9/23/11: Friday Roundup: Links I Loved (and Shared) This Week

Every Friday features a roundup of links that I've found during the week and that I'm loving! These links are generally frugal in nature, but they will also be eco-friendly and just generally fun. Check back each Friday for that week's batch of great links.

• Who can't resist a free ebook? Download Mama Does Time by Deborah Sharp for free at Amazon.com, now through the end of September.
• Originally from Good Housekeeping, this article from MSN discusses how you can Live Well for Less.
• Even though it's been six years since I graduated from college, I still have a lot of student debt (and I know many, many others do as well). Here are 8 Ways to Pay Down Student Loan Debt.
• Every thrifty-thinking person knows that household objects can be used for much more than their intended purpose. Popular Science gives us a giggle and a look back at 11 old (and actually published!) Alternate Uses for Household Items.
• Marie Claire has teamed up with a new site, www.solesociety.com, to offer the chance to win free shoes for a year! Simply sign up and take the quiz to enter.
• Last but not least, enter every day during the month of September to win free stuff from Burt's Bees!

Be sure to check back next Friday for another great batch of links. Have a great (and safe!) weekend, everyone!

Enter to Win a Year's Worth of Free Shoes from Marie Claire and Sole Society!

Marie Claire and Sole Society are teaming up to bring you a chance to win an entire year's worth of free shoes!

SoleSociety.com is a new shoe club for the style-obsessed; when you sign up now (free) and take their shoe personality quiz, you will be automatically entered to win a year's worth of free shoes. In addition, for thrifty shoe-seekers, Sole Society offers designer-quality shoes for just $49.95/pair, with free shipping and easy returns.

Sign up now to enter for your chance to win!

30 Days of Giveaways from Burt's Bees!

Enter every day in September for your chance to win free stuff from Burt's Bees! Burt's Bees has partnered up with Martha Stewart Living and Whole Living to bring you the chance to win a Pampering Gift Set (over $30 value) ever day of September. Enter daily for your chance to win. Click here to access the giveaway calendar and enter to win.

August 2011 Sweepstakes from Better Homes & Gardens

The site for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine is a treasure trove of ideas for the DIYer. What's more, they offer some fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens and their affiliates that you can enter daily!! Here are the sweepstakes that you can enter during the rest of the month of August:

• Recipe.com $5,000 Groceries Sweepstakes One winner will win $5,000 to spend on groceries! (Ends 8/14/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Save Money, Save Energy Home Makeover Sweepstakes Win a $25,000 home makeover to celebrate healthy, energy-efficient living! (Ends 8/15/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Summer Switch & Save Sweepstakes One winner will win $25,000 cash! (Ends 8/31/11; enter once daily.)
  
• Parents $20,000 Best Family Car Sweepstakes One winner will win $20,000 for a new car! (Ends 8/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Parents $3,800 Breathe Easy Getaway Sweepstakes Enter to win a family trip to Yosemite National Park! (Ends 8/31/11; one entry per household.
• Midwest Living $2,000 Best Midwest Getaway Sweepstakes! Share your best getaway for a chance to win one of 5 midwest getaways! (Ends 9/5/11; one entry per household.)
• Scrapbooks Etc. Sewing Box Sweepstakes One lucky winner will receive The SewingBox from The Original Scrap Box, worth over $1,400! (Ends 9/15/11; enter once daily.)
• Diabetic Living Stock Your Pantry Sweepstakes Win $500 to stock your pantry! (Ends 9/26/11; enter once daily.)
• The Small Dog Adventures $2,000 Sweepstakes Enter to win $2,000 in The Small Dog Adventures Sweepstakes brought to you by Mighty Dog! (Ends, 9/30/11; one entry per household.
• Travel Meredith 2011 Nature's Own Fall Family Getaway Enter to win one of five family getaway vacation packages! (Ends, 9/30/11; one entry per household.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Daily Sweepstakes. Enter daily for your chance to win great cooking and decorating prizes! Plus, be entered to win the grand prize of $2,500 when you enter! (Ongoing; enter once daily.)
• Prize Tested Recipes Contest Each month, enter for your chance to win $500! Two winners will be selected each month. (Ends 12/31/12.)
  

Tons of Allure.com Freebies for August!

Stacy Fisher, About.com blogger, has reminded me with her post that Allure does a supersize giveaway in August (instead of doing a few giveaways each day, they give away hundreds!) Check out Allure.com's  Free Stuff Calendar for entry times and dates for their 25,403 giveaways in August (including skincare products, fragrances, shoes, bags, and more). You can enter two ways: by scan tag/QR code and by entering online at http://www.allure.com/go/free-stuff.

Can't wait! Bring on the Allure freebies!

July 2011 Sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens

I've been a bit remiss in posting the fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens; they've even re-designed their website (it looks fabulous!). The site for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine is a treasure trove of ideas for the DIYer. What's more, they offer some fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens and their affiliates that you can enter daily!! Here are the sweepstakes that you can enter during the rest of the month of July:

• Better Homes and Gardens A New Viewpoint Sweepstakes Win a $5,000 window makeover from Budget Blinds! (Ends 7/28/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $5,000 Dream Garden Makeover Sweepstakes Win $5,000 cash to create your dream garden! (Ends 7/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• Better Homes and Gardens Garden Retreat Giveaway Enter to win a garden retreat getaway at the Biltmore Estate Inn, North Carolina! (Ends 7/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• Recipe.com $5,000 Groceries Sweepstakes One winner will win $5,000 to spend on groceries! (Ends 8/4/11; enter once daily.)
  
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Save Money, Save Energy Home Makeover Sweepstakes Win a $25,000 home makeover to celebrate healthy, energy-efficient living! (Ends 8/15/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Summer Switch & Save Sweepstakes One winner will win $25,000 cash! (Ends 8/31/11; enter once daily.)
  
• Parents $20,000 Best Family Car Sweepstakes One winner will win $20,000 for a new car! (Ends 8/31/11; enter once daily.)
• The Small Dog Adventures $2,000 Sweepstakes Enter to win $2,000 in The Small Dog Adventures Sweepstakes brought to you by Mighty Dog! (Ends, 9/30/11; one entry per household.)
• Travel Meredith 2011 Nature's Own Fall Family Getaway Enter to win one of five family getaway vacation packages! (Ends, 9/30/11; one entry per household.)
  
  
  
  
• Better Homes and Gardens Daily Sweepstakes. Enter daily for your chance to win great cooking and decorating prizes! Plus, be entered to win the grand prize of $2,500 when you enter! (Ongoing; enter once daily.)







• Prize Tested Recipes Contest Each month, enter for your chance to win $500! Two winners will be selected each month. (Ends 12/31/12.)
  

June 2011 Sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens

I've been a bit remiss in posting the fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens; they've even re-designed their website (it looks fabulous!). The site for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine is a treasure trove of ideas for the DIYer. What's more, they offer some fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens and their affiliates that you can enter daily!! Here are the sweepstakes that you can enter during the rest of the month of June:

• BHG $10,000 Celebrate Spring Sweepstakes Like the BHG Facebook page for a chance to win $10,000 PLUS a free magazine issue! (Ends 6/24/11; one entry per household.)    
• The Small Dog Adventures Sweepstakes Enter to win $2,000 in The Small Dog Adventures Sweepstakes brought to you by Mighty Dog! (Ends 6/30/11; one entry per household.)    
• Ladies Home Journal 2011 Walmart Shopping Spree Sweepstakes Enter for a chance to win a $1,000 Walmart shopping spree! (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.) 
• 2011 Best New Products Sweepstakes. Ten winners will receive a prize basket consisting of thirty-four best new winning products (retail value $305), and a $33 check for the retail value of eight best new perishable products. (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes One winner will receive a $25,000 check! (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $10,000 Ultimate Media Room Makeover One winner will receive $10,000 to create the ultimate media room. (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• "A Touch Better" Sweepstakes Ten winners per week (130 total) will each receive a copy of Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, retail value $29.95.  (Ends 7/11/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens A New Viewpoint Sweepstakes Win a $5,000 window makeover from Budget Blinds! (Ends 7/28/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $5,000 Dream Garden Makeover Sweepstakes Win $5,000 cash to create your dream garden! (Ends 7/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• Better Homes and Gardens Garden Retreat Giveaway Enter to win a garden retreat getaway at the Biltmore Estate Inn, North Carolina! (Ends 7/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• Recipe.com $5,000 Groceries Sweepstakes One winner will win $5,000 to spend on groceries! (Ends 8/4/11; enter once daily.)
  
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Save Money, Save Energy Home Makeover Sweepstakes Win a $25,000 home makeover to celebrate healthy, energy-efficient living! (Ends 8/15/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Summer Switch & Save Sweepstakes One winner will win $25,000 cash! (Ends 8/31/11; enter once daily.)
  
• Parents $20,000 Best Family Car Sweepstakes One winner will win $20,000 for a new car! (Ends 8/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Daily Sweepstakes. Enter daily for your chance to win great cooking and decorating prizes! Plus, be entered to win the grand prize of $2,500 when you enter! (Ongoing; enter once daily.) 
• Prize Tested Recipes Contest Each month, enter for your chance to win $500! Two winners will be selected each month. (Ends 12/31/12.)
  

May 2011 Sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens

The website for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine is a treasure trove of ideas for the DIYer. What's more, they offer some fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens and their affiliates that you can enter daily!! Here are the sweepstakes that you can enter during the month of May:

• "Win a Broyhill Bedroom!" Sweepstakes One winner will receive a Broyhill Bedroom Set prize package consisting of a Perspectives Lattice Bed, Perspectives Dresser and Mirror, and a Perspectives Door Night Stands (set of 2). (Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.)
• "2nd Annual Keep 'em Happy" Sweepstakes, sponsored by Farm Rich. One grand prize winner will receive a prize package consisting of a $2,500 check and $100 worth of Farm Rich product coupons/vouchers. Five first prize winners will each receive $50 worth of Farm Rich product coupons/vouchers. (Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Chill and Grill Sweepstakes One winner will win a Weber Summit S-670 Gas Grill and $10,000! (Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $6,000 Celebrate Mom Sweepstakes Win $5,000 PLUS a year of FTD flower bouquets to celebrate the mom in your life! (Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• Scrapbooks Etc. Tamron Lens Sweepstakes Win one of three camera lenses from Tamron. (Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• DIY From Dream Kitchen to My Kitchen Sweepstakes One winner will win $10,000 in IKEA gift cards for a dream kitchen! (Ends 6/3/11; enter once daily.) 
• Better Homes and Gardens Thanks Mom! Photo Contest Tell us why your mom is special for a chance to win a 5-night trip to the Caribbean! (Ends 6/4/11; one entry per household.)
• The Small Dog Adventures Sweepstakes Enter to win $2,000 in The Small Dog Adventures Sweepstakes brought to you by Mighty Dog! (Ends 6/30/11; one entry per household.)   
• Ladies Home Journal 2011 Walmart Shopping Spree Sweepstakes Enter for a chance to win a $1,000 Walmart shopping spree! (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.) 
•  2011 Best New Products Sweepstakes. Ten winners will receive a prize basket consisting of thirty-four best new winning products (retail value $305), and a $33 check for the retail value of eight best new perishable products. (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes One winner will receive a $25,000 check! (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $10,000 Ultimate Media Room Makeover One winner will receive $10,000 to create the ultimate media room. (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• "A Touch Better" Sweepstakes Ten winners per week (130 total) will each receive a copy of Better Homes and Gardens New Cook Book, retail value $29.95.  (Ends 7/11/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens A New Viewpoint Sweepstakes Win a $5,000 window makeover from Budget Blinds! (Ends 7/28/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $5,000 Dream Garden Makeover Sweepstakes Win $5,000 cash to create your dream garden! (Ends 7/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• Better Homes and Gardens Garden Retreat Giveaway Enter to win a garden retreat getaway at the Biltmore Estate Inn, North Carolina! (Ends 7/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• Better Homes and Gardens Daily Sweepstakes. Enter daily for your chance to win great cooking and decorating prizes! Plus, be entered to win the grand prize of $2,500 when you enter! (Ongoing; enter once daily.) 
• Prize Tested Recipes Contest Each month, enter for your chance to win $500! Two winners will be selected each month. (Ends 12/31/12.)

April Sweepstakes from BHG.com

The website for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine is a treasure trove of ideas for the DIYer. What's more, they offer some fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens and their affiliates that you can enter daily!! Here are the sweepstakes that you can enter during the month of April:

• Breakstone $2,700 Easter Tradition Sweepstakes Share your favorite Easter holiday traditions for a chance to win sweet weekly prizes PLUS the $2,500 Grand Prize! (Ends 4/25/11; enter once daily.)
  
  
  
• Yogi Bear DVD Sweepstakes Twenty winners will receive a DVD copy of Yogi Bear (retail value $28.98). (Ends 4/30/11; enter once daily.)
  
• Recipe.com Free Groceries for a Year Sweepstakes One winner will win $5,000 cash for groceries! (Ends 4/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Traditional Home 2011 Outdoor Room Sweepstakes One lucky winner will receive an outdoor room makeover prize package worth over $16,700! (Ends 5/1/11; enter once daily.)
• Diabetic Living $1,000 Healthy Groceries Sweepstakes One winner will win $1,000 for healthy groceries! (Ends 5/2/11; enter once daily.)
• "2nd Annual Keep 'em Happy" Sweepstakes, sponsored by Farm Rich. One grand prize winner will receive a prize package consisting of a $2,500 check and $100 worth of Farm Rich product coupons/vouchers. Five first prize winners will each receive $50 worth of Farm Rich product coupons/vouchers. (Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Chill and Grill Sweepstakes One winner will win a Weber Summit S-670 Gas Grill and $10,000! (Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $6,000 Celebrate Mom Sweepstakes Win $5,000 PLUS a year of FTD flower bouquets to celebrate the mom in your life!(Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.) 
• DIY From Dream Kitchen to My Kitchen Sweepstakes One winner will win $10,000 in IKEA gift cards for a dream kitchen! (Ends 6/3/11; enter once daily.)
•  2011 Best New Products Sweepstakes. Ten winners will receive a prize basket consisting of thirty-four best new winning products (retail value $305), and a $33 check for the retail value of eight best new perishable products. (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes. One winner will receive a $25,000 check! (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens A New Viewpoint Sweepstakes Win a $5,000 window makeover from Budget Blinds! (Ends 7/28/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $5,000 Dream Garden Makeover Sweepstakes Win $5,000 cash to create your dream garden! (Ends 7/31/11; enter once daily.)
  
• Better Homes and Gardens Daily Sweepstakes. Enter daily for your chance to win great cooking and decorating prizes! Plus, be entered to win the grand prize of $2,500 when you enter! (Ongoing; enter once daily.) 
• Prize Tested Recipes Contest Each month, enter for your chance to win $500! Two winners will be selected each month. (Ends 12/31/12.)

March Sweepstakes from BHG.com

The website for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine is a treasure trove of ideas for the DIYer. What's more, they offer some fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens and their affiliates that you can enter daily!! Here are the sweepstakes that you can enter during the month of March:

• Ladies Home Journal $1,000 Walmart Shopping Spree Sweepstakes. Enter for a chance to win a $1,000 Walmart shopping spree! (Ends today!)
  
  
• BHG Find a Pro $2,500 New Look for the New Year Sweepstakes. One winner will receive a $2,500 check to update their home for the new year! (Ends 3/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Hawaiian Garden Getaway Sweepstakes. One winner will win a Hawaiian Garden vacation for two! (Ends 3/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Sleep Number Sweepstakes. Enter to win a Sleep Number prize package worth over $10,000! (Ends 3/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Recipe.com Free Groceries for a Year Sweepstakes. One winner will win $5,000 cash for groceries! (Ends 4/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Traditional Home 2011 Outdoor Room Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will receive an outdoor room makeover prize package worth over $16,700! (Ends 5/1/11; enter once daily.)
• Diabetic Living $1,000 Healthy Groceries Sweepstakes. One winner will win $1,000 for healthy groceries! (Ends 5/2/11; enter once daily.)
• "2nd Annual Keep 'em Happy" Sweepstakes, sponsored by Farm Rich. One grand prize winner will receive a prize package consisting of a $2,500 check and $100 worth of Farm Rich product coupons/vouchers. Five first prize winners will each receive $50 worth of Farm Rich product coupons/vouchers. (Ends 5/31/11; enter once daily.)
•  2011 Best New Products Sweepstakes. Ten winners will receive a prize basket consisting of thirty-four best new winning products (retail value $305), and a $33 check for the retail value of eight best new perishable products. (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes. One winner will receive a $25,000 check! (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Daily Sweepstakes. Enter daily for your chance to win great cooking and decorating prizes! Plus, be entered to win the grand prize of $2,500 when you enter! (Ongoing; enter once daily.)

February Sweepstakes from BHG.com

The website for Better Homes and Gardens Magazine is a treasure trove of ideas for the DIYer. What's more, they offer some fabulous sweepstakes from Better Homes and Gardens and their affiliates that you can enter daily!! Here are the sweepstakes that you can enter during the month of February:

• Better Homes and Gardens Shop for Me Sweepstakes. One lucky winner will win a $1,500 shopping spree! (Ends 2/22/11; enter once daily.)
• Midwest Living 2011 Warm Weather Getaways Sweepstakes. Enter to win 1 of 7 warm weather getaways or $3,000 cash! (Ends 3/5/11; enter once daily.)
• Ladies Home Journal $1,000 Walmart Shopping Spree Sweepstakes. Enter for a chance to win a $1,000 Walmart shopping spree! (Ends 3/7/11; enter once daily.)
• BHG Find a Pro $2,500 New Look for the New Year Sweepstakes. One winner will receive a $2,500 check to update their home for the new year! (Ends 3/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Hawaiian Garden Getaway Sweepstakes. One winner will win a Hawaiian Garden vacation for two! (Ends 3/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Sleep Number Sweepstakes. Enter to win a Sleep Number prize package worth over $10,000! (Ends 3/31/11; enter once daily.)
• Recipe.com Free Groceries for a Year Sweepstakes. One winner will win $5,000 cash for groceries! (Ends 4/30/11; enter once daily.)
•  2011 Best New Products Sweepstakes. Ten winners will receive a prize basket consisting of thirty-four best new winning products (retail value $305), and a $33 check for the retail value of eight best new perishable products.  (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens $25,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes. One winner will receive a $25,000 check! (Ends 6/30/11; enter once daily.)
• Better Homes and Gardens Daily Sweepstakes. Enter daily for your chance to win great cooking and decorating prizes! Plus, be entered to win the grand prize of $2,500 when you enter! (Ongoing; enter once daily.)

February Free Beauty Products from Allure.com

Starting today at 12pm EST, enter to win FREE beauty products from Allure Magazine!

These products being given away aren't available in stores until next month, but the first 500 (1,000 where marked) readers to sign up at noon EST on the dates listed below will get one free.

The giveaways this month include:

Beginning February 1: $338 Worth of Dolce & Gabbana Makeup.

February 7 (today): L'Oréal Professionnel Série Expert Fiberceutic. This buttery mask contains minerals that fill in gaps in the hair shaft to strengthen it. (500)

February 8: Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil. A few drops of this face oil—filled with omegas and vitamin C—hydrates and brightens the skin, with no oily film. (500)

February 9: Redken Color Extend Sun Waterwear. This light cream has UV filters to prevent hair color from dulling. It also blocks out chlorine. (500)

February 10: Pixi Succulent Lip Twin in Peony Pink. The cap houses a rosy pink lipstick; it also twists off to reveal a matching gloss. (500)

February 11: First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream. Retinyl palmitate reduces fine lines gently and gradually; antioxidants feverfew, white tea, and licorice root combat free radicals. (500)

February 14: L'Oréal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes. This mascara contains a double-wiper system that removes excess mascara. Long and short flexible bristles add length and volume. (1,000)

February 15: L'Oréal Paris Sublime Mousse Permanent Conditioning Haircolor kit. Creating a thick, drip-free froth, this kit will transform your dull locks from one to three shades in just 25 to 30 minutes. Win the shade of your choice. (500)

February 22: Score a major spa trip! Plus a shopping spree and more! One reader could win a $3,950 two-night stay for two at the Trump SoHo New York, over $1,300 worth of Dior beauty products, a $1,000 Macy's shopping spree, and over $600 worth of Kate Somerville skin care.

Enter today to win!