Posts Tagged ‘Great’
Watch Holly Clegg make her Easy Chicken recipe featuring Great Value products. Enjoy this meal for under $2 per serving. Find more budget-friendly meal solutions at walmart.com/greatvalue.
Duration : 0:3:34
Lord Nicholas Stern, economist and author of the acclaimed and much-discussed Stern Review of 2006, spoke recently at the Royal Geographical Society about the world’s major problems and his suggested solutions to them. This, in summary, is what he said.
The two great issues of the 21st century – poverty and climate change – are interdependent: they succeed or fail together. The economic crisis we are now experiencing is a shorter, shallower problem.
WHO CAUSES THE CLIMATE CHANGE?
There is no doubt that climate change is caused by human activity. People produce greenhouse gases, not all of which are absorbed by the atmosphere. Hence we have a stock of gases in the atmosphere trapping other chemicals: this is what we call ‘the greenhouse effect’. The impact is felt mainly through water – melting glaciers and ice-caps, reduction of ice in the polar regions, tsunamis, rising sea levels.
Early economists misunderstood the impact of climate change because they didn’t recognise the size and uncertainty of the problem, which is global, long-term and very big. The changes that are happening are not marginal like those in economics. Moreover, the problem is growing all the time, so delay worsens it.
Governments and other interested bodies need to consider ‘externalities’ – the effects of one person’s actions on others – and hence the interconnectedness of all aspects of climate change.
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM?
About two-thirds of emissions of greenhouse gases are accounted for by only six or seven countries. Poor countries will figure large in emissions in the next years because there are more people in them, but rich countries account for more emissions overall, as their emissions per capita are higher. In the mid-19th century the rate of emission was 285ppm CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent); now it is 430ppm and we are adding CO2e at the rate of more than 2.5ppm/year. If we continued as we are now – the ‘business as usual’ (BAU) scenario – we would reach a level of 750ppm by the end of the century, which would be nothing short of ruinous.
The challenge is to keep the rate of emissions under 500ppm, or, better still, 450ppm (which we will reach, under BAU, in six years). This would keep the increase in temperature to less than two degrees and would reduce emissions to about 50% of those of 1990-2000.
The trouble is that, although humans have been on earth for some 100,000 years, we don’t know what the effects of high levels of emissions will be. In the last Ice Age, 10-12,000 years ago, the temperature was only about five degrees lower than it is now.
What we do know is that temperature increase will force people from their existing settlements by rising sea levels or loss of suitable conditions for agriculture or survival by other means. Massive human movements are bound to lead to extended conflicts.
It takes a long time for reduced emissions to lead to reduced concentrations in the atmosphere. By 2050 there will be some 9 billion people on the planet. Overall our aim should be to reduce emissions to 2 tonnes per person and by 2050 to reduce emissions to 50% of their 1990 levels.
WHAT ARE WE TO DO?
There are three key areas to focus on:
energy efficiency developing and deploying low-carbon technologies – an attractive and long-term option whose effects promise to last several decades halting deforestation, which is the source of 15-20% of emissions.
The cost of reducing emissions is estimated at about $2 trillion. Sounds like a huge amount of money? In fact, it’s only about 1-2% of the world economy – and the cost is to put one-off new measures in place, not a long-lasting, continuous commitment.
Prices, taxes and regulation are necessary too, and individual preferences have to be managed. People need to be made to understand the consequences of their actions. Remember the introduction of the breathalyser? Many people were outraged at the alleged infringement of personal liberty, yet now the practice is not only commonplace but fully accepted as right.
WHAT SHOULD BE THE GLOBAL DEAL?
Action has to be taken internationally. Here is what the global ‘deal’ we need would look like:
1. Global emissions targets for rich countries.
2. Developing countries to take on targets too (as some already have, e.g. Brazil, India and China).
3. Emissions trading should be encouraged.
4. There must be a halt to deforestation and investment in agriculture, an initiative driven by developing countries.
5. Employ technology. Some 50% of our energy currently comes from coal. Carbon capture and storage could give us solids to use as fuel.
6. Adaptation: we need to remember that development in a more hostile climate is more expensive.
These principles need to be firmly established before the next Climate Conference in Copenhagen in December, when it is hoped this deal will be drafted.
There are two points to note about any economic crisis. One is that the longer the risks are ignored, the worse the consequences. The second is that action to get out of the present crisis must not sow the seeds of the next one. But the current downturn creates an opportunity: materials, for insulating homes, for example, are cheaper; and now is a good time to invest in energy efficiency, new technologies and low-carbon growth.
“2009 is a year when political leadership, pressure and decision are vital,” says Lord Stern. “The prize from success is great; the risks from failure are immense.”
Any expert would tell you to sit down and analysis your current spending habit before considering any money saving ideas and tips. You should do a budget of all your income and expenses and see how much money you have left at the end of the month. Armed with your spending information you should then consider the money saving tips below. Keep a record of how much you should be saving next month and compare the results. It is important that you continue this exercise annually.
In the current market it is difficult to know what to do with your savings so I suggest you consider looking at the last money saving idea for a tip that will save you thousands of pounds in the future
Switch to Freeview TV
Switch to Freeview digital TV and save up to £200 a year. You will need to buy a Digi-box receiver for around £50. Then you will receive more than 40 free digital TV Channels for free and there’s no monthly subscription to be paid.
Switching your Gas and Electricity Providers
Consider switching your fuel providers it could save you £100’s. As a nation we don’t like changing our utility providers and as a result our suppliers don’t offer us any better deals. They use their cheaper deals to entice new customers. Use a Comparison site to find the best deals around for your Gas and Electricity.
Cheaper Telephone and Broadband bills
Shop around for cheaper telephone and broadband suppliers. Many providers offer cheaper dual packages and low-cost dial up services as well as cheaper line rental. Use a Comparison site to find the best deals around today
Reduce your Mobile Phone costs
Consider switching your mobile from a monthly contract to a pay-as-you-go scheme if you don’t use your mobile a lot. If your family all have a mobile phone then you should consider a package with all the phones included. Make sure that you all share the number of call minutes and the texts each month. There are deals around that will provide you with new phones within the package and they will allow you to alter the number of texts and call minutes each month.
Shop around for Better value Insurance Cover
Shop around for cheaper Car Insurance, Building & Contents Insurance and Life Insurance. Remember everything that glitters is not golden. When looking to rebroke or change Insurance providers you need to compare like with like and not on price alone. Always look for the same cover and definitions for each Insurance policy or a better policy for a cheaper price when looking to change providers.
The cost of life cover only Insurance has reduced due to the fact that we are all living longer and the unthinkable has happened Life Insurance policies have become cheaper.
If you have any Critical Illness Insurance cover then tread very carefully and use a mortgage broker to rearrange a cheaper policy for you. The reason for this is the Insurance companies have changed many of their Insurance cover definitions and the number of conditions that they will cover. For peace of mind you should use a mortgage broker for protection. Should they change a good policy for an inferior policy then you could claim compensation for negligence.
Food Shopping
1. Always make a list and try not to deviate from your shopping list.
2. Don’t take your children or husband shopping as you will probably find it really hard to say no when they ask for something and they will only increase your shopping bill.
3. Have your supermarket shopping delivered, it’s a great way of ordering what you need to maintain your weekly budget.
4. Try and cook all meals from fresh, they are healthier than ready made meals and more nutritious. Invest in a cook book if you lack inspiration or knowledge.
5. Look for a Farm shop with a butchery attached; our local Farm shop sells half a Lamb for £20 and half a Pig for £30 they are already frozen ready for the freezer. What a bargain!
6. Consider using the supermarkets own-brand products as they are often the same or similar as branded products without the brand name and price tag.
7. When last did you shop at your local market? The food is generally cheaper and fresher from your local market as they have lower overheads and can therefore pass on the savings to you.
8. Use the discount supermarkets like Asda, Aldi and Lidl. There are big savings to be made here. Don’t worry about shopping here; the food is quality and the car park is full of expensive cars, which suggests that everybody is shopping here – rich or poor.
Always ask yourself whether or not you really need a product or service and always consider alternatives. Don’t be enticed to buy the special offers like, buy-one-get-one-free promotions or the 30% off discount offer. It’s not a bargain if you don’t need it in the first place. Remember a bargain or an offer is either priced to get rid of stock quickly for a reason or it is priced into the product to start with.
Save money by Buying in the Sales
Clothes we all agree are cheaper if bought during shop sales. It’s possible to save a hundred pounds or more on a designer evening dress or a suit or any other type of clothing. Sometimes we just need to be patient and not be impulsive when deciding to buy items. Slowly, slowly catch a Bargain!
Have a look in the charity shops. You will be amazed at the designer clothes and the quality of some of the items they have for sale.
Always check on e-Bay for anything that you are considering buying, people all over the country sell clothes that are new or nearly new and have either never been worn or are nearly new. There are some real bargains to be had if you are willing to spend the time searching.
Recently there have been some swap sites being launched on the internet to swap designer clothes for cash or other garments.
Consider Shopping Online
The internet has grown rapidly over the past five years and you can buy just about anything while sat at home in a comfy chair. You can use the comparison websites to search out the cheapest price for the item that you are looking for and you can compare one brand with another without leaving your chair.
Are you claiming all your allowance
Many of us don’t know what benefits and tax credits we and our families are entitled to when it comes to claiming for Pension Credits, Child Benefit, Child tax Credits, Working Tax credits, etc. It is reckoned that around £8 billion a year is not claimed by people who are entitled to claim benefits.
Prepaid Credit Cards
I love this idea as it gives you all the benefits without the credit card balance and you cannot overspend on it. To use a prepaid credit card you need to transfer an amount of money onto the card first before you go shopping. I guarantee that you will only spend what you can afford. This is a truly money saving product that everybody should have.
Quit Smoking
If you are smoking 20 cigarettes a day then you will be spending around £2,117 a year or more. This is a mind blowing amount of money and it will just be going up in smoke.
Now look at the benefits to your health and the health of your children, family and friends. We found when my wife and I gave up smoking that the house smelt cleaner and fresher. Our home does not need painting inside as often anymore, which is now saving us a small fortune as we don’t need to paint as often.
Just think if you packed in the weed, you and your family could enjoy a foreign annual holiday each year. You could choose to overpay your mortgage and finish paying it earlier. Alternatively, you could choose to save the money over the next twenty five years and save £52,925 plus any interest. Wow! What are you waiting for?
One persons junk is another’s pride and joy
Consider selling anything that you haven’t used in the last two or three years. This is a pretty good indicator of whether or not you need it or not and if you have not used it the chances are that you don not need it. Sell it for some hard cash on e-bay.
Annual Holidays
This year is an exception compared with previous years when we were all going to America and other exotic holiday destinations. Now we find that our money in America won’t go as far as it did last year due to the exchange rate. Our European holidays have also just become more expensive due to the exchange rate. America is now 25% more expensive and the Euro is nearly on a parity with the Pound. So why not have a holiday in the UK and support our economy. At least your money will be worth the same and you will save on the cost of holiday travel. You would be surprised at how beautiful our island is.
Savings
If you are fortunate to have any savings then your need to search out the best Individual Savings Account (Isa) accounts. You can also chose to save up to £850 per month split between the two types of accounts.
An Isa provides Tax-free savings and a saver can invest up to £10,200 into an Isa each tax year irrespective of whether you are a low or high rate taxpayer.
Under the new provision announced by The Chancellor Alistair Darling in the last budget you can be put £5,100 into a cash Isa or a saving account and £5,100 can be invested in stocks and shares.
You can withdraw your money at anytime as long as you have not locked them into a fixed rate deal, once the money is withdrawn you cannot return it and if you withdraw during the year you will lose the tax-free incentive and the money will become taxable in the year you with draw it.
If you are a lower or high rate taxpayer then you will not pay any tax on the money invested in an Isa each year. Under normal circumstances you would pay 40% on the interest received from other saving schemes. If you are a lower rate taxpayer then you would pay 20% on the interest received from other saving schemes.
Your Mortgage
At present your only hope if you have any savings is a maximum return of 1.5% per year – this is appalling and outrageous! So why not over pay your mortgage which will be on an interest rate of 4% to 7% depending on your mortgage deal. By overpaying your current mortgage will save you many thousands of pounds in interest and you can choose to reduce the term of your mortgage as well. Imagine paying your mortgage off two or three years early. If you paid £500 per month and you were to overpay your mortgage and you paid it off three years earlier you will save £18,000 plus the interest you would not be paying in the last three years. This saving could ultimately be worth around £21,000.
A treadmill can easily be set up in front of your television or plug it into your headphones. Today’s best rated treadmills can do anything your training demands, such as hills, intervals, tempo, long distance, and anything else you can do on a treadmill. You can easily read a book or watch over the kids while you work out on your home treadmill.
A treadmill consists of a wide belt that’s stretched over a bed and around two or more rollers. AC motors that are found in some treadmill units run at one continuous speed and rely on a transmission to regulate speed whereas units powered by DC motors use variable voltage to regulate the speed at which the belt spins. With treadmills you need to watch out for the impact involved when your feet hit the belt; your body absorbs up to two and a half times your body weight.
A pre-programmed workout registers your heart rate without being connected to the treadmill by a cord or wire. Display panels should be easy to read and straightforward to operate. Some excellent features, like heart monitors and safety keys that automatically stop the treadmill if you slip, will contribute to the enjoyment and safety of your treadmill workout or help add motivation.
Less expensive treadmill models require you to manually change the incline, which can be very frustrating if you want to make adjustments midway through a workout session. The console indicates the belt speed and other factors, such as heart rate, miles per hour, and distance. One feature that is absolutely necessary in a home treadmill is an emergency stop button or a safety key that automatically shuts off the power if you should stumble, trip or fall.
The deck is the belt area on which actual running, jogging and walking take place. The newest models of treadmills come with many extra features that you may not need.
Warranties can last for ninety days or a lifetime, read the fine print. Any treadmill with a belt that causes jerky movements while you walk or run should be avoided. Noise from the smallest repetitive sound can drive you nuts over a period of time and give you another excuse not to exercise.
Buying a treadmill online has become the way to go for most people; it’ll save you both time and a lot of money. Make sure to add the cost of shipping when buying a treadmill online; quality models can be heavy and shipping will cost more, but some manufacturers do offer free shipping. After-sales service is another important issue to think about; find out if they’ll promptly repair or replace your treadmill if there is a problem.
Be aware the better quality treadmills can cost as much as $5000 and have a lot of bells and whistles you don’t need. When you’re reading treadmill ratings or treadmill reviews, they’ll usually cover safety statistics, the heart rate monitor, the various merits of the interactive model and computer fitness programs and levels. Once you’ve decided on the treadmill that you think is right for you, make sure to compare prices online with several different manufacturers.
Commercial club treadmills are reliable and well constructed; do look into a home version. It’s best to buy a treadmill that has at least a one-year warranty.
Your club commercial machine may be may be a good choice in a home version; you’re already familiar with its features and probably are comfortable using it. You’ll probably want to buy a unit with a motor that delivers 1.5 to 3 continuous, not peak, horsepower.
To get even more workouts, think about making your treadmill into a walking, working office by adding a mini-platform to the side rails. Treadmills are known to provide one of the best ways to improve cardiovascular fitness.
If you have severe problems with your legs, a treadmill may not be the best choice of home exercise equipment for you. More and more people every day are choosing to get healthier; the majority of beginning exercisers start out by just walking or jogging.
Take time to do your research, the same way you would any major purchase and buying a treadmill won’t be difficult. Besides spending your money on a treadmill make sure you spend time on it! Read the various treadmill ratings and treadmill reviews that you find online so you have an idea which models are best for you.
There has been no other time in history when so many people have been so dedicated to conserving energy and reducing their utility bills. With rising energy costs and global warming, conserving energy has never been so important in most of our lives. If you are dedicated to cultivating a greener lifestyle and lowering your utility bills in the process, here are some helpful tips and bits of advice that can help you cut down on your energy use.
Dial down your thermostat in winter
What does it mean to dial down your thermostat? Dialing down your thermostat in winter refers to the act of reducing the temperature in your home in order to conserve heating fuel. This concept is simple enough: the best way to conserve energy is simply by not using so much of it. You would probably be surprised how much you can save simply by dialing your thermostat two or three degrees from your normal temperature. Simply dialing down your thermostat one degree makes a difference. If you dial down one degree in winter, this will generally result in about one to three percent less fuel use, which corresponds to about one to three percent less fuel use which is reflected on your utility bill. In order to stay comfortably cool in the winter, slip on a sweater. At night, cover up with more blankets. This form of personal insulation is a great and efficient way to retain your personal body heat.
Come Summer, Dial Up
Just as you might dial down during the winter, the concept of dialing down can be simply reversed for the summer months. Dialing up is a great way to help conserve energy and reduce the cost of cooling your home during the hot summer months. As with the cold winter months, you want to dial up a few degrees and adjust your clothing for the warmer weather. Make sure to dial up your thermostat for when you plan to be away from the house.
For larger homes, make sure to close empty rooms
If you occupy a larger home or there are many rooms in your house that aren’t currently being used, make sure to shut the doors to rooms. This can help reduce the demand on your heating and cooling system and help keep the rest of the house at a moderate and comfortable temperature. Remember that the less space that needs to be supplied with cool or warm air, the less you will need to spend on energy costs.
Check that your home is well-insulated
You would be surprised what lurks in your home. If your home is not well-insulated, you may easily be losing hundreds of dollars or more each year on keeping your home warm or cool. Check for cracks in the foundation, thin walls or other features that may be keeping your home from staying cool or warm. You can have an expert perform an energy audit on your apartment or home and give you tips on how your specific living area can be better insulated for retaining a comfortable temperature.
Switch to energy efficient lighting fixtures
Most of us already know about the benefits of switching to fluorescent bulbs. These bulbs are long-lasting and can save you hundreds of dollars on your electricity bill over a year. Another great option that you can take advantage of is solar lighting. If you like to keep your house or yard lit throughout the night, consider switching to solar lighting. These lights use the sun’s warmth and energy to stay lit for several hours and can help save you money on your energy bill.
Do you want to plan a party, but are worried that it will cost too much? You can still have a great celebration without breaking your budget. Here are 18 top tips to help you save money.
1. Borrow music CDs from your library. Maybe you need dance music to liven up the crowd. You might want easy listening melodies as a background for conversation or Hawaiian songs for a luau theme party. Your public library should have it available and ready to lend to you.
2. Decorate with balloons. Balloons are festive and cheap, especially if you fill them with air, instead of helium. Search online and you will find instructions for making impressive balloon arches, garlands, columns and more.
3. Rent a helium tank. If you prefer helium filled balloons and you need lots of them, it’s cheaper to rent a tank and fill the balloons yourself. However, if you’re only buying a few, you can save money by purchasing them already filled at the dollar store.
4. Light lots of candles around the party for instant, inexpensive atmosphere.
5. Keep your little, white Christmas lights handy. String them around the buffet table, doorway, centerpieces, potted plants, just about anywhere to create an elegant look to any party, without spending a lot of cash.
6. Buy a reusable ice sculpture mold. These can cost under $20, are easy to fill, fit in your freezer, and can be used over and over again. Find them online for a low cost, yet fancy touch to your celebration.
7. Forget flower centerpieces. Yes, they’re pretty, but expensive. Instead try tealights floating in a large shallow glass bowl filled with water. Or you could place framed photos of the guest of honor on the table for a nice tribute. You can even display party favors as the centerpiece.
8. Make your own invitations. With greeting card software on your computer, your printer and a little creativity, you can save money by doing these yourself.
9. Browse online for cheap invitations. If you’re not the crafty type, you can find great bargains online for invitations. Do some searching, and you may be surprised at the deep discounts available.
10. Go with photo invitations that feature the guest of honor. These can even cost less than regular paper invitations, if you hunt around the internet for the right company. You can also trim the price by choosing a smaller size, like 4 x 6 or 4 x 8 inches.
11. Invite less, save more. Sure, it’s nice to have a big bash. But if you’re watching your wallet, nothing cuts expenses faster than shrinking the guest list. Think quality over quantity. It’s better to have a smaller party, than no party at all.
12. Cut costs on party favors. You can obviously eliminate them if your budget is extremely tight, but if you decide you want to send your guests home with a little thank you gift, you can make them yourself. One simple idea is to use occasion appropriate gift wrapping paper to wrap Hershey candy bars as a thoughtful giveaway.
13. Order cheap favors online. If you don’t want to make your own, you don’t have to resort to the dollar store for favors. For around the same price you can find inexpensive personalized items, some even with a photo. You just have to be willing to do a little searching.
14. Consider having your party from 2 – 5 p.m. on Saturday or Sunday. No one will expect a big meal during those hours, so you can get away with just serving coffee and cake.
15. Invite your guests for just appetizers or dessert. Your invitation can say something like “please join us for an open house with hors d’oeuvres”.
16. Go with a buffet, if you want to have a full dinner for a lot of people. Include inexpensive, but crowd pleasing pasta dishes and casseroles. Find recipes you can make ahead and freeze.
17. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Make it a potluck and request that guests bring a dish. If you can, borrow rather than rent chairs, chafing dishes, outside tents, etc. Enlist a friend to help you serve.
18. Be kind to the environment and your budget by using real plates, glasses and silverware. Of course, disposable paper plates, cups and plastic forks make clean-up easier, but they add to your expense. Use what you have, wash the dishes and save money.
Yes, you can have a great party without spending a lot of money. With a little creativity, time and effort you can cut expenses. But that’s not all. You can leave your guests with the impression you actually splurged.
By planning in advance, look into Disney World vacation deals in order to seek out the best deal that fits within your budget. You can enjoy significant savings on your Disney vacation without sacrificing any of your family’s enjoyment.
Below are some tips that you may follow when you are doing research on Disney World vacation deals:
1. Look out for discounted Disney World tickets, budget accommodations and Disney vacation packages before embarking on your Disney vacation.
2. Schedule your Disney World trip during the off-season if possible or at the time when Disney has what it calls Value Rates. You will enjoy significantly lower airfares and hotel/resort rates.
3. If you are a Disney resort guest and on budget travel, take advantage of Disney buses, ferries and the monorail system when visiting theme and water parks as well as Downtown Disney.
4. Avoid buying Disney merchandise within the Disney World theme parks. Some of the area factory outlet stores such as Orlando Premium Outlets are selling the same items found at Disney World at significantly lower prices.
5. Do more research to find some of the free things that you can do during your Disney vacation. For instance, Disney Broadwalk is a place where you can enjoy free walking with your family or if your family is up to a more physical workout, your family can hike through the Disney Wilderness Preserve. In addition, Downtown Disney gives any family the opportunity to stroll along the shopping mall.
6. For a fancy feast without breaking the bank, take the family to one of the all-you-can-eat buffets that lie just outside Disney World such as Bill Wong’s Famous Buffet, Sweet Tomatoes, Boston Lobster Feast, Golden Corral, Ponderosa, Sizzler, Captain Nemo’s Seafood Feast or Angel’s Lobster, Crab & Prime Rib Buffet.
7. If you are staying at an off-site Disney property, there are numerous budget motels and hotels that you can consider. Many of these motels and hotels provide complimentary transportation to Disney World theme parks.
8. Look out for discount coupons to Disney area attractions, restaurants and specialty shops in free publications such as I Love Orlando magazine.
9. Before you book a hotel or motel, check if there is full breakfast every morning. This saves your family more time and money.
10. Check out comprehensive online guides for information on Disney World discount tickets, accommodations and Disney vacation packages.
11. For larger family reunions it may be a better alternative financially to look into renting a vacation home. This also allows for the whole family to stay together and meet without incurring traveling time.
12. If you are visiting theme parks with young children, remember to bring along a backpack with some snacks or juice boxes as dining in the restaurants can be costly.
13. Instead of spending big bucks at a Disney character breakfast, take your kids to the Town Square for autograph and photo opportunities with Disney characters.
14. Pick the appropriate Disney World ticket deal based on your family’s length of stay. Make sure you are able to use all the benefits in the time you visit Disney. Many people waste their money by upgrading to tickets with features they will never use, wasting hundreds of unused dollars. You will still want to schedule time for rest and relaxation during your trip.
15. Make lunch your big meal of the day when dining in Disney property as prices are considerably lower than for dinner.
16. Carry your own water bottle into the Disney theme park and you can fill it up at any of the abundant water fountains throughout the day. This helps to cut down costs on drinks.
17. Many off-site hotels and motels have restaurants which offer Kids-Eat-Free deals (one child eats free per paying adult). This is a good deal for those on budget travel.
18. If you are a guest of Disney resorts, take advantage of Disney’s Magical Express, which provides complimentary shuttle service to and from the Orlando International Airport.
19. Avoid Disney vacation during holiday weekends and Spring Break when prices are higher.
By following these money-saving tips and doing research on Disney World vacation deals, you will find that you have an economical and enjoyable Disney vacation at the same time.
Everybody wants to save money today, that’s no secret. Here are some great tips that have been gathered to help you save money, solve common problems for less and get what you need without paying for what you don’t.
Things That Last Longer:
1 – Rechargeable Batteries AA for your digital camera etc.. Many cameras don’t even work with regular alkaline batteries, and they are only good for one use then you throw them away. A set of 4 rechargeable batteries can be found online for around $10 and last a long time, so don’t pay $40 for them at the store.
2 – Nonstick Cookware: Testing has shown that the “Circulon Elite” brand outlasts others, so if you must buy new make sure you take a look at them. If you already have some, DO NOT use non-stick cooking spray or it will cook into the surface and make it tacky and hard to clean! It’s already non-stick so you’re just wasting the “Pam” anyway.
3- Sheets: Sometimes they need replacing or you need another set. Take a look at the “JCPenny Home Collection” and their 300 thread count sheets to be more specific. They are reported to not shrink and fade and 300 thread count is the perfect balance between lower cost and softer feel.
4- Clothing: You want a gentle stain remover and detergent, and “Tide Total Care” has shown to be both; helping clothing look newer for longer.
5- Towels: When your towels need replacing, “Canopy Bath Towels” at Walmart looked good even after 25 washes. At only about $35 for a 6 piece set they are a great value.
6- If it’s broke, fix it: “Gorilla Super Glue” can bond to metal, stone, wood, ceramics, glass and more! Exercise caution to not glue things to your skin and never get your fingers near your eyes when using any “Super” glue.
Quick Spill Cleanups:
7- Computer Desk: Spill resistant or waterproof keyboards can save your day, and money! “Seal Shield Seal Flex” keyboards can go directly into the dishwasher for easy cleanup.
8- Carpet Stains: If you have a puppy or young children then this is for you. The “Woolite Pod” gets out stains quick and easy can can even put the fluff back into matted up carpet. Always make sure to soak up as much of the spill as possible before using any cleaner.
9- Carpet Cleaning: For years people have rented ‘Bissell Deep Cleaner” steam cleaners to clean their carpets themselves. When you move out of your apartment, rent a steamer for fairly cheap at most large grocery stores and make sure you get back your security deposit.
10- On The Go: The “Tide to Go” pen can save day if you end up wearing some of your lunch before going to that big meeting at work and save your white shirt from a stain that you might not be able to get out later.
Living eco-friendly:
11- Painting Stinks: Use paints with no Volatile Organic Compounds VOC’s when possible, it’s better for your family and the Earth.
12- Grow Your Own: With vegetable prices rising start your own small garden in your yard. Pick plants that yield a lot of what you like tomatoes, zucchini, beans, peppers and save money on groceries.
13- Weed Killer: “Preen” vegetable garden weed-preventer has a safe organic formula that stops weeds from growing in your garden. Alternatively you can pull them out by hand, it’s cheaper and guaranteed eco-friendly.
14- Bottled Water: Don’t buy it. Get a “Brita” or “Pur” faucet-mounted water filter and fill up 1 gallon jugs to be placed in the fridge. Tap water isn’t cold enough for me and this is a great solution. Help keep millions of water bottles out of the landfill, it’s an enormous trash generator that people largely ignore. One faucet-mounted filter can replace 750 sixteen ounce single serving water bottles!
15- Repair It: Broken electronics do not belong in the trash, they contain PCB’s (Printed Circuit Boards) that have mercury in them which is hazardous waste and is not allowed in your household trash. You can probably repair your digital camera for $100 or less instead of throwing it away and spending $400 on a new one or $200 on one that isn’t as good as the one you threw away.
You may not be able to save thousands with these tips, but every bit helps. There are so many more that are not listed, be sure to look for more problem solving and money saving ideas coming soon!
As the use of broadband continues to grow in the UK, so the packages available continue to develop. It is important to shop around and understand what you need before taking the plunge.
Broadband, a contraction of ‘broad bandwidth’, is the provision of high-speed data-transmission rates over a phone line, digital cable or satellite connection. It enables faster Internet connectivity and email, and has changed the way people use the Internet, for various things like shopping, gaming, communicating and general entertainment.
When you’re thinking about broadband, you need to think about what you’re going to use it for, and what’s important to you.
Price may be important, but you know you’ve got to get broadband if only to free up the house telephone that can’t be used when the computer is connected to the Internet. In such a situation, you might want to simply opt for one of the cheaper broadband packages.
The chances are, however, that you will find wider use for broadband, and that will mean looking more deeply into what each broadband provider can deliver.
Things to look for are:
• Usage
• Speed
• Download limits
• Set-up costs
• Contract period
• Monthly cost
• Costs after one year
Usage varies from light usage through medium usage to heavy internet usage.
Speeds can vary from 2Mbps through 8, 10, 16 and 20Mbps all the way to the fastest speed of 24Mbps. However, speeds in excess of 2 Meg are only available in certain areas, and top speeds vary significantly, one variant being how far away you live from the exchange.
Limits on downloads can be as low as 2GB, and as high as unlimited.
Set-up costs can be £30, but in many cases set up is free.
Contract periods can be monthly, or as long as 24 months in some cases.
Costs, of course, vary with the package you have. They can be as low as £3.75 per month, or as high as £37 per month.
Broadband is a big growth area and all broadband providers are competing for your business.
