What Makes Denver Great!

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A healthier you

According to the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Americans said they feel unhealthy (physically or mentally) about 6 days per month. www.cdc.gov/hrqol/findings.htm
In other words, for almost 11 weeks out of the year we aren’t feeling 100%. There are simple ways to improve our overall health and start feeling our best, every day. 

America’s #1 Health Problem – Stress
Whether you are troubled with work, family, friends, yourself, finances, economic hardships or world peace, you need to focus on alleviating some of your stress on a daily basis. Stress can contribute to hypertension, strokes, heart attacks, diabetes, ulcers, neck or lower back pain and can cause life threatening diseases.

Solution: Take regular exercise breaks, a 30-minute walk at lunch, or after work, can refresh and relax you. Take time to calm yourself, regain perspective on what's important or even figure out a solution to the problem. Try to identify what triggers your stress and avoid it or find a specific way to cope with it if it occurs frequently.
For more tips on managing your stress visit: http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/mentalhealth/stress/167.printerview.html
www.mayoclinic.com/print/coping-with-stress/SR00030/METHOD=print

DRINK WATER!
Mild dehydration is one of the most common causes of daytime fatigue. An estimated 75% of Americans have mild, chronic dehydration. The body is made up of two thirds water and dehydration symptoms can become noticeable after 2% of water volume has been lost. Symptoms include headache, off and on blurred vision, decreased blood pressure, dizziness and even fainting. The average adult requirement is 8 - 8 ounce glasses of water per day, however, you may need to consume more due to exercise, climate and illness.

Solution:Drink a glass of water first thing in the morning. Keep a bottle of water in your backpack, purse and with you at work. Every time you walk by a water fountain, take a drink. And if drinking glasses and glasses of water seems to get boring there are other foods such as juice, fruit, milk and soup that can help keep you stay hydrated and alert throughout the day.
For more information on the importance of drinking water visit: www.wikihow.com/Drink-More-Water-Every-Day www.mayoclinic.com/health/water/NU00283

Exercise
The dreaded word exercise. Exercise doesn’t have to be feared or a burden on your every day life. In fact you burn extra calories every day while doing chores without realizing it; so keep it up! By cooking dinner for 30 minutes, you burn 78 calories, even better, doing garden or yard work for 1 hour burns 320 calories, unfortunately riding on the tractor doesn’t count. Don’t think you burn a lot of calories in a day? Keep track of your exercise with a pedometer, 10,000 steps a day equals 5 miles or approximately 500 calories.

Solution: Start a new exercise regimen and set weekly and monthly goals. For example: choose push-ups and walking the first month and then every month after add another exercise. Keep a look out for local 5k walks and runs; you can benefit your health and contribute to local charities. Got kids with a lot of energy? Going for a walk around the block as a family after dinner or on the weekend will help you and encourage everyone in your family to be health conscious too. Note: Before starting any new exercise program, always check with your doctor to ensure you are physically ready.
For more information on getting your exercise routine started visit: www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=1200013
http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/healthy/physical/basics/059.html
 

7:08 PM - Aug. 20, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

National Economic Woes maybe? Part 1

This interview is between Marylyn B. Schwartz, CSP, an expert in real estate and corporate sales training/management and team development and  Robert Pardes’ (Robert@pardesconsultants.com) . She is president of Teamweavers and a trainer for Leader’s Choice.  He is a certified public accountant, attorney, banking management, real estate finance and related capital markets expert.   He is a certified public accountant, attorney, banking management, real estate finance and related capital markets expert. His company, Recourse Recovery Management Services, provides strategic and tactical services relating to impaired mortgage backed securities investments

MBS: Robert, it is an honor to be chatting with you about subjects that have filled thousands of texts and newspapers worldwide. We are attempting to render some hot topics into pure knowledge that may help our readers work more effectively within the real estate and related industries. That begs the questions, what are, and what is going on with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac?

RP: First, let’s define what they are. Federal Home Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac/FM) was created in 1970 by Congress with a mission to provide liquidity, stability and affordability to the nation’s mortgage markets using private, not public, capital. Congress’ creation of Freddie Mac was a sophisticated and creative approach to the longstanding national goal of promoting homeownership, and a recognition that historically the strictly private markets had failed to provide a stable and affordable supply of credit for residential housing.

Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae/FM) was created in 1938 as part of FDR’s New Deal. The collapse of the national housing market in the wake of the Great Depression discouraged private lenders from investing in home loans. Fannie Mae was established in order to provide local banks with federal money to finance home mortgages in an attempt to raise levels of home ownership and the availability of affordable housing.

They do their jobs by buying loans from banks, thrifts (S&Ls) and mortgage bankers and either holding these loans in their portfolios or securitizing them (protecting the loans with guarantees against defaults) and selling them to investors worldwide. These entities eventually became privatized, yet they remained federally chartered, meaning they were no longer under government regulations.

They are known as government sponsored enterprises (GSEs.) By privatizing these entities two distinct and significant advantages were achieved. First, the agencies gained an implicit unlimited access to low cost government funds. Second, they were allowed to conduct activities with substantially greater leverage and lower capital levels. The government was in essence a ‘sugar daddy’ for funds in perpetuity.

MBS: Having private ownership and at the same time being required to undertake a public mission are competing interests that have proven difficult to manage. How, if at all, does that implicit funds guarantee feed into the present public ‘crisis in confidence’ that now these agencies are on the brink of ruin and/or running amuck by virtue of not abiding by sound banking practices?

RP: “There are headlines everywhere that leave the reader with the perception or reinforce the reality that these entities are undercapitalized to absorb losses relating to loans they own or guarantees they issued to other investors. They own or guarantee 5 trillion of mortgage debt, and that comprises half of the total outstanding mortgage debt nationally. They have combined capital of 55 billion.

When you do the math, on the surface, it looks pretty grim. The fear is that they could ‘eat up’ the capital quickly. If 10% of loans were in default and 1% of defaults equal approximately 25 billion in liability, a mere 3% default rate would more than wipe out cash on hand.

The national default rate of loans (that is past due or in foreclosure) as of 6/1 was 8.8%. However, Fannie Mae’s and Freddie Mac’s holdings in the risky-loan market (the so called sub-prime or non-prime loan) are nominal. Where it gets sticky, however, is that all their existing capital bases and revenues remaining are inadequate to absorb losses associated with the rapidly declining residential market conditions. In the event that their capital was to continue to show signs of depletion, international or other investors may have significant reservations about borrowing because the cost of borrowing rises when capital depletes.

Liquidity and demand for FM and FM securities would decline and they would be compromised in their ability to support the housing market’s need for loans. Does the government provide direct investment to the entities (what amounts to a blank-check bailout) or does FM and FM look elsewhere to raise capital?

There is presently a boisterous debate on this issue on Capitol Hill as well as on every talking-head Sunday news show. It is not within our imagination for these entities to fail. However, a bailout is not going to resolve the underlying causes of the problems, and now would be the right time to look at those root causes and make needed and overdue changes even if and when the needed liquidity is provided. The fact is that when the government bailed out Bear Stearns, that act turned that ‘implicit’ guarantee of funds flowing in perpetuity from the government to FM and FM into an ‘explicit’ guarantee. If Bearn Stearns was not going to be allowed to tank, how could anyone expect that FM and FM would?

MBS: Those of us who are the gatekeepers of the real estate profession are watching, with great interest, to see how this unfolds. One has to wonder if we bailout FM and FM without curing the ills that brought about this historic turn of events. What’s next? US car manufacturers come to mind… Turning to a tangential topic, what is the possible impact of banks having to take back previously bundled and sold loans (so called mortgage backed securities) from investors by virtue of those loans having been securitized by fraudulent documentation, and the subsequent investors realizing losses due to many of those loans falling into the failed sub-prime category?

RP: Notwithstanding press concerns regarding capital levels on hand of many banks, the impact on the real estate profession is a non-event. There are still many banks that are willing and ready to provide mortgage loans to qualified borrowers. Rather than to worry about more bank failures, real estate and banking professionals should be focused on creating a menu of products to meet the core housing demand. It is crucial to keep in mind that we have had sub-prime type loans for many years.

However, the balance between prime loans and sub-prime loans was maintained in a responsible way. The number of sub-prime loans granted mirrored the demographic of persons for whom those loans were created: 10-15%. It is only when banks and thrifts began to offer sub-prime loans to a broader demographic and simultaneously lowered the lending criteria for obtaining a loan did the problems begin en masse.

Non-prime lending reached upwards of 40% of all loans. There are no doubt going to be lending institutions who will continue to realize loses as a result of poorly securitized MBSs. 2 trillion total is not an unlikely figure. The impact to the marketplace is likely to be that banks will have to dedicate ‘the gift’ bestowed by the Federal Reserve of lower borrowing costs. The banks will have to make investor loans at reduced profits (lower interest rates) to help pay for the take back of mortgages previously sold to investors. There is little doubt that where there is the possibility for proving any fraudulent lending practices, those possibilities will be fully investigated over time.”

6:45 PM - Aug. 18, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Making changes due to gas prices

Are consumers taking drastic steps to burn less fuel and save money? Edmunds.com, an online resource for automotive information, released the results of its survey showing how consumers are rapidly adapting to the rising costs of gasoline.

“This is a fascinating insight into how quickly consumer behavior is changing in response to high gas prices,” said Philip Reed, Edmunds.com senior consumer advice editor. “Based on the results of the survey it appears we are moving into a very different era both on the highways and in the showrooms.”

The survey, available to all Edmunds.com home page visitors between June 20 and June 25, asked visitors to respond to several brief questions. The 1,312 responses indicated the following:

– 95% of respondents report making changes to lifestyle as a result of high gas prices

– Nearly 50% are driving fewer miles or combining errands to reduce fuel consumption

– 93% of respondents have changed the way they drive or maintain their vehicle

– 44% of respondents report driving slower or less aggressively to increase fuel economy

– 35% of respondents say they are already in the market for a more fuel-efficient vehicle

– Over 50% will be in the market if gas reaches five dollars per gallon

– Consumers are generally optimistic that fuel prices won’t rise much more in the near future

– 73% believe the national average gasoline price will be under five dollars per gallon during Labor Day weekend (August 29 - September 1, 2008)

12:48 PM - Aug. 16, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Make your guests feel at home

The summer brings family and friends traveling from near and far. Is your guest room ready to do its job? When guests arrive on your freshly swept doorstep, welcome them with open arms and a well-appointed space that they can call their own.This article by  Lorrie Browne of My Design Secrets shows you how.

Beyond decorating the guest bedroom with your own personal flair and style, be sure and furnish this room with the same consideration you give to your own bedroom. It helps to carefully contemplate how the room will be used and by whom.

Here are 7 suggestions that will make your guests stay a memorable one:

1. Cradle them in luxury. A good foundation is critical, so why not go all out on the bedding? Purchase 400+ thread count sheets along with some wonderful pillows and a comforter that suits your climate. Make them feel like they sleeping at a luxury hotel.

2. Wake them up gently. Put an alarm clock with a CD player in the room and leave them a variety of CDs. Better yet, why not burn a CD with a mix of songs for your guests to keep? This allows your guests to take a part of their vacation home with them.

3. Remember what they forgot. Put an extra robe in the closet and extra toiletries in the bathroom. Your guests will really appreciate not having to ask for these items.

4. Make room. Make sure your closet and drawers have extra space for their belongings. Nothing says we are happy you are here like some extra space and plenty of empty hangers.

5. Stay tuned in. Whether you like having a TV in your bedroom or not, most guests appreciate one.

6. Creature comforts. Put a glass of water by their bedside along with a healthy snack, like a granola bar.

7. Light the way. Make sure the room is well lit for safety and comfort. Do they have a good light for reading? How about a night light to guide them to the restroom? It is best if you have a light that can be switched from the doorway and the bedside.

The best way to assess the comfort of your guest room is to spend a night sleeping there yourself. You will be amazed at the small things you notice. This is the easiest way to get the full experience; giving you time to replace lumpy mattresses and stale towels before your guests arrive. There are many people in our lives that we wish we could see more often. It is great to show them how much you care through the little things you do to prepare for their visit. Just like a gift, it is the thought that counts most.

12:42 PM - Aug. 14, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment

Making your passwords unique

Passwords are crucial to accessing your personal accounts and information. The problem is: We all have so many accounts that we worry more about remembering our passwords than we do about making sure they actually protect our data from hackers. So we end up using passwords like our mother's maiden name or child's first name. But even if you add a few numbers to the end, those types of passwords are easy to break. And that means your data isn't safe.

The tips below can help you avoid the most common password pitfalls and even implement a few new ideas that will make your passwords easy to remember...and hard to break!

Strength Training

A well-protected password is not only unique, but also hard to guess. How do you do that? It's pretty simple really. Just follow this advice:

• Use a random string of characters. That means no sequential letters or numbers. None.
   
• Make it looooong. The longer the better--even up to as many as 10 to 14 characters.
   
• Switch things up. Use a combination of upper and lower case letters, along with a few numbers mixed in the middle or end.
   
• Don't use substitutes. Using "@" for "a" or "1" for "I" may look good to you, but most hackers are smart enough to break those substitutes rather quickly.
   
• Avoid easy targets like words straight out of the dictionary or things like family names and birthdays.

Multiplication Facts

Most of us cheat when it comes to passwords. We have trouble remembering our passwords, so we come up with two or three that we can remember and use them everywhere. But you should avoid the temptation. The fact is, once a password is compromised, all of your accounts are vulnerable. There's no way around it, you need to a way to create and remember multiple passwords--a different one for each account!

Sure-Fire Technique for Memorable, Unique Passwords

For all the advice above, good passwords come down to two things: they're easy for you to remember, and they're hard to break. Implementing the tips above can make your passwords hard to break, but what about remembering them--especially if you have a unique password for every account? Here's a sure-fire tip to help!

1. Think up a phrase. Instead of a common word or family member name, think up a unique phrase that only you know. For example, you may think up something off the wall such as "I Like Short Hair Too."

2. Make it an acronym. In our example, "I Like Short Hair Too" would become ILSHT.

3. Add Complexity. Remember those substitutes you're not supposed to use with dictionary words? Well, you CAN use them with your acronym. For example, "I Like Short Hair Too" can become "1 Like $hort Hair 2" which makes: 1L$H2. You can also use upper and lower letters to make it 1L$h2. The point is to be creative, but in a way that you can easily remember it.

4. Make it unique. A password is only really unique if you use it for one account and one account only. So you can't just use 1L$h2 for every account. And, in reality it's still too short. Here's the key to the whole process: Mix in additional letters and numbers that are unique to each account. For example, if you're logging into a "gmail account" you can use the "gm" and "@cct" (for acct) to make: 1L$h2gM@cct. Then, for a Netflix account, you may use: 1L$h2Nf@cct.

Of course, these are just examples. You'll want to be creative and think up your own acronym and ways to add unique characters for each account. And then keep that little secret to yourself so no one will be able to guess your account passwords.

Follow these simple steps and you'll have passwords that are tough to break, unique to every account, and easy to remember!

12:37 PM - Aug. 12, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

It's true - real estate prices ARE rising

Amidst the gloom on Wall Street about housing someone forgot to check the stats. The National Association of Realtors® has now reported four straight months of rising housing prices, but it seems no one is listening.

According to NAR statistics, the median home price has fallen from a high of $230,200 in July 2006 to a low in February 2008 at $195,600, a drop of 15%. Since February, however, it has risen steadily every month. By May the index (which will be revised on July 24) had risen to $208,600, up $13,000 and a full 6.6%. Another indicator, the mean home price (otherwise known as the average home price), has also shown strength and has risen from a low of $242,000 also in February of this year to $253,100, a rise of $11,100 or 4.5%. It, too, has risen every month since February of this year.

“I just don’t know where Wall Street’s brains are today,” said David Michonski, CEO of Coldwell Banker Hunt Kennedy in New York City. “Everyone on the Street is wringing their hands over housing when in fact the average American has been out this spring buying homes and pushing the median price higher. This has got to go down as one of Wall Street and Main Street’s biggest disconnects in history.”

In addition, on an annualized basis the volume of home sales has also risen somewhat from a low of 4,890,000 homes in January to 4,990,000 in May.

“Rising prices on expanding volume should not a crisis make on Wall Street,” says Michonski.

So why the crisis?

“They say that there are bulls and bears on Wall Street but there are also pigs. Pigs try not just to profit from a crisis but create one to profit from. Today there are just so many people who have positioned themselves to profit from a crisis that they refuse to admit the reality of what is happening on Main Street. It might hurt their positions.”

Is this the bottom?

“No one can know for sure, but the hard data is clear. The median price has risen four straight months. The average American is out there taking advantage of bargains in their local real estate market. They are not listening to Wall Street but following their own belief that the best time to buy is when no one else is, and they are out there buying. If this keeps up, February may prove to have been the low in prices.”

“It is possible that it will not be Hank Paulson or Ben Bernanke who will pull this country out of a housing recession, but the good common sense of the average American whose affordability to buy a home is at a five year high and is acting on it.”

12:31 PM - Aug. 10, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Cost effective renovation ideas

When the housing market is hot, it seems like just about any project is a good investment for boosting your home's value and appeal. But when the market's tight, you want to be more selective about which projects you undertake and what you expect to gain in return. There's nothing worse than wasting time and money on a major project that barely raises the value of your house.

If you've been thinking about increasing your home's value or just making your living space more comfortable, these ideas can help you start off simple and prioritize your list. Before you start knocking out walls and renovating your roofline, consider these ways to make a difference...cost-effectively!

1. Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal

Buyers often decide whether to look at your house before they even get out of the car. So, before you spend a lot of time and money remodeling the inside, take a good look at the outside. Washing windows, repainting trim, planting flowers and small shrubs, trimming tree branches and overgrown bushes, fixing screens, resealing your driveway, and mowing the lawn can make a big difference. Start out by making a list of 4 to 7 simple projects and then set aside an hour or two each day. In just one week, you - and potential buyers - will be surprised how appealing and welcoming your house looks when driving up.

You may also want to consider larger projects, such as replacing the siding, adding a patio or deck, or even replacing a dilapidated driveway. But remember, although these bigger projects may help your house stand out, they probably won't yield as high of a qualitative return on investment in terms of your home's actual value. So, weigh your options and ask your Realtor® for advice before investing in any of these bigger projects.

2. Does Your Entryway Invite People In?

A cozy first impression is crucial. Now that you've boosted your curb appeal, it's time to turn your attention inside - starting just inside the front door. To make sure your entryway invites people to come in - rather than turnaround and run - try adding a wicker chair and table outside the door along with a fresh coat of paint to your foyer.

For even more impact, replace old light fixtures and update the floor in your entryway with a throw rug or easy-to-apply self-adhesive linoleum squares. These projects are inexpensive and easy enough to do yourself in just a few hours.

3. Spiff Up that Old Bathroom

Remodeling an old bathroom can make a big impact. You should start by simply de-cluttering the countertop. It's amazing how spacious even a small bathroom appears after the styling products, pictures and miscellaneous bathroom decorations are removed.

From there, you can freshen up the paint, replace that old shower curtain, add a new medicine cabinet on the wall, and even a upgrade your faucet and shower head for very little money. For a little more, you can also install a double sink or re-tile the floor.

4. Hot in the Kitchen

Renovating an outdated kitchen is practically a sure thing - as long as you don't splurge on extravagant items like hand-painted Italian tile or built-in espresso machines. Instead, focus on the basics: replacing the handles on your cabinets and drawers, freshening up the paint, installing new flooring, adding a backsplash, and painting or re-facing your existing cabinets. You can also make a dramatic impact by installing new countertops and even replacing your appliances. All of these projects will go a long way to making a new buyer feel at home.

5. Add a Second Bathroom

Perhaps no improvement makes a bigger impact on your family's comfort and your house's appeal than adding a second bathroom. The number of bathrooms is always a big sticking point for potential buyers, especially families with two or three children.

Although adding a bathroom costs more than simply fixing up your old one, it also increases the value of your house more. Plus, having that second bathroom may help you sell your house faster than if it only has one, which is an important point to consider in today's market. So, if you have a house with roughed-in plumbing just waiting for you to take the initiative, you may want to consider adding that second bathroom you've always wanted.

However, if your house doesn't have roughed-in plumbing or floor plans that called for a future bathroom, you'll definitely want to consult a professional Realtor® to discuss how much a second bathroom will add to your home's value. After all, if you have to start moving walls and re-plumbing your house just to add a bathroom, you may find that your time and money are better spent on a handful of smaller projects that will ultimately add more impact.

Plan Ahead and Avoid Headaches

Overall, the best advice about adding value to your home is to start small, work your way up, and always plan ahead. You don't want to get halfway into a renovation only to find that you have to update your entire electrical system or that your time and effort was wasted on a renovation that doesn't add as much value as you thought. With a little planning and prioritizing, you can make your house more comfortable and valuable with very little time and money. Happy renovating!

1:37 PM - Aug. 8, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Consider a trade

Today’s market has made the prospect of buying a home a difficult task for most people. Whether you are in the market for a first home, a retirement home or something in between, a home trade may be your best option to get what you are looking for in a timely manner.

Home trading is not a new concept, but one that is often overlooked “as people don’t take the time to understand the process, one that is quite simple,” says Scott Warren, an agent with Villa Sotheby’s International Realty.

Warren, who has been in the industry for over 30 years and completed his first trade in 1979, recently orchestrated a real estate trade that resulted in the highest sales price ever recorded in The Bridges community in California. A $7.75 million custom home was successfully traded for a $2.5 million English Tudor-style home in La Costa in a process that took just 40 days.

A real estate trade is a simple process in which a seller with good equity, good employment and good credit who wishes to “move up” is matched with a seller who has good equity, employment and credit who wishes to “move down.”

“One motivating factor behind a real estate trade is for the financial benefit,” says Warren. “One buyer sees the ability to trade up in a market in order to gain equity and the other buyer who may not want to make the payment on their home-or can’t afford to-has the opportunity to get out of the situation before it is too late.”
The trading process is as simple as “I’ll buy yours and you’ll buy mine.”

“Once the match is made, the procedure turns into two purchase agreements that occur simultaneously,” says Warren.

Home buyers need to understand that trades are not limited to trading a home for a home.

“A successful trade can occur when someone has something of value such as a car, a boat or even diamonds,” says Warren.

One of the most unusual trades that Warren has been involved in was when a client traded a load of gravel for the down payment on a property.

“This goes to show that ‘non-traditional’ trades are just as successful,” concludes Warren. It all depends on how the deal is packaged and what motivates each party.

1:21 PM - Aug. 6, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Rental car madness

You need to rent a car, but need a great deal. So you've spent hours online, and you finally feel confident that you've found that great deal. You've had five website windows open at a time, compared and contrasted, made your selection, finally finished filling out all the online screens, you're ready to check out and sure you're rounding the last bend...but then you come to a screeching halt. After all that work, you're staring at a field asking for a promotional code, coupon code, or rate code. And all you can think is...after all that work! If I had that secret code it could potentially save me even more money on this rental rate, but I don't know the code!

• Don't accept the prepaid gas option unless you are certain the tank will be empty when you return the car. Although this can be convenient, it can also be costly. If you choose this option, it may cost you an entire tank of gas plus a service fee when you return the car, even if you only use a few gallons!
• Before you agree to the insurance option at the counter, know the details of your own auto insurance policy. If your auto policy has collision coverage, skip the insurance option. It can save you $20 or more per day.
• Take the time to walk around the vehicle and note all the dings and scratches. This will save you the headache of being charged for damage that may not have been done while you had the car in your possession.

1:15 PM - Aug. 4, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Happy Flying?

Nothing puts a bigger damper on the fun than leaving for the airport with ample time to check in and board your flight, only to arrive and find out that your flight is delayed...or worse yet, cancelled. Summer is an extremely busy time of year for the airlines. When you combine the increase in travel demand with the decrease in available aircraft--due to airlines trimming the fat and cutting back on scheduled flights--there are bound to be delays and cancellations. But doing a little planning in advance could help minimize the turbulence with your summer flight plans. Here are a few tips:

1. Reservations: Just as the old saying goes, "the early bird catches the worm". When it comes to air travel, the early bird catches the flight. Booking an early morning flight may decrease the chance of dealing with flight delays or potential cancellations. Most summer thunderstorms happen in the afternoon, and booking early flights will help you avoid being stuck in the airport waiting for a storm to pass. And if your morning flight is cancelled, you will still have the afternoon to try and reschedule your flight plans. Additionally, if your flight schedule requires a connection to another flight, be sure and leave enough time in between flights to make your connections, factoring in the possibility of a short delay.

2. Check In: Save yourself some time by obtaining your boarding pass online. Simply log onto the airline's website and print your boarding pass before leaving your home or office, up to 24 hours in advance. You will improve your chances of getting a better seat by checking in early, plus save time and hassle at the airport by avoiding the kiosk or check in lines. Even if you are checking luggage, most airlines have a designated area that you can check in luggage only and avoid the boarding pass lines...or check your luggage curbside, and you're ready to head to your gate with no lines at all!

3. Luggage: But where luggage is concerned, try to travel light and carry on your luggage if possible. Carrying on your luggage will save you time hanging around baggage claim when you land, and avoid the headache of trying to retrieve luggage if it is lost. When you are carrying luggage on, be sure to be in line to board as quickly as you can - as overhead space can fill up quickly, and you might be forced to check bags anyways.

4. Airport / Flight Status: While you're printing that boarding pass out, you can also obtain information about airport delays by hitting www.fly.faa.gov. Or another great site to obtain information about airport delays or to check flight status is www.FlightStats.com. You can even sign up for FlightStats electronic alerts, and receive notifications about flight delays or cancellations via email or text message. Most airlines have flight status on their websites as well, which can also be very handy if a friend or family member is picking you up at the airport.

5. Weather: Log onto www.weather.com to check the weather in the city you are departing from as well as in the city you will be arriving at, to help determine any potential travel delays due to weather conditions. It's also helpful to know weather conditions for your destination, so you can pack appropriately.

6. Security: Even if your flight is on time and there are no delays, long lines at security checkpoints could delay you enough to cause you to miss your flight. To find out how long it may take you to get through security, visit http://waittime.tsa.dhs.gov/index.html. And a few hints on getting through security quickly - be prepared. Before you step up to the security table, remove your belt, shoes, cell phone, jewelry, keys and change from your pockets. Remove your outer jacket and place in a bin with your other belongings. Make sure your laptop computer is out of its case, and lying flat and unobstructed in its own bin before sending it on the conveyor belt through security. Keep your boarding pass in hand for the TSA agent to review - don't put it on the conveyer belt. Be aware that if your boarding pass is marked with "S's", you have been randomly selected for a full screening, and sh ould allow more time.

As you pass through the metal detector, be sure not to brush against the sides, as this will set off the alarm. Metal detectors work by measuring the aggregate amount of metal you are carrying as you pass through, and some machines have higher sensitivity than others. If your metal content exceeds the limit, the machine will beep and you'll get one more chance through. This time, be careful in trying to remove as much metal as possible, because if the alarm goes off a second time, you will have to go through the full body screening, which could delay you further. And if you do get selected for "special screening", be cooperative with the agent. They are just doing their job and working to keep passengers everywhere safe.

Taking the above steps will not eliminate delays all together, but will certainly help you avoid having to spend a good part of your summer vacation in a terminal. Bon Voyage!

1:13 PM - Aug. 4, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Don't become a victim of "mortgage rescue" fraud

For a homeowner facing the frightening threat of foreclosure, the offer seems too good to be true. A “mortgage rescue” company steps forward, claiming to be able to help you save your credit and your home.

In some cases, the “mortgage rescue” company provides phantom help offering to work as an intermediary with lenders, collecting an up-front fee for services it never provides or that homeowners easily could have done on their own for free.

In other scams, the “mortgage rescuer” may offer to pay off the delinquent loan and allow homeowners to stay on as renters, with the possibility of buying the home back later. But the scam artist doesn’t make the payments and homeowners, who have signed over their deed, end up losing the home and any equity they had in it.

“People who are facing foreclosure need to know there are reputable organizations and industry professionals who can help them turn things around,” said Michael Golden, president of the @properties. “A good rule of thumb to remember is if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

Beth Llewellyn, CEO of the Partnership for HomeOwnership, cautions homeowners facing possible foreclosure to be careful of scams, particularly in Illinois’ larger metropolitan areas. Her information for homeowners facing foreclosure can be found online at www.YourIllinoisHome.com, a consumer site for buyers and sellers developed by the Illinois Association of REALTORS®.

“Every time there’s a drop in the market, you’re going to find all kinds of scam artists coming out of the woodwork,” said Llewellyn, who also is a U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)-certified homeownership counselor with over 12 years of experience helping lower-income families achieve homeownership.

Llewellyn suggests that homeowners who find themselves falling behind on their mortgage payments contact their mortgage lender immediately to see if the loan can be restructured or refinanced before they have been delinquent on their payments for three months and formal foreclosure proceedings have begun.

At-risk homeowners are encouraged to contact a HUD-certified housing counselor who can help walk them through their options. Reputable counselors can be found through the HUD website at www.hud.gov or by calling 1-800-569-4287. HUD-certified counselors also can be contacted through the Hope Now Alliance homeowner hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE (4673) or its website at www.hopenow.com.

Homeowners also might want to contact an attorney about their legal options or a local Realtor to get more information regarding fair market housing values.

Illinois did institute tougher guidelines on “mortgage rescue” companies with the Mortgage Rescue Fraud Act in 2007. The law requires that “rescue” companies give homeowners a written contract, which the homeowner can cancel at any time, listing the services they will perform before being paid. In the case of a home sale, a written contract also is required and the “mortgage rescue” company must pay the homeowner at least 82% of the fair market value if the rescue fails.

“If homeowners believe they have been victims of a ‘mortgage rescue’ scam, there are places they can turn,” said Michael Golden.

12:54 PM - Aug. 2, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Affordable "green" upgrades

This article by Chris Kaucnik, marketing director for Home Warranty of America, Inc. will give us all some good ideas for 'greening' up the house on a budget.

Offering something unique and timely can always help sell a home more quickly and possibly closer to the listing price. Aside from the usual home-staging techniques, implementing some easy, but key energy and water-saving options, too, might just do the trick. Savvy buyers will ask what utility costs are or to see actual bills-especially in older homes-and be impressed at measures taken to reduce those costs.

Here are some easy, smaller projects that can increase a home’s appeal in a time of high energy costs with an extraordinary focus on being green. And, of course, make sure you market the home with these positive, new features:

-Replace regular light bulbs in permanent fixtures with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs use about one-fifth as much energy as regular bulbs, and last about 12 times longer).
-Install low-flow showerheads, which will save on water heating and use.
-Install an Energy Star-qualified, programmable thermostat.
-Close the damper on the fireplace. It sounds simple, but is often forgotten from season to season and causes drafts and high energy loss.
-Add insulation to an attic.
-Seal basement rim joists. This is along the top of the basement wall where the cement or block comes in contact with the wood frame. This is a common area of air leakage.
-Insulate water heater tanks for energy savings.
-Repair water leaks in tubs, showers and sinks. Not only are they big water wasters, but a leak really shows the home is not cared for anymore.
-Perform duct sealing or hire a contractor. Twenty percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks, holes and poorly connected ducts.

Another visible change that may attract a buyer is using renewable sources in any flooring you might replace prior to listing, such as recycled carpeting, bamboo, cork or other flooring from fast-growing wood sources.

You can also recommend a home energy audit to help your clients identify other easy, but important fixes and demonstrate to potential buyers that sellers are serious about home maintenance and improvement. It will give buyers a fun jumpstart, too, on accomplishing more efficiency improvements in their new home.

Being willing to partner with buyers creates an air of security that the home is still cared about. It sends the message that all parties want the buyers to have as great an experience in the home as the previous family did.

You can see that encouraging these smaller, but important, green ideas with your clients can be very beneficial to a quicker home sale.

12:49 PM - Jul. 31, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

A Colorado water primer - part 2

As we emerge from the wettest spring in some time with a relatively large snow pack, it's easy for the droughts of past years to become a distant memory, but perhaps it is wise to remember how tenuous is our water supply. And sometimes it is useful to obtain a perspective from other than real estate interests. The following was excerpted from articles by Nathan Fey of Salida on the website of American Whitewater, "a national non-profit organization with a mission "to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely." For more go to http://www. americanwhitewater.org
 

In 2005 the Colorado Legislature created the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC) and nine roundtables across the state to further evaluate statewide water supply and demand at the basin level. The IBCC organizes to negotiate diverting water between basins. These Basin Roundtables are charged with refining the SWSI 1 report by quantifying consumptive and non-consumptive water needs and identifying water projects scoped to meet projected future demands. In Colorado consumptive water use includes all withdrawals from surface or ground water supplies to be put to beneficial use, including agricultural, municipal, and industrial needs. Non- consumptive uses include recreational and environmental needs, including Instream flow rights, Recreational In-channel Diversions, and needs for threatened or endangered fish and riparian life.

The Basin Roundtables and the IBCC present any proposed water project in the state to the Colorado Water Conservation Board. Each basin roundtable screens for projects or programs that benefit multiple users, and balance competing needs of a shared water source.

The 2003 Big Straw Referendum A would have given the Colorado legislature $2 billion to build dams and divert more water to the Front Range. After it lost handily, the Colorado Water Conservation Board (CWCB) created SWSI. SWSI Phase I determined that Colorado will have 20% less water than the amount needed (the 20% Gap) based on projected population growth.

"SWSI's findings so far have bolstered Western Slope concerns about possible new attempts at water grabs by the Front Range. It is projecting that Colorado's cities and industrial users will need an additional 708,000 acre-feet of water by 2030, as the state population grows from 4.3 million in 2000 to an estimated 7.1 million people." Aspen Times, August 27, 2004

SWSI Phase II created four technical roundtables that now meet regularly:

1) Water Efficiency (Agricultural, Municipal, & Industrial (M&I),
2) Alternative Agricultural Transfers to Permanent Dry-up
3) Prioritize and Quantify Recreation and Environment Needs
4) Addressing the 20% M & I Gap.

In addition to these technical roundtables, the Interbasin Compact Committee (IBCC) was created. The IBCC organizes nine additional roundtables to meet and negotiate diverting water between basins. Critical decisions will be made within these roundtables that will determine whether many rivers and streams in Colorado have sufficient flows for paddling and other river recreation, fish, wildlife, local economic benefits, and municipal needs.

In response to the ever-increasing demand for water in Colorado, water managers are moving forward with projects aimed at developing new water supplies for Denver and the Front Range. Several of the proposed projects involve billion-dollar schemes to move water across the continental divide, from the Upper Colorado River Basin to the S. Platte basin. While these larger proposals are several years from realization, smaller water projects are moving closer to implementation.

One such project, the Northern Integrated Supply Project (NISP), will provide 16 Front Range cities with 40,000 acre-feet of new water to meet increased demand over the next 50 years. NISP, coordinated by Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, must undergo an environmental review by the US Army Corps of Engineers as required by the National Environmental Policy Act.

After review, the US Army Corps of Engineers identified three potential alternatives to no-action. Of the three, the 16 NISP participants preferred the Glade Reservoir and the South Platte Water Conservation Project. The preferred alternative includes building a new reservoir to store water underutilized in the Poudre River, a larger tributary to the South Platte River basin.

When Instream supplies are legally available, NISP will divert water from the Poudre River near the mouth of Poudre Canyon, into Glade Reservoir inundating the valley one mile north of highways 287 and 14. NISP's conditional water right for Glade Reservoir will be in priority usually in periods of peak spring run off or large rain events, and will divert a maximum of 1000 cubic-feet per second. Water stored in Glade reservoir will be delivered to the 16 participants via new pipelines or water exchanges.

In addition to Glade Reservoir, NISP will create Galeton Reservoir Northeast of the City of Greeley. For NISP to take full advantage of Northern's year-round water rights and meet consumptive needs, both reservoirs are necessary.

Growth in Colorado is clearly challenging our water supply, but fortunately the challenges are being addressed. Twice in recent years, the University of Denver has convened Strategic Issues Panels to address the Colorado water supply. As can be seen at htt p://www.du.edu/issues/reports/index.html the highlights of numerous recommendations include conservation and cooperation between urban and agricultural water consumers. Recreational water uses like rafting and kayaking are fun and consume almost no water, but their danger requires conscientious attention to safety. Similarly, consumptive water use for agricultural, industrial and domestic uses, fundamental to the quality of life in Colorado, requires aggressive management by both the public and private sectors.
 

12:46 PM - Jul. 29, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

A Colorado water primer - Part 1

As we emerge from the wettest spring in some time with a relatively large snow pack, it's easy for the droughts of past years to become a distant memory, but perhaps it is wise to remember how tenuous is our water supply. And sometimes it is useful to obtain a perspective from other than real estate interests. The following was excerpted from articles by Nathan Fey of Salida on the website of American Whitewater, "a national non-profit organization with a mission "to conserve and restore America's whitewater resources and to enhance opportunities to enjoy them safely." For more go to http://www. americanwhitewater.org

Colorado generates roughly 95 million-acre feet (MAF) of water on average annually from precipitation. While most of this water is absorbed into the states millions of acres of forest and rangelands, some 16 MAF finds its way into Colorado's creeks and rivers.

6 million-acre feet of water is put to use meeting the needs of Colorado's 4.6 million people. On average, 80% of water used in the state is diverted directly out of our rivers. The remaining 20% is pulled from groundwater and aquifers. Of the water Coloradoans use, 86% is used to meet agricultural needs. Less than 7% is used to meet municipal demands, 2% for industrial needs, 2% to recharge groundwater and aquifers, and 3% for environmental and recreational needs.

As a headwaters state, two-thirds of the surface water generated on average in Colorado is legally obligated to downstream users. 8.8 MAF of water flows to states west of the Continental Divide, including Utah, Nevada, California, New Mexico, Arizona, and Mexico. Colorado supplies another 1.4 MAF of water to states on the Atlantic side of the Divide, including Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming.

Colorado's water supply is limited by fluctuating precipitation levels. Drought cycles are a common characteristic of our semi-arid climate. In the drought of 2002, Colorado generated roughly 4 MAF of surface water. Municipal water providers across the state were forced to implement restrictions on water use, and there was concern about Colorado's ability to supply downstream states with their water requirements. To meet demand, an additional 6maf of water was withdrawn from reservoirs and storage systems, which have yet to fully recover. Agriculture, recreation, municipalities, and the environment suffered serious hardship during one of the most serious droughts in Colorado's history. Colorado's obligations to provide water to downstream users via interstate compacts, international treaties, and court ordered apportionment, continues regardless of drought conditions or increasing demands in the headwaters.

Colorado expects another 2.8 million people in the state by 2030, placing more demand on water supplies, more demand than can be met today. The Colorado Water Conservation Board reported in the State Water Supply Initiative (SWSI) that Colorado needs an additional 630,000 AF of water supplies to meet these new municipal demands. Conservation will play a critical role in stretching existing supplies, but cannot meet all the requirements alone. To meet the increase in demand, Colorado is planning for new reservoirs and dams, expanding existing storage projects, and proposing inter-basin transfers and agricultural withdrawals.

12:44 PM - Jul. 27, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

New home builder incentives

This article is by Joshua Ferris who specializes in Orange County New York real estate including new home communities and townhouses.

After the real estate market hit a steady decline in mid 2006, home builders turned to incentives as a way to attract home buyers to their communities and to help differentiate themselves from the competition. When you start looking for a new home be sure to compare builder incentives as much as the communities themselves.

To help you choose, I have created a list of the top 7 new home buying incentives you should look out for:

Military or Civil Service Incentive - As a thank you to the individuals who serve in the military or are veterans of the military in addition to firefighters, police officers, EMTs and hospital staff, national home builder K. Hovnanian is offering $5,000 off the asking price of their homes, for a limited time, to people in these fields. Other large builders also offer similar incentives to teachers and civil service positions.

Lower Asking Price on "Spec Homes" - Depending on your moving situation, this is the golden egg of builder incentives. Most new home builders will construct a set number of homes in their community as "spec" homes or homes built on speculation that people will purchase the homes and move in quickly.

Once these homes are finished the builder won't want to sit on a large inventory of homes so they will offer spec homes with predetermined upgrades included at a lower asking price than if you were to build the home from scratch and add those upgrades.

Incentives Tied to Builder's Mortgage Company - Builders and on-site sales representatives enjoy working with their established banking relationships because they feel it will make the mortgage process easier and less stressful for everyone than if you were to use an outside lender. In this scenario I've seen builders offer to pay closing costs and up to one year of Homeowner's Association fees for buyers who purchase using their mortgage company.

Lot Premium Reductions - Like a rare platinum ring, highly desirable lots tend to come with a premium attached. Builders often place premiums ranging from a few thousand to nearly $100,000 on the most desirable lots in the community. Lot premiums are not set in stone and under the right circumstances can be negotiated much like everything else.

Reduced Option Prices - With the average new home buyer spending about 10% of their purchase price on upgrades you should look to get the most bang for your buck with the limited budget you have set for options. When evaluating the standard features list for a community, check into the cost for all of the options you would want in the home and see if the builder is providing special pricing on select options.

Standard Features... and then some! - To make homes more appealing than the standard features list will allow, builders are now including previously optional home upgrades like granite countertops, expanded suites, swimming pools and sun rooms as an incentive to buy in their community.

"Free Gifts" with Home Purchase -  Sometimes it takes more than granite countertops and hardwood floors to make a home stand out. Some builders are going the extra mile and including in-home luxuries like plasma screen tvs and offering car leases to draw in prospective buyers. For soon to be commuters, a two year lease on a new car might be the perfect way to help ease into life in the suburbs

12:40 PM - Jul. 25, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Summer hiking

This summer venture outdoors and take in all of Colorado’s scenic beauty. Here are some suggestions for day hikes regardless of your hiking skill level.

Difficult
The hikes below are for experienced hikers seeking technical trails while getting an extreme workout.

Hermits Rest Trail Gunnison
Zigzag your way through this forest filled trail to the Morrow Point Reservoir. Campsites along the water are plentiful and definitely worthy of a picnic or a night’s stay. This is a 6 mile roundtrip strenuous hike. Visit www.gunnisoncrestedbutte.com/page.php?pname=activities/summer/hiking/chart#curecanti for details on trailheads and more activities in the Gunnison area.

Maroon Peak Aspen
Albeit a strenuous hike, you will be happy you made the trek up to one of the most photographed peaks in the world. The view from Maroon Lake is the most famous in all of Colorado. Even though both the South and North Maroon Peaks are picturesque they can be dangerous because unlike other 14ers in Colorado they are made out of mudstone not granite or limestone. Rockslides are common, so take caution when hiking in the area. For more information and photos of this Colorado landmark visit www.localhikes.com/HikeData.asp?DispType=0&ActiveHike=22&GetHikesStateID=1&ID=6109

4:10 PM - Jul. 23, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Is it really time for a change?

The rising cost of crude oil has everyone talking about gas prices at the pump… but what about the actual oil in your engine? Are you spending too much on oil by changing it too often?

Most of us probably think a car’s oil needs to be changed every 3,000 miles. But that’s an old mechanics tale these days. Did you know that many car manuals now actually recommend changing the oil every 5,000, 7,500 or even 10,000 miles? That means you may be changing your oil twice or even three times as often as you need to! In fact, a recent study in California indicated that 73 percent of Californians change their oil more frequently than recommended by the manufacturers.

So how often should you change your oil?

The fact is, oil changes should be determined by what, how, and where you drive. If you have a newer car with little or no engine wear, you can probably go 7,500 miles between oil changes. And even if you have a slightly older car, but drive under ideal conditions such as predominantly highway, you can go a similar distance before changing.

Of course, many of us actually don’t drive under “ideal” conditions…if you make many short trips, endure lots of stop-and-go traffic, drive on gravel or dusty roads – then you might need to change your oil more frequently. So how do you know – and take advantage of saving money by only changing oil when it’s really needed?

Technology to the rescue

There are a few ways you can actually eliminate the guesswork. If you have a newer car, it may have a built-in sensor that estimates oil life based on engine running time, miles driven, outside temperature, coolant temperature and other operating conditions. When the indicator light comes on, it’s time to change the oil. It’s that simple.

Another idea is to purchase an oil monitoring sensor, such as the IntelliStick. These sensors are used in place of your car’s original dipstick and provide you with real-time, accurate information about the true condition of your oil. Better still, these sensors often have a transponder built into them so you can quickly and easily check the condition of your oil at any time using a cell phone, PDA or computer with Bluetooth connectivity…now that’s really going high tech.

Bottom line – dollars spent on oil changes add up fast. Especially with the increasing price of oil, it pays to be smart, check the manufacturer’s recommendations…and not let too-frequent oil changes cost you!

10:02 AM - Jul. 21, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Summer food safety tips

Summer-time is one of the best times of year to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables, especially those that aren't available year-round. But recent salmonella outbreaks like those in last year's spinach crops or this year's tomato crops are an important reminder about handling food properly.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) notes that there is no way for consumers to detect salmonella since it can't be smelled, tasted, or seen. Here's what they recommend to reduce the risk of exposure during this latest outbreak:

Check the Type

Since April 16, more than 220 people from twenty-three states have contracted salmonella poisoning from tainted tomatoes. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising people to eat only cherry tomatoes, grape tomatoes, tomatoes sold with the vine still attached, and tomatoes grown at home since these tomatoes are not associated with the outbreak.

If you have raw red plum, Roma, or round red tomatoes, which are the tomatoes associated with the outbreak according to preliminary data compiled by the FDA, the best thing to do is either throw them away or return them to the store where you purchased them.

Wash, Wash, Wash

One of the best ways to protect yourself is to wash all produce, including organic produce, with cold running water. You should scrub your produce gently with a vegetable brush, or you can use your hands if you don't have a brush. Make sure you remove outer layers of cabbage and lettuce. And make sure you wash fruit, too, even if you don't eat the peel.

In addition, wash your hands with soap and water before handling food and also wash cutting boards, counters, and utensils to avoid cross-contamination. When you are preparing fresh vegetables, make sure you avoid any kind of contact with raw meat. And don't forget to refrigerate sliced up fruits and vegetables.

Ask Your Waiter

If you eat out, ask your waiter what the restaurant has done in response to the outbreak. Several restaurants...including chains McDonalds, Burger King, and Taco Bell, among others...have stopped serving tomatoes, but it's always wise to double check. Keep in mind that ketchup and cooked sauces are not affected since cooking tomatoes at 145 degrees kills salmonella. Don't hesitate to ask your waiter to leave tomatoes off a sandwich or salad if the restaurant hasn't removed tomatoes from its menu. Note that if you remove the tomatoes once your order comes, the food could still be contaminated.

Make the Call

Salmonella poisoning typically resembles the flu, and symptoms usually appear 12 to 72 hours after infection and include abdominal cramps, headache, fever, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. If you suspect that you've contracted a case of salmonella poisoning, call your local health department. Reported cases help the CDC and FDA track the source of salmonella.

For the latest information on the tomato salmonella outbreak, visit:
FDA: Link to FDA Information
CDC: Link to CDC Information

11:44 AM - Jul. 19, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Saving fuel and food

It seems like not a day goes by that we don't hear about the rising price of either groceries or gasoline. This might not be such a difficult pill to swallow if we were talking about luxury items, but food and fuel are hardly that. They are everyday necessities that we cannot live without. In the spirit of making your life easier, the following are our tips for saving at the checkout stand and at the pump.

SAVING AT THE CHECKOUT STAND
Saving money on groceries comes down to the diligent practice of two virtues, self-control and organization. Let's start with self-control.

It is very important to understand that grocery stores are designed to entice the consumer into buying products. Everything from displays to promotions is geared to increase sales. If you're looking to save money on your weekly groceries, it is imperative that you combat these temptations. The following are some great tips that are sure to help.

Don't shop on an empty stomach
Your pocketbook will benefit if you eat before you go grocery shopping. Stores are filled with beautiful displays and enticing aromas. Subjecting yourself to these on an empty stomach can be pure torture. Bringing along of bottle of water is good for fighting the cravings that are may hit after you pass by any number of temptations.

Shop alone
Tag-alongs like children or friends will only increase the time you spend in the store. They can also be enablers when it comes to making purchases.

Coupons are good...to a point
There's no arguing that coupons cans save you money. But here's the problem: many of the coupons that are issued are for new products. This is a way for companies to promote their products, and to entice consumers into trying them. If you blindly buy into this, you will quickly find your grocery bill growing instead of shrinking.

We suggest going through the Sunday paper and cutting out only the coupons for items you already buy. The rest of the coupons can either go in the recycling bin or can be traded with friends who use those particular products. If that's not an option, there are countless online message boards and forums that deal solely with coupon trading. There's a good chance there are also private groups in your area who get together for the sole purpose of trading coupons. Do a Google™ search and see what you find.

Make a shopping list
It may seem that making a shopping list would fall under the category of keeping yourself organized, but it really has more to do with maintaining your self-control. Items on the list represent the things you need, or what you are budgeted to buy. By sticking to your list, you have a much better chance of not falling victim to impulse purchases. It also gets you out of the store much quicker than shopping without a list. Moving through the store quickly has been shown to limit spur-of-the-moment buying.

So now that we've addressed a few components to maintaining your self-control, let's talk organization.

Much of your organizational success depends on how well you understand your family's needs. Every family is different, so there is no way we can set forth a plan that is perfect for all. What we can do, however, is give you some really great tips to get you started.

Know your schedule
There are families who eat dinner together at the same time every night. Then there are families that never manage to eat together. Where does your family fit in? The reason we ask this question is that the answer has a lot to do with how you should shop.

If your family eats dinner together regularly, we suggest planning out meals a week in advance and then shopping accordingly. This is a great for taking advantage of sales and for utilizing ingredients in several other meals throughout the week. It also cuts down on trips to the market. Simply put, it's a great way to get a lot of bang for your buck.

However, if dinner is inconsistent in your home, then it makes no sense to buy a week's worth of fresh food. There's a good chance that a lot of it will go to waste. At this point, you are better off making more trips to the store and buying lesser amounts. The key here is to figure out your eating schedule, and create a shopping schedule to match it.

Comparison shop
Multi-stop shopping for the purposes of buying a product at the lowest price is not always great for saving money. If you consider the extra time and gasoline used, it can often be far more expensive. Generally speaking, the best deals for average-sized families will be found at a local grocery store, so do the majority of your shopping there.

Warehouse stores can be big money savers if you use them correctly. Remember, you are buying in bulk, so unless you have a big family and a lot of cold storage, they may not be the best place to purchase groceries. However, when it comes to non-perishable items like paper goods, household cleaners and bottled water, warehouse stores cannot be beat. Word to the wise: shopping lists are even more important at warehouse stores. Get in, buy what's on the list, and get out. Otherwise, your cart can quickly be filled with many things you don't need.

Navigate your grocery store
Here are some great tips you may not have known about:

• Companies pay huge stocking fees so that their products can be stocked at an adult's eye level. These will always be the most expensive products. Look at the top shelves and the bottom shelves before you decide which product to buy.
  
• Store brands are great money savers. Many times they are produced by the same companies as the name brands and contain the exact same ingredients. The only difference is the label and the fact that they are not advertised. This savings is then passed on to the consumer.
  
• Many stores have a bargain bin for meat and produce. It may sound unappetizing but the truth is they are merely the products that need to be sold and consumed that day, or shortly thereafter. They make a great first stop for people who shop the day of for their food.

SAVING AT THE PUMP
There are two ways to save when it comes to the amount of money you spend on gas. The first way is to buy less expensive gas. Believe it or not, this does exist. The second way is to use less gas. Let's start with the former.

Gasbuddy.com
If you have never logged on to www.gasbuddy.com, you should make it a point to do so. Operating since June of 2000, Gasbuddy.com is a network of 181 local gas price websites. Its unique value is that it allows consumers to share information regarding the prices at gas stations throughout the United States and Canada.

Consumers throughout North America can log on to the site on a daily basis to report prices at their local gas stations. The website then sorts through the information and lists the stations that sell the cheapest, as well as the most expensive gas.

As you can imagine, the information provided by Gasbuddy.com is not only helpful on an everyday basis, but it can also be used to help plan out driving trips. The website will even text or email price updates to your phone, allowing you to keep current with the best deals.

So, now that we know where to purchase gas at the lowest prices, let's take a look at how we can use less of it.

Carpool
This is one of the best methods for using less fuel, reducing the amount of traffic, and helping the environment all in one shot. The easiest way to start a carpool is by talking to co-workers who also live in your neighborhood. If this situation doesn't exit, the Internet is a great resource for regional carpool sites that can set up matches. Many of these websites also have carpool calculators to help you determine the amount of money you can save.

Care for your car
It's a concept that is very easy to understand. The harder your car has to work, the more fuel it will use. Start by honoring all scheduled maintenance as recommended in your owner's manual. If your car isn't running right, don't put off a visit to your mechanic. Postponing a repair may actually be costing you money.

Don't neglect the tires
Keeping your tires properly inflated will do wonders for your vehicle's mileage per gallon. A good rule is to check your tire pressure at least once a month. The best time to do this is in the morning when the air inside the tires is cold, as it will give you the most accurate reading. Tire pressure gauges can be found at any automotive store for just a couple bucks and the recommended PSI (pounds per square inch) should be printed on the side of your tires.

Keep your mind on the pedal
What you do with your gas pedal will have a direct effect on how often you refill your tank. The first thing you should know is that it is always better to stop and restart your car than to allow it to idle for a long period of time. Think of it this way. Do you use more electricity by keeping the lights off and turning them on when necessary, or by leaving them on even when they're not in use?

The next bad habit when it comes to the gas pedal is what's known as "jackrabbit driving." If you are unfamiliar, it is the constant pressing and releasing of the gas pedal. It not only makes for an uncomfortable ride, it also wastes gas. When driving on the freeway, it is recommended to do so in cruise control. It controls your speed and saves on gas.

Easy on the A/C
Using your car's air conditioner causes the vehicle to use more gas, so our recommendation is to use it only when necessary. Keeping your car garaged, parking it in the shade, the use of window shades and slightly cracking the windows are all good methods for controlling the temperature inside your car.

Lighten your load
It's a good idea to remove anything from your vehicle that doesn't need to be there. The heavier the payload, the more gas your vehicle will burn. Simply put, get the junk out of the trunk.

Buy gas in the morning
The colder the outside air, the denser the gas. Denser gas equates to more energy for your dollar. It may be a small difference, but it will add up over time.

We hope these tips help. Remember, just because gasoline and food are necessities, it doesn't mean we have to be held hostage by high prices. Good luck being a smart consumer.

7:01 PM - Jul. 17, 2008 - comments {0} - post comment

Colorado Wineries

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