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July's Birthstone -Ruby

Monday

Regifting: Turning Unwanted Gifts Into Gold



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It may be true that, when it comes to gift giving, "It's the thought that counts." But sometimes--particularly when the giver doesn't know the recipient too well--a particular gift isn't the best choice for the person who gets it. According to 2007 research from eBay, 84 percent of U.S. adults receive unwanted gifts during the holiday season.

One solution to these unwelcome gifts is regifting, or passing the present on to someone who would appreciate it more.

"Regifting and reselling on sites like eBay are great ways to let someone else enjoy a gift that isn't right for you or to earn some extra money," says Marsha Collier, author of "Santa Shops on eBay" and "eBay for Dummies." "It is important to be thoughtful when regifting and reselling. You don't want to hurt anyone's feelings or ruin any relationships."

Collier offers these additional tips on regifting etiquette:

• Don't mention it. When you're regifting, be wary about the original gift giver and your new recipient. So pass along the cheer but not the news.

• Rewrap it. Lest you accidentally regift the card, too, take the time to at least rewrap the present. Previously opened or wrinkled paper is another way to sabotage your regifting plans.

• Do keep track of regifts and where they came from. Nothing is more embarrassing than giving a regift to someone, only to discover that he or she is the one who gave it to you in the first place.

• Not everything makes a good regift. Items to avoid include candles, soap, bargain-bin books, mysterious CDs/videos, software, tasteless jewelry, scarves, fruitcake or anything the giftee would be puzzled to receive.

If you don't want to regift an item, another solution is to resell it. A great place for reselling is eBay and it's also a great way to make some extra money during the holidays. Collier offers these tips for reselling:

• Do your research. Take a look at how similar items have sold by looking at the completed listings.

• Take photographs. Use a simple white background. Photograph the front, back and any detailing of the item.

• Make your title searchable. Use keywords that someone might use when searching for your item: color, size, brand/designer, new or pre-owned.

• Be descriptive in the listing. Include as much detail as possible: size, color, measurements, designer, embellishments and any flaws.

• Communicate. Try to answer potential buyers' questions promptly and with as much detail as possible.

To learn about eBay and selling online, visit ebaystores.com

Regifting can be a great way to help unwanted presents find appreciative owners.


Saturday

Easy, Affordable Tips For Taking Holiday Videos



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While most families have a designated photographer to preserve precious holiday moments, using a digital point-and-shoot camera to record video can be a very affordable way to capture and easily share holiday stories in action. Many digital point-and-shoot cameras take excellent-quality video. To commemorate holiday moments, all you need is a high-performance flash memory card with at least 4GB (gigabytes) or 8GB of storage to avoid running out of space.

Companies that specialize in flash memory cards, such as SanDisk, have recently launched high-performance cards such as the SanDisk Ultra II SDHC flash memory cards with up to 32GB of storage. With at least a 4GB card, you won't have to worry about changing cards in the middle of the action. High-performance memory cards can also help maximize camera shooting speed and improve your overall photo-capturing experience. And with these cards' faster read-and-write performance, the wait time to download images and video from your camera to computer is reduced.

Here are some other tips and tricks for taking great holiday videos:

• The small size of digital point-and-shoot cameras allows for greater maneuverability. Experiment with difficult shots and camera positioning and see where they lead you. By trying out different angles to create variation, your videos will often become more interesting as a result.

• Take as much video as possible and you can always edit it down later on. Don't shortchange yourself by limiting the amount of footage you shoot. Think about how many memories are lost when the camera is on pause.

• Inadequate lighting can ruin video, so brighten the set even more than you think might be necessary, especially when shooting indoors.

• Don't hide behind the camera. Use a tripod or stable surface to ensure that you're included in the holiday memories.

• When capturing video of the kids, get down to their level. No one wants to watch a video of the tops of their heads.

• Conduct holiday interviews-- especially if there are several generations in the room. This will make for great memories for years to come.

Check out tigerdirect.com holiday deals on computers, mp3 players and other electronices.


Friday

Get Real--The Easy-Money Days Are Over



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With tough times ahead, a new approach to money is necessary to achieve the financial security and sanity you desire.

The events on Wall Street have been a wake-up call for all of us. Yet despite the drastic change in our economic landscape, few people are making the changes in behavior that will bring them financial peace of mind in the long run. With a host of new obstacles and challenges, people cannot afford to approach their finances in the same way that they have for the last five to 10 years and expect to "be OK" or "get by." MSN Money columnist MP Dunleavey explains that financial honesty and developing a solid plan for reaching your financial goals are the only ways to stay afloat during these rocky times. Old-fashioned as they sound, the golden rules of money management still apply. Here are some of her tips for getting ahead in hard times:

• Go on a cash-only diet. Don't jeopardize the future to keep up appearances, or even conveniences, in the present. Numerous studies have demonstrated that people spend less when they only use cash because they become more aware of where their money is going. Instead of mindlessly swiping those credit cards, switch to good, old-fashioned cash and witness how much less you spend, how much more you save.

• Adopt a no-excuses strategy. You may not want to take on a second job or sell your grandfather's watch--but you may have to. Do whatever it takes to get your finances under control now and you'll thank yourself when you watch debts dry up and savings build into a cushion you can depend on.

• Keep up the basics. Glancing at your 401(k) statement might make your stomach drop but keep those retirement contributions steady. Studies show that regular investments over time yield the biggest payoff. We don't know what the next decades may bring. You must depend on savings efforts now to truly enjoy your golden years down the road.

• Reprioritize spending. Spend five minutes reviewing last month's bank statement and note where your money went. Does your spending reflect your priorities? Maybe it's time to adjust. Aim to get your basic living expenses down to about 60 to 70 percent of your income. It can be done, if you're honest with yourself about what's essential. With the rest, save in order to spend. Meaning: Allocate 10 percent for retirement, 5 to 10 percent for unexpected expenses, 5 to 10 percent for long-term expenses (or getting out of debt) and 5 to 10 percent for, yes, having fun. Most of your savings is money you'll spend--but with this system, you'll have the cash and won't be forced to turn to credit.

• Prepare for the extras. It is easy to get carried away with the generous spirit--or consumer pressure--when holidays, birthdays or other special occasions roll around. Rather than succumb to the undertow of the buy-more mentality, remember the purpose of gift giving: to show appreciation to our loved ones. Keep in mind that there are creative ways that you can do this without breaking the bank. When you do spend, use the cash you've been saving. If you can't buy it, you don't want to owe it.

Top Pre-Holiday Online Shopping Deals (Plus Black Friday/Cyber Monday):
Kmart.com
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Wal-Mart.com USA, LLC


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Monday

The Defining Moment - President-Elect Obama's Current Reading Material



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In President Elect Obama's first interview on CBS 60 Minutes since being elected, he mentioned reading a book about Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first 100 Days that book is The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days And the Triumph of Hope
by Jonathan Alter. Buy the book for yourself to get insights into what President-Elect Obama is envisioning for our future:


The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days And the Triumph of Hope
The Defining Moment: FDR's Hundred Days And the Triumph of Hope
$29.95

In this dramatic and authoritative account, the author shows how FDR used his famous "fear itself" speech and the first hundred days in office to lift the country from despair and paralysis and transform the American presidency.

Buy now and Get 25% off an item at Borders.com

Buy it now from Borders.com

Pick up the President-Elects two books for someone for the holidays:
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream
Get 25% off an item at Borders.com

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance

Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance
Paperback - only $6.95 plus Get 25% off an item at Borders.com


Friday

Cole Haan Nike Air - This most comfortable shoes ever!



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I picked up a pair of Cole Haan Nike Air shoes from Marshall's recently. These sleep on ultra comfortable shoes cost around $165 dollars but I picked up a pair on Marshall's clearance rack for $29.99. This shoes are the perfect commuting shoe. I can run in them to catch trains and wear them all day in the office.

Finding them at Marshall's was a fluke ...perhaps I won't find them there again. I found other pairs online at SHOP.COM
click below to see the online sales prices. Plus look at the selection of other Cole Haan Nike Air shoes.

Cole Haan Devin Air Ballet

Cole Haan Devin Air Ballet

Usually Ships in 24-48 Hours Details: Enhance the look of your khakis and jeans by finishing off the outfit with these air ballets. The sassy front buckle and miniature heel take this casual pair to the next level making them a fashionable fit for a variety of styles. *"Devin" air ballet with buckle and heel by Cole Haan *Rounded toe *Leather upper *Patent leather around the sides and vamp *Laser cut circles on the edge of the patent trim *Decorative leather strap across the vamp wth a buckle *Black shoe has a gunmetal buckle and the dark chocolate has a brass buckle *Padded foot bed with the "Cole Haan" logo on the heel *Smooth leather sole *Stacked high heel is approximately 1 high *Sleeper bag included * Note: This item must have all of its accompanying components intact to be accepted for return. Please notice if sleeper bag and authenticity tag are present *Imported

Cole Haan Melinda Air Leather Slingbacks

Cole Haan Melinda Air Leather Slingbacks

Usually Ships in 24-48 Hours Details: Strut your stuff in the smart and sophisticated Melinda Air from Cole Haan. With a sexy platform high heel and Nike Air technology, these leather slingbacks have beauty and brains. Crisscrossing leather straps feature patent lacing for a gleamy flourish. *"Melinda Air" leather slingbacks from Cole Haan *Genuine leather upper with patent leather trim *Slightly elasticized slingback strap with adjustable buckle closure *Crisscross straps over vamp with patent leather lacing *Lightly padded footbed with Nike Air technology *Open, rounded peep-toe *Soft, genuine leather sole *Approximately 3.5" stacked heel *Approximately .5" leather-covered platform *Sleeper bag included * Note: This item must have all of its accompanying components intact to be accepted for return. Please notice if sleeper bag is present. *Imported

They are also at Macys.com - This is the most comfortable shoe to wear!!!



Cole-Haan "Air Dorie" Rain Shoe Women's Shoes
$160 use this Macys.com coupon to save!

Something Extra - enjoy 15-20% off at Macys.com! Enter promo code EXTRAOFF at checkout. Valid 12-Nov-2008 through 17-Nov-2008.