Free $3 MP3 Credit on Amazon

Amazon.com is offering a free $3 MP3 credit. To claim, click here, then click on "Enter Your Code" and use code MP34FREE. If you have never purchased MP3's on Amazon, once you buy a song, you will be prompted to download the Amazon MP3 downloader. After the song downloads, it's automatically transferred into your itunes. It's easy and fast!

Black Friday Tips

Photo by nigel@hornchurch

Black Friday seems to have become a tradition for many people. Personally, I'm not a huge fan. I've ventured out a few times, but I don't usually shop for big-ticket items (I try to keep Christmas gifts somewhat modest for personal reasons) so savings are usually minimal. I also find that the crowds and the excitement end up causing me to make quick decisions on purchases and I end up spending more money than I planned. But, this year, I will be taking a look at the store ads anyways, 'just in case.'

Planning on braving the crowds on Black Friday? Here are a few tips.

1. Buy a newspaper! You need to be able to see the deals before you hit the stores.

2. Make a plan. Using the store ads, make a plan of attack. Figure out what stores have the hottest deals you just have to get. If it's a doorbuster deal or early-bird special, you may want to hit that store first.

3. Bring a list. Make a list of the people you have yet to purchase gifts for, and remember to note your budget. This helps you to avoid picking something up but wondering who in the world you'll give it to.

4. Head out early. You'll catch the best deals. Remember, some stores also have a secret deal (Old Navy has done this in the past) and you won't be able to grab it if you're too late!

5. Eat breakfast and wear comfortable shoes. You won't have to break up your shopping trips to get something to eat if you eat before you leave. And you'll be standing in line and walking around quite a bit. Please, don't be one of those poor unfortunate ladies that ends up with blisters at the end of the day.

Can't wait to see the deals? Check out these websites:

http://bfads.net/
http://www.blackfriday.info/
http://blackfriday.gottadeal.com/

http://slickdeals.net/blackfriday/

Putting The "Thanks" Back In Thanksgiving

Photo by ZedZap(Nick)

I've heard many people say this, and I must agree - Thanksgiving seems to be the forgotten holiday. Sure, we never forget to meet up with friends and family and enjoy a delicious meal. But many of us, myself included, seem to overlook Thanksgiving in favor of Christmas.

This year, I am focused on having a simple, stress-free holiday season, and I have decided to focus on Thanksgiving for what it is; a day to remember the many things which we are thankful for. Here are a few simple suggestions for putting the "thanks" back in Thanksgiving.

Teach Your Children. Our daughter is 3 years old now, and old enough to begin to understand meanings of holidays. You can never start too early! Crafting is a great way to teach children. There are plenty of sites offering great ideas on age-appropriate crafts focusing on thankfulness. Tomorrow, I am headed out to purchase some construction paper and twine; I am going to cut out leaves in different colors and talk with my daughter about what she is thankful for. We are going to write those things on the leaves and turn them into a garland to hang on our wall.

Remind Yourself. Starting tonight, grab a notebook and write down 5 things you are thankful for. Do this every night, and no matter how awful your day has been, you will end it on a positive note. You could also make one enormous list of everything you are thankful for, and post it on your fridge as a reminder. Get creative! On Thanksgiving morning, take a stack of post-it notes and go around the house with your family, posting your notes on the appropriate place. (For example, you could write 'I am thankful for having enough food to eat' on your fridge, or 'I am thankful for a warm house' on your thermostat.)

Share Your Blessings. Have you ever noticed talking about positive things with others can lift both your spirits? My church has an annual Thanksgiving celebration where everyone can stand up and talk about what they are thankful for, and it is always uplifting to see what God has been doing in their lives. I know it's also quite common to have everyone discuss what they are thankful for over the Thanksgiving table.

Do you have any special Thanksgiving traditions or ways to remember the meaning of the holiday?

50 More Photo Cards for Free

I recently posted about Freebies 4 Mom giving away 50 free photo cards from SeeHere. I already received mine, and the quality was fantastic! 50 cards was more than enough for me, but if you need 50 more, just use the code "newbaby" to get them for free.