A Rockin' Flashlight for Kids: Sylvania PalPodzzz Portable Nightlights

My son loves flashlights. Whenever my husband needs to bring out the industrial sized flashlight for home improvement projects, Dawson is right behind him, asking if he can help. By help, he means hold the flashlight for Daddy.

Over the years I've bought several flashlights for my boy, from battery operated to the kind you have to crank by hand to get it to light up. Since batteries can be expensive, I love the idea of flashlights that do not require any.

When the Parent Bloggers Network offered the opportunity to try the Sylvania PalPodzzz Nightlight/Flashlight, I was very excited about it. When it arrived, I was delighted to discover that it's a rechargeable light. No C batteries required.

We plugged in our Rocket Ship light and let it fully charge, and Dawson asked repeatedly if it was ready yet. He loves rockets, so this light was perfect. When the rocket is plugged into the charging base, it lights up as a pretty blue LED nightlight. After an hour or two of charging, the rocket ship light can be removed from it's base and used like a traditional LED flashlight. It also functions as an LED Emergency Back Up Light during power outages.

So far, Dawson likes it as a flashlight. Last night, I found him clutching the rocket in one hand, and a book in the other, with his blanket covering his head. This morning he used it to play astronauts and aliens (a game he just made up), in which he was the astronaut and our dog was the alien. I don't think Murphy was too keen on being chased around with a flashlight, but it sure was funny.

My husband likes the Sylvania PalPodszzz Nightlight/Flashlight, too. Not only is it another great Green gadget, but the nightlight is the perfect amount of light in Dawson's bedroom. We use it in lieu of his bedroom lamp when we want to check on our boy when he's sleeping.

This nightlight/flashlight is a hit! Sylvania also makes a Ladybug version, perfect for little girls. For more info visit this PBN link. Thanks, Parent Bloggers Network and Sylvania for another great opportunity!

Current by Discover: Teaching Money Management for Teens

When I was a teenager my parents tried to teach me the importance of saving money. I listened to there lectures, and did my best to save, save, save, but when I finally got my first job, my paychecks began to burn a hole in my pocket.

We didn't have prepaid credit cards back then. Or maybe we did, but I didn't know about them. When I turned 18 the first things I did was open a checking account and apply for a credit card. Big mistake on the credit card thing. I was young and naive and maxed out that little plastic thing too quickly. Paying it off was difficult, and after several years of high interest rates and a collection call or fifty, I learned my lesson and I like to think I'm much smarter about when I use the charge cards.

Thankfully, Dawson is too young to know what credit cards are, but there will come a day when he wants to make money and spend money, and I fully intend to teach him the importance of being financially responsible. No parent wants their children to make the same money mistakes they made.

When I heard about the Current by Discover Card program, I was eager to check it out. The Current Card is designed for teens and tailored for parents. It's a new kind of debit card for teens with built-in parental control.

Parents can add money to the card easily, and customize the account by setting spending limits. Once the limit is reached, the card will no longer work, and no additional fees will be incurred.

The Current Card can be used in stores, at ATMs or for online shopping. But the best part is that parents can access account information, check the balance online, track purchases and transaction amounts and view current and past statements and pay bills online, too.

At first I was skeptical about what lessons the Current Card would teach the teen user, but after reading the features and benefits, it's almost like giving your son or daughter a "practice run" in money management. It's a way to jumpstart smart spending habits, too.

The Current Card is safer than cash, has $0 liability, which means that Discover will reimburse 100% of any fraudent charges made with the card. If the card is lost or stolen it can be disabled immediately, and reactived when it's found or replaced.

Because it's not a credit card, it will not affect your teen's credit rating, and will still teach your son or daughter practical skills about money.

For more information, visit the Current by Discover website.

Suave: Live beautifully for less!

Once upon a time before mortgages, car payments and children, I could afford fancy salon haircuts and colorings. I used the name brand shampoos and I felt like a million bucks. I probably spent a million bucks, too.

Now that my titles include wife, mom and working woman, one with bills to pay and mouths to feed, and with the economy in toilet, I no longer drop $20 or more on shampoos or conditioners. Or hair spray for that matter.

Last month, the folks at Suave sent me a test kit including five of their top products and five competitor products. I know, I was surprised, too. Suave wanted me to try their hair and skin products and compare them to the name brands.

In the kit:

And:

Now, when I saw all these products, I was a bit overwhelmed. How was I going to try them all, and give my honest opinion? But I set out to do so.

I started with the name brand products first. I'd used Jergens before, and while it's a great lotion, the Cherry Almond scent is not my favorite. Who wants to smell like a dessert? It still gave me soft skin and was a great moisturizer, important for winter months in Wisconsin. I put the Jergens brand on one arm and leg, and used Suave's Advance Therapy on the other arm and leg. Suave felt just as soft and moisture packed. I could not tell the difference other then the scent. Since I'm not a fan of scented lotions, Suave got my vote. And Suave is about $1 - $2 less.

Next I compared body washes. Bath & Body Works has always been a favorite, and I love the Sweet Pea scent. But when I tried Suave's Sweet Pea body wash, I was very impressed. Both products are amazing, and when using them in the shower, it was very difficult to tell the difference. The price for Suave's version is almost $4 less. Totally going for Suave next time I hit the store.

As for shampoo and conditioner, Nexxus is something I used back in the day, and while I love the product, the price no longer suits me. Suave's humectant shampoo works just as well and costs almost $6 less than what Walgreens charges for Nexxus. Since we're trying to be frugal, I'm positive I'll be purchasing Suave when that huge bottle of shampoo runs out. Same for the conditioners. Both do the same job, it's just a matter of cost.

I don't normally use hair products, but I gave both hair sprays a try. Again, no difference other than price. And since I've always been a Suave deodorant customer, I have nothing but good things to say about the product.

When visiting the Suave website, I was happy to see some of the facts about how much Americans saved by purchasing Suave products. It's called Suavenomics. Did you know that Americans saved $5.5 million dollars in 2008 by switching to Suave? I mean, why not feel beautiful for less? I love saving money, and with that new baby on the way, I'm gonna need it. Kids are expensive, but worth it. You know what else is worth it? Me looking good without going bankrupt.

For more information, visit Suave.com, or click here to register for product updates, samples and promotions!

Johnson's Baby Products, Tried & True

When I was 12 years old, my mother gave birth to my baby brother, Frankie. He was the cutest little boy, and I loved playing "mom" to him. Bathing him was tons of fun because he loved to splash and I loved to make funny bubble hairdos on his cute baby head. My mom bought Johnson's No More Tears and used it on all of her kids.

Maybe because I remembered how wonderful Johnson's products were, and how great they smelled, is the reason I chose to use their products on my baby. Even though Dawson is 4 years old, he still requests the No More Tears shampoo and body wash because it's the only soap that doesn't sting his delicate eyes.

When the folks at Mom Central invited me to participate in Johnson's No More Tears 50th Anniversary, I couldn't say no. I've loved their shampoo, body wash and lotions for years.

As part of this blog tour, and to celebrate Johnson's No More Tears 50th Anniversary, I was able to check out their new Baby Channel on YouTube and I'm impressed with the wealth of information the company offers on baby care. Whether you're a first-time mom or have lots of child rearing experience, Johnson's offers tips and advice for all your baby care needs. Even though Johnson's has been giving babies a healthy, happy start in life for more than 100 years, they understand that no one knows more than moms do, and their advice is smart and helpful.

We received samples of Johnson's Head-to-Toe Foaming Wash and Johnson's Baby Bubble Bath & Wash, and both products brought back those familiar childhood memories. I love that the Johnson's products are safe and gentle on Dawson's skin, and with a new baby on the way, I'm excited to use these great products for the new little one.

Thank you, Johnson's and Mom Central for letting us try such great products. For more information, please visit Johnson's website.