You want the kids to enjoy their summer, but not completely forget all they learned before school let out last year. Now that we've crossed the halfway point of the season, it might be time to start reinforcing some occasional reading and math exercises, among other subjects. A few resources that can help:

Highlights.com has Mathmania books to reinforce numbers, fun puzzles for the preschool set and the Laugh Out Loud series to make reading fun for kid returning to elementary school. You can also subscribe here to any of Highlights' age-appropriate magazines, which your kids should love getting in the mail each month. You yourself will love the 5% ConsumerClub.com rebate you earn here.

Hooked-on-Phonics.com uses a unique Learn-Practice-Play approach that helps kids experience more success and find more motivation. On this site you'll find workbooks, CDs, DVDs, readers and entire kits containing all of the above for young kids of all ages. There are even fun art exercises you can use as rewards for academic exercises well done. You reward is the 9% ConsumerClub.com rebate.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:54 AM | Permalink

We all have it. We could all use a little less of it. And I've found just the products to help you take care of it. Start at Sears.com, where MadeSmart Housewares brand offers everything from expandable silverware trays to shelf organizers to turntables to butcher knife organizers. As if organizing the depths of your drawers and cabinets wasn't enough, you'll also earn a 1% ConsumerClub.com rebate on Sears.com.

SurLaTable.com gives you a hand with cookbook holders, towel holders, drawer dividers, decorative canisters and a whole lot more you'll love in the kitchen. That includes a 4% ConsumerClub.com rebate.

And finally, Organize.com offers wine racks, utensil holders, sink solutions, mail sorters, kitchen grids, countertop organizers ... You'll definitely have it all together when you're done here. You'll also have a 4% ConsumerClub.com rebate in your pocket.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:35 AM | Permalink

Is your front porch in disarray? Is your back patio feeling bland? Does your entire yard leave something to green to be desired? Is even your living room calling for a splash of vitality? Pick a planter that fits. Fill it with appropriate flora for your climate. Water and watch your selections thrive, along with your spirits. Here's where to find the planters:

Bellacor.com has them in stainless steel, terra cotta, wood, porcelain and many more materials. And the style options go on and on. Check out the GardenGlo Solar Planter, which lights up at night. The Rustic Fence Box planter will make a statement outdoors. The dog-themed Mugsy planter will add whimsy to your surroundings. And everything you buy on this site will earn you a 6% ConsumerClub.com rebate.

RedEnvelope.com offers more of a slim selection, but then again, this site only makes room for the best. Find everything from potted rosemary topiaries to a sunflower growing kit to money trees to an entire "year of seeds," all complete with seeds/plants and planter/pot. And it's a great time to shop here: You can earn a full 5% ConsumerClub.com rebate on RedEnvelope.com purchases right now. Happy planting.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:51 AM | Permalink

For the many of us who have long relied on digging out our cell phones in order to answer that question, the time has finally come for a nice new watch. And there are so many good-looking styles and incredible deals out there on the web right now.

WatchZone.com has quite a range of designer watches at discount prices. Members of the site apparently get even better prices at up to 30% off. The site's home page makes it easy to check out new brands and special deals on shipping. You'll find watches from brands like Anne Klein and Armani to Wenger and X-Games. And you'll earn a 5% ConsumerClub.com rebate on all your purchases here.

Outdoorsy types and extreme sports addicts will appreciate SwissOutpost.com, where Swiss Army gear, including watches, is in plentiful supply. Click on "Save 50%" under "Watches" in the left column and find more than 80 styles discounted. You can also search the site by gender-specific styles, new items, bestsellers and more. See what else you can save thanks to your 5% ConsumerClub.com rebate.

Need a watch for special occasions? Searching for the perfect gift for a very special wrist? Visit BlueNile.com for sophisticated styles by Kenneth Cole, TAG Heuer, Citizen, Bulova and many more high-end brands. The site gives you FREE FedEx shipping on every order. You'll also earn a 3% ConsumerClub.com rebate on all your purchases here.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:56 AM | Permalink

Whether you're hosting a gigantic BBQ or heading out for a fireworks show, you may be wondering how you can best display a little patriotic pride this 4th of July. Get all your red, white and blue needs covered at these fun and helpful sites.

You'll have the most patriotic decorations in town with a little help from PlumParty.com. Choose from American-flag-themed serving platters and bowls, cups, banners, table covers, napkins, guest towels, invitations, candles, party bags, election hats, liberty tiaras and tooters, and even bendy little Uncle Sam dolls.

You'll find old-school American style and timeless comfort at Converse.com, where you can buy various styles of shoes featuring stars, stripes and a whole lot of other festive designs. Better yet, choose your size and style and design your own festive footwear. You'll earn a 4% ConsumerClub.com rebate on all your purchases here.

Stop by Walmart.com for everything from patio furniture to swing sets to a big 3-foot by 5-foot nylon American flag (and pole). You'll also find t-shirts featuring Old Glory, personalized stars-and-stripes mugs, books about the American Flag and the Fourth of July, plus various "Stars and Stripes" music compilations. Your 2% ConsumerClub.com rebate here will only get you closer to a happy 4th of July.

Posted by Paige Price at 09:21 AM | Permalink

You don't necessarily have to slop on last year's overpriced, opaque white cream to get maximum sun protection while enjoying the pool or the beach. Here's where to find your best-priced, most innovative options:

Find a massive selection of sun block, self-tanner, lip balm, skin soothers and everything in between at Drugstore.com. In fact, you'll discover sun-savvy brands like Bain de Soleil, Mustela and Blue Lizard on sale right now. I favor the natural Aveeno Face Block lotion in SPF 30 and for the night after a day at the beach, Burt's Bees' After-Sun Soother with Aloe and Linden Flower. In addition to already-low drugstore prices and sale discounts on certain products, you'll earn an incredible 5% ConsumerClub.com discount on all your purchases here.

Looking to block both sun and bugs? AVON.com can help with its Skin So Soft Bug Guard Plus Gentle Breeze spray and lotion in SPF 30. And you can get this product, among others, at two-for-one pricing right now. And since you'll earn a 4% ConsumerClub.com rebate on AVON.com, consider stocking up on a selection of SPF 15 lip balm and Advance Techniques Sun Dimension Highlight Builder for Blonde Highlights (only $9.99).

Sephora.com has all sorts of high-end skin-care solutions, and sun-care is covered here as well. The Peter Thomas Roth collection includes the Instant Mineral SPF 30 powder with a convenient brush applicator, in addition to many other products from this brand. Clarins has long been a leader in self-tanning products, and you'll find plenty of them with great SPF numbers here as well. These are just a couple from hundreds of sun-oriented skin products on Sephora.com, where you'll earn a 3% ConsumerClub.com rebate as you shop. And shop. And shop. Have fun in the sun!

Posted by Paige Price at 11:03 AM | Permalink

Most children grow like weeds. And even those in a growth plateau can leave a trail of tattered swimwear in their wake from one swimming season to the next. That means the right price is paramount, which makes the following web sites a perfect fit:

Bright colors. Fun patterns. Plenty of choices. JCPenney.com has lots of vibrant boys' and girls' swimsuits already sale priced for less than $20. And the savings can add up to even more here thanks to your 2% ConsumerClub.com rebate.

LandsEnd.com, known for blending sensibility and style, offers every shape and size of kids' swimwear. That includes bikinis, tunics, swim miniskirts and zip tops for girls, as well as fun baggy swim shorts and various styles of swim tops for boys. Did I mention most of it's on sale? And that you can earn a 3% rebate from ConsumerClub.com while you shop here?

Two more stops for kids' swimwear selections: Gap.com and OldNavy.com. Find everything from two-pieces and towel dresses for girls to trunks for boys. And you guessed it: You'll Earn a 2% ConsumerClub.com rebate as you shop here.

Posted by Paige Price at 11:38 AM | Permalink