Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from 2013

Bitcoin or a Bank? Here’s How They Stack Up

The following graphic was put together by the folks at Promontory Financial and is extremely telling. It looks at three ways in which a U.S. citizen might choose to go about sending a $1,000 downpayment to Europe for the purpose of renting a vacation home.  They put Bitcoin side by with with a traditional bank wire as well as a credit card transaction. The results might surprise you…

Price Check at Costco: Female-Only Product

Libra Goodnights Extra Pads 6x10 packs - $24.99 Poise Extra Plus Pads 60 count - $23.99 Stayfree Maxi Regular With Wings 4x20 packs - $17.49 Libra Super Tampons 192 count - $43.99 Carefree Tampons (with free case) 96 count - $16.98 Carefree Everyday Liner Breathable 96 count - $8.99 U By Kotex Ultrathins Regular 112 count - $22.89 U By Kotex Tampons Regular 192 count - $33.99 Stayfree Day & Night 60 count - $18.99 Prices as of Dec 27, 2013

Costco Baby Food - Baby Mum-Mum Organic Rice Rucks

Organic Original 36g (18 rusks)  9 sachets x 2 rusks 6 Boxes in a pack $9.99 at Costco (as of Dec 27, 2013) This is almost 50% off comparing to Coles or Woolworth.

Philips Airfryer (HD9220) at Costco

Great tasting fries with up to 80% less fat!* With Rapid Air technology for the perfect results Philips unique Rapid Air Technology lets you fry with air to make food that is crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Little or no oil is needed to ensure perfect texture and delicious results! HD 9220 (1400W) $179.99 at Costco (as of Dec 27, 2013)

10 Online Tools for Creating Infographics and Charts

Consumers today are incredibly visual. Most would rather look at an image or chart than read an entire article or report. Luckily, there are now ways to fit just as much information into an image as there would normally be in a text article. Infographics are visuals used to convey information. The purpose is to break down complex information and present it in a way that can be easily understood. For businesses, they can be used for marketing, client presentations and a wide range of other purposes. Gone are the days where you need an entire graphics team to create them. If you have information to present, there are tools for creating infographics and charts that help you to visually bring it to life. Tools for Creating Infographics and Charts Infogr.am This free tool features more than 30 different types of charts. It’s a popular platform, with more than 800,000 infographics created so far.

Security Predictions for 2014

Unless you're planning a return to typewriters to avoid electronic data leaks as the Kremlin has reportedly done this year, you'll need to be aware of the ever-changing information security landscape. There are possibly too many threats and mitigating strategies to cover – expect much more security awareness overall – but here's a taste of what's to come from the desks of those who see threats and their effects daily. Security v privacy The debate around security and privacy, and which is more important, will be a huge issue next year, says Michael Sentonas, global chief technology officer at McAfee.

Ten of the best hidden foodie highlights

Savour these deliciously off-beat traditional specialties and get a true taste of the local culture to boot. Hotdog,  Chicago ,  USA Classic Chicago hotdog with fries. Image by Lauri Patterson / E+ / Getty Images. Throw out any misgivings you might have about the plebeian hot dog – Chicago’s version of this all-American classic is an all-beef affair, spiced with mustard, pickle relish and celery salt, topped with fresh diced tomatoes and onions, a pickle spear and hot sport peppers. This truly indigenous food is said to be the invention of the Windy City’s enterprising residents and their multicultural heritage of European, Jewish and Mediterranean roots. No ordinary hot dog, a tasty frankfurter and salad encased in a soft poppy-seed bun makes this one elegant snack.

Public transport prices set to rise in 2014

PUBLIC transport fares will increase 2.4 per cent from New Year's Day. A two-hour zone one Myki money fare will increase from $3.50 to $3.58. But travellers will lose 59 minutes of travel from a two-hour pass as the Government cuts the time limit from two hours 59 minutes to exactly two hours after a passenger touches on public transport. A two-hour zone one and two Myki money pass will increase from $5.92 to $6.06.

Coloring Pages

Free printable  coloring pages  for kids of all ages. On Hellokids.com, you will find various Coloring sheets and  Printable  coloring book pictures related to Christmas,  Halloween , Valentine's Day, Easter, movies, super heroes, animals or bible characters. You can either choose to color your drawings online or print them to color and offer them to your family and friends. The  Hellokids printables  is not only fun but has many benefits too.  Coloring will aid your child with holding a writing tool the right way which helps the development of their finger, hand and wrist muscles.  Children learn hand-eye coordination, helping them color with in the lines.  The Hellokids printable coloring pages will help your child to focus on details while being relaxed and comfortable.  Coloring teaches children how to plan by choosing what colors they will use and how they will start and finish coloring their picture.  Pre-reading and pre-math skills can also be learned when they see an

14 things every successful person has in common

1. They know when to stay and when to leave. Successful people know exactly when they should change employers, start a company or fold their company. They have good intuition and aren't afraid to make hard choices, despite opposing forces. 2. They do more than what's asked of them. They view their job descriptions as just the beginning of what they can do with their job. After they've completed their mandatory tasks, they will always ask to take on more projects that challenge them. They are even willing to take on the tedious work that no one else wants to do in order to be a team player. 3. They are willing to fail in order to eventually succeed.

The 15 Best Websites, According to Redditors

Unraveling the ever-changing World Wide Web to find the very best sites can be a daunting and time consuming task. Or, you could just ask  Reddit . That's what one Redditor did Thursday, posing to the rest of the community  the question , "What is the best website other than Reddit?" Commenters sprang into action posting thousands of comment replies, naming sites that run the gamut from arcane to whimsical. Below, we've compiled a list of the 15 comments with the highest number of points (calculated by subtracting the comment's downvotes from its upvotes). Please note that the list may change as more people chime in with their opinions. Also, we've only included websites from comments replying directly to the original poster, not comments replying to other comments. 1.  Wikipedia If you don't know what Wikipedia is by now, perhaps you should check the  Wikipedia page for it. Then, prepare for a trip down the rabbit hole of cross-linked, Internet

40 money things you need to know by 40

MANY by-40 milestones have become debatable: Get married? Only if you really want to. Own a home? If it's financially feasible. Know what you want to be when you grow up? Well, if 40 is the new 30, you're certainly entitled to change your mind 1. The three basics of a solid financial foundation. Credit card debt paid off. Emergency fund stocked up. Retirement account(s) in existence and growing. Everything else (travel, homeownership, investments) should come after. 2. How to create a budget. Because without one, you may not reach any of your goals, like buying a home, paying off your credit card debt or travelling the world. Learn how to build your budget with our step-by-step guide. 3. How much you should be saving. The answer: 20%. Not sure how we arrived at this number? Look no further than the 50/20/30 rule, which divvies up your monthly budget as follows: 50% is reserved for essentials (think mortgage, rent and groceries), 30% is allocated for yo

Flight Attendant's Top Hotel Security Tips

Here are her top words of accommodation wisdom: 1. Zip it Never talk about where your staying on the plane or in the airport - especially if you're travelling solo. You don't know who could be listening. This is just as important when you arrive at the hotel - don't let others see your room number. If you're travelling with others, write it on a piece of paper and give it to them. 2. Excess baggage

10 things rich people do which poor people don't

ARE rich people just good with money or is there something a little deeper underpinning their success? Most people would agree that certain lifestyle choices and daily habits are as valuable in the quest for wealth as a sound understanding of finances. On the flipside, there's a bunch of stuff you should never, ever do if financial security is one of your main goals. 1. EAT RIGHT Corley undertook his own research on the habits of rich people and poor people - by interviewing real people - and he found that 70 per cent of wealthy people eat less than 300 junk food calories each day. By contrast, 97 per cent of poor people eat more than 300 junk food calories per day. 2. KEEP YOUR CARDS CLOSE TO YOUR CHEST Only fools disclose what’s really on their mind. Are you the sort of person who blurts out every thought on their mind? Stop it. It's not making you seem bold or cool or visionary or anything, but is in fact labelling you as dangerous, potentially t

20 tips to dress appropriately for work

Whether you like it or not, the way you look plays a role in your success in the modern workplace. “The problem with appearance is that it translates to performance,” says Nicole Williams, a career expert at LinkedIn.  “Even if your boss doesn't think that they're thinking any less of you, they will subconsciously think it. “When you don't fit in, you're not as accepted and welcomed.” And at some point, this could hurt your chances of getting a promotion. Advertisement In today's workplace, where casual wear is becoming increasingly popular, it can be tricky to understand the rules of appearance. We talked to career and etiquette experts to get a better idea. Below are 20 rules every professional should follow: GENERAL TIPS 1. Understand what's appropriate in your industry “Everyone draws their lines differently,” says etiquette coach Barbara Pachter. “For example, you may be able to wear shorts, but not cut-offs. If your compa

First Look Costco Ringwood

The same style of entry as the one in Dockland.  The warehouse is a bit bigger though. Food court.

Top 10 budget-friendly kitchen secrets

As your family grows, your grocery bill grows too, right? Not so. If you’re savvy with your choices in the kitchen you can make great savings. Club editor Faye James shares her top 10 budget-saving secrets. Being a mum has taught me many useful things and frugality is one of the most important. That said, I still want my family to eat healthily so through trial and error I’ve managed to achieve both while keeping my hubby, toddler and baby happy. Here are my top 10 secrets: 1. Meatless Mondays One thing about going meat-free is that it’s cheap as well as healthy. If you serve up at least one vegetarian meal per week you can ensure your shopping bill is reduced and provide your family with proteins other than meat. I feed my family plant proteins such as lentils , chickpeas and butter beans , all which make great curries or accompaniments to salad, and are easier to digest than some meats. You can buy a tin for as little as $1.

Costco Ringwood Opens Today - Coupon

Special opening offers can be viewed here .

Weekend Planner

Saturday Manningham Multicultural Festival Where Ruffey Lake Park, George Street, Doncaster, Mel Ref. 33 F10 When Saturday 16 November 2013, 11.00 am - 5.00 pm The Manningham Multicultural Festival is a FREE community event with something for everyone including entertainment from local and professional performers, workshops, demonstrations, free rides, roving performers, arts and craft activities, displays from cultural and community groups and more.  The festival aims to celebrate and showcase the many cultures that make up Manningham’s multicultural community.

Solar: The ‘no-brainer’ that could take suburbs off grid

The installation of rooftop-solar has become such a “no brainer” for Australian households that whole suburbs could generate and store enough electricity to go-off grid. That is the remarkable vision painted by Australian Renewable Energy Agency CEO Ivor Frischknecht last week in a key-note speech at the All Energy conference in Melbourne. Frischknecht told the conference that one in eight houses across the country had solar, and one in five houses in South Australia and Queensland. A recent survey found that 88 per cent of Australians support the idea of rooftop solar.

Toddler - Separation anxiety

At around 2.5 year of age, a lot of toddlers can become quite anxious when mum or dad is not around. It may seem odd especially if they were more relaxed about this before, but it is in fact very normal. They realise that mum or dad is not there and they wonder if they are going to come back. Some toddlers can wake up during the night screaming; others will scream and cry when you leave the room even for a short period. This is usually out grown between ages 3 to 4 years. In the meantime, here are some things you can do to help reduce both

8 tips for your toddler’s lunchbox

Include foods from all the core food groups; wholegrain breads and cereals, lean meat or a vegetarian alternative, fruits, vegetables, and dairy (milk, yoghurt or cheese).  Make lunchbox foods quick and easy to eat. Toddlers have far more exciting things to do than eat. If children can’t get to their food quickly, then it’s likely to go uneaten.  Avoid too many processed, individually packaged foods. These can be an expensive way to fill lunchboxes, and the rubbish doesn’t do the environment any favours either. 

Costco Ringwood to open on Wed 20 Nov, 2013

The new Costco Ringwood warehouse will open for business on Wednesday 20 November .   Costco warehouses sell everything from meats, fruits and vegetables, to frozen foods, drinks, snacks, sauces, other groceries, cleaning products, clothing and even electrical items. Costco also provides deli platters and cakes - for family events, business meetings and functions. Costco is a membership-based warehouse club. To make a purchase at Costco, you must be a member. Anyone, householder or business, can become a member on paying the subscription fee. more information about Costco   become a member of Costco map showing location of Costco Ringwood

How to Break Into a Mac (and Prevent It from Happening to You)

Even if you aren't a sinister evildoer, there could be times when you need to get into a computer without the password. It's quite easy to do on a Mac, and learning how to do it can help you keep yourself better protected, too. Here's how it works. RELATED How to Break Into a Windows PC (and Prevent It from Happening to You) If you're trying to break into a Windows computer—whether you've forgotten your password or are hatching a more sinister plan—you have…  Read… Most methods of breaking into a Mac are variations on the same thing, so we're going to highlight the two easiest ways—one with a Mac OS X installer and one without—and show you how to avoid having them used on you. Note that while these two methods will get you into the OS without knowing the password, you can always just use our previously mentioned " lazy method " with a Mac too—just boot up the computer with a Linux Live CD and start grabbing files.

How to Break Into a Windows PC (and Prevent It from Happening to You)

If you're trying to break into a Windows computer—whether you've forgotten your password or are hatching a more sinister plan—you have quite a few options. Here's how to do it, and how to keep your own computer protected. There are a few methods to breaking into a computer, each with their own strengths and weaknesses. Here, we'll go through three of the best and most common methods, and nail down their shortcomings so you know which one to use—and how to exploit their weaknesses to keep your own computer secure. P The Lazy Method: Get at the Files with a Linux Live CD

Frugal can be fun: 10 Ways to cut Costs Without Cutting Corners

Let’s face it, folks: Frugal is in. Very in. And what’s more, it’s fun … especially at a time when making ends meet is anything but. The Great Recession took away lots of things from Americans and gave little if anything back. Credit is much harder to come by. Wages for the working class have stagnated. Many of us occasionally tap credit cards to get by, and live from paycheck to pay check. Job security? Forget about it: That job your parents held for 20 years looks like some implausible dream sequence from a 1950s sitcom. Meanwhile, employers keep cutting back on “perks” such as health insurance, saying that it’s “industry standard.” Translation: “Everyone else is nickel and dimming you, so why shouldn’t we?” OK, enough ranting: Let’s get saving. Although the harsh realities of our economy might seem harrowing, I maintain that frugal living takes on all the strategy and tactics of a rousing game of Battleship. We live in a nation so blessed with abundance that 99 times ou

How to raise a toddler on a budget

Need to tighten your spending? Here are my top practical and achievable ways to raise your toddler while staying within your budget:   1.  One meal for the whole family Prepare one meal for your family – no special meals for individuals. You’ll save time, money and energy. You can adapt your meal to suit their taste and our 1 recipe, 3 ways section ideas will provide plenty of inspiration. If you’re eating out, there are plenty of places that offer ‘kids eat free’ options. If your restaurant of choice doesn’t, then ask for a small side plate and share your meal with your toddler. Sharing is not only better on the pocket, but also the waistline! 2. Buy, swap, give away

Recommended Books for Toddlers

Hairy Maclary Harry and the Bucketful of Dinosaurs

Top tips for fussy eaters

Be a good role model. If you're a fussy eater then you may have to make peace with the idea that your child may be a   fussy eater   too. Lead by example and try to expand your diet to show him that you enjoy a wide variety of foods. Ask your child to help with the preparation of a meal. Your child is more likely to eat a meal he has helped to make. Set up regular habits for eating. Make sure that your child understands what is expected of him when he eats. Make sure that the food you serve looks interesting.

Quality Suites Deep Blue - Warrnambool

Address:  16 Pertobe Rd, Warrnambool VIC 3280 Phone: (03) 5559 2000 Less than three hour’s drive from Melbourne, Quality Suites Deep Blue Hotel & Spa Warrnambool is perfectly positioned on a peninsula between Lady Bay and Stingray Bay. Warrnambool is known as Victoria’s ‘City by the Sea’.  Comprising 80 Guestrooms including eight Deluxe Suites with luxurious Warrnambool Spa Baths, there are also five 2 or 3 bedroom fully self-contained Penthouses. All accommodation features magnificent vistas and the Warrnambool resort’s unique positioning on top of a natural mineral aquifer, 800 metres underground, enables to provide geothermal room heating, as well as supply to 4 mineral rich, private hot deepwater pool rooms in the Bath House and gymnasium. 

12 Ways to Teach Kids How to Save Money

Learning how to save money is a skill a person can learn at just about any age, but the younger the lessons begin, the better children will be at it when it’s time to leave the nest. Many parents find that talking to children about money is awkward , but it’s just as important to talk to your kids about money as it is to talk to them about the facts of life or drugs. If you look back at your younger years and cringe at how you handled money, recognize the opportunity you have to help your children do better. Here are 12 age-appropriate ways to teach children how to save money. Set a Good Example for Children Whatever Their Ages Managing money successfully is about making good decisions. Obviously, your preschooler won’t understand your bank statement, but you can use everyday situations to talk to kids about money on their level.

Adopt these foreign customs at home for a happier life

FORGET teaspoons and I heart NY T-shirts. Bring home a cultural souvenir next time you're abroad, because other countries have some damn lovely (and quirky) customs.  1. Treat yourself Nope, this doesn't mean gorge on the breakfast buffet at your hotel. The French are famous for their small portions, but that doesn't mean they skimp on the indulgence. At le breakfast , for example, a single buttery croissant or chocolate brioche stands in for the big brekkies we've become accustomed to over here. And for their savouring, the French have a much lower obesity rate than Aussies.

Free Samples from PINCHme

PINCHme gives you the unique opportunity to discover exciting new products and try them for free. It's simple - you choose a product from one of our leading brands, and we'll deliver it to your home or workplace for free. Once you've tried, tasted or touched the exciting products on offer, you can leave your feedback. It's that simple! Select your Sample Try it out A Sample for your Thoughts Get Rewarded Select a product from a leading brand and we will deliver it to you for free. Drink it, eat it, wash with it, clean with it - the sample is yours to try. To keep the samples coming, answer a quick survey on the product you tried Leave feedback, share with your friends - the more you tell us, the more you'll enjoy. Sign it up today!

Healthy Changes

One of the biggest differences in the way we eat today compared to 20 years ago is the number of extras that have become a normal part of our diets All these extras add up to an extra five to 10 unwanted kilograms. While restrictive diets seem to be the standard way for individuals to lose weight, such strict diets tend to be difficult to stick to. Instead, small but significant changes to daily food patterns, such as the following, can result in good weight loss over time. 1. Swap from lite to low-fat milk

Dry Eyes - Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

First of all, the most common symptoms of dry eye syndrome are: Dryness An itchy sensation A gritty or sandy sensation Sensitivity to light Excessive tearing Blurry vision or difficulty seeing at night A stinging, burning sensation Red and irritated eyes Eyelashes or lids with crusts, flakes, excess oil or dandruff If you have any of these symptoms then you are most likely suffering from dry eyes.  There are three cases of dry eyes: blepharitis, meibomian gland dysfunction and tear film problems.  Here we focus on MGD:

Top Antioxidant Foods For Dry Eye

Beans Beans such as red beans, black bleans, pinto beans and kidney beans all contain high-levels of antioxidants. According to a recent study one-half cup of red beans yields 13,727 antioxidants; red kidney beans have 13,259; pinto beans, 11,864; and black beans, 4,191. Since beans are inexpensive and easy to use in a wide variety of foods such as soups, burritos, rice and beans etc it can easily be added to a diet. Berries Berries also contain high levels of antioxidants. Choices available here are blueberries, blackberries, strawberries, raspberries, cranberries and red currants. Berries are also easily added to your daily diet as they can be used as snacks, in smoothies, in salads, for breakfast in yoghurts or for deserts etc.

Free Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care Sample

  Pinch this free Head & Shoulders Itchy Scalp Care sample from PINCHme! Just go to PINCHme and follow the instructions.

Top 9 Antioxidant Spices For Dry Eye

Cloves Cloves are dried flower buds and originate in Indonesia. It has one of the highest levels of antioxidants and is often used as a spice, particularly in Indian food. Cloves is actually one of the few spices that can compete with fruits and berries when it comes to antioxidant levels for standard serving sizes of meals. Ginger Ginger or ginger root is consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. Ginger is said to help with reducing inflammation. It can be used in cooking but also added to flavor to water, tea etc. Cinnamon Cinnamon is derived from the bark of a tree with origins from Sri Lanka. Today, the trees can be found in most of South East Asia. There are different types of cinnamon; true cinnamon should be preferred, rather than cinnamon cassia which can be found in some grocery stores. Cinnamon has a high antioxidant level and is also believed to help with the stabilization of blood sugar levels and the management of diabetes. Oregano Oregano is a co

Income Tax - Travel Expense Deduction

What are the reasonable travel and overtime meal allowance expense amounts for the 2012-13 income year? See ATO Site here for details.

52 travel tips you must know

Money Do some quick, rough sums on a piece of paper so you have an idea of what things actually cost in Aussie dollars , for example $AUD1 = 10000 INDO Rupiah, $AUD5 = 50000 INDO Rupiah etc. Keep it in your purse. It only needs to be a rough conversion, this has saved me a fortune when my wife couldn't do the sums in her head while bartering with a Balinese wood carver - Bali boy of Darwin. In Asian countries, take cash. The exchange rate is far better from an exchange shop than a bank and you remove the high withdrawal fees and low daily limits that the banks have in place to gouge you. I even take additional cash and convert to US dollars when I'm in Bali as it works out about 5-6 per cent cheaper. I now have a 'cheap' stash of US dollars for when the Aussie dollar goes south or I travel to the US - Greg of Wollongong.

Surprising Things To Do In Australia

Here are a few  things you didn't know you could do in Australia. 1. Spot an alien in the UFO capital of Australia, Wycliffe Well. The Northern Territory outback town is a hotspot for sightings. 2. Go underground and explore streams that run through tunnels underneath Sydney's CBD. Tours are available by ballot only at the Historic Houses Trust of NSW website . 3. Check out one of Australia's great pink salt lakes. They turn pink from algae in the water, like this one in the Murray Sunset National Park, Victoria. You'll also come across the phenomenon at lakes in South Australia and Western Australia.

Ten money habits to quit right now

There are 10 stupid ways you're wasting money. It's not too late to change your habits! Paying Interest Few things in finance are as evil as interest payments. Historically, usury was looked upon as a crime, even a sin, and it wasn't uncommon for particularly greedy merchants to be burned or pilloried for charging excessive interest. Nowadays, charging excessive interest is standard practice and the greatest loan sharks of all are credit card companies, who entice you with promises of easy payment programs and large credit only to pull the rug out from under you with 18% interest. As always, do your research. There are good credit cards and bad credit cards, and being able to tell the difference will not only save you money in the short term but, by keeping your credit score high, will make applying for things like a mortgage or car financing much less painful. Credit card fees can be as much as 18 per cent,