Mid Week Shouts Out

I used to be so good about doing these. Today I'm going to repost a great hats off....to CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. Clickety-click!

Mid-Week Shouts Out

Hey, better late than ever I always say. Actually, I always say that free is best, but who's counting.
Anywho, in light of a pretty jam-packed day (including a date night with my hubby at Steak n Shake, FREE SHAKE), I am going to post a "re-run" if you will.
It's my boy's bday in a matter of days, so I want to re-introduce you to EVITE.
So, step back in time, 7 mos almost exactly, and check it out.

Psssst! Hey! Want to read about other things I gave a mid-week shouts out to? Just clickety-click on the link below that reads mid weeks shouts out & take a gander!

Mid-Week Shouts Out

Last night I made $250 for eating ice cream. Yes you heard me right. No I'm not off my rocker (well, I guess that one's debatable).

My mid-week SHOUTS OUT this week goes to market research studies & surveys.

For at least the past 15 years, I have been involved in market research companies. I think I did my first one before I even had a driver's license. Back then, I stuck to Superior Surveys. Then, in my twenties, I joined the database for Peter's Market Research. And then, about 2 years ago, I heard about Delve, when I took my daughter & a child I babysat to a study on childproof lighters. Those kiddos made $30 & I thought, how awesome is this, my daughter & this child made their first loot, at 3 years old. It's ingenious.

I'm always looking for sources of money...And being parts of focus groups & surveys have been that source.

I've done surveys where I've went & chewed gum for an hour & made $80. I've went & talked about diapers & made $90. I've went & talked about new currency, children's curriculum, candy bars, caller ID. I've taste-tested pudding. I've given my opinion on Chinet's new patterns. I told you...I've been doing this for years.

You do need to be out-going. A little outspoken. And willing to give your honest opinions. You also have to be cool with sitting in a room full of people you don't know & talk about something you may or may not care about.

Here are the ones I know of in the St Louis area (will you tell me if there's one I've missed?):

Delve, go HERE
Lucas Market Research, go HERE
Superior Surveys, go HERE
Hatch, go HERE (this one is new & I've not worked with them)
Peters, where I've done more of my surveys, HERE.

What can you do to join these groups & start making your own fast & easy cash?

1. Call the agency/firm/company & ask to join their database. Some will send you a packet in the mail to fill out & return. Others will give you the info to join online. And one might even take the necessary info over the phone.

2. Wait for a call...an employee will ask you the questions that could qualify you for a particular survey. At that point, I typically ask how much & when. There are no close market research 'places' within 30 minutes, so it has to be an amount I feel is worth the gas & the drive. But I rarely need to turn them down.

3. Be sure to update them when something changes like your work status, your contact info, or if you get or lose a pet.

4. Make some moolah.

Good luck!

Mid-Week Shouts Out

This week's Mid-Week Shouts Out goes to St. Louis Children's Hospital.

I've had the privilige of getting to know Kimberly Hume, MSN, RN, FAHCEP Manager, Resource Center who is a walking book of children's info...and I am happy to share with you, a tiny bit of what SLCH has available!

The Family Resource Center is a cornucopia of knowledge. You call or email them (314.454.2350 or frc@bjc.org). You tell them what you need to know more about (for example, NUTRITION). The next business day (how's that for service?), they will drop a packet in the mail for you!

Here's what they say...

"Anything goes related to kids health-health and wellness topics-birth, death, divorce, how do you get them to eat green vegetables, how many green vegetables should they eat, how do you get them to sleep in their own bed at night, potty training, play, death of the pet turtle-you name it! Along the line of diseases-asthma, attention deficit disorder, cancer, diabetes, epilepsy and on up the alphabet-if you can relate it to kid's health, we can look it up! From toddlers to teens-we have information for you."

Okay, I gave you the example earlier of nutrition. At their fingertips, they have Brochures on-Exercise, Staying Healthy, Fun and Fit at Home, Nutrition for When Parents are on the Go, Making Eating Fun, Cholesterol and Kids and moreInfo on school lunches, food jags, and healthy snacking, as well as a bibliography of books and videos that can be checked out from the Family Resource Center.

Here are some other resources Ms. Hume shared with me:

http://www.stlouischildrens.org/content/TeenHelpline454TEEN.htm for those with teens

http://www.stlouischildrens.org/content/AnswerLine454KIDS.htm for all parents, an ask a nurse line, also will offer referrals to pediatricians and specialists

http://www.stlouischildrens.org/content/permissiontotreat.htm Permission to treat forms to print out and have notarized for when you are not with your kids- very important!!! (I just printed this out, have been looking for something like this!)

http://www.stlouischildrens.org/content/safetystop1.htm Place where you can get your car seat checked for free and BUY very much discounted car seats, booster seats, bike helmets and other safety things for your home (like car seat for $40 that normally retails for $80-don't quote that please-call them for specifics)

http://www.stlouischildrens.org/content/events.htm Has all the events including helmet checks and more!

Children's motto is: We Do what's Right for Kids

They certainly do... and it carries over to families.

Thank you Children's!!

Mid-Week Shouts Out

This week I'm giving shouts out to Angel Food Ministries.

What is Angel Food Ministries?:
Angel Food Ministries is a non-profit, non-denominational organization dedicated to providing grocery relief and financial support to communities throughout the United States.
(that's taken from their website)
I want to add though, because that almost makes it sound as if you need to qualify as 'needy' to receive a month from AFM & that's not the case.

Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month's menu consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60.Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe.

Sample Menu:
(this month's menu can be viewed here)

• 4 lb. IQF Leg Quarters
• 4 oz. Beef Back Ribs
• 1 lb. 80/20 Lean Ground Beef
• 2 lb. Breaded Chicken Tenders
• 1.5 lb. Bone in Pork Chops (4 x 6oz.)
• 1 lb. Ground Turkey
• 18 oz. Stuffed Manicotti (Cheese)
• 12 oz. Smoked Sausage
• Betty Crocker Seasoned Potatoes
• 7 oz. Cheeseburger Dinner
• 16 oz. Green Beans
• 16 oz. Baby Carrots
• 2 lb. Onions
• 1 lb. Pinto Beans
• 1 lb. Rice
• 7 oz. Blueberry Muffin Mix
• 10 ct. Homestyle Waffles
• Dessert Item

Go here to see how it works & here to see where you can find a participating church.

Mid-Week Shouts Out

Goes to Wehrenberg's Winter Series. A free show for a month, now that's my speed.
Check to see which theater is participating in your area.
All movies are free & all movies are at noon. This week is the last week (today is the last day!).
http://www.wehrenberg.com/presenting.aspx?pId=121

Mid-Week Shouts Out

This week's shouts out goes to your local library.

At this point, I believe every library has a 'story time', complete with themed story, read to your kiddo (& a group of his peers); complete with a craft that 'goes' with the story.

The library we attend (which requires us to pass by at least 2 other libraries) even makes copies of coloring pages (usually pertaining to that week's theme) for my kids to take home.

In the summer, you'll probably hear me talking again, about the SUMMER READING PROGRAM, which our family takes advantage of (the past 2 summers, we've won Cards tickets!).

Where is your library?

St. Louis County Libraries, click here.

Jefferson County Libraries, click here.

St. Charles, click here.

To see a listing of all Missouri Public Libraries, click here.