Friday, April 29, 2011

Best Time to Buy It

There are methods behind retailer markdowns. Whether it's clearing out last-season's gear or increasing traffic during shopping slowdowns, stores follow a sales schedule of sorts. Trend experts at freeshipping.org and Consumer Reports discovered that during the upcoming months you'll find significant savings on:
Cold weather gear
"If you can wait to make a big purchase, buy during post-season sales when prices are lowest," recommends Amanda Walker, senior product editor at Consumer Reports. "But, remember that your selections may be limited." Hit post-season sales early in March to take advantage of rock-bottom prices on winter outerwear, sports gear and snow blowers.
Special occasion makings
Freeshipping.org found March brings discounts on china and flatware as retailers make room for new patterns targeted for bridal registrants. Cookware and kitchen accessories—popular wedding and college graduation gifts—go on sale in April and May. In May, with bridal showers and graduation parties on tap, retailers reduce paper goods prices.
Great outdoor buys
Merchants stage promise-of-spring promotions on gardening tools and perennial plants in March and April because they know shoppers are eager to head outside. Walker says lawnmower retailers sell last year's models in April to make room for newer mowers. By early May, retailers discount camping gear and athletic apparel to draw in outdoor enthusiasts.
In season styles
Since summer merchandise hits aisles in March, you'll be able to purchase sale-priced spring apparel in April. Stores stock less merchandise in lean times, which translates to more current fashions and fewer leftovers on sales racks, says Walker.
Last year's technology
The folks at freeshipping.org note that as the Japanese fiscal year ends around March, most Japanese electronics companies release new models. Stores reduce prices on previous versions of everything from computers and digital cameras to vacuum cleaners in April and May.

Country Breakfast Casserole

contributed by Sean Grigg
writtne by Ron Locke on Friday, April 29, 2011 at 8:19am   (follow him on facebook)
This is one of a variety of breakfast casserole recipes I've adapted over the years. This one is tasty with meat (I prefer ham), hash brown and lots of delicious cheeses! Give this a try!
 Ron's Country Breafast Casserole
 
 Ingredients:
·         1 lb. breakfast meat (diced ham, bacon or sausage)
·         1 medium sweet onion, diced
·         4 c. frozen shredded hash browns, thawed 
·         6 eggs. lightly beaten
·         2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
·         1 1/4 c. shredded swiss cheese
·         1 1/2 c. cottage cheese (small curd)
 Directions:
 1. In a large skillet, cook meat and onion until meat is cooked through (or bacon crispy) and onion is soft. (If using ham just cook the onion alone and add the ham with all other ingredients).
2. In large bow,l combine all of your other ingredients.
3. Add meat and onions and pour all ingredients into lightly greased 9"'x13" pan.
4. Bake uncovered at 350° F. for 35-40 minutes.
5. Once out of the oven, cool at least 10 minutes before cutting 


Smart Phone Smarts-Protect your Identity

Content from http://www.statefarm.com/


A visit to the application store may load more than that cute virtual pet program on your smartphone. If you're not careful, you might just sync up with some very clever criminals. It's true. As smartphones flood the marketplace and users load up on apps such as games, shopping tools, map software and online banking, they're also exposing themselves to identity thieves and hackers. Malware (malicious software designed to infiltrate a computer) has gone mobile.
"Mobile malware isn't a new concept in the mobile security field, but we've seen a huge rise in the volume of attacks as a side effect of the expansion of mobile apps," says Dror Shalev, chief technical officer at DroidSecurity, which focuses on protecting smartphones. "After all, mobile devices are just always-on computers that can make phone calls."
So how can you protect your phone and your identity from this new breed of mobile-minded criminal? Here are some tips.
Protect your phoneUse common sense in protecting your smartphone from hackers and identity thieves. Don't let strangers borrow your phone, protect access to e-mail and sensitive data with a PIN or password, don't use unofficial apps for online banking, and don't click on links from text messages. Basically, if you wouldn't do it on your home computer, don't do it on your smartphone. Be wary of free apps that aren't from established, trusted, familiar sources. Steer clear of pirated app repositories; stick to official versions for safe mobile surfing. And when you use public WiFi for Web access, don't visit sites that require you to share sensitive personal information such as account numbers or your social security number. Hackers may lurk on WiFi networks.
Watch bills vigilantlyCheck your bill carefully each month. If you see downloads you didn't authorize or calls you didn't make, contact your wireless provider immediately. If you receive a confirmation e-mail when you download an app, take time to actually read through it so that you know exactly what you are putting on your phone—and where it's coming from.
Question quirks
If your home computer started doing bizarre things like shutting down without warning, sending unauthorized email messages or pulling up websites that don't match the address typed in, you might suspect a virus. But users don't necessarily make the same connection when bizarre quirks develop on smartphones. Mobile devices will usually issue similar weird warnings when they're infected with malware