Fueling Your Shopping Spree

When you set out to go shopping, no matter what for, the weather cooling down rapidly and the days growing shorter, one of the first things we think of is a delightful caffeinated beverage like tea or coffee to get us moving.  Caffeine is a psychoactive stimulant drug that has been used for more than 2,000 years in beverages and other ingested forms, giving people a much needed kick in the pants when they can’t seem to get their day off to a good start, or when a long, tedious day of something requiring more than the ordinary amount of exertion lies ahead. Just how much of this substance does the average beverage of modern times contain?  Find out in the infographic below. (more…)

NC Sales Tax Holiday

As the school year quickly approaches, parents and college students are rapidly preparing for start of a new year. School supplies, clothes, dorm room survival necessities, and more, are all flying off the shelves of Targets and Wal-Marts everywhere. As the North Carolina Tax Holiday approaches this weekend, higher end product retailers and clothing stores are getting ready for a cascade of shoppers wanting to get their laptops, designer jeans and other expensive items that usually generate higher sales tax revenues.

Although most people are fully in summertime living mode, the NC Sales Tax Holiday, which started in 2002, is a big wake up call for those not yet ready for fall. Just a week and a half to two weeks before major universities start classes, “tax-free weekend” initiates the back-to-school/prepare for fall phase for shoppers, which can be a sad time for those who love summer. But in the end, you can’t be too sad about the deals you’ll be getting: (more…)

Shopping for iPad

Trying to decide whether to snap up a great deal on one of the original iPad models that are still available in limited quantities, or go for the iPad 2?  Here are some things you’ll need to consider, that may actually convince you to buy the older model and wait until the next iPad to upgrade.

Last month’s announcement of the iPad 2 by Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs put to rest several rumors in circulation about the mysterious device, and confirmed others.  One of the most disappointing additions to the innovative tablet is the inclusion of front and rear-facing cameras, presumably for taking photos, shooting video, and conferencing via Facetime. (more…)