to do even when money is tight" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KNasxs0eO9U/XtRg6a91GrI/AAAAAAAAH1c/N_Loy9YFuKg1iMZnmUVjT9laNsifuUowACK4BGAsYHg/w320-h268/1%2Bthing%2Byou%2Bhave%2Bto%2Bdo%2Beven%2Bwhen%2Bmoney%2Bis%2Btight%2521.png" title="budgeting; finance tips; frugal" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-77371208169702203492020-07-20T06:12:00.000-04:002020-07-20T06:12:07.430-04:0025 Ways to Teach Sight Words<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sight words. Words you can't "sound out." They comprise most of what we read. It is crucial that children learn to read sight words, but how can you do it in a meaningful and fun way? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a special education teacher at the elementary level, I've taught lots of sight words! Merely drilling flashcards is not going to cut it. Don't get me wrong, flashcards are fine. <span style="color: #990000;"><b>Just don't try to teach sight words by using <i>only</i> flashcards</b>.</span> Kids need a <i>multi-sensory</i> way to learn new words and I'm here to give you the 25 best ways to do that! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PddbT6MAQRA/XqSeOYGKPfI/AAAAAAAAHYM/Qt5772Zo_aIUec0xm84Vx3A1qI0F8pDWACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/25%2Bmulti-sensory%2Bways.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="25 multi-sensory ways to teach your child to read sight words" border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PddbT6MAQRA/XqSeOYGKPfI/AAAAAAAAHYM/Qt5772Zo_aIUec0xm84Vx3A1qI0F8pDWACK4BGAYYCw/s400/25%2Bmulti-sensory%2Bways.png" title="25 ways to teach kids sight words" width="266" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Ready?</i> Here we go!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>1. Have the child use sidewalk chalk to write the word.</b> Important: have them say each letter while they are writing it and then say the entire word. Example "t...h....e....the." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>2. </b>Parent writes a few words on the driveway with sidewalk chalk. <b>Have your child use gross motor skills to get to each word.</b> Example "Hop to 'was'!" "Tiptoe to 'of'." "Stand on your right leg on 'goes'."</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>3. Make a hopscotch board</b> with sidewalk chalk and have your child spell and say the word they land on.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>4. Post It Note Parking. </b> Write one sight word on each sticky note (5-8 total). Give your child a toy car. Say "Park on....the." Child drives the car to that sticky note. "Park on....was." Child drives the car to that sticky note. </span></div>
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGRDG8C/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B07DGRDG8C&linkCode=as2&tag=zsblog09-20&linkId=cf90cf87519001695beefc28e0a27df5" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B07DGRDG8C&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=zsblog09-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=zsblog09-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B07DGRDG8C" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>5. Spray shaving cream</b> on a cookie sheet and have your child write the word with their finger. Bonus: The room will smell good!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>6. Find a mud puddle </b>(or make mud on a cookie sheet) and have your child write the word with their finger! Messy and fun!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>7. Use homemade dough</b> (or Play-doh) and have your child roll out the down into a long 'worm' and then use the worm to shape the letters of each word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>8. Use homemade dough </b>(here is my favorite <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2013/03/homemade-play-doh-and-secret-clean-up.html">recipe for homemade play-doh</a>) and give your child clean alphabet stamps. Have them stamp the sight word into the dough.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>9. Use letter beads and a pipe cleaner</b> or string to build the words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>10. Hide sight words in Easter eggs</b> and have your child go on an egg hunt. When they open the egg, have them read the word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBKCoJTZG4k/XqSZf_FTujI/AAAAAAAAHXc/-vc0EG_wHuI3YCOVFuxZTaUBLqDypVA1gCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/easter-4934804_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oBKCoJTZG4k/XqSZf_FTujI/AAAAAAAAHXc/-vc0EG_wHuI3YCOVFuxZTaUBLqDypVA1gCK4BGAYYCw/s320/easter-4934804_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>11. </b>Have your child <b>"sky write"</b> the word. Point their finger and make their arm straight. Use their whole arm to make each letter. (Gross motor practice can help the brain remember!)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>12. Carpet writing. </b>Child uses their index finger to "write" the word on the carpet.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>13. Magazine collage. </b>Have child look through magazine and find as many of the target word as possible. Cut them out and make a collage if desired.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>14. Use abc stamps </b>to stamp the words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>15. Use abc stickers</b> (Dollar Tree and Target Dollar Spot often have big books of them for $1) to build the sight word.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>16. Use a song</b> to teach the sight word. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxthNmbGJAQ&list=PL0_ed-4CNQFDYO6sKx6isSpYXj4hW24HG">Heidi Songs on Youtube </a>has lots of great sight word songs. I've used "There" "His" and "She" frequently in my classroom!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>17. Closed-eye writing.</b> Have your child close their eyes and use their arm in the air to 'spell' the word while picturing it in their mind.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>18. Get scented markers</b> and let your child use those to write their words. (I like these fine tip Mr. Sketch markers!)</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006HXGQ2/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0006HXGQ2&linkCode=as2&tag=zsblog09-20&linkId=a154fc8e14a5f022199c7a996e74d42e" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B0006HXGQ2&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=zsblog09-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=zsblog09-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B0006HXGQ2" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>19. Wikki Stix</b> are fun ways to build sight words!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>20. </b>Incorporate whole-body learning with having your child <b>jump or hop</b> each time they say a letter in the word.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1H9Ns12sGq0/XqSZ9x59vhI/AAAAAAAAHXw/6wUNAqCCUk4acC8XQzpOpQzMEGpECniSQCK4BGAYYCw/s1600/trampoline-2227667_1920.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1H9Ns12sGq0/XqSZ9x59vhI/AAAAAAAAHXw/6wUNAqCCUk4acC8XQzpOpQzMEGpECniSQCK4BGAYYCw/s320/trampoline-2227667_1920.jpg" width="320" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>21. Read your child a picture book.</b> Have them snap every time they hear the sight word you are working on.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>22. Play Tic Tac Toe</b> but instead of using X's and O's, each player has a designated sight word that they write in the box. They must say each letter and read the word each time they take a turn!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>23.</b> Play the game <a href="https://amzn.to/3eNVXlX"><b>HeadBandz</b></a> but instead of using the cards that go with it, use index cards of sight words. Child has to say your name to get a point.</span><br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AIM52A/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003AIM52A&linkCode=as2&tag=zsblog09-20&linkId=139cd894f728c46c94790dd050e909be" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?_encoding=UTF8&MarketPlace=US&ASIN=B003AIM52A&ServiceVersion=20070822&ID=AsinImage&WS=1&Format=_SL250_&tag=zsblog09-20" /></a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="//ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=zsblog09-20&l=am2&o=1&a=B003AIM52A" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>24. </b>Here's another way to use a popular game! Instead of <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2019/06/dont-break-ice-social-skills-game.html">using <b>Don't Break the Ice</b> to teach social skills</a>, use it for sight words! Have a stack of sight word cards that your child is working on. Before they take their turn, they have to turn over and read one of the words.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>25. Connect 4.</b> You can put a little garage sale sticker dot on each piece and write a sight word on it. Players have to read their word before playing their piece. OR if you don't want to alter the game pieces, simply set out a stack of sight word cards. Before each player takes a turn, they read a word card (just like above in #24)!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--IDxNy6JnEA/XqSVNwzQo5I/AAAAAAAAHXQ/G5i6QN5k13w5DOtmsEX43EARZSAoRQHqACK4BGAYYCw/s1600/50%2Bways%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Sight words can be hard for children to learn! Here are 25 ways to help your child learn to read sight words: WITHOUT worksheets!" border="0" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--IDxNy6JnEA/XqSVNwzQo5I/AAAAAAAAHXQ/G5i6QN5k13w5DOtmsEX43EARZSAoRQHqACK4BGAYYCw/s320/50%2Bways%2B%25281%2529.png" title="25 ways to teach your child sight words" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-38885931099390113082020-07-14T06:57:00.000-04:002020-07-14T06:57:02.415-04:001 New Habit Guaranteed to Help You Read More<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">I have always loved to read but yet there are so many books and not enough time! Not to mention that the Covid19 pandemic means we're all spending more time at home. Yet there doesn't seem to be enough time? Know what I mean?</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Feeling a pull to both increase my reading time and to also practice some self-care, I decided that I should read more. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">And yet it is hard to concentrate, to immerse myself into a book. </font><span style="font-family: arial;">I sit down. The phone beeps. I read one paragraph. My mind wanders. The Covid19 pandemic has definitely made it harder for me to focus. You too? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lnNY0B3KIc/Xr87AQR4tUI/AAAAAAAAHfQ/HlO6IzfvyjM3kouL_JyRJj7iqt_clo-pQCK4BGAsYHg/This.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Read more with this one simple trick" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2lnNY0B3KIc/Xr87AQR4tUI/AAAAAAAAHfQ/HlO6IzfvyjM3kouL_JyRJj7iqt_clo-pQCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/This.png" title="How 1 new habit can help you read more books" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">But there's one habit that you can start to help you read more books. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><b><font color="#f57c00"></font></b><blockquote><b><font color="#f57c00">At night when you are done with the kids' bedtime routine, try to sit down and immediately read for 30 minutes. </font></b></blockquote></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">That's the habit. Commit yourself to 30mins a night. You can set a timer, I do! You may not hit 7 nights a week. That's okay. Aim for 4-5. It's doable. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">30 minutes. <b>RIGHT after the kids are in bed.</b> The house is peaceful but you aren't seconds away from dreamland so your brain should be in a good place.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><b>Now here's the other part of this 1 tip. We'll call it part 1b. </b> </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><blockquote><b><font color="#f57c00">If your brain is finding it hard to focus on reading right now, you have to plow through the first five minutes. </font></b></blockquote></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">That's what it takes for me, for my brain to shift and realize <i>"Oh okay we aren't thinking about dying and face masks now. We are doing something else."</i> </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Does this reading habit work? Yes! I've started keeping a book journal (more on that another time) and discovered that in exactly the last 4 weeks, I've completely read 6 books and am partway through another! </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDOqaXNfQM0/Xr9FKh7SgRI/AAAAAAAAHf4/kDlb5G3TDmINc_NoqRaG-jCskizlopLkACK4BGAsYHg/1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Read more with this 1 new habit" border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="1024" height="160" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cDOqaXNfQM0/Xr9FKh7SgRI/AAAAAAAAHf4/kDlb5G3TDmINc_NoqRaG-jCskizlopLkACK4BGAsYHg/w320-h160/1.png" title="The easy tip you need in order to read more" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Sure, some days I've read more than 30 minutes, but that half hour at night is enough to start me and more importantly to keep me fueled and WANTING to read at other times too.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><i>tl; dr? Read for 30 mins as soon as your kids crash at night. Plow through the first 5 mins while your mind wanders. Boom. Progress through your "To Be Read" pile!</i></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><i><br /></i></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMN276x3yak/Xr9ILdWHVgI/AAAAAAAAHgY/zmzrhlRHtesQFctDFfgHd9rR7kZ0rkVcwCK4BGAsYHg/Oh%2Blook.%2BIt%2527s%2Bmy%2BTBR%2Bpile..png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Oh look, it's my TBR pile." border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMN276x3yak/Xr9ILdWHVgI/AAAAAAAAHgY/zmzrhlRHtesQFctDFfgHd9rR7kZ0rkVcwCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h268/Oh%2Blook.%2BIt%2527s%2Bmy%2BTBR%2Bpile..png" title="Bookish humor" width="320" /></a></div><i><br /></i></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-67747817566751218432020-07-07T07:22:00.000-04:002020-07-07T07:22:09.244-04:00 Things We DON'T Buy<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Not long ago I shared the </span><a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2020/05/7-things-we-dont-mind-spending-money-on.html" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">7 things we don't mind spending money on</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. Cherry Coke, life insurance, etc. Many years ago when this blog was quite new, I wrote about the <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2012/04/7-things-we-dont-buy.html" target="_blank">things we just won't buy</a>. But it's time to update that list! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We do spend a little more on cell phones now. My husband's is provided through his work and our teenage son and myself get a $30 a month plan for a <b>total household cell phone bill of $60 </b>per month. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font size="5">What about things we <b>don't </b>buy though?</font> When you are looking for frugal tips and money saving advice, you'll often come across people who don't eat out, don't buy paper plates, and haven't had a name brand bag of chips for the last 20 years. Those people are not me. Now if it's how you choose to live, by all means, do so. It would save you money! But me? I've gotta have paper plates and Pringles from time to time. </span><img alt="10 things we don't buy" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ojHG5f0ibTY/XvzrFeOtFhI/AAAAAAAAIMU/RaKoylF9kpkMFW9bmUzRQ-mTlZNjCV0YACK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/things%2Bwe.png" style="text-align: left;" title="Avoiding these ten things helps keep our budget in shape" width="266" /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br />We try to be responsible with our money while still enjoying life without going into debt. It's a balance we all have to find! <br /></span></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;">Here are the 10 things we don't buy. Let me know if your list is different or similar!</div></font><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. Apps</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If it's not free, we're not getting it. Sure there are likely some fantastic apps out there that only cost a few dollars. Nonetheless, we just don't pay to buy apps, nor do we do the in app purchases for them. Believe me, I've been stuck on levels of Candy Crush or Cooking Craze and been super tempted by the $3 booster pack. But I resist! Our budget doesn't have a "Beat the next level" line item. :-D</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">2. Tanning Sessions</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Oh how I would love to go tanning! It evens out your skin tone and gives a "healthy" glow. But I read about how even going tanning just once can greatly increase you chances of skin cancer. It's scary stuff and while my chubby parts would look better tan, I don't want to die so the world will just have to deal with my bright white chub.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">3. Alcohol</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">For various reasons, we don't drink. Alcoholic drinks can be quite expensive, especially if you're at the bar ordering the $10 drinks. No alcohol for us means no extra cost.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">4. Cigarettes / Vape</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">We aren't Mormon but with the lack of drinking and smoking we might blend in with them. ha! We don't smoke or do any of the various alternatives such as vaping. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">5. Gym Memberships</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Funny story. I did the Planet Fitness thing for awhile and of all the gyms, it does seem the be the most affordable. But. I just didn't go enough to justify it. So one year on January 4th when everyone was joining the gym, I marched in and <u>stopped</u> the membership. #Winning</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">6. Lottery Tickets</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">For both mathematical and religious reasons we don't purchase lottery tickets or visit casinos, horse tracks, etc. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">7. Cable or Satellite TV </font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">There was a time when we had satellite tv. We chose Dish Network because it didn't require a contract and you could cancel at any time without incurring extra fees. It was around $30 a month. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">We do purchase hulu/prime/netflix now which adds up to roughly $25 a month (though we share the cost with family which lowers our part of the bill). Not a huge savings but we feel like between those 3 streaming services we have enough viewing options. We certainly aren't going to add Dish on TOP of all the streaming. If we got rid of streaming we'd have no way to watch some of <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2020/05/our-favorite-family-friendly-netflix.html">our favorite shows</a>. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">8. Leased Vehicles</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br />We don't lease our vehicles. Most often it's better to buy a vehicle you can afford and then you OWN at the end of the payments versus paying on something every month and then having nothing to show for it because you never truly owned it. Sure, you can lease a nicer car than you can afford to buy outright, but...why? I'm not trying to lose money just to show off.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">9. Extended Warranties</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">You know how when you go to Walmart and the register prompts the cashier to ask if you want to pay $7 extra for a warranty on this Furby? Hard pass on that.</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">10. The Latest Technology</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Guess who owns air pods?! No one in our house! </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Sure we have phones and streaming on our tv. We don't live in the dark ages. But we're also not waiting in line outside Apple stores for the latest igadget. We wait til something has been on the market for awhile and the price goes down before purchasing. Also? I'm a good person but I tend to lose things and air pods seem like NOT a good idea for someone like me. :-/</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrHQ78P_O3M/XvzwVin-rJI/AAAAAAAAIMw/N0t-QjhuN64CJwXSGLpylntQkog5HyyrgCK4BGAsYHg/s1500/Save%2Bmoney%2Bby%2Bnot%2Bbuying%2Bthese%2B10%2Bthings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="budgeting tips" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IrHQ78P_O3M/XvzwVin-rJI/AAAAAAAAIMw/N0t-QjhuN64CJwXSGLpylntQkog5HyyrgCK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/Save%2Bmoney%2Bby%2Bnot%2Bbuying%2Bthese%2B10%2Bthings.png" title="How we save money by NOT buying 10 things" width="266" /></a></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-89896658743540958992020-07-03T06:54:00.001-04:002020-07-03T06:54:08.927-04:00Friday Funnies: Cats<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This week's Friday Funnies are perfect for all of the cat lovers out there! We are more of a dog family (cats trigger bad allergies in most of us) but I got a good laugh from these funny cat pictures. Enjoy!</span></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7w7_U4NtuI/XvunQRScEzI/AAAAAAAAII4/8tiGF5WN9VAgrhnR4-O2QubiafZqUtX-QCK4BGAsYHg/s337/cold%2Bcat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Cat wanted to go outside in freezing temperatures. Quickly regretted it." border="0" data-original-height="337" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r7w7_U4NtuI/XvunQRScEzI/AAAAAAAAII4/8tiGF5WN9VAgrhnR4-O2QubiafZqUtX-QCK4BGAsYHg/w280-h400/cold%2Bcat.jpg" title="Cat funnies." width="280" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRmWclgQwyI/XvunTctmj3I/AAAAAAAAIJE/PESK62yq21EKl-HXOE4etyFoG50pi6VKACK4BGAsYHg/s419/funny%2Bcat%2Bchicken%2Bwing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="This cat brought its owner a warm chicken wing." border="0" data-original-height="419" data-original-width="236" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yRmWclgQwyI/XvunTctmj3I/AAAAAAAAIJE/PESK62yq21EKl-HXOE4etyFoG50pi6VKACK4BGAsYHg/w360-h640/funny%2Bcat%2Bchicken%2Bwing.jpg" title="Funny cat" width="360" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zOBaF2gt3w/XvunWDhobmI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/c4vl9quT4ZEjjmO-TXLDZwq4XkTqDvwrgCK4BGAsYHg/s276/calm%2Bcat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I aspire to be as calm as this cat when things are falling apart around me." border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5zOBaF2gt3w/XvunWDhobmI/AAAAAAAAIJQ/c4vl9quT4ZEjjmO-TXLDZwq4XkTqDvwrgCK4BGAsYHg/w342-h400/calm%2Bcat.jpg" title="Funny cat picture" width="342" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-3393840218063591542020-06-22T06:02:00.000-04:002020-06-22T06:02:05.450-04:00The 4 Budget Categories You are Forgetting!<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Ahhh, the b-word. No, not <i>that</i> one. <b>Budgeting.</b> It can sometimes feel tedious to budget for every dollar but really, no matter your income level or financial status, you need a budget! Having a budget makes every dollar work harder for you. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Obviously everyone knows that you have to list out your bills when you make a budget: rent/mortgage, gas, electricity, cell phone.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">But there are 4 budget categories that you might be forgetting! Over the years, as my husband and I have written numerous budgets, some of these we forgot about too! No fear, just be sure to add in these categories when planning your monthly finances.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnFbji32FUU/XtwgEPpxFNI/AAAAAAAAH6M/zDovOtewlQ40VWycSRrQuPC1VPUCvPTXQCK4BGAsYHg/s1102/4%2Bbudget%2Bcategories%2Byou%2527re%2Bforgetting.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="4 budget categories you're forgetting" border="0" data-original-height="1102" data-original-width="735" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BnFbji32FUU/XtwgEPpxFNI/AAAAAAAAH6M/zDovOtewlQ40VWycSRrQuPC1VPUCvPTXQCK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/4%2Bbudget%2Bcategories%2Byou%2527re%2Bforgetting.png" title="Don't forget these 4 categories when you write your budget" width="266" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">1. Holidays</span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">As Dave Ramsey says, Christmas is on December 25th <b>every year</b>. It can't sneak up on you--we know it's coming! :) Likewise, my kids' birthdays, and our anniversary all fall on the same day every year. Sure Easter and Thanksgiving kind of rotate around but... close enough. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Make a list of who you buy for and about how much you want to spend. Add it all up, divide by 12 and then save that much every single month so that when the birthdays and holidays roll around, you aren't feeling pressured to go into debt. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">You can put the money in a cash envelope and keep it at home, make a separate sub account for it with your bank, or open an entirely different holiday savings account (many banks and credit unions offer accounts specifically for holiday savings!) </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6VruKw7etA/XtwmfrHbhYI/AAAAAAAAH7g/eEwbOlVja5ICejzzHhoYJdEec7K8V2VQgCK4BGAsYHg/s610/I%2Bdon%2527t%2Bknow%2Bhow%2Bmuch%2Bis%2Bin%2Bmy%2Bbank%2Baccount.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="I don't know how much is left in my bank account and at this point I'm afraid to ask." border="0" data-original-height="598" data-original-width="610" height="314" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-L6VruKw7etA/XtwmfrHbhYI/AAAAAAAAH7g/eEwbOlVja5ICejzzHhoYJdEec7K8V2VQgCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h314/I%2Bdon%2527t%2Bknow%2Bhow%2Bmuch%2Bis%2Bin%2Bmy%2Bbank%2Baccount.png" title="I don't know how much is left in my bank account and at this point I'm afraid to ask." width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let this happen to you!<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">2. Car Maintenance</font></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">I saved up money from my teaching job and bought myself a gently used vehicle and was able to pay cash. We don't have a car loan but we do have money taken out of every check and put in savings for our next vehicle. However, cars need their oil changes, tires rotated, sometimes things break or need repaired. </font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><blockquote><font face="courier">If your car needs a $200 repair to be functional, do you know how you'll pay for it? Try to keep a bit of money set aside so you don't have to go into debt at the auto shop!</font></blockquote></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">3. Unexpected Gifts</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Yes, we plan for Christmas and birthdays (see #1 above). But you know what happens sometimes? You have the perfect amount budgeted for the holidays you will celebrate that year and then BAM 3 coworkers are pregnant and you need 3 baby shower gifts. A cousin gets married and you need a wedding gift. Uncle Sal passes away and you need to send flowers. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Be sure to have a bit of money stashed away for those unexpected gift needs that arise during the year.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d0utrhe1lIY/XtwkuBmAFhI/AAAAAAAAH7E/u649v4QoSioUHdJWO988TngLZCVgH8C3wCK4BGAsYHg/s940/Budgeting_%2B4%2Bcategories%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Budgeting? Don't forget these 4 categories" border="0" data-original-height="788" data-original-width="940" height="268" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-d0utrhe1lIY/XtwkuBmAFhI/AAAAAAAAH7E/u649v4QoSioUHdJWO988TngLZCVgH8C3wCK4BGAsYHg/w320-h268/Budgeting_%2B4%2Bcategories%2B%25281%2529.png" title="Don't forget these 4 budgeting categories" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2><span style="font-family: arial;">4. Giving</span></h2><div><span style="font-family: arial;">Sadly, when you search "Budgets" on Pinterest or "budget categories", many of them have no line item for giving. Yet there is such a great need in our world. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">25% of children in OUR country, the United States, are food insecure. As I write this we have a <b>14% unemployment rate</b>. The Covid19 pandemic has made people sick, forced businesses to change how they operate, and cost many people their lives or their jobs. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div><font face="arial">The amount you choose to give regularly is up to you. For our family, we follow the tithing guideline of a 10% minimum. </font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">You can give to your local church and/or many places that could benefit from your monthly donation. Here are just a few: </font></div><div><ul><li><font face="arial"><a href="https://www.marchofdimes.org/giving/support-sustainer.aspx?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=alwayson&utm_content=nonbrand&utm_term=march%20of%20dimes&DonationTrackingParam1=alwayson_google&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_ez2BRCyARIsAJfg-ksRxlqRoBp8Njj6BBSaRsREAFzzjLOB7-8nVw2L0n6w5c7dX0c_ABQaAixSEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">March of Dimes</a>, </font></li><li><font face="arial"><a href="https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?cid=14262&pid=24671&frequency_selected=1&sc_dcm=%2525epid!&sc_cid=kwp70577&source_code=iiq181010008&s_kwcid=al!4519!3!386744240384!e!!g!!st%2520jude%2520children%27s%2520hospital&sc_dcm=%2525epid!&sc_cid=kwp73482&source_code=iiq181010008" target="_blank">St. Jude Children's Hospital</a>, </font></li><li><font face="arial"><a href="https://give.specialolympics.org/page/contribute/give-today-ppc18?source=ISadwords_181009&subsource=sitelink-donate-online&gclid=Cj0KCQjw_ez2BRCyARIsAJfg-ksAL5llxIn5q2l8SlDP9NGWZZ08faZYD6xsRgfkKKXxDJO5rsdd9qYaApryEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Special Olympics</a>, </font></li><li><font face="arial"><a href="https://www.shelterlist.com/" target="_blank">your local homeless shelter</a>, </font></li><li><font face="arial"><a href="https://www.domesticshelters.org/help#?page=1" target="_blank">or a local domestic violence shelter</a>.</font></li></ul></div><div><font face="arial">---------</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">There you have the 4 budget categories you may have forgotten: holidays, car maintenance, unexpected gifts, and giving. Can you think of any others that often escape our minds when writing that first budget? If so, leave a comment to let me know!</font></div><div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div><font face="arial">[Related: <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2020/05/7-things-we-dont-mind-spending-money-on.html" target="_blank">7 Things We Don't Mind Spending Money On</a>]</font></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-13346574927067572522020-06-19T07:44:00.000-04:002020-06-19T07:44:08.553-04:00Friday Funnies<div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial">Welcome back to Friday Funnies! I have to say, that last one is my favorite ever and is something my dad (or my husband) would definitely do if given the chance!</font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTcaFu7tIR8/Xtv6t-MKN5I/AAAAAAAAH5M/otnSCSKQdDgeJCN3Nb1m6AY8IX9j3jQqACK4BGAsYHg/s303/computer%2Bjoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="but where is the file?" border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bTcaFu7tIR8/Xtv6t-MKN5I/AAAAAAAAH5M/otnSCSKQdDgeJCN3Nb1m6AY8IX9j3jQqACK4BGAsYHg/w312-h400/computer%2Bjoke.jpg" title="computer humor" width="312" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfCwYEhzCjQ/Xtv6x_OMaxI/AAAAAAAAH5Y/wHqnv4xVI-MkLYc5VanQhDPYWzflHOgDACK4BGAsYHg/s236/why%2Baren%2527t%2Bthere%2Bdoor%2Bhandles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Why aren't there door handles? Let me tell you about 2020." border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="236" height="295" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SfCwYEhzCjQ/Xtv6x_OMaxI/AAAAAAAAH5Y/wHqnv4xVI-MkLYc5VanQhDPYWzflHOgDACK4BGAsYHg/w400-h295/why%2Baren%2527t%2Bthere%2Bdoor%2Bhandles.jpg" title="Why aren't there door handles? Let me tell you about 2020" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvyvadIRe8A/Xtv61OGMwOI/AAAAAAAAH5k/MLTW9WEWWrA5THMuFlvxNdFLvxh1XQ91gCK4BGAsYHg/s701/fair%2Bfart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="My dad never asks for his picture to be taken. Until today." border="0" data-original-height="701" data-original-width="564" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KvyvadIRe8A/Xtv61OGMwOI/AAAAAAAAH5k/MLTW9WEWWrA5THMuFlvxNdFLvxh1XQ91gCK4BGAsYHg/w321-h400/fair%2Bfart.jpg" title="Dad joke." width="321" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><font face="arial"><br /></font></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-73306530657183145242020-06-12T04:11:00.000-04:002020-06-12T04:11:17.936-04:00Friday Funnies<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here we go! This week's Friday Funnies. </span></div><font face="arial"><div style="text-align: justify;">#2--I've never really wanted to visit space but if 2020 keeps up with this nonsense, I may be willing ot give it a try!</div></font><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F9A0wV3WdC0/Xtv32otuBvI/AAAAAAAAH4M/Q39e-qhyK8YoOrmLw4Sc3AYBsBXD-dKyQCK4BGAsYHg/s252/dog%2Bgrandmas%2Bhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="when you leave your dog at grandma's house" border="0" data-original-height="252" data-original-width="236" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F9A0wV3WdC0/Xtv32otuBvI/AAAAAAAAH4M/Q39e-qhyK8YoOrmLw4Sc3AYBsBXD-dKyQCK4BGAsYHg/w375-h400/dog%2Bgrandmas%2Bhouse.jpg" title="When you leave your dog at grandma's house" width="375" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aoFWlRKM3_U/Xtv35SjtMoI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/_Kaya52_AcszQnLJesj7YyH96kE0w6TSQCK4BGAsYHg/s254/congrats%2Bastronauts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Congrats to the astronauts who just left earth. Good choice." border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="235" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aoFWlRKM3_U/Xtv35SjtMoI/AAAAAAAAH4Y/_Kaya52_AcszQnLJesj7YyH96kE0w6TSQCK4BGAsYHg/w370-h400/congrats%2Bastronauts.jpg" title="Congrats to the astronauts who just left earth. Good choice." width="370" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6J496poNpsU/Xtv38s8y-LI/AAAAAAAAH4k/Hy6M7iVE3QUmjsP1p8hEcnAFlSMo47JigCK4BGAsYHg/s500/row%2Byour%2Bgoat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Row row row your goat." border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="500" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6J496poNpsU/Xtv38s8y-LI/AAAAAAAAH4k/Hy6M7iVE3QUmjsP1p8hEcnAFlSMo47JigCK4BGAsYHg/w400-h300/row%2Byour%2Bgoat.jpg" title="Goat humor. Row row row your goat!" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-31958828872384134902020-06-08T15:11:00.000-04:002020-06-08T15:11:15.911-04:003 Ways YOU Can Make Money Online This Week<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Looking to make some money online? Most of us could find a way to use some extra cash, myself included! While I do have a full-time job, there are also a few websites I use to make extra money online. Lately I've been using them to save up for some Christmas gifts for friends and family. Today I'll share with you my 3 favorite ways to make money on the web.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHWN747mV1U/XsG-YgEzkrI/AAAAAAAAHmk/ne11NWZjRBA0s4jFVcNywjZSvgCoDHU6QCK4BGAsYHg/3%2BWays.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3 ways you can earn money online this week" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gHWN747mV1U/XsG-YgEzkrI/AAAAAAAAHmk/ne11NWZjRBA0s4jFVcNywjZSvgCoDHU6QCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/3%2BWays.png" title="Earn money online with these 3 simple ways" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#f57c00">1. Ebates / Rakuten</font></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><div><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">Cost to join: Free</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">How much can you earn: % of your online shopping, no extra fees</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">How often can you cash out: Quarterly via check or PayPal</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">What stores qualify: Too many to list! Kohl's, Sephora, Torrid, Macy's, and hundreds more</font></span></li></ul></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Rakuten, formerly called ebates, lets you <a href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/ZUCCHI9?eeid=28187" target="_blank">earn cash back for your online shopping</a>. It's a very simply way to make some money online! For example, I recently ordered more dog food from Chewy.com and earned a little cash back.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Will you earn enough to pay your rent each month? LOL. No. Of course not, but if you think about all of your online shopping, you might as well get some of those dollars back! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This is my <a href="https://www.rakuten.com/r/ZUCCHI9?eeid=28187" target="_blank">referral link to Rakuten</a> and if you use it, you get a $10 bonus once you spend $25 and I'll get a $25 bonus. Then you'll have your <b>own</b> referral link to give out and get bonus cash for yourself!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font face="courier">Related: <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2014/11/whats-deal-with-ebates.html" target="_blank">{What's The Deal With Ebates}</a></font></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#f57c00">2. Swagbucks</font></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">Cost to join: Free</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">How much can you earn: Varies. I earn around $300 a year.</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">How often can you cash out: As soon as you have enough points for the giftcard or PayPal amount that you want!</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">What stores can you get gift cards to: Too many to list! Paypal, Best Buy, Kohl's, Sephora, Macy's, and hundreds more</font></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You've heard me <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2017/01/how-i-earned-300-from-swagbucks.html" target="_blank">talk about Swagbucks</a> <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2016/02/thanks-for-418-swagbucks.html" target="_blank">repeatedly</a>, so why haven't you joined yet? I have $75 in Target gift cards that I earned through Swagbucks so far this year. That's a nice chunk of change to put towards some Christmas gifts! </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">You can also choose gift cards to Walmart, itunes, Ulta, Sephora, and like a million other stores. </span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><blockquote><b>If you would rather have straight up cash, you can <a href="https://www.swagbucks.com/refer/freestuff222" target="_blank">redeem Swagbucks for PayPal cash</a>! I've done that before too and it works perfectly.</b></blockquote></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you'd like to join Swagbucks, <a href="https://www.swagbucks.com/refer/freestuff222" target="_blank">please consider using my referral link</a>. You still get all the perks of Swagbucks and I get a few extra points towards my next gift card!</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2qhvkfp-gk/XsHD9oqreZI/AAAAAAAAHnA/iESF3pbadZM1FOwBMUu2BB1Z4KTlN7emwCK4BGAsYHg/3%2BWays.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="3 legit sites to earn money online" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t2qhvkfp-gk/XsHD9oqreZI/AAAAAAAAHnA/iESF3pbadZM1FOwBMUu2BB1Z4KTlN7emwCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/3%2BWays.png" width="213" /></a></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><h2 style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#f57c00">3. Microsoft Rewards</font></span></h2><div style="text-align: justify;"><ul><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">Cost to join: Free</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">How much can you earn: roughly $5-10 a month</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">How often can you cash out: Any time you have enough points!</font></span></li><li><span style="font-family: arial;"><font color="#7b1fa2">What stores can I get a gift card to: Target, Sephora, Dunkin, Taco Bell, AMC Movies, and more</font></span></li></ul></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;">This site is less well-known that Rakuten and Swagbucks but the Microsoft Rewards program is a pretty solid way to earn some money online. They don't have a Paypal option but you can cash out for gift cards such as Hulu, Target, Dunkin, Starbucks, Xbox, etc. A great way to earn some ways to treat yourself or some gift cards to give away at the holiday season! If you want to <a href="https://account.microsoft.com/rewards/" target="_blank">join Microsoft Rewards</a> you can start earning points right away.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b><font color="#b51200">Do you have other ways you earn money online? I do also use the ibotta app but without doing much in-store shopping my usage of it is way down.</font></b></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-45371564014747242102020-06-05T06:58:00.003-04:002020-06-05T06:58:03.680-04:00Friday Funnies<div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: large;">Welcome to another round of Friday Funnies! </span></div><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDZQz-_PIAo/Xs08L5B9ktI/AAAAAAAAHtk/AVsPeivsYPQg812Vm-Oeg7tQG5uPJ6qQwCK4BGAsYHg/plump%2Band%2Bunfiltered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="When he asks your best qualities plump and unfiltered" border="0" data-original-height="481" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zDZQz-_PIAo/Xs08L5B9ktI/AAAAAAAAHtk/AVsPeivsYPQg812Vm-Oeg7tQG5uPJ6qQwCK4BGAsYHg/w319-h320/plump%2Band%2Bunfiltered.jpg" title="plump and unfiltered" width="319" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lf489VQUBTg/Xs08lWjO0wI/AAAAAAAAHt4/uD8OeFiForwtrQKZkJlQZfg5WJWtdLRHACK4BGAsYHg/2nd%2Bgrade%2Bmorons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="I'll be famous one day but for now I'm stuck in 2nd grade with these morons" border="0" data-original-height="549" data-original-width="563" height="312" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lf489VQUBTg/Xs08lWjO0wI/AAAAAAAAHt4/uD8OeFiForwtrQKZkJlQZfg5WJWtdLRHACK4BGAsYHg/w320-h312/2nd%2Bgrade%2Bmorons.jpg" title="I'm stuck in 2nd grade with a bunch of morons" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws19FAhBgBs/Xs09BPCrBWI/AAAAAAAAHuM/M2RK45RDzgwYAoR5kwhiXQCPFGDm7SJAACK4BGAsYHg/henceforth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="can't cannot essay henceforth I am unable to can" border="0" data-original-height="564" data-original-width="564" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ws19FAhBgBs/Xs09BPCrBWI/AAAAAAAAHuM/M2RK45RDzgwYAoR5kwhiXQCPFGDm7SJAACK4BGAsYHg/w320-h320/henceforth.jpg" title="Essay writing humor" width="320" /></a></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-884057772227802080.post-72511445096831066462020-06-03T06:00:00.000-04:002020-06-03T06:00:03.366-04:007 things we don't mind spending money on<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">When it comes to money, my husband and I are not big spenders. When we first got married we were extremely frugal. Now that we are both working we still are pretty frugal compared to some of the rest of our generation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">But. We loosen the purse straps and spend some money on several things. If we experience job loss, of course these will be the first things that get cut from the budget. However, while we are able to, these are things that we don't mind spending money on!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>[8 years ago I did a post on this topic. It's fun to look back at <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2012/04/7-things-we-do-buy.html">what has changed</a> and what hasn't!]</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">1. Streaming Services. </span></h2>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">We <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2012/04/7-things-we-do-buy.html">used to pay for satellite dish</a> but found that we could save a little money by cutting that out and going to Netflix and Hulu. For awhile I was able to leverage Microsoft Rewards and <a href="http://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2017/06/how-i-get-hulu-for-free.html">get Hulu for free</a> but the system changed. I still use Microsoft Rewards but now save up for gift cards to use for Christmas and we just pay Hulu out of pocket.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">2. Books.</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #b45f06; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Yep, 8 years later and this is still on the list! The Coronavirus (Covid-19) quarantine had us staying home more than ever and with time on our hands to get in some good reading time. With the social distancing directives we have stopped a lot of other spending (I miss going to movies!) so we use that to justify ordering books with wild abandon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>Related: Quaran-Reading: <a href="https://zucchinisummeretsy.blogspot.com/2020/04/quaran-reading.html">6 Books to Read While Quarantined</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #351c75;">3. Cherry Coke</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #351c75; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I swear if you show this post to my doctor, I will track you down and glare at you. Soda is definitely not doctor-approved. We're all allowed one vice to spend money on though, right? I don't drink or smoke so I don't feel bad buying some cans of Cherry Coke each week. Cherry Pepsi is not the same. Don't @ me.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0K1DMRTIfnc/Xrnf0LQqUqI/AAAAAAAAHbw/WEuYE2olebodthnRdeqhfKwqXF3fQFIowCK4BGAsYHg/7%2BThings.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="7 things we don't mind spending money on" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0K1DMRTIfnc/Xrnf0LQqUqI/AAAAAAAAHbw/WEuYE2olebodthnRdeqhfKwqXF3fQFIowCK4BGAsYHg/w266-h400/7%2BThings.png" title="7 things we don't mind spending money on" width="266" /></a></div><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000;">4. Heating & Cooling Our Home</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">In the last year we had extra insulation sprayed into the attic and bought a new heating/cooling system for the house. We saved up the money until we were able to pay in full and that way we were able to upgrade without feeling bad for spending money. Our old unit was too small and old to keep up with the temperatures outside. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #990000; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Here in the midwest we can see summers with a heat index over 100 and winters with wind chills -30. We were constantly freezing or sweating in our home. With the new insulation and heat/cool unit we are so much more comfortable AND energy efficient. Our monthly bills have gone DOWN.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">5. Teacher Stuff</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">You may have heard that teachers spend a lot of their own money on their classrooms. You have heard correctly. I try to focus on things that will benefit my students versus things that are just "cute." For example, I give every student a brand new book of their own to keep at Winter Break and at the end of the school year. Since we are both working we can afford to do so and it's an expense that is worth it!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">6. Graduate School</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">I am paying my way through a Master's degree program right now. We pay each semester in full (no student loans!) and feel incredibly lucky to be able to do so. It is indeed a chunk of money to spend but it is an investment in the future and in my earning potential so again, it's an expense that we feel is worth it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "courier new", courier, monospace;"><b>Pro-tip: Run the money through your 529 account. Adults can use those too! It gives us a nice tax break at the end of the year on the money we were going to spend on my graduate program anyway!</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">7. Extra Life Insurance</span></h2>
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Yeah, this is not nearly as exciting as Netflix, soda, and books. Still, extra life insurance (term life insurance) is worth the added cost.The goal is that if something were to happen to either of us, the remaining spouse would have enough money to provide for themselves and the children without added stress. If, God forbid, we both die, we have a will and have left directives. Again, the expense of an attorney and the expense of extra life insurance is well worth knowing that everything is taken care of for our children should something awful happen.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMkk9XDYozU/XrniN6hbgeI/AAAAAAAAHcM/geHdRafHyNc09gWzjNBW5ug3QugncKBggCK4BGAsYHg/7%2BThings%2B%25281%2529.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="7 things we don't feel bad about buying" border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jMkk9XDYozU/XrniN6hbgeI/AAAAAAAAHcM/geHdRafHyNc09gWzjNBW5ug3QugncKBggCK4BGAsYHg/w213-h320/7%2BThings%2B%25281%2529.png" title="Things worth spending extra money on" width="213" /></a></div><span style="color: #134f5c; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="blogger-post-footer">Thanks for reading!</div>~The Bargain Babe from *Zucchini Summer Blog*http://www.blogger.com/profile/00408506171799321682noreply@blogger.com12