Twitter Party Calendar This Week Sept 15 - 21 With Prizes - Continuous Updates

Twitter Parties

Updated Continuously - Sneak Peek at Coming Weeks Too!

Get all the details in this free constantly updated Twitter Party Master 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. Be sure to check back often every 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 and/or by subscribing to this blog right now.

THIS WEEK

Sunday, September 15

Coffee Mate Mira Quien Baila Companero Perfecto Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @LasGringasBlog @Coffee_Mate. Prize: Coffee Mate prize pack that includes a $50 restaurant giftcard and branded products. #CompaneroPerfecto RSVP

Monday, September 16

World of Cars Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @7onashoestring @crazyadventures. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart gift cards. #WorldofCars RSVP

National Play-Doh Day Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @playdoh. Prizes: FIVE winners get Play-Doh product. #PlayDohDay RSVP

Sutter Home & Five for Fight Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @Clever_Network @SutterHome @johnondrasik.  Prizes: iTunes giftcards and a copy of Five for Fighting's Album Bookmarks. #SutterHome54F RSVP

Weekly Traveling Moms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @travelingmoms @kimorlando @debmomof3 @cindyrichards this week chatting about spontaneous travel. Prize: TBA. #TMom RSVP

Fight Pesticides with Stonyfield Twitter Party 9-10:30 pm ET with @stonyfield @bookieboo. Prizes: TEN (10) Stonyfield gift baskets w/ $30 in coupons, cookbook and Preserve Kitchen utensils. #fightpesticides RSVP

Latinos PBS Bilingual Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @craftychica @latinopolitics @mamalatina and others. Prizes: TBA #LatinosPBS RSVP

Girls Night Out 5th Birthday Party at 9 pm ET with @momitforward. Prizes: THREE (3) $100 giftcards. #GNO #gno5thbirthday RSVP

Pampers Love, Sleep, Play Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @pampers @babycenter @resourcefulmom. Prizes: THREE (3) winners will get a prize pack for themselves and a friend that includes Vivicam digital camera, blanket, book, toys, and Pampers diapers & wipes. #PampersLoveSleepPlay RSVP

Tuesday, September 17

Beauty Bag Twitter Party at 1-1:30 pm ET with @Beautyinthebag. ONE (1) $100 prize. Participate in party with hashtag #Beautybag

Buckle Up for Life Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @safetymom @buckleupforlife. Prizes: FOUR (4) Evenflo carseats. #Buckleupforlife RSVP

Shape of Beauty Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @TheMotherhood25. Prizes: FIVE (5) winners will receive Walmart giftcard + Curvation product. #ShapeofBeauty RSVP

Mills Truck Country Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @CanadianDadBlog @Mommygearest @Christellasays @findingmomtopia @papayajambalaya. Prizes: ONE (1) Weekend getaway in a 2014 GMC Sierra from Mills Motors; ONE (1) 32 GB iPad Mini; Plus GMC prize packs and $50 gas card - Canada residents only.  #TruckCountry RSVP

U by Kotex Fall into Fall Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @clever_network @UbyKotex. Prizes: SIX (6) $50 American Express gift cards + product of choice; ONE (1) Grand Prize is  $150 AmEx cards + product of choice. #demodiaries RSVP

Fresh Finds Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @cleverhousewife @Momwithadotcom @SaveMart. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Save Mart Supermarket giftcards. #FreshFinds RSVP

Get Pet Prepared Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @ThunderShirt. Prizes: Pet safety products. #GetPetPrepared RSVP

Dr1MM Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @brettbmartin @dentistmel. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Visa giftcards. #Dr1MM RSVP

Compassion Intl Blog Month Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @compassion @shaungroves @brimckoy. Prizes: FOUR (4) $25 Amazon giftcards. RSVP

Craisins Adventure Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @DisneyFoodBlog @OceanSprayInc @ClassyMommy. Prizes: TBA. #CraisinsAdventure RSVP

Bumbledoo Baby Wearing Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @bumbledoo @shinystardesign @ruckabyebaby. Prizes: Baby Wearing products. #BWeardoo RSVP

Preschool Sensory Play Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @ihomeschoolnet @silverdolphin. Prizes: FIFTY (50) Board Books + plus multiple copies of Silver Dolphin Play-Doh book titles. #ihsnet Details

Discover Cloth Diapers Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @clothdiapergeek. Prizes: $300 in cloth diapers, accessories and gift cards. #DiscoverCloth RSVP

Clorox Canisters for Classrooms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @Clorox @HealthierGen @momitforward and others. Prize: Gift basket including assorted products and a $25 Walmart giftcard ARV. #CloroxCanisters RSVP

Schneiders Love Lunch Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @listen2lena @schneiders. Prizes: TBA - Canada Residents only. #LoveLunch RSVP

Wednesday, September 18

Fiskars for Kids Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Kellysluckyyou @therebelchick @champions4kids @Fiskars_HQ. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards. #Fiskars4Kids RSVP

Kmart Fab 15 Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Kmart @OfficialFurby. Prizes TBA. #KmartFab15 RSVP

Shape of Beauty Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @themotherhood25 @themotherhood @emilymckhann @coopermunroe. Prizes: FIVE (5) Walmart giftcards with Curvation product. #ShapeofBeauty RSVP

ASPCA Back-to-School Parents Twitter Party 7:30-8:30 pm ET with @GrownandFlown @thisiscori. Prizes: Prize packs for pets and people every 6 minutes during the hour. #ASPCAParents More Details and RSVP

Rachael Ray Nutrish Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @nutrish. Prizes: FIVE (5) winners will get gift bag of treats and wet food as well as $25 Visa giftcard. #Nutrish RSVP

Pick Veggies at 9 pm ET with @BolthouseFarms @TheVeggieQueen. Prizes: Bolthouse prize packs. Participate in party with hashtag #PickVeggies

Blissdom Canada Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @BlissdomCanada @hartgalla @shasherslife @tarasview. Prizes: TWO (2) Blissdom Conference passes, $399 value plus other prizes. Canada residents only. #BlissdomCA RSVP

MomFair Twitter Party at 10 pm ET with @TheMomFair @MomAngeles @MomsLA @YvonneinLA @SAuerswald. Prizes: TBA. #JobsforMoms #MomFair RSVP

Travel to Paso Robles Twitter Party 10-11:30 pm ET with @TravelPaso. Prizes: ONE (1) Grand Prize two-night stay trip for two at Zenaida Cellars in Paso Robles ARV $700; TEN (10) Love of Paso Robles Gift Bags. #TravelPaso #Fitcation13 RSVP

Thursday, September 19

Sams Demos Twitter Party at Noon ET with @DawnChats @Wicproject. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Sams Club giftcards. #SamsDemos RSVP

Simple Mobile Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @tapinfluence @therebelchick @thecubiclechick. Prizes: Giftcards. Participate in party w/ hashtag #CYSCYG

The Hub Network Halloween Bash Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @ModernMom @HubTVNetwork. Prizes: $50 Visa giftcards and Hub Network SWAG including signed R.L. Stine The Haunting Hour books. #HubHalloweenBash RSVP

Lets Talk Bums Twitter Party at 6:30 pm ET with @Cottonelle and Crowdtap Crew @KelliBMiller @AlyWalansky @Zipporahs @RachelFerrucci and others. Prizes: $750 in prizes with Grand Prize valued at $230+. #LetsTalkBums RSVP

GEM Food Magazine Celebrates 100 Years of Kenmore Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @Kenmore @GEMFoodMag @nella22 @thedomesticexec @nibblesnfeasts and others. Prizes: THREE (3) Kenmore Slow Cookers. #Kenmore100 #GEMFoodMag RSVP

Playtex Baby Smart Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @playtexinfant @mommykatandkids @momvstheboys @mommymomentblog. Prizes: $850 in prizes. #PlaytexBabySmart RSVP

The ABCs of Healthier Schools & Daycares Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @FoodRev @Gradesofgreen @WA_Toxics. Prizes: ONE (1) BONA Hardwood Floor System, ONE (1) Boiron/Oscillo Kids Cold & Flu Kit, THREE (3) Green Toys Rockets, ONE (1) Kanteen Vacuum Insulated Bottle, ONE (1) Zarbee's Cough Prize Package, ONE (1) $25 Vine.com giftcard and ONE (1) Seventh Gen prize pack that includes disposable diapers and baby-safe detergent. Participate in party w/ hashtag #tips4healthyschools Details  

Friday, September 20

Birthday Smiles Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Sweeptight @Laughwithmeblog. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Walmart giftcards. #BirthdaySmiles RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: Droid RAZR HD or a Samsung Galaxy Note II smartphone. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

Dinner Dilemma Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @myfamilytable to discuss cooking with kids. Prizes: Assortment of Libby's products and a Photo Tray. #DinnerDilemma

More Twitter Parties constantly to be added for This Week to this list as soon as they're scheduled. So stay tuned for updates as they happen by following this blog.

NEXT WEEK

Monday, September 23

eMeal Twitter Party at 11 am ET with @emealsfamily @allprodad @iMomTweets and others. Prizes: LOTS of prizes: $50 Williams Sonoma, Whole Foods, iTunes Giftcards and more # RSVP

Sara Lee Snacks Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @resourcefulmom @saraleesnacks. Prizes: EIGHT (8) winners will receive a prize pack that includes a lunch box, water bottle and two packs of Sara Lee Snack Cakes; ONE (1) Grand Prize winner will get Sara Lee Snack Cakes for a year. #SaraLeeSnacks RSVP

Weekly Traveling Moms Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @travelingmoms @kimorlando @debmomof3 @cindyrichards. Prize: TBA. #TMom More info soon

Halloween Unjunked Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @MomsMeet @GetUnreal @KiwiMagazine @Unhealthytruth and others. Prizes: A month's supply of Unreal Candy and other prizes.  #Unjunked RSVP

Tuesday, September 24

Bigelow Trend Tea Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @Sweeptight @Therebelchick. Prizes: FIVE (5) $100 Target giftcards. #TrendTea RSVP

Weekly Tech Tuesday Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @KristinaLibby of Microsoft. Participate with hashtags #Windows #WinChat Details Soon

Back to Schoola Twitter Party at 3 pm ET with @schoola @clever_network. Prizes: $50 Amazon and Target giftcards; ONE (1) Grand Prize includes an Amazon Kindle and $50 credit to Schoola Stitch. #SchoolaStitch RSVP

Favado Save on Groceries Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @FavadoApp @CleverlySimple @mindicherry @frugalfinders @bargainbriana @savings. Prizes: THREE (3) $100 grocery store giftcards. #Favadoapp RSVP

Wednesday, September 25

To Tame a Montana Heart Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @d_luedecke @Tiffany_hutch @NJandBeyond. Prizes: TWO (2) signed copies of the book. #totameamontanaheart Details

It's the weekly @theonlinemom Twitter Party at 9 pm ET. Prize: TBA. To be eligible to win a prize RSVP & participate in party with hashtag #TheOnlineMoms.

Mommies First Box Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @mommiesfirstbox. Prizes: Over $700 worth of prizes for moms and moms-to-be. #MommiesFirst RSVP

Sprint M2M Drive Safe Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @themommyfiles @lisasamples @musingsfromme @SprintM2M. Prizes: THREE (3) $25 Amazon giftcards. #DriveSafe RSVP

Thursday, September 26

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @LorealParisUSA @SheSpeaksUp. Prizes: Choice of L’Oréal Paris Triple Resist or Color Vibrancy products plus more L’Oréal beauty fall essentials.  #AdvancedHaircare RSVP

Moms and Brands Expo East Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @MomsandBrands. Prizes: TBA. #ExpoEast RSVP

Mommies First Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @mommiesfirstbox. $700 in Prizes for moms & moms to be. #MommiesFirst RSVP

Friday, September 27

L'Oreal Paris Advanced Haircare Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @shespeaksup @LOrealParisUSA. Prizes: TBA. #AdvancedHaircare RSVP

Weekly Verizon Wireless Twitter Party hosted by @theonlinemom at 3 pm ET. Prizes: TBA. To be eligible to win participate in chat, use hashtag #VZWBuzz and RSVP

Moms and Brands Expo East Twitter Party at 7 pm ET with @MomsandBrands. Prizes: TBA. #ExpoEast RSVP

Saturday, September 28

Picture It Creations Birthday Bash at 9 pm ET with @justpictureit @TTCgiftblog. Prizes: TBA. #PictureitBday RSVP

COMING SOON

Tuesday, October 1

Coupaw Coupaween Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @coupaw @eventbarkers @cattipper @dogtipper and others. Prizes: SEVENTEEN (17) $25 Coupaw giftcards; ONE (1) Grand Prize Original Custom Oil Painting by Debbie Sampson $175 ARV #Coupaween RSVP

Thursday, October 3

Care for Today Mobile Health Manager Twitter Party at 2 pm ET with @theMotherhood25 @CooperMunroe @EmilyMcKhann. Prizes drawn from answers to questions asking during the Tweetup - multiple prize packages all include a Visa $50 giftcard and a Vera Bradley pillbox. #Care4Today RSVP

Diversity on Demand Twitter Party at 8 pm ET with @MomSpark @MoviesonDemand @MommyBlogExpert and others. More details soon

Sunday, October 13

Coffee Mate Mira Quien Baila Companero Perfecto Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @LasGringasBlog @Coffee_Mate. Prize: Coffee Mate prize pack that includes a $50 restaurant giftcard and branded products. #CompaneroPerfecto RSVP

Wednesday, October 16

Camden Children's Garden Twitter Party at 1 pm ET with @camdenchildreng @Tiffany_hutch @NJandBeyond. Prizes: TWO (2) Family four-pack passes to Camden Children's Garden. #CamdenChildrensGarden. Details

Sunday, November 3

Coffee Mate Mira Quien Baila Companero Perfecto Twitter Party at 9 pm ET with @LasGringasBlog @Coffee_Mate. Prize: Coffee Mate prize pack that includes a $50 restaurant giftcard and branded products. #CompaneroPerfecto RSVP

About this Weekly Twitter Party List
Compiled by MommyBlogExpert.com Twitter Parties are listed free of charge in this weekly schedule. 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. Add an event to the Mommy Blog Expert 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.

Also available, for a nominal fee, to host, co-host or serve as a panelist for your own brand Twitter party. To inquire, please email 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 host, co-host, and panelist on others. However, I did not receive any payment or other compensation associated with this post. 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 one.

Yom Kippur Holiest Jewish Holiday Begins at Sundown Tonight Around the World

Celebrations

Tonight, beginning just before sundown, Jews around the world will be observing Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), the holiest day on the Hebrew Calendar. Traditionally those of the Jewish faith attend a long evening service called Kol Nidre (which translates to All Vows). Then we return to the synagogue again in the morning for a full day of fasting and praying that G-d forgive each of us for all our shortcomings and that everyone should be sealed in the Book of Life for another year.

Symbols of the New Year and Yom Kippur, MommyBlogExpert.com

At the end of the holiday, which also concludes the Jewish High Holidays, a long single shofar (ram's horn) blast will be sounded after the sun has set for all the congregation to hear. Jews will then break the fast with some honey cake at the shul and then, typically, eat a light dairy meal at home.

Shofar (Ram's Horn) with Ceramic Honey Dish, MommyBlogExpert.com

For those who are celebrating with me, may your prayer and fasting inspire you as we continue into the new Jewish year 5774.

G'mar Chatima Tov!

May you be written in the Book of Life

for all Good Things

Honey Dish I made by Carving a Real Apple, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or compensation for this post. 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 one.

Cafe Mango Six Los Angeles Opening Tropical Restaurant Centered on Fresh Fruit & Juice

Good Food

This is a sponsored post

What a fun and healthy day it was recently when I was invited to a special mom bloggers event put together by MomsLA. The occasion was to celebrate the grand opening of Cafe MangoSix, a wonderfully decorated casual kid-friendly boutique restaurant with a tropical vibe that just opened in L.A. along hip Third Street shops.

Fresh Mango Juice Drinks, Image from Cafe MangoSix

At the gathering I had the chance to catch up with many of the other Southern California lifestyle bloggers I love hanging out with. I also got to enjoy some of the freshest drinks and food I've had in awhile, thanks to having carte blanche to order anything I wanted to try on the house from their surprisingly massive menu.

Lush flowers at the in-store event, MommyBlogExpert.com

Women bloggers chat about the drinks, MommyBlogExpert.com

The Cafe MangoSix website (as well as their coffee cups) describes itself as a premium coffee and dessert cafe. When I visited the restaurant to experience it for this review, I discovered what an understatement that is -- this unique eatery really is so much more.

Cafe Mango Six specialty coffee, MommyBlogExpert.com

Peanut Butter & Jelly Cake and other sweet surprises, MommyBlogExpert.com

Sure they have good coffee drinks, to die-for sweet baked temptations, and both dairy and vegan frozen yogurt and toppings. They actually are West Hollywood adjacent, too, almost exactly in the middle between two of L.A.'s most trendy shopping areas, The Beverly Center to the west and The Grove to the east and just about a mile from world famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills.

Vegan & Dairy Organic Frozen Yogurt, MommyBlogexpert.com

A rainbow of yogurt topping choices, MommyBlogExpert.com

Inspired by a single fruit, the mango, this is the first U.S. location for this growing global brand. At the opening I was surprised to learn that there are six major health benefits to this exotic but mighty fruit. In fact, this is how the company got its name.

Fresh Mangos for sale add to the decor, MommyBlogExpert.com

Mango

• Protects against Cancer via the antioxidants it delivers to the body
• Lowers cholesterol by providing high levels of fiber, pectin and vitamin C
• Clears the skin with vitamin E, helping to fight pimples and blemishes
• Promotes eye health with its high vitamin A properties
• Balances the alkai levels in our bodies via its citric acid component
• Elevates the immune system with vitamin C & A and 25 carotenoids

Out front, a colorful display of drinks greets you, MommyBlogExpert.com

The mango drinks made with 100% mango juice are definitely this cafe's flagship products and the shop serves up a variety of different concoctions that incorporate fresh juice from that healthy and tropical fruit -- like the Mango & Coconut Juice sensation. So you'll have to come back more than once if you want to try them all.  They also offer an array of other delicious fresh fruit based drinks.

Rounding out the menu, the selection of healthy salads and sandwiches make this a good choice for a lunch or light dinner. It's worth adding that this is a good place to bring the whole family, since everyone -- including children -- is likely to find more than one thing that whets their appetite on the extensive healthy menu. Berry Cream Cheese Shake, anyone? Yes, they have that unusual drink and lots of others too. 

Spinach Salad w/ Grilled Salmon & Feta Cheese, MommyBlogExpert.com

Mango Six Cafe is located at 8428 West Third Street, Los Angeles, California 90048; phone 310-966-5866. Just walk up to the counter to order, then find ample seating to enjoy your snack or meal. For the full menu and more information visit their website and follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

Cafe Mango Six Gift Bag of fun, MommyBlogExpert.com

Tropical orchids were apropo at the opening, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post. I disclose that I attended Mango SixCafe's grand opening mom blogger event to facilitate this review as a guest of the hosting restaurant with access to the entire menu. I also received a goody bag for participating and covering this event. 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 one.

12th Anniversary September 11th Pictorial Memorial - May G-d Continue to Bless America

Remembering

If you're 18 or older, you likely remember exactly where you were when the news first broke. Today marks the 12th anniversary of that terrorist attack, the worse ever to ever take place on American soil.

One of many frontpage news stories I've collected, MommyBlogExpert.com

On the 10th anniversary I attended the dedication of Beverly Hills September 11th Memorial and just before the 11th anniversary I made my first visit to the World Trade Center Memorial in New York, a day when --appropriately enough -- it rained symbolizing the many tears our nation has shed since that unforgettable day twelve years ago.

Let's not forget that tragic day and all those who were lost and injured -- including their families and friends. Let us also remember to support our U.S. service men and women that continue to fight terrorism around the world and to keep the USA safe. Above all, just like the Freedom Tower has risen like a phoenix at the former World Trade Center site, so too we must all look to the future with our heads held high. 

The world comes together after tragedy strikes, MommyBlogExpert.com

Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial, MommyBlogExpert.com

My visit to World Trade Center Memorial, New York City, MommyBlogExpert.com

The new Freedom Tower rises in NY, MommyBlogexpert.com

May G-d continue to Bless America, MommyBlogExpert.com

FTC Disclosure: I did not receive any payment or compensation for this post. 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 one.

Virtual Piggy Teaches Kids Financial Literacy Thru Online Wallet Service Parents Control

Parenting

This is a sponsored post

TIME Magazine reports that American kids get $780 per year in allowance on average and almost none of it is saved. A 2012 digest of figures compiled by StatisticBrain.com points out that 25.6 million U.S. teens spent $208.7 billion in a single year.  Other studies indicate that 24% of 6-10 year-olds shop online alone (PlayScience Survey) and 73% of teens do at least half their shopping via the Internet (Teenage Shopping Habits).

Kids and money, they're quite a pair, MommyBlogExpert.com

These economic implications are obviously huge and are an impetus for modern parents to take an active role in teaching smart money management habits to kids early in life. In fact, JWT Intelligence says that 88% of parents already believe that knowing how to handle and spend money properly is the second most important factor to a child's eventual success as an adult.

My 4 tweens, vintage photo, MommyBlogExpert.com

So, wouldn't it be great if there was a no-cost private kid-friendly online bank account, debit card, or similar type of virtual wallet service that you could set up at home for a child? One that's low maintenance for you, but suitable for a son or daughter who is old enough to understand the basics of selecting and buying something they want? A resource that gives young people the freedom to shop online within the limits you've designated while at the same time educating him or her about how to save, budget and spend cash? 

Well, there's good news. There already is such a secure and family-friendly financial management tool that promotes handling money responsibly. It's called Virtual Piggy.

My son built this K'nex Virtual Piggy, MommyBlogExpert.com

I had the chance to get acquainted with and learn more about this innovative company and the valuable services they provide while in Chicago this summer immediately following the BlogHer conference.

Candy Bar, Virtual Piggy style, MommyBlogExpert.com

Sweets in the company's official color, MommyBlogExpert.com

Come to think of it, one of my favorite private events during the whole trip was the lovely and informative Virtual Piggy Sunday brunch that I enjoyed with the brand and a select group of other invited top mom bloggers who cover technology. The party location was none other than The Signature high above the streets of the Windy City. Aren't these skyscraper views above from the top of the John Hancock Building event venue stunning?

Delicious food at the brunch, MommyBlogExpert.com

Giant Virtual Piggy in Chicago made of K'nex, MommyBlogExpert.com

Beautiful table centerpieces, MommyBlogExpert.com

Completely free to use, accessible via a desktop computer or smart mobile device, and void of any sort of fees, Virtual Piggy functions as an online family wallet that empowers kids and teens to be savvy about managing personal funds. At the same time, it still gives parents the ability to stay in control, to monitor activity and set limits on how much kids can spend and where they shop. Importantly, the service is certified by the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) which specifically protects privacy of kids using the Internet who are under 13. 

Virtual Piggy helps nurture and develop youth financial literacy through an easy-to-use dashboard. Once a parent sets up an account, a child has safe direct access to budget, save and spend their allowance and any other money that is deposited into their online account. This isn't just another garden variety tech company with the next best idea, either. This is the real deal. Recently, Virtual Piggy received some very prestigious consumer industry recognition: the 2013 Dr. Toy's Top 10 Best Technology Award as well as being among those chosen for this year's Dr. Toy's Top 100 Children's Products list.

Watch this video to see real-life mom and actress Sela Ward, known for her role as Teddy Reed on the TV series Sisters, explain some of Virtual Piggy's benefits...



Setting up a Virtual Piggy account for your child is easy and fast. All you have to do is follow the prompts at VirtualPiggy.com to sign up, adding the payment source information and a mailing address.  Next, enter a profile for each child and set a monthly allowance and spending controls such as which stores they may shop at. 

That's it -- the account is now ready for your youngster to use to buy at approved stores all by himself by using just their username and password. As the parent, you still get final approval on all purchases as well as have a way to unobtrusively track their spending, requests and Wishlist.

Your child can shop now at any store you've approved, among more than 80 online retailers kids love. Places like Claire's, K'Nex, Aeropostale, Barnes & Noble, Sephora, Walmart, Gap, Toys 'R Us, Fandango and many others already accept Virtual Piggy payments -- with more coming soon. Girls and boys also have the ability to make charitable donations to more than 250 non-profits, too.

About Virtual Piggy
Based in Hermosa Beach, California, VirtualPiggy.com was created to provide a platform where kids and teens up until the age of 18, under the watchful eyes of their parents, can shop safely online. The company promotes a culture of teaching young people to spend wisely and save for the future. In addition to offering the free virtual wallet service, the company provides many more free money management resources, helpful links and tips for parents and fun quizzes for kids on their website. Follow Virtual Piggy and Twitter and Facebook to stay up on the latest news.

FTC Disclosure: I received compensation and other goodies to facilitate this post. In addition, I was a guest of Virtual Piggy at their hosted brunch in Chicago and received a goody bag. 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 one.