If you're tired of paying huge heating bills but don't want to sacrifice staying warm this winter, you don't have to. These 4 tips will help with heating bills and you won't have to freeze.
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Repurpose -- a funny word that most Americans don't know. It may be new to younger generations, but you can bet your mother and grandmother knew the meaning of the word. Repurposing is taking something you are not using or are about to throw away and think up a new use for it. Here are some ideas to get you started and help you save money.
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You don't have to purchase state of the art home security devices to keep your family safe. Here's how to protect your family and home from burglary without spending a dime.
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Did you know for less than $100, you can put together a home gym that is just as effective as those expensive gym memberships? It's true. Don't let the cost of expensive gyms keep you from achieving your goal of fitness and weight loss. Follow these tips and start working on the body you've always wanted.
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Your pet is special to you. After all, who else loves you unconditionally, is always glad to see you, and doesn't judge you? You can't always depend on people to treat you like this, but your pet does. It's up to you to treat your pet well and watch out for his safety. Learn these common items, poisons and hazards and keep your pet safe.
Continue reading "Know These 8 Common Poisons and Hazards to Keep Your Pet Safe" »
Cash for Clunkers for appliances? Yep, you heard right! For many Americans strapped for cash, the Cash for Clunkers Program was great! Now you can get a break when it comes to your home appliances. Need a new refrigerator, freezer, washer, dishwasher, or room air conditioner? Now's your chance.
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The other day a vacuum cleaner salesman knocked on my door, something I thought only happened in movies from the fifties. He promised me a free gift if he could show me his miraculous vacuum cleaners, which turned out to cost over $3,000! I was so annoyed I showed him the door without even collecting my gift.
But later that day, as I dragged my ancient Hoover around the house (basically pushing the dirt around), I realized that with spring cleaning coming up, it would be awfully nice to have a new vacuum -- one that worked like the top of the line models. And that got me thinking: what if that vacuum cleaner was really worth the cash? So I decided to find the best vacuum cleaners in the United States -- and believe me, none of them cash in over $300.
Continue reading "Choose the Best Vacuum Cleaner for your Spring Cleaning" »
When it comes to wall paint, there's one cardinal rule: Do not go with the cheapest brand you can find. I made that mistake when I first started painting walls. And the cheap latex garbage I used peeled off in sheets over the next six months. In fact, it became my kids' hobby: peeling off pieces of paint.
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I first heard about the Aerogarden grow system from a friend of a friend, and I couldn't wait to check it out. Aerogarden is an indoor gardening system that allows you to grow your very own herb, vegetable, or flower garden indoors. It claims to be perfect for gardeners of any experience level and guarantees results. So does it really work?
Continue reading "Become a Master Gardener with the Aerogarden System" »
It's not at all uncommon to see Lysol cleaner and Lysol disinfectant around these days, especially with the flu germs circulating. It's perfectly natural to want to kill germs -- especially if you have young children. But is Lysol the way to go, or is it more trouble than it's worth?
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In Make Your Own Household Cleaners -- Part I, we covered how to transition into using only homemade household cleaners. In Part II, we look at some tried and true recipes that you can quickly make yourself, are easy, inexpensive, and less toxic than commercial cleaners.
Continue reading "Make Your Own Household Cleaners -- Part II" »
I don't know about you, but paying big bucks for laundry detergent just isn't my idea of fun. I have other things to spend my hard earned money on, but when faced with a mountain of dirty clothes, what do you do? You can shop around and buy the cheapest laundry detergents or try making your own.
You may be thinking, "Hmmmm....homemade laundry detergent...does it actually work? Will it actually be cheaper? Who has time to make their own detergent?" The answers to these questions are yes, yes, and you do. Follow this step-by-step recipe and you will have a detergent that really works, costs only .03 per load, and is fast and kind of fun to make.
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Welcome to the wonderful world of making your own household cleaners. At one time, only the most dedicated tree hugger would even consider doing something like this. But, as time has passed, more people are concerned about saving the environment and using green products, and therefore, make their own cleaners.
The fact that you will also save large amounts of money by doing this is another advantage. Good for the environment, good for your budget -- who could ask for anything more?
Continue reading "Make Your Own Household cleaners -- Part I" »
As a savvy consumer, you hear about the latest trends, and that means LED Christmas lights. Or at least, anytime after Thanksgiving the talk of the town will be about these Christmas lights. Although LED lights have been around for years, only in the recent past they've become a huge deal. So what's the difference between traditional outdoor lights and outdoor LED Christmas lights? And are they really worth the fuss?
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During a disaster, a generator comes in handy. Whether winter worries about power outages, tornado season, or hurricane season, many people know the wisdom in having a generator as a backup source of power. But, do they really make sense and are they worth the money? Here's what you need to know.
Continue reading "Is a Generator in Your Future? Check These Tips Before you Buy" »
With many people looking for alternative energy sources, it's no wonder many are considering solar water heaters. These roof-mounted collectors absorb the sun's heat and transfer it to a closed-loop system that runs to the water tank. If this sounds good to you, keep reading to discover if one of these systems is in your future.
Continue reading "Can Solar Water Heaters Save You Money?" »
Last year, according to the Nielsen Research Company, Americans spent $200 million on shower cleaners. If you're one of these people and are tired of spending money on cleaners, cut to the chase and buy the best. Wondering which cleaner is the best? Here's what to know.
Continue reading "Clean Up Your Act with These Shower Cleaners" »
Before you take the plunge and fork out money for a new dishwasher, give DIY dishwasher repair a try. Extend the life of your dishwasher and save loads of money.
Continue reading "Consider DIY Dishwasher Repair before Buying a New One" »
Looking for ways to cut your utility bill? You're not alone. Americans spend over 160 billion per year to heat, cool, and light their homes. Make a few simple changes in the home, save up to 30% on your bill, and put that money to better use.
Continue reading "Reduce Your Utility Bill With These 6 Top Tips" »
Nothing is more important than your family's health. Lead testing kits check your home for lead. Rest easy knowing that you've done all you can to prevent lead poisoning.
Although lead paint was made illegal for homes in 1978, according to the National Center for Health Statistics, hundreds of thousands of children in the United States have elevated levels of lead in their blood.
Continue reading "Use Home Lead Testing Kits to Keep Your Family Safe" »
If your carpet is constantly dirty, a home carpet cleaning machine could be a life saver for you. For those people who only get an occasional stain, a professional cleaning once every few years is fine. But for those of you with a house full of kids and pets, your best bet is a carpet cleaner you own. Here's how to choose the best one.
Continue reading "Is Your Carpet in Dire Need of a Good Scrubbing? Try a Home Carpet Cleaning Machine" »
Looking for new ways to save energy and cut costs on your utility bill? Already tried the usual methods and still need to save more, try these tips to lower your bill.
Continue reading "5 Ways to Save Energy in Your Home" »
There are many money saving tips for laundry that will not only help you get your clothes clean but will save you money and energy at the same time. Read these 5 tips to see how you can start saving.
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Which laundry detergent works best? You probably ponder this as your child slides into home plate, or dives into the end zone in white baseball or football pants, or as your toddler spills cherry drink on her new party dress. It's a thought that all moms have at one time or another.
If you find yourself wondering this same question, here are some answers for you.
Continue reading "Which Laundry Detergent Works Best?" »
You love glass table tops. Whether it's your dining room table, end tables, or coffee table, something about the glass just makes them look better. But while they make your home look more stylish, did you know they also make your home more dangerous?
Here's why.
Continue reading "Play it Safe with Glass Table Tops" »
Wouldn't you just love to get rid of all your bills? I think everyone would answer "yes" to that question. It often seems as if our lives revolve around paying bills. While we can't get rid of all our bills, one bill we can greatly reduce is our electric bill. How?
Install solar panels and start seeing the savings in your bank account right away.
Continue reading "Install Solar Panels and Save" »
Somehow, you always feel like you're getting ripped off when it comes to electrical home repairs. Why is that? Maybe it's because you're dealing in an area you don't feel especially knowledgeable about, so you don't completely trust the estimate you get.
If you would like to make sure you're getting the best deal and saving money, here are some tips for you to follow.
Continue reading "Electrical Home Repairs -- Hiring the Right Contractor" »
With the snow season heavily upon us many are finding themselves in the process of choosing a snowblower. Before you run out to the local store however, there are some things you need to keep in mind. These tips should help...
Continue reading "Is Bigger Always Better When Choosing A Snowblower?" »
Winter safety and emergency preparation probably aren't the first things on your mind, but if you find yourself in an unexpected blizzard or winter storm, being prepared could safe your life. Even if the storm of the century doesn't hit your home this winter, there are things you need to do to stay safe. These are just a few...
Continue reading "Winter Safety Tips that Could Save Your Life" »
Someone smashes your pumpkin, steals spare change out of your car, trespasses on your property -- wouldn't a home surveillance system be nice? But your not rich and famous so there's no way you can afford one. Or maybe you live in a nice neighborhood and you don't need one. If that's your line of thinking, you need to rethink that logic.
Continue reading "Home Surveillance Isn't Just for the Rich and Famous" »
Heading into the winter, it seems as though there is a long checklist of home maintenance tasks to perform to prepare for brutal winter weather, and a furnace checkup is one of them. Is a furnace checkup really necessary though? Is it, perhaps, possible to do the work yourself?
Continue reading "Do It Yourself Furnace Checkup: Money Saving or Safety Mistake?" »
Let's face it -- we don't all pay as much attention to chimney maintenance as we should. After all, what you can't see can't hurt you, right? And, since it's relatively difficult to see the inside of your chimney, it's probably okay. Right? Wrong. Dead wrong.
Continue reading "Your Annual Chimney Sweep Checkup: Is It Something You Can Do Yourself?" »
For a first-time homeowner, a home warranty may seem like a bargain -- a peace of mind when considering all of the potential issues that might arise in the future. For some, the policy might be offered by the seller as an incentive, or provided by the buyer's real estate agent as a gift upon settlement.
Generally, these policies are offered on homes that are not brand-new, and therefore not covered by a builder's warranty. The question is, should a homeowner actively seek to purchase a warranty policy or renew one they received as a gift?
Continue reading "Home Warranty Policies: A Piece Of Your Wallet For Peace Of Mind?" »
There are a variety of ways to keep mosquitoes away. You can take vitamins, buy candles, invest in gadgets or use repellent. But which methods of mosquito protection really work? Which ones are best? We've got some tips...
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If you only knew what they were putting in the products you clean your home with. You'd think twice about spraying them around your pets and your children! Not to mention the havoc these products wreak on the environment. Fortunately, there's a greener way to get cleaner. Here are some brands you'll want to get to know if you're concerned about your family's health as well as the environment.
Continue reading "Natural Household Cleaners: Green Cleaning" »
As gas prices go up, so do our energy costs. It's enough to make you want to pull your hair out, run to the nearest cave and live the way your ancestors used to. Fortunately, you don't have to take such drastic measures. There are ways to reduce your energy costs without heading to the hills and living without power or indoor plumbing. Here are some tips to help you out...
Continue reading "More Ways To Beat Ever-Increasing Energy Costs" »
No one wants to be the one on the block with the "bad lawn" which is why lawn care services are so profitable during the spring and summer months. Many homeowners are willing to pay an arm and a leg to keep their grass green and lush. The problem is, many lawn care services don't deliver what they promise. Here are some things you need to know.
Continue reading "Not All Lawn Care Services Are Created Equal" »
Many of us who like to get the latest in home entertainment electronics have been putting off the purchase of a new DVD player due to the Blu-Ray vs. HD-DVD war. Finally, it appears we can begin our shopping search. The war is pretty much over. But who was the winner, and why? Read on to find out...
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I was talking to an acquaintance of mine the other day who told me that she is really interested in selling her home so she can move to a better school district, but she just doesn't want to take a loss due to the current real estate market. This is the way many homeowners feel nowadays. If you're one of them, there are some things you need to know.
Continue reading "Selling Your Home? Don't Believe All the Negative Hype!" »
Do You Need Tips for Decorating on a Budget?
Contrary to what some may think, decorating a house does not have to cost as much as buying one. There are many creative ways to decorate your house without breaking the bank. Below are some great tips for decorating on a budget.
Continue reading "Decorating On a Budget Is Indeed Possible" »
If you’re not too pleased with your local water supply, you might be tempted to buy spring water. Before you make the decision, read what we have to say. Spring water can be an expensive option, and there are ways to drink tasty water without spending unnecessary money.
Continue reading "The Benefits of Spring Water without the Price" »
We’ve received quite a few emails recently asking us how many books to purchase and how you can tell if your book collection is too big. I know we’ve told you to use the library whenever possible as a way to save money on purchasing new books, so you’re probably left to wonder just how many books is too many. Below we’ve got some tips to help you manage your book collection regardless of the size.
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As many of you know, much of my entertainment comes from watching my wife interact with me, my kids and the world around her. Such was the case with a recent kid-friendly shampoo dilemma that hit our home. How could kid-friendly shampoo possibly be humorous and what does it have to do with consumer savvyness? Read on and find out...
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If you have a family and work full time (or even part time) weekly meal planning can seem like mission impossible. After all, you want everyone to eat healthy but you don't have hours to spend in the kitchen. How do you manage to feed everyone home-cooked meals without paying for a personal chef? With a few insider secrets, you can manage it. Here are some tricks of the trade I've been using for years.
Continue reading "Weekly Meal Planning Doesn't Have to be a Nightmare" »
I used to think that a photo printer just wasn't worth the investment. After all, by the time you buy the printer, the special paper, and the ink you can get your photos printed professionally for less, right? Well, a recent family get together changed my thinking when it comes to photo printer investments. Let me tell you why.
Continue reading "Is it Better to Buy a Photo Printer or Go to the Store?" »
Many of us think that milk delivery is something our grandmothers enjoyed, but not something feasible in today's market-driven world. Milk delivery, however, isn't just for the history books or those who have everything and anything delivered to their homes. Milk delivery may actually be a wise consumer decision.
Continue reading "Milk Delivery Isn't Just a Thing Of The Past" »
There are plenty of ways to save money on supplies for your home office. When you think about all the types of supplies you need, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the cost. Below you’ll find some helpful tips to keep your home office well stocked and your wallet from thinning.
Continue reading "The Cost of Home Office Products Can Add Up Quickly" »
Do you need any new furniture? When you are making a furniture purchase, there are some important things to consider. Buying new furniture is usually considered a major purchase. It costs a lot of money to try to furnish an entire room. Before you make a new furniture purchase, you should consider the following tips.
Continue reading "New Furniture Mixed With Used Can Create the Perfect Look" »
If I had a dime for every dime that was wasted, I’d be a very rich woman. One of the common ways many consumers waste money is to waste various household products they’ve purchased. Many of us simply use too much of a particular product without even being aware of it. Whether we are washing our hair or washing the floors, we often use more of a product than we need to get the job done. I’m going to teach you how to not waste money by not overusing household and personal care products.
Continue reading "Do You Waste Money without Even Leaving the House?" »
There is no doubt about it that professional organizers are very expensive. These professionals are essentially helping improve the quality of life for their clients -- which is why they command such a hefty hourly fee (sometimes in excess of $30 or $40 an hour). If you desire an organized home but don’t want to part with $30 an hour (or more), then you might want to consider a free alternative.
Continue reading "Can’t Afford a Professional Organizer?" »
Decorating your house can certainly cost a lot of money, but there are ways to cut back on cost without cutting corners on quality. Below you’ll find some decorating ideas that will help you save big bucks on your home decorating projects.
Continue reading "Decorating Doesn’t Have to be a Savvy Consumer’s Worst Nightmare" »
Buying new carpet is an exciting experience for any homeowner. There is literally a rainbow of choices available and an equally-great number of styles and textures. However, buying new carpet could be very expensive, and the cost has little to do with the actual product. If you want to save money when buying new carpet, we have a possible solution for you.
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The warm summer months are just around the corner, so why in the world should you think about heating your home now? Believe it or not, heating your home should be on your mind year round. If you don't know why, here are some things you need to know...
Continue reading "Is Summer a Good Time to Think about Heating Your Home?" »
Saving money in the bathroom isn't something many people often think about. After all, the bathroom is where we take care of our daily rituals and our basic necessities. What does money have to do with it? When you think about it, everything you need to buy for the bathroom adds up fast and saving money in the bathroom may be more important to a healthy household budget than you think.
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Recycling items within your home can be one of the best ways for you to save money. It’s much easier to save a dollar you’ve already earned then to attempt to earn a new dollar. You can never forget about Uncle Sam. Every new dollar you earn will be taxed, so it’s a good idea to always stretch the money you worked hard for as far as possible. Reusing and recycling items can help you achieve just that.
Continue reading "Can Recycling Be As Good For You As it Is For The Environment?" »
Conserving water can be hard. We, as a society, waste a lot of water. It’s hard to conserve water. It feels good to linger in the shower for an extra five minutes at the end of a stressful day. It also, for some reason, feels good to hear the calming sound of water when we are brushing our teeth just before bed. Water, though, can cost a lot of money. If you can implement ways to reduce the amount of water you use, you will lower your water bill and keep more money in your pocket. Conserving water can save a lot on your water bills so read the suggestions below.
Continue reading "Have You Been Conserving Water?" »
Having a water delivery service can really end up costing you a lot of money over the course of a year. Water delivery service usually costs at least $30 per month. Over the course of a year, that is $360. If you want to save money each month and you currently have a water cooler in your home, you might want to rethink having water delivery to your home.
Continue reading "Alternatives to Water Delivery" »
Getting info on UK mortgages can be quite the undertaking, especially if you live stateside. Getting the wrong mortgage can mean significant financial loss and even repossession (foreclosure). If you're considering the purchase of UK real estate and you want information on the different UK mortgages available, you're going to want to read our review about a very helpful UK mortgage information website.
Continue reading "Where Do You Go For UK Mortgages?" »
Consumer savvy individuals thrive on the challenge of finding ways to save money. They also thrive on the challenge of completing home improvement projects both to learn new things as well as widen their pocketbook. With the New Year almost upon us, consider what home improvement projects you have planned for the upcoming year. Next, do the consumer savvy thing and determine what projects you and your family can complete on your own.
Continue reading "Consumer Savvy Individuals Know How to DIY" »
We're in the midst of December, and those of us with an upcoming move probably won't be making that move until the weather warms up in Spring. However, moving isn't a cheap endeavor and if you want to save money, you need to plan ahead. Now is the perfect time to begin your moving plans.
Continue reading "Tips for How to Save Money When Moving" »
Consumers have many choices for home phone coverage. Vonage, Verizon, and even some cable companies all offer a variety of phone services to meet the unique needs of consumers. If you need more tips on how to choose a phone plan and navigate through all the different plans, read more.
Continue reading "Is Your Phone Plan Right For You?" »
Savvy consumers are experts when it comes to stretching their monthly food budget beyond limits that some of us more impulsive consumers can only imagine. If you want to know the secrets that savvy consumers use when it comes to menu planning and grocery shopping, read on.
Continue reading "The Top Three Foods that Savvy Consumers Keep in Their Pantry" »
Staying organized is one way that many savvy consumers save money. When you are disorganized you waste both time and money, and savvy consumers try to avoid such disorder. If you want to know the secrets the savvy consumers use to stay organized, you'll want to read this.
Continue reading "Savvy Consumers are Organized" »
Christmas cookies are a great yearly indulgence and add to the festivities of the holiday season. Unfortunately, many families are so busy that they buy premade cookies. Both store-bought cookies and frozen cookie dough are very expensive. If you really want to enjoy Christmas cookies, I highly recommend you bake your own Christmas cookies.
Continue reading "Baking Your Own Christmas Cookies Saves Money" »
There are many ways that savvy consumers save money on their electric bill. It is not uncommon for many Americans to have a high electric bill, but there are, fortunately, ways to reduce your electric bill without affecting your lifestyle too much.
Continue reading "Reducing Your Electric Bill" »
Thanksgiving is now over and it is time to start thinking about what you are going to do with all that leftover turkey. You can really stretch your money further if you don’t let any leftover turkey go to waste. The following tips and suggestions will help you with using your leftover turkey.
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Most of us are aware of the importance of having carbon monoxide detectors in our homes, but it can be confusing to determine just how many carbon monoxide detectors we need. Carbon monoxide detectors can alert us to the danger of high levels of carbon monoxide in our homes. In fact, a carbon monoxide detector may be a matter of life and death.
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Having a yard sale can be a great way to get rid of unused items that are taking up space while earn some spare cash in the process. However, if you’ve never had a yard sale before, the thought of planning and running one can be quite overwhelming. Worry not. I’m here to give you some tips I learned from good, old-fashioned experience.
Continue reading "Why You Should Considering Having a Yard Sale" »
Seriously -- who can really say they like to do laundry? And who can say they don’t want to save money? Well I have some good news for you. You can save money by doing less laundry. Yes, you heard me right, your financial future can all come down to laundry. Want to learn more? Read on!
Continue reading "How Savvy Consumers Save Money By Working Less" »
Let’s face it -- groceries aren’t getting any cheaper and many of us are feeling the pinch. If you’re like me, you do whatever you can to save money on your grocery bills and, one easy way of doing that is by cooking from scratch. I know it sounds intimidating and painful, but cooking from scratch is a simple way to drastically cut down on your monthly grocery bill and can even improve the health of you and your family.
Continue reading "Cooking from Scratch Can Cut Your Grocery Bill in Half" »
If you are purchasing a home, you should definitely consider getting a home inspection. A home inspection can be very valuable and will more than pay for itself if it turns up any serious defects in the home you’re thinking of purchasing. If you’ve been told you don’t need a home inspection when buying a house, there are some things you really need to know.
Continue reading "Don’t Buy a Home without a Home Inspection" »
The business of home fragrances is booming. Consumers are attempting to make their homes an oasis of sorts. Stocking a home with plenty of aromatherapy products can create an inviting and relaxing retreat to escape to at the end of a long, hard day.
Continue reading "Home Fragrances and Aromatherapy: An Increasingly Popular Tradition for the Home" »
If you have any unused coats, gloves, and boots lying around the house, you may want to think about clearing out your closets. September is the perfect time of year to donate your unused clothing and clothing donations are welcomed by charities that provide needed clothing to families experiencing hardships.
Continue reading "September is the Perfect Time for Clothing Donations" »
While you are busy getting ready for fall and changing your seasonal wardrobe, don’t neglect the importance of winter preparation. Winter preparation is an important component of maintaining a healthy and enjoyable home. Winter preparation might not be a high priority on your to-do list, but you should reconsider its importance. September is the perfect time to begin preparing your home for winter and thinking ahead right now can save you money later on.
Continue reading "The Importance of Winter Preparation" »
It is an often-overlooked area of consideration, but achieving home organization can make your life a whole lot easier. While it may not be your idea of fun, home organization is well worth the time taken to achieve it.
Continue reading "Home Organization 101" »
Using the wrong household cleaners can be harmful – deadly even. For instance, let’s you start filling a bucket with a bleach-based product and realize you don’t have enough. Then you start adding an ammonia-based product to make up the difference. The mixture is going to unleash chlorine gas, a chemical weapon used by the Nazis during WWII. However, cleaning your home doesn’t have to be dangerous. You can do it naturally and safely – it’s just a matter of knowing how.
Continue reading "Cleaning Your Home the Natural Way" »
Over the past year or so, I had been noticing more and more establishments called “Dinner By Design” opening up in my state and they always seemed busy. First I saw one open about three towns to the north of me. After seeing three or four more open, one finally opened just down the street and I decided it was time to figure out what in the world it was all about.
Continue reading "Have You Tried Dinner By Design?" »
Discount real estate brokers -- over the past few years, they have been popping up all over the place. The concept behind discount real estate brokers is to save home sellers thousands of dollars when selling their homes. Sounds good, right? So why is there so much controversy surrounding this new real estate business model?
Continue reading "What’s The Deal With Discount Real Estate Brokers?" »
I cannot tell you how many times I receive coupons in the mail for great deals on carpet cleaning. I have four cats, a German shepherd, a border collie and a few kids. I can’t even tell you how much havoc they wreck on my carpet. The border collie is great. She knows to stay on the mat until I am able to dry her paws when it’s rainy and muddy out. The shepherd, on the other hand, makes a game of running in from the mud onto my beige carpeting before I can catch her with a towel. My kids also test the limits of our carpet by forgetting to take their shoes off when they come in the door. Needless to say, those carpet cleaning deals look pretty good by the end of the year.
Continue reading "The Truth behind Carpet Cleaning Offers" »
When buying a home, many homebuyers fall so deeply in love with a property they don’t stop to think about the things that could be wrong with it. This is especially true with older homes. The historic charm and appeal beckon while a money pit may lurk beneath the surface. If you’re looking to purchase an older home, make sure you check these four things before making an offer.
Continue reading "Homebuyers Beware!" »
Many people hire contractors to perform repairs and improvements on their homes and expect the process to go quite smoothly. Sure, most expect a problem or two, but many never see one of the common contractor disasters when it’s coming. If you don’t want to be taken for a ride, make sure you follow these tips when hiring contractors.
Continue reading "Be Careful When Hiring Contractors" »
It’s no secret -- the cost of energy is skyrocketing. Think back twenty years ago. If someone had told you we’d be spending this much in energy costs, would you have believed them? Probably not. You probably would have laughed till your side ached. While soaring energy costs definitely hurt our budgets, there are ways to alleviate some of the pain. If you’re not taking advantage of the home-energy improvement tax breaks, you may be wasting money that would be better spent on something else.
Continue reading "Are You Taking Advantage of Home-Energy Improvement Tax Breaks?" »
For a long time, it was a seller’s market and homebuyers had to act quickly to get the home they wanted. Since the market has cooled down in most areas, many sellers are finding that adding perks to the deal can help their homes sell faster. Whether you’re a homebuyer looking for a great deal or a seller wanting to sell your home quickly, you may want to know about some of the latest perks being offered to homebuyers.
Continue reading "Homebuyers Should Look for Extra Perks" »
Pod coffee makers -- they sound like something from a sci-fi novel. While pod coffee makers are definitely not science fiction, they do indeed seem to be the home coffee wave of the future. But what are pod coffee makers and what makes them better than the traditional drip coffee machines?
Continue reading "Are Pod Coffee Makers Taking Over the Kitchen?" »
Summer is right around the corner, and with it comes an increase in our electric bills. If you’re anything like me, you have the air conditioner running 24/7 when the weather gets hot. If you’re anything like me, you also experience a significant hike in your electric bills during this time of the year. This year, don’t let the hot weather get you down. Take some simple measures to keep your electric bills to a minimum while staying cool.
Continue reading "Save Money on Electric Bills This Summer" »
Tornado season is upon us -- do you have a tornado shelter? Better yet, do you really need one? If you’ve never thought about getting a tornado shelter, you might want to take a second look at how safe you really are this tornado season.
Continue reading "A Storm Shelter for Tornado Season" »
If you’re looking for a way to improve the value and appeal of your home, you might want to think about designer kitchens and baths. Designer kitchens and baths are the hottest trend in home design. The problem is, designer kitchens and baths can cost quite a pretty penny. In fact, if you hire someone to custom design your designer kitchen or bath, it can cost you tens of thousands of dollars. Luckily for you, designer kitchens and baths don’t have to cost an arm and a leg.
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If you want to buy a home, chances are you want to do it for as little as possible. Let’s face it, everyone likes a deal and getting a great deal on a home means getting a great deal on one of the largest purchases you’re likely to make in your lifetime. Buy how do you buy a home for thousands less than asking price? Here are some surefire ways to get the best deal possible.
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If you’re constantly on the phone with people who live out of town and you’re paying for long distance service, the long distance charges you incur can really begin to add up. Believe it or not, it’s not uncommon for people with out-of-town friends and family to pay hundreds of dollars each month in long distance charges. The thing is, you don’t have to pay for long distance charges. Nowadays there are a number of options available to you that can save you literally hundreds of dollars each month on your long distance phone calls.
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If you’re like most people, at one time or another for one reason or another you’re going to need to hire a contractor. Whether it be to make a repair or improvement to your property, hiring a contractor can be an overwhelming ordeal. Unfortunately, it seems that there are a number of unlicensed contractors creeping out of the woodwork. Sure, these unlicensed contractors may offer you a good deal, but the question is whether or not they’ll offer you quality work.
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So it’s time to go shopping for kitchen appliances. You head out to the store and you notice that there’s a huge difference in price between the name brand kitchen appliances and the standard kitchen appliances. It may be tempting to save hundreds of dollars by going with the less-expensive brands, but you may be surprised to find out that the more expensive, name-brand kitchen appliances are probably your best bet.
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It used to be that homebuyers had to come up with substantial down payments in order to purchase a home. In fact, most down payments ranged from 10 to 20 percent, some going even higher. Nowadays, that’s all changed. It’s becoming increasingly common for homebuyers to purchase a home with no money down. The question is, how do you do it?
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Believe it or not, you can make unlimited free telephone calls worldwide. Think about how much money that can save you each and every month -- especially if you’re a frequent international caller. Want to find out more? Read on.
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Insurance isn’t cheap, especially when you’re insuring a home and insurance prices seem to keep going up. If you have house insurance, chances are you’re not taking all of the discounts you could be. Here are some easy ways to save more money on your house insurance.
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If you’re one of those people who has a family member with four legs and fur, you may want to consider pet insurance to protect your pet and your pocketbook. Pet insurance can be a great way to ensure that your pet will get the veterinary care he or she needs, even if you would otherwise not be able to afford it.
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If you live in a colder climate where winter involves wind, ice and snow, you probably use salt on your driveway and sidewalks. There are probably also a few pet owners who walk their dogs past your property. But did you know that the salt that you’re using to de-ice your driveway and sidewalks can be doing damage to the pets that walk on it?
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Looking for ways to save money on natural gas energy costs? Look no further. We have three tips that are sure to save you big bucks on your natural gas energy costs.
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So your child’s been asking for a pet but you’re just not sure that now is the right time. After all, a pet is a big responsibility and buying your child one means that you take on that responsibility if your child doesn’t. So how do you figure out if now is the right time?
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You’ve probably seen the ads and the commercials insisting that you can buy a home with no money down, but can you really do it or is it just another scam? Believe it or not, you really can buy a home with no money down and most of the time there’s nothing fishy about it.
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Let’s face it, buying any appliance can be a major headache, but something as important as a dishwasher can turn into a nightmare if you don’t buy the right model. A friend of mine has a dishwasher that just died on her and she asked me where to turn for advice on which dishwasher she should purchase next. This is what I suggest when looking for a new dishwasher.
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So your child is at the age where they need funds for their specific needs and wants. Chances are you’ve probably considered starting an allowance, if you haven’t already implemented one. The fact of the matter is, an allowance is the last thing your child needs. Let me tell you why.
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