What To Do If You Lose Your Passport

My dream vacation to Europe is fast approaching, so the other day I decided to make sure my passport was where I usually keep it.  I am extremely organized, but for some reason my passport was not in the drawer where I thought it should be. This sent me into a panic and I began searching my house, trying to re-trace my steps

The last time I used my passport was for a trip to Canada and I had thought nothing of it since then. After hours of searching, I came to the conclusion that it must be lost so I called the airport where I last went through the Security Check-In process and filed a report. I was so frustrated that I could have lost something so important but then the real panic set in… With my trip only 10 weeks away, would I be able to get a new one in time?

I did a lot of searching online to figure out what to do next,  so I thought I’d make things easier for others going through the same struggle.

First things first, if you’re planning to travel, be sure to check to make sure your passport is up to date and has the correct name and information on it at least 8-12 weeks ahead of time. Most Foreign countries prefer your passport be valid for 6 months past your travel date. I am still thanking the Lord that something prompted me to look for my passport when I did. If I had assumed it was where I usually keep it and only began looking for it when I started packing, there’s no way I could have gotten a new one in time. Be sure to allow 4-6 weeks for your new passport to arrive.

Don’t wait until you start packing – check at least 8-12 weeks in advance to make sure your passport is up to date! (And not missing)

You cannot renew a passport if the original one is not in your possession… YOU MUST APPLY IN PERSON. (This is what I had to do.)

I was able to apply in person at my local post office and have my photo taken there as well, which made things easy. Had I waited to look for my passport,  I would have had to go through the State Passport Agency and pay to have my passport expedited. (Expedited service will cost an additional $60, plus any postage delivery costs.)

The following forms need to be submitted when you apply in person and be sure to use black ink!

Form DS-11 – This is the actual application form
(The person at the acceptance facility will make sure all the information is filled out correctly and ask you to confirm that the information provided is true before submitting the paperwork on your behalf)

Form DS-64 – This form  must be submitted with the application to certify that your passport has been lost or stolen.

Note: Once you report your Passport Lost or Stolen, it becomes Null & Void – even if you should recover it, it is now just a souvenir.

As long as you have 4-6 weeks you can apply like I did at a local acceptance facility. Acceptance facilities may include post offices, libraries, or municipal offices. You’ll also need a new passport photo so call ahead to see if the acceptance facility offers that or if you’ll need to get your photo taken ahead of time. Many Pharmacies like CVS or Walgreens do passport photos at a reasonable price. You may also want to ask if they take walk-ins or if an appointment is required.

If you’re about to run out of time and haven’t located your passport, click here to find a State Passport Agency.  After you make an appointment, they can walk you through the next steps.

If you need additional information, you can call  The National Passport Information Center – 1-877-487-2778. Customer service representatives are available Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m. EST (excluding federal holidays). Automated information is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

To find a local acceptance facility, click here.

I hope you found this helpful. Thankfully, everything worked out for the best and my new passport should be here in plenty of time for my trip to Europe.

For more tips and helpful articles, be sure to like Good Buys All the Time on Facebook.

St. Patrick’s Day with Good Buys All the Time

Growing up Irish, I have always loved the month of March and celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with family and friends. We recently got approved to sell clothing in our Amazon store and with St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner I am so excited about some of our newest items! Have some fun with your kiddos or grandchildren this year with these adorable ideas from Good Buys All the Time.

Make a Festive St. Paddy’s Day Breakfast

You don’t have to learn to make Scotch eggs or corned beef and cabbage to get in the Irish spirit. Try adding some green food coloring to your favorite pancake mix for a festive short-stack. For picky eaters, add a few drops of food coloring to milk and serve with Lucky Charms cereal (a kid favorite)!

Wear Green

St. Patrick’s Day was originally a Roman Catholic holiday celebrating Ireland’s patron saint and observed only in Ireland; it was not until the 1700’s when Irish immigrants in the U.S. started the first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. It is customary to wear shamrocks and green clothing or accessories because St Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish.

Whether you’re staying home or going to work, remember to wear green and show your St. Paddy’s Day spirit! For the cutest baby looks, be sure to stop by our Amazon store and browse our selection of Carter’s brand accessories and clothing.

DIY Decorations Your Kids (or Grandkids) Will Love

Keep your kids or grandkids busy with some simple St. Patrick’s Day crafts like this DIY paper chain garland. All you need is some green construction paper, scissors and a stapler or tape. Make it a contest to see who can create the longest paper chain in 5 or 10 minutes, then enjoy decorating together!

Capture your memories with an adorable photo frame like this one or create your own props – mustaches, glasses, leprechaun hats, giant lips or corn-cob pipes.

For more great DIY ideas and tips, be sure to follow us on Pinterest! And say hello to a good buy with our Amazon store where you’ll find the best prices on every items, Carter’s kids clothing and more.

It’s Never Too Soon to Start Spring Cleaning

Spring will be here before we know it and with all of the yucky weather lately, I’ve gotten quite the head start on my spring cleaning. We have two hairy dogs so I feel like I am always vacuuming, but I enjoy doing a “deep clean” each spring to get our house ready for warmer weather. Here are some of the things I’ve learned over the years that make things easier.

Get rid of “junk” one room at a time

Kitchen – De-clutter your fridge. If you’re like me your fridge is full of artwork from the kids, reminders and maybe even a leftover Christmas card. Take down anything that’s not important and throw away old takeout menus. Next check your “Tupperware” cupboard and do the same. We seem to end up with a million Glad / Ziploc brand containers that are great for leftovers and call themselves “dishwasher safe,” but need to be replaced after countless uses. If they no longer look clean or the lids have warped and they no longer seal tight – throw them out.

Bedroom – Go through your closet and get rid of old clothing, shoes and accessories. If things are in good condition you can try a consignment shop or simply donate the items to your local Goodwill Store or Salvation Army. I also like to do a thorough purge of my sock / underwear drawer. Match up the socks that lost their partners over time and get rid of any strays (keep in mind you can repurpose an old sock as a whiteboard eraser or rag!).

Basement & Garage – Go through kid’s sports equipment, dad’s work boots and other items that may have been outgrown or replaced throughout the year. If things are in good condition try consignment, if not create a “junk” pile.  Because we have dogs I also like to take inventory of toys and treats, getting rid of damaged items and ruined tennis balls.

Get in all the nooks and crannies!

If you haven’t moved your furniture recently, there’s probably a million little dust bunnies hiding behind things. As the weather gets warmer we like to open windows, prop the door open for fresh air and a little breeze will send the dust bunnies flying all over the place! Stay on top of dust bunnies by vacuuming underneath couches, beds, dressers and bookshelves. Our vacuum has an extension that slides right underneath things but if I can I’ll pull the furniture out from against the wall to make sure I’ve gotten everything.

If you’ve got kids or pets be sure to pull the cushions off your couch and vacuum up all the crumbs and pet hair.  You may be surprised at what you’ll find under there!

Remember the little things

Sometimes we forget about the things we touch most often which are probably full of germs or fingerprints.  Disinfect household doorknobs and use a Magic Eraser to get rid of finger prints around doorways and handles. Wipe down railings, microwave and fridge handles and appliances that are used by everyone in the family.  I also like to give my dog’s dishes a good cleaning every so often. Regardless of how “clean” they may lick them, dogs get colds too and it doesn’t hurt to put their dishes through the dishwasher to disinfect them.

Our house is far from spotless, but with a little extra time and attention to detail I try to keep things in order.  A little goes a long way so get a head start on your spring cleaning today and remember to shop Good Buys All the Time for the best prices on your favorite everyday items and for more great tips and DIY ideas follow us on Facebook!

The Great Debate: To Shop Online or Face the In-Store Crowds?

How do you plan to shop?

With the holidays approaching we face the great debate of online or in-store. Do you stand in line for Black Friday savings or wait until Cyber Monday to cash in on all of the great deals? If you’re brave enough to face the crowds, you’re sure to nab some holiday deals at the big-box stores, but is it worth the chaos? From my experience, shopping online offers the convenience and safety I prefer.  But if you’re still weighing the pros and cons, here are some things to consider.

Shopping Online vs. Shopping In-Store

• When you shop in-store you are forced to deal with crowds of people and long check-out lines.
• When you shop online you can avoid the crowds and check-out is just a few clicks away.
• When you shop in-store you can see the product and get a better idea of its value, durability and size.
• When you shop online you must rely on product descriptions and customer reviews.
• When you shop in-store you may wait in line for hours, just to find out the store has sold-out of your big ticket item.
• When you shop online you know right away if a product is available and can select from various shipping options to determine how soon you’ll receive it.
• When you shop in-store for clothing, shoes and accessories, know that the store has limited quantities of select colors and sizes.
• When you shop online there’s a better chance you’ll find the colors and sizes you need, without having to search.
• When you shop in-store it’s easy to exchange and return items… Not always the case. They may send you to the customer service desk for exchanges and returns where you’ll likely join a long line of other disgruntled customers.
• When you shop online it’s difficult to exchange and return items… Not always the case.  Most products come with simple step by step directions should you need to return or exchange, and some sellers will even pay the return shipping!
• When you shop in-store you can save money with coupons and in-store specials.
• When you shop online you can save money with coupon codes and online specials.

In the end, it comes down to what works for you.  If you plan to do all of your Christmas shopping at the last minute, going to a store may be your best bet; but if you plan to start your shopping on Black Friday, why not avoid the crowds and shop online? You’ll receive your products in plenty of time for Christmas and have time for returns and exchanges if necessary.  Less time spent waiting in lines means more time for family, baking cookies and decorating the tree!

At Good Buys All the Time, customer service is our number one priority.  We’ll make sure you get your products on time and if you’re not satisfied, we’ll make things right.  We offer a large variety of Burts Bees products, Disney Frozen accessories, TMNT themed items for kids and more.  You can even save on everyday items like cold medicine, toothpaste and home decor. Stop by today and browse our selection – and good luck this holiday season whether you shop in-store or online!