You Decide How Much You Pay When Shopping at Galoo

If you need to buy something, let's say a baby carseat, what would you do?

• You could go to a shop that sell baby carseats and purchase one there.
• You could also go online and buy from a merchant that sells it online.
• To try for further savings, maybe you could search online auction sites and try to win the bid at a good price.

Well, there is now another shopping option for you:
Say what you want at the price you want for products and services at Galoo.com

So back to the baby carseat. Let's say you browsed around Amazon and are interested in buying this brand: Evenflo Tribute 5 Convertible Car Seat. You can go to Galoo and put that item up as a buyer request. You decide how much you want to pay for it. So maybe you can knock the price down another $10-$20 (up to you to create your own discount) from what you saw at Amazon. Sellers will see your request and decide if they want to sell it to you for the price you want. Galoo has a network of sellers all around the world. So Galoo hooks you up with an interested seller and the both of you negotiate the price, how the payment is made and the shipping methods too.

If you want better discounts, you can invite your friends to join you in buying that same product or service. If more people want to buy, then sellers will be more willing to lower the price.



This is an interesting new way to buy things/services online that will help you save money. Instead of you chasing after the best deal, you set your price and let the sellers compete to give you the best deal. I like that.

This is not just for people who want to buy, it is a place for people to sell too. You can sign up as a seller and list your products/services for free. However, once a deal is made, you have to pay Galoo 8% of the item's final selling price. This is only fair since they helped you find your client.

So give Galoo a try and have fun haggling!

Choosing The Best Credit Card For Travel Rewards

 During my golfing days, I traveled a lot for competitions. I haven't traveled anyway since I had kids. If you do a lot of traveling or love to travel, it only makes sense to own a credit card for travel rewards.    

There are so many options out there that it can be confusing. How do you choose the best card? That depends on your lifestyle and the kind of rewards you prefer.

Here are a few questions to ask as you are trying to make a selection.

• Is it easy to redeem the points?
• What can you redeem the points for? Is it just travel or can you also redeem cash or merchandise?
• What is the point earning potential? Obviously, you want a card that will give you many points for every dollar you spend. Some offer 2-3 points per dollar. Some even give you 3-5 points on certain purchases. You may even get 10 points per dollar for dining at their specified restaurants.
• What is the annual fee? There are cards that do not charge an annual fee.
• Are there restrictions and limitations? Check if there are blackout dates or seat restrictions. You want a card that gives you the flexibility to fly anytime and with any airline.
• What are the perks? Maybe there is complementary domestic and overseas travel insurance, special travel deals, concierge service or airport lounge access.

The more well known travel credit cards are The Capital One Venture Card, Blue Sky, American Express Platinum Card, Discover Escape, Discover Miles and Delta SkyMiles Card by American Express.

With so many to choose from, you'll definitely find one that suits your need. It also helps to ask your friends who like to travel what card they are using.

If you are planning to take a trip, The U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs have information on international travel, passports and visas. You'll also find currency exchange rates, travel warning, health information, entry requirements and more over at usa.gov international travel.

Sale on Bumbo Sitter

If you've been considering a bumbo sitter for your baby, you will want to hurry and get it at LittleWhiz while they are having their MEGA MAD MAD SALE.

The price: RM139.90
Original: 249.80
YOU SAVE: 109.90

Click this affiliate link to get it today. Offer is for limited time only:


And according to the promotion at their site, it comes with a tray too. Many mothers like the bumbo sitter because they can plop baby down and have their hands free to do stuff like folding clothes or feeding the baby. Heck, you can even use both your hands to eat. When you become a mother, that becomes a luxury. Also, baby doesn't have to lie down all the time. With the bumbo seat, they can see the world like we do.

But do be careful and still keep baby close by. Some mothers don't recommend it when baby is able to arch their backs or push up with their feet. It becomes a little dangerous then coz' baby can flip out of the seat. Also, don't put the seat on an elevated place like table or countertop.

When can you use this for your baby? When your baby is able to hold up his/her head without support.

It really is selling for a decent price. Don't forget, it comes with a tray too. So once again, here is the link. Click it and you'll be taken to the home page. You should see the bumbo seat listed there. They have many other baby things for sale too.

Want To Learn How To Golf?

If you are interested in learning how to play golf but don't know much about it, you can check out my brother's website that he has dedicated to beginner golfers. He has taught golf for many, many, many years. His insights and advise is invaluable. So, pay his blog a visit and shoot him any questions you may have.

And while you're there, tell him that he has an awesome sister :) Hahahahah.

Oh yeah, the website address is: http://provic-lions.blogspot.com

Buying Insurance Tips

When I was 22 years old, I was approached by my boss' son to buy a life insurance policy. My pay wasn't very much and I had to pay for my car every month. I also was giving my mom some pocket money. Usually at the end of the month, I would have very little left. Saving money was really a struggle. And yet, my boss' son managed to convince me to get a life insurance policy.

Although the cash value of the policy doesn't amount to much, I'm glad that I made the decision then to get it. Something is better than nothing.

I know many people, me included, are afraid to meet insurance agents. We are afraid to be pestered to death. However, getting insured is an important matter. Life is full of uncertainties. We don't know when we may encounter death, an illness, an accident or a loss. Unfortunately, deciding what policy to get and with which company can be a difficult task. It is so important to get multiple quotes to do comparisons. After all, you want the best deal right? This is one thing that I didn't do when I bought my insurance. I was young and foolish then (and probably blinded by the good looking boss' son).

If you want a better understanding of the different types of insurance, you can check out Insurance on Wikipedia. If you want to find some local insurance agents, there are some websites that prove to be good resources like LocalInsurance. For example, if you looking to get a home insurance in Illinois, you just need to fill out some details and then, experience agents in your area will get in touch with you to offer the best deals. Because of the competition, you stand a chance to save some money because they all want your business. You can get quotes on auto, home, heath and life insurance.

Here are some quick tips as you shop for insurance:

• Read through the policy carefully. Don't miss out important details.
• Don't agree to extra coverage plans that are not necessary. They will throw these at you so you spend more and they earn more. So, just pay for the coverage that is required.
• Once again, get multiple quotes. Buy from the one that gives you what you need at a good price and not from the one that is the cutest :)

*This message is brought to you by your friends at localinsurance.com

Sale On Baby and Children Stuff

LittleWhiz is having their Mid Year Sale 2010. If you need/want to buy stuff for your kid(s), this would be the time to do it. They have slashed the prices and that means great savings for you. For example, they have a 4 in 1 Convertible Baby Cot Promotion Package that is selling for RM859. Original price is RM1382.80. That is RM523.80 for you. Save RM500 over bucks. No kidding man.

So, do check it out if you are on the look out for booster seats, car seats, bags, cooler, breastpumps, nursing bras, cloth diapers, nursing poncho, baby carrier and baby slings, baby cots, baby gift sets, strollers, teething toys, developmental toys, organic baby products, crib sets, receiving blankets, swaddle blankets, rattle booties, socks, bumbo baby sitter, Dr Brown BPA free bottles, breastmilk storage bags, safety gate, playpen etc.... Ya, so many things.

I've bought stuff from them before. So far so good.

Just click on the affiliate banner below and start browsing.

How To Easily Back Up Your Blogger Posts

It's painful to lose your blog that you have nurtured for many, many years. So, don't forget to backup. If you have a blogger account, you can use this utility to backup. You can save all your posts in an atom/XML file. Check out this page to download the utility.
Blogger Backup

Okay, that is my good deed for today.

Need To Shrink Your Phone Bill?

Save money, save money, save money! That's what everyone is trying to do these days. One way to achieve that is by being a smarter shopper. Unfortunately, it can be quite confusing when trying to compare and choose certain services like credit cards, savings accounts and cell phone plans. All the different companies bombard you with enticing offers left, right and center. Which one to choose?

Life is busy enough... yes, even for us stay at home moms. The last thing I want to do is sit down and maul over which is the cheapest cell phone plans. Bad enough I have to think what to cook everyday. Well, if you want a personalized recommendation for credit cards, savings accounts and CDs, cell phone service and even gas stations, you should take a look at BillShrink.com. They have made it easy for you to choose the best deal. They have you answer a few questions to learn about your situation and needs and then offer recommendations that will save you money.

Now, the website also features an area for business owners. You can go there and have them recommend business credit cards options that will improve your bottom line.

Just in case you are wondering, their recommendations are independent and unbiased. So, to my American friends out there, if you are looking to save a little money, have a look here and see if this is a good resource.

*Brought to you by your friends at Billshrink.com

Securing Your Memories Online

Last time, in the days of our parents and grandparents, when you wanted to walk down memory lane, you opened up the photo albums. Unfortunately, photos don't say much about the memory being captured. I remember always asking my mother "who is this?" and "who is that?" when looking at photos of my ancestors. Sometimes she would answer "I don't know".

Nowadays, we parents are blessed with technology that make record keeping a breeze. We can do digital scrapbooks and write blogs to note down those special family moments.

My Heart Will has taken record keeping one step further. Using their services, you can store your journals, photographs, audio and video recordings, and scrapbooks securely for 10 years. What you upload there is not open for everyone to see. It's an online safe box and only those whom you give visitor status can view the information.

You can use it as a Time Capsule. That means you can write personal messages for your children, husband, grandchildren and have that message delivered at a certain time in the future like their graduation, birthday, wedding day etc.... Pretty cool. So, in a way, you can still live on even when you're already dead. Reminds me of a show where the father died (from illness) when his son was just a baby. So he left video recordings for his son and the mother would play them during his birthdays.

Many of us parents are blogging about our children's milestones. It is scary to think what might happen if our blogs were suddenly wiped out one day. Have you been doing backups? Plus, sometimes it is not so nice (and not very safe) to blog about too personal things. This online safe box is an interesting concept. If this sounds interesting, click here to read more about My Heart Will Store Memories.

* Brought to your by your friends at myheartwill.com

Chance To Win A Baby Massage Book

Everybody loves a good massage, even baby. Baby massage can soothe a restless baby. It can help baby sleep better. It can be helpful for colicky babies too. There are a lot of benefits to baby massage. Babies strive on human touch.

I found a website that shares some baby massage tips. You have a chance to win a free baby massage book too. Click here (ends 29 Nov 2009)

Here is a brief video on baby massage.



For a list of things you can do to help a colicky baby, click here: How To Stop Baby Crying

Image by Lance McCord via Flickr

NICE CLOTH DIAPER IS HAVING A CHRISTMAS MEGA SALES!

Purchase up to RM 100 : 10% discount
Purchase up to RM 200 : 15 % discount
Purchase more than RM 300 : 20 % discount

This is good news if you want to purchase some cloth diapers for baby. Other stuff they have available at their site are cloth diaper accessories, cotton menstrual pad, environmental friendly laundry ball, educational flash cards, baby sling and mattress protector.Check it out. Click on my affiliate link now:Nice Cloth Diaper 

Mommy Bloggers Now Required To Give Full Disclosure

Are you a mommy blogger who receive freebies or payments in exchange for reviews and testimonials? If you are, then you need to read these 2 news report. Basically, they are saying you must tell your readers that you have been compensated (either in cash or kind) for writing the blog post. If you fail to do this, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) will take action against you. So mommy bloggers, please familiarize yourself with their new guidelines.

• Soon, Bloggers Must Give Full Disclosure by nytimes.com
  
• Mommy Bloggers Could Be Held Liable for Product Reviews by abcnews.go.com

Totally Free Tuesday for New WAHMs

Are you a new WAHM? Not sure if you're doing things right or headed in the right direction? Well, mark this date down then: 8 Sept 2009 (Tuesday). Mom's Talk Affiliates is having a TOTALLY FREE TUESDAY! It's like an orientation for new WAHMs.

What's happening on that day?

• Free Webinars where you'll hear from other successful WAHMs.
• Free Gifts by eMail
• Special Giveaways

So, when that day comes rolling by, just click on the banner above.

Watch Out for Me On Malaysian Women's Weekly

Last year, I got an email from Malaysian Women's Weekly saying they would like to interview me for an article. I was told the feature would maybe be in the January issue. But then, I heard no news from them after that and didn't see anything on me in the magazine. I wrote to ask what happened and didn't get a reply. So I thought maybe the idea was cut.

Last week, I get a call asking when I would be free for a photo shoot. Imagine my surprise. I can't even remember what the interview was about. I remember faintly that it was about my blog (or was it my online shop?). Aiyoh, this pregnant woman has really lost a lot of brain cells I believe. Well, they were very kind to come out all the way to my home to do the photo shoot. They took some individual shots and also some with my kids.

This is KokoD with the makeup artist. Poor girl got a bit lost trying to find her way to my house. Anyway, I doubt they'll use the photos with KokoD because he became so shy in front of the camera. Either he didn't smile or his eyes would be close.


My living room turned into a photo studio.

Poor me with my big belly had to lie down on the floor for one of the poses. Thank goodness I could get up after that :) But the photographer was a very nice guy. The makeup artist also had to keep dabbing sweat off my face. Sorry-lah, when you are this advanced into pregnancy, you automatically become a heat generator.

Well, not often we get to be in a women's magazine. So I thought I'd let the whole world know. Heheheh. They haven't decided yet which issue this is coming out (Oct 09 onwards). Just keep a lookout for me.

I don't know if I can post some of the photographs up. I'll just post 3 and if they object, I'll just take it down.

(update 1/10/09)): I was told that the pictures will have to wait until the artcle is published. So I'm taking them out till then.

Cloth Diapers On Discount

If you want to try cloth diapers or are one of those mothers who are crazy over cloth diapers, then you will want to know that Nice Cloth Diaper is having a sale. You can get 10% off. The sale is only until 28 August 2009. Actually the discount is storewide. They not only have cloth diapers, but also wetbag, mattress protector, flash cards, cotton menstrual pad, environmental friendly cockroach and mosquito repellent, 100% cold crafted soap, environmental friendly laundry ball, baby sling and pouch etc....

Discount code is SALES2009.

Plus, for every RM70 that you spend, you get a piece of cotton flannel baby wipe worth RM4.50.

Sounds interesting?
Click here to find out more: Nice Cloth Diaper

FREE Potty Training Kit from Pampers

ONLY FOR US RESIDENTS

If you are currently potty training your child, you'll be interested in this offer. You can put in a request to have Pampers send you a Potty Training Kit. It includes:

• A free sample of Easy Ups Trainers
• High-value coupons
• Fun stickers & coloring pages
• Step-by-step potty training tips
• Potty Progress Chart
• Dora or Diego training trophy

Click the following link to put in your potty kit request:
Potty Training Kit

Cheap Nursing Bra

Just a quick note to tell all breastfeeding moomies and breastfeeding moomies to-be that you can get a RM10 nursing bra at Fabulousmom.com. You can click here to go direct to the product page:
Eunice Nursing Maternity Bra

Supermummy Amazing Blogger Award

Malaysian Supermummy is hosting the first Supermummy Amazing Blogger Award and I'm one of the nominees. What does that mean?

I NEED YOUR VOTE!

(Just click on the banner below. You'll be taken to the Malaysian Supermummy website. Nothing to fill out. Once click, your vote is already recorded. Contest ends 30th April 2009)

Well, am I really a supermummy? I think we all are in our own ways.

How about an Amazing Blogger? Well, not as amazing as some other mommies but I'm trying my best. I share my experiences and hope it enriches someone. Of course I am also trying to make some pocket money online. But until I get a 4 figure check in my mailbox every month, I'm still short of Amazing!

Anyway, let me just list a few things about me (related to supermummy) so you know who you are voting for:

• Have 3 children and all delivered without anesthetics. Ouch!
• Breastfed all 3 (for 1-2+ years) coz' didn't want to spend extra money on formula milk. Oh, and of course breastmilk is best! Hahahah.
• Still moping wee-wee off the floor.
• I'm very thankful if I only have 1 basket of laundry to do a day.
• I'm an advocate of child labor - what I mean is I make my children do house chores.
• A strong believer that we should constantly read books to our children.
• Gave up my good golfing track record to raise this family BUT I don't regret it. I'm waiting to join the senior tour. Hahahah.
• I can breastfeed a baby, stop WWIII (it feels like that when siblings start to squabble) and blog at the same time. I'm sure you can do this too. Its just something every mother is equipped with. After that we need to give ourselves a break so we don't succumb to mental breakdown.
• I hide from my kids when I eat ice-cream, sweets and other junk foods. We're not suppose to let them eat too much of these unhealthy foods right?

Ok, so that's a little about me. And because I know you're going to vote for me (heheheh), I'm giving you a heartfelt "thank you" gift. It's a free e-book called "HEALTHY SNACK AND MEAL IDEAS FOR YOUR WHOLE FAMILY". Just click on the title to open the file up or right click and select "save target as" to put it straight into your hard drive.

This free-ebook is only available until the 30th April, which is also the date the voting ends.

REMEMBER!

VOTE FOR ME!

CLICK ON THE BANNER!

My New Family Book Store

I've been doing some modifications to my bookshop (Value Bookshop) and now you can see the differences I've made. Not totally complete because I don't have that many products up yet. The "cupboard may seem a little bare", but there is stuff there for you to check out.

Just to give you an idea on what's going on, the bookshop is now focused on digital products. So, no more shipping fees. After payment, you can download the product immediately unto your computer. But not everything requires payment, there are some FREE guides and reports there too. Products are catered towards making you a better parent. So I'll scout for e-books that touch on parenting, home management, cooking, recipes, children's education etc....
Latest entry is a FREE Valentine recipe card giveaway. There's also a product to help you learn how to make money from writing - be a ghostwriter.

So, scoot over to my new FAMILY BOOK STORE and tell me what you think about it.

FREE BAKING WORKSHOP

CloveTWO has teamed up with Malaysian Institute of Baking (MIB) in a contest to offer a FREE BAKING WORKSHOP!
Am I interested? Heck ya! But to be among the 5 winners, I first have to convince the judge and jury why I should be picked. So here it goes, my top 10 reasons why I'm putting my hand up and screaming "pick me! pick me!"

1. I am absolutely NOT allergic to baking powder.
2. Sweet buns with hot dog filling is my son's favorite. Please teach me 'sifu'.
   
3. I am NOT afraid to get fat. Let's indulge in chocolate.
4. I think my kids have suffered enough eating their mom's not-so-perfect baking endeavors. But they are such wonderful kids to still eat them and say they are nice.
   
5. I need to get away from the kids for a few hours. I need some "me time".
   
6. I love the smell of a bakery. It's like aromatherapy.
7. I want my friends to say "Wah! You so clever to bake now ah."
8. My husband says I need to upgrade my baking skills.
9. FREE & EXPERT GUIDANCE. A combination that doesn't come by often. Perfect for a "kiam siap" (kedekut / miser) person like me.
10. I will give you a free golf lesson if you pick me. Hahahahah. Just kidding. Cannot bribe the judges right? Okaylah, pick me because I really want to learn and the Malaysian Institute of Baking is the right place to learn. Serious okay! I need professional help.
    

Well, I hope my top 10 list will make it into the contest's top 5 list.

If anybody else want to join this contest, I strongly discourage it. The less the competitors, the higher my chances mah. Hahahah. But if you are nice and leave me a comment here, maybe I will choose you to go with me (if I win lah). Yes, winners get to bring a friend. So, pray that I win okay?