How 4 Simple Steps Can Save Money On Groceries

By Nicole Dean

My family's meals were all planned ahead for the week and I was feeling quite organized. I made out the menu, put together the grocery list, and got my shopping all done in one trip. This week we were not going to waste any money on fast food or delivery meals. I was on a roll.

Then I opened my pantry to put my groceries away. Oops. I was staring at items of food that I purchased while they were on sale a couple weeks ago... items I just bought today at full price. I had completely forgotten them when I made out my grocery list. I guess if I would have dug around a little I might have seen them, but it was too late now. I really hate to waste money in such a foolish way.

I think it's time for a plan to get my pantry set up so that I don't buy food when I don't need it and when it's not on sale. A 4 step plan should work for me. Let's see if it will work for you, too.

Step 1: Clear Out Your Pantry. Pick a day, make a cup of coffee, and start cleaning out your pantry or cupboards out of all the dry or canned food items. Take everything out, checking each item for expiration dates or damage. Then wipe your shelves off so you can start fresh with a clean space.

Step 2: Categorizing Your Pantry items. Here's where your organizational skills come in. Group your pantry items by similarities, like canned vegetables, broth, snacks, dressings, soup, pasta, and so on. Lay your spices out alphabetically so you can easily check for duplications. You'll be surprised how many times you buy the same spices. Check all the items for expiration dates or damage and throw out anything that seems questionable.

Step 3: List The Contents Of Your Pantry. This is somewhat involved work, but it pays off. Make a "basics" list; a list of all the items that you use routinely, and tack it to the inside of your pantry or cupboard door. If you use an accounting type columnar pad, you can make tick marks in the columns to indicate how many of each item you have in the cupboard and draw a line through one when you use it. That way you can keep a running tally of how much of any one item you have. This seems more labor intense than it really is. Your ongoing list of items will get easier as time goes on.

Step 4: Use Your List On Shopping Day. If you're sitting down with your recipes for the week, you can now grab your pantry list and easily eliminate any unnecessary purchases. You won't pay full price again for staples in your pantry if you know ahead of time that you already bought those items the other week on sale. Now you will stock up on the basics, like canned tomatoes, rice, or broth, when you find a sale, and not buy at full price when you need it for tonight's dinner.

In a perfect world we know what we have in our pantry and only buy food when we need it and it's always at a sale price. Since we don't live in that dream world, we all end up with food lost in the far recesses of the cupboard or pantry shelves. Once your pantry items are inventoried, categorized, and listed, your grocery shopping trips should never again yield a gross of unneeded, duplicated, and overpriced surprises.

About the Author:

Nicole Dean is the mostly-sane mom behind ShowMomtheMoney.com - a resource dedicated to helping moms work from home successfully. She welcomes you to learn more ways to save money in her Kitchen Organization Tips section. Be sure to sign up for her free lessons for work at home moms.

Grandparents - Helpful Holiday Shopping Tips for the New Baby

By Edie Mindell

This is your first Christmas as the proud Grandparent. There is no greater joy than that of greeting a new baby, except perhaps that joy of greeting a new grandbaby. Grandparenthood is a special club that encourages reckless spoiling of those beloved creatures. There was no true maxim than that of: many a child is spoiled because you can't spank Grandma.

If this year is your first year celebrating Christmas as a grandparent, congratulations! Not since the magical days spent with your own children will the Holidays seem so full. There are however a few pitfalls that new grandparents are susceptible to. For a joyous celebration that won't create ill will here are a few tips to follow.

Holiday Gift Giving

This is the season of giving, and it is so much fun to give gifts to a toddler or baby. Baby clothes are so much fun to pick out and wrap. Toys are much more exciting to purchase and watch being unwrapped than the offerings for adults. It is easy to go overboard.

Remember, gifts are often expected at Christmas time, and they are very appreciated but an over abundance of gifts rivaling the collection of Ritchie Rich is not likely to engender the appreciation of the new parents. Try to set a limit for yourself. Your grandbaby does not need every single toy or pair of shoes you lay eyes on.

If you are not sure what the limit should be have an honest conversation with your grandbaby's parents. When everyone is on the same page from the beginning there is much less chance of hurting feelings or over stepping some unknown boundary.

Special Gifts

When it comes to specific gifts some are just off limits to grandparents. This means that perhaps your daughter-in-law feels it a parental right to purchase her baby girl that all important first doll. Perhaps it is the unknown wish of your child to present his or her own baby with a keepsake quilt.

The problem with these special gifts is not so much the desire to be the one to give it to the baby, but the symbolism behind it. The flip side of the special gift scenario is that of contraband gifts. Perhaps guns or overly frivolous Barbies have been placed on the no-no list by the baby's parent. As the grandparent you may have no idea what these special or contraband gifts might be.

Again it is time to discuss gift options with your grandbaby's parents. No grandparent wants to become the stereotypical 'in-law'. Keeping communication lines open will ensure that Christmas is a time of fun giving and spoiling that leaves everyone with feelings of love and respect.

About the Author:

Edie Mindell is the writer for http://www.simplyuniquebabygifts.com/. Parents, grandparents and other "Santa's" will love the large selections of unique personalized baby gifts, ready for any holiday or baby shower. More toddler Christmas ideas here.

Project Management Process- Reach the Target of your Project

By Chris Jonathan

A project management process is the management process of planning and controlling the performance or execution of a project. The primary challenge of project management is to achieve all of the project goals and objectives while adhering to classic project constraints usually scope, time and budget. The secondary and more ambitious challenge is to optimize the allocation and integration of inputs necessary to meet pre-defined objectives. A project is a carefully defined set of activities that use resources (money, people, materials, energy, space, provisions, communication, motivation, etc.) to achieve the project goals and objectives. There are several approaches that can be taken to managing project activities including agile, interactive, incremental, and phased approaches. Regardless of the approach employed, careful consideration needs to be given to clarify surrounding project objectives, goals, and importantly, the roles and responsibilities of all participants and stakeholders.Traditional approaches to online project management have emphasized the procedures involved. This reflects an idea of project management which has emphasized physical resources and the use of analytical techniques such as network analysis. Another approach which has been found to be effective is much more people and organization oriented and can be broken down into a series of steps:

Clarifying the nature of the project

Defining goals and objectives

Planning is the process that will formulate project goals and objectives. Planning includes the most processes of all the project management process groups. Documentation developed during the planning process is critical to the executing, controlling & monitoring, and closing process groups. Planning is very important because it has effects on all the other areas of project management and includes budget reviews, activity definitions, project scope, schedule development; risk ID, Staffing, procurement planning, etc.

Detailed organization of the project

Controlling & Monitoring is the process that will indicate how well a project is progressing, what areas are failing or falling behind. In construction we use inspectors to provide the control and monitoring. Typically, the inspectors will discover a problem and provide corrective action.

Closing is the process that is most often skipped but is very important to bringing the project to a formal end. Final acceptance is needed by the stakeholders before a project can be closed. Close-out procedures should be outlined in the project charter.

About the Author:

Chris Jonathan facilitates results in the businesses, professional and personal lives to clients. For further information, please visit Project Management Process

Product Review of Panasonic EP 30003 Massage Chair Recliner

By James Knolan

We evaluate the Panasonic Real Pro Ultra in 5 categories including Warranty & Customer Service, Comfort/Ergonomics, Ease of Use, Features and Massage Therapy. Each individual category is given equal weight of 20 potential points. This systematic approach helps to present massage chairs from the same vantage point to help make comparison easier. If you are looking for a massage chair, then check out the Real Pro Ultra. The model EP 30003 is a mid range model.

Warranty & Customer Service: It is important that the manufacturer stand behind its product and provides good customer service. Panasonic has 1 year labor and 3 year parts. Panasonic uses a counter to monitor the machine hours. The warranty will expire after 1,000 hours of use. Panasonic has average warranty coverage. Customer service is through your retailer or national service centers. Service time and quality is variable and dependent on where service is obtained. Our Rating in this category is 16.

Comfort & Ergonomics: Ergonomics is the practical element of design for comfort and fit of the body. The massage chair is built for relaxation, so the design must assist in getting the user comfortable and within reach. Panasonic takes ergonomics serious and does a solid job with the Real Pro Ultra. The back pad is plush, with an adjustable head pillow. The armrests are padded. The remote is fairly simple and intuitive for a massage chair. One area that is lacking is a footrest extension. This chair was not originally designed for the American market, so taller users may not fit as well. We rate this chair as a 17 for ergonomics. The head pillow can be adjusted to fit different heights of users. The arm rests are padded and are fairly wide. The footrest does not extend, so this can be problematic for taller users. Taller users would have to bend their knees to get a foot massage or extend the footrest horizontal to and put their legs through. Our rating in this category is 17.

Ease of Use: With more and more features, options and choices being offered in massage chairs, ease of use is important. Some remote controls are clustered with a mind boggling array of controls. The problem is to learn all these options. The top manufacturers design controls and adjustments to be intuitive and easy to understand and use. Panasonic has vast experience with electronics and uses that to keep its controls simple and intuitive. The control is well designed and the descriptions accurate to keep learning fast. We rate it an 18 for this category.

Key Features: The key features for the EP 30003 is the Junetsu massage and the reflexology foot massage. Panasonic has developed an ultra fine kneading technique. Junetsu uses one-second circular thumb-like movements. This helps to loosen knotted or tight muscles. The circular motion penetrates down through the muscle tissue. The foot reflexology massage reflexology nodules built into the foot wells of the foot rest. An air compression system is used to gently squeeze the feet. The reflexology nodules then push up into the pressure points in the feet. The reflexology massage helps to relieve tension throughout the entire body helping you to relax. Our rating of the Panasonic EP30003 TU in this category is an 18.

Massage Therapy: The most critical function are the massage therapies that can be delivered by the chair. This recliner is capable of full body massage. It covers the back and neck with the back rollers. The lower body is covered comprehensively with the air massage system. The Panasonic Real Pro Ultra has 5 automatic programs 4 manual massage techniques and 4 manual courses. With the auto programs choose from the following: Refresh, Shiatsu, Deep, Swedish and Stretch. There are a total of 14 airbags for calf and foot coverage. We give the Real Pro Ultra a 19 for this category.

What is the overall rating for the Panasonic Real Pro Ultra EP30003 TU? Adding up our scores, we rate the Panasonic EP30003 TU as an 88/100. The best feature is the Junetsu ultra fine kneading massage. Panasonic developed this for its higher end chairs and was able to integrate into the EP 30003 at a much lower price point. The remote control also has the voice guidance system which is nice for new users. The warranty for the Real Pro Ultra is about average. You may want to investigate extended warranties for additional protection. Some taller users may find the chair too small, but try it to be sure. The massage chair is solid and reliable with some good technology for the price point. If you are looking at massage chair recliners in this range, you should check this one out.

About the Author:

Find out how a Panasonic Massage Chair is a fantastic asset for your massage therapy needs. We have an excellent selection at http://www.massagechairwarehouse.com where you will find the top brands. Find out more about the Panasonic Massage Chair line.

The Shoe That Thinks

By Dr. Joe Vitale

I suffer from heel spurs. These are calcium deposits on the bones that make running painful. I created them years ago, when I was an obese jogger. All that pounding on the pavement with all that weight caused the bones to make heel spurs.

Mine are large and painful. I went to the doctor and she said they were the biggest she had ever seen. I had to stop jogging. I had to wear shoe inserts. It was no fun.

Because I have the core belief that anything can be healed, I kept searching for a cure. One day I saw an ad for a new running shoe that seemed promising.

The shoe has a computer chip in it that analyzes where you are running and adjusts the shoe's heel to give you the best cushion. I know this sounds sci-fi but I was desperate. Plus I love cool gadgets. So I ordered a pair.

They arrived in a large box, protected by foam inserts. There were batteries and an instruction manual. I felt like I had ordered an odd new laptop.

But the shoes.

Ah, the shoes.

They looked like they were designed for Flash, the famous DC Comics character who could zip around the world in seconds.

I put the shoes on, turned them on, and grabbed the dog. We went for a run. I was amazed at how easy and smooth it was to jog again. I was running faster than the dog. I felt like I could run forever.

I felt like The Flash.

But the real deciding factor would be the next day. If there was going to be any pain, I'd feel it in the morning. In the past, if I did too much on my feet, I'd wake up with an aching heel. And I'd limp all day.

Well, the next morning came and there wasn't any pain at all. None.

In fact, I just moments ago went for yet another run in my new shoes. I got the idea to write this article for you while jogging down the road.

Now notice something:

Are you curious about the shoes I bought?

Has this story made you interested in them?

Do you want to know the name of them?

When I was in a meeting the other day, I told everyone about the magic shoes that think. My excitement was contagious. I saw people writing down the name of the shoes. Even though I wasn't "selling" the shoes, they wanted to know more and would probably even go buy the shoes.

Are you feeling the same way?

If you've ever suffered from heel or knee pain, you are probably reading this and yelling "TELL ME THE NAME OF THE SHOES, JOE!"

My point is this: A good story, told with passion, that promises a benefit, will always be hypnotic. It will always compel people to want to know more.

In short, hypnotic marketing is nothing more than sharing your sincere passion with the people who most want to hear it.

I'll say that again:

In short, hypnotic marketing is nothing more than sharing your sincere passion with the people who most want to hear it.

About the Author:

Dr. Joe Vitale is the author of way too many books to list here. His latest title is "The Attractor Factor: 5 Easy Steps for Creating Wealth (or anything else) From the Inside Out." Register for his monthly complimentary ezine at MrFire.com. He is also the founder of Operation Yes, the movement to end homelessness.

Commercial Solar Energy is Advantageous

By Rudi Wolzett

As technology advances, it is becoming increasingly clear that there are many ways that people can help save the environment and profit from doing so as well. It does not seem long ago, that thinking about using solar energy as a sole source of power seemed quite far-fetchen.

Becoming green or environmentally conscious is a trend that is becoming increasingly popular as oil prices skyrocket and wars are waged. This is a bit more complicated than simply making your home more efficient with new vinyl windows. When it comes to solar power, many people are seeing it this way of using energy is advantageous. Here is a closer look at the basics of commercial solar power, which is fast becoming a booming business for many.

What is Commercial Solar Power? If you are not savvy on solar power energy you may have never heard of commercial solar power. Commercial solar power is simply the process of somebody selling solar energy to others. For example, any person that can produce solar energy can then sell that solar energy to others. This is done through a well-organized system of power grids.

Commercial solar power is a simple concept of supply and demand. There are people that can produce solar energy, and there are people that want to buy it. In fact, the US Department of Energy is now encouraging people all over the United States, to capitalize on commercial solar power. This is a cost effective way for businesses and homes to both use and profit off of solar energy.

Going Solar is the Right Thing To Do: The next time you get your electricity bill, especially during the hottest part of the month, you may think that using solar power is a good option for you. You would be right in thinking this because many homes all across the world are now looking for alternatives to expensive electricity. You are not alone in thinking that solar power could benefit your home or business. Because electricity is a nonrenewable source, it is proving to be quite cost prohibitive for many businesses and homeowners. You simply cannot do without electricity--unless of course you are going solar.

If you are thinking about going solar, and you want to buy commercial solar energy, you will need to be connected to a power grid. Your energy provider can help you set up this type of grid and you will soon be on your way to being environmentally conscious and saving money in the process.

About the Author:

Focusing recent findings in wood vinyl replacement windows, Rudi Wolzett writes primarily for http://www.replacement-windows-tips.com . On his site you might come across his contributions on replacement vinyl window and wood vinyl replacement windows.

Why Everyone Can Prepare Seafood Easily

By Dan Sewinski

I had a fascinating month in Sweden recently. It seems that seafood is everywhere you look over there. It stands to reason, since the coastline is so long. Being a stranger to the ocean I wasn't used to seeing and eating so much fish.

In my travels I was introduced to a shrimp recipe that I had never tried before and now that I am back in America I have been experimenting with this recipe and so far things have been surprising and wonderful.

It's actually quite easy, but I have 'Americanized' it a bit. First you make a white cream sauce. Standard you know the one where you melt butter then just add flour to make a rue and add milk and simmer to thicken.

Then add a crumbly cheese. This could be ricotta or bleu cheese or even parmesan. Let your imagination gotry new thingsor put in your favorites. You could probably use any cheese but so far I have only used the crumbly ones.

Now it's time to add the curry! You can add as much or as little as you like, I prefer light curry. Don't forget that the more curry you add the stronger the flavor will be. Curry also gets stronger the longer it is cooked. Next, you will need to stir in premade pasta, like spaghetti, and pre cooked shrimp.

I buy my shrimp frozen and precooked since I am not by a coast fresh is nearly impossible and raw frozen is not a lot of fun to deal with. There are many variations you can do on this shrimp recipe. You can turn it into a casserole for the entire family, you can hold the pasta separate and pile on the shrimp and sauce with a sprinkling of paprika and fresh cilantro and make your evening meal look expensive and elegant.

You can use an alfredo sauce that comes in a jar instead of making your own. If it is too thick coming out of the jar, it's alright to thin it with a little milk and then add your own special ingredients like garlic or anchovies or whatever turns you on.

About the Author:

Always wanted to see a proven shrimp recipe for you check out this cool link on free seafood recipes right now.

Remodeling Ideas

By Jimmy Johnson

We all reach that point in house ownership where something begins to bug up. Maybe the previous owner's had really poor taste in paint colors, or maybe we just don't like how the kitchen is set up. Today we all have access to great resources to help up remodel our homes, so whether you are changing colors or putting in a soaker tub in your bathroom, everything that you need to get started should be at your local home-improvement centre.

Remodeling ideas are everywhere. You may already have something in mind when you decided it's time to change things around in your home. I know that at least once a year I have to move or change something in order to feel content. Though there is something to be said for the familiar, there is also something to be said for change. Many of your remodeling ideas will come from your own mind, and even if they are tiny ideas when they start, they will give you inspiration for the bigger picture.

There are also many magazines out today that offer great remodelling ideas. By flipping through the pictures and articles you may find something that inspires you to do the same to your room, whether it be a key piece of furniture, a vase or a wall color. All you need is somewhere to start and soon the ideas will be coming to your fast and furious. Gather the information you need as to types and colors of furniture, styles, and textures as well as any other ideas you may have in regards to your remodelling project in a book or binder so you can refer back to it when you are ready to choose your final ideas.

Looking online is also a great place to find ideas. You can check out this year's trends in colors and textures as well as see what others have done with similar spaces. Check out pictures of remodelling sites and also get step-by-step instruction on how to undergo a certain project. You may like someone's new space so much that you'll want to copy it, or just take aspects of it for your home.

The best thing about remodeling ideas is that they are flexible. Once you are halfway through your project you may find yourself going in a different direction, and that is perfectly fine. It is after all, your house. You may even find that you want to share your ideas with others, and if you are really good at it, you may have a whole new career in front of you.

About the Author:

Jimmy Johnson is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about Remodeling Ideas visit Great Recipe Ideas for informative articles and discussions.