We should. Here are 5 expenses that will soon add up if incurred too frequently.

Your Daily Starbucks

Up to £3 or $5 for a coffee in some of their stores, Starbucks is a globally celebrated brand. But if you make a habit of indulging the costs will rise. $5 even three times a week adds up to $780!! If you were going to buy a single item at that price, you’d think it through, wouldn’t you? It’s really much more cost efficient to stick with homemade coffee!

Lunch

It might take a little bit of planning, but making up your own sandwiches before you go to work could save you  a whole lot of money. Buying a sandwich every work day of the year could cost around £3 per day or up to $5 for those on the US side of the Atlantic. There are 252 working days of the year in the UK, assuming you work Monday – Friday and we take out the Bank Holidays. Let’s estimate that in the US (given varying holidays) will work a similar number. Now, we’ll be generous and take off a further 22 days for annual leave and that leaves 230 working days. If you buy a sandwich every single working day you could incur a bill of up to £690 or $1150!

Credit Card Spending

Those interest rates might seem low and you may be tempted to think, “ah well, it’s ok for a few small purchases.” But the interest adds up fast and credit card debt is a growing problem. Spending on plastic is more expensive than buying things in cash or by debit card. So why do it, unless it’s absolutely necessary?

Impulse Purchasing

Supermarkets know that we love to buy things – particularly things we don’t need. This is why there are strategically placed items near checkouts and so on. They’re often lower priced items, sometimes indulgent snacks and so on, left to tempt you. Even a few dollars of impulse spending each week in a supermarket will add up. Write a list – stick to it! Everybody has will-power.  They just need to use it!

Bottled Water

Let’s say you pay $1 or 70pence in the UK for a bottle of water. OK. Now, let’s say you do this on each work day (taking into account Bank Holidays and annual leave) – 230 days. That’s $230 or £161! Now, if you “don’t like” tap water, why not invest in a filter? You could easily buy one for the amount you might otherwise spend on bottled water in a year!

Related articles by Zemanta

• 10 Money Myths That Could Cost You (makethelist.net)
• Brighten Your Bedroom With Beautiful Fabrics (frommyexperience.com)
• Marriage Is a Picnic After All! (weddingsetups.com)

Some other Interesting Lists

• 5 Ways to Furnish your Apartment on a Budget (0)
• 10 Money Myths That Could Cost You (0)

Turn the Lights Off

No, not all of them! But at least when you leave a room make that little bit of effort just to switch your lights off behind you.  It only takes a second and could even cut your power bills, and lowering power bills can reduce the burden of payments not only in your home but also in a corporate housing facility.

Solar PV Panels

Get solar pv panels installed on your home. You don’t have to physically install them yourself, of course, you can get someone in to do it for you! And there are massive financial incentives too now. Many countries around the world now have solar feed in tariffs that will pay you just for generating your own power. Not to mention the drastic cuts you can make to your electricity bills.

Recycle

It’s a little bit more effort than just throwing everything in one bin, granted. But it doesn’t exactly take monumental amounts of effort to separate your trash and recycle. Again, most developed nations now have recycling facilities close by each residential area or will even pick it up for you!

Public Transport

Ok maybe this one isn’t such a lazy option. But if you take the train or the bus to work instead of driving, not only do you cut your carbon footprint, but you also get to snooze on your way to work! You can’t do that behind the wheel!

Don’t Stand By

Putting computers, TVs and other electronic devices on standby is a complete waste of energy. Just turn them off completely. If you’re not using them, you don’t need to supply them with any power!

Of course, nobody will single handedly save the world and it would take a massive global effort to prevent a climate change crisis. But we’ve can all do our bit!

Related articles by Zemanta

• How Much Do We Really Recycle: Infographic (infographicsshowcase.com)
• Earth 4 Energy Program Confirmed Not To Be A Scam (frommyexperience.com)
• Cloth Diapering Infographic (infographicsshowcase.com)
• Construct Alternative Energy Using Do It Yourself Guidebook (frommyexperience.com)

Some other Interesting Lists

• Top 5 Strangest Types of Insurance (0)

1) Dust Mites

People commonly will mistakenly call dust mites bed bugs. These are completely different types of bugs. Dust mites are rather harmless to humans; the only harm is their waste contains a protein which can cause asthma attacks in some people (and they can produce waste up to 20 times a day!) A typical mattress contains 100,000 – 10 MILLION of these microscopic dust mites, and a square yard of carpet can contain over 100,000! Oh, and you know that 2 year old pillow you have? Up to 10% of the weight of your pillow consists of dead mites and their droppings! Beds are a choice location to live due to the warmth and humidity they prefer… and humans also shed about 10 grams of dead skin flakes every night in bed. So they have a nice habitat and plenty of food!

2.) Bed Bugs

These little buggers will irritate you. Bed Bugs are a hot button topic right now in the US, which is why they are so high up on my list. Bed Bugs are considered parasites, as they feed off your blood. They infest areas which are warm and moist, and it is very difficult to destroy their infestation. It is very interesting to see how they reproduce; the female has no reproductive organs. The male has a knife-like penis, which produces an open wound on the female, and his sperm are carried through her circulatory system to her ovaries, where they are deposited (pictured). They are about 1mm when they are born, in litters of about 12 per day. It takes an average of 11 days for the egg to hatch, and an average of 24 days until they are out feeding on their new human hosts, at a length of about 3-4 mm. What’s really interesting is they are susceptible to high heat; 112 F is the point of death, and they will perish after 10 minutes at 114 F. However, when they get colder, they go into a semi-hibernation mode, and won’t freeze to death until they spend about 15 minutes at -26 F. They can survive for at least 5 days at 14 degrees F. To get rid of bed bugs, professional extermination is required. More information is available at how to get rid of bed bugs.

3) Fleas

Everyone knows fleas, and how annoying they are. If you have a dog or a cat, most likely you will have flea problems at least in your hard, if not your house. While bed bugs feed on your blood, there is not enough that scientists have ever been able to show the spread of disease. Unfortunately, such is not the case with a flea. There are common cases where disease is spread by fleas, most notably being lime disease. Unlike bed bugs, fleas aren’t quite as good of hiders, and treatment is possible at home. Two treatments are required to fully control a flea infestation; one to kill the adults and cause the eggs to be infertile, then another about two weeks later to kill the infertile fleas which have since hatched. Fleas love to lay eggs in the obvious places – carpet, furniture, anything fuzzy… but they also will commonly lay eggs in various porous materials. Grout between your tiles is a very common place for flea eggs to be, so if you are spraying, make sure you get the grout!

4) Lice

Yeah, you probably remember that RID shampoo and the fine comb when you were in 2nd grade and the kid that didn’t shower properly brought them to class one day. The reason for the special shampoo is that the female louse attaches her egg to the hair shaft with a special type of saliva, which makes it very difficult to remove. There are over 3,000 species of lice, however very few types affect humans. The crab louse (or “crabs”), infect the genitals, and eye lashes. They feed on blood, and have been traced back to transmission to humans from gorillas about 2,000,000 years ago. Body lice and head lice are nearly indistinguishable to the eye, and can even interbreed in laboratory conditions, but they have specifically adapted to different conditions. Body lice typically will lay their eggs on your clothes, while head lice will attach the eggs to your hair. While very few of the 3,000 species feed on blood, unfortunately all which live on humans do. They also commonly spread disease, and should be treated immediately.

5) House flies

This is one pest that most pest control companies won’t even touch. We all hate house flies, but they only come around for one reason – food and places to lay eggs. When there is rotting food, over ripe fruit, or waste, they will be there! The reason most exterminators won’t deal with house flies is the simple fact that it’s only due to filth, and since flies don’t have a central home like a bee or a wasp does, you can’t treat one place easily. A friend of mine had flies infest his house one time, and it turned out that he hadn’t cleaned his bird cage paper out, and the fruit and vegetables the bird dropped were one reason for the flies to grow in number. Another tip I discovered is to leave a bowl of port wine out; it is sweet enough to attract them, but they will die as soon as they drink it due to the alcohol content.

6) People

Yes I said it… people can be pests. And they are prevalent in your house. It may be your roommates inconsiderate boyfriend, your intrusive neighbor, or even your sixteen year old son. And believe it or not, it may even be you! The origin of the homo sapien is still up to mass debate, but it is believed this pest evolved from the h. sapien idaltu about 160,000 years ago. Unlike the other five pests I mentioned, some of this species can be rather pleasant to be around, while others can just be, well, pests. Unfortunately, there are many laws which prohibit destruction of this pest, so you have to outsmart the h.sapien sapien. If the pest is younger, they may be tempted by sweet snack food. However, if the pest is a badgering ex g/f who spends way too much money on shows, just do what I did. Pick a pair up and throw them out the front door and let her run after them. Then lock the door. It is very difficult for this pest to gain re-entry, unless you allow it.

References:

http://www.ehso.com/ehshome/dustmites.php

http://www.worldofbedbugs.com/bed-bug-life-cycle.html

How To Get Rid of Bed Bugs

Related articles

• Top 10 Deadliest Bugs (toptenz.net)
• Do I need a HEPA Air Purifier? Top Ways to Tell (allaboutallergy.com)
• Bed bugs: a nightmare on legs | David Shariatmadari (guardian.co.uk)

Some other Interesting Lists

• 5 Ways to Furnish your Apartment on a Budget (0)
• 10 Best Ways to Go Wild this Halloween! (0)

These are a few great hotels of South Africa that you should consider -

1. Jaci’s Tree Lodge: If you have a big family then this hotel could be the best choice for you. This is because it has 8 rooms that are all tree houses and are built around a giant Leadwood tree. Another aspect of the hotel is there outdoor jungle showers for those who want to come closer to nature. It is situated in a malaria free zone which also has abundant wildlife. Careful though, some of the wildlife wouldn’t think twice about eating you.  So if you are looking for an experience close to nature this is where you should be.

2. Cape Grace Hotel: This is located on Cape Town’s Victoria and Alfred Waterfront. If you are all for luxury then here is where your heart will be at ease. It’s a luxurious hotel which provides you with excellent dining facilities. All other luxuries such as a spa, a whiskey bar and a pool are present for your comfort. However, if you not very keen on spending a lot then this opting will not be very comfortable for you.

3. The Palace of the Lost City: If luxury is all that you crave for then prepare for a royal treatment, when you come to this hotel. They provide unmatched five star services and is situated amidst sparkling streams and waterfalls.

4. The African Rock Hotel: This is a luxury hotel that is located at a distance of a 15 minute drive from the OR Tambo Johannesburg International airport. It is situated in a quite suburb where you get to be away from the arrival and departure flight paths but still close to the highway.

5. Thornwood: If you are an adventure lover then Thornwood is where you should be. This place gives you the opportunity to sleep in plush canopied beds not in your hotel room but in the wild African bush within Weavers Nature Park.

6. Cathedral Peak Hotel: For those who love activities this place offers full satisfaction. It offers games like golf, hiking, biking, swimming, tennis, squash and more.

7. Garonga Safari Camp: This is the perfect place for those on their honeymoon. It offers an intimate safari experience but still luxurious.

8. The Earth Lodge: This place is situated around a waterhole and offers are luxurious stay. You will have your private pool, a butler to attend you and an open air shower.

9. Table Bay hotel: The best thing about this place is its location. It overlooks the home of South Africa’s former president Nelson Mandela. You can see Cape Town attractions as well as the harbor from the comfort of your room. Mouth watering South African cuisines and regional wines available at the hotel are a delight for the food lovers.

10. The Mala Mala Main Camp: It is set on the banks of the sand river. You can dine under the stars around a bonfire. The best thing about this place is that you can enjoy world-class game drives during the day.

Emily is attached to ‘Discussion of the day’. She focuses on different Travel destinations in the world & also writes on Sports, Finance, Entertainment, Gadgets, Shopping subjects.

Related articles by Zemanta

• The Treehotel – Invisible Treetop Accommodations (youlivewhere.com)
• Best Vacation Saving Travel Websites (verybestsites.com)
• How Video – Have A Great Honeymoon (ihowtovideos.com)
• From the “Japan Hotel Association” (funnytypos.com)

Some other Interesting Lists

• Check These Interesting Lists

1) Beg mommy and daddy

Yes, this is rather childish, but hey they may have stuff that’s just taking up space they don’t really want any longer. It may not be the prettiest stuff ever, but unless you just won the lottery guess what – not much of your furniture is going to match! But with modern art deco these days, you don’t have to worry! It’s commonplace for even expensive furnishings not to match!

2) Thrift / Consignment Stores

These are very iffy. Sometimes you can find a really good deal at the local Goodwill (especially if you are in a large city), however not always. I remember once I went to pick up a couch at a Salvation Army for the break room where I worked; as soon as we picked it up we realized the back was broken. It was back to back with another couch in the showroom, so you couldn’t tell when you sat on it. However when we got it into the break room, if you leaned back – it fell back! So along with looking for those mysterious stains… look at the structural quality of the couch.

However there are other concerns with used furniture. Whenever you buy anything with cloth or padding, you run the risk of bringing pests, such as bed bugs, into your home. Bed bugs are small parasites, which infest your home and feed on your blood. They are less than 1 millimeter at maturity, and it’s very difficult to learn how get rid of bed bugs. So be very careful and inspect everything closely before bringing it into your home.

3) Friends

When I first moved out and got my own place, I was a very active kiteboarder. I knew the owner of my local shop very well, and his mother recently had to be placed in an assisted living facility, so he had all her stuff to get rid of. This is very rare I will admit, but mention that you’re moving to all your friends – who knows, you may luck out like I did! I got a couch, a very nice coffee table, and some original oil paintings, amongst other furnishings.

4) Packages.

Oh so you think you’re too good for Goodwill or bumming off your parents, huh? Or maybe you just happen to be one of the lucky few who has landed his or her dream job right out of college and have a fat paycheck. Or maybe you won the lottery. If you are in the latter of the two categories, I am very happy for you. Needless to say, you probably have some extra free cash and want the best deal. But you’re like me, and your taste in décor is… well let’s be honest… not good. Thankfully there are people out there to help you! And I’m not talking rental places… you end up paying WAY too much in the long run for your package. But there are some good furniture places out there which will offer well coordinated packages at rather good deals.

5) Craigslist

Craigslist is very inexpensive, if you’re smart about it. I like to leave Craigslist for the last for a few reasons – the first is it’s the most obvious; the second is there is a lot to say about being safe with your Craigslist purchases. Craigslist is a very powerful tool; you can find a new apartment, sofa, dining room table, bed, car, job, and girlfriend all on one site – and all for free. But be careful about what may be crawling around on any of these things you find! There is also a wonderful “free” section on Craigslist, where you can literally get anything you can think of. Upon moving last month, my new apartment didn’t have a ceiling fan – found one for free, and two bar stools for $15!

Other than the bed bug problem, make sure you do you research on everything before you buy it; maybe have a friend who specializes in that product inspect it for you. When I bought my motorcycle, I had a friend who was a mechanic go with me to inspect the bike before I made my offer. Craigslist is a wonderful tool, just as long as you can make sure you are not ripped off. Also pay attention to the bed bugs I mentioned up in the section about thrift stores.

Congratulations on moving out of your parent’s basement, no matter if you’re 18, 23, or 32. There’s a lot to starting out on your own, and finding furnishings for your apartment shouldn’t be one of them. I have had neighbors who are ten years older than I am, and who have been in the professional world years longer than I, who say I have more furnishings than they do. Well, I got most of it through one of these methods, however most is off Craigslist. Good luck!

Related articles

• How to Feng Shui Your Apartment Video (ihowtovideos.com)
• You Live Where? – A 330-Square Foot, 24-Room Apartment Called The Domestic Transformer (youlivewhere.com)
• Backyard Entertainment (empirepatiocovers-blog.com)
• Brighten Your Bedroom With Beautiful Fabrics (frommyexperience.com)

Some other Interesting Lists

• 10 Best Ways to Go Wild this Halloween! (0)
• The Top 6 Annoying Pests (0)
• Dear World, Love Santa Claus – Santa’s Pet Peeves (0)
• 5 Real Stories of Dog Heroes (0)
• Top 9 Jazz Clubs in New Orleans (0)

10.  Sexy Fireman:

I don’t know what it is about firemen, but they just get to me.  They seem so brave and strong, yet compassionate.  Yes guys, women love firemen!  If you are a guy that wants to start just as many fires as he puts out you should try dressing up in a super sexy version of a fireman for Halloween.  I can think of a few firemen that I would love to come and “rescue” me.  This smoking hot look is going to cause a few fire alarms to go off, trust me.

9.  Housewife:

Even if you aren’t from Orange County or New Jersey, this costume idea is a fun look for big girls that want to make some fun out of something that is a bit “desperate”. This sexy version of a housewife is a tongue and cheek parody that mimics the outrageous characters that mesmerize so many via television each week.   A handy spatula and a Cosmopolitan will complete your hilarious and very sexy housewife look.

8.  Minnie or Mickey Mouse:

Classic Minnie or Mickey is a tried and true Halloween favorite.  These easily recognizable characters have been around for years and loved by all ages for good reason.   Minnie Mouse can be everything from a sweetly adorable look for a child or if you are a bigger girl there are many sexier versions available that recreate this look in anything but mousey fashion.   Even guys can have some fun “mousing around” in a Mickey Mouse costume.  These classic costume styles are always going to be a great choice for Halloween.

7.   Buzz Lightyear:

Buzz Lightyear is as popular now as ever as he continually seems to soar into infinity and beyond.  His character is quirky as well as unmistakably spacey.  His flight suit as well as his jet pack is fully loaded with gizmos and widgets to successfully complete most any imaginary space mission, including the mission of neighborhood trick or treating.  Your personal quest may be as simple as having a complete blast off recreating this wildly popular character this Halloween.

6.   Baby Gorilla:

Your little monkey will be the hit of the trick-or-treating brigade in this adorable miniature gorilla suit.  Your friends will go bananas over this positively precious little costume.  The hat will not only frame your babies face in the most charming way, but the entire outfit will also keep your baby snuggly warm and bundled up against the chilly autumn air of Halloween.

5.  Pit Crew:

Gentlemen– start your engines–indeed.  This costume is all about fast cars and fast women!  This adorable pink “Pit Crew” costume is not for the timid.  It is not only eye-catching but is also very sexy.   Men love car racing and you are bound to get lots of male attention in this bright pink, racy and very hot pit crew get-up.   Your man will be begging for a pit stop as well as waving the checkered flag to hurry you on to the finish line!

4.  Pirates:

In recent years, pirate characters have been newly popularized by movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean.  Whether you are a sexy swashbuckler looking very curvaceous in this peasant style dress or a really ghastly and frightening version of the ghostly Barnacle Bill, a dramatic pirate look is bound to create many opportunities for Halloween fun that won’t send you on a walk down the plank.

3.   Alice In Wonderland Characters:

Once again a movie has renewed interest in classic characters.  I love the idea of putting a group of friends together and each dressing up as a different character from Alice In Wonderland.   The Mad Hatter can be created in traditional fashion with his top hat and cravat, or you could go all out with the bright orange hair and pale face of Tim Burton’s movie version of the Hatter, recently recreated by Johnny Depp.  Alice is a simple classic look with long blonde hair and a light blue puffy and ruffled dress.  The Queen of Hearts is a dramatic look for the boldest member of your Halloween party group.

2.  Indiana Jones:

Even after all these years, Indiana Jones still personifies the ultimate man.  He’s just the right combination of brains and brawn.   There is a little vulnerability found in his intoxicating sweet streak.  It seems every girl has had a crush on sexy Indy.  Dressing up as this hot archaeologist for Halloween is a smart move, guys—if you are Indy for a night you might just be the perfect man.  What could be better than that?  Well, if you’re a George Lucas fan in general, then perhaps dressing up as a Star Wars character is more up your alley. Heck, when it comes to George Lucas movies, there are hordes of famous movie characters to pick from.

1.  Avatar:

This year’s highest grossing movie left moviegoer’s spellbound by its special effects and rich characters.  Dressing up as one of the peaceful Na’vi people will be a dramatic costume choice that will not go unnoticed by anyone at your Halloween party.  The blue-skinned characters are not only very recognizable, but are surprisingly sexy considering that you will spend the evening donning the color of a bright blue smurf.   If you are up for this much “look” you are bound to be the highlight of any Halloween event you attend.

This article has been graciously provided by Halloween Express.

Related articles by Zemanta

• 10 Best Ways to Go Wild this Halloween! (makethelist.net)
• Top 5 Strangest Types of Insurance (makethelist.net)
• An Interview with Reggie Pace of NO BS! Brass and More (richmondvapresents.com)
• More Theme Wedding Madness (myweddingideas.net)

Some other Interesting Lists

• Check These Interesting Lists

1. Kathie Vaughan and Her Dog Eve:

Kathie is a paraplegic, paralyzed from the waist down. She recently bought a used truck and brought her loyal pet Eve along. When her truck began fishtailing, she struggled to bring it to a stop when the cabin suddenly began filling with fumes and smoke. With the truck in danger of lighting on fire and exploding, she struggled to escape. The smoke in her eyes made her unable to see well enough to put her wheel chair together and get out of the vehicle. That is when Eve took control of the situation and pulled her owner from the truck. Eve dragged Kathie away just in time, as the vehicle went up in flames when they were merely 10 feet away. Police arrived and yelled to Kathie that she needed to move further away from the vehicle, as it was bound to explode. In pain and unable to move, Kathie grabbed a hold of Eve’s collar and her loyal friend dragged her 40 more feet to safety. Eve saved Kathie’s life and was awarded the prestigious Stillman Award for bravery. (source)

2. Kevin Weaver’s Best Beagle Friend Belle:

A 3-year-old Beagle named Belle was the first canine to be awarded the VITA Wireless Samaritan Award after she heroically saved her owner during a medical emergency. Kevin Weaver suffered from diabetes and began having more and more seizures. A stranger had recommended that he train the Beagle to be a medical assistance dog and he heeded the advice; it is a good thing he did. Belle was trained to sense when Kevin’s blood sugar was too high or too low. The expensive training also included a worst case scenario. If Kevin was having a seizure, Belle knew how to bite down on the number 9 on his cell phone, which was programmed to dial 911. On the morning of February 7th, Kevin was sure glad to have paid for the training. He suffered a severe seizure and collapsed. When he woke up, he was in a hospital with Belle by his side. Emergency dispatchers received a call and only heard a dog barking, so they sent someone to check out the situation. They found Kevin and carried both dog and owner to the hospital in the ambulance, just in time to save his life. If Kevin would have been stuck at home until his roommates arrived, he would not have made it. Kevin and Belle celebrated the dog’s heroics and Kevin’s life with a steak dinner that night. (source)

3. Eve and Norman Fertig and Their Half-Wolf Savior:

Eve and Norman take care of injured animals on a regular basis, and when a severe winter storm hit upstate New York, they were never more thankful. The Fertigs were trapped outside by two fallen trees. The trees were blocking their path to any form of safety, including their house about 200 feet away. They took shelter in a narrow alleyway but became trapped. The storm surprised them after a nice day, so neither had warm clothes on. Around 9:30pm, their loyal follower of seven years, Shana, a 160-pound half-wolf-half-German shepherd, found the Fertigs and began digging through the snow and under the trees. After two hours, Shana was able to dig a tunnel all the way to their house. She returned to the Fertigs, grabbed Eve’s sleeve and Norman grabbed Eve’s leg, then Shana pulled them all the way through a hole in their fence and to their front door. They reached safety at 2am but with no electricity in the house, and they needed to get warm. Shana stayed with them, providing warmth until firefighters arrived the next morning in response to calls from their neighbors. Eve and Norman will never regret rescuing Shana. (source)

4. Omar Eduardo Rivera Saved by His Guide Dog:

On September 11, 2001, Omar Rivera was trapped on the 71st floor of the World Trade Center’s north tower when the airline struck the building 25 stories above him. Mr. Rivera, a blind computer technician, brought his guide dog to work with him on a daily basis. When the chaos ensued, he unleashed his loyal dog named Dorado, patted his head, and told him to go and save itself. Omar described the setting as too dangerous and hectic for him to possibly escape. After several minutes on his own, Omar’s canine friend returned to guide him down 70 flights of stairs. On the way down the stairwell, a fellow coworker lent assistance and both Dorado and the helpful coworker successfully guided Mr. Rivera to safety just in time. As a reward, Dorado was provided with enough dog chews to last a lifetime.
(source)

5. Angela Marcelino and Her Pit Bull Protector Maya:

On Father’s Day 2007, Angela Marcelino was surprised to enter her home and find a robber in her house. The robber quickly shoved Angela inside and began choking her to prevent her from screaming. Angela made just two successful screams, which alerted her pet Maya. Maya came running and quickly began attacking the man. While Maya was attacking, Angela was able to get to her feet and defend herself. The robber opened the door and quickly left, realizing that he had chose the wrong house to target. When police arrived, Maya had blood from the criminal on her and the police took a swab of it for DNA testing. Sometime later, the detective called Angela to help identify the robber in a lineup of criminals and the one she pointed out matched the DNA from Maya’s face, providing enough evidence to put him in prison for quite a while.  Maya was given several treats as a reward, something that she did not protest considering that dogs eat everything. (source)

Related articles by Zemanta

• Key Considerations When Adopting A Canine For Your Children (lawrencereaves.com)
• How to Keep Your Pet Safe in Your Home (ihowtovideos.com)
• Hot Dog Hootenanny (drivinganddining.com)
• Oklahoma Is NOT Going to the Dogs (lawsome.net)
• How to Video – Holistically Care For Your Dog (ihowtovideos.com)

Some other Interesting Lists

• 5 Ways to Furnish your Apartment on a Budget (0)
• Top 5 Strangest Types of Insurance (0)
• Top 10 Goals For 2010 and Beyond (1)
• Ten Famous Coin Collectors (0)
• Dear World, Love Santa Claus – Santa’s Pet Peeves (0)

Here are a few insurance policies that will top any of those ones on the crazy scale though.

Taste Insurance

This is very popular form of insurance for professionals working in the world of food and drink – specifically food testers. Here are just a few people that have taken out these policies:

• Wine taster and buyer Angela Mount had her taste buds insured for £10 million.
• One of the world’s most revered wine critics, Robert Parker, also had his extremely influential palate insured to the tune of around $1,000,000.
• Dreyer’s Ice Cream taster John Harrison has had his ice cream loving taste buds insured for over $1,000,000 for many years.
• Gennaro Pelliccia is another important taster. He works for Costa Coffee and tastes every batch of beans that passes through the factory in London. His taste buds are insured for about $20,000,000.

Immaculate Conception Insurance

This policy is too crazy to be true. In fact, it didn’t last long because the British insurers withdrew the insurance coverage to three sisters that were concerned they would give birth to Christ. The policy had been renewed from 2000 to 2006 until it stirred up controversy in the UK media.

The BBC article states the following:

“The cover was meant to pay for the cost of bringing up Christ if one of them has a virgin birth.”

A spokesmen for the company said at the time, that the sisters “were concerned about having sufficient funds if they immaculately conceived. It was for caring and bringing up the Christ.

He went on to say, “we sometimes get weird requests and this is the weirdest we have had.”

Indeed.

Alien Abduction Insurance

The website AlienAbductionInsurance.com has a number of interesting facts relating to alien abduction and how to spot an abduction case.

For example, “You are sure that you saw an alien yesterday. It can probably be the sign that you were abducted. But make sure that yesterday wasn’t Halloween and you weren’t threatened by the children of the neighborhood.”

That website is a satirical look at a very real insurance policy. 39 members of the Heaven’s Gate cult were even insured with Alien Abduction Insurance before they took their own lives in 1997.

Spooksafe Insurance

In 2001, specialist insurer Ultraviolet started offering Spooksafe Insurance policies that cover against, “a poltergeist destroying their home or coping with the trauma of alien abduction.”

The policies even protected you or your spouse against the consequences of being turned into a werewolf or vampire. The insurance policies pay out up to $220,000 for any death, injury or damage to personal affects caused by a poltergeist or ghost. In 2001 alone, Ultraviolet wrote over 500 of these insurance policies.

They even paid out around $100,000 after an insured woman died from being thrown over the banister. A team of investigators concluded a ghost was responsible for the death.

The Chief Underwriting Officer at the group, Simon Burgess said, “We had a specialist firm of investigators look into it and they were convinced.”

Twins Insurance

Some people are scared of twins – specifically they are afraid of the extra cost that comes with having multiple children.

There a few clauses to these Twins Insurance policies including the requirement to purchase the coverage before you reach 12 weeks and before you have a scan.

Twins insurance will pay out a lump sum payment if you are to have two or more babies allowing you to better prepare for the extra financial strain from having to purchase multiple cribs, strollers and beds. The money can also go to paying for part time help after the babies are born.

Most of these policies will not provide you with a policy (or even a quote) if you have undergone infertility treatment at any point in the previous two years.

This was written by Gary Kohler from LifeCover.ca– a website that offers free life insurance quotes in Canada.

Related articles by Zemanta

• Insurance Coverage – Are You Protected? (allenandallen.com)
• Explanation Of Vehicle Insurance Coverage (frommyexperience.com)
• Why do I need an attorney to represent me in my personal injury case? (allenandallen.com)
• Virginia Passes UIM Statute Amendment (sandsandersonriskmanager.com)

Some other Interesting Lists

• 10 Best Ways to Go Wild this Halloween! (0)
• Top Five Haunted Holiday Destinations in the UK (0)
• The Top Ten Museums in London (0)
• Dear World, Love Santa Claus – Santa’s Pet Peeves (0)
• 7 Strange (yet Tasty) Facts About Chocolate (1)

Most people don’t necessarily want to spend a ton of cash on a Halloween- a lot of the ways you can go wild below don’t really involve TOO much money. Of course, it’s your own choice if you want to spend $200 on a provocative outfit…

1. Get Into Trick or Treating – Throw on your old Scream mask and find a place to hide. Nothing says Halloween quite like scaring little kids into a hysterical screaming frenzy. Of course… if you’re really tall and older looking, you may want to avoid the Scream mask. Remember, nothing ALSO says Halloween like creepy adults.

2. Throw a Themed Party – Sure, sure everyone has a themed party on Halloween, but make yours different. Make it an “Undead” party or a tribute to a classic horror film. Zombies are always a plus in my book- and the more drunk you get the more “zombie” like you’ll act.

3. Costume Each Other – Everyone brings over things for a costume like old clothes, costume jewelry, fangs, blood, hats, anything at all. You can find some Halloween costume coupons to round out the purchase. Then you spend the first part of the night dressing each other into ridiculous outfits.

4. Go Reverse Trick or Treating – Take a group of “too old to trick or treat” friends and walk the streets going house to house giving out candy. Cash in those Halloween coupon codes and start your journey- just make sure the neighbors know you aren’t poisoning them.

5. Take a Strange Look at Scary – Everyone decorates their house with ghouls and goblins, but what if you decorated your house with the faces and memories of ex-girlfriends or ex-boyfriends? This seems like a strange idea but those memory boxes take up space and Halloween is about exercising the demons. Just be prepared to explain this to a judge when you appear for the restraining order.

6. Really Carve Something – Find the pumpkin that requires a pick-up truck and bring that home to carve. Then invite your friends over to help you carve it out. When the pumpkin begins to spoil, politely move it over into your neighbor’s yard and pretend you never bought it.

Note: This step is very important. Make sure you remove EVERY SINGLE pumpkin seed. After removal, you must proceed to salt them and let them sit in butter. Once complete, bake and consume.

7. Make Your Own Costume – Attempt to sew your own costume. This can be the most fun thing you’ve ever done, or you could end up looking like you escaped the psych ward.

8. Go Really Strange – Purchase the most far out costume you can find. Everyone else looks silly on Halloween, why not you? Just make sure that your costume is at least recognizable. Going as “The Blob” or some other vague and only slightly known horror character isn’t going to cut it. Going as Edward Scissorhands could be fun and a little off kilter.

9. Go Back to Highschool – Remember those legendary parties in high school? Bring those memories back by hosting a high school day party. Everyone comes dressed in the clothes they wore in high school. Have everyone email you a song or two they loved back in the day and build a playlist to share at the party.

10. Have the Anti-Costume Party – Have yourself a beer and chili party. Your guests can bring a pot of chili or they bring a case of beer. The best part? For being the host you get to keep all the beer. I hope, for your sake, that everyone leaves before the chili sets in. That would make for a not so happy ending to a “could have been awesome” Halloween.

So what’s your excuse for not having fun this Halloween? Too many boring chores to do? You have another month or two to plan it, so make sure you decide whether you’re going to go all out crazy (in Edward Scissorhands apparel) or keep it low key while kicking back with some friends, beer, and delicious food.

Elysabeth Teeko is interested in everything ranging from tech, to home decorating, to blogging. You can find her on Twitter- @Elysateek.

Related articles by Zemanta

• An Interview with Reggie Pace of NO BS! Brass and More (richmondvapresents.com)
• Anyone Can Be A Motivational Speaker (frommyexperience.com)
• New Jewelry Trade Show Announced (justaskjillrenee.com)
• Top 10 Most Reputable Historical Gamblers (toptenz.net)
• Bachelorette Theme: On the Prowl (weddingsetups.com)
• Very Best Sites for Women’s Vintage and Retro-Style Clothing (verybestsites.com)

Some other Interesting Lists

• 5 Ways to Furnish your Apartment on a Budget (0)
• Top 5 Strangest Types of Insurance (0)
• Top 10 Funniest Zombie T-Shirts (4)
• The Top 6 Annoying Pests (0)
• 5 Real Stories of Dog Heroes (0)

5.  Lack of Tree/Undecorated Mantel

What, no ornaments?  What about the stockings?  Why are they not hung by the chimney with care?  Where are the little figurines of me on the mantel?  What kind of holiday spirit are you people working with here?  None, obviously.  Try again.  Unless a home is clearly excited about the holidays, I’m not excited to be there, which means I’ll be leaving with my bag still pretty heavy.  Hey, fair warning.

4.  Reindeer Farts

For such magical creatures, my flying reindeer have some horrible gas.  Mainly because you nice people leave carrots for them, which make them super, super, duper gassy.  The reindeer are fine on the WAY to your house, but after they leave?  Fart city.  I’m not kidding.  Reindeer have four chambers to their stomach, which means that they have to chew cud in order to facilitate their digestion.  Carrots?  They just mess up the works and make them gassy.  Real gassy.  So, if you’re going to leave snacks for the reindeer (and it’s awfully nice of you to think of them), leave them some moss, or lichen.  They love that stuff.

3.  Asphalt Roofing

Look, Folks.  I’ve been around for a loooong time.  4th Century, maybe earlier.  I absolutely hate asphalt roof tiles.  If I fall, the rough material rips my special Santa suit, and if I’m in a warm location, the heat from the shingles melts into my boots.  That’s not OK.  Give me a slate tile roof any day.  It’s nice and firm, my Santa boots have great tread, so I don’t slip, and they just LOOK so much nicer.  So go ahead and spend the extra bucks, mmkay?

2.  Stale or Moldy Cookies

Why bother?  I don’t NEED cookies.  I mean, I LIKE cookies, but lots and lots of people leave me cookies, so if you’re going to leave stale or moldy ones, just skip it.  I mean, the people next door probably left out some nice Mallomars, or something similar, so don’t sweat it.  They’ll just draw ants, after all.  I’m not eating them.

1.  Sour Milk

Ew!  It only stands to reason, when you leave milk next to a fire ALL NIGHT LONG, that it’s going to get kind of funky.  If you start off with fresh milk, it has a chance of making it.  If you start off with kinda funky milk, it ends up looking like the picture above.  I also enjoy a nice bottle of water, or sometimes a Coca Cola.  The high temperatures of the fire make the bacteria thrive, resulting in some nasty milk.  So, remember that, OK?

Now that I’ve aired my grievances, I think we all feel a lot better about the holiday season that approaches.  Feel free to send you letters via the North Pole, and be good – because I’ll be watching!
Love and Christmas – Santa Claus  

Related articles by Zemanta

• Christmas Wine Gift Baskets Make Great Gifts (frommyexperience.com)
• Unique Christmas Cards This Holiday Season | TROMPYX (trompyx.com)
• Santa Claus Horrifying Children Fills Our Hearts With Cheer [We Hate Your Kids] (gawker.com)

Some other Interesting Lists

• Top 10 Most Anticipated Period Films (0)
• 5 Ways to Furnish your Apartment on a Budget (0)
• Top 9 Jazz Clubs in New Orleans (0)
• Top 5 Strangest Types of Insurance (0)
• Top 5 Cities with the Cleanest Air in America (1)