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Find free samples and other free goodies on twakstartrick’s Facebook page.

30 April, 2013 by Leave a Comment

I am always getting free stuff in the mail… samples, coupons, books, and other great stuff throughout the week. Since I’m always on the lookout for the latest freebie offers, I figured I’d share my findings with my friends on Facebook so they could send off to get some freebies too!

free samples,freebies

What do you need to do to get on my freebie list? 

Just “like” twakstartrick on Facebook and watch your newsfeed for the latest freebies.

What will you find on the Facebook page?

  • Links to free offers online – from baby stuff to shampoo samples to magazines and jewelry… the best offers for freebies in your mailbox!
  • Links to enter special giveaways and sweepstakes from your favorite companies!
  • Free downloadable goodies
  • Funny pictures and stories
  • Websites and Facebook pages worth checking out
  • The latest blog posts for twakstartrick.com & our special friends around the web
  • and lots more.

How do you sign up for the freebies?

 

I will post a link pointing you towards the website you will need to sign up at… I never pay anything for the offers I send away for – but the links I post are usually to a website other than my own – so make sure you read all the details!

How many freebies will I get in the mail?

Expect a few special offers and free samples a week – sometimes more… but if you want a regular flow of free goodies in the mail, keep filling out for the latest freebie offers!

Filed Under: save money Tagged With:

How to read a Kindle book on your computer or Nook

28 April, 2013 by Leave a Comment

How to convert .mobi to .pdf

What is a .mobi file?

A file with the MOBI file extension is a Mobipocket eBook file.

Having trouble opening your e-book on your computer?

Check the file extension… if it is a .mobi that is why you cannot open it on your computer.

You could open it using notepad, but this can be a hassle to view in this format.

e-reader file formats

But no worries, it is very simple to convert it to a file type that is easily opened on your computer or shared to other non-Kindle devices.

Visit this free online .pdf converter to convert a .mobi file (an e-book usually read on a Kindle e-reader) to a .pdf file.

You would need to do this if you want to view your e-book on your computer without downloading a Kindle reader or if you want to share the e-book with a device that is not another Kindle.

The Nook will not read .mobi files, so in order for you to share a .mobi file with a Nook device you must first convert the file.

It’s actually quite simple.

Visit the website above and follow a few simple steps. The whole process takes less than five minutes.

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Filed Under: technology Tagged With:

How much does SEO “cost”?

18 April, 2013 by Leave a Comment

seo pricing
SEO Pricing: 600+ Agencies Share Costs of Services & Cost
Are you new to SEO?
Customer or consultant, it’s good to know what others are charges for services you need or are offering. Here’s an excellent summary of just that – from SEOmoz. 
Visit their website for tons of great SEO resources and information. 
Infographic by SEOmoz & AYTM Market Research

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Filed Under: blogging, trends Tagged With:

How to install Windows from a USB flash drive

17 April, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Have you ever needed to install Windows but didn’t have the disk that came with your computer?

You can purchase/download Windows online as a .ISO file. Once you attain this file, you normally would burn it onto a DVD or data disk (Windows is an operating system that is a large size file usually over 2 GB, so normal CDRW disks will not hold it).

If you do not have a disk or a working DVD burner (a regular CD burner will not burn DVDs obviously)..  then what would you do?

keyboard star wars

If Windows is a 2 GB file, then one would think any storage device with at least 2 GB of stoage would work.

I tested out this assumption using an 8 GB USB flash drive. And it’s actually quite simple.

Here’s how to install a Windows OS using a USB flash drive:

1. Make sure you have your operating system (Windows) on your computer as an .ISO file. It will be a large file (Windows 7 was a 2 GB file for me)

2. Right click on the copy of Windows you downbloaded and select “Send to” and select your USB drive (Mine was on the E: drive, but it differs from computer to computer)

3. It takes a few minutes to copy this file onto your USB drive (about 8 minutes).

4. Download a copy of 7 Zip. You can find it for free here, at Download.com.

7zip

Editors Pick Award - CNET

You don’t need to install the program (yet) if you are installing the new copy of Windows on a different computer. If this is the case then you will also right click “send to” your USB flash drive.

5. All together you will need about 5 GB space on your external storage device.

6. Make sure you have all your files and pictures, music, etc. backed up online (try Dropbox) or on an external storage device prior to installing your fresh copy of Windows.

7. On the computer you wish to install Windows onto, plug in the USB drive and open the folder associated with it. If it is a different computer than the one you used to download the Windowsz file and 7 Zip software, you will first need to install 7 Zip.

8. After 7 Zip is installed right click on the .ISO file and select “extract all files”. This process will take ten to fifteen minutes.

9. Open the folder that contains the items that are on your USB flash drive and run “setup”. This is the Windows installer, so just follow the on screen directions from here.

10. You should soon be working with a fresh copy of Windows… without using a disk! Handy!

- Great way to store you backup copy of Windows too…

* Will work with any version of Windows as long as the OS is downloaded in an .ISO file. Windows 8, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP, and so on.

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Filed Under: computer, technology Tagged With:

Find a falsely advertised price at Publix? Get it FREE!

9 April, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Publix will give you an item for free if it rings up the wrong price at checkout! I was unaware of this until my baby’s first sandbox toy set rang up at $7.99 (advertised on a sign as $2.99)

publix sandbox toys free

I was shocked when the manager told me it would be free!

Thank you Publix!

I knew there was a reason my Mom told me to always watch the register when you’re checking out. I’m glad I caught this one for sure!

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Filed Under: save money Tagged With:

Freebies for baby!

8 April, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Free stuff on the internet usually has some kind of strings attached. But, there is some stuff you can get for free on the internet.

Here are some of the freebies I have gotten so far for my baby…

(The offers below are ones I have signed up for AND received  I am always on the hunt for free stuff online, so look for updates as I receive more great freebies! – All photos are pictures of the items I have received personally as well!)

Publix Baby Club

What you will get:

freebie from publix for baby

Newsletter with tons of great tips.

Tons of money-saving coupons!

FREE coupons for baby food, cocoa butter lotion, first aid supplies, and coupons for huge savings on diapers, wipes, and formula (Buy one get one!)

A 800+ page book! “Caring for your baby and young child – Birth to age 5″ This is sure to come in handy more than once!

And remember, all this is FREE. I couldn’t believe it! You can find the sign up form in Publix stores or you can fill one out online here.

Here’s all the FREE stuff I got from using my coupons just by signing up…

pubix baby club freebie

Free Baby Mozart Downloads -Instant Freebie!

Follow the link to recieve the Baby Mozart albums – download the entire albums for free! Awesome…

I have the first album downloaded and am already a huge fan.

Beech-nut Baby Food

What you will get:

free stuff for baby from beech nut

Receive a free Next Steps Kit when you sign up for their monthly newsletter.

They will send you a ton of money-saving coupons for baby food, plus a great guide to feeding your baby. If you are a first time momma, this is a great resource.

Enfamil Family Beginnings Program

What you will get:

freebies from enfamil for baby

Make sure you register for this great program from Enfamil. They will send you newsletter with great information as well as coupons for huge savings on formula and other Enfamil products.

I received a coupon for an awesome care package redeemable at the hospital after giving birth. Gerber also offers a similar care package, but was not available at my hospital of choice.

 

Filed Under: baby, save money Tagged With: ,

OMFG… Google adsense has banned me…

3 April, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Yes, the unthinkable happened.

Now – a month later I am 19 weeks pregnant and suffering from a case of horrible insomnia. Thanks Google.

So what now?

What is a web publisher to do after being banned from the king of online advertising?

Accept that something as untouchable as Google could be a scam artist, no better than the “criminals” it bans from its services.

I say this because during my research on the topic, it seemed like an awful lot of publishers have went through a similar experience as I have.

My Story:

I began actively blogging on a regular basis in October 2011. I set up my Google Adsense account in April 2012 when my first domain was ready for the world to see.

I made very little ad revenue in the first several months I was an Adsense member. I slowly started integrating my Blogger sites as well, excited when I got to the first $30 threshold.

I got the postcard in the mail and was elated with pride.

A few months later I hit the final $100 threshold and was relieved after almost a year Google would be issuing my first payment.

The $180 I had accumulated in Adsense ad revenue would be critical to paying my county probation (another story in itself…) I need that amount each month and since I was on probation due to a result of my previous employer, I desperately needed the money.

But, according to Google, I had “invalid click activity” and as a result not only was I banned from the Adsense program, any money I had made and not been paid for (I was expecting my check 2 weeks after I relieved that dreaded email)…

Coincidence maybe?

Because I am innocent.

I even read the program policies and still I am clueless as to the real reason behind my account termination.

Their appeal page is about as vague as their email correspondence and it’d cost me almost half of what they owe me to take the case to small claims court, so for now I am letting it go.

I have no time to dwell on the fact that Google is a freaking stealthy scam artist – but this isn’t the end of this battle. You haven’t seen the last of me yet Google.

banned from google

 

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Filed Under: internet, wtf Tagged With: ,

Making toys for your kids

2 April, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Why not make some toys for your kids?

If you enjoy crafting and diy projects as much as I do, you may want to take a look at some of the toys on my to-do list (it just seems to keep growing…)

And not only will your kids love their special new toys, they will be one of  kind giving them enjoyment for years to come.

Here are some homemade toy ideas:

Wooden work bench with tools

TreeHaus Children's Wooden Work Bench with Tools and Hardware

Wooden play-sized treehouse

Wooden shape box

(This is such a classic children’s toy… I had a plastic one growing up!)

 

Wooden blocks with storage cart

Another must-have homemade toy…

Wooden toy house with furniture

My dad makes dollhouses – so this is perfect to give him an idea of a house suitable for his future grandson Jaiden.

 

Wooden train set with shapes

Too many good ideas, too little time! Or well maybe energy, I’m a little over 20 weeks pregnant and my belly is just going to keep growing.

If you have any ideas for homemade toys, or have homemade toy projects you have finished, please share with us! I can always add more onto to my to-do list… it seems to be growing faster than my belly at the rate I’m going…

 

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Filed Under: crafts Tagged With: ,

T-Shirt Upcycle & Reconstruction

24 March, 2013 by Leave a Comment

29-06-10 Chasing The Dream No I Never Pick Up The Pen

T-Shirt Upcycle and Reconstruction Tips & Tricks

A fun way to use old clothes is to upcycle or reconstruct them into something totally new. Learn how to upcycle clothes for a unique style sure to turn heads. For most of the projects I have done thus far I use oversize mens t-shirts. I like to tie dye my finished product with acrylic paint so I normally start with a white shirt, but you can use any color or print you wish. Be creative!

T-shirt reconstruction basics:

- use chalk or pencil to mark your shirt prior to cutting

- for a wider neckline draw a half circle in proportion with original collar.

- fold your shirt in half to make both sides uniform (if desired)

- it’ll take some practice so don’t get discouraged if you first t-shirt comes out not as you had expected.

- your t-shirt will also look different after it is washed, so don’t worry about frayed edges too much

- to make your shirt smaller you will have to cut strips in the back or sides and tie.. unless you wanna sew, but many t-shirt reconstructionn projects are no sew.

Start by making something simple – I will post several of the projects I have finished along with tutorials so make sure to subscribe to our mailing list or like us on Facebook so you won’t miss out on the newest posts.

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Filed Under: crafts Tagged With:

Diy name plaque for baby’s room/nursery

23 March, 2013 by 1 Comment

I’ve been quite crafty lately… and decided to make a name plaque for my little one to put above his crib.

This is what I ended up with:

baby room decorations diy

I painted a wooden plaque I had bought at the Dollar Tree with basic acrylic paint… two shade of green.

I used foam letter and shape cutouts to spell his name out and outline the plaque using hot glue.

That’s it! How easy and inexpensive to make!

Filed Under: baby, crafts Tagged With: ,
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