Mom's Blog

Reviews, recipes, crafts, fashion, entertainment, news and more!

logo
Food Advertising by

Jingit – A New App That Allows You To Earn Cash + Box Tops For Your School

by 18 Comments

 

I have four children ranging from 4, 8, 13 and 15 years old. Ever since I my oldest started school, I have been clipping the Box Tops For Education coupons and sending them off with my kids to give to their school. I know it isn’t much, but over the years, all of the Box Tops that I have sent in has accumulated. For those that are not familiar with these coupons, they help your schools earn extra CASH which benefits the kids!

When it comes to finding ways to make money online or in my own time, I am for it. When I was pregnant with my oldest daughter, I created my first website and learned how to generate multiple streams of income from home. I am one that likes to be my own boss. Even when I was working outside the home, I was making other sources of income at home at the same time.

I just recently begin using the new app Jingit that I downloaded on my iPhone. The Jingit Phone App allows you to “Check In” at certain locations, scan certain products and then take a quick survey to earn not only CASH in your Jingit account, you can also also earn Box Top Coupons for the school of your choice.  You can currently download this app from the iTunes store or from Google Play for those of you Android users. Below is a screenshot I took of the app from my iphone.

If you don’t have a Smartphone, you can still signup for Jingit online and watch videos online but you have to have a Facebook account. You can visit the Jingit website and sign in using your Facebook username and password. Once logged in you are taken to your Jingit dashboard where you can watch videos for cash and Box Tops, see your Jingit Earning Meter and see your Jingit Balance.

Once you have watched a video, you earn both Box Tops as well as CASH for each of the videos.

If you want to try to earn the max that you can with Jingit, I will suggest using both Jingit online as well as the phone app. With the phone app you have the ability to make more CASH in your account which means more Box Tops for your designated school.

Just yesterday I went to Walmart and used my iPhone to “Check-In” and scan some products to see just how this Jingit app works. I was amazed with how easy and fast I added a few bucks onto my Jingit balance by scanning the products I found when I checked in with the app. Below is a screenshot I took in Walmart when I was scanning the Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers with Sauce.

Here is an example of what the Jingit iPhone app looks like when you select a product to scan. Since my kids LOVE pizza I had to scan the Tortino’s Party Pizzas for an extra $1.00 in my account.

The Jingit app makes it easy to scan the products listed. I didn’t scan everything in the list on the app, but I was able to scan quite a few things that I normally buy. When I scanned these products I not only earned myself some extra cash but my daughter’s school also earned some Box Tops that will go to good use. I also purchased these products which have some Box Tops that need to be clipped and sent to school with the kids as well.

With Jingit you have a weekly earning limit. When you get your friends to join Jingit, you can increase your Earn Limits which allows you to make even more money. When you become a member, you also need to signup for the Jingit Visa Debit Card that enables you to spend your Jingit balance.

Now that I have figured out how to use Jingit and am signed up for my Jingit Visa Debit Card, I want to earn even more. I am always buying General Mills products at Walmart so this should be an easy way to earn some extra spending money. I am hoping that each week I can earn my max as well as increase my earning limits. You can find out more by following Jingit on Twitter and Jingit on Facebook.

Want to see more photos? Check out my Jingit photo album on Google Plus to find more photos I took of my Jingit shopping trip at Walmart.

Disclosure – “I am a member of the Collective Bias™ Social Fabric® Community. This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Jingit #CBias #SocialFabric

Hallmark’s Nugget Interactive Story Buddy Review and Giveaway

by 56 Comments

I don’t know about you, but I have always been a fan of the Hallmark products. For as long as I can remember, the Hallmark cards where the ones you wanted to buy and give to show that special someone you care. Not only does Hallmark have awesome greeting cards, they also have some fun interactive stuffed animals that my children think are so neat.

I recently gave my son his second interactive story buddy from Hallmark, Nugget the cute and cuddly pup that speaks!

My son LOVES stuffed animals and he also loves when mom reads books out loud to him. When I gave my son Nugget, he was so excited and he wanted me to read “Nuggest First Day Of School” that comes with the stuffed animal when you purchase it. What is really neat about these interactive story buddies is there is more than one book that you can purchase with each interactive stuffed animal. New phrases are unlocked with each of the books that you read to it. For Nugget, you can find the following books:

  • Nugget’s First Day Of School
  • Nugget’s Field Day
  • Nuggest’s Dog Park Adventure

There is also an app that you can download that allows you to record your voice so that you can read to your little one with the help of Nugget, even when you can’t be there.

You can find out more about how this interactive pet works by watching my video below:

 
Hallmark currently has seven different interactive story buddies that each come with different books and say different phrases. My son also has Watson the raccoon that he absolutely adores. I think Watson is pretty cool too!  Think your child might want to have a Nugget too? If you answered yes, be sure to enter my Hallmark giveaway below.

Now time for my Hallmark Nugget Interactive Story Buddy Giveaway

One of my LUCKY winners is going to receive their own Nugget too! Winner will receive the Hallmark Nugget Story Buddy that comes with the book “Nugget’s First Day Of School”. To enter my giveaway, please use the Rafflecopter below:

Disclosure – I received the product featured above to provide you with this post. This post is not a paid post and the opinions stated herein are 100% my own.

Lean Beef – It’s What’s For Dinner – Tips To Grilling + Dry BBQ Rub Recipe

by 42 Comments

When it comes to meals that we prepare at my house, we eat beef almost as often as we eat chicken. When it comes to the way we cook our beef, my FAVORITE would be some lean beef burgers on the grill. Off course with with a slice of cheddar cheese because I love cheeseburgers.

When I first started cooking and for many years, I bought the cheapest beef that I could buy. I have always been one to try to save money, be frugal and I love to use coupons so going with the best deal on meat was something I would always do.  I have learned over the years that not only is lean beef a more healthy option, when you cook it, you get more in the end. I usually by lean beef, but if you want it really lean, look for the Extra Lean Labels.

I recently been experimenting using dry rubs. I have always been one to use marinades, but lately dry rubs are just as appealing but they both work in a different way to give your meat flavor. With a dry rub, you massage a mixture of spices and seasonings into your meat before you cook it. When you apply the rub to the meat’s surface, you are packing it full of flavor in the form of a savory crust on your meat. The flavor of your meat will depend on how long you apply the rub before you cook it.

What is neat about some rubs that I really like is when your rub has a good amount of salt in it, the salt will help to melt the fat on both the surface and inside of the meat while it is cooking. Just knowing that little fact has me wanting to use dry rubs even more.

This past weekend I had a BBQ with some friends where I my husband grilled up some lean beef burgers I made in which I used a homemade dry rub. We also had chicken and turkey dogs, but my cheeseburgers came out delicious. If you want to try a dry rub, I made one with ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
 

Below is my Dry BBQ Rub Recipe that you might want to try.

Dry BBQ Rub Recipe
Recipe Type: Condiment
Author: MommyEnterprises.com
Ingredients
  • 2 TBS Chili Powder
  • 2 TBS Brown Sugar (packed)
  • 2 TSP Cumin
  • 1 TSP Garlic Powder
  • 1/2 TSP Cider Vinegar
  • 1/2 TSP Onion Powder
Instructions
  1. Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until well mixed.
  2. Apply to meat prior to cooking.
  3. Enjoy!

 
In addition to the delicious cheeseburgers we had, no BBQ at my house is complete without some YUMMY pasta salad. My friend Jen makes a great pasta salad that she came over and made at my house for the BBQ. This pasta salad includes rotini noodles, mayo, sour cream, bell pepper, onion, and cubed cheese.

In addition to using rubs to help reduce the fat in your beef, here are some other tips that you might want to do to reduce the fat in your ground beef.

  • When cooking ground beef crumbles, drain the drippings that accumulate as you cook your meat.
  • Rinse your ground beef after it has been cooked to remove even more fat (not recommended for 90& and higher lean beef).
  • Place cooked burgers on several layers of papers towels to help absorb excess fat before serving.

Be sure to check out these….

To find out more about cooking with beef and to find some yummy recipes, visit: www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com.

“I wrote this review while participating in a In Home Party campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and received product samples to facilitate my party and review, and a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

Jansport Big Student Backpack Review

by 38 Comments

Black Jansport Backpack

A couple weeks ago my daughters started the new school year. My oldest went back to high school with a new Jansport Big Student Backpack. When I ordered the backpack I was afraid she wasn’t going to like it. The reason I say this is because I used to have a Jansport backpack back in my school days. It was purple and it lasted forever. I wouldn’t be surprised if my mom doesn’t still have it.

When I gave my daughter the backpack she smiled. I felt a little relieved. I asked if it was okay and she told me she had been wanting a Jansport which made me feel even better. When it comes to school, I try to get my daughters clothes and school supplies they like to help keep up their self esteem at school. I don’t ever want to send my kids off to school with anything they might get teased about. What made my day even better is when my other daughter mentioned she liked the backpack and wanted one too. She ended up getting the regular black Jansport backpack.

Big Student Jansport backback

What I like most about the Jansport backpack is the durability of course. With this Jansport Big Student Backpack, I am really liking the size of it. I actually wouldn’t mind having one of these for myself. Since my daughter’s high school no longer has lockers, this backpack is going to be handy on the days when she has to carry stuff around all day.

Here are the features of the Jansport Big Student Backpack:

  • Ergonomic S-curve shoulder straps
  • Two large main compartments for versatile storage
  • Front utility pocket with audio electronics organizer keeps essentials handy
  • Two zippered front stash pockets
  • Fully padded back panel for cushioning comfort
  • Web haul loop 600 Denier Polyester 1 lb 8 oz / 0.68 kg 17.5in h x 13in w x 10in d 2101.7 cu in / 34.44L

You can find this Jansport Big Student Backpack, school uniforms, medical scrubs, boy scout’s and girl’s scout uniforms and more at: www.idealuniform.com.

 

Hasbro’s Elefun Snackin’ Safari Review

by 20 Comments

When it comes to activities at my house, my kids play a ton of games. Rather it be a board game, computer game or maybe a video game, they are happy if they are playing something that is keeping them entertained.

This month I went to New York  for the #BlogHer12 convention and I went to a Hasbro Party where I had a blast. I also scored a bag of toys to bring home which  included the Hasbro Elefun Snackin’ Safari that I knew was going to bring smiles to my little guys face once I was able to give it to him.

I was so right. When I handed my son the box and he seen the elephant on the box he was so excited and he immediately took the elephants out of the box and wanted his sisters to play with him. And of course mom too!

In this game there are two hungry elephants that can be used to grab the Elefun’s favorite snacks and grab the most to win. You can also set the rules to be the first to find Elefun’s special snack to win or collect all of your matching colors! This is a 1 or 2 player game recommended for those ages 3 and up. My 4 year old son LOVES this game and so does his friend that comes over that is the same age.

To learn more about how this game works, take a peek at this video I found on Youtube:

What I like about this game is that it isn’t a video game and it is something that is easy to setup that my son enjoys playing. This is just one of Hasbro’s many FUN games for the family and would make for a great gift for any preschooler on your shopping list.

For more information on this game or the other fun Hasbro games, visit: www.Hasbro.com.

Disclosure – I received this game from Hasbro provide you with this post. This post is not a paid post and the opinions stated herein are 100% my own.

This Mom Can Cook