Moms On The Go

Life is changing

2010-03-08T21:09:00.000-08:00

It's almost time for me to start college. YIKES!!! I am not 100% sure what to think about that. I am so excited that it is a new chapter in my life. I have never been to college so I am not sure what to expect. Like will I have a ton of home work? Do I call my professor by his first name or last? Do I raise my hand to go to the bathroom? What if I need to miss a day, do I call in sick ? I know after the first day or two I will have an idea of what is expected.

The money part is scary as well. I will be unemployed. I need books, parking, childcare, travel to and from school, school supplies etc.

I have also NEVER been away from my kids on an ongoing basis, so that is scary. I will miss school events, lots of firsts for my 1 year old and special times with my family. Since my husbands days off usually fall during the work week, I will not see him very often.

On the brighter side in 6 months I will be done and ready to work ( I am praying)

Wow, I am nervous :S

2010-03-07T20:09:00.000-08:00

10 Ways to save money

1. 1. Pack a lunch - the minute I leave the house my kids are hungry. So to eliminate this I try to always pack lots of healthy snacks and drinks. Don’t forget to pack something for mom and dad as well J

2. 2. Do not buy from a vending machine – the mark up on vending machine food is HUGE!

3. 3.Pay with cash- leave your credit cards and debits at home. You can’t over spend if you don’t have the money and you are unlikely to go back to the store for something you don’t actually need.

4. 4.Carry reusable shopping bags in your vehicle

5. 5. Shop second hand – I LOVE consignment stores. They usually only sell brand names and in excellent condition if not new. My favourite things to buy second hand are kids clothes, robeez, hockey equipment and toys

6. 6. Keep a couple birthday gifts stored away for future kid’s parties – I just bought $20.00 board games for $3 on sale. I bought a bunch and put them away. Now a birthday party will only cost me $3

7. 7. Shop liquidation- I shop at liquidation world a lot for things like gift bags ( which are $0.50 instead of $1.00 plus) party favours, holiday decorations, books etc

8. 8. Shop at end of Season- Every year I go shopping after Christmas when stuff is 75% off. That is the time that I buy the next years teachers and coaches gifts. Any needed decorations for the next year. Wrapping paper, tags and bows. I also try to find solid color gift bags and wrapping paper, I buy it to use for birthday presents during the year.

9. 9.Stockpile- I have a closet in my spare room that is full of shampoo, soap, tooth paste, cleaners, Ziplock bags, birthday gifts etc. I fill it with items I either get on sale or for FREE using my coupons. Then I never have to buy anything at full price.

10. 10.Use coupons- Check out THESE sites http://momsonthego1.blogspot.com/2009/10/canadian-coupon-websites.html

Week Number 2 Family Grocery Budget

2010-03-07T19:21:00.001-08:00

Week

Spent

Bought

Notes

Other budget

Febuary 27^th

Found that we did not buy enough milk or pop we ran out part way through the week

Plan is to shop every weekend during the weekend sales

Ultimate goal is to spend $100/ wk for a family of 4

$174.40

Diapers, wipes, cleaners, shampoo, razors, 4 deoderants, 6 cling wraps, Epsom salts for mister, pop, 13 boxes of cereal, spaghetti sauce, hamburger meat, pizza meats, pizza mix, 3 bottles of Motrin, baby mum mums, 3 packs hot dogs, lettuce, Pringles, Doritos, shake n bake, mozza cheese,

Used $88.56 in coupons

March 6^th

This week I was very impressed that I only went $6.36 over my budget and managed to include the formula ($22.00) and some unexpected stuff

This weeks goals are to use some of the food on the bottom of the freezer before it goes bad and to not shop between now and next weekend

$106.36

2- Bread, 100 paper plates, Baby formula, kinder surprise, Pork chops, steaks, 2 sour cream, 10 Mr. Noodle, 5 bathroom tissue, 3 glad wrap, 2 boxes kellogs bars, 2 packs paper towel, 6 – 6 packs pop, 4 L Milk, pine apple, chips, frozen veggies, carrots, potatoes, cucumber, block cheese, can tomatoes, egos, salsa, green pepper

Used 18.00 in coupons

$10.43

Shopped some sales and used a $10.00 off coupon

Yahtzee, 2 games ( birthday presents)

FREE food always tastes better

2010-03-04T14:38:00.000-08:00

Today I had to run into Red Deer to pick up some of my books for college ( start in 2 weeks ) so I decided to stop by London Drugs for a quick peak. Catelli Healthy Harvest Pasta with Omega 3 was on sale for $1.49 each regular price $2.69 each. Well I also had multiple coupons for Healthy Harvest Pasta so I ended up grabbing 5 boxes of pasta and my grand total was $0.00. Now that is what I call a sale :)

Today's Coupon Tip:

Don't be in a hurry to use your coupons. Coupons usually do not expire for a few months. The trick is to hold on to them till the product is already on a great sale then use your coupons.

2010-03-01T22:38:00.000-08:00

My boy is changing by the second. He is now walking, eating like crazy, into everything and developing a little personality. Love him to pieces!

My families grocery budget

2010-02-28T16:52:00.000-08:00

I am working hard at cutting down my families expenses. To start I am trying to keep track of what I am spending on groceries. Watching the fliers for sales, using coupons when ever possible, stocking up on items we use alot of when they are on sale. My ultimate goal would be to spend $100/ week on groceries and supplies for my family of 4 , not sure if it is possible, we will have to see.

Week	Spent	Bought	Notes
1 Febuary 27th	$174.40	Diapers, wipes, cleaners, shampoo, razors, 4 deoderants, 6 cling wraps, Epsom salts for mister, pop, 13 boxes of cereal, spaghetti sauce, hamburger meat, pizza meats, pizza mix, 3 bottles of Motrin, baby mum mums, 3 packs hot dogs, lettuce, Pringles, Doritos, shake n bake, mozza cheese,	Used $88.56 in coupons
2
3
4
5
6
7

My Name is Jennifer and I am a Popaholic

2010-01-27T19:47:00.000-08:00

Since I was a kid I have been completely addicted to Pepsi, I drink on average probably 6 cans a day. Which is horrible first off cause of the calories 150 calories a can so a total of approx 900 calories a day just on my pop. YIKES!!!! No wonder I have weight issues. And then there is the caffeine, which is probably the reason I have trouble sleeping. I come by it honestly, my mom and grandmother were both pop drinkers. My mom was a Diet Coke fan and never drank anything else, which meant there was always pop in the house.

With my kids I am completely against giving them pop. My oldest Dodge who is almost 6 thinks pop is the same as beer, bad for you and only for adults. I really encourage water and discourage pop. I hope he learns a love for water the way I learned the love for pop. ( fingers crossed)

So this week, I have switched to Sprite and Gingerale. Still not good for me, but no caffeine and still gives me the satisfaction of something sweet. I am hoping that once I get use to the no caffeine I will be able to switch again to something that is not pop.

What do you Hoard?

2010-01-26T18:01:00.000-08:00

Lately I have been addicted to the show Hoarders. For those of you that have never seen it you really should check it out. It will make any frustrated mom feel really good about their homes. Basically it is about people "hoarders" that are unable to get rid of stuff because of emotional attachment etc. Some of their homes are piled to the ceiling with everything from empty pill bottles, old newspapers, and clothes to rotting food and dead cats.

View Show HERE

After watching many shows, I have come to the conclusion that I may be a bit of a hoarder. I usually always have one room in the house that is filled to the door with odd stuff. It stays that way for a few months until I do an compete purge and clean it out. I find that every 2-3 months I need to spend a week purging at least one room in the house. Just to note my house never looks like the homes in these pictures.

Recently I tackled my office and filled a van with a load of stuff for the dump as well as a box of garage sale stuff.

What types of things do I hoard?

old magazines, catalogues, newspapers, fliers
thousands of pieces of paper with one or two notes on them. Often a phone number or meeting time/ date
empty boxes and old envelopes
old tax papers
clothes, shoes and coats
shampoo bottles with hardly anything in it

Why do I hoard?

I am a big money saver person. I hate throwing out something that is still good, someone else can use or that I may need again. Seems like once you throw something out, you will need to buy it again.

However, I am not really a true hoarder since I also love to purge. Nothing feels better then cleaning out a room and filling the garbage bags. I love the high I get from getting rid of junk.

Check out Oprah's 12 Tips to Overcome Hoarding

Take Oprah's Hoarding Severity Scale

P.S

THESE PHOTOS ARE NOT OF MY HOUSE

I'm Back

2010-01-25T17:25:00.000-08:00

Wow, it has been so long since I blogged last. I wish I could say I have been traveling around the globe or spending time with my family, but actually I have been sick. Extremely sick :(

But I have decided that maybe getting back into blogging will help me deal with some of my health issues. So I am going to try to my best to blog on a daily basis.

Well enough about that stuff. What is new ?

1. My youngest son is turning one next month. He is now standing, walking with a walking toy, and developing a new sense of humor.

2. My Oldest lost his first tooth this week.

3. I just celebrated my 26TH birthday

4. And the big news is I am going to college in March. I am taking Multimedia Web Design. So excited!!

2009-12-04T10:33:00.000-08:00

Cooking with your Kids

2009-10-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things to do with my son and dayhome kids is to bake a cake, muffins or rice crispie squares. The kids love it, I give them each a job, one pours the oil, one measures the flour and someone else mixes. I think it is so important to teach your kids to cook, so I am always excited to see kid friendly kitchen stuff. All of these items are from Snug as a Bug

Coupon Frustrations and How to Overcome Them!

2009-10-21T07:39:00.000-07:00

As with everything in life, there is always some sort of negative side of things. When it comes to our latest hobby of couponing, we have come to discover some frustrations that come along with it. Here is a list of some of those things that irk us and some tips on how to overcome them:

#1 Too many coupons to know what to do with!! The best solution we have found so far for this is our coupon binder, as Jennifer so nicely described in a previous post! Using different type of page inserts and dividers you can organize your coupons by useful categories to make sorting and locating easier! We have also made a pile of coupons that we know we will not use and use these coupons for trading with others and coupon "trains".
You can also donate any coupons to people in need. For example, donate your pet food coupons to a local shelter!

#2 Binder is too full! This is a current problem we are both having. We have yet to come up with a great solution. We question if we need a bigger binder, a second binder, or if we should search for a better system! Some ladies go as far as large carrying cases that look like tool boxes! We have yet to get to that level yet, but who knows!

#3 EXPIRY DATES! This is one of the saddest realizations as a coupon diva.....when a coupon you have has expired. At the moment we take these expired coupons and give them to Jennifer's son as he has graciously taken on the hobby of couponing just like Mommy! He has his own little coupon binder and plays store with his friends and uses expired coupons and flyers! I love this idea :)
When coupons are nearing expiry and you have more than you can use, don't just go and use them! If you have enough to save a decent amount of money on the item and you know you need it then go for it! But don't just use them "just because". Some useful tips would be to trade them with someone you know will need them and put them to good use. ALSO, one of the neatest solutions we have come across so far is to take those coupons to the store with you when you go and leave them with that product so that someone else who is shopping for that product can take advantage of the coupon!!

#4 Cranky store workers! This one is a bummer and sometimes can't be avoided. Some people just seem to be against coupons for some reason and want to do everything in their power to prevent you from using them. It's sad really, but to each their own. To avoid conflict here are some things you can do: Make sure you have a copy or good knowledge of the store's coupon policy. That way you can present it to prove that what you are doing is allowed. You can also go to Customer Service with your purchases rather than a regular cashier as they usually have a bit more knowledge of the coupon process and if authorization is needed for the transaction (ex: price matching) then they are able to do so right there. ~Debra

Silent Communication and Early Learning

2009-10-19T00:21:00.000-07:00

More and more parents are now discovering the world of Sign Language and using it to communicate with their babies at a very early age. Sign language gives the child a means of communication before they are able to use verbal language. It is amazing to see how much they understand!

Sign Language is a language, just as English, French or Spanish are languages. There are different sign languages as well. One of the most commonly used in North America is ASL, or American Sign Language. However, when it comes to baby sign language, parents can also use their own signs to communicate a word or phrase. Whatever you feel most comfortable with, as long as your signs are consistent and you and your child both understand the meaning!

We use sign language with Emma and all of my dayhome children use baby sign language. It is a fantastic way to communicate! Only one of my dayhome children is using verbal words and very minimal at the moment. They are able to tell me when they are “all done” a meal or activity, and when they want “more” of something. One child is also able to say “please”. I know if I had worked a bit harder with Emma there would be even more signing but we focused on mealtime as the main point of interest in having her communicate. We are now using more signs when we speak with her. I now use “help”, “stop”, "please", "thank you" and “sleep”. I have sign language cue cards and a g

reat book but I find DVDs are a wonderful way to learn with your baby as you can see the lesson!

The Baby Einstein series of DVD’s has a Baby Sign Language version which is a great way to learn basic words such as ‘Mommy’, ‘Daddy’, ‘cookie’, ‘baby’ etc. The children also enjoy watching this movie as it is created to suit their attention-span.

One of my most FAVORITE resources are the Signing Time DVD’s. These are so much fun and very educational. They sign to very fun songs and teach many, many different signs. I

was first introduced to these DVD’s when I worked at a playschool and I fell in love with them. The children thought they were fun and they were learning so much at the same time. Visit their website to learn more!

I would encourage any parent to use baby sign language, even if it is only a couple of words. It is a lot of fun for your child to learn and gives you such an amazing feeling to know you have given your child a means of communication well before they are able to speak verbally! What a gift.

Using Your Coupons

2009-10-08T09:25:00.000-07:00

Tips For Using Coupons

Starting out:

Look through your fliers for best deals
Check your cupboards for needed items
MAKE A SHOPPING LIST- Know what is on sale, what you need to buy no matter what and what is on your wish list. I write on my list how many coupons I have for each product. That way I don't have to go through my coupons in the store to find out how many I have
Know the stores coupon/ price matching policies

Organize all your coupons the night before at home:

Clip all like coupons together ( do not staple)
Check all Expiry Dates
Check all conditions ( can not be combined with any other offer, good only in the USA, can only be used at such in such store, can only be used when you buy a certain size, an additional product etc)
Put all the coupons you are planning on using in an envelope ( take your coupon binder in case you come across a great deal, but it is much easier to shop if all the coupons you are using are in an envelope)
Bring competitor fliers for price matching

During Shopping:

If at all possible, do not bring the kids or at least bring help with the kids
Never shop hungry you will buy extra stuff you don't need
Try to shop at times you are not rushed, time to browse- Some of the best Deals are in the clearance bins. $5.00 Shampoo marked down to $1.00 and then use your 1.00 coupon, you get the product completely FREE
Also do not shop at the stores busy hours- Lines are longer, cashiers are more rushed and not in the best moods. I like early mornings or late in the evenings
Remember something is not a deal if you don't need it or are not going to use it.

Cashing Out:

Often it is best to go to Customer Service to cash out- That way you are not holding up lines, the customer service rep often has the authority to accept questionable coupons, they usually know the policies better, it is also easier to price match at CS
If you have a huge cart and ALOT of coupons you could also ask for the cashiers to open an extra till
Be nice to your cashier, cashiers will start fighting you on policies if you are rude, but if you are nice they will usually go out of the way to be nice to you
Ask the cashier if she prefers the coupons with each item or at the end ( I prefer with each item that way if there is a problem with a coupon, you can check the product at the same time)
Don't forget to use your Airmiles and stores cards ( Save on Card, Optimum Card, Sobeys Card etc) the points add up fast

Enjoy your savings!

Coupon Binder and Organization Ideas

2009-10-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Canadian Coupon Websites

2009-10-05T07:38:00.000-07:00

Another London Drugs ( LD) shopping spree

2 bags of Pampers - $18.99 PM w/ SDM $13.99 X2 =$ 27.98 - $25.00= $2.98

Crest Pro Health Tooth paste- $2.99-$3.00= FREE

Satin Care Gel- $2.99-$3.00= FREE

Crest White Strips-$49.99- PM w/ SDM $29.99- $30.00= FREE

Scrub Free- $2.99-$2.75=$0.24

Panteen Shampoo & Panteen Conditioner $3.99 each = $7.98-$8.00= +0.02

Pampers wipes- $4.99-$2.00= $2.99

Huggies Wipes- $3.99-$3.99= FREE

Glade Candle $8.99- $8.99 Mail in Rebate= FREE

Huggies Pure Natural Diapers $12.99-$13.00= FREE

Alimentum $6.99-$5.00= $1.99

Tax $5.29

Total $25.12

( the cashier screwed up on one coupon it was suppose to be $3.00 and she only put $0.30)

After the rebate I would have paid $16.12

Coupon savings of $88.04

Mail in rebate of $8.99

PM- Price Matched

SDM- Shoppers Drug Mart

The - amounts were my coupon amounts/ item

Where can you find Canadian Coupons?

Mail coupons: ( you order free online, they will be mailed to you within a week)

1. BrandSavor

2. Save.ca

3. Go Coupons

4.Febreze

Printable:( Never change the sizing of a coupon, it is considered Fraud just like altering money)

9. Toys R Us

10. Scott Brand

11. Shoppers Drug Mart

12. My Savings

13. Loonie Coupons

14. Right at Home

When you shop using your Visa-

15. Visa Perks

Newsletters ( sends coupons, samples each month)

16. Pampers

17. Huggies

18. Enfamil

19. SafeWay

20. 3M

21. Similac

Paid Coupons

22. Don't forget Ebay. Ebay is a good place to get started with coupons. Make sure you are not paying to much for them, that they are Canadian, English and watch for shipping costs.

23. The Healthy Shopper This is a book of healthy coupons the book is free but you do pay $4-$5.00 for shipping

Well there is 23 coupon sites to get you started. If you know of anymore sites please share them. I will continue to add more savings tips soon :)

TIP:Remember if you see a coupon in the store for a product that you buy all the time grab a bunch of extra to use in the future. Most Coupons don't expire for a few months/ a year and a Manufacture coupon can be used in any store. ( Costco does not take coupons other then their in store coupons)

Grocery Shopping Tips

2009-10-01T20:02:00.000-07:00

My Big Savings Of The Week

2009-10-01T09:13:00.000-07:00

After Debra's wonderful post on Couponing the other week, we both started doing it ourselves and have had amazing results so far. I have saved $228.10 in less then 2 weeks and most importantly on stuff I actually needed.Here is a photo of my latest shopping trip. All of this stuff came to $122.29 and I paid $10.82 with tax.

Here is how I did it.

1.First off I started by emailing all my local stores and asking what their coupon policy and price matching policies were.

Specific questions were:

Do you accept manufacturers coupons?

Do you accept online coupons?

Do you allow customers to stack coupons? Or to at least use both an in store coupon and manufacturer coupons together?

Do you price match?

Once they emailed me back I printed off their policies and put them in a binder. Most cashiers have no idea what store policies are and if you are having trouble with a cashier, you can show them the email. (every store I emailed, emailed me back with in a week)

TIP-London Drugs is stacking friendly. Which means they will allow you to use coupons up to the value of the product. Each of the coupons must be different ( different USP code) and none of them can say " can not be combined with any other offer" This is their policy. You still pay tax on the full amount of the product though and any online coupon over $2.00 needs in store approval. London Drugs also allows you to price match with other local stores ( item must be in the flier and in stock at the competitors store)

2. Second I called our local paper and asked to have the fliers delivered to my house.

3. I then sat down and started writing down prices of the items I use all the time ( Pampers, wipes, shampoo, soap, deodorant) and comparing them to sale fliers. Now in my binder I have a list of prices for these items. I can compare the sale price to the best price and know if it is a good deal, if I should wait for it to go on an even better sale or if I should price match it with another local stores price.

4. Start collecting coupons.

Where can you find coupons?

Local fliers, newspapers, magazines, back of food boxes, in store and online.

Make sure to sign up for newsletters from companies you use alot of for example Pampers, the newsletters almost always include coupons

TIP- When you find a coupon on something you use alot in store, grab extra and keep them for a later shopping trip.

5. Put all your coupons in your binder and organize them in sections ( beauty, baby, food, household etc) This way you can clearly see what you have. Hockey card holders are great for holding coupons. In your binder you should also have scrap paper, pen, scissors, calculator, shopping list,store policies and list of prices. Carry your binder everywhere.

6. Only use coupons on items that are on sale to get a better price for example-

In my photo I bought a Box of 156 Pamper Baby dry Diaper. They were on sale for $26.97 (already a good price) I then had a bunch of coupons. 6 x $2.00 off ( all were different coupons some printed off line, some from save.ca, some from Pampers newsletter etc. I then also had a $3.00 off and 2 X $5.00 off when you buy a box of pampers and wipes. So in total I got $25.00 off the pampers and only paid $1.97 for the box of diapers.

But it gets better since I also bought a box of 320 wipes which were on sale for $8.97 ( remember I had to buy wipes to save the $13.00 on the diapers) I also got to use coupons on the wipes. So I used another $6.00 worth of coupons on the wipes so I paid $2.97 for the wipes.

7. When you get a great deal, stock up. The whole goal is to never buy something not on sale. So stock up when you get that great sale and never pay full price again.

I think couponing will become a regular topic on our blog and we will continue to share some tips, coupon sites, sales etc. So keep checking back and hopefully we can help you shop for free as well.

If you like the post make sure to leave comments:)

Maternity Support Belts and Bella Bands

2009-09-25T00:01:00.000-07:00

Great maternity clothing options from Cater Tots in Airdrie, Alberta. Check out all these products and more at http://catertot.ca/home.php

Daisy Chain Support belt supports your back, easing pregnancy back pain while offering abdominal support. This great design can be used for dance, Pilate's and yoga.
Denim version of the Daisychain Support Belt
Bella Band for use with pants, skirts, or shorts that are too tight or too loose during pregnancy. Covers unbuttoned pre-pregnancy jeans and keeps up too big maternity pants, while giving you a smooth finish. Great way to extend the life of your clothing during pregnancy.

Christmas Ornaments

2009-09-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Some really beautiful christmas ornaments, I think these are going to be on my wish list this year :)

Family Pj's

2009-09-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Snug as a Bug has some really great family Christmas Pj's. You can even get Pj's for the dog and cat. Would make a great family Christmas photo.

Clipping for Savings!

2009-09-18T00:01:00.000-07:00

My topic today is not about a specific product, store or brand. Rather, today I am going to talk about getting the best deals possible and using COUPONS. Although I am not much of a coupon user myself….yet….I have been seriously considering buying a binder and starting. Many hardcore coupon queens have saved hundreds, even thousands of dollars just using coupons! A friend of mine has begun couponing and she has found some amazing deals. Here are some of her top tips for those of you interested in how to make the most of your coupon experience:

1. Only use a coupon on a sale price to make it a BETTER PRICE, don’t use it on the regular price.

2. Never use the coupon from the store you got it from on that day. The price is probably cheaper somewhere else or will go on sale in a week or two, be patient.

(**Courtesy of Chrissie Mather)

I think these are great tips for someone starting out as I would never think of either of these!! Here are some pictures of ways that Chrissie has found exceptional savings with coupons:

2 Boxes FULL of Gillette Razors, Chrissie paid 30cents( the gst) for each of these.
Another Great Steal :)

In Picture:

4 Pkg of Huggies Pure and Natural size 2
4 Pkgs of Pampers - 3 size 3 and 1 size 4
3 pkg of Flintstones childrens vitamins
2 Pkgs of Huggies size 3
1 box of Kleenix1
24 rolls of Toliet Paper
10 Tubs of Wipes
GRAND TOTAL!!!! $31.93
WOOT WOOT

Chrissie bought ALL THIS FOR $6.20

So where can we get coupons?? Your local flyers and newspapers are a great place to start! Many stores also offer their flyers online so if you have a printer you’re set! Many stores now offer email sign-ups so that you can be notified of special coupons and sales so make sure you sign up with your favorite stores.

One of the BEST places to find coupons nowadays is on sites like these: http://www.brandsaver.ca/, http://smartcanucks.ca/, and http://www.save.ca/. These sites offer great coupons for many different products. Smart Canucks is a forum where people post deals, coupons, discount codes etc for others to use! I have spent a lot of time on Smart Canucks and it is amazing what you can find. People post free giveaways, free downloads and pretty much any deal you can find. Most people will also post whether or not the coupon codes have worked for them when they tried it so that you don’t end up wasting your time.

Here are some of my favorite videos about couponing: My Nifty Coupon Binder, Coupon Queen and Chicago's Coupon Queen.

~Debra~

Kids Love Puppets

2009-09-17T17:20:00.000-07:00

Puppets are a great way for kids to express their creativity and imagination through role playing. Here are some great puppets by Snug as a Bug.

Winter Hats

2009-09-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

Every Canadian family knows that every kid needs a winter hat by the first of Oct. Here are a few cute winter hats I found online.

www.emihats.com

www.bydesigng ifts.ca

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=18179985

Bringing Passion (back) Into Your Life!

2009-09-11T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today I would like to share a bit about one of my home businesses and why I love it so much. Since about April 2009 I have been a Passion Consultant with Passion Parties. I had been thinking about it for a while and wasn’t positive I could do a party without a red face or looking silly, but I went ahead and decided I would go for it. I am so glad I did! This has been one of the most fantastic experiences so far and it looks like it will only get better.

Passion Parties carries a variety of products to help boost the passion in your life. Whether you’re married or single, young or young-at-heart, male or female we have products that are sure to spice things up :) We do home parties for ladies or couples 18+ and it’s guaranteed to be the ultimate night in! With education, games and, of course, free giveaways it’s sure to be a night of laughs, giggles and mayhem (of course as mild or wild as you like!).

With products ranging from lotions, potions, toys, games and so much more it’s hard to pick just a few to review. Here are two of my favorites:

1. Nipple Nibbler: Don’t let the name scare you away; this is one of our most fantastic edible products! Its intended use is to apply to various locations for a cooling sensation and, of course, to be licked off. However, it makes the most fantastic lip balm and tastes SO good! It comes in Mandarin Orange, Strawberry, Raspberry and Watermelon.

2. Brown Sugar Body Scrub: Although this product is NOT edible, you’re sure going to want to taste it because it smells sooo yummy! (Don’t worry though, it’s non-toxic so if your little ones decide to make it a snack, it will not harm them. It just doesn’t taste that great). This body scrub will make you smell so tasty and give you the smoothest skin! The scrubbing beads dissolve into the bathwater and turn into a bath oil for the smoothest skin possible!

This company is so fantastic to work with and allows you the freedom to run your business how you see fit! You can offer so many different hostess incentives and there are often great deals for consultants to help build your kit, your stock or your own personal collection! With a fantastic commission, conference calls, awards, and the annual convention in Las Vegas there is no shortage of benefits when working with this highly qualified company.

If you would like to know more about Passion Parties, our products, or how to sign up I would love to share more with you. Send me an email: debnmatt@gmail.com (this is my personal email, Matt has his own email).

Debra

Ms. Dress Up

2009-09-10T00:01:00.000-07:00

I have been thinking about Halloween today, trying to figure out what to dress my kids as. While looking online for a costume that is DIFFERENT ( not one of the 10 costumes sold in every retail store) I found a cute Canadian website called Ms. Dress Up. The site sells costumes for the whole family. As well as accessories to add to an existing costume. My fave was this cute bunny :)

Wordless Wednesdays - A brief intro to the life of Debra :)

2009-09-09T14:59:00.000-07:00

Following are a few pictures to help readers get to know me :) My fiance, puppy and baby girl!

A Canadians Version of 9/11

2009-09-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

This weeks blog hop theme is Remembering 9/11.

The morning of 9/11, I was home about to leave for school, I was taking a few classes at an upgrading school. I remember sitting on the couch, staring at the TV and feeling lost. I felt so horrible for all the families and people that were taken and injured that day. It was a feeling I had never felt before. The kind that hurts your heart and makes you feel sick. I don't pray often, but I did that day. I feel like some of the worlds innocence was taken away that day. Like no matter what we ever do, life will never be the same.

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Exciting News......

2009-09-06T14:04:00.000-07:00

Moms On The Go blog has added a new blogger, Debra. I am very excited to have her join me. Debra has very good tastes and like me spends alot of time shopping online so I really look forward to the great finds, she has to share with us.

Hi Readers! My name is Debra Murphy and I am a mom of one busy little 13-month-old girl Emma. I am engaged to my high school sweetheart and we are finally planning our wedding in Jamaica for next spring! I am a WAHM as well, running a dayhome with two other one-year-olds (all 3 are within a month of each other!) and doing 2 home-based businesses. I am a rep for Kidsmart Shop which is a fantastic Canadian company based in BC. We sell kids products for children ages birth-5. There is a wide selection of products that range from bathing, feeding, nursing, safety and toys! I am also a Passion Parties consultant. Passion Parties sells adult lotions, potions and toys to spice up your life! We do home parties for both women and couples. I love both companies for so many reasons, but mostly because I can still stay at home with Emma and earn some much needed money.

I met Jennifer through advertising my businesses with Moms on the Go. I am very excited to join her here on the blog and share my opinions and experiences with all of these wonderful products that are out there. I am also excited to learn more about the world of blogging and meet all of the virtual mommies out there. Since pregnancy, I have been an online shopaholic and I know there are many other moms out there that can relate! We hope to help you with your search for some of the most unique, innovative, convenient and Canadian products we can find!

Cheers :)

Blog Hop- Baby Pics

2009-09-01T00:00:00.000-07:00

This weeks blog hop theme is Baby Pics, so I choose to show a couple of Zaxten my youngest he is now 6 1/2 months old. He was born on Feb 1, 2009, Weighing 8lbs, 13 Oz and was 21 inches long. I had him in just over 3 hours. He is now sitting up, rolling ( one way only) and saying "dada", Time is already going by fast.

The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins

2009-08-30T23:00:00.000-07:00

The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins is a great Who, What, When, Where and Why Book of Jesus, for young children. It is nicely laid out with short pages and filled with lots of information including maps. The illustrations by Claudine Gevry, are very bright and attractive without being distracting. I did find it a bit to advanced for my son who is 5. He was losing interest fast when I was reading it. I would suggest reading it in short sittings instead of like a story book. The book was great at opening up the lines of communication about Jesus, God, Heaven, Death and Religion. Until I read the book with my son, I didn’t realize how many questions and concerns he actually had. I liked that I could use the info in the book to answer his questions at his level. I will defiantly keep The Jesus Book and use it as a reference for answering all his upcoming questions as well. Along with the book came a music CD with 30 songs about Jesus. He really loved the CD and quickly was learning the words to many of them including Jesus Loves Me and Amazing Grace.

You can view the book online at the following link:
The Jesus Book

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Lovable Labels Back to School Package Review and Discount

2009-08-30T11:42:00.000-07:00

I was so excited to get to try Lovable Labels this week and just in time for their Back to School Mega Pack which includes:

• 15 sticker labels
• 60 slimline labels
• 48 Press N’ Stick clothing dots
• 16 shoe labels
• 2 Mini-Metal tags
• 5 Book/Binder stickers

All of these amazing labels are personalized. They are dishwasher, microwave, washer and dryer safe. They come in a great selection of colors and designs.

When my package came I was suprised at how neatly packaged it was and how much stuff was actually in it. I used my labels to label Dodges back pack, scribblers, pencials, crayons, coat, shoes, lunch can, water bottle, plastic dishes, hockey bag, caps, DS, DS games, and I still have a ton left to do all his winter wear. I found that they stuck very well, they looked great ( way better then hand writing)

The Back to School Pack retails for $44.95 CND/ USD but Lovable Labels is offering all of our readers 10% off for the next 2 weeks on their Back To School Pack. You just need to use the CODE: momsonthego

Eco Bebe Giveaway

2009-08-14T15:39:00.000-07:00

Eco Bebe is a online children's and maternity boutique based out of Ottawa Canada. Eco Bebe's website is filled with the latest and greatest baby gift ideas and must have items. Some items they carry are cloth diapers, pregnancy products and labor aids, breastfeeding supplies, gift baskets, strollers, natural laundry soaps, bath and body care, feeding supplies and so much more. They even offer a cloth diaper loaner program for moms who would like to give cloth diapers a try with out the financial commitment. I guarantee you will LOVE this site. All orders over $150.00 ship FREE in Canada. Check it out at http://w ww.ecobebeboutique.com/***CLOSED***

Winner is

Random Number GeneratorMin: Max: Result:12

Cool and Chill Mom- Congrats

Giveaway:

We are giving away a $50.00 Shopping Spree with Eco Bebe Boutique

Contest Rules:

Open To Canada and USA Residents
All entries must follow the following rules to count toward the contest:

How to Enter:

Head over to Eco Bebe Boutique, pick your favorite product and come back and tell us which item you pick

9 Ways To Earn Extra Entries:

( must have told us your favourite Eco Bebe item prior to entering any of the following)

1. Link to Moms On The Go's Blog with our button, Earns you 1 Extra Entry

2. Blog about this contest with a link back to this contest, Earns you 1 Extra Entry

3. Become a follower on Mom On The Go's Blog, Earns you 1 Extra Entry

4. Follow Us on Twitte r @momsonthegoca and Tweeting about this giveaway, Earns you 1 Extra Entry (make sure to leave your Twitter user name in comment section)

5.Follow Eco Bebe's Facebook Page Earns you 1 Extra Entry

6. Follow Eco Bebe on Twitter @ecomomwannabe Earns 1 Extra Entry

7. Join Eco Bebe's newsletter for 1 Extra Entry

8. If you purchase something from Eco Bebe during this contest, You earn 5 Extra Entries ( must email proof of purchase)

9. Canadians Only- For each vote you make for Moms On The Go to be The Savvy Mom, Mom Entrepreneur of the Year http://momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=111, You earn 2 Extra Entries, you can vote once per email address, Make sure to leave a comment on the voting page so I know you were there:)

This contest will end on September 16TH, 2009 at 11:59 pm Mountain Time

The winner will be randomly chosen, using the random number widget on my site

The winner will be contacted within 3 days

Wordless Wednesday - Zaxten doesn't like when Daddy sounds like Woody Wood Pecker

2009-08-11T23:00:00.001-07:00

Blog Hop: Favorite Photos

2009-08-11T16:46:00.001-07:00

This weeks blog hop theme is "Favorite Photos" and here are a few of my Dodge a year ago when he was 4.

Ants In Your Pants by Eric Herman

2009-08-08T00:42:00.000-07:00

The Elephant Song By Eric Herman

2009-08-07T00:38:00.000-07:00

New Award :)

2009-08-06T14:11:00.000-07:00

I am honored to have received a new award from The Redhead Riter. You can check her awesome blog out at http://theredheadriter.blogspot.com/

A Moms Opinion on Fast & Furious - Check it out

2009-08-06T11:42:00.001-07:00

FAST & FURIOUS - I really enjoyed it. I did find the stunts alittle over the top and somewhat hard to believe, but it was nice to have the original cast members back. Vin Deisel and Paul Walker were amazing and very easy to look at :) Makes up for all the "hot" women in the movie ;) Very exciting, fast paced movie, check it out today.

Mom Song by Anita Renfroe

2009-08-06T00:29:00.000-07:00

I am sure many of you have heard the Mom Song but here it is again, worth listening to again. Great for a laugh and a reality check lol

Wordless Wednesday- Lock up your Daughters

2009-08-04T22:53:00.000-07:00

Blog Hop - Encouragement

2009-08-04T21:09:00.000-07:00

This weeks Blog Hop theme is "Encouragement", So I decided to feature a few quotes that I love! Hope you love them to :)

Even a small star shines in the darkness - Finnish Proverb

Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can read - Mark Twain

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent -Eleanor Roosevelt

Catch people doing something right! Then tell everyone about it.- Kenneth Blanchard

Each of these quotes were featured in Everyday Greatness by Stephen R.Covey you can read my review HERE

$25.00 KidSmart Gift Certificate Giveaway

2009-08-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

***CONTEST CLOSED***

Debra Murphy has generously donated a $25.00 KidSmart Shopping Spree for one Lucky Winner!!

For those of you not familiar with KidSmart, KidSmart is a Canadian owned business based out of Kamloops, BC. They sell children's products for ages 0-4, that are award winning, ecofriendly, safe and non toxic. Best yet you can do all your shopping in the comfort of your own home while earning free product, by hosting a party! KidSmart offers a gift registry for your next birthday party or baby shower. The hostess will even receive 10% of her registry sales and one half price item, for registering. You can also order online or by catalog.

To order online or see this months hostess specials check out Debra's Face book page at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=99645720723&ref=ts

If you are interested in booking a KidSmart party, joining the KidSmart family, ordering a product or getting a catalog, you can reach Debra at debram@kidsmartshop.com

Giveaway:

We are giving away a $25.00 Shopping Spree with KidSmart!!!

Contest Rules:

Open To Canada and USA Residents
All entries must follow the following rules to count toward the contest:

How to Enter:

1. Head over to Debra's Facebook Page , pick your fave product and come back and tell us which item you pick

7 Ways To Earn Extra Entries:

1. Link to Moms On The Go's Blog with our button, Earns you 1 Extra Entry

2. Blog about this contest with a link back to this contest, Earns you 1 Extra Entry

3. Become a follower on Mom On The Go's Blog, Earns you 1 Extra Entry

4. Follow Us on Twitte r @momsonthegoca and Tweeting about this giveaway, Earns you 1 Extra Entry (make sure to leave your Twitter user name in comment section)

5.Follow Debra's Kid Smart Face Book Page Earns you 1 Extra Entry

6. If you purchase something from KidSmart during this contest, You earn 2 Extra Entries

7. Canadians Only- For each vote you make for Moms On The Go to be The Savvy Mom, Mom Entrepreneur of the Year http://momentrepreneuraward.ca/MomBio.aspx?momID=111, You earn 2 Extra Entries, you can vote once per email address, Make sure to leave a comment on the voting page so I know you were there:)

This contest will end on August 5TH, 2009 at 11:59 pm Mountain Time

The winner will be randomly chosen, using the random number widget on my site

The winner will be contacted within 3 days

This giveaway is listed at Giveaway Gallery!

AND THE WINNER IS

True Random Number Generator Min: Max: Result: 42

Naddez said...: Already have button on my blog @ http://naddezsgoodycorner.blogspot.com/

sam94son05@sbcglobal.net; August 5, 2009 7:44 PM

KidSmart $25.00 or less

2009-08-01T11:00:00.000-07:00

More products from KidSmart that all all under $25.00. Look at all the ways you could spend the prize money. To enter into the $25.00 KidSmart contest CLICK HERE . Do not enter on this post, your entries will not count. They must be on the actual entry page, Contest is open to Canada and the USA.

Click on each product to learn more.

Ways to Spend the $25.00 Shopping Spree with KidSmart

2009-07-31T09:00:00.000-07:00

Here are a few of the many products from KidSmart that all all under $25.00. Look at all the ways you could spend the prize money. To enter into the $25.00 KidSmart contest CLICK HERE . Do not enter on this post, your entries will not count. They must be on the actual entry page, Contest is open to Canada and the USA.

Click on any of the following images for info on the product :)

Everyday Greatness by Stephen R. Covey

2009-07-30T19:20:00.000-07:00

Everyday Greatness: Inspiration for a Meaningful Life by Stephen R. Covey is a thought provoking book filled with inspirational true life stories that challenges the reader to stop and think of their lives, how they treat others, how they treat themselves, and what they would do in some unthinkable situations. Compiled from the best of Reader’s Digest archives the book is filled with amazing quotes from famous writers, celebrities and business people.

Everyday Greatness is divided into seven categories, each teaching a life lesson.

1. Searching for Meaning

2. Taking Charge

3. Starting Within

4. Creating the Dream

5. Teaming with Others

6. Overcoming Adversity

7. Blending the Pieces

Each category features 3 short storeys and some famous quotes related to the topic, followed by a wrap up by the author Stephen R. Covey. Each storey was touching, some making me laugh while others made me cry, but each left me wondering what I would do in the same situation. As a mother I loved that the book was easy to read. Set up as short stories in a coffee table book format.

I would suggest this book to anyone. I plan on keeping the book and reading it again soon.

Product Review: Heart String Baby's Companion

2009-07-29T19:42:00.000-07:00

This week I had the pleasure to review a great Canadian baby toy, called the HEART STRING. The HEART STRING is a necklace that the mother or caregiver can wear and baby can tug, pull, chew or play with. It is great for breastfeeding moms, baby can play with the pendant while feeding, which helps keep fidgety babies interested in feeding.

The HEART STRING is free of latex, lead, BPA, PVC and Phthalates. It is Non- Toxic and is made of FDA approved plastics. It also has a custom breakaway clasp. The HEART STRING comes with a cotton pouch to keep it clean in between uses. PLUS it is dishwasher safe:)

My son Zaxten is 5 months old and although he is not breastfeeding ( sadly not my choice) He loved the HEART STRING as a chew toy. I also found that when I wear it, he leaves my chain alone and focuses on the HEART STRING. My oldest son enjoyed wearing it and watching his baby brother react to it. I liked that it was all one piece with no small pieces and it had little grooves to fit Zaxten's little fingers.

You can get your own at www.hearts tringcompanions .com

Favorite kid photos blog hop

2009-07-22T21:02:00.000-07:00

Favorite Kid Photos Blog Hop! As usual it was hard to decide but here are a few photos of my son Dodge from last year.Last day to enter in our Piggy Paint Contest HERE Open to Canada and USA

Wordless Wednesday

2009-07-22T00:01:00.000-07:00

Blog Hop - Favorite Recipe

2009-07-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am not much of a cook, but here is my mother inlaws Banana Bread recipe, I like it cause it is simple enough for me to make lol, and my son loves it.

Banana Bread
1 cup sugar
3 bananas (mashed)
4 tablespoons melted butter
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda (not baking powder, ick did that once, unbelievably bad lol)
2 eggs

Mash bananas to a thin batter , add sugar & eggs -Beat well, then add butter, salt, soda, & flour. Bake in loaf pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour

You can also add chocolate chips or nuts for added flavor.

Canadian Votes Needed - Help me win $15,500.00

2009-07-19T00:01:00.000-07:00

As some of you may already know, I have been nominated for the Savvy Mom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award. The winner will receive a custom package of cash & services valued at $15,500 designed to improve and grow their business. I currently have 1/2 the numbers that the leader has. This prize would be huge for my business and I need each and everyone of your votes.

The winner will be chosen based on votes. You can vote for me and Moms On The Go

HERE

You can vote once/email address. Voters must be over the age of 18 and must be Canadian.

Don't forget to leave a note on the voting page to let me know you were there:)

Voters will be entered into a draw for over 80 prizes from Starrytime Keepsakes, Mables Labels and Joe Fresh Style.

If you want to help me even more you can join my facebook group and send an invite to all your friends and family.

Thank you for all your help, I won't forget your generosity:)

Hatley- Great Canadian Kids Wear

2009-07-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

Hatley is a true Canadian company. Specializing in nature inspired children's and adult clothing. I love their designs which are simple, funny and Canadian all in one. You can check out their line at www.hatleystore.com

Soxy

2009-07-17T00:01:00.000-07:00

Check out these great knee high socks from Vancouver Based online store SOXY, one thing that makes this socks extra special is that they are not sold in retail stores anywhere, you can only buy them online. I think they are great, talk about adding some drama to any outfit. They come in womens and children's sizes:)

Listerine Smart Rinse-- Product Review

2009-07-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

My kids teeth are very important to me. So far Dodge (5) has never had a cavity:) Something I am very proud of (he gets it naturally though I have never had a cavity) The rule in our house is the tooth fairy does not bring money or gifts if the tooth has a cavity, which seems to keep him in check, since he is really looking forward to loosing his first tooth and having a visit from the tooth fairy.

Since tooth care is so important to me, I was really excited when I received a Tooth Tool Kit to review.

The kit included 2 REACH kids tooth brushes and a bottle of LISTERINE Smart Rinse, which basically is a mouthwash that you use after you brush your teeth, not only does it freshen your teeth it also highlights the left over particles, so when the kids spit they can see all the ickies that they missed.

What is special about LISTERINE Smart Rinse?

1. It contains fluoride which strenghtens tooth enamel to help prevent cavities between dental cleanings

2. Kills bad breath bacteria

3. Engages kids in their oral care routine by visually identifying particles left behind after brushing

4. Tints food and bacteria particles that kids can visibly see in the sink after brushing- a post - brush tool parents can use to teach proper oral care technique ( look what you missed)
Helps develop good oral care habits at an early age

LISTERINE Smart Rinse comes in two yummy flavours Mint Shield and Berry Shield. ( 250ml and 500ml) It will soon be available at retail outlets across Canada for $3.99 and $5.99.

My experience with LISTERINE Smart Rinse:

My son and his friend Missy were very excited to receive the package. They quickly choose their tooth brushes which was easy since one was orange and one was pink. Missy quickly grabbed the pink one. They then were begging to brush their teeth. How often does that happen? Seriously! They first brushed their teeth with tooth paste and rinsed. After they used the mouth wash, there was colored particles in the sink, which was cool, the kids liked to see it. Their breath smelt very clean and pleasant which was nice.

I would suggest giving LISTERINE Smart Rinse a try.

Here is the photo of what it looks like in the sink