I’m usually not a fan of sequels (with the exception of Grease 2!) but Thursday’s Radio show which will air live on www.Toginet.com at 2:00 EST and also can be downloaded via iTunes (click here)  is appointment radio.  It’s the second part of my interview with Ralph Covert of Ralph’s World and it is basically a private concert from him to you!  Sure, I ask some hardball questions such as “did you know parents would love MOMMY needs COFFEE ? And I get to the bottom of what inspired him to write “Pickle Me Juice” …but the truth of the matter is ~ it’s a really great interview because it’s Ralph singing a bunch of his songs live, while he plays the guitar / piano!  The songs are from his latest album “All Around Ralph’s World” and if you don’t have it, you will want to run out and get it! The songs are great  ~ fun lyrics, catchy tunes and best of all, many of the lyrics are based on English Language Learning patterns so by listening to the music and singing along, you are helping your kids enrich their vocabulary and strengthen their language acquisition skills.  You can find out more about Ralph’s World by visiting his website www.ralphsworld.com or you can listen in to the Show live on Thursday at 2:00 EST at  www.toginet.com!  And don’t forget the show is also available as a podcast via iTunes if you…click on this link!

In the meantime, enjoy this RW video starring my buddies Toot & Puddle!

It’s almost Back to School time and this year we are dedicating ourselves to helping YOU save money.  From “swap meets” to on-line specials we have the top tips for saving money on back to school items.

Host a school supply swap meet: Invite friends, family and acquaintances to come to the swap meet with gently used items that can withstand another year of school.  The items that tend to attract the most attention are:  school uniforms, textbooks, trade books, backpacks, and tech devices such as calculators and e-book readers.  When planning a swap meet, I recommend finding a centrally located spot such as a church basement or synagogue.  This way everyone can come to the same place.  Have a few people “work the door” which means they inspect the items coming in and give one ticket per item that can be swapped.  In other words, if you bring 2 textbooks, a calculator and a fresh spiral notebook you will get 4 tickets allowing you to get 4 “new” items. To get the word out, post flyers around town (coffee shops, grocery stores and the library) or send out an Evite asking friends to forward the invitations and so forth.

Buddy up at the warehouse stores. I love a great deal which often goes hand in hand with buying in bulk, but as a mom of an only child, I am often reticent to buy materials at a warehouse superstore because of their quantity.  A good way to remedy this issue is to buddy up and purchase the items with a relative or friend.  It’s a great way to share the savings!When it comes to buying textbooks, think outside the box! Buying high school text books can is a huge expense, so it’s a good idea to think outside the box with these ideas:  Check out www.bookrenter.com ~ where you can rent a textbook for the fraction of the cost as buying new.  Look into buying a used textbook on-line via a virtual marketplace such as eBay, Craigslist, Amazon or Facebook Marketplace.  *To ensure you are buying the correct copy, make sure the ISBN number on the book matches the ISBN number of the required textbook.  Look into the possibility of “downloading” the textbooks on a computer or e-reader.  Usually eBooks are much less expensive and are much easier to carry.  Of course, you will need to purchase a laptop or eBook reader such as Kindle, Nook, or IPad, but chances are you will make up that cost after downloading only a few texbooks!  Another smart tip:  Check out mysimon.com, which allows you to comparison shop in one place.  You might even find 2 for one deals that might be perfect if you have more than one child.

Get SmART about Trendy Items: Recently I took a stroll down a “back to school aisle” at my favorite superstore and realized one of the biggest trends was “licensed” folders and notebooks that are dotted with pictures of young movie and / or music stars.  The only problem with these items is they are between 50-75% more expensive than their “non-licensed / plain” counterparts. Now, I know there are many who would argue that having “tween dreams” on folders motivate kids to take out their folders and learn.  And perhaps they are right, which is why I came up with a really “smART” idea.  Maker your own “tween dream” notebooks by creating stimulating and fun collages using pictures from magazines and newspapers These collages can easily be slipped into the font cover of a notebook and as an added bonus, they can be CHANGED when the “it” guy of the year becomes “yesterday’s news.”  to learn how to make trendy notebooks and binders, check out my latest visit to You & Me this Morning on WCIU  Click Here!

Help your kids afford non-essential items (the ones they just have to have!!)Instead of saying “no” to the non-essential school items such as fuzzy mirror for the locker or the latest comic book hero backpack, encourage your kids to buy the items with the proceeds they can earn by hosting a garage sale.  The end of summer is the perfect time for your kids to clean out their rooms and sell off toys, books and games they no longer use. In return, they could use the money earned to buy the items they really want but don’t necessarily need. It’s a great way to help your kids learn the value of money while still honoring their need to get things they REALLY want!

Use Coupons: Before you go shopping, check for coupons.  Here’s a list of sites that can help:

www.CouponMom.com

www.savings.com

www.ecoupons.com,

www.thesavalots.com

www.thecoupondiva.com

Hi Everyone,

We had a fantastic week at Mommy on a Shoestring and I can’t wait to share with you all the news and fun…

#1: Don’t mind me while I stand next to my Kid Music idol!  In celebration of Kindie Music Mania, Mommy on a Shoestring Radio interviewed one of our all time favorites, Ralph Covert of Ralph’s World.  I was first introduced to the music of Ralph’s World by my dear friend Jenny after she had her first baby boy.  At the time she and her husband went on and on and on about how great his music was and how much they loved listening to their favorite song.  Intrigued to find out what that song is?  I’ll give you a hint: I have since learned it is the anthem of MANY moms and dads!  You can listen to it  here.

Fast forward a few years until I had Jrb who he fell deeply in love with every song from the Ralph’s World CD which includes “All My Colors” and the “Name Song!” We listened to those songs in my car everyday for at least a year!   So you can imagine how fun it was for me to interview the person who helped lull my son into a deep state of happiness everytime we entered the car.

The interview was super fun and is divided into 2 parts.  Part one aired LIVE and is now posted on iTunes  you can  listen to it now by clicking here!!! Part 2 of our interview, which includes Ralph talking about the songs on his new album, “All Around Ralph’s World” will air in a few weeks!  During part 2, Ralph plays quite a few songs  acoustically ~ making the interview feel like you are listening to your own private concert.  For more info about Ralph’s World and to hear some of his songs including my favorite, The Great Outdoors Click Here!

#2: I also stopped by You & Me this Morning on WCIU!  The theme was all about family get-togethers and fun activities the family can do together.  Jeanne and I made edible dominoes and played a putt putt golf course made out of pizza boxes, oatmeal containers and other “precious junk.”  I’m not going to ruin the surprise by telling you what happened, but let’s just say a hole in one was achieved.  To watch the videos click here! Jeanne Sparrow, I’ll see you on the links.  To everyone else…have a great week!  Jrb and I are goin’ fishing but I’ll report from the road!

Shoestrings and Peace, Beth

I have 2 FREE tickets to see Ralph’s World at the Morton Arboretum at 11:00 Saturday Aug.7.  Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the concert!  Tickets go to the first person who can tell me..what kind of animal is Bob from his new CD, “All Around Ralph’s World?”

A few years ago Jrb’s dad left the majority of our collection of DVD’s on a plane.  We have a winner!!! Tammy Mckean ~ you have won the 8 DVD’s.  Congrats!  Please email beth with your mailing address and we’ll send the DVD’s out!  thanks!!

Apparently, it was very hectic getting off the plane and he panicked leaving the DVD’s, a sippy cup and Mr Moose behind.  Since then, I have been hesitant to buy more DVD’s because they are expensive.  So instead, I have opted  to visit the library or our local FAMILY VIDEO store who kindly loan out Kids DVD’s for free.  That is until recently…As a creature of habit  (like his mom) my 4 year old son likes to watch the same thing over and over and over again ~ making borrowing videos a bummer since we can only renew each title only once.

Well the folks at Cookie Jar Entertainment have made things a little easier with BRAND NEW DVD’s starting at $4.99!  Cookie Jar is the company behind various children’s entertainment brands including  Busytown Mysteries, Mona the Vampire, and Calliou. The company was kind enough to send me a few of these reasonably priced DVD’s to review.  So far, I am having trouble getting beyond Busytown Mysteries, because my little one loves watching it so much.  (However, I plan on taking a peek at Nanoboy ~ the world’s smallest superhero! After JRB goes to bed.)  Jrb’s Dad previewed  Super Duper Sumos and really liked it although he said it had a lot of “butt” jokes making it suitable for him, but not our 4 y/o son!  To find out more about the newly released Cookie Jar titles visit Crazy Ape (which sells the DVD’s for $4.99).  Click here to visit the site.

NOW HERE”S THE FUN PART…In honor of this terrific deal, we are going to have a GIVEAWAY!!!! We will send 8 DVD’s to ONE lucky winner.  Just leave us a comment and  tell us your favorite movie to watch with your kids and you will be automatically entered. We will choose one winner at random.  Contest ends on  August 4 at 11:59 PM.  Good Luck!  Shoestrings and Peace, Beth and Jenna

FYI here are the DVD’s you will win:

1. Wimzie’s House
2. Super Duper Sumos
3. Mona the Vampire
4. Horseland
5. Busytown Mysteries
6. Busy World of Richard Scarey
7. Nanoboy
8. World of Quest

Hi everyone, I have been away to SF and the Catskills and have much to discuss… #1:  I “Heart” Radio Disney.  I am a Disney fan in general having fallen in love with the theme park when I was 18 and decided my life’s ambition was to live in Cinderella’s castle.  Over the years, I have been fortunate to have worked with different  facets of the company including interviewing the creative folks at Disney FamilyFun, developing activity books for Disney Publishing and working with DJ Shal on her Public Affairs show, “Let’s Chat” for Radio Disney (in San Francisco / Bay Area).  So when I was in the Bay area last month, I visited the show along with my dear friends Liz & Cindy and their adorable boys who joined us on the show.  It was the highlight of my trip (besides having a chance to spend a ton of time with Jackson).  Thanks DJ Shal for making the day so special.

#2 My fire alarm works!  Today I did my regular segment on You & Me this Morning on WCIU TV in Chicago.  We made T-shirt totes and s’more truffles among other things.  Here’s a link to the segment:  Click Here to Watch the Segment! Eventually I mastered the art of making caramels but trust me, there was a lot of practice before that happened.  As you can see from the above picture, it took a few tries, a few pounds of burnt sugar, a room full of smoke and a melted plastic spoon.  RIP dear spoon.

#3 Park A Day Challenge:  A neighbor who reads the Pioneer Press recently sent me an email about her Park a Day Challenge.  The challenge is sponsored by the non-profit group, KaBOOM!  Which is dedicated to “creating great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities.”  How can you not love that mission?

Here’s a link to Liza’s post which details her park adventures!   Click here to read!

#4 I am now a double blogger!  That’s right, a year ago I had no idea what “Twitter” was, thought “Facebook” was a video game and thought blogging was something that happened in the mountains of Minnesota!  (Of course there are NO mountains in Minnesota, so it only seems fitting that they would “blog” there!)  Anyway, I am thrilled and honored to share my new blog with all of you.  Its home is the You & Me this Morning on WCIU website.  You & Me this Morning is a morning TV  show that is near and dear to my heart since it is super fun, informative and a certain “shoestring mommy” appears on it every other week.    Here’s a link to the website and my TV page ~ Check it out and if you can, share it with your friends.  Click Here to Read and Watch!

Thanks for Reading!  Shoestrings and Peace, Beth