Men and women are affected with eyelid ptosis, or drooping of the upper eyelid. Eye Magic is the non-surgical eye lift product that has been specifically designed to quickly and easily restore droopy eyelids to a good shape. This is an alternative to surgery or blepharoplasty. Eye Magic contains an invisible restorative strip that holds the eye tissue together in a natural position.

Nothing indicates advancing age like the eyes. Sagging of the eyelid skin always give a tired or heavy look. Until now, the only effective solution for this problem has been cosmetic eyelid surgery (also known as blepharoplasty), which is expensive, has the potential for complications and requires an extended period of time for recovery. The 15-Minute Non Surgical eyelift involves the placement of small amounts of a filler substance in the lower eyelids skin to rejuvenate the lower eyelids.

Conditions that require treatment are:

• Excessive, sagging or wrinkled upper or lower eyelid skin.

• Excess upper eyelid skin that impair vision

• Diminishing upper eyelid crease

• Puffy pouches of fat in the upper or lower lids that create a tired or aged appearance

Results that can be expected after a non surgical eye lift are:

• A more youthful and beautiful eye posture

• Widening of visual fields so that the patient can see properly

• Softening of the wrinkle lines and

• The skin elasticity is maintained as before

The procedure involved in a non surgical eye lift include:

• Operation, on an outpatient basis under sedation and local anesthesia.

• Removal of excess fat and skin.

• If no excess skin and only excess fat needs to be removed from the lower lids, the surgeon may remove the fat through an incision inside the lower lids to avoid making an external incision or scar (transconjunctival blepharoplasty).

• This may be combined with laser tightening of the lower lid skin.

The healing process includes:

• Removal of sutures after seven days.

• Proper medications will be given to the patient to ensure minimal discomfort.

• Bruising and sensitivity to light may last for at least a week or two.

• Swelling progressively disappears over several weeks.

• Eye makeup should be avoided, can be used only after suture removal under the guidance of the surgeon .

• Contact lenses can be worn when the patient is comfortable and preferably only after 10 days of surgery.

These type of procedures are done by experienced surgeons who assess whether the patient is suitable for such type of surgery. All surgical procedures have some degree of risk. Minor complications that do not affect the outcome occur occasionally. Major complications are unusual in such type of surgery.

Since it is your own belongings which are to be tidied, it is of little trouble to spend a few minutes at the end of your trip, sorting out one or two quick things in your room to save the cleaners both time and trouble.

The first and most obvious point, of course, is to make sure that you have all of your things with you. It is quite easy to leave items behind in drawers and particularly things that may have fallen down the back of units or cabinets. When cleaners make the bed during your stay they will usually remove sheets and blankets and shake these and in so doing it can be the case that small items and pieces of paper are knocked or blown down the back of the bedside cabinet. So check carefully to make sure that you have all of your things with you.

Also, the bedding can be sorted out by yourself in just a moment. Usually the blankets and top cover are left as they are, but by removing both sheets and all the pillow cases, and then stuffing all of these into one pillow case and leaving it in the middle of the room will help the cleaners significantly, and if you have already made yourself known to the cleaners they will be highly appreciative.

In the bathroom, make sure you have taken all of your bottles and cosmetics you intend to take, and anything you don’t want, leave in the bin. If you have small children with you, make sure that dirty nappies are sealed into proper nappy disposable bags and not just slung into the bin. Not only is this particularly unpleasant for the cleaner, but it is likely to generate an odor that permeates the entire suite, and will be difficult to get rid of. Whilst you yourself may have, over many months, become quite accustomed to the scent of your little one, the subsequent resident may not be quite as sympathetic. It is remarkable how quickly such a smell can spread.

It goes without saying that toilets should always be flushed and towels left with the sheets and pillow cases. One point often forgotten is the sign on the door handle of your room. Often people leave a ‘do not disturb’ sign on the outside handle of their door whilst they are packing their cases, but then after leaving the room it is easy to forget that it is still hanging there. A door with a sign on it will mean that the cleaners will be unable to access it, and this will delay them from attending to the room by some considerable time, by which time they will begin cursing you. So always make sure that when you have finished with your room, you remove this sign and return it to the inside of the room.

Depending upon the weather, it is also a nice gesture to open the window slightly and let the room breathe after your stay. These are all simple and quick points that are based more upon courtesy and good manners than anything else, but can make quite a difference. It is surprising how well cleaning staff at hotels remember both the good and the bad residents and alter their cleaning regime accordingly. Invest in your future service wisely by carrying out these steps at the end of your visit.

Surfboards are usually made of one or a combination of three materials: wood, fiberglass, and epoxy. Wooden boards were the first surfboards ever used to ride waves but have since become expensive to make and therefore relatively obsolete. Most surfers have balsa wood boards hanging on their walls as collector’s items. They are sturdy but heavy.

Fiberglass boards are the typical boards used on the surfing circuit. They are made of foam called a blank with a layer of fiberglass over it. They are the most delicate, but in most cases the most versatile because they can be custom shaped to your liking. The newest surfboard material is epoxy. Epoxy boards are durable but manufactured by machines. They are more expensive and ride the fastest, but they are not custom made, which avid surfers eventually prefer. Beginning surfers might prefer epoxy boards over other materials. Board makers like Bic and South Point have a line of economical epoxy boards that work well for surfers just starting out.

Most recently, there are new boards being made of carbon fiber that are extremely durable but also very expensive. Hollow-core boards are also popular because they provide more float and are extremely lightweight, yet have quick response and high performance.

Most boards also have a stringer and a rocker. The stringer is the wooden line that runs down the center and length of the board. Stringers help to keep the foam and board intact. The rocker is the curve of the board, which prevents the board from catching an edge. The bigger the rocker, the easier it will be for you to turn on your board. Long boards usually have a flatter rocker because they tend to ride on a relatively flat part of the wave . Short boards, on the other hand, tend to have more rocker because they are designed to ride a much more critical part of the wave. Bigger, faster waves require more rocker in shortboards to give the rider ample board control. .

Your collection of surfboards is called your quiver. If you stick with the sport long enough, you might eventually have a quiver of 10 to 20 boards! No matter how big your quiver is, it will certainly be a collection of boards with various shapes and sizes to suit different conditions and purposes.

When a board reaches retirement, surfers believe the board “buckles.” In other words, the board has developed some kind of weakness in its core that will no longer allow it to perform as you would like it to. When the board buckles, breaks, or is just overly aged, it means it’s time to retire your board. One way to prevent your board from aging quickly is to store it in a board bag in a cool, dry place. Boards are best stored horizontally because that will cause any water that does seep into the board to distribute more evenly, rather than sending it straight to the tail if you store it vertically. Also keep in mind that dings?even bad bumps and bruises?are easily fixable, so don’t give up on your board if it has cosmetic issues!

When my dad passed away, I learned that sorrow can be overcome by doing something secret and exciting for someone else. Whenever, I see the stunned looks on my brothers’ faces, I then concluded that the best job there is, is becoming a Christmas Stocking Stuffer.

Over the years, I have gained a few insights about it and so I am offering little tips and ideas you could use for the job.

1) Finding the Right Stocking: Most families by now have their stockings and you’ll just have to do something with what you got. On the other hand, if you’re just starting out or have the chance to set up a new custom, here are a small number of things remember when you select a stocking for stuffing:

• The Right Size: I have noticed that a medium size stocking that’s 20-24 inches from cuff to toe, is the right size. Bear in mind- you have to fill a stocking and a large one could spoil your Christmas budget.

• The Right Material: It is important to make sure that the stocking is made from the right material and durable. Knit stockings stretch out in both directions. Once again, consider your finances.

• If your family hangs their stockings, make sure the loop is durable enough to hold a large amount of pounds without breaking.

2) Places to shop for items to be stuffed inside the Christmas stocking. Your ultimate goal when shopping for items to be used for the Christmas stocking is to save money, to shop for items on sale, to use store coupons, and to go to thrift stores. Here are a few ideas proven to bring out smiles on a Christmas morning:

• Office Supplies Store: memo pads, pen markers, pencil or ballpen erasers, pencils and ballpens, index cards, paper and binder clips, colored pens, plastic rulers, scrap booking items, crayolas, post-it notes, staplers, pencil sharpeners.

• Drug Store: candies, nuts of all kinds, photo film, disposable camera, inexpensive but nice toys, activity books, a nice scented cologne, a non-greasy lotion, manicure set, liquid bath soap, batteries, costume jewelry, a hypoallergenic cosmetic, hairpins, hair clips, shaving cream, hair brush

• Book Store: inexpensive books, wholesome magazines, bookmarks, book lamps, diaries, coffee mugs, cd case, dvds, small stuffed animals, jigsaw puzzles

• Hardware Store: hammers, a variety of screw drivers, various pliers, spray paint, working gloves, padlocks, key labels, flashlight, construction gadgets, paint brushes, vegetable and flower seeds

• Craft Store: beads of several colors and designs, dental floss, sewing kit, scissors with shapes, watercolor, art papers, ink stamps with nice designs, paper stickers, buttons, decors, charcoal pencils, glitter dusts, how-to kits, golden cross stitch thread, linen cloth.

• Grocery Store: chocolates, fruits of any kind, cooking tools, cookies in boxes or in foil packs, small boxes of cereal, bags of snacks, beer in cans, small bottle of olive oil, vinegars in small bottles, snack cakes in foil packs

• Baking and Cooking Supplies Store: wooden spoons used for baking, oven thermometer, baster, kitchen tongs, strainer, cork openers, spatulas, garlic crusher, vegetable peeler.

• Sporting Goods Store: tennis balls set, golf balls set, wrist bands, baseball caps, baseball bats, jump ropes, sport socks.

3) The Choice whether to Wrap the Gift Items or Not: This is an individual choice. Since I love to wrap up gift items as much as I love being a Christmas stocking stuffer, it’s not a difficult option. Every item becomes a little gift – even if it’s a single piece of candy. Furthermore, unwrapping gifts will slow a child down making the magic of Christmas morning last a bit longer.

6) Qualifications of a Christmas Stocking Stuffer: The traits that Christmas Stocking Stuffer should possess, is someone who is: a fine listener, watchful and considers love is in the details. He or she is well-prepared and creative.

1. Do you use a purse and have joked that you have everything in it but the kitchen sink yet you can’t find anything without dumping it all out on the counter or the floor? I have a friend whose husband always teases her that she has everything but the kitchen sink in her purse so she took a miniature doll sink and carried it in her purse.

Your purse doesn’t have to be a bottomless pit. There are great organizers that come in different sizes and contain pockets of varying sizes to accommodate all the items we must have in our purses. The organizers are easy to use and can be switched from purse to purse. If you don’t want to purchase an organizer use small cloth or mesh bags to contain various items which makes finding everything a snap. It also makes it easy to transfer all the contents to a different purse.

2. Label makers are wonderful organizing gizmos. With a label maker you can easily and quickly label all plastic containers so you know what is in them and can retrieve anything at a glance. They are useful to label craft supplies and other containers used for storage. And they are inexpensive, a good one can be purchased for around $20.00.

3. Over the door pocket organizers can add needed space in the bathroom to hold hair supplies, a blow dryer, curling iron, extra cosmetics, hair products, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and lotions to name just a few. In the bedroom they can be used for shoes or to hold scarves, belts or jewelry.

4. The well known sticky note is an office icon. An organizing gizmo that can be found on computers is digital sticky notes that can be used the same way as Post-It notes. Keep these little sticky notes docked on your PC’s desktop. When something comes to mind as you are working on your computer, type a quick digital note and post it on your computer. This is a great way to keep organized–plus it saves paper in the process.

5. If you have limited space in your home under the bed containers on wheels are wonderful to store a variety of things. They can be used to store seasonal clothing as well as blankets, and sheets. Under the guest room bed one can be stocked with sheets, towels and other sundries a guest may need. Other uses for them are books, resource magazines, DVD’s or video games. They are out of site yet readily accessible.

6. A pegboard is another versatile tool that can be used in several rooms.  It can be painted to match your décor. In the kitchen pans and other utensils can be hung on hooks from the board to maximize space. In the garage it is handy to hang and organize tools of all kinds. Clearing clutter was never easier than when utilizing a blank wall.

7. Clear shoe organizers with lids are a real treasure. Sure you can keep shoes in them but they are great for storing a multitude of items like photographs, greeting cards, CD’s, make up, and out of season clothes like ear muffs and gloves.

8. A fishing tackle box or divided plastic organizers most commonly found in the sporting good section of stores make good organizing gizmos. They are great for storing earrings, bracelets and watches. They also work well in the craft room for storing beads and other small crafting items.

When you look at containers in a store or around your home consider how you can change it into your favorite organizing gizmo to help you in clearing clutter.

Marilyn’s Bio:
Marilyn is a professional organizer who works with women and seniors in clearing clutter and providing organizing tips. Clearing clutter helps those she works with to have less stress in their lives and feel more joy in living.
Marilyn invites you to visit her website http://www.marilynbohn.com where you can find organizing solutions.  You will find fun stories and free organizing tips in her blogs, articles and videos.

1. Alcohol wipes
2. Bandages
3. Gauze pads/roll of gauze
4. Adhesive tape
5. Scissors, tweezers, thermometer
6. Antibacterial ointment
7. Hydrocortisone and/or itch-relief cream
8. Cold pack
9. Hand sanitizer
10. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen
11. Aloe vera gel

Next, especially in the case of toddlers and small children, you’ll want to accident-proof your home (and your routines) as much as possible. Let’s do this by looking at areas of the house where many accidents occur.

1. Bathroom and bathtub. Even though most parents don’t typically leave their young kids alone in the tub, more than half of infant drownings occur in the bathroom. In as little as two minutes, a child can lose consciousness underwater. Irreversible brain damage can occur within four minutes. One of the biggest culprits in bathtub drownings is bath seats or rings. Parents believe such seats will hold a child, but such seats and rings are NOT safety devices. The suction cups at the bottom can come loose, causing a child to tip over. And a baby can even slip through the leg openings. That means parents should never leave small children unattended in the tub. Also, be sure to get safety latches for all toilets and empty any containers that collect water. Also in the bathroom, keep items such as razors, cosmetics, scissors, cotton balls/swabs, cleaning solutions, and medicines in a locked cabinet or drawer.

2. In the dining room. Food accounts for most child choking emergencies. The most common culprits are small, hard, round, gummy foods (nuts, grapes, hard or gummy candies, popcorn, carrots, seeds, marshmallows, taffy/caramel, hot dogs, etc.) that can easily block the airway. To help prevent choking, cut all foods into small pieces and make sure your kids are seated while eating. Teach them to take small bites and chew food slowly and thoroughly. Avoid small, round, hard or gummy foods.

3. Doors. Think of everything in your neighbourhood (pools, traffic, dogs, etc.) that could harm your small child if he/she gets outside the house when you’re distracted for even a moment. One way to prevent this is to have alarms/chimes that sound whenever they’re opened to alert you to a child slipping out of the house. Also consider four-wall fencing on your property, as well as asking neighbours with pools or other potentially dangerous items to also keep their gates/fences locked.

4. In the family room/home office, elsewhere. Routinely check under sofas and cushions for loose change and other choking hazards. Avoid displaying artificial fruit, as toddlers can often mistake it for the real thing. Also avoid items such as potpourri and arrangements that have small rocks or marbles or anything else that can be swallowed (don’t forget the rubber door stoppers). Cut or tie window-blind cords to prevent strangulation. Secure bookcases and other furniture that a small child could topple, and consider only furniture with rounded edges (or cover sharp edges with cushioning). Hide/secure electrical cords and power strips behind furniture (never under carpeting), and cover up any exposed electrical outlets with screw-on covers or cap plugs. Also keep office supplies where your child can’t get to them.

5. In the kitchen. Refrigerator magnets should be high enough to be out of reach. Make sure to lock the door of the dishwasher, oven, washer and dryer or any other appliance/cupboard your child might get into. Knives should be kept away from the countertop edges, pot handles should be turned away from the front when cooking, and all cleaners, plastics, foils, bags, wastebaskets/garbage containers, etc. should be locked up. Also consider unplugging small appliances when not in use.

6. Away from home. When you first arrive, scan the area for anything that could be a problem and move them or hide them from your small child. If you plan to stay awhile, consider brining your own crib, outlet cap plugs, cabinet locks and latches, tub mats, etc. Also be aware that some bathroom doors can be locked from the inside, so consider hanging a towel over the top of the door to prevent a child locking him/herself in.

Remix Your Wardrobe

If you’re like many shoppers, there have been many a buying spree through boutiques and malls these past few years.. However, recent economic downturns have made even the most dedicated fashionistas cut back. In fact, a December 2008 survey study by BIGresearch, a consumer market intelligence firm, found that 92.2 percent of consumers were cutting out luxury handbags, specialty apparel, and high-end cosmetics. While you might not be adding to your wardrobe, savvy dressers know to shop their closets. Your hangers are brimming with great items to remix for this season.

The Dress

Chances are you’ve got a dress or two hanging in your closet. Or five. Or ten. Recent seasons have been huge for dresses, with frocks accounting for 44 percent of the 2007 dollar volume growth in apparel, according to marketing firm NPD Group, Inc. Dresses are a great go-to item since they are versatile and create an instant pulled-together look. They also come in a range of styles to flatter any figure. Remember as you review your greatest hits: prints are most flattering if smaller than your largest/most prominent feature—assuming you want the focus on you, rather than on your clothes. Strategy: Audition the dresses in your closet. The ones that fit and flatter get to stay center stage. Brainstorm accessories that match. The ones that seem a little outdated or less flattering? Give them to charity, to a friend, or consider selling them to a resale shop to fund your own next purchase. Using that resale profit to purchase shoes in a nude tone to pair with last year’s rave review dress is a great way to achieve high style on a low budget.

Evening Shoes

The “dressing up” trend naturally led to footwear that matched. In 2006, NPDtells us, sales of evening shoes rose 13.5 percent. That’s a lot of shoes! Strategy: Let them outta the box. Don’t hide them away for the gala or formal wedding that might not come. If you work in a creative field, dare to pair your dressier shoes with a solid-colored pantsuit or shift dress for a classy punch of interest and flair.

Belts

Thick belts. Loads of tiny thin belts. The belt cinched its place in our wardrobes for its ability to create drama and a slimming effect. Strategy: Let your belts give new life to an old suit or dress. Consider wrapping them around looser pieces, like cardigans to create a defined silhouette with any outfit. If you’re petite or full figured, keep the belts narrow. A longer body? You can carry a wider belt to flattering effect.

Accent jackets

No sleeve, short-sleeved, ¾-length-sleeved: In recent seasons, these unique pieces showcased interesting fabrics and silhouettes and were a departure from the boring matchy-matchy blazer. Strategy: Review your collection and oust any pieces that “seemed good at the time.” Keep the rest in regular rotation and wear in place of a sweater or standard jacket for maximum use. Don’t forget these jackets will extend the wear of your summer sundresses from warm weather into Fall.

Statement jewelry

These are the pieces that spoke before you did: the too-long strands of pearls, the chunky necklace and the oversized rings. Strategy: Identify the pieces you love and that enhance your personal appearance. These are often the ones that have instinctively become your favorites. Use an oversized necklace to take a day shift into evening. Find new real estate for those oversized brooches, pinning them onto belts, bags and waistbands adds unexpected interest.

SHOP ONLINE
1. Become an associate and make money!
2. A chinese wholesaler that sells just about everything
3. Buy gifts at Ebay. 
4. free items at the Freecycle website. 

MAKE MONEY
5.Hold a garage sale and sell your junk. You’ll start the new year de-cluttered too!
6.Sell your stuff on 6. Ebay or the auction sites mentioned in this E-book
7. Visit garage sales for quality items and then sell them on Ebay.

DECORATIONS
8, Cut up old toilet rolls into rings, spray them silver, dip them in glitter and string them up! You will also be saving the environment.
9. Suspend oranges with cloves strung up with ribbon. Smells nice on the tree!
10. A bag of candy sticks are a cheap tree decoration and edible! Yum!.
11. You can pick up tinsel and decorations at thrift shops real cheap!
12. Wrap up home-made biscuits in foil and hang them from the tree.. Use some glitter on the outside or get your children to decorate with coloured paper and glue.
13. Buy a fake Christmas tree from the Op Shop. Why pay full price?
14. Visit your local craft shop. There is a world of thrifty MYO decorations there!
15. Start recycling old food boxes and items. Get creative with spray paint & glitter!
16. Shredded paper from your office makes fabulous fake snow on a tree!.
17. Cut up junk mail into fine pieces colourful and 10. Earth-Happy paper tinsel.

SAVE ON CARDS
18. Send cards early in December to avoid costly postage.
19. Send e-cards. These are are Earth-Happy and much cheaper.
20. Use old food boxes to make your own cards.
21. Recycle Xmas cards sent to you pre-Christmas by cutting them up and 4. making them into little gift tags.
22. Paste wrapping onto food box cardboard to make little cards.
23. Scale down your Xmas card list to only your best friends.
24. Send a postcard if you must send a card. They are cheaper to post.
25. Recycle the cards you received last year by cutting off the front and making 8. them into postcards. Free and also cheaper to send!
26. Buy Christmas cards on sale in December for next year.
27. Buy Christmas cards at discount stores.

SAVE ON WRAPPING
28. Buy a big roll of butcher paper for the whole year and a bulk roll of ribbon. Red is good!
29. Find a florist supplier and buy tissue paper in bulk for the year.
30. Buy wrapping paper on Christmas Eve. It is hugely discounted.
31. Shop online at stores who offer free wrapping.
32. Shop at retail stores that offer a free gift wrapping service.
33. Use leftover wallpaper for wrapping.
34. Spray twigs, cones and leaves to dress up a present.
35. Use flowers from the garden instead of expensive bows and ribbons.
36. For big kid’s presents use a pillow case and ribbon.
37. Use scrap material from sewing instead of cards or wrapping. Lovely!

THRIFT STORE – GIFT IDEAS
38. Funky lamps can really make a room sing.
39. Retro platters and kitchenware for the kitchen.

MAKE YOUR OWN – GIFT IDEAS
40. Make your own food hampers. Get ideas from online stores and magazines.Buy nuts, chocolate and snacks at cheap retailers.
41. Make your own boxes of Chocolates and create your own branding on a painted, recycled food box!
42. Make food gifts of homemade jam, baked bread, biscuits, candles, soaps, oils or butters. Include a recipe for a special touch

PRINTABLES
43. Google ‘downloadables’ online and print of MYO gifts.
44. Mums. Frame or journal the story of the day your child was born.
45. Make a forgetful relative a framed calendar of all your relatives birthdays!

PERSONALISED GIFT IDEAS
46. Make colouring books for children using clip art on your computer.
47. Make personalised address labels for someone in business.
48. Put together journals, family trees or diaries for family members.

EDUCATIONAL – GIFT IDEAS
49. Reference books make great gifts because they are so practical.
50. Books about your recipient’s hobby are always well received.
51. Give web nerds software relating to their hobby. They will love you forever.

ART AND FRAMES – GIFT IDEAS
52. Personalise and frame pictures that suit places your recipient has visited, animals they love, and people they might admire.
53. Scrapbooking paper is gorgeous. Frame a piece for a trendy gift.
54. Frame old newspaper pages. These look fabulous and stylish on a wall.

ORGANISATIONAL – GIFT IDEA
55. Give self-help books such as motivational, success and inspirational books. These types of gifts keep giving all year and are life changing! Audio books are great too.

EARTH-HAPPY GIFTS
56. Buy a small plant. Give it in a beautifully wrapped pot.
57. Give a gift that supports a cause on behalf of your recipient.
58. Oxfam have fun and cheap ideas that save the world.

GIVE YOUR TIME OR AN EXPERIENCE
59. Pledge to clean someone’s car.
60. Give time to a local charity instead of money.
61. Give one hour of your time offering your special skills to someone.

STOCKING FILLERS
62. Get free samples from cosmetic counters for stocking fillers. See website section.

GENERAL – GIFT IDEAS
63. A bottle of sparkling Champagne goes well for the ladies.
64. A six pack of beer wrapped creatively is a great present for a bloke.
65. Give your favourite cleanskin wine with a personalised brand label.

TOTALLY – FREE GIFT IDEAS
66. Give away your not so treasured items. For exampe, designer clothes you don’t wear. Wash them up, make them smell beautiful and then wrap in tissue paper for a quality effect.
67. Don’t buy for adults. Just buy for the kids.
68. Convert your credit card reward points into gift cards.

EARTH-HAPPY – GIFT IDEAS
69. A tree with an invite to plant it together, and a promise to repeat the tradition every year on the same day.
70. An eco-hamper to kick start a young greenie.
71. Donation on behalf of recipient. For example, buying a goat for a village.

SOME GIFT BUYING STRATEGIES
72. Give experience gifts rather than things. The memories are more last a lifetime instead of a day.
73. Get together, pool your money and buy each person a big quality gift instead.
74. Buy gift cards so your relatives can take advantage of bargains after Christmas.

BUDGETING AND SHOPPING TIPS
75. NEVER use credit at Christmas. Reduce your spend and be realistic.
76. Make a budget and make sure you stick to it.
77. Track your spending. Record every penny when out shopping. Keep a little notebook with you at all times to track your expenses or log purchases on your mobile.
78. Declare you budget. Tell friends and relatives you are on a budget.

SAVE ON GROCERIES
79. Get huge discounts by buying food on Christmas Eve.
80. Source local meat wholesalers. They often advertise in your local paper. You can save up to 50 percent on meat.
81. Leave the kids at home when Christmas food shopping.
82. Don’t buy more than you need.

SAVE ON ALCOHOL
83. Go for wine bottles that offer 33% more if buying from general liquor stores.
84. If on a real budget buy bulk cask wine and decanter it into recycled bottles. A little sneaky but hopefully no-one will know the difference!
85. Stock up on cheap alcohol during non-holiday periods. It is cheaper.
86. Switch from white to red wine. People generally sip red slower.

HOLIDAY ADVENTURES – AT HOME
87. Rent DVDs or tape movies in December leading up to Christmas and watch them over the Christmas period with family or friends.
88. Play board games. Buy them at thrift shops or borrow them.

HOLIDAY ADVENTURES – IN THE GARDEN
89. Hold a garden party for one of those boring nights between Christmas and New Year.
90. Catch up on reading your favourite novel or magazines.
91. Clean up the yard together or get help with starting your veggie garden.

HOLIDAY ADVENTURES – IN THE COMMUNITY
92. Go for long walks to through local parks and down your main street.
93. Get some space. Go for a long walk everyday alone to stay refreshed and happy.
94. Meet the neighbours. Take them over some yummy home baking.

HOLIDAY ADVENTURES – IN YOUR LOCAL REGION
95. Research the opening hours of local attractions and visit them with family.
96. Go to free 91. Carols by Candlelight nights in your region.
97. Visit the beach for the day if you live near one.

SOME BONUS TIPS
98. Wrap pieces of Christmas cake in cellophane up for a quick and easy gift for unexpected guests.
99. Buy quality fairy lights that don’t bust if one bulb does. Invest now to save later.
100. Tie items around a wire coat hanger worked into a circle to make a cool wreath. Use plants from the garden, ribbon, tinsel, candy canes and whatever else you might have on hand.
101. For kids give a lucky dip in a box. Get the child to pick out one card. On the card will be an adventure to a cheap local attraction. Give the gift of your time.

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When tranquility doesn’t descend until we know the world’s most expensive bra; when we are curious to know the person who spent the longest time keeping the eyeballs protruded; when we find the latest Guinness World Records to see if Pingping, the shortest living man (74.61 cm) who was measured in Hohhot, China still holds the record; when people search for the person who would spend the fastest time to pop 1, 000 balloons; and when people compete in making the tallest stack of doughnuts while industries compete in making the largest toilet roll.

When “The mutual rivalry for piling up (the good things of this world) diverts you (from the more serious things). Until ye visit the graves.” [Q 102:1-2], I mean when you are preoccupied with accumulating wealth with no signs of being fatigued by too much wealth. And because “. . .violent is he (man) in his love of wealth” [Q 100: 8] you will frequently hear middle-class millionaire dreaming to reach billionaire status while the billionaires aspiring to be ‘crazy wealthy.’ This reminds me of Roberts Frost’s saying: “By working faithfully 8 hours a day, you may get to be a boss and work 12 hours a day.” ; when people’s important life goal is to be rich and famous yet they are unaware of how they jeopardize their lives for they don’t seem to know that “. . . it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” [Matthew 19: 24]; when spare time is not spent on Words of God but on Think and Grow Rich, Rich Dad Poor Dad, How to Make Money, 365 Habits of Romantic Persons, Million Dollar Habit, How To Win Friends and Influence People, The Secret, Cooking Made Easy, Act Like a Lady Think Like a Man, Guess How Much I Love You, Sex for Dummies and What to Expect When You’re Expecting. . . . ; and when the short time we have for reading God’s scriptures we don’t do study-reading (i.e. reading for the purpose of understanding, learning and remembering). One wonders: is reading the Bible/Qur’an without reflecting synonymous to eating without digesting?; when “The post-industrial world produces virtually everything except answers to the most essential questions about life and existence: Where did we come from? Why are we here? Where are we going?”[1] Indeed, “They know what is apparent of the worldly life, but they, of the Hereafter, are unaware.” [Q 30:7]

When people ardently search for a Step-by-Step Tutorial on how to French-kiss. And others go to Google to type “I’m bored” while rejoicing that they are not alone for they have already been preceded with others who typed “I’m so bored!” This phenomenon is likely to invite brilliant sociologists to initiate a study headed titled, “bored people are actually stupid because they seem not to know the purpose of life.” Many will encounter a jaw hanging experience when they hear that there are some people who still think that we are created to get bored! When music is used to ease boredom with geniuses inventing holidays – Mother’s Day, Anniversaries, Get-Together Party, Birth-Day (BD) while condemning Death-Day (DD), and religious holidays celebrated irreligiously; when we voluntarily enter into cookie-baking contest and eating competitions; and when the neighborhood organize a water gargling contest; when we spend  too much time playing mindless phone and computer games; when one decides to become depressed, bored with life or just because they have nothing to love than to sleep, and decide to waste lots of precious time on excessive sleeping. How I wish they knew that multiple studies have found that people who sleep nine or more hours a night have significantly higher death rates than people sleeping seven to eight hours a night; when Research Institutes research on how to eat as much as we can without getting fat; when we are amassed in knowing whos-dated-who and when burgeoning populations join the International Association of Gossipers while others cross the boundary of reason claiming that the function of language is gossip; when the ‘lets-go-shopping’ culture becomes predominant; when our minds become fictitious because of reading too many fictions – Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, The Cat in the Hat, Romance . . . .

When people run out of ideas and decide to do the following: Blow up a paper bag and burst it behind a friend; make facial expressions in a mirror; check their waist measurement; peel an orange; convince someone that an African elephant has smaller ears than an Asian elephant; imagine coming to work by elephant; try to figure out if the “black box” flight recorder is never damaged during a plane crash, why isn’t the whole airplane made out of that stuff!; jump on their chair and shout “cockroach” to frighten their colleagues; photocopy your hand; run around the office as though someone were chasing you or march around the office like a Roman soldier; imagine how sorry everyone will be when you are dead; make a list of the ten people you would arrest immediately if you became a dictator; practice rubbing your tummy and rubbing your head at the same time (and am sure some are just practicing it now); rehearse your excuses for when you are caught in an embarrassing situation; pretend you’re a robot or pretend to be a car; wondering whether a fly without wings should be called a walk; check your answers for yesterday’s crossword puzzle; ask your grandpa what grandma was like when she was young; email your boss the message: I know what you did last vacation; boil ice cream; honk and wave to strangers; imagine how you would interview your boss for your job; imagine what you will do when you see an endangered animal eating an endangered plant! . . . .

When fashion industry and cosmetic companies receive unprecedented queue of customers. Have they really reflected on the proverb: “Many complain of their looks, but none of their brains?”; when a person wears a T-shirt imprinted: “I want fun. Now”, who is bypassed by another with a “Whatever you see I owe to Spaghetti” T-shirt imprint. Then as you wonder why would God create such people, behold you encounter a dare-not-look-at-me type of a lady walking towards your direction, her shirt inscribed: “WARNING: I have an attitude. . .” while struggling to peep at the remaining text, you realize it’s written “. . . and I know how to use it!” And before the sun sets, you encounter another fellow wearing a T-shirt bearing the words: “Whatever the question is, Liquor is the Answer.” Maybe such a heedless person would have been endowed with a much more meaningful descent life “. . . but he (man) clung to the earth and followed his own vain desire.” [Q 7:176]

When we get glued to our computer screens surfing pornographic material and sending emails to females while males receive torrents of emails from females; when people enter into yahoo groups to seek visitors with similar tastes and hobbies such as collecting stamps, blackjack, underwater modeling, chasing one’s shadow, washing fish, bull fighting, dog-sledding and chicken wrestling; when we embark on an extensive  search in facebook so as to find that primary school classmate who peed in class; when funny and weird videos are the most watched clips in YouTube; when life is spent aimlessly is when we become fully ignorant. Ignorant of our purpose of life. An extremely smart guy would ask, “Is this really what we were created for? “Do you thus repay the LORD, O foolish and senseless people? Is not he your father, who created you, who made you and established you?” [Deuteronomy 32:6]. And if the Bible is not a source of inspiration to you, then reflect on the words of Henry David Thoreau: “It is not enough to be busy, so are the ants. The question is, ‘What are we busy about?” I know that according to article 24 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights “Everyone has the right to rest and leisure . . .” but if per article one of the Declaration, human beings are “endowed with reason and conscience” then we would expect a smart creature to ask: what is the ratio between entertainment industry and worship industry? The Intelligent seeks to compute the ratio between wealth accumulating rituals and rituals for attaining the Kingdom of Heaven. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” [Mathew 6:33]

Excerpted from Salim Boss’ book “They are either Extremely Smart or Extremely Ignorant” For more articles from this author, please visit his blog; [www.extremelysmart.wordpress.com]. Get your free eBook of “They are either Extremely Smart or Extremely Ignorant” from the author’s website.

[1]. Hofmann, Murad Wilfried. Religion on The Rise: Islam in the Third Millennium. Maryland: Amana Publications, 2001.p. 89.