Happy New Year & What To Expect This Year!!!

I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year! 2012 is over and now it's day one and a fresh start for things in 2013. As read in my previous blog post, I have decided to stop my Facebook page, Mandy's Money Saving Tips so that I can focus more on my blog and other projects. I have a lot planned for this year and can't wait to get started and share as much as I can with you all.

 

I saw this awesome picture today and just had to repost it. I'm not sure who made it because a friend downloaded it and posted it so I can't take the credit for it. All I have to say is what a wonderful way to look at this year. A clean slate to build on your resolutions. It's quite fitting for me as well because one of the things I am planning on working on this year is a novel that I have been wanting to write for a long time. I have finally decided to stop wasting time (years to be honest) and to just DO IT!!! I hope I can inspire anyone reading this to do something that they have been putting off. Just get up and do it, because nothing will change if you don't change it.

 

A dream of mine was to be able to create children's books, but for the last 4 years or so I have really wanted to do a novel, or series of novels, which I have kept secret until now. I know it will take a long time to create and I can only hope that when I do finally finish it, that I will be able to get it published. What a dream come true that would be!

 

Before I go, I want to let you know that Tip Tuesdays will resume next week along with many other fun projects I have planned. I can't wait to get started. Once again, Happy New Year everyone and I can't wait to go on this journey together! :)

Saying Goodbye to Mandy's Money Saving Tips

Hi, friends. I want to let everyone know how much fun I had when I put my Facebook page together. It's been over a year and a half now, and a lot has happened in my life. As I've said before, it was a fun hobby that I got to share with others and when it wasn't fun anymore, I would stop doing it. Well, that time has come.

Don't get me wrong, I still love doing my blog and plan to expand on it, but my Facebook page really doesn't fit the direction I am looking to take my blog this coming year. It would be unfair to myself as well as all of you for me to continue with it when I can't put my all into finding savings for you. Of course I still love to save, but it's not where my heart is.

I want to thank all of you who have been with me since the beginning. If you would like to continue reading my blog posts, please subscribe to my blog. I still plan on doing my Tip Tuesdays as well as expanding into doing DIY projects, product reviews and much more this coming year. The giveaway contests will still be a part of it all as well. I will be ending my page as of January 1, 2013. I decided it's best to start the New Year in this new direction.

This wasn't an easy decision for me. I have been thinking about this for several months now and have decided it is time. I want to wish you all well and I hope you all have a Happy New Year!!! Thank you again for everything! :)

True or False: Instagram Selling Your Pictures?

There has been much hype via the internet today that the upcoming policy changes that Instagram is putting into effect in January will give them the right to sell your pictures and earn a profit without compensating you. This appears to be False according to a blog post from Instagram's co-founder, Kevin Systrom.

It appears that the wording used in the new policy was confusing and they are working to resolve this issue. If you are interested in reading what Mr. Systrom posted today, please click the link below to be directed to Instagram's blog post. If you are still concerned about your photos being used, I would recommend using a watermark on all photos before uploading them to Instagram. There are many apps available to accomplish this. Oh, and of course don't forget to follow this blog and check out my Facebook page, Mandy's Money Saving Tips while your at it. Have a great day everyone! :)

Instagram's post earlier today: http://blog.instagram.com/post/38252135408/thank-you-and-were-listening

Tip Tuesday: Check Twice List

Christmas is in exactly 1 week and many of you may already have completed all of your Christmas shopping. But have you? Make sure to check every gift to see if it requires batteries so that you can have those purchased before Christmas. There's nothing worse than your child opening up a gift and they can't play with it.

Extra Tip: A big thank you goes out to my sis-in-law for this one. Any gift that requires assembly should be done before wrapping it. We've all done it. We've let our child(ren) open up their gifts, then they have to wait for what they feel like is forever to get to play with them. Not only that, but trying to assemble them with the kids crowded around you proves to be difficult with some projects. For example, if you have purchased a doll house for your little princess, assemble it after she is sleeping and wrap up the whole doll house or throw a big bow on it. It will save a lot of heartache. Trust me. :)

That's all for this week's Tip Tuesday. I hope you all are having a wonderful week. Christmas falls on Tuesday next week so I may or may not have a Tip Tuesday up that day. For anyone new to my blog, welcome. Be sure to check out my Facebook page, Mandy's Money Saving Tips for more great deals and other great things to come. :)

Tip Tuesday: It's Clearance Time!

We are nearing the end of the year and for many stores it's out with the old and in with the new. That's good for us bargain hunters because that means it's clearance time. Companies start to get things in order by organizing departments and getting rid of things they won't be carrying in 2013. They do this to prepare to take inventory for the upcoming year.

Speaking of clearance, it's that time of year where CVS starts marking makeup products at 50-75% off so keep an eye out at your local store. I just got off the phone with my local CVS and they haven't started yet except for a couple of products, so you are lucky if you get to score the good deals now.

Don't forget, you can use manufacturers coupons on clearance items to make it an even better deal. Store coupons may or may not qualify so check the fine print to be sure. Great deals are ready to be had so don't spend all of your money on Christmas and stash away a little extra shopping money for yourself to get your clearance shopping on! :)

I hope this Tip Tuesday has been helpful. If you want to see more deals that I come across that may not be in my blog posts, check out and like my Facebook page, Mandy's Money Saving Tips. Oh, and don't forget to enter the Giveaway Contest that is currently going on, but hurry, it ends on December 15th!

Giveaway Contest!!! (Now Closed)

That's right! It's time for a giveaway! Not only is it time, but there will be 3 Winners! I will be choosing 2 Winners on my Facebook page and 1 Winner from my Twitter. Each winner will be chosen at random and will receive a package of imPRESS Press-On Manicure nails. Check out the rules below on how to enter the contest. :)

Twitter Contest Rules:

1. You must Follow me on Twitter @may_day1101
2. Tweet the following to be entered:
    "Follow mayday1101 and tweet this post to be entered in the #1of3WinnerGiveaway"
3. You must be 18 years or older or have your parents permission to enter since the winner will need to provide address information. I will be contacting you via email provided from your Twitter profile page if you are the winner. I will also tweet who the winner is so you will know to check your email.
4. You must be a United States resident for this particular giveaway.
5. There will be 1 Winner who will be chosen at random and will receive 1 of the 3 prizes pictured above. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or they will forfeit their prize and another winner will be chosen.

Contest ends December 15, 2012 at 12 noon EST

NOW CLOSED

Facebook Contest Rules:

1. You must Like my Facebook page Mandy's Money Saving Tips
2. Share the giveaway blog post from Facebook and leave a comment under the post telling me your favorite thing about Christmas.
3. You must be 18 years or older or have your parents permission to enter since the winner will need to provide address information. I will be contacting the winners via Facebook message so be sure to have your settings set to allow a message from me.
4. You must be a United States resident for this particular giveaway.
5. There will be 2 Winners who will be chosen at random and will receive 1 of the 3 prizes pictured above. The winners will have 48 hours to respond to my message or they will forfeit their prize and another winner will be chosen.

Contest ends December 15, 2012 at 12 noon EST



GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!


This is not a sponsored giveaway.

Tip Tuesday: Wrapping Presents

Life gets so busy that many often wait until the last minute to wrap Christmas presents. Don't. I can tell you this from experience. A couple of years ago, I had so much going on that I didn't wrap my gifts until Christmas Eve. I was up way too late and tired on Christmas Day. Every opportunity you can get, take it and wrap at least one gift. You will be less stressed and can get more creative with your gift wrapping.

Extra tip: Check out YouTube and Pinterest for creative gift wrapping ideas.

Really quick and easy Tip Tuesday this week. Don't forget about the Giveaway Contest that I will be posting this week on my Facebook page. Haven't liked my page yet? Click the link here:) http://www.facebook.com/#!/mayday1101