Energy Efficient Home Appliances: Save The Planet And Your Wallet

With energy prices on the rise, not only are people paying more at the pump, but they’re also paying more in their utility bills. This may cause you to be looking at energy efficiency in a whole new light. When you are purchasing home appliances, it is becoming more and more important to consider not only the price tag, but also the impact on your energy bill. So while some energy efficient appliances may cost a bit more at the store, the savings you get at home can outweigh the purchase price difference pretty quickly. Another bonus is that energy efficient appliances cause less stress to the planet, saving the environment. Figuring out which appliances are best for you though, can be tricky. Different appliances and other home products like windows and insulation all have their own terms for what makes them energy efficient and they can be tough to compare. Looking for the Energy Star can be a good place to start, but before you do, it is helpful to know what it is and what it means. The Energy Star is a US government program, started in 1992, that is a joint project of the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The list of consumer goods that can qualify for an energy star rating has expanded steadily ever since. According to their website, http://energystar.gov, products that have the Energy Star label have met strict standards set by the DoE and EPA for energy efficiency and low emissions. While appliances are not on the list, some Energy Star labeled products give tax credits to purchasers, and manufacturers of Energy Star appliances are eligible for business tax credits, which can mean savings passed along to consumers. Switching to Energy Star rated appliances can save an average of $80 a year on home energy bills. Looking for the Energy Star when purchasing appliances is a good place to start, but keep in mind that not all appliances are eligible for the Energy Star. These include clothes dryers, ovens, and ranges. The DoE does have guidelines for purchasing energy efficient appliances in these categories though, and you can find links to them at http://energystar.gov also. You can find the Energy Star on washing machines, dishwashers, refrigerators, and freezers, as well as other products for your home, like computers, phones, and lightbulbs.

5 Ways to stop scam moving companies this season

Listed below are the five most important things you can do to protect yourself from the growing threat of becoming victim to a moving company scam. The moving industry was deregulated in the early 90's and has been a shambles ever since. Scam movers have taken over the industry and the honest movers can
hardly compete. Still over 15% of Americans move each year for a total of over 40 million people. That’s a lot of moving and packing for these bad movers to rip people off. By following a few simple steps you can have the advantage over your movers and protect yourself, your family and everything you own.


1. The most important thing you can do to protect yourself when hiring a moving company is to hire only licensed movers as regulated by the Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration (FMCSA). By dealing with licensed moving companies you are entitled to certain Rights and responsibilities When Moving as outlined in this Federal Brochure (http://www.protectyourmove.gov/consumer/awareness/rights/rights.htm). You should be given a copy of this document by your moving company before you. Be certain you are dealing with an actual moving company and not moving brokers. Moving brokers are licensed and regulated by the FMCSA but are not required to have trucks. Most brokers are nothing more than a sales force booking deals for companies with trucks. As soon as they have your money they are no longer interested in you or your stuff. You can read more about the horrors of the moving broker scam at www.movingscam.com.

2. The best place to find a moving company is through your local resources like the newspaper, yellow pages or by word of mouth. Ask local friends what movers they have used. Once you find a moving company you should ask for referrals. Don't trust the junk you read on someone’s website. Ask for a phone number to the last 3 clients. If they won't produce a phone number than ask that they call you instead. If they are unwilling to do so then you can expect their service wasn’t so spectacular. Make certain you get a written binding estimate based on 400n tariff weight and not cubic footage. Paying for the actual weight of your household goods can save you money. Why let a crooked moving company pack your stuff in boxes when they are charging you by the cubic foot? They love the full service pack and move jobs because they charge more. Be armed with knowledge like that available to you at http://www.protectyourmove.gov and know your rights.

3. The safest way to move your stuff is to move yourself. Self service moving has become quite the rage in recent years and companies that offer various self move services are fast becoming industry leaders. Moving trucks and drivers are as popular as ever with over 1 million moving trucks rented per year. Moving containers are a new service which provides a storage container delivered to your home. You are allowed to pack at your own pace while the box stays near your home safe and secured. Once you are finished packing your moving pod can be delivered to your new home in the same city or another state. If you’re not interested in loading or driving a truck maybe you would prefer to hire a truck and driver with you pack and load they drive moving services. Packing supplies and services add quite a bit to your move cost. Save money by packing your own stuff and ensure it was safe before you packed it. Beware, scam movers like to blame you for damages to items already packed.

4. Loading and unloading are the most dangerous times for you and your things. Packing your own things is the safest way but if you use a moving service to pack your things is sure they use quality packing materials and supplies. Some moving companies have special rolls of tape that are shorter and cheaper than regular rolls. They use cheap moving boxes which may not support your stuff and they may under pack boxes in an attempt to use more boxes and space on the truck. Moving blankets, hand trucks and wheel dollys are all tools of the trade for a professional mover but foreign objects to scam movers. Don't let them bust up your furniture and have them pack and load your things properly. Most movers will not be qualified to do things like setup your electrical equipment or some appliances. Take care of these things yourself in order to make certain your home is safe from any potential harm.

5. After your mover has unpacked and delivered your goods you should check for any obvious damages immediately. By law you have 90 days to file a claim with your mover but it’s always best to do so right away. Offer photo of video evidence of the contents of your home before and after the move as evidence of any damages or items missing. Missing or stolen items should be reported to the police right away. No matter what the movers say you have the right to complain about your items not arriving as they were supposed to. File any complaints with your movers right away and follow through, if they resist then take it up with the FMCSA. Obviously this is not a complete list of things you should do before you hire a moving company. Good sense and judgment should be used whenever you hire any company to perform a service for you. When they are packing up everything you own and stuffing it in a truck for a cross country trek you take extra precautions. Please review the list of resources below for more information on moving and relocation services.


Resources available online

Federal Motor Carriers Safety Administration - http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov

Check your movers Motor Carriers License - http://www.safersys.org

Find an affordable moving company - http://www.affordablemovingcompany.com

Get Great Birthday Party Supplies

Everyone loves attending a great birthday party. You know, the ones where attention has been given to details and where everything seems to fit just right around the theme of the party? Does it seem like only a few people have what it takes to plan great parties? By remembering a few simple tips, almost anyone can plan great birthday parties. One of the most important tips you need to learn is that having great birthday party supplies is key to making any party a hit. We've probably all been to a birthday party that looks like it has been thrown together at the last minute. Nothing matches and there doesn't seem to be a theme to the birthday party supplies, the food, the games or anything else. Parties like this can be a drag to attend. The next birthday party you plan doesn't have to be like this at all. By carefully choosing the right birthday party supplies, you can ensure that your party will be fun and enjoyed by all. Birthday party supplies can include anything that you need to get for your party. Things like decorations, food, paper products and games are all a part of birthday party supplies. You should be strategic about each element of your party planning. Begin by thinking about who you are giving the party for. It is often great to center the birthday party supplies around the likes and tastes of the birthday person. Think about their favorite colors, games, and foods when you start to plan. Try to plan what kind of party you want to have. Consider details like the time of day, the age of the guests coming, and the theme of the party. All of these questions will help lead you to finding the proper birthday party supplies. Having a plan for the birthday party supplies you need makes the shopping process much easier and can even help save you money. Make a detailed list of all of the birthday party supplies that you need to purchase. You can organize them based on the store that you will buy them from. Take the time to look in several stores for the best items before you shop. You may be able to find better deals or even packaged deals by looking around. As you plan the next birthday party, have fun! Enjoy the process of putting together a great event that people will love. All you need to worry about is getting the best birthday party supplies.

5 Unusual Gifts For A Friend

It is not always easy to come up with an unusual gift idea for a friend . Here a few of unusual gift available :

1. Puzzle alarm clock

It wakes you up by firing four puzzle pieces up in the air, and then it is your task to get the pieces and put them back in the alarm clock - it won’t turn off until then . Pretty annoying but could be a great gift for your friend .

2. Tree adoption

Give this gift to your friends especially who interested in tree or garden . Not only makes an unusual and timeless gift but also provides a great excuse for a holiday to the south of France .
The tree will be planted on your behalf in a 20 square meter plot and any truffles found under your tree or trees will be harvested, sold, and the profits sent straight back to you at the end of the season, unless of course you decide to keep the truffle in which case Truffle Tree will post them to you.

3. Purchasing land in the moon

Buy your friend some acres of land on the Moon from THE LUNAR EMBASSY. They has been selling land on the Moon for the past 22 years . They claim to be the first and the only company that possess a legal basis and copyright for the sale of lunar . Not only moon , they also serve other extraterestrial property in our solar system. Unusual indeed .

4. Taketombo - Dragonflies

This gift is best for someone who plays a lot . Taketombo are Japan’s hand-made toys made from bamboo that able fly like mini-helicopters on their one propeller . Rub the stick with your hands and rotate it. The wing will fly off it with great force. The package comes with a complete English instructions on how to make you own Taketombo . Its easy and simple . Practice often then by the time we could improve the Taketombo design to gain more heights and speeds

5. Classic Atari Games

Remember the old time ? Take a step back in time to the early days of video arcades with Atari’s 80 Classic Games, a compilation of unforgettable and authentic Atari titles. Each one is faithfully reproduced with all the great sights, sounds and fast action that made them so popular. Whether you played these games in their original arcade cabinets or on an Atari 2600 console, you’re sure to find a favorite. Great unusual gift for your friends .

Facts about Heartworm in the United States

Copyright 2006 Paul Nelson * Canine heartworm infection occurs all across the United States. Heartworm infection has been found in pet and wild dogs in all 50 states, each of which have there own areas where the disease is an ongoing problem (these are known as "endemic" areas). * All dogs regardless of their age, sex, or habitat are susceptible to heartworm infection. The highest infection rates (up to 45%) in dogs not maintained on heartworm preventive are seen within 150 miles of the Atlantic coast from Texas to New Jersey and along the Mississippi River and its major tributaries. Other areas of the United States have lower incidence rates (5% or less) of canine heartworm disease, though even in those states some local regions have environmental, mosquito, and dog population factors that allow a higher incidence of heartworm infection. * Badly affected regions have heartworm infections diagnosed in dogs as young as 1 year, with most areas diagnosing infections primarily between the ages of 3 and 8 years of age. * The infection rate in male dogs is as much as 4 times that of female dogs and dogs housed outdoors are 4 to 5 times more likely to be infected than indoor dogs. * Although there are differences in frequency of infection for various groups of dogs, all dogs in endemic regions should be considered at risk and placed on surveillance/prevention s. Introduction Heartworm was once considered a parasite common in southern climates, it is now recognized as a major, global pest affecting dogs, foxes, wolves and coyotes. Heartworm was discovered nearly a century ago in dogs, and was discovered in cats in the 1920's. Since then scientists have devised diagnostic tests, preventives and treatments, but the disease still spreads. When you are are visiting your local vet, you may notice posters which show the infested heart loaded with long fine spaghetti like worms, this is too remind pet owners not to gamble that their dog or cat will never be bitten by an infected mosquito. Heartworm prevention is simple with regular dosing with preventive medication. If the pet has heartworm infestation this is dangerous; untreated dogs die and treated dogs go through weeks of discomfort while the worms are killed and expelled from their bodies. Testing Heartworms can be detected by blood test. X-rays can also detect the changes in the heart and lungs caused by the presence of adult heartworms in these organs. Prevention Preventive doses come in oral and topical versions, products like Heartguard, Interceptor, heartworm treatment and ProHeart are given monthly. Revolution is a new preventive applied topically. Some of these drugs also kill other parasitic worms, and Revolution also acts against fleas, ticks, and mites. Many veterinarians including the team at Vetstop recommend a year-round heartworm prevention to guard against the occasional infected mosquito flying about in even relatively mild winters. The old saying applies; "Prevention is better than cure".

5 Tips To Maximize Your Child’s Wardrobe During Seasonal Change

While the northern hemisphere prepares to put away their winter wear in preparation for the warmer summer months, we here in the southern hemisphere are doing the exact opposite.

Living here in southern Queensland, Australia, we experience relatively stable seasons. Therefore it’s not uncommon that particular clothes worn for one season are not needed again until the following year.

As adults, the uncomplicated approach to a new season can simply involve resurrecting the previous year’s items, and rearranging these items to the front of your wardrobe. Any changes to particular items are generally dictated more by fashion or personal preference than by ‘fit’ (unless of course we have gained or lost a few kilos!).

Now when it comes to growing children, the change of season often dictates a totally different approach. Depending on the individual child and their age, they’ll grow at different rates from one year to the next. The impact of this growth on an existing wardrobe, can range anything from the requirement for a ‘part’ modification (where most items still ‘fit’), up to, and including the situation where a ‘complete overhaul’ is in order (where virtually everything has been outgrown).

Particularly where the latter situation is the case, one of the first reactions to this sudden realization can be panic and stress (especially if you’re the parent who’s responsible for finding, and financing these ‘modifications’).

So ‘BEFORE’ pulling out your credit card, and rushing out on a panic shopping spree with your child / children, here are 5 practical tips to consider to save both your purse and your sanity:

1. INVEST THE TIME to go through each child’s existing wardrobe. If the idea of this task is stressful for either party, consider breaking it down into smaller manageable parts. (I.e. concentrate on one child’s wardrobe at a time, and/or break the exercise up over several sessions or days. E.g. Spend 15-30 minutes per session going through a particular section. Perhaps jumpers 1 session, and long pants the next etc.)

2. AVOID GUESSING whether an item fits or not. This includes ‘calculated guesswork’ which is the exercise of ‘holding an item’ up against the body. If it’s been several months since a child has worn an article of clothing, take the time to physically get them to TRY EACH ITEM ON. You’ll be amazed at how much more accurate your assessment will be by basing your judgments on practical testing and not calculated guesswork.

3. If you have children of the same sex, consider WORKING THROUGH THEIR WARDROBES FROM OLDEST TO YOUNGEST. Working in this manner means that ‘pre-loved’ or outgrown items from an older sibling can be passed down to the younger siblings and included in the items they will try on, along with their existing wardrobe. The benefits of this exercise are two-fold: 1. Younger siblings can find themselves with an ‘instant brand new’ (to them) wardrobe. 2. Minimizing the requirements for any one child’s wardrobe can result in a significant saving in time and money.

4. KEEP ONLY THOSE ITEMS you (and particularly your child), feel confident your child will wear. Depending on the age, personality and maturity of your child, if your child appears uncomfortable wearing a particular item, ask ‘them’ to consider if they feel they will wear it or not. If the answer is a resounding ‘no’, or their body language relays the same message, seriously consider removing that item from their wardrobe. No matter how much attachment another person may have to an article of clothing, if the person to whom it belongs is not going to wear it, the truthful fact is, it’s likely to end up taking space and energy in a cupboard. Learning to respect your child’s preferences and choices is an exercise that long term will not only save you heartache, but save your well-earned money as well.

5. SELL OR DONATE items of clothing that can’t be used by immediate family members or relatives. Occasionally there may be an article that has particular sentimental value that you may wish to retain as a ‘keepsake’. However for the most part, clothing serves its purpose when it is being worn and used. If an article is no longer being used within its current location, why not allow another individual to experience this pleasure. Not only is it a wonderful feeling to be able to give something to someone else, -- it can be also be an extremely liberating feeling to not only clear your physical space, but also clear the emotional energy attached to holding onto something that is not fulfilling its purpose.

Although the above tips require an investment of your time and energy at the outset, you’ll be well rewarded for your efforts in both the short and long term. Armed with accurate information about your child’s existing wardrobe well before you part with a single cent, will help to ensure that when you ‘do’ shop, you’re investing your time and money into the most appropriate and needed items for that particular child.

And as an added bonus, remember our children are children for such a short time. So why not take advantage of this opportunity when going through their wardrobes –- celebrate the fit of your child’s clothes as a measure of their growth from the previous year!

Families Face Challenges Of Eating Disorders

As many as 11 million people in the U.S. have an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia, and about 25 million more are struggling with binge eating disorder, according to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA). These medical conditions not only affect the people who have them, they take an emotional toll on their families and friends - many of whom experience their own personal pain from watching an eating disorder slowly destroy their loved one and may feel powerless in trying to help. "Most people who have not had their lives touched by an eating disorder dismiss them as not worth worrying about," said one parent of a daughter with an eating disorder. "It is like trying to dismiss a tornado tearing through your home and your heart, tossing everything in its path around as if it were weightless and worthless. I have been through both. I would choose the physical tornado any time." Eating disorders are serious illnesses with a biological basis that are influenced by emotional and cultural factors. Researchers are discovering that certain genes appear to increase susceptibility to an eating disorder, much like with alcoholism or depression. While eating disorders cause physical devastation to the individual, they also wreak emotional and financial ruin on the entire family. Marriages are strained. Siblings feel pushed aside. And because insurance rarely covers treatment, some families are forced to deplete savings accounts or take out second and third mortgages to provide their loved ones with the care they need. Compounding the problem, according to NEDA, is the stigma associated with eating disorders, which keeps some individuals suffering in silence. Due to a lack of education and the "behind-closed-doors" nature of the conditions, some family members, friends and health care professionals fail to recognize the signs of an eating disorder or the full extent of the risks involved. "Eating disorders treatment cannot be successful if it starts with an aspirin and a Band-Aid," said Kathy Benn, whose 19-year-old daughter Shelby Starner died as a result of an eating disorder. Starner had been treated for eating disorders for 26 months and was turned away from in-patient care because she was "not sick enough." "We must address symptoms with aggressive, life-threatening seriousness," Benn said. "Forcing sufferers to fail their way up to intensive treatment is wrong-headed behavior that gives the illness an advantage and serves to waste valuable time and life." NEDA provides support for families affected by eating disorders through its Parent and Family Network, which serves as a clearinghouse for up-to-date information about treatment, resources and advocacy. "Building an informed and involved community helps families know they are not isolated, their problems are not as unique as they once thought, and that there is hope," said Lynn Grefe, chief executive officer of NEDA.