I try to share regularly about frugality and money saving ideas here at my website, but there are so many websites that do so, too. We can learn so much from others that I want to share some of my recent frugality inspired links.

I’ve been working on compiling all our bills and receipts so we can file our taxes. Preparing our taxes as self-employed church workers is always a challenge, but it must be done. Christina shared 5 Smart Things to Do with Your Refund. It looks like we should be getting a refund, and I want to pay down our remaining car debt and / or use it for an upcoming house project. You?

Jessica at Life as Mom shared some of her favorite personal finance websites. She had some great links. Get Rich Slowly also shared some of his favorite finance recommendations here. Wisebread is now on my list to explore.

Speaking of Wisebread, I discovered some great links there. I was inspired by 52 great weekend projects to improve your life. I also liked their article on 21 teeny-tiny ways to save.

Kim shared a beautiful guest post about how their emergency fund gave us peace in the midst of grief. This very well might bring you to tears as it did me.

Crystal at Money Saving Mom shared some great suggestions for how to stock your pantry on a limited budget. These hints work for us all regardless of budget size.

Kevin from Christian Personal Finance shared an article on 5 economic lessons from American history. My history loving and teaching husband will appreciate this link, too!

Did you learn anything new, frugality wise, with these links?

You may notice that my Saturday links look different – this week and from here on out. You won’t be seeing as many images in the upcoming posts, as much as I love sharing them. Why?

Well, I read a couple articles about copyright infringement with photos (starting with Colleen’s article here) and decided not to take any chances. I actually spent several hours last Saturday going through all my previous link-ups and deleting pictures that weren’t mine. It took me a long time and I was sad to see all that work go, but I don’t want people to give me credit for someone else’s work. I decided it is better to err on the side of caution rather than get sued down the line.

I hope you still enjoy the links, and I do encourage you to follow them to view the images and articles yourself! I wouldn’t share them if I didn’t think they weren’t noteworthy. On that note, thanks for understanding, and let’s get to my links from this week.

Tara from Unsophisticook shared how to bake hard boiled eggs. I follow the Betty Crocker method (boil, then turn off and cover for 17 minutes) myself, but I am curious to try this. Have you ever baked your hard boiled eggs?

Mandi at Easy Homemade gave her quick tips from a minimalist kitchen. She had some great points that have me reconsidering the items in my utensil drawer.

Katie at Kitchen Stewardship explained how to make homemade orange cleaner. It’s an interesting idea, but I’m not sure if I am sold on the idea yet.

Tiffany wrote a guest post at Money…Your Way about the one word that will save you hundreds (maybe thousands) this year. I’ve started using this word and it is freeing – for me and my inbox.

Jon Acuff shared 1 thing you need to give yourself immediately. We are incredibly hard on ourselves. Read this and remember it.

I want to leave you with that thought running through your mind. Give your grace…today and always!

In the past, I’ve shared my favorite links through a series of Saturday links through three separate ladies. They’ve all seemed to run their course, so I’ve decided to start sharing my own links…just because. Hence, the title of “Links I Love…Just Beacause.” I read a lot of good links this week that I’m excited to share with you.

The Pin Junkie cleaned her stove burners by using ammonia. I’ve seen this before, but now is the weekend that I’m going to clean my burners. If my burners can be cleaned spotless with minimal effort, I will be very happy!

Laura of Heavenly Homemakers conducted an experiment where she cooked ten pounds of hamburger instead of just one. Basically, it took 9 minutes more to cook ten times as much. I don’t often cook ten pounds but I do regularly cook multiple pounds. It’s nice to know my results are proven to save me time!

Ashley of Domestic Fashionista shared that mashed cauliflower really is delicious. I’ve recently been reminded how much I like cauliflower, so I am really curious to try this recipe of hers.

Tiffany wrote a guest post at Money…Your Way about the one word that will save you hundreds (maybe thousands) this year. I’ve started using this word and it is freeing – for me and my inbox.

Jon Acuff shared an interesting thought this week. Instead of adding another item to our constant to-do lists, perhaps we need to delete it. I’m pondering that this weekend.

Jessica of Life as Mom explained how to set the reset button on your house. I cleaned off my table and tackled quite a bit to make this happen this week. Do you periodically do things like this to reset your house?

Finally, it what might be my favorite read of the past weeks, Karen shared at Roo Mag how the Joneses are overrated. Read this. Every word is true. I’ll be curious to hear what you think!

Did you know that next week is Valentine’s Day? I’m sure you do. I’m especially aware of that fact since I have not one, but two, preschool Valentine parties to plan! We’ll celebrate with a week of special activities. Oh, and yes, I do plan to celebrate Valentine’s Day with my husband, too!

For preschool, I really like the theme packs I’ve found on 2 Teaching Mommies. They print great and are easy to use. Their Valentine Theme is another good one. We’ll be doing several of the sweetheart activities – once I buy the sweethearts for my preschool sweethearts that is!

We already started on this project for our parents – or if they want to mail it away to grandparents. Instead of painting hands, we used big stamp pads but paint works, too! They turned out really cute. Thanks for the idea of a Long Distance Hug, Tons of Fun!

I’ve been thinking of simple but festive things to do for snack next week. Red jello jigglers was a thought, until I saw this idea for Hearts in Apples by Happy Together. It’s a healthy snack, too! I could serve them plain or do toppings like they did.

I haven’t decorated our house – or my classroom – much for Valentine’s Day. If I did (maybe someday?), I’d like to create a simple mantel just like Melissa from The Inspired Room did with her Valentine’s Day Mantel. I could sew a simple felt garland like this. I actually could, and maybe I will.

I also saw this Quick and Easy Felt Valentine Banner that The Pretty Bee created. Once again, I like that there is no sewing required. It’s nice to see what felt, tacky glue and a bit of time can create!

Image by The Pretty Bee

I have a fascination with wreaths. Mandi at DIY…Your Way compiled a list of 9 Valentine Wreaths from around the web. Wreaths 1, 5 and 9 are currently my favorite. Of all the wreaths I have created, would you believe I have yet to make a Valentine one? I guess I should get busy!

Finally, since no Valentine’s Day is complete without chocolate, I have to share Jan’s recipe for Triple Chocolate Cupcakes. Not only is Jan, of Just Imagine Heaven, a Lutheran pastor’s wife – but she is an amazing baker and talented photographer. Anything with triple chocolate catches my eye, too!

All these links and ideas have me looking forward to Valentine’s Day! Now, how many plans can I create and projects can I accomplish before then?

I read a lot of interesting and thought-provoking articles this week. It seems that many of them relate to frugality and the home – both of which are interests of mine. These articles challenged and encouraged me. I hope they do the same for you!

There was a guest post on Money Saving Mom about How to Never Be Short on Money Again. The idea that it is fear really holding us back is intriguing and I believe there is truth in it. Do you?

Jessica from Life as Mom and Good Cheap Eats is eating from the pantry this month. It’s been inspiring to read how she is stretching her budget. Jessica shared a great article about How to Build a Pantry that Works for You.

Andrea of Simple Organized Living asked Does Your Home Have White Space? It was an interesting and thought-provoking article that made me think. I don’t think I will ever pare down to the 2 Christmas bins that Andrea has, but that is what works for her. We all have to find out what works for us because I think the idea of white space in a home is a good one.

Kristen of The Frugal Girl posed an interesting question when she asked How Much Stuff Should You Own? I found her simple answer spot on. You own the right amount of stuff when it’s stuff you fully and regularly use.

Jen of Balancing Beauty and Bedlam shared an interesting frugal tip of how to Get It for Free at Dollar Tree. I like the bargains at the Dollar Tree, but I haven’t practiced matching their bargains to coupons. Jen is providing good reasons and examples of why and how to do so.

Katie of Kitchen Stewardship shared How to Clean Your Dishwasher Naturally. Our dishwasher leaked the other day and my father-in-law was able to fix it, but I think I’ve clean it out from time to time to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

Finally, Myra from My Blessed Life shared a recipe for Breadsticks – In Less Than an Hour. I love all kinds of bread, and want to start baking more of it. This simple recipe of hers is on the top of my baking list!

 Did you read anything particularly interesting this week?

My husband and I (and his entire family) are working on eating healthier this year. Really, who doesn’t want to eat healthier? It’s always a good goal but we are committed to doing our best. The truth is that I enjoy baking and I enjoy eating, so I am working on baking and enjoying healthier food options, as I watch portions. I’m always looking for new recipe ideas. Here are some that I’ve stumbled upon recently.

Allrecipes has a recipe for Crispy Edamame. I like Edamame all by itself, but this seems like a fun alternative for a salty snack when I want something crunchy.

Texanerin Baking shared a recipe for Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Bites. What I find most intriguing is that these are made with chickpeas – and no added butters or oils. This is a healthier option than a cookie when I have a chocolate craving. I need to buy some chickpeas.

100 Days of Real Food has a great list of 85 Snack Ideas that Cut Out Processed Foods. Actually, their whole site is an interesting read with all sorts of thought-provoking articles, recipes and advice.

Skinny Ms. shared a recipe for Slow Cooker Fiesta Chicken Soup. I’m planning to make a batch soon with some of my shredded chicken and package it for school lunches. I think that sounds like a frugal and healthy lunch option. Win-win!

I’m planning on making another batch of my Mom’s baked oatmeal this weekend, because it’s a delicious and healthy start to my day. Plus, the oatmeal keeps me full to lunch, even after chasing preschoolers all morning!

Those are a couple of my health(ier) stumbles of the week. It’s amazing what ideas one can glean on Pinterest! Do you have any healthy recipes to share?

Earlier this week, I shared my goals and my book lists for the upcoming year. It seems only fitting to share a collection of some other book lists and goals from around the web.

Crystal of Money Saving Mom always shares so many great things! Here were a couple of my favorites of hers. She shared her Top 20 Favorite Reads of 2012 and 48 Books I’m Planning to Read in 2013.

Mandi from Life…Your Way shared her 2012 and 2013 book lists, too. Since I get a lot of my free Kindle book recommendations from her (via her site JungleDealsandSteals), I wasn’t surprised to see we ready quite a few similar books.

Jessica of Life as Mom shared her goals for 2013. She has some big goals – including writing 2 new books? I’m even more impressed with this awe-inspiring lady now!

Unclutterer shared 5 Things You Can Do to Suceed at Keeping Your New Year’s Resolutions. I think keeping a positive attitude is especially important.

If you’re looking for a good goal series (all this month), follow along with Mandi. This quote she shared was good motivation, too!

Have you set goals for the year? Did you stumble any good book / goal posts?

I’m sharing this at Linky Love via Vanderbilt Wife. 

As I’ve mentioned, there were over 1200 people writing together as part of Nester’s 31 Days challenge. You can find the full list of everyone here. I’m number 182, by the way. There were so many amazing series!

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to read all the series (because I had to bake chocolate, you know) so I had to pick and choose. There were many highlights, so let me share some of those with you.

Nester was the one who started it all with her amazing series on 31 Days of Home on Purpose. One of my favorite posts was her shortest – Less. This is me. I want less. 

On the flip side, Pure and Simple shared the idea of Complexity and More. Yes, even while I’m craving less of somethings, I’m still wanting more of others.

Ashley of Domestic Fashionista shared 31 Days of Creative Homemaking. I loved all that she shared because homemaking isn’t just for stay-at-home moms! One of my favorites was about Seeing Your Home for What It Is.

Ruth of Living Well and Spending Less wrote 31 Days of Living Well and Spending Zero. One day was her challenge to eat out – at home. She compiled a list of copy-cat recipes that look incredible! What a great resource!

Jennifer of Studio JRU shared 31 Days of Grace Through Trials. Their personal story is emotional, but we all need to remind our spouse of this fact. I love you every step of the way!

Organizing Home Life shared how she created her home management binder – with lots of great printables. This is an ongoing project for me, but one that I want to finish and put into action.

Those were just a couple of the great links that I read, as part of these series over the past month and a half. I loved writing my series and I loved reading what everyone else wrote.

I’m linking to Linky Love at Vanderbilt Wife.