Rent a Textbook for Free!

If you're in school, you should go to Neebo.com to rent a textbook for free this semester (I did)!  I've never heard of Neebo, to be honest, but found out about this little campaign through a savings blog. I went to their Web site, and it was easy as pie to rent (you do pay shipping -- mine was $7.99 ).  I got an email a day later saying the book has been shipped.  Just to put icing on the cake, the book is sent with free return materials so you only pay shipping once.

I would have waited to post this after I had a good experience, but I wanted folks to take advantage of the deal while it was still good.  I look forward to getting my book in the mail soon!  If the service isn't as good as it sounds, I'll definitely update. :) 

Have a great semester!

Image:  Facebook

Update:  I promised I'd come back to update if my service was not good. Well, I'm back.  My plans were to always keep my blog positive and only talk about companies that provided a good product/service, but I felt it was my duty to come back and update this one. I ordered the book easily, easily paid the shipping, and got the book in a decent amount of time.  But halfway through the semester, I noticed that my book was missing pages (approximately two chapters).  No biggie.  I'm a teacher and I know these things happen in printing.  So I contacted Neebo and they quickly responded saying they'd send me a new book.  The new book I got five days later was the WRONG BOOK.  There were a few other issues that went on and ways they could have made up for the inconvenience (two weeks of missed assignments), but they didn't.  I simply don't like a company that does not always put the customer first.  So I'm sending Neebo their two useless books back and calling it a day.  I am sure my experience was not like most people's (and if you happened to also get a free textbook from them, I hope your experience has been wonderful), but I'm done with them.  Lucky for me I got the book for free.  I just ordered my book again for a wonderful price at Half.com.  I will wait to do a review this time. :)

Looking for a Way to Introduce Your Little One to the Story of Martin Luther King, Jr.?

Since my daughter is now a two-year-old who understands more and more every day, I've started introducing her to the meanings of holidays we observe.  While I don't expect her to fully understand, I don't think it's ever too early to start talking about it. She loves "reading", so we recently used a book to introduce the meaning of Christmas.  It worked (well, she associates Christmas with a baby (check!), and adds "wah, wah, wah, all through the town" to the story when she's reading it, but hey!), she loved it, so I wanted to use the same method to introduce the importance of MLK Day.

There are several MLK books out there, but it was important that I found something that was fairly short, easy to understand, had good pictures, and could take the wear and tear of a toddler who turns the pages of books a little too hard -- and still gets across the meaning of why Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is such an important part of our nation's history.   I ran across this board book for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Barnes and Noble was having their Educators Appreciation sale this week, so I got it for 25% off.  I checked my local B&N inventory online one day and they had them, and came back the next day and they were all gone!  I searched another local B&N, and they had it -- I was sure to reserve it immediately.  They texted me within the hour and said it was ready. I had to drive a few more miles to get it, but I'm very glad I did.

Go here to buy or reserve yours at B&N.

Or here to order from Amazon.

Happy reading!

Image:  BN.com

Free Books for Your Child (Up to Age 5)

I've mentioned this a while ago on on my family blog, but it's definitely worth mentioning again.  Your child (or grandchild, niece, nephew, etc.) can get a free book in the mail every month until he/she turns five (regardless of income and no strings attached).

Dolly Parton's Imagination Library works with organizations in your community to provide these books.  Their purpose is to foster a love of reading early.  Like Dolly Parton, I grew up loving books and was in love with this campaign when it was first shared with me by a fellow mom.  I signed my daughter up and she's been receiving a book every month since she was a baby.

The books have been great:  classics like The Little Engine That Could, fun books like Big Sister, Little Sister and Roar of a Snore, and award-winning books like A House is a House for Me.  My daughter has loved every single book she's gotten, and, as her mom, I've loved seeing that.

Go here to learn more!

Image:  highcountrypress.com

Barnes and Noble Membership and Kids' Club

I don't buy books often (I'm semi-addicted to the public library), but when I do, Barnes and Noble is one of my spots.  I shop there enough to take advantage of their B&N Membership, which only costs $25/year.  You save 40% off hardcover bestsellers, 20% off ALL adult hardcovers, and 10% off everything else.  On top of those savings, you can use coupons they email you.  My favorite part of the whole membership:  when I order online, I get FREE EXPRESS SHIPPING.  Every time!

They also have their Kids' Club!  You get savings opportunities, loyalty rewards, and a newsletter, but my favorite thing so far about the Kids' Club:  for my daughter's birthday, she got a free cupcake from their cafe'! (They email you the voucher to be redeemed in the store.)  She also got an offer for a free digital book from Tikatok. 

Go here to check out the B&N Membership and here to check out their Kids' Club.  Good stuff!

Images:  BN.com

Publix Baby (and Toddler) Clubs

If you have a baby and live near a Publix, then you should consider joining their Baby Club.

The Baby Club is for babies age newborn to two years old.  What's in it for you?  Well, you get coupons -- good ones, too.  There were months where I'd get FREE items, too.  They really had me sold with the coupons, but you also get a couple of other cool things:  a monthly newsletter with baby care and nutrition advice, and free copy of Caring for Your Baby and Young Child (a thick "help" book from the American Academy of Pediatrics).

My little one is two, so we're done with the Baby Club.  But I was sure to sign up for their Preschool Pals club.  We're new to this one, so I don't have enough experience to give my opinion.  According to the Web site, this is what I should expect.  Looks fun!

I'm not a huge Publix shopper.  Anymore. I had about a love affair with Publix for a while because of the amazing customer service there, but at the end of the day, their prices are a bit much for me.  I still go there every once in a while when I need a certain item or when I need to make a quick grocery store run. 

Anyway, click here to learn more about the Baby Club (and here if your child is old enough for Preschool Pals)!

Images:  Publix.com