Shark Steam Mop is all that...and a bag of chips

I've used sponge mops, spaghetti mops, twist-n-rinse micro-fiber mops...you name it, I used it. All did an adequate job, but none did as well as getting down on your hands and knees and scrubing the floor...until I tried the Shark Steam Mop. It is absolutely awesome!

I needed a new mop and my sister kept talking about this great mop that she got...the one that she uses, even when she really doesn't have to. Well, that caught my attention. I ordered one, and the rest is history. No chemicals, cleaning fluids, abrasives, or expensive special formulas. You use plain old water to steam clean your hard surface floors. In minutes, it works wonders. Does everything a regular mop does, only better and faster. The finish is never streaky and it dries in minutes.

Prices for the Shark Steam Mop range from $50 to $110. I bought the Shark Steam Mop S3101 online from Wal-Mart for $56 . It came with two additional cleaning pads, and that was enough for me. I only have my kitchen, dinning room, foyer and one of my bathrooms to clean. Wal-Mart and Amazon also have the Shark Deluxe Steam Mop S3550 the more expensive versions. I'm not sure if the tank is bigger, but they do come with more pads and some type of carpet attachment.

If you need a new mop, this is the one to get! It's more than I would ever pay for a mop...but it is true...you get what you pay for. Better yet, when your kids ask you what you want for Mother's Day - let them buy it for you!

Check out video below that shows the mop in action. The only part I don't agree with is that if there are food, or particles on the floor, the mop will push it around. Well, duh...just like with any other mop, you have to sweep the floor before mop it.

The Economy Will Get Worse Before It Gets Better

As I listened to the news today, I realized that this is only the beginning. The economy will get worse before it gets any better. Circuit City filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, DHL Express is terminating US ground service and concentrating on International deliveries. And AIG has it's hand out again asking for "40 more billion please". As of today, it is still up in the air about the government helping the auto industry.

So far the freelance writing business hasn't felt the pinch...I hope it stays that way. I guess I'll find out how recession proof ghostwriting is.

Welcome K-mart Shoppers

Years ago when I was young, poor and living on my own I would visit the local K-mart to purchase my "outfits" for work and leisure. The great thing about K-mart in the late 70's was something called the "blue light special" and the layaway plan.

The blue light special was targeted for a specific area for about a 15-20 minute period of time. It was announced over the store loudspeaker system and if you were in the store, you could run to the department the blue light special was in and save big bucks on the special that was being offered.

The layaway plan worked like this...you picked out items in the store you wanted to purchase...you put a deposit on those items and made weekly or bi-weekly payments on the merchandise until you paid it off. It was a blessing for young, low paid women like me who wanted professional clothing for the workplace, and contemporary, stylish night life attire for hitting the discos(we are talking the 70's now) and clubs in the evening.

Times have changed, but in 2008 K-Mart is still offering their popular layaway plan for the upcoming holidays. They are the only national discount department store that offers layaway.

"Layaway enables our customers to reserve those 'hot' items early, pay over time and pick them up before Christmas," added Mark Snyder, chief marketing officer, Kmart. "The Kmart layaway program makes it easier for families to make the holidays special -- and Kmart is the one-stop destination for amazing quality and value this season."

Hat's off to you K-Mart! It's good to see a company that is still providing a sensible, down to earth service that doesn't encourage people to spend more than they can afford by enticing them with credit cards, but actually giving them the ability to purchase items at a pace they can afford.

There a some limitations. Holiday merchandise and "limited supply" merchandise must be picked no later than December 5,2008. Also,starting November 16, Home Electronics items over $200 cannot be placed in layaway. Layaway fees do apply and layaway is
not available at all Kmart stores. See kmart.com/layaway for more details.