We Have Winners

The winner of the Yoplait Delights, as chosen by Random.org, is comment #32:

I follow on twitter as
frugalmomto4. #2

The winner of The Portable Pediatrician, as chosen by Random.org, is comment #2:

I would like the book because I love the Dr.Sears books.
jaeayne

Both winners have been emailed and have 48 hours to respond with an address or a new winner will be chosen.

Weekend Coupon Preview and MORE

The weekend preview is ready HERE. I missed getting my papers last weekend and you know I'm not going to miss this one!




Also, I have found a coupon for Robitussin HERE. You can sign up for local cold alerts and you will be able to print a $1 off coupon.

Book Review: We Be Big

We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of How Two Kids from Calhoun County, Alabama Became Rick & Bubba
By Rick Burgess & Bill "Bubba" Bussey
Thomas Nelson, 2011
English, 240 pgs


Description:

The story of two unlikely radio hosts and what happened when they followed their faith and instincts.

They are the most unlikely broadcast stars imaginable, yet hundreds of thousands of loyal listeners start their day with them every morning.  They don't have "radio voices," don't spin the latest hit songs, don't do "shock jock" humor, horoscopes, or celebrity birthdays.  Instead, Rick Burgess and Bill "Bubba" Bussey-collectively known as "The Rick and Bubba Show" on scores of radio stations coast to coast-share real stories about real people, inviting their vast audience into their families and circle of friends to experience with them uproarious happenings and moving events with which they can all identify.  Beyond that, these two non-radio radio personalities break the biggest no-no for secular radio as they openly share in a forceful but non-threatening way their faith in Christ and their common-sense way of looking at the world.

Now, in We Be Big: The Mostly True Story of How We Became Rick & Bubba, they (with the assistance of best-selling and award-winning author Don Keith) share how this unlikely pairing came about and how the show found even higher levels of popularity, even as the two of them deliberately steered away from every accepted rule for radio success. Alternately hilarious and heartbreaking, this is also the highly personal story of two men who-like most of us-resisted stepping through the doors God opened for them, opting for the easier path when tested.  In this compelling story, "the two sexiest fat men alive" share their experiences and demonstrate how, with the help of faith and family, they have become a true blessing for so many.

Review:
I have never heard the Rick and Bubba Show. I want to though. I requested this book since I absolutely loved the Rick & Bubba's Big Honkin' Book of Grub which I reviewed last year. These guys have a sense of humor so like mine and my friends I'm sure they'd fit right in out here!

They say several times that they keep their radio show "real" and that is what this book is. I laughed out loud reading stories from their childhood about how the "seed" for radio broadcast was planted and I really enjoyed "getting to know" them. (I really don't know them, but the book is so honest and so open that I feel like I do.)

I love that they don't shy away from their faith and that they are open about their reliance on God and His plans. They are honest about trials they've faced and about triumphs they've enjoyed.

It's a really great read and I would recommend it to anyone.

I received a copy of this book for review purposes from Book Sneeze. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

Month Two Totals

This is how much I saved in February with coupons and free stuff:

Wal Mart - $19.10

CVS - $34.29

Walgreens - $0 (didn't step into store once!)

HEB - $0 (didn't shop there)

Kroger - $0 (didn't shop there either!)

Online/Other - $41.68 (This was using a 20% off diaper code on top of the 30% subscribe and save. Also includes savings from items on One Sale A Day site.)

FREE Book Value - $40.98

FREE Product Value - $66.98 (Party supplies from Coffee Mate, and something else I can't remember)

TOTAL: $203.30
Online Survey Earnings: $49.00
(Only includes account amounts earned in cash, point accounts not included until they are cashed out.)

How to Make Money and Influence People

There are plenty of legitimate ways to make money with the Internet. If you’re willing to devote a little time each day toward them, you can do pretty well. You’re not going to be able to replace a full time job, but you can supplement your income!

Everything I will mention is something I have personally used. I will include screen shots of my account totals when I can. There are other sites for the same types of deals out there.

The first way is to earn points or cash for shopping. If you’re someone who shops online a lot there are several sites that pay you back in a small percentage or points each time you shop through their site.

Some of the more popular ones are Ebates and MyPoints. Each site works differently and some even give you rewards for referring others to them. Make sure you find the one that you are most comfortable with and use it every time you shop.  MyPoints gives you points for reading emails and trying to do surveys. They also have a place where you can print grocery coupons and earn points simply by using them.

How much you can “earn” depends on how much you shop and which site you use. I personally use MyPoints and did not pay a penny for gift cards for friends and family at Christmas and birthdays last year:

Another way to earn a small amount is by using “search and win” sites. The one I prefer is SwagBucks. There are several ways to earn “free” points every day and you win points for searching with their site. There are other ways to earn such as shopping, trading in electronics and “special offers” but I’ve never used them. They also give points for referrals.

The points are traded in for all kinds of good things! I use it for Amazon gift codes and use those for Christmas and birthday gifts.  Last year I made over $200 with this site which made Christmas pretty much free:

The final way I make money online is the most time consuming…surveys. There are so many survey sites and it can be confusing to find the ones that work best for you. Just remember: never pay to be on a survey site. Surveys take time and sometimes they are mind-numbingly boring, but you can make money with them.

Here are some of the sites I use:

Opinion Outpost - pays in Amazon codes and cash, 50 points equals $5, gives referral points:

Mindfield - pays cash, gives referral points:

Synovate Global Opinion Panels - pays cash, no rewards for referrals, 5000 points equals $5, sometimes does product testing:

MommyTalk Surveys - pays in cash, $25 cash-out threshhold, $5 bonus for signing up, no referral bonus:

Reward Port Surveys - pays in cash, $25 cash-out threshhold, $5 bonus for signing up, no referral bonus:

American Consumer Opinion - lowest activity of all sites, but pays well in cash, sometimes does product testing. No screen shot because of privacy issues.

Ipsos Panels - 1000 points equals $10, referrals need to be emailed to get get points:

Toluna - 60,000 points equals $20, no referral bonus, points earned by surveys and polls:

Each time I get a survey credited to an account, or cash out points for money, I update the total on the right side of the screen. I think I'm doing pretty well so far this year!

DVD Review and GIveaway: Paws & Tales

Paws & Tales: God Cares For You
Providential Pictures, English and Spanish


Description: Using colorful animation, fun characters, and great lessons, Paws & Tales is an exciting tool for helping build godly character into kids. Based on the “Paws & Tales” nationally broadcast radio program presented by Chuck Swindoll’s Insight for Living, the Paws & Tales videos communicate biblical truth and show kids how they can apply it to real life. Kids will be captivated by the adventure, caught up in the laughter, and carried away in the fun . . . and the whole time they'll be on their way to understanding solid Bible theology. This first DVD in the series, based on Psalm 23:1 and Proverbs 10:25, teaches kids that God cares for them. The DVD features two full-length animated episodes, music videos, an e-book, activities, and parent resources.

Chuck Swindoll comments to parents: “Laying a good spiritual foundation in your children is essential . . . and even better when it’s reinforced early and often. Paws & Tales is a great tool for helping you build godly character into your kids.”

Review: I'm pretty picky about what my son can watch. He's even pickier about what he will watch. I'd never heard of the Paws & Tales series before and was happy to get a chance to review one of the DVDs. This DVD has two episodes, "A Good Foundation" and "The Good Shepherd", both of which we watched.

Now, my son is 4 and his sense of humor is developing to be really silly and quite sharp witted. That being said, I didn't really understand why there had to be underwear humor and why the characters responded to each other they way they did. One asked another "are you blind" when they were looking for a tree. There were other instances too which I think could have been worded differently to not be as sarcastic or mean. The animation isn't ground breaking, but is good and well done.

He did like the videos. I asked him if he learned from the first episode and he said "nope, everything broke, there were cracks". He laughed a lot during "The Good Shepherd" but found it a little scary and asked me to turn it off. He sat and watched the songs that coordinate with the episodes and asked me to keep playing them over and over. A few minutes after it was over, he started asking questions like "what's a solid rock?" and "how is God a shepherd?" so I guess he did get something from it!

I thought there would be more Biblical truths to the episodes, since they are from Chuck Swindoll, and was kinda disappointed that it was just kinda thrown in at the end of each episode. Even though, I'm going to put this in the church nursery, proudly.

For more information on the series, you can go to Tyndale House or the Paws & Tales Games site.


I have a certificate for a FREE copy of the DVD to give away to one of my readers. To enter just leave a comment letting me know you want the DVD.

One entry per person, giveaway ends March 5 at 10 PM CST. Giveaway limited to addresses in US only.

I received a review copy of the DVD from Tyndale House. No additional compensation has been received and I was not required to write a positive review.

CVS Trip

Here's my CVS results from today:

Bought:
2 packs Pull Ups, OS $8.99 ea
1 Speed Stick, OS 2.99
1 Nice & Easy Foam Hair Color, OS $7.99

Coupons Used:
2 $2 off Pull Ups
1 $0.50 off Speed Stick
1 FREE Nice & Easy Foam (cashier keyed as regular price of $9.99)
$10 Extra Bucks from last week

Total Paid: $4.84
Total Saved: $34.29
EB Received: $7

Sunday Coupon Preview

The list of this Sunday's coupons is HERE. Looks like a pretty slow weekend.

Book Review and Giveaway: The Portable Pediatrician

The Portable Pediatrician: Everything You Need to Know About Your Child's Health
By William Sears, MD, Martha Sears, RN, Robert Sears, MD, James Sears, MD and Peter Sears, MD
Little Brown and Company, 2011
English, 592 pgs


Description:
Imagine you are up at three o'clock in the morning with a sick child. Wouldn't it be nice to have expert advice readily at hand to help get you through the night? Encyclopedic in scope, THE PORTABLE PEDIATRICIAN features timely and practical information on every childhood illness and emergency, including when to call the doctor, what reassuring signs can help you know your child is okay, how to treat your child at home, and much more-all in a convenient A-to-Z format. Among the scores of topics covered: teething; sprains and broken bones; nosebleeds; measles; ear infections; choking; rashes; colic; headaches; eating disorders; fever; hip pain; warts; allergies; obesity; seizures; Asperger's Syndrome; bronchitis; masturbation; sunburns; pneumonia; speech delay; lice; vomiting; asthma; heart defects; blisters; sleep problems; and more.

The Searses guide parents and caregivers from a child's infancy through the teen years, teaching them what to expect at regular checkups as well as how to boost a child's well-being, devise a family health plan, work effectively with their pediatrician, and more. Distinguished by the Searses' trademark comprehensiveness, reliability, and accessible, comforting one, this book is a must-have for all families who want to keep their children healthy and happy.

About the Authors:
William Sears, MD, and Martha Sears, RN, are the pediatric experts on whom American parents increasingly rely for advice and information on all aspects of pregnancy, birth, childcare, and family nutrition. Dr. Sears has practiced pediatrics for more than 40 years, and is an associate clinical professor at the University of California, Irvine, School of Medicine. Martha Sears is a registered nurse and parenting and health consultant. Robert W. Sears, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician in private practice in southern California. James Sears, MD, is a board-certified pediatrician and co-host of The Doctors. Peter Sears, MD, is a board-certified physician specializing in family practice in Nashville, TN.

Review:
I am so happy to have this in my house now. There have been several instances in the past few months where I've felt so helpless because the boys were sick after hours or I didn't know what to do with them coughing or vomiting. This book is not intended to replace a doctor, but will be useful for those panic moments. I'm thinking this may be a book I give new parents because it has sections on how to choose a doctor, what to expect at the visits and a large A-Z section with just about everything you'll experience (well, I hope you don't) as a parent. I turned straight to the "screaming" section and found some helpful tips for the 4 year old. It also referred me to another Drs. Sears on discipline which I immediately went and bought!

The good folks at Hachette Book Group are giving away one copy of this book to one of my readers!

To enter just leave a comment telling me why

you want the book.

Giveaway Rules: Please be sure you read these before 

you start posting comments. 

Giveaway open to residents of the US and Canada only. You will have to provide a physical address, not a PO Box. Winner will be chosen, with the True Random Number Generator (Random.org), Friday, March 4 at 10 PM CST. Winner will be notified via email and will have 24 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. All entries MUST have your email in them. To keep Spam Bots from snagging you, put your address like this: name(at)server(dot)com

 

I received a copy of the book from Hachette Book Group in exchange for an honest review. No additional compensation has been received.

Book Review: Regret Free Parenting

Regret Free Parenting: Raise Good Kids and Know You're Doing It Right
By Catherine Hickem
Thomas Nelson, 2011
English, 256 pgs


Description:
A motherhood expert teaches the seven essential principles every mom needs to confidently raise her children.

Every mother wants her children to grow up happy, healthy, and fulfilled. But reaching that destination can be full of indecision, worry, and second-guessing. Ask any mother, "Do you think you're doing a good job?" and she'll likely give you a mixed answer. In her groundbreaking book, Regret-Free Parenting, Catherine Hickem offers seven principles for mothers to raise their children well . . . and know they're doing it right.

With nearly thirty years of experience as a psychotherapist, speaker, women's ministry director, and founder of Intentional Moms, Catherine Hickem shows how to build respect, companionship, trust, and emotional health as well as how to usher confident, centered, and secure adults into the world. If any mother has ever wondered, Am I raising a good kid and am I doing it right? she needs the impactful teaching of Regret-Free Parenting.

Review:
My kids' pediatrician once told me that if I'm questioning whether or not I'm doing a good job raising my boys, I probably am. I still wonder though. That's why I made a "bee line" to this book and "devoured" it within a week!

The 7 principles put forth by the author will answer any question you have and it's written in a plain, easy to understand way. It is not condescending at all. I fully admit I skipped the teenage chapter at first, but went back and read it. I love her concept of being a vision keeper for your child.

I think I've been lacking on her principle #4 (Be Intentional About Developing Emotional Intelligence) and learned a lot from the chapter that I'm starting to do with the boys. Part of that is that I'm kinda not a fan of emotions. I'd be perfectly happy to not have them. But I'm doing better teaching the boys about them now.

We're really working on the principle #5 as well (Be Intentional About Maintaining Your Position). My older son is realllllly testing boundaries and we're learning to make sure that we stick to them.

The Parenting Plan at the back is really useful too.

I received a review copy from BookSneeze in exchange for an honest review.