Money Saving Mom Audio Book Review

When my husband and I decided that I was going to be a stay at home mom, we had no idea how we were going to make it financially.  We just knew that it was best for our sweet little baby boy.  After the birth of my second son and the purchase of our first house, I was desperate to find a way to save money.  I remember seeing a "friend" on Facebook "like" a page called Money Saving Mom.  The name caught my attention, so I decided to check it out.  Boy, was I glad that I did!  I was immediately hooked to Crystal Paine's blog, Money Saving Mom.  Her blog is much more than another "deal" blog.  In fact, her blog is one of the few blogs that I check daily to see what I might be missing.  You can imagine my excitement when I found out that I was given the opportunity to review her latest audio book, A Money Saving Mom's Budget.  

This was actually my first audio book, and I must say that I loved the convenience of  it! I can't remember the last time I was able to read a hard copy of a book.  Maybe five years ago before my first child?  No really.  The audio book was great because I was able to download it to my Ipod.  As a busy mother, this was awesome.  I was able to cook, clean, do the laundry, and even take a walk while listening to the book.  I think I may be addicted to audio books from now on.

Aside from the convenience, the book itself was fantastic!   I am not a natural when it comes to saving money.  In fact when I was first married, I had several credit cards that I was paying off because I mismanaged my money as a college student.  This book would have made a great wedding present for us! I love the way that Crystal presents the information.  She does it in a very encouraging, You Can Do It, kind of way.  She gives pratical tips to get your finances in order and gives you steps on how to get started.   Surprisely, it isn't all about money. One of my favorite chapters was actually about decluttering your life and household! One particular thing that hit me especially hard was about being content.  I think this is where I struggle most.  I would encourage you to check out her book or her blog.  I hope you are encouraged like I was and continue to be! 

Check out other reviews at the audio book blog tour!  

Disclosure:  Although I was given a free copy of the audio book, my thoughts and opinions are my own. 

About the Book 

Crystal Paine, who has helped busy women everywhere take control of their finances, presents her most effective strategies designed for families of all sizes and income levels

With hundreds of inspiring “why didn’t I think of that?” TIPS, plus WORKSHEETS, Paine breaks down your goals into easy, manageable steps so you can:

• Achieve a complete financial makeover

• Set up a realistic budget

• Never pay retail

• Slash your grocery bill

• Organize your time & your home

• Use coupons wisely

• Pay with cash only

• Live simply

• Become debt free

• Choose contentment

• Make every dollar count

A little bit about Crystal: 

Crystal Paine is a wife and homeschooling mom to three young children who has been writing on topics related to frugality for the last five years—and living a frugal, simple, and debt-free life since she was born. Her blog, MoneySavingMom.com, is one of the top personal finance blogs on the web averaging over four million pageviews per month. Crystal has contributed to articles in Woman's Day magazine and All You magazine, as well as being mentioned on National Public Radio and CNN.com, in USA Weekend, and Real Simple magazine and numerous other local newspapers and radio and television stations.

Buy the book here!

Celebrate with Crystal by entering her iPad2 Giveaway (a GREAT tool to keep track of your budget!) and RSVPing to the Live Webcast Event on 4/5!

One savvy winner will receive:

• A Brand new iPad2
• The Money Saving Mom's Budget by Cyrstal Paine, audio edition

Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends 4/4/12. Winner will be announced at The Money Saving Mom's Live Webcast Event on 4/5. Crystal will be hosting an evening of chat, laughter and encouragement - bring your friends! She'll share tips and advicde and her husband will be joining her to share how the prinicples Crystal outlines in her book have dramatically impacted their family life. She'll also be giving away some GREAT prizes: gift certificates, books, and much more!

So grab your copy of The Money Saving Mom®'s Budget and join Crystal and friends on the evening of April 5th for an evening of fun of learning, sharing and encouragement.

Don't miss a moment of the fun. RSVP TODAY and tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning. Hope to see you on the 5th!

Want more info about the MSM?

Click here!

Infants’ Advil® to the Rescue: My Honest Review

A couple of weeks ago, I stumbled upon a wonderful website called Smiley360 that offers opportunities to obtain coupons for products or even actual products to review.  As a money saving momma, I decided that I'd give it a try.  Immediately, I accepted a mission to "try out" Infants’ Advil®.  A couple of weeks later, a full size bottle of Infants’ Advil® arrived at my doorstep.

I was excited, but not exactly sure how quickly I would be able to sample it.  I really try to avoid any type of medications or pain relievers for my babies and try to do as much naturally as possible.  However, when my sweet little baby girl was incredibly irritable and in a lot of pain from the FOUR teeth that were trying to pop thru her gums, I decided to rely on some Infants’ Advil®  .  Baby Sis is nine months old so I knew that it was safe for her to try it.  My pediatrician had given me a dosage chart at our last visit, so I was able to use her weight and know exactly what would be safe to give her.  The dropper included with the Infants’ Advil® was easy to read and use also.  The only thing that I was a bit surprised at was Baby Sis's reaction.  I thought that she would love the sweet grape taste, but she fought me. I managed to get most of it in her mouth.  Before long, my sweet little angel was in a deep painless sleep in my arms.  I would say that Infants’ Advil® did the trick!

Want to try it out?  You can obtain a $1 off coupon at the Children’s Advil® website.  

***These are my honest opinions.  I was not compensated by Advil for this post.  However, I did receive a Free bottle of Infants' Advil. 

Here is Info from the Smiley360 site:  

Children’s Advil® and Infants’ Advil®: Provides up to 8 hours of fever relief with just one dose!

Children’s Advil® is the #1 Selling Children’s Fever Brand.** Nothing reduces a fever faster* or keeps it down longer than Children’s Advil®^†. You can feel confident knowing that Children’s Advil® is both safe and effective when used as directed.

It is important to remember:
• Always read and keep the cartons for complete warnings and information on Infants’ Advil® and Children’s Advil® products
• Only use the dosing device that comes packaged with the medicine
• Use as directed

Infants’ Advil® Concentrated Drops:
• Ages 6-23 months
• Reduces fever, relieves minor aches and pains due to the common cold, flu, headaches, and toothaches

Children’s Advil® Suspension Liquid:
• Ages 2-11 years
• Fever reducer, relives minor aches and pains due to the common cold, flu, sore throat, headaches, and toothaches

Purchase additional Infants’ Advil® or Children’s Advil® at your local retail store.

• Click here for complete drug facts, uses, warnings, dosing chart and active ingredients.
• 'Like' Children’s Advil® on Facebook
• For more information visit www.childrensadvil.com

Questions or comments regarding any Advil® products call toll free 1-800-88ADVIL or 1-800-882-3845 Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. EST or ask your pharmacist, doctor or health care professional.

*Based on reducing fever below 100 degrees F

**Among OTC Brands based on 52 weeks ending 10/2/11

†Among leading OTC pain relievers/fever reducers

Comforts For Baby Products Review

A couple of weeks ago I shared with you that I received my Bzz Kit filled with great baby products from Kroger called the Comforts for Baby.  I wanted to give it a couple of weeks to give you my complete honest opinion.

First, I was able to try diapers, which they generously gave me a BIG box of 92 diapers! I had tried Comforts diapers before and was disappointed by the stiffness of the diapers, so I was pleasantly surprised to open the box and find much softer diapers  In fact, the new diapers are quite cute with little bumblebees on them.  Here is sweet Baby Sis in them.  

We really liked the Comforts diapers!   Here is what we thought about them: 

• They are WAY cheaper than the competition.  Usually, you can buy a jumbo package of size 3 Huggies or Pampers diapers or $8.99.  The same size of package of Comforts baby diapers was only $5.30 at my local Kroger with more diapers per package.  However, if purchasing these, it would be wiser to purchase the BIG box of 92 diapers for $13.99. 
• They have a stretchy waist band which is nice. 
• The newer version of Comforts for Baby diapers are softer and I love the cute little prints.  
• They did a great job of keeping Baby Sis dry...during the DAY. 

There was only one problem we had with them: NIGHTTIME.  I am not sure if Baby Sis sleeps longer than most babies, but one issue we had with the Comforts is the fact that she leaked through almost every night that she wore them.  She sleeps between 10-12 hours straight and has a six ounce bottle before she goes down for the night.  Not sure if this is typical for a baby at this age, but we don't remember having this problem with Huggies.

Next, we were able to try the wipes.  We loved them!  We are not picky with wipes, but I have noticed that I do not like the Pampers because they are almost too soft and slick.  I am always worried when I wipe that I get poo on my hand.  :-)  I find the Comforts comparable with other store brands and similar to Huggies which are were my favorite.  However, Huggies cost quite a bit more!  Therefore, we will stick with Comforts and save some money.  After all, we go through a package a wipes in about a day in this household! 

Finally, we were able to try out the Spill Proof Sippy cup.  Little Bro was able to try this out, and believe me, there really is no such thing as "Spill Proof" with him.   However, the sippy cup was great!  He loved the little flip top cap. We are excited to use these again when Baby Sis is old enough!

Overall, I was impressed with the Quality and Price of Comforts for Baby Products. I love shopping at Kroger for groceries and now I can get all of my baby products there as well.  That makes a busy mommy very happy!  Thanks Bzz Agent and Kroger for this fabulous opportunity! 

***I was given 5 20% off coupons to pass out to friends.  I saved two to give to my readers.  BE ONE OF THE FIRST ONES TO COMMENT ON THIS POST AND I'LL SEND YA ONE!  Please leave an email address and I will contact you for your mailing address. ***

Got my Bzz Kit!

Yay!  I was so excited to get my Bzz Kit for Comforts Baby Products by the Kroger Family of Stores this week!  I was thrilled to open it up to see the incredible goodies for me to try with Baby Sis. 

In my Bzz Kit, I was given the following:

• 1 Coupon for a FREE package of diapers....up to 92 Count! (I ran out and got immediately!)
• 1 Tub of Comforts Baby Wipes
• 2 Spill Proof Comforts Sippy Cups
• 5 20% off Any Comforts Brand Wipes, Formula or Diapers to share with friends (Psst...that could be you.)

We all know how I LOVE Kroger.   I am super excited to try out the Kroger Brand Baby Products!  Baby Sis has been wearing them now for a couple of days, and I am thrilled.  I will give it a couple more days and let you know what I think! 

Want to have the opportunity to try out new products?  Become a Bzz Agent like me and start spreading the word!  Right now they are looking for 13-20 year old males to try an electric razor.