Foreclosed Voter Information

In OHIO 324,000 people have been foreclosed out of their homes. In order to vote in the upcoming Election, these foreclosed home-owners must re-register by October 6th at their County Board of Elections.

In OHIO , If your home has been foreclosed, you must re-register in order to be able to vote in the Presidential Election. If you have not re-registered you have lost your vote! The good news: You can re-register and vote this week and it is an easy one-step process.

Your County Board of Elections Office (address provided below) will ask for your name and Social Security number or your Drivers License with your former address. Tell the registrars that you have moved and provide the new address where you are currently living. You do not need proof of the new address. They will re-register you on the spot.
This week only, Sept 30th - Oct. 6th at the same time that you are re-registering at your County Board of Elections Office, you are able cast your Election vote by filing an Absentee Ballot.

Just validated by the Ohio Supreme Court, this one-stop approach is an effort to reach out to those whose homes have been foreclosed and who are at risk of being disenfranchised at the polls. The Court recognized that many former home owners might face challenges and delays at the polls, and therefore have agreed to the so-called Golden Week (September 30th through October 6th) in which voters are encouraged to re-register and vote on the same day.
For the convenience of your readers, we have attached Your County Board of Election Office location.


MONTGOMERY COUNTY
451 W. Third St.
P.O. Box 8705
Dayton, OH 45481
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
(Monday - Friday)
Telephone: (937) 225-5656
Fax: (937) 496-7798
E-mail: montgome@sos.state.oh.us
Web site: www.mcboe.org/
FULL LIST OF OHIO COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION OFFICES FOUND HERE:

Mortgage & Title Insurance Fraud Help

Ohio Senate Bill 185 which became effective 1/1/07, giving Buyers and Sellers the opportunity to purchase Closing Protection Coverage when title insurance is involved. Additionally the law also requires Title Agents to offer those Buyers and Sellers where title insurance is not involved an opportunity to purchase title insurance and obtain Closing Protection Coverage (CPC). Had this been in effect back in 2002 when Barbara Grey and Sandy Hamlin dealt with Equity land title they would have had an opportunity to protect themselves against the loss of their funds.

I'm on your side with some help in this matter. Read Senate Bill 185 below. I warn you...its long but it could help you in the future.



Sec. 3953.23. (A) Every title insurance agent shall keep
3031
books of account and record and vouchers pertaining to the
3032
business of title insurance in such manner that the title
3033
insurance company may readily ascertain from time to time whether
3034
the agent has complied with this chapter.
3035

(B) A title insurance agent may engage in the business of
3036
handling escrows of real property transactions directly connected
3037
with the business of title insurance, provided that the agent
3038
shall maintain a separate record of all receipts and disbursements
3039
of escrow funds and shall not commingle any such funds with the
3040
agent's own funds or with funds held by the agent in any other
3041
capacity; and if at any time the superintendent of insurance
3042
determines that an agent has failed to comply with any of the
3043
provisions of this section, the superintendent may revoke the
3044
license of the agent pursuant to section 3905.14 of the Revised
3045
Code, subject to review as provided for in Chapter 119. of the
3046
Revised Code. All agents shall be covered by a fidelity bond in an
3047
amount and with a company satisfactory to the principal.
3048

(C) All title insurance agents or agencies that handle
3049
escrows in real property transactions not involving the issuance
3050
of title insurance shall have coverage that protects the parties
3051
to such transactions against theft, misappropriation, fraud, or
3052
any other failure to properly disburse settlement, closing, or
3053
escrow funds. The superintendent shall adopt rules under Chapter
3054
119. of the Revised Code setting forth the minimum requirements
3055
for such coverage, including, but not limited to, the minimum
3056
amounts, terms, and conditions of such coverage.
3057

(D) The superintendent shall require every title insurance
3058
agent or agency and any subcontractors to maintain an errors and
3059
omissions policy, in any amount exceeding minimum limits
3060
established by the superintendent, that includes but is not
3061
limited to coverage for the agent's or agency's delegation of any
3062
agent or agency function. The superintendent shall adopt rules
3063
under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code setting forth the minimum
3064
requirements for that coverage, including but not limited to the
3065
minimum amounts, terms, and conditions of the coverage.
3066

Sec. 3953.30. (A) As used in this section:
3067

(1) "Residential mortgage loan" means an obligation to pay a
3068
sum of money evidenced by a note and secured by a lien upon real
3069
property located within this state containing two or fewer
3070
residential units or on which two or fewer residential units are
3071
to be constructed and includes such an obligation on a residential
3072
condominium or cooperative unit.
3073

(2) "Residential mortgage lender" means any person,
3074
including, but not limited to, banks, savings and loan
3075
associations, mortgage brokers, credit unions, or savings banks,
3076
that lends money or extends or grants credit and obtains a
3077
residential mortgage to assure payment of the debt.
3078

(B) A title insurance agent issuing a lender's title
3079
insurance policy in conjunction with a residential mortgage loan
3080
made simultaneously with the purchase of all or part of the real
3081
property securing the loan, where no owner's title insurance
3082
policy has been requested, shall give written notice, on a form
3083
prescribed or approved by the superintendent of insurance, to the
3084
mortgagor at the time the commitment is prepared. The notice shall
3085
explain that a lender's title insurance policy is to be issued
3086
protecting the residential mortgage lender, and that the policy
3087
does not provide title insurance protection to the mortgagor as
3088
the owner of the property being purchased. The notice shall
3089
explain what an owner's title insurance policy insures against and
3090
what possible exposures exist for the mortgagor that could be
3091
insured against through the purchase of an owner's title insurance
3092
policy. The notice shall state that the mortgagor may obtain an
3093
owner's title insurance policy protecting the mortgagor as the
3094
owner of the property, either at a specified cost or at an
3095
approximate cost if the proposed coverages or amount of insurance
3096
is not then known. The title insurance agent shall maintain a copy
3097
of the notice, signed by the mortgagor, in the relevant
3098
underwriting file for at least ten years after the effective date
3099
of the lender's title insurance policy.
3100

Sec. 3953.32. (A) At the time of close with a title insurance
3101
company for issuance of a title insurance policy, the title
3102
insurance company or the title insurance agent shall offer closing
3103
or settlement protection to the lender, borrower, and seller of
3104
the property, and to any applicant for title insurance.
3105

(B) The closing or settlement protection offered pursuant to
3106
this section shall indemnify any lender, borrower, seller, and
3107
applicant that has requested the protection, both individually and
3108
collectively, against the loss of settlement funds resulting from
3109
any of the following acts of the title insurance company's named
3110
title insurance agent or anyone acting on the agent's behalf:
3111

(1) Theft, misappropriation, fraud, or any other failure to
3112
properly disburse settlement, closing, or escrow funds;
3113

(2) Failure to comply with any applicable written closing
3114
instructions, when agreed to by the title insurance agent.
3115

(C) The issuance of closing or settlement protection by a
3116
title insurance company pursuant to division (A) of this section
3117
is part of the business of title insurance for purposes of Chapter
3118
3953. of the Revised Code.
3119

(D) Except as provided in division (A) of this section, a
3120
title insurance company shall not offer or issue any coverage
3121
purporting to indemnify against a person's improper acts or
3122
omissions in connection with escrow, settlement, or closing
3123
services.
3124

(E) The superintendent of insurance may adopt rules in
3125
accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code as the
3126
superintendent considers necessary to carry out the purposes of
3127
this section, including, but not limited to, rules that detail the
3128
specific language that must be included in the written document
3129
offering closing or settlement protection as provided for in
3130
division (A) of this section.
3131

Sec. 3953.33. (A) Every title insurance agent or agency that
3132
handles escrow, settlement, closing, or security deposit accounts
3133
shall have an annual independent review made of its escrow,
3134
settlement, closing, and security deposit accounts on a
3135
calendar-year basis within ninety days after the close of the
3136
previous fiscal year. The title insurance agent or agency shall
3137
provide proof of the annual review to each title insurance company
3138
that it represents. The superintendent of insurance shall
3139
promulgate rules under Chapter 119. of the Revised Code setting
3140
forth the minimum threshold level at which a review is required,
3141
the standards of the review, the minimum qualifications of the
3142
independent party conducting the review, and the form of the
3143
report that is required. The superintendent may also require title
3144
insurance agents or agencies to provide a copy of their annual
3145
review reports to the superintendent. The annual review required
3146
by this division does not apply to interest on lawyer's trust
3147
accounts established and maintained by an attorney pursuant to
3148
sections 4705.09 and 4705.10 of the Revised Code.
3149

(B) Title insurance agents and agencies shall allow the
3150
superintendent and each and every title insurer that they
3151
represent reasonable access to all of their escrow, settlement,
3152
closing, and security deposit accounts and any and all supporting
3153
account information in order to ascertain the safety and security
3154
of the funds held by the title insurance agent or agency.
3155

(C) Title insurance agents and agencies shall maintain
3156
sufficient records of their affairs, including their escrow
3157
operations and escrow trust accounts, so that the superintendent
3158
may adequately ensure that the title insurance agent or agency is
3159
in compliance of this chapter. Records kept pursuant to this
3160
section shall be kept for a period of not less than ten years
3161
following the transactions to which the records relate. The
3162
superintendent may prescribe the specific records and documents to
3163
be kept.
3164

Sec. 3953.35. (A) No title insurance agent shall do any of
3165
the following in connection with a mortgage loan of seventy-five
3166
thousand dollars or less:
3167

(1) Knowingly coerce or wrongfully instruct the consumer to
3168
enter into the loan;
3169

(2) Knowingly fail to disclose to the consumer that the
3170
consumer does not have to close on the loan;
3171

(3) Knowingly make a material misrepresentation to the
3172
consumer regarding the terms of the loan.
3173

(B) A violation of this section is deemed an unfair and
3174
deceptive act or practice in violation of section 1345.02 of the
3175
Revised Code.
3176

10 Tips To Being a Better Customer

10 tips to being a better customer:
· Keep it real: Don't expect to add extras to a job and not pay more or change expectations midway through the project and not be flexible with the budget.
· Ask questions: Don't make assumptions. If you're unfamiliar with the service being provided, learn more by asking.
· Communicate and return phone calls: Be honest and upfront about what you want and expect. Service companies also want to know where they stand on a project and why customers decide to give work to someone else.
· Act professionally: If you want your service provider to do a good job, show him or her respect. If you have to cancel an appointment, give enough time (at least 1 hour) so you're not wasting the company's time.
· Keep an open mind: You're not going to get a castle for the price of a shack. Never base your hiring decision only on the cheapest option or you will likely get what you paid for. Also compare apples to apples - while one option may be cheaper, how does the quality of materials compare?
· Don't be irrational: If something negative happens during the job or service, don't become irate or obscene. Be civil. If you're dealing with a good service company, they will want to fix the problem.
· Pay on time: You hired the company for a service; if they've delivered - pay them. Always pay with a credit card so you have recourse in case something goes wrong
· Follow the Golden Rule: Treat the company with respect, even in the way you explain your complaint. For example, if it appears a repair has not worked, rather than accusing the company of doing the job "wrong," let them know you're still having the same problem and are in need of their help. If a bill turns out to be higher than expected, ask for a detailed breakdown of the bill before you accuse them of "price-gouging."
· Reward good behavior: If you are a satisfied customer, let the company know. Write a letter thanking that employee who went out of their way and include it in the report you file on Angie's List.
· Offer constructive criticism: Is there a way the company can improve a service or product? Even great companies can use improvement. If a company asks for your input in a survey or questionnaire, give it to them. Take the time to share your opinion, the good and the bad.

Photo Radar Camera Flap

I've gotten a lot of response from viewers about this story. It seems most of you think Barry Coleman is being unfairly targeted. You may be right. The picture that was snapped was that of a Honda SUV. If you look real closely at the Ohio license plate, you can't make out the letters.

Now, what I think happened is the Washington D.C. Traffic Enforcement Division couldn't make out the plate either. They called Ohio's Bureau of Motor Vehicles to see if they could come up with a match. I'm trying to confirm right now with the BMV is they sent D.C. Police a bunch of records that could possibly be the driver. Or, did they try to make an educated guess and singled out Barry Coleman. Here's the strange thing, Barry got a letter from the BMV stating what kind of vehicle he has registered with the state of Ohio. The letter says it's a Ford Ranger. The picture clearly shows something different.

I've also contacted the Washington D.C. P.D. I have not heard one word from them. It's beyond me why Barry Coleman is stuck between a rock and a hard place. He either has to pay the ticket or spend more money to travel to our nation's capital and fight the ticket.

Coleman did tell me that no points will be placed on his license and his insurance will not go up. But isn't it a pain in the rear to be put in that kind of situation??

Appraiser Help

Unlike a real estate agent, an appraiser has no vested in what amount the house sells for. Seeking a professional appraisal can often help homeowners make the best decisions on investing in their homes and setting a fair sales price. An appraisal is not the same as a home inspection. A home inspector determines the condition of the home and its major components and reports those findings.

During an appraisal, the appraiser will tour the inside/outside of your home and measure it. An appraiser must actually see features, such as the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, locations, etc. - likely taking photos along the way.
The appraisal is legally owned by the lender, unless the lender "releases its interest" in the document. However, consumers must be given a copy of the appraisal report, upon written request, under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act.

The cost of an appraisal will be determined by the property being appraised, the local real estate market, and the scope of work. The most common type of appraisal is the residential form report required by lenders and in most areas runs $300-$400. In 2007, Angie's List members nationwide reported spending on average $360 in the real estate appraisal category.

A common complaint we've seen with real estate appraisals is the turnaround time with the report after the appraisal is done. The time frame may depend on how much work there is and how many appraisers serve your area so ask your appraisal on what you should expect. Also, be sure to protect yourself - go through a reputable bank or other lending institution that use only licensed appraisers as well.

How to prepare for an appraisal:
· Use a licensed, certified, professional appraiser to provide the most accurate estimate of the true value of a property. By law, an appraiser must be state licensed to perform appraisals prepared for federally related transactions. Also by law, you are entitled to receive a copy of the completed appraisal report from your lender. Once an appraiser is licensed, he/she is required to take continuing education courses in order to keep the license current.
· Have a sheet handy that lists major home improvements and upgrades (include the date of installation and the costs.)
· You do not need to accompany the appraiser along on the entire site inspection, but the homeowner can add valuable information such as upgrades, repairs, etc.
· Make sure that all areas of the home are accessible, especially the attic and crawl space. Trim any bushes and move any items aside that would make it difficult to measure the structure.
Repair minor things like leaky faucets, missing door handles, etc.

Back To School Tips

Angie's 10 Questions to ask prospective child care providers:
1. What is the relationship between the childcare center and the schools in the district?
2. Can you speak with other families who use the center to ask about their experiences?
3. What accreditations does the center have?
4. What is the staff-to-child ratio? Ratio regulations vary by state, but generally are 15-to-20 elementary age children for every one staff member and 10-to-12 to one for preschool and kindergarten programs.
5. Who are the staff members? Quality programs should have highly competent staff members who understand child development and can plan age-appropriate activities.
6. Are activities recreationally or educationally based? Experts say activities should be engaging and offer opportunities to gain a variety of skills in problem solving and critical thinking.
7. What's the cost? Some programs charge for just the days your child attends, while others charge by the week. Some provide scholarships or discounts based on need.
8. If the program isn't in your child's school, what are the transportation arrangements? Find out the driver's background, the type of vehicle used and if pick-up and drop-off sites are supervised.
9. What is the sign-in/sign-out procedure? It's important that the program spell out who is responsible for delivering your child to the program and who is allowed to pick him or her up - and whether a photo ID is required. Also, ask about playground supervision and bathroom trips.
10. Is breakfast available before school? Are snacks available after? Some programs offer food for the children; others allow or require parents to bring their own.

Content: Computers
Angie's List recently polled its members on their child's computer usage. According to the results of the nationwide poll, 63 percent of respondents say their child will require a home computer for school use.
Only seven percent of respondents plan to buy a brand new computer for their child this year. That means more families will be looking to get the most mileage possible out of their current computer. If your computer needs service or repair work, call now. It's better to find out before the homework starts than after a serious issue that could derail your straight "A" student.
In 2007, Angie's List members reported spending on average about $253.00 per job on computer repair. But if the repair will cost more than half the cost of a new computer, you're probably better off replacing it altogether.

· In need of repair? Call several shops and ask them about their diagnostic and repair fees. Get an estimate of what repairs will cost before you authorize any work done. Get all guarantees in writing.
· Save yourself: Before you bring in your computer for repair or service, back up your data and delete any sensitive information.
· Get up-to-date: Update all of your virus and spyware software and install all other necessary updates. It's not always the best choice to buy spyware and antivirus software from where you bought your computer. Usually those programs can be very expensive while free programs are available online.
If you're in the market for a new computer, take into consideration your child's needs. Some computers are better suited than others depending upon factors such as grade level, subject matter, and wear and tear.
· Don't wait until the last minute to buy a computer for school. Give yourself at least a month before school starts, if possible, so you can install everything that you need, download your old files, and get comfortable with the new computer.
· Desktop or laptop? It really depends on your child. While a laptop is more convenient than a desktop, laptops are also more expensive and fragile.
· Back up, back up, back up. An external hard drive is relatively inexpensive considering your child won't be scrambling to rewrite that 20 page term paper when the computer crashes.

Content: Music Instruction
Music tutors usually finding themselves turning away parents who waited too long to enroll their kids in fall music classes, but the economic slump has many tutors singing a different tune this year.
Normally, it's best to secure a music instructor well before school gets back in session, but this year, our highly rated music instructors are telling us they still have openings. That means you have the unusual opportunity of still having time to enroll your child, but you also may find it more affordable as tutors try to fill their schedules.
Forty percent of Angie's List members responding to a recent nationwide poll said their child or children would be involved in a music program this year, while another 21 percent said their's might be involved in music or choir. Of those who are expecting their child to be in some form of music study, more than one-third said their child would take private lessons, and almost another quarter of the respondents are considering lessons.
Of course, music instruction is not just for school-aged kids. Many instructors offer a variety of classes for infants, toddlers and adults, proving you're never too young - or too old - to learn something new.
A lot of music instructors are branching out their services to bring in new clients. One of the latest trends is adult recreational music making classes, which are designed to help promote stress relief. Others offer interactive music play for infants and toddlers, acting on the premise that early introduction to music can enhance vocabulary skills.
Here are some tips on finding the right private instructor for your little musical prodigies as they head into to the back-to-school season:

· Credentials are Key: Many music instructors have a professional accreditation or hold a degree in music education, but not all do. Ask for the instructor's credentials.
· Avoid a Chorus of "Boos": Ask the prospective instructor for references from current students and their families. Also, word-of-mouth references from friends, family and Angie's List could help you avoid hiring an instructor who might not be the right fit.
· Strike the right Chord: Consider bringing along the child to the initial interview with the prospective teacher so you both understand the teacher's philosophy and policies and to get a feel for how their personalities fit. If the interaction between the student and teacher is less than harmonic, that could be reflected in the end result of the lessons.
· A duet could sweeten the deal: Many music teachers offer discounts to families with multiple children enrolled.
· Everyone Sing along now: Just like with schoolwork, children in music lessons need plenty of study and practice time. Often, children need motivation to practice. Be willing to supervise, enforce and even participate in practice. If your child is starting new lessons at the beginning of the school year, agree on a firm practice schedule and stick to it. "Sometimes, it takes time for them to catch on," offered one music instructor. "But once they do, it's awesome!"

Content: Hiring a Tutor
While it might be difficult for some parents to accept that their child is struggling academically and requires additional resources, those struggles aren't uncommon.
According to the results of a recent poll of Angie's List members, more than 1 in 4 kids have used a tutor in the past and another one-in-three might require one this year.
Kids sometimes struggle at the beginning of the school year with getting back into the groove of things. We talked to our highly rated tutors and they recommend staying ahead of potential problems by hiring a tutor before school begins to help your child brush up in the areas they struggle most. That way, when school begins, they're ready to hit the ground running.
Angie's highly rated tutors offer some A-rated advice to help your scholars excel in school:

Make the environment in which a child learns one where he or she can focus and feel supported. Oftentimes a student will fear failure, but if help is available immediately and the child knows this, he or she is much less likely to allow emotional aspects of school affect their cognitive ability.
It is important to tailor a tutoring session to the individual student. If that student feels more comfortable in a group of students and thrives off competition, then a group session is best. If a student is shy about her or his academic prowess, then individual tutoring is probably in order.

· Put your child on a school schedule, including bedtime, wake-up time, mealtime and study time, prior to the first day of school to help ease him or her back into a routine.
· Make sure your child studies or is tutored in between semesters so he or she doesn't lose the knowledge they've gained. Read books that are appropriate grade level, do something with math like multiplication tables, counting money or word problems.
· Go over school skills with your kids whenever you get a chance. Have them do math in their heads at the checkout counter of the grocery store, read billboards aloud when you're driving in the car, or help you measure out ingredients in the kitchen. They'll love the attention and it will keep their skills sharp.
· Have an older sibling read aloud to a younger sibling. It creates a sense of accomplishment and maturity. Also, have a family reading time when the children can read aloud.
Angie's List recommends parents check the tutor's credentials, contact references or check Angie's List for reports on the tutor, and read the fine print on any contract before entering into a hiring agreement with a tutor. Also, interview the tutor in advance with your child present to get a feel for how their personalities would mesh.

Medic-Alert Tips

Here are a few key things that each medical alert subscriber should do to make sure they are getting what they expect from the service.

1. Keep the responder list up to date
2. Test the device regularly, at least monthly, from different areas of the home
3. Know the protocols of the monitoring center in regards to the call list
4. Make sure the responders know what is expected of them
5. Have the company service it and check it if you have any concerns


Here are a few key items that people should look for when choosing a quality medical alert provider.

1. Member in good standing with the BBB
2. Monitoring center is dedicated to medical alert monitoring only (not a side activity of something like an ambulance, security, or nursing center)
3. Are the monitoring agents independently trained and certified such as CSAA
4. Don’t sign long term contracts (most companies rent the service allowing you to try different services and allowing you to cancel at anytime)
5. Make sure the phone service you are using will accommodate the medical alert

This last item is one of the big issues we see now that people are using alternative phone services such as VOIP, etc.. People who have medical alerts are switching to these services and don’t realize the medical alert may not work once they make they change because they are not testing the device.

Hiring A Photographer; Extra Tips For You!

Here are some more tips in your journey in capturing that memorable photo. If you have any, don't hesitate to list who you think the best photographer are in the Miami Valley!

Tips for having a good photo shoot:

· Check out the photographer's previous work. Make sure his or her style fits your tastes. Most positive feedback from Angie's List members was based on their having a good rapport and personalized experience with the photographer.

· Don't wear bold patterns or stripes at the photo shoot. On prints, they take away from your features.

· If you wear glasses, you might consider temporarily removing the lenses to avoid any glare.

· Whatever you wear, make certain you are comfortable. One photographer said if you're not comfortable in what you're wearing, it will show through in the photos.

. Remember you do get what you pay for in terms of quality of both the print and the shot, and the professionalism of the photographer.

· For children, schedule the appointment based on your child's schedule so you can get photos when they are most animated, happy and relaxed.

· For children, bring your own toys… anything in the picture that will remind you about your child at that age.

· Ask about a one-time sitting fee. One Angie's List member paid a one-time sitting fee for their child, but visited the photographer regularly throughout the year. The photographer was able to capture the growth progress of the child.

. Try sticking with the same photographer or studio. They may be able to give you a price break if you are a regular customer.

Foreclosed Voters

Foreclosures are nothing new. However, we seem to be especially keen to how its affecting us in 2008. We've done stories on the housing market, realtors, mortgage brokers, pets and now voting.

Some people fear they will not be able to vote if they lose their home. According to Steve Harsman, the director of the Montgomery County Board of Elections, as long as you have a physical address of where you're staying you should be able to cast a ballot.

One of my friends here at WDTN challenged me with a question. They ask, "do you think people who foreclose on their home are worried about voting in this upcoming election?" I'm not sure what the correct answer is but I believe there are some people out there who will uphold their right to vote no matter the circumstances.

I believe you're going to see more stories on this issue soon. We're starting to learn more and more everyday. The country hasn't seen this type of home crisis in years. If you have any ideas on how to better cover this story from a consumers angle....I'm all ears.

As always, I'm happy to hear from you on this issue.

Pool Alarms -- Should You Get One?

I have to say, after spending some time with Chris Lacy and Bill Whitehurst, I became a believer in the pool alarms. I thought it wouldn't work as well as it did. The Swim Alert Pool alarm retails for about $300 after tax. If you don't mind the alarm attached on the outside of your pool, it's probably the most economical to buy. It scans 800 square feet of your pool. That's a nice range. Now, the Espio Pool Alarm retails for about $700 dollars and this unit attaches to the wall and water line of your pool. It works just as well and it scans 1000 square feet of a pool.

I don't think you could go wrong with either model, it just depends on how much discretionary money you want to spend. Both models have been featured in Good Housekeeping if you would like to read another article.

I've also attached the websites of the pool alarms at www.wdtn.com and click on the Turn To 2 page.

So, what do you think pool owners? Would you get this product to protect your children or the neighbors kids?

$690,000 Worth of Unused O'Neys Gift Cards Floating Around Miami Valley

As this story unfolds, officials at the Ohio Attorney General's Office would like to make this point. If you are a person with a gift card in your possession and you are getting services rendered to knock off the remaining balance of your card, you can not participate in any form of lawsuit that may be brought against the company. Here is the response from Ted Hard, Communications Director for the AG's Office:

"If the consumer has already received restitution, we would probably not include them in any lawsuit or seek additional restitution on their behalf."

So there's a choice O'Neys customers will have to make. Take the wait and see approach with the Attorney General or find a salon to help you use your unused balance. In this case, I cannot suggest which route you should take.

Crib Recalls! What else can harm us?

Every time I look around there's another recall for some defective product. It seems the American consumers always have to be aware of the latest recall because their child could be in danger.

We seen everything from lead in toys, defective cribs and even food tainted with E-Coli and salmonella are on the recall list. You have to be savvy these days with products and food. Unfortunately, China and other countries are getting a bad rap on defective products. The Consumer Product Safety Commission says they don't have enough money or personnel to take a proactive approach to find all items that could be dangerous. Even the Food and Drug Administration claims the same problem in their fight to keep our food supply safe.

So, are you frustrated or have you lost confidence in products you buy? I'd like to hear from you.

Summer Car Care Tips For Your Road Trip

Despite painful fill-ups at the gas station, some folks are still planning on hitting the road this summer for vacation. In our weekly Angie's List report, Turn To 2 shows you how servicing your car before the big trip can help you get the most out of every gallon.

With no end in sight for the fast-rising gas prices, Angie's List members planning to drive this summer to their vacation destination are taking extra steps to ensure they get the most out of every gallon. Angie Hicks of Angie's List polled members about their car care habits.

"Sixty-seven percent of the respondents in that poll are performing regular maintenance which is great news because that's one of the best ways to stretch your gas mileage."

Having a certified mechanic look at your car or truck will help you to avoid a breakdown on the road. Hicks says they'll be able to check to see if you vehicle is road ready so you're not stranded.

"Before heading out on a summer road trip, your mechanic should change your oil, check your fluids, check your tire pressure, and also examine your air conditioner."

Remember, you'll get better gas mileage in your car with the a/c on than with the windows down. And if speeding is a problem for you, cut the habit...if you want to save money.
Hicks has one more tip to consider.

"The more weight in your car is going to reduce your gas mileage, so try to pack light this summer and get the junk out of your trunk."

So, plan ahead and have your vehicle serviced before your vacation. Remember, that's your time to relax.


Advice for Summer Road Trips:

Safety First: Take the vehicle you'll be driving to a reliable service provider for a thorough check-up two weeks before you plan to head out. If there's an issue, you'll have time to get it addressed without eating into your R&R time. And, you'll greatly reduce the chances you'll spend part of your vacation in a break-down lane far from home.
Slow down; you're on vacation: Driving the speed limit will increase your fuel efficiency. Honest.
Save the limbo for the beach: Avoid going as low as you can go when it comes to your gas tank. Your fuel pump is located there and the bottom of the gas tank collects sediment from gasoline. When you run your car on low fuel, the pump can pick up the sediment and become damaged from it, which results in low fuel-efficiency.
Sleep all day, drive all night: Consider driving to your summer destination during non-peak hours. Nearly half the energy needed to power your vehicle goes in acceleration. Unnecessary braking wastes that energy. It will also be cooler at night, meaning you might not need the A/C, saving even more fuel.

Boarding Pass Scam

It's been a while since I've had a consumer alert on scams. This one you're about to see was brought to my attention and I had to tell you about it.

Form 2008, comes with a big warning. And if you open it, there's an enticing offer inside.
A fake boarding pass, from a fake airline, and a 1-800-number for you to call to redeem your fake ticket. I asked folks around the Miami Valley, "If you got something like this in the mail, what would you think?"

Eric Carter told me, "It's not giving me enough information I would probably have to call that number to see what it's about."

That's exactly what they want. When you call the 1-800-number, they'll notify you of a time share seminar you'll need to attend. Carter says he's no fool.

"I normally don't go for it but like I say I have a number, I call the number, anytime somebody ask me for my social security card number, no, Bank account number, no, so I don't fall for stuff like this."

Gary Andrews says he's seen something like this before and believes it's a con...and I asked him why?

"Because usually when you get something in the mail like this, when you call the toll free number and they're trying to get a fee out of you before they give you anything and sometimes they don't give you anything."

Andrews knows a golden rule for unsolicited mail.

"anytime you gotta pay something up front for something like this you need back off you need to tear it up and you probably need to call the better business bureau and ask and let them check it out."

Even Carmen Thormburgh, who I caught relaxing at Courthouse Square gots a kick out of the scam mailer.

"I mean they try very hard to make this look like it a legitimate document."

The funniest part to me, their offer for two round-trip airfares to a major international airport of your choice within the continental US. I don't know about you, but when I see international airport...I'm thinking an overseas trip. If you get something like this in the mail, throw it away and save yourself some grief.

Honda's New Gas Saver?

Honda's new hydrogen-powered car is coming to America. Production of the F-C-X Clarity began today in Japan. The first of these zero-emission cars are heading to Southern California in July. The Clarity runs on hydrogen and electricity and emits only water. Honda says the car is two times more energy efficient than a gas-electric hybrid. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis will be among the first people to get one of the cars.

Summer Lawn Help

Many experts agree, the key to a great lawn is water.

"A typical lawn only needs and inch of water and it's best to water it all at one time."

During peak summer months, drought can be a major problem. Angie Hicks says watering restrictions have become all too common during those times....forcing lawns to turn brown.

"If you're not able to water your lawn in the heat of the summer, it's okay. your lawn is actually going dormant to protect itself and it's better to let it do so. once the rain comes back and you're able to water again your lawn will green right back up."

Watering lawns and gardens accounts for up to 50 percent of domestic water consumption during the summer. Hicks says too often, homeowners are using too much water.

"Many people are going to irrigation systems because they're finding them to be more efficient."

Hicks believes your lawn could also stay greener if you mow it differently.

"I talked to some highly rated service companies and they suggested raising the level of your mower. longer grass is going to provide more shading and keep the soil from drying out too quickly."

Here are some other tips to keep in mind:

Water in the morning: During this time the sun is low, winds are calm and temperatures are cool. Watering during the day is less efficient because of possible water loss due to evaporation. Watering in the evening can leave plants wet overnight, which could lead to fungus or plant disease.
Water wisely: A steady stream of water from a garden hose will only wet the surface and run off. To determine how long you should run your sprinkler set a glass in the middle of the area being sprinkled and keep track of how long it takes for an inch of water to collect in the glass. For bigger areas like the lawn, place a container at different locations in the sprinkler's coverage area and average the results. You can also test your soil by pushing a screwdriver into your lawn. If it's difficult to push into the ground, the soil is very dry. You can also determine if your grass needs watering by simply stepping on it. If the grass springs back easily, it has plenty of moisture.
Protect your plants: Mulch is probably the surest way to ensure the health of all your plants during the heat of summer because it traps moisture and helps keep soil cool. If you applied mulch a few months ago, fluff it.
Maintain water equipment: Check your irrigation system to make sure everything is working properly. Repair or replace broken or damaged nozzles or heads which can wreak havoc on your landscape and water bill. Make sure sprinkler heads are adjusted properly to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways.
Plan ahead while away: Vacation time can be deadly for your plants if you don't have a reliable neighbor to help keep your container plants healthy while you're away. One solution is to pull back the mulch in a shady garden spot. Place potted plants on bare ground in a tight grouping and then tuck the mulch around the base of each pot. Soak the plants and the surrounding soil, and they should be fine for up to a week.
Change your landscaping: Avoid the issue of keeping your lawn green in a drought by landscaping your yard with native grasses and plants that require less water. While establishing any new landscape requires more water in the first year or so, a water-wise landscape will require about 20 percent to 50 percent less water from start to maturity.
Adjust your mower: Raise your mower level so you don't cut more than one-third of the grass. Taller grass shades the soil surface, reduces evaporation and helps prevent the sprouting of weeds. And keep your lawn mower sharp. A sharp mower makes a clean cut and keeps the grass healthier.

Ride a Bike, Save Some Gas

Rising gas prices have made biking more attractive, and this month is a popular time when most people go shopping for some wheels. Before you jump on and start pedaling, Turn to 2 and Angie's List has some advice on buying and maintaining a bicycle. Angie Hicks says people are putting their pedals to the metal...sort of!

"People are riding bikes more than ever."

Hicks says the Angie's List website has seen a 167 percent increase in the bike category over the last three years. It seems consumers are looking for a cheap way to get from point A to B.

"Biking has become more popular over the last few years because it's better for the environment, it's great exercise, and it can save you money with these rising gas prices."

Before you spend cash buying your new wheels, put in some thought on who you want to give your business to.

"When you're trying to determine where to buy your bike you want to take a number of factors into consideration. One is selection of the bikes, the helpfulness of the staff, as well as service after you buy the bike."

This may sound funny, but, test drive the bike you want to buy.

"You would not buy a car without test driving a car. You wouldn't buy shoes without trying them on. So test drive your bike to make sure that you like it and that you have a good fit."

A good bike can cost hundreds of dollars. And like any piece of equipment, you'll need to maintain it to make it last.

"When you're spending that kind of money it's going to be really important to maintain it just as you would a car, for example. a bike usually needs to have a tune-up once a year."


Here are some other tips to consider:

1.) First, decide what type of riding you want to do. Is the bike for running errands around town, exercise, or are you into speed?
Types of bikes:
· Road bikes: They used to be known as the "ten-speed," however road bikes now range from 12 to 21 speed. Included in this category are touring bikes, racing bikes and sport bikes - bikes built for speed.
· Mountain or All Terrain bike: This bike is rugged. Built with a sturdy frame, straight handlebars and fat, knobby tires. It can tackle the rigors of off road riding.
· Hybrid bike: This bike is a cross between the road bike and mountain bike. It's lighter than a mountain bike, but not as fast as a road bike. This bike is perfect for short distances, running errands, or commuting.

2.) Tips for purchasing a bike
· Fit is everything. If the bike is not fitted properly, you'll be uncomfortable and you won't ride the bike.
· Do a test drive. Be sure to ride several different sizes. You should feel confident and comfortable. Handling, especially in turns, should be smooth and natural. Braking should be smooth, not jerky.
· Don't forget accessories. A helmet is important for your safety.

3.) Buying your bike from bike shop versus department store:
· The staff at a bike shop is properly trained in assembling the bikes and adjusting them properly.
· A bike shop tends to have more models and service warranties.
· If your bike has a problem after purchase, a department store will likely give you a refund or another bike.
· When buying a bike most bike shops encourage test rides, so that you can be sure the bike fits. This is generally not an option at a discount store.
· Department store bikes may not have components intended to be replaced or upgraded.
· You get what you pay for. Poor quality may lead to general discomfort.

4.) Why bicycle maintenance is important?
· If you practice proper maintenance properly, you will greatly reduce the amount of serious mechanical problems you have.
· Dirt and grime can cover up worn parts in need of attention.
· Cleaning allows you to give your bike a careful inspection.
· Maintenance will vary on use; most people will do fine with an annual or bi-annual performance tune-up.
· Most people will do fine with an annual or bi-annual performance tune-up.

Local Salons Cut a Deal to Help O'Neys Customers

I've been overwhelmed with responses from you about your unused O'neys gift cards. Two Miami Valley salons are stepping in to help you use your gift cards with a nominal fee. Salon owners and employees say it's the least they can do during a bad situation.

Hair Stylist Becky Withrow said she can't believe what happened.

"Its unfortunate that it kinda came to a closure so quickly."

O'Neys gift card holders aren't the only ones upset over the salon's closing. Hair stylists like Withrow, who had worked at O'Neys for 23 years, are disappointed at the outcome.

"If I had any money coming to me, no I would not get it, and nor would the nail people there they won't get paychecks. There obviously just isn't no more money left and I'm a little perplexed about that."

Withrow now works at Basic Elements Hair and Body shop at 2537 Wilmington Pike. She says, with so many old O'Neys customers holding gift cards, she wants to help out anyway she can.

"We are going to honor the gift cards from clients if they call and make an appointment with Jeffrey, myself or Erica. And we're going to try to work in good faith because they have no way of proving to us how much their gift card value is."

There's no one at O'Neys to tell you how much you have left on your gift card. O'Neys suddenly closed shop, leaving hundreds of customers in the dark. Now, folks like Mindy Dalton will also shed a little light and cut a deal.

"We want to try to help them get something out of that, we're going to offer the gift certificates at a reduced fee. We're going to have an administration fee where they can come in and redeem their gift certificate just to cover our costs."

Mindy's of Oakwood is located at 2600 Far Hills Avenue, Suite 200. Dalton says she's also going to absorb former O'Neys employees.

O'Neys Salon & Spa Shuts Down

A popular Miami Valley business closes it's doors without warning. O'Ney's Salon and Spa sits dark tonight after 35 years of business. Now, customers are wondering what they're going to do with gift cards that seem to have no value.

"And we're sorry for whatever harm we've caused everybody we're going to try and make it right."

Like thousands of O'Neys customers, Monna McCormick is reeling from the sudden demise of her family's salon.

"My mother Shirley Bonhart, and my aunt Judy Roberts were one of the founding people with spa's in the area and i know that it was quite a shock to the family too."

McCormick said the skyrocketing costs of gas and groceries, took it toll on O'Neys.

"All i can say is it's the economy and it hit not only at the gas pumps, the milk prices, but people stopped getting their nails done, they had to put their money somewhere else."

Just last summer, the scene was much different in the salon. To celebrate the salon's 35th anniversary, Shirley and judy cut a big cake during a party-like atmosphere. Now 8 months later, no one here is cutting hair.

"And we're hurting and we're hurting for everybody that we owe money too, the gift certificates, that's why i'm here too tell you we're doing the best we can and try to refund whatever we can."

Julie Hoelee says she's always had good service at O'Neys. However, she didn't know they had cut and run until she drove to Dayton from Jamestown for her spa treatment.

"I was booked for a massage today that i was really looking forward to and didn't get a call or nothing and my husband booked it as a gift for mother's day."

As I was interviewing Julie, another customer got an unpleasant surprise. Shawn Bowers bought his wife a gift certificate worth more than $500.

"For the last seven years for christmas, i would get it for her and it's enough to last her all year long and just for her to take some time for her self and relax and do her own thing. Having them close like this without any notification is odd."

I've done some preliminary checking and can't find any records of the business filing for bankruptcy or having any liens or judgments against it.

What can customers do if they have an unused gift certificate? Well, Monna McCormick told me she wants to hear from customers and wants to know how much they're owed. She's set up an email address for you to leave your contact information and amount owed. The e-mail address is oneysgiftcerts@woh.rr.com

You can also call the Ohio Attorney General's Office at 1.800.282.0515 if you would like to file a complaint.

There are salons and former O'Neys workers who want to help you redeem your gift cards for services. Make sure you check back here for any updates on who those people are.

Yet Another Possible Fuel Source

A California inventor has come up with a way to make fuel from the comfort of your home for just a dollar a gallon. It's called E-Fuel and it turns sugar and yeast into ethanol. Tom Quinn says, "By utilizing sugar, which is the most plentiful feed stock, we can break dependency on oil and reduce our carbon footprint."

E-Fuel isn't cheap. It costs about $10,000 but Quinn says some substantial rebate are available.

Rebate Checks Not For All

Government Stimulus checks are in the mail, but not everyone will get one. United States citizens and military members married to foreign citizens *are not* eligible for the rebate. You have to have a social security number to qualify. This rule is part of a provision keeping illegal immigrants from getting a rebate check.

Home Healthcare Loophole?

The audit of a Miami Valley company that provides home health care uncovers shocking information about some of its staff. Everyday, thousands of people depend on non-medical home health care to live. But when a confidential source told me the state was investigating Comforcare Senior Services... I started asking some tough questions. And what I uncovered lead me to ask..do you know who's giving care in your home?

Kennan Oliphant: "So people don't have anything to worry about with comforcare?"

Ken Olson: "They do not, they do not."

Re-assuring words from Ken Olson, owner and manager of a Comforcare branch at 5335 Far Hills Avenue. But state officials see it another way. Last October, the Area Agency on Aging reviewed Comforcare's performance. Investigators said comforcare didn't do..
criminal background checks on potential employees.. and didn't adequately screen their qualifications.

The state gave Comforcare 90 days to shape up. But in December of 2007, another review showed Comforcare still out of compliance. The state sanctioned the company and gave Ken Olson 30 days to comply. I confronted olson with those findings.

Ken Olson: "And this is back in january, this refers to something last year, and these employees were terminated because they didn't have the right background check."

Kennan Oliphant: "How many employees were terminated?"

Ken Olson: "3."

Kennan Oliphant: "Can you tell me what their backgrounds were?

Ken Olson: No, I cannot reveal that."

What is revealing, is a second 30 day follow-up. In January, state investigators said Comforcare hired 3 workers who had "disqualifying criminal records or arrest records with no disposition." Olson told investigators he immediately removed those employees when he found out about their checkered pasts.

Kennan Oliphant: "Some people say this speaks to some of the hiring that has gone on and who's coming into people's homes, who are going into people's homes are they sound in their criminal history?

Ken Olson: "We are required, to get the background checks from bci."

Kennan Oliphant: "But it seems like the background checks weren't done in the past.

Ken Olson: "They were done. we were using a different company at the time and some of those people brought in local, local checks.

Kennan Oliphant: "Local checks?"

Ken Olson: "But that's all i can speak, speak, yeah, we're required by the department of aging to do a criminal background check which we are doing."

Despite Olson's assertion, the Area Agency on Aging is now asking the state department of aging to again sanction Comforcare. Doug McGarry says that penalty could strip clients from Comforcare, and put all of their referrals on hold.

"if a background check was done and there are violations.... our question is why did you employ them?"

McGarry is the executive director for the Area Agency on Aging. His agency, is the only one keeping track of Comforcare's hiring practices.

Kennan Oliphant: "Does anyone license comforcare?

Ken Olson: "The, uh, ohio does not require licensing of non-medical home health agencies."

According to the Area Agency on Aging Comforcare can hire "anyone"* as a homecare aid, even if they have a criminal record. In addition, Comforcare can hire aides with no training if they're performing "non-medical work".... grooming, light housekeeping, bathing, laundry, reading mail.... for *private paying* clients. However, Comforcare says they only hire aides who are trained.

"And as far as these agencies are concerned, they should be up under the same scrutiny as the state and government healthcare."

The current "hands off" approach makes Barbara Brunner nervous..

"Personally, i'm leery about anyone coming into my home that i don't know and sometimes people we know are taking from us."

Brunner, who spends time at Ellison Senior Center, use to provide home health services.

"You already have an elderly parent or relative that's already living on minimum means, they need to be taken care of and what little bit they have someone just comes in and takes it away from them."

Despite the prospect of sanctions, Olson told me comforcare clients can rest easy.

Kennan Oliphant: "What are you doing right now to make sure that people feel safe in their homes?"

Ken Olson: "When the employee comes in and fills out and application we require that they get a criminal background check from BCI&I and they need to bring that into us in advance before we take any next steps at all. this is what we've been doing since the end of last year"



As a consumer, you have the right to know who's in your home giving you or your parents aide. Ken Olson told me you can come into his office and take look at the personnel file of the aide you hire. However, Doug McGarry at the Area Agency on Aging suggests you should not rely on background checks alone.

Here are a few ways to get quality care...Check to see if aide is employed by a reputable agency -- as opposed to someone woring for themself. Are they insured and bonded? Is the agency certified by medicare, medicaid or passport? Check to see if aide has training or experience and check with the Better Business Bureau for any complaints.

Remember, you're the employer, you have to check out the person you want working in your home.

It interesting to note, the state told me this case should be in the hands of the attorney general. We have not gotten word if the Attorney General will get involved with this case.

I just want to add there are alot of quality home health care aides with clean records and who work very hard. Don't let a bad seeds ruin the whole bunch.

Installing Windows? Here's some Help!

Whether you're remodeling or building, new windows can not only make a home more attractive, but also save you money in the long run. I'm here to show you how much new windows can save you.

"When it comes to energy loss for your air conditioning, your windows are the biggest culprit. leaky windows are the problem."

Angie Hicks of Angie's List says nearly half of all home cooling and heating energy losses occur through windows and doors. But recent advancements in materials and design have made windows much more effective.

"In most houses in the u.s., 50 percent of the houses only have single-pane windows. upgrading to double-pane windows could cut your energy costs by up to 10 percent."

And here's how! Take a look around for drafts around windows and seal those you find. One easy way to test for air leaks is to hold a lit candle around the window. If you find a leak and your windows aren't up to the job anymore, think about replacing them. You could do it yourself but...

"If you install the window improperly, you'll end up eating up all the savings you were hoping to gain because you may have more leaks than you started out with."

Therefore, a qualified professional may be the better way to go.

"A lot of times it's a very fast job, they might be able to do anywhere from five to ten windows a day."

Single pain windows can cost anywhere between 400 to 700 dollars installed. Double pane windows are the most popular, but triple-pane is also available. They cost about 50-dollars more per window installed, but offer more energy savings and if sound insulation is important, this is the way to go.

Higher Stamp Prices!?!

Gas, food...now even the price of a postage stamp is going up. A first class stamp will cost you 42 cents beginning May 12th. That's a one cent increase. If you bought the forever stamp for 41 cents, you can still use it. The price on new forever stamps will also go up.

The costs of goods and services are going up faster the cost of your paycheck a year. Raises, if you get one, are only about three percent. So how does one survive in these times when life is more expensive than what you're bringing home?

Love to get your thoughts on this issue.

Stimulus Checks

If you e-filed your tax return, the government is direct depositing stimulus money into your bank account, starting today. If you didn't E-file, the first paper checks won't be mailed until Friday May 9th. So how do you make that money pay off?

Some retailers are giving you bonuses to spend the money with them once you get it. Kroger and Sears are offering a gift card in the amount of the check, plus ten percent. Many other stores are offering similar programs.

It's estimated many Americans will end spending their money paying off outstanding bills, paying for gas, or high priced food at the grocery store before heading to the store and buying a TV.

What do you plan to do with your money?

*Update*
Consumers should be aware that if you got your taxes done at H&R Block or Jackson Hewitt or some other agency, you're stimulus check will come to you in the mail. It will not go through the company that helped you file your taxes.

What To Do When Going Green

We celebrated Earth day this week...and many of us are looking to go green. While green building and remodeling is a big trend right now, many homeowners still think making their homes more eco-friendly will be expensive and difficult. The good news from Turn to 2 and Angie's List - going green doesn't have to break the bank.

"green building is all the buzz these days."

From recycling to energy conservation, Angie Hicks says it seems everyone is trying to go green in their own way. According to Angie's List members, 42-percent of them have incorporated green building into their home, either to save money or to protect the environment.

"they can be doing small things around their house whether it be changing out appliances to make them more energy efficient, all the way up to a green remodel."

Experts say going green can add up to 5 percent to the cost of your project, the payoff is worth it. Green remodeling can lead to energy savings, possible tax credits, and a healthier environment. Finding a green contractor requires the same attention and research in detail as hiring any other professional for your home.

"based on the demand from our members, angie's list is actually going to start placing leed certification icons on the profiles of companies that have that certification so it makes it really easy for members to find companies that can help them with green building."

LEED stands for leadership in energy and environmental design. The United States Green Building Council created LEED as a rating system for green building. Projects must meet certain prerequisites and performance benchmarks. All something that should help you save money in the long run.

"it really depends on your interests. if you're going to be doing a remodel job, you might be paying about five percent more on the job up front, but think about the fact that you'll be saving on your energy bills down the road and you'll recoup that cost."

Here are some other tips to help you in your quest to protect the environment on a daily basis:

1. Determine the energy efficiency of your home with an audit. An audit can help you assess how much energy your home uses and evaluate what measures you can take to improve efficiency. Contact your utility company to see if they offer free or discounted home energy audits.

2. Use compact florescent light bulbs. Energy Star lighting uses about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. You can save about $30 or more in electricity costs over each bulbs' lifetime, and they produce about 75 percent less heat.

3. Install low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets. Low-flow faucets reduce water consumption and the cost of heating water by as much as 50 percent.

4. Update your water heater. Water heating can account for 14 percent to 25 percent of the energy consumed in your home. A tankless water heater provides hot water only as it is needed. A solar water heater can be used in any climate.

5. Energy Star Appliances: If your appliances are more than 10 years old, you can most likely reduce your utility bills by replacing these appliances with high-efficiency models.Cut energy consumed by your appliances by buying Energy Star models (www.energystar.gov ). They meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the EPA and U.S. Department of Energy. Also, size your appliances to your needs. Dishwashers and refrigerators work more efficiently when they are full. If your appliances are usually only half full, consider smaller models.

6. Buy water-based paints with low or no volatile organic compound levels (VOC). Basically, the less glossy the paint, the fewer VOC's it contains. VOC's are emitted as gases from certain solids or liquids and include a variety of chemicals; some of which may have short and long term health affects.

7. Choose flooring products made from rapidly renewable resources such as bamboo. Bamboo is a grass, requiring no replanting and little fertilization or pesticides; an attractive building material because it's strong and stable.

8. Select carpeting, rugs, window treatments and other textiles made from natural fibers such as cotton and wool. They are untreated and free of toxins, such as pesticides or chemical cleaners.
For furniture or cabinetry, choose solids woods rather than pressed woods or composites that may contain formaldehyde or other chemicals that may be toxic and hazardous to your health

Do Not Knock List

Door-to-door sales people beware! Residents in one community outside of Columbus have decided they've had enough of candy bar pushers and vaccum cleaning sales...so they've set up a do not knock list. A Columbus reporter filed this interesting report:

It's quiet here in North Olmsted and the mayor wants to keep it that way.

"In the past we've had a do not knock sticker..which we put on the front window..if a peddler should walk toward the home..see the sticker..they'd walk away ..in this case we've taken it to the next level."

By making a call to city hall or logging on the North Olmsted website you can request to be on the "do not knock" registry.

"If there's a peddler or solicitor that would like to come work in the city of North Olmsted but they're required to check ..have this series of addresses ..and they're not permitted to even walk up the driveway."

Ron Gore says he's going to sign up because it makes him feel comfortable knowing ..people knocking on his door ..are following the law.

"I would appreciate that too if the commercial people don't come to my house and start asking for ..do they want to do my siding..or something like that.. or painting..or whatever"

For Connie Smith this new ordinance is a great idea.. she worries about her elderly mother's safety.

"You really cannot tell if somebody comes to your door..uninvited.. if they are legitimate and they are truly representing the organization they say they are representing or whether it's a scam"

Mayor O'Grady agrees saying the do not knock list goes way beyond stopping annoying sales calls to your home.

"We've seen time and time again..where people who are unscrupulous or up to no good are able to gain access to a home by knocking on the door and that's not going to happen anymore."

I think this is a novel idea. It seems like someone is always knocking at your door to sell something. This way, if you want a service the next knock at the door will be from someone you called for sales or service. What do you think of the idea?

Like a Good Neighbor

Homeowners fretting about whether the housing market will ever rebound may be overlooking a more immediate and potentially devastating concern: does their homeowners' insurance policy offer enough coverage to replace the house should catastrophe strike?

"To determine whether you have enough homeowners insurance, you should do an annual review with your agent. they should be willing to do this, you can possibly even do it over the phone."

Too many of us pay our annual renewal for our homeowner's policy without thinking about what that policy is worth. Not only should you ask for an annual review, make sure your contents and major investments in your home are covered.

"Reviewing your insurance policy is important for any age house because what we've actually seen is the cost to re-build your house, which is what you're really insuring for, can go up even if you built your house a few months ago."

If you're going to invest a lot of money in your home this year, Angie Hicks says call your agent before the work begins and increase your coverage. This is just in case something terrible happens before the job is complete and you can't recover the costs because you were never insured for them. This was a hard lesson learned by thousands of Hurricane Katrina victims.

"When Hurricane Katrina hit, the price of lumber and a lot of building materials went up and so in fact houses that were built two, three months before the hurricane, would actually be more expensive to replace."

Most importantly, you should familiarize yourself with what you are entitled to receive in the event of a loss. Ask your agent about his or her experience in handling a loss claim. An experienced agent should be able to not only detail what your policy will and will not cover, but be able to give you a good idea of what to expect if a claim takes place. Angie's List says many people are concerned that they might have too much insurance on their homes right now. Fact is, many homes are actually underinsured.

Here are 11 tips you can use to make sure you're covered:

1. Get what you need: Replacement cost insurance covers the cost of replacing your home and is generally the policy for most homeowners. Your agent will evaluate your home and its contents and write a policy that would replace it at that value. Most agents will allow 20 to 25 percent more insurance than your replacement cost to cover things like debris disposal and other ancillary costs.

2. Annual review: When you get your renewal notice, ask your agent to come back out to review the home to see if you need to adjust your coverage. If you've remodeled or bought an expensive fixture, you will likely want to increase the value of your policy.

3. Don't forget the contents: The price of gold has dramatically increased lately; you may need to increase your coverage to ensure you could replace all of your jewelry.

4. Get specific. Find out what your policy says about storm, water, mold, wind and flood coverage. In the past 10 years, companies have increasingly changed the language about these specific items. Ask about adding specific endorsements if your agent or company doesn't offer the coverage you want.

5. Flood warning. If you live in a low-lying area or one that is predisposed to flooding, purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program, which offers coverage up to $250,000. If you need more than that, shop around for a private company that offers supplemental flood insurance.

6. Language barrier. Learn the difference between equivalent and like/kind replacement. It's a very small difference in the language but it has huge implications. Like/kind replacement cost means that if you had a wood-shingled roof before the storm, you'll have a wood-shingled roof after the storm. Equivalent means that if you had a wood-shingled roof before the storm, you might not get one after.

7. Get loss of use coverage. Consider loss of use insurance to cover rent or hotel fees in the event your home is uninhabitable after a catastrophe. Experts recommend at least one year of coverage.

8. Claim deadline. Check with your state's Department of Insurance for the statute of limitations for filing a claim, which can vary from one to two years.

9. Safe keeping. Put important paperwork, especially policy information, in a fireproof/waterproof safe. Take photos and videos of everything in your home. Keep the originals in a safe-deposit box and send copies to relatives or friends across the country.

10.Ask around. Don't take an insurance adjuster's proof-of-loss statement as accurate. Instead, use at least three independent contractors' estimates as your starting point. The insurance company's initial payout is often drastically lower than what the work will require.

11.Public adjuster. If you experience a sizable loss, consider hiring a public insurance adjuster who will file and submit your claim on your behalf. These adjusters often have years of experience on the private insurance side and work to get homeowners the best settlement possible. Their compensation is a percentage of your settlement. That percentage varies by state.

Gold Rush, Cash for Gold

In these tough times, we're seeing more ways you can get some quick cash. One way is to sell your gold, silver or coins. I spoke with a local shop owner about the gold rush.

"turn your used, unwanted, broken gold jewelry into cash."

You've seen and heard the commercials, like this one for goldkit.com, enticing you to send your valuables through the mail...for cash.

"wouldn't you rather have cash than gold jewelry gathering dust? goldkit pays cash for rings, chains charms, bracelets and more."

But slow down consumers, sending your prized possessions in the mail may not be best for your wallet.

"the thing is you're sending your stuff off to somebody you really don't know, you don't know what kind of price he's giving you, you don't really have any effective means to shop or compare."

Larry, who only wants us to use his first name, at Belmont Coin Shop, in the 700 block of Watervliet Avenue believes mailing in pricey goods leaves you at a disadvantage.

"very easily in my opinion, now i don't know what goes on there but yes it would be very easy to scam someone through the mail."

Belmont Coin Shop, like many others, are advertising in the newspaper....and they're getting plenty of business.

"you got a twenty dollar gold piece, a ten dollar gold piece, a five dollar gold piece, a two and a half dollar gold piece, and a one dollar gold piece."

Dealers say gold is at an all time high and if you need the money, this is a better way to sell it. Larry says, don't mail in your collectibles, go to a local dealer....you'll feel alot better about who you're selling to. And the power of being a consumer is left in your hands.

"if you walk in here or anybody else in town, if you don't like the price you pick it up and walk out the door."

Now, according to the metropolitan Washington DC Better Business Bureau -- goldkit.com has a satisfactory record. They've only received 38 complaints in the last year. Again, there are a number of local dealers in the Miami Valley willing to give you a fair price. All you have to do is check the local newspaper, the Better Business Bureau.

Save Money in Expensive Time

The pain at the pump continues. Like everything else, gas is expensive, groceries are expensive, medical care is expensive...and...(phew)...I know there's more out there!!! Well, I'm on your side so you save money when you fill up your car or grocery cart. One this is for sure it's all about timing.

First things first, is there any way to get cheaper gas? Well, Gasbuddy.com ways buy mid-week, but not mid-day. Gas stations like to raise up their prices mid-morning or mid-afternoon so those are typically the worst times to buy gas.

What about groceries? Consumers' Checkbook says the trick is finding the cheapest store in your area. Even if it's out of the way, you'll likely save money. In some cases, there are some chains that will be at least 10-15 even 20% less expensive.

My favorite pass time...dining out. You'll find most deals on slow Mondays after the weekend rush. And this might sound strange but consider sitting at the bar. Consumer specialists say a lot of higher end restaurants are realizing the appeal of casual food so they're creating special areas inside their restaurant like a mini restaurant within a restaurant where the food is more casual and certainly cheaper.

What about big ticket items, like that flat screen t-v you've been eyeing? Believe it or not even major stores are willing to haggle these days... especially if you shop by phone. Stores really believe you will go some place else if all you have to do is hang up the phone and dial another number.

Same thing goes for hotels. Give 'em a call from the parking lot and ask for a better deal. You can even save thousands on a car.... if you know when and where to shop. Most times in car buying, the end of the month or end of a model year is the best time to catch a deal. And if at all possible, skip the sales floor. Usually, the Internet manager can off you a good price on a set of brand new wheels.

Consumer experts say the best way to get a good deal is to do your homework. Know what you're buying, what it costs at other stores, or whether it's a big seller.

Car Sale Scam

This email was provided to me by one of the thousands of 2news viewers out there that would like to alert you to watch out for scams. This one is typical of a scammer trying to separate you from your money:

Hello , Thank you for your interest in my vehicle as I know you have many choices . The 2005 Cadillac Escalade is in excellent condition, never damage or repair and with a clean title.Sale price is $9,900.00 USD which includes shipping costs anywhere in the US. I'm am right now in Glasgow Scotland i moved there because i have recently divorced with my wife and i come back to my home country. The vehicle will be shipped from Billings Montana. There are no other costs regarding this transaction. The price is low because i have some personal problems, if you are interested email me back and i will explain the process to get the vehicle. Thank You,

Hello, Before leaving US I had prearranged the deal with WorldPay so my presence in US isn't necessary. A few words about the process: - You need to send me your full name , full address and phone number you will make a deposit of $2500 to the WorldPay trust account. - In the same day when you will make the deposit i will ship the vehicle and i will give you the tracking number. - You will receive the vehicle and you have 5 days to inspect the vehicle ( mechanic, dealer and drive the vehicle). - If you will keep the vehicle then you will send the rest of the money if not then you will get your full amount back and the vehicle will be ship back. - The vehicle will come with the bill of sale , bill of lading , maintenance records , title ( signet by me and ready to be registered to your name) . If you want to buy the vehicle then email me back your info to start the process. The vehicle is not available to see there because the shipping company don't allow any visit or else, so you need to agree with the process. Regards! William

This email lets me know that William will never send the car. He just wants the initial payment up front and leave the consumer holding the bag...or the supposed keys! Big red flag, doing business with individual seller who's located overseas. You could probably find what you're looking for in your own city. NEVER send money upfront.

Beware of emails like this...solicited or unsolicited. If at all possible, buy a car that you can test drive on the spot. If you happen to buy a used vehicle, make sure you get a Carfax report from the dealer or run one yourself. Another good suggestion is to bring a mechanic you trust to look at the car. Used cars are sold "as-is" so once you drive it off the lot...it's yours. Thankfully, this viewer didn't fall for this trap.

Flood Contractor Scams

A Germantown woman, swamped by last weeks flooding, narrowly escapes some scammers looking to make a quick buck off of her misery. So she turns to two with this warning for other homeowners who might run into high pressure salesmen.


"no uniforms, no business cards no...no nothing, no nothing."

Krystyne Edmondson says that was her first clue something was wrong. She tried calling two local companies -- but they were booked. So Krystyne logged on to the Internet to find help.

"they were like we can come out today and i was like oh, what luck! got somebody to come out right now in all this flooding."


Instead... she says she saw trouble pulling into her driveway.

"he's in a personal vehicle and he just has a not enclosed trailer on the back of his van and he had new york license plates so i thought that's kinda odd."

Krystyne says he gave her the song and dance and came up with a price.

"he said you know he's going to cut us a deal and the best he could do was 47-56, four thousand seven hundred fifty six dollars for this."

Minutes later, he took 500-dollars of the price and then the final offer.

"well then he comes back with well i tell you what, if you don't tell my boss, and this that and the other, I'll do it for three thousand."

Krystyne eventually got the contractor to leave. He left this card, with a 516 area code for a phone number that's linked to Long Island New York. Krystyne says the second contractor was from Massachusetts and had sang the same song as the new yorker.

"and he was like i can tell by looking at this job this is about 12 hundred, but i gotta be paid right now."


Krystyne says it was her gut that was telling her something wasn't right. Thankfully, she did not lose thousands of dollars to those fly by nighters. Before you hire a contractor, check with the better business bureau first, to get some company history. You should also ask to see some form of identification. Plus, ask for them to prove that they are licensed and bonded. If at all possible, pick a company that's in the Miami Valley. Your chances of getting the sham will decrease drastically.

Truckers Slowing Down?

That's right, truckers aren't driving as fast on the nation's highways. Fuel costs, not the highway patrol, have caused truckers to back off the gas and slow down. Trucking industry officials say slowing a truck down from 75 to 65 miles per hour saves them more than a mile a gallon. That's big when you realize most trucks average from five to eight miles a gallon on diesel fuel. Diesel's at a national average of almost four dollars a gallon, up from $2.74 a year ago.

Drinking Age Debate

Lawmakers in some states are considering the saying "If you're old enough to fight, you're old enough to drink." Several Legislatures, including Kentucky, South Carolina and Wisconsin are considering bills that would lower drinking ages for military personnel only. However, the move is facing a lot of opposition. A recent Gallup Poll shows 77% of Americans don't want to lower the drinking age from 21.

So, what do you think. At 18, young men enter the selective service and if need be, drafted to fight a war. They can cast their first official ballot at that time as well. Can 18 year olds have a legal drink too? I also ponder a report I heard (and I can't remember the network now) about how binge drinking is running rampant because 18 to 20 year olds are getting drunk, at home and before they go party, because they can't go to the bar and get served.

This is sure to raise some debate.

Teacher License Fee Fight

It wasn't in the lesson plan, but local teachers are digging deeper into their own pockets to teach. Most are having a hard time adding up their new licensing fees. According to the Dayton Education Association, the new teacher license fees are simply unfair and astronomical.

"You know, I wrote a little letter to the ode said that I thought that Ohio has become a hostile environment for teachers."

Pat Lynch says teachers are already under the gun to improve grades and test scores. However, before they can get into the classroom, they have to pay for their teachers license. It's something Lynch says used to be affordable.

"So over the five years it was 60 dollars, now it's five years 200 dollars, a 233% increase."

Lynch says the Ohio Department of Education didn't give teachers any notice the fees were going up so quickly.

"My biggest problem with it, first of all, it was a stealth deal. No one had heard anything about it, rates going up until close to the end of February and March first was the date that they were going up."

The main reason behind the increase -- background checks, performed by law enforcement for the ODE. Lynch believes, and Carl Wick from the ODE agrees, it's using the extra money to offset costs.

"I'm not happy about it either but we had no alternative because state laws require that we recover all operating expenses associated with a license granting agency."

Carl Wick, an at large member of the ODE says the state must process new licenses in a timely manner. Plus, it was forced to raise fees after Governor Ted Strickland asked them to cut 100-million dollars from their budget. Lynch wonders why the ODE couldn't wait until a later date to slap the increase on educators.

"And the problem was that if we delay it, all of their requests for new licenses or renewing licenses would be delayed because we wouldn't have had adequate resources and money to be able to process those."

The new license fees are for all Ohio teachers. Only three other states have higher licensing fees...New Jersey, Hawaii and New Hampshire. Turn To 2 has also found a new bill that was introduced in the Ohio house. It's House Bill 507. If passed, the legislation would allow teachers to pay license renewal fees in annual installments and to allow a refundable credit against the income tax for educator licensing fees and educator-paid criminal records check fees.

Taxation Frustration

I want to bring you the story of a viewer who got the runaround with the Ohio Department of Taxation. He shares the same name with his deceased father and that's where the problem started. He has a step you can take to get some assistance...his story is below.

University Insurance Fight

A Tipp City teen turned to 2 after fighting with bowling green state university officials after they suggested she should sign up for the university's insurance plan. Lauren Johnson is now attending another college.  Grades didn't keep her from going to the college of her choice but it was her family's insurance plan that did.  I got state lawmakers involved and we're getting results.

"we have bipartisan support, that's always encouraging."
 

What Ohio Representative Diana Fessler is talking about is house bill 495.  If it becomes law, state universities would not be able to require students like Lauren Johnson to purchase the institutions health insurance plan.  Johnson planned to attend bowling green until the university told johnson her families health insurance policy didn't meet their criteria.

"they said that the deductible of 25-hundred dollars was too expensive and that they made this policy so people like student's wouldn't have to spend as much money if i were to have an accident on campus."

State Representative Diana Fessler.

"and when lauren enrolled in, attempted to enroll she was confronted with the decision on the part of the university and said sorry this won't due, you're going to have to up the ante and either change your personal policy or buy into what we want you to have."

Turn to two and the Johnson family notified Fessler about the problem...and she went to work.

"my initial thought was that was the university profiting from the forcing the family to buy into the policy that they preferred the student would have."

Fessler is investigating the money relationship between bgsu and the insurance company and says it doesn't look good.

"this is not a private institution it's a government school, trying to dictate to a family what they believe the family should have in terms of coverage, healthcare coverage for their own family member....i think that's highly problematic."

Fessler says cost is a factor.  The Johnson family told Rep. Fessler if they signed up for the university's plan, it would cost them an extra five thousand dollars a year -- not including Lauren's tuition, room and board.

"i did ask the university to send me all the documentation you have, how you finally decided that the expectation you now have for students is reasonable and necessary and they told me at that time they didn't have any paperwork of that nature."

House bill 495, is now assigned to the insurance committee.  If it gets out of committee, Lauren and her parents may get to testify before state lawmakers.  Fessler says she will also work with Lucas county representative Barbara Sears on the issue until the end of her term.

"representative sears is all over this issue, so from here on out, we're going to be working collaboratively on this bill because she has faced this in her own district."

Since introducing house bill 495, Fessler now has a meeting with an ohio state university lobbyist.  Ohio State and Ohio University are just a few other state schools with an insurance requirement.

Gas Prices...OUTRAGEOUS

As you made the drive home tonight, you may have been shocked at the prices at the pump. Gas prices in the Miami Valley went up as high as $3.45/gallon. The price hike comes as oil hit a new record of $110 a barrel.

Industry insiders say it's the refineries that are causing all the trouble with gas prices. Others blame taxes on the gas and who we're getting it from. No matter the cause, consumers are feeling the pinch on their purses and wallets.

One thing is for sure, prices are partially set by supply and demand. I'm not just talking about U.S. demand but also world demand. It's one of those basic marketing principals many of us learn in middle or high school. My advice, time to start carpooling! I know many of you would love to sound off about our oil and gas issues....so here you go.......

IRS Audit E-Mail

Another new scam brought to the attention of the IRS contains features not previously seen by the IRS. Using a technique calculated to get almost anyone’s attention, the e-mail notifies the recipient that his or her tax return will be audited. This is the first scam of which the IRS is aware that uses this to get the victim to respond.

Unusual for a scam e-mail, it may contain a salutation in the body addressed to the specific recipient by name. Most scam e-mails seen by the IRS are sent using the same technique used by spammers, in which hundreds of thousands of messages are sent to potential victims based on Internet address. Because of the volume, the typical scam e-mail is not personalized.

This e-mail instructs the recipient to click on links to complete forms with personal and account information, which the scammers will use to commit identity theft.

This e-mail is a phony. The IRS does not send unsolicited, tax-account related e-mails to taxpayers.

IRS Refund E-mail

The IRS has seen several variations of a refund-related bogus e-mail which falsely claims to come from the IRS, tells the recipient that he or she is eligible for a tax refund for a specific amount, and instructs the recipient to click on a link in the e-mail to access a refund claim form.

In a new wrinkle, the current version of the refund scam includes two paragraphs that appear to be directed toward tax-exempt organizations that distribute funds to other organizations or individuals. The e-mail contains the name and supposed signature of the Director of the IRS’s Exempt Organizations business division.

This e-mail is a phony. The IRS does not send unsolicited e-mail about tax account matters to individual, business, tax-exempt or other taxpayers.

Filing a tax return is the only way to apply for a tax refund; there is no separate application form. Taxpayers who wish to find out if they are due a refund from their last annual tax return filing may use the “Where’s My Refund?” interactive application on the IRS Web site at IRS.gov. The only official IRS Web site is located at www.irs.gov.

Rebate Phone Calls

At least one scheme using the word “rebate” as part of the lure has been identified. In that scam, consumers receive a phone call from someone identifying himself as an IRS employee. The caller tells the targeted victim that he is eligible for a sizable rebate for filing his taxes early. The caller then states that he needs the target’s bank account information for the direct deposit of the rebate. If the target refuses, he is told that he cannot receive the rebate.

This phone call is a scam. No legislation has yet been enacted that would allow the IRS to provide advance payments to taxpayers or that determines the details of those payments. Moreover, the IRS does not force taxpayers to use direct deposit. Those who opt for direct deposit do so by completing the appropriate section of their tax return, with bank routing and account information, when they file; the IRS tells me they do not gather the information by telephone.