21-Day Challenge!

I have learned that going to school is a lot like having a job outside the home. You have to be at the school at a certain time. You are instructed by your professors to complete tasks. More importantly, you should GROW and improve over time. I am currently enrolled in a Workplace Principles class, which is not only a class about creating resumes, cover letters, and the like. This class helps teach discipline, time management, setting goals & completing them, and self-image. I think this is a class that can benefit EVERYONE, no matter what your job or title is in life =)

With all this said, my professor has challenged us to try to eliminate an old habit and start a new, positive one. The old habit is supposed to something that is hindering your success, and the new habit is supposed to be something to help you succeed. There were students who chose to stop smoking, while others wanted to start saving more money. What did I choose??

The new habit I would like to start is that I want to start getting up earlier everyday. I have noticed that since I started school, and now that I have a routine of sorts, I feel more productive and DEFINITELY get a lot more done. I think a lot of this is due to my drive or my want for success. BUT I do think a lot of this has to do, too, with the fact that I am up earlier and have more time to complete tasks all around me.

The old habit I would like to break is more of a personal one. Most people who know me off of the computer do know that I am the kind of person who finds it hard to tell people "no." I would break my neck for just about anyone around me in order to help them with just about anything. I am glad that people feel that they can come to me with problems, tasks, and ideas, however, I have found that my lack of saying, "no," sometimes overwhelms. I become consumed with issues, problems, and tasks, that I often put other things off that need to be done, and I am left rushing to complete other tasks hurriedly, which can lessen the quality of work. This isn't to say I do not want to continue to be dependable and helpful. It's more that I need to learn to prioritize and remember that some things need to come before others.

My class is taking the 21-Day Challenge to change our behaviors, since it takes only 21 days to kick a habit! So with that said, what about you? What habit(s) would you like to break? What new habit(s) would you like to start? How will you reach your goal? I am keeping a journal of things I do every week to help solidify the changes I am trying to make in my life. These changes will allow me to be a more successful person all around. Let's take the 21-Day challenge together!! =)



<3 Kayla

Freebies Are Fun!

I get asked all the time, "How in the world do you get free stuff?"

Honestly, it isn't as hard as it may sound. There are free things out there...Just not everyone has the resources to know where to go to find them. Thanks to my wonderful friend, Leslie, I have been on the search for free stuff and sharing some of the things I find. It's been fun, and honestly, it is kind of addictive! ;-)

It was suggested by her that I began to follow a few of what she calls "Mom Blogs" on Facebook. These blogs are not just for moms. They are there for everyone! I am sure all kinds of people enjoy getting free stuff, not just moms.

I will add some names of freebie researchers here, so you can fan them on Facebook, and try to include their off-Facebook URL. A few of the ones I check on a daily basis are:
Freebies4Mom (http://freebies4mom.blogspot.com/)
I Love Free Things (http://www.ilovefreethings.com)
Free Samples (http://itsallfreeonline.com/)
Free Sample Deals (http://freesampledeals.com/)

Also a site that I really enjoy going to to learn about saving money and making money online is:

Nicole's Nickels (http://www.nicolesnickels.com)
Nicole provides hints on how to live more frugal and how to make the most out of your money. She even suggests using SwagBucks (http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/BlossomedSoul) for those who are STILL reluctant to sign up.

I also, as mentioned before, do searches for free stuff on my own. That is a little trickier at times. It's sometimes hard to determine what is legit and what is REALLY free. I SwagSearch (or use Google to prevent over-searching) items that I am trying to find samples for. This takes a lot of patience, but usually works out in the end =)

If anyone needs any help on how to use these websites or on how to do searches for freebies on your own, do NOT hesitate to contact me! I am here to help!

My Basic Information Post About Swag Bucks!

I originally posted this on Facebook, but I figured since this is something that I LOVE, I would share it here for my blog readers! If you haven't signed up for Swag Bucks, what are you waiting for? Read my the following information and sign up using my link: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/BlossomedSoul




What the heck is Swag Bucks?!

This is a question that I am asked all the time! I figured that this note will save a lot of time, and hopefully will answer any and all questions that anyone may have about Swagbucks.

A Swag Buck is a "digital dollar." It's virtual money that can be cashed in for real prizes and even money! This is example of what a Swag Buck looks like:


2 SB

You earn Swag Bucks by creating an account on the swagbucks website. It's free to sign up, and just for creating an account, you are immediately awarded 3 Swag Bucks to get you started! You can sign up here: http://www.swagbucks.com/refer/BlossomedSoul. Once your account is created, you are all set and ready to start earning Swag Bucks!

What do you do to earn Swag Bucks (SB)? The only thing you have to do to earn some SB is what you normally do everyday when you are on the web: Search! You search using their search engine, which is powered by Google and Ask.com. This is what their search bar looks like:



You can also use the Swag Bucks toolbar, which looks something like this:



You can search for anything your little heart desires. Put it in the search, and you will get your search results. Swag Bucks are randomly awarded through searching. Here is an example of what it looks like when you are awarded some swag bucks:



You will usually win around 3-5 times a day! Swag Bucks come in denominations of anywhere from 1 SB to 100 SB. Once you start earning your Swag Bucks, you can save them and later redeem them for prizes that are found in the Swag Store. There is just about ANYTHING you can imagine in the store. Clothes, video games, instruments, books, school supplies, and music are just a few of the many, many things that can be bought. Different items cost different prices. One of my FAVORITE things to cash in on are the Amazon.com gift cards! They are delivered electronically. Here is what their Amazon cards look like (btw, these codes have already been redeemed ;-) ):



There are other ways to earn Swag Bucks, in addition to searching! The Swag Guy (TSG) wants everyone to earn Swag Bucks, so he offers codes that can be put in the site to earn. There is also trivia ran on Twitter. You can shop online and earn using sites like Walmart! You can even earn SB by recycling items like cellphones! It fun and easy, in my opinion!

I hope that I have provided a little clarification and a better understanding as to what Swag Bucks is and how it works. I am living proof that Swag Bucks does what it claims! I have received several Amazon.com gift cards, which have been applied to my Amazon account. I don't even have to use that cash immediately! Free money to spend when I am ready is an awesome deal in my book! Swag Bucks IS free and is also spam-free! My information has never been compromised! My only regret is not knowing about Swag Bucks sooner! =)

I tagged a few people in my note that are currently using Swag Bucks. I am sure they can tell you a little about Swag Bucks, too, if need be! If you have ANY questions, please do NOT hesitate to ask! I am here to help! Let's earn some SB together!



Good luck and happy swagging!!

What a day to start a blog, eh?

First of all, hello and welcome to my blog!

For those of you new to who I am, I am Kayla, and I am rather new to the blogging world! I am a 27-year-old mother to three of the most amazing little girls in the world! I am quite the Internet junkie and probably spend way too much time online! I am obsessed with freebies and sharing them for others to enjoy, too. I am outgoing and love to talk, which I am sure you will find out soon enough ;) To those who already know me should know that I generally have a lot to say and share, so I am hoping that I will achieve the goal of making my voice heard through this blog!

Today is an awesome day to start a blog! It's Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day! Dr. King was an AMAZING man, and had it not been for his DREAM, many of us in the United States and beyond would not be enjoying life as we have it today. Without his dream, my voice, whether I am speaking or blogging, would not be heard...or heard as LOUD as it is today.

With that said, I would like to make this blog a place for me to share the goings on in my life, the deals I may find, or things I just find interesting! God has blessed me with so much in life that I feel that I need to share much with others!

I hope that you all enjoy and continue to follow me! My goal is to update often, but be patient with me! I am a full-time mother, firstly, and a full-time college student! I am sure you will hear about all of this in my future blogs!

Thanks for taking the time to check me out! <3

Until Later!
Kayla