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Financial Literacy Guide for Women

Posted by html404 on April 29, 2014
in Budgeting, Downloads, Family Stuff, Money & Finances, Products for Mom, Saving Money, Uncategorized

“This is a sponsored campaign with Mums the Word Network and David Lerner Associates. All opinions are my own.”

I have always been a part of our finances from budgeting, saving, spending and investing (what little investing we’ve done). Yet I wouldn’t say that I was completely confidence in my financial literacy. Strange isn’t it? It was really interesting reading through the guide Financial Literacy and the Gender Gap.

Financial Literacy Guide for Women

In this financial literacy guide it states that women on average will live five years longer then men, which I knew because I have a mother, mother-in-law, an aunt, an aunt by marriage who are all widows. At one point in my life (around 2010) I had seven widows in my life and knew I’d probably end up in the same position later in life. That’s when I started talking to my husband about how we’d survive if anything happened to him now that we are getting older. I’m entering my mid-40’s and he’ll be 50 in less than two years. We are still working on our financial health… since things don’t always go as planned and unemployment threw us for a loop twice in the last six years.

Three Tips from the Financial Literacy Guide for Women

It made me feel good that the three tips given in the guide are things we are doing and working towards. Here are those tips:

1. Organize your financial paper work.

2. Track your income and spending.

3. Create a savings and investment plan.

At the end of the four page guide it tells you how to create a budget. I use to live by a budget pretty strictly, now not so much. I know we need to get back to budgeting as we work towards stabilizing our finances and I learn to become more confident in my own financial literacy.

You can download this guide too by liking David Lerner Associates Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/DavidLernerAssociates/app_128572423924639

If you are a woman, what are you doing to become financially literate?

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Rescue Pups

Posted by 278Wife on April 27, 2014
in Books, Downloads, Ebooks, Fun Stuff, Kids Stuff, Reviews, Uncategorized

I have recently just started using ebooks on my iPad. My four year old son is pretty tech savvy now and enjoys reading ebooks on my iPad as well. We had the pleasure of reading Rescue Pups: The Adventures of Maxwell and Kota. It is written by Bonnie Bentley and Lindsay Gamache, and illustrated by Kimberly Solderberg.

The story is about a dog who is rescued by a family and meets other dogs on his walk through the neighborhood. The other dogs laugh at him when they find out he doesn’t know where he came from. Eventually he meets another dog who turns out to be adopted as well. They become good friends and enjoy playing with each other. They team up together to save another dog who is stuck in a fence, hence “Rescue Pups.” The themes of the story include friendship and adoption.

My son really enjoyed the book. He loved that one of the dogs in the story was a doberman pinscher since we have a doberman at home as a pet (who happens to be a rescue). I loved that the story was a read aloud version. The voices reading were very kid friendly and nice to listen to. The pictures from the book were very colorful, yet simple and easy to focus on. The story line was great. My son wanted to read it over and over and over again.

Overall it was a great ebook, with wonderful life lessons. The suggested age for the ebook is 3-6. I would definitely recommend it, and hope they write more in the future! You can download your copy by visiting

http://kitereaders.com/2013/12/15/rescue-pups-the-adventures-of-maxwell-and-kota/

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Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport

Posted by html404 on March 2, 2014
in Downloads, Ebooks, Reviews, Uncategorized

Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport

Review by B, my almost 15 year old, who found it really hard to review this ebook

Thirty years of small-town secrets—now the key to the mystery is gone. The small town of Hidden Falls is abuzz. Former students, friends, and loved ones are prepping for tonight’s big event to honor Ted Quinn’s many years of compassionate service. Quinn is reluctant about a night in the spotlight–but is tenderly prodded by Sylvia, mayor of Hidden Falls and Quinn’s dearest friend and confidante.

I thought Hidden Falls by Olivia Newport was good, but rather confusing. There were eight point of view characters that came across as too much even for me, and I’m a fast reader. I found myself forgetting about half of the characters as we hopped back and forth between point of views and inside the different character’s minds.

However, I did find Quinn to be interesting and liked his character as well as Dani, Nicole, Liam and Ethan. I wish we had gotten to see more of Dani as she came across as a really unique character and added something special to the novel. I felt bad for Liam and enjoyed Nicole and Ethan’s character point of views.

Unfortunately I couldn’t even rate this on terms of plot due to how much was going on. I couldn’t focus or even find the main plot line because of all the extra character point of views. It was a very slow read, but I loved the ending. It was quite surprising.

I’d give it a 2.5 out of 5 stars, but I would probably read more in this series due to the characters that I did like. I’m intrigued as to what will happen to Quinn and Dani in future books.

You can read the first episode of Hidden Falls here.

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Does Registry PC Cleaning Software Really Work?

Posted by html404 on February 17, 2014
in Downloads, Reviews, Techie Stuff, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

Have you ever questioned does registry PC cleaning software really work? We have. That’s why when we recently had the opportunity to try PC Health Boost, a registry PC cleaning software we jumped on it. We immediately experienced a difference in the performance of our old laptop, which has been sluggish and temperamental. Now it is faster and issues with Netflix pausing at 33% while loading is no longer an issue.

PC Health Boost is a PC cleaning software that gives your PC that extra boost it needs to perform better by fixing tiny issues. When we ran the software, it literally fixed over 200 issues. Who knew a computer could have that many issues?

This software is only for the Windows OS.

Boost Software, INC is a Microsoft Gold Partner and has won tons of awards for their software, which eased my mind concerning the risks involved with downloading software from the internet to our computer. PC Health Boost is very user friendly. Our 14 year old daughter was the one to download it onto the computer and she had no issues doing so. It just took her a little while to find out where to enter our complimentary license key.

For all my skepticism about registry cleaners, I have to say I am pleased the old laptop is working better than it was before. Here’s to hoping we get a few more months out of it!

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5 Ways to Save on Time and Money at Healthcare Clinic Chicago

Posted by html404 on February 4, 2014
in Children's Health, Downloads, Family Stuff, Health, Health and Wellness, Men's Health, News Worthy, Parenting, Saving Money, Uncategorized, Women's Health

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for Collective Bias and its advertiser. #HealthcareClinic #CollectiveBias

It has always been important to us to do everything we can to keep our family healthy. In the past when our large family has been under the weather it has taken us a l-o-n-g time to get over colds, the flu and even the chicken pox (7 children had it one after the other!). We are very grateful for our current health. It isn’t very often we get sick but when we do there are things that help us get healthy again. For example, when my husband gets wax build up in his ears to the point he can no longer hear, he goes to the Healthcare Clinic Chicago to get his ears candled or cleaned out. He has done this a couple of times, dropping by the clinic while out on errands or after work. No appointment necessary. It is very convenient and time saving for a busy parent.

The Walgreens Healthcare Clinic in Crystal Lake, IL has been very clean when we have dropped in and the Healthcare Providers have been courteous and personable. Both of these things has given us confidence in the professionals caring for our needs.

5 Ways to Save on Time and Healthcare Costs for Parents

1. As stated above, the Healthcare Clinic takes walk-ins. No appointment necessary, though you can schedule one should you desire to do so.

2. Use the Walgreen app to find a healthcare clinic nearest you.

Put in your information, customize what you are looking for and a list of clinics near you will come up:

3. Save on costly and unnecessary trips to the ER by visiting a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic, since they are open on weekends and evenings.

4. With Walgreens Prescription Savings Club, club members receive 10% savings on all Healthcare Clinic services. Please note Walgreens website states: This discount cannot be used in conjunction with insurance.

5. Healthcare clinics have on-site pharmacies. No need to go elsewhere for prescriptions.

As you can see, Walgreens Healthcare Clinic is very convenient and affordable. The next time we visit a Healthcare Clinic Chicago it will probably be to see if our youngest daughter’s ears need to be candled because we have a funny feeling she’s taking after her dad in that department!

What about you, have you ever visited a Walgreens Healthcare Clinic?

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React Mobile App

Posted by html404 on February 3, 2014
in Downloads, Family Stuff, Free Stuff, Parenting, Products for Dad, Products for Mom, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

This is a sponsored campaign with Mums the Word Network and React Mobile. All opinions are my own.

Have you ever felt like you need to do more to insure your family stays safe? I think we all have. React Mobile is a free safety app for Androids and iPhones that allows you to call out for help with the touch of a button if you encounter any kind of danger or safety issues!

The React Mobile App is very easy to use. All you have to do is download the app to your phone. Here are the specific features of this app:

– SOS Alerts email
– SOS via text
– SOS to Facebook and Twitter
– SOS to dedicated user console
– GPS location tracking
– 911 button/prompt
– Group SMS messages

The app will give you several options right from the get-go.

You can sign up using your email or Facebook account. I choose to register using my email.

At the bottom of the app you have four different choices: Map, Send SOS, Contacts (you can add your own contacts) and Send SMS Message to broadcast to your contact list.

The SOS messaging system allows you to alert authorities, family and friends if you are in trouble or need assistance with the swipe of your finger.

The React Mobil App even has a “Follow Me” feature and your family can follow you in real-time for those non-emergency situations where you may feel unsafe and just want to touch base with those you love. How reassuring is that? I can see this being very useful when you have teens in the house!

There is a “Settings” feature that allows you to post your alert message to Facebook or twitter, as well as a setting to choose which country you are in. The React Mobile App is currently only available in the USA and Canada.

To learn more about the app, check out the video below:

React Mobile Personal Safety App from Robb on Vimeo.

You can also connect with React below:

React Mobile Web site: www.ReactMobile.com
Apple iTunes Download: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/react-standard-edition/id522851588?mt=8
Google Play Download (available on select smartphones): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.reactmobile.lite

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Dabby Dill & The Hiccup Pickle iPad App Plus $50 iTunes Giveaway

Posted by html404 on January 30, 2014
in Apps, Downloads, Ebooks, Education, Fun Stuff, Giveaways, Homeschooling, Kids Stuff, Parenting, Reviews, School, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

This is a featured review.

Dabby Dill & The Hiccup Pickle iPad App Review

by Brande

Dabby Dill woke up in a Pickle, she had the hiccups! Follow Dabby on her journey to find the remedy for these hiccups. This book app is recommended for kids 4 to 8 years old. This iPad app requires a 6.1 operating system or later.

There are 4 modes in the book app.

Story Mode – You have a narrator reading to you and you touch the arrow for the next page.

Read Along – You narrator will read to you again. However this time each word is underlined as the narrator reads, helping your child as they read & follow along.

Self-Read – Your child will read by themselves. Allowing your child the freedom to read at their own pace.

Play Game – Great memory game! Follow the hiccup pattern with Dabby and her 3 friends. It’s very similar to the game Simon.

I found this book app very educational. My favorite is the read along. With the words underlined it really helps my daughter learn her words and vocabulary. I love each mode, this book app can grow with your child.

Click here to find Dabby Dill & The Pickle Hiccup in the iTunes store!

Dabby Dill & The Hiccup Pickle App Giveaway Plus $50 Giveaway

by Theresa

Five of you have the opportunity to win an iTunes’s code to download Dabby Dill & The Hiccup Pickle iPad app for free, plus each of you will also receive a $10 iTunes e-gift card with the app code! Enter to win below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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My-Baby-Book App

Posted by html404 on January 29, 2014
in Apps, Baby Products, Downloads, Family Stuff, Kids Stuff, Parenting, Pregnancy and Birth, Reviews, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

My-Baby-Book app is a cute little app to record all the necessary information from your pregnancy test, pregnancy through to your baby’s first 18 months of life. I think it would be a great tool since so often I would write down milestones on sticky notes to add to our baby book….once I got around to it. Then I would end up losing them or misplacing them. Whereas with the app I always have my phone on me and it would be easy to grab it and make the necessary notes in the My-Baby-Book app for milestones baby reached as they happened. Very handy and convenient. Busy moms, techie moms and moms trying to go digital will appreciate what this app has to offer by way of storing important dates, times, milestones etc.

The home page needs to be swiped to start the app and takes you to the cover of the My-Baby-Book app, which allows you to edit and personalize it with your baby’s name:

The next page is the table of contents. The main menu is a bear with building blocks…cutest menu I’ve seen yet! The main menu is located in the top left corner when not in use.

Here’s what Kim, mom of two, had to say about My-Baby-Book app:

What a useful app! I love that you can store all of your baby’s growth information on your phone or tablet so when you’re at the doctor it’s on hand and easy to update. My favorite is the baby’s firsts section. I’m always writing down on post-it’s when my daughter does something for the first time. The post-it notes have been piling up since I haven’t had time to dig out her baby book to write them in. Great features and super user friendly!

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GS Preschool Games for Android

Posted by html404 on January 3, 2014
in Apps, Downloads, Education, Entertainment, Family Stuff, Free Stuff, Fun Stuff, Homeschooling, Kids Stuff, Reviews, School, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

Most of you who are regular readers know nearly all the apps on my cell phone are educational. Our children love to go on my phone to play with the apps. They also love it when I change the apps by downloading new ones. GS Preschool Games for Android has a cool little app our children have been enjoying the past couple of days.

GS Preschool Games has ten different activities children can enjoy and learn from:

- Jigsaw puzzles
– Match the Objects
– Solve the Maze
– Memory
– Burst the Balloons, which teaches letters, numbers and colors
– Count the Objects
– Compare the Objects
– Find Odd Items
– Find the Correct Count
– Scratch the Pad to Paint – while doing this activity our three year old son passed me the phone and said, “Scratch Mommy”….it took me a minute to figure out what he meant!

The characters are whimsical and fun. Not to mention attractive to a little one’s eye, as the colors are bright.

GS Preschool Games app is easy to use. Simply choose your activity with a click and then swipe and click to play. The skip button allows children to skip and choose a game based on his or her interest at that moment.

One thing I noticed while doing the balloon activity is when you earn your sticker for clicking the correct balloon, the pop up has this pause and there is barely enough time to catch the rest of the balloons as they float up and off the screen.

Even our five year old and seven year old had fun with this app. The app is recommended for ages 3-6. My daughter who is seven said it was fun and it has rewards. They love earning something for their effort. It’s very motivating for them as they learn and play. However, we could not figure out if the stickers led to more activities or bonus features or if they were just a reward pop up with an encouraging word. We are inclined to think it’s the latter. After a few activities within a game they do get to choose their own animal sticker reward.

Each game contains approximately 16+ individual exercises within that category, providing ample fun and entertainment for children at home or on the go. One thing to be aware of is a parent does have to be involved and read the instructions to a child who does not yet know how to read.

This app is available for yours and your child’s educational pleasure for Android here:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.greysprings.games

and is also available for iOS as well:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gs-preschool-games/id726944785?mt=8

Enjoy!

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Vtech InnoTab 3S Kid Connect App and Giveaway

Posted by html404 on November 22, 2013
in Apps, Downloads, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Giveaways, Kids Stuff, Reviews, Techie Stuff, Technology/Electronics, Uncategorized

In October we reviewed the Vtech InnoTab 3S tablet for kids, which they continue to use and have fun with every day. So we were thrilled when we were offered Vtech InnoTab 3S Premium Kid Connect App. The InnoTab 3S comes with a one year subscription of Basic Kid Connect, which allows kids and parents to send just text messages and stickers.

Premium Vtech Kid Connect App

The unique thing about the Premium Kid Connect App is it helps kids stay connected to parents at home or on the go. As with the Vtech InnoTab 3S internet connection, the Kid Connect app provides a secure and easy-to-use tablet-to-mobile communication. Parents and children can exchange voice and text messages, as well as photos, drawings and stickers! In addition, children can stay connected to their friends and siblings who also have InnoTab 3S tablets and do so from anywhere in the world (with Wi-Fi).

Premium Kid Connect subscription does cost money. For the first two weeks after registration of the InnoTab 3S, a Deluxe Apps package with Premium Kid Connect is available for $14.99. The package also includes Movie Maker (a $7.99 value), a fun stop-motion animation app that lets kids become movie directors – our kids love to make videos! Once the two week promotional period is over, Premium Kid Connect can be purchased separately for $14.99. Kid Connect is only available on the InnoTab 3S, so if you have other versions of the InnoTab you are unfortunately out of luck until you upgrade to the InnoTab 3S.

Kid Connect App Review

My youngest daughter is having a field day with the Kid Connect App! I have been trying to get this post written today and she keeps interrupting me to tell me she sent me a new message. I have been focused on my laptop screen not my iPhone!

I completely missed the instructions to set up the Kid Connect App subscription so I spent more time than I should have figuring out how to work the app. Once I did though it’s a breeze to use!

Once you have added the Premium Kid Connect app subscription to your account it will show up under downloads in the Vtech Lodge. From there you will have to transfer it to your child’s Vtech InnoTab 3S tablet and for that you have to have the tablet connected to your computer. Then it’s easy for your child to click on the Premium Kids Connect icon to start sending texts and voice messages, stickers and photos or drawings.

I had trouble finding out how to send from the app on my iPhone until I discovered you have to click the icon of your child in your contacts. I am not usually technologically challenged but I just could not find my way out of the contacts or my profile for some reason. By the way it’s fun choosing a profile icon as you can see from mine in the above image.

The contacts are listed in the above photo. The blacked out part is the child’s name, the names shown are just made up screen names.

The stickers are fun for kids to send. I sent this kiss to my daughter – it actually makes a cute smooching sound when you click it to send!

This is a heart I made and sent to Blondie.

Once it’s sent it looks very much like our text messages we send from our phones.

Blondie had fun drawing, texting, sending stickers, lots and lots of stickers and voice messages. She’s been playing my voice message over and over again. Guess she loves hearing my voice!

The Kid Connect App has been a great addition to our children’s Vtech InnoTab 3S tablet. Now when we go out or I am away my children do not have to ask my husband or their older siblings to message me. They can do it themselves. As long as someone logs them onto our Wi-Fi, since the Innotab 3S does not save our home Wi-Fi’s password.