Main | Next page »
 

Entry bubble Saving Money on Home Heating

By: Jess | November 05, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

FurnaceWe've already changed the clocks and soon that winter chill is going to start creeping into the air (unless maybe you live in Florida, in which case, I'm a little jealous).

Winter usually means a spike in the cost of your energy bills from having to run the heat. But if you're looking to keep costs low this year, and really who isn't, the Federal Trade Commission's Weathering the High Cost of Heating Your Home offers several tips that will help you save money this winter.

Check out some of the suggestions:

  • Check drafty areas of the house (like the attic and basement) to be sure they are properly insulated to not let heat escape.
  • Look into installing a programmable thermostat that can keep your home at a cooler temperature when you're not there, and turn it up an hour before you get home.
  • Vaccum air vents, heaters and radiators regularly to prevent blocked airflow.
  • Seal any flues in your fireplace if you don't use it.
  • Close the doors to rooms that don't get used frequently.

What are your best tips for saving money on heating costs in the winter? Share them in the comments.

| Post a Comment | View Comments [0] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: heating   jess   money   savings  

 

Entry bubble Census 2010: Don't Be a Scam Victim

By: Joanne | October 20, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

hand holding a pen filling out a formYou’re probably aware that the Census Bureau is gearing up for the 2010 census, and you can bet there are people with bad intentions that will try to use the census as an opportunity to steal your personal information. I’ve already read reports that the scammers are getting started.

People contact us all the time about e-mail scams and fraud schemes. Sometimes fraudulent e-mails are even sent by someone posing as a government agency, so be careful and if you’re ever in doubt, check it out.

In March 2010 the Census Bureau will mail or deliver census forms to every household in the United States. It’s important that you know the difference between the official forms, and forms or e-mails that might be a scam.

Here are some highlights of the Census 2010 schedule:

  • February – March 2010: Census questionnaires are mailed or delivered to households.
  • April – July 2010: Census takers visit households that did not return a questionnaire by mail.

So keep yourself informed, and stay one step ahead of the scammers!

| Post a Comment | View Comments [9] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: 2010   census   fraud   joanne   scam  

 

Entry bubble Tips for Staying Safe Online

By: Stephanie | October 16, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

computer key with virus written on itDo you want to learn how to protect your computer from viruses and other threats, but don't know where to look? October is National Cyber Security Awareness Month, and it might be a good time to take a look at some of the tips and facts offered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT).

Apparently hackers have been busy. According to US-CERT, if you're connecting a new computer to the Internet, nowadays it can take only minutes for a hacker to exploit the security on some networks. See the Tech Tip for how to protect your new computer before connecting it to the Internet.

Some tips to keep your computer secure:

And if the security of your computer has been compromised, see how to recover from a Trojan horse or virus (pdf), report a phishing site, or notify federal law enforcement if you're a victim of Internet fraud.

For more information on common online threats, protecting your privacy and maintaining your security, and reporting Internet fraud and Internet-related crime, visit USA.gov's FAQ and the Federal Citizen Information Center's publications.

| Post a Comment | View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: cyber_security   cyber_security_awareness_month   fraud   internet   online   phishing   privacy   safety   scams   spam   stephanie   threat   us cert   virus  

 

Entry bubble Expanding the Home Buyer Tax Credit

By: Jess | October 15, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

House soldTwo of my friends bought their first house this year and are moving in this weekend. They get married this spring, but they wanted to take advantage of the $8,000 first time home buyer tax credit, which meant they had to buy the house before Dec. 1, 2009.

However, now there is a debate in Congress on whether the tax credit should be expanded or continued next year.

Some of the potential expansions include increasing the amount of the credit from $8,000 to $15,000, making the credit available for all of 2010 and opening the tax credit to all home buyers who meet the income requirements (currently $75,000 for those filing taxes separately and $150,000 for those filing jointly.)

Those who support the idea expanding the tax credit believe the credit will help cut down on the amount of foreclosures and prevent the housing market from falling farther.

Those who are in favor of letting the credit expire at the end of this year worry that expanding the credit would inflate house prices temporarily causing a severe drop off when the credit eventually does expire. They also worry that eventually the credit will have to be paid for through higher taxes.

So where do you stand on this issue? Are you in favor of expanding the credit or letting it expire after this year?

| Post a Comment | View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: home_buyer   jess   tax_credit  

 

Entry bubble Want a Great Show? Try a National Wildlife Refuge

By: Editor | October 14, 2009 | Category: Home and Family

family walking on path in FallOur guest blogger today is Martha Nudel, who works in the Division of Visitor Services and Communications for the National Wildlife Refuge System of the Department of the Interior.  

What’s the most natural place to marvel at autumn’s show?  A National Wildlife Refuge is hard to beat — and you can see for yourself during National Wildlife Refuge Week.  Celebrated October 11-17, National Wildlife Refuge Week offers events across the country, many of them for most of the month of October. 

Whether you prefer to admire the fall colors, thrill to a skyful of migratory birds, explore a mountain trail or learn about the cultural resources that are part of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s conservation mission, you can find what you like at a National Wildlife Refuge.  National Wildlife Refuge Week celebrates the richness of the 550 units that make up America’s National Wildlife Refuge System.  And it’s a great chance to find a family event near where you live.

When President Theodore Roosevelt established tiny Pelican Island in Florida in 1903 as the first National Wildlife Refuge, his mission was clear: protect the island’s birds from poachers and plume hunters.  With that simple promise of wildlife protection, the National Wildlife Refuge System was born.  National Wildlife Refuge Week gives the nation so many chances to experience wildlife in their natural habitats and play a firsthand role in conservation by participating in special events and programs, or simply observing and enjoying the great outdoors at a local refuge.

National Wildlife Refuges are dedicated to the conservation of fish and wildlife and their habitats. They also offer a wide range of wildlife-dependent recreation — from fishing, hunting and hiking, to wildlife observation and photography, and environmental education.  The Refuge System includes more than 2,500 miles of land and water trails.

A Sampling of National Wildlife Refuge Week Highlights:

Patuxent Research Refuge, Maryland
Friday, October 16 and Saturday, October 17:  For the first time, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will host the nation’s oldest and most prestigious wildlife art competition, the Federal Duck Stamp Art Contest, at the refuge.  The winning design will grace the 2010-2011 Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, the cornerstone of one of the world’s most successful conservation program.  In addition to watching the contest judging, the public can explore walking trails on the refuge or take a guided tram tour.  All artwork entered in the 2009 Federal Duck Stamp Contest will be on display at the refuge’s National Wildlife Visitor Center through October 17. 

Black Bayou Lake National Wildlife Refuge, Louisiana
Saturday, October 17, Annual Fall Celebration: Enjoy family activities and free fried fish dinners. 

Southeast Louisiana Refuges
Saturday, October 17, Annual Wild Things Festival: Attend a festival showcasing eight National Wildlife Refuges. The festival features speakers, live animals, wildlife crafts, live entertainment, gardens and grounds tours. Children’s highlights include the Youth Wildlife Art Show, orienteering, decoy painting and nature crafts. Wild Things also features canoe and pontoon boat tours of Bayou Lacombe.

You can take advantage of all the great events going on during National Wildlife Refuge Week at a National Wildlife Refuge near you! 

| Post a Comment | View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: department_of_interior   editor   fws   guest   national_wildlife_refuge  

Main | Next page »