It’s a day devoted to love, winged babies, hearts, candy, flowers and romance. This modern version of an ancient holiday actually has a very controversial and dark history.

The roots of the holiday began in Ancient Rome as a fertility celebration called Lupercalia and was originally observed on February 15th. Lupercalia is said to also have been the pagan ritual to protect against wolves. The celebration honored the gods Faunus and Lupercus and the twin brothers Romulus and Remus, who are the famed founders of ancient Rome. Legend tells of myths that Romulus and Remus were raised by wolves in a cave in the Palantine hills. As part of the Lupercalia ceremony, young male priests who were known as Luperci, would strike people with strips of animal hide because they felt that this would increase their fertility.

As a young boys right of passage, on Lupercalia the boys took part in a lottery. The names of all of the teenage girls would be put into a box and the boys drew names out. For the next year, that girl was obligated to be that boy’s partner. The boys would often give the girl a greeting or gift in the name of Juno, the Roman goddess of love and relationships.

With the arrival of Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church, around 496, Pope Gelasius recast this previously Pagan holiday to be held on February 14th and be renamed from Lupercalia to St. Valentines Day.

Pope Claudius, in an effort to end the harsh pagan celebration, made slight changes to the festivities. The names of the saints were put into a box and both boys and girls were allowed to draw names. The children were to emulate the saint whose name they chose for the next year. As you can imagine, the children didn’t find much fun in this celebration so the church decided to find another suitable saint to take the place of Lupercus. They chose St. Valentine.

There is debate over which St. Valentine the day is actually named after, as there were at least 3 early Christian saints with that name. History shows that all three were reportedly martyred on February 14th.

The saint that most scholars believe that the day became named after was a priest who angered Pope Claudius II around 270. This is where the line between fact and myth start becoming blurred. Some say that Claudius had declared that marriage was to be illegal because single men made better soldiers than those with a wife and family. Valentine did not agree with the Pope and continued to do marriage ceremonies in secret. Valentine was apprehended by Roman soldiers and killed for the betrayal.

One story tells that Valentine was a prisoner of Claudius II and Valentine fell in love with the daughter of his jailer. Before taken to his execution, he reportedly sent his love a note and signed it “from your Valentine”. Another resource, tells the same story but it was not of love. It states that Valentine healed the jailer’s blind daughter with his strong faith and sent her a farewell note saying “from your Valentine”.

Though the name of the pagan festival had changed, the fondness of the love notes was growing strong so it remained part of the holiday. It is said that the first official Valentine card was sent in 1415. Charles the Duke of Orleans sent the love note to his wife while he was being held prisoner in the Tower of London during the Battle of Agincourt.

The current traditions of Valentine’s Day are an amalgamation of both Pagan and Christian beliefs (as are many other holidays). Put aside the Christian saints who break the rules for love, Pagan deities, stories of lottery relationships and all of the other mythology and in the end, it’s all about LOVE.

Titania is a life long spiritualist and a Wiccan Priestess. She is an advocate for peace, love, truth and religious tolerance. She is moderator of one of the largest Pagan sites on Myspace with, currently, over 4400 subscribers. The page consists of interactive blogs, frequent inspirational and supportive bulletins and an extensive group forum. To explore the page, visit: www.myspace.com/pagansofmyspace

Moving is inevitable; whether or not to hire a mover is the question. If you have accumulated lots of stuff, you already know you have a big job ahead of you. Now it’s time to decide how you’re going to get all of it from Point A to Point B. The major considerations are: money, time, and willingness to let other people touch your stuff. You need to consider that other people will be handling your precious possessions and that you don’t have complete control. Read on for advice on how to survive the big day: moving day!

Consideration 1: Who’s packing all this stuff?

In most cases, the answer to this question is you and whoever else is moving with you. If you are really short on time or have extra money lying around, you might consider having professional movers do the packing for you. If the movers do all the packing, then they are liable for any damage to your belongings. If you do some or all of the packing, the mover can claim that a box was packed incorrectly if it falls or breaks. The benefit to packing yourself is that you will know where everything is when you start to unpack. One bit of advice is to keep a box of your most treasured items to the side for yourself. This can be your important financial documents, expensive jewelry or things that have deep meaning to you. A moving company accidentally took this kind of box during the first move of an Apartments.com staffer. She ended up spending the entire first night in her new place going through every single box looking for the one containing her father’s wedding band; luckily she found it. To avoid this panic, make sure that your “special box” is labeled clearly and is kept out of the pile of boxes that the movers will inevitably take.

Consideration 2: What’s it Gonna Cost me?

Local moves, which are any moves less than 100 miles within the same state, are billed by the hour. Intrastate moves (100 miles or more in the same state) and interstate moves (across states) are billed for a set rate that should always be determined prior to the move date. Collect rates from several movers using the phonebook or Internet. Do not accept rates online or over the phone. It is best to have the mover come to your home in person to give you an estimate and you should always get a copy in writing. Check the background of each mover you see with the Better Business Bureau or these consumer-advocacy sites www.movingscam.com and www.movingadvocateteam.com. These sites have a list of companies that have received numerous customer complaints. If this is a major move, try to get at least three estimates so that you have some options. Start this process a few months in advance of your move to get the best rates possible and secure the moving date you want.

The last thing you want to think about when you rent a new apartment is something going wrong. You want to consider lighting choices and where to hang your black-and-white photos, not worry about the possibility of a fire or burglary. No need to worry, here’s everything you need to know about renters insurance. Read on and sleep easy!

What is renters insurance?

Renters insurance is an insurance policy that protects you from a variety of perils that might occur primarily to apartment-dwellers. Think about it this way, when you own a home, you purchase homeowner’s insurance. When you rent, you get renters insurance.

Insure.com provides the following list of losses that are included in an HO-4 policy, which cover renters (HO-6 policies cover condo owners):

• Fire or lightning
• Windstorm or hail
• Explosion
• Riot or civil commotion
• Aircraft
• Vehicles
• Smoke
• Vandalism or malicious mischief
• Theft
• Damage by glass or safety-glazing material that is part of a building
• Volcanic eruption
• Falling objects
• Weight of ice, snow, or sleet
• Water-related damage from home utilities
• Electrical surge damage

If you live in an area where flood, hurricane or earthquake is a possibility you will need to purchase a separate policy or a rider in order to protect yourself against these threats.

What do I get for my money?

A good place to start looking for coverage is with your current auto insurance provider as you will often get a better rate for owning multiple policies. First, you need to decide how much coverage you want. Typically, depending on your location, you can purchase a policy that covers at least $15,000 in personal belongings and several hundred thousand in liability for a couple hundred dollars a year.

So you’re in a hurry and don’t have time to do a full, floor to ceiling cleaning job. Well, something is better than nothing and if you find yourself in a time crunch with guests arriving any minute, here’s a quick run down of some tips to get the best bang for your buck in the least amount of time.

• Before you even start cleaning, gather all the cleaning products, buckets, mops, brushes, sponges, brooms and dusting cloths you’ll need and put them in one place. One of the biggest time wasters when cleaning is stopping what you’re doing to try and find your furniture polish. It also helps to store all your cleaning products in one cabinet or storage closet. Then, when you begin cleaning, you’ll know exactly where to go in order to get everything you need.
• Plan your attack. Start on one side of each room, work from the top to the bottom and then work yourself to the other side.
• Dust before you wash the floor or vacuum.
• Use a different cleaning cloth (or paper towels) for each cleaning product. Even if you wash your cloths, some residue might be left behind, causing streaks on windows or damage to wood furniture. If you don’t want to use disposable cloths, use one color cloth for each job. Windows are done with blue rags. Furniture with red rags and so on.
• Get a long extension cord for your vacuum. This way, you won’t have to constantly stop to unplug and re-plug.
• Use a dust wand with an extension handle. No need to climb up on a chair, ladder or step stool to get the cobwebs off the ceiling.
• If you use the right cleaning tool, you don’t need to scrub. Newspapers work wonders on windows (no streaks). Don’t use a lint producing cloth to dust, it defeats the purpose. You get the picture. For more tips on quick cleaning solutions see our other articles on cleaning in Apartment Living.
• Don’t over clean. Only use the amount of cleaning product recommended for your job. Using more will leave buildup and will require more time to clean off.
• If you only have time to do one thing, vacuum. A floor free of pet hair, dust and things living in the corners of your room gives the impression of a clean home. 
• Keep the space under your bed clear of junk. Or, keep a closet floor clear. This comes in handy when you have an emergency need to clean up clutter when you have guest arriving quickly. Just don’t forget to clean it out when they leave.
• Get all your dirty dishes out of the sink. Throw them in the dishwasher, or if you don’t have one, stick them inside the oven. Just don’t forget they’re in there!
• If you can’t clean your entire apartment before guests arrive, concentrate on the entryway, living area, dining area and bathroom. You can always toss clutter in your bedroom and shut the door.
• And make sure your apartment smells good. Even if you spend hours upon hours cleaning, if you have a stinky place, people will think it’s dirty. Pine scented cleaners are always a good bet or check out our articles on Getting Rid of Smells and Setting a Mood in Your Apartment with Smell.

Moving into your first apartment is exciting! You’ve been busy picking out a location, furniture, setting up your job, arranging to have utilities hooked up and on and on. Then, you go to make yourself dinner and realize you have nothing more than a few forks and a package of paper plates.

Or perhaps you’ve been in an apartment for quite some time but you just never got around to properly stocking your kitchen.

Or perhaps, you’re just about to start a new life with your spouse and you’re getting ready to set up your wedding registry.

Whatever situation you might find yourself in, visiting a department store or kitchen center can be a little bit overwhelming. That’s why Apartments.com has assembled this list of kitchen basics to be your guide. Let’s get started.

First, you’ll need some appliances:

• Toaster
• Microwave
• Blender
• Electric mixer

If your apartment already has a microwave, you’re in luck! For the other appliances, there are many options ranging in price from cheap to expensive. When you select the appliance that you will be using, think about how often you plan to use it. If you bake every weekend, you might want to invest in a better, stand mixer.

You’ll also need some hardware to use with your stove and oven. Here’s a list of the basics. Keep in mind you can often buy a set of many of these and save money on the whole:

• 1-quart saucepan
• 2-quart saucepan
• 4-quart saucepan
• 8-quart stockpot
• 8-inch skillet
• 14-inch skillet
• Roasting pan
• Casseroles/baking dishes
• Large, heavy kettle with a tight-fitting lid (Dutch oven)
• Ridged grill pan

Thinking about sending a bouquet of flowers to a loved one? Or are you plotting out your window box garden? Select flowers that have traditional meanings that are important to you or that convey the exact sentiment that you want to send (in a gift, enclose a card that tells your recipient why you selected the blooms you did). Here’s some of the most beautiful flowers in the world with their traditional meanings to help with your selections.

Have fun!
Acacia – Concealed love.
Almond Blossom – Purity and virginity.
Aloe – Wisdom and integrity.
Allspice – Compassion.
Amaryllis – Poetry and pride.
Ambrosia – Lets the recipient know that his/her love is reciprocated.
Apple – Perpetual happiness and agreement.
Apricot Blossom – Timid love.
Aster – Innocent love.
Azalea – Momentary passion.
Baby’s Breath – Happiness.
Begonia – Fancifulness, beauty, superficiality, beware.
Bittersweet - Truth.
Blue Bell – Delicacy and humility.
Buttercup – Childishness.
Cactus – Bravery and endurance.
Calla Lilly – Exotic love.
Camellia – Steadfastness and excellence.
Camellia (Pink) – “I long for you.”
Camellia (Red) – “You set my heart on fire.”
Camellia (White) - “I think you’re just adorable.”
Chamomile – Initiative and ingenuity.
Carnation – Fascination.
Pink Carnation – “I will never forget you.”
Red Carnation – Admiration.
Purple Carnation – “I don’t care about you.”
White Carnation – Pure, sweet, innocent love.
Yellow Carnation – Rejection.
Striped Carnation – No. “I can’t be with you.”
Cattail - Peace.
Chrysanthemum – Friendship.
Red Chrysanthemum – Loving friendship.
White Chrysanthemum – Truth and friendship.
Yellow Chrysanthemum – A love or friendship gone wrong. A cheat.
Cinnamon – Love and beauty.
Clematis – Pretense and cunning.
Clove – Dignity.

If this is your first time negotiating with a car salesperson or if you’re a seasoned vet at this sort of thing, Apartments.com hopes these pointers may be helpful.

Step 1: Do Your Homework

Buying a car is a big decision and knowing the facts can save you a ton of time and money. Here’s what you need to know before you visit a dealer:

• Research your car choices. Don’t choose a car just because you think it looks good on the road. Check safety ratings, compare prices and look into special options. Cars.com is a fabulous resource for researching cars. You can check pricing, find out about recalls, compare features and even find out what the most popular car colors are in the US.
• Get invoice and sticker price estimates for your car at cars.com. You can research your car including special options and find out the price that you should be charged and where you can start the negotiations.
• Check your credit. You may be entitled to a free report from the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax and TransUnion). Check their websites for more information. If you’re not entitled to a free report, you can still get one as long you enroll in the free 30-day trial period for their credit monitoring services (you won’t be charged as long as you call and cancel within 30 days). Make sure you check all three reports as they may contain different information. Look for inaccuracies or any false usage of your personal identification and if you find any errors, report them immediately to the bureau for correction.
• Search for loan rates and extended warranties to see if you can get a better deal than your dealer might offer. For your negotiations, print out the offers and bring them with you when you visit the dealer.

Step 2: Know the Game

Many people pay sticker price because they are afraid to negotiate or aren’t sure how or where to start. Negotiating is much easier if you know how to play the game. Knowing the sticker price or MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) of the car as well as the invoice price (price of the car minus fees and other markups) is the first step.

Cutting back on your energy usage is not only good for your wallet but also good for the environment. Here are a few simple things that anyone can do to save hundreds of dollars a year! We’ve also got tips on how to keep your apartment comfy, all throughout the year, without a major energy bill.

Save Cash

Close vents you are not using. Whether it’s summer or winter, closing up vents in rooms that you don’t spend a lot of time in is a smart way to cut back on electric costs. Why heat or cool a room that no one is in? Keep the door to the room that you’re not heating or cooling closed. Whether it’s summer or winter, closing up vents in rooms that you don’t spend a lot of time in is a smart way to cut back on electric costs.

Turn off the lights and electronics when they are not being used. When you walk out of a room, turn off the light. Seriously, these costs do add up over time.

Use your range oven only when necessary. Try to prepare foods in a microwave or toaster oven instead, both use less energy.

Use nightlights in bathrooms and hallways. These lights save energy and prevent you from having to switch the lights on and off when you get up at night.

Stay Warm

Keep your shades up and blinds open. This will help you to make the most of solar energy. Studies also show that being exposed to sunlight can help improve your mood.

Use your ceiling fans in reverse. This draws warm air through your home.

Use compact fluorescent lighting. These bulbs use less than half the energy of incandescent light bulbs and last longer.

Use appliances wisely. Your dishwasher and washing machine use a good chunk of energy as well as water. Run them only when you have a full load.

Keep your landlord in check. Speak to your landlord or building manager to ensure that the furnace and air filter in your building are clean. A properly working furnace will cost less to run that a dirty or broken one.

Your credit score. Do you know what it is? Do you know why it’s important? If you’re looking for a new place, you’ll need to have a credit check before your application for lease is approved. Before you buy a new car with financing, your credit will be checked. If you need a loan, yup, you guessed it; you’ll need to have a credit check. If your score is low, you might not be able to get the things you want or need. Keep reading to learn about what comprises your credit score, how to monitor your score, how to clean up a low score and how to keep a high one. What determines your credit score?

• Your credit score is based on your credit payment history. The best way to establish good credit is to simply pay your bills on time.
  
• Scores range from 300-850, with the average score around 678. Anything lower than 620 puts you in the “high risk” category, meaning you may be denied a lease application or loan to prevent default (non-payment).
  
• Negative claims and false information on your credit report will lower your score. Your score can also be lowered when a creditor takes information from your report to sell to another party or for any other unauthorized reason. These “impermissible pulls” are illegal and result in fines in court.
  
• Don’t open unnecessary credit accounts. Every check of your credit lowers your score and makes you appear riskier.
  

To keep your credit score high, establish a variety of credit accounts (school loan, credit card, car payment) and pay these bills on time. Even if you do this, sometimes errors may find their way to your credit report. Credit report bureaus do not investigate the information posted to reports. For example, if your name is the same as your father’s name, some of his credit information might be reported on your report and vice versa. False claims have also been known to find their way onto reports. For this reason it is very important to monitor your credit report on a frequent basis.

Here’s how to keep tabs on your credit:

• Adam Krohn, a consumer litigation attorney with krohnandmoss.com, recommends signing up for an online credit report service to monitor your report constantly. The three major bureaus- Equifax.com, Experian.com and TransUnion.com, allow you to try their service free for 30 days and then charge a fee of $9.95 per month. “They will literally email you anytime a change is made or an inquiry about your report is requested,” said Krohn.
  
• At the very least, take advantage of Uncle Sam’s law–the government requires the bureaus to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report once a year.
  

Moving costs, changing jobs, buying new furniture and replacing broken dishes means you probably have a limited budget for sunning under palm trees with a coconut drink in your hand. Apartments.com staffers are no strangers to the need for a nice vacation, so no matter your financial situation, we’ve got some tips to make that vacation happen sooner than you thought possible. Don’t forget the sunscreen!

Planning is Key

• If at all possible, plan your trip way ahead of time. You’ll get better rates and have more room to negotiate.
• Take your trip in the off-season. February through May and September through December are the least expensive times to travel. This does not include peak holiday times (Labor Day, Christmas, Thanksgiving) as the amount of travel at these times drive fares through the roof!
• Be flexible on your destination. Having two or three possible locations in mind gives you a chance to compare features and rates and get the most out of your trip. Ëš Don’t travel to a place with bad weather in the off-season just to save money; find a place that will allow you to enjoy yourself as well as save you cash.
• Do your research. Look into the place you want to visit and find out if there are any special discounts or rates. Ask for coupons to restaurants and attractions. There are many tourist websites that you can register with in advance of your trip that will email coupons directly to you. Look for these in the Chamber of Commerce websites for your chosen destination. Also, register to have guidebooks sent to your home. Inside these you’ll find a variety of coupons for everything from lodging and restaurants to shopping and spas.
• Use a variety of booking services and compare rates. You might visit a travel agent, go to several online travel sites and call a few hotels and airlines directly. The more options you have, the better off you’ll be.

Consider All Your Options

• Think outside the box. Can you stay with someone or rent a home from someone you know? If you do, don’t outstay your welcome. Pitch in for food and other costs so that your hosts feel appreciated (and will want to have you back again!) If you don’t know anyone that lives where you want to vacation, can you camp instead of staying in a hotel? Even just a few nights away from the hotel can save you hundreds of dollars as well as add a unique perspective to your trip.
• Compare rates for transportation. Do you need to rent a car or can you use public transportation to get around?