Pet owners of the world, rejoice! There’s finally a great solution to relieve some of the anxiety that is associated with leaving your beloved companion at home alone. Now you can leave in peace—or at least, watch in peace. If you’ve been thinking of getting a pet camera to monitor your pet while away from the house, but have been overwhelmed by the many options on the market, have no fear. There are a few favorites we’ve picked out that just may help you take the leash. Or, leap.

1. Petzi Treat Cam

Perhaps the most well-known of pet cameras on the market, the Petzi Treat Cam connects to your Wi-Fi to allow you to interact with your pet in three different ways. Not only can you watch your pet through a live feed, but you can talk to them through the built-in speakers, and even give them a treat by pressing a button to release them from the dispenser remotely! The Petzi Treat Cam has a wide-angle camera with night vision, and can even record video. It can also be mounted to the wall, so you can put it anywhere you’d like without fear of it getting knocked over or hidden.

 

2. Pawbo Pet Camera

Pawbo Pet Camera has more of a simplistic design, but has just as many capabilities as the Petzi Cam and is one of the most versatile of its kind. The Pawbo Pet Camera is able to record high definition video, has a 110-degree camera lens, and a treat tray that revolves on command. Pet owners can keep their dog or cat busy with the system’s built-in laser game that will occupy its player for hours. Another cool feature are the ringtones that can be used by owners to call and talk to their pets!

 

3. Petcube

The Petcube is another great contender as far as pet cameras go. Its camera lens reaches a range of 138 degrees and can also record video and audio. It’s two-way speaker system allows pet owners to not only talk to their pet, but also hear when their dog barks or if there is another disturbance in the house. This camera also has a lazer game, but unlike the other options, does not have a treat dispenser.

 

4. Eyenimal Cat Videocam

The Eyenimal Cat Videocam is a more compact pet camera that was designed for the cat lovers out there. This camera allows you to keep an even closer eye on your pet than other options because of its lightweight, convenient portability. It attaches to your cat’s collar to provide a live feed of the whereabouts of, and shenanigans that your cat might be getting into. It’s also water-resistant, so have no fear when a water bowl is near!

 

5. Tomofun Furbo

The Tomofun Furbo is another great option when it comes to pet cameras. See, talk, and play with your dog day and night with this great interactive pet camera. This option is different than others because it actually shoots out treats at your dog, and has a specific bark alert! While this is the most expensive option on our list, it comes with a 1 year warranty and gets points for being very mobile friendly.

 

If you often need to leave your house for work, dinners, or other social obligations, and would like to have more peace of mind with leaving your pet behind, you may want to consider investing in a camera designed to monitor your pet. Although there are many options on the market, it’s relatively easy to find one within your price range that gives you the security you and your pet deserve! Let us know if we missed any other great pet camera options in the comments below.

Giving back to your community is not only a genuine and selfless act, but it also has some more personal implications. Giving back can give you a better sense of self, higher self-esteem, and a more positive outlook on life; plus, it’s a great way to meet new people and connect with others who share a similar goal or passion. If you’re looking for ways to not only improve and help the community in which you live, but to feel better about yourself and make some new friends as well, then you’ve come to the right place. Here some great ways to make the most of your experience and heighten community spirit.

1. Support local business– One of the most commonly-overlooked ways to give back is to support local business. Buying meats, baked goods, produce, clothing, jewelry, and even home décor from local vendors or Mom and Pop shops are a great way to show your community spirit and keep businesses flourishing. Locally-sourced grocery items, handmade gifts, homegrown foods, and custom orders of other odds and ends around town can help support and encourage local business owners. Sure, they may be priced a little higher than their big-business counterparts, but nothing compares to stimulating the local economy and keeping that hard-earned money in the community!
2. Visit local shelters and volunteer hands on– Many people think the only way to give back is to visit a shelter or food bank and volunteer hands on, but that is simply not true. It can be discouraging to many who may not have the time or resources to do so, but if you are fortunate enough to have this be an option, then please lend a hand! Food banks and homeless and women’s shelters fill up fast around the giving holiday season, so you may need to book your time there in advance. This often involves packaging and moving foods, packing lunches, organizing donations, serving food to those in need, and other odd jobs here and there.

3. Set up a fundraiser or contest and donate proceeds to charity– Raising money can be a great and truly helpful way to make a difference. Luckily, there are a ton of ways to raise a decent amount of money, and many of them don’t even require you to leave your house. Simply holding a yard sale, for example, is one way you can make some extra cash from things of value you already have that you may not have used in years. If you’re willing to spend a little bit more time, try running a fundraiser and collecting donations from people in town. If you’re feeling even more creative, hold a fun contest to get more people involved, and then donate a portion of the proceeds or items to a charity of your choice.
4. Inspire youth– One of the best ways to give back is to start with helping the generation that is most impressionable—children! There are plenty of ways to give back and help kids in your area. For example, if your town has a local youth sports team, you could coach the team on weekends or volunteer to help out as team manager or assistant. If your strong suit is academics, try being a mentor to a student or offering tutoring services for the subject you excel most in. Working with kids can be an extremely rewarding experience and is something that is always in demand.
5. Offer your time or skills to someone in need– If you want to get more personal in your philanthropic endeavors, offering your skills to someone in need is a great way to make use of your special talents or passions. There is no shortage of people looking for all kinds of unique services—whether it be yardwork, building homes or furniture, or even disaster relief, there is always a need for a helping hand and an able body.

At the end of the day, as long as you’re willing to give some of your extra time, money, or skills, you’re bound to have a positive experience and improve the lives of those in your community and others in need. If you can think of any other great ideas for giving back that we missed, please let us know in the comments below!

They want to suck your… energy?! You might not have heard of energy vampires, and if so, you could be using much more energy at home than is really necessary. If you’re responsible for paying your monthly electric bill, getting on top of your energy usage will save you money. Using less energy is good for the environment, too. So, here are some ways to identify your home’s energy vampires and stop them in their tracks.

Bundle Up – Or Cool Off

Without a doubt, your home’s air conditioning and heating are among the biggest energy vampires you deal with. You can easily cut down on heating and cooling energy use by staying diligent in turning them off when you leave your home. But what about when you’re home and you’re freezing or you’re sweating through your shirt? While you can’t make it comfortably through the coldest nights of winter and most sweltering days of summer without a little help, you can lessen your dependence on your heating and cooling by dressing appropriately, shutting doors, and circulating air throughout your home.

Unplug As Many As You Can

Besides your heating and cooling system, you’ve likely got a lot of other energy vampires lurking in your home, sucking away energy whether you’re using the appliance or not. The biggest offenders are typically your televisions, DVD players, computers, and similar devices. The Department of Energy website has a handy calculator for finding out how much energy your appliances use throughout the day. While you can’t get away with unplugging some of your biggest energy vampires, like your refrigerator, getting to some of the smaller energy-using appliances can add up. At the very least, check to see if some of your devices, such as your TV and computer, have power-saving modes that require them to use less energy whether you’re using them or not.

Buy Energy-Efficient Products

If you’re looking around you and seeing a lot of potential energy vampires, don’t be too worried. The good news is that these days, electronic devices are becoming increasingly energy efficient. The blue Energy Star sticker you sometimes see on appliances is a good indicator of how well your device makes use of energy, including when you’re not using it. While you’re at it, if your home is still using old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs, it’s time for an upgrade. LED light bulbs aren’t only more energy-efficient than their incandescent ancestors, but they also last much, much longer.

Do Without

Really concerned about your home’s energy use? Try changing your habits so that you rely on these energy vampires as little as possible. For instance, if you’re used to coming home and booting up the TV right away, try cracking open a book to wind down instead. Rather than using your dishwasher, make an effort to wash your dishes right after you finish with them. Now, cutting the energy vampires out of your life might be an extreme option, but if you want to save energy, this is one simple way you can do it.

If you’ve ever owned a pet, you understand how quickly they become part of the family. And just like any other family member, they can cost a pretty penny – especially when it comes to medical expenses. Every pet, at some point or another, is going to need medical treatment, whether it’s a shot or an expensive surgery. This is part of the reason for pet insurance, which is popular in Europe but seems to be catching on in America. Here are some answers to questions you might have about pet insurance.

What Does Pet Insurance Cover?

Like most other types of insurance (be it automotive, health, life, or whatever else), pet insurance policies can vary in what they cover. And, as any pet owner will know, there are many things worth covering. Some examples of what your pet’s insurance plan may cover include surgery, veterinary fees, prescriptions, cancer treatments, and specialty care. Those things, when not covered by insurance, can be extremely costly, which is what makes pet insurance so appealing.

Who Offers Pet Insurance?

While pet insurance isn’t as popular in the United States as it is overseas, you can still find plenty of companies, well-known and not, who are willing to offer your pet an insurance plan. These companies range from general insurance companies–like Geico, Farmers Insurance, and State Farm–to specialized companies that exclusively offer pet insurance, such as the ASPCA and the AKC. It’s worth checking to see if any of your current insurance providers offer pet insurance, as they might be able to offer you a discount.

How Much Does It Cost?

Owning a pet and caring for it without pet insurance coverage can be extremely costly. But how do the costs of an uninsured pet stack up against the costs of one that is insured? Naturally, with so many things up for possible coverage, there are many tiers of pet insurance, so that comparison can be a little difficult to make. Plus, the premium you decide to pay can affect the deductible you get when you file a claim, complicating the matter even more. Further, your cat or dog’s breed could very well affect the rates that you pay. That said, a general rule of thumb is that you’re going to pay anything within the ballpark of twenty to a hundred or so dollars per month.

Is It Worth It?

Unfortunately, there’s no simple answer as to whether pet insurance is worth it for you and your pet. As with any insurance plan, you’ll have to look at the amount of money you’ll expect to pay over time without insurance and compare that to the monthly installments you’d pay with insurance. While you might have to spend an afternoon calling around to different insurance companies and comparing rates, you might find that choosing to go with insurance saves you a good amount of money in the long run. Plus, the peace of mind you’d gain by having your pet covered by insurance might be something you can’t put a price on.

Super Bowl Sunday might not be an official American holiday, but for many households across the United States, it sure is. The Super Bowl Sunday tradition, which has been going strong for more than 50 years now, has been ripe with drama, making for some unforgettable moments. These are just a few Super Bowl moments that will live on in the hearts and minds of football fans.

The Joe Namath Guarantee

The New York Jets weren’t supposed to win Super Bowl III. In fact, oddsmakers had placed the Jets 18 points behind their opponents, the Baltimore Colts, who were at the time 15-1 and widely considered one of the greatest football lineups. So, it was quite surprising when, three days before the game, Jets quarterback Joe Namath said, “We’re going to win the game. I guarantee it.” And win they did, with a final score of 16-7 and Namath famously raising his index finger as he left the stadium a newly-minted MVP.

The John Elway Helicopter

By the time of Super Bowl XXXII, Denver Broncos QB John Elway had led his team to three disappointing Super Bowl losses. Perhaps that’s what spurned his impressive play against the Packers in the tied-up third quarter. His eight-yard run ended in a brutal dive into two Packers, throwing his body around like a helicopter – no small feat for a 37-year-old. The Broncos went on to win the game 31-24. Elway got his just-desserts the next year, when he was declared MVP at the following Super Bowl, his last game, which the Broncos won against the Atlanta Falcons 34-19.

That Time Thurman Thomas Lost His Helmet

Super Bowl XXVI was embarrassing for the Buffalo Bills, who lost 37-24 to the Washington Redskins. But it was particularly embarrassing for the Bills’ MVP running back, Thurman Thomas. Thomas, who’d had his best season yet, had a pre-game ritual of placing his helmet on the 34-yard line (representing his jersey number, 34). After the coin toss, Thurman couldn’t find his helmet, causing him to miss the first two offensive plays. The incident must have thrown him off the rest of the game, too, as he went on to gain only 13 yards and one touchdown. So, where did the helmet disappear to? Apparently, it was been moved so that Harry Connick, Jr. could sing the national anthem. NFL players, take note: always keep an eye on your helmet!

The Helmet Catch

Thurman’s helmet snafu wasn’t the only time protective headgear played a key role in Super Bowl proceedings. Perhaps the most memorable helmet-related incident took place during Super Bowl XLII, when Eli Manning threw a 32-yard-gaining pass to David Tyree, who leapt and caught the ball against his helmet. The pass was key in securing the New York Giants’ victory over the New England Patriots, who would’ve been the first team since the 1972 Miami Dolphins to have a perfect season. As for Tyree, who was at the time mostly unheard of, it was undoubtedly the greatest play of his life.

Cell phones are no longer a nice-to-have; in many respects, they’re an essential part of our day-to-day lives. And it doesn’t help that they aren’t always cheap to own. If you’re spending way too much on your monthly phone bill, there’s a good chance that you can bring that price down. However, you’ll have to be smart and at least a little willing to change your habits.

Be Mindful of Your Data Usage

Depending on the specifics of your phone plan, your data usage is probably the biggest factor in how much you’re paying each month. While browsing simple web pages and sending messages takes up little to no data, streaming music and videos over your data plan will eat up your allowances quickly. And as music and videos become higher-quality, this will only get worse as time goes on. As a rule of thumb, connect to Wi-Fi wherever you can, and only download or stream while on Wi-Fi. This will cut down on your data considerably, freeing you from overage charges.

Shop Around for a Different Plan

Despite your best efforts to make better phone habits, you might just have a plan that isn’t working for you. Perhaps you’re paying for too much unused data or unlimited texts and calls that you don’t need. At the end of your statement period, assess what’s important to you in a cell phone plan. Is your current plan meeting those expectations, or could another one that your carrier offers do just as well for cheaper? It’s worth calling up your carrier to see what other options they might have available for you.

Go in on a Plan With Friends and Family

Like most things in life, a cell phone plan is easier–and cheaper–when you’re not alone. Nearly every major carrier has a family plan that allows you all to go in on a shared plan together. But, while you will save money, there are downsides, of course. For instance, you’ll want to set some guidelines for your group ahead of time so that everyone gets a fair share of the plan. You don’t want to have one person hogging the data, and you definitely don’t want to be that person yourself.  

Switch Carriers

Your carrier will have multiple options available for you to choose from, but there’s a limit to what they can offer. Sometimes your best bet is to just check out other options from different carriers. Keep in mind that, depending on the contract you have, you might need to pay fees for canceling early, and if you’re leasing a phone, you’ll have to pay the rest off. On the bright side, you should get to bring that phone to your new plan.

Go Prepaid

Going prepaid is one option that many people don’t consider, and it’s one that frequently ends up being cheaper than a contract in the long run. There are plenty of prepaid phone carriers out there, and many of them rely on the same cell towers that the bigger names use, so you probably won’t notice a drop in service. While you do lose out on some perks, such as free phone upgrades, many prepaid users find the tradeoff to be more than worth it.

New Year’s celebrates the year passed and the year to come. For many, it’s also a time for setting goals to better themselves in the new year. Unfortunately, setting a goal and actually achieving it, as many find, are two very different things. The good news is that, with a little knowledge about setting good goals and staying disciplined in achieving them, you can better your odds in seeing your accomplishments through.

Make Your Goal Measurable and Achievable

One of the biggest problems resolution setters make is taking on a goal that is too lofty and vague. Setting a huge resolution for yourself and not having a good game plan for accomplishing it is like showing up to Mount Everest with no training. This doesn’t mean that you need to throw your goal away entirely; rather, break the goal out into steps that easier for you to achieve. It helps to know when you’ve accomplished your goal too, so instead than saying something like, “I want to eat more healthy foods,” focus on something more concrete like, “I will eat a salad every day for lunch.”

Keep Track of Your Progress

Usually, the first week in trying to achieve a goal is the easiest. That’s when you’re still riding the New Year’s high, bright and eager to accomplish your goal. Life quickly sets in, however, and after a few weeks back in your old routines, it’s easy to drop your goal out of disinterest or feelings of little accomplishment. Big goals take time to achieve, so tracking your progress, whether it’s through a diary or an app, can show you how far you’ve come and how far you’ve still got to go.  

Focus on the Process, Not the Product

It’s easy to get too caught up in the end-point of your resolution that you forget about the journey. Thinking only about your goal, and how much you want to achieve it, can make you feel like you aren’t making good progress on your resolution. Shifting your focus to the small accomplishments you make toward your goal each day goes hand-in-hand with the benefits of keeping a journal. Instead of feeling that you’re making incremental, inconsequential progress toward seeing your resolution through, you’ll feel triumphant in meeting the smaller goalposts you’ve set for yourself. And soon enough, you’ll see your resolution through.

Enlist a Partner

Even the most difficult tasks are a little bit easier when you’ve got someone to motivate you and share in your successes. That’s why it might be a good idea to get a loved one or a small group to all take part in the same resolution. Plus, it never hurts to be accountable for sticking up to your end of the bargain. Be careful about telling everyone about your goal, however. Studies have shown that people who tell all their friends and family about the goal they hope to achieve attain a false sense of accomplishment, fooling them into falling right back into their bad habit!

Setting and keeping resolutions will be a little more manageable if you keep these tips in mind, but nobody ever said it was easy. It’s also important to remember that breaking your resolution isn’t the end of the world. Don’t let one slip-up be the thing that derails your progress. Instead, let it be a learning opportunity on your way to a better self!

For many, the holiday season is the most wonderful time of the year. But for others who are not as fortunate, it’s just another time of hardship and making ends meet. While no person alone can change that, you can certainly do your part to have a positive impact on someone’s life. Here are a few ways you can help those who are less fortunate this holiday season.

Volunteer at a Kitchen, a Shelter, or Wherever Else You Can Help

It’s good to give, and it feels good to give. By volunteering somewhere in person, not only are you really giving a helping hand, but you can also see the direct results of your charitable actions. Although the image that first comes to mind of holiday volunteering may be helping out at the local soup kitchen, remember that there are many places that could use your help. Do a little research on who in your area needs volunteers – especially those that are short-staffed.

Donate to a Good (and Reputable) Cause

If you can’t make it out to volunteer in person, there are other ways of helping out, such as with your wallet. There are countless charities out there that benefit people in all sorts of unfortunate situations. While you might not see the direct result of your contributions, you can at least give to causes that are more specific and near to your heart. Keep in mind, however, that

many well-known charities are not as forthcoming with how they spend their funds as they’re believed to be. Do your research before you give any money so you can be sure that the dollars you give are being used to their greatest ability.

Give Nonperishable Goods

If you’re unsure about blindly giving money, or you’d rather be a little more focused in your giving, you can always donate clothing and nonperishable food items to shelters in your area. Do note that you shouldn’t necessarily head to the supermarket and buy dozens of cans of soup; most shelters will have a list of things they’re in particular need of. That said, if you’re cleaning out the closet or you have some unexpired food taking space in the cupboard, most places should be happy to accept what you have.

Invite a Friend or Neighbor to Spend the Holiday With You

Those who are less fortunate might not always appear to be what you conceive as “less fortunate.” Sadly, many folks–and some you may know–don’t have anyone to spend the holidays with. If you know someone in your life who might be lonely during the holiday season, try reaching out to invite them to the celebration that you may be hosting. This kind of giving isn’t all too unusual, and as long as you frame the gesture as an invitation rather than charity, the recipient should be happy to accept.

Giving during the holiday season is important, but remember, there are many people out there who need help at any time of the year. You don’t need to wait for the holiday season to chip in. Perhaps the charitable actions you make during the holiday season could become a tradition that doesn’t happen only every year, but throughout it as well.

Like it or not, winter will soon be here. And while you may have busied yourself changing your wardrobe around and preparing your home for colder weather, there’s another part of your life that also deserves attention as the season approaches: your vehicle. Making sure your car is properly prepared for winter and regularly caring for it throughout the winter ensures better safety for you and a longer life for your car. The following precautions don’t take long to arrange, and they could be a big help come wintertime.

Be Prepared Before the Snow Falls

When it comes to owning a car that performs well during the colder months, a little preparation goes a long way. As the temperatures start to drop, take some time to perform a routine maintenance check on your car, or at least take it in to your local repair shop. Fluids such as antifreeze are very important to your car’s performance during the winter, as is a battery that’s guaranteed to make it through the winter. Any fluids that aren’t topped off or any parts under the hood that are out of place could leave you stranded on the side of the road – something you really don’t want during the winter!

Check the Tires to Prevent Accidents

Just as a functioning engine is key to your car’s survival during the winter, so is the vehicle’s tires. Dropping temperatures can dramatically affect your tires’ air pressure, so it’s worth checking them regularly and keeping them filled to levels as recommended in your car’s user manual. Air pressure isn’t the only thing you should be concerned about; the quality of the tires’ treads is just as important. Bald tires lead to worse performance that’s made worse in winter conditions, so perform the penny test to see if it’s time to invest in a new set of tires.

Keep It Clean for a Better Return on Your Investment

When considering vehicle performance and your own safety when behind the wheel, your car’s appearance shouldn’t be at the top of your concerns. Still, whether you lease or own your car, it’s still an investment, and it’s only common sense to protect the quality of your investment. While snow isn’t going to hurt your car’s paint job, salt and dirt on the roads will. So, if you notice a layer of hazy salt and dirt beginning to build up on your vehicle, take it to the car wash for a touchless water rinse. Also practice caution when clearing your car of snow – avoid using shovels that may scrape the car’s paint.

It doesn’t take a whole lot to keep your car running safely and looking good during the winter. The couple of hours or so you put into caring for your car now and throughout the season could save you much more money and trouble later on, whether it’s because of a breakdown or need for a new paint job. Keep in mind that it’ll only be a few months of added caution before you’re once again driving with the windows down!

Sure, it’s cheaper to cook your own dinners at home, but sometimes time doesn’t allow for it or you’re just plain feeling lazy. Thankfully, ordering in is easier than ever because of technology. Apps like GrubHub and Postmates take all the hassle of ordering delivery by allowing you to plug in your credit card and order straight from your computer or phone, no phone call necessary. And now, Facebook–yes, Facebook!–is rolling out food delivery options.

How It Works

Don’t get the wrong impression. Facebook isn’t starting up an entirely new service to take on the big food delivery services that already exist. That said, it is making it a lot easier to place an order without ever having to leave its website. Now, when you click on a restaurant’s page, you’ll see a new button that says “Start Order,” but only if the restaurant uses Delivery.com or Slice to outsource their delivery options.

Once you place an order, the third party places the order to the restaurant, who then gets the order ready for delivery. Right now, it seems that when you order through Facebook, the restaurant itself will deliver your order. While this is also the case with other food delivery apps, GrubHub sometimes hires its own drivers to make deliveries for restaurants.

Why Choose Facebook Over Other Services

Facebook’s addition of food delivery doesn’t seem like a very big deal at first. After all, not all restaurants outsource their food delivery services, much less use Delivery.com or Slice. However, local eateries now have more of an incentive to do so, because the Facebook food delivery feature makes it a lot easier for potential customers to indulge in their cravings.

As a user, you might find this addition to be pretty helpful. For example, let’s saying you’re browsing your feed, and up pops a friend’s recommendation of a local restaurant. Curious, you click on to the business’ page, and seeing what you like, you can easily order a dish. Before, you’d have to follow a link out to the restaurant’s website or search for it on GrubHub to place an order, but now, you can do so without having to leave Facebook.

Other Features Facebook Is Rolling Out

The new food delivery option is one part of a larger picture of new Facebook features designed to connect users with local businesses – and make the social network even more encompassing. Soon, you’ll be able to book appointments, receive price quotes, and get tickets to movies and events, all on Facebook itself. These features will tie into other Facebook features, like event pages and Messenger, to make the actions as seamless and familiar as possible.

These additions should make the life of a Facebook user a bit easier, though that’s not necessarily Facebook’s only motive. It all works out for the social network, too, who wants to keep you browsing on its site as long as possible. As if you didn’t need any more reasons to keep Facebook open during the day!