Summer Do-It-Yourself Projects

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Summer is here, and with it come longer daylight hours, warmth and sunshine, and usually more time and energy to tackle some of the projects that have piled up over the winter. Besides working on your lawn and garden, what other household projects are on your list this summer? Perhaps you have a major home renovation project planned, want to paint a room or a storage shed, or simply need to organize the hall closet. Whether simple or large-scale, your projects will undoubtedly cost you money in one way or another, and can quickly get expensive. Managing your own projects will be less expensive than hiring a contractor, but there are still ways to save even more money while you do it yourself. Let me share an example.

On our recent week off from work, my husband decided to build a platform for our front-loading washer and dryer. When we moved into our apartment, we discovered that the closet designed for the washer and dryer was not designed for front-loading machines. This meant we had to remove the bi-fold doors. We made due with curtains hung in front for a more aesthetic appearance, but it wasn’t ideal. Instead of purchasing ready-made pedestals, such as the ones you can find in Sears or Home Depot starting at$250 a piece, my husband came up with plans to build one for far less. With the help of his father, he built a perfectly functional platform for around $100. That’s a savings of roughly $400! We were able to put the doors back on and even have space to store laundry baskets underneath, a function similar to store-bought pedestals with drawers.

We could have taken the easy way out and bought the pedestals, but with a little work, ingenuity, and a day off, we saved $400. Are there similar ways to save money on your household projects this summer? Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Don’t assume you can’t do it yourself. There are many creative ways to replicate classy and high-tech designs for renovations throughout your home. Even if you’re inexperienced with a particular skill, the Internet has taken away any excuses for lack of knowledge or technique.
Calculate the costs. Before we started our platform project, we figured out how much it would cost, and if it would actually be saving us money to do it ourselves. It’s not always best to do it yourself. Depending on the cost of the raw materials involved, sometimes the manufactured product is cheaper. Reserve your do-it-yourself skills for projects that will save you the most money.
Don’t be afraid to steal ideas. Unless it says “patent-pending”, don’t be afraid to borrow, steal, compile, and otherwise gather ideas from what others have already done. People who have gone through the process themselves are the best experts on whether a particular idea will work for your situation.
Keep an open mind and get creative. Using others’ ideas is a great place to start, especially if you’re new to do-it-yourself projects, but inevitably, you’ll have to modify or alter the plans in some way to fit your needs. Realize from the start that the ‘plan’ is more of a ‘guideline’ and that, unlike constructing furniture from a box, sometimes you’ll have to ignore the directions and go with your gut. If you’re afraid of the risks, ask for advice, but don’t discount your own intuition and creativity.

Some people refuse to tackle do-it-yourself projects because they either don’t have the time or don’t feel qualified enough. Considering the potential for savings, I think it’s worth a little time and effort. With each success, your confidence will grow, your skills will expand, and your savings will accumulate.

Keeping Your Cool: Eat Well Without Heating Up the Kitchen This Summer

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Summertime signals a change in what we eat and the way we eat it. We spend our days differently in the summer, feed more – or less – mouths and dine in a variety of places. Our tastes often gravitate toward lighter dishes that are served cool or at room temperature. On the hottest of days, the last thing we want to do is add more heat by cooking. It can be all-too-tempting to head to a restaurant and let them do the sweating in the kitchen – but that’s a costly habit to get into.

Whether we’re simply feeding the family or bringing a dish to a picnic or gathering, summer weather dictates that the foods we prepare are tasty, simple and refreshing. Summer fare can be delicious, take advantage of a bounty of in-season foods and be quite affordable.

I’ve compiled a collection of tips and recipes to help you discover and enjoy casual, cool summer cuisine inexpensively at home:

1. Planned Leftovers – When you do cook, plan for leftovers which can be used for future no-cook meals.

There are many foods you can cook in quantity so you have extra for use in preparing cool dishes. Cook extra pasta that can be used to make a future pasta salad, or potatoes for a potato salad. Boil up extra eggs for sandwiches, snacking or adding to salads.

Grilling steaks on the barbie? Toss on an extra one to be used in a steak salad served over crisp lettuce. Cook up some chicken breasts at the same time, which can likewise be tossed in a salad, or enjoyed on a sandwich or in a wrap. Leftover grilled vegetables are wonderful in chilled marinated salads or wrapped in a tortilla with the cheese of your choice.

Speaking of the grill, I particularly like to make pizza on mine. Yes, pizza. On a grill. It’s different than oven-baked but it’s a very satisfying yet lighter alternative to traditional pizza that will not heat up your kitchen. Here’s a great explanation of the grilled pizza method – top it however you like!

2. Let your creativity reign! – Summer is all about casual living, cooking and eating Consult recipes for inspiration but use what you have on hand to avoid running here and there in the hot weather for ingredients. Think of your favorite dishes, then riff on them by transforming them into a cold version, like salads and sandwiches such as these:

Spaghetti salad – Pre-cooked noodles, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, basil and oregano, tossed with olive oil, salt and red pepper flakes and topped with Parmesan cheese.
Meatloaf sandwiches – Last night’s leftover meatloaf served on hearty bread with a little mayonnaise is a classic – and cool – meal today.

There’s a plethora of inspiration out there to encourage you to embrace meal preparation, even when it’s too hot to cook. Here are some resources to help whet your appetite for serving up some cool dishes:

Eating well in the summer doesn’t have to mean letting someone else do the cooking. When you plan ahead, think creatively and utilize what’s in season, you can serve up affordable, nutritious, delicious dishes – while keeping your cool – right from your own kitchen.

What’s your favorite hot-weather dish to prepare?

Do You Spend Less on Father’s Day than Mother’s Day?

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are summer holidays celebrated in many countries — days set aside to appreciate and honor the lives of our parents. While traditions surrounding these dates vary depending on cultural traditions, status, and preference, there is one universal statistic that is, at first glance, a bit embarrassing. Surveys from around the United States as well as around the world seem to indicate that a majority of people spend significantly less on gifts for their father on his special day (the third Sunday in June) than they do for Mother’s Day (the second Sunday in May). While I doubt this is an indication that most people appreciate their father less than they do their mother, there are many reasons for this global trend of spending more on mom. Here are a few common reasons for this imbalance in spending habits.

Dads are harder to buy for.

I don’t have to go far to test this theory: my own experience has proven that my father (and father-in-law) are two of the most difficult people to find gifts for. Is this true in your experience, as well? Maybe it’s because dads are so practical that they don’t really need anything because they’ve already bought it; or perhaps it’s because they have fewer qualms about fulfilling their own wishlists (the “I want it, I buy it” mentality). Women have a tendency to associate guilt with unnecessary spending, and enjoy saving up and ‘earning’ items. We also have no problem throwing very obvious hints about what we want ‘just in case’ someone is looking for a gift idea for us. It seems like you have to twist a dad’s arm to get him to reveal what he would really enjoy that’s also in your budget range.

The retail market is more geared toward gifts for women.

Before Mother’s Day you’ll find numerous displays of flowers, candy, jewelry, clothing, and other female-oriented giftables. Before Father’s Day you’ll be lucky to find prominently displayed gift ideas. Even the smallest token for moms usually involves flowers, but it’s much harder to find small tokens for dads. This could be because retailers know the majority of their shoppers are females, and they know their market well. Also, women are usually more willing to put more thought and effort into finding the right gift, whereas men like to grab and go (not to stereotype, if you’re a conscientious male!). In this case, men need the most help, so Mother’s Day gift ideas are prominently and generously displayed. The same idea can be applied to Valentine’s Day and Christmas.

Dads are easy-going about gifts.

Surveys show that most dads don’t expect or desire gifts beyond a thoughtful card and some quality time. This isn’t to say women are any less content with the same or are somehow greedier because they enjoy receiving Mother’s Day gifts; it’s just one more reason you might spend less money on your dad than you do your mom.

Ideas for Dad
Just because we’ve established some reasons people spend less on Father’s Day doesn’t mean it’s okay to totally ignore the holiday. Dads still appreciate being acknowledged and honored in some way, many times preferring an act of service or time spent together in lieu of something they don’t need. Consider cooking a meal for your dad, taking him to watch one of his favorite sports teams live, offering him a day free of chores or to-do lists so he’s free to kick back, or even offering to help him with a project he’s working on around the house. Making a big deal out of your dad on Father’s Day doesn’t have to be reflected by the money you spend, but is best demonstrated by the interest you take in the things that interest him.

Happy Father’s Day!

How Dry I Am: A Guide to Buying Bath Towels

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

You’ve undoubtedly noticed that all bath towels are not created equal. Some are fluffy. Some are velvety. Some are plush. Some are ‘thirsty.” While it’s not so much a matter of “good” or “bad” when it comes to towels, different types appeal to different users. This guide will help you choose bath towels to match your needs and preferences.

Three components contribute to a bath towel’s feel and absorbency:

1. Fiber
Cotton is surely the most absorbent fiber of which towels can be made. Standard cotton towels are ideal for everyday use. If, however, you’re looking for a more fluffy and luxurious experience, look for towels made of Egyptian cotton. These towels have longer, more numerous loops per inch to absorb moisture. The American version of Egyptian cotton is called pima cotton and provides a similar luxurious look and feel. When buying towels, make certain they contain 100% cotton, as they will be less absorbent when blended with synthetic fibers.

If absorbency and lightweight are more important than fluffiness, choose microfiber towels. This man-made fiber makes a highly absorbent towel that’s lighter and thinner than cotton with a suede-like texture.

Another choice for bath towel fiber is bamboo. Bamboo towels have a looser, more velvety texture than cotton and are naturally mildew-resistant.

2. Yarn Construction
The manner in which those fibers are made into the yarn that is used to manufacture the towel is also important, impacting its performance, feel and absorbency. These are common ways that yarn is woven for towels:

Combed Cotton has been combed, which removes short, uneven fibers and debris, creating longer, stronger, lustrous yarn.
Ringspun Cotton has fibers that are tightly twisted together, creating a stronger, smoother, finer and highly refined-feeling yarn.
Twist is the number of times the fibers are twisted per inch of yarn. Fewer twists make for a more plush towel. More twists create a strong and uniform yarn which creates a substantial, durable towel.
Two-ply means that twice the yarn is used to manufacture the towel, making it very dense, absorbent, substantial and durable.

3. Weight
Lastly, weight plays a factor in the properties of a towel. Fabric weight is measured by a grams per square inch measurement (GSM) which indicates the following characteristics:

300-400 GSM – Towels in this weight category are lightweight and thinner. Light, thinner towels have the advantage of being quick to dry.
400-600 GSM – Towels in this medium weight category make ideal beach, everyday bath and guest towels.
600-900 GSM – Towels in this weight category are considered premium quality. They are luxurious, dense, heavier and highly absorbent. Due to their heft, they do take longer to dry.

Bath Towel Care

Bath towels represent an investment and as such, it’s important to care for them appropriately so as to get the most satisfaction and wear for your money. Some useful bath towl care tips include:

New bath towel care

Wash new towels before use. During manufacture, a fabric softener is added to make them appear fluffier. Removing that substance will make them more absorbent right from the start.
Add 1 cup of vinegar to your towels’ first wash to set the color and prevent fading.

Ongoing bath towel care

Dry towels on a moderate dryer setting. Too much heat can damage towel fibers, causing premature wear.
Using a detergent for delicate fabrics will protect your towels’ fibers and keep them fluffy longer.

Bath towels run the gamut from utilitarian to luxurious. This buying guide will help you navigate your options and choose according to your needs and preferences.

What are the most important elements to you in a good bath towel?

Save Money by Saving Your House Plants

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

I had to admit I consider it good luck if one of my house plants stays alive for more than six months. I’ve never had much of a green thumb, but I still have the desire to enjoy the fragrance and appearance of lush houseplants. This means I’ve spent a lot of money on replacing plants in my lifetime. While I mostly attribute the death of my plants to delinquent watering, there are times I’ve done everything ‘right’ and they still die. It sometimes makes me scared to have children. If I can’t keep a plant alive…

What I’ve realized is that it’s not really my fault. I was never taught much about plants except that they need water and sunlight; how much, how little, and all the other factors in determining a plant’s health have eluded me. This is why my mother also chose not to keep house plants — she would buy the fake plastic greenery you had to dust because she didn’t have the knowledge or patience to take care of the real thing. I prefer real ones, but if I want to stop wasting money on new plants every six months, I need to know what I can do to make my plants (and consequently my funds) go a little farther. Here are a few things I’m learning.

Plants Are Kind of Like Pets
Unless you buy fake ones, you have to remember that your plants are living organisms. Like any other living thing, they need food and water and a nurturing environment in order to survive. You can’t just put them in a pot, sit them on your window ledge, and forget about them (unless you want to replace them in a week or so). In this way, plants are like pets — they need your attention. If your lifestyle doesn’t allow time for pets, it’s possible you don’t have time for plants, either. Granted, plants will require much less of your time than pets, but they will still take time.

Plants Require Very Specific Care
Plants are touchy, as I’m all too aware of. Some like lots of sunlight, while some like the shade; some like plenty of water while others just need a misting. When you purchase a plant, it usually includes a little card that will educate you about its care. Instead of ignoring and throwing this card away (as I’ve done in the past), pay close attention to its instructions. If your plant didn’t come with instructions (perhaps it was a gift from a friend’s garden), it’s very easy to look them up online. Check out sites such as plant-care.com or eHow articles to determine the preferred care of the plants you own. Then simply follow the instructions. It’s really not that complicated.

Choose Your Plants Wisely
Just as you need to choose a pet that is appropriate for the size of your home or yard, whether or not you have children, and your overall lifestyle, it’s important to choose plants that will like living with you. For instance, orchids need plenty of sunlight and are sensitive to temperature changes, so if your home doesn’t have many sunny windows or gets drafty, you should reconsider purchasing them (as lovely as they are. sigh). There are indoor plants perfect for every home, so it’s just a matter of finding the plants you like that will also like you.

Don’t Give Up
I’ve probably given up on some of my plants too easily. As soon as they start looking bad, I throw them out and start over. If I took the time to figure out why they were dying and nurtured them, they just might come back to life. I have one plant that has been snatched from the jaws of death many times. While I realize I need to make sure it doesn’t keep happening, at least I know that if I react promptly to its signs of distress, I can make it happy again.

Following these tips can save you a ton of money replacing your house plants and allow you to enjoy their beauty for years to come.

Were They Really the Good Old Days? Comparing Prices Now and Then

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Many people fall under the assumption that it costs much more to live today than it did in years gone by. They may quote the price of certain products, like a gallon of gas or a loaf of bread when they reminisce about the “good old days,” when prices were affordable. True, prices are higher than ever on many items but the median income in the U.S. has likewise increased. Why is it that people accept and pay the going rate for some things and balk at the perceived high price of others? It has to do with how we spend that income at a given point in time.

Prices increases 1964 to 2014

Take the past 50 years for example. The average household income in 1964 was $6000; in 2012 (the most recent figure available) it is 51,371, representing about 8 ½ times more income. Many prices have more-or-less kept up with that rate of increase, including:

1964 – Gallon of gasoline – 25¢ (2014 – $3 – $4)
1964 – Loaf of bread 21¢ (2014- $1.50 – $3)
1964 – First class postage stamp – 5¢ (2014 – 49¢)
1964 – Movie ticket – 75¢ (2014 – $7.50)
1964 – New car – $2,450. (2014 – $30,000)
1964 – New home – $20,500 (2014 – 150,000 – 250,000)

The above prices have increased somewhat in accordance with incomes. This is not the case on every item, however. Some notable exceptions include: A gallon of milk cost $1.06 in 1964 and today costs $2 -$3, representing an increase of only three times the cost. The price of a television in the early 1960s (which was its infancy) was no more than $250 – a strikingly similar price to some television prices today. There are clearly other factors influencing price increases besides the passage of time itself.

What we spend money on changes

The adage, “Charge what the market will bear,” continues to rule the price of everything. Manufacturers and service providers set their pricing according to consumer demand because if they know we want it, we will find a way to pay for it. Two factors that affect price increases over time and the way we perceive them include:

1. New priorities
In 2014, we still buy gasoline, milk and homes but we spend much of our money very differently than households did 50 years ago. We live in bigger homes (which are more costly to maintain and run) and own multiple vehicles and TVs. Although the cost of dining out has risen considerably throughout these 50 years, today’s on-the-go lifestyles and less focus on “home and hearth” has allowed people to accept paying more to eat at restaurants far more frequently than people did 50 years ago.

2. Time marches on
In addition to a different lifestyle, time and technology has provided us with new things to buy and do. We now own – and could scarcely live without – computers and electronics in addition to a plethora of appliances that hadn’t been dreamt of back then. Cell phones are a fact of life now but non-existent then. In 1964, television was free. Today, most households pay for cable or satellite TV. Current technology has even made improvements that make a higher price less of a negative than you would think… Consider that a gallon of gas that now costs us over $3 fuels as much as three times more miles in our newer, more fuel efficient vehicles.

It’s a natural tendency to strive for the best quality of life our income will allow as defined by the times in which we live. While prices are higher now on many items, with the passage of time comes more than simply a higher price tag. As time goes on, there are different things on which to spend money, which cause us to adjust our priorities and spending habits accordingly.

Trying to Save Money? Avoid Shopping for “Entertainment”

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

There’s an interesting pattern I’ve noticed. The busier I am, the more money I’m able to save and the higher my bank account balance. Unless your busyness includes spending money, less idle time equals less time to spend your hard-earned dollars. Sometimes this is a problem, because I really need something but don’t have the time to shop for it (this is when I most appreciate the convenience of online shopping). But most of the time, I don’t seem to be missing anything, and I find myself in a better financial position. While I hope that I’m not always as busy as I seem to be now, there are definitely some advantages of not having enough time to shop idly.

By ‘shop idly’, I mean shopping for leisure or entertainment. In our culture, it seems like shopping has become yet another hobby, pastime, way to relax, or thing to do when you’re bored. Technically, there’s nothing wrong with shopping just for fun, except for the following facts:

Shopping for entertainment is virtually impossible to do without buying something…unless you have really good self control.
It follows that shopping as a pastime usually results in unnecessary spending.
To fund that unnecessary spending, you may be persuaded to use store credit cards (for the convenience, of course) and accumulate credit card debt.

I didn’t realize what a huge impact not shopping idly had on my finances until months when I virtually shopped only for necessities such as groceries and toiletries. I’m not a shopaholic, by any means, but simply cutting out (by the necessity of time, in this case) extra spending even on little items I didn’t need but somehow ended up buying anyway, had an impact on my ability to do other things with my money.

For instance, since I hadn’t spent extra money on un-budgeted or just unnecessary items, my husband and I had more money for a bigger household item we’d been needing, were able to make a bigger car payment that month, or transferred more funds to our savings. We would have been just fine if I’d spent more, but because I’d spent less, we were able to do more.

Cutting down the amount of time you spend shopping, even if it’s difficult at first, will make an impact on your finances. You may think you have great self-control and will be fine “just looking.” But inevitably, an item you really want will be a too-good-to-be-true price, and you won’t be able to pass up the opportunity. If you hadn’t shopped, you wouldn’t have known about it, and you wouldn’t be missing anything! If you find yourself shopping just because you’re bored, find other things to do that won’t put you at risk for unnecessary spending.

Vacation is a particularly hard time not to shop for entertainment. I’ve ended up spending more than I intended on more than one vacation, only to get home and realize I didn’t really need what I bought or could have purchased it much cheaper. Focus your vacation around sight-seeing, experiences, and activities that won’t allow for too much idle shopping. If you want to buy souvenirs, make sure you’re getting your money’s worth — remember that many items in a tourist shop are cheaply made and overpriced.

Shopping is not a bad thing, and neither is enjoying yourself while you’re shopping. There is simply a danger to spend unnecessarily on items you don’t need, will never miss, and may never even use. So shop wisely and carefully, but mostly, shop by utility and not for entertainment.

Train Travel: A Unique Vacation Experience

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

The most popular means to travel to vacation destinations are generally airplane and motor vehicle. That’s mainly because most vacations are planned in and around a destination and those two means of transportation are the most obvious and straightforward. Want to get there fast? Take a plane. Want to make some stops along the way and sightsee? Go by car. Another, often overlooked, travel option is the train.

Travel by train is obviously slower than by airplane but it allows vacationers the luxury of sitting back and experiencing the sights and attractions along the way without driving or being cooped up in a car. You’ll enjoy a more social journey and be rewarded with a chance to relax, socialize, move around and sightsee while you travel to your destination.

While at first glance train travel appears pricey, much of the cost depends upon the accommodations you choose. In general, there are two ways to travel by train which primarily have to do with your sleeping and dining arrangements:

First class
First class accommodations are considerably more expensive and include a private sleeping area with bathroom facilities and meals.

Coach
Traveling coach is far more economical and means that instead of a private bedroom, you’ll sleep in a passenger car on a reclining chair with elevated foot rest. You must buy your meals on the train separately.

Both first class and coach accommodations may include admission to a variety of local attractions and activities along your journey. Stops may be frequent, giving passengers the opportunity to experience some sightseeing, dining and, in the case of an overnight stopover, a motel stay.

Where can you travel by train?
Trains go to – and through – some of the most beautiful sights in the world. When it’s not, it allows you to travel on relaxing “auto-pilot” past some not-so-scenic areas so you’ll be refreshed and ready to enjoy the sights when you get to them.

Train travel offers you the ability to plan a little or a lot. Many carriers offer packages with a set itinerary as well offering the vacationer the freedom to travel more independently. Some popular train tour packages are geared to a certain vicinity (the Northeast U.S. to view fall foliage), holidays, like Christmas or New Year’s, or specific destinations, like cities or National Parks. Tours can even be family oriented or be taken with a larger number of people as a group. For those seeking a unique train travel experience, look for a carrier that runs elegant, antique Pullman cars.

Those with disabilities should find train travel very comfortable. Carriers provide accessibility to the train itself, seating and restroom facilities. They allow both powered and manual wheelchairs, oxygen tanks and service animals when needed.

Because train travel is much like an extended airplane flight, it’s a good idea for the first time train traveler to bring along some things to ensure a pleasant journey, like:

A bag of personal toiletries
Loose-fitting, comfortable clothing
Travel pillow and throw blanket
Bottled water
Snacks
Entertainment (laptop, e-reader or tablet with movies or video games, magazines, books, a deck of cards or other travel games
Earphones
Cash (in case you encounter a location where credit cards aren’t accepted)

There are situations when paying more to travel by train – rather than flying with bargain airfare that’s a hurried, inconvenient, uncomfortable hassle – may be the wisest way to spend your vacation dollars (there are, of course, coupons that make travel less expensive as well). Train travel makes “getting there” a part of your vacation itself, and that can make for greater relaxation and a more authentic vacation experience.

Have you traveled by rail?

Where is Your Focus?

by Miranda Marquit · 1 comment

One of the most important concepts to understand if you want to improve your finances while living better is to figure out where your focus ought to be. It’s easy to get distracted by things that don’t matter as much, and that’s where it can be easy to become discouraged with your situation — and spend money that you don’t have and wind up in debt.

Figuring Out Your Focus

It’s common for us to focus on the wrong things. We focus on negative aspects of situations, rather than looking for the positive. We also often focus on things, rather than people or experiences. Recent research indicates that focus on people and experiences makes us happier than stuff.

This means that if you are focused on acquiring more things, you are more likely to be unhappy with your spending decisions. It’s even worse if your focus on things leads you to go into debt in your quest to be happy with material possessions.

Part of the problem with focusing on stuff is that the excitement of buying it fades fairly quickly. Then you’re left looking for that high. Additionally, as the item becomes commonplace — and perhaps outdated — it can be a source of unhappiness.

Experiences are a little bit different. Not only do you have the anticipation leading up to the experience, you can enjoy the experience, and then you can look back on it fondly. Focusing on your good experiences can keep you happier with your life, and they can be better for your wallet if you are careful to choosing fulfilling experiences that aren’t costly.

Focus on people can also help you save money and live happier. Connections with loved ones are important and making good memories can improve your satisfaction with life. Additionally, when you focus on spending time with the people you like, the money you spend isn’t as important. When you focus on building good memories, and the enjoyment you have, you can derive great satisfaction from a picnic in the park. No need to spend a lot of money in an effort to feel good about something.

Rather than focusing on things that you don’t have, it can make more sense to focus on the friends and family that you do have — and the good times you have with them.

Focus on Stuff Can Lead to Debt

The focus on money and things can damage your financial situation. What happens if you want more of something? When you are focused on stuff, you always have to get the latest thing, or more of something. It becomes a cycle of being happy because you bought something, but having that feeling fade as you get tired of the item, or as it becomes old and outdated. If you pride yourself on the latest gadgets, you fight a losing battle because there will always be an upgraded version.

It becomes easy to always be “out of money” or to rack up the debt in order to keep up. It’s distressing because you don’t have “enough” to buy the things you think you want.

Rather than get stuck in this cycle, it makes more sense to focus on the more intangible, but more satisfying, things in life. Look at your family and friends, and your experiences, and you’ll be much happier.

You’re in Hot Water! A Guide to Buying Water Heaters

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Ahh, hot water… one of those little conveniences that’s oh-so-easy to take for granted. Thanks to that rarely seen workhorse – the water heater – all we need to do to enjoy a warm shower is turn on a faucet. When Mr Water Heater isn’t working properly, however, we become suddenly and intimately acquainted with him and his importance to our daily comfort and convenience.

When your water isn’t consistently as hot as you want or there’s leaking at the base of its tank, it’s likely time to replace your water heater. If you’re particularly proactive – even if it seems to be working fine but is over 10 years old – replacement is something to consider to avoid the inconvenience and potential damage caused by a failed water heater.

Since water heaters are purchased infrequently, it’s wise to review the options when choosing a new one. Usually, you’ll replace your water heater with a new version of the existing one, probably a storage-tank style that’s gas-fueled or electric-powered. Even so, there are new features available so let’s review the important ones:

Capacity – The average daily hot water usage for a household of two to four people is 80-85 gallons – so you want to make certain that the unit you choose will be able to keep up with your demand. When considering storage-tank style water heaters, compare the “first-hour rating” (FHR) to determine if it can heat enough water when usage is concentrated, such as during the morning rush to get ready for the day.
Size – Recent federal manufacturing standards are such that traditional storage-tank water heaters must now be better-insulated. This increased insulation makes new heaters four inches wider than previous versions of the same size. Take this factor into consideration if your water heater has space constraints.
Glass Lining – Corrosion is the enemy of a water heater’s interior. Look for one with a glass-lined tank; this lining creates a barrier between the water and the steel body of the tank, protecting it from corrosion.
Warranty – The length of the warranty can tell you a lot about the quality of a unit. Water heater warranties cover between three and twelve years. Generally speaking, longer warranties are offered on higher quality models which have desirable features such as larger heating elements, or burners, (for speedier water heating) and thicker insulation.

Alternatives to traditional tank-style water heaters, include:

Hybrid electric are tank-style electric heaters which include a heat pump that utilizes ambient air to help heat water. They initially cost more than a traditional electric heater, but it’s quickly offset by cheaper operation. Due to the way they work, they make your home colder by taking in warmth from the air to use in heating water and by exhausting cool air. An additional downside is its height (up to 7 ft.) and space requirements (up to 1,000 cubic feet) to capture sufficient heat from the air.

Tankless (instantaneous) units heat water on demand. They’re the size of a suitcase and operate using an electric coil or natural gas to heat water passing through a heat exchanger. They only heat water when it’s needed – which saves energy – but that also significantly limits the amount of hot water available at any one time. Consult its “gallons-per-minute” rating (GPM) to determine if can meet your household’s needs. There’s no tank to corrode or leak but, on the downside, they’re costly to buy and install.

We don’t think of water heaters until they aren’t doing their job. Getting a high quality unit with a good warranty will help assure that yours will keep you in hot water for a long time.

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