Volume 89

A Home Improvement That Can Save You Money
For many homeowners the biggest utility bill is electricity. Heating and cooling the home makes up nearly half of electricity costs, but the next biggest source is the water heater. Water heaters can account for up to 25 percent of total household energy use. Taking steps to improve the energy efficiency of a home with better insulation and more efficient furnaces and air conditioners can reduce energy costs significantly, as can making sure water heaters are operating properly.
However, purchasing a high efficiency water heater does little good if the environment in which it operates is not right. The main culprit in reducing the efficiency of water heaters is hard water. Nearly 90 percent of American homes have hard water which contains high levels of calcium and magnesium. These minerals cause scaling, a buildup that clogs waterlines and plumbing forcing appliances to work harder and operate less efficiently. Hard water can reduce the efficiency of water heaters and increase electricity costs by as much as 48 percent according to the Battelle Memorial Institute.
The problem can be particularly severe with electric water heaters. These can accumulate up to 30 pounds of calcium carbonate, a rock-like scale, eventually damaging the heating element which will have to be replaced. The cost of hard water is not higher just because of reduced energy efficiency and higher electric bills; hard water also damages appliances like water heaters, dish washers, shower heads and faucets. These must be repaired and replaced more often as a result.
To determine if you have hard water, look for spots and scale build-up on fixtures. "A less obvious indication is the lack of that luxury feeling of a hot shower you get at a nice hotel," says Michael Mecca of Performance Water Products. "That feeling is not because of the nice towels and soaps. It's because nice hotels use soft water not only for their guests' benefit but also to protect their investments in boilers, piping and fixtures."
Kitchens benefit from soft water as well because soft water is up to 12 times more effective at cleaning dishes than increasing the amount of detergent used. Researchers also found that for washing machines, the most important factor in removing stains from clothing was water softness. Reduction of water hardness was up to 100 times more effective at stain removal than increasing the detergent dose or washing with hotter water. In fact, soft water can reduce soap use by as much as half.
Many water treatment companies offer free tests to homeowners to measure the degree of hardness in the water and offer appropriate systems that fit. "Hardness in water can vary widely in some parts of the country and pipe size, number of bathrooms, number of people in the house, types of showerheads and intended use all need to be considered for the right system," says Mecca.
"Wells in particular are susceptible to hard water since municipal water departments often take care of the worst offenders such as iron-manganese-hydrogen sulfide. Even if you get municipal water you likely still have calcium and other hard water deposits and can benefit from a water softener. Systems for well water will cost a little more but it is well worth it," he adds.
The only way to truly remove the calcium and magnesium from household water systems is with a salt-based water softener. These remove the scaling in the pipes entirely by running the incoming hard water through a resin filter that traps the calcium and magnesium in the water - as well as any iron, manganese or radium ions. It then replaces them with sodium ions.
A salt-based water softener is one home improvement that will not only pay for itself but add value to a home. A properly sized quality water softener appliance can save a homeowner thousands of dollars over its life in reduced soap and detergent costs, electricity, efficiency and extended life for expensive appliances.
(Retrieved from brandpointcontent.com.)
6 Things You Can Do to be More Productive This Year

Time. You never seem to have enough of it. Whether it's work, family commitments, your kids or your spouse, there's always someone or something that needs your time. And imagine the chaos if you were to actually want a little time for yourself as well.
You can't create more time, but you can ensure you make better use of the time you have. To help you be more productive this year, Hyatt Place Seamless Travel Series productivity expert Lindsey Pollak offers these tips.
* Wake up earlier. Yes, it's that simple. Waking up 30 to 60 minutes earlier gives you a great jump-start on your day. You can exercise, catch up on email or just relax in this newfound peace and quiet. Just don't forget to go to bed earlier at night to ensure you're awake to enjoy the morning.
* Make a plan. Even the busiest of days will flow more smoothly if you are following a predetermined plan and schedule. So before your next busy day, week or season, take time to jot down a list of everything you have to do. You'll be more efficient in accomplishing these tasks and you won't waste time panicking about how you'll complete it all.
* Decide which decisions you'll make. Research has shown that the more choices you make during the day, the harder each one becomes for your brain. Eliminate routine decisions whenever possible by having the same breakfast each morning, putting out your clothes the night before or parking in the same space each day, for example. By cutting these decisions out of your daily itinerary, you'll be saving brain power for the truly important choices.
* Delegate. You aren't afraid to ask for help at work, so why not speak up at home? Ask family members to help you complete household projects or hire someone to help you maintain the yard, run errands or do the shopping. Any assistance you receive will save you time for other responsibilities.
* Optimize your life on the road as well. Whether you're on vacation or traveling for work, you still want to be as productive as possible. Hyatt Place hotels help multitasking travelers stay productive on the road, offering free WiFi, free hot breakfast, a 24-hour gym and more. To help you have a seamless travel experience from start to finish, Hyatt Place brings you the Seamless Travel Series, teaming up with leading travel experts to offer advice on travel, style, technology and health.
* Be selective in what you commit to. Want to do more in 2015? Start by saying no. Life pulls you in all different directions, and every request you commit to eliminates time you could spend doing something else. Instead of committing to everything offered to you - including the things you don't really want to do - don't be afraid to say no. You'll be more productive when you can focus on the few things you actually want to do.
You can't turn back time or make more of it, but by implementing these productivity tips, you can make the most of it. So go out and get ready for a productive 2015, and remember, time is ticking.
(Retrieved from brandpointcontent.com)
German Shepherds to Gerbils: How to Choose the Best Pet for Your Family

Whether a loyal pal like Lassie is what you're looking for, or a Garfield-like couch potato is more your speed, a pet can make a wonderful addition to your family. But there is more to choosing a new pet than simply falling in love with a cute face. Making an informed and well-researched decision can lead to a happy home life for both you and your pet.
"One of the most important things to know is that all pets are awesome. They have the potential to be great family members," says Tracey Kitching, veterinary technology instructor at Argosy University, Twin Cities. "It all boils down to what you want the animal for, the demands of the animal, and the husbandry and expenses associated with that animal."
"The priority is the family needs to decide the type of time they have available for the animal," says Paula Lind, department director of Veterinary Technology at Argosy University, Twin Cities. "The family also needs to look at its capability to provide the appropriate exercise, living quarters and temperament. Sometimes people are mismatched with the animals they choose, and shelters are filled with young dogs that did nothing wrong. They were just a poor match for their owners."
The energy of the animal is an important factor to consider. "For any species, understanding how much energy that animal has is important," says Kitching. For example, a border collie wouldn't be good for people working 16 hours a day, while great Danes tend to make great apartment dogs since they generally lay around a lot. Your family must be able to meet the energy needs of the animal.
Lind says that if you work long hours, a cat would be a better choice than a dog, but it's important to remember that cats also need companionship. For families that aren't home much, a fish, hamster, gerbil, rat or ferret would be better choices, says Lind. Puppies will require exercise and obedience training, which will require more time than an older dog or other types of animals.
Temperament is another key area, especially when looking at breeds of dogs. People often look at puppies as the ideal dog for their small children, but Lind says this isn't the case. She wouldn't recommend a puppy for children younger than 5, and adds that the puppy cowering in the back of the litter is the worst to pick for children.
The cost of owning a pet goes beyond the initial purchase of the animal. Kitching says an animal like a hamster will require an initial purchase of a cage, wheel and food, while a dog will require a collar, leash, obedience lessons, a kennel and food, among other things. The amount an animal eats will also greatly affect the cost of ownership.
All animals should be seen by a veterinarian at least once a year. "A relationship with a veterinarian is just as profound as a relationship with a lawyer or regular doctor," says Kitching.
Don't forget to look at the health of your own family. If you have individuals with allergies, certain breeds and species of animals are better. There are even dogs that are hypo-allergenic. Lind says to think about how clean you want your home if you are bothered by cat or dog hair. You can't confine an animal to a mud room or basement.
Before deciding on any pet, research is key. "The biggest thing is you have to do your research and think about the needs of the animal. It's not about you, it's about the animal," says Lind. "It's going to need your time, love and attention." For dogs, talk with breeders, people who own that breed, and research breeds on sites like the American Kennel Club website, which contains info on all breeds of dogs. If you're adopting an animal, Lind says many rescue groups and shelters do an excellent job of assessing temperament. These shelters will know if an animal is good with children and other animals.
(Retrieved from brandpointcontent.com) /
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Inside This Issue
  1. A Home Improvement That Can Save You Money
  2. 6 Things You Can Do to Be More Productive this Year
  3. German Shepherds to Gerbils: How to Choose the Best Pet for Your Family
“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”
–Melody Beattie
Homeowners: 15 Things You Need To Do In 2015
1. Get rid of the beige. It’s been replaced by gray. Really. Do it. Gray isn’t going anywhere
2. Make a big change. Knock down a wall. Change your countertops. Convert the upstairs loft to a full-blown entertainment room. If not now, when?
Home Trend Alert: Industrial Chic
Industrial chic is a trend with staying power, as what was formerly seen mainly in lofts, where the high ceilings and open ductwork provide a great canvas, has made its way into the mainstream - and into the suburbs - with a variety of pieces that can be woven into existing designs and still make an impact.

New Regulations Affect Homeowners in 2015
Increasing energy efficiency has long been the mission of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and in 2015, two new regulations involving air conditioning equipment and water heaters will take effect to support this goal. REALTORS need to be familiar with the new…
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness of U.S. Households
A disaster can occur at any time and without much warning. To gain a better understanding of the emergency preparedness of U.S. households, HUD and the Census Bureau for the first time included a special set of questions on the…
Six Cautions about Over-improving Your Home
(TNS) – Call it the curse of over-improving: sinking so much into upgrades, renovations or additions that you’ve burned off nearly all the equity of your home…


Movie Trivia
In “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”, what is the name of Katniss’ friend who is publicly whipped?
  1. BeeteeLatier
  2. PeetaMellark
  3. Gale Hawthorne
  4. Effie Trinket
What is the name of Sandra Bullock’s character in “Gravity”?
  1. Sam
  2. River
  3. Peyton
  4. Ryan
In “Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs 2”, what did Flint invent?
  1. Giant Cheeseburgers
  2. Pinata Balloon
  3. Party-In-A-Box
  4. Lemonade Rain
What was the race of Malekith, who seeked to destroy Asgard in “Thor: The Dark World”?
  1. Frost Giant
  2. Dark Elf
  3. Hobbit
  4. Aether
Who is the voice of princess Anna in Disney’s “Frozen”?
  1. Evangeline Lilly
  2. Kristen Bell
  3. Rachel Weisz
  4. IdinaMenzel

Three-Cheese Beer Soup
Recipe Courtesy of bhg.com
Total Time: 55 Minutes
Prep: 25 Minutes
Stand: 30 Minutes
Yield: 10servings
Ingredients:
  • 1 ½ cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 ¼ cups shredded white cheddar cheese
  • ¼ cup butter
  • ½ cup finely chopped onion
  • ½ cup finely chopped carrot
  • ¼ cup thinly sliced green onions
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon dry mustard
  • 5 cups chicken broth
  • 1 12 ounce bottle beer
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 ½ cups frozen diced brown potatoes
  • 1 ½ cups small broccoli florets
  • 10 slices bacon, crisp-cooked, drained, and chopped
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan or Romano cheese
  • ½ teaspoon bottled hot pepper sauce
  • ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Directions:
  1. Allow sharpcheddar cheeseand white cheddar cheese to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a 4-quart Dutch oven heat butter over medium heat until melted. Add 1/2 cup onion, carrot, green onions, and garlic. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until vegetables are tender, stirring occasionally.
  2. Stir in flour and dry mustard (mixture will be thick). Add broth all at once. Cook and stir until bubbly. Add beer and cream; stir in potatoes and broccoli. Bring to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  3. Gradually stir in sharpcheddar cheeseand white cheddar cheese, stirring after each addition until cheeses are melted. Stir in bacon,Parmesan cheese, hot pepper sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour soup into a 3 1/2- or 4-quart slow cooker with a car adapter.
  4. Tightly cover slow cooker and tote in an insulated carrier. At the tailgating site, plug slow cooker into car adapter and keep soup warm on warm-heat setting. (Soup will keep warm, covered, on warm-heat setting for up to 3 hours.) Stir before serving.

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