Review of The Money Saving Mom’s Budget by Crystal Paine

I was fortunately enough to get a review copy of The Money Saving Mom’s Budget. The author, Crystal Paine, is the creator of Money Saving Mom. Even if you are a follower of Crystal’s website, this book is definitely a good read and worth buying. This book is definitely the epitome of what I try to teach on my blog, Coupon Out Of Debt. I think if anyone is in debt or has a tight budget The Money Saving Mom’s Budget is a MUST have.

At the beginning of the book, Crystal discusses the hardships that her and her husband, Jesse, went through. They were able to survive on very little money each week while he studied at law school, and she started different business ventures. With her savings, savvy shopping, and their disciplined financial decisions, Jesse and Crystal were able to purchase a house after law school. She now spreads her passion of saving money through her website, Money Saving Mom. This book will teach you how to get a grip on your finances and become more organized and peaceful in your life.

The Money Saving Mom’s Budget gives you more than enough information to get your finances in order. Crystal is a fantastic writer, and you will stay intrigued through out the entire book. (Any of you fans already know how well she writes and draws you in, this book definitely meets my standards). Remember, getting your finances in order takes work! You have to WANT to get in a better financial situation. Realize there might be blood, sweat, and tears to get there. With that being said, this book has a very positive tone and will keep you reading. It might be hard to let go of dining out 10 times a month, but those little things do add up and Crystal is able to give you tons of ideas on how to maximize your budget.

Crystal is very good at bringing a balance to the book. Not only do you need to know things you should do to get your budget in order, you also need to know how to get your life in order! Believe it or not, your finances can affect the way you live. If your house is a extremely cluttered, it can affect you personally as well! Late paying bills? Well maybe that’s because they are stuck under those piles of papers on your desk. The Money Saving Mom’s Budget goes into detail on how to get back on track in your life and finances.

If you don’t know how to use coupons, she also wrote a chapter on couponing. It was well worth the read, even for those who know how to use coupons. I highly recommend this book to anyone, in debt or no debt because everyone could learn something about their budget and spending behavior. Right now you can pre-order The Money Saving Mom’s Budget, which is set to release in January 2012. I plan to write follow ups on this post as I follow some of her suggestions in this book. Please visit my money saving blog, Coupon Out Of Debt to receive any follow up posts about this book.

 

Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set

 

 

 

 

 

 

**This is an update post. You can buy The Little People Nativity set from Family Christian Store right now for $16.79 if you use coupon code 126380110. Shipping is only 99 cents!

Can you believe it is November already? I wrote a review of the Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set last year (which you can read below), but I edited it for this year. Christmas is truly right around the corner, especially in the eyes of retail stores! Now is the time to keep an eye out for good prices on Christmas gifts. The Little People Nativity Set is definitely one of those toys that fluctuates price during the holiday season.

The Little People Christmas Story Nativity Scene Playset is one of the most popular toy items around the holidays for parents to run out and buy. The Fisher Price Little People Nativity Set comes with 12 figurines and musical playset. This gift is perfect for helping a parent explain the meaning behind the holidays (not just cookies and milk, right?). Joseph, Mary, and Baby Jesus are 3 of the figures that come with the set. Touch n Feel animals and an angel are also included. When the angel is placed on top of the lighting star, the song Away in the Manger will play. Other figurines that are included are a donkey, sheep, cow, stable, and many more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My children at the time of purchase was 3 and 1. My son turned 4 in May so I can honestly say he is more into it now than he was at 3. My daughter; however, LOVES playing with. I can tell she will be more into figurings than my son.

Pros:

Comes with a lot of pieces. I was happy to have a lot of pieces, more for my children to play with.

It’s a beautiful set.

The only Christmas Nativity set that has a light that I’m aware of.

Cons:

The Little People Nativity Set is a little pricey.

There are a lot of pieces, so it can be difficult to keep up with! (This is why I don’t have a picture of all the pieces!)

Cute figurines might become dog toys or get slobbered to death by your infant. But, hey, what can you expect?

Please visit here to view all available Nativity sets on Amazon and for current pricing information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Personal Kindle Fire Review, Pros and Cons

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7oQImH1Gx0&feature=feedu[/youtube]

Two days ago I excitedly opened the brand new Kindle Fire. I have been able to play with it for two days, so I thought I would write a review. You can see the Kindle Fire, Full Color 7″ Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi here.

When I opened the Kindle Fire box, I noticed there were no paper instructions except a little piece of cardboard telling me how to charge it. I didn’t need instructions per se, because it is available on your Kindle. However, some people might care if there are instructions available or not.

Anyways, I plugged my Kindle Fire in the wall and let it charge. There is only 1 button on the Kindle Fire, which is the on/off button. No case is included, but there are several available online here. The Kindle Fire comes with an AC adapter. It does NOT come with a micro USB data cable for syncing with your computer. You will have to purchase that separately.

Before I get into the details that you’ve already probably read online, I will tell you my beefs with the Kindle Fire so far. First, I noticed the Kindle Fire was heavier than anticipated. Although it is stated that the Fire weighs 14.3 ounces, you don’t really know how heavy it is until you are holding it. I was a little surprised at the weight; however, after a couple of days I am use to it.

For you ladies out there, I nurse my child when I rock her to sleep. I was able to successfully rock my daughter while holding the Kindle in one hand with the Boppy Pillow as support. I am very happy about this because I was sick of reading the screen on my iPhone at night when I rocked her to sleep.

The next issue I’ve had, well the only real issue, is that the Kindle Fire has crashed a couple of times. The screen has frozen and becomes unresponsive. I tried to turn off the Kindle and turn it back on but it did not work. My husband emailed Amazon for me, and the automatic email suggested that the battery was low. I can guarantee you that the battery was not low. After about 20 minutes, I decided to plug it in the wall and then perform the hard reset on the Kindle Fire. To perform a hard reset, you push the power button for 20 seconds. It DID turn off. So that seemed to fix the problem.

You can see the Kindle Fire, Full Color 7″ Multi-touch Display, Wi-Fi at that link.

The pros of the Kindle Fire is that it is a gorgeous ebook reader. It has a beautiful screen and awesome, clear picture. I love reading on the screen. The pictures in books are beautiful, crisp, and crystal clear.

I have an iPhone so I have been doing comparisons between the two (although I know they are completely different!). Surprisingly, the volume on the Kindle Fire and the volume on the iPhone are comparable. If you plan to watch movies, don’t expect the volume to be much louder on the Kindle Fire. If I had to do it over again, yes, I would buy the Fire.

Kindle Fire Spec’s Straight From Amazon.

• 7″ multi-touch display with IPS (in-plane switching) technology and anti-reflective treatment, 1024 x 600 pixel resolution at 169 ppi, 16 million colors.
• Size (in inches) 7.5″ x 4.7″ x 0.45″ (190 mm x 120 mm x 11.4 mm).
• Weight 14.6 ounces (413 grams).
• System Requirements None, because it’s wireless and doesn’t require a computer.
• On-device Storage 8GB internal (approximately 6GB available for user content). That’s enough for 80 apps, plus 10 movies or 800 songs or 6,000 books.
• Cloud Storage Free cloud storage for all Amazon content
• Battery Life Up to 8 hours of continuous reading or 7.5 hours of video playback, with wireless off. Battery life will vary based on wireless usage, such as web browsing and downloading content.
• Charge Time Fully charges in approximately 4 hours via included U.S. power adapter. Also supports charging from your computer via USB.
• Wi-Fi Connectivity Supports public and private Wi-Fi networks or hotspots that use 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, or enterprise networks with support for WEP, WPA and WPA2 security using password authentication; does not support connecting to ad-hoc (or peer-to-peer) Wi-Fi networks.
• USB Port USB 2.0 (micro-B connector)
• Audio 3.5 mm stereo audio jack, top-mounted stereo speakers.
• Content Formats Supported Kindle (AZW), TXT, PDF, unprotected MOBI, PRC natively, Audible (Audible Enhanced (AA, AAX)), DOC, DOCX, JPEG, GIF, PNG, BMP, non-DRM AAC, MP3, MIDI, OGG, WAV, MP4, VP8.
• Documentation Quick Start Guide (included in box); Kindle Fire User’s Guide (pre-installed on device). Additional information available online.
• Warranty and Service 1-year limited warranty and service included. Optional 2-year Extended Warranty available for U.S. customers sold separately. Use of Kindle is subject to the terms found here.
• Included in the Box Kindle Fire device, U.S. power adapter (supports 100-240V), and Quick Start Guide.

KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse

The KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse is a gorgeous and all inclusive set for any little girl. The attention to detail is outstanding. Any child will have so much fun playing with this house as it stands over 4 feet wide and 4.5 feet tall. Dolls up to 12 inches tall can fit inside in any of the 8 large rooms available. This means that girls can use their Barbie dolls inside this play house!

There are 34 pieces included in the KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse. Furniture pieces and accessories such as a grandfather clock, piano, tub, tables, a kitten and plant, and much more. There is even an elevator for the dolls or people to hop on that takes them between the second and third floor! There is also a garage and windows to make this house even more real for little kids. You can see the dollhouse here.

Reviews have been very favorable for this product. Girls love it, and parents feel like it is worth the money. Why get a smaller one for a little bit less in price when you can get a huge dollhouse that your child will feel like she lives in? Kids love to feel like they are part of the action, so this dollhouse is definitely for your little girl. The KidKraft Majestic Mansion Dollhouse could take a bit of time to put together but that is because it is a sturdy and well built product. The furniture included is sturdy also. Some parents reports that if you put it together by yourself it could take a little over 2 hours. The good news is that the screws are color coded, so if the screw does not match the color paint on that part of the house, it does not belong there. Instructions are included. Many single moms were able to put it together with no help whatsoever.

Here is a tip to know that will be helpful for you when you purchase this dollhouse. Some parents reported that the elevator was a little tough to move and the stairs seemed a little flimsy. If you do not screw the elevator in all the way, and allow for the screws to be a little loose, the elevator should move up and down with no problem. You will also need a screwdriver to put this house together. This should not affect the sturdiness or build of the house. If you love this KidKraft Majestic Dollhouse, there are also a ton of other KidKraft products such as kitchens, bookshelves, accessories, and even more dollhouses! However, this KidKraft Dollhouse seemed to be the best for your buck! View this dollhouse here.

 

Compare Train Tables: Thomas and Friends, Imaginarium, KidKraft, and Melissa & Doug

Image	Train Table Name	Storage Available?	Dimensions	Amazon
	KidKraft Train Ride Around Table Review	2 Bins Come with Train Table that must be placed on floor. Will fit under table.	49” x 34.5” x 16.25	View on Amazon
	Imaginarium City Central Train Table	2 Large Drawers	49.375L x 32.75W x 17H	View on Amazon
	Melissa and Doug Deluxe Wooden Multi-Activity Table	Jumbo Sized Drawer	5.7 x 25 x 57.5 inches	View on Amazon
	Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway, Island of Sodor Wooden Playtable Review	No Drawer or Bin	55 x 24 x 7 inches	View on Amazon

Thomas Train Table Review: Thomas And Friends Wooden Railway, Island of Sodor Wooden Playtable

Every child knows who Thomas the Train is and every child wants a train table with Thomas’s picture on it. This review will cover the Thomas and Friends Wooden Railway Island of Sodor Playtable.

Keep in mind that this train table does not come with any train toys or tracks. You must purchase them separately.

Read the rest of the “Thomas and Friends Train Table” review:

Continue reading “Thomas Train Table Review: Thomas And Friends Wooden Railway, Island of Sodor Wooden Playtable” »

Kidkraft Train Ride Around Table Review

The KidKraft Ride Around Train Table is a toy that any young child will love. My 4 year old son and my 22 month old daughter love playing with the train table that we own. There are several different train tables on the market. This article will discuss the details about this particular train set, the KidKraft Ride Around Train Table.

Read the rest of the “KidKraft Train Ride Around Table” Review:

Table of Contents (click ahead!)

What’s Included       Specs
Age Group              Kidkraft Train Ride Around Table Customer Reviews
Pros & Cons

What’s Included

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The KidKraft Ride Around train table comes with several pieces. First, there are 100 colorful pieces. Parts that are included are the train tracks, draw bridge, fire station, hospital, ambulance, wooden barn animals, wooden people, and a variety of other vehicles and figures. There is also a airport and runway helipad. Two bins are also included to hold the items. You can see a list of parts or replacement parts that can be ordered at this KidKraft link. The train set includes enough parts that you will not need to buy any other trains, figures, tracks, or toys.

Specs

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The KidKraft Ride Around train table is very large that several children can play together at once. I know for birthday parties I’ve thrown for my son, there have been tons of children playing around the train table. The train table is made of wood and has sturdy construction. The dimensions are 49” x 34.5” x 16.25. This train table is compatible with Thomas and Friends wooden train sets and Brio wooden train sets.

Age Group

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The KidKraft Ride Around Train Table is recommended for a wide span of ages. According to Amazon, they recommend children between 36 months and 8 years old. Honestly, my daughter is 22 months old and LOVES to play with this train table. She plays with it very well. The small pieces included are wooden figures but she has never tried to eat them (only the dog). My 4 year old still plays with his train table after a year and still loves it.

According to the manufacturer, the recommended age is between 36 months and 15 years old. I do believe that 15 year olds might be too old to play with this because generally high schoolers are interested in other things at this age. I strongly believe that a child through out elementary school will enjoy playing this.

KidKraft Train Ride Around Table Customer Reviews

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“It is fantastic! Very sturdy, looks great, everything you need for a train table! This company shipped it very fast and packaged it well….(read more here: KidKraft Train Ride Around Table Review)”

“This train table exceeded my expectations in so many way. I was very happy with the quality and it is standing up to my children’s abuse. I also wanted to note that this seller is incredible and worked with me when we had problems. Outstanding product and service….(read more here:
KidKraft Train Ride Around Table Review)”

Amazon Rating: 4.5

 

Pros & Cons

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Pros:

 

 

The KidKraft Train Ride Around Table has more positives than negatives! Most parents said it was sturdy, had great construction, and shipped nicely. Parents also found that it was simple to put it together. Many parents reported that their children played with this train set daily. Although many people would have loved to get the Thomas the Train table set, this set was more reasonably priced and felt that it was suitable for their children. Cheaper did not mean poorer quality either. Like mentioned previously, the train table is very sturdy. The bins that comes with this set is a great addition so children can put the vehicles, trains, and any other toy stored inside the bins.

 

Cons:

The pros definitely outweighed the cons on the KidKraft Train Ride Around Table. One parent claims that the tracks are not 100% compatible with Thomas the Train MOTORIZED engines. She said the trains don’t fit all the way into the grooves. The Amazon review continues to state how the motorized engines won’t fit here and there and she had to manipulate certain pieces to get the engine to fit. The manufacturer description CLEARLY states Thomas and Friends wooden train sets and Brio wooden train sets. From one parent to another who owns several trains of all the brands, the motorized engines are NOT meant to go on a wooden track to begin with, although my son does put them on the track anyways.

Another review stated that “The red bridge in the middle is not designed with the correct height and it was the hardest to put together. So when you try to push the trains to go under the bridge they get stuck and do not go through.The wood tracks are not that smooth and the trains magnets are not strong enough to keep the trains connected together while pushing it down the track”….(read more here).. This is the only problem that I can find that seemed to be an issues for a couple of people who purchased the KidKraft Ride Around Train table.

Check current pricing discounts:

Features Overview:

Hungry Hungry Hippos Game Review by a Mom, Video and Pics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last year we purchased the Hungry Hungry Hippos game. In my mission to review Christmas toys, I thought I review this classic toy along with 2 videos and pics. I feel some of the reviews on Amazon are harsh, so I wanted to help you make up your mind about this toy. It’s a classic! Just buy it! Seriously, we love this toy. Yes, there are a couple of annoying things about this game, but the fun and joy we get out of this Hasbro game is wonderful.

I did not have Hungry Hungry Hippos when I was growing up so I was anxious to get it for my son. We bought it for his 4th birthday. For parents of small children, you should be aware that there could be a potential choking hazard. The game comes with several small balls/marbles. To be more specific, there are 20 white, plastic marbles. Although my son is 4, I have always supervised him when he plays with this game. I do have a younger child, so I do not let her play with it. Unfortunately, the dog has gotten a hold of a few of the plastic marbles.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul2Fb9qbBC8&feature=feedu[/youtube]

If you buy Hungry Hungry Hippos you will receive:

• 20 plastic marbles
• A plastic game base with 4 hippo heads and 4 levers (which are the tails of the hippos) attached
• Instruction Manual

Barbie Pink 3 Story Dream Townhouse Review by a Mom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Since Christmas is quickly approaching and everyone is in high gear for shopping, I’ve decided to review some popular toys. I have at least 5-8 toy posts coming up this week not including others I’ve been working on. The first toy I found was the Barbie Pink 3-Story Dream Townhouse. It is very popular on Amazon and has great reviews. Here are the details:

The Barbie Dream Townhouse is every little girl’s dream come true. She will love how gorgeous this dollhouse is! The Barbie Pink 3 Story Dream Townhouse made by Mattel is recommended for kids between 36 months and 10 years of age. Every girl is going to fall in love with this amazing 3 feet tall house that comes fully furnished! Parents should know how expensive little pieces of furniture are to buy for a dollhouse. Parents will save a lot of money buying this townhouse since all the furniture comes with this this toy. There are over 55 pieces included.

Kids will love the beautiful details of this Barbie Dream Townhouse. The classic Barbie pink color is spread throughout. Product features include a pink elevator, lights and sounds on every level of the house. Not only is all the furniture included, there is even a fireplace, flat screen TV, tiki lights, outdoor whirlpool tub, luxurious bathroom, a fully stocked kitchen, and much more.

The Barbie Dream Townhouse plays several sounds like a real house. For example, when little girls decided to give the dolls a shower, the shower will actually hum like a real shower! A crackling fireplace, kitchen timer, a doorbell, and even a flushing toilet are just a few of the amazing details that Mattel included in this Barbie Dream Townhouse.

Parent reviews have been overall favorable. Kids and parents alike have been amazed by the little details that are included.

Critiques:

• The selling point of this house is definitely the neat features that so many other dollhouses do not include, especially wooden dollhouses.
• Many parents reported that the Barbie Dream Townhouse was sturdy and worth the cost of the toy.
• Some parents mentioned that some of the little pieces were flimsy such as the chandelier.
• The elevator and fireplace were the most difficult pieces to install. When installing the elevator, make sure the clip is positioned the correct way. If it is too hard to install, it is possible the clip is not positioned correctly.
• Also, when installing the fireplace, make sure the fireplace is pushed into the back wall correctly and it should snap in with ease.
• The Barbie Dream Townhouse does not come with very detailed instructions, so many moms reported looking on the picture of the box to put the townhouse together. The Barbie Pink 3 Story Dreamhouse is definitely a good purchase to make for any little girl who loves Barbies and pink!

Shop HERE to see more about this great toy.

Accessory Geeks Review: iPhone 4 Otterbox Case

 

As a mom to two little kids, things happen. Damage to property happens when you have kids. My leather couch has been drawn on with markers by my daughter (fortunately, they were washable!). She has drawn on the walls too! Well, my daughter’s favorite item is my iPhone. She LOVES to bring me my iPhone. Even if it is sitting right next to me, she will pick it up and say “here you go” in her cute little baby voice. Unfortunately, she has also chewed the rim of iPhone cases. It’s not that I allow her to do this, but in a blink of an eye she can grab my phone and chew it.

I was contacted by someone from Accessory Geeks recently who was kind enough to send me an iPhone case for free! I am so thankful because I really needed a new case. We have been through TWO iPhone cases in the past year. My request from Accessory Geeks was a sturdy and rugged iPhone case. Accessory Geeks sent me the Original Otterbox Apple iPhone 4 Defender Series Case with holster/belt clip that is pink and black.

I am very impressed with the case and Accessory Geeks service. The great thing about this case is that there is a built in screen protector on the front of the case, which is awesome if you don’t want any scratches. Whoever said an iPhone can’t get scratched is wrong because I have a hairline scratch from not having a built in screen protector on the previous iPhone cases. I would definitely order from Accessory Geeks. They even have coupon codes! If you want to make a purchase, they currently have a $10 off $50 purchase right now using coupon code AGEEK1050. Below you can see a picture of the case I received. I also took a personal pic with my Mac photo booth camera, that didn’t turn out too well. I guess I need to take a pic of my iPhone with my husband’s iPhone!

 

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