Archive for Money
Greeting Cards How to Save Time and Money the Fun Way
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History of the Greeting Card!
The custom of sending greeting cards can be traced back to the ancient Chinese, who exchanged messages of good will to celebrate the New Year, and to the early Egyptians, who conveyed their greetings on papyrus scrolls.
By the early 1400’s handmade paper greeting cards were being exchanged in Europe. The Germans are known to have printed New Year’s greetings from woodcuts as early as 1400 and handmade paper Valentines were being exchanged in various parts of Europe in the early to mid-1400.
By the 1850’s the greeting card had been transformed from a relative expensive, hand made and hand delivered gift to a popular and affordable means of personal communication, due largely to advances in printing and mechanization, as well as the 1840 introduction of the postage stamp.
Technical developments like color lithography in 1930 propelled the manufactured greeting card industry forward. Humorous greeting cards, known as studio cards, became popular in the late 1940s and 1950s.
By the late 1980s, there was a thriving market for what were called alternative greeting cards, and the name stuck even though these alternative cards changed the entire industry. The trend was away from what was known as the standard look(sometimes called the Hallmark look).
The American Greeting Card.
A fellow named Louis Prang, a German immigrant who started a small lithograph business near Boston in 1856, is generally credited with the start of the greeting card industry in America.
Within ten years of founding his firm, he had perfected the color lithographic process to a point where his reproductions of great paintings surpassed those of other graphic arts craftsmen in both the U.S. and Great Britain. In the early 1870s, Prang began publishing deluxe editions of Christmas cards, which found a ready market in England. In 1875, he introduced the first complete line of Christmas cards to the American public.
Staying connected with Greeting Cards,
Connecting with friends and family can occur because of a sense of obligation to recognize important life events or it can simply result from an impulsive desire to reach out. Sometimes one person connecting with another will set off a boomerang effect of reaching out.
In today’s fast paced lifestyles often leaves little time for enriching peoples lives. But carving out the time to reach out to loved ones and strengthen our personal connections helps to boost our emotional well-being. Connecting with friends and family doesn’t have to take a lot of effort and it is often the simple, small gestures that has the most impact when it comes to showing someone how much you care.
Sixty-two percent of people feels inspired to send someone a card if they receive one from that person.
Sending a greeting card is one of those simple gestures that reminds people someone is thinking about them. Making someone else feel special can also have the effect of making the sender feel good also. With all of the stress in people’s lives today, that small oasis of contentment is something we need now more than ever.
A survey by the Greeting Card Association found that almost nine out of ten Americans believe they are as close or closer to their friends and family than they were one year ago, and 66 percent of Americans are regularly reaching out to their immediate family for love and support.
Basically there are two types of greeting cards.
Photo Greeting Cards, in recent years, have gained wide-spread popularity and comes in two main types. The first types are photo inserts in which a hole has been cut in the center. Your photo slides in just like a frame. The second types are printed photo cards in which the photo is combines with artwork and printed, usually on a high-end digital press, directly onto the face of the card. Both types are most popular for sending holiday greetings such as Christmas, Hanukkah & for baby showers.
Standard Greeting Cards. A standard greeting card is printed on high-quality paper and is rectangular and folded, with a picture or decorative motif on the front. Inside is a preprinted message appropriate to the occasion, along with blank space for the sender to add a signature or handwritten message. In the last few years the ability to personalize your card has reached the point where you can actually upload a personal picture from your hard drive of you computer.
Some interesting facts:
* The Average American sends 10 greeting cards a year, but has the need for 70
* U.S. consumers purchase approximately 7 billion greeting cards each year
* More than 90% of all U.S. households buy greeting cards
* Women purchase more than 80% of all greeting cards
* 9 out of 10 people say they look forward to receiving personal greeting cards
Most popular Seasonal Cards:
* Christmas 60%
* Valentines Day 25%
* Mother’s Day 4%
* Easter 3%
* Father’s Day 3%
I hope you found this article somewhat interesting. I enjoyed doing it and have plans for others in the future.
Have A Great Day
A greeting card in the mail box not only brightens our day, but can instantly connect us emotionally to friends and family. At sendoutcards there are many benefits why a person will want to send cards.
* Never have to leave Home to send a card
* You have 13,000 cards to choose from
* You can upload a personal picture from your hard drive
* The cost is about 1/3 of our competitors
* Save Time And Money
* You have an option of sending gift cards
* You have a choice of special gifts to choose from
I have set aside 2 FREE cards with stamps so you can test drive our system.
These are not e-cards
go to http://www.meetmybiz.org
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
I was Born in Southwest Va. in 1938. I now make Jacksboro Tn. my home.Married with 3 children, 7 grandchidren, 5 great-grandchildren. My wife Paulette and I were married in February 1961 in Harrisburg Pa. Just to let you folks know how much in love I was, we had 38 inches of snow that day, we got the car stuck before we even got out of the driveway but determined to get hitched we managed to get to the church on time.
I was born in a small town called Pound, which lies near the Kentucky and Tennessee state lines. Dad was an underground coal miner, my mother was a home maker, I don’t ever recall her working outside the home, of course she had a full time job raising five kids, two boys and three girls, plus we always managed to raise a few crops on the seven acres we had, we also butchered a couple of hogs in the winter time, so this was enough to keep my mother busy, canning vegetables, working with the hog killing etc. I am proud to say my childhood was one of lots of love, respect, and good counseling. In short I had a wonderful childhood and never regret one minute of it. I only wish the young people of today had the same environment to grow up in as I did.
Howard Vanover
423-591-0431
lhv761@comcast.net
How To Choose The Best Running Shoe For 5K Training
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What is the best running shoe for you?
Did you know that the way your foot lands and pushes off the ground has a huge effect on the type of running shoes you need to wear? If you have any preconceived ideas as to which colour or design of footwear you’d like, you should leave them at home.
Sure you’re going to have some say as to the colour or make you buy, but ultimately your decision should be based on which pair provides the right kind of support, comfort and fit for you.
You can expect to pay a lot of money on buying the best running shoe for you and generally speaking (although not always) the more you spend, the better quality you’ll get. However they will be the biggest expense you’ll have and so it is worth the money if you can afford it.
Here are the factors you’ll need to consider. I’ve broken down in to summaries of each factor. To find out the full story and how to do a clever little test yourself, go here now – couch to 5k to get hold of ‘5k Training For Beginners’
The first step to choosing a running shoe is to find out what foot type you have. There are three types of foot make up – a normal arch, a high arch and a flat arch.
The next consideration is pronation which is the action of your foot during movement as the body’s weight strikes at the heel and moves through to the toes.
Runners with normal or neutral arches are usually normal pronators
Those with high arches are often underpronators, which means the foot rolls outwards placing body weight on to the to the outer foot instead of evenly over the whole foot.
Finally, runners with flat arches are classed as overpronators, meaning the foot rolls inwards too much.
If you’re an underpronator or overpronator, you’ll be at a greater risk of injuries if you don’t choose the best running shoe for you.
Running shoes are categorised in three ways: -
Cushioned Shoes
These shoes are for underpronators. Runners requiring cushioned shoes often run on their toes and have a raised arch. These running shoes provide little stability but are softer under foot and more cushioned.
Support shoes
Suitable for neutral runners, support shoes are usually best for runners with a ‘regular’ or neutral foot plant. Support shoes usually combine good cushioning with lightweight support features on the inner side of the shoe in order to limit excessive inward rolling of the foot.
Control shoes
For more serious overpronators and also for heavier runners. Serious overpronators usually have a flatter foot as their arch collapses through the foot strike. These shoes are generally heavier and combine cushioning with extra support to provide essential protection which reduces the risk of injury.
I would advise that you buy a size bigger than you normally wear as your feet tend to swell slightly when running for any distances. Also take in a pair of the socks that you’ll wear when you are training just to make sure they fit ok. Choosing your shoes later in the day will also give you more of an accurate idea as to how they’ll feel when you’re running.
For a full breakdown of how to choose the best running shoe for you, why not pick up a copy of ‘5K Training For Beginners.’ You can find out more here – couch to 5k
Saving Money By Making Your Own Bread Is Easy
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Have you seen the price of bread lately? It’s enough to make one wonder if it wouldn’t be cheaper to make your own. You know what? It is! For the cost of a typical loaf of bread (between $2-$4), you can make more than one loaf of homemade goodness. A large bag of bread flour can make quite a few loaves with a handful of other ingredients. You’ll need some yeast, salt, sugar, milk, water, oil and maybe an egg or two, depending on your chosen recipe.
When you’re at the grocery store, take a moment to look at the flour aisle. You’ll see cake flour, all purpose flour, whole wheat flour, and bread flour. Not all flours are created equal for every task. You may be tempted to grab the all purpose flour so you can use it for other recipes as well, but don’t do it. If you’re going to make bread, get the bread flour.
When making bread, there are a few things to keep in mind. Choose a basic recipe if you’ve never made bread before. Plan ahead. Read through the recipe a few times to familiarize yourself with the ingredients and the process. It is important to follow the recipe exactly.
Make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before you start. Yeast likes a warm environment. The measuring of dry and wet ingredients is of utmost importance to create a tender, tasty loaf. Pre-measure your ingredients if you find that helpful.
Follow your recipe exactly. If it says to mix the ingredients in a certain order, do it. Making bread is a science as much as an art, and if you want your loaf to turn out the same way every time, follow the directions to the letter!
When all your ingredients are mixed, it is time to knead the dough. You will need additional flour to spread on your counter and to dip your hands in so the dough doesn’t stick to you or the table top. Kneading is necessary to develop the gluten in the bread dough, mix in air for rising, and distribute the ingredients so the yeast can feed. Yes, the yeast actually feeds on the sugars in the dough, and creates a fermentation process, which enables the dough to rise properly. The biggest rookie mistake in bread-making is not kneading the dough long enough. Use a timer if you need it. You’ll want to knead the bread between 8-10 minutes.
When you are done kneading, form the dough into a ball and set in a greased bowl. Cover and let rest. Your dough will need to sit for 1-2 hours to rise. Make sure your kitchen is warm to aid the rising process.
At the end of this time, you’ll want to uncover the dough, punch it down, shape the dough how you want it be when you bake it, and cover it for another rising session. When it is done rising, it is time to bake. Pre-heat your oven before baking. Once your bread is done, let it cool completely before slicing.
Once you’ve mastered a basic bread recipe, you can make artisan breads, French bread, herbed breads, rolls, and more.
For some yummy homemade bread recipes to get started on your first few loaves visit http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/breadrecipes.htm and start baking today.
Discount Window Blinds – Tips To Save You Money
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Today, discount window blinds are available in a wide variety of styles and colors. They not only add to the general ambiance of a room but also provide vital purposes. And window shutters, which cost more than other types of blinds, are like adding ultra-fine furniture to your windows.
And if you feel as is you’re living in a cave then sun control blinds would be the kind to get because they let the light and view in but not the glare. You can really enjoy the outside from the inside. If you want to keep the weather outside out then insulated window blinds could be just right for you.
You can get vertical blinds with controls that can have left or right hand operation and the veins can ’stack-back’ to the left, right, or come parted in the center. The cheaper wooden blinds have a very rich wood look at low, low prices.
The wide range of ready made verticals is available in a variety of natural colors and have are fairly low maintenance. Removable veins are available in wipe clean or washable fabrics if needed. The well-known brand Hunter Douglas is known for their cutting edge technology and top quality and Levelor Blinds is a brand name everyone knows. From wooden Venetians to the new wooden verticals you’ll find that the wooden blinds wide range will add a touch of style and luxury to you home while still caring for the environment.
Roller blinds are the perfect choice if you want to add fantastic style and originality to your home. Today, the largest selection of discount vertical blinds is available online. You can find more than 200 fabrics to choose from. On many websites you can browse through the many different fabrics, get an instant quote and request free samples.
The two inch blinds were put on the back burner in the ’80’s for smaller blinds but soon came back because of their great visibility and light control. You can choose from rollers, blackouts and Venetians. The natural bamboo woven shades are made from beautiful wood, rattan, jute, grass and reeds.
Most people forget they need to maintain their vinyl window blinds before they’re thoroughly coated with dust. If you want to wash them, you should use a damp sponge and mild detergent. If you don’t want to soak then, you can spray them with water.
A vacuum cleaner can be used to remove dust from wooden blinds. And polish will make them shine.
Blinds are an exceptional value and add warmth to your decor while at the same time blocking the sunlight entry. You may want the best blinds at the right price and that’s certainly attainable.
You can easily find discount window blinds that will still fit your budget. In no time, you’ll have the information you need to pick and choose the blinds that are just right for you and your family; they’re readily available on the Internet.
For more info on buying the best quality discount window blinds online and offline go to http://www.DiscountWindowBlindsInfo.com for money-saving tips, help, facts, reviews and advice on all types of window blinds including verticals and shades
Cabinets – Easy Ways To Find Matching Faucets
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It is amazing that the tiniest thing that can make a major difference in the look and feel of a great kitchen, but if your challenge involves aging kitchen faucets then you should well consider replacing them altogether. Forget trying to fix the old ones as it is much more cost effective and a much simpler procedure to install new, more practical, and more stylish faucets. There are so many options available to suit your needs, and when you take the plunge you can complement your kitchen’s theme and overall décor that you can get pleasure from. You can choose from varied faucets that match your décor and find the perfect kitchen accessories to complement your cabinets, sinks, countertops, and your kitchen’s overall decoration.
The benefits you will get from replacing your kitchen’s faucets are wide. You can enjoy finding all the accessories you need that fit in perfectly with your room’s décor. At the same time you will be adding class and style, not to mention sleek and modern styled faucets by just simply replacing the old ones. Your kitchen’s practicality and the lives of your family and yourself will improve dramatically because of the range of practical features that modern faucets offer. You will have the fun experience of choosing from so many amazing designs, features to suit you, and styles. You have the option of copper, chrome, brass, stainless steel and others, and all these are designed to give you what you want without damaging your pocket book. Other vital options you can choose from include the special featured faucets – double or single handled, filtered, wall mounted, mixer, shower and so many more.
Fact – shopping for your faucet needs on the Internet will save you heaps of money, but give you a much broader selection to choose from. Many high-end manufacturers offer fantastic deals on the Internet for faucets, giving you even more value for your money. You can take the time to make comparisons between the varied faucets and locate the features and designs that you want, while enjoying the benefits of money saving options, and delivery services that are both convenient and simple. Then, when your new faucets arrive, you do not have to be bothered with plumbing costs because you can easily install modern faucets in no time at all.
Fact – whatever your personal kitchen décor or theme, you can start complementing it by doing your own installation of new and stylish kitchen faucets and benefit from the added look that it gives to your current kitchen accessories. It is truly a wonderful, low-cost way to benefit your current kitchen with a new look and increased functionality.
Ken Morris publishes primarily for http://www.kitchen-cabinets-tips.com , a web page on countertops . You can see his contributions on kitchen faucets on his site.
Emergency Solar Generator – Be Prepared When the Lights Go Out
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An emergency solar generator can come in handy when there is a sudden power outage in your home. When you have a power outage, you never know how long you will be without electricity.
When you have an emergency solar generator, then you are sure to have power even during the darkest times. This will insure that you have electricity even when your neighbors do not. Even after the sun goes down, the emergency solar generator can still be used, because they have a backup rechargeable battery inside.
Having a generator is a wonderful idea, but you have to be sure to choose the right generator for your needs. These generators can be found in different sizes. The smaller ones can be used to recharge your batteries and the larger ones are big enough to provide electricity for your entire house. This is why the key to buying an emergency solar generator is to find the right one for any of your needs.
You may want to buy a portable generator, but will this version be able to bring electricity to your whole house in the event of a power outage or blackout. This portable generator can power a appliances until the electricity is restored. Te best thing about these generators is the fact that you can take them on camping or hunting trips to provide you with the electricity you need when there is none.
The first thing you need to do when considering buying an emergency solar generator is to think of what exactly you will be using it for. This will insure that you buy the right sized generator.
For example, if you are wanting to provide electricity to your entire house during a power outage, you will need to buy one of the larger generators. If you only need a generator to bring power to your camper’s water purification system during an emergency, then you will want to buy a smaller generator.
You need to keep in mind that the lager the generator, the more money it will cost to buy. So when making your decision, you need to figure out what you can afford. Larger generators only cost more because they have a bigger battery and more components, but this means that they will last longer than the smaller ones.
They can even last a lifetime, so they would be a good product for you to invest money in to.
New Solar Power Generator is like having a secret power plant hidden in your home.
Solar Powered Backup System provides instant electrical power in any situation, it is the perfect emergency backup for troubled times at any location. When the lights do go out at your house you?ll be darn glad you didn?t hesitate.
Celebrate Your Festival in a Better Way With the Festival Tents of Pop-up-tent
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When you visit the market to fulfill your needs related with camping accessories find several providers with exceptional collection of tents. People look for both traditional and pop up tent.
In the recent times, customers giving priority to pop-up-tents as festival tents have increased to a considerable extent. This is basically because pop up tent is more durable, handy and expedient to use.
It is a fact that people go for distinct strategies while selecting their desired products. The products and accessories associated with camping are also not an exception to it. Customers give priority to pop up festival tents on the basis of quality and durability or colors and designs or even on the basis of budget available.
There are not many providers of pop up tent that can offer you extraordinary quality within a nominal budget. Every provider wishes to fetch best share of money. In today’s competitive market one will find a great difference between the final products offered and that actually claimed before. The setback can be on the basis of services offered, features of the products, or demanding more than the genuine market price.
Can you find a provider for pop up festival tents that can offer you a better deal without sacrificing the quality but by reducing a little bit its own share of profit?
You can! You can certainly find one such company that always stands in the favor of customer welfare. It offers best pop up tent with outstanding features at the most reasonable rates. If you have one such company in your reference then you can go for it otherwise tries for the products offered at Pop-up-tent.
Pop-up-tent is an online provider of pop up tents and other camping accessories. It is presently mounted on the no. 1 position among all the retailers present online. It is consistently maintaining the trust of the customers and a dignified position in the market because of the following reasons.
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Ø Support: Pop-up-tent offers an excellent customer support. You can contact the support staff via mail to get immediate response to your questions. The support team is highly dedicated and reliable and there is no chance of facing trouble sooner or later on!
Ø A better deal: if you are looking for a better deal then Pop-up-tent is the right place for you to visit. All the terms and conditions including prices, payment and delivery, cancellation and return policy, and internet security will be displayed and cleared in advance.
So add thrill to your celebrations now!
For best pop up festival tents you can trust upon the best pop up tent provider in the market i.e. Pop-up-tent.