I decided to participate in a fun blog hop hosted by Acting Balanced. 

Here are the questions for you to answer in one of (2) ways: 
1. Answer in the comments section below, or 
2. Link up the answers from your blog

The Questions: 

1. What is on your bedside table?

2. Hardback, Paperback or E-Reader?

3. What is your go-to drink of choice?

4. How do you like to spend your birthday?

5. Finish this sentence, I wouldn't be caught dead in...

My Answers:

1. A bunch of mail and bills I haven't sorted or filed.

2. Any or all of the above.  Depends on where I am and what I am doing as to which I prefer.

3. My go-to drink of choice is lemonade with water as a close runner-up.

4. Pretending that it's not my birthday.  I am old as dirt!

5.  I wouldn't be caught dead in a bikini at my current weight!

 

* This post may include referral links. By clicking on those links I may receive a small amount of money and/or points that can be redeemed for gift cards or other rewards.

Make My Morning Blog Hop

Welcome to the Make My Morning Blog Hop!

Hosted by Jeannette of The Adventures of J-Man and MillerBug, Lisa of Mompreneur Mogul, and Jen of Life With Levi!

<center><a href="http://www.lifewithlevi.com"><img border="0" src=" https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-PjM2zkic3hM/TzcObezfuGI/AAAAAAAACig/0fQTKjFuh44/s125/coffeebutton3.jpg" /></a></center>

We’d like to cordially invite you to…

Sit Back, Grab a Latte (or your preferred beverage of choice) and Watch Your Blog Grow!

 

This week’s featured blog is Domesticated-ish. Be sure to stop by, show her some love and Make Her Morning!

 

What Makes Your Morning?

For these mamas, it’s waking up to find that you have new fans, followers and readers! And since we KNOW that each and every one of you have something fantastic to share, we’d like to give you the chance to do it.

Here’s how it works:

- Link up to the category of your choice. You can link up to as many as you would like. There are categories for your blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

- You MUST follow the three hosts in the categories(s) you link up in. Make sure you let us know you’re following by leaving a comment or sending a tweet so we can follow you back!

- Visit at least two other blogs/pages in that category – be sure to let them know that you’re there to Make Their Morning!

- Grab the button and display it proudly on your sidebar if you’d like. After all, who doesn’t like a good cup o’ joe?

- Each week a featured blog will be randomly drawn from the prior week’s participants. The featured blog will get the number 4 spot in all linkies and a small write-up in the weekly hop.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Make My Morning will run from Monday thru Wednesday – because we all know those first few days of the week are the ones where we could really use an extra pick-me-up!

So are you ready? Let’s go!

It’s time to Make My Morning!

Link up your BLOG here:

Link up your FACEBOOK PAGE here:

Link up your TWITTER here:

Link up your GOOGLE+ here:

* This post may include referral links. By clicking on those links I may receive a small amount of money and/or points that can be redeemed for gift cards or other rewards.

Made With Love Giveaway Event

Welcome to the Made With Love Event hosted by The Reynolds Mom and Seventeen Sirens! 

This event features at least $25 or more in handmade prizes on each of the participating blogs.  This event will close on November 13th at Midnight EST. 

Enter to win the fabulous prize pack here on Keeping Your Cents.   Then be sure to go through the linky below and enter on the 100+ blogs listed for your chance to win! 

Happy Hopping!

Prize Pack sponsored by Crafter's Boutique

Enter to win a digital prize pack from Crafter's Boutique.  Each piece has been created at 300 dpi for optimal print quality.

* Please note that all digital products are for personal, non-commercial use.

Included in the Book of Me Prize Pack:

• 31-Day Book of Me Challenge Series
• 32 Digital 12x12 Scrapbook Templates
• Book of Me Digital Scrapbooking Kit
• Book of Me Digital Add-Ons

Enter to win by filling out our Rafflecopter form located below.
 

* Please note that Mardesia, owner of Keeping Your Cents, The Reynolds Mom, Seventeen Sirens, Made With Love Events or the Made With Love Giveaway Event bloggers in the hop are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. 

We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. We will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize to the best of our ability. 

Also, I did not receive any financial compensation for this review, though I did review a sample of the products for evaluation purposes. The opinions are based only on my and my families experiences with the product.This post may include affiliate or referral links.  

This Giveaway is not affiliated with, associated with or promoted by Facebook. 

Welcome to Blogmania 2011!

This year is shaping up to be the biggest, best Blog Mania ever!  I have previewed some of the wonderful prizes being given away and I can assure you that you don't want to miss visiting a single blog on the list.

There are (2) prize packs to be won here on Keeping Your Cents, so keep reading to learn about the goodies we are offering.  

Prize Package #1 (sponsored by Playmates Toys through MyBlogSpark:

(1) Hearts For Hearts Girl accompanied by a friendship bracelet, story booklet,donation for girls in need through partner World Vision and a special product code your daughter can use to unlock a free membership to the Hearts For Hearts Girls website, which provides access to the "myHeart" page and an array of games and activities.

(1) An outfit that is authentic to one of the Hearts for Hearts Girls' culture, in which your daughter can also dress her doll.

(1) $25 Visa Gift Card that can be used to purchase an additional outfit on the Hearts For Hearts store.

Enter to win the Hearts For Hearts Prize Package HERE or by clicking on the link above.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Prize Package #2 (sponsored by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark:

• $25 Visa Gift Card
• A Yoplait Light Swap Pack: 

• Free Yoplait Light Coupon
• Insulated tote bag
• Water bottle
• Sunglass holder
• Hardcover Planner
• Ballpoint Pen

Click HERE or the link above to enter to win our Fit @ Forty Gift Package.  

Then follow the linky to enter at 60+ blogs to win fabulous prizes!
 

* Disclosure: The Yoplait Light Swap prize pack, information and coupon have been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.

The Hearts For Hearts Girls doll, and information have been provided by Playmates Toys through MyBlogSpark.

Blogmania 2011 | Hearts For Hearts Prize Pack 1

My daughter received a Hearts for Hearts Girls Nahji from India & Rahel from Ethiopia School Time Play Set.  To say that she fell in love with this doll is an understatement.  I literally didn't have a chance to take any pictures before the box was shredded.  


This is a quality, well-made toy that my daughter cherishes.  When she is done playing with Nahji, she places her on the shelf out of harms way.  In the weeks since she came home to us, not one accessory has been lost.  I can't say enough about how much my daughter likes her doll.

Want a chance for a young lady in your life to win her very own Hearts for Hearts Girl doll?

Enter here to win Prize Package #1 (sponsored by Playmates Toys through MyBlogSpark:

(1) Hearts For Hearts Girl accompanied by a friendship bracelet, story booklet,donation for girls in need through partner World Vision and a special product code your daughter can use to unlock a free membership to the Hearts For Hearts Girls website, which provides access to the "myHeart" page and an array of games and activities.

(1) An outfit that is authentic to one of the Hearts for Hearts Girls' culture, in which your daughter can also dress her doll.

(1) $25 Visa Gift Card that can be used to purchase an additional outfit on the Hearts For Hearts Store. (Gift card provided by Keeping Your Cents.)

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.  

* Disclosure: The Hearts For Hearts Girls doll, and information have been provided by Playmates Toys through MyBlogSpark.

Blogmania 2011 | Fit at Forty Prize Pack 2

I can't believe that I am about to admit that in 6 months I will be 40 years old.  The reason for this admission?  I have always said that I wanted to be Fit, Fine, and Fabulous @ 40.  

In the past 12 months I have shed and maintained a 27 pound weight loss.  My goal is to lose an additional 20 and get back to regular workouts at the gym. 

Do you want to make similar changes in your life?  Well we have a sponsor that would like to help you achieve your goals.

Click "read more" to load the Rafflecopter widget to enter.

 

Small changes can make a big difference over time.  That's why Yoplait Light has created the "Yoplait Light Swap" to remind people that by making simple substitutions, like swapping one item from your diet per day for a 100 or 110 calorie Yoplait Light, you can cut unwanted calories and help yourself feel great about daily diet choices. Through swapping tips for food, fitness, and fashion, the "Yoplait Light Swap" can help remind you how rewarding one simple change can be. 

• Yoplait Light yogurt offers 33 different options to choose from in fruit, pastry and dessert flavors that contain around 100 calories or less, providing endless swapping options.


• Visit Yoplait on Facebook to share your favorite food, exercise and fashion swaps, find recipes and quizzes. Alison Sweeney, host of "The Biggest Loser" and author of The Mommy Diet, offers this Top Swap Tip on how she maintains her weight with a hectic schedule.

"I'm all about easy solutions, and making simple swaps in my diet helps me lead a healthy lifestyle while juggling everything else. I swap a slice of my favorite red velvet cake after dinner for a cup of Red Velvet Cake Yoplait Light which can save me almost 300 calories, without even thinking about it."

• Swap your way to fabulous with the following tips from fashion guru, host of the Style Network's "How Do I Look?" and correspondent for NBC's upcoming series "Fashion Star," Jeannie Mai.

• Swap the bus for a 15 minute walk on the way home, and you can save 60 calories.¹
• Boost your confidence in seconds by swapping more low-key flats for a pair of colorful heels.
• Expand your wardrobe without breaking the bank by swapping clothes and accessories with your girlfriends.

Enter now to win our Fit @ Forty Gift Package which includes: 

• $25 Visa Gift Card that can be used to join a gym; (provided by Keeping Your Cents)
• A Yoplait Swap Pack (sponsored by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark) including: 

• Free Yoplait Light Coupon
• Insulated tote bag
• Water bottle
• Sunglass holder
• Hardcover Planner
• Ballpoint Pen  

Once you have entered the giveaway, be sure to download a printable coupon* HERE for $1.00 off the purchase of three (3) cups of Yoplait Light yogurt to get you started with the "Yoplait Light Swap" today!

Also, be sure to enter to win Prize Pack #1:  Hearts for Heats Girls. 

* This coupon offer for Yoplait Light yogurt is not valid in some states, including California, Idaho, Louisiana, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota and Tennessee.

* * Disclosure: The Yoplait Light Swap prize pack, information and coupon have been provided by Yoplait through MyBlogSpark.  I received a gift pack to try and all opinions about the product are 100% mine or that of my family.    

Sarah's Blog of Fun is hosting a back-to-school blog hop to enter and win back-to-school supplies.  With 70+ blogs participating so far (linky at the bottom of post), there are plenty of supplies to be won.


We are giving away a back-to-school bundle valued at over $100.  The bundle includes something for the kids and for mom, so get to entering.


The giveaway goes live at 11:01pm cst August 22nd and ends at 10:59pm cst August 31st.


Including:

• (2) $10 Shell Gas Card
• (5) Aug. 28th Procter and Gamble Coupon Inserts (Savings over $100 ea.)
• (1) Master Lock Speed Dial Lock
• (1) Mom's Plan*it 24-month day planner
• (2) Packs of Loose Leaf Paper (150-sheet wide ruled)
• (1) 12-Pack of Crayola Colored Pencils 
• (1) Pair of School Works Blunt-Tipped Scissors
• (2) 8 Pack Papermate Pens 
• (2) 5 Pack Papermate Mechanical Pencils
• (1) 5 Pack Bic Highlighters
• (1) 10 ct Crayola Markers
• (2) Stretchable Book Covers
• (2) Marble Composition Books
  
• (2) 70 sheet wide ruled Notebooks
• (1) Binder Pencil Pouch
• (2) 100 ct 3x5 Index Cards
• (1) 40 ct pencil erasers
• (1) 2 pack Pink Erasers

To Enter the Giveaway to win the back-to-school bundle on Keeping Your Cents:

• Mandatory:  Follow Keeping Your Cents on Google Friend Connect.

• Optional Entries:  You may do each of these tasks to gain additional entries into the giveaway:

• Follow Keeping Your Cents on Twitter
• Tweet about the giveaway on Keeping Your Cents
• Like Keeping Your Cents on Facebook
• Leave a comment on your must have back-to-school product 

• Referral Entries:  You may do this task to gain three (3) entries into the giveaway:

• Join Recyclebank through Keeping Your Cents 

* Please note that Mardesia, owner of Keeping Your Cents,  "Back to School Giveaway Hop" or the "Back to School Giveaway Hop" bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. We will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize to the best of our ability.

This post may include affiliate or referral links.  By clicking on those links I receive a small reward of points that can be redeemed for gift cards.  

Also,  I did not receive any financial compensation for this review, though I did review a sample of the products for evaluation purposes. The opinions are based only on my and my families experiences with the product.

Announcing Upcoming Events

We would like to announce exciting upcoming events and giveaways on Keeping Your Cents.  

If you are a blogger interested in joining any of these events, please click on the image or the link and sign up.

If you are a company or etsy seller interested in sponsoring a prize pack, please contact Mardesia by email keepingyourcents at gmail dot com.

Review and Giveaway of Signed copy of Anna Campbell's Midnight's Wild Passion (September 5 - 9, 2011)

Big G Cereal Giveaway
September 19 -  25, 2011

Yoplait Light Swap Giveaway
September 26 - October 2, 2011

BlogMania 2011
October 6 - 10, 2011

Fall Fashionista Giveaway 
(October 14-19, 2011)

Made With Love Blog Hop 
(November 8-13, 2011)

Black Friday Blog Hop 
(November 13-25, 2011)

* This post may include referral links. By clicking on those links I receive a small amount of points that can be redeemed for gift cards or other rewards.

Back to School Blog Hop #1

Back-to-School can be a crazy hectic time of learning new schedules, organizing a large amount of supplies,managing your time effectively, keeping up with activities, and trying to maintain health eating habits.

One thing we like to keep on hand in our home is quick, easy to eat snacks that the kids can pair with fruit and a glass of milk for breakfast.  Sunbelt snacks fit the bill with a variety of granola bars, fruit bars, and fruit snacks.  My children know that momma gets first dibs on the chocolate chip granola bars.

Sunbelt Snacks would like to help make your back-to-school a little smoother with a Gift Pack.  Each gift pack includes two (2) tumblers and assortment of snacks. 

OXY also recognizes that Back-to-School stress and changes in routine can cause other problems.  Namely an increase in acne outbreaks for your teen.  

OXY is offering your teen the opportunity to participate in the OXY School-Ready Skin Challenge.  They are including an OXY Clinical Acne Solutions pack, which consists of a Clearing Treatment, Advanced Face Wash and Hydrating Therapy.  The Clearing Treatment has been shown to kill up to 99% of acne causing bacteria, so your teen can stop the breakouts before they happen.

Tammilee Tips, Money Saving Michelle, Centsless Deals, and Klippin Krazy are hosting a back-to-school blog hop to help with the back-to-school supplies.  With 75+ blogs participating so far (linky at the bottom of post), there are plenty of supplies to be won.

The giveaway runs from 11:00pm cst August 6th to 10:59pm cst August 13th and is open to US residents 18 years of age or older.  One winner will be chosen by random.org on or about August 14th.  You will be contacted by email  and must respond with your contact information within 48 hours or an alternate winner will be chosen.

Enter to win a bundle valued at over $120, including:

• (1) NETGEAR Wireless-N 300 USB Adapter
• (1) $15 Wal-Mart Gas Card
• (1) Sunbelt Snacks Gift Pack (sponsored)
• (1) OXY Clinical Acne Solutions pack (sponsored)
• (1) 7x7 Creative Memories Coverset in purple
• (1) pack of 7x7 Creative Memories page protectors
• (1) box of Disney Princess 20 ct Sandwich Bags
• (1) bag of Disney Princess 15 ct Lunch Bags 
• (1) School Supply Bundle including:
• (2) Packs of Loose Leaf Paper (150-sheet wide ruled)
• (1) 12-Pack of Crayola Colored Pencils 
• (1) 12 inch wooden ruler
• (2) 10 Pack Bic Cristal Pens 
• (2) 10 ct pack Pentech #2 Pencils
• (2) 5 Pack Bic Highlighters
• (1) 10 ct Crayola Markers
• (2) Stretchable Book Covers
• (2) Marble Composition Books
• (2) 70 sheet wide ruled Notebooks
• (1) Binder Pencil Pouch
• (2) 100 ct 3x5 Index Cards
• (1) 40 ct pencil erasers
• (1) 2 pack Pink Erasers

To earn your entries for the giveaway to win the back-to-school bundle on Keeping Your Cents:

• Mandatory:  

• Follow Keeping Your Cents on Google Friend Connect.

• Optional Entries:  You may do each of these tasks to gain additional entries into the giveaway:

• Like Keeping Your Cents on Facebook
• Follow Keeping Your Cents on Twitter
• Like Sunbelt Snacks on Facebook 
• Follow OXY Skincare on Twitter
• Follow Sunbelt snacks on Twitter
• Like OXY Skincare on Facebook
• Tweet about the giveaway on Keeping Your Cents

• Referral Entries:  You may do this task to gain three (3) bonus entries into the giveaway:

• Join Swagbucks through Keeping Your Cents

*  Please note that Mardesia, owner of Keeping Your Cents,  "Back to School Giveaway Hop" or the "Back to School Giveaway Hop" bloggers are not responsible for sponsors that do not fulfill their prizes. We have represented each sponsor with the expectation they will fulfill their prize and in a timely manner. The sponsors, in most cases, are shipping their items to you directly. We will make every effort to assist you obtaining your prize to the best of our ability.

This post may include affiliate or referral links.  By clicking on those links I receive a small reward of points that can be redeemed for gift cards.  

Also,  I did not receive any financial compensation for this review, though I did review a sample of the products for evaluation purposes. The opinions are based only on my and my families experiences with the product.

Blog Hop, Skip, and Jump Wednesday

How It Works:

*Follow The Coupon Scoop and Jessica’s Coupons, the hostess blogs for Blog Hop Skip and Jump Wednesday. If you would like us to follow you back make sure to leave a comment letting us know you are a new follower!

*Add your blog link and name on the linky below & try to follow as many blogs as you can. Make sure to leave a comment on any new blogs you are following, letting them know you are following from BHSJW. Please make sure to follow back any blogs that follow you.

*Go back to your blog and create a new Blog Hop Skip and Jump Wednesday post with our button code (copy and paste above code.)

*The Blog Hop Skip and Jump Wednesday will take place every Wednesday at The Coupon Scoop and Jessica’s Coupons. Each linky will be updated every week, so make sure to come back and link up every Wednesday!

FAMILY FRIENDLY BLOGS ONLY PLEASE.

Fun Follow Friday (Sept 24th)

Welcome to Fun Follow Friday hosted by Simply Stacie and My Wee View. 

The goal of this hop is to get new Google Friend Connect Followers for your blog and be introduced to new blogs to follow! We wanted to keep it fun and easy so all you have to do is add your blog link and start blog hopping and following away! You aren’t required to write a post for your blog for Fun Follow Friday unless you want to (but we really appreciate it if you do to help get the word out).

When you visit a blog that you like and want to follow, leave them a comment with your link telling them you are following from the Fun Follow Friday.  

If you decide to follow Keeping Your Cents, just leave us a comment and we will follow you back.

The main goal is to have fun and follow the blogs that interest you!

There are a few fun things that Fun Follow Fridays does each week:

1. Each week 1 winner will be randomly drawn for the #3 Spot, this week it’s #136 Create With Joy.

2. Each week 1 winner will get Premium ad space for 1 week on both Simply Stacie and My Wee View. To enter, you have to blog about Fun Follow Friday! This week’s winner is With Our Best. (You can still participate in Fun Follow Friday without making a blog post about it. However, to participate in this special giveaway, you need to write a post about it) and

Happy hopping along!