Tropicana Fanatic

You may have noticed that, over on the sidebar, I have a new badge (the bright orange one) saying, "I'm a Juicy Insider." That's because Tropicana Orange Juice is the only orange juice I drink, and so I was asked to clue you all in on a new campaign (that can save you money!) called Juicy Rewards.

If you, like me, drink orange juice almost every day with your breakfast, then you want to get in on Tropicana's new Juicy Rewards program. I personally think that's a no-brainer, because to me it's the best o.j. anyway, and now you even have an added incentive to try it and see for yourself.

When you do, you will find special codes in Tropicana products. You can earn up to 12 points per purchase (that's what you get for the family-sized 128 oz jug).

The more Tropicana Orange Juice you buy, the more Juicy Rewards you'll earn. It's just that simple! Mom Central started me out with some points, but I have already almost doubled them just from drinking what I would have anyway at breakfast.

For a sneak peek, visit the Juicy Rewards site now to see what you can earn with your own Tropicana purchases.

Register RIGHT NOW and enter this code
to get 1 free point right away: MOMCE-NTRAL.

Then keep your eyes on the blog. I'll be updating soon to let you know how I am spending my own Juicy Rewards!

I wrote this review while participating in the Tropicana Juicy Insiders Ambassador program by Mom Central on behalf of Tropicana. I received 12 free Juicy Rewards points and a $50 Visa gift card to use in redemption of the points and to facilitate my review.

Current by Discover debit card for Teens

I've never had a debit card. I was brought up on cash--in my parents' generation, if you couldn't afford to pay cash for something, you didn't buy it. Checks were for bills and the mortgage (I never even owned my own checkbook until I started teaching). Credit cards were for special purchases, like Christmas presents and family vacations, and even then they were always paid off at the end of the month. My parents were frugal with their money, and though we kids never wanted for anything, we knew that budgeting was important.

Nowadays, I rarely use the checks, since a lot of my billing is done online, and I find myself having a hard time getting used to the idea that, according to the Engineer, I should be using a credit card even for the small things (like fast food drive-thru windows), rather than cash. That's because we earn frequent flier miles on our credit card, and it keeps our credit rating high since we don't carry any debt (we still pay off the balance every month, just like our parents did, because it's just common sense).

So I wasn't sure how I would feel about a debit card that's designed for teenagers, like Current, the new debit card from Discover.

My main reason for considering it was because times have changed since my parents' days. We still all need to know how to budget, but now credit and debit cards should be part of that education. And the sooner kids learn how to handle their finances responsibly, the better, especially when you consider that they will be inheriting a less-than-desirable economy from all of us.

Why Current?

There's lots of pros behind the Current debit card for teens that made me consider it seriously.

Account Management Features: As a parent, these are really helpful features! You can set spending limits and track your teen’s spending through online statements, e-mail and text message alerts. I really like that modern approach of making the account so accessible online. You can also limit certain categories for spending--I'm not honestly sure what I would want to limit, but it's there if you need it.

Teens with part-time jobs can also can load their paychecks onto the card through direct deposit, just like their parents do with their own checking accounts.

Advanced Security Features: Current is protected by Discover’s $0 fraud liability. If anyone tries to use your teen's card without authorization, you (or your teen) are never responsible for those unauthorized charges – online, offline, anytime, anywhere. If your teen loses their Current cards or the cards are stolen, the cards will be temporarily suspended or deactivated, and your teen will be eligible for an emergency replacement.

Financial Education Resources: This is a biggie, of course. We all want our kids to be educated consumers, make good choices, save money, etc. They can learn how to spend smarter by logging onto the Account Center at CurrentbyDiscover.com. There they can view helpful articles on topics such as basic financial concepts, protecting themselves from identify theft (which is more and more important these days!), starting a savings program, and making their money go further.

Current by Discover Card, by the way, is also sponsoring a financial literacy program across high schools nationwide, called the Money Smarts Program, designed to help educate high school juniors and seniors on basic money management skills.

Meaningful Rewards: If you are a Discover card user yourself, you already know they offer rewards, like their Cashback Bonus. Current Card Teens are eligible for members-only in-store coupons and online discounts when they use their card at select restaurants, movie theaters and teen-friendly merchants. What’s more, parents earn Discover Cashback Bonus or Miles when they load their teen’s Current Card using their Discover Card. Woohoo! Definite plus.

Oh, and they have some cool designs for the cards, too--check out the image, below.



What's the Catch?

All of those features definitely fall on the Pro side when considering the Current Card.In fact, there's really only one negative, and that's this:

It costs money to use this card.

Like I said, I don't have a debit card myself, so maybe charging for a debit card is expected, especially considering all the features offered, but the costs really do give me pause.

The costs are low--cardmembers pay a $5 monthly charge for each card (or save $10 by paying an annual fee of $50).

But they also only include four free ATM withdrawals per card per month, and I could see that being a problem. That's roughly once a week, which seems reasonable, but if a concert came up, or they decided to go see a movie, then the teens would be charged for using the ATM. That bothers me, charging them to access their own money.

Overall, there's a lot to consider when it comes to the Current debit card for teens. If you have a teen yourself, and you're considerig it, then in addition to my review, you'll probably want to check out the Current Card by Discover website to get all the details.

I'd love to hear your opinions--is this something you'd choose for your own teens? Leave your comments below (leaving a comment below means you'll also earn entries in my 2 latest giveaways--an extra entry to win the 70th Anniversary Edition of Pinocchio on DVD AND the Hello, Bunnies! Bunnytown DVD).

Smart Teens= Safe Teens

MomCentral asked me to clue you all in on a new teen website designed to, "Educate, engage, and empower kids as Internet users."

Now, in case your teen is looking over your shoulder, reading that description and stifling a yawn, you should both know that NSTeens.org is really laid out well, with a comic, videos and bios of the NSTeens to keep you both interested (and aware).

When you first get to the site, you might want to check out the NSTeens Bios. From Allie, the new girl, to everyone's BFF, Tad, the football player, your teen is sure to find someone they can relate to (for example, Tad reminds me of a very real friend of the Owl's).

Next, head on over to the Comic entitled, "How Much is Too Much," which deals with just how much (and how little) personal information your teen should be sharing when they go online.

I recommend the fast-paced Videos next. Set to music, they, like the comic, cover all the important aspects of online privacy, and include tips to help your teen deal with (and refraining from participating in) cyberbullying.

Lastly, here's something you won't want to miss, as a parent, and will definitely want to share with your kids: Click on the link (bottom right corner) to the Real Life Stories from the Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

To me, that last link is the real meat-and-potatoes of the NSTeens site, though the comics, bios and videos will probably initially have more appeal for your teen, since they are better "eye candy."

Party Hopping at BlogHer 08: Part I

Union Square, taken from our hotel room window.

Thursday night at BlogHer 08 absolutely rocked. I felt like a celebrity superstar, schlepping from one party to the next and hobnobbing with all the sponsors, including the wonderful folks from Johnson & Johnson and MomCentral, who started the evening off right with the first meet-up at 5 PM.

The BlogHer conference is being held at the Westin St. Francis this year, a hugely swanky hotel full of conference rooms and suites and even a shopping avenue with a Victoria's Secret (or, as the girls today call it, Vic's).

In the lobby of the St. Francis is the hotel bar, called Caruso's, and this is where MomCentral and J&J set up shop, footing the bill for drinks for all of us invitees. That's right, this was an invite-only party. And I was on the A-list, Baby! Why? Well, you have seen my reviews on the blog courtesy of MomCentral, and you might remember that back in April I headed out with a group of Mommy Bloggers to Camp Baby, on behalf of J&J. And, fabulous folks that they are, they both remembered me. So I actually got TWO invites. Woohoo! Heady stuff, fame. ; )

Anyway, in addition to the free drinks (as if you really needed anything more), books were laid out for bloggers to look through, and maybe pick a few up and take back to review on their sites, if the fancy took them.

Funny story: I am looking at all these wonderful books, and I turn to the lady next to me and say, "Wow, don't these just inspire you to write a book yourself?"

And she says, "Actually, I did. And that's my book right there. Would you like me to sign it for you?"

I swear to you, that's exactly how it went down, unlikely as it sounds, and that's how I met Diane MacEachern, author of Big Green Purse, a book about "using your spending power to creat a cleaner, greener world."

And of course I spoke to all the great folks from J&J and MomCentral, who are so sweet that, although they had thoughtfully made up impressive name badges for all of us, completely neglected to think of themselves, and so were walking around with pen-scrawled stick-ems they had hastily concocted. Isn't that just like us women, thinking of everyone else first and ourselves last?

I also ran into Lindsey Grossman, who is working on Raggs (more about Raggs and other fun stuff for your kids soon), PHAT Mommy, Tracee from SoSiouxMe, BusyMom, Lara from Notions of Identity, the SoCal Moms in the elevator (all of them looking chic and fashionable), and Liz from This Full House.

And that was just the FIRST party of the evening!

Wonderfall is Wonderful! Fun for the Whole Family (really)

Imagine yourself lying on a sun-drenched beach in the Caribbean, while your children play happily beside you, head off with Dad to a water park or hang out with Elmo from Sesame Street.

Picture mouth-watering meals and snacks are always available and you don't have to cook them, and a fitness center is nearby, just in case you over-indulge.

Visualize lazily paddling in the warm ocean waters, taking advantage of the swim-up bar in the pool, or taking snorkeling and scuba lessons if you are feeling more adventurous, all the while knowing your kids are entertained for the day with a nanny, and that you are looking forward to an evening show with the whole family.

See yourself coming back to lovely hotel accommodations, everything neat and tidy without your ever lifting a finger, because of course you have personal butler service.

Now, imagine you can enjoy all of this for less than you dreamed possible.

It sounds too good to be true.

But it isn't.

It's Beaches Resorts amazing WonderFALL Celebration!

In the months of September and October, when the sultry Caribbean is still lovely and warm but the peak season is over, Moms and their families can take advantage of special rates at Beaches Resorts, and Mom Central is teaming up with bloggers to let you know all about it!

You'll enjoy all the amenities Beaches has to offer for up to 45% off published rates, and with stays of 7 nights or more, you can even get 2 nights free!

But that's not all!

In addition to all the lush pampering Beaches Resorts usually offers, the WonderFALL Celebration includes activities and events catered to families:

• Caribbean Adventures with Sesame Street, featuring a new Sesame Street stage show, Gordon and Elmo from Sesame Street in live performances and parenting workshops led by educators from Sesame Street.
  
• Dive In Movies.
  
• "Baby, You're a Star Photo Contest"--your child could be featured in the next Beaches brochure!
  
• Even a celebration devoted especially to Grandparents!

You'll want to act right away, though, because all of the fun and festivities are only happening THIS FALL as part of the WonderFALL Celebration at Beaches family resorts!

Yoplait Kids Blog Tour!

Did you know that adding yogurt to your diet every day can help you lose weight, while adding calcium for strong teeth and bones, much-needed vitamins and protein? Well, maybe you did, because you're a Mom, and Mom Knows Everything (or at least that's what we tell our kids!).

But how do you get your kids to make the healthy choice and eat yogurt themselves? Easy-peasy. All you have to do is offer them Yoplait kids, as I find out last week.

We had two kinds of Yoplait kids yogurt in our house, both with cute new Dora the Explorer packs, with all different flavors for the kids to try.


First, the peach and strawberry-banana multi-pack went--fast! The kids would come home from school hungry for a snack, and I would offer them a choice. They usually went for the strawberry-banana, which meant I had my favorite, the peach, to myself.

Once those were gone (with two gr-o-o-w-ing boys, it didn't take long), we quickly went after the Yoplait kids yogurt drink in bottles. I have to admit, the boys were a bit leery of the bottles. In our house, they are firmly entrenched in the "yogurt should be in a cup" camp. But we "dared" each other to try it, each of us picking a bottle. I told the kids they only had to take a slurp, just to try it, but they both ended up drinking down the yogurt and asking for more. For those of you with younger children, Yoplait kids yogurt drink is smooth and silky, so it's easier for toddlers to drink and digest than other yogurts.

So now, I am all out of Yoplait kids yogurt! But don't worry, I'm going out to get more! And now, you can too, because thanks to our friends at MomCentral.com and Yoplaitkids.com, you can get money-saving coupons from Yoplait kids!

Enjoy your yogurt. Oh, and by the way, I actually lost a couple pounds eating yogurt every day. YMMV, but there's no doubt a little yogurt will do you--and your family--good.

~Viv