Can You Stand Up to the Test? Test Your Financial Smarts with TCF Bank

I participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central for TCF Bank. I received a promotional item to thank me for participating.”

This April, in recognition of National Financial Literacy Month, TCF Bank, a Minnesota-based, national bank, wants you to consider your financial habits, and has created a fun quiz that lets you find your “financial animal.”

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Money seems to be a root problem in many relationships; Many of us go into a marriage not knowing anything about our partners financial state, let alone their mindset when it comes to money. Some of us save like were retiring tomorrow, and others don’t give a thought about tomorrow. When it comes to financial smarts, it goes beyond piggy banks and balancing checkbooks. It’s understanding the difference between “needs” and “wants” and how to pay for them; and specifics we all might not think about on a daily basis: How could my credit score today affect my opportunities over the next few years? And what can I do about it?

In honor of National Literacy Month, TCF Bank is offering services to make it easier for everyone to increase their financial literacy. TCF Bank’s Financial Literacy Resource Center uses videos, animations, gaming, and social networking to inform users of complex financial notions with simple, straightforward information. You can get started today by taking their quiz to reveal what kind of Financial Animal you are. Visit TCF Bank Financial Animal Quiz and find out if you are as financially savvy as you think. My financial animal is the coyote:


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I’m a Coyote. I’m a crafty scavenger, always on the hunt for a bargain. My ideal day is spent digging in the couch cushions for spare change, clipping coupons and scouring the web for promo codes. It can be a lot of work, but it’s totally worth it for the sense of accomplishment I feel after scoring a killer deal.

Take the quiz, what is your financial animal?

Tell me what would you like to change about your financial outlook?

Posted in Money Matters | 5 Comments

Make it a Clean Free Weekend with Mr.Clean Liquid Muscle

This review and giveaway was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Mr. Clean. I was provided the featured product free along with a gift card to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.

If you are anything like me, the last thing you want to do on your weekend off is clean. Blah. Who wouldn’t rather be on the beach, taking a hike, a  bike ride, or just enjoying some time with your family? With Mr.Clean Liquid Muscle  this can be possible!  We used Mr. Clean Liquid Muscle this past week while doing our weekly chores – I spent about 1/2 the time scrubbing the floors , the sinks and the tubs as I normally do with regular everyday cleaners. Even my girls who helped out noticed that chores took less time when we used Mr. Clean Liquid Muscle. Combine it with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and you seriously do have magic.

Mr.Clean-Liquid-Muscle

  • With 2.5x more power in every drop, Mr. Clean Liquid Muscle penetrates dirt and lifts it away easier than ever before, meaning you’ll need to spend less time cleaning your home this weekend and more time enjoying some free time within it!
  • With Mr. Clean Liquid Muscle, less is more! The auto-stop cap means you’ll get the right amount of product each time, while the new formula ensures that each drop packs a lot of muscle to remove even the toughest stains with much less elbow grease is needed. And, we all know less time cleaning equals more free time to actually do the stuff you WANT to do this weekend.
  • Mr. Clean Liquid Muscle comes in a variety of scents and also includes a kitchen formula and a special formula that’s specifically tough on bathrooms – after all, isn’t that the last place you want to spend your free time over the weekend?

Make sure to follow Mr. Clean on Twitter, and Like on Facebook to keep up with new products, coupons and tips!

Join us for the #CleanFreeWeekend Twitter Party, hosted by @DoubleDutyDivas & @RealMrClean on April 29th (4/29), at 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM CST ( 9-10 PM EST) RSVP here.

 

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Posted in Cleaning & Organizing | 30 Comments

Get Bikini Ready with a 3 Day All-Natural Cleanse

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kaeng Raeng for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

It’s official; no matter how much I want to deny it, Spring is here and the anxiety of getting into my summer clothes and – GASP– bathing suit , is upon me. Though I’ve been working out, and trying to eat better, I’m not there yet. With less then 45 days until Summer Vacation I decided I needed to detox my body from all the stuff I just couldn’t lay off of -(you know sweets and pop and all that horrible stuff). That’s why I decided to take the 3-day cleanse by Kaeng Raeng.

Kaeng Raeng

The Kaeng Raeng versions are different from the programs of fresh juicers. These are packets of what is mostly dehydrated fruit plus essential nutrients, including lean protein and probiotics. You just add water, drink three a day and you’ve got all you need to keep your mind and body going. It’s all natural, vegan, gluten-free, and GMO-free. Also, it’s made in California from local produce and contains no artifical colors, flavors, or preservatives. It’s just pure, good stuff. 

With this detox you won’t starve – you are encouraged to add fresh fruits and veggies to your smoothie, and even eat them when you are hungry between drinks. (As a person who misses choosing, this is awesome!)  I love adding fresh strawberries to my FAVORITE flavor reunn ‘joyful’ which has the following flavors: strawberry/raspberry/pineapple. I am usually rushing out the door to get to work, so throwing in some frozen strawberries in the mix in my Blender Bottle and I was ready to go!

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Another thing to like about the Kaeng Raeng detox is that beginners can still supplement with eating raw fruits and vegetables, so if you get the urge to eat, you’re still on the track to detoxing.

Kaeng Raeng cleanse

It’s important to note here that this isn’t a weight loss plan. What a cleanse does for you is sort of hit a reset button on your body. Generally speaking, three days on this plan should help you to feel better and crave less junk food.

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Because the dehydrated fruits are fortified with protein and vitamins and other essential nutrients (in natural forms), you’re not depriving your body of anything. So it’s a lot healthier than fasting or following a DIY cleanse without guidance from a nutritionist.

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BONUS! Best side effect EVER is improved skin. By abstaining from traditional foods, especially dairy, filling your body with quality nutrients and vitamins will give your skin a nice glow after the 3 days!

Kaeng Raeng was made with YOU in mind. It comes in 3 day or 6 day programs in 3 different levels.  Beginner (First time user) Vetern (at least 1 cleanse) and Master (keep on coming back for more!) It’s also available in a soy-free option. Take the quiz to find out which one you are:

quiz

All in a Day’s Work Readers get a special discount – Discount Code: ADaysWork10 expires: 5/23/14

Check out Kaeng Raeng on Facebook  or  purchase Kaeng Raeng on Amazon

Who wants to win a Kaeng Raeng Swag Bag? Comment below letting me know if you’ve tried a cleanse before, and what were the pros and cons? Winner will be chosen from all eligible comments on 4/29

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Posted in Fitness/Health, Motivational Monday | 16 Comments

Fitness Friday: 5 Reasons to Start Bike Riding

It seems like a lot of people are going ‘green’ and picking up riding bikes for their commute versus driving. Though riding your bike definitely can help save the planet (and your wallet), bike riding is one of the most effective exercises that you can do. Here’s 5 Reasons to start riding for a workout.

1. You Can Do It On The Go:
Half of American workers live within five miles of their workplace, according to the most recent National Household Transportation Survey. That’s a totally doable 20-minute ride each way. If you live close to your office, you can pedal to work twice a week and burn up to 3,000 extra calories—close to one pound of fat—each month. 

2. It Burns Major Calories
A 235-pound woman pedaling 12 to 14 miles an hour blast up to 976 calories in 60 minutes. 

3. It Tones – Everywhere
Cyclists are notorious for having killer legs. After all, the quads, glutes, and calves are propelling the bike. But working the handlebar sculpts your upper body too, giving you balanced tone, says Erik Moen, a physical therapist who treats elite athletes. 

4. It’s a MAJOR Energy Booster
Feeling sluggish? A study published in the journal Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics found that bike riding improved energy levels by 20 percent and decreased fatigue by 65 percent. Why? Cycling triggers your brain to release the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is linked to energy, says lead author Patrick O’Connor, Ph.D., a professor of kinesiology at the University of Georgia at Athens. There’s no need to ride hard to harness the perk. People in the study who pedaled at a low to moderate pace three times a week fought fatigue best. 

5. It’s a PAIN Saver
Riding a bike puts a lot less stress on the knees, ankles, and spine than walking or running. Get the perfect fit: Your knee should bend just slightly (about 25 degrees) on the down pedal stroke. If it’s too straight or too bent, bring your ride to a bike shop and have a professional fitter adjust your saddle.

Posted in Fitness Friday, Fitness/Health | 9 Comments

NEW Nutrisystem® Contest – You Could Win $10k or Be Swept Away to a Photo Shoot on the Beach!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Nutrisystem for SocialSpark. All opinions are 100% mine.

Many of us in the ‘weight loss word’ dream of having money to show the world the new ‘you’  – take an awesome vacation on the beach (where we NEVER wanted to go before), get a professional makeover, buy a whole new wardrobe in our new ‘skinny’ size, and so many other things. Usually we have to settle for a trip to the lake, and a make-over at the Ulta counter. But Nutrisystem is giving 4 lucky winners $10,000, plus the chance to be swept away to a photo shoot on the beach to show off your new better bod! 

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The contest runs from April 24 thru June 11th, 2014.

Entering the $40,000 Nutrisystem Giveaway couldn’t be any easier. All they need from you is some good before and after pictures of your weight loss transformation. No need to get out your swimsuits or anything (unless you want to show off)—just be sure not to hide behind anything too big or baggy. They want to see your success!

Nutrisystem Great Escape $40,000 Giveaway!



Of course they also want to hear your story. Tell them about yourself, and how Nutrisystem has changed your life. Tell them what you’ve always wanted to do, what you strive for, or what you can do now that you’ve lost the weight. After all, this contest is all about the magical transformation. They  want to know what you can do—or what you will do when you’re at your goal. They love those photos, but the stories are where they get the real insight into how lives are changed. Your inspiring story can make all the difference to others out there just like you. 

Nutrisystem Giveaway

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Posted in Sweeps | 7 Comments