The Pros and Cons of Timeshares as an Investment

The most important thing to understand about buying into a timeshare is that it’s a real estate deal. So if you’re using it as an investment opportunity that just happens to give you a few weeks in desirable locales each year, you need to know that there are both pros and cons to consider. A timeshare is a special type of investment because the value is based on a number of factors that may change over time  and it can be largely subjective.

Additionally, it can be challenging to get out of a timeshare opportunity once you are in one. Unfortunately, many bad companies do this purposefully, so you simply quit. As a result, it gives the industry a bad name. But don’t worry. Reputable timeshare exit companies are willing to lend a helping hand and do the complex work for you.

So before you go ahead and sign up for that timeshare in Cabo, here are
a few things you may want to consider.

First, timeshares can be good investments. People with stressful jobs and disposable income tend
to like vacationing as a way to escape from the harsh realities of their daily lives. But they may not
necessarily want to deal with the additional stresses of booking hotels, dealing with noisy tourists in
surrounding rooms, and paying through the nose for each and every night of this torture. So you should
have a ready marketplace when you go to sell your timeshare down the road. Of course, it doesn’t hurt
that you get to enjoy your shared property in the meantime.

The other bonus is that you’ll share all the expenses of ownership. So not only will you save on hotels
in most cases, you also won’t have to foot the entire bill for upkeep of a residence. And since the other
people involved in the timeshare will also be using the residence throughout the year you should never
have to arrive to a house that is covered in cobwebs (assuming everyone does their part to keep the
place clean). This is a great selling point that is undeniable. The cost of maintaining a property from
afar can be astronomical if you’re doing it [Read more…]

Wordless Wednesday! Our Fun day in NYC

Plasma Car- Review and G!VEAWAY (you are going to want this!)

When is the last time you saw a 3 ft tall driver barreling down the street, turning the steering wheel more wildly then a cartoon character, and not called 911? No- this isn’t too much eggnog and olives drenched in vodka for Grandma at Christmas. This is the plasma car, for your kids, silly! Plasma car is a kid powered vehicle which moves by turning the steering wheel in a back and forth motion, about 30 degrees each way, to go forward in a wobbly and silly manner. The car moves completely in this manner, meaning your kids legs are left for more important things like stopping the car in emergencies 🙂 If questioning how exactly it works your best bet is to check out the video:

Little Man liked it because it looks like a spaceship car. We like it because, sans up a hill, it keeps the speed to a minimum while keeping the fun at a maximum. Also, trying to figure out how it works is always a head scratcher for everyone. I suspect it has to do with the size of the three tires at the front of the vehicle, but honestly I am not really sure. All I do know is, Little Man likes it, it uses no batteries and for now fulfills his need for speed.

OK, so- maybe he didn’t really get the whole steering thing- but he is stubborn like a mule, LOL- he still loves it!

One of you will win a PlasmaCar as well! Of course, if you want to make sure one is under the Christmas Tree or as a gift for Hanukkah, you can always buy it here– many Learning Express stores also carry them, I have seen them on my Quest for a Santa YooHoo!


Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect or G+1
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.

2 entries if you are doing both 🙂

Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry


– “Like” PlasmaCar on Facebook
(This is not mandatory and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this contest)



– “Follow” @PlaSmart on Twitter and tweet about this Giveaway
#WIN a PlasmaCar for the Holidays!
http://tinyurl.com/cojr8ca @HaveSippy @PlaSmart[Read more…]

Paprcutz Books- Great Reads for Great Kids! W!N Yours Here!

Have you ever walked into a store looking for that perfect gift, only to walk about an hour later completely empty handed and mildly overwhelmed? Or if you are like me, with wayyyy too many books? LOL.
Well, I have a few ideas for stocking stuffers for your little readers, books.
Books are hand held, use no batteries, stimulate creativity, and of course are good reading practice.
Today we will be looking at three books published by Papercutz. Another good characteristic of these books at least is they are also inexpensive- all of these are below $10 each.

The first is Garfield and Co. #4: Caroling Capers. This is a graphic novel adaptation of three episodes of the new Garfield series airing on Cartoon Network. The story is of Garfield who is caroling with his ‘best friends’ Odie and Nermal. Garfield is hoping to get treats, but is coming up short handed compared to his more on-key carolers. Also includes two short stories- one starring Nermal, the other Odie.

Next up is The Smurfs #8: The Smurf Apprentice. Smurf Apprentice is a new tale written by the original writer of the Smurfs, Peyo. This is a brand new story based on the same characters and settings we all know and love. The tale goes something like this- One of the Smurfs decide they want to copy Papa Smurf, and the way they decide to do this is through magic. They break into Gargamel’s laboratory, and then the real issues start. The story is enjoyable and perfect for younger readers, or for young-at-heart parents who haven’t read a good smurf story in 15 years. 🙂

Last but not least we have the newest series and a good one it is. This series is based on the Lego line/collectible game Ninjago. Ninjago Graphic Novel #1: The Challenge of Samukai. This series is written by Greg Farshtey, who also wrote the successful Bionicle series of graphic novels. The books follows our heroes as they keep their Sensei’s evil brother and his skeleton army from taking over the world. Is it a suspenseful, gripping story, not really. Is it perfect for a little one trying to get a grasp on theme, setting, characters and such in stories while including their favorite toys? Yes indeed. As a bonus to my readers here is a preview of the first few pages of the book. Enjoy!

You can buy these books at the following sites-

[Read more…]

The Bake Shop- Cookies, Cakes, and Whoopie Pies- W!N Yours Here!

One of the big selling points of Amish country for Little Man is the baked goods. There is one in particular that tickles his fancy at every turn and causes him to actually yell in delight. The infamous Whoopie Pie. When done right it is a melding of cake, cookie, and vanilla/butter cream frosting into Amish good-ness. We are now connoisseurs of the Whoopie pie, and know where the best are made. One of these bakers of pure joy is The Bake Shop.

When compared toe to toe with Pennsylvania Amish and Ohio Amish, these stand up quite well. Yes, there is a difference- but that is not a bad thing. Bake Shop’s Whoopie Pies are chocolate cake with a light fluffy butter cream filling. The cake itself has more bite to it then the PA Amish pies, a bit closer to a fluffy cookie. Overall quite good. The pies themselves are almost bite size, which is nice or not nice for popping one in your mouth and getting the whole she-bang in one shot, LOL.

The Bake Shop also sell an assortment of cookies, brownies, hand made marshmallows and caramels. They are definitely added to the list of places to call before the big holiday party.

One of you can win Chocolate Whoopie Pies here- Here is how to enter!

Mandatory entry
You must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect.
Leave me your email so I can contact you if you win.


Extra Entries
Leave a separate comment for each entry


– “Like” Bakeshop on Facebook –
(This is not mandatory and Facebook is in no way sponsoring this contest)



– “Follow” Bakeshop on Twitter and tweet about this Giveaway
#WIN @bakeshopcookies Whoopie Pies for the Holidays! 2
http://tinyurl.com/d48wp5p @HaveSippy #Cookies


-“Like” me on Facebook.
Facebook is in no way sponsoring this contest.
+2 entries

-Subscribe to Have Sippy Will Travel by email, and confirm subscription [Read more…]

BodyCology Bath Sets- 9 W!NNERS!

Who doesn’t love lotion, bath spray, and bath gel? It is a total go-to-gift. This year I was giving the opportunity to check out a little bit of Bodycology’s line.

Bodycology is bath and body on a budget. There you can find bath products, like fun lotions, body sprays, hand soaps, and gels- all for a fraction of department store prices and in all the stores you find yourself in all the time- from WalMart to CVS.

Bodycology sent me a [Read more…]

Our Shopping Trip and Why I #LuvCookies

We jsut got back from our shopping trip to the Bronx, NY, to go to Cookies, The Kids Department Store. The store we visited was located at 1534 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, NY 10472.

There was on the street parking- and believe it or not- I FOUND PARKING! Lol. While we did hit major, major traffic to get there, it was a god trip and my first time to a Cookies location. My son and husband came with me to the store, and we decided to make an afternoon of it. My Little Man recently went through a growth spurt, and he really needed some new threads, so this was a great time to shop! We are also going to Florida soon, so he will have fun sporting his new clothes. He was really excited, since I let him help choose his own clothes. He felt like such a big boy!

Cookies Kids has a whole lot to choose from in the way of school uniforms- but today we were shopping for regular, everyday clothes. The prices were very reasonable to extremely inexpensive. While I think I am more likely to shop online at CookiesKids.com in the future- the location was a little crowded for me, I get a little freaked out in super large crowds or tight spaces- there is no way we won’t shop at Cookies again.

The selection at this store was great, from infants all the way to boys size 20 and girls size 16. They also stocked toys, baby bottles and sippy [Read more…]

How to Drop Christmas Gift Hints to Him

You may think it’s bordering on gauche to drop hints to your man about what gifts to get you for
Christmas. Or perhaps you simply think he should know you well enough to choose something suitable.
But if you haven’t figured it out yet, men are not psychic, nor are they generally particularly keen
at “guessing” what you might like. In truth, they often need our help to figure out just what is and isn’t
an appropriate gift. So unless you want to end up with yet another pair of warm socks or a set of his-
and-hers shot glasses, perhaps you should get on the ball with a little hint-dropping. Your man will
appreciate that you’re not making him rack his brains to find the perfect gift and you might actually end
up with a present that doesn’t get stuffed in the back of the closet for eternity.

1. The direct approach. The easiest way to get what you want this year is to come right out and
tell him, in no uncertain terms, that the item you want had better be under the tree. Or you
could make him a list. While this definitely removes the element of surprise and makes most
women wonder why they don’t just get what they want for themselves, it will certainly ensure
that your man isn’t scrambling at the last minute to come up with a gift that he hopes you’ll
appreciate.

2. Subliminal signals. Understanding nonverbal communication cues can help you to drive home
a point nicely without being overly obvious. Suppose you’re looking at jewelry and you see a
piece you’d just love to have. You could tell him that you like it, but you’re much more likely to
make a [Read more…]