(ARA) – Because raising a child in tough economic times can be expensive and financially challenging, many families are looking for ways to reduce their spending without having to sacrifice their family’s well-being. This has resulted in a slew of families getting creative by making old items new again.

Shanaka Brown’s family is one of many that is looking to save money by repurposing and reusing items from around the house.

Brown, a stay-at-home mom, says she believes the consumer-oriented society has prevailed for too long and has to stop. “I think a lot of people are doing things to change the spending mindset. Even if people just take baby steps in changing the way they do things, added up it all can make a huge difference in the long run.”

Brown says that her family is doing a lot of unique things to save money these days.

“For one, I cloth diaper my children which I figured has saved us a ton of money and cuts back on our curbside trash,” she says. Brown also says she regularly participates in clothing, toy and book swaps with the more than 60 moms in her playgroup, makes her own cleaning concoctions, and religiously uses refillable water bottles. After all, tap water is free.

“I also repurpose leftovers to make new meals and look for other uses for things in the kitchen such reusing empty food storage containers. Even my husband reuses milk and juice jugs in the basement to organize his stuff,” she says.

Kelly Wels, the owner of KellysCloset.com, a cloth diapering boutique that offers modern cloth diapering selections like FuzziBunz, bumGenius and Happy Heinys, has seen a huge rise in the number of families using washable and reusable cloth diapers. “I think that families are looking for ways they can save and cloth diapers are a surprisingly easy and sensible solution these days. Families can save thousands of dollars over the course of a few years by cloth diapering their baby,” she says.

Kira Williams, a physician from California, says that even though she and her husband have stable jobs, they are still mindful of their expenditures.

“Cloth diapering has definitely saved us money. Even with the extra money we spend on the water bill, we’re saving more than what we would have spent on disposable diapers. That said, while the cost savings are important, I am even more concerned with minimizing waste and streamlining our lives. I feel that so many of us have become obsessed with spending more and having more and it clearly hasn’t made us better individuals nor a better society. I want to teach my daughter to be happy with less and to treasure the simple things in life,” she says.

Williams says she prefers reusing items and says she was lucky to have inherited many maternity and baby clothes, as well as a lot of baby gear, all which she plans to pass along to others someday. She also makes her own baby food and saves the plastic souvenir cups she gets at NFL games, which have become one of her daughter’s favorite stacking and nesting toys.

Texas stay-at-home mom, Amy Scott, is also one of those moms getting creative by repurposing items that she might have once considered throwing out. For example, Scott says she keeps a small bowl on the dining table where her family puts leftover sauce packets from take-out restaurants. “We’ll never have to buy hot sauce or soy sauce again,” she jokes.

Scott also says she and her husband repurposed old nightstands that were dangerously close to being tossed. When her daughter was born, they realized they needed extra storage space. “One of our old nightstands became a feeding station to store formula, bibs, burp clothes, etc., and the other went by my back door to store mail as to not clutter my kitchen counter,” she says.

Wels adds that, with a little thought and effort, moms can save a lot of money by finding new ways to use old things.

“Think of all the new disposable products on the market that are touted as convenience items like disposable swim diapers, bibs and placemats. I don’t understand how it’s easier to keep buying new things only to end up throwing them away and buying more. If more people took a little extra time to wash items that we normally throw out, we can rack up a lot of savings and be much kinder to Mother Earth,” says Wels. “Perhaps this tumultuous economy is just the excuse families need to spend less, reuse more and overall lessen their waste.”

Brown agrees, “New is not always better or necessary. Reusing not only helps our environment but also my pocketbook because I don’t have to spend money buying things over and over again. Being a family of four on one income was difficult at first, but now I feel that we are making it work.”

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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This Teriyaki Tuna Bowl is a recipe that takes just minutes to make and is fun to eat.

(ARA) – American households are rediscovering the art of cooking at home. More than 35 percent of consumers are cutting back on their restaurant dining, according to a recent American Research Group study. As many of us make this shift away from our favorite eateries, you may be tempted to turn to fast food rather than your kitchen.

Sixty-three percent of Americans believe that healthy foods cost more than unhealthy, and almost half think it may be cheaper and faster to go for the drive-through than to prepare a wholesome meal at home, according to an October 2008 CIGNA Healthcare survey. So if you’re a little rusty at healthy cooking on a budget, you’re probably not alone.

It’s time to take a look at strategic grocery shopping and healthy meal preparation to better survive the recession and keep you and your family healthy in the process.

Plan Your Meals

As you begin to reduce costs by cutting out trips to restaurants, fill the void with a meal plan and a well- thought-out grocery list. A big concern for many busy families is having enough time to actually cook the meal before all of the ingredients spoil. One way to avoid this is to make a calendar of meals that will fit your schedule and to use ingredients that you can keep at hand in your pantry. Have the whole family help in planning and preparing the meal. In the end, you’ll be healthier and have more time together.

Choose Ingredients that Fit Different Dishes

Many of the key items that are used to create a host of meals are found in the canned and packaged food aisles of your favorite grocery store. These aisles provide a plentitude of ingredients for most of your favorite recipes, while offering both convenience and nutrition at a great value.

“A great way to make sure you maximize the value of your purchases at the grocery store is by going to Web sites beforehand that offer coupons and multiple recipe ideas for one type of product,” says registered dietician Stephanie Clark. “I like the BumbleBee.com Web site because you can stock up on their healthy, protein-packed seafood items and never run out of delicious recipe ideas. The site has a user-friendly recipe finder that allows you to search by meal type, ingredient, and even special dietary considerations. It is a great tool for planning out your shopping list.”

Use the Food Pyramid

The food pyramid has been a meal planning tool seemingly forever, and with good reason. The new MyPyramid food guidance system is another great way to help you identify how much to consume from each food group in order to achieve a healthy lifestyle that balances nutrition and exercise.

As a key building block of the MyPyramid system, proteins, particularly those like chicken and fish, can provide the basis for many healthy meals. A wide variety of these meals can be prepared for a couple of dollars. With just a few cans of tuna and a bag of whole grain pasta you can make meals rich in protein and heart-healthy omega-3s. When you add in a glass of milk, some vegetables and a side of fruit, you’ve got that trusty pyramid on the table in minutes.

Get creative. Lean protein, such as tuna, does not have to be limited to traditional tuna sandwiches, but can be played up into low-fat meals with a twist. Here is a recipe that takes just minutes to make and is fun to eat. Serve it with chopsticks to add some extra flare to your table.

Teriyaki Tuna Bowl

Servings: Serves 4
Course: Dinner
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Dietary Considerations: Good source of omega-3s, Kid-friendly, Low calorie, Low fat, Low sugar

Ingredients:
2 cans or pouches (5 ounces) Bumble Bee Tuna, drained and flaked
8 cups cooked rice
1 cup cooked julienned carrot
2 cups cooked broccoli florets
1/2 cup teriyaki sauce (to taste)

Directions:
Prepare rice according to package directions. Set aside. In sauce pan, steam carrots and broccoli in water about 10 minutes until tender crisp. Heat teriyaki sauce in microwave to warm. Serve rice, tuna and vegetables in small bowl with warmed teriyaki sauce drizzled to cover.

Nutrition Information for one serving (253 g): Calories 230 (from Fat 10), Fat 1 g (Saturated 0 g), Trans Fat 0, Cholesterol 30 mg, Sodium 1650 mg, Total Carbohydrates 33 g, Fiber 3 g, Sugars 5 g, Protein 22 g

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Schedule your family’s dinners just as you would your kids’ after school activities.

(ARA) – Think it’s tough managing your grocery budget and making the most of family mealtime? Meet Kathryn Sansone, a St. Louis mother of 10 who, along with her husband, puts dinner on the table six nights a week. If anyone knows the value of stretching the dinner table dollar, it’s the woman who sets a table for 12 almost every night of the week.

“Cooking for my family is not just about feeding them — it’s another way my husband and I express love to our kids,” says Sansone. “We’ve always used our dinners as a special time for being together each day. The same is true even in today’s economy; we just have to get a little more creative.”

While most families don’t have a table full of 10 Sansone children, ages 3 to 20, they are still faced with the same challenge at dinnertime: finding something that everyone likes while not breaking the bank. Sansone says that her recipe for success isn’t really all that complicated.

“Everywhere you look, Americans are seeking value,” says Sansone. “As we dine out less and watch our pennies more, we’re becoming bargain shoppers who want our dollars to go as far as possible. But even in this new ‘food economy,’ it’s important that people understand they do not need to compromise on taste, quality or convenience when living on a budget.”

Sansone’s tips include:

* Plan Ahead — Between the soccer practices and piano lessons, dinner is often an afterthought. Instead, schedule your family’s dinners just as you would your kids’ after school activities. You’ll save money by making just one trip to the grocery or club store, and when you go, try buying in bulk and take advantage of the many coupons available. Even at the regular supermarket, buy in larger quantities, like when there is a 10 for $10 sale on Rice-A-Roni or Pasta-Roni.

* Turn Sides Upside Down — Typical side dishes, such as rice and pasta, are ideal for stretching your grocery budget because you can quickly turn them into main courses. Use holiday leftovers such as chicken or turkey and combine with a pre-packaged dish and add leftover veggies. You’ll end up with a nice, well-rounded meal for a family of five that costs about an additional 64 cents per serving.

Here’s one of the Sansone family’s favorites using leftover turkey to make a delicious Wild Rice Risotto:

Turkey and Wild Rice Risotto

Ingredients:

1 package (4.3 ounces) Rice-A-Roni Long Grain & Wild Rice
3/4 pound ground turkey
1 2/3 cup water
1 tablespoon margarine, butter or spread with no trans fat
1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of mushroom soup
1 1/2 cups fresh mushroom slices
1 cup thinly sliced celery
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper

Preparation Steps:

1. In large skillet, brown ground turkey until thoroughly cooked; drain. In same skillet, combine 1 2/3 cups water, 1 Tbsp. margarine, rice mix, seasonings and turkey. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low.

2. Cover; simmer 20 minutes. Stir in soup, mushrooms, celery and bell pepper; return to a simmer. Cover; simmer 5 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Let stand 3 minutes. Stir before serving.

Preparation Time: 10 Minutes
Cook Time: 30 Minutes
Time to Table: 40 Minutes
Recipe Yield: 6 people

Rely on a good source — Finding fun and unique dishes to prepare doesn’t mean starting from scratch. Sansone notes that a favorite Chipotle Rice and Chicken Chili recipe actually came from the Rice-A-Roni Web site. She often visits sites such as www.ricearoni.com to see what other meats and veggies can be combined to create a variety of dishes as well as find exclusive coupons.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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Cool off in the summer without using the air conditioner.

(NC)—Have you ever been involved in a family thermostat-war – a situation where you find the temperature in your home to be tropical, while other family members argue the temperature is closer to that of the North Pole? You’re not alone. Fortunately, there are certain measures you can take to find a happy temperature medium, and reach a family temperature truce. This summer, consider the following tips provided by Direct Energy.

Family members who are warm even when the air conditioner is running might consider taking off a layer of clothing or wearing clothes made with breathable fabrics before turning up the air conditioner. Another way to help cool the home without turning down the thermostat is to use ceiling fans when the air conditioner is not on. Doing so will help circulate the air and create a cool breeze while saving energy. Ceiling fans are actually quite energy efficient.

Install a programmable thermostat and set it so that the temperature increases slightly at night, when outdoor temperatures decrease. By programming the temperature ahead
of time, family members won’t be tempted to decrease the temperature on a whim. To save on energy costs, set the temperature above 25 degrees; every degree below 25 degrees will add an extra three to five per cent to your energy bill.

There are plenty of ways to cool off in the summer without using the air conditioner. Rather than hibernating inside a refrigerated home, get outside and experience all that summer has to offer like going for a swim or going for a walk by a lake.

More information on this topic is available online at www.directenergy.com or toll-free at 1-888-334-8221.

-News Canada

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“The key to cutting the grocery bill is not about changing the way you eat, but about changing the way you buy the foods that you like to eat,” says Stephanie Nelson of www.CouponMom.com. She offers three simple principles to help everyday grocery shoppers become “strategic shoppers” who can save big at the checkout.

Know How to Get Low Prices: Strategic shoppers learn the price ranges of their most common grocery items by starting a “price book” and stocking up when favorite items hit the lowest prices. By taking this approach, shoppers can save an average of 50 to 70 percent off of these items.

Store loyalty cards are another key strategy for saving at the grocery store. Some loyalty programs send extra coupons in the mail and even offer discounts on the food bill once a certain dollar amount is spent in the store.

Know How to Use Coupons: When it comes to coupons, it’s important to know when to use them, where to use them and where to find them. As a strategic shopper, be sure to recognize when favorite brand name items hit their lowest prices and use the coupons at that point to save the most money on the grocery bill.

Many grocery stores offer shoppers even more savings through “bonus” coupon programs. This means that these stores will double or triple coupons up to a certain amount, such as 50 cents. Shoppers can also use the free grocery deals lists for 41 stores in 50 states available at www.couponmom.com to save money by combining sales and coupons.

Know Where to Find Coupons: Strategic shoppers seek out coupons from traditional sources, like the Sunday newspaper, as well as from online coupon Web sites, like http://www.Shortcuts.com. A few coupon-collecting strategies include:

* Buy more than one copy of the newspaper when it is a high-coupon week.

* Sign up for store loyalty cards to receive special coupon mailings and coupons at checkout.

* Use free online coupons that can be linked to loyalty cards at http://www.Shortcuts.com.

* Review the weekly ads for local grocery stores for extra savings coupons and specials.

* Look out for coupons in the store: red coupon shelf boxes, tear off pads on store displays, at the customer service counter and on product packages.

Log on to http://www.Shortcuts.com for a free e-book called “Shortcuts and The Coupon Mom System Show You How to Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half.” Full of tips to help shoppers take full advantage of coupons, this e-book offers tips that can help anyone see significant savings on their receipt, every time they shop for groceries.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

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There are many forms of energy including natural gas, propane, fuel oil, gasoline, and so on.  The different forms differ also in price and the option to seek the least expensive choice is not always available.  Check with your energy provider to see if they offer a “time of use” discount.  A discount may be offered if the customer is using the appliance during off peak hours to save energy.  If you have an electric water heater you can save a lot of money by installing a timer.  This will limit the amount of hot water that is available during specific times of the day and may be adjusted for your family schedule.  Energy savings bulbs are available in all shapes and sizes and use much less wattage than regular bulbs and last up to six times longer.  They typically pay for themselves in no time.  Energy savings bulbs are also sold in five to six bulb packages and cost less than regular bulbs. 

To ensure that your refrigerator and freezer work at maximum efficiency, be sure to pull the appliance away from the wall to clean the dust off of the heat exchanger grill.  The grill attracts dust that acts as an insulating layer, which makes the appliance less efficient.  Simply vacuum the dust off using your brush attachment and the appliance will use less electricity.  Central air conditioners, heat pumps, and forced air furnaces rely on a system of ducts to circulate air throughout your home.  Leaky ducts can waste energy so it’s wise to try to determine if your home is leaking hot air in the winter or cool air in the summer. 

If your windows and doors are leaking, the chances are high that you’re paying more to heat and cool your home.  Simple do-it-yourself projects include sealing obvious gaps and cracks with caulk, spray foam, or weather strips.  More sophisticated tasks such as adding insulation may require hiring a home performance contractor.  These contractors may also help you determine where less obvious leaks may be and they can also diagnose whether your heating and cooling systems are running efficiently.  If a performance contract examines your equipment and deems it old, outdated, or inefficient they may recommend replacing your furnace or central air conditioning system with “Energy Star” rated equipment.

Rising energy prices make it more attractive to seek out alternatives including solar electric power.  Solar electric power systems allow the consumer to power their home using the sun’s energy.  Sunlight is absorbed by solar panels and converted into electricity.  These systems tend to be extremely pricey and may range in cost from $20,000 to $25,000.  Some states will reward homeowners who install solar systems by offering financial assistance.  The assistance may include rebates on solar electric systems and tax credits.  Solar hot water systems also harness the sun’s energy, but rather than converting it to electricity, the system is used to heat hot water.  Solar hot water systems can even be used to heat your home using heating tubes encased in the floor.  The technology of solar hot water systems is far less expensive than a solar electric system, but it may take up to five or six years to reap the financial benefits on this investment. 

Over time the consumer will save up to 75% to 80% of their hot water and heating costs.  Some of the more simple techniques to cost electricity costs include setting your thermostat lower at night and when you’re away from home.  Find the lowest setting that is comfortable for you and your family and you’ll see the difference in your electricity bill, guaranteed.

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The first way to save money in the grocery store almost goes without saying: use coupons.  Coupons are like free money, which manufacturers benevolently bestow upon consumers in the hopes that consumers will like the products so much that they continue to purchase them.  Although the act of clipping coupons may seem tedious to some, seasoned shoppers know that coupons can save quite a bit of money.  Just be sure to not purchase items simply because you have a coupon; using coupons on items you already normally purchase is the best route.  Find a store that doubles coupons, and you’re bound to save even more.  Another great tip is to utilize any rebates offered by manufacturers. 

There are big differences in the prices various grocery stores charge for the same item.  Some of the price difference depends upon the level of customer service offered by the store, since stores with excellent customer service will sometimes justify higher prices.  Other stores will have much lower prices but the customer is expected to bag their own groceries and there is not a very high level of service.  Other times still, the cost of items are just arbitrarily random.  It is a good idea to pay attention to which store offers the lowest prices on items you usually buy and then patronize that store regularly. 

Make a grocery-shopping list and stick to it.  After all, marketing people did not decide to place candy in the checkout aisle because they think it looks pretty; candy bars are a big impulse item and additionally are big money makers for grocery stores.  If you vow to stick to your grocery list you are less apt to shell out money for unexpected purchases.

Scour grocery store ads to see what sorts of sales are going on, and then plan your shopping around them.  Of course, it would be silly to visit every store in town just to take advantage of a few good sales, but if you know you will soon need some laundry detergent and you notice an upcoming sale for detergent then it is a good idea to purchase it at the discounted price.

Most grocery stores offer generic brands, and in many cases the generics are comparable to name brands in quality.  Many stores also guarantee their generics, so if you try them and don’t like them you can request a refund.  It is worth it to go ahead and try out the generics because they can save you money over the name brands.  It is also a good idea to try to stay away from prepared and prepackaged foods as best you can.  The more basic your recipes, the less money you will need to spend at the grocery store.

Shopping in season is another good idea.  Don’t look to purchase strawberries at a good price in the dead of winter, instead save the shortcake recipe for the summer time.  It is worth it to do a little research to see what produce is in season and to plan meals around this information; not only will it save you money but you will have higher quality produce if you buy it in season.

Try to shop at times when the grocery store is not so hectic; right after work and during lunch are bad times since people are madly dashing through the store in attempt to finish their shopping.  A better time to shop is early in the morning, when the produce is fresh and the customer service folks are just starting their day. An additional tip is to leave your distractions (kids, cell phones) at home if you can.  A calmer shopping experience will allow you more energy to focus on prices and you’ll also be less apt to impulse shop if you aren’t in a big hurry.

Since groceries are a major expense for most households, shopping is a great place to save money if you’re willing to take the time to find the very best prices.  Frugality is an art, after all, and it must be fine tuned to be effective.

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There are a number of ways to save money right now and a great place to begin is to start researching a better cellular phone plan.  Cell phone companies are constantly changing their plans and there might be offers available that you don’t know about.  If your cell phone carrier’s competition has a better offer, find out if your carrier will match it.  If you don’t use your cell phone very often, you might want to consider getting a pre-paid phone.  Another option to save money is to drop your landline if your cellular service is less expensive and offers free long distance calling.  This can save up to $50 a month for certain families if this option works for you.  This may also be the time to research other Internet cable providers to find a better deal.  Offers are changed regularly and chances are high that you’ll be able to find a better deal just by looking. 

Paying your bills online can reduce money for postage.  A small expense, the cost of stamps can really add up when added to several bills per month.  If the utility company is on your way to work or other activities consider forgoing the stamp altogether and just drop the bill in their nighttime drop box.  Because so many banks charge a dollar or two for every ATM transaction you make, limit your trips to these machines.  By making fewer trips you should take out more money each time.  If you’re someone whom needs their morning coffee fix, this is the time to invest in a quality coffee maker and eliminate the gourmet coffee, which typically costs between $2 and $4 per day.  While the fancy coffee tastes delicious, your pocketbook will thank you.

Ignoring car maintenance is another example of flushing money down the drain.   It’s wise to check your oil frequently and change it often.  Frequent oil changes are the single most important factor in extending the life of your engine and they will pay for themselves in savings on repairs and engine wear. Changing the oil yourself in your driveway can also reduce a large expense.  This can typically save up to $15 off what most auto garages charge leaving you extra money for gas.  If you have a good driving record, you may be able to save money on your car insurance with another carrier.  You can also save fuel by combining your errands into one trip.  Another option is to start a car pool, which not only saves money, but is great for the environment.

You can save a ton of money if you learn to distinguish between wants and needs.  Needs are items that are necessary to sustain and include food, shelter, clothing, and transportation.  Wants are those things that enhance or possibly improve our family life.  A vehicle is a need, but a Sport Utility Vehicle is a want.  This is not to say that you shouldn’t be able to have the things you want, only that if you’re trying to save money you should truly decide upon what you need and what you want.  Try to plan in advance before grocery shopping.  By knowing what you need, you will be able to buy in larger quantities and cut down on convenience food purchases which are always more expensive.  Spend a little time clipping and utilizing coupons found in your Sunday newspaper.  Organize the coupons by type to help make your grocery list more organized.  Typically the quality of the store brand or generic is equal to or even better than the national brands, and is generally considerably less expensive.  If an item you use regularly is on sale, stock up on the item to save yourself money in the long run. 

You’ll find that one of the easiest ways to come up with additional money is to first put an end to all the needless spending.  When you begin to review your expenditures on an individual basis, adopt the mindset that every dollar is important and valuable to your budget.  Five or ten dollars may not seem like much to save off one bill per month, but if you multiply that by all of your bills, over the course of a year you will get a much more substantial figure.  You may soon find yourself saving an extra one to two hundred dollars per month by eliminating excessive and unnecessary spending from your monthly expenses. 

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One way is by going through your storage items to find compact discs, tapes, furniture, books, or other items you no longer need or use.  There are many resale and pawnshops these days that may be willing to sell your no longer wanted items for you or you could have a yard sale.  There are many ways to sell your items on the Internet also by getting information on the many auction sites available. 

You might be able to provide a service to other people that could potentially earn you some extra money.  Common jobs include babysitting, shoveling snow, and running errands for home bound people.  Even with a full time job you may be able to do enough of these extra jobs to bring in plenty of extra cash.  If you’re one of the lucky people who posses a special skill you may be able to get paid to translate, type, paint, repair items, or be a tutor.  This may also be the time to check your last three years’ of income taxes to make sure you took advantage of all of the deductions available to you.  You may need to file an amended return if you find more deductions.  If eligible, you may also be able to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit, Child Credit, and Child Care Credit.  This will help boost your income considerably. 

Another possibility to earn more money is put more time in at your present job.  Most people are paid according to time or efficiency and your income will likely rise with more time invested.  You may also want to consider trying to be more efficient at your job, which often results in higher earnings.  Concentrate more on the effective tasks and less on the ones that may not bring in more money directly.  With more concentration on your job the likelihood that you will receive a favorable raise will help you earn more money in the long run. 

For those who are animal lovers, consider walking dogs to earn more cash.  This is a great way to earn quick cash and get some good exercise too.  One easy and quick way to gain experience, and potential references, is to volunteer at dog obedience classes.  If you’re someone who is very organized and has a knack for creating a great filing system or making your home run efficiently you might consider offering your services as a personal assistant or organizer.  Most professional organizers are people who have been organized in their own lives and have plenty of experience organizing others, whether at home or in a work environment.  A personal assistant would offer their services scheduling appointments, picking up dry cleaning, making travel plans, or helping to organize an event.  You can let your skills dictate the kind of services you offer. 

There are many ways to make extra money.  It’s wise to be careful about jobs that sound too good to be true.  Don’t believe the ads that you hear that promise to pay your high wages for simple work.  Most of those ads are scams and may cost you more than you’re able to make.  This is the time to let your imagination run wild.  Ask yourself what you enjoy doing and what you’re good at.  You may end up renting out your backyard for photography shoots or knitting beautiful sweaters for extra cash.  There are also plenty of Web sites that post freelance work offers in which you can write short stories, articles, and so on for cash.  One of the oldest online income opportunities is getting paid to read email.  You won’t make a lot of money reading email, but you may be paid a percentage if you refer new members to the different email companies.  There are also several online offers, which pay individuals to shop online.  You will be paid a certain percentage of what you spend at various online stores.  Be sure to research the different options online to guarantee you’re doing business with a reputable company.

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