The forecast calls for a blizzard. School will be canceled and the office will close. But before you get too excited about a snow day, make sure your home, your car and yourself are prepared for a winter storm by following this blizzard preparation list. Preparing Your House Clean out gutters and remove tree branches...
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We’re kicking off our Fire Prevention Week 2014 series with tips on how to protect your home and what’s in it. Think of each room as a separate entity with its own set of rules. Begin in the bedroom The U.S. Fire Administration estimates 600 Americans die in fires that start in bedrooms. Let’s start...
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We’ve all heard myths and rumors about how safe or efficient household appliances are. Let’s take a look at some of the more popular ones and see what’s fact and what’s fiction. 1. Rinse your dishes before putting them in the dishwasher Actually, rinsing dishes before loading them in the dishwasher doesn’t get them any...
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That newly washed car look never sticks around for long. The exterior loses its shine after one rainy day drive and it’s time to head to the car wash. However, with the recent advances in car paint technology, you may not need to. Nissan recently developed a self-cleaning car prototype that uses nano-paint technology to...
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Making small adjustments to how you drive and maintain your car can help you slash lower your fuel consumption and improve your gas mileage. These hypermiling tips may not only save you money at the pump; they can also help you become a safer driver and extend the life of your car. 1. Keep idling...
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Today is National Puppy Day, created in 2006 to raise awareness about orphaned puppies and to celebrate the unconditional love that puppies bring to our lives. Usually observed March 23, the day is being celebrated two days earlier this year.
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An affordable nautical adventure awaits! Have you always dreamed of buying your own boat? While it’s a romantic and exciting notion, you need to understand what the required investment of money and time actually is. Buying a used model can help reduce the sticker shock. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, 60 percent of first-time...
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Add this to list of invisible things that are bad for you: radon gas. Radon is an odorless, invisible, radioactive gas that can cause serious health problems. Check out this video from New Jersey Water Testing on the dangers of radon, and how it gets into your home:
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Fire prevention in the home is something we all need a refresher on from time to time. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 85 percent of fire deaths happen in the home, and those household fires are responsible for billions of dollars in property damages each year. The good news is that nearly all home fires are preventable by watching out for a few common fire hazards
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Eliminate small nicks and blemishes on your auto without paying a pro Maybe a grocery cart went awry in a parking lot and hit your car, or your keys scraped the door handle. Either way, you know what that means: a nick or scratch in the finish. Left untouched, a minor cut could lead to...
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Americans aren’t going to let prices at the pump keep them from hitting the road. Whether you’re driving to grandma’s house or a national park, putting some thought into your packing will get your trip off to a great start and ensure the safety and comfort of your passengers. With this in mind, consider these...
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Speak with your tax preparer to find out which of these changes are best for you. Given the state of the housing market, you might think the saying “There’s value in real estate” doesn’t mean as much as it used to. But there could be money in your house—in the form of potential tax savings....
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Debt-to-Income Calculator Plug in your numbers and see where you stand To calculate your debt-to-income ratio, add up all of your monthly debts (aka “recurring debt”), including your mortgage or rent, car loans, student loans, credit card payments and any other loans. Then divide that by your gross (before taxes) monthly income. Mortgage or rent...
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