MomTalk.com November 20, 2008: The women's magazine for moms about children, family, health, home, fashion, careers, marriage & more

Home & Household

Simple Steps to Pricing Your Home

Your home's asking price is one of the first pieces of information that buyers will want to know about your property. Price it too high and you'll scare them away. If it's too low you risk losing money.

In order to price your home correctly, you'll have to become educated about your local real estate market. Doing so will allow you to set an asking price that will compete favorably against other comparable homes. But don't worry, it's easy to do if you just follow these simple steps:

1. Know the Competition: Visit real estate websites and drive through your local area to search for homes for sa ... Continue reading Simple Steps to Pricing Your Home.

Social Networking Online: Is it Safe?

With literally millions of people using social networking sites on the Internet, don't be surprised if you find your coworker on MySpace or even your grandma on Facebook. Social networking isn't just for teens, and adults are joining virtual communities in increasing numbers. If the concept still seems a bit foreign to you, don't worry. Here are some tips to get you started and help ensure you stay safe in the fast-paced world of Internet social networking.

MySpace and Facebook are two of the most popular social networking sites where users set up a profile about themselves and connect to friends to share interes ... Continue reading Social Networking Online: Is it Safe?.

Fuel-Saving Tips

(NAPSI)-Though gas prices are high, they don't have to break the bank. By following this advice from car experts, you can still save a few dollars whenever you might be behind the wheel:

• Slow down. Driving at 55 mph instead of 75 can improve gas mileage 10 mpg.

• Avoid rooftop carriers, which can increase fuel consumption 6 mpg.

• Drive smoothly. Hard acceleration and braking can reduce fuel economy by about 20 percent.

• Shut down when stopped more than 30 seconds. An idling car gets zero mpg.

• Don't overlook the tires. Underinflated tires w ... Continue reading Fuel-Saving Tips.

Use a Price Book to Save

by Sandy Shields

Price Books: You have probably heard about them, or read about them in budgeting articles. But what exactly is a Price Book?

A Price Book is a powerful tool used by smart shoppers to help them save money. It is a practical technique used to record prices of frequently purchased items. Consumers armed with a current Price Book will know if an advertised "special" is truly a bargain or not. Costly mistakes can be avoided, and much money can be saved by knowing how much to pay for items used most often.

A Price Book is a personal item created by each indiv ... Continue reading Use a Price Book to Save.

Save Money on Cooling Costs this Summer

With gas prices at all time highs, energy costs are on consumers' minds, and the last thing you want to do is spend more than you need to cool your home this summer. Maximize your energy savings by replacing your old room air conditioner with a new energy efficient model.

Before buying a new unit, consider two important factors -- cooling capacity and efficiency. Many people size air conditioners incorrectly, purchasing an air conditioner with more cooling capacity than needed. More is not necessarily better in this case: A unit with too much capacity may cool a room so quickly that it won't run long enough ... Continue reading Save Money on Cooling Costs this Summer.

Seize the Day, Help Save the Planet

We've all heard the saying, "What a difference a day makes." Today could be your opportunity to make a difference by reducing your home's impact on the environment. Surprisingly, one of the most beneficial ways is to use less energy to heat and cool your home...and it starts with adding insulation.

Insulation is the single most cost-effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, according to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute. Because saving energy helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, using less has a payback that is both personal and global: you'll save money and shrink your personal carbon footprin ... Continue reading Seize the Day, Help Save the Planet.

Spring Cleaning Made Easy

By Kristin Bailey Murphy

It's officially spring -- let's ditch those winter coats and open the windows wide! It's time to enjoy the feel-good ritual known as spring cleaning. Here, Monica Nassif, author of Spring Cleaning: The Spirit of Keeping Home, shares her tried-and-true tips on cleaning your home from top to bottom.

The Basics

Before you dive in and get started, Nassif says it's helpful to keep the following in mind:
• Spring cleaning doesn't happen overnight. Give yourself a least a week to complete all your spring-cleaning tasks.
• Gravity is ... Continue reading Spring Cleaning Made Easy.

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