Are you dreading the next few months of heating and energy costs? Even though the prices for heating your home have fallen over the last two years, it is still costly to keep your home warm throughout the winter. Some people may consider taking strides to make their home more energy efficient to save money long term, and at the same time help the environment by making greener choices.
Where is most of your homes’ heat wasted? Even if you havewell insulated windows and doors, you could find much of your heat is being wasted because of it’s tendency to rise. The temperature of your ceiling can be several degrees warmer than it is on the floor and in the middle of the room – where you actually need the warmth.
Radiant floor heating is a legitimate and effective heating source that can save you up to 40% in energy costs. A network of micro thin fibers or electric heating mats can be installed under ceramic, granite, tile, hardwood, marble or carpet flooring. The floors will feel warm to the touch, and as the heat rises as it does naturally – the air is warmed from the bottom up.
You may think that an electric heated floor will increase your overall energy costs, but radiant floor heating is actually a more efficient method of warming your tiles than other types of electric floor heating sy stems. For example, forced air heating systems waste some of the heat as it’s forced through the ducts or when they come out through the ceiling. Even forced air systems that push the air into the rooms along the floor wastes heat as the air comes out of the ducts and almost immediately drifts up to the ceiling. A warm floor will help you feel warmer all over which enables you to keep your thermostat set at a lower temperature and still feel warm enough.
Floor heating is most commonly used in bathrooms, but it can be used in the kitchen, basement or anywhere in your home. Each room can be controlled individually, so you only warm the floors in the rooms you are using to further improve efficiency. While most underfloor heating systems can be used with carpets, the insulating properties of carpet means you won’t experience as much of a heating increase in the floor temperature as you do with tile or hardwood floor types.
Radiant floor heating is very easy to install and doesn’t require duct work or furnaces.
A luxury available to us through science and technology is the ability to keep a photographic record of key people, 
places and events in our lives. The digital camera, home computer and photo-printer have features that enable us to create charming and unique albums, scrapbooks and gifts. Some of us use these features very well, but – let’s face it – most of us don’t.
Some see home processing as a cheap alternative to taking our file to a developing lab, but for others it can be inconvenient and quite expensive. First we must fit this task into our already busy lives, and second, there is the cost of the glossy paper and printer ink or toner. Trying to make further savings by using recycled ink or toner cartridges can void our equipment warranty and produce prints with inferior coloring.
Digital photography also allows us to “waste” shots, because there is no expensive film to purchase. It is literally just a “point and click” mentality where we photograph practically anything because there is no cost. Then we download it to our computers to see if a bad photo can be saved with our photo editing software trickery. It all becomes too hard and we decide to leave it for a later attempt. This is when we become vulnerable to the following scenarios:
1. Leaving the file on the computer to come back to when we have time.
2. Fixing the shot, then being sloppy about where we save it, so it becomes lost in other bad shots we are meaning to delete.
3. Trying to save the photo paper by test printing, but not costing the paper and ink and/or toner used in the test.
4. Not setting up our hard drive backups properly to protect our data. A hard-drive crash or virus attack permanently destroys all our beautiful memories.
We need to recognise that for some of us, genuine attempts at cost savings in this area are doomed from the start. A better strategy is this:
• Take your camera’s memory card to the print section of a shopping centre or dedicated photo shop.
• If you can, fix the fixable shots with the “do it yourself” equipment.
• Delete immediately any shots that are just plain rubbish.
• Print out the “keepers”, AND have them burned to a disc or other permanent record.
• If you are not comfortable doing it yourself, just leave it all with the experts to be collected later.
You can still save the files to your computer, but taking these steps will ensure that future generations can enjoy your images. Using your home technology haphazardly in your quest to save money could jeopardise your precious memories and result in heartache and tears. And let’s face it, one of the simple pleasures of the past was to hold a wad of newly-printed photos in your hand, and take the time to look through them with a loved one, reliving the memories as you go.
Microsoft just announced that they will discontinue their popular Microsoft Money software application for PCs on June 30, 2009. While the announcement is not a complete surprise, it does leave some in quandary of what to do since they are already users of the financial software.
Export and Import data. You can use Intuit’s Quicken Data converter will take your Money data and bring it into Quicken. If you are using Money, you will be surprised at how quickly you will pick up on Quicken. Many features are the same and the interface in Quicken is easy to get around in and become comfortable with.
Start over. Set up a cut-off date and stop using Microsoft Money and begin using a new product. Keep the overlap at about a month, though until you are sure everything is working fine in your new software. Then, keep Money around only for reference purposes (remember your taxes next spring will require you to access your Money program to bring out taxable data in order to place into your taxes.
Look at online applications. One option for keeping your finances is to choose an online program. Quicken is now offered as an online application and there are others, too. Just keep in mind that you will want to create a password that is very, very hard to crack so that you are not subjected to someone getting into your account and really messing things up financially for you. There are many online applications out there. Check them out and find one that fits you and your circumstances. Read reviews on the top ones to help you make the right choice.
Keep using it. You can still use Microsoft Money. Just because it is being discontinued does not mean that it will cease to work properly. But, keep in mind that program enhancements and fixes will no longer be forthcoming. At some point, you will want to get off of Money and onto something else.
It is not often that we see Microsoft exiting a market that they have had a presence in for so long, but Money has always been second to Quicken and probably its fate had been determined a long time ago simply because it could not overtake its rival. Gone will be that rival that forced the makers of Quicken to stay on their toes and keep their own software functionality performing at a high level. On the other hand, both applications had become bloated with too many features that most users find useless. Maybe now Quicken will stop that and focus on the things that people really need and want.
Whatever twists and turns come up in the future for personal finance software, there will always be a method available for you to keep your checkbook online.
A large percentage of people who have OnStar on their vehicles don’t even know what their service provides them. Here is a break down of what the OnStar services provide, to help you determine if it’s worth the fee once your free trial year ends (most GMAC vehicles give you one year of OnStar for free when you purchase a new vehicle).
Safe and Sound Plan: (approximately $19 per month or $199 paid a year in advance)
Emergency Response – special accident detectors located all around the car will notify OnStar operators if you are in a crash, even if your airbags do not deploy. They get a live connection into your vehicle to talk to you and will dispatch emergency vehicles to your exact location. Even if you are unable to call for help or talk when the operators use your OnStar system to talk with you, GPS will determine your location, and details about the crash are relayed to the OnStar operators screen, including where the impact of the accident took place, whether the airbags deployed or not, how fast the vehicle was going during impact, and if the car rolled over or not.
Emergency Services – there is a button in your car that allows you to connect with emergency operators. You can notify the operators if you see someone else in an accident or broke down, get assistance if you become lost, or if you need medical, police or fire assistance. And OnStar can notify authorities of lost children under AmberAlert.
Roadside Assistance – if you run out of gas, your tire goes flat, or your car stops running, you can use your blue OnStar button to talk to an advisor. The GPS will help locate you even if you don’t know where you are exactly. A nearby service provider can be contacted and dispatched to help you.
Crisis Assist – before, during and after a crisis event (severe weather, natural disasters, etc) – the onstar operators can help you find evacuation routes to get out of harms way, or provide you with the nearest fueling station if you’re running out of gas. If you are in need of food, water, medical assistance or a hospital, OnStar can direct you to the nearest source, as well as help you find accommodations or shelter if needed.
Stolen Vehicle Slowdown – if your car is stolen, you can use any phone to dial into OnStar’s stolen vehicle assistance toll free line. Onstar’s GPS locating system will find your vehicles exact location and provide the information to local authorities. The police will get the vehicle in their line of sight and then request that OnStar slow the vehicle down. OnStar can then use a remote signal that will slow the vehicle down gradually, making it impossible for the thief to get away.
Remote Door Unlock and Remote Horn & Lights – If you lock your keys in your vehicle, you can call OnStar toll free from any telephone, verify who you are, and then OnStar can unlock the car remotely. You won’t need to call a locksmith to help you out or pay any fees for the service. If you forget where you park, you can call the toll free customer service number at Onstar and after identifying yourself, the advisor can flash your exterior lights and make your horn go off, helping you locate your vehicle.
If you would like to receive turn-by-turn navigation services, you can upgrade to the directions and connections plan, which includes everything under the Safe and Sound plan, and adds the ability to push your blue OnStar button and ask for directions. The directions to your destination are sent to your vehicle; and the vehicle will tell you when to turn and which exits to take until you reach your destination. This plan is approximately $29 a month.
If you are a subscriber to either OnStar plan, you are also able to participate in the Onstar Vehicle Diagnostics Report at no additional charge. Each month, OnStar will perform a remote diagnostic and maintenance check on the vehicle’s key operating systems and email you a report of the findings. If your oil is low, you’ll know. If your tire’s air pressure is incorrect, you’ll know. You can check your key systems while driving – if your check engine light comes on, just push the blue button and a real-time diagnostic check is performed and an advisor will let you know if you need to get service right away or if it can wait until you reach your destination.
Most cars with Onstar also feature hands-free calling, which lets you call through your OnStar system, voice activated, so you don’t need to take your eyes off the road. You do need to purchase minutes for the car phone, or enroll in Verizon’s nationwide plan to share the minutes between your Verizon cell phone and your car.
Is Onstar worth the monthly expense?
I suppose it depends on a number of factors, but for me, $19 a month is a small price to pay for the additional safety features the service provides my car (or $199 per year, paid in advance). I have two small children who are almost always in the vehicle with me, and I like knowing if we’re in an accident and I’m unable to call for help – they’re going to send help for me right away.
Another option for OnStar subscribers is the possibility of getting lower insurance rates. If you drive less than 15,000 miles per year, you could qualify for mileage discounts with GMAC insurance – since they can use your OnStar to track the miles driven. The insurance provider indicates that many people who switch to GMAC insurance with their OnStar service save an average of 25% on the cost of their insurance with the low mileage discount. Additional discounts apply for individuals who finance their vehicles through GMAC or have other GM products.
Believe it or not, there are good things that come out of a slow economy. One of them is great prices on almost everything. That includes electronics which are selling at their lowest prices and are helping retailers make it through these tough times.
If you are in the market for a laptop computer, you can find low prices on almost all brand names. I purchased one in the last week after shopping and comparing prices and features. From my experience, here are 4 things that will help influence your decision to buy right now.
Price. The prices have never been better, especially if you are looking for an entry level or low-end laptop. If you watch for sale prices and rebates you can get a brand-name laptop for around $400. That is an awesome price considering that these laptops are not stripped down as much as you would think. The one I purchased has a 250 GB drive and 2 GB of ram as well as a 15.6″ wide screen. Yes, it does lack some of the features in more expensive models (built-in webcam, HDMI output), but since those are not important to me, it was not a reason to reject them.
Selection. The big decision on selection now centers on the size issue. There are new laptops out that are called ‘netbooks.’ These smaller, lighter laptops are designed to provide excellent functionality in a trim, slim package. They are not quite as powerful as their bigger, heavier counterparts, but they do what they do very well. The price points also please with some coming in at around $250 or less, depending on if they have Windows operating system or a variation of Linux. Keep in mind that a small 10″ screen, tiny keyboard and track-pad with buttons are not for everyone. That is what kept me from going this route. Netbooks are good for light Internet surfing, word processing and a few other less-intense processor applications, but not much else.
Performance. Any full-size laptop worth your consideration must have at least 2 GB of ram to be considered worthy of consideration. The netbooks start at 1 GB which is ok because the requirement to run Windows XP Home Edition or Linux does not preclude needing the extra (although it would be nice). Most processors are so close in speed and performance that it is less of an issue for most users. Those who are into gaming and other processor intensive applications should be more concerned about this than the rest of us.
One to fit your needs. Top all of this off by the realization that you can find a good laptop to fit your specific needs. Since I am a freelance writer, I do not need a lot of fancy features that chew up processor power and drain the battery quickly. I needed one with a full-size keyboard and a good screen since I will be sitting at it for significant amounts of time. Your needs might be different from this, but one thing is true: you can find one that has what you need at a good price point.
One final point: if you make a living with your computer like I do, then consider an extended warranty (but don’t buy the top-end plan). It used to be that the manufacturer’s warranty would suffice, but now that it no longer the case. Most manufacturers have scaled back their warranty offerings in order to save money. Buying an extended warranty is important for laptops, too, because of their vulnerability to excessive wear and tear.
Do your homework, shop around and compare prices. You can find a good deal on a laptop or desktop computer right now.
We are hearing a lot of people who are getting rid of their credit cards and accounts all together. They have had it 
with the rate increases, fees and charges and are not willing to continue to be beaten down by the difficulties in managing and maintaining credit card accounts.
While these are understandable reasons to get out of credit cards, they are somewhat short sighted. Credit cards still have advantages and are a good way to do business with retailers. Here are six good reasons to keep your credit cards and work through any issues you are having.
1. Safer than cash, debit cards and checks
Because you are not held liable when your credit cards are used fraudulently, they represent one of the safest methods of paying for things on a daily basis. Unlike cash, debit cards and checks where once the money has been taken, you are out the money and chances are almost nil in getting it back.
2. Accepted almost universally
Not only do credit cards trump other forms of payment in the U.S., but when travelling abroad, you will find that they make financial transactions almost seamless between currencies. The credit card companies handle the transaction on the back-end and you never have to be concerned about it.
3. Gives you options
How many times, when away on vacation, have you had to pay for an unexpected car repair or some other semi-emergency? If you are from an out-of-town location, paying for these kinds of things is much easier with a credit card. Most merchants will be hesitant to accept a personal check and chances are high that you do not have the cash to pay for the item in question. Plus, would you really want to use all of your cash for that purpose?
4. Earns rewards
If you have a rewards or cash-back card, you can earn some significant rewards for using your card for everyday purchases. While some of the restrictions have gotten tighter, they still represent the best reasons to own a credit card.
5. Transfer balances
The 0% interest balance transfer cards allow you to move your balances between cards and avoid interest while you crank on getting the balance paid down. Also, with the included checks, you can transfer the balances of almost any kind of debt that you have onto one of these cards.
6. Manage expenses
This is especially helpful for those who are in business for themselves or who travel a lot. Being able to manage your business expenses with a credit card is easier because you have one account into which to combine your transactions. It is also helpful from a tax standpoint, because your business expenses would be enumerated in one account which would be easily accessed at tax time. Just get out your statements and use to validate tax deductible items.
Yes, it is more difficult to work with credit cards right now, but that does not mean that their advantages have been completely wiped out. You can still benefit from them with the proper practices and methods in place that will keep you in good standing with the card issuers as well.
Some who are new to the world of online buying and selling might not be aware of the services which are available that can help assist in the process. This article is not meant to be a commercial for Paypal, but rather an explanation of why the model of their payment method makes sense from a security standpoint.
The problem. Doing business on the Internet has its inherent risks. Chiefly is the supplying of one’s credit card number over the Internet and having that card number stored in merchant’s databases. This opens the door to many avenues of fraud and theft of account numbers which places card holders at risk. It also costs millions and millions of dollars annually to businesses and the companies that are required to investigate and prosecute these illegal acts.
The background. Paypal was started in 2000 as a result of a couple of companies interested in online payment systems. The idea caught on quickly with users because of the ease of using just their email address in sending and receiving money. Auction giant Ebay noticed a rise in the need for financial transactions related to online sales and after months of trying to do it on their own, finally gave up and realized that Paypal had become the defacto standard and bought the company.
The solutions. Paypal has an advantage because of the way financial transactions are handled. Once you sign up for a Paypal account, you can make payments and receive money on just your email address alone. This adds an extra layer of security to online commerce.
Google now has a similar service called Google Checkout, but the nod still goes to Paypal in the amount of services provided and flexibility in helping consumers make purchases on the Internet. For example, you can obtain a Paypal debit card or even a MasterCard that is tied to you Paypal account. This provides you the secure avenue to handle all of your financial transactions online in an insulated way.
In other words, you do not have to compromise any other credit card numbers or accounts in using a Paypal account. Yes, you do need to tie your Paypal account to an existing checking account for back up, but that, too, can be set up as a totally separate account from your main checking account.
In the online world that we live in, there cannot be too much security in keeping your money safe. A solid answer like Paypal has and will continue to be a popular way of paying for items on the Internet as long as they do not stray from their mission. It is proof positive that a little innovation can go a long way in serving customers needs.
For most of the United States, the cooling season is upon us and with it will be the starting up of many air conditioning units to cool our homes and businesses. If you have never considered a digital thermostat device, you are in for a surprise at how much they can save you money. Let us have a look at the ways:
These electrical and programmable thermostats remove the hassle from having to monitor your system in your home. Plus there is the added benefit that you can save up to 20 percent on your heating and cooling bills.
Models and features. There are two basic categories for home-based models. First is the weekday/weekend model. This one is programmable on a set schedule for weekdays (Monday through Friday) and weekends (Saturday and Sunday). These are less complex and therefore easier to use. You will also find that they do not have the capabilities of more expensive models. Restrictions mainly center on scheduling flexibility or the lack thereof. You will find that the prices on these run from between $30 to over $100.
The second model is called a ‘seven day’ model because it allows you to set a schedule for every day of the week. This gives you more control over the changes in your usage during the day based on need. These units are anywhere from around $50 and up.
Tips for deciding on the right one. Before you throw the first one in your cart at your local retailer, you need to look at what you are buying.
- Some learning required. While most include extensive instructions for installation and usage, you need to be able to understand basic concepts and how to read and follow directions. If you have problems with this, find someone who can help you. A friend or family member would be a good choice. This is an installation that you do not want to make a mistake while performing.
- Different controls. Controls can be difficult to understand if they are not labeled correctly and sufficiently explained in the instructions. This makes it difficult to use and often is the cause for returns.
- Do-it-yourself installation. Make sure that the instructions are simple and too the point if you plan on installing this item yourself.
These thermostats can save you money by making incremental changes in the temperature of your house at the best times in order to save money. If it is used wisely, you can lower your bills enough to see a change in your first bill upon installation. Use is and save beginning today.
Being in a computer support career for lo these twenty plus years I could not begin to count the number of times that co-workers have asked for advice on their home computer. The conversation often starts out like, “this isn’t about work, but my home computer…” Then it goes on from there to explaining what was wrong and what advice I might give them to fix their problem(s).
I’m a nice person, so I genuinely listen and try to offer some elementary help. I even offered my services for pay for home users at one time and made some money at it apart from my real job. Then, I got busy with writing and let it go.
But the questions still come, and the most prevalent is from those who want me to give them advice on whether they should buy a new PC or repair their old one. I always say “it depends.”
What is old? First I ask for details about the “old” PC. When was it purchased? What operating system does it have (I am a Windows fan)? How much RAM does it contain? How large is the hard drive? Once I have all of these bits of information, I can pretty much pinpoint how old the PC is. Earlier models have older operating systems, along with slower processors and lower amounts of RAM and hard drive sizes. This might be the point at which I stop them and say “put a fork in it, it’s done.”
Or, if the PC is just a few years old, then it might be worth investing some money into. By adding additional RAM, a PC can spring to life with new speed. This is true because the newer operating systems like Windows XP are memory hogs and if you do not have a minimum of 1GB to begin with, you are at a serious disadvantage and will experience a general slowness. If everything is up to date hardware and software wise but they have a slow system, then I start probing for Internet Security, virus and spyware software questions.
For what do they use a PC? If it appears that a new PC is going to afford them a greater amount of processing power for their dollar, then we talk about what they are going to be using the PC for. Most home applications are standard, less processor intensive applications that do not require the higher power or speeds unless they are big on gaming. In which case, I bow out. My expertise is not in gaming in any way shape or form and I have no advice to offer to anyone wishing to enter that forum.
What do they want to do that they cannot do now? Then, I ask if there is any one thing that they wish they could do on a computer that they cannot now. Most of the times this involves faster Internet surfing. This includes downloading of music and uploading of home pictures to sites in which they can order prints. We have a talk about high-speed Internet and what is available in their area.
Cost to repair vs. buy new. Finally, we take a quick look at the cost of repairing vs. buying new. I have them look at this from a balance sheet standpoint. On the left are the upgrade costs which often are less than buying new – maybe as much as half. But they are adding to an older PC and will maybe get another year or two at the most from it.
On the right-hand side of the balance sheet, if they buy new, they can get a good four years or so out of it easily. This also involves consideration of the good buys that can be found on the Internet or big box retailers. There are very good bundles which includes PC, flat panel monitor, and in some cases a printer or multimedia package. Then, I tell them stick with the major brand names when making purchases from these locations.
Where to buy. If they choose to shop around and see what they can find from a local dealer, I tell them to look for someone who has a good reputation for offering great service. This way, they will have someone local to which they can take the PC back to in case it develops problems. This is not something that you can generally do with the big box department stores. They barely know how to get the PC out of the box and onto the display shelf, let alone trouble-shoot or fix a problem.
All in all, a discussion like this sends them on their way satisfied with a plan of action. Most times, they come back and thank me for the talk. But never have I had the opposite experience. So I must be doing something right.
Recent Comments