30 Healthier Snack Options

I snack...a lot!  I love grabbing something to munch on while we are on the go.  Sometimes, as a busy mom, that's all I have time for!  Here are some healthier snack options that won't take up all of your caloric intake in one sitting!  This list was put together by Self Magazine with 30 snacks all 200 calories or less!

Craving salty?
5 olives (any kind) (45 calories)
1 small Martin's pretzel (50 calories)
2 oz Applegate Honey and Maple Turkey Breast wrapped around 2 bread-and-butter pickles (80 calories)
1/4 cup hummus, 3 carrot sticks (80 calories)
1 Laughing Cow Light Swiss Original wedge, 3 pieces Kavli Crispy Thin (85 calories)
One 1-oz package tuna jerky (90 calories)
1 oz buffalo mozzarella, 1/2 cup cherry or grape tomatoes (94 calories)
1 bag Baked! Cheetos 100 Calorie Mini Bites (100 calories)
15 Eden's Nori Maki Crackers rice crackers (110 calories)
1 cup unshelled edamame (120 calories)
50 Eden's Vegetable Chips (130 calories)
One 1-oz package of Planters NUT-tritionalmonds (130 calories)
1/4 cup Trader Joe's Chili con Queso, 18 baked tortilla chips (140 calories)
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds in shell (143 calories)
2 pieces (30 grams) prosciutto, 4 dried figs (154 calories)
1 Subway Turkey Breast Wrap (190 calories)

Craving sweet?
1 package Original Apple Nature Valley Fruit Crisps (50 calories)
1 packet O'Coco's Mocha cookies (90 calories)
1 Jelly Belly 100-calorie pack (100 calories)
One 100-calorie pack Trader Joe's Chocolate Graham Toucan Cookies (100 calories)
One 100-calorie Balance Bar (100 calories)
1 Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino bar (120 calories)
1 package Back to Nature Honey Graham Sticks (120 calories)
1/2 banana rolled in 1 tbsp frozen semisweet chocolate chips (123 calories)
2 tbsp Better 'n Peanut Butter, 4 stalks celery (124 calories)
1 bag Orville Redenbacher's Smart Pop Butter Mini Bags topped with a spritz of butter spray and 1 tsp sugar (126 calories)
24 Annie's Chocolate Chip Bunny Graham cookies (140 calories)
Half of a 1.08-oz container of M&M's Minis mixed with 1/3 cup lowfat granola (145 calories)
1 McDonald's Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait (160 calories)
1 container Fage Greek Total 2% fat yogurt, 2 tsp honey (173 calories)

Thank you, Self, for the cheat sheet!

30 Healthier Fast Food Options

If you're like me, you are a busy person.  I am always on the go and sometimes I just forget to even think about dinner!  I hate having to rely on fast food, but sometimes with my busy schedule and taking kids from Point A to Point B, it's inevitable!

Findings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveal that fast food accounts for more than 15 percent of daily calories for people in their twenties and thirties.  Fitness Magazine has come up with a cheat sheet that identifies two safe bets for lunch or dinner at 10 of the most popular chains. With these menu picks, which each have 480 calories or fewer and are low in artery-clogging saturated fat, you can eat burgers, tacos, and fries guilt-free.

McDonald's

-Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken and low-fat balsamic vinaigrette plus Fruit 'n Yogurt Parfait; 375 calories, 9.5g fat (4g saturated)
-Grilled Honey Mustard Snack Wrap plus small french fries; 480 calories, 19g fat (5g saturated)

Taco Bell

-Fresco Steak Burrito Supreme plus black beans; 430 calories, 10.5g fat (3g saturated)
-Fresco Chicken Soft Taco plus Pintos 'n' Cheese; 330 calories, 10.5g fat (4g saturated)

Dunkin' Donuts

-Egg White Veggie Wake-Up Wrap plus hash browns; 350 calories, 18g fat (4.5g saturated)
-Tuna Salad Sandwich on an English muffin; 390 calories, 23g fat (3.5g saturated)

Subway

-6" Subway Club on 9-Grain Wheat Bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, green peppers, cucumbers, and Sweet Onion Sauce plus apple slices; 445 calories, 4.5g fat (1.5g saturated)
-Oven Roasted Chicken Salad with tomatoes, green peppers, onions, olives, and cucumbers with honey-mustard dressing plus Yogurt Parfait; 400 calories, 6g fat (1.5g saturated)

Starbucks

-Chicken & Hummus Bistro Box (hummus, grilled chicken, grape tomatoes, cucumber, and pita bread) plus a banana; 380 calories, 7g fat (1.2g saturated)
-Zesty Chicken & Black Bean Salad Bowl (grilled chicken, black beans, roasted corn, jicama, tomatoes, feta, greens, and quinoa with chile vinaigrette) plus Seasonal Harvest Fruit Blend; 450 calories, 15g fat (2.5g saturated)

Chipotle

-3 Barbacoa (braised beef) Tacos on soft corn tortillas with lettuce and tomato salsa; 405 calories, 10g fat (2.5g saturated)
-Vegetarian Burrito Bowl with brown rice, black beans, fajita vegetables, lettuce, and roasted chili-corn salsa; 385 calories, 7g fat (1g saturated)

Wendy's

-Large Chili plus Garden Side Salad (no croutons) with fat-free French dressing 375 calories, 9 g fat (3.5 g saturated)
-Ultimate Chicken Grill Sandwich plus apple slices 440 calories, 10 g fat (1.5 g saturated)

Panera

-Half Smoked Turkey Breast on Artisan Whole Grain Loaf plus Low-Fat Garden Vegetable with Pesto Soup (from the You Pick Two Menu); 320 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated)
-Power Mediterranean Chicken Salad (no bacon) plus Baked Lays Potato Chips; 430 calories, 17g fat (2.5g saturated)

Burger King

-Whopper Jr. (no mayo) plus Value-Sized Onion Rings; 410 calories, 18g fat (5.5g saturated)
-Veggie Burger plus apple slices; 440 calories, 16g fat (2.5g saturated)

KFC

-4 Hot Wings plus Sweet Kernel Corn; 380 calories, 16.5g fat (4g saturated)
-Kentucky Grilled Chicken Breast plus mashed potatoes (without gravy) 310 calories; 10g fat (2.5g saturated)

Thanks, Fitness Magazine, for this cheat sheet!

Things You Can Expect To Pay Less For In 2014

A few weeks ago I shared a few items you can expect to pay more for in 2014, but there is some good news!  Here are some things you can expect to pay less for in 2014.

3D Printers: due to key patents on technology, market will become more competitive

Smartwatches: due to predictions of Apple entering the saga...

Crude Oil : due to greater usage of natural gas and fuel efficient cars, will lessen the demand for oil.

Touchscreen Laptops

1080p Laptops

Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3: since release of of Xbox One and PlayStation 4

Coffee: Brazil produced record crops 2012 and expected to have another one mid 2014

Used Cars: More inventory from trade-ins

Thanks Deal News!

Where to Find Coupons

A Valpak national study says close to half of us... 40% now search for deals or coupons before making a purchase. And 41% of coupon users come from households earning greater than $70,000! (Nielsen Online Research) That means we are all becoming savvy shoppers!  We are all wanting to hang onto our money, rather than spending aimlessly on daily needs.

Many believe clipping coupons takes too much time or somehow looks cheap. The truth is, spending 20 minutes clipping coupons before you shop can save you up to 30% at the grocery store. What's not cool about that? Do you get paid that amount in 20 minutes working every day? There are so many online resources and deals found for you that saving money at the store doesn't take a lot of time. It just takes a person willing to follow directions on how to make it happen. If you buy only generics, that is a good savings tactic. But I know many who prefer national brands on certain items... if that is the case, using a coupon or two can OFTEN save you even more than generics and give you the ability to stock up and save when those brands go on sale.

Coupons are everywhere and more than likely available on ALMOST ANYTHING you use, and yes, you can even save going organic. The key is not buying things you won't use just because it's on sale and you have a coupon (or consider donating those items to the needy). I consider coupon money and treat it as such. Also, take heart in knowing that retailers don't lose money when you use a coupon. Retailers receive back the face value of a coupon in addition to a handling fee of 8 cents.

I will be sharing very valuable tips on how to coupon with you. First things first:

What Are Coupons and Where Do I Find Them?



I believe that the Dictionary sums up coupons to a tee - however to me they are free money. What's better then free money? Not much!

Now, How Do You Find Them?

1.  Newspaper-
This is a little obvious, but with all the printable coupons available, it can be a little easy to overlook. *If you are a sassy couponer then you will be purchasing more than one of your paper. You can actually preview what coupons will be in the paper by clicking here, then you can buy more papers while you are out. *Keep in mind there are never inserts on holiday weekends.

For extras (for free) you can check libraries, restaurants and fast food places, doctor's offices, your next door neighbor, some newspaper offices have places for leftover ads, post offices (same thing), recycle places.

2. Printable Coupon Websites-
These are my favorite because you get to print just coupons you want, there is a good variety, and there are frequent changes. Make sure that you watch for coupons that may have a limit - you may only be able to print so many or you may miss out b/c others have printed them all.. sometimes the coupon will reset.

Coupons.com
Red Plum
Smart Source
Coupon Database - you can use this to see if any product that you want to purchase has a coupon available 'right now.'

3. Store Website Printable Coupons -
Same as above, may only be for this particular store so pay attention to type of coupon and if they are good to use for stacking with a manufacture coupon.

Target
Dollar General
Family Dollar

4. Mobile Coupons -

Target
iBotta
Checkout51


5. Mobile/Card Coupons-
Text a code to the store and they will put the coupons on your loyalty card or use a site to do the same thing, for some stores you will probably have to sign up for their e-mails to get the code.

Cellfire
Upromise
Savingstar

6. Manufacture Websites-
Get it straight from the horse's mouth. Sometimes you have to sign up for a newsletter, they change each month so print your favorites when you see them.

Betty Crocker
Pillsbury
*For your favorite products check their website for coupon offers

7. In stores-
Look around! You can find lots of coupons on the items (peelies), next to the price, on the shelves, in the little coupon machines in front of the items. Keep your eyes open! Take a sales flyer when you come in the door! At CVS, use your card to check their coupon machine.

8. On/with your receipt-
Check all that stuff that prints out with your receipt and check the back of your receipt. Lots of good coupons come with that because lots of times it's based on what you have bought and many times they are instore coupons so they are stackable!

9. Facebook-
Become a fan (or "like") your favorite brands. I will always post these coupons as they become available.

10. Magazines -
I haven't seen a magazine with more coupons than All You. But, look through your favorite magazine, you'd be surprised to see coupons hiding among the ads!

11. Samples-
Most of the free sample offers that you sign up for will come with a coupon for the product, especially those from name brands.

12. Email or Call-
Your favorite companies and ask for coupons - many times they will send you coupons and often even free products!

Sales Cycles

When it comes to saving money on your favorite items timing is the key! Big bargains happen when you work with manufacturer discounts, clearance sales, off-season discounts and coupon and discount codes!

For example few sales cycles to get you started:

January: Avocados -Broccoli -Cauliflower -Cabbage -Carrots -Celery -Garlic -Grapefruit -Kale -Kiwi -Kumquats -Lemons -Mushrooms -Mustard Greens -Onions -Oranges -Pears -Pecans -Spinach -Tangerines -Walnuts -Winter Squash.

Chocolate, soda, diet foods, frozen finger foods, linens, small appliances, air conditioners, carpeting, winter clothes, bikes, Christmas decorations, and weight loss products. *View additional January Items HERE.

February: Chocolate, steak, seafood (post Valentine's Day),oatmeal, boats

March: Frozen Foods, Easter meal items i.e. eggs, ham, gardening items

April: Candy, eggs, ham, cheese, frozen pies, cake mix, electronics, vacuums, cookware, tires and auto supplies

May: Barbecue items i.e. hot dogs, beef, condiments, ice cream, party supplies, grill supplies

June: Ice cream, popsicles, soda, pianos, building materials, tools

July: BBQ items, chips, grill supplies

August: Cereal, breakfast bars, peanut butter, lunch meat, cold lunch items, yogurt, pool supplies, outdoor toys, bathing suits, summer clothes

September: Cereals, back to school snacks, hamburger, hot dogs, condiments, spaghetti sauce, cars, lawn mowers

October: canned fruits and veggies, dried fruits, stock up on holiday foods and soups and broths, large appliances, lawn mowers

November: Turkey, butter, cheese, canned goods, baking goods, cookware, tools, carpeting

December: Ham, butter, cheese, post-holiday sales, baking goods, some electronics, toys, winter clothes

You will notice that sales in stores go along with seasons, holidays and events. Of course you will find the best price on Back to School items after school starts (that's the time to stock up for next year)!

Things That Will Be More Expensive In 2014

According to trends and consumer reports here's a look at what we can expect to pay more for in 2014.

French Wine - due to storms that raged through the country's finest wine regions.

Getting a GED - will vary by state, due to test being upgraded and also will complete on computer.

Chipotle Restaurant - switching from genetically modified ingredients to more ogranic foods. 

Milk - increased demand for milk exports overseas and Congress reticence to pass an extension of U.S. agriculture subsidies.

Stamps - Increase by a penny starting January 26th, stamps will cost $0.49.

Apple iPhone 6 - prices will be between $249 - $299 with a 2 year contract

Traveling With Pet - Airlines announced an increase taking effect on January 15th.

Luxury Cars - BMW

Pecans - Due to major harvest being hit from rainstorms

McDonald's Dollar Menu - competition and proffit loss.

Thanks Deal News!