Selecting, Storing and Enjoying Autumn Favorites: Apples and Winter Squash

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Two of my Autumnal favorites – apples and Winter squash are here for our Autumn eating enjoyment. In-season produce is always at its peak of quality and it’s lowest price, so now’s the time to enjoy Autumn’s abundance.

Apples

Although apples are available year-round, they’re harvested – and therefore freshest – in the Fall. Fresh apples can be kept at room temperature only a week before beginning to lose freshness. Store your apples in a ventilated plastic bag in your refrigerator’s produce drawer. If you happen to score a bushel or two and want to keep them as fresh as possible for eating throughout the Winter, wrap unblemished apples individually in a quarter sheet of newspaper, twisting loosely at the top. Store in a single layer in a box without crowding, covered with a heavy, damp cloth, in a cool location where they won’t freeze.

Which variety you choose depends upon your personal taste and how you plan to use the apples. Red Delicious and Golden Delicious are popular all-purpose apples that will take to any application – eating or cooking. Fuji and Gala apples are sweet, Granny Smiths are tart. Honeycrisp and McIntosh are crisp and juicy.

There are many ways to use and enjoy apples; some of the simplest uses, besides biting into them whole, are in pie filling and applesauce. Here’s a very simple and satisfying apple recipe:

Apple Crisp

Peel and slice 4-5 apples.
Arrange in a buttered 8”x8” baking pan.
Sprinkle apples with 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
Sprinkle with a mixture of ¾ cup packed brown sugar, ½ cup oats, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, ½ teaspoon nutmeg and ½ teaspoon salt.
Drizzle ¼ cup orange juice over mixture.
Bake at 350°F for 40 minutes.

Hard Shell (Winter) Squash and Pumpkins

Butternut, Acorn, Hubbard, Spaghetti, Turban and Pumpkin are some of the varieties of hard shell (Winter) squash. When choosing squash, pick ones that seem heavy for their size, are unblemished and firm. They can be stored for many months in a cool, dry location not below 50°F.

Although I included pumpkins in this category, note that the flesh of the large “carving pumpkins” used for Jack-o-Lanterns is not the same as that from which we make pumpkin pie. That comes from smaller “pie pumpkins” which are, in essence, Winter squashes.

All Winter squashes have a slightly sweet and “musky” flavor and can be steamed, boiled, baked or even grilled. The flesh can be cubed or pureed and eaten as is or added to soups, stir-frys and casseroles.

I’m particularly fond of this simple method I developed for Butternut squash, but it could be used for any variety of Winter squash.

Grilled Winter Squash

Microwave one whole squash 2 minutes on high to slightly soften and make slicing easier.
Slice squash in ¾” slices, discarding the stem and end.
Scoop out seeds and fibers from center of slices; set aside.*
Brush slices with olive oil and sprinkle with salt.
Lay slices on medium hot grill; cook until lightly browned (about 10 minutes). Flip slices and brown other side.
Squash is done when fork-tender.
Remove shell before eating.

Even Winter Squash seeds are delicious!

*Toasted Squash (or Pumpkin) Seeds

Remove seeds from squash, rinse and remove fibers.
Place in pan and just cover with water.
Add ½ teaspoon salt.
Simmer for 10 minutes.
Drain; pour seeds on baking sheet.
Sprinkle lightly with salt.
Bake in 225°F oven until completely dry, 30-45 minutes.

How better to experience and enjoy the flavors of Autumn than with apples and Winter squash? They’re fresh, abundant, delicious, inexpensive and healthy foods to round out your Fall menus.

What is your favorite Autumn produce?

Banking Trends: DIY, Better Communication, and Customers in Charge

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

While attending the Financial Blogger Conference last weekend, I heard Tom O’Donnell from Chase talk about trends in the banking industry. The information he shared has some interesting implications for the banking industry, and offers some insight into how we, as customers, are changing.

Changing Spending Habits

One of the first things that O’Donnell mentioned was that confidence in the US economy is on the rise. He also said that:

63% of consumers have changed their spending and borrowing habits
54% have created a monthly budget

In a lot of ways, this is somewhat encouraging. It means that people are thinking more about their purchases, and hopefully making decisions based on what’s most important to them. O’Donnell also said that people are paying down credit card debt faster than before. This is good news from a consumer standpoint. Instead of paying interest, it’s vital to be earning it. Paying off credit cards as quickly as possible is essential to achieving financial freedom, and it’s an important part of building better finances.

DIY Banking

I love that customers are seeing more options for their banking and money management needs. More and more consumers are doing things for themselves, and that includes banking. The future of personal banking includes smartphones, apps, and the ability to take care of issues on your own. It only makes sense, since the modern consumer is savvier than ever.

We want to be able to bank anytime, and from anywhere. O’Donnell pointed out that banks need to respond to the desires of consumers with banking products that are better and faster. With the apps out there, and the online access, it is no surprise that consumers can really take their finances in their own hands. From investing to transfers to depositing checks via smartphone, there are a number of tools that can be used to improve the situation and stay on top of your finances.

Better Communication

O’Donnell also talked about the need for better, clearer communications from banks. With many products and services out there, and a great deal of legal mumbo jumbo to deal with, it is no surprise that he mentioned clearer communications.

Some legislation, like the CARD Act and the Truth in Lending provisions, require that banks disclose information in a straightforward way that is easy to understand. More transparency is a good thing, since it allows you a better idea of what is really happening with your finances, and the real impact banking policies have on your money and your budget.

Are Banks Really Listening to Consumers?

Of course, the real question is whether or not banks will actually listen to customers and give them what they want. Consumers have won some fairly major battles recently, in terms of getting banks to back off on fees and to provide more products that boost convenience. However, even with these triumphs, many banks are still quietly raising some fees, and changing the way they do some things, in an effort to profit more.

Even as consumers see more options, it will be interesting to see whether or not they remain happy with the banks.

Using the Internet to Save, Learn and Earn

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

Do you:

Have a long-lost dream to play an instrument, speak another language, or learn a particular skill?
Have a question no one knows the answer to?
Need financial advice?

Are you:

A single mother who wishes she didn’t have to pay repairmen to solve her household problems?
A collector who wants to know how much your items are worth?
Looking for ways to save or make money from the comfort of your home?

The Internet is the one-stop solution center to most of these scenarios. Not only is the ability to independently answer your own questions, solve your own problems, and find exactly what you need tremendously freeing; it’s a huge time and money saver. Here are some tips for successful Internet searching and where to find the answers to a few of these questions.

Internet Searching

Be as specific as possible. Because the Internet contains so much information, the more specific you are in your search, the more time you will save wading through pages of results. The top results are the most popular; the further down the page you go, the less strongly the link is associated with your search topic. Read the highlighted lines and look for results that contain wording identical or very close to your search term.

Search & earn. If you are a frequent Internet searcher, you might want to try using Swagbucks.com, a search engine which randomly awards points the more you use it. Points can be turned in to the “Swag Store” for gift cards, services, and merchandise.

Ideas for Searches

Take up a new hobby. Even if you’re past your prime, it’s not too late to pursue some of the dreams of your childhood, without expensive lessons. For learning instruments, there are numerous websites which offer online training, tips, and video lessons for all levels, totally for free. Check out GuitarTricks.com, ZebraKeys.com, PianoNanny.com, and, of course, YouTube.com.

Learn a new language. Sites such as LiveMocha.com allow you to take lessons in any of several major languages, listen to videos, and then get graded by native speakers through written and audio quizzes. What’s more, you have the chance to help others learn your language, as well. Basic accounts are free; personal tutoring and more advanced options are available for a fee, but cost far less than traditional language classes.

Gain a practical skill. Do you need to learn how to perform simple sewing to mend your own clothes? Try TeachYourselftoSew.com. For nearly any common skill, such as changing a tire, unclogging a drain, painting a room, or fixing machinery, there are videos online that will show you what to do in easy-to-follow steps. YouTube.com are great resources for many of these how-to questions. You can save hundreds of dollars by learning the skills to solve your own problems instead of hiring professionals. Of course, certain skill sets are specialized and dangerous if attempted by an amateur, so proceed with caution.

E-garage sale. Need a little extra money? Setting up an account on e-bay.com or posting items on Craigslist.com may be easier and more profitable than a traditional garage sale, which limits you to local clientele. Don’t know if an item is antique? Find out by emailing pictures on ValueMyStuff.com for a flat fee of $10.

Whatever your problem or questions may be, the Internet is a valuable source that can save you stress, time, and money. Don’t be hesitant to use it and explore its possibilities.

Avoiding “Culture Shock” in the Yogurt Aisle

by Gina Blitstein · 0 comments

Yogurt used to be so simple. It was sweet, creamy and and often had some chunky fruit on the bottom of that cute little plastic cup to stir into it. There were lots of flavors but really only one kind of yogurt widely available. After a while there were lower calorie yogurts available made with lowfat milk and artificial sweeteners but that was the extent of “yogurt diversity.”

Within the last couple of years, however, there’s been a sort of, “yogurt explosion” in the marketplace. Now we’re hearing a whole new yogurt vocabulary, including, “live and active cultures,” “probiotics” and “Greek” yogurt. Some yogurts seem fancy and exotic while others seem to be considered health food. With so many yogurt choices, how do you know which to buy?

Let’s look at what’s in yogurt to determine what we’re buying.

Live and active cultures are the living microorganisms (Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus) that, during the fermentation process, turn milk into yogurt. No matter what the package says, it’s not really yogurt unless the product specifically states that it contains, “live and active cultures.” These are believed to be associated with health benefits such as preventing gastrointestinal infections, boosting the immune system, fighting certain cancers and preventing osteoporosis.

Probiotics is a term for these living microorganisms (or “good” bacteria”) that provide a health benefit when consumed in adequate amounts. Many probiotics provide benefit to the body by adjusting the natural balance of organisms in the intestines, or by acting directly on body functions, such as digestion or immune function. Yogurts can contain a variety of probiotics, depending upon the brand. Therein lies the major difference between yogurts.

Another consideration is the number of live and active cultures contained in the yogurt. The National Yogurt Association has established a definition of “significant amounts of live and active cultures” as 100 million cultures per gram at the time of manufacture. Note that heat-treating yogurts after fermentation kills most of the bacteria.

As an additional boon to health, the live and active cultures break down lactose, making yogurt a source of milk nutrients for those who are lactose intolerant.

Additional differences between yogurts have to do with their fat content or formulation.

Fat content

Regular yogurt is made from whole milk and contains at least 3.25% milk fat.
Lowfat yogurt is made from lowfat milk and contains between 2% and 0.5% milk fat.
Nonfat yogurt is made from skim milk and contains less than 0.5% milk fat.
“Light” yogurt contains ⅓ less calories or 50% less fat than regular yogurt.

Formulation

Greek yogurt is regular yogurt, made of cow, sheep or goat milk which is strained several times to remove the liquid whey, producing a thicker yogurt. Because less of its volume is whey, Greek yogurt has a higher protein content; otherwise, its nutritive value is equivalent to other yogurt.
Swiss or custard style (also known as “blended” yogurt) has fruit and yogurt mixed together. To ensure the proper texture, a stabilizer, such as gelatin, may be added.
Sundae or fruit-on-the-bottom style has fruit on the bottom; when turned upside down, it looks like a sundae.

Yogurt is an extremely healthy food, rich in protein, calcium and many other nutrients, in addition to probiotics, from which most people can benefit. The major differences between the potential health benefits of yogurts lie in the types of probiotics and the number of live and active cultures they contain, so read labels carefully. There’s no magic yogurt at any price and none that is superior, so choose one that you find tasty and affordable.

How do you choose healthy yogurt?

Do You Need to Pay for Credit Monitoring?

by Miranda Marquit · 0 comments

Chances are, you’ve seen plenty of ads regarding credit monitoring. If you are concerned about making sure that your credit is regularly checked, and changes in the situation are sent to you, credit monitoring can seem like a good idea. However, you need to be careful; not every item on your credit report deserves attention, and there are some very real flaws in many credit monitoring programs.

Flaws in Credit Monitoring Programs

As you decide whether or not you want to pay for a credit monitoring program, you need to seriously consider the possible flaws in these programs. Here are some of the things that make credit monitoring programs less than helpful:

No protection against stolen credit cards.
Fraudulent accounts can take months to appear.
No mention of “fragmented files.” When your Social Security number is used with a different name, a new file is created. Since your name isn’t on the file, you might not even be aware that someone is using your Social Security number to apply for credit. Only by looking at your report, and seeing other names attached to your SSN can you catch these types of thieves.
Frequent updates and alerts, including those for actions you take yourself, can start to become annoying.

Most basic credit monitoring programs also don’t provide monitoring for public records, and other red flags that you might not be aware of.

Should You Pay for Credit Monitoring?

Often, you end up signing up for credit monitoring as part of your efforts to get a free credit score, or look at your credit report for $1. You visit these sites, enter your credit card information, and you agree to credit monitoring for anywhere between $7.99 and $29.99 a month (or more). The burden is on you to remember to cancel after you get the promised credit product and before your free trial is up. If you don’t, your card is charged each month.

For some people, paying for credit monitoring provides peace of mind, and they think the cost is worth it. However, it’s worth noting that you can do your own credit monitoring. You can get a free credit report from each bureau once a year. Spaced out, you can keep a fairly close eye on your credit situation, without paying anything. It’s also possible to keep an eye on things by paying attention to your bank and credit card accounts. Watch for suspicious activity, and make sure that you stay on top of the situation.

In many cases, it’s not necessary to pay for credit monitoring. Indeed, the FTC doesn’t endorse credit monitoring products. Instead, the FTC offers a helping guide to detecting identity theft, and resolving the situation. While you might think that paying for credit monitoring provides you with a general idea of how things are going, you do still need to be careful, and vigilant. Just because you have credit monitoring doesn’t mean that you are protected from identity theft, and you need to be mindful of the limitations of many credit monitoring products.

Simple Ways to Save Money on Healthcare

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

As we all know, healthcare continue to get more expensive while the need for it remains the same. No matter how healthy you are, at some point in your life you’ll need professional medical services, so having the right insurance for your needs and knowing how to get the most out of it are important. Here are some simple tips for making the most out of your healthcare while saving as much as possible.

Get a Plan that Fits You, Your Family, and Your Lifestyle

Not doing your homework before choosing an insurance plan is a grave mistake. Plans vary greatly in the size of deductibles, extent of coverage, and terms of benefits and you could be either paying too much for what you need or have a deductible you can’t afford.

High-deductible accounts. If you are a healthy single person or couple without kids, and have no major health problems, you might consider one of the increasingly popular high-deductible plans. These plans have an annual deductible of around $1,000-$2,000 in exchange for much lower monthly insurance premiums.
HSAs. To supplement these plans, many providers offer a Health Savings Account (HSA) option. This allows you to set aside pre-taxed money to be used for medical expenses without getting penalized for unused funds – they simply roll over into the next plan year.
FSAs. Many insurance providers also offer flex-spending accounts, or FSAs, to which employers many also contribute. Unlike HSAs, flex spending accounts have to be used up each year or you lose the funds. Put just enough in FSAs for what you need, and find out what qualifies so you can make the most of the money.

Utilize All Your Benefits

Find out exactly what your insurance provider offers in the way of other perks and benefits, and make it a point to take advantage of them. Some insurance providers offer 24-hour call lines so you can contact nurses after hours if you have care questions or need to know if situations warrant emergency-room visits, as well as discounts on gym memberships and other health-related services.

Stay Within Your Network

In an emergency, it’s easy to forget to check whether an emergency room, clinic, or particular doctor is in your insurance coverage network. It might not seem important at the time, but it will later when your insurance rejects your claims. Find out ahead of time which providers you can go to in an emergency, and carry contact information in case you need to call your insurance provider to verify.

Know Your Insurance Inside-Out

Insurance policies can seem confusing and complicated, so it may seem easier just to pay your bills and not ask questions. If this is your attitude, you could end up paying more out of pocket than necessary due to errors either by the doctor’s office or your insurance company. Make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered in your policy, and examine the charges on your medical bills to ensure that they are legitimate. Don’t be afraid to ask if something seems wrong; the doctor’s office or your insurance company should be able to explain your charges or misunderstandings in your coverage.

By taking the time to do your homework before choosing an insurance plan, you’ll avoid wasting money on premiums and excessive out-of-pocket medical expenses, and by further exploring your insurance and taking full advantage of all your benefits, you’ll save in many more areas, all which will help make your healthcare more affordable.

How Would “Same Day Delivery” Affect Shopping Habits?

by Gina Blitstein · 1 comment

Online shopping is gaining in popularity and convenience every day. There’s very little (if anything) you can’t buy online these days. Not only is the selection of products and services expanding but the speed with which they are delivered is increasing.

Where shipping and handling costs used to give us pause when shopping online, it’s often practically overlooked nowadays by online shoppers who value the ease and convenience of shopping from anywhere, 24/7. In fact, Amazon.com is looking to increase its shipping offerings to include a “same day delivery” option. In other words, if you purchase an item before the daily cut-off time and have it delivered within an area in which the service is offered, you could literally receive your package mere hours after you click the “purchase” button.

Impact of same day shipping on shopping habits

What could be the ramifications of same day shipping? How would that sort of convenience impact our shopping habits and our personal economy? Here are some of the ways I’ve identified:

Time savings – Especially if you have a favorite store or stores online, shopping or browsing without physically traveling between locations presents the opportunity for great time savings. With same day shipping, items will be in your possession almost as soon as if you’d brought them home yourself.
Convenience – The ability to have items delivered the same day also means that you can shop for and receive them at the drop of a hat, should a need or want arise. A forgotten occasion? No problem – choose, purchase and receive a gift in hours while you go about your day.
Fuel and transportation savings – Let’s face it. Gas for our tanks isn’t getting any cheaper. Subways, trains and cabs fares are likewise on the rise. Taking transportation costs into consideration when shopping online makes justifying a few more dollars for same day delivery a no-brainer.
Potentially greater choice – Let’s say you have a preferred brand of risotto which is only available online and you need it tonight. It’s just as convenient to order your favorite brand online and receive it via same day delivery as it is to drive to the grocery store and settle for any old brand.
On-the-spot information and reviews increases product desirability – Online stores usually have complete product details readily available. This information helps you compare and choose more quickly, without feeling the need to research further before purchase. Once the decision has been made, the product can be delivered that same day.

One caution…

In all these ways, same day shipping would revolutionize, simplify and economize our shopping habits. There’s one factor, however, of which we really would need to remain mindful: our innate desire for instant gratification. It’s in our nature to want to get what we want NOW! Mixing that propensity for instant gratification with the reality of receiving what we want as soon as we want presents a challenge to self-restraint. Providing the ability to, in essence, get what we want as soon as we want it without adequate time to consider the purchase could prove potentially dangerous to our finances. It will be especially important to remember that we should only buy that which legitimately fits into our budgets. Same day shipping isn’t a license for financial impulsivity to take over.

Same day shipping may soon be a common fact of life, impacting our day-to-day shopping habits and expectations profoundly. Its generally a positive thing, so long as we remember to remain frugal, responsible consumers.

How do you think same day shipping impact your shopping habits?

Don’t Fall for these Sneaky Store Tactics to Get You to Spend More

by Miranda Marquit · 1 comment

Part of frugal living is trying to get the best deal whenever you can. It’s about getting the most value for your money. However, you might be fighting a difficult battle. Stores actively try to get you to spend more money. And it’s not just about manufacturers downsizing their package sizes and sneaky labeling; many stores have little psychological cues that encourage you to buy more than expected, or to pay a higher price for something.

As you engage in your regular shopping, don’t just focus on coupon clipping and looking for the best sales. Be aware of what the store is doing in the hopes that you’ll spend more on your purchases:

Eye Level Products

Those products at eye level are more likely to be the pricier items. Even manufacturers pay for placement at eye level, and 12 inches within eye level. Studies indicate that most shoppers automatically reach for what they can easily see. So, your better bargains are likely to be a little higher, or a little lower.

But don’t let a lower placement fool you, either. Depending on the aisle you’re in (read: cereal aisle), some items are placed with children in mind. Pricier items that appeal to children will be put at their eye level so that they can see them — and beg you to buy.

Bumpouts/Endcaps/Floor Displays

All of these are designed to get you to stop and look at what is available. Whether it’s a display set up in the middle of the aisle, an attractively arranged endcap, or a bumpout that actually sticks out even beyond the endcap, the idea is to get you to grab something.

Often, we assume that the items in these types of displays are on sale. Unfortunately, they often aren’t. In many cases, these are items that are regularly priced — and might even be higher priced. It’s about getting you to grab the convenient item and put it in your cart without actually going down the aisle and finding a comparable (but cheaper) item.

Store Setup

The setup of the store itself is designed to increase the chance of impulse buys. Think about it: Bread is often on the other side of the store from milk and eggs. Other staples are somewhere in the middle. In order to get what you need for your shopping list, you have to traverse the entire length of the store.

Studies indicate that impulse buying accounts for a large percentage of purchases in a store. The longer you are in the store, and the more items you pass, the more likely you are to grab something not on your list. Stores are counting on that with their setups. Be aware of this, and stick to your list.

Being aware of these tricks can help you save money on your purchases at the store, especially when you are grocery shopping. You can improve your chances of saving money by planning ahead with a list, and sticking to it. While you are actually choosing items, look in the aisles, and don’t automatically grab the first thing you see. Look around a little bit. Avoid being rushed into grabbing things that will cost you more.

The Future of Personal Banking via Smartphones

by Jessica Sommerfield · 0 comments

In the last decade, financial institutions have been shifting their focus to online banking and bill pay options as more and more people gain regular access to the Internet. Yes, you can still go into a brick-and-mortar bank to make a deposit, or drive by an ATM to check your account balance, but many people are opting for the more efficient, safe, and immediate advantage of online banking. In even more recent years, smartphones, especially when cell phones are becoming cheaper and cheaper, have become more widely used by the public. Boasting mobile Internet availability and unique applications, smartphones are also becoming the hottest new way to manage your personal finances on the go.

The following are a few ways smartphones are changing the face of banking as we know it and how you can take advantage of them.

PayPass and Google Wallet. Google wallet is a free application Google offers for android phones which allows you to use your smartphone to store and access your credit and debit cards with a simple tap at an NFC-enabled terminal; PayPass is offered by Mastercard. NFC stands for near field communication, a technology which enables your android phone to wirelessly and instantly complete a transaction using your stored credit or debit card data. More and more retailers are offering this technology. The apps allows you to complete, verify, and store transaction information on your phone via your online account.

This form of payment is super easy and much more secure than using a plastic card, not to mention much more environmentally friendly than printed receipts.

Not only can you use Google wallet or PayPass from your mobile device; you can use your account online to make purchases, securing your credit card information and making online shopping that much smoother. No doubt other technological giants will jump on the bandwagon and create their own version of this cutting-edge technology in the near future.

Mobile Banking

Many financial institutions are now offering free applications for mobile devices; for instance, Bank of America, U.S. Bank, Chase, and Capital One and Citibank offer apps for your Ipad, Iphone, Android or Blackberry. Many of these apps use NFC technology to allow you to use your smartphone to complete transactions at the register, as well as allow you to check your account balances, process bill payments, transfer funds, and even deposit paper checks to your account through use of a scanner.

Smartphone savings

In addition to the fact that most banking apps are free and environmentally friendly, many institutions offer discounts and exclusive deals from participating merchants when you use their apps to make qualifying purchases, increasing your savings potential and freeing you of the hassle of coupon-clipping or remembering savings codes when you visit stores.

You might be hesitant to accept this new face of banking; after all, some people just prefer to deal with buildings, people, and paper rather than wireless, invisible electronic technologies. However, if you can acclimate yourself to this growing trend, you can instantly streamline your finances and save money, especially if you are already using a smartphone.

Choosing Replacement Windows for Savings

by Gina Blitstein · 2 comments

Our homes’ windows can be beautiful protective walls of glass – or unattractive energy drains. If they’re the latter, they should probably be replaced. How do you choose appropriate, affordable replacement windows for your home?

Window replacement is a costly undertaking and, for most homeowners, it’s not a do-it-yourself project. There are several things you should know about replacement windows so you can go into it equipped with the facts:

Why replace your home’s windows?

Consider replacing your windows if they:

Provide poor insulation – As important as windows are for allowing in pleasant breezes, they are likewise critical to keeping out inclement weather. Consider replacement when your windows are drafty or inefficient at keeping out excess heat.

Are cracked or broken – In addition to being unattractive, broken windows are simply good for nothing. They compromise energy efficiency as well as your home’s security.

Don’t operate well – Windows should, ideally, operate easily, opening and closing without difficulty. As their components wear, older windows can become difficult to operate, causing frustration and the potential for not being properly and securely closed.

Are unattractive – Old windows can detract from the appearance of your home. Updating them can give it a fresh appearance. Replaced windows can add curb appeal to your home when you put it on the market, too.

Present security issues – Even if your windows aren’t broken, per se, if they don’t close and lock properly, your home’s security is at risk.

Factors to consider when replacing windows

You’ll undoubtedly be bombarded with choices when you look at replacement windows. Here’s some information to help you make the right choices for your home:

Frame Material – Consider the material from which the window frame and sash are constructed:

Aluminum – Frames made of aluminium conduct outdoor heat and cold inward, which is not energy efficient. Few home windows are made of aluminum any more.
Wood – Frames made of wood are good at keeping temperature extremes out of your home. While they add an indoor aesthetic quality, they require considerable outdoor maintenance to prevent damage from the elements.
Vinyl – window frames made of vinyl resist heat transfer, which means they prevent unwanted outdoor heat from entering in hot weather and indoor heat from escaping in cold weather. Color choice for vinyl windows, however, is limited and painting is not recommended.
Fiberglass – a newcomer to the market, fiberglass frames are the best insulators available, although they carry a high price tag.

Glass Options – Windows can be constructed with single, double or triple glazed glass. The name indicates the number of panes from which the window is constructed. Air (or a gas such as argon or krypton) trapped between multiple panes creates an insulating buffer.

Another factor to consider when choosing windows is Low-E (low-emittance). These window panes are coated with a microscopically thin layer of metal which reduces the amount of heat from the sun that enters without reducing the visible light that passes through the glass.

Who should you hire to replace your windows?

While there’s no definitive answer, gather suggestions by consulting with:

neighbors
your city or town’s building department
other trusted construction professionals
the Better Business Bureau

There’s a lot to consider when undertaking an important and costly renovation like replacing your windows. They provide an important aesthetic element but more so, they’re an energy, security and comfort consideration. Choosing them carefully will make your home a more pleasant, beautiful and valuable place while providing you with significant energy savings which quickly offsets the initial financial outlay.

How much could you save by replacing your home’s windows?

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