1) Continuous Run Time:

The most important attributes when you are shopping for a paper shredder is not just the sheet capacity, but the continuous run time, which is the duration of non-stop shredding prior to overheating. When a shredder overheats you will likely wait 30-60 minutes before it can restart again. This run time rating is not always shown on some paper shredder descriptions. The longer the run time, the better and more expensive the motor is and therefore more durable. Better shredders will have a run time of 8 mins or more. Some shredders are called heavy duty and can have a run time of 15 mins or more.

2) Quiet Operation:

Secondly, look for a quiet motor that runs <58db or less. This means the motor is using an induction motor and not a universal motor that is used by shredders that are louder. Most smaller, light duty shredders will use a universal motor because it's less expensive and lighter than induction motors. The larger capacity shredders may use either motor types. You can also tell by the weight of the shredders since induction will weigh almost twice as much as a universal motor.

3) Shred Speed:

A faster speed is important not because it can shred paper faster, but it means that the components are made of more durable parts. A speed of 7.5 ft/min or more is a decent rating.

4) Shred or Cut Type:

There are many types of cutters out there and they can be confusing to most. There are really just 3 types of cutters in the market, but some have alternative names. The 3 types of cuts are strip cut, cross cut and micro cut. Strip or straight cut means the blade makes a thin straight cut from top to bottom of a sheet of paper.  Cross cut means the blade can make cross section cuts along a strip of paper. This is also called confetti cut because the cross sections resemble confetti. Diamond cut is another name for this, but it's trademarked and the shredded paper resemble diamond shapes.

5) Shred Size and Security Level:

Although there are only 3 shred types, there isn't really an industry standard that is regulating what the shred sizes are for each type. Shred size is the final shredded paper size that falls into the waste bin. Every manufacturer seems to have their own standards and sizes. The smaller the cut size the higher the security level.

• For a strip cut shredder, the size should be 40mm (1.57") or less. This is usually classified as a security level 2
• For a cross cut shredder, the size can vary greatly depending on the manufacturer. But a ...

Paper shredders come in handy for many different reasons.  The first, and most important, is privacy and protection.  However, there are many other reasons that people use paper shredders.  Getting rid of clutter and excess paper is an excellent example of why a paper shredder comes in handy.  Another great reason is to recycle any unwanted paper that you may have. You may be thinking “How can you possibly recycle paper that has been shredded to  small strips?”  Well the answer is very simple, by using the paper shreddings to your advantage. These five uses for a paper shredder are reason enough to start saving your paper shreddings.

1. Pet Beds-  The pet beds that you purchase in the store, don’t always last very long.  Most of them are simply fabrics covers over Styrofoam beads.  After awhile, the beads become flattened and therefore the bed is no longer comfortable for your pets.  When this happens, you could be stuck sharing your bed with some uninvited guests.  Instead of having sleepless nights, stuff the pet bed cover with your leftover paper shreddings.  They will provide a thick and comfortable bed for your pet without you losing yours.

2. Fire Starter- Do you enjoy going camping? Or even just sitting by a fire? Then use your paper shreddings to get the fire started quickly.It is safe and a cheaper alternative to purchasing the fire starting logs.

3. Packaging Material- We all have to mail packages at some point and everyone has experienced a box that was too big for the items it carried.  To protect the items from getting damaged while shipping, fill the empty space with paper shreddings.  They will not only fill up any unused space, but will also create a barrier from any unwanted damage.

4. Gift Bags-  Don’t waste your money on tissue paper, use the shreddings from your paper shredderinstead.  It is not only practical, but it gives your present a unique flair.

5. Compost- Add the paper shreddings to your compost to help your plants grow.  This is especially helpful for greens.

So the next time you shred all of your confidential documents, think twice before emptying the waste basket.  Those paper shreddings could definitely come in handy.

Air Mattress Buying Guide

You may wonder why some air beds on the market can vary so greatly in prices. You may have seen a queen size raised air bed selling for under $50 on Amazon.com or Walmart stores and some models that cost around $200. The main reason for this great difference in price stem from 4 key main factors.  

1) Material
There are a few different plastics that can be used to make air beds:

• The cheapest being Vinyl, which is what the under-$50 air beds use. This is the least durable and most easily to stretch material. These beds will appear deflated after every night of sleep, not because it's losing air, but because the material will actually stretch under your weight.
• The better material is PVC, which is more durable and will stretch less than vinyl.
• The best material is Lamininated Polyester on PVC, which is stretch and puncture resisitant. This is the most durable material you can buy on the market. SimplySleeper is one of the only few brands on the market that offers this material. This material is almost twice as expensive as PVC and takes as long as 30 days more to produce. However, this air bed will last 5 times longer than a vinyl air bed. 
  
  

2) Gauge of Material
Besides the material used, the gauge or thickness of the material is important. A gauge of under 0.4mm is more likely to tear under the weight of an average adult. A higher gauge for each of the three material will help make the bed last longer, but a higher gauge for Vinyl and PVC doesn't mean it's more durable than a lower gauge Laminiated Polyester on PVC. 

3) Built-in Pumps
Air beds that are inexpensve will likely come with an external pump or no pump at all. When an air bed comes wtih a built-in (or integrated) pump, it is easier to use as you won't have to attach anything to it. SimplySleeper air beds all come with pumps that requires only a turn to inflate or deflate. Also  the pumps are factory sealed tight together with the bed so leaks are less likely to occur. 

4) Coil Design
The construction or pattern of the coil on top of the bed also can increase the durablility and comfort of the air bed. Most inexpensive beds have sparse or standard coils that do not require much production time. The less coils the bed has the less structurural integrity it has. This means that if you sit on the side of the air bed you will likely slip off right off. Also the coil can provide more chambers inside the bed which provides more support for your body.

When shopping for an air bed, pay close at...

Personal documents are a part of life that are not going to be going anywhere soon. Most documents contain personal information such as addresses, social security numbers, credit card numbers or even bank account numbers. If this type of information got into the wrong hands, then you could be at risk for a stolen identity. Having to fix this will not only take time and effort, but it can damage your credit and bring you lots of headaches. Taking all precautions to protect yourself is the best way to guarantee that your identity will not be stolen.

Since it is inevitable that you will have some documents that have your personal information on it, then finding a way to destroy the confidential documents is the number one most important thing. The best way to do so is by purchasing a paper shredder. However, not all paper shredders are the same. Some provide more security protection than others. The key to getting the best security is in the cutters.

There are three different types of cutters that can come on paper shredders. Strip cut shredders will shred the documents into strips that are the length of the paper and approximately ½ inch wide. This is perfect for bills and documents that do not contain too much personal information. Cross Cut paper shredder will give you a little more protection. This type of cutter will shred the paper into strips that are approximately ½ inch wide and 2 inches long. Finally, for the most security you want to get a micro cut paper shredder. This cutter will shred the paper into micro-sized pieces, making it nearly impossibly to read any information that was posted on the documents.

Another thing that can lead to a stolen identity is credit cards. If you have old, expired credit cards lying around, anybody could get your personal information from them. The best way to prevent this from happening is to get rid of the credit cards when you no longer use them. Cutting them up with scissor will only give you a little protection. The best way to guarantee they will not wind up in the wrong hands is to send them through a paper shredder. Not all paper shredders are compatible with credit cards, so be sure that they are before putting the card in it. Like with documents, the size of the cutter will determine the amount of privacy.

Many paper shredders can also cut through CDs and DVDs. Since a lot of people store personal information on this type of technology, having a way to destroy them is great for keep your privacy. Since stolen i...

Why buy a paper shredder?

According to the Federal Trade Association (FTA), an estimated 9 million Americans have their identities stolen every year. With the holidays around the corner, it's more important than ever to protect your personal and financial information. Identity thieves still rely on the most common and cheapest way to steal your information - digging through your trash and grabbing papers such as old credit card statements, expired credit cards, bills, check stubs, pay stubs, and even something as innocuous as a birthday card. Even with today's threat of fraud happening at an alarming rate, many people still throw away their old documents without thinking twice. 

Credit card offers increase dramatically around the holidays, as these institutions hope to gain more profit by tempting people with preapproved credit limits. Such applications are rampant at this time, and thieves know this. If your identity and information gets stolen, the thief can use it to make an exorbitant amount of orders online, and have them shipped to their address instead of theirs. 

Take the proper steps to protect yourself, your identity and your finances - not just around the holidays, but all year around. What is the easiest way to do so? Simply invest in a quality paper shredder. Not enough consumers do the proper research to find the best paper shredder for their needs. While it's common for businesses and corporations to use shredders, every home should have one. A small investment now will pay off in huge dividends when you realize you've cut the easiest rope thieves can climb to find out who you are. 

First, you'll need to determine what a thief would need to steal your identity. Here's a condensed list:

•    Your name
•    Mailing/billing address
•    Date of birth
•    Mother's maiden name
•    Social security number
•    Account numbers (bank, credit card, etc)
•    PIN numbers and passwords

As you may have guessed, your social security number is target number one - the skeleton key to your identity and who you are on paper. You'll want to make absolutely sure any document that reveals your social security number, even partly, is completely destroyed. 

How do you find the best shredder for the highest security possible?

Paper shredders come in three shred types - strip-cut, cross-cut and micro-cut. Strip-cut shredders do just that - they cut paper into strips, and are the most commonly found because of their economic value. However, leaving your documents in even sized s...

Shopping for the Best Air Mattress

For about 5 years in my life, I had to do a lot of moving and even a bit of travel. The longest I've stayed in one residence was for 1.5 years. I lived in small houses, homeowner's attics, apartments, and cramped studio rooms. While traveling, I chose the smallest room possible, most of them with uncomfortable (or questionable) beds. While space may have been tight, one thing I never suffered from was a good night's rest.

The stress of constantly moving, going to college, working, and the occasional travel can take a toll on someone's well-being. Thankfully, I don't look back at those days as being a horrible, stressful time, and I attribute most of that to having restful sleep every night, thanks to my handy air mattress.

My air mattress lasted me many years. I took it with me everywhere, and saved a ton of money by not having to rent trucks to move a huge traditional mattress, as well as being able to stay in smaller apartments due to not needing so much space.  Even if no one place was ever "home" for me, my air mattress helped bring that feeling of security and stability since that never changed, regardless of my surroundings.

Possessions, relationships and jobs came and went. However, my investment in a quality air mattress was easily the best decision I ever made. Even today, I keep an extra one on hand for those nights where we have overnight guests, or certain days where I need extra firmness my traditional bed can't cover.

The air mattress you choose today has to satisfy strict requirements. After all, this is your health and quality of sleep on the line! The ability to easily inflate and deflate to adjust to your desired firmness at any time is crucial. Without enough spine support, you can wake up with aches and pains, and it can negatively affect your sleep quality.

A convenient travel bag makes it simple to deflate, fold up and go in a matter of minutes. Time is of the essence for all of us, and shaving off minutes to pack up and go is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. A good travel bag is waterproof, sturdy, easy to carry and fits in any suitcase or duffel bag.

Depending on your usage and lifestyle, the initial investment in a quality air mattress will pay for itself in as little as a few weeks. It's great for singles, those living frugally, travelers constantly on the go, backpackers, and students. 

SimplySleeper air mattresses and air beds are the perfect companion for any of the above, and are great to have ar...

Profect against identity theft with a paper shredder while doing your 2012 taxes

It’s almost time to file your taxes! In the United States, tax return season runs from January 1 – April 15 in 2013. Be prepared and protect your identity during this crucial time by shredding sensitive documents while filing your tax returns. Even if you believe your past paperwork is too old, outdated or insignificant, any personal information that ties back to your identity can be used by thieves. W2 forms, specific tax related forms such as 1040 or 1040A, and any other receipts, statements, and invoices have your personal information and should be eliminated after filing.

Your name, address, social security number and income numbers are plainly displayed and should only be viewed by authorized personnel, such as the IRS. Identity thieves know that this is a prime time to collect your information and up their efforts to rummage trash for old forms, receipts and invoices. This is the best time to shred all of your financial or personal information and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands.

You were probably saving your pay stubs, receipts and statements all year in preparation for your taxes. While you’re collecting the previous year’s paperwork, why not use the time to shred older papers and documents you may have stored away? You will likely bring up your storage of old documents, statements, invoices and forms from past filing seasons.

There are many benefits to shredding your old documents while doing your taxes:

• •  Save time as you sift through outdated documents and keep your important files up-to-date
• •  Free up current space and save storage space
• •  Easier organization and even easier to find what you need
• •  Unclutter cabinets for a head start on your spring cleaning 

The IRS suggests keeping documents that support your tax returns for at least three years in the event of an unexpected audit. However, if you’re absolutely sure the threat of an audit has passed, or you’re confident that you’ve done your taxes accurately and reported all income, keep a copy of that year’s tax return and shred everything you used to reference the return.

ATM receipts, credit card statements, business invoices, write-offs, paycheck stubs, bank statements, investment records, insurance policies and big purchase warranties can all be safely shredded after you no longer need the information for that year’s filing.

These days, you do not need paper versions of your receipts and forms. The IRS ...

How to Choose the Best Portable Mp3 Player and Speaker

Portable mp3 speakers are a flexible and highly functional accessory for listening to music on the go. While personal headphones are ideal for one person, what happens when you want to share your tunes to the world (or at the very least, everyone in the room)? One can use a portable mp3 speaker with a laptop, their iPhones and Androids, or even an iPad for the highest quality in excellent sounding music for all to enjoy.

As portable devices, these specialized mp3 speakers bring the best in convenience, mobility and reliability. They're an inexpensive and ideal way to listen to music in the car, or bringing it to a pool party or the beach to offer customized listening for everyone to groove to.

 Portable mp3 speakers are great for travel as well. Here's another idea - when you're taking a bath or even relaxing in your Jacuzzi, why not hook up your mp3 player to a portable mini speaker? Listen and sing along to relaxing melodies as you soak away your stress. 

Features to Consider When Buying a Portable Mp3 Player and Speaker

Just like any other electronic device, there are many different types of portable mp3 speakers for different situations. With a variety of features, benefits and costs, how do you determine which one is right for your specific needs?

Audio Playback Quality

How clear, crisp and accurate your music sounds via your portable mp3 speaker should be a top factor. A clean treble, turbo bass, even frequencies and reduction of static and distortion during high volumes should be investigated. The SimplyVibe SV-S350III Premium Rechargeable Mp3 Speaker use Turbo Bass technology & Digital Signal Processing for super low distortion. Blast your music at the highest volumes with zero worry!

Style and Design

Let's face it - style and looks are also important when deciding on an electronic purchase. A sleek look that matches the appearance of your current sound system of choice is a factor for everyone, regardless of age. The SimplyVibe SV-X7 (Black) Premium Rechargeable Portable Speaker is designed with a slick, sophisticated and modern shine that looks as high quality as the music it generates.

Energy Source

For the ultimate in reliability, a rechargeable portable mp3 player is a solid choice. These speakers use USB ports so you can charge them via your laptop or desktop computer. The SimplyVibe SV-X6 Portable Speaker use a single USB cable for both audio and power, supports USB 2.0, allows the use of an AUX...

Why Buy a Portable Speaker?

You own an iPod, a mobile device equipped with audio, a laptop and a PSP. You can listen to music and other audio files on each and everyone of these things. Why would you possibly want to purchase a portable speaker? The fact is each of these pieces of equipment do broadcast audio, but they do not play it loud and clear without the use of headphones. In fact, most laptops, phones and handheld video games can only be heard if you are holding them closely. Also, most MP3 players can only be heard with the use of headphones. The restriction of audio does not allow you to hear the music loud or clear.

Portable speakers can fix this for you. Not only can you listen to you music without the use of headphones, but you can also broadcast it throughout the room. Others can listen to your music with you and the quality will be like nothing you've ever heard before.

If you look for a portable speaker that is compatible with all of your audio devices, your audio selections will be endless. There are many different portable speakers on the market, but to get the most for your money you should get one that has dual USB technology. This will give you the opportunity to use your portable speaker on both PCs and Macs.

One positive attribute to having a handheld speaker is listening to music with other people. If you have a portable speaker you can hook it up to your MP3 player or laptop and broadcast the music for the entire room to hear. This is a great idea for parties and casual get-togethers.

Handheld speakers are also good if you are a fitness fanatic that likes to work out with friends, having a compact speaker will allow you to listen to music together. There are some portable speakers on the market that are designed for the fitness gurus. They are small in size and weigh less than ½ pound. They also come with a fitness armband that will fit your MP3 player as well.

No matter what you use to listen to audio files, having a portable speaker will be beneficial. It will allow you to listen to your music louder, more clearly and without interference. It will also give you the ability to share your music with friends and most importantly, you won't have to use those dreaded headphones anymore.

www.simplyvibe.com, www.simplyglobo.com

Paper shredders offer a specific level of security.  There are six different levels that provide a specific amount of security.  Some levels offer a lot of security, while others offer only the minimal security.  Making sure you have the level that best suits your needs is important for protecting yourself and your business.

Strip-cut shredders are the least secure and range from level 1 to level 3.  The level 1 strip-cut shredders will make strips of paper that are 12 mm by 40 mm.  This is ideal for people that do not have a lot of confidential documents and do not need a lot of protection.  The level 2 strips are 6 mm by 40 mm and the level 3 are 2 mm by 40 mm.  Although they are more secure then level 1, they are still not ideal for deeply sensitive material.

Cross-cut shredders are a great alternative for extra security protection.  They all come in security level four.  The shredder cuts the paper into shreds of paper that are 2 mm by 15 mm.  It is ideal for confidential documents and sensitive material.  Bills, employment documents, medical information and private correspondences should be shredded with a minimum of a level 4 security level shredder.

Finally, micro-cut shredders provide the best security and protection.  They come in two different security levels, 5 and 6.  The level 5 shredders cut shreds that are .8 mm by 12 mm and the level 6 are .8 mm by 4 mm.  This type of shredder is ideal for banking documents and other documents that contain private information such as social security numbers, banking information and license information.

Using the correct paper shredder for you needs will not only guarantee your protection, but will also give you the piece of mind that your information is not going to end up in the wrong hands.