10 Educational Websites

Here is a list of 10 great FREE educational websites. 

http://www.eduplace.com/tales/ - for 3rd grade and up where the kids can write mad-libs of a variety of topics.  Shows the kids parts of speech and how to write a tale.

http://www.eduplace.com/kids/games.jsp - This site has four educational games your kids can play.  Spelling, geography, and word finds.

Time Magazine website for kids
News for kids Weekly Reader
National Geographic for kids
Fema for kids

Nasa for kids! 

http://www.wildlifeart.org/learn/ArtToEducation/ is a great site for educating children on wildlife art.

Book Adventure is a FREE reading motivation program for children in grades K-8. Children create their own book lists from over 7,000 recommended titles, take multiple choice quizzes on the books they've read, and earn points and prizes for their literary successes.

BBC has a great educational website on every school subject. 

11 Ways to Save Money on Vacation

I love taking family vacations, but sometimes there is more room in the budget for traveling than other times.   To save money on vacations I do a handful of things before and during the family trip. Here are 11 ways I save money on vacations.

1. Use Discounts! Do you qualify for a discount on anything?  AAA, AARP, military, local government, are you part of some sort of club that can get you a discount, or does your child's age get them a discount.  Use your discount on everything you can: hotel, flight, tickets, meal, or activities.

2.  Hotel Breakfast.  Stay at a hotel that serves breakfast.  9 times out of 10 you can find a hotel that serves breakfast for the same price as one that doesn't.  If you are on a week long family trip this could save you money on 5-7 meals.

3.  Combine Attractions  Buy a multiple use pass.  Decide ahead of time some of the things you plan to do on vacation.  Then see if they are selling these activities together.  One price covers all, like CityPASS. CityPASS is an American thing and available in many of the bigger cities.  In Europe you will find similar deals.  In Rome we got the Roma Pass that got us 3 days bus and subway use and into two of the attractions.

4.  Take a podcast tour.  Quit paying to go on tours if you can help it.  You can download free podcast tours of the destination you are visiting.  The podcast will tell you where to start, where to go, and what to look for.  Often you can find multiple podcast tour of the same place.  Listen to all of them if you like, each one will tell you a little something new.  I recommend Rick Steve's podcast for places in Europe.

5.  Extra ear buds  If you go on a museum tour they often have audio guides.  Instead of having to rent one for each person take some extra ear phones.  Most audio tour devices have a place to plug in a second set of ear buds.  You may have to walk closer together, but you will save money on each device you don't have to rent. Even if they don't have a second place to plug in you can just use a headphone splitter.


6.  Subway Use the subway, bus, train, plane, or a car.  Take the time to figure out what is the cheapest way to get around.  A subway system can be very intimidating if you are not familiar with it.  Download a subway app to your phone and it will pinpoint where you are and tell you which subway to use.  It's easy! 

7.  Use Cheap Transportation  Don't assume that one form of transportation is cheaper than another.  When we were in Europe we thought we would take the train everywhere, but it was so expensive.  Instead, we found Ryan Air and flew from one destination to another.  We took three separate flights and it was less than half what the train would have cost and took about a sixth of the time.

8.  Get a Hotel Deal  Watch various websites for the best hotel deal.  Use which ever site you need to.  I use Travelzoo, Priceline, and Expedia.com the most.

9.  Daily Deals  Once you know where you are going on vacation you can sign up with daily deal websites for that city.  Everyday is a different deal.  You can get up to half price restaurant, spa, hotel, and tours.  LivingSocial's Daily Deals and Groupon are available in most cities.

10.  Buy Restaurant gift certificates  Utilize restaurants.com to your benefit.  Look up your hotels zip code and search for restaurants available nearby.  If there is one you want to go to or one that is recommended get a $25 certificate for it.  I do this all the time and pay $2 per gift certificate.  There is usually a minimum of 2 entrees or $35 that you have to spend to use it and they add tip.  If you sign up with them they will send you coupon codes.  I never pay $10 for a certificate, because I always use an 80% off coupon code. 

11.  Free admission  Almost all museums have times when they admit people for free.  Look up the museum you want to visit and find out if they offer this. Even some of the most famous museum in the world do this, like the Prado.

For some other ways to save money on Family Travel check out Veggie Mom's 10 tips for family travel deals.

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Electronic coupons

It's no secret that I like coupons and I was very excited when I found out about electronic coupons. These are coupons you can get on the computer that you load on to your store card. I have a Smith's near my house so that is the card I have them load on.

Some of the websites you can get them at are:

Upromise does not offer a lot of coupons, but I check it once a month. Their's are usually coupons that no one else is offering.

Cellfire

Shortcuts is a website full of coupons that you can load on to your grocery card.

Also, depending on where you shop they offer their own coupons at their stores website.

• Smiths store website they offer 150 different coupons every month. I pick the ones I want and load them to my card. They include coupons for Kroger brand name, because this is part of the Kroger chain. I think any of the stores related to Kroger offer this.
• Fred Meyer
• Albertsons
• Safeway
• 
  

10 free books for military

Each active duty military member is authorized 10 free Paperback Books and/or Playaways (audio books) a year through MilitaryOne Source.

HOW TO GET THEM:
Sign up for Military OneSource.  Once you login, click on the "Tools" tab near the top right of the page. Scroll down to the "Family & Recreation" banner, and under the "Libraries"
heading, click on "Online Library Resources" this brings up a page with many options instead of picking any of those look above them where it shows the list of things you have clicked on choose "Library Resources".   This will bring up a different page Click on "Playaway and Paperback books". You can pick what you want from the non fiction and fiction lists and add it to your cart. You do not have to get ten at once. You have a year from your first book all 10.  (don't forget that next to each selection it will say whether or not it is paper back or a playaway)

Playaways are pre-loaded on MP3 players with a start, stop and pause functions. When you pause it, it remembers where you left off--if you forget to pause, it will at least remember the last chapter playing.
They are also available for checkout at your base library. They provide incentive to exercise and/or are great for travel. Exercise incentive
because you will want to keep listening to the story (being read by someone else) and will hopefully look forward to the next workout to follow the story through until the end.

Additionally, the "Library" tab provides a lot of other free services for active duty families.
One awesome resource is the Peterson's Online Academic Skills Course that helps our Airmen, their spouses and kids advance their math and verbal skills. Individuals start by taking pre-tests which measure current skill level. Then the course builds an individualized learning
just for the person - meaning you get just the lessons you need to improve your skills... in the comfort and privacy of their home and ... its free!!

Military - Free travel pillow from Sleep Number

Through November 14th, all active and retired military personnel, with appropriate military ID, will receive a FREE travel pillow for visiting a Sleep Number store and finding their Sleep Number setting. In addition, you’ll receive exclusive bed ($750 off) and bedding discounts (30% off).

Also, November 5th-7th, Sleep Number stores will be hosting a Military Appreciation Event with refreshments and giveaways.


Thanks to ChicNSavvy for finding the great deal.

She Speaks

     I mentioned in an earlier post that I am a product reviewer.  She Speaks is another great website I do product reviews for.  You can register on their website. Then if you match up with one of their current product promotions they will send you a survey to see if you qualify and to see if you are interested in reviewing it.  If selected you receive the product in a few weeks. After trying it you have to fill out a survey or write a review. Sometimes both. 
     The most recent review I did was for a credit card.  I did not have to apply or have the card already.  All I had to do was review the card on the website and then give feed back.  The reward was a 1 year magazine subscription.  I have only gotten picked for a few reviews, but still it's free stuff when I do.

Become a Buzz Agent

PlayStaion 3 rewards program

I am currently hosting a PlayStation 3 Online VIP Gaming Rewards program.  If you or your child would like to participate please click here to join.

Each month they will give you a new challange and for each challange you complete you earn rewards.  Every point you earn gets you closer to receiving great PlayStation® prizes like themes and game demos. Not only that, but PlayStation® will also be giving away 25 other prizes each month!

I'm a Buzz Agent

As a stay at home mom I am always looking for little ways to contribute. One of my favorite ways is by being a buzz agent.   In other words a product reviewer.  I don't get paid, but I do get a little kit with free stuff to try out.  Right now I'm a buzz agent for Elmer's glue and X-Acto through Buzzagent.com.  I'm trying out several of their fantastic glue and cutting products for scrapbooking.  Here is a picture of the items they sent me.






Once I am done trying them out I "buzz" about them. As in tell other people. If they send me coupons then I pass those out to people.  Then I go to the website and fill out a few things. Simple things to get a few fun freebies!

Review for SheSpeaks

Free subscription to Southern child magazine

Right now you can sign up for a free subscription to Southern Child Magazine. This is on online magazine.
http://www.southernchildmagazine.com/

Watch TV for free!

Quite Paying for Cable

Recently, I decided I was fed up with paying for cable and I thought we watched too much tv. So, I cancelled it. This was great for about two months and then football season arrived. I am a Red Raider and I was not able to watch the Texas Tech vs. texas univ. game. It was this moment that I knew there must be a way. I began to search the Internet for options. Although, I found several, there is only one I can recommend and it is the one I am using.

The software program is called PlayOn and you can download it to your computer. Then through your router your gaming system will pick it up. You can then watch HULU, NICK, CBS, CNN, ESPN, MTV, PBS Kids, Youtube and more. You can watch almost any tv show through HULU.  We are watching tv using this software through our Play Station 3, iPad 2 and our Wii. I know that you can use it other ways as well including the xbox360, roku,  and the newer online tv's.

For a limited time, get a free Roku when you purchase a Lifetime PlayOn License. No risk, 30 Day Money Back Guarantee.

For more info you can go to Buy PlayOn Here - 30-Day Money Back Guarantee   It is not completely free, but compared with cable, a one time fee is almost as good as free! I paid 29.99 three and a half years ago and have never had to pay anything else!

How to Watch more TV for Free with PlayOn

After you get the software you can then check out plugins. http://www.playonplugins.com/
http://www.playonscripts.com/.  Your PlayOn will come with a whole array of channels. In case they don't have the channel you want, they have all kinds of various plugins. These are extra things you can add like FOX News, CW, and Cartoons. I added all three of these. On the cartoons plugin we are getting Disney Jr., Nick JR. and Sprout. All of the plugins were completely free.

Free stuff around Disney World

English: ' observation balloon ride at Downtown Disney in Orlando, Florida. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We can no longer use our annual passes to get into Disney because the expired. Such a bummer. And we just found out that we might be going to Orlando for the New Year. My husband might do the fly by for the Capitol One Bowl game. So, I have begun looking for things to do with our kids that will be fun and won't break the bank! Here is what I have found so far:

You can park for free at any Disney resort, you just have to ask for the 3 hour parking pass!  You can also park at Downtown Disney for free.

Every night, beginning at 9 pm, the Electrical Water Pageant makes it's way around Seven Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake. It can be seen from 5 of the resorts. You could go to The Grand Floridian and then walk down to the beach and see the Pageant and the fireworks at Magic Kingdom.

Disney's Boardwalk is located right outside Epcot and modeled after Atlantic City's boardwalk. Every night they play a Disney movie and have a campfire on the beach side. The kids can play in the sand while they watch the movie. Apparently if you are around when they do Illuminations at Epcot, you can see a lot of the fireworks and hear the music. (we will definitely do this, because when we where at Epcot, we could barely see!) Sometimes there is a magician there. You can also take a boat ride.

Fort Wilderness Campground has a bonfire every night (around 8 pm) for free. It starts with a sing-a-long, Chip and Dale come for a meet and greet and then they play a Disney movie for free. You can bring items to make your own s'mores or you can buy it there. They also has a free petting zoo and you can visit the barn where they house the horses they use on Main Street. Small children can enjoy pony rides.

Animal Kingdom Lodge has over 100 grazing animals on property. You can view them for free. There is a place set up for kids to play musical instruments from Africa inside the gift shop.

Downtown Disney is free and there are lots of shops and restaurants. There are full size statues of Disney characters. My kids love the Lego store. They have an area set up where the kids can build and a playground. There are also really large Lego creation around the store. The Ghiradelli Chocolate store is always giving out free samples! My kids also like watching the hot air balloon go up and down.  Most nights there is a family friendly DJ near the toy store.  (He is really good)

The Gaylord Palms – My step mom said this was worth checking out! There is a large atrium with three destinations The Everglades which has REAL alligators, a Spanish Castle with pathways through the everglades and Key West – there is a large boat which is a bar inside the atrium. You do have to pay for parking however.


Disney Tickets - Buy 3 Days, Get 1 Day FREE to Walt Disney World. Plus, FREE Shipping!Pin It

Free Disney Tickets!

Give a Day. Get a Disney Day.
September 29, 2009 | Leigh Harper

We announced an exciting new partnership with Disney Parks this morning on Good Morning America. Disney Parks is recognizing families and individuals who volunteer their time to help improve communities by giving them a free one-day ticket to a Disney theme park.

Those in Canada, Puerto Rico or the United States who volunteer their time in service to a participating organization beginning on Jan. 1, 2010, will receive a free one-day admission ticket to a Disney theme park at either Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., or Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif.

The new program is being celebrated today with a five-city launch and large volunteer projects led by L.A. Works, Chicago Cares, HandsOn Atlanta, HandsOn Miami and Volunteer Canada. HandsOn Network will help people find volunteer projects that align with their interests and lifestyles.

To find out how to participate, visit: www.handsonnetwork.org/disney


Disney Tickets - Buy 3 Days, Get 1 Day FREE to Walt Disney World. Plus, FREE Shipping!

ArtsCow

I just found this awesome new website. ArtsCow is a photo website (like snapfish, photoworks, etc.) For signing up you get FREE things. Coasters, books, prints, calendars, card decks, a watch, a jewerly bag, etc. . You are covered with photo gifts for at least a year!
.
Use the code FREE10BKS to get 10 FREE 20 page photobooks. (Creat an account, sign in, go to my account, go to credit & discount and enter the code.)
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To see your credits, go members area, then credits and discounts.

Please use my referral code! Thanks

http://www.artscow.com/?Ref=580762

Free Museum admission every first full weekend of the month

,Every first full weekend of the month each card holder can get in free to many museums, zoos, science centers, gardens and more by showing your Bank of America card. To find one in your area or more info click here.

May 2 - 3
June 6 -7
July 4-5
Aug 1- 2
Sept 5 - 6
Oct 3 - 4
Nov 7- 8
Dec 5 - 6

Free Books for children - Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Dolly's Imagination Library (Photo credit: MrSchuReads)

The Imagination Library is a program that can be found in various communities throughout the United State and I think a few other countries. You can enroll your child in the program if it is available in your community. Your child will receive a free book in the mail every month until they turn 5.

From their website: In 1996, Dolly Parton launched an exciting new effort to benefit the children of her home county in east Tennessee. Dolly wanted to foster a love of reading among her county’s preschool children and their families. She wanted children to be excited about books and to feel the magic that books can create. Moreover, she could insure that every child would have books, regardless of their family’s income.So she decided to mail a brand new, age appropriate book each month to every child under 5 in Sevier County. With the arrival of every child’s first book, the classic The Little Engine That Could ™, every child could now experience the joy of finding their very own book in their mail box. These moments continue each month until the child turns 5—and in their very last month in the program they receive Look Out Kindergarten Here I Come.

Unfortunately, I do not have this program in my community but my brother lives in Auburn, NY and they do have the program there.

Related articles

• Dolly Parton wants to be known for books, not looks

Learning A-Z Open house

A-Z is a website I use occasionally. The offer a variety of educational services. One that I have utilized is the A-Z science. They had several lessons you can download for free. I just got an email from them letting me know about their free week! Enjoy!

From their website: In recognition of Teacher Appreciation Week from May 4-8, we're thrilled to announce our annual Open House. As thanks for everything you and your staff do on behalf of our kids, you can explore our websites free of charge! Explore our dynamic, interactive sites and sample many of our down loadable resources, from reading and writing to vocabulary and science.

Learning A-Z is on a mission. That mission is to provide teachers and students with flexible and affordable research-based resources for differentiated K-6 instruction. Especially now, during these challenging economic times, that mission can only be fulfilled if we have strong partnerships with education professionals like you.

Register now!
Registration for the Open House is now open! Just go to Learning A-Z to sign up and receive a full schedule of our Open House events. This is a great opportunity to see what Learning A-Z has to offer, not just as a provider of learning resources but as a partner committed to helping your students realize their full potential.Kind regards,Bob Holl Cofounder and Publisher Learning A-Z, Inc.

Care.com

Have your heard about Care.com? I have been using it since about November and it has worked well for me. You can place an ad for a nanny and have people respond to you or you can search through the nanny ads and find some you like and contact them. This is great when you travel as a family and the parent's need a night out.  They also have people on there that offer senior care, pet care, tutoring, housekeeping and special needs care. Everyone listed on this site has passed a background check. Right now they are offering there site free for the weekend.

Free Legos

Did you know that you can get free Legos?  My son loves Legos and the last time we were down in Orlando we made it a point to go to the Lego store at downtown Disney.While we were in there I found about two things they offer both for free!

First, they have a free Lego magazine that your child can get. Lego actually has two magazines one for younger kids and one for older. Both of the Lego magazines are free.

Second, every first Tuesday of the month they offer a free in store mini model build that you keep. For the month of April it was a mini rabbit. I wish we lived closer to a Lego store!

Just go to their website to sign up for the newsletter, play games, or find a store near you!

How to Build a LEGO Snowflake

Home Depot and Lowes free kids activities

Home Depot offers Kids Workshops at most stores the 1st Saturday of each month from 9AM - noon. These workshops are free and designed for children ages 5 - 12. The next two workshops are:
May 2nd - wheelbarrow and June 6th - hardware sorter

For more info and to find a location near you click here.

Lowes offers Build and Grow free kids' clinics at most stores twice a month at 10AM. These are limited to the first 50 kids. (even with that limit we have never been turned away!)
For more info and to find a location near you click here.


One year for my son's b-day we had a slumber party and in the morning I took all the kids to Home Depot and they got to build race cars! This was a huge hit and it was free!

Free Preschool material - 1-2-3 Preschool Projects

Fun and Educational Hands-On Preschool Activity Packets for Child Care Providers.
1-2-3 Preschool Projects is a professionally designed preschool curriculum that offers a variety of textual materials that encourages the love of learning for the young child.
The monthly packets are full of theme based activities that encourage learning in the areas of the fine motor, gross motor, cognitive, language, math, drama, science and textures for children ages 2-5 years old.

To get your free sample pack click here.