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Mommy Kat and Kids

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5 Tips to Buying Good Mountain Bike Lighting

June 13, 2018 by Kathryn Leave a Comment

custom rp

Mountain bike riding is a fun and involved activity. Whether you plan to do cross-country riding, dirt jumping, freeride, trail riding, classic mountain biking or even downhill riding, you need to have the right gear and equipment. Mountain bike lights are part and parcel of these vital necessities, unless you don’t mind potentially dangerous rides when mountain biking at night.

Mountain bike lights come in a wide range of varieties, depending on the place that you wish to go riding and the spot you want lighting mounted. When buying lights, you also need to keep in mind that you need people behind and ahead to see you. Also, proper mountain bike lighting allows you to efficiently maneuver those high-incline climbs. It’s important to assess your needs before you make your purchase. To make your shopping experience a breeze, here are 5 tips to buying good mountain bike lighting.

bicycle-wheel [Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: bike accessories, bike lighting, bikes, biking, exercise, lighting, mountain bike, mountain bike lighting, mountain bikes, mountain biking, shopping, shopping tips

4 Must-Try Ways to Save Money When Shopping for a New School Year

August 28, 2017 by Kathryn 19 Comments

Brought to you by Interac Association and TheCo.

With two school-aged boys and a newborn in the house, I’ve expressed quite a bit how important it is for me to stay organized as the new school year kicks off. But saving money on my budget is every bit as important to me right now…especially with the extra expenses a baby brings!

So, to help other parents on their quest to save a little more during the back-to-school season, I’m sharing my four best tips for making the most of your money when preparing for a new school year. While some take a little bit of work, the savings make the effort well worth it!

boys back-to-school photo

DIY to Make the Old New Again

One of the best things about the new school year for a child is getting to show off all the bright, shiny new school supplies to friends. But often, a quick wash will have last year’s supplies looking great and ready to work for another year. Of course, it’s sometimes hard to explain to a younger child that there’s no need to purchase everything new.

So how do you get your child excited about last year’s school gear? Put a little DIY creativity to work! Last year’s binders and pencil box can easily be given a kid-friendly makeover with some dollar-store stickers. And an inexpensive roll of washi tape is a great way to personalize pencils and pens.

ben decorating school suppliies

Have school supplies that are too worn to be reused? Don’t throw them out just yet! Bits of broken crayon can be melted into fun rainbow crayons for Valentine’s Day gifts, rubber bands can be wrapped up into wacky bouncing balls and pencil crayons can be cut into colourful beads for jewelry!

Price Match Through Your Shopping List

Let’s face facts: every parent knows that they could save a lot of money shopping for school supplies by running to four or five different stores and grabbing the best deals at each one. But most parents just don’t have time for that, and I’m one of them!

Instead, I arm myself with flyers (or save online flyers to my phone), and then head to a store that price-matches with its competitors to grab the supplies I need. Price-matching occasionally does take a bit of extra time at the till, but it’s still much more convenient than running around to different stores. And the savings make it worth the extra few minutes of work!

To make my shopping experience even more convenient, I always pay using Interac Flash® on my debit card. Rather than fumbling for change or worrying about punching in my PIN, I can just briefly hold my card over the terminal to instantly process my payment. It’s simple, secure and makes my day a little easier!

Invest in Quality…Sometimes

There are times when buying the cheapest school gear available is a great strategy and times when it really is worth the extra few dollars to buy a quality product. As long as a pencil writes well and a ruler is straight and clearly marked, the price doesn’t matter. So, making inexpensive choices just makes sense.

But for school gear like backpacks, shoes and electronics, spending the extra few dollars will ensure that your purchases make it through the whole year and sometimes for years after as well. For example, last year, I sent one child to school with a high-quality backpack and the other with a budget backpack featuring a superhero.

benjamin school shoes

Before Christmas, the fun, colourful superhero image had ripped off the front of my youngest son’s backpack. By the end of the year, the backpack was full of holes and barely functional. Similarly, any time I’ve tried to buy inexpensive indoor shoes for school, the shoes have come home with rips, holes or broken pieces…sometimes after only a few months!

That’s why I now look for warranties and quality when it comes to somewhat pricier items. I splurged on a $25 computer headset for my oldest son in Grade 2 instead of a $10 budget option, and four years later, it still works perfectly. And by choosing items with guarantees and warranties, I know I won’t have sudden expenses halfway through the year if items do suddenly break.

Get Kids Involved in the Budget

When kids get a little older, they tend to get a little pickier when it comes to the brands and styles of their clothes and school gear. Letting them express their individuality is great, but don’t let your wallet take a hit as a result!

walmart school supplies

Instead, set a budget for school supply shopping and let your kids help allocate the money in a way that works for them. Your son may be happy in thrift-shop clothing, but want to splurge on a brand-name binder. Or your daughter may be happy doing some DIY creations to save on supplies so that she can buy that one trendy dress she’s been coveting.

Either way, letting kids take an active part in the back-to-school spending doesn’t just ensure they’ll love their gear. It also helps your children learn about the importance of budgeting and how it can help them prioritize their purchases. And by paying with your INTERAC® Debit card using Interac Flash, you’re also helping your kids learn that they should have the money to pay for their purchases right away…not rely on credit.

Personally, I’ve found that over the years, saving money on school supply shopping is one of those things that’s gone from a cumbersome chore to a fun challenge for me. It’s amazing how satisfying it can be to see how much I can save when going through that endless list of school supplies.

Get started on your own saving spree with these tips, and see what other techniques you can use to help you save as much as possible getting your kids stocked up for the new school year. Once you see the extra money in your bank account come September, you may want to start your own yearly saving challenge too!

Disclaimer: I was compensated for this post; however, all opinions expressed here are my own. Interac and Interac Flash are registered trade-marks of Interac Inc. Used under license.

Filed Under: Articles, Money Tagged With: back to school, back to school shopping, back-to-school saving, back-to-school shopping tips, budget, interac, interac flash, save, save money, save on school shopping, save on school supplies, school budget, school shopping, school shopping budget, school shopping tips, school supplies, school supply budget, shopping, tips

Go Beyond the Amusement Park! 3 Must-Visit Orlando Areas for Families

June 22, 2016 by Kathryn 29 Comments

If there’s one city that’s really perfected the art of family fun, it’s Orlando, Florida. From its many amusement parks to its top-notch attractions and entertainment, there’s no shortage of things to do when you’re visiting this sunny Florida metropolis.

But because its amusement parks are such a big part of its appeal, some of Orlando’s other areas tend to get overlooked. And that’s a shame, because there are so many places in the city worthy of a visit! Wondering what areas you should check out? These three locations are my top picks for must-visit Orlando hotspots!

ICON Orlando 360

icon orlando 360

This brand new complex on International Drive is home to a ton of fun-filled attractions, including the hugely popular ICON Orlando, a 400 ft. observation wheel that opened just last year. In addition to ICON Orlando, the indoor complex also holds Madam Tussauds Wax Museum and the SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium. A ticket for any one of the attractions is $25, while tickets for all three are $49, making this a great bargain choice.

madame tussauds orlando

I have to admit that I was impressed by just how much fun the wax museum was. In large part, Madam Tussauds is a place for photos, and I loved the fact that it included props and costumes so that visitors could pose in style as they snapped their pictures. But many of the displays also included fun facts about the famous figures and entertaining mini games to keep even the youngest visitors entertained.

Whether I was shooting hoops with Shaquille O’Neal, busting a move with Michael Jackson or taking an intelligence quiz beside Einstein, I was constantly entertained during my experience. And of course, getting a few pictures with my favourite wax celebrities was tons of fun too! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Travel, USA Tagged With: charles morse museum, east end market, family, family activities, family travel, florida, florida tourism, florida travel, grande lakes, grande lakes activities, grande lakes golf, grande lakes hotels, i drive 360, jw marriot, madam tussauds, orlando, orlando activities, orlando eye, orlando family travel, orlando travel, ritz-carlton, scenic boat tours, sea life aquarium, shopping, tiffany museum, tourism florida, winter park

Surprise Dad with the Perfect Father’s Day Gift from Mark’s-Giveaway

June 10, 2016 by Kathryn 202 Comments

Finding the perfect present for a man always seems to be a bit of a challenge for me. Whether I’m shopping for my fiance or for my own dad, their interests are so unique that I’m never quite sure where to start. Luckily, Mark’s has plenty of great gift ideas for dads of all sorts, just in time for Father’s Day. And recently I got the chance to check out some of the store’s gift ideas for myself! Looking for the perfect gift for that special man in your life? Check out these fun ideas to help you get started!

mark's father's day gift ideas

For the Golfer

The Windriver HD1 Packable Jacket is the perfect multitasking jacket for the golf course and beyond. With Hyper-Dri technology, it provides waterproof protection from sudden showers while still being breathable. And the adjustable hood and machine washable design means that looking good on the course has never been easier! A lightweight fit lets this jacket go from sunshine to rain and it’s perfect for packing in a suitcase without being bulky.

For the Beach Lover

Whether the man in your life prefers diving into the waves or just lounging in the sand, the Ripzone Swim Shorts will have him looking great as he enjoys the best that summer has to offer. The elastic waist with drawstring makes it easy to get the perfect fit, and the bright stripes will have Dad strutting his stuff in style. Best of all, the fabric is soft and dries quickly for maximum comfort in and out of the water!

For the Workman

If Dad is always on the job, show him you care with sturdy new safety gear! The Workhorse CSA #1 Hard Hat offers reliable impact protection and a bright orange colour that will help a man be seen more easily on night shifts or in dim areas. The absorbent cotton brow pad makes it a great choice for a hot summer’s day and the ratchet adjustment ensures a perfect fit for maximum protection.

For the Fashion Fan

For that man that always wants to look his best, the Denver Hayes Classic Fit Never Iron Long-Sleeved Shirt is the ideal gift. The crisp lines and grid design make it universally flattering for most body types, while also providing maximum comfort. And the Perfectly Pressed fabric available exclusively at Mark’s means that the shirt comes out of the dryer ready to wear and looking its best…no ironing required!

For the Outdoorsman

There’s no better gift for a man that loves the great outdoors than gear to help him stay out even longer. The Klean Kanteen 27 oz. Pop Top Water Bottle does just that by ensuring your favourite adventurer can stay hydrated longer. The large opening ensures easy filling and pouring, and the durable materials used for the bottle don’t retain or impart flavours. Choose from a variety of colours to get Dad the perfect bottle that suits his style!

For the Sporty Dad

If the man on your list coaches a youth sports team or participates in a sport himself, great shoes are sure to be a much appreciated gift. The Skechers Skech-Air Infinity Lace-Up Sneakers feature gel-infused memory foam for better cushioning and a stabilizing mid sole design for ideal support. The bright colour adds fun flash to the shoes so that Dad will want to show everyone his new gift!

Mark’s knows how important it is to celebrate fathers, and that’s why the company created this fantastic video that let Canadians share what makes their dads so special. It’s a great homage to the men that helped to give us the core values that make us good people, and it’s sure to remind you of a few of the things that make your dad so special!

Want to surprise a special man in your life with the perfect gift this Father’s Day? Mark’s is here to help with an incredible giveaway! One lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader is going to win a $50 Mark’s gift card to do their own shopping spree for Dad! To enter to win, just leave a blog comment about what makes your dad special.

Shopping for Jeremy means that in some ways I’m shopping in a few different categories. He’s sporty, loves golf and has a great sense of style, so I have plenty of options. I eventually decided that the Denver Hayes Leather Travel Organizer would be a great Father’s Day gift since we have a vacation coming up and Jeremy loves being as organized as possible. The multiple slots keep paperwork and cards organized, while the full zip closure also keeps items safe! No matter what hobbies your dad or husband has, Mark’s has a great assortment of gifts that will let him know you care. Find the perfect one today and surprise Dad with a gift just for him this Father’s Day!

Mark's giveaway

mommy kat and kids rp2

Filed Under: Reviews, Reviews and Giveaways Tagged With: dad, dads, father, father's, father's day, father's day gift, father's day gift ideas, father's day gifts, father's day ready, gifts for dad, gifts for guys, mark, mark's, mark's father's day, mark's work warehouse, men, shopping

Celebrate Leap Day with Huge Savings from Ebates.ca

February 28, 2016 by Kathryn 1 Comment

If there’s one thing I’m notorious for, it’s using any excuse to have a celebration. And in my opinion, one of the best days for celebrating is February 29! After all, it only comes once every four years, so why not make the most of it?

From a little family party to a movie night out, there are all kinds of ways to make Leap Day extra special. And if you’ve been thinking about doing a little online shopping sometime soon, Ebates.ca has a great Leap Day promotion that will help turn your shopping experience into a celebration too!

ebtes.ca leap day savings

Ebates.ca is one of Canada’s most popular cash-back sites, and with good reason. Earning money is as simple as signing into your account and then hopping over to your favourite store from the Ebates website. Every purchase you then make will earn you credits that Ebates sends out in the form of a big fat cheque! [Read more…]

Filed Under: Articles, Money Tagged With: cash back, cash rebate, cashback, ebates, ebates cash, ebates cash back, ebates savings, ebates.ca, ebates.ca cash, ebates.ca leap day, february 29, leap day, leap day savings, leap year, money, online, online shopping, save, save money, savings, shopping

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