Helpful tips

DID YOU KNOW?

No strings on your bananas
Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to
pick the little "stringy things" off of it. That's how the primates do it.

Ripen Bananas faster (without a paper bag)
Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store.
If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster

Avoid Moldy Cheese
Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil.
It will stay fresh much longer and not mold!

Interpreting Peppers
Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating.
Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking.

Reduce Grease in beef
Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef.
It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking.

Scrambled Eggs
To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of
spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up. For PERFECT

Mint Brownies
For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints
in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting.

When to add garlic
Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste
of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic.

Leftover Halloween Candy
Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply
chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them
in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350
for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yummm!


Reheat Pizza
Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low
and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on
the cooking channel and it really works.

Easy Deviled Eggs
Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.

Expanding Frosting
When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer
for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes
with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving.

Reheating refrigerated bread
To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in
a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food
moist and help it reheat faster.

Newspaper weeds away
Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers,
put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and for-
get about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not
get through wet newspapers.

Broken Glass
Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily.

No More Mosquitoes
Place a dryer sheet in your pocket.
It will keep the mosquitoes away.

Squirrel Away!
To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper.
The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it.

Flexible vacuum
To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel
roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings.

Reducing Static Cling
Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt
or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose.
Place pin in seam of slacks and ... ta da! ... static is gone.


Measuring Cups
Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water.
Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such
as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out.

Foggy Windshield?
Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of
your car . When the window s fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Reopening envelope
If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside,
just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals
easily.

Conditioner
Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and
leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you
bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair.

Goodbye Fruit Flies
To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2" with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever!

Get Rid of Ants
Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it "home," can't
digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed!

INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS
The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the
house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the
dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material ... I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well ...the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box ... well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at least every six months.He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share!


Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran
through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it .... the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about!

Halloween brings the Cook Fall Festival... A time when we get ALL of the kids together and do fun things. It used to be the pumpkin patch, but that gets expensive and if everyone brought a fun thing to do and some food, it's cheaper and more fun to do it ourselves!!

Here are this year's pics.



link to full size. http://picasaweb.google.com/greatmommaeli/CookFallFestival1008#

More think nuggets..

Homework helper:http://www.mark-my-time.com/ A bookmark WITH a TIMER!! AND another version which is a timer, a bookmark AND a metronome!

Bookmark these safe search sites for your online children..

http://www.kidskonnect.com for a directory of smart and fun websites created by educators

http://www.infoplease.com is on anline almanac, encyclopedia and dictionary that also includes daily breaking news

http://www.thinkquest.org/library yields a collection of more than 6,000 websites created by students FOR students

Shopping:
Farmers markets... Enter your zipcode here to find a local food source: http://www.localharvest.org


Lunchbox Help For tips on packing green lunches.. http://www.wastefreelunches.org

Sightseeing Sites from Family Friendly websources
Http://www.roadsideamerica.com Weird and wonderful tourist attractions

America's Byways http://www.byways.org Government site with photos, maps and details of the most scenic and legendary drives in the country

We just got back... http://www.wejustgotback.com Top roadtrip destinations from families that just got back from!

Service Projects Our girl scout troop has been looking for a big service project for our bronze award. Here are some ideas..

My Stuff Bags - http://www.mystuffbags.org Children rescued from their homes due to neglect and abuse, or who arrive in shelters often have nothing of their own. This bag is full of things that give them something to hold on to, for hope and comfort.

Shape & Weight motivator http://www.weightview.com lets you view yourself up to 20 pounds lighter. Upload an image indicate how many pounds to take off then they email you the "new you".

Money Diet
Price Police http://www.priceprotectr.com watches more than 50 retailers and sends you an email when a price plunges. Many retailers will refund the difference if it goes down in a certain amount of time

Keira 8-22-08

Keira has finally hit her word explosion. It's SO dear and I wish I could just bottle it up.

She waves hello, goodbye, and come on. It always looks the same, like she's grabbing something, except the angle of her hand changes.

She can now say, Gaagaa (Diego) Kiikeee (Cookie Monster) Melmo (Elmo) mama, dada, papa, nana, BenBen, DEeeeee (Dora) WUH! (Woof - dog) Moe (Moo - cow) Boooo (Blue from Blue's Clues, or Boots from Dora) PAH (Pacifier) EAT (hungry or thirsty) OP (Hop) CAAAH CAAAH CAAAH (Climb climb climb!) Huuuuuuh (Hugs)

Most of the other things she said are just sounds. They're consistant, but mostly no consonents. A LOT of ups and downs in her tones, but mostly vowels.

She's getting territorial with her toys. If Ben has one, she'll get it from him, and he gets a different one, and she then takes that.

We watched Barney for about 10 minutes yesterday. She liked the songs, but soon tired and requested Blue's Clues

Currently she's playing alot with thing called Learn Through Music. It's VERY loud.

We went to the zoo recently and her fascination with cows, is only with cows. She saw the donkeys, the horses, the goats, the pigs. They were all fine, but when we visited the cows, she FLIPPED OUT! Running up to them, mooing to them, her eyes were big as saucers. It was adorable to watch.

We did the Little Hands on the Farm where you do little chores like gather an egg from a chicken, and pick an apple. She would do it, but wanted LOTS of them in her basket. Then at the end where you put them in the market bins to earn your money, she did the reverse and started raiding the bins lol.

The fresh water exhibit was a big hit with her. She ran and put her head in the fountain first thing! Got soaking wet, which was fine because I had extra clothes and well it was dag gone HOT!

These days, the kids are back in school. She sleeps in til about 8:30, then amuses herself playing with her toys. Then we eat and get her dressed. She'll play a little more, allowing me to do chores or work on the pc, but then she gets me MY shoes, and puts on her own shoes and drags me to the door.

I try to give her little things to do to stall, like turn the tv off, or pick up your toys, or take your cup to the sink. She runs and does these chores with no back talk or stalling (how refreshing!!) and then we go to Nana's. She usually falls asleep as we get there, but LOVES to play with the kids.

She is such a dear heart, and I can't imagine her not being here.

August 20, 2008

Got up today and did laundry, dishes, made hummingbird food, and vanilla flavoring (for my creamer)

I'm sad, I just found out that the hummingbirds will be leaving soon. I welcome them each morning.

This week dh trimmed a tree in front, so I cut it up and put it in a bag so the garbage guy would take it. Also gave the finches the last of the thistle seed...

Looking for something to sell at the school bazaar. What seems to work nicely is things that kids can MAKE or DO there, that cost up to $20. They always have a pottery wheel, and ceramics that you can paint. I was thinking pillow cases and fabric markers, or cooking aprons. Maybe even tote bags. Something that doesn't come in sizes. Also thought about marshmallow shooters as I've heard they do very well at bazaars, but they're pretty hard to get them to work.. They were a fun day though lol.

Also... looking for a handout here. My sister who makes it on just about NO money is asking me to give my niece, maybe 2 nieces piano lessons. I'd LOVE to. I've looked and can't really find any piano lesson books. Does anyone have any beginner books hanging around not being used? They can be written in and it doesn't matter how old they are. I have a 2nd book, but really need a beginner book. My book is probably 40 years old lol. I just want to show her the basics. She plays ALL of the time (sort of like I did) sounding stuff out and repeating endlessly..

Ben's got a pb&j, tortilla chips, and graham crackers for lunch :eyeroll:

Today I'm going to get a quote on windows at my mom's. Looks like it will be around $500. HAS to be done.

Anyone putting out Mums?

Ben rides a bike

Here are the photos documenting Ben's first day riding a bike.

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Homemade recipes

Lynette's Homemade Chocolate Syrup

1/2 cup cocoa, packed
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon butter

In a heavy bottomed saucepan, mix the cocoa and water with a whisk; add sugar and dissolve. Over medium-high heat bring mixture to a boil and continue soft boil about 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; add salt, vanilla and butter. Stir to combine then let sit until cool. Store in refrigerator. This makes thin, but delicious syrup.

Lynette's Coffee Vanilla Creamer

1 cup sugar
1 cup water
1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups half and half (or 1 cup half and half and 1 cup milk)

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat combine sugar and water. Bring mixture to a boil and let sugar dissolve, stirring occasionally. Let mixture boil about a minute, then remove from heat. Add in vanilla extract and let mixture cool completely. When the syrup is cool then add to half and half and store in the refrigerator

Tam K's Frappachino
¾ cup double strength coffee (preferably Starbucks Espresso brand)
1 cup low fat milk
1/3 cup Hersheys Chocolate Syrup
3 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
2 Cups Ice
Make double strength coffee by brewing with twice the coffee required by your coffee maker. That should be 2 tablespoons of ground coffee per each cup of coffee. Chill before using. ****I made 2 cups of double strength coffee and measured 1.5 cups in a pitcher. I added the sugar and stirred it in, then added the milk. I put the picther in the fridge and kept it for two days. I made drinks on Saturday and then again on Sunday. YUMMY!! ****

To make the drinks combine cold coffee mix, 1/3 cup chocolate syrup and ice in a blender. Pour drinks into 2-16 ounce glasses. Garnish with whipped cream, and drizzle of chocolate

Leeanna's Easy Corn Dogs

1 package of corn bread mix (Jiffy)
make the mix according to the package directions
2-3 hot dogs
slice them to a size that is good for the kids and mix with corn bread mix. Spray a muffin pan and place corn bread mix into pan till 1/2 full. bake 20 minutes. Add in as you wish, cheese or green chili or kernel corn or chili powder. There is a ton of things.

Jeana's Banana Bread
Ingredients
3 overripe bananas
1cup sugar
1 egg
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 ½ cup flour

Instructions
Mix butter and sugar together until light yellow. Mix in egg. Add in smashed up bananas. Add in dry ingredients until batter is relatively uniform. Pour into greased loaf pan.

Bake at 325 degrees for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick stuck in the center comes out clean.

Variations:
Add 1 T dried orange peel and a little bit or orange juice for orange banana bread (may need to bake longer)
Add nuts or chocolate chips
Add coconut or banana rum. Bread will need to cook a bit longer

For Pumpkin bread:
Substitute 1 cup of pumpkin for bananas. Add 1 tsp vanilla, ½ tsp nutmeg, and 1 tsp cinnamon.

To make Muffins:
Make recipe as above, divide into 12 muffin cups, and bake at 325 for 25 minutes.

Nearly any fruit or veggie can be substituted for the bananas. Try grated carrot and zucchini or sweet potato and dried cranberries.

Healthier version:
Substitute ¼ cup applesauce for the margarine. Reduce sugar to ¾ cups.




Lynette's Chewy Granola Bars

Ingredients
3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 cup Rice Krispies
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
2/3 cup butter, melted
1 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1-2 cups miniature semisweet chocolate chips, Craisins, raisins, nuts, or a combination

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Lightly grease 9x13- inch pan.

In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, Rice Krispies, wheat flour, baking soda, salt and cinnamon. Add melted butter, honey and vanilla. Stir in 1-2 cups chocolate chips, raisins, etc.

Firmly press mixture into the pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for about 18 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes then cut into 18 bars. Let bars cool completely in pan before removing



Home Made Baby Wipes!You will need:Container with seal air tight lid1/2 roll of Bounty paper towels1 Tablespoons of baby oil2 Tablespoons of baby bath2 Cups of waterInstructions:Cut the roll of paper towels in half. Remove cardboard center. Mix liquid ingredients, pour on top of paper towels, and pull first towel up.Each roll of towels makes 2 containers of wipes.Bounty towels seem to work best. If you let the wipes sit a while, they will absorb the liquid.I use the ones where you can pick the size, then you don't have to cut the roll, and I just rip them at the seam and layer them! I also don't use Bounty I use Coronet they work just as good!If I use the whole paper towels I ripe them off the roll one at a time and then cut them in half! It takes a little more time, but when I have a little extra time a do a few rolls at a time and put them in a gallon baggie till I am ready to pour the liquid over them!

Household cleaning wipes:
I use the 1/2 roll of bounty and make my own cleaning wipes. I use 1 1/2 cups water and 1/2 cup of vinegar and some essential oil.

Other people rather put some Mr. Clean and water in with the wipes.

Taco Seasoning:
TACO SEASONING MIX2 teaspoons minced dried onion1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon chili powder1/2 teaspoon ground cumin1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper1/2 teaspoon dried minced garlic1/2 teaspoon cornstarch1/4 teaspoon dried oregano leavesCombine and store in foil package or plastic bag. use as you would a commercially prepared mix.

Laundry Soap recipe is 1 bar ivory, 1 cup borax and 1cup super washing soda. I use my food processor and grate the ivory and then add the rest. I can make a double batch in my 8 cup FP. This is stores perfectly in the Oxyclean tub (with handle) and I use their scoop about 3/4 of the way full. Dishwashing deterent is 1:1 borax to baking soda I think--might be superwashing soda. You can use vinegar as a rinse agent in both the DW and the washing machine.

Here are also some recipes for PEDIALYTE
Here Are A few Differant Ones Take Your Pick!
PEDIALYTE SUBSTITUTE1/2 tsp. table salt, 1/4 tsp. salt substitute, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 2 T. granulated sugar
Mix all in 1 liter of boiled water.Feed 1 liter daily to supplement the regular nutrition of a baby six months or older with severe diarrhea.Homemade Electrolyte SolutionHere is a recipe for homemade Pedialyte. It is very important for babies and children not to become dehydrated when they're sick! Use instead of juice or milk for diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.

This will not aggravate a sick tummy.
2 quarts water, 1-teaspoon baking soda, 1-teaspoon salt, 7 Tablespoons sugar, 1 packet Sugar-Free Kool-Aid, 1/2-teaspoon salt substitute, The salt substitute and Kool-Aid are optional. Store in the refrigerator. Be creative; use your special Kool-Aid to make ice cubes so it will stay cool in their bottle or sippy-cup. Or, insert toothpicks into your ice cubes before freezing and make homemade popsicles.

Homemade Pedialyte
1/2 c. dry infant rice cereal, 2 c. water, 1/4 tsp. salt
You can add a partial packet of presweetened Kool-Aid or a couple tablespoons of honey.

Homemade Pedialyte
3 cups boiling water, 1 tablespoon clear Karo Syrup, Pinch baking soda, 1 teaspoon lemon juice Mix thoroughly.

Pedialyte Substitute
1/2 tsp. table salt, 1/4 tsp. salt substitute, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 2 tbsp. granulated white sugar or honey.
Mix all in 1 liter of boiled water.I know this last one is like the frist one, but it states that you could also use honey instead of sugar! ENJOY!JUST MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GIVE HONEY TO A BABY UNDER ONE YEAR OLD


Scones
Make pancake batter, then add another scoop (1 cup)of baking mix and a tablespoon of sugar and whatever "filling" like blueberries or chocolate chips. Put it on a stone with a bit of baking mix under it and knead it TEN times. Don't over work it. Make it a BIG BALL, then flatten it. Cut it into 6 servings (or smaller if you wish) like you're cutting a pizza. Don't separate them. Bake them at I think it's 400 for 10-12minutes or til it's golden.

If you're more into exact amounts, here is a guideline:
3 c. Bisquick
2 tbsp. sugar
1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries
1/4 c. milk
2 eggs


MASTER BAKING MIX:(BISQUICK)9 cups all-poupose flour, 1/4 cup baking powder, 1&1/2 cups shortening, 1 TBSP Salt
1. Mix ingredients in a large bowl.2. Cut in shortening with 2 knives or pastry blender until mixture looks like bread crumbs.3. Store in a clean, tightly covered container in refrigerator.Use within 3 months.

BISCUiTS:Makes 15 to 20
3 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick), 2/3 to1 cup Milk, Mix until blended. Knead 10 times. Use ungreased pan. You can use a biscuit cuter or you can do the drop by spoon full kind!Bake in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes.

Biscuits:3 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick), 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 to 2/3 cup Milk, 1/4 cup melted margarine, cooled.
Blend all ingredients. Knead 10 times. Pat on a baking pan to 3/4" thick. Bake in a 450 degree oven until golden brown. Cut into squares with floured knife!

Muffins:Makes 12
3 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick), 2 TBSP Sugar, 1 cup Milk, 2 eggs. Mix all ingredients together until ingredients are moistened. Pour into a greased or lined with liners muffin pan. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 20 minutes.

Griddle Cakes:Makes around 18
3 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick), 1&1/2 cups Milk, 2 Eggs. Mix until well blended. Pour onto a hot pancake griddle or fry pan, and cook till golden brown.

Gingerbread:
2 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick), 4 TBSP Sugar, 1/2 cup Milk, 2 Eggs, 1/2 cup Molasses, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/2 tsp ginger.
Mix dry ingredients in a bowl and set aside. In seperate bowl mix wet ingredients. Add halfof the liquid ingredients; beat 2 minutes. Add the rest of the liquid ingredients: beat 1 minute then pour the mixture into a greased 8" by 8" baking pan, and bake in a 350 degree over for 40 minutes.

Coffee Cake:
3 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick), 1/2 cup Sugar, 2/3 cup Milk, 2 Eggs
For Topping:1/2 cup Brown Sugar, 3 TBSP Butter, 1/2 tsp Cinnamon.
Mix all the ingreadients for the cake together until well blended. Pour into a greased 8" by 8" baking pan. Mix all the ingredients for the topping together until crumbly. Crumble topping over batter and bake in a 400 degree oven for 25 minutes.

Oatmeal Cookies
3 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick), 1 cup Sugar, 1/2 cup Milk, 2 Eggs, 1 tsp Cinnamon, 1 cup Quick-Rolled Oats
Mix all ingredients together until well blended. Drop by teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Peanut Butter Cookies:3 cup Master Baking Mix(Bisquick)1 cup Sugar1/3 cup Milk2 Eggs1/2 cup Peanut Butter1 tsp VanillaMis all ingredients together until well blended. Drop by teaspoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Flatten with fork. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.

Yellow Cake:(2 Layer)3 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick)1 cup Sugar1 cup Milk3 Eggs1 tsp vanillaMix dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. In another mix together all of the liquid ingredients togerter. Add 2/3 of the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients: beat 2 minutes. Add the rest of the liquid ingredients and beat 2 more minutes. Pour into greased baking pans or make it one big layer and pour into greased baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.

Chocolate Cake(2 Layers)3 cups Master Baking Mix(Bisquick)1 cup Sugar1 cup Milk3 Eggs1 tsp Vanilla1/2 cup CocoaMix dry ingredients together in a bowl and set aside. In another mix together all of the liquid ingredients togerter. Add 2/3 of the liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients: beat 2 minutes. Add the rest of the liquid ingredients and beat 2 more minutes. Pour into greased baking pans or make it one big layer and pour into greased baking pan. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 25 minutes.I have not tried all of these recipes, but the ones that I have tried were very YUMMY, and VERY EASY! ENJOY

Following taken from www.thefamilyhomestead.com/

Homemade Household Cleaners

There is a lot of reasons why making your own household cleaners is a good idea. I have read a lot of information on the dangers of common store bought cleaners. The list of dangers seems to encompass everything from breathing toxic fumes, the harmful effects of the cleaners on your skin to some cleaners being carcinogenic. Aside from the health concerns there is also a financial consideration. Cleaners can be quite an expense on the budget. If you purchase a separate cleaner for everything from wiping down counters to cleaning floors, polishing and dusting, tub cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and the list goes on, this is a fairly large slice of the family’s budget.

You can make many of your own household cleaners utilizing some very basic and common ingredients. This does not have to take a lot of your time with mixing and making. Sometimes it is just a matter of a change in habit. A friend of mine once recommended using baking soda and Dawn detergent to cleaning the bath tub. No pre-mixing, simply sprinkle the baking soda on your tub and squirt some Dawn detergent and start scrubbing! I tried and it worked so well! Much better than many of the products I have used in the past and it does not scratch surfaces. Change of habits and a few extra minutes will usually be all that is required to make your cleaners.

There are some household cleaners that are basic simple recipes. Most you make up right in the spray bottle. If your cleaning shelves become stocked with the basic ingredients than putting them in the spray bottle takes close to the same amount of time as pouring the chemical laden store-bought cleaners right into the bottle.




If you are wondering what this list of “basic ingredients” are, I will show you:

Baking Soda

Vinegar

Rubbing Alcohol

Washing Soda (can be found near laundry detergent in most stores)

Borax (also near the laundry section)

Mild Dish Detergent

How do you use these ingredient to clean you house, you may be wondering? Let’s go through a breakdown of “types” of cleaners that you can create with the above ingredients.

Floor Cleaners

Homemade Floor Cleaner

1 cup white vinegar

1 gallon warm water

Mix in your cleaning bucket and use this to clean vinyl type floors.



Wood Floor Cleaner

½ cup vinegar

1 gallon water

The most important thing to keep in mind while cleaning wood floors is that they can not get overly wet. When you use the above mixture, dip your sponge mop into the solution and squeeze until almost dry. Then mop. Never put the cleaner directly on the floor. Dry any streaked or wet area with a clean towel as you go along the floor.



All Purpose Cleaners

I like to make a large batch of my favorite household cleaner. I make this in a gallon size container and fill spray bottles as I need it.

My Homemade Cleaner

Crystal Miller

In a clean, empty gallon milk jug put:

2 Tablespoons ammonia

1 teaspoon dish detergent

1 pint (2 cups) rubbing alcohol

4 drops food coloring – optional

a few drops of your favorite essential oil for a nice fresh scent, I use Orange

Fill the rest of the gallon jug with hot water. Pour into spray container to use.



Here is a cleaner you make right in your spray bottle:

All-Purpose Cleaner

2T vinegar

1 t Borax

Hot water

a few drops of a mild dish detergent

10 drops of essential oil, optional

In a 16 spray bottle put vinegar, borax and hot water. Swish around until borax has dissolved. Add the drops of dish detergent and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Add the essential oil (I like using orange or lavender).



All Purpose Cleaner in a Bucket (for big jobs like walls)

½ cup ammonia

¼ cup vinegar

¼ cup baking soda

Mix the above ingredients with 1 gallon of warm water and use for basic cleaning jobs around the home. Double the above ingredients for cleaning shower walls or other extra heavy duty areas.



Soft Scrubbing Type Cleaners

Here is one of my favorites for cleaning counter tops, sinks or any area that needs some scrubbing without the worry of scratching the surface.

Homemade “soft scrub” Type Cleaner

There are no measurements necessary for this one. Simply put a small amount of baking soda in a bowl and add liquid dish detergent until you have smooth paste or frosting like substance. This very well on sinks and counters and won’t scratch the surface.



Window Cleaner

Homemade Window Cleaner

This one can be made right in your spray bottle.

½ t mild dish detergent

3T vinegar

2 cups water

Put all these ingredients into a spray bottle. Shake this up some and use it just like the commercial variety.



Homemade Window Cleaner #2

3T Ammonia

1T vinegar

Put in spray bottle and fill the rest of the way up with water.



Commet Type Scrub Powders

This is an easy one. You can use baking soda! Sprinkle on sinks, counters or anywhere you need to get rid of build up or stains. Dampen slightly and scrub with a soft cloth to prevent scratching.







****A word of caution on making homemade cleaners: never mix bleach with any type of acid such as ammonia or vinegar. It will cause toxic fumes that are very dangerous.

Living within your means

Many people think this is a given, but it isn't. Not everyone knows how to do this, or even wants to. It's become SO easy to get whatever we want, whenever we want, that we don't always think of the consequences.

In Kiplinger.com, there is an article written by a 20-something. It's refreshing to see that she "gets it". http://www.kiplinger.com/features/archives/2008/02/savemoney.html

Dave Ramsey http://www.Daveramsey.com "gets it". BUT he didn't understand it til he got "rich" and then lost it all. His is one of the best plans for beginners I think. Really I think EVERY highschooler should have to go through his course.

When we live with our parents, we get accustomed to THEIR standard of living, and when we go out on our own, we feel THIS is reality, THIS is what we "deserve". But it's not true. Even when you earn a LOT of money, you must still be responsible with it.

The BIGGEST lesson is learning the difference between WANTS and NEEDS.

NEEDS are

Shelter, food,... can't think of much else.. And even THOSE have different degrees of needs and wants.

WANTS are everything else.

We don't NEED a cellphone, or a big screen tv, or a fancy new car, a new computer with high speed internet. Without these things, our lives wouldn't grind to a halt..

Ways to cut down on expenses and cash outflow

I'm thinking about gathering all of the $$ savers I can find and categorizing them. I went to lowermybills.com yesterday and they have info on different providers, but not so much... "what I can do"

Most of the places I found last night were articles written for publications or news sites and said things like,

Kiplinger's site...

(I'll take things off MY list if they're on one of the lists I find. The indented "s are my additions to the article )

Save Money on Utilities
Here are 15 quick, cheap and easy ways to cut your electricity, heat and water use while also cutting your expenses by hundreds of dollars.
February 21, 2008

Keeping your home comfortable year round can put the squeeze on your budget. Consumers spend 6% to 12% of their income on utilities, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
We have 15 quick, cheap and easy ways to cut your electricity, heat and water use while also cutting your expenses by hundreds of dollars.

We've laid out our list in text format below, or you can check them out in our slide show. Plus, you can share your favorite ways to save in our reader comment box at the end of this article.

TAKE A FLIER ON FLUORESCENTS Compact fluorescent bulbs represent one of the brightest ideas for cooling your electric bill. (Not every CFL produces a warm, candlelight glow. To achieve that effect, look for one with a Kelvin temperature of 2,600 to 3,000.)Don't let the price of CFLs -- as much as $7 each -- turn you off. The lights not only last ten times longer than incandescents but also save up to $60 in electricity per light over their lifetime.

VANQUISH THE VAMPIRES Appliances that include a clock or operate by a remote, as well as chargers, are sucking electricity even when you're not using them. Of the total energy used to run home electronics, 40% is consumed when the appliances are turned off. The obvious way to pull the plug on so-called energy vampires is to do just that -- pull the plug.Or buy a device to do it for you, such as a Smart Power Strip ($31 to $44, at www.smarthomeusa.com), which will stop drawing electricity when the gadgets are off, and pay for itself within a few months.

"unplugging pcs and tv and such at night, I found this article and LOVE some of
the items such as the kill a watt and the Smart Power Strip. http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2006/12/19/25-gadgets-that-actually-save-money/
http://www.smarthomeusa.com/ShopByManufacturer/Bits-Ltd./Item/LCG3/
and http://www.smarthomeusa.com/Shop/Smart-Energy/Item/P4460/
are my favorite. You can get BOTH on Amazon for a great price"

INSULATE YOUR WATER HEATER Is your coffee mug more insulated than your water heater? The newest electric water heaters have plenty of insulation. But if you have one built before 2004, wrap it in an insulating jacket such as a Thermwell blanket ($20; Amazon.com). You'll save 10% -- about $30 -- annually on your water-heating bill.

"Surprised I didn't see this on Kiplinger... but CHECK your ATTIC! The standards
now say 10 inches of insulation is recommended. Most houses that are a few years
old have only a few inches. Other places to insulate and save your money are,
the access door TO the attic, AND the garage door - especially if you have a
room above the garage."

SERVICE THE FURNACE "And central a/c unit!" Have your furnace tuned every two years, and you'll save about 10% on your heating bills.

"Even MORE inportant is regularly cleaning your air filters! One sign that it needs done, is if the cold air return is dirty! Also, don't forget to clean the outside housing of the central air conditioning unit."

TURN DOWN THE HEAT For every degree you lower your home's temperature during the heating season, subtract 5% from your bill, according to the Alliance to Save Energy.An Energy Star programmable thermostat ($70 at www.livingincomfort.com) saves more than twice its price within a year and will adjust the temperature automatically for you when you're away or asleep.

"Or turn UP the temperature for the air conditioner. The warmer you keep your
house, the less the a/c runs. Open the windows at night and let the cool air in.
It also lets some of the musties out."

SET THE WASHER TO COLD Use cold water to wash your clothes and save 50% of the energy you would otherwise use for hot water.Set your dryer on the moisture sensor, not the timer, and cut energy use by 15%.

"Using air dry for dishwasher, hanging clothes on the line, or in the house in the winter, for added humidity"

STOP DRAFTS As your father would say, don't heat or cool the great outdoors. Put weatherstrip around the frames of your front and back doors and save about $30 per year in energy costs.

"I read that a small leak around a window or door is like a BIG leak of a whole in the wall, Just think, a 1/4 inch gap along the bottom of a 3 foot wide door is 9 square inches of open space. If you noticed you had a 3 inch x 3 inch hole in one of your exterior walls ... would you just leave it? "

"Hang big quilts on the wall as a decoration. They ALSO serve as insulation on the wall. Once you get the best windows, you'll notice cold coming in through the actual WALL! There is also something called a "window quilt" which helps hold cold or heat in or keep it out. A sheet of foam from an art store will serve the same purpose. Cut it out to fit your window and put it in the window to block out heat during the day, or to block out cold in the evening.

LOWER YOUR WATER TEMPERATURE Set your water heater at 120 degrees Fahrenheit. If your heater does not have a temperature gauge, dial down until the water feels hot, not scalding.(Before going too low, make sure your dishwasher has a booster heater, which gets the temperature back to 140 degrees, necessary for proper cleaning.)

USE TIMERS ON LIGHTS Install occupancy sensors or timers on lights in areas you use only occasionally and for exterior lights, which tend to get left on during the day.The devices start at $25 per switch at www.homecontrols.com. Anyone with basic wiring skills can install them.

GO LOW-FLOW With a few twists of the wrist, you can save 25% to 60% of the water it takes and 50% of the energy necessary to shower and shampoo you and your family. Install a low-flow shower head, which restricts the water output to no more than 2.5 gallons per minute. The shower heads generally run $10 to $20 a pop (some utility companies give them away) and screw into existing fittings.Older shower heads send as many as 5.5 gallons per minute down the drain. The new fixtures go as low as 1.5 gpm, saving 7,300 gallons and $30 to $100 a year over their 2.5-gpm counterparts.

"Cheaper than getting a new toilet? Put a brick, sealed jar or jug of water in your toilet tank. Doing so displaces water in the tank and causes you to use less. Of course, too little water when you flush can cause problems, so you’ll have to experiment with this one. But be careful… Displacing so much water that you have to flush twice is generally more wasteful than flushing a larger volume once'

"There are ones that take LITTLE pressure and turn it into LOTS of pressure
too!! So low-flow doesn't have to mean "drip" flow. Oh... that is the NEXT tip."

RETROFIT YOUR FAUCETS Consider faucet aerators -- doohickeys that screw into your faucet threading and cut the water flow from 3 to 4 gallons per minute to as little as a half-gallon. As their name suggests, aerators blend water and air, reducing the flow without sacrificing pressure. At 50 cents to $3 apiece, the devices are some of the cheapest green gadgets available.Aerators come in a range of flow rates. A faucet that flows at 1 gpm gets is fine for the bathroom faucet. But for a little more oomph in the kitchen, use an aerator with a flow rate of at least 2 gpm.

PLUG THE LEAKS A leaky faucet wastes as much as 2,700 gallons in a year -- if it doesn't drive you crazy first. So fix it already.Test the toilet for leaks, too. Put a drop of food coloring in the toilet tank. If the color shows up in the bowl, your tank is leaking, and you're wasting up to 200 gallons of water a day.

FILL 'ER UP Run full loads of clothes and dishes. Most of the energy used by dishwashers is to heat a set amount of water, so running smaller loads wastes both energy and water.Air dry dishes for added energy savings.

TAKE CARE WITH YARD CARE Water your outdoor plants in the early morning, before the sun can burn off moisture. And take care not to over-water. Before starting your sprinkler, step on the grass. If the blades spring back, hold off on watering for a day or two. The average lawn needs only one hour of watering a week.Also, raise your mower blades to the 3-inch setting. Shaggy grass holds moisture longer, requiring less watering.

BE A DRIP For gardens, consider installing a drip irrigation system, which maintains moisture in the soil. Drip irrigation can reduce water loss by 50% to 60% when compared with hand-watering or sprinkler systems.A drip system consists of a tube or hose with holes or emitters along it. It uses a timer to deliver water to plants. By maintaining the moisture level of the soil, less water is lost to the sun and the wind.

RE-SHOP YOUR CAR INSURANCE Using a comparison site like http://www.insweb.com/ can help you determine if you've got the best deal. Rates vary widely from insurer to insurer. Your savings could equal hundreds of dollars.Shopping around is especially important for young adults because their rates could drop as they approach age 25 or older, build a credit rating, start a career and get married. Insurers reward customers who are responsible.

"Package insurance policies together (car/house/etc.)"

That's all from Kiplinger... Lots of great tips!

Fans

• Look into an attic fan, or a whole house fan.

Prescriptions!!! See if there is a $4 generic!! And then use the coupons (Free giftcard if you get a new or transferred script)

• generic drugs for $4. Wal-Mart and its warehouse retailer, Sam's Club, started the ball rolling in 2006, offering 30-day supplies of some drugs for just $4. The program has expanded to more than 360 medications. Rival Target has a $4-drug program that includes 315 medications; Walgreens offers 90-day supplies of some 300 generics for $12.99. Costco jumped on the $4 bandwagon early on, but it dropped that approach and switched to a program of 100 pills for $10 because of lost revenue. One regional grocery chain, Giant Eagle, now offers 400 generic drugs for $4. Meijer, another regional chain, offers seven common antibiotics free. Missing in action? Big names CVS and Rite Aid. CVS WILL match if you ask them to, sometimes..
• If there isn't a generic, look into the mailorder feature of your prescription plan. Many times you get 3 months worth of meds for a 2 month copay.
• Another option is, if you have a low income and no prescription insurance... contact the manufacturer of the med directly and see if they have a special program for you.

FSA - Flexible Spending Account

• Take advantage of a flexible spending account (FSA) to cover health-related expenses that aren't paid for by insurance. Doing so not only adds more bang for your buck but also lowers your taxable income. By funneling money from your salary into an FSA, you'll lower your federal income and Social Security taxes; if your state levies income taxes, you'll lower those, too. Putting in, say, $3,000 to pay out-of-pocket medical costs could save you more than $1,100 (assuming the 25% federal bracket, a 5% state bracket and the 7.65% employee portion of the Social Security and Medicare taxes). Deductibles and co-pays for prescriptions -- and even the cost of over-the-counter cold medicines, antacids and pain relievers -- are eligible.
  
  A little planning is required. You'll need to estimate your expenses for the coming year and direct your employer to withhold that amount. And although FSAs are a use-it-or-lose-it proposition for each plan year, many employers offer a grace period through mid March of the following year during which you can spend the money. Regardless of whether you underestimate your expenses and empty your FSA early, or overestimate your costs and leave a little in your account, the tax savings make flex accounts a good deal.
  
  If you DO have extra in your account, go ahead and get refills on scripts, or over the counter pain relievers/heartburn/cold medicines to use up the money. Or get your eyes checked, new eyeglasses, physicals, etc.
  
  Another thing to consider is, they take the FSA installments out of your paycheck in equal amounts throughout the year, but ALL of the funds are available for use on January 1. SO if you have a medical procedure that won't be covered by insurance, or that will have a high out of pocket for yourself, consider waiting til Jan 1st to have it done, after signing up for FSA for the amount you will need for the year.
  
  Also use FSA wisely for daycare, medical care, and retirement if you can.
  

Banking

• No-interest checking is so old fashioned. Instead, give your money more opportunity to shine with an interest-bearing online checking account through such reputable companies as ING Direct, Everbank, Charles Schwab, and E*Trade. They currently pay between 2.25% and 3.25%.Paying no or little interest/finance charges, getting high interest on savings. They often have incentives for opening an account as well
• Don't pay the BANK to get your money out. Find a grocery store that will let you write a check for cash with no fees, or plan ahead and go through the teller drive through at your branch. You can even use your debit card as a "credit" card for your purchases, getting rid of the need for much cash. Those $1 and $2 charges from the ATM add up!
  -Get money from an ATM that belongs to a surcharge-free network. Allpoint has about 200 participating institutions and 32,000 ATMs. Money Pass has 600 members and 8,000 ATMs.
• At $20 to $30 a pop, overdraft fees and bounced checks can put a damper on your savings efforts. So it literally pays to keep tabs on your spending.If you use a debit card for convenience over your checkbook, jot down all your debit transactions on your checkbook register to make sure you know how much money is in your bank account at all times.

New purchases or bill paying

• If there is no penalty, and no reward for paying in cash now, put the cash in a savings account and take the 4 payments same as cash option. YOU get the interest on your $$. Sometimes there is a discount for paying cash though...

Groceries: Don't buy prepackaged stuff.. watch for sales, coupons, loss leaders, by food within season, but other stuff OUT of season lol. handmedown clothes, or garage sales (Garage sale on a "need" list, not just whatever you see)

Pay your bills online... don't use stamps. I got a comment on this one... Be careful SOME banks charge for this convenience, negating any savings. AND as I've found from my credit union, sometimes they just ADD fees for this out of the blue!! If they do, ask them what way you could do it. Sometimes they will do a money order for free... and will mail it for you. OR you could transfer it to another account that you pay all of your bills from.

• Another option is to call the place and pay it over the phone on your credit card. I do this with all of my doctor bills, hospital bills, etc. They give me a confirmation number over the phone. Then I pay the credit card in full as it comes in.

Miscellaneous:

Foam backers for the outlet and light switch covers, these cost pennies, but stop a lot of drafts!

Turning off circuit breakers (except for fridge) when you go on vacation, so the house isn't using electricity without you.

Calling for better deals on services such as tv or internet (I just saved $20 a month by asking them to check for current promotions that I was eligible for.. I used to do this each month with MCI back in the day)

Contact utility companies and see if they have things like different prices for power or water used in different parts of the day. Budget Billing

If you're going on vacation, look into getting an "Entertainment" book for that area. These books are usually fundraisers for schools and pay for themselves in usually a day.

Phones

• Get a good cell phone plan for all of your long distance. Looking for a CHEAP one? Look at prepaid options. Target has a plan for 10 cents a minute. Virgin Mobile is another cheaper pay as you go plan.
• OR get a prepaid card from somehwere such as Sam's Club. They had the lowest cents per minute for years. Just be careful and see it there is a minimum connect free, or other hidden charges. Unfortunately, pay phones are getting harder to come by, to unless you're at someone's house, it's hard to find phones outside of your home to use these cards at.
• Another option, go with something like Vonage. Telephone through the internet, but you actually talk through a normal phone, NOT through a speaker and headset.
• Yet another option is http://www.skype.com/ A free service to talk to other "skypers" online. You can call landlines for a small fee. This is popular among the international set.
• Watch the package plans.. SOMETIMES they're a savings, sometimes they're not. Like with the cable company, or satellite, or AT&T..

Grow a garden.

Credit cards, use them wisely, or play them wisely. Consider consequences.

• You can save as much as a thousand dollars or more each year in lower credit card interest charges by paying off your entire bill each month.
• If you are unable to pay off a large balance, pay as much as you can and switch to a credit card with a low annual percentage rate (APR). For a modest fee, Cardweb.com (800-344-7714) will send you a list of low-rate cards. You can obtain a list of low-rate cards by accessing "http://cardweb.com/" on the Internet.
• You can reduce credit card fees, which may add up to more than $100 a year, by getting rid of all but one or two cards, and by avoiding late payment and over-the-credit limit fees.
• Once you pay it off, DO NOT CHARGE ON IT AGAIN, unless you can pay it off entirely in ONE month.. IF you can handle the restraint, then get a credit card from a place such as BP (yes, the gas station) or GM, where you get rewards based on your purchase amounts, but no annual fee, and if you pay your balance, then no finance charges. Then consider your rewards as well... If you only buy GM cars then the GM card might be a good idea. BP has been written up time and time again for it's generous rewards program, and you can get your reward back as a CHECK to deposit in your bank account to spend as you wish.

NEVER pay full price.. Craig's list or big trash day, or freecycle.

Mortgages

• Get PMI out of the equation if you can. Go for shorter loan length and save LOTS in interest. Carefully consider adjustable rates.. sometimes they make sense, but NEVER just to lower the payments so you can afford them.

Travel

• Airline Fares
  You may lower the price of a round trip air fare by as much as two-thirds by making certain your trip includes a Saturday evening stay over, and by purchasing the ticket in advance.
  
  To make certain you have a cheap fare, even if you use a travel agent, contact all the airlines that fly where you want to go and ask what the lowest fare to your destination is.
  Be flexible, if possible. Consider using lowfare carriers or alternative airports and keep an eye out for fare wars.
  
• Gas prices
  -Getting gas in the middle of the week before weekend hikes.. And when the temperature is lower, so I suppose in the early morning, or later evening since the vapors expand in your tank.
  -Drive 55, even if the speed limit is higher. The $ you save, may be worth the few minutes you save by driving faster
  - Well inflated tires - this tidbit, I'm told, will add the MOST to your gas mileage.
  - Accelerate slowly. Coast to a stop.
  - Get the cheap gas, but from the better stations... like Shell..
  -Shop around for gas. Gas prices can vary as much as 20% within only a few blocks, according to GasBuddy.com, a price-monitoring site. So hop online to find the best deal in your neighborhood or along your commute route. Don't go out of your way to get the gas and then buy a can of pop though. This will negate your savings.
  
• Entertainment
  -Netflix A nice supplement or even replacement for the month's entertainment
  -Redbox! At $1 for a night, this price can NOT be beat. There are even coupon codes to make the movie free.
  - Oh Redbox can be beat... by the LIBRARY!! Many have dvd's that you can check out for free. Or even books that you can read... or cd's to listen to..
  -Read blogs of money saving people http://www.moneysavingmom.com/2008/03/increasing-your-income-without-getting.html or websites like http://financialplan.about.com/od/savingmoney/Saving_Money.htm
  

Photos, phones and fares

www.farecast.com predicts airfares

www.gutenberg.org Download books LEGALLY for free. Print and audio versions

www.popularitydialer.com - Make your cell phone ring at a certain time, but you can only do it 5 times to the same phone (that call to cut your date short lol)

www.irvingtonhistory.org a website about part of Indianapolis

www.photography.si.edu The Smithsonian's collection of images

www.ohdontforget.com To TEXT people on certain times or dates, birthdays, to remind yourself to mow the lawn.

www.myblackbook.org - an electronic "little black book"

Antispyware: www.komando.com/downloads

Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftuse.com)

spybot - Search & Destroy (www.safer-networking.org)

Spyware Blaster (www.javacoolsoftware.com)

www.theclassconnection.com The electronic "trapperkeeper"

Free classes from MIT
http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/web/home/index.htm

http://streetviewgallery.corank.com Look at your street

http://www.livelink.com/view?i=423_1191345802&p=1 Just cool one.

http://www.smashingmachine.com/2007/10/04/screensavers-best-0f The best screensavers.

http://popurls.com sort of like Googles home page.

http://www.ppcalc.com a Free calculator for Paypal.

What Smart Money won't tell you

I LOVE this column... What $%@#$^%@$ won't tell you... here is their list.

http://www.smartmoney.com/10things/index.cfm

10 Things
10 Things Your Tax Preparer Won't Tell You
By Janet Paskin
Ten ways to make sure your return doesn't get turbo-trashed.
Previous 10 Things Stories

10 Things Reality TV Won't Tell You
By Kedon Willis
Here's a behind-the-scenes look at one of America's guiltiest pleasures.

10 Things Your Personal Trainer Won't Tell You
By Renee DeFranco
We reveal the 10 things you need to know before you break a sweat.

10 Things Your Primary-Care Physician Won't Tell You
By Jim Rendon
We've got 10 things that your primary-care physician won't tell you.

10 Things the DMV Won't Tell You
By Kirsten Vala
If you think long lines and sullen clerks are the DMV's only problems, think again.

10 Things Major League Baseball Won't Tell You
By Barry Petchesky
All the record breakers in the world couldn't fix what's wrong with baseball.
September 7, 2007

10 Things Campus Security Won't Tell You
July 31, 2007

10 Things Your Exterminator Won't Tell You
June 22, 2007

10 Things Your Bartender Won't Tell You
May 14, 2007

10 Things Your Wedding Planner Won't Tell You
April 26, 2007

10 Things Your Plastic Surgeon Won't Tell You
March 22, 2007

10 Things Your Restaurant Won't Tell You
February 22, 2007

10 Things Your Blogger Won't Tell You
January 18, 2007

10 Things Your Florist Won't Tell You
December 11, 2006

10 Things Your Fitness Club Won't Tell You
November 14, 2006

10 Things Your 401(k) Provider Won't Tell You
October 11, 2006

What Your Congressman Won't Tell You
September 12, 2006

10 Things Your Hospital Won't Tell You

Best Time to Buy things..

Below are clips from different sources helping you to time your purchases.

Here is a similar article in bankrate.com http://www.bankrate.com/dls/news/cheap/20040319b1.asp The article is in full at the bottom..

From Smart Money:

AT 50 CENTS a roll — instead of the regular retail price of $4 — buying wrapping paper after New Year's is an easy way to save. The same holds true for buying half-price inflatable pool loungers and patio furniture after Labor Day weekend.

In fact, bargain lovers know that there's a smart time to buy just about anything. For example, those looking for a great deal on a car should shop on weekday mornings in September.

Groceries are cheapest on Sunday evenings.

We talked to the experts, and found the best time to buy everything from wine to wedding dresses.

Airplane Tickets
When to buy: On a Wednesday, 21 days (or a couple of days earlier) before your flight.
Why: Airlines make major pricing changes (and run fare sales) every week, typically on Tuesday evenings and Wednesday mornings. About 21 days out from your flight, you'll see plenty of deals out there as airlines scramble to fill seats, says Anne Banas, executive editor of SmarterTravel.com, a consumer travel advice Web site. Don't wait much longer, she cautions; prices jump significantly from 14 to seven days ahead of departure.

Appliances
When to buy: During a holiday weekend.
Why: You'll find sales on select models all year long, but retailers bring out the big guns for holiday weekends, says Carolyn Forte, homecare director for the Good Housekeeping Institute. But don't worry about spending your Fourth of July and Labor Day weekends shopping for a new fridge — smaller holidays like Columbus Day and President's Day have their share of sales, too.

Baby Clothes
When to buy: During your pregnancy.
Why: Once you know your due date, keep an eye out for end-of-season clearances, recommends Alan Fields, co-author of "Baby Bargains." "If you're [newly] pregnant now, you know you'll be having a baby next summer," he says. "Well, right now, stores are closing out all the summer clothes." You can pick up newborn essentials like onesies for less than half price. (For more ways to save, see our column Oh Baby!)

Broadway Tickets:
When to buy: Hours before the curtain rises.
Why: How does a $25 front-row seat to the smash musical "Wicked" sound? Several musicals offer same-day ticket lotteries that offer up orchestra seats at inexpensive prices. If you'd rather not gamble on getting a seat, wait in line at the famous TKTS booth in Times Square. There, you can get tickets for hit musicals for up to 50% off. On a recent night, prime seats were available for "Hairspray," "Rent," "Sweeney Todd" and "Beauty & the Beast." (For the right times to drop by TKTS, and other ways to save, see our column A Midsummer Night's Dream.)

Cars
When to buy: Weekday mornings in September.
Why: By September, all the next year's models have arrived at the lot, and dealers are desperate to get rid of the current year's leftovers, says Phil Reed, consumer advice editor for Edmunds.com. It's the prime time of year for incentives and sales, not to mention bargaining. "Any car that's been on the lot for a long time loses its value in the eyes of the car salesman," he says.

Heading to the dealership on a weekday morning also helps because there's low foot traffic, meaning you'll have ample time to negotiate and fewer people trying to buy the same car. The more demand, the less willing a salesman is to go down on price, says Reed. (For more, see our column Summer Car Savings.)

Champagne
When to buy: December
Why: Most people assume that because everyone wants a good bottle of Champagne for New Year's Eve that prices go up during the holidays, says Sharon Castillo, director of the Office of Champagne, USA, which represents the trade association of growers in the Champagne region. But due to fierce competition among the Champagne houses, prices are actually lower during the holidays than they are at any other time of year. (For more on picking the right bottle, see our column Break Out the Bubbly.)

Clothing
When to buy: Thursday evenings, six to eight weeks after an item arrives in stores.
Why: After an item lingers in stores a month or more, retailers start dropping its price to get it out the door, says Kathryn Finney, author of "How to Be a Budget Fashionista." These season-end clearances tend to be the same month that designers host fashion weeks (February and September) to preview the next fall or spring collections. So smart buyers can check the catwalk to see if any of this season's trends — say, leggings or military-style jackets — will still be hot next year, and then scoop them up on clearance.

Hitting the mall on a weekday ensures you'll get a good selection. "On the weekend, you'll only get picked-over stuff because the stores don't have time to restock," she says. By Thursday, most of the weekend sales have begun, but everything available is on the floor.

Computers and electronics
When to buy: Just after a new model is launched.
Why: When the latest and greatest of a product is released, you'll often see prices drop on what had previously been the best thing out there, says Tom Merritt, executive editor for CNET, an electronics review web site. Case in point: When Apple released the Nano last September, prices for the now-discontinued Mini dropped 12%, from $199 for a 4GB to about $175. So keep your eyes open for announcements from major manufacturers. Want a little less work? Time your purchases for after big annual technology show like MacWorld (next held Jan. 8-12, 2007) and the International Consumer Electronics Show (next held Jan. 8-11, 2007).

Gas
When to buy: Early morning or late evening on a weekday. (OR another source says before 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, as gas prices start going up for the weekend..)
Why: Time your trip based on whether prices are rising or falling, advises Marshall Brain, founder of HowStuffWorks, a consumer guide. Gas stations tend to change their prices between 10 a.m. and noon, so hit the pump in the early morning if gas prices are on the rise. Go later in the day if prices are falling. Tipsters on GasPriceWatch.com reported that on Sept. 3, a WaWa gas station in Lanoka Harbor, N.J., was offering regular gas for $2.85 a gallon. One day later the station's price had dropped to $2.65. In that case, going early would have cost you 20 cents more per gallon.

Try not to buy gas on the weekends, Brain says. Gas prices are often slightly elevated, as stations try to profit from leisure travelers. (For more ways to save, see our column Save on Gas.)

Gift Cards
When to buy: A day or two before you give it.
Why: These days, gift cards carry a plethora of hidden pitfalls, from expiration dates to dormancy fees, says Dan Horne, a professor of marketing at Providence College known as the "Gift Card Guru." That countdown to fees starts as soon as you buy the card. "You don't want to short-change the recipient," he says.

Groceries
When to buy: Sunday evenings.
Why: Store sales tend to run Wednesday through Tuesday, says Teri Gault, founder of The Grocery Game, a consumer savings program. On Sunday, you'll also have the latest round of manufacturer's coupons from your morning paper. "You can maximize your coupons available for that shopping week," she says. Heading to the store close to closing time means you'll have access to sales on fresh items that must be sold by the end of the day, such as meats and baked goods.


Of course, you'll also benefit from in-season items that can be frozen for use later in the year, says Gault. That means turkeys at Thanksgiving and hams at Christmas and Easter. During the spring and summer, buy fresh produce. Peaches bought at $1 per pound now can be kept frozen for smoothies and pies throughout the winter, she says.

Shrubs, Trees and Other Plants
When to buy: Fall
Why: Take a break from raking up leaves to purchase trees, shrubs and other perennials for your yard. Prices nosedive after midsummer, as garden supply stores and nurseries try to clear out their stock. You can also get great deals on bulbs during the fall. Just store them according to the package instructions for best planting results next spring. For more, see our column Cheap Landscaping Tricks.)

Televisions
When to buy: Six to 12 months after a particular model is launched.
Why: A new TV drops in price after a few months on the market, says CNET's Merritt. Although there will be newer models out there, it's unlikely they'll offer any significant improvements to justify that brand new price. "The technology is proceeding at such a pace that the models out there are not going to be obsolete anytime soon," he says. (For more, see our column The World Is Flat.)

Wedding Dresses
When to buy: Between Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Why: Boutiques are stocked up on dresses for the post-Christmas rush (many people get engaged over the holidays), yet traffic is low, says Fields, who also co-authored "Bridal Bargains." "It's not a busy time to buy a wedding dress because people are thinking about the holidays," he says. You'll also have room to bargain.

Wedding Announcements: Well, when you need them, but don't go through the wedding planners or other stationary businesses! Most of the stationary companies will deal with you directly, saving you about 40% over retail prices!! Check their website and ask for a catalog.

Wine
When to buy: Early fall.
Why: For best selection, you can't beat the fall harvest season. That's when most vineyards release their latest vintages. Buying in August and September is also your best shot at snagging so-called "cult wines" — those with limited production and high demand, says Kathleen Schumacher-Hoertkorn, CEO of New Vine Logistics, an online interstate wine retailer. (For more, see our column Buying Wine Online.)

January
Houses and Condos - GREAT time to find motivated buyers
Winter Clothing (after holiday sales)
Toys - post holiday sales
Bedding and Linens (Original Jan WHITE sales)
Indoor Furniture (New furniture hits the showrooms in February)
Digital Cameras (new models are announced in Jan)

February
Bicycles
Swimwear
Humidifiers (get enough discounted filters to last the NEXT season as the models change each year!)
Sports gear and running shoes
Houses and Condos

March
Televisions
Camping Gear
Bicycles
Swimwear
Winter Clothing
Sports gear and running shoes

April
Televisions

May: Nothing

June: Ditto

July
Computers
Swimwear
Indoor Furniture

August
Lawn mowers and outdoor furniture
Computers
Swimwear
Dehumidifiers

September
Gas/charcoal grills
Automobiles - new models coming out next month
Shrubs, Trees and Perennials

October
Gas/charcoal grills
Winter Clothing

November
Automobiles
Televisions
Toys

December
Air conditioners
Automobiles
Televisions
Toys

Good Days:
Tuesdays
DVD's

Wednesday
Airlines tickets

Holiday Weekends
Appliances


Article from bankrate.com

Month-by-month guide for finding bargainsBy Laura Shanahan • Bankrate.com

It used to be that consumers had to wait until after the holidays to get good deals on gift items, greeting cards and so forth, or shoppers had to wait until well into a season to get needed clothing or supplies. Happily, it's increasingly a buyer's market, and in recent years, some of the best sales often also take place immediately before the related holiday or season.
Here's a month-by-month guide for the best times to purchase all sorts of consumer goods, based on my experience as a longtime shopping columnist in New York City:

January
Sad, but true: The average American gains seven to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. And what do they resolve? To diet and exercise, of course. Retailers are right there with great sales on workout and sports gear and apparel. The enormous interest in the annual Super Bowl has made the two weeks prior to the game a huge TV-sales period, second only to Christmas.

"White sale" items -- sheets, pillowcases and blankets
Computers
Workout and sports gear
Blowouts on winter wear: coats, scarves, gloves, hats and boots
Televisions

February
She may be weary, women do get weary, seeing that same shabby couch. And lamp shade and recliner, for that matter. And men do, too. Especially in the inclement, stay-in-the-house month of February. To the rescue: Traditional Presidents Day sales of furniture and housewares. And while you're cooped up inside on your new sofa, it's a great month to look for spring and summer cruises.

Jewelry
Chocolates
Fragrance, toiletries
Resort and cruise wear
Furniture and housewares

March
Whether you're off on an early spring cruise or just getting a jump start on warm weather vacation planning, the good news is that this is the month luggage is likely to be priced to move. As the month comes in like a lion and out like a lamb, stormy weather outerwear usually is marked down to move in March.

Windbreakers and raincoats
Gardening tools
Luggage
Frozen foods (it's National Frozen Food Month!)

April
Now that you've done your spring cleaning, you can't help but notice how grungy the walls look compared to the rest of your polished and bright abode. That's what the paint and wallpaper retailers figure -- and that's why they tempt you with cut-rate prices on wallcoverings.

Spring finery
China
Kosher foods
Eggs (chocolate and chicken-laid)
Wallpaper and paint

May
It's Memorial Day and the traditional kickoff of summer. You can spend the first long weekend of the year in your backyard or at a picnic -- or by spending big bucks on a big-ticket apppliance. Retailers try to lure you into the latter by traditionally putting major appliances on sale.

Major appliances (Memorial Day weekend)
Barbecue and picnic foods
Summery handbags and totes
Pre-season savings on swimsuits and sandals

June
Summertime and the living is leisurely -- which is why merchandisers know you'll be looking for portable entertainment devices like DVD and CD players and boomboxes.

Summer fashions
Hardware and home fix-it tools and materials
Televisions and portable music players
Dairy foods (Happy National Dairy Month!)

July
Now that the heat is really on, you may notice that ceiling fan you hoped would take you through another summer isn't quite up to the job. Fortunately, July kicks off the super air-conditioner sales. And if you also stock up on crafts supplies often marked down at this time of year, you can play indoors in comfort.

Deeper discounts on summer dresses, suits, shoes and swimwear
Air conditioners (now through September)
Major appliances (Fourth of July weekend)
Barbecue and picnic foods
Craft supplies

August
Because outdoor furniture is seasonally related, retailers know August is "last-chance gulch" for you to spring for some -- and what better incentive than a swan-song-of-summer sale?

"White sale" (see January)
Outdoor furniture
Fresh produce
School supplies
Pre-season fall fashions
Swimsuit and other summer-wear "steals"

September
September's a big food month as people start stocking up on canned goods for the winter, and the month many charities typically launch drives for foods with long shelf lives. It's also desperation time for home sellers who missed finding the right buyer in the spring and summer but want to be moved before the worst winter weather sets in.

Homes
Scooters and bikes
Deeper school-supplies sales
Canned goods

October
This is the month car dealers are forced to make room for new models and start slashing prices on last year's cars. The best time to buy a car -- new or used -- is late in the month as salespeople strive to meet or beat quotas.

Candy, for the neighborhood ghosts and goblins
Cars
Outdoor sports equipment

November
Before you shiver your timbers under winter's full blast, retailers vie for your heavy blanket and down comforter dollar with tempting sales.

Fall-clothing blowouts, winter-wear markdowns
Blankets, comforters
Thanksgiving fixings: cranberries, turkey, yams, etc.

December
Used to be you had to wait until after December to get good buys on holiday-related gifts and goodies. But not in today's market. Indeed, seems almost everything a person could covet is on sale -- except for that computer you really, really want. Which is why we have the wonderful month of January when computer prices tend to be cut to the quick.

Perfume, ties, sweaters, jewelry, billfolds and other popular gift items
Food serving and storing pieces, from crystal to plastic
Party foods and treats -- roasts, cakes, pies, etc.
Holiday greeting cards (Once it's one minute past the holidays, don't dare spend more than half the preprinted price!)
-- Posted: March 19, 2004

Scary Suncreen news

This is from 2007, but still VERY relevant! We get sunscreen because we want to be SAFE, but lots of them, the ones that are mostly available in places like Target and Walmart and the common drugstore, are DANGEROUS. At best, they don't protect us from the sun's rays, but at worst, they actually have carcinogens IN THEM, exposing us to the very thing we're trying to avoid... CANCER.

Below is the article I found in several newspapers, and the actual website http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ . Be SAFE this summer.

Sunscreen Summary — What Works and What's Safe
In a new investigation of 911 name-brand sunscreens, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) found widespread evidence that many products on the market are not safe and effective, including one of every eight high-SPF sunscreens that does not protect from UVA radiation. We have also identified 150 products that offer very good sun protection with ingredients that present minimal health risks to users. Find out which in our best and worst lists.
More Americans than ever are using sunscreen to protect from sunburn and guard against skin cancer. Top choices include products with high SPF ratings, and that are waterproof or that advertise "broad spectrum" protection. Most people trust that the claims on the bottle will ensure that the product truly protects their health and their families'. Nothing could be less certain.
JUMP TO SUNSCREENS
All safe & effective sunscreens
Top selling sunscreens
Read all of EWG's Top Tips In our 18-month investigation we found:

With over one million Americans diagnosed with skin cancer every year, sunscreen bottles have become fixtures summer camp, the beach, pools and picnics . Doctors, public health agencies, and medical associations now routinely recommend using sunscreen to block the sun's harmful rays, and parents are especially careful to slather lotion on their children's sensitive skin before heading outside.
Yet even though skin cancer has reached what has been called epidemic proportions (EPA 2007, WHO 2006), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the agency responsible for regulating sunscreen, has failed to establish standards for its safety and effectiveness. Instead, FDA recommends that people stay out of the sun from 10 am to 4 pm (FDA 2007a). People who do venture out must navigate dozens of ad-hoc marketing claims on hundreds of sunscreens to find products that they hope will protect their and their families' skin from the sun's harmful rays.

To help consumers find out which sunscreens work until government standards are in place, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) undertook an 18-month investigation, assessing more than 600 name-brand sunscreens to find those that capably block the sun's harmful rays using ingredients that are safe for children and others who are sensitive. We have compiled the first-ever analysis of both the safety and effectiveness of sunscreens.

We have done this work because the government has not. FDA announced it would set sunscreen standards in 1978, but after 29 years has not finished the job. Health authorities unanimously agree that people need sunscreen when they go outside, but they have done nothing to help people decide which products to use, an important gap in advice, because we found major differences in the safety and effectiveness of products:

-->
Our comprehensive scientific review indicates that 84% of 911 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns. Only 16% of the products on the market are both safe and effective, blocking both UVA and UVB radiation, remaining stable in sunlight, and containing few if any ingredients with significant known or suspected health hazards. Our assessment is based on a review of nearly 400 scientific studies, industry models of sunscreen efficacy, and toxicity and regulatory information housed in nearly 60 government, academic, and industry databases.
Many products lack UVA protection. Fully 13% of high SPF sunscreens (SPF of at least 30) protect only from sunburn (UVB radiation), and do not contain ingredients known to protect from UVA radiation, the sun rays linked to skin damage and aging, immune system problems, and potentially skin cancer. FDA does not require that sunscreens guard against UVA radiation.
Sunscreens break down in the sun. Parodoxically, many sunscreen ingredients break down in the sun, in a matter of minutes or hours, and then let UV radiation through to the skin. Our analyses show that 52% of products on the market contain ingredients that may be unstable alone or in combination, raising questions about whether these products last as long as the label says. FDA has not proposed requirements for sunscreen stability.
COMMON MISLEADING CLAIMS
All day protection
Waterproof
Chemical-free
Read full list
Questionable product claims are widespread. At least 53% of products on the market bear claims that are considered "unacceptable" or misleading under FDA's draft sunscreen safety standards. Our analysis of marketing claims on hundreds of sunscreen bottles shows that false and misleading marketing claims are common. Claims like "all day protection," "mild as water," and "blocks all harmful rays" are not true, yet are found on bottles. Until FDA sets an effective date for these standards, industry is free to use hyped claims. Companies' decisions to inflate claims has spawned recent class action lawsuits in California.
Many sunscreens contain nano-scale ingredients that raise potential concerns. Micronized and nano-scale zinc oxide and titanium dioxide in sunscreen provide strong UVA protection, and are contained in many of our top-rated products. Repeated studies have found that these ingredients do not penetrate healthy skin, indicating that consumers' exposures would be minimal. Studies on other nano-scale materials have raised concerns about their unique, toxic properties. FDA has failed to approve effective UVA filters available in Europe that, if approved here, could replace nano-scale ingredients.
The U.S. lags behind other countries when it comes to products that work and are safe. FDA has approved just 17 sunscreen chemicals for use in the U.S. At least twenty-nine are approved for use in the E.U. FDA has approved only four chemicals effective in the UVA range for use in the U.S., and has failed to approve new, more effective UVA filters available in the E.U. and Asia.
Some sunscreens absorb into the blood and raise safety concerns. Our review of the technical literature shows that some sunscreen ingredients absorb into the blood, and some are linked to toxic effects. Some release skin-damaging free radicals in sunlight, some act like estrogen and could disrupt hormone systems, several are strongly linked to allergic reactions, and still others may build up in the body or the environment. FDA has not established rigorous safety standards for sunscreen ingredients.
After 29 years of debate, the government has failed to set mandatory sunscreen safety standards. Companies are free to make their own decisions on everything from advertising claims to product quality. In lieu of setting final standards, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises people to stay out of the sun from 10 am to 4 pm. FDA now stands in direct violation a Congressional mandate requiring the agency to finalize sunscreen safety standards by May 2006, flouting not only Congress but also consumers, who are reliant on sunscreen to protect their health.
With no mandatory, comprehensive sunscreen standards in place, products vary widely in safety and effectiveness.
Recommended: 150 products
Caution: 369 products
Avoid: 392 products

Effective
Moderately Effective
Not Effective
Low Hazard
29 products
16 products
2 products
Moderate Hazard
211 products
245 products
24 products
High Hazard
158 products
212 products
14 products
Source: EWG analysis of ingredients in 911 name-brand sunscreens, based on a review of publicly available technical literature. [See methodology.]
Study Methodology
EWG's analysis of sunscreens includes customized safety and effectiveness ratings for 911 name-brand products ranging from Coppertone and Banana Boat to Hawaiian Tropic and California Baby. Our ratings are based on a unique, in-house compilation of standard industry, government and academic data sources and models that we have constructed over the past four years, and on an extensive review of the technical literature for sunscreen. We have built product ratings into our popular Skin Deep personal care product safety assessment guide, an online consumer tool that garners about one million searches a month.
For this sunscreen analysis we obtained ingredient listings for 911 sunscreens primarily from online retailers. We constructed health hazard ratings for each product based on our analysis of information from our in-house database comprising nearly 60 standard industry, academic, and government regulatory and toxicity databases. We rated products for overall effectiveness in sun protection considering three factors: UVB protection (using SPF rating as the indicator of effectiveness); UVA protection (using a standard industry absorbance model to compute two standard UVA protection factors); and stability (using a customized stability database compiled from a review of industry and peer-reviewed stability studies). Overall, the methods and content of our analysis are based on our review of the technical sunscreen literature, including nearly 400 industry and peer-reviewed studies.
We compiled the results of our analyses in an online interactive sunscreen guide, launched in tandem with this report. Our analyses show that products vary widely, both in their ability to protect from the sun's harmful UV radiation, and in the inherent safety of the ingredients themselves. FDA has set no mandatory standards for any of these factors, and manufacturers are free to make products that may not protect consumers from the sun and that may not be safe when slathered on the skin.
What's behind our sunscreen investigation911 sunscreens, SPF 15 and higher
Customized rating for each product includes:
Sun hazard (effectiveness) ratings for UVA protection, UVB protection, and stability in sun
Health hazard (safety) ratings for all ingredients
Ingredients evaluated in these sunscreens:
14 of 17 active ingredients approved in the U.S. (the ones found in products)
4 active ingredients approved in other countries (listed as "inactive" ingredients in U.S. sunscreen) 0 other ingredients that act like sunscreen, not officially approved (listed as "inactive" ingredients)-->
1,724 other ingredients (not sunscreen)
Data sources
Nearly 60 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases from industry, government, and academic sources [link to ref list for these]
Nearly 400 industry or peer-reviewed studies reviewed in preparing this sunscreen study see all
Recommendations
FDA has spent the past 29 years drafting sunscreen standards (FDA 2007), which it urges manufacturers to follow voluntarily. FDA has no public plan for setting a date by which these standards would finally become effective and mandatory. In lieu of enforceable standards, each sunscreen manufacturer decides on test methods, marketing claims, and the level of protection they are willing and able to provide consumers. Health authorities recommend sunscreen, but people are left wondering which of the hundreds of sunscreens on store shelves will best protect their and their families' skin from the sun.
Sunscreens are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to ways that the chemical industry and the government are failing to protect public health. An extensive body of scientific literature demonstrates that everyone in the world carries in their body hundreds if not thousands of industrial chemicals at any given moment, the result of exposures to contaminants in air, water, and food, and to ingredients in everyday consumer products.
No one understands the health implications of our exposures to complex mixtures of low doses of industrial compounds and pollutants: remarkably, federal health standards do not require companies to test their products for safety before they are sold, including nearly all chemicals in sunscreen and other personal care products, and the federal government approves new chemicals for the market using computer models to predict if they are toxic to humans. These are particularly risky methods given the many studies showing that these pollutants cross the placenta to contaminate babies even before the moment of birth, including a recent study conducted by EWG finding an average of 200 chemicals in umbilical cord blood from 10 newborn babies [read more].
This situation is unacceptable. To protect public health, including the health of the fetus, infant, child and others who are most vulnerable to toxic injury, we recommend:
FDA must set mandatory sunscreen safety standards. As mandated by Congress, FDA must complete their safety standards (the "sunscreen monograph"), and establish a date by which these standards will become mandatory. This study confirms the need for mandatory standards — the voluntary system currently in place leaves the public with many sunscreen products that are not as safe and effective as the public needs and expects.
FDA must develop UVA standards for sunscreen. While FDA has set guidelines for sunburn (UVB) protection, the agency has not established protocols and requirements for UVA protection. This is a critical gap in public health protection. UVA radiation is deeply penetrating and is linked to skin damage, including premature skin aging, wrinkling, and possibly cancer. FDA is charged with regulating sunscreen and protecting public health, and both of those charges demand that the agency set standards for UVA protection.
FDA must approve new, effective and safe sunscreens for use in the U.S. Some sunscreen chemicals have been under review at the Agency for over than a decade. Effective sunscreens not approved in this country are in widespread use elsewhere in the world. FDA sorely needs to streamline and modernize its sunscreen review process to give consumers access to the best products possible.
In the larger picture, our system of public health protections allows the vast majority of industrial chemicals to enter commerce with no requirement for premarket safety testing, even for chemicals that will end up in the bodies of Americans from their everyday exposures to ingredients in consumer products. Many state and local organizations and coalitions like the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics are working for important changes that help close the gaps in our system of public health protections.
We not only need sunscreens guaranteed to be safe and effective, but we also sorely need policies that would require companies to document the safety of chemicals before they go on the market. And, most importantly, we need policies that would require that chemicals be safe for the fetus, infant, and other vulnerable populations — a simple, commonsense idea completely absent from current federal law. Such advances would dramatically improve our understanding of health impacts from chemical exposures, and would go a long way toward sealing the gaps that leave consumers at risk from a lifetime of exposure to chemicals.
Study Findings
Because FDA has failed to set UVA standards, many high SPF sunscreens provide only half the protection you need.
People buy high-SPF sunscreens in advance of beach vacations or long days at the pool, assuming they've purchased products that maximize sun protection. High SPF ("Sun Protection Factor") products do protect you from sunburn, the well-known skin cancer precursor caused by the sun's ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. But these products don't necessarily block UVA radiation, the more deeply penetrating rays linked to skin aging and wrinkling, immune system suppression, and possibly skin cancer.
FDA does not require companies to provide UVA protection in sunscreen, and our analyses show that despite high SPF ratings and "broad spectrum" marketing claims, only a fraction of products provide strong UVA protection. We found poor UVA protection in 13% of high SPF products (30 and higher); in 18% of the 471 products marketed as having "broad spectrum" protection; and in 19% of sunscreens overall.
13% of high SPF products (SPF 30 and higher) have poor UVA protection
product
spfpackage text-->
uva rating
Neutrogena Uva/Uvb Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30
30
9
Neutrogena Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30
30
9
Bronze Sensuale Bambino Carrot Lotion SPF-30, Broad Spectrum
30
9
Bronzo Sensuale Carrot Lotion Broad Spectrum Sun Screen, SPF 30
30
9
SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense, SPF 45
45
9
See more >>
Some sunscreens break down quickly in the sun, becoming ineffective.
It may seem counterintuitive, but of the 17 "active ingredients" that FDA has approved for use as sunscreens in the U.S., at least 4 of them break down significantly when they are exposed to sunlight. They lose their ability to absorb the sun's harmful rays, and stop working effectively in as little as 30 minutes, ranging up to several hours. They require stabilizing chemicals to remain effective.
An ideal sunscreen would be stable in the sun. Instead, nearly every active ingredient (all but zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) works by first absorbing the sun's energy so it doesn't penetrate our skin, and then releasing that captured energy by breaking apart, reacting with other chemicals in the sunscreen, or even kicking off free radicals. Some active ingredients are more stable than others, but nearly all break down to some extent in the sun.
We scoured industry studies and the peer-reviewed literature to compile information on breakdown rates of active ingredients in the sun, combinations of ingredients that accelerate breakdown, and, conversely, chemical additives that can stabilize active ingredients and make them effective longer.
Our analysis of this data against ingredients in 911 sunscreens shows that 52% of sunscreens contain ingredients known to break down individually or in combination, with no known stabilizing ingredients in the formulation.
Manufacturers are not required to produce stable products. The test used to establish a product's UVB rating accounts for stability in part, since it tests the product in simulated sunlight on human volunteers over the time needed to produce a sunburn. A product's UVA protection, however, is not subject to testing and rating, and the filters that contribute to UVA protection in a product may or may not be stable.
477 products contain sunscreens that break down in the sun, with insufficient stabilizing chemicals.
product
unstable ingredientspackage text-->
stability rating
Rachel Perry Calendula-Cucumber Oil-Free Moisturizer Sunblock with Echinacea, SPF 15
10
Dermalogica Multivitamin Hand & Nail Treatment
10
Ombrelle Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 15
10
Coppertone Sun Block Lotion SPF15
10
Bronzo Sensuale Carrot Lotion Broad Spectrum Sun Screen, SPF 30
10
See more >>
Over-the-top marketing claims — products would be misbranded if FDA finalized sunscreen standards.
With unenforceable draft guidelines in place of mandatory sunscreen standards, companies are free to use marketing terms that FDA says are confusing, and they are free to sell products that would be considered misbranded if the Agency finalized its guidance. Our analysis shows that fully 53% of sunscreens are labeled with one or more terms that FDA considers indicative of a misbranded product, terms that are just flat out "unacceptable," or terms that could "mislead consumers by inducing a false sense of security."
These include chemical-free, non-chemical, sunblock, reflects, shields from, protects from, filters, screens out, sun's rays, sun's harmful rays, help prevent skin damage, and all SPF designations greater than 30.
We found other products claiming to be sand-proof, to provide "all day" protection, and to be "as mild as water," none of which are possible in the real world. Withough labeling restrictions, consumers are left wondering what is true and what is not. Consumers can be fooled into buying products that don't deliver what they sell.
53% of sunscreens bear claims that the FDA considers unacceptable or indicative of a misbranded product
Claims about...
FDA judgment in draft sunscreen standards...
Offending claims...
Total number of products
what's in the bottle
"likely to be unacceptable" (false and misleading)
chemical-free; non-chemical;
32 products
how sunscreens protect
"could provide the wrong message and a false sense of security to some consumers"
shields from; protects from; filters; screens out; reflects; sunblock;
331 products
the kinds of sunlight sunscreens protect against
"could provide the wrong message and a false sense of security to some consumers"
sun's rays; sun's harsh rays; sun's harmful rays; burning rays;
63 products
what sunscreens protect against
"unsupportable" health claims beyond sunburn
skin aging; wrinkling; premature skin aging; photoaging; lip damage; freckling; uneven coloration; prevent skin damage;
60 products
how well and how long sunscreens protect
"could provide the wrong message and a false sense of security to some consumers"
water proof; extended wear; protects for X number of hours; all day protection; sweat proof; spf >30+;
277 products
U.S. lags behind the world in sunscreen safety and effectiveness.
FDA has approved just 17 sunscreen active ingredients for use in the U.S. In Europe 29 have been approved, including some that are more effective than those available here, particularly for blocking UVA. When FDA issued their so-called final monograph for sunscreens (which they subsequently stayed indefinitely at the request of industry), they received multiple petitions urging that they review active ingredients approved for use in Europe. The Agency replied it would "address sunscreen active ingredients that have foreign marketing experience and data at a future time," a hollow promise if their 30-year track record on developing sunscreen standards is any indication.
FDA faces pressure from industry, states, and Congress to set UVA standards and approve new UVA sunscreens to protect the public. The industry's trade association petitioned the agency to approve new UVA filters beginning in 2003 (CTFA and CHPA 2003). In a May 2007 letter to FDA's commissioner, six senators urged the agency to finish setting UVA standards for sunscreen (Dodd 2007). They reminded the Commissioner that the agency had missed the Congressisonally mandated deadline of May 2006 for finalizing the draft sunscreen standards, including new UVA standards. "We continue to find this baffling [the lack of UVA standards] since many other countries, including the European Union, have adopted sunscreen standards including UVA to protect their citizens," they wrote.
FDA has not reviewed or approved new, effective sunscreens available in other countries.
ingredient
US
EU
AU
Japansunhazard-->healthhazard-->
1-(3,4-DIMETHOXYPHENYL)-4,4-DIMETHYL-1,3-PENTA NEDIENE

YES


3-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR


YES

4-(2-BETA-GLUCOPYRANOSILOXY) PROPOXY-2-HYDROXYBENZOPHENONE

YES


4-METHYLBENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR
FDA review pending

YES
YES
BENZOCAINE

YES


BENZOPHENONE-1

YES


BENZOPHENONE-2

YES


BENZOPHENONE-5

YES

YES
BENZOPHENONE-6

YES


BENZOPHENONE-9

YES


BENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR SULFONIC ACID


YES
YES
CAMPHOR BENZALKONIUM METHOSULFATE


YES
YES
DIETHYLAMINO HYDROXYBENZOYLHEXYL BENZOATE


YES

DIETHYLHEXYL BUTAMIDO TRIAZONE
FDA review pending

YES

DIISOPROPYL METHYL CINNAMATE

YES


DISODIUM PHENYL DIBENZIMIDAZOLE TETRASULFONATE


YES

DROMETRIZOLE TRISILOXANE


YES
YES
ETHYLHEXYL DIMETHOXYBENZYLIDENE DIOXOIMIDAZOLIDENE PROPIONATE

YES


ETHYLHEXYL TRIAZONE
FDA review pending
YES
YES
YES
FERULIC ACID

YES


GLYCERYL ETHYLHEXANOATE DIMETHOXYCINNAMATE

YES


GLYCERYL PABA

YES


ISOAMYL P-METHOXYCINNAMATE
FDA review pending

YES
YES
ISOPENTYL TRIMETHOXYCINNAMATE TRISILOXANE

YES


ISOPROPYL METHOXYCINNAMATE

YES


METHYLENE BIS-BENZOTRIAZOLYL TETRAMETHYLBUTYLPHENOL
FDA review pending

YES
YES
PEG-25 PABA


YES
YES
PENTYL DIMETHYL PABA

YES


POLYACRYLAMIDOMETHYL BENZYLIDENE CAMPHOR


YES

POLYSILICONE-15


YES

TINOSORB S
FDA review pending

YES

Some sunscreens absorb into the blood and raise safety concerns.
Most sunscreen chemicals are far from innocuous. In sunlight some release free radicals that can damage DNA and cells, promoting skin aging and possibly raising risks for skin cancer. Some act like estrogen and may disrupt normal hormone signaling in the body, and some may build up in the body and the environment. Details of these risks are presented here.industry request for stay: www.fda.gov/ohrms/dockets/DOCKETS/98n0337/cp00001.pdf

Sunscreens that break down in the sun.


The agency has spent the past 30 years drafting sunscreen standards (FDA 2007b), which it urges manufacturers to follow in their draft form, voluntarily. In lieu of enforceable standards, each sunscreen manufacturer decides on test methods, marketing claims, and the level of protection they are willing and able to provide consumers. Consumers are left wondering which of the hundreds of sunscreesn on store shelves will best protect their and their families' skin from the sun.

Most people receive more than 50 percent of their lifetime ultraviolet (UV) dose by 20 years of age. Limiting exposure to sunlight in children and teens may pay large dividends in preventing cancers later in life.http://www.childrenshospital.org/az/Site1603/mainpageS1603P0.html


Sunscreens considered misbranded.

No UVA.

Break down.

Children's sunscreens that don't protect from UVA. And that don't protect from UVB.








More than one million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, and 60,000 of these million will learn they have melanoma, the deadly form of skin cancer.


The culmination of 18 months of research, we�re releasing a first-ever, in-depth look at name-brand sunscreens, showing what�s both safe to use and effective at blocking the sun�s cancer-causing rays. We�ll be launching a free, searchable database with ratings for more than 900 name-brand products.

This new research is grounded in our review of more than 1,000 peer reviewed studies coupled with customized, product-by-product assessments of protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. We�re building it into our popular Skin Deep personal care product safety assessment database, with its core of 50 definitive toxicity and regulatory databases and a monthly search rate in excess of 1,000,000.

We�ve done this work to help people stay safe in the sun this summer. People are using more sunscreen than ever, yet skin cancer rates continue to climb in this country, with more than one million cases diagnosed every year. Doctors recommend sunscreen, but most consumers are left to wonder which is best. Some studies question whether sunscreens themselves may cause cancer, with active ingredients that can generate cancer-causing free radicals or damage DNA. Some sunscreens can disrupt hormone systems or cause skin allergies. Some products block sunburn-causing UVB radiation, but not the more deeply penetrating UVB radiation. What products are best at balancing all these factors?

We�re compiling answers to this question in a single, easy-to-use online database that guides people to sunscreen products that are both safe and effective at blocking a broad spectrum of the UV radiation linked to cancer and premature skin aging.









Your Skin.Nunc sollicitudin, orci vel suscipit bibendum, nibh sapien scelerisque nulla, eget faucibus velit dolor quis elit. Nulla facilisi. Vivamus at lorem quis nisl ullamcorper nonummy.Nullam ultrices metus at sem. Morbi in urna. Etiam at lectus. In dictum bibendum magna. Maecenas dolor enim, tempor porta, interdum vitae, tempus vel, sapien. Praesent pellentesque.



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References
CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association) and CHPA (Consumer Healthcare Products Association). 2003. Docket No. 2003N-0233: Notice of eligibility; request for data and information. Letter from Thomas J. Donegan, Jr. of CTFA and Eve E. Bachrach of CHPA to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Oct 9 2003. Accessed online July 11, 2007 at http://www.chpa-info.org/Web/newsletter/archive/2003/11_13_03_xnl.html#4
Dodd, Christopher, Jack Reed et al. Dodd, Reed lead fight against skin cancer: Request higher standards for FDA's sunscreen labeling. Letter from Senators Dodd, Reed, Clinton, Biden, Carper, and Sanders to FDA Commissioner Dr. Andrew von Eschenbach. Accessed June 11, 2007 at http://dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3906.
EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 2007. SunWise Program: Health effects of overexposure to the sun. Accessed June 11, 2007 at http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvandhealth.html.
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2007. The darker side of tanning. CDRH Consumer Information. Center for Devices and Radiological Health. Accessed June 11, 2007 at http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/consumer/tanning.html.
FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2007. Rulemaking History for OTC Sunscreen Drug Products. Accessed June 11, 2007 at http://www.fda.gov/cder/otcmonographs/Sunscreen/new_sunscreen.htm.
NIH (U.S. National Institutes of Health). 2007a. Cancer Topics: What you need to know about melanoma. Accesseed June 11 2007 at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/wyntk/melanoma.
NIH (U.S. National Institutes of Health). 2007. Cancer Topics: Skin Cancer. Accesseed June 11 2007 at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/skin.
NIH (U.S. National Institutes of Health). 2007. Cancer Topics: Melanoma. Accesseed June 11 2007 at http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/melanoma.
To aid the consumer, only the most recent product formulations in the Skin Deep database have been included in this list. [[browse all sunscreens, including old formulations]]

	product (formulation year)	health hazard	sun hazard	score
1.	Boscia Oil-Free Daily Hydration, SPF 15 * (2006)	2	3	2
2.	Kabana Skin Care Green Screen SPF 15 All Natural Sunscreen - Unscented * (2007)	2	3	2
3.	UV Natural SPF 15 New Formula 2007 * (2007)	2	3	2
4.	Badger SPF 15 * (2007)	1	3	2
5.	Miessence Reflect Outdoor Balm SPF15 * (2007)	1	3	2
6.	Lotus Moon Sage Sun Protective Creme - spf 15 * (2007)	1	3	2
7.	CoverBlend Concealing Treatment Makeup, Terracotta Sand, SPF 20 * (2006)	4	2	2
8.	Cellex-C Water Resistant Sunscreen, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	2	2
9.	Cellex-C Sun Care, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	2	2
10.	Kiss My Face Hot Spots Certified Organic Formula Sunscreen, SPF 30 (2006)	3	2	2
11.	ProCyte Ti-Silc Sheer, tinted, SPF 45 * (2006)	3	2	2
12.	ProCyte Ti-Silc Sheer Sunblock SPF 45 * (2007)	3	2	2
13.	Ti-Silc Sheer Waterproof UVA/UVB Sunblock, SPF 45 * (2006)	3	2	2
14.	Baby Blanket Faces Sunblock Lotion for Babies, SPF 45 (2006)	3	2	2
15.	Mustela Moderate Sun Protection Stick, SPF 20 * (2006)	3	2	2
16.	Pedinol Ti-Screen Sunscreen, SPF 30 (2006)	3	2	2
17.	Banana Boat Sport Sun Gear Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 (2007)	3	2	2
18.	Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30 * (2006)	6	1	2
19.	Solbar AVO (SPF 32) Lotion (2006)	6	1	2
20.	Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion (SPF 45) * (2006)	6	1	2
21.	Skin Effects Sun Effects Active Sunscreen Lotion SPF45 (2007)	6	1	2
22.	Skin Effects Sun Effects Sunscreen Lotion SPF45 (2007)	6	1	2
23.	MD formulations Total Protector 30 Face * (2006)	5	1	2
24.	Ti-Silc GT Sunblock SPF 60&, tinted * (2006)	5	1	2
25.	Solar Sense Face and Lip Protection Sunblock Cream, SPF 45 * (2006)	5	1	2
26.	DCL Essential Skin Protection, SPF 30 (2006)	5	1	2
27.	Sea & Ski Sunscreen, Sport, SPF 50 * (2006)	5	1	2
28.	MD formulations Men's Total Protector 30 * (2006)	5	1	2
29.	Blue Lizard Australian Suncream SPF30+ Regular * (2007)	5	1	2
30.	Physicians Formula Sun Shield Extra Sensitive Skin Sunblock, SPF 25 * (2005)	5	1	2
31.	MD formulations Total Protector Color 30, Light Tint * (2006)	5	1	2
32.	SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense, SPF 45 * (2006)	5	1	2
33.	Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 * (2007)	5	1	2
34.	M.D. Forte Aftercare Environmental Protection Cream, SPF 30 * (2006)	5	1	2
35.	Elta Gold UV Facial, SPF 30 * (2006)	5	1	2
36.	Blue Lizard Australian Suncream SPF30+ Sport * (2007)	5	1	2
37.	Elta Swiss American Elta Gold UV Lotion Sunblock and Moisturizer, SPF 30 * (2006)	5	1	2
38.	KINeSYS Sunscreen Spray with Parsol 1789, SPF 30+ (2006)	5	1	2
39.	MD formulations Total Protector 30 * (2006)	5	1	2
40.	Juice Beauty Tinted Moisturizer, SPF 30 * (2006)	5	1	2
41.	Elta Gold UV Lotion Sunblock and Moisturizer, SPF 30+ * (2006)	5	1	2
42.	Somme Institute Double Defense Face and Body, SPF 30 (2005)	5	1	2
43.	Elta Swiss American Elta Block, SPF 32 * (2006)	5	1	2
44.	Banana Boat Surf Sunblock Lotion with AquaShield H2O Protection, SPF 30 * (2006)	5	1	2
45.	SkinCeuticals Ultimate UV Defense, SPF 30 * (2006)	5	1	2
46.	Sea & Ski, Faces Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 * (2006)	5	1	2
47.	Alyria Corrective Protection Sunscreen, Oil Free, SPF 15 * (2006)	5	1	2
48.	Skin Effects Sun Effects Sunscreen Lotion SPF60 (2007)	5	1	2
49.	All Terrain Aqua Sport, SPF 30 * (2005)	4	1	2
50.	Sea & Ski Platinum Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 50 * (2006)	4	1	2
51.	M.D. Skincare Waterproof Sunscreen with Vitamin C, SPF 30 (2006)	4	1	2
52.	Institut DERMed Sun Protective Cream Oil-Free, SPF 25 * (2006)	4	1	2
53.	Lavera Sun Spray SPF 25 * (2007)	4	1	2
54.	Mustela Bebe Moderate Sun Protection Lotion, SPF 25 * (2006)	4	1	2
55.	TYK Soleil Tiempo Moisture Defense, SPF 25 * (2006)	4	1	2
56.	DCL UVA/UVB Chemfree Superblock, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	1	2
57.	Panama Jack Surf 'n Sport Sunblock Lotion, SPF 75 * (2005)	4	1	2
58.	PreSun Sensitive Cream Sunblock Cream, SPF 28 * (2006)	4	1	2
59.	No-Ad Sport Sunblock Lotion Waterproof, SPF 50 (2006)	4	1	2
60.	Alba Sun Care Sport Sunscreen, Very Water Resistant SPF 30+ (2007)	4	1	2
61.	Lavera Sun Block Baby & Children SPF 30 * (2006)	4	1	2
62.	Juice Organics SPF30 Light Tint Moisturizer * (2007)	4	1	2
63.	Juice Beauty Sheer Moisturizer, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	1	2
64.	Lavera Sun Spray SPF 30 Neutral * (2006)	4	1	2
65.	Olay Complete Defense Daily Uv Moisturizer, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	1	2
66.	PreSun Cream Sensitive, SPF 28 * (2006)	4	1	2
67.	Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	1	2
68.	NuCelle SunSense SPF30+ Sunscreen * (2007)	4	1	2
69.	Dr. Brandt Body Barrier Gel, SPF 30 * (2006)	3	1	2
70.	Peter Thomas Roth Max Tinted Protective Day Cream, SPF 30 * (2006)	3	1	2
71.	Topix Citrix Antioxidant Sunscreen, SPF 30 * (2006)	3	1	2
72.	Baby Blanket Sunblock Lotion for Babies, Titanium Dioxide Formula, SPF 50 * (2006)	3	1	2
73.	OBAGI NuDerm Sunblock 6 AM, SPF 24 * (2005)	3	1	2
74.	Dermalogica Ultra Sensitive FaceBlock, SPF 25 * (2006)	2	1	2
75.	Hawaiian Tropic 30 Plus Sunblock (2007)	2	1	2
76.	Jason Natural Cosmetics Family Sun Block, SPF 36 * (2005)	6	0	2
77.	Clarins Sun Care Cream for Children, SPF 30 * (2005)	6	0	2
78.	Coppertone Spectra3 Sunblock Lotion SPF 50 * (2007)	6	0	2
79.	Blue Lizard Australian Suncream Lotion, SPF 30+, Face * (2007)	6	0	2
80.	DermaSpa Sun Protection * (2006)	5	0	2
81.	Coppertone Spectra3 Sunblock Lotion, SPF 30 * (2006)	5	0	2
82.	Coppertone Oil-Free Sunblock Lotion, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30 * (2006)	5	0	2
83.	DDF Organic Sunblock, SPF 30 * (2005)	5	0	2
84.	Neutrogena Sunblock Lotion Sensitive Skin SPF 30 * (2007)	5	0	2
85.	South Beach Sun Sport Zinc Extreme Sunblock, SPF 50+ * (2005)	4	0	2
86.	Estion Sunscreen with Zinc, SPF 38 * (2006)	4	0	2
87.	Baby Blanket Sunscreen Stick for Babies, SPF/FPS 45+ * (2007)	4	0	2
88.	Peter Thomas Roth Ultra Lite Titanium Dioxide Sunblock, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	0	2
89.	Peter Thomas Roth Ultra-Lite Titanium Dioxide Sunblock, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	0	2
90.	OBAGI-C Rx System C SunGuard, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	0	2
91.	SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	0	2
92.	Solbar PF Liquid Sunscreen (SPF 30) (2006)	4	0	2
93.	Coppertone Endless Summer Ultrasheer Sunscreen Stick * (2005)	3	1	1
94.	KINeSYS KIDS Sunscreen Spray with Parsol 1789, SPF 30+ (2006)	2	1	1
95.	California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion Everyday/Year-Round * (2007)	2	1	1
96.	California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion Natural Bug Blend * (2007)	2	1	1
97.	California Baby SPF 30+ Sunscreen Lotion No Fragrance * (2007)	2	1	1
98.	Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces Sunblock SPF 60+ With Travel Size (2007)	2	1	1
99.	Hawaiian Tropic Kids Sunblock SPF 60+ With Travel Size (2007)	2	1	1
100.	Hawaiian Tropic Baby Faces Sunblock SPF 50+ (2007)	2	1	1
101.	Hawaiian Tropic Ozone Sport Sunblock SPF 60+ With Travel Size (2007)	2	1	1
102.	Hawaiian Tropic 45 Plus Sunblock (2007)	2	1	1
103.	California Baby SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick No Fragrance * (2007)	1	1	1
104.	Lotus Moon Sage Sun Protective Creme - spf 25 * (2007)	1	1	1
105.	California Baby SPF 30+ Sunblock Stick Everyday/Year-Round * (2007)	1	1	1
106.	Fallene Total Block Cotz Waterproof Sunblock, SPF 58 * (2005)	4	0	1
107.	Elta Gold UV Sport Waterproof, SPF 50 * (2006)	4	0	1
108.	ProCyte Z-Silc Sunblock, SPF 30 * (2006)	4	0	1
109.	Elta UV Shield Daily Protection Oil Free, SPF 45 * (2006)	4	0	1
110.	Fallene Cotz Water Resistant Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, SPF 58 * (2006)	4	0	1
111.	ProCyte Z-Silc plus SPF 30& * (2006)	4	0	1
112.	OBAGI NuDerm Healthy Skin Protection, AM, SPF 35 * (2006)	4	0	1
113.	OBAGI NuDerm Healthy Skin Protection -Step Six, SPF 35 * (2006)	4	0	1
114.	Fallene Cotz Water Resistant Sunscreen, SPF 58 * (2006)	4	0	1
115.	CVS Sunscreen With Zinc Oxide SPF 45+ * (2007)	4	0	1
116.	Cotz Sunscreen SPF 58 * (2007)	4	0	1
117.	Eau Thermale Avene Sunscreen Cream For Sensitive Areas SPF 50 * (2007)	4	0	1
118.	Peter Thomas Roth Titanium Dioxide Sunblock, SPF 30 * (2006)	3	0	1
119.	Mustela Bebe High Protection Sun Lotion, SPF 50 * (2006)	3	0	1
120.	Peter Thomas Roth Titanium Dioxide Sunblock, SPF 30 * (2006)	3	0	1
121.	Vanicream Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, SPF 60 * (2006)	3	0	1
122.	Blue Lizard Australian Suncream, SPF 30, Sensitive * (2007)	3	0	1
123.	Vanicream Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin, SPF 30 * (2006)	3	0	1
124.	Blue Lizard Australian Suncream, SPF 30, Baby * (2007)	3	0	1
125.	Blue Lizard Suncream, Sensitive Skin, SPF 30 * (2006)	3	0	1
126.	Jason Natural Cosmetics sunbrellas SPF 30+ Mineral Based physical sunblock * (2007)	3	0	1
127.	OBAGI NuDerm Nu-Derm Physical UV Block Step Six, SPF 32 * (2006)	3	0	1
128.	Glycolix Elite Sunscreen, SPF 30 * (2006)	3	0	1
129.	Total Block Cover-Up SPF 60 Tinted * (2007)	3	0	1
130.	Total Block Sun Protection SPF 65 Clear * (2007)	3	0	1
131.	Lavera Sun Screen Neutral SPF 40 * (2007)	2	0	1
132.	Vanicream Sunscreen Sport, SPF 35 * (2006)	2	0	1
133.	UV Natural Sport SPF 30+ New Formula 2007 * (2007)	2	0	1
134.	UV Natural Adult SPF 30+ New Formula 2007 * (2007)	2	0	1
135.	UV Natural UV Golf / Ultra * (2007)	2	0	1
136.	UV Natural Baby SPF 30+ New Formula 2007 * (2007)	2	0	1
137.	Vanicream Sunscreen SPF 35 * (2007)	2	0	1
138.	ColoreScience Sunforgettable Rock and Roller Ball, SPF 30 * (2006)	1	0	1
139.	Badger SPF 30 * (2007)	1	0	0
140.	Keys Soap Solar RX Therapeutic Sunblock, SPF 30 * (2005)	1	0	0

* This product contains zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide which may be nano scale. Learn more.