iPod accessories

Driving with the iPod earphones clapped to your ears can be a wee bit dangerous - you block out other ambient sounds that may signal danger. Thank goodness for Apple thinking out of the box and coming up with the idea of integrating iPod to your car; members of iPod Addicts Anonymous now have the blissful option of listening to their iPods on their car stereo while dodging traffic. There are a slew of options available for the iPod addict with a car:

1. iStuff iPod Car Charger: This car accessory is great for long trips when you simply have to have your iPod playing your music collection. The charger plugs into the 12v cigarette lighter socket. Also handy when you’re on the road and have forgotten to charge your iPod’s batteries.

2. Arkon Vent Mount Kit: Bad roads can rattle your iPod’s internal whatnots so seat your iPod on this mount kit to keep it secure.

3. Pama In Car Audio Cassette Adaptor: If your car plays only casette tapes, then this accessory will upgrade it to modern times in a snap. Insert the cassette, push play on your iPod, and enjoy.

The holidays are typically a time we think about spending money, not cutting expenses. But let's face it, you're going to have to pay for all those shiny new packages under the tree (or whatever holiday icon you choose to celebrate).

You've heard all the standard ways to cut costs: don't buy Starbucks, take a bag lunch, and so forth. But you can get a lot more creative with slicing and dicing the way you divvy up your financial pie. Some of these trimming tips may be familiar to you and some may be new, but if you follow through on them, you're sure to shake loose a few more dollars that can be spent on whatever you value the most.

1. Watch out for shipping costs when buying via the Internet. Use the Internet to comparison shop, then pick up the item locally.

2. If you see something in a catalog that you want to buy, wait a week before ordering to see if you still really want it. (But don't wait too long or your holiday gift may not make it under the tree in time.)

3. When traveling, look online for ideas and/or coupons before you go. Once on site, ask the locals for low-cost favorite spots, a la Rachael Ray.

4. Try a vacation at home. See and do the things you've always meant to do and save on hotel costs. The holidays are a perfect time to enjoy local festivities.

5. Send free e-cards and save on postage.

6. Give your time or services instead of "things" for gifts.

7. Go gray. If you hate sitting with gloppy color on your head and paying an arm and a leg for the privilege, you should know that as the baby boomers age, gray is "in."

8. If you own a house, shift your higher-rate credit card debt to a lower-rate line of credit. Deduct the interest on your tax return.

9. If you own a house, use a home equity loan to pay off auto loans. The interest is tax-deductible.

10. Pay your mortgage payment biweekly instead of monthly--you'll save on interest costs and pay off your mortgage sooner.

11. Pay extra premium payments when paying your mortgage. As above, you'll save interest payments and be able to pay off your mortgage sooner.

12. Pay cash when possible--psychologically it's harder to spend cash than using credit cards, and you'll save on interest charges.

13. Set up one checking account for regular recurring expenses and another for bigger-ticket items. (Only buy if you've saved enough.)

14. Check with state or federal governments to see if you have money owed to you. To find out more about claims in your state, go to the National Association of Unclaimed Property Administrators' Web site.

15. If you've inherited an IRA, understand how to stretch out the tax deferral by taking the correct minimum required distribution.

16. Don't get divorced.

17. Quit smoking.

18. Save all your change and use it to buy gifts next year.

19. Go to matinee movies instead of movies at night.

20. Stop buying clothes that are "dry clean only." Learn to iron.

21. Plan parties where everyone brings something.

22. Have cocktails at home and then go out; have dessert at home.

23. Order vegetarian when you're out.

24. Look up phone numbers in the phone book instead of paying for directory assistance.

25. Sell stuff you don't need or use anymore on eBay.

26. Shop resale shops or estate sales.

Feminine Office Furniture

Female entrepreneurs are fast increasing in numbers as startup businesses all across the United States are significantly being managed by women. With this development, offices are now getting a makeover. Gone are the days of bulky and monolithic office furniture but sleek and stylish furniture is now becoming the standard.

In light of these facts, most furniture retailers are vying for the ladies’ corner offices by expanding furniture lines and designing new products with a feminine flair.

According to Astrid Oyo, manager of Swedish furniture retailer IKEA’s North American business division, these career driven women are voicing their needs in a clear and concise way. Office furniture has long been designed to cater man and his manly duties. To a man, a desk is a desk, end of story. In feminine eyes however, office furniture are valuable investments that define the progressive path their company is taking.

Office Depot, the largest office supplies retailer in the Unites States, have struck partnerships with office furniture makers Broyhill and Sharper Image Corp. to specifically produce a vast array of office desks, office desks and many other items that would be favorable to female consumers.

Christopher Lowell is an interior decorator and a television personality which won a Daytime Emmy Award for the Christopher Lowell Show. He was hired by Office Depot in 2003 to redesign desks, antique hutches and decorative shelves and display new highly modern design.

According to the information from the Center for Women’s Business Research, more women are in control of companies and how they look. Statistics show that the number of privately held firm that are headlined by women at least a 51 percent stake grew 42.3 percent from 1997 to 2006, almost twice the 23.8 percent growth for all private businesses during that same period.

Offices are now upgrading to a new look. If ever you happen to visit an office that’s highly modern and exclusive, it would be safe to say that perhaps a women is behind the arrangement.