Swaptree.com

I know a number of people who are feeling nervous, even panicky, about their finances. When cash is hard to find, alternatives like Swaptree, found here, allow people to spend only a couple of dollars to trade items they no longer want for books, movies and music that would cost far more if bought at retail.

After discovering that the company just received $3.3 million dollars from Safeguard Scientifics, I was intrigued and decided to test out Swaptree. Here's what I discovered, along with some updates and information that should help others:

Registering at Swaptree.com was easy, allowing me to immediately barter and trade items

I signed up very quickly, got a confirmation email and responded. Within minutes, I was involved in my first trade. I listed a book I no longer needed, Edgar Sawtelle, and was shown a number of potential books that I could choose in return. I did have to take a moment to find the exact ISBN number on the book, to make sure I was listing the correct edition (some books come out in more than one edition at the same time, including paperback and hardcover editions and special collectors' editions). Alternately, I could have imported items from a list or website, making it that much easier to list multiple books, CDs and DVDs.

But looking up the ISBN took only a few extra minutes. Some of them were recent releases. I saw such popular titles as The Glass Castle, Postsecret, The Last Lecture, The World is Flat and numerous Harry Potter books. Then I saw a rather obscure book which had been on my list for awhile and I signed up to trade for it. I'm waiting to hear back from my trading partner. I'm also going through the items in our home and thinking about what I could trade for potential Christmas and holiday gifts this year, ones that are almost free. When I can trade a book that cost $24.95 for one of equal or greater value, I think that is a super deal!

Is Swaptree.com truly free for both registration and membership? Are there hidden costs?
Having some experience in bookselling, I know that shipping can't be free- and it isn't. But signing up at the site is free and so is membership. This means that for the price of media mail postage (usually less than $3.00), you could trade what you have finished reading - or perhaps DVD movie you no longer want- and get another book of equal or greater value. While not entirely cashless because of minimal shipping costs, this is certainly one of the best deals I've seen.

Why is Swaptree so popular now? Why is a company willing to invest millions of dollars in them?

Trading unwanted items has plenty of advantages right now. It certainly saves time and energy compared to driving to the mall. Tech savvy traders know that they can easily print out mailing labels and even ship directly from their home, saving even more time. Basically, Swaptree allows people who want to get the latest books and movies, perhaps to use as gifts during Christmas or birthdays, at a small fraction of what they'd cost new. They're even cheaper than many half-priced book stores and Swaptree doesn't have the fees of a site like Ebay. All of this could be making it super attractive to people who are darwn to trade and barter and eager to move away from spending lots of cash.

What risks exist in bartering and trading through Swaptree? How can those risks be reduced?

No transaction is risk free but I looked at the message boards on the site and was pleasantly surprised by the number of pleased users. Consider the fact that Ebay started on a similar system of trust, with users giving feedback on transactions. Until fees rose and sellers and buyers started to grumble about the increased costs, the site worked very well. I know that because I used Ebay regularly. I'm happy to be able to give away perfectly good books and DVDs that I no longer need if I can get something I do want in return. However, there is always the chance that a deal could fall through. Which is why...

It is important to check a trader's history on Swaptree

My potential trading partner has conducted a number of trades and has 100 percent satisfactory feedback. I'm willing to take a chance on her. Hopefully, she'll do the same for a new user like me. I also figure risks are small because I no longer need this book and I'll only be spending three dollars - or less- to ship it. Small risk and a potential benefit of a new book in return makes this worthwhile to me.

Godiva!

Having heard so much about the Godiva Chocolate I decided to give my kid a surprise treat. The first thing that came to my mind was that, God it is expensive! Should I indulge in this or go for the Swiss Miss itself? Then finally I decided to give a try and see what it tastes like because it is the talk of town. To be honest I am of the view that this is a hyped hot cocoa and I have paid far more than actually it deserves. But now I can also go around telling that I have tasted the Godiva. I am no longer ignorant of this iconic
chocolate drink.

According to me it is comparable to the Serendipity Hot Chocolate and there is nothing extraordinary about this for the price that I have paid. There is no doubt that it is delicious and exotic tempting drink, but you can make the same creamy drink at home at half the price. This is definitely good for those who do not have spare time to prepare dark chocolate drink powder at home. Moreover if you make the hot cocoa powder at home, you will be sure of the ingredients that go in.

If you take a look at the label on the package it states that it contains the artificial flavoring agent, vanillin. Hence this is not the purest chocolate hot cocoa as claimed by the Godiva. I find it excessively sweet and it leaves a strong aftertaste. This would be fine for those who have a sweet tooth. I prefer hot chocolate drink with just the right amount of sugar. I do agree that the Godiva Chocolate Classic milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa is positioned as a liquid
chocolate and hence the sweetness. So what I do is that add just half the amount of the powder as given in the instruction. This is a personal choice and you can add the powder according to your taste bud.

The aroma is really tempting and the seductive flavor would alert anyone nearby. I bet it is hard to resist a cup of hot chocolate at any part of the day. My kids just love them and crave for more. It is perfect to wash down an elaborate dinner with a mug of delectable cocoa drink. This makes a creamy beverage even with 2% milk and the body of the drink is smooth.

Work from Home

Work from home freelancers often do not have the time to relax. Others are able to leave the office and the job when they go home. Work from home freelancers are always at the office even when at home. This article will provide ways to relax as work from home freelancers.

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #1: Morning Walk

A brisk morning walk is great to help reduce stress and to relax. The morning walk enables work from home freelancers to organize the day. Many times work from home freelancers begin the day at the computer checking email and attending other tasks. Taking a morning walk instead of starting the day at the computer will leave people feeling more organized and relaxed.

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #2: Soft Background Music

Playing soft background music while working from home can be relaxing. The background music can mask other annoying sounds such as traffic, barking dogs and appliances. Background music that is relaxing can help to soothe a person when situations arise that are stressful and tense.

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #3: Weekly Outing

Work from home freelancers do not typically have the time to leave the home for things other then errands. Time is usually spent juggling domestic responsibilities, paying bills, working and errand running. It is important to take time once a week to go somewhere such as the mall, gym, local park, fast food restaurant or even a short drive.

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #4: Take Vacation Time

Often work from home freelancers are busy working while the rest of the household is on vacation. It is important to meet deadlines. Near vacation time, schedule tasks and deadlines to end before vacation.

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #5: Take a Day Off

The majority of people do not work every single day of the month. Shift workers even have a set number of days on rotation and then a couple days off. Work from home freelancers need to take a day off to relax, play games, enjoy the family and attend to other responsibilities. Working months at a time with no day off will cause stress and burnout.

 

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #6: Hot Aromatherapy Showers

Instead of taking a rushed shower to get back to the job, work from home freelancers can take advantage of long, hot showers. Buy different scented shower gels and shampoos to enjoy in the shower.

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #7: Read for Fun

Too often work from home freelancers only read material that is job related. It is relaxing to read for fun and relaxation. Taking time to get the mind off of work topics and domestic responsibilities will help with relaxation, even if it is only five or ten minutes a day.

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #8: Start a Hobby or Craft

Take time to start a hobby that is fun and enjoyable. Spend five or ten minutes a day immersed in the hobby or craft. Do not be tempted to consider work related video taping, short story writing and painting as hobbies and crafts. To relax the objective is to get the mind away from work related tasks and issues.

Relax as Work from Home Freelancers Tip #9: Share Experiences with Others

Employees in the traditional office setting spend time at the water cooler or break room talking about the weather, television shows and other experiences. Work from home freelancers need to build a support group of adults to talk to about a wide range of topics. There are many "café" type forums available where people congregate to chat and relax.

Relax Work from Home Freelancers Tip #10: Get Sleep

Work from home freelancers have offices that never close. In the middle of the night, during holidays and even while sick there is usually the opportunity to work or attend to work related tasks. It is difficult for the body to relax if fatigued and on an irregular sleep schedule. No relaxation suggestion is going to be successful if the person is too tired to enjoy them.

Work from home freelancers need to take time to relax and enjoy life. It is important to be creative and find ways to remove themselves from the work responsibilities and tasks. Take time off from work to do various things in order to relax. Find activities that are not work related to enjoy. In addition, work from home freelancers need to remember to get sleep.