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November 2006

The holiday spending grinch

You know you do it.  You spend too much on the holidays.  You always start out saying you're not going to, and then you wake up on December 25th, or even worse on January 10th when the credit card bills hit,  and feel awful.  Barbara Steinmetz of Steinmetz Financial Planning lays out the 13 biggest reasons why we do this to ourselves, and gives advice on how to avoid it!

Guilty gaffes Not surprisingly, guilt seems to be the biggest source of overspending. Homemade gift guilt: Take the year ‘Aunt Ginny’ decided to make everyone a special basket, packed with treats she'd made herself: "Oranges with cloves, homemade flavored coffee, home-baked cookies -- even homemade dog biscuits." Then, because maybe that wasn't enough, she goes out and buys everyone a "real" present.

Equalizing to excess: You get each of your kids (or parents or siblings) an equal distribution of presents. Except . . . maybe you should get Mom a couple of extra little things, since Dad's cashmere sweater obviously cost a bundle. But now Mom has three presents and Dad only has one, so the least you can do is get him a book . . . repeat until broke.

Surprise-gift guilt: Your boss, friend, co-worker or neighbor gives you an unanticipated gift. D'oh! You should have anticipated this! You dash out to the store and add yet another item to your overwhelmed holiday budget.

Reciprocal retaliation: This game is deadly and has a way of snowballing before you realize it. Three years ago, you and your mate gave a couple of your friends a dinky coupon for a free night of baby-sitting. They gave you pricey Broadway tickets. The second year, you ramped up and took them out for a swell dinner. They gave you a case of wine. This year, you just want to win, so you're planning to give them an all-expense paid trip to Guadalajara -- just so they'll back down, and next year maybe you can get back to giving baby-sitting coupons. Won't happen.

Rejection rebound: In order to save money, you gave someone a gift that you got from someone else, forgetting it was the recipient who gave it to you last year. To make up for this offense, you overcompensate, now and possibly for years to come.  Clearly the issue here is that we think money speaks louder than our intentions. It doesn't. Really. So before you hit the store, delete the guilt files from your operating system.

Putting off holiday shopping may cost you

Last-minute largesse: It's the night before Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanzaa and you are out cruising the stores that are open until midnight trying to get all your shopping done in one furious frenzy. But because you realize that this blows the whole "thought that counts" thing, the thoughtless gifts you buy are also wretchedly expensive.

FedEx folly: You bought your niece in Nebraska a great new CD but waited so late to mail it that you're spending more on shipping than the gift cost. Really. As Steinmetz points out, "Those who celebrate Hanukkah at least have some excuse -- those holidays move around. But, hello, Christmas is always on the 25th. So what's the problem?"

Holiday spirit overdrive  It sounds like a '70s lounge band, and maybe it should have been. In reality, it's a financial crime of passion. An insane impulse overcomes you --- holiday joy? The spirit of Santa? Your medication is off? --- and you find yourself committing one (or all) of the following:

Debt of 1,000 gifts: Getting everyone, I mean everyone, a little gift: all of your co-workers, the woman who cleans your house, the neighbor who jump-started your car in 1986, your baby-sitter, your dentist, etc. -- to the tune of $4,876.

Parental panic: You lay out all the gifts you got for the kids, and suddenly it's just not enough. You love those kids so much. You can't let them limp into January so deprived. What were you thinking? Back to the mall!

Manic Martha-ism: For once, you're going to celebrate the holidays in style. You're going to throw that holiday party, take the kids to the "Nutcracker," the Ice Capades and the "Clifford the Big Red Dog Live!" show. You're going to cater a big holiday dinner and fly your parents in, and pay Martha Stewart to inject some holiday cheer into your décor.  Plead guilty, because there are too many witnesses. This year, when you sense an attack of holiday spirit coming on, send a card.

Eggnog wishes, caviar dreams These are amazingly silly, but common, miscalculations in terms of volume, time or value.

Shopping by the truckload: You go to Costco or the mall and buy everything in sight, simply because there's so much to buy.

The 12 days of shopping: You haven't found the perfect gift for her yet. You know you will. Meanwhile, you'll just pick up a pair of these earrings. And a little scarf. . . . And by the time you reach the end of your "Quest for Perfection", you have 27 gifts, none of them quite right, except maybe the pear tree with the partridge in it.

Art fair amnesia: December is upon you, so you dash out and do all your shopping -- completely forgetting that you already bought half the presents at that crafts fair in July.
These costly little slip-ups can happen in a variety of ways. How to prevent them is unclear. If only we could get them on video. At least you'd get a laugh out of yourself.

The 'unreturnable' impulse  This one deserves its own category, because of all spending blunders, it is the most preventable. Every year countless people fall into a stupor as they enter one of those vile shops full of ceramics, glass and twisted bronze ballet sculptures -- and accidentally buy one for someone they love, who will inevitably hate it. Two words on this one: Just don't.

10:31 AM - Nov. 29, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Mortgage Interest Deduction

Saul Klein is one of the founders of Internet Crusade, a helping hand for internet challenged real estate professionals.  He is also a tax accountant and financial planner.  This is a recent email he sent out and we reprint it here with permission.

Mortgage Interest Deduction - Are your clients entitled to the deduction they are taking?

10:24 AM - Nov. 27, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Holiday stress reducers

We all experience it - that holiday stress.  Got to get the cookies baked and the house decorated.  And everything has to be just perfect for the company.  Well, there are better ways to cope than throwing down pills.  Get a pet!  This article from about.com expresses our thoughts about the advantages of owning a pet (in our case an incredibly spoiled cat) perfectly!

Getting a new best friend can have many stress relieving and health benefits. While human friends provide great social support and come with some fabulous benefits, this article focuses on the benefits of furry friends: cats and dogs! Research shows that, unless you’re someone who really dislikes animals or is absolutely too busy to care for one properly, pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and other health benefits. Here are more health benefits of pets:

Pets can improve your mood: For those who love animals, it’s virtually impossible to stay in a bad mood when a pair of loving puppy eyes meets yours, or when a super-soft cat rubs up against your hand.

Pets control blood pressure better than drugs: Yes, it’s true. While ACE inhibiting drugs can generally reduce blood pressure, they aren’t as effective on controlling spikes in blood pressure due to stress and tension. However, in a , groups of hypertensive New York stockbrokers who got dogs or cats were found to have lower blood pressure and heart rates than those who didn’t get pets. When they heard of the results, most of those in the non-pet group went out and got pets.

Pets encourage you to get out and exercise: Whether we walk our dogs because they need it, or are more likely to enjoy a walk when we have companionship, dog owners do than non-pet owners, at least if we live in an urban setting. Because exercise is good for stress management and overall health, owning a dog can be credited with increasing these benefits.

Pets can help with social support: When we’re out walking, having a dog with us can make us more approachable and give people a reason to stop and talk, thereby increasing the number of people we meet, giving us an opportunity to increase our network of friends and acquaintances, which also has great stress management benefits.

10:19 AM - Nov. 25, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

More year end tax tips

Our good friends at Wells Fargo are always sending us helpful info.  This year end piece on changes for the 2006 tax year is very timely.

• Broader income tax brackets—While basic tax rates remain unchanged, all income tax brackets have increased for 2006. For example, in 2005 if you were single and made up to $7,300, you were in the 10% bracket. In 2006, that bracket widens to $7,550. For 2005, the 15% bracket for singles extended up to $29,700. This year it reaches to $30,650. The effect is lower taxes for those with taxable income between $29,700 and $30,650 in 2006. The highest tax rate remains unchanged at 35%.

• Retirement plan contribution increases—The contribution limit for a 401(k) has been increased to $15,000, up by $1,000 from 2005. If you’re age 50 or older, you’re allowed to contribute an additional $5,000 in catch-up deferred savings. The cap on SIMPLE IRA contributions remains at $10,000, but the catch-up amount for those 50 or older has been increased to $2,500 for 2006, $500 more than last year. While the basic IRA contribution maximum remains unchanged at $4,000, the catch-up amount for people 50 and older increases to $1,000 in 2006, double that in 2005. These contributions are considered adjustments to income.

• Standard deduction increase—If you take the standard deduction on your federal tax form, as opposed to itemizing, you can take a higher deduction this year. For 2006, the standard deduction goes up to $10,300 for those filing jointly, $5,150 for singles and $7,550 for head of household. In 2005, it was $10,000 for joint filers, $5,000 for singles and $7,300 for head of household.

• Increased personal exemption—The personal exemption in 2006 increases to $3,300, a $100 up tick, allowing you to reduce your taxes a bit more this year for each family member you support.

• Estate tax exemption boost—The exemption for estate taxes is $2 million this year, up from $1.5 million in 2005. The top estate-tax rate also was reduced from 47% to 46%.

10:17 AM - Nov. 23, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Home theaters

If you're like us, going to movie theaters is really not your thing.  By the time you pay for tickets, popcorn and a soda it's very expensive.  So more and more people are thinking about a home theater.  Here are some ideas.

The Room

The space you choose for your home theater has almost as much to do with your success as the quality of the equipment. This is where either buying or moving into a new home carries an added benefit. If you were planning on having a theater room in your new home and have yet to determine which room will serve this purpose, here's what to keep in mind in order to make the right choice.

A great home theater needs to have some of the same basic characteristics as a commercial theater. For starters, you'll want to choose a closed-off room, preferably rectangular in shape and with a decent amount of space. Rooms with an open concept traditionally have inferior acoustics. You'll also want a room which does not let in an excessive amount of natural light as having too many windows or a skylight present will cause unwanted glare on your TV screen.

Another key to creating a great home theater is remembering that sound has a tendency to "bounce" off of hard, flat surfaces. Carpeted floors and walls bearing decorations are more conducive to great audio than hardwood floors and a minimalistic décor.

In terms of the room's layout, you'll want to start by positioning the TV in a proper spot. Ideally, this would be directly in the middle and alongside one of the shorter walls of a rectangular-shaped room. The criteria for which of the "shorter" walls you choose should be based on glare. The side which allows for the least amount of glare on the screen is optimal. Once the TV is placed, the remainder of your system, as well as your furniture, can be positioned around it.

If you're in need of furniture for your new room, be sure to pick up pieces which make their function a priority. You'll want the most comfortable seating possible for a room like this.

The Screen

For obvious reasons, having a great TV is an extremely important part of the home theater experience. Ongoing advancements in technology are not only producing incredible results in terms of picture quality, but also multiple options when it comes to the type of set you buy.

Before you settle on your television of choice, it's important to first figure out how big of a screen you actually need. There are two factors which will lead you to the right decision. First is price. Generally speaking, the bigger the screen, the more it's going to cost regardless of the type of TV you buy. Next, and more importantly in terms of your theater's function, is the size of your room.

As a rule, the distance between the TV and seating should equal three times the screen size. In other words, a 40 inch TV requires 120 inches, or 10 feet, between TV and seating. Sitting any closer to the screen will allow the eye to pick up the TV's individual scan lines, thus lessening picture quality.

The only exception to this rule is High Definition TVs which are crystal clear in quality no matter where you sit. But remember, in order to view High Definition television in its correct form, you not only need an HDTV but also a high definition cable or satellite service, and you need to be watching an HD show on an HD channel. If you aren't ready to make this jump quite yet, buying an HDTV may still be worthwhile. We are only about a decade or so away from true High Definition becoming universal for products and broadcasters.

The Components

The individual components which make up most home theaters include a DVD/CD player, a receiver which decodes digital audio tracks, as well as functions as a radio tuner, and 6 to 8 individual speakers. Components such as a VCR, an audio cassette player, and a turntable are not suitable for everyone. These technologies are somewhat outdated, and, unless you have large collections in the aforementioned formats, they may be a waste of money.

When it comes to purchasing components, you have two options. The first is to purchase the items separately, which is typically what people who are putting together a higher-end theater will do. This process allows you to research the pros and cons of the various brands of individual components. The end result is a home theater that is completely tailored to you and your needs. The downside to this method is two-fold. Not only is it an expensive way to go, it may also create more challenges when it comes to integrating all of the components.

Your second choice is to purchase what's known as a home theater in a box. This is basically a collection of the individual components, sold as a group, and packaged together in one box. These systems are manufactured by nearly every company in the home entertainment spectrum and are available in varying degrees of price and quality. Their symbiotic nature ensures a very easy set up.

If you decide to go the "all-in-one" route, then you have a few preliminary decisions to make. First of all, do you want a single disc or a multidisc DVD/CD player? Sets with multidisc players may be more expensive, but they allow you play multiple DVDs and CDs without interruption.

You'll also want to decide if you want your DVD player and tuner to be separate components or together in one unit. Sets containing combination player/tuners tend to be cheaper, but the unit itself usually offers less overall functions and far fewer jacks. This will limit how much you'll be able to expand the system. Also, it is important to look for DVD players labeled as "progressive scan". They'll display a nicer picture both on High Definition or Enhanced Definition TVs.

Expert Advice

Now that we've reviewed the technology involved, let's explore some tips from an expert on the topic. Ron Cruz is the owner of RPC Sound in Simi Valley, California. A self-proclaimed audiophile for 30 years, Ron has been creating and installing home theaters on a professional level for the last six years.

We first asked Ron to identify the most common mistake made by those attempting to craft their own theater. He told us that the majority of people starting from scratch have a tendency to go to the larger audio/video retailers. According to Cruz, you are much better off contacting a reputable, independent dealer/installer, at least initially. He suggested logging on to www.CEDIA.com, the official website for the Custom Electric Design and Installation Association. He says they will have listings for such dealers in your area.

Cruz says that when you visit the dealer, be honest and up front about what you're willing to spend and tell them you're in search of products that are right for you. Also, let the dealer know that you're interested in an appropriate demo. This demo will provide an accurate display of a product's capability. You can then use the information to shop the price.

We then asked Ron to give us one hint that would dramatically improve a theater's "bang for the buck". He suggested that when you're shopping for a system, be proportionate on what you spend for the video and the audio. As an example, let's say you have $6,000 in your budget. He suggested using $2,000 for the TV, another $2,000 for the receiver and speaker package, and the final $2,000 on the DVD player, the proper cables and connections, as well as room enhancements such as dimmer switches and drapery. He says doing otherwise will produce lopsided results in terms of the audio holding up to the video, or vice versa.

The bottom line when it comes to purchasing any portion of your home theater is to do your homework. Find out what features a television or a component has to offer, and ask yourself if they fit your needs. Check out the product reviews online and make sure the quality is also up to par. And then, look around and see who's got the best price.

You are now headed in the right direction for creating a great home theater. So, pop some popcorn and dim the lights – your movie is about to start.

10:27 AM - Nov. 21, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Start thinking about tax returns now

It's not too early to starting thinking about your tax return.  There are things you can still do this year to save those tax dollars.  Trevor Rice, a CPA for Stern, Kory, Sreden and Morgan in Santa Clarita, California, says, "The end of the year is the perfect time to look at your options as a taxpayer."

Retirement Accounts
Number one on Rice's list of suggestions is the ability to increase your contributions toward a tax-deferred retirement account based on any excess cash flow. In other words, instead of putting money into a savings account during the last two months of the year, put it into a retirement account. For 2006, the IRS has established a maximum contribution of $15,000 into your 401(k). However, if you are age 50 or older before year end, you may be able to make additional payments of up to $5,000. If your employer has a matching program, then you will also receive the added benefit of this "free" money.

Stocks
For anyone who has sold stocks at a gain this year, be prepared to pay taxes on those gains. If you've been successful in this area, it may be advantageous to also sell some of your stocks that are losing money. The reason is you can net these losses against your gains to zero out your tax liability. Any net losses in excess of $3,000 for 2006 may be carried forward and deducted in coming years.

Charitable Contributions
Whether it's giving a little extra to your favorite cause, or donating an automobile that's been sitting in your driveway, a charitable contribution is a noble way to gain tax deductions. Rice went on to say that the end of the year provides a perfect opportunity to do "a little house cleaning" as well. He advises going through closets and the garage and donating anything that's no longer of use to you to a qualified charity. Not only will this benefit someone else, it will also minimize your clutter and provide you with a tax break.

Paying Early
Mortgage interest, property taxes, and state income taxes are examples of items you could pay in 2006, ahead of their due dates in 2007. Deductions are based upon when the items are paid, not when they're due. Rice says if you're planning on doing this, be careful of AMT (Alternative Minimum Tax) which can eliminate the benefits of early payment of taxes for those who fall into this unfortunate category.

10:21 AM - Nov. 19, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Think simpler!

A recent article in Living a Better Life:  The Free Money Savings Tips Ezine had the following suggestions for the upcoming hectic holiday season. 

It’s that time of year again—the holidays are just weeks away. It’s a time to get creative about spending and discovering new ways to make your life simpler.

Plan your holiday menus now if you will be serving meals in your home. From the menus, plan what things you will need to purchase. Start purchasing ahead—you can take advantage of sale items, and you can also spread the expenses out over the next couple of months rather than having to shell it all out as the holidays approach.

Adopt the slogan “simplicity saves sanity.” Make simple meals. Try soup and sandwiches, pancakes, eggs and toast, pasta and salads for dinner. Most often our labor-intensive meals are in the evening—look for ways to reduce the time in the kitchen in the evenings.

Think more broadly about what things you will need to prepare for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. Again, create lists of everything and anything that comes to mind. Some things that might be included would be gifts, charitable donations, holiday decorations, table settings, invitations, Christmas tree, wrapping paper, food items, baking ingredients, entertainment ideas, etc.

We think these are all super ideas and plan to try to adopt some of them!

6:31 PM - Nov. 17, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Your home equity is a major investment

We've said it before and we'll say it again - the equity in your home is your biggest asset and your best savings account.

A recent survey by Wells Fargo reports that most Americans believe this to be true.  In this survey, 72% indicated that home equity is their most important investment - more than stocks, more than bonds, more than retirement funds.  24% of those surveyed said that one of the best benefits of homeownership is investment.

This same survey indicated that most homeowners were pleased with their purchases and, despite the recent downturn in pricing, felt they had made a good investment.  Most felt that the markets would stabilize without the steep price discounts of a couple of decades ago.

Homeowners who have adjustable rate mortgages (ARMs) are very concerned about the increase in mortgage payments they will soon face.  79% of those with ARMs indicated they were concerned about interest rate jumps and over half indicated they would refinance to avoid the rate adjustment.  The best advise is, if you have an ARM, stay on top of when the adjustments will start and how much they will jump.  Have a plan in place on how to handle the increased mortgage payment.

12:37 PM - Nov. 15, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Oh no, the commercials are coming!

Finally, finally, the political commercials and attack ads are over.  Is it just me or was this past election extremely harsh?  It seems if you're a candidate for public office you had better have never had a ticket for jaywalking or you'll be accused by the opposition of being a criminal.  I'm so over it.

But then, the very next day, we start with all the Christmas commercials.  Now, I like Christmas.  It's a happy time of year.  But I'm already tired of all the commercials and it's not even Thanksgiving yet.  I wonder if retailers are just trying to drive us crazy.  Do they realize I won't patronize any store whose commercials start this early?

Never thought we'd look forward to those endless "have it your way" spots.  At least you can  hum along.

10:19 AM - Nov. 14, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Be safe from ID theft

Latest statistics indicate that almost 1/4 of us have had some part of our ID stolen - either personal through social security numbers or other personal information, or financial through stolen credit card numbers.  Those whose ID's have most been stolen include college graduates (30%), persons making more than $75,000 per year (30% and persons residing in the Western US (31%).

So what are some basic steps you can take: 

1.  Buy a cross cut shredder and use it all the time.  Make sure and check those "0% for 3 days" credit card offers for blank checks that can be used to open a credit card in your name.

2.  NEVER provide personal or financial information to someone that you don't know.  This seems like simple common sense but people give out that information constantly.

3.  Constantly check your credit report.  For a few dollars you can join myfico.com and be alerted when a change happens that would effect your credit rating.

4.  Amazingly, and most importantly, almost half of identify theft is done by someone you know.  Don't let your friends know your social security number or give them your credit card.

We have info on our website about what to do and who to contact in case of ID theft. 

12:27 PM - Nov. 13, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Honoring our Veterans

Yesterday was Veteran's Day.  It's a meaningful day for us as Mack was in the Army Air Corps in WWII flying heavy bombers.  My Uncle Jack was killed in France on July 4th, 1944. He was part of the 82nd Airborne.

Our family has tried to find out all we can about our Uncle and his service.  My sister has written to surviving family members of his unit (the 508th) and, sadly, most who served with Jack are gone.  We think it's important to try to preserve the memories and possessions of those he knew and who knew him.  It won't be long until there won't be many around who can still remember those times.

Of course, more recently Mack's grandson served in Iraq.  A totally different conflict where communications are instantaneous.  We always knew that David was OK because we could e-mail or even phone him every day.  When Uncle Jack died, his family wasn't notified for more than a week.  And his remains weren't returned to the US for 4 years.

No war is good.  But the men who are called to fight in them are our bravest citizens.

We salute them all.

10:12 AM - Nov. 12, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Should we decorate for the holidays?

Sellers always ask us this question around this time of year.  You'll hear arguments both for and against.  We tend to come down on the DO IT side for many reasons.

First, it's still your home and the holidays are one of the most important times of the year.  Just because there is a For Sale sign in the yard doesn't mean you and your kids need to give up your traditions. 

Next, we think people who are looking to buy during this time of the year actually enjoy seeing the decorations.  It may be that they can't decorate for whatever reason - it's all packed or it's in transit - so they can live vicariously.  We also think it makes the house look more festive.  Pretty lights and scented candles always make a home look better.

Sometimes decorations can make a tired home look more lively.  We've known homes that have sat on the market for months which sold immediately once the tree was trimmed.

We know of brokers who advise moderation in holiday decorations and, if you are one of those who have 5 trees in a 50 foot space, we'd probably agree.  Others advise keeping the packages hidden as a safety precaution.  While that might not be a bad idea, we have never heard of anyone's presents being ripped off by a potential buyer.

Go ahead.  Decorate away.  And invite us over to see it once you're finished.

12:15 PM - Nov. 11, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Job Seekers Should Sweat the Small Stuff

Are you job hunting or do you know someone who is?  The Creative Group commissioned a recent survey among employers.  Among the common resume mistakes:

Typos or grammatical errors 33%
Too much information 23%
Ineffective resume layout or design 16%
Insufficient information 14%
Inaccurate information 3%
Information that's not targeted/job-specific 2%

Some actual errors cited include:

o Languages: "Speak English and Spinach."
o Cover Letter: "I prefer a fast-paste work environment."
o Cover Letter: "I'm attacking my resume for you to review."
o Duties: "I was the company's liaison with the sock exchange."
o Cover Letter: "My work ethics are impeachable."

Needless to say, none of these people were hired.

11:21 AM - Nov. 9, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

We've got the best airport and the most destinations

Trip Advisor recently surveyed 4000 of their top trip takers world wide.  Among the findings were:

Denver International Airport rated as one of the top domestic airports alongside Orlando and Las Vegas.  Least favorite?  To absolutely no one's surprise - O'Hare and LAX.  Top rated international airline was British Airways for the second year in a row.  We can absolutely vouch for that.  They are the best.  Least favorite domestic airlines - United,  USAir, Delta and Northwest.  We can absolutely agree with those as well.

Top domestic destinations this year include both Vail and Breckenridge, Colorado.  Can you say "skiing anyone?"  Among the top international destinations included Turkey, Greece, Peru and Mexico.  Apparently getting back to nature is more important this year than luxuriating in the spa.

You know, we live close to all that nature and we think we'll take the spa.....

11:01 AM - Nov. 7, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Now that's entertainment

Here's a list of the top ten grossing films of all time:

10. The Sixth Sense - $293,000,000
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
Year released: 1999

9. Independence Day - $306,000,000
Director: Roland Emmerich
Year released: 1996

8. Return of the Jedi - $309,000,000
Director: Richard Marquand
Year released: 1983 & 1997

7. The Lion King - $313,000,000
Directors: Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff
Year released: 1994

6. Forrest Gump - $330,000,000
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Year released: 1994

5. Jurassic Park - $357,000,000
Director: Steven Spielberg
Year released: 1993

4. E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial - $400,000,000
Director: Steven Spielberg
Year released: 1982

3. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace - $431,000,000
Director: George Lucas
Year released: 1999

2. Star Wars - $461,000,000
Directors: George Lucas
Year released: 1977 & 1997

1. Titanic - $601,000,000
Director: James Cameron
Year released: 1998

We admit we're not movie buffs by a long shot, but we've seen 8 of these.

10:56 AM - Nov. 5, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Lawn and garden winter prep tips part II

Part II of the Lowe's Winter Garden Prep Tips follows:

11:44 AM - Nov. 4, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Daylight Savings Time

Did you remember to "fall back" this weekend?  Some other things you should put on your "to do" list when the days get shorter include:

• Reset automatic lights and sprinklers to standard time operation.
• Reset automatic/programmable thermostats
• Check fire extinguishers and test smoke detectors.
• Restock first-aid kits and emergency supplies.
• Change important passwords and pin numbers.
• Rotate tires and inspect the spare.

Did you know that daylight savings time also saves an estimated 1% on the country's electric usage?  For that reason, and many, many others, Daylight Savings Time is going to be increased next year by a full month and will start in March and end in November.  We say, why not give up and just go year round Daylight Savings Time?

10:50 AM - Nov. 3, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

Lawn and Garden winter prep ideas

Lowe's Home and Garden Stores do a really nice job of sending out reminders every year of how to get your gardens to make it through the winter.  Part I of their ideas follows:

11:39 AM - Nov. 2, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

When you're ready for that second home

Architectural Digest recently did a survey among it's readers regarding plans for purchase of a second home.  Among those who responded, 36% were planning to purchase a second home within the next three years while 40% of those who already own three or more homes plan to add another mansion within that time frame.

Geography is the primary criteria for upscale second (or more) homes with lifestyle amenities coming in a close second.  Since 38% of those responding make under $400,000 a year, we can understand that they need to stay close to their primary residence because gas prices have gone up!

Understandably, a gourmet kitchen was low on the list.  More important was location (either beach front or skiing depending on whether they were from New York or California), golf course, on the water or in-home fitness rounded out the top want lists.

When we get to that point, we think we'll opt for the beach front home on a golf course with a gourmet kitchen.

10:40 AM - Nov. 1, 2006 - comments {0} - post comment

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