Blinds and shades save on energy costs

Conserving energy has always been important, but is even more so now. Gas prices for our vehicles is at an all time high and will probably continue. No doubt, fuel to heat our homes in the coming winter will also cost us more. So it's important to make our homes as energy efficient as possible by keeping the warm air inside in cold weather months, and the cool air inside during the summer.

Insulating your attic is a great start, as well as insulating your walls if possible, insulated windows and outlet covers, floor coverings and window treatments. All cut down air infiltration and thus make you feel more comfortable.

Window coverings don't have to be heavy and gloomy to make your home more energy efficient. Window treatments also protect your furniture and carpeting from uv damage from solar rays while providing privacy. You have a choice of curtains, Blinds, and shades in a wide assortment of textures, finishes and colors to match any decor. I'm partial to the new trilogy blinds. They have the ability to provide privacy and a view when you prefer, along with super insulation qualities.

I know the decorating shows like to remove all window coverings and leave the windows bare, but unless your windows are new and provide superior insulating and uv protection, you really need the protective barrier that window coverings provide.

Home remedies for what ails you

Many common ailments can be remedied or at least eased with some basic items everyone has around their house. You just need to know how to use them. Here is a list of ailments and home remedies:

Achy muscles from flu - mix 1 tbsp. horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let it set for 30 minutes, then apply as a massage oil to relieve aching muscles instantly.

Sore throat - mix 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar with 1/4 cup honey, and take 1 tbsp. six times a day. Vinegar kills the bacteria.

Stuffy nose - chew a couple peppermint Altoids to open nasal passages.

Urinary tract infections - dissolve 2 Alka Seltzer tablets in a glass of water and drink at onset of symptoms. It begins eliminating urinary tract infection almost instantly.

Skin blemishes - put a dab of honey on the blemish and cover with a bandage. The honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Splinter removal - pour a drop of Elmer's glue over the splinter, let dry and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter should stick to the glue.

Boils - cover a boil with tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomato soothe the pain and bring boil to a head.

Bruises - soak a cotton ball in vinegar and apply to a bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up healing.

Arthritis pain - mix 2 cups of Quaker oats and 1 cup of water, and warm in microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly and apply to hands.

Eyeglass fix - to prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a drop of clear nail polish to threads of the screws then tighten and let dry.

These home remedies are easy to use, and may eliminate a trip to the store.

Red Plum coupons

I found an interesting article at Steve Wilson Marketing on the new wave of internet coupons called RedPlum.com. Here is that article:

Shifting Coupons, From Clip and Save to Point and Click.

COUPON lovers, take heart. The era of waiting, scissors in hand, for the Sunday newspaper circular is over.



On Jan. 3, Valassis Communications, which distributes paper coupons for products like Eggo waffles and Dr Pepper cola, will take a giant leap onto the Internet by introducing a portal for coupons called RedPlum.com. Until now, Valassis had distributed coupons primarily through newspaper inserts and snail mail envelopes.
Full Article Here