One Step Closer to Saving the World

The Center for Resource Conservation here in Boulder is heading up the Residential Energy Audit Program (REAP) for area homeowners. It's an inexpensive way - $100 to $350 - to give your home a check up and help you start saving some cash along the way.

The process is quite simple. First you call the CRC, 303-441-3278 ext. 24, and set up an appointment. They'll ask you a few questions over the phone and have you collect the last years worth of energy bills.

Next, someone comes out and collects a bit more information from you (pre-audit) and a few of the items around your house (hot water heater, air conditioner, etc) and records data from your energy bills. They'll show you a breakdown of how much energy you're using compared to other homes the same size in Colorado and in the nation.

After that, you'll set up an appointment with a home inspection service (technical audit). They'll do the following:

* Blower Door Test (see pic below): the auditor installs a blower door to evaluate and pinpoint areas that may be leaking heated or cooled air through gaps or cracks in your home.
* Building Envelope/Shell: the home's exterior walls, windows, doors, attic, and basement or crawlspace are inspected to identify air leakage points.
* Insulation assessment: the auditor checks insulation levels in attic, walls and crawlspace.
* Heating, Cooling & Hot Water Assessment: the auditor inspects and tests the efficiency and settings of the furnace, boiler, air conditioning and hot water equipment, ducts and pipes.
* Appliance check: the auditor evaluates the efficiency of lighting, refrigerator, clothes dryer, freezer, and other major appliances.


Blower Door Test

And lastly, you'll get a detailed report - along with recommendations.

It's a simple process that puts you one step closer to saving the world (and some cash, too!).

For more info on the REAP program, click here.

Manage your Holiday Hangover Before it Happens

The holidays are traditionally the time of year when, for some reason, people feel alright about overindulging. They come but once a year, and gosh darn it, we're going to enjoy ourselves. For the entire month of December it's easy to justify eating a handful of Hershey's kisses or an extra cookie after lunch, and we're more compelled to buy that dancing bear/singing toilet seat/rubber chicken. Come January, however, it's hard not to feel just plain gross - credit card bills are piling up and that extra ten pound can drag one down.

If eleven months of the year you think before you open my mouth and wallet, but slide in December, then follow these simple tips to help make it through to the new year.

1. Starting a diet on December 1st instead of January 1st. Backwards logic? I think not! Thinking about what you're eating is actually more satisfying in the long run. Say no to the office fruitcake, but yes to an after dinner piece of chocolate, instead of doing both.

2. Putting money normally used for to-go coffee towards gift purchases. This strategy should satisfy BOTH goals - less calories and more money.

3. Eating BEFORE going to holiday parties. This will help cut back on snacking on tempting treats.

4. Give cash to nieces and nephews. Instead of giving cutsy, expensive toys, put $10 in a card for them to spend however they decided.

5. Make a list and a budget and stick to it. Wait on a good price for the things on your list and don't be afraid to buy used - Craigslist can be your friend.

6. Sell, sell, sell. Craigslist continues to be your friend. Clean out that junk closet and post unwanted, unused, impulse purchases from last year on the free online classifieds site. It's genius!

7. Shop with cash. Consumers tend to spend an average of 12% to 18% more when they use a credit card. Not this year!

8. Pare down holiday decorations. One tree, one set of lights. Turn on some holiday music and voila it's time to celebrate.

9. Co-host a holiday party. Share the time and expense of the holiday party with a friend or family member. Another cost cutting measure is to serve appetizers instead of a meal.

10. Plan ahead for next year. Hit the sale racks and stock up for next year. There are certain things you already know you'll need - like more holiday lights!

Let's start off 2008 right!

The Holidays Make Me Feel All Mushy Inside...

There's just something about the holidays that make me feel all mushy inside. Normally, when I'm approached by five different panhandlers asking for money, I huff and murmur to myself, "get a job!" (especially those young able-bodied types who are doing it to get back at their parents). But, these days, as the air crisps up, and the holiday lights are a twinkle, I gladly hand over my dollar and wish them a Happy Hanukwanzamas.

So, when my friend emailed me about her new website and non-profit organization for animal rescue, I immediately felt my heart muscle tighten and eyes well up. Having rescued our little love muffin, Ella, from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, I couldn't resist trying to do my part to help out these kind souls.

For over thirty years, Tom & Betsy have opened up their home, heart and pocketbook to house unwanted, juvenile, geriatric and disabled cats and dogs. Located on the Gulf Coast, the facilities have been pounded by many a hurricane over time (including Katrina), and are in dire need of repair. Maxed out at 85 animals, Tom & Betsy have put out a call for help through their new website, aideforanimals.org

If you're feeling generous this holiday season and haven't over committed to the retiree from the Denver Rescue Mission, then please contribute to these animal loving, philanthropists (all donations are tax deductible).

Any and all donations are incredibly appreciated, just go to their website for more info.

Got Guests Coming for Thanksgiving? Start here....

1. Invite your guests well in advance. Since many families have multiple options, you want to be sure your party gets on their radar.
2. Determine the decor and buy your supplies about a week ahead of time. Even traditional holidays can follow a certain theme. Ideas for Thanksgiving themes are: Fall Harvest, Sparkle & Shine, mild weather may lend to an outdoor celebration, or keep it simple with fine linens, autumn flowers and candles.
3. Plan your menu. Will you be cooking a traditional meal of turkey, sweet potatoes, and green beans or will you mix it up with a gumbo, baked brie and tangerine pie?
4. If you're feeling overwhelmed, don't hesitate to delegate out tasks or have certain guests pitch in a dish, dessert or wine.
5. Decide what your post-eating festivities will be; watching or playing football, playing games, etc. Be sure to have enough supplies on hand to keep the kids happy.
6. Don't forgot the reason for the holiday. Take some time to give thanks to all the people in your life. If loved ones can't be there, have everyone jot down a quick note telling them they're thinking of them.
7. Most importantly though, is to relax, savor your time with friends and family. Enjoy this holiday celebration, it only comes around once a year!

And the gift ideas are a flowin'!

Thank you Mary Hartnett, Ph. D., for this creative gift idea!

Give someone a Feng Shui Gift Certificate. These are good for people you know who would love to have a Feng Shui consultation, but will probably not take the step themselves to set it up. They are great for people you know who are going through significant transitions, such as buying a new house, moving, changing their careers in some way, or in need of a personal boost. Prices for the gift certificates are 50% off the cost of the hourly rate. You can give someone an hour’s worth of consultation, $100 value, by buying a gift certificate for $50. Contact Mary Hartnett, Ph.D., Feng Shui consultant, at 303-546-0707, or DrHartnett@MSN.com.

Beat the rush and call Dr Hartnett today!

'Tis the Season for shopping!

Now that Halloween is upon us (Happy Halloween, by the way!) it's time to hunker down with my mounting gift list and hit the retailers in my "off time" (hah!). I'm looking for some cool, trendy, inexpensive gift ideas so I'm opening up a CALL FOR IDEAS to all those out there in cyber land. Please send over your gift ideas (and maybe they'll make it into next months version of HG eNews) to marketing@brockpub.com.

In the meantime, I'll be hitting all the local stores - McGuckin, DecorAsian, Indochine, Invironments, etc. I'd like to encourage YOU to shop local, too!

Don't forget to send over your ideas!!

Here's a teaser, silk scarves at DecorAsian:

The World is Coming to an End ....

Or at least it feels that way, right? With the mounting fears of the housing burst, and the Rockies losing the first two games in the World Series, it's hard to get out of bed in the morning.

Seriously though, all this uneasiness is weighing heavy on my heart and I thought it may be worthwhile to regroup and think about all the positive things in my life. Halloween is right around the corner, Thanksgiving just a few weeks later, Christmas and New Years directly after that. With all the traditions and family time, this time of year is a wonderful reminder of what's most important.... home and all that is associated with it.



If you haven't had a chance yet, read this months HG eNews to learn more about how to inexpensively create all the sights, smells and sounds that will help entrench you into the season. If you have time, send over your favorite holiday decorating ideas and traditions and I'll include them in next months eNews. (Email them to marketing@brockpub.com)

We'll make it past the housing downfall, the Rockies will win and all will be as it should be - so let's take a step back and enjoy what the season has to offer!