The tough go shopping......spending money seems to have so many ways of
helping matters it seems. Who said money does not buy happiness?
Nobody has answered that question yet that I know of but I can give you
my outlook if you would like? Assuming your OK with it, let me
just start by asking a few questions...1.your being kicked out of you
home for nonpayment of rent...would money buy happiness?...2.your kids
are just chomping at the bit to go see a new movie....would money buy
happiness?....3. you don't have any nice clothes to wear to the class
reunion...would money buy happiness? of course it would...sure
it's just for the moment and looking deeper - short-term happiness is
not the same. It sure does help though. Say you put a bunch
of happy minutes together, well you get a happy hour. Join the happy
hours and you have happy days and so forth and so on. Eventually
you will be happy all the time, if you had enough money!
That brings us to what our Web Site is all about...shopping and Money!
I could get into statistics and averages and lots of facts but the cold
hard truth is that the majority of the people in the world do not have
enough money. Shopping of course needs to be done....either
way....and most do it on limited funds. Hey even if the sky is the
limit, using it to the best of your ability so that you save every
chance you get and get the best deal available, will guaranty that you
do not reach the sky.
Here is a quick
penny for your thoughts:
Let me start off with the good old fashioned,
original good deal. The coupon! We all know that coupons can be
misleading and at often times tend to cost you money. That's why you
need to look for the 'no strings attached" type coupons and stay away from
the ones that want you to agree to anything other then saving money.
Below are great places to go for coupons of every shape and size. And check out the
green tips for saving
money...
This site offers printable coupons, online
coupons, trial offers, and special daily savings opportunities. Leading
national manufacturers have been using CoolSavings since February 1997.
Enjoy great coupon savings from the blue envelope for restaurants,
entertainment, shopping and much more in your neighborhood.
You will spend less on food if you shop with a list,
take advantage of sales, and purchase basic ingredients, rather than
pre-packaged components or ready-made items.
Join Eversave for FREE and get brand name coupons
for the products you use every day and more great savings.
A vehicle that gets 30 MPG will cost you $663
less to fuel each year than one that gets 20 MPG (assuming 15,000 miles
of driving annually and a fuel cost of $2.65).
Over a period of 5 years, the 30 MPG vehicle
will save you $3,313.
Since pharmacies may charge widely different prices
for the same medicine, call several. When taking a drug for a long time,
also consider calling mail-order pharmacies, which often charge lower
prices.
The popular Entertainment® book and its industry leading Web site,
Entertainment.com. These products comprise a membership savings package that
offers consumers 50% savings on the things they do every day - from dining
out to movies to grocery shopping to car repairs - and up to 70% off at more
than 10,000 hotels worldwide. Millions of memberships are sold annually.
www.Frugalsavers.com
Online Shopping Specialist
Dedicated to Saving You Money Without Compromising Quality
Consult Consumer Reports, available in most public
libraries, for information about specific appliance
brands
and models and how to evaluate them, including energy use. There are
often great price and quality differences. Look for the yellow Energy
Guide label on products, and especially for products that have earned
the government's
ENERGY STAR®,
which can save up to 50% in energy use.
Save money with
online coupons or coupon codes from Coupon Craze! With
an online coupon code from Coupon Craze, you can always get a great
deal. Our online coupons and online coupon codes save you tons of
money with shipping and purchase price discounts at hundreds of
popular online stores and best of all, it's FREE! So, why pay full
price? Just use FREE ONLINE COUPONS AND COUPON CODES from Coupon
Craze!
In addition to using coupons, try to buy
only the "loss leader" specials (those big sales advertised in the
newspaper ad). Buy lots of these items and freeze or store for the
future.
Join
MyPointsand
get paid for visiting sites, joining offers, referring your friends and
even online shopping.
Service and clean your gas or oil furnace at
least once a year and change or clean furnace filters once a month
during the season to help it run more efficiently. Making sure your
furnace is lubricated and properly adjusted will save another five
percent on your heating bill. And bundle your water heater with a
blanket to help insulate it.
Here's another
rewards site
that pays you up to $250 cash if you sign up for several of their deals.
It's only a good deal if you were going to sign up for their deals
anyway.
Save money by taking your lunch to work every
day! Make meals in bulk and then freeze them in smaller portions to save
even more money.
Storm
windows can reduce heat loss by 25 to 50 percent.
Receive $75 in driving credit for new members
Join Zipcar now and get $75 in free driving. Zipcars are
conveniently parked all over the city. Drive them by the hour or day.
Reserve online at zipcar.com, walk to the car, let yourself in with
your Zipcard and drive away. Gas, parking and insurance are included!
The following are some genuine, made for saving
money, honest to goodness type places that's purpose is to save you
money. They are the outlet stores, dollar stores, savings (sams?)clubs
or just a company that will show you the best deal because thats what
they do. We are talking about going out and getting the exact thing that
is being sold for $Xxx amount and being able to purchase that item for
sometimes up to 75% off the going price! You know, like a Pic N
Save or TJ Maxx. We are talking about the same exact to the letter
item......at a price that is much much less! You will also find
some special internet sites that take you to the heart of your savings
and deals locally! Find out just who is selling what and for how
much!
Overstock.com guarantees that their prices are the lowest you'll find
anywhere online. You'll know you're receiving the best deals available
on thousands of quality products. And if you happen to find a better
online price out there, and meet the qualifications, they will give you
the difference. Redeem up to $500 in store credit on any future
purchases at Overstock.com!
At PriceGrabber.com, savvy shoppers can instantly find and compare
millions of unique products and services contained in 19 channels, such
as Clothing, Babies & Kids, Books & Magazines, Cell Phones, Plans &
Accessories, Computers, Home & Garden and Cameras. The website also
offers shoppers the ability to view and compare over thousands of
merchants and sellers and their respective pricing information for
products and services, thereby enabling users to ultimately find the
right product from the right merchant at the best price. The Company
connects its online shoppers to merchants and sellers of all sizes and
scope, from large traditional merchants, such as Best Buy, Office Depot
and Walmart, to smaller local merchants and individuals through
PriceGrabber Storefronts.
ShopLocal™ offers consumers and retailers a comprehensive
marketplace for multi-channel shopping and advertising.
With ShopLocal.com™ (www.ShopLocal.com)
and The ShopLocal Network – made up of more than 200 affiliate
media, search and shopping sites – consumers have access to the
only source of information on products from local stores
side-by-side with online options. According to comScore,
ShopLocal.com is one of the most visited comparison shopping
properties on the Internet.
411Insurance.org
has been created and exists to serve as a single stop web resource for
Internet users interested in finding quality information related to
Insurance.
The
best deals possible!
The buying power of Carphone combined with our efficient online sales
channel enables us to offer simple stunning deals, giving you the unique
combination of "HIGH STREET VALUES at INTERNET PRICES".
Godaddy.com
- .com domain registration and renewals for $7 (
A promotion of .com domain renewals and new registrations is back at $7
per year. While not the best price for .com domains around, it is
probably the best overall value. The Godaddy site bombards you with ads
during checkout, but otherwise their interface is very well built with
free managed DNS per domain and telephone 24/7 support.
Some other registrars will pricematch Godaddy's price. If you have
several domains at another registrar that has excellent customer service
but has prices more than twice that of Godaddy's, such as Network
Solutions and Dotster, try calling their customer service department and
see if they are interested in matching Godaddy's price. Most of the time
they will match the competitor's rate rather than seeing your business
move elsewhere.
Classiccloseouts.com
- prices so low they are practically giving it away! And
they really are good prices for clothes and accessories and also home
decor, beddings, health and beauty, you name it!
d the best car lease deals with the lowest
monthly payments, and no down payment. Here's where and how!
We
offer a low price guarantee on Postcards, Business Cards, Brochures, and
Folders.
The Knowledge, attitudes, and skill that
children acquire concerning money come from a variety of sources.
The most important is the family. What is learned at home is
reinforced, weakened, or changed by the influence of friends, other
adults outside the home, and pressures in the social world at large.
Children have become important consumers. They have more control
over more money at an earlier age than ever before. Business knows
this full well. Modern advertising regards children and teenagers
as major targets.
You probably want your children to have
several important principles:
1.
Spend wisely in such a way as to get full enjoyment and satisfaction.
2.
Save for future purchases
3.
Understand credit and how to use it well.
4.
Have experience in earning money for their own use.
5.
Be able and willing to share within the family, friends and others less
fortunate.
Money is valuable as a tool in reaching goals
not as a goal in itself. If adults overemphasize the importance of
money, we need not be surprised when children also do so. On the
other hand when adults in the company of children can enjoy some of the
many fine things in the world that require no spending of money and can
consistently meet children's needs for affection and companionship, they
are well on the way toward teaching the proper place that material
possessions should have.
Money gives
people - both young and older - decision-making opportunities. Everyday
spending decisions can have a far greater negative impact on your
children's financial future (and yours also) than any investment
decisions they (or you) may ever make. Educating, motivating and
empowering your children to become regular savers and investors will
enable them to keep more of the money they earn and do more with the
money they keep!
Here's a thought:
"Why didn't anyone teach me how to save and invest
when I was young?"
If you have ever asked this
question, you're not alone. Less than 10% of all high school
graduates learn about money in school and even less learn about it
at home. This is because parents often don't know the information
themselves or simply don't have the tools to teach their kids about
money. If you click on the children and savings below you will
find one very easy way to help that's easy and a tool!
Our
kids are growing up into a lifestyle of debt-a lifestyle that will
not lead to financial success! At the end of the first quarter
of 2005, the total interest-bearing debts in the US had piled up to
$37.3 TRILLION! And on average, Americans only save 1%.
These guys are great help for teaching the kids...check it out:
Be consistent. Set a day to give the allowance. Agree upon
the amount and the limits for spending. Try an allowance
contract that both child and parent(s) sign.
Children need to be able to spend some money however they
wish. They need to practice making their own decisions.
Don't come to the rescue every time your child runs out of
money. If your child is ever going to learn how to manage money,
s/he must face the consequences of their own spending mistakes.
Money is not generally effective as a reward or punishment.
Children who are given money for things like good grades,
thoughtfulness, or helping at home learn to put a monetary value
on character and achievement. Positive behavior can be
reinforced in other ways. A special outing together or an
expression of appreciation for a job well done often means more
to children than a financial bonus.
The purpose of an allowance is to begin to shift some of the
responsibility for goal setting, planning, implementing plans,
and making choices for your child. A small investment of time
and energy while the child is young can have big payoffs later.
Guide and advise your children's money decisions rather than
direct and dictate. Encourage and praise rather than criticize
and rebuke. Doing so will help develop confidence in their own
ability.
Remember that your children will differ. Respect their
individuality. Avoid making comparisons with siblings or other
children.
Be patient. It takes children time to learn to manage money
and develop financial responsibility. Frequent references to
their mistakes should be avoided; they usually are already aware
of them. Overreacting to mistakes with money leads children to
believe that money is more important than it should be.
The typical advice is either $1 per week for each year of age,
or 50 cents per week for each year of age — though neither of
these rules are of much help.
The Yankelovich survey indicates the following results for
ranges of allowance amounts paid:
42% receive nothing
8% receive less than $5 per week
19% receive $5 to $9 per week
17% receive $10 to $19 per week
9% receive $20 to $49 per week
1% receive $50 or more per week
This indicates that for more than half of those children who
report getting an allowance, the going rate is $5 to $19 per
week
It is important that parents know how to help children understand and
master money management skills. It is equally important that parents
provide positive learning experiences as the child grows. Parents who
want to help children learn about money should consult books, magazines
and other publications for information. Knowing what experts and others
recommend will increase their knowledge and confidence.
Financial Facts of
Life
Children and teenagers earn, save, spend, and borrow billions of
dollars each year in the marketplace. They have more money to spend
than previous generations and develop spending patterns at a younger
age. Children's attitudes about money are most influenced by their
parents, the media, their peers, and their own successes and failures in
spending money. The buying habits of children and teenagers are
learning experiences. Their money management skills will develop from
the ideas, attitudes, and spending habits they learn at home, school,
and in the marketplace. Those who learn good money management skills
are more likely to become adults who can make sound financial decisions,
avoid excessive debt, and manage income and expenses to reach their
financial goals.
Parental
Responsibility
Parents can help children become effective money managers and
responsible buyers by teaching them money management skills from an
early age. Financial education should be based on the needs, interests
and abilities of each child. The following guidelines may be helpful
for parents:
Under 5. Around age 3. You can start talking to your children
about money. Use a piggy bank to teach how to identify and count coins
and cash. Between 4 and 5, you can explain the importance of good
savings habits. Help them learn that saving for a specific item and
then buying it gives great satisfaction. Take your child to the store
to actually see a toy he or she saw advertised. Together, examine the
toy and decide if it can really live up to the promises made in the
commercial. Children at this age are quite aware of commercials and
sing the jingles they hear on the television and radio. Begin talking
with them about the financial realities of the family and how choices
are made.
Ages 5 to 10. When children start school is a good time to
give an allowance and open a savings account. You can teach them to
plan the use of their money, whether from allowances or money gifts.
You can also suggest that they can earn extra money by doing additional
household jobs. When children begin spending money you can help them
analyze their decision making. They will learn that there are
consequences when we make poor decisions and that it is important to
prioritize needs and wants.
Ages 11-14. When children enter adolescence they are
concerned about what their friends are doing and buying. Consequently,
they tend to adopt the spending patterns of their peers. It is a good
time to demonstrate the importance of comparison shopping when you buy
goods and services. During this time many teens find jobs such as
baby-sitting, lawn mowing or snow shoveling. They can save the money
they earn or spend it for extras such as clothing, accessories, and
CDs. It is important that they have control of their money because
their financial successes and failures will become valuable learning
experiences.
Ages 15-18. These are difficult years when teens are trying
to become independent but are still financially dependent on their
parents. This is the time to seriously discuss savings for long-term
goals such as college or a car. To obtain these goals many teens have
part-time jobs such as fast-food restaurant workers, salesclerks, or
cashiers. During their senior year in high school, some students obtain
a checking account and/or a credit card to be used in college.
Money Management
Skills
Researchers who track spending patterns report that children and
teenagers spend about $200 billion dollars a year and influence another
$250 billion dollars of household purchases. Parents can help their
children develop positive attitudes about money. Children can learn how
to plan their spending to meet needs and financial goals. The
first-hand experiences that children have in managing money provide
valuable learning. When a parent is too quick to bail a child out of
financial trouble, the child does not learn the consequences of over
spending.
Young people who have money management skills are more likely to be
able to handle adult financial decisions such as purchasing insurance,
using credit wisely, paying taxes, investing and saving for retirement
plans. Parents and teachers who encourage good financial skills are
helping young people avoid potential financial problems as adults.
JUST A FEW ITEMS ON MY WISH LIST AND MAYBE YOURS
TOO......YOU GOTTA DREAM RIGHT?
This part of our site is just a little fun, wish in
one hand kinda thing that gives us the opportunity to act like money is
no object and the sky is the limit. The things below are things
that we would choose if we had the funds available to do so. The
life of Riley! We thought it would be fun to pretend and we are
sharing our fantasy with all of you........you might try it yourself
sometime.
OK FIRST .....a
place to live, well this one would be pretty cool but i'm not sure
about Florida.
“The old Clare Island Lighthouse must arguably be situated in the most
picturesque location on the whole Irish coast. Perched near the
edge of a high, sheer cliff, it commands a grand-stand view of
one of the most rugged and beautiful stretches of sea-board”.
Main residence: Hall, two reception rooms, kitchen,
laundry, three large bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, back
boiler room, corridor to lighthouse tower, incorporating three
circular rooms.
Courtyard: Three large bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, (one
bedroom is housed one of the original lighthouse towers).
Land and gardens: Various outbuildings, all surrounding by
former walled vegetable gardens.
HISTORY:
The Lighthouse on Clare Island dates back to 1806, when the
original tower was built by the Marquis of Sligo. In 1818 there
was built an additional larger lighthouse tower with further
keepers’ dwellings. The Clare Island Lighthouse was
decommissioned in 1965, after 159 years of unbroken service.
Since then it has been in residential use. Over the last number
of years the main keeper’s residence has been extended and
renovated to the highest standards using the best of materials.
DESCRIPTION: a cliff with panoramic views over the Atlantic
Ocean, Achill Island and back towards the rolling landscape of
Clare Island. The property itself consists of the main
residence, two lighthouse towers including further bedroom
suites and various outbuildings, all of which have potential to
convert to further accommodation.
The main residence has been renovated and refurbished to a very
high standard, including new wood framed double glazed windows
throughout, a new roof, a new heating systems and other modern
amenities. It is now a very comfortable home in the most special
building and location.
It remains in the hearts of all those who have stayed there or
visited, where you can enjoy modern comfort whilst preserving
the nostalgic and unique atmosphere of the old lighthouse and
listen as the Atlantic surf pounds the cliffs below.
Weathers play an important part while living at the lighthouse
and where better to enjoy the sun but in the privacy of the
grounds with the most magnificent views imaginable. Or be the
first to see a storm coming towards the main land, and watch the
changes of the water and sky from the safety and warmth of the
lighthouse. For those who enjoy a thrill, watching the stormy
weather from the lighthouse tower can certainly guarantee that,
and for an extra experience during very rough weather the waves
crashing from the cliffs below have been know to rise so high
that they actually spray above the tower.
LOCATION AND CLARE ISLAND:
Clare Island is located in Clew Bay, off Westport, in the
West of Ireland. It is known as the green pearl of the west
coast and is the largest of the 365 islands in Clew Bay. It is
3.5 miles from the mainland. So much of Ireland’s history and
pre-history, its geological and biological landscape, can be
explored within the islands dramatic landscapes. Its western
cliffs are among the most dramatic on Ireland’s North West
Coast. The island has at present a thriving community of some
160 inhabitants.
The island is accessible by ferry from Roonagh Pier, which
is two miles from the picturesque village of Louisbourg. Clare
Island is linked with the mainland by two ferry operators: Clare
Island Ferries Limited and O’Malley’s Ferries Services. The
duration of the crossing is about 25 minutes and there are three
crossings a day in each direction and four in the summer months.
AMENITIES:
Hill Walking: Clare Island’s remarkably varied terrain offers
the ideal territory for both serious hill walkers and the casual
visitor out for a stroll.
Scuba Diving: For sea-angling and diving, Clare Island’s
offshore waters cannot be surpassed in all of Europe.
Sailing: The Clare Coastline offers Ireland’s most attractive
and prestigious range of sailing and there are also ferry
companies and other companies organising tours and scenic trips
around the Island.
Swimming: Clare Island has also a beautiful sandy beach,
surrounding the main harbour and Granuaile’s Castle. This beach
was awarded the blue flag for safe and clean beaches, which
makes an ideal playground for children, and provides for safe
swimming.
Bird Watching: On the west and north sides of the island, the
spectacular cliffs offer the bird-watcher a wonderful
opportunity for viewing nesting sea-birds.
Shopping: There is a post office and shop on the Island, where
every day requirements are catered for. For larger shopping centres there is Westport and Louisbourg.
ACCOMMODATION:
Floor area is approximately 334 square meters (3,600 square
feet)
Approached through wrought iron gates with stone pillars into a
central walled garden area which is part cobble stoned.
MAIN HOUSE:
Entrance Hall: Wooden floor, two windows. (1.6 by 2.8 meters)
Inner Hall: Wooden floor, high ceiling, door to drawing room,
5.2 by 2.6 meter bedroom, kitchen.
Drawing Room: Wooden floor, high ceilings, two wood-framed
double 5.3 by 5.5 meter glazed windows, cast iron decorative
fireplace, arch leading to...
Sitting Room: Wooden floor, wood framed double glazed window,
decorative 4.1 by 5.3 meter cast iron fireplace with brass
inset, electric coal effect fireplace, high ceilings.
Kitchen: Tiled floor, spotlights in ceiling, integrated wood
units plumbed 6.9 by 437 meter for dishwasher, fridge freezer,
new world oven with gas hob, ‘Rayburn Royal’ stove, part tiled
walls, built in whirlpool microwave oven, phone point. Door
leading to...
Back Corridor: Two doors leading to enclosed courtyard and door
to boiler room. 1.58 by 2.8 meters, four boilers.
Bedroom 1: Wooden floor, wood framed double glazed window, 3.8
by 3.7 meter high ceiling.
Ensuite Bathroom: Tiled floor and walls, porcelain sink, wc,
double ‘mira’ shower. 1.1 by 2.3 meters.
Inner Hall: Wooden floor, door leading to...7.5 by 1.2 meter
Bedroom 2: Wooden floor, wood framed double glazed window,
decorative 5 by 4.2 meter cast iron fireplace, high ceiling.
Ensuite Bathroom: Tiled floor and part tiled walls, bath with
telephone shower, 3.8 by 1.76 meter porcelain sink, wc.
Back Corridor: Door leading to entrance courtyard door to...4.2
by 1.3 meter
Laundry Room: Wooden floor, high ceiling with spotlights, attic
entrance, 3.6 by 3.5 meter plumbed for washing machine and
dryer, door to lighthouse corridor.
First floor approached by wood staircase into master bedroom.
Master Bedroom: Wooden floor, two wood framed double glazed
windows 4.5 by 6 meter overlooking ocean and Achill Island,
decorative cast iron fireplace, high ceiling, cable connection.
Ensuite Bathroom: Tiled floor, part tiled walls, bath with
telephone shower, 1.7 by 2.4 meter porcelain sink, wc, velux
window.
LIGHTHOUSE:
Entered via front and back external doors and also connected
to the laundry room.
Hall door leading into internal courtyard which is cobble
stoned. 10.8 by 1.3 meters.
Lighthouse: Two wood framed windows, stone spiral staircase with
cast iron railings
Room 1 leading up to: 3.6 by 3.4 meter
Lighthouse: Four wood framed windows. Room 2: 3.4 by 3.4
meters.
The Light/Bulb: Panoramic views of the ocean, the main land,
Achill island and Room Clare Island. 2.6 by 3.6 meters.
COURTYARD:
Leading to three self-contained bedrooms...
Blue Room: Stone paved floor, two double glazed windows
overlooking 2.5 by 6.9 meter Atlantic ocean and Achill Island.
Ensuite Bathroom: wc, sink with tiled surround, aqualisa
shower. 1 by 2.8 meters.
Tower Room: Views over Atlantic Ocean, Achill Island.
Approximately 4 by 4 meters.
Ensuite Bathroom: Approximately 4 by 4 meters.
Red Room: Stone paved floor, door out to front overlooking
Atlantic 5.7by 3.4 meter ocean, velux window, door to...
Ensuite Bathroom: wc, whb, shower.
OUTBUILDINGS:
Shed 1: Low ceiling stone built storage shed, water tanks are
located 7.9 by 2.3 meters small enclosed paddock in front of the
lighthouse.
Store Room 2: Double entrance and has been re-roofed. 4.87
by 4.3 meters
Shed 2: Stone built shed, adjoining:- 3.4 by 4.2 meter
Shed 3: 4.5 by 2.9 meters.
GROUNDS:
The lighthouse is surrounded by stone walls, the grounds are
divided up into 4 walled paddocks which were originally used for
cultivating crops and vegetables for the keepers use.
SERVICES:
ESB, Phone, septic tank, OFCH, cabel connection.
Built in 1806.
Property features: 6 Bedrooms, 6 Bathrooms.
but
the best one so far......................
This magnificent
neo-gothic castle in Offaly, Ireland, dates back to the 10th century.
The castle is the ancestral home of the powerful Clan of the
O'Carrolls. Tastefully restored, it is in a central and easily
accessible location in the middle of Ireland. Kinnitty Castle operates
currently as an exclusive hotel, but can be easily adapted for other
purposes, including a spectacular residential estate. The home offers
3 reception rooms, a grand drawing room, exquisite dining room and an
impressive library. A huge vaulted bar is located in the basement
area. A total of 19 well-appointed bedrooms are located in the main
castle with converted outbuildings adding 18 additional rooms. The
property is set on approximately 61 lush acres of beautifully
landscaped gardens, 13 stables, paddocks, a forest, wooded ravine and
a river. Offered at $27,000,000
I want it!
man,
i could go on and on with the house thing but lets find a vehicle now
because otherwise i will go on and on...........
ok,
now here's a sporty one that might just be me:
Our
kids are growing up into a lifestyle of debt-a lifestyle that will
not lead to financial success! At the end of the first quarter
of 2005, the total interest-bearing debts in the US had piled up to
$37.3 TRILLION! And on average, Americans only save 1%.
These guys are great help for teaching the kids...check it out:
