How to Find Extra Money In Your Home

The holidays are right around the corner and your probably thinking about shopping for gifts but don't have the money for it right now. Well this post will help you find extra money within your home.

Finding extra money in your home is easy besides looking in your sofa and pant pockets. This is some thing simple that you can do twice a year when doing your spring and fall cleaning. (Or as I say de-cluttering my home). When you start cleaning your home put piles of unwanted items together. Separate clothes, toys, furniture, electronics, etc... 

Now you can sell your unwanted stuff at a Yard or Garage sale. You can write a classified ad on Craigslist so people can find you. You have to sign into Craigslist once there go to post to classifieds, locate the for sale section and scroll down to garage sales. Before you post check different sites to get the value of your items. Next when you write your post remember to include a date, time, location and photos of the items you are selling. People like to see pictures of the products.  

This is how people will search for your garage/yard sale

You can also sell your stuff on sites like:

1. Amazon - fee to post
2. eBay - fee to post 
3. Craigslist -free to post

When posting on these sites read the rules and regulations with selling items as you don't want to sell something that is prohibited. 

Next you can sell your stuff at a Consignment Store. There are tons of them around, you just have to search for them where you live. When I moved I sold my bedroom set and sofas. I had to sign an agreement with them. The company charged 40%  and paid me 60% when the items sold. Note all consignment stores pay differently, check the fine print before you sign.  

You can also sell your stuff at your local Church Flea Market.  At any given time of the year churches hold flea markets.  If you have items that were not sold you can donate them to charity like the Salvation Army and they will give you a receipt for tax purposes. 

Get cash or gift cards for your electronics including DVD's, laptops, cell phones at a couple of places such as RadioShack, Target, Best Buy and GameStop. Note that the price can change its an estimate upon receiving the device it is evaluated.  Meaning if something is missing, chipped, etc the price is adjusted to reflect that. 

Target- Trade-Ins for DVD movies, cell phones, video games & more (see the picture above for the trade-in value of an iPhone 4 16GB (Black) Verizon wow $125.00) 

Best Buy - You can see from above all of the stuff you can Trade-In. Go to the website as there is more but I could not take a picture of all of it. 

GameStop - You can sell your old iPhone, iPad, iPod or Tablet, video games and game consoles. I went into to find out the trade-in value of an  iPhone 4 16GB (Black) Verizon and was told I could get $150 gift card or 25% less with cash for total of $112.50 I was also told that the amount quoted changes daily so if I went in tomorrow it would be a different amount. 

As to your old textbooks check out Amazon.  Here you will find a list of books that they will buy back as well as music, video etc.  They have an array of trade in stores that you can go check out.  

And lastly you should also check out Unclaimed.org  This site is for unclaimed property. What is unclaimed property? It refers to accounts in financial institutions & companies that have had no activity generated or contact with the owner for one year or a longer period. Unclaimed property include savings or checking accounts, stocks, uncashed dividends or payroll checks, refunds, traveler's checks, trust distributions, unredeemed money orders or gift certificates (in some states), insurance payments or refunds and life insurance policies, annuities, certificates of deposit, customer overpayments, utility security deposits, mineral royalty payments, and contents of safe deposit boxes. Some times we forget that we opened up an account or had an insurance policy etc.  Get the money that is owed to you without going thru a third party that charges you to get your money. Click on the unclaimed.org link above, go to the state you live in, it will then take you to your states' office that deals with unclaimed property put your name and check if you have anything coming to you.  It's a nice surprise when you check and you see your name there. It's like finding money on the ground when you are walking. 

Hope all of these tips earn you a little something this year. Let me know if you were able to find any money within your home too. 

Boo at the Zoo Returns to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo

Celebrate a New York Halloween tradition at WCS’s Bronx Zoo

Boo at the Zoo

Safe, family-friendly activities include:

o   The Haunted Habitat Mansion

o   Creepy Hollows Hayride

o   Costume Parade

o   Music, Magic, and MORE

o   Master Carver Pumpkin carving demonstrations 

Boo at the Zoo festivities run FIVE weekends beginning this Saturday, Sept. 29!

• Sept. 29-30
• Oct. 6-8, 
• Oct. 13-14 
• Oct. 20-21 
• Oct. 27-28

Boo at the Zoo returns to the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Bronx Zoo for five full weekends of Halloween-themed family entertainment and activities. Attractions and activities embrace the spirit of the season while highlighting wildlife and conservation.

Annual favorites including a haunted walk-through adventure – The Haunting at Habitat Mansion – and the spooky Hayride through Creepy Hollows headline the festivities and have been enhanced for this year’s Boo at the Zoo. Visitors will enjoy magic shows, musical performances, and costume parades in addition to traditional guest favorites including the hay maze, haunted extinct graveyard and special seasonal craft workshops.

Children 12 and under wearing a Halloween costume will receive free general admission with one paid adult general admission. All Boo at the Zoo activities are included with the price of general admission with the exception of the hayride and haunted mansion.. The Creepy Hollows Hayride and the Haunting at Habitat Mansion walk-through adventure are included with the purchase of a Total Experience Ticket.

 

From Monday, Sept. 17, guests that purchase four or more Total Experience Tickets online will receive a plush snake hat created in the spirit of Boo at the Zoo. Offer is good while supplies last.

Guests are encouraged to visit www.bronxzoo.com for a complete schedule of keeper chats, animal enrichment sessions, and family activities.

 

Boo at the Zoo activities include:

The Haunting at Habitat Mansion

The Habitat Mansion, once owned by wildlife conservationist Dr. Benton Broome, is said to be the most haunted landmark in the Bronx Zoo. Dr. Broome left his legacy of preserving animal wildlife, habitats and conserving the earth’s precious ecological resources to his son, Dusty.  But Dusty is not up for the challenge and the ghost of his father  wants to ensure the memory of all endangered species is not forgotten. In the Haunted Habitat  mansion, ghosts of the past, visions of extinct animals, and the messages of Dr. Broome’s ghostly house servants encourage guests to remember the importance of protecting wildlife from the threat of extinction. Mansion admission is included with Total Experience Tickets. 

Location; By Somba Village

Time; 11:00am- 5:00pm

Creepy Hollows Hayride

Enjoy a thrilling hay ride beneath a canopy of beautiful fall foliage past the Birds of Prey exhibit and through the animated town of “Creepy Hollows.” The ride includes a look at an abandoned town where anything can happen, so watch out for crashing crates, shaky houses, and strange creatures. The adventure is accompanied by spooky Halloween music.. Hayride admission is included with Total Experience Tickets.

Location; Boarding at Fordham Parking

Time;    11:00am-  - 5:00pm

Carved Pumpkin Demonstrations and Display

Professional pumpkin carvers from Sand Sculpture USA will be demonstrating their skill and displaying intricate pumpkin carvings that cannot be missed. From classic movie monsters in animals form to giant insects and majestic wildlife, our carvers will delight audiences with their remarkable carvings.

Location; Dancing Crane Plaza

Time; 11am-5pm

Costume Parade

Visitors can join the enchantment of a Halloween Parade. Hand-made puppets and props built by master costumers will be part of the fun as participants march through the zoo alongside a giant python, , an eight-foot witch and other stilted characters from the Alice Farley Dance Company. 

Location; Starts at Zoo Center

Time; 12:00pm – and  2:00pm.

Photos available at the end of each performance.

Additional photo opportunity 3:30-4:00pm in Dancing Crane Plaza

Children’s Theater Performances – Who Put the Trick in Trick or Treat? Tales of Amazing Trickster’s

Halloween puppetry musical of three classic tales of mischievous animal tricksters who outsmarted their rivals and won the day,. Created by acclaimed puppeteer Noel MacNeal of Sesame Street and Nickelodeon. Presented by Organic Valley.

             

             Location: Asia Plaza

             Time: 12:30pm, 1:30pm and 2:30pm

Hay Maze

Let yourself get lost at the zoo with a Halloween maze filled with sudden starts, stops and lots of adventure.

Location: Butterfly Patio

Time: 11:00 a.m.– 5 p.m.

Live Music

Gigi and the Lend me a Hand Band will lead zoo audiences on a musical adventure with the BOO REVUE. Audiences will be invited to participate in animal-themed musical performances, songs and dances, and games.

Location; Tent by Bears

Time; 11:30am, 1:00 pm, 3:00pm

Animal Themed Magic Shows

Enjoy a Boo at the Zoo family tradition with remarkable sleight of hand and optical illusions from magic man David Levitan.

Location; Tent by Bears

Time; 12:00pm, 2:00pm, 4:00pm

Treat Stations

Special locations around the park will help sweeten your visit.

Time: 11:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Creepy Crafts Workshops

Make a one-of-a-kind Halloween mask of your favorite wild animal.

Location: Dancing Crane  Plaza
Time: 11:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Extinct Animal Graveyard

Learn about endangered and extinct animals at this spooky display.

Location: Mouse House lawn.

Creature Chats

Join our experts as they demystify and celebrate wildlife critters.

11am – Spiders  By Sea lion Pool

1pm Snakes – World of Reptiles

3pm Bats – Jungle World

Animal Enrichment Activities

Every day keepers use toys, treats and training to enrich the lives of our animals. Look for special holiday enrichment items and activities throughout the zoo at 2 pm.

Disclaimer: Our blog is participating in a sponsored ambassador program from the Bronx Zoo/NY Aquarium. As a part of this program we have received paid advertising compensation, a premium family membership and merchandise for placement of digital advertisements and specific postings related to programming.

Falling in Love with Baby Event 9/28 - 11/3

Beautifully BellaFaith, Mommies with Cents, The Birth of a Mother and An Ordinary Housewife are hosting the Falling in Love with Baby Event. 

Queens NYC Mom is promoting this event.

This fabulous giveaway event features products specifically for babies, toddlers and expecting mommies! We know how stressing it is to get the whole caboodle needed for baby. We choose to make it easier on one special mommy {or mommy-to-be}! 

One LUCKY winner will receive ALL of the following:

Tiny Love 3-in-1 Rocker Napper {ARV:$100}

Diaper bag full of Lansinoh, Colief and Momma Products

Three onesies from Hank Player {ARV: $72}

Shampoo and Baby Lotion from Sum-Bo-Shine {ARV: $24}

One DVD from Little Pim {ARV:$17.95}

$25 Gift Card to Taylor Joelle Designs

Two canisters of Boogie Wipes {ARV:$18}

Mommy MD Guide to The Toddler Years

BellyBuds {ARV:$50}

The Mommy Hook {ARV: $10}

Glodose {ARV: $7.99}

Blankie Buddy Set from Vitamins Baby

Tubby Time Set from My True Nature

GoGreen Champ 3 Cloth Diaper {ARV: $17.95}

Two Christmas hats from Tweetlebug Boutique {ARV: $40}

Take Your Pix Board Book Album {ARV: $25}

Monogrammed Juppy Baby Walker {ARV:$50}

Newborn Necessities by Jennifer Cigale {ARV: $9}

Binky Spritz {ARV: $6}

3 winners = Preggie Pops, Preggie Drops and Queasy Kids {ARV: $14 per winner}

An AMAZING prize pack for one winner. Enter below using the Rafflecopter widget. The giveaway starts September 28th 12:01PM EST and will end November 3rd 11:59PM EST. The giveaway is open to USA only. The winner will have 48 hours to respond before another will be chosen. You do not have to be a blogger to enter or win! QueensNYCMom, Beautifully BellaFaith, co-hosts and participants are not responsible for prizes that are lost, damaged or stolen. Good luck!

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My Journey In Getting Braces As An Adult

When people say things you tend to remember, especially if its on a date with a guy. After kissing a guy he tells me my teeth look like a vampire. Yup you guessed it, I never dated him again. 

But I could never get those words out of my head. It affected me so much. I was so self-conscious about my teeth and looks. You don't tell a girl or a woman things like that. They begin to have complex issues about there looks and body. I was able to move from that with the help of therapy. I wanted to get braces but could not afford, it until now. 

So begins my journey into braces. I asked so many people that crossed my path about there experiences and I got so many answers. You'd be surprised how many adults are getting braces later in life. The amount of adults getting them is increasing each year. I am happy I got it as an adult because you take care of yourself more as an adult then in your teens. I've met people that got them as teenagers and then get them again as adults because the teeth moved back. They didn't follow the dentist instructions and now wished they had listened.

For all whom are thinking of getting them here is my side of things: 

• Now I know why the dentist told me to have a big breakfast. It hurts to chew later.
• It does not hurt when the dentist puts the braces on.
• I didn't feel the pain until I was eating a bowl of cereal later and it hurt to chew. 
• I needed to have Advil for the pain (stock up if you are considering it).
• It was hard for me to sleep because of the pain.
• I am HUNGRY and can only eat soft things that I don't have to chew. (i.e. soup, mash potato, mashed carrots, and yogurt)
• I can't eat hard candy, chips, anything gummy, popcorn and list goes on and on.
• I have to carry an on the go toothbrush and toothpaste to brush my teeth each time I eat so food will not get stuck and cause plax build up.
• The feeling is so alien inside your mouth trying to get used to them.

I have just completed my 1st full day with them. I have been told the pain will last for the next 2 to 3 days. I am getting my bottom braces once I have 2 teeth pulled on the top and the overbite does not cover my bottom teeth. My braces will be with me for the next 2 years. I will be keeping you updated with my results in my journey with braces. If you have suggestions to elevate my pain let me know. Advice is welcome, really, really, really welcomed. 

Amazon MP3 Promotional Credits from Swagbucks

When you snag an Amazon.com Gift Card from Swagbucks during the month of September, you will be rewarded with a $1 promotional credit for Amazon MP3. 

With over 20 million songs, they're sure to have that new song you're dying to hear again or an oldie you don't already have in your collection. 

Start earning reward points today and snag your Amazon.com Gift Card and $1 Amazon MP3 promotional credit before Sept. 30th. 

Don't know what Swagbucks is?

Swagbucks.com is a popular website that rewards you for doing things you do on the web everyday: search, shop, answer polls and more.
Each time you do these things you have the opportunity to earn Swag Bucks, the web's premier digital dollar, which can be redeemed anytime for hundreds of different prizes including:
* Gift cards (Amazon.com*, Target, Starbucks, etc.)
* Electronics (Kindle, TVs, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Wii system, GPS)
* Exclusive Celebrity photos and Autographs
* Jewelry
* House and home items (gardening, pet supplies, kitchen appliances)
And much more...

Your time is valuable. Shouldn't you be rewarded for it?

Click the link below to register for an account. We'll welcome you with 30 Swag Bucks just for signing up!

Sign up at Swagbucks. It's fun, easy and NO COST. Be rewarded with Swagbucks.com!

Disclaimer:  I have was not compensated for this post. I participate in the Swagbucks bloggers affiliate program and am a member. 

Review of Packaways Reusable Plastic Multi Purpose Storage Boxes

I wish I had known about this product two years ago when I moved from Rhode Island to New York. I got so many boxes from the supermarket with writing on them everywhere. This made it hard to write on, so I could know what was inside the box. I was so happy when I got the chance to review Packaways reusable plastic multi purpose boxes.

I received two classic packaways boxes (pictured above) in the green and magenta colors.  They came with easy to read and follow instructions on how to assemble.  

The boxes were easy to open and close. The reusable storage boxes come in Classic, Tote, Under Bed and  in 4 different colors of white, green, blue, and magenta. 

Store xmas stuff & gift bags or wrapping paper

Store toys, books, DVDs, crayons & coloring books

You can use these boxes for multiple things to store away. You can use it to store your fall/summer clothing, books, toys and the list can go on and on. I used the boxes to store my daughter's toys and in the other all of my son's books, dvd, and crayons. 

What I love about these boxes is that they are easy to open/close and besides labeling you can see through them and know what is inside. The boxes have a panel that you can write the contents and then wipe away and re-label to reuse later with a dry erase marker.  The  top of the box interlock to close so you don't have to use tape. The best part is you can close and open the top over and over again and store away to use later. The boxes are water-resistant and lightweight.

They are made in the USA and employ American workers and suppliers. That makes it a + in my book. 

To make a purchase click HERE and follow  Packaways on Facebook, 

and YouTube for news and promotions.

***Disclaimer: I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

Review Disney's Finding Nemo 3D Opens 9/14/12

Most people by now have heard of Disney's Finding Nemo movie. It's back on the big screen but this time in 3D. If you loved it as a child now your kid will too. I felt as if I was in the reef with Nemo and his dad. My son has seen this movie before but nothing beats seeing it in 3D.

Special Finding Nemo 3D Glasses Souveneir

It's a beautiful movie of a father (Marlon) and his son (Nemo). How over protective his father is when Nemo grows up and wants to do activities, his father holds him back for fear. His son is taken from Marlon and he risks everything to get Nemo back. Along the way he meets Dory who helps him find Nemo and a slew of adventures ensues. Marlon soon discovers that he has to let go and allow Nemo to do things on his own.  He listens to advice he gets from Crush, turle, and his son Squirt.  I LOVE the turtles, Crush and Squirt and how they talk, dude. I love, love, love this movie and so relevant at any time.


Now you can take your kids to see it as I did mine. Follow Finding Nemo 3D, Rated G, on Facebook. Go see it opens September 14, 2012 for two weeks. Get it December 2, 2012 for the first time on Blue-Ray.



Disclaimer:  I received tickets to a screening of Finding Nemo 3D. No other compensation was received. All opinions in this post are my own. 

Mohawk Area Rug Giveaway

Mohawk Area Rug Giveaway

This giveaway is brought to you by Mohawk Flooring

The giveaway is hosted by Couponing With Integrity and Giveaway Gator.Co-hosted by Schmoozing with Betsy, Mommy Lesson Plans and Pea of Sweetness.

This event is being promoted by QueensNYCMom.

Raising 4 kids in a 3 bedroom house has taken its toll on our home. The floors took the worst beating. Some time back we opted for tile floor because it was just so much easier to keep clean than a carpet.The problem with having wall to wall tile is that it takes some of the warmth out of the house. I don't mean temperature I mean the warm relaxed feeling you have in your home. Keeping the house clean is important but you don't want your house to feel clinical.Area rugs are a great way to bring some warmth back into a home. In our case we have a fireplace that is dead center in the house and it does draw your eye to it when you walk into our home. A fireplace to me should be a gathering area on cold winter nights but we did not have any rugs in this area so even on the coldest nights you would find the kids sitting on the couch far away from the heat of the fire.When Mohawk provided us with an opportunity to review their area rugs my wife and I jointly decided that the fireplace was going to be the ideal place to put the rug they will send but first we had to decide on a rug.My wife and I have very different tastes in home decor. I like plain simple earth tones and my wife likes flare. Thanks to my wife's flare our bedroom is painted purple so I at first thought that we were going to have a hard time picking an area rug to go in front of the fireplace but truthfully it was not hard to do because Mohawk rugs are for the most part tastefully designed with very few outlandish patterns. Don't get me wrong you can find a Mohawk rug to match any style or decor in any house but my wife and I soon found a rug that we could both agree on.Our rug has a modern abstract geometric pattern featuring circles, squares and stripes while the colors were of browns and beige's. I don't think anything we ever had to pick together went this smoothly.We are delighted with the area rug and the added warmth, our living room has brightened our home up considerably.I must add that Mohawk manufactures in the US and I have a deep seated believe in supporting American companies. In a time when many American companies fell Mohawk kept on going strong and for that I salute them.

About Mohawk:Mohawk Industries is one of the world's largest floor covering manufacturers and distributors and is a leading producer of yarn, ceramic tile, area rugs and bath mats. Mohawk Industries is headquartered in Calhoun, Georgia. Mohawk designs, manufactures and markets woven and tufted broadloom carpet, area and accent rugs and mats and a variety of hard surface flooring products.Mohawk Home products can be purchased in stores nationwide and through their websites. Finding the right rug is just a click away.

• Home Depot
• Kohl's
• Target
• Walmart
• Bed Bath and Beyond
• JCP
• Lowe's
• Sear's
• Meard's

About the giveaway

• This giveaway begins 12:01am on:  09/11/2012 ends 12:01am on:  10/02/2012 (All times are EST)
• You must be a US resident 18 years old or older to be eligible
• All entries will be verified.
• Winners will be notified via email and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be selected.
• By entering the giveaway you are acknowledging the above.

About the prize:

One winner will receive a 5' x 8' Mohawk area rug up to $150.00 in value.

***

Disclaimer: The owners of giveawaygator.com received one area rug similar to prize in order to review the product. We did not receive any monetary compensation for this giveaway or review. Our views are our own and may differ from yours. Queens NYC Mom is not responsible for shipping the prize.

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