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Experience the "25 Days of Christmas" on TV

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Ah, Christmas. Every year I look forward to the cold chill (though if you're in Texas it's not cold so much as "not hot") that signifies the time for presents and cheer. Even though it's not even Thanksgiving yet, we all know that people love to get their Christmas on and jump into the holiday season as early as September and October.

If you're one of those people that just can't get enough, then ABC Family definitely has programming that's going to be right up your alley for the holidays. The "25 Days of Christmas" is a special that starts December 1 and runs up all the way to Christmas Day, with a holiday themed movie or special airing every night around prime time. They will be airing movies like The Chronicles of Narnia, the Harry Potter films, Polar Express and more.

So yeah, if you're a Christmas nut like myself, then it'll be a good time to get the DVR going. If you really can't wait, ABC Family is even starting a Countdown to the event, that runs for two weeks starting on November 16th. Be sure to visit ABC Family to view the Countdown schedule as well as the 25 Days of Christmas schedule.
 
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Posted by Eddy on November 10, 2008 4:07 PM | | Comments (0)

Are Americans Willing to Change their Conservation Habits?


A brand new survey commissioned by Green Mountain Energy Company and conducted by Harris Interactive® conveys surprising results.

According to the Green Mountain survey, "88% of U.S. adults said they would be willing to make changes to be more environmentally friendly as long as it didn’t cost a lot of money; 83 percent would be willing to make changes if they were easy."

The survey also shows almost half of those Americans surveyed believe the leading cause of harmful emissions comes from automobiles, as well as 77 percent that were unwilling to change certain habits, such as riding a bike to work.

For more information and specifics on the survey, view the Green Mountain press release.

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Posted by Brett on October 15, 2008 6:36 PM | | Comments (0)

Reviews You Can Use

Ever needed to try a new service that you didn't know anything about? There can be a lot of unease and trepidation about spending your money with a business that you're not familiar with. I mean, what if they don't do a good job, or if something of yours is damaged because of something they overlooked?

This can happen with mechanics, home repair, electronics — the list goes on and on, really. Most often, we try to find friends, family or acquaintances who can recommend a good service. But what if nobody you know is able to help?

Lucky for us, there are services available that can help us connect to some great recommendations. Whether you need to find a contractor to work on your roof or paint your home, or you need a place to take a date for a night on the town, there are services that can give you all the info you need. Here are some of the review services you can find on WhiteFence:

  • Angie's List is a word-of-mouth network designed to let consumers see reviews from other consumers about different services. It's especially useful for local service companies that you might not know about. What better way to find out about new services than from someone who's recently used it?
  • Zagat is a service that can send you updates through your cell phone about local restaurants, nightlife, hotels and other attractions in your area. Perfect for someone on the go.
All of these services can be found in the Reviews You Can Use section on WhiteFence. If you'd like to find out about more places in your area, or just need to brush up on some local entertainment, it's definitely worth looking into.

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Posted by Eddy on October 10, 2008 8:50 PM | | Comments (0)

Saving Energy and Cutting Costs at Home

It's no mystery that there is a ton of useful information floating through Internet space on how to cut energy costs at home. I've probably researched and read well over a 100 articles myself on being more eco-friendly, but I must say that sometimes I stumble across a great resource of information that I have to pass on to you right away.

Gwendolyn Bounds recently provided some fantastic tips with her Saving Energy on the Cheap article over at The Wall Street Journal. I'll often come across articles with what seems like sound money-saving advice on the surface, but then the author fails to offer additional details to help consumers actually enact these changes/suggestions. This is definitely not the case with Ms. Bound's article, which goes in great length to provide both specifics and a map to getting it done.

Items of note:
  • Some interesting statistics from her own adventure in reducing energy consumption—"I saved about $86. Keeping that up, I'd be on target to save roughly $500 -- or nearly 40% of last year's electricity bills -- over the next 12 months."
  • Practical advice is the best kind in my opinion, and her suggestion of increasing cold-water washing netted a 20% reduction in the cost of washing laundry.
  • My favorite aspect of the article is that she provides links to specific products that will help you actually be energy efficient, not just hope that your electricity bills will magically disappear.
I highly recommend families and consumers interested in saving energy and cutting costs, without having to live in an igloo, check out the article and see for yourself how easy it can be to go green at home.

Saving Energy on the Cheap - Gwendolyn Bounds

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Posted by Brett on October 9, 2008 7:50 PM | | Comments (0)

The Beneficial Bodywash


During natural disasters, there are many ways to get involved and help. There's volunteering, sending food and bottled water, those are the usual things. But bodywash? That's a new one.

Amber at EnviroMojo recently posted about a new effort from Brad Pitt and Kiehls to support victims of Hurricane Katrina. The initiative is called Make it Right, and focuses on using the sales of one of the company's bodywashes to support those displaced by the storm.

Being a guy and not knowing much about bodywash or hygienic materials in general (though I can sing a rousing rendition of "Oofa loofa" to the tune of Willy Wonka's "Oompa Loompas"), I'd do better to pass you along to EnviroMojo. Amber's got all of the information there, and you can find out how to do your part to help others.

And hey, getting clean in the meantime doesn't hurt, either.

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Posted by Eddy on October 6, 2008 11:06 PM | | Comments (0)

All the Entertainment You Need at Home

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We've all been there. Waiting in line to go to the movies after having spent several minutes parking. Then, you make your way into the crowded dark theater and end up getting bubble gum and popcorn all over your feet before sitting behind a guy that's taller than Gulliver. You start to wonder if maybe things would be better off at home on the couch.

With the advent of online shopping, it's now possible to get almost anything delivered straight to your doorstep. Did you know that it was even possible to get entertainment services like movies and games online, all from the convenience of your home. What's more, you can even find all of these entertainment services online with WhiteFence. Here are some of the services to choose from:

  • Movies. Rent your movies from home! Who needs to go to a store when you can subscribe to a movie rental service? With some rental subscriptions, you can even stream your movie rentals online for no additional charge. The perfect addition to your living room for movie buffs.
  • Games. Whether you're looking for the next blockbuster video game, or simply like playing word games on your PC, you can find a gaming service that keeps you entertained at a reasonable cost. For gaming aficionados like myself, this is a must-have.
  • Music. Let's be honest- it's becoming more and more appealing to purchase music online and download straight to your PC than it is to go out and get a CD these days. With the right music subscription, you can download all kinds of songs from your favorite artists, and listen to tunes at your heart's content.
  • Newspapers. Need to do that morning crossword puzzle to unwind? You can get a subscription to your favorite newspaper, delivered straight to you. There's something about holding the news in your hands that is still special in today's world.
  • Magazines. No matter what your interest, you can find a magazine devoted to it. There are multiple magazine services available that cover a wide array of topics such as sports, fashion and even entertainment. If you're looking for some reading about your favorite subject, getting a magazine subscription online might do just the trick.
It's easier than ever to make your home a haven of excellent entertainment, without leaving it and going through the hassle of all the browsing and waiting in line. All of these services are available at your fingertips, at a moment's notice on WhiteFence.

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Posted by Eddy on October 6, 2008 5:42 PM | | Comments (0)

Auto Insurance Deals for Teenagers?

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Typically, there are a few constants about our society that we tend to accept. Green means go. Red means stop. Turn off your cell phone at a movie theater. You know, the usual. One of those staples of our modern world happens to do with teenagers and car insurance. More specifically, that it's typically expensive to insure a teenager to drive. However, it seems that things are changing.

According to CarInsurance, more and more insurance providers are starting to offer better, cheaper coverage for young drivers. It seems that this "move comes amid greater competition among insurance companies, and at a time that young drivers are not quite the risk they once were for a variety of reasons".

Some of the factors that are easing the bill on young drivers include:

  • State restrictions on teenage drivers. Texas, for instance, has a curfew for young drivers. In addition, some states have "no cell phone" policies and a limit on whether or not teenagers can drive others to and fro.
  • Parental involvement and investment with devices like DriveCam, which "can record what's going on inside a car and the view outside through the windshield". There are even mechanisms which act like a GPS signal on the car, telling parents where the car is. This device can also be used to shut the car off.
  • Safety programs. Some auto insurance agencies are offering discounts for drivers with good grades, or who participate in certain recommended safety courses.

All in all, it's good to get informed about what insurance companies are doing when it comes to young drivers. To read more about auto insurance for teenagers, head to CarInsurance.

If you're currently in the market for auto insurance, did you know that you can find that in addition to other insurance services online at WhiteFence?
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Posted by Eddy on October 1, 2008 10:06 PM | | Comments (0)

Cleaning Tips for Your Home

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Even though "spring cleaning" is already well past us, it's never too late (or early) to take a new approach to keeping your home clean and tidy. We all know that with work and whatever else it is that seems to devour our schedules whole, it gets hard to do simple things around the home or the apartment. I mean, we'd all rather be spending our free time doing something more leisurely than scrubbing the linoleum or cleaning out the closet.

While everyone has their own handy tricks that they use to clean, some of us (like myself, and maybe some other dudes, too) remain woefully ignorant of simple things like stain removal and cleaning kitchen cabinets. And that's just scratching the surface. We could all use a helping hand from time to time, which is why I was glad I stumbled across Merry Maids, which has a unique list of cleaning tips and guides in order to make your cleaning life a little more easy to manage.

Some notable tips:

  • Removing candle wax from wood, upholstery or carpet
  • Cleaning marble and granite floors
  • Odor removal
  • Pet hair removal
Considering these tips are coming from a professional maid service, they should be rather helpful. Do you have any particular cleaning tips that you use around the house that could be useful? To read all of the tips in the guide, visit Merry Maids.

And if you're still wondering how you'll even have time to attempt any cleaning around the home, have you considered that WhiteFence can help connect you to maid services in your area?

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Posted by Eddy on September 25, 2008 5:05 PM | | Comments (0)

More Tips on an Energy Efficient Home

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Even though the summer season is on its path out the door, soon to be replaced with Fall, the energy bills can still cause some damage. The cool weather is on its way (along with the newest batch of Oscar hopefuls in the box office) and eventually, the holidays. No matter what time of year it is, though, there's always a need to save money on the home utility bills.

Mother Earth News has put up an intensive article that looks at how home-owners can save both energy and money with some simple improvements to their homes. It includes several projects (some are do-it-yourselves and others require professional assistance) that will ultimately lower your energy bills and help you conserve power and water in order to help the environment.

While some if it may seem to be a bit over your head, there are even tips on what kinds of insulation to use and ways that you as a consumer can save warm water. I've read lots of these lists, and I must say that some of the suggestions were new to me. If you're like me, then you'll agree that it's nice to learn something new that can help you around the house. What's really nice is the way that the article simplifies these things to show that energy conservation isn't a huge burden, but rather, something that anyone can do.

To view this list and start saving money, visit Mother Earth News. Are there any measures that you currently take to conserve power? Do you find them to be a strain, or are they easier than you would have thought at first?


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Posted by Eddy on September 19, 2008 8:43 PM | | Comments (0)

Digital TV Info-palooza


tv-set.jpgWith the Digital Transition in February looming like some large Godzilla-saurus over the analog TV sets of our nation, more and more questions are starting to arise from different sources about how to not get left behind and "will this monster eat my television set". The answer is no, it shouldn't, but I've never been a 100 ft. tall dinosaur, so I wouldn't be able to say for certain.

However, if you take the right steps and gather the right information about your current TV set, you should be ok. Luckily, there are plenty of groups out there answering questions, such as The Plain Dealer out of Cleveland, who recently posted an article titled Everything You Need to Know About Digital TV. In it, tons of facts are given about analog and digital television sets, along with the differences between them and what's going to happen once the analog signal ceases its broadcast.

If you're looking for a veritable hub of Digital TV information, then this might just be the best thing for you. To check it out and help slay the digital transition monster, visit The Plain Dealer.
 
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Posted by Eddy on September 5, 2008 8:56 PM | | Comments (0)

Free Phones for Hurricane Evacuees


WebWire is reporting that AT&T is offering free phones for those that have evacuated from hurricane Gustav, which hit the Gulf coast over the Labor Day weekend. A couple thousand Go phones are now available from AT&T with pre-paid air time and will be handed out at locations in both Houston and San Antonio to those who are on the move because of Gustav. While this doesn't solve every issue that evacuation raises, it can certainly help families connect during this time.

In addition to this news, WebWire lists several helpful tips about evacuation and keeping in touch with families and friends. They also have tips to help ensure good wireless service in the event of a catastrophe like a hurricane, as well as tips for small businesses in the event of a natural disasters and what steps to take for the days immediately following.

Store locations nearest you can be found at AT&T Wireless. If you or someone you know is somehow in need of one of these phones, keep in mind that supplies are limited. To view the announcement and the tips that follow, visit WebWire.

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Posted by Eddy on September 2, 2008 11:44 PM | | Comments (0)

Digital Transition Help


In February of 2009, analog signals will cease broadcasting and will instead be replaced by digital signals for our television sets. And it looks like some other players are getting involved with the digital transition game — namely, Circuit City. The electronics retailer is already ramping up to make sure that people's TV sets aren't left behind in the analog world like some relics of an ancient civilization.

To keep your tube out of a museum (or the next Indiana Jones sequel), Circuit City is allowing consumers to call in and redeem their government vouchers to purchase their digital converter boxes. In addition, they will be offering tons of information regarding the transition in-store, online and over the phone.

For more information about crossing boldly into this new digital wonder-verse, visit MediaPost Publications.

I have cable at home, so I'll be fine come February 2009. Are you prepared for it, or are you going to need to purchase a set top box?

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Posted by Eddy on August 25, 2008 4:53 PM | | Comments (0)

Help on Using Movers

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While the season for moving during the summer is winding to a close, it is still going strong as people relocate all around the country. As anyone that's moved before knows, packing everything you own into piles of boxes is a trying ordeal and sometimes ends up being much more stressful than you first imagined.

WTOP News recently posted a feature about the moving season and how to prepare for movers. Apparently, "an estimated 40 million Americans move each year, with August being high season". The tips provided in the article about using movers cover the entire moving process, from planning and organizing to the actual day of the move. Some of the tips include things like packing a couple of weeks worth of dishes and clothes to reduce stress as well as getting snacks and drinks ready for the movers on the big day.

If you're moving this month or thinking about moving in the near future, these tips on movers are a must-read. To find out more, head over to WTOP News.

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Posted by Eddy on August 20, 2008 7:17 PM | | Comments (1)

85 Years of Movies


Not many of us can say that we've celebrated an 85th birthday, but this year, Warner Bros. is doing it in cinematic style. To commemorate 85 years of movies, the company is pushing out 85 movies in high-definition for Video On Demand service. These movies will be available across a wide variety of platforms, including both satellite and cable providers such as DirecTV, DISH Network, Comcast, Cox, Time Warner and more.

The movies available include all kinds of classics such as Superman, Casablanca and Dirty Harry. Many of these titles are showing up for the first time on HD VOD, so it is definitely a treat for movie buffs.

To see the full list of the movies that are showing up for the 85th birthday bash, head over to Broadcast & Cable.


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Posted by Eddy on August 15, 2008 5:02 PM | | Comments (0)

The Texas Wind

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Inhabitat recently posted an article with some interesting news about the Lone Star State's plans concerning the future of wind energy. If you're unaware, Texas is already one of the primary forces moving forward in terms of wind energy, and it seems that the push is getting stronger every day.

According to the article, Texas has been given the green light to portion upwards of "$4.9 billion towards building new transmission lines to carry wind energy from rural areas into urban hubs like Dallas." This will help to make more efficient use of the current turbines that are already in operation. In addition, it will help "power more than 4 million homes."

To get informed about the "renewable energy superhighway", head over to Inhabitat to read more.

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Posted by Eddy on August 14, 2008 8:39 PM | | Comments (0)

Comcast and DailyCandy


For Comcast subscribers, some interesting news broke onto the Web just recently. According to the Associated Press, "cable and Internet service provider Comcast Corp. is expanding its online menu with the acquisition of Daily Candy, an electronic newsletter catering to women looking for tips on fashion, food and fun things to do in big cities."

DailyCandy is a New York based online newsletter that provides tips for things such as shopping, dining, weekend events and fashion based on your location. Currently, it has over 2 million subscribers and caters primarily to women.

To read more about this interesting venture, be sure to head over to the Associated Press.

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Posted by Eddy on August 6, 2008 3:53 PM | | Comments (0)

Good News for Movie Watchers


movie.jpgWho doesn't like to watch movies at home? With growing technology, turning your home into a movie theater on-demand is becoming more of a reality, especially after a recent announcement from Netflix and LG Electronics.

It seems that LG Electronics is working on a Blu-ray disc player that not only will play the high definition Blu-ray format for movies, but it will also be able to integrate with your Netflix subscription. The player will sport a connection on the back to plug it into a home network, where you can then stream Netflix movies from the Internet, direct to your television. No waiting anxiously for the mailbox or even downloading, because it plays the instant you click it.

To find out more about this movie watcher's dream, head over to The Wall Street Journal.

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Posted by Eddy on July 31, 2008 7:53 PM | | Comments (0)

Alternative Source of Natural Gas

naturalgas.jpgLike California, it seems that Canada is looking to invest in biogas as an alternative source of natural gas for the future. This biogas is collected from a sewage plant as a byproduct of human waste, and is then distributed to customers.

According to the Vancouver Sun, "it will be the first time in B.C. that energy from human waste is captured and used in this fashion, and it's fairly novel on a global scale as well -- although processes using gas from landfills and agricultural waste are well established." For those of us who are always looking to cut costs on bills and save some money, it's nice to see that all around the world and here in North America, people are investing in alternative sources of energy to power our homes.

To find out more about the biogas process, visit the Vancouver Sun for additional information.

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Posted by Eddy on July 22, 2008 10:08 PM | | Comments (0)

Oil or Alternative?


As the summer rolls on, it seems that prices on gas and other items that we need to maintain our active lifestyles continue to roll on as well. With no immediate end in sight to some of the concerns about spending on energy and other commodities, it's nice to be informed about what is going on in the world of energy in order to stay on top of the game.

Earlier this week Amber over at EnergyBabble posted some intriguing thoughts about the discussion of Oil Vs. Alternative Energy in today's world. She definitely poses a lot of probing questions about the long term reliability of both energy sources, the rising costs of oil and other matters that I'm sure will hit home with a lot of consumers that are trying to keep some money in the pocket. Is more offshore drilling the answer? Or do we need something else?

To join in on the energy conversation, take a trip over to EnergyBabble.

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Posted by Eddy on July 17, 2008 11:31 PM | | Comments (0)

Netflix on the XBox?

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You'd better believe it. Every year around this time, E3 (Electronic Entertainment Expo) happens in California. It's a time for those in the video game industry to let others know what is coming in the future and how the last year has treated them.

To kick off the week, each of the major console developers (Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo) holds a press conference where they make their big announcements on upcoming titles and developments for their systems. Yesterday, Microsoft announced an exciting new partnership with Netflix which subscribers could start to see the benefits of as soon as this Fall.

Basically, if someone is a member of XBox Live, Microsoft's online gaming service for the XBox 360, and a member of Netflix, they will receive the ability to stream movies online to their TV through the XBox 360 console. Best part of all? No additional costs.

To read more about this exciting deal, head on over to the WashingtonPost.
 
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Posted by Eddy on July 15, 2008 10:43 PM | | Comments (0)