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The lawyers have landed in the uproar over Chinese drywall

Wed, 03/18/2009 - 20:00 - Tom Kraeutler

The continuing saga of homeowners facing problems with Chinese drywall continued this week with a major update by USA Today. For those that are unaware of the issue, drywall imported from and reportedly used in homes in Florida and other states, is being blamed for off-gassing that causes damage...

Stimulate savings with energy tax credits for windows

Fri, 03/06/2009 - 19:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Bargains, Home, Real Estate, Tax As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 recently signed into law, there are several energy conservation incentives for homeowners, including a never better opportunity to install replacement windows. There are lots of good...

Make your yard and landscaping investments last

Mon, 03/02/2009 - 12:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Home, Recession The daylight savings time switch is just a week away and a good time to think about outdoor improvements that will help you enjoy that extra daylight all spring and summer long. But with the economy in a spin, it's more important than ever to choose improvements that...

Green or not? Five signs of a truly green product

Fri, 02/27/2009 - 17:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Budgets, Home, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle The growing market for earth-friendly products and solutions has given homeowners a lot of choices, but how do you know what's truly green versus "greenwashed"? Here are five signs to help measure greenness.

  • Start with the manufacturer: Green...

Many cut housing costs by adding roommates

Tue, 02/17/2009 - 19:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Bargains, Home, Real Estate, Recession Hard times and tightening budgets are moving many to downsize their home life, an endeavor which may include adding a roommate to help share expenses. USA Today reports that many homeowners and even apartment renters are seeking housemates to...

Make your bathroom bigger without remodeling

Tue, 02/17/2009 - 11:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Bargains, Home, Real Estate Need a bigger bathroom but don't have the time or money for a complete remodel? Then consider small-scale changes that create more room, better storage and a more functional floor plan.

  • Smart sinks: Try a pedestal-style or wall-mounted corner sink for...

Green moving tips can save cash and the environment

Fri, 02/13/2009 - 19:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Bargains, Home, Real Estate, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle If moving is on the horizon for you, there are lots of great options for green-minded moving that can help save money and keep waste from littering the transition.

  • Ban the Boxes - While cardboard varieties can take a few rounds...

Multiple-appliance warranty can deliver savings

Thu, 02/12/2009 - 12:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Bargains, Home, Shopping I never buy extended warranties on appliances, TV sets or just about anything else. Just about every serious study I've read shows these warranties to make very little economic sense. However, a new wave of independent, multiple-appliance extended warranty...

Chinese house hunters head to USA for foreclosure deals

Wed, 02/11/2009 - 20:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Bargains, Home, Real Estate, Shopping, Travel, Recession, Investing, Bankruptcy Chinese house-hunters are packing their bags and heading to the U.S. to shop for deals in the beleaguered housing market. USA Today reports that a Chinese tour group of over 40 affluent home shoppers...

More cash in your pocket with CFL lighting options

Mon, 02/09/2009 - 12:00 - Tom Kraeutler

Filed under: Bargains, Home, Saving, Technology Compact Fluorescent Lamps, or CFL's for short, have changed a lot in recent years. While the energy savings was unquestionable, the quality of the light coming off a CFL casts a shadow on their practical use, especially for areas where a crisp...