SHARK Shawn & Mark DWTS Mirror Ball

CONGRATULATIONS
Really, really glad you won.

We Got That Bill Paid!!!

Thank you ModestNeeds.org They are paying an unexpected eye exam bill for us. Thank you to all of you who read our request, thank you to all that donated. I look forward to being able to go to Modest Needs as a donor in the near future. Can't say enough thanks and well wishes to all

INCREDIBLE Modestneeds.org

To whoever has donated to our Modest Needs cause - THANK YOU We have 77% of our case funded, in less than a week. This is incredible. This is to pay for an eye exam that the opthoneurologist ordered. Since we were in the office, we assumed it would be covered by insurance (part of the office visit). Surprise - it wasn't covered. I have some knowledge of medical billing so, after my research I realized that the facility had coded it correctly :( Anyway, like most folks, our income has been cut in half & I haven't heard back on the loan modification for our house.

A few years ago, I would have just paid it and moved on. Can't do that anymore. We did get good news, no more MRIs are needed (that would have been $2000) at this time. Anyway, I am working as much as I can. Not much mystery shopping or paid surveys this past week. I found a few odds & ends I will list on our local classifieds (too heavy for ebay).

So anyway, I'm doing my day job today to get caught up (had to leave early a couple of times for doctor appts), but just wanted to send out a note to let whoever is donating, it is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!!!

Thank you
http://www.modestneeds.org/features/ledger/viewapp.asp?mode=upd&rp=l&id=110154

Thanks to Modest Needs

Thank you to Modestneeds.org for approving my application. Trying to get an exam by the optho-neurologist paid. Click here, thanks for looking

Flat Out Old Fashion Plea

I had a good day at my day job, actually got some problems fixed. Then I surfed online a bit. I work very hard. I do paid surveys, paid to read, any little extra thing I can thing of.

DH is still out of work. We still don't know about the "emergency" additional 20 weeks of unemployment. And his health SUCKS. So right now we have $350 rx and $300 medical bill payments. Just found out health ins premium is going from $582/month to $749/month - that's just wrong

So, why do I need money? Doc just increased DH's insulin which equates to ANOTHER $238 per month in rx. RX is now $580/month. Any amount to

would help like you won't believe.

Please Stop Felonizing Utah Kids

Utah legal community trying to felonize kids again http://tinyurl.com/ctygyq Please try going after some adults felons

2 - 11 year old boys seeking a peak at porn. But typical of Utah law enforcement, they want to throw the book at 'em. 40 years ago, these boys would have peaked at Playboy. Somethings don't change.

Should they be scolded & made to do some extra chores at the school and/or take away school privileges? YES. I knew a group of 6th grade kids that hacked in the school's computers & peaked at their classmates grades. They had to wash desks for a week.

Should they be dragged through court, along with sticking their parents with huge legal fees? I think not. Utah city/county attorneys need to learn what is a true crime & let the parents & school principal handle this situation.

There were some junior high kids here that sent naked photos of each other around. I don't think its right but IT IS NOT A FELONY. We've have to keep hearing about this on the local news for over a year and a half now. Crap now they have another stupid story to beat to death.

Mindfield Surveys, legit & they pay

omg Hannah Montana the Movie

I must confess, Hannah Montana the Movie turned out better than I expected. Go with your kids. Drag the teens who don't want to admit the secretly like Hannah Montana.

Earn by searching with Swagbucks

Earn with Palm Research

Look at our Hannah Montana goodies, also have Selena Gomez (Wizards of Waverly Place) towels in stock

HOUSE- In Loving Memory: Lawrence Kutner

New, take a look at CashCrate

Don't Worry About the Michael's Weekly Coupon

Every week, we set aside the Michaels flyer from the Sunday paper. Inevitably I'd forget where I put it or worse, threw it out by accident (yes, even after setting it aside).

I registered at Michaels website. So now I get a weekly coupon emailed to me. So much more convenient.

Michaels Craft Books

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

No Free Lunch Just Cheap Oatmeal

Jamba Juice going head to head with Starbucks. Not sure how long this link will be good but, JJ's new oatmeal for $1

Florida Bus Running Via Teenage Gas

The only thing I smell in the Florida bus is lawsuit. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090324/ap_on_fe_st/odd_stench_suspension Teenager suspended for farting on school bus. How many other teenagers (mostly boys, right?) break wind (intentionally or otherwise) and don't end up on the national news. Especially since the incident happened in November 08 & it is in today's news. Teen's dad must have gotten a good PR firm and/or creative lawyer.

For Teenage Boy With Too Much Gas

Legit Freebie Legit Company

I got may sample the other day from Quaker (old fashion oats; chewies). New "True Delights". I can't think of few other food combinations better than chocolate & raspberry. Click here to get a free, up scaled Chewies. They also include a $1 off coupon. This is worth 30 seconds to take advantage of.

Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Cake

Twilight Stars at Midnight DVD Parties

Its cool that various people associated with the Twilight movie are making appearances at the various parties. Wish they would have hit more Hot Topics, the list looks like mostly Borders. Understandable there are only so many Twilighties to go around.

Twilight [Blu-ray] Twilight (Two-Disc Special Edition)

Tween Dora = Jump the Shark

WHY would anyone be upset, the tween version is very conservative, nothing sexual. It is a really good image (i.e. not to thin, clothes are modest).

My criticism is that it will fail. They have a good idea but are going about it the wrong way. They should make this tween version an older cousin, not Dora her self. It would open a lot more opportunities for story lines that would HELP little girls as they start to grow up. They are going to loose their fan base but not because of her being too sexy, the little girls need Dora. Rugrats "All Growed Up" was fun but not sustainable. Can you say "Jump the Shark"

And what'cha wanna bet, someone from Mattel and/or Nickelodon reads this post & uses this idea - and I get nothing? Kinda my luck sometimes

Glory Days for Ebay & Pixar Cars Gone

At one time the Disney Pixar Car business on Ebay was hot. I actually did make $1000 one weekend. That was selling cases & about 40% of those were going overseas. While there are still opportunities, those frenzy days have faded.

There does seem to be a decent market for loose cars. Basically if you pick up a box at a garage sale, or pick 'em up for .25/each at the thrift store, you can trickle in a small amount. What is nice is being loose, they will be REALLY easy & cheap to ship. On this day (3/15/09), the loose ones are selling more regular then the carded ones.

The other are that sells well but takes more patience than I can possibly imagine, is customizing the cars. People carefully remove the car from the package, give it a custom patient job (i.e. Apple car) They might actually put it back in the package & relabel it but it looks like loose ones are doing well too. So if you've got the time & the skill of an airbrush - really cheap way to make a buck.

The latest release in the stores is the Race O Rama. Cars are numbered. There are also 'chase' pieces. They actually say 'chase' so no doubt you've got one that supposedly has some extra value. The ones I've seen so far are 'impounded' Looks like they have a traffic ticket boot.

The Art of Cars

Lipofen RX Savings

Lipofen is not available in generic and can be pricey depending upon your insurance. I'm paying at $65 for a 30 day supply. There is some good help.

1) Ask your doctor for sample (usually 7 days). The sample boxes usually contain a coupon for $25 which can be used up to 3 times.
2) Go to the manufacturer's website http://www.lipofenrx.com/lipofen_to_go.asp You can sign up to get a text message. So far its been one per month so not irritating at all. The message sends you the info for $30 off your next prescription. I've had 2 this year. You will need to write down the info & give it to the pharmacy when getting the Rx and/or refill
3) When I signed up on Lipofen's website, I got a $25 printable coupon (pdf file) as well. And I've had no spam related to this sign up

Because of these coupons, you usually can't call in the refill, you need to actually go to the pharmacy window to be sure they have the coupon info before it gets processed

These coupons are always subject to change without notice, but certainly work checking into.

Mascara Market on Ebay

Everybody uses mascara, right? A huge category on Ebay is mascara. Currently, Lancome is the #1 searched for mascara on Ebay. Even in today's economy, Lancome mascara looks like a regular seller.

Hypnose lots of 10 for $30. Definicils vary in price. 2 full size for $25 while 6 minis for $12-$13 It looks, based on MSRP for Lancome, Ebay is a GREAT DEAL FOR BUYERS but doesn't look too hot for sellers.

Maybelline consistently comes up as the best selling mascara in retail industry stats (i.e. Chain Drug Review). On Ebay, there is some savings for the buyer but a smart consumer keeping an eye on sales & coupons can easily get the items locally, without dealing with shipping. Unless you can get hold of shelf pulls, not much here for a seller.

Ebay Pez Tip

Not sure if the Pez rumor about how EBay started is true but, it is a hot commodity and a fun collectible.

Today we see a lot of 9 vintage Pez with no feet including Mickey Mouse, Santa, Twetty, Cowboy (getting lots of views) $78 with a couple hours left. If you don't get anything on that link, it is too old. Ebay only keeps stuff for about 90 days.

As for modern, there is a 2009 Easter release of a rubber duck. Went for $4.25 plus s/h today. That would be worth picking up a couple (avg retail is about $1.40), listing them at Christmas or about a year from now. There are 4 Pez in this year's Easter collection.

Keep tabs on new movies like Monsters vs Aliens (featuring voice of Reese Witherspoon). A set of 3 Pez from the new is going for $16-$17 BUT, it is still a non-US release. My experience with Wall-E was, it was a good market if you can get the set within the first couple of weeks it hits the US. Keep your eyes out, that might be the best resale tip for Pez that you can get from WalMart (or Michaels or the grocery store) & flip for a quick profit.

Be sure to price to include free shipping, this gets you higher in the search ratings.

Collector's Guide to Pez: Identification and Price Guide, 3rd Edition