In my neighborhood, budget cuts for schools continue, playgrounds and sports programs are the first to disappear (or leave the parents paying most if not all fees, limiting who can and cannot play) leaving students with limited space to let their imaginations run wild and put simply, to play!

Because of this issue Sprite created the Sprite Spark Parks Project- Sprite’s multi-year commitment to bringing a ‘spark’ to school spaces within communities across the country. Yours, mine or anyone else.

This year alone, Sprite will invest $2 million and their time to construct, refurbish and renew more than …Continue Reading…

Thank you to TurboTax for sponsoring my writing about household finances.Learn more about how TurboTax can help you find every tax deduction you deserve. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

In my end-of-year post, I mentioned that I took over our family finances in early 2010.

I also mentioned that it was a real eye-opener, and somewhat of a wake-up call.

That, was putting it lightly.

Every year, my family and I write a “wish-list” of big items we would like to purchase or do. 2011′s list has been made, and has grown (and grown, and grown…).Keep in mind, anything that makes this list MUST be paid with CASH ONLY. That’s right folks: COLD. HARD. CASH. Plastic need not apply. …Continue Reading…

If there’s one time of the year I dread, it’s winter. I’m the kind of gal who loves HOT Florida weather, and yet, I’m stuck here in Ohio with 3 inches of snow on the ground with whopping a whopping 19 degrees outside.

Needless to say, I’m your average Debbie-Downer this time of year.

So I usually sit inside and sulk, and clean to keep the boredom at bay.

Then I realize how blessed I am. …Continue Reading…

Jeffersonville Prime Outlets is offering shoppers an early start on Black Friday holiday shopping and you don’t even have to worry about a dress code.

The  outlet stores are offering discounts on an many holiday items from midnight to 8:00am during it’s Midnight Madness Pajama Jam on Friday, November 26th!

The first 500 shoppers who show up all dolled up in their PJs will receive gift bags that include a pair of Gold Toe slipper socks, coupons and other goodies.

Five pajama-wearing shoppers will receive $100 Prime Outlets gift card inside their bag.

For more information, visit www.primeoutlets-jeffersonville.com.

Okay, so here’s where I tell you how long my vacation is going to be, and how much it’s going to set us back!

Errrr, well, there’s more to it than that.

Like the fact we have to pay for flights too.

You gotta get there somehow!

So, we are flying into Orlando on a Sunday, and flying out of Tampa on a Saturday. We’re spending …Continue Reading…