[Closed] - GIVEAWAY - Mango Languages

Are you traveling abroad soon? Well, even if you're not, taking up another language always keeps you a step ahead of most people. In certain job markets, being bi- or multi-lingual gets you higher pay. Even if you are not fluent in the other language simply keeping up a conversation in anything other than English looks great to employers. I, myself, am multi-lingual. Spanish was my first language and I have been speaking, writing and reading English for 13-14 years, both fluently. When I got the chance to review Mango Languages in any language of my choice, I immediately thought of Chinese. It was great to be able to re-learn some basic Chinese on my free time. I might not be traveling to China anytime soon, but it is a language I love and am exposed to daily.

Mango Languages is an online language learning software that uses a fun and effective flashcard-type method to help you learn the basics of your chosen language. The software is extremely easy to navigate and the interface is rather simple. As soon as you open the program you choose your chapter and begin. I found it very easy to use. I chose to review Mango Languages in Mandarin, which is the most spoken dialect of Chinese. The software came packed with 10 chapters, which contained 81 lessons in total. Each chapter has a review at the end to recap what you were taught during the lessons in the chapter. During your lessons, you'll be shown words or phrases (color-coded) that the narrator will have you repeat or remember. During this time you'll hear the correct pronunciation and the pinyin for the words or phrases when you move your mouse over the words.

With this software, I was allowed to record my voice and compare it to a native speaker. This is a very important feature that has and will continue to build my confidence to speak and practice the language with friends and strangers. Critical thinking exercises, literal translations and their understood meanings, cultural notes and grammar notes are present throughout the system. The culture notes truly set Mango Languages apart from a lot of other language-learning systems. Since the software is geared towards travelers, culture notes come in handy with someone who is not familiar with a country or their culture or customs. See this cultural note below:

If I were a traveler unaware of China's culture and customs I would be very confused if I were to go into an elevator and saw the 4th floor's button missing. In Chinese, the word for four sounds quite similar to the word for death and many buildings and addresses exclude the number because we believe it is bad luck.

I find Mango Languages being a great system for those wanting to learn a language, mainly for conversation. It doesn't focus much on grammar or Chinese characters, but the color-coding does help distinguish order (syntax; as Mandarin has no grammatical tense). I would not recommend Mango Languages to someone wanting to fully learn a language fluently (read, write, speak), that is best sought in a more well-rounded program. Mango Languages is best for those wanting to quickly learn a language mainly for practical conversation. Mango Languages would be great for travelers, those who actually visit the country and want or need to converse and communicate with the native speakers.

In conclusion, I am very impressed with the system and absolutely love that you can do it at your own pace. Mango Languages in Mandarin Chinese is available to buy and download as Mango Passport $200, Mango Passport Bundle $250 or Mango On The Go! $100. Mango Languages is available is available in 17 languages, which include Spanish, German and English as a second language (ESL). Mango Languages has been generous enough to provide one of my readers a copy of their own Mango Languages! What a great gift for those wanting to learn a new language as a New Years Resolution! You can also visit Mango Languages and download and print a PDF Gift Certificate to wrap up to give to someone :)

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GIVEAWAY:

One (1) Winner will receive:

★(1) - Mango Languages Bundle; Language of Winner's Choice

WINNER:

#91 - Tasia from One Step At A Time

Congrats! Winner was chosen via Random.org.

To Enter:

★(Required) Visit Mango Languages and let me know which language you want to learn or who you'll "gift" this too if you win! :)

Optional Entries:

★(1 Entry) - Follow My Blog (Google Friend Connect)

★(1 Entry) - Subscribe To My Feed

★(1 Entry) - "Like" Mango Languages On Facebook. (Leave Username)

★(1 Entry) - Follow @MangoLanguages On Twitter (Leave Username)

★(1 Entry) - "Like" StudentSavingBucks On Facebook. (Leave Username)

★(1 Entry) - Follow @SSBucks On Twitter (Leave Username)

★(2 Entries) - Add My Button On Your Blog

★(1 Entry)  - Share on Facebook or Tweet the Following: I entered to win @MangoLanguages Bundle from @SSBucks I want to Learn a new language! #GIVEAWAY! ENDS: 1/3 http://fb.me/zZN1dlJx 


Leave a comment for each of the things you did for extra entries. Leave a link for tweets or blog posts, if applicable. Available to U.S. residents only. GOOD LUCK. Giveaway will end January 3rd, 2010 and a winner will be chosen then.

NOTE: Make sure you read the full Giveaway Rules before entering. If you'd like, leave what state you reside in alongside your name. I will no longer be posting giveaway winner's emails for your privacy.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question, from the company or their representing  PR company,  free of charge in exchange for my review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review.

College Semester is OVER!

The College Semester is OVER! I'm done with finals, and quite frankly, I'm glad! I love learning but trying to juggle everything I do was getting a little overwhelming. BUT, I got through it like a champ! :) Now that my finals and semester are over I can put a little more focus on my blog :) Maybe its time for a little celebration with a Heineken Mini-Keg, these things are so adorable! lol.

I'm so anxious for my iPod Touch to get here already, but I guess it will be here early next week. I'm so impatient! In the mean time I have to go read up and learn about iTunes lol.

I want to thank ALL of you guys for sticking around these couple of months I was in school, I tried my best to have everything up when it was suppose to be up. I like things to be nice and neat, so I have a schedule of when to post what. I'm sure you guys have noticed the consistency, right? lol :) I got a coupe of great giveaways coming up for you guys too, so stick with me :)

ANYONE IN LOS ANGELES?

I want to try out some new restaurants or bakeries. If you guys live in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley area, I'd be grateful if you could recommend some places for me to drop by! Anything, excluding seafood! In return, i recommend you guys try Portos Bakery, i mentioned it in my previous post. Some of the greatest pastries and certainly the best Cuban Sandwich anywhere in the L.A. Area!

Target Ad for 12/19 - 12/25

Here is a partial list of deals for the Target Weekly Ad of December 19 2010. I don't list the whole ad, just Grocery, Pets, Beauty and Household. Mainly, only things that can be matched with coupons. This week is a bit scarce due to the Holidays. Remember, Ads may vary, I'm located in the Los Angeles Area in Southern California.

New to couponing at Target? Check out the Target 101 starter post for info and policies. 

If you ever need extra coupons or didn't get regional coupons, try CouponClippers.com.

Groceries:
FREE Cool Whip (8oz.) wyb Any (1) Edwards Multi-Serve Frozen Pie:
•Edwards Frozen Mult-Serve Pies (10") $4.74 
$0.50/2 Kraft Cool Whip 7 oz Toppings Target Q
$1/2 Kraft Cool Whip Topping Tubs (printable) 

Fresh Golden-Ripe Pineapple $2.99
California Clementines, Box (5lb.) $4.99

$0.55/1; $1/1 Cuties 5 lb box 12/5 SS

Fresh Asparagus, Bag (12oz.) $1.49
Market Pantry Russet Potatoes, Bag (5lb.) $1.99
Fresh Baby Carrots (1lb.), Whole White Mushrooms (8oz.) Package $1.49
Frozen Green Giant or Birds Eyes Vegetables (7-12oz.) $1
$0.50/2 Birds Eye Vegetables 12/12 SS
$0.50/1 Birds Eye Vegetables, any (printable)
$1/3; .60/3 Green Giant frozen boxed vegetables, any variety, any three 11/14 GM
$1/3; .60/3 Green Giant frozen boxed vegetables, any variety, any 12/5 GM

Dole Hearts of Romaine Bagged Salad (10oz.) 2 for $5
Market Pantry Frozen Certified -Sustainable Cooked Tail-On Shrimp (41-50ct., 16oz) $6
Market Pantry Frozen Turkey Breast $0.98/lb.
Archer Farms Spiral-Sliced Honey Ham $1.89/lb.

DiGiorno Pizza (12") 2 for $9
$1/1 Digiorno Pizza 12" or larger 11/14 RP 
Market Pantry Shredded or Blocks (6-8oz.) $1.89
$1/2 Market Pantry Shredded or Block Cheese Target Q
Campbell's Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup (10.75oz.) $0.60
$0.75/3 Campbell’s Cooking Soups Target Q
$1/4 Campbell’s Great for Cooking Condensed Soup (printable)
$0.25/4 Campbell’s Condensed Great for Cooking soups 11/7 SS
Market Pantry Dinner Rolls (12ct.) $1.50
Post or General Mills Cereals (11.25 - 25oz.) $2.75
FREE Marshmallows (Kraft or Mkt. Pantry) wyb (2) Kellogg’s Rice or Cocoa Krispies Target Q 12/5 RP
$1/2 Kellogg’s Crispix, All-Bran, Rice Krispies and/or Corn Flakes Cereals 10 oz+ 12/5 RP
$1/2 Kellogg’s Rice Krispies and/or Cocoa Krispies Cereals (10 oz. or +) (printable)
$1/3 Kellogg’s Cereals Any, (10 oz. or +) (printable)
$1/3 Kellogg’s cereals 10 oz+ 11/14 RP

Dreyer's Ice Cream (1.5qt.) 2 for $6
Holiday Iced Cookies (10ct.) $2.75
Archer Farms Blue Corn Tortilla Chips w/ Flaxseed (14oz.) 2 for $5
Pepperidge Farm Milano Slices (13.25oz.), Piroutte (13.5oz.) $4.99
Holiday York Peppermint Patty Pieces (11oz.), Reese's Miniatures (11oz.) Bags 2 for $5
B2G1 Hershey’s Miniatures, Kisses, Reese’s, York 8 oz+ 12/5 SS
$1/1 Hershey’s Reese’s Miniatures 12 or 19.75 oz Target Q
Poppycock or Planters Holiday Snacks (20.5 - 20oz.) $5.99
$2/2 Planter’s Snack Items (No Size Exclusion) Target Q
$1/2 Planters products, 5oz-21.25oz 11/14 SS
$0.75/1 Orville Redenbacher’s Poppycock 8 oz+ 11/14 SS 

Archer Farms Coffee (12oz.) $6.49
$1/1 Archer Farms Bagged Coffee 12 oz. Target Q
Middle Sister Wine (750mL) $8.99
Coca-Cola Products; Cans (12pk.) 4 for $12
Coca-Cola Bottles (2-liters) 3 for $4
B3G1 FREE Coca Cola 2 liter Soda Target Q

Beauty / Health:
FREE $5 Gift Card wyb Prilosec Show Below:
•Prilosec Tablets (42ct.) $22.99
$3/1; $7/2 Prilosec OTC 42 ct, any 11/28 P&G

Kotex Regular Security Tampons (36ct.) $5.19
Systane Twin Pack Drops or Opti-Free Replenish Value Pack (10+10mL) $13
$1/1 Opti-Free Replenish 10 oz+ (printable)
$4/1 Opti-Free Solution Twin Pack, any 10/24 RP

$2/1 Systane Product, any (printable)
$2/1 Systane Product, any 10/24 RP

Home:
Bounty Napkins, Dixie Plates, Cups or Bowls; Solo Cups (24ct., 16oz.) 2 for $5
$0.50/1 Dixie Product any 11/14-10 SS
Hefty OneZip Bags (12-40ct.), Reynolds Wrap and Parchment Paper  2 for $5
$1/2 Hefty One Zip Bags (printable)

$0.55/1; $1/2 Reynolds Wrap Foil, excluding 20, 25, 30 sq ft. 12/5 SS 

$0.75/1; $0.85/1; $1/1 Reynolds wrap foil (excluding 20, 25, 30 sq. ft.) 11/14 SS
$0.75/1; $1/1 Reynolds Parchment Paper, any 10/3 OR 12/5 SS

Solo Cups (24ct., 16oz.) 2/5

$1/2 Solo Tabletop Partyware Items Target Q
$0.75/1 Solo Cups Plates or Bowls (printable)

Solo Cups (50ct., 18oz.) 2/$7
$1/2 Solo Tabletop Partyware Items Target Q
$0.75/1 Solo Cups Plates or Bowls (printable)

Babies:
Nothing this week.

Pets:
Nothing this week.

Page will be updated as more coupons are found

Thanks to Kerry from TotallyTarget.com for having such a great Target Coupon page!

Review - CSN Stores

I've been getting into cooking a lot lately, and I find myself trying new recipes, so when CSN gave me the opportunity for another review, I knew exactly where to go. I immediately went to cookware.com and searched for a food processor. I didn't have too search for long but the decision was difficult. There were so many to choose from, I wanted an Aluminum, Chrome or Stainless Steel processor, but they were priced very high.

I ultimately decided on the Hamilton Beach 10-Cup Food Processor, in White., which sells for $42.99. The food processor was shipped fast, as usual with all my previous CSN items. When I received it I surprised at how big it was. We have never owned one, so I didn't know what to expect. It is very sturdy and doesn't feel like cheap plastic. I think the base is very large though, sort of awkward shaped. It has a 500-watt motor and a full-size 10-cup food processor with a very large feeding chute.

The food processor came with a stainless steel chopping blade and a reversible stainless disk used for shredding or slicing. I have used the food processor quite a few times already to slice potatoes, carrots and other vegetable to use in my dishes. The cuts are nice and clean. the stainless-steel blades have been great to mince and chop food and salsa when we make it. My mom seems to love how easy it makes it for her to slice vegetable for her salads. She usually makes a couple pounds every other week to take to her co-workers. Clean up is easy, no hassle there. This food processor has been great so far, I'm sure it will be included in many other dishes of mine in the future, as it gets used almost daily in my household. 

A huge thanks to CSN for the opportunity to review the food processor. I have had mostly positive experiences shopping with CSN, especially with our previous reviews, the first, and second. With over 200+ stores, and more new ones popping up, you can find just about anything with them.

Disclaimer: I was NOT paid for this post, however I did receive the product in question to review. All opinions are my own and I have provided a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation for my review nor was I under any obligation to give a positive review. 

My 12/13 Target Shopping Round-Up (Saved 76%)

Made a quick trip on Monday. Suddenly felt like making chocolate chip cookies from scratch. Too bad they didn't taste good :( I blame the recipe, not myself lol. You can see some of our cute Christmas decorations is the background :)

Bought (6) Reese's Peanut Butter Cups - $0.69 each

-Used (4) Buy 1, Get 1 Free Manufacturer Qs

Bought (1) Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar - $0.69

Bought (1) Kit Kat Bar - $0.69

Bought (1) Market Pantry Brown Sugar - $1.37

Bought (1) Arm & Hammer Baking Soda - $1.18

Bought (1) Teddy Grahams Minis - $2.04

Bought (6) Purina Wet Food $1.57

-Used (6) $2/1 Manufacturer Qs (received overage)

Total - before coupons: $19.53 | after coupons: $4.77 (no tax charged)

Saved: $14.76  -or-  76%

Click Here to see my other Shopping Round-Up Trips and how much money I've saved on other trips.

WUC - Coupon Preview Wednesday For 12/19

Every Wednesday  I will be posting EARLY PREVIEWS available through (WUC) WeUseCoupons.com. I will be highlighting the best deals from (2) particular stores; CVS and Walgreens. Don't worry though, you guys will still have your Target Ad + Coupon Match-Ups too! So make sure to drop by Wednesdays and check the early previews here at StudentSavingBucks. I will have an individual post for each store. This main post will be used to direct you to early coupon insert previews.

This upcoming week you will have 0 coupon inserts. The only coupon insert for the rest of December will be the P&G in your newspapers December 26th. The preview is already available below, so click to get a very early preview :)

Coupon Previews from WUC:

•Proctor & Gamble (P&G) 12/26

Target coupons in 12/12 Inserts:*

•No target Qs in 12/19 Newspaper

*Target Coupons may be regional

WUC has a pay-per-click Affiliates Program. If you're interested click here to join. New sign ups get a $3 bonus! If you do, please list "SSBucks" as your referrer and let me know you did. Thanks

WUC - CVS Early Preview + Deals

CVS Deals on WeUseCoupons Early preview of the CVS Ad for 12/19 with coupon match-ups. The full Ad scan is available.

Here are a few highlighted deals from the CVS Ad 12/19 - 12/25:

Thermacare Neck, Wrist & shoulder heat wrap (1ct) ($2.79 ECB) - $2.79

$1 Thermacare Heatwrap (printable)

Total: $1 Money Maker after coupon and ECB (Limit 1)

Revlon Super Lustrous, Moon Drops, Color Burst Lip or Double Twist Mascara ($4 ECB) - $6.49

Total: $2.49 after coupon and ECB (Limit 6)

Pantene Shampoo or Conditioner (12.6oz.) ($2 ECB wyb 2) - 2/$6.97

BOGO Pantene Shampoo WYB any Pantene Product, Free Product, 12.6 oz or less, excludes trial size P&G 11/28

Total: $1.49 for 2 after coupon and ECB (Limit 1)

 To view the full CVS Ad + Deals, click here

WUC - Walgreens Early Preview + Deals

Walgreens Deals at WUC - Early preview of Walgreens Ad for 12/19 with coupon match-ups. The full Ad scan is available. 

Here are a few highlighted deals from the Walgreens Ad 12/19 - 12/25

  

Colgate Total Advanced Toothpaste 4oz, Wave Toothbrush (get $1.50 RR) - $2.49

$1/1 Colgate Toothpaste, 4oz+ 12/5 SS
$0.40/1 Colgate Adult or Kids Manual Toothbrush, excludes Colgate Plus and Extra Clean 12/5 SS

Total: FREE after RR and Coupon

Vick's Dayquil or Nyquil (get $2 RR) - $8.99
$1.50/1 Dayquil, any 11/28 P&G
$1.50/1 Nyquil, any  11/28 P&G 

Total: $5.49 after RR and Coupon

Other Deals:

2 FREE Red Box Rental Codes wyb Energizer Batteries
$1 Energizer Batteries or Flashlight 10/3 SS
$1 Energizer Batteries or Flashlight 11/21 SS

To view the full Walgreen Ad + Deals, click here

Blogger Spotlight - *Looking For Bloggers!*

Hey guys! I'm looking for a blogger to spotlight on Student Saving Bucks! I want to find someone who can do a guest blog to post on here and maybe answer a few questions. I want to feature someone familiar with the couponing world, especially to who are fairly-new and who is gradually learning the ropes to grab the best deals!

Looking For Bloggers...

★ who have had a huge-savings trips to whatever store (doesn't matter how long ago),

★ have advice for others, especially those starting out,

★ are willing to answers some questions and/or write a guest blog,

★ looking to be featured on Student Saving Bucks

So if any of you are interested and have further questions, email me or fill out my contact form. 

Thanks guys! Looking forward to doing this more often. I'd love to build great friendships with other bloggers who have much in common with me :) I don't really come across too many people who are around my age (early 20s), coupon-savvy, are college students and not married in the blogging world.

Blog Hops For The Week Of December 13, 2010

Another week of Blog Hops nicely organized into a NEW convenient post :) lol. Join us, make new friends, and find new blogs! This is my 23rd Week! Wow! Super long time!:)

I have two giveaways going on (check the Giveaways section on the left sidebar). One is for the NEW "Sonic Colors" Wii Game. It has low entries so make sure you guys enter! :) Ends 12/15. To enter, click the image below:

Click on "Read More" (below) to access the whole page.