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.

The Bedol Water Power Clock is, as the name suggests, actually powered by water! Sounds rather unbelievable, but this amazing little gadget claims to use no batteries or electricity. You simply open the cap, fill in water and you’re ready to go! The water ions are converted into clean energy for powering the clock. No wires needed and it’s recyclable as well!

The premium solar charger is a device that all gadget geeks should have: a solar powered backup battery and charger for cell phones, iPhones, iPods, and most USB powered devices which includes built-in led reading light and window / windshield suction cups so that you never have to run out of juice again, even when you’re on the move. The sale price is $27.99 down from 60 dollars, netting you a discount of over 50%.

The Robomower is an electric cordless, automatic lawnmower that does its job without you in attendance. It uses no gas or oil and so there are no fumes, emissions or smell, making this a great non-polluting gadget. Now this item is not cheap at over 1600 dollars but this is down from the list price of 2000 at a 19% discount and does save you a lot of time, effort and since the cuttings are evenly distributed onto the land, it is that much more environment friendly.

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

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.

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.
4. Check about details such as shipping and handling fees, delivery dates, warranty and return policy and so on. Also check for after sales service such as a chat line, or a helpline number for redress of any problems you may encounter.
5. Don’t shop from a shared computer if possible and make sure that your internet connection is secure. Also buy only from sites that have the “HTTPS” term in their web address (the site may be HTTP to begin with, but will change to HTTPS when making payment). HTTPS stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure sockets. This indicates that the session is secure and it is safe for you to make online payments.
6. Using a credit card, particularly using a secure payment method such as PayPal can be a secure way to make online payments. Guard PINs, passwords and other details zealously and if a site asks for too many details or any seemingly extraneous personal details, ask why.
7. Look at the merchant or seller details particularly on sites such as eBay and so on, where pervious buyers will have offered their review or recommendation of the seller.
8. Save and/or print the details of the purchase that you make, and any subsequent correspondence so that if there is any discrepancy in the product that you receive, you can take appropriate action.

I went looking for folding patio furniture and other options for patio furniture to see what would fit my budget and my requirements. This is what I liked:

I loved this Brown Caravan Canopy Oversize Zero Gravity Chair, that folds out to accommodate the legs and reclines (if you are in the mood for a snooze). Armrests and a steel frame make it a strong as well as comfortable option.  And this one is XL size for extra comfort; a good deal for 82 dollars I thought.

I am a sucker for rocking chairs and the only thing better than a rocking chair that I can think of is a folding rocking chair. This way I have the option of using it indoors, say for nodding off in front of the TV, or using it when out for a camping trip or outdoor events that I fancy I shall go for one day. Anyway, this  Prime Products 13-6506 Elite Arizona Tan Rocker Folding Chair appealed to me. It is simple and has uncluttered lines, and user reviews are generally positive. And when it costs just 55 dollars I think there is really no reason to pass up on what seems to be a good deal!

A small peg table to go with whatever type of seating you fancy, is a good idea (you do need to set down your long tall cool one somewhere). This simple cape cod folding beach table appealed to me because it is made from weather resistant hardwood that can take rough use and it is easy to carry.

If you want to splurge a bit and get a matched set of folding furniture for your patio you may want to consider this rectangular dining table with a set of matched chairs along with it. The table is drop leaf so it expands and contracts as per your requirements. And it also has a hole in the center if you want to put your garden umbrella in there. The chairs stack for convenient space saving.

This inflatable Halloween tombstone (with a purple bat, no less) tickled my fancy; it’s just such a fun and silly thing to have lying around. And I’m thinking that festooning this with some strategically placed blood stains would just about enhance the effect! The fact that it’s on a 75% discount down to ten dollars from forty of course has nothing to do with it! And when I’m done playing with it on Halloween, this can be a rather unusual pool float to have around!

I don’t know whether I like the bacon and eggs outfit combo more or whether I like the plug and socket outfit combo more. Bacon and eggs may be my absolute fave breakfast in the world, but there is something hugely funny (even if a little suggestive and lewd) about the plug and socket. I think I’ll leave the decision of whether the rashers and sunny side up is a better idea than the other, to my significant other… And just by the way they have more of the combo variety of outfit: there is the fork and spoon costume set, and a lot of other popular costume choices (you know Julius Caesar and so on?)

One of the Halloween features that I find so enjoyable is the fact that you can be as over the top as you want and this over-the-topness is easily achieved with some exaggerated facial hair of which I found a huge range here. For instance your basic Charlie Chaplain moustache and eyebrows or a similar combo harking back to Groucho Marx is just 6 dollars. For the same amount of money you can get come bushy beards and other stuff.

Buy costumes is a site that I found had much to offer.  They have costumes for teens, kids and adults, they have hats, wigs and masks, and they have party supplies, decorations and props, makeup and other accessories. And they have pet costumes as well, in case you were wondering! And you can shop as per your budget (under $10, under $20 and so on)

So Happy Halloween in advance all!

I kind of like mesh chairs, since they are breathable and remain comfortable even in hot weather. The Boss B6508 Mesh Office Chair is on offer for just $139 which is down from $220 and there is free shipping to boot. The arm height is 26.5” while the seat height is 18” which makes the arm rests high enough to give good support to my elbows while typing.

I am wondering if I should opt for an ergonomic option for my chair since these products are designed to fit the human form, movements and to cause the least amount of physical stress and discomfort. Not only are ergonomic products supposed to lower chances of injury, they are also supposed to enhance productivity.

The Respond 1.1 Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair struck me as a good deal because it is at a huge discount down from $463 list price to a sale price of just $229. Also there is free shipping to sweeten the deal. The design is supposed to meet or exceed BIFMA / ANSI standards, comes with a one touch pneumatic seat height control and a five position knee tilt position. It also has height arms and mesh back. Users have found this one very comfortable and have said that it offers firm support.

Another idea that I have been toying with is the kneeling chair – this is an ergonomically designed alternative to the regular chair without the seat back or back rest. The kneeling chair is supposed to be good for the posture and presumably if there is no back rest, you will sit up straight.

The Office Star Kneeling Chair with MEMORY Foam lets the user adjust the height of the knee pad or the distance from the seat, so it will fit properly. Sounds like a good deal at $95 (40% discount).

I don’t see myself using a kneeling chair all the time, so it may make sense only if I buy this in addition to a regular office chair; one of those above.

Now what a bride wears under her gown is as important as her gown, not only because of how the innerwear will make the dress look and how imperceptible it is beneath the wedding gown but also because of what follows the actual wedding. I thought that this lace chemise set with the top and its matching G-string was great for just $18, however I later realized that this is a wholesale price with a suggested retail price of $44.99 and up and that you have to order a minimum of 2 sets here.

This Silicone Demi Cup Strapless Extreme Lift Wedding/ Party Bra also is a good idea I thought especially since it is down to less than 18 dollars down from the list price of $35.

I find that wedding gowns are so often off the shoulder or strapless that it is best to go with some strapless innerwear for wedding gowns. This Carnival Creations Underwire Tuxedo Silhouette Maker Full Figure Corset is a useful acquisition not only because it is strapless but also because it is figure control, and hopefully gives even the curve challenged among us some Marilyn Monroe-esque rises and falls. You have to get minimum three though.

Lace top stockings under the lovely dress are a given and these sheer bridal lacetop stockings are also available for a 50% discount for just 9 dollars down from $19.

To get that gorgeous floor trailing, fantasy ball gown appearance, the bride has to have sufficient flouncy and bouncy petticoats beneath her wedding gown. This nylon floor length wedding petticoat is down from $19 to just 8.50, also at a more than 50 per cent discount.

This lace nightdress is the sort of thing she would like, pretty and enticing without being too revealing or over the top. In a gorgeous shade of purple, this one has bra support, adjustable shoulder straps and is made from viscose elastane. There is no discount on this one but at $38 for something that looks rather classy, I don’t think it’s a bad deal!

Wedding shopping can be such fun! Don’t you think?

Now ever since I saw and experienced one of these at some mall somewhere, it have coveted them and wanted them and desired what they could do for a pair of aching and suffering feet. It is a calf and foot massager that I speak so covetously of. Now this one massages your calves and feet, squeezing and vibrating like a pair of loving hands and feels wonderful! I can vouch for this. The intensity and the speed of the massage can be varied as one wants. I found that the foot and calf massager was cheapest on Amazon, where it was down from the list price of 300 dollars to just $163. A 46% discount always sounds good to me!

Something else that sounds wonderful is a neck & shoulder massager – just imagine what it can do for you after a hard day hunched over a PC! Now this shoulder and neck massager comes equipped not only with the usual massaging and vibrating options, it heats up to offer even more relief. This is not a very big or bulky object so it may make sense to take it to office and use it there too.

If you are not content with treating individual body parts to such massage treats, then you want one of these massage chairs – they can be heavenly I tell you – each part of the body is massaged and looked after and some of these chairs even have this wave like effect that undulates below your back that feels quite amazing!

There are plenty of options for a full body massage chair at next tag, some of which are basic; some which offer the works! Also some are refurbished because these whole body massage chairs can be prohibitively expensive – they cost about three thousand dollars and up. So pre-owned may be a good idea or one may well think it prudent to simply use the one at the gym!

This waterproof MP3 player I found is on sale at a 25% discount. Down from $80 it is now available for just 60 dollars. It fastens to a belt or a buckle with the help of its clip and the twist and lock earphones jack seals out water completely.  With a 6 to 8 hour play time, and weight of less than an ounce, this one has a visible multi colored LED mode control, which makes it a fairly desirable gadget in my view.

Now if you are an Apple fan (I confess I am a diehard iPod fan) you may want to look at this Waterproof iPod Shuffle 4^th generation.  Come rain, sweat or chlorinated water, this one promises to let you keep your music playing on. This one is down from the list price of 180 dollars and costs 160 dollars offering a modest 11% discount and clips to the goggles and has a 15 hour battery life and 2 GB memory. But be warned – the earphones are not included in the deal and you have to buy those separately.

Now supposing you already have a fine music player and for reasons best known to you (you may well have spent ages organizing your music and don’t want to undergo the hassle again, for instance) you don’t want another. Well in that case you can get yourself Waterproof iPod Case and Headphones Pack. The case protects your iPod against the water and still lets you operate your music player through the player. There is an aqua clip that acts as the closure system and it fits all MP3 players.

So you can buy a whole new system, or just the phones or the phones and water proof pack – take your pick!