I’m not feeling the love today. After twelve days of winter break, sleeping in, pajamas until the afternoon, and Friends marathons while snuggled on the couch, today’s re-entry into reality is rough.
But I’m going to fake it till I make it, and the first Love List of 2015 should help. Here are five things worthy of sharing as we kick off the new year.
There are referral links in this post, which have earned me approximately ninety seven cents in 2014. I’m going for a buck in 2015!
1. Ebates
I’ve mentioned this website before, but it deserves a place of its own on My Love List.
If you ever shop online, you should be using Ebates. When you click through to a site via ebates.com, you receive cash back for your purchase. Cash back ranges from 1% to 10% and more, and that cash is given to you four times a year in the form of the Big Fat Check.
I’ve been using Ebates for seven years, and I’ve received $1300 cash back for simply shopping online at the sites I normally visit.
The only problem with Ebates is that you have to remember to go through the site before you shop. But now there is an Ebates button that can be installed right on your browser. When you go to a website that participates in cash back, a banner will appear and you simply have to click “activate Ebates” before you complete your purchase. To install the button, scroll to the bottom of the Ebates home page:
Interested? This is my referral link; you and I will both get $5 in our account when you make your first purchase.
An added bonus of this website is that Ebates lists promotion codes as well. So you can get cash back and discounts in the same purchase.
2. Sally Hansen Miracle Gel
I have no patience for manicures. I can’t stand waiting for the polish to dry, and I can’t stand the chips two days later. A gel manicure has no dry time and lasts for two weeks, but I only treat myself once every other month or so. Sally Hansen’s gel polishes are a perfect stand-in for those times when I want my nails to look nice for a few days.
The pluses: Dries much faster than regular polish (although not instantly), and lasts a week or longer without chipping. No need to use a special light to cure the gel.
The minuses: The polish is very drying. There is no base coat, and the gel formula sucks the moisture right out of the nails. I think that may be why it stays on longer, but I am no nail scientist.
Bottom line: These polishes are great for a quick home manicure for women with little patience for manicures. But they shouldn’t be used on a regular basis.
I bought mine at Target – the top coat comes in a black bottle to protect it from light, and the colors come in clear bottles. Each bottle is about $8. Make sure you get the ones that say “No Light Needed.”
3. Roasted sweet potatoes with Trader Joe’s pumpkin pie spice
I’m not great about eating my vegetables, but I am excellent at eating my sweets. These sweet potatoes actually satisfy that craving. Not like chocolate would, but still. I peel the sweet potatoes, slice them into quarter inch circles, and place them on a greased baking sheet. The secret, however, is the spice. Sprinkle generously on each slice, and roast at 400 degrees until soft, about 30 minutes. Delish. And they are great reheated too, so make a bunch.
4. Tinkle Eyebrow Razor
Don’t let the stupid name dissuade you. I saw this online a few weeks ago, and for three bucks with shipping I had to try it. Not for my eyebrows, but for those fine, fuzzy hairs on the side of my face. The razor works pretty well, even though I made myself giggle as I looked in the mirror. What could be sexier than a woman shaving her face?
I make no claims about the effectiveness of these very light and disposable razors on other parts of the body. If you accidentally lop off half of your eyebrow, don’t come crying to me. But for those fine hairs, I think this stupidly-named razor is a great buy.
5. Herr’s Old Bay Seasoned Cheese Curls
Peanut butter and chocolate aren’t the only two great tastes that taste great together. My family found these cheese curls in a specialty store last month, only to discover that we could also buy them at our local Harris Teeter!
My kids LOVE these. As in giggle-with-glee love. True, they are processed junk, but the rest of my kids’ lunch boxes are full of healthy food.
If you can’t find these cheese curls in your local grocery store, you can buy them by the case on Amazon or the Herr’s website. I like the one ounce snack size for portion control, and because then my fingers won’t turn radioactive orange when I put a handful in a baggie for lunches.
*****
I’m feeling a little better now. There are always things to love, even if the first Monday after vacation is not one of them. May your new year be filled with many things (and people) to love!
If you need even more love, check out my Super Huge Love List of all the things I’ve included on my monthly lists.
#3 sounds like HEAVEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They are really good!
I just got my first big fat check from eBates today! It was a whopping $1.08, but that’s only from one purchase, so I assume I will get more if I shop more. Works or me!
Yep – a bunch of $1.08 rebates add up over the months. I’m glad you’re using Ebates – now you have enough money to buy one fourth of a latte at Starbucks 🙂
OMGOSH,
I must try the Sally Hanson Gel.
My girlfriend bought me the finger nail polish remover & it’s a freaking miracle. I’m in love! xx
Enjoy your pretty nails, Kim!
And this post is why I’m glad for Pocket so I can save this for later. So far January is the month of “I can’t even” but when I have more time I definitely need to do the Ebate thing. And probably the Traders Joe’s spice too!
I hope the “I can’t even” doesn’t last all month, Liz. But I know what you mean. January. Blech.
Ebates! I see the commercials and think “yeah, right!” but you’re someone I *know* and you say it works 🙂 I will definitely give it a try. I’m an online shopper, especially for the stores that have in-store pick-up so my husband can go out and get it for me the same day. A Friends marathon has been calling my name ever since I saw that it was added to Netflix!!
Ebates totally works, Gracielle – definitely give it a try! I would guess that online shopping is much easier than toting three kiddos to the store. 🙂
Okay, very sadly, upon your recommendation I just ordered #4. This is a low moment for both of us.
Oh, Nina – I’m sorry. But I laughed out loud at your comment, which was worth admitting shaving facial hair. It is worth it, right?
I am feeling you on the hard re-entry! I had a stomach bug, then we had a snow day after one day of school, and now I am up because while trying to get on the health bandwagon again, I mistakenly drank a caffeinated tea at 11:00 pm.
Well, at least I have a GREAT eBates tip now! So thanks for that! And Happy New Year!
Ellen
1:24 am – uh, oh. That sucks, Ellen. Hope you are feeling better today. We had the same snow day, and late starts Wednesday and Thursday. I’m not complaining about the delays, though. I’ve only had to get up at 6:15 one day this week!
I love that you’re talking about shaving your face! Fake it till you make it is a definite theme for the past few years. Getting a dog helped. I didn’t expect to feel more hopeful once January started, but hey, I’m going to go with that.
And funny you mention the $0.97 earnings, I just joked to my husband that I’ll know I’ve finally made it when I earn *anything* from affiliate links 🙂
I got $12 and change once from someone’s large purchase on Amazon – and then never again. Definitely not paying the bills with that! But it’s enough to buy a bunch of razors 🙂
Thank you for the ebates tip! I have a tab open with something I’d planned to buy later this week. Now to earn a quick $5 for you and me! 🙂
I do Amazon affilites. This summer I spent a hour trying to figure out what I’d returned to Amazon that created a $12 refund being deposited to my checking account. It ended up that it was my Amazon paycheck! I’d never earned one before, so I wasn’t even thinking along those lines!
That’s awesome, Debbie. I’m an Amazon affiliate too, but I rarely see any income. Clearly the affiliate thing is not really working for me, but I’m not counting on the income anyway. It’s just nice to offset blog expenses.
I love using Ebates! It’s nice getting a little bit back on purchases 🙂
It is! Every little bit helps.
Well at least your ebates make up for your near buck in 2-14!!!! LOL I need to seriously look into Ebates… that looks like a better investment than my blog! 😉
I’m SO glad you had such a beautiful break with the kids and embracing the moments together Dana!! Wanna come over here and snuggle and eat those junkie cheese curls (Delicious) on my couch and watch friends? I asked Tamara to come too, and bring cookies!! I have a keurig, wine, tons of soda, and a pantry of crap we can raid too! I think i have dvr’d all the “How I met your mother’ shows and “modern family” shows too- if you are interested. I’m too freaking lazy to capitalize those shows. The bar is quite low over here… lol
Lets just not face reality together… However, I’m kinda screwed for a while anyway. So, yeah.
You’re right about Ebates making me more money than my blog! I would love to come over and snuggle; if only we lived closer. How I Met Your Mother and Modern Family are two of my faves – we could hibernate all winter on your sofa. If only…
Hang in there, Chris. Spring is coming.
Mmmm….I love sweet potato too! Though I rarely make it, because the kids refuse to eat it. They just don’t know what they’re missing. I think we’re all trying to fake it today. Who knows how long it will take to get back in the groove!
You’ve got my stomach growling now – I only had broccoli for dinner. Instead of vegetating this weekend I made myself busy so today wasn’t too much of a culture shock. Then I got a text message at 3 something while Christopher and I were at the dentist to say that basketball practice was at 7. Everything was cool up until that point.
Why are you only eating broccoli for dinner? Eat some cheese curls, woman! They are protein 🙂
Well, this is going to sound a bit wrong but I suddenly pictured you as Fiona from the beginning of Shrek 2 as she shaves her face alongside Shrek. Heehee. Don’t fling tomatoes at me.
You know what I love? Coffee. And wine. In a monogrammed mug AND wine glass. Just call me K-Mug. Happy New Year!
I won’t fling tomatoes – that image made me laugh. Just using that razor made me laugh. But I used it anyway.
K-mug – I love it. I saw your mug picture on FB – I hope you bought it! Monogrammed mugs make me happy too. I keep washing my D one and leaving the other mugs neglected on the shelf.
Trader Joe’s makes me so happy. We don’t have one in Oklahoma (boo) but when I visit my parents in Texas, I always stop in.
And I LOVE Ebates!
Isn’t it awesome? I’m glad you get to visit TJ’s sometimes – I didn’t realize they aren’t nationwide. Maybe they’ll come to Oklahoma soon.
My daughter-in-law swears by Ebates. I have just added another thing to this week’s to do list: Join Ebates.
Happy Monday!
Yes – join Ebates! Happy Monday to you too, Mo. I survived, and now I am ready to put on my jammies and get in bed.
Hmm…I might need one of those cute little razors – getting older has caused a bit of fine hair growth that I don’t really like!!
I already know that tomorrow will be a “fake it till you make it” day for me – 5:00 am is going to come early after the past 2+ weeks!!!
I know it will! Good luck. It’s especially tough when the sun doesn’t rise until 7:00. Blech.
Well now I’m feeling the love. You reminded me about eBates. And you talked about Trader Joe’s. (always good)
And the Tinkle eyebrow razor looks awesome.
AND. I love cheese curls. I love them. I need natural ones, though.
They make natural cheese curls? I didn’t know that. Glad you are feeling the love a little – sounded like your day got off to a rough start!
I love ebates. I haven’t set up the toolbar yet though so I will definitely be doing that. I’m with you on today being tough. I had a meltdown last night. Me. Over ridiculous stuff, of course. Luckily today was manageable. On to better things, I hope.
I hope, Stephanie. And meltdowns are good for the soul every once in awhile – at least that’s what I tell myself once I’m in tears. I haven’t had one yet this year, though!
OK – funny story about ebates. Several months ago, I got a call from our credit card company about suspicious charges. The guy had a heavy accent and I thought he said “ebates.” I told him I don’t use that website and didn’t think my husband did, but I would have to check with him to make sure and David was, at the time, away on business travel. The guy hesitated and seemed very uncomfortable with my response. I called David and, when he confirmed that he hadn’t used ebates, I told him to call the company and cancel the card since he is the primary on that particular card. He called me back laughing – turns our the credit card company guy with the heavy accent hadn’t said “ebates” – he had said “e- DATES!” No wonder he was surprised when I calmly stated I needed to check with my hubby! 🙂 Sorry for the long comment – but that story still makes me laugh!
That is a funny story – that guy must have thought you were a little nuts. Thanks for sharing!
Definitely cried twice last night over my husband returning to work today after a 2+ week holiday vacation. I’m blaming it on being 30 weeks pregnant and potty training our 2 year old son. *sob* Today, however, the two year old has been a rock star and I’ve made it through the day without taking a nap, so yay!
Yay for you! My day has been better than I thought too. I think I built it up in my head to be so awful that the reality wasn’t so bad.
$1300!!! Damn, I just signed up. Thanks for letting me know.
You’re welcome, Allie! Happy shopping.
Good luck with the dollar – I hope you make it 🙂
I’m guessing NONE of these things will be any good to me, but I’m rather astonished that anyone shaves the fuzzy sides of their faces…I just stay peachy! Am I daft?
You are not daft (which is an awesome Britsh-y word, btw). You’re just less vain than I am!
I love ebates! I hate when I forget to go through them. I love the thought of making those sweet potatoes too!
I hate forgetting ebates too – that’s why the button is so useful. Now I never forget!
I really, really, hope you make a dollar in 2015. You have college to start saving for 🙂
I really, really hope I do too, Kerri. I hear college is pretty expensive 😉
I love ebates- I have actually gotten some decent money back since I started using it. And definitely a fan of the gel manicures- I’m with you on hating to wait for my nails to dry.
Toes I don’t mind, but hands…I can’t do anything. Drives me crazy.
Haha! I’m laying here trying to get the energy to get up as I read this. This is our last day of Christmas break and while I long for routine again, I hate the thought of waking up early tomorrow. I’ll definitely be faking it until I make it this week! 🙂
You get an extra day – lucky you! The day hasn’t been that bad, actually. 6:15 was sucky, but it was uphill from there. But that’s usually how it is, which I’ll take!
I gotta say so many people mention ebates to me because I am an online shopper through and through. But I have never taken the time to really figure it out and set it up. I think that will be a goal of mine this week to go through the set up process and try to make it work for me. Saving money is worth it! Thanks for the tip!
Yes, do it, Shae! It takes two minutes to sign up, and another two minutes if you add the button to your browser. You won’t regret it.
$1300 on ebates, that’s amazing! I’ve used FatWallet and have made like $40 in the same period of time, so maybe I need to switch to ebates.
Those razors, despite their ridiculous name (who comes up with these things?) do sound very handy. I don’t think I would trust myself with them, however. I could see myself losing half an eyebrow. Or some eyelashes–I vaguely recall once accidentally trimming some eyelash hairs in high school. Woops!
The razors aren’t very sharp, Bev. If I can do it, you can do it. Umm, trimming eyelash hairs? That sounds very dangerous!
Definitely a bit harder re entry here as well today as I was sick for most of last week, but faking it with the best of them, too. By the way, thank for sharing about the gel nail polish as I have been wanting to try it, but been a bit skeptical to be quite honest.
I was skeptical too, Janine. But a good friend tried it first and gave me the thumbs up. Hope you are feeling better!