Swagbucks Swag Luau Team Challenge

Put on your lei, enjoy some Slack-key guitar, and get ready to eat some Kalua Pork, because Swagbucks is holding a Luau Team Challenge to help you earn free gift cards! For those of you who don't know what Swagbucks is, it's a website where you can earn cash back on everyday tasks you do online like shopping, answering surveys, discovering deals, and watching videos. You can even earn for searching the web! 

If you've never tried Swagbucks before because you didn't know where to begin, their Team Challenges are a great way to learn the ropes! The challenge, begins Monday, August 14th at 8am PT, but you can pre-register starting on Friday, August 11th!

Here's how you can join the challenge and the site:  

1. Click here to join the challenge and be assigned to a team.

2. Starting August 14th at 8am PDT, in addition to earning SB you'll contribute points to your teams total as you complete different activities on Swagbucks.

3. Check back on the page often to see the scores and what you've contribute so far.   

All members who participate and contribute at least 600 points to their team’s total will receive a SB bonus in the form of a SB Swag Up Rebate on their next gift card! 

Not only that, but if you sign up under me this month and earn 300 SB before September 1st, you'll get a 300 SB bonus!

Members of the 1st place team will receive a 100 SB Swag Up Rebate, members of the 2nd place team will receive a 50 SB Swag Up Rebate, and members of the 3rd place team will receive a 30 SB Swag Up Rebate. Your SB Swag Up Rebate will be made available on Friday, August 18th at 2 pm PT and will expire on Thursday, August 31st at 11:59 pm PT.

September 2017 #Lego Monthly Mini Build Registration #Free

I wrote this FOREVER ago, it seems like, about the LEGO Store monthly mini build! Things have definitely changed. I used to have to wait in line for a long time with a couple of littles ones but now they are older and easier!

After the crazy waiting-in-line like for a rock concert only with little kids fiasco month after month, Lego stores changed things up for at least 6 months and the employees would just hand you your mini build kit if you had gotten a card for the kit when you first got to the line.

HALLELUIA! The first time they did that I almost cried. We got our kit, grabbed ice cream and went home to build the kits, saving an hour (at least) of our lives!

The last few months, however, they have changed it again. They don't do this to be a pain in your butt. They do it to try new things to make as many customers happy as possible because they are Lego and they rock like that. You are basically RESERVING your mini build.

So you have to mark your calendar or you'll forget to register like I do. For instance, today is July 15 and I had to register for the August mini build. You can now pick Tuesday times or Wednesday times.

Sign up HERE for the mini build.

Sample calendar like they hand out at the build:

In August I was able to take my own kids plus my friend's kids for a total of 7 kids building :-)

You can only sign up 4 kids per session per VIP account email. You can sign up for a VIP account here (worth it ... VIP points add up and you get free Legos!). I am not messing with getting two VIP cards and we only need 4 kits anyway. Callie is not thrilled about building Legos and instead uses them as decorations (Heartlake Grand Hotel, anyone?). BUT ... the sweeties at Lego usually offer her one anyway. And we take it because they are cool!

TIP: Make sure when you do the final page of registering to CONFIRM that the top of your page does not say that you are confirming to be on the WAIT LIST or you do not have a spot! Go back in your web browser and get another spot FAST!

FINE PRINT: In order to participate, guests must be between the ages of 6-14. All guests will be expected to complete the build in the store. Registration on a first come first serve basis. Stores will no longer accept walk ups on the night of the event.

7 Tips For Consolidating Debt On Poor Credit

Many of us have a mound of debt that we don’t know how to repay, and it can be hard finding a debt consolidation solution when you have bad credit. If you have problems repaying your debts, you may have done damage to your credit score, and it’s for this reason you need a consolidation loan – but this could also be the reason that you are battling to get one. Let’s look at a few resources that can help.

Credit Scores and Debt Consolidation Loans

Did you know that you can use debt consolidation loans from Debt Fix to pay off your debts and replace them with just a single loan? By doing so, you can lower your monthly payments or even seek a cheaper interest rate. However, qualifying for another loan when you have poor credit can be tricky. You may need to accept a few trade-offs to secure your loan, such as loan fees, higher interest rates, or limited options in terms of loan types.

Consolidating Student Loans

If you are trying to consolidate your student loans, you are in luck. Overall, these loans are harder to get rid of compared to other debts, and it makes them a lot less risky for lenders. For borrowers, it means more flexible and often lower credit requirements to qualify for a consolidation loan.

Lenders that offer lower credit score minimums

If you’re looking to consolidate your loans, and you have a poor credit rating, take note that different lenders usually have different credit requirements and there are many who may be willing to consider you.

Secure a Co-signer

Many lenders out there will not offer consolidation loans for people with poor credit, but they may well approve your loan application if you have a co-applicant who has good credit. In order to get a co-signer for your loan, you will need someone who is willing to co-sign for you, and a lender who accepts co-signers. Ask your partner, or a family member who has good credit to co-sign the loan for you and you may have a much better chance of approval for your debt consolidation loan.

Talk to a credit union

Credit unions at considered not-for-profit financial institutions at serve the community. The unions often offer debt consolidation loans for people with poor credit ratings, and you may well secure a low rate.

Non-profit consolidation

There are a few non-profit organisations that help people get out of debt when their credit rating is bad. They usually offer free debt assistance and credit counselling.

A secured loan

If you have a few assets, consider borrowing against them with the help of a secured loan in order to consolidate your debts. With such a loan, your asset, like your car, is collateral the lender uses to guarantee your loan.

Try again later

Finally, spend the time repairing your credit rating and then try again for a debt consolidation loan. If you’re able to raise your score even a few points, you may improve your chances of approval for a loan.

Those are tips on how you can consolidate your debts even when you have bad credit score. Don’t hesitate to consult experts about your financial situation.

Top Ten Tips for Vacationing with a Preteen

The awkward teenage years seem to start much earlier than they used to. Ten years ago, preteen and tween weren’t words we were overly familiar with. We were teenagers at 13. Everything changed at 13. Now, kids as young as 9 and 10 are entering the preteen years, and starting to act like teenagers. They start wanting to do grown up things, refusing to play with toys, being moody and acting out. This has its advantages for us as parents; growing up sooner often means we can give them more responsibility and do things we enjoy with them. However, it can make vacationing tough. Here are ten tips to help you make the most of your family holidays, while you still get them!

Let Them Help

Let them help with every part of planning your break. Look at destinations together; ask where they want to go and why. If you’re not on the same page, try to find a compromise and let them choose some of the activities you will all do while you are away. As kids get older, they want to be listened to and to feel like their opinions matter. Involving them will help to make sure you start the vacation right.

Give Them Responsibilities

Give your preteen some responsibilities. Let them know that you are there if they need help, but that it is their job and that you trust them to do it well. The responsibilities you choose to give them will depend on their age and level of maturity, but some options include:

·         Packing their own bag

·         Packing snacks for everyone on the journey

·         Packing their hand luggage

·         Planning the route to the hotel

·         Planning a day out while you are away

·         Writing an itinerary for the journey or week

Go Shopping

Whatever their gender, preteens are just starting to develop their own style. This might mean the clothes they wear seem to be changing a lot, but it’s important to give them the freedom to experiment. So, take them shopping for some new holiday clothes and let them pick things out for themselves. Swimwear can be tricky, especially for girls. You might want to send her out in a baby’s swimsuit but she’ll want to try something more grown up. Teen swimwear is a great option for you both.

Plan Activities

Having activities to look forward to will make the idea of going away as a family much more appealing for your preteen. Look online together and plan some interesting days out. You can probably even book some activities online before you go.

Set Them Tasks

Give them fun challenges for while you are away. Things like posting a photo journal online, writing a diary of your days out, collecting objects, scavenger hunts, and wildlife spotting are fun ways to stop your preteen from getting bored.

Take a Friend

If you can cope with two children, offer to take one of your preteen’s friends with you. Children are often exceptionally well behaved around their friends’ parents, which could rub off on your own. At the very least they’ll have someone to talk to and have fun with, and you won’t need to worry about keeping them interested.

Allow Screen Time

It can be tempting to ban devices on your vacation. However, this could just make your children (and partner!) grumpy and annoyed. Let them have a set amount of time every day when they’re allowed to play on their devices or chat with their friends. This way they’ll be happier to put them away for family time.

Give Them Some Space

The preteen years can be a battle. They’re not really old enough to go off on their own completely, but they want to. If possible, let them have their own bedroom, and give them a little bit of space when you are at the resort, but only if it’s something you are comfortable with.

Choose Your Battles

Parenting is often about choosing your battles. Let them get away with some things if it isn’t worth the argument and they might be more inclined to bend for something you want to do later.

Let Them Be Kids

When they are on holiday and meeting new people, you might find they start acting more like children than they do at home. They might want to play in the park with their new friends or mess about in the pool. Don’t make a big deal out of this or they’ll be embarrassed and stop. Just make the most of it.

As your kids enter their teen years, you may find that your family vacations come to an end. Soon, your children will be wanting to go away with their friends, leaving you behind to worry. So, while the preteen years can be difficult and awkward, make the most of them and be sure to have a great vacation.

Kerrie's Forget Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad

Kerrie's Forget Chick-fil-A Chicken Salad

Alright, people, we don't have to argue about what Chick-fil-A and what it is not. We don't have to talk about money to hate groups or pro-family groups or kiss-ins or anything like that. That's all in the past. You don't have to get into that debate AT ALL, friends. Because now you have my chicken salad, which will do just as nicely as Chick-fil-A's. Happy eating!

You will need
3 boneless,skinless chicken breasts
10 eggs, hard boiled
1 cup mayonnaise (maybe more)
Chopped celery if you're into that kind of thing
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup dried, chopped berry assortment you can buy in a bag at the store
Pepper to taste
Garlic sea salt from a grinder

1. Cook chicken how you like. If you have time, go for the CrockPot because the chicken will be tasty tender. Chop it up tiny and toss it into a large bowl.
2. Peel eggs, chop them and toss them into the bowl.
3. Mix in the rest of the ingredients (chop up almonds and berries first).
4. If you like other stuff, toss it in. If you don't, leave it out.
5. Feel free to experiment!
6. Castigate me in the comments section for how poorly written my recipe is :-)

Originally posted 9/7/12