American Pride!

Hey Ya’ll! Hope every ones week has gone well so far! Everyone looking forward to the 3 day weekend!? I don’t know about you guys, but 4th of July is probably one of my favorite holidays. I love spending time with my family/friends, celebrating our amazing country! The other day I was watching the world news channel about life in Iran, and it showed how hard every day life is for it’s citizens. I won’t dare get into politics, but it made me once again appreciate my life here. I am truly proud to be an American and don’t want to take it for granted! So this year, I am going with my family to Lake Isabella, CA. Not too many people know about it, they often call it “California's best kept secret!” due to the lakes seclusion in between mountains. My grandparents live there and we have been visiting since I was a just a little tot! It is definitely a small hick town, and you won’t hear anything other than country music playing! I love it! They have firework shows on the lake, and every one always has a good time! The other Rate My Contractor team members have their own 4th of July plans like going wake boarding and bbqing with their friends. What do you have planned for this 4th of July? Any traditions? Let us know! We seriously love feedback from our fans! :) Hope every one has a fun and safe 4th of July! Also, keep a lookout for our 1st newsletter that should be sent out in an email soon, and not to mention our website which is anticipated to launch tomorrow!

-Carrington Bartlett

Extreme couponing the easy way!

    Recently, a follower on twitter @Hottubs4U tweeted about the show extreme couponing and we began a conversation about how we tend to throw away coupons and forget to use them! Well, with the tech savvy world we live in today there are SO many ways to use coupons, not only paper but digital! We can now go to sites like Groupon.com, Livingsocial.com, and Freeflys.com and save money on virtually everything. From discounts on guitar lessons, lunch at a burger place, or a to a trip to Cabo; it’s probably out there! Best of all, not only do you get great discounts, but you can discover new places to eat in your town and fun things to do with your family. I recently bought a Groupon for $20 unlimited hot yoga here in Sacramento and it’s been amazing. Usually, monthly yoga classes are up to $200 or even $300. It’s kinda ridiculous, so I had to snatch the deal :) If you’re the kind of person that likes to stick to traditional coupons for grocery items then go to a site like Freeflys.com. I get a e-mail daily with free stuff like samples of Snuggles Clothes softener or Jiffy's Peanut Butter. They also have tons of coupons that work for various stores, and it’s as easy as clicking on which coupons you want and printing them off! You don’t have to wait for Sunday’s paper to search and clip coupons...you can do it at your convenience. And let’s face it, with all our busy lives these days convenience is almost necessary! There’s more! If you have ever gone to the store and realized you forgot your coupons at home? Well, if you have a smart phone you can simply download an ap and get them straight on your phone. This article lists 10 of the top best free iphone coupon aps- http://iphonetouch.blorge.com/2009/12/07/top-10-best-free-iphone-and-touch-coupon-apps/. I highly suggest taking a look! All in all, saving money feels good and I am now looking for more and more ways to keep more cash in my wallet!

    -Carrington Bartlett

Are pools worth it?

Hi Ya'll, it's Carrington here. Hope every ones week has been fun filled, even if you've been sitting at a desk like me! :) The past few days I have been looking over construction forums/blogs and noticed a lot of topics this summer have been about pools. Pool up keep, pool repair, above or in ground pools but a re-accruing question has been are pools even worth it? If your looking to buy a home, should you narrow your search for houses with pools? Or, should you have one put in your backyard? Well, after reading a few articles I concluded that it all depends on how much money do you want to put in and get out.

Most people have the conception that having a pool is an investment that will add to their homes worth. This can be true, but the costs of having a pool end up being a lot more than what people expect. In a recent Wall Street Journal article (Taking a Bath on Your Pool by Brett Arends), experts estimated that pools can add $3,000-$5,000 in maintenance a year. And if something goes wrong, say the filters or pump need replaced, costs can quickly add up. For example, a pool that is five years old often needs a new filter or pump, which could cost an estimated $500, according to an MSNBC article (“Is It a Pool or Money Pit?” by Melinda Fulmer). A pool that needs to be resurfaced may cost $5,000-$10,000, depending on its size. And thinking about upgrading the tile, decking, or plaster? That could cost you up to $20,000, according to the article. And don’t forget initial installation fees too. Pool installation fees, which vary considerably, often range from about $25,000 to $50,000.

Taking into account all of the expenses, many financial advisers are telling buyers to take caution before jumping into pool ownership. In summary, adding a swimming pool should not be considered an financial investment.You CAN consider it a quality of life investment if you have the funds! The enjoyment using it on hot summer days with the family and friends sounds very appealing. You might not get money back from installing a pool, so take into consideration the costs involved in building and upkeep of pools before you decide!

 

Have a good weekend!

 

-Carrington Bartlett

9 ways to save on your next electric bill!

Happy Thursday Everyone! Hope everyone has had a good week, the weekend is in sight! Woo. I’m excited for the good weather forecast and a little outdoor action! Yesterday was the first hot day in awhile here in Sacramento, CA, considering just 2 days ago it was storming with tornado warnings. Now that the summer heat waves are rolling in, we all know that we’re going to have the urge to crank up the air conditioning and will be seeing an increase in our electricity bill. The heat is no joke, and can cause health problems for people of all ages. So here are a few tips that will lower your monthly electricity bill, so you can keep your house cool without burning a hole in your pocket! You might have heard of these tips, so use it as a reminder. Oh, and it’s good for the environment. Win win!

1) Turn off the lights when you leave a room. If it’s a simple forgetfulness factor, leave a sticky note on the switch to remind yourself!

2) Replace all standard light bulbs with fluorescent bulbs. They are safer for the         environment, plus they last longer (6 times longer) than the standard bulb. They are also proven to be brighter! They might be a little more expensive, but the benefit  makes up for the shortcomings!

3) Power strip all of your appliances. It is proven that just leaving appliances plugged in without the power on with burn a constant rate of 40% more electricity and you will see what I mean when you get your next power bill. I have one that I use to plug in the coffee pot, microwave, blender and toaster oven! With the power strip I have full control when all of the appliances are on and off. When your not home just flip your power strip off and wallah. If your appliances are too spread out, just unplug them right after your done using them!

4) Keep blinds closed in the day, make sure to buy some blinds that cover all of the         window. Keeping the sunlight out during the day will keep your house much, much cooler!

5)Keep your AC set to 78.0 degrees F all day long when you are home. This is the         perfect temperature to create a balance in your living space. A comfortable, yet affordable setting.     Instead of letting it get above 80 degrees then feeling the need to set it at 60 degrees to cool down, just keep it at this setting.

6)Check insulation in windows, and make sure no open extremities give hot air a way         to get inside! It keeps the bugs out as well, which can never be a bad thing. You might even be qualified to receive free weatherstripping on doors and windows based on your income; contact your provider and ask how.

7) Wash your dishes by hand! Might take a bit more effort, but the dishwasher wastes         water and electricity. Cutting back on the use of it can cut down your bill!

8)Air dry your laundry outside! Its summer, so not only will it be an excuse to enjoy         some sun, the heat will dry your clothes fast, guaranteed!

9) Limit water usage by limiting shower time, turning off water in between brushing your         teeth and washing dishes. It not only cuts back on your electricity bill, but also your bill.

These are just a few simple things I learned being a poor, yet sustainable college             student when I got my first apartment. Saving money on your electricity bill is a easy task if you know what to do and have the determination to do it! So get going and save some extra cash to go cool down at happy hour with your friends.

Cheers! Have a good weekend!

-Carrington Bartlett

Brighten up summer with porch swings!

Hello there! My name is Carrington Bartlett and I am the newbie at the Rate My Contractor office. I am enjoying my new job as the Marketing/PR Intern, as well as living in Sacramento for the summer. I am currently living with my sister in the midtown area and I absolutely love it. The people, the food, the events, parks, all of it! After work we like to take her chocolate lab Brodie on walks, and enjoy the last few hours of day before sunset.

Last weekend we were sitting on her porch steps enjoying the beautiful spring day when I looked next door and saw a women reading a book on her porch swing. It looked so relaxing and I instantly wanted one! I searched online for porch swing sets and they seemed a little pricey at $200-$700. So, I decided to check out Craigslist.com and found a porch swing that was only $25! I was excited to pick up such a sweet deal, and headed to home depot to purchase the chains and hooks to mount it to her porch for a total of 25 dollars! We connected the swing with the chains, and used power tools to mount the hooks. It only took about 20 minutes, and WALA! Our DIY project on a budget was complete. We also added a pillow cushion so it was extra comfortable! We saved around $150-$650!! Now we can enjoy watching Brodie frolic in the front yard on our comfy porch swing. Great idea for a summer home improvement project!

If you want to build your own porch swing on a budget, here are a few things you'll need:

1. A porch swing-wood, plastic, metal, you choose! (We chose a wood swing, but you can bargain hunt for all types on sites like Craigslist.com, eBay.com, etc. or spend extra money at a store like Home Depot or Lowe's)

2. Chains and hooks-I found some on Sears.com today for only $15! And they include the hooks! Awesome Deal! Here’s the link: http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_SPM161910032P?sid=IDx20101019x00001a&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=SPM197746946

How to install your porch swing:

    1.Put the right swing in the right place. Measure your porch or garden spot for height to support chains and a wide berth for crash-free swinging.
   
    2. Locate an overhead beam (with an 8-foot clearance below it) to install the two swing hooks spaced at the width of the swing to hold chains. Drill pilot holes first to prevent wood splitting when screwing in the large hooks needed to hold your swing safely.

    3.Use four chains to hang your swing from its hooks - two chains descend from each hook, one to the front of the swing and one to the back. Seven-foot-long chains hung from a beam 8-feet above the floor will lift the swing 17 inches off the ground for easy on and off.
   
    4.Screw all hardware securely into the wood and use chain connectors for safety. Double-check that all hardware is installed before hanging your swing.

    5.Get a friend (or use your ironing board for support) to lift the swing and its harness up to you on a ladder near the beam. Hook the swing in place, adjust the chains evenly and give it a test swing.

    
 Don’t have a porch? You can also build or buy a frame with a covering that will shade you from the sun! Perfect for a backyard!

Summer is almost here! How good does enjoying a nice cold glass of ice tea on your own porch swing sound? I know right!?!

-Carrington Bartlett
Marketing/PR Intern