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Flexible Spending Accounts Can Save Your Family 40%

Posted by html404 on March 6, 2013
in Family Stuff, Health, Money & Finances, Saving Money, Uncategorized

It’s been a number of years since we did any health care “shopping” and it really isn’t a problem if you know your way around, however, it can get overwhelming because of the various options available. Something like, Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs), can offer relief from increasing health care costs, because these benefit plans rely on pre-tax money for qualified health expenses.

Not only can you save on FSA eligible products, but an FSA also gives you access to health care services and thousands of everyday products such as sunscreen, contact lens solution, band-aids, heat wraps and baby care – a bonus for families like ours.

How Does FSAs Work?

Each FSA plan year, employers take money out of your paychecks based on how much you choose to set aside. Beginning in 2013, FSA plan contributions are limited to $2,500 per person. Before you get an FSA, it is vital to calculate how much you want to spend using your FSA.

A word of caution…because FSAs are “use it or lose it” any money unspent is forfeited when your plan year ends. Some employers provide a grace period – or an extension of coverage – up to two and a half months. One big deadline coming up is March 15. Do you have FSAs? Better check to see if you need to use any of your FSA funds before March 15.

FSAstore.com is a one-stop-shop stocked exclusively with thousands of FSA-eligible products, a national provider database and a Learning Center that answers FSA-related questions. You can save on FSA-eligible products throughout the year with FSA Store’s special offers. Check these out before your grace period ends on March 15.

This is a featured post.

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CraftProjectIdeas.com

Posted by 278Wife on March 5, 2013
in Crafts, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Gift Ideas, Kids Stuff, Parenting

CraftProjectIdeas.com is dedicated to kids’ arts and crafts projects for preschool children through tweens. The website offers step-by-step instructions to inspire kids with arts and crafts. The products shown on the site are all available in the Kids’ Crafts aisle at popular retailers. CraftProjectIdeas.com has a “How To” section featuring basic techniques, a featured material for each month, rainy day projects, seasonal projects, and even a teacher’s corner. There’s also a “Products” section, which shows an array of different materials and craft kits, a “Videos” section showing clear concise directions and what the end project should look like, and a “Store Locator” where you can find a store that carries the products. My favorite feature of the site is the Project Finder search engine. Just choose the age, season, theme, and materials and it will find a project you can make!

I received a wonderful selection of products from them including the following:

Glow in the Dark Alphabet Beads
Metallic Pony Beads
Large Bling Acrylic Jewels
Shimmer Poms
Neon Glitter Shakers
Craft Buttons
Multi-Size Suction Cups
Mini Wooden Clothespins
Skinny Sticks

I decided to help my toddler make some Valentines for his grandparents with some of the supplies. I had some red and purple foam sheets on hand so we used those as our base. I also had pink foam stickers that he enjoyed sticking on. To add some more sparkle he stuck on a few Large Bling Acrylic Jewels. They were super easy to remove from the sheet, and they stuck on easily to the foam. Then I had him pick out the letters to his name, “R, O, C, K, Y” from the Glow in the Dark Alphabet Beads and we glued them on each valentine. The beads were nice and flat and glued on easily. Finally we used the Neon Glitter Shakers to finish the valentines. I wished the glitter would have come out a little better than it did. You had to hold it at a certain angle for enough to shake out. Overall, we had a blast making them and the grandparents LOVED them!

We also decided to make some picture frames for some birthdays that are coming up. I had my son color the Skinny Sticks with markers and then we glued them into triangles and squares. Then we glued Craft Buttons onto each corner. I loved how flat the buttons were; it made them very easy to glue on. To finish off the triangle picture frame we glued on Shimmer Poms to the Craft Buttons. These took a little effort to stay glued on, but with enough glue they finally stuck. All we need to do is add a picture to the back, and they will be perfect!

All of the products I received were of excellent quality. The colors are so vibrant and the pieces are very child friendly to use. My favorite part? Most of the bags are resealable so you when you are all done with a project you can seal the bag without losing any extra pieces! I am so excited to make even more projects with my son. He loves doing arts and crafts and doing projects teaches him so many skills. The sky is the limit with all of the inspiration from CraftProjectIdeas.com!

<em>Faith and Family Reviews received the following product free from
<a href=”http://www.Craftprojectideas.com“>www.CraftProjectIdeas.com</a> in exchange for writing a
review about these crafting supplies. While we consider it a privilege to
receive free products, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the
product.</em>

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My Mom Arrives Tomorrow!

Posted by html404 on February 28, 2013
in Family Stuff, Home, Travel

My mom arrives tomorrow and we still have so much to do. Our plan to use five days to organized sort of back fired. Oh we’ve been working on things every day, but as soon as things are done they quickly become undone! That happens in a household of eight children! So we have track lighting, to put back up after some individual took it down from where it was over our rec room desk, for some unknown reason. We still have to set up mom’s bed and I have to get it made, with linens set out for her, laundry (we do laundry every day so that’s nothing new) and just general tidying; which I am sure will be undone before we can blink our eyes. Good thing mom had four children, but still it’d be nice if the house was presentable for her arrival at least.

Not to mention I am still working on March posts and will still have VA work to do while she’s here – trying to keep it to a minimum but I think it’s going to be tough. I think between contributing writers’ posts and mine we have posts every day up until March 18, which isn’t bad, but many of mine still need to be written! Here’s to hoping today and tomorrow are very productive…ha!

We are so excited to be able to spend time with my mom. She is excited about coming. She’s nervous about flying and getting lost, but I reassured her now that they have non-stop flights traveling from Nova Scotia to Chicago she doesn’t have to deal with Toronto or Ottawa airports. She’ll get off the plane and Robert should be waiting for her. She says she’ll be outside having a smoke after going four hours without! We are hoping her ecigarettes arrive within the week so she can try those while she’s here. She’s excited about trying them and I am impressed she has the desire to. Praying for positive results!

Here’s to three weeks of fun with my mom!

“This sponsored post was made possible by SheHeard. I have been compensated for my time and work on this campaign, however all thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.”

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Messages of Love – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on February 27, 2013
in Family Stuff, Kids Stuff, Parenting, Wordless Wednesday

On Valentine’s Day the children enjoyed making sugar cookies. They did the usual with flour on the table and rolling out the dough. My youngest daughter took it a step further and made me messages of love in the flour. So precious!

Then as I am doing this post putting the watermarks on it she saddles up to me and says, “No not pink” for the words “Messages of Love”. She takes me through yellow, blue, green when I finally say, “You just want to see the words change colors!” She snickered and nodded her head and promptly told me, “Pink!” She also informed me that she had other pictures and that she would choose the colors. So without further adieu her are the other ones she chose, above and below…

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5 Random Facts About Our Family

Posted by html404 on February 25, 2013
in Family Stuff

What would we do without family? Family is so important to each of our existence….unless of course you are a hermit. A friend from my teens and I use to talk and joke about becoming hermits. On hard days I am still tempted to become one and live in a cave somewhere all alone, but know in reality I’d be very lonely.

Each of our families are so different. Our families are made up of not only completely different DNA, but personalities, experiences and history. We are totally different packages. That’s why I want to share 5 random facts about our family.

1. We love pizza. ALL ten of us.
2. We rent a 30+ year old home.
3. We have awesome landlords. Example: A few weeks ago the furnace went out and they offered to put us up in a hotel until it was fixed. We opted to stay at home because it was just easier with all the animals etc. We had to really convince them we would be ok. We all bunked in our master bedroom like one big sleep over. They even brought us heaters.
4. We usually make homemade banners and decorations for birthdays. Decorating the night before so the birthday person wakes up to a festive house.
5. We live with mice that just don’t seem to want to go away or get caught in mouse traps. Wishin’ we could have the cats inside to clear the varmints out!

Inspired by another one of Mama Kat’s Writing Prompts: 5 Random facts about you and your family.

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The Importance of Family Bonding

Posted by html404 on February 23, 2013
in Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Home

Amazing things happen when a family comes together to do things together. A family that can bond will be a family that is united forever. It is important to plan family bonding activities because they strengthen family relationships. Family bonding happens naturally, but it can also be enhanced with just a bit of effort. Good communication and group activities are good ways to improve your family ties.

In today’s fast paced world, work tends to take away the time we spend with our children. It is important to take some time out of our busy schedule and make sure that we provide them with the quality time that they deserve. One particular activity that my family and I love to do is already done right in the comfort of our own home, and that is having lunch or dinner together. Eating a family meal together not only promotes healthy eating habits, but also gives family members time to catch up with the day’s activities. Another thing that my kids love to do is to watch movies together. Whether it is a new film on the cinema or an old Disney classic watched from your living room television, the warmth and presence of the whole family together certainly helps in strengthening family ties.

Another thing to do as a family is to have fun and play games together. We actually have one particular night were in we play board games like monopoly at home or play a game of bingo on weekends. My love for the game of bingo started when it was introduced to me by my grandmother when I was still a young child growing up. And in today’s world of online games and in today’s world of online games, I was lucky enough to come across Cheekybingo.com to enjoy my favorite game. Cheeky Bingo is the UK’s top online bingo site and has grown to become an iconic figure in online gaming. Playing bingo and other games at home with my family is certainly an activity that helps promote family bonding. These are just some of the many activities that a family can do together to maintain good family ties. It is important to tell your children you love them every day, but it is just as important to show it to them. Spending quality time with the family is the key.

This is a featured post by a guest writer.

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Decluttering Made Easy Giveaway

Posted by html404 on February 22, 2013
in Cleaning, Family Stuff, Giveaways, Organization, Reviews, Uncategorized

Decluttering and organizing has been a recurring theme here at Faith and Family Reviews. It started with a new year and setting goals. Then the news of my mom’s three week visit, which is now only a week away! Eeeks…..going to be busy this weekend!

When I was pitched to review and share about a brand new Decluttering Made Easy ecourse another blogger developed I thought it was an appropriate topic as so many of us do seem to struggle with staying organized and keeping clutter to a minimum.

Decluttering Made Easy is a 52-week long ecourse that includes coaching, exclusive website membership and access to the Decluttering Made Easy Community Facebook page and private forum.

Each week members will receive tips, ideas and an actual assignment for the week to declutter their home and get better organized. Time management is also discussed. Included with the weekly assignments are 15 minute how-to videos, PDF assignments and goal sheets (beginning lessons).

What I Liked About Decluttering Made Easy

The questions and suggestions are great and help make decluttering decisions of what to keep and what to get rid of and how.

Encouragement and support through the Decluttering Made Easy online community, IF you make use of it.

What I Didn’t Like About Decluttering Made Easy

Tiffany really didn’t show us examples or what she personally does. Guess I wanted proof of what she was learning herself. I love real life testimonies and photos of before and after a decluttering session. I would have loved to see what her home looked like and how she stays organized. She does tell her story but you have to read about it on the forum, at least I did.

The course is a bit long and cumbersome, at least for this busy working mom. Even though each lesson was 15 minutes long, the thought of having to sit down and listen to a video, do an assignment etc. made me feel a little overwhelmed to be honest. These days I need something simplified, like the 5 Days to a Clutter Free House.

Decluttering Made Easy Giveaway

Need extra help getting organized? Enter to win a year of full access to Decluttering Made Easy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Faith and Family Reviews received the following product in exchange for writing a review. While we consider it a privilege to receive products to review, our reviews are our honest opinion and thoughts of the product. It also contains an affiliate link in an attempt to earn money to support this blog for those who sign up by using it.

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World War II Air Force Pilot – Wordless Wednesday

Posted by html404 on February 20, 2013
in Family Stuff, Wordless Wednesday

This post is inspired by MamaKat’s writing prompts, which are a blessing when blog topics just do not seem to be forming in this head of mine! The prompt was “Share an old picture of a parent or grandparent…who were they back then?”

The photo below is of my grandfather when he was probably between 20 and 25 years old. I did not get a chance to talk to him much about his time in the war, but I know my cousin, B, did as he inherited grandfather’s war medals…if I remember correctly. I regret not being interested in that part of granddad’s life when I was younger and I spent a lot of time with my grandparents growing up!
I am the oldest grandchild and B was the second oldest. We are only a year a part so we spent Christmas, spring and summer vacations together at our grandparents. Though B’s time was split between their house and his father’s, as his parents divorced when he was quite young.

World War II Air Force Pilot

Granddad was a quiet man. A family man. An accountant. He teased and had a great sense of humor. Both my grandparents swam with B and I, taught us how to play cribbage (card game) and just spent time investing themselves in our young lives.

It’s rather hard to imagine granddad as a brave soldier during World War II, flying fighter planes over Europe in the 1940’s. A World War II Air Force Pilot. Wow. I wonder what he experienced and saw as a young man? No wonder I enjoyed Sarah Sundin’s Wings of Glory series so much!

My grandfather would have turned 91 last month had he lived past his 68th year. I still miss him and my grandmother, who passed away in 2007. They were very dear to me and I am grateful for all of the wonderful memories they created for me while they were living to remember them by.

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Monsters Inc 3D Review

Posted by html404 on February 19, 2013
in DVDs & CDs, Family Stuff, Fun Stuff, Kids Stuff, Movie Reviews, Movies, Reviews

Monsters Inc 3D Review

Originally released in 2001, Monsters Inc. was proof once more than animation studios Pixar could do no wrong in the eyes of the public or the critics. Although ever so slightly less well-received than the likes of Toy Story and Finding Nemo, Monsters Inc. was still an instant box office smash, and is now as popular today with a new generation of children as it is nostalgic adults.

Joining the ranks of other Disney classics (Disney recently bought out Pixar Studios making it an official Disney franchise), Monsters Inc. is being given the 3D treatment, following in the footsteps of The Lion King and Beauty and the Beast. But is the 3D enhancement worth parting your cash for a
second time?

For anyone who didn’t see the film during its original release, a trip to the cinema is nothing short of a necessity. The hero James P. Sullivan (voiced by actor John Goodman) is a larger than life monster hero who must be seen to be believed. Sidekick Mike Wazowski (voiced by actor Billy Crystal), is a zany, funny little monster with a personality bigger than his tiny physique would suggest.

The city of Monstropolis is inspired, and the story is simple yet genius; a monster city which is powered by the screams of children. Only thing is, the children are a little more difficult to scare these days, and the monsters need an alternative power supply. Simple, compelling, hilarious and touching, cinema-goers that missed out the first time are lucky to be given the opportunity to watch a now modern classic piece of children’s cinema.

Those who already love the film and have from the beginning will no doubt appreciate a chance to take the kids to a cinematic showing, or to just relive the initial joy in an updated nostalgia fest. While the 3D does not enhance the film to any great extent, there are moments where the extra ticket price seems to justify itself. In particular, the climactic scene within the door factory is turned from brilliant into legendary with the addition of 3D.

With the new release the animations are touched up, made a little more vibrant, and given the new age treatment, meaning it essentially watches like a new film. Unlike The Lion King which at times appeared artificial with its 3D release (perhaps because it is a much older film), Monsters Inc. 3D seems brand new and shiny, giving you a fresh look at a much-treasured story.

This image was taken from the VUE Cinemas website.

This is a featured post by a guest writer.

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Celebrate with Clifford DVD Review

Posted by Professor on February 16, 2013
in DVDs & CDs, Family Stuff, Kids Stuff, Movies, TV Shows

Clifford the Big Red Dog: Celebrate with Clifford DVD Review!

Clifford celebrates 50 Big years!

Celebrate 50 years of big fun, big friendships and everyone’s favorite big red dog in seven party-packed Clifford tales! Whether it’s working as a team to put on the Fall Carnival, finding the perfect gift for a birthday party, or building a float for the Birdwell Parade, Clifford and his pals – Emily, Charley, Jetta and T-Bone discover that always following your heart and being yourself is the best way to be a BIG friend. Let’s get this party started!

Episodes on DVD include:

The Best Gift
Clifford’s Carnival
Clifford on Parade
Screaming for Ice Cream
Clifford the Pirate King
Team Spirit
Tough Enough
Plus 5 Bonus Speckle Stories

DVD Bonus Content (Bonus DVD inside)

8 additional episodes

The DVD is available in Stores and online NOW !

The DVD is available here at amazon.com

Our Review:

Clifford has always been a favorite in our house. My 9 year old still enjoys reading Clifford books to her younger siblings! What a wonderful event to celebrate Clifford with my children on DVD! We can now watch our favorite character come to life on television!

My children have watched the Clifford cartoon before, but are now enjoying more Clifford, more frequently since we received the DVD. The episodes are wonderful and always teach a lesson. My children love to see what trouble the characters will get in each episode. The children have had countless laughs watching this DVD.

I am sure you will be as pleased with the content of this new DVD as we were! Happy 50 years Clifford!