My Frugal Ways

Swine Flu dominated the news today. Here is a overlay of all the cases of Swine Flu that have been discovered overlay on top of a Google map.  Hopefully with technology like these it can help us prevent deadly outbreaks by making people more aware of the prevention steps people should be taking.

I just came across this website, My Micro Fund, where the owner is funding business proposals in the form of a grant or a goodwill loan for people who have a basic business idea laid out but is simply a little short on cash (up to $3000).  Currently the three projects that have been approved are all internet based and he indicated that is most likely the direction in which his funding venture will go.

To create an online business venture, the typical cost includes:

- A computer

- Web hosting

- A certain amount of budget for initial marketing.

This will come out to be around 500~3000 which is exactly what My Micro Fund is offering.  Personally I view this as a tremendous opportunity for young people (between high school and college) who is passionate about technology who needs a little help.

You can also explore  Google’s Google App Engine as it is one of the hottest area in information technology in cloud computing.

As a member of BzzAgent, a word of mouth marketing company, I often receive products to try and provide word of mouth marketing for the product that I have tried. I really like their program as they don’t require you to give a positive feedback but rather your open and honest opinion. (In fact, you don’t have to spread the word at all if you really don’t feel like it.) Furthermore, they tend to offer very decent trial products.

One of the Campaign I signed up recently is “Diet Mountain Dew” campaign. I was a Mountain Dew drinker when I was younger but I didn’t even know they have a diet version. As a member of the Campaign, I received two free 12 oz cans of Diet Mountain Dew, one free 12 pack coupon, and five $1 off 12 pack coupon. I finished drinking the two free 12 oz can I received and it tasted better than I expected. Unlike the other diet products, diet Mountain Dew did not taste too differently from the original. Personally I enjoyed it and I would consider purchasing it if I see a good deal. As for the free 12-pack cans coupon, I like to give it to a reader who is interested in trying out Diet Mountain Dew. Simply leave me a comment and I will draw a random winner on 4/30th.

As a new part of their experiment, they are trying to keep track of how words of mouth spreads. For this campaign, they are partnering with ChatThreads to keep track of the different conversations that are occurring. Please use this conversion id: 101-683-235802 if you like to provide additional feedback. (This is optional and you can enter just for reading the content of the post). As an incentive to get people to provide their feedback, you can have ChatThreads donate to one of the national charities they support or enter a sweepstakes and have a chance to win gift certificates.

Gillette is giving away 500 Gillette Fusion Razors every day for a month!

Here is the description from Gillette’s website.

“A clean close shave is a surefire way to keep your confidence high.
So we’re making it easier to get our smoothest shave ever.
With only 500 Fusion Razors available each day, it’s first come, first shaved.”
As an additional bonus for Yankee fans, there is a advertisement video featured Derek Jeter.

Update: I forgot to mention the daily promotion starts at 12:00 noon ET everyday.

I dreamed a dream from Darian on Vimeo
This is a very inspirational video. Susan Boyle, unemployed at 47, auditioning in front of Simon Cowell at Britian’s Got Talent 2009 and pull off an incredible performance. Similar to Paul Potts, no one expected this beautiful voice coming from her.

A very fitting song, “I Dreamed of a Dream”.

Update: It looks like all the online video are no longer allowing embedding of her performance. However, if you go to YouTube and do a search, you will plenty of videos.