We look at the different strategies available for saving money online.

Price Comparison Sites

Sites like Kelkoo, PriceRunner, Shopzilla and PriceGrabber have been around for a while. You type in a product and they are meant to show you the cheapest place to buy it. The problem with price comparison sites is they often only display deals from suppliers paying for a listing. This reduces the chance of you finding the best deal. Another downside is poor search results quality, especially for niche products.

Financial Price Comparison Sites

We have considered financial price comparison sites separately because they tend to be better, on the whole, than general price comparison sites. They focus on a smaller range of products and provide more detailed and focused search results. Financial price comparison is big business as the glut of adverts on TV from the likes of MoneySupermarket.com, CompareTheMarket.com and Confused.com show. Selling a mortgage earns a bigger fee than selling a CD or DVD so the sites tend to be more regularly updated, user friendly, and price competitive.

Always try 3-4 price comparison sites to find the best deal. Also, be sceptical about claimed loan and mortgage rates. Often, these are to get you through the door rates only offered to people with 60% home deposits or perfect credit ratings. Don’t just rely on price comparison sites, mortage and insurance brokers have access to similar offline comparison systems and can often provide better deals and advice. For example, there is no point applying for a mortgage deal online if you don’t meet the borrower profile the lender is looking for, a mortgage broker can find you a deal to match your profile, not just a cheap headline rate that you won’t qualify for.

Don’t go mad with credit card applications on financial comparison sites. Too many rejected applications can damage your credit rating. Find out which cards are owned by the same banks, for example MBNA and Virgin Money cards are issued by the same bank, if you got rejected for one card, you are more likely to get rejected for the other so spread your applications wisely. 0% deals often come with a sting in the tail, 3% and 4%  handling fees for bank transfers and cheque cashing. Sometimes low rate deals with no charges for transfers are the better option. Also consider the current variable rate, this will give you an indication of what you might have to pay when your low interest deal runs out.

To get the best deal on your utility bills visit USwitch.com just 1-2 months before your contract runs out, get the best quote, then contact your existing supplier and ask them if they will beat it. Often they will because they don’t want to lose a customer and everything is already set up. Utility companies rarely give you the best possible deal upfront unless you push for it.

HotUKDeals.com

HotUKDeals takes price comparison to the next level. If you haven’t discovered this site, you will love it. Site users post special offers and bargain deals and other site users vote them hot or cold depending on how good they think the offer is. As well as voting a deal hot or cold, users can add comments like I saw this at my local Asda £5 cheaper, or I went to Tesco in Hatfield and they have got some more of these in stock, so you get up to the minute, honest opinions from other shoppers on the best deals around. Unlike traditional price comparison sites, you aren’t constrained by whether a retailer is willing to pay to have their goods listed. Listings are posted free by users so there is no angle. If people don’t like the deal, they vote it cold and it doesn’t feature in hot deal listings. The downside to HotUKDeals is it doesn’t list all products for sale, only those on special offer or considered red hot bargains by users. However, if you fancy some lucky dip bargain hunting, this is the site for you.

Cashback Sites

Cashback sites give users cash back if they go to a retailer via a link on the cashback site. For example, with QuidCo, you register, go to a retailer via their site, and then get a % of the amount spent in your Quidco account after a certain period of time. The amount you get back depends on the retailer and product category. Posters on HotUKDeals will often add “Don’t Forget the 5% Quidco” to remind users they can get an extra 5% off if they visit the retailer through their Quidco account. There are no outward sign that your purchase has been logged when you visit a retailer from Quidco, after a delay of minutes, hours or days, it will show up in your Quidco account with a calculation of how much cashback you are due. It’s important to close down your browswer window and do everything methodically to ensure Quidco records your purchase. Don’t have dozens of browser windows open or skip back and forwards between sites when you are making a purchase via a Quidco link.

Online Coupons

Before you buy something online, go to Google and write something like Name of Retailer Coupons. This will often throw up links to promotional codes you can type in on your shopping cart page to get an discount. If you see a box to type in a promotional code, it’s worth having a quick hunt around on Google. Beware, there are lots of unscrupulous coupon sites listed in Google who promise you a coupon code for a particular retailer and then when you follow the link to their site there are no valid coupons, all they want to do is get you to visit their site and follow a link so they get paid. Coupons usually have an expiry date so you need to check this before trying to use it. HotUKDeal users often post coupon codes with their initial hot deal posting so this can save you the trouble of looking for a code. Another good place to look for coupon codes are forums. Another tactic is to put in Retailer Name 5% discount or Retailer Name 10% discount into Google to fish for links to pages with popular coupon code discounts. By adding the current year to your search, you can filter out expired coupons on old web pages.

eBay

eBay is a great place to find bargains if you shop smart. Only buy from buyers with hundreds or thousands of positive feedback recommendations, remember that if you buy from an overseas seller you may end up paying VAT and a handling fee to UK Customs. Don’t forget to take into account whether what you are buying is UK stock and if the seller is an authorised retailer because this may impact on qualifying for product support, upgrades or warranties. Postage can be an important factor in price comparison so if you can pick a bulky item locally and save on postage it can give you a big price advantage over somebody having to pay for postage.

Other eBay tips, consider buying sniping software that will bid automatically on your behalf in the closing seconds of the auction if you are too busy to watch the auction end. If you bid manually, set a price in your mind and stick to it, don’t get caught up in frenetic bidding in the last few minutes and end up paying more than you would have had to pay on Amazon. Remember that when you buy something on eBay you are taking a risk so expect to get a bargain in return. Finally, you may find auctions ending early in the week or at unsociable hours provide better value than auctions that end at the weekend when more people are at their PC shopping online.

Amazon Marketplace

Amazon sells goods directly but it also enables private sellers to sell goods via their marketplace. When you search for an item, the marketplace price shows up in additional to the price you can buy direct from Amazon at. Marketplace prices can offer far better value than direct Amazon prices, especially if you are prepared to settle for nearly new condition. Always check where the seller is based or if the goods are being sent from the UK, some big US based book depository marketplace sellers take weeks to send a book that you could have got in 1-2 days from a UK marketplace seller for the sake of 20p extra.

Google

The easiest way to shop for bargains online is to type in what you want to buy in Google. This will often bring up paid for listings from retailers for the item you searched for. If this doesn’t work, try adding in bargain related words and phrases like “best deal”, “cheapest”, “discount” etc with the product you want to buy. Retailers who compete on price will often use these keywords to attract price conscious buyers to their site.

We look at how you can keep your lips beautiful in winter.

If your lips are chapped and sore during the winter, you may have noticed unsightly dead skin. To remove this, run a clean, soft bristle toothbrush under warm water, then gently brush your lips to remove the dead skin. A child’s toothbrush may be the best choice since they’re designed for tender gums. Then apply lip balm and allow it to penetrate into the lip. Using a lip balm with a sunscreen will give extra protection from the sun as well as the wind, this is particulary important for skiers.

Avoid licking your lips. This actually makes them worse because saliva from your tongue evaporates and draws moisture away from the lips. Saliva also contains an enzyme which can further irritate unprotected lips. Use a lip balm to lock in the moisture and protect your lips against the elements. Don’t bite your lips to remove dry skin. This will make them even more sore.

Giving up smoking and alcohol can also help your lips. Smoking dries out your lips, causes wrinkles around the lips and mouth, and thins the skin on the lips. Alcohol is also bad for your lips because it dehydrates the body. The lips are one of the first parts of the body to show the effects of dehydration.

For this reason, drink plenty of water during the winter. The dry air, both inside and outside, can dehydrate you quickly. If your body is hydrated, your lips are less likely to suffer.

Eating healthy meals and snacks will also go a long way to keeping your lips healthy during the winter season. Honey has antibacterial properties that can help heal and soothe chapped lips. Coconut oil and butter have been used in traditional Indian remedies for many centuries. Avoid acidic drinks like orange juice and salty food like crisps because this will irritate your lips.

Taking vitamin A, B, C and E supplements can also help protect your lips in the winter. Riboflavin, Vitamin B1 and B6 help provide lips with moisture. Vitamin E acts as a powerful antioxidant to protect essential fatty acids and prevent cracking of lips. Foods rich in these nutrients include whole-grain cereals, bread, brown rice, fortified bread, red meat, egg yolks, and green leafy vegetables.

Breaking the cycle of licking your lips or biting off dry skin can be difficult but regularly applying lip balm and staying hydrated can help reduce temptation and keep your lips healthy and beautiful this winter.

Dad favouritism can be galling for mums who wait on their little ones round the clock and can lead to feelings of insecurity, resentment, and rejection. The good news is temporarily favouring one parent over the the other is completely normal, mums shouldn’t see it as a slight on their parenting skills or ability to bond with their babies.

Babies form attachments for several reasons;

Feeding

The person who feeds them is regarded as the nurturer. Breastfeeding strengthens this relationship and babies are more likely to bond with mum.

Stimulation
If dad is better at entertaining and stimulating them, that’s the person they will turn to for amusement, even though they spend more time with you. Time with dad may be regarded as “happy hour” for your baby.

Feedback
Babies thrive on positive feedback and encouragement. Some dads may give this more intensively than mum and it can shape their caregiver preference.

Soothing
Babies feel most comfortable with the parent who’s able to soothe them when they are upset. Dad may have the knack in this department and provide the right calming tonic.

Personality
A preference for dad may form for inexplicable reasons. They may just prefer his company to yours. For example, babies can tune into anxiety and dad may be a more relaxed companion.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

Sometimes mums step back when they realise their baby prefers dad. They refer to their child as daddy’s girl or boy to explain away the preference. This will only serve to widen the divide and reinforce the preference.

Favouring one parent over another is usually just a passing phase, children’s affections can be fickle, one week they may prefer dad, the next mum. If you are temporarily left out in the cold, it’s important to continually engage with your child, throw yourself into play with them, and be optimistic and upbeat in their company. In time, your child will love mum and dad equally.

Understanding the symptoms of SAD will help determine if the problem is caused by a bad day or something more serious. SAD is often characterised by feelings of sadness and hopelessness as well as losing interest in normal activities. The symptoms increase as the year progresses from sunny, longer days to those which are colder and shorter.

Symptoms include the following:

1. Sleepiness or fatigue – This is common among people suffering from SAD; in fact, they may desire to sleep ten or more hours per day during the winter. Unfortunately, most people experiencing SAD don’t feel rested no matter how much they sleep.
2. Concentration problems – Since SAD is a form of depression, those with this disorder often experience difficulty with concentration, memory, and the ability to speak. It is quite common for people with SAD to have problems remembering names, dates, and appointments.
3. Irritability and anger – Also common in those affected by Seasonal Affective Disorder is having fits of anger. One recent study found 40% of the people with SAD had bouts of anger compared with only 29% of people without SAD.
4. Lack of interest in sex – People suffering from depression of any kind, especially SAD, can lose interest in healthy sexual relationships during the period when their other symptoms are prominent. During the spring and summer, their interest in sex returns.
5. Increased appetite – Many people with general depression will stop eating; however, some people with SAD often experience an increase in appetite. 65% of those who have SAD say they’re actually hungrier during the winter months. This increase in appetite may be due to lower levels of serotonin which controls appetite and mood.
6. Carbohydrate cravings – When SAD sufferers eat more during colder months, they tend to crave carbohydrates such as pasta and bread. Some research has indicated that increased consumption of carbs is due to the resulting increase of tryptophan which  increases serotonin levels and improves mood. Sufferers notice a gain in weight gain during winter months.
7. Withdrawal from normal activities – Depression sufferers often feel like being on their own, but this is particularly true for those with SAD.

The symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder may vary in severity. If you think you might be suffering from SAD, consult a Doctor or visit the SAD Association’s website for more information.

Harmful foods include;

1. Fruits such as apricots, apples, cherries, plums, and peaches should not be given as the seeds, stems, and leaves contain cyanide. Humans aren’t affected by the small doses they ingest, but a cat would be. Cyanide poisoning would cause dilated pupils, nervousness, difficulty breathing, and shock.
2. Chocolate may be a wonderful treat for humans, but the high fat, caffeine, and theobromine could be dangerous for your cat. Not only can the high-fat content produce vomiting and diarrhea, but if eaten in large enough amounts the caffeine could increase blood pressure, increase urination, and result in hyperactivity. Your pet may also develop seizures.
3. Many people give their cats milk to drink as a treat. While cats love milk, it may not be the best treat for them. The high fat content in milk, and other foods, can cause an increased risk of developing pancreatitis. Lactose isn’t easily digested by cats and can cause diarrhea and gas.
4. Onions and garlic are dangerous for your pets because they don’t possess the enzyme needed to enable proper digestion. Cats that eat onions or garlic may experience gas, vomiting, diarrhea, or gastrointestinal pain.
5. Alcoholic drinks can be toxic to cats if ingested in large amounts. Since cats are so much smaller than humans, their bodies simply cannot handle the effects of alcohol. You may notice alcohol on your cat’s breath, and witness staggering, reduced breathing, or changes in behavior. In large enough amounts, alcohol can cause cardiac arrest and death.
6. Bones of any type can be dangerous. The bones can splinter when chewed which could result in cuts on the inside of your cat’s mouth or their throat, or it could get caught on its way down causing choking. Look for pale or blue gums, drooling, laboured breathing, pawing at their face, and loss of consciousness. Try to remove the bone or take your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
7. Raw fish contains a substance called thiaminase which destroys thiamin. This vitamin is essential for cats; if there is a lack of thiamin in their system it could cause neurological problems and possibly convulsions or a coma if left untreated.
8. Canned or cooked tuna in large amounts can result in mercury poisoning. It’s fine to give your cat small amounts of tuna (use tuna in spring water if you do), but too much could be deadly.
9. Adding raw eggs to a cat’s diet can cause a deficiency of the vitamin biotin, which can lead to dermatitis (inflammation of the skin), loss of hair, and poor growth.

Table scraps will not provide the balanced diet your cat require. Your cat’s food should be high in protein, low in carbohydrates, and must contain taurine. Taurine is an amino acid and is essential for your cat’s health. Buying cheap cat may be a false economy if it contains less protein and nutrients and more fillers as your cat will eat more of it to compensate. Knowing the foods to look for and avoid will help you keep your cat healthy and happy for years to come.

Whether you are breastfeeding or bottle feeding, your child will need milk as their main form of nourishment for the first year of their life. This is in addition to the solid foods that you will introduce when they are ready.

Most babies don’t eat enough solid food at the outset to warrant stopping milk altogether. The right time to wean a baby will depend on the child. There are a few signs to look out for that let you know your baby is getting close to eating something besides milk:

1. Reaching for your food.
2. Making chewing motions with their mouth.
3. They open wide when you put a spoon or a piece of food near their mouth.
4. Baby can sit up and hold their head in place without rolling over.
5. They are starting to grow teeth.

That last one is a painful reminder for mums who are still breastfeeding. You will more than likely notice the first four signs before you see any tooth buds.

Talk to your doctor. They will probably suggest that you wait until your child is at least six months of age before introducing foods, even if you notice any of these signs before then.

The first food to introduce is soft single grains. They are sold in the store in the form of flaky cereal that can be combined with milk to make a paste-like cereal the consistency of oatmeal.

If your child is on an eating schedule, offer them cereal before they are so hungry that they cry. This might be hard to do since he or she can’t talk. When your baby cries from hunger, they are more likely to get frustrated with trying to eat food from a spoon. Drinking a few ounces of milk may stave off the hunger enough to get them to try the spoon.

Don’t be alarmed if you notice that they are pushing the spoon and the food out of their mouth with their tongue. This is a natural reflex that they learn from drinking the bottle or from the breast. It will take a little while for them to lower their tongue and chew the food with their gums.

Baby needs to be able to sit up so that they won’t choke. Having developed enough strength to hold their head up will allow for easier swallowing of food and their milk.

Are you ready for your baby to wean? They are probably ready too. Take it slow in the beginning and consult your doctor about proper times for and how to introduce new foods.

Kids are into all sorts of after school sports and musical activities like piano and violin lessons. Dancing is a great medium for both girls and boys. And, they can start young. Classical ballet may have been pushed aside in favour of tap dancing, jazz and other forms of dance. But, did you know that beginning with ballet will help with these other types of dancing?

Ballet dancers make it look effortless as they move across the stage. From the lifts to the toe points, many wonder how they do it. Your kids can also be a part of this through the practice of classical ballet.

Ballet classes can start for young kids around ages four and five. For them, being in front of all those mirrors and the bar is something new and exciting. Some of the benefits of ballet for young kids are:

1. Learning to follow instructions.
2. Gaining a sense of discipline through learning new positions.
3. Learning co-ordination, balance and how to control their bodies in motion.
4. Being active and getting daily exercise.
5. Becoming comfortable performing in front of groups.

When a child is young, learning new things is easier for them. They can adapt and learn more quickly than when they are older. So, once a child begins in ballet at an early age, they are not only learning a valued art form but also getting trained for the life that is ahead of them.

This is just the beginning, though. As a child continues to pursue ballet, you’ll see more benefits emerging – especially when they become adolescents and into the teenage years.

1. Developing long and strong muscles from the practice of ballet.
2. Gaining self-confidence and pride in their bodies and what they can accomplish.
3. Learning how to work to get what they want out of their performance.
4. Skills learned in ballet are useful for other forms of dancing like tap or jazz if they want to take that up later.
5. Learning about nutrition to keep their bodies in shape so they can dance.

Maybe you’ve never considered ballet as an afterschool activity before. Now that you are aware of some of the wonderful benefits of this form of dance you have another option for your children. Who knows, one day they could be dancing across stages all over the country and beyond.

But these days, turning 40 doesn’t mean you’re “over the hill.” It can actually be the beginning of some of the greatest years of your life. Looking and feeling our best might require a little more effort than it did twenty years ago, but it’s certainly attainable. Here are ten tips to help you look great at 40 and beyond.

1. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep. Sleep is important no matter how old you are, but once you pass your thirties, a lack of sleep becomes more apparent. The right amount of sleep for one person isn’t necessarily the right amount for someone else, but most adults need somewhere between 6-8 hours. Find the amount that leaves you feeling well rested and stick with it.
2. Stay hydrated. As we age, our skin and hair tend to dry out. You can moisturize them until the cows come home, but if you’re not hydrating them from the inside, it won’t do much good. For best results, drink 6 cups of water, tea or fruit juice a day.
3. Eat a healthy, balanced diet. It becomes easier to gain weight as you age, so it’s especially important to avoid junk food, soda and other calorie-packed foods and drinks. Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, and stick with lean meats.
4. Be careful what you put on your skin. There are lots of anti-aging treatments out there, but some work better than others. When trying something new, watch for signs of dryness or irritation. Your skin won’t bounce back as easily as it did 10 years ago, so it’s important to catch warning signs early.
5. Stop smoking. Smoking accelerates aging in numerous ways, both inside and out. It’s best to never start in the first place, but quitting now will prove to be very beneficial.
6. Be positive. If you have a poor outlook on life, it will show, and it will make you appear older. Staying positive and wearing a smile will make you feel and look better.
7. Do cardio exercise regularly. Frequent physical activity keeps us looking and feeling young. It helps keep us toned, keeps our hearts healthier and helps our bodies fight off disease. There’s no time like the present to join a gym or start your own exercise routine.
8. Lift some weights. Weight-training provides special benefits for women over 40. It firms the muscles and stops them looking flabby. Getting toned also helps to prevent the development of osteoporosis in later years.
9. When drinking alcohol, practice moderation. Heavy drinking is yet another thing that can accelerate aging of the mind and body. Most experts agree that women of any age should have no more than one drink per day.
10. Protect yourself from the sun. A little sun each day is good for us because it helps the body produce vitamin D. But too much sun causes wrinkles and increases the risk of skin cancer. So if you’re going to be outdoors for very long, use a high UV protection sunscreen.

They include the following:

1. Women have less water in their bodies than men. When men drink alcohol, more of it is diluted by that extra water. When women drink, a larger portion of the alcohol consumed remains in their bodies.
2. A woman’s hormones have an effect on how much she is impaired by alcohol. Women who are premenstrual or take birth control pills tend to be affected more by alcohol because they have higher levels of estrogen in their bodies. And women naturally have more estrogen than men.
3. On average, women weigh less than men. That means that if a woman drinks the same amount of alcohol as a larger man, she will have a higher concentration of alcohol in her bloodstream.
4. Women have lower levels of alcohol dehydrogenase in their bodies than men. This enzyme helps the body break down alcohol. The fact that women have less of it means that more pure alcohol enters the bloodstream.

As a result of these factors, alcohol is more detrimental to the health of women than it is to the health of men. Studies have shown that women incur damage to many different body systems from the consumption of alcohol. Findings include:

1. Women experience liver damage more quickly from the consumption of alcohol than men. They are more likely to die from cirrhosis or develop alcoholic hepatitis.
2. Moderate alcohol consumption can lower our risk of heart disease, but women who drink heavily are at higher risk for a variety of heart problems.
3. Women who consume more than one drink per day may be at higher risk for breast cancer.
4. Female drinkers have historically been less likely than male drinkers to drive under the influence. But women have a greater risk of dying in an alcohol-related accident than men who have the same blood alcohol concentration. Also, the percentage of female drivers in deadly alcohol-related crashes is on the rise.
5. Females who drink alcohol are more likely to be victims of sexual or domestic violence.

How Much Is Too Much?

It is well known that drinking alcohol in moderation has health benefits. And there have been no dangers linked to having an occasional drink. But there’s a great deal of misunderstanding about how much one can drink and still practise moderation.

As a general rule, two drinks a day is believed to be acceptable. But many experts believe that women should have no more than one drink per day. Even those who do not drink on a daily basis are advised to have no more than four drinks in a 24-hour period.

Alcohol poses serious risks to both sexes. But due to certain characteristics of the female body, women are particularly prone to adverse effects. Drinking in moderation, or not at all, is the best way to protect ourselves from the dangers of alcohol consumption.

It has long been agreed that humans need a certain amount of fat in their diets. It’s a small amount, but this little bit of fat is essential to good health. And if you strive to make sure that most of the fats that you consume are of the “good” variety, your health will benefit.

Good Fats

All good fats are known as unsaturated fats. Within this category, there are two different kinds of fats.

Monounsaturated fats have been proven to aid in weight loss. They also lower our LDL (bad cholesterol) levels while raising our HDL (good cholesterol) levels. Monounsaturated fats are found in many different kinds of nuts, including almonds, peanuts, pistachios and walnuts. There is also a large amount of monounsaturated fat in certain oils, including avocado oil, canola oil and olive oil.

Like monounsaturated fats, polyunsaturated fats lower LDL cholesterol. But they also provide protection to the heart, making heart disease and heart attacks less likely in those who consume them regularly. There are two main categories of polyunsaturated fats: Omega-3 fatty acids and Omega-6 fatty acids. These fats are found in corn, soy and sunflower oils, as well as fatty fish such as salmon, mackerel and rainbow trout.

Bad Fats

Saturated fats are naturally occurring bad fats. We need a small amount of saturated fat in our diets, but most of us get too much of it. Eating too much saturated fat raises bad cholesterol and increases our risk of many different diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

There’s another kind of bad fat, which is man-made and is found in many foods. Hydrogenated fat, also known as trans fat, is created by adding hydrogen to polyunsaturated fat. This is done to make the fat solid at room temperature. Use of trans fat was widespread for many years, because it was believed to be less harmful than saturated fats. But it was recently discovered that trans fat is even worse for our health than saturated fat, as it raises LDL cholesterol and lowers HDL. The FDA now requires the amount of trans fat in foods to be shown on the nutrition label.

Too much of any kind of fat is a bad thing. But if we replace the harmful fats in our diet with those that are good for us, and consume them in moderation, our health will benefit.