Chore Monster - FREE Chore Motivation

We have used various Pinterest methods for keeping track and motivating our kids to keep up with their chores. I've even made a super cute chalkboard with adorable chore magnets. But keeping up with them has always been the hardest part. And then there's the question of "rewarding" them for doing chores. Should we? It feels like I've heard parenting experts on both sides of that argument and I've agreed with them all. Which just left me stuck in the middle.

This is why I was excited to try Chore Monster. It's a FREE* App available for Android, Apple, even Windows 8, but is also free to use through their website, if you don't have any of these devices. I like that it's easy to use and completely up to me what is included - what chores my kids do, the frequency with which they're expected to do them, and how many points they'll earn for completing a task. And then, I get to decide what those points will do for them.

This is what we've done:

Each of our kids have their own account with their own chores listed. They have many of the same (like setting the table, clearing the table, picking up toys and cleaning their rooms), but as they get older, they get more responsibilities, so the older two (ages 4 and 6) empty the kids' dishes and silverware from the dishwasher and also have bathroom cleaning duties (alternating weekly between who does the counters and who scrubs the toilets - they like the toilet best, so it's a good way to keep them from arguing) - with which Mommy helps, still, to train them how to do it well. And the oldest is also now washing her own clothes (again, with training assistance), so she gets extra points for that, as well. At the end of the day (or, frankly, when we remember, we check into the app to get points for the chores they've done. They have an option for the points to not be added into the kids' accounts until a parent approves the chore (which is done via the parent log-in on the website only), but since we're always sitting together when the kids are "doing points", I made all of their chores approve automatically, so they can immediately see their new total.

I've determined what each chore is worth, and I've actually edited this a number of times, as the chores become easier, or if I feel like they're accumulating too quickly. But I also determine the rewards. So, right now, our kids have three rewards options - iPad time, Computer time or something from the Treasure Box.

This is where this app has become gold for me. My kids used to always beg to play on the iPad or computer and would argue over who got more time, etc. Since we've started using points for these activities, I haven't had any begging or arguing! I LOVE it! They understand if they didn't use their points, it's not their turn. (Just like not letting them get points is a good consequence if they're refusing to do a task - if they fuss and complain, they still have to do it, but don't get points!) Also, I still get to determine when we cash in our points - so if it's not a good day for playing on electronics or we just don't have time, I tell them they can't spend their points right now.

The Treasure Box is a box we have filled with little toys from the Dollar Tree, as well as fun craft toys I found on clearance for $0.30 each at JoAnn - which means my kids work for two weeks to earn points for something that cost me $0.30. And they love it. Way cheaper than allowance (not that we won't get to allowance at some point, but right now I like that they're learning the concept of saving or spending - because the Treasure costs more, so they decide if they will save up for that, or spend points on a lesser activity - without interfering with my budget).

And the absolute best part? They're getting in the habit of doing chores. Which means, we don't necessarily sit down every day and check off their points - and they don't always notice. If they ask about it or I happen to remember, we'll check in and click on the things they've done. If we forget, they don't typically think about it. So, even though it may feel like I'm bribing my kids to do what they should be doing - they are still doing what they should, even without the points.

I call that a win.

*There are options within the app for the kids to earn tickets to an in-app carnival, to buy monsters, etc. It seems like a fun idea, but those aspects cost money, so right now, my kids don't even know that's an option. We're perfectly happy with the rewards we have in place and there isn't a ton of pressure (or anywhere for the kids to click when they're logged in) to buy in-app prizes. But if that's something you think would be fun to motivate your kids, you might want to look into that more!

** I receive no compensation for this review. They didn't even ask me to do it. I honestly just feel like it could help more families, so I wanted to tell others about it! Enjoy!

Home-Designed Feelings Charts - Free Download!

In our recent move, I have unearthed various treasures, some of which had been out before but have now been discovered by little fingers who couldn't see them in the old house. One of these is this little gem from my husband's earlier years (I'm not sure how much earlier - probably as late as college, let's be honest):

That would be a giant fridge magnet featuring Garfield and his many moods - complete with a frame selector so the owner can indicate their own Garfield-esque emotions. Classy, I know.

And the kids have enjoyed it. Maybe a little too much. Because, of course, when you have one of something fun and more than one child, someone will always be unhappy. Thus, after a morning of bickering, I realized I had paper and I had magnets, so we would make everyone their own chart and create peace in our home once again. 

Of course, I had imagined drawing a happy face and a sad face and maybe a little sleepy face with zzz's on a piece of paper and calling it good - I might have even let them draw the faces, so I could be lazy they could practice their art skills. My kids have higher ambitions.

So, the older boy declared he would have Mario Party (aka, anything having to do with Super Mario Bros) - which led sister to demand My Little Pony. I told them I'd see what I could do, but I needed nap time to work on it, if they were willing to wait. Fortunately, they were more than happy to see what Mommy would come up with. So, they glitterized their magnet frames (made from a free magnet sheet that had once had ads for local businesses) and waited patiently (with the one caveat provided by my little opinionated ones that they each have "Smart" as an option on their list).

And then Mommy had a little too much fun searching the internet for just the right pictures (and took some creative license on the character of choice for Little Miss - so glad Super Princess Peach displays a lot of emotion). They were pretty happy with the results.

 (We keep Garfield up for littlest man who is too small to realize he's getting shafted by not having a personalized chart.)

The free magnets are maybe not so strong, but they're good enough. I also used glue dots to attach small magnet squares to the back of the charts so they are easily moved, if needed. I would have laminated them had the magnet frames been strong enough to hold through that kind of thickness.

And after I put in so much work, I decided to share with the world in case there are other Mommies, with maybe less ambition or free time, who have their own emotional little ones. And, maybe, if those Mommies don't want to glitterize free magnet sheets, they can use photo frames and dry erase markers (or dry erase colored pencils, or crayons - I'm pretty into dry erase media!)?

So, here are the .jpg images - feel free to download them (or click on them to open them larger and right click to "Save As") and insert them into a Word Document to re-size and print as needed! But, please note, I don't own the rights to any of these characters or their images (um, hello, if I did, we'd be rich!), so don't try to sell this in any format! Thanks! 

(I included "Lucky" on the original Mario because it was one the kids remembered from the Garfield, and I liked the picture, but I really wanted something more manly that portrayed something equivalent to the "Beautiful" for the girls - so here's a revision with "Brave" - in case you like that better!)

Join Amazon Mom for Great Deals on Diapers and More!

Did you know, if you join Amazon Mom (a program in conjunction with Amazon Prime), you'll get 20% off EVERY diaper and wipe subscription on Amazon (subscriptions can be canceled any time, even after the first shipment!)? We get Luvs delivered this way when I'm not up to seeking out diaper deals in stores. PLUS, through Amazon Prime you get FREE Two-Day Shipping on most orders with no minimum (or, if you choose "No Rush" Shipping, you get $1 Instant Video Credit!) and access to their wide library of free Amazon Instant streaming videos (including tons of great Nickelodeon and PBS shows).

PLUS, when you sign up in August and make your first purchase of $10 or more, you'll get $5 back! Sign up HERE!

Keep the Change - Kitchen Substitutes

What do you do when you’re cooking and run out of that one thing you need? Running to the store is costly in both gas and money. Here are some tips from my kitchen. Keep these staple substitutes in your pantry so you’ll be ready when necessity strikes.

-          Eggs – Mix 1 Tbsp cornstarch with 3 Tbsp water (multiply quantities as necessary for multiple eggs) as a quick egg substitute in nearly any baking recipe. This is also a great alternative if you’re cooking for someone with egg allergies.

-          Buttermilk – Pour 1 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice into your measuring cup and add enough milk to make 1 cup (to sub for 1 cup buttermilk). Stir and let stand 5 minutes.

-          Panko or dry bread crumbs – Crush crackers or potato chips instead.

-          Brown and White sugars are rather interchangeable, when needed (though it's best to stick to what's called for, if possible). Honey is also a great, healthier, substitute for sugar in many recipes.

-          Butter – For many recipes, cooking oil (such as canola or vegetable) can be subbed in. For a healthier alternative, use applesauce to replace the fat called for in a baking recipe.

-          Sour cream and Plain Yogurt is another interchangeable combo. Yogurt is the healthier option and either one will do the trick in your baking or casserole recipes.

-          Tomato Sauce – for chilis, soups and some casseroles, using Condensed Tomato Soup is a quick and easy substitute.

As you can see, recipes are not hard and fast rules. There are many options for making your recipes work with what you have. Next time you run out of something at the last minute, before running to the store, run to your computer and do a quick Google search including the name of the item you lack and the word “substitute” – more often than not, you will find you have just what you need!

Keep the Change: Bringing Up Baby - Affordably

We’re expecting a new little one in this house and, as anyone will tell you, babies can be expensive. What are some ways to save on those baby costs while still giving your little one the best care possible?

-          Cloth diapers. While it’s not everyone’s preference, this is a big money-saver in our house. We’re not talking diaper pins and bulky covers, either. There are some modern options that are convenient and adorable. While this option poses a larger up-front cost (for the investment in a diaper supply), the long-run savings is considerable. There are many resources on-line to help you learn the ropes of this diapering choice. I've written a blog here with a lot of my resources and suggestions.

-          Homemade Baby Food. Yet another personal preference. This does not have to be as difficult as some perceive, though. Just steam your fruits and vegetables (even in the microwave) and use a handy Stick Blender (you don’t even need an expensive Baby-Food specific blender!) to puree. Pour your blend into ice cube trays and freeze for later – they thaw quickly and make for easy, safe meals for baby. Check wholesomebabyfood.com for guidelines and recipes.

-          Garage Sales and Craiglist. These are great options for finding some of those big ticket items at affordable prices. Some things, like car seats, should never be purchased second-hand for safety reasons, but for things that are easy to wash/sterilize (such as clothing, swings, etc.), this can be a good choice – just be sure you trust the brand you’re buying, no matter where you purchase.

-          On-Line Co-Ops. Facebook has a number of Group options for parents looking to use group-buying power for those baby needs (or wants) – you can even find those aforementioned cloth diapers at a much cheaper price when buying in bulk! My favorite co-ops are Tushie Traders, which offers primarily cloth diapers but also many other fun things for baby, and Crunchy Mama, offering many unique finds for baby and mama.

Keep the Change - Bugs Be Gone

Summer seems to bring a lot of unwanted pests in our home. Clearly some infestations require professional help or, at the very least heavy-duty store-bought assistance. But did you know some of those pests can be done away with using simple household ingredients?

If ants are your problem, round up some honey, Borax (found in the laundry detergent aisle and also great for a number of cleaning uses!), and an old plastic lid (such as from a margarine tub). Mix together 1 Tbsp hot water with 1 Tbsp honey . Add ½ tsp Borax to the mixture and stir well. Place mixture in your old lid and put the trap in the center of your problem area (but out of reach of children or pets). The ants will be attracted to the mixture and will carry it back to their colony, poisoning the whole lot of them and ridding you of your problem!

For fruit flies, gather apple cider vinegar, dishwashing detergent, a fruit peel, a jar and a piece of typing paper (junk mail works great!). Mix ¼ c. vinegar, ¼ c. water and 2-3 drops of detergent in the bottom of the jar. Drop in your fruit peel. Make a cone shape out of the paper and stick it in the opening of the jar, making sure there are no gaps between the paper and the opening of the jar. The flies will be attracted to the scent of the fruit and enter the cone. They will then get trapped in the jar and the detergent will weigh them down, causing them to drown and your pests to be gone.

If you need more tips for your household pests, check out ehow.com (where these traps were found) or do a quick internet search to find simple homemade solutions!

Staples: $40 Voucher for $25 + 25% off Coupon!

Check out this great combination of deals from Staples!

Right now Groupon is offering a $40 e-gift card to Staples for only $25 - that's a $15 savings! If you are ever in need of paper or ink how could you pass up this deal?! The e-gift card must be redeemed on-line and printed for use in-store. It is not valid on-line.

To take advantage of this offer:
- Go to this link for the Staples deal and click on the large green "Buy" button.
- Sign in or register where indicated.
- Enter payment info.
- Click on "My Vouchers" under your name in the top right corner of the screen. Find the Staples deal you just bought and click "View Voucher". In the voucher are redemption instructions. You MUST redeem the voucher on-line in order to print your e-gift card to spend in-store.*

On top of the Groupon, through Saturday you can redeem this coupon for a free EcoBag and 20% off anything that can fit inside (some exclusions apply, read the fine print!).

The coupon expires Saturday, so you'd need to hurry if you want to use that, but the Groupon voucher never expires so if you're not ready to rush to Staples, just hold onto it until you need it!

*Fine Print:

• Limit 1 per person. Limit 1 per visit. Must redeem Groupon voucher herefor a Staples eGift Card, which can be used in any participating Staples store. Groupon voucher not accepted in-store. eGift Card never expires. eGift Card valid in-store only; eGift Card not valid at Staples.com. To find a store near you, click here. See Staples Terms & Conditions applicable to Staples eGift Cards here.
• See the rules that apply to all deals.

Keep the Change - Saving Daily

Photo from Microsoft

The following is the latest enhanced article of my "Keep the Change" column for a local publication.

Daily Deals. How does one make the most of these flash sales (typically lasting from a day to a week) without losing your head or your budget?

There are many types of daily deal sites on the web, offering discounts on services, goods and even travel packages. The most widely known of these sites, Groupon and LivingSocial, offer all of the above –tailored to your interests and local area. You’ll also want to check out newsokdeals.com, specifically for Oklahoma City vendors. My favorite site for goods is Woot and its family of sites (for technology, toys, décor and more). NewEgg is another well-established site for technology hounds. For moms, there are a plethora of options - Zulily offers apparel (for children and their parents), nursery décor, home organization and more; PlumDistrict is much like Groupon, offering both services and goods, specifically geared toward Moms. For educators (both at home and in schools), a new site on the market is Educents, offering curriculum, media and educational toys.

When shopping daily deals, be sure to stay cool. The success of flash sales depends on the urgency of impulse shopping – we know the deal won’t last long, so we rush to grab it. It’s important to take a step back and think – Do you really need this item/service? Were you going to make this purchase soon, even if the deal hadn’t popped up? Do you have room in the budget? Remember – a bargain is only a bargain if it’s something you need or will use. Otherwise, even a deeply discounted gadget is still just money out the door.

Finally, do your research. When you see a great deal on a site, shop around (check amazon.com or do a google search) to see if the price they’re presenting is really a great deal. In addition, when trying out a new deals site, do a quick search to determine its reputation. Have other consumers had a good experience with this site? Know who you are doing business with!

With wisdom and care, you will be able to navigate daily deals site and get more bang for your buck!

Leave your comments - are there are any of your favorite sites I left out?

Sseko: Mother's Day Special

My Ssekos are at it again with another great special! In honor of Mother's Day, you can order a set of sandals with three pairs of straps in adorable colors and fabrics. When you consider it's like three pairs of shoes for one low price (and, really, a lot more than three, because you can style each pair of straps any number of ways!), you're looking at a real bargain! On top of which, you're helping young Ugandan girls earn the right to an education - who can say no to that? Empower and educate women in Uganda, one sandal at a time. Shop SsekoDesigns.com

Sonic: Happy Hour ALL DAY (4/15 ONLY)

Happy Tax Day!  While it may not be exciting for some reasons, Sonic gives us a reason to smile.  Sonic Drive-In is extending Happy Hour today (4/15) to last ALL DAY!  Half-price drinks and slushes ALL DAY!  So go get your Sonic on and be happy!

Christianbook.com: Jesus Storybook Bible on Sale!

This weekend (through Monday, April 8), Christianbook.com is offering The Jesus Storybook Bible for only $8.49.  This is our preferred version at home.  The language is very child-friendly and, yet, keeps the message of the Bible intact while emphasizing that every story in the Bible points to Jesus and God's redemption of His people.  It's absolutely beautiful!  They also have the Deluxe edition (with audio CD's) for only $16.49 - this is going for over $35 on amazon!

Walgreens: 25 FREE 4x6 Prints (4/4 ONLY!)

Today (4/4) only, Walgreens is offering 25 FREE 4x6 prints to all its customers!  You can pick these up in-store to avoid shipping costs, making these absolutely FREE!  Head here to upload your photos and make your order.  Be sure to use code PICTURES25 at check-out!

Keep the Change: Couponing Basics

(Photo Source: Office.Microsoft.com)

While most people know of coupons, pop-culture has turned super-couponing into a nightmare for many. While spending hours clipping and planning can give you a high pay-off, it’s not necessary if you’re new to couponing and just want to save a little green. Here’s how I do it.

1.       Find coupons. The newspaper is the most obvious place to look, but you can also check the internet at places like coupons.com or smartsource.com. You can also head to the websites of your favorite brands and search for coupons there (or if you’re brave, contact them directly to request coupons).

2.       Store coupons. You may have heard of the Binder – I have one, but I don’t use it as much these days. Instead, I keep 12 folders – one for every month. When I get my paper, I label each coupon insert boldly with the date and put it in its appropriate folder.

3.       Match coupons to sales. Let someone else do your work for you by checking out money-saving blogs for match-up posts. They will tell you what’s on sale and where to find coupons to match. To find these blogs, do an internet search for the name of the store you shop and the term “match-up.” Many of these sites also have great tips for using store reward programs. My favorite site for Homeland match-ups is SimpleSavingSavvy.net.  For CVS or Walgreens, I head to Hip2Save.com.  For tips on how to interpret the strange language of coupon match-ups, check out an old post of mine here.

4.       Cut/Print only the coupons you need. When I look at the match-ups for the week, I make a list of sale items I need/want and the coupons that go with them. I then print those or pull out the appropriate coupon folder with the right insert, clip the coupon I need and put the rest back.

Aisle50: $4 for 3 Borden Cheese

Aisle50 has a great new deal for Homeland customers!  Right now you can pay $4 for $8 worth of Borden Shredded Cheese or Natural Cheese Slices.  That's three packages of cheese for $4 - only $1.33 each if they don't go on sale before the deal expires - if they DO go on sale, the deal will still deduct $8 from your grocery bill and you could save even more!

Aisle50 is a deals site specific to Homeland (and select other) grocery stores.  When you purchase a deal, it is automatically linked to your Homeland card.  So, for example, if you take advantage of the cheese deal, you pay the $4 for the deal on the Aisle50 website, then head to the store, pick up three packages of cheese and when you checkout using your Homeland One, the deal will deduct $8 from your total automatically!

If you've not signed up for Aisle50 before, when you head over and create your Aisle50 account, you will automatically get a FREE 2-Liter of Coke loaded to your Homeland One card.  Which means the next time you're shopping at Homeland, you can add a bottle of Coke to your cart and the price will be deducted when you scan your card at checkout!  Talk about a deal!

2 Chix: Convertible Dress 87% off!!!

I am so excited to share this deal!  My ABSOLUTE favorite dress is on sale for only $19.99!!!  To understand how amazing this deal is, you need to understand this dress is usually $145 - I got it on a great sale for a little under $40 (which, by the way, is probably the most I've ever spent on an item of clothing because I'm SUPER cheap, but I had high hopes and this dress did NOT disappoint) and then another when it was at this price a few months ago - $19.99?!  That's fantastic!  What's more, it's not just a dress - it's a dress, a skirt or even a shirt and looks fabulous in any form.

It's marketed as a maternity dress, but looks beautiful on a non-pregnant body as well.

Want one?!  Hurry over to 2chix.com to snag yours before they're all sold out!  While you're there, you can check out all the other great styles included in this clearance!

PS. I get nothing for reviewing this dress, I just really love it and want everyone to have one.  Also, I own the "Convertible Dress" in Dark Teal and the "Convertible Mini" in Black - they're both wonderful, really!  

Shutterfly: FREE 8x8 Photo Book (through March 27!)

Through tomorrow, March 27, head to Shutterfly for a FREE 8x8 Photo Book using code MYBOOK at checkout!  I've ordered quite a few of their books - the quality is fantastic and their on-line program is super simple to use (and their pre-designed layouts are adorable and make the whole process speedy!).

Fine Print:* Offer expires March 27, 2013 (11:59 P.M. PST). Offer is good for $29.99 off one (1) photo book with hard cover at Shutterfly.com. Photo book must total $29.99 or more excluding additional pages, taxes and other charges in order for discount to apply. Offer valid for one-time redemption per billing address. Offer not valid on 7x9, 5x7 and soft cover photo books. Taxes, shipping and handling will apply. This offer is not redeemable for cash and cannot be sold, transferred or combined with other offers, discounts, promotions or credits. 

Walgreens: FREE 8x10 Collage Print

To create your FREE 8x10 Collage Print from Walgreens, head here and create an account or sign in.  After creating your collage, use code  COLLAGE4FREE  at checkout.  If you choose to pick up your print in-store, it will be completely FREE!

NOTE: One per household.  This code is ONLY valid through Wed, March 20!

Francine Rivers, Lineage of Grace, Kindle Edition - $5!

Francine Rivers is my absolute favorite author for many reasons.  Her series on the women in Christ's lineage is fabulous!  For a limited time (I'm not sure how limited, so if you're interested, you might want to hurry), you can grab the Kindle edition of her entire Lineage of Grace series (it's a compilation of all five books in one) for only $5 - that's like $1 per book!  I would highly recommend these!  And, remember, you don't have to own a Kindle to read Kindle edition books - simply download the Kindle app on any mobile device or even read it straight from your computer!

Educents: FREE $15 Gift Card!

Educents is an up-and-coming daily deals site for educators (both at-home and in-school).  They will be launching on April 2 and here is a little info included in their latest e-mail:

The Educents team is getting so excited to share the different products we'll be featuring on our site when we launch on April 2! We already have
* foreign language classes
* online learning
* phonics programs
* study aides & textbooks
* brain fitness programs
* curriculum packages for all ages
* early development products
* financial literacy programs
* and so much more!!!

And that's just in the first two weeks! Let the countdown begin!!


The best part? If you sign up with them for FREE before March 15, you'll get a $15 Gift Card e-mailed to you for use when the site launches!  After March 15, you can still sign up and earn a $10 Gift Card if you do so before April 2, but why not just head over there now, before you forget, and get $15 for FREE!

ArtsCow: Personalized Ornaments - 4 for $8.99

If you're ready to start shopping for Christmas or just want unique year-round decor, check out this new sale from ArtsCow.  Right now you can snag customized photo ornaments from ArtsCow for only $8.99* for four (with FREE Shipping - making them $2.25 each!).  When you get to the website, click on "Create Your Own Stuff" at the top.  On the next page, you should see the "Ornament" option on the left sidebar.  You'll enter the coupon code below at checkout to see the above price reflected on your order.

I LOVE these ornaments - we have a ton on our Christmas tree (I like to get one for each child every year).

*$10.99 for four Double-Sided Ornaments

Coupon Code: EASTERDECOR Expiry Date: 4 / 1 / 2013

Please note, these items ship from China, so shipping takes time, allow at least three weeks for delivery.