I was asked this morning if I’d been to see a newly released film yet. My response was, without even thinking, oh so is that out on dvd already? It didn’t even occur to me that people watch these films in theatres, I can’t even remember what the inside of one looks like. Its been that long. Another one of those activities I’m saving for retirement.
So you want to know how I can afford my expensive toys?
I’ve been asked this question a few times; you have all those kids how can you afford a new computer/ipod/lego set? And the answer is: I lay-by them.
Until recently I was doing my lay-bys the usual way, finding a store that had the product I wanted and trying to get back in there to regularly make payments for the twelve week period you could have the lay-by for. I’d often wanted to be able to lay-by the big ticket items, like a computer or bed but was yet to find a store that was willing to do so, especially for a period of time longer than the usual (as I needed to make the payments smaller to fit into the budget).
Last September I found out about mylayby.com and I took the punt and laybyed my new Mac and I paid it off in small instalments, asking for it to be delivered mid January. My new Mac arrived without a hitch and I was soon lay-buying my birthday present (the only way to do it, if you want to get something good I tell you!), plus the husbands and kids gifts for the rest of the year. We’re up to delivery number four now, with three still waiting in the wings being paid off. I think I’m hooked, and I love that when something new arrives we own it outright, with no interest to pay.
I was more than happy to post about MyLayby.com when they asked, as we are so satisfied with their service.
Right now I have a rather expensive camera (ssshhh don’t tell the Husband) on lay-by, and after I’d done this it was put on special. Usually with an in-store lay-by, you would still pay the price you originally put the item away for. So I was pleasantly surprised to receive an email from mylayby telling me that my camera is on sale now, and that they had knocked the discount off the price of my one as well. You’ve got to be happy with that. Not to mention being able to stretch the payments out to a year and have the goods delivered to your door. And for gadget lovers (like me), if there is an upgraded device released while you have an older model on layby, you will be sent the newest model. Nice.
Now for the really good part. Mylayby.com would like to give readers of Candys Family a freegift with their first lay-by, just enter candysfamily in the coupon spot at checkout you will receive a free Pop Art Tasty Baker with your order. (Coupon code runs out 30/4/12 so be quick!)
One of these babies, our kids love it!
This little toaster does actually do what the box says it does, my girls baked up a mini choccy cake storm. And here is what they managed to create with it.
I also have a giveaway prize (thanks again to mylayby.com) for expectant parent readers of mine. Incidentally MyLayby is a good place to get organised for baby as well 
I have a book pack containing three books for you! Comment below for your chance to win a copy of Babys 1st Splash Picture book, A World of Baby Names (75,000 names from around the world with meanings and origins) and a beautiful Baby Record Book featuring traditional nursery rhymes. I will draw a winner on 20/3/12 (Australian entries only, sorry) Good Luck, and tell your expectant friends!
It takes a certain breed…
I don’t think I need to make anyone aware, that most of new south wales is a bit damp right now. The south of the state copped it first, and as I type its making its way north (and it is still raining!).
I watched the SES volunteers run themselves ragged this week, knocking on doors giving people warnings of the danger to come, filling sandbags, helping evacuate those in danger, dealing with flood damage and everything that has come along with such an incident.
I just want to pass comment today about people who volunteer, and gratitude. Really where would we be without these people who take on the call to put themselves in harms way, for the wellbeing of the community? I asked a few friends that volunteer why they do it, and they humbly told me that it was to give something back and they see the need for the service to be available to the community. One of these days when I have my time handed back to me, I’ll be signing up – I reckon I’d look good in orange.
So to volunteers everywhere, no matter what it is you choose to help out with, whatever small contribution you make, know that you are awesome. Thank you.
Filed under Awesomeness, Goulburn
Finally I’ve got the kid contained!
Does anyone remember how hard a time I had a year ago trying to keep Henry (Future Dark Overlord) in his seat belt? Fast forward a year and his evil apprentice Charlie is doing the same thing, I’ve spent a small fortune trying to keep these kids strapped into the car properly. We were pulled over by the local constabulary recently, and there was Charlie pulling his arms out ready to get out and meet the nice policeman. Our excuse that he’d only done this as the car stopped was not bought. A lecture on the safety of children in cars followed, I didn’t have to balls to tell the officer that I had considered gaffa taping the kid to the chair in the name of safety, the kid is just that hard to keep in his seat.
So my search for a device to keep them in seats resumed, I happened upon the Houdini Stop.
It is a simple yet sturdy little addition to the baby seat belt, and Charlie is yet to work out how to get it off – hurrah! He does try to try to wiggle his arms out through the now much smaller neck hole, but a tightening of the seat straps sorts that out. Job done. No places to catch little fingers, no damage or modification to the baby car seat. I needed this thing years ago! That kid is going nowhere, I can put away the gaffa tape I don’t think I need to say much more than that, just that it works, oh and that they are available in Australia at Baby Bunting and Pram Warehouse for around twenty dollars.
Another clever device the Houdini Stop people have come up with are Houdini Locks, made specifically for poosplosions! I think we’ve all had one at least one morning when you are woken by the aroma, not of brewing coffee but a poo storm, the result of a removed nappy and walls painted brown by your baby. Houdini Locks are little clips designed to help prevent baby ripping off their disposable nappies, they’re also good for doing up a nappy when you have accidentally ripped the whole velcro tab thing off when putting on a new one (I do this all the time!).
Thanks to the lovely people at Houdini Stop I have a set of Houdini Locks to give away, just comment below to go into the draw. Drawn on 12/3/12
Disclaimer: I received a free product sample from Houdini Stop in order to road test and write this review.
Filed under Babies, Giveaways, Kid Safety, Reviews
Cranky Pants
I have them on. I am in such a mood today, and I seriously would like the house to be empty for an hour so I can sit quietly and enjoy the silence. However the odds of that happening any time soon are slim to none, so I shall move on and stare at the Mac – shouting over my shoulder for the next hour or two – GO AWAY MUMMY IS WORKING! Yes but can I play robot games Mummy? Meh it’s sunday, why not.
There certainly is a lot of kids in that picture. Sometimes I catch my stuff watching them at the playground, surprised at their number. There have been moments at a park when it has dawned on me that all the kids running around are all in fact mine. O_o
It has been a rainy couple of weeks here in G town, the kids have cabin fever and so do I. On Friday I headed down to Canberra and went car shopping in the rain, I just had to go out. It’s been raining for around a week now, can you believe it! We’ve had to turn the heaters on and it’s only March.
Come to think of it, March?! No way can it be March already, I have a feeling I’ve missed a lot of deadlines and meetings already because I blinked and missed two months of the year!
So I’ll be off as I have work to do, after a game of Machinarium that is… 
Filed under Rants & Stuff, The Kids
