Money Matters: Why You Shouldn’t Sweat The Small Stuff

At different times in your life, you may find that you get a little stressed out about money. It’s only natural. Even if you’re usually quite a positive person and you tend to choose the glass half full kind of attitude, little things can often creep in. And it’s sweating the small stuff like this that can stress us out the most - especially when it comes to money. So let’s take a look at how you can overcome your worries in terms of three really big financial factors in most of our lives.

Being Able To Travel

First up, it seems to be a right of passage that we take several luxurious and interesting vacations each year. But guess what, the cost of this can rapidly add up. And that idea alone can stress you out. But don’t let it. You need to focus on your schedule, your budget, and your aspirations for the year to then come up with what you want out of life. And if that’s no travel one year, so be it. If you’re working towards something bigger, your sacrifices will always be worth it.

Owning A New Car

Cars are cool, but they’re not essential. Just because your neighbors have a brand new car doesn't mean that you need one to prove that you’re equal. Car payments can be huge. And if you’ve rather put that money to better use, like the points above or below, then do it. Keeping up with the Joneses isn’t cool anyway!

Buying Your First Home

And finally, buying your first home is a huge pressure that so many of us feel. But you only have to check out the below infographic to find out that you’re one of the many. The statistics show that you don’t have to have it all sorted in your twenties. First time buyers come in all shapes and sizes - and your time will come.

Infographic Design By: Loan Guide for First Time Home Buyers

Healthy Eating With Subway's Fresh Fit Choices

Gerry and I love eating at Subway. A few top reasons are that we love eating there are -

- the abundance of choices for subs and toppings

-food made in front of you and always fresh

-and also their choice of the Fresh Fit Menu  which includes daily, different 6" sub choices of 400 calories or less

Their 8 Fresh Fit choices of subs include:

-Black forest ham

-Oven roasted chicken

-Roast beef

-Rotisserie-Style Chicken

-Subway Club

-Sweet Onion Chicken Teriyaki

-Turkey breast

-Veggie delite

Gerry and I like to choose the recommended 9 whole grain bread with this menu

We recently had a great turkey breast sub- and of course each likes their own toppings.

What I personally love about Subway is the fresh baked bread and that fact that there is not ingredients in the bread such as high fructose that I have trouble digesting. This alone limits me on breads I can eat when eating out. 

Gerry loves building his own sandwiches - combos he feels he will like and he knows it's made fresh in front of him.

We really love Subway and will always be big fans! 

Sign up today to get your own deals, promos and more!

Jakey Loves Loving Pets- Review

If there is something Jakey really loves as a snack or with his meals are doggy strips. His favorite was a duck flavor one we brought with us from Canada when we came to Arizona 6 months ago for our winter getaway. Well, we thought the 8 bags we did bring would last, but they didn't.. he went through them all, but still had a craving for his duck strips/tenders.

We were lucky to have found a company called Loving Pets though, that make two types.

One is the Gourmet all natural premium duck filet with their added glucosamine & chondroitin, to prevent healthy joints, AND the Natural Value Duck Tender Recipe ones. Both are 100 % natural and free of by products. Both can be eaten whole or easy to break apart for smaller dogs like Jakey!

It's nice to know that while we are away in the USA we can pick these up in stores local to us, and we don't have to worry about running out of his favorite treats flavors!

Happy St Patrick's Day! Luck O' The Irish Corned Beef Dinner

Luck O' The Irish Corned Beef Dinner

We could all use a little luck now days! So why not make this Luck O' the Irish Corned Beef Dinner for your family? This meal is so easy that even beginning cooks can pull it off very successfully. The corned beef brisket, potatoes, carrots, onion and cabbage wedges all cook in the same pot for ultimate flavor. With this one dish you have your meat and vegetables all-in-one. Add some steamed and seasoned green beans or a lettuce salad, a crusty bread--Irish Soda Bread is a good choice--and you have a tasty, nutritious meal.

CORNED BEEF DINNER
1 (3 to 4 lb) corned beef brisket
approx 7 cups water
 1/2 cup chopped onion
 2 cloves garlic
 2 bay leaves
 6 med potatoes,peeled
6 carrots
 6 cabbage wedges
1 tsp prepared mustard
3 tbsp Splenda Brown Sugar
 Blend dash of ground cloves

 Place corned beef brisket in a Dutch oven and add enough water to cover. Add onion, garlic, and bay leaves. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 3 to 4 hours or until tender. Remove the meat from the Dutch oven and add the potatoes and carrots to the pot. Cover and bring to boiling; cook 5 minutes. Add the cabbage wedges to the potatoes and carrots then cook another 25 minutes or until the vegetables are tender. Meanwhile, place meat, fat side up, in a shallow baking pan. Spread the mustard over the top of the meat; sprinkle with a mixture of the Splenda blend and cloves. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes. Serve the meat with the vegetables. Spoon the cooking liquid over the meat and vegetables, if desired. Serves 6 to 8. Enjoy!






For more of Linda's recipes and diabetic information go to http://diabeticenjoyingfood.squarespace.com/

"Face Rock"

Gerry pointed out this interesting rock we pass by on our daily hikes.. and of course dubbed- "Face Rock!" Do you see the face on this rock as well??

Survey Junkie Review: Is It a Legit Way to Make Money Online?

Have you heard of Survey Junkie? If you’re looking to make money online, then this is a site that you need to know about.

Many people take paid surveys as a way to make some extra cash, but it’s important to sign up for panels that are legitimate and reliable. With more than 7 million members, Survey Junkie has proven itself to be one of the most reputable survey panels out there today. They’ve got an A+ rating with the BBB, are the highest rated survey site on Trust Pilot, and are constantly adding new surveys to the site.

Let’s talk a little bit about what you can expect when you sign up to earn extra cash with Survey Junkie.

How Does Survey Junkie Work?

Are you wondering how an online survey panel works? Here are the basics.

Brands need your opinion in order to create new products and services and to update their current ones. So they’ll pay you to share it. But they also need a way to reach you…

Enter Survey Junkie.

When you sign up for the site, you’ll have access to a large inventory of surveys from today’s more relevant brands. By answering these questions and making your voice heard, you’re making a huge impact on the decisions that these brands make. And because nothing good comes for free, you’ll get paid to do it.

Survey Junkie members aren’t just limited to taking online surveys. You can also participate in different kinds of research activities, including focus groups and at-home products test.

Is It Difficult to Sign Up?

Becoming a Survey Junkie member is a simple and straightforward process from start to finish. All you need to do to begin in input your email on their homepage, or sign up via Facebook or Google.

Once you’ve done that, you’ll fill out your general profile. This is a series of questions that gives Survey Junkie a better idea of your interests, so they can match you to the best possible surveys.

But the best part of this sign up process is that you’ll actually earn points to do it. Survey Junkie rewards their members for every actionable step they take on the site. So not only will you earn points once you confirm you’re email, you’ll also earn as you fill out the answers in your general profile.

Speaking of Points… How Do I Earn Money on Survey Junkie?

One of the advantages of being a Survey Junkie member is that the site is super user-friendly, which means you won’t waste much time trying to figure out how the rewards system works.

Here’s a basic guideline. Each survey is worth a certain number of points. When you successfully complete a survey, you’ll receive those points immediately. Even if you get disqualified from a survey, you’ll get a few points just for trying.

Once you’ve reached 1,000 points ($10), you can cash out. Survey Junkie offers several different rewards that you can choose from, including cash via PayPal or popular e-Gift cards like Amazon, Target, Starbucks, Sephora, and more.

The $10 minimum payout threshold is often cited as a huge perk for members, as is the PayPal payment option.

The Conclusion: Survey Junkie is Legit

From the signup process to redeeming your rewards, Survey Junkie offers a fun, interesting, and legitimate way for its members to earn extra cash. Not only will you be making money, you’ll also be making a difference.

Are you ready to start earning rewards with Survey Junkie? Signup here

It's Been Hot But Cooler Weather on the Way

It has been a hot week but looks like we're in for a bit of cooling down, and I wont complain. As long as the sun is shining! The heat really drags us down. We go out hiking usually before lunch, before it gets hot. Was hotter last year when we were here in Arizona, but will be cooler I think when we finally leave to start out trek north, after Easter long weekend. Don't want to be on highway when its too busy, so we'll go after it's all done.

Am looking for a place along the way to get Jakey his doggy dental for under $200 US. His last cleaning was June 2017 and he's due again but it's too costly here and back home. He had his annual needle the other day and check up, has also had a few hair cuts while we are here- also cheaper than back home so will get one of those again for him before we return. And speaking of dogs, we saw one bigger one behind our RV the other day- and I called Gerry as dogs shouldn't be loose out here. I figured it had to have gotten loose from it's owner.  I tried calling it but it didnt seem to want to come to me. A few minutes later we saw a frantic young woman driving around looking around so we waved her over here.. it was a chase for her to get her dog that did not want to go to her and heading to the highway where cars were honking. I'm glad to say it had a happy ending and she finally got it reared back in the direction she was camping up the road from us. 

Gerry and I made a visit to a collectibles store last week, here in Havasu. We found it interesting, as the guy has a booklet he hands out on what collectibles he buys. Naturally they could be deemed as harder to find, but still, we were intrigued and think once I get home, will start some "treasure hunting" at a few of our thrift stores. Would love to be find something/s worth some $$ to take back here to him the next time we return. We don't feel there is much use in looking here for those collectibles, as with his business, he would have alot of soldiers out there doing foot work already in this area.. but we are interested- makes for a great hobby!

Juice Pops With Juicy Juice 100% Fruit Juice

Kids love the sweet taste of Juicy Juice, made from real fruit picked at its ripest, juiciest peak., and we're already thinking ahead to kids playing outside this Spring and Summer and looking for those ice pop snacks.

We wanted to share a few of our healthy favorites made with 100% juice, with no added sugar – goodness, made juicy!

Juice Pops feature luscious fruits and fruit juice. These refreshing frozen pops make a cool after-school treat and are great for parties, too.

INGREDIENTS

2 cups any flavor fruit juice
5 (5 oz.) paper cups
1/2 cup fresh or frozen berries or sliced fruit
5 wooden craft sticks

DIRECTIONS

POUR juice into paper cups. Divide berries or fruit between cups. Cover each cup with foil. Insert one stick through the center of each foil.

FREEZE for 3 hours or until firm. To remove pops from cups, carefully run warm water over side of cup to loosen. Remove cup and enjoy!

Servings Per Recipe 5

Juicy Juice Yogurt Pops feature wonderful fruit flavors in this easy-to-prepare recipe. Try other berries and favorite fruits to create additional variations.

INGREDIENTS

2 containers (6 to 8 ounces each) vanilla or berry fat free yogurt
1 can (8 to 8 1/2 ounces) peach slices drained
1/2 cup any flavor Juicy Juice 100% juice
8 (5 ounces) wax-coated paper cups
1 cup fresh or frozen berries
Aluminum foil
8 wooden craft sticks

DIRECTIONS

PLACE yogurt, peaches and Juicy Juice 100% juice in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Pour evenly into cups, filling a little more than halfway. Divide berries evenly among cups. Cover each cup with foil. Insert stick through center of foil.

FREEZE for 4 to 6 hours or until firm. To remove pops from cups, carefully run warm water over side of cup to loosen. Remove cup and enjoy!

Servings Per Recipe 8


Juicy Juice has partnered with Chef Jeff Mauro on a Flavorful Fun Campaign to help families discover a world of flavors with its 100% juice line and inspire kids to expand their food tastes. 

Review: Fat Witch Bakery

Have you heard of Fat Witch? Fat Witch turns old-fashioned recipes into modern day irresistible treats for the gourmet palate.Gerry and I love sweet treats and especially brownies. And what makes Fat Witch so great is that her brownies are made with the ingredients on the packages of every brownie- and they are all natural! We love it! Great for gifting, they even come so nicely packaged!

From one fabulous brownie recipe, a bakery was born. Fat Witch’s edible inventory now includes 15 varieties and counting. She has cast a spell on taste buds around the world, and welcomes sweet teeth near and far into her store inside NYC’s Chelsea Market.

You can make your own “witches” at home using witch mixes and a brownie baking book that has gone into a second printing, buy ordering off the site.
The brownie shop has our thumbs up and we highly recommend them.

Review - Naipo Leg Compression Leg Massager For Your Legs and Feet

For years I have had issues with leg circulation and as well achy feet. I do alot of walking and biking and don't think it's because of that reason I have achy legs, but I do . Either my feet ache, or my legs will ache by afternoon, and through the night. I have even had one of the veins fixed on one of my legs but it hasn't helped. I use a heating bag in the evenings as well on my legs just to make them feel better. 

Gerry on occasion will massage my legs so I know it can feel good when there is some pressure applied to them, or they are rubbed, so this is why I looked for a product to review that would offer me a similar benefit of a good foot and leg massage. I was looking for something that would help my legs feel better, and something I could use daily if I wanted, and on my own.

I did find it though with the Naipo Leg Compression Leg Massager . 

This air compression leg massager is used to massage your feet and calves, 2x2 air bags inside, press the foot and calf muscle from lower to upper to relieve fatigue and improve the blood circulation. It's great for leg fatigue and to improve blood circulation. I am going to try to use it for a minimum of 15 minutes a day.. it's so easy to use too- you just plug it in, strap the velcro foot and calf sections easily around most foot and calf sizes and turn it on. It's all controlled by your remote in hand. Now finally some relief!

I will admit though they do look a bit like some sort of "space boots!" LOL
You can order you own from Amazon



Naipo packs everything great about massage into affordable products that enable healthier lifestyles. In a modern world of fast living filled with stress, Naipo is committed to developing the best massage and relaxation products to deliver well-being and value to customers around the world.