How to Avoid Airline Hotel Resort Fees for Savings on Vacation Expenses

Travel

Kathy Kristof, whom I know from our earlier days when she was on the journalist side and I was an agency public relations executive, shares some practical insights on how to avoid spending unnecessarily on travel on vacations this summer and year-round. In her latest story for Kiplinger, Kathy zeroes in on two of the increasingly pesky expenses many of us consumers would appreciate learning to avoid: Airline Advance Seating Fees and Hotel and Resort Fees.

MommyBlogExpert.com

Airline Advance Seating Fees
Anyone who has booked a flight recently is all too familiar with the fees airlines charge for everything from baggage fees, to headphones, to in-flight meals and entertainment, to extra legroom. Now the latest addition is to get a jump on the competition and reserve a seat in advance by paying an extra charge. Why bother when generally, within 24 hours of the flight, you can pick you seat for free?

MommyBlogExpert.com

Hotel and Resort Fees
Airline extra charges aren't the only added expenses travelers often find themselves up against. A word to the wise: beware the fine print when hotel shopping online. An ever-increasing number of hotels are tacking on resort and hotel fees that are not included in the base room price, and if you purchase them in advance you may find that these are not optional charges. Careful consumers can avoid these additional fees by simply reading the fine print before you push the buy button. Be especially vigilant when booking "express deals" like Priceline's "name your own price."

For more on how to save on your next trip, check out How to Avoid Two New (and Vexing) Travel Fees by Kathy Kristof on Kiplinger.com.

FTC Disclosure: Content inspiration was provided by Kathy Kristof and Kiplinger. No payment or other compensation was received in connection with this post. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.

Twitter Party Calendar July 19 - July 25 Schedule of Parties w/ Prizes - Continuous Updates

Twitter Parties

Constant Updates, Keep Checking Back + Sneak Peek at Future Weeks

Master Twitter Party Calendar - Including USA & Canada

Brands: 
See bottom of post to hire Mommy Blog Expert for your next Twitter Party!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Master Twitter Chat Party Calendar listing tons of family friendly parties including specifics on prizes you can win and links to RSVP and participate. Includes Twitter Parties in the U.S. and Canada. A new weekly Twitter Party Schedule is published every Sunday at 9 am ET.

Be sure to check back often during each week as new events are added on an ongoing basis -- often with new prize-winning opportunities added several times per day. You'll also get a sneak peek at Twitter parties coming up next week and in the month ahead. Now listing Facebook, Pinterest and Google+ parties with prizes too.

Be the first to know when the latest Mommy Blog Expert Twitter Party schedule goes live by following MBE on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+ and/or subscribe now.

The majority of parties are for U.S. only, unless indicated otherwise. Look for highlights in pink for Twitter Parties where CANADA residents are eligible for prizes.

THIS WEEK

Monday, July 20

Bistro Bowls for Me Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @moneywisemoms @mammamoiselle @comebackmama and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Wegman's giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Wegman's GCs. #BistroBowls4Me RSVP

Save With Bubbles Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @blm03 @thriftyjinxy @afrugalfriend and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Dollar General giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Dollar General GCs. #SaveWithBubbles RSVP

Mom Travel Chat Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @familiesgo @babyhome_social @pacapod and others. Prizes: BabyHOme Emotion stroller and more prizes for babies an parents - see RSVP link for complete prize descriptions. #MomTravelChat RSVP

Tuesday, July 21

Kidz Vuz Back to School Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @lisasamples @zipporahs @hasbronews and others. Prizes: TBA. No RSVP, participate with hashtag #KidzVuzBTS

Cycle Survival Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @ubykotex @simplybeingmom @thesimpleparent and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walgreens giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walgreens GCs. #CycleSurvival RSVP

Project Amazing Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @commandbrand @scotchproducts @dawnchats and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #ProjectAmazing RSVP

Flavors of Summer Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @papamurphys. Prizes: TWO (2) $25 giftcards. #FlavorofSummer RSVP

Love At First Swipe Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @influenstervox. Prizes: TBA. #LoveAtFirstSwipe Details

All Creatures The Movie Twitter Party at 4 pm ET with @freebies4mom @lomargie @thesimpleparent. Prizes: FIVE (5) $50 VISA giftcards, FIVE (5) $50 Google Play GCs. #AllCreaturesTheMovie RSVP

Seize the Krusteaz Twitter Party at 4:30 pm ET with @krusteaz and the Bakers Dozen Bloggers. Prizes: 6-month Supply of Baking Mixes. #SeizetheKrusteaz Details

Sprint Family Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @momfluential @sprint @sprintlatino. Prizes: THREE (3) $100 Amazon giftcards. #SprintFamily RSVP

Walt Disney World Big Fun Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom. Prizes: FIVE (5) $25 Disney giftcards. #WDWBigFun RSVP

LJ Inspired Twitter Party at 8:30 pm ET with @fitapproach. Prizes: TBA. #LJInspired RSVP

Better Starts Now Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @audreymcclellan @citizenwatchus and others. Prizes: Grand Prize is winner's choice of 3 Citizen watches. #BetterStartsNow RSVP

DIY Guys Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @menwhoblog @craftsman @mantripping and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) Craftsman tools ranging in value from $29.99 to $179.99. #DIYGuys RSVP

Wednesday, July 22

Sweet Summer Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @mmschocolate @clever_network. Prizes: First 500 to RSVP get FREE pack of Crispy M&Ms. Plus prizes during party to win include TWO (2) $50 VISA giftcards, FOUR (4) $100 VISA GCs and ONE (1) $500 VISA GC Grand Prize. #CrispyMMSummer RSVP

Grill With a Twist Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @aleamilham @agirlsgottaspa @reviewdadmedia and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Target giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Target GCs. #GrillWithATwist RSVP

Physicians Formula DIY Beauty Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @influenstervox @joannschlip @pfcosmetics. Prizes: TBA. #PFDIYBeauty RSVP

360 Savings Twitter Party at 4:30 pm ET with @modernmom @capitalone360 @nicolelapin. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 Amazon e-giftcards, ONE (1) $200 Amazon e-giftcard. #360Savings RSVP

Cricut Frozen Twitter Party 8 to 10 pm ET with @officialcricut. Prizes: FIVE (5) Frozen cartridges. Participate with hashtag #CricutFrozen Details

Shift Happens Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @bookieboo @shiftconmedia @mamavation and others. Prizes: Giveaways every 5 minutes including THREE (3) ShiftCon conference passes, TWO (2) 1-year memberships + $50 store credit to Thrive Market and lots more. See RSVP link for complete prize list. #ShiftHappens RSVP

Gaffigan Show Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @splashscore. Prizes: $500 in prizes, winner every 5 minutes. #GaffiganShow RSVP

#KidzVuzBTS Twitter Party July 23 at 1 pm ET

Thursday, July 23

Carefree Contest Twitter Party at 12:30 pm ET with @whispersinspire @simplystacienet @gingermommy. Prizes: $750 in prizes including a Grand Prize valued at $250 - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes.#CarefreeContest RSVP

The Positive Side of Gaming Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @tarametblog @mommyblogexpert @nycsinglemom. Prizes: $50 Game Stop giftcards and Pixels Movie swag. No RSVP, participate with #KidzVuzBTS

My New Lean Cuisine Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @leancuisine @iamthemaven @suburbiau and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #MyNewLeanCuisine RSVP

Teething Tips Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @smiley360. Prizes: EIGHT (8) prize packs that include product + $25 Babies R Us giftcard. #TeethingTips RSVP

Outshine Snacks Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @outshinesnacks @dentistmel @msmissy62 and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs. #OutshineSnacks RSVP

Celebrate Cheesecake Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @socialmoms @cheffalkner @doughmesstic and others. Prizes: TWENTY (20) $20 Amazon giftcards, ONE (1) $500 Amazon GC Grand Prize. #CelebrateCheesecake RSVP

110 Ready Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @momstart @hellokaty @coolcatteacher. Prizes: EIGHT (8) $150 Staples giftcards, ONE (1) $500 Staples GC, ONE (1) HP 360 Stream. #110Ready RSVP

Back to School Tech Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @frenchtoastcom @5minutesformom @teachmama and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard + French Toast uniform, FIVE (5) French Toast Uniforms, ONE (1) $100 VISA giftcard + 1 year's worth of French Toast uniforms. #BTSTech RSVP

Fresh Thyme Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @dadofdivas @kendallrayburn @thehungrydudes and others. Prizes: THREE (3) $50 giftcards, TWO (2) $100 GCs and ONE (1) $250 GC. #FreshThyme Details

Friday, July 24

Reward Healthy Choices Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @walgreens @freebies4mom @laughwithusblog and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walgreens giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Walgreens GCs. #RewardHealthyChoices RSVP

Mobile Shopping Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @thetechdad @robynsworld @theonlinemom. Prizes: TWO (2) $100 Verizon store giftcards, ONE (1) HTC One M9 smartphone during the Twitter Party plus a chance to win another HTC One M9 at the video chat immediately following. #VZWBuzz RSVP

Fresh On the Go Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @readypactweets @donnahup @sweeptight and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 VISA giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 VISA GCs. #FreshOnTheGo RSVP

NEXT WEEK

Monday, July 27

Back to School Ready Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @scholastic @kelloggsus @thesimpleparent and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Walmart giftcard + 2 book codes, FIVE (5) $100 Walmart GCs + 2 book code prize packs. #Back2SchoolReady RSVP

POM Ninja Warrior Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @pomwonderful. Prizes: $1000 in prizes. No RSVP, participate in party with hashtag #POMNinjaWarrior Details

Tuesday, July 28

House of BBQ Twitter Party at Noon ET with @dentistmel @mommytalkshow @candypo and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 Price Chopper giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 Price Chopper GCs - Must be 21 to participate. #HouseofBBQ RSVP

Pak for School Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @couponmamacita @mycrazysavings @amissiontosave and others. Prizes: $350 in giftcard prizes. #Pak4School RSVP

Confident Kids Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @aleamilham @simplybeingmom @coolchillmom and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 CVS giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 CVS GCs. #ConfidentKids RSVP

DreamWorks Animation's Home Blu-ray/DVD Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @officialfye. Prizes: TBA. #DreamWorksHomeFYE RSVP 

Wednesday, July 29

Pets Love Beyond Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @sweeptight @blm03 @laughwithusblog and others. Prizes: ONE (1) $50 H-E-B giftcard, FIVE (5) $100 H-E-B GCs. #PetsLoveBeyond RSVP

Gugu Guru Registry Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @thirtymommy @theguguguru @intronyc. Prizes: Prizes from Bambo Nature, Naturepedia, Babyganics and more. #GuguGuruRegistry RSVP

Explore GTA Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @simplystacienet @tweeparties @cvc_ca and others. Prizes: TBA - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #ExploreGTA RSVP

Thursday, July 30

Travel Gear Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @merinte1 @adventuresnurse @las930. Prizes: SIX (6) prize packs including a Backpack in a Pocket, Money Belt and RFID Passport Holder, ONE (1) Grand Prize $100 Amazon giftcard. #TravelGear RSVP

Schick Drive Free Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @canadiandadblog. Prizes: FIVE (5) Schick prize packs ARV $100, ONE (1) Schick prize pack + $150 giftcard total ARV $200 - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #DriveFree Rules

Friday, July 31

Making the Leap to Wearable Tech at 3 pm ET with @thetechdad @robynsworld @theonlinemom. Prizes: TBA. #VZWBuzz RSVP

COMING SOON 

Wednesday, August 5

Making Sense of Cloud Storage Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @thetechdad @robynsworld @theonlinemom. Prizes: TBA. #VZWBuzz

Wanna Play Chat Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @CanadianTire and others. Prizes: $1000 in prizes TBA. #WannaPlayChat

Summer Side Up Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @chef_lynn @eggsoeufs @sjconsulting_ca. Prizes: $1500 worth of prizes - Canada residents ONLY eligible for prizes. #SummerSideUp RSVP

Thursday, August 6

Healthy Essentials Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @coopermunroe @emilymckhann @themotherhood and others. Prizes: FIVE (5) Healthy Essentials prize packs ARV $50. #HealthyEssentials RSVP

Vidalia Onion Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @healthydelish @messy_baker @foxeslovelemons. Prizes: TWO (2) prize packs that include Vidalia Onions & swag ARV $30. No RSVP, participate in party with hashtag #VisforVidalia 

Saturday, August 8

Soaring High Twitter Party at 5 pm ET with @beingthewriter @jenniferlott. Prizes: An e-book, $5 Starbucks Giftcard, $5 + $10 Amazon GCs - see RSVP link for full prize list. #SoaringHigh RSVP

Monday, August 17

Stop Your Burn Twitter Party at 8:30 pm ET with @waterjeltech @joyofkosher @joyofkoshermag @jamiegeller @tamargenger @mommyblogexpert. Prizes: TBA. Watch #StopYourBurn, RSVP link to be posted here soon

Monday, August 31

Winn Dixie Rosh Hashanah Kosher Twitter Party at 8:30 pm ET with @joyofkosher @joyofkoshermag @jamiegeller @tamargenger @mommyblogexpert. Prizes: TBA. Watch hashtag #WinnDixieKosher, RSVP link to be posted here soon.

Tuesday, September 22

Supporting Friends Struggling to Conceive Twitter Party at 1 to 1:30 pm ET with @themotherhood @tmchathost @coopermunroe and others. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 CVS/Pharmacy giftcards. #TheStorkOTC RSVP

Wednesday, October 14

Healthy Mind & Body Twitter Party at 1 to 1:30 pm ET with @themotherhood @tmchathost @coopermunroe and others. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 CVS/Pharmacy giftcards. #TheStorkOTC RSVP

Thursday, November 12

Fertility Issues & Relationships Twitter Party at 1 to 1:30 pm ET with @themotherhood @tmchathost @coopermunroe and others. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 CVS/Pharmacy giftcards. #TheStorkOTC RSVP


About this Weekly Twitter Party List

Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Master Twitter Party Calendar, the most comprehensive, constantly updated Free resource of its kind online. However keep in mind that each party is run by a different brand and/or hosts and MommyBlogExpert, unless specified otherwise, is not responsible for any dealings readers have with these events including, but not limited to, prizing of any party on the calendar.

For Brands

How to Add a Twitter Party

to the Calendar

Add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert Master Twitter Party Calendar FREE by emailing janis@janiselspas.com with "Twitter Party" in subject line including all details and links in the body of your message.

Hire MBE to Plan, Promote and/or 

Host Your Twitter Party

Also available, for a nominal fee, to plan, promote, host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please janis@janiselspas.com for information with "Twitter Party Consulting Query" in the subject line.


FTC Disclosure: MommyBlogExpert does attend some Twitter parties as a guest and also works as a consultant, host, co-host, and/or panelist for others. Except for the #KidzVuzBTS Twitter Party on 7/23/15, the #StopYourBurn Twitter Party on 8/17/15 and the #WinnDixieKosher Twitter Party on 8/31/15, I am not receiving payment or compensation associated with any party on this calendar. See complete FTC disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's main page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this on

Review Ant-Man Marvel's New Release Action Packed Super Hero Comedy At Its Best

Movies

by Jacob Elspas, Staff Blogger
MommyBlogExpert.com 

Movie goers -- and quite possibly those who typically don't enjoy super hero films -- are in for a real treat with the release this Friday of Ant-Man, the newest action-packed Marvel Cinematic Universe major motion picture. When I first heard Marvel was coming out with Ant-Man, I was not sure that it would be successful. I had not seen much press or promotion for it except for the backs of some bus stop benches and maybe one or two billboards. However, a few minutes into the movie, all my worries vanished into thin air.

First off, this movie is not only loaded with fast-paced action, it is downright hilarious with some of the funniest moments when you'd least expect them. Like Ant-Man's predecessor, Guardians of the Galaxy (2104), Marvel uses the same super hero comedy movie technique to great effect.  In fact, after seeing Ant-Man, I think it is even more laugh worthy than Guardians of the Galaxy with every joke and pun Ant-Man makes certain to have everyone roaring in your seats.

Directed by Peyton Reed (Yes Man, The Breakup), Ant-Man is the story of Scott Lang a divorced father of a little girl who he loves dearly but doesn't get to see due to custody issues resulting from his criminal past. Now he's a newly released prisoner and skilled mechanical engineering degree who morphs into a save the world hero, played brilliantly by Paul Rudd (I Love You Man, Role Models) when he teams up with mentor Dr. Hank Pym (portrayed by multi Oscar winning actor Michael Douglas) and Pym's daughter Hope (Evangeline Lilly).

My mother, a huge fan of Michael Douglas who plays the formidable Dr. Hank Pym, came with me to the screening. Prior to either of us watching this movie, I wasn’t sure that she would enjoy this as much as I would, not having seen any of Marvel's other films. Not only did she think Douglas put on a fine performance in this film. Even though this picture incorporated several elements of other movies in the franchise, this one still had more than enough to keep a novice Marvel movie watcher like mom on the edge of her seat from start to finish. 

Check out the official trailer...

 


Speaking of ideas from other Marvel movies, quite a lot of this film made references to other Marvel super heroes in general. Of course, as with every other Marvel film there is a Stan Lee cameo, so stay on the lookout for that! Also, I can’t give too much away, but there is another cameo from a star of a Marvel movie you may have seen a while back, and if you enjoyed this film I'm referring to, then you likely will be elated when he shows up on the big screen in Ant-Man.

Ant-Man May be Paul Rudd's Breakout Role

One last thing I want to touch upon is the action sequences in Ant-Man. As some of you may already know, Ant-Man’s unique superpower is that he has the ability to shrink in size and grow in strength as he gets smaller. This leads to some pretty awesome fighting sequences wherein the camera angle shrinks down to an ant's perspective and then zooms back out to a human’s perspective. If you have seen the super hero television show The Flash then you can kind of visualize what I am talking about here. 

Ever heard the expression it's not over till it's over? Well, you'd be wise to stay till the very end of this movie. Marvel is known for having one (or even more) Easter Eggs at the end of their movies where they include a short clip at the end of each film somewhere among the end credits. So, as you see people leaving the theater, and the credits roll on the screen, stay in your seat! It will be worth the wait.

Jacob Elspas at screening, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: Except where indicated otherwise, The Walt Disney Company provided all images that appear in this post as well as invited MommyBlogExpert to a media screening of this movie at the El Capitan Theater prior to release to facilitate this review. No payment or other compensation was received in connection with this post and opinions here are my own. See complete FTC Disclosure information that appears at the bottom of MommyBlogExpert's home page and at the bottom of every individual post on this blog, including this one.