#ad @ZactMobile + @BestBuyMobile Specialty Stores are making 4G Contract Free & Affordable! #SmartPhone #WOLFBlogger

ad#: This is a Sponsored Post brought to you by Best Buy and Zact Mobile

As a Life/Career Coach and Social Media Consultant I spend a great deal of time on the phone. I spend the bulk of the day on an old school 'land line'. I'm one of the few people I know who has actually always been contract free on my mobile phone. Much like my workouts, I need variety with everything, and I know that I will change devices whether it's because I'm evaluating a device or I just want something with stronger functionality than the device I am currently using. Throughout the years contract free has become increasingly more difficult to get my hands on or did not offer the data coverage I required.

I recently had the opportunity to attend a Blogger Breakfast in New York City hosted by Techlicious and Zact Mobile (at the invitation of our friends at Best Buy!) where I had the chance to learn about their services and why Zact Mobile is by far the best solution for those considering purchasing a Smartphone for their young one this holiday season! While there are many mixed opinions and feelings on how young a child should be allowed to have a cell phone, the one thing that is certain is that there is a strong sense of safety knowing that your child has access to 911 and emergency services wherever they may find themselves!

And as someone who hates contracts (of any kind especialy cellular, and cable!), after testing my Zact Mobile plan and Samsung Galaxy SIII close to a full month now I can tell you if you want the ease of a no hassle contract, and the reliability of 4G, then look no further! Visit a Best Buy Mobile Specialty Store where you can actually test devices and get any questions you may have about Zact answered by their exclusive retail partner! (You can also nab it online directly HERE)

ABOUT ZACT MOBILE/BENEFITS:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Zact Mobile works off the Sprint Cellular and Data Network

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Provides Customers with Nationwide Coverage

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - à la carte service that lets users pick their voice, text and data plans

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You only pay for what you use, can re-adjust your plan at anytime during the month, that means butterflies that there are NO OVERAGES!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - You Get MONEY BACK and are given money back toward your next month's bill if you don't use all of your service

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The average bill with Zact is $22 per month

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Plans start at $3.49 per month with a $4.99 monthly line fee

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Zact plans are 'shareable', multiple users can share the same pool of talk, text and data

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Parents can set allowances on the amount of talk, text and data used on the device, set curfews for usage and set allowed or blocked contacts and control just which apps your child has access to


Check out the Video:

ABOUT THE DEVICE/Samsung Galaxy SIII:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Smart Stay - the screen maintains a bright display as long you are a looking at it

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Social Tag - keeps track of your loved ones, a glance at your friends' photos will show you their current Social Networking Status

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Direct Call - If you are sending a text message but decide to call instead simply lift the phone to your ear and it will dial your friend's number automatically

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - S Voice - Responds to YOU - tell the phone to wake up, answer an incoming call or take a photo

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Smart Alert - If you have been away from the phone or it was on the charger for awhile, it will give you a vibrating nudge to let you know you have a message or missed call

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - S Beam - Place two Samsung Galaxy SIII's back-to-back and you can transfer pictures, music, videos and more! (So with the Zact being an amazing family share mobile plan, couple the plan with this device that you can pick up your nearest Best Buy Mobile Specialty Store and it's the perfect device and plan for a big family, especially one that is always on the go!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Buddy Photo Share - the phone recognizes your friend's faces and it can share photos with them instantly.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Allshare Cast - You can beam photos or videos or even the game you are playing on the big screen TV while your phone doubles as the controller

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - AllShare Play - share documents and multimedia even when you are away from your computer

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 4.8 HD Super AMOLED high definition display

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pop up play - do two things at once watch HD Videos as you email or text

How to get them both:

With 414 stores nationwide a Best Buy Mobile Specialty Store is literally as close as your local mall or neighborhood shopping center! They focus on mobile devices, so if the latest tablet or smartphone is on your radar for this holiday season, checking them out in store allows you to get a true feel for the device. The staff is highly trained and they are NON-COMISSIONED so their focus is helping you determine which device and plan is right for YOU and your needs!

BEST PART: At a Best Buy Mobile Specialty Store they offer a complimentary 'Walk Out Working' program. They will set up and activate your new phone, as well as transfer your contacts and data. It doesn't get easier than this my friends!

MY TAKE:

As you guys probably know I've had a lot of devices that don't play nice with wi-fi or the device was smart, but my plan was not, this is the first time in a long time where both my plan and device have been able to keep up with me! I don't like being locked into any plan, I have never done it and now with Zact Mobile I will never have to, I will literally only pay for what I actually use. I avoid texting like the plague and love that I can opt out of it completely or pick the lowest amount of texts, it's data that I need most on a mobile device as they come along with me to events where I need to sometimes live tweet or blog. While as you guys now I am NOT a mom, I am an Aunt and a former Special Education Teacher, I have dealt with tons of young adults and teens and I do think that Zact Mobile is an amazing family plan! In fact, while my sister butterfly is a super hard sell, I'm thinking this plan might turn her around on getting niece and nephew butterflies their own smartphone. I love the safety factor of them always being able to reach family when they need us.

I had of course tried to activate my new device online, but there was a bit of a complication with my number transfer (I had just got a new batch of cards so I needed to transfer my number, so what? Don't Judge Me! LOL) so I did actually experience Zact's Customer Service, and they were phenomenal! In fact I had emailed them, but being the impatient one that I am, I decided to call shortly after sending the email, the rep that answered was actually the person answering my email so he immediately referred to me by name before I even gave it actually, Color me impressed! Now that's service!

I haven't completed the first full month yet (almost there though!), so I don't know yet how my actual usage will compare to what I think I use per month, and I am interested to find out how my bill will actually average out and will keep you guys posted of course!

Don't forget to let Best Buy Mobile, Zact Mobile and Samsung know that you saw them featured here on Ascending Butterfly! Who knows, maybe we can get them to come back and do something fun for my lovely butterflies!

Butterfly are you purchasing a smartphone for anyone on your list this year?

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: I am a Best Buy Brand Ambassador. This allows me to share information, sales, product reviews and deals on a regular basis! Ascending Butterfly was provided with a Samsung Galaxy S3 Smartphone and 4-month Zact Mobile Service Plan for editorial consideration. This is a compensated campaign brought to you by Best Buy and Zact Mobile. All opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information.

What do we want? Low Prices! When do we want them? NOW!

I'm probably the most weird woman on the planet, I HATE to shop. There I said it. Nothing bores me more. I hate the endless walking up and down aisles. I hate trying on clothes. If I could do all my shopping online I would.

This always drove my sisters crazy. Unlike me, if they could shop all day everyday they would. And the concept of window shopping, drives me crazy and my sisters, well they live for it.  I wasn't the teen trying to hang out at the mall. Fitting rooms plain make my hairs stand up on end.

Now when my sisters shop, I hang with my brother-in-laws. We check out electronics stores, sit on massage chairs and watch the room size televisions or play video games while we wait for everyone else to finish up their shopping so we can go eat!

Unfortunately I can't avoid shopping all together, and me being the tech nerd that I am, I figured there had to be a way to make shopping, faster, shorter, just plain easier, and thankfully there is! I personally enjoy marking decades by their commercial catch phrases (remember 'Where's The Beef?). This decade will be probably be best known for 'There's an App for that!', because usually there is! I actually found an app that takes the chore out of shopping, and I figured you'd want to know all about it too!

We are definitely living in an instant gratification society, and while I am not here to debate the pros and cons of it, I can tell you that when it comes to low prices, we can all agree we want it now! I want to know the lowest price on an item before I even step foot in the store, no one wants to waste gas driving around searching for the lowest price on something, especially when it comes to high end items like electronics. I for one am currently searching for a new laptop as I will be Live Blogging this year at the BlogHer 2012 Conference. (and I don't just mean as a blogger who will be there, I am live blogging at panels FOR BlogHer! I am super excited!) Here is the app I am using to help me take the choices I've narrowed it down to and find the best price for it:

About RedLaser:

RedLaser is a free app available for download for iPhone, Android and Windows phones. Downloaded over 20 million times, RedLaser is a secret weapon for the smart shopper – allowing you to scan or search for items to make sure you have all the information you need, including product details, ratings and price comparison.

Features:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Scan and search for products using the bar code scanner

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Compare prices online and at local retailers, so you’ll know you’re getting the best deal

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Find out which stores stock what you’re looking for by searching for a product locally. No need to drive around town searching for what you need!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Browse product reviews and rating

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Buy directly from your phone using PayPal mobile express checkout and you can pick up your item in a nearby store.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Create shopping lists (or wish lists!) and easily share them with friends and family via email, SMS, Twitter and Facebook.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Scan a food item to get allergen and ingredient information

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - To see RedLaser in action, check out this video, which shows how you can use RedLaser to find a last-minute gift.

I know know where the three specific laptops I've narrowed my choices down to are the cheapest. The app gave me just the info I need, the only thing I need to do now is decide which of the three I want! (of course if any laptop manufacturers are reading this and want to send me one, I'm totally open to it!).

RedLaser App in Action

My Take:

The app is free, easy to use, and tells you exactly where to go to find what you are looking for at the best possible price, it's instant gratification at its finest! For me it takes the chore out of shopping, and makes finding what I want at the best possible price, quick and painless. I for one read reviews on everything before making a purchase (minor or major) so I especially love that I can also browse product reviews!

Get Social:

You can get social with RedLaser on both Facebook and Twitter @RedLaserApp and don't forget to use the hashtag when you let them know just how much money you've saved, #RedLaser

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: I am participating in a sponsored post campaign for RedLaser in conjunction SheSpeaks, however all opinions are 100% my own.

New App Alert - iTriage Healthcare App!

What many of you might not know is that I was pre-med. I wanted to be 'Dr. Butterfly' :)

While life sort of got in the way of my MD dreams, my fascination with medicine and science has remained un-wavering all these years. I still love reading on advances in medicine and science, and where those advances, meet technology? EVEN BETTER! While we normally bring you a Mid-Month Moment of Health Feature that breaks away from our 'Soul Health' and focuses on our Physical Well Being, I couldn't hold off until the middle of the month to bring you this 'moment of health' feature!

iTriage

iTriage is the name of a medical reference application available for iPhone, iPod Touch, Android and Palm. (No worries my berry lovers, it's coming to Blackberry Soon!). The application lets you search and browse hundreds of symptoms, diseases, and procedures and provides useful descriptions of the conditions, treatments, and medical tests, the app also offers support links to your insurer’s advice line. I see it as a sort of comforting hybrid between a diagnostic physician, nurse and mom right in your pocket!

In addition, iTriage can use the iPhone’s GPS to help you find nearby pharmacies, hospitals, and other treatment centers. In some states it gives ER wait times so you can choose which one to go to. As someone who has battled with Asthma for years, I am completely shocked an App can actually give you ER wait times! I'd say the app is worth it, just for that feature alone!

Healthcare in Your Hand

The iTriage App is the brainchild of two emergency room physicians. After seeing a growing need for patients to have more actionable healthcare information in their hands, Drs. Peter Hudson and Wayne Guerra introduced iTriage to give healthcare consumers crucial information in acute care settings including:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Information on more than 300 symptoms, 1000 diseases and 350 medical procedure

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - A nationwide directory of hospitals, urgent cares, retail clinics, pharmacies and physicians

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Turn-by-turn facility directions from GPS, IP address or zip code locations

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Nurse advice lines

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Detailed quality reports from HealthGrades on hospitals and physicians

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Help negotiating medical bills through an iTriage partnership with one of the most respected claims adjudication organizations

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Emergency Room Wait Times for hospitals in select parts of the country

I can't imagine a more useful app, both mom and dad should have this one, and if you have a nanny or babysitter, make sure that person has this app too!

Mom Bloggers Club

˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙˙·٠•●♥ Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ ♥●•●•٠·˙

FTC Disclosure: This is a compensated post. This is a sponsored post via Mom Bloggers Club and I am a participating blogger in a paid campaign.