Warm weather puts everyone in a good mood – including our four-legged friends! With two dogs, I’ve realized how much money can be spent on keeping them entertained, and out of trouble. From treats, to rawhides to soon-to-be demolished toys, these distractions can make a significant dent in your budget.
Luckily, now that the ground is free from snow and the weather is welcoming, it is the perfect time to take the dogs outside for fun that will help even the most active pup get some much needed exercise. Maine has many parks, trails and fields that provide the makings of a perfect day spent outside.
Click here for a list of just some of the top dog parks in our state!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Spring into efficiency with your spring cleaning
Spring has sprung and with those April showers comes spring cleaning. Did you know that keeping a clean house isn’t just beneficial to your health, but it can help you save money? The cleaner your house is the more energy efficient it becomes. Here are five tips to keep in mind when you are doing your spring cleaning.
1) Vacuum your refrigerator coils: Dust can collect on the coils and this lowers the efficiency. Every few months pull the fridge away from the wall and vacuum around, under and behind it to keep it dust free. This is also a good time to clean out your refrigerator and check all those expiration dates.
2) Clean windows and doors: While this may seem like a no-brainer, cleaning out the areas around your windows and doors will make sure there is no debris keeping them from fully closing. A loose or cracked window seal causes air to leak through and your air conditioner to work harder to keep the room cool.
3) Clean the attic and any crawl spaces: Since we tend to pile everything into these places and they aren’t often accessed they can become a nice home for critters. Keeping these areas organized and clean can prevent you from having to hire the exterminator.
4) Dust and clean shades and light bulbs: Dusty light bulbs mean you have to turn on more lights, or use higher wattage light bulbs to achieve the desired brightness. Keeping them clean can help you save on your next electric bill.
5) Clean the dyer vent pipe: You know to clean the lint trap, but how often do you think of cleaning the vent? Once a year you should pull the dryer vent away from the wall and clean the vent pipe. By reducing the lint that collects here you can increase your dryer’s efficiency and help prevent a fire.
1) Vacuum your refrigerator coils: Dust can collect on the coils and this lowers the efficiency. Every few months pull the fridge away from the wall and vacuum around, under and behind it to keep it dust free. This is also a good time to clean out your refrigerator and check all those expiration dates.
2) Clean windows and doors: While this may seem like a no-brainer, cleaning out the areas around your windows and doors will make sure there is no debris keeping them from fully closing. A loose or cracked window seal causes air to leak through and your air conditioner to work harder to keep the room cool.
3) Clean the attic and any crawl spaces: Since we tend to pile everything into these places and they aren’t often accessed they can become a nice home for critters. Keeping these areas organized and clean can prevent you from having to hire the exterminator.
4) Dust and clean shades and light bulbs: Dusty light bulbs mean you have to turn on more lights, or use higher wattage light bulbs to achieve the desired brightness. Keeping them clean can help you save on your next electric bill.
5) Clean the dyer vent pipe: You know to clean the lint trap, but how often do you think of cleaning the vent? Once a year you should pull the dryer vent away from the wall and clean the vent pipe. By reducing the lint that collects here you can increase your dryer’s efficiency and help prevent a fire.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Credit Union Youth Week Celebrates The Super Powers of Saving!
Kids, savings and fun are the name of the game during this year’s Credit Union Youth week, April 22-28, 2012. Maine's theme for Credit Union Youth Week is “Super Powers of Savings”!
This is a great week to check out what’s happening at your nearest credit union branch! Maine’s credit unions will be holding a variety of events throughout the week including hosting open houses, contests and other activities for younger members
While this “super” occasion lasts just a week, the efforts that Maine CUs make to connect with and educate Maine’s youth is a powerful force all year long.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to attend several Financial Fitness Fairs – from as far north as Limestone to as far south as Standish! There, high school take part in an interactive ‘game of life,’ in which students receive a scenario packet of their life at age 22, which includes their occupations, income and credit history. From there, students map out their financial future from financing their housing to purchasing food and clothing.
The event can be a real eye-opener to these young adults, many of whom had no understanding on the true cost of living, the importance of a budget, and how a credit score can impact their finances. At many of these events, Maine’s Young & Free Spokester Seth Poplaski has been on-hand to share his own experiences starting out on his own. You can find more information about these fairs here – http://www.mainecul.org/interior.php/pid/4/sid/14/tid/8.
Happy Credit Union Youth Week!
Young & Free Spokester Seth gives out Young & Free gifts and advice at a Dexter Financial Fitness Fair
This is a great week to check out what’s happening at your nearest credit union branch! Maine’s credit unions will be holding a variety of events throughout the week including hosting open houses, contests and other activities for younger members
While this “super” occasion lasts just a week, the efforts that Maine CUs make to connect with and educate Maine’s youth is a powerful force all year long.
Over the past few weeks, I’ve had the opportunity to attend several Financial Fitness Fairs – from as far north as Limestone to as far south as Standish! There, high school take part in an interactive ‘game of life,’ in which students receive a scenario packet of their life at age 22, which includes their occupations, income and credit history. From there, students map out their financial future from financing their housing to purchasing food and clothing.
The event can be a real eye-opener to these young adults, many of whom had no understanding on the true cost of living, the importance of a budget, and how a credit score can impact their finances. At many of these events, Maine’s Young & Free Spokester Seth Poplaski has been on-hand to share his own experiences starting out on his own. You can find more information about these fairs here – http://www.mainecul.org/interior.php/pid/4/sid/14/tid/8.
Happy Credit Union Youth Week!
Young & Free Spokester Seth gives out Young & Free gifts and advice at a Dexter Financial Fitness Fair
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