Champ Money

It’s that time of the year again… Time to shed the extra pounds you gained through the winter months in preparation for the pool and the beach.

Safe weight loss pills, a more moderate diet, and increased exercise are the combination most commonly used.

Be sure to start your weight control and exercise problem slowly, no matter how soon you’ll be slipping into that bikini. Not only is this safer, but you’ll be less likely to rebound back into old habits.

Take advantage of the shade… Plant a deciduous tree on the south, west, or east side of your house. Once mature, it’ll shade your roof and cut your cooling costs by up to 30 percent.

You can save over $120 per year on air-conditioning, and the tree drops its leaves each fall, so you’ll still get the warming benefit of winter sun.

Are you waiting for the best time to buy new electronics so you can find them at unbeatable prices?

From what we can determine, that time is now.

The economic slowdown has affected electronics retail sales just as it has everything else – in fact, probably more so because people can easily justify putting off the purchase of new electronic gadgets.

Electronics manufacturers and retailers are ready to move their inventories, and are adjusting pricing and special deals to make it happen.

Prune that overgrown rhododendron rather than replace it. If the shrub is blocking your front windows, cut it down to 18 inches high in late March. It’ll regenerate into the plant you want with routine maintenance in one to two years.

You can save $100 to $200 for each new mature shrub you don’t have to buy. Also, because the plant is already established, it won’t need the intensive watering a new specimen requires during its first growing season.

There’s no question the job market is tight. But, you can still find jobs in programming, IT, networking and database administration.

True, they are harder to find – and harder to land when you do find one – but they exist.

Keep your skills up-to-date, fine tune your resume, and network, network, network.

As an IT professional, you have skills that take many years to learn and are valuable across all industries.

Shop for phone, electric, and cable service at Whitefence – It’s like Travelocity for utilities. Enter your ZIP code and compare rates offered by providers in your area.

You could save up to $150 per year on your utility bills.

Are you a Do-It-Yourselfer?

If so, you’re part of a growing group of consumers who are committed to making repairs on their own whenever possible.

This is a great idea for many tasks, but stay within your knowledge level. Always prepare yourself with the proper safety equipment. And, most importantly, know when to call a professional. There are some jobs that are best left to an experienced pro.

Save where you can, but spend where you need to.

Buy a deluxe battery recharging station and stop throwing your money away on disposables. A combo unit keeps a supply of AA, AAA, C, and D batteries at the ready.

A one-time investment of $40 or so for something like the La Crosse Technology BC-900 AlphaPower charger and assorted NiMH batteries (the best kind) can save you as much as $100 per year on disposables for dozens of tools and gadgets.

Be careful when purchase cosmetic products at your local retailers. Sometimes they do have the best deals, often times they don’t.

When you’re looking for the wrinkle-reducing best eye cream, or the best lipstick or mascara, shop around just as you would for any other product. The prices are not always the same, especially when you consider online retailers.

Of course, always attempt to find the highest quality product at the best price. And keep in mind that the highest price does not always mean the highest quality.

It’s springtime and many of us are heading outdoors and discovering that some of our outdoor equipment might not be quite up to par.

Resist the urge to immediately replace lawn and garden items in the spring. Unless you have no choice, wait to replace your grill, lawn mower, or patio furniture until the fall, when stores mark down their inventory to make room for holiday decorations and snowblowers.