Products I love

More is More for an Indoor S’More

June 12, 2015 by amushro

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #LetsMakeSmores #CollectiveBias #sponsored

The old adage “less is more” really rings true in a lot of cases: when applying makeup, when decorating your home, and binge watching really bad reality TV—honest, less is more. However there are times when “more is more” is the way to go, and I’m all about “more is more” when it comes to dessert, especially my absolute favorite dessert, S’mores. Maybe you noshed on this delicious treat around a campfire as a kid, or had to wait until you were in the great outdoors to have this marshmallowie treat. However, it’s time for a S’mores Summer right now, and you can simply say “Let’s make S’mores tonight” and there’s no campfire needed. Friends, here’s my more is more indoor S’more bar that’s perfect for a quick and easy weekend get together!

We’re at the beach right now so I grabbed some coordinating plates and bowls to hold all of our ingredients and pulled out our handy, dandy S’more Maker. Already the table looked so pretty, but now we need the really good stuff, the ingredients! Obviously you have to start with the usual suspects (AKA: the three things you need for a super yummy S’more): Hershey’s milk chocolate, Kraft’s Jet Puffed Marshmallows, and Honey Maid Graham Cracker Squares,

Now it’s time to get to S’more making! Everyone has a different roasted marshmallow style and mine is slightly charred. A little sweet, a little smokey, and a whole lot of yummy.

And then adding sweet milk chocolate is, well, just a slice of summer S’more heaven.

But here’s where we get all “more is more,” friends because we are changing up recipes and making all sorts of yummy S’mores while indoors. Here are a few we tired, and let me tell you, they are good, SO, SO,SO good.

When we fired up our S’more Maker and started sampling all of our new S’more creations, one stood out to me: The Elvis. Basically chocolate and peanut butter are ALWAYS a winner in my book. So here’s a quick and easy recipe so you can make The Elvis S’more too!

Ingredients:

Two Honey Made Graham Cracker Squares

Two Kraft’s Jet Puffed Marshmallows

One Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup

Banana Slices

What to do:

Setup a S’more maker with a Sterno can (found at the grocery store) or a candle
Load up the marshmallows on the skewers and roast until brown on all sides
Place peanut butter cup on one cracker square and banana slices on the other
Slide roasted marshmallows on top of peanut butter cup and form a sandwich
Enjoy and refuse to share with anyone because it’s so good.

Here’s a sign that your S’more is perfectly ewey gooey, the marshmallow stretch. So. So. Good.

How good does this S’more look? You’re ready to make your own, right? I don’t blame you. I found everything I needed for the More is More Indoor S’more Bar at Walmart. So for our new S’more creations, finding all the ingredients was super easy.

Since S’mores are so easy, so delicious, and the perfect weekend dessert, tell me which S’more you’re going to try?

Best Apps For Kindergarten Readiness

June 10, 2015 by amushro

Right after I took this picture of my main man on his last day of Pre-K, we shouted “Next Stop Kindergarten!” Well actually we have a few sweet months of summer vacation then it’s off to kindergarten. So to make sure my little guy is ready for all the heavy lifting of elementary school when he climbs on that big yellow bus for the first time (SOB!) we’re working on avoiding that dreaded summer slide! So we’re playing lots of educational games, turning our summer outings into learning experiences, and loading up our devices with a variety of kindergarten readiness apps. We are covering all of the important parts of kindergarten with these apps and now I’m sharing some of our favorites!

ABC Mouse– If you’ve been thinking about checking out ABC Mouse, DO IT! Both of my kids love this app and I can cater their lessons to their levels educational level. ABCmouse.com members get full access to online preschool, pre-k, and kindergarten curriculum. With more than 5,000 fun and interactive learning activities that teach reading, math, beginning science and social studies, art, and music, I’m sure this app will quickly become one of your favorites too. Note: You will need an ABCmouse.com membership to access the content, but if you are already a member of ABCmouse.com, you can log in through the app to access your account.

Family Play Kindergarten- Round up the cowboys and cowgirls! The Sheriff needs your help at Cowboy Kids Academy to learn kindergarten skills like math, shapes, colors, spelling, and numbers. Through 12 activities, there is a lot of learning and playing happening! This is a great app for kids headed into kindergarten or for parents looking to give their cowboy or cowgirl a fun and challenging app.

Brain Pop Jr- Another fan favorite in this house, BrainPOP Jr. This app delivers a different animated movie every week, and kids are given quizzes and educational lessons based on the short movie. The topics are varied and teach the kids interesting subjects through an engaging movie. The topics span social studies, reading, writing, math, health, arts, and technology. Plus my kids love the characters Annie and Moby that serve as guides through each topic.

Phonics Spelling & Sight Words-Got a kiddo excited to learn to read? Then check out this fun app. With phonics, spelling and sight words, this app will get your kindergarten bound kid excited to learn phonics skills and memorize sight words. With a list of over 300 of the most common site words, your kids will come back to this app again and again for fun games and lots of learning.

Gomma Friends– Get those creative minds working with this fun app! In Gomma Friends, your kids can create and dress Gomma Friends characters and then print and assemble their characters. How fun is that? We’ve been playing with this app together and my kids love getting to create a fun toy and app based on the games they have been playing.

All of these fantastic apps can be found on Google Play. I’d love to your favorite educational apps and how you are going to prevent the summer slide during the summer months!

A NOTE to my nTelos Readers:

If you are using nTelos as your wireless provider, Verizon has a special offer going on right now just for you! Switch to Verizon Wireless and save up to $400! You could save $200 with new smartphone activvation and get up to $200 when you trade in your old smartphone. How awesome is that? We have been Verizon Customers for years, and compared to other companies, Verizon is faster and more reliable. Always! Check out this Verizon Wireless Deal today.

Note: I was compensated for the post but all thoughts and ideas for these awesome apps are all mine!

Make Your Own Iced Carmel Macchiato

June 9, 2015 by amushro

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #McCafeMyWay #CollectiveBias

Sometimes when I’m in bed, early in the morning, I think, “I could go back to sleep, or I could get up early, sneak downstairs, and have coffee all by myself.” Can I let you in on a little secret? Coffee and “me time” always wins! Most mornings around here are so rushed and hectic that I end up reheating my coffee two or three times. Usually I can tell the type of day this Mamma will have by the number of times I need to reheat my coffee. By mid-morning, I usually find my coffee cup in bizarre places like yesterday’s cup on the bathroom sink, sadly sitting on the dresser in one of my kids’ rooms, or my personal favorite, still hanging out in the microwave from one of my many reheats.Sigh. So in order to get a little “me time” and to drink my coffee while it’s still hot, it’s early mornings for this lady.

I really don’t mind the early mornings, and now that summer is upon us,the warmer weather makes drinking hot coffee all day a little difficult for me. So I’m getting really creative and making some of my favorite iced coffee drinks at home. But the key to a great iced coffee is the same as hot coffee: you have to start with a really delicious brand of coffee. So for this recipe and all of my daily hot and reheated coffee, I’m loving McCafé coffee pods. Have you tried them yet? I’m sort of in love with them and they worked perfectly in my iced carmel macchiato recipe!

Ingredients:

McCafé Premium Roast coffee pod
1 cup Vanilla Almond Milk
1-2 tbs Vanilla Coffee Syrup
Squeezable caramel sauce (I grabbed mine in the ice cream topping isle)
1/2 Cup Ice

Step 1: Brew one McCafé coffee pod on the 8 or 10 oz setting.

Step 2: In a separate cup, pour 1-2 tbs vanilla coffee syrup.

Step 3: Add 1 cup Vanilla Almond Milk.

Step 4: Add 1/2 cup ice to cup.

Step 5: Pour the brewed coffee over all ingredients.

Step 6: Drizzle caramel sauce on top of coffee. (I usually repeat this step 3 or 4 times. It’s just so good)

This recipe is so good and so easy, you will thank me the when you need a little coffee and me time this summer! If you need more inspiration, check out the Kick Off Your Summer Cookbook website. It has recipes, sweepstakes, loyalty programs, coupons and more! What’s not to love? If you’re looking for a new dinner idea or a chance to win some awesome prizes, be sure to check it out!

I grabbed my McCafé coffee pods and a few bags for when we travel this summer while I was shopping at Walmart.

There was even a McCafé demo happening at Walmart the day I was there so I had the chance to sample a few of the flavors. They were all are really yummy, but the hazelnut was my favorite.

So whatever way you brew your coffee, you can grab McCafé in bags in coffee pods. The coffee also comes in lots of options with 8 flavors to choose from, and is made with 100% Arabica Beans which means you are getting premium quality coffee.

Are you a coffee person like me? If so, tell me your favorite flavor or coffee treat in the comment!

6 Tips To Get Your Kids To Wear Sunscreen

May 19, 2015 by amushro

Today I’m sitting among suitcases, packing list, bathing suits, and sand and water toys and all I can think about are freckles. Since my kids are part fish, it’s quite convenient that we spend most of our summer at our family beach house. I watch my kids race into the waves for hours and they sequel with joy when the tide rolls in and swallows up their sandcastles, but all I can think about are freckles. You see, I’m a child of the 80’s and teenager of the 90’s. So that means in addition to awful hair choices and questionable styles in clothing, I shamelessly worshiped the sun, and now at the ripe old age of 35, I have the sun damage and the freckles, to prove it.

As a kid, sun protection for me was one bottle of sunscreen, only used while we were at the beach, applied only in the morning, and was probably used the next year and the year after that. There was no sunscreen when we rode our bikes or swam for hours and hours at our pool. As a teenager and in my early twenties, the tanning bed was my friend and constant companion between laying out with….wait for it…baby oil.

And now I have been entrusted with the precious skin of my children and friends, let me tell you, I take this job very seriously. Because their skin is just as fair as my own, I need to make sure their skin is protected and they’re not covered in freckles from years of being careless in the sun. But adding sunscreen to kids everyday can be a bit of a challenge because getting my kids to stand still long enough for me to actually apply the sunscreen is pretty ridiculous.

For beach, bike rides, pool time, playgrounds, and prolonged exposure to the sun, we need to be protected with sunscreen. Here are six ways to get your kids to actually wear sunscreen.

1. Sunscreen Train: Everyone needs sunscreen before we head out and everyone needs to get on the train! Create a line and let everyone apply sunscreen to each other. Just be sure you go back over the kids to make sure they have the correct coverage and enough sunscreen.

2. Connect the dots: Apply the sunscreen in a dot pattern on their arms and legs. Let your kids use their fingers to connect the dots while you apply to other body parts.

3. Set a Timer: Grab an egg timer or set a timer on your phone and have a race with your kids to see how fast you can apply sunscreen everywhere. Make sure you start with their feet and legs and work your way up since their faces tend to be where kids fight sunscreen the most!

4. Simon Says Sunscreen- Put some sunscreen in your child’s hands and play a quick game of Simon Says Sunscreen. Simon Says put sunscreen on your belly! Simon Says put sunscreen on your right leg! Of course, re-check for coverage when the game ends.

5. Apply before you go: Once you hit the outdoors, your chances of successfully adding sunscreen are dwindling. So apply before you leave the house!

6. Distraction: Come on, you’re good at this! A quick snack, a show on TV, maybe a few minutes on the beloved iPad. Sometimes our distractions aren’t pretty, but whatever it takes!

Here’s a really important tip: just applying sunscreen isn’t enough. There are quite a few things I learned from KnowYourOTCs.org about sunscreen and how and when we need to apply. Here’s what they say are the most important tips to remember about applying sunscreen:

Re-apply every 2 hours or more if your child has been in the water

Use sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum” — it means it protects against UVA and UVB radiation

Make sure you are using the right amount of sunscreen–think the size of a golf ball

For more summer survival tips, be sure to check out KnowYourOTCs.org

Now I know applying and reapplying sunscreen to younger kids can be difficult. Tell me what fun ways have you used to apply and reapply sunscreen on your kids?

This post was sponsored by KnowYourOTCs but all opinions and ideas are 100% my own

Visit Consumer Healthcare Products Association's profile on Pinterest.

Apps Every Parent Needs When They Travel

April 9, 2015 by amushro

While this is a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own #MoreVA #VZWBuzz

Let’s dust off those suitcases and grab your swimsuits, friends, because it’s time to plan those fantastic family vacations! We’re making memories here, people! You might have dozens of apps of your smartphone and tablets to keep the kids entertained and ward off backseat boredom, but there are a lot of great apps that parents need if they want smooth sailing during their next vacation. Traveling with your family can be stressful, so why not get a little help from the apps? It’s your vacation too! So whether it’s a week at the beach or a weekend at a waterpark, you need these apps!

Potty breaks made easy with Sit or Squat Restroom Finder- When you are traveling with kids, it’s inevitable that you will need to make lots of potty breaks; however, we’ve all had incidents with bathrooms that look more like a horror movie. This app helps you find a bathroom FAST and users rate the bathroom as Sit for positive reviews and Squat for negative reviews. You can even search for Family bathrooms and baby changing stations

Sweet dreams everyone with White Noise Baby- Since my kids were newborns, they have fallen asleep to white noise. When we travel, this handy app plays looped white noise (also conch shell and classical music) and our kids feel like they are at home. The white noise also comes in handy if you need to block out noises from the hallway when you’re staying in a hotel.

Help me plan my trip, Roadtrippers– I love when someone (or something) makes my life easier, don’t you? Roadtrippers app will help you map out your trip AND discover the best restaurants, scenic spots, attractions at hotels, and more through their database. Check out pictures, description, and reviews of each place you want to visit. You can even save your favorite trips and destinations for you next raodtrip.

Help me find everyone, Life360- If your kids are older and the’re beginning to venture out on their own during family vacations, Life360 can help you keep track of everyone with the help of this app. Find everyone in your “Circle” with real time updates of maps and check ins. So even if you are waiting on a text from a family member, you can check out their location. This app also comes in handy for lost phones.

Grab your suitcases, PackPoint- If you’re the one responsible for making sure everyone has enough underwear and socks for your vacay, you need PackPoint to make your packing lists easier! This handy app helps you organize what you need to pack based on length of travel, weather at your destination, and any activities planned during your trip–how cool is that? PackPoint will even remind you to pack an umbrella if there is rain in the forecast. Now you can pack, check items off your list, and not worry you are forgetting something!

All of these fantastic apps can be found on Google Play. I’d love to hear your favorite travel apps and where you are headed this summer on your family vacations!

A NOTE to my nTelos Readers:

If you are using nTelos as your wireless provider, Verizon has a special offer going on right now just for you! Switch to Verizon Wireless and get a $150.00 credit plus free activation per smartphone when you bring your number to Verizon. How awesome is that? We have been Verizon Customers for years, and compared to other companies, Verizon is faster and more reliable. Always! Check out this Verizon Wireless Deal today.

Old Dog New Treats

April 7, 2015 by amushro

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
#NudgeThemBack #CollectiveBias

I know it’s really early, Suggie, but you really need to come downstairs and see what I have for you. I get it, you need your rest and that bed sure is comfy. But because you’re my favorite pooch, you tolerate the kids interrupting your naps, you only growl at the neighbor’s cat 90% of the time, and you are ALWAYS excited to see me (even if I just stepped outside to get the mail), I wanted to get you a really special treat. So how about it? You up for a treat, old girl?

You know, Suggie, they say “you are what you eat,” and if that’s true you must be Rapunzel since you ate your sister’s Rapunzel doll yesterday.

I’m kidding! I’m kidding! You are so much more than the millions of toys you eat each year, and that, my four-legged-love, is why I only give you the best and yummiest treats. Did you know Nudges® Dog Treats are made right here in America, have real meat as the first ingredient, and has no artificial flavors? See, they even look and smell like a real piece of meat. You want to try one?

What do you think? Nudges® Wholesome Dog Treats are pretty tasty, right? They even come in a bunch of different flavors. Which do you like best: The Grillers steak or chicken or the Sizzlers chicken bacon or beef and cheese?

OK, steak it is! You don’t have to yell! I found all of Nudges® Grillers and Sizzlers at Walmart in the Pet Care aisle, and since you’re such a good girl, I even grabbed you a big bag of Nudges® Jerky Cuts Value Size.

Old dog, new treats is a great way to start our day. Now let’s get outside and show those neighborhood puppies how fast this old dog can really run. OK, one more Nudges® Grillers before we go.

Suggie wants you to check out all the flavors at nudgesdogtreats.com and let me know which one you think your dog would love the most!

Our New Favorite Early Reading Apps for Android

March 11, 2015 by amushro

While this is a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own #MoreVA #VZWBuzz

I’m sure I’m not alone when I say that I have NO idea how parents entertained their kids before the creation of smartphones. I’m not just talking about mindless games that do nothing for their little brains, but the educational apps that keep their attention, keep them learning, and keep them happy. Both of my kids are very tactile learners, so interactive apps really appeal to them. Since my son is headed off to kindergarten (sob!) in the fall, we’ve moved past basic letter and sound recognition games and now we are on to early reading games. Here are some of our favorite early reader games that the kids have been playing on my Android Turbo!

Endless Reader– Around here, Endless Alphabet is a favorite app, so we were excited to move onto Endless Reader. In this app, kids are introduced to “sight words.” These are the most commonly found words in early reading, and learning these words are key to reading success. In this app, the words are shown in context and the kids have a blast with all of the silly sounds as they see the words, hear the words, and manipulate the words in puzzles.

Kids Learn to Read– I really like apps that have a variety of games within the app so my kids are challenged, not easily bored, and willing to come back to the app again and again. Kids Learn to Read does all of this with letter sounds, making their own words, and matching games. Tommy Turtle is the star of this fun app that focuses on hearing and seeing how letter sounds blend together to make early reading words.

Super Why Phonics Fair- Based on the hit PBS show Super Why, kids go on a adventure with the Super Why gang as they focus on phonics through interactive games. My kids really love the stickers they earn during each level and I love that the advanced levels for more challenging games.

I Story Books– There is nothing I love more than snuggling up next to my kids and reading books. With I Story Books you can read to your child or they can listen to a narrator read a number of fairy tales and classic stories full of colorful illustrations. There are different versions of this app so you can find the types of books that appeal to your kids the most. New books are added every two weeks, and both of my kids are really loving the classics and the science themed books.

Sight Words Kindergarten– This app is great for early readers and readers struggling to learn and recall sight words. Through six interactive games, kids are shown small groupings of words so through repetition and memory. As they start mastering the words, the word groupings get larger to become more challenging.

Playing games on your smart phone and tablet isn’t just for kids! Join @theonlinemom @RobynsWorld @geekbabe and @thetechdad on Friday, March 13 at 12 noon PT (3 pm ET) as we chat about Smartphone and Tablet Games!

#VZWBuzz

When: Friday, March 13, 2015
3:00-4:00 pm ET
12:00-1:00 pm PT

‘Smartphone and Tablet Games’

Join @theonlinemom @RobynsWorld @geekbabe and @thetechdad on Friday, March 13 at 12 noon PT (3 pm ET) as we chat about

Smartphone and Tablet Games!

RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win a MOGA Pro Power Controller or a Droid Turbo smartphone!

Join @TheOnlineMom on the Video Recap right after the chat for another chance to win a prize!

To RSVP:

Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com(subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/ImCn5
Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, March 13 between 3 – 4 pm ET
Tell your Twitter followers!

PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

A NOTE to my nTelos Readers:

5 Apps to Help You Update Your Wardrobe

February 9, 2015 by amushro

While this is a sponsored post, all opinions are 100% my own #MoreVA #VZWBuzz

Friends, I’m making a change. A BIG change and I’m starting with my sad, sorry wardrobe. I used to consider myself very fashionable and I had a closet full of stylish clothes to prove it. But now that I’m a write-from-home-mom, the contents of my wardrobe range from yoga pants to clothes that could possibly be pajamas. When I was packing for a trip last week, I yelled from the depths of my closet “I have NOTHING to wear,” and this time I really, really meant it. So I’m rectifying this problem by adding some new essentials to my closet. But I don’t have hours and hours to walk into every shop at the mall so I’m using a few new apps I’ve added to my brand new Android Turbo to make life a little easier and a little more fashionable.

Are you a fan of Pinterest? Me too, but usually I’m looking for yummy recipes and fun crafts for my kids on this amazing site. But did you know that there are thousands of pins that showcase fabulous outfits? Thank you, stylish Pinners! Since I don’t know what my style is anymore and I need help putting an entire outfit together from top to bottom, and Pinterest is my starting place. I search the pins for styles that I like and then I have an idea what is actually “in” these days.

Were you a fan of the movie Clueless? As if! Did you dream that someday you would have a closet that would rotate racks and racks of fantastic clothes and you’d use a computer program to create your outfits just like Cher? While I can’t help you with the rotating racks, My Dressing app can help you create outfits based on the pieces in your closet and it’s ridiculously fun. Once I started buying a few new pieces for my wardrobe and cleaned out the clothes that could make me a fashion victim, I used My Dressing app to take pictures and mix and match new outfits. I’m a visual person and I have momnesia so I LOVE seeing all my outfits together.

Now that I have a few ideas of what clothes and accessories I want to buy, it’s time to head out to the stores, but not before I clip some coupons…kidding. I have zero time to clip coupons so I needed an app that could do that for me. Retail Me Not has thousands of coupons from thousands of stores and it’s more than just clothes! Get this app and get your shopping and saving on!

Getting out and hitting the stores isn’t always possible for a busy Mamma like me so Fashion Kaleidoscope is a different way to shop. The app shows you a ton of styles and if you like the look or even just one piece of the look, you click on it and are given links to similar clothes and accessories! How cool is that? The app even shows you where you can get the best price for the looks you love.

Adding new clothes to your closet means it’s time to get rid of clothes you aren’t wearing, and why not make some money too? The Vinted app allows you to snap a picture of the clothing you want to sell and shares it with their community of buyers. Clean out that closet and make some money–so you can shop more!

Want to learn more about Mobile Shopping?

Join @theonlinemom @RobynsWorld @geekbabe and @thetechdad on Friday, February 13 at 12 noon PT (3 pm ET) as we chat about Mobile Shopping!

RSVP and attend the party for a chance to win great prizes!

Plus, join the Video Recap right after the chat for another chance to win a prize!

To RSVP:

Email RSVP@theonlinemom.com(subject line: VZWBuzz) and include your Twitter ID.
Spread the word and RT this link on your Twitter feed: http://ow.ly/GPzTY
Join us on TweetDeck or HootSuite (#VZWBuzz) on Friday, February 13 between 12 – 1 pm PT
Tell your Twitter followers!

PRIZE WINNERS will be announced during the Party!

A NOTE to my nTelos Customers:

If you are using nTelos as your wireless provider, Verizon has a special offer going on right now just for you to switch to Verizon Wireless and get a $150.00 credit. This is a $150 bill credit PER LINE for up to 4 lines so the total savings could be $600.00! We have been Verizon Customers for years and compared to other companies and Verizon is faster and more reliable. Check out this Verizon Wireless Deal today.

The Mom’s Quick Guide To Taking Care of Your Car

January 20, 2015 by amushro

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.#DropShopAndOil #CollectiveBias

In my car, I’m carrying precious cargo: my kids! My grandfather owned an automotive care center when I was growing up, and he taught me a long time ago that taking care of your car is serious business. As mom’s, we’re super busy and on top of everything our kids need. But sometimes, we let other things slide, like maintaining our cars. I’m not just talking about getting it washed and vacuumed once in a blue moon. So keep your precious cargo safe and your wallet intact by using my grandfather’s words of wisdom, and I’ll show you how to make your life easier while takeing care of your car!

The Mom’s Quick Guide to Taking Care of Your Car

1.Turn Down For What?

Now I’m guilty of having the kids’ DVD player turned up too loud or really belting out the Frozen soundtrack for the 897^th time, but turn down the volume and take a listen to your car. Do you hear a squealing when you hit the breaks or when you apply the gas? Do you hear or feel a vibration? What about when you turn the steering wheel? Any sound is a clear sign that something needs to be fixed or adjusted. Usually we’re multi-tasking or not paying attention to those sounds, but they are tiny cries for help. OK, that’s a bit dramatic, but you get the point. Don’t ignore these sounds! It could be something minor but it could be a sign of a bigger problem!

2. Let the President Check Your Tires.

Got a penny? Sure you do! Just check the floor of your car (I’ll wait until you clear some goldfish crackers and juice boxes to find one). Now take that penny and place it in the grooves of your tire. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered, your tires are in good shape. If you see the top of Honest Abe’s head, you need to get your tires replaced ASAP! Bald tires are no joke. This quick test can also tell you a lot about your car’s alignment and give you clues to bigger issues. Try this on all four tires and in different spots of the tread. Who says a penny can’t buy you anything? You just bought yourself a little piece of mind!

3. Wait a Minute Mr. Postman!

No matter how long you’ve had your car, it can have a recall. Don’t ignore these recall letters that you get in the mail! You wouldn’t ignore your kid’s doctor’s advice, would you? Think of these recalls as the same thing. Take care of these problems now so you don’t have bigger problems later!

4. Blinded By The light!

Listen, I’ve been there, the check engine light goes on, and I send up a quick prayer to the car gods that it just goes off. Maybe you’ve been driving around for a while with the light on because you forget about it the second you step out of the car. The check engine light could be something as simple as you didn’t screw the gas cap on tight enough or it could be a sign of a much bigger problem. Think of your car as a big computer. With an easy diagnostic test, a mechanic can tell you why that light is turned on and fix it.

5. Change Is Good!

One of the easiest and most important things you can do to make sure car is in tip-top shape is to get your oil changed regularly. Grab that giant owner’s manual or do a quick search online and see how often the manufacture recommends oil changes. It can be so easy to forget oil changes, so set a reminder on your phone. Make sure you are using quality oil like Pennzoil for all oil changes. This is also a great time to grab that penny to check your tires and to get all of your other fluids checked too.

There is no need to dread getting your oil changed because at Walmart Auto Center, I can drop off my car, do a little shopping, and come back after the oil change: drop, shop, oil!

I was even given this tag to take with me while I shopped so I could check the status of my car on the scanners in the store.

I’m all about making my life easier and saving money. So I did a little grocery shopping and came back to grab my car. Of course, Walmart’s Auto Center had great prices and I knew that Pennzoil would keep my car running well because:

All Pennzoil products help clean out sludge lesser oils leave behind. Don’t bargain shop here, friends!
Pennzoil allows you to drive an extra of 550 miles per year vs. a dirty engine.
No other motor oil provides better protection from friction
Pennzoil Conventional Motor Oil is fortified with Active Cleaning Agents™ to prevent dirt and contaminants from creating problems.

So fess up! What things do you need to check in your car?

When: Friday, March 13, 2015 3:00-4:00 pm ET 12:00-1:00 pm PT

Join @theonlinemom @RobynsWorld @geekbabe and @thetechdad on Friday, March 13 at 12 noon PT (3 pm ET) as we chat about

When: Friday, March 13, 2015
3:00-4:00 pm ET
12:00-1:00 pm PT