Should I Buy Additional Warranty Coverage?

Every time we buy a major appliance, or a large ticket item like a television, we are offered extended warranty coverage. I never used to pay for this coverage...which can be very costly...but my husband is inclined to buy coverage. I don't argue, because I'm never quite sure whether it's the right thing to do or not...but lean towards not purchasing extra coverage. 

As we're in the shopping season, many of you probably already finished, many not, I'm looking back on our experience with warranties, hoping that I can help you make a decision whether or not to purchase additional coverage when you shop.


I can tell you that we have NEVER used any of the extra warranties that we've purchased. We just had one that was to last for two years on our dryer end, as well as our washer...and never used them.  They added quite a bit of expense to our purchase.


We didn't purchase extra coverage on our HD TV, purchased last January, and it needed repair about 2 months ago...within the one year warranty that comes with the television.  It was repaired as promised without a problem by the manufacturer. So, no more additional warranty coverage for us. 

Most items have a one year warranty anyway which is very adequate, and to me, additional extended warranties are just another way for stores to make money. What do you think? Has additional warranty coverage ever benefited you?

Not feeling well and thankful for my MD

I'm a bit under the weather these days...this summer and fall that could be literally and figuratively with all the rain we have had, but I'm still finding time to enjoy the beauty of the changing fall colors. I'm getting tests done, and so thankful for a doctor who is helping me "pinch pennies" by taking payments because I haven't reached my deductible...and one who is willing to talk to you on the phone right when you call when he can. What a treat. So, I hope to get good results from tests that are being done, which in turn will remove some anxiety or give a direction in which to go, and then get back to blogging. I'll be back real soon!

TV Give Away Could Save You Lots

Contests that offer free give-aways can pay off if you take advantage of them regularly. When I used to enter years ago, it would cost the price of a postage stamp and some record keeping to keep track of what contests I'd entered...now you can do this online and keep track using spreadsheets and other tools available that I never imagined back then. And now through social networking, your entry may require sharing what you've done with your friends on Facebook.

One example of this is the "Show Us Your TV Everywhere Giveaway" that is going on right now offered by a service that has super low prices on TV, Internet and other viewing and communication packages.

According to the Giveaway Rules, you're going to be taking a picture of yourself or members of your family watching TV anywhere...could be with a camera, iPhone, etc.  Then you're going to upload that picture to Facebook using the app you'll find at the giveaway rules link. This will show your picture to your friends...qualifying you to win one of the following prizes:

• Grand Prize includes a 46” flat screen TV, Blockbuster Hits DVD 6-Pack, and DISH Network items you'll like

• Runner Up receives the complete 3rd Season of HBO’s ‘Big Love, the ’ Blockbuster Hits DVD 2-Pack, and a $75 Gift Card and DISH Network items

• Second Runner Up will receive Blockbuster Hits DVD 2-Pack, $50 Gift Card and DISH Network Goodies

If you want to find more information about this particular giveaway and any information I may have forgotten to include here, visit Connect Your Home Giveaway - this one started already and ends October 31st.

So, sweepstakes and giveaway contests have come a long, long way, and if you win, can definitely save you money.  Most of them are intended to introduce you to products and services that will save you money as well.  So enter away, make it a fun hobby.

How to Remove Grease Spots from Laundry

Grease or oil spots on shirts and tops or other clothing from food dropped while eating is a very common problem with a very easy and cheap solution. This solution will even work if you discover the grease spots AFTER you have washed and dried the cloths.

You don't need to buy a special spot remover. This is what I do...I have a dropper bottle filled with whatever laundry detergent I'm using at the time in easy reach in my laundry room. 

Just today I pulled out 2 tops from the dryer that I had not treated before washing, each had several grease spots. I took the dropper full of detergent, and put some directly on the spot, you don't need much for a small spot, just cover each spot with detergent. Then I fold the top or other piece of clothing so the detergent is inside, and put back in the basket until the next washing. The next time the spots will be gone.  I have never had it discolor the fabric.

This is a simple solution for grease or oil spots on your laundry that does not require buying any special spot removers. It has worked for me every time, and extends the life of your cloths.

How to Save Your Pilly Sheets

You don't have to throw away your sheets that have pills on them, I have an easy solution for you...very easy! I've been doing this for years and have turned rough scratchy sheets into completely smooth sheets in minutes, saving us much money by extending the life of our bedding.

All you need is a single or double edged disposable razor. I keep one in the nightstand at all times. When you put a clean sheet on the bed and it's nice and tight with no ripples or creases, gently shave over the pilly area of the sheets. Run your hand over the area to remove loose pills and to find areas that still need "shaving", and keep doing this gently until you like how your sheet feels. It works every time, and is such an easy solution.

Usually the pills form on the areas of the sheet where your body makes a lot of contact...so you the area you need to shave should not be the whole sheet.

Of course you have to be careful not to be rough when shaving, as you don't want to tear the sheet, but I've never had this happen and this solution has removed pills from my sheets every single time...it's added years to the life of my sheets.

New Book on Lean Living and Smart Buying

I was recently introduced to Clark Howard's website and new book.  He is a consumer advocate who knows how to find a deal...and shares that knowledge through television, radio, and now a newly published book, released this month, "Living Large in Lean Times", and who of us couldn't benefit from knowledge that is contained in this book. 

Clark also has a website named after himself, clarkhoward.com, that is full of helpful information as well.  I have a lot more exploring to do there, but started out looking at a link that had links to all sites that have been mentioned on his programs.  Many of them look like they are full of helpful resources for the person who want to shop wisely. 

Then I wanted to know more about health care, so visited that link in the drop down menu along the top titled "Clark's Topics".  There were quite a few links to posts and resources there, including a place where we have purchased discount eyeglasses in the past...this can be a big medical expense in our house as both my husband and I need glasses, I've worn them most of my life.  In fact this online source of savings is mentioned in his book as well, so I guess we're on the right track!

I have a lot more exploring to do at the site, must save his television show to my DVR for future viewing, and will be looking into his book to increase my knowledge about smart buying.

Is Your Electric Company's Budget Plan Benefiting You?

We have been on our electric company's budget plan for many years.  For the past few years around this time of the year the bill we receive shows that we, over a period of months, have used much less electricity than the electric company estimates we will use, so there is always a big chunk of money in our favor.  I called our electric company this week and was told that this was because they estimate about how much your bill will be including heating, air conditioning, etc., and we don't heat with electric.

I thought it was time to consider going on the "actual" plan where we pay what we actually have used each month.  They explored and found that last year our highest month was August, and the amount was only about $10 more than we have been paying every month for the past year.  The credit in our favor was well over $200, which for small home will pay for our current bill and a good part of next months bill.  So obviously, I asked to be changed to the actual plan. 

This would not be advisable for someone who is using electric heat for their homes, as the bills go way up during the cold months so whatever money may be in your favor will be used up during those months. 

Anyone who is on a budget plan should take a look and see how much you have paid that is being "held" for future bills, and feel free to ask you electric company to help you decide whether you should change your plan if they are taking too much...or less likely, not enough.  Ask how much your actual bill amount would be on various months during the past year if you can't determine this yourself.  If it's worth your while, change your bill so you are paying for what you actually use...you most likely need that extra money more than your electric company does.

Looking to Replace a Stolen iPod

Sadly, my husband had his iPod stolen. It is the latest generation and I have been looking for another one on sale. I started looking on eBay, then did a general search on Google and Bing to find a good price. It was a lot of work clicking through links to find a good price, and then as if reading my mind, an opportunity to visit daily deals came my way, and I visited. I found that it finds the best deals currently available, daily deals, and more. I searched for the iPod and found what I was looking for...price...a little over $100 when all the other prices I saw ranged from $180-200 and higher...I'm headed back there now, but wanted to share this site with you. It will help you pinch those pennies!