Technology
Stem toys, Steam toys, smart appliances and technology that makes your home work more efficiently. The pace of technology is rapid-fire and ever changing. Here's why it pays to stay on top of what's hot and what's not. This section of Thrifty Mommas Tips is basically the intersection of where technology lives and exists to make your life better. Technology exists everywhere we look right now and it is evolving every second. Apps are always with us and ready to be engaged or downloaded, but which ones are worth the time and real estate on your phone? For that matter, which phone is the one you want to partner with for the next two years? From the computer and camera in your pocket every day to the doorbell, the smart TV and dishwasher that texts you messages when something is wrong, electronics and gadgets can be brilliant tools that enhance our lives. Your home right now has never been more tapped in, or smarter reading your activity and comfort to achieve a better lifestyle for your family. But these same consumer electronics and apps can also be intrusive or frustrating and expensive if they are not what you expect. How is a person to know what to spend time on? I vet things thoroughly here, from cameras to small appliances, smart thermostats, steam dishwashers, and fun toys so that you can buy with confidence. These are my favourite things that exist right now in the technology space.
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Summer Reading Adventures with KOBO Aura H20
Summer is my favourite time for reading. I love to take my reader to the beach or just sit next to the pool and read a good book. I enjoy a good story year round, but there’s nothing nicer than a beautiful sunny day with a favourite book. Much of my summer revolves around the beach and the pool. This year I don’t need to worry about getting splashed poolside, or dropping a book in the water because I have my waterproof Kobo Aura H20 to do all my summer reading. Summer Reading Means Fun in the Sun – and Even in the Water I love the summer. Love it.…
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Creative Teaching – Seven Inspiring Educators Using Microsoft Technology
Educators who model Creative teaching with technology in the classroom are inspiring to their peers, and their students. They set an example of what is possible and they nurture an engaged and inclusive classroom. When teachers take an approach to learning that’s outside of the box, it sparks a great love of discovery and learning in our children, especially those with unique or special needs. Instead of staring at a page in a text book, children can explore in new, interactive ways. Creative teaching can help nurture all children’s strengths, and Microsoft is front and centre building inclusive programs and classrooms. Last week I shared a bit of information about my daughters and…
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Building an Inclusive Classroom With Microsoft
Technology has the power to make lives better. The right technology can help us break down barriers, stay in our homes longer, or tackle health challenges head on. In schools, technology has incredible potential to help build ability, to help every child transcend barriers to education and achieve a bright future. Microsoft Canada is working to help every teacher embrace technology and build an inclusive classroom. My daughters are amazing girls with many strengths and a few challenges. They both fall squarely within the 3.2% of Canadian children aged 5 to 14 affected by a limitation related to learning. That statistic comes from the Participation and Activity Limitation Survey by Statistics Canada. We know kids…
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Beside-U Travel Bags – Safe, Secure and Fashionable #Giveaway
Beside-U travel bags are designed for both everyday use and travel use. Beside-U’s everyday, and travel friendly design makes these bags the perfect solution for any trip. They are attractive, reliable and just the right size for your personal or professional travel needs. Beside-U bags also feature a secure RFID ( Radio Frequency Identification) guarded pocket to protect your sensitive credit card information. That detail makes them my new favourite travel product. Let me tell you why. Beside-U Bags – The Name Says it All I love Tap & Go™, and Interac Flash Technologies. I use Tap & Go™ at stores where they have it available as an option. It’s fast and efficient.…
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How Did Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor Help Me Tackle High Blood Pressure
In September of 2014 I had my first high blood pressure reading ever. It was frightening and frustrating too. So I set about fixing it. I worked out more, I went gluten free. I added more exercise. I banished salt, ate differently, walked more..and I did all that consistently for two years and still nothing much changed. My blood pressure went up and down. But sometimes it was as high as 150 over 92. About two months ago a Withings wireless blood pressure monitor arrived. And that’s when things finally turned around for the better. Before Withings Wireless Blood Pressure Monitor: Month after month I used to check my blood…
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Managing Your Child’s Kik Account
If you have a tween or teen, chances are good their phones have a KIK account. KIK is a third party messaging app, that allows users to send texts and pictures outside of their phone’s native messaging system. One of the many problems with a KIK account is that it’s difficult to track messaging by normal means. It is a private texting app that, in my opinion, is not extremely necessary if messaging and texting via the usual channels. What is a KIK Account KIK is an app that allows texting and photo sharing outside of a phone’s stock messaging apparatus. That means that normal means of looking at texts is out…
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Aftershokz Bluez 2S WILL ROCK YOUR WORLD #Giveaway #BeOpen
Aftershokz Bluez 2S arrived here two days ago and I’ve barely taken them off. Truth. They rock my world and are changing the way I work, the way I work out, and walk, and do even the most tedious every day tasks. They are my Go To Headphones and they are truly unique, sturdier than you might ever imagine and honestly pretty stylish too. Wireless tech is nailing it this year. And that makes me happy. I have a wireless blood pressure monitor that I am using currently and it’s also making me healthier so Here’s to wireless gadgets that add value to my day and my health. BRING them on.…
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Five Free Fitness Apps To Help This Year
One of the most common New Year’s resolutions is to get fit, boost your health, and lose weight, but a lot of times it seems impossible to do. Whether it’s because you’re unmotivated, not challenged or just because you LOVE food, doing it on your own and with no help from a diet plan or workout routine can be difficult. But not with these 5 Free Fitness Apps This Year. Coming up with a plan that works for you individually is the best way to make your resolution become a reality. For some, that might mean trying a handful of different things before getting it right but once you do, you’ll…
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Online Safety for Kids – 3 Tips to Keep Them Safe
Online safety is paramount for children. Kids that are old enough to use the internet are still too young to exercise adequate caution. That’s why it’s so important for parents to teach them how to make online safety a constant part of their internet experience. I could tell you stories already of both my kids stumbling across things I’d rather they didn’t see at all. It’s much too easy to accidentally type the wrong search term and suddenly be confronted with something completely inappropriate for children. Tweens and teens are no different. If you think that they know more than you about social media and engaging on line, then quite frankly…
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Getting Organized For the Holiday Season with Microsoft Office 365
Getting Organized During Holidays and afterwards during the new year can be a huge hurdle. It might seem daunting from where you sit looking out over your mound of papers on that messy dining room table or office desk, but here’s the thing you just need to break it down and make it work. Getting organized is the key to a happy, stress-free holiday. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or something else, getting organized and staying organized is the best way to enjoy the holiday season. Happily for you, I have a few thoughts and tips on how to get and stay organized this holiday season and well into the…
