Category: contest

Recently I was asked to try out H&R Block’s Block Live tax preparation service. We’ve used an online DIY service for years now, and it’s worked well for us, so honestly I was a little hesitant to switch it up. I’m glad I did – I really liked the H&R Block Live service. It saved Andy and me a lot of time, and they came up with a few deductions we weren’t aware of that saved us some money as well.

With Block Live, you can have your taxes done by a professional. By using video, phone and/or online chat, you don’t even have to leave your house. I was very, very impressed with the technological aspects of Block Live. I just uploaded PDFs of our previous tax forms, W2s, etc., which meant much. less. paper, because I didn’t have to print any of that out. For the things that were mailed to us in hard copy, I used the Block Live app, where I logged on from my phone, took a picture of my documents, and voila, they were there ready for my tax prep person seconds later.

Using Block Live was incredibly easy and didn’t take much time – I’d estimate I spent an hour and a half on our taxes – and it took a lot of the guess work out of the process. We didn’t have to wonder if we were putting the right things in the right places, because a professional was doing it for us. And, like I said, she knew some nuances about deductions that we weren’t aware of and saved us some money. I would definitely use the service again.

Block Live is affordable as well – the packages start at $39 (for the 1040EZ form – remember those days?) and a regular 1040 starts at $129. Of course, you can deduct tax preparation expenses from next year’s return as well.

Want to try it out? We’re giving away $50 discount codes to 5 readers. To enter, leave a comment on this post. For an extra entries, “like” H&R Block and/or Mommin’ It Up on Facebook, and leave additional comment(s) letting us know you did so. Winners will be chosen on Friday, March 9, 2012. Good luck!

I’m super, super, SUPER excited to be bringing you a giveaway of some of my favorite Vicks products!  I LOVE being a Vicks Blogger, because I LOVE their products.  I think I’ve made that pretty clear in my other posts on the subject, but I can’t say it enough!

Instead of “cold & flu season” I think this time of year should be called “Vicks season” – ’tis the season to be using these great products that can bring you relief from the colds and flu that hit so many of us hard this time of year.  Why give “cold & flu” all the credit? Let’s re-name this time of year after my favorite remedies!

Recently I mentioned how a humidifer can help keep germs out of your home and make your home environment healthier – and today I am excited to be giving away one of these:

It’s a Vicks Warm Mist GermFree Humidifier!  If you’re a germaphobe like *ahem* Emily, you will love this bad boy!  It kills 99.999% of germs, mold, and bacteria before the steam even hits the air.  It promotes better breathing and sleep, and there are no filters to change or replace!  It has two tanks which makes it easier to fill and helps it to run longer.  It can operate up to 24 hours and has a two gallon capacity. Woot woot! It’s the Mac Daddy of humidifiers, is what I’m saying!

In addition to this fabulous machine, the winner of this giveaway is going to be swimming in my fav-or-ite product ever, Vicks VapoRub!  With the humidifer I am also giving away:

• 2 jars of VapoRub
• 2 jars of VapoRub Lemon (I haven’t tried this but I have a sneaking suspicion it would rock my world!)
• 2 bottles of VapoRub CREAM (for those of you who don’t like the ointmenty-feel of the original. I think you’re crazy but to each her own. 🙂 )
• 2 jars of BabyRub for your little ones under 2! Jonah highly recommends it!

Here’s how to enter to win these awesome prizes to help you have a healthy Vicks Season!  You can enter up to three times, one time for each option.

1) Leave a comment on this post telling me your favorite Vicks product

2) “Like” Vicks VapoRub on Facebook and then COME BACK TO THIS POST and leave me a separate comment letting me know that you did (or already do).

3) Tell me your favorite Vicks VapoRub memory

ONE winner will be chosen at random on Monday, January 30th at 6 pm EST.  Winner will be notified via email.  Good luck!

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I am being compensated for my role as a Vicks Blogger.  All opinons about Vicks products are my own.

Jenny & I are wrapping up our time as Verizon Wireless Midwest Moms, but before we go, we have one last giveaway – a Motorola Droid Bionic. And not just any Droid Bionic – the very one I’ve been trying out for the last few months. Goldfish crumbs from the bottom of my purse included! Don’t worry, the Verizon people will wipe away my digital footprint on it, and hopefully my kids’ fingerprints as well.

The Bionic is equipped to handle the Verizon Wireless 4Glte network, which is really noticeably faster than 3G (like, a lot). 4Glte is available in 190 cities and 118 major airports, and it is expanding rapidly. Click here to see if it’s available near you.

A couple things to note about this giveaway – the giveaway is for the phone, not service. The Bionic only works on Verizon Wireless, and it requires a data plan. And, like I said, it’s the one I’ve been playing with so it’s slightly used.

To enter, leave a comment on this post.

The fine print:
One winner will be chosen randomly from entries received by January 2nd, 2012. The winner will be contacted via email and has 24 hours to respond. If winner does not respond within said time a new winner will be selected at random. Winner will need to provide name, email and address for shipment and prize will be shipped out via FedEx. This prize must be shipped to a North American address. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY.

Good luck!