Pay It Forward — Living An Amazing Life

Giveaway: Money Smart Mom

June 10, 2010 By Robyn 17 Comments

In light of my amazing sister, Rayel and nephew Sloan coming to visit me tonight for a couple days – I want to give something away!!

Just over a month ago, my sister celebrated her Birthday and she is a tough one to shop for! I like gifting experiences much more than material items. SO… a reading experience was what I decided on – whether she wanted to read or not (I’m such a nice sister – ha ha)!

The book that came to mind instantly was a book my friend, Sarah Deveau had just published - Money $mart Mom.

My sister read the entire book in 1 day, on her way home from her Birthday trip to New York City! She loved it and has already shared it with one of our mutual friends to read. I asked Rayel to write a couple lines about the book.

“Money $mart Momis an excellent source of info on practical parenting. Tons of links to where to go to save money and take advantage of deals, grants, money saving tips and places to go. A book to fold page corners, use as a resource, and a great easy book to read at any point in your parenting adventure.” – Rayel Walker

To support my friend, I also bought a copy for myself. As I’ve learned from Sarah and my sister, it’s an awesome book to read before you’re pregnant and have children also. I am about 1/2 way through it and have gained a lot of insight into what starting a family looks like financially. I expected to learn about the cost difference between using regular or cloth diapers. However, I’m half through the book and haven’t even got to that topic yet!

Congratulations Sarah on publishing your 2nd book; you are SUCH an inspiration to me.

I encourage all of you to check out her website www.moneysmartmom.ca for free tips, to buy the book, OR find out what stores to find her book. I found it at my local Chapters:

GIVEAWAY: 1 copy of Money $mart Mom

Congratulations to Larysa Robar on winning this giveaway!!

Thanks to everyone who entered – your Money $aving Tips were AMAZING!

Larysa, please go to the Contact page and submit your mailing address, so the author Sarah Deveau can send you your new book.

_____________________________

Open to Canadian residents only – as content is based on being a Canadian parent! If you’re a follower from the US or an International country, you’re welcome to share your tip – but the book wouldn’t be very helpful to you.

To Enter, comment below with a:

Share a Money $aving tip

BONUS Entries:

IF you comment on this entry AND Follow (or start following) this Blog with Google Connect (by clicking on the link on the right sidebar)
Join the Money Smart Mom Facebook page
Follow @SarahDeveau and me @RobynBeazley on Twitter

Deadline: Giveaway complete!

I will randomly draw 1 winner for this draw.

I look forward to learning from your tips to save money!!

Good luck,

Filed Under: Pay It Forward Tagged With: Babies, book, budgets, Family, financial, financially fit parenting, gift, Giveaway, Money $mart Mom, Money Smart Mom, Sarah Deveau

$12.52

June 7, 2010 By Robyn 4 Comments

While returning from lunch today, I heard a radio advertistement for Wendy’s and their new Real Value Menu – which included $1.49 Frosty’s!! I thought about the calories in one of these ice cream treats for about 1 second AND then made a quick detour to the new Wendy’s close to the college.

I returned with 8 delightful treats for a few coworkers & I!

It was the best way I could have spent $12.52 today!

“Buy people ice cream, because ice cream makes people happy!” - Dave Ritchie

Happy Monday,

Filed Under: Pay It Forward Tagged With: Dave Ritchie, Frosty, ice cream, Pay It Forward, Wendys, Wendys.ca

Bra Clip Winners

May 8, 2010 By Robyn 8 Comments

I’m SOOOOO excited for all of the “Hide Your Straps” winners!

Total – there were 53 entries – by 13 passionate followers.

Instead of drawing out 12 random winners – despite the BONUS entries – I want ALL of you to win.

For the 8 divas that each had 6 entries in the draw (for being a Follower of my blog with Google Connect) will each be getting an ADDITIONAL gift from me!

Please send me your Mailing Address through the Contact page - so I can put your prize in the southern Alberta wind mail to you! Thanks

Heidi

Katie

Moriah Lukacs

Bre

Heather

Happy Weekend,
Robyn

Filed Under: Pay It Forward Tagged With: bra, bra clips, hide your straps, Smart Bra Clip, Summer

Breakfast Date

April 29, 2010 By Robyn 1 Comment

I met my fantastic friend Margaret this morning for an awesome Breakfast Date!

I met this beautiful lady through 4H just over 2 years ago (seems like we’ve know each other much longer). Her 4 kids were part of the 4H club that John & I helped with and we just connected on a wicked energy level right away.

We enjoyed our chat and enjoyed the Casino Lethbridge’s $4.95 Breakfast Special (cheap & fantastic)!

As we got our money together to pay, I realized that we were about to leave a really big tip. I make a point of tipping at least 15% if not 20%, however we had $7 out for the waiter on a $12 bill.

Margaret smiled and reminded me, “We’re paying it forward!”

I absolutely agreed. Then Margaret gave me a funny look; I could tell she had a “on second thought” going through her mind and blurted out TODAY is Pay It Forward Day! She recalled receiving a message about it from her sister. I didn’t know such a day existed – but wasn’t surprised – especially after I learned about National Clean Off Your Desk Day.

Margaret and I reflected on random times when we had paid it forward spontaneously by paying for the coffee for people in the drive thru line behind us and other examples.

After I got back to my office – I discovered that it is indeed International Pay It Forward Day – the last Thursday in April. SO cool!

Now, I’m scheming how I can continue to celebrate today – April 29th!

What have you done to pay it forward OR had done to you today OR another day??

Live Inspired,
Robyn

P.S. REMEMBER to enter the Hide Your Straps contest – the deadline is tomorrow (Friday) night!

Filed Under: Pay It Forward Tagged With: Breakfast, breakfast special, date, gratitude, International Pay It Forward day, Lethbridge Casino, Pay It Forward, paying it forward

Hide your straps!

April 27, 2010 By Robyn 17 Comments

Last Fall, on a Sunday afternoon, before heading back to the windy south, my hubby and I went to a new mall north of Calgary. It’s called Cross Iron Mills and is a beautiful indoor mall. I LOVED the western inspired aspects that parts of the shopping center featured – I posted pictures in my Copper West blog entry.

I went into the mall needing nothing and telling myself that I was going to spend NOTHING! Well…I really need to learn the lesson of not even going into a store or mall, at that, to accomplish this.

As we explored the offering of stores, we came to a "As Seen on TV" store called Showcase. Inside, I spotted something that has intrigued me on TV for quite some time.

The BRA clip!!

I believe it’s typically been advertised for $19.99 for a box of 12 and if you’re one of the "lucky" first ___ callers – you could get 2 boxes for the price of one.

OH – how I love marketing!!

Well…it was my LUCKY day! The store was featuring this item as a Door Buster for $5!! That’s right – one $5 bill. I was always too cheap to order them off the TV, since I knew I would only need 1 – not 12. SO of course I had to pick up 2 boxes! He he… WHAT on earth was I going to do with 24 Bra Clips you ask? My husband was asking the same question!

Give them away!

I’ve used mine a couple times now, to hide my straps while wearing a dress and sleeveless top. Being honest – they are a bit challenging to get on, but serve their purpose very effectively when wearing them.

I was doing some spring cleaning tonight, came across my purchases, and realized that I still hadn’t given away these lovely inventions!! With summer right around the corner – I want them to leave my house and arrive in your hot hands.

While looking for a web link for you to learn more about them – I’ve discovered that the Smart Bra Clip is now replaced with new round ones in the market – but I still want to pay it forward.

WHO would like one?

Smart Bra Clip GIVEAWAY!

____________________________________________________________

To Enter comment on this question(s):

WHY you would love to WIN a “Smart Bra Clip”?

Did you have an embarrassing moment that you don’t want to relive? Do straps showing bother you? Do you have an outfit/event coming up that you’d like to avoid using duck tape for or going braless? Would you like to give this to a friend that could use?

BONUS Entries: IF you comment on this entry AND Follow (or start following) this Blog with Google Connect (by clicking on the link on the right sidebar) you’ll receive 5 extra entries.

Deadline: Friday, April 30th at 11:59pm MST

I will randomly draw 12 winners for this draw. You’ll receive a random color. I’ve got them packaged up, ready to address and drop in the mail.

Hope you ENTER this contest!!

Live Inspired,
Robyn

Filed Under: Pay It Forward Tagged With: bra clip, Contest, Copper West, Cross Iron Mills. giveaway, Smart Bra Clip, win

98 cents plus tax

November 17, 2009 By Robyn 3 Comments

I went to the post office today to mail a package and bought a book of Canadian and United States stamps too. I like to have them on hand – when I send out my “just because” / random / birthday / and soon to be Christmas cards!

I waited in line for about 15 minutes - as there were quite a few people ahead of me. I waited patiently and after my turn, the line was twice as long as it was when I started to wait!

As I passed the last 2 people in line and headed out, I overheard a “more experienced” gentleman sweetly tell a woman,

“All I’m waiting for is to get Yankee stamp, to send this to my Yankee daughter!”

I giggled (inside) and quickly reflected on my time living in the United States. My mother was so awesome and sent me SO much snail mail. I’m sure that she phoned, mailed me, AND emailed me something everyday for the first 30 days after I packed up and left the country at 18. She backed off from daily communication after that – but still to this day stays consistent with unique messages. Love ya Mom! Now you all know where I get it from – but have a long way to keep up with her kindness.

I quickly turned around and excused myself for interrupting. I said, “I have a US stamp!”

Before the man could respond I was reaching for the booklet in my purse. I pulled it off and handed it to him. In shock – he said “how much are they?”

Stamps

He repeated himself, “Thanks, how much do I owe you?”

I smiled and expressed – “Nothing! Please pay it forward.”

The man responded, ”I do everyday, doing everything I can for others. I learned that from my Mother.”

I smiled and replied, “Have an amazing day!”

As I left, I heard the lady he was previously talking to comment, “The Christmas spirit has started early.”

Oh honey, I thought, you’re mistaken! I definitely don’t just give random acts of kindness, just around the festive season.

I do it ALL year long - no special occasion necessary. I trust you do the same!

Filed Under: Pay It Forward Tagged With: 98 cents, Canada Post, Christmas, mail, paying it forward, random acts of kindness, stamp

Mysterious Ways

October 1, 2009 By Robyn 10 Comments

Do you ever get the inclination that you should do something and you have no idea why?

Well…I get them all the time and love acting on them. Remember that everything happens for a reason.

I live my life serving God. Everything I do is for him and everything I have is to serve him with. I trust that you have someone with you also – taking every step through life together.

This morning on my way to work, a wonderful friend popped into my mind and I had no idea why. I knew I needed to contact her.

I sent a simple text message:

TextSent

I got a tear in my eye when I received her response:

ReplyText

I sent my text message to make my friend smile, not so that I’d cry from her unbelievable reply. Live life sharing positive energy – for no other reason than to serve a higher purpose in life. I’m so lucky to have friends that are walking the same path as me as a Christian.

One of my other beautiful friends shared the following thought with her network on Facebook last week, as her status update. I thought it was so gorgeous and perfect for sharing to support this example of God’s work. Thanks for empowering me Kattie.

“Smile…you never know who is being reminded that there is hope because of something so small. You are a gift that God has made, live everyday with purpose and intention!” Kattie

Filed Under: Pay It Forward Tagged With: Encouragement, God, inclinations, Mysterious Ways