2020- February Expenses On The Road

Shorter month by a few days so may be the reason why expenses were slightly down this month, from last, but here is our February expense report. Next month we will be heading back home to Canada. The Arizona desert is getting too warm for us!

All expenses in USD-

Propane: $38.18
Gas for SUV- $81.00
Gas for RV- $60.00
Take out- $77.06 
RV water and dumps- $30.00
Laundry- $18.75
Camping- $170.00
Parking- $18.00
Groceries- $454.00

Hungry For More Frugal Living Sites?

Top 100 Frugal Blogs, Websites & Influencers in 2020

Would You Like To Learn More About Online Sports Betting?

In the past decade, online sports betting have undergone a great transformation. Today, more people want to place sports bets than through an intermediate. The reason is that it has many different benefits. No matter what sports you like – football, cricket, tennis, horse racing, golf, rugby, and more, you can easily place bets online on your favorite team and win real money. If you are new to online sports betting, here are some tips to help you get started-

Research on Sport You Want to Place Bets

Whether you are new to sports betting or an experienced one, research is one of the important aspects that you just cannot ignore. It is important that you watch sports TV or go online to find more information on the sports you want to bet on. When you know the ins and outs of the game, you have higher chances of betting correctly. It also means that your profits will increase over time.

Learn the Jargons

There are a number of terms and jargon that are often used in online betting. It is important that you make yourself familiar with these terms so that when you place bets, you know what you are getting into. Check the different jargon, and if you happen to come across a term, you don’t know, researching it won’t take much of your time.

Sign Up Bonuses and Rewards

Once you know about sports, you need to find an online gambling website that would be perfect for you. Among the different websites, one factor that you need to emphasize is the bonuses and rewards that you get by signing up. Often, these bonuses can help offset the losses you might experience. Thus, it is important that you pick a website that offers excellent benefits.

Learn How to Place Bets

Different online websites will have different ways to place your bets. Many of them will even have their own rules. So, before you place your bets, it is best to know what the rules are so that you do not regret it later. It is best to place small bets when you are just starting, and once you are confident, go big.

Set Limits and Stick to It

When you are on a winning streak, and you think that you know the game properly, it can cause you to invest more than you would want to. It is one mistake that often beginners make. Thus, it is essential that you control your bankroll properly. You do not want to lose your hard-earned just because you were not careful. When you place bets within your limits, you will be able to enjoy your winnings properly.

These are simple, yet powerful tips that will help you make the most of online betting. If you love sports and want to make money out of it, there is no better way than to place bets online. It is essential to educate yourself and then place bets on sports that you love. In no time, you will start to make money while enjoying your favorite games.

Top Winning Strategies For Playing Slots Online

When it comes to online casinos, the game that is the most popular is the slots. Even those who have little idea about gambling games love to play slots. The best thing about online slots is that they come in a variety of different themes, styles, cool soundtrack, and unlimited jackpots that make them quite fun and exciting to play. If you are looking to play online slots, it is the best decision that you will make for yourself.

Here are some excellent strategies to help you increase your odds of winning –

Know What Type of Machine It Is

You can find many different kinds of slot machines online. Before you start playing, you need to know the type of casino slots you are playing. Some of the varieties available online are progressive, multi-line, multipliers, and more. You also need to know the combinations that will allow you to get paid.

Choose Only Reputed Online Casinos

There are a lot of online casinos out there, but not all of them are the same. Remember that some casinos are known for スロット, and it is best to pick only those casinos to play at. Thus, it is essential that you check the reputation of the online casino, their reviews, their bonuses, and more to ensure that it is the right one.

Use Bonuses to Your Advantage

When you sign up for online casinos, you can win bonuses. Make sure to check the bonuses that you will get when you sign up. Some bonuses also multiply whatever you win, so the more you play, the more you stand to win. Some casinos also offer royalty bonuses if you stick to them and play more often.

Set a Budget

When you are playing casinos, it can get difficult to track how much you are winning and how you have spent. Thus, create a budget even before you start playing. Once you have reached your limit, take your winnings and leave. If you are losing, do not try to catch up. Come back again later.

Take Your Time

When you are playing slots, it can get difficult to let yourself flow because of how fast-paced it is. But, you need to take your time, relax in between the games and then you can think carefully about the moves you make. It helps you make the right move when you are playing, especially in slots where the bonuses are quite high.

Join The VIP Club

Most of the online casinos have a membership club that gives you access to new games, special offers, cashback, and other discounts. If you want to make the most of your money and time at online casinos, it is best to join one of these to increase your winnings within a short period.

If you want to win at slots, make sure you are having fun. When you are tensed, it can difficult to concentrate. Remember that not all days are the same. It is the reason why you can play slots anytime you want when you are playing online.

Chill Out With the All New Sanuk & Grateful Dead Collection

Need a miracle... for your feet? Turn on, tune in and chill out with all-new Sanuk & Grateful Dead™ collection of comfy, psychedelic kicks - starring those famously free-spirited, bright-eyed Dancing Bears rocking their iconic high-stepping march to the music.

Love Sanuks! Always a fan of the comfy shoes.. and have a few pair in my collection. I wear my pairs for years and years- always true to size for me and comfy from day 1!

The new kicks are variations of popular Sanuk styles, including in the Yoga Sling 2 sandal, the Classic flip flop, and the Donna and Vagabond Sidewalk Surfers. The Donna and Vagabond feature a hemp upper section.

The shoes and sandals, which are available for men, women and children, all feature The Grateful Dead's famous dancing bears, with some also boasting inner linings with tie-dye designs.

If your a Grateful Dead fan or a fan of Sanuk shoes and sandals, your going to want to get your hands on these! You can shop online for yours on the Sanuk web site- and in stores you can find them starting April 1, 2020.

How to Prepare for the Unexpected

Unexpected events happen. There is nothing we can do about that. In life, you will be happily minding your business, then suddenly whack a bombshell and everything changes. Obviously, there are levels of unexpected events, ranging from a bill you were not aware needed paying, to a home foreclosure, redundancy, or death in the immediate family. All of which can have a devastating effect on your life. The path you thought you were on suddenly veers in the opposite direction. Things will happen, and the best you can do is try to mitigate the effects by preparing financially, mentally, and physically even, for these things. 

Image from Pixabay

Finances

One of the best ways to help you in a bind is to ensure that your finances are in order. Things cost money. If you are in debt, for example, the stress of having to find $2000 for something or other, is going to be a lot to deal with. So, ensure that you are not in debt, or at the very least, have a working and manageable plan to get out of debt. The last thing you want is to be spiraling deeper into debt. Be honest with yourself. Learn to live within your means, and be aware of your spending and save. If you have a rainy day fund when those nightmare situations arise, you have a cushion to fall back on, and this will relieve a lot of stress.  

Acceptance

Acceptance in this context does not mean dwelling on the worst-case scenario to make sure you are emotionally okay when big things happen. It means having the ability to control how you think in a way that allows you to accept big changes when they occur. You need to know that things do change, so be aware of that, and when they do, you will find a way through. Do not think that things are static and will remain as they are now forever. They won’t. You may even find that it is you that changes and you want to do something else. That makes you the unexpected event, but you may fear change, and don’t know if it is the right thing to do. There is no right way, only choices.   

What can you do to improve the situation?

If you have developed the idea of acceptance, doing the right thing will be easier for you. Do not act irrationally if something big happens. That is the last thing you should do. If your home is being foreclosed upon, for example, you do have options. Do not rush into making a decision and burn your bridges. You can ask for an extension, for example, but you need to be smart about how you do it. So, think before you act. That is an absolute must. If something else has befallen you like a divorce, you need to think about yourself. It would be beneficial if you thought about hiring Family Law Attorneys who will be able to help you through the process.

Today's Quick Tip

We recently were able to save some money by asking for a courtesy car while our SUV has been in the shop. The first time it was in the shop, we neglected to ask and we ended up having to pay out hundreds for a rental. This second time it's been in we have been able to get a courtesy car. Good thing too as they have had it over a week! In future we plan on shopping around- seeing who can do repairs cheaper than what we have had to pay out, and ones that can provide a courtesy car. The only thing we did get out of it was "dealership reward points" to get a couple shirts and hats, but we know we in reality "paid" for those through what we had to pay for repairs!

3 Hearty Casserole Recipes

Pixabay - CCO Licence

Filling, versatile and as healthy as like; casseroles are an all-time favourite. Whether you’re cooking for one or feeding a family, a casserole can be a great time-saver in the kitchen. If you’re looking to put a new spin on a classic dish, take a look at these 3 hearty casserole recipes and try them out for yourself…

1. Chicken casserole with dumplings

For this recipe, preheat your oven to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C) and coat chicken pieces in flour with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Heat some oil in a pan and brown the chicken on all sizes. Once removed, at a selection of veg to the pot. Carrots, onions and parsnips all work well. Cook gently for around 10 mins, then add the chicken pieces. Add half a pint of water, some tomato paste and a stock cube, with a splash of red wine if you choose. Bring to the boil and then transfer to the oven for around 30 mins.

For the dumplings, simply rub 5 ounces of butter into 9 ounces of flour and add some salt and pepper. Stir in a quarter pint of water to make a dough and section into ping pong sized balls. Place the dumplings on top of the casserole for around 20 more minutes and get ready to dig in!

2. Spaghetti Casserole

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) and boil a pan of water. Cook the spaghetti for around 8-10 minutes and set it aside to drain. Brown some ground beef and onion on the cooker, then add some spaghetti sauce (homemade or store-bought!), along with sour cream and mozzarella. Mix in the pasta and then transfer to a dish and add a cup of mozzarella and a sprinkling of Parmesan. Bake for around 30 mins or until cooked through. 

There are numerous variations on this dish, so it’s easy to make it your own. Once you know how to make chicken spaghetti or how to mix things up with turkey, you’ll never look back. Remember – you can add as many veggies as you like too!

3. Vegetarian Casserole

If you follow a vegetarian diet or you want to incorporate more meat-free meals into your repertoire, this one’s for you. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan and add a finely chopped onion; cook for around 5-10 minutes, until it’s soft. You can season the dish according to your own tastes but the following works well:

• 3 garlic cloves, sliced
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp cumin
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 slices of celery, sliced
• Red pepper, chopped
• Yellow pepper, chopped

Add to the pan and cook for around 5 mins. Then add 400g canned tomatoes and half a pint of stock and cook for 20-25 minutes. Serve with wild rice, mashed potatoes or quinoa for a sumptuous meal. 

Cooking the Perfect Casserole

A casserole is a great dish for a last-minute dinner or a special celebration. One of the most flexible recipes out there, you can enhance it to match your tastes and feature your favourite ingredients, so be creative!

Online Gaming Sites- In India

Online casinos came into the limelight in the late 90's, and since then, they have become quite popular among gamblers. In the past few years, the India gamblers scene has also changed quite a bit. There was a time when people were a little hesitant to try online gambling, but it seems that the trends have changed and more people are looking to get an online casino experience. Here are some of the reasons for the popularity of online gambling sites in India –

Enjoy Games Banned in India- Online

Traditional commercial casinos are banned in India and are available in only a few places near India. Those who do not want to do something illegal and still enjoy playing casino games at their convenience when they want to.

Wide Range of Options

Online casinos provide a large variety of options to choose from. If you have played casino games before, you will find even more variety of options out there and have a great time. From slots to blackjack, there is nothing that you won’t find in online casinos.

More Convenience for India Gamblers

Online casinos provide a lot of choices and features that you won’t find at real casinos. You can easily play the best casino games at your convenience and even without leaving your home. You can wear whatever you want and even play while lounging around in your living room while enjoying the best casino games.

More Bonuses and Freebies

In online casinos, you will get bonuses and loyalty freebies. As soon as you join the online casinos, you enjoy many more benefits that will make the entire experience more enjoyable.

Online casinos are changing the way people gamble in the old days. All you need is a laptop and a smartphone to get access to the entire different online casino gaming out there.

Key Lessons To Learn When Becoming a Spare Time Trader

We’re all looking for a few ways to make a little extra money in our free time. Whether it’s a side hustle that allows us to monetize or skills, a handy app that allows us to make a quick buck here and there, or even something as simple as moving our credit card debt around to new cards to pay less on interest and get more free cash with which to enjoy life. For those looking to make a little extra money in their downtime, the appeal of trading is undeniable, especially when there are so many apps out there that make it easy, while potentially offering more favorable commissions than you can expect from the average stockbroker. Still, it’s worth remembering that there’s really no such thing as passive income. And that if it were easy to make money trading in your free time, everyone would be doing it. 

Image by D’Vaughn Bell via Pexels

Here are some lessons that you’ll have to learn if you hope to try your hand at trading in your spare time. Learn them and you’ll get closer to achieving your financial goals and getting the most out of your downtime…

Start small

Trading in penny stocks is a good way to get a feel for how the world of trading works and the metrics you need to watch when deciding whether to be bullish or bearish (whether to buy or to sell). Don’t get into penny stocks expecting to become an overnight millionaire- although that’s not to say that penny stocks are never profitable. Still, it’s important to keep your expectations realistic and use penny stocks as a way to learn the fundamentals. 

Expect to lose money… it’s all part of the learning curve

Nobody becomes a successful trader without taking a loss here or there. If you expect to be profitable instantly, you need to think a little harder about your expectations. This is why it’s so important to start small and get a good understanding of your market before you step up to the big leagues.

Use a VPS to keep an eye on the markets when you can’t

The markets are international, meaning that someone’s always trading somewhere. As you grow in experience you’ll come to realise the importance of keeping an eye on the markets at all times. In the digital age, many traders use sophisticated algorithms to watch the markets when they can’t. If you do this, however, make sure you use a VPS (Virtual Private Server) so you’ll never have to worry about dodgy internet connections resulting in downtime or missing out on the perfect trade.

And finally… take the time to know your market inside out

There are a lot of commodities out there that can be traded from foreign currencies to crypto currencies to stocks and shares to precious metals. Whatever you trade, however, it’s up to you to learn all that you can about your chosen market to help you to make well-informed strategic decisions. Don’t wait for someone to give you a hot tip (hot tips don’t stay hot for long). Find out the information for yourself to inform your strategy.

Happy Valentine's Day Friends

                                     

                       Wishing everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day!

2020 Valentines Day Sweet Treats Guide

Valentine's Day is a holiday dedicated to love, but I think with my sweet tooth I'm more excited about all the sweet treats!

Lundberg Family Farms -

Lundberg Family Farms Chocolate Thin Stackers are thinly sliced organic rice cakes coated in a sweet flavoring to satisfy your sweet tooth this Valentine’s Day, with all of the added benefits of a substantial puffed grain snack. You can even decorate them quite appropriately.

Sweet flavors include:

• Cherry Bliss - Elegant, indulgent, and rich dark chocolate combined with tart cherry. (140 cals/2 cakes)
• Coconut Sprinkle - Rich dark chocolate sprinkled with nutty flakes of coconut. (150 cals/2 cakes)
• Decadent Dark - Simply luscious and velvety dark chocolate. (140 cals/2 cakes)
• Spicy Mocha - Dark chocolate infused with spicy cayenne pepper and warm cinnamon spice. (140 cals/2 cakes)
• Lemon Poppy Seed - White chocolate with a refreshing splash of lemon topped with delicate poppy seeds. (150 cals/2 cakes)
• Strawberry Cheesecake - Creamy white chocolate with the sweet and slightly tart taste of strawberries. (150 cals/2 cakes)

Mrs. Fields-

Mrs. Fields, the OG cookie brand, is the best place for last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts because all products MrsFields.com qualify for overnight shipping. The deadline for overnight is 5pm ET on 2/13. Mrs. Fields has over 40 unique options including: heart-shaped cookie cakes, tins full of bite-sized cookies, chocolate covered strawberries, cheesecake pops, festive Valentine boxes and brownie bites in themed totes. Each item makes for the sweetest Valentine’s Day gift.


Peeps Brand-

PEEPS Marshmallow Hearts are the perfect way to say 'Be My Valentine'. These fluffy, sugar-coated marshmallow treats are ideal for crafts and recipes or just for sharing with your sweetheart. Choose from PEEPS Vanilla Crème Flavored Marshmallow Hearts, Strawberry Crème Flavored Marshmallow Hearts,or PEEPS Lovebird Valentine's Day Pops (missing from photo)...
Happy Valentine's Day from Peeps!


Serenade Chocolatier-

Serenade Chocolatier is the destination for vegan, gluten free and chocolates this Valentines Day! Filled with the smoothest gourmet chocolate in Boston From our kitchen to the mouths of your loved ones.

Serenade is well known for our limited edition, premium dark chocolate boxes which happen to be both vegan AND gluten free! – Making it the perfect way to say “I Love You” this Holiday Season. Or, pick up a box of their creamy milk chocolate selection – a favorite for those loved ones with a sweet tooth. Feel free to fill this box with caramels, truffles, nutty chocolates, and whatever else your heart desires. All available at www.serenadechocolatier.com While supplies last!

Have questions about allergies or ingredients? Visit them @serenade_chocolatier on instagram!

GourmetGiftBaskets.com-

Filled with delightful champagnes, decadent chocolates, and a variety of exquisite treats, our swoon-worthy Valentine’s Day or Galentine's Day gift baskets are sure to make your sweetheart weak in the knees or will make your bestie's day!

Hammond's Candies-

100 Years of Hand Crafted Candies!

Hammonds is the best gift to give, and receive for Valentine’s Day.  

Every Candy is Handmade, unique, and delicious.

Give something sweet to someone who is equally as sweet.

There’s something for everyone!

Barnett's Sweet Creations-

Barnetts Fine Biscotti are the creators of gourmet handmade biscotti. Savor their unique variety of handmade biscotti, baked from scratch the old fashioned way. From the first bite you will undoubtedly be enveloped by the exquisite flavor of our delicious biscotti. Hand formed, hand cut, and personally packaged, all of their biscotti use only the finest, freshest, all-natural ingredients. They also carry covered Oreo-like cookies, mallows, cookies and more for your sweetheart.

The Care Crate Co-

The Care Crate Co has all of the perfect sweets for your sweetie this Valentine's Day! Hand-selected and thoughtfully curated, this snack box has 65 delicious treats and is a great way to show your loved one you're thinking of them. Inside you will find a variety of name brand treats and candy, including Twizzlers, Skittles, Airheads, Haribo Gummies, and many more favorites. The Care Crate Candy Package of yummy snacks is a heartful way to surprise and delight your Valentine. Show your loved ones some sweetness with The Care Crate Co for this Valentine's Day! 


**Watch this spot for more great Valentine's Day "sweet" ideas!