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.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Monday, April 28, 2008
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
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
"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
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
Monday, April 14, 2008
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?
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?
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
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.
"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.
"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.
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