Songs of the Week: Thanksgiving Edition!

  Sorry about missing last week. I had a few computer issues that I had to take care of. But, I'm back on the horse and it's time to hit you with the songs of the week!

•   Arlo Guthrie - Alice's Restaurant Massacree  Big props to Amelio, my college roommate, for introducing to me this Thanksgiving classic many, many moons ago.
•   Adam Sandler - Thanksgiving Song
•   Queen - Killer Queen  This song is just awesome. I only caught the tail end of it on Thanksgiving Day when I had to go out and get some necessities. I immediately came home and listened to it. Three times. At least...
•   Fleetwood Mac - Landslide (Live)  and  The Dixie Chicks - Landslide  Funny story here. I've heard a lot of weird things on the radio. I've heard the same song on different stations at the same time, I've heard artists played back to back on the same radio station, and I've even heard the same song played over and over and over (for almost four hours straight, that was interesting). But I've never heard the same song played back to back by different artists...until Thursday. I'm not entirely sure if the DJ knew what he was doing, because he said something to the likes of "...hope you are having a happy Thanksgiving, here's Landslide by The Dixie Chicks.." There's a first for everything...

  I certainly hope everyone had (or will have) a wonderful Thanksgiving. And here's hoping there's plenty of leftovers to make it through the weekend. As always, if you have a song feel free to leave a comment here, on facebook, or on twitter @clubbprez.

      Currently Watching: ncaa football/wahoos @ hokies

Songs of the Week: 11/14/2014

  Another week has FLOWN by. I cannot believe that we are halfway through November already. Before you know it, we'll be decking halls baking cookies and making fudge and celebrating a brand new year! Let's slow it on down just a hair though, we have this weeks songs to get to first!
  For anyone paying attention...yes, there is an awful lot of rap on this list. I personally listen to all sorts of music, and this week just happened to see a massive amount of new rap music released. If you are a rap fan, good week. If not, never fear! Like I said, I listen to all sorts of music. If you have something new for me to listen to, leave a comment here, on facebook, or @clubbprez via the twitters!

•   MASHUP! The Hood Internet - Backseat Shake Off (Kendrick Lamar x Taylor Swift), That's where my heart really is when it comes to music. Especially if it's done well. Here's a couple unexpected artists mashed together for an unexpectedly enjoyable outing. Kendrick Lamar and Taylor Swift on The Hood Internet's Backseat Shake Off!
•   Slaughterhouse, Yelawolf, and Eminem - CVXPHER, Via Neeko! Just wow. If you wanna hop to Eminem's part, because for some reason you hate rap but love Em, click HERE.
•   Eminem - Detroit Vs. Everybody (featuring Royce Da 5'9, Big Sean, Danny Brown, DEJ Loaf, & Trick Trick), Another Neeko suggestion.
•   Epic Rap Battles of History - Ghostbusters vs. Mythbusters, I love these guys, and this is sooo silly. Wanna see the trailer for the new season, check it out HERE.
•   Home Free - Any Way the Wind Blows, Because I absolutely cannot get enough of these guys. Expect to see them here...a lot
•   The Script - Superheroes, Big ups to Maranda Dawn for introducing me to this song. How have I NOT heard this song yet?
•   GEM OF THE WEEK! Zac Brown Band - Fortunate Son (featuring Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen) (Live), For those people who didn't know, there was a HUGE concert on Veteran's Day in Washington D.C. Plenty of people were there, and then there was this song. Stirring a little controversy, Brown, Grohl and Springsteen performed the hell out of a Creedence Clearwater Revival classic "Fortunate Son." Don't believe me? Click the link and see!

  So that's this weeks list. Once again, got something awesome that you are listening to and you think I should? Leave a comment here, or at facebook via Monroe Haynes (find me), or hit me up in the twitterverse @clubbprez! Until next time true believers! ... wait, that's not my line...

      Currently Playing: dia frampton/inventing shadows (live)

Stretch A Dollar Web Series - Session 1: Walmart Savings Catcher

  I promised you that we would start off easy. Today we are talking about the Wal-Mart Savings Catcher.
  So a little quick backstory. Over the summer Wal-Mart decided to create a program that would allow it's users to insert a receipt. That magic behind the scenes would compare prices with other competitors in the area and if it found a price that was lower, you would get the difference back. It was originally limited to three test cities, but was expanded soon thereafter to include all of the United States. At first, and with the US rollout, the catcher was very limited as to the items it would compare (only groceries at first). It's expanded since to include a few more items but it still isn't an all encompassing system.
  With that being said, lets take a look at the things you are going to need:

    Wal-Mart Savings Catcher  

• A valid email address (it could be one you just made up, however)
• A Wal-Mart account (Wal-Mart has to know where to put your money)
• A computer with internet access
• A Wal-Mart receipt
• A smartphone with the Wal-Mart app (optional)

  The process is pretty simple. You get your receipt, you log into your walmart.com account via your computer or smartphone and you upload your receipt. You can do this one of two ways. You can either upload the receipt online or you can use your smartphone app for iPhone. Then Wal-Mart gets to comparing items. Here's a pretty quick YouTube Video on the entire process.
  So, now that you know what you need, the next question is "how do I make this profitable" and "how can I cash out?"
  Let's start with the first question, how do I ensure I am getting money back from Wal-Mart? There's a couple things you need to know regarding this. Wal-Mart, regardless of your personal feelings about the company, does a really good job of price matching. That's their selling point to drive the business. We have the lowest prices, and if we don't, prove it and we'll make it so. In the past the company was willing to price match as long as you had the advert from the competitor and could show them (or you had a sympathetic cashier who already knew of a lower price). This takes some of the work away from the customer and puts it in Wal-Mart's hands. They WANT to be the lowest when it comes to pricing so they've established a system that will actively look for those prices. With that being said, keep in mind that they are looking for prices on items their competitor would carry, not "items similar to what we carry." Any Great Value (or other in store brand) is automatically disqualified from this comparison because no other stores carry Great Value products. Also, Wal-Mart has a way of packaging multiple items together that are Wal-Mart brand specific. (remember that 3 pack of Hamburger Helper you just got?) Typically speaking, none of those are eligible for comparison either, because no other store is carrying the items packaged in this exact way.
  To answer the second question, it's fairly easy to cash out and you have a couple options. As Wal-Mart finds more savings, it adds those findings into your walmart.com account (also accessible from your smartphone app). While here, it's just a number with no monetary value whatsoever. When you choose to (or automatically at the end of the year) you can cash this money out via a Wal-Mart e-gift card that can be used for either online or in-store purchased. Also, through 2/28/2015 you can double the Wal-Mart Buck$ (as they call it) by having your savings transferred to a bluebird account. I've looked over it and I do believe that's the route I will take when I plan to cash out.
  So in case you were wondering just how much one can save, the upper limit (as noted in the terms) is $599.99 per calendar year. I sincerely doubt I'll personally hit that mark, ever, but $46.65 ($93.30 if it were a bluebird account) is not a bad pay day.
  So a little strategy that might help you stretch the dollar just a little. Make sure you get your receipts in as quickly as possible. You are limited to seven receipts per week, and you have ten days from the purchase date to get it entered. Take a look through the FAQ so you can see exactly what kind of items you can expect to be price matched. And keep your eyes open for receipts that someone else may have left behind. You never know when a receipt could earn you a few extra buck$, I know I have.

  Oh, and don't throw those receipts away just yet. In the next session we'll see what YOU can do do with those receipts to help feed the pig!

      Currently Playing: the hood internet/backseat shake off (kendrick lamar x taylor swift)

The "Masses" Have Spoken

  Well, it was an overwhelming response. But at least two of you out there are interested in ways to save, or make, a little extra cash here and there using your phone or computer. That's awesome.
  So here's the deal. I'll be sharing one way a day (app or online) to either stretch your dollar or earn a little more on the side. I'll try to follow this general outline: name of app, necessary equipment, my experience, how to maximize profit, is it in anyway profitable. When it's all said and done, I'll share the spreadsheet I've been using so you can see kind of where I am to date. Keep in mind that everything I've earned isn't necessarily on the spreadsheet. I have a pretty strict rule about not adding to the spreadsheet until I actually have money in hand (transferred to my paypal account, check cleared, etc.).
  Let's prepare you a little for the things that you are going to need. I'm going to start with something as simple as a computer, so that will give you a little bit of time to play catch up if you need to.
  

• An email address: Each of these require you to "register" in some way, shape, or form. Typically I have received very little in the way of "spam." But if you are uneasy, feel free to make a new email just for this.
• A smartphone: It's not 100% necessary, but most of the opportunities come in the form of apps designed for smartphones. Also, ALL of my experience is with Android devices. If you have questions about iDevices, I'll certainly do my best to research and help.
• PayPal: A good portion of the apps have multiple payout options, but PayPal is a common one. If you want "cash" you'll need a PayPal account, and it certainly isn't that hard to get one. If you are interested, and you need a PayPal account, click HERE.
• Patience: I'm not here to make you an overnight millionaire. I'm simply giving you opportunities to make an extra little bit here and there. I currently have over 310 dollars in my paypal account, and that was all pure patience. Keep digging, and who knows what you can accomplish.

  So that's about it. I'll start tomorrow with something extremely simple and extremely easy (if you haven't completely shunned Wal-Mart yet).

      Currently Playing: home free/any way the wind blows

I'm the Boss of my Birthday!

  I'm the boss of my birthday. I heard that from the time p.c.h. woke up on her birthday, at 4 o'clock in the morning. It was my baby girl's birthday, and not only did she know it, she was letting the ENTIRE world know as well. It was quite an interesting day, because having a birthday, in her mind, meant that she was exempt from all wrong doing. It was her birthday. So when I woke up to take L.I.Am to school, there was peanut shells on the floor. I told her to clean it up, and her response? "It's my birthday." It most certainly is...
  For the most part her birthday was just like any other day. However, she and I did get a chance to sneak out of the house to get a cake. A "pink and purple" cake to be exact. p.c.h. is definitely a girl. And she's still the boss of her birthday. We finally found a cake that we could agree on, and we had "happy Birthday Britain" (just like that, go figure) put on in pink icing. She got her "pink and purple cake" and was good in the land of p.c.h. She is the boss of her birthday.
  We went over the birthday decor aisle to find something modest to make the birthday a little more memorable. We didn't have anyone come over, so it was up to me to make it as memorable as possible, she is the boss of her birthday mind you. To continue with her love for Elsa, we got a pack of Frozen plates and a Happy Birthday sign decked out in Elsa attire (Anna, Sven, Olaf, and Kristoff). Not to mention the balloon that she found that said "Happiest Birthday." She proceeded to walk around the store with this balloon for the rest of the trip, make sure that anyone she came across knew that it was her birthday and she was the boss.
  We were barely in the door before p.c.h., aka Birthday Boss, was demanding that we decorate for her party. "When I come back in here, I want to see a party!" So cute, so bossy. She played with the brand new Doc McStuffins playset that I got her and Liamus immediately started doing is his big brother job of being as annoying as humanely possible to his sister. Dlo was on point with some of the best lasagna I think I've ever ate, but even awesome lasagna couldn't keep the kids from asking for cake halfway through the meal. Britain bossed on the candles by blowing all of them out at one time, she is the boss of her birthday mind you, and the smiles across her face all day was nothing short of amazing.
  It's amazing that we got her to four years, but at the same time I have to ask myself where in the world did the time go? They are both getting so big so quickly...and it's hard to put into words the emotions that I'm feeling. Anways, with that being said, here's a nice collage with the very few pictures we took. We were too busy taking in the moment (and keeping the Birthday Boss from killing Liamus Prime, it's her birthday she may have tried)...

      Currently Playing: relient k/pirates who don't do anything

Songs of the Week: November 7!

  Well folks. It's that time of the week again. That time where I open up the crystal amazeball and let you peer into the depths and see what has tickled my musical bone this week. To the list!

    Hozier - Take Me To Church
    Logic - Driving Ms. Daisy (featuring Childish Gambino)
    GEM OF THE WEEK: Ki: Theory - Stand By Me
    STRAIGHT FIRE! Slaughterhouse - Y'all Ready Know
    Home Free - Champagne Taste (On A Beer Budget)

  There you go folks. If you haven't already, head over to HERE and vote on whether you'd like me to blog about ways to learn a little extra money (slowly but surely). And as usual, leave a shout and let me know what tickled your musical fancy this week! Hit me here, facebook, or twitter @clubbprez!

      Currently Playing: home free/champagne taste (on a beer budget)

A Little Bit About Money...

  So everyone likes to earn that little extra money. It's something I've been doing for about six months now. I've learned a thing or two from it. I'm going to gauge interest in this. If you are truly interested, feel free to vote at the bottom of the page and let me know. I'll leave the voting up for about a week (or until I feel people have already voted). If it's a yes, I'll start with what I've already learned. Some might be repetitive to what you already know, or what your friend already doing (i.e. iBotta) and some of it might be informative.
  Before you vote, I'm going to throw a number out at you: $307.04. That's the total I've made since I started doing this in April. I've kept a spreadsheet, so I'll show you kinda what I'm doing and I'll provide a little insight into how I'm doing it. The only thing I ask is that if you do decide to jump in, I'll be providing referral numbers and what not. In most circumstances the referral will help us both out.
  So that's that. Interested? Let me know, here's the votey thingy. Get to it!

Do you want to know more about how to make money online and using your smartphone?

Yes

No

Poll Maker

    Currently Playing: hozier/take me to church

Songs of the Week: All Hallows Eve Edition!

  Every time I spend an extended amount of time away from this blog, I come back with the intention, and enthusiasm that I'm going to keep it going. With some decent content that is worth returning back for. And each time, I flake out for whatever reason. So, let's give it another shot, and hopefully I can keep it up, at least some halfway decent updates...
  For a while I was updating with my "songs of the week." I have such an varied and unusual taste in music that I like to share the things that I'm into and I invite users to offer me something new to listen to. Let's start doing that again. With Christmas looming right around the corner and enough musical holiday cheer to make any sane person reevaluate their life, it may be nice to get a glimpse of some non-christmasy music for the ears. (however, I do love Christmas music, and we'll talk more about that come December. Let's enjoy some turkey first...) So, with all the "legal" mumbojumbo out the way, let's hit you with my songs of the week! Commentary when appropriate...

    Garth Brooks - People Loving People      A new Garth song! He's playing in town this weekend, and unfortunately I can't go. With that being said, go listen to it. It's a great song, and a great message. (Unfortunately, it's not the entire song either. It cuts off at abou the 2:45 mark. If you enjoy it, keep you ear tuned in to local radio stations and see if you can catch it. Or better yet, make the call and request it!)
    The Allman Brothers Band - Jessica      Normally, this song wouldn't be here. It's a great song, don't get me wrong, and I love hearing it (and occasionally guitar heroing it). However, it's not everyday that you hear this song four times in one day without trying. But, that happened to me. While running errands last Saturday, I managed to hear this song four times on local radio in less than a 12 hour stretch. That's quite the accomlishment!
    Logic - Soul Food
    Home Free - All About That Bass
    Kendrick Lamar - I
    Holiday Song of the Week! Bobby Boris Pickett - Monster Mash
    GEM OF THE WEEK! Boots Randolph - Yakety Sax (featuring Chet Atkins and Ray Stevens) (Live)      Yeah, I'm a huge fan of this song. I'm a huge fan of Ray Stevens. And this is awesome. But that's just one man's opinion.

  There you have it folks. Feel free to click and watch. They should open in a new window! Leave a comment here, facebook or on twitter @clubbprez and let me know what you are listening to. I'd love to hear it!

    Currently Playing: boots randolph/yakety sax(featuring chet atkins and ray stevens)