I realized that I get the same questions over and over again about who I recommend and what products I use… to make it easier, I figured I’d stick all of them here for you to see easily. Likely if you came here looking for one thing, you’ll leave with three or four more. You’re welcome.
My goal with A Fresh Start on a Budget is to always serve you in giving you the best advice to take care of your money and home. Products that are featured are only chosen if I believe that they help me in that mission despite any affiliate commission.
Every product or service featured has been field tested by me.
While there are products and services featured here that have no affiliate partnership, it should always be assumed that any link on afreshstartonabudget.com is an affiliate link as we constantly seek to create partnerships where one isn’t currently offered with products or services that I recommend to you.
Do you use a product or service not mentioned that saves you time and money? I would LOVE to hear about it! You can email me at [email protected] to tell me about it!
My Recommendations
(If you’re a blogger looking for recommendations… skip to the next section).
Target Red Debit Card and Target Subscribe
The Red Card really confuses people but it’s a great deal if you understand it. It’s a debit card but think of it more like a check you can only use at Target. You sign up for the Red Debit Card and they give you 5% back on every purchase at Target (you can only use the card at Target).
It’s a great way to save a little extra when you go to Target and it comes right out of your checking account.
You can use this online and combine it with the 5% savings you get for subscribing to auto shipments of your home staples online.
Ibotta
This free app that gives you rebates for generic brand purchases at the grocery store is a no-brainer way to save money
Groupon
I use Groupon to get great deals at local restaurants, fun experiences, and travel. It’s I just started using this in the past year and am impressed with all the available deals.
Honey
I started using Honey this year. It searches for and tries discount codes when you are shopping online.
Blogging Recommendations
Bluehost
This budget-friendly host is what I used when I started my blog. They were super helpful giving me tech answers and their one-click install was something even I could manage. They made the tech aspect of blogging much easier.
Siteground
I moved my blog to Siteground and have been so pleased with how easy it is to use and how great their customer service is.
Elite Blog Academy
It took me months of blogging before I reached the point of making a steady income. Many bloggers take longer (although some hit the mark faster than I did too). The reason it took so long is that I needed help from bloggers who had been there before. One of the biggest game-changers for me was a class called Elite Blog Academy. EBA took me from a total newbie to money making blogger, step-by-step.
Elite Blog Academy taught me how to make a part-time income from blogging, every step of the way. The biggest drawback of Elite Blog Academy is that it only opens for registration 5 days a year, so unless you have perfect timing, it’s unlikely you’ll get in unless you join the waiting list here.
Grammarly
I use Grammarly to check basic spelling and grammar on every post I write which is really helpful because grammar is not one of my natural skills.
Convertkit
This email delivery system has all of the power you’ll ever need as a blogging business, while still being easy enough to use it yourself without help. I’m completely tech challenged, and even I can use Convertkit easily.
Boost your Pinterest Presence
If you know you should be using Pinterest to grow your blog, but have no idea what to write in it then Boost your Pinterest Presence is exactly what you need.
Restored 316 Themes
This digital product delivery system lets you easily sell your own products by taking orders, taking payments through Paypal and then delivering the products to you.
Tailwind
This lets you automate pinning to make Pinterest management easier. I couldn’t have the success I have with Pinterest without Tailwind.
Canva
What I use to create the majority of my graphics and pinnable images.
Ivory Mix
A reasonably priced stock photo site with a great selection. I’ve tried out a few stock photo sites and Ivory Mix has been my favorite by far.
PicMonkey
Another great service I use to create graphics and pinnable images.
Evernote
The BEST organizational and planning website. Seamlessly tracks your own projects or lets you plan with a team.