5W's

I'm Still Around!

2012-01-25T11:52:00.001-08:00

Hi friends! I've been gone for quite a while. It's been a busy time for me. Real estate was at all time low, and I had to get a second job to make ends meet. I also changed my marital status to "apart" and have had a lot to deal with on the home front. But enough of that. That's another blog altogether! I'm hunting for online deals so I can pass on and hopefully help everyone a little bit! Here is today's find:

www.iDine.com

This is a free sign up and you can earn cash back when you dine out at participating restaurants. Rebates are sent via an American Express Reward Card once you reach $20.00 and with over 10,000 restaurants to choose from you are bound to reach 20.00 quickly! Enjoy!

Have Fun With Your Pictures!

2010-05-07T13:19:00.000-07:00

Have Fun With Your Pictures!

Make your way to:

www.Masher.com

You can upload your pics, add special effects, and music and create your own slide show. You can link it with Facebook, or just share with your loved ones!

Shop Craigslist with Ease

2010-03-10T13:36:00.000-08:00

Shop Craigslist with Ease!

To find that item you're looking for quickly, go to:

www.Craiglook.com

This site will organize your listings by pictures so you don't have to go through the hassle of opening each and every ad to see what the item looks like. Cut your browsing time in half!

Free Jewelry! (Almost)

2010-02-04T13:26:00.000-08:00

Want Some Free Jewelry?

Wow, I've just found a couple of "gems" online. Check out:

www.SilverJewelryClub.com

www.MyFreeSilverJewelry.com

www.ShopDi.com

To visit the second site you need to use AOL, for some reason Mozilla blocks the site.

The first two offer loads of earrings, rings, and more at no charge. Selections change several times a day and there are no limits on how much you can request. The catch? You do pay shipping and handling (about $6.99) and can only order 1 item per order.

At ShopDi, search free jewelry offers on the home page and see what pops up! It's a small price to pay for a nice gift and you don't even have to go to the store!

Get a Free Audiobook!

2009-11-15T17:47:00.000-08:00

Get a Free Audiobook!

If you are planning a trip or just looking for a book to listen to during your commute go to:

www.Vox.org

You can download free audio files of classics which you can burn to a CD or download to your MP3/

Get Orgainzed This Holiday Season!

2009-11-15T17:42:00.001-08:00

Get Organized this Holiday Season!

There are several websites designed to help you!

Try: www.Gifts.Com This site gaterhs give ideas according to age, gender and interests.

For Organization: www.GiftBoxHome.Com here you can keep track of presents you've sent and received, make notations and send thank you e-cards.

To set up a secret Santa: www.Elfster.com here you can invite friends and family to participate. The website will draw names for you, and let you create wish lists, ask questions, find out sizes and favorites!

Send Mass Voicemails!

2009-11-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

Send mass voicemail messages!

Sorry, I've been away for awhile attending personal matters, but I'm back and ready to provide you with new website to help make your life easier!

Try:

www.DialMyCalls.com

Here you can record a thirty second phone message and send it to 25 people at once. You can remind of personal events, invites, alerts, anything they need to be reminded of! Of course the site is free!

Find Recipes for Leftover Ingredients!

2009-09-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

Find Recipes for Extra Ingredients

If you have leftover ingredients in your kitchen, head on over to:

www.RecipeSource.com

Here you can type in your ingredient and find a bunch of recipes you can use it in!

Professional Keyboard Typers!

2009-08-28T12:37:00.000-07:00

Want to sharpen up your typing skills?

Whether it be for your own personal use, or to sharpen up your job skills try:

www.TypingWeb.com

Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or advanced typist, you can get lessons free! You can even try some o the typing exercises and test your skills to check on your progress!

Need to Sleep?

2009-08-28T12:33:00.000-07:00

If you are too stressed to sleep, get a little bit of help from your computer!

Staying up worrying? Trying to get some sleep? Have your computer help you out!

Go To:

www.SoundSleeping.com

Here you can create your own personal blend of sounds to soothe you! Whether it be ocean waves, birds, and other relaxing sounds. It's free so it's sure worth a try!

A Better Bank

2009-08-17T09:16:00.000-07:00

Looking for a better way to bank?

Consider joining a non-profit credit union. Credit unions usually offer better interest rates and lower fees. Finding one is easy when you use:

www.culookup.com

This free site from the National Association of Federal Credit Unions lets you enter your zip code and you will find a list of those in your area.

Online Clothing Discounts!

2009-08-17T09:07:00.000-07:00

Like to Shop Online?

Before you head to your favorite site, check out:

www.toutie.com

This site will give you discounts and codes (up to 50%) and the head's up on secret sales on many internet specialty stores.

What Should I Read? Watch? Listen to?

2009-08-17T08:58:00.001-07:00

Trying to figure out what to read?
What to watch?
What to listen to?

Before buying or renting anything, try these websites that will give you recommendations based on things you know and like.

For Books:

www.WhatShouldIReadNext.com

www.WhichBook.net

www.Literature-map.com

For Movies:

www.MovieLens.umn.edu/quickpick

www.clerkdogs.com

www.movie-map.com

For Music:

www.lastfm.com

www.pandora.com

www.gnoosic.com

All of these sites are free to use, so take advantage and give your recommendations as well!

Create a Family Scrapbook

2009-08-17T08:52:00.000-07:00

Create your own Family Scrapbook!

Want to share with your family online but concerned about privacy issues?
If so, try:

www.ramamia.com

Here you and your family can share pictures, messages, announcements and more on your own private webpage absolutely free! Just sign up and invite your fiends and loved ones to view and the page and add their own pictures and messages.

Do It Yourself For Less

2009-08-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

Do It Yourself For a Lot Less

Need to rent an appliance, car, machine, etc? Instead of vising your local hardware store try this website:

www.Zilok.com

This free site will put you in touch with locals in your area who are willing to rent out their equipment for a lot less. If you've got items you can rent, you can sign up too and earn a few dollars yourself!

Watch a Movie!

2009-07-28T11:49:00.001-07:00

Watch a Movie!

Bored? Want to watch a classic?

Before you go the rental store, check out:

www.Crackle.com

There are over 100 movies you can watch including past hits! There is no long download time as the movies stream live!

Best of all, it's free!

Find the Cheapest Generic Medications!

2009-07-28T11:43:00.000-07:00

Find the Cheapest Generics!

Go to:

www.MedTipster.com

Type in your medicine, dosage and zip code and you will get a list of local pharmacies that carry generic versions along with their prices. This way you can comparison shop and decide where you will get the best deal!

Sell Your House, Vehicle, or Boat Quickly!

2009-07-20T12:10:00.000-07:00

Sell your property faster!

You can get an edge, by putting a telephone number on your "For Sale" sign where you can provide information to prospective buyers about what you are selling!

Go to:

www.ForSalebyTxt.com

You can set up a text number and description for any item you are selling!
Best of all it's Free!

Find Lost Money!

2009-07-20T12:08:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder if you have any unclaimed funds?
There is an easy way to find out.

www.MissingMoney.com

Type in your name and state and the site will check in it's data bank to see if you are owed any money from old bank accounts, deposits, reimbursements, lost checks and other sources!

Let your Kids Bowl for Free!

2009-07-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Let your Kids Bowl for Free!

Are your little ones bored at home this summer? Well you can take them bowling for free!
Log onto:

www.KidsBowlFree.com

Here you can click on your state and find out what bowling alleys are participating in this program. If you register, you'll get an e-mail (weekly) with coupons and passes for two or three free games! You have nothing to lose since it's free!

Find Job Fairs

2009-07-16T11:17:00.000-07:00

To Find Job Fairs in your area go to:

www.RecruitersNetwork.com/jobfairs.htm

Get a head start on your job search!

Free Legal Advice!

2009-07-14T11:56:00.000-07:00

Free Legal Advice!

If you have a question which needs legal expertise head to:

www.Avvo.com/Free-Legal-Advice

Type in your question and you will get a legal opinion from one of the attorneys on hand. It easy and of course it's free!

Make Learning Fun this Summer!

2009-07-14T11:35:00.001-07:00

Summer Website Fun

With these websites, kids will have fund and won't even realize how much they are learning!

www.Kids.NationalGeographic.com

See funny animal videos, nature projects and puzzles among other activities geared to learning fun.

www.MetMuseum.org

Learn about art, artists and famous paintings and let the kids use the virtual sketchpad to draw their own masterpieces!

www.Kids.Msfc.NASA.gov

This site is the NASA Kid's Club which offers word and action games, and insight into what it's like to be an astronaut.

www.SFSKids.org

This site lets your kids listen to different instruments and participate in games where they learn about rhythm, pitch, harmony and other musical elements.

They are all free and make learning fun and interesting!

Hate your Voicemail?

2009-07-14T11:30:00.001-07:00

Do you Dislike Listening to Voice mail?

You can sign up for a fee Google telephone number at

www.Google.com/voice

Google will then translate your voicemails and you will receive them as text messages or e-mails. It's free so give it a try!

Save a bit on Cellphone costs!

2009-07-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

You can save a bit on your cellphone costs!

If you need a new plan or upgrade, try:

www.LetsTalk.com

You can plug in your zip code and find the best deals in your area. The site changes often so be sure to check it out for updates and discounts. If you want to recycle your old phone go to:

www.GreenPhone.com

If its from a major manufacturer, they will pay for it. You will even get a free postage label from them.

If you want to change plans go to:

www.CellTradeUSA.com

or

www.CellSwapper.com

You might be able to swap your plan.

Check your bill for unusual charges. Disputed charges promptly reported will often get removed from your bill.

Make Road Trips Fun!

2009-06-23T12:16:00.001-07:00

Take free fun along on your next family roadtrip!

Head to:

www.MomsMinivan.com

You will find all sorts of car games, like car bingo, scavenger hunts, card game rules, etc. that you can print free of charge.

How to get the most of your leftovers!

2009-06-23T11:51:00.000-07:00

Unsure if that leftover cassarole is still good?

Well wonder no longer!

Head to www.StillTasty.com

You can check how long your leftovers are good for. Safely store your soups and salads and get great information on storage shelf lives!

Surf the Web and Make Money!

2009-06-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

Searching the net for something?

Log onto:

www.SwagBucks.com

Not only will you find the information you are looking for, but you also accumulate points which you can redeem for prizes at sites like Amazon.com and iTunes. It's also backed by Google so you can be certain you'll get great results!

Free Movie Night!

2009-06-08T12:39:00.000-07:00

Free Movie Night!

When you sign up to receive text messages from Redbox movie rentals, you will get a code sent to you every Monday which you can use that day in order to get a free movie that day!

Sign up at: www.redbox.com/help/signup/aspx

You can usally find the Redbox kiosks at your grocery store or supermarket.

Drive Safe

2009-06-08T12:37:00.000-07:00

Drive Safely!

By visiting:

www.SafeRoadMaps.org

you can put in a zip code or address and you will get the roads in that area that have the fewest accidents. Good for planning a trip or just getting around town.

Find the Best deals on Amazon.com

2009-06-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

The Best Deals on Amazon.com

Instead of wasting time searching web pages for the best prices, just head to:

www.JungleCrazy.com

You will find many of the products listed on Amazon.com that have major discounts. It will save you both time and money!

Fix it For Less

2009-06-01T12:45:00.000-07:00

Get the Best Price

Need home repairs? Get pricing at

www.ServiceMagic.com

Submit your request and qualified contractors will send their bids to your e-mail! You can compare and choose one without doing any of the legwork!

As always, the service is free.

Heads Up on College

2009-04-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

Give your kids a heads up!

You might not be thinking about college yet, but students check out:

www.zinch.com

This is website where you can create a free profile showcasing your talents and extras that usually are not told on your application. Example, if a university needs band members, admissions representatives can scout candidates on this site. Many colleges are using the system and many more are joining.

Diet Help

2009-04-01T09:05:00.000-07:00

Help for Dieters!

Weight loss goals are hard to follow, but do work! It's also a great incentive to see your progress.

http://www.weightview.com

At this site you can upload a photo, specify your target weight and get a computerized pic by e-mail of the new you for incentive. Place it on your fridge for added incentive against temptations. You can also find out how many calories foods have at:

www.thecaloriecounter.com

A large database is stored so you can find out just how many calories you are eating and what activities burn more calories.

www.thedailyplate.com

This site will help you keep your own personal food diary.

Accomplish More

2009-04-01T08:57:00.000-07:00

Get More Done!

Do you have a system for responding to your e-mails? If you stop to answer each and every one when it comes in, you waste valuable time. If you don't answer right way, you might forget all about it. Well now there is a solution:

www.hitmelater.com

This service will resend your e-mail at a time you tell it to. You can try the service free of charge and use if for up to 5 emails a day. Upgrades are available for a fee.

Avoid A Trip to the Doctor's Office

2009-03-31T08:57:00.000-07:00

Save a trip!

Non emergency care of course, but small matters can be just as bothersome as major ones. You might have to wait several days for an appointment too! Well not anymore:

www.relayhealth.com

Here you can get a "virtual" visit where you can explain your symptoms. The service will contact your doctor and get you an answer via e-mail. If you don't mind spending a bit, try:

www.askadoctor.com

You can get advice e-mailed to you by three different doctors for a small fee of $15.95.

Where do Kids eat FREE????

2009-03-30T08:45:00.000-07:00

Track Down Kids' Meals!

Want to find out what restaurants are offering free or low priced kids meals?

Try: www.kidsmealsdeals.com or www.MyKidsEatFree.com

You can search using your zip code and day of the week to find when the specials are offered.

Don't Get Left Out!

2009-03-27T12:36:00.000-07:00

Don't miss out!

Freebies if you qualify! Class-action lawsuits require businesses to repay customers. Check it out!

www.topclassactions.com

Sign up for the newsletters and check what the latest lawsuits are and check whether or not you can participate.

For True Bargain Hunters Only

2009-03-27T12:04:00.000-07:00

True Treasuer Hunters!

To find the best deal of the day, and there is only 1 a day, try:

http://www.woot.com

Items sell out quickly so check it out first thing in the morning or at midnight when the item of the day is posted.

What Should I Read? Watch? Listen To?

2009-03-26T07:48:00.000-07:00

What's New?

Wow, what do I want to read? What would I like to listen to? Watch? Want to make sure you'll like it before you purchase it? Well there are several websites which can help you make a decision.

For reading: http://www.whichbook.net or http://www.literature-map.com

For movies: http://www.movielens.umn.edu/quickpick or http://www.clerkdogs.com or http://www.movie-map.com

For music: http://www.pandora.com or http://www.gnoosic.com

These interactive sites will help you make the right selection!

Stay Connected

2009-03-26T07:36:00.000-07:00

Stay Connected with Friends and Family!

If you love staying in touch but don't want the openness of communities like MySpace, Facebook or Twitter try the following site:

http://www.ramamia.com

Here you can have a private webpage where you and your family can share pictures, messages, accouncements, invites, etc. Just sign up and invite those you wish to have access. It's like having your own online scrapbook.

Diet Support

2009-03-24T11:37:00.000-07:00

Diet Support

What started off as a place to get information has become an active site where you can find all sorts of tips on diet and exercise from people who actually know what they are doing!

http://skinnyandthecity.com

You'll find plenty of tips, including beauty and fashion ones, recipes, advice, etc. etc. Well you get the picture, signing up is free and a great place to get free advice.

Enlighten, Educate, and Earn

2009-03-16T10:00:00.000-07:00

A Great Place to Share your Knowledge!

I'm a member of a great online community, where people write simple articles or upload videos providing instruction on how to do something.

http://www.ehow.com

On e-how you can find step-by-step instructions on how to do pretty much anything! You can also contribute to the community by writing your own articles. Best of all, everytime someone reads your article, your account is credited. Payouts are set at $10.00 and are paid the first two weeks of the month following your payment goal. I've gotten some great information, and been paid for giving some information too! Payments are made through paypal and I must let you know that if you use AOL as your browser, there is a problem with accessing the site. (Some internal glitch they haven't been able to figure out) I'll usually go in through Internet Explorer or Firefox. No fees, free to join and great place!

2009-03-16T09:38:00.000-07:00

Print your own giftwrap!

2009-02-27T07:53:00.000-08:00

Print your own wrapping, tags, etc!

Do you have a color printer? If yes you can print up your own gift tags, paper and even boxes!

For Gift tags: http://www.freepintablegifttags.net or http://www.accenttheparty.com/freechristmastags

For wrapping paper: http://www.familyshoppingbag.com/wrapping_paper.htm

Foldable boxes: http://www.shala.addr.com/print/printables/holiday.html

You can print the boxes on cardstock paper.

These sites are free so use your creativity and imagination!

Oh Where Oh Where is my file?

2009-02-12T10:32:00.000-08:00

File alert! You know it's in there somewhere! You remember saving it so it's somewhere on that hard drive, but you just can't find it. Time to run that trusty but turtle slow search..but wait! you can replace that slow software if you are a Windows user with a free Windows Search available at :

http://www.microsoft.com

This add on can find messages, attachments, documents andjust about anything else. You can also use:

http://www.desktop.google.com

This one will give you results in a Google display format.

http://www.copernic.com

is another site which can search quickly and efficiently.

This way you won't have to worry about losing your files anymore!

Cash Back on Internet Shopping

2009-02-06T13:25:00.000-08:00

Earn Cash While Shopping!

You can get many rebates using regular sites such as ebay, overstock, zappos and many other online retailers with the help of Microsoft's Live Search cash-back program.
Simply log on to:

www.search.live.com/cashback

Whenever you buy an item that qualifies for a rebate (and most of them do) you can get back as much as 20 percent of the price either sent to you in a check, or deposited directly into your PayPal account. It takes about 2 months to get it, but you do get it!

Get help with your Bills!

2009-02-06T09:56:00.000-08:00

Shrink my Bills!

Trying to gain control of your finances and don't know where to start? Get help at:

www.billshrink.com

The site is totally anonymous. You can tell them about your spending habits with credit cards and phone bills, and it will help you choose the right cards and phone plans which will save you money.
As usual its easy and free!

Cash in on old electronics

2009-01-27T09:19:00.000-08:00

Cash in on old items!

Visit

http://www.gazelle.com

Answer a few questions about the item you are trying to sell and you'll get a quote within a couple of days. They will even send you shipping supplies and labels!

Good luck!

Get Your Finances in Order

2009-01-19T06:58:00.000-08:00

Know Your Money!

2009 is predicted to be a tough economic year. We must get our finances in order and know exactly where our money goes in order to save and get the most out of our hard earned dollars. There are several websites where you can track your finances and help cut down on your budget.

http://www.mint.com

http://www.wesabe.com

http://www.geezeo.com

These are free sites where you can tract your finances and have financial tools you can employ. Free of charge so give it a try!

No More Cable bills!

2009-01-07T18:45:00.000-08:00

These days we are all trying to save money any where we can. Well think about your cable bill. Month after month it can certainly add up! Well cutting back on the bill is a start to getting control of your financial status. Try these sites:

http://hulu.com

http://cancelcable.com

Many of your favorite shows are available for fee and you can watch them at your convenience.

Swapathon

2009-01-07T18:36:00.000-08:00

Swap

Have a lot of clutter or post holiday items you want replaced? Don't get rid of them. There are several places you can try besides the obvious craigslist and ebay. You can cash in gift cards at several places including

http://swapagift.com

and

http://plasticjungle.com

At: http://playitagainsports.com you can resell gently used sport equipment, or you can trade unwanted items for new ones by listing them at swap sites like:

http://swatthing.com and

swapathome.com

Check out these great sites!

Just Do it (with a little help)

2009-01-07T18:30:00.001-08:00

Resolutions for the new year have you stressed? Wondering if you can do what you set out to?

It's easier with a little help and encouragement.

So post your goal at:

http://www.43things.com

Members will encourage you as well as give insight into how they did similar things. It a motivating site to keep you going when you get down!

Discounted Gifts

2008-12-31T09:10:00.000-08:00

Where can you find last minute deals, shopping discounts, and internet deals?

http://www.cheapstingybargains.com

Find discounted items, coupons, free shipping sites and more!

Money Savers Online

2008-12-30T08:22:00.000-08:00

Hey Everyone! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! I've been out of action for a bit, but I'm back on the prowl looking for new websites to help you stretch your hard earned dollars. As the economy sinks in this recession, one of the hottest things is to be recession chic. Try these sites: http://www.2chicksconsignment.com, http://www.15dollarstore.com . For cosmetics: http://www.buymebeauty.com For teens, see if you have a local store called Plato's closet. You can look them up online. This is a consignment store that specializes in Teen brands like Hollister, Aeropostale, Ambercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle, etc. They will buy your gently used clothes and you can probably find several pairs of jeans for the price of a new one.

Saving Sites

2008-11-07T10:04:00.000-08:00

Here a few saving sites to add to your favorites:

http://freeshipping.org

This site gives you access to online retailers offering free shipping and shipping deals.

http://Buzzillions.com

Review site where you can find reviews on thousands of items and then find the best price available for you.

http://Heyitsfree.net

Blog where you can find access to many free product samples.

http://yesall4free.com

Another site dedicated to searching our freebies and samples.

See the skinny you!

2008-11-07T09:25:00.000-08:00

See the skinny you!

This is an amazing site for dieters and future dieters!

http://www.weightview.com

Get a peak at your skinny self! All you need is a current photo to upload and request the number of pounds you want to "lose". About 24 hours later, you'll get an altered photo of the new you. This is a wonderful inspiration for dieters so if you print a copy, put it up on your refrigerator for additional motivation! You can view others pictures as well as get dieting advice, recipes, and blog about your diet success.

Get The Restaurant Recipes!

2008-10-20T12:29:00.000-07:00

Find Those Restaurant Recipes

Ever try to duplicate those great dishes from Applebees, Hooters, or the Olive Garden? Come close but not quite the same? Well don't fret, someone has done the dectective work for you!

http://www.recipes.robbiehaf.com/copycat.html

You can find copycat recipes as well as other original ones and share your own!

Get your share of Free Gas

2008-10-14T09:33:00.000-07:00

Get Your Free Gas!

I've seen a lot more of them when I'm out driving around. Now I know why! If you have a car in relatively good condition and a clean driving record you can qualify for free gas at: http://www.gasforfree.com

Sign up and get their ads applied to your vehicles and then just drive like you usually do! Depending on the size of the advertisement and the size of your vehicle, you can make up to $299.00 a month in gas credits. Read all the requirements, and if you meet them, choose your ad!

Learn Magic

2008-10-12T19:10:00.000-07:00

Learn Magic

Want to join a really cool community?

Visit: www.xploremagic.com

You can join this online community and learn how to do magic tricks. Sign up and you can upload your own tricks and make new friends. It's a really neat site to catch up on magic and be the hit of the next party!

Find Out What Happens

2008-10-12T19:04:00.000-07:00

Want to know before you go????

For those of you who cannot wait, until you see the entire movie, you can find out the plot as well as the ending on: www.themoviespoiler.com . You can find out what happens almost as soon as they are released. To watch them, go to www.watch-movies.net. Here you can see the latest releases on your computer.. granted the quality leaves a lot to be desired, but you can catch the latest release in case you can't get to the theater.

More Savings

2008-10-08T13:55:00.000-07:00

Get more and more money savings tips!

Visit: www.tiphero.com

Here you can find hundreds of money-saving tips on a variety of subjects and you can share your tips as well! Enjoy!

Preview Movie Passes

2008-10-03T08:54:00.001-07:00

Movie Passes

Hey guys! I found a neat website this week!

http://www.wildaboutmovies.com/screenings

Once you get past the few ads that pop up, you can check

and see if there are any screenings in your area. Click

on the movie poster and see if there is time and place

convenient for you. It's on a first come first served basis,

and screenings are usually on weekday evenings, but then

again, it's free! You can also buy discounted movie

tickets to AMC theaters and vouchers for soda and popcorn.

They make great stocking stuffers!

Run Smartly

2008-09-29T07:53:00.000-07:00

Get the Most out your Run!

For those dedicated to running, jogging or just plain walking their way to health, this website is a must. At:

http://www.mapmyrun.com

you'll be able to join other dieters and health buffs on their way to an enjoyable route. You can map new runs, track your milage and tailor routes to meet your needs. You can see how hilly a terrain is and even track the amout of calories you burn. It also has (for a membership fee) access to an online community to share ideas and maybe even meet a running partner. I visit the site quite often to find areas near me where I can change up my walking plan and kick start my metabolism (when it gets stuck). I haven't paid for the membership yet, (still testing the site) but so far so good!

What's It Worth?

2008-09-22T13:17:00.000-07:00

Cleaning out your attic or garage again? Did you find something you think might have some value? Wanna know for sure? Well now you can find out. Visit:

http://www.instappraisal.com

Take a picture of your item, upload along with a description. You will get many ideas as to what it's worth by many experts and flea market buffs. Of course it's free so it's worth a try.

Paint by Mouse

2008-09-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

Paint by Mouse!

Want to paint but unsure of the colors? Will bubble-gum pink be too overwhelming? Preview your walls first by visiting:

http://www.benjaminmoore.com

http://www.behr.com

http://www.glidden.com

http://www.valspar.com

Click on an image and play around with the colors. Behr and Benjamine Moore will even impose the colors onto your own digital pictures for a good idea. It's a great way to try out colors before committing to one.

Who is Calling?

2008-09-16T08:46:00.000-07:00

Whose Number is that?

Getting those pesky calls on your phone? It's so irritating to hear that ring and not be able to determine who it is. Is it important? Is it another telemarketer? Find our who's calling by visiting:

http://www.800notes.com

You can type in the number and see who else is getting annoyed!

Stop Junk Mail

2008-09-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

The average home gets a ton of junk mail. This wastes precious resources such as paper, trees, and most importantly, your time. Want to stop it? Go to :

http://www.greendimes.com

Cool Learning Site

2008-09-15T10:16:00.000-07:00

What do want to learn to do today? Make a perfect cocktail? Get some great cooking tips? You can find a lot of neat how to videos at:

http://www.monkeysee.com

You will find videos on a variety of subjects from cooking, to dancing, sports, beauty, relationships, etc. Click on a category and find your video! You can even make your own video and submit it for posting. This is a free site to take advantage!

Freebies

2008-09-15T09:54:00.000-07:00

A List of Freebies!

Think you have a pension coming and don't know how to get a hold of it?

http://www.pbgc.gov

This site has a directory of thousands of people who are owed monies from terminated pension plans. You can call them at 1-800-400-7242 or write them at: Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp., P.O. Box 151750, Alexandria, VA 22315-1750 for more information.

Beware of all those free credit report advertisements! They will usually charge you after the fact, or want to pull your credit report every 3 months. The law does allow you to have one truly free credit report once a year. You can get yours by calling 1-877-322-8228 or visiting:

http://www.annualcreditreport.com

Tired of those pesky garden weeds? Free help and advice is available. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Cooperative State Research Extension and Education Services has offices located throughout the country with experts available to answer your gardening questions. Try reaching them at:

http://www.csrees.usda.gov

Click on the local extension office or you can reach them at: 1-202-720-4423.

You just spilled wine on your new white sweater! What do you do? Call the experts at the Spray 'n Wash helpline of course. 1-800-260-1066. Experts are standing by to cure your stain problems!

Get free books for your kids! The Reading is Fundamental program has new books to give away! Visit:

http://www.rif.org

You can also call them at 1-877-RIF-READ.

September 27 is Museum Day. May museums, aquariums, historical sites, etc. allow visitors in free. To find a participating center new you, go to:

http://www,smithsonianmag.com/museumday

Once a year, the Lions Clubs International teams up with LensCrafters. People who pre-qualify can go to the local Lenscrafters and receive free glases. For info log onto:

http://www.lionsclubs.org

http://www.lenscrafters.com

You can also call LensCrafters at: 1-800-522-5367 for more information.

Free Online Classes

2008-09-15T09:48:00.000-07:00

Free College Classes!

Some great classes are available online free of charge. You can study Greek Mythology at the University of Washington (extension.washington.edu/openuw). Try UChannel (uc.prineton.edu) for a list of classes available around the world. The University of Michigan (commtechlab.msu.edu/sites/aslweb) offers free sign language classes. Learn something new in your sparetime with no out-of-pocket costs.

Find Cheap Textbooks!

2008-09-15T09:08:00.000-07:00

Find the best prices on textbooks!

With the costs of tuition and unexpected school extras, you don't need to spend extra money on textbooks. Some can get very expensive. International editions are the way to go. They usually have the same content as regular versions, but have a variation on the cover as well as having a soft cover. A couple of great sites to try are:

http://www.wholesalecollegetextbooks.com

and

http://www.abebooks.com

You'll be able to sell some of your used books too!

Help Is Only a Keystroke Away

2008-09-09T11:53:00.000-07:00

Got a problem? Need to vent? Got advice? Wish you could talk to someone in a similar situation? You can. At www.dailystrength.org you will find a multitude of support groups on many subjects. For those of you caring for the sick or elderly try www.carepages.com where you can swap information with other caregivers. These sites have great support groups.

Get Tips for Starting Your Own Business

2008-09-05T09:22:00.000-07:00

Starting your own business takes hard work. Many people go through a trial and error process and learn from their sometimes costly mistakes. There is help available for you! The Small Business Administration has a series of videos to help you start on the road to financial independence.

Go to: http://sba.gov/tools/audiovideo/deliveringsuccess/index.html

You will get many valuable tips which provide a wealth of knowledge into your business venture. Good Luck!

Learn A New Skill!

2008-09-03T13:33:00.000-07:00

Most you already know about http://e-how.com/. If you don't its a great site to join for the aspiring writer. You can write quick and simple "how-to" articles which are posted for others to read. Payout is monthly with a minium payment of $10.00. I was plesantly surprised to find a payment to my paypal this month from them which I certainly wasn't expecting. Another place to learn is http://wonderhowto.com/ or http://howcast.com/ . These sites provide detailed information and you can watch videos to master skills like needlepoint, painting, exercising, etc. You can even upload your own videos! You can learn a lot of basic skills without having to spend any money, and best of all you can do it anytime you like.

Organic Savings

2008-08-29T11:07:00.000-07:00

Going green keeps getting easier and easier! Organic products, though sometimes a bit more expensive are becoming more and more commonplace. Here is a website to help with the higher costs:

www.mambosprouts.com

This site specializes in natural foods. You can sign up for it's e-mail list where you will receive printable coupons for many organics which are all redeemable at your local shop. Going green is a breeze!

Make Medication Mishaps Obsolete

2008-08-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

With everything on your to-do list, keeping track of your medicines is just another added burden. Every year millions of people suffer heath issues due to mistakes in taking their meds, but now there is an online service to help.

www.iguard.org

This site provides services that make it easy to look up side effects and possible drug interactions of all your prescriptions. It can also be used for over the counter medicines, supplements and herbs. Signing up provides you access to alerts regarding drug safety issues, recalls, etc. You can also report your side effects (if any). Signing up is free of charge and all information is kept confidential.

Uncover Treasures!

2008-08-15T11:38:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder how people find all those great deals on auctions? Want to find the best deals too? Well now you can! Use these two websites:
1. www.typobuddy.com

2. www.fatfingers.com

Type in what you are looking for and see what pops up. There are thousands of listings which are misspelled or have mistakes. Try inverting or omitting letters, for example 'diamond' might be typed as 'dimond'. These type of mistakes means the item is excluded from many auction searches, resulting in fewer bids and lower prices. You never know what you might find!

Take Another Step in the Paperless Direction!

2008-08-08T13:16:00.000-07:00

Save Time, money and a Tree!

When a new year rolls around, one of the traditional business and/or personal gifts is a calendar-agenda. People tote these books around and jot down appointments, tasks, etc. Well toss the book! At www.google/com/calendar you can sign up for a virtual calendar which will even send reminders directly to your cellphone! Easy, paperfree, and of course free. What you are you waiting for?

Don't Forget your Rebates!

2008-08-07T12:30:00.000-07:00

Did you forget your rebate?

Rebates are an incentive many manufacturers use to attract prospective buyers. It's great to know that you will be getting a portion of your money back! Yet, about 1/2 of consumers don't follow up on them. A lot of us even forget about them! Well forget no more. You can register at www.rebatetracker.com or www.myrebates.com. You can comparison shop, track prices and rebates. They will send you an e-mail as a reminder so you can follow up. It's free and easy!

Let Kids Manage their Allowance

2008-08-05T10:30:00.000-07:00

Help kids learn to manage their finances!

In today's world we sometimes don't have enough time to teach our kids the basic fundamentals they need to survive in the real world. Financial planning just got a little easier!

Go to: www.zefty.com. Here you can "open a bank account" for your child. Its a virtual account where you can enter and track deposits and withdrawals from their accounts. You can set up automatic "deposits" if you give your child a regular allowance. Withdrawals can be entered when you child wants some money. A neat calculator helps kids figure out how much they need to save for something they want and parents get their own version to set an allowance amount. Kids can print "checks" to be presented to their parents when they do want actual monies. Of course its all free and the kids will enjoy the idea of having their own "account".

Do Your Part!

2008-08-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

Help the world stay green!

Want to help the environment without having to leave your computer? It's free and easy! Just visit http://jogogreen.com. Answer some trivia questions on the enviornment and for every ten correct answers, a tree will be planted in a needed area. Bookmark this site on your computer and have the kids take part as well. We all need to step up and do our part for a greener world!

Virtual Scrapbooking

2008-07-31T13:32:00.000-07:00

It seems that these days everyone (everyone with time) is into scrapbooks. I've been to scrapbook parties and sales. My neighbors love to show me their latest creations and want to to respond with the same gusto and enthusiasm. Although their creations are nice (I will admit), I never had the time to shop for supplies and get creative with pictures. Times have changed and as usual, someone has found a way to computerize scrapbooks. At www.scrapblog.com you can create all sorts of backgrounds and details. Choose from defaults or begin with a blank page and create your own. Upload your digital photos and print. It costs nothing to join and you will spend valuable time doodling all sorts of creations! (I sure did!)

Do Your Part- Help feed the hungry

2008-07-22T13:57:00.000-07:00

At www.yourfamilytable.com you can make a difference. Go to this site and write about what improvements you've made to your family's menus and diets. For every posting, Country Crock will buy meals for America's Second Harvest. The goal is to reach at least 2 million posts thereby providing 2 million meals. It only takes a few minutes and you will be doing something good for the community. Let's all help out in these troubled times!

Online Shopping Savings

2008-07-21T13:09:00.000-07:00

Although the convenience of online shopping cannot be beat, it's all those darn shipping and handling fees that makes a trip to the store a bit cheaper. However, here is a little help for those of you who search the web in search of that perfect dress or accessory. Before you shop, visit www.shopstyle.com. This is neat site, where you can create your own "stylebook" and see many other fashion looks created by other members. Under the section entitled "deals" you will find coupon codes and free shipping details for some of the stores. You can also find discount codes on www.couponcabin.com. Check them out before your next shopping spree!

Find the Lowest Prices

2008-07-18T19:41:00.001-07:00

The internet is one of the best places to compare items and prices. It can also lead you though a maze where you won't remember what you saw and where it was. If you don't have time to hunt through countless sites and engines to find deals, I've discovered three websites which will help you.
For clothes the place to go is: www.thefind.com. Here you enter the item you are looking for and instantly it will pop up with price and store availability. If you're looking for a specific brand or brand name, it will be there.
www.billshrink.com will help you find a cellphone plan to meet your needs at the best price. By answering a few simple questions, they can tailor a plan to fit your needs and pocketbook.
If you need electronic or computer equipment, you can try www.reviewgist.com. This site will let you do a side by side comparison of various items at the same time to compare various features. It's easy to read and understand and user friendly. These three will really help save a lot of time and help you choose an item without too much hunting.

Read for Free

2008-07-17T20:02:00.000-07:00

Chances are with today's busy fast paced lifestyle, the last thing we have time for is to pick up a good book and read. However, everything has a solution and www.dailylit.com is it! You can choose a title and have installments e-mailed to you. You can read them on your computer, blackberry, or iphone. Each installment takes about 3 to 5 minutes to read. If you have more time, you can request additional installments right away. Registration is optional but is required if you wish to discuss the literature in the forums. Public domain books are free to read, but most copyrighted books have a small fee. You can request several installments of the copyrighted books and pay only if you wish to continue reading them. A variety of books are available. Free options include books like The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Pride and Prejudice, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Dracula, and Frankenstein. These are all the classics we should have read in high school, but probably used the cliff notes instead. It's also a great way to get your kids to read since installments are short and there is a great variety of books. Enjoy!

Recipezaar

2008-07-16T09:00:00.000-07:00

For the kitchen and food channel fanatics the "it" website is www.recipezaar.com . You can find recipes as well as nutritional content information. You can create your own "cookbook" for future reference as well. Other great sections include menu planning (which gives you great ideas for changing up that menu) as well as searching for recipes by ingredients. This is a free site, however, you can purchase a premium membership for a fee of $24.95 a year. For that you get online recipe storage, customized cookbooks, i.e. (Thanksgiving recipes, Christmas, etc), sharing with other members, the ability to create shopping lists, customized printing options and note pads to add your own notations on the recipes. I get by without the fee and its a great site to get new ideas for that special meal. Enjoy!

Zwaggle

2008-07-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

If you are a parent, you know how quickly the clutter accumulates as children outgrow their toys or prefer to play with the empty boxes than the actual toys themselves. A great website is www.zwaggle.com. Here you can sign up and exchange gently used toys with other parents. When you donate, you earn "zoints" which can be redeemed for other toys. It's a way to save some money, help others, and recycle at the same time. Sigining up is free and you receive 50 zoints when you do. I wish someone had come up with this idea when my kids were small!

Taaz

2008-07-09T13:32:00.000-07:00

A really cool site is www.taaz.com. Here you can upload your picture and try on a variety of hairstyles and makeovers. It's really helpful when you want to change your look. You can try on various styles and if you like anything you see, just print it out and take it to the hairdresser. It can give you a realistic look in the mirror before you decide to change your hairstyle. Beauty tips and makeovers are also available.
A preview of upcoming trends and secrets of the stars is also a part of this website. Best of all, the service is free. You can change your look over and over again until it's just rights. Have fun!

Free e-mail

2008-06-26T09:26:00.001-07:00

For those of you who do not have the latest phone gadgets, there is a way to "update" your options without digging into your pockets.

www.teleflip.com

By signing up here, you can receive and send e-mail from your existing cellphone. Just a quick sign-up and this free service will forward e-mails directly to your phone as a text message. You can reply by simply texting back. The return text is charged to you depending on your particular contract with your cellphone provider. At least it's free one-way!

E.L.F. Cosmetics

2008-06-24T11:29:00.000-07:00

E.L.F. Cosmetics are featured in the pages of many magazines and on the faces of many popular stars and models. Not only are the cosmetics good, they are also good for your pocketbook.

Visit: www.eyeslipsface.com and there you will find a variety of beauty products where most of them cost $1.00. You won't find anything cheaper! You can also hunt for coupon codes which will enhance your savings and there is free shipping available for orders in excess of $75.00. I myself have ordered from the site and am please with the products. Visit, explore and if you find anything you like, let me know!

Saving at the Supermarket

2008-06-19T19:17:00.000-07:00

One of the toughest, scariest places of late is the good ole supermarket. Just walking up and down the aisles, trying to make decisions as to what to choose can conjure up thoughts of horror movies for me! Try as I may, I could never seem to stick to my budget and when I did, I wasn't able to pick up half the items i needed.
It was time for some help. Here are some great websites which will help you get a grip on your wallet and make your taste buds happy at the same time.

1. www.shortcuts.com This is a free AOL service which provides coupons on weekly sales.

2. www.mommysavers.com This site has a lot of information. It provides a lot of frugal advice, recipes, ideas, chat rooms, coupons, coupon codes, and other parenting solutions for busy moms everywhere.

3. www.couponmom.com This another free site providing free coupons and other services. Money saving articles are published often. A very informative and useful site.

4. www.mygrocerydeals.com Membership is free, but you don't have to register. By entering your zip code, this site will do the searching for you. Local sale flyers in your area will be posted and you will know where items are on sale and where. It's an easy way to find out what's on sale if you don't have the weekly flyers or circulars.

5. www.Amazongrocery.com I never knew Amazon had groceries. Most items can be found here and you can design a template shopping list for your recurring items. This is like a BJ's or Sam's. Items are available in bulk, and there is a special savers program for repeat customers where items are shipped automatically with an additonal 15% discount and free shipping. This kind of service doesn't work for me, but I know of some who do use it, which is why I've posted it here.

6. www.Peapod.com This is an online grocery shopping and delivery service. Sadly I plugged in my zip code but it's not yet available in my area. Hopfully they will be soon as I'd love to order and have them delivered to my door! If someone has used the service or is planning on it, please let me know how it works for you.

These are just some of the grocery sites I've perused. Check them out and see which one works for you!

5 W's? What the heck?

2008-06-19T13:45:00.000-07:00

When I took a course in journalism back in the day, one of the basic things I was taught was to make sure to include the 5 w's into the first paragraph. Who, what, when, where and why were the "hooks" used to capture the reader's attention and lure him in. I suppose this philosphy is still taught today. In this blog, it will be a bit different. I spend my time searching the web for information and informative websites. I search for deals and hard to find items. I enjoy the challenge of finding just the right item at just the right price. For me, it's like a treasure hunt; for you it will mean savings on countless items as well learning about new and obscure websites which you might one day need.

I will be making several entries a month, so hopefully you will be visiting this blog often and see if anything catches your eye. It will be like window shopping. without the windows, or the trip to the mall. I am working on several entries as we speak, so I'll be back with new and informative information very soon.