AP9 Articles

AP9 Privacy Matters 123 Offers Tips on How Credit Monitoring Can Further Protect Against Identity Theft

Identity theft is the crime that keeps growing, notes AP9 Privacy Matters 123, a leading security and privacy membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. Various reports estimate that approximately 27 million people have had their identities stolen in the last five years, and that number is only going to rise as identity thieves find new ways to pilfer personal information from unsuspecting -- and even vigilant -- victims.

Monitoring your credit reports on a regular basis is still one of the best ways to uncover signs of identity theft, reports AP9 PrivacyMatters123. Such signs on your credit report can include accounts opened in your name but without your permission; inquiries about your credit history from a source with which you’ve had no contact (a credit card issuer, a loan officer, or even a landlord or employer); and addresses connected with your name that have no bearing on your own life.

Credit monitoring can help you uncover evidence that your identity has already been stolen, but it can’t protect you from the initial act of theft. While there is no iron-clad, surefire way to eliminate the risk of identity theft, AP9 Privacy Matters 123 offers some steps you can take to reduce that risk:

-- Destroy documents that contain personal, identifying information about you. If a document isn’t important enough to merit safe storage, shred or burn it. This includes the obvious -- financial statements as well as documents that display your Social Security number, birth date and more -- and the not-so-obvious, such as unsolicited credit card offers and even utility bills. Identity thieves will use just a little bit of information about you to open doors and uncover a wider range of data that can leave your name -- and finances -- vulnerable. Destroying documents is the safest way to keep them out of the wrong hands.

-- Keep your Social Security number to yourself. While some official documents -- W-9 forms and passports, for instance -- legally require you to list your Social Security number, most documents do not. As a good rule of thumb, NEVER volunteer your Social Security number unless obligated to do so by law. Social Security numbers are the holy grail for identity thieves because they can be used to open bank accounts, take out loans and much more. Protect yours as if your identity depended on it -- because it does.

-- Fortify your computer safeguards. Install firewalls and other protective software to protect against hackers and spies; delete spam e-mails without opening them; don’t click on links in unsolicited e-mails; and don’t use obvious passwords like birthdays, maiden names or other easily traceable references.

As noted earlier, there is no guaranteed method for protecting yourself from identity theft. Due diligence in guarding your personal information can decrease your risks, though, and credit monitoring can alert you to potential threats, concludes AP9 PrivacyMatters123.

AP9 Privacy Matters Offers Insights on How Credit Scores Can Affect Your Financial Future

Credit scores are often the missing piece of the puzzle that is a credit report, notes AP9 PrivacyMatters, a leading security and privacy membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. While a credit report can offer a fairly comprehensive look at your credit past, it doesn’t provide a measure for determining what that credit history means to the people and institutions that can affect your financial future.

That’s what credit scores can provide, notes AP9 Privacy Matters. By assigning a numeric value (generally ranging from 350 to 850, with higher scores being better scores) to your credit and other financial behavior over the past seven to ten years, a credit score can help you compare your credit worthiness to the general population. Even if you have a low score, knowing that can inspire you to create an action plan that can improve your score and your prospects.

And make no mistake: Credit scores play a big role in your financial options. Unfortunately, even though federal law now mandates that consumers can receive a free credit report every year from each of the major credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian), the legislation does not require that free credit scores be made available to consumers as well.

While requesting your credit score therefore isn’t free, it’s a small and worthwhile expense, and AP9 Privacy Matters can tell you why:

-- Credit card issuers, loan companies and other financial institutions use your credit score to determine how big a credit risk you are. High-risk applicants generally have access to smaller loans or lines of credit than low-risk applicants do.

-- The lower your score is, the higher your risk is in the eyes of the decision makers, and that typically results in higher interest rates on the loan or credit card. Every dollar you spend on interest payments is a dollar you can’t put into, well, anything else, including home needs, college funds, retirement and other investments, or even just a meal out.

-- Banks and credit card companies aren’t the only parties that factor credit scores into decisions that can affect you. Employers, especially in high-security industries or positions, can use your credit score to assess the risk you might pose as an employee. (Someone in the high-risk credit category may be more prone to leaking sensitive information for money.)

-- Landlords can also use credit scores to measure the likelihood of a tenant running out on his or her lease without paying it. A good credit history, as determined by the applicant’s credit score, can help land a desired apartment or home, while a low credit score can result in a denied application.

Clearly, credit scores can play a major role in your financial future, in a variety of different ways. If you don’t know what your credit score is, now is the time to find out, reports AP9 PrivacyMatters.

AP9 SimpleEscapes Helps You Find New Tunes for the Summer

During the summer, visits to the beach and long poolside gatherings with family and friends are even more enjoyable when accompanied by music that will make everyone sing along, perform “air guitar” jams or even dance a little. AP9 SimpleEscapes, a premier travel and entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, reports that this summer offers plenty of new, fun musical releases to choose from.

Whatever their tastes are, members of AP9 Simple Escapes count on their money-saving entertainment benefits to add some new names to their CD collection. Here are some of the releases coming out in the months of April, May and June (please note that release dates are subject to change without notice):

-- April 17. Avril Lavigne, “The Best Damn Thing.” This young Canadian punk-pop star, notes AP9 Simple Escapes, is making a comeback with a third album, after getting married and branching out into acting. Avril decided on a more upbeat tone for this album, which includes some catchy sing-along lyrics as well as some strong words here and there, a touch of aggressiveness that made the record label add the Parental Advisory logo to the cover. Fans will notice a more mature side of Avril, with the same spice that made her so popular at 17, when she released her first CD.

-- April 24. Yoko Ono. “Open Your Box [remixes]”. The nostalgia of the early ’70s, along with an undertone of the political and social turmoil that Yoko represents, comes back in ’07 — with a twist. This is a compilation of the remix singles that have been released since 2001, in addition to some new mixes that bring the ’70s to the new century. This timeless piece for music lovers includes collaborations by Pet Shop Boys, Felix da Housecat, Orange Factory, Murk and Bimbo Jones, among others.

-- May 1. Tori Amos, “American Doll Posse.” Those who know Ms. Amos know two things for sure: she’s a superb talent, and she’s a bit unconventional. With this album, Amos doesn’t disappoint. She composes, sings, plays, records and produces her music in her cottage in Cornwall, Scotland, and for this ’07 album, her pose involves four women (Isabel, Pip, Clyde and Santa) who live inside of the same woman: Tori Amos. Look for complexity and great music, all in a multi-media project that will for sure give much to talk about.

-- June 12. Toby Keith. “Big Dog Daddy.” The album hasn’t hit the shelves yet, and his tour already has more than 50 dates booked until September. The first single, “High Maintenance Woman,” is the fastest-rising single in Keith’s career to date. These two factors, and the fact that this album is entirely produced by him, make “Big Dog Daddy” one of the most important of his career … so far. It looks like Toby Keith will be here for a while.

Savings on concert tickets, DVDs, books, theme park visits and much more are part of the significant entertainment discounts that members can find through AP9 SimpleEscapes.

AP9 PassportToFun Helps you Map Out your Next Road Trip

Summer is the perfect season for families and friends to “start their engines” and hit the road for a wonderful road trip adventure. Members of AP9 PassportToFun, a premier recreation and entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, know that they can count on their benefits and savings to make the trip less costly and just as fun.

Members can go online to access their money-saving benefits, such as gift cards for restaurants, retail and entertainment stores, and many others. The idea is to plan a family adventure that starts with great savings and ends up as an unforgettable time together. AP9 Passport to Fun also gives you some helpful hints for the road ahead:

AP9 PassportToFun says map it out:

• Don’t just hit the road. Map the trip from beginning to end, get travel guides, and learn what routes get you there faster and what stops you can make for sightseeing or simply to take a break.
• If the destination is a new one, use the Internet and a good map to trace local roads and learn about the surroundings. Get a clear idea of what stops you’ll be making, including the location of the hotels where you’ll be staying, and get cultural information about the area you’re visiting.
• If this is a trip you take with the family every year, make it a different one. Study the area in advance, and prepare a surprise detour so everyone can learn something new.

AP9 Passport to Fun advises to travel safely and affordably:

• Have your car inspected and serviced for fluid levels, filters, caps, hoses and belts. Make sure lights, signals, horn, radio and wiper blades are working perfectly.
• Verify that the spare tire is useable, and check and adjust the tire pressure. Do so every couple hundred of miles.
• Check the range of your cell phone signal, and get a charger for the car.
• Pay attention to signs on the road, and check the weather forecast each day and night.
• Have an emergency kit packed with a flashlight, waterproof matches and candles, whistle, a first-aid kit, a cutting device and a tool kit, among others.
• Search the web for gas calculators, and do some research about towns or places where you can find cheaper gas. While on the road, pull off at big cloverleaf exits, and shop around.
• Keep a cooler stocked with water and juices. Prepare sandwiches, and keep bags of snacks and fruits with you. Get off the main roads to find small shops and restaurants, which are usually more affordable and offer home cooking.

AP9 PassportToFun recommends supplying your own entertainment:

• Don’t rely only on DVD movies to keep children entertained. Learn about road trip games, bring along audio books (novels, kids’ tales, language lessons), and have fun together while everyone repeats new words or guesses what happens in the next chapter.
• Let the kids change seats every couple of hours, so everyone gets to look out the window. Let each one take at least one toy and some other items to use during the road.

Good planning is the key to a successful road trip, but the most important thing is to spend quality time with your loved ones, reports AP9 Passport to Fun.

AP9 Saving Smart Presents Four New Ways to Look Cool in Your Shades

AP9 SavingSmart, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, understands that looking cool is the name of the game. That’s a big reason why AP9 Saving Smart offers its members several valuable tips when shopping for stylish eyewear this spring.

AP9 SavingSmart reminds members that buying the right eyewear is important in any season, but acknowledges that there’s something about spring that makes purchasing sunglasses extra special. So to keep in line with spring’s rebirth, treat those eyes to an optical renaissance — with these four helpful buying tips:

-- Face facts. There’s no doubt that “specialized” sunglasses are all the rage, but the shape and the contours of one’s face largely determine the ideal purchase. So before it’s time to honor the highway patrol, pay tribute to Buddy Holly or emulate the Terminator, make sure the sunglasses of choice best complement your look.

-- Reflect and deflect. Certain sunglasses not only look cool, they can also reduce glare and make driving a lot safer. If both work and play tend to lead to a lot of time behind the wheel, polarized or mirrored sunglasses might make good sense.

-- Keep an eye on the “long” view. While sunglass purchases are usually more about style than practicality, metal or lightweight composite frames are good for the long haul. Name-brand sunglasses tend to be more durable than many others. Spending a few extra bucks on a pair of sturdy shades that will last is not only still way cool, it’s also smart.

-- And then there’s all the bells and whistles. If one goal of a future sunglasses purchase is to get all the extras, consider those with special features like scratch-resistant coatings, anti-reflective and even waterproof features. These may add to the cost but can improve the functionality. Other state-of-the-art shades also feature anti-UV-A and UV-B ray devices — both of which are helpful in fighting potentially serious eye problems.

According to AP9 SavingSmart, another way to save on great eyewear and other useful items is simply to utilize the Internet. When it comes to looking cool for less, AP9 SavingSmart reflects all these values and more. And when it comes to items that help welcome back spring, everything is just a mouse click away, suggests AP9 Saving Smart.

AP9 Galleria USA Reveals the Secret to Finding the Right Bathing Suit This Summer

When people start thinking about the summer, the first thing that may come to mind is the beach or pool. For women, the second thing that may come to mind is “Where do I find the best swimsuit for my body type?” AP9 Galleria USA, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, understands how hard it can be to find a stylish swimsuit that fits properly, which is why this year AP9 GalleriaUSA reveals the secrets to finding the perfect bathing suit at discounted prices.

AP9 Galleria USA members receive savings of up to 20% at popular department and discount stores, home furnishing and accessory outlets, and even health and beauty retailers. This year in addition to savings, AP9 GalleriaUSA members will also be able to shop for the right swimsuit by adhering to the following guidelines:

-- Timing is everything. Finding the right bathing suit is about blocking time out of our busy schedules to shop early for the best selections. More styles, colors, and sizes are available before the season starts around April or May. Don’t wait until the weekend before going on vacation to start looking because special fits, like petite or plus sizes, may be gone from the racks.

-- Try it all on. Have an open mind and try as many styles as possible. This is the key to finding the right one. Don’t judge a bathing suit by its cover… well; don’t judge it while it is still on the hanger. Trying it on and seeing how it looks on our body could be a pleasant surprise. Another good idea is to grab as many styles and sizes as possible to help save time.

-- Get a move on. Walking around, sitting and standing in the swimsuit are good ways to separate the good bathing suits from the ones that only look good. If it’s uncomfortable, if the straps slide off or if the bottom rides up, it’s better to keep looking because it’s surely not the right size or style.

-- Hide and seek. The rule of thumb here is to show off one’s best assets and hide the little imperfections. There are bathing suit styles for every body type. Women with wide hips can try boy shorts while women with long torsos or wide waistlines can try a tankini swimsuit.

-- Make a day of it. Bringing an honest friend to help choose the right suit is always a good idea. Shopping for a good swimsuit is not something that can be done over the lunch hour. Quality time and patience are key to finding the one suit – or a few – that will make this summer much more entertaining.

Members of AP9 Galleria USA can take advantage their 20% discount off gift cards to a plethora of nationally-known retail stores. Finding a flattering swimsuit and getting it at a discounted price is the perfect combination for every woman out there, concludes AP9 GalleriaUSA.

AP9 ShoppingEssentials Presents the Best Gifts for Mother’s Day

The time to honor the most special women in the world – mothers – is just around the corner. And, even though mothers should be loved and appreciated every day of the year, the second Sunday of May is the “official” day for sons and daughters to gather together and show their gratitude for their number one cheerleader – mom. But, something to keep in mind when selecting that perfect gift of thanks this year – mothers are women too – and all women were not created equal in the departments of style and taste. This is why AP9 ShoppingEssentials, a leading membership discount program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, presents some gift ideas that will make Mom feel extra special.

Members of AP9 Shopping Essentials can take advantage of money-saving deals that would make any son or daughter’s pocketbook jump for joy as well as gather ideas for a traditional or contemporary Mother’s Day gift. The program offers savings and discounts at many nationally-known retail stores, florists, and health and beauty outlets all over the country – so members can shop for the right gift while saving money.

In addition, AP9 ShoppingEssentials has put together a list of gifts that never go out of style:

-- Say it with flowers. Forget about the regular bouquets found at the local grocery store. This year give the gift of potted flowers or a beautiful plant – especially if Mom has a green thumb. And, if gardening is not her forte, a perennial plant can be used as a nice center piece somewhere in the house or outside on the patio.

-- Pack up the memories. Put together a scrapbook of the good ole’ days – a unique and heartfelt gift idea. The scrapbook could include pictures of birthday parties, sporting events, school dances and, of course, awards – something any Mom would cherish for years to come. From a first report card to a picture on prom night – it’s the ingredients to remind her that she should be proud to be a Mom.

-- Give her a break. This Mother’s Day make it a day centered on her. From a spa visit to dinner at her favorite restaurant, a getaway from the daily grind will make her feel appreciated grind.

-- Send her on her merry way. If you have the funds to splurge this Mother’s Day, why not surprise Mom with a vacation package that will take her places she has only dreamed of. Whether it is a cruise or visiting an out-of-town friend, Mom will undoubtedly be thrilled to get away for a while.

Mother’s Day comes only once a year so make it a day she will remember for years to come, recommends AP9 Shopping Essentials.

AP9 PrivacyMatters Looks at How Marital Status Can Affect Credit Scores

Credit score compatibility probably isn't tops on the list of factors to weigh before popping (or answering “yes” to) the big question, reports AP9 PrivacyMatters, a leading security and privacy membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. Nevertheless, the influence that credit scores can hold over your financial future raises a legitimate question about whether your marital status can have unforeseen credit consequences.

Banks and other financial institutions use credit scores to help determine whether someone is worthy of receiving a loan or a line of credit — and at what interest rate, notes AP9 Privacy Matters. A higher credit score can lead to a more favorable (i.e., lower) interest rate. A lower score suggests a higher credit risk and typically results in a higher interest rate. Should you therefore hold off on marrying the love of your life until his or her credit score can promise more favorable credit terms?

AP9 PrivacyMatters prefers to leave any and all marriage decisions up to each couple, but we can offer a few insights about how your marital status can (and can’t) affect your credit score:

-- Your marriage is none of their business. Per the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA), credit scoring systems are not allowed to use marital status as a factor. Along the same lines, banks, credit card issuers, real estate brokers and other parties who arrange financing aren’t allowed use your marital status as a factor in deciding whether to extend you credit — they’re not even allowed to inquire as to whether you’re divorced or widowed. There are exceptions to the “no questions allowed” rule (in the event, for instance, that you're applying for a joint account or a loan that uses property as collateral), but even then, they’re limited to the terms “married,” “unmarried” or “separated.”

What this means is that your marital status won’t affect your personal credit score. However, as noted above, a bank or other creditor can include your spouse's individual credit rating as a factor in a decision regarding joint loans or joint accounts.

-- Divorce, on the other hand, can influence your credit score. It’s not the divorce itself that can affect a credit score so much as the financial behavior that occurred during (and, sometimes, after) the marriage. A credit score is a measure of a person’s credit history, and oftentimes, a married couple will set up accounts in one spouse’s name rather than in both names. The “unnamed” spouse’s credit history can all but disappear from the credit bureaus’ radar, especially for a wife who takes her husband’s name in marriage. Divorced, separated and even widowed spouses should therefore contact the three credit bureaus (TransUnion, Equifax and Experian) to ensure that his or her credit information is in his or her own file.

Alimony, child support, and other financial arrangements of a divorce can be used by creditors when making a loan or credit decision — as can late payments in any of these matters, which can be a strong motivation for making payments on time. Other factors to keep an eye out for during the divorce process include divvying up open accounts (including bank accounts and utility bills) to one party or the other; informing certain creditors that their accounts are no longer in your name; staying up-to-date on all bill payments (even those that will ultimately be assigned to your ex-spouse) to ensure that creditors don’t come after you; and closing joint accounts or removing one party’s name from them.

If you’re about to get married, you deserve wishes for a lifetime of happiness and good fortune. In any event, it’s always a good idea to keep your finances in order, reports AP9 Privacy Matters.

AP9 Privacy Matters 123 Says, “Wise up” — Identity Theft is Real

AP9 Privacy Matters 123, a leading membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, offers its members advice and insights on how to stop today’s identity thieves.

Just as it once was in old espionage films, disposing of top-secret and sensitive personal documents is now more important than ever. AP9 PrivacyMatters123 reminds consumers that more than 27 million people have had their identities stolen in the last five years.

Identity thieves are opportunists, and they’ll do anything to make a dishonest buck. For that reason, AP9 Privacy Matters 123 counts identity theft prevention among its key missions. Here are four pivotal tips to help stop burglars from stealing your identity:

-- Chop it up. Don’t throw it out. Keep thieves from turning trash into cash. Don’t get careless with personal records. Invest in a document-shredding machine, and don’t leave sensitive materials lying around. The greatest handwriting analyst in the world can’t decipher information that simply isn’t there.

-- “Dumpster divers” swim in the deep end. Thieves known as “dumpster divers” make a career out of literally picking through garbage — looking for partially legible credit card applications, receipts and canceled checks. Recycling this information is dishonest, risky and illegal, but lucrative. Don’t become a statistic. Keep private documents private, and dumpster divers will get the idea — the information pool is definitely closed.

-- Outfox the fox. Practicing smart home security can actually be fun. Part of the deal is learning to act like a thief — to out-think them at their own game. Start with common sense. If you’re scheduled to leave town, don’t advertise: Put lights on timers, stop newspaper delivery, and ask a neighbor to pick up the mail.

-- Make sure it’s the one and only you. It may sound a little “cloak and dagger,” but there are people out there who have stolen millions masquerading as someone else. To keep this from happening, safely store any documents that list your Social Security number separate from a wallet, billfold or pocket book. Making a Social Security number readily available to other people sends a simple, two-word invitation — “steal me.”

Don’t get caught in what is fast becoming the classic identity theft trap. Plain and simple, IT CAN happen to you. Take the necessary steps to protect personal information by heeding these crucial, safeguarding tips from AP9 PrivacyMatters123.

AP9 Connections Offers Riders Safety Tips to Follow During National Bicycle Month — and Year-Round

Bike riding is not only good for you, it’s good for the planet, reports AP9 Connections, a leading entertainment discount membership program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. Global considerations aside, though, bike riding is best enjoyed when you employ safe riding methods.

Millions of people each year hop on their bicycles for fun, exercise or even just to get to work. Unfortunately, due to a variety of factors, from weather conditions to motorist errors to bicyclist errors, annual biking injuries typically run into the thousands. Bicycling is too enjoyable and worthwhile a pursuit to have it marred by scraped knees, broken bones or worse, which is why AP9 Connections offers cyclists the following safety reminders as May approaches and we celebrate National Bicycle Month:

-- Protect the noggin. Even a fall from a stationary bike can do damage to the head, so imagine how dangerous a fall might be at ten, twenty or thirty miles an hour can be. Fortunately, there are a variety of bike helmets on the market today that are designed to absorb high-speed impacts and protect the cranium. These helmets work best when they’re intact, though, so be sure to inspect the helmet after a crash and replace it if it’s cracked or otherwise damaged.

-- Respect the rules of the road. Traffic laws apply equally to bicyclists and motorists, so stay on the right side of the road, obey all red lights and stop signs, yield as instructed by road signs, and always use hands signals to alert traffic in all directions before making a turn.

-- Make your presence obvious. Motorists tend to pay more attention to other cars than to bicyclists or pedestrians, and this relative inattention can be perilous to a biker’s safety. Be sure to wear bright clothing at all times when cycling. For nighttime or early-morning cycling, make sure your bicycle has a headlight on the handlebars or above the front tire, as well as reflective panels or a red light beneath the seat or attached to the rear fender. Reflective tape can be easily applied to clothes for increased visibility.

-- Teach your children well. Youngsters are, by nature, inexperienced bike riders, unfamiliar with traffic laws, not to mention the laws of physics and the consequences of challenging those laws. If possible, enroll your kids in a bicycle safety class, then make sure they heed those lessons every time they ride. At the very least, make sure they always wear bright clothing, stay off heavily-trafficked roads and only ride their bikes in bright daylight. When taking the family out on a group ride, let the kids dictate the pace to ensure that no one gets left behind.

-- Tune up the bikes. Bikes run down and need tune-ups just as cars do, which is why most bicycle shops offer maintenance and repair services. Keep an eye out for worn brake pads, loose screws, dirty or unoiled chains, and other signs of disrepair.

Bicycling is good for the body, mind and planet, so head out on a bike this May and enjoy National Bicycle Month — safely and securely, urges AP9 Connections.

AP9 HomeWorks Plus Offers Convenient Home Maintenance Tips for the Spring-Cleaning Push

It’s spring, and that means busy times around the old homestead, reports AP9 HomeWorksPlus, a leading membership discount program from Adaptive Marketing LLC^®, because it’s time to revamp the house, garden and surrounding areas. Things in and around the house can take a beating during the winter months between ice, snow and colder temperatures — even the winter blues. AP9 HomeWorks Plus offers its members tricks and tips on what it takes to restore the house’s shine and keep things sparkling, long after Old Man Winter has decided to call it quits — at least until the next go-round.

Neglecting home upkeep during the winter months seems, well, about par for the course. And that’s just where a well-designed spring-cleaning regimen and home maintenance program can lead — out of the garage, back yard or attic and straight to the golf course or some other worthwhile open air locale. AP9 HomeWorksPlus can help make the transition to spring that much faster with these five helpful indoor and outdoor spring maintenance improvement ideas:

-- Cool will soon be king. It won’t be long before that first really hot day. Think ahead and try out that air conditioning system now — not later.

-- Raise the roof. Okay. Don’t literally raise it, but inspecting it is always a good idea. Look for loose or curled-up shingles, and think about re-roofing if the damaged shingles cover at least 20% of the roof.

-- Free ’em up and check ’em out. Be sure to remove all debris from gutters and downspouts, and patch up any holes. Also, make sure the cleared downspouts aim water at least five feet from the house’s foundation walls.

-- Don’t bug me. It might actually be reassuring to see those first few spring insects, but that doesn’t mean they belong in the house. Trim branches and trees that are touching the house, and keep bugs outside.

AP9 HomeWorks Plus offers these tips to help make spring what it’s supposed to be — a return to the “outside” world after a long winter. So let the fresh air drift right in, and let all the old air waft back out. Celebrating spring’s return is simply a breeze — with a little help from AP9 HomeWorksPlus.

AP9 Todays Escapes Offers Five Great Things to Do in Las Vegas — Besides Gamble

“What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas” is a motto, not a law, reports AP9 Todays Escapes, a premier travel and entertainment savings program offered by Adaptive Marketing LLC^®. Indeed, Las Vegas visitors will want to bring home — and even share — much of what they experience during their stay in this wildly popular destination.

While gambling is probably the first thing that springs to mind when someone mentions Las Vegas, the city offers a wealth of other activities that don’t get as much attention but certainly merit a closer look. AP9 TodaysEscapes offers a few ideas on how to make your Vegas vacation pay off without rolling any dice or cozying up to a one-armed bandit:

-- Make a show of it. So many popular stars perform in Las Vegas that the term “Vegas headliner” is almost an entertainment genre in its own right. Whatever your taste in entertainment, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy practically every day of the year. From Elton John and Celine Dion to David Copperfield and Barry Manilow, from Blue Man Group to Penn & Teller and a whole lot more, the stars really do come out to shine in Vegas.

-- Dine like royalty. Las Vegas has become host to a slew of top restaurants and chefs in recent years, from name-brand eateries like Spago, Gallagher’s Steakhouse and Planet Hollywood to name-brand chefs like Wolfgang Puck, Joel Robuchon and Jean Georges. Whether you want five-star French cuisine or a quick, casual bite before heading out on your next adventure, you’re never far from a mouth-watering meal in Las Vegas.

-- Shop ’til you drop. As return visitors know, the casinos aren’t the only places where you can drop serious coin, but the shops in Vegas have the added benefit of offering patrons a guaranteed return on their investments. And what an array of options — from the Fashion Show mall to the Forum Shops at Caesars, from the Grand Canal Shoppes at the Venetian to Desert Passage at the Aladdin Las Vegas and much, much more, serious shoppers will likely run out of time before they run out of choices.

-- Explore the sights. Las Vegas may be a city built in the middle of a desert, but it’s surrounded by a dazzling array of visual wonders that are easily accessible on a day trip. Take in the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, marvel at the engineering feat of the Hoover Dam, picnic in the Valley of Fire, enjoy a cool dip in the waters of Lake Mead, or simply enjoy a tour of all the sights and sounds of the Las Vegas Strip. And if golf is on your wish list, be sure to pack your clubs — there are 20 world-class golf courses to choose from.

-- Paint the town red. Let’s face it: “Las Vegas” and “nightlife” are virtually synonymous — and the possibilities are almost endless, notes AP9 Todays Escapes. Whether you prefer the more famous venues, like Studio 54, Tao, Jet and House of Blues, or you’d rather discover an under-the-radar nightclub on your own, you’ll need to schedule multiple trips to hit all the hot spots that Vegas offers.

There’s one thing everyone can agree on: No one ever left Las Vegas complaining of boredom. In fact, with so many exciting things to see and do, it’s a wonder that anyone ever leaves at all, reports AP9 TodaysEscapes.