It’s that time of the year again. It is time to start thinking about hitting the books. Before hitting the books comes the infamous back to school shopping trip. Avoid the crowds in the school supplies aisles and find much better deals using Amazon.com and Amazon coupons for all your back to school needs. Whether it’s the first day of kindergarten or the first night in a college dorm, Amazon has what you need.

Help defray the cost of books by buying on Amazon. College students can sign up for a free, one year Amazon Prime membership, which is valued at $79 per year. All you need to do is give them your .edu e-mail address, intended field of study, and the name of your college or university. This free membership will give you FREE two-day shipping. While signing up for Amazon prime be sure to check out all the great deals you can get on your back to college essentials. From laptops, textbooks, clothing, bedding, electronics, and more, Amazon will have it to you in two days for free.

If you lack the .edu e-mail address, this does not mean you can’t save on all the back to school essentials. Many items on Amazon qualify for FREE Super Saver Shipping. This is perfect for parents, students, and teachers. If you spend more than $25 dollars on qualifying items, your shipping is free. Knowing how much school supplies can run you each year, this is a great way to one-stop shop without spending way too much time in the checkout line.

A current feature on Amazon includes the 50 bestselling school supplies under $5. Stock up on pens, notebooks, glue sticks, paper, scissors, and more without breaking the bank.

In addition to your typical back-to-school checklist items, Amazon offers a wide variety of other back to school essentials. School uniforms, clothes, backpacks, and the latest technology. Shopping with Amazon coupons is the best way to ensure the best deals in town on anything and everything.

In terms of the latest technology be sure to check out the Kindle DX Wireless. With built in Wi-Fi, this new Kindle allows you to purchase and download books in less than a minute’s time. It’s sleek with a high-contrast screen, and can last up to one month on just one charging. This may just be the best alternative to lugging heavy books around campus. If you’re interested, get your name on the waiting list to get one. This product is in demand and currently sold out.

If you are going to college soon then you probably have an idea already of how your dorm room will look. The next step, of course, is to start shopping for the right dorm room furniture to get that look. This is a very exciting activity but it can also be very confusing, especially for those who are going to college for the first time. Fortunately, you can now easily shop for furniture for your dorm room on the internet. With online shopping, you don’t need to actually go to the store and pick up the furniture. You can simply select what you want from your computer and then the store will just deliver the furniture to your dorm.

As easy as online shopping can be, it can still be quite a chore. What follows are 5 tips for dorm room furniture shopping online that can help make the experience a breeze.

Look for discounts and sales
If you find something that you like but the price too steep, don’t give up. The best thing about shopping online is that you can easily search for discounts and bargains, as well as compare them to one another. Check out as many stores as you can before making a purchase. Watch out for special promos or freebies that translate to bigger savings. The key is not to settle until you are satisfied.

Use coupon codes
Many stores have coupon codes that will allow you to get big discounts. Look for Kohl’s coupons and take a virtual stroll through their “Dorm Shop”. Coupon codes are just like ordinary coupons that you see in magazines and newspapers. However, instead of actually cutting out the coupons, all you need to do to get discounts on shopping online is to copy the code and to paste it on the online shopping cart.

Ask for a student discount
It may not be advertised most of the time, but many stores actually give special discounts to students. There is no harm in asking. You can send a quick email or give them a call to find out if they give discounts to students and, if ever, how much. Do this for several stores and you’ll probably find some great deals.

Set a budget
It is easy to go overboard and spend too much while shopping online because of the number of choices available. To avoid this from happening, set a budget and stick to it. Buy the essentials first and then when you have extra, that’s the only time that you should allow yourself to buy extra stuff. Avoid buying very expensive pieces because you are not staying in your dorm room forever. On the other hand, you should not buy run-of-the-mill stuff that would last only for a few months.

Have fun
Don’t forget to have fun while shopping online. If you are really on a bind, you can always go to eBay to buy some really cheap furniture.

If you are planning to set up a home office, then you need to choose your furniture well. Do you know that the type of furniture you are using has a direct effect on your productivity? Just try to work on an uncomfortable chair. You won’t want to sit in front of your computer for even just a few minutes if your back is hurting like heck. If there is one thing that you should not scrimp on in setting up your home office, it is the furniture that you will use every single day. Many office-related stores like Best Buy have a variety of top-notch office furniture that you can get a good deal with by using things like Best Buy coupons.

Love your back
The first piece of furniture that you should give a lot of thought to is your chair. Working at home, you will be doing almost all of your most important activities while seated in front of your computer. Your choice of chair will have a tremendous impact on your productivity, as well as the health of your back. You really don’t need to get office chairs that cost several hundred dollars. Just make sure that the chair is ergonomic, which means that it is designed to accommodate the natural curves of your body. Ergonomic chairs and furniture provide the support that your back requires. Of course, using Best Buy coupons can help you get a high dollar office chair much cheaper if there’s one that really catches your eye.

Don’t go blind working
Lighting is another thing that you need to pay attention to when designing and furnishing a home office. Don’t forget lighting fixtures when you are shopping for home office furniture. Your place of work should always be well-lit. Staring in front of the computer is bad enough for the eyes as it is and you don’t want to stress your eyes more by making them work under a dark and gloomy environment. Make sure that you have a lamp on your desk or a floor lamp that directly illuminates your work area. If you can see what you are doing well then you are most likely to do well in it!

Keep everything within reach
Productivity can be affected when you can’t find important stuff or if they are not within reach. Keep everything that you need for work in a spot where it’s easily accessible. To do this, you should get a desk that can hold everything that you need for your business. You can also get a utility shelf which can hold all the important stuff such as files, suppliers and other things, too. Place this shelf near your desk.

Invest on durable pieces
You can’t be productive if you spend a lot of your time replacing broken furniture. This is why it makes sense that you buy pieces that will last for years. Cheap furniture may save you a few dollars now but it can cost you more in the future.
Remember that you choice of furniture will have a direct impact on your productivity so choose well. Save money on your office furniture, too, with Best Buy coupons or coupons/promo codes for the store of your choice.

1. Life Size Replicas of Women – Sex Doll

These Japanese Dolls are currently available for around $6,500 and they can be found mostly in Japan or you can order one online. The material used in their construction is silicone and they look as close to real women as possible. The producer claims that the skin of these dolls feels exactly like human skin and you can even take them for a swim because they are waterproof. (more…)

Valentine’s Day is the time to show your love with memorable romantic gestures. During a recession, this can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many creative ways to show your love for someone without breaking the bank. Decide which of these 10 ideas would work for your relationship.

Recycle Jewelry

Did you know that you can bring old jewelry to jewelers and have new pieces made? Most women have old jewelry lying around that has meaning but they no longer wear, is broken, or has lost the other in the set. Take in that jewelry and have it turned into something a little more modern, a little more “her”. Use the same gemstones and you won’t loose any of the special meaning. Work with the jeweler to design a custom piece or select something more standard. This will still cost you some money, but a whole lot less than buying the same piece at retail.

Cooking Lessons

Instead of spending tons of cash on a 5 star dinner like you normally do on Valentine’s day, sign both of you up for weekend cooking lessons. You will spend some great time together, meet other couples, and take home a skill that will last a lifetime. Look online for local classes that teach you how to roll sushi, pair wines with meals, cook ethnic foods, or bake yummy pastries. This may become a new tradition that outlasts an expensive dinner.

A Night In

Especially if you have kids, work opposite schedules, or just work too much, why not enjoy a quiet night in for a change? Send the kids to Grandma’s for the night (or weekend), clean the house, set out candles, change the sheets, prepare a delicious dinner, buy a nice bottle of wine, and rent a few romantic movies. Turn of the phones and computer and just enjoy each other’s company for a whole evening. Make sure to keep the conversation positive and don’t talk about work, money, or anything else that causes stress. Fall in love all over again.

Hand-made Gifts

If you are really strapped for cash, make something. Hand made cards and gifts can send a wonderful message about how special your lover is to you. Take your time and make something really nice. Research poems and romantic quotes for the card. If you have an artistic skill, use that to make a special gift that centers on the love you feel. If not, make something kind of funny, like a glitter and yarn card you would have in 2nd grade. Let both of your personalities come through. Never apologize for not having money when handing over a hand-made gift, tell your lover you made this just for them because nothing can be purchased that expresses how you really feel about them.

Romantic Scavenger Hunt

Scavenger hunts can be fun way to draw out the gift giving process, and allows for smaller gifts rather than one big one. Think of creative, inexpensive gift ideas like chocolates, one red rose, a DVD, scented lotion, or other favorite item. Hide the gifts around the house and leave a trail of romantic clues that leads to each gift. For example, you might hide scented lotion in the nightstand drawer with a clue like, “ tonight I will melt away your day as you lie in bed and receive a relaxing massage, the gift will be within arm’s reach.”

Indulgent Massage

Massages are always welcome gifts. If you can afford it, get a couple’s massage. It is a treat to enjoy this relaxing experience together. If money is tight, get a gift certificate redeemable for a massage at a later date. If money is really tight, buy a bottle of massage oil, lower the lights, and give the massage yourself. Actually, the home massage sounds the most romantic, so brush up on your skills and indulge your lover. Make sure to have a quiet, relaxing atmosphere and offer a glass of wine before the massage.

Dinner at Home

If you have never been the one to cook, surprise your date this Valentine’s Day by cooking a delicious dinner for two. Go online and watch some cooking instruction videos that will show you the techniques and recipes needed to prepare a delicious meal. Try to pick something that you have eaten before that looks about at your skill level. Purchase all the ingredients ahead of time, make the necessary preparations, and tell your date to dress nice. Clean your place, light candles, play your favorite romantic music, and enjoy your wonderful, home-cooked dinner. Don’t forget about dessert.

Romantic DVDs

If your date loves romantic movies and you don’t, indulge them this Valentine’s Day. When money is tight, go to your local video store and pick out 2 or 3 really gooey romantic movies that you would normally never watch. Back at home; get the living room all set up for a movie marathon. Light the fire if you have one, bring in some blankets and pillows, stock up on favorite movie snacks, and prepare for a night in. Let this night be about your date and enjoy the happiness you are providing. This is a kind gesture that will be appreciated.

Perform Chores

Not the romantic type? Have almost no money? Then give the gift of relaxation and reprieve. Do the chore your lover hates to do and provide coupons that can be redeemed throughout the year for the same purpose. If you are clever about the wording on the coupons, then this can be a romantic gesture. Stress how important it is to you that your lover feels good, so you are willing to burden their unpleasant tasks when they are really not up to it.

Barter

Before we had money, we bartered for everything. Strike a deal with a local artist, masseuse, hairdresser, or shop owner. Trade something you have or can do that is of value to the person for a Valentine’s Day gift. There is no need to tell your date how you got the wonderful gift.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. When the bells are all ringing, the kiddies are singing and the criminals are near. Although it may seem like nothing could possibly go wrong during the holiday season, think again.

Criminals are still on the prowl to snatch some goodies, steal from the unknowing and score some good loot. However, as a result of some ill preparation, these plans may backfire.

1. Santa On Motorcycle Steals Children?!

Let’s take for example the bike-riding, child-stealing Santa Claus from South Carolina. Apparently, John Michael Barton, 55, grabbed an 8-year-old girl from outside a convenience store. He was there filling up the gas in his motorcycle, just as the young girl’s family arrived at the store. Unfortunately, this Santa Claus was arrested after a high-speed chase of 80 mph. The stuffed Rudolph in Barton’s sidecar didn’t really help matters, either.

2. Christmas In The Slammer: Take The High Road

Or this case of true love: apparently Dawn Smith, from Oklahoma, was arrested after bringing a Christmas card to her boyfriend who was incarcerated in a Delaware County jail. Sure, the Christmas card was filled with plenty of holiday cheer… as well as marijuana.

3. It Wouldn’t Be Christmas Without A Drunk Santa

Back to the subject of Santa Claus. In Wisconsin, there was a 911 call on a man dressed up in a Santa Claus outfit who was apparently sitting in the passenger seat of a drunk driver’s car. When the car was stopped, the intoxicated jolly man fell out of the car and was hugging some kids nearby. According to a witness, Mr. Claus was asking the kids where his reindeer were. Oh and of course he was cited for having an open container in the car. Not a good example for the kiddies!

4. Court Bailiff Steals Courthouse Lobby Wreaths, Sells For Profit

Here is a story of the stolen Christmas wreaths. Apparently in New Hampshire, a court bailiff was accused of stealing Christmas wreaths from the lobby of the Manchester Superior Courthouse. And… he was selling them, too! The bailiff claims that he sold the wreaths at the request of an elderly woman that had made them. However, the wreaths were among 36 others that were stolen from Jacques Flower Shop in the city of Goffstown.

Funny to note is that seven courthouse employees bought wreaths at $10.00 each! It makes you wonder if that was the original asking price for the wreaths, because apparently someone noticed store price tags, which in turn triggered the investigation.

5. Get Drunk, Steal Christmas Tree, Ride Bike Home, Get Caught.

In Portage, Indiana, a man was arrested for theft and public intoxication. Police had spotted Phillip Menefee, 48, riding a bike with a stolen Christmas tree balancing across the handlebars. The bike was equipped with its own homemade motor, but without lights. Earlier that evening, Menefee was drinking at a bar and claims that he bought a tree from a lot that was run by Mathisen Tree Farms of Greenville in Michigan. However, the lot had closed and Menefee stated that he bought the tree from the bar. Guess we can blame that on the alcohol.

The $40.00 tree was returned.

If it seems like Christmas came around a lot sooner this year, you’re definitely not alone.

Suddenly you’re run down by shopping carts at Wal-Mart, you hum “Jingle Bells” sub-consciously, and your kids (if you have any) start kissing your you-know-what like no tomorrow.  Is Christmas here already?  Are the family gatherings, parties, gift-wrapping and long lines at the post office back in full swing?  Yes, guess it is. (more…)