The news about The Sims 2 Pets reminded me of how not only can you pamper your pet in game but now pet products allow you to pamper your real pets.

Pet strollers are just one of many luxury items for pampered pets on the market today. The Jeep Rubicon Jogging Pet Stroller/Dog Stroller adds a whole new meaning to term “walk the dog.” This stroller features a hand brake, interior waterproof tray, and rear shock absorbers. I also love this from the description that it has a parent tray for keys, a drink, or leash. You would definitely have to think of Fido as a child to buy him a stroller.

However, being a pet owner I know it is easy to get attached to your pet and want to take them where you go. Maybe this wouldn’t be such a bad purchase afterall. I wonder if they have a tandem stroller for baby AND pet…

Due out this fall for The Sims 2 will be the Pets expansion pack. Unleashed for the original Sims had to be my favorite expansion pack so to say I’m glad to see Pets for the Sims 2 is an understatement. You’ll be able to teach your pet tricks. Pets come with their own genetics so go ahead and cross breed that German Shepherd with a Poodle to get a Shepoodle or Poodleherd.

Besides cats and dogs, Sims can have birds or guinea pigs as pets. Pets can also have careers. Fido can bring in some money to the household. Pet careers include movie star, security pet corps and rescue pets.

The Sims 2 Pets is coming out this fall for the PC, PSP, DS, GameCube, GBA, and PlayStation 2.

While I can be satisfied with a new video game for a birthday or anniversary gift, it just doesn’t have the same effect as jewelry does. Because I love shiny things, diamond jewelry tops my list of good gifts. Diamonds are just not for engagement rings. There are bracelets, pendants, earrings, and more jewelry that comes with diamonds. Neverwinter Nights: Diamond Compilation Pack does not constitute as a good diamond gift. Well, maybe it depends on the receiver afterall.

Blog post sponsored by Blogging For Money

As someone who is perpetually broke, I’ve become a frugal gamer. If I buy a game, then it must be really something special to me. My financial status has made me take notice of quite a few good free games online. There are plenty of quality casual games online.

I’m terrible with finances but good with video games. If those two worlds could collide, I think I would finally start accumulating wealth. Before I can do that, I have to get my bills paid off. I’ve been looking into several options.

One option is debt consolidation. It’s basically taking out a low-interest loan(second mortgage or home equity load) to pay off all bills, therefore, leaving me with just one bill to pay. Since you are using your house as collateral, should you get get behind on payment, your house could go in forfeit. While consolidation loans seem like a good idea, it’s wise to do your homework to know if it is the right solution since there could be hidden costs and other possible fees.

There is always bankruptcy but even that won’t eliminate all debt as some things like student loans are excluded. Bankruptcy stays with you for what seems an eternity and can interfere with getting future credit. Bankruptcy may not be the best option either at this time.

The one thing I am certain is I want to commit to getting out of debt. I know it’ll be hard work whichever route I take but the goal of financial freedom is definitely worth the struggle.

When I was a teenager, I loved buttons. I use to decorate my blue jean jacket with as many as I could possibly fit onto it. I had buttons representing my favorite bands, favorite sayings–even promo buttons. Now as an adult I often wonder if I had a button machine what buttons would I be interested in making or wearing today.

There is a popular game especially among convention goers called Button Men. Basically it’s a button representing a character. This is your fighter, and you look for someone wearing another button to dice it out with. It’s a Cheap Ass game, which looks fairly simple. The buttons feature really nice art work. If I had my own button maker I would love to make my own button men. I could make buttons representing all my geek friends and give them as Christmas gifts. I bet they would go over well. (no, really I think it would!)

After looking on different websites for a nice, cute picture to leave a comment on myspace.com, I picked up a virus and spyware/adware. My heart sank as I knew immediately what had happened.

Since I’m fairy technical, I knew what had to be done. I ran my favorite online spyware removal tool. It removed a lot but couldn’t get it all. I then proceeded to download another spyware removal program. It got a bunch but not all of it. After several attempts, I’m throwing in the towel. I’m going to put Linux back on my computer.

I do love Linux. I’m a complete novice in the ways of Linux but have gained some knowledge. The one thing I do know about Linux is that The Sims 2 and other games do not work on the operating system. Mac users thought they were getting a bad deal when it comes to games for their operating system. Although there are some games for Linux. They do have a variety of casual games and ofcourse there is solitaire.

Although I’m giving up some games for my computer(Thank goodness my husband will still use XP), at least I won’t have the headache of spyware and viruses.

There is just something so exciting about planning a trip. It’s so fun to get away from the norm for a few days. We are planning a trip to Tampa, FL. This will be the first big trip with the baby. The long car ride makes me glad I have my PSP. On trips is when I really make use of handheld games. Hopefully the UMD movies will help to keep her occupied. I’ll fill the memory card with all of her favorite tunes. She is partial to Journey and the soundtrack to Walk the Line.

In researching Tampa, FL, I found a great website, Estelle TV, which offers free daily podcasts plus videos and other information to some of the hottest travel destinations in the world. Estelle Reyna is a Latin Supermodel and host of Estelle’s Paradise, which is seen around the globe. Sure enough, I was able to find a plethora of information on Tampa, FL as well as watch a video. The video was informative and very professional. All the information I was looking for on Tampa I was able to find at Estelle TV like area museums, attractions, weather, and public transportation.

Planning?a trip is stressful and fun at the same time. Finding information you need quickly saves heartache and hassle. It takes less time to plan and leaves more time to have fun.

Why isn’t the sport of rodeo more prevalent in video games? I found an online flash game where you try to ride the bull as long as you can but that is about it. The sports involved in rodeos are exciting, thrilling, and I think would correlate well to a video game. Barrel racing, bull riding, and calf roping are just a few examples of rodeo events that could work in a video game.

Anyone who has ever been to a rodeo knows how entertaining it can be. There are plenty of rodeos held every year, but it’s hard not to think of rodeos and Texas. The Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show has all the fun and excitement of the rodeo with much more to offer. It is the second largest fair or festival in the United States. There is plenty of fun for children in the kid’s corner which features a petting zoo, pig races, pony rides–even a mechanical bull.

Here is an interesting event at the Houston Rodeo; it’s called the Tractor Technician Contest. Teams of three have to repair a tractor. But that is not all to the competition; there is a written exam. The teams also have under 30 minutes to complete this task.

The Houston Rodeo provides great entertainment for the whole family. There is much more to the rodeo than meets the eye. One video game may not be able to encompass the whole atmosphere of the rodeo after all.

As I filled up my car my heart sank as it took nearly 35 dollars for a full tank of gas for my economy-sized car. Gas prices are high, and the price of groceries are on the rise. All of this is really cutting into my gaming fund. I’m always on the lookout for a bargain and a sure thing. That’s why the sales racks, second hand shops, and online freebies are so appealing to me. I’m not much of an investor except if you count my video game collection. Investing for the future in this uncertain economy has been on my mind since the birth of my daughter. I’m thinking of wise investments–just in case that video game collection doesn’t pay out.

Tangible assets like silver are a good choice when it comes to investing. The same amount of silver that backed a dollar when a dollar could buy four gallons of gas can still buy four gallons of gas today. The dollar’s buying power may have gone down, but silver has kept its value. In this ever changing world it’s nice to know some things like investing in precious metals will always be a wise choice. It’s advised that 10%-20% of an investment portfolio be put into precious metals.

I definitely want my hard earned money going to a sure thing. Another important aspect of investing is to go with a company with experience and good reputation. Monex has been in the precious metal business for over thirty years and has helped thousands of people with their precious metal needs.

I love my digital camera. Today I pulled out the film camera and thought seriously about trying to use it. When I started thinking of what I would have to buy like batteries, film, and then to get the film processed I decided it would be crazy to go to all that trouble. While I love my digital camera, it is quickly becoming outdated, so it’s time to think about buying a new one.

As a gamer and a mom, I want a very techie camera that will capture every moment. With a baby shutter speed is important because she doesn’t keep those adorable faces frozen. With my current camera you have to almost anticipate when she’ll do something really cute. Since I’m also chasing a soon-to-be toddler around the house, I don’t have a lot of time to do research.

I’ve found everything I was looking for about the latest digital cameras in one spot. DigitalCameraReview.com has it all from reviews to my favorite feature, the top selling digital cameras. Although I have really enjoyed my little Kodak camera, I’m really leaning towards a Canon especially the Canon Rebel. With my next digital camera purchase I’m looking for more features and better resolution. With Digital Camera Review, I’m well on my way to finding the right digital camera.