*Guest Post*
3 Things to Look Out For When Buying a Block of Land
There are many reasons why you might want to buy a block of land. You may want to put your home on it and try to get off the grid, or you might want to develop it into a commercial property from the ground up. There are plenty of advantages that go with starting from the ground up, but there are a lot of things to consider as well. Just because a piece of property is gorgeous does not mean that it is right for your needs, so think about what your options are going to be and how you can best make your decision.

Your Needs

Your needs are something that you must keep in front of you when you buy land. It is far too easy to get carried away with the buying process and to choose land that is not necessarily ideal for you. For example, do you need the land to be a certain distance away from commercial properties, or do you want to make sure that the land is accessible to certain important roads? Do you need to make sure that you have certain rights to the land? For example, Australia has certain rules and regulations concerning water rights. Do you need the mineral rights, and is there a chance that the trees or crops on the land are not subject to your needs? These are all things that you need to think about.

Location, Location, Location

The old chestnut about location being the most important factor in buying a house is very true when it comes to buying property. There are some absolutely gorgeous properties out there that are only accessible in a roundabout way. How far are you willing to drive for your property, and does it need to have access to major roads? Another thing to consider is whether it needs to be close to any institutions. For example, if you are going to purchase land for a family home, you might want to consider how close you can get to a school. Coral Homes have a great range of home and land packages available to suit the needs of everyone – check out their website here.

Taxes

They say that nothing is certain in life but death and taxes, and when you are considering purchasing your land, you should think about the taxes that might go with it. You can typically find that records for the taxes on land at the local courthouse; at the very least, that will show you what people paid in previous years. However, you will also find that in many cases, you can the taxes lowered substantially simply by appealing them. For example, if something has happened on the property or if buildings have come and gone, you might be looking at substantially less taxes after an inquiry. Be sure that you know what the taxes on a piece of land are before you buy them, and also consider how you may be able to get that changed. If you are someone who is invested in making sure that the land that you purchase is right for your needs, take a moment to consider the factors that are in play. This can prevent you from making a serious mistake.

Card Gnome's 10 Card Valentine's Day Plan

Buying and sending cards can sometimes be a bit of a pain. 

First, you have to actually remember to get it and next, you have to find that absolutely perfect one that says all you want it to say. 

Card Gnome has this new card plan that allows you to "take the hassle out of buying and sending cards." 

Every plan includes:

Free postage (you don't need to worry about sending it anymore!)

1 year advanced scheduling (get a whole year's worth of cards ready!)

With a 5 card, 10 card, and 25 card plan, there's something for every budget! Also, if you don't use some of those credits, they can be used for your next purchase!

And MORE!

So now, all you have to do is write a meaningful message and find the perfect card.

Now that you've learned about these awesome plans, you can now enter to win a 10 card plan for Valentine's Day and more below!

Snooze Shade Car Seat Cover Giveaway

This is the wonderful SnoozeShade infant car seat cover.

SnoozeShade for Infant Car Seats is the award-winning breathable sun and sleep shade for Group 0/0+ infant carriers with rigid carry handles. It protects baby from the sun or makes any time sleep time.

Use SnoozeShade for Infant Car Seats day or night, on holiday and when travelling so your little one can sleep comfortably wherever you are.

SnoozeShade for Infant Car Seats can help if you:

* think baby is struggling to switch off from outside distractions

* would like to encourage good sleeping habits when baby is out

* have older children whose schedules conflict with new baby’s nap time

* prefer other people not to disturb your sleeping child

This innovative baby product was created by a British mother to help babies and toddlers sleep for as long as they need in an infant carrier.

It's what parents have been waiting for - a simpler, safer, lightweight and secure alternative to hanging coats or blankets over a pram to help baby sleep on-the-go - and, above all, it works.

It is made from a double layer of soft breathable fabric with the highest level of protection from harmful UV rays, blocking over 98.5% of UVA and UVB (UPF50+).

SnoozeShade for Infant Car Seats provides a shady, well-ventilated sleep environment by blurring the visual stimuli that can keep baby awake.

It’s the first sleeping-on-the-go solution for babies and it's great for holidays, in restaurants or any time you have to be out during baby’s nap time.

Benefits include:

* excellent sun protection - blocks more than 98.5% of UV rays (UPF50+)

* blurs visual distractions that keep babies awake

* use in several ways to help baby sleep or create valuable shade

* helps maintain your baby’s sleep routine wherever you are

* prevents well-meaning people from disturbing your sleeping baby

* made from soft stretchy breathable fabric which doesn’t retain heat

* use all year round to protect from sun, wind, chill and insects

* sneak-a-peek™ zip lets you check easily when baby is asleep

* quick to fit, easy to remove and folds up small

* fits most popular styles of Group 0 and 0+ infant car seats

* endorsed and supported by international baby sleep experts

Like the Stroller version, the SnoozeShade infant car seat cover is light and breathable and very easy & compact to transport every where you go. I also love that it's a universal fit so it will fit any car seat snug. I love using mine for long trips out side to keep the baby from harsh weather conditions.

If you don't have a SnoozeShade Car seat cover or Stroller cover I highly recommend getting one!

Want to win one!
This Giveaway is HOSTED by
BabyDashCo.com
Contest ends Feb 23 Midnight PST To US residents
Good Luck to all! This is great for someone with a baby or having a baby!

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Coach Wristlet Giveaway!

Hosted by NYSavingSpecials, Your Fashion Resource, Stuff I Love, Monica's Rants Raves & Reviews, Spend With Pennies, Kaisy Daisy's Corner and Charisma Media

One lucky winner will win

COACH MADISON DOTTED OP ART SMALL WRISTLET

Value $ 48.00

This giveaway will be from:

Jan 15 to Feb. 14, 2013

US Only

18+ years or older.

Good Luck everyone! This wristlet looks absolutely adorable, so you'd really be lucky to have it.

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NYSavingSpecials and Great Products! Great Reviews! are not responsible for prizes.  Every entry on this giveaways is optional.

Infantino GO GaGa Twist & Fold Gym Giveaway

Baby will twist and shout for this new take on a classic design. Our super soft activity gym is filled with fun features and plush play pals. It’s the perfect take-along for big adventures or for turning little spaces into big fun!

I have to say this is one of the best play mats I have ever owned. It's full of vibrant colors, 

patterns and fun little toys to keep baby entertained. 

The blanket is very plush! Some play mats have very thin blanketing which can be very uncomfortable for baby especially if you have wood floors. The Infantino Go Gaga Deluxe Twist & Fold play mat is perfect for hard wood floors. 

There are six items included to keep baby entertained. A mobile that plays music when you wind it, a lion, giraffe,monkey, tummy time pillow and a mirror so your little one can look at themselves. 

Infantino didn't name it twist & fold for a reason. It very easy to fold in two steps and store away just 

by twisting the orange tab on top and pull and wala! It's as easy as that!

I love that the Infantino Go Gaga Twist & Fold Gym can grow with your baby!

From Birth up you can use it as an overhead discovery then tummy time and when your child it old enough to sit on their own it becomes a sit & play mat!

I would highly recommend this to a family and friend!

Wait there is more!! I'm giving one away to one of my lucky readers!!!
Enter Below! Good Luck! Perfect for those with or having babies!

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Coddlelife Giveaway

Parents these days are more and more concerned with what they put in their baby's mouth. I get it, I am a mom and would never want harmful toxins going into my baby. 

Coddlelife makes a range of feeding products specifically designed to keep your baby safe from toxins, reduction of colic, burping, spitting up, ear infections and our favorite...Gas. Coddlelife bottles have a unique venting nipple system designed to prevent all those things listed that can make your baby fussy.

The Coddlelife bottles are designed to be longer and encourages a baby's lips to flange widely . It enables a wide open latch to prevent nipple confusions. 

Another bottle that I love that they make is the same process but it's a glass bottle. 

The glass is ink free which makes it safe for baby to use. It's non-toxic, BPA, PVC, Lead & 

Phthalates free and made of FDA approved food grade silicone.

You can also purchase silicone covers for the glass bottles to protect from breakage

We tested these bottles on a 2 week old baby who is strictly breastfed. She had no problem at all taking from the bottle. There was no confusion and her colic seemed to have settled down. The bottles are made very well with no leakage and does the job they were intended to do.

All bottles are Microwave, Sterilizer and dishwasher safe. I love to use the Coddlelife 

Bloem Drying rack after hand washing my bottles. Saves energy!

What's even better! 

I would recommend these to friends and family.

Want to win A BPA Free Bottle & the drying rack!
Enter Below
Good luck everyone! It'll really be perfect for a friend or family member that's having a baby.
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Lucia Grandi Book Tour Giveaway

The Tale of Lucia Grandi

When an old woman is asked to tell the story of her life, she tells an intense and poignant tale about growing up in and surviving a warring suburban family during the 1950s and '60s. Written as a memoir, each chapter describes a particular incident in Lucia's life which shows the constant struggle between her parents and the perverse effect it has on her and her family. From her complicated and unwanted birth, to her witnessing a suicide at age 3, to her stint as a runaway at age 14, the story progresses to the final crisis where as a young woman she is turned out of her house and banished from her family forever. Told in breathtakingly beautiful prose, this is a powerful and timeless story of a dying woman's courageous attempt to come to terms with her past and the troubled family that dominated it.

Purchase The Tale of Lucia Grandi: The Early Years Kindle | Paperback | Barnes & Noble

About Susan Speranza

ONCE UPON A TIME... ...I was born in New York City and grew up on Long Island where I had an interesting and creative childhood. Once in college, I studied Psychology and Philosophy, but since "thinking" didn't translate into earning money or job security, I worked at a variety of different and unrelated jobs both in New York City and on Long Island. In order to keep me sane through all the craziness of life, I spent my spare time writing. Anything and everything. The culmination of this was a fantasy - The City of Light - which has recently been reissued as an ebook. I took up the hobby of dog showing and breeding and produced many Pekingese Champions. You can see them over at our Castlerigg Pekingese website. Somewhere in the middle of my life so far, after a great personal upheaval, I went back to school, became a High School Librarian. I managed to fulfill my childhood dream of living in the country when I finally escaped suburbia and moved to Vermont where I now happily live with my beautiful Pekes. But I've never stopped writing. My biography (as with my life, I hope) is to be continued... Follow Susan Speranza Website | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads Follow the Tour! -->Tour Prize -$50 Amazon GC & 5 Autographed copies Fill out the form below to enter

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