How to... NOT be dissapointed for the Oakland Raiders on Draft Day

Let's get real, how good are the Oakland Raiders? Not that good. Ever year we wait for the Raiders to use their top five first round picks so they can have a chance to do good. But, every year, we seem to expect the best out of a talented, but very very poorly managed, team. There are a few thing that you need to do in order for us dedicated Raider fans not to be dissapointed.

1. Whatever position that you're hoping they get, probably quarterback, expect the total opposite. You want them to get some offence, they get a defensive guy.Whatever great player that is still available when they have their pick, go down the list about ten names of people in the same position and that's who the Raiders pick. So come April 22, don't get your hopes up.

2. It's not a matter of if the Raiders make a bad pick, it's when. When this moment arrives just be calm, don't freak out, every year we usually throw or break something. Let's stop that tradition and start this NFL year off right.

3. After you have calmed down and saw that the Raiders had a bad pick, here's what you do: realize whatever pick they get, it's only going to inprove the team. Just remember, the Raiders don't have a first round pick next year, so just enjoys yourself because it's garenteed you won't watch next years draft just to see who the Raiders get.

How to... Find Deals Online

Being broke is no joke

The fact is, money is something that everyone wants and could use more of. Instead of finding ways to make more money, it may be just easier to save money on what you are already spending on. In this post, we will be teaching you how to find deals online! Why spend $120 dollars when you could be spending $60? The internet allows you to find deals quickly and easily.

1. Utilize web pages dedicated to finding deals.

A few of our favorites include:

• Fat Wallet (www.fatwallet.com)
• Slick Deals (www.slickdeals.net)
• Deals Plus (www.dealspl.us)

Using these web sites, you can search for coupons to use in-store, promotional codes (for discounts, free shipping, etc.), or just good deals on products. If you cannot find what you are looking for, trying Googling what you are searching for. For example, "express.com free shipping code" or "printable Macy's coupon."

2. Join the mailing list of your favorite stores.

When there are sales and promotions, stores will typically send a message to their mailing list. By signing-up for these lists, you will get these deals sent straight to your e-mail without even searching for them. If it becomes too much unnecessary spam, you can always opt out from the list.

3. BE PATIENT

If the item you want to buy is not needed urgently, wait for a deal to come or for it to go on sale. Also, looking for coupons and promotional codes are not always easy, especially if it is not a popular store. It may take browsing through a few sites and searching different terms to find what you are truly looking for.

So, in your quest to find deals online, best of luck! Feel free to leave a comment and share some of your deal searching secrets! :)

How to... Clean Your Room

So, you need to clean your room, but you just don't know where to start. Here are some good ideas on how to effectively clean your room in a hurry.

1. Start with the biggest challenge first. Get garbage, dishes, and dirty clothes out of your room. You might notice now that your room is almost done!

2. Fold clothes and pick-up everything off the floor.

3. Vacuum and clean top of counters.

P.S. List to music while you clean it will help.

Now go out and enjoy your day. If you're not sure how, check out our 'How to Enjoy Your Day' post!

How to... Use Your Credit Card Less

Do you like to shop? Most people do. We want to talk about a few ways to decrease your credit card usage.

First, figure out your interest paid from credit card usage per year. It is simple; use this credit card calculator:

http://www.indexcreditcards.com/creditcardcalculators/howmuchininterest.html

What we don't think about is how much money we are spending in interest every month. Credit cards often have interest rates that compound your balance daily. After a full month, your balance is going to raise unless you pay the full amount due. It's so easy to use a credit card; that's how credit card companies make fortunes! Here are some tips on using your cards less, without having to cut back on shopping!

1. When you go to a bar or restaurant, bring cash. This limits spending and you don't have to worry about being overcharged.

2. When you are shopping for nothing in perticular, don't bring a credit card. Only put charges on the card you plan on repaying at the end of the month. Impulse purchases tend to be expensive and harder to pay back within a month.

3. Ask your bank for a debit card, the money will come directly out of your bank account. Sometimes it may cost a .25C charge per transaction, but that charge is much less than say 20% interest on your purchases.

If you use a debit card, track your balance. If it is easier (like it is for us), have your bank setup online banking so you can see the balance in your account before spending $$. One or two overdraft fees can really make a dent in ones' bank account.

4. Finally, and most importantly, have automatic payments set-up through online banking billpay. This allows the companies to collect a monthly charge directly out of your bank account. You wont have to worry about paying for a stamp or losing a check in the mail; it is usually free to set this up!

Sometimes the little things can make your day a lot easier.

Thanks for reading!

How to... Enjoy a Beautiful Day

It's GORGEOUS outside! So why are you inside reading this??

Maybe you are looking for some quick ideas to help you fully utilize this beautiful day...

1. Go out for a walk to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. A little warmth and sunshine with some exercise will do wonders for your state of mind, as well as your physical well-being.
2. Go to the local park. Take a kite and relive the joys of childhood. Flying a kite is a breeze! (Pun intended.) It may take you a bit to get back into the swing of getting the kite to take-off, but in doing so you will have gotten yourself a little exercise, too.
3. Take a picnic lunch along on an outdoor expedition and have your lunch "al fresco" (in the fresh air). You could just plan a picnic for the park or the beach (if there is one nearby).
4. Take your dog for a walk. If you don't have a dog, ask your neighbor or a friend who has a dog to borrow theirs for the afternoon. It can be your good deed for the day. Going on a walk with a dog is good exercise and a great way to meet people for conversation. Who doesn't love a dog?
5. Take the current book you are reading, go out, and find a comfortable place under a nice shady tree and read outside. For lunch, go to a place with outdoor tables and enjoy eating outside in a "crowd."
6. Go to an outdoor flea market or make the rounds to neighborhood garage/yard sales. Take-in an outdoor auction.
7. Take a hike. Go fishing. Go swimming. Go boating. Play a sport. Climb a mountain or a hill. Mow the grass. Weed the garden. Plant a garden. Cut some flowers to bring inside.

Whatever you decide to do, just be sure to enjoy the day, the sunshine, and the fresh air. Tomorrow it may be raining or snowing, seize the day!

What are some of your favorite things to do on a beautiful day?

How to... Remove a Sticker

How many people have issues taking stickers off?

Materials needed: Mayo

They look appealing at first, but we all grow out of the stage for childish stickers. We have found that he easiest way to do this is trying to peal a small portion of the sticker off and put a little mayo underneath. This is a tedious job, but worth it in the end. Keep applying mayo and the sticker should eventually peal off without leaving a track of the sticker. If at any point the sticker seems like its going to stick and leave a mark, just apply more mayo and you should be ok!

Try this and see if it works for you!