Don't know what to make for dinner?... There's an app for that!

I remember my first cell phone. It was the size of a box of spaghetti, had one ringtone (that was obnoxious) and lost signal if I so much as sneezed. It made calls... and received calls. That was it. I've come a long way since then, having recently purchased my very first smartphone (or should I say smart-er than me- phone). This thing blows my mind. I was impressed with the browser, amazed by the Navigation system (I couldn't find my way out of  a paper bag), and excited with the free TV channels Sprint offered me. But when I found out that I could get coupons, right on my phone, I fell in love with Android! Over the next few weeks, I will post some reviews of great money and time saving apps that I have tried out. These will all be free apps, as we are all on a tight budget.

Up first is DinnerSpinner by Allrecipes.com
I love Allrecipes.com and use the site as my go-to for meal planning. The app takes the highlights of the website and turns them into an easy to use app that is pretty fun to use. The opening screen has three categories of choices: Dish, Ingredient and Ready In.

First, you select the dish, such as Breakfast, Appetizer, Desert or Main Course. Second, select your main ingredient and lastly, how long you have to prepare the meal. I love the slow-cooker option. Then, you hit the spinner button and the app will find the recipes that match your criteria.
Don't know what you want to make? Just give your phone a shake and DinnerSpinner will randomly spin the three categories for you.

The recipes can be sorted, just like the website, by relevance, rating, title or popularity. The full recipe and instructions are right on the app, and once you select a recipe, you can view the calories and some user ratings. There is a button at the bottom that links to the website and allows you to view the recipe there if you want.

To get this app, you can do a search on the android market or simply scan the QR Code at the bottom of this post.

*The free version contains some ads but they are unobtrusive and usually appear during loading times.

Happy National Coffee Day!!

Today is National Coffee Day and so far, I have celebrated with a full pot. Those who know me, know this particular holiday is close to my heart. We take our coffee pretty seriously in my family. In honor of the day, many places are offering free coffee. Rumor has it that McDonald's is offering a free cup of joe, as well as 7-11 stores and Krispy Kreme stores. Dunkin' Donuts is offering a discounted rate of 50 cents a cup. Know of any more deals?

Free Resources for Losing Weight

When trying to lose weight, it seems that everything is expensive. Healthy foods cripple your grocery budget, diet programs cost money, gym fees and exercise equipment add up. Though your continued good health will insure you savings on health care, not to mention add years to your life, these expenses can wear on your wallet. Take advantage of any money saving resources you can find.

Free Weight Loss is a website that provides tips, articles and tools for anyone trying to lose weight. It also provides information on how to save money on the things you do need to purchase.
LiveStrong.com is an amazing website that provides health and fitness information and provides some super tools, like a walking plan tracker that allows you to input your daily walk and calculate distance and calories burned. It also has a planner that allows you to track your meals, their calories and all of your activities. I like it because it even includes things like if you were pushing a baby stroller while you walked or to count the calories burned while throwing a pot on the pottery wheel. Awesome site!!
Cardio Trainer is a free App for Android users that allows you to track your fitness regimen by exercising with your phone. It tracks your progress and gives you updates on how long you have exercised, tracks your walks/runs/bike trips and allows you to post your progress on facebook. It also lets you listen to music while you work out.
Sporty Pal is a great tool for runners, bikers and hikers. It includes a GPS tracker that allows you to see how far you've traveled and store your routes for later use.

Facebook: Your window to Hectic Domestic

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Hectic-Domestic/177685175614718

Freebie listings have been way down lately and those I find expire quickly. So, I have been posting all the good ones on our Facebook page. This helps me cut down on broken links, which make Google angry, which makes us harder to find on the web. To make sure you get your free stuff, just "like" us on facebook and we'll bring the good stuff to you!

Sew Your Own Reusable Shopping Totes

While we are out saving money, many of us like to do our part to save the planet also by keeping re-usable shopping bags. While the ones in the supermarket are cheap and handy, sometimes a girl just wants a little pizazz.
Head on over to Sew4home for a tutorial on a homemade insulated tote. Or visit PrudentBaby for a simple oil cloth bag tutorial.

Outdoor Projects That Can Save You Money

 Summer is the time for sprucing up the yard and spending time outdoors. But all those projects add up to a lot of money. I found these do-it-yourself tutorials that use inexpensive supplies to keep your hands busy, your patio sparkly and your wallet... well, at least not empty.

Visit Sugar Bee Crafts for a simple tutorial on how to refurbish those knarly looking old patio chairs you've been hanging on to.
Create your own Backyard Fire Pit with HGTV. Seems easy to do and inexpensive.
Turn an old lamp globe into a Stylish Bird Feeder with Design Sponge.

My Favorite Magazine

You may have heard me mention All You magazine before, as it is filled with coupons. It is a good bargain. It has lots of money saving tips and articles as well as clipable coupons inside. Here is a link to their limited time sale on subscriptions. You can get it for only $1.66 per issue. Use just a few of the coupons inside and you end up paying for your magazine.