Top 10 Tips for a Successful Black Friday

Black Friday is by far the biggest shopping day of the year. Prices are cheap and people start out as early as 5 AM. This year there will be many great deals on gadgets and electronics. Plan ahead and create a winning strategy and you might be able to save a few hundred dollars on your holiday shopping. Here are 10 tips for making Black Friday successful: 1. Show up early! Seriously, many of the stores that have massive sales will sell out fast. The whole purpose of having super cheap items is to get a ton of people in the door. Then, once they sell all of a particular item the plan is for you to buy a more expensive item. Let me explain this again...Get their early, but c'mon, there is no need to camp out in front of CompUSA with your uncle's moldy tent. 2. Keep an eye on the prices of items that are not on sale. Many times these items will be over priced to compensate for the super cheap advertised items. If the store that you are shopping at has run out of the advertised item, make sure you don't over-spend on a similar product. 3. Beware of cheap brands. Sure, you may be able to find a DVD recorder for $60 but it is made in a country that you have never heard of and will probably break before you finish recording the "Saved by the Bell" marathon. A couple of years ago I stocked up on cheap DVD players and their life span was about 3 months. 4. Make a list of people you are shopping for. If you are like many other people, you will not only be trying to score a great deal for yourself, you will also be shopping for others. Spend some time before the big day to make a list of people who you will be shopping for. Next to their name, include a budget and a gift idea. Make sure you keep this list handy while you are strolling through the stores. 5. Make a list of specific items that you MUST have from the ads. Most black friday advertisements come out on Thanksgiving day. As you browse through the paper, circle the items that you think will sell out and grab those first thing in the morning. You don't want to lie to your 8 year old son on Christmas morning and tell him that Santa ran out of Gameboys...he WILL catch on. 6. Don't overlook the DVDs and CDs for great gifts. Stores such as Wal-Mart should have a few bins of super cheap new releases. Everyone loves movies and music, so take advantage of this cheap-o gift selection and snag as many as you can for the holiday. Trust me, nobody wants another red turtleneck for Christmas! 7. File rebates AS SOON as you get home. Black Friday is known for having tons of rebates. Some products have 4-5 rebates attached to them so make sure you are fully aware of all rebate porchases. Trust me, you will feel like a complete dweeb when you are in need of $200 in the new year and realize that you never sent in any of your rebates. Do it ASAP! 8. Be aware of your store's price matching policy. Many stores will honor the sale price if you bought the item a couple days before. You can simply purchase your items in advance and then simple show up to the customer service area and request a price match...it's that simple. 9. Create a winning team. If you plan on hitting multiple stores, create a team of family or friends to do the shopping. One strategy that works well is to have a driver that drops off family members at each store and then picks them up. Even better would be to take multiple vehicles or car pool with friends. You don't want to finally hit an important store at 3 PM. Think outside the box...plan on getting all shopping done in the morning. Remember, create organized lists for each family member and figure the money situation out the night before. 10. Beware of "sale rage". Some people are so pumped about getting a deal that they will do anything in their power to make sure you come second. If there is only one $50 flat screen monitor left and a soccer mom is sprinting towards it with foam at her mouth, you might just want to skip out on it...she is dangerous. There you have it...10 tips to make your Black Friday a huge success. Now, here are a few deals that I have my eye on. 1. CompUSA - 9.99 - 512MB USB 2.0 Flash Drive 2. CompUSA - $29.99 - 200 GB 7200 Drive 3. CompUSA - $117.99 - HP 4.1 Megapixel Digital Camera 4. Wal-Mart - $48.88 - Nintendo Game Boy 5. Wal-Mart - $398 - HP Laptop

Things to Check for Pest Control

As far as possible, this article will focus on pest control tips that would help keep away as much pests as you can. Some of the advises given here will deal on specific pests but some may partly concentrate on the general guidelines. Food storage Disinfection of food items is required by the food authorities to limit the possibility of strayed insects thriving in goods like dog food, flour, and other grains. A good rule of thumb to prevent them from infecting your food in case they happened to be found on some is to completely seal them in air tight containers. This will not only lessen the exposure of food items but may also stop mice from contaminating them. Moisture It is a known fact that all living things need water to survive. This does not exclude rodents, spiders and all insects. For carpenter ants, they never live on extremely dry woods. They will look for materials that were currently damped or a site near to water pies where they may create their nests. Termites generally feed on hard dry wood but they need enough moisture and will most likely set their nests where sources of water are sufficient. Spiders feast on termites and other pests. Though they can practically wander and search for water as often as they want, they still have to live near the food source. And so they are most often sited near moist place where most insects thrive. With these, it is vital to inspect your home an fix it from any leaks. Repairs may be expensive but may prove worth the initial effort rather than expending on more thorough home repairs. Entry Points As already stressed out, inspecting your home is vital in pest control. It will not take big holes in order for pests to penetrate your home. Insects are rather small and they can easily gain entrance from tiny holes. Mice on the other are great escape artists and they would only require a quarter of an inch-sized hole to enter your house. Your house will have a host of entry holes and so you better check on them, inspect your cable lines, telephone lines, garage and especially the attic. Holes in these areas are often forgotten or taken for granted. This is now the best time to see them if you want to gain sufficient control over your notorious pests. Lightning and Screening Any house lights will attract insects and will commonly invite them into your own home. This in turn will lure spiders who will feed on them. Even though you have enough screening, chances are they may still penetrate your home. To get around with this problem, you may use yellow bulbs or any non-insect attracting lights and assure to it that your doors are always closed. All doors and windows and any large entry points must be provided with mesh screens. These should always be kept on their optimum state. If any holes are spotted, it is wise to repair them accordingly to prevent pests from entering your house. Aside from these things, other issues must also be addressed in the quickest possible time for two reasons. One is to prevent insects from entering your home and two to keep them from multiplying right inside your own territory.

The Importance Of Having A Baby Ultrasound

Everyone loves a baby picture, right? A special image of the little one all dressed in their little outfit and wrapped in a soft blanket is the first baby picture that most will see. The parents, however, often get to see an even earlier photo thanks to a baby ultrasound. This procedure is not painful at all and involves a cool gel being applied to the pregnant woman’s stomach. At that time, a handheld device that looks similar to a product scanner is rubbed across the gel. During that time, the doctor watches a small screen that has been placed next to the woman. This screen is often a confusing collage of images to the parents, but the doctor sees something very different. When the pointing device is in perfect location, a beautiful image can be viewed on the baby ultrasound machine. Once the doctor shows the parents the exact part of the screen that shows their baby, they are overcome with joy. A baby ultrasound is a necessary part of prenatal care in that it can often detect any potential problems before the actual birth. Among them, improper positioning of the child or irregular heartbeat can be diagnosed with a baby ultrasound. In addition to showing an image, a baby ultrasound also allows the parents to hear their child’s heartbeat for the first time. At the end of the medical session, the doctor will likely ask the couple if they would like to have a photo of the baby ultrasound. This is a terrific image that can be taken home and shared with family and friends. It’s also a wonderful addition to a scrapbook, which most parents want to own in honor of their child and all of his/her special, or first, accomplishments. While a baby ultrasound is a necessary part of caring for an unborn child and monitoring his/her placement and health, it also provides the parents with a way to get a glimpse of their unborn child. But, what else can a baby ultrasound provide? It can solve what is, perhaps, still one of life’s greatest remaining mysteries. The sex of the child can be determined with a baby ultrasound which can provide parents with an easier decision when selecting the perfect baby clothing, decorating the nursery and requesting the perfect baby shower gifts. A baby ultrasound should only be performed by a licensed medical doctor and in a professional setting. The information in this article is to be used for informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Anyone with questions regarding a baby ultrasound must consult their physician for further information.

The Older the Tree, the Harder the Wood

It may come as a surprise to learn how many different types of wood are used in furniture making, each one with their own specific properties, weight, density and grain. The hardwood Teak comes from the Teak (Tectona) tree, which grows in southern Asia. The teak is a 30 to 40 ft deciduous tree (its leaves fall off during the winter months). Hardwoods are those which have a high number of pores and a high density. In general hardwoods resist decay better than their softwood counterparts which makes them very suitable for outdoor and patio furniture. Much like cedar and cypress wood, teak has its own natural resins that protect it from damage from extreme weather conditions, especially damp rot. A common problem faced by woods is termite damage and teak is particularly resistant against these pests. There are three different types of teak tree: the Tectona grandis (the common teak), the Tectona philippinensis (Phillippine teak) and the Tectona hamiltoniana (Dahat teak). The Dahat and Phillippine teak are now endangered and therefore the vast majority of teak furniture is crafted from the common teak tree. Teak has been popular in furniture making for hundreds of years due to its attractive look and all round durability and was in great demand in the 1950’s and 60’s when the rise of the Danish Modern style arose. The wood is typically a rich golden brown, but can vary from very pale to dark terracotta red. However, like any other type of wood it can be stained, treated or painted to change its colour yet still look natural. Although not needed with teak, treated wood has the additional advantage of further protection against weather conditions. Its grain is straight, and the wood oily yet grainy. Although teak wood does have remarkable qualities that protect it against harsh weather, it is not limited to being used as outdoor furniture. It is commonly used as a veneer and is a fixture inside the home as flooring and general teak furniture like closets, tables and chairs. The older the teak tree, the harder and denser the wood, which means it doesn’t split as easily as young trees. Although more expensive, older trees are more desirable in furniture making. Joining teak wood is relatively difficult due to its density, so these details are important to take into consideration when complicated furniture pieces such as chairs and plant boxes are made. Despite this, manufacturers of teak are experts in the profession and ensure the highest quality safety for the furniture that they make. Teak can be used to make almost any type of patio furniture including chairs, tables, planters, pergolas, loungers, storage boxes, benches and rocking chairs. Its tropical look makes it great for use in the summer and look especially attractive placed near or directly on grass. As an extremely durable hardwood, teak makes an attractive and sensible choice for the furniture that is placed in a back garden, patio or deck and after spanning many centuries, still remains a popular choice.

The First Step In Event Planning - Choosing The Invitations

Whenever you throw a party the first thing you consider is who you are going to invite. The guest list is important because the number of people attending has a direct impact on the venue and also on the menu. Whether you've hired someone to do your event planning for you, or you've taken on the task yourself, it's important to make a list of the invitees and then decide on the best method of asking them to attend. If the event is a wedding, formal invitations are sent out months before the big day. Generally the bride and the groom visit a stationary store. If you do have the benefit of having a professional helping with the event planning, they may attend as well. Once there, you'll peruse various books with samples of wedding invitations. There are so many choices that the decision can seem almost overwhelming. Once a style is chosen, an order is placed for the appropriate number of invitations based on your guest list. If you're tackling the job of addressing all the envelopes yourself, it's a good idea to ask for the assistance of someone you know with excellent handwriting. If someone is handling the event planning, they may secure the services of a calligrapher who will complete the envelopes for you. This is the preferred method by many engaged couples because it adds a simple elegance to the invitation. If your event is just as important but on a smaller scale, as in a birthday party, you can approach invitations several ways. There are many event planning websites on the internet that offer templates for birthday invitations. A parent can download one of these and fill in the pertinent information, even personalizing the invitations for the children. Children enjoy this because they automatically feel special when they see their name on the card announcing the party. If you've hired a professional to handle the event planning for the party, they might suggest an alternative for invitations or they may just request the guest list and handle the invitation design and mailing themselves. The same approach is often taken for events such as wedding showers or baby showers. The invitations are designed to reflect the occasion. Anyone who has ever received a baby shower invitation appreciates the added benefit of a gift registry being mentioned in the invitation. Event planning services generally can aid the expectant parents in setting up their gift registry. It's a wise idea because new parents normally need so many small things, and allowing the guests to choose from a list makes the gift buying part of the event much easier. Regardless of your event, if invitations are appropriate, it's important to get them out early and ask the invitees to respond regarding whether or not they can attend. This is essential for proper event planning because once you have a good idea of the size of the crowd; you can successfully plan on the other details that will make your party the best it can be.

Teen Toys- What's In And What's Out!

Day in and day out, teenagers are looking for and more variety of toys and gadgets to keep themselves entertained. The toy industry is constantly innovating in the hope to find that next best seller which will capture the fancy of teenagers the world over. Every year, the market is flooded with new toys. While some make it to the top selling list, becoming the fancy of every teenage boy or girl, for a couple of months, some do down without a trace; never to see the light of day again. Evergreen teen toys Some teenage toys are classics and part of the ever popular category. No matter what, years down the line too, these toys will hold the fancy of teens. To cite some popular examples, here are some toys, you will agree, are still on the best seller list. * Rubik's Cube This popular puzzle has been on the best seller list for decades. It is one of the most popular teen puzzles to date and is loved by teenagers' world over. Testing the mental faculties, this puzzle helps to develop skills like logic & reasoning and also tests one’s patience. This puzzle will never go out of style! * Video games There will hardly be a teen that is not acquainted with the concept of Video games. Video games have been popular among teenagers from the time they entered the market. Popularized by Nintendo and then by newer entrants in the market like PlayStation and Xbox, the use of new technology have made these games a must have for any teen. Today, these video games are available in many plug and play forms like mats, wireless pointing devices, eye and head phones for virtual reality games etc. * Dirt bikes Dirt Bikes have been a dream toy for teens for a very long time. At some point, every teen aspires for one. There is an association with the tough and the rugged that possibly drives this craze. At any rate, it is here to stay! * Dance mats These were only invented about a decade ago. These mats really became popular after the launch of the show, American Idol, on TV. With associated branding, overnight, these mats became a rage. These mats are fun and can be used to learn how to dance as well. Popular among teens and also people young at heart, these mats have captured the hearts of many! Latest toys Every year, more and more toys hit the market. As trends change, some stay around while others are replaced by more innovative ones. The popularity of the toys, besides being dependent on the uniqueness of the toy, also depends on the trends as well as branding, which also determines how long they will remain on the hot selling list! Today, we have a completely new set of toys which are 'in vogue'. * School toys Gone are the days of using highlighters in schools to mark important notes. Today, we have a new toy for teens who are copious note writers in school. This is the all famous pen scanner which slide over your text as you read it and scan the important notes and store them in its memory. The gadget can be attached to the computer to download the copy of important notes. * Puzzles Hand held puzzles have seen a new rage. While just a year ago, hand held word puzzles were popular, today, our teens prefer the much more popular touch screen Sudoku! These have caught on like fire on a global level. After the Rubik’s cube, this puzzle is said to be the second most popular puzzle in the world. * Music toys Earlier, teenagers who loved music demanded music systems and music CDs of the most popular rock bands or rock idols. This is the thing of the past! With music downloads freely available, music lover teens are now interested in carrying their favorite music with them or making their own music. The iPods and DJ Turntables are in! The iPods can store up to 60 or 80 GB of songs while the smaller shuffles can store up to 2GB of songs. Available in trendy colors and skins, these compact music hold alls are a perfect toy! As popular are the iKaraoke used with iPods. These are some of the most sought after music toys today! * Digital cameras and camcorders Today, whether a teen loves photography or not, they all aspire for a digi-cam or camcorder! There are many advanced digital cameras and especially camcorders, today which are not complicated to use. Teenagers love to carry them around. * Cell phones Having your personal phone connection in your room was a thing of the past! Today, cell phones equipped with the latest in technology are the hottest teen toys and a practical must-have! Most teenagers today carry a cell phone. The more features the cell phone has, the better. The list of must-have features includes a camera, mp3 player, expandable memory card, document reader etc.

Temperature Control: Saving You Some Money

Managing temperature control effectively will save you quite a bit of money. There is no doubt that you can save money through the use of devices that will help you regulate the temperature in any building or room. In this day and age of high fuel costs, it makes good sense to invest some time in learning the right way to go about temperature control. And, it makes sense to think wisely every time you head to change that thermostat’s settings once again. Temperature control is something that every person at the location needs to play a part in. Temperature control in the business or commercial setting is important. You don’t want your guests to run because it is too hot or too cold in your establishment. Nor do you want to provide your employees with less than perfectly comfortable conditions for them to work in. But, there is a fine line between what is okay and what is excessive as well. Finding the happy medium, while hard, is necessary for the sanity of everyone in the location. Temperature control is something that should be controlled in several ways. First, the establishment of the ‘right’ temperatures must be met. Common uses in colder temperature of above 68 will cost you considerably in the long run. If 68 is not warm enough, then consider a little higher but not much more as some individuals will find this too hot and hard to work in. Likewise, in the summer months, the temperature to aim for is 72. You will find many people are content with this as long as there is some air circulation along with it. People who can only think of the heat, though, do not work efficiently. As you can see, making everyone happy all the time is quite difficult. But, finding that happy medium is quite necessary to maintain expenses and to help equalize the inner office squabble. Take some time to effectively handle your temperature control today.