The Factor Tree - BzzAgent Campaign

BzzAgent recently added The Factor Tree to my list of campaigns, and having a daughter who will be starting kindergarten this fall, and a son in 6th grade, I thought it would be a fun program to try out.

The Factor Tree is regularly $20 a month.  But you can get a free 2 week trial for you own kids, using promo code BZF

After signing up, it was easy to add both my son and daughter, and choose the correct level for each child.  From there you can dive right in!  I sat with my daughter and my 2 year old son and started on some of the kindergarten curriculum.  There are topics such as shapes, beginning to tell time, and counting.

We started with shapes.  Even my two year old could do this one!  A shape is shown on the screen, and you much choose from a list what the shape is.  Later we did time telling and counting, both of which required typing in the numbers.  So this is definitely not a program where the younger kids can sit and do the tasks themselves.  I was in charge of reading and clicking during the shape task, and later on typing in numbers.

Most of the tasks did seem very age appropriate. My daughter did have some problems with sorting numbers from smallest to biggest - but it opened a discussion on numbers and how to start with 1 and work up to 10, looking for the numbers.  There is no 'instruction' with this program - it's only quiz like tasks to help reinforce what they already know or to help you teach while going through.

I had fun introducing time telling.  It gave me an easy way to show my daughter to look for the hour hand and minute hand, and since they are all whole hours, she quickly learned to look at the hour hand number and then say "O'clock" for the minute hand.  Her face beamed with pride as she got more and more confident at saying the times for each question.

When my son gets home from school later this afternoon, I'll ask him to check out the 6th grade curriculum.  He'll be able to tell me if it's close to what they are learning in school or not.  There is also a placement test that I'd like him to check out for me and give his opinion on.

Update on Savings with Technology

Over the last couple weeks, I've been using Checkpoints and Shopkick any time I ran errands. 

I found the checkpoints rarely had stores available that I actually frequent often.  But, they do have points available for many of the small businesses in the area, which I think is great!  While trying to use the app at Target, it completely froze up and took me quite a while to figure out how to exit out of it and get back to my home screen.  But I keep trying, it takes only a couple seconds to enter the app and see if my location is available.

Now Shopkick on the other hand, I'm having a lot of fun with!  There's a bit of a learning curve, and you have to get over people looking at you strangely while you scan a package of cheese (for example) to get bonus kickbucks!  But I was happy to find not only checkin points for my favorite stores, like Target and Giant Eagle, but just this Sunday I was surprised to find Rite Aid on my list now, and bonus kickbucks inside too!

Now to the topic of rewards.  When I originally signed up for Checkpoints 2 weeks ago, there was an option to redeem 300 points for a $1.00 Amazon gift card.  It claimed that prize was temporarily out of stock - as I tried several times to redeem my original bonus points.  Now that prize is completely gone, and only a $1.00 Home Depot gift card is left at the 300 point range.  Next prize tier is 600 points, and that's for a $2.00 CVS gift card.  After that, you pretty much have to get 3,000 points to get up to the $10.00 gift card range.

And with Shopkick, you can donate your kickbucks with as little as 3k (k=symbol for kickbucks, not thousand here) or Facebook credits starting at 25k.  Gift Cards don't start being available until 500+k depending on the retailer.  Best Buy cards start at 500k, but a Target card doesn't become available until 1250k!  But, they do have some high end rewards available, like a Coach bag or a Sony Bravia!  Or even a cruise for a mere 6,250,000k!  That's a lot of cheese scans!

And finally - a bit of advice with Shopkicks.  I didn't realize that you have to scan the barcode upright for it to work and totally missed out on a 75k bonus scan for Philadelphia Cooking Creme one day at the grocery store.  It wasn't until several days later that, while scanning some bonus makeup UPCs, that I realize it only accepted the barcode if the number were at the bottom and right-side up.  So it doesn't work like a price-checker or the checkout scanner, you can't be scanning UPCs all willy-nilly!

So my opinion is that I'll definitely be using Shopkicks a lot.  I'll keep Checkpoints on the back burner, but unless they offer more of my local shopping haunts, and remain consistent with their rewards, I may stop using them all together.

Saving with Technology: Checkpoints

Checkpoints:

Checkpoints has partnered up with Swagbucks - so now you can earn swagbucks while you earn checkpoints!  You'll get 20 SB for downloading the app and using the bonus code "swagbucks" to register.  You'll see the credit in about 2 weeks.  Then, every month that you scan at least one product, you'll earn an additional 6 SBs.

In addition to the 20 SB you'll get for using the promo code, you'll also get 300 CheckPoints (enough for a $1 giftcard) and you'll get 2 pulls on their bonus slot machine.

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Here are the directions from the Swagbucks Blog to ensure you get credit for signing up:

Getting CheckPoints and earning your SB is simple:
1. Download the app from Apple by clicking here.
2. Register for your account in settings->My Account with bonus code: swagbucks
3. Enter your Swagbucks Username in settings->My Loyalty Programs (if you’re not sure what your Swagbucks Username is, go to Swagbucks and check under “Account Details”)
4. Use the app to checkin and scan products while shopping!

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I found the app in the Android App Market on my phone by searching for Checkpoints.  Signup was fairly simple, and I received the 300 checkpoints, and won 40 checkpoints with my 2 bonus spins on the slot machine.

I'm looking forward to trying this app out soon!

Saving with Technology: Shopkick

Shopkick:
 After you download the app and sign up - enter the promo code : cheetah5090 : to get bonus kickbucks for both you and me! 

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shopkick is the first mobile app that gives you rewards and offers simply for walking into stores, for scanning products, and for signing up friends. You can collect kickbucks and bonuses at millions of stores and restaurants in America. That means at many places around you.

Walking In: Collect kickbucks just for WALKING INTO Best Buy, Crate & Barrel, Macy's, American Eagle, Sports Authority, Target, Wet Seal and major Simon malls, in 18 major markets: New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Dallas, Miami, and Atlanta, Boston, D.C., Houston, Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Minneapolis, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Seattle, and St. Louis.

Scanning: Collect kickbucks by scanning products with your phone at 250,000 different stores in America.

Redeem your kickbucks for rewards! Get cool rewards like iTunes gift cards, restaurant vouchers, Best Buy/Target/Macy’s/American Eagle/Sports Authority gift cards, Facebook Credits, movie tickets, and more. You can also donate your kickbucks to 30 different causes!

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I haven't tried this out yet, but it sounds like a fun way to earn free giftcards any time you run errands.  Reviews on facebook look mixed, so it may be something you have to try for yourself and see if it works on your phone properly.

P&G Everday Savings $110 in Savings Coupon Book (from Facebook)

If you were lucky enough to get through the day P&G offered the $110 in Savings Coupon Book on their Facebook Page, here is what you'll be getting:

Over $35 in Savings for Jan-Feb (all expire 2/28...doesn't give us much time to use these!)
Over $35 in Savings for Mar-Apr (all expire 4/30)
Over $36 in Savings for May-June (all expire 6/30)
There are no "start dates" on these coupons, just the different expiration dates.

Here are the coupons - There are 3 of each, 1 in each section:

Tide - $1.00 off any 1
Gain Detergent or Fabric Enhancer - $1.00 off any 1
Downy - $1.00 off any 1
Bounce - 50 cent soff any 1
Dawn - 50 cents off any 1
Cascade - $1.00 off any 1
Gain Dish - $1.00 off any 1
Swiffer Wetjet - $3.00 off any 1
Swiffer Duster/Sweeper - $1.00 off any 1
Swiffer Refill - 50 cents off any 1
Charmin MegaRoll - $1.00 off any 1
Bounty Towel, 6ct+ - $1.00 off any 1
Pampers Diapers - $1.00 off any 1
Luvs Diapers - $1.00 off any 1
Duracell Coppertop, 8pk+ - $1.00 off any 1
Pringles - $1.00 off any 2
Iams Dry Dog or Cat Food - $1.00 off any 1
Pepto-Bismol - $1.00 off any 1
Metamucil product - $1.00 off any 1
Always product - $1.00 off any 1
Tampax 20ct+ - $1.00 off any 1
Crest Toothpaste, 4oz+ OR Liquid Gel (excludes Crest Cavity, Baking Soda, Tarter) - $1.00 off any 1
Crest Mouthwash 946mL+ - $1.00 off any 1
Oral-B Manual Toothbrush - $1.00 off any 1
Olay Facial Moisturizer - $1.00 off any 1
Pantene Shampoo AND Conditioner - $1.00 off wyb BOTH
Herbal or Aussie produdct - $1.00 off any 1
Head & Shoulders Shampoo AND Conditioner - $1.00 off wyb BOTH
Clairol Hair Color - $2.00 off any 1
CoverGirl - $1.00 off any 1
Olay PCC or Body Lotion (UM) - $1.00 off any 1 (No idea what those abbreviations mean)
Venus Embrace - $1.00 off any 1
Secret - $1.00 off any 1
Old Spice Deodorant - $1.00 off any 1
Old Spice Body Wash - $1.00 off any 1
Zest Bar/Bodywash OR Safeguard Bar/Liquid Hand Soap - $1.00 off any 1

Target Ad Preview - 12/5/10

Over 50 Lego Sets on sale "Our Lowest Holiday Prices"
All Little People toys on sale
All Thomas Wood and Thomas Take-n-Play toys on sale
Nerf Vulcan EBF-25 Clear - $29.99
Zhu-Zhu or Kung Zhu Pets Hamsters - $6.00
Playskool Explore 'n Grow Busy Ball Popper - $14.99
VTech Explore & Learn Helicopter - $10.99
Toy Story Woody & Bullseye Poseable Figures - $14.99
Barbie I Can Be - $7.99
Disney Princess Magic Rise Oven - $19.99
Magic Fabric Kit - $17.99
Aqua Sand Polar Playground - $17.99
Polly Pocket Play Sets: Pollyworld House or Race & Splash - $19.99
Polly Pocket Rockin Tour Bus - $24.99
Baby Alive Changing Time Baby - $22.99
Tech Deck Sk8 Shop Pack - $9.99
Star Wars The Force Trainer - $69.99
Tonka R/C Ricochet Stunt Vehicle - $69.99
Air Hogs R/C Vectron Wave - $17.99
Moon Dough Magic Barnyard - $11.99
Moon Dough Double Disc - $3.99
Moon Dough Small Theme Kit - $7.99
Radio Flyer Steer & Stroll Trike - $47
Disney Cars Battery-powered Quad - $47


10$ Games:
Glee CD Board Game
Apples to Apples To Go
Life
Scrabble
Cuponk - INCLUDES FREE 7pk Balls

15$ Games:
u-build Battleship ($5.00 coupon available in 12/5 SmartSource)
Bop It Bounce ($5.00 coupon available in 12/5 SmartSource)
Elefun ($5.00 coupon available in 12/5 SmartSource)
Hungry Hungry Hippos ($5.00 coupon available in 12/5 SmartSource)
Connect 4x4
u-build Monoply

20% Off Games (on sale 16.00 - 33.59)
The Settlers of Catan
Creationary
Sorry Spin ($5.00 coupon available in 12/5 SmartSource)
Monopoly Electronic Banking

Little People - $24 sets, your choice:
Exclusive Surprise Sounds Zoo Gift Seet
Exclusive Animal Sounds Farm Bonus Set
Racin' Ramps Garage

The Weekly Wow
Step 2 New Traditions Kitchen - only at Target - $59.99
Smart Cycle Racer Learning System - $59.99
R/C Star Wars: The Clone Wars Hailfire Droid - $34.99
R/C Missile-firing Walking Iron Man - $34.99
Brita Grand Pitcher or 6pk Filters - $25
Hamilton Beach 12cp Programmable Coffeemaker - $23
Hamilton Beach 700-watt Blender - $23
Hoover WindTunnel Rewind Vacuum - $99
Hoover SteamVac - $99
Holmes 1-gal Cool Mist Humidifier with 2 filter bonus pack - $24.99
Holmes 2pk Compact Heaters - $24.99
Fieldcrest Luxury Bath Towel 30x58" - $9
Target Home Comforter Sets - $59 queen
Kids 2pc Cozy Sleep Sets 4-16: Boys by Cherokee or Girls by Circo - $10
Infant & Toddler Boys and Girls Premium Denim by Genuine Kids from OshKosh - $10
Women's Bonded Fleece Jacket by Merona, size XS - XXL - $10
Men's Classic-fit Graphic Tees - $5.00
Nivea 13.5oz Skin-firming Moisturizer - $6.99
Eucerin Calming Creme 8oz - $6.99


FREE Giftcard Offers:
25$ GC wyb 8GB iPod Touch - $225
5$ GC wyb 2GB iPod Shuffle - $46
10$ GC wyb any one HP Combo-pack, photo Value-pack or (2) single-pack ink
10$ GC wyb Tron (available Tuesday) Wii: $49.99, PS3 or X360: $59.99
20$ GC wyb Mr. Coffee by Keurig - $79.99
20$ GC wyb Mr. Coffee Cafe Frappe - $79.99
15$ GC wyb Shark Vac-then-Mop Steam Mop - $149
15$ GC wyb Shark Garment Steamer - $99
20$ GC wyb Oral-B Professional Care SmartSeries Toothbrush - $99.99
15$ GC wyb Braun Series 3-350CC Razor - $99.99
25$ GC wyb Norelco SensoTouch 3D 1250CC Razor and Norelco Nose & Ear Trimmer: Razor $219.99, Trimmer $14.99
5$ GC wyb any 3 Starbucks 10-12oz Coffee - $6.99 each

5$ GC wyb any 2 items listed:
Olay Total Effects 1.7oz Moisturizer - $17.50
Bounce 6-month Dryer Bar, or 240ct Dryer Sheets - $8.99
Downy 105 or 120 load liquid, or 240ct Dryer Sheets - $8.99
Luvs Big-Pack Diapers - $16.99
Tide Stain Release 24ct Duo Pacs or 68ct Liuqid - $11.99
Tide 100oz Liquid or 62 or 80 load Powder Detergent - $11.99
Charmin 24pk Double or 12pk Mega Roll - $11.99
Bounty 8pk Giant Roll - $9.99

20$ GC wyb any KitchenAid Appliance listed or any KitchenAid Cookware Set on sale:
14cp Coffeemakers - $99.99
12" Countertop Toaster Oven - $99.99
Classic Plus Mixer - $199.99
10pc Cookware Stainless Steel Set - $159.99 (all other sets on sale also)


Shrek: the Final Chapter Blu-ray Combo Pack - $17.99
Inception Blu-Ray Combo pack - $17.99
Kodak M575 14MP Camera - $99
Kodak M590 14MP Camera - $149
Canon SD1300 IS 12MP Camera - $129
Nikon D3100 SLR - $649.99
Nikon 55-200mm Telephoto Lens - $199.99 (SAVE 100$ wyb Both Camera and lens!)
Kodak Zi8 1080p Pocket Video Recorder - $129
Lexmark X5650 All in One - $39.99
Casio 61key Lighted Keyboard - $89
10" Portable Blu-ray Player - $189
TomTom XXL 530S GPS - $109
HP 7" Digital Frame - $49
Philips 4GB MP3 player sport pack - $29.99

4pk 15$ iTunes Gift Cards - 60$ Value - on sale $48

Circo Dollhouse Bookcase - $60
Vision Pedestal Gaming Chair - $120

FREE Controller AND $20 Playstation Network Card wyb 160GB PS3 Game System - $299.99
FREE Roomba 400 Vacuum wyb Roomba 530 Vacuum - $299
FREE Carry Case wyb Singer Esteem II Sewing Machine - $94

ToysRus "Biggest Christmas Sale Ever" - 12/5/10

Here are the highlights - it's a massive 64 page ad!

FREE with purchase deals:

FREE FAO Schwarz Princess Tea Set or Signature Wind-up Soldier wyb any FAO Purchase of $45 or more
FREE Pop On Pal Figure (9.99 value) wyb Pop On Pals Amusement Park - $29.99
FREE Track Pack (15.99 value) wyb any Chugginton Purchase of $50 or more
FREE Rumblin Bridge (39.99 value) wyb any Thomas Wooden Railway purchase of $100 or more
FREE Backpack (9.99 value) wyb any Lego Games purchase of $35 or more
FREE Calico Critters Family (19.99 value) wyb any Calico Critters purchase of $100 or more
FREE Mini-Figure 2GB USB Drive (24.99 value) wyb any Lego Construction Set purchase of $75 or more
FREE Radio Control Corvette & Doll (49.99 value) wyb any Barbie purchase of $100 or more
FREE Live in Concert Musical Compact and Cosmetic Bag (15.98 value) wyb Live in Concert Rock 'n Style Microphone - $19.99
FREE Fashion Pack (9.99 value) wyb Moxie Teenz Doll - $21.99
FREE DQ Blizzard Refill (6.99 value) wyb DQ Blizzard Maker - $24.99
FREE Dippin Dots Refill (6.99 value) wyb Dippin Dots Frozen Dot Maker - $24.99
FREE Doll's Ballet Outfit (14.99 value) wyb any Disney Princess & Me 18" Doll
FREE Disney Tangled Movie Ticket (up to $7.50 value) with any Disney Tangled purchae of $40 or more
FREE Beyblade Training DVD (9.99 value) wyb any Beyblade purchase of $20 or more
FREE Nerf Ammo Refill (5.99 value) wyb Nerf N-Strike Stampede ECS Blaster
FREE Silicone Case (19.99 value) wyb Sony 8GB MP3 Player - $89.99
FREE Vivitar Camera Kit (24.99 value) wyb any Camera $69.99 or more
FREE Netbook Sleeve & Wireless Mouse Kit (39.99 value) wyb any Netbook priced $260 or more
FREE Exclusive Raving Rabbids Figure wyb Wii Raving Rabbids Travel In Time Video Game - $49.99
FREE American Girl Sticker Pad (4.99 value) wyb any American Girl Crafts purchase of $19.99 or more
FREE Whipple Decorating Creme Pack (6.99 value) wyb any Whipple purchase of $19.99 or more
FREE Hello Kitty refill Set (9.99 value) wyb Magic Fabric Creation Stuido - $24.99
FREE Accessory Design Sketch Set (7.99 value) wyb any Project Runway purchase of $19.99 or more
FREE Super Style Accents (9.99 value) wyb any Harumika purchase of $19.99 or more


FREE $25 GC wyb any Apple iPod touch:
8GB - $229.99
32GB - $299.99
64GB - $399.99
PLUS Sunday & Monday ONLY get a BONUS $15 iTunes Card wyb Apple iPod Touch 32GB or 64GB

FREE $15 GC wyb any Apple iPod Nano:
8GB iPod Nano with Multi-Touch - $149.99

Buy 2 Get the 3rd FREE:
All Vtech priced 9.99 - 59.99
Melissa & Doug, excludes Sunny Patch - priced 99c - $39.99
Breyer Horses priced 5.99 - 39.99
All Totally Me! Craft Sets priced 3.99 - 44.99

Buy 1 Get 1 50% off:
All Mega Bloks Dragons Universe Construction Sets priced 5.99 - 49.99
All Mega Bloks Halo Construction Sets priced 2.49 - 69.99
All Mega Bloks Squad Sets priced 4.99 - 39.99
All Zoobles
All Polly Pocket
All Squinkies
All Disney Fairies Dolls, Play Sets, and Dress-up
All Littlest Pet Shop
All Strawberry Shortcake
All Zhu Zhu Pets, Play Sets and Accessories
All Teacup Piggies
All Olivia
All Lalaloopsy
All Penbo
All Disney Movies priced 7.99 - 49.99
All Nickelodeon DVDs (in store only) priced 11.99 - 29.99
All Sesame Stree & Kids WB DVDs (in store only) priced 9.99 - 24.99
All Sony 9.99 DVDs - choose from 60 titles (in store only)
All Video Games, Accessories, Guides & T-Shirts - Mix & Match Thousands of Items - Excludes Video Game Hardware

Coupon Matchups:
$5.00 coupon for select games in the 12/5 SmartSource
u-Build Battleship on sale $14.99 *Also has a 3$ MIR = Final price $6.99
Sorry Spin on sale 18.74 = Final Price $13.74
Twister Hoopla on sale 14.99 = Final Price $9.99
Bop It Bounce on sale $14.99 *Also has a 3$ MIR = Final Price $6.99

Save $5 wyb BOTH Twilight and New Moon (in store only)

Save $10 wyb BOTH Shrek 4 and ANY other DreamWorks Movie (in store only):
DVD: $19.99, Blu-Ray Combo $34.99, Holiday Double DVD Pack $27.99
All 4 Shrek Movies "The Whole Story" - $39.99

25% off:
Alphie Software
Alphie - $29.99
Playskool Chuck & Friends Rumblin Chuck - $29.99
Playskool Musical Sin 'n Spin - $14.99
All Toy Story 3 Mr. Potato Heads - $7.49
Little Tikes Rock Guitar - $14.99
Little Tikes Discover Sounds Workshop - $22.49
Little Tikes Discover Sounds Kitchen - $22.49
Club Penguin Air Hockey Play Set - $29.99
Club Penguin Figures & Puffles - $5.24
Fisher-price Easy Go R/C Thomas - $14.99
Select "Most Loved Preschool Games"
Cariboo Island, Cranium Playground, Hullabaloo, Carnium Junior
All Ipsy Games on sale $4.49 - $22.49
Mattel Midnflex $59.99
Moon Dough Barn Kit - $14.99
Star Wars Science Sets, select
All Schleich Wildlife, Farm, Knights, and Fantasy Figures
Edu-science & CSI gifts, select Microscopes, CSI kits and Telescopes
All K'Nex Construction Sets
All Fisher Price Trio Sets
ICEE Deluxe Slushy Machine or Jamba Juice Smoothie & Ice Pop Maker - $14.99 each
Transformers Power Core Combiners 5pk - $14.99
Star Wars Electronic Helmets, Boba Fett or Darth Vadar - $29.99
Tron 12" Deluxe Figures - $29.99
Tron Deluxe Light Cycle - $14.99
Tron Vehicles 3pk - $7.49
Generator Rex Slam Cannon - $14.99
The Home Depot Ultimate Workbench - $44.99
Tech Dech Display Case - $14.99
Little Tikes Get Out 'n Grill - $29.99
Little Tikes Easy Score Basketball Set - $26.24
Little Tikes Easy Score Hockey Soccer & Lacrosse Set - $37.49
Character Themed & Schwinn Bikes
nerf N-Strike Raider Rapid Fire CS-35, Barrel Break IX-2 or Bandolier Kit
Nerf N-Force Warlock Axe, Battlemaster Mace or Sonewall Shield & Sword - $18.74
Razor "A" Kick Scooter - $29.99
Stylish Cases for iPod touch