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The purpose of The Lady Prefers 2 Save is to help you be a wise steward of your money, resources, budget, and belongings. By sharing money-saving ideas and encouragement, personal stories, deals, printable coupons, recipes and more, I hope to help inspire and equip you to become a better home economist — and to enjoy doing so!

The Lady Prefers 2 Save accrues a number of costs associated with running a blog — server space, tech help, and more. So when you print a coupon, download a free ebook, or click-thru a sponsored post, I’m earning a small fee from the manufacturer or company. These funds help run The Lady Prefers 2 Save.

The Lady Prefers 2 Save also accepts paid advertising on my blog’s sidebar and use affiliate links in posts when they are available.

However, because of my integrity, and my integrity as the blogger behind The Lady Prefers 2 Save, is much more important than making a quick buck, I always seek to have my readers best interests in mind first and foremost. If it doesn’t benefit you, I won’t be posted on The Lady Prefers 2 Save— no matter how much someone is willing to pay me to do so.

The Lady Prefers 2 Save also accepts opportunities to write an underwritten post, giveaway, or series. However, The Lady Prefers 2 Save will only accept this type of opportunity when it is a post or series that will be helpful and valuable to my readers and is something that fits well within the parameters of The Lady Prefers 2 Save.

On The Lady Prefers 2 Save my readers are my first priority. I want you to be able to trust wholeheartedly that the content you find on The Lady Prefers 2 Save is not influenced by money. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are solely my own and I do my best to always be honest and forthright in what I share on this blog.

The Lady Prefers 2 Save also allows third-party companies to serve ads and/or collect certain anonymous information when you visit this site. These companies may use non-personally identifiable information (e.g. click stream information, browser type, time and date, subjects of advertisements clicked or scrolled over) during your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services likely to be of greater interest to you. These companies typically use a cookie or third party web beacon to collect this information. To learn more about this behavioral advertising practice visit the NAI at ttp://www.networkadvertising.org. To opt-out of this type of advertising, you can visit http://www.aboutads.info/choices.

The Lady Prefers 2 Save is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

The Lady Prefers 2 Save contains advertising and affiliate marketing links. A commission on sales of the products that are linked may be earned. There may also be affiliate links from third party websites. 

The Lady Prefers 2 Save uses third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our Web site. These companies may use aggregated information (not including your name, address, email address or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you.

If you ever have questions or concerns on The Lady Prefers 2 Save, please drop me an email. While I can’t please everyone, but I want to live with integrity so I always welcome your input and constructive criticism. Thank you!

Meet Nicole

Email me at Nicole@theladyprefers2save.com

Hello there! I’m Nicole, a Jersey Shore girl turned Southwestern Virginia transplant who found her way to finally becoming an Eastern Mississippi blogger, the mother of a fabulous little one, adoptive parent to several courageous fuzzies, and wife to an outrageously loving husband. I moved to Mississippi in 2004 from Roanoke, Virginia where I had lived for almost 8 years. I love everything about the deep south, from the lush farmer’s markets to the history that seems to be around every corner, and it’s clear to me that I was absolutely destined to become a southern belle! 

Nearly 3 years ago, I was a wife and mother living in Mississippi and was looking for a way to both celebrate and work through the challenges of all that being a full-time work-at-home-wife entailed. I started The Lady Prefers 2 Save to chronicle my own personal journey.

This site has evolved, though, and now it is a resource for women looking for encouragement as I share my two-year road to paying off close to $80,000 and becoming a debt-free, minimalist, zero-waste blogger and online business. In addition to helpful tips and information, I share intimate stories about my life,  my family, struggles with fertility and PCOS weight loss, and to let other women know that regardless of their circumstances, they are not alone. 

I hold degrees in Public Policy, Art History, and a Juris Doctor, and for just about a decade, I was a Paralegal, then a lawyer, specializing in Civil Rights Law in Eastern Mississippi. I am also the proprietor of a local Mural Art Business as well as a creative art business shop, Shadow Cat Crafts. In addition, I have been a community volunteer for underprivileged women and children, teaching ways to encourage the community through budgeting education and positive body image and self-esteem in girls and women. Uplifting women comes naturally to me, and I’ve carried that same hands-up attitude into The Lady Prefers 2 Save!

Meet the Family:


Daniel, our sweet Daddy Bear, has taken to being a husband, father, and handyman like a champ. Calm and organized, he loves reading, gaming, traveling and is the reason our family is USM Golden eagles and Saints fans. A public educator and robotics chair, his heart and mind are as big as his handsome smile!

Family: You will notice an absence of kid-centrist posts on the blog. There’s an awesome reason for this! As a family in 2015, we made the decision to have a no-kids online policy on The Lady Prefers 2 Save. This was done to protect our children, family, pets, and my husband’s students from cyberbullying, exploitation, and excessive conspicuous consumerism. We want all of the children in our lives to be carefree and fabulous for as long as possible. Allowing them to decide whether or not they chose to have a public voice and presence on this blog and social media channels.

I had no idea when I first started this blog how much it would change my life! Since 2014, I have been fortunate to have opportunities open up for me like becoming a contributor on Green News, a brand ambassador, and working with national brands like CVS/pharmacy, Luvs, Pampers and much more. I love partnering with agencies on sponsored posts, reviews, press trips and experiences for brands and companies that my family and I authentically use in our everyday lives. 

In addition to working with brands, I love to publish on LinkedIn.  Check out my portfolio on Contently.

If you look through this blog, you’ll see that I cover a lot of different topics that appeal to busy, three-dimensional women. One day I might talk about what it’s like to become minimalist, or pushing through depression, and another day I could be sharing tips on making the perfect cup of french press coffee. Life is amazingly diverse and full of so many different experiences. That’s what I share with The Lady Prefers 2 Save. Here are a few of my favorite (and most popular) posts:

Popular Posts:

A.A. Milne

DIY migraine relief

spring zone cleaning

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Brand Ambassador and Influencer:

My goal for this blog is to not just work with brands and organizations. I want to be a true partner in sharing information, inciting brand excitement and building real relationships. A few of my most popular partnerships in 2016 were Scotch®, Scotch-Brite®, Emergen-C, and much more. My audience really responds to my anecdotal posts that feature brands to help enhance their lives. Please email me at Nicole@theladyprefers2save.com to discuss partnership opportunities!

 

Let’s Connect:

Send me an email at Nicole@theladyprefers2save.com

If you look through this blog, you’ll see that I cover a lot of different topics that appeal to busy, three-dimensional women. One day I might talk about what it’s like to become minimalist, or pushing through depression, and another day I could be sharing tips on making the perfect cup of french press coffee. Life is amazingly diverse and full of so many different experiences. That’s what I share with The Lady Prefers 2 Save. Looking to see what we’re up to day-to-day? Follow me on Twitter at @LDYPrefers2save and connect with me on Facebook, Instagram, Periscope, Bloglovin’, Pinterest, Google+, Tumblr, Linked’in, or YouTube to see how the Lady Prefers 2 Save!

I can also act as a travel resource and am available to answer any questions you might have regarding veganism, minimalism, savings, debt-free living, and zero-wasting. The best way to reach me with questions is to send a tweet to @ldyprefers2save

I hope that you enjoy my travel adventures and that I can inspire you to create your own.

XOXO

Misty Nicole

Meal Plan Monday & Weekly Shopping Trip (3/6/17-3/12/17)

 

Happy Monday, everyone! This week is starting off to another sunny, windy, and wonderful start here in Dixie. This past weekend has been very eventful for us as a family. From minor plumbing issues to having to purchase yet another dishwasher, this past weekend was anything but boring. Thankfully, with the start of each new week’s, there’s the pleasant certainty of a well planned, money-saving meal plan. A plan I am ever so grateful to have!

This week’s menu again reflects our need to eat down our food stockpile. As we are having to consume everything we have on-hand first, though we did purchase several items food and home consumables, each of which garnered us back online app rebates, which will give us groceries and products that can help us in the weeks to come for our family of three as part of a minimalist meal plan. 

 

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While I’m sure most of my readers will already know what a minimalist meal plan consists of, here’s a recap of the five categories I use to help me create minimalist meal planning for the past three weeks for those looking to create such a plan for their families at home:

Consistency: The goal of minimalist meal planning is to consistently prepare and present my family with home cooked, healthy meals each day this month.

Cost: Posted meal plans are based on seasonal sales cycles with attention paid to both frugality and minimalist efficiency. This week’s menu reflects our budget of $160.00 monthly for a family of three. 

Power Consumption: I wanted to plan meals that do not require vast amounts of energy zapping stove-top and range preparation. A little food for thought: did you know that it costs an average of 18-24 cents an hour to run a gas range, 24-30 cents an hour for an electric range, 16-20 cents an hour for a microwave oven, a mere 3-5 cents an hour to run a toaster oven or convection top. With this in mind, I will be gearing this month’s meal planning to encompass dishes that utilize minimalist power consumption standards. Meals this month will utilize my toaster oven and convection stove top for all my baking and needs. 

Streamlining: I was a little apprehensive about whether or not my family will be turned off of the idea of food simplicity. I quickly realized that my family loves whatever I cook them, and with this, in mind, extreme food plan simplicity will give me an extra hour each day to devote to spending time with my family and not in my kitchen. In order to streamline my meal plans, to have a true minimalist food strategy I am going to assign each day of the week with a single meal. 

Travel: I wanted meals that could be planned monthly in advanced and shopped for locally (I live in a small town with limited mass shopping or chain retailer options) either weekly or monthly, depending on need. As I shop in reverse, buying groceries on rock bottom pricing and then shop from my pantry, this keeps weekly food costs low.

Here’s what I purchased this week:

 

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  • 2 Swiss Mix 100 Serving Tubs, $3.31 (regularly $12.81 each)
  • 5-pounds Organic Carrots, $2.51
  • 5-pounds Cole Slaw Mix, $1.51
  • Driscoll’s 2-pound Strawberry tub, $2.51
  • 2 2-gallon bottle pack of white vinegar, 2.51
  • Total: 15.66

 

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  • 2 bags of organic Celery, $0.49 each bag
  • BOGO EarthBound Farms Spring Mix tubs, $3.99 (used 2 1.00 peelie coupons & $0.25 from checkout51) 
  • Iceberg lettuce head, $0.69
  • Mango, $0.59 (submitted for $0.25 back from iBotta)
  • BOGO Ronzoni Pasta, $1.50
  • 2 Manager’s Special mushroom packs, $0.79 each.
  • Halos bag, $3.00
  • Total: $10.32 after rebates

 

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  • 2 Whole Wheat Loaves, $0.84 each (double bagged for deep freeze)
  • 3 Loaves of sliced rye bread, $0.50 each (double bagged for freezer)
  • Tony’s Pizza, $2.50 each (submitted for $0.50 iBotta rebate)
  • Smithfield marinated pork roast, $3.21 (submitted for $2.00 iBotta rebate)
  • Total: $6.39 after rebates

 

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Weekly total: $33.87

 

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  1. To create your own minimalist meal plan, think about which dinners are your family’s favorites that don’t take too much effort to prepare.
  2. Consider which do you prefer to cook?
  3. Think comfort meals. Think simple and keep it basic.
  4. When creating your meal calendar this week assign one meal to each day of the week, taking into account school, work, and activity schedules. Leave your least busy days for meals that take the most amount of time to prepare.
  5. Leave one day open each week for creativity in the kitchen, for ethnic, slow-cooked, heavy on the ingredient, new to you from Pinterest meals for weekends or Tuesday and Thursdays when poser usage rates nationally tend to be 20-30% lower on average. Focus on energy, your own and your household power usage as well!
  6. Themes can be your best friend in minimalist cooking plans. Think Meatless Monday’s, Meatball Monday’s, Taco Tuesdays, Tofu Tuesday’s, Stirfry Wednesday’s, and Slow-Cooker Sunday’s!
  7. Adjusting two meals a week to meatless options can help lower your grocery budgets by a quarter each month. This month we will be trying to expand Meatless Monday’s to also be Meatless Thursday’s as well. 
  8. This month breakfast, snacks, and lunches will be standardized. We will be having sandwiches for lunch, cereal, and smoothies for breakfast. And yes you could do without snacks and increase lunch and breakfast portions, but I find smaller meals several times a day work better for my health, and so that’s how we will be rolling. 

So what does this leave me with? My monthly minimalist meal plan will consist of default meals streamlined around items already on hand that requires less than a half hour to prepare, and cost under $5.00 per meal to create. Also worth noting, before I venture out to the market I first shop from my pantry and cabinets, only add weekly sales that are 60% or more below cost, and then create easy meals. With this in mind, you’ll find my menu for this week below. 

 

what we're having this week

 

 

Monday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade. 
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Three bean vegetarian chili, steamed corn, and corn bread. 
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Tuesday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Taco Tuesday.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Wednesday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken, carrot, broccoli quinoa bake, with Crystal Light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Thursday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Bakes Zucchini, Greek yogurt, and quinoa gyros, with Crystal light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Friday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Meatball hoagies, side salad with Greek Yogurt dressing, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Saturday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snacks: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Chicken mole, served with steamed rice, corn, and Crystal Light.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Sunday
Breakfast: Cereal with almond milk and strawberries.
Lunch: Turkey and cheese sliders, with Crystal light lemonade.
Snack: Grapes and String Cheese.
Dinner: Crockpot cheddar, chicken, and broccoli rice, with green beans and Crystal Light lemonade.
Dessert: Greek yogurt, granola, and blueberries.

Cost of food shopped from pantry and freezer: $26.45

 

So that’s all, everyone! I’m hoping that this streamlined plan will leave me feeling anything but restricted. With my family eating well and meal planning becoming more automated, I’m thinking of bringing back Family Game Nights!  Incorporating minimalism into my weekly meal planning will help me be a few steps closer to realizing my minimalist dream. That said, if this streamlined plan doesn’t work for my family this month I can always change my plan again!

I’m ready to take back an extra hour from my day, each and every day this month. I’m ready to devote more time to creative endeavors, taking advantage of work opportunities, spending time with my family, and not slaving over a hot stove.

So, that’s what we will be having this week. I’d love to hear what’s on your menu as well!

Here’s to Monday meal plans, 

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Calling all Parents: Save $1.00 on Luvs Diapers!

This review was made possible by iConnect and Luvs. I was provided compensation to facilitate this post, but all opinions stated are 100% mine.

There is absolutely no way around it. Parenting can be uber expensive. From nursery supplies to diapers and nappies. Everything costs an arm and a leg. Luckily, Luvs understands that families need dependable baby products that are effective and budget-friendly, and so Luvs is offering a generous money-saving opportunity for parents with little ones.

Currently, parents can snag a $1 off coupon that can be used on any pack of Luvs Diapers (except trial/travel sized diaper packs). And remember, Luvs are available in sizes newborn through 6 and feature fun designs, super soft, breathable cotton material, and a contoured shape that hugs baby for a great fit, so there’s a size to fit every little one!

So between play dates to nap time and everything in between, snack parents just do not have time for diaper leaks, but Luvs helps make life easier for busy parents. Luvs can be your new go-to to help prevent leaks and keep baby dry and comfortable all day!

 

 

Moreover, Luvs Ultra Leakguard Diapers with NightLock Plus™ features a super large absorbency area which works to lock away wetness and absorb more than regular Luvs Diapers. This was the brand my parents used for me and this is the brand I will continue to use for my own children as well. For me, Luvs is my go-to brand for diapers!

 

 

To print your money-saving Luvs coupon right from home simply click here. The coupon can be used at any mass, discount, or grocery stores where Luvs Diapers are sold. Coupon expires 30 days from the date the coupon is printed.

For more information on Luvs Diapers, visit Luvs online at luvsdiapers.com or on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.

Here’s to savings,

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Save on Scotch™ Thermal Laminators at Walmart

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LaminateWithScotch #CollectiveBias

Can you believe it’s time to think about a brand new year? January is right around the corner and I know you are ready to get organized and clutter free for 2017. I have got a great option to help you with your New Year’s resolutions! Make a checklist for all your house cleaning chores, create menu charts for your new weight loss goals or design a printable budget tracker that will help you stay on target.

The Scotch™ Thermal Laminator and Scotch™ Letter Size Thermal Pouches are on rollback during the month of December for only $9.98 each! These products are typically priced at $19.97 for laminators and $12.88 for the pouches, so this is the time to buy!

 

 

Shop Here!

I know how important it is to have the right tools on hand when you’re getting organized and ready to move into a new year, so be sure to check out this great deal at Walmart!

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Stocking Stuffer Ideas for the Guys in your Life!

Please note, this post was made possible by iConnect and Old Spice. I was compensated for my participation in this campaign, but all opinions are 100% my own.

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When it comes to the holidays I am always on the lookout for gift giving ideas to help to make my home feel more merry and bright during the hectic holiday season. Like many others, I grew up with the smell of Old Spice in the home. It was something my uncles wore often, and now as the maven of my own home, Old Spice is one of the staple items I make sure to pick up for quick and affordable stocking stuffer ideas for the men and boys in my family.

 

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So this past week when we were sent a stocking filled with amazing stocking stuffers for the man in my life from Old Spice, I was excited to add them to my list of holiday stocking stuffer gift ideas and to share the selection with you, my readers, as well. 

Something else that is exciting this year is that aside from the classic Old Spice colognes and body washes, Old Spice is also offering the men in our lives an awesome new Styling products line. Products that can the guys in our lives, even the manliest of groomers, hair care items which can get them in and out of the bathroom in a snap this holiday season!

 

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These hair styling products from the Old Spice line include the Old Spice Pomade, which gives you a moderate hold and a low shine finish, as well as the Old Spice Paste, which gives you a medium hold along with a textured finish, giving that natural look that can last all day. There is also the Old Spice Putty, a product that gives you a high hold, low shine finish, great for getting those textured, shapeable looks men and boys love as well as the Old Spice Fiber Wax, which gives you a flexible hold and shine, ideal for versatile naturally textured styles. Finally, there is the Old Spice Forming Creme, a product designed for natural hold and shine, great for more laid back styles!

What’s really awesome about this line is that all of the before mentioned products are all available in the hair care aisles of many mass retailers and drugstores nationwide as well as at OldSpice.com. They are also all affordably priced, between $6.99-$7.99, so you won’t have to break the budget to stuff your holiday stocking full of these awesome Old Spice products. These products make keeping your family’s Old Spice tradition fun and frugal!

Now for a little surprise: You can enter to win your own Old Spice gift pack! To enter, just leave me a comment below letting me know which product you would most like to try. Please note, this giveaway is open to US residents 18 and over, and current LadyPrefers2Save subscriber. This giveaway will end on 12/14/16 at 11:59pm CST. Good luck, everyone!

So, friends, I encourage you to check out this awesome new line of Old Spice Hair Care products this holiday season at a retailer near you, as well as on social media on Twitter and Facebook, so you can celebrate Happy Hairidays with the men and boys in your life, too!

So now I have to ask, what do you think of the new Old Spice Hair Styling products? Will you be picking some up this season, and what is your favorite Old Spice scent? I’d love to hear about it below! 

 

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