Webkinz fans~ Excellent Deal on Webkinz Series 1 Trading Cards

Amazon.com currently has 2 very similar offers that are a GREAT price for Webkinz Series 1 Trading cards.  36pks of trading cards are available in each box making them an EXCELLENT gift idea for party favors, stockings, chore rewards etc!  These are also both eligible for Free Super Saver Shipping but are just shy of $25.  You can search for filler items but you also might try one of these.

I had another item to order but if you are stuck without a filler item to take advantage of free super saver shipping, you may consider :
Books for Filler Items Most are listed for $1.50 and include sticker books. These also qualify for the current for our 4-for-3 promotion.
Happy Shopping!

Please welcome Fun Smart!

Some of you may have noticed a new blog listed under my profile.  My tween has started her own blog giving reviews and posts from a tween perspective.  Please check it out and follow if you haven't already done so.  Welcome aboard Fun Smart!  http://funsmartreviews.blogspot.com/

ZoomPanel

There are several sites that advertise rewards in exchange for completing surveys.  Some of the sites get tons of information from you then tell you that you don't qualify so they won't have to reward you.  That is NOT the case with Zoompanel.  If you do not qualify for a particular survey you still get 5 zoom points for your account.  I like Zoompanel for a few reasons: they are legit, surveys are quick and easy, there is a good variety of rewards available, they don't spam and zoom points do not expire!  If you are not a member of Zoompanel, consider signing up today.  I would love for you to tell them StuffSmart sent you by clicking here to sign up.
With the holidays around the corner this would be a great way to save money by earning gifts!

Tips for getting your kids ready to go back to school

Twittermoms and Harper Collins Books challenged members to blog about "tips for getting your kids ready to go back to school".  I jumped at the opportunity since we LOVE Twittermoms & Harper Collins Books.

StuffSmart's Ten tips for getting your kids ready to go back to school

1. Keep reading through the summer.  Many retailers and local libraries offer summer reading programs.
2. Sneek in educational games to keep math, history and other subjects fresh in your child's mind.
3. Have you child make a memory box of the past school years' work and accomplishments.  This can be fun and serve as a review.
4. Check the school website and make sure to keep up with school supply lists, dress codes etc.
5. Involve your child in gathering supplies for back to school.
6. Make sure to fit your child's backpack and stock it with needed supplies.
7. Designate a place for your child's coat, backpack etc so there is no searching when the first day of school gets here or for the entire school year.
8. Go through clothing and decide what is needed to shop for school clothes meeting the dress code requirements.
9. Purchase needed supplies (see previous post)
10. Get your child back on schedule a few wks before school starts by resuming school bedtime, wake for school and eating breakfast/lunch at times that will be followed during the school year.

A little about Harper Collins from Twittermoms website:

About HarperCollins Children's Books:


HarperCollins Children’s Books is one of the leading publishers of children’s books. Respected worldwide for its tradition of publishing quality books for children, HarperCollins is home to many of the classics of children's literature, including Goodnight Moon, Where the Wild Things Are, The Giving Tree, Charlotte's Web, Ramona, Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse, the I Can Read! beginning reader series and countless award-winning titles. HarperCollins Children's Books is a division of HarperCollins Publishers, one of the leading English-language publishers in the world. Visit HarperCollins Children's Books at http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms blogging program to be eligible to get a HarperCollins book set. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

10 tips for saving money during the back-to-school season

Staples and TwitterMoms have challenged me to list 10 tips for saving money during the back-to-school season.

1. Utilize after season sales to buy for the next yr.
2. Take advantage from Loss Leader specials.  Many stores have .05 deals!
3. If your state offers a tax free holiday consider making purchases then.
4. Make clothing purchases in moderation.  Children grow quickly so don't blow the budget for a new back to school wardrobe all at once.
5. Use what you have.  Many of us buy in bulk.  If your school asks for paper products etc.  Share your stock.
6. Take advantage of your fellow bloggers to make sure you are in the know about sales.  Same goes for yourself.  Post those deals!
7. Re-use.  Invest in a good quality backpack and reuseable lunch system that will travel with your child through the grades.
8. Plan to pack your child's lunch.
9. Consider hosting clothing swaps, garage sales, craig's list etc for savings on clothing.
10. Don't overbuy.  This may sound silly but sometimes we can get excited and try to buy everything.  Stick to your child's school classroom list.

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Staples blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

NEW reinvented Dove® Hair Care

As some of you may know I am a member of  Bzzagent a Word of Mouth advertising source where I am sent products to try in exchange for "bzzing" or telling others about my experience.  The most recent product I received was Dove's New Reinvented Hair Care Daily Intensive Treatment Conditioner.  We are a Dove family but for some reason I have never tried their haircare products.  I will say I was a little reluctant when I read the words "IntensiveTreatment".  Those words make me think heavy and greasy.  Dove Intensive Treatment Daily Repair was not heavy or greasy at all!  It has a light and pleasant smell and is very easy to use.  You just shampoo/rinse then add conditioner and leave on for 1minute and rinse.  It rinses completely and left my hair feeling healthy.  I will definitely continue to use it when I need conditioner.



Of course my favorite online shopping source, Amazon.com, has Dove products.  You can pick up a 3pk of 8oz bottles for $18.94 without leaving your home!

Tips for Ensuring a Healthy, Safe and Successful School Year

It seems that the school year just ended yet the start of a new school year is quickly approaching.  Twittermoms and Airwear challenged me to share tips for ensuring a healthy, safe and successful school year.

1. Make sure your child has had their needed physicals including eye exam.
2. Make sure that your child has stayed active during the summer so they will be ready for gym, sports etc.
3. Keep your child reading and involved in learning activities over the summer.
4. I like to send healthy lunches so I am always looking for new ideas via the internet and my fellow bloggers to keep lunch fun.
5. Use reuseable lunch containers that are safety approved for your child's health and to be environmentally responsible.
6. Send a bottle of hand sanitizer with your child in their backpack and or lunch box.
7. Encourage hand washing to avoid the viruses that run wild in schools.
8. Make sure your child has the materials needed for school.  We try to restock paper, check pencils etc.  weekly.
9. Maintain active communication with your child's teacher.  This benefits everyone.
10. My favorite tip is:  Always prepare the night before by making sure backpacks are ready, clothes (incl. shoes) are laid out, all forms are signed etc.  It makes the mornings run much smoother.

Hopefully, these tips will help you have a healthy, safe and successful school year.  I look forward to hearing your tips as well.
Be sure to participate in Airwear’s essay contest at http://www.lightersafergreener.com/. One grand prize winner will be awarded $1,000, while 10 first prize winners will receive vouchers for Airwear lenses valued up to $400.

*“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Airwear blogging program, making me eligible to get a $25 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, visit http://airwear.twittermoms.com/about."

Garage Sale Advice?

I am very inexperienced in the area of having a garage sale as I'm not one to easily part with things but when I do, usually donate to various charities.  I have undertaken a massive entire house cleaning project and am in a pinch time wise to host a garage sale to try to make a little cash from the treasures I am parting with.  I would appreciate any advice you may have.  I have been told Craigs List and local newspapers are great ways to advertise.  Any other ideas?  Any tips, tricks?  The last garage sale I had was advertised by the subdivision as a community garage sale and I had less than a dozen customers and was told only a handful in the neighborhood participated. 
BTW: I have already made plans to donate the remainder of items to local charities after the garage sale.

Enjoying Summer

I apologize for the lack of posting lately.  I have had a ton going on this summer some of which I will share with you when the time is right.  I do hope my readers are taking time to enjoy the summer.  Thanks for following my blogging journey.

Happy Fourth of July!