Autobody repair

If you're looking for auto body repair it pays to look into who you're dealing with. Autobody repair can make or break the sale when you need to sell your current car. Ask to see examples of how they match paint, take out dings, and scratches. I was kind of a dumb driver when I first started driving (I thought that faster was better) and ended up plenty of times in an autobody repair place. Twice just for them to tell the insurance company that the car was really totaled, and once that they fixed it after I got in a fight with a guard rail. Go ahead and search online for autobody work, and see who has a good reputation in your area.

Best way to host a blog giveaway

I have a couple blogs, and in an effort to get more Google hits through SEO, I thought I'd try doing a couple giveaways.

At first I just put them on my blog with a post up at the top letting people know that they were there. Even though I get about 40-100 hits on each a day, and have a multitude of subscribers, there were very few comments made.

So next I looked to see where I could post online to let people know. The best, and easiest to use, application that I found was at BigListofGiveaways (this isn't a sponsored post, it's just what I found). I found that my giveaway for something useful (dish cloths) got the response. Something obscure and targeted doesn't get as many people signing up, apparently.

Also, in an effort to get the most comments and hits, I marked that it's an 'easy giveaway- just leave a comment with contact info' since that's what I was after anyway.

Just sharing my findings.

Multi Player Games

Do you like to play multiplayer games? My hubby does, and I think that if I were to be into video games, the only way I'd stay interested is if I was playing against real people. Hubby likes the challenge of another person's unpredictability, especially with war games. He spent a winter outfitting my work computer (!) with all sorts of software to enable him to play against others online. Where he prefers more war and strategy type games, I prefer simpler ones like Tetris and Solitare. Whatever games you like, there are some out there online for free. Go check out http://www.8c1.net - they have a fast site and you can sign up for free at this quickly growing network community.

Checking

We're moving our checking over to one that allows us to pull out all our 'envelope' (food, fuel, entertainment, household, medical, etc) money from the ATM since our local credit union has a daily limit that is kind of annoying. We're using USAA, where we also have all our insurances through, and have one credit card that has the lowest rate/highest balance so is last in our debt snowball to be paid off. They're great, they have the lowest rate for car insurance that I've found. I don't think their life insurance rates are the best, it sounds like Zander Insurance that Dave Ramsey supports would be cheaper, but hubby was none too happy about the whole 'physical' thing and I don't think he'll consent to go through it again. I suppose I could change mine, maybe I should call and see if it would really be that much cheaper. We have 100K on me, I stay home, 15 year term, and 250 on him, 30 year term.

I'm glad that I can get life insurance on myself. We chose 15 years because it's cheaper, and if needed I can renew it then. And also, likely if it was a real emergency (ya know, I think it would be if I DIED) my now toddler should be able to step up and 'do' most of what I do in 15 years. I'm not able to get disability insurance on myself, which is something I looked into because if I become permanently or long-term disabled, someone is going to have to take care of the kids. But they only cover loss of income for disability. Hubby does construction, and I'm pretty sure disability insurance is way out of our price range for him.

Start Page

This browser start page is a cute way to customize your internet experience. It's not affiliated with Google, but is very googlish. Uses Google search, though.

Switching banks

With our envelope system, we end up withdrawing an awful lot of cash (for me, at least). Honestly, I feel like a drug dealer asking for all these specific denominations (this many 50s, this many 20s, this many 10s, this many 5s...) though the bank teller assures me that it's not abnormal. We do that so they split into the envelopes easily; ie 75 to Clothing, 300 to groceries but I don't want 100s, 250 to fuel but 20s are easiest to deal with there.

Anyway, with our local credit union I have a limit on our ATM with drawls; 200/day. Which would be fine, but I like to do all our envelopes in one day and I have a pretty strong aversion to unloading the kids just to walk in the bank. And I don't like going through the drive through, it seems to take quite a while. So I called our bank that we get insurance through, USAA, and switched our checking over to them. Seriously, now they own our life. We have life insurance, renter's insurance, car insurance, a (closed) credit card, and now our checking through them. But we can withdraw 1000 a day and they reimburse the atm fees for using other bank's atms. And we can call ahead and get the w/d limit raised if we're doing something like pulling out cash to buy a car.

We have to mail in our checks, but since we're not cutting it so close any more, the 3-4 day wait time for the deposit is fine with us. Honestly we end up holding on to our checks for 3-4 days anyway before we actually make it down to the bank.

Custom T-shirts

Do you want something to get the word out of your business? Printing you own custom T-shirts is a great a business tool. You can let your satisfied customers advertise for you at surprisingly low rates with free or low-cost shirts that bear your business name on them.

Hint: people are more likely to wear your shirt if it's tasteful. Most people prefer a little image on the upper left chest and a larger image on the back, rather than a large image across the front. The more they wear them, the more exposure for you.

Work ethic

My hubby's work ethic amazes me. Last night he brought home a whole set of plans, and made a lumber list for an entire house. What's great about his current boss is that he recognizes that my husband is a great worker, and has been increasing his compensation to reflect that. It's nice to be noticed for working.

Singing bowls

Crystal Singing Bowls are available at Silver Sky Imports. They are an online retailer specializing in Yoga and meditation needs, as well as natural hand made goods. Their singing bowls really are unique; they are hand made and listed individually so you really choose which bowl you are buying. Listen before buying as well. A timeless technique of relaxation, check out their website for more information about using singing bowls to center your thoughts. Each bowl comes with a striker and cousion to complete the set. They have other hand made items out of natural materials to use in your home and for yourself.

TTapp

I've had the TTapp DVD for a while now. Wow, over 6 months I guess, since I got it when I was pregnant with my 6 month old. And I haven't even put it in the computer... guess I should try that. I know my toddler would get a kick out of doing it with me, perhaps while her baby brother naps tomorrow.

Engaging Members

Do you want people to remember your business? How about draw in new customers? Keep existing customers? Wild Apricot has many ways to Engage Members online and keep them visiting your website for information, social networking, socializing, and just to have fun. An active forum is a great way to publicize your business. Show customers that you know your stuff and care about them by being their online host. With more and more people connecting with like minded individuals or long lost friends and classmates over the world wide web, now is the time to get with the program and encourage this on your website.

Use an online calendar to give notice of upcoming podcasts, sales, or new product availability. When people are excited about what is coming up, they will create a buzz and spread the word for you!

If your looking for search engine optimization, content that updates like blogs and forums is very helpful.

When customers know that websites are going to change and have new content up often, they visit often! Market your brand, and leave a lasting impression that your customer remembers with Wild Apricot for Associations.

Wild Apricot's smart website software includes many applications, including it's social networking tools like blogs and forums that both empower and engage members.

Many of their users find that blogs are a great way to keep members up to date in a casual and easy environment. It allows members to join in on conversations and share opinions about the latest activities and ideas. Users of their website software have found that this has saved them a great deal of time by sharing important news asap...and then getting feedback that is much needed and appreciated!

Forums have created many wonderful communities amongst Wild Apricot users as well. They let your members reach out to you and other members in an open and inviting environment. It also allows you to find out what matters to them most while giving them the opportunity to connect with other members who have similar interests.

Town hall for hope

Dave Ramsey's Town Hall for Hope is on Hulu now! We've only been checking like 5 times a week since he held it ;) They had the day after and day before, but now it's up. We'll be watching it tonight after the little ones are in bed.

Air Conditioning

As someone who grew up with the coastal fog coming in nightly, moving from Northern California to Montana where it stays hot overnight was a shock to me. Before we moved here, we thought that people who had air conditioning were being silly. But after one summer with long nights of humid heat, we realized that air conditioning was kin of a must for our life. I know it's not as high of a priority as food or shelter, but it's right up there above internet access even. Because when it's hot hot hot, we don't sleep well, and when we don't sleep well, the days just don't go well. So now that we're renting, we check to make sure it has central air, or at the least a good place to put a window unit for the bedroom.

Envelopes as money saving tools

I first heard about envelopes from my mom and dad, they had used them when my mom stayed home to raise us kids. Since we've been doing Dave Ramsey, we've been using them too. The thing that we've figured out is that we have to budget realistically, rather than ideally. In reality, hubby needs new work boots once a year, 2 new pairs of carhartts, and I need clothes once in a while, not to mention the kids. We were trying to get by with $40/month for all clothing but that just plain didn't add up. For a $120 pair of work boots, there was 1/4 of the years's budgeting allowance.

Autobody Work

auto body shops colorado is what you're looking for? Well then check out collisionrepairexperts.com. They are USA's premier autobody website. Autobody repairs guaranteed for life. Quality that protects the value of your vehicle. Insurance company approved autobody network. When choosing an autobody shop, I've found that it's best to choose one who has a lot of experience. They know how to work with insurance companies to get the work paid for quickly, are experts at matching paint colors, and know tricks to get everything done the way you want it. Taking a minute to research autobody shops could save you time and money, so whether you've been in a fender bender or just need an estimate because your car is totaled, visit the collisionrepairexperts.com today!