Office supplies coupons can really help you save a lot of cash on your next purchase. When it comes to office supply shopping, it can be very easy to throw down a lot of cash without even realizing it. Just think about what you usually buy: ink cartridges, printer supplies and other generally expensive items, right? Well, instead of paying an arm and a leg for items you'll need all of the time, why not use office supply coupons and save yourself the trouble?
If you plan on visiting your local office store in person, try using printable coupons for your store of choice. If you shop at Office Depot, try some office depot printable coupons. If you like to make your purchases at Office Max, try some office max printable coupons on for size. And if you shop at Office World or Staples? Why, you can use Office World printable coupons or Staples office supply coupons to save money.
Every store almost has a coupon system that can help you reduce your costs whether you're running a business or just need to keep track of your home finances. If you decide that shopping online is more your style, then why not make use of Office Max online coupons? Office Max online coupons are basically office supply coupon codes that allow you to save money without a tangible coupon in hand. You will most likely be emailed promotional offers from your favorite office supply store and sometimes you'll receive office supply coupon codes in the mix.
So far, we've established you can save money both in person and online with office supplies coupons. Office supply coupons can help you stay on budget without sacrificing quality or compromising. You can shop at your favorite store still. Just make sure you get store specific coupons. Office Depot coupons can help you save money on printer ink cartridges. That's the beauty of coupons for Office Depot—you can save money on just about anything in the store at any given time of the year. You just have to be diligent in your coupon clipping—or should I say printing? The same goes for Office Max online coupons and various other discount office supplies coupons.
Office supply coupon codes can help you keep all of that extra pocket change for something fun. You may even consider investing that saved money. Regardless of what you decide to do, just remember that office supply coupons and store specific ones like Office Max online coupons and Office Depot coupons are worth the time they take to cut out or print. Coupons for office depot and for other stores are worth every effort needed. After all, what's a few clicks of the mouse or snips with the scissors when we're talking about cold hard cash in your pocket? The next time you need printer ink cartridges and office supplies, remember discount office supplies coupons and office supply coupons
Coffee Coupons Printable From the Privacy of Your Own Home
Many people drink coffee on a daily basis, and there is a way to get your coffee at a discount. You can get free coupons for the coffee that you drink and this can help you save money on this important staple. Many people are skeptical about using coupons, but they can save you a tremendous amount of money and allow you to get your favorite brand of coffee for a lot less.
A great way to get free coupons for coffee is to take simple surveys and your reward at the end of the completed survey will be coupons for your favorite brand of coffee. You may get to choose from several types of coupons and this can help you to try new things and see if you may like something better. You may not be able to always afford your favorite copy and with a coupon you will be able to purchase the coffee you love and you will not have to settle for a generic.
When you take a survey, you are giving your opinion to many times very large companies. This is a very important responsibility and you need to make sure that you are giving your honest opinion. You can get through the surveys very quickly, but you may want to slow down and take your time so you can give these companies your honest and valuable opinion. There may be survey sites out there that do not offer any compensation for completing surveys and you will want the one that offers the little rewards in coupons to make it worth your time.
Printable coffee coupons can help you to create a way to save money and you may even be able to try new coffee that you have never tried before because of the expense. All you need is a valid email address and there are no hidden sign up fees or other fees. Taking surveys is a great way to get valuable coupons.
A great way to get free coupons for coffee is to take simple surveys and your reward at the end of the completed survey will be coupons for your favorite brand of coffee. You may get to choose from several types of coupons and this can help you to try new things and see if you may like something better. You may not be able to always afford your favorite copy and with a coupon you will be able to purchase the coffee you love and you will not have to settle for a generic.
When you take a survey, you are giving your opinion to many times very large companies. This is a very important responsibility and you need to make sure that you are giving your honest opinion. You can get through the surveys very quickly, but you may want to slow down and take your time so you can give these companies your honest and valuable opinion. There may be survey sites out there that do not offer any compensation for completing surveys and you will want the one that offers the little rewards in coupons to make it worth your time.
Printable coffee coupons can help you to create a way to save money and you may even be able to try new coffee that you have never tried before because of the expense. All you need is a valid email address and there are no hidden sign up fees or other fees. Taking surveys is a great way to get valuable coupons.
Final Tip: By researching and comparing you will find the best free printable coupons online offers, however you are welcome to take advantage of the resources already listed in our website, we have done all the hard work for you.
H. Milla runs the Free Printable Coupons Online website - where you can get $75 printable coupons for free. Also, several resources with thousands of coupons available. Visit for further information and take advantage of our current promotions of well known brands and several others free printable coupons online resources.
How To Find Coupon Codes For Office Supplies
Discount coupon codes! They are those little numbers, letters or words that instantly save you money on a purchase and you don't have to do a thing to deserve it. It's a beautiful thing, really, especially when you're buying office supplies. Those products really add up when it comes to price. I mean, how often are you having to replace printer ink cartridges? Every month or so? That's a lot of money. But the good news is you can save money with coupon codes. The only effort you'll expend is in finding the little buggers. So, shall we get started?
Make Google & Yahoo & Ask.com Your Friend
One of the best ways to find discount coupon codes for office supplies is to utilize search engines. Just type in the term "coupon code" along with "office supplies" or "printer ink cartridges" and you should come up with a ton of results that could help you save money. If you are looking to shop at a particular store, you can also include words like "Staples Coupon Codes" or "Office Depot" to your search to get more specific results.
Sign Up For Newsletters
You know how every time you order from an online store they ask you if you want to join their newsletter that contains offers and new product announcements? They're annoying, right? And most people just click "No Thanks" and move along. However, if you opt-in on these offers, you may very well find yourself getting e-mail coupon codes on a regular basis. That's right, you'll be e-mailed office supply coupon codes and you won't even have to search for them! Now that's the real way to save money.
Check Your Office Supplies Order
A lot of the time when you receive an order from an online store, you'll get all sorts of ads thrown in the box along with your receipt and product. Most people just throw those ads away. However, if you take a moment to look through them, you might just find yourself staring at a coupon code for the store you just bought from. Stores want to encourage repeat customers and coupon codes for products like printer ink cartridges, Epson printer ink and even Brother ink cartridges can make all the difference.
Flip Through the Paper
Yes, I know that's where you get those physical coupons that you have to cut out and are a royal pain, but just hear me out. A lot of catalogs and store mailers have coupon codes on them now. When there is a special promotion going on, they may print a code on the flyer to encourage people to buy their products within a given amount of time. And who are you to argue, right? Before you throw away all of that "junk" mail, be sure to check and make sure that it is really junk first. You wouldn't want to trash a coupon code for printer ink or other office supplies, right?
Make Google & Yahoo & Ask.com Your Friend
One of the best ways to find discount coupon codes for office supplies is to utilize search engines. Just type in the term "coupon code" along with "office supplies" or "printer ink cartridges" and you should come up with a ton of results that could help you save money. If you are looking to shop at a particular store, you can also include words like "Staples Coupon Codes" or "Office Depot" to your search to get more specific results.
Sign Up For Newsletters
You know how every time you order from an online store they ask you if you want to join their newsletter that contains offers and new product announcements? They're annoying, right? And most people just click "No Thanks" and move along. However, if you opt-in on these offers, you may very well find yourself getting e-mail coupon codes on a regular basis. That's right, you'll be e-mailed office supply coupon codes and you won't even have to search for them! Now that's the real way to save money.
Check Your Office Supplies Order
A lot of the time when you receive an order from an online store, you'll get all sorts of ads thrown in the box along with your receipt and product. Most people just throw those ads away. However, if you take a moment to look through them, you might just find yourself staring at a coupon code for the store you just bought from. Stores want to encourage repeat customers and coupon codes for products like printer ink cartridges, Epson printer ink and even Brother ink cartridges can make all the difference.
Flip Through the Paper
Yes, I know that's where you get those physical coupons that you have to cut out and are a royal pain, but just hear me out. A lot of catalogs and store mailers have coupon codes on them now. When there is a special promotion going on, they may print a code on the flyer to encourage people to buy their products within a given amount of time. And who are you to argue, right? Before you throw away all of that "junk" mail, be sure to check and make sure that it is really junk first. You wouldn't want to trash a coupon code for printer ink or other office supplies, right?
How To Find Printable Staples Online Ink Coupons To Purchase Ink Cartridges And Printer Supplies
While some people still are clipping coupons out of the newspaper flyers, a lot of people are getting with the times and utilizing the Internet to its maximum potential. You can make use of Staples printable coupons, save money and only expend a few simple clicks of the mouse! When it comes to saving money online, it really is as easy as it sounds.
So how can you go about getting your hands on an online Staples ink coupon? Easy! There are many promotional offers sent out via email by companies like Staples. Sign up for their newsletter and you'll receive Staples com coupons right in your inbox. It's easy to do and you don't even have to print them out, usually. Sometimes, you can just enter the code on the online Staples ink coupon when you're buying products online and you get an instant discount!
A Staple coupon can help you save a significant amount of money on your next purchase. Think of it this way: you're using technology to save money on technology. It's a win-win situation. Even if you still prefer to shop in person and physically go to the store, you can use Staples printable coupons. These are easily found on the web and all you need to do is print them out and give them to the cashier when you check out. Pretty easy, right? A Staples com coupon doesn't have to be utilized on the web alone—another great reason to let your mouse do some Staples promotions searching.
Staples com discount coupons can help you save money on products that you need regularly like printer ink cartridges and other office printer supplies. You don't need to run a business to benefit from Staples printable coupons. Rather, you just need to have a printer and a need to print! Any savings you get are worth the effort. And just think: many people forego using coupons because it's too difficult or they don't feel like planning their purchases. But if you do a little bit of planning and print out a coupon or use one online, you can save serous cash. And savings like these really add up over time.
Staples com discount coupons and online Staples printer ink coupons are easy to use and can help you cut a few monetary corners. And while you're at it, don't forget other great Staples promotions like a Staples free shipping code. A Staples free shipping code can be used at the time of checkout when you make a purchase online. Just enter the code and your purchase will ship to you free. This is especially great considering much of people's apprehension about buying online is the added shipment costs.
So the next time you find yourself needing printer ink cartridges or your printer supplies, hit the web. You can try searching for terms like:
Staples Deals Com
Staples rewards free shipping
Staples online coupons
Staples printable coupons
Staples coupons codes
Try different variations of these terms and see what you come up with. More often than not, you'll find Staples printable coupons ready to be downloaded, printed and redeemed at your local store.
So how can you go about getting your hands on an online Staples ink coupon? Easy! There are many promotional offers sent out via email by companies like Staples. Sign up for their newsletter and you'll receive Staples com coupons right in your inbox. It's easy to do and you don't even have to print them out, usually. Sometimes, you can just enter the code on the online Staples ink coupon when you're buying products online and you get an instant discount!
A Staple coupon can help you save a significant amount of money on your next purchase. Think of it this way: you're using technology to save money on technology. It's a win-win situation. Even if you still prefer to shop in person and physically go to the store, you can use Staples printable coupons. These are easily found on the web and all you need to do is print them out and give them to the cashier when you check out. Pretty easy, right? A Staples com coupon doesn't have to be utilized on the web alone—another great reason to let your mouse do some Staples promotions searching.
Staples com discount coupons can help you save money on products that you need regularly like printer ink cartridges and other office printer supplies. You don't need to run a business to benefit from Staples printable coupons. Rather, you just need to have a printer and a need to print! Any savings you get are worth the effort. And just think: many people forego using coupons because it's too difficult or they don't feel like planning their purchases. But if you do a little bit of planning and print out a coupon or use one online, you can save serous cash. And savings like these really add up over time.
Staples com discount coupons and online Staples printer ink coupons are easy to use and can help you cut a few monetary corners. And while you're at it, don't forget other great Staples promotions like a Staples free shipping code. A Staples free shipping code can be used at the time of checkout when you make a purchase online. Just enter the code and your purchase will ship to you free. This is especially great considering much of people's apprehension about buying online is the added shipment costs.
So the next time you find yourself needing printer ink cartridges or your printer supplies, hit the web. You can try searching for terms like:
Staples Deals Com
Staples rewards free shipping
Staples online coupons
Staples printable coupons
Staples coupons codes
Try different variations of these terms and see what you come up with. More often than not, you'll find Staples printable coupons ready to be downloaded, printed and redeemed at your local store.
How To Find Staples Discount Codes And Staples Coupons For Printer Ink Cartridges
Just about everyone shops for office printer supplies now and then. Whether you run a small business or just have a computer at home, printer ink cartridges are a valuable tool for creating brilliant documents and presentations, regardless of reason. But these products can be expensive, especially when you need to buy them often. That's why a Staples coupon can come in so handy.
In fact, Staples coupon codes are a way to save money on products you use regularly and to ensure you have a steady supply of ink for your printer. A lot of the time coupons come in the mail. You cut them out, take them into the store and save money that way. A Staples coupon that you receive via postal mail can save you significant money on your next office printer supplies purchase.
However, there is another way to save money and that's with Staples coupon codes. These codes often hit your email inbox rather than your postal mailbox. They are just a little code of numbers or letters. It may even be a word. The next time you shop at Staples.com, enter in the Staples discount codes and you're off and running to saving money!
Staples deals are not hard to come by and they can really make your printer ink cartridge shopping experience much more pleasant. Keeping money in your wallet is always a good feeling, right? Staples discount codes make it so you don't have to clip coupons or go out of your way. You can order office supplies like printer ink cartridges from the comfort of your own home and still save money. The same goes for a Staples free shipping code. These codes are available for some orders and it means that you get free shipping on that order.
These Staples free shipping code offers can work several different ways. For instance, if you have a Staples coupon for free shipping, you just enter in the code at the time of checkout and you're ready to save money! Or, your Staples discount code may work so that any order over a certain price will receive free shipping. Regardless of the reason, free shipping is a great incentive for plugging in that Staples free shipping code, don't you think?
Still not convinced that using a Staples coupon is beneficial to you? There are all sorts of Staples deals available to customers who prefer to shop at the store in person as well such as Tuesday deals at Staples, Staples one day deals and you still can't forget about the promotional Staples discount codes. And there are still a few other deals we haven't yet mentioned for printer ink cartridges and various other office printer supplies such as:
Staplescoupon
Staples coupons $10
Staples coupons $10 off
Staples $20
Staples $10 off $40
And there's even more than these offers! So the next time you take a trip to your local office supply store, whether it's Staples or Staples.com, remember to use a Staples coupon or Staples coupon codes. You won't be disappointed!
In fact, Staples coupon codes are a way to save money on products you use regularly and to ensure you have a steady supply of ink for your printer. A lot of the time coupons come in the mail. You cut them out, take them into the store and save money that way. A Staples coupon that you receive via postal mail can save you significant money on your next office printer supplies purchase.
However, there is another way to save money and that's with Staples coupon codes. These codes often hit your email inbox rather than your postal mailbox. They are just a little code of numbers or letters. It may even be a word. The next time you shop at Staples.com, enter in the Staples discount codes and you're off and running to saving money!
Staples deals are not hard to come by and they can really make your printer ink cartridge shopping experience much more pleasant. Keeping money in your wallet is always a good feeling, right? Staples discount codes make it so you don't have to clip coupons or go out of your way. You can order office supplies like printer ink cartridges from the comfort of your own home and still save money. The same goes for a Staples free shipping code. These codes are available for some orders and it means that you get free shipping on that order.
These Staples free shipping code offers can work several different ways. For instance, if you have a Staples coupon for free shipping, you just enter in the code at the time of checkout and you're ready to save money! Or, your Staples discount code may work so that any order over a certain price will receive free shipping. Regardless of the reason, free shipping is a great incentive for plugging in that Staples free shipping code, don't you think?
Still not convinced that using a Staples coupon is beneficial to you? There are all sorts of Staples deals available to customers who prefer to shop at the store in person as well such as Tuesday deals at Staples, Staples one day deals and you still can't forget about the promotional Staples discount codes. And there are still a few other deals we haven't yet mentioned for printer ink cartridges and various other office printer supplies such as:
Staplescoupon
Staples coupons $10
Staples coupons $10 off
Staples $20
Staples $10 off $40
And there's even more than these offers! So the next time you take a trip to your local office supply store, whether it's Staples or Staples.com, remember to use a Staples coupon or Staples coupon codes. You won't be disappointed!
Getting The Best Deals On Office Supplies With Staples Coupons
Any savvy shopper can appreciate the substantial savings that Staples coupons have to offer. The cost of office supplies can range from a fifty cent box of paper clips to a computer system costing thousands of dollars. Regardless of what office supplies you're buying on any given day, the amount you spend throughout the year can add up to quite a scary figure. That's why it's so important to use Staples coupons every chance you get.
If you're a frequent Staples shopper and you didn't even know Staples coupons existed, you probably don't want to stop and think about how much money you've thrown away over the years. If you've never shopped at the Staples website before, don't even think about doing it without using Staples coupons. Whether you need office supplies for personal use or business use, Staples coupons can save you quite a bit of money each and every time you shop. Over time, that can add up to hundreds of dollars.
You can get Staples coupons from various places on the Web, but if you want access to the most comprehensive list of valid Staples coupons available, you're going to want to get your Staples coupons from an affiliate website. Staples doesn't usually advertise the coupons they have available and many sites have nothing but a list of expired coupon codes or links that don't work any more. Fortunately, a good affiliate site can provide you with all the Staples coupons you need.
The types of savings you can expect from Staples coupons are quite varied. Some Staples coupons will offer you free shipping, other Staples coupons will offer you a discount off of your entire purchase price, and there are some Staples coupons that will offer you a discount on a specific product. Knowing which of the Staples coupons is right for you is just a matter of seeing which ones are currently available and choosing the one that will give you the greatest discount.
In order to qualify for any Staples coupons you may want to use, you're going to need to click the link provided to you by the affiliate website. If the affiliate website also mentions a coupon code, you're going to need that too so you can enter that code at checkout. If no coupon code is mentioned, the coupon should be activated automatically when you click on the affiliate link. The discount from your Staples coupon will be reflected in the order total shown at checkout.
The next time you need office supplies don't spend valuable time making a trip to the nearest office supply store. If you do that, you'll just waste time, gas and money. Instead, visit an affiliate website offering Staples coupons and do your shopping online. Not only will you save time and money, but you'll get the added convenience of office supplies brought right to your door. When you think about it, shopping online and using Staples coupons is a matter of common sense.
If you're a frequent Staples shopper and you didn't even know Staples coupons existed, you probably don't want to stop and think about how much money you've thrown away over the years. If you've never shopped at the Staples website before, don't even think about doing it without using Staples coupons. Whether you need office supplies for personal use or business use, Staples coupons can save you quite a bit of money each and every time you shop. Over time, that can add up to hundreds of dollars.
You can get Staples coupons from various places on the Web, but if you want access to the most comprehensive list of valid Staples coupons available, you're going to want to get your Staples coupons from an affiliate website. Staples doesn't usually advertise the coupons they have available and many sites have nothing but a list of expired coupon codes or links that don't work any more. Fortunately, a good affiliate site can provide you with all the Staples coupons you need.
The types of savings you can expect from Staples coupons are quite varied. Some Staples coupons will offer you free shipping, other Staples coupons will offer you a discount off of your entire purchase price, and there are some Staples coupons that will offer you a discount on a specific product. Knowing which of the Staples coupons is right for you is just a matter of seeing which ones are currently available and choosing the one that will give you the greatest discount.
In order to qualify for any Staples coupons you may want to use, you're going to need to click the link provided to you by the affiliate website. If the affiliate website also mentions a coupon code, you're going to need that too so you can enter that code at checkout. If no coupon code is mentioned, the coupon should be activated automatically when you click on the affiliate link. The discount from your Staples coupon will be reflected in the order total shown at checkout.
The next time you need office supplies don't spend valuable time making a trip to the nearest office supply store. If you do that, you'll just waste time, gas and money. Instead, visit an affiliate website offering Staples coupons and do your shopping online. Not only will you save time and money, but you'll get the added convenience of office supplies brought right to your door. When you think about it, shopping online and using Staples coupons is a matter of common sense.
How To Find Staples Coupons On The Internet To Buy Office Furniture
While there are many places that you can buy your office and small business supplies from, Staples is considered to be the premier place for all of your office requirements. You will see a wide assortment of supplies that you can use not just for your office but also for your family stationery and school needs. There will be other goods that you can buy from Staples. Now to make to process of buying easier you can use Staples coupons.
These coupons function just the same as other coupons. There is however a difference that you will soon find. Unlike other coupons the Staples coupons can be found on the internet as well in various forms. You can look for the various Staples coupons that you want and some of them can be printed out so that you can purchase the goods that you have chosen with the coupons.
Now with these Staples coupons you can buy your item while you are in the Staples store, or online, you can even use the phone to confirm that you are using one of their Staples coupons to purchase an item. There are also other types of Staples coupons that you can find while you are on the internet.
Unlike the previous coupons you don't have to print these coupons out to use them. These coupons that I am telling you about are Staples electronic form of coupons. You can find various Staples coupons that you can use while you are online at the Staples.com store site. From these different Staples coupons you can see the many weekly specials, Clearance Center coupons, Friday One Day Deals and others.
There is however a limited amount of time that you will be able to find these types of Staples coupons. Therefore you may want to see what are the many different Staples coupons that you can find when you log onto the internet. Now even if you don't manage to find those electronic coupons you can find others. With these Staples coupons you can get even lower prices on the many already lower priced office supplies that Staples has in their stores.
As you look through the many different office supplies and furniture you may want to see what the various prices are and use the Staples coupons that you have so that you can buy some of the other larger and probably more expensive office furniture and other computer hardware. Since Staples is said to your one stop shop for all of the office and school necessities in your personal and business life you should consider looking for Staples coupons as an investment for buying more Staples products.
These coupons function just the same as other coupons. There is however a difference that you will soon find. Unlike other coupons the Staples coupons can be found on the internet as well in various forms. You can look for the various Staples coupons that you want and some of them can be printed out so that you can purchase the goods that you have chosen with the coupons.
Now with these Staples coupons you can buy your item while you are in the Staples store, or online, you can even use the phone to confirm that you are using one of their Staples coupons to purchase an item. There are also other types of Staples coupons that you can find while you are on the internet.
Unlike the previous coupons you don't have to print these coupons out to use them. These coupons that I am telling you about are Staples electronic form of coupons. You can find various Staples coupons that you can use while you are online at the Staples.com store site. From these different Staples coupons you can see the many weekly specials, Clearance Center coupons, Friday One Day Deals and others.
There is however a limited amount of time that you will be able to find these types of Staples coupons. Therefore you may want to see what are the many different Staples coupons that you can find when you log onto the internet. Now even if you don't manage to find those electronic coupons you can find others. With these Staples coupons you can get even lower prices on the many already lower priced office supplies that Staples has in their stores.
As you look through the many different office supplies and furniture you may want to see what the various prices are and use the Staples coupons that you have so that you can buy some of the other larger and probably more expensive office furniture and other computer hardware. Since Staples is said to your one stop shop for all of the office and school necessities in your personal and business life you should consider looking for Staples coupons as an investment for buying more Staples products.
NAME THAT PLANET
Copyright The Quipping Queen 2005.
NAME THAT PLANET
Or, who put the ram in rama-dama-ding-dong...I'd like to shake his hand?
By Ovid Publius Hadweenzic, an errant Knight-In-Shining Armor, with a trusty thirty-pound encyclopedia under his arm to keep him warm at night, a bag of dog biscuits to keep strange critters happy, and a wooden hobby-horse which he rides every now and then to remind him that he's destined to become the world's first cosmic cowboy catapulted into space
The world of late has been faced with a new conundrum, (as if we haven't got enough to keep us busy for the next millennium). What to call the newly discovered 10th planet of our solar system?
Scientists were sick and tired of calling the nameless nuisance holding up the rear of the universe, "2003 UB313". And, politicians the world over needed something to distract the hungry hordes. The latter were totally bummed out about having to put up with the usual ration of bread and circuses, and were preparing to stomp all over the newly-planted flower beds, hurl hanging baskets about with glee, and encourage their precious pets to piddle or poop on the well-manicured lawns outside the seats of government.
While spin doctors spun their wheels aimlessly and birds began to twitter off-key, bigwigs stopped clipping their coupons, playing a round of golf and pressing the flesh. Minor minions also decided to get in on the act of being totally dumbfounded as to what to do.
They were all in a deep and dark funk. And, popping "happy" pills did not seem to relieve them of their profound perturbation about the possibility that some "rogue astronomer" might leap up and take credit for discovering the newest heavenly body. More to the point, they feared their worst nightmare might actually come true ...and shudder the thought ...that some renegade rascal of a rapscallion would name the latest addition to our solar system ... "The Big Bopper".
So, while it's comfy to know that "2003 UB313" regularly orbits the sun (like anyone really gives a hoot), and is larger than Pluto (not that anyone's been out there lately with a measuring tape to confirm this of course), the real issue at hand is giving the number a human face as it were.
After all, if there's one thing savvy, consumer-conscious human beings can't stand is not having a brand-name label and familiar image they can trust attached to all their stuff. And, who knows for Pete's sake just what treasures and treats lie waiting beneath the surface of "2003 UB313" to be pinched, pillaged, or plundered!
In order to avoid a long, drawn-out competition between roving bands of nincompoops and ninnyheads inhabiting Earth, (all of whom claim to have spotted the 'whatchamacallit' with their backyard binoculars), it was decided that something had to be done, and fast.
Concern that the identification of a new planet might spark a celestial civil war, (as the other nine blessed bodies with deep roots among the Greek and Roman Gods were not exactly thrilled about the news of a new mythical deity in the neighborhood trying to horn in on their sacred solar system), all of which prompted the United Nations to convene an extraordinary meeting to deliberate upon the matter.
Meanwhile, long-forgotten mythical deities seeking a new lease on life were threatening to cash in their "Get Out of Jail Free Card", not to mention demanding a "Free Lunch" in addition to exercising their "Equal Opportunity Rights".
Fortunately, one dedicated diplomat from the land of ice and snow stepped forward to announce that he had a suggestion. Why not invoke the "not withstanding clause" in a repatriated Canadian constitution -- it might just do the trick. When asked what this had to do with the price of tea in China or the finer points of English grammar, he replied tersely if not curtly, "such a clause permits Canucks to do anything we please as long as an emergency has been declared". He was politely thanked for his tangential contribution to the esteemed gathering of well-known windbags and hot-air enthusiasts by the Third Under-Secretary to the Snooze-Button Control Operator (seated quietly next to a somnolent-looking Secretary General who was indulging in his favorite passion -- navel-gazing).
So, in the absence of an answer that everyone could live with, the powers that be sent out a 911 call on the Transcendental Meditation Hotline. Since the "Big Guy in the Sky" was busy performing miracles on 34th street, burning bushes, and whipping up loaves of bread and oodles of fish for supper that night, I took the call.
This was a fortunate stroke of fate as it turned out. Fending off one-eyed-one-horned-flying-purple-people eaters and gritting teeth like grand pooh-bahs do certainly appealed to my keen spirit of adventure. However, it seems the ornery overlords were a tad miffed at being put on hold for four and a half hours. As if that were not enough, they complained constantly about the miserable choice of mood music and weren't at all impressed with having to navigate a newly-minted maze of dulcet toned, voice-activated digital telephone instructions, (affectionately called the "Tree of Useless Knowledge").
Anyway after much consternation and constipated consideration, I perused the pithy pages of my encyclopedia for a hint as to how to solve this disturbing dilemma, namely, how to come up with a marvellous moniker for the new planet. After much too-ing and fro-ing, not to mention more than the occasional hemming and hawing, the answer popped out of my snorting cerebellum. Just install a big suggestion box in a mall somewhere and let everyone toss in their two-cents worth.
The names below represent a sample of those submitted (just to prove this was a fair, legitimate, and totally transparent community consultation process):
Bacchus (He puts on a terrific beer garden, organizes nifty wine & cheese affairs not to mention hosts more than a few hot-tub & toga parties)
Buddhabot (A Warp-Speed Wisdom Wonderkin)
Captain Kangaroo (A terrific child-minder on a Saturday morning)
Cleopatra (In honor of "The Queen of Face-Lifts, Tummy Tucks & Botox Injections")
Cronos (Nominated by Father Time in honor of the "World's First 'Clockwatcher'")
Cupid (He deserves a bigger and better target practise range don't you think?)
Hades (The Daring Duathalon Dude who invented "The Burnt Barbecued Beef Challenge" and the "Walking on Hot Coals Contest" ...for macho men of course!)
Hera (In honor of the "Diva of Domestic Drudgery")
Hermes (Didn't he invent the typewriter?)
Juno (Pays tribute to the patron saint and power-broker behind the miracle of "Immaculate Conception")
Joan of Arc (Nominated by the "International Society of Trojan Horse Engineers" to honor the world's first under-cover hobby-horse rider)
Leprechaun (Nominated by the "International Association of Environmentally-Friendly, Vertically-Challenged, Transparent Entities" for "exemplary conduct above and beyond the call of duty")
Loki ("Mischief-Makers Anonymous" voted him the most popular "Master of Mayhem" for 2005!)
Poseidon (Nominated by "The International Association of Sea Monsters & Shipwrecks" for his invaluable contribution to establishing fraternal relations with the "Bathing Beauties & Mermaids Society")
Puck (Someone has to poke fun at the folks on the newest planet in our solar system!)
Robin Goodfellow (Nominated by "The Goody-Two-Shoes Society of America & Friends" for his swarthy looks and swooning charisma, award-winning pearly-toothed smile, and unparalleled jolly-jump-up capabilities)
Satyr (In honor of "The King of Canoodling, Spooning & Romping About In the Holly-Fuds")
Spiderwoman (A wickedly wonky weaver-of-webs if ever there was one!)
Titan (Nominated by the highly-respected "International Association of Windbags & Hot-Air Enthusiasts" as "The Next Best Thing to 'The Big Bopper'")
The Pit Stop At the End of The Universe (The "International Commode, Outhouse & Tinkle-Pantry Manufacturers'Association" and the "Fast-Food Franchise Owners of the Universe" recommended this planet as the best place to showcase their new cutting-edge "Cosmic Water-Closet Technology" and new veggie-burger vending machines)
Thor (In honor of the "Father of Firecrackers" who adores letting the sparks fly and putting on a great "Thunderbolt & Lightening Spectacle" every now and then!)
The Queen of Sheba (Now there's one very 'Saucy Sylph of Shebang'!)
Tom Dick & Harry (Nominated by "The International Association of Innocuous Individuals" because these guys are more qualified than the "Three Musketeers" to keep up with the Jones' not to mention fill every Joe-Job going in the universe)
Vulcan (Voted "Playmate of the Year" by the "Vacuous Vixens of the Universe")
Wink'n Blink'n & Nod (Nominated by the "European Union of Fairy Tale Writers", "The Sandmans' Society", the "North-American Sleep-Deprivation Research Institute" and "Sleepwalkers' Anonymous")
Xena (In honor of the world's first "Weed Whacking Wizardess"!)
Yahoo (Nominated by the "International Association of Podunk Places" for solving a pressing social problem - where to accommodate hard-to-house "Yammering Yokels")
Zorro (An equal opportunity, incognitio, Hunky Halloween Hero)
With all the mall ballots and entries counted in the "Name That New Planet Contest", the gruelling selection task began. After 48 excruciating hours, a talented tollbooth attendant, one Heaver Herstmonceux, (from Three Legs Town, Ohio) was declared the winner. As luck would have it, the name chosen eloquently expresses the essence of those who have made a lonely planet at the end of the universe their home.
For the nail-biting nosey-parkers who've been waiting anxiously for the answer so they can fill their rumor mill with the lastest gossip -- quit complaining, cool your heels and hold your horses! And, if that doesn't work, take my advice humble advice - "Get a Life!"
Okay, okay ...so who do you think would dare to live on a remote "Bob-Fearing" planet at the end of the universe?
Who else ...but a band of boisterous do-gooders with a devil-may-care attitude to life, liberty, and the pleasurable pursuit of puttering about (entailing a well-stocked refrigerator full of beer, frozen pizza and ice-cream -- the staple diet of these casually-dressed cosmic critters).
For those who are still in a quandary, the winning entry was you guessed it ...an easy-to-remember, four-lettered word that just trips off the tip of your tongue …"DAVE"!
NAME THAT PLANET
Or, who put the ram in rama-dama-ding-dong...I'd like to shake his hand?
By Ovid Publius Hadweenzic, an errant Knight-In-Shining Armor, with a trusty thirty-pound encyclopedia under his arm to keep him warm at night, a bag of dog biscuits to keep strange critters happy, and a wooden hobby-horse which he rides every now and then to remind him that he's destined to become the world's first cosmic cowboy catapulted into space
The world of late has been faced with a new conundrum, (as if we haven't got enough to keep us busy for the next millennium). What to call the newly discovered 10th planet of our solar system?
Scientists were sick and tired of calling the nameless nuisance holding up the rear of the universe, "2003 UB313". And, politicians the world over needed something to distract the hungry hordes. The latter were totally bummed out about having to put up with the usual ration of bread and circuses, and were preparing to stomp all over the newly-planted flower beds, hurl hanging baskets about with glee, and encourage their precious pets to piddle or poop on the well-manicured lawns outside the seats of government.
While spin doctors spun their wheels aimlessly and birds began to twitter off-key, bigwigs stopped clipping their coupons, playing a round of golf and pressing the flesh. Minor minions also decided to get in on the act of being totally dumbfounded as to what to do.
They were all in a deep and dark funk. And, popping "happy" pills did not seem to relieve them of their profound perturbation about the possibility that some "rogue astronomer" might leap up and take credit for discovering the newest heavenly body. More to the point, they feared their worst nightmare might actually come true ...and shudder the thought ...that some renegade rascal of a rapscallion would name the latest addition to our solar system ... "The Big Bopper".
So, while it's comfy to know that "2003 UB313" regularly orbits the sun (like anyone really gives a hoot), and is larger than Pluto (not that anyone's been out there lately with a measuring tape to confirm this of course), the real issue at hand is giving the number a human face as it were.
After all, if there's one thing savvy, consumer-conscious human beings can't stand is not having a brand-name label and familiar image they can trust attached to all their stuff. And, who knows for Pete's sake just what treasures and treats lie waiting beneath the surface of "2003 UB313" to be pinched, pillaged, or plundered!
In order to avoid a long, drawn-out competition between roving bands of nincompoops and ninnyheads inhabiting Earth, (all of whom claim to have spotted the 'whatchamacallit' with their backyard binoculars), it was decided that something had to be done, and fast.
Concern that the identification of a new planet might spark a celestial civil war, (as the other nine blessed bodies with deep roots among the Greek and Roman Gods were not exactly thrilled about the news of a new mythical deity in the neighborhood trying to horn in on their sacred solar system), all of which prompted the United Nations to convene an extraordinary meeting to deliberate upon the matter.
Meanwhile, long-forgotten mythical deities seeking a new lease on life were threatening to cash in their "Get Out of Jail Free Card", not to mention demanding a "Free Lunch" in addition to exercising their "Equal Opportunity Rights".
Fortunately, one dedicated diplomat from the land of ice and snow stepped forward to announce that he had a suggestion. Why not invoke the "not withstanding clause" in a repatriated Canadian constitution -- it might just do the trick. When asked what this had to do with the price of tea in China or the finer points of English grammar, he replied tersely if not curtly, "such a clause permits Canucks to do anything we please as long as an emergency has been declared". He was politely thanked for his tangential contribution to the esteemed gathering of well-known windbags and hot-air enthusiasts by the Third Under-Secretary to the Snooze-Button Control Operator (seated quietly next to a somnolent-looking Secretary General who was indulging in his favorite passion -- navel-gazing).
So, in the absence of an answer that everyone could live with, the powers that be sent out a 911 call on the Transcendental Meditation Hotline. Since the "Big Guy in the Sky" was busy performing miracles on 34th street, burning bushes, and whipping up loaves of bread and oodles of fish for supper that night, I took the call.
This was a fortunate stroke of fate as it turned out. Fending off one-eyed-one-horned-flying-purple-people eaters and gritting teeth like grand pooh-bahs do certainly appealed to my keen spirit of adventure. However, it seems the ornery overlords were a tad miffed at being put on hold for four and a half hours. As if that were not enough, they complained constantly about the miserable choice of mood music and weren't at all impressed with having to navigate a newly-minted maze of dulcet toned, voice-activated digital telephone instructions, (affectionately called the "Tree of Useless Knowledge").
Anyway after much consternation and constipated consideration, I perused the pithy pages of my encyclopedia for a hint as to how to solve this disturbing dilemma, namely, how to come up with a marvellous moniker for the new planet. After much too-ing and fro-ing, not to mention more than the occasional hemming and hawing, the answer popped out of my snorting cerebellum. Just install a big suggestion box in a mall somewhere and let everyone toss in their two-cents worth.
The names below represent a sample of those submitted (just to prove this was a fair, legitimate, and totally transparent community consultation process):
Bacchus (He puts on a terrific beer garden, organizes nifty wine & cheese affairs not to mention hosts more than a few hot-tub & toga parties)
Buddhabot (A Warp-Speed Wisdom Wonderkin)
Captain Kangaroo (A terrific child-minder on a Saturday morning)
Cleopatra (In honor of "The Queen of Face-Lifts, Tummy Tucks & Botox Injections")
Cronos (Nominated by Father Time in honor of the "World's First 'Clockwatcher'")
Cupid (He deserves a bigger and better target practise range don't you think?)
Hades (The Daring Duathalon Dude who invented "The Burnt Barbecued Beef Challenge" and the "Walking on Hot Coals Contest" ...for macho men of course!)
Hera (In honor of the "Diva of Domestic Drudgery")
Hermes (Didn't he invent the typewriter?)
Juno (Pays tribute to the patron saint and power-broker behind the miracle of "Immaculate Conception")
Joan of Arc (Nominated by the "International Society of Trojan Horse Engineers" to honor the world's first under-cover hobby-horse rider)
Leprechaun (Nominated by the "International Association of Environmentally-Friendly, Vertically-Challenged, Transparent Entities" for "exemplary conduct above and beyond the call of duty")
Loki ("Mischief-Makers Anonymous" voted him the most popular "Master of Mayhem" for 2005!)
Poseidon (Nominated by "The International Association of Sea Monsters & Shipwrecks" for his invaluable contribution to establishing fraternal relations with the "Bathing Beauties & Mermaids Society")
Puck (Someone has to poke fun at the folks on the newest planet in our solar system!)
Robin Goodfellow (Nominated by "The Goody-Two-Shoes Society of America & Friends" for his swarthy looks and swooning charisma, award-winning pearly-toothed smile, and unparalleled jolly-jump-up capabilities)
Satyr (In honor of "The King of Canoodling, Spooning & Romping About In the Holly-Fuds")
Spiderwoman (A wickedly wonky weaver-of-webs if ever there was one!)
Titan (Nominated by the highly-respected "International Association of Windbags & Hot-Air Enthusiasts" as "The Next Best Thing to 'The Big Bopper'")
The Pit Stop At the End of The Universe (The "International Commode, Outhouse & Tinkle-Pantry Manufacturers'Association" and the "Fast-Food Franchise Owners of the Universe" recommended this planet as the best place to showcase their new cutting-edge "Cosmic Water-Closet Technology" and new veggie-burger vending machines)
Thor (In honor of the "Father of Firecrackers" who adores letting the sparks fly and putting on a great "Thunderbolt & Lightening Spectacle" every now and then!)
The Queen of Sheba (Now there's one very 'Saucy Sylph of Shebang'!)
Tom Dick & Harry (Nominated by "The International Association of Innocuous Individuals" because these guys are more qualified than the "Three Musketeers" to keep up with the Jones' not to mention fill every Joe-Job going in the universe)
Vulcan (Voted "Playmate of the Year" by the "Vacuous Vixens of the Universe")
Wink'n Blink'n & Nod (Nominated by the "European Union of Fairy Tale Writers", "The Sandmans' Society", the "North-American Sleep-Deprivation Research Institute" and "Sleepwalkers' Anonymous")
Xena (In honor of the world's first "Weed Whacking Wizardess"!)
Yahoo (Nominated by the "International Association of Podunk Places" for solving a pressing social problem - where to accommodate hard-to-house "Yammering Yokels")
Zorro (An equal opportunity, incognitio, Hunky Halloween Hero)
With all the mall ballots and entries counted in the "Name That New Planet Contest", the gruelling selection task began. After 48 excruciating hours, a talented tollbooth attendant, one Heaver Herstmonceux, (from Three Legs Town, Ohio) was declared the winner. As luck would have it, the name chosen eloquently expresses the essence of those who have made a lonely planet at the end of the universe their home.
For the nail-biting nosey-parkers who've been waiting anxiously for the answer so they can fill their rumor mill with the lastest gossip -- quit complaining, cool your heels and hold your horses! And, if that doesn't work, take my advice humble advice - "Get a Life!"
Okay, okay ...so who do you think would dare to live on a remote "Bob-Fearing" planet at the end of the universe?
Who else ...but a band of boisterous do-gooders with a devil-may-care attitude to life, liberty, and the pleasurable pursuit of puttering about (entailing a well-stocked refrigerator full of beer, frozen pizza and ice-cream -- the staple diet of these casually-dressed cosmic critters).
For those who are still in a quandary, the winning entry was you guessed it ...an easy-to-remember, four-lettered word that just trips off the tip of your tongue …"DAVE"!
How Shopping Malls Can Increase Your Gig Audience
If you have been to a shopping mall on, at least, one occasion,
you know the tremendous crowds that most of them attract daily.
Hundreds, and even thousands, of daily shoppers flock to the
largest shopping malls.
And, while most malls have large crowds year round, two of
their busiest shopping periods are during summer and Christmas
seasons, which adds even more potential mall shoppers.
Also, most people tend to, naturally, shop in their own
neighborhood malls in the interest of convenience and saving
time.
And, there is an entirely different crowd that frequents malls
during summers, and that is the one that desires to stay cool
for free while reducing its home cooling bills.
But, while the mall itself is a large crowd attraction overall,
a number of its stores are even more attractive with consistent
repeat customers. Such stores include; hair salons, sports
stores, game stores, clothing stores, eye clinics, nail salons,
music stores, restaurants, just to cite a few.
And, while you may feel that the only stores your music is
likely to have anything in common with are mall music stores,
here is an idea on how you can get other unrelated mall stores
working with you in increasing your gig audience as well.
First, for maximum effect in increasing each gig's audience,
select the mall that is closest to your upcoming gig.
Next, approach various store managers in the mall with the
proposition of a "barter" deal, whereby, through a co-promotion,
you agree to distribute fliers at your gigs that include their
store coupons, discounts or ads in exchange for their placing
your band's promotional fliers on their checkout counters for
their customers (this will, obviously, involve your creation of
two separate fliers).
Flyer #1:
Flyer #1 will be your normal flyer (you do have one, right?)
that you use to promote your gigs. Again, this will be a group
of your fliers (say, 50, or so) that is left with each store.
Flyer #2:
Flyer #2 is the flyer that you will use that contains your
various stores' coupons that you will distribute at your area
gig.
In creating this particular flyer, if each store can provide
you with a discount coupon, this is great as you can then take
the coupons and photocopy them onto a master sheet, then easily
make copies from the master sheet.
If some stores agree to the co-promotion, but do not have
discount coupons, have them provide you with a business card
with a special notice or symbol on it which you will photocopy
on the flyer, and which store personnel can identify as the
co-promotion campaign when a customer brings one in.
If, for whatever reason this will not work, ask the store
manager if you can create a simple design on computer with your
band name and the store name, along with any discount the store
wishes to present. The store will also likely wish to approve
your design before you distribute it.
While the preceding may sound like a bit of effort initially,
keep in mind that this is not a one-time deal, but is to be an
ongoing relationship with the store since you will likely play
in the area again and, therefore, is worth this small investment
of time and task.
Also, at such office supply stores such as Staples and Office
Max, you can usually get copies at a nominal cost, from two to
seven cents per copy.
Now, consider the possible increase of your audience over a
short time period if you can:
* Get an agreement with ten stores in any given mall
* Distribute 50-100 fliers to each mall store
* Pass out 50-100 store coupon fliers at each gig
* Multiply this process by five area malls
Then, repeat the entire process.
Special Note: Approach stores for co-promotion *only* after you
have obtained permission from each upcoming gig management to
distribute such a co-promotion sponsorship flyer in the gig
venue.
Doing so, in advance, will save any unnecessary time and effort
should the venue not approve later.
you know the tremendous crowds that most of them attract daily.
Hundreds, and even thousands, of daily shoppers flock to the
largest shopping malls.
And, while most malls have large crowds year round, two of
their busiest shopping periods are during summer and Christmas
seasons, which adds even more potential mall shoppers.
Also, most people tend to, naturally, shop in their own
neighborhood malls in the interest of convenience and saving
time.
And, there is an entirely different crowd that frequents malls
during summers, and that is the one that desires to stay cool
for free while reducing its home cooling bills.
But, while the mall itself is a large crowd attraction overall,
a number of its stores are even more attractive with consistent
repeat customers. Such stores include; hair salons, sports
stores, game stores, clothing stores, eye clinics, nail salons,
music stores, restaurants, just to cite a few.
And, while you may feel that the only stores your music is
likely to have anything in common with are mall music stores,
here is an idea on how you can get other unrelated mall stores
working with you in increasing your gig audience as well.
First, for maximum effect in increasing each gig's audience,
select the mall that is closest to your upcoming gig.
Next, approach various store managers in the mall with the
proposition of a "barter" deal, whereby, through a co-promotion,
you agree to distribute fliers at your gigs that include their
store coupons, discounts or ads in exchange for their placing
your band's promotional fliers on their checkout counters for
their customers (this will, obviously, involve your creation of
two separate fliers).
Flyer #1:
Flyer #1 will be your normal flyer (you do have one, right?)
that you use to promote your gigs. Again, this will be a group
of your fliers (say, 50, or so) that is left with each store.
Flyer #2:
Flyer #2 is the flyer that you will use that contains your
various stores' coupons that you will distribute at your area
gig.
In creating this particular flyer, if each store can provide
you with a discount coupon, this is great as you can then take
the coupons and photocopy them onto a master sheet, then easily
make copies from the master sheet.
If some stores agree to the co-promotion, but do not have
discount coupons, have them provide you with a business card
with a special notice or symbol on it which you will photocopy
on the flyer, and which store personnel can identify as the
co-promotion campaign when a customer brings one in.
If, for whatever reason this will not work, ask the store
manager if you can create a simple design on computer with your
band name and the store name, along with any discount the store
wishes to present. The store will also likely wish to approve
your design before you distribute it.
While the preceding may sound like a bit of effort initially,
keep in mind that this is not a one-time deal, but is to be an
ongoing relationship with the store since you will likely play
in the area again and, therefore, is worth this small investment
of time and task.
Also, at such office supply stores such as Staples and Office
Max, you can usually get copies at a nominal cost, from two to
seven cents per copy.
Now, consider the possible increase of your audience over a
short time period if you can:
* Get an agreement with ten stores in any given mall
* Distribute 50-100 fliers to each mall store
* Pass out 50-100 store coupon fliers at each gig
* Multiply this process by five area malls
Then, repeat the entire process.
Special Note: Approach stores for co-promotion *only* after you
have obtained permission from each upcoming gig management to
distribute such a co-promotion sponsorship flyer in the gig
venue.
Doing so, in advance, will save any unnecessary time and effort
should the venue not approve later.
Selling Your Comics on eBay
It seems like everyone owned some comics of one kind or another over the years and there's nothing like having a relative clean out some boxes and find your old treasure trove. But what do you do with them? Keep them or sell them? A lot of movies have been made from comics over the years and there are many more to come. Now you have to answer the big questions: How and where do I sell these things? Are they even worth the trouble? How do I know what condition they are in? You could go your local comic book shop, but most shops will only give you 50% of guide price - if they are even buying. And yes, there is a guide - a few in fact. The Overstreet Price Guide comes out once a year and is the benchmark for most comic shops covering every comic release from the 1930's to today. Overstreet will also show you how to grade your comics, but we'll get to that later. There is also Wizard Magazine and Comic Book Buyers Guide which come out monthly and tend to showcase the "hot" comics people are buying.
The problem with going to your local comic shop is simply this: if you do sell them, you have definitely left money on the table. "So what?" you say Daddy Warbucks. I know, for older comics worth selling, the cover price is under $1.00; so anything you get above that is fine right? But, if you bought a muscle car back in the '60's and still had it today, would you sell it for 50% of what the current list price is? Hopefully not. Honestly, when I have a comic I want to sell and I know it's worth a little bit, I put it on eBay. Wait, wait - eBay is not as tough to use as everybody thinks. The setup is easy and they walk you through setting up an account step-by-step. If you can email or check the weather on the internet, you have enough gray-matter use eBay. The next things you have to do it determine what condition your comics are in. CGC is a service that will charge you $10.00 to mail your comic to them (please make sure that you use something to keep it from getting bent in the mail...). Once they have it, their team of professional grader will judge you book on a number of criteria, place it in a plastic casing and the place a grading label on the case. $10 bucks may seem like a lot to pay for a comic that you only may have paid 45 for, but CGC grading will actually increase your comic's value to upwards of 100%. Even in a lesser condition. That said - if you want to try to grade them yourself, use the following guidelines:
Mint (CGC: 10-9.8)(Overstreet: 100-98)(Abbreviated as MT)
I can pretty much guarantee that your comics are not in mint condition. Most are already in NM condition by the time they arrive at the store. Many people want their comic book to be better than it is, but few attain this high of a mark. Those comics that do, especially CGC graded books, can attain the highest possible market value that is out there.
Outside: There should be no creases. The cover should have no fading and look like new. The comic should lie flat and not roll or have curves. The Spine should be straight with no rolling. Staples should be like new and not rusted.
Inside: There should be no tears or cuts. The color should be bright with no discoloration, or fading. There should be no stains or marks. Autographs are acceptable but may actually bring the value down, depending on your buyer.
Near Mint (CGC: 9.8-9.0)(Overstreet: 97-90)(Abbreviated as NM)
Most new comic books will fall into this category. When buying new comics, be sure to go through them and pick out the best one. That crease will turn a Mint comic into a Near Mint.
Outside: There should be no creases. The cover should have no fading. The comic should lie flat and not roll or have curves. The cover may be slightly off center. The Spine should be straight with no rolling. Staples should be like new and not rusted. Minor bindery tears are acceptable no more than 1/16th of an inch.
Inside: Only minor fading is allowed. There should be no stains or marks. There should be no tears or cuts.
Very Fine (CGC: 9.0-7.0)(Overstreet: 89-75)(Abbreviated as VF)
Beware if any older comic book is graded above this mark. Due to the nature of paper, discoloration is expected over time. Even then, for an older comic to be in the "Very Fine" category it needs to be pretty exceptional. Make sure you know.
Outside: The cover should be mostly flat but may have some wear. The colors of the cover may be slightly faded. Corners may be slightly creased. May have slight wear. The spine should be flat, but some lines may be visible.
Inside: May have minor printing and binding defects. The pages may be yellowish in color. There should be no stains or major discoloration.
Fine (CGC: 7.0-5.0)(Overstreet: 74-55)(Abbreviated as FN)
This might be a C or C+ comic book.
Outside: There will probably be minor wear. Minor creasing is acceptable. The corners may be blunted. The staples may have some discoloration. Minor creases are OK. The spine may have a roll to it.
Inside: There may be minor tears on the edges. Discoloration is OK as long as it is not major. The pages may be tan or brown in color. Minor stains are allowed.
Very Good (CGC: 5.0-3.0)(Overstreet: 54-35)(Abbreviated as VG)
Comics in this grade and lower will start to see more and more wear.
Outside: My have a large amount of wear including creases, fading, and discoloration. A better copy with a piece of the cover missing will fall into this category. The cover may have a price sticker or date sticker. The spine may be rolled. The staples may have rust.
Inside: The pages may be brown in color. A finer copy with a tear repaired with tape. May have minor printing defects.
Good (CGC: 3.0-1.5)(Overstreet 14-5)(Abbreviated as GD)
A below average comic book. For a comic book to be in this grade it may have major defects, but must still be readable. Most new comics in this condition will have little to no value (re: 1985 to current).
Outside: A detached cover is acceptable. Creases, fading and major discoloration available. Minor tears and folds. Coupons may be cut from the cover. The staples may discolored, rusted, or even absent. Creases and minor tears permitted.
Inside: May have some obvious types of repair such as tape. The color of the pages may be brown. The pages should not be brittle. There may be small bits of the comic missing. There may be stains and other defects of the pages.
Fair (CGC: 1.5-1.0)(Overstreet 14-5)(Abbreviated as FR)
Outside: The cover may be detached from the comic. There may large amounts of wear including fading, discoloration, and stains. Coupons may be cut from the cover. Less than 1/12 of the cover missing is accepted. Major wear accepted. Staples may be missing. The spine may be split up to 2/3 of the cover.
Inside: The pages are often faded, discolored, torn, or stained, but must still be readable. Most of the page should not be brittle. Near the bottom of the barrel. Comics in this condition are still readable. Pages missing from the comic are not acceptable.
Poor (CGC: 1.0-0)(Overstreet: 5-0)(Abbreviated as PR)
Only the oldest and rarest comics will be worth much of anything when they are in this grade or maybe older comics in good condition with no covers. Most of these are just going to be readers.
Outside: The cover will show major signs of wear. May have large stains, large amounts of fading, rips, tears, and pieces missing. Spine will mostly likely be bent and torn. Staples may be missing.
Inside: Large stains and even mold damage on the pages. There may be pages missing. Marks, tears, and other things that may affect the story. Pages may be brittle and break at the touch. A comic in this condition is just like it sounds, poor. If you have a comic in this condition, check Overstreet to see if it is worth anything before just giving it away to a kid to read.
So now you think you know what condition your comic is in and you have an eBay account. Now here's the trick: type in the name and issue number in the eBay search box. eBay may show you anywhere from 0 to 1,000 listing for people trying to sell the same comic. Don't worry about these listings. On the left hand side of the page, look for an empty checkbox that says "Completed Items" and click on the box. The page will reload and now hopefully show you some completed listings for the same comic you have. Prices in red did not sell, while prices in green did. Look at a couple of examples of each. When you get ready to list your comic, make sure that you've taken pictures of any defects that stick out to you and have them ready to upload when you create your listing. Then write out a detailed description of the comic making sure to list Publisher, Title, Issue#, Copyright Year and then any imperfections you have noted and also the condition that you believe it to be in. Now the hardest thing you will have to do is decide the minimum bid you will take and then start the selling process. Nine times out of ten, you have a comic that someone else is looking for. But the only way to find out is to list it.
Guide to Sell Your Comics
The problem with going to your local comic shop is simply this: if you do sell them, you have definitely left money on the table. "So what?" you say Daddy Warbucks. I know, for older comics worth selling, the cover price is under $1.00; so anything you get above that is fine right? But, if you bought a muscle car back in the '60's and still had it today, would you sell it for 50% of what the current list price is? Hopefully not. Honestly, when I have a comic I want to sell and I know it's worth a little bit, I put it on eBay. Wait, wait - eBay is not as tough to use as everybody thinks. The setup is easy and they walk you through setting up an account step-by-step. If you can email or check the weather on the internet, you have enough gray-matter use eBay. The next things you have to do it determine what condition your comics are in. CGC is a service that will charge you $10.00 to mail your comic to them (please make sure that you use something to keep it from getting bent in the mail...). Once they have it, their team of professional grader will judge you book on a number of criteria, place it in a plastic casing and the place a grading label on the case. $10 bucks may seem like a lot to pay for a comic that you only may have paid 45 for, but CGC grading will actually increase your comic's value to upwards of 100%. Even in a lesser condition. That said - if you want to try to grade them yourself, use the following guidelines:
Mint (CGC: 10-9.8)(Overstreet: 100-98)(Abbreviated as MT)
I can pretty much guarantee that your comics are not in mint condition. Most are already in NM condition by the time they arrive at the store. Many people want their comic book to be better than it is, but few attain this high of a mark. Those comics that do, especially CGC graded books, can attain the highest possible market value that is out there.
Outside: There should be no creases. The cover should have no fading and look like new. The comic should lie flat and not roll or have curves. The Spine should be straight with no rolling. Staples should be like new and not rusted.
Inside: There should be no tears or cuts. The color should be bright with no discoloration, or fading. There should be no stains or marks. Autographs are acceptable but may actually bring the value down, depending on your buyer.
Near Mint (CGC: 9.8-9.0)(Overstreet: 97-90)(Abbreviated as NM)
Most new comic books will fall into this category. When buying new comics, be sure to go through them and pick out the best one. That crease will turn a Mint comic into a Near Mint.
Outside: There should be no creases. The cover should have no fading. The comic should lie flat and not roll or have curves. The cover may be slightly off center. The Spine should be straight with no rolling. Staples should be like new and not rusted. Minor bindery tears are acceptable no more than 1/16th of an inch.
Inside: Only minor fading is allowed. There should be no stains or marks. There should be no tears or cuts.
Very Fine (CGC: 9.0-7.0)(Overstreet: 89-75)(Abbreviated as VF)
Beware if any older comic book is graded above this mark. Due to the nature of paper, discoloration is expected over time. Even then, for an older comic to be in the "Very Fine" category it needs to be pretty exceptional. Make sure you know.
Outside: The cover should be mostly flat but may have some wear. The colors of the cover may be slightly faded. Corners may be slightly creased. May have slight wear. The spine should be flat, but some lines may be visible.
Inside: May have minor printing and binding defects. The pages may be yellowish in color. There should be no stains or major discoloration.
Fine (CGC: 7.0-5.0)(Overstreet: 74-55)(Abbreviated as FN)
This might be a C or C+ comic book.
Outside: There will probably be minor wear. Minor creasing is acceptable. The corners may be blunted. The staples may have some discoloration. Minor creases are OK. The spine may have a roll to it.
Inside: There may be minor tears on the edges. Discoloration is OK as long as it is not major. The pages may be tan or brown in color. Minor stains are allowed.
Very Good (CGC: 5.0-3.0)(Overstreet: 54-35)(Abbreviated as VG)
Comics in this grade and lower will start to see more and more wear.
Outside: My have a large amount of wear including creases, fading, and discoloration. A better copy with a piece of the cover missing will fall into this category. The cover may have a price sticker or date sticker. The spine may be rolled. The staples may have rust.
Inside: The pages may be brown in color. A finer copy with a tear repaired with tape. May have minor printing defects.
Good (CGC: 3.0-1.5)(Overstreet 14-5)(Abbreviated as GD)
A below average comic book. For a comic book to be in this grade it may have major defects, but must still be readable. Most new comics in this condition will have little to no value (re: 1985 to current).
Outside: A detached cover is acceptable. Creases, fading and major discoloration available. Minor tears and folds. Coupons may be cut from the cover. The staples may discolored, rusted, or even absent. Creases and minor tears permitted.
Inside: May have some obvious types of repair such as tape. The color of the pages may be brown. The pages should not be brittle. There may be small bits of the comic missing. There may be stains and other defects of the pages.
Fair (CGC: 1.5-1.0)(Overstreet 14-5)(Abbreviated as FR)
Outside: The cover may be detached from the comic. There may large amounts of wear including fading, discoloration, and stains. Coupons may be cut from the cover. Less than 1/12 of the cover missing is accepted. Major wear accepted. Staples may be missing. The spine may be split up to 2/3 of the cover.
Inside: The pages are often faded, discolored, torn, or stained, but must still be readable. Most of the page should not be brittle. Near the bottom of the barrel. Comics in this condition are still readable. Pages missing from the comic are not acceptable.
Poor (CGC: 1.0-0)(Overstreet: 5-0)(Abbreviated as PR)
Only the oldest and rarest comics will be worth much of anything when they are in this grade or maybe older comics in good condition with no covers. Most of these are just going to be readers.
Outside: The cover will show major signs of wear. May have large stains, large amounts of fading, rips, tears, and pieces missing. Spine will mostly likely be bent and torn. Staples may be missing.
Inside: Large stains and even mold damage on the pages. There may be pages missing. Marks, tears, and other things that may affect the story. Pages may be brittle and break at the touch. A comic in this condition is just like it sounds, poor. If you have a comic in this condition, check Overstreet to see if it is worth anything before just giving it away to a kid to read.
So now you think you know what condition your comic is in and you have an eBay account. Now here's the trick: type in the name and issue number in the eBay search box. eBay may show you anywhere from 0 to 1,000 listing for people trying to sell the same comic. Don't worry about these listings. On the left hand side of the page, look for an empty checkbox that says "Completed Items" and click on the box. The page will reload and now hopefully show you some completed listings for the same comic you have. Prices in red did not sell, while prices in green did. Look at a couple of examples of each. When you get ready to list your comic, make sure that you've taken pictures of any defects that stick out to you and have them ready to upload when you create your listing. Then write out a detailed description of the comic making sure to list Publisher, Title, Issue#, Copyright Year and then any imperfections you have noted and also the condition that you believe it to be in. Now the hardest thing you will have to do is decide the minimum bid you will take and then start the selling process. Nine times out of ten, you have a comic that someone else is looking for. But the only way to find out is to list it.
Guide to Sell Your Comics
Reggie is a comic book collector and store owner. His blog site UndercoverFanboy is dedicated to those of us who can be called "Daywalkers" of the Geek World. People who love comics & go to work each day unable to talk comics at the watercooler.
Grocery Shopping for Students
If you're a student, you've probably figured out a few ways to stretch your money. Making your money last can be a real challenge and many students could use some help. One of your biggest expenses, besides your normal bills and tuition, is grocery shopping. New students may have never shopped for themselves before and may find it challenging to squeeze what they want into a tiny grocery allowance.
The first step is to always check your budget before you go to the store. Your budget should show how much money you have coming in and how much you have automatically going back out. Cell phone bills, rent, tuition, books, electricity and water will all be deducted from the amount that you have coming in. Once you're pretty sure that you've accounted for each thing that you'll need money for, then figure out how much you'll need for recreation, food, gas and other essentials like laundry detergent and toilet paper. Remember that your grocery store trip will include buying all of these things, not just food.
Once you've come up with an amount that can be spent on just food, figure out how many meals you'll need to cover on that amount. Plan your grocery list by considering what you'll eat for each meal. Don't make the mistake of buying a whole lot of snacks and running out of things to cook for dinner after just a few days. Don't panic if you get down to just a couple of dollars allowed for each meal. There are plenty of ways to eat good food on a small budget.
One way is to buy in bulk. You can buy a big bag of frozen chicken tenders for around ten dollars. Then, you can use the chicken for easy meals like barbeque chicken, chicken sandwiches, boxed meals that only require you to add chicken, and many other good dishes that are good for you. A college student cooking for themselves can get about ten meals out of one bag of chicken. Hot dogs are not necessarily the healthiest thing you could choose, but you can get between four and eight meals from one package. There are always the college student staples of macaroni and cheese or ramen noodles as well.
Soups are also cheap options and are available in hearty recipes that will actually fill you up. Eggs and milk can go a long way as well. Now that it's winter, a big pot of chili is a healthy cheap option. You can make one big pot of chili for around ten dollars and it keeps well in the fridge. You can quickly microwave bowls of chili for a week off of one pot.
Don't despair if you have a tiny grocery budget. Shop around for coupons and find out if a store near you does double or triple coupon days. Shop for the best deals and get the most meals from each purchase that you can. Don't forget to ask your parents for suggestions. Chances are, they've been through the small budget grocery crisis before, and can give you recipes and tips to survive on a small budget.
If you expect that you'll really be broke and have no money for food at some point, then you may consider student credit cards as an option to get you out of a bind and build some credit at the same time.
Recycling Your Office Paper
A lot of the trash that we found on office waste cans can actually be used for another day. With intensifying effects of global warming that we observe and feel these days, it is important that we consider the recycling in the office as a significant undertaking. Here are some ideas and suggestions to promote and encourage environmental responsibilities in your office.
Because it is the most used office supply, it is paper that comprises most of the waste in the office trash basket. It is therefore imperative that we think of ways to reuse, recycle and reduce paper use. Cutting down on paper use is fairly easy. One way is to use disks in storing office information rather than making hard copies on paper. A whole file which may take twenty pages when printed can fit in just one diskette. This not only saves you paper but it also saves you space in the filing cabinet. A disk can carry more than one file depending on its memory so you will be able to keep more. There is also less risk of losing the files, a missing page or two can make a big difference. Risk of spoiling a report can also be minimized. Further when you have the file saved on the disk, you can always make a printed copy when you need it. No need for photocopying each page.
When sending interoffice memos or even sending messages to another officemate, you may opt to use emails instead. When you really need to make a printed memo, choose to route them around the office or you may centrally post these memos on a bulletin board where everyone can take notice and read them. This should work the same as when you print out each person a copy. The practice is more convenient, less time consuming and gives you savings on paper all on one blow. Make the most out of your paper and your copy machine ink by using the reduction feature of the latter. This not only trims down your paper use but gives you the advantage of getting more items in just one page.
Make sure to use both sides of the paper each time. You may set your printers and copiers for double-sided copying or printing on default. Documents for a previously filed report or a proposal may be worthless in a month or so, you can always use the back side of the paper for printing a new draft. Used papers can also be used as scratch pads or scrap paper that you can use for writing in small notes during meetings or conferences or for taking messages on business calls.
In motivating your employees and staff in recycling paper, make the process more convenient by providing for a recycle box on an office corner where they can deposit their half used papers. It has been observed that most people tend to put everything in the trash can because they can conveniently drop them in. Some people do not have the time and particularly the discipline to keep their scrap papers on one corner until they can be reused. Without an accessible recycle box, your recycling idea may not be that effective.
Father's Day; 10 Gift Picks
Father's Day is a celebration inaugurated in the early twentieth century to complement Mother's Day. It is a celebration of fatherhood and parenting by males.
In the United States, the first modern Father's Day celebration was held on July 5, 1908, in Fairmont, West Virginia. (The first Mother's Day was celebrated in Grafton, West Virginia, on May 10, 1908) It was first celebrated as a church service at Williams Memorial Methodist Episcopal Church South. Both Mother's Day and Father's Day are secular activities although they experienced their beginnings in the church. It has become a significant commercial holiday in many countries.
So, the third Sunday in June finds most of us looking for a gift to give our Dad, Husband, Grandfather, or Godfather etc. to express our appreciation! I have compiled a list of 10 great gift ideas.
1. Sports Events Tickets; The gift of sporting event tickets will have to be customized to your guy and guarantees a very happy recipient. You have given the gift of the event and permission to go all in one shot!
2. Watch; Men typically wear a limited amount of jewelry if any. A watch is a man's defining ornamental accessory. If your man has a fancy watch perhaps buy him a casual style leather band and vice versa.
3. Leatherman; A leatherman is a staple for most men and it comes in a variety classes and prices. This item has similar functionality of a swiss army knife.
4. Car Cleaning Kit; A fancy car cleaning kit is sure to be appreciated with its specialty brushes and cleaners. If your guy is not the do it yourself type you can give him a gift certificate to have his car detailed.
5. Fishing Gear; There are a variety of items to choose from in this category and you are sure to find something for every budget. You can go for the fancy fishing pole or items for the tackle box!
6. Golf Gear; Like the item above there are a variety of items to choose from like golf gear or supplies. There are items for every price range from golf balls or golf socks to golf clubs!
7. A Handcrafted Coupon Booklet: This is one of my personal favorites. This gift is customized by the giver for the receiver. Coupon examples include taking care of a smaller sibling, clean up the yard, vacuum or other household chore, no whining for a whole day, breakfast in bed or a snack, your TV show choice. This booklet is a free and crafty idea for a child to create for their parent!
8. Educational Computer Software; Computer software is available in language instruction and other hobbies. For example, Family Tree software that helps a person organize and present their genealogy research. Encourage Dad to take some time for herself!
9. Grill Tools; Grill tools may inspire the act of grilling therefore, they will benefit many! They also come in a variety of sizes and prices.
10. Tech Gadgets; An ipod or an upgraded cell phone is a nice and useful gift idea!
If you can narrow down a store that the receiver favors, a safe gift would be a gift certificate from that store or any item with a gift receipt! Home Depot, Lowe's
or Macy's Men Store are some suggestions of stores that just about anyone could find a desirable item in!
Father's Day finds a majority of us searching for a satisfactory gift that represents our appreciation for our father, husband, grandfather, godfather etc. I have provided a list of fabulous father's day gifts sure to please!
Be a Frugal Grocery Shopper
Every week we all have to go grocery shopping, its just one of those things we all have to do whether we like it or not. The trouble it we can become complacent by the routine of it and forget to check what is actually going into our baskets and how much we are paying for it.
Inn these times of price rises and the increase in personal debt, being a frugal grocery shopper should be something we all choose to become. Our weekly shop can be one of the biggest single financial outlays that we make every week and by taking a closer look at how we shop and what we are buying will help to cut out monthly budgets and allow us to use our money more wisely.
There are some simple rules in becoming a more frugal grocery shopper and they are all easy to implement without having to make dramatic changes to the way we shop. Also by becoming more aware of how the supermarkets try to entice us into buying more and understanding how we can avoid these marketing traps will also help us to reduce our weekly grocery bill.
The first rule is to make a list of the things you actually need before you go shopping. This sounds like an obvious thing to do but many people simple go out each week and buy the same things all over again without first checking if they actually need it. The simple step of checking your cupboards first will stop you buying duplicate items and will also help to stop food wastage.
Also plan in advance which meals you are going to prepare for the coming week. Only buying what you are going to eat will also reduce wastage and expense. Planning meals will also allow you to take advantage of what food is in season, costing you less and giving you a much fresher and wider range of meals all year round.
The next rule is to make yourself less vulnerable to all the marketing strategies employed by the large grocery stores to get you to spend more. These strategies include:
Placing staple food items like bread and milk at the very back of the store, forcing you to have to walk through other isles that may tempt you. If all you need is bread and milk then stick to the side isles and to reach the back of the store.
Moving isles around is a common ploy to make you have to hunt for your items and so being exposed to other items along the way. A hard one to avoid but stay focused on the item you are looking for.
Placing higher priced food at eye level on the shelves. Many shoppers forget to take a look at the lower shelves where they will find similar lower priced items such as the stores own brand.
In store advertising signs are often placed along the isles making statements such as "best for you" and "will make you happy". This is advertising hype and many of us fall for it, unfortunately this items will hit your wallet and blow your frugal budget away. Many similar items made by less well known brands are of just the same quality but will cost a lot less. By trying to make yourself less susceptible to these in store advertisements will help you to be the frugal shopper you want to be.
Another rule in becoming a more successful frugal shopper is to drop the packaging. Many process foods cost you more than the fresh variety if they have been specially prepared i.e. shredded, or diced. So when buying fruit and vegetable buy the fresh variety and do the little extra work in preparing them yourself. You will not only be saving yourself money but will be helping to save the planet by not buying all the packaging that goes along with processed food.
Lastly, don't forget to use grocery coupons. They can be found everywhere these days form magazines and newspapers to free downloadable ones from the Internet. Take advantage of this free money and collect the coupons for the items you use on a regular basis. It can be quite a saving over the year.
Being a frugal shopper can be an easy and even fun thing to be, especially when you realise how shrewd you are at getting one over the big marketing boys, whilst saving yourself lots of cash every month.
Suze Orman Financial Expert on Oprah
Suze Orman Financial Expert On Oprah
We learned something from Suze Orman when she appeared on the Oprah show this week. Everyone needs to know what they can afford. Suze Orman appeared on Oprah to discuss easy ways you can save money. Suze Orman's tip is to start with your bi-weekly take home pay, how much is it? Make a budget every month based on your salary and stick to it. This is good advice to stick by, but sometimes easier said than done.
There are many ways to save money, here are a few things we do.
Save money on groceries. Plan your meals and shopping lists around featured sale items. Use your stores monthly flier to plan your menu. Make a list and a budget and stick to it. Having a plan ahead of time will save you from impulse buying. Go to cupons.com and download great coupons on a large assortment of food products. Additionally Weekend newspapers have the most coupons. Buy staples in bulk. Look online at your favorite brands websites, usually there are promotions posted there. Buy meat & fish in bulk and freeze. Look at pricing of all brands. Always go shopping when you are full, shopping when you are hungry is a bad idea for your budjet.
Make coffee & tea at home. Save yourself $4-5 a cup and buy a 2 week supply for the same price!
Ride your bike, walk or run. Save money on gas by taking the bus, carpooling or being active. Your body, the environment & your pocket book will thank you.
Instead of going out, stay in and have friends over. Plan a pot luck dinner around a theme eg. Greek, Mexican, Italian etc. Ask everyone to bring one dish and have an inexpensive and wonderful time. Sharing different foods is fun.
Close all your bank accounts except one and get rid of all those extra addition costs. Do the same thing for your credit cards. Keep one credit card for emergency and never use your credit card if you can't pay it off before the due date.
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Through The Looking Glass: Email Marketing From Your Customer'S Viewpoint
Special Online Deals for Father’s Day
Mothers are always hogging the limelight most of the time that a dad's role is often taken for granted. Celebrate your dad and the love that he has showered so far with all these stylish and trendy father's day gifts that any father would love to possess.
Internet is the best place to look for father's day sales offers. Check out what your dad loves best and surprise him on his special day.
1. Men love jewelry too. Kay Jewelers are offering father's day sale on new and trendy accessories for men
2. There's a large collection of diamond accessories on sale at Zales. Check out for some trendy bracelets and rings to gift your dad.
3. For gourmet dads – check out Impromptu Gourmet for father's day sales on food delicacies
4. An assorted gift bag with wine, lamps, ties, DVDs, shoes, etc is also a good idea for father's day gifts. Check out Wrapables, Forever21 and Steve Madden for free shipping deals and discounts for father's day.
5. f your father is the nerdy kind – Checkout X-treme Geek and HP for all kinds of electronic goods
6. You can surprise your dad with a complete set of trendy clothes and accessories for this summer. Check out Casual Male and Forzieri for their latest collections of shoes, T-shirts, shirts etc.
7. Food gift coupons can be used anytime of the year. So, get one for your dad from Omaha Steaks for this year's father's day and let him enjoy a great meal whenever he wants
8. The Popcorn Factory is a great place to look for gift coupons and save big time on purchases of pastries and snacks items
9. Nothing can beat the sweetness of dark chocolates. Fannie May is offering great offers on purchases of chocolates. Choose your dad's favorite and surprise him.
10. If you're looking for tech gifts like LCDs, GPS systems etc, checkout Staples. They are currently offering superb father's day deals along with free shipping discounts on purchases made before father's day.
If you still haven't found what you're looking for, check out an online shopping guide that can help you find what's best for your dear dad.
Happy Shopping!
Modern Ideas on Catalog Printing
A catalog is defined as a compilation which lists down and describes the contents of a certain collection or group of collections. These catalogs that contain such collections easily bring to minds commercial businesses, shops, and other which offers goods and services.
Catalogs are all too common print materials, but are one of the most handy and useful ones. Catalogs help us search for specific items, identify them and order them hassle-free. Flipping through pages or organized collection or selection is even considered by some a leisurely activity. Other would even go as far as to browsing through catalogs as shopping.
Indeed, catalogs have been transformed itself and have taken more interesting roles. Catalogs do more than to organize or compile collections. It serves varying purposes as seen in the eyes of different fields - advertising, marketing, business and the like.
• Catalogs have become a medium which holds great potential. To name a few, these are:
• Catalogs are effective for it gives product visibility, heightening their exposure.
• Catalogs strongly influence a need to buy.
• Catalogs, which may be likened to window shopping, gives reader a more in depth knowledge of the product or services.
• Catalogs, depending on how detailed they are, can be persuasive and highly motivating.
• Catalogs give reader a fuller view of the product they are purchasing and leads them to view similar products that might hold their interest.
• Catalogs functions as a guide that makes buying easier.
• Catalogs are portable, compact and can easily be shared, especially when they are directly mailed to subscribers and other potential clients.
Catalogs can be considered as booklets, which are limited to the standard sizes of 5.5 in x 8.5 in, 8.5 in x 11 in, 6 in x 6 in and 12 in x 12 in. Different printers have varying minimum and maximum number of pages required. But it is a standard procedure that pages increase in increments of 4.
As for binding them, catalogs may be saddle stitched, Wire-O or perfect binding among a number of variations. Catalogs may be stapled on the 8.5 way of a 5.5 x 8.5 catalog. Unless preferred and specified by the client, it can be stapled on the 5.5 way.
Modern Ideas
Catalogs are continuously evolving due to the various demands of the market and the economy. Therefore, it is best to remember some ideas that are necessary in order to ride along the currents of time.
Catalogs, as any print material, rely on visual stimulation. Use creative layouts and designs
Along with out first point, another is to use great pictures with focus and balance. A photo with a focal point gives the eyes a seemingly better view of things. It frames everything and leads the eyes to appreciate the whole picture.
Use colors that can help you enhance your theme. Use colors too that can effectively highlight the right details. Not just on graphics but texts as well.
Think of innovative ways to further make your catalogs interactive. Promos, coupons and the like entice recipients to see just what kind of package or bargain you are offering.
Create a sense of suspense and hold out on your readers until they get to the middle of the catalog. This way, more of your items are seen and read.
Group your items – products and services – effectively. Be sure to immediately include within the page or nearby pages complementary equipment and accessories that would enhance your recipient's response towards your goods.
Five Timesaving Tools to Maximize Productivity at your Church
Churches rely on the good graces of their congregations to get the bills paid. Because contribution amounts vary so much, churches must keep an eye on the budget and on the needs of their communities. Having the right equipment in place can free up church staff to take on more important projects and activities. This article describes five pieces of equipment that can help you use your church resources wisely.
Color coil binding machine
Investing in the right machinery can mean fundraising dollars for your church and its community programs and ministry. One popular piece of equipment for churches is a color coil binding machine. This machine binds documents using simple and affordable equipment. This machine is the perfect choice for membership directories, custom hymnals, and prayer and meditation journals. In addition to these uses, you can also bind publications to sell for profit. Items such as cookbooks, youth group scrapbooks, and coupon books are popular choices.
Paper cutter
Churches tend to pass out a lot of paper as part of their outreach programs and general ministry management. Do not waste time and energy cutting large volumes of paper by hand. If you have notices, prayer request slips, and the like, you can cut them quickly and cleanly using a high-quality paper cutter.
Combination Electric Stapler and 3 Hole Punch
Don't waste time on monotonous tasks like hole punching and stapling. Not only might you subject staff to a range of injuries associated with repetitive movements by hand stapling and hole punching, but you will also waste the time of your staff and volunteers—time that would be better spent interacting with people about the ministry.
Paper Shredder
A church is a safe haven for many people to share their worries and problems. It is also a center of financial activity. No one wants to be the victim of a church's lack of vigilance in protecting their personal information of any kind. You have a responsibility to those you support as well as those who support you. Having a shredder on hand keeps unnecessary information away from prying eyes.
Paper Folding Machine
Churches have a lot of information to disseminate to parishioners. Oftentimes this communication comes in the form of the weekly church bulletin or newsletter. Depending on the size of your organization, folding bulletins can take a few hours to a day or more. This work is tedious and very hard on hands. A quality paper folder can do the job for you more quickly and neatly and allow you to focus on your ministry.
Some churches mistakenly believe the power to produce professional looking documents rests solely in the hands of professional printers, but that is simply not true. The only thing keeping you from publishing like a pro is the right tools. You can purchase the timesaving tools discussed here in a variety of styles and price points, ensuring the right one for your church is out there. With the time you save, you can focus on reaching out in faith to your community.
Grocery Shopping Cost Of Living Shopping Prices
The cost of living has become painful. One trip to the gas station and grocery store will clearly put you in touch with this pain. As painful as the $4.00 per gallon for gas is, it represents less than 3.5 percent of the family budget. Their food purchase is almost 4 times as much in the family expenses coming in just under 13%.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, The Consumer Price Index for the past year indicates the five grocery items that rank at the top of the inflated price list that you are now paying at your supermarkets. Number One on the list is FLOUR, increased by 37%. Not only does this increase affect the bag of flour you purchase, but every item that is made using flour....breads, bakery goods, etc.
Number Two on the list is EGGS, increased by 34.8%. Again, this goes beyond just the dozen or two of eggs that you buy for your family. The bakery goods and breads are also affected. The third most inflated priced item at an increased rate of 29.2% is SWEET PEPPERS (green, red, yellow). The GOOD NEWS here is that peppers are one of the easiest plants to grow with very little work. I will address home gardening in the next newsletter for all your summer salad needs.
The fourth most increased inflated price goes to MILK. MILK is up by 23.1%. This is one the most essential purchases on the grocery list for a family of any size with growing children. Number 5 on the list, up by 21.6%, is DRIED BEANS. This may be the most insulting of all, because it represents the most basic and last resort for the poor to put something on the table for the family to eat. One of the other world's basic food staples, RICE, has gone up by 10% in the last month alone. Costco and Wal-mart have recently limited the quantity of RICE that you can buy. Families will need a cost of living calculator to keep up with these flour prices, egg prices, and milk prices to figure out all the changing weekly grocery prices.
If you have visited our website and read the "BeSmart....ShopSmart....Shopping Tips", you know that we want you to save 40% to 50% off your weekly grocery shopping trips, including meat and high priced items such as coffee or laundry detergent. Of course, this is possible when you use your store loyalty card, store and manufacturer coupons, and take advantage of the BUY 1 GET 1 FREE OFFERS. We are very concerned about your bottom line savings on your groceries with these inflationary increases on some of the most basic food staples.
Being a good "Scout" you need to "Be prepared". First, study your local grocery circulars. Become price conscious as to what the marketplace is asking for these particular items as well as what your cupboard and refrigerator is lacking. Secondly, read the ad papers thoroughly to OPTIMIZE YOUR SAVINGS. For example, at a chain drug store, reading through their weekly circular....in smaller print that the rest....I discovered that if I bought the brand name skin lotion at the regular price, I would receive the same brand name liquid soap for FREE -- $3.99 value.
Another discovered sale at Safeway/Dominic's was getting FREE Safeway brand pasta (sale priced at a $1.00 per/box) when you purchased a 26 oz. jar of a brand named Spaghetti Sauce. The spaghetti sauce was reduced to a sale price of 3/$6.00....that's just $2.00 a jar, and less the free pasta....becomes a $1.00 item. This becomes a $1.00 MEAL, and represents an overall savings of $3.25 per each box of pasta and jar of sauce. NOTE: PASTA is one of the most flexible items you can have in your pantry for making simple dishes quickly, or creating a great meal of leftovers. Whole grain pasta is recommended for people with diabetes.
Use the ad circulars to plan your meals when you shop. I have advocated planning your menu around the SALE ITEMS in their circulars. Make sure you mark out what day of the week their shopping advertisement begins and ends. Some start on Wednesday and end on the following Tuesday. Others begin on Thursday and end on the following Wednesday. You could miss out on a sale item of importance by not knowing this.
For example, in their sale circular a brand name roasting chicken was on sale for 69 cents/per lb. at the local grocery store. Unlike the major store chains, this local grocery store week begins on Wednesday, not Thursday. So, if you didn't pay attention to this fact, and wanted to purchase the roasting chicken on Wednesday before the sale ended, it would have been TOO LATE. The new week began, the sale was over, and the price increased by 80 cents to $1.49 per/lb. The same 5-lb. Roasting Chicken went from $3.45 to $7.45 -- a lost savings of $4.00 per a 5lb. Chicken. That's ONE GALLON of GAS. PAY ATTENTION and SAVE!
Don't let image fool you that you are going to get the BEST PRICE because a store is known for its LOW PRICES. A recent story of comparative shopping prices revealed the following prices for a gallon of Skim Milk
•$2.69 at Aldi (discount store)
• $2.99 at Costco (saving club/membership needed)
• $3.99 at a local supermarket
• $4.49 at Wal-Mart
Who would have thought that? That's an image buster for Wal-Mart always low prices advertisements! And don't forget about looking at your local drug store such as CVS or Walgreens for some of these grocery items. Recently I was able to purchase 2- 64oz. Walgreens Brand Orange Juice for $3.69 compared to other grocery store offers of 2/$5.00, and 2 dozen eggs for $3.00 ($1.50 per dozen) compared to $2.89 per dozen elsewhere.
When your comparative shopping list results in SAVINGS at different stores, the discussion of the cost of gas comes into play. Is it worth it??? I usually suggest you map out a circular trip to include as many of the stores as possible on your list. This way you can max out your SAVINGS by getting as many of the sales items as possible with one shopping trip. With a single stop to save $5.00 on a can of coffee, meat, laundry detergent, or ice cream you will have covered the cost of a gallon of gas for your vehicle.
I believe in buying in BULK when often used family products are on sale. If you have the capabilities, utilize your freezer. When shopping for Milk on Sale, search the back of the shelf for the latest possible expiration date. If you choose to freeze milk, remove 8-to-12 ounces to allow for expansion during the freezing process. You can also freeze eggs in freezer bags; just crack them open into the bag for later use in baking or for scramble eggs. AVOID waisting Money and Food...Rather than throw out eggs or milk that are about to expire make a cake or pudding.
For additional savings, investing in a bread machine would help cut the cost of bread and provide you with Fresh Homemade Healthy Bread daily per your creative ingredients. Put the ingredients in the bread machine and in a period of three-to-three and a half hours, FRESH BREAD for less than a $1.00 a loaf. The bread machine will pay for itself in a short time with current store bought bread prices.
One U.S. Agricultural Department study estimated that 25% of the food bought by consumers and restaurants is wasted or spoiled before it can be served. TV commercials advertise storage bags that will preserve the life of fruits and vegetables. If you are going to spend the high prices for your fruits and vegetables, then it might be wise to spend $10.00 for these reusable bags. They will pay for themselves over a short period of time compared to the price of lost/spoiled produce.
For your meat purchases, avoid paying for bones. At $10.00/lb. every pound of bones will cost you ten dollars for the throw away. Or, you might choose to wait until its on sale. Many dollars are saved by using your store loyalty card when it comes to your meat purchases. Buy Sale Price Meat in larger quantities, cut in portions, and FREEZE. Meat provides flexibility in one's menu planning. First meal is hot, freshly cooked. Leftover portions can be served as cold as sandwiches, or cubed and added to a fresh salad. Any other cubed leftover meat can be added to soup. THAT'S FOUR MEALS from one piece of meat.
Speaking of soup, homemade or store bought, you don't have to waste the crumbs from the bottom of the bag of chips, or Doritos ("breakage" in food industry language). Smash the remaining crumbs in the bag, and empty the crumbs on top of the soup when ready to serve for added flavor and fiber...no waste.
To eat healthier and save your time cooking, I recommend purchasing a Ronco "Showtime" Rotisserie. Put the meat on the spit or in the basket, set the timer, and let it cook away, allowing the fat to drip away. Place vegetables in steamer tray on top of the unit. When the timer goes off, take the meat out, and serve. This is a Very Nice MOTHER'S DAY GIFT that will KEEP ON GIVING. But remember: you'll have to figure out what you want to do with your free time while everything is cooking. It can cook up to a 15 lb. turkey. I have had mine for over six years.
Again, read your grocery ad circular carefully. Try to take advantage of the first opening days' "Sale Specials". Some stores run specials within the store that will provide FREEBIES or MONEY BACK for your NEXT SHOPPING VISIT. Last month Safeway/Dominick's had a $10.00 kick back for your next visit on a purchase of $30.00 or more of certain listed brand name products ...that's a 33% savings right there. Many of these items weren't ON SALE. This week they have two $5.00 kick back offers, the first is instant at the check out counter, the second is for your next visit.
Lastly, keep your eyes open for offers to add to your Government Stimulus Checks or Tax Refund Checks by Grocery Stores or Department Stores. Jewel (owned by Albertson) is offering a 10% Bonus if you use one of these CHECKS to purchase a Jewel-Osco Gift Card in increments of $300 up to $1200. Limit one offer per household. That's a FREE $30 to $120 depending on the size of your check. Details are available in the store. Using these Be Smart...Shop Smart...Shopping Tips can add another 40-to-50% to this free money opportunity. Make Your Money Work for YOU!
So BeSmart.....ShopSmart.....Save Money.....Be Happy!
By Robert Walsh
Consumer Electronics That Capture The Moment
People are more inclined to purchase products that allow them to be creative while still capturing a moment in time. Many moments are captured with consumer electronics such as cameras and people can be creative by choosing one that is the perfect style. Point and shoot cameras give people ease of use when taking pictures, but the cameras with digital programming nodes are the favorite choice of many camera buffs.
Capturing moments using consumer electronics is an activity that has taken hold of people creative outlets and gotten them involved in life again. People can be seen all over town taking photographs with the help of consumer electronics that have cameras listed as one of the accessories. This purchase option is widely preferred by people who are on the go and do not want to be encumbered while they are enjoying other consumer electronics that make life more enjoyable.
People use a variety of electronic devices at home to capture moments. Most will select consumer electronics that give them storage capabilities for all types of images captured with a camera. These electronic devices allow people to capture and relive moments repeatedly, and then the memories are saved for other days when moments in the past can be remembered again. Sharing photos with friends is an inexpensive hobby enjoyed by many and compact disk allow people to capture many moments of time on computer disks.
The opportunity to recapture youth comes from electronic devices that play games. These electronic marvels are equipped with devices that give game players the ability to control the action on the screen and the game player can feel the intensity of the action when the consumer electronics begin to vibrate in their hands. Capturing that moment of surprise is priceless and lead parents to understand why kids enjoy the thrill of playing video games so much.
The personal computer has been an active participant in many parts of American history. Treaties, pardons, and Executive Orders were written with them that captured moments in history on paper. Meetings have been held through the internet that allowed families to recapture evenings lost earlier to long distance travel commitments. Consumer electronics have allowed that history to be printed on paper or allowed the writer to transcribe it verbatim without touching a computer keyboard or any other electronic machine.
Memorable moments that have occurred in the entertainment industry are captured in time for future generations to enjoy. Music artists have created albums recorded with consumer electronics in a recording studio and released them to millions in the world who want to create musical video libraries. The voices and music styles of many music artists will never be forgotten because of these recordings. Some careers in the music industry started with a song created using electronic microphones.
People can capture a satellite connection and be entertained for hours since satellite radios were introduced. People have a choice between listening to free radio programming or those that are guaranteed to be free of commercial interruptions. People have the choice of tuning into any cable television network using consumer electronic access points, or they can connect to it wireless with the aid of consumer electronics that provide networking services throughout the home.
Digital Television Transition- High Definition Answers
This is the biggest thing to happen to TVs since the introduction of color. Digital television is no longer a subject discussed only among the techno-savvy and gadget-obsessed. It's now a hot topic ignited by the United States government, fueled by cable providers and electronics retailers, and spread in the everyday conversations between even the most casual consumers. You can try to avoid the escalating digital hype, but by February 2009, the digital transition will hit home whether or not you're ready for it.
The switch from analog broadcasting to digital has been years in the making. In the 1990s, Congress passed a mandate to change TV broadcasting from analog to digital to free-up more bands of the broadcast spectrum for public safety and emergency services, as well as for popular wireless services. Currently, most TV stations broadcast on digital and analog channels, with over 1,600 out of 1,745 full-power stations broadcasting digital programs. After February 17, 2009, all full-power television stations are required by law to end analog broadcasts.
David Rehr, President and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, considers this digital television transition "the most significant advancement of television technology since color TV was introduced." Television broadcasters will be able to offer programming with characteristics similar to DVDs: higher quality pictures without the typical TV interference or "snow." But you don't have to see DTV to tell the difference; the multi-channel digital surround sound, including Dolby Digital 5.1, will turn casual TV watching into a theatrical experience.
For many people, these benefits will come at a cost. Consumers who use an antenna on an analog set and do not subscribe to cable or satellite will need to upgrade in order to continue receiving television programming. Upgrading can be done in one of three ways: purchase a digital converter box (also known as a set-top box or converter box), purchase a digital television or subscribe to cable or satellite. Digital to Analog Converter Box On February 18, 2009, the curbs will not be cluttered with 70 million analog television sets and antennas. These TVs will continue to work after February 17 with the addition of a digital converter box. Because DTV broadcasters have been designated channels in the VHF and UHF bands, antennas should also continue working as long as a DTV signal is available ' so don't throw out the rabbit ears just yet.
The digital converter box is an electronic device that hooks up to an analog TV set to convert digital signals to analog signals. Converter boxes, priced from $40 to $75, can be purchased at electronics retailers across the country. The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) is currently providing an opportunity for consumers to cut down on the price of the digital transition. Each household may receive up to two coupons worth $40 each toward the purchase of digital converter boxes. However, the NTIA is offering enough coupons to supply only half of the nation's households. To receive these coupons while they last, consumers must apply online as soon as possible at https://www.dtv2009.gov/ or by phone at 1-888-388-2009.
Cable and Satellite Depending upon the service provider, some cable customers may also need a digital set-top box to receive and convert DTV signals. Satellite customers may need a different set-top box to receive high definition programming. Because no single information source claims to be 100% certain of exactly how the transition will affect all cable and satellite customers, the only way to know for sure is by contacting your provider.
Cable network channels such as MSNBC, Lifetime and CNN are not required by law to make the digital transition. However, some cable providers, such as Comcast, are removing popular channels like these from basic cable and offering them only in a digital broadcast tier.
Although most cable customers will be able to receive basic cable without a converter box, there may be few channels left to watch. In order to receive additional channels (including ones that were once staples in basic cable service), consumers are thus forced to upgrade their service in addition to purchasing a digital converter box.
A New TV If you want to take advantage of the full quality of DTV, you won't need a converter box ' you'll need a new digital television set. Contrary to popular assumptions, going digital does not mean going broke. As the prices of electronics continue to fall, most households are able to afford a digital televisions of some kind ' Standard Definition, Enhanced Definition or even High Definition.
Standard Definition television is the basic digital TV format; its quality is comparable to traditional analog television. Like analog TVs, SDTVs can deliver up to 480 interlaced (480i) lines of resolution and are transmitted in 4x3 ratio. Unlike analog, SDTVs can include the 16x9 widescreen aspect ratio.
Although it has the same resolution as SDTV, Enhanced Definition television provides a smoother picture because it has progressive scanning rather than interlaced scanning. EDTV can also be in 4x3 or 16x9 ratio with a resolution of 480 x 640 or 480 x 720 pixels.
The superior quality of "pure" High Definition is achieved through the combination of an HD television and an HD signal. With more lines of resolution and smaller gaps between scan lines, images on High Definition televisions are two to five times sharper than those on Standard Definition televisions. HDTVs can cost as low as $200 for a small screen LCD, or as high as $15,000 for a large flat-panel plasma. The options of HD resolution include 1080i (with more lines and pixels) or 720p (with progressive scanning for smoother images), but the difference is virtually undetectable unless the TV screen is very large. High Definition programming shown on an HDTV ' 1080i or 720p, over-the-air or cable, DLP or plasma ' is a strikingly significant upgrade from Standard Definition.
Buying Advice As of March 1, 2007, all new TVs are required to include digital tuners. While retailers may continue to sell their pre-existing stock of analog-only TVs and devices, they must indicate in a Consumer Alert that the product is analog-only.
When shopping for a new digital television, be on the lookout for product labels with tricky wording. Televisions with labels such as "Digital Monitor," "HDTV Monitor," "Digital Ready" or "HDTV Ready" do not necessarily include a digital tuner, which means the additional set-box may still be required. Labels such as "HD Built-In" and "Integrated HDTV" mean a digital tuner is included. The best and easiest way to find out is by contacting the retailer or product manufacturer.
Free Marketing Alternatives Do Exist
Have you ever wanted to find a low cost alternative to marketing your company? Have you wanted to promote your business to thousands of people, outside of your local area, but couldn't afford the cost? Did you ever wish you could spread the word about a fabulous small business that you frequently use? Then you are going to love this co-op marketing idea.
Simply put, you join groups that agree to help market each other's materials, free of charge.
There are several groups set up online for this very purpose, but you'll have to do a little research to find them. One such group is The Mom Pack (http://themompack.com). It uses the free listserv, Yahoogroups, for its correspondences.
Basically what happens is you send a notice to the online listserv that you are willing to accept promotional materials in exchange for distribution of your materials by the person who sends you his or her materials.
Promotional materials can be anything that has your company contact information. Such as:
- business cards
- flyers
- discount coupons
- buy one get one free coupons
- pens
- pencils
- notepads
- samples of your products
- free one hour consultations
- free one-time service
- contest announcements
- magnets
- bookmarks
- gimmicks with your promo info
Are you planning to send just a filler? A filler is any paper material that has your company contact information, plus other marketing lingo, such as:
- a cute ad slogan
- information about a particular product you want to highlight
- a coupon code
- a percentage off
- announcing a new product
- holiday themes etc.
Your fillers can be any number of shapes, sizes, and/or colors. But all fillers should be taken as an important marketing tool that represents your business. Make sure that:
- there are no typos
- quality paper is used (even copy paper)
- ink is not smudged
- ink is not starting to bleed
- ink is not starting to lose its print quality
- there are no torn edges
- pictures are clear, crisp, uncluttered, and not blurry
- the cut looks professional, not like a child cut them
Once you receive the promotional materials from others, simply place them in clear bags and seal by stapling or tying with a nice ribbon. You can even add a nice label on the front of the packet, describing the group that you are promoting. Each of the above groups have nice logos that you are free to use when promoting the packs within their group.
Use fillers that compliment your business, but are not your direct competition. Also keep filler packs to a maximum; fifteen per pack is a great number -- which guarantees that other businesses will not get overlooked, passed by, or even worse, not read.
Try to keep your costs down by shipping the cheapest way possible. Also, try to send enough fillers that you are spending under 37 cents per person/ad.
Once the packets are put together you can distribute the packets throughout your area. In return, those who have received your information will distribute their packets throughout their local areas.
Distribution of packets can be as follows:
- Sent out with customer orders
- Local Family Support Center (such as those found on a military air base)
- Moms and Tots Groups
- Church Functions
- Day Care Providers
- Hospitals/Child Birth Classes
- La Leche Groups
- Sporting Events with your kids
- Chamber of Commerce Members
- Parent/ Teacher Associations
- Craft shows
- Home Party Businesses (at the shows)
- Doctors offices - especially OB/GYN
- Media Outlets with Press Releases
- Enter a parade. Prepare a float for your business and have your kids and their friends pass out packs to the on-lookers, while you advertise and drive your float in the parade.
- Wherever you put up or hand out your flyers and information
If you choose to deliver the packets to an organization, it is always best to speak to someone ahead of time and get their permission to leave the packets.
Start with the first person you see, as they have more time to listen to your idea and will be able to help you pitch the idea to their boss. If the person in charge is unavailable to meet with you, leave a sample packet and a promotional letter for his or her review, then make an appointment to meet and discuss the benefits these packets have for their customers or clients.
But if the person in charge can spare a few moments to meet with you, simply introduce yourself and your business. Then state, "I am a member of a National Mothers Group that distributes promotional packs, for FREE, to local area moms and dads. Would you be interested in offering our packets, free of charge, to your clients (or customers)?"
While you are speaking with this person, hold your best packet in your hand, dangling it ever so carefully in front of the person you are speaking with.
Do not hand the packet to this person right away as you want her to be curious about contents of that packet. Also, by holding onto the packet, you are keeping her interest a bit longer. Once she asks to see the packet however, hand it over.
As she looks over the packet, say, "We try to include at least one sample or treat in each pack so that the packet is not just paper. The average packet has a minimum of one sample, but we strive to have at least three samples in each packet. (If you find that you do not have enough samples for one location, fill half the samples with hard candies and the other half with sample products.)
Once you have explained the contents of the packets and their purpose (savings and samples), offer to bring in a display that can be placed on a counter, the edge of a desk, or by the front door. The display can simply be an old shoebox decorated with nice wrapping paper and the logo of the group that you are helping to promote. The front of the display can simply say, "FREE. TAKE ONE." It can also have a second title tag that says, "Great discounts and samples for parents."
Once you get the okay to leave the packets, ask how many are needed, what is the best time to distribute the packets, and how often you can return with more packets. Finally, ask if she knows of any other programs or organizations that would benefit from the packets. (You want to ask for references whether she says yes or no to leaving the packets.)
On a final note, always work in what you do for a living and what product or service you are selling. You just never know when self-promotion can lead to something better. For instance, if you were Tracy of Tracy Trends, you could say, "I wrote a great book about potty training, which I have included information on, in this packet, everything else is from different businesses in our groups."
In closing, you will have a better chance of getting a "yes" because you are promoting a NATIONAL GROUP, not just your individual business, and you are offering something of value… samples, discounts, and an extra perk for visiting that company or organization.
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