September 2007 – The End of Summer

Your Home – Winter Cleaning

It’s September already. Now that the summer is winding down, a lot of us are turning our attention to the new school year and the upcoming holiday season. For most of us, this means we’ll be spending a lot more time indoors, so it’s a great time to take stock of your home and start planning any changes you would like to make for the holiday season. If you are planning holiday gatherings in your home this year, you can improve the appearance of your home with just a few inexpensive projects.

Flooring – Whether you have carpets or hardwoods, you can increase the appeal of your home’s interior by giving them a good cleaning. For those with carpets, you may want to consider cleaning your carpets. You can hire a professional carpet cleaner (ask around for a recommended cleaner before hiring one) or you can rent a shampooer if you want to save some money and don’t mind doing it yourself. Hardwoods can also be cleaned by first sweeping the surface and applying a mixture of vinegar and water to clean the floors.
Window Coverings - If you have been leaving your windows open this summer, there’s a good chance that your window coverings could use a good cleaning. Before cleaning the coverings, be sure to dust the valances and frames. You can then use a vacuum to clean the larger surface (be sure to use the brush attachment for blinds and the upholstery attachment for draperies).
Heater Vents – Before using the heat in your home this year, be sure to inspect your furnace, clean or replace its filter, and clean the vents in your home. If you have not had your furnace inspected recently, now is a great time to call a professional before the cold weather sets in.

By preparing your home now and performing routine maintenance, you can enjoy your holiday season without worrying about trying to hire a professional at last minute or paying higher than average fees during peak season.

Finances – Avoid Extended Warranties

We’ve all been in this position before. You’re buying an appliance, computer or other electronic device and the salesperson tries to sell you on purchasing an extended warranty. These warranties typically extend the manufacturer’s warranty by three to five years for an additional cost that you pay when purchasing the item. Although these may be tempting, especially when the salesperson is telling you how much it might cost to repair the item if something goes wrong, most consumer experts advise against purchasing these warranties.

The reason is that the manufacturer’s warranty and the store’s return policy protect you in the event that the product is defective or malfunctions within the first year of ownership. After that, the main reason the product will malfunction is probably because of misuse or an accident and most warranties will not cover the cost of the repairs if you are directly responsible for the problem. The other reason that you may want to avoid purchasing these warranties is that the warranty will probably exceed the amount of time that you want to use the product. Of course, warranties may make sense for certain products, but most experts agree that you are better off saving your money.

Inspiration – Keeping Fit

Now that we are headed back inside and the holiday season is starting, many people will find it much more difficult to stick to their diet or workout regiment. Remember, it is a lot easier to stick to a routine than it is to re-adopt a good habit. If you start finding it more difficult to make it to the gym or pass up those holiday cookies, try making your routine more interesting. For example, those on diets may enjoy their healthy snacks more and resist temptation by baking healthy holiday themed treats. If you are having a hard time making it to the gym, try finding a workout buddy, or joining an organized class like a spin class. By keeping motivated you won’t have to worry about getting back into a healthy routine come January.