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Christmas Shopping – Beat the Rush & Enjoy the Holiday Season

posted by admin On August - 14 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

 By Jan Verhoeff

“Kick off November in grand style!” That’s the advice from my writer friend Marcia McClure of Monument, Colorado. With each newsletter I receive from Marcia, I realize why she’s such a hot topic in “Romance Writing”. She’s so attentive to the details of life. Her energy is contagious! But what does that have to do with Christmas Shopping?

While the rest of the world is still struggling to get their plans in order for Thanksgiving, you could be organizing Christmas for a more relaxed and enjoyable holiday season. Here are some suggestions of things you could do early to be ready for the holiday season.

· Wrap and package all gifts you’ll mail before Christmas.

· Bake some extra “stuff” to freeze for gifts later.

· Start now to make some of those delightful hand made wonders, your family and friends all enjoy.

· Clean the house and prepare for Christmas decorating.

· Consider painting any rooms that need freshening up before Thanksgiving.

· Get all your snow removal and fun equipment ready NOW.

· Do the winter chores early.

· Send out the linens for professional cleaning.

· Rearrange your china cabinet to make Christmas serving dishes readily available.

· Wrap all the gifts you’ve shopped for and label them for under the tree.

· Collect wrapping paper and ribbon accessories in preparation of a marathon wrapping spree.

· Order greenery early (Boy Scouts are sending out orders now for December delivery).

· Order in books, games, movies, and entertainment for the season now, so it will be waiting for you during the holidays, when you’re ready to enjoy.

These are just some of the early things you can do to speed up your decorating efforts through the season. Make time for more fun by getting the work done early.

Learn more about how you can become an organized mom at http://mom4biz.com and have more fun with family and friends.

© 2008 – Jan Verhoeff

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jan_Verhoeff

Don’t forget to use a quality camera to capture your treasured moments this season. Check out what we have to say about a popular Cannon digital camera.

Categories: Christmas Shopping Tips
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Christmas Gift Ideas for Him

posted by admin On November - 7 - 2011 ADD COMMENTS

Now that festive season shopping is around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about Christmas gift ideas for him. Spoil that special man in your life with a great gift that shows just how much you care. Whether you’re shopping for your husband, boyfriend, father, grandfather, friend or co-worker, the trick to choosing the right gifts is to find something that suits his personality and interests.

Top Christmas Gift Ideas for Him
Choosing gifts for the man in your life can be daunting, especially if he already seems to have everything he needs. Each person you spoil is different, and as such, their gift should celebrate their own unique personality. Here are some great Christmas gift ideas for him to get you started.

• Electronics – what man could resist a stylish gadget? You will have a wide range of options to consider when it comes to electronics, from phones to media players, laptops, music equipment, televisions and many other gadgets. Choose something in your price range, and find the best deals online.

• Computer games – whether it’s the latest battle style game or a strategy game, or even a sport game, most men love nothing more than spending a good few hours playing computer games. Playstation and xBox games are also always a winner when it comes to Christmas gift ideas for him – choose something gory and entertaining, and you have a winner!

• Wine – if the man in your love is a wine enthusiast, give him a bottle of aged Merlot, or even a case of white wine. Depending on your man’s tastes, you will be able to find his favourite wine and present it to him with some new glasses or perhaps some wine equipment such as openers and coolers.

• Watches – a good watch makes an excellent gift for the special man in your life. Choose the budget you wish to spend, and find something that is as manly, tasteful or simple as he is – you will be sure that your gift will stay with him for many years to come, making this a great gift for boyfriends or husbands.

• Outdoors – if your father, grandfather, husband or partner loves camping and other outdoor activities, something fun to help him pursue his Steve Irwin fantasies will always be a big hit. Find camping gear, fishing gear, sporting gear and many other items that are both practical and fun.
With enough thought, you will easily be able to find something special for the man in your life with a bit of help from these great Christmas gift ideas for him.

Categories: Christmas Gifts For Him
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Watches as the Perfect Christmas Gift

posted by admin On August - 22 - 2011 ADD COMMENTS

Finding the perfect Christmas gift for everyone on your list can be tough. You don’t want to be one of the people scouring stores the day before Christmas, frantically throwing random items into your shopping cart for those who are left. A great idea for a Christmas gift is a beautiful new watch. Many people will not randomly purchase a watch on a whim, reasoning that if their watch breaks they can always use their cell phone. A watch is good for more than just telling time. It can serve as an excellent fashion accessory, and it can provide myriad uses. A watch is also a great gift for anyone, child or adult, male or female. But how do you find the perfect watch?

You can shop for a watch online or in stores. As a rule, you will get a better price and a bigger selection online, as many sites offer promotions and sales often. A good way to go about finding the right watch is to browse online, and once you’ve narrowed down your choices, look at the watches you’re considering in a store. Try on each watch and feel how heavy it is. Once you’ve made your decision you can order it online at the best price.

There are thousands of watch brands out there. Generally, it is good to get a brand name when purchasing a gift, as the recipient of your gift will better appreciate a brand name watch. Based on your budget, you will be considering different brands. Some popular choices in watches are Casio watches, G Shock watches, Michael Kors watches, Lucien Piccard watches, and others.

Casio watches are some of the best known watches worldwide. They are extremely affordable, starting somewhere around twenty dollars or less, and are funky, with bright colors and sporty styles. Casio watches are known for the myriad features they offer. The selection of Casio watches is enormous, with classier stainless steel bracelets and rugged styles in rubber, plastic, and more. Any boy will be thrilled with a Casio watch that has many functions, as will many adults. Choose based on the lifestyle your recipient leads.

G Shock watches are the timepieces of choice for military personnel, extreme sportsmen, and others. They range in the low hundreds, and are one of a kind, with sophisticated features that make it almost like you’re wearing a computer on your wrist. Many people collect G Shock watches, and would be thrilled with one as a Christmas gift.

Michael Kors watches are highly regarded as fashion icons in the world of watches. Catering only to women, these watches are stylish and timelessly elegant. They come in natural stone tones such as mother of pearl and tortoise shell, metallics, and regal dark shades such as navy, as well as stark white. A Michael Kors watch is the perfect accessory to a chic wardrobe.

Lucien Piccard watches are excellent as gifts because they come in collections that are very affordable, and still carry the designer Lucien Piccard brand name. They are sold for both men and women, with an extensive variety of styles, colors, and designs.

A watch is the perfect Christmas gift for virtually anyone on your list. Get ahead of the game and start your hunt for the perfect watch now, when prices are low.


Categories: Christmas Gifts For Her, Christmas Gifts For Him, Christmas Gifts For Kids, Christmas Gifts For Teens, Christmas Shopping Tips
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How to Save Money on Christmas Crafts

posted by admin On May - 26 - 2011 ADD COMMENTS

This is an article written by the author of HowMuchIsIt.org, a website where you can find How Much anything will cost.

The holidays always seem to sneak up on us so quickly. Before we know it, we’re setting up our Christmas tree, decorating the house with our Christmas supplies, and wrapping up presents to put under the tree.

Although Christmas is somewhat of an expensive time for just about everyone, it doesn’t have to be! You can have fun, make your own Christmas decorations, and crafts for your home for a very cheap price. If you’re interested in ways to save money on your Christmas crafts this year, consider these ideas!

Around your home: You won’t believe what you can find around your yard and your home. Not only can you use the pine cones that fell from your tree and spray paint them or spray them with Christmas scents, but you can also use old candles that can be re-melted and then turned into pretty Christmas candle decorations for a center piece! Just use the wax from old candles and the colors of your favorite crayons for added color!

You can also consider buying plain things like garland and wreaths to then dress them up with a few poinsettias that you have around the house. There are hundreds of ideas out there!

Michaels: Michaels and Jo-Ann Fabrics are great stores to buy your supplies. You can check out their websites online and print out 40% coupons, or even clip the coupons out of your Sunday paper. Make several trips if you have to, the amounts of money you can save are outrageous!

Dollar Tree: If you haven’t been to Dollar Tree lately, now is the time to go! You won’t believe what they have for a buck! Not only do they have wreath hangers for the door, but they also have Christmas tree bulbs, wrapping paper, bows, ribbon, pretty poinsettias, and just about everything else Christmas related!

Make your own cards: Some people like to buy each individual Christmas card at a Hallmark for $3-$4 each! I say skip that idea and make your own! Get a nice picture of the family, get a nice colored pen to write a message, and make the card out of old scrapbook paper that you don’t use!

Garage Sales: Garage sales are good for more than just buying reused baby supplies and books; you can definitely find great Christmas décor, as well as crafts at garage sales. Often, you can find anything from Christmas trees, to bulbs, and even beautiful wreaths. If you don’t like the items 100%, you can easily turn them into a craft for fixing them up. This is a great way to save money, as well as find a hobby!

There are several ways to save money on Christmas crafts! Whether you make your own centerpiece with supplies from the Dollar store, of you consider using the pinecones out of your back yard, you can save bundles this Christmas season! What’s most important is that you make your home look nice for an affordable price, yet you still have money to splurge on those gifts for the ones you love most.


Categories: Christmas Decor, Christmas Shopping Tips
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Need Spare Cash For The Holidays?

posted by admin On May - 26 - 2011 ADD COMMENTS

When the holiday season comes around, the spirit permeates the air. Everywhere you go, tinsel, glitter, and glamour sparkle from store windows. Shoppers are merry, searching for the perfect gift for their loved ones. But in a faltering economy, it’s sometimes hard to become part of the cheer, when finances are tight. Now there’s an easy way to earn extra cash for the holiday season without putting in extra hours – get gold for cash. Selling gold has never been easier; and during a recession the one commodity that actually rises in value is gold. Gold is now at all-time highs, making this the perfect time to cash in.

Long lazy summer days offer the perfect opportunity to clear out the house, and maybe even make a garage sale. While spring cleaning, you’re sure to come up with broken chains, old bracelets, and various precious metals that no longer hold any value to you. Selling them now will afford you an added measure of peace of mind in the winter, when shopping for holiday gifts.

When finding old treasures, it doesn’t have to be only gold. You can sell platinum, silver, gold, or any precious metals. The selling of precious metals benefits everyone, as the added cash flow helps consumers, retailers, and goes all the way up the chain to wholesalers and manufacturers. For the consumer personally, the added cash can be used in two ways.

It can go to widening the gift budget or you may also want to think about revamping your jewelry collection. Any evening wear can be dressed up immensely with the right jewels. If your jewelry has seen better days, this might be a great opportunity to trade it in. Costume jewelry is all the rage these days, and you can get a lot more than you have now by trading in your old gold.

Before selling your gold, make sure you’ve done your homework so you get the payout you deserve. You can sell your gold online, to a local jeweler, or to a pawnshop. It is advisable to weigh the pros and cons of each. When selling to a pawnshop, you’ll receive money upfront with no questions asked, but they may not pay you as much due to overhead costs.

A local jeweler will do the same, but again, he still has to pay a metal refiner to melt the gold down, so that will cut into your profit. An online gold buyer may offer the most due to minimal overhead costs. Many online buyers are metal refiners, so make sure that the company you are using is one. Also, it is important to check references of an online company to ensure that they are reliable.

No matter who you choose to sell your gold to, the profits will definitely help when you do your holiday shopping, whether for gifts, or for your own evening wear.

Bio:
Mark Rich is a gold expert who recommends that consumers should sell gold now, while gold prices are high, and save the cash for the holidays, when extra money is welcome. He recommends Captain Cash for Gold as a reputable metal refiner.


Categories: Christmas Shopping Tips
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5 Tips for a Debt-free Christmas Celebration

posted by admin On May - 26 - 2011 ADD COMMENTS

Without an iota of doubt, Christmas is the biggest Christian festival. This festive occasion is celebrated in a grand way with lights, decorations, traditional customs, gifts and food. A huge amount of money is also involved in this gala event.

In an effort to make it even bigger, some of you even engage in spending spree. Careless expenses during this magical time often hurt your finances badly. It is very common that some of you fall into debts, courtesy Christmas.

But these kinds of imprudent activities put you into a tough financial situation. It is absolute non sense to aggravate your finances for the rest of the year in order to add more punch to this year-end festivity. In fact, you can celebrate this event in your own humble way along with your family, without straining your finances much. This smart and judicious move will help you happily pass the rest of the year debt-free and to remain financially in a better position to welcome the festivities of the next year.

Tips for a debt-free Christmas celebration

Here are some tips so that you can enjoy the Christmas celebration without adding any financial burden.

Plan well ahead

You cannot stay yourself away from the festivities of Christmas. Such is the magnetic appeal of this event that you have to and you should participate in this festive occasion. So it makes sense if you plan your activities well ahead of the festival. This helps you become organized and save a lot of money for you.

Set your budget

You have to set a realistic budget for the Christmas celebration. According to financial experts, your Christmas expenses should not cross 5% of your total yearly income. You can also set different amount of money under various categories such as decorations, food, gifts and so on. Whatsoever, at the time of making this categorization, you should abide the universal rule on personal finance ‘never spend more than you can afford’.

Buy gifts well beforehand

For majority of you, gifting is an essential part of Christmas celebration. It would be better if you do not postpone your purchases of the gifts at the last moment. At the last moment, you may not get the desired gift at the right price that you want to present your near and dear ones.

Do not take loans on this occasion

It would be foolish if you take loans to make the Christmas celebration a big affair. You should always keep one thing in mind that love and friendship can not be purchased with money. And do not feel guilty if you are financially not in a position to present gifts to your kids on the occasion of Christmas. So, you should not take loans for celebration purposes.

Whatsoever, you should compulsorily participate in the Christmas celebration. But make sure that, you plan well ahead for a debt free Christmas.

 

Categories: Christmas Shopping Tips
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Christmas Party Ideas For Memorable Holiday Celebrations

posted by admin On August - 14 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

 By Dee Schrock

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Christmas parties, I think of warm, toasty get-togethers with family and close friends. A cozy fire complete with sentimental stories. Do we ever really let a year go by without mentioning, “You’ll shoot your eye out kid” from “A Christmas Story”?

Or maybe your idea of a Christmas party is a little more like “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation”? Well, maybe not quite that eventful- but here are a few ideas to start your holiday season off right!

Christmas parties are thrown for a wide variety of guests, and each should be considered in order to be a success. Christmas parties can be for family, friends, office co-workers, or one big combined party. Here are some ideas for different guests in mind:

Activity Ideas

  • Christmas caroling party. Go caroling in the neighborhood and invite the group to your house afterward for hot chocolate and desserts.
  • Potluck dinners. Arrange for everyone to bring a dish to share. It not only makes it easier for you, but your guests get to try new dishes and show off their culinary skills.
  • Christmas around the world potluck dinner. Have guests bring dishes that reflect their ethnicities and countries of origin.
  • Volunteer at a charitable organization. Arrange for your group to gather needed items for a charity, such as a hunger center. Get the real “reason for the season” going and give back to the community. Come back to the hosts home and share your experiences over coffee.
  • Holiday lights tour. Caravan through local neighborhoods and enjoy the festive lights and decorations.
  • Cookie baking parties. Get a large group together and bake up a storm. Divvy up the desserts to each guest so that each has a variety to have for their own holiday guests.
  • Christmas craft creations. Have each guest be responsible for one craft to make, including the purchase of supplies. Each guest will demonstrate how to do the craft, and other guests will try to make their own. If you have 15 guests, each will go home with 15 new Christmas crafts to decorate their homes.
  • Kid friendly. Any Christmas party can cater to kids by having a separate area for Christmas videos, crafts, and Shirley Temples.

Games

  • Pin the nose on Rudolph
  • What’s in the bag? Take a bag and put in Christmas items such as a stockings, candy canes, etc. Each guest reaches her hand in the bag and must guess the item. The best guesser wins a prize.
  • Christmas trivia. Test your knowledge about popular movies, TV, pop culture, and other trivia.
  • Christmas bingo. Create a bingo card with a Christmas-related theme in the middle, such as a snowman.
  • Christmas word scramble. Think of words such as reindeer, stocking, etc, and scramble them on a small cardboard page.
  • Name that tune. Play a Christmas CD and the first to guess correctly, wins a prize.

I hope these Christmas party ideas helped spark some fun ideas for your upcoming celebration!
About The Author

Dee Schrock has put together hundreds of theme party tips and fun ideas for easy (and budget conscious!) party planning.

Visit her website http://www.fun-theme-party-ideas.com/christmas-idea-party.html for tons of popular theme party ideas, including decoration, costume, game, and party drink ideas, as well as printable invitations.

© Copyright 2005.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dee_Schrock

Capture moments from your party with a Cannon digital camera. Read our review of the popular Powershot.

Categories: Christmas Entertainment
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Holiday Organization in the Summer

posted by admin On August - 14 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

 By Ellen Bell

During the warm days of summer, Christmas is usually the farthest thing from most people’s minds. However, summer may actually be a great time to do some pre-planning and organization for the holidays, because we aren’t yet inundated with parties, gift shopping, family gatherings, and the other usual holiday distractions. In this article, we’ll explain how you can get yourself prepared now so that you’ll have more free time to spend with family and friends when Christmastime actually rolls around.

Getting organized and prepared for the holidays can take on many forms. When it comes to little details like planning meals or gift shopping, these tasks are best left until closer to the Christmas season. The best way to spend your holiday organizing energy during the off season is in organizing decorations. Many of us keep our decorations stuffed into a variety of boxes or bags, crammed into corners, closets, and dusty attics. In January, we’re usually anxious to take decorations down, so it may seem more convenient to just put it all away, even if it is a garbled mess, and deal with everything next November. But in reality, if you take a little time to organize your holiday decorations, they will be easier to find and use when the time comes, making for a smoother and less stressful holiday season.

There are many different ways to arrange seasonal storage items; you’ll want to choose the one that works best for you. One common organization strategy is to categorize your items into groups by type. For example, all the Christmas lights go in one box, ornaments in another, and so on. This can be a very effective strategy, thought it does depend somewhat on how extensively you decorate your home at the holidays. If you have one or two primary rooms that you decorate, this method of organizing will work well. However, if you have a very large home and you have unique decorations for every room of the house, you may want to employ a different method. In this situation, it may be advantageous for you to store decorations by room of the house. So all the decorations for the kitchen are stored together, items for the foyer go in another box, so on and so forth.

Regardless of how you group the items, pay careful attention to the way you store them. For example, try to choose airtight containers whenever possible, and preferably something that pests cannot get into. Holiday decorations of any type, whether its lights, wrapping paper, an artificial tree, or anything else will last longer if they are kept away from extreme hot, cold, and humidity. In general, cardboard boxes are the worst type of storage container, because they are easily penetrated by pests and dirt, and they wick up moisture easily. Clear plastic totes can work well for storing items, because they keep things clean and items inside are easily identifiable. Another option that might work well where space is limited would be special storage bags designed to hold whatever item you’re storing: wreaths, ornaments, an artificial Christmas tree, etc.

So while you’re lazily enjoying the long, hot days of summer, take a few hours or even a few days to think toward the holidays. Any time you can dedicate to organizing your holiday decorations is time well spent, and when Christmas rolls around, you’ll be rewarded with more time, less stress, and a beautifully decorated and organized holiday season.

The Christmas Tree Storage Shop offers free shipping on all seasonal storage products, including ornament storage, wrapping paper storage, and more. Visit us today at http://www.christmastreestoragebag.net/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ellen_Bell

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My Garmin nüvi 255W GPS Review

posted by admin On July - 19 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

I traveled across the country a lot for my job recently and thank goodness I had a Blackberry with GPS. The bad part about it was that it ate my battery up like nobody’s business. By the time I arrived at my destination I had to quickly find a plug to recharge it.

I almost always declined the navigation systems that you have to pay extra for with the car rental because I had my own. The one time I did get it – boy, what a disappointment. So, since I really enjoy writing reviews I thought I’d take a look at some of the GPS navigators on the market as I know they can’t all be as clunky as the ones they offer you at those car rental places.

I was pretty shocked to find that there is more to these little buggers than I would have thought. Much more than is available on my Blackberry that’s for sure. As I got into it, my research finally led me to the Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator.

What to Look for When Buying a Portable GPS System

It didn’t take me long to realize that there are a few basic things to consider when buying a portable car GPS. They are:

Screen Size
Directional guidance
Portability

All the other bells and whistles are gravy. Any there is a LOT of gravy with this one. But, I will focus on the basics.

If you just buy the first  portable navigation system  you see based on price alone then you are destined for trouble particularly if you are going to be using the GPS on a regular basis. So stick with me here as I will be explaining each of these in relation to the Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator.

Bigger is Better

The 4.3 inch diagonal widescreen of the nüvi 255w is larger than previous versions. A wider screen allows you to view a larger map area through which you are driving. To minimize the difficulty of daytime viewing of the screen Garmin has added anti-glare to its 2D and 3D perspective views. What this means is no more squinting or having to pick up the device for a better look. With the brighter, larger screen you can view the map and driving directions in greater detail. It also adjusts to a dim light for night viewing.

Left. Right. Left – Right – Left.

The directional guidance offered with the  nüvi 255w  includes a variety of options: turn-by-turn voice directions, 2-D, and 3-D maps. A voice prompt not only tells you that you need to turn soon but it also tells you the name of the street on which you need to turn. In the maps mode you can also adjust zoom levels to get an idea of the surrounding terrain.

You CAN Take It With You

So you arrive at your destination and you want to do some sightseeing, right? Remember, this one is portable. Take it off its vehicle suction cup mount and start walking. This handheld portable GPS is small enough to fit in your purse or pocket. Also, you don’t have to worry about accidently touching the onscreen navigation and messing up your settings. There is a screen lock feature that allows you to pause your navigation instead of having to completely turn it off when you want to take an extended pit stop.

How Much Should You Expect to Pay For A Garmin Heart Rate Monitor?

The Garmin nüvi 255w  is available on the Garmin website for $179 but you really shouldn’t be paying any more than $130 for this unit. The cheapest I have seen it is on Amazon who consistently sell this GPS for under $120.

What’s Included With The Garmin 305

• nüvi 255W
• Preloaded City Navigator NT for North America or Europe (full coverage)
• Vehicle suction cup mount
• Vehicle power cable
• Dashboard disc
• Quick start manual

Does it include a Warranty?

Yes, the Garmin nüvi 255w includes a 1 year warranty.

What Others Are Saying

Over 1,400 Amazon reviews of this product culminating in an average of 4.5 out of 5 star overall rating means a lot of positive feedback. It’s pretty tough to keep a high rating with that many reviews.

Here are some of the comments to date:
• “ Love it! A GPS skeptic now believing…”
• “ Great product- very happy”
• “ Great widescreen, street naming unit at a budget price”
• “ LOVE the Garmin Nüvi 255W”
• “ Great GPS for Cheap!,”
• “ Best In Its Class – Great For Traveling”
• “ This gave me more that I was expecting…,”

Any complaints?

The complaints I found seemed to mostly center on refurbished models. A variety of operational issues were reported on the refurbished ones. I recommend only buying the Garmin nüvi 255w new if you can afford it.

Where Can You Buy the Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator?

You can buy this Garmin nüvi 255w from  Amazon.  At the moment they include free shipping and when comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon currently has  the best deal  especially with the free shipping option. Click here to view on Amazon.

Where Can You Read More Reviews for the Garmin nüvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator?

The best place for reviews from people who actually use the product is Amazon. Click here to read more.

Categories: Christmas Gifts For Her, Christmas Gifts For Him, Christmas Gifts For Teens, Discount GPS Navigator Reviews
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Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor Review

posted by admin On July - 19 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

Looking for the best heart rate monitor? Join the crowd. I owned a Polar Heart Rate Monitor about 10 years ago. Don’t ask me what model. It’s been 10 years, I said. Anyway, at the time I never really understood target heart rate zone or any of that stuff so I just gave it away. My mistake.

Well, it seems like the idea of target heart rate being a factor in athletic performance and weight loss is here to stay. So, I decided to take a look at what Polar has been up to these days. During my research it became painfully clear that I should have done this research when I purchased my Polar Heart Rate Monitor years ago. Oh, well.

Anyway, there is more to picking a heart monitor watch than price and in-store availability. Give me a break, o.k., I was in my early 20’s and didn’t know a thing about fitness. I just bought the coolest looking one for the price.

Fast forward 10 years. My research of Polar heart rate monitors led me to the FT40 Heart Rate Monitor by Polar. Stay with me and I’ll let you know why this is my “educated” pick.

Best Heart Rate Monitor – What to Look For

As I kind of mentioned already, it didn’t take me long to realize that there are a few important things to keep in mind when buying heart rate monitor watches. And they are:

• Measurements

• Training functions

• Design

• Alerts

Keep reading since I’ll be explaining each of these in relation to the FT40 Heart Rate Monitor by Polar.

Polar Heart Rate Watches – Key Features

One of the most important components of a heart rate monitor watch is the variety of measurements it can provide to the user. The FT40 offers at least 8 of which 5 are truly unique to Polar. The others are fairly standard with other monitors I reviewed:

• Average and maximum heart rate during training

• Target heart rate zones

• Manual setting of target heart rate zones

Three of the remaining five measurements give the Polar FT40 an extra kick. They are:

• Polar Energy Pointer: An onscreen display that lets you know if you are in the fat burning zone or fitness zone. You can adjust your intensity during your workout to get you into either one. Very motivating especially if you are trying to lose weight.

• Polar OwnCal: Yes, it lets you know the number of calories YOU have burned during a workout session. It also allows you to see the sum total over several sessions. Definitely more accurate than those estimates on gym equipment – even if you enter your weight.

• Polar Fitness Test: You can measure your aerobic fitness at rest in about 5 minutes.

The FT40 Heart Rate Monitor gives you the information you need to make your workouts effective without bogging you down with a bunch of technical information.

Polar Monitors Function Like Personal Trainers

The training support built into the FT40 includes a visual display on the watch of how you are training in relation to your preset workout goals. You determine the intensity or type of training you wish to perform and the watch will let you know if you are staying within the zone, above it or below it via audio and/or visual alerts.

This Polar is definitely for those who prefer less structure in their weekly workouts. If this sounds familiar – Monday is running, Tuesday is kickboxing class, Wednesday is weight training, etc…then the FT40 would be an appropriate choice. If however you are in need of more structured support then the Polar FT60 would probably be a better choice. The FT60 has a built in training program to help you stick to specific performance goals.

Polar FT40 Design

The watch is small and casual enough to wear when you are not working out. However, one reviewer said she would not wear it to work if she worked at a bank or in another conservative environment. The green color is not very subtle. But, don’t worry. It’s also available in gray. It has many of your standard wristwatch features: backlight, date and weekday indicator, time of day (12/24h) with alarm and snooze. So you could actually wear it even when you’re not working out.

The buttons are on the side of this Polar heart rate monitor which can be a challenge if you are trying to access your training information during an intense portion of your workout. The best way to overcome this is by turning on the HeartTouch feature before you begin your workouts. It allows you to access different training information by bringing the watch close to your transmitter strap.

Hey – Step It Up!

While the watch won’t speak to you, it will alert you when an adjustment to your intensity level is needed based on your preset workout goal. Visual and audio alerts are standard on the FT40.

How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

The FT40 Heart Rate Monitor by Polar is available on the Polar website for $179. The cheapest I have seen it is on Amazon for under $150.

What’s Included

• Polar FT40 training computer (watch)

• Polar WearLink®+ transmitter

• Manual

Does it include a Warranty?

Yes, the Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor has a 2 year warranty.

Heart Rate Monitor Reviews – What Others Are Saying

This heart rate monitor has received rave reviews from most consumers on the net with an average of 4.5 out of 5 from most reviewers on the Amazon website. As of today, no single review for this product has received less than a 4 star rating.

Here are some of the comments to date:

• “ Great tool for weight loss…”

• “ Nice product…nice price”

• “ Wonderful Fitness Tool”

• “ MOTIVATION x2”

• “ So glad I got THIS one!,”

• “ My wife LOVES this thing”

Any complaints?

With no single rating less than 4 stars on Amazon (to date) there were no complaints about the heart rate monitor’s performance. The recommended improvements appeared to be more related to personal preference. One recurring theme was the color of the watch. Some would have preferred a more neutral tone. It was also noted that it can get dirty pretty easily.

Where Can You Buy the FT40 Heart Rate Monitor by Polar?

You can buy this FT40 from Amazon. At the moment they are offering a few Special Offers and Product Promotions when you purchase this item. So, when comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon does currently have the best deal especially when you factor in the special offers. Click here to view on Amazon.

Where Can You Read More Reviews for the FT40 Heart Rate Monitor by Polar?

The best place for reviews from people who actually use the product is Amazon. Click here to read more.

Categories: Heart Rate Monitor Reviews
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My Canon PowerShot Digital Camera Review

posted by admin On July - 16 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

I enjoy writing about products to check out the latest the market has to offer and decided to take a look at the variety of digital cameras available today. I also noticed during my research that it is pretty easy to check out digital cameras online. More importantly, I was quickly able to find digital cameras on sale.

During my investigation I found that my current digital camera is causing me to miss out on a few coveted features of some of the more powerful ones out there. Note: A camera can have all the features in the world but I am not going to pay an exorbitant amount for one. So, it should come as no surprise that there is one condition for me to review a product. It has to be on sale or offered at a discount. Requirement met. In a nutshell, I think I may have found the best digital camera for the price.

I’ve finally realized why my digital camera has a few shortcomings which are beginning to irritate me after less than a year of ownership. It simply is not powerful enough or it doesn’t have the feature(s) that would give it that extra “oomph”. So, there is much more to choosing an excellent digital camera than I realized as I quickly learned from reviewing some details of several models. My research led me to one camera that I feel leaves the others in the dust and that’s the Canon PowerShot SD780IS Digital Camera with 3X Optical Image Stabilized Zoom.

What to Look for When Buying a Digital Camera

Here are some basic features that separate a mediocre digital camera from an excellent one:

  •  The megapixel number
  • It’s zoom ability
  • It’s optical ability

If you just buy the cheapest digital camera you see you may end up disappointed particularly if you plan on using your camera to capture special events in your life or even everyday events you wish to preserve. The last thing you want is for your camera to not function properly or worse not be able to function in a way that is needed for the moment you are trying to capture.  So, keep reading as I will let you know why the above items are important and throw in a few more that put Canon Powershot SD780IS Digital Camera with 3X Optical Image Stabilized Zoom ahead of the pack.

 A Mega What?

Here’s the quick tech lesson. Digital photographs are ultimately a collection of tiny units known as pixels. One megapixel equals one million pixels. The higher the megapixel the greater the clarity of the resulting picture. As a baseline, a 6 or 7 on the megapixel scale should give you good quality prints even when the photo is enlarged.

This Canon digital camera has a 12.1 megapixel resolution which will provide an additional level of sharpness and clarity that is needed – just in case you decide to create high quality oversized prints.

Zoom! Zoom! Zoom!

The Canon Digital PowerShot has a 3x optical zoom that uses the camera lens to bring the focus of your shot closer without sacrificing clarity. Instead of just enlarging a portion of an image like a digital zoom does, the optical zoom does a much better job of bringing the image to you. Digital zooms are usually a culprit in blurred zoomed photos. So, forget about having to be right up on an object to get a good shot.

 Optical Ability – And We’re Not Talking Glasses

 
 

Have you ever given your camera to someone else to take a photo of you and your family/friends only to find the photo turned out fuzzy or blurry? The culprit can usually be tied to that slight shaking or vibrating of the camera when the person is unable to keep their hand perfectly still. The optical image stabilizer found in the PowerShot SD780 takes care of this for you with an auto correct feature.  Your shots will be steady and not look like you were driving in a car when you took them.

 Grab the popcorn!

One thing that really sets the PowerShot camera apart is the HD movie shooting capability. The fact that it is already a great performing camera was enough for many reviewers but this feature really seemed to put it over the top for them. You can take your still photos or your recordings and play them back on a High-Def (1280×720 pixels) television.

Which Setting Do I Choose?

Don’t choose. You can activate the Smart Auto feature and it’ll do it for you. The camera automatically selects an appropriate setting from 18 specially defined settings based on your surroundings. Forget adjusting for the sunset, still art photos, or a day at the beach. Smart Auto does it all.

 Set, Press, Wait…, Okay Shoot!

 The Canon Powershot SD780 has a face detection self timer that all but eliminates the need for you to set up a group picture and then rush to be in it. Just put the camera on a stand or tripod, activate this setting, and the camera will wait for the photographer’s face to get on-camera before it takes the shot.

 Red Eye – Be Gone

Now there is really no reason to have red eyes ruin your photos. If it happens to you, there are three ways to fix this little nuisance. You don’t have to wait until the photo is printed to know you have a problem either. According to Amazon, the three ways are:

“1) Red-eye Correction during shooting actually identifies and corrects red-eye in human subjects as pictures are taken.”
“2) The PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH can be set to automatically detect and correct red-eye during image playback.”
“3) You can manually locate any red eyes in a scene during image playback on the LCD screen, and command the camera to remove them.”

How Much Should You Expect to Pay?

The Canon Powershot SD780IS Digital Camera with 3X Optical Image Stabilized Zoom is available on the Canon website for $229 but you really shouldn’t be paying any more than $200 for this camera. The cheapest we have seen is on Amazon who consistently sell this digital camera for under $175.

What’s Included

  •  PowerShot SD780 IS Digital ELPH body
  • Lithium-ion battery pack (NB-4L)
  • Battery charger (CB-2LV)
  • Wrist strap (WS-DC7)
  • Digital Camera Solution CD-ROM
  • USB interface cable (IFC-400PCU)
  • AV cable (AVC-DC400)

What Others Are Saying

This camera has received incredible feedback from most consumers on the net with an average of 4.5 out of 5 from most reviewers on the Amazon website itself.

 Here are some of the comments to date:

  •  “More Than Expected!! Superb Photos!”
  • “Excellent Digital Camera, Amazing HD Video Recording, Tiny Body and Weight”
  • “Amazing camera very small and beautiful, and superb photos”
  • “Excellent For Still Pictures and Video”
  • “What an amazing camera! Big camera performance, tiny package!”
  • “THE BEST UNDER $250”
  • “Canon SD780: Finally found the ultimate hybrid camera”

Any Downsides?

This product currently has over 575 reviews at Amazon all cumulating in a 4.5 out of 5 star rating. It is tough to maintain a near perfect rating with that many reviews.  Buyers are clearly discounting any negative comments, making the purchase, and posting their positive feedback.

Where Can You Buy the Canon Powershot SD780IS Digital Camera with 3X Optical Image Stabilized Zoom?

You can buy this Canon PowerShot from Amazon. At the moment they include free shipping and from what I can tell when comparing prices with other online merchants, Amazon does currently have the best deal especially with the free shipping option.  Click here to view on Amazon.

Where Can You Read What Other People Are Saying About The Canon Powershot SD780IS Digital Camera with 3X Optical Image Stabilized Zoom?

The best place for reviews from people who actually use the product is Amazon.  Click here to read more.

Categories: Christmas Gifts For Her, Christmas Gifts For Him, Discount Digital Camera Reviews
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Compare Discount Christmas Stockings

posted by admin On July - 3 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

Click for full range of discounted Christmas stockings.

  

Bucilla 86059 Felt Aplique Stocking- Snowflake Snowman

Here it is. As of today, the bestselling discounted Christmas stocking on Amazon. The felt is pre-stamped so that is one step you don’t have to worry about. It comes with presorted sequin packs and a kit with everything you need. The easy to follow instructions direct you in correctly applying the felt, beads, and sequins – using embroidery floss and needle to make this attractive 18 inch long Christmas stocking. What a perfect snowflake snowman theme designed for the young and young at heart.

Reviewers love this particular Christmas stocking for its ease in putting together and it’s overall attractiveness. The only low rating to date if from a purchaser who did not understand that this stocking is NOT premade. This, my friends, is a wonderful craft project.

To see what everyone else had to say about this product, please click here.

You might recognize the Bucilla style and quality. They are makers of a variety of holiday designs, quality materials and lovely embellishments. For over a century, Bucilla has made it possible for stitchers to make holiday needle-crafts for generations to enjoy. Over 50 patterns and designs are available for purchase.  It’s hard to pick just one. And guess what? You don’t have to. Click for range of Bucilla patterns.

TIP: This would be a great family craft project to do while watching Charlie Brown Christmas or while having some Christmas music played in the background.

Categories: Christmas Decor
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Buy Charlie Brown Christmas At A Discount

posted by admin On June - 11 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

 A Charlie Brown Christmas DVD

Yes, this is the classic that came out in 1965. It may only be 25 minutes long but it is a story that stays with those (young and old) well after the screen fades to black. The classic Peanuts characters work to put on their school Christmas pageant. All of your favorites are featured. One of the most memorable scenes is by Linus who must recite the story of Christ’s birth according to the gospels.

The basic DVD includes a bonus feature: “It’s Christmastime Again, Charlie Brown”.

There is also a remastered deluxe edition of A Charlie Brown Christmas that was produced in 2008.  This one is also available at a discount. In addition to including the same bonus feature listed above, an all new featurette has been added: ”A Christmas Miracle: The Making of A Charlie Brown Christmas“.

A Charlie Brown Christmas is sure to remind you of your childhood no matter how long ago that may have been. Children of every generation since 1965 have watched this classic non preachy story about the real meaning of Christmas. This is a great story to share with your children and grandchildren.

Some people have made a tradition of watching A Charlie Brown Christmas every year. The story’s take on consumerism at Christmas time sends a message that can be understood by young and old alike. Click here for more information or to buy discount Charlie Brown Christmas in VHS, DVD, Blue-ray, or Digitally Remastered Format.

Adding A Charlie Brown Christmas to your collection this year will be one of the best purchases you make. It continues to be one of the bestsellers each year. Be sure to order yours early as discounted items often disappear first. Also, check out our Best Christmas Deals page for a few more tips on saving money this holiday season.

Categories: Christmas Entertainment, Christmas Gifts For Kids
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Discount Christmas Dinnerware

posted by admin On June - 11 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

12-piece Johnson Brothers Old Britain Castles Christmas dinnerware set

 This classic Victorian-style patterned set will easily serve four people with cheer at Christmas time. The set contains four place settings of 10-1/2-inch dinner plate; 8-inch salad plate; and 3-7/8-inch mug. There are a total of 12 pieces. It is crafted of fine earthenware in the English tradition. This particular piece of discount Christmas dinnerware is decorated with a Christmas tree and floral boarder in deep pink with an ivory base color. Caring for your Christmas dinnerware is a breeze. It is safe for everyday dishwasher, microwave, and freezer use so you may even wish to use them throughout the year.

Click to buy or for range of Johnson Brother Christmas pieces.

Finding Christmas dinnerware at a discount can be tough. This one is available for purchase online and provides a historical and traditional patter of Old British Castles. Manufatured by Jonshon and Brothers, this is one of their best know patterns. Johnson Borthers has been around since 1930.

Categories: Christmas Decor
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Who Sells Discount Christmas Wreaths – Artificial Kind

posted by admin On June - 9 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

 36″ Colorado Pine Artificial Christmas Wreath

Browse a full range of discount Christmas wreaths HERE.

Discount Christmas wreaths of the artificial kind are plentiful online.  The wreaths vary in size and color. Some are decorated while others are a blank slate for you to put your signature touch on display. The more high tech wreaths come with lights that can be triggered by a remote control.

Just as Christmas trees differ in texture so do Christmas wreaths. If you have a preference for Cape May Fir or if Artificial Pine is more to your liking then you won’t be disappointed as both are available for purchase at a discount. Be sure to check out the prices soon as they are subject to change.

A few points to keep in mind when selecting your wreath:

What is the size of the area to be covered?

A small Christmas wreath on a large door may not send the message you intended. While the reverse is also true. All wreaths come with measurements so be sure to plot them out on your door or eventual wreath home to get an idea if your selection will be the right fit.

Will the Christmas wreath be displayed indoors or outdoors? Maybe both.

Some Christmas wreaths are quite versitable. They work well on the front door, above the fireplace, or on the mantel. Be sure to read the product label to ensure it can withstand outdoor temperatures and harsh winter weather.

Does it need to be pre-decorated?

A simple yes opens up several more questions. Decorated discount Christmas wreaths are sometimes full of bulbs, lights, ribbons, etc. while others have a more understated tone. Some shoppers find that a bare wreath is the best choice as it can turn into a family project or a family tradition each holiday season.

Browse a full range of discount Christmas wreaths HERE

Categories: Christmas Decor
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Where To Buy Discount Christmas Trees

posted by admin On June - 8 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

 GKI Bethlehem Lighting Pre-Lit 7-1/2-Foot Classic Slim Christmas Tree, Warm White Lights

Click here to buy or for full product specifications of a variety of discounted Christmas trees.

There is a good selection of Discount Christmas trees marked down about 50% at Amazon. Depending on the brand and type of tree the discount can be more or less. The selection is pretty good. You’ll notice that some of the trees have warranties of up to 10 years. That’s a long time in our opinion.

The discounted Christmas tree featured above has 1,505 tips in two lengths for a realistic look that most of us desire without the mess of needles on the floor. This brand has decorated famous Christmas settings like Chicago’s State Street and Dollywood. You can now have professional-grade holiday trimmings to deck the halls of your home.

You can also forget about having to untangle Christmas lights this year. 750 LED mini warm white lights which peak out of the layers bring this Christmas tree to life.  No need to worry if one light goes out as the rest of the string will stay lit.

It comes with a metal stand and storage box so you’ll save on those expenses when you purchase this tree. Be sure to use the storage box as intended. You want to be sure this tree lasts as long as possible.

As many trees these days, the GKI Classic Slim Christmas Tree is fire-retardant, fade-proof, and has crush-resistant PVC needles.

The hinged branches allow for easy assembly so pop some popcorn and decorate this tree with your family. Don’t forget to save some popcorn to string on the tree. 

Click here to buy or for full product specifications of a variety of discounted Christmas trees.

Categories: Christmas Trees
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Where To Buy Christmas Lights Year Round

posted by admin On June - 3 - 2010 ADD COMMENTS

Good Tidings SBC64406 G.E. String-A-Long Constant ON Miniature Christmas Lights, Clear

  

STOP SEARCHING!

Click here to browse the full selection.

Have you been searching the internet for where to buy Christmas lights year round? Congrats! You’ve found it. Well, almost. You can actually buy Christmas lights off season at Amazon. Forget about driving from store to store to only find they don’t carry them or what they do carry is too ugly to proudly display.

The lights come in a variety of colors and styles. Some people will use them to light their house or business. Others will use them for special events.  Yes, special events like weddings. Actually, there are a special set of wedding lights to add a special touch to the event.

You’ll find that many of the lights are energy efficient and non-glass. So, you can forget worrying about how much of an increase there will be to your energy bill or dropping the lights and breaking them.  You’ll find by reading various reviews that more and more people are using Christmas lights year round.

While you’re there you might as well take a peek at a Christmas light storage pack.  You simply wrap your lights around the spool which you then place in a heavy duty nylon storage bag. Each spool holds 100 feet of lighting.  It also comes with large side pockets in case you have clips, timers, fuses, plugs, and spare bulbs that you wish to store with the lights. 

This should take the hassle out of storing your Christmas lights year round. Next time you are ready to use them just unroll the spool for tangle free lights that are ready to be hung. Wouldn’t you rather use your time and energy doing something other than untangling Christmas lights? This efficient system can help you for years to come so order your light rack today.

Did you know they also make solar Christmas lights? Too cool. The ultimate in energy efficiency. No tangled extension cords and of course no outlet is needed. They charge during the day with the help of the sun and turn on automatically in the evening.

 Click here to browse the full selection.

P.S. Don’t forget to take a picture of your lights this year and add to your scrapbook. I have a feeling that you will be able to quickly find digital cameras on sale without much searching.

 

Categories: Christmas Decor
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