Karen’s Opinion

This post was sponsored by Sears however, all the opinions are mine!

Can you believe that it is almost time for school to start again this year? It seems as if summer just began. I suppose, because our summer was so erratic, weather wise, it doesn’t really seem as if we had a typical summer. I have heard some grumbling about unused swimming pools and picnics ruined because of all our rain.

Nonetheless, school is starting so everyone needs to get prepared. College students today have the latest technology when it comes to being
CampusReady. Items needed for college are very expensive these days and we all must check things out before we spend our hard earned money. At Sears.com you can enter for your chance to win money toward your child’s college tuition from Sears and Upromise! A total of $25,000 will be awarded. Got to sears.com/campusready for more information.

Sears understands the need to make good choices for your student and has set up a helpful site, Sears Campus Ready. This website will help with many aspects of getting ready for college which include:
* Shop by dorm room
* Suite of coordinating dorm room products and design ideas
* Shopping checklist
* List of everything your child will need for their first home away from home
* Financial tips
* Financial planning tips
* Apparel must haves
* Links to categories of clothing they’ll need for college life

Sears has also created a Facebook application called CampusReady on Facebook to help ensure your college freshman has an easy transition into the college arena. It features a gift getter where your child can choose what he or she needs and let their friends and family put money towards financing it. This is a good idea for family and friends to do instead of a useless gift for graduation.

The website has a Dorm Room Designer function that lets them design their dorm room virtually! Wow! I tried it and it was so much fun to design my dorm room. The site also offers a Roommate Matchup that lets them check their compatibility with a roommate.

Sears has our best interests at heart! Check out all the helps to ensure your student is Campus Ready!

If there is one thing I have learned from having two adult children, it is that college is expensive and I am not just talking about books and tuition fees. Most students find it difficult to hold down a job and do well in their studies. That means they have to watch where what little money they have goes. We hear the jokes about eating Ramen noodle soup 7 days a week and counting the number of squares of toilet paper used. It would be more funny if it weren’t true. Being a college student is rough.

Sears is stepping up to the plate to make it easier for parents and grandparents to help their struggling students out. By offering reload-able gift cards, available for purchase in their stores, Sears makes it convenient to add funds online to a students gift card. The student is then able to buy needed supplies such as toiletries and Ramen noodles at Sears and Kmart. You will be amazed at all the dorm room supplies available at sears.com/campus. If you are new to the college experience or simply want to be in the know about what college kids need these days to make their college experience successful check out Sears CampusReady at http://www.facebook.com/campusready. I had a great time designing my dorm room at CampusReady on Facebook!

I just have a problem with eating all that Ramen Noodle soup! LOL

One of the good things that has come out of our difficult economic situation is that people are more careful of how they spend their money. I find myself watching every news show that has a segment on using coupons and other ways to stretch a dollar. Spring is around the corner and I usually look forward to buying new clothes. This year it will be a bit difficult to purchase new things and I will definitely be cutting back on the amount of items I buy. That is why I am thankful for Sears. I always find items that match my taste at Sears.

Right now, Sears is having a spectacular sale on fall and winter merchandise. They are making room for all the beautiful spring things. Beginning March 20 until March 22nd, Sears is offering an additional 15% off shopping pass on regular, sale and clearance priced apparel, shoes and accessories. That means I can save on my spring wardrobe from the Sears apparel department. I can also plan ahead for next fall and winter! I think it is a good time to replace my winter coat. I was trying to decide how many years I have had it. It is beginning to show its age. Sears is offering 75-80% OFF ORIGINAL PRICES ON FALL & WINTER APPAREL from now till April 18th!

I am thrilled to have discovered that Sears handles my favorite brand of jeans! Now I can get another pair and give my other pair a rest! LOL Do you have a favorite pair of jeans that you wear every day of the week?

Be sure to print out the coupon from Sears and use it at any Sears store, (including Sears.com), during March 20 through the 22nd for big savings. You will find the coupon at http://urlbrief.com/58bff5.

Did you enjoy gathering with your family during this holiday season? We were fortunate that my husband’s mother, my son and his fiancé were here. We ate Chinese food on Christmas Eve. That has become our tradition. I used to cook a big meal but it was difficult to get everything ready, go to church and not be completely worn out. Take out is much better. My husband’s brother passed way this week and so it has been a difficult time for us. My daughter is in the military and was not able to come home. That made it especially hard for us as a family. Through modern technology, we were able to use our web cam and have Stacy join us as we opened gifts. She took her turn and opened gifts with the rest of us.

Our military service members and their families need our support. Many are struggling to make ends meet let alone provide gifts and necessities for their families. Sears has done a wonderful thing by bringing a program called the Sears Heroes at Home Wish Registry. Service men and women have registered at the Sear’s website and our donations will be used to purchase Sears gift cards. These cards will then be donated to those registered service members and their families. This is one way, (not tax deductible), that you can let your military families know how much you value their sacrifices. Visit the wish list section and read some of the emotional wishes from our military families. You will be inspired to donate. Our troops are worth our efforts.

Listen up everyone! If you are interested in great deals this holiday season, you will want to pay attention! Sears is offering great deals through their friends and family promotion but it ends November 16 so you need to hurry. Many of you hate to deal with the hassles to get the bargains you can find at the Black Friday Sales event and now you don’t have to. You can find the best deals with out all the hassle when you participate in Sears Friends & Family VIP Night. No need to drag your butt out of bed at the crack of dawn the day after Thanksgiving. Just look at all the great buys you’ll find at Sears. You will save an extra 15% off on apparel and that black and white diamond necklace your wife has been drooling over in Sear’s fine jewelry. You will also save an extra 20% off that new coat your son needs because all Sear’s outwear is included in this promotion!

I have my eye on some new fuzzy warm pajamas for myself! Hey! There is no rule that says all of my purchases have to be for other people. Now, get to Sears and start shopping!