Author Archive

January 12, 2011: 8:00 pm: CraigLeisure

To the dedicated cigarette smoker there are plenty of obstacles to getting a nicotine fix. There are so many places that ban smoking, due to the dangers of second hand smoke ,and more places are joining the list of “no smoking allowed” every day. This is where electronic cigarettes come in. They are a smokeless alternative to traditional cigarettes.

Because these are true Smokeless cigarettes , smokers can use them pretty much every place that smoking is prohibited. These e cigarettes offer a hit of nicotine without the secondhand smoke. They are also free of tar, carbon monoxide and the other harmful additives found in regular cigarettes. This means they are better for smokers as well as those around them.

Electronic cigarettes consist of a built-in atomizer that delivers a solution of nicotine along with a choice of flavoring. The ability to enjoy nicotine with a boost of flavor is also an advantage over the additive filled taste of regular cigarettes. E cigs also eliminate smoker’s breath and that heavy smell of tobacco that lives on clothes and in hair long after the cigarette is out. They even allow smokers to express their personality since the holders come in a variety of colors and skins. These smokeless smokes return a lot of the fun to smoking after years of everyone making smoking cigarettes anything but.

December 20, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigTravel

After several years of economic problems, some families are beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. They may even be contemplating a family vacation in 2011, but wondering how to do so without overspending and breaking their budget. There are a few tips that can help then plan a budget-conscious vacation that is still fun for everyone.

The first tip is to work the internet like there’s no tomorrow. Anyone who can’t find great Hotel Deals , discount airline tickets, and even special rates on admission to top attractions just isn’t looking hard enough. The web is full of travel deals and there is no reason not to hunt down the best ones.

Next is to plan activities that are free for small children if not free for everyone. Many cities have parks, concerts, and other events that are free. Museums usually have one day or part of a day that admission is free. many attractions are free to children under a certain age. Work as many of these options into your plan as possible. And don’t forget to find restaurants that have free meals for kids or two-for-one deals.

It may seem like a lot of work just to go on vacation. For many families, this is the first time they’ll have gone anywhere for fun in several years. It’s worth the extra effort to make sure that everyone enjoys themselves and the family’s budget is protected.

December 17, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigTravel

The world, as they say, has gotten smaller. It used to take weeks to circumnavigate the world and today it takes a few days. Travel is constant and it is impossible to calculate how many people visiting foreign countries every day for work, school, government business, or even for pleasure. Some people choose to live in other countries for long periods of times or to spend their lives traveling all over the world.

All of these international travelers have unique needs when it comes to insurance. While they may be citizens of a single country, they require insurance that will protect them while they are in another — or in many, many other nations. To this end insurance companies now offer a variety of international travel insurance policies.

Plans like Bajaj Allianz travel insurance offer comprehensive medical coverage in every country in the world. This includes the US for those foreign visitors who come here. There are policies designed especially for short-term pleasure trips as well as plans designed for those on long-term work or study programs. Those who take to the seas, such as sailor, and cruise workers as well as passengers can also get plans that will entitle them to medical treatment in any port of call.

December 12, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigMedicine

The first time someone uses a CPAP system can seem more than a little intimidating. There are dials and tubes and a mask that all need to be set and used properly. In order to reduce panic, doctors will make sure that they or someone in their office demonstrate how to use the CPAP machine when it is originally prescribed. They will also provide written instructions on using and cleaning the machine so that the patient will have something to refer to once they get their own system home.

CPAP machines are based on the concept of providing continuous air pressure while a person sleeps. This treats sleep apnea, which is basically the disruption of breathing. Patients simply put the mask over their nose, or nose and mouth, turn on the machine to the proper setting, and then relax and fall asleep as naturally as possible.

Some CPAP masks will have additional headgear to hold the mask in place. Tubing and controls will also differ depending on the specific model prescribed by the doctor. This is why it’s important to ask the doctor any questions about the machine, either during the original demo or once they get the machine home. The supplier may also be able to answer questions about maintenance and cleaning of the machine.

December 4, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigHome & Garden

Why would you invest in installing a steam shower in your home? There’s actually several good reasons to consider this bathroom renovation — each with it’s own set of benefits.

The most obvious is to combat stress. If anyone in your household has a stressful job or school environment, the ability to spend twenty minutes in a home steam is invaluable to their mental well-being — and to those who have to interact with them. By adding a massage unit, aromatherapy or even soothing music to the steam shower, the relaxation quotient goes even higher.

Another good reason is if anyone does strenuous workouts at home on a regular basis. The reason that health clubs have steam rooms is that the steam helps prevent the buildup of lactic acid after a workout. It’s also good for relaxing muscles so that there is less or no pain later. These same benefits apply to a home steam shower.

Steam is great therapy for health problems from asthma to bronchitis. It’s good for people with respiratory allergies and ailments as well as sinus conditions. A good steam does wonders for a cold and even healthy people can benefit from the detoxifying quality of steam.

The final reason for adding a steam shower to your home is financial. With the right model, you’ll save money not only on water, but on electricity. You’ll also see the value of your home increase as steam showers become a hot commodity for new home buyers.

November 18, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigHome & Garden

If you’re planning to build a swimming pool in Houston, you may feel overwhelmed by the many different Houston pool companies available to do the actual work. If you’ve never hired a contractor, you probably don’t know where to start. Just remember that it’s just like hiring any other service provider for your family. You want someone with a proven track record who isn’t going to overcharge or scam you.

A good place to start is by looking at online reviews of builders. Check out sites like the BBB and any local consumer sites that rate contractors. You can also ask around to see if anyone you know recently installed a pool to see what their experience was like. They may give you glowing recommendations or caution you to avoid certain companies.

Narrow the list down to three or so companies and ask them for estimates. This process will allow you to meet with the builders and maybe even visit their showrooms. You’ll be able to assess their knowledge and experience. Ask for references from previous customers and be sure to contact those references with specific questions. You can even ask for proof of their contracting licenses and insurance during this stage.

With all that research in mind, it’s time to sit down with the actual estimates and find a builder who balances experience, knowledge, and good reviews with a reasonable price. That will be the right company for your pool project.

November 12, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigEntertainment

The line between fandom and fanaticism is rather thin. It’s one thing to put on some face paint and cheer on your favorite football team. It’s quite another to invest in expensive Mascot Costumes for yourself and your best buds to wear to every home game of the season. However, even the latter might fall on the “fan” side of the line, depending on how much of the wearer’s life is affected by their love of the team.

Fans tend to support and follow teams, athletes, actors, musicians, and other celebrities either from loyalty, appreciation of talent, or a sense of connection with the individual. There are plenty of horror stories of those who take things too far, from John Lennon’s killer to David Letterman’s stalker. There are also countless unreported incidents where a fanatic becomes so obsessed with connecting with the object of their obsession that they cease to be an individual and become, instead, a sad copy of their idol.

Luckily, even the most enthusiastic of football fans are simply sports fans . They may invest heavily in costumes, jerseys, season tickets, and tailgate party supplies, but their interest lasts only as long as a season, and rarely interferes with their ability to conduct their regular day-to-day lives.

November 4, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigBusiness

To the uninitiated, eBay is just a big online shopping site. Experienced users know better. Sure it’s a great place for people to sell off unwanted clothes, art, jewelry and antiques from their desk. However, if you want to earn a living from the auction site you need to understand it’s much more complicated. You’ll need to set up an actual eBay store and then customize it if you have any hope of standing out amongst the throng of sellers.

Most people understand that an item that is for sale on eBay is known as a listing. This consists of all the details of the item and it’s auction as well as images. If you set up an online store you are able to put all their listings in one place. This way when a buyer finds your listing for a coffee mug they will be brought through to your store to see the full line of mugs and coffee-themed items you sell. This is a form of cross promotion that can result in additional sales for you.

Even better, if there are many customizable ebay store designs that will let you put your own stamp on your shop. Not only can you choose different color schemes and design options, you can customize logos, buttons, and add pages about you, your store policies, and even post a newsletter. All these things will give you the opportunity to create a memorable brand in the eyes of buyers — and that’s the most important step in ensuring repeat visits and, with any luck, repeat sales.

October 26, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigShopping

With the holidays just around the corner you’re probably starting to compile shopping lists and wondering what gifts will be best for the different people in your life. If you have one or more coffee lovers in your circle of friends, and, really, who doesn’t these days, there are several things you can consider that will bring a smile to their faces.

A lasting gift is to enroll them in a “coffee of the month” club. This will send samples of different blends to them each month. An alternative is to get them gift cards to a variety of neighborhood coffee shops so that they can sample brews that way.

An easy gift, though possibly expensive, is to do a bit of research into the latest and greatest coffee makers and pick one that you know they’d love but wouldn’t buy for themselves. You should be careful here, though, because if they already have a machine they love, they will be loathe to switch to something new unless it really is something they’ve dreamed of owning.

More whimsical gifts would include a new collection of coffee mugs or travel mugs in their favorite colors or with sayings or cartoons that speak to their personality. You could also buy a book of coffee recipes , including food items as well as desserts for them to try, or home decor items with a coffee theme, such as kitchen towels, wall art, or a set of coffee magnets for their fridge.

October 19, 2010: 4:10 pm: CraigShopping

For anyone who grew up clipping coupons out of newspapers and magazines to help their moms save money, shopping online may seem rather boring. Sure, retailers will offer great deals and sales and some even offer free shipping if you order above a certain dollar amount, but where’s the little surge of excitement from handing over a coupon and seeing the price fall even further?

That’s where coupon codes come in. They work just like paper coupons — and not just at the checkout. You have to go out on the web and hunt them down, just like you did as a kid. Only instead of scouring through magazines, newspapers, and mailers, you’re searching emails, forums, online newsletters, and coupon websites. That’s right, there are entire website out there devoted to collecting coupon codes to be used on everything from books to electronics to delivery from your local pizza place .

As with old school coupons, coupon codes will have expiration dates and may have restrictions on how they are used. Be careful of manufacturer coupon codes as they usually only work if you order direct from the parent company site. As long as you read the fine print and use them before they expire, coupon codes can be as much fun as clipping coupons — without getting ink all over your hands.

So get out there and start collecting coupon codes and save that money.