this article about how Mass Effect 2 players will have to change discs at some point in the gameplay

Sucks for those guys.

Then again, since Mass Effect 2 isn’t even coming to the PS3 [despite earlier rumors] I guess it actually sucks for PS3 players.

But will I still laugh at the disc change?

You betcha.

Since I’m all about time wasting on the internet, I figured I might as well look around and see if any other games are going to require the dreaded disc change like Mass Effect 2.

Guess what I found?

Final Fantasy XIII on THREE discs if you buy the game for Xbox 360.

I don’t remember the last time I played a game that required multiple discs but I’m pretty certain it was a PS2 game.

So I can’t help but wonder, if you have both systems, will you be buying Final Fantasy XIII for PS3 to get out of the dreaded disc switch or do you not care and for you future Mass Effect 2 owners out there, do you think the disc switch is going to annoy you?

Image|Bioware

Post from: EveryJoe

Mass Effect 2 Includes Dreaded Disc Change

• Leave me and our son home: Obviously, he is getting me gifts, so I can’t come along. But our son stays home, too, because he would just get in the way. You should leave unwilling shoppers behind so that they don’t slow you down.
• List the sales: He looks at sales fliers ahead of time, and lists out what is where. He also has a back-up list, just in case they’re all out at one store. Included on the list are special discounts, and places where he has coupons so that he can save a little money.
• Plan a route: My husband plans out a route, based on what is most important for him to get. He hits the most important stores first, and then goes down his list in order of importance, so he has a better chance of getting what he really wants to buy.

Here are some more Black Friday shopping tips, in video form from iMommyTalk:

Image source: Daylife

Post from: EveryJoe

Black Friday Shopping Tips

Now, when customers meet their savings goal they can realize up to 12% in cash boosts paid to them by SmartyPig on retail gift cards whose products and services directly relate to their savings goals. So, an individual who wants to make a minimum initial deposit of $25 and put away $300 a month over twelve months for a new living room set will deposit $3,625 and earn approximately $25 in interest over the course of that year, bringing the goal balance to $3,650. But, for example, if she opts to take her savings out on a Macy’s gift card, SmartyPig will give her a cash boost of 12% (nearly $440) on a Macy’s retail gift card, bringing her goal plus interest plus boost to $4,090− some $465 more than the $3,625 she had put away.

SmartyPig is not something that I use personally, but I think that it offers great potential, as well as a fun way to encouraging saving and financial goal setting. This program comes just in time for the holidays, providing the chance for consumers to save up for holiday purchases and increase their savings through a potential cash boost.

Post from: EveryJoe

Smarty Pig Unveils 12% Cash Boost

Discount gift cards usually have balances that aren’t being used available for less than the value of the card. Sometimes stores offer gift cards for less than their available balances. In either case, it is possible to use Gift Card Granny to peruse a number of different options, including $50 restaurant gift cards for $45 — among other deals that can save you 5% to more than 50%.

And you don’t have to get these deals only as gifts. If you like golf, you can get a $50 Callaway gift card for $22.50. Shopping for discount gift cards is a good way for you to find great deals on merchandise that you are interested in buying for yourself.

Image source: robinsonsmay via Flickr

Post from: EveryJoe

Discount Gift Cards from Gift Card Granny

Hard for me to believe that the holidays are already here. For northeast Ohio, the weather is a bit off.  No snow, no snow drifts (at least on the west side of the river), just wet pavement coated with a light sprinkling of rain.  I’m sure that’s bound to change very soon.  The only thing that can be guaranteed at this point are the grey days that dominate this time of year. But even the grey clouds make a nice backdrop for the holiday lights and candles I see lighting many windows and porches.

Still have lots to do to prepare for the holidays. At Grounded Fitness, my main focus tends to be yoga, meditation, Pilates and a healthier, more peaceful lifestyle.

Because I want to share with all of the people who have commented and shared their ideas since we launched this summer, I’ve done some scouting for all of you, and have come up with some lifestyle-focused goodies that include bargains for you this holiday.

Here’s the list:

I happen to really enjoy and covet the products at Gaiam.com.  They are diverse, fun, useful and thoughtful.  The folks at Gaiam have graciously offered my readers a discount on merchandise for the holiday season.  Here’s how it works:

If you make a purchase of $50 or more, just enter coupon code GEB50 at checkout.  In return you’ll get $10 off your purchase!  You can also enter to win great prizes by playing their online yoga pose game at:

http://life.gaiam.com/gaiam/ecs/contest/contestGate.html .

Check it out!

Give to the Future this Holiday Season

What better way to change the present, than to do what you can to change it?  And what better time than the holidays?

I contacted the team at ChangingThePresent.org, with the theme of helping the environment in mind.  Here are organizations/links they suggest and encourage for gifts to your friends who are hoping to make a difference:

Adopt a Penguin

Save a Cloud Forest

Restore Kenyan Land

Clear the Air

Adopt a Tiger

4 Fluorescent Bulbs

Generations United (environmental education)

Natural Resources Defense Council Permanent Land Protection

Check them out, see which one fits, and sign up for a gift in a friend or family member’s name today.

Enter to Win a Comfy New Pair of Yoga Pants!

To add to the fun, I am also raffling off a pair of Agility Pants (pictured above) from bepresent.com. These normally retail for $63.00, so a nice gift for someone you love who loves yoga, or a lovely treat for yourself.

The pants sit on the hips and feature back slits. an adjustable drawstring waist, darted knees and patch pockets.  Color and size will be based on availability.

Here’s how to enter:

Check out the yoga wear at www.bepresent.com.

Leave a comment for me at GroundedFitness on how yoga and meditation have changed your life, and how you think the agility pant would help you enjoy your practice more.

Go ahead and offer up a link exchange between your blog and GroundedFitness to increase your chances to win!

More Yoga for the Holidays

Our friends at MyYogaOnline.com are opening their hearts and resources once again to people who want to try yoga.

Beginning December 1, just follow this link, and enter promo code RY097381 to activate your free two-week trial.  What a great way to relax through the holidays.  Looking for a gift for a close friend or loved one who loves yoga or is interested in getting started? You’ll find their affordable $9.95 month fee would make a great gift all ‘year round!

Now that the free offers are out of the way, thought I’d share a few of the fun, sustainable shopping places I plan to frequent this holiday season.

Katwise.com

Kat O’Sullivan has built her business on looking inward and using what is available instead of needlessly consuming.  She is the creator of Katwise, behind a business that repurposes previously worn clothing into new and quite cool pieces.  Part of a growing number of designers that are bringing new life to recycled materials, her work is fun, unexpected and good.

Lulu Frost

Founded by Lisa Salzer in NYC, the Lulu Frost label adorns repurposed  materials like antique door hinges, old game pieces and hotel room numbers that she has transformed into eclectic new accessories. Really cool. As Salzer says “gratitude is a central theme of my mission.” Check it out at lulufrost.com.

Lululemon.com

I am in love with Lululemon’s gear, too.  Comfy, hot, cute, and so many other adjectives describe the yoga wear you’ll find at Lululemon.  Check it out, great gifts abound for your favorite yoga lover.

Peacekeeper Cosmetics

The colors and products are great, the cause is magnificent.  PeaceKeeper is the first cosmetic line to donate all of its after-tax and distributable profits to Women’s Health Advocacy and Human Rights issues.  Makes you feel kind of good for indulging in a little nail color and lipstick ;-).  Shop to your heart’s content for yourselves, family or friends this holiday season and truly help make the world a more beautiful place.

Well those are some of my holiday wishes and treats, for me and for you!  Hope you holidays are bountiful, peaceful and filled with joy.

For Your Favorite Foodies

I love my trips to the West Side Market here in Cleveland. A huge, wonderful ethnic marketplace located on our near west side.  But in truth, I do love the Whole Foods.  The folks at Whole Foods offer these tips for shopping for your favorite “foodies” over the holidays:

-Looking for a gift for for the food lover in your life?  Maybe a stocking stuffer? Whole Foods recommends these gifts for all budgets, including some under $5 and $10. Click here to learn more

-Make quick gift-wrapping a breeze with the Better Bag, only .79 for a small, .99 for the large size

-Like they say, “wrap up your gifts for the holidays without ever leaving the house.”  Find gift ideas, recipes and create printable gift tags from your very own kitchen this holiday season on the Whole Foods site, too!

Now that you’ve got a few ideas to work with, don’t forget to take the time to give thanks, and meditate about your life and its greater purpose as you navigate your way through this busy time of year.  Here’s hoping the universe blesses all of you with happiness, love and unending joy this holiday season.

Peace.

Post from: EveryJoe

Peace and Really Good Stuff for Your Holidays