Ingard here, I and my family attended the Advanced Auto Parts Monster Jam in Nampa, Idaho March 17th.  We had the passes for the ‘Pit party”, so we jumped on the line to meet the driver of the Grave Digger and wish him luck in his run and snap a picture.It is was fun to watch these HUGE trucks  jump effortlessly over the junked cars and crush them with those huge tires (they have to be 5 feet high). The roar of the engines (don’t worry we all wore ear protection) was fun to not only hear but to feel!

 I would have to say my favorite part was the ‘free style’ seeing these guys (and one girl) hotdogging it around the track and tearing it up!

We got to see 3 tip overs that afternoon and the Tasmanian Devil was the very first one. The Tasmanian Devil driver was just fine and smiling as she watched her rig be pulled upright by the heavy equipment.

We even enjoyed the BIG equipment cleaning and straightening up during half time.

We affectionately dubbed this one “Wall-E”.

The other favorite of the crowd seemed to be the Monster Mutt with his big flopping ears, tongue and wagging tail; if it wasn’t for the barred teeth he would have been uber lovable!

It was a good time had by all and a good family activity.

The finale was unfortunately the star, Grave Digger taking a flip while he was doing cookies (the driver was fine thankfully).

When it was over I was wishing we had the tickets for the last show in the area.

This event appeared to be a HUGE hit with many of the young kids (mostly boys and their dads, but quite a few WHOLE families ~ grandparents in tow) in the audience, if you want to catch one in your area go HERE.

*****************

If you are looking for any other post about the Monster Jam go HERE

I am a Feld Family Ambassador, and in exchange for my time and efforts in attending shows and reporting my opinion within this online newsletter, as well as keeping you advised of the latest discount offers, Feld Entertainment has provided me with complimentary tickets to Feld shows and opportunities to attend private Feld pre-Show events. Even though I receive these benefits, I always give an opinion that is 100% mine.

Would you like to win enter to win the “Don’t Clean Your Toilet for Almost a Year Giveaway?

One winner will be chosen to win

5 FREE starter units (retail value up to $8.97 ea.) and

5 FREE refills (retail value up to $3.97 ea.)

for a total value of up to $64.70.

To enter to win

• Leave a comment on this post telling us: What is your least favorite item to clean in the bathroom?

More ways to enter to win ( leave a comment for each post you share, or tell us your already following)

• Like A Thrifty Mom on  Facebook page
• Post  or share one of our daily posts on your Facebook wall, or Tag us on your Wall.

Ingard here,

A Thrifty Mom was offered an opportunity to try the Scrubbing Bubbles one-step. I have nothing but good things to report about this product. Installation was easy taking about 1 minute (I had already cleaned the toilet bowl before I installed).

• I placed the hook and connected tube over the back end of the toilet.
• It fits in the space between the seat and the top of the toilet bowl with no pressure on the tube.
• You leave this in place and step on the paddle under the bottle to depress the cleaning fluid, replacing the bottle of cleaning fluid once a month.

I was quite concerned when I first used it because it didn’t seem to coat the bowl like I was accustomed to with other cleaning products. This picture is of my toilet after installing the Scrubbing Bubbles one-step a week ago! One press and the bowl is clean, the little sprayer sitting inside the toilet bowl sprays 360° and the cleaning fluid runs down the bowl no need for the cleaning brush. The smell was fresh and not overwhelming!

Thanks to Scrubbing Bubbles for providing the product to review and providing the coupons for the giveaway as well.  I was not paid for this post and all opinions are my own. Last day to enter the giveaway is  02/23/12 at 10pm mtn time. You must supply a valid email address at time of posting comment. We never sell or trade emails. Winner will be chosen by Random.org. Giveaway is promoted by A Thrifty Mom.com as a media outlet. Winner must live in the USA, 18 years or older and void where prohibited. Please allow time for the prize pack to shipped which can be up to 6-8 weeks.

 

Would you like to win 3 coupons for free packages of Pasta Prima Ravioi  and a Cuisinart 755-26GD Chef’s Classic Stainless Steel 5-1/2-Quart Multi-Purpose Pot with Glass Cover.

To enter to win

• Leave a comment on this post telling me  your favorite pasta and if you have tried Pasta Prima before.  

More ways to enter to win ( leave a comment for each, or tell us you already to the following)

• Head to the  Pasta Prima  Facebook Page write a nice note on their wall and tell them A Thrifty Mom sent you while there make sure you enter to win the Spa Vacation and weekly prizes . Then come back and leave a comment on this post telling me you did so.
• Add our A Thrifty Mom Button to your blog- click here for the code
• Like A Thrifty Mom on  Facebook page
• Post  or share one of our daily posts on you Facebook wall, or Tag us on your Wall.

Pasta Prima asked me if I would like to try their pasta, and since my family is a HUGE pasta fan I was excited to try them.  Pasta Prima is a fresh pasta, found in the refrigerator case, or in the freezer section for the larger bags.   It is made with 100% all natural ingredients, they also have organic and gluten free selections as well.

We got to try 3 different selection, Natural Grilled Chicken and Mozzarella Ravioli, Butternut Squash Ravioli and Organic Spinach.  All very different but all delicious, I was surprised to find that my favorite was the Butternut Squash Ravioli.  Squash inside of pasta sounded a little strange to me but it was the perfect combination and I loved it.  Fresh pasta and dry pasta really should not even be called the same thing, because the taste is so different.  It is kind of like trying to compare a  fresh garden tomatoes to a can of stewed tomatoes.  Sure they are both tomatoes but an extreme difference in taste, texture and smell.

Fresh pasta look so much more appetizing, and preparation is a breeze.  Just toss them into a pot of boiling water for 4-5 minutes and you are done!  Simple as that you have a crowd pleasing meal that is worthy of any gourmet restaurant with a fraction of the price!

Also do not forget about the HOT sweepstakes for Pasta Prima  I told you about a few weeks ago.  You can enter daily for prizes and when they reach 35,000 new likes they are giving away a Deluxe Spa Trip for Two!  

Thanks to Pasts Prima for the pasta and pot and providing one for the giveaway as well.  I was not paid for this post and all options are my own. Last day to enter the giveaway is  02/27/12 at 10pm mtn time. You must supply a valid email address at time of posting comment. We never sell or trade emails. Winner will be chosen by Random.org. Giveaway is promoted by A Thrifty Mom.com as a media outlet. Winner must live in the USA, 18 years or older and void where prohibited. Prize pack will she shipped buy the sponsor of the gift pack.

So guess who we called out to our home the other day? AmeriServ (ASI) Heating and Cooling! Why? Well we woke to a cold home. Early that morning the heater was on but just blowing and no flame. Now I am one to try and tinker with things, so I looked it over and read the code light that was flashing. I found the part on the diagram that said had the error, but for the life of me couldn’t figure out what to do at that point – I’m no pro! So I called the Pro’s – ASI Heating and Cooling.

They came right out, diagnosed the issue, fixed it then waited for the furnace to cycle on and then timed the unit to make sure it didn’t cycle right back off. Which on our unit we thought was normal. It never would flash any warning lights, the unit would turn on and then stay on with heat and all for about 5 to 10 mins, then cycle off, even if the temperature was not reached. Then it would be off and then cycle back on. We always thought that our old furnace was normal. It heated the house, kind of, and there were never any codes that displayed so we always assumed that it worked. And we assumed that the reason our house was always cold was that we had poor insulation and old windows that were not up to date energy efficient products. Our house was built back in 1972 with no new updates since we started to renovate.

Our ASI Heating and Cooling repair man made a few check when he saw what was going on, and replaced a part verses replacing the entire unit that a friend, who does heating and cooling, had told us was the probable issue. A simple fix and guess what – we have long lasting heat! Maybe our insulation and windows aren’t as bad as we thought. The heat stays on like a normal heater does, and reaches the room temperature settings and then turns off. And it stays off longer then I could ever imagine, probably like a normal heater!

The house is so warm now! I really thought it was just the insulation of our home. I feel like I have a new home! It’s warmer, we feel more relaxed, and much more cozy. We are just so happy and thankful that our repair man was thorough enough to see something that was wrong even if the furnace thought everything was not ok by not flashing error codes.

So if you need a repair, or need to get a tune up, just to make sure things are fine. or maybe you have a bid on a job or repair from another HVAC (heating and cooling) company and want to feel secure about that should be repaired. AmeriServ  actually does FREE second opinion calls. So make sure you call

AmeriServ (ASI) Heating and Cooling

(208) 342-HEAT or (208) 467-COOL

Make sure you visit their Facebook page to stay up to date with any deals or offers they have

Recently we were asked to do a review on VTech’s new Innotab. We had so much fun with it that we were asked if our kids wanted to review the MobiGo by VTech. After talking with the kids, since they were the ones to review it, they said – Oh yeah!

As soon as we opened the box all of our kids from 4 to 6 to 10 years of age all enjoy it. They have had it for 3 days now and the only thing bad I can say is that my timer is wearing out, because we have to set up time periods so that each can have their turn and play! They really love it. Our youngest just yesterday leaned over while she was sitting next to me while I was blogging and said, “Dad, thanks for my new toy, its soo cool!” That really made me feel good. I asked why she thought it was cool. She began to show me how she can help the squirrel cross through the forest when she draws lines and bridges for him.

So when you turn it on there are three options:

• To play downloaded games
• Cartridge games
• Game pack

All have different sources used to play and learn even more then what comes with it. The kids will never get bored with the same games over and over. With the cartridges and downloaded games and learning programs they will have fun and learn while on the long trips in the car!

Right now they are on sale at around $49 with free shipping on Amazon

Check out all of the great options from MobiGo by VTech.

VTech MobiGo Touch Learning System:

• Portable, handheld electronic learning gaming system
• Touch screen technology introduces kids to a new way to play
• Slide-out Qwerty keyboard adds a stylish touch to this Mobigo kids learning toy
• Cartridge is included
• Sturdy design and colorful appearance
• Batteries required
• Additional learning games and content can be downloaded via VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator

MobiGo by VTech

All opinions here are solely my own and my families. We were compensated for this post with only the product to review. Read here for a full disclaimer

A Thrifty Mom was offered this great review/giveaway of Cat’s Pride Fresh & Light cat litter.

Since Ingard, has a cat she was the lucky winner to try this product.

Here is what she had to say:

The litter poured dustless from the container into the litter box, unlike some other litters I have used in the past. There was no discernible purfumy odor either. As for the less interesting but more important part…it clumped and was easy sift and remove the cat business which by the way was not stinky either.

Now for the GIVEAWAY!

A gift pack has been provided to one  A Thrifty Mom reader. The gift pack includes:

• A 15-lb jug of NEW Cat’s Pride® Fresh & Light™ Multi-Cat Scoopable (Fragrance-Free also available)
• A $15 Petsmart gift card to purchase food, treats or toys
• A reusable tote bag for everyday items (it is a biggie!) — including cat litter :)
• Temptations® Cat Treats
• A copy of Cat Fancy magazine
• Coupon for an additional jug of NEW Cat’s Pride® Fresh & Light™

Ingard here,  A Thrifty Mom was given a bookbag full of goodies shipped as a result of the BlogHer conference. In it were some very useful items from 3M, Scotch, and Command. I used a few of the items to organize a coupon trip a friend made for me. I enclosed a small list on a Post it note with my coupons and money in a Post it pocket so she knew exactly what I was looking for. The pocket has a velco closure for security I felt confident that I was making her trip easy (again, thanks MaryHelen).

This pockets I think would work for inside coupon binders (maybe one for each store to organize those coupons you would use for a sale) as well as for keeping those school index cards from getting lost (spelling words, speeches, or research papers).

• The pen & highlighter with enclosed flags are perfect when reading my church publications and want to remember a section, page or a thought.
• The Scotch greener clean sponges are nice as well. With the natural fibers I feel as though they won’t scratch my dishes.  When we opened one I immediately noticed that they don’t have that soapy-filled feeling of the sponge I currently use for dishes.
• I have used the Command strips for years to hang our Christmas stocking on the fireplace mantle, they seriously work just as they advertise.

If you would like coupons for any of these items to try them for yourself here are a few:

• $0.75/1 Scotch-Brite Scrub Sponge
• $.50/1 Command Hooks
• $.50/1 Command picture hanging products
• $1/1 Post-it Flag or Tab
• $1/1 Post-It Pop-Up Note Dispensers
• $1/1 Post-It Super Sticky Full Adhesive Notes
• $3/1 Post-it Pockets Purchase
• $2/1 Post-It Tabs Purchase
• $1/1 Post-It Super Sticky Notes
• $2/1 Post-It Flags Purchase
• $2/1 Post-It Labels Purchase
• $1/1 Post-it Removeable Label Purchase of $2+
• $1/1 Post-It Flag+Highlighter Purchase of $2+
• $1/1 Post-It Flags or Tabs Purchase of $2+
• $1/1 Post-It Wall Mounted Pop-Up Dispenser $2+
• $1/1 Post-It Cube Purchase of $2+
• $2/1 Post-It Product Purchase of $10+

A Thrifty Mom was asked to try a new product, Ingard was the lucky winner to get to try the Motorola HX550.

Here is what Ingard had to say:

I was super excited to try a new bluetooth. In truth for this past Mother’s day I picked a bluetooth as my gift. I tried about 4 different ones before I finally settled on one that cost $150+. I had some very specific requirement for this piece of equipment. Here a few of those:

• pair well with my phone (a Sprint Hero)
• allow me to listen to music privately while I am getting those weekly match ups at WinCo
• speak my text messages to me while I drive and respond via voice as well – provided by a downloadable app called MOTOSpeak (LIFE SAVER!)
• all while providing a clear reception (for me and the caller) while I am preparing dinner or doing house chores (or blogging) and my phone stationary and charging.

I found this unit not only fit these requirements but was:

• VERY comfortable and the earpiece switches around without removing anything so that I can change ears as needed. The compactness of this little gem is amazing, every thing folds in to fit easily in a small compartment in my purse
• and when the microphone is folded in you KNOW that it is turned off.
• Another superiority quality of this product is the battery life. It took one week before I had need to recharge it. In fact I have been using it exclusively (except once) for almost three weeks now and I have charged it the one time.
• The navigational system in my phone can be listened to through the Motorola HX550 leaving me hands free driving too.
• Plus it can be paired with two phones (in case you have a work and personal phone)

All this for under $60! Um I sorta feel like a dork about getting my almost double the cost Mother’s day Bluetooth and it doesn’t do dishes either.

Moms live busy lifestyles. Wouldn’t it be nice to have your hands free – at an affordable price? Look no further. Introducing the new Motorola HX550, a headset packed with all the features you want, so you can talk from anywhere, anytime. Motorola HX550 is the perfect combination of comfort and clarity, and is the first hands free device to let you decide the most comfortable way to wear it. Features include:

· Customizable Comfort –Whether it’s on your ear, in-ear with an earhook or in-ear without a hook, Motorola HX550 ensures you can take even the longest calls without having to worry about discomfort.
· What Background Noise? – CrystalTalk™ dual-mic noise cancellation technology means your caller can concentrate on the conversation at hand, while tuning out distracting noise.
Free to Roam – Make sure your hands-free experience stays hands-free with the Motorola HX550’s extended range that allows you talk up to 300 feet away from your mobile device.
MotoSpeak – Dictate texts hands-free as well as hear your texts and the sender’s name read aloud.
Easy as 1, 2, Flip – Simply flip the headset open to turn on and answer and flip it closed when you’re done.
· Talk, Text, Tunes – Get more than just calls – listen to navigation, music, videos and games through your headset and take advantage of the comfort fit for more than just conversation.

The Motorola HX550 has been available since September 8 with an MSRP of $59.99.

If you are wanting to pick one of these up for yourself or a loved one Ingard found them for sale at Amazon Motorola 89484N HX550 Universal Bluetooth Headset, Black $59.99 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping

Ingard with A Thrifty Mom.com was compensated for this review with her receipt of the Motorola HX550

To enter to win leave a comment on this post – If you won a Hasbro Kero-o who you would give it to.

For additional entries you can do these entries below and leave a comment telling us you did so.

1. Like our Facebook page (if you already like our page, like or comment on a post on our wall)
2. Add our A Thrifty Mom Button to your blog- click here for the code
3. Post  or share one of our daily posts on you Facebook wall, or Tag us on your Wall.
4. Subscribe to our Feed use link below- if you already subscribe tell how long you have been following
5. Follow us on Twitter- or tweet about this giveaway

I was selected to review a Kre-o construction set made my Hasbro.  To be honest I had never even heard of this ]product before.  So I had no idea what expect.

The  Kre-O collection features 12 popular Transformers characters and each character can be made into a robot or a vehicle, in true Transformer fashion.  

My kids were rather excited about it and we turned it into a fun family project.  The first thing I noticed when I opened the box was…..oh my look at all these little pieces.  I am not sure if I can focus long enough to help the kids put this together.  But I soon found the step my step images made the whole process rather easy.   The kids had fun finding the next set of pieces, and their excitement grew as they watched the blocks start to transform into Optimums Prime.  It took us about an hour to put together (lots of little hands helping)  we lost the head a few times at it kept rolling off the table…. but finally got him all put together. It was a great way to spend quality time with my kids.  I also felt it was a good teaching tool as well, taught them to follow instructions and identify shapes and colors.  The best part is after they were done, they got to play with him.

My Daughter said ” Mom this was so fun, kind of like a puzzle.  But instead of tearing it apart and putting it back in the box, I get to play with it.”

I really did like this toy, and it was well made too.  The blocks all snapped together perfectly.  These sets are sold at most major retailers nationwide and range from $7.99 to $59.99.  Print the below coupon to help make this a thrifty deal.

Save $5.00 off Hasbro Kre-o Construction set purchase of $20 or more

You can also print a $5.00 off  coupon here it is a Target coupon so you can stack it with a MFR COUPON (Thanks Amanda)

Please note that all opinions are my own.  I was not paid for this review but did get to keep the toy.

Ingard here, Hills Science Diet sent A Thrifty Mom one of their small bags of Hill’s Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying to review and since Sarah has the biped type of animals (aka- kids) this review fell to me who almost has as many critters in her house as humans.

When I opened the bag my cat that was NO where to be seen was all of a sudden not only in the room but in the bag looking with me at these little tiny bits of nice smelling (if I say so myself) cat food… I gave her a few pieces as a treat and she looked at me for more. I filled her bowl later and she didn’t complain one bit nor has she since. I noticed no difference in the amount of stool in the litter (a sign of a good food to me). So far I haven’t noticed much of a difference in her coat but I know that a quality food is going to provide a healthy pet.

I am willing to admit that I am sort of a pet food snob and even when finances have been tight I have tried hard not to lower the standard that I have set. I even like to ‘fairy’ my pet food coupons at the stores. Having stated this I find this a high quality food that I would feel fine about feeding to my beloved feline friend. Go over to Hill’s Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying and take the Cat Age quiz, enter the sweepstakes for a chance at prizes one of which is a trip to Canyon Ranch Spa AND score  a $3/1 coupon for a high quality food.

Back-to-school often means revamping mealtime. But don’t forget about your cats in the process. Luckily, providing your feline friend the proper nutrition doesn’t mean you have to break the bank. New Hill’s Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying provides breakthrough, tailored nutrition for senior cats – and to celebrate the launch, Hill’s Pet Nutrition is giving owners a coupon to test out the new food along with a chance to win a trip to Canyon Ranch Spa.

Age Defying Coupon: Visit Hillspet.com/DefyAge to receive a $3/1 coupon for new Hill’s Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying pet food. Plus you can participate in the:

CatAge Quiz Challenge & Sweepstakes: 

Log onto Hillspet.com/DefyAge and take the new Science Diet CatAge quiz powered by RealAge. By answering simple health and lifestyle questions about their cat, owners can determine how old their four-legged friend really is. Additionally, every quiz participant can enter to win thousands of prizes, including a trip to Canyon Ranch Spa.

New Senior Cat Food: Hill’s Science Diet Senior 11+ Age Defying cat food provides breakthrough, tailored nutrition for senior cats that is able to:

• Fight the effects of aging in as little as 30 days
• Defend the body and brain against aging with an exclusive antioxidant bundle
• Promotes soft skin and a radiant coat with Omega-6 fatty acids

Last week I was organizing my pantry and found a box of  Wanchai Ferry Orange Chicken pushed way in the back.  To be honest I don’t even remember buying it.  It most likely came from a General Mills Promo at Albertsons.  So I looked at the use by date and I saw that it said best buy Sept 2011…. well I might as well use it before it expired. Cooking from a box in not my first choice and cooking from an “old” box had me  a little worried that  it may have an “old, I’ve been in a box taste”.

All I needed was Chicken, splash of oil and water everything else came in the box.  The recipe was simple and fast and looked pretty once cooked … but the real question was how did it taste?  I was surprised and happy that it was rather tasty, the kids liked it as well.  Any meal that appeals to kids and adults is a keeper in my house!  We ate it with fresh Sweet Corn as well.

Have you tried these before, does your family enjoy them?  I am going to keep my eye out for another promo, I would like to add few to my pantry for a quick meal idea.

You can print a $1/1 Wanchai Ferry Dinner Kit coupon here.

Chuck E. Cheese’s invited the A Thrifty Mom family to come taste test their new upgraded  pizza recipe!  With fresh cheese and dough, and high-quality toppings, cheesier, crispier, tastier pizza.   My kids absolutely LOVE Chuck E Cheese’s so I was excited to take them on a fun family outing.

To be honest the kids are always so busy playing the games I have to practically tie them down to get them to eat.  But yummy cheese pizza is a good way to start.  It was noticeably differnt from their old recipe, with fresh veggies and melted cheese on crust baked fresh daily.

The kids and I all enjoyed it, we ate the whole pizza.  So yes we really enjoyed the new fresh taste.  But then they were off to play again.

The girls spoted Chuck-E and ran to give him hugs, while little Maveric was not so sure about the giant mouse moving towards him.

Matthew and Paulin spent most the afternoon racing and playing games.

Oh ya and the tickets you get for playing the games are always a fun added bonus as well.

Thanks Chuck E Cheese for the great afternoon with my family and the yummy pizza

Click here for coupons, for the next trip you take with your family.

One of the perks to being a blogger is I am often asked to review products.  LiptonPubicity asked me if I would like to review a Emjoi Micro-Pedi.… spa-like Micro-pedi product retails for $40 and is a battery operated foot buffer. It is ideal for home pedicures and is a safe, relaxing, pleasant alternative to harsh, metal scrapers and other products in the market place. It is a money saver versus spa pedicures. It beautifully buffs away rough skin and calluses, resulting in soft, touchable feet.

I was all over this one… I have never had a pedicure.  My friends like to give me a hard time about it.  Believe me I would love to go but just can’t bring myself to pay someone $35-$60 to rub my feet.  I look at it as that is one more door knob for our home remodel or a cabinet door for my kitchen.  I want kitchen cabinets more than I want pretty feet.  Plus it is something I can do myself.

But lets face it I never take time to pamper myself  and my feet are well….. just plain nasty.  Yip here you go, just what you wanted to see right before you eat your lunch my dry, nasty cracked  heels.  They bleed, hurt like crazy and are not pretty.  I do try to soak them and use a pumice stone… but lets face it I scrub for 5 minute get tired and give up.  I have often thought  about taking Matts power sander to them…. but worried I may end up doing some real damage…. (they are so bad it may shoot sparks)

I was not too hopeful, but wanted to see what this little Emjoi Micro Pedi could do.   It has two sanding disks, blue for extra coarse and pink for coarse. It was no question that my monster cracks needed extra coarse. I turned it on and was impressed with how much power this little puppy had…. but then I was scared to try it on my feet.  Yip that is me…. a big ole chicken.  So I took a few seconds to gear myself up to the task, took a deep breath and put it to my heel.  No pain at all, in fact it kind of tickled.  It instantly started sanding away my hard skin.

I was SO impressed, Oh My Word…. this little tool is amazing!  In a few minutes it was like someone had waved a magic wand.  I put a little lotion on and my heels looked and felt better than they have in years.  I then grabbed Matts feet and tired it on him, he acted like he didn’t really like it.  But guess who I found using it the next morning… yep Matt had snagged it and was going to town on his feet  Ingard came over that same day too and I showed it to her, she loved it as well.

So there you have it… all three of us gave it a HUGE thumbs up!

They sell for $39.95 online

Please know I am not paid for my review in anyway, and all my opinions are my own.  But I do get to keep my Emjoi Micro-pedi, which I am rather excited about!

Lipton Publicity sent me this adorable pink Scala Callozione Sun Hat to review.  This hat offers 50 plus UPF sun protection, which is just what I need.  I often joke that I don’t tan, I just burn, peel and then freckle.

Another great feature of this hat is the fact that it is pretty much indestructible .  You can sit on it, roll it into a ball, toss it into your suit case and it will still spring right back to its shape.  To see if this really was the case, I let my girls playwith it for a few days.  It got worn everywhere, sat on…. yet it still held its shape.  Anything  kid proof  gets an A+ from me You can wear the brim up or down., but it is super cute either way!

You can pick from 4 different colors, and you can find them listed here for $30.00 each.

A Thrifty Mom was not paid, or compensated for this review.  All opnions are my own,  but I was able to keep this cute sun hat

Kushyfoot sent me a few of their product to try.  I will be honest they sat on my desk un-opened for a few weeks.  Till one day I was busy attending  meeting and events all day… I had been wearing heals all day and my feet were killing me.  That is when I remembered about the fun little package Kushyfoot sent me.  Inside was a fabulous little pair of socks called Foot Covers (super ultra low cut so they hide inside your shoe).  So I thought it was worth a try…. they fit great and have little cushion pads on the heel and  down near your toes.  So stinkin comfortable…… I thought why didn’t I think to put cushion pads on my socks years ago.

I still had a few hours left in my heel before I could take them off.  But my new socks were making the last few hours a much more pleasant experience.  They also have these cute little shoes called Flats on the Go.  They come in small package, and fold in half  making them easy to just toss in your purse.  I taught my next class and as I was cleaning up after being in my heels all day, all I wanted to do was kick my shoes off an run around bare foot.  But since I was at a fancy hotel and not on farm, I did not think a bare foot “A Thrifty Mom”  was  a good idea.

BUT then I remembered I had put the Flats on the Go in my bag….. so I put them on.  First off , they got an A+ from me just because they got me out of my heels .  But as I wore them around I actually really liked them.  They fit good, were super comfortable…. it was like being bare foot but instead I had these cute little stylish flat on.  Flexable, yet they hug your foot and stay on really well.

I liked them so well, I wore then around the house the next day as well.  The fact that they are so flexible makes them comfortable, but  not the best support for your feet.  So I would not suggest running in them or making them your 24 hour shoes.  But I love mine and think whey are one of the best ideas I have seen in a long time.

Thanks again KushyFoot for sending me your product samples, love your product!

To Enter to WIN this Giveaway – Leave a comment here on this post about why you would like to try the Choffy Chocolate Drink and Choffy Truffles

A Thrifty Mom Reader Ingard was selected to review Choffy and here is what she had to say about this fun product.

We were able to try Choffy and wanted to let you know what we thought.

What is Choffy? An organically grown cacao beans that are roasted then ground and is brewed like coffee. These beans are filled with antioxidants and minerals as well.

We like to enjoy a hot chocolate in the mornings and the thought of brewed hot chocolate was intriguing.

It was very good and can be enjoyed as a rich dark chocolate to a creamy hot chocolate with added creamers. I liked mine with a healthy dose of creamer where my husband liked it without so much, no surprise there he likes dark chocolate. I think this would be something we would keep in our home. Or, I might ‘gift’ this to him for some occasion.

It was easy to prepare: just measure 2 level tablespoons for each 6 ounces of water and brew like one would coffee. Enjoy with creamers if you like. While I didn’t try it this way it might be wonderful to add to coffee ground to make a ‘coffee house’ mocha.

If you would like to purchase Choffy click here.

or http://www.drinkchoffy.com/jeanette

I enjoyed Choffy best with creamer so here are a few Thrifty creamer coupons.

GiftCardRescue - an online marketplace for people to buy and sell/exchange discounted gift cards. As we approach the holiday period, we know people will be looking to give away gifts/gift cards to loved one’s. On GiftCardRescue you can find gift cards to just about every brand name store out there and save up to 30%. The way they work is, they buy gift cards from people who have no need for them – maybe because they don’t shop at that store, patronize that brand or because they just need some extra cash. They then sell these cards at a much discounted price. So start your holiday shopping by visiting GiftCardRescue and get some way discounted giftcards for your family and friends

As the Official Battery of Walt Disney Theme Parks, Rayovac is excited about the Toy Story 3 DVD release this Tuesday. Now a days every toy needs to have batteries and most toys do not come with them in the package. We prefer to use Rayovac  for multiple reasons. They last just as long as the other major brands. They have some way cool and convenient charging docks. They even have a USB battery charging dock. You just snap your batteries in to the stattion and then plug it into to your computer! How cool is that for when you are out on the road!

Right now there are some awesome rebates for both the Rayovac batteries and the Toy Story Movie. And trust me with so many toys now a days needing a handful of batteries its best to stock p now on these awesome batteries. You can bet I be getting the rechargeable ones! Here are the details:

Save $5 by mail with the purchase of (2) AA/AAA-12 packs, C/D-4 packs or 9V-2 packs (or larger) of Rayovac Alkaline batteries and Toy Story 3 on Blu-Ray or DVD – How it works:
o Purchase (2) AA/AAA-12 packs, C/D-4 packs or 9V-2 packs (or larger) of Rayovac Alkaline Batteries by 12/31/10
o Purchase (1) Toy Story 3 on Blu-Ray or DVD by 12/31/10 Use Rebates for DVD here
o Complete the back-by-mail form found HERE
o Mail the form, product UPC labels and store receipt to the on-form address by 1/15/11 (see form for complete details)

More Information:

* Find more information on Rayovac promotions and coupons here

Posted for and compensated by Rayovac!

I was asked to try out Hefty’s new Unscented Odor Block bags.  I have  a hard time with “smells”  like most candles or perfume give me a head ache….so I tend to shy away from anything like that.   So I was excited to try these new bags and see if they really worked.

Being a Mom, with kids in diapers I had lots of “smelly items” to use for this experiment .  I put a smelly diaper in the Hefty odor lock bag, as well as one in a normal bag.  I closed the bag and left them, came back a few hours later and did a “sniff” test  ( after which I decided maybe I should have used something other than a diaper..lol).  The odor blocking bag did in fact  keep the smell in much better than the other bag.

The next morning I did another “sniff” test…after 24 hours some of the smell was starting to come thru the odor blocking bag. But the other bag….well lets just say no one should sniff a day old dirty diaper…. it about knocked my socks off.

So I would have to give this product an A Thrifty Mom A+.  The bag was good quality strong plastic, (no one wants a wimpy garbage bag), and seems to block odors much better than a normal bag.

If you would like to try this product they have a coupon for $1.00 off  Hefty, on their facebook page.  Print yours to make these a thrifty price!

The Little Looster – Booster for the Loo is a horseshoe shaped stool that surrounds the base of your toilet, creating a pedestal for children to be supported while they sit on the loo.  We can all say goodbye to the port-a-potty, toilet seat inserts, diapers, stress, apprehension, accidents and the lack of space in our bathrooms.

All children will eventually use the “big-potty” – WHY not start kids on it comfortably? Save the extra expense and mess that comes with the space-consuming porta-potty.  We have been able to shave off months of diapering by creating a comfortable and safe experience on the loo.

Toddlers believe they might “fall-in” – WHY not give them the security and confidence that the stability of the Little Looster provides.   Little Looster kids use their legs for support, alleviating that fear of falling in.  Hands no longer need to grip the germ-ridden, inner rim.

No cleaning out the temporary port-a-potty.   Flushable waste is the obvious sanitary option.

The Little Looster supports and boosts little legs, while potty training AND for the next 2-3 years that toes can’t reach the ground.   No more “stinging” sensation when legs fall-asleep, from dangling unsupported off the sides of the toilet – little legs love the Little Looster.

No more hassle. Parents don’t move the Little Looster every time they need to use the loo.  Our unique design allows adults full use of the toilet while standing or sitting, without ever moving the Little Looster.

The average family in the US is spending approximately $75/mo on disposable diapers & wipes and over 92% of those are ending up in our landfills.  No one really knows how long it takes for a disposable diaper to decompose, it is estimated somewhere between 250-500 years.  The statistics are staggering as I’m sure you are all well aware of.  The Little Looster is made of plastic which is 100% recyclable after your many years of use.

The Little Looster can cut out months of this environmental mess and huge cost to families.

My name is Monica Mylet, I invented the Little Looster.  My husband Phil and I live in Portland with our 3 wonderful children.  I had all of them in diapers at once and had a problem that needed to be solved.  I could not justify the expense of all those potty-training devices on the market or the time to clean them all out, when they were all going to use my toilet eventually.  I needed one solution.  So I got creative and here we are, three years later – problem solved.

I have only used Oregon companies in the making of this revolutionary product, from the cad designer, website creator, patent attorneys, injection-mold-makers, plastic injection company and finally the shipping supplies. 

It doesn’t get more “Made in the USA” than that!

Check us out @ www.littlelooster.com.  Please see the attached info sheet here.