I’ve been looking at fuel efficient vehicles quite a bit lately. I never thought I’d care one way or the other, and I actually have a fondness for muscle cars, but with gas prices soaring I’m ready to be a bit more “green.”

I know, that’s a really selfish attitude. Or at least that’s what I’m told. Most of the recycling I do is because of money. From hand-me-down clothes to reusing just about every bag that makes its way into my house, it’s always been about money. I like to save money.

That’s why I’m looking into alternative heating options for our home, too. I ended up on this site with really cool eco products that not only save the environment but save money, too.

Converting our home to solar power would cost a fortune right now but Greenandmore.com offers affordable products that make a huge difference. With 4 kids still at home, we use quite a bit of water for showers (what do teenaged boys do in there for so long?) and I’m very impressed with the reasonably priced shower heads that help with water conservation. That means lower water and sewage bills!

I looked around the website a little and I liked that this company not only sells Green but also “lives green” in their business. They use not plastic wear and only recycled material for packing. Little things like that show that this is more than just a business for them. I like that.

I’m glad I ended up on the GreenandMore.com site. There’s lots of information there as well as great products. Yep, this one gets a bookmark!

I know most of us are gasping in horror at the beating our bank accounts and/or credit cards took during this holiday season. Well, I am at least. So maybe there isn’t much left over for a special treat. On the other hand, most of us get at least one or two gifts that need to be exchanged - for a better fit or more appropriate style or just something that we really want. So, how about some online retail therapy for the after-Christmas holiday blues?

For real girly girls, nothing says fun like makeup, jewelry and sparkly things. Okay, some of us drool over sports cars, too, but we’re talking about the Sparkle today. And for that, the sparkle, the best are the unique, one of a kind pieces. If they’re vintage, that’s even better. Just take a look at the rings and necklaces and bracelets and things at Jewel Jumble for some of the most beautiful girly things online.

The jewelry is listed by type as well as alphabetical listing by gemstone. There’s a selection of “Sea Swank” and a few exquisite vintage pieces from the site owner’s personal collection.

The prices here may seem higher than those at a wholesale fashion jewelry site but they are very reasonable for vintage or one of a kind pieces. Even if you’re not in the market for new jewelry check out the information there. Lots to learn and you may find out that you or a loved one has a valuable piece sitting in a drawer somewhere.

Since my daughter is always running out of disposable razors, my mom thought she’d get her an electric one. Good idea. Except that right after my daughter opened her gift and thanked her grandma for it, Grandma picked it up to point out some feature to Maggie and promptly dropped it. Yes, the new electric razor broke.

So we’re looking for another razor and I came across one that is interesting in that it claims it’s always sharp, just like new. I’m intrigued. I want to try it, in fact. I’d love to hear from anyone who has an Infinity razor. If your’re as curious as I am, you can get one here and then report back to me. I may just get one for Maggie and one for myself, too!

I know many of you are buying big ticket items this holiday season and some of you will be waiting until after the holidays to grab better deals. If you’ve already made your purchases, I hope you did your homework first. If you’re waiting until after Christmas, or even the first of the year, I’ve got a tip for you.

You all know about Consumer Reports, the print magazine that is published by Consumer Union, right? Well did you know that they also have a great website with a searchable database, too? That’s right. Instead of trying to remember which issue had the review of, say, vacuum cleaners, all you have to do is search the database to find the reviews you need.

Granted, some of the features at the Consumer Reports site are available only to paid members, but this site is so worth the annual fee. For one thing, Consumer’s Union accepts no advertising money from anyone. The only way they can continue to do what they do is by membership fees, subscriptions and donations. That’s what sets them apart, really. They don’t accept test products from companies. They are not obligated in any way to give a good review.

I know other magazines clearly mark blatant advertising but what isn’t so transparent is that product reviews are conducted on items sent from the manufacturer - for free. Also, many times, the products mentioned in editorial pages throughout the magazine are from those companies who buy the most advertising elsewhere in the publication. By refusing all advertising and freebies, Consumer’s Union is able to remain totally unbiased. They are the only publication of any type that can make that claim, as far as I know.

Actually, Consumers Union has a number of websites that are informative and well worth a bookmark. These are more niche sites but I’ve found several to interest me.

Consumer’s Union has been around since 1936. Check out some of the vintage photos from their testing labs. And then do a little research into whatever new gizmo or product you’re considering this holiday season. Go to the store informed and you’ll likely walk out with the perfect buy!

They say you have to spend money to make money. Yeah, I guess that’s true. And sometimes if you spend a little bit of money, you end up saving a lot of money in the long run. A good example of that is the AllData DIY site.

My husband has never enjoyed working on cars. I have 5 sons but so far, only Nick seems to be interested in car repair. If he didn’t spend so much time at work, he’d have time to fix our cars. He just has a knack for it.

The AllData DIY site offers access to the owner manuals of virtually every car on the market. They also offer both 1-year and 3-year subscriptions with additional discounts for each additional car. Their News Alerts include Product Updates, Promotions and Car Care Tips.

I know that Nick doesn’t have time to work on my car and I’m fortunate that I have a reliable mechanic, but I’m still considering this as a gift for Nick. My mom may be giving him her car after Christmas and I know he’ll want to fix it up with various auto accessories and work on it himself.

If you’re an auto enthusiast who enjoys doing your own work, or know someone who is, check out AllData DIY. If you subscribe, stop back here and let me know what you think of the service. I’d love to hear opinions on it!

Unless you don’t have TV, you’ve surely seen an infomercial or even a 60 second spot for something that caught your eye and made you wonder, “Does it really work?” Then, you either forgot about or bought it. We’ve all done it; no reason to be embarrassed.

Some of those infomercial products are great - I use my Magic Bullet every single day for my protein drink. Some, I have to wonder if I’m the only one who got “taken” and just chalked it up to experience. (Let’s just say I’m fine with not being suntanned and won’t try anything ever again that promises to not turn me orange.) While some of these products will surely work for one and not another, it sure would be nice to talk to people who have actually used them. And now you can.

Thanks to my friend, Deb, I’ve been clicking happily through the Infomercial Ratings guide and already, I’ve found a product that I had considered but will absolutely not buy now.

I’ve also found that not everyone is in love with their Magic Bullet as I am. And I can’t believe that anyone doesn’t love the Buttoneer, although that may be due to the fact that I’ve never sewed on a button that didn’t fall off with by the third use while I’m sure most people can at least perform that one sewing task.

The site really thrives because people who have purchased items they found on TV have taken the time to rate those items. That’s why, even if you’re not thinking of making a purchase, or if you picked up that TV item at a discount or other local store, it would be really helpful if you’d head on over to rate the item.

If you search for an item that isn’t listed, there’s a form to fill out to suggest a product. This is truly a consumer driven site and well worth the visit and the time it takes to rate a few products. Before you make any purchases this shopping season, do a little research there and be sure to pass it on to all your online friends, too. The more people who use it, the better the site will become!

My dad is 84 years old. You’d never know it by his hair, still full and wavy, still salt and pepper. But there are some things that he can’t do these days. He can no longer drive, for instance. He can dance, but his jitterbug is quite a bit slower now. And while he still loves wine and has a glass every day with his supper, he no longer makes his own.

This afternoon I watched my dad’s face light up as he saw that the package I was opening for him came from the Gold Medal wine of the month club and contained not one, but two bottles of wine: a red Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel and a Chardonnay. My father always made a dry, full bodied red wine; needless to say that’s the one he popped open first.

I don’t know much about wine but I’ve watched the whole wine-tasting ritual before. He starts by passing the cork under his nose and ends it with either a few sips or a second glass. This time, he had a third glass!

According to my dad, this Zinfandel was dry and full bodied. He said it was probably too strong for my mom but it was very close to the wine he made with my grandfather years ago. The texture was smooth and the pleasant taste lingered nicely.

Even though he was happy to keep “testing” the red wine, he knew I wanted his opinion on the Chardonnay as well. Again, he began the ritual and when he tasted it, he turned to my mom and said, “You’ll really like this one.” He was right, as always when it comes to wine. My mom really liked the lighter body of the white wine. My dad gave it his nod of approval, too, but turned back the red for another glass.

I looked over the newsletter that comes with each shipment of wine and loved the informative articles. In fact, everything from the packaging and presentation to the quality of wine and the beautiful gift card was top notch. As much as this would have made a wonderful Christmas gift for my dad, I’m really glad he got to enjoy it in a more relaxed setting, without a dozen grandchildren and children hovering over him.

Now tell me, isn’t this just the happiest face you’ve seen for a long time? Salute!

When my friend Julie first showed me this toilet, I laughed. I wasn’t sure if it was for real or not. When I realized it was for real - and actually affordable - I immediately put it on my Wish List. I really want this toilet!

What is more appropriate than a combination fish tank/toilet tank? It’s the perfect marriage of function and fun. And it’s such a simple concept, too. I watched the video demonstration and my first thought was, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

Granted, the cost is a bit more than a typical toilet, but I think there are benefits to this tank that the Fish ‘n Flush people haven’t even considered. You see, I have 5 sons. That means that the never-ending bathroom battle around here is all about the toilet seat and lid. I say keep them down; the husband and sons leave them up. With such a fascinating toilet tank, I have a feeling everyone will be putting the seat and lid down, just to be able to see the fish swimming around.

Since Christmas is just around the corner, keep in mind that I do accept gifts. This one would be very appreciated!

There are loads of sites that offer online coupons and information about great deals. I check out several every time I’m in the market for something that I plan to purchase online. Many times - maybe even most of the time - I find the best bargains at Spoofee.

In fact, unlike other sites that I visit only when I’m in shopping mode, I check out Spoofee a few times each week. Some of the bargains are so good that I just can’t pass them up. Their forums are jam packed with the best deals and the best of the best make it to the front page of the site.

You want an example? Well, what about the Free Kingston 1GB USB Flash Drive? How can you pass up a deal like that?

As with any top notch site, there’s also a Spoofee Blog for your reading pleasure. In fact, with the photo gallery and the general friendly atmosphere, Spoofee is a great place to hang out even without the bargains. But the bargains are what you want and what they give you! So drop by Spoofee, join the community and start grabbing the great bargains and online deals!

Looking for a bargain? How about something for nothing? You know, they’re called freebies and they’re loads of fun to order and receive.

It seems that companies are always trying to give away samples or promotional items. With the magic of the internet, companies can give away all their stuff before the campaign ends and people like you (and me!) can find free stuff that we never would have heard about 10 years ago.

You can search online for freebies but better still is finding a site that has already tested the giveaways for you. One of my favorite freebie sites is Shop4Freebies. Every day there are new freebies posted. You read that right, every day!

You can also check out the freebies by category, which is what I usually do. I’ve signed up for a few T-shirts in the Clothes section and free lotions, serums and creams in the Beauty section. I’ve spent so much money in the past, trying various anti-wrinkle products that didn’t work. The money I save by testing these samples instead of buying full sizes will save me enough to afford an Orlando vacation home or a new Mini Cooper. (Yes, I want a Mini Cooper. Don’t laugh.)

The Kids’ freebies are very nice and you really have to check out the Pets’ Freebies for the free Pooper Scooper! There’s something for every one here!

Go ahead and Shop4Freebies. If you submit an order, let me know what you ordered and how long it took to get to you. I’m heading back over there now to make sure I didn’t overlook any interesting categories.