How to Save Money on School Supplies: Seven Tips

Purchasing everything a child will need for the school year can really add up. Here are seven quick tips to help you save money and start the school year off right.

1. Start Early.
The biggest key to saving money is to start early. It's best if you can start planning as early as the end of the previous school year. Jot down a brief list of what your child really used during the previous school year so you know what to buy and what to avoid this time around. Set aside items, such as scissors, rulers, and lunchboxes, which your child may be able to reuse for the next school year. Cross those items off the official "school supplies list" before you get to the store.

2. One-Stop Shopping.
Shopping early will often minimize the amount of time you need to spend shopping. In July and early August, the selection of school supplies is at its peak, so you probably won't have to go to more than one store to find everything you need, and that will save you time, money, and gas. 

3. Shop Online.
Consider the amount of money that your time is worth. It might be most efficient to do all of your supplies shopping online. Some major online office supplies stores offer discounts on school supplies in mid- to late-summer, and then you can often apply an additional coupon code ($30 off $150, for example) to save even more. You may even be able to get free shipping on these online orders, too. And when you shop online, you'll be less likely to pick up the non-essential items that your kids may beg for at the checkout counter. 

4. Know When Your Local Stores Offer Discounts.
Some major department stores start discounting school supplies as early as the first part of July. Look for newspaper ads from your local discount superstores. You can also find good back-to-school deals at big-name office supply stores. Many times, these major chain stores will have supplies and deep discounts, but only until supplies run out. The same supplies can cost a whole lot more just a few weeks later. The next round of discounts typically happen in early August. Even if your child isn't starting school until September, it pays to shop early. You will find a better selection of school supplies if you get all your shopping done before mid-August.

5. Scoop Up Good Deals Whenever You See Them.
Look for special sales, such as stores that advertise supplies being sold for a penny per item. In the "off peak" school supply season, many stores will offer these deep types of discounts. Watch your newspaper for the circulars so you don't miss out on these great deals. Crayons, colored pencils, erasers and #2 pencils will last until you inevitably need them, so be on the lookout for bargains on these, and scoop them up whenever you see them.

6. Share a Two-for-One Deal.
Look for stores that offer great two-for-one deals on backpacks, lunch boxes and other big school supplies. If there aren't any two-for-one deals, you'll probably see "buy one get the second half off." If you only have one school-aged child you can still take advantage of these sales by splitting the purchase with one of your child's friends or buying the extra item and storing it for the following year. When it comes to pens, paper and crayons, it's normally best just to buy and stock up. These items will be used again and again by your child.

7. Ask Your Child to Help You Prioritize.
Older children can be pretty opinionated about what type of school supplies they want. They may be picky about the color, size, or any of a number of other factors when it comes to their supplies. The best way to avoid any future arguments is to have your child make a list of the most important items on their wants list. For example, have your child rank their top five purchases in order of preference. Assure them that you will do everything that you can to purchase the first item but that they may not be able to get everything on that list. This may make it easier when you can't find the perfect purple pencil holder or just the right backpack.

With a little planning and negotiating with your child, you'll be able to start the school year without dipping into your savings. Whatever you do, don't buy after school starts, when the prices tend to go up. Plan ahead, buy early, and save.

Cork Flooring: The Floor of Choice for Homes and Buildings Everywhere

Cork flooring is becoming increasingly popular, but many have known of its virtues and that is why it has been used in many public buildings including the Library of Congress located in Washington D.C. which has one of the largest book collections in the world. Cork is also the flooring choice in many older libraries and churches that have a lot of visitors. Builders wanted something that would not ware easily with all the traffic. Cork does not rot do to moisture or gasses of any kind, which makes it a good choice if you are looking for something that will last a long time without getting damaged. This flooring, as you may or may not know, has a great sound proof quality to it. And for this reason, it is quite popular to put cork under other floors such as tile or hardwood to prevent the sound of footsteps, which is ideal in libraries.

 

Cork flooring has been around a while, and some buildings have had cork floors for centuries that have not been changed all that much over the years. Cork floors have increased in popularity over the past few years, because so many people have realized the importance of saving the environment, and cork flooring is very eco-friendly. It does not harm the environment in any way and comes from a renewable resource. Cork floors even make an appearance in the first church of Chicago, where it has stood the test of time with grace and beauty. There is just no stopping this stuff!

 

Cork has been growing in popularity, and before you know it, within almost a blink of an eye cork is showing up in all households, libraries, and government buildings all over the world. Even some famous designers used cork for their designs as well as the architect Frank Lloyd Wright who used cork in many of his own designs, and appreciated the durable nature of cork and how environmentally friendly it was. No matter how you look at it, cork has been there through it all, and is reckoned as one of the most durable floors in the world.

 

Care and Maintenance 

 

Cork flooring is quite possibly the most low maintenance floor you can buy today, it requires very little to keep it beautiful which is another reason why so many choose this floor for their home or office.

Here are some simple tips to follow when caring for your new cork flooring.

 

• You should protect your floor from sun damage by using curtains or blinds in areas where the sun might touch the floor directly.

 

• Another good idea for keeping your floor beautiful is placing mats in front of sinks and places where it might come in contact with water.

 

• You should be careful when moving furniture, because it is possible to leave scuff marks.

 

• If you do spill something on the floor it is suggested to wipe up immediately because the cork can absorb the liquid leaving stains.

 

• Most of the time cork only requires a light sweeping or vacuuming each week, but you can use floor cleaners as long as they are safe for pre-finished flooring.

 

• You should always check the manufacturer tips on cleaning and maintenance before cleaning your floors with any chemicals.

 

How Does One Find Out How to Waterproof a Basement?

What are basement waterproofing systems and how do they work? To answer that question, let's first look at historically conventional basement waterproofing and how it is supposed to work.

In case you are curious to know how the basement is built, you will see that the idea was first conceived in the design and then the next steps follow. It starts with the digging of a big hole, then the footer or foundations are laid. After the base is done, the walls of the basement are built and then only the rest of the house is constructed.

From this list the most vital point is the top one - the vast crater dug in the earth

When the walls of the basement are built, there is always a gap left outside the walls which needs to be filled. Loose backfill is used to fill in the gap. Well compacted or not, introducing a huge pile of loose backfill is going to cause problems.  Water will always flow in the path of least resistance.

Water will continuously seep into this area. Sometimes, creating a problem is the drainpipe that gets full of silt contained in many systems when waterproofing a basement. The water is naturally bringing all sorts of suspension with it. Allowing these pipes to fill up, can result in an overload of the system, which can be catastrophic to the basement's outside walls. If there are crevices in the walls, water will push through even if the basement walls are waterproofed.

The problem of this type is not easily rectified. The reason is that the pipes which are supposed to take away the excess water are gradually getting deteriorated and worsen over time.

Many times there is simply no access to these pipes which is a huge oversight. Basement waterproofing is also applied to the external walls of the basement to try and keep the water out. This is also called a tanked system.

The drained cavity basement waterproofing system is a better system that works by getting rid of water pressure in the walls. To protect the property water is controlled, collected and then made to pass through hidden drainage channels which are either natural drainage or sump pumps.

Waterproofing a basement is reputedly a better system when they are installed internally, have easy access ports for removing any silt and can be applied to basements where traditional tanking or other methods have failed but with minimal disturbance to the original basement.

So to summarise, a good basement waterproofing system will:

- usually be a permanent or long-term solution
- stop both ways by which water can enter through the walls and up from the floor
- not disturb landscaping, decks, patios, driveways, etc
- usually be an approved waterproofing method for home loans
- often be substantially cheaper than other waterproofing methods

You want to be sure to choose a reliable waterproofer for your home, keep in mind that it will greatly increase the value by far more than what you initally paid.

In conclusion, you want a basement waterproofing system that will deliver:

- a permanent or long term fix
- stop water through the floor and walls
- not disturb the exterior appearance of your home
- an approved method by home loan lenders
- more affordable than other methods,

Waterproofing your home is an investment in its value.

The Miraculous Home Cleaners

Got dirt? Got a messy house? Got no time to do the chores? Don’t worry too much because there are home cleaners available over the phone and over the net to supply your cleaning needs and to make your house look more of a home. If you see your house already as dungeon and you still have pile of paper works, home cleaners will just be around. For simple amount of money, home cleaners will do the dusting, wiping and sweeping.

Home Cleaners: Miracle Maker in Homes

From dusting the window, to wiping the furniture and appliances, home cleaners will take care of that. They as well provide materials that are of course equivalent to your budget to clean your house. People nowadays are busy; especially those who have two jobs, home cleaners are really miracle bringers to them. Your home should be your sanctuary and it should be clean. Since this is the place you live – all the dirt it has will also be transmitted to you – making you more prone to diseases and instead of earning money would make you bedridden for days or so.

Prevention is better than cure that is what home cleaners bring when it comes to medical situations. Now take a look on your social life, can you bring your friends at your crib? Or you are shy because the crib is now a forest? Home cleaners will definitely clean your place making you feel more confident in bringing visitors in and they can now enjoy your sanctuary.

Also a clean home would prevent people especially kids, because there are no obstacles in their playground or obstacles when they try to go from a place to another. Air in your house will also cause diseases if not filtered, another miracle service offered by home cleaners.

At the end of the day home cleaners should be given much importance and should be part of family budget because not only it provide clean home, but as well as a hale and hearty home. You know how costly to be hospitalized nowadays, and you can only avoid it by starting cleanliness in your own place. Home cleaners will always be around as long as dust and dirt are around.

Services mentioned above are only few, there are other services home cleaners or professional house cleaning services offer that you would only be aware of, if you would contact one now. Quotations by the way are for free, there is no harm in trying.

Luxurious Bathrooms on a Budget

Chicago Bathroom Remodeling

Everyone want a luxurious bathroom to unwind in, but many people don't think that they can afford all of the bells and whistles. this is not true! The cost to remodel a bathroom with all the amenities of a spa costs less than you think. In this article, we'll show you how luxury bathrooms can be created, without a luxury price tag.

To properly remodel a bathroom, the initial step should be to select a calming color. The art of using color to improve your health is known as chromatherapy. A number of bathtubs, showers and sinks are now designed with chromatherapy in mind, so you can coordinate your pieces for the maximum effect. For a super bath toy, the new soak bath with chromatherapy, allows an individual to be immersed in a warm, ultra-deep bath and, with the touch of a button, enhance the bathing environment to include a full spectrum of dramatic color. Each color is displayed approximately eight seconds and washes over the bather in a faded hue, turning solid, and exiting again as a faded hue, giving way to the next color. This creates an incredibly relaxing sensation that you should definitely experience!

If you prefer invigorating showers over long soaks in the tub, then here is something that's a must-have in luxury bathrooms. Many people find that the rich moisture in a steam shower can be a soothing and relaxing and soaking in a hot tub. The steam relieves muscle tension, joint fatigue, reduces stress and cleanses skin impurities. Most steam showers offer temperature selections that range from ninety to one hundred and twenty degrees timers for the length of time that you want to enjoy the steam option. Steam showers have come down significantly in price and are the same size as traditional shower enclosures. If you really want to go all out, some steam showers come equipped with a radio and telephone, a remote control, as well as connections for your CD player.

No spa experience is complete without wrapping your relaxed and rejuvenated body in a warm towel, so luxurious bathrooms should definitely come with a towel warmer. Lower-cost towel warmers cost as little as $100-$150 and are superb for homeowners who need to remodel a bathroom on a budget. However, they're often equipped with very light chroming or lower-quality materials that will wear off over time. You also cannot control the degree of heat that the unit emits. Luxury towel warmers can run anywhere from ,500-,000, and many come with elegant designs. These towel warmers are usually constructed from solid brass and come with warranties of up to five years.

Before you start designing your space, define what luxury means to you. Do you have to have the jacuzzi tub or would some new paint and fancy towels satisfy the need to upgrade your master bath and pamper yourself? Luxury bathrooms don't have to be expensive. Many pricey items for decorating bathrooms have cheaper alternatives, so shop around and treat yourself to things that you'll enjoy for years.

Elite Home Builders is your home for Niles Bathroom Remodeling

The Bathroom Renovation of Your Dreams

In the past, the bathroom has by no means been a major decor feature of a home. More recently, however, a bathroom renovation is high on the list of desirable home improvement projects. The expense of hiring a contractor to overhaul and transform your bathroom can be quite prohibitive, but if you have the enthusiasm, time and energy – not to mention some willing helpers - you can do it yourself for a lot less money.

Regrettably, many homeowners who undertake the job themselves wind up spending much more than they budgeted for their bathroom renovation. The main oversight is frequently the lack of a well thought out plan for such a major undertaking. A carefully considered approach is the best way to ensure that your dream bathroom comes in under budget.

Carefully assess your financial situation before you begin your bathroom renovation so you'll know how much money to budget. Be generous with your estimates and allow as much as you can reasonably afford without breaking the bank. You're better off setting a high budget and finishing with cash left over than allocating a budget that's too low and ending up spending more you’re your funds allow.

Take careful measurements in your bathroom so you can accurately assess which of your dream fixtures will fit. Then you can confidently purchase your bathtub or shower unit, sink, toilet and cabinets, knowing they will fit perfectly. Digital measuring tools are your best bet for a truly accurate measurement.

Next you need to make a list or a rough sketch of your bathroom renovation plans. Are you thinking of a new style of tub, shower, or sink? Are you planning on relocating the new fixtures from where your current ones sit?

Make a decision about your preference for wallpaper, paint, or tile. Get a general idea of how you want the bathroom to look. Draft up a quick sketch either on a pad of paper or your computer, and assess the practicality of your plan. It's also useful to have an alternate plan for your bathroom renovation just in case your original ideas don't pan out.

Now head off to the home improvement stores with your plans. Find the items on your list and compare prices at more than one store. Make detailed notes so you can evaluate which store has what you want at the best price.

Keep an open mind while you're checking out products and prices. You might just spot something that you like better than your original idea – perhaps a pedestal sink that's less expensive than the style you initially targeted. Record the prices of the fixtures you want, but hold on to your credit card - don't make any purchases just yet!

Collect some paint or wallpaper color samples to take home. Test them out to see how they will look in your bathroom. Colors in the store often look quite different at home because of dissimilar lighting conditions.

Now it's time to go over your price list and see how it fits into your budget. Do the numbers go over the allotment or do they fit within your limits? Remember to leave some flex room in your budget to allow for unanticipated expenses, and don't forget to allow for sales taxes.

At this point, you can decide if your bathroom renovation ideas are practical and affordable. If they are, go ahead and purchase your selected items. It's best to buy everything that you'll need before you start work, that way you won't have to constantly run out to the store to buy miscellaneous items.

With careful planning and budgeting before you start your renovation, you can take great pleasure in your new bathroom while patting yourself on the back for realizing your dream within your budget.

Water filter news

Check out this article. It details the downsides to water purification.

Water filter good, process interesting, but a few drawbacks


PUR markets its latest water-purification product as a "mini water treatment plant in a packet" and indeed, the pragmatically named PUR Purifier of Water employs the exact chemical process as used in many municipal water-treatment plants around the Western world.

Developed more than a decade ago by Proctor & Gamble, and used in municipal as well as humanitarian applications, the process introduces iron sulfate and calcium hypochlorite in a powder form to water tainted with sediments and microorganisms.

Unlike iodine or other typical treatments used in the outdoors, the P&G process pulls all the gunk in water together, coagulating nasties including cysts, microbes, viruses and bacteria into clumps you can then filter out.

As a two-step process, calcium hypochlorite, a bleaching agent, kicks in after the initial coagulation to kill off any remaining gastrointestinal disrupters. The final result is water that's 99.99 percent pure, according to data from PUR parent company Reliance Products, which needed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approval before introducing the chemically-potent product to the consumer market earlier this year.

Scott Mitchell, a spokesman for Reliance, explains the iron sulfate coagulation process by referring to the chemical reaction as a "dirt magnet."

"It reacts in the water and pulls everything in suspension together in clumps," he said.

Put to the test

I tested the product with tannin-tainted water from a stream in northern Wisconsin that flowed from the depths of the Chequamegon National Forest.

The water was dark brown and speckled with sediments. Microorganisms were swimming freely in it.

Working with the PUR Clean Drinking Water Kit? $28.99 do-it-yourself water treatment plant that includes the PUR chemicals, stir sticks, filtering cloth and containers? mixed and stirred and followed directions for 45 minutes.
I watched the clock for timed waits while chemical reactions triggered. Slowly, the brown water began to turn clear, with sediment clumping together in a disgusting reddish mass at the bottom of the container.

Filtering the flocculent?he technical term PUR uses to describe the clumped putridity?as a pain. I worked with a friend near our campfire for 20 minutes, pouring the water through a cloth that kept clogging up.

The cotton caught the flocculent fine, though it allowed only a small stream of clean water through its tight fabric weave and into the vessel below
Another annoyance: The collapsible buckets that come with the Clean Drinking Water Kit have small openings, making pouring and filtering slow. The foldable containers are difficult to clean, too, as deep accordion creases in the plastic catch and hold flocculent that's then nearly impossible to wash out.

But after some struggle, the PUR method yielded water that was indeed quite clean. In front of my eyes, the final product transformed from a container of gloppy river water into a gallon of sparkling, crisp H2O that seemed siphoned from a spring.

PUR sells two Purifier of Water products, including the kit I tested as well as a $14.99 package with chemicals for six treatments and a cotton filter cloth, though no containers.

While the process is cumbersome, Purifier of Water is a superior way to clean large quantities of suspect liquid. My main beef was with the Clean Drinking Water Kit's containers. The chemical reaction in dirty water was amazing to watch, and the mix-and-stir process is easy to follow and manageable if you have a half-hour or so to work with your water in camp.

Compared to pumps and other traditional chemical treatments like iodine, PUR's system is purportedly the most thorough. There is almost no smell or chemical aftertaste, just hydrogen and oxygen mixed and pure, sloshing, swirling and ready to drink in a bucket below.

Next time, though, I'll use a custom configuration of buckets, vessels and a larger cotton cloth to speed the mixing and filtering steps.

- For more information visit www.purpurifierofwater.com

Stephen Regenold writes The Gear Junkiecolumn for 11 U.S. newspapers; seewww.thegearjunkie.com for video gear reviews, a daily blog, and an archive of Regenold's work.