Free Bath & Body Works Shower Gel

Get a FREE Signature Collection Shower Gel from Bath & Body Works with any $10 purchase using this coupon.

This offer is valid until 4/18/10 and is also available online, up to $10.50 in value.

It's not too late to add this great little item to mom’s Easter basket.

Adult Acne - Some things just never change

Everynight for the past month, I have tried to get rid of my adult acne. Its not bad, just a spot or two or three or four on my chin or temple. I know I am not alone, as 54 percent of women over 25 have some acne, and it's most common in women in their 30s. Hum. Still wondering what my excuse is.

So, I look into the cause of all this adult acne. And, what I found in a word, is stress. Research has shown that our society is more stressed out than ever before, and all that stress causes our adrenal glands to increase production of androgen hormones, which increase oil production, which causes acne. And when we're under long-term stress (which is common in our busy lives), our hormone levels are constantly raised and acne becomes a near-constant problem.

In my case, you know, being a little over 40 and all, my cell-turnover and ability to heal is slower, which means acne can stick around longer than it did when I was a teen. I have been using my teenagers acne products, but nothing seems to be working. I read recently that teens and adults shouldn't share the same acne products. That would have been useful information a few months ago.

Because of the differences in the types of acne, treatment for adult acne needs to be different than teen acne. Also, adults need to be careful not to dry out their skin, since this can cause wrinkles, not something many teens are worried about. Adults with acne should look for products specifically designed for them and look for products with anti-inflammatories and anti-oxidants to protect their skin.

I am going to try PERSA-GEL 10 by Clean & Clear to try and get this acne under control, because let's face it, dealing with acne in your teens is one thing, but no one should have to suffer from acne in their 40s, right?

Undercover Boss - Fact or Fiction

Has anyone watched Undercover Boss? It's a television reality series on CBS that airs Sunday night at 9pm est. Each episode of the show features a senior executive at a major corporation, working incognito as a new entry-level hire in his or her company for one week, to find out how the company really works, including the impact of "corporate policy" and identify some of the unsung heroes among the employees.

I watched this video 6 times last night and all 6 times, I cried. OMG! What a great show with a great concept. In a time where we are forced to watch reality shows like the Jersey Shore and The Anna Nicole Show, this is a Godsend.

Undercover Boss has been accused of being emotionally manipulative, because it's a prime time entertainment show. But it's also a show about CEOs humbling themselves to perform lower level jobs, at a time when people are suspicious of their powerful. The boss works along side of low level employees to better understand the company and what it takes on the front line to make it run.

I don't think that Undercover Boss is going to do anything widespread to make these featured companies great for their employees, but if they can make things better for only a few people, I for one, would consider this show worthy.

Have you filled out your Census form yet?

By now, most Americans have received a copy of their census form, and the government is currently stressing the importance of filling out this document.

It asks a lot of questions and putting that information in the mail makes me a little nervous and although I am sure I have done this at some point in my life, I couldn't really remember what it was for, so I did some research. Here is what I found out ~

That we can't move forward until we mail it back. That's why it's so important that we fill in the form and promptly mail it back. Census information affects the numbers of seats our states occupy in the U.S. House of Representatives. And all types of people use census data to advocate for causes, rescue disaster victims, prevent diseases, research markets, locate pools of skilled workers and more.

In doing the math, it was easy for me to see what an accurate count of residents can do for my community. Better infrastructure. More services. In fact, the information the census collects helps to determine how billions of dollars of federal funding each year is spent on infrastructure and services like, hospitals, job training centers, schools, senior centers, emergency services, bridges, tunnels and other-public works projects.

So, be sure to help out your community and send it back!

The Success of Saving!

Have you sent in your Olay rebate yet?

I purchased my Olay Quench Lotion yesterday. It killed me to add $7.99 to my already too large grocery order, but I had to do it because it the end it was going to be free, right? Normally, I wouldn't have purchase lotion for $7.99, because I would buy the cheap stuff, but like I said in yesterday's post, we have to use the coupons to save the money and in the end, this lotion will be free and free is the goal.

So, today I printed out my rebate form, attached my receipt with the item circled and sent it off to Olay. Now, I just wait for my refund. Ahhh. The success of my first FREE item! Oh yeah, I also saved $12.78 for my Price Chopper Advantage Savings and another $7.00 in manufacturers coupons for a total of $19.78. Not too shabby for my first week of "couponing!"

Cutting Coupons is a great way to save money

We’ve all read stories about the coupon-savvy woman who can feed a family of five on $100 a month. Right? What is her secret? She cuts coupons.

While I am new to the whole coupon thing, I can't give you many ideas or promise you that you'll be able to do quite that well, but I did find some helpful tips online and thought I'd share them with you, so that maybe we can learn ways to slash dollars from our monthly grocery bill together.

Know when NOT to use coupons. When is a coupon not a good deal? Knowing this can be as helpful to you as the coupon itself. In most cases, the generic version of what you're buying is cheaper than the more expensive counterpart even WITH a coupon. You may be asking yourself, "So why even bother? Why not just purchase generics?" You will need to become coupon-savvy in order to recognize when coupons are a good deal and when they're not.

Coupons work best when they're combined with another deal or are doubled. Some coupon experts say you should carry a small calculator in your purse to help you calculate the price per unit when you're shopping. I don't think I will be doing that, but it does sound like a smart idea.

Combine coupons with in store-sales and two-for-ones. Today I bought two boxes of cereal on sale for 2 for $3. I also used two $1 off coupons I had, saving an additional $2. My cost per box: only 50 cents.

A lot of grocery stores also offer "in store" coupons. Use your own coupons in addition to these to save even more.

Find a store that will double your coupons. If your town doesn't have one, it may be worth a short drive to another town to a store that does. Click here for a state-by-state list of stores that will double your coupons. If making a special trip, be sure to call in advance to see if the store has restrictions on doubling coupons. Some stores will only double coupons under $.50, while others let you go up to $.99. and some only double coupons on certain days of the week.

Buy the smallest size. Most people are under the impression that you will save more by buying in bulk. When using a coupon, this usually isn't true. What you will need to consider is the price per ounce. Guess this is where that calculator that I won't be using, would come in handy.

Trade coupons with friends and online. Start a coupon group with women in your area. Let them know which items you need coupons for; and offer to trade with them. To get started, e-mail 5-10 of your "thrifty" friends to see if they're interested. Have each friend list 10-20 items that she always uses, and print out the lists. Keep the lists handy when you're clipping coupons, and then pass on the coupons to your friends.

Some grocery stores have coupon bins within their store. Look for them near the customer service counter, or in the front of the store. Some libraries also have a coupon swapping bin. If your local library or grocer doesn't, it doesn't hurt to suggest it. Coupons are also now available in-store right next to the products themselves from machines.

Find coupons online. When you think of coupons, chances are you think ~ Sunday paper. With internet all sorts of other kinds of coupons are now available. You can download coupons from your computer and print them out. Click here for a listing on online coupon services. You can even find coupons being sold on eBay.

Organize. Make coupons easy to file and easy to use. Until last week, I had my coupons clumped together in an envelope in my purse. I could never find the coupons when I got up to the counter, or they would ended up expiring. I now try to be more organized by using a coupon holder with tabs. I have it divided by categories such as: canned goods, cleaning products, cereal, baking, dairy, etc. This will be trial and error for awhile until I figure out a system that works best.

Once you’ve mastered the art of cutting and using coupons, you’ll never shop without them. I'm addicted now and even my husband asks about them before heading out. Ah! The smell of success!

FREE bottle of Olay Quench Body Lotion after rebate

Maybe I'll make this week a freebie week, or at least a discount and coupon week.

Olay is offering a FULL rebate on Olay Quench Lotion. They came up with this cute little titled called, Quench for Clunkers – or your own personal stimulus check!

Click here and download your rebate form. You will get a full rebate on your lotion purchase from March 19 – April 16, 2010 (excluding trial size). Just mail the original form, original receipt with item circled on it and jot down the UPC on the form. Your rebate form must be postmarked by April 30, 2010.

The Olay body quench body lotion is non-greasy and absorbs quickly. It is able to prevent and soothe dryness without leaving my skin feeling the need for more coverage or repeated coverage. It continues moisturizing your skin for 24 hours. I like that as well, since I do not have to take it along with me, or stop every so often to apply more. I simply put it on after my shower and it keeps working all day long. This product smells fresh and clean and it is not overpowering.

Thanks Tracie!

Freebie Day Today!

It's Free Pastry Day today at Starbucks! Stop in before 10:30am with this coupon and receive a free pastry with any brewed or iced beverage purchase. It also mentions that you can just show the coupon on your mobile device if you prefer!

Get more information and print your coupon here.

And the free treats keep coming! Stop by your local Ben & Jerry’s today between 12-8pm and receive a FREE cone. Yum!

Get more info and find a store near you here.

Finding Your Child's Athletic Potential

I read this story on one of my favorite radio station's website. It's their story, but I found it pretty interesting and wanted to share it with you.

Would you pay to find out your child's athletic potential?

Ava Anderson can’t run — not yet anyway. Or jump over hurdles. Then again, she’s only 13 months old. Ava was born with a genetic blend that’ll turn her into a star marathoner, and she may even blossom into a multisport, cross-training double threat! No - that’s not just her parents’ opinion. That’s her DNA profile. Like more than 200 other moms and dads, Ava’s parents, Hilary and Aaron Anderson, paid $149 to a company called Atlas Sports Genetics for a sneak peek at their kid’s athletic horizons. They simply brushed the inside of Ava’s cheek with two cotton swabs, sealed them in a baggie, and mailed the samples off to be tested. Five weeks later, the Andersons heard the verdict. Little Ava has all the makings to be a good strength AND endurance athlete.

There are 20,000 strands of human DNA, but the Atlas lab hunts for variations of just one: ACTN3. Why? Because some experts believe that this gene predicts certain athletic skills. The question is - how ethical is this sort of testing? According to MSNBC, it’s drawing criticism from coaches, therapists and genetic experts. Many worry that some parents will misuse the data, and pressure their kids to get into specific sports. Atlas president and co-owner Kevin Reilly says the test can’t, say, predict a future NFL star. It merely reveals if a child has the genetic markers common to people who succeed in either power or endurance sports. In short, he’s selling the product as a parental “tool” - a DNA roadmap to help expose kids to the sports they were born to play.

Although I might consider this if my kids were babies, it would be weird to do it now. What if I found out that they were not good at the sport that we already knew they were good at? That would be weird. Imagine the conflict that would occur? It might however, prove that this is not a perfect science. It takes more than DNA to be good at something. Doesn't it?

Spring has Sprung!

Happy Spring!

Dealing with Rejection....again.

Why does raising children have to be so damn hard? Victoria had another tough audition last night and was pretty upset when she came home. It broke my heart because when she left the house in the morning, she was excited and confident, not nervous like she had been the last five unsuccessful auditions.

When my kids are upset or sad, I am too. I feel helpless and frustrated because, sometimes, I just don't know what to say. I did all the text book things. I validated her feelings, telling her it was okay to feel sad; I allowed her to express her emotions, by encouraging her to talk about it; I kept open the lines of communication, engaging her in a conversation to illicit some of the emotions she was going through, so why then, was it only getting worse?

I knew the cause of her sadness went much deeper than this one audition. It was scars from so many other failed attempts, the knowledge that this was her last shot at making this singing and dancing group as a Senior next year, the image of all of the fun opportunities that she will miss and what would have been a wonderful experience for her to take with her to college next year. How do you fix all that?

There won't be any brainstorming to help her come up with a strategy for next year, to empower her and take away some of her helplessness away, because there won't be a next year.

So, I try to be supportive, although I am not very good at it right now, because I am mad. I am mad that she may not be picked AGAIN, I am mad that she is good enough to be one of the lead acts in her high school play where she sang and danced solos, but not good enough to be in "his" group, I am mad that he is not compassionate with the teenagers who he knows have talent, but freak out during auditions, I am mad that he year after year encourages her to try out, only to not pick her. And, I am mad because, she is my baby and she is hurt and when she hurts, I hurt.

In the last few years, I have learned, painstaking, that most of my teenager's problems can't easily be changed or solved, so I continue to let them know that I am here for them, and that I love and support them, while recognizing that sometimes, children just have to feel sad and cope with their own emotions before they can move on.....as long as it doesn't take too long.

Stop Whining about Wine

Have you ever found yourself in a restaurant saying, "How the heck do you pronounce that and what do I drink it with?”

Ah! First thing, don’t ever run away from something you can’t pronounce. You'll be missing out on a delightful experience. If you something you'd like to try on the wine list, just point to it and show the waiter, saying, “I’ll try this.” He or she will probably be happy he doesn’t have to pronounce it, too! If he’s a sommelier (wine server in upscale restaurants), he’ll say, “Certainly, the VEE OWN YAY, excellent choice, sir!” Don’t be put off by the language or the pretensions of some people in the wine world. You’ll miss fine experiences if you do!

So, no more whining about not knowing your wine. If you decide you like something - find out more about it. A great place to start is at wineloverspage.com . Not only do they tell you about the wine, but they also tell you how to pronounce it. Love it!

Just Another Prom Dilemma!

I am starting to stress out and there are still two more months before Victoria's prom. She found a prom dress already, or should I say, she fell in love with a prom dress already. You're thinking I should be thrilled, right? Wrong. Well, I would normally be thrilled, as it was in the first shop we stopped in. Did I mention, to get to our "first" shop, we drove through three other towns on a cold, rainy night only to find three dark store fronts - ending up at a bridal shop 5 mins from our house. Oh. Sorry. I digress.

Well, she found this very pretty dress rather quickly. "Done, already?" I thought. "Wow! The first night?" I should have been thrilled, right? After all, it was a record breaking decision for a kid that can't decide on Crunch Berries or Peanut Butter Captain Crunch in the morning. The only problem was, that they didn't have her size, so it would have to be ordered and the dress was checking out at a whapping $269 before alterations and taxes! Gulp!

Having just survived a very difficult financial two year stint, I was not about to go back into hock for a prom dress. So we, well I, decided that would could find the same dress online, cheaper. I mean no disrespect towards our teen's big day. As I said in an earlier post, it's a rite of passage, a ritual that prefigures the selection of the wedding dress, but my own wedding dress didn't cost this much! Granted that was a "few" years ago.

Anyway, my dilemma. We found the dress online, but the ONLY place we were able to find it was on a foreign wholesale website. I am not even really sure what country it is from. Anyway, on the site, the dress sells at wholesale for $136. The catch is that they make the dress after you order it and guarantee that it will be at least a 90% look-a-like.

The site appears to be a lot like our Amazon site here in the US. It has the same look, sells similar items, but at wholesale prices. It has many positive reviews and comments. I am however, concerned about the risk. Mainly the risk that the dress will not be a 90% look-a-like and she will not wear it.

Has anyone ever heard of or shopped on DHGate.com? If so, please let me know your thoughts, and fast. The dress takes 20-days to make and 7-10 days to ship, so we really need to get going.

Would you take the risk or spend the money at the local shop? At this point, there are no other options. Well, there are options for me, but not for you. You only get to vote on the risk or the local shop.

I'd post the picture of the dress, but Victoria would kill me, so you'll have to wait.

Purging this Spring

How often do you purge your closet? I go through my closet twice a year and always manage to find items that I do not wear, have not worn, and will never wear again. It is amazing since I feel like I never purchase anything new.

If you have a dysfunctional closet and can't ever find anything to wear, you are not alone. On the average people wear only 20% of the clothes they own. Follow a few tips and be on your way to your first step in your Spring cleaning.

Start by pulling everything out. Yes, everything. This is one of the most important step when reorganizing anything. Then separate everything into three different piles:

Keep: You wear it nearly everyday. It fits. It's timeless. (If you're being honest with yourself, this will be roughly only 20% of your closet's contents.

Dump: Anything that is stained, smelly, ripped or stretched-out. You won't clean it. You won't repair it. You will never wear it, and neither will anyone else. Toss it.

Donate: Anything that you haven't worn in a year, is a tired trend or doesn't fit. If you're not sure if it fits or not, try it on. Be honest with yourself. If you're a size 10 and it's a size 6, it's gone.
When you're done sorting, go through your "keep" pile again. Does any of this need to go in the "dump" or "donate" piles? Remember that it's just stuff. You don't need it if you don't use it.
Throw out your "dump" pile, and consider doing one of the following with your "donate" pile:

Sell it: Why not try and make some extra money with those clothes you no longer want, but are still in good condition and in style? Sell your items on eBay or at your local consignment shop.

Donate to Charity: Drop them off at Goodwill, Salvation Army or a local thrift shop.

Host a Clothes Swap: Get new clothes that you'll actually wear for free. Invite your other purge-happy friends over for a clothes swap. Everyone who brings a pile of clothes gets to take from everyone else's stash.

For those items that don't fit into the above categories and will be going back into your closet. Remember, the 20%? Here are a few more tips to keep your closet organized until your next purge:

Place items used most frequently at eye level.

Break alike items down into baskets.

Hang all like clothes together, i.e., skirts in one area, blouses in another.

Put shoes in boxes that are labeled or a rack where they can be easily viewed. Plastic clear bins work best because they allow you to see through.

Feeling empowered? Let's Spring into the spirit with a closet purge.

It's Prom Season

In the life of every high school girl are a few big moments, and one of those biggest moments is the prom. As prom season approaches, picking out the perfect dress for the most important school dance of the year is the high school equivalent of preparing to walk the red carpet at the Oscars. It's a rite of passage, a ritual that prefigures the selection of the wedding dress.

The Prom started in the 1920’s in the US and is the classic American rite of passage for students from all walks of life. One of the functions of the prom, planned from almost the very start, was to bring together people from all financial standings and heritage.

The word “prom” comes from the French word promenade, which means walk or stroll. In the South, early in the twentieth century, it was considered inappropriate to dance with men that you were not married to, so the girls would take short, chaperoned promenades around the block with their dates.

We all know today's Proms are different. There are so many logistics ~ limos need to be booked, tuxes rented, and plans finalized. All of these things have to go through one source I told my daughter - me. Oh yeah and your Dad.

It’s a magical time of year. Magical for teens, perhaps, but mystifying for Prom moms. My heart goes out to all of you who, like me, who will struggle with their teens about this important rites-of-passage when, in their minds, all rules are up for debate and renegotiation. Remember Moms...Hold your ground!

So many decisions to make. Makeup, shoes, hairstyle, nails, what clutch, the right bra, the date's boutonniere, dinner beforehand, where to hang out afterwards? It all had to be perfect, this is my only prom she told me.

The whole prom season thing makes me a little reflective. I remember my junior and senior proms like they were yesterday, or maybe last week.... My boyfriend and I had an amazing time and it was a great way to end those last years of my high school experience and I wanted to her to have the same.

But, gosh, have things changed since I was a teen getting ready for prom season. For one thing, prom night begins a lot earlier, because you have to get your one of a kind dress early before all the good ones are gone! I think I got mine the week before. And unlike my prom night when the only audience around to witness my big night were my parents and a bunch of neighborhood kids, now there are pre-adult parties with cocktails and hors d'œuvre - for the adults that is.

And what’s this I hear about renting two limos? I don't care if others are renting buses, condos and hotel rooms for after prom partying and sleepovers for their prom night teens and their friends? WHAT!? Certainly, my generation of prom goers tried staying out all night, or tried to stay out as late as possible without being grounded when you arrived home. But parents renting a place for an after party where those who want can crash and sleep over? Wow!

I know some will say that it makes sense because it keeps drunk teens from getting behind steering wheels. But hotels? Really? Whatever happened to "just girl" sleepovers?

So, I kept my comments to myself, because for everything there is a season. A time to listen, a time to teach and a time to pray that what you’ve taught her for the last 16 years will be heard.

Inhaling Chocolate - very sweet!

Are you a chocoholic? Do you "live and breathe" chocolate? Well, now it is possible to literally inhale chocolate.

I’ll admit it upfront. I’m a straight up, hard core chocoholic. I can't resist the possiblity of chocolate around 3pm, while sitting at my desk. Although my many attempted and failed diets don't allow this afternoon treat, I may have just found that needle in the haystack.

David Edwards, a Harvard professor and Illinois Institute of Technology graduate, is known in the medical field for his work on inhalable insulin and a potential inhalable TB vaccination.
Now, he's applied that same science to chocolate. He has created a mini-inhaler, called Le Whif, that coats the user's mouth with chocolate particles that are 80 to 300 microns—small enough to shoot out the inhaler, but too big to enter the lungs (and cause choking).

The small gadget carries about (I have read 4 - 8 puffs) for around $2.-$3, and leaves the customer with the taste of chocolate, but hardly any of the calories. Each puff has less than one calorie!

The inhaler can be carries in your pocket and is convenient enough, so that you get the taste of chocolate anytime you want. Not to mention, your hands never get dirty. Edwards said that he has no intentions of stopping at chocolate. He is considering other flavors, like spices, soups, and maybe even vegetables or meats.

For me, its not about enjoying the chocolate bar. I don't. It's gone in less than a minute after it is unleashed. It's about the taste and this seems like the long awaited solution. I most likely will not be a fan of, nor try the veggies and meat spray, I mean, what would be the point if it doesn't deliver the nutritional value. But, the chocolate? Well, that has no nutritional value either way.

I will be on the look out for my tiny little inhaler this weekend!

Going Bananas is an understatement

I was just reading about (2 years too late) a fad weight loss scheme called the Morning Banana Diet (MBD), which started in Japan and swept across the country like a tsunami. It was so popular there that bananas were on back order.

Japan is known for its fad diets and like all other fad diets this one will likely lead to some weight loss in the short run but will fail in the long run, which is why they are always replaced by the next crazy idea. Of course they have rules. The weirder and more outrageous, the better. Throw in a little "scientific theory" for motivation and you have yourself a fad diet.

Every diet has rules. If a diet works for you, it’s most likely because the rules have made you eat less food. Diet usually do this by making eating a little harder or less convenient, through restricting when and what you eat.

The Morning Banana Diet regimen was designed to boost your metabolism allowing you to eat as many bananas at room temperature as you want, water for breakfast, anything you'd like for lunch, a 3 p.m. snack and dinner. There are however, no nightly desserts and dinner has to be eaten by 8 p.m. and oh yes, in bed before midnight.

The Morning Banana Diet is the brainchild of Sumiko Watanabe who designed it to increase her husbands metabolism, allowing him to lose 37 pounds. You have got to check out their web site! It's a riot.

Does it work? Japanese opera singer Kumiko Mori says it does. She was the one who made the announcement on a TV show claiming that she'd lost 15 pounds using the Morning Banana Diet, also contributing to the banana shortage. I am not sure those two instances count as proof of its effectiveness, but this diet certainly gets points for craziness.

This time you can - Judge a book by its cover

Everyone has read, or at least heard of Twilight, right? But, have you ever wondered what the book cover means and who is holding the apple?

Kimbra Hickey has the answers. How? She's the hand model. "I think that because the story is being told from Bella's perspective they should be her hands. So I think they are Bella's hands and Edward is the "forbidden fruit," Kimbra tells The Twilight Lexicon.

Kimbra says that when she went in for the audition, the photographer looked at her portfolio, filled with pics of hands and feet and then put her in front of the camera and snapped a few shots of her palms and the back of her hands.

Kimbra said that when she was chosen for the job, they asked if she'd be okay with trimming her nails shorter. They told her that the story was a vampire teenage romance and that her hands had to look young. "He wanted my hands to look soft, sweet, and death-like all at the same time!" And just in case you missed it, her arms are folded in that precise position - with the part of my arms forming the perfect V, for vampire. Of course!

What a Night at the Oscars!

Did anyone watch the Oscars the other night? I didn't but, we talked a lot about it yesterday at work.

I was sadden to hear that poor Farrah Fawcett was dissed again, first by the media when Michael Jackson died, overshadowing her death, and now the Oscars! I was happy however, to hear that Sandra Bullock, won two awards this weekend.

Sandra Bullock won best actress for her role in "The Blind Side" at the Oscars. In the same weekend, she won an award for worst actress. That award came at the Razzies, which celebrate awful movies, including Bullock's "All About Steve." She accepted her Razzie in person, the first worst actress to do that in years. She gave everybody at the ceremony free DVDs of "All About Steve," and she asked them to re-watch and reconsider.

After the ceremonies were over, she announced she had plans to put both statues on display in her home for the world to see. She said:

"They're going to sit side by side, as they should. You know we're in the entertainment business. That's what we're supposed to do. You take the good with the not so good…I had the best time at the Razzies… It is what it is and, you know, it probably means more that both of them (awards) happened at the same time because it's the great equalizer. Nothing ever lets me get too full of myself. It quickly chops me off at the knees, and I like it that way because it keeps things stable…They'll sit side by side in a nice little shelf somewhere; the Razzie maybe on a different shelf, lower."

Now that's a girl who keeps things in perspective!

Credit Card companies are automatically reducing your line of credit

If your credit card limit has suddenly plummeted for no apparent reason, don’t be surprised. Lately, credit card companies have started to review customers’ account history, looking for reasons to cut off or reduce their lines of credit – even if you pay your bills on time! Here are the details, courtesy of Real Simple magazine.

Credit card issuers are monitoring what we buy. Robert Manning is the founder of the Responsible Debt Relief Institute – a nonprofit organization in New York. He says that creditors are looking for changes in how and where we use our cards. For example, if you’ve never been to a dollar store, but stop by to pick up a pack of gum, the credit card companies will see that you have made a charge at this type of discount store and may assume you’re having financial trouble. Or, if you never put restaurant meals on your card, and you suddenly charge a chicken sandwich at McDonalds, they might think you’re low on cash.

What come after the credit card company gets concerned about your purchases? Manning says you might receive a letter saying that your credit’s been cut off, or reduced by as much as 80%. Once it’s cut, you could end up with a limit that’s too close to your balance – which will reduce your credit score and raise a red flag to other creditors.

How can you protect yourself? Manning says don’t use your card to pay for items you don’t normally charge, and avoid charging anything that could indicate personal issues, such as marriage counseling – which could indicate a potential costly divorce or a large number of drinks at a bar – they might assume you have a drinking problem that could lead to employment issues. If your credit line has been reduced, keep your spending behavior consistent, and in six months, call your credit card company and ask for your old limit to be restored.

There is no need to panic, just be careful when using your card for items you would not normally charge and ofcourse, always be sure to pay those charges off each month if you can. Hum. Why didn't I think of that....

Overdraft Fees are Going Away

What took so long?

Has anyone heard, that starting this August, if you try to use your debit card to make a purchase without having the funds in your linked checking account, that purchase will be declined right in the store?

From what I have found, banks will no longer be able to approve the transaction and then hit you with a $35 overdraft fee -- unless you decide that you want to be able to charge without having the funds, and opt in – signing on the dotted line that you want this protection.

Keep in mind that for the banks, these $35 fees add up to $20 billion in annual revenue. That's why The New York Times reported, that your bank is going to try to convince you to join a new group. The banks are going to try to raise your level of fear, using words like "protection," and "emergency," and sending letters like the one from Chase quoted in the Times story, which read:

"Your debit card may not work the same way anymore, even if you just made a deposit. Unless we hear from you. If you don't contact us, your everyday debit card transactions that overdraw your account will not be authorized after August 15, 2010 -- even in an emergency."

Don’t give in. Some of you may not have a problem with this at all, but for someone who was unemployed for almost a year, I do. Either way, don’t do it. Fees like this can sometimes be more than your purchase and are outrageous. With online banking, you should be able to keep close enough tabs on the money in your account that you don't overdraw. I go into my online account everyday now and haven’t bounced a check in over a year. Yes, that is a good thing for me.

Get Paid to Party?

The other day, I got an invitation from a friend to attend a "Party of Gold." It appears "gold" parties are popping up all around and I am the only one who doesn't know about them.

These parties are similar to the Tupperware parties of the 1980's. The host of the party invites all of his/her friends, family and neighbors over for a Party of Gold - where people bring all of their unwanted or broken gold jewelry and sterling silver (although my invite didn't say anything about silver) to sell for cash!

There is a certified gold buyer at the party who appraises the items and cut you and your friends a check on the spot.

Not only does the Party of Gold representative make on the spot appraisals and settlements for your gold & silver items, but they also help plan your Gold Party from start to finish.

The party reps are certified gold & silver buyers who offer true market value for your jewelry, based on the weight and purity of your items.

It seems like a fun and easy way to sell all old, unwanted or broken gold jewelry that's been sitting around collecting dust!

Although, I probably only have about $7 worth of unused gold sitting around in my jewelry box (a few broken earrings), I am planning to attend her party on the 17th. I will be sure to get back to you and let you know what I find out. If it ends up being fantastic, watch out, you may find yourself invited to mine very soon. Does anyone have any gold they want to donate to me? LOL!

Win a trip around the world!

It's impossible to read or watch Charlie and the Chocolate Factory without imagining yourself as Charlie Bucket, holding that magical golden ticket.

The Nestle-owned Wonka candy brand hopes to offer a similar feeling with its new promotion. Buy a candy bar in its Exceptionals line, and you may pull out a wining Golden Ticket.

Although, none of the prizes involve a tour around the Wonka building with Gene Wilder or a magical elevator ride, the prizes are pretty sweet. The Grand Prize is a trip around the world for four - you and three friends get to take on a trip around the world with $12,500 in spending money.

The Execptionals bars are their priciest item and are being marketed as "premium chocolate."

Other prizes include movie certificates, airline vouchers, Ticketmaster gift cards, and free chocolate!

I want to jet around the globe! Click here to learn more about out to enter and maybe you'll be the lucky one to win the trip around the globe, or a least a chocolate bar.

Just Dance

If you're anything like me, over the years you've joined gyms and paid for unused memberships, have expensive gym equipment acting as a clothing rack, or are waiting for the cold weather to pass, so you can go outside and exercise, but then suddenly realize it's too hot to go out.

My youngest daughter Hannah has been begging me for weeks to buy her a new Wii game, Just Dance. Just Dance is a Wii music & rhythm game where you dance to the image on the screen. It features soundtracks spanning the 80's, 90's, Disco, Rock and more, tons of party modes and a simple pick-up-and-play control.

We've all heard that we can achieve weight loss and healthy hearts with only 30-minutes a day of aerobic exercise three times a week, right? However, for those of you, like me who can't stay 10-minutes on a treadmill without getting bored, you may benefit from Just Dance. The 30-minutes goes by so fast! It gets your heart rate up, and you can feel the calories burning, just as if you were on that dreaded treadmill.

In addition to the wide range of songs, you also learn dance moves! You'll learn the dance moves to, "Who Let the Dogs Out," "Womanizer," and personal fav "Cotton Eye Joe." That one is a killer, but really, really fun. By using the Wii remote, the controller detects whether you're dancing correctly or not and gives you a grade of "Great", "Okay" and "X". I got a lot of Xs. Guess I need more practice.

Admittedly, Just Dance is like many fitness and dance games on the market. It's an exercise game that’s not called an exercise game. But, I've gotta tell you ~ I was getting a total workout and my triceps were killing me. Hey, I even learned a few dance moves for the next wedding I am invited to. The best part was that I got to spend some fun time with my kids. Well, my girls anyway. Casey gets enough exercise and thinks he already knows how to dance.