Tell the world how much you love your sweetie!

Stop by the mygofer Joliet on February 11 from 5-7 pm and record your Valentine's message with our friends at Star 105.5 and get the chance to meet the co-host of Star 96.7’s morning show, Dan Waddick. . Your message will be broadcast on Valentine's Day! Plus to show you how much we love you,  we will have mystery gift cards of up to $25 waiting for the first 25 customers who record their message.

Share your plans and ideas with us for this Valentines Day!

Keeping Your Pets Safe In Cold Temperatures

It is more common than not these days to see pets bundled up in the cold weather like the rest of us are.  To some, it may look ridiculous that animals have coats on when their fur keeps them warm but the reality is, taking care of your pets in the cold weather is important.  The following is a top ten list to keep in mind when taking care of your pets during the winter months.

1. If your pet lives outside or stays outside for long periods of time provide a heated shelter if possible.   If you can't provide an enclosed shelter, other options if you could be a heated bed or open garage for your pet to go in and out of.
   
2. When you take your pet out make sure you put a leash on.  During bad weather conditions or cold temperatures your pet’s sense of smell is weak therefore they could get more easily lost if they run off.
   
3. After coming in from the cold with your pet, make sure you take the time to wipe your pet down with a towel to get off any remaining snow, or dampness.  Snow and ice can easily get into your pet’s paws as well as sand, salt and other chemicals from the ground.  If your pet starts licking or biting at their paws to get the snow and ice out they could risk getting sick.
4. Allow your pet’s fur to grow long in the winter.  It provides natural insulation.
5. Avoid letting your pet out for a long length of time if possible.  Puppies don’t do as well in cold temps and cats are at a higher risk of freezing in extreme cold temps.  
6. Don’t assume your pet will be okay if you leave them in the car while you run in errand.  It is possible they could freeze if left for a long period of time.
7. Provide clothing if necessary.  There are a number of sweaters, hats, and even shoes for pets now.  Mygofer offers an extensive list of coats for all seasons.  Make sure you are logged into Mygofer and check it out here.
8. Winter precautions don’t just include the outside. Make sure your pet has an area in the house that is warm and comfortable.  Floors can be cold especially at night when temperatures drop. You can find pet beds on Mygofer here.
9. Outdoor cats will seek shelter under cars to keep warm.  Make certain to clean any anti-freeze fluids that leak from the car to the floor.  It is poisonous and you don’t want your pet eating it.
10. Pets can get sick and catch colds.  Don’t hesitate to talk to your veterinarian about medications and other preventive measures you can take to protect your pet from the cold. 

Lastly, educate yourself on what signs to look for in your pet if you think they are getting sick.  Take notice if your pet starts shivering, and be concerned of other signs such as pale blue gums and enlarged pupils.  These could all be signs of hypothermia. Your pet is worth it, so don’t ignore the cold when taking care of them.

Update Your Medicine Cabinet For Cold and Flu Season

We are well into cold and flu season, are your medicine cabinets stocked with the proper care?  It is important to know what should be in your medicine cabinet to aid your colds and flu. It is equally important to recognize what should not be in your medicine cabinet stock.  Remember, medication varies person to person and you should always consult with your doctor on what is the best fit for you to take.

What should be in your medicine cabinets:

• Fever reducer and/or pain reliever
• Cough suppressant: cough syrup, cough drops, throat spray
• Decongestant
• Stomach and Anti-acid relief 
• Thermometer 
• Tissues 
• Hand Sanitizer 
• Petroleum Jelly for chapped lips

What shouldn’t be in your medicine stock:

• Expired bottles and boxes- It is tempting to hold on to supplies but expiration dates are there for a reason and should not be ignored.
  
• Bottles and boxes that are easily accessible for children to open.

Having the proper stock of medicine is important for you never know when you might need it!

Ring in the New Year with Some K'Ching! Shop mygofer with Other Retailer's Giftcards.

To welcome 2010, and to help you ring in the New Year with money in your pocket, mygofer will welcome giftcards from other retailers. Turn your plastic into stuff you need and love- just bring in the leftover money on your giftcards and use it to shop from the thousands of your favorite brands available at mygofer. Shop. Better.

Superhero busy? Try these top 5 time-savers!

We know you are busy – like, SUPERHERO busy! That’s why mygofer is here to the rescue. See how our top 5 tips will give you more time to leap tall buildings in a single bound, run faster than a speeding bullet and finish everything else on your to-do list.

1. Watch your favorite family shows and skip the commercials with a DVR or DVD player.

2. Make a hot, yummy dinner the easy way with a slow cooker. Throw in your ingredients in the morning and let them simmer all day long. By the time you get home, dinner is served!

3. Make an ongoing shopping list. Lucky for you, we make it easy on mygofer! Skip the Post-it notes and create a list now.

4. Set one day aside to have the family help make their favorite meals and freeze them to use throughout the week. Use the cool new Ziploc Vacuum Kit to keep everything fresh and tasty!

5. Keep your household running like a well-oiled machine by setting up a recurring order of items you need most. Just a few clicks and forget about it. Click here to find out how.

6. Save time in the morning by getting everything ready the night before. Lay out your clothes, pack your bags, and you’ll be out the door in no time.

7. Post a calendar on the refrigerator filled with everything everyone in the family is doing. That way, you can plan ahead and avoid the last minute scramble.

8. Never miss another birthday by sending out cards once a month. Place a small balloon or party hat sticker on your family calendar on the first day of every month as a thoughtful reminder.

9. Change a baby diaper faster than you can say supercalifragilisticexpialidocious with our helpful diaper changing organizer.

10. Make a special spot near the door to place important letters, important information from your child’s school, etc. Your “forget-me-not” spot will help you remember everything you need before flying out the door.

Tips For Sticking To Your New Years Resolutions

Sometimes keeping your New Years resolutions can be challenging especially for those who rushed to make their list at the end of the year.  How serious are you about following through with your resolutions this year?  Whether you are standing strong with following through or already having a tough time, the tips below will help remind you that you can get it done!

• Choose resolutions within reach. Start with tackling ONE resolution even if you have multiple.   Putting your focus on one at a time will increase your chances of following through.
• Write your resolution down and hang it in a place you can see it everyday.
• Tell someone else about your resolution and what you are trying to achieve.  Being held accountable by others lends more attention on getting it done and can offer you the encouragement you need to see it through.
• Commit to your goal 100%.  Anything less and you run the risk of failing.
• Remember you should want to attain your goal more than anyone else.  
• Take the time if you need it to accomplish your goals.  A year is a long time so seek out the patience needed to make it happen.

YOU CAN DO IT!!

Organization Tips - A good time of the year to think about?

2010 has arrived, the holidays are over, and you are facing your New Year's resolutions.  If getting organized was on your list then take a look at the following tips to help you get started!

TIP #1:  Don't start anything until you have completed a list of what you want to accomplish.  A checklist will keep you in order, give you a sense of time and how long tasks will take you, and what you will need to get the job done!

TIP #2:  Making certain that you have the right supplies to get started is key!  This could include storage bins of various sizes, cleaning products, pads of paper, labels, and pens.  There are a lot to choose from so have an idea of what you need before you purchase.  Searching online is a great way of finding exactly what you need.  Hint: mygofer.com supplies a wide variety of storage units to choose from.

TIP #3:  Out with the old, in with the new!  Don't try to organize old junk!  If you find yourself moving an item from place to place to get it out of the way or make a last attempt at fitting it in somewhere, then it's time to get rid of it. 

TIP #4:  Don't promise yourself you are going change overnight.  If you are trying to tackle reorganizing your house, break your to do list up by room.  Organizing can be a heavy task and you don't want to quit early because you took on too much at once.

TIP #5:  Schedule a checkpoint to ask yourself "is this working for me?".  It might take a few attempts to find what allows you to be best organized.

I hope these tips are a good start for you. Good luck!

Ten Ideas To Ring In The New Year: Hello 2010!

Still don't have plans for New Years Eve this year?  Here is a list of ideas to help you decide!  Happy New Year everyone!

1.  Dinner- Do it up formal or do it down casual.  Tip:  Make reservation a little later so that you can toast to the New Year at the table.

2.  Go Dancing- New Years Eve is a great excuse to dress up, put on your favorite pair of shoes on, and pick a place to dance all night to.

3.  Looking for a deal- Plenty of establishments offer package deals so that you don't have to worry about how much you are spending all night.

4.  Get away- Even if its a road trip away, grab a few friends, rent a place, book a place, pack your bag, and enjoy a weekend away from your day to day routine. 

5.  Plan a vacation- Can you escape to a tropical destination?  N.Y.C. to see the big apple drop in person?  If you can extend your New Years Eve and make a vacation out of it, go for it.

6.  I have kids- no problem!  Celebrate at home.  Cook a nice dinner, poor ginger ale or apple juice in champagne glasses for the kids, turn on the t.v. and watch celebrations happening around the world.

7. Throw a party!- Decorate and make where you live the place to be for New Years.  Great money saver and don't forget the disco ball!

8.  Surprise someone- Do you have a friend who is married with children, would like to go out but can't find a sitter?  Offer to do it for them.  It is an over the top gesture that will not go unnoticed.

9. See a concert- You are almost guaranteed a stellar performance! Expect the band to play longer and ring in the New Year with you.

10.  Escape the excitement- not a fan of New Years Eve?  Keep the T.V. turned off, write in a journal and reflect on your past year and what you want for the New Year.

Happy New Year Deal! Celebrate 2010 - spend $20 get a %10 off!

Last minute gifts! ~mygofer can help!

It is hard to believe that the holidays have arrived and I still need some last minute gifts!  Are you feeling the pressure of time running out?  The days have flown by, you are busy doing 101 other things, you have forgotten one or two people to buy for and you need some gift ideas - FAST!  I set out on mygofer to see if I could find the perfect gifts missing from my to do list. This list included my dad, my niece and nephew, and my best friend.  Below are a few pretty cool last minute gift ideas I found on mygofer that I am considering.  Who do you still need to buy for?

For the kids:  Bath Toys

Squirters:  Squeeze their bellies and let go to fill with water and have fun decorating the tub with squirts of fun! mygofer offers a variety to choose from: animal, sea, and city squirters.  Sign into mygofer and click here to see.