Keep a Small Flashlight Handy

The great thing about small flashlights is that you can conveniently store them around the house. You can keep Mini Mag Flashlights in key areas of your home such as the living room, kitchen, bedrooms, study room, and the garage. Keep small flashlights in places that are easily accessible to the members of the household. Make sure you take a mental note of the places where you kept the mini mag flashlights. Inform the people in the house where those flashlights are located so that they can get them when the need arises. In case of unexpected power failures and emergencies, anyone in the house can get the flashlights and use them to light their way around the house. Don’t forget to keep extra fresh batteries for your flashlights.

It is also advisable to bring a small flashlight with you all the time. You’ll never know when it can come in handy. Emergencies happen when you least expect it. A mini mag flashlight in your bag can be used for safety measures. Take note that a flashlight is not only designed for emergencies. It can also be used for regular activities such as jogging or walking at night.

Keep a mini mag flashlight inside your vehicle at all times. In case you experience car trouble on the road, you can use the flashlight to check the engine or underneath your vehicle. You can also use the flashlight to signal for help at night.

A small flashlight is considered as an essential tool when you engage in outdoor activities such as hiking and camping. When you’re out in the wilderness, you can use the flashlight to see your way through at night.

Tips for a Successful Retail Store

The success of a retail store depends on the how well certain factors work together. Here are some tips in operating and managing your own retail store:

1. Quality products – If you sell quality products, there is a great chance that customers will come back to your store to make a repeat purchase. Loyal customers are drawn to stores that they can trust. You can also get referrals from satisfied customers. Ask yourself this question, if you were a customer, would you buy your own products? If the answer is no, then it’s time to consider changing your product lines.

2. Clean and organized store – Keep your store clean at all times. Over-all store cleanliness is a good indication that the store’s products are well maintained. Use essential Retail Store Supplies to organize store merchandise for the convenience of shoppers. For example, if your store sells T-shirts and sweaters, you can use folding boards to fold and refold top garments with ease. Use color coded hangers to distinguish different garments. For example, use blue hangers for the male section and pink ones for the female section. Provide garment bags and covers for delicate and more expensive pieces. Keep display garments looking new and fresh by using garment steamer.

3. Quality customer service – It is easier to sell products when the store has friendly and knowledgeable staff. Train your staff to be easily approachable and courteous to clients. The staff should also be ready to assist and answer possible product-related questions of customers.

Factors In Choosing An Apartment

Are you looking for an apartment? I would like to share some friendly reminders to consider when looking for an apartment to rent:

• Condition of the Apartment - Take a walk around the apartment. Inspect areas that need immediate repairs, repainting, etc. Make sure you check all the rooms. Remember that safety is very important. Ask someone who knows about wiring to check the apartment. Try to find out if the apartment conforms to safety regulations (example: presence of fire exit).
  

• Cleanliness - Check for signs of possible pest problem. You would not want to make the mistake of renting a place infested with cockroaches or worse rats.

• Size - It's always advisable to find a place ideal for the number of people who are going to live in it. Overcrowding is never a good idea.
  

• Parking - This is a big consideration if you own a car. It is better to rent apartments that include safe parking areas.

• Security - Renting a place that provides security is a great disadvantage. Take note that this feature often means higher rental fees.
  

• Proximity to Important Places - It is preferable to find a place that has access to nearby market, school (especially for those who have kids) and hospital. It is a big advantage to live near your work place.
  

Take note that finding the ideal apartment may take time. Avoid being impulsive. Don't be too excited to rent the first apartment you visit. It is good to have some choices. When you find a few apartments interesting, you can compare them to find the one that suits you the most.

How To Give Your Dog a Proper Bath

I feel tired after giving my dog, Bruno a bath earlier this afternoon. I took time brushing his fur before the actual bath. He does not exactly like getting wet and the shampooing part but he is very behave the whole time. He loves being toweled dry.

I like it every time Bruno gently nips the end of the towel when I pat him dry as if he wants to start a little tug of war. After Bruno's bath, I went to the bathroom to take one myself. During my own bath, I was inspired to write this post. :)

Bruno, after today's mid-afternoon bath.

I would like to share some tips on how to give your dog a proper bath:

1. Prepare your dog's bath things (bath towel, dog soap or shampoo, comb or brush, cotton balls and cotton buds). It is advisable to use bath products specially formulated for dogs. Human bath products are not suitable for dogs.

2. Brush your dog's fur in order to remove loose hair. A Labrador has short hair so I did not have a hard time combing Bruno's fur. If you have a long haired dog, make sure you brush your dog's hair thoroughly. Gently loosen tangles.

3. Protect your dog's ears. Loosely put cotton balls on the ears to block water, soap and shampoo from coming in. Make sure the cotton balls are not too small to avoid getting them stuck deep inside the ears.

4. It is advisable to give your dog a bath during the warm part of the day (usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.). If you live in a cold climate country, you can use warm water for your dog's bath.

5. Wet the dog's body first from the neck to the back. Avoid the head for now.

6. Put a small amount of shampoo (you have the option to use soap) on your dog (amount of shampoo may vary depending on the size of the body) and gently work to a lather starting from the neck until the tail. Don't forget the belly, spaces between the front and hind legs, groin and spaces between the toes.

7. Now it's time to wet the head. When pouring water on the head, gently hold your dog's head down. You can position your hand over the eyes to protect them from the water pressure. If your dog has exposed ears, be extra careful when pouring water. If you are using a water hose, adjust the level of pressure (if possible) to its mildest or most gentle level.

8. Put a very small amount of shampoo and gently rub it on the head, outer ears, and muzzle. Be very careful to avoid the eyes.

9. Carefully but thoroughly rinse the head and the whole body. Make sure you rinse out all traces of shampoo or soap. Residue might result to itchiness and skin problems.

10. Remove the cotton balls from your dog's ears.

11. Towel your dog dry. Don't forget to gently clean the outer part of the ears. If you have a long haired dog, you have the option to use a hair dryer.

12. Gently comb or brush your dog's hair.

13. Use cotton buds (you can wet the buds with a little baby oil) and gently clean the ears. Be reminded not to probe deep into the ears to avoid infection.

14. Pat your dog on the head and praise your dog for being good during the bath. A little treat would be nice too. :)


** Tips above are based on how I give my own dog (Labrador Retriever) a bath. I acknowledge that some dogs may require more attention. **

Yuletide Road Safety

I hope you're all enjoying the long and extended Christmas break. I'm sure many of you are always out on the road. I want to take this opportunity to remind you about road safety this Yuletide season. It's okay to have fun but remember to prioritize your safety especially when you're out driving.

Here are some friendly reminders:

1. Always wear your seat belt whether you're going to take a short or long trip.

2. Be alert while you're driving. Pay attention to Traffic Control Devices and cones
on the road.

3. Do not use your cellphone while driving. If you have to send an important SMS or take a call, pull over to the side first.

4. Follow road signs and traffic rules. Remember that every road sign is there for a purpose. Don't take them for granted.

5. Bring Personal Safety Products especially flashlights. They will come in handy especially during emergency situations.

6. Be extra careful when driving at night. Always keep your eyes on the road. Watch out for crossing pedestrians.

7. If there is an on-going construction on the road, look for Vehicular Warning Lights to guide you along the way. Those warning lights will help you avoid potentially dangerous areas.

Have a safe Yuletide season everyone!

Earn A Little Extra Cash

What do you love doing? Is there something you're particularly good at? Why not make the most of your free time earning extra money out of things you enjoy doing? Think about it and start earning some extra cash. You might find one of the suggestions below interesting.

• Make use of your love for photography by taking photos of special events. Start with small events like kiddie parties.
  

• If you have a great fashion sense and love shopping, you can apply as a personal shopper.
  

• Offer tutoring jobs on a subject you excel in (e.g. history, algebra, trigonometry, chemistry, etc.)

• If you love animals, like dogs for example, you can apply for a part time job at the groomer's. You can also "baby sit" the dog of a friend who will be going on a trip.
  

• Are you good in drawing or painting? Then you can consider giving weekend art classes to a group of kids.
  

• Organize a special event (e.g. birthday parties, weddings, anniversary parties) for relatives and friends.
  

• If you love writing, why not try some Freelance Writing on the side. If you're interested, you can check out available Job For Writers online. There are many Freelance Writing Opportunities that you might find interesting.

How To Get Much Needed Cash For the Holiday Season

Christmas is just around the corner. I'm sure many of you are thinking of ways on how to earn some cash for the coming holidays. Extra revenue will mean more money for Christmas shopping. :)

Here are some suggestions that might help generate much needed cash for the Christmas season.

• Put Up A Yard/Garage Sale - Look for old, slightly used things at home that can be put up in a yard/garage sale. Examples of items that you can sell are: used clothes, old shoes, old books, used toys, old furniture, etc. A yard/garage sale yields two favorable results. First, you can earn money by selling things that you don't need. Second, you end up de-cluttering your house.

• Sell Things on eBay - Just in case you don't have space at home for a garage or yard sale, you can try selling things on e-bay. You can sell both new and used items online.

• Sell Baked Goodies - If you love baking, you can make some money by selling baked goodies like pastries, cookies, cakes, cupcakes, tarts, macaroons, and more. You can put your goodies in Christmas decorated boxes or tin cans.
  

• Make Personalized Cards - Do you like creating and printing personalized cards for family and friends? If you do, you can earn by creating personalized cards for other people. Put up a sign at home or spread the word about your card making business and start accepting orders.
  

• Offer Painting Services - If you know a relative, friend or colleague who is having a house built or renovated, you can ask to help out with the painting job. Time to grab that paint roller brush and start earning extra money.

• Offer Photography Services - If you love taking photos, why not earn money out of your hobby? Have fun taking snapshots and earn at the same time.

• Start Tutorial Services - Are good in a particular subject like Math, Science or English? You can share your knowledge and experience by tutoring a child.

• Baby Sitting - During your free time, you can offer to baby sit a child of a relative or friend.
  

• Apply for cash loans online. It's easy, fast, and convenient. You don't have to worry about prepayment and application fees when acquiring personal loans. You can simply make one easy payment, which will be automatically withdrawn from your bank on an agreed upon date.

Practical Tips About Fuel Efficiency

The looming global economic crisis calls for money saving efforts. One way of saving money is by practicing fuel efficiency methods. Here are some basic and practical tips on how to save on fuel:

1. Regularly monitor tire pressure. Make it a point to check if your tires are properly inflated.

2. Avoid making abrupt acceleration and sudden stops.

3. Check your air filter. Change it if it becomes dirty.

4. Make sure your fuel filter is clean to maximize performance.

5. Have your car tuned up regularly to improve gas mileage.

6. Perform routine car check ups to determine if there are any problems.

6. Maintain average speed limit. Drive smoothly.

7. During cool weather, turn off your car's air conditioning and roll down the windows.

8. Avoid overloading your car with passengers and unimportant things.

9. Try to avoid heavy traffic. Keep posted on traffic updates.

10. Avoid tailgating. It's always wise to maintain a safe distance between other vehicles.

11. Invest on fuel efficient cars. There are many fuel efficient cars in the market today. If you happen to be looking for a high end fuel efficient car, you might want to learn about the latest in the auto industry. Mercedes-Benz is proud of their new BlueTEC engine. Mercedes-Benz BlueTEC happens to be the cleanest diesel engine in the world.

Frugal Spending

Everything seems so expensive nowadays. Have you noticed that your usual budget cannot purchase the same amount of things you're used to buying? The prices of many goods and services have increased. If you're worried that your budget has been affected by the price increases, then perhaps it's about time you change your spending behavior. Learn how to stretch your budget as much as you can.

Here are some random tips on how to save and stretch your budget:

1. Make a list of important things you need at the grocery. When you're there, make it a point to buy only what you have written down. Avoid make unnecessary purchases.

2. Avoid impulsive shopping. If you don't need a new pair of shoes or bag, then don't buy it just because you find it appealing to your taste. There are more important things that you can spend your money on.

3. Review your monthly bills (e.g. telephone, electricity, water, etc.) . Find out where you can cut down on consumption.

4. Watch out for sales. The Christmas holiday is just around the corner and there are a lot of mall sales that you can take advantage of.

5. If you need to buy something specific like eyeglasses, make sure you canvass around to find the best deal.

Keep Your Tires Well-Maintained

Every tire is an important part of the car. It is vital to keep your tires well-maintained to avoid road accidents. Properly maintained tires can also save you money because the tires can last longer and help give the car better mileage.

Tires are bought because of its function but many people also consider its aesthetic side. Some people even invest on Custom Wheels. You might be surprised by the different kinds of wheels in various sizes, colors and designs.

Here are some general tips on how to take care of your car tires:

1. It is important to maintain proper air pressure in your tires. It will help your car run smoother.

2. It is advisable to rotate your tires about every six months in order to 'balance' the amount of wear on each tire.

3. Periodically check your tires for signs of cuts and cracks. A small crack can be dangerous and lead to accidents. Bring your car to a trusted vulcanizing shop to have the small cuts or cracks fixed.

4. Replace a tire once it is worn out or if it has significant cuts or cracks. Prioritize your safety on the road. Remember to have it properly aligned at the tire shop.

** Courtesy of Wheel Fire **

Frugal Christmas Tips

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year. You don't have to spend too much in order to have a memorable Christmas season. Don't be caught up with the glitter and glam of the holiday season by spending more than you can afford. Make a budget and stick to it.

Here are some tips to help you save on Christmas gifts:

1. People appreciate gifts with personal touch. Consider making your own personalized gifts. For example, if you're good at cross stitch, you can give someone special a framed cross stitch work. How about a lovely quilt or a knitted sweater? If your are good in art, a painting or a sketch would make a wonderful present.

2. Family and very close friends will appreciate gifts involving your time and service. You can print a nice certificate entitling the person a specific service like a foot spa or a massage. Another nice idea would be doing chores as gifts like mowing grass and gardening.

3. Save on wrapping materials. You can make your own wrapping paper using inexpensive materials. You can use cheap brown paper which you can liven up with some art work. Or you can use colored magazines and add a personalized gift tag.

4. Give inexpensive but quality gifts like replica timepieces. These Fake watches are of high quality and functionality at the fraction of the original cost.

** Courtesy of Cool-Watches.com **

Plastic vs Glass Measuring Cup

Do you use a plastic or glass measuring cup when it comes to cooking? Glass measuring cups are more reliable compared to plastic ones because the latter can become deformed due to heat. Sometimes the deformity of the cup is too unnoticeable but it can have a big effect on the ingredient that you are measuring. Quality glass measuring cups can withstand extreme heat and cold.