Some Online Deals with Amazon

I have been asked from an Amazon seller to share some discount codes for their products. Thought I'd go ahead and pass on the savings for those who would like to take advantage of them.

Ipow Floating Bobber Hand Grip Mount Pole + Thumbscrew + Wrist Strap Accessory Kit for Gopro Hero1 Hero2 Hero3 Hero 3+ Camera

Discount code: 6JLJ53NH

Ipow Stainless Steel Waiters Double Hinged Corkscrew Wine Bottle Opener with Foil Cutter

Discount code: 7JXPEHET

Ipow Sports Running Cycling 2.5-5.5inch Phone Armband / Arm Band Strap Holder for Iphone 6 Plus/6 5 4 Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge/s6 S5 S4 S3 Note Nexus Lg Nokia Moto Oneplus HTC Etc and Larger Devices

Discount code: Z69Q9SBX

Ipow Standard Nonstick Muffin and Cupcake Baking Pans Mold with 12 Cup

Discount code:   7LKTQDFU

Iphone 6 case, [Full Full Protection] IPOW Apple Iphone 6 case 4.7 inch cover (gary)

Discount code: Y4MDLW4B

Food Should Taste Good - Good News for Conscientious Snackers

I had the pleasure of trying a couple of great tasting varieties of tortilla chips this weekend. I am a health conscious gluten-free eater who has a difficult time finding room for chips!

Food Should Taste Good snacks are made without GMOs. Good news! They are certified gluten-free which is a must for those of us with celiac's and gluten sensitivities or allergies. A good deal of them are also completely vegan. YES! Please note that there are some flavors that include some animal products - cheddar, white cheddar and chocolate. If you are eating a totally vegan diet, you will want to check the packages carefully.


Food Should Taste Good products are made without artificial ingredients, including that horrible chemical MSG. They are also without trans fat, preservatives, and cholesterol. They do have fiber and real food ingredients. I wasn't thrilled to see some sugar on the bags, but at least it is in the form of evaporated cane juice. I can handle a little of that now and then because it is natural, not refined sugar.

I tried two varieties: Sweet Potato and Multigrain. I love them both. the sweet potato flavor tastes very good and does not leave a salty or greasy taste in my mouth. The multigrain flavor is bursting with seeds and great taste.

 

You might wondering how the cost of these snacks compare with the more mainstream brands. They are a little higher, as you might expect for better quality snacks. They are less than most of the certified gluten-free products on your grocer's shelf, however. I found them at $2.99 at my local Meijer store.

You can find more information their website. 

*I received free product in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.*

Book Review - Mary's Son by Darryl Nyznyk

Mary's Son: A Tale of Christmas is written by Darryl Nyznyk and is published by Cross Dove Publishing, LLC.

Jared Roberts: A 13-year-old tough kid who lives in the "sink" - the rough part of town where all of the underprivileged folks live and form gangs. He is poor in the eyes of the world but rich with the love of his family.

Sarah Stone: An 11-year-old rich girl who lives in the ritzy area of town, or the "hill". She is rich in material wealth, but poor in spirit.

Nicholas: A strange, old man who claims to be Santa. His mission is to share the true meaning of Christmas with the two children who seem to need him most - Jared and Sarah.

Though the two children come from different homes and circumstances, they have one thing in common. They both hurt deeply. On the night that Jared plans to sack Sarah's home, something wonderful happens. Nicholas whisks them to another place and another time, to see Christmas from an entirely different viewpoint. Personal hurts melt as Sarah and Jared are inspired to share their message to others.

Mary's Son is a beautifully woven tale full of the magical whimsy Santa Claus brings coupled with that Santa's deep faith in Jesus. I really enjoyed reading this story. I think it is one I will bring out next Christmas season to read together as a family. We used to do that with our children, reading one chapter from a good Christmas story a night as the nights led up to Christmas Day.

Darryl Nyznyk is a gifted writer who brings a beautiful realism to this book. He lives with his wife in Manhattan Beach, California.

Amazon.com has the digital version of Mary's Son: A Tale of Christmas on sale for $2.99 through the month of December.

*I received a copy of Mary's Son: A Tale of Christmas in exchange for my honest review. Opinions expressed are my own.*

Product Sampling

I've tried some new products in the last month or so and I wanted to let you know my thoughts about them.

Eukanbua has a dog food out that is supposed to help with your pet's dental health. 3D DentaDefense is the "secret weapon. I took a black light to Bobbi's teeth and gums and, quite frankly, wasn't surprised to see a lot of tartar buildup. Bobbi is a senior Yorkie who gobbles her food so fast that she generally doesn't chew before swallowing. Hence, the dry food I buy her doesn't get much of a chance to scrub her used-to-be pearly whites.

We have two large retrievers that have minimal tartar problems, though these were the dogs we allowed to try Eukanuba. Bobbi is grain-free and I couldn't find a completely grain-free blend in this brand. I didn't see a huge difference in their teeth after crunching on some Eukanuba, but I did notice a lot of energy returning to their aging bodies. Maybe if I had fed several bags to them I would have noticed more of a dental change.

A product I really do love is Cover Girl's blast flipstick. These lipsticks are a sort of two-in-one. Each flipstick is a duo of blendable colors. I love these because the color lasts and lasts, even after drinking a coffee in between church service and Sunday school!

Children's Advil (liquid) is one of the few fever reducing medications that Amanda will take. I know, I know. She should be learning to swallow pills at her age, but she hasn't done so yet without gagging. This medicine lasts for about 8 hours and is in a very painless form - a great tasting liquid. Within a half hour of taking Children's Advil, her fever was gone and she felt better. Since she's the one who had the fever seizure as a baby, I tend to watch her fevers closely yet.

Another product I like is Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner. I only have one hallway with hardwood flooring, so I like to keep it in shape - shiny shape. This seems to be a good product that really delivers. I haven't found this in all of the stores around here, but I did find it at Home Depot and Wal-mart. I will keep some on hand. My children are good floor shiners.



* I received the above products in exchange for my honest opinion. Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner and Children's Advil were sent my way by Smiley360.com. Eukanuba and Cover Girl were sent by BzzAgent.com. Opinions expressed are my own. *

Gift Giving using a Simple Jingle

We instituted a new gift giving "guide" for a new family tradition as of last year. The video below shows some of those gifts as well as gives ideas for other items, such as a personalized DVD from Santa Claus (www.yoursantastory.com). Hope you enjoy it.....I'm not so good at talking on camera. Ha ha!

Thirty Days of Thankfulness - Day 9

Today I am thankful for my job. This winter, when it will look more white than the above photo (we are in the snowbelt of northern Michigan), I will likely have to continue walking to work - the library across the road. I don't mind, though, because it gives me a chance to get out of the house and be with other people for 20 hours a week. I am able to continue homeschooling my two youngest children. They often come to the library with me and work on their stuff there, in the peace and quiet that the library affords.

It is only November 9, but I have nearly finished my Christmas shopping, including sending a gift of money to my sponsored child (through Compassion International), Nehemie, in Africa. Christmas has always been a huge burden due to the fact that my husband makes lower commissions in the winter. With the extra income from my job, we are not only able to pay our bills on time, but we are also able to buy gifts for our family and loved ones.

This is a HUGE blessing! Praising the Lord that I only have a few smaller items and stocking stuffers to come up with.

Beginner's Bible App for iPad - So Cool!

Do you have children or grandchildren - and an Apple iPad to boot? If you do, you might really want to check out the Beginner's Bible app. When my children were little, we got them the Beginner's Bible. We read it to them all of the time. They loved reading it with us, especially at bedtime.

We didn't have all of the bells and whistles of computers and iPads like many folks do today. Wow! How far technology has come in just a (cough) few short years.

This app is so cool. The kids can color, listen to stories, hear music, play games, and so much more. With 94 Bible stories, your children will never get bored.

You can download your first story pack (6 stories with games, coloring pages, etc.) for free here. The iPad app for the Beginner's Bible is recommended for ages 2-6.

I would be remiss if I didn't say how important I feel the Bible is - and sharing it with our children should be on the top of our priority lists. In it, God said that fathers (and mothers) are to teach the Word of God to their children, telling them the stories of how God saved His people over and over again. Start teaching them early. They are little sponges who soak it all in. And if you can make it ever more the fun, do so.

Snacking Choices

I have found that, as a part of my healthy weight loss plan (that actually worked), I need to have snacks throughout the day. I know that it sounds silly that a person should need snacks in order to lose weight, but it's really quite simple. In order to burn fat, you have to keep your metabolism going. In order to keep your metabolism going, you need to have fuel - food intake. Now, that fuel should not be a huge, junky food intake. Every two or three hours I nibble between meals. Here are some of my choices:

• a piece of fruit - a banana, an apple, a few chunks of pineapple, a handful of grapes, etc.
• a gluten-free snack bar such as KIND fruit and nut bars, Larabars, homemade date and nut bars (sometimes containing coconut), etc.
• almonds, pistachios, walnuts, and, when I'm feeling daring, peanuts
• a glass of nondairy milk, usually coconut milk
• gluten-free whole grain crackers
• popcorn, air popped and lightly salted
• a fruit smoothie made with avocado rather than milk or yogurt
• Rarely - a piece of cheese

Speaking of popcorn, my family tried the new Smartfood Selects Cinnamon Popcorn. They swear by it as being tasty. If you choose a more processed snack like this, choose a healthy brand and, because of sugar issues, a small amount at any one given time. Smartfood Selects makes many different flavors and varieties, so be sure to look for them all at your local grocery store.



Remember, snack wisely and you'll reap the benefits.

*I received a sample of Smartfood Selects in exchange for my honest opinion because I'm a BuzzAgent.*

Beginner's Bible App for iPad

If you have an iPad that you allow your children or grandchildren to use (or if they have their own - not unheard of these days), you might like to know that Zondervan has released an app for the bestselling Beginner's Bible. This app is free of charge and includes all of these cool things:

Six interactive Bible stories
Coloring pages
Puzzles
A game

Additional story packs will be available for $1.99 each. They will be released over the next three to five months.

Should be exciting for the little ones. My own kids would have loved these but had to settle for paper.

Food Issues? The Value in "Free" Magazines & Books

If you have food allergies or sensitivities, you might be interested to know that there are free resources out there to help you "plan" your meals.

 My husband is diabetic, so I like to grab a Diabetes & You magazine when I'm in Walgreens. Each issue is free. It is also available online. It has good articles and recipes that I feel have helped me learn more about this disease and how to plan good food choices for my husband.

Amazon.com has a lot of free cookbooks (digital) available at different times. This month you can find recipe books for diabetic cooking, gluten-free cooking, vegetarian cooking, dieting, and more.

Speaking of Amazon.com, they have free food magazines (again, digital), all of the time. You can go here for Cooking Light.

If you visit Kikkoman's website, you can add your name and address to get a twice yearly issue of their food magazine, K.

Granted, not all of the recipe books and magazines are geared toward those of us who suffer with food issues, but most of them address healthy eating, which is good for everyone.

Jonathon's Quilt

Yesterday was my second born's birthday. He has drooled over his brothers' t-shirt quilts in the past, so I decided to ask Jenn of Sunshine of Autumn Quilts to make him one. She went above and beyond the call of duty with this one. It is large, soft, and very warm - something we need in our up-north cooler climate. Jonathon loves his new quilt. His bed isn't made all that well, but here is a picture of his custom made t-shirt quilt:

If you'd like to see a better picture (and maybe order one of your own), visit Sunshine of Autumn's Etsy shop. You must come up with your own t-shirts and mail them to Jenn (as well as pay for shipping the quilt to you). You might think that is a burden. Well - yes and no. Your kids might be like mine. They have drawer after drawer of t-shirts. After a while, they thin them out and stuff them in bags, saying, "Get rid of these."

I checked several other Etsy quilt shops and found that the prices are all fairly comparable. Many shops require the purchaser to send fabric, shirts, etc. Almost all require shipping costs to be paid by the buyer.

By the way, ignore the splotchy wall in the above photo. This boy has hung and rehung pictures and guitars (yes, he has two electric guitars hanging over the bed) and he's made a mess of the wall.

To Buy Used or Not?

I am looking very forward to garage sales this summer, though I'm not sure they are always the best thing going. I used to think that getting my clothes used saved me tons of money. Today, I don't think that's the case a lot of the time. The last couple of summers have burned me out on garage sales, as I had to go to many, many sales to find one decent item that wasn't ripped or stained AND was at a price I thought was fair.

Today, I took my daughter shopping for some clothes. We tried used shops first, including Goodwill. Was I ever discouraged! The prices are high enough that I couldn't justify purchasing, again, torn or stained clothing - let alone things that have been shrunk so you're not really sure what sizes they truly are.

I ended up buying some things from Wal-mart and Kohl's.

shoes from Wal-mart for $13.00

dress and sweater from Kohl's $32.00 with $10.00 off certificate

The moral of the story is, for me, that if I hunt down sales (all items above were 50% off regular price - lots were on sale for 75% off regular price), I can buy brand new things. It's important to weigh out the pros and cons of what you're buying before you make that purchase, though.

Redbox - Win Daily Prizes

Have you found Redbox yet? We like it more than other video rental places (except for the library, of course). For $1.29 a day you get a movie rental. Redbox is convenient and found everywhere. We have one at Meijer, one at Walgreen's, and one at Wal-Mart. Rent a movie and then return it at any Redbox. You do not have to return it to the Redbox from which you rented the movie.

Last night we rented Kung Fu Panda 2. It's a great movie for families to watch together and then discuss the lessons learned. The theme of the movie is: Let go of the hurts of your past and let them make you into a better person - or in their cases, better pandas and peacocks. The movie touches deeply on adoption too. Such a good movie.

Now you can rent a Redbox movie and get a chance to win great prizes. From December 13 to December 24, text FUN to 727272 for instant savings of 25 cents - $1 off of your movie and game rentals, as well as a chance to be entered to win a daily prize from Redbox. Each day, a random drawing will select a winner with top prizes from Sony, Wii, Barnes & Noble, Activision and more. It's a win-win situation.

I say rent Kung Fu Panda and some more family-friendly movies. You will be blessed.

**I received a free Redbox rental in exchange for my honest opinion. Opinions are my own.**

Cut Eyeglasses Cost - Not Quality

If you're anything like me, you are on the lookout for quality items at decent prices. My husband just purchased new eyeglasses and they certainly weren't cheap eyeglasses. Although we have optical insurance, we still end up paying too much (in my opinion) for frames. Why do they have to cost so much?

The answer is that they don't have to. I have talked to my readers in the past about Zenni Optical, and with good reason. This is a company that does not sell name brand designer eyeglasses. They are their own manufacturer and retailer, omitting the middleman completely. They state that they keep a very low overhead in terms of advertising as well, preferring to have word-of-mouth by satisfied customers do the job. All of that results in cheap eyeglasses.

I certainly don't mean to scrimp on eye prescriptions. I know firsthand, with the poor eyesight that I have, the importance of having the correct eyeglasses. Lens prescription really matters. Make sure you get an eye exam and get the prescription you need in order to see well.

We should always be mindful of the ways in which we spend our money. I figure that if I spend less on things that I need or want, I can spend more on things like missions and charitable causes. If I'm forking out tons to have the latest brand name in things like clothing, handbags and eyeglasses, what does that say about me? I think that this Christmas season we should do as much as we can to save in order to have the freedom to spend in the lives of others.

As an aside, if you have several back pairs of glasses that you are no longer using, please consider donating them for those who cannot afford any. Organizations like the Lions Club will distribute them to someone who can really use them.

Phix Energy Drinks - and a GIVEAWAY!

***This giveaway is now closed***

Do you like energy drinks? Or do you avoid them because of all of the harmful ingredients most of them contain?

I had not had an energy drink in more than a year (I used to be hooked on the coffee flavored ones). Like most health conscious people, I had researched them and found that they potentially cause more problems than they are worth.

Natural food companies are getting smart - they're finding that there's a market out there for energy drinks, but for those that are beneficial to the body rather than detrimental.

Phix is one such company.They make a great tasting, all natural pick-me-upper that gives the body energy without the crashes that sugar loaded, carbonated drinks do. They are gluten-free and vegan, so you don't have to worry about any of that stuff wreaking havoc on your digestive system.

The only ingredient that gives me pause is maltodextrin, which I found on the Phix label (at the end, so it's the smallest amount). If you aren't familiar with maltodextrin, it is a sugar that is made by breaking down a starch - which in the U.S. can only be from corn, potato, or rice. Companies in Europe, however, often use wheat. Phix is manufactured in the U.S. and is guaranteed to be gluten-free, so don't worry about that. Maltodextrin does NOT contain malt. It is an additive that many, many store-bought foods contain.

I tested some Phix Natural Energy Drinking Powder last week and, I have to tell you, enjoyed it. I agree that it provides energy. I was drowsy before drinking it, but after about ten minutes, found that the sleepiness was gone. I did not feel "on edge", but I felt alert. As for the taste, I like it. My favorite is either tea berry or tropic - they're equally good. There's an additional flavor, citron, which is good too.

Phix is a green company. They use compostable and biodegradable materials in their packaging - another plus.

Would you like to win a month's supply of Phix Natural Energy Drinking Powder in your favorite flavor? Here's how:

**A randomly chosen comment will be chosen on November 30 to win three boxes (a one month's supply) of Phix Natural Energy Drinking Powder (in flavor of his or her choice). Winner will also receive a 25% off coupon code toward a future purchase of Phix Energy. This contest is open to United States residents only.**

MANDATORY ENTRY: Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite way to energize. If your e-mail address is not easily found on your profile, please be sure to leave it in the comments.

ADDITIONAL ENTRIES:

1. "Like" Phix Energy on Facebook and then post back here telling me you did so.

2. "Follow" Phix Energy on Twitter and then post back here telling me you did so.

3. "Follow" me on Twitter and then post back here telling me you did so.


**I received free product from Phix Energy and BSM Media in exchange for my honest review. Opinions are my own.**

Bodum Pavina - Unique Mouth-blown Glasses that Breathe

I told you a while back that I would share sometime about the lovely glasses I would be receiving. Tonight I took out two of those beautiful Bodum Pavina glasses and filled them with apple cider for my husband and me. The cider looked just like the grape liquid in the above picture - like it was floating on air.

What makes these glasses special is they are double layer - with a layer of air in the middle. They "breathe." There is a silicone vent at the bottom of every glass that serves as an equalizer between the air pressure between the two glass layers and the air pressure outside of the glass. Liquids don't seep out of the vents - only the air does. The glass is mouth-blown borosilicate glass and is heat resistant. I can testify that it is cold resistant too (after putting very cold cider in them and not noticing a difference in the warmth of the glass).

The glasses are dish washer safe, microwave safe, and temperature safe. I really love them and am keeping my set in my china cabinet when they're not in use.

**I received a set of two Bodum Pavina glasses in exchange for my honest review because I'm a buzz agent.**

Misc. Doings

This is not a Tackle it Tuesday post, but it does highlight some of the things I've been doing these days. I haven't kept anybody posted as to my weight loss/get healthy venture in a while. The diet has gone well and I still eat more healthy than not. Since June 1, I have lost 22 pounds and am now at a comfortable weight, though not where I would ideally like to be. Still, to be back in the normal body mass ratio is wonderful. The diet I follow is a conglomoration of many diets. I keep bad carbohydrates mostly out of my meals, though I splurge once in a great while. I have one cup of coffee a day (99% of the time) and only in the morning before I eat anything. I wait an hour and then have a simple breakfast, usually a bowl of oatmeal (old-fashioned oats) with berries sprinkled into it. I rarely eat sugar and when I do, I tend to use stevia or raw, unfiltered honey. I limit meat to once or twice a week. I have plenty of green salads, lots of veggies (if you read my menu plans you'll notice I like green beans). When I use milk it's skim. I make my own yogurt and I never sweeten it. I use it often in smoothies, but again, I don't use sugar. I am still gluten-free and have no desire to go back to the gummy, rotten stuff. I have given up soda pop for good. I TRY to get lots of water down, but often forget. I walk a lot for exercise. I stay busy.

I have dropped FOUR sizes and am finding I might have to hunt for smaller jeans. I am not focusing on food - I'm focusing on my love for Jesus. I'm finding that ministry is more important than food and the body. Food and the body are temporal - what we do for Christ is eternal. Get my eyes off of me and things fall into their proper places.

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Something else going on is Small Business Saturday on November 26. America's small businesses are what keeps her going. I have pledged to shop my local small businesses on November 26. Won't you join in? Take the pledge and you might win one of 100 $25 American Express gift cards to use that day.


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I am  the new librarian at our local branch of our county's public library. I work 4 hours a day. It has been a great thing so far. I keep busy there for the most part, meet new people, and get the chance now and then to impart Christian values. Do I preach to them? Of course not. I simply talk to them about whatever subject they bring up. I kid you not, I have been asked to give recommendations for Christian books, talk about my church, and even discuss the Bible. People are hungry for the Truth. I have to conclude that this might be the reason the job fell into my lap. I prayed for a ministry in my village and I'm getting it - plus a little extra cash.

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I am on jury duty for November. I've only had to show up at the court house once so far. I was not chosen for the jury. I know too many people involved with the case, from the defending lawyer to many of the witnesses for the defense. Then there's the fact that my son is a county deputy, which makes me biased for the prosecution as well. I spent 8 hours at the court house on jury selection day and, though I got tired, learned a tremendous amount of legal stuff - fascinating stuff. When you get chosen for jury duty, don't grumble. Rather, consider it your DUTY to serve - and to do so with a good attitude and spirit.

Rings - Consider Titanium

Our family visited the beautiful upper peninsula of Michigan again last weekend. We stayed with friends in Escanaba, located on Lake Michigan. It's truly a lovely place to visit in the fall. One of our U.P. traditions is to visit a gift shop in St. Ignace before we head over the Mackinac Bridge and back home. This trip, Amanda found a ton of different rings - she's a real lover of jewelry these days. She took FOREVER to pick one with which she could live. She really wanted them all. Finally, she settled on a mood ring. Not my choice, but oh well.

A trend in jewelry these days seems to be toward titanium. Some facts regarding titanium:

• It's hypoallergenic and could prevent nickel allergies. My sister is allergic to nickel and once had a terrible infection in her body caused by wearing cheap earrings. She had to let her pierced ears close up. Nickel allergies can be really bad.
• It's shiny and new looking and stays that way. It's also durable.
• It's highly affordable when compared to precious metals.

I browsed Avant Garde's website, mostly to look at the titanium ring design and to price them. Christmas is coming and I've been saving little by little in order to buy my family some nice presents this year. There are a lot of options. I mainly looked at the hammered titanium rings, which is what I think are more practical for my children.

Also available are lovely titanium bracelets like this one.

But rings and bracelets aren't the only jewelry pieces you can get. My wish list includes a cross pendant. I've never had one.

Dreaming of Bar Stools and other Furniture

Our furniture is sad. Over the years, we have scrimped and pinched pennies just to keep our bills paid - and to allow me to stay at home and teach our five children. Because of this penny pinching tightwad stuff, we have old furniture that we purchased used, found used along the side of the road, and other ways and places. In other words, we have not purchased anything substantial for the house in many, many years.

Last week, I got a part-time job. I am able to walk from my house and across the village park to work - no need to pay for gasoline. I'm the local librarian for our public library branch. The two kids I'm still homeschooling are able to go with me and do school there. When they're finished, they're old enough to stay home for a few hours without me. That means, I'm now earning a bit of an extra income!

The majority of my paychecks will go straight into a savings account. The rest I will use to spruce up the house a bit, including buying furniture when I can. While we just need a complete overhaul, I think we'll start with some basics. Here's what I'm thinking:

Bar stools have been on my list forever. I've never had any, though we have a nice long kitchen bar in the dining room. We have a large family that barely fits at the dining room table. To have some of the kids seated on counter stools while the guests dined comfortably at the table would be wonderful!

The stool I would choose looks like this one from morebarstools.com:

If I'm being frugal, though, I should probably purchase something more like these stools (below), which are counter height adjustable and include two stools for about the price of one of the stools above. I would need four stools at least, but I can easily fit six of them at my counter.

There are plenty more stools, chairs, and other great furniture available from morebarstools.com. Until October 24, most items ship free. I won't have enough money saved by then to get counter stools, but I'll keep saving and building up a wish list until the time comes when I can begin furnishing my home with some nice things.

If you're a Twitter person, you can follow morebarstools.com's main site, @cymaxstores_, to learn about the great deals they run from time to time. They are currently running a giveaway for $50 gift codes, but the giveaway is through Twitter.

Cheap Auto Insurance in a Recession

Do you need to get a new auto insurance policy but you just don't know where to start? Automobile insurance rates have hit the roof for a lot of people. It hit our family a year ago when our son had a lapse in job time and was a month late paying his premium. His insurance company dropped him. Then we found out that, in our state, you are penalized for a year because of this thing. He found an insurance company to take him on, but it was very expensive - I'm talking $200 a month to insure an older Huyandai. Now, a year later, this son has a new pick-up and a new insurance policy - for a whole lot less a month than that $200.

We are still in a recession, no matter what the experts tell you. Many people are in need of cheap auto insurance. If we can find ways to save money, we need to be doing so. Automobile insurance is required in every state, so you can't get around it unless you don't drive. In Michigan, if you have a driver's license, you have to pay for auto insurance - even if you don't own a car, a result of having "no fault insurance."

There are websites that can help you locate cheap auto insurance and make that insurance selection a little easier. Use the site to get quotes from companies who insure folks in your own state. Compare rates side by side after getting some quick and easy quotes. You don't have to skimp on coverage, just don't settle for the insurance you've "always had" simply because you're afraid of the process of switching.

It's important to be wise stewards with our money and resources. Sometimes it's a little out of our comfort zones to creatively find areas in which to cut, but it's a wise step.

*This is a sponsored post on behalf of Cheap-autoinsurance.com. Opinions are mine.*