‘BUILT NY’ Articles at Sweetnicks

Review: BUILT NY Lunch Totes {and Giveaway Winner!}

May 2, 2012 · Narrative

Here’s the thing about lunch boxes. And bags. And totes.

We.go.through.a.lot.of.them.

That’s a problem in and of itself.

The other problem?

Is that after the flurry of back-to-school madness, they’re nearly impossible to find.

I learned my lesson about that a few years ago (see also, lessons on slippers, snow boots, and rain boots search-and-discovery), and I now buy two at a time to save mid-year grief.

So when the lunch box gives out mid-way through the school year, I’m covered.

But then, something else also happened.

I discovered BUILT NY.

BUILT as in, built to last.

I have a 9-year-old son.

And a four-year-old daughter.

Boys and lunch boxes?

Forget about it.

They (the lunch boxes, natch) come home having been tromped on.

Kicked around the bus floor.

Passed around the lunch table.

Forgotten in the back of my car.

Stuffed into a desk.

Abused.

Forgotten.

But the BUILT NY ones?

Take a beating and keep on ticking.

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Live Better for Less – April 2012

April 9, 2012 · Narrative

So it’s been a week since the kick-off of the Live Better for Less Challenge. For those that joined in, how did you do? Good? Bad? Indifferent? More tips and tricks to share? If you commented on this post, report below and we’ll let the random number generator pick someone for the BUILT NY lunch tote.

When I was looking at our February spending, there were a bunch of random $2, $3, $4 listings in the food column. Drive-thrus. Not for food. Not at all. All drinks. Every last one. For the days when the kids can’t make the ten minute trip home and NEED. A. DRINK. NOW. For the Mama who gave up Diet Coke OVER SEVEN WEEKS AGO and needs a caffeine boost stat in the form of an Iced Coffee. For the convenience factor that everyone doesn’t have to pile out of the car, into the store, and back to the car. Those drive-thru charges.

Went adios for the month of March.

I talked to the kids about it. We voted. They were down with it. I love that my kids love a challenge. Understand the need to change things up sometimes.

During the entire month of March, we only hit the drive-thru twice.

And I feel exactly ZERO guilt about it. The first time was at 12:45 am, on the way back home from the hospital with Madeline, and I was trying to lure her to drink. Something. Anything. And the promise of Sprite did the trick.

The second time was later that week, when Nick was sick with the same ailment.

Both times, we had a quick family discussion about it.

Everyone had to agree.

Because we were breaking our self-imposed challenge.

We decided the cause justified the detour from our no-drive-thrus-challenge.

“But we go right back to no drive-thrus tomorrow!” Nick declared from the back seat.

Agreed.

And we did. And here it is, April 9th, and month two of no drive-thrus. In fact, as we celebrated our success at the end of March, Nick wanted to know what change we were going to make for April.

I love them. How open they are to trying something new. How much they’re like little sponges, soaking everything up. How they thought something that saved us time! money! gas! was fun.

And for the record, for the month of April and our new challenge, we added weekly stops to the library. I love our library. And we go. But not nearly often enough. A designated library bag hangs near the front door (to cut down on losing track of library books), and everyone checks out a short stack when we go. I love how much they love reading. That a trip to the library and the local used book store is something fun for them.

One more tip before I go? I was talking about erranding a few months back with a friend of mine and she said she has a “three stop rule.” If she’s going out in the car, she has to have three stops to make. Otherwise she waits until she does. And how much sense does that make? It’s too easy to just run out for one quick thing. And driving an SUV and pumping $3.75/gallon of gas into my car, I am ALL about planning my routes carefully. So ever since then, I put way more thought into every trip we make with the car. Even in the mornings when I’m dropping the kids off. If we run out to the grocery store, we add the library, and drop something off at a friend’s house too. The key is to plan your routes carefully. To think about it ahead of time. Not every trip is going to have three stops. Because that’s reality. But I will be as efficient as I possibly can to make the most use out of my time and the gas. And since my gas expenses dropped $42 from February to March, I have to think that the efficient route planning and lack of drive-thrus were absolute game changers.

YOUR TURN. What change did you make in the last week?

Did you know that April is Financial Literacy Month? The folks at TD Bank are all about getting kids to save, and as luck would have it, they sent over the below tips just this afternoon. Perfect timing if you ask me.

Tomorrow? A super healthy, super delicious dinner.

Wednesday? Wordless.

Thursday? We head South. And to the zoo.

*The winner of the lunch tote will be drawn tomorrow to give those doing the challenge a chance to check in.

**I’m going to be doing the Live Better for Less Challenge the first week of every month, so stay tuned for more tips and challenges to come.

***That sunset at the top? Random picture the kids took last week for me.

****Tweet today’s post for an extra entry.

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The Live Better for Less Challenge Kick-Off

April 1, 2012 · Narrative

No matter your station in life, we could all probably save a bit more money.

Or make our money go further.

I am all for getting the most amount of enjoyment possible out of the least amount of funds.

To get the biggest bang for all our bucks.

And for living simply.

And so the kick-off to the Live Better for Less Challenge is born.

I would love for you ALL to join in with me.

Recently, I mentioned a few ways that I have slashed our spending in terms of groceries (and the related health and beauty aids, dog and cat food, and the like). Readers chimed in and shared even more ways to track spending and cut costs.

Let’s take that ball and run with it.

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Book Review: Diary of a Mad Fat Girl

March 29, 2012 · Narrative

With the warmer temps looming in the weeks ahead (and teasing us last week), finally a book review that is a perfect beach read. The last couple books that I’ve read have been melting pots of serious, emotional, and even downright dour. But Diary of a Mad Fat Girl is about to pave the way for a summer of chick lit.

Authored by Stephanie McAfee, the main character, “Ace,” is mad at the world. Or more specifically those in her inner circle, including her friends, her boss, and an old love interest. Told with sass and vigor and a nod to deep Southern roots with its Mississippi setting, this one is a quick, light read and the perfect thing to toss in your tote as you head off for a day at the beach, to catch a flight across country, or sit in the car pool lane.

It doesn’t require great thought or concentration, but it will hook you and make you want to finish it. To me, that’s a winning combination.

If you’ve read the book or are planning on it, make sure to check out the BlogHer Book Club page for Diary of a Mad Fat Girl.

More recent book reviews?
The Rules of Inheritance
The Weird Sisters

Now a heads up on the Sweetnicks’ schedule over the next few days. I won’t be here Friday or Saturday night, but I will be posting Sunday night, as we kick off the Live Better for Less Challenge. I hope you’ll join in, and spread the word, especially since it’s starting off with a giveaway from the generous folks at BUILT NY. They have a new print that they’re introducing, and the product is a perfect tie-in to the challenge. On Sunday, I’ll explain how it’s all going to work.

No post Monday, but I’ll be back either Tuesday or Wednesday with a photo review. Nick’s on Spring Break next week, so we’re heading out of town for a few days.

Sunday? You. Me. Live Better for Less Challenge. See you then.

Disclosure: Diary of a Mad Fat Girl was sent to me to review by the BlogHer Book Club program. I was compensated for my participation, but I still call ’em like I see ’em irregardless.