How to Tell if Your Guinea Pig is Male of Female

My children love animals, so we have a lot of pets, including seven guinea pigs. Many unsuspecting and responsible people have brought home two guinea pigs and housed them together with the intention that they’d keep each other company. Before long, baby guinea pigs arrive, usually not long after you’ve been told that you purchased two animals of the same sex. It happens, mostly because the people at the pet store didn’t sex the animals properly, or didn’t sex them at all and are simply guessing.

To prevent this from happening, you should learn how to sex guinea pigs yourself. This is also an important skill to acquire if you wish to breed your guinea pigs to avoid getting home with two females or two males. But it's equally important just because your kids are going to want an answer when they ask, "Is it a boy or a girl?". If you can sex guinea pigs yourself, you can be assured of getting exactly what you ask for. You can also answer your children truthfully.

It is not easy to sex young guinea pigs. Their genitalia is not yet fully formed and so is difficult to locate. Mistakes are always possible, though regrettable. Most pet stores will tell you of the “y” and “i” method of sexing, but since guinea pigs should be sexed at 2 weeks old, this method isn’t infallible. There are other ways to tell, and once you know what you’re looking for, sexing a young guinea pig becomes quite easy.

Sexing Female Guinea Pigs

Many times, pet stores will assume that a guinea pig is male because it has bumpy genitalia. This is not the case. Female guinea pigs have bumpy genitalia, so roll your guinea pig on its back to look closely at the genitalia. Run your fingers over the area and look for a “y” formation. This usually indicates a female. To be sure, press on the “y” gently. It should open up just a little. If it doesn’t, you might be holding on to a male guinea pig.

Sexing Male Guinea Pigs

Male guinea pigs have genitalia that is almost shaped like an “i”. There will be a vertical line with a dot. That dot is the penis. There may also be a small bulge, though this often isn’t visible in a guinea pig as young as 2 weeks old. If you don’t notice the “i”, then turn the guinea pig over on its back. Press gently on the stomach just above the genitalia. This should cause the penis to protrude, if the guinea pig is indeed a male. No penis should indicate a female guinea pig.

It is important to know what gender your guinea pigs are. If you’re breeding them, you’ll want to sex the newborns quickly, as young males should be removed from their mother and sisters before 4 weeks of age to prevent inbreeding. If you don’t want to breed, but you do want to house two guinea pigs together, your ability to sex your own guinea pigs is even more important. If you’re ever in doubt, you should take your guinea pigs to a qualified small animal veterinarian. He or she should be able to determine the sex for you with very little effort.

How to Tell if Your Teenager is Lying

Many teenagers become accomplished liars. They learn the art of deception early on, and parents are often the targets of their lies. Teenagers can be so convincing when telling a lie that even professionals cannot always discern the truth. This can be difficult and frustrating for parents, especially parents of difficult teens.

Luckily, there are teens who have not perfected this art. They give away their lies with subtle clues that you can pick up on if you’re observant. A teenager who is lying might speak rapidly and avoid eye contact. They may pretend disinterest as they address the subject, but belie this by paying unnatural attention to your responses. Many young teenagers will become nervous and even flush. Occasionally they will become so nervous they may actually cry to get you to believe them. Studies show that someone who is lying glances down and to the left as they try to create a story.

On the other hand, a teenager who is being truthful will often look you straight in the eye and will not be nervous or defensive. They will be relaxed and open, willing to answer questions, and not having to stop for long to come up with a convincing lie. Glancing up and to the right may also be a sign of the truth.

Lying is a matter of course for many teens. They are trying to keep the peace by not revealing something that might cause conflict. As a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure your teenagers understand that lying is not a viable means of staying out of trouble. You’ll have to impose consequences, consequences that make it know that they have violated your trust and have to earn in back.

Teenagers usually have their reasons for lying. They’re trying to stay out of trouble. They’re protecting a friend. They just want you off their back. Teach your children that lying is unacceptable in any form and is disrespectful both of you and your rules.

If you’ve been close to your child through the years, you’ll probably be able to spot a lie. You’ll know their facial expressions and body language well enough that you’ll know something isn’t right. If you suspect a lie from a teenager who has a history of lying, you may have to call them on it. However, a child who has always been known as truthful and honest should be given the benefit of the doubt. To jump to conclusions could permanently damage your relationship with your child.

Using Coupons at Kroger

Most grocery and department stores accept coupons, and Kroger is no exception. Kroger has a straightforward coupon policy that is easy for the average consumer to take advantage of. It is important to note, however, that Kroger, as a company, allows managers to set specific coupon policy at individual stores. This being the case, it is a good idea to check with the store manager or his designate if you’re not sure if you’re coupons will be accepted. Some stores do limit the number of coupons a customer can use in one day or in a single transaction, so be aware of these limits beforehand.

Before heading to Kroger, you should be aware of some general policies regarding coupons. These policies are in effect in most stores, not simply Kroger. You cannot use a coupon that is past its expiry date, nor can you stack coupons. Stacking coupons is the practice of applying more than one coupon to a single item. Kroger stores no longer allow this practice, so don’t expect to use four coupons to get that box of tissues free. You also cannot swap items. You must purchase the exact size and brand stated on the coupon.

Kroger has some very specific policies when it comes to coupons that do not necessarily apply to other stores such as Wal-Mart or Target. These are important to note before attempting to use coupons at any Kroger store.

Digital Coupons

Kroger now offers digital coupons. These coupons can be loaded onto a valid shopper card and used at the time of purchase. To do this, you must have an active online account. Digital coupons cannot be combined with paper coupons on the same item, though you can use digital coupons and paper coupons in the same transaction. Digital coupons and offers are applied before any paper coupons. Kroger’s Digital Coupon Policy allows the store manager to decline or limit the use of any digital coupons or offers. This is only rarely done, however, unless you are using an excessive amount of coupons in one transaction. Also be aware that you cannot load more than 150 coupons onto your shopper card at any one time. Once you redeem some of the coupons are your card, you can add additional coupons.

Double Coupons

There was a time when Kroger offered Super Double Coupons that would double the value of all coupons presented in a single transaction, up to $1.00 in value per coupon. Super Double coupons are no longer available. However, some Kroger stores do still double the value of manufacturer coupons, up to $1.00 in value. Coupons valued at $1.00 or more are accepted at face value. It is important to note that free coupons are not doubled. Also, coupons that specifically state they may not be doubled are exempt from doubling at any Kroger store, as are any digital coupons you might use.

Printable Coupons

In general, coupons printed on your home computer will be accepted as any other coupon might. You’ll want to check with the store manager first to ensure that the coupons you have are indeed accepted. To ensure your coupons are accepted, have the URL at the top of the page before you print them and do not cut them out. Each coupon must have an expiry date, bar code, and be readable. If it looks like you’ve photocopied or otherwise duplicated or altered the coupons, they will not be accepted.

Remember to obtain your coupons from reputable sources such as Coupons.com or even directly from Kroger. If the URL is not recognized by the store manager, he has every right to refuse to honor the printable coupons you present.

Kroger’s coupon policy isn’t that different from the policies of most major retailers. They will generally accept valid coupons on the purchase of most merchandise. But to be sure that your coupons will be accepted, consult with the store manager or his designate prior to approaching the checkout.

Using Coupons at Wal-Mart

Like many stores, Wal-Mart does accept coupons. In fact, they accept almost any coupon; they certainly accept more coupons than most stores do. Wal-Mart will accept competitor coupons and even match advertised prices on items they carry. Despite their excellent reputation for price matching and accepting coupons, however, there are still some rules and regulations Wal-Mart employs that you should be aware of. This way, you will be able to maximize your savings while minimizing your stress.

General Coupon Policies at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart does embrace most of the coupon policies found in the majority of retailers. The coupons must not be expired and must display a scannable bar code. You must also redeem coupons for the exact brand and size indicated on the coupon. Substitutions are not generally accepted by Wal-Mart or any other store. It is also important to present your coupons at the time of purchase. You cannot go back with your receipt and a coupon and expect to be given a refund.

It is also important to note that, for the most part, if a coupon exceeds the sale price of an item, you do not receive the different in cash. There are some exceptions to this rule, but for the most part, coupons contain the words “no cash value” and so you probably cannot receive cash. There may be some instances where the extra value of a coupon can be applied to the rest of the transaction, but it is unlikely that you will receive any refund based upon coupon discounts.

Wal-Mart's Manufacturer Coupon Policies

The most common kind of coupon is a manufacturer’s coupon. These can be found in newspapers, flyers, on or in packaging for other products, and can even be ordered online. Wal-Mart will accept almost all coupons regardless of where you found them. However, they need to include the correct information. They have to specify the product and size and identify the exact discount. For example, the coupon must state how much you’ll save by using the coupon or, in the case of buy-one-get-one or similar coupons, how many items you must purchase to qualify for a free item.

In addition, all manufacturer coupons must have an expiry date or specifically indicate that the coupon does not expire. Also make sure that all your coupons have a scannable bar code and address. This address is necessary for Wal-Mart to be able to redeem the coupons at a later date, so the store will not accept them without this. Coupons issued by manufacturers are also required to state that they are "manufacturer's coupons" in most cases.

Printable Coupon Policies at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart prides itself on accepting a variety of coupons, so most stores will accept coupons that you print at home. But you’ll have to follow the rules. First of all, obtain your coupons from a valid coupon site such as Coupons.com or another recognized site. Never purchase coupons off the internet, as many times these coupons are photocopies or otherwise forged. Make sure that all coupons have an expiry date and bar code as well as an address for Wal-Mart to redeem the coupon. If any of these things are missing, your coupons will probably not be accepted.

There has been some concern recently over coupons printed on black-and-white printers. This is not an issue at Wal-Mart. As long as your coupons are printed clearly and are not photocopies, the bar codes should scan well enough that they will be accepted at Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart's Register Coupon Policies

Sometimes you will see a coupon printed at the bottom of a receipt when you purchase items. The receipt may be from Wal-Mart or elsewhere, but the coupon was printed from a register. Wal-Mart tends to accept these coupons even if they are from competing stores. The same basic rules of all coupons apply. The coupons must have expiry dates, bar codes, and a valid address for remittance.

Do not attempt to photocopy these or any other coupons. It is in clear violation of the rules and may result in you not being able to redeem coupons at that particular store. Also, photocopied coupons tend not to scan well, so they probably wouldn’t work anyway.

Competitor Coupons and Price Matching at Wal-Mart

Wal-Mart accepts most competitor coupons. They will generally do this according to the terms listed on the coupon. The only real restrictions are that all competitor coupons must indicate a price (include buy-one-get-one coupons) and Wal-Mart must sell that specific item. This means that you cannot use a coupon for a competitor’s brand at Wal-Mart.

If a competitor advertises a product at a lower price than Wal-Mart offers, take the advertisement to Wal-Mart. In almost all cases, Wal-Mart will match the price, preventing you from having to shop at multiple stores. The advertisement has only to indicate the specific product on sale and the dates of the sale.

Coupons Not Accepted at Wal-Mart

Despite accepting almost all coupons, Wal-Mart still has its limitations. Wal-Mart does not accept coupons that do not specify a product. For example, a coupon that state “50% off entire purchase” or “$10 off your next purchase” will not be accepted at Wal-Mart. Also check any printable coupons for free items. If they do not require a purchase, they are not valid at Wal-Mart.

While competitor coupons are accepted, any coupon that states that it is only valid at a specific retailer or offers a percentage off any product is not valid at Wal-Mart. Competitor coupons will not be accepted if they state that they can be doubled or tripled, and buy-one-get-one coupons must state a specific price.

Wal-Mart accepts almost all coupons for almost all products. There are very few coupons that cannot be used, though there are some instances where you will require the approval of a manager to use your coupons. If you’re using more than 40 coupons in a single transaction, or the total value of the coupons exceeds $50.00, expect to wait a few minutes for a manager to approve your coupons. In addition, any single coupon worth more than $20.00 must be approved by a supervisor or manager. For current details, consult the current Wal-Mart Coupon Policy.

Best Places to Find Coupons

Many people are searching for a way to save a little money and coupons are an excellent way to save more than a few dollars. In some cases, it is even possible to make money by using certain coupons wisely. And whether you are new to couponing or a veteran of the sport, finding coupons can be an exciting venture. But you have to know where to look.

Traditional Coupon Sources

Some of the best coupons are often found in more traditional sources such as flyers, newspapers, and coupon books. Pick through your “junk mail” and newspaper on a daily or weekly basis for occasional coupons that can save you a great deal of money. You may also find coupons in your local phone book. Check inside the front or back cover or in a center insert. Some phone books even have an entire coupon section. These coupons are often quite valuable, so collect as many as you can. Many of your friends and family members may be willing to let you use their coupons if you ask. This means you may have more than one of any given coupon, and sometimes they can be stacked. Read the terms and conditions on each coupon to learn if they can be combined.

Coupon books are still very popular. These come in two forms: large coupon books that are often purchased through fundraisers and smaller coupon booklets specific to certain stores. If you truly love to use coupons, purchasing a coupon book is a great way to save money. And often these coupons can be combined with those from retailer coupon books for even greater savings. Many stores offer their own coupons books, either for free or for a small fee, including K-Mart and Walgreens. Check your favorite stores for details on how and when these coupons can be used.

Online Coupons

The Internet is an excellent place to locate coupons that can be used at most retailers. Many sites exist that allow you to either order coupons that will be mailed to your home or print coupons on your own printer. You shouldn’t have to pay money for these coupons, so don’t get them from online auction sites. Instead, visit legitimate sites such as SmartSource.com. Other sites can be located by entering “free coupons” or “printable coupons” into most search engines.

Before heading to the store, make sure your coupons have a bar code, expiry date, and the manufacturer’s address (for the retailer to remit the coupon for compensation). If your coupons don’t have these things, assume that they’re not valid. In the case of coupons you print at home, don’t cut them out. Make sure you’ve printed the URL of the webpage across the top or bottom of the sheet. Most store managers will recognize the URL of legitimate sites and will be more likely to accept your coupons.

If you are a fan of certain products, try visiting the company website. Often you can sign up for a newsletter or mailing that will enable to receive coupons on a regular basis. These coupons might be mailed to you or made available on the Internet. Either way, you’ll be able to save money on your favorite brands. Another benefit to obtaining your coupons directly from the manufacturer is that they’re often of more value than other coupons. Coupons that offer $5.00 or even $10.00 off a particular item are not unheard of. Many companies offer coupons and samples, such as Procter and Gamble. A quick Internet search will reveal even more possibilities.

Coupons can be found everywhere, from the inside cover of a phone book to your e-mail inbox. These coupons can save you a great deal of money over the course of the year. If you’re interested in maximizing your savings, keep your eyes open for new opportunities to obtain valuable coupons.