We can all use a little extra financial help. Here are four websites to help improve your money making decisions:
• Quicken Financial Network (www.qfn.com) This site is from the folks who produce Quicken and QuickBooks software. You’ll find investment information, budgeting calculations, and helpful tax tips.
• The Dollar Stretcher (http://www.stretcher.com) This site can be used for the entire family. You’ll find information on personal finances, college finance guidelines, mortgage financing, credit tips, taxes, and money and kids.
• Kiplinger (http://www.kiplinger.com) This is a versatile site providing information for retirement planning, safe investing, personal financial advice, and business forecasts.
• MetLife Online (http://www.metlife.com) Here’s a handy site to investigate how major purchases, health expenditures, or a new job will impact your financial situation.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Saturday, June 6, 2009
10 Ways To Save BIG On Your Energy Bill (And Help Our Planet Too!)
Did you know that helping our environment can also save you money? According to the National Resources Defense Council, the two biggest offenders of global warming are cars and coal-burning power plants. What can you do about it? Here are 10 easy things you can do to save money on your energy bill and help reduce global warming:
1. Turn Off The Power. Turn of your lights, computer, stereo, and TV equipment when you’re not using them. You’ll begin saving money immediately.
2. Recycle. When you recycle your bottles, cans, newspapers and cardboard, you reduce CO2 emissions by up to 850 lbs. per year.
3. Drive A Fuel Efficient Car.
4. Walk, Bike, or Carpool. You’ll save money on fuel, improve your health, and help reduce CO2 emissions.
5. Use “Low-e” Thermal Windows and Doors. Consider these if you’re remodeling. They cost slightly more, but save a bundle in the long run.
6. Insulate Your Water Heater. Water heaters consume 20% of a home’s energy bill. Plus, lower your heater’s thermostat to 120F, and you’ll save 6% a year on your home energy bill and cut carbon dioxide emissions.
7. Replace Old, Inefficient Appliances. You’ll save money by buying high efficiency appliances – reducing CO2 emissions.
8. Make Your Home Energy Smart. You’ll save money on your home heating and cooling bills when you insulate, caulk, and weather strip your doors and windows. This also will significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
9. Use A Low-Energy, Low Water Use Washing Machine. Using warm and cold water will help you save money and reduce CO2 emissions.
10. Tire inflation. Under-inflated tires waste 5% of a car’s fuel cost. Keep tires properly inflated and make sure your car is well maintained. This will extend the life of your car, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions.
1. Turn Off The Power. Turn of your lights, computer, stereo, and TV equipment when you’re not using them. You’ll begin saving money immediately.
2. Recycle. When you recycle your bottles, cans, newspapers and cardboard, you reduce CO2 emissions by up to 850 lbs. per year.
3. Drive A Fuel Efficient Car.
4. Walk, Bike, or Carpool. You’ll save money on fuel, improve your health, and help reduce CO2 emissions.
5. Use “Low-e” Thermal Windows and Doors. Consider these if you’re remodeling. They cost slightly more, but save a bundle in the long run.
6. Insulate Your Water Heater. Water heaters consume 20% of a home’s energy bill. Plus, lower your heater’s thermostat to 120F, and you’ll save 6% a year on your home energy bill and cut carbon dioxide emissions.
7. Replace Old, Inefficient Appliances. You’ll save money by buying high efficiency appliances – reducing CO2 emissions.
8. Make Your Home Energy Smart. You’ll save money on your home heating and cooling bills when you insulate, caulk, and weather strip your doors and windows. This also will significantly reduce CO2 emissions.
9. Use A Low-Energy, Low Water Use Washing Machine. Using warm and cold water will help you save money and reduce CO2 emissions.
10. Tire inflation. Under-inflated tires waste 5% of a car’s fuel cost. Keep tires properly inflated and make sure your car is well maintained. This will extend the life of your car, save fuel, and reduce CO2 emissions.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A Great Comedian!
Here’s a tribute to a man who gave us the gift of laughter...BOB HOPE.
• ON TURNING 70 “You still chase women, but only downhill.”
• ON TURNING 80 “That’s the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing.”
• ON TURNING 90 “You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.”
• ON TURNING 100 “I don't feel old. In fact I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.”
• ON SAILORS “They spend the first six days of each week sowing their wild oats, then they go to church on Sunday and pray for crop failure.”
• ON NEVER WINNING AN OSCAR “Welcome to the Academy Awards or, as it’s called at my home, ‘Passover’.”
• ON WHY HE CHOSE SHOWBIZ FOR HIS CAREER When I was born, the doctor said to my mother, “Congratulations. You have an eight-pound ham.”
• ON TURNING 70 “You still chase women, but only downhill.”
• ON TURNING 80 “That’s the time of your life when even your birthday suit needs pressing.”
• ON TURNING 90 “You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.”
• ON TURNING 100 “I don't feel old. In fact I don’t feel anything until noon. Then it’s time for my nap.”
• ON SAILORS “They spend the first six days of each week sowing their wild oats, then they go to church on Sunday and pray for crop failure.”
• ON NEVER WINNING AN OSCAR “Welcome to the Academy Awards or, as it’s called at my home, ‘Passover’.”
• ON WHY HE CHOSE SHOWBIZ FOR HIS CAREER When I was born, the doctor said to my mother, “Congratulations. You have an eight-pound ham.”
Interest Rates Affect You
Interest rates can have a huge impact on your finances, especially if you carry a lot of debt. Here’s some important information that can help you manage your money more successfully:
1. Credit cards. When the Federal Reserve raises rates, expect to pay more. It’s best to pay off your credit card debt, or switch to a card with a lower interest rate, Go to www.cardweb.com for credit card rates.
2. Home-equity line of credit. You can use your home-equity line of credit if you can pay off the amount you borrow within three years. If you’re unable to pay off the amount in three years, obtain a home-equity loan with a fixed rate. Go to www.bankrate.com for bank rates.
3. Mortgages. If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage you may pay more as rates go up. Financials advisors recommend an adjustable-rate loan with a five or seven-year fixed period.
1. Credit cards. When the Federal Reserve raises rates, expect to pay more. It’s best to pay off your credit card debt, or switch to a card with a lower interest rate, Go to www.cardweb.com for credit card rates.
2. Home-equity line of credit. You can use your home-equity line of credit if you can pay off the amount you borrow within three years. If you’re unable to pay off the amount in three years, obtain a home-equity loan with a fixed rate. Go to www.bankrate.com for bank rates.
3. Mortgages. If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage you may pay more as rates go up. Financials advisors recommend an adjustable-rate loan with a five or seven-year fixed period.
Hopelessly Disorganized?
Can’t find your keys? Missed an appointment? Still looking for that file you misplaced? Well, if you’re like thousands of people, searching for simple solutions to a big organization problems can be a problem!
There may be hope. Here are five quick tips to get (and stay) organized:
1. Keep an errand basket by the door for returning books, videotapes, dry-cleaning, etc.
2. De-clutter your junk drawer using plastic cutlery trays that come in a variety of sizes.
3. Keep a donation box in your laundry room or garage. Add unneeded clothing, books, toys, or small appliances and drop off monthly.
4. Do one small chore each day (dust, straighten one room, vacuum).
5. Have a key rack near the door with two sets of car and house keys. Remember the adage, a place for everything and everything in its place!
There may be hope. Here are five quick tips to get (and stay) organized:
1. Keep an errand basket by the door for returning books, videotapes, dry-cleaning, etc.
2. De-clutter your junk drawer using plastic cutlery trays that come in a variety of sizes.
3. Keep a donation box in your laundry room or garage. Add unneeded clothing, books, toys, or small appliances and drop off monthly.
4. Do one small chore each day (dust, straighten one room, vacuum).
5. Have a key rack near the door with two sets of car and house keys. Remember the adage, a place for everything and everything in its place!
Monday, June 1, 2009
Top Dollar Sale?
Q. We are getting ready to sell our house. What suggestions can you give us to prepare it to sell for top dollar?
A. Buyers are looking for a home, not a house. They want a home they would like to have as their own, so focus your attention on making your home as pleasing as possible. Start by viewing your home at the entrance. Is it well kept and in good condition? If not, make the necessary changes needed to get you the most return for your home. Here are several steps you can take to make your home ready for show:
Begin at the curb of your house. Sweep the sidewalk, mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden, and clean any debris from the yard.
Clean all the windows—inside and out.
Deep clean all rooms, furnishings, floors, walls, and ceilings. Make sure the bathrooms and kitchen are spotless!
If your house needs painting, go ahead and make the investment. When you do, it’s best to choose neutral colors.
Organize all the closets, and clear away all the clutter.
Be sure the basic appliances and fixtures work. Fix any leaky faucets in the kitchen or bathrooms.
If you have a small room and want to make it appear larger, add a mirror.
Place several vases of fresh flowers, and plants throughout the house.
Make sure the house smells pleasing. You can bake cookies, muffins, or simmer scented tea to add a pleasant aroma to your home.
Your accessories can enhance a room by setting a mood. Keep in mind a few interesting accents are better than a lot of knickknacks that clutter. Choose complementary accent colors and arrange them around the room.
You also may want to purchase some items specifically for decorating. Sometimes just by adding a few furniture pieces, pictures, lamps, plants, dishes and other items, you can turn your ho-hum house into a lovely showplace!
A. Buyers are looking for a home, not a house. They want a home they would like to have as their own, so focus your attention on making your home as pleasing as possible. Start by viewing your home at the entrance. Is it well kept and in good condition? If not, make the necessary changes needed to get you the most return for your home. Here are several steps you can take to make your home ready for show:
Begin at the curb of your house. Sweep the sidewalk, mow the lawn, prune the bushes, weed the garden, and clean any debris from the yard.
Clean all the windows—inside and out.
Deep clean all rooms, furnishings, floors, walls, and ceilings. Make sure the bathrooms and kitchen are spotless!
If your house needs painting, go ahead and make the investment. When you do, it’s best to choose neutral colors.
Organize all the closets, and clear away all the clutter.
Be sure the basic appliances and fixtures work. Fix any leaky faucets in the kitchen or bathrooms.
If you have a small room and want to make it appear larger, add a mirror.
Place several vases of fresh flowers, and plants throughout the house.
Make sure the house smells pleasing. You can bake cookies, muffins, or simmer scented tea to add a pleasant aroma to your home.
Your accessories can enhance a room by setting a mood. Keep in mind a few interesting accents are better than a lot of knickknacks that clutter. Choose complementary accent colors and arrange them around the room.
You also may want to purchase some items specifically for decorating. Sometimes just by adding a few furniture pieces, pictures, lamps, plants, dishes and other items, you can turn your ho-hum house into a lovely showplace!
Neckties Boost Glaucoma Risk
Better loosen those neckties guys! Researchers have found that tight neckties might increase your risk of glaucoma. Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the United States, and affects over 3 million Americans.
In a study published by the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers found an increase in blood pressure inside the eyes of men who wore too tight neckties. A tight necktie can constrict the veins in your neck, boosting blood pressure in the eyes to a dangerous level. So all you men out there…loosen up, it may save your vision!
In a study published by the British Journal of Ophthalmology, researchers found an increase in blood pressure inside the eyes of men who wore too tight neckties. A tight necktie can constrict the veins in your neck, boosting blood pressure in the eyes to a dangerous level. So all you men out there…loosen up, it may save your vision!
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