July deals

July starts tomorrow. Really? Has June flown by for everyone else, too? In any case -- time for me to share good deals to look for in July.
Here goes:

-Grill Supplies
-Party supplies (like disposable plates, cups, napkins and utensils)
-Furniture (have to say -- this one surprised me -- figured it would be later in the year, but I have seen a lot of furniture sale commercials for the holiday weekend)
-Home Decor (geared to the bulk of weddings happening in the month of July; happens again when weddings spike in September/October)
-air conditioners and major appliances (especially on the holiday weekend)
-craft supplies

Find best food prices on:
-typical bbq foods like hot dogs, ground beef
-hamburg and hot dog buns
-condiments for all those grilled items
-salad dressing
-chips
-ice cream and popsicles
-soda, bottled water and iced tea (mix and tea bags)

As always -- thank you to the sources I rely on for this info: bankrate.com, Real Simple Magazine and frugal living at about.com

Happy July,

-reenie

Cash for Clunkers

Have you heard about this new program? Some call it "Cash for Clunkers" -- others stick with the more formal moniker: the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). If you own a care that has an 18 or fewer combined miles per gallon fuel rating, you may qualify for this rebate program. If the thought of driving around in your gas guzzler this summer has you less than thrilled, and you're thinking about a new car purchase... you need to know a few things about how this works:

-Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
-Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify
-Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
-Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
-You don't need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase

Most of the info I've read says to shop in late July to early August -- just be sure your dealer is up on all of the details before you sign on the bottom line. Depending on what you buy (and if your vehicle qualifies) you could save between $3500-$4500.

The program is being administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and they are coordinating with car dealers on how to make the program work. Keep in mind, purchases need to be made from the program start to November 1, 2009. From what I have found -- the start date is a little loose because of program start-up issues, but well worth waiting for. The best place to find info on how the program works, or if your old car even qualifies? The government's official website: http://cars.gov. Don't let non-government websites ask you for personal information (some of those bad-boys have already popped up). You can get all you need on the dot gov site.

Happy car shopping,

-reenie

Editor's Note, July 31, 2009 - Just heard on the radio that the program has run out of money just one week in. Sounds like Congress is trying to find more money to inject into the program. I'll keep my ears/eyes open and post new info once I have the details confirmed.

Making a house a home

I think I have hit the 70+ number on houses I've toured since I decided to put my house on the market back at the beginning of this calendar year. My house still has not sold, and I'm trying to do all of the things they tell you to do -- but that said, I'm still out looking at new houses every chance I get. I want to be ready when that great offer comes in -- I want to know what's out there and what I like.

Don't get me wrong -- I love my current house. It just happens to be almost twice the size I need, and in this tender economy, that just doesn't make a lick of sense. I'm looking to downsize -- to lower my monthly mortgage, lower my monthly utility bills, lose the equity line balance, and lessen my commitment to weekly interior and exterior chores. Know what I mean? I'm also looking forward to pruning out even more clutter.

The fun part is when I stumble upon articles about decorating trends because I have to tell you -- the majority of the houses I've been looking at will need help in that department. (Not all, but surely most.)
I found this nugget on the Kansas City Star website -- wallpaper is making a comeback! I've never been a huge fan, but the article I stumbled upon talked about some interesting trends. They include:

-The designs are not all that different in 2009, but have gone large scale.
-People are using the larger images in rooms where people don't spend tons of time -- like powder rooms or hallways.
-Doing just one wall, or even the ceiling, adds dimension without overpowering. (I personally love the ceiling idea -- I had a darker shade painted on the ceiling of my bathroom in my last house -- I LOVED it! I can definitely see how a wallpaper design could add the same fun effect.)
-Modern wallpaper can have raised texture now -- like never before. The article likened the update to matching up with couture trends on fashion runways.
-The green movement has hit wallpaper factories, too. Not only do people use grass-like motifs -- some of today's wallpaper is made of bamboo, reeds, natural grasses and the like -- making it both eco-designy and eco-friendly at the same time.
-Designs are being influenced by far-away places. India and Africa seem to be the trend setter areas for now.

I'm toying with this whole wallpaper idea because sometimes paint just doesn't have enough punch in a room. And the article notes -- that new wallpapers are becoming both easier to install and easier to remove (when the time comes for you to change up the room).

Funny - most of the houses I've seen lately don't have wallpaper -- except for those top-of-wall borders I really don't like. I'm thinking doing a single wall or a ceiling sounds like a great, inexpensive way to make a room feel more polished. I'll keep you posted as my new house journey continues...

-reenie

Reenie Goes Green; Part 1: Saving water

I opened my water bill last night. It was a good 25% higher than last month. Yes, my daughter has moved home for the summer, but really? That much more? So happens I stumbled on a great piece in Natural Health magazine on how to save water. I think sharing some of the green tips I stumble upon deserve space in this place. Today is part 1 of a series that could go on for a bit. I'll probably do a green piece every couple of weeks. If you have ideas -- please share them.

Natural Health offered up four tips, and three sound like a quick trip to your favorite local hardware store will handle the detail. The fourth idea is more of a long-term commitment, but one worth noting:

Tip 1 (the long-term one)
Choose a front loading washing machine that is ENERGY STAR-rated. Front loaders use about half the water as their top-loading cousins. This change can save you 20-25 gallons per load.

Tip 2
Install faucet aerators. These gems will help you reduce water consumption by about 60%.

Tip 3
Install a low-flow shower head. This one might be harder for those with long hair -- I know. But I have short hair and am not too worried. The magazine says the newer models offer plenty of water pressure. Depending on how many showers are going on in your house -- you could save thousands of gallons a year.

Tip 4
Check for toilet leaks. This, dear readers, is one I've never heard before. Apparently you need a special dye tablet (and the article mentions that some water companies give them out for free -- check with your company for details, but I'm guessing they are also available at hardware stores). You drop one in the tank, and if dye appears in the toilet bowl -- you have a leak. Call a plumber to fix, and if you have to replace the toilet, opt for a water-efficient model. Another 2,000 gallons saved (but that must depend on the number of people in your house -- and the magazine does not elaborate).

So there you have it. Save water, save money. It's that easy.

-reenie

Eat your veggies!

I love Bon Appetit's online calendar. I learn something new every month. Today's tidbit is really about tomorrow, but completely connects to something I was thinking about today. Sound confusing? Stick with me.

Tomorrow (June 17) is Eat Your Vegetables Day. How does that connect with today, you ask? Well, I was visiting with my eye doctor this morning and had a good check-up. It got me thinking about how lucky we are when we have good health. Which then got me thinking about food and maintaining good health (all of the waiting-room magazines were about healthy eating). Which, of course, got me thinking about making better food choices. I'm not going to lie -- I like to eat out. I like it a lot. But today -- I realized that if I'm going to continue to eat out -- I need to make better choices. Simple things like whole grains, less fried food, more veggies (see it does connect) or no sugar in the coffee. I will never tell you to stop doing something, but I will suggest you consider modifications. Baby steps. They add up. So, tomorrow - when you're eating your vegetables -- think about other ways to keep healthy and if you're going to be eating out -- save some money along the way. It's as easy as buying a discounted gift certificate to your favorite local restaurant.

Happy veggie day!

-reenie

June is Great Outdoors Month

In addition to being Dairy Month, June is also the home of Great Outdoors Month. Are you and your family ready to enjoy the great outdoors? I'm a city girl, I admit it. I grew up in the city, and have always done better sleeping inside versus sleeping outside. But camping can be fun IF you're prepared. And prepared means having the gear you need before you hit the great outdoors, because if you're buying stuff on the fly -- you're probably spending too much.

Check out this great gear checklist at The Camping Club's website. Be sure you check with local retailers for the best deals on the items you don't already have on hand.

In addition to this list -- I would add the following thing: a head lamp. I looked silly, but it made all the difference in the world on my Fall 2008 camping trip. I also tucked a heavy duty plastic bag in my pack for storing the last day's wet towel -- kept my other stuff nice and dry for the trip home.

Now get out there and enjoy the great outdoors before June is over!

-reenie

Father's Day Gift Tips

Father's Day is on Sunday, June 21st this year.
I've been trying to think about some different gifts -- not that ordinary tie or gadget. Not that there's anything wrong with a tie or a gadget!

How about a round of golf with Dad? Whether it's on the 21st or another day -- a handmade gift certificate noting the selected time and date would be a great addition to a Father's Day card.

My daughter once scheduled a special Father/daughter-only lunch & movie with her Dad. Yes, I supplied the funds (she was 13 at the time), but it was a special moment for the two of them.

Is Dad a Mr. Fix-It dying to break free? Check out his tool selection and see what's missing. Surprise him with that special tool he's been coveting. And as mentioned in a previous post -- you'll probably find some good pricing on tools this month.

For the Dad striving to up his eco cred, how about an aluminum water bottle? No more plastic bottles. Money saved -- along with the environment.

Is your Dad the house's Grill Meister? There are some great tools to check out, from fork-thermometers, to great aprons, lights and grilling tools.

Does your Dad love a clean car? You can go the homemade route and offer up some handmade car wash gift certificates for driveway baths, or go a step further and pick up a car wash/detailing gift book from your Dad's favorite local car wash.

And, best of all, if you find some great deals on ideas like these -- all the better. Be sure to look for them! And if Dad loves a good tie, by all means get the man a gorgeous new tie!

-reenie

Tips for saving while you travel

It's summer time and you're probably thinking about a vacation, but in our turbulent economy you may be reluctant to outlay the funds for a vacation the way you used to spend. I know I'm thinking about this, so I did my usual Internet search and found some great money saving tips for traveling abroad on gogalavanting.com:

Understand airfare pricing cycles. Airlines change their rates on a pre-determined cycle. Be sure you are looking at rates at the best time to buy. Also -- consider traveling through a different close-by city. That on top of being flexible on departure and return dates may help you save some serious cash.

It traveling abroad with a group, consider renting an apartment or swapping your house. You'll have more room, you'll get a better sense of local culture and you'll probably save money in the long run.

Learn to say "no" to tour guides. Be sure you take control of your experience. It's illegal in most places, but sometimes unscrupulous tour guides will take you to restaurants, shops and sites where they receive kick backs. If the prices you are seeing seem higher than your expectation -- insist on a location a few storefronts down to see what's really going on.

Speaking of storefronts. It's always best to shop locally for souvenirs when abroad. This way you are more likely to get items truly crafted in the area you are visiting. A new idea for souvenirs/gifts: think about buying prints from local artists.

Finally, consider leaving your travelers' checks at home. They can end up being more costly in the end, and you don't always get the best exchange rate. You'll get better exchange rates using your debit card in a local ATM. Using credit cards for purchases also helps with getting a better rate of exchange. Be sure to have your bank/credit card company information in a safe place. Always good to have the info you need on hand should you lose your cards while on vacation. Just don't keep the info in your wallet. Also -- per gogalavanting and my own personal experience, it's a good idea to have a little local currency on hand before you depart. That way you're not scrambling when you arrive. Your local bank branch can help -- just factor in a few weeks in case they need to get the currency from an out-of-state source.

A lot of these principles apply to domestic travel as well. Be sure to check out local shopping websites before heading to a new city. Much like this site -- you may find some great local deals before you even leave home. Shopping local really is the way to go!

-reenie

Plant selection tips

So, if you struggle with how to make your yard beautiful -- this post might be for you. It's a struggle I have. In the end I always trust the folks at my favorite Garden Center, but I want to appear closer to smart than not when I get there. I found these four tips on a state agricultural website:

-If you choose the right plant for your area it will flourish. It will grow well, defend itself against pests, fit the space, enjoy the sun and tolerate the soil. Be sure to pick plants that are right for where you are going to plant them. Don't be swayed by a pretty face.

-Think small when planting trees. Smaller diameter trees don't require as much maintenance and start adding depth to your landscape faster than larger diameter trees. Another tip in this area -- think about where you are planting the tree, and what kind of root system it has. Don't be too close to a house or select a tree whose roots will have negative impact on your home's foundation.

-Stay away from invasive plants. They spread and they can endanger native vegetation. Most states have a list available of plants that ought not be on your property.

-Look for plants that are naturally pest and disease resistant. If they have built-in immunity -- you reduce the need for pesticides.

As I said, my favorite Garden Center is the best place for advice, but these tips can have you planning ahead before you stop by.

Happy planting,

-reenie