Wish I wasn't busy on Saturday!

Check it out! Saturday is MUSEUM DAY! Print out your free admission card here. Click here to search for participating museums near you! Thanks again Celia for the tip!!!

Wowee Zowee!

Ugh, I just noticed I hadn't listed the name of the first magazine in this,
it's fixed now, so you can read it!

MONEY FOR NOTHIN'

Hello! Had to pass on the savings my homeschooling guru, Celia, shared today on our homeschooling co-op discussion forum:

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You can purchase a one-year subscription to Homeschool Enrichment magazine at 60% off AND as a bonus you will also receive a one-year subscription to HOMESCHOOL LEGAL ADVANTAGE!!! You get BOTH for only $14.57!!!! HS Legal Advantage alone is usually about $80 a year.

So, if you've ever thought about becoming a member of HS Legal Advantage for extra "peace of mind," now might be the time to go for it!

https://homeschoolenrichment.com/magazine/subscribe/subscribe.php?offerid=1028

Expires midnight Monday, Sept. 21st, so hurry! You can pay by credit card, PayPal, mail in a check, or call and give credit card info over the phone.

I'd always said that WalMart would even take underwear back, they take so many returns. Well, yesterday I bought two packages of Hanes for her and at home, I notice that one of the packages is taped shut with clear tape packaging tape. I open it anyways, figuring if I washed them, it's no big deal that they'd been open before. Well, the pair on top that I pulled out was awfully big! I checked the size and they were my size, but something told me to check the next pair. The next pair was significantly smaller. Not only was the first pair a bigger style of undies, they were "Fruit of the Loom"! What's up with that!? Thankfully I didn't notice any grossness on either pair. They're still going back.

Speaking of injustices, my doctor accidentally prescribed me the wrong dosage of synthroid. Like he told me my thyroid was low and he needed to adjust my dosage, but went the wrong way! So, that explains a whole whole lot. Now that it's been corrected, I'm hoping to get warmer and have more energy.


Updates on the WigKids:
Z: Little Z has graduated to a big boy booster seat in the car, which he likes a lot. He's been spending a lot of time in the car lately, playing by himself. I sit on the porch or watch out the window as he plays out there. We're all so ready for Spring, I think he just wants to be anywhere other than inside. Right now he's at the airport hanging out with Daddy. Yes, I'm blogging with my one free hour to myself. He's testing boundaries right and left. We can be on a happy cycle together or a miserable one. If I'm on top of my game I anticipate battles, give choices, look for the positive and find it. If I'm not, we're both miserable.

Juju: Our little muffin weighed in at almost 19 pounds at the doctor's the other day. She rolls over easily and can sit up by herself for prolonged periods. Her hair is starting to come in and it looks strawberry blond to me, just like Z's did. If she's not too tired, she's taken to playing with my mouth while she nurses. She'll reach up and flick my lower lip down so it makes the "baboop" sound. It cracks her up. Her brother also cracks her up...as do the dogs, oh, and the kitchen chairs.

Money for Nothin'

Our dog, Atticus, puked on the corner of one of our down comforters, that's real down, not synthetic filler. He's done this before and it cost us $40 at the dry cleaners. This time, I called ahead and asked if there was any way they could dry clean just the corner as the rest of the comforter was fine. He said 'no', but gave me some valuable information. He told me to buy some ammonia and some tennis balls. The good ones, like Spaulding, that the name won't rub off easily. He said, to go to a laundry mat and find a large front loading washing machine and with just a little detergent and some ammonia, wash it. Then dry it in a large dryer with the tennis balls for a really long time. Since I have a front loading washing machine and the comforter was only a twin size, I did it all at my house. So, for the price of the ammonia and two packages of tennis balls, I have a clean down comforter. I'm so pleased! Since they were so nice, I have to put out a plug for Catola's Dry Cleaners!

...and we're back!

I'm doing better today. I still had to say, "Don't lick your sister" a few times to our toddler, but we had a much better day.

Money for Nothin'

Check out AirTran's new deal for Summer and Fall travel if you book by March 5th. In Europe they have Ryan Air which sells cheapo flights like this year round. One way flights at $39 and $59 is practically free these days!

Friday Finale

Becca's Favorite ThingsHere's another one of Becca's Favorite Things! I've been using Auromere Toothpaste for about seven years now. It has no flouride, it's primary ingredient is chalk, it has neem, peelu and tea tree oil in it as well as a plethora of other wonderful herbs. My dental hygienist has been impressed with the results. I buy it from the local health food store and personally prefer "Fresh Mint" to the "Licorice" and "Mint Free" flavors. I've told y'all in the past that I am intrigued with the ancient Indian medical science, "Ayurveda". This toothpaste gets their stamp of approval which tells me it's got to be good for you. I also like that I can let my son use it, if need be, and not worry if he ingests it. Normally he uses fun flavored natural toothpaste.

The tongue cleaner seen in the picture became part of my life around the same time as the toothpaste. I truly don't feel as though I've finished brushing my teeth until I've scraped my tongue. You can just use a big spoon if you want, but this tool seems to do the job the best. I bought it at BanyanBotanicals.com. For those familiar with Reflexology, the tongue (like the foot and hand and ear) is a map of the rest of the body and by scraping off the toxins on your tongue, you're detoxing your whole body. I believe this has helped me avoid sickness at times, reduces bad breath and just makes my mouth a happier place.

Bonus!
Money For Nothin'
Two fun little ideas for you to consider:
1. SwapaDVD and PaperbackSwap: Found these on MoneySavingMom.com (which you should totally check out and be wowed like me). They are on-line borrowing systems for DVDs and books. It's cheap (under $2 per DVD) and easy (you actually print out the mailers and tape them). I'm a little worried about my Veggie Tales getting scratched up by the little kids I know will watch them, and am leaning toward trying the paperback swap instead.

2. Check your local grocery store's websites for weekly ads and coupons. My personal favorite is Giant Eagle's web coupons. You register once with the site, so it has your Giant Eagle card number, then, you browse through their web coupons, click which ones you want and they are directly applied to your Giant Eagle card. You don't even have to print them out. You might consider writing them down though, the only reminder you get is on-line. I saved $1 on butter this way and $1 on any House of Tsang product (great General Tseos and Sweet and Sour Sauce). The next few times I checked I didn't see many coupons that I needed. - - - - If you are into CVS, Walgreens or Rite-Aid shopping, check out MoneySavingMom.com as she regularly posts the best deals at each of those on her site among random freebies she hears about and general money saving tips.

Hope you've enjoyed four posts in one week! Click on "See older posts" at the bottom to see Tuesday's post. I don't think I'll be doing this many on a regular basis, once a week works for me.

Economics!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Money For Nothin'
Hey there! It's been a while since I did one of these. I saved them up and have 3 money saving ideas for you today! They're very diverse in who they would apply to so, perhaps one will work for you...

1. Anyone taking Fish Oil? Calcium? Potassium? Well, there are prescriptions you can get from your family doctor for these and get them possibly cheaper by using your prescription insurance. Usually, it's cheapest if you ask for a three month prescription (times 3 if possible), then do mail order. Often I can get a three month supply for the same price of one month at the pharmacy. I started getting prescription Fish Oil since I've been pregnant, but anyone could ask their doc for any of these vitamins, they're just good for ya. Also, the pharmacist told me that people other than pregnant moms take prenatal vitamins, so you could ask your doc if that's an option for you too.

2. Regal Cinemas are having a Free Family Film Festival throughout the summer again. Yes this means free movies! Our local Regal cinema has two free kids movies (one G and one PG) at 10am on Tuesdays and Wednesdays all summer long. They're even playing the Veggie Tales' Pirates Movie in July! Click here to find out what's showing and when at your Regal Cinema.

3. Now, this one you should know, but I'm just making sure that you do...yard sales are great and all for making some quick cash, but check this out. If you donate your crap (from clothes, books, toys to cars!) to a not-for-profit charity you can legally claim the fair market value of the item as tax deductible, which is often more than you would get for it at a yard sale. To clarify, you don't get the money back in your taxes, but you are not taxed on the amount claimed, just like tithe or other charitable giving. For more info on charitable donations click here. So, when you drop off your goods to Goodwill, Salvation Army, or your local charity ask for a receipt, write on it the total amount the goods would be at fair market value and turn it in next March/April with your taxes. It'll help you out!


Web World
This one I know most of you know, but there's a few who haven't heard yet! Craigslist is an asset to you and your family! You need to check it out! It's on-line classifieds of people in your area wanting stuff and selling stuff. It's much easier to post on Craigslist than on ebay and it's really catching on. Plus, there's no shipping fees, because everyone is within driving distance of each other.

On a very similar note, but perhaps slightly less well known, there's FreeCycle where everything is free! Also organized by locations, I find mostly want ads in our area, but there are some posts of people giving things away, in my neighborhood! I shouldn't be surprised, people put things out on the curb all the time, but this is a much more high tech curb. Powered by Yahoo, registering is fast if you already have an account with them. Some groups will register you immediately(Canton, OH), and some want to think it over and get back with you (like Dover/Phila, OH).

Money for Nothin'

There are really other things I "should" be doing, so this will be short, but I was thinking it was about time to share another money saving tip. I know that there are people that really really get into following the sales at CVS , Walgreens, and RiteAid and accumulate points, use rebates and regularly get things for free. I'm not one of those people. I'd like to be, but I'm not. So, here's a post I recommend for saving money THIS week only: MoneySavingMom If you just visit her site here, you can scroll through all her posts, she's got loads and loads of great money saving tips!

Gettin' Wiggy!

We had some beautiful weather this past week and we took full advantage of it! There was still snow from the great blizzard of 2008 the weekend before, but that didn't stop us from taking an hour and half walk one day, just Z and I, without the stroller! We were almost home when Daddy came home and wanted to play outside with Z too! Boy was he tired that night! The next few pictures are ones Ben took during their time playing outside...

Ben and I have been just smitten with this little boy, lately.

Here, Ben said Z saw an airplane in the sky, leaned out of his car and waved, "Hi"!

This is from Friday night when Mommy was working, Z helped Daddy do the dishes. After this, he thought he got to help every time there was water in the sink and was very disappointed when Mommy wasn't as fun as Daddy.
Looking up to Daddy...oh, and wearing his shoes.Family Bed
I just wanted to share with y'all what our gianormous family bed looks like! It's almost more than the camera could capture. Ben and I sleep on the King size bed that's at the bottom. Z (seen in the distance) sleeps on the far side of the full size mattress that's next to it. Both beds are on the floor, ours doesn't need a boxspring, but his does to reach the height of ours. We have single down comforters on all three so we can crawl out of our respective spots when needed (I'm up 1-2 times a night these days!). We've found that Z sleeps better in his own bed, but likes to look up and see if we're around when he wakes up at all hours of the night. It's also easier to comfort him when he needs his bottom patted back to sleep. Just thought you'd like to see a bed that was almost 11 feet in width! Money for Nothin'!

Yes, you too can get coupons like this! Here's my third installment of "Money for Nothin'". Our good friend, Matt O'Brien, shared this one with us a good year or two ago. He said that all Hanes products were GUARANTEED for life! He realized this from reading the back of the package, who'd have thunk it!? Turns out, if you buy, or better yet, have already bought any Hanes underwear (boxers OR briefs) or socks or really anything else they might sell, and it has a hole in it, you're in luck! We've sent back packages of holey old underwear and socks twice now. The first time Ben weighed the package at work, they sent him a mailing label then we got a package of socks in the mail and a check for the underwear! The second time, Ben called them and they said they didn't even need the old holey stuff mailed and that they'd send us coupons to replace them. Sure enough, you can see the picture to prove it! It's so happy! If you aren't so fortunate as to have already holey underwear and socks in your dresser drawers right now, don't panic. You can just make a point of buying Hanes brand the next time you're in the market for socks and undies! Tee hee! For more info on how to get your Hanes goods replaced, I found this on their website:

For questions regarding a purchase you made at a retail store or to arrange the
return of a Hanes® product you purchased at a retail store:

Contact Retail Customer Service:
1-800-994-4348
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Eastern Time

Becca's Favorite Things

These, my friends, are called "SmartWool" socks. The ones above are two of Ben's, I realize the picture is misleading, Smartwool socks come matching, I just wanted to show you two examples. You can learn a lot about them on the SmartWool website, but I'll summarize for ya. Made from fancy Merrino sheep wool from New Zealand, they keep you warm when you need, cool when you need, dry all the time, and stink free! They're also super soft and comfy. I especially like how snugly they fit. Mine are longer. Secretly, I sometimes find myself thinking, "We must be rich! Ben has four pairs of SmartWools, I have two and Z even has a pair!" We were given at least three of our pairs. They're not your economical Hanes as they go for $10 for a pair of footies up to $22 for boot socks online. We've found them cheaper at climbing stores like Appalacian Outfitters, but that was a long time ago, when I was working, so maybe their prices went up. I believe Ben's business partner at the airport, Eric, found SmartWools on ebay in bulk before. Anyways, I found myself thankful for my SmartWools this week and thought I'd include them in Becca's Favorite Things.

Not among Becca's Favorite things this week: VOIP! (Voice over internet Protocol). There's some voice over internet phone services that may be just fine, but we have not been happy with VOIP the carrier. We're thinking of switching to Vonage. Any bad experiences out there? We've had no working phone for six days out of the last two weeks. Again, if you need to contact us, call our cells or e-mail us! Thanks!

Fun!

Hey! Good news! I'm starting to get over the all day "morning" sickness. It comes back here and there, usually when I'm hungry, but for the most part I feel like a new woman! I think I'm getting a little energy back too. So yay! Z has been a love today, super cuddly and lovey dovey. He laid in my arms for ten minutes after his nap today as he investigated the stitching on his teddy bear. The couple times I had to correct him today he quickly wanted to give me kisses. He did great at swim class today too and slept for three hours immediately after. All in all, it was a good day to be a Mommy!

Let's learn to drive!

I decided to change the name of this section, as I am learning new things all the time. Some of these driving tips are inspired from other drivers I encounter, but some I learned as an adult (usually from my husband). I couldn't find any text books online to support Ben's claim that you should not pass within fifty feet of an intersection, but it seems like a safe rule, and one I have been following for several years now. Hopefully, it's obvious to everyone that we should never pass or change lanes in the middle of an intersection, but in case it's not, that's what I'm here for!

Money for Nothin'

Here's one from my Grandpa J. in Tennessee. Check out Discover Card's Cash back incentive plan on their Open Road Card:

• 5% Cashback Bonus on gas and everyday auto maintenance purchases
• 5% to 20% Cashback Bonus at top online retailers like Target, Lands’ End and Barnes & Noble at ShopDiscover
• Up to 1% Cashback Bonus on everything else you buy
• Unlimited cash rewards

Since getting this card last November, I've made $12.15 for simply putting my gas and oil on the Discover Card. I pay it off each month and we strictly adhere to using the card for gas and car maintenance only. We usually put everything on our debit card, which makes for a lot of receipts for me to enter. I love having fewer receipts to enter, and knowing exactly how much we spend each month on car stuff. A couple details for anyone interested in doing this:
1. You can choose whether you get bills in the mail or by internet
2. You can't cash in your money until you've earned $20 or more, then you can choose whether you want to credit your account, electronically deposit the money into your bank account (you don't need to have banking online for this) or donate it to a charity of your choice, how nice!


I checked out their "Discover More" card and it doesn't look better to me, because I need gas or oil for my car all the time and you only get rewards on that certain months of the year. Here's what it said for that card's 5% cashback bonuses for 2008:
Jan-Mar: Airlines, cruises, car rentals and hotels
April-June: Home Improvement
July-Sept: Gas and hotels
Oct-Dec: Restaurants and Movies


No thanks! I'll stick to my Open Road card. I admit I don't like having a huge bill at the end of the month, but since it's money I spend anyways, I find the money carries over from the beginning of the month to help me pay it at the end!

Web World!

I actually spent a great deal of time on these two websites yesterday with a little nugget of love on my lap who was giggling most the time!The first was Disney Clubhouse where we got to click on our favorite shows like Tigger and Pooh and Handy Manny to play games featuring them. Then we went to Curious George's website and had SO much fun, mainly because my little one speaks the same language as George and they understand each other. So for those who have little ones and are worried about too much TV in these winter months with not much else to do, here ya go! They also have games for older kids on the Disney site. Just Google your kid's favorite show and there's probably something interactive on the web for them.

WigJournal

Swim classes started again! He's much more comfortable in the water this year (Z not Ben).Found this on one of my college roommate's blog. Not sure how exactly they're defining "genius"! Interestingly, three of my four college roomies have blogs: Lana, Stephanie and Chrisie! Do visit, they're all fascinating women!
Here's some snippets of our night the other night. I just missed some really funny dancing but still got a little bit on this first video which you can't hear very well at all. In the second one he was initially waiting for me to take his picture, but soon gave up and started his usual grabbing of whatever he can find on the table. If you listen you can hear "slurping" of the white spoon he pretends to lick!


As promised, here's the latest installment of "Becca's Favorite Things":
Got dry skin? I do! Eucerin Plus: Intensive Repair Body Creme healed the eczema on my scalp (although it came back when I stopped using it, but it does that when I use prescription cremes too!). Next, we have the best spray since insect repellent. Suave Professionals: Volumizing (Compare to Matrix) costs under $3 and works every bit as good as professional styling spray. I tried their curl scruncher in the green bottle and didn't like it much, but this, this is outstanding! Fly-aways and frizzies are a thing of the past, I'd recommend this for any hair type, especially inconsistently wavey hair like mine.

"Learn how to drive, people!"
In today's friendly driving reminder we address turning onto a multi-lane road. When turning onto a multi-lane road (see diagram below), whether in a left or right hand turn, you should turn into the lane nearest you even if you want into the far lane. Once in the nearest lane apply turning signal and cautiously move into the desired lane. This allows traffic to continue safely from two directions.
Money for Nothin'
Let's talk money! My favorite way to make free money right now is on emigrantdirect.com.
When I first started my American Dream savings account with them the rate was at 5% APY, now it's down to 4.55% I believe, but that shouldn't stop you. You have to have a regular bank account somewhere to sign up then they send two small amounts of money (like say 42 cents) into your account to verify that your account really exists. You enter on their site how much you received and you're done! If you have bank statements online it's super easy, or you can call your bank for the amounts. Once you've done that one time you're good to go and can set up as many online savings accounts as you want.

What I like (besides making over $15 a month for doing nothing) is that I'm getting CD interest rates with the luxury of being able to take it out anytime. Yes, I've tried and it's as simple as click, click and it's back in your checking account at your local bank. Since I started my first account in October 2007 I've gotten inspired and started several other savings accounts: Christmas, Vacation, Z's College Fund and I'm thinking about starting more for things like car insurance that's due once a year, dentist appointments, and home school supplies so we're ready to go in three years. Anyways, do ask if you have questions!

Web World
Surprise! Since I've always been so overwhelmed by all there is to see on the web, I was glad to find that someone sorted through it all and came up with a list of the best websites on The Webby Awards. Click over to their site and you'll find a really long list of categories, their winners from 2007 and the runner-ups. You can even enter your own website to be a nominee for the 2008 Webby Awards.

Well, I hope you enjoyed my new topics of interest! I plan to feature them again in the future whenever I'm inspired. I welcome contributions, corrections and suggestions. Please e-mail those to me: becca wigton at tusco . net (take the spaces out and switch the at-sign). Other people I respect are publishing their e-mail that way for security purposes, so I'm following their lead.

Before signing off, I must share (since I shared last week), that all of the sudden, we have fully weaned Z from nursing! When I say we, I mean we! My husband is off work Sundays and Mondays and Saturday night we decided since he was off the next two days we should make a go of this. He dealt with Z all night both nights by himself, while I slept in the other room. I think Ben would agree the first night was the only difficult night we've had. Since then, Z has gotten better and better about putting himself back to sleep when he wakes up twice a night out of habit. In fact....are you ready for this? Last night was the fourth night since cutting him off and he slept the entire night through! Yay Z! 9pm to 6:30am! Not bad at all! I cried a lot Sunday because I realized my little boy was growing up, but now that this is working out for all of us I'm really happy! And they said, "Oh, he'll be sleeping through the night by six months!" Heh, heh, heh. Try almost 19 months! Better late than never, I guess! Yes, Aunt Debbi, this means future sleepovers!