Win!!! Telstra Essential Plus Powered by Alcatel

I recently read that the average age that a child has their first smartphone in 2018 is 10! And while there is no magical number when it comes to figuring out the best age to equip your child with their very first phone, one thing is for sure, you want to select a phone that is safe, secure and budget friendly. If you feel like your child is ready, then the Alcatel Telstra Essentials Plus powered by Alcatel ticks all of these boxes and at only $99.

 

What is the phone like to use?

 

The Telstra Essential Plus has a large, bright 4.95" sized screen.

 

 

 

It is super slim and light (only 145g to be exact), making it the perfect size to discreetly pop into the school or sports bag.

 

 

In such a snap happy generation, the camera feature is sure to be a huge hit with the kids. The phone has a 5 megapixel rear camera and a 2 megapixel front facing camera, both with flash. I tested it out and was impressed by the quality of indoor and outdoor shots for such a budget friendly smartphone.

Soul Seasons Planner: A Review & Reader Offer

Now I love technology as much as the next person, but when it comes to organising my fairly crazy life, I cannot go past a paper based diary or planner. My friends tend to laugh at me when I refuse to use my phone, but honestly I feel so much more in control when I can write and refer to things on paper. Can anyone else relate?!

 

For most of this year I have been using a simple Kmart diary, but midway through the year I was contacted by amazing Life Coach, Carlie Maree, to see if I was interested in trying out her Soul Seasons Planner. 

 

 

As a teeny bit of a stationary addict (minor understatement!), I was absolutely thrilled to try this out.  

 

So what is the Soul Seasons Planner?

 

Quite honestly it is like nothing else out there in the market and that is exactly the way Carlie Maree created it to be! It goes beyond being a daily planner, scheduler and tracker and is designed to be a place where you set, monitor, review and live your life goals as well as organise yourself.

 

What does it look like inside?

 

The start of the planner reads like a workbook with plenty of beautiful pages designed to inspire you to consider and capture goals in nine key life areas:

 

- Health and Body

- Friends and Family

- Love and Relationships

- Personal and Spiritual Goals

- Fun and Recreation

- Sacred Spaces

- Work and Career

- Money and Finances

- Community and Giving

 

 

Santa's Magical Kingdom Giveaway!

It's BACK.... Returning to Melbourne for its 7th magical year, Santa's Magical Kingdom opens under the big top at Caulfield Racecourse from 23 November until 23 December 2018.

 

 

 

We missed this event last year (due to having just had Jesse) and let me tell you, I did not live it down. My kids LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this event. It has become a bit of a Christmas ritual for us and I have loved watching each of my kids fall more in love with this magical event year after year (you can read about our first ever visit in 2014 right here).

 

This year the event is even bigger and better with new rides, activities and even new characters to meet. 

 

If you'd like to win tickets to take your family along, I have a giveaway running over on my Instagram and Facebook pages until this Sunday 28th of October, so pop over for your chance to take your family along.

 

For more information please head over to the Santa's Magical Kingdom website.

Getting organised for your car loan

{Post in conjunction with Positive Lending Solutions}

Being organised is always a good thing – it can speed up processes and make things flow far more smoothly than they otherwise would. Getting a car loan is no exception – you’ll want to be as organised as possible when it comes to fulfilling all the requirements and having the paperwork ready for your potential lender to review and approve.

Before you get a car loan

Even before you start the process, get organised by doing some serious budgeting. Work out exactly what you can afford to spend each month on a car loan. It’s really important that you don’t stretch yourself financially and that you only borrow what you can afford to pay back.

 

Do your calculations and be realistic. Accurately write down what you spend each month and what comes into your bank account. Figure out how you’ll make car loan repayments and think about setting up a direct debit from your bank account to do so.

Getting car loan

It’s a good thing to find out exactly what documents your lender requires for your specific car loan. It’s also worth checking out your credit score if you don’t know it already – this is something that is free and easy to do so make sure you’re aware of it so you can be in the best position possible to get your car loan approved.

Generally, you’ll need most of the following documents:

About You:

 

·         Driver’s licence

·         Proof of address and Australian residency

·         Bank statements

·         Proof of income

5 Super Easy Ways to Save on your Electricity Bills

{This post is a collaboration between Utterly Organised and Electricity Monster}

 

If the sight of yet another electricity bill in your letterbox is enough to give you a mild heart attack, then hopefully these 5 super easy and simple tips will help you save on your next electricity bill. Because the less money spent on electricity, means more spent on new clothes or shoes right?!

 

1. Unplug!

 

This one could not be easier to do right now - unplug! Most of us are in the habit of keeping our high use appliances on standby - the main culprits here are the TV, laptop/PC and washing machine.

 

 

 

But breaking this habit and switching appliances off at the power point, has to be one of the quickest and easiest ways to see some instant savings on your electricity bill.

 

 

2. Be on time!

 

Many electricity providers offer you an incentive to pay your bill on time (or early) in the form of a significant discount. Make sure you take note of the discount date (and not just the due date of the bill) to take advantage of this saving each month.

Win a Family Pass to Jurassic Creatures in Melbourne!

Did you hear a roar? A stomp? You bet you did, because the Dinosaurs are coming and taking over Melbourne these coming school holidays!

 

 

 

Jurassic Creatures is set to be the must do event this Spring holiday break. This fantastic exhibition features over 30 dinosaurs, so realistic, they will captivate young and old! This interactive event will really transport you to the prehistoric age as you see dinosaurs walk, move and come to life right before your eyes.

 

 

 

The exhibition is literally jam packed with so much dinosaur fun and activities for the little (and big) ones. Kids will love the opportunity to dress up and become a palaeontologist for the day. 

Parent TV: What is it and my experience and thoughts...

Confused, overwhelmed and curious parents rejoice because Parent TV is here and set to change the way we parent - for the better!

 

Designed by Sam Jockel - some of you probably know Sam as the brilliant (and pretty) face behind the School Mum website. Sam came up with the brilliant (and very much needed) concept of having one accessible, affordable and credible platform to come for all of your parenting information.

 

So what exactly is Parent TV?

Parent TV is a video on demand platform that brings together advice from a pretty fabulous team of experts in fields such as psychology, dietetics, family counselling and paediatrics.

 

The video topics cover almost every question you may have on areas such as sleep (or lack of), behaviour, health and wellbeing, education, safety and everything in between! 

The content is delivered in short and concise videos that are easy to understand and solution focused. There are also short courses that you can access which cover more extensive information over several longer episodes. 

 

 

The panel of experts are impressive and include some famous faces such as Maggie Dent, Pinky McKay and Dr Justin Coulson and loads more (you can read the full list here).

 

This little clip gives you an overview if you are interested...

 

Healthy (ish) Thermomix Double Chocolate Zucchini and Banana Muffins

Every time I share my bake up photos over on my Instagram stories, without a doubt I get asked to share my recipe for these amazing Double Chocolate Zucchini and Banana Muffins.

I am literally living off these lately, they are that good and so much healthier than you think if you are after a sweet treat for lunchboxes or just with your morning cuppa.

You'll Need:

• 1.5 Zucchinis
• 2 Bananas
• 1 Egg
• 60g oil (extra virgin olive oil or melted coconut oil)
• 160g raw sugar
• 250g plain spelt flour (or regular plain flour)
• 25g cacao powder (or cocoa)
• 1 Tsp bicarb soda
• 1/4 Tsp baking powder
• 40g chocolate chips (or more, I am trying to be good!). I usually cut up Lindt 70% as I love this stuff!! 

Method:

1. Place zucchini, banana, oil, egg, raw sugar and oil in and mix on speed 5 for approx. 7 seconds
2. Add dry ingredients (flour, cacao, bicarb soda, baking powder) and mix on speed 4 for approx. 10 seconds
3. Scrape down side of bowl and add chocolate chips. Mix on reverse, speed 2 for approx. 10 seconds
4. Spoon into patty cases/muffin trays and bake for approx. 20 mins
5. Enjoy!

These are amazing when served hot and fresh. However when these reach the end of their life, I like to heat them up with a dollop of yoghurt for a not so naughty (but oh so yummy) after dinner treat. Hope you enjoy!