Plan Some Winter Cost Savings

Older homes have their charms and a few challenges. One of the challenges is conserving heat in the colder months. With a little planning you can cut down on heating costs without wearing your long johns to cook breakfast.

You can of course insulate, caulk, and install double pane windows, but there are a few things that folks without handyman skills and with limited budgets can do short of major renovations.

The first consideration is the placement of furniture. Keep furniture from blocking heating ducts, radiators and baseboards as much as possible. When it is just not feasible to leave these heating elements unobstructed there is a product that fits over the heating register and redirects air into the open space. It is made of clear PVC and at one and a half inches tall fist under most furniture and is almost invisible.

There are also products that boost the airflow of exposed registers. The Airflow Breeze replaces the register cover and the Equalizer Register Booster pulls air into the room. Both products use electricity and claim to be energy-efficient. The equalizer costs less than a 40-watt bulb to operate. Another adaptation for registers is Cover Up Magnetic Sheets which allows you to cover up registers without dampers in unoccupied rooms.

Another important consideration is to stop drafts. The Twin Draft Guard fits on both sides of the door and moves with the door when it is opened and closed so it does not need to be repositioned every time. Window Stoppers lay on along the windowsill and come in two lengths. You can also opt for a Plastic Window Insulation Kit that comes with channels and vinyl sheeting that is almost invisible. Insulated curtains also help retain heat and can be custom-made or purchased in ready-made sizes.

Check out these websites for these and similar products:
www.solutions.com
www.improvements.com
www.harrietcarter.com

With a little planning and a few products, you can stay cozy in your charming older home.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net

GET ORGANIZED; SAVE MONEY

Did you know that getting organized could put more money in your pocket? Our clients are always surprised when we find ways to generate cash, prevent waste and gain better value for the dollars they spend. Here are just a few ways that getting organized can help your wallet stay fatter.

Generate Cash
There are a few amazing stories about finding antique treasures and stored cash, but the most common circumstance is selling things you no longer need. Unused exercise equipment, no-longer-cherished collections and clothing that hasn’t fit in a while can find a new home through yard sales, on-line, auctions and consignment shops. The important thing in recycling these items for cash is to set a time limit to get rid of them and then donate or give away anything that has not sold.

Prevent Waste
One of the saddest things about purging clutter is finding spoiled or expired products that could have been put to good use. They just got lost and most often the client has bought new products to replace them. We have found hundreds of light bulbs, dozens of unopened shampoo bottles and many expired food products that had to be tossed in the trash. Having an organized space allows the client to assess what is on hand and what needs to be replaced. Living an organized lifestyle establishes systems that support orderly review of household needs and methods of restocking.

The other pitfall for disorganized individuals is misplacing bills and incurring late charges. An organized method of dealing with incoming mail and paying bills puts that money in the consumer’s pocket rather than in the credit card company’s account.

Gain Better Value
Better utilization of space allows room for buying in quantity when you can achieve cost savings. It also allows you to stock up on non-perishables when there are price breaks. Having a meal-planning program allows the purchase of produce in season and the use of that produce without waste.

More Savings Than Clipping Coupons
Getting organized and putting systems in place to stay organized is an effective cost saving measure in troubling times. Rising gasoline prices and higher food costs are making all of us take a closer look at the way we spend the money we have. AARP Bulletin reports that consumers above age forty-five have increased behaviors like clipping coupons, eating out less and buying less expensive generic products. While these are good choices, getting organized can stretch you dollar even more.

Beverly & Kristen
www.KeyTransitions.net