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I have always maintained that an eBook reader makes a lot of economical and ecological sense. Reading books in their electronic form means that you are buying and creating that much less demand for paper and ink books, saving trees and other resources used in the manufacturing process.

Then there is the fact that an eBook can be cheaper to buy and always easier to carry than the hundreds of books it can contain! Also the benefit of being able to not just read books but, magazines, broadsheets and tabloids on there; and being able to refer to the dictionary and encyclopedia while you’re at it!

The top recommended eBook readers are the Amazon Kindle Touch, the Amazon Kindle Fire, the Barnes & Noble Nook Simple, the Kobo and the Sony eBook readers.

Features to look for I am looking for something that has a lot of content available from the dedicated service that the reader is available from. Then I have to figure out whether I want the e-ink technology (lets you read easily in the sunlight) or the LCD screen. Then I have to figure out whether it is a touch screen that I want or not. Battery life is another crucial factor to look at. Another thing to look at is the additional features that the reader has: does it have audio? Does it support 3G? Browsing? Can I listen to music as well?

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Tags: books, Electronics // 1 Comment »

Seems to me that there is no end to man’s ingenuity (by that of course I mean woman’s ingenuity as well of course) and the eco friendly gadgets that you and I can buy today are truly remarkable. They are amazing not only in that they are made in a responsible manner, but they use fewer resources to run and are easy to dispose of as well.

Here are some eco friendly gadgets that recently caught my eye:

I liked this solar power flashlight cum radio that has a list price of $40 but is down to $22 99 after a 43% discount. A flash light is always a useful thing to have around. If you charge the device using solar light for about 3 hours, you get about 3 hours of light from the LED light bulbs or about 2 hours of radio play, if you want to use both at once, you can use it for about an hour. And just in case there’s no sun, you can still recharge it from a wall outlet.

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Tags: Best Deals, Electronics, Environment // 3 Comments »

Happy New Year!! Regular readers probably know about my fondness for making New Year resolutions and the marginal success that I generally manage to achieve as regards keeping those New Year resolutions. This year as well, there are resolutions being made and which specific reference to my financial situation.

So here are my financial New Year resolutions for the year 2012: [Read more →]

Tags: Celebrations, General, Money Saving // Add Comment »

All of us except the most correct and stiff upper lipped have indulged in a little re-gifting from time to time – it is only prudent and a wise utilization of resources to do so in my humble opinion. After all what is one man’s junk is another’s treasure and what do you do with two beautiful but identical Hermes scarves! Re gifting is not just economical it is also eco friendly because a form of recycling after all; which is good, right?

Now that we’ve established that there are enough excuses for guilt-free re gifting, here are some re-gifting dos and don’ts:

1. Check the manufacturing date. Food items have an expiration date, and so, in a sense do electronics and gadgets which get outdated so very quickly. You certainly don’t want the recipient to know that your re-gift was lying around your closet or pantry for a while before nestling into the folds of wrapping paper.  [Read more →]

Tags: Gifts // 2 Comments »

Clothing, accessories, jewelry, watches, perfumes, wine, chocolates and such items are de rigueur for the holidays and are some of the first things that pop into your mind when you think of gifting options. Some people however are difficult to get gifts for – either because they are generally picky or because they seem to have everything, you may really have to wrack your brains for what to get them.

Here are some unusual gifting ideas for the quirky or the difficult to please individuals in your life:

1. A Piggy Bank that doubles as a décor piece. This can actually be a practical gift for a kid to teach them the rudiments of savings and can also be something that they will happily display on their desk.
2. The adult version of this gift above would be a savings account that you open for someone near and dear to you. You can make the initial deposit into that account and help your friend or relative develop a habit that is pocket friendly. Makes a lot of sense in these lean times.  [Read more →]

Tags: Celebrations, Gifts // 1 Comment »

Like a lot of people, you’re probably gearing up for some major shopping now in the coming festive season. And why not! But give a thought to minimizing your environmental impact as you shop this year by making use of these tips for sustainable shopping.

Shop Local – This is a good idea for several reasons: it gives a boost to the local economy and helps and encourages local craftsmen. Secondly, if you purchase stuff that is grown or made locally there is less resource expenditure on transportation, preservation, packaging and so on. And local handicrafts and artifacts may be greatly appreciated by the receiver as well.

Shop Seasonal – If its flowers or fruit that you want to gift, pick seasonal produce rather than exotic stuff that is either flown in from distant locales or is artificially grown and artificially ripened.

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Tags: Environment // 2 Comments »

The poor economy has made saving money more important than ever before. Luckily, there are several great smart phone apps that are available to download that will help everyone save money. While there are many great money saving apps, these are the 5 that will help you save the most money. If you combine the apps with sim only contracts, then your smart phone will be able to save you more money than ever before.

The Shop Savvy app allows you to easily compare the price of an item at every store it is available. To get the prices of an item, you must use the app to take a picture of the bar code. Shop Savvy uses the picture of the bar code to determine what item you are scanning. After the bar code picture is taken, Shop Savvy will display the price of that item all of the major stores in the area. Using Shop Savvy will allow you to never overpay for anything ever again.

Coupon Sherpa

Coupon Sherpa allows you to find if there are any coupons available for an item that you are about to buy. Coupon Sherpa lets you search for coupons at just about every major store. Once you find the appropriate store on Coupon Sherpa, the app will display all of the stores current coupons. The apps pulls coupons from several different sources and even has several coupons that are exclusive to Coupon Sherpa. All of the coupons on the app can be scanned at the cash register of every store. Using Coupon Sherpa allows you to take advantage of the deals at every store, without having to spend hours cutting coupons.

If you use the GasBuddy app, then you will never over pay for gas again. GasBuddy uses the GPS in your smart phone to determine your location. Once your location is determined, GasBuddy will display the price of gas at every gas station near you. This allows you to be able to find the cheapest gas in the area before you leave the house. If you are not sure where the gas station is located, GasBuddy will even give you directions to the gas station from your location. With the rising prices of gas, the ability to save a few cents is very important.

Groupon

While the previous apps allowed you to save money on gas and retail items, Groupon allows you to save on just about everything else. Groupon displays all of the great deals on all of the various restaurants, hotels, spas and other services in your area. None of the deals featured on Groupon can be used as coupons, but they allow you to buy the services at a discounted price. Gift certificates to restaurants and hotel rooms can be purchased for over 50% the normal price. Groupon constantly updates with new deals, and the good deals can go quickly. Having Groupon on your smart phone allows you to constantly search for great deals to make sure that you never miss out on something special.

Kayak

Kayak is one of the most popular travel reservation websites, and you can now get all of the deals from your phone. Kayak finds you the cheapest price on flights, hotels and car rentals for any destination. Kayak searches every travel site to find you the best deal possible, and everything can be booked on the phone through the app. If you plan on traveling, then Kayak will save you a lot of money. You can even track the status of your flight using the Kayak application.

Sim only contracts are great way to reduce the cost of using a smart phone. Why pay the high costs of a regular contract if you do not have to? Combining the contract with these apps allows for your smart phone to pay for itself, and allow you to have more money for your other expenses.

This is a guest article by Ruben Corbo, a freelance writer for technology, travel, and music production topics. When he’s not writing or making music, he’s enjoying a good post-apocalyptic novel or playing RTS Strategy online game. Ruben’s writing resume includes websites like SIM Only where you can get the best Sim Only contracts as well as other websites that help you save on your tech purchases.

Images courtesy of Todd Barnard, sarahintampa, smgoller, Sean MacEntee and Rob Enslin

Tags: Best Deals, Computers, Electronics, Money Saving // Add Comment »

Winter may not be the time you think of patio accessories, but it really should be – it’s a time when you can find some great deals! Spring may be a few months away, but now’s the perfect time to purchase your outdoor items and start planning how you’ll redesign things come March. Here are 4 great deals on some awesome outdoor items:

Fire Sense Stainless Steel Tabletop Heater

Although more of a fall and winter item than spring and summer, this is something no serious outdoor entertainer should be without. This Fire Sense Stainless Steel Tabletop Heater runs off a small propane tank and puts out an impressive 10,000 BTUs, raising the temperature anywhere from 10 to 25 degrees. Value priced at $139, it’s perfect for enjoying your morning coffee or hosting guests on the patio in comfort during the cooler months.

 Austram Classix Hanging Planter

Greenery is essential for any outdoor space, and with a few of these Austram Classix Hanging Planters you’ll have plenty! It’s made from a super strong polypropylene plastic, designed to withstand years of outdoor exposure, and the coco liner in it is a great bonus that will encourage your plants to thrive. And since they’re just $21, you can get a couple and have a beautiful, lush display of plant life around your patio. It is a great combo of form and function.

Smart Solar Portsmouth Solar Birdbath

Solar fountains have exploded in popularity in the last few years, so if you don’t have on around your home then it’s time you get one! This Smart Solar Portsmouth Solar Birdbath uses a solar panel mounted in the basin, so there are no wires and nothing to plug in. Made from high grade resin, it’s light enough for one person to move easily but sturdy enough to stay in place in bad weather. At $139, it gives you all the style and class that comes with an elegant water feature for a fraction of the price.

EHO Studios Patio Conversation Set

Patio furniture sets are one of the most expensive items for the outdoor space, but a quality set is an investment that will last for years. With that said, you won’t find a much better deal than this EHO Studios Patio Conversation Set. Made from rattan, this set has a sofa, 2 chairs, and a table, all designed to hold up in all weather conditions. You even get your choice of free (yes, FREE) red, white, or black cushions! The best part is the price – just $969 for the whole set! It’s an obvious choice for saving money without sacrificing quality and style.

This was a Guest Post by Marissa Alan. She is a writer with Outdoor Living and loves the challenge of designing on a budget, both indoors and out. For more on items like outdoor fountains, decorative planters, patio furniture, or a modern gas fire pit, visit OutdoorLiving.com.

Tags: Accessories, Best Deals, Home Stuff // 1 Comment »

The convenience of shopping online, with access to greater inventory, discounts, and shopping from the comfort of your own home is undeniable. But there is also the fact that online shopping leaves you, your privacy and your sensitive information somewhat vulnerable. This can be problematic and may also deter people from shopping online and getting some of the best deals available.

So here are some tips and things to keep in mind that will help to keep you safe when shopping online:

1. Compare prices. This is one of the great advantages of shopping online, so take advantage of it. There is no need to pay more if you get a better deal elsewhere.
2. Read the details about the item properly, particularly if the deal seems too good to be true. There could be hidden charges or you could be agreeing to make certain future purchases without being aware of this (you could be authorizing automatic charging of your credit card each month without being aware of it and so on).
3. Also read the privacy policy of the site to make sure that your email address and other details will never be shared. [Read more →]

Tags: Best Deals, General // Add Comment »

I love winters; correction I hate summers, and so when winters come around, I am happier than if it was summer. Also I like to bundle up against the weather and enjoy the bracing air when it’s cold and frosty out, so I am always in search of some warm winter woolies so I can be snug as a bug in a rug.  Here are some lovely coats that I managed to find, each on a goodish discount:

I freely admit that this Victoria’s Secret velvet blazer is not something that is going to keep me warm this winter, but it is Oh! So smart! It is made from a cotton, rayon and spandex mix, so you can be sure that it will conform rather well to the shape of the body. No buttons or fastenings and a subtle shimmer and a hint of sexy stretch, make this rather desirable in my view. [Read more →]

Tags: Clothes // Add Comment »