Ways to Save, Earn Points or Cash Back Year Round!

Hi Everyone,

Today I am sharing with you my favorite ways to save, saving money while shopping doesn't just have to be 1-2 times a year it can be done year round!  

Anyone who follows me on Social Media or on my main blog or knows me I love to save,  in fact I used to be one of those people who could go grocery shopping, end up with free items which I usually donated and would end up paying $20.00 -$30.00 on a $300-$400 bill! 


But with our last two Military PCS's it became a bit of a challenge to keep it up because of so many different policies at different stores,  so I've kind of gotten away from couponing, but plan to get back into it for the new year!


Just because I no longer coupon, doesn't mean I don't save though, I save, I earn points and even get cash back from my purchases, just in a different way.  


I am going to share with you those ways as well as the sites and apps I use to do so.  


The links I'm sharing are referral links and not affiliate links and I've used these sites as well as these apps for years now and so far I've never been spammed, so I don't think they spam, so these are the real deal, meaning I've always earned my points, savings or cash back no hassle and the rare time something was missed they took care if it right away!



My Favorite Websites and Apps that help me save  Year Round:


Ebates Giving a bonus when you sign up, sometimes it's a Cashback bonus or a Gift Card Bonus and this is honestly my overall favorite, I'm always earning Cashback either online or with their App.


Ibotta Is my favorite Grocery one, though they offer  a bunch of other categories, I mostly use this app for Grocery shopping as they even have Cashback for place like the Military Commissary, Trader Joes, Whole Foods, a lot of the Wharehouse stores such as Costco, Sams Club, BJ's  and they offer Cashback for other stores as well, whether your shopping in-store or online, plus items can be on sale or clearance or if  you've used a coupon for them!  So it's great to earn something every shopping trip!


Swagbucks Is a great way to earn points to use towards Giftcards, Giveaways and more, plus there are other ways to earn points and the points add up quickly!


Cartwheel is a Target (Target itself is an actual affiliate link) Cartwheel is a Target only App and it is an awesome way to get coupons and savings for Target.  (*Note I also use this along with Ibotta for my Target Purchase to save even more!)



Other ways to save are your Credit Cards or ATM Cards:


Check with your Bank or even your Credit Card company, because this time of year many cards offer Cashback savings or points that can be redeemed for Gift Cards when you shop specific types of retailer or restaurants, even grocery stores or use certain services.  My bank as well as Discover Card


Other Places to save money is through sites such as Groupon 



Like to try products and give feedback?


Influenster


Pinchme






Thank you for stopping by today, take care 


Missy❤️️

Seasons Greetings

Hope you all have a Happy and Healthy, Mele Kalikimaka, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, no matter how or if you celebrate, just wishing you all Happiness, Joy, an abundance of good and Blessings in the New Year and Always.




This was too cute for words and I had to share! I'm sure a lot of us have been there, I know I have, at least after the holidays! lol ❤️️

My BzzAgent Barilla Protein Plus Pasta Review

***Sponsored Post: As some of you might know from my other blog or from my social media I'm a BzzAgent  and have been for about 10+ years now.   From time to time throughout the year I’ll be sharing reviews on products that we've had a chance to review.

Though BzzAgent has provided me with a product for review, I have not and am not receiving any monetary compensation for this post. My thoughts and opinions are all my own and based on my experience with this product.***


Hi Everyone, I'm a BzzAgent and today I'm sharing with you my latest BzzAgent campaign and it's for Barilla's Protein Plus Pasta. Even though the nice folks from Barilla as well as BzzAgent have provided me with 2 products from Barilla's Protein Plus line, I have long purchased Barilla Pasta and in fact have about 28 boxes and bags of their Pasta currently in my pantry!  Can you tell it is the favorite Pasta in my household?  lol









Here are just a few (and I mean a few, lol) I currently have on hand and these below are Not Sponsored Product and are simply what I have in stocked in our pantry:





So when I was offered BzzAgent Barilla Protein Plus campaign I couldn't wait to sign up as we've been wanting to try this line!

Barilla's Protein Plus line, is a multigrain pasta that is made from things like Lentils, Chickpeas, Flaxseed, Barley, Oats and Spelt, which make for a slightly "nutty" taste.

Barilla's Protein Plus Pasta contains 17g of Protein as well as 7 g of fiber per 3.5 oz. serving! 

Barilla's Protein Plus Pasta is a great way to add more Protein to your diet, which I really like since I'm the only Flexitarian in the house and it's also an easy way to add fiber to your diet as well!

Barilla's Protein Plus Pasta cooks up easily to "Al Dente" just like any of the other Barilla products.  Plus their products hold up well in variety of recipes, from hot to cold, so they are great for meal planning, slow cooking, baking, soups, stews, chili, salads and more!

 
Several recipes that include Barilla Pasta can be found over on my other blog

 Missy's Views and Savings Clues 


A easy pasta salad I made this weekend featuring Barilla's Protein Plus Pasta:

This salad is fairly easy to make and really takes no time at all and the only cooking you do is for the pasta!

For this salad I used 

1- 14.5 oz. box of Barilla's Protein Plus Pasta Penne Cooked

1 -15 oz. can of Northern Beans, also great with Cannelli, kidney, Black beans or even Chickpeas!

1/3 cup of sliced up Sundried Tomatoes

1/3 cup sliced Olives (I used Green Garlic stuffed ones, it's what I had on hand)

1/2 - 2/3 cup of washed Grape or Cherry Tomatoes

1/2 cup chunked or one small container of fresh Mozzarella balls

1/2 cup of your favorite Italian dressing, Balsamic or other Vinaigrette 

1/4 tsp of minced Garlic

A pinch of dried Italian Herbs (I added mine to the Vinaigrette before I poured over salad)

If you like sprinkle a little grated Parmesan over before serving

This salad can be served warm or chilled and is also a great way to use leftover roasted or grilled Vegetables too!

Other tasty additions, Artichoke hearts, Arugula, Onion.




For other recipes featuring Barilla's Protein Plus, check out Barilla's recipe tab on their website and just select Protein Plus as product:  Barilla Protein Plus Recipes


Overall thoughts, for me it's a keeper as I enjoy the slighty "nutty" flavor, plus I really like that Barilla's Pretein Plus Pasta contains 17 g of protein and 7 g of fiber per 3.5 oz serving!  As a flexitarian, I sometimes struggle to eat enough protein, so for me this is a great product and way to add more to my diet!

Do I love it as much as I do other Barilla Pasta products??  Yes and no.  Yes, because it is another great quality pasta from Barilla and I like the benefits it offers over regular pasta.  No (probably shouldn't be a no really) because it is the one product from Barilla that I can't seem to eat plain!  lol  I really like the slightly "nutty, healthy) flavor when it's topped with something, ie: Sauce, vinaigrette, roasted vegetables, but not plain!  lol 

Thank you to BzzAgent for this campaign and Thank you for stopping by!

Take care and have a wonderful 4th!

Missy  ♥️



 





 



Father's Day!

To all the Father's, Dad's, Father figures, Moms that had to be Dads, Pet Dads, Step-Dads and 1st time Dad's HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!




AMBER Alert: Have you seen this child? Jaylynn Dundon

AMBER Alert: Have you seen this child? Jaylynn Dundon: Missing From: Boise, ID. Missing Date: 05/10/2017. AMBER ALERT UPDATE: Adding photos The children may be in the company of the suspect. They were last seen in Eureka County, Nevada where the vehicle was located burned.

Happy Mother's Day!!

To all the moms, step-moms, dads that have to be mom, mother figures and fur baby moms. Happy Mother's Day!








Hi Everyone!!

Hope everyone’s New Year is off to an amazing start (in a good way), wow can you believe it’s March 1st??? OMFG!! OMGG WHAT? WHAT????? Lol


Coming up later this week, I’ll be posting some tasty recipes as well as a couple product reviews of some products I’ve been using on this journey, plus I’ll update you on some of the little changes that are having impact for me.


First, thank you for your support, I appreciate it as well as the kind words many of you given!


Well…… I did expect some backlash, but I was surprised at the amount that I did receive. Again, I’m NOT sure how to stress this…. This is based on my journey and what I have been though and go though. I am NOT in any way trying to glamorize or encourage an eating disorder of any kind and YES, I do know both sides as I gained about 70 lbs. with 3 rounds of IVF 72 injections per cycle (which we had to have due to an injury my husband had), plus bed rest, even though I was sick most of the time I still gained the weight.


Again, I have been an anorexic from about 5-ish years old.


If you have been following, you know what led to me becoming anorexic so you can imagine the struggle since gaining weight to someone who was always told they were never skinny enough or good enough.


I am high risk/bedrest candidate because thanks to my ex-step monster’s years of abuse, I was diagnosed with Cervical Cancer at 14yrs. (yes, mother knew from the get go about all the abuse, even before she married him and he divorced her after I turned 15 yrs., not the other way around!) Anyway… between all that as well as the constant shaming and bullying from her about weight, you can imagine how it got 10 times worse once I did gain weight with IVF?? For the first time in my adult life, I weighed over 105 lbs. and the first time I wasn’t shopping in the children’s department for clothes for myself.


So, for those who that think this might be Bullsh*t or that I’m encouraging an eating disorder, sorry, with all due respect, but you’re out of your FREAKIN mind!!!! I do FREAKIN still struggle as this was instilled in me for more than ¾ of my life and I’ll be honest, at times beat myself for the weight gained, I have relapsed and many times I fight the urge to going back to anorexia, just because of the way something does or doesn’t fit me! It’s was my comfort zone so to speak.


But, I do know it’s not healthy, safe and nor the right way to get back to being healthy and I wouldn’t wish any kind of eating disorder on anyone!
Is there life and healing from and after an eating disorder? Yes, I do believe so and I refuse to think otherwise!


Being healthy is what's important, not the scale!


Is it or will it be easy? NO, sadly it's not


Will it be a constant struggle?? I wish I could say no, but so far, it’s, yes


Believing in oneself is tough, especially when it has been a long struggle and in spite of the struggles, LIFE is worth it, YOU are worth it!


Thank you for stopping by and your support, wishing you all many blessings,


Xo

Missy




***For those who don’t like my blog, please don’t read, please don’t contact, just move on!!***

Missy's Views and Savings Clues: Tonight's Jennie-O Turkey Stir Fry

Missy's Views and Savings Clues: Tonight's Jennie-O Turkey Stir Fry: *Sponsored Post: As you all know I’m a Jennie-0 Switch Circle Blogger and throughout the year I’ll be sharing many great recipes featuring ...

Sorry, I'm Behind on Comments

I'm sorry everyone, I'm behind on comments :(

It's been a crazy few weeks and I also had an overwhelming response to my newest blog, (which is this blog) both good and sadly several bad (which I ended up having to block, ugh)

I hope to be all caught up on them soon and I truly appreciate your comments and support.

Thank you, xo

Missy

Missy's Views and Savings Clues: Tonight's Jennie-O Turkey Stir Fry

Missy's Views and Savings Clues: Tonight's Jennie-O Turkey Stir Fry: *Sponsored Post: As you all know I’m a Jennie-0 Switch Circle Blogger and throughout the year I’ll be sharing many great recipes featuring ...

Missy's Views and Savings Clues: Overnight Oats With PandaVita

Missy's Views and Savings Clues: Overnight Oats With PandaVita: As many of you know from an earlier review, I got the chance to try a product called PandaVita which is a brand that offers Baobab powde...

Why I've Started This Journey

So, I know some of you are wondering why would someone with anorexia would need to shed a few pounds? Well, the fact is, I do need to shed a bit of weight to be back into a healthy range, at least for me.

****** Please keep in mind, that everyone is different and that you should consult your doctor if you’re considering losing weight or before starting any kind of weight-loss plan, supplement or exercise plan.*****

The only time in my life I’ve gone long periods of time when I have not let anorexia take a hold on me is when I’m either trying to get pregnant or am pregnant. You know not even morning sickness and I get horrendous morning sickness triggers me. I think of pregnancy compactly differently than everyday life. To me it’s alright for me to gain weight and the morning sickness I just think it’s “for a good cause” so to speak.

I gained weight while trying to get pregnant and got pregnancy. I eat very healthy and am really conscience about what goes into my body, at least when I can eat. I’ve always tried to gain a little weight the healthy way pre-pregnancy, because I always knew it was best for me and the baby.


But the main reason I gained the weight is that since my husband returning from deployment the only way we can get pregnant is if we go the fertility route. Though the issue is on my husband’s side, unfortunately for me though even though my fertility is fine, it is on me to do all the rounds of fertility drugs and IVF drugs and I’m talking 72 injections per round!


With fertility drugs, though they often make me very nauseous even at times worse than morning sickness, which I have been hospitalized for. How it was explained to me by several specialists is part of the role of the drugs is to prep the body which triggers the body to store anything you take is stored often as fat. Between the weight gain from last IVF, all the moves in the past 3 years, an injury to my knee that only worsened a prior injured knee that now needs surgery again, the fact that I was electrocuted during a lightning strike and my back issues from the same event that originally screwed my knee up. I’ll be honest, I’ve let these issues be a bad excuse for not being as healthy and fit as I normally am.


For a brief time during the past 3 years I did think I could have a relationship with the parent, because I had moved away and had little contact with that parent during the time away. I thought I would see if things would be different and for the first call or two it wasn’t bad. However, I was wrong, even though I tried to not have contact again or at least I tried, but the calls came until we changed our phone number, the letters came, sadly I was tempted to read them, just hoping for an apology or at the very least some kindness, something you’d expect from a parent, but just as all the years as a child I was right back to that “bad” place again.


So, during our last move I was able to break contact pretty well, if a letter came I shredded it, if somehow call was able to come through I knew someone had to have leaked our number. I personally no longer tried to have any kind of relationship with this person as I know any kind of relationship was going to kill me one day literally and not just figuratively. I remembered back to the days CPC was called by some neighbors as well as the school when I was a child and I remember being so thin at times I was lucky to be alive, yet I still was told how fat I was on a regular basis.


During this time, I went back to writing and I said enough was enough, just because someone is your parent doesn’t mean they have the right to abuse you and let others abuse you. I already felt horrid about myself, like I have for so long and I knew I was going about losing the weight the wrong way and I no longer wanted to feel this way or let them have this kind of power in my life.


So fast forward 2 years to 2016, with all the challenges, losses of that year and the passing of that parent that for the first time I truly felt free. So, on Dec 31st I knew my resolution for the “New Year” would be to lose the weight the right way and healthy way, to feel good about myself and to finally heal. I wanted me back to be the me that I am during the good times or the times I wasn’t in contact with that parent.


I’m honestly not one for being so open, as I am a guarded person, but I know some of you have wondered why I needed to lose weight.


Hopefully, this will better explain my inspiration for this blog, this journey to weight loss, healthy and healing.


***** Please know what I share is based on my journey, I am in no way advocating anything, you must make decisions based on your life and on the advice of your physician especially when it comes to diet, weight loss or exercise*****

Welcome To My New Blog

Hi there, thank you for stopping by.

As most of you know, I also blog on http://www.missysviewsandsavingsclues.com but this blog is more of a personal journey to healing, back to fitness, and a healthier, happier life.

What a lot of people don’t know and merely a few close people know. I’ve had an eating disorder from the time I was about 5 yrs. old. Growing up, though I had never been heavy so to speak, I constantly heard that I wasn’t good enough, I was constantly told how fat I was, from pre-teen through my thirties I was constantly told I looked pregnant or fat or did you gain weight? Even when I was 88 lbs. in my teens and 98 lbs. through a lot of my late teens and early twenties.

My eating disorder started off by skipping meals or merely eating something like a few crackers or an apple or a piece of cheese and that was it for the whole day.

Once I reached my teens I continued that even though I was very active with swimming, gymnastics as well as equestrian, however in my pre-teens I started throwing up most real meals I ate.

Throughout my 20’s and well into my 30’s this often continued, but I went on to meal replacement drinks.

Even into adulthood, even though I would spend as little time as possible interacting with that parent at times and I would do great during those times, even not purging for months on end, just one phone call, one holiday I would be right back to that, right back to being a mess, feeling shitty about myself, feeling fat and honestly feeling a bit worthless just like I did all throughout my childhood.

Literally, until I was 36 yrs. I could shop in the kid’s department for clothes and yes, I thought this way of life was alright. In fact, it has taken for that parent to pass away in 2016 to finally feel free. She could no longer hurt me; her words could no longer hurt me.

I’ve been plagued with knee and back issues since I was 14 after being a passenger in a car accident where the car hit a telephone pole on my side. From early on I was told so much I would not be able to do because of these injuries, however, I had never let it stop me, nor have I ever let the pain get the best of me. However, I’ll be honest the past 3 years I’ve totally let pain, the last few PCS’s, my husband’s surgery, and putting others before myself like I often do,  I am not fit as I usually am, and probably not healthy as I normally had been.

At the end of 2016, I finally reached a point of feeling free, ready to heal, ready to be healthy and fit like I am during the times I wasn’t interacting with that parent. I want me BACK and this is my journey back to me.

So, here on this blog, I will share my journey, lifestyle changes, things that are working, and things that aren’t, product reviews, my favorite brands and why as well as healthy recipes.

Thank you for following along on this journey,

Missy
xo




I can also be found on:

Main Blog: Missy's ViewsMissy's Views

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ONWILDWINGZ

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learningtothrivenotjustsurvive/

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/onwildwings