Are You Shopping on Ebates?

If you haven't tried  Ebates yet, let me tell you what you're missing! Every time you shop at your favorite online stores via the EBATES website, you will receive a percentage back in cash! That's right, Real Cash --not reward points, not gift cards or in-store credit!

All your purchases will be tracked with a special code that identifies you as the purchaser. When you checkout and the order is fully paid, EBATES credits you with the amount the merchant has agreed for the incentive. Some offer 2% back and others up to 15% back and if you check in regularly, you might find your favorite store offering a Daily Double!

Below is a snapshot of some of my purchases. All your visits & pending purchases can be viewed from your Ebates dashboard.

If you also participate in a store’s reward program, you can still use it upon check out! Look at my Kmart & Best Buy purchases--- I bought the items I was going to shop anyway, but did it through the Ebates website and at checkout I entered my rewards membership number of those particular stores, and have already received rewards from them too in addition to receiving cash back from Ebates. Two rewards from one purchase!

I recommend downloading the toolbar extension for your browser. It automatically detects Ebates participation while you surf the internet and pops up to let you know you’ll receive cash back. It looks like this:

 

Make sure you click on the “Activate Cash Back” button before you start shopping. Your cash will be paid out via check or directly to your PayPal account.

Personally, I feel very fortunate to be able to get anything back for spending my hard earned money on items I need to buy anyway; and still have enough money left over to buy pricey items at really discounted prices!

It’s a great incentive and I don’t know why anyone would overlook it!

GET  EBATES  BROWSER  APP:

What kind of stores are on Ebates?

• amazon
• kohl’s
• babies r us
• cvs
• best buy
• kmart
• cvs
• hot topic
• staples
• drugstore
• new egg
• verizon
• tmobile
• qvc
• macy’s
• jcpenney
• hotwire
• orbitz
• sephora
• thrifty rental
• budget car rental
• travelocity
• groupon
• espn shop
• gaiam
• foot locker
• overstock
• sears
• skechers
• gamestop
• itunes
• disney store
• scholastics
• target
• walmart
• fingerhut
• direcTV
• linens n things
• home depot
• lowes
• sirius xm
• radioshack
• build-a-bear
• old navy
• vitaminworld
• over 1,500 stores to choose from!

Box Tops for Education

I don't have any school age children but I have been supporting my local elementary school with Box Tops for Education!

SHARE THIS:    

thanks, chrysoula, for supporting

flatwoods elementary library

this school has 116 registered supporters

VIEW EARNINGS
BY SCHOOL YEAR
  2012-2013  2011-2012  2010-2011 

earnings for 2012-2013: $701.70

32%

$2,200 

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• $7.60
• $693.50
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10 Ways to Grow your Website Traffic

According to Weebly, here are some great ideas to help get more visitors to your website.

1. Spread the Word - Tell your customers, family & friends about your site.
2. Optimize for Search Engines - make sure people can find you on Google.
3. Update Regularly - keeping your website content fresh gives visitors a reason to come back.
4. Use Your Social Network - post your site to Facebook, Twitter and/or LinkedIn whenever you update your content.
5. Start a Blog - a blog is an easy way to regularly add new content to your site and attract and build repeat visits.
6. Add a Facebook Like Button - so your visitors can easily share your website with their friends.
7. Promote Your Site - add a link to your email signature, include a link to your site when you post to forums or comment on articles.
8. Start an Email Newsletter - use it as a tool to bring visitors back to your website.
9. Get Reciprocal Links - swap links with other websites that have a similar audience to drive free qualified traffic.
10. Try Pay-Per-Click Advertising - drive targeted traffic to your website. Get $100 in Google AdWords^™ additional advertising when you upgrade to Weebly Pro.

Dear John Letter to Advertisers - YouData Corporate Blog

BREAK UP WITH ADVERTISING!

Dear Advertiser,

It’s me, your consumer. We need to talk. Things have to change between us. We've drifted apart. I feel like our relationship is strained. Dysfunctional even. Don’t tell me you haven’t noticed.

It’s not me – it’s you. Honestly.

It’s become pretty clear that you don’t get me. Or respect me as an individual. You surely don’t respect my time. You constantly bombard me with ad after ad – most of them completely irrelevant to anything in my life. You interrupt me every chance you get. You try to dictate and monopolize my time. It’s all about you, you, you. I’m smothered AND I’m bored. Not a good combination.

You don’t respect my privacy. You gather, buy, and sell data about me behind my back. Aggregating this, algorithm-ing that. What is that about? Without my permission or knowledge, you sneak cookies on my machine to track my every move. It’s creepy. I need you to back off.

Is it any wonder that I have grown more distant? Yes, I am avoiding you. I don’t watch TV or listen to radio anymore. Or if I do, I use my DVR like Caller ID to skip right past your message. Because I don’t want to hear from you.

So, I’m spending more and more time online, where I feel more in control. Where people understand me. Where I can buy and download my movies, shows, and songs, without your relentless, irrelevant interruptions. Where I can block your pop-ups and delete your cookies. (But I’ll never forgive you for SPAM. Never.)

I think if you search yourself deep down, you will agree that our relationship has not been that great for you either. How many millions of dollars do you waste every day sending me messages that either don’t apply to me, or that I just ignore? How often do you wonder – “Am I getting through? What does my consumer think about me?” Let’s face it, you deserve better too.

We have tried it your way for a few decades now, and, I think you would agree, it’s just not working out for either of us. I don’t want to be tied down to something that isn't right for me. And you don’t want to reach out to someone not right for you.

So I’m sorry, but I just can’t go back to the way things were. That part of my life is over. I am moving on.

I have a proposition for you. Let’s try this…

I am creating a MeFile. And in that MeFile I am spelling out what I am all about and exactly what I’m looking for in an advertiser. Specifically. Authentically. Think of it like a profile for an online match-making service where I am matched up with ads about things I could actually want, care about, live with. If I am right for you, and you are right for me, you can reach me through my MeFile.

I understand your job here, and I know that you need my attention to do it. Now, I am giving you a better way to get it – directly from me. So if you want my attention, I am sure we can work something out. Just you and me.

I hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity. Actually, I am insisting. The ball’s in your court.


Me, Your Consumer

"chryssy67"




for more info:
YouData Corporate Blog - Me is Mine™ 

Please Help Me Help Others - Breast Cancer Donations to Susan Komen

This year, I registered for the Komen Race for the Cure because I want to make an impact in the fight against breast cancer. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation today in support of my fundraising efforts.

You can donate online with your credit card by clicking the button above my fundraising thermometer.

MY PERSONAL MESSAGE:  I am specifically doing this in honor of my Aunt Joyce whose breast cancer has now spread to her kidneys... We don't know how much longer she has and I am going to visit with her at the end of this month! I want to raise money to find a cure because women shouldn't have to suffer from such a horrible, painful disease. All help is greatly appreciated! 

As a thank you for your donation, I will make you a Support Pin you can wear to your next event!

Susan Komen Donation Page

#breast-cancer #susan-komen #cure #donations

Ladies’ Taser in Metallic Pink -- NEW

If you work or go to school and get home late at night, you will definitely benefit from having this in your purse! If you have business that takes you into to a rough part of town, I'm sure you will feel safer knowing you have a tool that can defend you.

NOTE: OCTOBER is Domestic Violence Awareness Month! I am donating $50 from this transaction to support Domestic Violence! 

This Ladies' Taser is the C2 model with 2 probes attached to a 15-foot wire. It has a 30 second cycle and shock can be repeated if necessary. The integrated LED light & laser sight are for easy aim. Comes with instructional DVD and the company guarantees lifetime warranty.

Activation/Registration is required for unit to operate.

This item was found in a pile of empty boxes at a retired flea market site. Whether it was left behind on purpose or just accidently forgotten, I do not know and I'm also not sure if it can discharge.

However, it's still sealed in its own original package. It does not look broken or battered in any way. I cannot open it because it needs to be "registered" before it can be used. But before you consider buying this item, check to see if your state has restrictions on the use of stun & taser guns.

This item usually Retails for about $349.00 but due to the fact that I cannot test it, I am selling it for $99.00 with a 30-day 100% refund guarantee!

***According to Self Defense Corp., these are the Laws And Restrictions on Stun Guns and TASER Devices are not considered firearms - they are legal to own in the following states:

AL, AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, CT*, DE, FL, GA, ID, IL**, IN***, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NM, NC, ND, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WY
U.S Territories: American Samoa, Puerto Rico****

*Legal for home use, carrying prohibited.
**A FOID card is required.
***TASER subject to requirement of handgun license.
****Special permit/training certificate may be required.

Illegal areas: I cannot ship it to you if you live in the following areas.

HI, MA, MI, NJ, NY, RI, WI and all U.S. Virgin Islands
Annapolis, MD, Baltimore, MD, Baltimore County, MD, Denison / Crawford County, IA, Chicago, IL, District Of Columbia, Philadelphia, PA

Please be advised that I will be asking for your full name & address so I can Google you! I cannot sell this item to anyone under the age of 18 or to any individuals who have a criminal record! If you're not willing to do that (which you will have to do anyway when you register it), then I cannot sell it to you!

Just remember, Tasers are NOT TOYS! Tasers can temporarily paralyze the victim with a 50,000-volt electroshock, and they are banned in seven states! Buyer MUST submit to the same background check they would for any other gun!

Each color in the awareness ribbon has a significant meaning; the purple denotes domestic violence awareness, the teal represents sexual assault awareness and the blue outline of the entire ribbon symbolizes child abuse awareness.

Specifications and Features

• Dimensions w/o cartridge (L x W x H): 5.50" x 1.25" x 2.10"
  Weight : 5.36 oz
• Dimensions w/ cartridge and LPM (L x W x H): 6.00" x 1.25" x 2.10"
• Housing: High impact polymer
• Operating temperature range: -4 °F [-20 °C] to 122 °F [50 °C]
• Operating relative humidity: Relative humidity: 15% to 80%
• Estimated useful life: Approximately 5 years
• Power Source 6 V: Lithium Power Magazine (LPM)
• Compatible Replacement Cartridges: TASER C2 cartridge (lots of these available on ebay)
• Small non-gun design
• Lightweight and easy to carry
• Lithium Power Magazine is good for over 50 uses
• Training DVD included 

SECURE CHECKOUT ON PAYPAL! FLAT RATE SHIPPING PRIORITY MAIL $12.00

del.icio.us Tags: violence,abuse,defense,protections,awareness,domestic-violence,women,taser,stun

Winnie the Pooh 3 pc Crib Set SOLD SOLD

UPDATE:  ITEM SOLD     UPDATE: ITEM SOLD     UPDATE: ITEM SOLD

 

A variation of the Lazy Day Pooh and Pooh Taste of Hunny designs, this 3 piece crib set comes in pastel yellow tones for a cheerful and sweet mood.

Can easily be mixed & matched with light blues, light greens and also baby pink and will easily compliment any other Pooh Bear room décor!

This set is NEW without tags. Never been used, never washed, only opened for the photo. It includes the standard fitted crib sheet (size 28 x 52" crib mattress), the bumper pad and the comforter. It's a cotton poly mix.

NOTE: If you use the crib mattress as your first toddler bed, you can extend the use of this set up until age 3!!!

Makes a great shower gift for both boys & girls. This set not easily found in stores because it's a 2010 design. Has authentic Disney fabric tags!

Most Pooh Bear fitted crib sheets cost anywhere from $7.99 to $11.99. So this set for this price is a steal! Was purchased at Target.

Thanks for looking!

UPDATE: ITEM SOLD

*** Check listing on EBAY: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280961805367  PHOTOS ARE INCLUDED

Pour Water in Your Wine ?

I recently went to a family get-together and everyone was gathered in the kitchen talking, sampling the cheese platter & drinking red wine. I was ushered in and handed a ruby red glass of wine but before I sipped, I topped off my wine with some water… Needless to say, those who caught me in the act thought I was committing a huge faux pas!

But I can assure you; diluting wine with water had been an important ancient Greek practice to which my own grandfather employed at the dinner table.

Ironically, the ancient Greeks (and later the Romans) would have never considered drinking undiluted wine. This would be frowned upon as crude or boorish behavior. But what was the real reason for watering the wine down?

Back in Plato’s day, Greeks loved to celebrate every aspect of life. They celebrated weddings, births, deaths, religious festivals & sports events and wine was always part of the festivities. It was said that “passing time over wine, guided with gracious behavior ended up in friendship.” This was particularly true at the Symposiums, where men would organize intellectual & philosophical gatherings to talk about life while drinking wine.  

The wine was always diluted with water to help achieve “greater clarity & spiritual awareness” and to ensure an atmosphere that promoted good cheer. The Symposium Master would decide on the water-to-wine ratio and also how many cups to be consumed for the evening. This rule was meant to keep attendees to maintain approximately the same degree of inebriation!

  In the Dionysian cult we see that the god has a dual nature which is also represented through the use of wine. Those wise enough to drink it in moderation will always experience merriment, clarity, warmth and divine ecstasy. But those who drink it without control, will find anger, fear, chaos and dangerous behavior. Just as the god is known to impart bliss or maddening frenzy onto his followers, so is the power of the wine to turn drinkers into new friends or drunken fools!

So next time you’re entertaining friends or visiting a local wine festival, make sure you set the tone for a cordial engagement so when the questions are asked, the tongues freed by wine will speak!

       

Additional Sites About The Ancient Greeks:

• - Facts & Details of Ancient Greek Life
• - Hellenica World Encyclopedia
• - All About Greek Wines

Why is my smartphone draining so fast?

When you finally take the leap to upgrading your cell phone to a smartphone, you will also have to upgrade your vocabulary & your tech knowledge!

Sure that’s scary a thought, but you can do it and you owe it to yourself to be on top of everything even if at first it seems like an enormous challenge.

So you get your new toy, you play around with it to learn how it works. Then you customize it to your liking. You download a few things, play a game and sync your online accounts and your smartphone is ready to go! Great!

But one thing you hadn’t counted on was your battery draining by lunch time!!!

Here’s 5 quick & easy ways to get more life out of your battery:

1. When you’re not using your smartphone, turn off the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and your GPS. These settings drain power very quickly. Also, use Silent not Vibrate for a quiet ringtone.

2. Set your Sync for longer intervals. Your e-mail, weather & social networks apps are constantly refreshing in the background even when the screen if off! Change your sync to update every 2 or more hours.

3. Make sure you actually “exit” each application after you’re done using it. Going back to the Home Screen does not turn apps off. Example: when you’re playing an online game or listening to I Heart Radio, go back and close them out completely when you’re done so they won’t keep running in the background.

4. Turn off your Notifications. You don’t need to know every 5 minutes if someone Tweeted you or if your Hangman buddy just took a turn.

5. Adjust the Brightness on your screen to “auto” to shorten the backlight intervals. This setting also allows the device to choose how much brightness is necessary for optimal usage.

*based on my usage of an Android device*

The Coupon Mom Organizer Binder

I bought this a few weeks ago on Amazon.com. It wasn't expensive at all and I got it because I needed a simple & easy to use system to help me organize my coupons.

Coupon Mom Organizing Binder: Stripe
The CouponMom® Organizer Binder is a three-ring binder fits easily into the child seat of most shopping carts, and comes loaded with everything you need for quicker and more productive trips to the store. It is equipped with 30 custom clear pages with six pockets per page. The binder also has 15 index page dividers to keep things organized. Four plastic pockets on the inside cover provide easy access to store rewards cards or customer loyalty cards. The binder has one large pocket, designed as a place for you to transfer the coupons you will be using as you move through the store once you reach the checkout counter, so you ll have everything in one convenient place. A three -ring bag with slide zipper can hold pens, pencils, a small calculator and other items to make your shopping trip easier. The CouponMom® Strategic Shopping Strategies booklet is also included. This valuable booklet provides an introduction to the world of couponing by Coupon Mom Stephanie Nelson and offers dozens of tips and tricks for saving money, including how to find more free coupons and how to strategically use the coupons to their fullest advantage. There are also Price Book pages to track the prices of your favorite products, and a Savings Ledger to keep track of how much money you save! 

Check it out right here!