I thought I'd take a moment to share an inspirational video for entrepreneurs, inventors, and anyone facing tough obstacles along the path of realizing your dreams.

Check out this short video about about a guy who is chasing the American Dream, but facing difficulty along the way.  Despite the hardships, this guy has pledged to never give up, and embraces  hard work, determination, and true grit.

Take comfort that we're all in this together, and stay strong!
 

Watch the Quick, 4 Minute Video:

Music sets the mood, and putting together the perfect playlist is essential for any party.  Seasonal parties, particularly Halloween parties, are the most deserving of a well thought out music selection.  You will need the right music to set the mood. 

We've put together a list of 10 Essential tunes to get your Halloween party jumping. 

10.  The Monster Mash

The Monster Mash is an obligatory tune.  The original  Bobby "Boris" Picket  from 1962 is a classic, but let's face it – it's a little old and dated.  Grandpa and Grandma may still love rocking out to it, but for a more contemporary version, check out The Misfit's remix.  Same great cornball lyrics, but with an updated sound.

9.  The Cure – "Lullaby" (Mixed Up Version)

Not every song by The Cure is depressing.  In fact, "Lullaby's" lyrics are down right scary! 

8.   Pretty much anything by Rob Zombie

Rob Zombie's music is perfectly suited for Halloween.  Consider tracks such as: More Human than Human, I'm Your Boogieman, Thunderkiss '65,  and Dragula.

7.   Blue Oyster Cult: "Don't Fear the Reaper"

Blue Oyster Cult has achieved cult-like status.  Unlike the musicians themselves, their classic "Don't Fear the Reaper" never get's old.

6.  Charlie Daniels Band:  "Devil Went Down to Georgia"

Perhaps the best fiddle solo.  Ever.

5.   Ray Parket Jr.: "Ghostbusters"

Admittedly, this track is a bit corny, but it earns extra points for nostalgic value.

4.   DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince – "Nightmare on my Street"

Fresh Prince raps about being visited by Freddy Kruger.  Ahh, the 80's.  This song sent shivers up my spine when I was a kid.

3.  Talking Heads:  "Psycho Killer"

There have been many remakes of this popular song, but the original can't be beat.

2.  Warren Zevon: "Werewolves in London"

Warren Zevon was an eccentric rock musician, who many believed to be a musical genius.  He passed away a few years ago, but his music lives on with a cult following.  Werewolves of London was the only solo success by Warren Zevon that made the American Top 40 charts,

1.  Oingo Boingo: "Dead Man's Party"

Rodney Dangerfield's character in the movie, "Back to School," Thornton Melon, helped popularize this song when he had Oingo Boingo play live at his epic house party.  Since then, this catchy tune is associated with good time awesomeness.  Bring us a pitcher of beer every seven minutes until somebody passes out.  And then bring one every ten minutes.

BONUS -  Michael Jackson: Thriller

You didn't expect to see a Top-10 Halloween music list without Thriller, did you?    This mega classic is the embodiment of ghoulish horror, and an obvious choice for any Halloween playlist.

View Full Thriller Video

Happy Halloween!

Have traditional gender roles really changed?

Most folks would agree that changing gender roles have dramatically altered their lives at work and at home. Few people would argue that gender equality, especially in the workplace, has enriched the lives of men and women alike.

Men and women have been striving for equality during the past few decades, and it is evident that political, professional, economic, and social advances have been made.

But when it comes to "Romantic Equality," how much has really changed?  Do men and women naturally gravitate toward more traditional romantic roles?   Women want to be treated as equals in all areas of life, but  do they prefer being treated as a traditional lady when it comes to dating?

 
When is it OK for a man to hang up his super-hero cape, and let the woman save the day… or at least pay for the date?

Share your thoughts.  Should a man always pay for his date?  Many women may offer to pay, but do they really want to, or is it simply going through the motions of what may seem like the right/fair thing to do?

Please post your thoughts and comments below – and be sure to include if you are male or female, your age, and where you’re from… thanks!

DudeRated.com is committed to providing you with honest, unbiased, and up-to-date information about products and services.  Be sure to check back often for product updates.

Top 10 Tools That Should Be in Your Toolbox

Written by John White

For many modern men, owning and using tools has become somewhat of a novelty. Today’s younger men likely have grandfathers and fathers with well-stocked toolboxes, but have not stocked a toolbox yet themselves.

The modern trend for young men when faced with a project is to rely on a tradesman to take care of their carpentry, construction, and repair needs.

Traditionally, part of being a man involves a certain degree of self-reliance, and in order for a man to take care of business on his own, he should have the tools to get the job done.

The Top-10 Tools that every man should have are:

1. Utility Knife
Also known as a box cutter, razor blade knife, carpet knife, or Stanley knife, is a very common knife that is used in a wide range of trades for a variety of purposes. If you don’t own a utility knife, get one now. This tool is a basic essential, and you’ll be suprised how many opportunities you will have to put it to use.

2. Level
A good level is a necessary tool that is designed to guage whether a surface is horizontally “level” or vertically “plumb.” Levels come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Traditional levels are known as “spirit levels” or “bubble levels,” and rely on a liquid filled glass tube with a bubble in the tube that travels from side to side, and rests in the middle when the surface is level. More recent advancements in level technology have brought us the “laser line level” which is a high-tech gadget that combines a spirit level with a laser. The laser line is projected against the measuring surface to display an accurate horizontal or vertical line.

3. Drill
A good drill with the proper drill bits has uses ranging from screwing and unscrewing screws in various surfaces to drilling holes in everything from wood to metal, and even concrete. For most do-it-yourself projects and light construction, a cordless drill is a better choice than a pistol-grip corded drill because cordless drills are less cumbersome and offer slightly better range of motion. You’ll want a cordless drill with high enough torque to handle tasks ranging from working as a screwdriver to boring large diameter holes. Because large diameter holes require more juice, you’ll want to make sure your cordless drill comes equipped with at least an 18 volt (18 V) battery pack. Make sure you’ve got a good drill bit set that is appropriate for a range of hole sizes and surface types.

4. Needlenose pliers
Needlenose pliers are also referred to as long-nose pliers, or pinch-nose pliers, and are designed for cutting and repositioning wire. While they are most commonly used by electricians, they are also extremely useful in situations requiring you to reach into spaces where objects or materials are unreachable by fingers.

5. Vice Grip Pliers
Vice Grip Pliers are also known as Mole grips or Vice-Grips and are pliers than can be adjusted by changing the position of the jaws to fit the object, and locked into position. Vice Grip Pliers come in many different sizes and configurations for various applications. “Leatherman” manufactures a useful line of products, called the “Multi-Tool.” The “Crunch” multi-tool model includes locking pliers instead of regular pliers and folds together for easy transport. This gadget is quite handy, because it includes a few other necessary tools in one.

6. Socket Wrench Set
I picked up my first socket wrench when I was six years old, and it was love at first grip. I’ve gone through a couple of sets since then, but I’ve never failed to realize the importance of a solid socket wrench set as part of dude’s tool set. A socket wrench, also referred to as a “rachet” is absolutely essential in the lineup of tools that every dude should own. A complete socket wrench set should have enough removeable sockets to fit most of the different sized fasteners, such as nuts and bolts, measured in both metric and English-standard sizes.

7. Tape Measure
Tape measures are flexible rulers that have a curved metal measuring ribbon that remains straight and stiff when extended and retracts into a coil that is stored in a square metal or plastic hand-held container for convenient transport. Tape measures are necessary for measuring the dimensions of a room, furniture, and carpentry/construction projects.

8. Allen Wrench Set
Also known as “Hex Keys” the allen wrench is a tool with a hexagonal cross-section that is used to screw and unscrew bolts that have a hexagonal socket head. A lot of prefabricated furntiture and home decor that requires assembly use bolts and screws with hexagonal sockets. An allen wrench is a very simple tool, and good set with various hex sizes will only set you back a few bucks.

9. Screwdriver Set
There are many types of screw heads, but the most common that you’ll encounter are the “Slotted” (this is the flat/straight head – a single straight line) and the “Phillips” (this is the crosshead type that looks like a plus-sign). A complete set of phillips head and flat/straight head screwdrivers is aan important thing to have around the house.

10. Hammer
There are many types of hammers, including the ball-peen, soft-faced, mallet, etc. The “claw hammer” is the type that is ideal for driving nails with the flat edge, and removing them with the clawed edge. The hammer is the basic tool of many professions, and should be found in every man’s toolbox.

DC9PAKIA 18-Volt 9-Tool Cordless Combo Kit

Cruise on over to ToolKing.com for a chance to win this legendary DeWalt 18-Volt 9-Tool Combo Kit, a $1500 value. 

ToolKing.com is a favorite among the Dudes here at DudeRated.com.  ToolKing.com began as a traditional brick-and-morter tool retailer, known as "Tool King," over 30 years ago, and dealt directly to professionals and tradesment.  In 2001, Tool King made it’s online debut, with ToolKing.com.

Still nestled in the foothills of Colorado just west of Denver, Colorado, the original brick and mortar Tool King store is staffed with knowledgeable employees who are woodworkers, craftsmen and contractors themselves.  The staff offers their expertise to the consumer to help them make an educated decision on their tool purchase.  This same expertise and helpfulness is available to Tool King’s online customers as well.

ToolKing.com is a great place to pick up new and reconditioned professional-grade tools at consumer-grade prices.  Stop messing around with toys, and step up to the tools used by the big boys.

Visit: www.ToolKing.com

Right now, they’ve got a great promotion going on – you can win a DeWalt 9-piece cordless tool set.

Product Description-DeWalt DC9PAKIA

Includes-DeWalt DC9PAKIA

Application-DeWalt DC9PAKIA

Salute the Flag with a Can of Suds…

Written by: John White

Consider showing off your patriotism by sipping on an American cold one. But be forewarned, your choice of American beers is shrinking faster than the economy.

Last year marked a tragic period in American beer history.  The European company based in Belgium, "InBev," purchased one of the few remaining American owned Macro-breweries, Anheuser-Busch.

InBev is now the largest brewing company in the world, with over 250 brands in production.

Sadly, the former great American beer brands such as Budweiser, Michelob, Busch, Rolling Rock, and Natural Light are now owned by the European giant, InBev.  Can you believe that the "King of Beers," our beloved Budweiser, is now a European beer?

So we lost Bud, no sweat – we’ll just switch on over to Miller, right?  Nope, Miller is no longer an American brewing company either.  Some of Miller’s most recognizable brands include the legendary Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite, Olde English, Icehouse, and SouthPaw.  These former American heavy-weight champs are now owned and operated by SABMiller, a South African company.

Heck, even our iconic Coors brand is now just a regional division of the "Molson Coors Brewing Company," which is mostly Canadian owned.  Coors, Bluemoon, Killians, and Keystone – all owned by our neighbors to the north.

It seems as though we don’t have too many choices anymore when it comes to sipping on American suds.  All hope is not lost, though.  If you truly want to show your patriotism by drinking good-ol’ American beer this Fourth of July, consider the following four (4) options:

1.  Yuengling

Yuengling & Son, otherwise known as "Yuengling,"  and pronounced "ying ling" is the oldest operating brewing company in the USA.  Yuengling was established in 1829 by the German brewer, David G. Yuengling, several years after he immigrated to the United States. Yuengling is located in Pennsylvania, and is still American owned and controlled by a Yuengling heir.

Yuengling’s beers include:

Yuengling Premium, Light, Traditional Lager, Dark Brewed Porter, Lord Chesterfield Ale, Original Black & Tan, and Light Lager.

Visit: www.yuengling.com

2.  Boston Beer Company

The Boston Beer Company is a relative newcomer, founded in 1984 by Jim Koch in Boston, Massachusetts.  The Boston Beer Company is the largest American owned brewery, and is most famous for it’s Samuel Adams brand of beers.  The Sam Adams brand began with "Samuel Adams Boston Lager," in 1984 and has since grown to include an additional eleven (11) year-round beer varieties.

Boston Beer Company’s year-round beers include:

Sam Adams Light, Boston Ale, Pale Ale, Cherry Wheat, Cream Stout, Brown Ale, Hefeweizen, Scotch Ale, Black Lager, Honey Porter, and Irish Red.

Sam Adams also produces four (4) different seasonal beers at different months throughout the year: White Ale, Summer Ale, Octoberfest, and Winter Lager.

Visit: www.bostonbeer.com and www.samueladams.com

3.  Pabst Brewing Company*

Pabst claims to be the largest American-owned brewer, but a more accurate description of Pabst is that they are the largest American-owned marketing company that is in the beer business.  The Pabst Brewing Company is often referred to as a "virtual brewer" because it outsources most of it’s 85 brands of beer brewing to Miller Brewing Company (SABMiller – the South Africans).  In fact, Pabst closed all of it’s breweries, and no longer brews a single beer themselves.

Some of Pabst’s most recognizable brands include:

Ballantine Ale, Black Label, Blatz, Colt 45, Lone Star, McSoreley’s, Old Milwaukee, Olympia, and of course Pabst Blue Ribbon ("PBR").

Visit: www.pabst.com

4. Your Local Microbrewery

A microbrewery is a small craft brewery of local & regional origin that has a limited production capacity and whose beers are usually distributed within a restricted geographic region.  A microbrewery can usually be found in or around most major metropolitan areas.  A microbrewery is simply a very small local commercial brewery.  A large number of well-known microbreweries were founded by friends getting together to make their own homemade beer for fun.

The best-known American microbrewery is the "Sierra Nevada Brewing Company," located in Chico, California.  Sierra Nevada is famous for it’s American Pale Ale, which can be found in liquor stores throughout the United States.

Visit: www.sierranevada.com

Happy Fourth of July!  If you drink beers this July 4th, be sure to Drink American!

And be sure to read: Hangover Prevention & Cures

Prevention is the Best Medicine.

Most drinkers have experienced the dreaded hangover at some point in their lives.  The nausea, pounding headaches, exhaustion, body ache, and sensitivity to lights and sounds is certainly no walk in the park.  Yet drinkers invariably return to the sauce within days or weeks even after the most brutal hangovers.  Do we drink to excess because it’s human nature to want to alter your consciousness?  Or is it because of pure stupidity? 

Well, it’s probably a little bit of both – but if we demonstrate a little bit of intelligence and planning this Holiday weekend, we will all be able to party without the nasty side effects the next morning.

Avoiding a hangover is accomplished by a two-part strategic initiative:
 

1.  Hangover Prevention.  This is everything you will do before, up to, during, and after drinking to avoid the devastating effects of a hangover as much as possible.

2.  Hangover Cures.  Cures are all about what you’ll need to do the next morning to ensure that you’re back to normal by the end of the day.

It’s important to understand why we get hangovers in order to properly execute a prevention plan. A hangover is what your body experiences when you’ve overdosed on alcohol.  Hangover sufferers feel the way they do because of the build up of toxins and impurities in the body from consuming too much alchohol wreaks havoc on your nerves.  Combine too many impurities with severe dehydration and the depletion of essential vitamins and minerals, and you’ve got yourself a recipe for a miserable morning after.

Obviously, the best way to avoid a hangover is to not drink at all.  The second best way to avoid a hangover is through prevention.

Prevention Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

1.  Know how much you can handle and don’t exceed that amount.  If it takes three (3) beers for you to start feeling tipsy, don’t plan on drinking 12.  This sounds pretty obvious, but you’d be amazed by how much difference it makes if you know how much you can handle, and if you plan to cut yourself off by the end of the evening at that limit.  The cut-off plan will help you to naturally pace yourself, but without it, it’s all too easy to get carried away and drink to excess.

2.  Take a multi-vitamin, or a vitamin B complex.  Drinking alcohol depletes the B Vitamins especially, as well as Vitamin A, and Vitamin C.  Supplementing your vitamin intake a few hours before you plan to drink may help mitigate the effects of vitamin depletion.

3.  Eat breads, and oily greesy foods before drinking.  Eating these foods before drinking will help absorb alcohol and prevent it from entering your bloodstream too quickly. The grease coating your stomach wall will act as a barrier prevening quick absorption of alcohol into the bloodstream. Better yet, try to continue snacking while you’re out drinking.

4.  Choose light colored drinks.  All alcoholic drinks contain something called "congeners."  Congeners are what helps give certain types of alcohol their unique flavor.  They are also responsible for the cause of many hangover symptoms. Darker alcoholic drinks such as whiskey, red wine, and brandy have the most hangover causing congeners.  Light, or clear drinks such as gin and vodka contain the least amount of congeners.

5.  When drinking liquor, opt for top-shelf.  Higher quality liquor is often referred to as "top-shelf."  Top-shelf liquors contain fewer impurities than low quality, budget brand, and house-special liquors.  This is because the filtration process is usually much more extensive and thorough in top-shelf brands.

6.  Stick with one type of alcoholic drink.  Mixing beer with wine or liquor is never a good idea.

7.  Hydrate Yourself.  Drink a glass of water before you start drinking, and in between drinks.  Don’t worry, this will not diminish the good feelings that having a few drinks will give you, but it will help prevent the worst hangover contributor – dehydration.

8.  Stay awake at least one hour after your last drink and before going to bed.  When you go to sleep, your metabolism slows down, which in turn slows the elimination of toxins from your body.  Staying awake an hour after drinking and before going to bed can have a significant impact on your likelihood of suffering from a hangover.

9.  Drink a large glass of water and take an aspirin or ibuprofen before bed.  Always, always, always remember to have a glass of water before going to sleep.  Dehydration is the worst culprit of hangover pain, and a glass of water before bed goes a long way to prevent it.  An aspirin or ibuprofen will help relieve any pain you may experience the next morning, if you’ve managed to fall victim to hangover despite your preventitive measures.

10. Have morning-after supplies ready just in case.  Be ready for the morning after with bottled water, mixed fruit, breads, and sports drinks.

Don’t:

1.  Do not drink on an empty stomach.  Drinking without food in your stomach results in almost immediate alcohol absorption into the body, and will put you on the fast-track to a miserable hangover.

2.  Do not mix drinks.  Stick with one type of drink, and no more.  This is more important that most people realize.  Each type of alcohol has it’s own unique range of impurities and toxins.  Drinking a variety of alcoholic beverages will introduce a broader range of impurities and toxins into your body.  The more impurities, the worse the hangover.

3.  Avoid mixed drinks with sugary/syrupy mixers.  The sugar found in mixers (the stuff used to make dacquiris, pina coladas, house margaritas) raises your blood sugar, and the resulting sugar crash, combined with excessive alcohol greatly compounds the side effects of a hangover.

4.  Avoid dark alcohol.  Dark alcohol contains more congeners than light alcohol.  Congerers  are the chemical elements that result in the dreaded hangover experience.  Brandy, red-wine, and whiskey are the worst culprits.

5.  Do not smoke cigarettes.  This is a tough one for a lot of part-time smokers, and probably impossible to expect from smokers.  But, if you can avoid cigarettes, do so at all costs.  Cigarettes introduce many more impurities and toxins into your body than drinking alone, and will always lead to a much worse hangover.  Imagine all of the nasty symptoms typically associated with a hangover.  Now add the disgusting symptom of ashtray-mouth.  Yuck. 

6.  Don’t drink caffeinated beverages.  Caffeine is a diuretic and compounds the effects of dehydration.  This means that you should not consume drinks such as Irish Coffee and Energy Drinks + Vodka.

7.  Do not drink cheap/low quality alcohol.  Spring for the good stuff, it’ll be worth it the next morning.  Cheaper, low-quality brands have a less extensive filtration process than the good stuff, meaning there are typically more hangover causing impurities in the cheap stuff.

8.  Avoid carbonated mixers.  Carbonated mixers such as soda-pop, tonic water, and soda water increase the rate of absorbtion of alcohol into the body.

9. Do not take acetaminophen (Tylenol).  Tylenol is tough on the liver.  Alcohol is tough on the liver.  Combine the two, and you’ll have a very unhealthy mix.

10.  Do not binge drink.

Next Morning Cures:

Do:

1. Drink a tall glass of water with an asprin or ibuprofen.  Rehydration is critical.

2. Sleep if you can – avoid bright lights, loud noise. Sleeping in a dark, quiet room will help alleviate painful hangover symptoms.

3. Replenish throughout the day with a sports drink (Gatorade, Powerade, etc.).  Sports drinks such as Gatorade actually help the body rehydrate better than water, and are great for replenishing essential salts and electrolytes.

4. Eat light, bland foods – fruit, bananas, bread.  Your body will be able to handle light foods better than heavy, greasy stuff.  Heavy meals may lead to vomiting.

5. Take a multivitamin or B vitamin complex.  Your body will be deficient in important vitamins the next morning.  Adding them back to your system will help alleviate the symptoms.

Don’t:

1.  Do not drink coffee in the morning.  Coffee is a diuretic, and will only serve to compound your dehydration.

2.  Do not drink alcohol to ease the symptoms.  Having a Bloody Mary in the morning is a popular practice to relieve hangover pain, but introducing more alcohol into your body to relieve the symptoms assiciated with drinking too much alcohol is just plain silly.  It may help numb the pain, but it will delay your recovery.

3.  Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, etc.  Having a hangover can be just as bad as being intoxicated when it comes to driving and operating machinery.  Your senses are dulled, judgment and depth perception are impaired.  You risk injury to yourself and to others.

Top 5 Girlfriend Gift Ideas for Any Occasion

Author: John White

If you’re like most dudes, buying a gift for your girlfriend, for any occasion, can be a challenging task. You may know your girl pretty well, but figuring out a suitable gift that fits her tastes, style, and interests can still be daunting.  The key to giving a great gift begins with what should be obvious to most, and that is simply thinking about the type of things she likes.

If you’re not sure what your girlfriend likes, pay attention to what she does when you’re together.  What types of movies does she like to watch?  Does she like sweets and chocolates?  What is her favorite color, or her favorite type of music?  Asking yourself questions like these will help you get a sense of the things that she likes.  If you’re still not sure, you could try asking – just don’t be obvious.
 

Gifts are not only for special occasions.  Sometimes gifts given for no particular reason can really go a long way, and can score you some extra points with your lady (Extra points with your sweetheart is like the "Roll-Over Minutes" and "Get Out of Jail Free Cards" of relationships)
 

Before we go into gift ideas, let’s consider these points to avoid gift-giving disasters:

A.  Do not think about what she "needs."  Think about what she likes or wants.
B.  Cash is never a suitable gift.  It is too impersonal.
C.  Avoid giving your girl home-care goods & appliances
D.  If she says she doesn’t want anything, it may not be true.
 

The Dudes put their heads together, and collaborated with our female friends to come up with a list that should help get you started with finding the right gift for your special lady.
 

1.  Jewelry

Jewelry is generally safe  and it’s often a favorite gift for women to receive.  Women love jewelry. You’ll have to exercise a bit of caution when buying jewelry for your girlfriend though, because not just any jewelry is acceptable.  It will take some thought to find something that fits your girlfriend’s tastes, but keep in mind that birthstones and diamonds rarely fail to please.  I recommend staying away from rings unless you plan on getting engaged or married.  Bracelets, watches and necklaces are safe bets.

Trusted Sites to that Make Buying Her Jewelry Easy and Affordable:

SuperJeweler.com – Look at Their Item Of The Week

Ashford.com – Save up to 75% on Women’s Watches

Max and Chloe – Big Bargains on Unique Designer Jewelry.

2.  A Romantic Weekend Getaway

If you’ve got the dough, and you both have a free weekend to spend together, then this idea will give her a chance to unwind, relax, and spend some quality time with you.  The easiest way to plan this type of gift is to find weekend vacation package deals (all inclusive) on the popular travel sites.

Trusted Site that Makes Planning a Vacation Getaway Simple and Inexpensive:

Travelocity.com – Flight+3 Night Hotel Vacations from $299

3. Clothing, Shoes, Bags, Etc.

Can you name all of the characters in the television show "Sex in the City?"  Well, your girlfriend probably can.   Women  all around the world love this show because it represents glamor.  It’s all about clothes, shoes, and designer hand bags.  Us dudes may not get it, but this is the stuff that excites women. Getting your gal some nice clothing can be a great option if you know her exact size.  If you’re not sure, you may want to move along to something else.  Getting something that too big or too small runs the risk of sending the wrong signal.  If you’re not an expert on women’s wear, no problem.  Lingerie and pajamas can make nice gifts too.  A gift certificate to her favorite store or boutique is fine, but getting her an article of clothing, a pair of shoes, or a handbag that you’ve picked out is more meaningful.

Trusted Site to Find Contemporary Women’s Fashion:

Linea Pelle – Use code CJLP10 to take 10% off any order.

4. Electronics

Electronics can be great gifts, and they should be given with the intent of making the activities your girl engages in more enjoyable.  For example, if your girlfriend spends a lot of time driving, you could consider giving her a portable GPS / Navigation system for her car, or maybe a satellite radio.  If she likes jogging, you may consider a small MP3 player or iPod with the armband accessory.  If she’s a social butterfly and spends a lot of time out with her friends, you may want to think about giving her a compact digital camera.

Trusted Sites that Make Electronics Shopping a Snap:

B&H – Save up to $300 on Digital Cameras at B&H Photo and Electronics

Best Buy – See this week’s sale events and free shipping offers at BestBuy.com

5. Of-The-Month Club Membership

A personal favorite gift choice for me, both to give and to receive is an "of-the-month" club membership.  These types of gifts are great for any occaision, and the recipient of this gift gets to enjoy it all year long.  Some popular "of-the-month" club choices are Wine of the Month, Dessert of the Month, Chocolate of the Month, Book of the Month, and Gourmet Cheese of the Month.  There are many more "of-the-month" choices available, and you’re bound to find something that is perfect for your girl.

Trusted "Of-The-Month" Club Membership Site with Many Choices:

Monthly Gift Club – Save BIG at Clubs of America

Good luck, guys.

Get Out of Your Lease the Cheap & Easy Way…

Review by John White

So you’ve signed a lease on a sick new ride, and now you’ve had a change of heart, and want the hell out?  Have no fear my fretfull friend, LeaseTrader.com is here.

Signing a lease contract on a car is a little like getting hitched to that hot stripper in Vegas you met during a wild night with the lads.  Hell, maybe your new blushing bride turns out to be the most amazing ride of your life.  But what if that excitement wears off, and you’re ready for something else, or just want to quickly undo what you’ve done?

Are You Stuck in a Love-Less Marriage to a Vegas Stripper?

Well, If you’re like other dudes who one morning wake up and decide they want the hell out of their car lease, you run the risk of getting taken to the cleaners, and losing your hard earned cash paying for your idiotic mistakes.

Leasing vehicles can be a great thing if you’re certain you want to ride it out for the duration of the contract.  However, returning your car or truck to the dealer before the end of the lease contract means that you’re going to pay early termination fees  — and not just little ones, we’re talkin’ big bad nasty ones that will haunt you in your sleep, and leave you a weeping, slobbering, broken man.

Your slick car dealer may advise you trade in your leased car for a new one.  What a stand-up guy, right? But guess, what… ol’ Slick will probably add penalties to the price of your new vehicle in the form of dealer fees, negative equity on your trade, and so on. Any option will cost you an arm and a leg, often in the thousands of dollars.

So, are you stuck in your miserable, love-less marriage to the Vegas stripper? No! Not if you use the lease-trading web site, LeaseTrader.com.

About LeaseTrader.com

"LeaseTrader.com is the first full-service online auto lease transfer marketplace of vehicle leases."  Whew, that was a mouthful, right?  I snagged that from their website, and couldn’t have said it better myself.  LeaseTrader.com matches folks who are currently leasing vehicles and for whatever reason want to get out, out of their lease with people who are looking for short-term leases with attractive payments and no money down.  LeaseTrader.com is a great site for those looking to get out of their lease, and others who are looking to save a bundle on getting in to a different car.

How Does LeaseTrader.com Work?

LeaseTrader has a great FAQ section on their website that can be found under "How it Works" here: www.LeaseTrader.com/car/lease/info/help/default.aspx.

The gist of it is, 1. You sign up, 2. You list your car with the terms you are looking to get, 3. You coordinate with a prospective lessor, 4. LeaseTrader.com handles all the red-tape and tedious stuff, 5. You transfer the lease, and 6. Cha-Ching, baby, you’re free!

Want Some More Proof that LeaseTrader.com is the Shizznit?
Check out what the press is saying…

Want to Get a Great Deal on a New Lease?!
See What MotorWeek Says Below:

Got a Gas Guzzler and Need Out Now!?
See What CNN Says Below:

I have not yet used LeaseTrader.com, but I have researched the site as well as testimonials from actual customers enough to be confident in recommending the service to DudeRated.com readers.  If you have any experience with LeaseTrader.com, please feel free to post a comment below, or email us directly by visiting our "Contact Us" section of the website.

A more thorough review will be posted after we’ve received more input, and I’ve had an opportunity to unload my vehicle through the site.

Until then, if you want a great deal on a lease, or you need to get out of your current lease, please visit LeaseTrader.com directly, by clicking the link below:

TIRED OF YOUR LEASE? You’re Not Alone. GET OUT with LeaseTrader.com.