Just so you know, we've never gone so "all out" for a DVD movie release as we are for Twilight...this has bigger elements than the midnight release of Harry Potter!  We were able to secure sweet gifts to give to the first 50 fans in line for the DVD on March 20th...yep, it's a Friday night so don't plan to drag the strip, you need to be in line for your goodies in the 24-hour stores.  Hey, it's Friday night you don't have school on Saturday morning so there's no excuse not to be there Twilighters...whoo hoo!!

We've worked closely with Summit Entertainment to get access to the cast members for our fans, that's right, I said we've secured access to cast members.  Thus far, we have a fan event/interview on blogtakradio with Taylor Lautner, and are working on a "special video greeting" at all stores from a special guest :)

And don't forget about the eBite, too fun, I went on the site this morning and sent one to my supervisor, I'm sure he will enjoy my support...yeah right, only if the eBite actually gives me super human powers.  I'll let you know if that happens later today, I'm still waiting.....

www.walmart.com/twilight

Yesterday Nintendo announced the DSi!  Can I just tell you how hard it has been to keep this secret…my son broke his Nintendo DS in the fall and he has been begging to get a new one.  I have been the mean mom telling him to wait until the summer.  Yesterday I became the coolest mom in middle school.  It just so happened that I had a lunch date booked with my son, and told all the kids at the lunch room table about the new DSi and all the fabulous features like:  It launches on April 5th, the weekend before Easter, at $170.  It has a camera, one that is external and one that can show what the game player looks like when playing.  It will have 10 interactive lenses that can help you manage and change photos.  You can also use the camera to interact with games, I am looking forward to hearing more about that functionality. 

Wow the DSi has touch, sound, and sight.  Could taste be next?  Now that would be interesting…

Oh, about the sound, the DSi will have a voice recorder and a music player.  Music can be played via an SD card even with the DSi screen closed.  There are a bunch more features that you all will have to read about on the Nintendo site.  nintendodsi.com/

As a mom of two, I am thankful that the DSi is backwards compatible and all of those DS games we purchased over the years can be played on DSi.  Thank you Nintendo!

I know I am. Often. Thinking about my budget and how to stick to it. Keeping a close eye on the balance in my checking account. And it’s tax season so of course I’m thinking about my taxes, which I still have to do, and wondering if I’ll have to pay in this year.

I recently realized how fortunate I’ve been to have a banking account most of my life, which makes all those things I think about when it comes to money that much easier. I’ll get to why I realized that in a moment, but first a stroll down memory lane …

I started working in high school and my parents helped me open up my first checking account. They taught me how to balance my checkbook, track to a budget and tuck money away in savings. I grew up one day and moved away from small town North Dakota to find that getting a new checking account wasn’t as easy as I thought. In the first several months after I moved, I didn’t have a bank account set up and I utilized check cashing services. It drove me crazy to carry around an entire paycheck of cash in my pocket and pay these incredibly high fees to have access to the money I worked so hard to earn!

That history ties back to why I realized how fortunate I am … First Manhattan Consulting Group estimates that more than 35 million American families are underserved by traditional financial institutions. In other words, more than 35 million families don’t have the advantages of a checking account, including depositing and cashing paychecks, checking their balances, paying bills, etc. 35 million families are in the same situation I was - without a banking account.

Because of this incredible need, Walmart is now offering its Walmart MoneyCard - a reloadable, pre-paid Visa debit card – at an activation fee of just $3. It works just like a debit card from a bank. For much less than what it would cost to cash a paycheck elsewhere, a family that does not have the option of a traditional banking account can have the advantages of a debit card. No overdraft fees because you can’t spend more than what is on the card. Accepted where VISA is accepted. And, easy to reload.

This kind of access to their money will help families budget, be able to pay bills online, and have the kind of financial freedom not had before. It will impact lives. Listen to some of the people who are realizing its benefits …

For all those rabid Twilight fans (remember I was "turned" earlier this year), the hype and mania is ramping up for the release of the DVD.  I mean the movie’s November 21, 2008 opening weekend was craaazy, being quickly surpassed by those waiting with baited breath to plop down in the appropriately scouted theater seat. The red velour, the popcorn crunching, the soda slurping, mmmmm. Soon you can bring that to your very own easy chair or puffy couch, snuggle in and grab your refreshments because Wal-Mart’s Twilight release will give you the fastest way to watch your coveted copy on March 21st! 

But don’t forget you can already get to the checkout lanes with your copy of the book series if your behind in your reading along with sweet posters to gaze upon as you peruse the pages while listening to your Twilight soundtrack awaiting the release of the DVD. You may as well utilize your time wisely if you’re not ALREADY a Twilighter. And if you are, you probably have done all of the aforementioned and can’t wait to get your trembling hands on the shirts (very cool), bags, and trinkets once they arrive at stores….you can be Twilight blinged out so to speak.  

Wal-Mart has launched a Web site for Twilight fans www.walmart.com/twilight that will host discussions and post news about the events and activities on the horizon. If you haven’t already, you can check out the exclusive behind-the-scenes movie footage too. In the next few days, you will be able to upload and enhance a digital photo to send an “eBite” to a friend. What’s an eBite you ask….no spoiler here, you’ll have to go check it out, because after all, vampires are all about mystery and intrigue! 

So keep your eye’s peeled for sound “bites” *ha* from me as the shadow of the Twilight event steps into the light and shimmers right before your very eyes. 

I love a good story.  I ran across one this morning as I was scanning thru my google alerts.  It came from Slashgear.com and was reporting a rumor out of Tawain.  

The rumor is that Asus, the makers of Eeepc netbooks and other computers is eyeing Walmart as their next distribution point for their netbooks.  They may be eying Walmart, but I have not spoken with anyone from Asus regarding placement of the Eeepc or other Asus branded product in our stores.  Just wanted to clear that rumor up.

If you are in the market for a new laptop or desktop, head to your nearest Walmart store.  There is a new set of products from Acer, eMachines, HP, Dell and Toshiba to fit your needs.  Also, we continue to have success with the Acer Apsire One mini and have recently made this even more affordable for customers.  It now retails for $298!!!

RH

We are excited