10 TIMELY TIPS

This Frugal Yankee loves collecting useful little bits of information. Sometimes they are tips and sometimes, well, they’re just useful. The other day Mrs. Frugal Yankee has a decal stuck on a laptop. She was using alcohol to get it off. I remembered vegetabe oil was very effective. I scored some points when she successfully cleaned up the lap top. Below are ten more tips that tickle my fancy. I hope you like them.

I.
A big electrical user of in your house is your wide screen TV. It's not how much it uses when its on, but when its off. Huh? Today's electronics have what is know as stand by power. Over the course of a year, your big screen TV will consume about $250 of electricity when your not even using it. Here's what you do. Hook all that stuff, the DVR, the TV, all of it to a surge protector strip. Then turn that baby on and off when you're not using the stuff. The downside is it will take a little longer to get everything up and running, but think of the money you'll save.

II.
Remember this number, put it into your cell phone. 800-373-3411. Again that number is 800-373-3411. Once more for the hard of hearing. That number is 800-373-3411. Why are we pushing that number? Simple. Its a free, yes free cell phone information service. Yeah, you have to listen to a 20 second ad, but did I tell you it's free. My cell service charges me a $1.75 for information. So I like free. Again, that's 800-373-3411.

III.
Never, ever hire a roofer, driveway paver, chimney sweep who comes to your door. Now they may actually be legit, but in all likelihood they're gypsies or scam artists. You’ll be sorry if you hire them.

IV.
Having CD melt down? Maybe it’s just really dirty. And just when you wanted to hear William Shatner sing Bulgarian Folk Anthems That Make Me Beam. Don't fear, the Frugal Yankee is here. Make a mild solution of water and vinegar. (Use distilled cider.) Wet a soft cotton cloth and wash that baby. Don't go in circles, move the cloth straight out from the center.

V.
Don’t trust web reviews. At amazon.com the average book review gets a 4.2 rating out of 5. Why so high? Simple, the pool of reviewers are ‘self-selecting’. That means the folks doing the reviews aren’t critics, but people already predisposed to the product. For example, if you love skateboarding, a so-so book on skateboarding becomes a good book and a good book will become excellent. See? Bottom line, take what they say with a grain of salt and always consider the source.

VI.
With the housing market the way it is these days, are you doomed NOT to sell your house? Not necessarily. Last year 6.5 millions houses and condos were sold.  The mostly pessimistic outlooks for this year show a 12% decline in sales. So what's a mother to do? First get a pre-inspection report. This let's you know where the potential land mines are. Then price your house accordingly. The key to selling a house in this market is proper pricing. Another thing to consider is 'house staging'. Professionals come in and gussy up the place to sell faster. Studies show,  it will sell faster.

VII.
I read this in Bottomline Magazine the other day. Open houses rarely work to the benefit of the seller. A mere 1% of sales stem from an open house. Realtors like them because they get to meet more potential buyers.

VIII.
Is your gas guzzler getting the better of your wallet? Did you know there are good times and bad times to buy gas?  First buy in the middle of the week. Prices normally increase on weekends, especially holiday weekends. (Isn’t it odd how the oil companies do that? They have a sadistic streak in their mercenary little hearts.) Also buy your gas in the mornings and the evenings. When gas is cooler, you can squeeze just a little more into your tank.

IX.
From our good friend Annie Copps, food editor for Yankee Magazine comes this worthy tip. To freeze meat, wrap it in aluminum foil and THEN a freezer bag. Freezer bags are porous. Air gets in and shortens how long something can be kept frozen. That way when you do thaw it out, it won't taste like rubber chicken, no matter what it is.

X.
A 10 year old car does not need comprehensive or collision insurance. The cost out weighs the benefits. Besides with a 10 year old car, your neighbor in his brand new Acura will avoid your car like the plague. Nothing like a ‘beater’ to scare people.

Do you have a tip? Would you like to share it with us? Leave a comment or tow. You can also send to me at TIPS@FrugalYankee.com. Also, please stop by our web site FrugalYankee.com