I am always looking for sites that will save me time and money (which are really the same thing when you work for yourself). I recently found a site called shopwiki.com. This is one of my new favorite sites.

Just like a traditional wiki registered users can add information about products. In fact anyone can add or edit any page, or create your own for a new product. The engine behind ShopWiki crawls over 180,000 shopping sites to find the best deals on the products highlighted in each article. Here’s a few examples of why I like this site, taken from the Health & Beauty Products Category.

I have been looking for a pedometer for a while, specifically a pedometer and mp3 player combination. The shopwiki results found a dozen models, some of which are actually in my price range. If you like you can narrow seach results by price, manufacturer or even color.

This isn’t just another site only promoting their affiliate links. They give you all the relevant results, whether they make money or not. The weight loss programs review page list pros and cons of several different program types, telling you what to look for and what to watch out for.

I haven’t added any products or pages to the site but would be interested in hearing from anyone who has.

Getting outside and active can be a challenge when the weather is perfect. The heat and humidity of summer can zap any energy you might have had. Here’s some ideas for working in some fitness while keeping the kids cool and entertained.

• Dance around your living room. Keep it fun and interesting for the kids by finding a good internet radio station for kids or download new songs.I recently found Amie Street for downloading music, and I love it. Here’s what they’re about from their website:
  

  On Amie Street, you can discover, buy and download music of every genre from a great selection of established and underground artists. It’s the first place where people collectively determine the price of every song; on Amie Street, all songs start free and rise in price up to 98 cents, based on their popularity. Amie Street was founded by three college friends in 2006 with one goal: make it affordable, fun and easy to  discover and download new music.

  They have a growing list of children’s music and since it is in a “less popular” genre, most songs are very low in price (Free to $0.50). Check out the title Jam: Music For Movement With Children Jam: Music For Movement With Children if you’re looking for a place to start.

  If you use this link to sign up you will receive $5.00 in free music downloads to get you started. Since all of the songs start out free, $5.00 goes a long way.

• Go for a nature walk. Finding a path in a wooded or shady area may be a challenge depending on you location. Shady areas will be cooler and kids will enjoy a change of pace. Pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it. Take pictures of birds, bugs or leaves you find to identify later to add an educational twist. Invite a group or go with friends, it’s more fun and safer too.
• If it’s just too hot to be outdoors there are plenty of indoor walking areas. Malls are the obvious choice but check out museums, schools, community colleges and hospitals as well.
• Take a trip to your local pool. Or better yet, hit up a friend, neighbor or family member that has a pool. Offer to help out with maintenance in exchange for pool use for the summer.

How does your family stay active and cool during the hot summer months?

Over on the message board, which I am greatly guilty of ignoring, Kat wants to know about a product called FizzIt made by Hansen’s. The only version I have found locally contains echinacea which I can’t have due to allergies.

Has anyone tried this product?

Something I would never pay for out of my regular budget, I was able to make a deal and trade some of my freelance work for a couple of gym memberships for my husband and me.

I’m not entirely comfortable with the idea of going to the gym. My plan for easing into the situtation is to begin on the cardio machines the first few times, observing the “lay of the land,” if it were.

The gym (completely co-ed) has all the amenities (including a very nice daycare) and there are several locations around town so I will be able to fit in some fitness between clients on slow days.

Any tips for being new to a gym? How to get the most out of your time there?

Bored of your current exercise videos? Try a new one, for free at SwapaDVD.com.

I’ve already exchanged one of my old DVD’s for a new one.
(Although I received it right before the latest bout of flu hit
home and have only used it once.)

Having something new and different can be a great
motivation to step up your fitness program. Not having to
pay for it leaves a little extra for a real treat when you
reach a goal.

The program isn’t completely without cost. It works like
this:

• You list your DVDs available for exchange
• Someone requests one (or more) of your listed DVDs
• You accept or decline the request. If accepted you mail out the DVD paying for the shipping (about $2.00)
• For each DVD you send and is received on the other end, you receive one “credit”
• Credits are used to request DVDs from other members, you pay nothing to receive it
• You get an extra credit just for posting 10 DVDs

Check it out at SwapaDVD.com. There are currently over 40,000 listed DVDs and more than 200 in the “health & fitness” category. If you sign up, mention me (member name: fitonabudget) as the person who referred you and I could get an extra credit too. Enjoy.