Deal Of The Week: Restaurant.com: Score $25 gift cards to restaurants around the country until Monday, May 31for only $2 using Consumer United’s special promo code FLAG here.
Other Weekly Deals: Computer Deal: Now for $379.99, snag an Aspire 1.6GHz notebook 3GB RAM, 15.6" TFT display refurbished here.
Travel: Take up to 50 percent off or more on last-minute travel deals--including flights, hotels and car rentals--at Priceline.com.
Skype: Consumer United members can save 33 percent off three or 12-month calling subscriptions with Skype, the Internet voice and video conferencing firm that initially operated on a pay-as-you-go basis, until June 1, 2010 here.
Yep, the heat is on but don't let the warmer temperatures burn a hole in your wallet. With 72 percent of American homes equipped with air conditioners, the energy experts over at AmerenUE serve up a few tips to average out the higher prices as temperatures rise.
Here are a few suggestions for cost-effectively keeping cool this summer:
Keep your air conditioner in the shade. To cool your house efficiently, make sure your AC isn't directly in the sun.
Set your thermostat as high as possible. Aim for the recommended energy efficient summer temperature of 78 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Ditch your air conditioner and use use a ceiling or portable fan as much as possible. Ceiling fans generally are more effective in rooms where family members congregate.
Check the filter on your air conditioner at the beginning of the summer. A clogged filter will use up to fiver percent more energy than a clean one.
Combat the heat by drawing shades and curtains on particularly hot days.
Use the exhaust fans in your bathroom and kitched to help reduce the humidity burden on your air conditioner.
Don't set the thermostat really low if your home is warm because it won't help it cool down any faster. When the AC is on, it runs on the same “speed” regardless of the temperature setting.
It's easier than you think to have an eco-friendly vacation now that a slew of hotels are taking the initiative to go "green."
In order for a destination to be "green," it must be a leader in environmentally-sound services. This means recycling, energy efficiency and access to the great outdoors. This summer you may consider a "green" destination.
Certified "green" hotels operate with high sustainability across the board. In California, there are currently 100 certified "green" hotels. Dierdra Wallace of the Ambrose Hotel in Santa Monica says, "100 percent of the hotel's cleaners are non-toxic and biodegradable. The linen re-use program is encouraged and the carpeting is made from a material that doesn't emit fumes. The hotel also recycles old carpet. Food should not be wasted, and certified "green" hotels make sure of this. There is usually a compost in the backyard of the hotel. Leftover food is given to employees to take home.
California isn't the only state with "green" offerings. Green hotels and convention centers are sprouting across the country. For example, Boston has three green convention centers, 25 green-certified hotels, and 28 green-certified restaurants and event centers.
Tired of paying over-the-top fees on cash withdrawals from automated teller machines?
Lawmakers are currently debating the future of the U.S. banking industry and, if a crew of three Democratic senators has its way, banks will slash ATM fees down to a mere 50 cents.
Spearheaded by Iowa's Tom Harkin, the ambitious proposal is pushing the idea of capping fees for cash-strapped Americans. For the record, consumers on average shelled out a whopping $3.54 per transaction, according to Bankrate.com.
However, the cash-dispensing machine cap could result in the reduction of the 425,000 ATMs scattered throughout the country.
"You could get an ATM wasteland," warns Nicole Sturgill, research director in delivery channels for consulting firm TowerGroup.
Others speculate that the 50 cent limit would force banks and credit unions to impose fees on their customers to compensate the loss of revenue and the cash bank's need to maintain the money-dispensing machines.
"When you use another bank's ATM you are helping defray the costs for everyone using that ATM," Sturgill adds. "I think that is a piece that gets lost in there."
Deal Of The Week: Restaurant.com: Score $25 gift cards to restaurants around the country until Monday, May 17 for only $3using Consumer United’s special promo code SAVOR here.
Other Weekly Deals: Travel: Up to 50 percent off or more on last-minute travel deals--including flights, hotels and car rentals--at Priceline.com.
Notebooks: Are you road warrior? Save up to 90 percent on laptops, netbooks, storage and more here.
Skype: Consumer United members can save 33 percent off three or 12-month calling subscriptions with Skype, the Internet voice and video conferencing firm that initially operated on a pay-as-you-go basis, until June 1, 2010 here.
Still haven't booked the family summer vacation? Buyer beware.
If you're looking for vacation bargains during the warmer months, make sure you don't become a victim of a "travel scam," which could be as severe as fraud where the vendor has no intention to deliver services to the consumer to semi-frauds, where operators make exaggerated claims but are able to deliver enough to avoid law enforcement.
The crew over at SmarterTravel.com serve up some valuable tips on how to avoid travel scams and what consumers can do to avoid them. Here's the list:
Avoid phony airline tickets A rogue Web site or travel agency offers a deal that seems too good to be true. They won't accept credit cards and ask consumers to send cash via a transfer of funds. When the tickets arrive, they're worthless.
The remedy: Only deal with an agency or online discount group with a solid reputation. Not sure who to trust? Check with the Better Business Bureau and online complaint sites to get the lowdown. If they don't accept credit cards, avoid the company completely.
Pay now, travel later A so-called club approaches potential travelers with amazing deals with future travel. The caveat? They want an upfront fee. After signing up, the unsuspecting vacationer tries to book the trip but is told that the time period or locations is unavailable.
The remedy: Unless you know for a fact that the travel club is a viable business, avoid this "pay now, travel later" scenario.
Event packages without tickets A tour vendor serves up an exciting vacation package for a big event, like the World Series or the Olympics, but has no tickets to the main event.
The remedy: Ask the operator if they actually have tickets to the event they're promoting. If not, avoid them completely.
Bogus insurance An operator pushes a so-called "protection plan" which allegedly reimburses funds if one cancels their trip. However, when the consumer tries to cancel the tickets, it turns out the insurance is bogus.
The remedy: Check if you're actually purchasing an insurance policy from a licensed agency. Still not sure? The U.S. Travel Insurance Association serves up a list of reputable vendors here.
Deal Of The Week: Skype: Consumer United members can save 33 percent off three or 12-month calling subscriptions with Skype, the Internet voice and video conferencing firm that initially operated on a pay-as-you-go basis, until June 1, 2010 here.
Other Weekly Deals: Restaurant.com: Score $25 gift cards to restaurants around the country until Monday, May 17 for only $4 using Consumer United's special promo code INDULGE here.
Flights: Big savings on Spirit Airlines! Extra $15 off when you book your tickets with CheapOair.com
Car Rentals: Save up to 40% on seven major car vendors at CarRentals, LLC
New Jersey Natural Gas notified the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities that it will provide residential and small commercial customers a one-time Basic Gas Supply Service refund totaling $22.5 million, $8 million of which is from previously announced bill credits.
The one-time refund, a result of lower wholesale natural gas prices, will save an average residential customer approximately $50 and will appear in either May or June NJNG bills.
"Wholesale natural gas prices have remained relatively low in 2010 due to ample supplies and warmer-than-normal weather," says Kathleen T. Ellis, chief operating officer of NJNG. "As customers turn on their air conditioners and shift spending toward electricity, we are pleased to be able to provide continued price relief."
NJNG previously announced it would provide bill credits totaling $59 million during the months of February through April; however, due to warmer-than-normal weather, which reduced usage during March and April, only $51 million of the $59 million was applied during that period. The remaining $8 million of the previously announced credit is included with this refund.
The one-time refund will be based on individual customer usage during the months of January through March 2010 and will return $0.1025 per therm used during this period. Customers will see the total amount of their refund in the center of the bill, with a line reflecting the one-time amount. Budget bill customers will also see their refund reflected in either May or June bills.
Totaling both the refund and credits, NJNG has provided customer savings totaling $73 million during 2010. This represents a savings of approximately $162 on the average customer's natural gas bill.
As always, NJNG will continue to closely monitor conditions in the volatile natural gas market to identify opportunities to manage costs and provide savings to customers.
New Jersey Natural Gas provides a Web site offering money-saving advice and energy-saving tips and upgrades. Click here for more information.
Hitting the road this summer? Get your motor running.
However, make sure you check your tires before heading out to the highway.
Underinflated tires are the leading cause of tire blowouts, according to the Rubber Manufacturers Association. Each year, there are over 650 fatalities due to car accidents with tires lacking the correct air pressure.
Here are few tips to whip your tires in shape for the summer, thanks to the crew over at CarJunky.com :
Don't wait to inflate
Less isn't always more. Low tire pressure decreases the vehicle's fuel economy.
Don't overdo it
Too much air also affects the car's gas mileage because of wind drag and cargo weight.
Rotate the tires
Tires rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles have a longer road life and helps achieve road performance and uniform tire wear.
Get them straight
Tires last longer if they're properly alligned. It also helps make the drive smoother and safer.
Bald isn't good
Tires lacking tread affects the car's ability to grip the road and uneven wear can increase the risk of accidents.
Restaurant.com: Score $25 gift cards to restaurants around the country and receive $15 off ProFlowers order until Sunday, April 9 for only $3 using Consumer United's special promo code MOM here.
Other Weekly Deals:
Flower.com: Treat your mom to a beautiful arrangement or gift basket. Click here to start saving.
Fandango: Is your mom a fan of the "Sex and the City" franchise? Skip the box office lines and buy tickets in advance for "Sex and the City 2" here.
Skype, the Internet voice and video conferencing firm that initially operated on a pay-as-you-go basis, has launched a monthly subscription service for reasonably priced calls to more than 170 countries.
For those not in the know, Skype is a software that makes it possible for people around the world to communicate via voice, video and IM over the Internet, and at a lower cost than traditional landlines.
It's been the go-to online phone service for those making international calls. And, of course, Skype-to-Skype calls continue to be free. However, consumers can save 33 percent off three or 12-month calling subscriptions until June 1, 2010 here.
"Skype's new monthly subscriptions lower the cost of international calling and make it simple to choose the plan that best meets your needs," says Neil Stevens, general manager of Skype's Consumer Business Unit.
"People around the world can now have the simplicity and flexibility to call almost any phone in the world for less."
The winds of change heading to Massachusetts? U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar last week announced his approval of Cape Wind, an alternative way of generating energy using wind fueled by an arsenal of 130 windmills, 440 feet tall, rising from the ocean a few miles off Cape Cod.
After an eight-year fight coupled with an onslaught of mixed reviews from the government, Salazar says the federal government plans to move forward with the $2 billion dollar project slotted to be constructed on Horseshoe Shoal in Nantucket Sound off the coast of Massachusetts.
The project has faced intense opposition from environmentalists and locals, including the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, who believe the windmills will mar the ocean view.
Jim Gordon, president of Cape Wind, argues that his group will protect the Cape's natural beauty while spearheading a viable supply of renewable energy.
“While this project was exhaustively analyzed and debated and even with Federal and State approvals demonstrating the significant environmental and economic benefits of Cape Wind, we recognize there are some local opponents who disagree, with Secretary Salazar’s decision," Gordon says in a release.
The Cape Wind president continues, "We appreciate their involvement in helping to shape the project and we now reach out to ask them to join the community and country in ushering in a new era of environmental stewardship, energy security and prosperity."
Looking ahead, Gordon adds, “We hope to begin construction of Cape Wind before the end of the year.”
When it comes to energy efficiency, businesses are willing to put their money where their mouth is.
Johnson Controls Inc. conducted a survey of more than 1,400 executives in North America about current energy costs, energy-efficiency spending trends and mitigation plans.
The findings? According to a recent article, energy efficiency is the top priority. In fact, spending on energy efficiency will lead to lower carbon-emissions. But that's not the only reason businesses are dishing out the cash. Higher energy costs are projected for the future. There are government and utility incentives galore, as well greenhouse gas and energy efficiency regulations.
Clay Nesler, the Vice President of Global Energy and Sustainability at Johnson Controls, talks about the pressures from different sources "We often tend to think of energy and climate policy as being either national or international, but actually a lot of commitments are being made by cities and universities. Companies are also reporting to initiatives like the Carbon Disclosure Project," he says.
Businesses are ready to invest. Vice president at Dow Chemical Co., Peter Molinaro, says the company has seen a payback through its commitment, launched in 1994, to reduce its energy intensity by 20 percent by 2005. The new plan will boost the company's investment in energy-efficiency by an extra 25 percent by 2015. The company has invested $1 billion but has seen a $9 billion payback, he said.
Where is the money going? According to a Fast Company article, the money will go into a variety of places. Energy efficient lighting at 72 percent, occupancy or daylight sensors at 40 percent, trained facilities staff at 63 percent and upgraded business controls at 33 percent.
Say "bye-bye" to traditional newspapers? Thanks to the burgeoning advancements in digital publishing options like the iPad and online news sites, Viacom and CBS honcho Sumner Redstone predicts the death of printed dailies.
According to Redstone at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills: "There won't be any newspapers in two years."
The exec, who owns TV and film giants MTV, VH1 and Paramount Pictures, also takes a swipe at media rival Rupert Murdoch, who invested his News Corp. empire into the so-called "ink" industry and forked over $5.5 billion in 2007 to purchase Dow Jones & Co., publisher of the Wall Street Journal.
“He lives in ink, and I live in movies and television,” Redstone says here. “Ink is going to go away, and movies and television will be here forever, like me.”
Deal Of The Week:
