Saving Money with Groupon Coupons!

Posted on April 6, 2016 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Groupon.

As you know 2016 is the year I plan to do and be better – from working out, to keeping my house in order, simplifying life – and of course, saving money. I’ve saved quite a bit out of my monthly budget by cancelling auto monthly subscriptions, and cutting back on my fancy coffees, but another way I have learned to save is by utilizing coupons.

Now the couponing I am talking about won’t get me a T.V. show – but it will save me enough to put some money back into savings, or pick up something extra that we’ve been needing. A dollar is a dollar right?

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We all know how to get coupons from the paper, or print them out online from a coupon site – but did you know Groupon now offers coupons as well? Groupon now offers more than just discounts to restaurants and vacations – they offer coupons to a wide variety of stores that you probably shop at every week!

I was thrilled to find out they offered more than just fun stuff – they offered me a way to save on everyday shopping as well. Best of all – its FREE!

Here are just a few of my favorite stores that offer coupons through Groupon Coupons

  • Target
  • Kohl’s
  • Amazon
  • Walmart
  • Old Navy
  • Macy’s
  • Fandango
  • The Children’s Place
  • Sephora
  • Half Price Books
  • Nike
  • Cabela’s

I love that Groupon Coupons can be a ‘one stop shop’ for all my coupon needs – from groceries, to make-up, clothing, shoes and more!

You can also search local coupons to get deals in your area – (just make sure you are signed in, or enter your zip). I found some great deals for local pet daycare to photo shoots and more!

Be sure to follow Groupon on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest news!

 

 

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Getting That Mid-Century Modern Style on a Tight Budget

Posted on April 5, 2016 by Krissyar

Probably the most exciting part of moving into a new home is getting to decorate its interiors as we please. We can house our record collection in the living room instead of piling them up in crates on the bedroom floor. We can grow vertical succulents in a frame we’ve built ourselves from reclaimed barn wood and display it like a work of art in the house—the design possibilities are endless. Or so it seemed until we made our first mortgage payment, ouch.

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It’s a bit of a conundrum just how much of what we work for gets tied up in bills. We’re finally able to own our own home, yet we’re having a hard time getting it to look the way we had always imagined it, with lack of funds our number one foe. Just when it seemed we could finally fill our home with some Mid Century Modern style we learn we can’t. But we can! With these tips and tricks, you’ll have your home looking like the Eames House in no time!

Shop for Sales
You can find anything online these days, all you have to do is a little digging. Peak times of the year to scour the internet for some good Mid Century Modern furniture sales are on Black Friday, Cyber Monday and during Presidents Day Weekend. Of course, a majority of savvy shoppers are already aware of these shopping holidays. But did you know the entire month of February is the crowing jewel of furniture discounts? Real Simple has learned that the best time of year to buy furniture, appliances and other odds and ends is in the second month of the new year. Design firms and furniture retailers slash their prices to get rid of last year’s designs in order to make way for the new Spring collection. Another suggestion is to shop in-store during these sales. The showroom furniture models will then be on sale at this point, and if they’re in good condition, you’ll be able to get them for a steal.

On the Thrifting Store Front
You’d be amazed at how many original Mid Century Modern pieces you can find at your local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Despite the furniture maybe needing to be reupholstered or painted, you can find Mid Century furniture marked incredibly low at thrift stores. Deemed old-fashioned or out of date to the untrained eye, a lot of thrift stores don’t recognize the furniture as the testaments to the design canon they are. Nor is it known that the furniture is highly valuable in today’s market. There’s a fairly decent chance you’ll get an original Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair or George Nelson Storage Unit for hundreds of dollars less than if you were to buy it in regular furniture store.

The Estate Sale Treasure Trove
If people want to get rid of something, they’re willing to let the prices fall where they may. You’ll often find this to be the case at garage and estate sales. To the people selling the items it’s all just a bunch of junk, but not to you. With your eagle vision you’re able to scout out the priceless designer chair amid the non-consequential debris. To play it safe, (you don’t want the seller knowing what a prize they are letting go) it’s ideal to purchase a couple of other things along with your designer find, maybe a picture frame or book. You’ll want to be sure that you won’t raise any suspicions. It’s also recommended that you don’t haggle on the price of the object because again, you don’t want to draw too much attention to it. There could always be another estate-goer set on finding the same designer furniture, and if they’ve spotted it in your hands, you can bet they’re going to do everything they can to get their own hands on it. When you’re at an estate or garage sale, get in and get out.

Whether you’re looking for brand new Mid Century Modern furniture pieces or are happy with having them broken in, use these tips to get the better deal.

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Frisch’s New Primetime™ Burgers

Posted on April 4, 2016 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Frisch’s to introduce their new Primetime Burgers.

Last week I was invited to one of my favorite restaurants to try some new items that will be available April 6th!  Frisch’s has always been a family favorite, and the new Primetime burgers doesn’t disappoint.

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The burgers all have a similar start – 100 percent premium hand-crafted beef, fresh ingredients, butter-grilled brioche buns and keeping your taste buds wanting more.

The Classic includes real cheddar cheese, red onion, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and tartar sauce.

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I could of ate the entire thing without coming up for air, but I did have two other burgers to still try. I love the thicker burger vs the big boy burger with the tarter sauce. Frisch’s tarter sauce is my absolute favorite, so no wonder I couldn’t get enough of this one.

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The next burger that was brought out was the Mushroom Swiss. It’s made with real Swiss cheese and sautéed mushrooms and onions.

Now I’m normally not a mushroom fan – in fact, I pick it off my pizza and even pick the little pieces out of the broccoli casserole that my Grandma uses cream of mushroom soup in. But these mushrooms were delish – and a perfect topping to the burger and swiss cheese.

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Last, but definitely not least was the BLT which comes with real cheddar cheese, hickory-smoked bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, pickles and mayonnaise. Who doesn’t love bacon right?!

It’s hard to say which one is my favorite, I really loved all three.. I mean what’s not to love about a hot fresh 1/3 pound burger – with a buttery delicious grilled bun??!
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Something else I learned from Chef Greg Grisanti (besides how awesome he is with burgers) is about Frisch’s onion rings. Now I rarely get onion rings when I order out. I hate biting into an onion ring that is not crisp, or that I get the whole piece of the onion in one bite. Frisch’s uses always fresh, NEVER frozen onions which means the onion is crisper and easier to bite and break, instead of get stringy. (Some of you may have already known this – but I did not and I thought it was a pretty fun fact).

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If you’ve never tried Frisch’s onion rings before – go now! Be sure to get a side of tarter sauce to dip them in (wayy better than ketchup!)

I loved the Frischs Primetime Burgers so much – I want to give one of my readers a chance to try one (and some onion rings of course) for themselves. Enter in the rafflecopter below for your chance to win! Contest ends 4/15.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in Cincinnati, Reviews/Giveaways | 9 Comments

The BSC Nursing Program – Nurturing Your Nursing Career

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Krissyar

As anyone working towards a degree knows, school is hard work. Homework, deadlines and exams are exhausting – but the results of all your late-night cram sessions? A hard-earned degree in a field you can’t wait to dive into.

Earning a degree, especially in the high-demand field of nursing, is an altogether transcendent experience. As a prospective nurse, your well-taught and well-managed BSC (bachelor of science) nursing program has provided you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to use on a daily—scratch that—on an hourly basis. A nurse’s job is never over, after all.

Perks of the BSC in Nursing
The nursing field is growing. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) the number of nursing positions in the United States alone in 2014 was 2.75 million people. Not only is this a colossal number, but the BLS reports that employment for registered nurses with a BSC in Nursing degree will rise as much as 16 percent by the year 2024. This is a much higher employment rate than the national average for all other occupations.

And with an in-demand career, comfortable salaries abound. The median pay for a registered nurse with a bachelors of science in nursing degree was $66,640 per year. But aside from the growing field and great pay, why is earning a BSC in Nursing in nursing over an Associate Degree in Nursing the better option?

An associate nursing program primarily focuses on the technical skills of nursing, while a BSC Nursing Program focuses on technical skills and theory. For instance, Arizona College’s BSC nursing program claims that its graduates will have a clear advantage over registered nurses without a bachelor’s degree when it comes time to look for jobs. It seems students are catching on, according to AllNursingSchools, 30 percent of students enrolled in an associate nursing program leapfrog to a bachelor’s program.

While an associate nursing program is shorter (two years) than a BSC Program (four years) most employers are looking for registered nurses with a BSC in nursing degree. But why?

How a BSC Nursing Program Works
Yes, a BSC program is a serious commitment, but schools offering these programs prepare their students for the nursing field with in-depth lectures and hands-on lab training. Registered nurses provide patients with quality care and help to educate patients and the community about numerous health conditions. Nurses also have a responsibility to provide emotional support and expert advice to patients and their family members.

As mentioned previously, job prospects for registered nurses with a BSC in nursing degree continues to grow. This is due to the increased importance of preventative care. Chronic conditions like obesity and diabetes are continuing to climb (particularly in the United States with more than 29 million Americans requiring diabetic care), while baby-boomers are beginning to rely more heavily on healthcare services.

As a nursing student working towards your BSC in nursing degree, you will be given intense instruction and high-level training. This includes participating in clinical rotations and simulation laboratories. A BSC nursing program focuses on real-world applications. What sort of instruction do these programs offer? Let’s take a quick look:

o Ethics
o General Studies (English, Humanities, Mathematics, and Social Studies)
o Nursing Science
o Natural Science
o Human Systems
o Research
o Critical Thinking
o Leadership
o Theory

Highly regarded programs also offer their students externships; allowing nursing students to gain on-the-ground experience at hospitals and clinics. This helps students put their learning to work, and to practice their nurse-to-patient interactions.

Your Degree, Your Career
One of the great things about earning a degree? No one can take it from you. Your experience, insight and know-how doesn’t go away, and you’ll only be presented with more opportunities to grow – both as a student and a professional. Pay attention in class and take the time to study. Your education is your link to a gratifying career.

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Join Planet Fitness on April 4 – 1 day, $1 down, $10 a month, no commitment

Posted on April 2, 2016 by Krissyar

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Planet Fitness and BlogMeetsBrand.

I remember the first time I stepped into a gym – I didn’t make it past the locker room full of fit women in their sports bras and workout pants that hugged their perfect curves, with their matching shoes and perfect hair – watching me with my oversize t-shirt that I borrowed from my husband, since after having my daughter none of my normal clothes fit.

A photo posted by Krissy Higgins (@krissyar) on

It took me quite a few years to brave the doors of a gym again – but I found a Judgement Free Zone® at Planet Fitness. At Planet Fitness there aren’t fitness fanatics and body builders – there are everyday people, like you and me, who want a ‘judgement free’ zone to be able to get a distraction-free work out in.

Being a busy working Mom, I need a gym that can fit into my schedule – our local club, like many other Planet Fitness locations, is open and staffed 24/7. (Which really helps with my late night workouts!) With treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, weight machines and even two circuits that help you get a full strength and cardio workout in 12 to 30 minutes, Planet Fitness has something for everyone.

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The PF Black Card® membership for $19.99 a month includes additional amenities such as the ability to bring a guest every day at no additional charge, access to all 1,000+ Planet Fitness locations, use of massage chairs and beds, and more.  The membership comes with unlimited fitness training, spacious locker rooms, and friendly staff – something you won’t get at other gyms.

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Planet Fitness provides all its members with an opportunity to connect and support each other with the “Planet of Triumphs” an online community that celebrates all accomplishments, and inspirational stories of Planet Fitness members. Join the Judgement Free Zone and share your triumphs both big and small, encourage each other and realize that YOU BELONG at http://planetoftriumphs.com,

So come join me in the place where everyone belongs, and join Planet Fitness on April 4. They’re having a “1 day, $1 sale” where anyone can join that day for just $1 down and then $10 a month for the standard membership with no commitment. Or if you prefer the PF Black Card, you can take advantage of that membership and its additional perks for $1 down and then $19.99 per month.

 

They’ve made a special link for my followers, so click here to enter your email for a reminder!

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Posted in Deals, Fitness/Health | 1 Comment