Socal Mom by Donna Schwartz Mills

Sponsored Post: How to Plan a Weekend Getaway -- On a Budget

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The other night, my daughter gave me yet another form to sign.

This one included the news that the school was organizing a Northern California college tour over the Veterans Day holiday. They will be visiting UC Santa Barbara, Cal Poly, Stanford, and campuses in San Francisco.

My first thought was, "That's great - this is a good opportunity for her to see her options."

My second thought was, "That's great - this is a good opportunity for my husband and me to plan a romantic weekend away."

Everyone talks about the adjustments a couple makes when they have a baby. But nobody tells you that it only gets harder when that baby grows into a teenager. Babies sleep a lot. Teens stay up really late. This can wreak havoc with your love life.

You know another thing that makes getting in the mood difficult? Being strapped for cash. That wasn't a problem 24 years ago, when the two of us were just dating. We were young and in the mood ALL THE TIME. Now, between aging, menopause, and stress (his as well as mine) -- let's just say that a change of scenery does wonders for us. I just need to get one on a budget.

So where do you go to find the best deals on hotels? There are plenty of travel sites that will list hotels and rates in a given city. I usually will visit three or four at once, each in a window of its own, until I find the deal that's best for me.

But this time, I decided to try a new one: Room 77, which does all that research for me in one quick, easy search. The question is, where to go?

I joked to my daughter that her dad and I might run into her in one of the cities she's visiting on her tour.

So I armed myself with her itinerary and gave Room 77 a try.

Select your city and dates (as you would any other search). Room 77 gives you listings in a flash. Refine the search: I don't want to see anything under a 3-star rating. Do you want free hotel wi-fi? Complimentary breakfast? You can filter on those features, too. San Francisco can cost you $50-$60 a night just for parking. I'd love to see if there are any options to get it for free. 

Once you have your list, you can read Room 77's detailed hotel descriptions, which include photos and hotel layouts. With other travel sites, I end up having to visit the actual hotel website for this information, so I find this especially convenient. And I love the Insider Tips (like the location of the queitest rooms) Room 77 features on each detailed listing. The site also links to Trip Advisor reviews.

And one of the best features for a budget-conscious traveler is that Room 77 lists all the current rates from all the major travel sites, with the cheapest on top (not necessarily theirs). So if Orbitz or Expedia is offering that room for less than Room 77, that's the first one you will see. 

I'm also intrigued by the site's "Room Concierge" feature: If you book your hotel through Room 77 and tell them what is most important to you (great view, quiet room, extra space) -- they will work with the hotel to get you one that best matches your needs. This is something I'd like to try!

My Travel Options

We spent a lovely weekend several years ago in the Central Coast wine country where Cal Poly is located. And we could indulge in a little tasting.

There are several hotels to choose from on the central coast: Some are located inland near the vineyards, some in the picturesque little towns of Paso Robles and San Luis Obispo and others in beach towns like Pismo Beach and Morro Bay. The best deal that weekend is at a property I've always wanted to try, the Inn at Morro Bay: With a Room 77 special rate of $106 per night ($13 less than Expedia, and $19 less than Orbitz).

Palo Alto, the home of Stanford, is another possibility -- although it might be tempting to forego the goal of having a romantic weekend and just visit with all my friends who live in Silicon Valley.

Room 77 is offering a special rate of just $99 that weekend, at the W Silicon Valley. However, a quick glance at the review shows that the hotel is actually located in the East Bay (not as close to Palo Alto as I would like). But in the next sentence, it says that it's close to the Don Edwards San Francisco Bay Wildlife Refuge, which my husband has said he'd like to visit. So this is definitely a possibility.

Of course, there's always San Francisco, which may be one of the most romantic cities in the country (and one I never get tired of visiting).

But it's expensive, and we're talking holiday weekend. And I like to stay on Union Square. I wondered what Room 77 might find for me there and predictably, I could find no four-star hotels that cost as little as the others I researched. So all things considered, $199 per night at the Hyatt Regency (in the Financial District, across from the Ferry Building) is not too shabby. 

As for free hotel parking, I actually found a few listings that offered that -- but they weren't actually IN the city.

So now I've got information -- I just need to share it with my husband and we can book!

Never wonder whether you’ve gotten the best deal on your hotel room again. Check out Room 77 when planning your next travel adventure!

I was selected for participation in this campaign as a member of Clever Girls Collective.

Sponsored Post: Thinking the UnThinkable

I begin this post with a confession. Not that I'm ever not honest with the people who happen upon this blog, which by this time is a nearly eight-year collection of confessions... 

... but I tend to be very selective about the personal information I choose to share. And this is a topic I've purposely avoided talking about, because -- oh, I don't know. It's kind of embarrassing.

But lately, I have been obsessed with trying bring more money into the house. I've been actively seeking full time work. And in between the big black hole of nothingness that is applying for jobs via Craigslist, I have accepted every opportunity that comes my way to write for pay. CBS wants me to write about a bucolic little theater in Topanga Canyon? Done. AskPatty wants to know if I can put together a little something about the opening of CarsLand at Disney's California Adventure? Of course -- even though I wasn't one of the bloggers fortunate enough to get an invite. (And that post has not gone live as of this writing).

So when my friend Yvonne Condes of MomsLA asked me if I would be interested in writing a sponsored post for one of their clients, I said "yes" -- without even looking at who that sponsor was. And when I learned that the sponsor is an attorney specializing in Estate Planning, I freaked out a little.

Actually, I freaked out a lot. 

Planning for my death is a topic I don't want to think about. Few people do. And that's a problem.

I'm really fortunate that I'm in good health. But the fact that I've had no illnesses that would force me to buckle down and make a plan means that I've managed to put it off and put it off and put it off. And we're just lucky that we haven't needed it -- yet.

When our daughter was little, my husband and I decided that if anything ever happened to us, we would want my sister and brother-in-law to raise her, but I don't think we ever put it in writing. (Does this count?)

One thing I never considered is that your choice can change as your child gets older -- and, as noted in the video below, so can your plan. 

Anyway: I was so freaked out over the subject matter that I put off writing this post until the very last minute. I realize how irrational and silly that is -- especially after viewing the video embedded below. Sona Tatiyants, Los Angeles Estate Planning Attorney, discusses the topic in a calm, no-nonsense, non-threatening manner:

I'm not getting any younger, and my recent flurry of clumsy has made me realize that I am not indestructible. I've really done my family a disservice by neglecting to create a plan. This is something I'll have to rectify very soon. 

This post is part of a sponsored campaign for Sona Tatiyants, Los Angeles Estate Planning Attorney, and MomsLA.com.

DISCLAIMER: The contents of this video are intended for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Tatiyants Law, MomsLA and (Donna Schwartz Mills) make no warranty about the accuracy or reliability of the information in this video or any linked sites.

Transmission of communication is not intended to create and receipt does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Any reliance on the information in this video is at your own risk."

 

Sponsored Post: The Oreo Century

Attention Kroger Shoppers! Shop the Kroger Cart Buster event from February 26–March 10 for great values. Find out about all the savings at www.CartBuster.com! And from February 29-March 6, download exclusive, digital coupons for Kroger’s “Deal Of The Day” for even MORE savings at http://bit.ly/wxfnlU. Happy Savings!

You may find it funny that I write so many posts about grocery shopping. 

Well, maybe you don't think that's funny, but I do. I guess that's what happens when you shift into the role of mom/consumer, which is what I've been for almost 16 years now.

When I got my first solo apartment 30 years ago (!), I didn't spend a lot of time thinking about where I purchased my groceries -- or how much they cost. I just went to whichever store I happened to be near, and bought whatever I thought I needed.

And I didn't need much: I ate out several times a week. Most of the time, that was how my friends and I socialized after work. But sometimes, it was a means to get out and be with other people, even if I didn't interact with any of them. 

Such is the life of a woman living alone -- especially one who worked odd hours in television production.

But I still had to go shopping. One video shoot I was employed on consisted of one week of 18-hour days -- with eight hours off to go home, sleep, shower and start all over again. Each night, quitting time was pushed back later and later -- so by the end of the week, we were driving home in the wee hours of the morning.

At the end of the week, I remember realizing that I was out of cat food. So I went to the 24-hour Ralph's to pick some up -- along with my other single gal staples: non-fat yogurt, several boxes of Lean Cuisine... and Oreos.

I know that sounds inconsistent -- all that diet food and then, Oreos. But a girl's gotta have a few vices, right? 

Besides: Who doesn't love Oreos? 

Back in those days, I would occasionally host a party with my best friend -- which meant buying a lot of beer and wine and serving munchies, like chips and salsa. Right next to the bowl of chips, we'd also have one filled with Oreos. It might not sound like hipster food --but our guests scarfed those Oreos right up.

(At this point, I have to assure you that, believe it or not, 30 years ago, I was pretty darned cool -- one of the members of Devo showed up at one of those parties! No kidding!)

This is what I was thinking about this morning when I heard on NPR that today is the 100th anniversary of the Oreo cookie. It's kind of comforting to know that this very American confection is still going strong.

In honor of the anniversary, Ralph's (a Kroger store) is running a CartBuster deal for $1.50 off on Oreos, today. I love the fact that you never have to clip the coupons on the Cartbuster site: They are digital downloads to the Ralph's loyalty card I already use to get the best pricing on the  groceries I buy there.  I also like knowing that I don't have to use the coupons I download right away; the one I downloaded for the Oreos will work until March 13. Easy, peasy.

Thank you to Kroger for sponsoring my participation in the “Deal Of The Day” promotion. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective. All opinions expressed here are my own.

 

Sponsored Post: People Who Need Funny People

If you've followed me for any length of time, you know that I enjoy comedy. That might not be apparent by recent posts, where I kvetch about my age, my health, my weight, my house, my kid, the school system, the government, the quality of restaurants in my neighborhood, the economy, the job market...

(Sheesh. I've been a complete crab lately. But I digress.)

This has not always been the case. There was a time when I had a spring in my step, a song in my heart and hope for a future where I would work as a writer of... comedy.

And then I came to my senses and realized I did not have what it takes to be a comedy writer. 

But I'm still an aficionado. I like to laugh (who doesn't?) -- and I don't care where those laughs are coming from.

I am an equal opportunity giggler. I'm just as likely to purchase a ticket to see a sophisticated comedy like Midnight in Paris as I am for something a bit more "lowbrow," like SuperBad or even Reno 911. As the Tonight Show writers used to say when they were ordering me around in the 1980's:

The audience will forgive you anything, as long as it's funny.

So it should not surprise anyone to know that I'm a fan of Adam Sandler (even if I still tend to think of him as that youngster who was SNL's "Opera Man.") 

Sandler's movies are often dismissed by critics as juvenile, silly, sophomoric and an excuse to keep casting Rob Schneider (who I still think of as the guy in the SNL copy machine sketch). 

But the films succeed for one reason: they're funny and he's funny in them -- and occasionally, he appears in one that transcends his usual goofy persona (Funny People was one with serious undertones).

I was surprised to discover that Adam Sandler has acted in more than 40 motion pictures and television shows -- and is credited as a producer on 37 productions (and a writer on 17). Hollywood doesn't just allow you to have a career like that -- you have to earn it by performing at the box office. And that's exactly what Sandler has done.

My favorites were the two he starred in with Drew Barrymore:  The Wedding Singer and 50 First Dates, which were not just funny, but sweet.

And as a parent, I really like the fact that I feel comfortable watching his movies with my daughter, who is a lot more appreciative when they veer towards gross-out comedy -- not that there's anything wrong with that. 

After all: The audience will forgive you anything, as long as it's funny.

Sponsored by "Jack and Jill",  Now on Blu-ray™, Combo Pack & DVD

Sponsored Post: Dining With Friends

This post is sponsored by Serve from American Express. Sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below by December 31 within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account!

Once a month during the school year, I go out to dinner with the other women in my carpool. I look forward to it -- and not only because it's one of the few opportunities I have to socialize with people who are not my family (not that I don't love my family! But you know what I mean).

Our kids are so independent now, this is really the only time I get to see these women (which is so different from the days when we hung around the kitchen during arranged playdates).

There was a little bit of an urgency to Tuesday night's dinner: We weren't able to make one happen in November, and with the holidays approaching quickly, we needed to DO IT NOW. 

"For some reason, I'm having trouble getting into the mood," my friend Amy said on the drive over. She fired up her holiday music playlist. Annie Lennox's dulcet voice on Winter Wonderland should have done the trick -- but it wasn't working.

The rest of us nodded in agreement. We all have reasons this year to be in December denial (for me, it's the renovation project that forced us to dismantle our entertainment system... it ain't Christmas for me until I've watched my DVD of Love, Actually two or three times).

We got a lot merrier as the evening progressed, and I credit the cocktails. We always go to the same restaurant: PF Chang's at the Sherman Oaks Galleria, because two of the women are vegetarian and they have wonderful veggie options there -- but you can still get cocktails. And let's face it: when moms get together, they're either drinking coffee or cocktails (depending on the time of day) -- which is why so many mom blogs use those drinks as themes.

I ordered a Coconut Lemon Sour, which sounds like a rum-based chi-chi type drink, but it's not: it's made with coconut vodka, coconut water and lemon juice -- which makes it refreshing and not overwhelmingly sweet. And since I wasn't driving, I had two of them.

I can't remember what the other women drank; all I know is that we had a great time talking about our kids, their school, our husbands -- and the fashion hits and misses of the people passing by the restaurant on their way to either the Magic Johnson gym or the ArcLight theatre.

(The center's office building houses some entertainment companies and the retail spaces include other restaurants, a discount shoe store, and a Burke Williams spa - so it attracts a really wide cross-section of Valleyites; making it a prime spot for people watching.)

Introducing Serve

But the real fun began at the end of the meal, when it was time to divvy up the check. Our dinner this month was sponsored by Serve, the new digital payments platform from American Express. It's a prepaid, rechargeable debit card with an accompanying smartphone app that makes it easy to send and receive payments (and split a restaurant bill, without having to do a lot of math or worry about counting cash).

We had all signed up for Serve and downloaded the app prior to our meal (which means we were each rewarded with a bonus $10 American Express is giving to everyone who sets up a Serve account before January 5, 2012 - plus, you can earn $5 for every person you refer  -- up to $50). 

The first thing we did was play with the send and receiving function - which was as easy as pushing a button on the smartphone app. Your available balance is easy to see in the upper left-hand corner... and if there's somewhat less in there than you remembered (an occupational hazard if you're using the card to pay for boozy dinners), the transaction function will quickly remind you about that happy hour you spent last week after the PTA meeting and show you any transactions that may still be pending (i.e., a silent auction bid that hasn't yet been accepted).

But Serve's killer app may be the Split the Bill function, where you input the total cost of the check, the number of people at the table and the percentage of tip you want to leave. Serve not only computes each person's share, but automatically sends them a request for it... and settles up quickly and easily. And it's comforting to know that by doing it through Serve, it's safe and secure.

There is also a Pizza Party function that operates on the same principle as Split the Bill -- only it figures out each person's share of one or more pizzas. I personally think that function is redundant, but I don't think I've ever tried to split the cost of pizza, so what do I know?

I noticed on the Serve website that there are a number of customizable widgets you can use for selling items online, crowd-funding and charitable fundraising. Those are functions I may explore further in the New Year.

You can also set up sub-accounts for your kids, which may be a good way to pay allowances. I may try that out, too.

All in all, I think Serve is a nice addition to my portfolio of personal finance tools (and we all know how much I need those!)

I can't wait for next month's dinner with the girls.

Remember to sign up for Serve and receive $10 credit towards your first use. Comment below by December 31 within the next 7 days for your chance to win an extra $100 credit to your account! Official sweepstakes rules and regulations may be found by clicking here. I was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.