Having your computer protected from viruses is pretty much essential. But with the increased use of mobile gadgets to check email, log in to bank accounts and more, hackers are working hard to write mobile viruses that can compromise all your personal information including everything from your location to your data stored.

Luckily, there are apps available out there to help protect you from mobile viruses. One I’ve been using is Lookout Mobile Security. It’s free, and protects all the data on your phone.

Another reason I chose this app over others, it has Missing Device protection and Data Backup.

The missing device is pretty cool. You can log onto their website and have the site call your phone and it will literally scream so you can locate it under that pile of laundry or in ahem..the fridge- where ever you misplaced it. The phone can even be on silent and this app will still do its job of letting you know where you misplaced your phone.

As mentioned before, it will also back up your contacts and can help locate a missing or stolen gadget.

Lookout tackles the most important mobile security issues, from identifying emerging threats to preventing fraud and fighting cyber crime. Plus it screams when it’s lost, that’s what sold me.

[Click here to read more about this app and start protecting your mobile devices today.]

Are there any other good apps out there that you use for security? We’d love for you to share.

Have you heard about the Apple Camp being held at Kenwood Towne Center? Kids ages 8 through 12 can learn how to shoot their own footage, create an original song in GarageBand on an iPad and put it all together in iMovie on a Mac.

This free workshop, held at all Apple Retail Stores, spans three days (1 1/2 hours per day) and ends with campers debuting their masterpieces at the Apple Camp Film Festival!

There are various dates to choose from, but space is limited and workshops fill up quickly, so sign up now for a super-creative adventure! Again, it’s FREE!

[Click here to see all the dates & times available]

Sometimes when thinking about ways in which you can spruce up your home, the first thing that comes to mind is money; that making our home look awesome is going to cost more  than you want to spend. Instead of looking at it that way, try working with what you have, see what you can re-use, re-purpose and recycle. Sometimes the simplest most inexpensive ideas can have the biggest impact! Here are some of my favorite ideas I’ve come across that won’t break the bank but give big results:

Tie yarn around a paint roller for an awesome effect! [Source]

Paint clean soup cans your desired color, then screw them to a piece of wood. Set your newly made unit in the bathroom to store cooled hair-styling tools, or the kitchen for cooking utensils. [Source]

Use a industrial stapler to staple a decorative shower curtain to a piece of plywood for an inexpensive headboard or large scale artwork.  [Source]

Use an old shutter to organize mail and other papers that would otherwise be laying around or in piles. [Source]

Crown Molding Shoe Shelves can make the perfect space saver storage. [Source]

Here’s a cheap, easy, and beautiful fix for wire shelves. Use foam board and shelf liner. [Source]

There are so many cool ideas out there, that I might have to retouch on this topic again but until then, hope you can find some inspiration from these creative ideas!

Let’s have some fun today! It’s been awhile since we’ve hosted a giveaway and we want you to know how much we appreciate you visiting cincysavers.com, taking advantage of the half price deals we offer and following our blog!

The giveaway is for $50 in gift certificates to Panera Bread Company.

All you need to do to enter is leave us a comment below sharing your favorite summer time activity. Do you like to swim? Fish? Spend time with the kids? Vacation? We’d love to hear what you love about summer!

We’ll pick the winner tomorrow, June 19th, at random. Click here for information regarding claiming prizes. The winner will be notified by email and posted here within this blog post.

* If you haven’t commented on the blog before, it make take up to an hour for your comment to appear, but I promise, it will show up!

By leaving a comment below for this giveaway, you are also signing up for cincysavers.com emails. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Congrats to: Julie S!  She said she loves spending the summer with her kids, doing as many different activities as we can. We love to try new things and go to new places each week.

Thank you to all who participated in this giveaway. We enjoyed reading your comments about summer and all the fun things that come along with it.

Here’s a nice little freebie! Request a free sample of wildflowers courtesy of Burt’s Bees. This offer is while supplies last, so make sure you claim your seeds before they run out!

[Click here to sign up for your free wildflowers!]

Did you know that if you had a child in 2011, the average cost to raise hte child until they are the age of 18 is estimated at $234,900? (This information comes from the United States Department of Agriculture.)

With all the costs involved in bringing home a new baby, plus raising your child,  can be overwhelming to say the least. But luckily, there are a few things you can stock up on for free before your little bundle makes his or her arrival. Hey, every little bit helps!

Here were a few of my favorite sites I used when I had my son in 2011:

Sign up online for the Enfamil Family Beginnings program for up to $250 in free gifts.

Right away, they’ll send you formula and products from the Enfamil Staged Nutrition line.

They’ll also send you monthly coupons for formula and other related baby products. I’m not sure if they still do this, but I was sent a full-sized can of formula and then the smaller sizes each time my son entered a new stage, up through his first birthday.

[Click here to join the Enfamil Family Beginnings program]

While you are on the Enfamil website, make sure to print out a certificate for a FREE Enfamil® Pack ‘n Cool™. All you have to do is take is take the certificate to the hospital with you and you’ll receive a cooler bag, water bottle and molded ice pack along with safety tags, a coupon booklet and formula.

[Click here to get the Enfamil Certificate]

Need a good read as a parent? I recommend heading  over to BabiesOnline, you can pick up a free six-month subscription to American Baby Magazine.

[Head over to pick up your FREE subscription]

Similar to Enfamil, you can also sign up for the Similac Strong Moms program. They’ll send you formula before your little one is born and then coupon checks- which are usually for around $5.00 each and are valid on any size or variety of their formula. I would get about $20 worth of coupons sent to me each month, which was very helpful!

[Click here to sign up for Similac Strong Moms]

Request a free Beech-Nut Welcome Kit. This is actually designed for babies older than one, but I wanted to include it because it’s a nice freebie!

[Click here to sign up for the free Beech-Nut Stage 4 Kit]

Sign up for a free backpack from Gerber including another formula sample.

[Click here to print the certificate for your free Gerber backpack]

Sign up for the Join the START HEALTHY, STAY HEALTHY™ Resource Center to receive up to $114 in FREE coupons & offers!

[Click here to sign up for this program]

Enjoy!

Right now you can get a FREE one-year subscription to Ladies’ Home Journal courtesy of Value Mags. There are no strings attached and no credit card information required. The site will try to get you to sign up for other mailing lists and magazines but just click “no” and you’re good to go!

Ladies’ Home Journal has an all-new look and an all-new format that helps bring out your best with a blend of expert advice and personal stories from real women–just like you. It’s your story. Be a part of the conversation.

[Click here to claim your free subscription before the offer expires]

The winners of our 6/17/13 HalfPriceCincy contest have been selected!

Winners were notified by email, so make sure to check your inbox.

For this week’s contest, we’re back to giving away CD prize packs!

To enter this weeks contest, click here.

If you’re already signed up to receive HalfPriceCincy emails, then you’re automatically entered into the weekly contest.

Good luck and thanks for signing up to receive our emails!

Here are a few commonly asked questions and answers:

How do I sign up for the emails? 

You can sign up using this link.

If I already signed up to receive your emails, do I have a chance to win?

Yes! We pick multiple winners from our complete database. Meaning, if you signed up for our emails back in 2011, you still have a chance to win!

How will I know if I win?

We send out winner emails every Monday morning, so make sure to check your email.

[Click here for more details]

Let us know if you have any other questions!

Looking for additional ways to save money on cooling costs? Here’s a great tip shared by Greg, our guest blogger from JonLe Heating & Cooling. Greg Leisgang has been the president of JonLe for over 25 years and has worked in the heating and cooling industry his entire career.

Below, Greg shares his advice on one  efficient way to save money on keeping your home cool that many don’t think to do. 

Did you know that forgetting to replace your air conditioner’s filter regularly could lead to some serious consequences? It’s true. By not changing the A/C filter as needed, you’re risking a complete system breakdown. A clogged, dirty air filter is hard on your A/C system, and it causes other problems in your greater Cincinnati home. Changing out the air filter takes only a few moments, and it’s well worth your time.

Benefits of checking your filter monthly:

• Lower energy bills: Airflow restriction from a dirty filter forces the system to work harder to circulate air and wastes energy. Reduce your energy bill by replacing your air filter whenever it appears dirty.
• “Healthy” HVAC equipment: A neglected air filter inhibits airflow into the air handler, causing a partial blockage and extra strain on the equipment. Eventually your motor can burn out, overheating and causing system failure. At the very least, you can end up with inconvenient and costly repairs that you wouldn’t otherwise require.
• Longer system life: Added stress from a clogged filter can make your air conditioner old before its time. A dirty filter allows dust to build up inside the system, which may mean your HVAC system, a big investment, won’t last as long as it should.
• A cleaner duct system: Without proper filtration and air circulation, ducts can become lined with debris and contaminant buildup, including dirt and dust, fungi, rodent droppings and more. Duct cleaning may be necessary to restore the ductwork.
• Contributing to a cleaner environment: Changing the A/C filter avoids excessive energy use, decreasing your carbon footprint.
• Improved indoor air quality: A clogged filter allows unfiltered (or poorly filtered) air, laden with allergens, dirt, chemical emissions and bacteria into your home’s air supply. The circulation of contaminated air through the house can harm your family’s health.
• A fresher home: A clean air filter helps dissipate unpleasant or stale odors, for a fresher home environment.

Do you have questions about selecting or replacing air filters? Contact the Butler County and Greater Cincinnati professionals at JonLe Heating & Cooling or you can contact them by clicking here.

Make sure to stop by the JonLe Facebook page for more valuable and moneys saving tips

Hope everyone has a great summer!

Are you looking for something to do today for Father’s Day? Here are a few places that are offering dads a pretty nice deal:

The Cincinnati Zoo is offering FREE admission today to all dads.

King’s Island is offering free admission to Dinosaur’s Alive for all dads, however they will still have to pay for general admission.

The Krohn Conservatory is offering free admission to all dads wanting to visit the Moroccan Butterfly Show. Make sure to check out this beautiful exhibit as there are only two more weeks left!

Enjoy your day!