Combat Boots

There are now Extreme Cold Temperatore Boots available that will take great care of your feet in cold weather, even with temperatures that get as low as 20 degrees below zero. These are known in the Military as Mickey Mouse Boots. You can also get SealSkinz Socks which are waterproof and that allow your feet to breathe at the same time. These will work in cases where waterproof boots may not be an option. Some unissued Mickey Boots will even keep your feet warm in temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero. And if you’re looking for strong laces try the paratrooper laces. They are supposed to be the strongest laces in the world.

Thermal Underwear

And if you plan on working out in the cold or will be going on a mission in Cold Weather, try some Polypropylene Underwear. This is the best thermal underwear you can buy. If you need good protection for all your leather items try some Sno Seal. This product is made from Beeswax and will provide much better protection than oils and greases will.

Sleeping Gear

These days you can find great sleeping bags, air bags and liners. You can buy sleeping bags that are designed to keep you toasty warm at temperatures as low as 10 degrees fairenheit. And if you wanna keep your body slightly off the ground, consider picking up an Air Mattress made of Rubberized Cotton. And how about a 100% Virgin Wool Blanket that is Authentic Military Issue.

Another option to keep you elevated at night is a Compact Cot. You can pickup one of these new for under $30.00, but chances are you’ll find them on our site for much less used. And if you wanna sleep like a baby through a blizzard consider picking up a set of Disaster Blankets. They are made of Wood, Nylon and Rayon. And sleeping bag mats are always a no lose choice. Most are made of foam and you can pick one up for under $10.00.

You’ll never sleep on the concrete or dirt again once you own one of these. And a Swedish Bed Frame can even be adjusted to fit the natural incline of your body.

Food & Cooking Utensils

The GI Multi Fuel Portable Stove used to be used by the army. You can use this to boil water, prepare your hot cocoa or coffee in the morning or soup. And Canteen cups sure come in handy while you are outdoors. And there’s nothing like a can opener to carry on your keychain. And if you plan on going out in cold weather get an Arctic Canteen cup. And whatever you do make sure you have plenty of stored water in your vehicle.

Get a few collapsible water containers, that should do the trick. An Aluminum Griddle is perfect for cooking hot dogs, sausages, even pancakes. And don’t forget the 144 pack of MRE Heaters to warm up your MRE food. And a mess kit with utensils will will give you the essentials to ensure you aren’t eating off the ground or your cammies.

Other Camping Essentials

Make sure you have a good reliable flashlight with extra batteries, preferably a military issue flashlight since they are much tougher than commercial brands. They are made for function not looks. And a Cammenga Compass will go miles to make sure you don’t get lost out there along with your map. And if you’ll be in a hot area with lots of flys, knats and other pesky creatures don’t forget your insect repellent and consider also getting an insect face net.

And just in case your flashlight does burn out, don’t be stuck in the dark. Be prepared with an extra pack of light sticks. These last 6-8 hours after you snap and shake them. If you need to cut some wood you can always get a little wire saw for under $10.00. And don’t forget your MRE’s. Nothing worse than starving out in the wilderness or on your mission before aid arrives.

Just in case you need it consider buying a 2 man pup tent. Ground troops have used these for decades in the field, and if you find yourself having to use it it’s better to have it and not need it than to need one and not have it. It will allow you to get a good night sleep out there that you’ll really need after humping around all day.

If you need to start a fire, consider a waterproof match box with stick matches. Also bring along an extra set of lighters. And to be extra safe, bring along a Magnesium Fire Starter. Whether you are camping or out on a military mission, the night before you go just sit down and think about what you would need to survive for a 30 day period if you got stranded. Think about what you’ll eat, what you’ll drink and where you’ll sleep. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, and it’s always best to be prepared.

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The fibers that create these (%) 100 wool socks have insulating properties so they do not let the outside weather in. So if it’s hot your feet will still be cool and when it’s cold in the winter time your feet will be warm. Wool is also very comfortable like pillows on your feet. Also sweat is absorbs by the socks in a good way so you don’t get fungus in your feet or make your feet sore. Wetness is one of the reasons fungus gets to your feet.

Socks tend to be the one thing  that desires to compliment along with your dress and particularly with your trouser. Plenty of of us build impulsive choices from socks that  are from vibrant colours nonetheless they no longer match either with our casual outfits or compliment an addition to our formal wear. Don’t make a mistake and buy the right color to match your clothes. When people buy socks they like to buy cotton because it’s cheap and useful. However wool is a much better option just a little more pricy.

Some of the main pointers that (%) 100 wool socks have over other fabrics:

1. Temperature – It keeps the insides in check so your feet don’t overheat in the sun or freeze when it’s cold.
2. Smell – It prevents the odor because it absorbs sweat. It prevents foot odor because the only reason you get fungus and other foot problems is mainly because of humidity but since (%) 100 wool socks prevent this, then everything is gravy.
3. Moisture – Is made of a good fabric that allows your feet to breathe and stay healthy.

They not only keep your feet cool and warm but they also have enough protective layers to protect your feet from blisters. They are very soft and will protect the bottom of your feet. A good pair might cost $15-25 dollars. It may be worth the investment depending what you use your socks for and hey they are reusable for a long time. They are more durable and if you work out or stand long hours it’s a no brainer to get (%) 100 wool socks .

More info on the fabric called wool: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wool

Fortunately, there are many ways to enjoy the holidays on a budget – and the Internet has made it easier than ever to find great gift ideas or stay connected with friends and family without breaking the bank. So you don’t have to let distance and travel costs keep you from seeing your loved ones and showing them how much you care!

This year, enjoy the holidays as much as ever with my list of 10 easy ways to spend less and still show your love and appreciation to all the important people in your life.

1. Use old knit sweaters to create cuddly creatures. As the daughter of Depression-Era parents, I’ve learned how to use everything sparingly and I know that my mom would be proud of me for “recycling” a wool sweater into a cuddly owl toy for my grandkids. Check out www.Etsy.com for inspiration – you can make a sock dog or socktopus – and even a punky monkey that older kids would enjoy!

2. Take a cue from eco-friendly gifts ideas that use recycled products to create new works of art!  This is another great way to use what you already have around the house. I’ve seen beautiful cufflinks created from vintage typewriter keys! For more ideas, check out www.eco-artware.com.

3. Save on long distance phone calls with Skype. If you can’t afford to travel this holiday season, keep in touch with Skype, which allows you to talk with anyone, anywhere in the world! There are no long distance charges here. The service is FREE to all registered users! Your calls originate and take place at your computer and you can chat with up to 100 people or conference call with up to 9 others.

4. Get a webcam and see all of your friends and family without leaving your house! Participating in free video conversations via the Internet helps you view your loved ones who are far away (and you can even watch baby Levi or Ilana take their first steps!). To purchase a webcam, count on tech reviewer CNET to base their ratings on your individual priority:  price, popularity, manufacturer, editors picks, user ratings, and product features.  Just make sure one of their recommendations is compatible with your PC or Mac.  You can then show off your creativity on YouTube, which allows you to upload your videos and broadcast them around the world.

5. Pick up those knitting or crochet needles. Whip up scarves, mittens, and throws for friends and family. The will treasure these hand-made items and all the thoughtful attention to detail that went into making them! 

6.  Don’t overlook consignment stores and popular discount retailers. Recently, I read an article about well-known interior designers, art museum curators, and other “A-list” people scouring discount stores (Tuesday Morning and Big Lots) for unique clearance items.  If they can do it, so can we! And don’t forget about consignment stores where you can discover many great finds at bargain prices.

7. Put together creative themed baskets. You can send someone a garden by packaging some seeds with a couple garden tools. For the college student, you can make a sewing kit (they’ll thank you for it later!) For the newlyweds, print some of the old family recipes and put them into a cookie jar, crockpot or a colorful index box. You can also assemble arts and craft items for any age (and don’t forget the stickers).

8.  Tell a new story or a favorite classic with picture books. Check out LookyBook.com, named as a best 2008 website by Time Magazine, to see great picture books in their entirety.  You could purchase their recommendations at full retail prices or find old standbys in “good as new” condition at garage sales, thrift stores or websites like Amazon.com.  Look for “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day,” “The Hungry Caterpillar,” “Good Night Moon,” “Corduroy,” “The Giving Tree,” “Pat the Bunny,” “Guess How Much I Love You,” and the Dr. Seuss classics.

9. Shop Iliketotallyloveit.com for teens and other discriminating recipients. Check out this site for gifts to satisfy the tame as well as the outrageous members of your family.

10. Donate to charity and make the season bright for others. And finally, for those recipients who either have everything, don’t have the space for anything or don’t want anything, pick a charity they’d approve and make any size donation. Justgive.org makes it easy and secure to support your favorite charity.

Many of us have been drastically affected by the economic downturn, despite our best attempts to save for rainy days and plan for retirement. With our Social Security and investment income dwindling down to a fraction of what they once were, it’s clear that this year we’re going to have to be more creative than ever when it comes to celebrating the holidays.

Fortunately, there are many ways to enjoy the holidays on a budget – and the Internet has made it easier than ever to find great gift ideas or stay connected with friends and family without breaking the bank. So you don’t have to let distance and travel costs keep you from seeing your loved ones and showing them how much you care!

This year, enjoy the holidays as much as ever with my list of 10 easy ways to spend less and still show your love and appreciation to all the important people in your life.

1. Use old knit sweaters to create cuddly creatures. As the daughter of Depression-Era parents, I’ve learned how to use everything sparingly and I know that my mom would be proud of me for “recycling” a wool sweater into a cuddly owl toy for my grandkids. Check out www.Etsy.com for inspiration – you can make a sock dog or socktopus – and even a punky monkey that older kids would enjoy!

2. Take a cue from eco-friendly gifts ideas that use recycled products to create new works of art!  This is another great way to use what you already have around the house. I’ve seen beautiful cufflinks created from vintage typewriter keys! For more ideas, check out www.eco-artware.com.

3. Save on long distance phone calls with Skype. If you can’t afford to travel this holiday season, keep in touch with Skype, which allows you to talk with anyone, anywhere in the world! There are no long distance charges here. The service is FREE to all registered users! Your calls originate and take place at your computer and you can chat with up to 100 people or conference call with up to 9 others.

4. Get a webcam and see all of your friends and family without leaving your house! Participating in free video conversations via the Internet helps you view your loved ones who are far away (and you can even watch baby Levi or Ilana take their first steps!). To purchase a webcam, count on tech reviewer CNET to base their ratings on your individual priority:  price, popularity, manufacturer, editors picks, user ratings, and product features.  Just make sure one of their recommendations is compatible with your PC or Mac.  You can then show off your creativity on YouTube, which allows you to upload your videos and broadcast them around the world.

5. Pick up those knitting or crochet needles. Whip up scarves, mittens, and throws for friends and family. The will treasure these hand-made items and all the thoughtful attention to detail that went into making them! 

6.  Don’t overlook consignment stores and popular discount retailers. Recently, I read an article about well-known interior designers, art museum curators, and other “A-list” people scouring discount stores (Tuesday Morning and Big Lots) for unique clearance items.  If they can do it, so can we! And don’t forget about consignment stores where you can discover many great finds at bargain prices.

7. Put together creative themed baskets. You can send someone a garden by packaging some seeds with a couple garden tools. For the college student, you can make a sewing kit (they’ll thank you for it later!) For the newlyweds, print some of the old family recipes and put them into a cookie jar, crockpot or a colorful index box. You can also assemble arts and craft items for any age (and don’t forget the stickers).

8.  Tell a new story or a favorite classic with picture books. Check out LookyBook.com, named as a best 2008 website by Time Magazine, to see great picture books in their entirety.  You could purchase their recommendations at full retail prices or find old standbys in “good as new” condition at garage sales, thrift stores or websites like Amazon.com.  Look for “Harold and the Purple Crayon,” “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No-Good, Very Bad Day,” “The Hungry Caterpillar,” “Good Night Moon,” “Corduroy,” “The Giving Tree,” “Pat the Bunny,” “Guess How Much I Love You,” and the Dr. Seuss classics.

9. Shop Iliketotallyloveit.com for teens and other discriminating recipients. Check out this site for gifts to satisfy the tame as well as the outrageous members of your family.

10. Donate to charity and make the season bright for others. And finally, for those recipients who either have everything, don’t have the space for anything or don’t want anything, pick a charity they’d approve and make any size donation. Justgive.org makes it easy and secure to support your favorite charity.