The Fun Times Guide

A Fun Christmas Giving Idea: Help Somebody If You Can

2009-11-17T15:27:21Z

Christmas is a joyous time of the year filled with gifts and gatherings -- where people enjoy the fellowship of family and friends. The classic image of Christmas is watching children opening gifts with wide eyes and wide smiles as the whole family gathers around the Christmas tree.

But for many, this wonderful time of year falls short -- with feelings of solitude, loneliness and even worry about where the next meal is going to come from. For a family in desperate need, there will be very little thought given to Christmas this year, let alone gifts for the children.

Why not make this a memorable Christmas for a person or a family in need? Help somebody if you can.

]]> With the current economy, many have lost their jobs, their homes, and much more.

Good news!...

Finding someone in need who could really use a helping hand is easy.

All it takes is opening your heart and asking.

Helping Anonymously

Here are some ways you can find a deserving family or individual to do something special for this holiday season:

Marines Toys For Tots

Salvation Army Red Kettle

Salvation Army Angle Tree (my wife's favorite)

Christmas Spirit Foundation

Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child

Make a Wish Foundation

My Two Front Teeth

World Vision Sponsor a Child

UNICEF

Trees for Troops

The Wounded Warrior Project

Even if you don't select one of the above charities, you can get even more great ideas for ways to help simply by viewing all the options on their sites.

Here's another fun idea: send a care package to U.S. Troops!

Helping Locally

Many of the same ideas highlighted on the websites above can be used closer to home as well -- right in your own community or even your own neighborhood!

An easy way to find a person or family in need is to contact a few churches near you. Or, just ask around wherever you are -- like the PTA, daycare, YMCA, at the library.

You may even want to ask at your local fire department if they know of a particularly needy family that may have suffered a house fire or medical emergency recently.

Is there an elderly person living alone nearby? "Adopt" them for an evening of Christmas companionship. There are no requirements, nothing fancy is expected of you. Just take them a plate of Christmas dinner or holiday treats. You will make their day!

Finding a suitable recipient is actually the easy part. Making that first heartfelt move to spread joy to someone else (especially if it's someone you don't know very well)... that's the hard part.

However, once you experience the true appreciation felt by those in need, you will quickly become addicted and I'll bet you will want to find other ways -- either throughout the year or next Christmas -- to bring a smile to someone else like that again!

The satisfaction you get from helping someone else (either anonymously, or not) just because you can makes you feel warm all over.

My Story

Back in time, some 52 years ago, our young family of 6 was living in northern Minnesota -- where the winters are unusually cold, long, and often cruel. Doing the right thing for his family, my father made sure that everyone including his young wife was inoculated against the crippling disease called Polio. The new "live" vaccine will protect them, or so he thought.

Dad at age 40 was deemed too old to be stricken with Polio, so pursuant to Health Department instructions, he didn't receive protection from the paralyzing disease that was running rampant across the country at the time.

Being surround by a sizable family -- all of whom had been injected with this wonder drug -- the fallacy of his assumed safety quickly became apparent as he was stricken severely with 2 forms of paralysis that would land him in the hospital for months and leave him permanently disabled for life.

With Christmas just around the corner, survival was considerably more important than foolish trinkets under the Christmas tree. With the nearest relatives being far away in Canada, how was this family going to survive?

Enter the beauty and generosity of giving...

Local organizations, charities, and neighbors alike all chipped in to make this as normal a Christmas as they possibly could for this family. Christmas morning arrived with the family Christmas tree decked out in all its wondrous glory and a mountain of gifts and goodies that would take hours to be passed out and unwrapped.

In later years, mom actually said the bounty was so overwhelming that at some point in time one of the 4 children pleaded, "Mom, do we have to open more presents?"

Back to my family that winter in 1957...

We eventually became a family of 7. Dad lived a full life and our family has done well through the years. We all remember the hardships endured during that period of our lives and none of us will ever forget the overwhelming generosity of others that one very memorable Christmas.

Black Friday Shopping Strategies & The Best Black Friday Tips ... Ever!

2009-11-16T14:30:44Z

Here's my best collection of Black Friday shopping tips.

This list covers everything you should do ahead of time, in the planning and preparation stages. Plus, Black Friday shopping tips that you can't live without -- like what things you should do the morning of Black Friday and what things you should do while you're in the stores taking advantage of Black Friday sales.

Things To Do Before Black Friday

Start shopping early. No, not on that day (Black Friday), but even earlier! Many stores are offering pre-Black Friday sales weeks before the big day. And the night before Black Friday may yield even better deals yet!

Before you even begin to look at the Black Friday advertisements, you want to know the store policy on returns. The question you need answered is if they lower price on an item that you have already purchased, will they refund the difference? If so, what time period (usually a month) is this service in effect? If the store will refund the difference on an item purchased for more on a prior date, then there is no need to wait in line to purchase that item on Black Friday. Simply go to the store the week before Black Friday and purchase the item. When Black Friday comes along, stroll into the store (conveniently bypassing all the lines and crowds of people fighting for what you are carrying — or even waiting until the afternoon when the crowds have thinned out a bit and all the items are already gone from the store) and ask for the difference. Source

Don't miss these other Black Friday strategies to outsmart the competition!

Sign up for email alerts & newsletters. If you really want to score the best deals, you need to whittle down your list to a number that's manageable. Email alerts & newsletters are a great way to be among the first to learn about a new item to go on sale somewhere, and fine-tune your Black Friday shopping list.

TIP: You can keep track of your Black Friday shopping list and the store ads all in one place with the following iPhone Black Friday apps:

Fat Wallet Black Friday iPhone App

DealNews Black Friday iPhone App

Clean your cookies. When shopping for Black Friday deals online, retailers can tell which products you've already looked at and your basic shopping habits online.

Retailers base a lot of their online promotions and price points on shoppers' habits. So, it's not uncommon for shoppers to notice price fluctuations after repeated purchases on the same site. Prices typically drop for these power shoppers as an incentive, but there have been documented occurrences of increases, too. You can check to see if this is happening to you by logging out from the retail site, clearing your browser's cookies, and then revisiting the product page. If you find a lower price, buy it -- re-registering with a new customer account if necessary. Source

Buy a newspaper the Sunday before Thanksgiving. It will be full of Thanksgiving fliers and sales announcements! You will want to take the store ads with you when shopping on Black Friday (see why below). And use a highlighter and/or Sharpie marker to identify key items that you may need to reference while in the store. Use these store ads to create your Black Friday shopping list.

Check out the Black Friday Survival Guide: Planning.

]]> The Night Before Your Black Friday Shopping Trip...

Make a list. And check it twice. That way, you will feel 100% certain of your shopping goals on Black Friday morning. Ideally, your list will only have the top few items that you really truly want or need. The truth is you really only have one chance to get those "super duper bargains" -- because stores only have a limited number. So, if you don't get it early, you very likely won't get it at all. That's why your list is so important. Also, what you put on your list in the #1 spot will ultimately determine your ability to get to A) other items in the same store, or B) other items in a different store.

Map out your route. If you're going for the most popular items, then this is crucial. Otherwise, there's no way that you'll be one of the lucky few to snag those really low-priced deals.

Know the downsides of using a debit card versus a credit card. For example, usually refund policies are different with debit card purchases. And remember, unlike credit cards, debit cards are just like cash. They hit your bank account immediately, and debit card purchases can also leave you more vulnerable in terms of your rights and protections.

Charge your cell phone. You may need to call home for an opinion, a size, or a description of an item that's on sale. And if you're Black Friday shopping with a friend, then you'll need to have a way to contact each other when you're at opposite ends of the store. (Walkie talkies are another option.)

Here are some interesting strategies for doing Black Friday shopping with a friend.

Pack light snacks and keep them in a bag inside your car. This will enable you to stay energized by snacking when you're driving to and from stores, rather than taking the time to sit down and eat somewhere. Don't forget the bottled water!

The Morning Of Your Black Friday Shopping Trip...

Eat something before you go. You'll have more energy and will be more alert during this early morning shopping trip.

Take your list and your map. (Both mentioned above.) As long as you are clear about which items you are focusing on and which stores you're starting at, then you will be increasing your odds of getting the best deals on the times you want the most.

Leave young kids at home. Unless your children are old enough to go to assist with your Black Friday shopping, then you're better off to leave them at home. On the other hand, if they are old enough to be trusted alone in a store, then your kids could be helpful in helping you to score some Black Friday deals! Just send them in search of one specific item, while you're on the other end of the store looking for a different item.

Leave the umbrella at home. If it happens to be raining or snowing on Black Friday, you can't let that slow you down. That means leaving the umbrella at home. It's just one more thing you have to keep track of and it limits the number of good deals you can grab on the spot! If it's raining really hard, try wearing a light jacket with a hood. Then, tuck that jacket away your purse or pocket while you're shopping. Or take a very small compact umbrella, or maybe even a cheap or broken one that you wouldn't mind accidentally leaving behind in the store.

Wear extremely comfortable clothes... and shoes! One thing I always forget about is the fact that it's usually quite cool early in the morning, but it quickly gets warm outside. And it's even warmer inside the stores! Plus, you'll be moving quite quickly to find the items you're after, so you're likely to break a sweat in no time. Your best bet is to dress in light layers, so you can easily take off a lightweight jacket or sweater. Better yet, wear "packable" items that can easily be stuffed into your purse or attached to your belt loop.

TIP: Have a spare self-closing hook or caliper? Use it to carry things like your purse, your jacket, even shopping bags! (They sell these at home improvement stores as well.)

A fanny pack or small purse that you wear across your chest is the best option for Black Friday shopping. Why? You can't lose it! It will always be securely attached to your body. And you won't become the victim of a pick-pocket or purse snatching. Of course this means, leave all of the accessories at home. All you need is your cash, checks, or credit/debit card. Plus, the less you have to physically carry, the more your arms will be free to carry all the great deals you find!

Shirts with pockets (like a breast pocket) are great for storing items like your cell phone, walkie talkie, or shopping list while doing your Black Friday shopping. By using pockets that are close to your body at all times, you will be able to quickly grab items off the store shelves and keep your valuables safe at all times.

Leave the chairs and tents at home. If your strategy is to be one of the first in line and you're willing to spend the night outside the store, prepare to be uncomfortable. While things like chairs, blankets, and tents sound good right now (and will indeed be much appreciated through the night), when that time comes to rush through the door, you'll be hugely disappointed when all that bulk you're carrying around gets in your way of grabbing that prized item you were after. When you're doing Black Friday shopping, you want only the bare necessities on your person. Nothing else.

Here are some great tips for camping out before Black Friday sales.

Take the store ads with you. Many stores will match prices for the same items at other stores. However, you must have the ad in hand in order to get that low price. This is an especially great strategy for items that the store you're shopping in doesn't have on sale. Thus, while Store A might have huge Black Friday prices on the flat screen TV you've had your eye on, you may be able to get that same item at the same low price and without the crowds at Store B instead -- even if that item isn't on sale at Store B! That is, if you have the ad from Store A in hand and Store B matches other stores' prices.

In-Store Black Friday Shopping Strategies

Get there early! Since stores limit the quantities of their lowest priced items on Black Friday, if you arrive much after daybreak, you're likely to miss out on those items.

Avoid using a shopping cart, if at all possible. They will just slow you down and get in the way. It's not easy to maneuver through thick crowds with a shopping cart. That's why it's best to just stick to a handful of items that you REALLY want. And hopefully, they're items that you can carry yourself. If not, enlist the help of a friend or family member.

Don't shop for yourself. As hard as it might be to resist the urge to buy fun things for yourself, to get the most out of Black Friday holiday shopping, you need to spend less money and cross items off your list. If you buy for yourself, you'll just end up spending more money in the long run -- and you'll be left with the same post-holiday credit card bills.

The National Retail Federation reports the average shopper spends $99 on themselves during the holiday season, so you're not the only one tempted to treat yourself. Save those personal gifts for another time of year, perhaps during post-post-holiday sales. Source

Don’t limit your purchases to just Christmas gifts. If friends or family members' birthdays are around the corner, add them to your list!

Ignore instant-savings credit card offers. Many stores provide extra savings -- on top of already low Black Friday prices -- if you open one of their store's credit cards. While the deals may sound quite lucrative at first, who cares about saving an extra 20% when you'll really be paying much more than you'd save in interest rates?

Don't buy things that aren't on your list. Often, a good deal isn't always as good as it might seem at first. And no deal is a good deal if it's an item that you don't really NEED.

Shoppers need to evaluate the deals because not all sale items are really on sale. Retailers like to boost prices just before Black Friday so they can advertise attractive savings on "sale items." You can save gas and shoe leather by comparing prices from home [online]. Source

Conceal the items you've bought in your car. It's not a good idea to leave packages in full view, since there are may be some who are looking to take advantage of unsuspecting shoppers. Along those same lines, keep your purse in front of you and close to your body at all times. It's very easy for a purse-snatcher to slip your purse off your arm in a hurry!

A Newbie's Guide To Scoring Some Great Black Friday Deals

2009-11-15T13:50:02Z

What Is Black Friday?

Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year. It's always the day after Thanksgiving.

How did Black Friday get its name?

For years, the day after Thanksgiving has been the day that retailers traditional go from being "in the red" (in debt) to being "in the black" (making a profit). Hence the name: Black Friday!

Black Friday officially marks the start of the holiday shopping season, as there's only 4 weeks left to shop until Christmas.

What Are Black Friday Sales Like?

The Friday after Thanksgiving sales usually include the most unique items that you'll find this particular year and the lowest prices on many of the most popular everyday items as well.

Black Friday doorbuster prices are typically very hard to beat -- at any time of year.

The challenge and allure to Black Friday shopping is the fact that there are only limited quantities available at these low, low prices. It's not unusual that a store would only have a dozen or so items available at that one-time-only Black Friday price.

So there's obviously an adrenaline rush that comes with being one of the lucky ones who was able to score a deal on an item you wanted. It's kind of similar to "winning" a bid on eBay and the satisfaction you feel for being the lucky "winner" -- when you know so many other people also wanted that item. Only the deals are usually much sweeter at Black Friday sales.

On Black Friday, bargain shoppers can score tremendous deals by keeping their eye on the biggest sales that can be had:

only on this one day

only for certain times during that day
only on select items

and only at select stores

My Experience With Black Friday Shopping

There are Black Friday junkies who get up early each and every year to take advantage of all the post-Thanksgiving Day specials.

Then there are Black Friday newbies who are eager to see what all the hype is about for the very first time.

I'm somewhere in between. I've been participating in Black Friday sales since 2005. I'm serious about my Black Friday shopping -- in terms of hunting down the very best deals that we most need (or want). Then on the morning of Black Friday, I'm on a mission to buy just those items. I try hard not to let Black Friday sales get the best of me by buying a bunch of things I don't need. (That's just what the retailers want, you know.)

So that's why I compiled a list of the best tips for Black Friday shopping. And I use that list each year when I'm preparing for my Black Friday shopping trip.

]]> I think the best part about Black Friday shopping is the fact that you can find out ahead of time exactly what's going to be on sale at all of your favorite stores!

Here's how...

Find The Best Deals Ahead Of Time

To view details about each of the items featured this year for Black Friday, go here:

GottaDeal

DealTaker

BFAds

Black Friday Info

The Black Friday

DealNews

Those happen to be my personal favorites (in that order). Plus, they are the most popular Black Friday sites according to a number of other factors as well.

GottaDeal also happens to have the largest Black Friday message boards online. So if you want others' opinions on the best deals or the specific products on sale, there's no better way to get an answer to your question fast. (You have to register first to view the forums.)

No matter which Black Friday site(s) you choose to follow, sign up to be notified of all the latest store ads as they become available!

Did you know?...

Amazon has Black Friday specials, too! However, they don't release their low low low prices until midnight on the Monday before Thanksgiving. (So keep checking that link!)

According to various studies, up to 50% of all shopping done during the holiday season is not for gift-giving, but rather purchases made on the bargain shopper's own behalf. Of course it only makes sense to put off purchases of big-ticket items like flat-screen TVs and laptops until they are the cheapest they'll be all year. Source

But Amazon isn't the only retailer offering Black Friday specials online. Most companies offer their own Black Friday specials on their corporate websites. Just pick your favorite store, then check out their website. I bet you'll find a few Black Friday deals there!

What To Look For In Black Friday Store Ads

When the Sunday before Thanksgiving rolls around, be sure to grab a newspaper. Warning: Get one early in the morning. Otherwise, you may have to drive all over town in search of a newspaper, because Black Friday shoppers have already bought them all! I learned this firsthand.

Keep in mind that many Black Friday specials are only offered in the store between certain hours. For example, some are considered "early bird" specials available only to the first few who walk through the door, while others are staggered throughout the day. By making sale prices only available during certain times, the stores are able to get shoppers to return to their stores even after the biggest and best items sold out earlier in the morning.

If you truly want to be among the first to receive a great deal, then your best bet is to get there early! Stores often offer deeper discounts and last-minute specials on Black Friday that they didn't announce ahead of time.

Be aware that some stores also offer free gift certificates to the first X-number of people in the store the day after Thanksgiving. So do keep your eye out for those little "surprises" on Black Friday as well.

Aren't There Pre-Black Friday Sales?

For awhile, some stores (like Walmart) tried to put an end to pre-Thanksgiving day store ads appearing on websites. But that was just a short-sighted approach to deal with the frustration that they were not in control of when their customers saw their store ads.

Today, it's hard to deny that retailers actually like all the attention. Heck, ANY way the word gets out about your sales is a great way to boost holiday sales each year!

It's clear that Black Friday sales are so successful for retailers that they've actually come to rely on them each year. Their year-over-year profits would not be the same without Black Friday sales in the mix.

In fact, many retailers have even started advertising their own Black Friday sales weeks ahead of time -- in an attempt to scoop all the Black Friday websites, and boost sales even higher.

And this year is the first time stores started offering full Black Friday sales and discounts before the official Black Friday day! That's right, Black Friday is now reserved for those who are drawn to the "challenge" of being one of a select few to actually score the best deals... in stores... on the day after Thanksgiving.

If you just want good deals in general, then pre-Black Friday sales may be just what you're looking for!

Did You Know?...

Apparently, on Black Friday people typically eat a lot of pizza! According to Yahoo:

Every year, on the Friday after Thanksgiving, we see a rise in searches for Round Table, Pizza Hut, and Cici's Pizza, among many others. Some people tire of turkey too quickly ... We know many of you think our annual ode to post-turkey pizza is some kind of cheeky advertorial, paid in full by one of the big pizza chains. Ultimately, this isn't about commerce, but rather another facet of the human condition: predictable eating habits. Source

Next Up: Cyber Monday!

Cyber Monday is always the Monday after Thanksgiving.

It's the day when everyone switches to online shopping (instead of shopping in stores for holiday bargains) and major retailers have their biggest sales of the year online -- via their corporate websites.

See why online shopping peaks the Monday after Thanksgiving and how to prepare for Cyber Monday shopping.

Thanksgiving Trees: Christmas Tree Shaped, With Seasonal Autumn Ornaments

2009-11-09T17:10:22Z

Why wait until Christmas to put up a tree?

I'm not talking about a Christmas tree though... I'm talking about a Thanksgiving tree. (And no, I'm not referring to a child's craft project. That's a Thanksgiving tree with entirely different purpose altogether.)

Some consider this Christmas-shaped tree that's decorated with fall-theme ornaments and colors simply an Autumn tree.

Whatever you call it, decorating a tree for the time between Halloween and Christmas is quite common.

Thanksgiving trees -- which are placed inside the home or out on a porch -- are enjoyed between the Halloween and Thanksgiving holidays. Typically, the day after Thanksgiving is when the traditional Christmas tree goes up.

It only makes sense. There are already Halloween trees (yes, they're decorated with Halloween-themed ornaments) and Christmas trees (including upside down Christmas trees), so why not a Thanksgiving tree?

]]> Truth is, some people even decorate a tree for many different holidays or seasons throughout the year, including Thanksgiving!

(Are you one of those, or are you surprised by this fact?)

Thanksgiving trees come in all shapes and sizes.

They might be smaller trees made just for tabletops -- perfectly sized for a tabletop or porch, or full-size models -- similar to a traditional Christmas tree.
Some have true leaf-shaped leaves, while others are similar to Christmas trees with pine needles.

Perhaps the following Thanksgiving tree photos will provide inspiration for your own seasonal Autumn tree this year, or maybe next year.

Thanksgiving Tree Photos

This Thanksgiving tree closely resembles a traditional Christmas tree with pine needles. The only difference is the type of decorations placed on the tree. Here, autumn-colored ornaments are used.

This Thanksgiving tree has true leaves that are colored in warm hues -- reds, browns and yellows.

Keep in mind, your Thanksgiving tree doesn't have to be so typical. It could be whimsical instead! Your Thanksgiving tree can be decorated in such a way that means the most to you. In this case, the tree is decorated from top to bottom with birdhouses! I'd say this person is thankful for birds in her life...

Have You Checked Your Car Floor Mats Lately? They Could Kill You!

2009-11-05T17:58:46Z

The lesson to be learned from the recent Toyota and Lexus floor mat recall is the same thing could happen to any driver of any car!

The fact is, if you have removable floor mats in your car, the driver's side floor mat could slip and lead to a very dangerous situation when you're driving.

]]> Deadly Car Floor Mats

If your car floor mats are not tightly secured in place (as they are when you buy a new vehicle directly from most manufacturers), then the gas pedal could accidentally be held down by the driver's floor mat and an accident would be likely.

It has happened. More than once.

For the safety of your family, your friends, and yourself... your best bet is to only use car floor mats that securely stay in place!

Watch this video to see why.

The remedy, at least for the short term, might be zip ties. At least it's a semi-permanent fix!

How To Find Military Addresses For U.S. Troops Who Would Like To Receive Holiday Care Packages

2009-11-04T00:40:12Z

This time of year, we always send a care package or two to U.S. Troops overseas.

If you want to send a holiday care package to the Troops, but don't know where to send it, the following information should help.

First, here are a couple of tips that might be helpful as well:

Before You Send Care Packages To U.S. Soldiers

Ideas For A FuN Holiday Care Package

Tips For Sending Food & Other Items To U.S. Military

Other Great Ideas For Soldiers' Care Packages

Fun Things To Include In Military Gift Baskets

Here's how to find a military address for U.S. Troops...

]]> How To Find A Soldier's Address

People have been leaving the mailing addresses of their loved ones who are serving overseas at TheFunTimesGuide.com. Check the "comments" for the newest additions.

Aside from that, one of the best ways to find addresses for U.S. Troops is to choose a branch of the military and then select an individual from there:

Any Soldier

Any Marine

Any Sailor

Any Coast Guard

With each of the above sites, you can read actual bios and journal entries from the Troops themselves, and then pick the one that speaks most to you. Many also post photos of themselves and their experiences while serving in the U.S. Military!

Operation Troop Aid is an organization that accepts donations for pre-packaged items to be sent to U.S. Troops in your name. This is a great option when you can't decide on one particular soldier or don't have a preference.
The USO also provides a number of ways that you can donate a gift to U.S. Troops.
Adopt A US Soldier puts you in touch with a U.S. soldier via email. After you register, your soldier’s information and any comments that he or she may have provided will become available to you.
Soldiers' Angels is a great network of reputable organizations that provides gifts and services to all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. They are a great resource connecting people with soldiers to "adopt".

You can also send the Troops a message quickly and easily online! A Million Thanks is another way to do this.

Top 3 Product Tracking Sites That Send You Price Alerts When Your Favorite Items Go On Sale

2009-11-01T17:44:55Z

Let's face it, most of us don't have a lot of time to shop. I know I don't.

One way that you can minimize the time spent shopping for the best deal is to use online shopping sites that provide automatic price alerts via email when a product you're looking for goes on sale.

Here are the best product tracking sites that alert you of price drops via email...

]]> Top 3 Product Tracking Sites

#1 PricePinx uses a different (better) system than most of the other product tracking websites.

First, you sign up for an account, and then you drag their bookmarklet to your browser's toolbar. Whenever you're shopping online and see something you like, you highlight the price and then click on the PricePinx bookmarklet. Then, when the price drops for that item, PriceOinx notifies you via e-mail.

You can use PricePinx bookmarklet when shopping at over 1,000 different online stores. (These are definitely among the most popular places that people shop online too!)

PricePinx is my favorite site that alerts you about lowering prices because you don't have to go to their website to search for products each time and then set up individual alerts. Instead, you simply go to all your favorite online stores, like normal, and use the PricePinx bookmarklet while you're there.

#2 Gazaro is another very good website for tracking sales.

Gazaro tracks sales fliers and popular shopping websites and then alerts you when prices have gone up or down. You do have to search for your favorite items through their website each time, but it's easy to set up an alert for each of the products you're interested in.

Just for fun, I put "laptop computer" into their search engine I and was very pleasantly surprised. I found laptops for less than $300! While they were refurbished, if you are a student that just needs a computer to work on school work, this would be a great deal.

When you sign up for Gazaro's tracking service, you tell them what you're looking for and they send you an e-mail notifying you of price alerts. You can also subscribe to their RSS feed to track your favorite products that way. And eventually you can even receive Tweets alerting you to price drops on your favorite items! I really like the idea of getting price alerts in the form of Tweets.

#3 Shop It To Me is another great free personal online shopper.

Shop It To Me's strength is monitoring the websites of leading clothing retailers. Here, we're not just talking about stores like Walmart and JCPenny, but also more specialized stores like Bluefly, Nordstroms, Zappos.

After you enter your favorite brands and sizes of clothing, they send you a "Salemail" alerts, which are daily (or weekly) emails highlighting which items are currently on sale in your size.

One popular way to use Shop It To Me is to track the brands and sizes of your child's favorite clothes. I read that one lady saved $580 when she used it to shop for school clothes!

2 Good Product Tracking Sites

Price Ambush has a nifty feature where you do a search for the product you want, and then it gives you all these different products which meet your criteria. Or, you can enter the exact brand you want for a particular item instead.

Either way, when you find an item you like, just click on "set alert". Then immediately at the bottom of the listing, you will see a place to put your e-mail address and the highest price you're willing to spend.

When a sale takes place causing that product to go on sale for that price or lower, you'll get an e-mail alerting you to the new low price.

Street Prices is not as sophisticated, nor as comprehensive, as the other product tracking websites that send you price alerts, but it's still a good one.

You sign up for an account and then do a search for a particular product. Their search engine searches 150 different stores and gives you a list of items that you may be interested in. Just click on "add price alert" for the ones you want to receive notifications of price drops.

7 Other Product Tracking Websites

Price Spider

Deal Alerter

Price Drop Alert

Price Please

Online Price Alert

WishPot

Price Grabber

Mobile Applications That Provide Price Alerts

Summary

The first 3 product tracking sites on this list are my personal favorites because of the way they find deals and how they get the information to you. They also make it easy for you to find good deals on your own as well.

The other 2 are good, but I would've liked more information on the stores that Price Ambush scans for deals. They don't give you any information about this on their website. Unfortunately, Street Prices only searches 150 online stores. Compare that to PricePinx, which searches over 1,000 and lets you place alerts while shopping directly on those stores' websites, and well you see what I mean.

One thing to keep in mind is the fact that it never hurts to set price alerts from more than one product tracking website. That way, you can be sure that you are actually getting to see all of the good deals that are out there for the products that you're most interested in. You will also be able to see where some sites may be missing some deals.

Did you know that you can find local deals online, too? Offeretti makes it easy! When you visit the site, you'll see a map of your area. You can also enter your ZIP code or click on a city name. You'll notice orange markers on the map. Click one to see a deal! If you'd prefer, you can search by category or enter a search term. Many of the deals will require coupons. Offeretti will help you get the coupon and claim your deal! -- Kim Komando

How To Find Your Lost Cell Phone With Free Programs Online

2009-10-22T14:39:15Z

If you've lost your cell phone (or more likely, just temporarily misplaced it), you can enter your cell phone number at Where's My Cell Phone and your phone will ring right away. Then, all you have to do is listen for the ring, and see where that ring is coming from!

Of course you could also call your cell phone number from a land line or a friend's cell phone, but if neither of those is available to you, then this free service would come in really handy!

I heard about this cool free service from Kim Komando's Cool Tip of the Day.

Kim says:

The site does not share or store your phone number. But you can block your number if you wish. If someone else accidentally enters your number, your phone won't ring.

For the record, Google Maps' click-to-call is another way to call your own cell phone. You can also use Google Voice to call your own cell phone.

]]> For Truly Lost Cell Phones...

If you don't hear the ring and you've really lost your cell phone, then the following tips for finding lost cell phones will come in handy:

Also, you will want to notify your wireless provider that your phone has been lost or stolen. The reason? You are responsible for all charges up until the time that it was reported lost or stolen! Once you report that your cell phone has been lost or stolen, your provider will then shut off your device so that no one can make calls or send messages from it.

Military Care Packages - Tips For Sending Food & Other Items To U.S. Troops

2009-10-17T22:04:39Z

Tis the season to do something special for the Troops.

Whether you know someone who is currently serving in the U.S. Military or not, there are lots of fun ways to do a little something special for those who are going above & beyond for people like you and me.

Jim and I have sent fun holiday care packages to the Troops for the past several years -- usually 2 gigantic boxes each time. (By the way, they always reached their destination, and in a timely manner too.)

The first few times, we sent our packages to soldiers we didn't even know. Then, for a couple years, we sent holiday care packages to our nephew, a Marine, who was serving in Iraq. This year, since our nephew is back in the States, we will be sending our holiday care package to more U.S. soldiers we've never met.

Here's a collection of tips -- everything you need to know to send a care package to U.S. Troops...

]]> How To Send Food Items

If you'll be sending food, like baked goods, here are a few things to keep in mind...

1. Look for items with a long shelf life -- since it can take several weeks for your package to arrive at its final destination. Some good ideas for cookies include: shortbread cookies, oatmeal & raisin cookies (because the fruit helps the cookies stay moist), and gingerbread cookies.

2. If you want to add some chocolate pieces to homemade cookies, use M&Ms instead of chocolate chips, since the hard candy shells help to keep the soft chocolate from melting.

3. For the sake of those who might be allergic to nuts, be sure to label anything you send that might contain nuts (or peanut butter).

4. Place baked cookies and other baked goods in a cushioned, airtight container then seal the ends with packing tape to assure the lid doesn't come off and air can't get in. This will keep the food items fresher longer.

Of course, baked goods aren't the only thing worth sending to the Troops. Here are the items most often requested by U.S. servicemen and women:

Fun Holiday Care Package Ideas For U.S. Troops

Great Ideas For U.S. Military Care Packages

Tips For Sending Gift Baskets To U.S. Military APOs and FPOs

Fun Gift Ideas For U.S. Military And Their Family Members

Before You Mail Your Care Package...

Choose the right box. The more an item inside your care package can move around inside the box, the more likely that item will break or spill. Consider wrapping the more fragile items tightly in bubble wrap. And choose a box that gives very little room for movement inside. Of course, overstuffing a box is just as bad as underfilling it. If the box is too full, the items inside will likely bust out before reaching their destination.

You can't use too much tape. Be sure to use clear packing tape to securely seal the box shut from all sides. It's best to use the "H" method when taping your care package shut. If you tape along all the seams, it will look like there's an H on both the top and bottom of your box.

Waterproof the contents. Simply line your box with a garbage bag to make it waterproof. This is great if the box gets damaged in transit and tears or pops open. Plus, if items inside should break open, they will be less likely to leak outside of the box.

Double-address your package. it's best to include an extra mailing label inside the box, as well as outside. That way, if the exterior label should become unreadable, your package would still arrive at its intended destination. (And for an extra special touch, if you're sending to soldiers you haven't met, then include a note about yourself and why you chose them!)

A Few More Tips Before Shipping Your Care Package:

How To Pack And Send Boxes To U.S. Troops

Foods Recommended For Military Care Packages

How To Send Items To U.S. Military

Deadlines For Sending Packages To The Troops

Food Items To Send - From A Soldier's Perspective

Alternative Pumpkin Carving Techniques - 4 Awesome Videos From DIY Network

2009-10-14T16:01:47Z

DIY Network has 4 great videos showing some outside-the-box ways to carve a pumpkin for Halloween!

Each video features the unique pumpkin carving techniques used by 4 of their TV experts:

Chris Grundy

Jason Cameron

Ahmed Hassan

Amy Matthews

For more great pumpkin carving tips, check out All The Best Pumpkin Carving Tools: From Carving Kits To Power Tools!

Lots Of Fun Adult Halloween Costumes You Can Make Yourself

2009-10-13T13:46:00Z

Hey, who says Halloween is just for kids?

Not me. I love playing dress up on this fun holiday. When I answer the door, I always get lots of compliments. Plus, it's neat to see the kids get a kick out of my Halloween costume each year -- it makes it more fun for them, as well as for me.

So as you can see, Halloween is not just for the little kids, it's for the big kids too.

If you'll be dressing up for Halloween this year -- either for a Halloween party or just for something to wear when you're handing out candy to the trick-or-treaters -- then you'll enjoy these awesome DIY ideas for adult Halloween costumes...

]]> This first one is one of the best lists for adult homemade Halloween costumes that I've ever seen. There are all sorts of fun ideas like: a Japanese doll, an American tourist, a bubble bath, Miss America, a crash test dummy, or how about static cling? (That one really had me laughing.) Plus, there are simple instructions for how to make each and every costume.

Are you looking for a few last-minute Halloween costume ideas that are easy and really quick to make? The examples included here are: a black-eyed pea, smarty pants, a Freudian slip, and a deviled egg (my personal favorite). These are all really funny and easy to put together.

If creative and unusual is your thing, then you're going to love these adult homemade costume ideas! You'll find instructions for making a jogger that was struck by lightning, a person taking a shower, dice, dirty laundry, and a road. With these types of Halloween costume ideas, I always like to look at the initial instructions and then add a little something of my own to them. For example, with the road costume you could hang a stop sign around your neck as well, or add some other prop that goes along with the road theme.

If you're more interested in being traditional on Halloween, then you could make your own cheap Halloween costumes. There are very simple instructions for making a ghost, a ghoul, and skeleton, as well as instructions for how to use Halloween face paint to make a scary mask!

Homemade Halloween costumes really are the best -- especially since they allow you to be creative and fun. This list of DIY adult Halloween costumes includes Daisy Duck, a vampire, and gang green (gangrene). Personally, I thought the gang green costume idea was a bit gross, but I imagine the idea was to scare people in a fun way. This costume would definitely fit the bill!

If you're aim is to win a Halloween costume contest this year, you really should look at these homemade Halloween costume ideas. There are detailed instructions for some very fun Halloween costumes including a dalmatian, a bunch of grapes, a tourist, a scarecow, a spider, and a Christmas gift.

This group of adult Halloween costume ideas are a combination of unique and traditional, but the nice thing is they include simple instructions. Plus, a few are ones you can make on the fly in the event you've waited until the last minute. The ideas include: a birthday present, UPC code, baked potato, robot, mummy, elf and grapes.

I love the 80's -- probably because that's when I was in high school and college. This list has a few of my favorites from that era, plus some unique couples costumes like: Smurfs, a bike cop, an 80's girl, superheroes, a deer and hunter, a pair of Doc Martens, and a cowgirl or cowboy.

If you're looking for something a bit more disgusting this year, then you definitely want to check out these strange homemade Halloween costumes. You'll find instructions for making a cat with kitty litter, Ugly Betty, Nick Nolte's mug shot, or a one night stand. The last 2 are actually pretty funny. One thing's for sure, if you choose any of these, your odds are pretty good for winning the contest for "most unique"!

With all these ideas for homemade adult Halloween costumes, you're sure to find something that tickles your fancy and makes you want to go through your closet looking for those items that would be great for making your own Halloween costume.

I know I'm planning to put together a fun Halloween costume this year! I just can't resist.

More Fun Adult Halloween Costumes To Make:

Make The Best Rachel Ray Halloween Costume

6 Fun Ideas For Single Adults & Couples Too

Tips For Dressing Up As TV & Movie Characters

5 Worst Adult Halloween Costume Ideas

Build A Better Bat Costume

Adult DIY Halloween Costume Ideas Gallery

What Makes Men Happy -vs- What Makes Women Happy

2009-10-12T14:31:35Z

I found the following Top 10 lists in the January 2009 issue of Real Simple magazine. The responses are based on a survey of 2,600 men and women.

It's fun to think about what makes you happy, compared to what you think would make your partner happy. I found some of the "men" ones interesting...

First, the women. My $.02 appear in parentheses...

10 Things That Would Make WOMEN Happier:

#1 A permanently clean home. (I strive for this daily; I'm doing much better than I used to.)
#2 A luxury trip. (I'm grateful that we now take one each year!)
#3 A big house. (I recently got one, and I have to admit, it ranks pretty high.)
#4 Losing 10 pounds. (Or 5... and for longer than just a weekend.)
#5 A great body. (Ehhh... I've stopped comparing myself to others these days.)
#6 Time for themselves. (I agree... very important! I've always done pretty good with this one.)
#7 A really romantic relationship. (Again, I'm grateful.)
#8 Being smarter. (Naaa... at this point, I am what I am.)
#9 Saying "No" more. (Not an issue for me... no kids, so I've always been in control of my own time & activities.)
#10 A luxury car. (I'll pass. I'm pretty happy with my fun Jeep Wrangler.)

From this list, I think I'd have to rate #4 "losing 10 pounds" as the #1 thing that would make me happier. Which is a big bummer since the only reason I'm not 10 pounds lighter is my own fault, darn it.

And now for the men...

]]> 10 Things That Would Make MEN Happier:

#1 A big house. (Really? Does this surprise anyone else but me?)

#2 A really romantic relationship. (Who knew this would be so high?)

#3 A luxury trip. (I guess we're in the same boat on this one.)

#4 Being smarter. (Over-achievers... competitors.)

#5 A luxury car. (I thought this one would be higher.)

#6 A better sex life. (I thought this one would be higher.)

#7 A great body.

#8 A permanently clean home. (I bet this would be higher if they did more of the house cleaning!)

#9 Losing 10 pounds. (Yeah, that's because guys can lose weight practically overnight!)

#10 Having a personal assistant. (Now that you mention it, I could use one of those too!)

Interesting... right? Guys don't need time for themselves like women do. Instead, quite to the contrary, they seek to include others in their life -- by way of adding a personal assistant (and house cleaners!).

VIDEO: The Birdmen Who Jump From High Places & Soar Through The Air

2009-10-12T00:48:42Z

Wowza! Check out the video footage of these guys as they jump from extremely high places on Earth and then soar through the air at speeds of up to 140 miles per hour.

There is one overhead view of 2 of them before they jumped that is simply breathtaking!

More photos of the Birdmen here.

Cleaning LCD Screens 101 - TV Screen Cleaning, Plus Tips For Cleaning A Computer Screen Safely

2009-10-10T20:59:14Z

Years ago when TV screens were made of glass, it was easy to clean a TV screen with simple glass cleaner (like Windex) and a couple of paper towels.

However, today's modern video screens are made differently. As a result, extra care must be taken when cleaning flat screen TVs and computer monitors.

Harsh chemicals such as ammonia or alcohol can do serious damage to LCD screens, plasma TVs, and computer monitors. This also includes all laptop computers and portable video games, as well. Virtually any device that produces a picture that is manufactured today will be damaged by harsh cleaning chemicals.

Many owners clean a laptop screen or LCD TV as they would clean any glass monitor or TV - DON'T make this mistake. An LCD (liquid crystal display) consists of a soft film that is very prone to damage from scratches, smudging, and clouding caused by the use of improper cleaning agents and harsh cloths. Plasma HDTVs do have a glass substrate but its surface is also very delicate because of anti-glare coatings. Source

Here's how to safely clean your flat screen TVs and LCD computer monitors...

]]> Before You Clean Your Screen

Liquid crystal display screens are delicate devices. Here are some tips before you begin:

Turn off he device and view the screen from the side. This way, you will be able to see the most troublesome spots. All of the smudges and smears on the screen will become very obvious.
Choose a soft cloth. Microfiber or cotton are best. Some like to use flannel. Those small anti-static cloths that are typically used to clean eyeglasses and cell phones also work well. Avoid things like paper towels, newspaper, bath towels, Kleenex or napkins. Using anything other than a soft cloth will result in tiny little scratches on your screen which will obscure your picture.
Don't press down while you clean. Any direct pressure applied to the screen (such as pressing with a finger or pushing a little too hard to rub off a smear) may result in that section of the screen having dead pixels. This will cause loss of picture in part -- or all -- of your screen.
Never spray any cleaning agent directly onto the screen itself. Instead, spray the cleaner onto a soft cloth and then wipe the screen with the rag. Remember, this is an electronic device, excessive moisture in the wrong place can put you out of business real quick.

How To Safely Clean TV Screens & Computer Monitors

Now that we've got the basics out of the way before cleaning the screens of your electronic products, let's get to the real question that everyone wants to know... what type of liquid can be used?

One thing is certain: avoid ammonia-based products at all costs! Any cleaner with ammonia as an ingredient will yellow the screen and distort your picture.

So, which liquids are safe for LCD screens and flat panel monitors?

Alcohol-Based Products

For years, most people recommended cleaning TV and computer screens with a 50% water, 50% isopropyl alcohol mixture.

Over time, the preferred type of water for DIY screen cleaning became distilled water, mixed with isopropyl alcohol. (Isopropyl alcohol is the same as rubbing alcohol or ethyl alcohol.) Slightly less popular for cleaning LCD screens: distilled water, mixed with vinegar.

These days, most are now recommending that you steer clear of alcohol-based products and avoid vinegar-based products, in addition to ammonia-based products. All are considered chemicals that are simply too harsh for fragile electronics screens. Plus, they tend to make your screen yellow, so why take the chance?

Avoid cleaning products that contain ammonia, ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid, or methyl chloride. These chemicals can react with the materials that the LCD screen is made of which could yellow the screen or cause other kinds of damage. Source

Water-Based Products

Whatever you do, don't use tap water when cleaning flat screen monitors or TV screens. There are lots of little particles in tap water which could harm the screens of electronics. Plus, tap water will leave white streaks on your screen.

The safest and most popular option for cleaning flat screen TVs and computer monitors is to use deionized (purified) water. (Some use distilled water instead.)

Distilled water is, as the name implies, vaporized and condensed so all you have is water with very minimal minerals or salts left. Deionized water has minerals and salts removed by means other than boiling and vaporizing. There is very little practical difference. Source

You can either buy your own and use it with your own soft cloth. Or, you can buy one of the many pre-packaged wipes that are available for cleaning LCD screens. There are also specialty sprays made specifically for this use. You will find that most of them are deionized water-based as well.

Just remember, the absolute safest way to clean your electronics is to stay away from chemicals altogether!

Canned Air Is Great Too

The quickest and easiest way to remove larger particles of dirt and grime from your computer screen (or TV screen) is to use canned air. It will blow out the debris without even having to touch the screen!

The best part: when used properly, compressed air won't harm your computer screen or its many parts (internal or external). In fact, canned air may be the most utilized product in IT departments and computer repair shops these days! It can be used in so many ways to clean computers and other electronics -- inside and out.

Compressed air works wonders at dislodging food particles, pet hair, and other stuff from between the keys of your keyboard too!

More Tips For Cleaning TV & Computer Screens:

Best FREE Pumpkin Templates For Carving Jack-O-Lanterns

2009-10-09T16:37:41Z

Some things in life really are free -- including these pumpkin carving templates!

Yes, this Halloween you can carve a world class Jack-o-Lantern simply by choosing from the best free design templates found online.

Following are the best sites to find literally thousands of FREE pumpkin templates...

]]>

The Pumpkin Wizard is one of the most all-inclusive sites for FREE pumpkin carving templates around! Their patterns are grouped into different themes. There is definitely something for everyone at this site!

Better Homes and Garden has 2 different collections of pumpkin templates to choose from: First, there are 38 FREE printable pumpkin stencils (use the arrows to click through the slideshow). Second, there are 38 more stencils for pumpkin carving.

Hershey's pumpkin stencils are FREE and nicely grouped into beginner, intermediate, and advanced categories. This makes it easy to match the skill level of the person who's doing the carving!

This Jeep-o-Lantern pumpkin carving template is great for the Jeep enthusiast in your family! Let the world know you're a fan of the outdoors, Jeep vehicles, and offroading!

College pumpkin carving templates are all the rage. For example, here's a FREE University of Tennessee template. It's so easy, you could definitely do this one yourself. Perhaps it will inspire you to pick your favorite team logo and declare your support boldly on your own pumpkin this year.

Un-Halloween templates are unique things that you might want to carve onto a pumpkin. Think movie stars & musicians, patriotic themes, animals, Christian symbols, and true American heroes. They're all FREE.

The Pumpkin Lady provides a handful of unique pumpkin templates for FREE. They're located toward the bottom of the page. There are also lots of fun categories for choosing more specialized pumpkin templates. It's a nice library of intricate pumpkin carving designs which can be download for a fee.

In the spirit of Halloween, this selection of FREE pumpkin templates follows the ghost and goblin theme very nicely. Plus, there are some nice words and text patterns as well.

Paper Pumpkins has a selection of simpler pumpkin carving stencils that the younger pumpkin carver can handle. These contain easy geometrical designs that follow the spirit of Halloween without being too difficult to accomplish. And they're all FREE.

If you've got patience and an artistic flair, these FREE fantasy pumpkin templates are a spectacular collection of very intricate patterns for the advanced pumpkin carver. You won't come closer to a one-of-a-kind pumpkin masterpiece than these!

Well, we've covered it all... from some basic designs that younger children can easily handle to very advanced works of art that are best left to the truly skilled artists.

Now you know where to find standard pumpkin templates for witches and black cats to advanced carving templates for patriotic American flags and figures -- and everything in between!. I guess it's time to head for the pumpkin patch, pick out a few nice big pumpkins, and create your own unique Jack-o-Lanterns.

Make sure to take some pictures, as they won't last forever! And you'll need something to inspire the next generation as they carry out your new family tradition. Pumpkin carving is an excellent family activity that everyone can enjoy.