Great Tips That will Save you Money

Plan meals ahead of time: When you try to shop without meal planning you buy at random without considering the price. We buy a lot of products then try to prepare our meals around what we buy.

Do not go shopping when you are hungry: If you go to the store when you are hungry, everything looks good and you over buy. In fact you will tend to buy cookies, ice cream and snacks which have a high price tag. If you shop on your way home from work you are usually tired, hungry, in a hurry, and make bad decisions. If you plan your shopping trip the night before and have a snack after work, you will save money and make wiser decisions.

Buy store brands: Store brands are cheaper and are usually produced by well known brand name companies.

Use coupons: Combining products that are on sale with a coupon can save you even more. Save the coupons on products you use even if you do not need them right away. Coupons may not expire for months.

Look for good deals while you shop: If you find a good deal buy extra. Keep it on your shelf until you need it. Buy one get one free can be a great deal but two things to watch out for here are over pricing and expiration dates.

Make out a grocery list and stick to it!

Don’t buy on impulse: Impulse shopping will drive your costs sky high. The only time you should buy impulsively is on great deals.

Try not to buy cleaning and paper products at the grocery store: Grocery stores usually over price these type of products. The place to save on these items is at discount stores.

Tips for Bringing Home Baby to Big Brother or Big Sister

Welcoming home a new baby is a thrilling experience for parents and siblings. However, siblings can start to feel left out when they see how much attention gets lavished on the new baby. Following is some useful information that will help avoid sibling rivalry.

During the pregnancy include the older children in making the necessary preparations for the new baby. Allow them to voice their opinions on things such as nursery décor or baby names. Encouraging their input makes them feel involved and important.

Take advantage of sibling preparation classes offered at some hospitals.

Let siblings know what to expect. Having Mom away in a hospital for two or three days can be scary for some children if they don’t expect it.

Talk with them about their role as a big sister or big brother. Refer to the new baby as “our baby”. Let them know how lucky the new baby is to have them as a brother or sister.

Tell them the new baby won’t be able to do much at first; so they won’t be expecting a playmate right away.

Take out the older child’s baby book and baby photos. Have the whole family spend some time reminiscing about their baby years. This will help to create a bond with the new baby because they will feel they have something in common.

Sometimes older children appear to regress when a new baby arrives. This childish behavior may be the result of feeling stress. Don’t shame them for this behavior. Be sure and praise their milestones such as learning to tie shoes or mastering a new lesson at school.
Having a new baby in the house usually creates a certain amount of stress for everyone. Mom and Dad can be very serious simply because they are losing precious sleep. Try and lighten the overall mood by being silly, telling jokes, or watching a funny movie. Laughter goes a long way toward making everyone feel better. Show your love for them too.

Enlist the help of grandparents. Grandparents are the perfect people to give extra attention to the older children when Mom and Dad are busy with the new baby. Grandparents can take the older children on special outings to movies, playgrounds, etc. Grandparents are generally glad to baby sit with the new baby while Mom, Dad and the older children have a much needed night out.

No matter how hectic things get, both Mom and Dad should set aside some one-on-one time for each older child.

Let the older child be involved in the new baby’s care as much as possible. Depending on their age they can assist with things like baths and dressing the baby. Let them pick out the outfit the new baby will wear to come home from the hospital.

The most important thing to remember is everyone especially older children need time to adjust to a new baby. A little patience and understanding is usually all it takes to help a sibling adjust to sharing Mom and Dad’s attention. For more things you should know about adding a new baby to your family click here.

Labor Day Travel Tips & Useful Information

According to AAA more than 34 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this Labor Day holiday. Most will travel by car; but about 5% will fly. Whether you are traveling by car or by plane this weekend, being prepared will make your trip more enjoyable. Following are some tips that will help you have a great time.

Helpful Hints for Hitting the Road

Before you leave check your car’s fluid levels and wipers. Also, it is very important to check out your tires for wear and proper tire pressure. Low tire pressure can cause a blow out and ruin a holiday getaway or worse. Don’t forget to check your spare, too. Plan your route. Knowing the roads and exits to take ahead of time helps avoid accidents. Take along a map even if you have GPS in case of a malfunction. Use Google Maps to print the map you need. Another good resource for maps is AAA. Leave early when there is less traffic on the road. Avoid rush hour if possible since this is when traffic is heaviest. Drive during the day when it’s safer because visibility is better. Also, you are less likely to encounter a drunk driver as they tend to be more prevalent at night. Stop when you get tired. Remember large trucks have blind spots. If you can’t see the truck driver in their mirror, then they can’t see you. Don’t cut in front of large trucks. Due to their size and weight, they take longer to stop. Be sure to lock your car every time you leave it, even it it’s just for a short rest stop. Returning to your car to find it or your belongings missing is sure to spoil your good time. Take along hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes and use them when you leave each public place. A small spray bottle filled with alcohol also works well. Follow use with moisturizer. Put together a do it yourself travel kit with books, magazines, travel games, puzzles, sticker books, video games, small toys, etc. for your passengers. Keeping the kids busy usually makes for a less stressful trip. Bringing snacks and drinks will decrease stops and save money.

Things You Should Know if Taking to the Air.

Get to the airport an hour and a half before your flight. Have your ticket, boarding pass, ID, etc. in hand when needed. Don’t over pack. Most airlines charge for extra bags or overweight bags. Don’t put valuables in your checked luggage. Always place these items in your carry on bag. Put at least one change of clothing in your carry on bag just in case your luggage is lost. Always carry on any medication you need. Be sure your carry on bag is within the airlines’ size limits. If it’s too large, you may be asked to check it when you board the planeRemember to drink fluids to stay hydrated while you are on the plane. Move around a bit if possible during your flight. Taking your MP3 player, portable DVD player, and your laptop computer along is a great way to pass the time if you have a long flight. Be sure to put these items in a padded laptop computer bag to protect them. Be prepared to take these out of the bag at security check points.
Attach a unique luggage tag on all your bags to help you identify them. A brightly colored ribbon tied onto the bag handle also works well. You will be glad you did when you are trying to locate your bags among the sea of bags at baggage claim

Whether driving or flying make a conscious effort to enjoy all aspects of the trip. Expect to wait. Be patient. Don’t let little hassles and your emotions ruin your getaway. Be polite and courteous to people you encounter along the way. Remember you catch a lot more flies with honey than vinegar.

Hubcaps and Gravy hopes this information is useful to you; and wishes everyone a safe and Happy Labor Day!

Surviving Diasters

Whether it’s a man-made or a natural disaster, we all need to be prepared. Emergency officials will provide relief;however, it could take hours or even days before they get to you. Having an emergency kit and plan is essential for survival. Following is very useful information to help you get prepared.

Get an emergency supply kit - You can purchase one or put together a do it yourself kit. Either way, here are some of the items your kit should include:

Water - one gallon per person per day for at least three days
Food – at least a three day supply of non-perishable food (don’t forget the can opener)
First Aid Kit - handbook, bandages, adhesive tape, sterile dressings, antiseptic towelettes, antibiotic ointment, burn ointment, sterile gloves, pain relievers, diarrhea medication, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, antacids, antihistamines, fever reducer, scissors, thermometer, tweezers, petroleum jelly, prescription medications you take regularly
Other items - flashlight and extra batteries, tools, maps, whistle, garbage bags, extra clothing, blankets, portable radio, cash

For more information on items you should have in your kit.

Make a plan for communicating - Your family may not be together when an emergency arises; so deciding how you will communicate with each other before hand is very important.

Identify an out-of-town contact - make sure every family member knows who to call and the phone number.
Plan a meeting place - discuss how you will get back together; and where you will try to meet, etc.
Determine emergency plans - ask about emergency procedures at places where your family may be when disaster strikes such as work, school, and daycare.

Read more tips for creating a plan.

One of the most important things you can do before the unexpected happens is be informed. Learn what types of emergencies are likely to occur in your area; and how you will be notified. Have a family discussion about what you will do in situations that may arise. Be sure each family member knows where your emergency kit is; and what they are to do when the worst happens. For more useful information on emergency preparedness go to Ready America.

Soul Mates Meet Online

Let me begin by saying that the women in my family are dreamers. Maybe we don’t dream any more than the average person; but we dream vivid stories that play out like movies in our minds with elaborate backdrops and great attention to detail. Some of us have recurring dreams. Some of us have dreams that are visions of the future. I don’t know if we possess psychic ability or if these dreams are some sort of out of body experience. Call it what you will. As for me, I’ve had both; and hardly a night goes by that I don’t have at least one dream. Most are quickly forgotten upon awaking; but on rare occasions I have had dreams that made such an impact on me, I can remember them even after the passage of many years.

When I was about 14 years old I had a dream that probably wasn’t unlike dreams that many other girls have at that age. So why did I remember it all these years? For most of the years I never knew the answer; but I feel I have it now. First, the dream…

I was sleeping over at a friend’s. Before bedtime nothing unusual happened. We made brownies, watched TV, gossiped, etc. Afterwards, we fell asleep wondering what great fun we would have the next day. As dreams often do, it occurred just before I woke up. It was so real I could feel it. I don’t mean I could imagine feeling it; I mean I COULD FEEL IT! I was in my friend’s den. I don’t know what I was doing there. I was just there. Then he came in…tall, reddish blonde curly hair, blue eyes, just a hint of freckles. He wasn’t my ideal, not drop dead gorgeous; but there was something…something I couldn’t put my finger on. He didn’t speak; and neither did I. Music was playing from somewhere out of the woodwork. So we just started dancing…slow dancing…standing oh so close to each other. It is important to note that I had never slow danced with a boy before. Somehow in my dream, I knew exactly what I was doing…or maybe he did. He sure seemed like he did. He didn’t appear to be much older than me, but he seemed worldly. He seemed to know me; but I didn’t know him. I had never seen him before. Even so, he was familiar. We just kept dancing, holding each other close. There still weren’t any words, but it didn’t matter. It felt so good…so right…like I could stay there forever. And then...and then…it happened. He looked tenderly at me. He lowered his head. His lips touched mine. They were so soft, so tender. He was kissing me. What? A kiss? NO! THE KISS! A kiss like no other. I felt like I was melting. Again, I emphasize the word “felt” because I COULD FEEL IT! There was so much in that kiss…so much love…so much promise. Then, it was over. Not the kiss, the dream. I was awake. I desperately wanted to go back to sleep. I didn’t want to lose him, to lose that feeling. I couldn’t close my eyes for thinking about the dream, for thinking about HIM. I had never kissed a boy, but from that moment on I knew what it would…no, I knew what it SHOULD feel like. To this day, I can still feel that kiss. After all, it was my first.

In all the years since I had that dream; I have only shared it with a few people. I guess I always knew it was somehow important; but it really didn’t enter my life on an everyday basis. I would recall it once in a while when something would trigger the memory. I would remember fondly; and once again wonder who HE was. Then life’s realities would take him away again. As the years went by I recalled the dream less and less; but I never forgot.

The dream was far from my mind when I met Bruce. Met is a relevant word here. We “met” online, in a chat room to be exact. He made me laugh; and there was something about him. There was an immediate connection like two pieces of a puzzle that you’ve been looking for, something I detected based solely on our conversations. We didn’t exchange photos right away. In fact, it didn’t even come up in conversation. We were happy just talking or typing, actually; and that is how our relationship began. We would meet in the chat room or instant message each other or exchange emails. We talked and laughed and joked about everything. We got to know each other, probably better than most people who are dating do. I thought we would never meet face-to-face as he was so far away from Tennessee. California…isn’t that a foreign country? He said “never say never”. This was how it went for a few months. Then he asked if he could call me. I didn’t have to think about it too hard because I wanted him to call me. I wanted to hear the voice that went with all those typed conversations. I gave him my number; and he called that night. We talked for hours…until the next day…until his ear fell off. I still remember that phone call. I don’t remember another time in my life when I’ve laughed so hard or had more fun than I did then.

Ok, so he called. In the light of the next day, I began to wonder what “never say never” meant. We still chatted online. We still exchanged emails. He called every few days. Soon, it was time. I wasn’t expecting it. I was checking email as usual; and there it was. An email with his photo attached. I wondered briefly if I should look at it….very briefly, that is. Then, I did. I just sat there staring at the reddish blonde curly hair and the blue eyes I had seen before; and I COULD FEEL IT! The dancing, the lips, the kiss, the melting…it all came back like being wrapped in a warm blanket when you’ve just come in from the freezing cold…comforting…just what you need.

NOW, I knew. I knew why I had the dream, why it had always seemed so important, why I met Bruce by chance in a chat room out of millions and millions of people in the online world, why I felt the connection immediately. I knew he was THE ONE. The one who makes me complete, makes me be a better me. The one I’m supposed to spend my life with. The one I love with every fiber of my being. Mo Anam Cara (My soul mate). Not everyone is as lucky as me. I had a road map in the form of a dream to lead me to the love of my life. I don’t know if I could have done anything differently to find Bruce sooner. I don’t think so. As they say, timing is everything. So here I am, in that foreign country called California married to the red-headed stranger; and I CAN STILL FEEL IT!

Copyright © 2010 Denise Shea - All Rights Reserved

Things You Should Know About Pet Doors

If you have indoor/outdoor pets you know that they always want to go in or out at the most inopportune times. A fix for this problem is to install a pet door. Although the burden of letting your pet in and out of the door is alleviated, other problems will arise. Before buying and installing a pet door you should know a few facts.

First, you need a hole in your door. If you don’t have the tools to do this yourself, you will have to hire someone or get help from a friend to install the door. If you decide later you don't want the pet door anymore, you will have to replace your door at a big expense.

Secondly, the flap that covers the opening, gives some pets trouble. Some pets will not go through with the flap down. Removing the flap allows easy access for bugs and creepy crawlers to invade your home. Additionally, if the flap remains on the door the wind may cause it to flap back and forth and be noisy.

Then, there are the party animals. With a pet door there isn’t much you can do when your pet invites other pets in the neighborhood over to party. Uninvited visitors will be eating your food, drinking and carrying on. Beware of party crashers like raccoons, possums, or skunks. They see a pet door as an open invitation to your home.

There are options available that may help like electromagnetic or infrared collars for all your pets. The idea is that a special collar will automatically unlock the pet door so your pet may enter. Any creature without a collar would not be able to unlock and enter the door. Some problems associated with this option are collars being lost, pets becoming entangled by their collar, and additional expense for replacements and batteries. Before you buy this type of pet door, be sure the loss of a collar does not mean you will have to replace the entire set (door and collar).

Having a pet door can be beneficial; but there are many things to consider before you buy. Know the facts before you install.

A Guide to Safer Internet Shopping

How do you know when a website is trustworthy? What can you look for to help determine a website's credibility? Here are some tips and things you should know:

•Look toward the bottom of the page; and see what is there. Usually, websites put their policies and trust seals at the bottom of the page in the footer area. Are there any links to their policies? Are there any trust seals anywhere on the page? This is where you can start to find information to build trust. No trust seals, No trust!

•Click on a trust seal to see what they have to say. Examples include VeriSign, McAfee, Go Daddy, etc. Does it tell about encryption? Does it name the site you are looking at or the website host? Is it actually a link to information? Just having the image on the page isn’t good enough!

•Do they have an accreditation seal such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB)? If it is a BBB seal click on it. The BBB has information about the company and a grade. The company has to adhere to the BBB’s code of business practices to keep their accreditation.

•Look at their privacy and security policies. BBB members have to adhere to and post strict polices to keep their accreditation.

•Do they use PayPal for payment? PayPal has a very good service for your protection. You can have an account with them so you are not always giving out your credit card information. At Hubcaps and Gravy you can use Paypal with your card; and we do not have access to your credit card information!

•Is there contact information on the site including address, email address and phone number?

•At the checkout page, look at the URL. Does it start with HTTPS? The “S” means your information is encrypted and secure.

•Don’t be influenced by fancy bells and whistles of any website. Check Them Out!