10/7/11: 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 Self-Empowerment Through Self-Hypnosis for free at Amazon.com—this offer is only good through the end of October, so download your copy today!
• You work hard for your money, so it makes sense you want to see more of it in your wallet at the end of the week. MSN has a great video and article detailing 10 Ways Americans Waste Money so that you can take notice—and keep more of your hard-earned cash.
• Who knew that certain smells, times of day, or even certain shopping partners could make you spend more? Check out 8 Odd Reasons You Spend More.
• Originally from Kiplinger, this article on 10 Fees You Should Not Be Paying has some great money-saving tips.
• This one is for the DIYer (and is sooo right up my alley): 50 Alternative Uses for Toothpicks.
• And lastly, a new sweepstakes from Better Homes & Gardens! Enter now to win $25,000 in the Switch and Save Sweepstakes!

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

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.)