Archive for the 'Great Ideas' category
Choosing an inexpensive gift for her that doesn’t look cheap
Saturday, December 23, 2006 9:35 pm
A cheap gift that doesn’t look cheap!
I cannot advocate buying a cheap gift, unless you really cannot afford anything more expensive. No one likes a cheapskate! Still, even if you are on a budget, your gift does not have to look cheap. There are loads of inexpensive handmade or unusual items on the web that, whilst making cheap gifts, are not easy for her to value.
Be sure to avoid the high street or stuff that she is likely to see on the Net. There’s nothing worse for a girl than finding out just how much you’re worth, from the price tag of a gift you spot at a local store. It’s not so bad if it’s reassuringly expensive, but spotting a cheap gift you just received, ends up making you feel equally cheap!
Less cash, more effort
The thing is, with a little effort and imagination, that needn’t happen — it’s more down to laziness than a lack of cash. Your cheap gift needn’t look cheap if you shop around for something unusual and put an extra effort into how you wrap it.
Here’s our checklist of how to make the best of a low gift budget…
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Hangover Cures
Friday, December 22, 2006 3:16 pm
A hangover is caused by a combination of the toxic by-product of alcohol metabolism (acetaldehyde), dehydration, and Vitamin A, B (particularly B6) and C depletion caused by the chemical action of alcohol on your system. The symptoms are usually a dry mouth, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and headache and are caused by a combination of these factors.
Apart from the obvious toxic effects, you should realise you’re suffering the effects of a mild overdose of a depressant drug and your nerves are reacting accordingly, and you have also flushed a signifnicant quantity of vitamins and nutrients from your system causing a degree of metabolic shock that your body is struggling to compensate against. This is why hangover symptoms often include disorientation and “the jitters”.
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Build Your Own Hovercraft
Tuesday, December 19, 2006 1:16 pm
For only $20, you can build a hovercraft in your backyard. Learn how!!
Do you dream of gliding through the air? Then don’t miss today’s show when Chris explains how to build your own hovercraft. The project is ultrasimple — your kids can put it together in the backyard.
What is a hovercraft?
A hovercraft is a vehicle that rides on a cushion of air produced by downwardly directed fans, causing it to glide over surfaces.
How a homemade hovercraft works
Air produced by a small blower inflates a plastic sheet. The sheet pushes against the floor to provide a ground-hugging “skirt.” This skirt lifts the entire hovercraft.
A small plastic disk (or coffee-can lid) keeps the inflated plastic anchored so it doesn’t tear loose from the center. The plastic disk also lifts up vent holes so air can escape into the center.
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Top 10: Cheap Date Ideas
Monday, December 18, 2006 11:06 pm
You’d love to whisk your girl away to the Swiss Alps on a Leer jet. With your budget, however, you can scarcely afford a rented gyrocopter ride to the nearest bunny slope!
How does one impress a lady without breaking the bank? How do you woo a girl on a budget?
The tips listed below should put you on the right track towards winning her heart without ending up destitute in the process.
Number 10
The coffee date
This scenario is only plausible for the initial date. Use it more frequently than this and the girl will think one (or more) of the following: 1) You’re just interested in being friends, 2) You’re cheap, or 3) You are a caffeine addict.
Cafes are great for first dates as they’re casual and you’ll likely only be footing the bill for a couple of lattes and biscotti. Unlike a bar, where one drink can easily escalate into many if things are going well, a coffee date will likely never evolve beyond a single refill. If you can, choose a caf that is part of a bookstore. The added benefit here is you can position yourself as literati.
Estimated cost: $5-$10. Price may vary depending upon the number of refills and inclusion of biscotti or savories.
Number 9
The hike or bike ride
If you’re really hard up, this may be your best bet. Granted, this is only a viable option if you live within close vicinity to a hiking trail. Hiking gives you an excellent opportunity to show off your rugged masculinity. Catch a wild rabbit with your bare hands and barbecue it for your soon-to-be betrothed while trekking through the backcountry.
In all seriousness, a walk through nature provides a wonderful opportunity to chat up your date, enjoy the outdoors and show her you’re a versatile guy. If a hiking trail is not in the cards, try a bike ride. Make sure to bring some refreshments.
Estimated cost: $5-$10. You’ll want to bring along some water, fruit and other snacks.
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by Carmen Isom
There are children that don’t have blankets to cover them in homeless shelters. There are people who are too ashamed to ask for food on Christmas Eve. There are even people who live in their cars and dig in trash can s on Christmas day just so their wives can have the Christmas present of an cold turkey leg. Believe me, I’ve seen them. I live in LA.
Now I’m not trying to be a downer by any means. I love Christmas, I love eating and shopping and mostly waking up n Christmas morning and spending time opening presents and being thankful for what I have. I think most people, sadly, are more into the shopping than they should be when they don’t realize that it is actually a privilege to shop. I find myself thinking of that now that I am broke this Christmas probably like a lot of you.
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How To Pimp-Out Your Ride (in under one paycheck!)
Saturday, December 16, 2006 11:01 pm Turn this… |
 Into this! |
Do you gaze upon the cars of the street racers with awe and pride? Do you wish that someday, just maybe, you could be like them? (Except without the criminal record) If so, this article is for you! We will explore how to pimp-out your ride in under one paycheck. But be forwarned, in addition to looking cool, you will now have to worry about getting pulled over by the police because your car experience significant performance gains.
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Why Your Articles Get Rejected
Tuesday, December 12, 2006 4:25 pm
Liane Bate
I have been writing original articles for my online business for the past ten months or so, and for various reasons a few of them have been rejected by some article directories. I know it can be a bit of a downer when you get an email saying that your article has been declined, but whenever this happens you should not feel like you’ve written a terrible article. Sometimes it’s only a minor change you need to make, and other times, it requires re-wording parts of your article. This article discusses some of the reasons that articles get rejected and how to format your articles correctly so that the directories will accept them.
Your article naturally starts with a title. This title has to be captivating enough for someone to want to read more. I like my titles to suggest a problem that people are having which my article will attempt to solve. When people have a problem they seek answers, so if your title grabs their attention, they may be more inclined to read the article. Remember that it takes time and energy to read an article, so make sure you create a killer title.
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Beating the Holiday Blues
Thursday, December 7, 2006 10:43 am
Feelings of sadness and depression are common during the holidays, but not inevitable. UM experts offer a variety of practical tips to help you keep the blues away
By Noël Holton
University of Maryland Medical System Web Site Writer
Once again the holidays are upon us, which means it’s time for festive partying with friends and family, sharing gifts and laughter — and getting depressed. That’s right. For many people, the holidays bring on feelings of sadness and anxiety that can be hard to shake.
According to the National Mental Health Association, reasons for feeling blue around the holidays are numerous. They range from fatigue — a result of all of the increased holiday activity — to financial limitations and family tensions. Experts say one of the fastest routes to holiday depression is unrealistic expectations.
“People often hold on to what they remember as an ideal holiday from years gone by, and are unable to reproduce it,” said Jill RachBeisel, M.D., director of community psychiatry at the University of Maryland Medical Center. “There are also expectations around the holidays that ‘everything must be perfect’, and perfection is, of course, rarely obtainable.”
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