Summer Can Be A Pet Care Cost Nightmare! - Are You Prepared?

Taking Care of Pets - Especially Dogs & Cats? They Become Part of Your Family & are often a Cost that is Underestimated!

The Summer months add additional risks for your pet to get sick or injured! They're out and about more and exposed to far more dangers than when they were cooped up during the Winter months. What happens? Much like when a child is sick or injured, you rush your pet to get the proper care - A Vet that can be expensive and will impact on your family budget!

Take a look at the ExclusivePuurchases.com section dedicated to Pets and Animals! You'll find links to Pet Care Related Product & Service Providers, including: Pet Insurance Companies, Discount Pet Plans, Pet Rx Plans, Pet Nutrition, Organic Pet Products, Healthy Toys & More! Go To  - http://bit.ly/28W9Aj1

Who Owns Pets?  - "It's estimated that 70-80 million dogs and 74-96 million cats are owned in the United States. Approximately 37-47% of all households in the

United States have a dog, and 30-37% have a cat." (Source: APPA)

The Cost of Pet Care! Oh My - “Understanding the cost of veterinary care is an important part of making a decision about purchasing pet health insurance. According to Wallet Hub, dog owners spend an estimated $235 – $776 per year on veterinary care, and cat owners spend $160-$564. While lifespans vary, that can equate to around $10,000 over the course of your pet’s life!” Family Pet Blog – 2016

What About Pet Insurance? Is insurance the answer? This article provides some insights, "When people ask me that question my answer is always the same: It depends. Buying pet insurance is both an economic and an emotional decision that needs to be based on your personal financial situation and what you’re willing to pay for peace of mind.” The article continued, ““It’s a way to manage risk,” Biniasz says. “If you look at any form of insurance and try to run the numbers, you’re going to find that most people are not going to get back what they pay in premiums. But the people who do are happy they made the investment.” Brett Weisman – ConsumerMan on NBC

Pet Insurance Plans as a Voluntary Employee Benefit? Employers - and Brokers - need to take a close look at Pet Insurance and Pet Care related products as a #voluntarybenefit to satisfy the wants and needs of their Employees - Especially Millennials! A recent article titled "Pet Insurance popular with millennials who see animals as family" in Employee Benefit Advisor, by Caroline Spiezle notes, "As the rates of millennials adopting pets and entering the workforce continues to rise, the demand for pet-focused perks will rise as well. And there’s room for such growth. More than 90% of pet owners do not have insurance."

My Thoughts - Its better to plan ahead for the cost of your Pet's Care than to be taken by surprise. As with any part of your family, you don't want your Pet Care decisions to be made based on cost! 

As with humans, prevention is critical for your Pets! Here are some pointers (assuming dogs & cats): 

~ Feed them healthy foods in moderation

~ Watch their weight

~ Provide them excersize

~ Fence or Contain your yard - don't let them run wild

~ Check them for ticks and flees

~ Provide them a flea collar 

~ Bath and inspect your pet

~ Don't leave them in a hot house, car or truck

~ Provide them with sources of fresh water

~ Don't let them drink from questionable lakes and streams

~ Show them lots of affection!

Have a Fun, Safe & Affordable Summer and beyond for your Pets, Your Family, and Yourself - Enjoy! 

Remember - Use ExclusivePurchases.com when shopping for Personal, Family, Business, and Gifting Needs - You'll find Great Selection and Great

Savings! 

If you have questions or suggestions - Contact Phil - phil@exclusivepurchases.com

Act Now - Turn Your Patios, Decks and/or Porches into "Outdoor Living"! Save Now!!

Does your home, condo or apartment have an under-utilized and unattractive porch, deck and/or patio area? Worse yet - are these places that are intended for you, family and Friends to relax looking weather beaten and ragged? 

The Problem - My porches look like a storage area for used furniture! I have this problem and want to do something about it! I want to do something about it.
What I don't want to do  - Run around shopping for furniture sets and individual pieces hoping to hit a sale and then try to load them into my car or haggle for delivery!
What I want to do - Find a quick, personalized fix that turns these disaster areas into something special where I can take-it-easy and entertain!

The Solution - An online shopping solution crossed my desk that offers: quality, choice, and style for buying coordinated patio, deck and porch furniture sets and accessories.  Equally impressive is that they offer 

"ONE BIG SALE & CLEARANCE UP TO 50%
OFF ALL OUTDOOR"! Free Shipping on orders of $75 or more - I'm "All IN" for Pier 1 Imports!!

About Pier 1 - While I have heard about and think been in a Pier 1 store, I really did not realize the size, quality and pricing of their furniture selections - especially for the porch, patio or outdoors! 

Here's what Pier 1 says about themselves, "...we search out the world’s most gifted artisans, find and develop fashion-forward trends, and handcraft exclusive products with you specifically in mind." 

A Pier 1 Review - "...one of my favorite stores to shop for outdoor furnishings, stylish accessories and some really great entertaining ideas. I’ve been browsing this store for years, and they always come through in the summer with lots of bright colors and fun". By Rhoda at Southern Hospitality

Here's what I suggest:

~ Walk around your your house, condo or apartment

~ Take a look at the porches, patios and decks 
~ See how they look - Are they an eyesore?

~ Ask yourself if you'd like a comfortable, affordable, designer look that brings the indoors together with the outdoors for yourself, family, and friends?

~ If your answer is YES, CLICK HERE, and start shopping! You'll like what you see and the savings found on the Pier 1 website. Even better, experience how great you feel when you SAVE and bring your Patio, Deck or Porch areas back to life! 
~ Relax, Entertain & Enjoy the Months ahead!!!!

Remember - Use ExclusivePurchases.com when shopping for Personal, Family, Business, and Gifting Needs - You'll find Great Selection and Great

Savings! 

If you have questions or suggestions - Contact Phil - phil@exclusivepurchases.com

Let's Party for the 4th of July - Fun & Food!

Let's Get Ready For A Fun-Filled 4th of July! Be Prepared and Save!

1) For The Grill - ChicagoSteak Company - Great Steaks, Chops, Seafood & Desserts? 

      What they say about their own Company & Mission, "At Chicago Steak Company we dedicate ourselves to the highest quality of service. It is with a sense of warmth, pride, and commitment that we sell and Deliver the World's

Finest Beef, Seafood, and Desserts." 

    
     See what their customers had to say - "This is what quality should be like. Totally impressed with the quality. Even the packaging for shipment was superior to the competition." TrustedPilot by Alex

Select Now - The choices are unbelievable and the taste is even better! What a way to cap off the 4th!! 

2) Need a Grill? - Char-Broil - Wow -- are these popular - For those that love the flavor of Charcoal Grilling or the convenience of Gas! Great Choices at Great Prices!!

     Take a look at the Char-Broil 4-Burner Gas Grill! 

     Here's the review by toptenreviews.com, "The Char-Broil Classic 4-Burner is a 

powerful, affordable barbecue grill with several features that make it a good choice for your backyard or patio. It generates plenty of heat from its four primary burners and has a lot of cooking space, allowing you to cater to both small and large parties."

Select a Grill Now - The selection of grills is terrific to meet the needs of all  - including commercial grade! 

The 4th of July - Independence Day - is about celebrating our nations birthday! What better way than with Family, Good food and Outdoor Fun!

Remember -- Visit ExclusivePurchases.com to meet your Personal, Family, Business and Gifting Need!

Making Plans for the July 4th - Independence Day? Don't Forget To Display the American Flag!

It's Time to Fly The Flag! The 4th of July is - and should be - about parades, picnics, fireworks and getting together. The day celebrates the Birth of America! 

Our forefathers took great risk and had incredible foresight in making this day and America possible. 

Let's show our love for this nation - even with its imperfections - by flying or displaying the American Flag. Search the closets or attic and take out the flag. Don't have one? - Buy Now & Save - "Made in America".

Here's ExclusivePurchases.com's suggestion for buying a US made flag - AmericanFlags.com (See the company review below) - Shop now and enjoy up to a 30% Savings! 

About July 4, 1776 - "On July 4, 1776, two days after it adopted the Lee Resolution that declared the united colonies’ independence from Great Britain, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson (1743–1826), which explains that decision by “declar[ing] the causes which impel them to the separation.” Provided by AEI.org

How to Celebrate the 4th - John Adams, our 2nd President suggested in a letter to his wife, Abigail, how we should recognize and celebrate the 4th, "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty; it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires and illuminations from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” From masshist.org 

An interesting fact about the 4th of July and the two above mentioned forefathers - "John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the second and third presidents of the United States, respectively, die on this day, the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Both men had been central in the drafting of the historic document; Jefferson had authored it, and Adams, who was known as the “colossus of the debate,” served on the drafting committee and had argued eloquently for the declaration’s passage." From history.com

Review of Americanflags.com - Posted from ResellerRatings

"I chose this flag because of its reported durability for outdoor use and it's price. I am very pleased with how it looks on the flag pole and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a standard-size flag." 

We wish you a Happy, Safe and Fun-Filled Holiday! Remember - Use ExclusivePurchases.com for all of your Personal, Business & Gifting Needs!

Summer Is Almost Here - That Means Traveling & Camping - Are You Equipped?

When it comes to planning a trip and camping - if it includes the Great Outdoors - much of the comfort and success will depend on the right clothes and equipment! While I am a seasoned veteran of both the planning and equipping outdoor experiences - both casual and more intense - I have been as guilty as the novice at making these big mistakes:
          ~ Putting price before Quality
          ~ Not sticking to proven Brand Names
          ~ Not planning for changes in weather conditions -                      Wet, Hot, Cold, Wind, etc
          ~ Either over or under packing for the Trip 

Here are two Companies we'd suggest you look at for camping and other outdoor needs:

    Cabela's - 

About - A direct marketer and specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, camping, shooting, and related outdoor recreation merchandise.

Review - "Great service, fast delivery and excellent products. Love Cabela's!!" By Dena on sitejabber.com

    Sierra Trading Post -  

About - They believe everyone can feel the thrill of exploration; they make it easier to explore more by offering incredible savings on the best brands from around the world.

Review - "Based on this one purchase I would highly recommend the company. Let me add, I rarely give five stars, but the product being as described and two-day delivery warranted them." By 2mileHi on resellerratings.com 

Here is a suggested list of needs - in addition to the proper choices of clothes, shoes, boots, etc. - for camping provided by artofmanliness.com:

• tent
• sleeping bags
• sleeping pads
• first aid kit
• lantern
• flashlights
• extra batteries
• small whisk broom
• tarps
• wet wipes/paper towels
• matches
• bug repellent
• trash bags
• plates & utensils
• cooking supplies

An addition I'd suggest is a table top propane grill - they are affordable and take the hassle out of finding wood and a clean grill! With a name like Weber, you can't go wrong! 

Remember - Use ExclusivePurchases.com when shopping for Personal, Family, Business, and Gifting Needs - You'll find Great Selection and Great

Savings! 

If you have questions or suggestions - 

Contact Phil - phil@exclusivepurchases.com   

Wicker and Rattan Furniture - The Perfect Touches For Your Home at the Right Prices?

Is Wicker and/or Rattan Furniture For You & Your House? If so, here is a place to Shop & Save - WickerParadise!

The Wicker/Rattan Look can warm-up your home & yard. A great look for your porches, terraces, living room, bedroom and more! This design provides a classic, flexible touch and can be surprisingly affordable!

An interior designer, Jessica Gordan Ryan, describes wicker/rattan as "Elegant, casual, timeless" she goes on to write, "With wicker, it seems, that you either love or hate it. I happen to adore it and I find that it lends itself so perfectly to so many decorating styles. I do love it for its casual, coastal and relaxed feel, and yet it lends itself so perfectly to the most sophisticated and formal of spaces from from traditional to modern..." 

About Wicker Paradise - "In 1982, I opened Wicker Paradise in a 600-square-foot store in New Rochelle, NY (20 minutes from New York City). Since our inception, we have been dedicated to providing a superior rattan and wicker furniture for sale at value pricing with unsurpassed customer service. Today we are proud to be a third-generation family-owned-and-operated business." From the Wicker Paradise website

About Wicker - "Wicker can take many forms. Wicker itself is not a material, instead, wicker is a term given to a class of woven materials of either synthetic or natural fibers. Some common materials used in wicker include rattan, bamboo, synthetic vinyl and sea grass." Provided by Wicker Paradise

The Difference Between Wicker and Rattan - "Rattan is a specific material, hence rattan furniture is crafted out of rattan only, but wicker furniture may be crafted out of different materials such as bamboo, straw and even rattan. Recently, synthetic materials are also being used for manufacturing wicker furniture." Provided by Homedit

Reviews - The BBB rating is A+. While delivery seemed to have been an issue in the past the company has addressed these issues.  

Shoppers Approved, a rating service, gives Wicker Paradise a rating of 

4.8 out of 5.

Testimonial - "Wicker Paradise not only had exactly what I wanted but their service and attention to detail made the purchase experience simple! I will definitely buy more furniture from them again." - Sebrina Whiting, PA

The Perfect Time to Shop - The look of wicker and rattan bring a glow of sunshine and fresh air to your home! Take advantage of the : Secure Shopping; Free Shipping; and "No Sales Tax" - ShopNow!

Remember - Use ExclusivePurchases.com when shopping for Personal, Family, Business, and Gifting Needs - You'll find Great Selection and Great Savings! 

If you have questions or suggestions - Contact Phil - phil@exclusivepurchases.com

Is It Time For A New Mattress? If your Mattress is over 10 Years Old - The Answer is Yes!

Shopping for a new mattress is generally not on the top of people's "To Do" list. It probably should be! Unfortunately, many of us who really want a great night sleep but tend to toss and turn, ache in the morning and aren't sure why, seldom think about the mattress.

 The I'll Get To It Syndrome - Even when we do realize the problem is the mattress, we're slow to take action! Excuses prevail: the cost, shopping, to many choices and a lack of knowledge cause us to procrastinate! Let's face it shopping for a mattress is a Pain in the butt!

What's your Excuse? - I've come up with many! Huffington Post wrote, "You wouldn’t run a marathon or hike a mountain without the right gear. And yet, despite spending a third of our lives sleeping, many of us haven’t adequately prepared in the bedroom — when it comes to mattresses, that is."

The Huffington Post goes on to further note - "You might be tempted to blame your budget for continuing to doze on a less-than-ideal mattress, but considering just a little bit more shut-eye can help you lose weight, improve your memory and live longer, can you really put a price tag on good sleep?"

Ok! Its Time to Solve the Problem - What to look for in a mattress? According to the National Sleep Foundation, "A good mattress should allow you to turn easily, redistribute your weight, and reduce pressure points to give you a great night's sleep."

ExclusivePurchases.com decided to take a look at these problems and find at least one solution for your mattress shopping needs. Our Guidelines - We wanted to find an online, one-stop shop that offers the top brands, box springs, selections of sizes, mattress types to fit most peoples needs  along with frames, furniture, and bedding - All At Big Savings!

Note - I spurred this along because I have a bad back, stenosis, and sports related aches and pains. My bed is at least 10 years old!

Our recommendation Mattress.com! Our research indicates that they fulfill all of the above criteria. They provide a selection of over 10 name brands as well as a variety of sizes and types. In addition, they offer a "Mattress Buyers Guide", an 800 phone number, a "Chat Live" function, and free delivery for purchases over $399. Don't forget to see the sections titled 1) Clearance and 2) Sale! We found savings of Up To 65% Off!

Here's what Mattress.com said about themselves on their website - "For the ease and convenience of finding a comfortable, well-suited mattress at the right price, do what millions have already done and choose mattress.com. You’ll be glad you did!" We could not find anyone who disagreed! Have a Great Night's Sleep!

Remember - Use ExclusivePurchases.com when shopping for Personal, Family, Business, and Gifting Needs - You'll find Great Selection and Great Savings! 

If you have questions or suggestions - Contact Phil - phil@exclusivepurchases.com
Reminder - Use ExclusivePurchases.com to meet your Personal, Family, Business or Gifting Needs - Big Selection - Big Savings!