SmileyCookie.com Review & Giveaway


The iconic "smiley" cookie concept started at Eat'n Park restaurant over 20 years ago. The restaurant is still around, but if you're not lucky enough to live near one, you can order them online, anytime!

Newest product: Father's Day cookies!
SmileyCookie.com has taken this traditional favorite and turned it into a customizable cookie that can be enjoyed during holidays, celebrations, sporting events...any occasion you could think of! Want a cookie to match your wedding's theme? How about having jack-o-lantern cookies at your Halloween party? You can even put corporate logos on them for business meetings. SmileyCookie.com will work with you to make sure you get the perfect cookie!
Smiling Joe gift basket

There is a great cookie customizer, where you can create your custom cookie with a few clicks of your mouse, and see the results immediately. If you have an idea of what kind of cookie you want, you can choose from MANY pre-designed cookies such as birthday, baby shower, and holiday cookies. SmileyCookie has tons of gift baskets as well, making for a perfect gift. Send the coffee lover in your life a basket of coffee and cookies! Know a chocolate fiend?  Send some chocolate cookies! You can be sure everyone will be able to enjoy these cookies, as they are all peanut free.

Order some cookies today, and get them shipped tomorrow!

My Opinion

I chose the Smiling Sky Gift Basket to review. I think this would make a good "congratulatory" basket with the smileys and stars. The first thing I took note of was just how big the basket was! Also, the amount of cookies. I was glad to see that it came with 2 dozen cookies. Plenty to go around in my full house! The basket itself was very nicely wrapped in clear gift wrap, and tied perfectly with a white bow. It was all professionally done.

I couldn't wait to open them up and give them a try. You can tell these cookies are hand-iced. Every cookie was different. I couldn't believe how big these cookies were. They're huge! According to the website, they are 4" in diameter. I was able to get QUITE a few bites out of one cookie. Speaking of bites...they were delicious. I'm not usually a fan of sugar cookies. They're usually very hard and when you bite into them, they break into lots of pieces. Not these sugar cookies. I was expecting the cookie to fall apart with my first bite, but it stayed in one piece until I finished it.

Another thing I must say, is that these cookies were soft, moist, and a little chewy. I was expecting them to be hard and dry. I took the advice of a little note packed with them, and microwaved them for 10 seconds. This made them even better. It enhanced the taste, and they were softer. They really tasted fresh baked.

Everyone in my house, all 5 of us, really liked these cookies. My daughter loved them and thought they were so cute. I put one dozen on a plate on the kitchen table. I'm sure they won't last long!

***Win It!*** 
One dozen Original Smiley Cookies!

Mandatory First Entry: Go to Smileycookie.com and find your favorite product. Then click the Facebook “Like” button on that item’s product page. Tell me which product you "Liked"!

Extra Entries: (Available after mandatory entry is completed. Please leave separate comments for each entry).

1. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)

2. Follow Smiley Cookie on Twitter and send a tweet to @smileycookie (1 entry)

3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

4. "Like" Smiley Cookie on Facebook and post something on their wall (1 entry)

5. "Like" me on Facebook (1 entry)

6. Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

7. Subscribe to my blog via RSS/reader (1 entry)

8. Tweet this giveaway. Leave link to tweet (1 entry, can be done once daily for 1 extra entry per day)

" Enter to #win a dozen Smiley Cookies! #giveaway Ends 6/15 http://tinyurl.com/3hvg452 "

9. Blog about this giveaway. Please link back to this post, and leave an address where it can be found (5 entries)

10. Put my button on your blog. Leave an address where it can be found (3 entries)


Giveaway will end on June 15th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen be Random.org and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email before a new winner will be chosen. Make sure you leave your email in comment or make sure it is visible in your profile so I have a way to contact you if you win! This giveaway is open to US residents only.

I received a Smiling Sky gift basket in exchange for this review/giveaway. No other compensation was received. All opinions are mine and were not influenced by any compensation I may have received. I am not responsible for prize fulfillment. Giveaway sponsor is responsible for shipping the prize to the winner.

Guest Post: Children and Finances

Interview with Personal Finance Expert, Pamela Yellen, President of Bank On Yourself

1.  What are your thoughts on allowances?  Good idea?  Bad?

Allowances are a great idea, as long as they are tied into chores.  The earlier children learn basic financial principles, such as the exchange of goods and services for money, the better. Too many people in our country have come to depend on others for their financial security, leaving them feeling as though they have little or no control over their future. The writing is on the wall:  We all need to take responsibility for our financial destiny and stop relying on the government, an employer, or failing social programs. And nothing builds a child's self-esteem faster than self-reliance.

2.   If you think they're okay, what's a reasonable age to start and how much should be given?

Children as young as age 4 can benefit.  An allowance can help teach them how to recognize coins, though they're also more likely to lose them. The amount the child receives for chores should be based on their age as well as what you expect them to use the money for.  Will they be expected to purchase birthday gifts for friends, school lunches, or a trip to the mall, for example?  If so, the allowance needs to be able to cover that.

3.  What do you recommend children do with their earnings?

I recommend the "40/30/20/10 Saving Rule."  40% of their earnings can be used for spending, 30% should be set aside for short-term savings, 20% for long-term savings and 10% for donating. If children sort their money into these categories every week, they will develop responsible lifelong money-management skills at an early age.

4.  How do you encourage children who are bombarded with advertisements for the latest gadgets and who are also pressured to "keep up with the Joneses" at school to save?

Trying to "keep up with the Joneses" almost brought our country to its knees.  The key is in helping your children understand the difference between a "need" and a "want."  Hold regular "family night" discussions with the whole family during which you go over the family budget and review where the money is going.

Helpful Tip:  Have your children write out the checks to pay family expenses.

Teaching by example is absolutely critical.  If you tell your children one thing, but do another, they will catch on very quickly.  Explain how there are things you'd like to buy that you decided to forego and why. And always look for things you can do as a family that cost little or no money, to create experiences and lasting memories.

5.  What approach do you recommend parents take when talking with children about finances? 

Many couples don't have regular, honest discussions about money with each other, let alone talk to their children about it. The time to start is today.  Be honest about where you are financially and where you wan to be.  Walk the talk.  Read "The Richest Man in Babylon," by George Clason, out loud as a family.
And don't be afraid to openly discuss the mistakes you've made and what you've learned from them.


About Pamela:
As a consultant to financial advisors, Pamela Yellen investigated more than 450 savings and retirement planning strategies seeking an alternative to the risk and volatility of stocks and other investments. Her research led her to a time-tested, predictable method of growing and protecting savings now used by more than 400,000 Americans. Pamela's book, BANK ON YOURSELF: The Life-Changing Secret to Growing and Protecting Your Financial Future, is a New York Times Bestseller.

She has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX, NPR and in The Huffington Post, Fortune Small Business and hundreds of other publications. Learn more at www.BankOnYourself.com and www.BankOnYourselfNation.com, her new financial education site. For more tips from Pamela on children and finances, check out 7 Steps to Set Your Teens on a Lifelong Path to Financial Success.

Save money on your home loan

Coldwater Creek Eco Tote $1.39 Shipped


ColdWaterCreek.com has lowered the price of their tote bag from $5 to $1.99. The tote is 16" x 12" x 6" and can be rolled up so it can easily be stored in the car so you never leave home without it! Use code 261698 to take 30% off your order and score free shipping, making the bag $1.39.

KidsSocks.com Review


I couldn't tell you how many pairs of socks my daughter loses. You know what I mean, the elusive sock that always goes missing during laundry day. There's at least 6 socks in her drawer that doesn't have a partner.

KidsSocks.com is a new online stores that carries literally thousands of different socks, from infants to tweens. There are over 3,000 styles and 7,000 colors/patterns to choose from. They carry lots of popular brands such as Puma, Skechers, and Tic Tac Toe.

The girls selection home page!
I was offered the chance to pick any pair of socks for my daughter to review. I have to be honest, I was a little overwhelmed when I started looking for the perfect pair! Luckily though, there are lots of different ways to search for socks, so that made it easier. You can search by gender, age, and brand. You can refine your search even more by style, such as graphics, sports, and basics. You can find baby bootie gift sets, fashion tights/leggings, and knee high socks as well.

Along with an extensive clearance section, there are a few other ways you can save on this site. If you sign up for their mailing list, you can receive exclusive sales, special savings, and invite-only promotions. And every week, they have a "sock of the week" deal. Right now, you can get an adorable pair of Spongebob socks for only .99 cents, saving you $2.51! There is FREE priority shipping on all orders of $30 or more, and all items come with a 365 day return policy!

My Opinion

Like I said, there's A LOT of socks to browse through. I narrowed it down to a few pairs, and I finally settled on this pair of socks. They were shipped fairly quickly, and I was surprised to find a little box of Mike & Ike candies as a "Thank You" gift. (My daughter enjoyed those!)

My daughter loved the design and color of the socks, but she said she only wears ankle socks....OOPS! She did try them on, but she said, "They feel weird!". BUT, I decided to try them on. And guess what? They fit me perfectly! I ordered them in size 8-9, so moms, hint hint....I wear shoe size 6.5-7 shoe, so if they fit me.... :)


I enjoyed the whole browsing process, and even thought my daughter was put off by the style of sock, I LOVED them. I would definitely suggest checking out KidsSocks.com for all your sock (and more) needs!

20 FREE Kindle eBook downloads!

Amazon is having a GREAT promotion going on right now. Download up to 20 eBooks for Kindle, absolutely free!


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  • Little Artists: Personalized Gift and Party Favors Review & Giveaway



    When I found Little Artists, I was surprised at just how many different items they carry! From furniture to school supplies, and everything in between, they have it. Each item can be personalized with a name with your choice of lettering style, and one of many different design choices, such as safari animals and butterflies.

    Have you ever taken your child to a birthday party, and the favors are junk that either gets left behind or tossed in the can when you get home? If you're going to spend money on favors, make sure they will actually get kept instead of wasting it!

    Little Artists specializes in party favors that children (and parents) will LOVE! Why not get a tote bag that the kids can bring home and decorate themselves? Or how about a personalized water bottle? And if you order just 10 or more, you can take 5% off of your total.


    All items can be gift wrapped for a very reasonable price. Orders can be placed by either emailing or calling Little Artists. Both credit cards and checks are accepted.



    My Opinion

    Towards the end of my pregnancy, I started looking for the perfect "Baby's 1st Piggy Bank". My son is now almost 5 months old, and I still hadn't found one. So when Little Artists allowed me to choose a piggy bank for my review product, I was so happy!

    I spent a lot of time browsing through all of the design options. I loved both the Monkey and Polka Dot designs. I FINALLY went with the polka dots. There's something about the simpleness of it that I really liked. I'm very happy with my decision :)

    The piggy bank was nicely packaged in a box, safely surrounded by air filled pillows. The banks come in 3 sizes, and I was thrilled to see I was sent the large piggy bank. This will hold A LOT of money! But there is even a jumbo bank. I can only imagine how big that one is! My fiance asked if we would have to break it open. I turned it over to find a plug on it...PHEW!

    Click on the pic to see all the great detail!
    The bank is made of very nice ceramic. The lettering and design looked exactly as it did on the website. I couldn't believe how perfectly round all the dots were. As you can see in my picture, the bank had some kind of gray smudging or residue on it. I have NO idea what it was and was a little upset to see it, but I was able to get ALL of it off simply by using a pencil eraser on it. It looks like it may have come off the packaging material somehow. Whatever it was, I don't think the artist sent it looking like that.

    I am loving this piggy bank, and am so glad that this is Logan's 1st one. With the design I chose, he can use it for many years to come. And good thing, because it will take that long to fill it up!

    ***Win It!*** 
    Your choice of a personalized item from Little Artists' "Spring & Summer" collection with any "mini design" choice!

    There are 3 more items to choose from than the ones shown!
    Mandatory First Entry: Visit Little Artists and tell me which product you would choose if you won!

    Extra Entries: (Available after mandatory entry is completed. Please leave separate comments for each entry).

    1. Follow me on GFC (1 entry) Since the GFC widget is down, you can follow by using the Blogger status bar on top of my blog.

    2. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

    2. "Like" me on Facebook (1 entry)

    4. Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

    5. Subscribe to my blog via RSS/reader (1 entry)

    6. Tweet this giveaway. Leave link to tweet (1 entry, can be done once daily for 1 extra entry per day)

    " #Win your choice of a hand-painted, personalized, fun, summer gift from Little Artists! #giveaway Ends 6/11 http://tinyurl.com/3o6bvfs "

    7. Blog about this giveaway. Please link back to this post, and leave an address where it can be found (5 entries)

    8. Put my button on your blog. Leave an address where it can be found (3 entries)


    Giveaway will end on June 11th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen be Random.org and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email before a new winner will be chosen. Make sure you leave your email in comment or make sure it is visible in your profile so I have a way to contact you if you win! This giveaway is open to US residents only.

    I received a personalized piggy bank from Little Artists in exchange for this review and giveaway. I received no other compensation. All opinions are my own and were not influenced by any compensation I may have received.

    5 Question Friday!


    1. Do you apologize to your kids? I'm always saying sorry to my daughter! She wants to go to Disney World...sorry Faith, I need to hit the lottery first. She wants to shave her legs...sorry Faith, you're only 9 years old...LOL.

    2. What color are your nails right now? They're nude. I don't remember the last time I painted my nails. They're perfect as is. I've been told quite a few times, "You're so lucky, I have to pay to get my nails to look like that!"

    3. When you were growing up, how difficult was it for you to stay home from school sick? (As in, did you have to vomit or just say, "I don't feel good".) It was pretty easy for me to stay home. My mom was cool like that! But I do remember 2 specific occasions where I REALLY wanted to stay home but my mom said no. I remember making a "concoction" in the toilet. Anything I could find in the medicine cabinet I dumped in the toilet to make it look like I got sick. It turned out so horrible, even I knew it wouldn't work. I wound up flushing it and going to school. Another time, I said I had a fever and she told me to take my temperature. When she left, I put the thermometer up to the light bulb and it burst. Needless to say, I went to school that day too!

    4. When is the last time you bought a new comforter for your bed? It's been a LONG time! My MIL is a bedroom set addict, so she is always buying me beautiful comforters, shams, pillowcase...you name it.

    5. Favorite website(s)? Hmm, let's see. It'd have to be Blogger (my blog). Then Gmail, Twitter, Facebook. Other than social media sites, I love browsing Craigslist for crazy cheap items, and Oddee.com for daily "odd" articles. I also love PostSecret.

    If you would like to participate in 5 Question Friday, go here for more info! 

    Review: Send A Ball - A unique, personalized, mailable gift!


    A few days ago I was sitting in the kitchen, when my mother-in-law comes in the front door and asked, "Are you expecting a package?" I said, "Probably, why?" She said, "I saw something red on the step when I pulled up to the house." So she goes out to get it and comes in a was like, "What on Earth is this? It has your name on it." I said the same thing when I saw it....what on Earth...a ball?! Sure enough, there's a ball with my name and address written on it with permanent marker. I was still clueless, until I turned the ball around and saw a handwritten message: Have a Ball With, QuestionMoms.com.

    I'm a member of QuestionMoms, and I heard through the grapevine that certain members were getting surprises in the mail. I wondered if I was one of them. As soon as I saw who sent it, I immediately knew this was the surprise. And boy, was it!

    SendABall.com is a great way to send an unforgettable gift to a loved one, co-worker, anybody. Instead of mailing your nephew a birthday card, why not send him a birthday ball. Or send mom a blank ball with any handwritten message on it for Mother's Day. There are balls for all sorts of occasions, including a "Get Well" ball and "I'm Sorry" ball.


    Send A Balls are "bouncy" playballs about the size of a volleyball. They aren't packed in a box or bag for shipping, they ship as-is. The ball is fully inflated and has the shipping information and stamps right on it.

     DISCOUNT CODE!
    SendABall has teamed up with QuestionMoms and has offered a discount code for their bloggers' readers! The balls cost $16, plus $4 for shipping. But for being my reader, you can take $3 off the total cost using the code QUESTION1733! With graduations coming up, this is an excellent chance to get one for your college or kindergarten grad!

    Check out QuestionMoms and SendABall on Facebook!

    My Opinion

    I think this is such a great, unique idea! It's much more memorable than sending flowers or cards for special occasions. I must say, my daughter absolutely LOVES the ball! I'm sure adults would enjoy getting one in the mail, but I'm positive it would be an excellent gift for a child. 

    Click on the pic to see the detail better!
    The ball I received was fully inflated, in great condition. The handwritten message is very neat and legible. You can tell it wasn't just scribbled on there. The only thing I don't like is when I removed the stamps, it left a sticky residue on the ball. With my daughter playing with it, it has collected pet hair and carpet fuzz on the sticky left behind. I'm sure it can be scrubbed off, but I haven't gotten around to it yet. With that being said, I would still recommend the Send A Ball, especially for children.  

    I was sent a SendABall at no charge by QuestionMoms and Sendaball in exchange for sharing my honest thoughts and opinions. I was not paid nor compensated in any other way.

    Old Navy: Extra 30-50% off clearance (in-store only)


    Going on now until May 30th, you can save an EXTRA 30-50% off on all clearance items! This offer is valid in-store only, and not available at Old Navy Outlet stores. The discount may vary by store, so call first it you want to know!

    Guest Post: Helping Kids Understand Fairnes

    Kids should be taught about fairness from their earliest interactions with others not only from parents, but nannies and caregivers as well . . . when they steal their buddy’s toy for the first time, for example.  One-year-olds do not have the ability to conceive of the concept of fairness, but the lesson should be given nonetheless.  By the time kids are four to six years old, most are able to conceptualize fairness.  In order for that cognition to happen at four to six years of age, however, the lesson must have been supported by the preceding years’ consistent messages reinforcing that lesson.

    How you define fairness is essential.  The definition of fairness should encompass consideration for all people involved and short-term and long-term consequences.  Fairness, then, sometimes dictates that an individual must be denied something “due” him/her in order for the greater good to occur. Fairness, as a matter of character, should include the concept of selfless generosity without expectation of commensurate payback.  It is not reasonable to give kids the expectation that evenly dividing things is always fair.  There are times when that is not fair, not reasonable, or simply not possible.  For example, if best friends John and Jane both have equal claim to a toy, but only one of them can have the toy for the desired period of time, then perhaps John or Jane can exhibit selfless generosity and relinquish claim to the toy for the desired period of time out of deference to the other child’s claim.  It is not reasonable to give kids the expectation that fairness is a consistently achievable goal.  While fairness should consistently be sought, it cannot consistently be achieved.  To foster the perception that fairness can be consistently achieved is to set your kids up for disappointment.

    How you look for fairness is also essential.  No two people are alike, but no one is better than/worse than someone else in general.  Every person has unique value, individual strengths, and worth.  Let’s look at John and Jane.  John may be better than Jane at performing some specific task (for example, playing football), but Jane may be better than John at performing some other specific task (for example, calculating mathematical equations).  Neither John nor Jane is better than the other in general . . . both have value, strengths, and worth.  Both football and math skills are needed to make our world operate as it does.  Our world may not reward all people equally, as we see some people garner more praise or success than others, but kids can (and should) be shown than true validation comes from within.  Often, by the time kids reach high school, academic youth speak about the unfairness of athletes getting all the attention.  The issue, however, should be reframed to this: does each child get the attention s/he needs to do well in his/her field of interest (i.e., football or math, in the example above)?  Do they feel good about what they do?  Are they satisfied with how they are doing?  There will always be kids with more or fewer toys, more or less praise, greater or less success in some area . . . but what matters is that each child values and is content with what s/he does, has, and is . . . which should not be weighed relative to what someone else does, has and is.

    In the final analysis, fairness is a subjective assessment: what seems fair to one person may seem unfair to another.  Happy people (both kids and adults) perceive fairness as a give-and-take, win-some-lose-some, proposition.  These people take their “lose-some” incidents in stride because they know that everyone has “win-some” incidents (or opportunities for them) right around each corner.


    Candi Wingate is an expert in the child care industry with over 20 years experience. She is the founder of Nannies4Hire.com and Care4Hire.com, and author of 100 Tips for Nannies & Families and The Nanny Factor: A Parent’s Guide to Finding the Right Nanny for Your Family

    Guest Post: Co-Sleeping with Babies

    Co-sleeping with babies, the practice of having babies share a bed with their parents, is controversial.  What are the pros and cons of co-sleeping with your baby?

    Pros
    Co-sleeping helps parents and babies get more and better sleep than non-co-sleeping parents and babies.  Babies rouse often in the night.  Parents who have to get out of bed and walk to the baby’s crib in another room will have their sleep more interrupted than parents who can merely roll over and comfort baby.  Because of the shorter commute of the parents who are responding to their babies’ cries (i.e., rolling over versus walking to another room), parents who are not responsible for responding to their crying babies will have less interrupted sleep because their babies’ cries are more quickly addressed.  Co-sleeping babies cry for shorter periods of time (due to quicker parental response times) and fall asleep faster.  Finally, in co-sleeping, it is easier for nursing mothers to sync their sleep cycles with their babies’ sleep cycle.

    Co-sleeping promotes parent-child bonding, nurtures both parents and children, and can comfort ill or frightened children.

    Co-sleeping encourages breastfeeding by making breastfeeding more convenient.  Breastfeeding has immunological benefits, so co-sleeping can indirectly increase the immune systems in babies.

    Co-sleeping reduces infant stress.  When babies stop crying in their cribs, they have not changed their minds about being alone in their cribs: instead, they stop crying because they perceive that crying is futile, that their needs will not be met.  The American Association for the Advancement of Science has issued the opinion that babies who sleep alone may be more prone to stress disorders as a result.

    Some studies suggest that co-sleeping babies spend less time in Level III sleep (deep sleep where there is a greater risk of apnea) and mimic the health breathing of the people with whom they share a bed.  Further, some studies indicate that children (who experienced co-sleeping as babies) are more likely than children who did not co-sleep to perform well in school and have higher self-esteem.

    Cons
    The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the Centers for Disease Control have determined that co-sleeping with babies increases the likelihood of infant suffocation and strangulation caused by babies being rolled over on by a bedmate, being suffocated in adult bedding, being trapped between the mattress and the wall or headboard, etc.  The CPSC cites the following statistics: between January, 1990 and December, 1997, at least 515 deaths resulted from co-sleeping.  Of those deaths, 121 were caused by a parent, caregiver, or sibling rolling over onto the baby.  The CPSC further states that 75% of these deaths involve babies who are less than three months old.

    Co-sleeping babies can become dependent on their parents for falling asleep.

    It can be more difficult to transition older children to their own beds than to transition infants to their own cribs.  Ultimately, transition does have to occur . . . co-sleeping with teenaged children is a recipe for disaster.

    Parents who co-sleep with babies may have more diminished sex lives than non-co-sleeping parents.  These parents must have sexual relations outside of their bedrooms or temporarily relocate their babies if they wish to have sexual relations in their own beds.  For many parents, diminished sexual activity can ultimately harm the way the parents relate to each other.

    Summary
    There are strong arguments to be made on both sides of this hotly debated issue.  Many parents seek compromise positions, such as placing their babies’ cribs in the parents’ bedrooms or attached baby “sidecars” to the parents’ beds.  That way, babies and parents have their own spaces while the quicker response times and resulting benefits are achieved.  However, these compromise positions do not address all co-sleeping cons.  There is no one-size-fits-all perfect solution.  Parents are advised to weigh their alternatives and make the decisions that they believe to be best in their families.

    Candi Wingate is an expert in the child care industry with over 20 years experience. She is the founder of Nannies4Hire.com and Care4Hire.com, and author of 100 Tips for Nannies & Families and The Nanny Factor: A Parent’s Guide to Finding the Right Nanny for Your Family

    Skyreader: Educational Children’s eBook Apps Giveaway

    Skyreader Media Brings Educational Children’s Books to Life as Interactive eBooks

    Skyreader Media, a publisher of cutting-edge interactive children’s eBooks for Apple iPad, and part of the Skywriter Media Entertainment Group, announced today the release of its first eBook Apps, Robo Buddy and Coyote’s Tale.  Both titles, previously only available in print for use by the K-12 school system, are now available for Apple iPad on the AppStore in the children’s books category.

    “Until now, Robo Buddy and Coyote’s Tale, as well as the other children’s educational titles we have in our lineup, have only been available through the school system.  We’re about to change that,” said Kevin Gillis, CEO of Skyreader Media.  “These books are great tools for parents of new readers and we’re not only making them accessible to parents, but we’re transforming them into entertaining and engaging interactive experiences that are sure to generate kids’ enthusiasm for reading with each turn of the virtual page.”  
      
    Robo Buddy and Coyote’s Tale eBook Apps both feature a unique ‘Notes for Literacy Learning’ section, which will guide parents as they help their children improve their overall reading skills and comprehension while having fun. The Graphic Readers for ages 5-9, provide visually rich, high-quality content that creates the perfect reading setting for reluctant readers. 

    Robo Buddy eBook App, originally published in print by award-winning Rubicon Publishing, takes young readers on an incredible adventure through the story of two best friends who will do anything for each other. Dexter’s best friend, Robo Buddy, has gone missing; can you help Dexter find him?  Through challenges and triumphs, your early reader will enjoy this loveable tale as it comes to life through beautiful animation, sound and touch screen interaction.

    Coyote’s Tale eBook App, also published in print by Rubicon Publishing, is based on a legendary Mexican folk tale that teaches the value of courage and wit in difficult situations.  Coyote is hungry and sees Rabbit sitting at the pond, should he eat Rabbit?  Follow along as Rabbit tries to outwit coyote and escape his doom.  Your early reader will enjoy this lively story as Rabbit finds a way to trick the ultimate trickster.  

    Additional Robo Buddy  and Coyote’s Tale App Features: 
    • Customize Your Experience: AutoRead mode, Read To Me mode, Read Myself mode
    • Uncover and Discover: Touch characters and environments to see and hear surprises
    • Sound Effects and Music: A brilliant blend of sound will lead you through each page
    • Bring the Book to Life: Touch screen capabilities bring beautiful , high-quality animations to life
    • The Voice of Friends: Each of the characters is brought to life by award winning actors. 
    • Help Your Struggling  Reader: Utilize the “Notes for Literacy Learning” option to improve your child’s overall reading skills and reading comprehension
    Robo Buddy and Coyote’s Tale eBook Apps, available for $2.99 in the App Store,  are the first in a series of children’s eBooks published by Skyreader Media.  The Skyreader eBook publishing platform is dedicated to creating a new reading entertainment standard for children and parents alike through its high quality interactive reading Apps. 

    For more information on Skyreader please visit: www.skywritermedia.com/skyreader/.

    Unfortunately, I don't have an iPad so I wasn't able to review these eBooks. But these sound like a great apps, and they would be perfect for my daughter. She's 9, but her reading level is at a few years younger. These apps would make reading fun instead of frustrating for her. Even though I'm not able to use them, with the popularity of the iPad, I'm sure some of my readers could use the apps. So I was given two codes, one for each app, to give away to two winners!

    ***Win It!*** 
    1 app code for Robo Buddy or 1 app code for Coyote's Tale. 2 winners! (Codes expire on June 7th, so make sure you upload the app before then!)

    Mandatory First Entry: Tell me which app you would love to win!

    Extra Entries: (Available after mandatory entry is completed. Please leave separate comments for each entry).

    1. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)

    2. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

    3. "Like" me on Facebook (1 entry)

    4. Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

    5. Subscribe to my blog via RSS/reader (1 entry)

    6. Tweet this giveaway. Leave link to tweet (1 entry, can be done once daily for 1 extra entry per day)

    " Enter to #win an educational children's eBook app! 2 winners! #giveaway Ends 6/2 http://tinyurl.com/3u37bt3 "

    7. Blog about this giveaway. Please link back to this post, and leave an address where it can be found (5 entries)

    8. Put my button on your blog. Leave an address where it can be found (3 entries)


    Giveaway will end on June 2nd at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen be Random.org and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email before a new winner will be chosen. Make sure you leave your email in comment or make sure it is visible in your profile so I have a way to contact you if you win! This giveaway is open to US residents only.

    I received no compensation for this giveaway. All statements are true to the best of my knowledge.

    New Alexa blog hop!

    Adventures of a Couponista

    Adventures of a Couponista and Mommy's Money Saving Obsession have created a new Alexa hop that helps lower your rating! Like I mentioned a few posts ago, these hops are amazing. In a little over 2 weeks, my rating has been lowered by almost 200,000! If you wanna join in, go here and link up!

    If you decide to follow me in any way, just let me know here and I will be glad to return the favor!

    Enjoy Lighting Flameless Candles Review & Giveaway


    I love candles, but I share the house with 3 dogs, 4 cats, a 9-year-old, and an infant. Because of this, I can't burn them nowhere near as much as I would like. So when Enjoy Lighting offered to allow me to review some of their candles, I was super excited! I've never tried flameless candles before, so I had no clue what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised :)

    Enjoy Lighting offers many different types of candles, including votive, tealight, and pillar candles. They also come in lots of scents, such as pumpkin spice and mountain breeze. All of them are made of real wax to give them an authentic candle look. What makes these candles different from other flameless candles is the way the "flame" works. Most flameless candles just throw in a Christmas type bulb and that's it. But the Enjoy candles use 3 LED lights AND a computer chip to produce randomly shifting lights that create a glow that flickers and makes shadows, just like a real candle. The LED lights will last a whopping 100,000 hours or 10 years! Can you imagine how many candles you would buy in that amount of time?! So they are very cost effective as well.
    These candles can be bought at many retailers, including Target and Kmart. 

    My Opinion

    I received two pillar candles of different sizes. I was surprised at the way they felt when I opened them. They feel exactly like real candles due to the fact they are made of real wax. They also look real. They have a unique edge around them, giving them the look that have been burned before.


    I put the batteries in (the larger candles takes 4 AAs, the smaller one takes 2) and turned them on. At first I couldn't really tell because I was in the sunlight filled kitchen, so I brought them into my bedroom. I couldn't believe how REAL these candles look! The large candle is an orange color, and the LED lights actually have an orange cover over them to give it a glow to match the candle. This candle also has 2 different "burning" modes, dim and bright. There is a definite difference between the two, and they both look great. The other candle even has a timer on it where you can set it to turn on at the same time every day, and turn off 4 hours later. I received a vanilla scent, as well as a citrus one. They both smell good, but I LOVE the vanilla candle. They are sitting a few feet away from me and I can smell them quite well. It's a nice, light fragrance. Check out my video of them. Don't they look real? I love the shadow on the wall!


    Like I said, I was pleasantly surprised with these candles. I really can't tell the difference between these and real candles, so I know company won't tell either. I like that I don't have to worry about them getting knocked over. Well, I'm sure they will eventually, but it's a nice relief knowing that they won't burn the house down. If you're looking for a cost effective, beautiful alternative to real candles, I would definitely consider getting some of these!

    ***Win It!*** 
    2 flameless candles of Enjoy Lighting's choice!
    (Enjoy Lighting will not give or send candles to winners of past Enjoy Lighting blog reviews and giveaways.)

    Mandatory First Entry: Visit Enjoy Lighting and tell me which candle you would love to win!

    Extra Entries: (Available after mandatory entry is completed. Please leave separate comments for each entry).

    1. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)

    2. Follow Enjoy Lighting on Twitter (1 entry)

    3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

    4. Follow Enjoy Lighting on Facebook (1 entry)

    5. "Like" me on Facebook (1 entry)

    6. Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

    7. Subscribe to my blog via RSS/reader (1 entry)

    8. Tweet this giveaway. Leave link to tweet (1 entry, can be done once daily for 1 extra entry per day)

    " Enter to #win 2 flameless candles from Enjoy Lighting! #giveaway Ends 6/7 http://tinyurl.com/3lbjldu "

    9. Blog about this giveaway. Please link back to this post, and leave an address where it can be found (5 entries)

    10. Put my button on your blog. Leave an address where it can be found (3 entries)


    Giveaway will end on June 7th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen be Random.org and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email before a new winner will be chosen. Make sure you leave your email in comment or make sure it is visible in your profile so I have a way to contact you if you win! This giveaway is open to US residents only.

    I was given 2 flameless candles for review purposes. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and were not swayed by any compensation I may have received.


    Alexa Blog Hop: Lower Your Rating!


    I am LOVING the Alexa hop! In under two weeks, my Alexa rating has gone from 530,701 to 361,560! There's just one rule for this hop...you have to visit each blog with your Alexa toolbar ON! Check out Spearmint Baby for more info.

    If you are visiting me from the Alexa hop, please leave a comment here and I will visit back. Also, if you decide to follow me in any way, please let me know and I will return the favor! Happy hopping!

    WINNER'S Post! ($30 gift code to 1-800-FLOWERS)

    The winner of the $30 1-800-FLOWERS gift code is comment #128, Kim D! (The daily tweets paid off again!) She has been emailed and has 48 hours to respond, or a new winner will be picked. Thanks so much to everyone who entered!

    5 Summer Getaways Every Kid Should Experience #GreatGetaways

    I grew up as a "military child". My parents were in the service, so every year or two, we were in different states, different countries even. So my summers were always filled with fun and excitement. I didn't take the path my parents did, so I have to come up with things to do and places to go with my children. I would love to share a few of my ideas with you!
    1. The beach: When I was 12 or so, my family finally settled down. We ended up in Wildwood, NJ, the well-known beach town. We lived there for a few years, and those years were FULL of wonderful memories. Hot days on the beach, cool nights on the boardwalk. I will never forget playing all the unbeatable games, chasing the gulls down the boardwalk, and building sandcastles on the beach. My family still lives in Jersey, so I make sure to bring my children to Wildwood every summer. I know when they get older they will have just as many awesome memories as I do. For those parents that live hundreds of miles away from the nearest beach, consider going to a lake or a community pool. Most of these places have picnic tables and swing sets to make for a fun-filled day.
    2. Sleepovers at aquariums/zoos/museums: These are amazing experiences. Children get to go to these places with their sleeping bags and sleep over. How fun is that?! They're not hard to find either. Just google "overnight aquarium" and see what pops up. Many of these programs provide things like pizza parties before bed, and breakfast in the morning. They are given tours in the dark, using flashlights to guide them. Some places give "behind the scenes" tours and educational presentations. Parents can come along, but there are some programs that are kids only, with chaperones.
    3. Amusement parks: This is another favorite for kids. (And it's fun for the grown-ups too!) Most adults have a favorite amusement park. Mine is Six Flags Great Adventure. I could spend allll day there if I could. Most parks have a separate childrens' park for the kiddies, with miniature versions of the big kid rides. You can also usually find costumed friends running around for cute picture opps. If the nearest amusement park is too far away, or too expensive, consider taking your children to a local carnival. These are always fun, and great for the busy parents!
    4. Summer camp: NO, not the boring kind! There are plenty of "fun" summer camps. These programs can last a few weeks, or just a weekend. Some can be overnight, or daytime only. There are lots of options. Lots of schools even have their own type of camp program. Last year, I was able to let my daughter go back to school for a few weeks during the summer for days of play. They set up art, sports, reading, etc "stations" for the kids to do activities. Every Friday they went to the local bowling alley. This year my daughter is in a different school, and at the last parent teacher conference I asked if they had any summer programs, and sure enough they do. One just like my daughter's last school had. So if you're interested, just call up the school and ask. If they don't provide one, I'm sure they could give you some information for other places. You can find summer camps for all kinds of themes. This site is a great resource to finding MANY summer camps, ranging from overnight technology camps, to faith based day camps.
    5. Disney World: This is a no-brainer! I truly believe every child should experience Disney World or Land. I know of few people, adults and children, who have never been there at least once in their life. It is THE vacation spot, and for good reason. Children grow up with these characters, and to be able to see them and interact with them, really is a dream come true. I do have a suggestion though. If you do decide to visit there, try to wait until your children are a little older, maybe 6 or so. This way, their memories will last a lifetime. It's great bringing your 1 or 2-year old, but all they'll get from the experience are pictures a few years later. Another personal suggestion, head to Disney World in Florida, but also visit Sea World and Universal. I took my daughter a few years ago, and it was the most fun-filled week we've ever had. Disney for 2 days, Sea World the next, and our last day was spent at Universal. Now THAT is an experience!
    There are plenty more destinations I could've suggested, such as cruises to the Bahamas or 2-week long vacations to Ireland. But I have to think realistically, and money consciously. Other than #5, I believe all of my suggestions are easily attainable by the average family, and can create unforgettable memories for years to come. I have participated in all these activities, so take it from my experience, your children will enjoy them ;)

    I would love to hear any of your ideas! Also, if you have any frugal vacation ideas or tips, please share those as well. I could use some fresh ideas this summer!

    I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Alamo blogging program, for a gift card worth $25. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

    BOGO Free Lean Pockets Coupon


    Head over and "Like" Lean Pockets on Facebook and score a great BOGO free coupon! I just printed mine out :)

    Pet Groom Pro Review & Giveaway


    Are you one of the few pet owners that have a pet that actually likes bath time? If not, then I'm glad to introduce you to the Pet Groom Pro! The Pet Groom Pro is a revolutionary pet brush that "bathes" your pet. By using the same technology found in expensive ionic air purifiers, it removes hair and smell from your pet's fur. It also removes dander and allergens. It's not just for dogs either. Cats can benefit from it as well.

    Another great feature is how easy it is to clean. No more pulling hair and pet dirt with your hands. Simply lift the Snap N' Clean plate, and all the hair comes up with it. In seconds, you will have a nice, clean brush. The brush works on all types of animals, big or small, long or short haired.

    The Pet Groom Pro is an As Seen on TV product, and be purchased online at TvTop10 for $9.95.

    My Opinion

    I liked the Pet Groom Pro, and my pets LOVED it! First thing I did of course, was put the battery in. I takes one 9-volt battery. I turned it on and it was silent. But when I put it up to my ear, I could hear a very faint buzz/ring type sound, so I knew it was on and working. The next thing I did was hunt down one of my many animals!

    The first one I found was my dog Star, a lab/husky mix. She's a pretty big dog, with medium length hair. I started brushing her, and I could tell she was loving it. She was laying down, so I only got one side. Here is what I was able to get:

    No too bad for one side on a dog that doesn't normally shed.

    When I was done brushing her, the next pet I used it on was Bud, a long-haired cat. Again, I could tell he liked being brushed. He's an old cat, so though he has long hair, he doesn't have a lot of it. His tail is where it's all at. It's so fluffy! I didn't get much from his body, but once I got to his tail, the brush filled with hair:

    Not a lot, but Bud doesn't have much hair to brush!

    Next was Lucky, a short-haired cat. No picture to go with him, as I wasn't able to get more than a few hairs with him. But like I said, he's a short-haired cat and he doesn't really have a problem with hair getting all over the place. But like the other two animals, he just laid there and allowed me to brush him for quite a while, purring the whole time.

    As far as the ionizer goes, I wasn't able to tell an immediate difference in odor control. But then, my animals aren't really stinky to begin with. But you could tell their coats had just been brushed. It left their fur nice and smooth.

    The only thing I found I didn't REALLY like was the removable faceplate. I definitely did its job of taking the hair off the brush with it, but I thought it was a little difficult to remove. I had to use both hands to pry it off. But with all that, the hair did stay in the brush and didn't go flying all over the place. All in all, I thought this was a pretty good product, and my pets liked it too. It's nice to have to use just to bond with your pets while watching TV.

    ***Win It!*** 
    A Pet Groom Pro pet brush!

    Mandatory First Entry: Tell me about the pet you will us this on!

    Extra Entries: (Available after mandatory entry is completed. Please leave separate comments for each entry).

    1. Follow me on GFC (1 entry)

    2. Follow TV Top 10 on Twitter (1 entry)

    3. Follow me on Twitter (1 entry)

    4. Follow TV Top 10 on Facebook (1 entry)

    5. "Like" me on Facebook (1 entry)

    6. Subscribe to my blog via email (2 entries)

    7. Subscribe to my blog via RSS/reader (1 entry)

    8. Tweet this giveaway. Leave link to tweet (1 entry, can be done once daily for 1 extra entry per day)

    " Enter to #win a @tvtopten Pet Groom Pro pet brush! #giveaway Ends 6/6 http://tinyurl.com/4yw83x6 "

    9. Blog about this giveaway. Please link back to this post, and leave an address where it can be found (5 entries)

    10. Put my button on your blog. Leave an address where it can be found (3 entries)


    Giveaway will end on June 6th at 11:59pm EST. The winner will be chosen be Random.org and emailed. Winner has 48 hours to respond to email before a new winner will be chosen. Make sure you leave your email in comment or make sure it is visible in your profile so I have a way to contact you if you win! This giveaway is open to US residents only.

    I received a Pet Groom Pro to form an opinion for this review/giveaway. No other compensation was received. All opinions are my own and were not affected in any way.

    New coupons from Coupons.com

    Coupons.com just put out a few new coupons for this week!

    Hot Cars and Kids a Deadly Combination


    By Janette Fennell and Sonja Butler

    It happens once every ten days, on average – more frequently in the warmer months. A parent unintentionally causes the death of their own child by leaving him or her in the back of the car where the child succumbs to vehicular heat stroke. Why is this unthinkable tragedy happening with such frequency? There are several factors, but paramount is the fact that our brains are not keeping up with the demands of our busy lives.

    The stories are similar and usually involve a loving, busy parent hustling off to work; but with a change in routine or even a minor distraction such as a cell phone call, or even a detour, people’s lives can be changed forever. Think it couldn’t happen to you? It’s happened to a dentist, scientist, professor, paralegal, assistant principal and even a clergyman. All were educated, caring parents.

    On average, thirty-eight children die in cars each year from heat-related deaths. This phenomenon has increased ten-fold since car seats were moved to the backseat. This does not mean it is safe to place children in the front seat, but it does mean that, out of sight, has sometimes meant “out of mind” – with tragic results. From 1990 – 2010, there have been at least 584 heat-related vehicular deaths for infants and children. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports, according to new research, this is the leading cause of non-crash vehicle deaths.

    Contributing factors in Heat-related Death
    A child’s body temperature rises 3-5 times faster than an adult’s, making them more vulnerable to temperature changes. And even with the windows partially down, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 125 degrees in just minutes. In a process similar to that of a green house, vehicle interiors heat up rapidly, with the majority of the temperature rise occurring within the first 15 to 30 minutes. Leaving the windows opened slightly does not significantly slow the heating process or decrease the maximum temperature attained.

    When memory fails
    But how can a parent fail to remember something-someone-so important? A combination of a lack of sleep, stress, emotions, and change of routine are often contributing factors in memory failure that has led to child vehicular heat stroke. When children are left behind, researchers believe that competing interests are at play in three parts of the brain: the basal ganglia, hippocampus and prefrontal cortex. The basal ganglia is the part of the brain that remembers and enacts the familiar and routine, enabling you to do things as if on autopilot. The hippocampus holds our immediate memories and the prefrontal cortex is responsible for thinking and analyzing. When things run smoothly, the brain – and therefore the person – can multi-task fairly well. But add stress, sleep deprivation, change in routine, and/or distractions, and the ability to multi-task is diminished. Then the basal ganglia dominates, meaning the person continues on auto-pilot, with less access to immediate memory. As parents know, life with newborns and small children is full of stress, sleep deprivation and distractions. And young children, especially babies, often fall asleep in their car seats; becoming quiet, unobtrusive little passengers. And sadly, for babies with rear-facing seats, the seat looks the same from the front – whether occupied or not.

    Kids Playing in Cars
    Thirty percent (30%) of vehicular heat stroke cases involve children who have been playing unsupervised in or around cars or trucks and become trapped with deadly consequences. Some of these children are unable to use the lock system or door releases to open the doors of the automobile and others become trapped when hiding in the trunk.

    What to do to prevent child vehicular heat stroke death:
    ·    Never leave a child unattended inside a motor vehicle – even if the air-conditioning is on or a window is cracked.
    ·    Never let children play in or around a parked car. Always keep it locked, even in your garage.
    ·    Have a visual cue. You can keep a teddy bear in the car seat when it’s empty, but place it up front when your child is riding in their car seat.
    ·    Make it routine to put your handbag, wallet, cell phone or laptop on the floor of the backseat.
    ·    Make it a habit to open the back door and look in the backseat of your vehicle before locking the doors and walking away.
    ·    Arrange to have your daycare provider call you if your child has not been dropped off within thirty minutes of your usual routine.
    ·    If you normally bring your child to daycare, and your spouse happens to take the child instead, have your spouse or partner call you to verify the child arrived safely at daycare
    ·    If you see a child alone in a vehicle, get involved. If they are hot or seem sick, get them out as quickly as possible by breaking the window farthest away from the child. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.

    For more information on keeping children safe in and around motor vehicles, visit www.KidsAndCars.org.

    Janette Fennell used her traumatic experience of being locked in a car trunk at gunpoint to get a Federal Regulation passed for internal trunk releases. She then went on to form KidsAndCars.org a national nonprofit organization dedicated to preventing injury and death to children. She is recognized as the national leader for child safety as it relates to the dangers children face in and around motor vehicles with an in-depth specialty regarding events that take place off public roads and highways; most commonly referred to as nontraffic incidents.

    Janette Fennell is founder and president, and Sonja Butler is a VP, of KidsAndCars.org.

    Side Effects of Commonly Prescribed Birth Control Pills

    Birth control pills have now been used for decades as an effective method for preventing pregnancy. Today there are now many different types of birth control pills available on the market. Birth control pills are taken orally and can be up to 99.9% effective when taken correctly. Even so, birth control pills do not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases, such as HIV, and they can result in several side effects. Some of the most common side effects caused by birth control pills include:

    • Weight gain
    • Nausea
    • Swollen breasts
    • Lighter periods
    • Spotting between periods
    • Mood changes

    While these side effects are relatively minor, in some cases birth control pills can also cause rare, but much more serious side effects. Such symptoms or side effects can indicate the presence of a serious health condition, such as blood clots, stroke, liver disease, heart disease or high blood pressure. These more serious side effects include:

    • Chest pain
    • Stomach or abdominal pain
    • Severe headaches
    • Blurred vision
    • Swelling or aching in the legs

    Unfortunately, some women may not know which types of birth control pills they are able to tolerate until they have actually tried them to determine whether they are more prone to experiencing certain side effects and how severe those side effects might be.

    Breast Tenderness, Dizziness and Headaches
    These are perhaps some of the more common side effects experienced by many women taking birth control pills. In many cases, such side effects are only temporary and will dissipate once you have been on the pill for awhile. If the side effects do not go away after awhile; however, it may be necessary to consult your doctor about changing brands.

    Nausea
    Nausea is another of the more commonly reported side effects of birth control pills. In many instances, this will go away within a couple of months. Taking the pill with food can sometimes help to ease the nausea.

    Spotting
    Spotting, also sometimes referred to as breakthrough bleeding, is not a side effect that all women on birth control pills experience, but it can certainly be a nuisance. One of the reasons this side effect is so bothersome is because it is typically so unpredictable. Making sure that you are taking the pill at the exact same time each day may be able to help with this problem. The spotting is typically caused due to the fact that the lining of the uterus is thin and sloughs off some in between periods. The benefit of this to some women is that they often report experiencing lighter periods while taking birth control pills.

    If the spotting becomes problematic, it is important to speak to your doctor. In some cases taking an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or taking a small amount of estrogen can help with this problem.

    Mood Swings
    Some women who take birth control pills also report experiencing mood swings. Unfortunately, in most instances, switching birth control pills will not usually resolve this problem. If you experience mood swings and depression while taking birth control pills it may be necessary to switch to a non-hormonal method of birth control. In other cases the doctor may recommend prescribing an antidepressant in conjunction with the birth control pill.

    Decreased Sex Drive
    Like other side effects of birth control pills, this one can be particularly bothersome as well. Some women may find relief by simply switching to a different birth control formulation, but that is not always the case. For some women the problem may only be resolved by using a completely different method of birth control.

    ICS: Chance to win $50 daily, $2 every 4 hours, & plenty of cents a few times a day!


    InstantCashSweepstakes.com, or ICS, has got to be one of the easiest (and funnest) ways to make money. There are several ways to earn money on this site. But the main way is by taking short quizzes/polls. Every 3 hours, the polls reset and you can do more of them. Depending on your TrustScore level, you can take anywhere from 5-12 polls. For each poll you complete, you are awarded coins, tickets, and CASH. Coins and tickets are given for every poll you complete. The cash award is pretty random, but you are almost guaranteed to win a few cents per poll session. Since you can play multiple times per day, these cents add up. Cash is paid via PayPal.

    Coins are used to enter the $2 cash giveaway that is held every 4 hours. Of course, the more coins you enter, the better chance you have to win. But coins add up VERY fast, so don't be afraid to enter them. You can also convert your coins into extra tickets. Tickets are used to be entered into the daily $50 giveaway. These are automatically entered, and depleted after each giveaway. These also add up quickly. The more polls you take per day, the better chance you have at winning, since you will have more tickets at the time the giveaway winner is drawn.

    Sample survey
    Another great, easy way to earn is by referrals. Every time your referral wins a cash prize, either by answering daily polls or winning the $2 giveaway, you are matched that award 100%. You can see all of your referrals on the friend page, and can see how much they (and you) have earned. When your referrals win tickets, you are also matched with their amount as well. You can also earn tickets by submitting surveys to be used on the site. You can submit a survey every 3 hours, and each time you do, you will receive 100 tickets instantly.

    The TrustScore system is a system that awards honest survey takers. The system tracks your answers, and if you are asked the same question and give the same answer, you are given a multiplier that affects tickets, coins, and cash earned. As you move up in levels, you can also take more surveys during each session, and you also earn extra tickets and coins, as well as more frequent multiplier bonuses.

    I can vouch for this site. I have been paid my earnings several times, and quickly. Sometimes in a matter of minutes, I get my "You've Got Money!" PayPal notification. It really is easy. I have the site bookmarked, and whenever I'm on the computer and run out of stuff to do, I just go to the site to see if my next session is available. It's easy to tell. There will be a big countdown timer on the main screen if I still have time to go. You can even get email notification when your next session is available. So if you're like me, and love sites like this, I definitely think you should check it out here!