It's Time To Think About Later NOW

The recent recession (almost depression) America experienced really got people's attention about their finances.

While I felt heartbreak for those suffering job losses and foreclosures, I choose to see the good among the bad; the wonderful life lessons it taught us. One big lesson being that Americans needed to think more about the long term and a little less on the here and now.

Yet one area where so many should be thinking about the here and now is the area of life insurance.

It's not something anyone wants to think about, but death is going to happen. Hopefully, you will live a long life but there's no guarantees. So why gamble with your final expenses?

By taking just a few minutes to get an insurance quote from a company such as Aptus Insurance, you can at least ensure your final expenses are not a burden to your family. And, at such affordable rates, you can also be sure that you're spouse and children are well provided for after you're gone.

You can't sit around thinking you'll do it later. Later could be too late. Take this opportunity to think about the long term, right here right now.

And while you're at it, take a few more minutes to visit A.M. Best to learn the latest in insurane news, company ratings, and more.

Peace of mind...get it!

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FRESCHETTA Pizza By the Slice: Review and Giveaway!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of FRESCHETTA® for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

My family loves frozen pizza as snacks or quick meals when we're on the go.  But sometimes those little frozen pies can be a bit on the bland side.

I admit that I had never tried FRESCHETTA By the Slice because they just didn't grab my attention.  And besides, I wanted the WHOLE pizza not by the slice because those single servings are usually never fulfilling.

But I was recently offered the opportunity to give it a try for free, so what did I have to lose - right?

Shopping the frozen pizza aisle at my local store, I was actually surprised at the uniqueness of Freschetta's flavors.  While I expecting your usuals such as Pepperoni, Sausage, or Cheese, what I actually discovered was mouth-watering flavors such as BBQ Recipe Chicken, Vegetable Medley, Chicken Spinach and Mushroom, and Six Cheese Medley.

I opted for the BBQ Recipe Chicken.  And O.M.G. it was soooo good!   With a perfectly seasoned crust that didn't taste like cardboard and fresh, deep flavored toppings, it's safe to say that Freshchetta will be my pizza snack of choice for a long time!

Now you know I liked it, so maybe you're wondering what my family's reactions were?  Honestly, don't know.  It was too good to share.   I know, it's so selfish.  But hey, maybe next time.

Maybe. :)

Just don't take my word for it, try it yourself!  And Freschetta is offering one lucky reader of The Mom Trap the opportunity to try it for FREE (and they'll toss in a spacesaver, snap close six piece Freschetta storage set too!)

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:  Mandatory entry:  FRESCHETTA® By the Slice then return here to leave a comment telling me which flavor of Freschetta pizza you'd like to try. (Be sure to include an email address or have one available on your profile in case you win!)

Want to increase your chances of winning with extra entries? (Leave a comment for each additional entry; i.e. 2 extra entries = 2 comments)

• "Like" Freschetta on Facebook . (1 extra entry)
   
• Follow FRESCHETTA on Twitter. (1 extra entry)
   
• Become a Facebook Fan of The Mom Trap at www.facebook.com/themomtrap (1 extra entry. Current followers also receive extra entry.)
   
• Follow The Mom Trap with Google Friend Connect. (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
   
• Follow The Mom Trap on Twitter (1 extra entry. Current followers included.)
   
• Tweet this giveaway for 2 extra entries, including @kdcantrell and @FreschettaPizza in your tweet. (Include the Tweet status URL in your comment.)
   
• Share this giveaway with your friends on Facebook for 2 extra entries.  (Include the status URL in your comment)
   
• Blog about this giveaway for 5 extra entries. (Be sure to include the URL of your post in your comment)

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Watches Don't Just Tell Time, They Look Good Too!

Have you noticed with the advent of cell phones and laptop computers, you don't see as many people wearing watches?

I have, and it really kind of saddens me. After all, cell phones die and laptops crash, but the wrist watch is always dependable.

And let's not forget how the right watch can be a very trendy accessory.

Especially on men. You may be laughing right now, but have you ever noticed how attractive and professional a man wearing a watch can be?

I know, they won't be to every woman but to many of us they are. It makes a statement that he is a time-conscience, attentive man. If I were Paris Hilton, I'd say, "That's so hot!" :)

Seriously though, whether they are jogging, hanging with friends, or working at the office, something as simple as Atomic Watches can change their whole appearance.

While I may not be noticing it as much, I do know the same thing is true for the ladies too.  And girls, we have so many options: colors, designs, gold, silver, big face, small face - the list can go on and on.  You won't find that in a cell phone or laptop, eh?

So let's bring back the watches. Not only are they reliable tellers of time, but they make us look good too. :)

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Save Money and Give Money with Walgreens Brand Health and Wellness Products

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

The teenage years are in full swing here with my second son.  The cracking voice, the overnight growing of a couple of inches, and the dreaded acne.

Ugh!

So it was time to break out the acne washes.  But the major brands are quite expensive.  So I took a little time to read the ingredients only to l earn that Walgreens Brand Oil-Free Acne Wash is identical to the orangish colored name brand but was almost half the price.

Being that I've had great results with Walgreens Brand Health & Wellness Products in the past, I knew it was a brand I could trust.



I wasn't wrong.  My 15-year-old is experiencing much clear skin thanks to the Walgreens Brand Oil-Free Acne Wash.  And my wallet is thankful too!

But getting a quality product at such a great price isn't the only reason I like purchasing Walgreen's brand.  Each time you purchase a Walgreen's brand health and wellness product, Walgreens, you're helping bring preventive wellness services to local communities through the Walgreens Way to Well Fund™.

When you combine lower priced quality products, great weekly specials (prices that rock with those of us doing extreme couponing), and purchases that contribute to worthwhile causes, how can anyone not want to shop with Walgreens?

Visit your local Walgreens today.  And shop with a company that cares about it customers.

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Hand Blown Glass Adds Class To Your Decor

As a young girl, one of my most favorite things to do as we strolled the streets of Gatlinburg or visited pioneer villages was to watch the glass makers.  I would stand and watch, wide-eyed and amazed, as they blew into the long pipe with the hot glass at the end; as they molded as shaped, twisted and turned until it became an actual, defined object.

Just thinking about it really makes me long to return and watch the glass makers again.

Not only do they create handy objects that we use every day - such as drinking glasses, candle holders, and vases to name just a few - but they also create beautiful Glass Art that can add a touch of style and class to your home.

Amazingly, these beautiful objects of art are also an affordable way to dress up your home or office decor.  I personally love hand blown glass flower vases.  And whether it's because I'm a child of the 70s or that my grandmother had two sets in her home, I love the hand blown fruits - especially glass grapes.

Ahh, the memories....

While remodeling our home, I've been on the lookout for some unique home decor.  Stumbling across Hand Blown Glass.net website, I found a hand blown glass flower that I am absolutely in love with!  Being over 2 feet tall and six inches in diameter, I have the perfect vase in the most perfect place for it. 

Now all I need to do is somehow convince Brian that this would make a beautiful anniversary and birthday gift combination then that wonderfully unique glass flower will be mine! (can you imagine my evil laugh here?)

Can you do me favor?  If you see Brian out and about, will you tell him he really, really should order the glass flower for me?  If you do, I'll owe ya one! :)

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The When and Why of Checking Your Credit Score

There's a lot of unease right now in many American households, and we've been doing all we can do to secure our financial future.

One of those things is staying up to date on our credit and keeping track of our credit score.

By checking these things, we are insuring that (1) our efforts are producing results and (2) we are not victims of identity theft - a major concern of anyone living and breathing today, right?

One of the best ways to do this is through a free credit score offer.

Don't have to check often? Then I recommend you set yourself on a twice yearly schedule: Spring (when you do your spring cleaning) and December (to coincide with Christmas and year end).

And since it's spring, no reason not to get started now? Right? :)

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Are You Prepared? Really Prepared?

I know that we don't like to think about. It's not a pleasant subject.

But it's a fact of life that at some point we will die.

In following a plan to get out of debt, we've taken all the steps: emergency fund, investments, and life insurance. But we've also taken it one step further: bural insurance plans or, at it's frequently referred to, pre-arranged funerals.

The last thing we want our children to contend with is those final arrangements. So we've got it all laid out and prepaid. Leaving absolutely nothing for them to have to do in their time of grief.

I strongly believe that everyone should have these types of plans of place. And there are even very affordable burial insurance for senior citizens and military veterans.

Please don't leave your loved ones trying to figure out your last wishes. With funeral insurance, you leave them with no stress and only pleasant memories.

Do it today!

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