Red roses are the ultimate symbol of love. That’s why they are so closely associated with Valentine’s Day. But you may not be aware that all flowers have a meaning. The Victorians used to use flowers as a symbol to express their feelings. As we are less than a week away from Valentine’s Day, you’ll probably want to be sure the flower you are giving has the meaning that you are intending it to.

To save you from potential embarrassment on your special day, here is a list of different flowers and their meanings. And, no matter what you message, and flower, you decide to give your sweetheart this Valentine’s Day, you will certainly want to save money on your flowers. Be sure to visit the FlamingoWorld Valentines Day page, where you will find a number of deals and coupons from all the top internet retailers including Flowers Fast, 48 Long Stems and 1-800-Flowers.

A
• Acacia – Secret love
• Acorn – Nordic symbol of life and immortality
• Aloe – Grief
• Allspice – Compassion
• Ambrosia – Love returned
• Amaryllis – Pride; Timidity
• Anemone – Unfading love
• Angelica – Inspiration
• Aniseed – Restoration of youth
• Arbutis – Only love
• Apple – Preference
• Aster – Love; daintiness
• Azalea – Take care of yourself for me; fragile passion; Chinese symbol of womanhood

B
• Bachelor Button – Celibacy
• Baby’s Breath – Everlasting Love
• Basil – Best Wishes, Love
• Bay Leaf – Strength
• Begonia – Beware
• Bells Of Ireland – Good luck
• Bird Of Paradise – Magnificence
• Bittersweet – Truth
• Bluebell – Humility; constancy
• Borage – Courage
• Bouquet of withered flowers – Rejected love
• Burnet – A merry heart
• Buttercup – Cheerfulness

C
• Cactus – Endurance; warmth
• Calendula – Joy
• Camellia – Admiration; perfection; good luck gift to a man
• Candytuft – indifference
• Carnation (in general) Bonds of affection; health and energy; fascination; woman love
• Carnation (pink) – I’ll never forget you
• Carnation (purple) – Capriciousness; whimsical; changeable
• Carnation (red) – My heart aches for you; admiration
• Carnation (solid color) -Yes
• Carnation (striped)- No; refusal; sorry I can’t be with you; wish I could be with you
• Carnation (white) -Sweet and lovely; innocence; pure love; woman’s good luck gift
• Carnation (yellow) – Rejection; disdain
• Cattail – Peace; prosperity
• Chamomile – Patience ; attracts wealth
• Chrysanthemum (in general) – Cheerfulness; You’re a wonderful friend
• Chrysanthemum (red) – I love
• Chrysanthemum (white) – Truth
• Chrysanthemum (yellow) -Slighted love
• Coreopsis – Always cheerful
• Coriander – Lust
• Cowslip – Pensiveness; winning grace
• Crocus – Cheerfulness; abuse not
• Cyclamen – Resignation and goodbye
• Clover Good luck

D
• Daffodil Respect
• Daisy Innocence
• Dandelion Wishes come true

E
• Eucalyptus – Protection

F
• Fennel – Worthy of all praise
• Fern – Sincerity
• Forget-Me-Not – True love
• Fern (Magic) – Fascination; confidence and shelter
• Fern (Maidenhair) – Secret bond of love
• Feverfew – Protection
• Fir – Time
• Flax – Domestic symbol; fate
• Forget-me-not – True love; memories
• Forsythia – Anticipation

G
• Gardenia – You’re lovely; secret love
• Garland of roses – Reward of virtue
• Garlic – Courage; strength
• Geranium (Scented) – Preference
• Gladiolus – Love at first sight
• Grass – Submission; utility

H
• Heather (lavender) – Admiration; solitude
• Heather (white) – Protection; wishes will come true
• Hibiscus – Delicate beauty
• Holly – Good will, Defense;domestic Happiness; foresight
• Honeysuckle – Generous and devoted affection
• Hyacinth (general) – Games and sports; rashness;flower dedicated to Apollo
• Hyacinth (blue) – Constancy
• Hyacinth ( purple) – I’m sorry; please forgive me; sorrow
• Hyacinth (red or pink) – Play
• Hyacinth (white) – Loveliness; I’ll pray for you
• Hyacinth (yellow) – Jealousy
• Hydrangea – Thank you for understanding; frigidity; heartlessness
• Hyssop – Wards away evil spirits

I
• Iris – Faith; hope; wisdom and valor
• Ivy – Fidelity and friendship
• Ivy – sprig of white tendrils – Anxious to please; affection

J
• Jasmine – Amiability; attracts wealth
• Jonquil – Love me; affection returned; desire; sympathy; desire for a return of affection
• Juniper Protection

L
• Larkspur – pink – Fickleness
• Lavender – Devotion
• Lemon – Zest
• Lemon Balm – Brings love
• Lemon verbena – Attracts opposite sex
• Lily (general) – Keeps unwanted visitors away
• Lily (calia) – Beauty
• Lily (day) – Coquetry
• Lily (eucharis) – Maiden charms
• Lily (orange) – Hatred
• Lily (tiger) – Wealth; pride
• Lily (white) – Virginity; purity; majesty; it’s heavenly to be with you
• Lily (yellow) – I’m walking on air; false and gay
• Lily of the valley – sweetness; return to happiness; humility

M
• Magnolia – Sweetness; beauty; love of nature
• Marigold – Comforts the heart
• Mint – Protection from illness; warmth of feeling
• Marjoram (sweet) – Joy and happiness
• Mistletoe – Kiss me; affection; to surmount difficulties; sacred plant of India
• Monkshood – Beware, a deadly foe is near; chivalry
• Moss – Maternal love; charity
• Myrtle – Love; Hebrew emblem of marriage

N
• Narcissus – Egotism; formality; stay as sweet as you are
• Nasturtium – Conquest; victory in battle; maternal love; charity; patriotism

O
• Oleander – Caution; beware
• Orange Generosity
• Orange Blossom – Brings wisdom
• Orange Mock – Deceit
• Orchid – Love; beauty; refinement; beautiful lady; Chinese symbol for many children
• Orchid (cattleya) – Mature charm

P
• Palm leaves – Victory and success
• Pansy – Thoughts; love
• Peach Longevity
• Peony – Aphrodisiac
• Petunia – Resentment; anger; your presence soothes me
• Pine – Hope; pity
• Poppy (general) – Eternal sleep ; oblivion; imagination
• Poppy (red) -Pleasure; consolation
• Poppy (white) – Consolation; sleep
• Poppy( yellow) – Wealth; success
• Prickly Pear – Satire
• Primrose – I can’t live without you; early youth
• Primrose(evening) – Inconstancy

R
• Rose (general)(Red) – Love ; I love you
• Rose( white) – Eternal Love ; innocence; heavenly; secrecy and silence
• Rose(pink) – Perfect happiness; please believe me
• Rose(Yellow) – Friendship ; jealousy; try to care
• Rose(Black) -Death
• Rose(red and white) – Together; unity
• Rose(thornless) – Love at first sight
• Rose( single, full bloom) – I love you; I still love you
• Rose bud – Beauty and youth ; a heart innocent of love
• Rose bud(red) – Pure and lovely
• Rose bud(white) – Girlhood
• Rosebud (moss) – Confessions of love
• Roses(Bouquet of full bloom) – Gratitude
• Roses( Garland or crown of) – Beware of virtue; reward of merit; crown ; symbol of superior merit
• Roses ( musk cluster) – Charming
• Rose(tea) – I’ll always remember
• Rose(cabbage) – Ambassador of love
• Rose(Christmas) – Tranquilize my anxiety; anxiety
• Rose(damask) – Brilliant complexion
• Rose(dark crimson) – Mourning
• Rose(hibiscus) – Delicate beauty
• Rose leaf – You may hope
• Rosemary – Remembrance

S
• Sage Wisdom – long life
• Salvia -(blue) I think of you
• Smilax – Loveliness
• Snapdragon – Deception; gracious lady; presumption
• Spiderflower – Elope with me
• Stephanotis – Happiness in marriage; desire to travel
• Stock – Lasting beauty
• Strawberry – Perfect goodness
• Sunflower – Loyalty; wishes
• Sweetpea – Goodbye; departure; blissful pleasure; Thank you for a lovely time

T
• Thyme – Strength and courage; ensures restful sleep
• Tulip(general) – Fame,charity; perfect lover
• Tulip(red) – Believe me; declaration of love
• Tulip(variegated) – Beautiful eyes
• Tulip(yellow) – Hopeless love

V
• Violet – Modesty; calms tempers; induces sleep
• Violet(blue) – Watchfulness; faithfulness; I’ll always be true
• Violet(white) – Let’s take a chance on happiness
• Viscaria – Will you dance with me?

W
• Woodruff – sweet humility

Y
• Yarrow – Health,healing

Z
• Zinnia – Thoughts of friends
• Zinnia(magenta) – Lasting affection
• Zinnia(mixed) – Thinking of an absent friend
• Zinnia(scarlet) – Constancy
• Zinnia(white) – Goodness
• Zinnia(yellow) – Daily remembrance

While gambling or wagering money on sporting events is only legal in Nevada, many people have friendly little football pools at their super bowl celebrations or in the office. Having a “you-pick-the-score” pool livens up the game and gives everyone a reason to root even if their team isn’t in the big game.

The best part of participating in these pools is that they are based on luck and not skill or football knowledge – although the winner usually denies that.

You can find some templates for pools online or you can easily make your own.

What you will need:
A pen or marker and large blank piece of paper or cardboard.

Draw a 10 by 10 grid.

Write the numbers 0 through 9 across the top, above each square.

Write the numbers 0 through 9 along the left side of the grid, next to each square.

Write one of the Super Bowl’s team’s name at the top (Indianapolis Colts) and the other team’s name (New Orleans Saints) on the left side of the grid.

Sell each square for one unit, which will provide a 100-unit payoff. Players can acquire more than one square. It’s best to use all squares.

Some people make a bowl with the numbers and let participants pick their squares randomly from the bowl to create more fun.

Write the initials of the buyer in the corresponding square.

Determine the prizes for the score after each quarter, halftime and the final score. Usually, the quarter scores are worth less, the halftime score more than the quarter but save up the big prize for the final outcome.

At the end of each quarter look at the squares and determine the winner. For example if the score is Colts 7, Saints 16 you would find the square where for the intersection of 7 and 6 and that person would be the winner for the quarter. You do that for each quarter, halftime and of course, the final score.

No matter what your plans are, you will want to decorate your home to help set the mood for your Super Bowl Party. Click here to see all the Super Bowl Decorations that we have found.

(And if you are really looking for some “action” on the big game, you can always find a few websites that offer online wagering on the SuperBowl.

Whether you want to watch a romantic movie to get you in the mood for the Valentine’s Day or you’re looking for a flick to cuddle up and watch with your sweetie, here are a few romantic favorites that are perfect to watch with the Valentine in your life.

An Affair to Remember (1957) – Cary Grant, Deborah Kerr
Amelie (2001) – Audrey Tautou
Atonement (2007) – Keira Knightly
Beauty and the Beast (1991) – Animated
Before Sunrise (1995) – Ethan Hawke
Before Sunset (2004) – Ethan Hawke
Braveheart (1995) – Mel Gibson
Brokeback Mountain (2006) – Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhaal
Bull Durham (1988) – Kevin Costner
Casablanca (1942) – Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman
Cold Mountain (2003) – Jude Law, Nicole Kidman
Dances with Wolves (1993) – Kevin Costner
Dirty Dancing (1987) – Jennifer Grey, Patrick Swayze
Don Juan DeMarco (1994) – Johnny Depp, Faye Dunaway
Down with Love (2003) – Ewan McGregor, Renée Zellweger
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) – Jim Carrey
Hairspray (2007) – Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta
Hitch (1993) – Will Smith
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) – Kate Hudson, Matthew McConaughey
Far and Away (1992) – Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman
Father Goose (1964) – Cary Grant, Leslie Caron
French Kiss (1995) – Meg Ryan, Kevin Klein
Ghost (1990) – Patrick Swayze, Demi Moore
Gone With the Wind (1939) – Clark Cable, Vivien Leigh
The Graduate (1967) – Dustin Hoffman< Anne Bancroft
Lady and the Tramp (1955) – Animated
Last Chance Harvey (2008) – Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson
Lost in Translation (2003) Scarlett Johansson, Bill Murray
Love Actually (2003) – Hugh Grant, Laura Linney
Love Story (1970) – Ali MacGraw, Ryan O’Neal
My Best Friend’s Wedding (1997) – Julia Roberts, Cameron Diaz
Nine 1/2 Weeks (1986) – Kim Basinger, Mickey Rourke
Notting Hill (1999) – Hugh Grant, Julia Roberts
An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) – Debra Winger, Richard Gere
Pretty Woman (1990) – Julia Robert, Richard Gere
Pride and Prejudice (2005) – Keira Knightley
The Princess Bride (1987) – Robin Wright, Carey Elwes
The Reader (2008) – Kate Winslet
Runaway Bride (1999) – Julia Roberts, Richard Gere
Sabrina (1954) – Humphrey Bogart, Audrey Hepburn
Sabrina (1995) – Harrison Ford, Julia Ormond
Sleepless in Seattle (1993) – Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan
The Thomas Crowne Affair (1999) – Rene Rousseau, Pierce Brosnan
Titanic (1997) – Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet
Top Gun (1986) – Kelly McGillis, Tom Cruise
Wall-E (2008) – Animated
The Way We Were (2003) – Barbra Streisand, Robert Redford
What Women Want (2002) – Mel Gibson, Helen Hunt
When Harry Met Sally (1989) – Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal
While You were Sleeping (1995) – Sandra Bullock, Bill Pullman
You’ve got Mail (1998) – Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan

If spending the night in with your sweetheart watching movies on your couch is your idea of a great Valentine’s Night, be sure to visit Netflix.com or Blockbuster.com and sign up for a membership to get your DVD’s in the mail. These sites have hundreds of thousands of DVD’s that you can browse through and rent through the mail for a low monthly rate.

St. Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love and nothing says I love you like flowers, chocolate and a romantic dinner. For some, sticking to tradition is the ultimate way to express their love.

So, if you are a traditionalist here are some tips:

Flowers
Red Roses are the traditional Valentine’s Day flowers. Go for a single red rose or a dozen. Anything in between seems slightly off. And two dozen red roses can get too pricey. No need for the overkill.

Florists are swamped on Valentine’s Day, so be sure to get your order in early and make sure that if the flowers are to be delivered that they will arrive in time.

If your sweetheart works in an office or a setting where it‘s okay to receive flowers, send the flowers there. Especially for women, getting flowers in an office setting is a way to stand out and have some bragging rights among colleagues. Ladies love it when their special someone sends the bouquet to the office and they will proudly display them at their desk or workspace.

FlamingoWorld.com has a number of Valentines Day Coupons from top internet floral retailers 1-800 FLORALS,
1-800-FLOWERS, and Flowers Fast. All these stores have coupons and are sure to deliver your flowers just in time for Valentines Day.

Chocolate
Most ladies love chocolate. The euphoric feeling that chocolate brings on mimics being in love. Most ladies will appreciate a small but good quality box of treats.

Be aware if your sweetie is counting calories. A huge box of chocolates may be too much of a temptation. No need to go overboard.

You also don’t need to buy a heart shaped box of chocolates or one that is specifically made for Valentine’s Day. It’s perfectly acceptable to buy some of their favorite treats and simply wrap them up in a red or pink ribbon. It will be just as festive and tasty without the extra cost. Visit Fannie May, Cheryl and Co., or our favorite, Mrs. Fields to find a coupon on the order that will be perfect for your sweetheart.

If counting calories is a concern, then you may want to consider a fruit basket from 1-800 Baskets or AAA Fruit Baskets.

Romantic dinner
Going out for a romantic dinner with your sweetie is always something to look forward to, but remember that many places jack up the prices for Valentine’s Day meals.

Look for restaurants that are offering Valentine’s Day specials or pre fixed meals. Be sure that dessert is included. You can save a lot of money when dining out if you visit Restaurant.com. Visit this site and you can snag a $25 certificate for only $4, saving you a bunch of money on your Valentines Day Dinner.

Unless there is a restaurant that your love has been dying to try, stick with what you know. You don’t want any surprises or a bad dining experience. Better yet, pick a place with some romantic significance – like the location of your first date or a place you met or the restaurant where you celebrated a previous milestone.

Make your dinner reservations now. Valentine’s Day is a boon for restaurants and prime dining times fill up fast. Otherwise, you’ll end up eating at 5pm or 10pm.

You can also think about cooking dinner at home for your sweetheart. If you’re not a chef, keep the food very simple. And don’t worry if you need to head to the bakery to buy dessert. Just make sure the setting is romantic – with candles and low lighting. Any effort you put forth will be appreciated and rewarded.

No matter what gift you decide to give your Valentine this year, you will want to save money on your purchases. FlamingoWorld.com has all the best Valentine’s Day deals from the top internet stores, simply No Comments Holidays, Saving Money Tags: Chocolates, Dining Out, Eating Out, Flower Bouquets, Flowers, Free Delivery, Roses, valentines day, valentines day coupons

Not having a date or a special someone to share Valentine’s Day with can make you feel left out. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There are plenty of ways to celebrate the day (or ignore it) that will let you show yourself how much you care about you. And remember the old adage; you need to love yourself before someone else can. So, be good to yourself.

Throw a party for your single friends
Get together with other singles and have an alternative Valentine’s day. You can throw a party or go out to dinner together as a group. Who knows maybe someone will bring along a pal that might end up being someone special in your life. We have a great variety of . board games that you can enjoy with your friends. Heck you can even decorate your home with Valentines Decorations – buy them up and have fun “redecorating” them to poke fun at this Hallmark holiday.

Have a pampering night
Stay at home and treat yourself to a mani/pedi, a facial and relaxing soak in the tub. You can also give your hair that deep conditioning treatment you’ve been putting off. And when others come to work the next day after dropping a boat load of dough on diner, chocolate and red roses, you will be looking fabulous and refreshed. Find money saving deals with MySpaShop and SpaSkin Coupons

Do something you’ve always wanted to do
Why not do something that you’ve always wanted to do like g skydiving or taking a cooking class or head out to perform at your first open mike night.

Babysit for a friend
If you’re feeling generous, why not help out a friend and baby sit for their kid while they have a romantic evening out. You’ll save them some money and probably have some fun acting like a kid for the evening. Plus, they owe you and you can call in the favor next time you need help moving.

Start a project you’ve been neglecting
You know the necklaces you were going to make but never got around to stringing the beads? Now’s the time to get to it. Or tackle the scrapbooking you let pile up. It feels good to accomplish a project. And you’ll have a great result to show people once you’re done. We have a number of scrapbooking coupons and beading stores you can use to save money on your projects

Treat yourself to a gift or nice meal
Make a special meal for yourself or if you’re not a cook, then order fancy take out from that place you’ve been dying to try. You can put on your favorite movie, break out the good dishes and a bottle of wine and savor that delicious meal. We have lots of money saving offers from a few merchants.
1. Wine Coolers.com
2. Wine Enthusiast
3. Wine.com

Find an old boyfriend on Facebook
Ok, you don’t have to stalk them, but it might be fun to look up your high school or college sweetheart and check out their Facebook profile. You’ll get to relive some old memories while checking out their current life.

Whether your team has made it to the Super Bowl or you’re just a gridiron fan who wants to watch the big game, having a Super Bowl party is a great and casual way to gather friends for a fun celebration.

The TV
If you’ve already got a big screen for the big game then no need to worry. But if you’re thinking of getting a new set for the game, don’t wait until the last minute. You’ll want to make sure that everything is hooked up and in proper working order before guest arrive.

And if your TV set is new to you, take some time to get acquainted with the remote and functions before the big day. You’ll want to be familiar with how your set works before the kickoff.

If you have more than one TV set, be sure to turn them on. Put TVs in the kitchen or other areas of the house, so that guests can feel free to roam around and not miss a single play.

Click here to see are a few of our favorite deals on the latest 40 inch Plasma HDTV’s.

Have one room without a TV. Some guests will come for the party and camaraderie but they aren’t interested in the game. Having a place for those guests too chat without the game in the background will be welcomed. It’ll also keep the die-hard fans from being distracted from the game by idle chatter.

Be sure to set the TiVO or DVR to record the game (Click here for our TiVo Coupons). Company’s often pay big bucks to debut new advertising during the game. And let’s face it, if your team isn’t playing, the commercials are often the most interesting part of the show. You’ll want to be able to pause and rewind in case guests miss the ads. This is one time you don’t want to skip through the commercials.

Your house
Make sure to clear the living room or den to accommodate the number of guest you’ve invited. You’ll want plenty of room for excited fans in case they get a little animated while they are rooting for their team. Put away any breakables or valuables so guest will feel free to cheer without worrying about breaking things.

If you feel compelled to decorate, think team colors, footballs, team jerseys, goal posts, and pennants. But don’t knock yourself out. Most eyes will be more impressed by the clear reception on your television not the decorations. Click here for a variety of Super Bowl party decorations to get your house ready.

Have plenty of trash and recycling bins spread through the house. It’ll make it much easier for guests to dispose of their own plates and you’ll have less clean up time after the guests leave. We found a number of bins on sale here.

The food
The actual game is just a small part of the Super Bowl celebration. There are hours of pregame and post game analysis and activities. If guests will be at your place for a long period of time, you’ll need more than just chips and dips. Think about offering the traditional stuff but also including healthy snacks like veggie sticks (carrots, celery, etc). You also might want to make something hearty like chili or stew or burgers so your guests aren’t just snacking on cheese and crackers all day. Use our coupons from Hickory Farms and AppetizersToGo.com to stock your buffet table and save money while doing so.

Set up a buffet. That will make it easy for guests to grab their own food as they wish. It’ll also make it easier on you to replenish items and not have to wait on guests.

If you are thinking about ordering food – like pizza – Super Bowl Sunday is traditionally a very busy day for delivery places. Order early or else you may be waiting for hours. Most delivery pizza places say that the start of the game and half time are when the bulk of their orders come in.

The beverages
Again, your guests will likely be spending several hours at your party, so make sure that you have lots of beverages on hand. Many people associate watching the big game with having a beer or two, but you don’t want your guests to overdo it. You’ll need to make sure that you also have plenty of water available. Encourage your guests to alternative between water and alcoholic beverages. You’ll also want to have lots of non-alcoholic drinks such as juice or soda for those that don’t want to indulge or kids that will be attending.

To make it easier for guests to serve themselves, put drinks in a cooler with ice or even in the bathtub. This will prevent guests from having to go into your fridge every two minutes to hunt down a beverage. You might find a beverage tub that features your team’s logo to help you decorate your house even more.

If you are looking for another way to express your deep feelings for the one you love beyond the traditional Valentine’s Day chocolates, flowers and a romantic dinner, there are a lot of things you can do that will say I love you and save you some money.

Give a coupon book
Using your computer’s word processing program and free clip art from the Internet, you can make up some coupons for things that you sweetie enjoys such as breakfast in bed, a foot massage, a day where their every wish is your command, a romantic dinner at home, a break from dog walking etc. Just create a coupon and fill it in with whatever you want. You can punch holes in all the coupons and tie them with a red or pink ribbon. That way your honey can redeem them at their convenience.

Plan a picnic
If you live in an area where the weather is too cold to venture outside for a romantic picnic, have it in your living room. Spread out a blanket and break out some picnic food or wine and cheese and bread. You can also bring a book of your favorite poems and read it to your beloved. It will be fun and unexpected. Use our coupons to find great savings on wine, cheese for your special Valentines Day picnic.

Send a love letter
You probably tell your loved one that you care deeply for them all the time. But writing a heart-felt love letter to them is so romantic. Don’t be afraid to pour your heart out. It’s also something they will treasure for a lifetime. If you need some inspiration just break out a book of love poems.

Save it up for a long weekend
If getting everything together to celebrate for a single day seems overwhelming, and then save up for a long weekend together. You don’t have to spend a lot. You can plan a hiking trip in your area or a getaway to beach and a stay overnight. The important thing is that you focus on spending quality time with your loved one and showing them just how much you enjoy their company. You can use our a coupon from BedandBreakfast.com to take your sweetie away on a short, romantic getaway vacation.

Have a treasure hunt
Make up clues and leave them around the house, in shirt pockets, in a lunch bag, in a briefcase. If your loved one solves the clues eventually they will lead to the two of you spending a romantic evening together. You can be waiting in the bath tub with bubbles or have a nice dinner waiting or something sexier. Be creative. Use your imagination.

Make a donation in their name
Instead of flowers and chocolate, think about using that money to make a small donation to a charity that is close to their heart. You’ll be helping out a good cause and make your partner feel great about it.

Do volunteer work together
Another way to feel even closer to your partner is to do something together and what could be better than giving back to those that less fortunate. The two of you will bond over the experience and create a shared bond that will only heighten intimacy.

Spend all day in bed
Send the kids to grandma’s house and agree to spend the entire day in bed together. It doesn’t have to be about being physical with each other. You can have breakfast in bed; watch a good movie, talk and whatever else comes to mind. John and Yoko did it.

Do something they love
Maybe your sweetheart loves golf or working in and garage or playing video games. Even if his activities are not your thing, agree to participate fully. This will show your loved one that you respect their hobbies and likes and are willing to engage in them, even if they aren’t your cup of tea. Plus, your sweetie will love you even more for trying so hard.

No matter what you decide to do for your Sweetheart for Valentines Days, you are going to want to get the most for your money. To help you, be sure to check out all the Valentines Day Coupons at FlamingoWorld.com.

If you own a home you know that things are bound to break and need repair. There can be pipes burst, wires crossed, toilets clogged and many other household problems. Taking quick action to fix small problems can prevent them from turning into big problems. To do this you need some essential tools to help you handle any such emergency home repair and home improvements.

The good news is that for or around $200, you can buy 90 percent of all the tools you’ll ever need to repair and maintain your home.

The most important thing to keep in mind is not to compromise quality. Paying few extra dollars for top-quality tools that are easy to handle, durable and last long time is worth it in the long run. The key is to buy only good tools from reputable, name-brand manufacturers.

Here’s what you’ll need in your toolbox:

Toolbox
A good, usable toolbox can save as much time on a job as having the right tools inside. And it doesn’t have to be a box, it can be a bag. There are soft canvas bags with lots of pockets that drape over a five-gallon bucket. Rubber-bottom soft bags are a slightly heavier alternative. Most of these options cost around $30.
$30

Hammer
A hammer is one of the most essential and basic of all home tools. Buy a hammer that feels good to hold. A 16-ounce curved-claw standard model good enough Look for a steel-shaft version with a vibration-dampening rubber grip – preferably steel or fiberglass-shaft hammer with a smooth (not checkered) head to avoid unnecessary marring. Choose a model with a straight or “rip” claw, not a curved claw; they’re much more useful for demolition.
$15

Adjustable wrench
You need to have a 8-inch adjustable wrench. This is good size for turning small- to medium-sized nuts and bolts. Always opt for top and best quality. You can also get a larger size for larger nuts and bolts an 8-inch adjustable wrench may cost about
$20.

Pry bar
A 12- to 15-inch pry bar is incredibly handy. Look for one made of hexagonal steel rather than spring steel, which tends to bounce when you hammer them.
$15

Vise grips
Also known as locking pliers, vise-grips are the pit bull in your toolbox: Simply adjust the screw drive in the handle and clamp it on to anything that needs viselike stabilizing, typically metal or PVC pipes. When you’re done, the lever in the opposite handle releases the jaws. Channel-lock pliers are a good second choice.
$10

Needle-nose pliers
The long, tapering, forged head that gives needle-nose pliers their name is particularly useful in electrical work where spaces can get tight. Get a pair with a wire-cutting blade near the hinge.
$8

Tape measure
The next essential tool is a retractable 20-foot tape measure with a thumb lock for the blade handles easily and is long enough for most jobs.
$15

Screwdrivers (mixed set)
You’ll save money and get the most use out of a good-quality mixed set that includes 1/4- and 3/8-inch flat heads and No. 1 and No. 2 Phillips head drivers. Magnetic heads come in handy, too.
$20

Electrical tester
Forget the fancy gadgets with dials and displays: You only need the cheapie with two probes and a light to indicate that an electrical current is present.
$5

Reversible drill with bit set
This 3/8th-inch reversible drill is the only electrical tool that you absolutely, positively have to have. Although stores are filled with cordless varieties, stick with a corded model: They’re lighter, cheaper and never run out of juice.
$40

Arc-joint pliers
An arc-joint plier is an essential for the home tool kit. The jaws of these pliers have a wide adjustment, allowing them to grip anything from tiny nails or wires to large pipes. $20

1/2-inch steel chisel
One of the most ancient tools is also essential as well. When you need a chisel (and you will), there’s really no acceptable substitute. And forget the plastic- and wooden-handled varieties.
$10

Utility Knife
Having a utility knife with replaceable blades comes in awfully handy, and again, when you need one there’s really no substitute. Make sure the blade is also retractable.
$4

Putty knife
You should buy a 1-inch blade for filling cracks and small holes and a larger 3-inch-wide blade for big holes. Blades should be straight and flexible.
$4

Handsaw
If you invest in a circular saw, you may find few situations in which you’ll need a handsaw.
$15

Torpedo Level (9-inch)
These palm-size levels with the bubble that floats to center are essential to leveling everything from picture frames to kitchen cabinets. If you need to level something long, simply add a board to the level. And don’t be tempted by the various laser levels on the market.
$9

Safety glasses
There simply is no substitute for effective eye protection.
$6

Here are some additional tools that are not necessities, but really nice to have:

7-1/4-inch circular saw
Once your projects grow beyond a certain scale to include things like decks and fences, you won’t hesitate to invest in a circular saw, which speeds up any project involving numerous cuts.
$80

Electronic stud finder
Looking for the studs behind your walls to support shelves or other fixtures? This electronic device will locate them for you quickly and accurately.
$10

Carpenter’s square
Despite its name, a carpenter’s square isn’t square at all, but rather triangular in sort of a gun shape. It enables you to cut squarely when you use it to measure and mark a straight line at a right (90-degree) angle from any straight edge.
$10

Random orbital sander
At some point, you’ll likely need to remove a finish or sand smooth a large surface (table, cabinet, etc.). This is just the tool. Its random motion sands evenly from rough to smooth with optimal control.
$55

Staple gun
A staple gun comes in handy for a variety of home projects that require fast tacking, such as upholstering.
$17

People are staying home more and using their television sets as total family entertainment centers to watch movies, see their favorite programs, play games and listen to music. But the cost of getting all the programming from cable and satellite TV can take a monthly toll on your wallet.

There are several ways to help reduce your cable or satellite TV bill without completely giving up TV.

Go basic
Eliminate all those premium movies channels and just pay for the basic package. It will save you a bundle. There’s no way you can watch all 500+ channels anyway. So, why pay for channels you’re not watching.

Go digital
For a one-time charge of around $50, you can get a digital converter box and pick up all the basic network channels (NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, and CW). There is no monthly fee.

Go to the library
A free library card can get you access to sometimes hundreds of DVDs. Even libraries in small towns have their shelves stocked with everything from educational DVDs to recent movies and popular TV episodes.

Go for rentals
For as little as $7 per month you can sign up for Netflix and have the latest movies delivered to you vial mail. You can select your which DVD you want online and even pre-order movies that are coming out. You can also rent DVDs for $1 a day at kiosks placed in many grocery stores and big retailers like Wal-Mart and McDonalds.

Go online
Many of the networks – like NBC – have some of their popular shows online. Some cable channels also offer full-length episode of your favorite shows. You can also go to websites like Hulu.com for a huge variety of programming. These shows can be watched on your computer or you can hook a laptop to your TV set with an inexpensive cable and watch the programs on your TV. You can also watch current TV episodes via iTunes. It will cost you $1.99 a show to download. With iTunes, you can also rent movies ranging from $4 for new titles and $3 for oldies.

No matter what cable package you go with, you will want to save money on your selections. If you have Charter Communications, please use our Charter Communications Coupons to save money on your cable TV packages.

Valentines Day isn’t too far away, and that means that many people are considering buying a diamond ring as an engagement ring for their sweetheart. If you are unsure about what to look for when buying a diamond, read our tips below and you can buy that gift feeling confident that you are making a great purchase.

Here are some things to consider before you buy:

Budgeting
Before you begin shopping for a diamond ring, have a budget in mind. Common wisdom says that you should spend the equivalent of two month’s salary. That is just a guideline. Select a budget that works for your financial situation.

What you need to know about diamonds: 4 C’s
The first thing to learn when buying a diamond is the 4 C’s: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat weight. These 4 C’s combined determine the value of a diamond and each individually can dramatically affect the value of the diamond. Not any one particular C is most important and all four need to be balanced to find a ring that meets your budget.

Carat
Diamonds are weighed in ‘carats’, a small unit of measurement equal to 200 milligrams. The carat is not specifically measuring the diamond’s size, as cutting a diamond to different proportions can affect its weight. The most important thing to remember when it comes to a diamond’s carat weight is that size is not the only thing determining the diamond’s value. A bigger carat size does not always equal a better quality diamond.

The carat weight is important in determining the value of a diamond as they are typically valued on a per carat basis. This means that high quality diamonds will sell at a higher per carat cost than a lesser quality diamond will. Diamonds are rarer in larger sizes, thus the increase of cost per carat. This does not necessarily mean that a 2-carat diamond will cost double the amount of a 1-carat diamond (all other C’s being equal). Instead, it means that the per carat rate will increase. Remember, all diamonds are not created equal. Two diamonds of equal carat weight may be priced differently due to the other C’s: cut, color, and clarity.

Color
The most important thing to remember is that the less color a diamond has the more valuable it is. Diamonds can be found in a wide range of colors from completely colorless to slightly yellow and brown. There are also colored diamonds, such as yellow, pink, green and blue, but these are not graded on the same scale.

The color of diamonds is graded on a scale using alphabet letters from D to Z. D colored diamonds are the most colorless and therefore the most valuable. They are also the rarest to find. Z diamonds have the most color within this range and are the least valuable. Diamonds with color grades of D-F are considered colorless. Diamonds with the colors G-J are near colorless. Diamonds with the colors K-M have a faint yellow tint. Diamonds with the colors S-Z are light yellow.

Color can be determined by looking under a controlled light and comparing it to a Gemological scale. It is also best to look at color when diamonds are not mounted as some mounts can introduce other tints, especially yellow gold mounts.

Clarity
Clarity refers to the number, position, and size of any inclusions that occur naturally inside diamonds. The fewer and less obvious the inclusions are, the more valuable the diamond becomes. Clarity is rated on the following scale:

F: Flawless. The diamond shows no inclusions or blemishes when magnified 10x and observed by a grader. Truly flawless diamonds are extremely rare.

IF: Internally Flawless. The diamond shows no inclusions when magnified 10x, but may have some minor blemishes.

VVS1, VVS2: Very, very slightly included. The diamond shows minute inclusions that are difficult even for experienced graders to see when magnified 10x.

VS1, VS2: Very slightly included. The diamond shows minute inclusions such as small crystals, clouds, or feathers when magnified 10x.

SI1, SI2: Slightly included. The diamond shows inclusions such as clouds, crystals, knots, cavities, and feathers that are noticeable when magnified 10x.

I1, I2, I3: Included. The diamond shows larger inclusions that are obvious when magnified 10x. Sometimes these are viewable without magnification.

Diamonds with less inclusions are more brilliant and better reflect light, making them more valuable. Most diamonds do contain some blemishes inside the stones and these are what give each diamond its own uniqueness. The most important thing to remember about clarity is that you do not want inclusions to be viewable to the naked eye, nor should they be so excessive that they affect the diamond’s brilliance or durability.

Cut
Cut is the only one of the 4 C’s that is within your control. The cut is the result of transforming the diamond into a gem. All diamonds have facets, which allow the light to enter it and refract a rainbow of colors, making it brilliant. A better cut will have a great effect on the beauty of the diamond.

Diamonds with correct proportions better refract the light out of the top of the stone. Lesser cut diamonds allow some light to escape from the bottom of the stone, resulting in a less brilliant diamond.

When analyzing a diamond’s cut, you want to remember that facets must be cut at right angles relative to one another. The top and bottom halves of the stone must be proportional to one another. The surface top of the stone must be proportionate to the overall size of the stone. And lastly, the facets must be aligned correctly.

Shape
Another factor you’ll need to consider when choosing a diamond is its shape. Although shape and cut are sometimes used interchangeably, they are not the same. Cut refers to the proportions and symmetry. If it is rated, you want to look for an excellent, very good, or good rating on the report. Shape, on the other hand, refers to the actual shape of the diamond. There are 8 popular shapes including: round (also called brilliant cut), Princess cut, Emerald cut, Asscher cut, Marquise cut, Radiant cut, Pear cut, and Heart cut. When you select a shape, the most important factor is simply what appeals to you.

The classic Round diamond tends to better hide imperfections such as flaws and tints.

Flaws and tints are more obvious in Emerald cut diamonds.

If you want a diamond that looks as big as possible, consider the Marquise or Pear shapes, which look bigger than other shaped diamonds of the same weight.

Make sure it’s certified
Don’t buy a diamond without an independent diamond-grading report from the GIA or the American Gem Society. It should include the 4 c’s of color, cut, clarity and carat, as well as the shape and size. And, like your house, don’t forget to get the ring insured.