Winter Tips

Though some of you out there are enjoying mild weather and sunshine (and yes, I am jealous!), the majority of us are still digging out of the snow and ice that recently blanketed most of the country. And while I personally can’t wait until spring arrives, it looks like we have a few weeks left of scraping windshields, shoveling driveways, and bundling up like the kid in A Christmas Story. Ah, winter … such a wonderful time of year.

This week, our focus is helpful tips to take the sting out of the cold-weather season. Take, for example, snow shoveling; did you know that spraying your shovel with WD-40 or cooking spray before you start is a great way to keep snow from sticking to the blade? Try it out -- I find it makes things a heck of a lot easier.

Then of course there’s everyone’s cold-weather favorite: icy windshields. One thing you can do to combat the ice is to fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and apply it to your frozen windshield. Give it a few scrapes and voila -- no more ice! I’ve also heard of people rubbing salt on their windshields to prevent ice from forming. Just a few ideas to help you enjoy that cup of morning coffee a few minutes longer…

Years ago, I would dread (and I mean dread) looking at our heating bill. But it wasn’t long before I wised-up and took a few steps that ended up saving us a lot of money. It’s amazing how a few trips to the hardware store can really cut down on your energy costs.

Tune in next week for a second installment of helpful winter ideas. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts, suggestions, and ideas in the comments section below.

MySurvey.com & Lightspeed Join Forces

In a June 8, 2009 blog, we let you know that the parent company of MySurvey.com became part of WPP's information, insight and consultancy division, The Kantar Group. Another very similar online panel, Lightspeed Consumer Panel, is also a part of The Kantar Group. Because MySurvey.com and LightspeedPanel.com are owned by the same company, we are able to join forces to make your membership a more rewarding experience. Watch for exciting changes over the next few months, including more ways to share your opinions through surveys from both MySurvey.com and Lightspeedpanel.com.

Reward Point Donations for Haiti

Since adding Save the Children's Haiti Earthquake Emergency Fund as charity partner last week, MySurvey.com members have donated over $9,000.00 in reward points. Thank you for your generosity.

Save the Children’s Haiti Earthquake Emergency Fund

Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Haiti and their families abroad who have been devastated by the recent earthquake. Like so many other Americans, we on the MySurvey.com team look for ways to help with the relief efforts and the rebuilding in Haiti. We know that nothing can truly compensate for the many losses, but we want to do as much as we can.

A new charity option has been added for members wishing to redeem MySurvey.com Reward Points to help with the relief efforts in Haiti:

• Save the Children is appealing for $10 million in public support to help provide basic necessities to countless children and families left homeless by a devastating earthquake that struck impoverished Haiti on January 12th. Save the Children has worked on child-focused programs in Haiti for over 20 years, and its emergency response team is on the ground responding to the needs of children.

To redeem your MySurvey.com Reward Points for a donation to the Save the Children's Haiti Earthquake Emergency Fund, click Rewards on the top menu, Select Reward on the left menu, then Charity Donations.