It 2011! Wow, how time fly, seems like 2010 only lasted a couple of months. I do remember most of the good, thanks to planning and getting things done on a schedule. As administrator here at City5nc I get to talk to lot of people from all over the world, and I get many thoughts and views, on how to make life better, as far as day to day living, some good and others not so good.

These are things we consider essential for most people, from low income to middle class trying to survive in this economy.

1. Try to pay your credit cards down or off, spend cash if possible, pay a few dollars more than the minimum, use only one card with low interest rate, and low balance for emergencies.
2. Eat healthy foods, buy local fruits and vegetables when you can, or grow your own when the seasons are in. buy food in bulk when appropriate, not just when it on sale.
3. If times are really tight, try turning your hobby or crafting idea into a money making venture. Do a search online for crafts and hobbies ideas, go to craft shows, take an online course from your local Community College, use what you already know as a starting point.
4. Remember that what goes around comes around, so don’t wait for someone to do something nice for you first, start by giving or helping someone along with an act of kindness, it just might come back to you when you really need it, or you just might feel good.
5. If you live in the City riding the bus a few days a week, could save you lots of money, gas, less traffic, and no headache.
6. Banking and Savings in the major banks is more expensive, with more fees and banking cost, using your debit card could cost you more at some banks, not just at the ATM but news fees. If you have a saving account and it’s been hard to keep the minimum balance that your bank have on that account, then you are paying the bank to save your own money. Find a bank that has a low minimum balance.
7. Make a plan to become debt free, it’s not impossible to do. Start paying a payment and a half each time you make a mortgage payment, credit card, car, medical bills and before you know it your bills are paid. Start small and test the waters, if you can do this without breaking your bank, then you’re on your way.
8. Down time, well it’s also important to get in your rest and relaxation, so budget enough for that special get away. Whether you are young, older, retired a break from the routine, same old same can can make Jack a dull boy and Jill too. Taking time off for that fishing trip, traveling, sight-seeing, visiting another Country or US State or just taking a break to pamper yourself is all good.
9. Small Businesses should try to invest in their companies, but don’t forget about the employees, before you pass out those lay-off or pink slips try working with your employees to maybe work out a salary or benefit compromise until the economy improves.
10. Don’t Complain about what you dis-like about your life, just add some things you do like, and the rest will fall in place.

Got a craft business idea you think could earn you extra income? Read how other craft artists have profited from James Dillehay’s craft business guides…..

“We couldn’t have imagined how much of an impact James Dillehay’s advice would make on our business. We thought after perfecting our product everything would just fall into place, but it didn’t until we started working with his suggestions. To our delight we are seeing results on a faster and larger scale than we expected in such a short period of time.” ~ Ken Kobrick & Angela Greene, www.Passchal.com, featured on the Today Show

“Since reading your books, I have implemented many of the ideas. I am now happy to report that I have had some surprising success here in Santa Fe. My hang cards, booth design, and even my products themselves have been changed by your books. I have only been there 5 partial days and have sold about 4 times what I sold in the equivalent time last year. I changed the color of the walls, the height of the tables, the displays, the hang cards, the pricing and more. So, IT WORKS!” ~ Julie Anderson, CostumeSalon.com

“After reading his books, my business took on a new life. I changed my product slightly and the response was remarkable! My first order was triple what I had planned for, and other orders are pouring in! I continue to look to James for inspiration and I love his approach. Because of the techniques I learned from him, my business is thriving.” ~ Cathy Marble, Chamisa Hill Designs

Ready to increase your craft sales and profits? Just click here to learn more about our craft business guides. Click Here Free Wake County Business Listings

(NAPSI)-Across the United States, small-business owners are finding new ways to reduce costs to maximize the bottom line. One place to cut costs and increase efficiencies can be the traditional office printer. A few simple steps can greatly reduce printing costs while helping the environment, a win-win scenario.

Here are a few suggestions:

• Establish a Printing Policy—Direct employees to print in color only when preparing clientfacing documents and presentations. Expand page margins when printing to get more on each page.

• Consider an MFP—A multifunction printer, such as those from Canon’s imageRUNNER, imageRUNNER ADVANCE and imageCLASS product lines, combine a printer, scanner, copier and fax machine. Not only will this save office space, it can save the cost of buying and maintaining multiple devices and reduce the amount of energy consumed.

• Duplex Printing—MFPs come with duplex printing capabilities, meaning they can print on both sides of the page. Making the most of each piece of paper by choosing duplex printing as the default setting significantly reduces printing costs while saving resources used to make paper.

• Conserve Energy Where You Can—Look for MFPs that are ENERGY STAR qualified. Energy-saving modes will help reduce carbon emissions and provide significant cost savings while benefiting the environment.

• Software Can Make a Difference—By pairing an MFP with the appropriate software, such as Canon’s imageRUNNER ADVANCE Tracker, small-business owners can better manage documents and thereby cut costs. For example, employees can scan and e-mail documents instead of printing and faxing them.

• Learn More—More tips and tricks for saving time, money and space can be found online at www.usa.canon.com.

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(NAPS)—Finding ways to reduce
utility bills and conserve the
area’s natural resources is a top
priority for people everywhere.
One solution that can have an
immediate impact on a household’s
bottom line is evaluating
the energy efficiency of appliances
in the kitchen and laundry room.

These appliances—a refrigerator,
dishwasher and clothes washer—
can account for up to 20 percent of
a household’s monthly utility bill.
“American families spend an
estimated $140 billion each year
on energy bills,” said Jill Abelson
of the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency. “If consumers use
Energy Star qualified products,
they could reduce annual costs by
up to 30 percent while also reducing
water use and air pollution.”

The Energy Star guidelines are
set by the U.S. Department of
Energy and the EPA. Consumers
can identify these appliances by
the government’s Energy Star logo
being placed on the exterior of
products at retail outlets. More
than 30 million people in the U.S.
are eligible for a rebate from their
utility provider just for purchasing
an Energy Star qualified
appliance—these rebates range
from $30 to $200.

Whirlpool, the world’s largest
manufacturer of energy efficient
home appliances, recently launched
a new Energy Star qualified
washer, refrigerator and dishwasher.
These appliances not only
save energy and water, but also
rank as some of the company’s
best performing appliances in its
90 year history.

The new Whirlpool washer
with Calypso wash motion uses
50 percent less water and 66 percent
less energy than conventional
washers. This is a toploading
machine that does not
have an agitator, so it is gentle
enough to wash delicate items
such as wool, silk and cashmere
that might normally have to be
taken to the dry cleaners.

A newly revised Conquest refrigerator
runs on less electricity than
a 75 watt light bulb and a 900
Series dishwasher saves over 700
gallons of water per year.
“Just by trading in an eight
year-old appliance for these new
Energy Star qualified appliances,
you can save over 11,000 gallons
of water per year and close to
$200 on your utility bills,” said
Jeff Cohen, vice president of the
Whirlpool brand. “These appliances
pay for themselves and put
money back in your pockets.”

Whirlpool.com also has a new
feature that allows visitors to
punch in their zip code and find
out what rebates might be available
from the utility providers in
their area just for purchasing
Energy Star qualified appliances.
The site also has an appliance calculator
that can help people figure
out the potential savings over the
lifetime of an appliance.

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to needed persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

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(NAPSA)—What opens its
doors to all, but only a select few
make it in? Your traditional sideby-
side refrigerator. In fact, a
recent survey revealed that 76
percent of consumers who own
side-by-side refrigerators complained
that certain items don’t fit
easily into their refrigerator or
freezer compartments. But Maytag
changed that!

Maytag Appliances has delivered
yet another innovative solution
for the kitchen designed to
make life easier. This year, Maytag
introduced the Wide-By-Side™
refrigerator, which boasts the
widest available refrigerator and
freezer space in a traditional sideby-
side refrigerator.

The “re-configuration”
of the interior allows you
to slide in awkward and over-sized
items such as pizza boxes and large
turkeys with ease. With this new
refrigerator, you no longer waste
time desperately rearranging items
or running back and forth to a second
refrigerator. And time is not
the only thing you save. The wider
space allows for easy storage of
bulk food, which ultimately saves
you money!

If saving time and money aren’t
enough, there’s more…you don’t
have to sacrifice style or kitchen
space. The Wide-By-Side refrigerator’s
one-of-a-kind contemporary
design complements any kitchen
with its distinctive styling. And it
looks like a traditional side-by-side
refrigerator, only the interior is reconfigured
with wider space on top
for the refrigerator compartment
and on the bottom for the freezer
compartment. Even better, it all
fits within a 36-inch footprint, so
you don’t need to remodel your
kitchen.

The Wide-By-Side refrigerator
also features ClimateZone™ technology
drawers (in certain models)
that automatically store foods at
their optimal temperatures, keeping
food fresher, longer, and the
Elevator Shelf™, an adjustable
shelf that can be moved up or
down to accommodate for tall or
cumbersome items. These innovative
features and breakthrough
technology offer the ultimate in
performance and storage flexibility.

Starting at $1,649, the new
Maytag Wide-By-Side refrigerator
is the latest addition to a full line
of innovative appliances offered by
Maytag, including the Maytag
Gemini™ double-oven range, new
Neptune™ washer and dryer,
Atlantis™ washer, ClimateZone™
refrigerator and Accellis™ 2X fastcook
oven. For more information
on Maytag Appliances and its
products, call 1-888-4-MAYTAG or
log on to www.maytag.com.

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

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(NAPSI)-Trash collectors are critical to more than keeping the community’s environment clean and healthy. Solid waste companies also play an important role in keeping neighborhoods safe—trash collectors often act as additional “eyes and ears” for neighborhood watch efforts.

Here’s How

The nature of trash collection presents a unique opportunity to be on the watch. Because they generally cover the same routes every day, these men and women become quite familiar with their neighborhoods and can easily spot trouble. What’s more, they’re usually at work during times of the day when crimes are likely to occur.

While trash collectors aren’t police—they can’t chase down criminals or make arrests—they can and often do report unusual or suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Until recently, this type of partnership was mostly informal. Trash collectors simply saw an opportunity to do the right thing and called the police to report automobile accidents, fires or suspected criminal activity, often long before they otherwise would have been detected.

Making It Official

Recently, however, many police officials recognized an opportunity to work directly with solid waste companies to design formal neighborhood watch programs.

The two largest solid waste companies, Waste Management and Republic Services, each have programs in which collectors are trained to report emergencies and suspicious activity to their dispatchers, who pass the information on to authorities. Waste Management has trained and certified more than 2,500 drivers to be on the lookout and even won the Neighborhood Watch Award from the National Sheriffs’ Association.

Smaller companies also have similar programs. Rumpke, an Ohio-based company, has been recognized for its drivers’ many contributions to community safety, from assisting the elderly to helping locate discarded evidence in a criminal investigation to helping identify illegal drug activity.

These kinds of activities demonstrate how critically important solid waste companies are to keeping communities healthy, clean and safe.

Learn More

For more information, visit www.environmentalistseveryday.org.

Free Appliance and Electronics pick-up for recycling, Stoves, Dryers, Heaters, Freezers, Refrigerators, Computers, Washers, Radios, TVs, Tools, Metal Furniture and other appliances that you are trashing or nedd recycling. We pick-up free and disasemble and properly recycle all parts.
We also have techs check for salvaging or repair, if repaired we give to persons free,or charge for repair cost and parts if needed only. We do not repair these appliances ourselves and not in the repair business, but we will try to salvage and donate appliances if repairs is not costly and is worth the effort and not just a delay to end up in landfills. Call 919-324-8905 OR 919-803-4425
If no answer please leave voice mail and someone will contact you and set-up a time at your convenience.

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Save Time and Money Buying Your Next Refrigerator (443) (NewsUSA) – Nearly everyone is more cautious with money these days, so major purchases are approached with additional consideration and planning. A new refrigerator, for example, can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars and may be in your home for 10 or more years. So when it is necessary to replace, budget-focused consumers may first consider the purchase price. However, a refrigerator’s reliability, energy efficiency, usable features and ability to store more-affordable bulk foods are also important factors and can offset the initial cost. Since consumers are in the market for appliances so infrequently, the purchase process can easily become confusing and overwhelming. The tips and guidelines below will help even the most discerning and energy-minded shoppers navigate the showroom floor and identify a reliable refrigerator that will meet their needs. Compare the capacity and storage. Models with more shelves and bins have a greater surface area, which creates more space for fresh and frozen food deals bought in bulk. Consider a model that will not only fit everything, but will also provide easy access to the most-used items. The Maytag® ICE2O® refrigerator has a bottom mount freezer drawer that features a SmoothClose™ track system with heavy-duty ball bearing slides that can hold up to 120 pounds of food. The wide drawer can hold deli platters, while durable bins and four Spill-Catcher™ glass shelves help store food in an organized way. Look for the ENERGY STAR® label. The refrigerator consumes more energy than any other kitchen appliance. According to ENERGY STAR®, replacing a model from the 1980s with an ENERGY STAR-qualified model will offer a savings of $100 per year on utility bills, or $200 per year if the model is from the 1970s. Features such as a door alarm, power outage indicator, airtight door seals and easy-to-use temperature controls will help maintain a constant temperature and contribute to the efficiency rating. Consider the usability of the features. Add-on features can save time and money if they eliminate a cost or save a step. A removable ice bucket can be easily brought to the table or cooler. Filtered ice and water dispensers can help save money and the environment by preventing the disposal of plastic water bottles. Some of the newest refrigerators also have ice makers that produce smaller cubes that fit into refillable water bottles. Examine the hardware. How durable the handles are and how strong the hinges are will directly impact the life of the refrigerator. Open and close the door and drawers to test their strength, and look for heavy-duty stainless steel handles that will remain secure even in the most active households.

FREE APPLIANCE PICK-UP & RECYCLE

We recycle old appliances, Stoves, TVs, washing-machines, Computers, Dryers, refrigirators, electronics, and most household appliances, we pick-up for free. Please call if you have these items to be recyled: 919-803-4425 Area: or 919-324-8905 Garner, Raleigh, Cary NC. If no answer leave your details on voice mail. We will contact you and set-up a time of your convenience.

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Sorting Out the Differences Between Front-Load and Top-Load Laundry (399) (NewsUSA) – What a difference a door makes — that’s what homeowners are discovering when shopping for new laundry appliances. Before deciding among different makes and models, the first decision for many shoppers is the choice between a top-load and a front-load washer. Top-Load Laundry Long the standard in American homes, top-load washers are still much like the original electric powered machines introduced in the 1920s in that they feature an agitator. Top-loaders submerge clothes in a full tub of water and rely on the agitator to twist and pull clothes through the soapy water. These two features are also the biggest drawbacks. Since the top-loader’s basin must completely fill with water, it can use up to 45 gallons of water per load. The agitator’s rough, jerking motion subjects clothes to added wear, tear and potential damage. The end result: top-loaders are cheaper to purchase, but cost more money to operate. Front-Load Laundry Instead of an agitator, front-load washing machines use sophisticated systems to gently flip and spin clothes through a shallow pool of water. This gentle tumbling motion helps lengthen the life of often-washed items and allows many models to safely clean silk, wool and other hand-washables. While front-load washers tend to cost more initially, their energy and water savings over the life of the machine will save more money over time. Even with the reduced water levels, front-loading machines are able to wash the same amount of laundry per load, if not more, due to the absence of a bulky agitator. Vision, the ENERGY STAR-qualified full-size front-load washer from Bosch, uses only 13 gallons of water for an average-sized load. Advanced energy-saving technology like EcoSmart uses a network of sensors and intelligent controls that continually analyze how full the load is and the suds level in the water. By automatically adjusting the water temperature, water level and rinse cycles, Vision minimizes the amount of water and energy to get clothes absolutely clean. In fact, Bosch is the most energy- and water-efficient brand of full-size front-load washers in the U.S. Front-load washers are known to reduce energy consumption by more than 40 percent but with features such as EcoAction, Vision’s energy usage is cut by an additional 20 percent. The end result: front-loaders are perfect for families looking to save on energy and water bills while machine washing a broad variety of laundry.

FREE APPLIANCE PICK-UP & RECYCLE

We recycle old appliances, Stoves, TVs, washing-machines, Computers, Dryers, refrigirators, electronics, and most household appliances, we pick-up for free. Please call if you have these items to be recyled: 919-803-4425 Area: or 919-324-4425 Garner, Raleigh, Cary NC. If no answer leave your details on voice mail. We will contact you and set-up a time of your convenience.

Make your green renovation the envy of the neighborhood

(ARA) – What is it about “going green” that is so appealing? Even if it’s not your favorite color, going green can benefit the environment, your health and reduce energy consumption, as well as overall energy costs.

You may already recycle, use public transportation, buy local products or simply turn off the lights when you leave the room. While these simple practices can greatly reduce your overall impact on the environment, now is the perfect time to think about a total green renovation for your home.

If the cost of a project is holding you back, you still have time to take advantage of the 2009-2010 Federal Energy Tax Credit for making energy-related home improvements.

The tax credit allows homeowners to claim tax credits equal to 30 percent of product and installation costs – up to $1,500 – for qualified energy-related home improvements. It applies as a direct reduction of taxes owed. You’ll have to make a decision soon, because the 2009-2010 Energy Tax Credit expires at the end of this year.

The most helpful step you can take when transforming your home into a completely green living environment is planning. These tips can help green light a well-planned renovation:

* List your needs and goals before you do anything. Find a contractor who is skilled in traditional building trades and understands how to design projects to be energy-, water- and resource-efficient.

* Work with your builder on a master plan for your project. Think about downsizing your current space.

* Consider heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) needs by upgrading mechanical systems. A hybrid comfort system, like those from American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning, is ideal for a green renovation. A hybrid system alternates between two different energy sources depending upon temperature, settings and efficiency, making it one of the most efficient and flexible heating and cooling systems available.

* Design systems that minimize water use and maximize water distribution efficiency. Plan for future wiring and cabling needs when considering the lighting, electronics and appliances.

* Reuse old materials or take them to a company that accepts well-preserved demolition waste and intact building materials. Buy reclaimed material, such as reclaimed pine timbers, for flooring.

* Purchase materials that are durable, easy to maintain and will age gracefully. Research products that contain recycled content and are sourced locally.

Once you’ve completed your renovation it’s important to maintain your green renovation efforts so they last for years. The longer you stay a part of the green scene, the smaller your carbon footprint.

Hybrids aren’t just for cars anymore

A hybrid comfort system combines an electric heat pump with an oil or natural gas furnace for warmth and comfort for the cold nights, and effective, efficient cooling in the summer months. A heat pump doesn’t use up fuel making heat, it just moves it. With a hybrid system you have ultimate flexibility for greater efficiency in all seasons. To learn more, go to www.americanstandardair.com or contact your local independent American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning dealer who can help decide which components are right for your home’s energy sources.

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WAKE COUNTY, N.C.
Coastal Federal Credit Union has offered a unique challenge to Habitat for Humanity of Wake County via a 1,000 Fans Campaign. The local credit union will donated a $1,000 grant to Habitat Wake’s affordable housing mission if the organization can reach 1,000 Fans on their Facebook page by the end of the year. Both organizations will promote the campaign using social media tools—status updates, e-mail newsletters, and Facebook messages asking their contacts to spread the word to their Facebook connections.

“We’re trying to share information about the need for affordable housing in every way that we can,” said Habitat Wake’s Executive Director Kevin Campbell. “Facebook gives us access to a unique and diverse audience and helps us talk to people who may not be otherwise involved in the Habitat mission.” 630 people have become “Fans” of the Habitat Wake Facebook page to date. These fans receive updates about affordable housing, home dedications, and Habitat Wake events on their own Facebook pages.

“The real hope,” said Coastal’s Joe Mecca, “is that the mission of Habitat becomes viral online, and that then translates into affordable houses for families and healthy neighborhoods in our community.”
Source:MyNC.com

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Plastics Create Oil With Energy to Spare (380) (NewsUSA) – America’s quest to reduce its fuel consumption and dependence on foreign oil may lead it to look for energy sources in new places — like the bottom of a trash barrel. JBI, Inc. (OTCBB:JBII), a global technology company, has developed a process, called Plastic2Oil (P2O), that converts raw, unwashed, unsorted plastic waste into a fuel similar to biofuel. In April 2010, an independent laboratory, Islechem, validated the P2O process through extensive chemical, analytical and process engineering testing. Islechem tested the process over 40 times using multicolored, mixed plastics. The laboratory determined that the P20 process is repeatable and can be done on a large scale. Approximately 85 to 90 percent of the hydrocarbon composition in the feedstock is converted into a “near diesel” fuel, while about 8 percent is converted to a usable off gas much like natural gas. In addition, only 1 percent of the plastic becomes residue, and that residue does not contain any highly toxic elements and is safe for landfill disposal. Even better, more energy is produced than consumed by the process. Early data suggest that the process creates twice as much energy as it uses. “It takes energy to produce energy. The key is to get more energy from the final product than it takes to make it,” said JBI, Inc. CEO John Bordynuik. “Our process has a high positive energy balance of 2.0, while gasoline from crude has a negative energy balance of 0.81.” The fuel produced by the P20 process has another major advantage over gasoline from crude oil — its production, including labor, costs only about $10 a barrel. Gasoline from crude oil uses more energy than it produces and currently costs between $75 and $85 a barrel — and yet gasoline companies yield high profits. A process like P20 could revolutionize the market by creating high-quality fuel at much lower costs, while also helping to reduce the amount of plastic that becomes pollution or ends up in landfills. JBI, Inc. is currently in talks to create P20 processing facilities in Europe, Florida, New York, California, Colorado, Wisconsin, Georgia and Ohio. The company is also looking for waste disposal or recycling companies, and people with under-utilized facilities to convert into P2O factories. For more information, visit www.plastic2oil.com or www.jbiglobal.com.

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