This Browser Is a Game Changer for Online Shopping

by Karly WoodDecember 9, 2021

One of our editors, Karly Wood, took Microsoft Edge, a browser loaded with shopping tools, for a test run for her holiday shopping. Here’s what she found:

Christmas is easily my favorite time of year. While many people quickly tire of the music, shopping and overall flurry of the season, I could blast my carols all day, every day and be quite the happy elf.

Even though the season seems synonymous with spending money, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that staying on budget when it comes to gift giving is one of my top priorities. Would I love to spend hundreds of dollars on each member of my family? Absolutely! Can I afford to do that? No, I cannot.

When I heard that a new browser just launched to make staying within my holiday budget a cinch, I had to try it out. I took to Microsoft Edge to use my $250 budget and see just how far this smart browser could stretch my funds—and spoiler, I was pleasantly surprised!

It's So Easy to Use

Trying new things can be exciting, but right now I need function! Microsoft Edge is so straightforward. Just pop in your shopping items and you're off and running! The browser automatically takes you where you need to go, offering ratings and reviews, coupons and pricing trends along the way. I've been wanting to get my step mom an Ancestry DNA kit and I know they've been on sale. But rather than purchase through the Ancestry website, Microsoft Edge showed me that I could purchase on Amazon and skip the shipping costs!

Original Price: $99.00

Price with Microsoft Edge: $59 + Free Shipping ($9.95 value)

Savings: $49.95

Microsoft Edge Does All the Coupon Work

Ever since Extreme Couponing rocked television, I'm always on the prowl for a good discount. Usually, that can take a lot of my time––which I don't exactly have a lot of on hand right now. Luckily, I don't actually have to do anything extra to make sure I'm getting all the available coupons at my fingertips. While I was shopping, the browser automatically showed me if there was an available coupon and get this: automatically applied it for me when I checked out! Because what's worse than finding a coupon, but forgetting to use it? (Been there, done that!) Based on this awesome feature, I snagged my daughter's coveted Barbie Dream Closet Playset at Target for almost $16 off!

Original Price: $48.49

Price with Microsoft Edge: $44.99 (7% off sale price) - $11.25 (Target Circle 25% off Coupon) - $ 1 super random Microsoft Edge Coupon= $32.74

Savings: $15.75

Peace of Mind on the Best Price Possible

How many hours have I wasted pondering if should buy something, only for it to go on sale after I purchased it? Microsoft Edge, you can do all that for me now, thanks. The browser does all the nitty gritty of tracking prices, so you know if your item is at a stable price or plans to fluctuate. Based on this awesome feature, I was confident that I was getting a great price on this Snapware set my mom wanted from Costco.

Original Price: $29.99

Price with Microsoft Edge: $24.99

Savings: $5

Heads Up on Better Pricing

Wait, I don't have to visit 20 websites to find the best price, you say? I've been on the hunt for a dutch oven for my dad for months, but they are pricy! Once I started shopping on Microsoft Edge, I knew I would get the best price. I checked out the Lodge website which listed the one I was looking for for $89 (way cheaper than Le Creuset, but come on savings!). Once I was there, Microsoft Edge alerted me to the fact that Walmart had the same item for $20 cheaper! Plus, all I had to do was click the link and it took me directly to the correct website. It's like I made money with how easy it was!

Original Price: $89.00

Price with Microsoft Edge: $69.00

Savings: $20

Microsoft Edge, you are my holiday best friend. I was able to knock out a bunch of family gifts, not to mention dance teachers and a buddy gift—while staying within my budget.

This Family-Focused Read Is Perfect for Kids Starting Chapter Books

by Kenzie KramerSeptember 28, 2021

If you’re looking for a thoughtful story about the power of love and what it means to be a family—snag a copy of A Secret Shared, by Newberry Medal-winning author Patricia MacLachlan. Perfect for readers ages 8-12 (or those transitioning to chapter books), this middle-grade book centers around the theme of adoption, specifically how a family navigates living with a secret and bringing the truth to light.

The story centers around twins Nora and Ben, and their little sister Birdy. When their mother takes A DNA test for her work as a newspaper columnist, they learn a shocking secret—Birdy doesn’t share the same ancestry as their parents. The twins begin to wonder what their parents are hiding… and how they’ve gone about their lives never knowing.

This beautifully written book delves into why people keep secrets, who to go to for help and how to move forward with openness and honesty. The parents’ love for each other, as well as their children, paints a heartwarming picture of what makes a family, no matter the circumstances that brought you together.

A Secret Shared is on sale now!

Model Mom! Naomi Campbell Welcomes First Child

by Sarah ShebekMay 18, 2021

Naomi Campbell is a new mom! The 50-year-old model surprised the world with an Instagram post today, accompanying an image of her hands cradling tiny baby feet.

“A beautiful little blessing has chosen me to be her mother, So honoured to have this gentle soul in my life there are no words to describe the lifelong bond that I now share with you my angel. There is no greater love,” she wrote in the caption.

http://https://www.instagram.com/p/CPA-OI0JwBp/

A British model, actress and businesswoman, Campbell broke multiple barriers as the first black model on the cover of TIME, French Vogue and Russian Vogue. She’s appeared on more than 500 magazine covers and is also heavily involved in charity work. She supports the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and amFAR and founded Fashion for Relief, uniting the fashion industry to support those in adversity.

Last year Campbell told the New York Times, “I’ve always been raised, by my mother, my nana, the wonderful strong women in my family, from this strong ancestry to understand that, whatever I was going to do, I had to do it 110 percent.”

With today’s announcement, another strong woman joins the Campbell family! Congratulations to Naomi!

––Sarah Shebek

Feature photo: Tinseltown / Shutterstock.com

RELATED POSTS

Alexa & Carlos PenaVega Welcome Baby #3

Samira Wiley & Lauren Morelli Announce Arrival of First Child on Mother’s Day

Marie Kondo Is Now a Boy-Mom As She Welcomes New Baby

150+ Online Learning Resources for Your Kids from Toddler to Teen

by Karly WoodNovember 12, 2020

If you’re looking to keep the kids learning and entertained now throughout the summer, we’ve got you covered. From toddler printables to elementary math and high school history, nearly every educational platform has made free or cheap online resources available to everyone. Keep scrolling to find simple ways to learn something new every day of the summer.

Elementary & Middle School

Online & Apps:
Age of Learning (ABCMouse, Adventure Academy, ReadingIQ)

Anywhere Teacher

America's Test Kitchen Kids

Captain Planet Foundation

Carson Dellosa Education

Elephant Learning Academy

Encantos Learning Hub

HeartSmarts Adventure

Learn@Home with YouTube

Legends of Learning

LEGOLAND Discovery Center

Natural History Museum of Utah's Research Quest Live

Paley Center for Media

PBS Kids Daily

Peanuts Gang Family Resource Gallery

Perot Museum of Nature & Science

Petersen Automotive Museum

Rebel Girls & Rebel Girls Podcast

Rivet

Scholastic

Science News for Students

Transcendence Theatre Company

TurfMutt

Typing Club

Varsity Tutors- Virtual School Day

Printables:

––Karly Wood

Disney+ Makes Frozen 2 Available Three Months Earlier Than Planned

Raddish Kids Offers 10,000 Free Kits During School Closures

Stuck at Home? The Story Pirates Have Ideas to Keep Your Kids Entertained

Check Out These Learning Resources Amid Coronavirus School Closures

Growing Your Family Tree Just Got Easier with This Ancestry Sale

by Karly WoodOctober 29, 2020

2020 has been a year for the books, with many families spending more time apart then ever. To help you feel connected, Ancestry has just announced a huge sale on some amazing products that are perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

From Nov. 1 through Nov. 23, you can catch huge savings on Ancestry Subscriptions, AncestryDNA and AncestryHealth test kits. Keep scrolling to see the deets!

Ancestry Online Gift Subscriptions

Give the gift of family this year and save 20 percent on a gift subscription. For $79.20, you can give a friend or family member access to the largest collection of online records to build the details of their family tree.

AncestryDNA (Origins & Origins + Traits)

Pick up an AncestryDNA kit for $59 and get three months of Ancestry Online Gift Subscriptions for just $1! You can also grab the Origins + Traits offer for $69 and get a precise ethnicity estimate, DNA matches and personal traits.

AncestryHealth

Normally you'd be paying $179 for this kit, but it's now on sale for $119. AncestryHealth will give you better insight into inherited health conditions, genetic conditions and traits.

––Karly Wood

All photos: Courtesy of Ancestry

The Mattel Playroom Transforms into a Holiday Hub

Carter’s Launches Virtual Santa Experience with Cameo

Ancestry Offers Free Resources to Inspire Educators and Engage Students

by Jennifer SwartvagherAugust 20, 2020

For the first time, Ancestry will provide K-12 teachers across America a free six-month World Explorer subscription to access billions of historical records, providing support in lesson development and project creation for the school year ahead. This past spring, the brand created teacher developed lesson plans which were available to download for free. Parents and tutors will also have access to Ancestry Library Edition as a free remote learning resource.

The free subscription will give teachers the tools to help students across the nation make connections to their ancestors, historical places, and events throughout time. By pulling records around historical events to contextualize chapters in history like WWII and the Civil War, teachers can bring their curriculum to life in relevant and exciting ways which is especially important for keeping students engaged during virtual learning.

“Family history research is a powerful tool for building resilience, connection and understanding for all ages,” said Margo Georgiadis, President and CEO of Ancestry. “We are deeply appreciative of the work of educators, particularly during this challenging time. Ancestry is proud to provide free tools to support educators with their focus on inspiring students with new curriculum topics and to make richer and more personal connections to important moments in history.”

The platform allows K-12 teachers access to the World Explorer subscription, one of three membership choices; the other two are U.S. Discovery and All Access. The World Explorer membership includes access to all records (U.S. and international) on Ancestry.

Access to most records on Ancestry, including Census records, draft cards, immigration records, as well as marriage and birth records, and much more
Access to all public family trees on Ancestry
Access to Ancestry Hints® regarding the records included in this membership
Ability for educators to create and edit their own family tree

Beginning on Aug. 20, up to 10,000 teachers can verify their credentials on Ancestry.com/backtoschool through Sept. 30.

Beyond teachers, remote access to Ancestry Library Edition may be available as a genealogy research tool for parents, tutors and educators. For library patrons of over 2,100 libraries that subscribe to Ancestry Library Edition, the offering will provide instant free access to a wide range of resources for genealogical and historical research. Distributed exclusively by ProQuest and powered by Ancestry.com, the program grants card holders access to billions of records in census data, historical photos, plus local narratives, oral histories, indexes and other resources in over 30,000 databases that span from the 1500s to the 2000s. To access this database, contact your local library to ask if they participate and for more details.

In addition to the wide availability of resources obtained through Ancestry Library Edition, parents and educators also have access to an intuitive search interface, detailed search indexes, and helpful Learning Center tools, making Ancestry Library Edition an indispensable resource for education this school year. This program will be available through the end of September.

Visit the website for more information on additional back-to-school resources and creative solutions for teachers and parents.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Virtual Field Trips Your Kids Will Love

Virtual Resources for Learning Science at Home

44 Science Experiments You Can Easily Do at Home

Ancestry Is Offering Free At-Home Education Tools

by Jennifer SwartvagherApril 7, 2020

Due to distance learning, parents are educating their kids at home and teachers are looking for exciting ways to reach their students. New and creative virtual avenues are opening up. Ancestry is creating teacher developed lesson plans available to download for free.

Ancestry is offering free online tools for at home history class success from downloadable activities to free access to millions of historical records and images from the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. They will continue to provide free online tutorials and video courses to help people get started building their family tree.

Your kids can become their own historian. Through this service, kids can take a trip back in time, with a deep dive into their family history. During this time at home, challenge your family to learn something new about their heritage or a specific time in history.

—Jennifer Swartvagher

Featured photo: Brooke Cagle on Unsplash

Yoga and Exercise Videos That Will Get Your Kids on Their Feet

Travel Plans Cancelled? Take a Virtual Vacation

20 Family Friendly Screen-Free Activities

by Amber GuetebierMarch 5, 2020

When it comes to unplugging in the modern world every parent knows it can be a challenge. But whether it’s a simple meal together or a round of hide and seek, there are plenty of ways to reconnect with the fam with nary a device in hand. Read on for our favorites.

photo: Agung Pandit Wiguna via Pexels

1. Enjoy a non-hurried, no-interruptions/texts/calls, 100% screen-free meal. It doesn’t matter if it’s take-out or gourmet.

2. Do a puzzle.

3. Write a story together.

4. Play superheroes for the day.

superhero_cc_Olaf_Gadin_via_CreativeCommons

photo: Olaf Gadin via flickr

5. Become a tourist in your own town. Visit a local museum, bookshop or cafe like a newbie.

6. Bake something together.

7. Make a mailbox and exchange letters.

8. Pretend you are a snake.

9. Clean up the house. No, really.

10. Hatch a dinosaur.

photo: Christal Yuen

11. Get creative with what you have on hand by playing low-fi games that take three props or fewer.

12. Go for a 5-minute “spot walk” around the block: Tell each member of the family to try and “spot” something they want to remember without saying what it is. Once you get home, let each person say what they observed.

13. Draw your family tree. It can be a simple tree with hearts on the branches, going back just one or two generations or you can go all Ancestry.com and get detailed.

14. Paint a Van-Gogh like masterpiece.

15. Head to the playground for a fitness break! See how many times you can go up and down the slide in one minute. Now see how many pumps (or pushes) it takes to swing taller than a parent’s height. Take turns doing pull-ups on the bars, sync your push ups on the bench and then race a lap around the park. Here are even more playground workout ideas.

photo: Schmidt-Reportagen via Pixabay

16. Play a board game. Here are five gross ones you may not have heard of yet.

17. Draw out a hopscotch course and hop to it! Dressed as superheroes or princesses or spies!

18. Set up a car wash for toy cars in your driveway. Too cold? Use the bathtub!

19. Read together.

20. Turn making the bed into a game. (We tried it ourselves and it works).

Want more ideas? We’ve click here for 18 easy ways to play with the kids whether you’ve got 5 minutes or 30 minutes.

—Amber Guetebier

Here Comes the Pun: 201 Hilarious Jokes for Kids

25 Fun Minute-to-Win-It Games for Kids

Tom Hanks Learns He’s Related to Fred Rogers

by Karly WoodNovember 21, 2019

When Tom Hanks was picked to play the iconic Mister Rogers in the upcoming film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, it was met with approval from fans of both stars. And while the resemblance and ease with which Hanks stepped into the roll seemed uncanny, now it seems it was more than that––it was fate.

Through the work of Ancestry, a genealogy service, it was discovered that Fred Rogers and Tom Hanks are actually sixth cousins! At the New York City screening of the new film, Access Hollywood shared the news with a stunned Hanks and wife, Rita Wilson.

When shown the family tree pulled together by Ancestry, Wilson and Hanks immediately recognized relatives from the Hanks lineage, solidifying that Access Hollywood definitely wasn’t pulling anyone’s leg. Hank’s response? “It all just comes together, you see.”

For family tree enthusiasts, Rogers and Hanks share a five-times great-grandfather. The duo descended from two brothers who both fought for the Revolutionary War.

photo: Sony Pictures via Instagram

So what would Fred have to say about all of this? “That is just wonderful. Now, that is amazing and Fred would have loved it. He loved family tree stuff,” says Rogers widow, Joanne Rogers.

Don’t forget to catch a showing of A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood when it arrives in theaters on Nov. 22.

––Karly Wood

It’s a “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” with the New Mr. Rogers Movie Trailer

13 Fred Rogers Quotes about Kindness That We Need Now More Than Ever

Before They Were Stars These Celebs Took Awkward Yearbook Photos Like the Rest of Us

by Shahrzad WarkentinSeptember 24, 2019

The results of school picture day are always a toss up. You could end up with a beautiful milestone keepsake, or you just might be left with something a little more… unique. No matter what, those pictures capture a moment in time before we are grown-ups, or in the case of these celebs’ yearbook pictures, the time before they were famous.

The Emmys just kicked off the start of awards season, which means we’ll be treated to dazzling photos of stars dressed up in their absolute best. But what about the days before they had designers to dress them and make-up artists to make them shine? Check out the yearbook photos of a few of your favorite celebs before they were stars.

Ellen DeGeneres

Milo Ventimiglia

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Matt Damon

Viola Davis

Patricia Arquette

Jerry Seinfeld

Jane Lynch

Don Cheadle

David Letterman

If you want to catch a glimpse of your own classmates, check out Ancestry.com’s Yearbook Collection here.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

All photos: Courtesy of Ancestry.com

The “Today” Family is Growing! Carson & Siri Daly Announce Pregnancy

Chris Noth & Wife Tara Wilson Announce Their Second Baby Is On the Way

ML Interest Tag: ancestry

This Browser Is a Game Changer for Online Shopping

It's So Easy to Use

Microsoft Edge Does All the Coupon Work

Peace of Mind on the Best Price Possible

Heads Up on Better Pricing

Related reads

This Family-Focused Read Is Perfect for Kids Starting Chapter Books

Related reads

Model Mom! Naomi Campbell Welcomes First Child

Related reads

150+ Online Learning Resources for Your Kids from Toddler to Teen

Toddler

Elementary & Middle School

Teen & High School

Educators

Related reads

Growing Your Family Tree Just Got Easier with This Ancestry Sale

Ancestry Online Gift Subscriptions

AncestryDNA (Origins & Origins + Traits)

AncestryHealth

Related reads

Ancestry Is Offering Free At-Home Education Tools

Related reads

20 Family Friendly Screen-Free Activities

Related reads

Tom Hanks Learns He’s Related to Fred Rogers

Related reads

Before They Were Stars These Celebs Took Awkward Yearbook Photos Like the Rest of Us

Ellen DeGeneres

Milo Ventimiglia

Julia Louis-Dreyfus

Matt Damon

Viola Davis

Patricia Arquette

Jerry Seinfeld

Jane Lynch

Don Cheadle

David Letterman

Related reads