You know how it goes … your kids want to stay up on Christmas eve to catch Santa in the act of leaving their presents. As parents we do our best to set the stage like putting out cookies and milk and carrots for the reindeer. I actually eat part of the carrot and take bites from the cookies to keep the magic alive for my kids.  I love to watch the wonder on their faces as they imagine that Santa was actually in our living room.

Now with the help of Capture The Magic you can actually give your kids photo proof that Santa was actually in your home.  Seeing is believing! Here’s how it works:

1. You take a photo of your living room
2. Upload the photo to the Capture The Magic website
3. Select a Santa image from the website that fits your living room photo (100′s to choose from)
4. Merge and blend the Santa image with your photo
5. Purchase your photo for just $9.95 (the 2nd photo is free)
6. Download your photo

Imagine the look on your kid’s faces when they see a picture of Santa in their home? Sure to be a hit for Christmas 2009. You’ve got to see it for yourself. Visit Capture The Magic!

Originally posted 2009-12-02 23:43:50. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

If you’d like one, walk into your local McDonald’s one of these Mondays, 7am to 7pm (I believe are the free hours), to get yours.

Since I, for one, love their Mochas ~heavenly! I had to pass this along.

Enjoy!

Originally posted 2009-07-13 18:55:53. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

In this tough economy, “couponing” is receiving serious consideration in many households. So do coupons really save you money or Are They a Waste of Time? The short answer to this question is yes. But, you have to have a system in place for cutting them and storing them in order to have your coupons accessible so you will use them.

When I started using coupons years ago, they were really only available in the newspaper. You could cut them out of the Sunday paper and they were good for a month or two. Now, the availability of coupons is endless. They can still be found in the newspaper and magazines, but are now in abundance in printable form from websites and in the form of online coupons that are great when shopping on the Internet. With so many choices for coupons, there’s no reason not to be saving every time you shop. Here are some ways that coupons can save you a lot of green. 

1. Cut out coupons for the grocery store. People have to eat. It’s a fact of life. Those coupons in the Sunday paper are good for everything from cat food to candy bars (not that you should eat a lot of those). Snip all that may apply to your household needs.

2. Get organized. Make your own coupon organizer or use a ready-made coupon organizer like the highly-acclaimed Couponizer. The Couponizer does the organization for you – it makes it easy to categorize your coupons by type and/or expiration. Every time you go to the grocery store, you can easily pull out the stack of coupons that pertain to the goodies in your cart or coupons that will soon be expiring. The feature I appreciate most about The Couponizer is that it lays flat in my cart so I can be hands-free and not have to fumble with the accordian type that I used to use.

3. Use coupons for other things besides the grocery store. Coupons can be found in magazines on advertising pages and in amongst your mail on other days of the week. There are coupons for restaurants, car repairs, mattresses and carpet steam cleaning. Everyone will need car repairs at some point (especially after your last payment) so those auto coupons can come in handy.

4. Present your coupon before you buy in some instances. This applies to restaurants and car repairs. If you have any questions about the coupon’s validity, ask before you spend the time shopping. If you can have your brakes serviced for $100, be sure that it includes both sets of brakes and the rotors and/or brake pads. Know what you are getting so you can judge if the coupon is a good deal.

5. Look for other bargains to pair with your coupons. Coupons can be just like money – it burns a hole in your pocket. If you have a coupon for 20 percent off your purchase at an electronics store, shop the store circular to see if they have anything on sale that you want to purchase. Save that 20 percent off coupon for when that laptop you want goes on sale. Now, you’ll get an extra percentage off the total price.

6. Use store incentives. Some stores (mostly grocery stores) offer coupons and discounts just for signing up for their store incentive card. Just by walking in the store, you receive a discount on many items they sell. In combination with a coupon you can save more.

Coupons can save you money on clothing, groceries, automotive needs, toys, travel, movies and more. Be sure to read coupons carefully for restrictions and black-out times. To get the most bang for your buck, keep your coupons in easy reach when you’re leaving the house, or keep them in the car. Afterall, unless you’re shopping on-line you will always be using coupons while out and about.

Originally posted 2009-12-27 20:28:29. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Eat Healthier

Planning your family meals will cut down on your trips to your favorite fast food restaurant and the amount of pizza you have delivered to your door. Food you prepare at home tends to be much healthier than hamburgers with fries, fried chicken or pizza. When you plan your meals include some lean protein like chicken breast, as well as some salads and vegetables. Your entire family will benefit from the healthier meals.

Save Time

How much time are you spending now running to the grocery store a few times a week. I used to run to the store at least 3 times a week to buy something to fix for dinner. Planning your meals out for a week at a time and then putting together a grocery list with everything you need to cook those meals will cut your trips to the store down to one a week. This alone will save you a few hours each week. Plus you won’t be standing in front of your fridge and pantry every night trying to come up with something you can fix with what you have at hand.

Save Money

All that eating out and having food delivered can quickly add up. By preparing more meals at home you will save quite a few dollars each week. In addition, you will save on your monthly grocery bill, since you will be making a list of everything you need for the week and won’t end up buying extras that just go to waste. I used to throw out food almost every week before I started meal planning.

CLICK HERE For Half Off Through February 2nd, 2011!

Less Stress

You know the routine. It’s 6 pm, everyone in the family is starving and you have no idea what’s for dinner. Trying to come up with something to cook from what you have in the kitchen while your kids are tired, hungry and screaming isn’t one of the most fun family activities. You will be much more relaxed about dinner, when you know exactly what you are going to cook ahead of time and known you have everything you need in the house.

Quality Time Together

Meal Planning also encourages everyone to gather around the dinner table each day. Who could resist the delicious smells coming out of the kitchen? Dinnertime has always been a great time for families to gather and share news and experiences of the day. Parents and children can pay each other undivided attention. Cook some dinner, set the table and don’t forget to turn off the TV. Make dinner a daily family tradition again.

I encourage you to give family meal planning a try. I am sure you and your family will see the benefits within less than a week.

Christine Steendahl Is The Founder Of Dine Without Whine – A Family Friendly Weekly Menu Planner.  Eliminate Your Dinner Hour Stress And Re-Discover The Pleasure Of The Dinner Hour!

CLICK HERE For Half Off Through February 2nd, 2011!

Originally posted 2011-01-27 22:37:04. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

BLOGMANIA’S two day BLOG GIVEAWAY EXTRAVAGANZA, scheduled for September 15th and 16th, is going to be Fabulous and The Organizing Genie is participating! Over 100 blogs are designing giveaways that can be won on those two days only. No giveaway will be valued at less than $100.00, and many are much, much higher. You’re going to have the time of your life as you visit these blogs and sign up for a chance to win their giveaways. Many of the giveaways will be offered internationally, as well.

The Organizing Genie’s theme is “Let’s Get Organized”. Our Giveaway, valued at $100+ consists of several organizing products from our store - The Simplified Home, including our household chore system, Mom, Can I Help Around the House.

Between now and September 15th and 16th BlogMania will be spotlighting participating blogs, their giveaways, and their sponsors. This event is for YOU, and each of us is committed to making it the easiest, most rewarding blogging event you’ll ever experience.

So check back often to the BlogMania site and get to know the blogs that are participating and the oodles of prizes just waiting for you on September 15th and 16th. And why not tell a friend about so they can stay connected also.

Originally posted 2010-06-10 12:41:28. Republished by Blog Post Promoter