By Mickey Matteson
RISMEDIA, June 18, 2009-The market is warming up, the kids are out of school, and more Americans are gearing up to move long distances. A recent survey by relocation.com shows staggering data when it comes to moving:
70% of consumers are moving more than 1,000 miles, up from 38% last year
60% listed financial reasons for their move
28% are moving for family reasons compared to 18% last year
52% of Americans have a high level of fear when moving
This summer’s moving season could be a hectic one , but there are ways to move and keep your sanity. Here are some things to keep in mind to make your summer move a success:
Start Early - Allow plenty of time to get estimates from movers. It takes time to get an estimate from different companies, compare, and make a decision. 45 days prior to a move is a good time to begin to ensure the best choices are available.
Be Prepared - If are doing your own packing, get supplies and start packing early. Not finishing on time and leaving work for the moving company can result in additional costs.
Be Careful - Choosing a mover can be confusing. Comparing estimates from different companies that might reflect different items, terms, and coverage can add considerable time to the process.
The Move Advocate is a great resource to set up a summer move for success. Their dedicated Moving Coach will work with you to choose the best movers in your area, get multiple estimates, advise you on preparation, and audit and compare movers for you. Best of all this is a free service with no obligation. Sign up today at http://www.moveadvocate.com/agent/starterkit.asp for an Agent Starter Kit and start receiving up to 60% off your move.
Showing posts with label Stuff. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stuff. Show all posts
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Saturday, June 13, 2009
The Perfect Summer Party: How to Make the Most of Your Outdoor Get-together
By Susan M. Selasky
RISMEDIA, June 13, 2009-(MCT)-Get out your biggest serving bowls. Stock up on sturdy plastic dinner plates and serving trays.
If you are doing the summer outdoor party scene this year, taking a “staycation” is all the buzz as more people stay home to save money.
Whether you’re planning a graduation party, holiday cookout, block party or a party just because you’re glad it’s summer, you’ll need a plan.
We’ve got the goods on making yummy, cost- and time-efficient foods that will impress your guests, plus the recipes to get you started.
According to Mary Rembelski of Canape Cart Catering in Ferndale, Michigan, the current party trend is to keep portions and presentation on the small side.
“We do a lot of sliders, as they are still popular with parties,” she says. “Any big burger you can make small and put on a small bun.”
Rembelski thinks outside the bun and offers sliders with beef and caramelized onions, tuna burgers with wasabi glaze, and a vegetarian option with mushrooms.
Ethnic cuisine also is popular, Rembelski says, and Asian food is especially popular for graduation parties.
“Kids are into sushi or sesame noodles, ” says Rembelski. “And it’s also anything you can pick up and move with.”
So, let’s party on.
Party Recommendations:
Here are ideas from the Free Press Test Kitchen and Canape Cart Catering’s Mary Rembelski.
The plan:
- Decide whether the party will be indoors or outdoors. Have a rain plan in mind if you don’t want the expense of a tent.
- Determine the number of guests and age groups. Count how many teenagers are coming because they can be big eaters. How many children?
- Set up the food inside and the seating outside. This helps with bugs.
- Be adventuresome and use your good china outside.
- Use cloth napkins if you have them; they won’t blow away if it’s windy.
- Canape Cart uses biodegradable cutlery and plates from Michigan Green Safe Products in Detroit. The flatware is made from potatoes, the plastic cups from corn and the plates from sugar cane, all renewable sources.
The dish:
- If you’re serving sliders, allow two per person, maybe three if you’re going to have a lot of teenagers.
- For chicken as a main dish, allow two pieces per person. For appetizers and chicken or meat side dishes, figure three or four bites per serving.
- Serve whatever dinner rolls or mini rolls you like.
- Instead of beef tenderloin, which can be pricey, Rembelski uses flat iron steak. It’s simple, inexpensive and easy to grill.
- Serve shots of gazpacho in sake cups.
RISMEDIA, June 13, 2009-(MCT)-Get out your biggest serving bowls. Stock up on sturdy plastic dinner plates and serving trays.
If you are doing the summer outdoor party scene this year, taking a “staycation” is all the buzz as more people stay home to save money.
Whether you’re planning a graduation party, holiday cookout, block party or a party just because you’re glad it’s summer, you’ll need a plan.
We’ve got the goods on making yummy, cost- and time-efficient foods that will impress your guests, plus the recipes to get you started.
According to Mary Rembelski of Canape Cart Catering in Ferndale, Michigan, the current party trend is to keep portions and presentation on the small side.
“We do a lot of sliders, as they are still popular with parties,” she says. “Any big burger you can make small and put on a small bun.”
Rembelski thinks outside the bun and offers sliders with beef and caramelized onions, tuna burgers with wasabi glaze, and a vegetarian option with mushrooms.
Ethnic cuisine also is popular, Rembelski says, and Asian food is especially popular for graduation parties.
“Kids are into sushi or sesame noodles, ” says Rembelski. “And it’s also anything you can pick up and move with.”
So, let’s party on.
Party Recommendations:
Here are ideas from the Free Press Test Kitchen and Canape Cart Catering’s Mary Rembelski.
The plan:
- Decide whether the party will be indoors or outdoors. Have a rain plan in mind if you don’t want the expense of a tent.
- Determine the number of guests and age groups. Count how many teenagers are coming because they can be big eaters. How many children?
- Set up the food inside and the seating outside. This helps with bugs.
- Be adventuresome and use your good china outside.
- Use cloth napkins if you have them; they won’t blow away if it’s windy.
- Canape Cart uses biodegradable cutlery and plates from Michigan Green Safe Products in Detroit. The flatware is made from potatoes, the plastic cups from corn and the plates from sugar cane, all renewable sources.
The dish:
- If you’re serving sliders, allow two per person, maybe three if you’re going to have a lot of teenagers.
- For chicken as a main dish, allow two pieces per person. For appetizers and chicken or meat side dishes, figure three or four bites per serving.
- Serve whatever dinner rolls or mini rolls you like.
- Instead of beef tenderloin, which can be pricey, Rembelski uses flat iron steak. It’s simple, inexpensive and easy to grill.
- Serve shots of gazpacho in sake cups.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Moving Tips for the Busiest Moving Month of the Year—June
RISMEDIA, June 9, 2009-When moving, many people are faced with weighing the options-should they hire movers or pack themselves? What are the benefits of doing either? What do most people forget when packing up and moving? How can you save money when moving? From FlatRate Movers, a nationwide leader in moving and storage, here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Order boxes and moving supplies early so you can start packing. Moving companies provide boxes that are purpose made and easily marked. If your moving company allows you to return unused boxes, order more than you think you’ll need, by 20%. Likewise, do not scrimp on tape. It is inexpensive and prevents boxes from splitting open. You need fresh felt tip pens for labeling. Use colored ready-stick labels to designate boxes to their respective rooms.
• Start a book about your upcoming move and keep it in one place. Create a “Move Book,” using a large noticeable notebook, to centralize all the important details of your move. It should contain any lists you make, including that of labeled boxes. Supplement this with a computer printout of box contents. E-mail this to yourself as a backup. You can also access it remotely.
• First, pack up what you don’t use. Items, such as books, you do not immediately need can be packed right away. Keep your list up to date. Do not make the boxes too heavy for a person to carry, and place heavier objects at the bottom.
• Document your media connections. Take photos of or make notes on how your media equipment is set up: television, sound equipment, modems and computer equipment. Keep track of your remote controls and wires so you can locate them quickly in your new home.
• Make arrangements for pets. Moving can be particularly stressful for animals. You may want to consider leaving them with a friend or retaining a professional pet boarding service.
• Plan to care for your valuables and vital documents yourself. Most homeowner’s insurance will not cover property in transit. It may be desirable to insure certain items separately. Remember to take photos in case you need documentation to support loss or damage claims. If the items are irreplaceable (family heirlooms) or complicated to replace (passports and birth certificates), carry them with you.
• Choose a good moving company. Good companies guide you through the process and minimize surprises on moving day. They have local knowledge and a proven track record, and they can also advise you on receiving building permissions. Moving companies have no incentive to create extra hours of work for themselves, if they work for a flat fee.
• Keep your moving receipts for income tax deductions. In many cases, moving expenses are deductible from federal income taxes. If you are moving because of a change in employment, you may be able to claim this deduction even if you do not itemize. Consult your tax preparer. Also note that there is an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers in the economic stimulus plan, signed into law by President Obama. To learn more, visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.
• Order boxes and moving supplies early so you can start packing. Moving companies provide boxes that are purpose made and easily marked. If your moving company allows you to return unused boxes, order more than you think you’ll need, by 20%. Likewise, do not scrimp on tape. It is inexpensive and prevents boxes from splitting open. You need fresh felt tip pens for labeling. Use colored ready-stick labels to designate boxes to their respective rooms.
• Start a book about your upcoming move and keep it in one place. Create a “Move Book,” using a large noticeable notebook, to centralize all the important details of your move. It should contain any lists you make, including that of labeled boxes. Supplement this with a computer printout of box contents. E-mail this to yourself as a backup. You can also access it remotely.
• First, pack up what you don’t use. Items, such as books, you do not immediately need can be packed right away. Keep your list up to date. Do not make the boxes too heavy for a person to carry, and place heavier objects at the bottom.
• Document your media connections. Take photos of or make notes on how your media equipment is set up: television, sound equipment, modems and computer equipment. Keep track of your remote controls and wires so you can locate them quickly in your new home.
• Make arrangements for pets. Moving can be particularly stressful for animals. You may want to consider leaving them with a friend or retaining a professional pet boarding service.
• Plan to care for your valuables and vital documents yourself. Most homeowner’s insurance will not cover property in transit. It may be desirable to insure certain items separately. Remember to take photos in case you need documentation to support loss or damage claims. If the items are irreplaceable (family heirlooms) or complicated to replace (passports and birth certificates), carry them with you.
• Choose a good moving company. Good companies guide you through the process and minimize surprises on moving day. They have local knowledge and a proven track record, and they can also advise you on receiving building permissions. Moving companies have no incentive to create extra hours of work for themselves, if they work for a flat fee.
• Keep your moving receipts for income tax deductions. In many cases, moving expenses are deductible from federal income taxes. If you are moving because of a change in employment, you may be able to claim this deduction even if you do not itemize. Consult your tax preparer. Also note that there is an $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers in the economic stimulus plan, signed into law by President Obama. To learn more, visit www.federalhousingtaxcredit.com.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Playing House for the First Time - Priorities for New Homeowners
By Nancy A. Herrick Print Article
RISMEDIA, June 8, 2009-(MCT)-Home prices have moderated, interest rates are reasonable, supply is abundant-and then there’s that $8,000 tax credit. Yes, it’s a great time to buy your first house.
If you do, you’ll have to furnish it, and that can be a challenge, especially if you have put much of your disposable income into a down payment. But you’re a grown-up now, and your first real home is no place for that grungy old futon or bookcases constructed with bricks and boards. It deserves better.
So what’s the best way to go about furnishing your new home? We’ve asked a variety of experts for their ideas on what to do after your offer has been accepted. Here are their ideas:
“Before you get carried away, take some time to determine what you have, what you need and what you want,” says Milwaukee-area interior designer Susan Michalek of Desumi Design Inc. “Deal with what you need first. That should be your highest priority.”
Wanda M. Colon, a designer who can be seen as host of TLC’s “Home Made Simple” and HGTV’s “24-Hour Design,” suggests that any assessment should include the amount of money you have to spend.
“It’s easy to overspend or make impulse purchases if you don’t have a budget,” she says. If you watch what you spend and stay within your limits, “as a bonus you might have money left over to purchase some extra goodies.”
Evaluate each room, says interior designer Jane Klein of Fox Point, Wis., and figure out how you plan to live in the house, considering: “Where you will spend most of your time, what you will do in each room? Will you want a table in the family room for work space, for example, or a comfortable chair and good lighting in the bedroom for relaxing and reading?
“Also think about the size of each room and the appropriate scale for the furniture,” Klein says. “You might fall in love with a sectional, but the reality is that it might not fit in a small room.”
Gary Steinhafel, president of Steinhafels Furniture, with six locations in Wisconsin, agrees.
“Not long ago, manufacturers were producing furniture designed to fill oversize great rooms,” he says. “Now many manufacturers are offering furniture on a smaller scale than ever for smaller homes and for people who are downsizing. Be aware that there are choices and figure out what works best for your home.”
Go Shopping, But Leave the Plastic Behind
Your early shopping trips should be a way to gather ideas, not furniture. As you walk up and down the store aisles and view furniture groupings, pay attention to colors, furniture styles, wood choices and more.
If you’re shopping with your significant other, have some discussions about what you like and don’t like, and what you think works well together and with the style of your home.
“You don’t have to choose strictly contemporary or strictly traditional,” Steinhafel says. “More likely the choice will be made based on whether you are going for a casual or more formal look.”
But remember that while an “eclectic” look works, that doesn’t mean anything goes. There should be some continuity or unifying elements so that the result isn’t a hodgepodge.
Colon suggests that you visit a variety of stores to see what’s available.
“Don’t buy everything in one place,” she says. “This allows you to compare styles and prices.”
It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and to learn what goes into a quality piece of furniture.
As you peruse what’s available, take pictures of what you like, Klein says. “If you think it might work, take a picture, at stores, consignment shops, wherever you go. Then look at the pictures when you get home to remind you of the choices and to see which pieces work together.”
Get to Work
It’s easier to paint a house when it’s empty and to refinish or replace flooring or knock down walls when you’re not living there. So if there’s work to be done, allow time for that after closing but before you move in.
“The biggest change you can make for a minimal amount of money is with color on the walls,” Michalek says. “Buy good quality paint with no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and if you do the job right you won’t have to paint again for a while.”
The colors you choose should coordinate with what you plan to buy and what you already have, of course, so take along strips of paint samples from the paint store or home center. Often furniture stores will allow you to take a fabric sample or sleeve cap home to help match colors. Make sure to look at them in a variety of lighting situations and at different times of the day to get a true idea of how well the colors coordinate.
Make Major Purchases
At minimum you will need: a good mattress and box spring and a bed or headboard to give the room a polished look; a quality sofa and chairs; a console unit for the television; and a table and chairs for dining (either for the kitchen or dining room).
Bette Kahn, spokeswoman for Crate & Barrel and CB2 stores, says microfibers are a good fabric choice for sofas because they’re so durable.
“They take cleaning or washing well and never show wear,” she says. “If you’re getting another fabric, make sure it’s fabric-protected. Solid colors are classic, but not as interesting as tweeds with small touches of color.”
She suggests going with neutrals for big pieces, “but if that’s too basic, they can always be made more interesting with pops of color through pillows, which can be changed.”
Steinhafel is a fan of leather for sofas.
“It wears three times longer, and prices have come down significantly because the tanning process is more sophisticated,” he says. “There’s a ton of variety in color, but shades of brown are very popular. It’s the new neutral and works well with other colors and with wood floors.”
“Make sure the frame of your sofa or chairs is high quality,” says Kahn, adding that if the piece wears out or looks outdated, it can be slip-covered or reupholstered if necessary.
If you buy high-quality pieces, you can build a room around them for years to come.
Fill in Creatively
After you’ve found the big pieces that serve as the foundation for a room, it’s time to fill in with smaller pieces. This is where you can have some fun, save money and add a touch of personal style.
Consignment stores, estate sales, resale shops and even Grandma’s attic are great places to find furniture, especially if you’re willing to fix it up.
For example, if you’ve purchased a bed but need a dresser or two, you might be able to find used pieces with similar lines. You can refinish or paint the dressers to match (assuming they aren’t valuable antiques, in which case the original finish should be preserved) and change the hardware for a coordinated look.
In the dining room, a horizontal dresser also can work as a server; the drawers can hold flatware and table linens. Antique chairs, even if they’re mismatched, add interest around a dining room table.
An odd-shaped table can find a new home in the corner of a living room or a foyer; add an oversize vase for visual interest. Don’t be afraid to rough up the surface and paint it so that it coordinates with the colors you’ve chosen in the room.
“America tends to be wasteful and often will replace a perfectly good piece with something that’s new,” Michalek says. “But you can find all kinds of new uses for older pieces of furniture that are built well.”
Area rugs, artwork and accent pieces are fun to shop for and also add personality to a room.
“Sometimes people spend a lot of time shopping for the big pieces but don’t do much to make the space their own,” Klein says. “A piece of art can do that, or an art furniture piece. They don’t have to be expensive but can wind up being a special focal point for a room.”
Be Patient
It probably took awhile to find the right house. It stands to reason it won’t be furnished in a week, a month or perhaps even a year.
“Many purchases can be put off, especially the decorative pieces,” Kahn says. “Besides, you’ll have more fun collecting those as you go through life.”
Colon warns first-time homeowners to take their time. “Don’t impulse-buy and end up feeling stuck because you acted too hastily,” she says.
Klein says: “Give yourself a little time. When you make a decision, use your head and your heart. Look at different options, ask lots of questions.
“When you see it, you’ll know when it is right.”
©2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
http://rismedia.com/2009-06-07/playing-house-for-the-first-time-priorities-for-new-homeowners/#ixzz0HqUWtvLN&D
RISMEDIA, June 8, 2009-(MCT)-Home prices have moderated, interest rates are reasonable, supply is abundant-and then there’s that $8,000 tax credit. Yes, it’s a great time to buy your first house.
If you do, you’ll have to furnish it, and that can be a challenge, especially if you have put much of your disposable income into a down payment. But you’re a grown-up now, and your first real home is no place for that grungy old futon or bookcases constructed with bricks and boards. It deserves better.
So what’s the best way to go about furnishing your new home? We’ve asked a variety of experts for their ideas on what to do after your offer has been accepted. Here are their ideas:
“Before you get carried away, take some time to determine what you have, what you need and what you want,” says Milwaukee-area interior designer Susan Michalek of Desumi Design Inc. “Deal with what you need first. That should be your highest priority.”
Wanda M. Colon, a designer who can be seen as host of TLC’s “Home Made Simple” and HGTV’s “24-Hour Design,” suggests that any assessment should include the amount of money you have to spend.
“It’s easy to overspend or make impulse purchases if you don’t have a budget,” she says. If you watch what you spend and stay within your limits, “as a bonus you might have money left over to purchase some extra goodies.”
Evaluate each room, says interior designer Jane Klein of Fox Point, Wis., and figure out how you plan to live in the house, considering: “Where you will spend most of your time, what you will do in each room? Will you want a table in the family room for work space, for example, or a comfortable chair and good lighting in the bedroom for relaxing and reading?
“Also think about the size of each room and the appropriate scale for the furniture,” Klein says. “You might fall in love with a sectional, but the reality is that it might not fit in a small room.”
Gary Steinhafel, president of Steinhafels Furniture, with six locations in Wisconsin, agrees.
“Not long ago, manufacturers were producing furniture designed to fill oversize great rooms,” he says. “Now many manufacturers are offering furniture on a smaller scale than ever for smaller homes and for people who are downsizing. Be aware that there are choices and figure out what works best for your home.”
Go Shopping, But Leave the Plastic Behind
Your early shopping trips should be a way to gather ideas, not furniture. As you walk up and down the store aisles and view furniture groupings, pay attention to colors, furniture styles, wood choices and more.
If you’re shopping with your significant other, have some discussions about what you like and don’t like, and what you think works well together and with the style of your home.
“You don’t have to choose strictly contemporary or strictly traditional,” Steinhafel says. “More likely the choice will be made based on whether you are going for a casual or more formal look.”
But remember that while an “eclectic” look works, that doesn’t mean anything goes. There should be some continuity or unifying elements so that the result isn’t a hodgepodge.
Colon suggests that you visit a variety of stores to see what’s available.
“Don’t buy everything in one place,” she says. “This allows you to compare styles and prices.”
It also gives you the opportunity to ask questions and to learn what goes into a quality piece of furniture.
As you peruse what’s available, take pictures of what you like, Klein says. “If you think it might work, take a picture, at stores, consignment shops, wherever you go. Then look at the pictures when you get home to remind you of the choices and to see which pieces work together.”
Get to Work
It’s easier to paint a house when it’s empty and to refinish or replace flooring or knock down walls when you’re not living there. So if there’s work to be done, allow time for that after closing but before you move in.
“The biggest change you can make for a minimal amount of money is with color on the walls,” Michalek says. “Buy good quality paint with no VOCs (volatile organic compounds), and if you do the job right you won’t have to paint again for a while.”
The colors you choose should coordinate with what you plan to buy and what you already have, of course, so take along strips of paint samples from the paint store or home center. Often furniture stores will allow you to take a fabric sample or sleeve cap home to help match colors. Make sure to look at them in a variety of lighting situations and at different times of the day to get a true idea of how well the colors coordinate.
Make Major Purchases
At minimum you will need: a good mattress and box spring and a bed or headboard to give the room a polished look; a quality sofa and chairs; a console unit for the television; and a table and chairs for dining (either for the kitchen or dining room).
Bette Kahn, spokeswoman for Crate & Barrel and CB2 stores, says microfibers are a good fabric choice for sofas because they’re so durable.
“They take cleaning or washing well and never show wear,” she says. “If you’re getting another fabric, make sure it’s fabric-protected. Solid colors are classic, but not as interesting as tweeds with small touches of color.”
She suggests going with neutrals for big pieces, “but if that’s too basic, they can always be made more interesting with pops of color through pillows, which can be changed.”
Steinhafel is a fan of leather for sofas.
“It wears three times longer, and prices have come down significantly because the tanning process is more sophisticated,” he says. “There’s a ton of variety in color, but shades of brown are very popular. It’s the new neutral and works well with other colors and with wood floors.”
“Make sure the frame of your sofa or chairs is high quality,” says Kahn, adding that if the piece wears out or looks outdated, it can be slip-covered or reupholstered if necessary.
If you buy high-quality pieces, you can build a room around them for years to come.
Fill in Creatively
After you’ve found the big pieces that serve as the foundation for a room, it’s time to fill in with smaller pieces. This is where you can have some fun, save money and add a touch of personal style.
Consignment stores, estate sales, resale shops and even Grandma’s attic are great places to find furniture, especially if you’re willing to fix it up.
For example, if you’ve purchased a bed but need a dresser or two, you might be able to find used pieces with similar lines. You can refinish or paint the dressers to match (assuming they aren’t valuable antiques, in which case the original finish should be preserved) and change the hardware for a coordinated look.
In the dining room, a horizontal dresser also can work as a server; the drawers can hold flatware and table linens. Antique chairs, even if they’re mismatched, add interest around a dining room table.
An odd-shaped table can find a new home in the corner of a living room or a foyer; add an oversize vase for visual interest. Don’t be afraid to rough up the surface and paint it so that it coordinates with the colors you’ve chosen in the room.
“America tends to be wasteful and often will replace a perfectly good piece with something that’s new,” Michalek says. “But you can find all kinds of new uses for older pieces of furniture that are built well.”
Area rugs, artwork and accent pieces are fun to shop for and also add personality to a room.
“Sometimes people spend a lot of time shopping for the big pieces but don’t do much to make the space their own,” Klein says. “A piece of art can do that, or an art furniture piece. They don’t have to be expensive but can wind up being a special focal point for a room.”
Be Patient
It probably took awhile to find the right house. It stands to reason it won’t be furnished in a week, a month or perhaps even a year.
“Many purchases can be put off, especially the decorative pieces,” Kahn says. “Besides, you’ll have more fun collecting those as you go through life.”
Colon warns first-time homeowners to take their time. “Don’t impulse-buy and end up feeling stuck because you acted too hastily,” she says.
Klein says: “Give yourself a little time. When you make a decision, use your head and your heart. Look at different options, ask lots of questions.
“When you see it, you’ll know when it is right.”
©2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services.
http://rismedia.com/2009-06-07/playing-house-for-the-first-time-priorities-for-new-homeowners/#ixzz0HqUWtvLN&D
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Eating Healthy While Saving Money at the Grocery Is Possible with Strategic Shopping
RISMEDIA, May 9, 2009-”Shopping strategically at the grocery store to save money is not changing the way you eat, it is about changing the way you buy the food that you like,” says Stephanie Nelson, the Coupon Mom. ”If you are working on losing weight, or improving your families’ health, you can save money on groceries when you know how to be a strategic shopper.”
Nelson has taught millions of people how to save money while using coupons, but she says some people believe they have to trade healthy choices for saving money. “It’s just not true, you can have a healthy diet and save money, too,” she says.
More than 1.7 million shoppers have joined the CouponMom.com website to save money on groceries. Nelson, one of the country’s leading experts on coupons, has taught millions how to save money on her website as well as on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, AOL, Wall Street Journal and CNN Money.
Some basic tips to saving money while serving healthy food include:
-Do it yourself, don’t pay for convenience
-Simple substitutions-be aware of less expensive, comparable alternatives
-Plans meals based on overall meal cost
-Save 10 to 40% by avoiding all food waste
-Save money and calories with proper portion control
-Use strategic shopping (combining store sales with coupons) on your key items
-Be store flexible: know the prices of your common items and shop where prices are lowest
How to save on produce:-Compare prices for your common produce at a few different types of stores, such as a discount store (Wal-Mart or Target supercenters), a no-frills discount store (Aldi or Sav-a-Lot), a wholesale club (Costco or BJs) and a couple of local supermarkets. You may find that an alternate store is a better source of produce in the off-season. During the summer, a local farmers’ market could be a good source of healthy produce at a lower cost.
-Talk to the produce manager about markdowns, and find out what time of day they markdown produce (that is generally perfectly good).
-Buy fresh produce in season, concentrating on the featured sale items. If not on sale, buy frozen vegetables as they tend to be less expensive and have coupons available for name brands. Frozen vegetables are frozen at the peak of freshness so they may have more nutrition than fresh vegetables that have been in storage for a longer period of time.
-Save money by doing it yourself. The cost savings of washing your own lettuce, peeling your own carrots, cutting your own fruit equates to an hourly wage of over $50. If it takes 5 minutes to save 60-70%, it’s worth doing yourself.
-Consider the cost per serving of fruits and vegetables and make simple substitutions to vary your diet and save money. Also compare the cost per piece of fruit or potatoes of a 5-lb. bag as compared to buying individual pieces by the pound. Smaller apples cost less, lead to less waste, and have fewer calories.
-Pay attention to food waste and work to reduce it to zero. Food waste accounts for 10% to 40% of families’ overall grocery spending (the average percentage increases as the average grocery spending increases according to USDA statistics). Serve realistic portions for weight-management and proper nutrition. Don’t serve children more food than they would realistically eat.
How to save on meat, chicken, fish:
-Only buy main dish ingredients when they are on sale. Pay attention to your stores’ featured sales item on the first page of their weekly ad and plan that week’s meals around that ingredient. Chicken is a common sale item, so be creative about finding healthy recipes that your family likes using various types of chicken. Buy at least one or two extra weeks’ worth of the main ingredient item to freeze so you don’t have to pay full price in the future.
-Consider buying fish that is flash-frozen to save, or only buy the type of fish that is on sale.
-Talk to your store’s butcher about daily markdowns and check them out each time you visit the store. Stores will frequently mark down items with sell-by dates of that day or the next day. As long as you freeze or prepare the item immediately, it is perfectly safe to eat.
-Buy larger family-pack quantities of meat, chicken or pork and package them into smaller quantities for the freezer to pay a lower per-pound cost.
-Buy less expensive cuts of meat and prepare them to be healthier. Marinate less-expensive cuts of steak to tenderize them, which tend to be healthier because they are lower in fat.
-Only buy boneless chicken breasts when they sell for half price. If not on sale, compare the per-pound price of individually frozen chicken breasts sold in the bag.
-Buy whole chickens at a lower per-pound price, or less-expensive chicken drumsticks or thighs. Buy chicken leg quarters and cut off the skin and visible fat. Bake some for dinner and bake additional pieces to use in a chicken soup, stew or casserole later in the week.
-Compare the per-pound cost of your favorite cuts of meat, pork, chicken, and fish at a local wholesale club to save 20-40%. Buy the large quantity for your freezer or divide with a friend.
-Substitute ground turkey for ground beef when it is less expensive in soups, pasta sauces and casseroles.
-Compare the cost of frozen ground turkey to fresh ground turkey; allow time to thaw if frozen is less expensive.
-Don’t buy sliced deli turkey for $8 or $9 per lb. at the deli counter-make extra grilled chicken breasts and slice for sandwiches during the week. You can also buy your own turkey breast and roast it and slice it for sandwiches.
Snacks:
-Managing snacks is important because family members are likely to eat planned ingredients for other meals if you don’t have easy snacks available. Let family members know what snacks are available and encourage them to choose the healthy options.
-Examples of inexpensive snacks include store brand pretzels, popcorn, store brand graham crackers, carrot sticks, small apples, bananas, frozen banana smoothies with skim milk, diet hot cocoa packets, diet gelatin or pudding, saltines, yogurts bought on sale with coupons, and homemade cookies and brownies.
Avoid food waste:-Plan a leftover night once per week or plan a consecutive meal based on leftover ingredients.
-Have one shelf in your refrigerator with clear, see-through plastic containers with leftovers. Use for lunches, snacks or leftover night with a different meal for each person if necessary.
For more information, visit www.couponmom.com.
Nelson has taught millions of people how to save money while using coupons, but she says some people believe they have to trade healthy choices for saving money. “It’s just not true, you can have a healthy diet and save money, too,” she says.
More than 1.7 million shoppers have joined the CouponMom.com website to save money on groceries. Nelson, one of the country’s leading experts on coupons, has taught millions how to save money on her website as well as on Oprah, The Today Show, Good Morning America, AOL, Wall Street Journal and CNN Money.
Some basic tips to saving money while serving healthy food include:
-Do it yourself, don’t pay for convenience
-Simple substitutions-be aware of less expensive, comparable alternatives
-Plans meals based on overall meal cost
-Save 10 to 40% by avoiding all food waste
-Save money and calories with proper portion control
-Use strategic shopping (combining store sales with coupons) on your key items
-Be store flexible: know the prices of your common items and shop where prices are lowest
How to save on produce:-Compare prices for your common produce at a few different types of stores, such as a discount store (Wal-Mart or Target supercenters), a no-frills discount store (Aldi or Sav-a-Lot), a wholesale club (Costco or BJs) and a couple of local supermarkets. You may find that an alternate store is a better source of produce in the off-season. During the summer, a local farmers’ market could be a good source of healthy produce at a lower cost.
-Talk to the produce manager about markdowns, and find out what time of day they markdown produce (that is generally perfectly good).
-Buy fresh produce in season, concentrating on the featured sale items. If not on sale, buy frozen vegetables as they tend to be less expensive and have coupons available for name brands. Frozen vegetables are frozen at the peak of freshness so they may have more nutrition than fresh vegetables that have been in storage for a longer period of time.
-Save money by doing it yourself. The cost savings of washing your own lettuce, peeling your own carrots, cutting your own fruit equates to an hourly wage of over $50. If it takes 5 minutes to save 60-70%, it’s worth doing yourself.
-Consider the cost per serving of fruits and vegetables and make simple substitutions to vary your diet and save money. Also compare the cost per piece of fruit or potatoes of a 5-lb. bag as compared to buying individual pieces by the pound. Smaller apples cost less, lead to less waste, and have fewer calories.
-Pay attention to food waste and work to reduce it to zero. Food waste accounts for 10% to 40% of families’ overall grocery spending (the average percentage increases as the average grocery spending increases according to USDA statistics). Serve realistic portions for weight-management and proper nutrition. Don’t serve children more food than they would realistically eat.
How to save on meat, chicken, fish:
-Only buy main dish ingredients when they are on sale. Pay attention to your stores’ featured sales item on the first page of their weekly ad and plan that week’s meals around that ingredient. Chicken is a common sale item, so be creative about finding healthy recipes that your family likes using various types of chicken. Buy at least one or two extra weeks’ worth of the main ingredient item to freeze so you don’t have to pay full price in the future.
-Consider buying fish that is flash-frozen to save, or only buy the type of fish that is on sale.
-Talk to your store’s butcher about daily markdowns and check them out each time you visit the store. Stores will frequently mark down items with sell-by dates of that day or the next day. As long as you freeze or prepare the item immediately, it is perfectly safe to eat.
-Buy larger family-pack quantities of meat, chicken or pork and package them into smaller quantities for the freezer to pay a lower per-pound cost.
-Buy less expensive cuts of meat and prepare them to be healthier. Marinate less-expensive cuts of steak to tenderize them, which tend to be healthier because they are lower in fat.
-Only buy boneless chicken breasts when they sell for half price. If not on sale, compare the per-pound price of individually frozen chicken breasts sold in the bag.
-Buy whole chickens at a lower per-pound price, or less-expensive chicken drumsticks or thighs. Buy chicken leg quarters and cut off the skin and visible fat. Bake some for dinner and bake additional pieces to use in a chicken soup, stew or casserole later in the week.
-Compare the per-pound cost of your favorite cuts of meat, pork, chicken, and fish at a local wholesale club to save 20-40%. Buy the large quantity for your freezer or divide with a friend.
-Substitute ground turkey for ground beef when it is less expensive in soups, pasta sauces and casseroles.
-Compare the cost of frozen ground turkey to fresh ground turkey; allow time to thaw if frozen is less expensive.
-Don’t buy sliced deli turkey for $8 or $9 per lb. at the deli counter-make extra grilled chicken breasts and slice for sandwiches during the week. You can also buy your own turkey breast and roast it and slice it for sandwiches.
Snacks:
-Managing snacks is important because family members are likely to eat planned ingredients for other meals if you don’t have easy snacks available. Let family members know what snacks are available and encourage them to choose the healthy options.
-Examples of inexpensive snacks include store brand pretzels, popcorn, store brand graham crackers, carrot sticks, small apples, bananas, frozen banana smoothies with skim milk, diet hot cocoa packets, diet gelatin or pudding, saltines, yogurts bought on sale with coupons, and homemade cookies and brownies.
Avoid food waste:-Plan a leftover night once per week or plan a consecutive meal based on leftover ingredients.
-Have one shelf in your refrigerator with clear, see-through plastic containers with leftovers. Use for lunches, snacks or leftover night with a different meal for each person if necessary.
For more information, visit www.couponmom.com.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Americans Staying Put - Residential Mover Rate Lowest Since 1948
RISMEDIA, April 23, 2009-The U.S. Census Bureau announced that the national mover rate declined from 13.2% in 2007 to 11.9% in 2008 - the lowest rate since the bureau began tracking these data in 1948. In 2008, 35.2 million people 1 year and older changed residences in the U.S. within the past year, representing a decrease from 38.7 million in 2007 and the smallest number of residents to move since 1962.
“Even though the number of people who changed residence in 2008 dropped by 3.5 million from the previous year, millions of Americans continue to move,” said Tom Mesenbourg, acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau. “As we gear up for the 2010 Census, we will be looking to get an accurate count of everyone in the country, regardless of whether they moved in the past year or not.”
By region, people in the South (13.5%) and in the West (13.2%) were likeliest to move in 2008. The Midwest and the Northeast had mover rates of 11.1% and 8.2%, respectively. In 2008, the Midwest saw the largest decline in its mover rate from 2007.
Among those who moved in 2008, 65% moved within the same county, 18% moved to a different county within the same state, 13% moved to a different state, and 3% moved to the U.S. from abroad.
Principal cities within metropolitan areas experienced a net loss of 2 million movers, while the suburbs had a net gain of 2.2 million movers.
Looking at the civilian population 16 and older who were unemployed, 21.3% lived in a different residence one year ago. This compares with 12.3% of the population who were employed and lived in a different residence one year ago. Among those not in the labor force, 9% lived in a different residence one year ago.
In 2008, renters were five times more likely to move than homeowners. More than one-in-four people (27.7%) living in renter-occupied housing units lived in a different residence one year earlier. By comparison, the mover rate of people living in owner-occupied housing units was 5.4%.
Other highlights include:
-While the number of intercounty movers who lived 500 or more miles from their previous residence one year ago (2.8 million) was not statistically different in 2008 than 2007, the number of intercounty movers who lived less than 50 miles away one year ago decreased from 5.1 million to 4.4 million between 2007 and 2008.
-The most common reasons for moving were housing related (such as the desire to own a home or live in a better neighborhood), representing 40.1% or 14.1 million movers. The distribution among those who gave other reasons for moving was: family related (30.5%), employment related (20.9%) and other (8.5%).
For more information, visit www.census.gov.
“Even though the number of people who changed residence in 2008 dropped by 3.5 million from the previous year, millions of Americans continue to move,” said Tom Mesenbourg, acting director of the U.S. Census Bureau. “As we gear up for the 2010 Census, we will be looking to get an accurate count of everyone in the country, regardless of whether they moved in the past year or not.”
By region, people in the South (13.5%) and in the West (13.2%) were likeliest to move in 2008. The Midwest and the Northeast had mover rates of 11.1% and 8.2%, respectively. In 2008, the Midwest saw the largest decline in its mover rate from 2007.
Among those who moved in 2008, 65% moved within the same county, 18% moved to a different county within the same state, 13% moved to a different state, and 3% moved to the U.S. from abroad.
Principal cities within metropolitan areas experienced a net loss of 2 million movers, while the suburbs had a net gain of 2.2 million movers.
Looking at the civilian population 16 and older who were unemployed, 21.3% lived in a different residence one year ago. This compares with 12.3% of the population who were employed and lived in a different residence one year ago. Among those not in the labor force, 9% lived in a different residence one year ago.
In 2008, renters were five times more likely to move than homeowners. More than one-in-four people (27.7%) living in renter-occupied housing units lived in a different residence one year earlier. By comparison, the mover rate of people living in owner-occupied housing units was 5.4%.
Other highlights include:
-While the number of intercounty movers who lived 500 or more miles from their previous residence one year ago (2.8 million) was not statistically different in 2008 than 2007, the number of intercounty movers who lived less than 50 miles away one year ago decreased from 5.1 million to 4.4 million between 2007 and 2008.
-The most common reasons for moving were housing related (such as the desire to own a home or live in a better neighborhood), representing 40.1% or 14.1 million movers. The distribution among those who gave other reasons for moving was: family related (30.5%), employment related (20.9%) and other (8.5%).
For more information, visit www.census.gov.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
The Latest Census Bureau Population Estimates
In Focus
By the Numbers:
By NAR Research Staff
The Census Bureau recently released its latest estimates of the U.S. population. This report provides details on the fastest growing areas in the country – both metropolitan area and counties -- as well as raw population numbers for cities and counties. Below is a summary of the Census Bureau’s findings.
Largest Populations
New York claims the top position as the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. As of July 1, 2008, the New York metro had 19.0 million people. Los Angeles was second with 12.9 million and the Chicago
metro ranked third with 9.6 million. All in all, 14 metro areas had populations of 4 million or more.
The largest county was Los Angeles with 9.9 million persons. Cook County (which includes part of the Chicago metropolitan area) boasts 5.3 million. Overall, 12 counties had populations of 2 million or more.
Fasting Growing Areas
The nation’s 363 metropolitan areas account for almost 84 percent of the U.S. population. The majority of them posted a growth in their population between July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008; only 50 of them actually saw their population decrease.
In percentage terms, the fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S. was Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina. The metro’s population rose 4.3 percent between July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008, gaining almost 45,000 people. Austin-Round Rock, Texas was the second fastest-growing metro, adding 60,000 to the area for a 3.8 percent increase.
In terms of actual numbers, the Dallas- Fort Worth metro area gained the most, adding more than 146,000 persons to its population. Three other metro areas also became home to more than 100,000 from 2007 to 2008, including Houston (130,000), Phoenix (116,000) and Atlanta (115,000).
Population growth in the nation’s 3,142 counties was a bit more balanced, with 1,974 counties growing, the population of 1,161 counties shrinking, and seven counties maintaining their 2007 population levels. The fastest-growing county (with more than 10,000 population) was St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana. That area grew 12.8 percent. Ranked second among counties was Pinal County in Arizona, increasing its population by 8.8 percent. Seven of the 10 fastest-growing counties were in the South. In addition, large metro areas — those whose populations in 2008 were a million or more – were located in nine of the 10 fastest-growing counties. They include the Chicago metropolitan area (Kendall County, Illinois, ranked fourth), Atlanta metro (Forsyth County, ranked fifth), and Dallas-Fort Worth (nine-ranked Rockwall County, Texas).
When looking at the actual number of new residents in counties, we get a somewhat different picture. Maricopa County in Arizona added more residents than did any other county – 89,550 persons.
Harris County, Texas was second, having increased its population by 72,153. Los Angeles and San Diego Counties in California were next in terms of absolute population gain. The top 10 counties gaining the most new residents were in Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada and North Carolina.
The Foreign-born Population
Metropolitan areas in the South in general are also among the fastest growing immigrant destinations. Phoenix and Atlanta both have well over a half million immigrants, and Las Vegas and Orlando each have more than one-quarter million foreign born residents. Immigrant populations in well-established gateway metro areas such as New York and Los Angeles are growing more slowly, a function of their large absolute size.
America’s immigrant population can, in some ways, still be viewed as geographically concentrated. More than half of all immigrants live in the top 10 metropolitan destinations: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington, Riverside-San Bernardino,and Phoenix. By contrast, a little over one-quarter of all Americans live in the 10 largest metro areas.
Dallas-Ft. Worth, Washington, D.C.,Atlanta, and Las Vegas have emerged as major destination areas only in the past two decades.
The Relationship Between Population and Households
It’s important to note that raw population numbers can only give us an idea of how many households reside in any particular area. It is, after all, households that purchase homes, not necessarily
individuals.
For example, the latest household estimates from the Census Bureau for the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan area show a total of 461,335 households, of which 301,698 were family households and 159,637 were non-family households (including 1-person households). Real estate professionals who are interested in “drilling down” to find out more detailed information about the number of households in their counties or metropolitan areas are advised to visit the Census Bureau’s web site or click directly on the Bureau’s “American Fact Finder” at http://factfinder.census.gov/.
By the Numbers:
By NAR Research Staff
The Census Bureau recently released its latest estimates of the U.S. population. This report provides details on the fastest growing areas in the country – both metropolitan area and counties -- as well as raw population numbers for cities and counties. Below is a summary of the Census Bureau’s findings.
Largest Populations
New York claims the top position as the largest metropolitan area in the U.S. As of July 1, 2008, the New York metro had 19.0 million people. Los Angeles was second with 12.9 million and the Chicago
metro ranked third with 9.6 million. All in all, 14 metro areas had populations of 4 million or more.
The largest county was Los Angeles with 9.9 million persons. Cook County (which includes part of the Chicago metropolitan area) boasts 5.3 million. Overall, 12 counties had populations of 2 million or more.
Fasting Growing Areas
The nation’s 363 metropolitan areas account for almost 84 percent of the U.S. population. The majority of them posted a growth in their population between July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008; only 50 of them actually saw their population decrease.
In percentage terms, the fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S. was Raleigh-Cary, North Carolina. The metro’s population rose 4.3 percent between July 1, 2007 and July 1, 2008, gaining almost 45,000 people. Austin-Round Rock, Texas was the second fastest-growing metro, adding 60,000 to the area for a 3.8 percent increase.
In terms of actual numbers, the Dallas- Fort Worth metro area gained the most, adding more than 146,000 persons to its population. Three other metro areas also became home to more than 100,000 from 2007 to 2008, including Houston (130,000), Phoenix (116,000) and Atlanta (115,000).
Population growth in the nation’s 3,142 counties was a bit more balanced, with 1,974 counties growing, the population of 1,161 counties shrinking, and seven counties maintaining their 2007 population levels. The fastest-growing county (with more than 10,000 population) was St. Bernard Parish in Louisiana. That area grew 12.8 percent. Ranked second among counties was Pinal County in Arizona, increasing its population by 8.8 percent. Seven of the 10 fastest-growing counties were in the South. In addition, large metro areas — those whose populations in 2008 were a million or more – were located in nine of the 10 fastest-growing counties. They include the Chicago metropolitan area (Kendall County, Illinois, ranked fourth), Atlanta metro (Forsyth County, ranked fifth), and Dallas-Fort Worth (nine-ranked Rockwall County, Texas).
When looking at the actual number of new residents in counties, we get a somewhat different picture. Maricopa County in Arizona added more residents than did any other county – 89,550 persons.
Harris County, Texas was second, having increased its population by 72,153. Los Angeles and San Diego Counties in California were next in terms of absolute population gain. The top 10 counties gaining the most new residents were in Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada and North Carolina.
The Foreign-born Population
Metropolitan areas in the South in general are also among the fastest growing immigrant destinations. Phoenix and Atlanta both have well over a half million immigrants, and Las Vegas and Orlando each have more than one-quarter million foreign born residents. Immigrant populations in well-established gateway metro areas such as New York and Los Angeles are growing more slowly, a function of their large absolute size.
America’s immigrant population can, in some ways, still be viewed as geographically concentrated. More than half of all immigrants live in the top 10 metropolitan destinations: New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington, Riverside-San Bernardino,and Phoenix. By contrast, a little over one-quarter of all Americans live in the 10 largest metro areas.
Dallas-Ft. Worth, Washington, D.C.,Atlanta, and Las Vegas have emerged as major destination areas only in the past two decades.
The Relationship Between Population and Households
It’s important to note that raw population numbers can only give us an idea of how many households reside in any particular area. It is, after all, households that purchase homes, not necessarily
individuals.
For example, the latest household estimates from the Census Bureau for the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan area show a total of 461,335 households, of which 301,698 were family households and 159,637 were non-family households (including 1-person households). Real estate professionals who are interested in “drilling down” to find out more detailed information about the number of households in their counties or metropolitan areas are advised to visit the Census Bureau’s web site or click directly on the Bureau’s “American Fact Finder” at http://factfinder.census.gov/.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
5 Ways to Cut Costs and Save Time Online
RISMEDIA, April 15, 2009-The Internet is full of great information, but it’s also a useful cost-savings resource. During uncertain economic times, it’s more important than ever for consumers to understand all the ways they can make the most of the Internet.
Here are five lesser-known ways consumers can use the Internet to save both time and money:
1. Automate your comparison shopping
Many websites, such as my.earthlink.net, offer comparison shopping engines. Simply type in what you’re shopping for and a list of price ranges and product selections appear on screen. Using a comparison-shopping tool avoids wasting time visiting different sites to find the best price. Sites such as Expedia, Sidestep and Hotwire are great places to comparison shop for airfare and other travel deals.
2. Watch the market
If you’re in the market for a big-ticket item but you’re not in a big hurry, use online monitoring and research to “wait out” the best deal. Internet service providers like EarthLink offer an eBay widget for monitoring bids and items for sale. This way, you’ll know a good deal when you see one.
3. Look for additional features and services when picking an Internet service provider
Most Internet service providers offer their customers special offers and incentives. Browse through your Internet service provider’s product and services menu and take advantage of free Web space, anti-virus software and multiple levels of spam filtering. All of these applications help save money and provide a better Internet experience.
4. Use your time wisely
Make your Web time more productive by taking a few minutes to customize your local news, weather, sports scores, movie show times and TV listings. Also, bookmark your favorite websites, to go to them immediately without remembering specific Internet addresses or stopping to do an online search. For another time saver, use features such as e-mail preview which alert you to new messages without having to constantly check for them.
5. Sign up for offers using anonymous email address
Many providers like EarthLink offer “anonymous e-mail,” which provides several pre-selected e-mail addresses to organize and manage your e-mail. For example, you can use one email address just for online shopping and log offers/coupons in a separate mail folder, keeping regular email communications with friends and family separate.
There are many ways consumers can optimize their Internet experience and use a variety of special tools and options to compare prices, watch for deals and generally save money. In these economic times, it makes sense to use every tool at your disposal to stretch your family’s dollar.
For more information, visit http://www.earthlink.net.
Here are five lesser-known ways consumers can use the Internet to save both time and money:
1. Automate your comparison shopping
Many websites, such as my.earthlink.net, offer comparison shopping engines. Simply type in what you’re shopping for and a list of price ranges and product selections appear on screen. Using a comparison-shopping tool avoids wasting time visiting different sites to find the best price. Sites such as Expedia, Sidestep and Hotwire are great places to comparison shop for airfare and other travel deals.
2. Watch the market
If you’re in the market for a big-ticket item but you’re not in a big hurry, use online monitoring and research to “wait out” the best deal. Internet service providers like EarthLink offer an eBay widget for monitoring bids and items for sale. This way, you’ll know a good deal when you see one.
3. Look for additional features and services when picking an Internet service provider
Most Internet service providers offer their customers special offers and incentives. Browse through your Internet service provider’s product and services menu and take advantage of free Web space, anti-virus software and multiple levels of spam filtering. All of these applications help save money and provide a better Internet experience.
4. Use your time wisely
Make your Web time more productive by taking a few minutes to customize your local news, weather, sports scores, movie show times and TV listings. Also, bookmark your favorite websites, to go to them immediately without remembering specific Internet addresses or stopping to do an online search. For another time saver, use features such as e-mail preview which alert you to new messages without having to constantly check for them.
5. Sign up for offers using anonymous email address
Many providers like EarthLink offer “anonymous e-mail,” which provides several pre-selected e-mail addresses to organize and manage your e-mail. For example, you can use one email address just for online shopping and log offers/coupons in a separate mail folder, keeping regular email communications with friends and family separate.
There are many ways consumers can optimize their Internet experience and use a variety of special tools and options to compare prices, watch for deals and generally save money. In these economic times, it makes sense to use every tool at your disposal to stretch your family’s dollar.
For more information, visit http://www.earthlink.net.
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