This online tool from Crucial, The Memory Experts, makes it super easy.

Just click the Scan my Computer button to find out what is already inside your system and get recommended upgrades. The Crucial System Scanner automatically analyzes your computer memory information and suggests an upgrade that’s guaranteed compatible.

You will get a comprehensive report on what memory is already installed, the type of computer you have, and what is recommended based on the results you want to achieve.

RAM is installed in pairs so you usually will have to replace whatever is in your computer. Crucial sells memory as very good prices and will suggest the exact RAM you need to fit your computer.

Memory is one of the easiest things to install in a computer so don’t be afraid to do the upgrade yourself.

Crucial always has help available if you are confused.

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Shelly, is a young mom that is just starting out in the world of design but she has already done some great work.

I especially like the total blog redesign she did for Unexpected Bliss.  Oh, and by the way, you definitely should visit Unexpected Bliss and subscribe to their feed. It is very entertaining and you will find more giveaways to enter there.

Portfolio picture of Unexpected Bliss

Here are the Services Scadesigns offers:

Web Design

Custom Design

Blog Design

Custom Design
Headers
Premade Templates

Graphic Design

Advertising Banners

Here prices are very reasonable. Just check these out:

Custom Advertising Banners from $30.00
Pre-made Blog Templates starting at $45.00
Custom Headers from $50.00
Custom Blog Designs for WordPress only start at $125.00
Custom Theme designs for Blogger starting at $65.00

Scadesigns Ad Banner Design Services

Do you like the banner you see above? It can be yours for free! Enter to win by visiting the Scadesigns.com blog and leaving a comment and at the end of the contest. She will randomly select a winner. The winner will then have the banner customized with their website or blog name.

Winner will be notified Monday, August 4, 2008
Please be sure to enter an email address that you check regularly when submitting an entry.

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I want to introduce you to ReJAVAnate reusable bag program because it is a really good story!

They take burlap from coffee roasters that would be otherwise sent to landfill, work with The ARC which serves individuals with developmental disabilities to hand make the bags, and sell them to individuals and organizations who want to make a statement about reducing paper and plastic bag consumption.

The bags can be custom printed and make a good statement for organizations that have or want to make a commitment to the environment.

Contact them about their wholesale program by emailing ReJavanate@Renovos.com or filling out the form on their Contact Page.

Recycled Packaging:

Rejavanate Shopping Bag with Logo

They Renovos company “shamelessly” uses recycled packaging. When you receive your shopping bag it will be packaged in an “already used” box. They have this cute stamp on the bottom of the box which reads, “Shamelessly using recycled packaging”. Such a great idea.

Did you know?

- Coffee is the second largest commodity in the world
- 800,000 tons of burlap are put into landfills every year
- The ARC helps 140,000 people find housing and employment
- US consumes over 380 billion plastic bags, sacks and wraps
- 14 million trees were cut to produce 10 billion paper bags for grocery stores in the US

These bags address three important issues:

1) They reduce a significant source of landfill waste
2) They provide jobs to those that often have difficulty finding jobs
3) They provide a good way to reduce our paper and plastic bag consumption

Rejavanate Shopping Bag

http://www.rejavanate.com/

What is The ARC?

The Arc is the world’s largest community based organization of and for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It provides an array of services and support for families and individuals and includes over 140,000 members affiliated through more than 850 state and local chapters across the nation. The Arc is devoted to promoting and improving supports and services for all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

http://www.thearc.org/

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -
THE GIVEAWAY:

Douglas Farquhar, President and COO of Renovos, has generously given 2 bags to giveaway to our readership. One bag is unlined and has no design on the front. The other bag is lined and has the Rejavanate logo on the front. One winner will receive both bags.

These large bag are 15 inches wide by 15 inches tall. They are rugged and great for everyday usage, going to the store or trips. Good for personal use or if you a merchant, good items to resell.

Open to the U.S. Only!

This contest giveaway ends on August 1, 2008 at 11:59 PM EST.

The winner will be chosen by random drawing and notified by email.

HOW TO ENTER:

Four (4) Ways:

1. Visit at least 2 of the Renovos supported websites.

To do that click the following links:

http://www.buygreen.com/
http://rejavanate.com/
http://www.ecostreet.com/
http://www.renovos.com/
http://www.thearc.org/

2. Come back here and leave a Comment at the end of this post telling us that you have visited their sites and give us your opinion of their Javanate program.

Make sure to include your email address so we can contact you.

3. Join the Shopping Gems E-Newsletter through an RSS Reader or Email. Current subscribers already get one entry for being a reader.

Click here to join through an RSS Reader.
Click here to join by Email.

4. Post this contest on your blog and let us know you have done that by creating a new Comment below or by sending us an email to shoppinggems@live.com.

Thank you for your support!

Would you like your product or websites profiles on Shopping Gems? We will review your product, business, website, or blog at no charge and create a blog post about it. We ask that you link back to us on your website or blog in return. If you have a product for review we ask that you send 2 samples to us for review. We will review them away to our readership in a contest. Email Shopping Gems for more information.

Do you have a business, blog, website, non-profit organization, service, or product that you are dying to see profiled on Shopping Gems? Please contact us and tell us what you have to offer. We will write back with the details to get you started.

The best part! It’s a free service to and unlimited traffic to your website or blog.

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Contact Shopping Gems about your product, business, or service by filling out this form:

Instawares

As a business owner I need to be able to find professional quality products to use everyday. Many times those products are only available from wholesale vendors and require a special wholesale registration and minimum order amount of $150 or more to purchase.

At Instawares you get wholesale prices on professional restaurant and kitchen supplies with no minimum required and you don’t have to be in business to buy from them.

Instawares

They have 500,000+ products in stock all of the time ready to ship. I was surprised at the vast selection they offer. The prices are low enough for even me to say they are close to wholesale. This website is better than going to your local Linens & Things or Bed, Bath and Beyond because they offer everything you need in one place and they sell professional grade merchandise.

They even have a Think Green section which makes us very happy.

http://www.instawares.com/think-green.42.2.319.0.0.8.htm

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Contact Desks to Go at 1-800-522-0382

They are the first and only internet based retailer to provide not only Free Delivery, but also a Free Lifetime Warranty!

Wood L Shaped Desk by Regal Manor Furniture

Solid Wood L Shaped Desk with Hutch by Wilshire Furniture

That lifetime warranty is pretty amazing. They want you as a customer for life! Theye pledge to repair or replace any product or

Desks to Go.com

component that is defective in material or workmanship for as long as you own it.

They have some amazing furniture deals. With names from Kathy Ireland to Regal Manor you will be sure to find a style that is right for you.

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I was really surprised as how much water we use in a week. Very surprising to me was the amount of water that flushing toilet takes compared to how much running the dishwasher takes. I thought it would be the other way around.

Try it out and see for yourself:

http://www.nbc30.com/sh/news/calcs/water/index.html

EarthSavers

Here is a great article from FamilyEducation about teaching children how to conserve water. I think this article actually applies to adults as well.

http://life.familyeducation.com/humans-and-environment/conservation/36300.html

Excerpt:

“Don’t keep the water running while you’re brushing your teeth.

Take shorter showers. Make it a game. Keep an egg timer in the bathroom and see who can get their showers down to three minutes.

Read more

Comments?

Feel free to write to us at shoppinggems@live.com with your comments, suggestions for products and business to profile, or give us a tip or online tool that benefits everyone and we will post it and give you credit and a link back to your website or blog.

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The America’s Second Harvest Network believes that every single person can do something to help end hunger in America.

Whether you have one dollar to give or one hour to share, you can make an enormous difference in the lives of the hungry people all across America.

Learn more about how to end hunger. Visit www.secondharvest.org

Post the following text to your Website or blog to support the America’s Second Harvest Network:

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At Shopping Gems we try to sift through the Web clutter to bring you the best shopping on the Internet. As our contributors stumble across unique, cool and interesting products or websites we give present you with the facts so you can decide if it is worth your while to visit that site.

If you would like us to review your products or profile your website, business or service please contact us and include your business name, your name, your website address, and what you would like us to review or profile. Our email address shoppinggems@live.com  

If you, our visitor, find a cool, new or super neat product or website please email us so we can contact the owner to do a review.

The best part? Once we review a product – we give it away to you, our loyal viewers!

Contact Shopping Gems by filling out this form: