Cheap and Cheerful Cat Toys!: Tip-of-the-Day #260

I am completely hijacking these tips from Catster.com, one of my absolute favorite kitty sites, but these DIY cat toys were too good to not re-share.

So often I get trapped into believing that my kitties need super fancy, expensive(!), designer cat toys and when I get them home they are promptly ignored!

They absolutely have the most fun with stuff like plastic wrap, ribbons, tp rolls, golf balls, balled up newspaper or wrapping paper, etc..

So, when I saw Angie Bailey's article on four easy DIY cat toys created from empty toilet paper rolls, I had to pass on the love. =^..^=

Simple rings.

You'll need:
  • An empty cardboard TP roll.
  • Scissors.
Instructions:

  • Mark four, 1/4-inch (or finger width) marks on the side of the cardboard roll.
  • Use scissors to cut each ring.


Ring Ball.

 You'll need:
  • An empty cardboard TP roll.
  • Scissors.
  • Treats (optional, but highly recommended!).
Instructions:
  • Mark four, 1/4-inch (or finger-width) marks on the side of the cardboard roll.
  • Use the scissors to cut each ring.
  • Insert the first ring into the second ring, then continue with the third and fourth, until you've formed a ball.
Sunshine Toy.

You'll need:
  • Empty cardboard TP roll.
  • Scissors.
Instructions:
  • Cut the ends of each end of the roll, creating tabs.
  • Fold tabs back, creating a "sunshine" look.

Treat Rattle.

You'll need:
  • An empty cardboard TP roll.
  • Treats.
Instructions:
  • Fold one end of the TP roll inside, creating a semi-closed end.
  • Place several treats inside.
  • Fold the other end of the roll, creating another semi-closed end.







If you love your cats the way I love mine, this will provide the whole house with hours of cheap entertainment. Meow!

Best. Lip Liner. EVER!: Tip-of-the-Day #259

Liner has been an important part of my life since I was first given permission to accent my lips in high school. Out of the gate I went bold and was known to fill in my entire lips with strong matte coverage. The effect? Devilish!

Over the years I got more and more comfortable with subtlety and found that I could achieve a far more sophisticated look with a liner complemented by a more neutral lipstick. I dabbled with Clinique, MAC, Bobbi Brown and Lancome (all expensive and not great when it came to feathering and bleeding).

I realized quickly that I hated having to sharpen my pencil to achieve a fine line with each use. And so, one day I went out on a limb and decided to try something I'd never tried before. A retractable, no sharpening required, all-day-wear liner that stays put - even after eating. Dying to know the maker? Drum roll....Jordana! You can find it at Walgreens, Duane Reade, Kmart, and Save Mart. And the best part is that you can get it for just $1.99! My fav colors are Coco Loco and Terra Kiss and I pair both with a nude lipstick by Revlon (which was recently discontinued - argh). Best $1.99 I've ever spent. And, if you're lazy you can order it online at Jordanacosmetics.com. Shipping is $5. Four liners, shipping and tax = sub $14. Treat yourself to your best lips ever.

Free stock photography!: Tip-of-the-Day #258

Each week iStockPhoto (a site that offers photos, illustrations, video and music at affordable prices) offers up a series of free downloads for everyone to use - gratis! This means that you can download the image and use it for anything (a card, calendar, website, blog - you name it!) and you don't have to worry about whether there are royalties involved (extra fees that have to be paid based on usage). The image is yours! Clear and free! And, according to iStockPhoto, new images and video clips will be available for your use each week!

Here's a sample of what they have available for you and me this week. Enjoy!




Cut your cable bill. Try Simple.TV: Tip-of-the-Day #257

Simple.TV is the future of television, IMO. If you've ever envisioned the "television of tomorrow" you dream about a time when there will be no boundaries...no rules around what can be accessed and what can’t be...the television of tomorrow will be simple, digital, and global. It will transcend time, languages, and stations as we know them today. Well, I'm pretty certain, Simple.TV is going to get us there.

I recently discovered Simple.TV through a former colleague of mine. It's the first personal DVR that streams live and recorded TV to your favorite devices (laptop, tablet, TV, etc.), wherever you are.

Most of us have access to the major networks - ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, etc. - with a simple HD antenna. Yet most of us pay a fortune every year just so the cable companies can deliver it to us in our living rooms. With Simple.TV, you can literally cut your cable bill and take advantage of all of the amazing HDTV that virtually all of us SHOULD get for free.

I personally pay $200 a month for digital cable through Comcast. Yes, it includes some of the premium channels and access to 24/7 golf (clearly not my choice) but I'm tired of paying almost $2500/yr on television! Right now we can ease into Simple.TV for just $199 for a full year of premium service! And that includes the hardware. With a simple Netflix subscription in the mix I can catch up on movies and HBO or Showtime series that are important to me. Let's all try cutting the cord. Come on! On the count of three! One, twooo, try Simple.TV.

Birthday Brows!: Tip-of-the-Day #256

I just found out from a savvy colleague that Benefit gifts a free brow wax on one's birthday! Holy $20 savings!

Just make an appointment at your nearest Benefit, tell them it's your bday (they'll ask to see your ID and are pretty rigid about redeeming this gift during the actual week of your bday), show up, and walk out with gorgeous brows!

Don't forget to tip - even on a free service. And, they may end up doing your makeup for you which inevitably leads to the impulse under eye concealer purchase - but you're still saving money and you're looking fabulous. Enjoy!

Free Stuff on iTunes!: Tip-of-the-Day #255

To celebrate 5 years in app store business bliss, Apple is giving away five free games and five free apps (for a limited time). Not sure how limited that time is, so check it out now before you miss it. From photo fun to journaling, there's sure to be something in there for everyone. And, it's free.

Go to your iTunes account, then the App Store, and you'll see the link for the celebratory freebies. Enjoy!

Rethink That Ambulance Ride: Tip-of-the-Day #254

This may seem like an odd post, but I feel like it's my civic duty to inform the general public about a recent experience I had with an emergency visit.

Nutshell version: I didn't know that I was having a gall bladder attack late last year and in a panic, my boyfriend phoned for an ambulance. (Note: the pain is similar to that of a heart attack so we weren't completely overreacting). By the time the ambulance arrived, my attack had subsided but I was still encouraged to go to the hospital on a gurney. So I did.

Knowing that I had solid insurance through my place of employment, the last thing on my mind was the cost of the trip. Hah! Not long after, I received a bill in the mail for $2,500. Yep - you read that correctly, two thousand, five hundred dollars! I immediately contacted my insurance group thinking there had been a processing snafu, but that wasn't the problem at all. Most often insurance companies won't pay for an ambulance ride, even if medically necessary! I was flabbergasted and even tried to fight the claim through the state (if you ever read the fine print on the back of your statement it will walk you through this fruitless exercise). But alas, I was on the hook for that money and it had to come right out of my pocket.

Lesson learned: unless you truly believe you need on-the-scene medical attention, don't call an ambulance. That means, don't call 9-1-1 or the police department or the fire department. Jump in a cab. Call a family member. Call in a favor with a friend or neighbor for goodness sake! My nearest emergency room is only five minutes from my house and had I known that the ride wasn't "covered" I could have saved a lot of money. Break it down, that's $500 a minute! Crikey. So, I'm passing this wisdom along. Sigh.

Bed, Bath & Beyond Bargain: Tip-of-the-Day #253

Never pay full price at Bed, Bath and Beyond again. Why? Because now the retailer extends their 20% in-store-only-discount-coupon, online!

Here's the thing about BB&B, you wouldn't think those coupons are that big a deal. In fact, they are often seen lying in junk bins in every mail room across the country. BUT, if you don't have that coupon on your person when you walk in the store and are ready to purchase, you're not getting a discount that day. No way. Those cashiers don't budge.

True story: I walked into a BB&B about a year ago and found the duvet that I'd had my eye on. I was thrilled by the notion that on top of the already discounted price, I'd get an additional 20% off. Got to the register, fished around in my purse for the coupon that's the size of a small dog, and doh! - I'd left it at home. Of course I assumed that they'd give me the savings anyway because they had to have a gagillion of those things lying around behind the register. But it seems they don't and they won't.
I actually ended up having a conversation with the cashier about the value of a customer in the store versus letting that customer leave empty handed and she didn't care. Did. Not. Care.

So, now that the coupons are readily available on the world wide web, that store has become a wonderland again. You'll never have to pay more than 80% of the value of any item! Just go to www.bedbathandbeyond.com and sign up to receive special offers. You'll get those discount coupons flying into your inbox in no time. Hallelujah!

Airbnb for short or long-term rentals: Tip-of-the-Day #252

My sister just received a 60-day notice to vacate her long-term rental in Marin County. The news came as a surprise (read: shock) and she immediately hit up Craigslist for rentals in her desired locations.

Given that it's July (favored month to move) and that she lives in the most desirable town in the world, she isn't finding anything. Nada.

That's when I thought of something else. Airbnb! Airbnb is similar to VRBO in that you can rent a room or cottage, loft, flat, boat, etc. directly from the homeowner in more than 34,000 cities around the world. That said, some homeowners are open to renting their spaces for more than a night. Some even mention that they'd consider a longer term rental. These folks aren't posting their spaces on Craigslist or other apartment rental sites because they may not be entirely certain that they want a full time guest. BUT, they are *open* to the idea and if the right person came along, the stars could just align in everyone's favor.

I've put out the feeler on a couple of great sounding spots. No harm in trying in this tight rental market and worst case is that they decline but may know of someone else with a long term rental in a nearby location.

Creative thinking pays off! I'll keep you posted. :)