While the forecast for winter 2009-10 stands to be easier on homeowners' wallets than usual, you can save even more money by making energy-smart improvements and easy adjustments to your household routine.

Here are eight ways to reduce home heating costs to stay warm for less this winter:

• Seal out drafts: Eliminate air leaks and drafts around the house, and you'll trim seasonal heating costs by up to 20 percent. Sealant, caulking and weatherstripping are all easy to use, and they'll also help you earn tax credits on your 2009 return.

Continue reading Save money on home heating costs this winter

Save money on home heating costs this winter originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Home repair contractor Kaile Warren had a rags-to-riches story that was enviable. The former homeless home improver credits "divine intervention" with giving him the idea for a home improvement company and brand name that would ultimately place him on a national stage that included appearances on Oprah, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, and the CBS Early Show, to name a few.

But according to an investigative report by USA Today, Warren has all but crashed and burned taking more than a dozen investors with him who poured an estimated $4.5 million into his Rent-A-Husband chain of home improvement franchises.

Today, Warren is reportedly more than $3 million in debt with assets of just $145,000, faces investor complaints, one lawsuit, and investigation by the Maine Division of Securities.

Here's a video by USA Today on the story:

Continue reading Rent-a-Husband allegedly divorces investors

Rent-a-Husband allegedly divorces investors originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Can green consumers be trusted? Maybe not.

A new study to be published in a forthcoming issue of Psychological Science has found that just being around green products can make consumers behave more altruistically. But buying those same products can have the opposite effect.

Researchers found that while consumers who were simply exposed to green products tended to act more altruistically, consumers who actually purchased green products were more likely to "cheat and steal" than those who purchased conventional products.

The research found buying products that claim to be made with low environmental impact can set up "moral credentials" in people's minds that give license to selfish or questionable behavior.

"This was not done to point the finger at consumers who buy green products. The message is bigger," says Nina Mazar, a marketing professor at University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management and a self-admitted green consumer. "At the end of the day, if we do one moral thing, it doesn't necessarily mean we will be morally better in other things as well."

Because purchasing green products affirms individuals' values of social responsibility and ethical consciousness, the study predicts that "purchasing green products will establish moral credentials, ironically licensing selfish and morally questionable behavior."

What's next, a burgeoning black market for compact florescent light bulbs and low flow toilets?

Tom Kraeutler is the AOL'S Home Improvement Editor and co-author of "My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure." He delivers green home improvement tips each week as host of The Money Pit, a nationally syndicated home improvement radio program. He has never been known to so much as steal an organic carrot.

Green buyers more likely to lie, cheat and steal originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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October is Energy Awareness Month and if you are like most, you're about to get pretty "aware" of just how un-energy inefficient your home may be. As temperatures start to drop and heating systems kick on, receiving that first heating bill is likely to grab your attention pretty quick.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical home loses more than 25% of its heat through windows. So, here are a few ways to lock down energy loss from leaky windows before that first big bill show's up:

Test your windows
The first step towards sealing out drafty, inefficient windows is to figure out where the problems lie. Look for condensation inside the glass on double- or triple-glazed windows. This could indicate seal failure. If this is the case, you might need to replace the glass or the entire window.

Continue reading Fast fixes for drafty windows

Fast fixes for drafty windows originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sat, 03 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A new report from the non-profit National Center for Healthy Housing reveals as many as one out of every three homes in a metro area may have a home repair problem that exposes residents to significant health risks.

Created by the non-profit National Center for Healthy Housing, this first-ever national healthy housing indicator used US Census data to identify 20 key housing problems that relate to occupant health.

Continue reading Study finds 1 in 3 homes could make you sick

Study finds 1 in 3 homes could make you sick originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 25 Sep 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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In a story ripe for fright matching Alfred Hitchcock's famous shower scene, researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder have discovered that taking a shower can deliver a face full of potentially dangerous bacteria.

Researchers analyzed roughly 50 showerheads from nine cities in seven states that included New York City, Chicago and Denver. The result? Thirty percent of the devices harbored significant levels of Mycobacterium avium, a bacteria linked to pulmonary disease that most often infects people with compromised immune systems but which can occasionally infect healthy people, said Professor Norman Pace, who lead the study.

Continue reading Showerheads spew bacteria

Showerheads spew bacteria originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you are still reeling from high electric bills driven by summer cooling costs, you may finally be of the mind-set to do something about it.

Many local utility companies actually want to help you spend less on electricity, and are introducing new ways help lower electric bills.

With consumer incentives and smart technologies, consumers can be rewarded for conservation efforts in tangible ways for efforts to live green and protect the planet:

Continue reading Utility companies can help lower electric bills

Utility companies can help lower electric bills originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With summer storms upon us and hurricane season well underway, it's a good time to think about the homeowner's insurance coverage you have and what you might need to do should you ever need it. Insurance coverage is a financial necessity should a major disaster hit, but damage caused by many smaller weather events could also trigger a claim.

For example, on my home improvement radio show, I'll frequently get calls from listeners who had a stiff storm role though and needed help fix a skylight that now leaks. If it didn't leak before the storm, my advice is to always turn towards the insurance coverage you have, as weather damage is covered.

Filing a homeowner's insurance claim however, is never a pleasant process. And frankly, I'm one who believes that all too often insurance companies design a certain level of aggravation into the process hoping to wear you down. But while you may hope you'll never need to call upon the coverage of your homeowners insurance policy, in the event that you do it is important to properly file your claim.

Continue reading Getting what's yours from homeowners insurance

Getting what's yours from homeowners insurance originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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According to a news report by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the clock is running down on the $8,000 tax credit for first-time home buyers. With less than four months to go, builders are urging qualified prospective buyers to start the sales process long before the Nov. 30 deadline.

Builders are also warning that faulty appraisals, completed using foreclosed properties as comparables for new homes, have been slowing down the sales process, creating hiccups in the financing stage that can often push the closing date much later than originally expected.

First-time buyers should also anticipate tighter lending standards that generally don't allow 100% financing, making buyers responsible for coming up with enough money prior to their purchase to meet required downpayment and closing costs.

Continue reading Clock running down on first-time home buyer tax credit

Clock running down on first-time home buyer tax credit originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not every room has instant architectural interest, but you can create a dynamic look with the reasonably priced, paintable moldings and trims offered at any home improvement center. Here are just a few of the many affordable ways to give a space an expensive look.

1. Add crown molding to a room, and you also add pedigree. Profiles range from simple to elaborate, and some can create the illusion of a sculpted ceiling.
2. Install a chair rail to add elegance and definition to a space. This element also creates the opportunity to marry two complementary colors or a solid color and pattern for additional visual interest.
3. Use a small crown molding and parallel trim piece to make a frieze along the top perimeter of a room, and paint a border design or apply texture or an allover pattern between the boundaries.
4. Apply beautiful pieces of wallpaper directly to a wall and then trim out with decorative molding for a pretty framed-art effect. Or swap in solid color as a backdrop to a collection of framed photos or other keepsakes.
5. Change a room's mood by painting trim and molding with colors from a tone-on-tone palette or by using contrasting colors for dramatic effect.

Installing these molding is also becoming simpler as smart manufacturing ratchets down the skill levels required. For example, So Simple Crown Molding is made out of foam and can be help in place with just caulk.

Plus, all corners are pre-cut which eliminates the most difficult crown molding installation step, cutting a compound-miter corner.

Tom Kraeutler is the AOL'S Home Improvement Editor and co-author of "My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure." He delivers home improvement tips each week as host of The Money Pit, a nationally syndicated home improvement radio program.

Five cheap home décor tricks with trim and molding originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 27 Jul 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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By balancing the cost of home improvement projects against the return on investment those projects can bring in real home value at the time of sale, you can make the most of a conservative amount of cash while enhanciing home value and enjoyment.

Rally your do-it-yourself skills for a project or two from among the following under $1,000 upgrades.

1. Replace kitchen counter tops. Cook up a new look by upgrading kitchen work surfaces with one of the many sleek, budget-friendly materials available. Great green options include stainless steel, cast concrete, and solid surfacing and terrazzo composites made from recycled materials. Also revise counter-top collections for a clean, clear view and easy access to work zones.
2. Accessorize the bathroom for comfort and safety. If you plan to stay in your home for many years to come, start making small changes that create easy access for family members of all ages and abilities. AARP's Bathroom Checklist can help you assess the current state of your bath and select smart installations like a wider entry door, easy-to-grasp door and cabinet hardware, rocker light switches, grab bars, and a shower fixture with a removable, hand-held head.

Continue reading Best home improvement projects under $1,000

Best home improvement projects under $1,000 originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With school out for summer and a bunch of seasonal projects, the time's right for getting young do-it-yourselfers involved in home improvement plans.

Working together to make a repair or build something new not only teaches lifelong skills and builds confidence, but also gives kids a sense of accomplishment and renewed pride in the home you share.

Select a project together: Whether it's an easy fix-it project, a simple gardening chore or an opportunity to redecorate, every DIY project is a valuable chance to learn. Kit-based programs like Red Toolbox are also available, and help you learn together through three discrete skill levels, starting with very simple tasks and progressing to more advanced techniques. Along the way, parent and child have fun working together and create useful, decorative items that make great gifts.

Continue reading Help kids build money-saving skills with DIY projects

Help kids build money-saving skills with DIY projects originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sun, 28 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Combine a limited home improvement budget with a green frame of mind, and you can find great ways to save on your next DIY project.

There are a lot of worthwhile, beautiful home materials ready to be reclaimed and reused thanks to savvy dealers, demolition experts and everyday folks who rescue them from a landfill fate.

Here are a few resources for trimming your project costs as you create and improve.

• Architectural salvage yards: Modern green-building principles meet the architecture of the past in these gardens of historical finds. Take a stroll through a dealer's offerings, and you may find replacement hardware, a period-correct fixture or an amazing garden ornament. Salvage gurus travel far and wide to collect the nearly-priceless artifacts that renovations and demolitions leave behind, and their breadth of knowledge is as valuable as their road stories are amazing. Visit the online yards of Ohmega Salvage and Recycling The Past to get a coast-to-coast feel for the latest in salvage finds, and then dig in with a visit to your local dealer.

Continue reading Save on remodeling with reclaimed materials, fixtures and furnishings

Save on remodeling with reclaimed materials, fixtures and furnishings originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With the summer yard-care season in full swing, household water use is up and conservation warnings aren't far behind. Before your water bills get too hot to handle, why not free water for your yard by installing a rainwater collection system.

Rainwater collection is actually a time-honored solution predating our modern municipal water treatment facilities. Compact and easy to assemble, contemporary systems are great resources for your non-potable water needs, and can help trim typically high water bills during the summer months.

Here's all you need to catch free seasonal rainwater:

• A collection area: In other words, your roof. Most roofing materials are safe for contact with water that will be used for outdoor watering chores involving non-potable water. However, if you've got a vegetable or herb garden in the mix, plan to water it from another source, as some roofing types like asphalt shingles can leach toxins that shouldn't come in contact with edibles.
• A means of transporting the rainwater to storage: Gutters, piping and downspouts will carry water to your collection barrel. Gutters that are kept clean and in good repair will help you get the most out of every rainfall and prevent the buildup of possible contaminants. And as with roofing, be aware of gutters' construction; gutters with soldered seams are typically older and may leach lead, so gutters with riveted seams are preferred.

Continue reading Keep your garden green for less with a rainwater collection system

Keep your garden green for less with a rainwater collection system originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 15 Jun 2009 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This Father's Day, dear-old dad is expected to have to make do with less according to new data from IBIS World Research.

According to the report, Father's Day spending will be down across top categories like home improvement (-28%), gift cards (-21%) and electronics (-16%).

However, despite the economic downturn and retail sales plummeting, dads may be going from handyman to dandyman, as sales of pampering services and related products are expected to increase 35.7%.

Perhaps as a well-meaning gift attempt to destress dads, purchases of spa services, personal care products, and greeting cards is emerging as this holiday's fastest growing gift category with consumers expected to spend $190 million compared to $140 million in 2008.

"Traditional Father's Day gifts, such as tools and electronics are declining this year while spa services, personal care products, and greeting cards are increasing," explained Toon van Beeck, senior analyst with IBIS World. "It seems that 'New Age' dads are this year's fad."

According the U.S. Census Bureau, there are an estimated 66.3 million fathers in the nation today, which demonstrates the impact spending on Father's Day has on the U.S. economy.

Despite the downward economic trend, there's no word on its impact on the age-old practice of buying dad a tie for his big day -- the gaudier the better!

Tom Kraeutler is the AOL'S Home Improvement Editor and co-author of My Home, My Money Pit: Your Guide to Every Home Improvement Adventure. He delivers home improvement tips each week as host of The Money Pit, a nationally syndicated home improvement radio program.

Dads to make due with less this Father's Day originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sat, 13 Jun 2009 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Selling your home in a down market requires the kind of attention to detail that helps prospective buyers envision the space as their own. This is where staging comes in, helping to make any home look like new and reflect care, quality and cleanliness.

Industry surveys show that staged homes sell faster and at higher prices than those that aren't, so the effort and minor expense you invest in the process can definitely put dollars in your pocket at closing time.

Here are nine tips to staging your home for a quick sale.

Continue reading Nine tips on staging your home for a quick sale

Nine tips on staging your home for a quick sale originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Sat, 30 May 2009 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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When times are tough, we all look for ways to better plan repairs and cut unexpected costs. If you own a home, you may be more tempted to purchase a home warranty to help avoid the financial surprise of an unexpected repair.

But the real question is whether home warranties truly offer the peace of mind they claim on the brochure. Will owning a home warranty cover an air conditioner that gives out mid-summer, or a water heater that leaks and turns your basement into a swimming pool. The answer is: maybe.

Continue reading Do home warranties really save you money?

Do home warranties really save you money? originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Thu, 28 May 2009 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If your home is typical, there are several vampires lurking around the living areas─energy vampires, that is.

Energy vampires, everyday electronic devices ranging from cell phone chargers to televisions, consume electricity even when they're turned off, and suck away valuable energy dollars in the process. In fact, the Department of Energy says that 40 percent of the electricity used to power home electronics is consumed when they're switched off.

There are several ways to stop the bleeding and restore household energy savings. For starters, unplug potential energy vampires whenever possible, because even something as small as that plugged-in charger drains energy when it's not re-juicing a phone, tool or other appliance.

Continue reading Green for less: Avoiding energy vampires

Green for less: Avoiding energy vampires originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No matter the size of your household, you're probably flushing and washing away far more water than you need to. But as utility prices and seasonal water needs climb while drought thresholds fall, the EPA is giving both you and Mother Earth a break with a relatively new WaterSense labeling program that signals super-water-saving solutions.

WaterSense is basically the same as the Energy Star labeling program for appliances and electronics. By making just a few WaterSense-approved changes in your home, you can cut around $170 from the typical annual $500 water bill. By choosing WaterSense fixtures, you can expect a household water savings of 30 percent or more.

WaterSense labeled fixtures include:

High-efficiency toilets (HETs): These operate at 1.28 gallons per flush versus the 3.5 gpf of older, inefficient models, and can reduce water usage by as much as 60 percent.

Continue reading Green for less: Water-saving solutions that make dollars and sense

Green for less: Water-saving solutions that make dollars and sense originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Although gasoline prices are heading upward once again, they are nowhere near last summer's average high of $4.11 a gallon, meaning that you could drive more for less. But is that smart?

As a matter of fact, one of the bright spots in this turbulent economy is that it will actually cost significantly less to power your home and vehicles this year than last year. With "frugality" being the hot buzzword in this tough economy, here are four more ways to cut energy costs:

Continue reading Pay less for energy with these tips

Pay less for energy with these tips originally appeared on WalletPop Blog on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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