How to Slash Your Grocery Bill

If you're like most people, you tend to wander around the grocery store spontaneously adding hoards of unnecessary items to your cart. It's easy to go over budget if you're not careful so read on to learn how a few smart choices can save you thousands of dollars off your grocery bill each year!

• Do you have loads of food but nothing to make dinner with? Planning your meals ahead of time will help you avoid this problem. A list will also help you avoid impulse purchases.
• Never shop when you're hungry as you'll end up purchasing additional items you wouldn't normally buy such as delicious looking desserts.
• Leave the kids at home as they always find ways to sneak extra items into the cart and can distract you from working out the best deals.
• Don't be enticed by the items on display at eye level. Higher and lower level shelves are where the cheaper products are placed.
• Make sure to compare unit prices to determine whether or not they're cheaper. The unit price is usually calculated under the main price - bigger isn't always better!
• Try to buy large quantities when they're on sale as long as you can use them by the expiration date. Purchasing a second freezer will pay for itself in no time.
• Don't forget to keep your coupons clipped to your shopping list or in your wallet. There's nothing more frustrating than realizing you've left them at home.

Lots of us are feeling the pinch due to rising food costs so now's a great time to change our shopping habits. By incorporating just two or three of these tips, you'll notice a substantial difference in your grocery bills. It adds up quickly - a weekly savings of $50 amounts to a staggering $2,600 a year!

Today's Tip For A Greener Life

No, it's not your imagination - it definitely is getting hotter. The eight warmest years on record occurred over the past decade. But staying cool this summer doesn't necessarily mean you have to pay a fortune to keep the air-conditioning running day and night. Here are 10 tips - most costing less than $25 - that will keep you comfortable and cut the typical $1,000 cooling bill by as much as half. What's needed to get the temperature to drop? Only a little time and a few changes in your routine. Tip: Use Sunblockers As much as 20% of summer heat enters your home as sunlight shining through windows. To cut "solar gain," add curtains or blinds to rooms that get direct sun and draw them in daylight hours. With the shades drawn, a well-insulated house will gain only 1 degree per hour when outdoor temperatures are above 85 degrees. Pay special attention to west-facing rooms late in the day. Shades and blinds to consider include roller shades (the least expensive option), venetian-type micro-blinds, reflective curtains and insulated curtains (the most expensive, at $100 per window). Cost: $8 to $100 per window Benefit: Up to 20% of your cooling bill Source: David Dobbs, This Old House

The Smooth Move

Although moving can be an exciting life change, it can also be a very stressful event. To ensure things go smoothly, start a detailed checklist at least two months before your actual move as the more organized you are, the easier it will be. Here are a few points to keep in mind: Two Months Before

• Make a complete inventory of all the major items you'll be moving.
• Get some estimates and book the movers. You may also want to start sucking up to friends and family for help!
• Moving is a great time to get rid of clutter; you know, the stuff you forgot you even had! Don't make the mistake of hauling it to your new home. Instead, have a garage sale or donate it to charity.

One Month Before

• Update your insurance, medical and school records to your new location. You can speak to a Signature Diane Turton, Realtors insurance consultant by calling 1.800.854.8002 or emailing signatureinsurance@dianeturton.com.
• Arrange to disconnect and reconnect utilities and telephone/Internet services.
• This is a good time to start tackling the administrative details. Change your address with the post office and email friends and relatives with your new contact details.

A Few Weeks Before

• Plan meals so all the food in your fridge and freezer gets used up.
• Start getting boxes and packing materials together.
• Pack items you don't regularly use such as books and games.- Arrange for someone to look after your pets on moving day.
• Return library books and DVD materials.

The Final Week

• Water your plants a couple of days before you move.
• Start packing up your belongings and make sure to clearly label the fragile items.
• Gather together all your personal items such as legal documents, photos and other valuables and transport them yourself for safe keeping.
• Label a box of items you'll need for the first few nights. The last thing you'll want to do when you get to your new home is hunt for your toothbrush.

Day of the Move

• Double check the movers have your new address as well as your cell phone number.
• Unscrew light bulbs from all your lamps.- Make sure you have your new keys.
• Have lots of refreshments on hand for your busy helpers!

During a move, you may experience emotions ranging from deep sadness to extreme excitement. Although moving can seem like a daunting task, being prepared and organized will save you a lot of stress. With the help of the above checklist, you can now breathe a sigh of relief and enjoy this exciting new phase of your life!

Time Flies When You're Having Fun

If you have young children, flying has likely taken on a whole new meaning and fun probably isn't the word that springs to mind! Having an enjoyable flight with little ones in tow means being prepared and staying relaxed, so read on for some ideas on how to do just that.

Get All the Info - When you book your ticket, ensure you have all the necessary information such as whether or not a car seat's required and if so, what kind. Also, ask about policies regarding strollers and if they can be gate checked. Finally, reserve the bulkhead seats if you're traveling with an infant and ask if they have a baby bed you can use.

How Much Stuff?! - Before you leave, make sure each child has their own backpack to take some of the pressure off yourself. Bring more of everything including snacks, sticker books, crayons, toys and a change of clothes in case your flight's delayed. Put diapers and wipes in a separate bag so you won't have to lug your entire backpack to the bathroom.

Get a Move On - One effective strategy for coping with the confined space during the flight is to keep your children moving from the moment you get to the airport right up until you board the plane. They'll burn up lots of energy which will keep them from kicking the poor person's chair in front of you.

Fasten Your Seatbelts - Once you've boarded the plane, put some items in the seat pockets so you're able to reach them in case there's a period of turbulence and you're unable to access the overhead compartment. A familiar blanket or stuffed toy will also come in handy if your child becomes frightened. Don't forget to give the little ones a drink to relieve ear pressure during take off and landing.

Despite the faster pace of life that goes along with parenthood, it takes so much longer to do anything with kids in tow so leave lots of extra time. Although you may think you'll have an eternity at the airport with check-in, snack time, bathroom breaks and other activities, it'll be time to board before you know it. Keep a cool head, breathe deeply and you're sure to enjoy a smooth, fun ride!

The Perfect Picnic

With the warm weather upon us, why not spend a day with friends and family enjoying some outdoor fun! Local parks and nature areas offer picnic shelters which usually include a covered area, picnic tables and grilling equipment. One of the hardest parts of organizing a picnic is remembering everything so make a checklist which should include:

• food, drinks & condiments
• plates, cups & paper towel
• seating & serving utensils
• a cooler with lots of ice
• BBQ equipment
• garbage bags for clean-up & ziploc bags for leftovers
• blankets and/or chairs and lots of games

Parks and other natural areas offer a great opportunity for children to have fun exploring and most will have all the amenities required to host a great event but make sure to reserve ahead of time just to be sure. If you're throwing a children's birthday party you could even plan a nature activity or treasure hunt for the younger ones. Remember your checklist and have fun!

Today's Tip For a Greener Life

The trend for warmer summers is keeping us grilling. But there's no fire without smoke, and this is where a little care is needed if you want to entertain whilst also being kind to the planet.

• Use a real barbecue rather than a disposable one.
• Light your barbecue with a special chimney starter for greater efficiency.
• Don't use lighter fluid which releases Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).
• Use reusable dishes rather than disposable and washable napkins rather than paper. If you must use disposables, use compostable plates, cups and utensils or items made from recycled materials.
• Shop greener to reduce waste especially of packaging. Avoid single serving products. Buy in bulk and larger containers.
• After the barbecue, recycle and compost what you can - including charcoal ashes.
• Give away any leftovers to cut down on food waste.

Knee Deep In Dept

Almost everyone faces financial hardship at some point in their life but depending on the circumstances, it can almost always be overcome. That said, planning your way out of debt can be overwhelming so we've included some strategies to help make it easier. Developing a Budget - First you'll need to realistically assess how much money comes in and goes out. Start by listing all sources of income and then list your fixed expenses such as your mortgage payments. Next, list any expenses that vary such as entertainment and then prioritize the expenses to see what you can cut back on. Contacting Your Creditors - If you're having trouble making the payments, contact the creditor before they contact you and work out a plan that will reduce your monthly payments to a more manageable level. It's important to take this step before your account gets turned over to a debt collector as your credit rating may be affected by that point. Credit Counseling Services - Your creditors may be willing to accept reduced payments if you enter a debt repayment plan with a reputable organization. You deposit money each month with the credit counseling agency which is used to pay your creditors according to a pre-determined payment schedule. Mortgage Lenders - Most mortgage lenders are willing to temporarily work with you if they believe you're acting in good faith. Some lenders may even reduce or suspend your payments for a short time; however, when you resume regular payments you'll of course have to make up the difference. To speak to a Diane Turton, Realtors Signature Mortgage representative call toll-free 1.877.207.3321 or visit the Diane Turton, Realtors Signature Mortgage Website. Debt Consolidation - You'll likely be able to lower your monthly payments by consolidating your debt through a home equity loan as the interest rate will be much lower. Think carefully though before taking this on as the lending institution will require your home as collateral. If you can't make the payments on time, you could lose your home. Managing your debt may seem like a daunting task, but thoroughly investigating all your options and utilizing free resources will help you avoid a financial crisis which could devastate your credit rating and thus your ability to borrow money at attractive rates. Deciding which option works for you depends on your level of debt, your level of discipline and your future prospects.

Buy Local - It's Miles Better

Buying local produce doesn't just mean buying domestically but rather buying food that's produced and grown as close to home as possible. Here are just a few of the many advantages of buying locally grown produce: Going Green - Transporting food long distances is bad for the environment as the immense amounts of fossil fuels contribute towards global warming and air pollution. There's also a huge amount of packaging involved when transporting produce that can be eliminated when buying locally. Loaded with Taste - Locally bought produce is much fresher because its vitality isn't affected by the long distance travel that most supermarket produce has to endure. Produce picked within the last day or so will be much tastier and more nutritious. Supporting Your Local Economy - Buying local means supporting your local farmers and helping to build and preserve your local community. It also helps preserve farmland and the surrounding wildlife from urban development. Convenience - Some communities have agricultural groups set up where you're able to pay a certain amount each season for a weekly box of fresh, locally grown produce. Some are pre-boxed and delivered to your door while others allow you to go and choose your own. There are so many advantages to buying local produce; most notably - it's fresher, tastier and more nutritious than the supermarket variety. For a fun day out with the kids, why not go to a "pick your own" fruit farm. Not only are you cutting down on packaging and eating the tastiest fruit around, you'll also enjoy an educational family activity!

Today's Tip For a Greener Life

In 2007, Diane Turton, Realtors became the first residential real estate company in New Jersey to join the national U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), putting into practice several processes and policies that make the firm a more environmentally sustainable company. In 1950, the global population was 2.6 billion people. We had 53 million cars - which works out to be one car for every 50 persons. Today, there are 6 billion people and 500 million cars - more than one car for every dozen inhabitants. Get some exercise and protect our environment by sharing a ride, riding your bike or taking a walk. You'll save one pound of CO2 for every mile you don't drive.