Seven Snags To Avoid When Buying A Mattress

Mattresses might be soft to sleep on, but they are notoriously hard to buy. Various stores sell very similar mattresses under different names, thwarting attempts to compare prices. Salespeople often steer shoppers toward ultra-expensive products. And manufacturers highlight features that consumers can’t easily evaluate. As a result, many shoppers pay hundreds of dollars more than necessary—or end up sleeping for years on mattresses that they hate.

SNAG: It’s very difficult to compare mattress prices from store to store. With the exception of certain specialty mattresses, each retailer typically uses product names and numbers that you won’t find anywhere else. This is true even when the mattresses are virtually identical, aside from cosmetic changes involving fabric colors and quilting patterns.

What to do: When you find a mattress that feels comfortable, jot down every available piece of information about what’s inside the mattress. Include the coil count and coil wire gauge…dimensions including the height…firmness (based on your judgment of where it falls on a one-to-10 firmness scale with one the firmest)…materials used…how the sleep surface is described…and what position the list price occupies compared with other mattresses at the store from the same manufacturer. When you visit other mattress retailers, examine mattresses that fall in the same general position in the manufacturer’s price scale until you find one that matches up very closely. Start there and compare coil counts, firmness and other characteristics of various models until you find one that seems to match. Lie on this mattress, if possible, to confirm that it feels about the same as the one you tried earlier.

Tell the salesperson that you found the corresponding mattress at the other store, and ask if he/she can beat the other store’s price. If the second store has the lower price, you could return to the earlier store and try the same tactic. Most mattress stores and many furniture stores will negotiate. Their list prices tend to be double their cost, so it’s perfectly reasonable to try to negotiate a price 20% to 40% off list price (which could mean a savings of $400 off a $1,000 mattress). Department stores often won’t negotiate, but they sometimes will honor their price-match guarantee if the customer shows that a mattress at another store is essentially identical despite different names. And the department store might offer a better deal on shipping and better return options if you’re not satisfied, both important considerations. Reasonable price: You should be able to find a good queen-size mattress for $700 to $1,000—for guest rooms, $500 to $800.

SNAG: “Pillow top” softness may not last. So-called pillow-top mattresses feel great when you lie on them at the store. They have thick, soft layers of fiber and/or foam above the mattress springs. Trouble is, these thick layers soon will develop deep, annoying body indentations. The heavier you and/or your partner, the faster this will happen. If you love the soft pillow-top feel, opt for a “plush top” instead. These have perhaps two to three inches of foam and fiber, rather than the four to six inches of a pillow top—and they will be less likely to develop deep body indentations. Plush tops also tend to be $100 to $300 less expensive than pillow tops. Helpful: If there are two separate “tape edges”—ropelike lines—running around the mattress above and below the foam layers, it is called a pillow top.

SNAG: Warranties and satisfaction guarantees are less impressive than they seem. If you voice concern about whether a mattress is right for you, the salesperson might assure you that there’s no need to worry because the store offers a satisfaction guarantee.

Quiz the salesperson about this guarantee. Can you get cash back or only exchange the mattress for a different one—and how much time do you have to return it? Is there a restocking fee for returns? What about a pick-up charge or additional shipping charge for the replacement mattress? And if you purchase a mattress during a sale, will you be able to exchange it for one of similar list price or only for a lesser one with a list price similar to the sale price you initially paid? Caution: Manufacturers’ mattress warranties cover only major defects. They won’t permit you to return the mattress because you don’t find it comfortable. Mattresses generally should be replaced every eight to 10 years.

SNAG: New foundations often are unnecessary. If you buy a mattress, expect the salesperson to push you to buy the matching foundation (what used to be called a box spring) as well. You might be told that this foundation will extend the life of your mattress or make it more comfortable or that not buying it will void the mattress warranty. None of this is likely to be true.

Unlike old-fashioned mattresses, many modern mattresses do not require you to flip them over from time to time, and these no-flip mattresses don’t require springs beneath them at all. Today’s “box springs” really are just simple wood-and-wire frames covered in fabric. These foundations cost retailers very little, yet they’re often sold for hundreds of dollars.

If your old foundation has no obvious problems such as sagging or cracking and is the same size as the new mattress, you can continue to use it. If you have an old spring-type box that flexes when you push down on it, you don’t want to use it with a new “no-flip” single-sided mattress.

If you have a platform bed or a bed with slats that are spaced no more than two inches apart, you can skip the box spring entirely—assuming that the resulting mattress height is not too low. If you do need a new foundation, purchase the one that’s matched (brand-wise) to your new mattress. Don’t feel that you need to match the fabrics. A lower-priced foundation of the correct size should be fine if you’re buying a single-sided mattress.

SNAG: A higher coil count doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality. For spring mattresses, mattress salespeople often stress high coil count—more springs per square inch—as they steer shoppers toward high-end models. It’s true that having more coils is better than having fewer coils, all else being equal, but all else is not equal when it comes to coils. Coils might be made from different materials or in different ways.
Example: A mattress with independent coils—coils each made from a separate piece of wire—is likely to do a better job of conforming to the contours of your spine than a mattress with coils made from continuous strands of wire, even if the coil count isn’t as high. Independent coils also do a much better job of isolating movement, a big plus for those who share a bed.

SNAG: Delivery and removal charges. Ask about delivery charges before you agree to buy a mattress. Some retailers provide free delivery, but others see it as a way to slip one last sneaky fee into the deal.
Also ask whether removal of the old mattress is included in delivery—there’s sometimes an additional charge for this. Include any delivery and pick-up fees when you compare prices at different stores.

SNAG: An expensive specialty mattress might have drawbacks. Solid foam and dual-zone, air-filled mattresses look great in ads and can feel great when you lie on them—but there might be issues that the salesperson won’t mention. For instance…

Memory foam mattresses such as those made by Tempur-Pedic do a wonderful job of conforming to the contours of the body and providing support—but they also make some sleepers feel too hot.
If you want foam but are a warm sleeper, consider a natural latex foam mattress, which sleeps cooler. Some synthetic foam mattresses have gel embedded in them to keep sleepers cooler, but these mattresses are extremely heavy and difficult to move.

Dual-zone, air-filled mattresses such as Sleep Number by Select Comfort provide separate firmness controls for each side of the bed. But humidity and perspiration tend to build up around the internal air bladders of even the best-made air-filled mattresses. Mildew and mold can spread if the bladders are not cleaned frequently using liquid detergent.These mattresses can be opened up for cleaning and for ventilation—but make sure that the mattress is completely dry before closing it up.

HOW TO TEST A MATTRESS

Lie on a mattress for at least 10 to 15 minutes in the showroom to make sure that it feels comfortable—and that it properly supports your spine.

Doctors used to recommend firm mattresses for back health, but they’ve since concluded that firm mattresses actually provide poor spine support. Backs do best in beds that allow the spine to be straight and supported as you sleep. When you lie on your side on a too firm mattress, your shoulders and hips don’t sink in far enough for your spine to stay straight…and when you lie on your back, your hips don’t sink in far enough for the mattress to support your lower back. A medium-firm mattress is the best choice for the vast majority of sleepers.

The mattress industry uses terms like “firm,” “medium-firm,” “plush,” and “pillow-soft.” It may be more helpful to use a one-to-10 firmness scale with one as the firmest and four- to-six as medium. Ask the salesperson where each mattress falls on this firmness scale so that you can learn what firmness number you like best. Then you can specify this number when comparing other mattresses.Exception to the medium-firmness rule: Side-sleepers prone to hip or shoulder discomfort might do better on a soft mattress.

Helpful: Bring someone along on your shopping trip to make sure that your spine is straight as you lie on your side…and to confirm that there’s no gap between your lower back and the mattress when you lie on your back.

One Minute Quiche

Crack an egg into a microwavable cup or mug, add one tablespoon of  milk,  one teaspoon of  melted butter, a teaspoon of minced fresh herbs ( basil, onions, parsley etc )  and a pinch of salt and pepper.Whisk. On top, toss 4 grape tomatoes halved, one eighth cup of torn bread, and one tablespoon of grated cheese. Microwave for 60 seconds or until quiche is slightly puffed and the eggs are set.

An Easy Way To Make Perfect Crepes

Few people know it, but crepes are easier to make than pancakes. Just don’t feel bad if you have to throw away the first crêpes of the batch. That’s standard practice. Sometimes it takes a few fails before you get the pan up to optimal heat. The ingredients are as follows:

• 1¼ cups sifted flour
• 1 whole egg plus 1 egg yolk
• 1¼ cups whole milk
• 1 tablespoon cognac
• 1 tablespoon melted butter
• pinch of salt
• 5 scant tablespoons very fine sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Put all ingredients except melted butter in a blender and blend on high until completely smooth, about 1 minute. Add melted butter and blend 15 seconds more. Batter should be slightly thicker than heavy cream. Refrigerate at least 2 hours and up to 3 days before cooking.

2. Brush a heavy 8- to 10-inch skillet or crêpe pan lightly with oil. Set over moderately high heat until pan is just beginning to smoke. Remove from heat and pour a scant ¼ cup batter into middle of pan. Quickly tilt pan in all directions to cover. Pour any batter that does not adhere back into bowl.

3. Return pan to heat. Cook until crepe sets, about 30 seconds. Use your fingers or a straight 14 inch spatula to carefully flip crepe and cook until done, about 30 seconds. Repeat with remaining batter.

Sweet crepes also provide worthy wrappers for Nutella,  fresh berries; caramelized apples, pears, peaches or plums; custards; and jam. .Also,  dollops of whipped cream and just plain maple syrup always enhance the experience.. 

Five New Ways To Get More Money When You Sell Your Home

1. Price your home as close to fair market value -Homes that required a 10%  price cut spent an average of 220 days on the market and sold for 2% less than the estimated value.

2. Make sure the last non-zero digit in your original asking price is a nine -For instance, the average US home that was listed for $449,000 wound up selling for about $4,000 more than a home listed for $450,000. What's more, comparable homes priced $1,000 lower than their counterparts sold four days faster on average. Why this works: Consumers are conditioned to see prices ending in nine as an attractive discount.

3.Make only modest upgrades to your home that restore the basic functions -Upgrading a bathroom from poor to decent completely changes the livability of the property and appeals to just about everyone. But if you add high end elements, you may actually turn off many prospective buyers. Also keep in mind that kitchen renovations have a lower return on investment than other home improvements. That's because buyers are very particular about what constitutes a dream kitchen.

4.List your house for sale in late March or later - Data indicates that listing very early has become so popular that you're better off  waiting until after the first few weeks of March or even the second week in April in some markets.

5. Write a carefully worded listing -Data shows that home with written descriptions longer than the median length of 50 to 70 words routinely sell for more than their asking price. That's because prospective buyers want details, and those extra words give added info that makes the home worth seeing in person.
Avoid words in listings that connote "small", "nothing special" or"needs work". These words include cute, charming, potential, quaint, needs TLC, and unique. Such words turn buyers off and can reduce the selling price by more than 2% to 7% of the asking price. With lower price homes, listings described as
luxurious beat the original asking price by 8%. Using the word impeccable beat the original asking price by 6%. In more expensive homes, listings with the word captivating boosted the sale price by 6.5%. And the word gentle referring to property description as in gentle rolling hills jumped sale prices by 2.3%. Words such as remodeled pushed up prices of homes in every price range by 1.7% to 2.9% and landacaped by 1.5% to 4.2%.

Bonus Tip: If you're buying a home, look for a Starbucks about a one quarter mile from a house. Between 1997 and 2014, US homes appreciated 65% on average. But near s Starbucks, that increased to 96%.  

The Seven Germiest Spots In Public Places

About 80% of all infections are caused by touch. That's why colds, flu and contagious disease go viral.  The biggest offenders are:

1. Coffee Cup Lids The University Of Arizona found that about 17% of disposable coffee lids placed on cups by coffee shop workers were contaminated with fecal bacteria. So skip the lid and pour the coffee into your own thermos cup or use self-serve coffee bars at convenience stores.

2. ATM Machines   A British study found that ATM machines were contaminated with the same level of bacteria as public toilets. So bring a disposable wipe to wipe the key pads or touch screen or clean your hands with a disposable wipe after using the machine.

3. Supermarket Checkout Conveyor Belts  A study by Michigan State found that most super market belts have mold, yeast and staph bacteria. So when you get home, wash your hands before opening cabinets and the refrigerator. Also, wash your hands again when you're done unpacking groceries. And don't forget to wash off the tops of cans before you open them.

4. Hotels  60% of all hotel bathtubs are contaminated with staph. Rinsing the tub doesn't help so you need mechanical action to remove the bio film. If you think you want to take a bath in a hotel room, then carry a small scrub brush and a few ounces of bleach with you.A solution of one part bleach and nine parts water plus a few drops of soap with kill most microbes in a few seconds.

Hotel pillows are rarely laundered. So when you travel, always bring anti allergy  protective covers that you can wash when you come home.

As soon as you check in, remove the bedspread and toss it to the side.To stay warm, request extra blankets which are laundered more often then bedspreads.

5. Tables If a serve wipes your table in a restaurant with a damp cloth, there's a 70% chance that the wipes table is contaminated with E. coli and other fecal bacteria. So when you go to a restaurant, wipe the table yourself with a disposable wipe.

6. Toilets The tops of the toilet seat might be clean, but your finger tips will become contaminated when you lift the seat. So use a disposable wipe or a thick layer of toilet paper to lift the seat. Also, if its an old style toilet that has a lid, close it before you flush. Flushing an old style toilet can spray bacteria droplets up to 20 feet. The new low flush toilets spray no more than one foot.

7. Carpets The carpets in public places can harbor some 200,000 bacteria per square inch.  That's
thousands of times more than the average public toilet seat. Since hotels don't clean their carpets very often, then always wear socks,  request a pair of disposable scuffs, flip-flops or bring your own slippers.

If you work in any office in either Bucks County or Mercer County, and the carpets smell stale and are stained, and you can't recall the last time management cleaned the carpet, then the carpets are loaded with bacteria. Have your office manager or supervisor give us a call for a free no-obligation commercial carpet cleaning consultation. We'll green clean and restore the carpets like new and your boss must be happy or its free.  Have then call 609-586-5833 or visit www.AllstateCleaning.Com   today. 

       

Top Secret New York City Restaurants

New York City has many secret restaurants—many of which have turned that secrecy into a virtue. Some have no signage, phone number, email address or website, so you'll have to take your chances. In other parts of the world, such obstacles might be a detriment. Here, it's catnip. That's one way to account for the longtime success  of Freeman's.  http://www.freemansrestaurant.com/ down a hidden alleyway, or Sakagura, a Japanese izakaya tucked inside a Midtown office building. A mysterious green door is the only clue giving away the entrance to the West Village's Hudson Clearwater. And unless you were already hip to Brad Farmerie's fabulous restaurant, Public, in NoLIta, it would be hard to know about his clandestine lounge inside it, The Daily. Same goes for David Bouley's Brushstroke, in TriBeCa, where a phenomenal sushi bar, Ichimura, is attached. In Brooklyn, the high-end Blanca is camouflaged within the funky Roberta's complex.

Seven Steps You Must Take To Get The Best Long Term Care Insurance

1. Always choose a policy that pays for all types of care including nursing home care, assisted living care and home care.

2. All things being equal, always choose a policy that provides a calendar day elimination  period over a service day elimination period.

3. Always favor policies that are not restrictive about who can supply the  in-home care. Some policies require you to use a state-certified care provider. This would prevent you from hiring someone you know and trust like a family member or a trusted friend.

4. Always choose a policy that provides an annual cost of living increase of at least 3% to 5% so you won't be underinsured 20 or 30 years down the road. You should also favor polices that don't charge extra for this feature and choose policies that calulate the cost of living on a compounded basis versus a simple basis.


5. Favor policies that have monthly caps over policies that have daily ones.

6. Make sure you lean towards policies that provide benefits when you acquire assistance with two activities. That's because most people require assistance with dressing and bathing long before they require assiatance with a third activity.

7. Choose a policy that specifically includes dementia coverage even when the policyholder does not meet the policy's activity triggers.

9 Secrets Hotels Don't Want You to Know

1.  Don't Call The 800 Number - You get the best rate by calling the hotel's local number. Instead of the reservation desk, ask to speak to the manager on duty  or the director of sales. They have the authority to give you the best rate.

2. Rooms Cost More In The A.M - The best time of day to make a reservation is after 6PM. That's when hotels clear their no show reservations unsecured by credit cards. Then these rooms are offered at bargain rates. In NY and San Francisco, call after 4PM.

3. Negotiate Everything - If the parking is over priced and the lot is half full, offer 50% of the daily rate.

4. No Vacancy Sign=Rooms Available - In any large hotel, a few rooms are listed as out of order. The problem may be simple like a stain on the carpet or a chair has been sent out for repairs. If you're desperate for a last-minute room, tell the manager you are willing to take an  out of order room with a minor problem.

5. Thieves Take Only One Credit Card -   Hotel thieves usually take out one credit card so you won't notice. So check your wallet carefully if you leave it unattended.

6. Hotel Rooms Are A Germ Circus - TV remotes, telephones and clock radios never get cleaned. So carry a pack of antibacterial  wipes and clean items when you arrive. Bedspreads are only cleaned every few months. So ask for clean blankets as soon as you arrive.

7. Tip The Housekeeper $2-$3 A Day - Housekeepers are the most overworked, underpaid, under appreciated people in a hotel. If you tip them you'll get better service and it reduces the chance that you room will be burglarized. Dishonest housekeepers are less likely to target guests they have met.

8. Your Bags Aren't Safe - Even in high end hotels, bags can be stolen right off the bellhop carts in the lobby. Plus the hotel assumes no responsibility. If your bag is going to sit for more than a few minutes, ask that they be placed ina secure room. Designer luggage may impress fellow travelers, but it also impresses a thief. So always travel with cheap, ugly luggage so thieves  target someone else.   

9. Tap The Lost & Found - If you forget to bring your cell phone or laptop charger, odds are the hotel will lend you a charger from their lost and found. Recharging cords are the number 1 items left behind at hotels.

How To Boost Your FICO Score 100 Points In 30 Days

It's  a somewhat known fact among credit repair experts that when you dispute delinquencies on your credit report right before Thanksgiving and once again ,after 35 days pass, right before or around Christmas, you'll be able to get more stuff off your credit reports than working on it for 6 to 9 months or longer. 

Since it is a "another somewhat known" fact, a lot of people ,including credit repair services and attorneys, submit dispute letters during this time, and it overwhelms the credit bureau system. To top it off, the credit bureaus are understaffed during this time because their employees are taking more time off for the holidays, not to mention the federal "shut down" days of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

So, how do you make this work?If you've been struggling to have things removed or -- even better -- you've never disputed anything before, now is the time to start. You have to wait until next week to start submitting your letters into the credit bureaus.  You shouldn't submit anything this week.

Now, one of the reasons this is so successful is that you "buy days" during this "Holiday " time frame.  When you dispute something on your credit report, the credit bureaus contact the creditor or collection agency requesting proof of your debt. During this period,  creditors and collection agencies are not only short-staffed during this time but the time starts ticking at 30 days the moment the credit bureau receives your letter.  Everyone must respond timely otherwise the account has to come off.  This is not as easily done during this period of time.

What do you do?If you have anything you want removed off your credit report, the weekend before Thanksgiving is when you should create your dispute letters for any account you'd like removed off your credit report.  On the Monday before Thanksgiving is when you should mail your letters. Also, try the week before Christmas.

Mail each letter to all three credit reporting agencies(Experian, Transunion, Equifax)  via certified mail so the credit bureaus can't say they never got your letter.They like to do this during the" Holiday Season."  Since they won't respond in a timely manner, the disputed items have to come off your credit report.

 

How To Get Rid Of Pesky Telemarketers

When a telemarketer calls you, just say, "I want you to know that this call will may be recorded  for      purposes of review by the NJ State Board Of Fraud"  ( or whatever state your in ). That usually keeps them from calling back.

Insiders Guide To Las Vegas

Free Rock: Rock out to the 80's hair-metal videos spun by VJ's at the Bourbon Room in the Venetian.

Golf:  Play 18 holes of KISS themed golf for $12 at MonsterMiniGolf.Com

Souvenir Hunting: Check out the star of Pawn Stars see:  GSpawn.Com

Have A No Cover  Drink : Sip a a cocktail on board Cleopatra's Barge at CeasarsPalace.Com

See "Jubilee" the showgirl/guy spectacular with a sinking Titanic from $63 BallysLasVegas.Com

Ride El Loco, the face-scrambling coaster  at Circus Circus For $10: AdventureDome.Com

Zoom A Camaro ZL1 around a race track for $124 at DrivePetty.Com

Sky Jump off the 108th floor of the Stratosphere for $120 at SkyJumpLasVegas.Com

Zip Down A Water Slide that cuts through a shark tank for $25 at the GoldenNugget.Com  

Operate A Bulldozer at the heavy equipment playground from $249 at DigThisVegas.Com  

Stage A Hangover Style Prank on your best bud from $500 at  LasVegasTheGame.Com

Learn To Tame Lions from $800 at TheCatHouse.US

Load Up On Survival Gear at ZombieApocalypseStore.Com

Hedge Your Eats  At The Best Chow Spots at Carson's Kitchen, 124 S. 6th St, Ste 100,
702 -473-9523. The check out Fat Choy  595 E. Sahara Ave, 702-794-3464. Then wander over
to  Lotus Of Siam 953 E. Sahara Ave Ste A5, 702-735-3033. For Italian its Giada's , at 3595 S. Las Vegas Blvd, 855-442-3271. For the best white pizza in town check out the secret pizza place hidden inside the Cosmopolitan at 3708 S. Las Vegas Blvd. There is no sign or a hint of it being a pizza joint, but if you see a line of people in an unmarked hallway, get on it. For the best Chinese grub, it's China Mama , 3420 S. Jones Blvd, 702-873-1977.

Where Locals Stay: From $25 a night at the  ElCortezHotelCasino.Com , From $279, its the legendary
FourSeasons.Com/LasVegas and then from $89 a night its the brand new  SlsLasVegas.Com

To Party Hardy With The Locals  check out the "DCR" or the Downtown Cocktail Room, 111 S. Las Vegas Blvd, 702-880-3696.  Next stop is The Griffin, 511 Fremont St, 702-382-0577. Then its on to the Park On Fremont, 506 Fremont St, 702-834-3160, then the Commonwealth, 525 Fremont St, 702-445-6400.The further down its Container Park, 707 Fremont , 702-637-4244. And the last stop is the outdoor seating at Atomic Liquors, 917 Fremont St, 702-982-3000.   

Best Bar Snack Ever

Total Time: 40 minutes Makes: 8 cups

• 5 pounds mixed nuts
• 4 egg whites, whipped until foamy and almost stiff
• ½ cup white sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1½ tablespoons cayenne
• 1½ tablespoons salt

    

1. Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. 

    Make sure all nuts  are coated  in egg white.

2. Pour nut mixture out onto two 13-by-9-inch sheet pans lined with parchment paper.

3. Bake nuts, stirring halfway through, until dry and crisp, 30 minutes.

    Let cool before serving.

Extraordinary Uses For Ordinary Things

Juice a lemon with a microwave - Zap a lemon for 10 seconds to break down the cells and make juice flow faster.

Roll out dough with a wine bottle -Remove the label from an empty, clean round wine or liquor bottle and fill it with cold water. Then cork or cap it.

Use a box grater to puree tomatoes - Place a plate under a box grater. Then place the stem end of the tomato in your palm. Grate against the widest holes while rotating the fruit in a circular motion. The puree falls on the plate while the skin and tomato belly button stay in your hand.

Mince garlic with a can - Wrap peeled garlic and or other spices in tinfoil. Then smash them with a can from the pantry.

Bake omelets in a muffin tin - Coat the tin with cooking spray. Fill each cup with one beaten egg and top with desired ingredients. Bake at 350F for 20 minutes. This is a great way to make personalized omelets for a big group of people.

Use freezer bags for mess free breading - Put flour in one bag, beaten eggs in a second bag, and bread crumbs in a third. Dip foods like shrimp or chicken into each bag-then toss into a fourth bag, close, and shake.    

The Liquid Nicotine In E-Cigarettes Is Poisonous

The concentrated liquid nicotine in e-cigarettes is highly toxic. Ingesting even a small amount or accidentally spilling on your skin can cause nausea and vomiting. In some victims, it can increase blood pressure and heart rate. So make sure you keep it out of reach fo small children. Then wear rubber gloves when you handle it. And last, don't store liquid nicotine where you keep your eye drops. You may accidentally reach for the liquid nicotine instead of your eye drops and get nicotine poisoning and extreme eye irritation.

Low Cost Steps You Can Take To Avoid A $10,000 Repair Next Winter

To prevent ice damming, yo should first clear gutters each fall after leaves drop into them. That's because gutter blockages increase the odds of ice forming when winter comes. If you can't do it yourself, then hire someone.

Install heat cables on your gutters and leaves to prevent ice damming. This electrical cable, which generates low-level heat, is narrow like a heavy duty extension cord and comes with a large number of small clips to attach to roof shingles, gutters and downspouts without causing damage. Expect to pay $75 for a 100 foot length and about an extra $100 in electric bills to power it on snowy days. These heat cables could save you an ice-dam repair bill of $10,000 or more. The cable can be left in place all year long. The companies that make the cables also make sensors that allow it to turn on only when needed. Easy Heat Roof Heat Cable is available at Lowes and Frost King De-Icing Cable is available at Home Depot.

Seven Secrets To Getting The Best Auto Leasing Deal

1. Watch Out For Advertised Specials-Advertised specials are not as appealing as they seem. Sometimes car makers keep the monthly lease payments low by allowing 10,000 miles instead of 12,000 miles. They also may require steep down payments which are more than lessees normally pay.

2. Select A High Residual Auto - The size of your lease payments will be based on how close your vehicle's residual value or worth when you turn it in at lease end. Acura, Toyota, Honda, BMW, Lexus,  and Mercedes  hold their value quite well. American brands don't do as well.

3. E-mail Or Call Three To Five Dealerships - Contact the Internet department and explain that you are "shopping for a lease payment" on your vehicle. This lets dealers know that you are contacting competitors and will improve your odds of getting a competitive price. Also, keep in mind that "advertised lease deals" are negotiable! Tell each dealer that you won't visit their lot until you have received a written quote and have agreed to terms. The only exception is to visit a lot for a test drive. But whatever you do, DO NOT enter into the salesperson's office.  Remember, arriving on a lot without a deal in hand reduces your leverage.

4. Get A Work Sheet - Ask the dealer with the lowest monthly payment to email you a "work sheet".
This sheet puts the details  of the lease offer on paper. Some dealers will balk about emailing you a work sheet, but tell them that they will eliminated from your list if they fail to comply.

5. Get The True Market Value & Dealer Invoice - Go to www.Edmunds.Com  to get this info. Note that the true market value may be below the dealer invoice price if there is a factory rebate on the car. If the capitalized cost listed on the work sheet is higher than the true market value, then subtract the dealer invoice price from the capitalized cost. Then email the dealer and say, " I noticed that this lease is based on a capitalized cost of ( X  number of dollars ) above ( or below ) the dealer invoice price.My research indicates that this car is currently selling at ( X number of above or below ) the invoice price."To get this figure subtract the dealer invoice price from the true market value to get this figure. In most cases, these numbers will be quite close. Then say, I'm looking for a dealer that will lease to me at that figure." Try this first with the dealer that gave you the lowest monthly payment.Then try the others if the first dealer won't give you a capitalized cost close to true market value.

6. Check The Money Factor - This is also called a "lease factor", "lease rate" or just "factor". It is the lease equivalent of the interest rate on a car loan. But it is presented in a confusing way to make it difficult for lessees to tell if their getting a good rate. To convert the money factor  to an interest rate, multiply it by 2,400. For example, A .00125 money factor x 2,400 = and interest rate of 3%. If the figure is higher than the going rate on a car loan, you might be paying too much. This is usually something that a dealer can't negotiate since it is st by the bank or leasing company. However, a high money factor may indicate that the leasing company considers you to be a high credit risk. If that doesn't seem right to you, obtain copies of your credit reports from www.AnnualCreditReport.Com  and get your FICO score too. You get get it free on a monthly basis if you have a Discover IT card. If  you have a current Discover card, Discover will change it over to an IT card for free. Go to www.Discover.Com for more details. 

7.  How To Handle Your Trade-In  Go to www.Edmunds.Com   again and get the value of your used car. Look for the drop down menu that reads, "trade-in value and pricing".You'll get three numbers. The trade-in or wholesale value, the private party sale value and the dealer retail. Try to get the dealer to give you  a trade-in value as close as you can get between private party sale and dealer retail. If not, try to locate a www.CarMax.Com   used car dealership to sell your car. If there's not one near you, sell it yourself on www.Craigslist.Com            

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How The Latest Carpet Cleaning Scam Can Lead To Burglary, Home Invasion Or Identity Theft

Just as sure as the sunrise, it’s guaranteed to happen every Spring. They promise  to clean all the carpets in your  house for  $59.00. Sound too good to be true?  It probably is. To make matters worse, they finally show up–three hours late-in a beat up pick-up truck with no company name,  and hop out in torn jeans and a soiled tee-shirt. Then you realize it: you’ve been the victim of a bait -and -switch campaign.   What is bait and switch?

 Bait and switch scams work like this: a company advertises cleaning a roomful of carpet of carpet for a  ridiculously low price. When they arrive, they inform you the price they quoted is only for the traffic lanes and doesn’t include any cleaning chemicals. So you agree to pay extra for  the chemicals  because you are thankful someone  showed up. In the end, the final bill ends up costing you hundreds of dollars.   

 Another typical scam is hearing that a company will clean a set amount of rooms for  a very low price ( like 5 rooms for $49.00). After they begin, you discover a linen closet, hallway, foyer, or regular closet counts as a room, and you wind up paying a lot more than you thought you would. Bait-and-switch scams are especially targeted at the elderly. Seniors are more likely to be intimidated by high pressure tactics and by someone who “promises” to  give then a good deal.   

The latest carpet cleaning ruse  is promoted  through deal-of-the-day websites. That’s where you’re offered 3 rooms  of carpet cleaning for $49.  To take advantage of this offer, you have to prepay for a non-refundable certificate that expires in 90 days. Also, the website that makes the offer  IS NOT responsible for the quality of the work. Plus all sales are final. What you don’t know is that most companies that do this went into business yesterday. 

Then, they have have to give half of the $49 or $24.50 to the deal-of-the-day websites.  Do you really think that they can afford to clean 3 rooms of  carpets in your house for $24.50 and still make a profit? Of course not.  Most of the time, they don’t even show up for appointments. If they do show up, then  they'll tell you that you're going to  get a quick dash and splash job that just uses water. If you want a better job, you'll have to fork up  more money for them to use a cleaning chemical.  Or they get so many calls, they’ll book you out three months in advance and then the certificate expires. If they do show up, the job won't be guaranteed.

If  you complain about them to the BBB, Yelp or Google+, that’s OK. They’ll be in business tomorrow under another name as quick as you can change your socks. Then they’ll do it all over again.               
                                                                                                              
One  reason why they may clean for such a low price  is because they may be gang bangers or illegal aliens with criminal records or foreign nationals.  And entering your home allows them to "case" your home to plan a future burglary or home invasion. They also may sell your credit card info to an identity theft ring.       
               
 Professional carpet cleaning technicians will arrive in a company vehicle with company identification on the side. They may also be uniformed, should be well groomed, and should provide some sort of business or certification card.  If they are more like person described at the beginning of this story, then don’t let them in.                                
                                      
                     So how can you avoid these latest carpet cleaning  scams?

The best protection against these scams  is to ask some pointed questions before the cleaner arrives at your home. Call several local cleaning companies. If the company cannot answer simple questions, move on to another company. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

                                       Here are  9 questions you should ask:

    1.  Are you certified in carpet cleaning? Do you have any formal training?

    2.    How many years has your company been in business? ( the longer, the better)

    3.   Can you provide a list of references I can call? 

    4.  Is your company  drug, alcohol and criminal free? ( Companies that don’t screen their  employees can put you and your loved ones at risk. To be on the safe side, DO NOT deal with companies or cleaners who don’t pre-screen and drug test  their employees)
                   
     5. Can you provide proof of insurance and a  business license?

     6.  What steps will be included in your cleaning process?

     7.   How long will it take for the carpet to dry?
        
     8.   Do you offer free, no-obligation, on-site  written quotations?

     9 .  Do you offer a written, satisfaction or money back guarantee?       

   10.   Are your cleaning solutions certified organic and  natural , and do you
           warrant that they are completely safe for my family, my pets and the earth?           
                            
   
After your questions have been answered, you also may what to check the firm’s reputation with the Better Business Bureau at www. bbb. org . You can also check  the consumer affairs department of your state’s attorney general’s office. “You’d be shocked at the number of well known companies that have lousy reputations  when  it comes to addressing consumer complaints. 

 When you have decided on a cleaner,  make sure  you pay your bill with a major credit card. Sometimes it’s difficult getting a cleaner to  come back to fix a problem after you’ve  paid the bill. Paying by credit card will give you an option to dispute the bill if the problem is not resolved to your satisfaction.

Phenominal Pizza Dough Recipe

Active Time:     1/2  hrs
Total Time:       3 hrs plus risng time
Yield:               3 large pizzas

This recipe is for a long, slow refrigerated rise. For a quicker rise, you can leave the dough in a warm spot for 2 or 3 hours, but it's flavor and texture will be slightly compromised.

Ingredients:

4 cups unbleached bread flour plus extra for dusting

1 1/2 teaspoons instant dry yeast

1 3/4 cups of filtered or bottled water at room temperature

2 1/4 teaspoons of coarse salt

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil plus extra for brushing

In a large bowl, whisk together flour and yeast. Slowly add water, mixing with a wooden spoon until incorporated. Stir in salt and oil. At this point, the dough should be rough and raggedy. Brush with olive
oil. Cover bowl with a dry kitchen towel and let it rest for one hour.

Turn out the dough onto a floured surface and pat with flour. Holding tow opposite ends, pull the dough until its about a foot long. Then fold the dough back onto itself and pinch the ends together. Repeat the process 4 more times, rotating the dough each time to stretch alternate sides, until it feels smooth.

Then place dough in a well oiled large bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rise in the refrigerator until it doubles in bulk, or at least 24 to 48 hours.

Turn the dough on a floured surface. Cut into 3 equal parts and form it into balls. Brush each ball with oil and cover them to rest for an hour. 

Then transfer one of the doughs to a 9 x 13 inch  rimmed baking pan. Pull edges to fill pan. Apply your favorite tomato sauce then spread on shredded  mozzarella cheese and bake. Preheat your oven to 450 F and cook pizza for 15 to 20 minutes on until done.

If you wish to freeze the dough it will keep beautifully..    

Recipe's For Incredible Edible Gifts

House-Jarred Marinated Feta

Makes: one 9-ounce jar

Cut 6 ounces feta into ¾-inch cubes. Pick the leaves from a 6-inch sprig each of thyme and rosemary. Use a vegetable peeler to remove four 2-inch-long strips of lemon peel from 1 lemon. // In a clean 9-ounce jar, lay down ⅓ of feta cubes, followed by ½ of thyme and rosemary. Sprinkle 5 pink peppercorns and a pinch of Aleppo pepper on top, followed by 2 lemon strips. Repeat process once more with the same amounts of feta, pink peppercorns and Aleppo pepper, then top with remaining feta cubes, leaving a ½-inch gap at top of jar. // Pour in olive oil to cover feta completely. Seal and let sit in refrigerator at least 7 days before using. // To serve, remove from refrigerator about 20 minutes in advance to let oil come to room temperature. Store, refrigerated, up to two months.

Fruited Sugar

Makes: one 16-ounce jar

In a 16-ounce terrine jar, sprinkle ¼ cup amber sugar crystals, followed by ¼ cup dried fruit. Repeat three more times with the same amounts of sugar and fruit, placing 1 cinnamon stick in after the second layer, leaving a ½-inch gap at top of jar. // Pour in 1 cup dark rum (at least 50% ABV), until top layer is just covered. Bring ¼ cup honey to a boil and pour it over top. Seal immediately. // Once opened, store in refrigerator up to six months.

Thyme Oil and Blood Orange Vinegar

Makes: one 12-ounce jar of oil and one 12-ounce jar of vinegar  

 Peel 4 small or 2 large blood oranges, reserving a 2-inch strip of peel, free of pith. Use a paring knife to remove orange flesh in sections from membrane. Pour 8 ounces red wine vinegar into a blender and squeeze in any remaining juice from orange membrane. Add orange flesh and purée until smooth. Store in a sealed container in refrigerator for 24 hours, then strain through a fine-mesh sieve and transfer to a 12-ounce bottle. Close tightly. Vinegar will keep up to four weeks. // Make thyme oil: Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Wash ¼ bunch fresh thyme under running water and dry with paper towels. Arrange sprigs on a baking sheet in a single layer and bake just until brittle, 5-10 minutes. In a medium pot over low heat, combine 12 ounces olive oil and dried thyme. Cook just below a simmer 4-5 minutes. Transfer thyme to a paper towel and let oil cool to room temperature. Once oil has cooled, pour into a sterile 12-ounce bottle. Add reserved thyme. Close tightly. Oil will keep, refrigerated, up to four weeks. Bring to room temperature before using.