Save Money on Personalised Gifts for Someone Special

Photo Credit: Thecupcakelicious

If you’re looking for a gift for someone you love that’s unique and special, why not get creative and make something?

When you’re trying to save money and budget, shopping for your loved ones can be difficult. But you don’t have to spend a fortune. A personalised or homemade gift will really show you care much more than an expensive but thoughtless present.

With a little thought and imagination it’s easy to create something personal for that special person to treasure.

Here a few ideas for unique and thoughtful gifts that won’t break the bank.

Get Creative with Clothing

Customised clothing is a great idea for a present with a difference. A printed T-shirt is a thoughtful gift for someone special.

A personalised garment is the perfect present for someone with a great sense of humour or even a fashionista who loves to wear unique clothes!

Whether you choose to put their name on a shirt or a memorable photo or design, you can create a lovely, personal gift that the owner will cherish.

If you’re the creative type, you could create a customised T-shirt yourself. Otherwise, there are lots of specialist T-shirt printers who can put any design onto a T-shirt. These companies can even print other items such as bags, hoodies and aprons if you want to create something a bit different.

Make a Book of Memories

Why not make a personalised photo book for that special someone? This present is ideal for a traveller, a budding photographer or someone sentimental who cherishes photos of the people they love.

Fill an album with photographs from special occasions and happy times. Photo books are a great way to showcase all of those great photographs that get forgotten about.

All you need is a photo album and lots of photographs. You can have fun arranging the photos and even writing notes and captions.

Your recipient will love looking through the photo book and reliving the good memories.

Bake Tasty Treats

If your special someone loves to eat, why not bake them a gift? A home baked present is a real treat for any occasion.

With even the most basic baking skills, cookies are an easy choice and can be made to look beautiful. Use special cookie cutters such as hearts and flowers and decorate with coloured icing and decorations. You could even add their name for a personal touch.

Finish your home baked present off with a gift box wrapped with a bow. Your special someone will love the effort that you have put in and may even share the gift with you!

About the author: Michaela Quinn writes blogs about a variety of topics including woman’s fashion, workwear and T-shirt printing.

How To Find The Best Jewelry Deals Online!

Photo Credit: One Heart Art

With so many stores at your fingertips, shopping online is an easy way to spend less and save time. Online businesses usually have fewer overhead costs, so they’re free to sell fine jewellery at prices that retail stores just can’t match. As you flick from website to website, you should be able to catch online companies selling-off surplus stock at rock-bottom prices.

However, shopping online is a double-edged sword. Without seeing the product in person, can you be sure it’s anything like the picture suggests? Here’s how to duck those online issues and save yourself a pretty penny too:

Search Like A Pro

Hit Google’s search bar. You should know what you’re looking for. If you want a pearl choker, don’t just type “necklace” into the search engine – be as specific as possible. Big names have the monopoly on general and popular search terms, so outwit them by knowing what you want.

Do Your Research

If you’re planning on purchasing precious or semi-precious jewellery, you must do your research. Knowing the lingo will stop you from getting scammed online. Planning on purchasing silver? Know how to identify quality through markers and weight. If you suspect that your purchase is fake, always send it back and ask for a refund.

Have you chosen a distributor? Always check their customer reviews and popularity, as this is a good indicator of great service, as well as brilliant products. The site should be secure, and so should the transaction. If you’re making an expensive purchase, always make it through a credit card, as this offers you further protection from fraudsters and faulty goods.

Know You

Some items of jewellery will need a specific size. Rings, for example, range from A – Z in size and gambling with this is risky. Have yourself measured beforehand to avoid poor fits.

Know the seller’s return and exchange policy. If your jewellery doesn’t fit, it would be good to know that you can take it back. Make sure you know the amount of days you have before a company will refuse a refund.

Shop Around

Don’t just choose the first site you come across. It pays to shop around. You never know what fantastic deals you might find if you just set aside the time to explore as many websites as possible.

Sales can offer up fantastic opportunities to save money. If you have a retailer that you love, but you can’t afford their prices, wait until they slash the RRP and pounce! Now’s your chance to snap up some bargains.

Ask Questions

If a beautiful piece of jewellery is advertised as genuine gold, ask the distributor to prove its legitimacy. In the event that the seller doesn’t provide acceptable documentation, walk away. It may be worth visiting a jewellery store and asking them what you should look for in online jewellery to prove that it is what it says on the tin. Precious metals are expensive and no-one wants to pay premium prices for a dud.

Zoe, a British blogger and accessory aficionado, has written this post in collaboration with Pearl & Butler, specialising in silver jewellery throughout the UK.

$30 for $60 Worth of Italian Cuisine at La Scala Ristorante

You've been craving delicious Italian cuisine, but your attempts to cook haven't panned out and the frozen dinners aren't cutting it. If you're wanting authentic Italian food to satisfy your hunger, today's offer is for you. Seize the Deal today and pay just $25 for $50 worth of Italian cuisine for dinner at La Scala Ristorante! 

With a passion for serving incredible dishes and satisfying customers with their tasty menu options, La Scala Ristorante is your home for Italian food. Order the Signature Seafood Trio, the Frenched Pork Chop or choose another delicious menu item and enjoy your dinner tonight!

Eat great and save when you Sieze the Deal!

Shop as much as you want while saving money

Photo Credit: VoucherCodesEucom

 We all love shopping. We all love new clothes to replace our wardrobe, brand new glamorous shoes, fresh accessories, etc.… But sometimes we girls or guys run out of money and we can’t be able to buy everything which we have written on our wish lists. Here are some useful tips that you can find it as an easy way to stretch your budget a little further. Doesn’t matter what your income level is, it may be low or high, you can give yourself more breathing room by becoming a savvy shopper.

1. Never go without a list. Make sure you’re not forgetting anything and stick to that list. This will help you brainstorm and browse your fashion ideas within a price range that makes sense for your wallet. So you can avoid distractions and stick with your budget.
2. Remember your budget. Plan the exact budget that you can spend and try your best to stick within that limit. If you don’t know how much you can spend, you’ll definitely spend too much.
3. Shop and compare prices on specific items. Take advantage of those closeout deals if you see them. Always keep a backup option.
4. You go shopping so wear for shopping. If you going to seek a special occasion dress, try wearing bits and pieces that go with the outfit you have in your mind. Like strapless bra, high heels and stuff that you will be wearing with that outfit. Or else, wear loose clothes that you can get and you can clear away slightly, and a voluminous bag.
5. New year shopping is the best tip for fashionable people that manage to surrender the enticement to make impulsive shopping. Go in January. Because the sellers always need buyers after Christmas, and they treat you well, besides selling you something fabulous with discount.
6. Make your shopping more worthwhile and mouth watering by going through fashion magazines like Femina, Vogue, Elle and etc. before you go shopping. Once you come to know about the current trend in market by reading the experts' views in those magazines and newspapers, you can add the perfect pinch of salt for your shopping session.

Always keep your eye on new collections and all trendy things in the market, up to date clothes, fabrics, dresses and fashion accessories. Be a shopping freak. Shopping is like a treasure hunt.

Hey I’m Sharon Simmons and I’m living in Paddington, working as a freelance content writer. I love desert safaris and in my leisure time I like to write. Currently I am writing some interesting articles on different fields such as bridal and wedding corsets. Have a look on my Tweets @SharonSimmons90.

Sacred Jewels – $23.00 for Dazzle Her with a Freshwater Pearl Pendant Necklace

Celebrate the depth of your love with this deal: $23 ($140 value) for a freshwater pearl pendant necklace from Sacred Jewels, a Los Angeles-based jewelry design atelier. Each authentic, lustrous freshwater pearl is strung on a sterling silver chain for effortless elegance. Chooseclassic white, sweet peach, or delicate lavender rose to suit your sweetheart's signature style.

• AAA-grade, all-natural freshwater pearls
• Pearls measure 8 to 9 millimeters in height
• 18-inch sterling silver chain; sterling silver setting and clasp

It's a Valentines Day steal, so grab the deal now!

5 Things To Check Before Buying A Used Car

Buying a used car can be a nerve-racking experience. After all, we've all heard stories about friends going to the dealership and coming home with a dud. But these experiences are actually quite rare. When buying a used car from either a dealership or an individual, there are a few things that you should check to ensure that you're getting the best possible deal and that the car you're purchasing doesn't have any major flaws. Here are the 5 main things to check before buying a used car.

1. Tires:
It may seem obvious, but bad tires can be one of the main things that should affect the price of the new car that you buy. Many individual sellers haven't checked their tires in a while, and if the tires need to be replaced, you're going to be out quite a bit of money. To avoid this potential downfall, check the state of the tire tread, and if the tires look like they'll need to be replaced soon ask to adjust the price of the car accordingly.

2. Mileage:
It goes without saying that mileage is important in adjusting the price of a car -- but do keep in mind that most recent cars can go for an indefinite amount of miles if they are serviced correctly. In the old days, a car with over 100,000 miles was on its last legs, but today, as long as its had regular maintenance, it may be barely affected at all by its travels. Mileage is more important in older cars, and cars that have been poorly maintained.

3. Accessories:
It may seem like a small thing, but there are a few items you should request while purchasing a used vehicle: owner's manual, at least two sets of keys, and the spare tire. These items may simply slip the mind of an individual, or have been misplaced by a used car dealership, but when you need them, you need them. You should especially check the trunk to make sure that you have a spare tire--otherwise the dealership should give you one.

4. Lights:
There are a lot of lights on a car: dashboard lights, internal lights, head lights, day running lights, tail lights, front turn signals, back turn signals, and even mirror lights. When actually test driving a car, it's impossible to see that all of these lights are functioning correctly--especially rear turn signals. Since many of these lights are legally required to function properly, you should always test them out.

5. Accident history:
Today it's easier than ever to pull up accident reports online. You should always pull up an accident report for a car. Minor body damage is to be expected on a used car, but anything that damaged the frame or major components should affect the price.

Buying a used car does not need to be a harrowing process. As long as you keep your trusty blue book in hand and are vigilant with your inspections, you should be on your way to a great, gently used, car.

Jason is a car enthusiast and loves to blog about his passion for cars. He recently purchased a 2007 Corvette and didn't have any trouble getting the used car insured because he went with acceptanceinsurance.com

Getting To Grips With A Severe Shopping Addiction

Addictions of any kind put enormous stresses and strains on the body and mind. Of course it is things like alcohol and drugs that tend to grab most of the headlines. That’s not to say that some of the other forms of addictions aren’t damaging in their own way.
One addiction that seems to be getting an increased level of focus is that of compulsive shopping. This terrible addiction sees huge numbers of individuals trying to cope with it each and every day of their lives. Compulsive shopping disorders can be a seasonal thing, often getting worse around Christmas time.
This blog post will take a closer look at how to spot this disorder, plus more importantly perhaps uncover some ways to actually get to grips with it.
Oniomania
The official term for compulsive shopping is called “Oniomania”. The reason why it is classed as a disorder is that it is behavioural based, with sufferers feeling the need to purchase items that they have no specific need for. Furthermore and perhaps even more serious is the fact that these sufferers may not necessarily have the ability to afford just what they are buying.
According to research, over two-thirds of people are believed to be affected by some kind of compulsive shopping disorder. It is not uncommon for these people to have difficulties in forming relationships.
There are many negative consequences to Oniomania. They can range from physical, emotional and of course financial.
Five Pairs Instead of One
Very often it will be a concerned friend or family member that will be able to spot the signs of this disorder, before the individual themselves can even notice these things. Some of the tell-tale signs might well include:

• Lying about the problem
• Broken relationships
• Overspending
• Compulsive purchases

As an example of some of the more extreme behaviour, an individual might go shopping for a new pair of shoes and come back having bought literally five pairs instead of one.
Of course, if this situation is allowed to go un-checked then it can spell financial ruin. Sadly this disease seems to be affecting more and more youngsters. The reality is that debt ridden teens sometimes have to turn to their parents to help them out of the financial mess that they have got themselves into. Often the only solution is for the parents to oversee guarantor loans for their children.
Getting Help
As with many other addictions the hardest part is getting the individual to actually admit that something is wrong. Only after this can steps be taken to curb and treat the addiction.
There is a wide range of differing treatments. Some will be location dependant, whilst others might well suit different forms of this addiction. The most common treatments include:

• Financial counselling
• Behavioural therapy
• Medications
• Self-help books

It would seem that genuine help can often come from family members or other loved ones. The support that they can give is often invaluable in the fight to get free of this addiction.
Self-Help
Once the individual has recognised that there is a problem they will then be in a much better position to help themselves get free of it. Some of the changes in behaviour that can really help in this situation include the following:

• Make a list before shopping, checking the items twice to ensure only necessary things get purchased.
• Disposing of credit and charge cards that often serve to fuel a spending spree
• Seeking out alternatives to shopping
• Taking a relative or friend with you when you go shopping

The above list is by no means comprehensive; however, these elements will help to provide the basis in which a person can cope better with their compulsive shopping addiction.

Sarah Fox is a freelance writer who has first-hand experience regarding shopping addictions. In the past she had to help her friend with guarantor loans in her fight against the disorder.

How To Cash In On Your Unwanted Household Stuff

You probably don’t need me to tell you that times are pretty tough for most of us right now and there’s not much spare money going around. With Christmas fast approaching you may be starting to feel the strain and wondering if Santa will be able to make an appearance at all. If you need some extra cash then there is a great way to raise funds while clearing out space in your home and garden. In this article I will give you some easy tips on how to earn some much needed cash by selling your unwanted household items.

Have A Clear Out

First things first, you will need to have a proper clear out and collect up all of your unwanted items. We are a nation of hoarders and often people find it difficult to get rid of something even though it has been sitting unused for as long as they can remember and is covered in cobwebs. If you want to have a proper clear out and create some extra space in your home then you will need to be focused and deliberate in your approach. Remember, the older the items the more likely they are to be worth something.

Get Your Old Records Out

EBay and other sites like it are great tools to use to sell your unwanted items. If you have a whole heap of vinyl records gathering dust in the attic then get them dusted down and onto eBay. You may be surprised at how much they are worth, especially if it’s a particular obscure record of which not very many were made. You could easily make a couple of hundred pounds by selling 10 records.

Find Out Where Your Local Auctions Are

Once you have routed around your house and garden and you have amassed a batch of unwanted items then it’s time to find out where the local auctions are. Putting your items up for auction is a much better way of making money than selling at a car boot sale as the buyers are usually antique experts and they will be aware of their true value. Car boot sales usually turn into an outdoor pound shop with everything going for the same low prices, this is still a good way to make some cash but if you want to earn some proper money then auctions are the way to go.

Make Your Education Pay Off

Many people still have their school and university books even though their education ended years ago. These books may still be used today, especially if they were used for your university study so gather up all of your books and your children’s too and take them to a local second hand book shop or sell them online. There are lots of sites such as gumtree and amazon that are filled with people searching for all sorts of books.

Sally Watson recently had a house and garden clearance and she was able to make over £500 from selling her unwanted stuff online.

Important Things To Consider When Buying Furniture For A Conservatory

If you have a conservatory in your house, whether it was already there when you originally moved into the house or you paid for and arranged for its installation, then you are unlikely to need to be told about the many advantages of having a conservatory. However, you might be uncertain about exactly what type of furniture to buy for and place in your conservatory. What factors should you most consider when buying furniture to use in your conservatory? Thankfully, this blog post can help you to answer that question...

Consider your own conservatory

Firstly, you should consider exactly what your conservatory is like in terms of its style and available space. This is a crucial step as, ideally, you want to buy furniture which will not only pleasantly aesthetically complement the rest of your conservatory, but also - obviously more crucially - actually fit into your conservatory, and without sacrificing the typical comfort of using it. When considering furniture for your conservatory, you should remember that a conservatory is often used by people, including both the house in question's residents and guests, simply to relax and enjoy outdoor scenery in.

However, you might have very particular ideas about what you would like to use your conservatory for - in which case, you should obviously take account of this when choosing which furniture to buy for the conservatory. For example, if you intend for family meals to be enjoyed in the conservatory, then you could buy a dining table and chairs. Alternatively, you could buy a sofa style furniture set if you intend the conservatory to be used more casually and spontaneously.

What is typically popular among furniture for conservatories?

It also makes sense to consider what furniture other people often buy for their conservatories, as they are likely to buy that furniture for very good reasons. Rattan furniture, for example, is often used for conservatories - and, indeed, the natural simplicity of rattan does help to enhance many of them.

Furniture manufactured from synthetic rattan has proved particularly popular in recent years, thanks largely to its high durability and UV resistance. Furthermore, the material is easy to clean and effectively blinds in with other decor.

Consider many other factors related to your conservatory

Your choice of furniture should also be influenced by the temperature, humidity and exposure to the sun inside your conservatory. The chosen furniture will have to be able to resist the damaging effects of all three of these things in order to remain attractive and usable for a long time; hence, it should be durable, flexible and fade resistant. The aforementioned rattan is renowned for its fade resistance.

Indeed, how long furniture is likely to last in your conservatory should be a crucial consideration. Ideally, you don't want to have to keep replacing your conservatory's furniture, as it would be not only expensive but also damaging to the environment.

Post by Philip Lomax of Select Furnishings one of the UK's leading online retailers of indoor and outdoor furniture, including rattan garden furniture. To find out more visit www.selectfurnishings.co.uk

Smart Ways To Cut Your Broadband Bills

Everyone at home wants access to the broadband connection.  To surf the Web.  To watch TV.  To download music and video.  To share files.  And in an average digital household, the cost of broadband Internet services continues to grow steeply.  Never before has choosing the right plan, which is optimized for your unique needs, been more important.  Here are some smart ways you can slash those scary broadband bills - without cutting down on your enjoyment that this powerful technology brings into your home.
Don't Blindly Bundle Landline Services
Wirless broadband service providers want you to sign up for a range of related things that they also offer, like a bundled landline.  But your household may not need a landline, especially if you have a mobile phone contract that offers unlimited calls.  Why pay extra for a landline?  And if you need one at all, check your usage pattern and opt for a limited version like an "evenings and weekends" plan, which often costs less.
Optimize Your Broadband Plan
When you first sign up for a broadband package, you probably are not sure how heavy your usage will be.  But by monitoring the pattern of your Internet use, you'll have a fair idea of it within a few months.
At this point, review your plan and revise it to better reflect your actual usage.  Unless you're an avid fan of downloaded movies, or you play games online, your "unlimited downloads" package is rather wasteful - and costs you more than a limited bandwidth plan.
Use Broadband Facilities To Cut Other Costs
Maybe you're making expensive overseas calls on a landline or mobile phone.  Consider shifting those to VOIP (voice over Internet protocol) which can make it incredibly inexpensive, without sacrificing much by way of quality or comfort.
In fact, by throwing in a Web camera, you can even carry on video calls with people across the world, practically for free.  Skype is one of the best known VOIP providers, but there are many alternatives.
Pay For Your Broadband In Advance
Broadband service providers save money on management costs when you pay for your services in advance, every year or every quarter.  Another way they save is when you sign up to their direct bank transfer or online payment interface.  The savings they enjoy are partially passed on back to you, by way of a pre-payment discount, or extra features and benefits from your broadband bundle.
Avoid Going Over Your Limit
Many new broadband users get excited at the promise of "unlimited access", and go wild with their Internet usage.  It's a shock when they get hit by their bill.  Going over your bandwidth limit can be scarily expensive.  So find out what your plan limits are, and monitor your usage carefully to avoid paying more.  If you find that the current plan constrains your use, opt for one with a higher allowance, even if it costs a little more.
Prune Extra Services
Many broadband services throw in many extras as 'paid up-sells'.  With one click, you can add these services to your bundle.  The trouble is that each of them costs a little more.  And it all adds up.
Find out how much you are paying for these extras.  Then ask yourself it you really need them.  If you don't, cancel those services right away.  Or look for less expensive alternatives from other providers.
Watch Out For Better Deals
Just because you signed up for one broadband provider doesn't mean you are locked to them for life.  If another service delivers greater value at a lower price, you should consider switching over.  So keep an eye out for new entrants.  Ask friends and family for recommendations.  Browse review sites for information.
The idea is to enjoy the highest benefits of broadband access, at the least cost.  These simple tweaks will help you squeeze more value from your broadband experience.

Sam Jones, the author, has been looking into wireless broadband deals to try and replace his ailing connection.

The Three Worst Gifts To Buy In 2013

Yet again it is the start of another year, and you know exactly what this means, it is time to start thinking of the gifts that you are going to have to buy throughout the year. With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it is about time you got your plans in order and start deciding what gifts you are going to get your loved ones this year. The last thing you want to do is leave it all until last minute and buying gifts that no one is going to want.
To help you organise your thoughts a little more, here are the worst 3 gifts to buy in 2013.

Gift Cards

We are only into the first month of 2013 and we have already seen three major high street names on the brink of closing down for good. For the last couple of years we have seen many high street names going into administration and closing down for good. The first major shock was when we saw Woolworths close down in 2007.
When a company goes into administration there gift cards/vouchers will immediately be unusable, this practically leaves many people unhappy as they have been left with a useless piece of plastic. There is nothing that the company can do to resolve this issue, so it is for the best that you avoid buying gift cards in 2013.

Essential Items

If you know someone has been after a vacuum cleaner, bathroom cleaning set or a car manual if it’s a gift for him, it does not mean that you should buy these items as gifts. Even though the person needs these essential items, a gift isn’t about something someone needs; it’s a chance for you to show how thoughtful you are.
You should surprise your loved one by choosing giftware they are going to love.

Unusable Items

Before you buy a gift for someone, you should have a think whether they will get any use out of it? Don’t buy a man a tool set if he is one of the campest men you know, you should choose a gift that will suit their personality and style.
Before you go out shopping you should get organised and make a list of gifts that you think people would appreciate. Throughout the year you should listen out for anything that they make obvious they want, surprise them a few weeks later with the perfect gift they have been after for a while.

Kerry loves advising people on how to choose the perfect gifts for him. She gets all her gorgeous home and giftware from http://www.primroseandplum.co.uk/

Featured in Parents Magazine: Babo Botanicals + Stock-Up Savings

STOCK UP SAVINGS: Get more of your favorites or try out a few new products. Buy two of this deal and the second is 50% off! That's right - the second is only $10 for a $40 voucher! (Your refund for 50% off the second deal will be processed within 3 business days of purchase.)

Your own beauty regimen strives for baby-soft skin. But the truth is, even baby's skin needs care – especially during winter months. That's why Babo Botanicals specializes in making pure, gentle products just for little ones!Featured in Working Mom, Baby & Kids, Self, and Parents magazines (not to mention a collection of other raves and reviews), Babo Botanicals products use flower and plant extracts and are free of sulfates, formaldehyde, paraben, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and synthetic colors. They're also allergy-tested, dermatologist-tested, and biodegradable, so you can trust they're safe for your baby's skin. Soothe, moisturize, and relieve dry, itchy skin from head to toe with Babo's collection of Oatmilk products.

Click here to see the deal!