OpinionMom

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

I know that some OpinionMom readers work at home, or are considering working at home.

Today I had the opportunity to participate in a home business myth busting series at Home Biz Notes. If you’d like to read the post, it’s here.

I hope that you enjoy my post in the myth busting series. While you’re there, you may want to look into some other busted home business myths.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

One of the best money-savers that I’m aware of is resales shops that sell gently used or overstock merchandise. These stores often allow you to buy name-brand merchandise at a fraction of the original cost.

One resale store that we’ve been frequenting a lot is Plato’s Closet. Plato’s Closet specializes in teen and tween fashions. If your teen just HAS TO HAVE IT and you don’t want to pay full price, this might be the store for you.

Some of our recent Plato’s Closet buys include:

• A prom-style dance dress (that looks like it was made for our teen). Cost: $10.00
• Brand-name blue jean jacket. Cost: $15.00
• Artsy Fall skirt and blouse: Cost: Skirt, $8.00, Blouse, $6.00

The Plato’s Closet chain of stores is just one of many resale shop options available nationwide. There’s something for every need, look through your local Yellow Pages to find the resale shop that you need. (We even bought exercise equipment a few years ago from a resale shop!)

There are a few things that you should be aware of concerning resale shops:

1.   Merchandise varies from store to store
2.   Not every fashion is available in every size
3.   Styles are available in limited quantities
4.   Items are often one fashion cycle behind
5.   Check items carefully for damage, stains, etc.
6.   Many resale stores will not allow returns

Remember, most resale shops also accept gently used merchandise. So, you might be able to get something back for that Christmas gift you never used or the sweater your child outgrew before she had a chance to wear it.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

Last week I blogged that I had one MugWaz Bagz kit to give away to a lucky commentator in the United States or Canada.

The contest is now over. A total of forty-seven of you left comments on the Mugwaz Craft Products post. I used a random number generator to select the following lucky winner:

•     Julie Mead

Julie will be getting an email from me with instructions (or you can contact me a laura [dot] opinionmom [dot] com).

Congratulations to the lucky winner and thanks to everyone else who participated!!

Note: A MugWaz craft kit would make a great Christmas gift. You can order your own at Mugwaz.

(Disclosure: Product samples were provided by an agent for Mugwaz.)

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

I took the Halloween habits quiz and here is what I found out:

What Your Halloween Habits Say About You

You are an outgoing person who’s a bit of a showoff. It’s likely that you dress up for Halloween every year.You often feel invisible when you’re in public. And it’s a shame, because you’re really quite a character. Your inner child is full of wonder and very sweet. You fear people taking advantage for you. You are always worried about protecting your own interests. You’re logical, rational, and not easily effected. Not a lot scares you… especially when it comes to the paranormal. You are a traditionalist with most aspects of your life. You like your Halloween costume to be basic, well made, and conventional enough to wear another year.

What’s Your Halloween Personality?

When BzzAgent offered me the opportunity to get a Fly Fusion PenTop Computer to test out and give my opinions about, I jumped at the chance because I knew that it would be a great product to review for this blog. Darling Daughter number two (DD2) was pretty happy about the review too. (The suggested age range for the product is fifth through tenth grade.)

The PenTop Computer is a really nifty tool to help your kids study. Your kid can take notes and save them to the computer. It also translates between Spanish and English and does basic math problems. You can download additional software modules for an additional cost (compatible with most text books, although not DD2’s texts) for more study tools.

Of course, DD2 was more interested in the fun aspects of the Fly PenTop Computer. Those aspects include the ability to play games, listen to MP3s, and make quizzes. In fact, I had a little trouble getting the PenTop Computer away from her to do this review.

I will say that the Fly Fusion PenTop Computer is not cheap – it runs just under $80.00 for a starter kid. It can be found just about anywhere that electronic items and toys are sold (Toys ‘R” Us, Wal-Mart, Target, etc.). In addition to the starter kit, accessories the accessories cost even more: software modules for it range from $1.99 to $29.99 each and the special FLY Paper notebooks are $7.99 each (and you know how fast kids can run through notebooks).

However, with the holidays just around the corner, then the Fly Fusion PenTop Computer just might be something to add to your shopping list (especially if you have a reluctant student who needs something to get them excited about studying).

Has anyone else already tried this product? I’d love to hear what you think about it.

(Disclosure: I purchased this product using a discount for BzzAgents.)

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

My tip this Friday concerns how to beat the high cost of gasoline.

Many people ignore this, but some grocery club cards come with a gasoline discount for members. Sometimes all that you have to do to receive the discount is sign up for the card. For other cards you must buy a certain amount of groceries to be eligible for the discount. To redeem your discount you will need to fill up at the gas station owned by that particular grocery or club chain.

In my area, the grocery cards that offer discounted gasoline prices include: Sam’s Club, Costco, Kroger, and Tom Thumb.

I haven’t used a Sam’s Club Card or Costco card to buy gasoline recently, but in my area you qualify for ten cents off of a gallon at a Kroger gasoline pump each time you purchase $100 worth of groceries. For my car, which takes 14 gallons to fill, that is $1.40 in savings each time that I fill up. If I fill my car up twice a week, that’s $2.80 a week which translates to $145 a year. (Even without the grocery purchase, using your Kroger grocery card at a Kroger gasoline pump will save you three cents a gallon.) The offer at Tom Thumb is similar. Each time that you buy $50 worth of groceries with your Tom Thumb card, you can save ten cents a gallon at a Tom Thumb pump.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved.

Contents (c) Copyright 2007, Laura Spencer. All rights reserved