Mars Needs Moms - The Top 10 Things My Children Would Miss If I Were Abducted By Aliens!

Take out the trash, eat your broccoli—who needs moms, anyway? Nine-year-old Milo (Seth Green) finds out just how much he needs his mom (Joan Cusack) when she’s nabbed by Martians who plan to steal her mom-ness for their own young. Produced by the team behind “Disney’s A Christmas Carol” and “The Polar Express,” “Mars Needs Moms” showcases Milo’s quest to save his mom—a wild adventure in Disney Digital 3D™ and IMAX® 3D that involves stowing away on a spaceship, navigating an elaborate, multi-level planet and taking on the alien nation and their leader (Mindy Sterling). With the help of a tech-savvy, underground earthman named Gribble (Dan Fogler) and a rebel Martian girl called Ki (Elisabeth Harnois), Milo just might find his way back to his mom—in more ways than one.

In honor of the March 11th release of "Mars Needs Moms," SocialMoms is bringing you an entertaining new blogging program that asks you what are the top ten things you think your kids would miss most about you if you were abducted by aliens/Martians?

As crazy as things get in this house sometimes, I often think that my family and my children are from Mars! So, getting abducted by aliens probably isn't too far off in our neck of the woods! The new movie "Mars Needs Moms" looks really cute and we are planning on taking the kiddos to see it.

What would my children miss most if I were actually abducted by aliens?

Winner Announcement: Choc Create Giveaway - Chocolate Your Way

I want to thank everyone who entered my Choc Create Review and Giveaway - Chocolate Your Way.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, ChocCreate, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #56:

CONGRATULATIONS!!

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Zippies: "Pals That Hang Around" Review and Giveaway

How many times have you sat your drink down and return to several other drinks there as well.  How do you know which one was yours?  Especially during cold and flu season, we don't want to be sharing our drinks (and germs) with others.

Zippies are the newest and cutest way to personalize your children's items!  Zippies: Pals That Hang Around are durable, adorable and kid friendly.  Each one has a name, a style and a story all their own.  I will also tell you that I think they are even cuter in person! :)

Until a few weeks ago, I had never even heard of Zippies.  When they arrived, I had no idea what to expect.  The package was very heavy and I was pleasantly surprised by what was inside.  Zippies: Pals That Hang Around are cute animal characters on the front and on the back is a place for your child's name and contact information. 

Zippies are made of heavy-duty rubber that provide a non-slip surface that is easy for little hands to hold onto.  They also have a durable, elastic cord with a slider that makes it easily fit both small and large water bottles.  The super strong clip also allows for use on other popular items as well, including backpacks.

Last Chance to Enter: Build A Dream Cardboard Playhouse Giveaway - Winners Choice (2/28)

Today is the last chance to WIN a great item for that special child in your life!

Build A Dream Cardboard Playhouse Giveaway - Winners Choice (2/28)

Winner Announcement: Strawesome Glass Straw Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Strawesome Glass Straw Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Strawesome, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #7:

CONGRATULATIONS,  Randall!

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Follow Us Monday Morning Blog Hop 2/28 - Promote Your Blog, Meet New Friends and Win FREE Ad Space

 

Welcome to Follow Us Monday Morning - the Monday blog hop and Google friend follow here at Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free. This is the place where we casually meet and greet, have a little conversation and expand our blogging networks.

I am honored to have been chosen to represent the 'Us' in Follow Us Monday Morning!  My co-host,  JR from Frugality Is Free are looking forward to meeting new friends.  I know that we have so much to share and so much to learn from one another.

Each week we will feature a blog as Hot Blog of the Week, and we will post a question to get the conversation started. The Hot Blog of the Week will get the first place in the linky, and the featured blogger will win a free ad space at both Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free for a week.

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HOT BLOG OF THE WEEK

The Amateur Mommy is written by Becky, a mother of two from Connecticut. Becky blogs about life, crafts, kids activities, and once in a while you will also be able to find a review and giveaway at The Amateur Mommy.

Please visit The Amateur Mommy to learn more about Becky and show her our support from the participants at Follow Us Monday Morning.

Congratulations to The Amateur Mommy! 

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Last Chance to Enter: $12 Choc Create Gift Certificate Giveaway: Chocolate Your Way (2/26)

Time is running out to get your creative chocolate fix!

$12 Choc Create Gift Certificate Giveaway: Chocolate Your Way (2/26)

Last Chance to Enter: Low Entry Giveaway - Strawesome Glass Straws

This is your last chance to enter a great giveaway.  Currently less than 100 entries, so your chances of winning are pretty amazing!

Strawesome Glass Straw Giveaway (2/25)

El Monterey Mexican Style Family Entrees: Quick and Delicious Dinner Review

El Monterey, a national brand of frozen Mexican food, is manufactured by Ruiz Foods – a California-based, family-owned and operated food processing company co-founded in 1964 by Fred Ruiz and his father, Louis.  To this day, Ruiz Foods still uses ‘Grandma Rosie’s’ recipes as the basis for all their Mexican food products – burritos, taquitos, quesadillas, tamales, chimichangas, and more.

I was recently given the opportunity of tasting El Montereys most recent introductions: El Monterey Family Entrees.  There are four delicious flavors:

1. Chicken Enchiladas with Spanish Rice and Suiza Sauce

2. Cheese Enchiladas with Spanish Rice and Red Enchilada Sauce

3. Chicken Mexicana with Pasta in a White Cream Poblano Pepper Sauce

4. Spicy Beef Enchiladas with Spanish Rice and Spicy Red Enchilada Sauce

I was very excited to try their new family entrees and couldn't wait for them to arrive.  The only dilemma on delivery day... choosing which one to make for dinner!

We decided to fix the Spicy Beef Enchiladas and the Cheese Enchiladas, both with Spanish Rice.  We are a family of four and didn't think one package would be enough.  The kids had told me that they were "starving" and very hungry.  Personally, I think it's just because they knew what we were having.  They both love Mexican food and especially enchiladas.

We had the Chicken Enchiladas with Spanish Rice and Chicken Mexicana with Pasta in a White Cream Poblano Pepper Sauce on a different night.  

Winner Announcement: Scandle Body Massage Candle Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Scandle Body Massage Candle Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Scandle Candles, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #135:

CONGRATULATIONS, Pinklady!  
I hope you enjoy your Scandle Body Massage Candle as much as I have enjoyed mine!

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Fantastic Frugal Fridays 2/25 - Come Share Your Frugal Posts and Tips

 

I would like to welcome you to the Fantastic Frugal Fridays blog party.

The Fantastic Frugal Fridays blog party is hosted by JR from Frugality Is Free and me (Bridget) here at Being Frugal and Making it Work, and we are both very excited to invite all of you to share your frugal adventures with us.

It is always great to know a little about the hostesses at any party, so here is a bit about us.

JR and I are two frugal stay-at-home moms, and we both manage our household budgets with a very frugal hand. Being frugal moms does not mean that our families live without though, as we spoil our kids and sometimes our husbands rotten on Christmas and birthdays.

We both earn our own spending money by writing about our frugal lifestyles, and through various online earning sites. Every year we also treat our families to a frugal vacation on us....and our frugal budgets. JR's favorite place to take her three wonderful sons and husband is the Florida Keys, while I take my two kids and husband to the Oregon coast.

JR lives in urban South Florida, and I live in rural North Idaho, but frugality has brought us together, and I hope that the Fantastic Frugal Fridays will be a place, where you too will meet and connect with other frugal-minded friends.

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There is no Frugal Expert expert this week:

 ?????

Will you be next week's 
frugal expert?



The Frugal Expert will:

• Receive a feature on both Frugality Is Free and Being Frugal and Making It Work
• Win a free week ad space at Frugality Is Free and Being Frugal and Making it Work
• Get the third spot in the linky

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Beyblade Metal Fusion Battle Gear Review and Giveaway

More often than not, my children (ages 7 and 10) tell me about the hottest and newest toys before I have any idea what they are.  Whether they see them on commercials, in magazines or learn about them at school.  Several times I have had to look the toy up on the internet so I would have some idea of what they were talking about.

I'll admit that when my son first saw a Beyblade, his comment was: "Man, those things look stupid!"  My husband I have always told our children, you can't say you don't like something if you've never tried (used, or played) with it.  This is one of those times where our lesson rang true!

When our Beyblade Metal Fusion Battle Gear package arrived, my husband was the first one to open them up!  He was playing with a Beyblade Metal Fusion Top in the BeyStadium.

Of course, the kids had to see what new toy their dad was playing (and having so much fun) with.

Both my son and daughter opened up another Beyblade Metal Fusion Top, put it together and joined in the fun.

First time out of the box, they battled and laughed for over an hour!  The sounds of their laughter and the clanking of the tops was pure joy.  I love listening to the sounds of my children having fun, especially together!

Free Fish and Chips

One of the ways I make resources stretch further for my family is by using coupons.  When I get get groceries for FREE, I love it!  I can honestly say that FREE groceries are always the best kind.

A few weeks ago, I loaded up by using several free item coupons in a single shopping trip! 

This time I got FREE fish and chips! :)  Free Gorton's Seafood and Free Archer Farms Chips.

Gorton's Shrimp Poppers: $7.48

Gorton's Fish Sticks: $7.48

Archer Farms Honey BBQ Chips: $2.69

Archer Farms Tortilla Chips: $2.89

Total:  $20.54

Tax: $1.23

Grand Total:  $21.77

Take away the free item coupon prices and I paid a grand total of $1.23 for all these grocery items!  In the end, all I had to pay was the sales tax.  I wish all of my grocery shopping was like this!

Have you gotten any great deals lately?

Boudreaux's Butt Paste

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Boudreaux's Butt Paste for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you're a mom, you know how sad you feel when your baby has a diaper rash.  One of the only things on your mind is making your baby feel better and quick!  Boudreaux's Butt Paste was specifically formulated by a pharmacist and is recommended by Pediatricians.  The main (and active) ingredient, 16% Zinc Oxide . ..

 and is   Boudreaux's Butt Paste  works quickly to relieve diaper rash and other skin irritations.  Boudreaux's Butt Paste isn't only for diaper rash.  It also works great on dry knees and elbows , thigh chaffing, wind chapped cheeks and dry hands. 

The paste is thick and non-greasy, two of the things that I love most about it.  It also goes on easily and has a pleasant, subtle scent.  Boudreaux's Butt Paste comes in several convenient sizes (1oz, 2oz, 3oz and 4oz tubes, 16oz jar, brand new spray and single foil pack s), making it convenient for at home and travel use. 

 

Boudreaux's Butt Paste  has been featured on:

• Oprah Show
• Tonight Show
• Today Show
• People Magazine
• ESPN
•  While You Were Out TLC

 

 

 The protection that Bourdeaux's Butt Paste provides is like no other.  It creates a long lasting, protective barrier for your skin.  For a FREE sample please visit their website: Boudreaux's Butt Paste! 

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Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes Review

If you are like most households these days, you have several valuable electronics.  From TVs to laptops to cell phones.

I was recently given the opportunity to give Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipes a test run!  The first thing I used one on was my laptop.  It always seems to get dusty and covered in fingerprints, no matter how careful I am with it.  The wipes worked, well... brilliantly!

Each Brilliant Screen Cleaning Wipe is individually wrapped which keeps them moist and prevents them from drying out.  We have also used them on my husband's sunglasses and MP3 player.  The end result is the same, an AMAZING clean!  It also seems to remain cleaner than it ever has before.  Maybe these cleaning wipes also have a little bit of magic in them!

Winner Announcement: Trading Phrases $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway

 I want to thank everyone who entered my Trading Phrases Review and $25 Gift Certificate Giveaway!  I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Trading Phrases, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #69:

CONGRATULATIONS, Ashley!

Boogie Wipes Review and Giveaway

Cold and flu season is upon us and with that comes runny noses!  No matter how hard we try to keep our kids healthy, they are bound to catch a cold and get a runny nose (or two).  Even as adults, we know how sore noses can get from constant wiping.

For all of those sore little noses, Boogie Wipes come to the rescue!   


Boogie Wipes are made with natural saline to dissolve boogies (mucus) caused by the common cold, allergies or all of those other booger-filled kid moments. 

Boogie Wipes are super soft and moist.  They contain both Aloe and Vitamin E.  They cool and soothe noses with each use.  Making it easy and painless to wipe those runny and boogie dried little noses.  No need to pinch and squish, causing your children to squirm and fuss wiping their noses.

Boogie Wipes are available in Great Grape, Fresh Scent, Magic Menthol and Simply Unscented. Our favorite is hands down, Great Grape!  My 7 year old daughter said... "I could sniff this all day long, it smells so good!"

As a mom, I love the fact that Boogie Wipes come in a variety of scents and package sizes.  You can purchase 30-count packages, 90-count plastic containers and individually wrapped "Boogies on the Run" packages of 10.  Making it easy and convenient to use them at home, school or even in the car or while out shopping.

Last Chance to Enter: LOW ENTRY: Scandle Body Massage Candle Giveaway (2/23)

Don't let this end before you get your entries in!  This low entry giveaway ends tonight at midnight!

Scandle Body Massage Candle Giveaway (2/23)

Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ Review and Giveaway - 3 Winners

I recently had the opportunity to try Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ sauce and seasoning rub.  The day that my sauce arrived, I had already thawed steaks for dinner.  It couldn't have arrived at a better time!

I'll admit that my family has a BBQ sauce that we have used on everything for the past several years.  After trying numerous different BBQ sauces, we had finally found one that we loved.  I was excited to try something new.  No matter how much you love something, sometimes it's nice to have a little change - especially when it comes to cooking.

Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ is delicious.  As a matter of fact, my son has named it his new favorite BBQ sauce.  He has to have it on everything, from hamburgers to steaks to french fries.  As a family, we all agree that it's very flavorful.

My husband loves to use the rub on our steaks.  We have even mixed it in with our hamburger meat.  Butch's BBQ sauce and seasoning rub are perfect for beef, pork and chicken.  Last week we made BBQ pulled pork sandwiches and they were AMAZING!

Butch Lupinetti is a competitive Pitmaster who has been making BBQ for over 25 years.  You may have seen him on TV, I have!  His professional  BBQ advice..

"Cook is low, cook it slow, serve no swine before its time."

With Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ, you will be smacking your lips and licking your fingers!

Last Chance to Enter: Wholly Guacamole Cooler Prize Pack Giveaway - 4 Winners (2/22)

Today is the last day to enter my Wholly Guacamole Cooler Prize Pack Giveaway - 4 Winners (2/22)!!

 

 

Good Luck!!!

Salon Grafix Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo Giveaway

How often have you found yourself short on time?  As a busy mother of two young children, it happens to me quite often. I have a bottle of dry shampoo for those morning that just don't seem to go right.  It leaves my hair feeling fresh and i can go about my day without feeling "dirty!"  Giving me a little extra time to get things done.

Salon Grafix Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo (http://www.salongrafix.com/) will leave your hair feeling clean and refreshed without the residue. By simply spraying it in your hair and brushing it out, your hair will look and feel rejuvenated. Great for all hair types and styles, Salon Grafix Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo goes on clean and clear, with no powder left behind and it absorbs the oily buildup on your scalp. Salon Grafix new invisible formula neutralizes odors also, making it the perfect middle man in between showers to keep your hair looking (and smelling) fantastic!

Salon Grafix's Invisible Dry Spray Shampoo goes on clear to clean and refresh your hair - with no color and no powdery residue. Just spray in and brush out.

• New Invisible Formula
• Neutralizes Odors
• No Powdery Residue
• Safe for All Hair Types

Last Chance to Enter: LOW ENTRY: $25 Trading Phrases Vinyl Wall Decal Gift Certificate Giveaway (2/21)

Time is running out.  Enter now for your chance to win a $25 Gift Certificate!  Low Entries.

$25 Trading Phrases Vinyl Wall Decal Gift Certificate Giveaway (2/21)

Winner Announcement: Cool Care Mini Flat Iron Review and Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Cool Care Mini Flat Iron Review and Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, American Beauty Inc, for sponsoring this great giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #1:

CONGRATULATIONS, Sheila!!!

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Follow Us Monday Morning Blog Hop 2/21 - Promote Your Blog, Meet New Friends and Win FREE Ad Space

 

Welcome to Follow Us Monday Morning - the Monday blog hop and Google friend follow here at Being Frugal and Making it Work and Frugality Is Free. This is the place where we casually meet and greet, have a little conversation and expand our blogging networks.

The Hot Blog of The Week is:

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Lovin My Little Ladies

Lovin My Little Ladies is written by Lovinangels, who writes about motherhood, food, life and more. At Loving My Little Ladies you can find recipes, reviews, thoughts about life and more.

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Frugal Family Time 101

It is important to teach children to be frugal from a young age. One way to do so is to keep your family fun activities simple. You can enjoy quality time together without spending a lot of money (or perhaps by spending nothing at all).

Family game or movie night. Make it a tradition and bring on the snacks. Let each family member take turns choosing the activity to keep everyone happy. Some may prefer a family challenge in Scrabble while others will be more excited to see the Toy Story trilogy.

Picnic at a park. You can always feed the ducks while you're there. All it takes is a few pieces of bread or some popcorn. Or why not picnic in your own backyard? Take a blanket, picnic lunch, and frisbee or a book for some real homegrown fun.    

Attend a local high school or college sporting event. Local educational facilities such as these feature fun and inspiring sporting events, as well as recitals and musicals or plays. These young local performers provide quality entertainment at a fraction of the cost you would spend elsewhere. And as a plus, this experience can inspire your young ones toward bigger and better accomplishments. 

Visit a Museum. Some museums offer special discounts or even free admission on certain days of the month. Kids will not only be intrigued by this experience, but their lives will be infused with a little culture, too. 

Applied Labels Review: Dishwasher and Laundry Safe

If you have children, then you know how quickly and easily things can get lost (or stolen) at school, daycare or after-school sports and activities.  You also know how frustrating it can be to have to replace those lost, misplaced, (or stolen) items on a regular basis.

In addition to being both dishwasher and laundry safe, Applied Labels are adorable!  I chose the double heart design for my daughter.  My daughter wanted to put her stickers on EVERYTHING!  I'm going to be ordering some for my son very soon!

I am highly impressed with the quality of Applied Labels. They are very durable and have already survived several trips through both the washing machine and dishwasher.  I'm certain they will last a long time, no matter what I decide to use them on.

Applied Labels are super sticky, durable and flexible!  Founded by a mother of two with a Chemical Engineer degree, she knows what it takes to make a product last.  They are also Lead, BPA and DEHP Free, which also makes them safe.   Made in the USA!

You can personalize your Applied Labels for the perfect fit.  Including name, phone number, font and design.  Cutie, Elegant and Standard fonts are available.  Cutie is my favorite!  There is also a wide variety of icons to choose from, perfect for both girls and boys.  Icons include: flower, ladybug, hearts, football, race car, dog and many more.

Winner Announcement: Illinois Nut and Candy Giveaway

I want to thank everyone who entered my Illinois Nut and Candy Giveaway.   I would also like to thank the giveaway sponsor, Illinois Nut and Candy, for sponsoring this delicious giveaway for my readers. 

Don't forget to stop by and enter my other giveaways!  Check back and enter often, I'll be posting new and exciting giveaways on a regular basis!

The winner is #29:

CONGRATULATIONS, Ken!

I have sent you an email. You will have 48 hours to respond to the email, or another winner will be drawn.

Pregnant? Free Belly Bag from Cryo-Cell International

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of CryoCell International. All opinions are 100% mine.

Finding out you're pregnant can be one of the most exciting and scariest moments in your life.  Life as you know it is never going to be the same, it's going to be better! 

In recent years, cord blood banking has increased around the world.  Did you know that cells collected  from umbilical cord blood are known to treat over 75 diseases, and have been used in over 20,000 transplants worldwide.

 .  ?

Cryo-Cell International (www.Cryo-Cell.com) has helped over 200,000 parents bank their infants cord blood since 1992.    The process takes place immediately after your baby is born.  The cord blood is collected from the umbilical cord and poses zero risk to the infant or the mother.

Last Chance to Enter: CoolCare Mini Flat Iron Giveaway - US and Canada (2/18)

This great giveaway ends tonight.  It is available to both US and CANADA winners.

CoolCare Mini Flat Iron Giveaway - US and Canada (2/18)

Jilly Beans Doggie Boutique Review and Giveaway

We are a family of dog lovers.  We currently have two BIG dogs, mastiffs, and they are the biggest babies in the world.  So big but so sweet and cuddly.  Our dogs are way more than just a pet, they are a member of the family.  Almost as spoiled as the kids are!

Jilly Bean's Doggie Boutique lets you pamper your pooches with adorable and fashionable items.  Everything from bedding, dog tags, cutesy collars, clothing and hairbows.  All of their items are absolutely adorable.  I just wish they would fit my doggies!  They even have doggie costumes for the holidays, including St. Patrick's Day and Easter.

Sizes XS to XXL!

I recently received a flower dog tag for my dog named Kitty.  Yes, Kitty! It is purple with a pretty flower on one side and her name engraved on the other side.  Too Cute Tags come in three sizes: small, medium and large.  The large was perfect for my mastiff.  They also come in several different colors and are available with either a heart, flower, paw print or bone design.

Other than being so cute, the first thing I noticed was the weight of the Too Cute Dog Tag.  It was actually heavy and very strong. Nothing like those cheap and bendable dog tags that so many stores sell these days.  This dog tag is made to last!