It’s that time of year. The temperature is dropping and the days are getting shorter. You can already feel the chill in the air. Mother Nature is alerting us, elegantly telling us fall is upon us and winter is just around the corner. That’s our signal to plan fall cleanup. The earlier you start, the better the job. You’ll have time to think about what has to be done, and the order of tasks. The best part is that spring cleanup will be much easier and you’ll also see impressive results from your fall efforts. Most homeowners don’t realize that [...]
Author Archives | Bob Weinstein
Bartering Can Save Thousands a Year
Bartering is a time-tested practice that’s endured for centuries. Simply, goods or services are traded directly with other consumers or businesses for something of comparable value. Thus, parties profit from the arrangement by saving money. Bartering is also a networking opportunity leading to new suppliers for consumers and customers for small-business owners. It’s a smooth, effortless transaction. Bartering is also a great deal of fun. Expert barterers enjoy being part of an ancient and fundamentally sound business practice. Two bartering commandments Commandment 1: Know the approximate cash value of goods or services to be bartered. Commandment 2: Limit confusion and [...]
The pros and cons of being a first technology adopter
There are millions of first technology adopters out there. I’m sure you know a few. A first or early adopter, according to online dictionary Whatis.com is “a person who embraces new technology before most other people do.” All early adopters share a common trait: They relish the thrill of buying what could be the next cutting-edge iPhone, Blackberry, computer or GPS device. Will the gadget or device be a prized collectible 50 or 75 years down the road? That’s the telling question early adopters ask themselves. First adopters chalk up their purchase as a long-term, risky investment. In plain English, [...]
Decluttering Home Leads To Big Savings
Don’t despair if you’re disorganized. You’ve got plenty of company, according to Rowena List, founder of Getting It Together, a Vancouver, B.C.-based company that organizes people’s personal and business lives. “If your parents were disorganized you might be as well,” List says. Conversely, “If your parents were perfectionists, you might go the opposite direction and be a clutter bug,” she adds. The value of purging Save thousands of dollars on storage. “Rather than get rid of stuff, people pay hundreds of dollars a year to store stuff because their basements and attics are full,” List says. Discover hidden dusty treasure [...]
Slash Grocery Budget Painlessly
Most North Americans don’t think about the money they spend on groceries. Food shopping is one of many chores we jam into hectic schedules, which are built around careers, raising children, and trying to find time for much needed R&R. While statistics are sketchy and inconsistent, one thing is certain: Canadians spend far more on groceries and food than they realize. And if they tracked and analyzed their spending habits on a weekly or monthly basis, they’d realize that thousands of dollars could be saved – money that could invested or socked away for vacations or college tuitions. The average [...]
