July starts tomorrow. Really? Has June flown by for everyone else, too? In any case -- time for me to share good deals to look for in July.
Here goes:

-Grill Supplies
-Party supplies (like disposable plates, cups, napkins and utensils)
-Furniture (have to say -- this one surprised me -- figured it would be later in the year, but I have seen a lot of furniture sale commercials for the holiday weekend)
-Home Decor (geared to the bulk of weddings happening in the month of July; happens again when weddings spike in September/October)
-air conditioners and major appliances (especially on the holiday weekend)
-craft supplies

Find best food prices on:
-typical bbq foods like hot dogs, ground beef
-hamburg and hot dog buns
-condiments for all those grilled items
-salad dressing
-chips
-ice cream and popsicles
-soda, bottled water and iced tea (mix and tea bags)

As always -- thank you to the sources I rely on for this info: bankrate.com, Real Simple Magazine and frugal living at about.com

Happy July,

-reenie

Have you heard about this new program? Some call it "Cash for Clunkers" -- others stick with the more formal moniker: the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS). If you own a care that has an 18 or fewer combined miles per gallon fuel rating, you may qualify for this rebate program. If the thought of driving around in your gas guzzler this summer has you less than thrilled, and you're thinking about a new car purchase... you need to know a few things about how this works:

-Your vehicle must be less than 25 years old on the trade-in date
-Only purchase or lease of new vehicles qualify
-Generally, trade-in vehicles must get 18 or less MPG (some very large pick-up trucks and cargo vans have different requirements)
-Trade-in vehicles must be registered and insured continuously for the full year preceding the trade-in
-You don't need a voucher, dealers will apply a credit at purchase

Most of the info I've read says to shop in late July to early August -- just be sure your dealer is up on all of the details before you sign on the bottom line. Depending on what you buy (and if your vehicle qualifies) you could save between $3500-$4500.

The program is being administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and they are coordinating with car dealers on how to make the program work. Keep in mind, purchases need to be made from the program start to November 1, 2009. From what I have found -- the start date is a little loose because of program start-up issues, but well worth waiting for. The best place to find info on how the program works, or if your old car even qualifies? The government's official website: http://cars.gov. Don't let non-government websites ask you for personal information (some of those bad-boys have already popped up). You can get all you need on the dot gov site.

Happy car shopping,

-reenie

I think I have hit the 70+ number on houses I've toured since I decided to put my house on the market back at the beginning of this calendar year. My house still has not sold, and I'm trying to do all of the things they tell you to do -- but that said, I'm still out looking at new houses every chance I get. I want to be ready when that great offer comes in -- I want to know what's out there and what I like.

Don't get me wrong -- I love my current house. It just happens to be almost twice the size I need, and in this tender economy, that just doesn't make a lick of sense. I'm looking to downsize -- to lower my monthly mortgage, lower my monthly utility bills, lose the equity line balance, and lessen my commitment to weekly interior and exterior chores. Know what I mean? I'm also looking forward to pruning out even more clutter.

The fun part is when I stumble upon articles about decorating trends because I have to tell you -- the majority of the houses I've been looking at will need help in that department. (Not all, but surely most.)
I found this nugget on the Kansas City Star website -- wallpaper is making a comeback! I've never been a huge fan, but the article I stumbled upon talked about some interesting trends. They include:

-The designs are not all that different in 2009, but have gone large scale.
-People are using the larger images in rooms where people don't spend tons of time -- like powder rooms or hallways.
-Doing just one wall, or even the ceiling, adds dimension without overpowering. (I personally love the ceiling idea -- I had a darker shade painted on the ceiling of my bathroom in my last house -- I LOVED it! I can definitely see how a wallpaper design could add the same fun effect.)
-Modern wallpaper can have raised texture now -- like never before. The article likened the update to matching up with couture trends on fashion runways.
-The green movement has hit wallpaper factories, too. Not only do people use grass-like motifs -- some of today's wallpaper is made of bamboo, reeds, natural grasses and the like -- making it both eco-designy and eco-friendly at the same time.
-Designs are being influenced by far-away places. India and Africa seem to be the trend setter areas for now.

I'm toying with this whole wallpaper idea because sometimes paint just doesn't have enough punch in a room. And the article notes -- that new wallpapers are becoming both easier to install and easier to remove (when the time comes for you to change up the room).

Funny - most of the houses I've seen lately don't have wallpaper -- except for those top-of-wall borders I really don't like. I'm thinking doing a single wall or a ceiling sounds like a great, inexpensive way to make a room feel more polished. I'll keep you posted as my new house journey continues...

-reenie

I opened my water bill last night. It was a good 25% higher than last month. Yes, my daughter has moved home for the summer, but really? That much more? So happens I stumbled on a great piece in Natural Health magazine on how to save water. I think sharing some of the green tips I stumble upon deserve space in this place. Today is part 1 of a series that could go on for a bit. I'll probably do a green piece every couple of weeks. If you have ideas -- please share them.

Natural Health offered up four tips, and three sound like a quick trip to your favorite local hardware store will handle the detail. The fourth idea is more of a long-term commitment, but one worth noting:

Tip 1 (the long-term one)
Choose a front loading washing machine that is ENERGY STAR-rated. Front loaders use about half the water as their top-loading cousins. This change can save you 20-25 gallons per load.

Tip 2
Install faucet aerators. These gems will help you reduce water consumption by about 60%.

Tip 3
Install a low-flow shower head. This one might be harder for those with long hair -- I know. But I have short hair and am not too worried. The magazine says the newer models offer plenty of water pressure. Depending on how many showers are going on in your house -- you could save thousands of gallons a year.

Tip 4
Check for toilet leaks. This, dear readers, is one I've never heard before. Apparently you need a special dye tablet (and the article mentions that some water companies give them out for free -- check with your company for details, but I'm guessing they are also available at hardware stores). You drop one in the tank, and if dye appears in the toilet bowl -- you have a leak. Call a plumber to fix, and if you have to replace the toilet, opt for a water-efficient model. Another 2,000 gallons saved (but that must depend on the number of people in your house -- and the magazine does not elaborate).

So there you have it. Save water, save money. It's that easy.

-reenie

I love Bon Appetit's online calendar. I learn something new every month. Today's tidbit is really about tomorrow, but completely connects to something I was thinking about today. Sound confusing? Stick with me.

Tomorrow (June 17) is Eat Your Vegetables Day. How does that connect with today, you ask? Well, I was visiting with my eye doctor this morning and had a good check-up. It got me thinking about how lucky we are when we have good health. Which then got me thinking about food and maintaining good health (all of the waiting-room magazines were about healthy eating). Which, of course, got me thinking about making better food choices. I'm not going to lie -- I like to eat out. I like it a lot. But today -- I realized that if I'm going to continue to eat out -- I need to make better choices. Simple things like whole grains, less fried food, more veggies (see it does connect) or no sugar in the coffee. I will never tell you to stop doing something, but I will suggest you consider modifications. Baby steps. They add up. So, tomorrow - when you're eating your vegetables -- think about other ways to keep healthy and if you're going to be eating out -- save some money along the way. It's as easy as buying a discounted gift certificate to your favorite local restaurant.

Happy veggie day!

-reenie