Friday, May 31, 2013

Want to Print cheaper? I'll tell you how I saved over $400 a year!

*This post contains affiliate links - Amazon prices fluctuate daily so double check before buying* 


printer laser saving money homeschool
I think most homeschoolers are looking for an affordable printing at home option.  I just can't see rushing to staples to make copies EVER!  I have a cheap canon inkjet printer currently.  This was a great option when I only printed occasionally because I wasn't using very much ink. However when we become homeschoolers I found that I needed a much better option. I was printing entire textbooks occasionally and the kids projects had them printing often too

TIPS:

  • Look at the cost of INK/Toner - do some comparison shopping because there is a huge range
  • Consider what you will be printing (Black/white or color)
  • Consider your space

 We decided what worked best for us is two printers. We have the standard color printer which happens to be a Canon at the moment. They don't honestly last forever so I buy the cheapest and just replace every few years. The ink is expensive but we go through one set about once a year.


Next we purchased a laser printer. We've had it for sometime and we have found we are saving a ton of money. Ours only does black/white printing but I'm okay with that for now. I may go bigger next time and get the color laser printer but that does cost more and the toner is more as well. So maybe not.

For the laser printer we needed it to be able to scan/copy and print. I spent about $150 (prices fluctuate as models change.) I spend about $40 for the toner and get about 3000 sheets printed. I think we go through two things of toner a year. Which is a huge saving on ink.


laser printer homeschool

Now before you rush out here are some things you should consider:

  • Do you want copy capabilities?
  • Do you need wireless
  • Duplex printing options (front/back)

I wanted ALL of those options so we went with the Brother HL 2280DW .

Now the toner is $42.99 with Amazon Prime and estimates 2600 sheets (for a high yield cartridge).  A lower yield (1200 sheets) is about $30.00 with Amazon Prime.



I hope this post helps you - I found that this question seems to be asked all the time on the homeschooling boards so I thought I would share my experience. 



ARupLife.com DID NOT received product, press or compensation to facilitate this review. This post may contain affiliate links, which means that by clicking on an affiliate link I may receive a small amount of money. We only give our honest opinions of products. This post is in accordance with the FTC 10 CFR, Part 255 concerning the use, endorsements or testimonials in advertising. Lisa Rupertus/ A Rup LIfe is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Homeschool Conference Take *2*!

I was lucky enough or crazy enough if you want to call it that... to attend another homeschool conference this season.  This one was Enoch in Edison, NJ.  I have to say the speakers at this convention were just what I needed.

 Zan Tyler from Apologia was awesome!  I loved hearing her speak.  She spoke of the beginning of her homeschooling career and how she was almost jailed for being a pioneer.  There were no co-ops back then.  I loved hearing how The Lord led her and provided every step of the way.  What an encouragement.  I was also struck by the thought that we are about to embark on that same mission again.  Do not be fooled - the laws are going to be tightened.  Look at the German Homeschool family that is seeking asylum.  That is going to affect all of us USA homeschoolers. 

I also enjoyed hearing Janice Campbell.  What an encouragement she was for my blogging experience.  I have some things on the horizon based on the two sessions I heard.  I see big things happening for us! 


The biggest difference was the size of Enoch compared to Chap.  I have to say I really enjoyed the smaller forum.  The location itself was much better and condensed. I had the pleasure to attend the Used Book Sale and WOW!  I made out like a bandit!  At Chap I couldn't touch that place it was so crowded.  Now don't get me wrong this was THE happening spot at Enoch as well.  There was more selections and merchandise though with fewer people than Chap.  That alone made this the highlight of my conference experience.

Overall I learned a few things:

  • Dress comfortably
  • Bring a snack/water 
  • Go where the speakers that apply to you are - that is really what this whole experience should be about since you can find a good deal on curriculum online nowadays.
  • Bring a friend or two and stay overnight if possible!  -  That really was a fun part of the whole experience even though I agonized about leaving the kids!
  • Bring a rolling cart if you have one because books are heavy!  I used a tote and well...


Did you go to any conferences this year?  If show we'd love to hear your experience in the comments! 

Thursday, May 30, 2013

Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1 *NOW* on DVD!

A copy of this movie was provided by WHV for review purposes.  This post contains affiliate links.
My kids LOVE Tom & Jerry! I love sharing my childhood favorite shows with them!  This DVD is all new featuring Tom & Jerry as children!!  

Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1 is available at your local retailers or online at Amazon


About:

Tom and Jerry’s rivalry goes way back to the time Tom was just a small kitten and Jerry a baby mouse. Their rollicking adventures as tiny tots are captured on Warner Bros. Home Entertainment’s DVD release of Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1, available April 30, 2013. This entertaining release will be comprised of 13 episodes on a two-disc set, for over four hours of exciting, Tom and Jerry hi-jinks. Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1, will retail for $19.97 SRP.

On Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1, the popular cat and mouse are featured as adorable little tykes, but don’t be fooled! Tom and Jerry are every bit as rambunctious as kids as they are in their adult years. In fact, their youthful shenanigans set the course for what was to come. Joined by their pals, Droopy, Dripple, Spike and Tyke, Tom and Jerry bring on the giggles and good times in this set of 13 episodes that are sure to make every member of the family laugh out loud.

In Toys Will Be Toys, Tom’s nap in a toy store is interrupted by Jerry’s snoring. He resorts to some very playful and creative ways to capture the little mouse by using the store’s merchandise. In Bat Mouse, Jerry is tired of being frightened by Tom and gets a hold of an instructional video tape that teaches him how to become a “Bat Mouse,” a brave superhero-type character who he thinks will finally help him defeat Tom. In Droopy of the Opera, Droopy is a famous tenor known to audiences as Drooperotti. Tom is smitten with a beautiful Southern Belle feline on Sugar Belle Loves Tom, Sometimes. On Medieval Mouse, Tom earns his knighthood but not until after he and Jerry finally stop their scuffling in their owner’s castle. These and several other entertaining episodes are featured on this must-own set.

Tom and Jerry Kids Show The Complete Season 1 is loaded with great, animated fun the whole family can watch together. Children will enjoy experiencing kid-versions of Tom and Jerry’s characters,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animation and Partner Brands Marketing.  She added, now, even the youngest of animation fans can enjoy Tom and Jerry’s unique brand of comedy.”

Tom and Jerry Kids Show originally premiered in 1990 on Fox Kids and ran through 1994.

Featured Episodes:

1.      Flippin’ Fido/Dakota Droopy & the Lost Dutch Boy Mine/Dog Daze Afternoon
2.      Toys Will Be Toys/Droopy Delivers/My Pal
3.      Prehistoric Pals/Super Droop & Dripple Boy Meet the Yolker/Marvelous Marvin
4.      Bat Mouse/Puss n’ Pups/Outer Space Rover
5.      The Vermin/Aerobic Droopy/Mouse Scouts
6.      Sugar Belle Loves Tom, Sometimes/Mall Mouse/Super Duper Spike
7.      Cosmic Chaos/Droopy of the Opera/Beach Bummers
8.      Gator Baiter/Hoodwinked Cat/Medieval Mouse
9.      Clyde to the Rescue/Droopio & Juliet/Maze Monster Zap Men
10.  Crash Condor/Yo Ho Ho…Bub/Scrub-a-Dub Tom
11.  No Biz Like Snow Biz/The Maltese Poodle/Cast Away Tom
12.  The Little Urfulls/Droopo-First Bloodhound/Indy Mouse 500
13.  Exterminator Cometh/Foreign Legion Frenzy/Urfo Returns

The Credits

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com.

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Taz-Mania: Taz On The Loose Season 1 Part 1 DVD

A copy of this movie was provided by WHV for review purposes.  This post contains affiliate links. 
Do you have a favorite Looney Tune?  I have to say I have a soft spot for The Road Runner but Taz is probably a close second!  Did you know there is a new DVD that is all Taz?


About:

Meet Taz, the mischievous teenage Tasmanian Devil who lives on the fictional island of Tazmania with his family and friends on Taz-Mania: Taz On The Loose Season 1 Part 1, available from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment May 14, 2013. This rip-roaring release features 13 episodes of the hilarious Saturday morning cartoon which stars one of Looney Tunes’ most popular, classic characters, The Tasmanian Devil as he sets out on a series of entertaining adventures in the beautiful wilds of Tazmania, where he lives with his mom, dad and two younger siblings. Taz-Mania: Taz On The Loose Season 1 Part 1 will retail for $19.97 SRP.

Clear the way! Here comes Taz, a whirlwind of terror and destruction. He’s a teenage Tasmanian Devil with a voracious appetite who devours nearly everything in his path, even his sister Molly’s beloved New Chips off the Block action figures! Sibling rivalry is tough, especially when you have a little sister who is the typical teenage girl who regularly gets on your nerves. Then there’s little brother Jake, who looks up to Taz and idolizes his big brother.  Mom, Jean, is a dedicated mother who runs a shipshape household and loves her kids. Hugh is Taz’s easy-going dad, who enjoys playing golf.  One of Taz’ best friends is his loyal pet, Dog the Turtle, a turtle who behaves just like a dog and even enjoys playing fetch! Together, the close-knit family of Tasmanian Devils, live on the lush, exotic island of Tazmania, where the sky is always a vibrant shade of yellow and adventures abound. Joining them is a lively cast of characters including, Constance Koala, Daniel and Timothy Platypus, Digeri Dingo, Wendal T. Wolf, Mr. Thickley and many others.

In Taz-Mania: Taz On The Loose Season 1 Part 1, Taz finds himself in an assortment of entertaining escapades. Viewers learn the story of how Taz first met his loyal and beloved pet, Dog the Turtle. Taz is persuaded by the devious Digeri Dingo to look for a sunken treasure, even though Taz hates the water! When Jean and Hugh go visit grandmother who is feeling under the weather, Taz is left home alone without parental supervision with his little brother and sister. These and several other adventures are featured on the DVD.

Taz-Mania: Taz On The Loose is the perfect animated title for the whole family to watch together,” said Mary Ellen Thomas, Vice President Family & Animation and Partner Brands Marketing.  She added, “Each episode is filled with clever jokes for adults to enjoy and entertaining adventures that are sure to capture kids’ imaginations. Combine this with gorgeous animation and you’ve got a terrific Looney Tunes release you won’t want to miss.”

Taz-Mania originally premiered in 1991 on Fox Kids and ran through 1995.

Featured Episodes:

1.      Like Father, Like Son; Frights of Passage
2.      The Dog The Turtle Story
3.      War & Pieces; Airbourne Airhead
4.      Battling Bushrats; Devil in the Deep Blue Sea
5.      A Devil of a Job
6.      Woeful Wolf
7.      It’s No Picnic; Kee-Wee ala King
8.      Here, Kitty, Kitty, Kitty; Enter the Devil
9.      Mishap in the Mist; Toothache Taz
10.  Bewitched Bob
11.  Instant Replay; Taz and the Pterodactyl
12.  Comic Madness; Blunders Never Cease
13.  Pup Goes the Wendal; I’m OK, You’re Taz
 
The Credits

About Warner Bros. Home Entertainment, Inc.
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) brings together Warner Bros. Entertainment's home video, digital distribution, interactive entertainment, technical operations and anti-piracy businesses in order to maximize current and next-generation distribution scenarios. An industry leader since its inception, WBHE oversees the global distribution of content through packaged goods (Blu-ray Disc™ and DVD) and digital media in the form of electronic sell-through and video-on-demand via cable, satellite, online and mobile channels, and is a significant developer and publisher for console and online video game titles worldwide. WBHE distributes its product through third party retail partners and licensees, as well as directly to consumers through WBShop.com.


Taz-Mania: Taz On The Loose Season 1 Part 1 is available at your local retailers and online at Amazon!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Homeschool Conference Season Take 1! TIPS included!

This year has flown by!  I can't believe we are down to the last 2 weeks of school!  In September that seemed so far away and now it is here!  We accomplished TONS - and a blog post is to come on all of that information.  Right now I want to share my thoughts about my first conference!

I went to CHAP this year with 2 good friends.  This was a big adventure for me because I'm not a big fan of leaving my children for more than a few hours.  (I do let the bigs go to Grandmom's for the weekend but my little hasn't left overnight yet.)  Thankfully I have a WONDERFUL husband that is AWESOME with the kids including our youngest.  So I felt safe leaving just a bit sad. 

We left the night before the convention because it was almost 3 hours away from home.  I think next year I will consider location a little more because it was a lot to come in late at night on Thursday and get up early to start a LONG day. 

We had some traffic/getting lost issues both days mostly because there was a huge accident that caused a road with a bridge to be shut down.  Of course our SIRI and the GPS didn't take that into consideration so lots of circling until we found our way.  So we did miss the first few sessions.

CHAP puts on a big production.  100s of vendors was quite overwhelming.  I was honestly not a fan of the Farm Show building it was HUGE - like football field huge - possibly 2 of them.  It was also a little gross with animal smells.  We had to park far too and with all those books you buy that was a pain.  There was a book check which I did the 2nd day but you do have to pay for that.

This years classes weren't all that interesting to me.  A lot of learning disability talks which doesn't apply to me at all.  I still liked the handful I sat in on and did learn a lot from Sandi Queen on learning styles. 

So what did I do?  I SHOPPED!! There was so many bright and shiny curriculum places to look and browse and SPEND!!  HA!  I managed to get a bunch of stuff on my list which is awesome. 

All in all it was a great experience once I got over the used book sale part.  I love bargains but that place was not worth the stress AT ALL!  People were beyond rude and would not move on - just stood there doing NOTHING but being in the way. 

TIPS:

  • Wear comfortable clothing/shoes
  • Have a list of what you need - because you will buy WAY more if not
  • Check prices before you go - some are great at convention and some are awful!
  • Take breaks to sit and eat or get a drink
  • Plan time to shop because you might find something you have never seen before
  • Look for the Kid Entrepreneurs  and try to support them - we got an awesome pillow from one young lady that was handmade - probably my favorite purchase!


So I'm heading to another convention this weekend that is a little closer and a little smaller.  I'm going to compare the two and see which suits me better for next year.  This one has several workshops I can't wait to hear so I'm super excited!