BookJingle Blog

People who like to sell used books tend to be money-savvy kind of people; in other words, my kind of people. Saving money is at the top of everyone’s priority list right now.  If you’re like me, you’re interested in saving money at the grocery store with coupons but not sure how to make coupons really work for you. Here are some practical tips for getting started on your coupon savings project.

1. Make a list of all potential stores that carry products you purchase, including grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, and discount stores. Don’t write off a store because you think it’s overpriced. Even pricey stores can offer coupons and promotions that make it worth an extra trip to pick up the discounted merchandise.

2. Get the stores’ club cards. It is worth your time to sign up for loyalty or club cards that are required to receive the lowest prices for items. Often, using the club card will qualify you for special coupons on future purchases that can really add up; these coupons often apply to merchandise that you regularly buy.

3. Investigate your stores’ coupon policies. All stores have difference practices about accepting manufacturer’s coupons and doubling coupons.

4. Check out the store’s current ad. Many stores circulate weekly or monthly fliers that highlight the current promotions. You might find that a drug store or discount store is offering a much better deal than your regular store on a product you regularly use, such as toothpaste or deodorant. Be sure to really check out the price of the items listed in the flier; not every item listed features a discounted price.

5. Stockpile merchandise. When you find a great deal on an item you regularly use, buy as many as you can (taking into consideration things like expiration dates, of course). That way, you won’t need to buy anymore of the item until it goes back on sale or another great coupon comes along.

6. Maximize coupons by using them on sale items. You can use coupons on an item that is on sale. This will yield big savings.

Good luck with your couponing endeavors!

BookJingle can help non-profit groups, schools, or churches earn money with a book drive fundraiser! This is a great way to bring in extra cash without having to sell anything, and it’s environmentally responsible, too. Selling used books is a great way to bring in money while going green!

The first step is to organize a book drive. It’s a good idea to plan advertising for your book drive, both at your non-profit group and in the community, to let people know that you are collecting books. Set up collection boxes at the site and around the area. Make sure to ask permission before setting out the boxes. For example, Dr. Smith at the local pediatrician’s office may be on your non-profit board. He would probably be willing to put a collection box in his office.

Next, you need to create a BookJingle account in the name of your organization so that all PayPal or check payments will be sent to the organization. All volunteers must have access to this user name and password. If PayPal is selected as the preferred method of payment, the group coordinator will have to set up the PayPal account and give all members access to the PayPal ID.

Your volunteers will then collect all of the books that have been donated, and then they will sort through the books and enter the ISBNs on www.bookjingle.com. The site will give a price quote for each book that BookJingle is buying. This process can be done at one central location, or each volunteer can take a few boxes of books home and enter them on their own computer, as long as they log into the organization’s BookJingle account. All books will need to be quickly examined according to the simple condition criteria listed on BookJingle’s website; for example, any water-damaged or torn books will need to be set aside. Next, the books will need to be packaged and shipped using BookJingle’s free shipping label. The boxes may be provided by the group coordinator or procured individually by volunteers. When they are packed, the boxes should be dropped off at the post office.

When BookJingle receives the books, payment will be issued within 48 hours. BookJingle will most likely not purchase every book you collected. The books purchased by BookJingle change from day to day depending on market demand and other factors. If BookJingle is not purchasing a book, you will receive the message, “Sorry, we are not currently purchasing that title,” when you enter the ISBN. The extra books that are not purchased by BookJingle can be donated to charities or to your local library. Or, you could opt to host a used book sale to pick up even more cash for your fundraising project.

For many years, Mother’s Day was always about finding something that would make my mom understand how special she is to me.  Would a potted geranium brighten up her day, or a box of chocolates, or a shawl that I crocheted myself?  Making the perfect card for mom eventually graduated into finding a beautiful card at Hallmark and then laboring over the right words to pen inside; year after year, I struggled to communicate to her a very simple truth: that she is the best mom in the world.  Period.  I’ve met a lot of moms, and I have never met a single one that I would take over my mom, and I never will.  My mom is amazing.

Five years ago, Mother’s Day changed for me in a permanent, phenomenal way.  It was my first year as a mother.  Having joined the special ranks of those privileged enough to be called “Mommy,” I really looked forward to my first Mother’s Day.  It was a special day for me, with flowers and a card from my baby girl (and her daddy, of course), dinner at a nice restaurant, and the chance to take an afternoon nap!  Each Mother’s Day since then has been similar, with a pleasant morning at church and some Mother’s Day festivities to make the day memorable.  I am still struggling to find ways to honor my own mother, who in many ways I appreciate so much more now that I am a mom myself! 

There’s something else about Mother’s Day that gives it a particular significance to me.  I am reminded in a very bittersweet way on Mother’s Day that I am blessed by my children.  They have changed me in countless ways, all of them for the better.  Being a mom can be indescribably difficult; I know I am not strong enough to do it without the good Lord’s help.  But gaining the title of “mom” did not come easily for me.  Years of infertility and repeated miscarriage had brought me to the brink of total despair.  My heart longed for a child of my own, but it did not seem like it was going to be possible.  I will never forget one Mother’s Day when the little children at our church sang a song about a mother’s love, and I was so overcome by my sorrowful tears that I could hardly make it out of the sanctuary.  The birth of my oldest daughter taught me something about the nature of God’s love for us.  After such pain and sorrow, I was given such deep joy. 

Now on Mother’s Day, I have three beautiful children to celebrate.  After they have presented me with handmade cards and tokens of their affection, I will spend some time by myself, reflecting on the amazing journey my life has taken and wondering how I ended up here, a busy mom of three kids under the age of five.  I will think about my five babies lost to miscarriage, picturing them in heaven in the arms of Jesus, and I will say a little prayer for them.  Then, I will give thanks that I am called, now and forever, mom.

Like many others, I am going to be busy making preparations this week for Mother’s Day, which is Sunday May 8.  This year, I have the privilege to host my mother, mother-in-law, and grandmother-in-law for a Mother’s Day luncheon.  Our gathering will have four generations present, from a great-grandma in her eighties to my youngest daughter who is three.  In celebration of our matriarchs, I am modeling the menu in the style of a high tea.  My plans include sandwiches that are as pretty to look at as they are good to eat, fresh fruit, and plenty of sweets.  I am calling it a high tea, but we will be taking our tea American style (that is, over ice) and serving coffee in the teacups, because that’s how my family likes it.  For anyone who is interested, here is a look at my Mother’s Day menu, which is designed with finger foods suitable for buffet-style dining.  For the complete recipes, send me a message with a request for the recipe you want.

A Mother’s Day Luncheon

Pink and White Star Bite Sandwiches (star-shaped biscuits topped with mustard, ham and mozzarella cheese)
Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jam Scones
Cucumber Mint Tea Sandwiches
Turkey Cranberry Sandwiches
Strawberries, Pineapple and Grapes with Fruit Dip
Deviled Eggs
Confetti Meringue Cookies
Cinnamon Swirl Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Raspberry Iced Tea
Coffee

As a child growing up in a Christian family that observed Easter with as much fanfare as Christmas, I often wondered about Good Friday.  Knowing it is the day Jesus died, it doesn’t seem like a particularly “good” day.  It seems like a sad day to contemplate the torturous death of Jesus and the great sacrifice of his death.  Knowing that the wages of sin is death, on Good Friday I try to picture myself on the cross, and I am so grateful for Jesus’ willingness to take that burden on himself so that I will never have to suffer such punishment.

As an adult, I’ve long assumed that the adjective “good” simply applies to the ultimate meaning of the day, which is Jesus’ victory over death.  Of course, that victory took place days later, on Easter, so it is still a bit unclear as to why we call the day Good Friday.  Some people have suggested that the term originates with the Old English definition of “good,” which meant “holy.”  If that is accurate, it certainly makes sense.  Although it was a terrible day, it was a holy day, and “Holy Friday” carries more weight and solemnity than “Good Friday.” 

No matter where the day’s name comes from, it is a day that means a lot to me and to other followers of Christ.  The sins of all believers being covered by Jesus’ death certainly gives us reason to celebrate.  All who believe in him will gain eternal life, and this is made possible by the events of that long-ago Good Friday.  This Easter, my children and I will be discussing in detail the events of Good Friday and Easter Sunday by baking Resurrection Cookies.  If you Google “resurrection cookies,” you will find this wonderful recipe which tells a part of Jesus’ story with each step of the baking.

Good Friday to all, and Happy Easter.

People who like to sell used books tend to be money-savvy kind of people; in other words, my kind of people.  Saving money is at the top of everyone’s priority list right now, especially as we see gasoline prices up high and predicted to go higher.  If you’re like me, you’re interested in saving money at the grocery store with coupons but not sure how to make coupons really work for you.  Here are some practical tips for getting started on your coupon savings project.

1. Make a list of all potential stores that carry products you purchase, including grocery stores, convenience stores, drugstores, and discount stores.  Don’t write off a store because you think it’s overpriced.  Even pricey stores can offer coupons and promotions that make it worth an extra trip to pick up the discounted merchandise.
2. Get the stores’ club cards.  It is worth your time to sign up for loyalty or club cards that are required to receive the lowest prices for items.  Often, using the club card will qualify you for special coupons on future purchases that can really add up; these coupons often apply to merchandise that you regularly buy.
3. Investigate your stores’ coupon policies.  All stores have difference practices about accepting manufacturer’s coupons and doubling coupons.
4. Check out the store’s current ad.  Many stores circulate weekly or monthly fliers that highlight the current promotions.  You might find that a drug store or discount store is offering a much better deal than your regular store on a product you regularly use, such as toothpaste or deodorant.  Be sure to really check out the price of the items listed in the flier; not every item listed features a discounted price.
5. Stockpile merchandise.  When you find a great deal on an item you regularly use, buy as many as you can (taking into consideration things like expiration dates, of course).  That way, you won’t need to buy anymore of the item until it goes back on sale or another great coupon comes along.
6. Maximize coupons by using them on sale items.  You can use coupons on an item that is on sale.  This will yield big savings.

Good luck with your couponing endeavors!

Listeners of K-LOVE, the Christian radio station that changes lives on a daily basis, already know that the K-LOVE Spring Pledge Drive is in full swing right now.  You might be interested to know that BookJingle is a K-LOVE Business Team Member, which means that BookJingle supports K-LOVE through financial contributions.

For those who aren’t familiar with K-LOVE, it is a radio ministry broadcast across the United States and in many other countries around the world.  K-LOVE is 100% listener-supported, which means all of the funds necessary to operate the radio station come from donations from its listeners.  K-LOVE is a gem among radio stations, a rare station that is completely family-friendly and clean, with no bad language, suggestive or violent-themed music.  All of K-LOVE’s music brings glory to Jesus Christ, and the mission of K-LOVE is, in the station’s own words, “To effectively communicate the Gospel message to those who don’t know or fully understand it, through full-time contemporary Christian music and short educational elements over radio and the Internet-using modern day language and the highest professional standards.”

K-LOVE’s ministry touches countless people every day.  Over 1,000 people contact K-LOVE every day to request prayer, which is delivered four times a day by K-LOVE pastors and staff who pray over each individual request.  An average of 20 people find hope in Christ each day through listening to K-LOVE.  Strikingly, an average of one person per day who is contemplating suicide contacts K-LOVE.  This outreach has a tremendous impact on listeners from every walk of life.

I listen to K-LOVE because I love the music, the talk, and the news.  Everything aired on K-LOVE makes my day a little better and helps me to focus on serving the Lord.  I stay in touch with what’s going on in the world, but none of the news is upsetting to my children.  My three year-old can sing the most popular K-LOVE songs by heart.  The morning show always give me a laugh.  I feel as if I know all of the deejays personally, and they are all genuinely nice people.

“Positive, encouraging K-LOVE” – that’s the K-LOVE slogan.  Find out more about K-LOVE at www.klove.com.

“Hope” is the thing with feathers (254)
by Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers -
That perches in the soul -
And sings the tune without the words -
And never stops – at all -

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard -
And sore must be the storm -
That could abash the little Bird
That kept so many warm -

I’ve heard it in the chillest land -
And on the strangest Sea -
Yet, never, in Extremity,
It asked a crumb – of Me.

-Emily Dickinson
Quoted from the Final Harvest  collection of her works

Enjoy these inspirational, thoughtful, and funny quotes about the change of season.

Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.  ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth

It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold:  when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.  ~Charles Dickens

It’s spring fever.  That is what the name of it is.  And when you’ve got it, you want – oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!  ~Mark Twain

Hoe while it is spring, and enjoy the best anticipations.  It is not much matter if things do not turn out well.  ~Charles Dudley Warner

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose I would always greet it in a garden.  ~Ruth Stout

Spring is when you feel like whistling even with a shoe full of slush.  ~Doug Larson

Science has never drummed up quite as effective a tranquilizing agent as a sunny spring day.  ~W. Earl Hall

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.  ~Anne Bradstreet

The year’s at the spring
And day’s at the morn;
Morning’s at seven;
The hillside’s dew-pearled;
The lark’s on the wing;
The snail’s on the thorn;
God’s in His heaven -
All’s right with the world!
~Robert Browning

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.  ~Hal Borland

Spring shows what God can do with a drab and dirty world.  ~Virgil A. Kraft

April is a promise that May is bound to keep.  ~Hal Borland

Where man sees but withered leaves,
God sees sweet flowers growing.
~Albert Laighton

That God once loved a garden we learn in Holy writ.
And seeing gardens in the Spring I well can credit it.
~Winifred Mary Letts

Every spring is the only spring – a perpetual astonishment.  ~Ellis Peters

Spring is sooner recognized by plants than by men.  ~Chinese Proverb

The naked earth is warm with Spring,
And with green grass and bursting trees
Leans to the sun’s kiss glorying,
And quivers in the sunny breeze.
~Julian Grenfell

In the spring I have counted one hundred and thirty-six different kinds of weather inside of four and twenty hours.  ~Mark Twain

I think that no matter how old or infirm I may become, I will always plant a large garden in the spring.  Who can resist the feelings of hope and joy that one gets from participating in nature’s rebirth?  ~Edward Giobbi

Spring has returned.  The Earth is like a child that knows poems.  ~Rainer Maria Rilke

To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.  ~George Santayana

The first day of spring is one thing, and the first spring day is another.  The difference between them is sometimes as great as a month.  ~Henry Van Dyke

If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom.  ~Terri Guillemets

April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.  ~William Shakespeare

Yesterday the twig was brown and bare;
To-day the glint of green is there;
Tomorrow will be leaflets spare;
I know no thing so wondrous fair,
No miracle so strangely rare.
I wonder what will next be there!
~L.H. Bailey

Now every field is clothed with grass, and every tree with leaves; now the woods put forth their blossoms, and the year assumes its gay attire.  ~Virgil

First a howling blizzard woke us,
Then the rain came down to soak us,
And now before the eye can focus -
Crocus.  ~Lilja Rogers

The seasons are what a symphony ought to be:  four perfect movements in harmony with each other.  ~Arthur Rubenstein