Financial Planning

Frugal Summer Fun: Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt

March 18, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

May is National Fitness and Sports Month and Shape Your Future has issued a summer challenge for all of us to get out and get 60 minutes of physical activity a day. This is important for all of us but especially the kids, it’s so easy to let them play video games and watch movies all summer long but really, they need to be outdoors. A breath of fresh air can change your entire day plus, it reduces your risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes. It’s time to get moving!

Yesterday, I took my kiddos out for a walk. Normally, they would find that boring but I made sure to add a little fun to the mix with a scavenger hunt. It is easy to create your own but, I thought I would give you a few ideas. I also let my kids take pictures of the items they found, this works very well with the older ones if they happen to have an iPad or phone.

Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt:

Wildflower

Nest

Ladybug

Something that begins with a certain letter of the alphabet (whatever let you choose)

Animal Footprints

Moss

Cardinal

Something Square

A Small Insect

Hopefully that list gets you started! Have fun with it and get out and enjoy the fresh air!

For more activities and more information about Physical Activity Month and the Shape Your Future Summer Challenge, visit www.ShapeYourFutureOK.com.

Physical Activity Month: Get Walking

March 17, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

For Physical Activity Month Shape Your Future is challenging Oklahoma families to take their healthy habits on a summer adventure during the month of May, through the Shape Your Future Summer Challenge. The Shape Your Future Summer Challenge encourages Oklahoma families to explore Oklahoma with the goal of helping their kids get 60 minutes of physical activity each day.

Just 30 to 60 minutes of activity each day helps people of all ages maintain a healthy lifestyle. According to the American Heart Association, benefits of physical activity include:

Better mental and physical wellness.
Stronger immune system.
Lower risk of developing diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Longer life expectancy.
Lower risk of developing high blood pressure.
Lower cholesterol levels.

For me personally, I’m walking away stress. I’m living proof that stress can take it’s toll on your physical body but I’ve learned that exercise is an amazing way to release stress. I say, get walking!

Shape Your Future Summer Challenge recommended summertime activities include:

Visiting your local pool
Taking a bike ride
Hiking, rowing or climbing
Flying a kite
Hula hoop
Hop scotch
Visiting the zoo

Get out there and get healthy! For more activities and more information about Physical Activity Month and the Shape Your Future Summer Challenge, visit www.ShapeYourFutureOK.com.

Skip the Bottle: Save 93% by Using Filtered Water

March 16, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

The average American spends hundreds of dollars a year on bottled water. Not only are these plastic bottles generating a lot of trash, they are also expensive.

The average cost of a liter of water through a filtration pitcher such as this one from Amazon.com is about 3 cents per liter. Bottled water costs about 44 cents per liter on average. That’s 93% less. To do the simple math, if you drink two gallons a week, you would save over $200 dollars per year switching to a filtered pitcher and generate less trash as well. Sounds like a good deal to me!

They are simple to use, just fill them up from the top through the filter, put the pitcher in the fridge and pour a glass when you need it. The water tastes great.

The Culligan Water Pitcher is on sale right now for only $17.93 and free shipping with Prime!

Water Does the Body Good + A Must Have Water Bottle

March 16, 2015 By Sarah Roe Leave a Comment

(Guess posted by Jessica):

Hi! Let’s flap our lips about water!

I used to hate water. I would gag while drinking it or just chug as fast as I could just to get it down the pipe. I did everything I could to cover that sparkling taste I now love. I would use water flavorings, lemon slices, Crystal Light or even sliced strawberries. I did not like water, but I knew it was an important part of a healthy lifestyle so I was on a mission to make it my friend. Over time I started to like it and I now drink 10 glasses a day. I drink it plain with no water flavorings. I’m learning all natural is the best!

I have discovered a water bottle that keeps the water cold for 6 hours! I always chug it way before that, but I love that the water stays cold the whole time. This is especially magical on hot summer trail hiking days. Just kidding I don’t hike, but I do love it on my power walk, in my car and just about any where you can take a drink.

The Polar Bottle Water Insulated Water bottle is a must have and it’s on sale on Amazon for $6.99 so even better!

You go over and save on that bottle and I’ll be over here chugging.

Note: Certain colors are priced lower.

Couponing 101: Contact Manufacturers for Coupons

March 16, 2015 By Sarah Roe 1 Comment

I get asked all the time, ‘how do you find coupons for the products you actually use?’ The answer is pretty simple: contact manufacturers directly. Simply complimenting a manufacturer via e-mail and/or phone call usually equals great savings.

All you have to do is send them a nice e-mail and ask if they provide coupons or savings programs. Always include your address in each e-mail even if the form does not ask for it.