Wrestling With Mosquitoes Naturally

Those annoying mosquitoes


I’m pretty sure if I took a poll asking people what insect annoys them most somewhere at the top of the list would be mosquitoes. In my world those ear buzzing skin pricking little warm weather critters seem to have no purpose except for being an annoyance when trying to enjoy a sunset, observe the night sky, or simply get some sleep.

I’ve even experienced the occasional mosquito hiding indoors in the dead of winter. Usually there won’t be more than one or two but if they make an appearance it’s because they’re looking for nourishment to continue the long haul until spring.

In the past both situations would have been handled with store bought repellents; the kind which were the norm at summer camp or for any evening where skin was exposed and mosquitoes were likely. However, I eventually came to terms with the fact that if those products killed insects they probably weren’t great for humans either. Reading up on the subject confirmed my suspicions with studies showing DEET, one of the main ingredients in those sprays, can potentially cause any number of illnesses in people. That’s when I started phasing out most sprays unless it was clear they were comprised of natural ingredients only.  I also sought better ways to repel mosquitoes as opposed to trying to kill every one on the block.

Repelling vs extermination


It’s important to note that sometimes when an infestation of any kind occurs an exterminator may be needed and there’s no way around it. For example, we once had an ant problem and nothing worked until the man with the poison showed up. While that was years ago some exterminators today do employ natural substances but they are not always successful against an invasion.However, if it’s clear there’s a problem but its minor natural alternatives can work nicely.

When it comes to mosquitoes one thing to know is that although they are attracted to fruity smells they disdain certain herbs like lavender, rosemary, citronella, and mint. We had mint growing wildly in our yard which may have helped to a certain extent but just having it around the property didn’t guarantee anything. Applying essential oils made from these plants to skin was the key to keeping them from biting.

Burning citronella candles and certain types of incense are also useful repellents and work great when having a barbeque or dinner on the deck. If possible wearing light pants and long sleeve shirts for those summer evenings can also make a difference as it puts up more of a barrier between you and the neighborhood mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes love Moisture


Early on in my crusade against mosquitoes another thing I learned was that they are attracted to moisture. That means when you leave water outside your home your telling them ‘Come, breed here!’

When I realized this I set up a small inspection list to ensure rain water wasn’t collecting around the exterior of our home. With all the gardening and other DIY projects I enjoyed doing around the exterior I made sure empty containers weren’t left idle, that the rain barrel from which I fed the yard was sealed tightly, and that potted plants and flowers weren’t directly opposite windows and doors where mosquitoes could breed and easily slip inside.

Meanwhile, I also made sure gutters weren’t clogged because we had some big trees around the house and falling leaves and branches occasionally block downspouts causing water to sit. Furthermore, I checked all the screens on doors and windows for tears because there’s always plenty of moisture indoors and once a mosquito discovered it’s way in there would be more.

The bottom line: Many of these tactics from essentials oils to cleaning up around the property are still things I do today and even though a few mosquitoes may get past my defenses they are better options than the harmful effects of some of the chemicals still on the market.

Jakob Barry is a home improvement journalist for Networx.com. He blogs about Green topics for exterminators across the U.S. including pest control services in Seattle, WA.


Disclaimer: This is a guest post by Jakob Barry. No compensation was received.

Bus

Guest post written by Joseph Finch

I’m new here in town and my landlord gave me a handy little flyer with all the local numbers and contact information I will need to get things set up. I used cabletelevision.net, as listed on the flyer to get my tv hooked up. The thing I’m trying to figure out now is the bus system. One of the main reasons why I chose this apartment complex is that it is on the bus loop. I do have a car, but it is far from reliable. I need to have a backup plan for getting to work if my car doesn't star. It looks like a bus comes every 45 minutes; I’m just not sure if they all go the same route or if they go different routes. The map is confusing to me. I think it was originally color coded, but my landlord’s copy is black and white. I can’t tell what they are referencing. I might just have to go to the bus station and get a colored map this afternoon or tonight.

To Do

Guest post by Gerard Mcdaniel

Moving seems to be an endless “To-Do” list. Before we left, I lived by my notepad of lists, reminders, and contact information for every person and business we used. One of my biggest headaches was trying to recall any vendors we used to make sure that we supplied correct forwarding and a change of address form. This is no easy task when you think of all the businesses and services that you use day-to-day. Once we closed on our house, I breathed a sigh of relief that maybe my lists were complete. That was not the case! I forgot that for every service cancelled, there is another service that needs to be found in the new location. So, the list making began again. I logged on to New york energy rates to figure out what supplier we would use for our energy. It is nice to move to a state that is deregulated, so you can be an informed consumer and find competitive rates. Competition certainly fuels costs, so I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were very reasonable rates for energy. I guess I can check this one off of my list.

Organic Clothes: Fashionably and Earth-Friendly (Guest Post)

Being environmentally friendly and ‘green’ is something which is constantly being pressed upon us. Politicians and environmental experts urge us to do all we can to be ‘green’, eco-friendly and reduce our carbon footprints. In actual fact, they’re right to do so as the future depends on what we do in the present and to preserve the world for our children, we need to think a bit more about the environment. Being environmentally friendly is really important and one way you can do your bit for the future is by buying organic clothes.

Organic clothes are any garments or accessories made from materials grown and raised in observance of the regulations relating to organic agricultural and crop growth. Cotton, bamboo and soy are common choices for organic clothing as are wool and hemp. Organic materials are suitable for adult, child and baby clothes and some believe the benefits extend beyond being good for the natural world.


The many benefits of choosing organic clothing

The benefits of opting to wear or purchase only organic clothing are vast. One of the main things that producers and retailers of organic clothes highlight is their safe for your family and the environment. Many of the dyes used on ‘normal’ clothes contain some pretty nasty ingredients including bleach and formaldehyde, not exactly something you want next to your child’s delicate skin or your own for that matter. In some instances, these ingredients are used pesticides in the growing process of the cottons used in regular clothing but they’re very resistant and can still be present in the finalised garment. In organic clothes production, no pesticides are used.

Organic clothes are also recommended if you suffer from any allergies. There are a range of different chemical dyes used in regular clothing which some people have severe allergic reactions too. This is a less common occurrence but still something you’d probably like to avoid. The ingredients used in organic clothing, even dyes, are wholly natural and very rarely cause any form of allergic reaction whatsoever.

Some retailers championing the organic cause will also tell you that by buying organic, you can influence those around you to do the same and bring about a sway in the market. This is an interesting suggestion and could prove to be true, if organic clothes became the fashionable choice, then perhaps they could become the norm rather than a rarity.

Obviously, the main point of buying organic clothing is because you’re trying to be eco-friendly and support the natural world. Using materials such as bamboo is a great idea because bamboo trees are extremely quick to grow when replanted and from a personal point of view, feels soft and silky on your skin.

Organic clothes can be trendy

There are plenty of high-end retailers who offer only organic clothing in a range of great styles and fashions. It’s particularly true of children’s brands where the lean towards softer, safer, hypoallergenic clothing seems more important. In fact, many parents will commit to purchasing organic clothes for their kids but not themselves. Of course, another issue is cost. You’d imagine that because organic materials are produced with more care and attention they’d cost more for the regular shopper? This is not always the case, there are plenty of organic clothing brands who offer lines suitable for all budgets so everyone can experiences the difference.

Myths would have you believe that all organic clothes are brown, furry and itchy but this is simply not true. Times have moved on from the initial discovery and development of organic clothing and you can get clothing not dissimilar from what’s currently on offer made from organic materials. There’s a plethora of choice out there, you just need to discover it.

Being eco-friendly and conscious of the environment is something everybody should be doing. Changes in the environment and damage to our protective o-zone layer are already being catalogued by expert scientists and researchers and it’s important that every individual person does their part in trying to make a difference. Organic clothing is a great way of making a small change to your wardrobe that’s both fashion conscious and eco-friendly. The change really isn’t that huge and with the great quality that comes with organic clothing, you won’t be disappointed.

Together

Authored by Greg Fletcher

It’s finally here. In 3 days I get to marry by best friend. Since she’s been busy with all of the wedding planning, I relegated myself to getting our house set up. No, I’m not talking about decorating or even picking our what side of the closet or dressers will be mine (I figured she would want to do all of that stuff). My job is getting the essential services set up at our new home. Since there is only one gas and electric provider in our area, setting up those services were a breeze. And since the county government controls the water where we live, that was pretty much set up for us too. The fun came when trying to find affordable internet, telephone and cable service. Thankfully, a coworker suggested I look at www.directstartv.com to get a good deal on cable. Now if there were only a cheap internet and phone provider in the area. I’ve heard that some companies will allow you to bundle services for a cheaper rate. Does anyone have any idea where I can go to find one of those?

8 Tips for a Head Start on the Holiday Season

Preparing your home and mind for the holidays is never easy and manytasks often get left till the last minute. Part of the problem is we sometimes feel the process has to be kind oflike spring cleaning but in truth, there’s a lot less to worry about. Unless you truly have time and energy for going through closets andstorage or boxes in the attic the focus should be on things that will enhancethe experience of being with friends and family.

That said, here are a few ideas to give you ahead start and take off some of the pressure when it’s crunch time:

1. Organize the kitchen: Chances are you’re going to be doing a lot of cooking for your loved ones and other guests. That’s why one of your top priorities should be to organize the kitchen so you can find what you need when you need it. Also, if you’re really going to have a full house you may want to label some of those custom kitchen cabinets so friends and family can help themselves to things like coffee, tea, and sugar.

2. Holiday cards: Purchase or make your own but start filling them out now because the longer you wait the shorter some of those personal messages may get.

3. Clean house crud: Take a look around the house and see if there’s any noticeable crud needing to be removed. Sometimes it’s on or around door knobs and cabinet doors or about waist level on the walls when passing between rooms.

4. Prep the guest room: Some guests arrive on time and others who may be flying in from out of town could show up earlier than you expected. To avert awkward moments prep the guest room early by clearing out clutter, setting aside linens, vacuuming, and adding some chocolates and other welcoming pieces around the room. That way you’ll just have to do some minor dusting shortly before they arrive.

5. Gifts: Start making the gift list now so you know exactly what you want to get.

6. Dusting the decorations: Sometimes holiday decorations that weren’t put away properly the previous year end up collecting a lost of dust. This is especially true of artificial trees that aren’t easy to wrap up and store. If some of your family members have sensitivities to dust or mold do the following before bringing these items into the main living space: Wipe off decorations and ornaments as best as possible and wash the tree down outside letting it dry completely in the sun prior to bringing it back inside.

7. New Years plans: Don’t wait for last minute deals. If you’re planning on traveling make reservations now, as flights and rooms will fill up quickly.

8. New Years resolutions: Think now about how you want next year to begin so when the clock strikes twelve you’re ready for change!

Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com.He covers various home improvement topics including commercial electricians and concrete cutting .

Wholesale Sunglasses: Reasons To Wear And Considerations To Keep In Mind While Buying

Wholesale sunglasses are now hot among several fashion accessories. Other than protecting your eyes they can compliment your fashion statement. World famous fashion houses produce sunglasses under their own brands. Retailers and small businesses are increasingly realizing the growing demand of wholesale sunglasses and including them in their product list.


There are different types of sunglasses ranging from sports sunglasses and replica sunglasses to designer sunglasses. If you are planning to buy any of these sunglasses then you need to select the most suitable one within your budget.


Let us have a look at some prime reasons for using sunglasses.

Protection from harmful UV rays


Prolonged exposure to sunlight increases the risk of exposure to harmful UV (ultraviolet) rays that can damage vision in long run. High quality sunglasses block harmful UV radiation and protect the eyes.


Delicate skin around the eyes gets protection from UV rays by using sunglasses. UV rays are found to cause wrinkles and premature aging of skin in these areas.


Protection from glare


Light gets reflected from different surfaces. Glare of such reflecting light can be distracting and potentially dangerous while driving, skiing or boating.


Sunglasses reduces glare of reflection and give a comfortable vision. Polarized sunglasses are found to be most useful for such purpose.


Protection from dust wind and strong light


By wearing sunglasses you can shield your eyes from strong wind and dust. It also reduces rate of evaporation of tears, keeping your eyes moist and comfortable.


Constant exposure to bright light can cause muscle fatigue, resulting in eyestrain and headache. Using sunglasses reduces the amount of light reaching the eyes and decreases risks of headache and eyestrain.


Searching for wholesale sunglasses can be best done via internet. There are various distributors and retailers offering wholesale sunglasses at a discount. While searching online you will find a wide range of styles and designs within your budget range.


Before you narrow down your choice, here are some simple tips that may help you in buying wholesale sunglasses.


UV protection


Make sure that the wholesale sunglasses you are selecting offers protection from UV rays. If you need to work or play under sunlight for prolonged period then it is absolutely necessary to wear sunglasses with at least 98% UV protection.


Look for sunglasses offering protection from UV-A rays (shorter wavelength) as well as UV-B rays (longer wavelength). If you are keen on UV protection, then look for sunglasses with wrap around styles. Such sunglasses fit comfortably around your eyes to filter out UV radiation.


Polarized lenses


Light is reflected from different surfaces causing glares. Polarized lenses reduce such glare by permitting only vertical light rays. If you are planning to war sunglasses while driving a car or motorcycle or skiing then you should go for polarized lenses.


Sunglasses with polarized lenses have thin plastic polarizing film embedded in middle of the lens material. It is hardly visible. Hold the sunglasses few inches away from your face for viewing a flat surface that is reflecting light through one of the lenses. Reflection from the object should be reduced considerably. Now rotate the sunglasses 90 degree from this position to find that reflection is more visible. This shows that your sunglasses have polarized lenses.


Color


You need to be very careful while selecting color of the lenses. Take them out in the sunlight and go for trials. Consider the type of activity and places where you will be wearing them. Grey seems to be the most favorite color of lenses. It is neutral color that does not effect contrast or distort any color.
 Brown and green lenses reduce glare, increase clarity and contrast. All shades of red effects contrast and distort other colors.


Pink, blue, rose and orange colored lenses are primarily used as fashion sunglasses. These colors can cause severe distortion of colors and unsuitable for driving and other serious purposes.


Color density


Selection of color density depends largely on personal preference, activities and ambient light level where it will be used. Select the color density that will be suitable under sunny as well as overcast condition.


Selection of right color density becomes crucial in some special cases. If you are going for skiing or hiking then consider lenses with a double gradient mirror coating for extra protection from sunlight.


Frames
Consider the weight, style and durability of the frame of your selected sunglasses. No frame is suitable for all types of faces. Shape of your face, age and trends in fashion play crucial role in selecting a suitable frame of sunglasses.


Usually light weight frames are suitable if you plan to wear it for long period. Almost all frame shapes work with oval shaped faces. If you have a round face then rectangular frames are most suitable. Round frames and square frames are good for a square shaped face.


If you have fair complexion then look for frames with a touch of rose or amber shade. Clear, silver and golden frames are good choices if you have a dark complexion.


About seller


It is important to verify reputation of the seller before selecting or buying wholesale sunglasses from an online store. Look for the credential, customer reviews or check with local business offices. Relying on references may work but a little bit of verification always pays.


For online purchases, you need to rely on the seller for delivering quality product. The sunglasses appearing smart on online shop counter may have poor lens quality that you only know when you wear them. Verify details of shipping charges and schedule of delivery.


Fashion trend


Wearing sunglasses also helps you in making a fashion statement. You need to replenish your collection with latest and trendy sunglasses. Metal aviator sunglasses are presently at rage among fashionable men. Women simply love sunglasses with wider and bigger frames.


While some men are toying with retro style frames and dark lenses, ladies are going crazy about sunglasses with extra large round shaped frames and tangy shades.


Finally


Wholesale sunglasses available at several online stores offer excellent opportunity to replenish your stock of sunglasses at an affordable price range. Look for sunglasses offering protection from UV rays, glares of reflection, wind and dust particles. Make sure to choose the right frame, color of lenses while selecting your sunglasses. Make sure about the credential of the seller and quality of products while buying sunglasses online.

Is Your Child Modeling Material?

We all think that our own children are the most beautiful and talented children in the world. We think that no other child even remotely competes, andwhen friends, family members, and even strangers say, “what a pretty child you have!” we are quick to gush. In fact, many parents who frequently hear that their child is beautiful often consider giving their child the opportunity to model.

However, modeling isn't for every child – even if they are pretty.  Acting and modeling agencies have stringent requirements that a child must meet in order to be signed. So if you are interested in trying to get your son or daughter in to the world of child modeling, there are a few things you should ask yourself first:

How Outgoing is Your Child?

A successful child model isn't one with just a pretty face; personality is also incredibly important. If your child is attractive, but runs or hides behind you when a stranger approaches,constantly having to be around new people and taking direction from strangersmay be too stressful. However, if your child is very out-going and doesn't mind constant attention, their personality may be more suited to modeling.

What is Your Child's Body Type?

It might be a little difficult to be subjective about this, but you will need to actually assess your child's body type before trying to get them into modeling. Unfortunately, many children are flat out rejected by agencies because of something they can't control – their genetics.

Children that are slightly taller and thinner than their peers are often more successful than those that are of a more average height and weight for their age. So if your child has an average or heavier body type, they may find getting in to modeling isn't as easy as anticipated.

How is Your Business Sense?

While there are several reputable modeling agencies, there are also several agents and agencies that aren't. These are the types of agencies that won't pay your child appropriately or may charge outrageous fees. As a parent, it is your responsibility to protect your child. In order to be able to do so in the modeling industry, you are going to have to test your business skills.

Make sure that you check an agencies reputation before joining and also besure to thoroughly read every contract you are asked to sign. If you find thatyour business sense isn't very good, it might be a wise idea to hire a lawyerto make sure that your child will be protected accordingly.

Parents should also consider the long-term effects that modeling can have ona child. Modeling agencies desire great looking children, and it could greatly hurt your child's self-esteem or self-worth when a contract isn't renewed or when they are asked to lose weight by their agent. Parents need to keep in mind that adolescence is also a formidable time of growth and development, and the strains of modeling may not be appropriate for all kids. However, if you have an out-going, confident, and beautiful child, then modeling may be just the job for them.

This is a guest post.

Finding a perfect winter maternity coat

Guest post written by Alison Bush

One thing that I really love about being pregnant right now is getting to go shopping to buy new clothes. I always love an excuse to buy new clothes and now I get to buy clothes for my new baby soon! But right now I'm most concerned with buying some winter weather maternity clothes. The cold has snuck up on me and the excitement of expecting and trying to wrap up work projects before my maternity leave pushed back me buying a new maternity winter coat.

I thought about buying a new coat in a bigger size, but then I decided that maybe it would be a good idea to just buy a maternity coat instead. I looked online with my wireless internet service to find a coat that I'd be able to wear for more than a month.

I finally tracked down a maternity winter coat that would not only fit me for months, but it was also super cute. I wanted to make sure that I just didn't wear sweats the whole time that I'm pregnant, but show off my baby bump with cute clothes.

Spice Up Those Outings to the Playground

When you have a young daughter, the playground is an obvious destination for entertainment and exercise. Unlike so many things in life – cars, computers, wedding bands for men – the playground is only as expensive as the bandages you need to buy for a minor scrape or cut. And unlike so many places a child wants to go – Disney World, New York, the moon – it takes no time at all to get there.

So the playground, then is close, cheap, and it provides a wholesome afternoon of outdoor activity. Consequently, it’s a place that my daughter and I go to a lot. There’s usually nothing wrong with this, but after a while of regular playground trips the routine starts to get old. My daughter loses interest in the swings and no longer wants to hang on the monkey bars.

When this happens, I sometimes choose to stay away from the playground for a few days, choosing instead to take my daughter shopping or to the nature preserve nearby. But, sometimes, the ease and convenience of the local playground is too tempting, even if that spark it often provides is not presently there. On those days, I try to make the boring old playground a little more exciting than usual, normally by creating a game to play with my daughter. Here’s what we do:

Climb

Although the activity slightly worries me from a safety standpoint, my daughter loves to try out ingenious ways of climbing to the playground’s highest point. This often entails climbing up the top of a covered slide or shimmying up a metal pole. At the end of the day, she enjoys the challenge and I enjoy seeing her return safely to the ground.

Bury

Playgrounds often contain a good amount of sand, which provides perfect fodder for a hide and go seek game of sorts. To start, I usually take an object I wouldn’t mind losing – a sock or a plastic cup, for example – and bury it somewhere in the sand. Then my daughter gets to ask for clues and hot/cold indicators to determine where she should start digging. This game naturally lends itself to other sand-centered activities such as castle building and tunnel carving.

Obstacle Course

In this game, my daughter and I construct an obstacle course (i.e. up the slide, across the monkey bars, around the swings) and then test to see how fast she can complete it. It’s good exercise for her, an amusing spectacle for me, and she usually quickly improves her time over the course of several attempts, which allows us both to leave the playground content with our adventures.

So if you and your child are finding that your local playground no longer holds the excitement that it used to, you might want to try out these games – or make up your own – to spice up the experience. And, if that does not work, it may be time to test out a new, slightly more distant playground in the future.


This article is a guest post.

Fitness Alliance: Exercise

Being active and engaged in exercise can be challenging especially if you live a busy lifestyle. Exercise is definitely recommended not to have a beach body but to be active, strong and healthy. For some, losing weight is a must because it is also a part of staying healthy.  But if you have a beach body, that’s great too!

We can exercise with our bodies alone. You can do pull ups, sit ups, jumping jacks and other forms of exercise. If you would like to extend your fitness routine to the next level, you can start going to the gym or buy some exercise equipments. Remember to consult a professional if you will ever do an extreme body workout. You probably have seen some of TV programs on showing people losing a lot of weight and doing heavy lifting and other kind of strenuous  exercises.  They have fitness trainers and are constantly being supervised.  

If your goal is losing weight, you can check on your weight regularly but don’t expect to lose weight everyday. You can do a 90 Day Review or a quarterly review of the weight that you lost.  As with any other goal, you will have to keep yourself motivated and consider exercise as a part of your life.

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I received a small compensation for this post. This is a guest post provided by Fitness Alliance.

Personal Finance: Tightening Your Belt

With the recession drawing itself out and no sign of a full recovery insight, individuals everywhere are finding themselves in a position where they need to cut personal spending. Perhaps you were laid off from your job, and are currently unemployed. Maybe your investments in the stock market have been losing money. Or it’s possible that you have a job and healthy investments, but that neither is returning as much as they used to.

In this sense, for whatever reason, it is important for many of us to cut spending. While it usually isn’t too difficult to forgo the purchase of an expensive car for a cheaper one, or to trade the planned vacation to Guam in exchange for a road trip, it’s more challenging to cut expenses that we already have and are used to. Here are a few ideas of things to cut:

Your Cell Phone Bill
Do you really need to own the hottest new phone with an unlimited data plan? For most of us, the answer is a pretty definitive “no.” Instead of being weighed down by expensive contracts, then you may be better served buying a Prepaid Cell Phone. Less flashy,certainly, but it definitely provide excellent service and a savings as well.

Your Transportation Costs
If you’re like most Americans, you spend over $100 per month filling up your tank with gas. When factoring in the cost of other repairs and maintenance, then a car becomes even more expensive. Unless we live in a big city it’s hard for many of us to completely trash the car, but we can still cut down on its use by walking and taking public transportation whenever possible. And, when it’s nice outside, your body and your budget will probably thank you in the long run for investing in a bike.

Your Food Costs
Many people eat out at restaurants and fast food establishments largely outof convenience. We don’t know what to make for dinner or we didn’t pack anything for lunch, so we find ourselves heading over to the near estestablishment and paying $10 for something we could have made for $3 at home. The solution to this issue: adequate planning. Before making a shopping trip, plan out all your meals for the next couple weeks, and then buy food accordingly. It’s a bit of a hassle upfront, but you’ll find that the added discipline iswell worth it in the long run.

These are just few ideas of how to get started cutting your budget. It’simportant to realize that cuts can come in nearly every facet of your life. All it takes is a realization of a potential cut – and a willingness to carry it out – in order to start making those financially beneficial lifestyle changes.

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This is a guest post.

Maximize Your Savings With Coupons

When it comes to using coupons online, the best way to maximize your savings is by finding ways to double your savings. Here are a few ways you can achieve this concept. Many sites offer a deal of the day like Amazon or Sears. Looking at Sears’ site, they offer a product each day that is typically discounted by 50% or more. When purchasing this offer, you can also combine it with online coupons to get an additional percentage or dollar amount off. Most of the time you can find Sears Coupons for $5 off your purchase. This type of couponing is the best way to maximize your savings.

Another way to double up your saving is by checking out the Double Deals option at MyCoupons.com. They have a DD icon on every coupon on their site. If the icon is highlighted on a coupon then there is a chance to double your savings. This deal combines a discounted gift code, which is basically like a virtual gift card, with a coupon offer. Here is an example. The North Face has a gift code with $80 balance for $70. Instantly you save $10 on buying that card. Next, they have North Face Coupons for waterproof gear and apparel. Combining these savings you will get the best deal possible.

Make sure to check out coupon sites like MyCoupons to get their deals of the week and search for coupons for all the top online retailers. You can even sign up for their newsletter to get the hottest offers right to your inbox. That will save you even more time looking for coupon offers. Good Luck saving money and maximizing you discounts.

Monique Rowe is a guest writer for My Coupons.com and also writes about thrifty living on her own blog, The One Income Dollar.

The life of a contractor

Thanks for the guest post by Donn Schroeder

My husband works as a general contractor, and the early 2000s were great for us financially. However, the last few years have been pretty difficult, as my husband’s healthy income has been cut by almost 40%. I truly believe that the economy will pick back up, and I know Mike is working hard to make sure we are ok even in these difficult times. We sold our boat about two years ago, and we have drastically cut back on our spending on entertainment. We go on more modest vacations and have started to travel less during the holidays. We recently switched to fixed-rate energy at TEXASELECTRICITYPROVIDERS.COM. We have several friends who have recently made the switch, and they said that over the long haul, we will save some money if we switch. We have also tried to eliminate the cost of things like internet and cable by going with cheaper packages or providers. We are still doing alright, since I continue to work full time as an elementary school nurse. I know that I could probably get another job that pays more, but I love what I do. Hopefully my husband’s business will pick up soon.

Guest Post: Greening The Back To School Beach Outings

Even though the school year has approached there are still many places across the country where warmer temperatures persist and hitting the beaches, lakes, and ponds will continue well into the winter months. That’s why at a time when our environment constantly needs better tender loving care taking the lead in bringing an eco-friendly mindset to the outings are important and can spawn real change in others down the road.

This encompasses everything from the products we use at the beach to the havoc we may create by so-to-speak ‘invading’ local habitats. Since our coasts are precious meeting places between land and sea whether you visit them for a hike or a simple day in the sun keep in mind some of the following tips when planning your next outing:

• Safe sun protection: Some sun is good for us but overexposure requires sunscreen. The problem is many brands don’t adequately protect us from dangerous rays and what’s even more surprising is they contain chemicals that studies have shown affect our reproductive systems and cause cancer. If you are going to use sunscreen at the beach check the ingredients, as the healthiest ones will be plant or mineral based. Prices may vary widely but when it comes to your health it’s important to compromise as little as possible.

• Safe bug protection: Depending on the time of day mosquitoes and other bugs may become a nuisance. For safe insect control watch out for sprays with toxic chemicals such as DEET and use natural alternatives.

• Limit use of plastic: Instead of bringing non-degradable plastic cutlery, cups, and plates for the day trip use reusable or biodegradable ones. Even if you are sure about throwing the trash out at home and that it won’t get lost on the shore reusables are the way to go. After all, it you don’t start using them now then when?

• Transportation: If possible try and take the bus or train to the beach. This will cut down on emissions, especially when going to busy areas where trying to find a parking space can mean circling around and around.

• Recycle: Whether it’s plastic, paper, glass or objects made from similar substances check if they can be reused or reprocessed before trashing them. Even scraps of food should be set aside for compost.

• Be responsible: Be protective and not destructive of the setting and take care of the local ecosystem. This may require a bit more supervision when children are involved but help preserve the landscape by being gentle with plants and wildlife. Try to use marked paths as venturing too far off into the wild may hurt the local habitat and if you find trash pick it up even if it doesn’t belong to you.

Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com. He covers various eco-friendly home improvement topics including sunroom additions and outdoor generator repairs.

Thank you Jakob for another great article!

Best Vacations for Boomers: Choose Your Style (Guest Post)

You have finally reached the time in your life when you can forget about the stress and hassle of daily work and take some time to enjoy the money you have worked so hard to earn. With your newly found free time, why not take a romantic vacation with your partner, see your favorite works of art in person, or stimulate your mind with the wonders of the world? Everyone loves vacations, but not everyone desires the same things. Below are the top rated Boomer Vacations that are sure to please no matter your personality and style.

Romantic Couples Are you ready for laid back romantic vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the commercial resorts? Consider a trip to Coastal Maine. Visit one of the many Bed and Breakfasts situated along the coastline and receive top notch hospitality like none you’ve experienced before. Get up early and take an easy stroll up Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park, where you can see the sun rise before anyone else in the United States. Then during the day take a walk along one of the many beaches in the park, some of which are made of amazingly smooth pebble which click together like chimes as the waves roll by. Once you work up an appetite, be sure to stop at one of the Lobster shacks (locally called lobster “Pounds”) along the coastline for the freshest and most delicious lobster you will ever eat.

Stimulate My Mind For those of you who enjoy fine art, nothing could be more stimulating that a visit to the Louvre Museum in France. You can view Near Eastern Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, Prints and Drawings. Even the building and architecture of this museum are a work of art. Sign up for a tour and learn the history behind some of the most famous works of art throughout history. Don’t plan to see it all in a day though. Even if you spent only 20 seconds at each exhibit it would take you two full days to tour the entire facility!

Return to the 60’s Let your hair down and twirl that sun dress as you listen to everything from traditional bluegrass and blues, reggae, jam band rock, and reggae. At

Shakori Hills you will have 4 days of music, sun, art, and happiness set back in the beautiful countryside of North Carolina. Three stages provide music for all tastes, day and night. Set up camp and wander through the campsites to enjoy all night jam sessions with the friendliest people you will ever meet. A variety of talented cooks sell their culinary fares throughout the festival, everything from delicious vegetarian wraps to smoky Barbequed Pork. So if you’re ready for a blast from the past…plan to camp the weekend and have it surely be a vacation to remember.

Singles Adventure Take the guess work out of adding a bit of romance to your vacation. Try one of the many luxury cruises or vacations that are designed specifically for senior singles! There are hundreds of them available online, everything from African Safari’s to Alaskan Cruises. (PS. Don’t forget your Viagra because there will be as much adventure at night as there is during the day!)

Peak of Fitness For those of you who want to push your body to the limit, there are some amazing travel destinations that will give you the challenge you need to get your heart pounding and the adrenaline flowing. Try heading up to the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC to do some hiking and discover hidden waterfalls, breathtaking cliffs, and the beautiful autumn leaves. For the more adventurous, head to one of the many river rapids and enjoy a whitewater rafting adventure. For those of you out west, there are plenty of great ways to hike the Grand Canyon for a second to none experience.

Which ever vacation you choose, make the most of it and enjoy it! These are the greatest years of your life!

Laura Hopkins holds a B.A in Literature and currently writes for AccessRx.com, an online facilitator for consumers who buy Viagra online and other safe FDA-approved medications such as Levitra. Laura uses her research scientist skills to cover health and wellness and uncover big pharma news she shares on the AccessRx Blog.

Guest Post: The Five Most Versatile Outfits for Little Girls

I have a five year old daughter named Isabel who has three passions in life: swimming, having kiddie pool parties, and dressing up (in that order). We live in a Fremont home that has a pool, and our little girl is learning how to swim and already has several bathing suits to her name. As for the dressing up part…well, let’s just say she’s already practicing her independence by choosing her preschool outfits every morning. It’s cute to see her trotting about everyday in her favorite bubblegum pink Barbie tutu coupled with rainbow striped socks and (goodness gracious) my pale pink peep toe heels. This has prompted my husband John to express concern over his little girl being mistaken for a miniature bag lady.

I had to gently explain to Isabel that while her ensemble is nice, it’s considered special- occasion clothing and not for everyday wear. Afterwards, I came up with a list of the five most versatile outfits for Isabel (whom we still consider a toddler because she’s quite small for her age), which we can mix and match with her favorite accessories and footwear on a daily basis.

1. Plain baby tees in as many colors as we can get our hands on Adults love T-shirts for their comfort and versatility, plus the fact that statement tees can get certain bold messages across without us having to utter a single word. In the case of little girls, baby tees are perhaps the best clothes for everyday casual wear because they allow for lots of flexibility. Up until the time that Isabel goes to a big-kids school with a uniform, her daily outfit almost always includes a T-shirt. We love plain ones in different colors or with cartoony designs to go with jeans, shorts, and skirts, but she has currently been enamored with the sparkly shimmering T-shirt trend. We’ve conceded, though the rule of thumb is nothing with huge rhinestones or embellishments which can get caught on things and cause injury…or else make her look like a small Joan Collins circa Dynasty era.

2. Comfortable machine washable bottoms in neutral colors I know what you’re thinking: little girls and neutrals don’t mix. While we acknowledge that being a five year old girl does allow for much frills and frou-frou (and lots of pink), we always think of comfort and flexibility for our active daughter above all else in the clothing department. She loves romping about in her school’s playground, so we have her wear something that can withstand dirt, stain, and possible wear and tear during play time. Neutral colored bottoms are best for pairing with T-shirts no matter what their designs may be. Along with several jeans, Isabel has cotton leggings, shorts, and kiddie slacks that don’t require special care for washing and are made of sturdy fabric.

3. Skirts in an array of designs Even toddlers like being dressed up in frilly clothes to feel like fairy tale princesses once in a while (okay, in the case of Isabel, it’s not so much once in a while as all the time). Aside from the pink Barbie tutu, our daughter’s wardrobe holds skirts in different styles that range from casual to special-occasion designs. When Isabel is feeling particularly feminine on a school day, we allow her to wear a short skirt atop a pair of leggings or tights. The result is adorable yet practical at the same time because she can still move around in her clothes. As an added bonus, little girls can get away with wearing the poufiest skirts with T-shirts and not make it to any Worst Dressed list (if I were only so lucky!).

4. Frocks and dresses appropriate for casual to semi-formal occasions A definite nod to girlhood, dresses and frocks always make it to the versatility list even if they are sometimes a pain to clean (especially velvet, which I do not like at all but which older relatives insist on giving Isabel). I always aim to buy dresses that have classic designs and are adaptable for casual to semi-formal occasions with just a bit of accessorizing. Our goal when shopping is to go for stylish but not ostentatious, and definitely age-appropriate dresses. Simple floral prints or subdued patterns that look good with cardigans or tights are what I particularly like for my daughter. Knit shirt dresses are also cute and timeless as well as comfy.

5. Playsuits made with stretchy fabric Playsuits are one-piece clothes for kids made of stretchy fabric and are sometimes called rompers. I consider them the toddler version of the onesies, which I also found cute on Isabel when she was younger. We have several playsuit pieces for her which button at the front. They are great for active play times and are durable enough to be washed over and over.

Comfortably stylish with a classic look and feel is what we want for our daughter, and we found it with the top five outfits we’ve listed above. Now, my husband has little to no apprehension about what his daughter will be wearing to school in the morning…until she hits puberty, that is.



This guest blog post was written by proud WAHM (work at home mom) Kristen Swope, who does freelance writing about everything from swimming pools to home lighting. She devotes most of her quality time to taking care of her five-year-old daughter Isabel, and being a loving companion to husband John. She lives in Fremont, California in a house with a kidney-shaped swimming pool.

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Thank you very much for the great tips Kristen!

Guest Post: Teaching Kids through Summer House Chores

In the summer parents often find their children home a lot more than during the school year. This frequently creates tension because parents have their routine, work, or lists of things to do and the kids need attention.

That’s why whenever possible having the kids do some of the chores around the house is a great way to keep them busy. Of course, this may take a little coaxing and parent-child diplomacy but in the end there’s an opportunity to not just keep the home orderly but teach a few things about the world through house cleaning :

• Taking out the trash: Ok, this may seem like a quick chore but it can involve a lot more than just tying up a bag and tossing it inside an exterior barrel. Parents can teach kids how to divide up trash into landfill, compost, reusables, and recyclable material. They can even ask the child to set up a system for the family that will make this a more efficient process.

• Washing dishes: If you have a dishwasher then this simply boils down to loading, unloading, and returning dishes and cutlery to their respective places. However, if you’re doing dishes in the sink parents can teach about how to use as little water as possible and why it’s important to conserve.

• Separate and fold laundry: When there are kids there always seems to be endless laundry. By separating articles of clothing that belong to family members a child can learn appreciation in how to handle other people’s belongings.

• Sweep the floor: Sweeping is a skill, which like bike riding, once you get it you never forget. Nevertheless, it takes time and kids will only learn how to sweep well by doing it over and over. It’s a lesson in persistence.

• Watering the garden/plants: Feeding other forms of life is a special gift but you have to know how much to give certain plants. This is the perfect place to show kids when a little is a lot and when more is truly essential.   

   

• Window cleaning: This can be done with a damp sponge, squeegee, some paper towels and newspaper. It can teach about how when windows are dirty it blocks potential heat that can warm a home in the winter and how when screens get filled with dust particles and wind blows the dust inside it affects the quality of indoor air, which has the potential to cause respiratory problems and other ailments.

Jakob Barry writes for Networx.com. He covers various eco-friendly home improvement topics including carpet cleaning and maid services. Thank you so much Jakob for another great article that you shared here.

Classic trench coat for my daughter

Guest post written by Pamela Givens

One of the things that I miss the most about having my daughter around the house is our impromptu shopping trips. She's away at her first year in college, which has been an adjustment for the both of us. But I would have to say that it's been a little tougher on me because she's in heaven now at her dream college with lots of new friends. She'll be home fro spring break in just a few weeks and I thought it would be nice for me to do something really nice for her.
Instead of just take her shopping, I wanted to buy her something and have it waiting on her bed for her when she gets home. I went online to get some inspiration for that and while I was searching I ran across some information about http://www.satelliteinternetbroadband.com/ and read about it a little. I showed it to my husband and we decided to sign up for one of the packages for it we found on the site.
I found some really great classic trench coat and thought that my daughter could use one. They're perfect for chilly weather and would be easy for her to throw on before class.

Sesame Street

Contribution by Paula Gonzales

I grew up with the Sesame Street show when I was a child in the early nineties. Now, my first child is beginning to develop and enjoys watching the same show that I loved when I was his age! I love all the characters on the show and each teaches something important from colors to numbers to even ideas about sharing and friendship. Sesame Street is an important show that has helped enrich the lives of so many young kids, myself included. From time to time, celebrities make guest appearances on the show and not to long ago Michelle Obama included herself among them. I thought it was great to see the First Lady on a children's show. As a child it is hard to understand who the famous people are but, as an adult watching the show with my child, I appreciate the effort that celebrities put forth to interact with younger audiences. My son and I love to curl up and watch the latest shows on our DirectTV each afternoon. It is a great bonding experience and I get to reminisce about my childhood as well. I think Adam prefers the Cookie Monster because he always laughs whenever he comes on the screen. I am partial to Big Bird but, I am glad he likes the show and not some obnoxious cartoon!