Kitty Needs A Bag Of Chow
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Frames For The Face
When I was a little kid, I had fake glasses that I would wear all the time because I wanted to pretend I needed glasses. (I also wore aluminum foil on my teeth to pretend I had braces...it used to be cool to need those things.) As the years have gone on, I have actually been very happy that I have not had to have glasses but eventually, at some point, we all are going to have to get them for one reason or another.
Many people opt for contacts but I have to tell you, that’s not going to work for me. I don’t even like putting eye drops in my eyes when they are red from lack of sleep. I do not like putting a thing in my eyes. Even when I do go and get my eyes checked out and the Doc does that puff of air in my eye, I question him on his “credentials”. (Really, I do. I ask him, “I understand you graduated but WHERE in your class did you graduate? Were you near the top?") That is how much I hate things touching my eyes or anywhere near them.
So when the time comes, I’m getting glasses. Besides, glasses can be a fashion statement just like your clothes. You don’t have to get boring glasses, you can get some that send a message about your personality or character.
Of course, no one wants to have to spend a fortune on glasses because they break, are lost, get scratched, etc. And these days, people are looking for deals where ever they can find them. So, I’m here to share that if you are in the market for a good pair of eyeglasses, you can find some cheap eyeglasses at Zenni Optical.
Now, let me tell you, the FIRST thing I noticed about this site is that they have a place where you can upload a photo of yourself and then compare frame shapes and sizes to your face so that you will know what kind of glasses look the best on you. When you shop online, you pretty much take a risk that the clothes or shoes or whatever will fit and look good. At Zenni Optical, they took that risk away. It’s a great feature and reminds me of a “make over” CD I had a long time ago.
Navigating the pages are extraordinarily easy. You start off by narrowing the field down between children, men or women. (You can even pick unisex if you don’t like the typical type for your gender.)
You pick your price range, prescription type, shape, (after you have uploaded your photo and played around a little), and then type. You can also narrow the field down by color.
One of the more interesting choices in type is holiday themed eyeglasses. Yep, holiday themed. Here’s an example:
Pretty neat, eh?
How about these?
I would totally wear these types. I would look awesome AND I would save tons of money. They’re under $20!
I can see you, laughing at me wearing snow man glasses but you have not seen me in them, one, and two, you might want to close the pie hole because with the money I just saved, I could buy you a better gift for Christmas than the one I was planning on getting you. You wanted a cool travel mug or a nice warm Chamois shirt? Alright then. Unless you want me to buy you a holiday themed sweater with a horrid looking, crooked Christmas tree on it, I suggest you start oohing and aahing when you see me sporting my Snowman glasses, mmmkay?!
Course, some of you are like me and think holiday themes are cool as all and would like to get some for yourselves. Ok, then click that link above and get over there. Start searching. They have themes for all kinds of occasions, not just Christmas. How about you go take a look and come back here and tell me which ones you would get.
Then we can all look stylish and smart together.
Keep It In Your Wallet
Does anyone else do this?
You go to the store to get food or whatever it is that you need and look for the best prices that you can. Even then, you still calculate, at the end, just how many hours you had to work to pay for those groceries or other items.
“Dang, that was 5 hours of work for that!”
Many of us work hard. About the last thing we want to do is part with what we earned from that hard work. But, there are things in life one must get and sometimes, it would be nice to get something fun or “just because”, as well. What’s the point in all that hard work if you never get to treat yourself to even something small?
The best way to treat yourself and not feel guilty about it later, is to save up the money you didn’t spend when you paid the bill. And the best way to save is to find the deals. And a great way to find deals is to visit Savings.com. You can find all kinds of deals at Savings.com.
For example, this year is the first year in ages that it actually feels like Christmas. The weather outside is cold and icy, (hopefully snow soon), smoke wafts from chimneys keeping the occupants warm and spreading a smell of comfort through the air, festive decorations have been put up by the town and some of its residents at their homes so I thought, “This year, because it FEELS like Christmas, I want to get a tree and get presents for the pets.”
One of the best places to shop for pet supplies is at Doctors Foster and Smith. I love that online store and I have shopped there a number of times. If I go to Savings.com first, I can get up to 50% off of some of the cool stuff available simply by activating a coupon. Fifty percent off! I can buy the pets toys and collars and meds if they need them and save the money I have worked hard for this past couple of months.
With the money I saved by activating the coupon at Savings.com, I can buy WARMER clothes at either JCPenney, or KMart or the store that sucks me in every time, Target. (You must pronounce it “Tar Jay”, (soft J).) Yah I got some warm clothes preparing for this winter season but the other day it was 9 degrees. Nine. Degrees. And the wind was blowing. It was a little painful. So if I’m going to be out there being all festive this holiday season, I’m going to need warmer clothes and not freeze to death trying to spread holiday cheer.
The best thing is that I can go through Savings.com and YET again! I can save more money while I shop at Target looking for the warmest coat they have.
Take a look around. They have deals not just on clothing and pets, you can find deals on grocery store items, home and garden, electronics, books, cell phones, etc. You can also use the “local” feature by putting in the search bar what you are looking for and then your zip code.
Sweet, eh?
So this year, the pets get Christmas and I get to stay warm because Savings.com wants me to keep more of my money and anyone who helps me do that is A-OK in my book.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
The Deadline Approaches
Tis the season for stress! It’s getting near Christmas and many still haven’t completed their shopping and some out there have realized that their lists are getting longer every year. On the positive, that’s great, it means more people in your life who care. On the negative, gads! That’s a lot of money! Tight on money, tight on time....it can become overwhelming.
UNLESS, you heed my words here and start shopping smart and stop stressing. First of all, you have at least another week to get a handle on things so relax, have a cup of hot cocoa, add the marshmallows if it will help, sit back, and clear your head.
Is your head cleared?
No?
Go get another mug of hot chocolate.
Ok, NOW is your head cleared? Ready to listen? Good. You do not have to worry. No need to panic. The answers are here.
The very first thing you need to do is head on over to BestOnlineCoupons.com. You can find coupons for all kinds of places such as DELL, (awesome), Target, Best Buy, Tire Rack, etc. Ok? They have coupons for jewelry, electronics, toys and games, cameras, etc. They have coupons for interesting gifts such as event tickets, gifts for your pets, movies, music, flowers, cell phones, shoes, and even eco-friendly items. You are bound to find something for everyone on your list.
Alright, you’re starting to chill out, you’re thinking you just might have this but I see the anxiety rising again...."But...how will I get it in time!?!?!”
Did I not say to heed my words? Listen. On the same site, they will tell you not only which stores have what deadlines but also still help you out in the coupon department. Interested in gifting something from Apple? No worries! Check out the Shipping Deadlines for Christmas 2011 page and you will see that for some Apple products, you have between December 20 and December 22 to get your order in. That is a week away. You have time! In addition, you can save up to $100 on a New Mac and printer! It’s insane the savings!
“Gasp! I forgot to get something for my brother’s new step daughter! Oh noes!”
Again...relax. Scroll down the page, see there where it says Toys R Us? Yes, you can still find toys to buy and ship off up to December 22. Not only that, if you use the coupons available to you through the site, you can get up to 50% off or you may find some items are “buy one get one free” and you can get FREE standard shipping.
Disney, (up to 40% off of your fave Disney items!), Fashion Bug, Baby Phat, Cabelas, (for the sportsmen...$440 off Humminbird 798 Ci Si Side-Imaging Sonar/50-Channel Internal GPS Receiver Combo Now: $759.99....seriously? Do you have any idea how happy you will make someone with this gift and you saved over $400!!!!! (But hurry, you only have a couple of days left for that deal)), GODIVA, (free shipping on $60+ and up to $75 off on some items), Golf Galaxy, (99 cent shipping, up to $75 off on some items)...the list seems endless. There are gifts for men, women and children all with coupons, all with deadlines a week or so away, all ready for you to calm down, think clearly and start ordering.
It’s going to be ok. We move fast in this country, remember? This isn’t how it used to be when you had to have everything done a month in advance, in some places, you can shop up to THREE days in advance and still have it arrive in time. All you have to do is click your mouse a few times, use Best Buy Coupons, and you will have a handle on this year’s Christmas shopping. This site makes it easy, you don’t need to sweat it. Make everyone believe you have it together and are well organized.
It’s the website that is well organized, you just have to click and have it shipped. What on earth could possibly be any easier?
Now, because I told you about this and because BestBuyCoupons.com put together such a fantastic site, you owe the both of us a nice plate of chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk. You are welcome.
With A Name Like Versace...
The name Versace is well known even to those of us who don’t keep up on the latest fashions. Gianni Versace was just so good at what he did, everybody knew who he was. Back in 1978, Versace started designing sunglasses. Yah, all those people are wearing them NOW but they have been around for much longer. The company, Luxottica Group S.p.A, a company founded in Italy, just like Versace, is the world’s largest eye wear company and they do make Versace glasses under license. Anyway, Versace Eyeglasses are not cheap. The reason is because they are so well made and are high quality.
I can’t even tell you the number of sunglasses I have gone through when I drove the air boats and even plowed through a few pair here in Maine. By the time you add up all the money I’ve spent on cheap-o shades, I could have easily afforded a pair of Versace sunglasses. For one, the color, meaning the coating, isn’t going to peel off easily, if at all. I have walked around with flecks of coating on my FACE because of my cheap shades. (Not that anyone bothered to INFORM me!) Also, while any glass can scratch, again, these sunglasses are high quality and won’t scratch nearly as easily as others.
What makes Versace different is simple, and succinctly put by someone, somewhere: In Your Face Luxury
The style is very distinctive, creative as well as more artistic than any other glasses, being inspired by the Greek culture, making it highly recognizable. Many of the big name celebrities wear these glasses making them even more sought out by people around the world and in Europe, Versace is the king.
If you want sunglasses that last, that won’t leave you with flecks on your face, (that’s so much fun), that look better than any other sunglasses out there, stop spending your money on garbage. Save it and invest in an exceptional pair of shades that not only protect your eyes from the glare of the sun but make you look good, as well.
Monday, December 12, 2011
Science Rules!
If you’ve been here for awhile, years that is, you’ll know I love science. I love finding cool, obscure or interesting things related to science and talking about it on here. Well, kids, I have just discovered a new source for my daily science news.
I love the layout, I love the stories, I love the science of it all. It is going in to my bookmarks and you will, undoubtedly, see reference to it in the future.
From lightning research to rats to worms that have been successfully grown for 12 years in space, this is an amazing site for extraordinarily interesting, cool and awesome science.
The site has been around since 1998, (think of all the science news I’ve missed...gah), and hopefully will continue to be around for a very long time. They do talk science but they are also now offering coupons for travel.
Sounds weird? Not really. Think about it, scientists do a lot of traveling around the world looking for things, digging up bones, snapping photos of rare leopards, or attending conferences to learn and discuss with other scientists. Well, they want to save money, too, just like you and me so SciTechDaily has a nice page set up filled with Orbitz promo codes. They also have an entire page filled with Hotwire coupons.
With these, scientists, or just those who can’t get enough of science, are able to travel around in rental cars, book hotels, flights, cruises, (what better excuse to get some research done), etc without spending more than necessary.
And who knows...maybe on your travels you’ll discover something or photograph something that will baffle the science community and maybe, just maybe, you can end up on SciTechDaily featured in your own story.
Friday, December 09, 2011
Still Searching For The Perfect Gift?
So, you’re almost done with your Christmas shopping but you have that one person who is impossible to shop for. What do you get them?! Gar, it’s so frustrating trying to find the right gift for the person who seems to have everything!
Fear not. I am here to save you. Well, I and Geekalerts.com are here to save you.
You really need to check this site out. It has some cool stuff like the Plantini Desktop Botanical Garden or the Garden Zombie Statue. (zOMG! That is PERFECT for Halloween!) Maybe you, or the gift recipient, (if you can buy these things and not keep them for yourself), would like to decorate your tree with The Faces of Jack Skellington Ornament Set. OR! Bacon Candy Canes! Ha! That could be used as a gag gift or for those guys who can’t seem to get enough bacon.
Maybe money is a little tight this year.
As the site suggests in one place, you’re not a 1%er. You don’t have money flowing out of your pockets, or from under your mattress, or buried in the back yard in coffee cans in several spots at different depths, as well as in banks in the US and Switzerland. Is it necessary to be the 1% to be able to celebrate Christmas in style?
No! It is not! You can still have Christmas. Get the Peanuts Charlie Brown Christmas Tree with Music and let others know that you are embracing the REAL meaning of Christmas.
All kidding aside, everyone wants to save some money and that is why you can use ThinkGeek coupons while you shop. Geekalert.com has a page of Musicians Friend coupons that you can use to buy drums, keyboards, mixers, amps, strings, etc. You can save up to 95%.
In case you missed that, you can save up to NINETY! FIVE! PERCENT! on musical instruments or items. Unbelievable!
Ok, so the musical instruments are for you, I get that, and I totally understand. Believe me. But you are still looking for the perfect gift for that hard to please recipient. There’s still a way to get that most perfect and memorable gift and still save money. Just use the ThinkGeek promo codes and you can find yourself wrapping up some of the most awesome gifts EVAH!
Like this one: Annoy-a-tron
or
You can buy two microbes and get a Swine Flu microbe for free!
No, really, look at how cute: Microbes! We laugh in the face of disease!
Seriously, this is the best site for the geek in you. These gifts are fricken cool and hilarious and maybe you really don’t have to be a geek to appreciate them. Nonetheless, if you are a geek, like me, you will love it. Go! Find ways to express your geekiness and you should have absolutely zero problems finding the gift for that last, hard to please, name on your list.
You are WELCOME for the information.
Wednesday, December 07, 2011
Those Pills
If you have been paying attention, I think you know how I feel about prescription drugs being pushed on to the consumers. The commercials disgust me.
“Have arthritis? Take this pill and cure your arthritis. In the meantime, you’ll suffer nausea, diarrhea, heart palpitations, high blood pressure, shingles, hair loss, abdominal pain, loss of limb, and possibly death...but hey! You won’t have arthritis pain anymore!”
So how many of you have ever heard of Actos? It’s for those who suffer diabetes. Diabetes is no laughing matter and if not treated, can certainly lead to loss of limb and death. Some diabetes can be controlled by diet, (such as the type my male parental unit has), and some people have to take pills or insulin.
The problem here is, Actos is the most taken pill by diabetes sufferers. The reason? Because they were told to switch from Avandia because it increased the possibility of heart attacks. Switch to Actos! No more heart attacks! MILLIONS of people have taken this drug. MILLIONS! So what is the problem? Have you heard of the actos lawsuit?
The lawsuit is there because people were becoming higher risk for a really potentially fatal disease, bladder cancer. In fact, some users of Actos are at a 40% higher risk of developing bladder cancer.
Cancer.
Remember in the old days when it was whispered, “they have the cancer”? We talk about it now. We talk about it openly and everyone knows, cancer is not something you need to be messing with. So now, these people have diabetes AND can get bladder cancer? Seriously, this is unacceptable. In fact, it is so unacceptable that France and Germany have taken if off the market. The US is “still deciding”.
In the US, 70,000 people a year are diagnosed with the disease and 15,000 a year die from it. It CAN be treated but remember, with cancer comes chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, doctor visit after doctor visit. I’ve seen some one dying of cancer. It is not pretty.
As stated, there is a actos class action lawsuit where those who have indeed developed bladder cancer as a result of taking this drug can potentially be rewarded one hefty sum.
Sums are nice and all, but as one who has suffered injury and received compensation, I will tell you, I’d much rather have my health back. Unfortunately, some companies only operate based on dollar amounts. Fine then, hit ‘em where it hurts, right in their pocket book, especially if it is revealed that the drug maker, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, did indeed know very well that this drug could put those people at risk.
If you or someone you know is taking Actos, I’d get on that phone and call the doc because it may be time to find something else.
Vincent Vs The Bank
Just who is Vincent Tchenguiz? Well, he’s a businessman who was born in Tehran and went to school there until 1973. He then moved to the UK and eventually got in to the trading business working for companies such as Shearson Lehman Brothers in London.
At one point, in 2008, the Icelandic bank of Kaupthing collapsed. Vincent Tchenguiz, a property tycoon, reached a settlement of 1.5 Billion pounds after the collapse, citing civil damage claims, and after being arrested and investigated for fraud, to which he was cleared.
Vincent Tchenguiz has asked for a judicial review in reference to his arrest and it is unclear if the settlement will cover his legal expenses with are said to be in the millions.
Mr. Tchenguiz has other homes as well as a yacht bearing the name, “Veni, Vidi, Vici”. One must wonder, did he, indeed?
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Cover It Up
I have to admit that it wasn’t until I moved out to the Everglades so many years ago that I ever had a need for tarps. And when I did have a need for a tarp, I was very reluctant to get one. Even though I lived through hurricanes and saw these tarps being used on roofs, windows, boats, cars, etc, I never thought I actually needed one.
I was wrong.
I got my first bbq grill when I moved to the Glades and I made a little area just for it, had everything all neat and orderly and bbqed like a fiend the first month I had it. I figured because it was a bbq, it was meant to be outside and therefore it did not need to have a cover. I actually thought I was so smart for NOT getting a tarp to go over it. After awhile though, I realized that tarps were not a waste of money or unnecessary for me, they were actually very important if I wanted my stuff to remain in good shape. The legs and anything else that was aluminum on that grill rusted in short order and basically looked like garbage in my yard. I eventually threw the grill away because even though it could still be used and worked just fine, I couldn’t get rid of or get over how horrible it looked after all that time, unprotected, in the weather.
I decided I did not want the same fate to befall my 7 cu ft chest freezer that I bought to hold my pets’ food. I had to put it outside because when I lived in Miami, I had no room inside my house unless I wanted it right in the center of the living room. It sat outside for almost an entire year but it was one of the big items that I packed up to take with me when I moved. See, after sitting outside through unrelenting sun, torrential downpours and thunderstorms, my chest freezer still looks brand new because I took one simple step. I covered it with a poly tarp and wrapped a bunji cord to it. You would never know that this freezer had been outside for even 5 minutes that is how good the poly tarp protected it.
If you have a bike, a generator, a bbq grill, a boat, or you live in earthquake, hurricane or tornado country, you really need to invest in poly tarps. They protect everything so well because they are waterproof, they protect from the harmful rays of the sun and they keep the leaves and twigs and whatever else may fall, away from your stuff. There’s a tarp for just about anything you can think of and they WILL protect what is underneath.
I am forever sold on the idea and usefulness of poly tarps as I look at my gleaming white and clean chest freezer and will never go without one again.
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Looking For A Place To Start Over?
So by now, just about everyone, (with exception of extremely rich), have felt the impact of the imploding housing bubble, the unemployment rate, the more expensive foods, etc. It is rough out there. It is no picnic whatsoever. And some of you may be thinking about packing it all up and finding greener pastures. But where to go? What area is up and coming?
Ever thought about Las Vegas real estate?
Even though times are hard, people still travel. People still go on their vacations and people still spend money. I can vouche for this as I worked in the tourism industry and even after everything fell apart the people still came. Tourism numbers can fluctuate, of course, but there will always be tourists and in some countries, the tourists have quite a bit of money to spend. Consider China, who seems to own most of the world now. We had a lot of Chinese tourists who would come to our place. They spend their money like it’s going out of style. That is extremely good for businesses.
In Las Vegas, those Chinese tourists are starting to show up and they are spending. Everyone knows Vegas as a fun place to go on vacation whether it be for a night or a week and people spend their money in Vegas. Some people have a whole lot of money to burn, like many Chinese tourists. We give them money every day when we buy products made in China. Some Chinese are doing quite well these days and if they want to bring that money back by spending it in resort towns or fun, exciting places like Las Vegas, I say “Welcome China!”
The point is, when tourist dollars are pouring in, it’s much easier to find jobs that pay well. When you have a job that pays well, you are able to afford a really nice home, apartment or condo and live a good life. If you were to take a look, I think you would be surprised. Some of the las vegas high rise condos are running between $60,000 to around $170,000 and are NICE. Of course, if you are wealthy, Las Vegas has multi million dollar high rise condos for you, as well.
Maybe you have never been to Las Vegas and you think it’s nothing but desert, brown, dry and boring. You could not be further from reality. Las Vegas is actually in a really nice area with lakes and mountains around. For example, in the northwest region of Vegas is a little area where you can find homes for sale in Summerlin. Summerlin is a 22,500 acre oasis surrounded by majestic mountains and has beautiful double tree lined streets as well as gorgeous views of the entire Las Vegas valley.
Maybe you’re a water person and want to live near the water. You might be thinking there’s no big bodies of water in Vegas. Again, you would be wrong. You can find stunning homes in Lake Las Vegas running anywhere from $150,000 up to the millions. Lake Las Vegas is a fresh water lake and the community is very well planned opting for a Mediterranean theme. Gorgeous places to live in this area.
So if you’re looking to pioneer to a new location, start fresh, try something different and want to live in an extraordinarily nice area that will always have booming business thanks to the millions of tourists who visit each and every year, think about Vegas. It has everything a person could want.
Find out how easy it is to find your new home for your new life in your new city, with the following video:
Take a trip to Vegas, do a bit of gambling for fun and then check out the rest of the area and see how wonderful life really can be.
Monday, August 15, 2011
My Brain Is Tired
Have you ever done this?
You walk in to a room to get something, you get to the room, stop, think and completely forget why you were there or what you came for? After much staring off in to space to try to will your mind to remember, you abandon the idea, knowing it will come to you later. You walk away and go to do something else. Naturally, within 20-30 seconds, you remember why you were going to that first room. So, you go back to the first room to get what you had intended to get, get to the room, stop, think and once again, completely forget what you came for.
I tend to enjoy the company of people who make my brain work. I like those who can play up words, have a very strong grasp of the English language and force me to use my creativity; get those wheels turning. It delights me, for one and it strengthens my brain, for another.
Unfortunately, sometimes it seems we find ourselves around people who don’t tend to exercise their brains all that much. After four years at my previous job with people just like that, I have said that I felt I had dropped IQ points, that my brain was being fried, that I was not as “with it” and alert, my memory not as good, my cognitive abilities rusty.
It wasn’t just me talking. It is true.
As we get older, it is so vitally important that we continue to exercise our brain, to work the brain, to keep it strong. It’s not just a mental thing, it also makes a huge difference in your physical well being. Anyone who has been around the types of people I have described in my stories knows that. A person can start to feel stress, can become weaker, lazier, less active and all of that affects your health. The first step to keeping healthy is to ensure that your brain is healthy.
So I found this site called Cognifit that does brain training. Yes, brain training. If you don’t have anyone around you who can keep your brain working, who can force you to exercise it at a higher level, you’re going to need this brain training.
The first thing I did was take the test to see where I stood.
OY!
Not good. I used to be so much better than this but my poor little brain got no activity for four years! It was rarely stimulated. I did not have intelligent conversations, there was no push to work my brain, to better it, to exercise it. And it got mushy! That’s embarrassing!
Not only is it embarrassing, it explains a LOT with how I feel lately. I’m tired. All I want to do is sleep. My brain is asleep so my body wants to sleep. My brain is out of shape. It’s flabby, lazy, sitting on the couch watching mindless re-runs of M*A*S*H and eating Cheetos by the bagful. It doesn’t want to go out and do anything, enjoy the sunshine. All it wants to do is sleep and veg.
My brain used to be sharp! It could catch anything subtle. My memory was a thing of legend. People were in awe of my memory. In fact, in school, I was the only one out of all of my classmates who was able to memorize The Highwayman and recite it in front of the class. Oh, some tried but they failed because they did not have a brain as sharp as mine.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that over the years, my hand/eye co-ordination has gotten worse. I’m not as quick with the mouse as I used to be. I drop things all the time. I miss. I am not able to grab that ball out of the air that was thrown to me unannounced. I used to be able to do all of this.
My brain is in dire need of serious exercise. Thankfully this site helps people do just that. It helps people work on memory, focus, attention and perception. While you will see how you stand against the rest of the world, (and I WILL get to the point of above average because I will not settle for less), after you take the assessment test, (where I found out how dumb I got in time), you will begin training that is tailored to your needs, not the needs of other people.
The great part about it is that you can do this in your own home, it only takes about an hour a week and you can greatly improve your skills. The best part about it is that it’s FREE. That’s right, FREE brain training so that you don’t forget why you walked in to the room, so that you don’t walk around dropping things left and right or you can up your A game in any sports you take part in, your memory will improve, your attention span and attention to detail will improve, your focus will improve and your perception will improve. For free.
Sign up, (for free), take the assessment test, take an hour each week to train and watch how your entire life, your health and your happiness starts to improve.
Get To Celebrate Again
Now that I’m in Maine, where there are four seasons again, I am looking forward to fall and Halloween. It happens to be one of my favorite times of year. I have no idea if I’ll get trick or treaters but I’ll have the candy ready, just in case. And if I don’t, huzzah! More candy for me!
But if I do?
Oh, if I do, then next year is going to be good. If I get a good showing of little tykes wanting to trick or treat me, next year, I’m going to go all out. I’m going to change the lightbulb on the porch to a dark blue, I’m going to set out tons of decorations in the yard to make it look like a cemetery, (which, a few real ones exist just down the street so I can go there for pointers), I’m going to have some kind of cauldron bubbling, if I can find one, and have something pop out at the kids as they walk by. (Something that uses a motion detector as the trigger.)
If they can bear to pass that, when they do knock on the door, they will be in for a surprise and scare. Inside the house will be dark and gloomy, “spider webs” everywhere, something making an eerie noise in the background, something moaning or screaming, something flitting by....plus I have black cats and black dogs....hahahahahahahaha!
But then I have to dress myself. I have in mind what I want to look like and I have found that costume online. In fact, this place has tons of costumes for all types of events, not just Halloween.
The site I’m looking at has a lot of decorations for Halloween, Halloween Costumes | Plus Size Costumes | Childrens Costumes at this unique Halloween Costume Store. The one I’m looking at is the Grim Reaper found on page 10 under the Halloween Costume tab. Plus, I’m going to buy the scathe and some boots they have available, (conveniently located on the same page to make ordering easy), to complete the ensemble. This site has great prices, great costumes, lots of decorations, great return policy, available international and if ordered by 3pm, typically the items are shipped that day. Great for people like me who are impatient to get on with the planning.
Oh and I’m totally getting the skeleton hands from that site as well because it’s a requirement to hand little kidlets their candy with such things.
I’m also going to have a stool near the door and since the costume is a Plus size, (I want it really big), it should hang much longer so that I can stand on the stool and loom, menacingly, over the innocent children. MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I so, so hope that I get little kids coming to my door this year and I hope it’s a lot because if that happens, I have an entire year to plan and scare the daylights out of them next year...because that’s how I roll.
Friday, August 12, 2011
It's Back To School Time!
Parents everywhere are a little sad but also jumping around for joy because soon their kids will be going back to school. However, some parents may be a little anxious because, once again, this economy is pretty rough right now and back to school shopping can be expensive.
It can be expensive, that is, unless you know how to shop. As life goes on, we learn that some things stand the test of time and work throughout the decades. The best way, a way that saves billions of dollars each year for consumers, is using coupons. As we stretch our dollars more and more, I think people are starting to come around. People used to scoff and laugh at those of us who clipped and used coupons but now, when things are tough, people are realizing that coupons are basically free money. If someone is handing you free money, no matter the amount, why on earth would you not take it?
So, where’s the best place to find coupons for back to school items? The answer is http://www.savings.com.
The kids need new clothes? You can find 15-20% off on shoes, up to 65% off at The Gap for girls clothes, up to 65% off at JCPenney and up to 30% off at Old Navy. If they need backpacks, bags or skins for the phones and laptops, the savings are there.
College students can even find deals on Budget rent a trucks, text books, (because everyone knows how ridiculously expensive some college books can be...seriously), luggage, Dell computers, Sixth Avenue Electronics, on and on.
Whether you need a new pair of jeans, a new printer or maybe you just need some JellyBelly Jelly Beans to keep you up while you study, coupons can be found for all of your back to school needs in one, handy site. So get over there, start browsing, start clipping. To do otherwise is to throw good, hard earned money away...and that’s not the first lesson you want to be teaching your kids as they continue on in their education.
Frugal Does Not Mean Cheap
Unless you’ve been living in a cave or under a rock, you know how this economy is tough these days. Watching the stock market in the last few days has been like watching a yo-yo, unemployment is high and people are trying to find ways to cut back on their expenses.
Some expenses are easy to cut back, just stop using them. But some expenses, you have no choice. You have to eat, you have to have shelter and for some of you, you have to have glasses. Some things there’s just no getting around and at times, you may feel stuck.
The good news is, you can cut back on your grocery bill using coupons, you can find a cheaper place to live or find ways to better insulate or maintain your home so that things run more efficiently, and you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg for your prescription glasses, including prescription sunglasses.
Zenoptical is the leader in low cost prescription glasses. You can find glasses as low as $7! All you have to do is get your PD, (pupillary distance), from your eye doctor so that you get the correct lenses. Then go to Zenoptical, choose from hundreds of frames from holiday themed to aluminum alloy. You can get your frames in colors such as black, brown, blue, burgandy, cedar, the list goes on. You can choose oval shapes, rectangle, round or even aviator.
Zenoptical is so well known and such a great place to buy your frames, that other companies are sprouting up trying to compete with them. Competition is the sincerest form of flattery.
So, in these trying, tough economic times, keep finding ways to keep your expenses low and know that you do have control over expenses you didn’t think you did. Heck, Clark Howard, the nationally syndicated talk show host who offers fantastic advice on how to “save more, spend less and avoid rip offs” was on CNN promoting Zenoptical. As the company says, “If Clark Howard luvs us, shouldn’t you?”
I would say, “Yes!”
Sunday, June 12, 2011
It Adds Up
Let me tell you a story. During my years of work at my previous job, every single time I got change I would put it in my pocket and once I got home, I put it in a change jar. Every single time a co-worker got huffy about the change they received as a tip and threw it on the table in front of everyone to show how they were above such a pitiful amount, I would take it and put it my change jar at home.
Right before I left to move, I took that full change jar, that was so heavy it was breaking, and took it to the bank. I put that change in the coin machine at the bank and opted for the money to go directly in to my account. Load after load after load went in to the tray and down the slot as I watched the dollar amount increase on the screen. Four years I saved every penny, nickel and dime that I came across at work and it added up to almost $300.
Doesn’t sound like much? Then go ahead and open your wallets right now. Remove $300 from that wallet and walk outside with the money. Throw that $300 in to the middle of the street and walk away. Does it feel like more now?
You may not have a job earning tips but you can still end up saving small amounts that will add up to a significant amount if you use coupons. Why people do not use coupons I do not understand. To me, it’s just like the scenario above. You can either save 3% here, 10% there, 5% over there and have it add up over time or you can, as I said, take your money from your wallet and flush it down the toilet. If you do not use coupons, that’s basically what you are doing.
You would be surprised at just how many coupons there are out there for almost anything you need. A great place to start looking is at pricepickle.com. You can save money on bedroom furniture, travel, clothing, pet supplies, food, wine, flowers, etc. You can even save money by buying a book and then more savings when you sell it back by using a Chegg Coupon.
I’ll say that again. You can save money on the purchase of a book, read it and then sell it back and get more money. Seriously, why on earth would you not use a coupon while you’re shopping?
Often times people think a coupon is only worth it if it’s for 25, 40, 50% off or more but think about this for a minute. Let’s say you purchase $100 worth of software and use a coupon for 10% off from pricepickle.com. You saved yourself $10. Put that money in a savings account. Later, you decide you need some new pillows that cost $54 and you get 15% off using a coupon. While you’re at it, it’s time to get Rover some new supplies. You discover, that with a coupon, you can save $10 on orders over $75.
In just those three transactions alone, you have saved yourself $28.25. That’s a tank of gas for many people. That’s half a phone bill for others. It’s a decent meal at a restaurant. When you use coupons, you are basically giving yourself your own money back.
It took me less than three minutes to find those deals. Don’t you think three minutes of your time is worth almost $30? Just think what you can accumulate in a year. Coupons...they’re like a gift.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Good Scents
Ok, here it is, another Saturday night and all of your friends are going out and where are you? Dateless.
You don’t understand, you’re intelligent, witty, fun, good looking, you’re charismatic and a lot of people like you. So why are you having such a hard time attracting a date? It may have absolutely nothing to do with your personality or looks. It’s possible you aren’t giving off enough scent.
It has been proven that pheromones can play a big role in getting the attention of those around you, specifically those who you seek to attract. We secrete pheromones naturally but maybe you just don’t secrete enough. Maybe your friend, who gets all the attention, is the one who secretes more.
It’s not your fault, of course, you can’t make yourself secrete more pheromones....so, you need a little help. And with that help, you may find that you are, suddenly, getting hit on more, getting more attention, getting more call backs because those people are now finding you irresistible.
It’s science. Use it to your advantage.
So now you’re thinking, “Why not, it’s worth a shot. It’s a subtle scent, not like anyone is going to find out I did anything, so what could it hurt to give it a good testing.” All good and well but be careful who you order your pheromones from because not everyone out there is legit. In the olden days they were called peddlers and we still have them now. People see a scientific study, see that the public is becoming more aware of said study and starting to gain extreme interest so they go bottle up any old scent and slap a label on it called, “pheromones”.
If you’re going to do this, you need to do it right by going to the right place. You want someone who has been around. You want someone who actually picks up the phone when you call them or returns your emails when you write to them. You want someone who will give you a guarantee. Right?
That’s why, when you decide to let science be your guide, you should order through LuvEssentials.com because they have been around for 10 years, they back it up with a money back guarantee, (60 days they give you to see how the people will flock to you), there really is a person on the other end of that phone number or email address and, they offer several different scents to choose from for men and women. The icing on the cake is that theirs is the only website endorsed by James Vaughn Kohl, what many may call, the pheromone guru. He is a very well known pheromone researcher which means, you really can’t go wrong.
Go look through the selections, find the right one for you, order and by next Saturday, you may find yourself with more dates than you know what to do with.
Home Remodeling
As anyone else, I dream of purchasing my own home one day and even right now I look around, in the area I want to live, and daydream about the homes I see. Some I know I’ll never be able to afford but some are totally within my price range. Some of these homes, when I look at the photos, I think, “Ok, if I got that one, I would totally remodel the kitchen because, frankly, that kitchen is so not user friendly, at all!”
So, if I were to choose, say, southern California, I could work with a San Diego Home Builder to gut that old kitchen and turn it in to the gourmet kitchen of my dreams, with an island in the center, tons of counter space, much nicer looking cabinets, fantastic sink and appliances. I even think about the lighting, do I want track lighting, do I want something else? Do I want my pots and pans to hang over the island like I’m a professional chef or do I want minimal “clutter” and have a place for everything, hidden? I’d of course get the top of the line dishwasher, stove and refrigerator and I’d probably also get some dark, granite counter tops.
And? I’d find a way to include a window with shelves to place plants, maybe herbs, not only to use in the food but because it looks really nice.
Once I have that kitchen just the way I want, I’d start working on a second story. I absolutely want a two story home but sometimes the second story looks like a scary attic. I can always go through a contractor and get my San Diego Second Floor Additions that way instead. See, a second story is a great way to give me more room as well as totally up the value of my home. Growing up I had a bedroom on the second story and I feel comfortable with my room off ground level. Plus, stairs would give my pets something to run up and down and get some exercise. Total win-win situation! I just think two story homes look so much better and more home like than a single story home. It’s almost a requirement for me that I have a second story. So, if I have to add it, I will add it.
Now, because I do not have the slightest idea how to even create a blue print for all of this, I would have to either get an architect or I could just go through a San Diego Design/Build. I would choose the latter because architects some times get all in to it and start offering things that I maybe didn’t really want or think I needed where as the Design/Build contractors will go through with what I actually need, work with what I want and ensure it fits my budget.
Plus, I wouldn’t have all those pesky problems later on when things get started because the contractor works with engineers as they go to avoid all of that. Frankly, I hate problems later on once I have my heart set on something, am looking forward to something. I like things to be done right, figured out correctly from the start so that I know, for sure, what I’m getting in the end, what I can get with what I have and when all is said and done, I will be happy.
Then? I’d rip apart the bathroom and start over.
So, one day, when I do get a house, it may start out one way but by the time I’m done with it, it’s going to look precisely how I want and it will, truly, be my dream home.
Monday, April 11, 2011
So Which One Do You Buy?
What is the best way to get people to come to your store or company and buy your products or services? In this day and age, it is still by word of mouth. Word of mouth is the best, all time best way to keep customers and gain new ones.
In the olden days, (barely two decades ago), we would have a great experience and tell all of our friends about it in letters, on the phone or in person. Now we have reviews from people all over the country or world and we can make judgments, based on those reviews, whether we think the product or service we are looking at is worth a try.
Some people out there clearly do not understand the value of a product or service review but most people do understand. Almost any online store will have product reviews, there are several websites that give reviews or commentary on services available in your area, even about landlords and management at apartment complexes.
We have so many choices these days and it can seem overwhelming when faced with these choices...which one do we pick? Will I be disappointed? What if it doesn’t work, does the company have excellent customer service and a great return policy? Will I be ignored by my landlord if I have a termite problem? What web hosting company should I use? Which knife sharpener works the best? Does this product really do what it claims to do? Are these housekeepers honest and should I hire them?
For example, say you are lonely and decide that you are going to take the plunge and get in to the world of online dating. Which one is the best? Which one gets the better results and which one has nothing but a bunch of losers? You can find reviews on top dating sites to help guide you. Dating is nerve wracking enough, make sure you pick the right place to go and makes things easier on yourself.
You can also find companies whose soul purpose is to test and review products and services. Sites such as Consumer Rankings are going to be as unbiased as you can get. If a product or service gets a great review from that site, chances are, you are going to have a great product or receive great service.
It really does come down to relying on other people’s opinions and while some people out there don’t get that, I have never been steered wrong for reading the reviews, from good to bad. I can get an idea of what to expect and what problems I may encounter. Sometimes you find out that the bad reviews are simply user error and sometimes you can learn from those user errors. Sometimes the product is just bad and those reviews can save you time and money.
You can find product and service reviews all over the internet from every day people to sites that focus totally and completely on reviewing products and services. If you want to know which one to pick, read the reviews. It is new age word of mouth and it still works, just like it always has.
Friday, April 08, 2011
Vistaprint Coupon Codes
So, it’s finally coming to fruition. You’ve had an idea, a great idea, for a long time and you have finally got the wheels in motion, they’re turning and you’re ready to take on the world with your new business. But how do you get people to come? How will they know that you exist? How do you get the word out so that you can have your grand opening and a legion of faithful followers and buyers? How do you get this off the ground?
You market. Marketing is no easy task and it can seem overwhelming. Not to worry, Vistaprint.com and BestOnlineCoupons.com are there to help you out. You can find all kinds of Vistaprint coupon codes for business cards, letterheads, brochures, invitations, etc. This will help keep your costs down while you get your business known. Buy a stack of 1000 business cards and leave them with people every time you meet them. Network and get people to know about your business.
You can also use Vistaprint coupons to get magnets, calendars, rubber stamps, checks, whatever. You can hand the magnets out to your customers so they can put them on the fridge and have your number and address handy at all times. Calendars can be given away. Rubber stamps make things feel professional, you’re really in business. You want people to take you seriously as a business so you need the supplies to do that but not spend an arm and leg to get there.
And with some Vistaprint coupons, you can also get free shipping. You’re saving money hand over fist and you just got started. Take that saved money and buy more business cards and ways to promote.
You can also find great deals on clothing so that you can buy that professional wardrobe. Once people start coming in, you have to look the part. You have your office, you have your store, you have your business cards, magnets and promotional items, but if you dress like a bum, they won’t come back so get yourself looking right, as well.
Marketing your business is key. Without it, you may have the best idea in the world but people won’t come if they don’t know about it. You have to let them know about it. You have to get them in the door. Once they are in the door, they’re yours and you can work your charm and sell that wonderful product. The best way to get them in is to give them something they can hold, see and use so that they easily remember who you are and what you do.
Getting a business started is rough. It truly is no easy task but once you get it going, things can be smooth sailing from there on out. So market, save money on those products you need to help market yourself and take a piece of the American pie. Let Vistacoupons.com help you reach your goal and have your dream come true.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Paid Surveys
If you’ve spent any amount of time on the internet, you may have noticed that there are ways to make some money from the internet. Some people open up shop, some people write for a living and some people give their opinions.
Yes, you can make money by answering questions. It’s called Surveys Paid and what that means is that you take surveys, you can get paid. How easy is that? You give your opinion, someone pays you for it.
How often have you given your opinion in your every day life? Sometimes people listen, sometimes people don’t care what your opinion is. And sometimes, people want to pay you for your opinion. Frankly, I like the idea that someone actually cares enough about my opinion that they are willing to pay for it.
You can state what you think about big name companies, help them understand what the customer wants. It’s a total win-win situation. You get to say what you want, you KNOW someone is listening AND you get paid for it.
This is not a get rich quick scheme. You’re not going to get rich quick. It can, however, supplement your income. Listen, I work for tips and I can tell you that those dollars and cents add up. Many of my co-workers will toss the change in to the water or on the ground, or they’ll complain about a dollar that they got because it wasn’t five dollars. I don’t do that. I save every last penny I get.
It adds up.
And with Paid Surveys, you’re not even working for it, you’re just saying what you think. It’s like having money pop out of your mouth every time you state what you think. Would you let that money fall to the ground and walk away from it simply because it isn’t $50 or $100 or more right that second or would you gather that money up and stick it in a jar to take to the bank one day when it does add up to a whole lot of cash?
If you like to give your opinion, if you wish a company would listen to you, if you want to make a little extra spending money, take a paid survey. You lose nothing and you gain a lot.
