Why do I love Dragon Naturally Speaking? Let me count the ways . . . .

Ok, so the video doesn’t tell you all ways I love Dragon Naturally Speaking. However, it does show you how easy it is to use the software. Literally, all you have to do is plug in a noise canceling headset to your computer and download the software. You place your cursor where you want to type and away you go. Now, you do have to train the software to your voice. I tend to talk fast, so it had to correct for that. Plus, if you find that it is typing same wrong word, you can train it on that specific word. This isn’t rocket science to figure out (which is good because I have a tendency to NOT read the books or pdf files that comes with software).

I was able to create that video while my kids were up and playing at my feet (and you can tell when they grabbed my leg, because the video starts wobbling. You can also hear them a little too.) However, I did want to show that you can still be involved in doing other things and be able to use Dragon NaturallySpeaking. This more than triples my typing speed when I am typing and dealing with my kids (Take the Dragon NaturallySpeaking typing test if you don’t know what your typing speed is). I am actually writing this blog post using the software too. Here is the official video on how this all works:

As I stated in my video, I am finding that I can get a lot more in the little snippets of time I have during the day plus I am able to get way more done at night. I love being able to go to bed before midnight. I love being able to answer emails and do blog posts when I have Will sitting on my lap drinking from his sippy and watching cartoons. I have five blogs, so being able to write more content in less time is a huge plus for me. Plus, anyone who knows me, knows I have no problems talking. I am able to do my freelance work and reports using this also. I will be recommending this to my boss. Beside blogging, I have used it to make my daily lists of what I have to do each day plus some grocery shopping lists too! I am not the only one who thinks it is great, check out this New York Times Review.

Dragon NaturallySpeaking is really for anyone who works on a computer. If you talk faster than you type, you need this. If you want to be more efficient in your work, you need this. If you just want a new toy to play with, you DEFINITELY need this. Time is money, and the time you save from using Dragon NaturallySpeaking makes it worth every penny.

I personally have a lot on my plate.  I am a mom, a freelancer, and a blogger with 5 blogs.  My free time is limited, and now that I am getting older, I am finding that my mind is not as good as it use to be.  When I saw ListPlanIt, I knew this was something I could definitely use!  I swear that this site has every kind of list you could ever need (my mother would be in heaven here — she loves making lists!).  I have to admit that my most favorite list had to be the grocery shopping one.  It allowed me to organize my shopping list, so I wouldn’t be running all over the store finding what I need.  It made me categorize each item I needed, so when I was in that department, I was able to get everything in one shot.  It is amazing how something so simple can save you a lot of time.  The second set of lists that I love is the time management ones.  Who can’t use a little help with time management?  You can do everything from a year in advance to daily routine planning.  I like being to write down what reviews I want to do, so I don’t miss anything.  There is even a weekly planner with meals!  I am in love with the meal planning lists.  There are just so many lists here, and I can find a use for almost all of them!  I literally could go on and on and on.

Now, can you use website that will help you organize your life?  (Seriously, who can’t?)  If so, I have the best giveaway for you.  ListPlanIt will give the winner a Quarterly Membership to their site to check it out.  Once you start using these lists, you will find it addicting.  What do you need to do to win?

Each one of these things will give you one entry:

1. Leave a comment on this post. I want to know which lists you think you would use the most.
2. Twitter about this contest. Please leave me your username so I can verify.
3. Stumble this post. If you don’t know what Stumble Upon is, please read Lori’s post at Blogging Cents. She explains it extremely well.
4. Add this post to other social media sites like Digg, Kirtsy, Blogging Zoom, Reddit, Propeller, Etc.

For 5 additional entries,

1. Blog about this on your blog. Please give me the URL, so I can verify.
2. Add this to any forums you belong too. Please give me the URL, so I can verify.
3. Subscribe to this blog using either my email or RSS feed
4. Add my badge to your sidebar:

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Good luck! This contest will end Oct. 6, 2008 at 8:00 PM CST.

Well, this isn’t a review for you.  Instead, I have some great promo links.  I have started my Christmas shopping here already, and I want to pass on some of the great deals I have found around the web!

KBtoys.com: FREE Standard Shipping on Orders of $68 or More - Limited Time Offer (see details)

KBtoys.com: FREE Standard Shipping on Select Batman Movie Toys (ends 8.04)

KBtoys.com: Up to 50% off Select Plug & Play TV Games (ends 8.04)

KBtoys.com: Summer Sale! Up to 40% off Select Items (ends 8.04)

KBtoys.com: WWE Elimination Chamber Value Pack (see details, while supplies last)

My family and l luck out.  We have plenty of credit cards at our disposal when I want to do some online shopping.  However, not everyone can get a credit card, or if they have one, it is only for emergency purposes.  What do you do when you want to shop and not use a credit card?

EBillMe comes to the rescue and allows you to pay cash online by using the bill pay portion of your checking account. I personally tried out this service yesterday, and it is super easy to use. First, I went to Tiger Direct to order a Wii game.  You click on the add to cart just like you normally would.  Then click on proceed to secure check out.  Fill in all your information and where it says “submit order” pick eBillMe.  That’s it!  You now have ordered using your checking account!  Now, on the screen you will have what you need to set up payment through your bank.  You also will get an email too!  Everybody’s bill pay is different, so I won’t go through how to set that up, but they make it super easy by giving you everything you need.  I didn’t take me any longer to buy my game  this way verses using a credit card (that is because it usually takes me a while to find my purse and wallet that has my credit card).

If you prefer not to shop online using your credit card, I highly recommend EBillMe.  This is also a great way to shop if you don’t want to be handing out your credit card number too!