I'm not a big shopper as a rule, but when I do have to shop, I love coupons! Here are three great coupon codes for your enjoyment.
Gymboree take 20% off your total purchase including sale prices Now through March 28th
Enter code 11PL60THFD99630 at checkout online at www.gymboree.com
Kohls take 15% to 20% your total purchase February 26th - 28th online at www.kohls.com
Enter code PICK15FEB at checkout for 15% off your total purchase
Enter code FEBTAKE20 at checkout for 20% off your total purchase of $100 or more
Payless Shoe Source take 20% off your purchase Now through March 15th at www.payless.com
Enter Coupon Code 31239 at checkout
Showing posts with label The Change Jar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Change Jar. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Radiant Barrier = Energy Savings
You see the ads everywhere for radiant barrier and you wonder "Does it work?" We wondered the same thing and decided to take a chance on it. I cannot tell you how happy we are that we made this investment. It is an investment!
I'm not a fan of the Texas heat! I like it cool. Our thermostat is set on 75-77 during the day and 70 at night. You would think the electric bill to keep our 2000+ square foot home would be off the charts. Our bills are down 46% in June, 53% in July, and 51% for August! The radiant barrier has worked wonders.
The benefits go beyond the electric bill. Our upstairs use to be stifling hot in the afternoons - not anymore. Hate the harsh, hot air that first comes out of the vents when the AC turns on? Not anymore! It is not cold, but not hot either. The AC unit doesn't run as much either (this will extend the life of the unit) and you can actually go in the attic during the summer without passing out.
Most companies are running specials right now - EAS (Efficient Attic Systems) is the company we chose and were very pleased. The current special with them is 50% off the normal costs plus free insulation (less than $1000 for us). They arrived on time, finished the work in one day, and cleaned up after themselves. The service was exceptional! Topping off these savings is the Residential Energy Efficiency Credit allowed for 2009. This will decrease our tax enough to almost pay for the radiant barrier. It is definitely worth researching and considering!!!
I'm not a fan of the Texas heat! I like it cool. Our thermostat is set on 75-77 during the day and 70 at night. You would think the electric bill to keep our 2000+ square foot home would be off the charts. Our bills are down 46% in June, 53% in July, and 51% for August! The radiant barrier has worked wonders.
The benefits go beyond the electric bill. Our upstairs use to be stifling hot in the afternoons - not anymore. Hate the harsh, hot air that first comes out of the vents when the AC turns on? Not anymore! It is not cold, but not hot either. The AC unit doesn't run as much either (this will extend the life of the unit) and you can actually go in the attic during the summer without passing out.
Most companies are running specials right now - EAS (Efficient Attic Systems) is the company we chose and were very pleased. The current special with them is 50% off the normal costs plus free insulation (less than $1000 for us). They arrived on time, finished the work in one day, and cleaned up after themselves. The service was exceptional! Topping off these savings is the Residential Energy Efficiency Credit allowed for 2009. This will decrease our tax enough to almost pay for the radiant barrier. It is definitely worth researching and considering!!!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
The Change Jar - Coupon Sites
I love saving money! It is like winning a game each time I save 40% or more on my grocery bill or gift shopping. Please make note of some of my favorite websites that help in saving.
http://promotionalcodes.com/
http://www.retailmenot.com/
http://www.dealtaker.com/
http://www.fatwallet.com/
http://www.restaurant.com/
http://promotionalcodes.com/
http://www.retailmenot.com/
http://www.dealtaker.com/
http://www.fatwallet.com/
http://www.restaurant.com/
Friday, July 10, 2009
The Change Jar - Free Ringtones
Yes, I'm guilty! I love ringtones of my favorite songs. I love having special ringtones assigned to family & friends. It is great hearing our wedding song when my husband calls. It is also nice to know it is the boss calling so that I can redirect my thoughts (or not answer)!
I do not like the fees!! I recently found a couple of websites with free ringtones. Myxer even allows you to create a ring tone from mp3 files on your computer. Love it! Like ringtones? Take a stroll www.phonezoo.com or www.myxer.com
I do not like the fees!! I recently found a couple of websites with free ringtones. Myxer even allows you to create a ring tone from mp3 files on your computer. Love it! Like ringtones? Take a stroll www.phonezoo.com or www.myxer.com
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
The Change Jar - Discounted Gift Cards
I love gift cards! My son loves gift cards to Barnes & Noble and Blockbuster. They are great to use when teaching children how to budget and spend within their means.
Now, there is a website to buy gift cards at a discount. www.plasticjungle.com I love this website! I was able to purchase a Barnes & Noble gift card for 11% off. There are no shipping charges and no fees. Have a gift card you won't use? You can also sell or trade it at this site.
Now, there is a website to buy gift cards at a discount. www.plasticjungle.com I love this website! I was able to purchase a Barnes & Noble gift card for 11% off. There are no shipping charges and no fees. Have a gift card you won't use? You can also sell or trade it at this site.
Monday, July 6, 2009
The Change Jar - Property Tax Appraisals
It is that time of year again. The mail brings those pesky property tax appraisals. How closely do you look at them? Do you notice the percentage by which the appraisal increased? What about the Homestead Exemption.
Now is the perfect time to really look at your appraisals. It can save you a lot of money! Recently, I was asked to help someone prepare to protest the appraised value for their property. The property value had been increased by 56% for structures only. This was for a rural home, barns and land. I suggested the property owners get a written statement from a realtor on market value and a replacement estimate for the shops and barns. They also requested the "worksheet" from the appraisal office. The "worksheet" is what the valuation is based upon. That worksheet was an eye opener! It was completely wrong. The "worksheet" showed overstated square footage for the shop, house, and barns, two sets of porches on the house, and a large enclosed carport. Even with the gross exaggerations, it still took multiple trips to the appraisal office.
The state does have limits on the amount that your property values can be raised each year. Many times, the appraisal districts bank on property owners not protesting the appraisals. They have nothing to loose. Our property value is raised each year and each year we protest. The result is always a reduction in the appraised value. In fact this year, it was decreased to an amount lower than last year's value. Stop hyperventilating - tax appraisal values are not the same as the market value of the house unless the house is less than two years old.
I have listed some of the steps to take to protest your property tax appraisal below. There is also a free kit available at www.AHAhome.com that is helpful. Yes, it does take a little work, but is worth it!
Protest Tips
Now is the perfect time to really look at your appraisals. It can save you a lot of money! Recently, I was asked to help someone prepare to protest the appraised value for their property. The property value had been increased by 56% for structures only. This was for a rural home, barns and land. I suggested the property owners get a written statement from a realtor on market value and a replacement estimate for the shops and barns. They also requested the "worksheet" from the appraisal office. The "worksheet" is what the valuation is based upon. That worksheet was an eye opener! It was completely wrong. The "worksheet" showed overstated square footage for the shop, house, and barns, two sets of porches on the house, and a large enclosed carport. Even with the gross exaggerations, it still took multiple trips to the appraisal office.
The state does have limits on the amount that your property values can be raised each year. Many times, the appraisal districts bank on property owners not protesting the appraisals. They have nothing to loose. Our property value is raised each year and each year we protest. The result is always a reduction in the appraised value. In fact this year, it was decreased to an amount lower than last year's value. Stop hyperventilating - tax appraisal values are not the same as the market value of the house unless the house is less than two years old.
I have listed some of the steps to take to protest your property tax appraisal below. There is also a free kit available at www.AHAhome.com that is helpful. Yes, it does take a little work, but is worth it!
Protest Tips
- Do it yourself or ask a friend. DO NOT use anyone who says that they can lower your appraisal for a fee!
- Verify the square footage of your home
- Check values for similar homes in your area. Checkout http://realestate.yahoo.com/Homevalues.
- Check recent sales prices in your neighborhood. A realtor should be able to assist you with this. I have never had a problem getting one to pull up the MLS that shows the houses recently sold and still on the market in your area.
- Take pictures of issues within the house that would lower the value. Examples are walls that have been colored on, old faucets and fixtures, bad carpet, roofing issues. Take advantage of free estimates on getting the items repaired. It is hard for the appraisal officer to argue with a written estimate.
- Rural properties should ask for the "worksheet" that is being used. Make sure that there are no extra structures and that all measurements are correct.
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