Social Security increase

Posted by Courtney October 16, 2008 at 11:07 am

You can expect a fatter Social Security check next year. The cost of living increase will be 5.8% — or $63 on average. That’s the biggest jump in more than 25 years. But with high gas and food prices, don’t expect it to go too far.

Looking to save on bills? Share a home.

Posted by Allison Sonfist October 15, 2008 at 5:16 pm

Finding affordable housing is no easy feat these days, as the cost of living goes up and the economy slows down. One program in Vermont offers a mutually-beneficial living arrangement.

Designing a ghoulishly frugal Halloween

Posted by Ted McEnroe October 13, 2008 at 3:07 pm

Frightened of the costs of Halloween? The price of costumes have you spooked? Louise Sacco, one of our friends at the Frugal Yankee, says there’s no need to fear - money-saving Halloween ideas abound!

For more cost-cutting ideas, give Louise and the gang a visit at frugalyankee.com!

Bulls & Bears

Posted by Courtney October 13, 2008 at 11:01 am

Tired of being on a stock market roller coaster? Let it work to your advantage. The newly renovated Colonnade Hotel in Boston’s Back Bay is offering a discount on weeknight stays based on how the Dow finishes that day. Market’s down? You save 20%. Things looking up? You get 10% off. Now through March 31st. Prices start at $260 a night. Subject to taxes and availability.

Investing now to save money this winter

Posted by Ted McEnroe October 10, 2008 at 1:47 pm

With the winter chill ahead - it is that time again, when people are looking for savings and energy companies have ideas that might cost you something now but could pay off later.

NSTAR sent out some ideas this week, and if you’re not an NSTAR customer, they’re still some interesting options. Among them (and NSTAR’s copy begins here):

Have heating systems inspected and cleaned – A properly cleaned and adjusted heating system will run more efficiently and save money. Old, inefficient systems should be replaced. NSTAR customers can save between $100 and $1,000 on a new gas, oil or propane system by taking advantage of available rebates. Home heating protection plans are also available for NSTAR Gas customers.

Switch to programmable thermostats – Programmable thermostats automatically adjust the temperature by using settings that residents can control. Recommended settings are 68 degrees when the home is occupied and lower overnight or when everyone is gone for the day. Every degree a thermostat is lowered during an eight hour period can save up to three percent on heating bills. NSTAR offers a $25 rebate on qualifying thermostat models.

Repair air leaks – A silent waster of heating dollars, air leaks come in all shapes and sizes. Inspect foundations and sills for cracks and holes. Most can be easily sealed with calking available at local home improvements stores.

Consider adding insulation – Increasing a home’s insulation is one of the most cost-effective ways to make the most of energy dollars. Investing in proper levels of insulation can reduce a home’s heating and cooling needs by up to 10 percent. Zero-interest financing is currently available for qualifying installations.

Repair or replace windows – Inefficient windows can account for up to 25 percent of a home’s heating bill. Simple steps to make windows more energy efficient include repairing damaged glazing, adding weather-stripping and installing insulating window shades. Old, inefficient windows should be replaced with Energy Star-labeled windows with high-performance glass. Rebates and zero-interest financing are available.

Remember the simple things – Some steps that every resident can do on their own to save energy during the heating season include: keep radiators or heating vents dust-free and don’t block them with furniture or draperies; keep shades and curtains open during the day on the south side of the home to take advantage of solar heating, but close them at night to retain the heat; place a sheet of aluminum foil between the radiator and the wall to reflect heat back into the room.

NSTAR is the largest Massachusetts-based, investor-owned electric and gas utility. The company transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including more than one million electric customers in 81 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities. For more information, visit www.nstar.com.

There are a lot of pieces of advice here, and if you’re looking for an investment that will pay off better than the stock market has recently, you could do worse

What to do this weekend

Posted by Courtney October 9, 2008 at 11:59 am

The weather’s supposed to be great, and it’s a holiday weekend — so get out and enjoy it!  If you don’t want to spend a lot of money, check out some of these fall festivals around New England, featuring fabulous foliage and, in some cases, men in tights:

International Oktoberfest in Newport, RI — Saturday thru Monday.  Highlights include Biergartens, bratwurst and, yes, German men in tights.

Mystic Seaport Chowder Festival in Mystic, CT — Saturday thru Monday.  Your chance to taste the best chowda in New England.

Boothbay Harbor Fall Foliage Festival and Craft Fair in Boothbay, ME — Saturday & Sunday.  Fall in Maine — need we say more?  Plus, steam train rides.

Topsfield Fair in Topsfield, MA — now thru Monday.  Animals galore at America’s oldest agricultural fair.

 

MA State treasurer holds money management seminars

Posted by Ted McEnroe October 1, 2008 at 11:50 am

Well, you can say this… Tim Cahill is feeling the pain of the current economy. Cahill says the state of Massachusetts can’t find 100 million dollars to borrow for local aid payments, because the credit market has dried up.

In the meantime, he’s doing some teaching - giving Massachusetts residents advice on how to spend and save in these interesting times. Stephen Iandoli of NECN took in a class.

New energy saving ideas sprout from rooftops

Posted by Allison Sonfist September 24, 2008 at 10:09 am

Are you looking to save money on energy use? One company in Madison, Wisconsin suggests you work your way down from top to bottom — starting on your roof.

A little free end-of-summer sand art

Posted by Ted McEnroe September 19, 2008 at 1:08 pm

Wanted to give a little shout out to one of Cut Your Costs partners - the Clarion Nantasket Beach Resort and Spa, which is sponsoring the “Endless Summer Sand Castle Competition” this Saturday as part of the Endless Summer Waterfront Festival in Hull, Massachusetts.

The contest features sculptors creating what they can from 30 tons of sand dumped right on Nantasket Avenue. The competition begins Saturday at 1pm, and there are even sandsculpting lessons starting at noon.

The contest, and the rest of the event Saturday, are free - you can find the schedule at hullchamber.com.

Because before long - those sandpails will be replaced with, umm, snow shovels.

Government approves emergency heating aid

Posted by Courtney September 17, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Homeowners struggling to pay high heating bills will get some help this winter.  The Bush Administration is releasing more than $100 million in emergency heating aid for low-income residents.  An additional $25 million will be targeted at states with large numbers of families relying on oil heating, including those in New England.  New Hampshire is set to get more than $3 million in funding.

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