Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ideas

Crockpot Oatmeal

Lots of folks comment when I share a live video on PPP's FB page that they love that I'm always “keeping it real.” This Crockpot Oatmeal is just the truth. 

If you want real, here. you. go.

Yesterday afternoon I got a migraine (I hate those things!)

I was able to ward it off with some Excedrin Migraine and a big cup of coffee, but I kept working through the night and by bedtime I was toast.

But for some crazy reason as I was cleaning up the kitchen, I thought about how those amazing crockpot mug brownies that we'd made yesterday could easily turn into a way to make all kind of things in the crockpot.

I started dreaming up chicken tortilla soup in mason jars in a crock, spaghetti in mason jars in a crock, ravioli in mason jars in a crock . . . all. the. things.

I did a quick google search and saw a few bloggers had tried crockpot oatmeal in mason jars, and thought I absolutely had to try it out.

Here's what I did:

• Layered 1/4 cup diced apples, 1/4 cup oats, a few raisins,  a tsp of brown sugar in two mason jars. (If I do it again I would add a pinch of cinnamon too to make it smell yummier!)
• Repeated layers again.
• Added enough water to cover oats in mason jar.
• Placed mason jars in slow cooker.
• Filled slow cooker with enough water to match the level of oats in jars.
• Slow cooked with lid on for 4 hours on low (I used my crockpot timer ~ this is my favorite traditional crockpot and I absolutely love the timer on it.)

Now, don't freak out (puh-lease….), but because I had a serious headache I didn't want to be worried about my crockpot way down in my kitchen, so I brought it up to my bathroom and plugged Mrs. Potts in. 🙂 

She cooked all night long.

And delivered me yummy delicious warm oats when I woke up today.

Success. 

So there you have it.

Real life.

With my crazy crockpot oatmeal and me.

Mercifully, the headache has subsided a bit today, and my belly is happy and full with warm toasty oats today too.

Woo.hoo. 🙂

If you haven't gotten your copy of Crocktober yet (the recipe for these Crockpot Mug Brownies are at the back of the book), head on over HERE so I can send the free printable cookbook right out to you. (I promise, you'll love this one and it's not too late to join us! Plus, you'll get all the homemade mix recipes included too!)

And, if you'd like to order a REAL printed copy to have at home (we just got the bound version which is my favorite!) start right over HERE. 

If you're looking to hold onto that summer glow a little longer – this week at Sun Tan City you can walk in and get a FREE Spray Tan! (Reg $29 value)

This freebie is available to all customers – even members! – when you print this coupon or show it on your phone.

Check out more freebies here!

Head over to NordstromRack.com and snag a couple crazy deals on MAC and Urban Decay makeup!

Like this one:

MAC Velvetease Lip Pencil in Velvet Teen- $5 (Reg 21) *That's 76% OFF!
*Search Style # MRAH to find it quickly

MAC Versicolor Lip Stain – $5 (Reg $25)
*Search Style # MYC3 to find it quickly

Urban Decay Lip Topcoat – $5 (Reg $18)
*Search Style # S26825 to find it quickly

Urban Decay Meltdown Lip Oil Stick – $5 (Reg $26)
*Search Style # S26869 to find it quickly

Urban Decay Revolution Lipgloss Duo – $5 (Reg $14)
*Search Style # S20233 to find it quickly

Urban Decay High-Color Lipgloss – $5 (Reg $9.97)
*Search Style # S18626 to find it quickly

And this wildly popular Urban Decay Naked Eye Palette is only $24.97 (Reg $54

*Search Style # S23443 to find it quickly

Shipping:

Shipping is FREE on purchases of $100+ or starts at $8.99.

Where to Sell My iPhone for the MOST Money?

Apple is about to drop the new iPhone and even though it's CRAZY expensive – lots of folks will eventually be wanting to trade in the old for the new.

If you have an old iPhone – or any phone for that matter – you're going to want to use the best service so you can get the most trade-in value.  You are probably wondering – where should I go to sell my iPhone and get the BEST payout?

Good news – we've already done your homework for you – and DeCluttr is the winner.

We've talked about DeCluttr several times on PPP before – they were an awesome service to use when I was cleaning out our old cds and dvds and video game systems.  But selling an old iPhone?  You can get some SERIOUS money!

DeCluttr beats out Gazelle, Glyde and even the Apple site by up to $60 for an old iPhone – so you'll get the most bang for your buck.  PPP Team Member Andrea's phone was worth $163 from DeClutter versus only $100 from Apple's site!

To Get Started:

1 .  Gather up any unwanted phones, electronics, cds, books, dvds, games or game systems to see what they'll be worth.

2 .  Head over to HERE and enter the barcode of an item to see what you'll be paid. **WAY easier though (and all kinds of fun!) is if you download their app and go around your house scanning barcodes to get the price.

3 .  Click “Accept Price” and add to basket if you agree and want to sell it.

4 .  Pack them into a box (any box) and attach your free shipping label.  (This will be sent to your email inbox for you to print out)

5 .  Mail off your box!   You'll get paid the day after they receive your box – via Paypal, Check or Direct Deposit.

What to do before you sell your iPhone

If you're selling your phone, you're going to want to do a few things first to keep your information safe.

1. Turn off Find My iPhone (it's in the settings under iCloud)
2. Back up your phone's data like contacts, pics, videos or any other media – to the iCloud or Google Drive.
3. Sign Out of EVERYTHING
4. Erase all settings and Reset to factory settings
5. Remove the SIM card

Me in January of 2016 on left, December 2017 on right

UPDATE: The weight loss program I'm currently using (AND LOVE!) is opening up a new round BEGINNING MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER 17TH! SEVERAL PPP readers and a few of my friends went through the last round and have seen SO much success (I've gotten several emails and it just makes my day!) If you've been struggling with your weight, I promise this will change YOUR life too ~ go HERE to learn more. 

This is me in August 2018 trying on my Stitch Fix 🙂 just to prove I've still kept the weight off (which just makes me sooo happy – although I think the camera lies a little in pics like this I'm pretty pleased with my weight right now!)

So often I'm asked about my weight loss story, and since it's the New Year (and everyone like me is looking forward to an amazing 2018), I decided this was the perfect day to share with you. 

Way back in 1995 I made a New Years’s Resolution that actually stuck.

I was tipping the scales at 225 as a sophomore in college, and for the first time ever (I really have no idea why), something clicked and I decided I was just done with being overweight.

I’d always been heavy – I never knew what it was like to shop in the regular size kids department (at age seven I remember my mom moving me up to junior clothing, and shortly after that to women’s and plus size clothing), and it was just part of who I was. I never went to prom, never wore a fancy dress, never even had a single date as a chubby girl.  And almost twenty five years later, I still every so often see that chunky girl staring back at me.

But somehow I got started, and not so slowly the weight dropped off. By June I had dropped a whopping seventy-five pounds, and  I’ve maintained that drop in weight for almost twenty five years now, give or take ten (um … twenty?) pounds or so.

So what did I do? I think I decided that New Year that I was just done with being incredibly overweight.  I was miserable, had lived my life miserably, and decided I wanted a different future for myself.

Over the years to maintain my weight loss, I've tried just about every diet out there because I refuse to go back. I've done Weight Watchers, joined friends in weight loss challenges, taken the Weigh Down Workshop, and the 21 Day Fix but this last year, I finally landed on the perfect I'm-going-to-live-like-this-forever LIFESTYLE (not diet!) for me. 

Here's the thing that hit me about two years ago and was life-changing (again!) for me. (I hadn't gained much weight, but after moving to Ohio and struggling with some serious sadness, I was watching my weight creep up a bit.) 

I realized I have three children and wanted to figure this whole weight thing out so that they wouldn't watch their mom struggle her whole life with her weight. I wanted to show them that no matter what gene pool God gives them, they can do the very best with exactly the perfect body God created for them (thick chunky thighs and all.)

And I wanted to find something that truly would work for anyone. 

I WOULD GIVE ANYTHING TO HAVE FOUND THIS PROGRAM TWENTY YEARS AGO.

IT WORKS.

It's not super easy but there are absolutely no gimmicks. (After the first week I've found it MUCH easier than anything else I've tried though – getting through that first few days is a little overwhelming, but after that you'll be all set.)

It's basic, wise nutrition including carb cycling with some intermittent fasting thrown in. (If you're new to intermittent fasting, it's eating in a smaller window – so for me, I eat most days between 11AM and 7PM – VERY doable after you've done the first week!)

This was me as a junior in high school when I was probably around 190 pounds and stopped taking pictures  (full size pics were banned completely!) I topped out at 225 as a sophomore in college.

Me in January of 2016 on left, December 2017 on right

Over the course of the last two years between the 21 Day Fix and The Faster Way To Fat Loss, I've managed to drop almost twenty pounds to my lowest weight EVER (at age forty-two!) and I've maintained that weight loss without feeling deprived.

I just love that.

While I've splurged quite a bit over the holidays, I was thrilled to step on the scale this morning and only be up 2 pounds  even after traveling and not stressing much at all about my diet over Christmas and New Years. I would love love love to see a few more pounds gone, but I'm pretty thrilled with my weight right now (I'm a size 6-8 ~ something this sized-24-eighteen-year-old-never dreamed would happen at 42!)

So can you do this? 

I know you can.

If you've struggled with your weight ~ my heart aches for you to find a plan that guarantees success.

I know how awful it is to always feel like the chubby girl. I know what it's like to feel hopeless and like you have no control. But I also know this will work for you if you're just willing to commit for a few weeks and really do it.

I PROMISE. 

We can do this.

just like in our finances, WE HAVE CONTROL over this area of our lives.

Goodness. I love that.

you and I just need to learn how.

The Faster Way To Fat Loss Challenge is open right now and begins April 20th, however they only have a few slots left (there are 150 people signed up right now, and limit their spot so that you get personal attention.) Here's what's included when you sign up:

• 6 week online program including access to private Facebook Group with certified coaches to help you get started
• Daily 30 minute work that you can do at home OR at the gym – if you're new to exercising, there's an option for those just starting out too
• Comprehensive program guide with resources to help you thrive including sample meal plans, a detailed program overview, and video interviews
• Prep week training to set you up for success
• Accountability and a supportive approach to keep you on track and accomplish your goals
• The focus, quality, intensity and commitment of a trainer with 10+ years of success

If you're interested in signing up, HURRY AS THESE SPOTS ARE VERY LIMITED. Within two weeks (TWO WEEKS!) you will see visible changes, your body will change, you will have more energy, and you really will completely change the way you look at food. (It's BEYOND crazy to me how much my eating habits have changed!)

If you want to be stronger, more confident, lean, fit and toned, THIS PROGRAM IS FOR YOU. This has been an amazing program for me – it's not super penny pinched (the cost is $199) but it's WORTH IT especially when you think of other places that we can so easily waste money (and this program is so encouraging!) You have to be willing to work, but if you do I know you'll see results.

I'm praying an amazing 2018 for you!

Note: There are DEFINITELY less expensive options to losing weight, but for me this has WORKED, and was worth every single penny. However, if your finances are tight right now, do some research and see what other methods are out there for you, and determine to pinch a few pennies in your budget to maybe join at a later date!

This program has been incredibly successful for women who have a foundation of basic working out and under 100 pounds to lose. The program is challenging and will require commitment. If you have more than 100 pounds to lose and have not worked out in a long time, then the program will work for you, but will require some modifying. If that’s you, you will start with the nutritional cycle then ease you into our workouts. (I personally would recommend following the diet and adding a simple walk each day to ease into working out.) This program is NOT for: women who are breastfeeding newborns, those who are significantly underweight, those who have struggled with an eating disorder, or those who are suffering from significant adrenal fatigue.

DIY Fall Decor on a Budget

Every Fall for years and years I've been determined to fluff my home and make it feel cozy, while still sticking to a budget.  I've made a ton of fun DIYs, Etsy knockoffs and Dollar Tree crafts in the process!

Here's a roundup of many of my crafty DIY Fall decor endeavors – I hope they give you some helpful ideas for fluffing up your little slice of heaven!

DIY Fall Paper Garland

This DIY Fall decor took a little more time – but I am just over the moon with how it turned out!  My husband might think I'm crazy but I'm just head over heels for this cute craft 🙂

DIY Wood Bead Garland

I am SO in love with these natural beads lately – they're such a beautiful accent for the mantle or a centerpiece, or would around your Fall candle pillar array!

How to Decorate for Fall on a $3 Budget

Learn how to decorate for Fall on a $3 budget without sacrificing style – I'm still in love with this arrangement!

How to Decorate for Fall at the Dollar Tree

In this DIY Fall decor, I'll show you how to turn those Dollar Tree glass containers (which they ALWAYS have in stock) into adorable mantle decor!

Monogrammed Burlap Table Runner

Set a graceful homespun Thanksgiving table this Fall with this easy and inexpensive monogrammed burlap table runner!

Grateful Hoop Wreath

These hoop wreaths are sooooo simple to make and you can change them up with every season.  In this fall wreath, I used the word Grateful to welcome Thanksgiving (and cooler temperatures) 🙂

Burlap No-Sew Pennant Banner

I soooo loved how this burlap no-sew pennant banner turned out – and it was just the easiest thing to make!

Dollar Tree Centerpiece

I loved making these three different Dollar Tree Centerpieces – using just coffee beans and glass jars, Dollar Tree burlap pumpkins, and Dollar Tree floral and berry garland.  There's a little something for everyone here!

Fall Burlap Wreath

Making this Fall burlap wreath was much simpler than you'd think – and sure beats paying up to $85 on Etsy!

Painting Pumpkins for Fall

Paint your pumpkins instead of carving them to match your decor this Fall!

Corn Kernel Candle Holder

This one uses a Fall staple – dried corn kernels – to make a simple and pretty candle holder.  Best part?  It was just $6 from start to finish!

Dollar Tree Pumpkin Craft

Give your basic Dollar Tree styrofoam pumpkins a glam makeover in this DIY!

Frugal Fall Decorating Ideas

Learn how to take a big glass jar, some dried goods and a pumpkin and turn them into a fun and frugal fall centerpiece!  (Although I recommend using craft pumpkins instead of a real one…. read here to find out why!)

Plus you'll love the secret way I use WAY LESS filler in my jar decor 😉

Dollar Tree Fall Decor

If you only have a few bucks to spend on your Fall decorating – check out these Dollar Tree Fall decorations I made for about $1 each!

Decorating for Halloween on a Budget

My family pulls out our cute Trick or Treat bucket every Fall and it was so easy to make!  This is a fun one to let the kids help out with 🙂

Frugal Thanksgiving Centerpieces

All you need is a couple inexpensive gourds, candles, and popcorn to make this frugal Thanksgiving centerpiece!  It's a great low centerpiece that would also work great on a coffee table.

Burlap Monogram 

Check out this $5 Burlap Monogram for the front door – all you need is a Sharpie!

Head over to NordstromRack.com and snag this AWESOME deal on this Keen Sandals! They also have deals on Nike tennis shoes (as low as $33 . . . my daughter loves the white ones but they're not available in her size.) 🙁 

Snag the Keen Clearwater Leather Sandals in Sangria (Several sizes left!) for only $37.13 (Reg $110)

• Search Style #1014370 to find quickly

While I was looking at the Keen sandals – I spotted these Keen Dauntless Posted Thongs for 70% OFF as well!

• Search Style #1014317 to find it quickly

(I wish they had my size – they look really comfortable!)

Find more top retail deals.

I have got to tell you about these 3 deals on Amazon today, because goodness, I absolutely love each of them, and they're all some pretty incredible deals! While today might not be your day to buy them, they DEFINITELY are worth checking out while they last.

1. The Amazon Echo Show (which is $100 off right now!)

Y'all. 🙂 

I thought the Amazon Echo Show would be not worth it at all when I bought it on Prime Day, but I couldn't pass up the price (especially so that I could see if it was worth recommending to you!)

I now use it every single day to find recipes, stream my favorite music, and listen to my books on Audible of course too. 

For a few more days it's priced at the lowest price we've seen it (the same as Amazon Prime Day Price right now!) and I really do think this can be a great option if you're considering something like this! You can also use it to talk back and forth on (although we haven't used it much for that . . . ) but I just think it's a great little device and worth it at that price. Might be a great Christmas gift idea too!

Here are a few more Amazon Device Deals going on today:

1. Echo Show – Under $130 (Reg $229.99) ~ we bought this to see what we thought, and while I would never pay $229 for it, at $129 it’s a pretty incredible deal!
2. Echo Dot –  Under $40
3. Amazon Echo – Under $85
4. Amazon Echo Plus – Under $100
5. Amazon Echo Buttons 2-Pack – Under $15
6. Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Tablet – Under $100
7. Fire HD 10 Kids Edition Tablet – Under $160
8. Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet – Under $80
9. Echo Dot Kids Edition –  Under $70
10. Kindle for Kids Bundle with Cover – Under $100

2. A FREE Amazon Audible account

Right now you can snag a TOTALLY FREE MONTH of Amazon Audible, AND get two free books!) I've had Audible for the last few months and have listened to more books in 3 months than I've read in probably five years (yikes.)

My nephew encouraged me to consider just reading real books a wee bit more, but I reminded him that I haven't figured out how to fold laundry and hold a book in my hands at the same time. 🙂 I listen while I do housework, when I run, on the elliptical, as I'm driving ~ all. the. time. 

Amazon Audible is $14.95 per month after your first trial month (just cancel before your one month is over to avoid any fees!), but it includes one free book a month after that.  I figure I'm buying one book a month for my fee + supporting authors, (which I love!) It's definitely worth trying it out for free for just a month to see what you think too.

3. The Book Everybody Always.

A few friends mentioned the book Everybody Always by Bob Goff to me a few weeks ago, and IT IS SUCH A GOOD BOOK.  I've been reading (ummmm . . . listening to it . . . ) on Audible and goodness, it has been such an encouragement to me.  If you need to be encouraged and inspired and absolutely uplifted today, this one is just for you. 

(A few other books that I've loved on Audible have been Sisters First, Girl Wash Your Face and Present Over Perfect. 

So, those are 3 deals definitely worth knowing about today if you hadn't heard about them yet! Do you have any product or item that you're loving right now? I'd love to hear what it is ~ leave a comment to share!

The Fall 2018 Grocery Budget Makeover beginning tomorrow: go HERE to join me (registration ends tonight!)

The addiction that transformed our family's life my sound a little strange to some, but maybe you've been there too (or are just hoping to get there one day?)

When my husband and I were first married, money was incredibly tight in our home. Our grocery budget back then was $60 each week, and I remember staring in the pantry at the end of the week and trying to figure out how we were going to make it.

I'd make a loaf of homemade bread if I needed it to skip a trip to the store we couldn't afford, and come up with one more meatless meal.

Then one of my favorite friends ever taught me about this thing called ‘couponing' (before Extreme Couponing was even a thing.)

I was empowered.

All of a sudden, that same $60 budget we were barely scraping by on gave us complete abundance.

I'd come home from the store after spending well under $60 (sometimes as little as $40 even), and for the first time ever we had plenty.

I was hooked.
But I kept my little couponing addiction a secret. (That may sound crazy, but it truly became an addiction for me!)

I didn't want friends to judge how tight our finances were, or think I was the crazy girl who had to use coupons everywhere she'd go.
I learned to scour the sales ads, figure out the best price on meat, and spent a solid two years learning grocery budgeting as a full time job while it completely transformed our family's finances.

It totally changed the way our family lived.

But learning all that took me so.
much.

time.

I stayed up all night long, spent every ounce of naptime and any moment of free time I could find doing research and learning every single thing I could to eek out every last penny for our family.

I saw crazy success (CRAZY), but it took so, so, so much work.

And I didn't have any balance at all ~ I spent too long working for every ounce of savings, rather than figuring out the easiest ways to save that also saved me time.

And there was no community to support me. I just did it on my own kind of in secret, wishing someone else would get as excited as I did about hanging out at the grocery store.

That's why when I took my friend Erin's Grocery Budget Makeover Course I was so impressed. Because I wish someone had gifted me back then with this exact course, saving me so much time and effort since all the keys are right there.

I even considered creating a ‘Passionate Penny Pincher' course, but realized hers was so well laid out and really exactly what I would teach, that I would rather work alongside her to teach you how to save.

If you're in that place where I was struggling to find room in your budget, I know this is just for you.

I promise (promise!), you will earn back the money you spend on this course in the very first month (maybe first week?) decide to Makeover Your Grocery Budget.

And until TOMORROW ONLY, you can sign up (the course will close until at least 2019, because I want to make sure I have plenty of time to help each person who takes the course). The course is VERY reasonably priced (so much less than other similar courses I've seen!) and worth every single penny.

HERE'S WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU SIGN UP:

• Private Super Secret Facebook Group led by me and my friend Shannon (who I PROMISE is determined to see you slash your grocery budget ~ I promise, WE WILL HELP YOU WIN AT THIS!) encouraging you each day while the course runs from Tuesday, August 28th until October ~ the ONLY way to get into the Private Facebook Group is to join the makeover so we're all on the same page!
• 10 Lessons with Instructional and Informational Videos
• Each lesson also includes a worksheet and printable resources
• In depth lessons on couponing in the private Facebook group as well as throughout the course
• Cooking demo videos
• Bonus videos on how to deal with food allergies on a budget
• Bonus videos discussing mobile apps so you can save using your phone without even clipping coupons
• Bonus lesson on how to shop online for groceries, including grocery pickup and grocery delivery services
• OPTIONAL COURSE WORKBOOK MAILED TO YOU (VERY LIMITED SUPPLY ON THESE ~ ORDER TONIGHT!)
• OPTIONAL LIVE COUPON WORKSHOP THIS TUESDAY, 8/28/18 from 8-10PM Eastern Time
• And so much fun encouragement and motivation along the way!

Go HERE if you are in that place where you don't know how to change your finances. Course registration will only be open for a few days, so I'm hoping you'll hop on board with me.

No matter who you are, you HAVE to eat and spend money at the grocery store, so you might as well know the best ways to save.

Do you feel financially strapped, and are you just tired of living paycheck to paycheck?

I understand.

I've been there too.

But I can help.

I promise.

Join me today.

I'm cheering for you! 🙂

x0 Laurie

P.S. IMPORTANT: If you've already signed up and paid you should have received an email with login information and a link to join our private Facebook group. Be sure to check your spam folder for all the updates so you have them before class begins on Tuesday!

Head over to NordstromRack.com and snag an AWESOME deal on Asics Running Shoes!  Several pair are on sale for $39.97 – reg up to $70.

Women's Gel Contend 4 Running Shoes – $39.97 (reg $70) *Some colors are $49.97
*Style #T765N

Men's Gel Venture Running Shoes – $39.97 (Reg $70)
* Style #T7G1N

Shipping is FREE on orders over $100, otherwise it's $7.95.