Parenting and Financial Encouragement

Don't go it alone. You're not alone! If you're just getting started SMASHing, or if you've been SMASHing for years, I highly recommend these great sources of encouragement and wisdom:



Join a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Group

When I first left work to stay home with my kids it was a strange new world. I was a bit lost with no adults to talk to all day long until I found a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group at my church. MOPS was a great way to meet other women with young children.


Make Money with FREE Mystery Shopping


Mystery Shopping is a great way to get out of the house, have some fun shopping at places you might not ordinarily shop or dine, and get paid to do it! This week I've taken my kids to Chic-Fil-A, bought groceries for the week, and paid a bill, all with cash earned just by mystery shopping! It requires diligence and attention to detail, but the money is real.

I'm a thrifty person, and was so frustrated to find that the only way, it seemed, to mystery shop, was to pay for the information to get started. It's hard to find good company's to work for that don't charge a fee to get started. To you, my SMASHing friend, I hereby provide an exclusive, valuable, and FREE list of companies that I work for who don't charge a fee, and you can too!



Title I - $600 FREE Tutoring

Did you know that if your public school district is a "Title I public school," and you choose to enroll your kids in home school or private school instead of public school, you are eligible to receive FREE federal tutoring money to supplement your child's education. The program is called Title I, (pronounced Title One).

Because our school has been classified as a Title I school, we received an unassuming letter from the county school board inviting us to attend an informational meeting regarding Title I Funding. At the meeting they explained that the government will fund $600 worth of private education, and I kept thinking, "This is too good to be true!"

Like any federal program, there are 1000 hoops to jump through, and millions of forms to fill out. After five months of meetings and paperwork, my son is scheduled to receive his first in home tutoring session, paid for by Uncle Sam.


Free Dr. Pepper @ Chick-Fil-A

Go to 40winners.com for a free Dr. Pepper and a chance to win a trip and free Chick-Fil-A for a year. I signed up and will receive two free Dr. Pepper coupons (one for my husband) in the mail.