Instacart Shopper App: Save Money with Grocery Delivery Service

Grocery Delivery is not something I would have envisioned 10 years ago when I started the site. However, here we are. I gotta say that the new technology is definitely something I am loving more including the ability to utilize digital coupons. Savings at my fingertips is something I truly love!

Grocery Delivery Service

Having groceries delivered to your home is something that I scoffed at because of the perception that the cost may be higher than normal. That's not always the case and this post will show you how Instacart grocery delivery service can help you actually save money!

There are definite advantages including getting great deals at the grocery. Yes, it's possible! Read on to learn all of the ways to save money on groceries and my personal Instacart review!

How Does Instacart Work

Using a grocery delivery service can cost more than if you ran to the store yourself but it has its advantages. While it may be hard to imagine deal shopping on grocery delivery it is entirely possible. With Instacart you can find great deals for your family while enjoying the convenience of grocery delivery.

How Much Does Instacart Cost?

You pay a delivery fee, which varies depending on the size of the order and delivery time chosen in the app. They always offer your first two weeks free with $10 off your first order so be sure to take advantage and give the service a try. If you fall in love take advantage of the discounted 1-year Instacart Express memberships that pop up around the holidays.

Instacart Fees

If you find that you will use the service frequently, definitely sign up for an Instacart Express membership to receive free delivery on all orders over $35. You can get a FREE 14-day trial to test out the service.

To take full advantage of Instacart Express membership fees, shop for items that cost less at your Instacart store of choice than those that are near you to meet the Instacart Express $35 minimum for free delivery. If the stores offered by Instacart are further from your home, keep that in mind as you compare prices while doing your regular shopping.

For us, this includes basics like, milk, eggs, and butter that can be very expensive at the local grocery store but less on Instacart. It makes sense to include them on my grocery delivery since I'm saving by getting free delivery.

Instacart Promos

Take advantage of the buy $20 get $5 off deals. These are often everyday staples like breakfast foods, snacks, baby care, and pet care items. These deals help offset the slightly higher prices you find on Instacart.

Check the Instacart coupon section in the app. Occasionally you will find great coupons dropping your price of items to just a few cents. These also make great fillers to hit the Instacart Express $35 minimum and can be stored for future use.

The coupons available in Instacart are the same digital coupons available at the stores you are shopping. Use money saving apps like Ibotta to save even more. Most Instacart drivers will put your receipt in your bag without you having to ask but send a quick message in the chat while they are shopping to ensure you get the receipt. The same receipt can be used in other coupon apps.

Instacart Prices

Check the meats. Occasionally you will find a better deal on meets in the Instacart app then in-store at the same store making it a great deal to snatch up. This is another great idea to meet that Instacart Express minimum delivery requirement.

Some stores allow you to connect your store rewards card. Take advantage of this combination to get the most from your Instacart shopping. They continue to roll out more store loyalty programs so keep an eye in the app to see if your store's rewards program is connected.

Gather Instacart promo codes with a quick google search so you don't miss a deal before ordering. While this can be hit or miss it never hurts to take a look. Most you will find are for new customers but sometimes you will find random coupon promo codes.

Instacart Costco

I was the most excited about using Instacart with Costco. Costco is a 20+ minute drive depending on which location I visit, so it's not as easy as running to the nearest Kroger when we need something. However, I noticed that prices are higher in the Instacart app versus shopping yourself at Costco. This is mainly so Instacart can have one set price in the app for all Instacart location.

I understand this to a degree but it wasn't beneficial for me to use Instacart for my Costco shopping. I may do it in a pinch. Now that I think about it, I may actually save *more* by using Instacart for Costco since I always seem to buy so many other things that weren't on my list. I need to think on that one more!

Instacart Referral Benefits

The best way to save money on groceries with Instacart is to refer your friends. Once you have fallen in love with grocery delivery be sure to share the news with your friends so they can enjoy the convenience of grocery delivery and you get a $10 Instacart referral bonus on your next order for referring them.

While you are at it, send them the link to this post so they can learn some simple tricks to save money on Instant Cart as well! Sharing is caring, especially when it comes to saving time and money! :-)

Instacart Review

So, overall, would I recommend Instacart? Yes! But, I still like to shop in-store. I may be one of the weird people left that does actually enjoy going to the grocery. However, with the season of our life being crazy busy and being a sports mom, this definitely helps me have more quality time with my family. At the end of the day you cannot put a price on that so the nominal fees are worth it.

Have you used Instacart?
Share your review in the comments!

Disclosure: This post contains a link to an affiliate and support this site. See my Disclaimer Policy for additional information.

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Affordable Pet Insurance: Best Pet Insurance Plans and Coverage

Affordable pet insurance. This is a topic that I never thought I would be writing about since we have never been a “pet family.” Boy have things changed!

Earlier this year, the cutie above, Ollie, joined our family. As any good pet mom, I looked into all the various options to ensure we could keep our new family member healthy. Lucky for us, our vet's office gives all new patients a free trial to a pet insurance plan at their first visit. I immediately signed up for the trial, and opted into a monthly plan.

After having Ollie and utilizing pet insurance, I am a huge advocate for pet health insurance. There are pros and cons to each company and each plan. I want this post to answer many of the questions you may be having on which pet insurance company is the best. I know I had a ton!

How Does Pet Insurance Work

If you have ever had a pet ingest something they should not have, or get ill and needed a trip to the vet, you know how expensive those visits can get. An overnight visit due to dehydration or after-surgery care can be several hundred dollars.

Just like with humans, the unexpected can happen to our furry pals as well, and be just as costly. Knowing what we have gone through, I tell people that pet insurance gives you options. Not all plans or pet insurance companies are as easy to work with. Some plans pay you once you've paid your vet. Other plans will pay the vet directly.

Best Pet Insurance

I found through doing my own research that there are some great benefits to many pet insurance plans because you don't have to worry about networks. Most veterinarians are able to work with all types of pet insurance.

Our vet's office had a pre-approval process with our pet insurance company so the vet would be paid directly by the pet insurance company and we would simply pay the remainder (deductible and other amounts not covered by the plan limits). This was SO NICE since we didn't have to have the money up front and wait for a reimbursement.

The other benefit of no networks for pet insurance plans is that your furry family member can be seen by your favorite vet, without having to worry about out of network charges. This comes in handy if you’re traveling or trying to get your pet into the vet quick. Sometimes your pet just can’t wait for care.

Pet Insurance Pre Existing Conditions

Does your fluffy pal have any pre-existing conditions? If so, you will have a hard time getting coverage. I really appreciated getting the free trial for our pet insurance plan at one of Ollie's first visits. We knew we had coverage and had at least 30 days to make a decision.

Having a plan right as soon as we got Ollie was also beneficial because there weren't any “major” pre-existing conditions that could be discovered (normally, not in pups from where you know the history anyway). For example, if you find out that your new puppy has cancer at his initial vet check, unfortunately you likely will not be able to get affordable insurance to cover any upcoming charges.

You may not even know that your pet has a pre-existing condition. Some pet insurance companies may require that your pet get checked out before they approve them for pet insurance.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover

There are plans all over the place, covering examinations and medications to only covering emergency treatments. The latter is actually what we chose (check out the Healthy Paws pet insurance plans). I had budgeted for regular exam fees, so I wasn't concerned about having a plan cover those or medications.

I also heard from a few people in various pet Facebook groups that said the plans that covered medication had a max. So the monthly fees for those plans are higher and it didn't benefit them in the end.

Pet Insurance Cheap

There may come a time when your pet’s emergency treatment may cost more than you can afford. When this happens, often times people resort to euthanizing their pets, or taking them home and letting them suffer. I can't even imagine making this type of decision.

By having pet insurance, this can help with the costs of treatment, even if money is tight at the time. Let’s be honest, pet care is needed when you least expect it or when you don’t have the funds to take care of the medical issues at hand. Pet insurance is a responsible financial way to care for your pet.

Our vet was very laid back about pet insurance, meaning he didn't “push” it on families. He said he always encourages families to set money aside each month so if there were an emergency they would have it to fund treatment. I would agree with that approach, but I am thankful that we had a pet insurance policy to utilize during Ollie's treatments.

Pet Health Insurance Cost

There are a variety of plans that you can choose for your pet. Ranging from about $10-$100 a month, the most affordable plans generally will not cover all types of pet care, such as routine visits and vaccinations.

There are also price differences depending on your deductible. We opted into a plan with a higher deductible ($750) that paid 90% of all expenses after the deductible was paid. The trial was actually at a lower deductible of $250. Lucky for us, we were still on the trial when we needed to get treatment for Ollie. Be sure to search different plans to make sure the services you think your pet will need will be included in your coverage.

Pet Insurance Reviews

You will find tons of reviews all over the internet about this company or that company. As I've mentioned, some are easier to work with than others, and the cost of taking your pet to the vet has skyrocketed. I will admit that having our pet insurance company pay the vet directly was nice since we didn't have to have the money up front. Regardless of the company, pet insurance is a good thing to get for your pet!

As I mentioned above, Ollie was our family's first pet. She passed away last month from a genetic liver shunt. She was the most precious and perfect little Goldendoodle (a petite size so she was teeny tiny, around 3 pounds in these photos). It goes without saying, but we miss her terribly. I am thankful we had a pet insurance plan so we can honestly say we did everything to try to save her life. We will be getting another pet but none will ever replace this girl.

Disclosure: This post contains a link to an affiliate and support this site. See my Disclaimer Policy for additional information.

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DIY Herb Garden: Container Ideas for Beginners

Here is a simple planter that you can make yourself and keep or gift to a friend. You can get the kids involved with this one too!

Herb Garden Necessary Materials

• Container
• Herbs, variety
• Flowers
• Ribbon
• Potting Soil
• Moss

I used an oblong container that had drainage holes. Baskets can be used too just make sure to line them with plastic and to place something under them to catch the water.

To customize this, add herbs that you or the gift recipient cook with.  I used Basil, Rosemary and Parsley. These can be purchased at garden stores or nurseries.  They come in a variety of sizes and prices.

Herb Garden DIY Steps

1. Make sure you start with a clean container that has drainage holes in the bottom.  If yours does not, then depending on the container, you can drill a few holes in the bottom.  If you are using a good container that you would like to keep, then line it with plastic to help protect it.
2. Fill the container 3/4 full with potting soil.
3. Take your herbs out of their original container and break the bottom of the plants a little to allow for growth and place them into the soil burying them up to the crown of the plant. This is how deep they were in the original container.  Do this with the flowers as well.
   Make sure that after all the plants are in the container that you cover all the plants up to their crowns with soil.
4. Water the plants well (it's a given).
5. Tuck moss in and around the plants covering the soil.  This helps in maintaining moisture for the plants and it is also eye pleasing.
6. Tie a ribbon around the container.

This can be kept in the kitchen for easy access or on the patio for the cook to grab.  Remember, the beauty about herbs is the more you use the bigger they grow.

DIY or PAY Comparison

$12 Plants
$0.50 Potting Soil
$0 Container, Ribbon and Moss (already had on hand)

The total was just $12.50 since I had other materials on hand. That's a 50% savings since this would easily cost $25 or more at the store.

Have you made your own live herb garden?

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Copycat Recipe: Olive Garden’s Chicken Alfredo

This is another great recipe from Aunt Mary!

I have always loved Olive Garden and everything they have on their menu.  Although I think they are very reasonably priced, I don't have the opportunity to dine out very often because of the economy.  So I came up with my own.

I fixed dinner one night for my sister Ruth, and my niece, Andrea and her family.  Andrea wanted Chicken Alfredo, so I thought I would try this recipe out on them – yes, I used them for my own personal gain  :)

To my surprise, Andrea said she thought it was better than the real thing!!

Chicken Alfredo Ingredients

• 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast (cut up into 2″ pieces)
• 4 tbsp Olive Oil (divided in half)
• 1/2 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 1/2 cup Onion (chopped and divided)
• 2 Garlic Cloves (chopped and divided)
• 1 tsp Oregano (dried)
• 1 cup White Wine
• 1/2 cup Whipping Cream (or Half and Half)
• 1/2 cup +1 tsp Parmesan Cheese (grated)
• 1 lb Fettuccine or Linguine
• 1 tsp Pepper (ground)
• 2 tsp Parsley flakes (dried)

Cooking Directions

1. Place 6 quarts of water in a large pot and bring to a boil.  Add salt and pasta and cook until done.
2. While water is coming to a boil, heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add 2 tsp olive oil, 1/4 cup onion, 1/2 garlic and red pepper flakes.
3. Add chicken pieces to skillet  and saute until done (about 4 minutes)  Remove chicken.
4. Add remaining oil, onion and garlic to skillet and saute about 1 minute.  Add white wine (take skillet off stove while adding the wine to prevent fire) and continue to cook over medium heat until reduced in half (about 5 minutes).
5. Lower heat to simmer and add cream(milk) and parmesan cheese.  Stir until thickened (about 2 minutes) Add parsley flakes and stir.
6. Drain pasta and reserve 1 cup of pasta water in case you need it.  Add pasta to sauce and mix. (If pasta is too thick at this point add the reserved pasta water) Place all but a few pieces of chicken in the pasta.
7. Pour pasta into a serving bowl, place remaining chicken on top.
8. Sprinkle with remaining cheese and some parsley.

Restaurant At Home Comparison

At Home: $9.22 total (family of 4)
Olive Garden: $10.75 each person = $43.00 (family of 4)

Thats about a  76% savings over eating out.  And I didn't even count the tip!!

Find MORE Recipes HERE

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Olive Garden Copycat Recipes

Copycat Olive Garden Breadsticks Recipe

Olive Garden Zuppa Tuscano Soup Copycat Recipe

Copycat Olive Garden Minestrone Soup Recipe

Olive Garden Smoked Mozzarella Chicken and Penne Pasta

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Crafts to Make and Sell: Best Ways to Make Money with Crafts

Are you a crafter? Do you have tons of art and craft ideas on your to-do list? Hobby crafting can be enjoyable, but it is also expensive and time consuming! If you have found yourself making craft items only to have your friends immediately see your DIY craft projects and request one, keep reading to learn the best ways to make money with your art!

A solution that every crafter should consider is how to make money with crafts. People love local handmade items! You can easily take your crafts to make and sell for profit! While it's great to receive praise for something that you have created, it's even better to do something you enjoy and make crafts that make money!

Crafts to Make and Sell from Home

The first step to making money with your crafts is to figure out the investment you have put into them. You won't make any money selling your crafts for less than they cost to make so take the time to sit down and figure out just how much you have been spending on your hobby. Then add more to your pricing so you can get paid for your time as well.

Craft Fair Ideas

Go in with a friend for a table at the local arts and craft fairs, farmers, markets, and other great high traffic locations. You two can sit and craft together while you wait for sales. Check local mom and pop shops to see if they would be willing to sell your crafts for a cut of the sale.

Ask friends and family to display your crafts at their yard sales over the summer. Create listings on the Facebook marketplace to sell locally too!

Craft Online

When people think of making money with their crafts Etsy is usually the first thing to come to mind. While Etsy is a great place to sell your crafts be sure to look at other great options like local facebook pages, and even Amazon.

If you find success selling on those channels, you could even set up your own online shop to show off your great crafts. Create a Facebook page right away to gain a following and it will be easier to direct them to your own online store to generate sales.

Craft Ideas to Sell

Are you good at photography and writing as well? Bloggers and websites are always looking for great crafts that they can feature on their sites and the best part is they are willing to pay. Selling content to websites is a great way to make money with your crafts.

Check out a few content sale groups on Facebook and get a feel for what others are doing then dive on in. If you have questions about doing this, please leave a comment and ask! I'm in a few of these groups and can share my experience as a buyer of those types of those DIY crafts that sell!

Crafts to Make and Sell for Profit

The main thing to remember when looking to make money from your crafts is it does take time to see a profit come from your crafts. It takes dedication to get past the planning phase and into sales, and selling crafts is not a reliable for of income. Think of it as one of many streams of income you should be building. Diversify your sales channels and then invest more time into the channels that are making you the most profit!

Popular Things to Make and Sell

There are so many trendy things that I KNOW would sell amazing for a local person. Some of these would do well online too. However, if you start somewhere, start locally and gain a following and business then re-invest that money to put into building your online store.

Here are a few items I have personally paid for from a home-preneuer, or I know people who sell these items and are always busy with their businesses! The sky is the limit with things to make and sell!

• Wood Signs
• Customized Ornaments
• Customized Apparel
• High-Resolution Photography
• Homemade Baked Goods
• T-Shirt Quilting
• Personalized Drinkware
• Custom Artwork
• Paper Crafting
• Custom Painted Furniture
• Organic Homemade Cleaning Supplies
• Personal Care Items

Check out other Ways to Earn Money from Home!

Be sure to save this post on Pinterest for later!

Crafts to Make and Sell for Profit with 200+ Craft Ideas!

Disclosure: This post contains a link to an affiliate and support this site. See my Disclaimer Policy for additional information.

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What to Buy in March (Best Time To Buy Things)

With the March temperatures beginning to warm up, Spring starts to become a bit more realistic to those of us aching for summer. Loads of winter items will begin to go on sale and chocolate lovers across the country will sing in unison as they find Valentine’s Day clearance sales in early March. Here are some things to look for in the month of March:

Retail Deals

• Valentine’s Day Chocolates/Clearance
• Frozen Foods
• Phones
• Big Screens
• Winter Coats
• Winter Clothes
• St. Patrick’s Day Clearance
• Boats
• Air Conditioners
• Golf Clubs
• Luggage

A quick word about buying large televisions. When you go to the store to buy a television, make sure you look at the input/outputs and what various hookups are available. Many people go in March to buy televisions and that is a good strategy because many of the newer models are getting ready to debut. That said, televisions can be tricky.

For example, I had a friend that got a great bargain on a larger television only to find out that it couldn’t hook up with a computer. She was buying the television in large part to use it as a bigger monitor for her computer so that was a bum deal. While ninety percent of the newer televisions have this feature, hers did not. She got burned because she didn’t look. Always look at the hookups.

Grocery Deals

March is a chocolate lover's dream as I mentioned above, and it is not just because of Valentine’s Day clearance. You can find all kinds of wonderful chocolate deals in the month of March. Also, keep an eye out for great deals on frozen foods. March is National Frozen Food Month so bargains should be aplenty.

• Chocolate
• Candy
• Frozen Veggies
• Frozen Meats
• Frozen Desserts
• Broths
• Soups
• Fish
• Seafood
• Canned Foods

In-Season Produce

• Asparagus
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Celery
• Chard
• Leeks/Greens
• Spring Onions
• Lemons
• Red Grapefruits
• Tangerines
• Oranges
• Kiwi
• Strawberries

One thing to look out for that is not common all over the United States is cotton candy onions. These wonderful, delectable treats are in season starting in March and they are worth the extra money you pay for them. If you want an onion that has a divine sweet flavor along with a bit of a bite, then hunt down some cotton candy onions this March. You can thank me later.

Miscellaneous Buys

• Seeds
• Gym Memberships

By this time, gyms are desperate for people to join up and they will run all kind of specials (much like I noted in February). Another big item to prepare for is seeds for the coming garden. If you are planting, you will likely get started in the next month. Buy up your seeds before they spike in costs. It is still early enough to find some good bargains.

Additional Notes

Mid March brings Saint Patrick’s Day so look for clearance sales after the 18th or so. It is always wise to buy up clearance in advance of the following year to save cash. Just a quick trip to the store can work miracles for your budget if you go when things are going to be at their cheapest, right? Don’t forget the first day of spring is March 20!

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Shopping at Aldi: Aldi Special Buys with a $20 Budget

A tight grocery budget might be scary at first, but the good news is you can really make your budget go far when you head to Aldi! Even with just $20, Aldi is the perfect place to score the groceries you need without going over your budgeted amount.

So what can you get for $20 at Aldi? Let’s find out. Look below at what to buy at Aldi with a $20 budget, and see just how far $20 can get!

Aldi Eggs Price

For around 70 cents a dozen, eggs are great for baking, hard boiling, using in salads, and for getting that early morning protein fix.

Aldi Milk Price

Very rarely is Aldi milk priced more than $1.99 a gallon. You can often times get a half gallon for as little as just one dollar. If money is tight, a $1.99 gallon of milk can help.

Aldi Bread

For just 70 cents to $1, Aldi sandwich bread is perfect for toast, sandwiches, making bread crumbs, or using in all sorts of other recipes. Enjoy it in white, wheat, and even honey wheat.

Aldi Finds

Not only does Aldi offer a huge variety of dried pasta and rice, but you can buy it for 79 cents to $1 per box. These are great for casseroles, pasta salads, side dishes, and so much more. Pickup 2 boxes for $2 in your budget. You can find great prices on Aldi organic and gluten free pasta as well to fit within your budget!

Aldi Fruit

Find 3 pound bags of apples at Aldi for just $3! These are great for lunches, snacking, and of course baking.

Aldi Deals

For .99 you can get a package of tortillas, perfect for sandwich wraps, tacos, burritos, and even for baking into homemade tortilla chips.

Aldi Meat

You definitely want to check out the Aldi weekly meat specials each week. They change often and are hot, hot, hot! You can find ham for as low as 79 cents a pound, or chicken for as little as 99 cents a pound! Grab three pounds of meat for around $3 and start cooking!

Aldi Canned Goods

Find mandarin oranges, refried beans, green beans, corn, and all sorts of other canned fruit and veggies for as low as 50 cents! These are perfect for soups, casseroles, tacos, and more. Pickup 3-4 cans and spend around $2.

Aldi Cheese

Find cheddar, swiss, and colby jack cheese blocks for just $1.69 each. These offer high calcium snacking and can be used in all sorts of dishes such as sandwich melts or tacos. We prefer the Aldi brand cheese to the major brands.

Aldi Vegetables

For your fresh veggie fix, grab a bag of baby carrots for a buck. These are perfect for dipping and snacking, salads, and of course stews and soups.

Aldi Chips

Aldi brand pretzels are just $1 for a generous sized bag. Snack on them, break them and use them to coat chicken for baking, or dip them in peanut butter!

As you can see, you can get some serious bang for your $20 at Aldi! Consider these suggestions for what to buy at Aldi the next time you are limited on cash, and see how helpful they can be!

Also, every purchases is backed by Aldi's quality guarantee! You can shop and try the Aldi brands with confidence. We have never had a bad product at Aldi, in fact many of their products taste better to us than the name brands now!

What are your favorite Aldi Finds?

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