Back from BlogHer ’10 NYC! *$50 Pay it Forward Giveaway!* (Closed)

Life is too short to overlook the good things that happen in life. While I had a hard, long and busy summer, there are so many things that happened that made me really appreciate my life, my family, my friends and even my adventures. Life isn’t all about ‘me, me, me’, but here we go… ready? Oh,  holy moly, what a BUSY two months this has been. I apologize to you all, my readers, subscribers & sweepers for the lack of my presence lately. In less than a month:

  • We broke down in Wichita, KS in July
  • Flew to Texas in July
  • Went back to Wichita in July (busy July, huh?)
  • Then went to visit the inlaws in NW Iowa
  • and last – but not least – we went to BlogHer in New York City for the past week.

What an adventure it was! Truly was an amazing opportunity to meet up with some old friends, meet some new ones, I had fun exploring New York City with  my hubby

With the help of an amazing sponsor, Aetrex (more info to come this week!), I was able to walk comfortably in NYC, be in style and track my ‘mileage’. Hard to believe I walked 2.93 miles in one MORNING, but we did and I felt great and went to do more the next day.

While at BlogHer ’10, I saw tweets where a lot of people were eating in style, all day… every day. While this may be fun, this is not my style. Why?

  1. I refused to spend $50 on one meal, times three, for 4 days. That adds up. We were very frugal and found a Whole Foods market our first hour of being in the city and we bought sandwich stuff (ham, cheese, bread and even doritos – to make our famous sandwiches) This, my lovelies, was my breakfast on Friday morning. It was a.m.a.z.i.n.g.! Don’t hate.
  2. We spent about $40.00 on food, water, sandwich stuff, Gatorade, chips, and even sprung for some beer. This lasted us from Wednesday afternoon through Saturday afternoon. Frugal? You bet your ass I was frugal.
  3. Confession: I spent $34.00 on one meal for hubby & I – the entire trip. Why? Because I deserved it. :D

While I was at BlogHer ’10, I met up with companies that I have worked with for years, I chatted the family companies that I have grown more and more to love and I even made it to a few parties and events. This year, I didn’t announce where I was going to be at, until I had already left due to privacy and stalker issues, but I was so excited to have found out that Jennifer from The Dirty t-shirt was my partner in crime, and my hubby was our personal bodyguard and navigator. This was a blast!!! Jen, my husband and I all were invited to a fun filled cocktail hour with Smucker’s,

to a truly heartwarming event with Ralph Lauren

I cried during this presentation. Seriously, ask anyone. It was touching! They were so kind to have invited my husband to come with me, AND they even presented him with a gift bag of his own. Thank you!

Once this was over with, Jen (The Dirty t-shirt), hubby and I ventured over to a rooftop event with Nikon, where we sat back and relaxed while I drooled over the D300s.

On Saturday, we caught a cab in to NYC and met up with a bestie that I had never met face to face; yet we have known each other online for about 5 years. This trip was jam packed with knowledge, information, laughter, shock, fun & an entire novel of memories.

I have SO much to say, SO many pictures to share, and so many thoughts and thank you’s to present. With this said, I am feeling like paying it forward to one lucky reader.

I have a $50.00 American Express Gift Card to give away for one reader. Why? Because you deserve it.I learned a lot about life, business ethics, people… and myself in general.

  • Prize: $50.00 American Express Gift Card – 1 winner
  • How to enter: Main entry – required - Please post a comment to me if you have ‘Paid it Forward’ to someone. If so, what was it? If you have not, what would you love to do for someone else?
  • Entrants: US and Canada entries
  • Entries: Unlimited entries/comments on this post and unlimited tweets – just be sure to comment here with your link to your new tweet and make sure that the required entry is your first entry, then you can tweet away, enter daily, tell your friends, send a smoke signal, or even make me a Dorito sandwich.
  • Contest deadline: This contest will end on August 28, 2010 at 11:59pm Central Time.
  • Prize Details: Prize will be mailed out with a tracking number, the following Monday after prize is claimed. (This is my shipping time frame)

This is not a sponsored post by or for anyone. I firmly believe in paying it forward.

Life is too short to let it pass you by. Stop, take time to smell and soak in the beauty of life and life around you. Smile every chance you get. Laugh every second you can. Love every minute of every day.

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About Tanya
After working professionally in computer information technology, as well as prior work in the telecommunications industry, Tanya Gordon relocated to southwest Iowa in conjunction with her husband’s job. Mommy Goggles launched over 5 years ago, rising to prominence as a national Mom Blogger and highly sought after by brands to work closely with them on their reach to Mom consumers. In addition, Tanya happily parents two wondrous children who despite best efforts still have been known to engage in ongoing sibling squabbles: Tucker, 6, and Kambry, 3 1/2.You can read more about Tanya here.

Comments

  1. 934
    katklaw777 says:

    Sending a smoke signal…….lol :wacko:

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    Auriette says:

    I donate to the Council on Aging pet food fund, to help older people on fixed incomes afford to keep their pets. I guess maybe instead of paying it forward, I’m paying it in advance, because who knows what my situation will be when I’m elderly.

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    Sand says:

    In college, my senior year one of my classmates who was set to graduate with me was in danger of dropping out of the class because she needed to fill in a position with her family business. I told her I’d share my notes with her for the rest of the semester and she was able to graduate in time because of that.

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    Tammy Greer says:

    My daughter had a friend in high school who didn’t have a dad and his mom was a housekeeper and worked all the time. They didn’t have a car and very little money. He worked part-time but had to help his mom out with the bills. I knew things were tough for them (he also had a little sister) so I always made a special effort to do what I could for them. I would help him out with things he needed at school and give him money, too. He was always very appreciative of every thing I did for him. He would say “How can I ever repay you for all your kindness and help?” I told him I wanted him to one day help someone else who might need it. He said “Deal” and we both smiled.

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    Charlene Kuser says:

    A single mom which I work with did not have money for food.I gave it to her and said do
    not worry about paying me back,consider it a gift

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    Gianna says:

    I’d love to take my husband out for his birthday but he works so much! I’m waiting for a good opportunity :)

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    Veronica Garrett says:

    There are so many needs. I give to the food bank, the clothes closet at church, etc. I would like to do something to help teenage mothers who are on their own.

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    Michelle H. says:

    I have treated loved ones to dinner.

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    Maggie M says:

    I would love to get my sister a day at the spa, she’s had a rough year and hasn’t done anything for herself.

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    Shellie says:

    I work at a vetrinary hospital . If someone comes up short on change I usually put it in myself. I figure what comes around goes around and I want people to be able to take care of their pets.

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    abby says:

    i’ve Paid it Forward to someone by treating them to a home cooked meal.

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    Chrysa says:

    I pay it forward at the grocery store. If I see someone buying something and I have a coupon for it, I give it to them.

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    Becky S. says:

    Our family has had some hard times this past year and I hope that I can repay everyone kindness some day.

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    Kathy S says:

    Yes, I’ve paid it forward a few times. The one time that I enjoyed the most was in the supermarket checkout line. There was a very young couple behind me and I overheard them planning their little boy’s first birthday party. It was obvious that they didn’t have much money to spend on it, so I just quietly turned to them on the way out of the store and gave them $5 and told them to get the baby a little something for his birthday. This made me feel really good.

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    Sarah L says:

    I like to enter contests and one thing I like about winning is being able to give gifts to people that I couldn’t afford. I recently won a Sport-Brella contest that I wanted to win for my nephew. His daughter plays soccer and the whole family turns out for her games. Today was 95 degrees with major sunshine and they were able to keep somewhat cool and out of the sun thanks to the Sport-Brella I gave them last night. It was a big hit. Thanks for the contest.

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    kimo says:

    I have paid it forward a few times. That’s what I wish everyone would do. The latest one was when I was leaving work I saw someone else in the employee lot sitting with their hood open. I swung by to see if they were OK and he said he didn’t have his cell phone and his car wouldn’t start. He said that he would be in trouble waking his parents up so late anyways. So I decided instead of just lending him my cell phone I gave him a ride home.

    kimojax9 at gmail dot com

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    paula says:

    http://twitter.com/paulakap8/status/22393989669 i tweeted! and i think everyone needs to pay it forward sometime :yahoo:

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    Erin T says:

    When I was younger and didn’t have a car, my brother had to drive me to work, but several years later I had to do the same thing for him

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    Holly says:

    I’d love to be able to donate more to charity..unfortunately I don’t make much more beyond paying my bills..hopefully someday!

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    Theresa says:

    I love finding little ways every day to “pay it forward.” One of my favorite way is just to smile, open a door or say thank you.

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    Kat Emerick says:

    I would love to buy a house for my daughter and granddaughter.

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    valancia says:

    I paid it forward by giving brand new headphones to a Man doing yard work for us for his teenage son

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    brian e. says:

    Following you via Twitter: @brianpiero

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/brianpiero/status/22388904024

    senorpiero [at] yahoo [dot] com

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    Marcia L says:

    Thanks for the giveaway…I am paying it forward right now: an old friend who lost his job & had some medical setbacks this past year is staying with us for a month or two until he can get back on his feet .

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    stacey dempsey (roswell) says:

    tweeting
    http://twitter.com/roswello/status/22387156862
    staceyx at telus dot net

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    Gena says:

    I like to give the operator at the toll booth money for the next car or two behind me. Hopefully they return the favor since they already have their money out

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    Paula says:

    I pay it forward alot I help domestic violence woman I donate toys clothes to shelters and I help my neighbors by giving them clothes food ect..

  47. 888

    I like to help my neighbors. I let them know if there is anything they need help with, I am here for them.

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    barbara wright says:

    I pay it forward all the time. I am fortunate enough to be able to stay home with my kids, so I spend a lot of time volunteering at the schools and for the community. I donate lots of stuff to charities, even new stuff I get for presents that I’ll never use. I even got the free Staples and Office Max backpacks this year so I could donate them to the school.

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    Kirsten says:

    Sure I pay it forward all the time. I just call it giving back. I give away and donate items to families that are needy, families with AIDS and friends and family.

    Now I have a Doritos craving. Sigh…I am taking care of my dad for a while and he lives in the boonies. Does anyone deliver Doritos????

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    Justine says:

    I always pay it forward any chance I get! I wish I had a great career helping people or animals, I really enjoy that stuff :good:

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    Susan Smith says:

    I was waiting in a fast food drive through line I went to pay and was suprised that the car ahead of me paid for mine so I paid for the card behind me. I bet they were suprised!

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    Betty C says:

    I have often paid for the person behind me in the drive thru line. There are others but that’s just one example.

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    Betty N says:

    We recently entered a new church and I am just finding out about the people there. There was a shoe (actually sandals) sorting place along one side of the church. One of the people in the church started a ministry called “Beautiful Feet” and they send sandals to distribution places in many countries. The last group of sandals was taken by people of the church to give to children that live in the garbage dumps of a foreign city. It is so important for them because with nothing on their feet they get cuts from the garbage and infections from walking in the stuff. They always work through local organizations whereever they go and those people do the actual handing out of them. Companies have donated thousands of pairs of sandals and one company is actually coming out with a line of sandals that will be called Beautiful Feet. And this all started with one person who saw a great need. Wow! the impact that can be made….

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    Betty N says:

    My children and grandchildren have gotten to do things that I never have. All of the older ones have gone on at least one mission trip to another country. The purpose of the trip was always to help in some way and would include a lot of physical labor to build a school or house or? I can remember when two of them went, they were encouraged to leave their jackets, jeans, shirts, etc with the children there except for what they were wearing back. Another is really into soccer and they were able to take a number of soccer balls. He taught the game and engaged the local children and then left soccer balls behind for the kids to be able to continue playing. Some went to local orphanages and took needed items plus something fun for each child. Seeing how much worse off many children in foreign countries are was an important lesson in appreciating what we have and reaching out to children in our own country that are living at a poverty level.

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    Sheila Christensen says:

    I have paid it forward many times in my life, and usually a blessing returns later when I need it — but that is not why I do it. Three years ago when the wildfires blazed thru Southern California, I found out from a woman I had just befriended at church that she was distraught because her brother, who has four young children, had just been operated on for a brain tumor the size of a grapefruit — and then the wildfires burned the mobile home the family was renting to the ground, destroying all their personal belongings. I had just won $250 in a recipe contest, so I set to work doing some “black belt” shopping and purchased new dishes, silverware, pots and pans, recipe books, bedding, bath items, and other things for the family. When I arrived with the items, the twin boys, aged 9, were so delighted they ran around leaping into the air with joy. The mother said it was the first time they had really smiled since just before their dad’s surgery. Then, last month I paid the airfare for a friend to fly from the West Coast to the East Coast to get medical help for a rare medical disorders. Believe me, I am not rich. I have several rare medical disorders myself, and maybe that is why I am continually sensitive to the needs of others. But I must say that I am always blessed.

  62. 873
    Kelly says:

    The last time I drove on a toll road, I left money for the person behind me. I hope they were inspired to pay it forward after that! :)

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    JoeyfromSC says:

    FINAL tweet:

    http://twitter.com/JoeyfromSC/status/22375857963

    ajoebloe(at)gmail(dot)com

    *Can’t wait to see who wins! (fingers crossed ha) Thanks again for a great contest!!! :bye:

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    kathy pease says:

    i buy groceries with coupons and save a lot of money and my pantry is over stuffed once a month we clean it out and donate to our local food shelf

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    Marcia L says:

    We pay it forward any chance we get. Once, there was a pregnant girl in front of us that was shy a few dollars for her grocery bill, so I paid it for her. Every penny counts.

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    Rosey says:

    I volunteer at the Domestic Violence shelter because once upon a time, a very loooooooooooong time ago, that was me.

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    Betty N says:

    It is so nice to see my grandson looking for ways to help people. He was at the grocery store with my husband today and he saw a man in a motorized chair coming to the check out. He asked if he could ask the man if he would like some help putting the groceries on the check out area. He said yes and then told my husband “What a nice young man”. I love to see people helping people and our grandson felt good about being able to help.

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    Karen M says:

    There are so many ways to pay it forward, even the little things help for someone. I make it a point to help out new co-workers when they have difficulties using our specific software programs. This helps in the long run, they are better at their job and they may be able to help you in the future with something.

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    Linda says:

    Yes, we help our two elderly neighbors, in the winter we clear their driveway of snow and summer I like to help them in their flower beds.

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    Jennifer Jozwiak says:

    i try to help people get back on their feet after having a baby, like someone did for me.

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    latisha depoortere says:

    tweeted too
    http://twitter.com/latishajean/status/22364314754
    tishajean@ charter.net

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    latisha depoortere says:

    Yes I do I help the man who lives next to us all the time he’s an older man really nice I always help him get his mail everyday little things like that. I can’t do huge things because I can’t walk very good but I have leared that little things mean the world to people :) great giveaway and thank you very much for the chance!
    tishajean@ charter.net

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    MannaB says:

    I don’t know if this counts…but I love giving the people I care about lots of stuff, like when my best friend got a new dog I spent over $150 on dog toys, collars, leashes, etc. I just love making people happy.

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    Dana says:

    Paid it forward a few times…but most frequently (especially around the holidays) I’ll buy coffee for the cars behind me at Starbucks.

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    Elizabeth I says:

    http://twitter.com/Superfrugalette/status/22347745407 daily tweet topgun34er(at)hotmail(dot)com

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    Patricia Treskovich says:

    sat tweet Latest: http://www.mommygoggles.com/back-from-blogher-nyc/ less than 5 seconds agoLatest: http://www.mommygoggles.com/back-from-blogher-nyc/ less than 5 seconds ago from web

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    Betty N says:

    You don’t have to have a reason to send cards….we love the free e-cards. My husband sends them to me whenever he is out of town but we also use them as a follow up thank you for something someone has done for us or just a “have a happy day” type card to someone we think might like a card just to show that someone is thinking of them. For Christians, there is a wonderful site called Dayspring and for everyone, Hallmark has free cards as well as some that you would have to pay for. (I use the free ones!)

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    Megan Hernandez says:

    I had my first son at an early age (17) and had amazing help from so many people to make sure I had everything I needed for him. Several years later while working at a restaurant I met a young girl that was expecting and did not have much money and was stressed about how she would be able to even get clothes for the baby. At that time I was better off and was able to purchase all the clothes to get her started when the baby came home.

    ridlee09@gmail.com

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    amy says:

    er so tired transposed some words – i meant to say that i was sure my neighbor had done the same for somone else.

    I would love to sponsor a few kids – we don’t have alot of money currently – but sponsor a few kids in the hospital who don’t have family. help pay for medical bills and send presents and maybe visit. I’m shy but i bet there are kids who would love to know someone cared and feel hurt when others get family that comes to visit.

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    amy says:

    not sure if this counts but my neighbors have a lot of money troubles – we love their nine year old – she is over all the time playing with my almost four year old and eating meals and she often asks for things to bring home. and though we just moved here last december – during the school year she’d ask for things to bring for snack time or for field trips. They’ve asked to borrow money – for a few days before paychecks. I know they smoke – and though not a smoker or a drinker wonder if that figures it – but I try not judge not my place anyway. So one day she texted how hungry they were – her, her daughter and a visiting daughter from mn who lives with her dad. Her boyfriend had to pay not only the usual child payments but for can’t remember – something expensive. she told me before that his ex never shares the child pyaments but uses for nails etc. so they were out money and were waiting for money from her dad for pizza. but wouldn’t be shopping for days. since she didn’t ask for more money i put together a box for them. it old her that i was poistive eh had done this for others – and she said she had. she is very generous – whenever i ask to borrow something – pony holders – a beach bag or pens she says just keep it – and they have nice pens!

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    Erin M. says:

    The closest to Paying It Forward…is paying off my Car Insurance and other costs to my dad! (I’m in college, it’s under his name)

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    Louis says:

    I love entering blog giveaways. Once I wasn’t notified I only got mentioned on the blog. A kind person send me an email pointing out I was the winner, so I could respond in time.
    A few days later I checked a winners thread on a different blog. I wasn’t the winner but noticed she didn’t notify the winner either. I sent the winner an email – which helped her to claim her prize as well

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    Pauline M says:

    Your summer sounded like so much fun! My pay it forward is a little scary but a little wonderful as well. My niece was removed from her home almost a month ago and unable to stay with her father. I have take care of this wonderful child and has been integrated in our home as a hopefully permanent part of my family! Financially, it’s tough, but so worth watching her excel in school and life!

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    Jennifer R says:

    We paid it forward one time at Christmas by paying for the car behind us drive up meal.

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    Melodic Mom says:

    I paid it forward 2 weeks ago, when I found a wallet in the grass while taking my daughter for a walk in the stroller. There was no phone number inside of it, but I brought it to the bank where the person had an ATM card, and they said they could track the person down.

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    Michelle C says:

    tweet http://twitter.com/MrsMChappell/statuses/22305754238

    mrsmchappell at gmail dot com

    m

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    Claire says:

    I regularly pay for the person behind me at the Starbucks drivethrough (in hopes they’ll do the same for the person behind them!)

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    Betty N says:

    As with most people, we have had good experiences and bad experiences in our lives. A lady was at our house today and it looks like she is about to embark on something that we had really bad experiences with. We shared with her some of the pitfalls and mistakes we made so that she could consider how to avoid those in her own situation. Sometimes sharing our bad experiences is not real easy but we really felt she might benefit from our experiences. So, sometimes we need to be open to sharing the bad as well as the good. I think this is another way to “pay it forward”

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    Betty N says:

    My husband wanted something he could do for others free of charge. We are around churches a lot and there has often been a need for someone to notarize something. So he decided that he would become a notary and would do it free of charge as he was needed. I looked around and saw how some other people were using their skills for others…our barber goes to a day place where homeless people can shower etc and one afternoon a week he gives free haircut. Whether it is a big thing or a small thing, sometimes we can make a difference for someone just by making our skills available.

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    Jill H says:

    Comment didn’t show up

    Trying again

    Tweet

    http://twitter.com/jillyrh/status/22297096606

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    Valeen N says:

    I try to Pay it Forward daily. I have had such kindnesses in my life, that I want to spread that kindness in lots of different directions! Yesterday my “Pay it Forward” act was to bring over some DVDs, magazines, and books to a lady I found out just had surgery.

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    Aleksandra says:

    I pay it forward in small ways…brining coupons to friends, giving them my unwanted giveaway wins and offering to babysit in a pinch.

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