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Every Spring it seems that the news is filled with headlines predicting that it will be the worst allergy season ever. If you are sneezing and itching your eyes already this spring allergy season, you are not alone. 2012 is actually shaping up to be the worst year for allergy sufferers on record.
More than 35 million Americans suffer from pollen allergies, according to the FDA. Every year, the United States spends $21 billion on health costs related to allergies.
A study published today in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA searched for the cause of a trend towards longer allergy seasons.
Researchers found that a delayed first frost of the fall season and a lengthening of the frost-free season combined with increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere have contributed to a longer allergy season. Longer pollen seasons increase human exposure, the duration of symptoms and severity of symptoms.
“Studies have found that not only do [plants] create more pollen, it’s more potent,” said Dr. Stanley Fineman, president-elect of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology and a practicing physician in Atlanta.
Thankfully, science has been steadily improving the ability to combat pollen allergy symptoms. “We can [now] pinpoint what triggers symptoms with specific testing, where in the past it was much more generalized,” said Fineman. “Now, it’s much more specific and accurate and sensitive. … Treatments are more targeted and allergy shots are much more effective because we know better dosages.”
So what can you do if you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from pollen allergies every year? Here are some helpful tips:
5 Tips for Avoiding Allergies:
- Get tested to find out exactly to what you are allergic.
- Consult your physician about possible treatments such as allergy shots and medication.
- Wash your hair and clothes regularly to get rid of pollen.
- If you have pets, groom them regularly because they can bring pollen indoors.
- Stay indoors as much as possible during pollen season to minimize your exposure. You’ll have much more relief in air conditioning. Try installing a programmable thermostat that works with your HVAC system to automatically filter the air in your home.
The Lux CAG1500 is unique among programmable thermostats in that it offers patented Clean Cycle technology, a feature that allows you to program your home’s fan to circulate air through the HVAC system’s filter, reducing airborne particles such as pollen, dust, pet dander, and other allergens. You can program the fan to run anywhere between 9 and 60 minutes each hour.
ADDITIONAL STEPS you can take to help reduce symptoms.
THE NATURAL CHOICE. I know it can be very difficult to function at work or at home as a parent when you’re feeling drowsy from allergy medication. Some people may want options other than always turning to medication for relief. And others may be pregnant or have other medical reasons for looking for natural remedies . Just be sure that no matter what route you take for relief, always consult your physician first.
Earth day is meant to inspire the public to take better care of the environment and learn to take pride in the environment. The original Earth Day was used as a teaching day to get the public more informed about the environmental impact humans were making.
Since then, the basic message of the day is the same, but it has been taken much further. Since this original celebration Earth Day has become an international holiday. Several environmental groups have also started participating in an Earth week.
During this week, these organizations host several different programs that educate their communities about the different aspects of Earth and how to take better care of Earth. Each year, Earth Day celebrations have become more and more elaborate with an ever increasing audience.
Each year different activities are held to acknowledge Earth Day. Each participating country holds their own activities which can be seen on the international Earth Day webpage. Last year, groups across the globe began to enter into active communication with their government officials concerning environmental policy. These groups began to make moves toward getting schools and business to recycle as well as take other actions towards preserving our environment.
Other, more recreational, activities are also held each year in different parts of the world. Many national parks hold nature walks in hopes that these will inspire more environmental responsibility. Other groups organize clean-ups to clear trash and make the environment more livable.
A big push for more child appropriate programs has also been seen throughout recent years. Nearly every community holds some sort of Earth Day activity. All you have to do is read the local newspaper to find out more. Earth Day 2012 events are nearly always posted far in advance, you just have to look for them.
EARTH DAY HISTORY:
Earth day first began in the United States in 1970. This celebration was started by United States Senator Gaylord Nelson on April 22, 1970.
EARTH DAY RESOLUTIONS:
We cannot ensure a safe and clean planet for future generations if we think about environmental issues for one day only. We must think ‘green’ every day of the year. Decide now to start small with an easy resolution to make ‘green’ part of your daily routine. A few simple and ways to start: turn off lights and appliances when not in use, recycle(simply throw your plastic bottles in a separate container than your trash), take a walk instead of driving to your destination.
EARTH DAY ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS:
Our children are the leaders of the future. It is important that they learn the importance of the environment now, instead of waiting until they have grown. There is no better way to teach children than to make crafts and play educational games. http://earthday2012.net/earth-day-activities-for-kids
SAVING OUR PLANET STARTS AT HOME
In the spirit of Earth Day, saving the planet simply starts at home. Lowering your electric use not only helps conserve energy, but also helps put money back in your pocket. And in this economy, who couldn’t use that?! There are many ways you can reduce your electric use that are simple and take little time. Here’s seven ways to get you started to decrease your carbon footprint and save you money every month.
1. Unplug Unused Appliances
One surprising way you can cut your electric bills is to unplug any unused appliances. Believe it or not even when appliances are turned off, if they are still plugged in they still use electricity. Cell phone chargers are another way to unknowingly drain electricity. Next time remember to unplug things such as your hair straightener, game consoles, coffee pot, and printer when you are not using them. By taking the time to do these steps you will save up to $80 dollars a month on your electricity costs.
2. Lower Cooling Costs
Be sure to close your blinds on the sunny side of your home during the day. This will prevent the sun from heating up your room and forcing your air conditioner from running more than it needs to. By reducing the amount your air conditioner runs, you reduce your total electricity bills. You further reduce your electric bills by turning your air up a few degrees so that your air conditioner is not running constantly http://amzn.to/bC9jlE . You can also install and run ceiling fans to help air circulate and lower your cooling costs. A final tip to lower cooling costs is to turn the thermostat up during the evening and placing a fan in the rooms that will be slept in. This will prevent you from cooking the rooms that you are not using. Lowering your cooling costs will save you 10% each year.
3. Change from Incandescent to Fluorescent
Although this will cost you more in the beginning, changing from incandescent lighting to fluorescent lighting will save you money in the long run. Fluorescent lights last 10 times longer than incandescent lights. You ultimately save by reducing the number of bulbs you buy. This change could also save you as much as $30 dollars in energy costs.
4. Turn off Those Lights
Although it seems like an idea too simple to mention, it is surprising how many people keep unnecessary lights on around the house during the day. It really is a simple task to switch off a light when you don’t need it. And while you are at it, unplug the TV or other electrical appliance when not in use. There is no point in keeping a light turned on that you are not using. By turning off unused lights you will save about $35 dollars a year in energy costs.
5. Maintain Your Refrigerator
You may have noticed that over time your refrigerator does not cool as efficiently as it once did. Instead of turning it up or running out and buying a new refrigerator, you should clean off the coils in the back and clean under the unit. Cleaning up the dirt, dust, and pet hair that has collected behind and underneath your refrigerator can save you 30% on your cooling costs.
6. Use Natural Light
Use natural light during the day instead of electric lights. Open the blinds and shutters and allow some direct sunlight into your home or office. In a bedroom, you can increase the use of natural light buy placing a large mirror in a strategic location to spread the light. This is an obvious money saver because it lowers the amount of money you use lighting your home.
7. Use Timers
If you have a hard time remembering to turn things off you might want to consider putting timers around your home http://amzn.to/GOWsYl. This will help lower costs all around and you won’t have to worry about remembering to turn things off.
As daylight saving time begins, “springing forward” creates another hour of sunlight in the evening. It also has some effects on health and public safety that many people are unaware of. Interesting facts about daylight saving time include:
1. Officially, it’s “daylight saving time,” not “daylight savings time.” But don’t feel bad if you thought there was a final “s” on “saving”; far more people Google the incorrect phrase than the correct one.
2. Daylight saving time has mixed effects on people’s health. Transitions into and out of DST can disturb people’s sleeping patterns for example, and make them more restless at night. Night owls tend to be more bothered by the time changes than people who like mornings.
3. There’s a spike in heart attacks during the first week of daylight saving time, according to another study published last year. The loss of an hour’s sleep may make people more susceptible to an attack, some experts say. When daylight saving time ends in the fall, heart attacks briefly become less frequent than usual.
4. People are safer drivers during daylight hours, and researchers have found that DST reduces lethal car crashes and pedestrian strikes. In fact, a study concluded that observing DST year-round would annually prevent about 195 deaths of motor vehicle occupants and about 171 pedestrian fatalities.
5. A U.S. law signed by President George W. Bush in 2005 extended the length of daylight saving time by four weeks. It now begins at 2 a.m. on the second Sunday in March. It ends on the first Sunday in November.
6. Also in 2005, Kazakhstan abolished daylight saving time, citing negative health effects. The country’s government reportedly calculated that 51.6 percent of Kazakhs responded badly to the time change.
7. Many other countries observe daylight saving time, but not all do so on the same day. That can create confusion for international travelers, business communications, and more.
8. Daylight saving can also cause confusion close to home. In March 2007, a Pennsylvania honor student was mistakenly accused of threatening his school with a bomb. He had actually called an automated line to get info about scheduled classes. Someone else made the bomb threat an hour later.
9. Two states—Arizona and Hawaii—and four U.S. territories—American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—don’t observe daylight saving time. Indiana adopted DST in 2006.
10. Local time determines when DST begins, so America’s eastern time zone makes the switch before the rest of the country. Cities like New York and Atlanta will be two hours ahead of the central time zone, instead of the usual one-hour difference, from 3 a.m. to 3:59 a.m. EDT. New York City will be four hours ahead of Los Angeles—instead of the usual three—from 3 a.m. to 5:59 a.m. EDT.
11. Daylight saving time was first used during World War I, as part of an effort in the United States and other warring countries to conserve fuel. In theory, using daylight more efficiently saves fuel and energy because it reduces the nation’s need for artificial light.
12. The first American to advocate for daylight saving was Benjamin Franklin. He realized in 1784 that many people burned candles at night yet slept past dawn in the summer, wasting early-morning sunlight.
13. The effect of DST on energy use has changed over time and varies from place to place. Experts even disagree on whether DST still saves the nations energy. But so many people like to “spring forward” that it might be hard for officials to end the tradition, even if they determined it’s wasteful.
As we ease out of winter and look ahead to spring, we can start thinking of change and new beginnings. March is an exciting month with lots to celebrate: St Paticks’s Day, Daylight Savings and the first day of Spring!
Daylight savings not only marks a time to change you clocks, but is a great reminder to update and change other things in your life.
Here’s a few to get you started:
-SET YOUR CLOCKS. This of course is the most important thing to remember, and you would be surprised how many forget it. If you don’t set your clock forward you’ll be an hour late for whatever you have planned for Sunday, March 13, like religious services or a brunch date. The US Naval Observatory’s Atomic Clock can give you the precise time.
-CHECK YOUR PROGRESS. You’re three months into 2011. It’s a good time to start on the things that slipped through the cracks or follow up on the things that aren’t finished yet. Have you finished projects or upgrades around your home? Have you updated your will, and are you ready to file your taxes?
-CHECK THE MEDICINE CABINET. Again, it’s a good idea to clean out your medicine cabinet at least once per year, and Daylight Saving is just as good a time as any. Get rid of medication that is expired or you no longer use. Be sure to dispose of it properly so your children and pets don’t get into it. Keep the environment in mind, too. Your local EPA may have a collection program to help prevent water and soil contamination.
-CHECK YOUR ELECTRONICS. Your wristwatch and the clocks on your wall aren’t the only things that need resetting. Change the clocks on your computer, microwave, answering machine and coffee maker, especially if you rely on automatic brew in the mornings! Did you get a new cell phone or hand-held device for Christmas? Sometimes automatic updates on new models don’t work as planned.
-CHANGE BATTERIES. Although “fall back” day usually is when we’re reminded to check and change the batteries in our smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, many safety professionals recommend doing it twice a year. Daylight Saving is a good time to do a safety check. And don’t forget the environment. Check with your local environmental protection agency (EPA) for information about recycling your old batteries.
-SWAP CLOTHES. March means spring, so it may be a good time to start gathering up winter clothes and tracking down your bins of spring and summer clothes. Donate unwanted or unneeded items and get receipts for your taxes.
-HOW’S THE FRIDGE SMELL? Arm and Hammer reminds us that Daylight Saving is a good time to switch out the box of baking soda in the refrigerator to cut down on odors and keep your food fresh.
Obviously, some of these things are more important than others, and the world’s not going to end if you forget. But, you can make your life a little easier if you do as many as possible!
The other day I decided to tally up the amount of money I’ve spent in various household categories so I could really get a sense of the extent to which small things can add up. One thing that stood out to me is that I’ve spent an average of $150/month on utilities (gas, water, electric). Of course, during that period there were months that were lower and months that were considerably higher. At first glance, that doesn’t sound like a huge amount, but consider this… over a ten year period that works out to roughly $18k — now that will certainly make anyone stop and think!
All of this got me thinking about simple things that people can do to cut their utility expenditures without impacting their comfort level. I’m talking here about ’set-and-forget’ modifications that you put in place once, and then reap the benefits forevermore. What follows is a list of simple suggestions. Some of these are common sense, others are perhaps less obvious. And looking beyond the financial savings, a number of these tricks will improve the comfort of your home, and nearly all of them are also good for the environment.
(1) Replace your incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent bulbs. Admittedly, some of these bulbs really take getting used to (weird colored light, dim until they warm up, etc.) but there are some good ones out there. In fact, I’ve had great success with the cheaper multi-packs from Lowes and Home Depot. The added bonus is that CF bulbs put
(2) Get a programmable thermostat. This is especially useful if you work outside of the home. If that is the case, you can dial back your heating/cooling while you’re at work, but have it automatically back at a comfortable level when you arrive home at the end of the day. Similarly, you can automatically control the temperature while on vacation, weekends or even sleeping. This savings become huge when you don’t have a system that is constantly running and expending energy.
(3) Put a sealed jar/jug of water, or brick in your toilet tank. Doing so displaces water in the tank and causes you to use less. Of course, too little water when you flush can cause problems, so you’ll have to experiment with this one. But be careful…displacing so much water that you have to flush twice is generally more wasteful than flushing a larger volume once.
(4) Install aerator screens on all of your faucets. Any reasonably modern house will have aerators on their kitchen and bathroom sinks, but many don’t have them when it comes to laundry or utility sinks. The magic of aerator screens is that they increase the apparent ‘power’ of the stream of water as it comes out of the faucet. Thus, you don’t need to turn the faucet up as high to get the same effect.
(5) Get a separate water meter for your exterior hose/ sprinkler system. In most locales, your sewer bill is tied to your water usage. Why pay more for sewer service in the summer when much of the water isn’t going down the drain? Many water utilities allow you to have dual meters, only one of which gets billed for sewer service (the one that feeds your house).
(6) Insulate your attic access. Many people who live in single dwelling homes have trouble balancing the upstairs and downstairs temperature. As it turns out, one of the most frequent problems is the attic. In the winter, cold drafts escape into the main part of the house and in the summer, sweltering heat escaping from the attic prevents you from cooling your house efficiently. Insulating access areas to attic spaces diminishes the problem greatly.
(7) Balance your vents to achieve an even, comfortable temperature throughout your house. Another problem that many have had in regulating the temperature between our upstairs and downstairs is the vents. After a bit of experimentation, many are able to balance the upstairs/downstairs temps. Again, allowing you to run heat/air more efficiently.
(8) Weather strip your doors and windows. Just think, a 1/4 inch gap along the bottom of a 3 foot wide door is 9 square inches of open space. If you had a 3 inch x 3 inch hole in one of your exterior walls you’d fix it, wouldn’t you?
(9) Insulate your garage door. It works wonders for controlling the temperature in a room above the garage.
(10) Plant trees in strategic locations around your house. This is a longer term solution, but shade trees can keep your house much cooler in the summer without blocking the sun in the winter. Planting trees also helps offset our high-carbon lifestyles. If you don’t have a landscaper, go to your local nursery and talk to them about what types of trees would be best for this purpose as well as what kinds of trees will thrive in your local ground soil and climate.
(11) This is where you all come in. Instead of ending this list at twelve, I’d love to hear your ’set-and-forget’ tips. I’m sure there’s plenty of money saving tips that I haven’t even thought of Leave a comment so we can share it.
New Year’s Eve has always been a time for looking back to the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on the changes we want (or need) to make and resolve to follow through on those changes. Did your New Year resolutions make our top ten list?
1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends
Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of camaraderie at a favorite restaurant or someone’s home. Work shouldn’t always come first!
2. Fit In Fitness
The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better. Why not make this the time to start getting in shape.
3. Tame the Bulge
Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year’s commitment to shed extra pounds.
4. Quit Smoking
If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you’ve tried to quit before and failed, don’t let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life
5. Enjoy Life More
Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that “enjoying life more” has become a popular resolution in recent years. It’s an important step to a happier and healthier you! Beyond considering a product designed to bring balance to your body, mind and soul, just get out and try something new! Take up a new hobby. It can be as adventurous as trying your hand at skiing or more relaxing like collecting stamps. Go to a theater performance, or head to the local spa. Check local papers and websites. They offer a wealth of artistic and recreational activities to meet just about anyone’s wishes.
6. Quit Drinking
While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available. Alcoholics Anonymous offers meetings throughout the country. There are groups for Parents of Teenage Alcohol and Drug Abusers. There are also a number of treatment-based programs, as well as support groups for families of alcoholics.
7. Get Out of Debt
Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It’s a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead. Start by making small steps to save money. Look around your house and I bet you can find a few simple ways to cut back and save. Turn off light s you’re not using. Turn back the thermostat a few degrees. (Amazon: a great place to get an energy savings thermostat). Clean out the attic or basement and have a garage/yard sale. If it’s too cold for that this time of year, try selling select items on websites like Ebay.
8. Learn Something New
Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you’ll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year’s resolutions to keep. The local community college probably offers a wide variety of courses, and local YMCA’s offer great recreational training for beginners of all ages. Most local colleges and universities offer distance and adult education programs. Or if the arts are more your thing, places such as the local theatre or museum offer workshops or adult studio classes.
9. Help Others
A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. Many organization makes it easy by connecting volunteers with projects to fit practically any schedule. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.
10. Get Organized
On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life. There are professional organizers who can help you reduce the clutter in your life and find peace in your home or office if the task is too overwhelming.
Make Your Resolutions Stick
The holidays are here again. It’s that time of year when spending can easily get out of control. Gifts, gift wrap, greeting cards, household decorations, outfits for holiday photos and parties, and food shopping for holiday meals are at the top of everyone’s lists.
Unfortunately after Santa has arrived and New Year’s has been rung in, many of us are faced with credit card debt and a pile of bills. Here are a few ways to save during the holidays and start the New Year on the right foot.
- Planning ahead can save you in the end. Make a list of people, and then prioritize. This list will also be your gift shopping budget for the holidays. Note how much you are going to spend next to each person’s name. You can even share your holiday gift lists with family and friends online at KeepandShare.com. For budgeting tips, go to Mint.com and check out its easy budgeting tools. Now carry the list and budget with you on your shopping sprees, and stick to it!
- Focus on buying for close friends and family. Minimize the number of gifts for acquaintances and coworkers. Also consider buying one large gift that several people on your list can enjoy. Some people would rather get one great gift for the family than 10 little gifts. Groupon.com, with the slogan “collective buying power,” provides bulk discounts. You can sign up at Groupon.com for E-mail alerts of sales going on in your area, such as restaurant or beauty salon discounts, which make ideal gifts to share with family or friends.
- Pick a name out of a hat.Whether you come from a large or small family, buying for everyone adds up quickly. It’s been called Secret Santa, Grab Bag or Pollyanna. But the concept is all the same. You only have to buy a gift for one person. Set a limit on how much you are allowed to spend so everyone is on an even playing field.
- Online coupons are great. Consumers can simply point and click to find online coupons for the product of their choice. Most of these coupon sites provide a coupon code to be used on a retail store’s website. During the online checkout, type the code under the “promo” or “coupon code” heading to receive the discount. On most of these websites, you can register to receive daily or weekly E-mails of coupon specials. Sites like Coupon.com, SmartSource.com, and CouponMom.com are popular for consumers looking for a bargain.
- Comparison shop on line. Left with excess inventory last year, retailers are going to sell fewer items in stores this holiday season. As a result, more people are going to go online for research, price comparison, and convenient shopping. One way to do that is through sites like ComparisonShopping.com, which aggregates product search results from the 10 leading websites for price-comparison shopping, including BizRate, PriceGrabber.com, NexTag, and Shopzilla. These sites have vendor prices, reviews of vendors and items, and product descriptions. Also, visit FreeShipping.org, which provides free shipping coupon codes for more than 1,710 stores. Other websites have threshold free shipping, where shipping doesn’t cost anything after a minimum purchase; Amazon.com, for example, provides free shipping for members whose purchases are over $25.
- Homemade gifts, cards, and wrapping paper. Get crafty. Homemade gifts and cards are not only affordable but also fun projects for you and your friends or family to do together. Clip craft stores’ weekly coupons, or visit cheap art supply websites, such as CheapJoes.com, to save on supplies. Instead of buying expensive cards and wrapping paper, make them with colored paper and art supplies. You can put your kids to work with craft ideas from KidsCraftWeekly.com. If you aren’t so artsy, buy homemade artwork, jewelry, and clothing at Etsy.com, as well as unique art supplies, says Michelle Madhok, an online shopping expert and founder of shopping websites SheFinds.com and MomFinds.com. If you’re a baker, recipe sites like Epicurious.com have a plethora of seasonal recipes from cookbooks, chefs, and home cooks. Holiday-themed treats are tasty and inexpensive gifts for your friends and family members with a sweet tooth.
- Buy gifts the save money. You don’t have to be buying for the “Do It Yourselfer” in the family or even the frugal family member. Give gifts that people wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves. Energy saving lightbulbs, a showerhead that saves water, or a programmable thermostat makes a great gift or stocking stuffer. They’ll be thanking you every month when they see the savings on their utility bill.
- Re-gifting. Refer to re-gifting as “gift recycling”. It is easy not only on the wallet but also on the environment, as you are reusing items rather than throwing them away. Avoid the dreaded fruitcake this year, and go for gifts, preferably less personal and unused, such as gift cards, candles, picture frames, and homeware items.
- Budget for yourself. Now after all of your generosity, don’t forget to reward yourself. Along with your gift list, budget how much you’d like to spend for yourself. It’s best to decide what you’d like early on, so you can spend time looking for it at the lowest price. If you have a specific gift in mind, you can go to sites like ShopStyles.com, for clothing and fashion accessories, or PriceSpider.com, for electronics, and select items you like. Then the website will send you E-mail alerts whenever your selected item goes on sale.
Happy shopping. Remember to have fun. Shopping for gifts shouldn’t be a dreaded chore. Give yourself plenty of time. Enjoy the crowds and everything that comes along with it. It only comes around once a year.
HAVE A SAFE & PROSPEROUS HOLIDAY SEASON & A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
Here we are……summer tans have long since faded, nightfall comes at 4:30pm, and waiting for the first real signs of winter to arrive. When winter rears it’s ugly head , so do the heating costs the come along with it. The web is full of great ideas on how to save money on energy costs, but more often than not it takes money to save money. For many, spending a lot money on major home improvement projects to make a home more energy efficient just isn’t in the cards this year.
Don’t panic! You still have options. Here are some tips on how to save money on energy bills without breaking the bank.
- Bundle up! Put on a sweater or sweatshirt. Wear socks and fuzzy slippers. Leave a soft, comfy blanket on the couch to cuddle up in while watching TV, reading or hanging out with family. Put area rugs on hardwood and tile floors to eliminate the shock of the freezing cold surfaces. It doesn’t cost anything to wear warmer clothes inside and by doing so you can keep the temperature inside the house a few degrees cooler and save big.
- Not all doors are used in the winter and neither are the windows. Plastic up the windows and doors that are going to go unused. There are window kits for sale for about $5 per window. These can help to eliminate drafts to keep in the heat! Can’t afford the kits or plastic sheeting? Hang blankets to help insulate! If you are creative enough, you can hang it to look shabby chic!
- Turn the heat down at night and when no one is home. This doesn’t mean turn the heat to 40 degrees, but turning it down to 60 overnight or while you’re at work or away can make a big difference. Think about it; why keep it 70 degrees when you’re either sleeping or out of the house for more than 12 hours a day? You can adjust the thermostat manually for free. If you want to spend a few bucks, a programmable thermostat is a great investment and you never have to worry about forgetting to turn down the thermostat. All the work is done for you. (A good place to buy a programmabe thermostat).
- After baking cookies or making dinner in the oven, leave the door open a crack. There’s a lot of heat in the oven, so letting it escape puts the heat to good use by warming up the kitchen and surrounding rooms so the furnace has to run a little bit less.
- Use a space heater only in the current room you are hanging out in. This will take the nip out of the air to make you feel more comfortable without heating all of the other rooms in the house and wasting energy. The perfect solution is a programmable thermostat for your space heater.
- Use silicone to fill any cracks in doors, windows, etc, including the basement floor and walls. You would be surprised at how much heat is lost through cracks that seem insignificant. A tube of caulk or silicone will only run you a few dollars and it’s an easy weekend project.
- Close any vents going to rooms that are not used regularly. That guest room that sits empty when you don’t have any guests? Close the door and the vents. Doing so can easily cut 100-200 square feet off of your energy foot print.
- Put weather stripping around windows and doors. Weather stripping helps quite a bit, especially in older homes. You’d be surprised how the seals around your doors and windows can deteriorate over time.
- Cover up the attic entry with plastic, pieces of insulation, old blankets, weather stripping, saran wrap, painter drop cloth, or even a few old shirts. Any of it will help to slow, if not, stop, the drafts and warm air from floating away through your roof. Heat rises and may be getting pulled right up through the attic so you may not notice a cold draft even though your expensive hot air is floating away.
- Let the sun shine in! Open up drapes and blinds during the day. Let the natural sunlight warm up the house. If the house hearts up from the sun, your furnace won’t have to switch on.
All of these tips are good, old fashioned, common sense ideas that won’t take a ton of time and maybe just a few dollars to implement. True these thoughts won’t save you thousands like new windows or a solar roof would, but they will help you to save as much as possible with what you have.
THANKSGIVING DAY is a harvest festival celebrated primarily in the United States and Canada. Traditionally, it is a time to give thanks for the harvest and express gratitude in general. And now during such uncertain times, it is even more important to stop and think about how truly blessed we are. This is the perfect time of year to give to someone else (even if it’s just your time) or help someone in need. Even the smallest gesture could make a huge difference in someone’s life.
IT ONLY TAKES A MINUTE!
Minute timers are simple and useful tools that have been around since 1935. They’re one of those items you see every day that and probably not think too much about it. But there are tons of things that a minute timer can be used for. And in a time of computers and complicated technology, it’s nice to have something that’s simple, helpful and reliable.
MORE THAN MAKING THAT PERFECT TURKEY!
Over the years a LUX Minute Minder Timer has been used for lots of things other than cooking.
Here are just a few ideas:
- Use it for getting the perfect tan. Set the timer for thirty minutes so you know when to flip to the other side.
- Use it when you have barbecues/pool parties to let the kids know when they’re allowed to go back in the pool after eating.
- Use it when coloring or putting a perm in your hair, so there’s no worry about over-processing
- Use it to limit time in the bathroom getting kids ready in the morning for school. Putting time limits on showers prevents morning chaos and saves hot water. It adds up to huge savings on the utility bill.
- Use it for timing how long to exercise. No getting off that bike to answer phones or check e-mail until that bell rings!
- Use it to time your parking meter. Set it when you put your money in the meter, so you don’t have to worry about getting a ticket. You’ll know when to put more coins in or move your car.
- Use it for testing children. Great for teachers in school, and great for allotting time to do homework.
- Use it for limiting your kids time on computers, cell phones and videos games.
- Use it for setting specific time to work on projects. It’s easy to procrastinate starting or even finishing a project if you keep checking voicemail and e-mails. If you set a timer, it will force you to get a chunk of work done without interruptions.
- Use it for setting specific time to return phones calls and e-mails so you’re not constantly being interrupted during work, meals, and quality time with family.
- Click here for more ideas.
Have a use for this old favorite? Let us know.
IT’S TIME TO FEAST
Whether hosting your first holiday feast or you’re a seasoned pro, it can be daunting: A menu of familiar dishes for which everyone will have expectations, plus the pressure of executing a complicated meal in a timely manner, can make even the most experienced cook wish someone else would take over (click here for more info).
A kitchen timer is a necessary tool for such a big meal (great place to get your timer). You not only need to know how long to cook the turkey, but how long to let it cool before carving
“We have many tips for a successful Thanksgiving, but our top recommendation is [to] rest your turkey. We [spend] weeks trying to decide how to cook the turkey each year—brine, roast, fry? How long should we cook it, and what’s the best turkey to buy? But if you don’t rest your turkey long enough [once it comes out of the oven], you’re throwing all your expert technique out the window. You should rest your turkey for approximately 40 percent of your total cooking time. So, be sure to rest it in a warm place and allow plenty of time for the whole process.”
Source: Karen and Quinn Hatfield
Chefs, Hatfield’s, Los Angeles
World Arthritis Day was established in 1996 by Arthritis and Rheumatism International (ARI) and is celebrated each year on 12 October.
Now, people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) from around the world can join together to make their voices heard on this day. World Arthritis Day is an ideal focus for organizations to raise awareness of issues affecting people with RMDs and for individuals to support campaigns.
Although 12 October is the official World Arthritis Day, this is a year round campaign.
The aims of World Arthritis Day are:
- To raise awareness of RMDs amongst the medical community, people with RMDs and the general public
- To influence public policy by making decision-makers aware of the burden of RMDs and the steps which can be taken to ease it
- To ensure all people with RMDs and their caregivers are aware of the vast support network available to them.
For more information http://www.worldarthritisday.org/about.
ARTHRITIS PAIN: EVERY DAY TIPS TO HELP GAIN COTROL
If you suffer from arthritis, you may not only experience joint pain and swelling, but difficulty functioning from day-to-day. Arthritis is not a walk in the park. Whether you are prone to spurts of pain or experience it all the time, going about a normal day may seem like an impossible task, but it doesn’t have to be. What can you do?
Make it easy to get around your home. If you suffer from arthritis of the toes, feet, hips, or knees, it is difficult to move. Walking from one room in your home to the next may trigger pain. Make it as easy as possible to move around. Is your home an obstacle course with furniture in the way? Enlist the help of a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor. Rearrange your furniture to create a straight path. The less turns and steps you have to make, the better.
Make sure all needed items are within easy reach. Regardless of what joints hurt, it can be difficult to reach for and grip. Do you find it too difficult to reach to the high shelf in your kitchen cupboard? If so, don’t use it. Place all foods and dishes on lower shelves or utilize your countertop. Do you find it too difficult to grasp dresser drawer handles? Instead, use your closet to hang clothes. With one simple tug, many fall right off the hanger. Make getting around your bathroom easier with conveniently located grab bars (good place to buy bathroom grab bars). Learning to prevent and manage the pain and discomfort associated with arthritis includes making your life at home easier.
Keep pain relievers handy. All arthritis patients suffer from pain. Depending on the type of arthritis, this pain may be constant or it may come and go. Either way, pain relievers are a lifesaver. They typically provide relief in as little as 15 minutes. Some over-the-counter arthritis creams provide pain relief as soon as contact is made with the skin. Since they do work, keep them on hand. Keep some pills and creams in your home, car, and purse. There are many ways to reduce the risk of arthritis pain, but there are no guarantees. Anything can trigger pain, so always be prepared. However, please be responsible when using medication. Always use as directed, and call your doctor if you have questions about any prescribed medications.
Rely on walking aids. If you suffer from arthritis of the toes, feet, hips, or knees, walking can be difficult and painful. With each step you take, pressure is applied to your already painful joints. What can you do is lessen the pressure with walking aids. These may include knee braces, crutches, or canes. Remember, the less pressure you apply to your joints, the less pain you should feel.
Ask for help. Arthritis patients experience times when they feel helpless. This is often when they cannot open a jar of spaghetti sauce, walk to the mailbox without experiencing pain, or even get dressed. It is very frustrating to be unable to handle daily tasks without pain. Yes, you are encouraged to try, but not it if will bring on pain. Although it can be hard, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask your neighbor to deliver your mail to your home and save a heavy box until a family member can help you.
One of the many problems arthritis patients face is difficulty managing their pain. There are support groups for arthritis pain sufferers, ask your doctor or look on-line for a support group in your area. It helps to know that you’re not alone. Talking about the difficulties you face can help. It’s also helpful to keep a journal to keep a record of when pain is the worst or if something specific triggers the pain. It’s easy to get flustered in the doctor’s office and forget to mention important facts or serious concerns.
In short, there are many ways to treat and manage arthritis pain. Over-the-counter products can be a lifesaver for many arthritis patients, but they are not your only option. The first step should be focusing on day-to-day tasks. When these seem easier and less painful, the rest will simply just fall into place.
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