Check Out Kmart's Big Layaway Giveaway!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kmart. All opinions are 100% mine.

Summer is almost over and the kids are all back in school. You must be thinking, finally, I have some time to relax and enjoy some ‘me time’. Sure, you most definitely deserve it but don’t forget, it’s also time to start prepping for the holiday season. It might seem a long ways off but really, it’s not. Only 15 weeks left before the holidays! With so many things to do and so many gifts to buy, you would want to get a head start in the prepping. If you are anything like me, I’m sure you would agree with me that you wouldn’t want to be one those last minute shoppers. If you wait til the last minute, there wouldn’t be anything good left, well, maybe except those really expensive stuff that is out of your budget or out of season stuff that nobody wants anymore. After all, the early bird gets the worm, right?

I don’t know about you but I have already been eyeing some holiday gifts that I will be placing them on Kmart’s free layaway this year. Those golf clubs and necklace would make excellent gifts for my family, don’t you think? Check out the big screen tv. Doesn’t it look awesome? Boy, I can imagine my husband’s face when he sees that under the tree come Christmas morning. Talking about TVs, I remember this one time when we saw a really nice TV for sale but we couldn’t get it because that store didn’t have layaway and we didn’t have enough extra money at that time to get it. An opportunity to grab a good deal was lost, just because that store doesn’t have layaway. From then on, I always made it a point to shop at Kmart. Why? Well, they have the best layaway program, hands down.

Why do I say that Kmart is the best? Well, let’s take a look at the chart above. I’m going to show you a comparison of Kmart’s layaway program vs other retailers like Walmart, Best Buy and Toys R Us. Right off the bat, you can see that none of them comes even close to Kmart. Kmart is the only retailer who offers layaway for their full range of merchandise. Not only that, there are no minimum item or transaction amount. Kmart always strives to put the customer first. That is they offer services that makes the customers life easier. For example, there is a online layaway option that allows you do your shopping from the comforts of your home. You can also pay online and pick up at the store or if you are shopping for a loved one in another state, you can shop at a Kmart nearest to you and they can pick it up from another state. How cool is that? I do not see Walmart, Best Buy or Toys R Us doing all that!

If that is not good enough of a reason to play an item or more in Kmart’s layaway, here is one reason why you most definitely should. Just like us, Kmart is also prepping for the season of giving and to coincide with this time they are launching “Kmart's Big Layaway Giveaway”. What that? Well, how that works is that there will be is one layaway giveaway at each store, once a week. This will go on every week, from 9/9/12 through 11/17/12. All you need to do is put your purchases on layaway and every week, you will stand a chance to win your remaining balance paid off! I don’t know about you but I am surely really excited about this giveaway and hope that I will be one of those weekly winners! So, what are you waiting for? Now's the time to place those gifts you've been eying on layaway and also get the chance to win some great prizes at Kmart! Remember, it ends on 11/17/12.

NMEDA is the key to FREEDOM!

This is a Sponsored post written by me on behalf of NMEDA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Imagine this. You wake up, hop out of bed, get ready for work and before you know it, you are running down the stairs, jumping into your car and driving to work. For many of us, it’s an everyday routine. It takes about 25 minutes or so to do all that. We do not even think about it. However, for a certain group of people, it’s not all that easy. Yes, I am talking about people with disabilities and their caregivers. Living with disabilities is hard. It takes a lot of time and effort to move about, just to get ready for the day. Don’t even get me started about getting ready to head out to places. Even though I am not disabled, I get it. I understand. Guess what? I am not the only one who does. There is a whole group of people that are dedicated to making life for people with disabilities a whole lot easier.

What am I talking about? What group of people? Well, I am talking about NMEDA (National Mobility Equipment Dealer Association)! NMEDA is a non-profit trade association of mobility equipment dealers, manufacturers, driver rehabilitation specialists and other professionals dedicated to expanding opportunities for people with disabilities to drive or be transported in vehicles modified with mobility equipment. Originally started as an association of mobility equipment dealers in the state of Florida, membership opened in 1989 on a national level and the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association was formed. The organization promotes and supports individual members engaged in the modification of quality transportation for people with disabilities. Currently with 600+ members nationwide, all of the members are required to adhere to the safety standards of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and to follow the guidelines set by NMEDA. The guidelines, which are actually a living document providing detailed recommended practices on equipment installation and modifications, are updated yearly.

Now that you know all about NMEDA, let me tell you about the Quality Assurance Program (QAP). The QAP is a recognized accreditation program for the mobility equipment industry. It was developed to promote quality, safety, and reliability and is the only program of this in this industry. In short, a QAP designation enhances vehicle modification and mobility equipment installation in a manner consistent with the highest guidelines available.

You might be thinking, whoa, hang on. Is it really that important for those with disabilities to have a Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle? If so, what is the correct one for me? Well, of course it’s important. Just like how a soccer player needs his soccer boots or how a football player needs his helmet, a person with disabilities needs a vehicle that allows him to be as mobile as can. There are many transportation solutions out there, from minivans, trucks, wheelchair and scooter carriers, lifts, ramps, hand controls to transfer seats, to the person must find one that best fits him. All NMEDA QAP dealers offer in person individual evaluations. This way, with their years of experience and personal touch, they would be able to recommend the best possible solution for you. Not only that, they also offer 24 hour local emergency assistance, on-site sales and support. If you buy a vehicle online on through a non NMEDA dealer, you probably will not receive the same service.

So, what are you waiting for? Head out to NMEDA’s website to learn more and visit a NMEDA QAP (Quality Assurance Program) Dealer for mobility solutions Program) dealer today! Remember, transportation is the key to freedom and NMEDA is the key to quality transportation.

Insalata Caprese aka Caprese Salad

It's been a while since I shared any recipes with all of you, so I figured I'll just share something really quick and easy to make. This is the perfect summer time salad, when fresh tomatoes are in season. Insalata Caprese (or better known as Caprese Salad here in the States) originated from the region of Campania in Italy. An interesting fact that I found from Wikipedia is that this salad is sometimes called Insalata Tricolore, referring to the three colors of the Italian flag. Interesting. Anyways, I simply love this salad because it's really yummy to eat and really simple to make. It takes less than 10 minutes to put everything together. Here's how you make it.

Start off by washing a few large tomatoes. It's always good to choose the juicy ripe ones. Slice up the tomatoes and set them aside.

Next, you would need some fresh buffalo mozzarella cheese. Remove the cheese from it's packaging (it's usually sold, soaked in water) and slice it into pieces.

Then, it's time to put it all together. Arrange the tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese and fresh basil leaves on a plate. Just alternate the tomatoes and cheese, with random basil leaves all over. Now, traditionally, one would just drizzle extra virgin olive oil on top and you are set to go. I changed it up a little and combined 1 part extra virgin olive oil to 1 part balsamic vinaigrette. Drizzle that over the salad and top it up with some freshly cracked black pepper and some salt. All done! Now, wasn't that easy? =)