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5 Valuable U.S. Coins In Circulation Today

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Coin StashFinding rare coins in your pocket change can be fun and profitable. Once you start to develop coin-checking habits, identifying valuable coins in U.S. circulation will become easy. That is, if you are ever lucky enough to come across on of these extremely rare coins. Here are five coins to keep a keen eye out for:

1969 Double Die

Before you get your hopes up, this coin is exceedingly rare. The earliest copies were confiscated by the Secret Service until the U.S. Mint admitted that it was a genuine coin. In order to detect a 1969-S double die Lincoln cent, you have to examine the “heads” side. Take a close look at the phrases “In God We Trust” and “Liberty.” The strike doubling damage is what coin experts commonly refer to as a “double die.” However, if the mint mark is doubled, it’s probably fake as mint marks were punched in the dies separately in 1969. If you’re lucky enough to find this coin, you hit the lottery as this one-cent piece’s value exceeds $10,000.

1943 Copper Penny

During the 1940s, the United States was in the midst of World War II. Therefore, all pennies made during 1943 were supposed to be minted as the steel pennies in order to save copper for the war efforts. According to coin experts, copper plates may have been tested or left mixed among steel plates from 1942 and thus the error. Whatever the cause, these rare beauties sell for about $100,000. Fair warning: there are many fake 1943 copper pennies out there. Be careful, and make sure your coin is certified!

1982 Roosevelt Dime

While most dimes made at this time have the “P” mind mark, this rare 1982 Roosevelt dime has no mint mark. During this time, when coins were made the dies were sent to the individual brand mints which would be punched with the proper mint mark letter for that branch. This rare coinage came about because one or more non-punched dies were used to make coins. It’s very easy to detect. Just look for a 1982 dime with no mint mark on it. If you find one, it’s may be worth $30 or $50, depending on condition.

2004 Wisconsin Quarter

This rare coin could be in your pocket right now and you don’t even know it! This 2004-D Wisconsin State Quarter has an extra leaf one it. Look on the lower left-hand side of the ear of corn on the “tails” side. This leaf is very obvious. It’s also known in two different varieties, the high leaf and low leaf type. Hurry home and check your loose change, this little beauty can be worth between $200-$300.

Presidential Dollars

Ever since the Presidential Dollar was created back in 2007, there have been errors associated with the lettering on the edge of these particular coins. In some cases, the lettering was missing entirely. In other instances, the edge lettering had been placed there multiple times (double die). You can detect this error by looking at the edge of the dollar. The inscription should appear fully stamped around the circumference of the coin. But, missing or doubled inscriptions are rare and very valuable. If you find one, it can be worth $50 to $3,000, depending on the President.

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Katelyn Porter is a freelance writer and avid coin collector. Among her favorite coins to collect are 90% silver coins, which she’s been collecting for more than 10 years! In her spare time, Katelyn studies rare U.S. coins.





6 Ways To Decorate Your Apartment On A Budget

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home decorating 2009Apartments come in all shapes and sizes, and they also come in all types of conditions. Whether you’re living in the ideal space or a temporary place, it’s important to make it look and feel as homey as possible. The problem is that home decor can be quite pricey, and if you don’t have the budget to buy the nicest pieces of furniture and accent pieces, most people leave their apartments not fully furnished. That’s why I’ve put together this list of ways to help you decorate your apartment and make it look great, even on a budget!

Sales

Sales have always been the best way to find great home decor on the cheap. Whether it’s a yard sale, garage sale, from a discount store or something similar, you can find some really great pieces of furniture for your apartment for a fraction of retail costs.

Online Classifieds

Aside from looking at yard sales and other store sales, another great option is to look at websites such as Craigslist and other free online classifieds as resources for finding decor. These websites are used frequently when people are either moving out of their homes and are trying to sell items quickly or people are just trying to get rid of items they no longer need. It’s a great place to find items that have great value but are being sold for much less than their worth.

Do It Yourself

DIY has never been easier than it is today, especially with the plethora of online tutorials and DIY ideas that you can easily find on Pinterest. Creating anything from tables, chairs and entertainment centers can be as easy as re-purposing old furniture and it can save you enormous amounts of money. Another DIY option is to buy inexpensive furniture from companies like Ikea who sell brand new furniture that you have to pick up and assemble yourself.

Loft Beds

If you’re working with a small space and a lot of people, a loft bed is a great option for you. Loft beds are an inexpensive way to help accommodate several people in a small space. Similar to bunk beds, loft beds help to take advantage of vertical space and loft beds can be bought at furniture stores, garage sales or quick sales. Even if you’re not working with a lot of people in your space, a loft bed can help save valuable space in your bedroom or studio.

Dollar Stores

Dollar stores generally have a bad reputation, but they’ve come a long way since they were only selling cheap soap and car air fresheners. There are many dollar stores now that sell inexpensive home decor that might not look great on the shelves but can be created into something excellent, for only a few dollars.

Add Color

Don’t be afraid to add pops of color here and there throughout your apartment, especially if you can’t change the colors of the walls. This includes coordinating bed linens with your bedroom curtains, a couch color with other accent pieces, etc. Matching colors in your apartment will not only make your space look brighter and cleaner but it will make you feel more like you’re at home as well.

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Felicia Walkins is a freelance writer and home decorating pro. She loves finding the perfect accent pieces for different apartment spaces, and she hopes to someday be able to decorate her own space in the new Jackson 21 community.

10 Fun (and Cheap) Gifts For Your Boss

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Default iPhone charger vs. humongous brazilian chargerIs there a special occasion coming up and you need to give your boss a gift? Before you go crazy or spend a lot of money, consider buying your boss something a little more thoughtful. Something that is meaningful, but doesn’t come off as a bribe. Here are ten fun and rather inexpensive gifts for the head of your office:

Personalized Flask

While the thought of drinking at the office is rather unacceptable, your boss is human too! And on the weekends, I’m sure he or she likes to let loose. Therefore, you can’t go wrong with a personalized flask.

Stress Ball

Being in charge comes with a certain level of added pressure. And no one enjoys being stressed out. Keep your boss calm by giving him or her a stress ball. Attach a crafty “woosah” note for an additional laugh!

Mini Speakers

Music soothes the soul, right? Well, a little speaker set will allow your boss to enjoy his or her favorite tunes all day long. Throw in an iTunes gift card and you’re sure to get two thumbs up from your supervisor.

Chocolate

Nothing brightens a day (or mood) like chocolate. Mix and match milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate for the perfect pick-me-up. Packed with plenty of antioxidants, this sweet surprise is sure to put a smile on your boss’s face!

Portable iPhone Charger

For the boss who’s always on the go, this nifty little gadget will be a real lifesaver! A portable iPhone charger can hold him or her over until they can reach a real outlet (up to three hours to be exact!). Talk about a real power trip.

DIY Gift Basket

Nothing says appreciation like a gift basket! With one white and one red wine, your boss will be well on his or her way to a great evening. Include some maple or hickory smoked cheese, crackers or dessert cookies for a delicious snack.

Home Baked Goods

Another way to say ‘thank you’ without going over-the-top is to bake your boss’s favorite home goods. Gourmet chocolate chip cookies or double fudge brownies are definitely the way to go. Attach a thank you note for a special touch.

Beverage Warmer

Is your boss a caffeine junkie? A beverage warmer is the perfect gift for those who rarely have an opportunity to finish their afternoon cup of Joe. Now, your boss can have a warm beverage any time of the day.

Luggage Tags

For the boss that is constantly on the road, luggage tags are a thoughtful gift. Engrave their initials for a more personal touch. This way his or her luggage will always be identifiable, saving both time and money.

Business Card Holder

A business card holder is a fantastic thing to have. You can customize it with a monogram or your boss’s initials. This gift will make a professional statement for both you and your boss.

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Amy Richards is a freelance writer and gift giver extraordinaire. As the managing director of her department, her most recent gift giving experience was corporate gift baskets for all of her subordinates. She loves seeing the smiles on their faces.

Choosing Window Blinds For Your Home – How To Do It

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Window blinds may seem like just another home accessory, but these do more than add visual interest to a space. The addition of blinds can add dimension, dramatically altering the character and in turn the overall appearance of any room. This is why choosing the right blinds for the home is very important. If you are considering choosing blinds as the window treatment for your home, you must choose wisely, and to do so, you need to consider a few things.

Main Considerations

When choosing blinds for the home, there are four main things you have to take into consideration: the function of the room where the blinds will be placed, the size of the room, the furnishings inside the room, as well as the overall theme of the house.

Function of the Room

When shopping window blinds for your home, do not assume that one kind will work in every space. Every room is different and each has a different function. How the space will be used will dictate what blind type you should be getting.

Take the kitchen, for instance. This is one area with a lot of activity, as this is the place where you cook and prepare meals. Because working in the kitchen makes spills and splashes inevitable, it is a must for you to choose something easy to clean, especially for windows by the sink. Moreover, the blinds you choose for the kitchen must be able to withstand the constantly changing temperature as well as humidity. The most ideal choices for the kitchen are aluminum blinds or faux wood blinds. The latter looks like wood but is actually made from both wood and vinyl, and the vinyl is that which makes it moisture resistant and low maintenance.

Size of the Room

Blinds come in different slat widths and types (either vertical or horizontal). Before you settle on a particular slat width or type, think about how big or small the room is. Wider slats are best for bigger spaces while narrower slats are more ideal for small spaces. If you choose wide slat blinds for a small space, expect the space to look even smaller. As for the slat type, it will depend on how you want to enhance the existing space. Vertical slats force the eyes to look from top to bottom, causing an illusion of length; on the contrary, horizontal slats compel the eyes to look from left to right, causing an illusion of width.

Furnishings Inside the Room

The kind of furniture to be found in each space also matters when choosing blinds. Naturally, wooden blinds are ideal for spaces dominated by wooden furniture. If a space has a lot of wrought iron furniture, aluminum or vinyl blinds are good choices.

Theme of the House

Of course, the blinds you pick must complement the overall theme of your house. Do not opt for anything that will clash with the look of the space. Having PVC vertical blinds in a Victorian style house will be unsightly and do nothing for the space’s aesthetic value. So before you shop, remember the theme and use this as a basis as you look through your options.

This article was penned by Ericka for Style Rite Blinds, a reputable company and preferred source of blinds in West Lothian.

The Scary Truth About Your Pet’s Food

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peaceWe all love our pets and treat them like family. And when it comes to buying them food, we want to buy the best. So we purchase bags of food from the local grocery store that has pictures of whole grains, prime cuts of meat and human grade vegetables nicely displayed on them. We pleasantly assume there is some nice chef in a pet food kitchen preparing wholesome meals for our beloved pets.

Wrong. While we would like to believe our pet’s food is made of whole chicken meat, choice cuts of beef and fresh grains, the truth is pet food is actually made from the absolute worst parts of chicken and beef. Some of which is high in hormones and even diseased and cancerous meat. And those whole grains, they’ve had the starch removed for cornstarch powder and the oil extracted for corn oil. The only true whole grains used in pet food has been deemed unfit for human consumption due to mold, contaminants, or poor quality.

Pet Food Industry is Unregulated

Sadly, the pet food industry is not regulated. As one of the world’s most synthetic edible products, pet food contains virtually NO whole ingredients. What’s worse is that the pet food industry makes approximately 11 billion dollars a year on products that should be in the garbage or better yet a landfill. Pet food manufacturers have become master manipulators when it comes to producing tasty food for our pets. Scientists have learned how to take a mixture of inedible ingredients, fortify it with artificial vitamins and minerals, and preserve it so it can sit on the grocery shelf for more than year (yuck). While the human eye may be deceived by the color and texture of our pet’s food, remember it’s made of leftover carcass and cheap fillers.

Look at the Ingredients

Carefully look at the top five ingredients on your pet food. These will be the most abundant ingredients according to weight in the food. For dogs and cats, a good portion of their diet needs to be from meat protein. Therefore, you want the first ingredient in your pet food to be a meat source (e.g. chicken, beef or lamb). You never want to purchase pet food with an unidentified “meat” or anything listed as a “by-product”. Also, it’s ok to see “chicken meal” before “chicken” because it contains less water content, more meat.

Holistic Options For Your Pet

There are holistic options out there for your pet. For starters, you could prepare your pet’s food yourself. Remember, dogs require protein, whole grains and vegetables in their diet. Cats on the other hand are pure carnivores; the majority of their diet should include protein with half the amount of whole grains and vegetables. However, before you cook anything be sure to consult with a veterinarian or veterinary nutritionist about your recipes. Foods you should absolutely avoid are chocolate, raisins, grapes, macadamia nuts, and raw meat. You can also purchase pet foods from specialty pet stores. Make sure they are labeled “all natural” or “organic,” and read the ingredients carefully. It may cost you more money, but it is much healthier for your pet.

If you love your pet and value their heath as much as I do, I hope you will take this information to heart. Please do a little research of your own so you too can become aware of the truth about the pet food industry. My only wish is that pet owners will take the time to read the ingredients of the food they feed their pets, rather than fall victim to the misleading commercials or labels on pet food today.

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Jessica McNeal is a freelance writer and self-proclaimed animal lover. When she’s not spending time writing, she is out running with her wheaten terrier. She recently purchased rabies tags from Ketchum Mfg. Pet safety is her number one concern.

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