The MamaZone

Earn Kitchen Appliances at NoMoreRack

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:02:00 +0000

I am still very excited about NoMoreRack.com!! I’ve posted about it a number of times, but if you missed my original post, check it out and find out why it’s become one of my favorite deal sites. For the next few days, you can pick up some noteworthy kitchen prizes just for having friends join you on NoMoreRack. Remember, they don’t even need to make a purchase—you get rewarded for simply having friends.

While I can only dream about earning that refrigerator, there’s a Cuisinart Hand Blender available when you have 35 friends. There are other great rewards from brands like All-Clad, KitchenAid, Rubbermaid and Le Creuset and the rewards start at just 15 friends. Visit Friend Rack to log in and remember to share your referral code with your BFFs. If you’re not signed up yet, you can do that here (I can use a few more friends!). All the best…

No Cost Federal Tax Filing with TurboTax

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 02:07:00 +0000

It’s tax time, mamas! And, if you’re not interested in paying an accountant to do the work for you, you’re probably looking for an affordable way for you to do it yourself. TurboTax Federal Free Edition is a handy way for you to accomplish that goal and the great news is that you can use it to file your Federal Tax return for FREE. Here’s why I’m recommending it:

TurboTax guarantees you'll get your biggest tax refund, with 100% accurate calculations.
Enjoy free help and step by step guidance so you are confident your taxes are done right.
TurboTax Federal Free Edition is the #1 rated, best-selling tax software brand year after year
Receive FREE preparation, FREE printing, and FREE efiling for your simple tax return with TurboTax Federal Free Edition.
Access their free Audit Support Center and live online help.

Jump on this now and at least get started on your taxes so you’re not sitting somewhere at the last minute, stressed out because you waited too long. It’s still January, so you have time to make one more resolution to get your taxes done early this year. Enjoy the free benefits of TurboTax Federal Free Edition, and here’s hoping that this year’s tax experience will be stress free as well.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Savings Zone is where you'll find ideas on how to save, earn and manage your money. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Great Prices for Things You Need at Totsy

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 00:41:00 +0000

Have you heard of Totsy? It's a great site where you can save up to 80% off the retail price on some great brand named products.

Each sale is brand-specific, and you'll find deals on prenatal care products, gear for your baby, clothing, bedding, toys and a great deal more.

Another reason to love Totsy is their commitment to being 100% eco-friendly. With every purchase made, they plant one tree in the name of your child to help reduce the effect of deforestation.

If you're already a member, I'd love to hear about your experience. If you're not, get over there and get started. Don't forget to return and let me know how much you saved. Happy bargain hunting...

This post contains affiliate links and I appreciate you using them to shop. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Bargain Zone is where you'll find great deals on useful products. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Friends-Day Wednesday 1/25

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 02:37:00 +0000

Welcome back to Friends-day. Let's get to it...

The goal of this hop is to give you a quick glimpse into some other great blogs and to give you an opportunity to share a glimpse of yours. Feel free to grab the button and blog hop code to add it to your site as well! Here's how it works:

It's not mandatory, but I'd love to have you follow me at The MamaZone, If Mama Ain't or at Daily Fast Fuel. If you follow me and leave a comment, I'll definitely follow you too!
Add your blog name and a short description. For example, "The MamaZone: great t.i.d.bi.t.s. for mamas!" Feel free to link directly to your blog, or to your favorite post.
FOLLOW AT LEAST ONE PERSON and as many other blogs as you'd like to have follow back. This is what makes FriendsDay work, so if you're not willing to follow, please don't link up.
Remember to leave a comment on the blogs you follow to let them know you found them here at The MamaZone, and if someone follows you, be sure to follow back.
(Optional) Take the WednesDay is FriendsDay button, and if you want to put the blog hop on your blog, click the "get the code here" link under the blog listings. Feel free to tailor your post to your blog rather than copying mine verbatim.
Tweet, blog and yell at your friends about this so it can grow more and more each week.

By the way, I am looking for some great bloggers to join my Mamas on Life tribe on Triberr. Interested? Visit this post.

I'll repost every week, so be sure to return and link up with some new folks and if you're not listed on my Mama'z Friends page, make sure you add yourself now. I’m also hosting Twitter Tuesdays for those of you who like to party on twitter. Check it out before you leave and link up there as well. Enjoy...

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE A QUICK DESCRIPTION OF YOUR BLOG

Protecting Your Kids Online with Fooz Kids (Freebie)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:46:00 +0000

I’ve heard some very scary things about kids and online dangers. It seems most parents are still in the dark about online safety, and children are being left to fend for themselves. Since I’m a parent who is constantly online, I’m acutely aware of the weirdoes lurking in the internet shadows. It forces me to be hyper-protective when my kids are on the internet and I’m always open to new ideas and resources to help me protect them.

Cue the Fooz Kids jingle.

Fooz Kids is a clever application that provides a secure setting for kids to access the internet. Parents can use Fooz Kids to control a child’s access to the internet, while offering him/her the opportunity to create, play games, connect with friends and even learn a few things.

I set up accounts for both my six and eleven year old and we dove in. Before the fun can start, parents use the parental dashboard to set up permissions for each child. Parents can also monitor each child’s activity from the dashboard and track their progress in Fooz Kids U (the educational portion of the site). In short, anything essential to managing your account or child’s access can be done here.

Fooz Kids includes a ton of sites, videos and activities that parents can choose to approve, and gives parents the option of adding sites and activities that are not already included. I used this feature to add access to the sites we use for homework, and while adding new sites is quite simple, navigating to those sites is not. I wish there was a way to rearrange the icons on the child’s dashboard, so that those sites they use the most are easily accessible. Instead, sites you add are listed on the child’s “My Channel” page and kids have to do a little extra navigating to get there.

Inside Fooz Kids, children can create their own avatar, set up their own “place,” connect with friends, read books and even send email and video mail. While I love the idea of knowing who my children are emailing, children are not given an emaiI address and can only exchange email with friends who are also on Fooz Kids. This works well for smaller children, but my 11 year old could never stand the embarrassment of having me send each of her friends an email asking them to join the site so they can communicate online. I would much prefer each child having an email address @foozkids.com that I could monitor with the option of blocking and allowing specific senders.

In addition to allowing kids to enjoy the internet safely, Fooz Kids also offers them an opportunity to be rewarded for what they know. Fooz Kids U is a series of educational activities and quizzes that rewards kids with coins that they can use for great real-life prizes from the Fooz Kids Treasure Box. We LOVED this component of the site. I loved that the kids were using their brains and the kids loved that they could be rewarded for it. This is a benefit for premium members, so you’ll have to pay the yearly fee of $69.95 to access it. This is a perfect use of online time and a great incentive for learning.

Our rating? 4 mamas.

[1] With the exception of the “My Channel” and email difficulties, I really like the application. [2] It’s kid approved and both kids enjoyed the games, activities and rewards. [3]We encountered a few glitches early on, but other than that it works as described. [4] You can purchase a basic membership for $11.99 and a premium membership for $69.99. If you’re certain you will use it often, it’s definitely worth the price. [5] The application as a whole is pretty unique, as it combines the functionality of several different applications in one place.

Who wants to try it FOR FREE? Click this special link to access a free basic membership! Give it a try, get your kids set up and stop by to let me know what you think. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it and you’ll find that you feel more confident about your child spending time online. I really do want to hear your opinion and I’m looking forward to it. Enjoy!

I received membership to the site to facilitate this review. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Technology Zone is where you'll find reviews on technology products that I’m using. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Free BeeSavy Tips & Tricks!

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:53:00 +0000

Are you one of the thousands of people already saving and earning with BeeSavy? If not, click here to join for free now! Once you've joined, BeeSavy wants to make sure that you are getting the most out of their free shopping site. To help new users get started, they are holding FREE training sessions this week! The sessions should last about 30 mins each and each class is the same so there is no neeed to attend more than once. Topics to be covered include how to shop with BeeSavy and tips for growing your referral cash back as quickly and easily as possible. Each session is limited to 100 people so be sure to register as soon as possible!

Webinar Schedule:

Tuesday January 24th 7:00PM-7:30PM EST: Register Here
Tuesday January 24th 9:00PM-9:30PM EST: Register Here
Thursday January 26th 7:00PM-7:30PM EST: Register Here
Thursday January 26th 9:00PM-9:30PM EST: Register Here

VA Mortgage Loans for Military Families

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 21:26:00 +0000

If you’re a military family looking to purchase or refinance your home, there are low VA loan rates available to you. MilitaryVAloan.com has a wealth of information to help you make the right decision and access the resources you need. VA loan rates have dropped, so this might be the perfect time for you to do a little research and take advantage of these great offers.

If you’re refinancing…
Visit to learn more about the VA streamline refinance home loan (also called an interest rate reduction loan or IRRL). It’s a government-backed mortgage loan program that’s available for active duty military and veterans who already have VA mortgage loans. The process is simple and will help you take advantage of lower interest rates. You can refinance with no money out of pocket and roll your closing costs into the loan amount. If you’re purchasing… According to the site, VA loan rates are at record low levels. If you’re purchasing a home, you can buy a new home for up to $719,000 with no down payment. When purchasing with a VA loan, the seller is allowed to pay all of your closing costs and if you’ve had credit difficulties, a VA home loan can help you continue to rebuild. Visit the site for information on getting pre-qualified and taking advantage of the low interest rates.

If you’re researching…
You’ll find the answers to many of your questions on the site, but you can also visit HousingPredictor.com for real estate news and information and data on your local real estate market. Buying a home can be challenging, but it becomes easier when you take the time to do your research. Here’s hoping you find the home (or loan) you’re looking for and save big while doing it. I hope this little bit of info helps you—thanks for your service to our country.

This advertorial was made possible by MilitaryVAloan.com. My opinions are always my own.

Planning a Wedding? There’s An App For That! (WIN)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 18:43:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is right around the corner, and I have a hunch that some of you will be hearing those four magic words. And, while you'll be floating on air for a few days after you hear them, you’ll eventually descend back into reality. You're gonna need a little help when you do, and I think I've found a great tool to make sure you don't come crashing to the ground.

WeddingHappy is an iPhone wedding app that will help take some of the stress out of planning your wedding. Although it’s been some time (18 years!) since I planned my wedding, I remember how overwhelming it was, and having a mobile wedding planning app would have definitely made a massive difference. WeddingHappy will help you keep track of all the details of your big day, from researching vendors to determining your budget. It’s a free app that will keep you from lugging around that big binder and covering yourself with sticky notes. Here are some of it’s best features:

Enter your wedding planning tasks into the task list and visually monitor your progress and percentage completed from the pie chart on the front page
See suggested tasks based on your wedding date and be sure you don’t forget any details
Manage all of your vendor contacts and details on the “Vendors” tab
Add appointments and tasks to your calendar from the app
Receive push notifications for tasks
Share your planning updates with Facebook, Twitter, e-mail integration
Upgrade the app for just $2.99 to add unlimited tasks and a wedding day countdown

Grab it! The WeddingHappy wedding planning app is available in the app store. Try the free version for a while, then I recommend you upgrade to the full, ad-free version. Before you run off to do that, enter to win a $25 Nordstrom gift card to get you started on your wedding shopping. To enter, simply follow the rules in the Rafflecopter form below.

By the way, nope, you don't have to be a bride-to-be to enter, I know how irresistible a Nordstrom gift card is. You do have to follow the instructions carefully and you need to be a U.S. resident, 18 years or older to enter. The giveaway will end on Valentine's Day 2012. Best wishes...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway was made possible by WeddingHappy. I have not received any compensation and my opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy. I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Protecting Your Blog From Plagiarism

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 21 Jan 2012 05:04:00 +0000

You’ve done the hard work of writing great posts, now make sure they’re protected. Here are few steps to take to protect and monitor your content, and a few resources to help you if your content is stolen. Please chime in if you have other tips or resources!

Clearly indicate that your work is protected.

Use a standard copyright statement such as © 2009-2012 Anitra Elmore. All rights reserved. This material may not be reproduced, displayed, modified or distributed without the express prior written permission of the copyright holder. For permission, contact [insert e-mail or mailing address]. Learn more about copyright.
Get a Creative Commons license. In contrast to the “all rights reserved” copyright statement, Creative Commons provides what they call, a “some rights reserved” approach. A CC license allows you to indicate how you will allow your content to be used and gives you six licensing options from which to choose. This makes your permissions clear to readers without them necessarily having to contact you.

Use Google to help you monitor your work.

Set up Google alerts. When I first began blogging, I read about using Google alerts to monitor the use of my blog button. These alerts come in an email each time your specific term appears in search results. I set up an alert telling Google to notify me each time my button’s alt tag appears. I receive daily notifications so I can track where my button is being used and these alerts can be used for any term specific to your blog or even a particular post on your blog.
Search for key phrases. If you have a catch-phrase, tag-line or even a specific post you’re concerned about protecting, use Google to search for it and see if you’re being copied somewhere. It may seem like a looking for a needle in a haystack, but it won’t hurt and could also result in finding that your content is being misused.

If you’re robbed…

Do a little snooping. This entire post was motivated by a blogger who found that her content had been plagiarized by following a trackback link in her comments. If your comment form provides trackbacks, follow it to the bad guy’s website. You’ll need that information to take the next step.
Contact the right people. Start by contacting the offender and asking them nicely to take down the post. If that doesn’t work, the real work has to begin. It involves contacting the site’s host and gets a little more challenging from there. I stumbled across this post with all the information you need from that point. Let’s just hope you’ll never really need it!

And that’s all I have this week. I fell like the guy from Hill Street Blues because I can’t resist saying, “let’s be careful out there.” Here’s to keeping your content safe. More next Saturday…

Saturdays are all about Blog Boosts around here. Have a blogging question? Leave a comment!

Monetize Your Blog

Who Wants A Kindle Fire?

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

Welcome to BeeSavy’s Heat Up Your Valentine's Day Event!

I am so excited to be joining BeeSavy, as they offer you a chance to heat up your valentines with a new Kindle Fire. Hopefully, you’ve read about how excited I am about this new deal site. They offer great cash back bonuses on your online purchases and you earn 40% commission on all of your referrals' cash back and 10% commission for all of the people you refer, up to seven levels.

I won’t repeat everything from my other post, but I want to emphasize what BeeSavy offers:

Search for stores and products and compare prices on the site
Shop through the BeeSavy site and earn cash back from the stores listed
Save more with coupons listed on the site
Earn 40% commission on all of your referrals' cash back and 10% commission for all of the people they refer, up to seven levels

This is another great site for saving and putting a little cash in your pocket. I hope it turns out to be a steady stream of cash flow to help me get out of debt and to help you pursue some of your financial goals as well. Now, on to the contest…

I found a Kindle Fire under my tree at Christmas and it has become my new best friend. Not only am I reading great books, but I'm enjoying a free paid app everyday as well. You will thoroughly enjoy having one of these little friends! To enter, follow the instructions in the rafflecopter form below (give it a second to load). You have to be a BeeSavy member to enter, so make sure you join using the link in the form. If you win, you just have to come back and tell me about it!! All the best…

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friends-Day Wednesday 1/18

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:14:00 +0000

Welcome back to Friends-day. Let's get to it...

It's not mandatory, but I'd love to have you follow me at The MamaZone, If Mama Ain't or at Daily Fast Fuel. If you follow me and leave a comment, I'll definitely follow you too!
Add your blog name and a short description. For example, "The MamaZone: great t.i.d.bi.t.s. for mamas!" Feel free to link directly to your blog, or to your favorite post.
FOLLOW AT LEAST ONE PERSON and as many other blogs as you'd like to have follow back. This is what makes FriendsDay work, so if you're not willing to follow, please don't link up.
Remember to leave a comment on the blogs you follow to let them know you found them here at The MamaZone, and if someone follows you, be sure to follow back.
(Optional) Take the WednesDay is FriendsDay button, and if you want to put the blog hop on your blog, click the "get the code here" link under the blog listings. Feel free to tailor your post to your blog rather than copying mine verbatim.
Tweet, blog and yell at your friends about this so it can grow more and more each week.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE A QUICK DESCRIPTION OF YOUR BLOG

FamilyFun Magazine for $6

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 00:06:00 +0000

I’ve shared about FamilyFun magazine a time or two, so you know I love it. It’s full of creative ideas, crafts and activities and it’s our go-to guide for all kinds of good times.

If you hurry, you can pick up a one year subscription for $6 or a two year subscription for $12 when you purchase today’s deal from Moolala. It will be available for the next couple of days, so jump on it and leave me a comment to let me know you did.

Coca-Cola Polar Bears and “Arctic Home” (WIN)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 03:28:00 +0000

The polar bear has been a winter icon at Coca-Cola for 90 years. You know the holiday season has begun when you see those cute little polar bears on the shelves! Coca-Cola utilizes the bears to represent icy cold refreshment and friends and family togetherness, and now, they’re using those cans to help the polar bears who need our help in the Arctic.

Coca-Cola has partnered with World Wildlife Fund for a campaign called “Arctic Home.” Together, they will raise awareness and funds to help create a safe habitat in the Arctic for the polar bear, and you can help.

Coca-Cola has donated an initial $2 million and will match donations through March 15th—up to $1 million. If you’d like to donate and have your donation matched, purchase specially marked Arctic Home Coca-Cola packages and text the code on the box (or under the white cap) to 357357. This will trigger a $1 donation that Coke will then match. You can also make donations online at ArcticHome.com. Each donation accompanied by a code will not only be matched, but a designated parcel of the virtual Arctic Home refuge will be assigned to your name on the site.

It’s easy to participate and show your concern for the polar bears. And, just because you took the time to read all about it, you have a chance to win a $100 Polar Pack.

The Polar Pack includes:

Polar Bear Hat with attached paw mittens
Polar Bear Stuffed Animal
Polar Bear 3-D Puzzle
Polar Bear Shaped Pillow
Bear Shaped Ice Cube Tray
Polar Bear Cookie Cutter
Red Throw Blanket

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will receive the same prize pack in consideration of this review. The prize was provided by Coca-Cola, but Coca-Cola is not a sponsor, administrator or involved in any other way with this giveaway. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Insight Zone where you'll find insight and inspiration to keep you going. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Walgreens Prescription Savings Club for Express Scripts Members

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 00:00:00 +0000

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Walgreens. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are an Express Scripts user, you'll want to be aware of a dispute between Walgreens and Express Scripts. Negotiations between the two were unsuccessful, and as of January 1, 2012, Walgreens is no longer a part of Express Scripts’ pharmacy provider network.

As a result, patients who are covered by the Express Scripts plan can no longer use their in-network benefits at Walgreens pharmacies nationwide or Duane Reade pharmacies in the New York City. The change is forcing these patients to switch pharmacies, although they may have long standing relationships with their Walgreens pharmacist, and experiencing greater hassles as they are having to drive farther to pharmacies with less convenient hours.

In return for those challenges, patients are not seeing lower costs. Military families are also being affected, as Tricare, the prescription drug program for military service people, is one of Express Scripts' clients. Walgreens attempted to negotiate the Tricare contract separately to no avail, so military service people are also facing the unnecessary hassle caused by the change.

In consideration of the additional stress these customers are feeling, Walgreens is offering a special discount on an annual membership to the Walgreens Prescription Savings Club. During the month of January, a family membership is available for $10 and individuals can join for $5 (usually $35 and $20 respectively). In addition to the membership discount, the savings club offers savings on more than 8,000 brand-name and all generic medications, plus discounts on flu shots, pet prescriptions, nebulizers and diabetic supplies. There are also bonuses available when members purchase Walgreens brand products as well as their photofinishing services.

To know for certain whether you're affected, check your prescription card. If your employer utilizes the service, you'll see Express Scripts on the back of your card. To support Walgreens' efforts and stay updated, follow Walgreens on Twitter or like Walgreens on Facebook. If you're affected by the change and have an opinion, chime in with a comment below.

Rafflecopter Launch Party with Prizes

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 03:58:00 +0000

Rafflecopter has officially launched, and they're celebrating by giving away some great prizes! This month, they're giving away a 16GB Apple iPad2 and several Kindle Fires. To enter, simply follow the rules in the Rafflecopter widget below to tell them Anitra at The MamaZone referred you. You can receive additional entries by tweeting about this giveaway, following them on twitter, and giving them feedback.

For an additional entry, suggest a name for their smiley-faced helicopter mascot. After the giveaway is over, they'll pick out their favorite suggestions for Facebook voting and if your name is chosen, you'll win a Kindle Fire. Good luck...

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Google Changes You Should Know About

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 00:32:00 +0000

It's Saturday, and we're boosting your blog again today. I sure do hope this is helping you as you make your mark in the blogosphere! Today, let's chat about some changes Google made recently.

For those of you who review products like I do, the rel=”nofollow” attribute needs to become your new best friend. Google actually lowered Chrome's PageRank after a marketing campaign gone bad, so if you ever incorporate paid links into your posts, you'll want to be a bit more careful.

What’s the big deal? PageRank is essentially Google’s way of telling you how important your website is. One way they determine this is by looking at the number of other sites that link to yours (here’s a definition of PageRank from someone much smarter than me!). To keep things fair, Google casts a disparaging glance toward links that have been paid for, so it gives those of us who use them a way of making sure those links don’t contribute to the PageRank of the site we’re mentioning. That’s where the rel=”nofollow” attribute comes in.

When we add that tag to our paid links, Google and other search engines know to ignore it. That way, we’re not penalized for linking and the target of the link gets no credit. If Google is willing to penalize it’s own browser for this practice, we can be sure they won’t go easy on us. My advice: use the attribute. To do that: 1) Blog with Windows Live Writer like I do, because it gives you the option to automatically include the tag; 2) If you use WordPress, here’s a plug-in that might do the trick (thanks, Jerri Ann; 3) If you use Blogger (or WordPress without the plug-in), add this: type rel=”nofollow” after this: href=”url.com”. I hope that helps.

Enough about that.

Another recent change at Google is Search, plus Your World, which integrates results from your Google+ stream and Picasa photos into their regular search engine results. From now on, when you search from Google, you will see relevant, public posts from the people in your Google+ circles and they will see your results when they do the same.

You can read about the controversy involving the switch all over the internet, I just wanted to point out how powerful this could be for you if you share your blog’s content on your Google+ profile. If you’re not on Google+ yet because, like me, you just do not need another social media site to manage, it might be a good time to rethink that choice. You gotta know that Google is a powerhouse and they are on a mission to keep us using their resources. You might find that ignoring them will stifle your social media progress so I say, go ahead and drink the kool-aid.

And, that’s all for this week! More soon...

Saturdays are all about Blog Boosts around here. Have a blogging question? Leave a comment!

Monetize Your Blog

Cash Back with BeeSavy

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 23:48:00 +0000

I am blogging and saving my way out of debt. When I earn money here, through advertising and referral links, it goes straight to the credit card. When I coupon, the money I save also goes right to my credit card. Those extra payments I make are really adding up, saving me money on interest and making my balance disappear.

Since I do a lot of shopping online, I'm addicted to cash back sites. You've seen me write about Ebates, Zuuzs and ShopAtHome. I love all three because I save money, earn cash back and earn referral bonuses. All of this is helping make a dent in my debt and when I recommend them to you, it's because I know they work. And, as if I needed another one, I found one more that I'm adding to the list. It's called BeeSavy and we can get to know this one together.

Here's how it works:

Search for stores and products and compare prices on the site
Shop through the BeeSavy site and earn cash back from the stores listed
Save more with coupons listed on the site
Earn 40% commission on all of your referrals' cash back and 10% commission for all of the people they refer, up to seven levels

That last point is what makes BeeSavy so appealing to me. Here's a mock illustration of the earning potential:

Now, do I expect to make $24,000? No, but even a fraction of that would be a big help. So, I hope you'll sign up and share it with your friends so that we can earn together. Remember to use the referral code: TheMamaZone when you sign up. If you know of another site and could use some friends, let me know and I'll sign up there too. In the meantime, here's to saving and supporting each other while we do it!

This post contains referral links and I appreciate you using them!! My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Savings Zone is where you'll find ideas on how to save, earn and manage your money. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

An Exciting Opportunity for My Blogging Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 08:00:00 +0000

Have you read about how excited I am. It's a great new cash back deal site, and they're celebrating with a giveaway event hosted by bloggers.

One of the best things about the site is the opportunity to earn referral commissions. These commissions are nothing to sneeze at-- you earn 40% commission on all of your referrals' cash back and 10% commission for all of the people they refer, up to seven levels. Make sure you stop by my first post and take a look at the image showing you the earning potential. For now, simply consider how much you can make by sharing the site and your unique referral code with all your readers. Once you're excited, read on to find out how you can participate in their giveaway event.

BeeSavy is looking for bloggers to join their event. It will take place Jan. 18th-Feb. 14th and the grand prize is an Amazon Kindle Fire Tablet.

Participating is easy:

Click here to sign up for BeeSavy. That link contains my referral code which is TheMamaZone.
Send an email to rhoner [at] beesavy [dot] com and tell him you want to participate. This will ensure your inclusion in the $100 prize drawing.
Use the Rafflecopter widget they've created OR create your own and add 3 additional entry options. Their widget can be found here: http://bit.ly/wAhW7T
If you choose to create your own widget, you must email your entries within 3 days of the contest ending and follow this format:

Name: Heat Up Your Valentine's Day!

Prize: One Amazon Kindle Fire (There will only be one prize for the entire contest, not one prize per blog)

Entry 1: (MANDATORY) Join BeeSavy! Sign up for a FREE BeeSavy account through my referral link (use your own referral link here)

Entry 2: “Like” BeeSavy on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/beesavy

Entry 3: “Follow” @beesavy on Twitter

Entry 4: Tweet about the giveaway: RT to #win a #Kindle Fire from @BeeSavy and @YourTwitterName #giveaway #sweepstakes

Entry 5: Entry method of your choice

Entry 6: Entry method of your choice

Entry 7: Entry method of your choice

Terms and Conditions: Open to US and Canada only. Canadian winners may have to pay the custom fees for products shipped from the United States. No purchase necessary. You must be 18+ to enter.

This contest is being hosted among multiple blogs and all entries will be collected within three (3) days from the contest end and one (1) winner will be selected from all of the entrants. Odds of winning are determined by the total number of eligible entries.

The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter three (3) days after the contest has ended and emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This review and giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, or any other entity unless otherwise specified. BeeSavy.com reserves the right to obtain names and email addresses from this rafflecopter form, as well as the right to publicize the winner’s names and likenesses harvested.

If potential Grand Prize winner forfeits or does not claim the prize, prize will be re-awarded, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

There you have it! I'm all signed up and expect it to be a lot of fun. If you decide to participate, I'd love to hear about it. All the best...

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Discovery Zone is where I share exciting products and services. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Choosing Flooring with Carpet One

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 16:25:00 +0000

If you follow me on Pinterest, you know my dream home has been my obsession this week. I’ve pinned everything from sinks to porches, and in every picture, one thing is constant—I’m serious about my floors!

I definitely have a thing for hardwood floors, and when it comes to carpets, I’m dreaming of plush, durable and unique. I’m giving some real, deliberate thought to our flooring options, for our dream home of course, but especially as we consider an upcoming move.

One of my goals when it comes to flooring is to make certain we’re keeping things both green and affordable. Accomplishing that goal takes a bit of research and some patience, but I’ve discovered that when it comes to selecting hardwood floors, keeping things eco friendly really isn’t that hard to do. I’ve spent some time researching green flooring options on the World Floor Covering Agency’s site (told you I was serious), and one of the most important steps to take is finding a retailer who is knowledgeable about green flooring products and willing to help you find products that are certified as environmentally friendly. Carpet One is one company who helps with this by stocking and labeling environmentally safe flooring with their “Green Select” labels. It’s one place to find flooring that is recyclable, sustainable, natural and/or made from renewable materials.

But, I know it’s not easy being green, so rest assured, that you can also find laminates, vinyl and carpets galore at Carpet One as well. Spend some time on the website researching your options based on color, material, price and style, and request samples to see how your favorites work in your home. You can also discover ways to save money on your purchase before using their location search to find a retailer close to your home. Take advantage of their “MyProject” portfolio to keep track of your favorites and that will help make your shopping trip a little smoother.

While our move is a little ways off, I’m determined to be prepared. I hope this post helps get you planning ahead as well, and if you have any tips on making great choices, I’d love to hear about them, so leave me a comment!

This is a compensated post. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

Introducing Ocean Spray Fruit Snacks (W!N)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 00:32:00 +0000

It doesn’t happen much, but today, I actually shared my kids’ after school snack. I’m not usually a fan of fruit snacks, but the three of us enjoyed sampling the new Ocean Spray^® Fruit Flavored Snacks, and there was a point at which I had to cut everyone off.

They really are very tasty—“full of yummy goodness,” as we say in our house. It was pretty easy to get carried away, as each pouch contains just .8 oz and 80 calories. The fruit flavored snacks are available in two varieties, Berries & Cherries and Assorted Fruit. They’re made with colors from natural sources and flavored with apple, pear and cranberry juice concentrate. They won’t of course, replace real fruit, but they’re a quick and easy gluten free snack. They contain 100% of the daily value of vitamin C and each box contains 10 pouches.

I do recommend that you try them, so I’m glad there’s a printable coupon you can download for $1.10 off of the purchase of (2) Ocean Spray^® Fruit Flavored snacks.

And, while I love helping you save, I love giving you things even more. 4 of you will win 6 boxes (3 of each variety) of Ocean Spray^®Fruit Flavored Snacks. To enter, follow the directions in the Rafflecopter widget below to let Ocean Spray know which variety of the fruit flavored snacks you’d like to try OR which flavors you’d like to see them come out with next.

The giveaway is open to US residents only and will end January 26th. I can’t wait for you to try them! All the best…
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ocean Spray® Fruit Flavored Snacks, information, and giveaway have been provided by Ocean Spray® through MyBlogSpark. My opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

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Kid-Friendly Food with FunBites (Closed)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 02:20:00 +0000

Hey mama-friends! I’ve discovered a neat little kitchen tool to bring some fun to the table, and it’s one of those rare items that both you and your kids will be thrilled about. It’s called FunBites, a nifty little gadget that cuts foods into tiny bite-sized pieces, making tons of things, from fruit to sandwiches, more appealing to your little ones.

The durable cutter has curved blades that cut food into pieces as you press down and rock back and forth. It helps you get a little more creative as you prepare kid friendly meals and it’s pretty unique when compared to other food cutters.

It’s available in two patterns—cubes or hearts. I was much more impressed with the cube pattern because the heart pattern resulted in shapes that were almost too tiny to deal with. While the cubed FunBites would be my choice for most foods, the heart would be perfect for giving kids tiny shapes that they can manipulate and play with. Either would be great for those of you who homeschool to use for all sorts of math and manipulative activities (who says kids can’t learn while they play with their food!). I used them to make tiny sandwiches for my daughter’s tea party. They were the perfect size for toothpicks and the girls felt so grown up eating their little hors d’oeuvres.

We’ve given it 4 1/2 mamas.

[1] I really like the cubed pattern. [2] It’s kid approved but the food seems to disappear too quickly for them. [3] It works just as described. Just keep pushing and rocking like the directions say. [4] You can purchase one for $12.99 or both patterns for $19.99. The price for two is quite reasonable. [5] I thought it was pretty unique.

You can grab FunBites on their website and save 25% on your entire order with the code 25%OFF or win the pattern of your choice here at The MamaZone. Simply follow the directions in the Rafflecopter widget below (give it time to load). If you already own it and want to share your experience, make sure you leave a quick comment!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I received a sample product to facilitate my review, but my opinions are always my own. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Trial Zone is my place to tell you about the new and unique products I'm reviewing. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

Teach Your Kids to Manage Their Money

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:22:00 +0000

The Savvy Source wants to help you pass on some financial wisdom to your kids with this week's deals. One of my favorites is the Classic Moonjar Moneybox. It's a cute little bank that has three compartments: save, share and spend. It's a great way to teach kids the importance of saving and giving to others and it's available this week for $15 (a 40% savings).

Another great tool is the Allowance Chart Calendar from Prosperity4Kids, which helps kids track their chores and earnings. Parents can assign monetary values to each chore and also give out bonus dollars. Kids can plan ahead on the "Goals, Dreams and Desires" page where they'll learn the value of delayed gratification. It's available for $10.

I hope you'll visit and check out these resources. It's so important to start emphasizing financial intelligence when our kids our young. Starting early with them might just prevent them from making the mistakes we've made. I'd love to hear some of your strategies for teaching kids about money, so leave me a comment or two!

I am a Savvy Source affiliate and I appreciate you using my links. They are always looking for other bloggers if you'd like to sign up. For more information, read the Guide to Mama'z Product Reviews or read my Disclosure Policy.

I love bringing you great T.I.D.B.I.T.S. The Savings Zone is where you'll find ideas on how to save, earn and manage your money. Sign up for email or RSS updates to stay current.

To Live is Christ Day by Day (W!N)

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:00 +0000

Happy New Year! Have I said that yet? If I have, just know I'm wishing you a doubly happy 2012 because I appreciate you reading my blog!

I want to invite you to visit another one of my homes away from home, Daily Fast Fuel. I have the privilege of writing daily devotionals there along with 4 other wonderful blogger-friends and this week, we're having a celebration, and I hope you’ll visit and party with us.

Before you go though, I'd like to give you a little something to bless you as you start the new year. To Live is Christ Day by Day by Beth Moore is a 90 day devotional to help you “relocate your misplaced purpose” and go beyond setting limits on who you can be. To enter, simply follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter widget below. I'll be running the giveaway on both of my blogs, but you only need to enter on one. All the best...
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friends-Day Wednesday 1/11

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 04:00:00 +0000

Welcome back to Friends-day. Let's get to it...

It's not mandatory, but I'd love to have you follow me at The MamaZone, If Mama Ain't or at Daily Fast Fuel. If you follow me and leave a comment, I'll definitely follow you too!
Add your blog name and a short description. For example, "The MamaZone: great t.i.d.bi.t.s. for mamas!" Feel free to link directly to your blog, or to your favorite post.
FOLLOW AT LEAST ONE PERSON and as many other blogs as you'd like to have follow back. This is what makes FriendsDay work, so if you're not willing to follow, please don't link up.
Remember to leave a comment on the blogs you follow to let them know you found them here at The MamaZone, and if someone follows you, be sure to follow back.
(Optional) Take the WednesDay is FriendsDay button, and if you want to put the blog hop on your blog, click the "get the code here" link under the blog listings. Feel free to tailor your post to your blog rather than copying mine verbatim.
Tweet, blog and yell at your friends about this so it can grow more and more each week.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO LEAVE A QUICK DESCRIPTION OF YOUR BLOG

Toast to 2012 Giveaway Hop

noreply@blogger.com (Anitra) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 05:00:00 +0000

If I haven’t said it yet, Happy New Year! What better way to celebrate than to offer you a great prize to help keep you productive in 2012?

I’m joining a number of other great blogs in the Toast to 2012 event, hosted by Sweep Tight and Just Married with Coupons. I want one of my wonderful readers to win this adorable laptop sleeve from Carolina Pad and a $10 Starbucks gift card because I do some of my best work there!

The laptop sleeve is a part of the Studio C Pattern Play Collection. It’s made of neoprene and has a zipper closure and it measures 15" L x 11" H x 1.5".

To win, simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below. There is no mandatory entry, so choose your own adventure. The contest is open to US residents only, but before you leave, let’s talk about the Toast to 2012 GRAND PRIZE!

Likeographers.com is sponsoring a wonderful grand prize for this event. After entering here, rush over and ENTER TO WIN 1 of 5 $100 Paypal or Visa Gift Cards!!!

A little about the sponsor: Likeographers.com is a website where users from all over the world can enter awesome giveaways where they can win items such as gift cards and makeup by simply signing up and uploading a candid photo. Likeographers.com is dedicated to providing a place where users can upload a picture of their likes, share them with the world and win awesome prizes.

What are you waiting for? Enter here, hop through and win at the other great blogs, but be sure to enter the grand prize giveaway. Thanks for hanging out and, again, have a happy new year! All the best… Give the entry form a moment to load. a Rafflecopter giveaway Don't miss these other great giveaways!