An Update On Cadence!

Great News!

Be The Change, The Brandy Angel Foundation (BAF) was able to raise enough money to buy the property needed for the Fox Family!

And now the next goal is to raise $80,000 to build the home on the property!

HOW CAN ONE DONATE??

Monetary donations can be mailed to: 

Be The Change- Brandy Angel Foundation

1201 Whispering Lakes Trail

Madison GA 30650

They can also be dropped off at any Bank South location in the name of the foundation, as well as PayPal through BeTheChangeBAF@gmail.com.

There is also another way you can donate $$ even if you do not have $$!

By DONATING PLASMA at BIOLIFE

You can literally get paid to have $100 donated!  

(You can donate at any location, but use Joe Nelson from the Snellville, GA location when you sign up and register to give as your referral, and the full $100 referral will go towards Cadence and her home!  

Remember, the referral $$ is not given until your SECOND successful donation.  So you will need to give twice.)

Keep in mind too, that when you donate plasma - you will be actually be helping more than just Cadence!  The plasma will go to help someone with other medical issues from deficiency syndromes to hemophilia.  You will be compensated money to have someone else's money donated to a great cause AND if you are feeling really generous - you can then donate your compensation through the website mentioned above, PayPal or at any Bank South location! 

Eat Up Me Hearties!

FOOD!

I did bring a few snacks for the road - chips, mixed nuts, granola bars, etc.  Just in case I didn't feel like stopping or didn't have time.

First night I stopped at a Logan's Roadhouse.  I didn't have a birthday coupon for it, but it had been a LONG time since I had visited one.  I LOVE their rolls, lol.
The entire purchase was paid for using my plasma card.

Next stop for food: a morning cappuccino from the gas station next to my hotel.  ;)  The hotel I stayed at (also cost covered by the plasma card) only had coffee - Ick.  I do not like coffee...


Along the way...

and a few restaurants in MN.

(Top Left) Kona Grill
(Top Center) DSW
(Top Right) Pita Pit & Jamba Juice
(Bottom Left) IHOP
Bottom Center) TCBY, 5-8 Club & Celt's Craft House
(Bottom Right) Potbelly's, Denny's, Perkins, Rita's, A&W, Baker's Square

Here is a full list of the places I have picked up free food so far:

5-8 Grill

A&W

Baker's Square

Celts Craft House

Culvers

Dennys

Dickey's BBQ

DSW

Godfathers Pizza

Honey Baked Ham

Houlihans

IHOP

Jamba Juice

Jersey Mikes

Kona Grill

Nothing Bundt Cake

Olive Garden

Perkins

Panera Bread

Piada

Pita Pit

Potbelly

Ritas Italian Ice

Sbarro

Starbucks

Red Rabbit

Au Bon Pain

Hooters

Which Wich

Lennys Subs

Waffle House

I also just went to the Mad Italian tonight and had Captain D's for lunch!

Also earlier this week: Schlotskys, RedBox, McAlister's, Panera Bread, Uncle Maddio's.
I still have about 22 places to go!

I've Got Gas!

Sorry for the delay in updated posts.  Went without good internet for a while and had some other issues and things come up that I needed to take care of...long story short - made the trip from Atlanta to Minnesota and back successfully!

First order of business in the trip was getting gas.  It took about $100 to go one way.

Gassed up for the first time just outside of CHATTANOOGA, TN.








Second stop for gas was in CAVE CITY, KY.

TAYLORSVILLE, INDIANA

CIGARY, INDIANA

...and $12 in MONONA, WI.


Keep in mind also, that I started out with a half tank of gas (Approx $15).


Total spent in gas: $79.25

Using the GasBuddy App was a HUGE benefit.  Gas in most places was anywhere from $2.35-$2.50 on average.  Being able to look around and find cheaper gas nearby or just ahead saved several dollars!

One of the best examples of saving gas was here in Taylorsville, IN.
I had stopped in Columbus to grab a couple things, and while there I checked out gas prices since I was on half a tank.  Not having a Sam's Club membership, I was still able to save over 30 cents compared to one of the nearby gas stations and at least 7 cents at the next lowest priced station.



All gas was covered by the BioLife Plasma card!

How You Can Help: Win, Win, Win Situation!

Everyone, Meet Cadence!

9-year-old Cadence was diagnosed with two germinoma brain tumors in 2015. Now, after four rounds of chemotherapy and radiation, Cadence is cancer-free.

The family was forced to move into a tiny apartment, her mom was forced to quit her job to care for Cadence.

“They are literally drowning in medical bills,” said Angel. “With the size of these ever growing medical bills they can never get out of this debt or the small apartment the family of five was forced to move into since the initial diagnosis. They have been unable to even rent a house with the state their credit is in. Cadence has blamed herself for this and we just could not allow this precious girl to hold that on her shoulders on top of everything else and after a yearlong search for a solution we finally found an answer to our prayers.”

You can read more of her story here:
http://www.morgancountycitizen.com/a-family-in-need-of-land/

My goal is to raise money for her and her family to at least begin the process of getting a house for the family.  Every penny counts.  Every dollar counts.  Every donation counts.
What is great about this, is that almost everyone can at least contribute somehow.  Even if you don't have the finances to give money, you can go to BioLife Plasma and donate plasma.  (You can donate at any location, but use Joe Nelson from the Snellville, GA location when you sign up and register to give as your referral, and the full $100 referral will go to Cadence and her home!  and remember, ther referral $ is not given until your SECOND successful donation.  So you will need to give twice.)
Keep in mind too, that when you donate plasma - you will be actually be helping more than just Cadence!  The plasma will go to help someone with other medical issues from deficiency syndromes to hemophilia.  Plasma is in your blood and helps your body control bleeding and infection.  By donating you will help a stranger, Cadence and you will also be compensated for your time from BioLife.  Three people benefit - Win, Win, Win!
If you have been waiting to donate or looking for a way to give or just make a little extra side money - this is the PERFECT OPPORTUNITY!

https://www.biolifeplasma.com

You can also donate directly here:

Paypal:

bethechangebaf@gmail.com

checks or money orders:

Be the Change

Brandy angel foundation

1201 Whispering Lakes Trl

Madison, GA 30650

(If you would like a receipt of your donation from Be The Change/BAF for tax purposes, be sure to request one)

They are now only $1900 away from reaching their first goal!  But we cannot reach this goal without your help!  

Please, give today!

...and we are off! Let the Free Spree begin! AKA: LEVEL UP!

I've already gotten few free things today in the last week or so.  Jersey Mike's last night.  IHOP a few days ago.  A rice krispy bar from Noodles and Co.

New year.  New locations.  New challenges!

Being in a different location and having to travel mid-month again, I am having to organize to an entirely new level!

Typically, I just write down dates and work my way down by expiration date and location is virtually nonexistent as most things are relatively close.  Being in my home state and staying in different locations at different times and then also having to travel back home mid-month, I am having to watch ALL aspects of the coupons.  I made a spreadsheet listed by company, location and expiration date.  Sections by when/where I MIGHT be near those locations at those times...

Not gonna rush through it at all this year.  Slow and steady because of all of the other things I have going on this year too.
Keep in mind, this is only the first HALF of what should be coming in my email.  Half comes in 1 week prior to the birthday, half comes on the 1st.  Then a few stragglers show up on the birthday.  This list will have several additions come Sunday!  YAY!

Moving like 80mph molasses

the first night I didn't even make it to Nashville.  Ended up sleeping about 30 miles south of Murfreesboro in the cheapest hotel I could in that area. Free, cuz of the plasma donation card.  Woohoo!!  The beds were great.  I put down towels and wore socks the entire time cuz the carpets were nasty though.  Didn't see any bed bugs so I consider that a win.

Got as far as Bowling Green KY before I had to stop and work for a few...a few hours.  Met a great waitress at the IHOP though.  Lifetime waitress since she was 9 at her moms restaursnt.  I think she's early 20s now.  But she loves her job and loves meeting new people.  I had an anniversary coupon too, so my meal was free.

Found a handful of new Joe shirts along the way.  I think I'm up to 82 now.  But not 100% sure.

Stopped by a gas station to use the facilities. When leaving I saw frozen root beers, so I filed up a cup and went to pay.  Half way to the register, a lady who just paid was leaving with 6 drinks in her arms. 4 in a holder and 2 more cradled in her arms.  I grabbed the door for her then got in line.  The guy asked me, "Do you have a shoppers card?"
"I do not.  Do I need one?"
"No"
Slight pause.
"It's free this time"
I didn't understand so I handed him a $1 bill
"It's free.  No charge"
"I'm confused..."
"You held the door for he lady.  This ones free"
"Oh.  Wow.  Thank you!"

Drove thru Nashville, Louisville and Indianapolis and have not received a single LYFT request.  Odd.

Met up with my old roommate and friend in Indianapolis.  That was fun.  And also a free meal.

Total spent on gas so far to get to Chicago: $75
If you include the 1/2 tank I left with, about $90 in gas to get here. And I still have 1/2 tank to go...

Kickstart my Trip

Well.  Change of plans.  For personal reasons the trip begins a week early.

I made $9 doing LYFT on my way out of Atlanta.  Spent $25 in gas.  Using my GasBuddy app, I found really cheap gas right off the interstate.   Regular gas average price in Nashville is about $2.50/gallon