FREE Anime Con and Gaming Expo 2018 is 4/21 at Lawrence Tech in Southfield 10am-7pm

The Anime Con and Gaming Expo 2018 is coming soon...

Lawrence Tech is pleased to announce the Anime Con and Gaming Expo 2018. This is a free, local convention for cosplayers, anime fans, gamers, game developers, artists and fandoms. Lawrence Tech is excited to invite you to attend, share ideas, and learn the latest in these areas.

When: Saturday, April 21, 2018
Time: 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
Where: Lawrence Technological University
Cost: Free
Details: www.ltuanimecon.com/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/events/258464024682436/

There will be 40+ vendors, dozens of games being exhibited and a public and free to submit art show/exhibition. Lawrence Tech hopes you will join in and explore these opportunities.


Enjoy!


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FREE and DISCOUNT MOVIE and GAME rentals with Redbox 12 Days of Deals - ENDS 12/8

The Redbox 12 Days of Deals is back ...

Whether it’s a movie night with the family, or enjoying the latest video game, Redbox has you covered for the holidays.

Text THANKFUL to 727272 daily through December 8th for surprise deals from Redbox delivered via text to your smartphone. Deals include the following:

- 50¢ discount on your first rental day of any disc
- 75¢ discount on your first rental day of any disc
- $1 discount on your first rental day of any 2 discs
- Rent one DVD and get another one free for your rental day
- A free 1-day game rental

Find out more about the Redbox 12 Days of Deals at www.redbox.com/12daysofdeals 

Legal stuff:
Ends 12/8/15. Limit 1 promo code per day. You will receive recurring messages. Message and data rates may apply. Text STOP to cancel, HELP for help. By texting you agree to get texts from Redbox at your mobile number, which may be sent through an automatic telephone dialing system. Opt-in not required to rent/buy from Redbox.


Enjoy!


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MOVIE REVIEW: Penguins of Madagascar in 3D + FREE Madagascar Math Ops Game

It's a cute hoot!

From the first Madagascar movie in 2005 to Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted in 2012, the Penguins of Madagascar have been a real hoot that have made audiences laugh out loud at their extreme hijinks.  So it only made sense that they would eventually get their own movie and Penguins of Madagascar in 3D is a fun and over the top experience that will make you snort laugh more than a few times during the 90 minute run time.

The movie opens with Skipper, Kowalski, Rico as young penguins who realize early on that they are not just going to go through life being cute and following the penguin status quo.  They want to live life on their own terms with adventure and excitement.  Their decision to leave the penguin pack leads them to adopt an orphan named Private and the pack of four set their sights on becoming spies who follow trouble wherever they can find it.

During one of their over the top adventures inside the US Mint (which looked awesome in 3D), the penquins discover a plot by an evil villain named Dr. Octavius Brine to destroy all the cute penquins worldwide and the Penguins of Madagascar are forced to join forces with another undercover organization called The North Wind to stop Brine's evil plan and keep penguin cuteness from becoming extinct.

This movie is 90 minutes of pure fun, adventure, and laughs with the kind of gags and jokes that we have all come to expect out of any movie where you find the Penguins of Madagascar.  The action is great and the humor is both cutting and juvenile, but at times some of the jokes did go a little too far.  I thought maybe I was being too much of a prude, but even my silly humor loving 14 year old son thought that some of the "butt" jokes in the movie went on for way too long.

Click here if Penguins of Madagascar Movie Trailer is not shown

Overall, the Penguins of Madagascar is a total cute hoot that will likely spawn yet another Madagascar squeal in this highly lovable movie franchise.  Be sure to stay seated through the ending credits so that you don't miss any of the fun.

The Penguins of Madagascar opens in theaters today, Wednesday, November 26, 2014, and is rated PG.

FREEBIE ALERT: MADAGASCAR MATH OPS GAME

In this first mobile game starring the Madagascar Penguins, your child will have fun by using intuitive, simple gameplay as they race to rescue the Madagascar gang. Hours of learning fun await your child as they solve mathematical problems and use special jetpack abilities to finish every level.

THE MADAGASCAR MATH OPS IS FREE IN THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE


Enjoy!

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KICKSTARTER: Kindness, Kids, and Virtual Reality do go together with "A Better World for Kids" Game

This post is sponsored by ToonUps. All opinions are my own because I love to do good to the neighborhood...

This crowdsourcing campaign about Games, Kids and Kindness deserves a second look....

When I started my blog seven years ago, I had two major goals in mind. First, I wanted to help my readers to stay positive in a down economy by sharing my unique perspective on saving money. But more importantly I wanted to have a voice in how people in my community perceived their everyday lives.

There is so much negatively in the news that at times it is hard to turn on the TV or read a newspaper without cringing. So I wanted to start my own online community where I could share information about the good things that are going on in the neighborhood. And what could bring a smile on any face faster than blogging about businesses and organizations that want to reach out and market to the community through offering complementary and discounted products and services.

I think there is just something wonderful about knowing you can go online to a special place to get a dose of daily positivity and a sense of shared community.

Here comes "A Better World Kids" ...

With community and positivity in mind, I was intrigued when I found out about a new Kickstarter crowdsourcing campaign by ToonUps to produce a virtual online game for kids that aims to teach them a sense of community through acts of positively and kindness, both in the game and in real life.

The mission of the team at ToonUps is to make uplifting games and apps that brighten the world. I first became acquainted with ToonUps in 2011 when I began playing the Facebook game called "A Better World. "

The Virtual Me inside the original "A Better World" Facebook Game

I loved playing "A Better World" because  I was able to make my virtual self look like my real self by choosing skin color, hair color, nose, eyes, clothing - the works. Then I was given some money (hello, you know I love having money) and let loose to build my life. But the really great thing about A Better World is that I earned money from doing good! Yep, you earn Do Good Gold and Better Bucks by performing acts of kindness.

Kids can create a virtual character that looks just like them..

And just like in the original "A Better World" game, the new "A Better World for Kids" virtual game allows children to make a virtual character that looks just like them and then earn Do-Good Gold by completing tasks both within the virtual game world, and also in the real world.

Do-Good Gold can then be used by your kids to purchase in-game merchandise like clothes, homes, and even pets.

And Parents will be able to program chores and other tasks into the game and have children receive virtual prizes when real world deeds are completed.

Click here if A Better World Kids video is not shown

The Kickstarter campaign for "A Better World for Kids" runs now thru Tuesday, November 4, 2014, with pledges starting at just $1

If you love a little positivity like I do, check out http://www.abetterworld.com/kickstarter for more information on how you can help fund this effort to do a little good in the neighborhood.


Enjoy!


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Earn a $10 Walmart eGift Card when you buy Forza Motorsport 5 Game for Xbox One and M&M's

I am a member of the Collective Bias® Social Fabric® Community. This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and its client #FueledbyMM #shop #cbias

My holiday stockings and mantel are looking good thanks to M&M's and Forza Motorsport 5!

M&M's and the Xbox One Forza Motorsport 5 game can make your holidays colorful and exciting and your wallet a little merrier...

Shhh... Don't tell my son but there are a few video game "goodies" in this future - that is as long as he keeps up his grades at school.

Now my son was been a tried-and-true gamer since age two when he climbed his little body onto my office chair to get to my computer mouse and then played (and won) his first computer game. My son was so excited when I bought him his first gaming system that he jumped up and down and hollered at the top of his lungs for 10 minutes straight.

There is just something about the release of new gaming systems and their graphic intense and realistic games that can get kids (and adults) so excited that they cannot eat or sleep for days just thinking about it.  And one of the hottest new gaming systems of this holiday season that has everyone excited is the Microsoft Xbox One.

New video games are definitely on most kids holiday gift lists - including my son. And one of the just released Xbox One games that would make a wonderful holiday stocking stuffer under the tree is Forza Motorsport 5.

Forza Mortosport 5 - The Ultimate hoiday stocking stuffer!

When I went to the store to purchase Forza Motorsport 5, which is billed as the ultimate car fantasy game, I knew I was buying the right game when even the salesperson got excited and started telling me how wonderful the game is, how great the graphic are, and how he thought it was "THE" best Xbox One game available at this time. After I got the salesperson to calm down and put the game in a shopping bag, I walked out of the store with a big smile on my face and a video game I knew would be a big hit.

So if you are like me and plan to pickup Forza Motorsport 5 for Xbox One, let me tell you how you can get the game, decorate for the holiday season, eat some awesome chocolate, and get a $10 eGift card from Walmart all in the process!

I love decorating for the holidays with M&M's

Buy, Snap, and Redeem for a $10 Walmart eCard

While my son loves him some video games, I love me some chocolate, especially M&M's.  And since it is the holiday season there is nothing as fun as decorating the fireplace mantel with colorful M&M's.

I love to put hurricane glasses on my mantel filled with M&M's for a colorful and yummy decorative touch.  And I found out that buying a large bag of M&M's while also buying the Forza Mortosport 5 game at Walmart could earn me some money back on my total purchase.

Buy, Snap and Redeem is easy to do...and means you have will your eGift card w/o waiting...

The Walmart promotion is called "Buy, Snap, and Redeem" and it is easy as 1, 2, 3 -

1. BUY Forza Motorsport 5 game at Walmart.

On the same Walmart receipt as the Forza Motorsport 5 game purchase, also BUY a participating M&M’s product, which include:

- M&Ms Peanut 42oz Stand Up Pouch
- M&Ms Milk 42oz Stand Up Pouch
- M&Ms Peanut Butter 38oz Stand Up Pouch
- M&Ms Pretzel 30oz Stand Up Pouch  (I bought these!)
- M&Ms Peanut 19.2oz Large Laydown Bag
- M&Ms Milk 19.2oz Large Laydown Bag
- M&Ms Peanut Butter 18.4oz Large Laydown Bag
- M&Ms Pretzel 15.4oz Large Laydown Bag

The Total M&M purchase must be at least $8 in order for this promotion offer to work.  The total purchase must be made by December 31, 2013.

I love that we get to use a smartphone for quick redemption...

2. SNAP a photo of qualifying items on the receipt on your phone and text it to 811811. Include the code M&M with the picture of your receipt. Remember that the Forza Motorsport 5 Game and M&M’s must be purchased on the same receipt.

3. You will receive a text back with a reward code valid for a $10 eGift card to REDEEM at Walmart.

What I like about this "Buy, Snap, Redeem" promotion is by using your smartphone, you don't have anything to mail and you don't have to wait for anything to be mailed back to you like other money back redemption processes.  That means you can get your $10 Walmart eGift code in no time flat.

The last day to submit your receipt is New Year's Day, but I would not wait if I were you because there are only 35,000 eGift codes available and you don't want to miss out.

Gaming is Better With M Pixel Art Instagram Sweepstakes can win you an Xbox One Gaming with M Pack!!!

If you like getting creative with your M&M's, you could win an Xbox One Gaming With M pack! All you have to do is create your own pixel art using M&M's and snap an Instagram photo of your creation. Tag your image with #FueledByMM AND #Contest and post the image on Instagram and Twitter.

One lucky candy artist will win a new Xbox One Gaming With M pack which includes the new Xbox One entertainment system, the Forza Motorsport 5 game, and a 14oz bag of M&Ms(R) candy - HOLLA!!!

You can enter a maximum of 3 times per day. The contest runs just until December 18, 2013 so hurry and enter. The winner will be chosen at random.

Learn more about the Gaming is Better With M Pixel Art Instagram Sweepstakes


And check out the Buy, Snap and Redeem deal at your local Walmart so that your Xbox One gamer will have a Happy Holiday and you will get a little money back to enjoy a Happy New Year :)


Enjoy and Happy Holidays!


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DEAL: Extra $10 Store Credit when you Trade-in 3 video games at @Gamestop

I always want more for less...

Earlier this week, my son came into my room with a sheepish look on his face. It's the look that tells me that whatever is about to come out of his mouth is going to cost me money.

He starts in on how it has been a while since he received a new video game and how he "deserves" some new titles. Of course his speech made me laugh since I had no plans of buying him any new games.

I told him that since he wants new games, then it must be time for him to purge a few older games from his extensive collection and trade them in at GameStop for store credit toward new ones. He gave me that "Oh No" look, but then handed over 6 games to sell that he no longer plays.

My son received an extra $10 store credit for his 5 games ;)

I love selling my son's games at Gamestop become they have specials where trades earn even more cash value.

Going on now, you can get an extra $10 store credit for trading in 3 games that each have a value of at least $2 a piece. My son traded in 6 old games and with the extra $10 credit, he received a Gamestop store credit card loaded with $26.50.

In addition to the $10 extra for 3 game trades, Gamestop has other promotions going on too including $35 in extra store-credit for 7 game trade-ins - restrictions apply.

Getting more for less is how I roll :)


Enjoy!

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FREE 1 Night Redbox Video Game Rental Code ($2 value) - ENDS 1/31

Sometimes it is better to try before you buy....

On Monday, I wrote a post about how to get Redbox codes to rent movies for FREE.  But Redbox rents more than just DVD and Blu-ray disks.  They also rent video games.

My son is a hard-core gamer who loves getting new games all year round.  But I refuse to buy him a game every time he wants one because sometimes it is a waste of money. Once I bought him the Wii game for the movie "Happy Feet" and he played it from beginning to end in only 3 hours and then told me he was done and did not plan to play it anymore.  That did not sit well with me.

But now with Redbox, I can rent him a game for only $2 a night so that he can try it out.  And until the end of January, anyone can get a 1-night game rental for FREE!!!

Just text the word GAMEKIDS to Redbox at 727272 and you will be sent a text with a Redbox code valid for a FREE one night video game rental.

This one is a keeper...

I got two codes (one on my phone and one on my son's phone) and used them to rent "Wreck-it-Ralph" for Wii and also "Rise of the Guardians" for Wii.  My son ended up playing "Wreck-it-Ralph" from beginning to end in only 3 hours (sound familiar). So I am very glad that I rented it instead of buying it.  He loved playing "Rise of the Guardians" and did not want to return it the next day, so that game will go on his list of future video game purchases thanks to Redbox.

So remember to take advance of this FREE video game rental deal with Redbox.  The offer ends January, 31, 2013.


Enjoy!


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REVIEW: Hotel Transylvania for Nintendo 3DS

A Monstrous Good Time!

All my son has asked for this holiday season is to get more video games for Christmas - no surprise.  Since he received his 3DS last Christmas, he had been asking for new games every chance he can get.  So when I was asked to review the new 3DS game - Hotel Transylvania, I knew he would be all in.

Hotel Transylvania for 3DS is an action-adventure video game based on Sony Pictures Animation’s comedy Hotel Transylvania, which was released back in September of this year.

The game's description is as follows -

"Welcome to Hotel Transylvania, Dracula’s lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are -- without humans to bother them. On one special weekend, Dracula has invited some of his best friends -- Frankenstein and his wife, the Mummy, the Invisible Man, the Werewolf family, and more -- to celebrate his beloved daughter Mavis’s 118th birthday. For Drac, catering to all of these legendary monsters is no problem -- but everything could change for the overprotective dad when one ordinary guy stumbles on the hotel and takes a shine to Mavis."

My son found the game to be really fun to play because it allows the player to interact with the movie characters through a wide variety of locations, puzzles, and battles (his favorite). He said that as you play the game, it advances the player and the characters through the storyline of the movie. He found the game to be very challenging with lots of obstacles that made him have to replay parts of the game over and over to learn how to get around them.

I am glad the Hotel Transylvania game is not too easy to play since I have bought movie themed video games in the past and the games were so easy to play that my son made it through all the game levels in just a few hours. This game is a great way for those that loved the movie to continue to interact in a magical way with the great movie characters - especially those cool monsters.

Hotel Transylvania for Nintendo 3DS retails for $29.99 and is rated “E10+” for Everyone 10 and up by the ESRB.


Enjoy!


Disclosure: I received a complementary copy of Hotel Transylvania for 3DS to facilitate this review.  All opinions are those of my son. 

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Thanksgiving Deal: Gameloft Action Games for Android & Apple only 99 cents - LIMITED TIME OFFER

A new tablet is nothing...without the games

My son is a true gamer - he can get through all the levels of almost any video game in no time flat. He loves the Wii and Nintendo 3DS. But lately, he has discovered that video games are pretty cool to play on his Android tablet and my iPad2.

And I have discovered that tablet games are a whole lot cheaper than Wii and 3DS games.

To celebrate Thanksgiving, Gameloft has discounted 5 of their actions games for Android tablets and/or the iPad to only 99 cents which includes the following -

The Amazing Spider-man - Android - Apple

BackStab - Android - Apple

Gangstar Rio: City of Sanits - Android - Apple

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six: Shadow Vanguard - Apple

Adventures of Tin Tin - Android

Note: The graphics in these games are awesome, which means the apps are very large.  So ensure your tablet has enough available space before you buy them.  And make sure you download the apps on your WiFi, and not your dataplan.


Enjoy!


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VIDEO GAMES: Buy 2 Get 1 FREE Nintendo 3DS Games at Best Buy - ENDS 11/17

Who needs to buy Video Games for the kids?

My son has already given me his Christmas list and of course it includes lots of video games.  So I will be going to Best Buy this week since they have Buy 2, Get 1 FREE Nintendo 3DS games.  I used a simliar deal to this last year to buy the games that his list.

And for those looking to buy a 3DS gaming system, Best Buy has both the Nintendo 3DS and the 3DS XL on sale for $20 off.

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS ON NINTENDO 3DS SALE AT BEST BUY UNTIL 11/17


Enjoy!


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FREE Movie or Game Rental at Redbox on 10/10 with Special Code

It's Redbox's 10th Birthday, but we get the gift....

On Wednesday, October 10th go to your nearest Redbox kiosk and use promo code BIRTHDAY to get a FREE one night rental of a movie or game.

Don't you just love FREE :)

Enjoy!


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Apple Store FREE App of the Week - Disney's Temple Run: Brave - ENDS 9/13

Here is another FREE Game in the Apple App Store ...

Today, you can get the game app Disney's Temple Run: Brave for FREE in the Apple Store.

From Imangi, the makers of Temple Run, and Disney comes a new take on the most exhilarating app in the App Store. Join Merida from Disney/Pixar Brave as you run, slide, jump, turn and shoot your way across the wilds of Scotland on an endless running adventure!

New features just for Temple Run: Brave --
• Introducing ARCHERY – tap targets to shoot a bullseye and earn extra coins
• New, amazing visuals. It looks better than ever!
• All new environments inspired by Disney/Pixar Brave and the wilds of Scotland
• Play as Merida from Disney/Pixar Brave
• Outrun Mordu, the demon bear, to earn running glory

Bonus: Download Temple Run: Brave and start running with $.99 USD worth of coins for FREE, that’s 2500 coins for power-ups and more!

This game is compatible with iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S, iPod touch (3rd generation), iPod touch (4th generation) and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later.

CLICK HERE TO GET TEMPLE RUN: BRAVE FOR FREE IN THE APPLE STORE

Remember it is only FREE in the Apple Store TODAY, September 13, 2012.


Enjoy!



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REVIEW: Joy Tales eReader books for iPad

The Joy Tales eReader books have a lot of great features that both kids and parents will like...

It is hard for me be believe that it has been 7 years since my son was in Kindergarten learning to read. Since my son is a hands on learner, I remember buying him a LeapFrog reading system and all the special books when he was three years old. Thinking back on the experience, I spent a fair amount of money for the system and all those books.  But it was one of the leading ways at the time to help kids to read and I wanted to help my son all that I could.

Parents today have it a lot easier with the invention of the iPad.  That tablet can become anything, including an eReader for helping your child to learn how to read.  So when I was asked to review an eReader system for the iPad called Joy Tales, I jumped at the chance to see how reading systems for kids have changed since my son was a small child.

Joy Tales is a very cute FREE app for the iPad that comes with one FREE starter book called "Tab the White Bat."  Joy Tales has a lot of great features that both kids and parents will like.

Turn each page with a stroke of the iPad screen

There are two ways to read the ebooks.  The first way is like a regular book with pages that you turn with a stroke of the screen.  In this mode you can read the book yourself, listen to the pre-recorded British voice reading the story, or record yourself reading each page of the story. This feature reminded me a lot of Hallmark's recordable storybooks. So if you leave town and still want to read a story to your child, you can record your voice on a Joy Tales eBook so your child can still hear you reading the story each night.  These recordings can also be locked under the setting tab so that your recorded voice cannot be accidentally deleted.

Kids can touch the screen to interact with the characters...

The second reading mode has no words.  Instead it uses all interactive screens while a British voice reads each page to your child.  While each page is being read, your child gets to play interactively with the story characters who make sounds, fly and other activities in the "Tab the White Bat" story.

Joy Tales books have coloring pages for kids...

In addition to the two story reading modes, there are also other activities that your child can play including coloring pages, a card matching game that I loved, and a number/letter line connect picture puzzle that teaches your child the alphabet and to count from 1 to 26.

The Joy Tales included FREE book, "Tab the White Bat", is very cute and teaches kids that it's OK to be different from others. It also has some very nice graphics and interactive activities that kids will love.

Joy Tales is available for FREE in the Apple iTunes store

Since the Joy Tales app and the first book are both FREE, it's hard to go wrong with trying it out with your kids.  If they love it, you can choose from 11 additonal Joy Tales books for $3.99 each. That's a whole lot less than what I paid years ago.

Enjoy!

Disclosure: I was compenstated for my time to review "Joy Tales".  All opinions are my own.

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