Solar Panels - A Study in Savings

This time last year, I started looking into getting solar panels. Why?  I wanted to save some money on our ever-increasing electricity bill and thought going green would be cool, too.

I contacted a few of the major players: Verengo, Sungevity, and Solar City.  Boy, did I get more information on kilowatts than I ever thought I needed.  After going through basically the same qualification process with each company, we got the biggest bang for our buck with Sungevity.

As part of our decision process, I asked everyone I knew with solar panels why they either own or lease.  Everyone that owned their panels said the only reason why they owned them was because back when they bought them, leasing wasn't an option.  But if they had an option, they would have decided to lease.  As a result, we decided that leasing our panels was the best fit for our family since 1) it didn't require any money down and 2) we were then locked into the same monthly rate for the life of our lease. Considering that electricity rates increase each year, the locked-in solar rates definitely seemed like a good deal.



Conservatively, they told us we would save, on average, $37 a month.  After having the system 8 months, I am happy to say that we have averaged $55 savings a month.  Okay, so this savings isn't earth-shattering, but it is savings.  And considering our roof is now generating electricity for our family, and all other Southern California Edison customers, I enjoy the feeling of being resourceful and green.  While our solar panel system feeds directly into Southern California Edison's power grid, if there is ever a power outage in our area, we will have enough power stored in our solar panels to power for our home for a day.  (Now you know where to go in times of power outage.)

To top it off, I discovered that our electricity rates actually went down once we had our solar panels installed. I guess solar panel customers get special, lower rates!

My favorite part of all this:  watching my electric meter run backwards when we are producing more energy than consuming.  All in all, we are very happy that we decided to take the plunge and get solar panels.

Have you ever thought of getting solar panels, too?  Quotes from Sungevity (and its competitors) are FREE!!  You have nothing to lose (well, except dollars off your electric bill).

Now through March 31, anyone that uses the referral code 329439 will get $1000 off the price of their system.  (Typically, it is just $500.)  If you have any questions about our experience with solar panels, please feel free to leave a comment below or email us at info@housescouchesandbabies.com.
  

Spring Forward this Weekend

Are you ready for days to be longer?  (Note: I did NOT say work days!)  I am!  Although I don't like losing an hour of sleep when moving my clock forward, I do love that the sun sets later and later...and that summer is coming!

So don't forget, and don't be late!  Change your clocks 1 hour ahead before you go to bed this Saturday night...and don't forget to change lights that are on automatic timers, too!

Happy Friday!

Posted by Leslie

Image from www.wgno.com

Beautiful Homemade Bouquet for Just $3.99

I found these flowers on sale at Sprouts for just $3.99!  (Normally they are $9.99, which isn't bad for a dozen roses either!)

All I did was trim the ends and wrap a bow around them to make a handheld bouquet that can be displayed in a vase like so...

It's such a fun and easy way to add flowers and beauty to the house. 

And come on, my daughter loved pretending she was a flower girl again walking down the aisle with a bouquet.  And I might have pretended I was walking down the aisle once or twice, too!

Posted by Leslie

iPads on Sale at Target

Save up to $100 off 3rd generation iPads in-store at Target now!  You can get a 16GB iPad with the breakthrough Retina Display for just $299.  Not bad!

Posted by Leslie

January is a Great Month for Travel Deals

A couple of weeks ago, I read in Parade magazine some tips on stretching your dollar.  Did you know you can score some of the best travel deals in January???

It makes sense considering that most people are recovering from holiday spending, but if you have time to prepare and are ready to plan a trip, then do it soon!

Perfect case in point...I just received an email from my favorite resort in San Diego, Paradise Point, with a promotion for 40% off room rates.  (Simply use promotion code ESS133 when selecting travel dates.)

So if you are thinking of taking a vacation this year, start looking (and booking) now!  

Posted by Leslie

Starbucks Savings Alert

STARBUCKS SAVINGS ALERT: You can use the code 472 and get $1 off chocolate drinks. I used it on my non-fat mocha this morning and it worked! The sales girl didn't even know:) I think it works until the 21st.

Posted by Liz

Save $5 on the Tigger Movie

If you haven't already signed up for Disney Movie Rewards, you really should!  They offer coupons on most DVD/Blu-ray combo packs when they come out, including their latest release: The Tigger Movie.

Saving some money can certainly add a little more bounce, bounce, bounce to your day, don't you think!?!

Posted by Leslie

Plum District Flash Sale: Save 20% Today Only

Head over to the Flash Sale at Plum District! Save 20% with code celebrate20 today only.

There are so many great deals going on at Plum District right now, like a Photo Canvas choice of 18x24 or 11x14 from CanvasPeople. This deal is $27, but with today's Flash Sale, it is just $21.60.  And it's such a great gift idea with the holidays right around the corner.  

BTW, I purchased a canvas from the CanvasPeople earlier this year...love, love, love!

Hurry, the promo code celebrate20 works just today!

Happy Shopping!

Posted by Leslie

Save 25% off Halloween Costumes at the Disney Store

In anticipation of Halloween, costumes and accessories at the Disney Store are now 25% off!  This is a great opportunity to get a good deal on a Halloween costume or just save on a costume your little one has been wanting.  Unfortunately, not all costumes are on sale (ie. Rapunzel wedding dress) but many princess costumes and all the accessories are!

Save 60% at Stride Rite

That's right! You can save 60% at Stride Rite by using the promo code DASH.

Happy shoe shopping!

My iPhone is More Amazing than I Thought

I have had my iPhone for about 6 months now, and while I have adapted to it and love surfing the web, checking my emails and taking photos/videos, I know that I have only scratched the surface with its functionality.  And thanks to my husband finding this article on yahoo, I now know 25 new tips and tricks for making even greater use out of my iPhone.  How many of these tips did you already know about? 

(Obviously, if you don't have an iPhone, you don't care.  But for those that do, please share!)

Printer Ink Just Got Easier

Maybe it is just me, but I am very frustrated by the billions of sizes and shapes of printer cartridges out there. Every time I update my printer, the ink from my old one is never compatible (even if it the same brand...HP).

While I was in Target today looking for a new printer cartridge to buy, the sales person told me that Costco is now refilling used cartridges. (Target execs, please don't get mad at her!)

So when I searched about this refill program, wouldn't you know it, it does exist!

All you have to do is bring your used ink cartridge into the 1-Hour Photo Center at Costco. Then while you shop, their high-tech system cleans, refills and test your cartridge. After an hour, your cartridge is ready for pick up.

Now that I have two cartridges, while one is in the printer, I will get the other refilled at Costco so that I won't run out. I can continue to reuse the same two cartridges over and over.

Oh, and the kicker...refilling ink at Costco costs either $7.99 or $9.99. With either price, that is much cheaper than you would pay for a new cartridge. Plus you are helping reduce all the waste that is produced by empty ink cartridges just thrown in the trash.

Talk about going green while saving some green!

Double Points at My Coke Rewards

As you may notice, we like to give away stuff. That is partially because I like to get free stuff. I am the small percentage of people that actually takes advantage of mail-in rebates because I am one never to pass up free money. Plus, I like to make a company put their money where their mouth is!

So, since my husband is a diet coke junkie (he was a Coca-Cola junkie when I met him, but introduced him to the diet version so that he didn't waste his calories on soda), I decided to join the My Coke Rewards program because you can collect points to redeem more soda...seems pretty logical to me.

Anyway, MyCokeRewards.com is offering double points for all 12-packs on Wednesday, June 25. So if you are a member, be sure to enter your points that day. Or if you are interested in earning free Coke products, enroll and enter your codes on June 25.

I know, I am a geek. But come on, didn't you already know that by now?

How Can You Beat the New Airline Fees: Space Bags

As you may have already heard, American Airlines announced last week that it will begin charging $15 to check your first bag. This is as a result of the ever-increasing cost of gas.

So you have a couple of different options when you fly.

1. You can choose not to fly American (most business analysts do say that other airlines won't be far behind in announcing similar fees)
   
   -or-
   
2. You can use a Space Bag to fit more in your carry-on bag

I think I am going to try both. The Space Bag basically vacuums out all of the air in your clothes making them a much thinner form of themselves, sort of like the FoodSaver does to food. And I am all for anything that will allow me more space for more clothes and more shoes!

Save on Ann Taylor LOFT Maternity Clothes

For a limited time only, you can save 25% off your entire purchase of Ann Taylor LOFT Maternity clothes and pay nothing for shipping. All you have to do is use the promotion code LOFTMOM25. Now doesn't a discount and free shipping make it easier to shop online???

Happy shopping!!!

April 15th - Only One Week Away

Okay, hopefully when you hear the date April 15th your mind does not draw a blank. Yes, it is my in-laws' wedding anniversary, but I know that doesn't matter to you. Income Tax due date is probably more of what you are thinking of.

Hopefully, you are getting a tax refund. If not, perhaps you will at least get some cash from the economic stimulus plan.

Here are 5 ways Money Magazine suggests to use your tax rebate...

1. Pay down high interest debt: With the stock market's prospects modest at best and credit card rates averaging 12.5%, you'll get the surest double-digit returning by trimming your plastic balances.


2. Feed your emergency fund: In hard times, it is best to have six months of living expenses saved - just in case.


3. Invest in your career: Make yourself indispensible by taking a class to build a skill that is in demand in your field.


4. Make money off it: a.k.a. invest it!


5. Splurge - a little! It's okay to have some fun, but financial planners recommend spending up to 10% of your refund and rebate.

What's a CFL and How Can it Help You?

First of all, if you have never heard of a CFL, the acronym stands for Compact Fluorescent Light, and is commonly used when referring to a light bulb. These days, you probably hear everyone jabbering about switching to CFLs from traditional incandescent light bulb. But you may be asking yourself, why should I?

Here are 6 questions that should help you understand why using CFLs is in your best interest...

Q1: A 15-watt CFL replaces what wattage incandescent bulb?
a. 6o watt
b. 75 watt
c. 100 watt

Q2: CFLs last how much longer than incandescent bulbs?
a. 4 times longer
b. 6 times longer
c. 10 times longer

Q3: CFLs are available in...
a. dimmable
b. three-way
c. frosted
d. all of the above

Q4: CFL bulbs can heat up to 115 degrees F, whereas an incandescent bulb heats to over
a. 150 degrees
b. 200 degrees
c. 500 degrees

Q5: How much money could you save in one year if you replaced just four of your most used incandescent bulbs with CFLs?
a. $28
b. $30
c. $35

Q6: Pin-based, plug-in CFLs can be used in decorative lighting fixtures such as...
a. desk lamps, ceiling fans
b. table and floor lamps
c. all of the above

Did any of those questions make you think...hmm? Here is a simple fact that you have probably heard on a radio or TV commercial, but nevertheless, it is a powerful fact. Did you know that if every household in America replaced just one incandescent bulb with a qualified CFL, it would prevent pollution equal to removing 1 million cars from the road!

Okay, I didn't ever realize that light bulbs cause pollution! (I know, sometimes I can be so dense.)

But the CFL is not perfect. It does contain mercury, which many of you can remember your OB/GYN telling you to avoid when you were pregnant. And even though fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, using them contributes less mercury to the environment than using regular incandescent bulbs. That's because they use less electricity — and coal-fired power plants are the biggest source of mercury emissions in the air.

So, when you are replacing a CFL, do not throw it in the trash, recycle it. Some curbside recycling pick-ups do not allow CFLs, so you may need to do some research and take them to a hazardous-waste collection day or a special facility. (Luckily, since these bulbs last so long, it will be quite a while before you have to recycle them anyway!)

It is simple...from a money standpoint, from an energy standpoint, from an ease of use standpoint, CFLs are the way to go. I am not trying to go all "Al Gore" on you or anything, but the next time you have to pick up a light bulb, think about buying a CFL. 5, 10, and 20 years from now, you will be glad you did!

Answers: Q1=b, 2=c, 3=d, 4=a, 5=c, 6=c

Photo courtesy of iStockphoto.com

Get the Best Gas Prices in Your Area

We all know that gas prices are high and we don't like it one bit. But how can we save money on gas. Well, you can buy a hybrid car, carpool, or take public transportation. Or you can use a cool website that let's you know the lowest and highest priced gas stations in your area.

Gasbuddy.com is a network of websites where you can type in your zip code and find the least expensive gas station in your area. If you work outside the zip code you live in, you can always enter that zip code as well to possibly find a good deal in that area as well.

And maybe if we frequent the cost effective stations, the more expensive gas stations will have to lower their prices to compete. Hey, we can use supply and demand to our advantage, too!

Can You Break Free of Your Cell Phone Carrier...Without a Fee?

In order to leave your cell phone carrier before your contract is up often requires promising your first born...well, you know what I mean. I just called my carrier last month to find out what I would have to pay to leave my plan 7 months before my contract is up...$250. Yeah, no thanks.
But according to Money Magazine(January 2008), Verizon has started to prorate the penalty for switching carriers. Instead of a flat fee of $200, the fee drops $5 every month of the contract (that only applies to subscribers after November 15, 2006). Supposedly, Alltel, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile plan to announce similar changes as well.

Of course, depending on your reasons for switching, you may be willing to pay your penalty fee and then some...but at least the companies are making it a little less painful to switch.

For the complete article, click here.

Money Saving Tip #4: Bed, Bath, and Beyond Coupons Never Expire

This one sounds a bit silly but isn't it great news?!? Even though every 20% off one item coupon you receive in the mail has an expiration date, Bed, Bath and Beyond will still honor them. Basically, the expiration date is a ploy to get you into the store sooner. But now that you know the truth, you can play the game on your time, not theirs!

So go on, horde your 20% off coupons like I do...someday I will actually get a chance to go shopping again and use them!

Also, if you are into clipping coupons like I am (for some reason I like the activity and get a rush when I see the cashier deduct from my total...yes, I am a freak!), then check out your local grocery store's website. Most chain grocery stores now have coupons online that you can print and bring into the store. You might have to do little digging, but I found coupons easily at Ralphs.com by clicking on Savings and then "get your coupons now!" It is that easy!