We’ve always thought of ToolzDO as “cool” site and tool.  It is good to have others think the same and that we are not just blowing our horns.

Colleen also put a shout out on KXLY blog to her Latah Valley neighbors to join her on ToolzDO, swap and share tools, and help spread the word.

She is right.  The more neighbors in your neighborhood on ToolzDO the more fun and useful it becomes.

Many thanks to Colleen OBrien for kick starting, as she puts it, the “ToolzDO revolution” in East Washington.

Carline and the ToolzDO team

It was then published in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel news paper and online on April 23rd. Read the full story here.

Many, many thanks to Stephen Feller, Janeris Marte (photographer) and the Sun Sentinel team for covering ToolzDO and to the Coconut Creek Multi-Culture Circle friends for their support.

The internet can be a scary place to hang out. But just like the real world, hanging out in the right place and using good old fashion wisdom and common sense, the internet can be quite useful, fun, and safe. Let’s face it; the internet is here to stay.

ToolzDO is not like any other website, social network or web platform.

Foremost, ToolzDO is a replica of your real local neighborhood but online with several key features that discourage and deter criminal intentions and bad behavior.

Some of these features you also find offline in your real neighborhood but best of all, some of them you’ll only find here on ToolzDO.

Privacy

Your personal information (i.e. name, street address, email) are electronically secured and never shared, exposed, published or sold.

Actually, aside from your email address and password, we do not collect any other personal information that is not already publicly available.

In your real neighborhood, your name & full address are on your house, in your mailbox, in your county government public record which everyone have access to.

We care about privacy and have applied multiple approaches to protect your privacy:

1. Registration required - ToolzDO is a closed system. To access details and participate, you must be registered and signed in. Certain areas, like City Forums, can only be viewed after signing in.
2. If you want your life to be an open book, hang out on Facebook. ToolzDO does not show when you are online, does not show whose wall you just left a comment for, does not show which group you just joined, does not publish your private posts and profile to Google, Yahoo and Bing (Microsoft search) for the world to see. Facebook (public profile and pages only), Twitter and Ning allow Google and other search engines access to your posts and personal profile - for a hefty fee in the case of Facebook and Twitter (made it profitable).
3. High server security. Not only are the actual computer servers well secured from online access but also from physical access.
4. Data encryption of your private information. Where ever personal information is collected, the data is encrypted (not readable). Your password is also stored in encrypted format.
5. Unlike Craigslist, Freecycle/Yahoo groups, we provide a private messaging tool to carry conversations with every inquiry or request so your email is never exposed. For more details, please read our privacy policy.
6. While ToolzDO promotes openness, it ensures privacy through various user controlled privacy settings including who gets to request your posted items.

Transparency

Criminal minded people love to hide. They seek the perfect online environment that makes it easy to operate undetected and thrive in.

These environments are usually anonymous and free (Craigslist, Yahoo groups), a bad combination. ToolzDO uses a social networking style member profile that allows you to know your neighbors before meeting them.

See their discussions, offers, wants, business description, and project they are working on. Connect with neighbors you know or with neighbors who have filled their profiles or are active contributors to your community.

Only online and on ToolzDO do you get this neighborhood safety feature.

Geographic proximity and better neighborhood watch - online and offline

ToolzDO is all local, hyperlocal. So local, that you may run into your online neighbors at the grocery store, the park, local deli or community events. And that is the BIG idea! This alone not only deters criminals but also bad behaviors.

Additionally, ToolzDO members look out for each other online and offline.

Online, we have community policing. Look for the report link for every post or member profile. You can report members who are naughty, in violation of the law or ToolzDO Terms of Use as well as broadcast a neighborhood alert about this member in the Forum.

In the Forum, we apply a “3 Strikes You’re Out” policy. If a Discussion is reported 3 times, it will automatically be removed and the member warned. The member’s account may also get suspended or closed. All reporting is confidential and the member reported will not know who did the reporting.

In your real neighborhood, the entire community quickly gets to know of thefts, break-ins, vandalism, or suspicious activities as well as mitigation actions via a broadcast in your Neighborhood Forum.

ToolzDO empowers its members to make their online and offline community safe. Unlike other sites, criminal minded individuals have a hard time hiding on ToolzDO.

Relationship building

Stronger communities where neighbors connect, know each other, help one another and look out for each other have safer neighborhoods. ToolzDO’s main goal is to provide tools that help connect neighbors to build community.

The more we know each other, the more effective is our neighborhood crime watch. Otherwise, we end up watching more of our neighbor’s daily activities rather than watching out for the lawbreakers prowling the neighborhood for opportunities to rob, hurt or destroy.

City Police Department - We are seeking partnership with local cities and city police departments to join the community they serve on ToolzDO. ToolzDO facilitates communication and relationship building between the citizens of the city and their law enforcement officers. It will be like having a police officer next door.

Real Connections Network - Automatic vouching

Real Connections are neighbors you know or have met around town - a similar feature to “friends” on Facebook. Just like your real neighborhood, your neighborhood connections give you credibility, status and trustworthiness.

Get your neighbors to join and send them a request to be part of your Real Connections network (click on link below the photo in the member’s profile).

When deciding who to trade with or join in activities, check out your neighbors’ Real Connections. The more they have in your neighborhood the higher the credibility. You may even discover neighbors you did not know were online or new neighbors you have not met. Sweet!

It’s safe, fun, and very useful to daily life

So as you can see, ToolzDO offers similar security measures as offline and than some. But only when you use them will you rip the benefits.

So join, filling your profile, update your project status, invite neighbors, connect, and use ToolzDO to sell, swap, barter, give free stuff, and keep people in your town informed about crime watch tips, events, lost pets, PTA meeting, etc. Get off the classified sites and be part of your community.

Use wisdom and common sense

Now having said all this, the best way to be safe is applying good old fashion wisdom and common sense. Unfortunately, even if you are not online, it has become more difficult to hide in this new age of information.

Think of the yellow and white pages, your county tax collector, your county or state public records and all the information they already have which are now all online and accessible with a quick search on Google and the hundreds of search services popping up each year. If you receive junk mail, your information is out there.

Here are information that can easily be found online about you (like it or not): Name, current & previous address, telephone number, your relatives, criminal background, and much more.

Here are some things I do not share anywhere online:

Information about my children - pictures that are up close or clearly depict their features, their names, their age, what school they go to, birthdays, life events, etc.

Going out of town - I only share my traveling plans with trusted family, friends and neighbors over the phone or email. This is not something you broadcast in real life. So why do it online. It is mind-boggling to see how many people broadcast their upcoming trips with departure dates and duration or letting people know they are out by uploading pictures while on the trip on sites like Twitter and Facebook! Many online tools facilitate sharing, but it does not mean it is a good idea to share everything.

ToolzDO is not like the other sites. Safety is inherent to the way ToolzDO operates. It is a tool and community on purpose. Join your neighborhood today.

Here are additional links to online safety:
Onguardonline
Wired Safety
Connect Safely

How safe do you feel on online and on social network sites?

The November 2009 Pew Internet Report, “Social Isolation and New Technology: How the internet and mobile phones impact American’s social networks,” provides interesting insights into the benefits of belonging to a neighborhoods email lists or discussion forums.

A small number of Americans - 4% (N=103) - reported that they belonged to a neighborhood email list or internet discussion forum for their neighborhood (e.g., i-neighbors.org). Although this suggests that only a small fraction of neighborhoods are using the internet for local communication and information sharing, those who do adopt this technology benefit from high levels of neighborhood engagement.

I am a proof of this finding. I attended my city Town Hall (neighborhood meeting) for the very first time last week after residing in my city for nearly 11 years! This act is 100% attributed to my involvement with ToolzDO in its new form of an online neighborhood platform.

Prior to that, I was a recipient of public services! Many of us balk at recipients of welfare but are we not the same when we do not engage and take greater responsibility in the issues facing our community?

Are we not the same when we leave it to government to fix all our town’s problems? Hey, Mr. government what are your going to do about this and that or why have you not yet fixed this and that.

We have lost the spirit of traditional barn raising (in the US anyway) and have become government dependent in all kind of different ways, not just welfare. There are many issues where neighbors can come together and address in far more effective and cheaper ways.

But you have to show up in your community.

We should only ask Government to help on issues too big for organized citizens to address and to create and maintain a fair and just system. There are many screaming “Foul Play” at big government but what are they doing individually or as a community to take ownership of issues impacting their community?

I am not a political person. Actually, I passionately dislike politics (not the politicians who truly serve with a heart and the love of their community). Maybe that is why I shied away from meetings at the City Hall so long.

With this new sense of responsibility, I’ve also come to realize that many issues are not government issues but community issues that can be citizen led and supported. Isn’t it how most causes came to be and thrive? - One citizen moved to action; Clara Barton and the Red Cross, Estella Moriartywas and SOS Children’s Village Florida, or Irene of 4Kids of South Florida.

We each have the power to change things.  All we have to do is believe that we do.

It felt really good to voice my concerns and to feel that they have been heard. I look forward to taking the next step to contribute and being part of the solution - solutions driven by neighbors.

How have you participated or contributed to the bettering of your neighborhood? Or what stops you from participating?

Well selling on ToolzDO is like the old days — Swap your stuff for cash!

1. Add your item as a Swap item.
2. End your title, with the monetary value you place on the item (how much you are asking in dollars $).
3. Add “Gladly swap for cash” in your description or “Swap for cash ONLY” if you do not want any other kind of offers.

Like this inversion table for swap for cash.

You can sell really fast on ToolzDO.  Your offers are displayed in searches and in your profile. So not only will your items be easily found with a search on ToolzDO but more neighbors will know of your offers as they visit your profile and pass the word to friends or family who may have an exact need.

It is easy to share the good stuff found on ToolzDO - just use the Share button.

Anytime you post to the Forum or share your project, neighbors check out your profile and your offers get more exposure.  Only ToolzDO offers multiple ways for your items to be found so you sell faster.

Selling on ToolzDO is also safer.  It is not anonymous.  Everyone on ToolzDO has a profile displaying their contributions to the community. You can also negotiate privately without revealing email or other contact info.

If you also accept other kinds of offers, you may actually get an offer for a swap that is higher in value than what you are asking for or you may get a real gem, just like the old days.

Remember, the more we reuse as a a community the better it is for the environment. Lastly, the more neighbors on ToolzDO, the more effective the tool is in selling faster.

Happy selling…oops…I mean swapping!

As we are one month into the new year, many of us have been reflecting and setting resolutions for the new year that will hopefully help us be better people, be more successful, look better or live better. As you reflect and seek how you can improve, please don’t miss the following that will surely help you live better.

Seek happiness through spiritual growth

The 1965 song by the Rolling Stones said ”I can’t get no satisfaction… Cause I try and I try and I try and I try”. Most of us spend all their lives searching for happiness through education, pleasure, work, money, or success but only moving on looking for the next thing after achieving the previous ambition.

Take the many Christian survivor of Haiti as an example. Although they had little then they lost what ever little they had, their spirits are not broken. That’s because their joy was not in earthly possessions and their confidence was not in what the world had to offer. The earthquake proved that all these things could be taken away or rendered useless in less then 30 seconds. Even the President of Haiti was left homeless and powerless, like everyone else. Their happiness and confidence is in the unconditional love and providence of their living God. Their growth had been in spirituality rather than in wealth.

Seek happiness from above and be sure that who you choose to worship is worthy of your worship.

Get in deeper relationships

It is a risky proposition but it is worth it. After the Haiti earthquake victims lost everything they had, the only things left were the relationship they shared and the new relationships they will build. The nation of Haiti may be poor financially but extremely wealthy relationally. Their habitual way of life, as in most third world countries, is cooperative living. Make it an urgent need to:

• Mend relationships with loved ones. Let go of the pride. Heal the wounds with forgiveness. Make that phone call, write a letter, send a care package, get in that car or airplane and go. You know what I’m talking about. Do it, before it’s too late.

• Meet and go into deeper relationship with at least 3 new neighbors. Say “hello neighbor”. Get to know your neighbors. Reach out with a random act of kindness – fresh baked goods, offer a helping hand, ask for tips on projects you’re working on. Pray for or with your neighbor. Be considerate. Use Rent, share, swap, barter, give and get free stuff as opportunities to connect with and help neighbors.

• Mend the fences with existing neighbors. Leave a note and invite for a cup of coffee. Open the communication line. This is the first step in repairing broken relationships.

Waste less time

The most valuable commodity is the gift of time. It is a gift since we do not control it and we do not know how long we will live. Today may indeed be your last day on this earth. Use your time wisely and productively. Television is the biggest time, brain and relationship killer.

Be more generous

Why is it that the people who have the least are the ones who give sacrificially while they should be the ones who hoard what little they have? As Truett Cathy, founder of Chik-Fil-A, said: “The more I give away the more I have. Few people realize the pleasure in giving.”

Giving is not always returned with financial gains. But I know that by giving, ones needs are always met. Many times in miraculous ways. Giving is not only about money. Be generous with everything you possess no matter how little it may be. Let it be time, wisdom, stuff, skills, money, etc.

Happy New Year!

Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused.

The ToolzDO team

Today, we also remember Martin Luther King Jr. and his dream- a dream of unity between whites and blacks.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification - one day right there in Alabama little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

Every year the question is asked if the dream has been realized.

Let freedom ring. And when this happens, and when we allow freedom ring - when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God’s children - black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics - will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual: “Free at last! Free at last! Thank God Almighty, we are free at last!

One thing is clear; we have unity when it comes to supporting meaningful causes and in times of suffering.  It has been demonstrated over and over in past wars and most recently, the Haiti earthquake cause, election of the first African-American President of the United States, and Hurricane Katrina relief effort.

But what about the day to day unity that Martin Luther King Jr. dreamt about?  It is my opinion that we have made progress but still have a long way to go.  Unfortunately, the unification from the above examples lived only for the duration of the event or cause. Everything else remained the same.  The division between cultures in our communities remains the same.  The division built by our differences remains strong.

Many more opportunities will arise for us to pull together for a common cause, and with great faith I trust that we will.  That is a very good thing.  But unless we get to know one another and build deeper relationships with the people we live among, our differences will keep us divided.

Connect and get to know your neighbor today.  Say “hello”, invite him or her over and have a cup of coffee, tea or a meal together.  Let’s be good neighbors and set a good examples for the next generation.

Do you think we are living the dream?  How so or how can we reach it?

Credit: REUTERS/Christinne Muschi

We are committed to helping our neighbors in Haiti and neighbors in the U.S. who have loved ones in Haiti. Having gone through the turmoil of not having status of my loved ones in Haiti after the earthquake, I understand the anxiety of waiting to hear about the welfare of family and friends.

There are many sites for missing persons but the relatives are left to find, search and dig through all these sites hoping to find some information. Furthermore, many relatives do not have computer access or are not computer literate or internet savvy. This result in much needed information left undiscovered and undelivered.

I have created a special category to add missing and found victims of the earthquake in Haiti. Furthermore, we will contact relatives if contact information is provided. This is an extra step to help bring the news faster and give much needed peace and more hope to both victims and relatives.

If you are on the grounds in Haiti and have information about someone and their family, post it here. Messages from Haiti with contact information (phone, etc.) will be directly delivered to relatives in the US or other countries. If you are an organization with relief workers in Haiti, partner with us to help connect neighbors to their loved ones in Haiti.

Go now to HAITI SURVIVOR MESSAGES to see the posts and submit new posts.  Please share with everyone impacted by this earthquake.

This is just one way to help our neighbors in Haiti. Here are many others ways to help.

After a magnitude 7.0 earthquake on January 12, 2010 devastated the capital and several towns in Haiti, people around the world opened theirs heart and wallets, albeit the tough economic times. As people around the world continue to show compassion and responsibility for their neighbors in Haiti, more than ever, it is important that the much needed funds and every penny given go towards the relief and restoration efforts.

Pray fervently. Give generously. Get involved passionately.

There are many ways to help the relief efforts in Haiti. Here are legitimate organizations committed to serve and respond to the needs of the people and the country of Haiti:

American Red Cross
Text “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross for assistance to Haiti. You can also give any amount on the website.

Clinton Bush Haiti Fund

Doctors Without Borders

Partners in Health

Samaritan’s Purse

Food for the Poor

World Vision

Compassion International

These are only a few of many other legitimate organizations. But please be inquisitive and wise on where you give your money. Many scams are springing up daily.

Find missing persons

The earthquake has left thousands of people within Haiti and abroad with no way to contact their loved ones. People around the world have also pulled together to help connect survivors with loved ones outside of Haiti. Here are resources helping with that effort.

US State Department Hotline
The US State Department has designated the toll-free number for information about family members in Haiti is 1-888-407-4747. Due to the heavy volume, sending an email may be the best approach.  The email is on the website link.

On Call International Opens Haiti Earthquake Emergency Hotline
This number enables anyone attempting to connect with family members or friends traveling or living in the region. The On Call International hotline: 800-576-5172. Or, call On Call International collect at 603-328-1924. Callers should have as much information as possible readily available at the time of call, including tour operator name, itineraries, hotel information or cell phone numbers.

ToolzDO Haiti Survivor Messages

Our goal is to bring news of the welfare of loved ones faster and give much needed peace and more hope to both victims in Haiti and relatives abroad.  Messages from Haiti survivors with U.S. contact information (phone, etc.) will be directly delivered to relatives in the US or other countries.

Google Crisis Response - Person Finder

Red Cross Locate Your Relatives

CNN Missing Haiti

Image Credit: REUTERS/Jorge Silva

• Create harmony between people.
• Spread kindness and compassion.
• Terminate racism.
• Eliminate all crimes.
• Eliminate abuse and injustice.
• Reduce the need of government and keep government very small.
• Eliminate vengeance and retaliation.
• Eliminate a lot of hurting in our neighborhoods, communities and the world.

Well there is, and it has been in existence for about two thousand years! The rule is: “Just as you want people to treat you, treat them in the same way.”  It is commonly known as the Golden Rule.

What does it mean? Treat your neighbor the way you would like them to treat you. Say “hello neighbor“; pick up your dog’s poop from your neighbor’s lawn; keep the noise level down when your neighbor is home; don’t dump trash on your neighbor’s property; connect with neighbors and share resources; don’t speed down the street where children are playing; care for a neighbor when she’s sick; return the stuff you borrowed from neighbors and the list goes on. When you treat your neighbor the way you’d like to be treated, they will treat you the same. And if they don’t treat you the same, still treat them the way you’d like to be treated. They may change and do as you do just because they might think you like them and start liking you back.  So to have good neighbors, you first have to be a good neighbor, persistently.

Simple enough it seems, yet why is it so difficult to put to practice? Generations have past since first taught, neighborhoods continue to decline, fraud continues to increase, war between nations is on the rise, relationally we are getting poorer each day, laws are needed to keep us in check, professions like lawyer and mediators are striving, prisons are overflowing and on and on.

Now more than ever it is easy to swap unwanted stuff for what you want with the internet. But most of the swap sites are unsafe and have high risk of fraud. At ToolzDO.com swapping is easy and safe because is all local and exchanges are done with neighbors in your community. Additionally, you can set other privacy settings so that only certain groups see your items.

Simply add each item you want to offer as a swap item. Then add the gift you wanted as a wanted item.  Getting your perfect gift does not have to be exchanged for another unwanted gift. It could be any stuff around the house that you no longer want or just don’t need.

Now there are a couple of questions that come up:
How will the giver feel bout swapping that gift? Well if you were the giver, would you like your gift purchased with your hard earned money to be tossed in the deepest corner of a closet, drawer or garage unused and maybe never to be used. Would that not be a waste of your money. Consider it like a department store exchange. Most people do not mind that. That is what a gift receipt is all about. Instead of a store, it is an exchange with the neighbor for something you really want or need.

Why not just not return or exchange it? First you may not have the receipt. Additionally, you may get something of higher value with a swap than the actual value of your item. With swaps, value is very subjective. It all dependents on the worth the owners place on the stuff.

Swapping is also good for the environment for reducing waste starting from production to disposal. The less we buy and keep reusing products, the less waste produced from packaging and the less usable stuff that end up in landfills.
Happy swapping! The real gift may be getting to know a neighbor a little more.

Rather than reposting the Community posts here, I’ve provided the titles and the links to them below:

Will a Hurricane Force Us into Community Life Once Again?

Help us Reconnect Neighbors

Texas lawmaker asked Asians to change their names to make them “easier for Americans to deal with.”

We also would like to thank Ginny Mies of PC World for the detailed write up.  Read the full article.

ToolzDO.com was recently covered in a featured article in The Palm Beach Post newspaper and Tech Tonic Blog.  A warm welcome to the readers of The Palm Beach Post, Tech Tonic and the residents Palm Beach County. Start posting your old, new, barely used gadgets today!  Many thanks to Melissa Patterson. Read the full article.

Well, there are still great gifts you can get right now without going to the mall or even wrapping, that will make the recipient and you feel great.

A recent survey by the American Cancer Society found that almost half of Americans would prefer a donation over gifts this holiday. Another finding, according to New American Dream national survey, is that Americans want more of what matters and not more stuff. This is good to hear since most gifts given are unwanted and remain in a drawer or closet unused. Some people find creative ways to get rid of them or declutter.

Many charitable organizations have made it really easy to give and even make a direct positive difference in someone’s life in your town or around the world. Your gift may even result in saving a child or an entire family’s life. Try matching the recipient with a cause they already support. Here are a few ideas that may bring back the real joy of giving and receiving.

Give a gift of hope to a child

Each year, 4KIDS of South Florida is dedicated to meeting the needs of thousands of children in foster care - physically, emotionally, and spiritually. This year make a child’s Christmas dream come true by giving a gift of hope from their catalog.  Give now.

Compassion International helps release children from poverty around the world. Give now.

Give a gift that will change a life

Food For The Poor gift catalog allows you to donate towards feeding, housing, educating, funding of micro-enterprises, and providing clean water for the poorest of the poor in the Caribbean and Latin America. Gifts start as low as $10. Give now.

Give a gift that saves lives and ease suffering

Samaritan’s Purse online catalog shows dozens of ways you can support their work to save lives and ease suffering nationally and around the world. They will be glad to send a printed card or an e-card announcing your gift to the friend or family member with your donation. Give now.

Give a the gift of hope and support health related causes

Fight against cancer. Make a donation to the American Cancer Society to help people stay well, help people get well, find cures, and fight back against cancer.

Fight against Multiple Sclerosis. Make a donation to The National MS Society to help meet the needs of people living with MS through a variety of programs.

There are many other great causes that need help and facilitate giving. Razoo list 1.6 million US non-profits and makes it really easy to find causes by location or category.  100% of the money you donated through the site is deliver to the non-profit.  This method of gift giving can also apply to birthdays and other occasions.

Merry Christmas. A gift to you.

Irene won $50 Visa gift card.

Congratulations Irene!

Many more contests coming in 2010, so stay tuned.

I met many interesting vendors and discovered many new, cool, green products and services. I met local inventors, moms, father and son, even grandpas, all there educating, sharing new ideas and products to help us reduce waste, conserve energy, conserve water, reduce toxins entering our bodies and live healthier and greener. It was truly a privilege to have been part of this event and to be part of the green movement. Here are some of the products and services I found most interesting:

Ewrapz - New eco-chic reusable gift wrapping alternative.

E-Z-Dolley - New invention lets you do all jobs effortlessly.

Treefrogmail - No more junk mail in your home mailbox but still read them! Save the planet and make some money to do some good with.

Operation Green Leaves -  Educating and promoting environmental awareness in the South Florida under-served Community and island nation of Haiti.

The Electric Bicycle Store - Like bicycling in the fast lane but not the peddling? This is for you.

See all the exhibitors at the Living Green Fair site.

The Living Green Fair “Dinner on Us” Contest Update:

The contest is now closed. A winner will be announced on December 5th. Good luck to all.
Living green is not an event. It is a way of life. So everyday we have to choose to rethink and live greener.

ToolzDo will showcase its unique platform that combines community building features with renting, swapping and gifting of stuff and services, all in one place.

ToolzDo, a web platform that combines social features with an advanced localized search and the flexible choice of renting, swapping, and gifting to provide access to resources in your own backyard, today announces it will be an exhibitor at the South Florida Living Green Fair. The fair is taking place November 14th and 15th in Dania Beach.

The fair is the largest Green themed event in the South Florida Region, with over 10,000 attendees in two days expected. It brings educational resources to average families and business owners on how to live a greener, healthier and more environmentally sustainable lifestyle. The themes include how easy it is to purchase better products, create less waste, eat deliciously, and save money. ToolzDo’s service is well fitted amongst the many innovative solutions by the many well known companies attending and that are thought leaders in the green movement.

“Reduce and reuse makes life more simple, a simple life is less stressful and more fun,” stated Carline Lubin, founder of ToolzDo. “With more education like this fair brings and increased awareness of tools to facilitate a greener life like ToolzDo.com, more environmentally conscious decisions will be made at a community level. Our family took the Water Pledge and I encourage everyone to take the pledge in their city.”

About ToolzDo

ToolzDo is the online service that connects neighbors in practical ways using the stuff or services they possess, their common activities or projects, shared interests and ideas. Connect to get the most out of your stuff by renting, swapping, giving and getting free stuff in a trusted local environment. Connect to get tips and maybe a helping hand by sharing your projects with your local community. The service highlights project coincidences nearest to you, for example, showing you that two other people are doing it too and three others have done it as well as related discussions, stuff and services nearest to you that may be of help. ToolzDo is owned by EtoolBay, Inc., a Florida Corporation and headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida. For more information, visit www.toolzdo.com.

Contact:

Carline Lubin

EtoolBay, Inc.

Phone: 954-247-1896

Email: carline@toolzdo.com

###

1. Rent them out to make easy cash

Rent out your unused costumes from over the years. If you are not using them but still want to hold on to them for some possible occasion in the future or just want to make some cash, offer them for rent to individual and professional members of your local community.  Your costumes may be exactly what the local production or theatrical companies are looking for.  Clean, adult and pricier costumes make the best rentals. Children costumes also makes sense if they are in good shape. Why buy and spend more on a costume that will only be used once?

2. Swap, barter, trade them for new costume and spend nothing

Do you know others in your community who have costumes? Get together and swap, barter or trade costumes and get a new (to you) costume without spending a penny.  Post them on ToolzDo or have a neighborhood costume swap party or both. This is an extremely wise way to save money, especially for kids’ costumes. You can even swap your costumes for something else you may want.

3. Donate them - the quickest and “Good” way to declutter

Give your unwanted costumes to family members, friends, charity or others in your community. It is a great way to declutter. As more community members post free stuff on ToolzDo for the grabs, you may just get another costume or something else new to you, free.   This is what you call paying forward. The law of the universe is that giving is usually reciprocated by receiving in time of need.  But remember the absolute truth: More blessings come from giving than receiving.

All these options are great ways to help neighbors keep more cash and go green with reduce and reuse. This Halloween or harvest season is yet another opportunity to save and be environmentally conscious of our acquisition choices.

So post your unused costumes on ToolzDo today and invite your friends and neighbors to check them out using our simple invite tool.  Only 21 days until Halloween so there isn’t much time left! The best way to describe your costume is with a picture of someone wearing it. If you are having a swap party, still bring the picture. So pull out the pix from last year and add your costumes for rent, swap or just donate them now - all from one site.