5 Benefits of Owning a Stun Gun

There’s no such thing as being overly prepared when it comes to protecting yourself from possible harm. You will never know when danger looms so it is best to have legal self-defense weapons. Among the choices available and what seems to be a very popular choice is the stun gun.

This item is a perfect item as it’s lightweight, effective, and accessible. You can protect yourself by using nonlethal force by using a stun gun. Here are five more benefits of owning this item:

1. No permit required

Thinking about where can you buy a stun gun and if you should? Go ahead and make the purchase as you don’t have to fill out tons of paperwork and go through background checks prior to purchase.

2. No permanent harm is done

The attacker will not experience permanent harm after they have been hit with a stun gun. This is true even if the person has a pre-existing medical condition. Its amperage is enough to restrain the person only.

3. No need for perfect aim

You don’t need to have a perfect aim to cause harm to your target especially since doing so is extremely difficult given the situation. All you have to do is take out your stun gun and use it at your convenience. The assailant will still be rendered defenseless.

4.  Easy to carry

Given the options available in the market, you will find one that is easy to carry around. They weigh a lot less compared to other self-defense weapons plus they also come in different shapes so nobody will actually know you’re carrying one.

5. They’re safe

Having lethal weapons at home will cause an alarm for your family’s safety. You’ll never know when a child may get hold of it and use it to everyone’s harm. It’s a different story when you buy shooting taser gun for sale. They’re pretty safe to have around the house.

As you can see, owning a stun gun has a variety of benefits for you.

Display Your Memories Easily With CanvasDiscount.com

This is a sponsored post with Canvas Discount and BraVoMark. All opinions are mine.

How many of you have hundreds, maybe even thousands of great photo memories sitting in your phone's camera roll or computer? I am raising my hand. I remember growing up back in the day, we had so many photo albums. Of course, you didn't have a choice. If you wanted to see the photos you took, they had to be developed and printed out. Fast-forward to the digital age. It seems like we almost exclusively share these photos on social media. 

I often look at some photos and think, "Wow, this is the nicest photo over!". Or friends on social media will tell me I need to frame a specific photo. Now there's a simple way to quickly upload those great photos and create a beautiful memory to put on display. Canvasdiscount.com makes it a breeze to affordably turn those digital images into a masterpiece. 

Just look at this beautiful family photo from my older daughter's college graduation a couple years ago. How sad is it that this photo has been sitting on my computer all of this time? I hopped onto canvasdiscount.com and from the time I uploaded my image, to the checkout process, I spent under 5 minutes total. The best part is that my gorgeous acrylic photo print was delivered super fast. If you're not familiar with acrylic photo prints, they are images that are printed behind acrylic glass. It's sturdy, and has a gorgeous finish. We love how crisp the image came out.

We were able to add on a metal hanger plate when we made it to our cart at check-out, so we will be able to easily hang it on the wall. Canvasdiscount.com offers so many types of beautiful print options in a lot of different sizes/styles of any photo on canvas.

Right now, Mom Files readers can get *TWO 8’’x8’’ format canvasprints for one price – only $9 USD! In order to activate the discount, go to the website: https://www.canvasdiscount.com/wall-decor/photo-canvas-prints.jsf, upload your desired photos, and select 8’’x8’’ format canvas prints. As soon as both images are successfully uploaded, you simply need to enter the name (MOMFILES)  in the coupon code section (Shopping Cart) and then your discount will apply. *This promotion code is valid until: 7/31/2018

This is such a great deal, and you will not be disappointed with your canvas prints. They accept most credit cards, as well as PayPal and Amazon Pay. Be sure to check out canvasdiscount.com on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest promotions. What will you get printed first? Let us know in the comments and thank you for stopping by today.

Tips To Make Sure You Don't Leave Your Family With The Burden Of Death Bills

This is a sponsored post with Jenny Life Insurance and BraVoMark. All opinions are my own.

One of the subjects that many of us avoid discussing is death. Talking about what happens if you were to suddenly pass away isn't the most pleasant kitchen table conversation, but it's actually quite necessary. Today we are sharing some simple tips to ensure that you do not leave a financial burden behind for your family to carry.

Have A Will In Place

It is essential to have a formal will put together in the event of your death. It doesn't matter if you don't own a lot of material items or assets. It still helps your loved ones know what to do with the things you leave behind. We have even the littlest things listed in our wills to go to a designated person or charity. Having a will gives your family a road map on how to close out your final wishes. You can purchase a kit from your local office supply kit, or go through a family attorney who offers this service. It costs a couple hundred dollars or so. Make sure you update it once a year since you can easily accumulate more items of money each year.

Keep Your Documents In A Safe Place

We recommend a fireproof safe to keep all insurance papers, social security info, stocks/bonds, photographs, and any proof of assets. Don't forget to give your family members information on where you keep the keys to the safe, or any passwords associated with accessing documents. Keeping all of your important documents in one central location makes things so much easier for your loved ones to find.

Make Sure You Have Enough Life Insurance

Death can happen at any time. We have no guarantee that we will live to be 100. Having ample life insurance eases the financial burden that might be left behind for your children, spouse or loved ones to handle. The bills don't stop coming even after you pass away. Making sure your loved ones have enough money to cover the cost of your funeral expenses, outstanding bills, mortgages, and even college tuition for your children is so important. We have witnessed firsthand the panic and struggle when a loved one dies, and you are left to figure it all out.

Jenny Life Insurance offers a quick and easy way to get affordable coverage with the simplicity of an app. You can download the app for your iPhone or Android device. All you need to get a quote is your birth-date, state you live in, and your gender. A little slider pops up for you to adjust it to a monthly payment you are comfortable with. Check out my previous post for more details.

You're never too young to start planning for the unknown. Be sure to visit Jenny Life online for more information. You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter.

Get Life Insurance Coverage Fast With Jenny Life

This is a sponsored post with Jenny Life Insurance and BraVoMark. All opinions are my own.

I can remember just like it was yesterday when my husband and I applied for life insurance 2 decades ago. It was quite a big ordeal. We had to make an appointment with a life insurance agent and a nurse to visit our home. There was so much involved like filling out tons of paperwork, being interviewed, weighed, having to give blood/urine samples, and more. I can't imagine anyone having time to do all of that these days.

Now there is a great solution, especially for busy moms. Jenny Life Insurance makes getting affordable life insurance fast with the use of a simple app. Boy have times changed! Gone are the days of medical exams, and you can have coverage in a matter of minutes. Knowing that your family is protected in the event something happens to you is priceless.

I can't believe how simple is it to get Jenny Life Insurance. You can download the app for your iPhone or Android device. All you need to get a quote is your birth-date, state you live in, and your gender. A little slider pops up for you to adjust it to a monthly payment you are comfortable with.

Coverage starts at 10k and goes up to 300k. Once you have selected your coverage amount, you are then taken to the screens to complete your application process. It is that simple! If you do not have life insurance and you are a parent, you should not wait. It's so easy to spend $15 on a lunch out with a friend, or $25 on some new cute coffee mugs that you probably don't need anyway. You don't want to leave a hefty financial burden on your kids when you die. Give yourself and your family some peace of mind and get life insurance right away. What are you waiting for? Download the Jenny Life Insurance app today.

 from JennyLife on Vimeo.

“Moms can’t live carefree. Your whole life is built around caring. We’re making it easier for you to care.”  —Chirag, Founder

Be sure to visit Jenny Life online for more information. You can also find them on Facebook & Twitter.

It's Our Anniversary!

Another year has gone by, and today we celebrate 24 years of marriage. It really is so hard to believe that it has been that long since the day we said I do. Marriage isn't the easiest thing, but I feel like it gets sweeter with time. This last year was a bit a test. I lost both of my parents, and felt like I wasn't fully present most of the time. My sweet husband has been so supportive and definitely put me first. I guess in reality, that's how marriage is supposed to work. You have to be strong when the other is weak.

I am thankful to have someone to catch me when I fall, and that I can do the same right back. You don't question anything, you are just there. I tell younger or newer couples to never give up on each other. I'm sure that's easier said than done, but I believe in putting in the work. So many of the arguments that couples have can be worked out. I wish for everyone to have the kind of marriage that I have. It's a wonderful feeling knowing that I don't have to face anything alone.

Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband and best friend of 24 years. Cheers!

Is Your Child Wearing The Right Shoe Size?

Survey Finds That Minority of All Kids Wear the Right Shoe Size

Your kid’s cool Adidas sneakers may look great, but do they fit properly? Shoes that are too small put children at risk of foot deformities and other serious health issues. The bad news for parents; almost two thirds of all children are wearing shoes that are too small!

Blitzresults conducted a survey and found that 65% of all kids are wearing shoes that are too small. Of these, 47% are one size too small and 18% are even two. Only 35% are wearing the correct size and only 11% of those have “room to grow”.

Improperly fitting shoes can cause hallux valgus. This is a foot deformity, it happens when the big toe starts to angle inward, which causes a swollen lump just below the big toe. A study conducted by the National Health Institute found that almost 30% of children had irreversible foot deformities, like hallux valgus.

To help parents make sure they are buying shoes that fit their kids properly, keep the following advice in mind:

• Go by the longer foot: The right and left foot are rarely the same length. A difference of up to half an inch is normal, that’s almost one whole shoe size. Therefore, parents should always go by the longer foot when buying shoes.
• Don’t rely on the shoe size: Shoe manufacturers label shoes with standard sizes, the ones we all know. But, there is no mandatory industry standard for shoe sizing, so each brand will vary. Be sure to try on every shoe carefully.
• Give ‘em room: Most parents are aware that feet need some room, but usually underestimate the actual room needed. At least ½ inch of additional room is optimal, it’s the only way kids can roll their foot properly when walking.
• Do a regular check: Tim Lilling, expert at blitzresults.com, tells us that, "Because the sense of touch isn’t fully developed in children yet, they have a tendency to squeeze their feet into shoes that are much too small, they don’t even notice it. Therefore, parents must measure their children’s feet every 2 months." A measuring guide, useful conversion tools and a lot of information on how to choose shoes with the perfect fit can be found at https://www.blitzresults.com/en/childrens-shoe-size.

Unfortunately, many parents still use these "tricks" to judge whether shoes fit:

• Trick: Hold shoe to foot. The shoe sole is held up to the child’s foot to estimate the size, but the length on the inside of the shoe can’t be estimated from the outside, and is often much shorter than you’d expect (lining, seams, foot bed). Better: Use an appropriate measuring device.
• Trick: The thumb test. The thumb presses on the toe of the shoe to see how much room there is to grow. The problem; children often draw their toes up by reflex, so the foot is rolled under. It may seem like there’s enough room, although, in reality, the shoes are too small. Using the heel test is just as bad for judging free space in the heel. Many kids push their feet forward until their toes are crammed in. Better: Carefully feel your child´s foot inside the shoe. Place one hand on the front of the shoe, so the child can’t draw their toes up. Then, with the other hand, check the position of the toes. This way you can feel whether there is enough room to grow.
• Trick: Size comparison using a stencil. The shape and size of the foot is traced and compared with the shoe sole, but this comparison is usually imprecise. Better: If there is a removable insole, take it out and place the foot on the insole, there should be 1/3 inch of space behind the heel and half an inch in front of the toes.
• Trick: Asking them how it feels. Parents ask kids; "Does the shoe fit?" Unfortunately, the answer will likely be wrong. Often, the nerves in kid’s feet are not fully developed yet and their awareness of pain is clearly lower than an adult’s, so, kids don't realize if the shoe fits. Better: First and foremost, measure their feet.

Converters, measuring guides and tips and tricks to find the right size can be found here.

Main findings of the survey:

• 65% of all kids are wearing shoes that are too small. Of these, 47% are one size too small and 18% are even two.
• Only 35% are wearing the correct size, and only 11 % of those have room to grow.
• Of the parents surveyed, 52% said they’d never measured their kid's foot length, but instead relied solely on sensorial and visual tests.

About the study:
2109 parents were asked about their kids’ foot length and shoe size. Afterward, special measuring devices and instructions on how to measure feet properly were given to the parents. The measurement values were used to calculate the actual shoe size, then these results were compared with the parents’ hit or miss values.

About BlitzResults.com:
BlitzResults is an open source educational platform with focus on science, consumer affairs and technology. A wide variety of tools, converters and checklists help users to calculate optimal results. All tools were created in collaboration with educational institutions and every info-graphic is licensed under creative commons and may be used free of charge in educational context.

Four Reasons Teaching Can Be A Great Career Change For Moms

If you're a mom who has chosen to stay at home with the kids during the early years, it can be quite tempting to consider retraining so you can have a new and better career once you do return to work.

The availability of online degrees that can allow you to study from home, full or part time, has made it very easy for moms who want to find a new career path to get qualified while they're at home with the family, but what career should you choose? With anything from accounting or an MBA, nursing or hospitality management available from online colleges like the University of Cincinnati, you really do have a wealth of options.

Here, we take a look at why a really good choice can be getting an online masters in education and becoming a teacher:

Match Schedules with Your Kids

In most jobs, it can be hard to find a good time to do things like take vacations as a family, as getting time off work during school vacations can be something of a battle – everyone wants it!

However, as a teacher, your schedule both on a day to day basis and when it comes to vacations will be fairly similar to your school age kids, making arranging family time much easier.

Learn to Teach Your Own Kids in New and Interesting Ways

Not all learning happens in the school environment, and as a parent you are sure to want to be able to teach your children interesting things and get them excited about learning. As you study for a masters in education, you'll gain some great insight into how kids learn, and be able to use this at home as well as in the classroom.

Use Your Existing Knowledge

Depending on what age group you want to teach, there is demand for all kinds of specialisms. This means that whatever your existing background and first degree are in, you can use that knowledge combined with what you learn in doing your masters in education online to become a specialist teacher in your original field, for instance science, IT, language or even things like art and music.

This means that while you are retraining, you are not losing the benefits of your past studies or experience.

Make a Difference to Children

As moms, we tend to empathize a lot with children and want to help and nurture them – even the ones who aren't our own! As a good teacher, you can inspire and motivate children, help those with difficulties at school, and become an important role model for them. Not all kids have good people to look up to and teach them, and so this is something you can take on as a teacher.

If you are looking for a career change that is rewarding, interesting and also has some practical benefits now that you have started a family, then teaching can be the perfect choice, and getting qualified has never been easier!

Snowland Returns to Great Wolf Lodge at Charlotte/Concord

If you're looking for somewhere to visit with your family this holiday season, Great Wolf Lodge at Concord is hosting its annual Snowland celebration. It runs from November 26th to January 1st. The resort is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with indoor snow showers and spectacular decorations.

Great Wolf Lodge’s month-long winter celebration, Snowland, offers festive activities from visits with Santa and Mrs. Clause to indoor snow showers to a Polar Wolf Walk. For a truly delectable experience, visitors are invited to dine inside the resort’s life-size gingerbread house. Other activities are Santa’s Letter Depot, North Pole University with holiday themed projects and the Great Clock Tower Holiday Show and Story Time.

Featuring more than 5,000 candies, 600 pounds of gingerbread dough and 1,320 pounds of sugar, the life-size gingerbread house is baked, iced and candied to absolute perfection, setting the scene for a memorable holiday feast. The appetizing walls of the lodge-baked abode have as much heart as taste, as the proceeds for each meal go to Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Guests can opt to stay in festive Snowland Suites, complete with twinkling lights, glimmering garland, a fully decorated tree, oversized snowflakes and a copy of Great Wolf Lodge’s story book, “Unique as a Snowflake.” As a special treat, Wiley and Violet the Wolf hand deliver cookies and milk to each Snowland Suite nightly to help guests end the day with a super sweet surprise.

Adults can receive their own special delivery of Wine Down Service. The menu, developed by Great Wolf Lodge and The Wine Group, features both sweet and savory culinary treats with wine pairings that can be delivered to the guestrooms after children go to bed. To avoid waking up the kiddos, a “pack member” sends a text announcing the delivery is on its way rather than knocking.

Here are some of the fun activities they have in store: 

• Cookies with Mrs. Claus, where children decorate cookies in the life-size Gingerbread House with Santa’s leading lady.
• Hot Cocoa with a Great Wolf Kid for an afternoon sip. Kids can customize their cocoa by adding fun toppings, or a favorite adult libation for the parents.
• The Snow ‘n’ Glow Dance Party, the chance to prance and dance the evening away with neon glow sticks under falling snowflakes.
• Festive Family Flicks, a time to wind the night down by cozying up with the family and watching a holiday movie in the Grand Lobby.

About Great Wolf Lodge:

Great Wolf Lodge is North America’s largest family of indoor water park resorts, and through its subsidiaries and affiliates, owns and operates family resorts under the Great Wolf Lodge brand.  Great Wolf Resorts is a fully integrated resort company with Great Wolf Lodge locations in: Wisconsin Dells, Wis.; Sandusky, Ohio; Traverse City, Mich.; Kansas City, Kan.; Williamsburg, Va.; Pocono Mountains, Pa.; Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada; Mason, Ohio; Grapevine, Texas; Grand Mound, Wash.; Fitchburg, Mass., Charlotte, N.C.; Garden Grove, Calif. and Colorado Springs, Colo. Additional resorts planned include Bloomington, Minn. (late 2017), LaGrange, Ga. (late spring 2018) and Gurnee, Ill. (summer 2018).

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Beach Walk & Family Fun Day

Join in for the third annual Making Strides Against Breast Cancer 5K Beach Walk on November 4th! This event is hosted by Crown Reef Resort & Waterpark

-8 AM Registration begins
-9 AM Walk begins on the beach
-10 AM Refreshments provided by Loco Gecko and a celebration will follow the walk

Registration is a $25 donation per person. Ages 12 and under and Breast Cancer Survivors walk FREE!

Those who donate $25+ will get a free t-shirt. All Breast Cancer Survivors will receive a free t-shirt!

Dress in pink, and be sure to pick out an awesome team name!

Register with a team or as an individual here: http://bit.ly/RegisterMakingStridesMB

The event will include lots of family-friendly entertainment including

- Live broadcast by Gator 107.9
- Refreshments and complimentary light breakfast by the Loco Gecko Beach Shak
- Chili Cookoff (bring a couple dollars to try them out)
- Carnival Style Games
- Face painting, hair braiding and other kid-friendly fun
- Day use of the famous Crown Reef Resort Indoor Waterpark for a donation of $10 per person
- And MUCH MORE!

This public walk is being coordinated by Vacation Myrtle Beach in conjunction with Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. Can't make it to the walk? There is a special online auction set up to raise funds, and you have to option to make a donation instead of registering for the walk if you choose.

Keep Your Family #GermFree24 With Zoono GermFree24

CLOSED
Today's conversation is sponsored by Zoono USA. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

If you're a mom, you know how much effort goes into planning and packing for a trip or quick getaway. It might often times look like you're going away for two weeks when it's just a weekend trip. I mean, you can't leave home without all of the essentials, right?

It's almost the same situation for when we get ready to leave the house just to go to the grocery store. Moms have to make certain to be prepped for those just in case moments. We have experienced times where we took our little one out for a quick grocery run, and he came home sick out of the blue. I mean, we homeschool so how did he get sick? Germs can linger anywhere and it's unfortunate that you can come in contact with them without any clue.

There's a great way to combat germs before they take over by using Zoono GermFree24 Hand Sanitizer.

This hand sanitizer is an FDA-compliant, water-based formula that kills 99.99% of germs on contact and keeps killing them for up to 24 hours. Yes, you read that correctly, 24 HOURS! It bonds to your skin’s surface and sets up a nano-molecular layer of “pins” that physically impale and destroy germs on contact. Can you believe that it stays on even with hand washing or sweating? This is so far from your traditional hand sanitizer that stops working the moment water hits your hands.

GermFree24® has been proven to provide long-lasting antimicrobial protection against a wide range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses (such as influenza), fungi and mold. Over that time period, you might touch hundreds of surfaces, each covered with tens of thousands of microbes, half of which will stick to your hands. Here’s a breakdown on some of the germs you may encounter over a 24-hour period:

• Doorknob: 8,643 bacteria
• Computer mouse: 79,000 bacteria
• Remote control: 17,000 bacteria

Yikes! That's a whole lot of icky germs and bacteria and think of how often you come in contact with those everyday items. My son loves that it doesn't have a bad scent since he's very sensitive about smells. It's also not sticky at all and leaves no feeling of a film on your hands. The fact that you only have to use it once a day means you are using less, which makes it a great value. 

Zoono products are available on Amazon. You can currently purchase Zoono GermFree24® 50ml Foam Hand Sanitizer ($6.99) here, and the 9ml Spray Hand Sanitizer ($13.99 for a 4 pk) here. I keep the spray in my purse for when I am on-the-go and is perfect for travel. I think this is the perfect hand sanitizer for teachers to keep in their desk for their personal use. It's great for the workplace as well. They make wall dispensers that I wouldn't mind having in my house. 

Reader giveaway: Would you like to try Zoono GermFree 24 for yourself and your family? Enter to win a gift pack for Zoono GermFree24® 50ml Foam Hand Sanitizer, and the 9ml Spray Hand Sanitizer as well as a $25 virtual Visa gift card so you can stock up on more Zoono products for the flu season. Enter below: 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway is open to U.S. Residents only and will end on October 16, 2017. Please follow all rules in the Rafflecopter widget and be sure to use a valid email. One winner will be selected and contacted via email to claim prize. Please be aware that Mom Files is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged prizes. Good luck!

Update Your Home Without Major Renovations

When you think of updating your home, it may evoke visions of sledgehammers, rubble and rooms being stripped back to the bare bones. Not a pleasant thought. But did you know that there are ways that you can completely change the dynamic of your property, without even opening your tool box?

Update your interior doors

You pass through them every day, and are an integral part of every home. But it’s surprising how many people forget about how much of an impact an internal door can have. If your doors are scratched, scuffed or seen better days, then it may be worth repairing them yourself. Or if you’re hoping to completely change the look inside your home then consider purchasing a new style. You can find a range of internal doors from doorstore to help give you some inspiration.

Create an open space

With formal dining rooms and closed off areas seemingly going out of style, the open plan home seems to be the way to go. How can you do this without tearing out walls, you ask? Making your home seem open and airy can be easier than you think.
Sometimes it’s as simple as getting rid of bigger, bulkier furnishings, or moving furnishings around the room to see what placement gives the most open space. Another trick of the eye that gives the illusion of open space, is mirrors. Mirrors when placed opposite windows reflect light into the room and make the room seem more open.

Introduce new lighting

A poorly lit room, is dark, dim and not very welcoming. It can also be downright depressing! A well lit room can bring out your personality and bring a room to life! After all, who wants to sit in the dark? There are numerous ways to add lighting to your home, the most obvious would be to purchase some high quality floor lamps or table lamps, and place these strategically in dark corners or place them on side tables, in order to give a room that warm and welcoming feeling.

Update your handles and cabinetry

If your kitchen is looking a little dated, or your bathroom is more old fashioned then you would like there luckily there are small, easy changes you can make to bring it back to life and into the current decade. One way to do this, is to update and change the handles and draw pulls on your cabinets, cupboards and door handles.
There are numerous finishes to choose from such as bronze, brushed nickel, aged copper, and shiny stainless.  With so many modern choices on the market it may be hard to decide what best suits your home!

Still uninspired? Then clean!

If this still leaves you a little uninspired or perhaps won’t evoke as much change as you would like, then sometimes it pays to go back to basics. And start, with a good deep clean.
A deep-clean can enhance our mood and make our home more liveable (and more importantly inspire us to do more).

Holiday Season Prep And Saving Money On Gifts

This is a sponsored post in partnership with CouponDash.com. All opinions are my own. 

It's so crazy to think that in a couple months, the holiday season will begin. We have a tradition every year where we go and hang out on Halloween with close family-friends and we call it our 'kick-off to the holidays'. After that it seems like we all get into go-mode and the holiday hustle and bustle gets real. There is usually so much going on for all families with school events, football season, and family gatherings.

I find myself cooking and baking a whole lot once the weather gets cooler. There is something about that autumn air that gets me in the mood to be in the kitchen even more. Last year I bought an electric pressure cooker from Amazon and it has been my go-to appliance. I have been strongly considering getting a second one since I cook multiple foods for one meal most times. This would be extremely helpful during the holiday entertaining season as well since I can only cook so many dishes at one time on a four-burner stove. I am pretty sure I will be hosting Thanksgiving, so I will have to throw around a little *hint, hint* to my husband to get me another one of these beauties. 😍

I am so happy that I have Amazon Prime so I don't worry about paying for shipping. If you don't have it, be sure to take advantage of this free 30-day trial of Prime. Aside from cooking and baking during the holidays, I stock up on off-season goods. It's amazing how much marked-down merchandise is available in stores, especially one of my favorite places, Kohl's. I love using their shopping passes and getting Kohl's cash throughout the year. I get a thrill out of buying $800 worth of merchandise for as little as $200 and sometimes, even less! Also if you don't feel like weeding through the clearance racks, you can shop online and even get free shipping. This has become my new favorite way to shop! 

The great part about clearance shopping is that some of the items can be given as gifts for the holidays. I am always down for saving money and spending as little as I can for gifts. I also like giving home baked goodies to friends and neighbors each year. They always look forward to what I send over every year. You can say that it has become a tradition! I am already looking at decorative mini loaf pans for some sort of pound cake. I know it seems so early to be thinking about all of this, but it's best to prepare early so you can fit some relaxation time in. After all, you don't want to miss out on quality time with your family and friends because you are making the mad dash at the last minute. Speaking of dash, be sure to stop by CouponDash.com for savings from tons of well-known retailers like K-Mart, Best Buy, Michaels and more. You can find pretty much any brand you are looking for and they have the coupons savings already set up for you.

Do you get ready for the holidays early? Do you have any good shopping techniques that are helpful? Please share below in the comments. Thanks for stopping by today.

7 Festivals In The Columbia Area This September That You Won't Want To Miss

There are so many events going on in the Midlands for the upcoming fall and I want to share some of the happenings going on this September.

DOKO FEST 2017

September 16, 2017
Presented By: Blythewood Lions Club
Location: Doko Meadows Park
Address: 171 Langford Road, Blythewood, SC 29016
Phone: (803) 315-0236
Time: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Price: Free admission

39TH ANNUAL JUBILEE: FESTIVAL OF BLACK HISTORY & CULTURE

September 16, 2017
Location: Mann-Simons Site
Address: 1403 Richland St., Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: 803-252-1770 x 23
Time: 11:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Price: Free & Open to the public

44TH ANNUAL IRMO OKRA STRUT FESTIVAL

September 29, 2017
Recurrence: 0
Address: 7507 Eastview Dr, Irmo, SC 29063
Phone: 803-781-7050
Time: All Day
Price: Free admission

COLUMBIA'S GREEK FESTIVAL

September 14, 2017 - September 17, 2017
Recurrence: Recurring daily
Location: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
Address: 1931 Sumter Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Phone: (803) 461-0248
Time: Thursday - Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM | Sunday: 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Price: Free admission

SODA CITY OKTOBERFEST

September 30, 2017
Location: Soda City Market
Address: 1400 & 1500 block of Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Time: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Price: Free admission

CITY ROOTS FALL KICK OFF FARMER'S MARKET!

September 14, 2017
Presented By: City Roots - Your In-Town Sustainable Farm
Location: City Roots - Your In-Town Sustainable Farm
Address: 1005 Airport Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29205
Phone: (803) 254-2302
Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Price: Free admission

RIVER RAT OKTOBERFEST

September 9, 2017
Location: River Rat Brewery
Address: 1231 Shop Road, Columbia, SC 29201
Time: 1:00 PM to 10:00 PM

I hope if you live in the Columbia area that you can make it out to some of these events!

Be Last-Minute Guest Ready With A Bestway Airbed

This is a sponsored post in partnership with Bestway and BraVoMark. All opinions are mine.

I am sure many of you have dealt with last-minute guests or pop-up trips that can stress you out. With the upcoming holiday season approaching in a few short months, many of you might be entertaining guests. Not everyone has an extra room for guests, but you don't want them to have to spend a fortune on a hotel either. One of the smartest items you can invest in is an airbed. It can be stored away in a closet while not in use and easily taken out at the last minute when needed. I'm not talking the $30 air mattress though. Remember that kind? We had one for years and it felt like you were sleeping on the floor because it would lose air throughout your slumber.

There is a great solution for keeping your air mattress inflated and comfortable at all times. The Fortech Queen Airbed with with an AlwayzAire Pump from Bestway is one of the best higher quality airbeds you can find. Here are some details:

What makes this airbed better than others? 

• This queen size Fortech airbed measures 80in. x 60in. x 17in. (2.03m x 1.52m x 43cm). Includes built-in 110-120V- electric AlwayzAire pump (ETL approved) which continuously monitors and maintains air pressure. It inflates in just 150 seconds. 
• It is made with strong puncture and scratch resistant material 
• The pump has an easy, one click operation with 3 options for airbed firmness.
• Once you choose your preferred firmness, the pump automatically engages to inflate bed silently as you sleep. 
• Comes with a carrying back for travel and storage
• It has raised edges to help prevent roll-offs
• Great for indoor use, with canvas-feel fabric top, sides and bottom. 
• Costs $139.00 plus tax. This is a small investment for something you will use for years to come.

Right now Bestway is having a big Facebook giveaway:

• Purchase an ALWAYZAIRE bed from Walmart.com or Walmart here 

• Take a photo of yourself using the bed or next to it. (Be fun and Wacky)

• Post your photo under the comment section of @BestwayUs Facebook page contest post to be entered to win a SaluSpa Miami (retailed at $369.99)

• Bestway will be picking 5 Winners September 15th

I want one of these airbeds especially since we travel often. I can see us bringing this along on our family road trips. It's perfect for if you have a larger living space where you can inflate it in no time. It will give you a sense of sleeping in the comfort of your own bed. Man, I wish we had this one years ago! Get all the details about the Bestway airbed here and be sure to enter their Facebook giveaway. 

South Carolina Is The Hot Spot For The 2017 Total Solar Eclipse

In a couple short weeks, school will resume around these parts. My middle girl will begin junior year at the University Of South Carolina, the husband will be in grad school working on his MBA, and the littlest one will start fourth grade in his third year being a home schooler. We are all so sad that the summer break is coming to an end. We are planning to have one last hurrah by having an Ismail Party of Five-Total Eclipse Party. Okay, okay, it's not as fancy as I'm making it sound. We will be here at the house waiting in anticipation of viewing the eclipse. It will be the perfect time for the five of us to hang out and witness what will be a historical event.

It turns out that Columbia, South Carolina is one of the top spots in the country where the view is slated to be at 100%! Our local news has estimated over 1 million people will make their way to our state to partake in seeing the eclipse. Hotels are sold out everywhere and they say traffic will be crazy all over. That's a great thing for South Carolina businesses, for sure. If you aren't sure if your area will be able to catch any of the action, you can check here by entering your zip code.

The most important thing we did to prepare for the eclipse was to first purchase eclipse safe glasses, which we did a month ago. Little William was listening to a news report in regards to viewing the eclipse safely and insisted we must have the proper eye-wear. Here are the ones we got. Lucky for us, they came in a pack of 5. Perfect for our family!

Since we purchased them early, they were very inexpensive. I have noticed a big rise in the cost all over. I guess people are recognizing how dangerous it can be to your eyes if you get too much exposure to the direct sun. Let's hope these glasses work because when you put them on, you can't see a thing! Of course William had to be the first to try them on. 

We are so excited to have the opportunity to view the total solar eclipse together. I hope that you live in an area so you can catch a glimpse, too. Now we will keep our fingers crossed that the weather will hold up! Will you be participating in this big event? 

*This post contains affiliate links. Any purchases made gives me a little pocket change.