Buy 2 Pepsi Two Liters at Walgreens, Get a Free Redbox Rental!

I love getting the Redbox freebies at Walgreen's!

Beginning tomorrow, September 1, 2010, through September 25th, when you buy any 2 Pepsi 2 liter beverages, you get one free night rental from Redbox.

OR...buy 4 two liter beverages and receive two free one night rentals.

This week, Walgreens (at least in my Middle Tennessee area) has their Pepsi 2-liters for only 99 cents. (Check your local Walgreens circular for details)

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Share Your Baking Story and Win a Free Kitchen Makeover from Pillsbury!

How does your family indulge in a delicious home-baked dessert? Do you love the crunch of a crumbly cookie or do cupcakes take the cake? Do you love baking and sharing treats with family and friends?

Because everyone has a favorite sweet treat and a reason why they love to bake it, Pillsbury® People is hosting an essay contest – a fun contest that provides offers a chance to win a $10,000 kitchen makeover by simply indulging in their favorite home-baked desserts and sharing their story with Pillsbury!

From September 20 through December 20, 2010, fans of Pillsbury Baking Mixes, Frostings and Flours are asked to submit a short story on http://www.pillsburybaking.com/ about why they love baking and why they consider themselves Pillsbury People.

One lucky person will win $10,000 towards a kitchen makeover. Additionally, three runners-up will receive a digital camera and a Pillsbury Gift Basket with Pillsbury Baking products and branded items.

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5 Important Life Lessons Every Child Should Learn

Are kids today learning all the important life lessons?

I guess you're answer to that depends on what you believe the important life lessons are.

And for everyone it's going to be different.

Personally, the following is the five most important things I strive to teach my children:

1. BE KIND:  While I don't expect them to allow themselves to be used or abused, I also teach my chidlren to remember that everyone is an individual, with unique talents, personalities, and even personal difficulties.   Offer everyone kindess, even if they don't offer it to you.
2. LIVE IN THE MOMENT:  There is nothing wrong with planning for your future, but you have to make sure you enjoy the here-and-now too.  Especially childhood.  There's only one time in our lives we are offered the freedoms that come with childhood; don't overlook them or wish them away. Just live!
3. SAVE, SPEND, GIVE:  I believe this is the triad of financial well-being.  I teach my child to save for tomorrow, spend some for the things we need and want today, and give to those who are less fortunate.
4. INDEPENDENCE:  Some conformity is good, it's how we create law and order in a civilized society.  However, I also encourage my children to not be afraid to express themselves.  You don't always have to think inside the box.
5. IF YOU'RE HAPPY, THEN YOU ARE HAPPY:  You can't make everyone happyy all of the time, so it's important for children to know they have to seek out their own happiness.  Lose the negative friends, pursue the interests you enjoy, date that "uncool" gal or guy that your friends don't like - if it feels right, then it probably is...for you.  (Of course, I do have to remind my children this life lesson doesn't apply to homework, curfews, and the sort! lol)

All of The life lessons that I teach may not be what is right for your child(ren) but I hope somewhere in there I've given one idea that may change your child's life.

 

“I wrote this blog post while participating in the TwitterMoms and Nanny McPhee Returns blogging program, making me eligible to get a $50 gift card. For more information on how you can participate, click here.”

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Prince Or Princess? for Aloha Friday!

First, I gotta say two things: (1) TGIF! You with me? and (2) The kids are back in school and I'm back in the Aloha Friday game!

For those of you who don't know what Aloha Friday is, here is what Kailani at An Island Life (the host of this meme) has to say:  "In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too."

Ask a question, answer questions.  That's how we roll with the Aloha Friday meme!

Ok, this week my question is about babies....

As parents, when we learning we're having baby, although we may not admit it, there's typically a gender that we favor.  (I do believe in the "as long as it's healthy parents" but I think the majority harbor a wish for either a boy or a girl.)  And some people even use methods to pick the gender of the baby (with some success, so I've heard).   
So, here's the question:

Did you (or do you) have a special preference for a specific gender any of the time(s) you were expecting a baby?

MY ANSWER:
The first time I was pregnant, I was just 17 and unwed; so I don't know that I really took time to think about a preferance.  I had a boy.  The second time I was pregnant, I desperately wanted a girl.  But once I realized I was having a boy, I was okay with it.  The third time, I really wanted a girl again.  But when I laid eyes on my third baby boy, all that wishing was forgotten.  Then I quit trying.  And surprise baby number four...well, I wanted a girl.  And that's what I got! 

Head on over to An Island Life to play Aloha Friday!

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Whats The Easiest Way You Made Money?

I've been working since I was 14; younger, if you consider those years of free child labor I put in on a farm. ;)

I've worked jobs that was a lot of sweat for a little pay, and jobs that were considered professional in nature.

No matter what, I've always managed to find ways to make money.

One of the best ways I've found is via blogging and participation in survey/rewards programs.

Not only are these simple, but they require little to no investments.  And the time requirements are as little or as much as you desire.  YOU SET YOUR OWN HOURS - for real!

And now there's a new rewards program on the scene that's for all those iPhone, Android, and Blackberry users out there.

It's called WeReward, a mobile marketing app that let's you earn points that converts to cash.  s John Raser, a user and big fan of this new way to make money, says, "Show up, check in, take a picture. You get paid for it!"

Now that's just about as easy as it gets, right?  You using products and services while out and about anyways, why not earn a little cash while doing it! (Especially when the average user earns $50 per week.  Wow!)

Check it out at www.wereward.com.

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Land O’Lakes Partners with Box Tops for Education ®

From LAND O LAKES® Butter to Alpine Lace® Cheese, simple goodness from Land O’Lakes is now helping schools!

Land O’Lakes announced on August 10, 2010, that it is now participating in Box Tops for Education®, a program that helps consumers earn cash for participating schools. Land O’Lakes is the first dairy products company to join the program.

Beginning in August, more than 80 LAND O LAKES® and Alpine Lace® products will carry Box Tops for Education coupons including LAND O LAKES® Butter and Spreads, LAND O LAKES® Cheese, Alpine Lace® Cheese and LAND O LAKES® Eggs.


Consumers can clip the coupons and submit to more than 69,000 U.S. schools participating in Box Tops for Education. Schools then redeem them for cash and typically use what they earn to rebuild playgrounds, fund under-budgeted programs, and purchase classroom equipment, library books, computers and other much-needed supplies.

“Land O’Lakes is extremely proud to become part of the Box Tops for Education community and join together with so many other leading U.S. companies to help create positive change in our schools,” says Joan Cowan, Director of Consumer Promotions for Land O’Lakes.

CONTEST!!  Land O’Lakes also announced that it is a brand participant in the Box Tops for Education sweepstakes: “The Difference One Makes,” which began July 26, 2010 and runs through October 3, 2010. Consumers can enter by visiting http://www.boxtops4education.com/.  Prizes including one Grand Prize of 500,000 Bonus Box Tops, 10 First Prizes (one issued weekly for 10 weeks) of 5,000 Bonus Box Tops, and Instant Win Game Prizes that include 15,000 Second Prizes of 15 Bonus Box Tops, 10,000 Third Prizes of 10 Bonus Box Tops, and 25,000 Fourth Prizes of 5 Bonus Box Tops.

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Big Brother First Day of Kindergarten

Big brother was so excited about this first day of Kindergarten! 

But after I picked him up, he said, "Mom, I don't wanna go to school anymore."

I almost panicked, thinking we have 13 more years of school before it's "optional."    

Then he fell asleep.

When he woke up, he was ready to go again.

Whew, what a relief!

Find more Wordless Wednesday (or not so wordless, like mine) at http://www.5minutesformom.com/

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Got Box Tops for Education? (Win a $25 Sams Club Gift Card!)

Box Tops for Education (BTFE) are a great way to help schools raise money with items that you purchase and use everyday.

A much better way to fundraiser than selling gift wrap and candy, wouldn't you agree?

And now through August 13, General Mills and Sam's Club is giving you the opportunity to earn even more Box Tops when you upgrade to a “Plus Membership.”  (Like the one provided to me by these sponsors through My Blog Spark - woo hoo!)

Just visit the Member Services Desk of your local Sam’s Club and upon payment for your Plus Membership, you will receive a certificate for 150 Bonus Box Tops! For more information on how you can take advantage of the Back-to-School event at Sam’s Club, visit http://www.samsclub.com/ today!

Also, don't forget that you can get a head start on your collection and find 6 Box Tops on participating General Mills products.

And with your favorite Box Tops for Education brands at a great value, Sam’s Club is your one-stop destination for all your back-to-school supplies you need to send your kids off to school with confidence!

GIVEAWAY!!  Get a head start on your Box Tops collection at NO COST to you!  Sam's Club, General Mills, and My Blog Spark have been generous enough to offer one lucky reader of The Mom Trap a $25 Sam's Club Gift card.  (Can I get a whoo whoo?!  Oh yeah!)

Here's how to enter:


Leave a comment telling me:  What products you buy to get BTFEs?

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

• Become a Box Tops for Education Facebook Fan (1 extra entry. Already follow? That counts too!)
• 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 5 extra entries, including @kdcantrell in your tweet. (Include the Tweet 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)

The Fine Print: Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM Central Time on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. Winner will be chosen by random number generator. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to U.S. and territories residents only. Winner will be announced here and notified via email on Thursday, August 19, 1010, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.

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Find Cards for Every Occasion at Cards Direct (And a Giveaway too!)

It's only July, I know.  But I am a super-planner.  Everything must be done and organized months in advance.

If possible, of course.

When Global Influence offered me the opportunity to participate in the CardsDirect campaign, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to get started on my Christmas cards.

And the company description grabbed my attention too!

CardsDirect offers the very best in personalized greeting cards for business or personal use. Over 2,000 card designs are available in categories that include holiday cards, birthday cards, thank you cards, photo cards, baby shower invitations, birth announcements and many more! With free personalization and custom imprinted verse, CardsDirect offers an easy online ordering process and top quality cards with the best selection, customer service and pricing found anywhere.

Not only is there a HUGE variety of holidays cards, birth announcements, and more to pick from - a card for everything you can think of - CardsDirect prices are very reasonable too! 

Oh, and be sure to check out their photo cards!

AND CardsDirect and Global Influence is generous enough to offer one lucky reader of The Mom Trap $25 FREE cards (Up to $50)!

Here's how to enter:
Leave a comment telling me: What style of cards would you pick if you are the winner? (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)

• Become a CardsDirect Facebook Fan (1 extra entry. Already follow? That counts too!)
• 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 5 extra entries, including @kdcantrell in your tweet. (Include the Tweet 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)

The Fine Print: Contest ends at 11:59:59 PM Central Time on Wednesday, August 11, 2010. Winner will be chosen by random number generator. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Open to U.S. and territories residents only. Winner will be announced here and notified via email on Thursday, August 12, 1010, and will have 48 hours to claim their prize or an alternate winner will be chosen.

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