Dave Ramsey’s active Facebook fans suggested some off-the-beaten-path ways to save some cash and have fun at the same time.  Thank . . . → Read More: 12 New Ways to Save Money in 2012]]> Weekly library trips are fun. Brown-bag lunches are the norm. And eating at home is routine. Is there anything else you can do to see more money in your wallet this new year? Absolutely!

Dave Ramsey’s active Facebook fans suggested some off-the-beaten-path ways to save some cash and have fun at the same time.  Thank you Dave for sending out the following………

Family Fun in the Kitchen

Got kids (or a spouse) who beg for McDonald’s when you say “leftovers”? Take Heather Houze’s advice: “I always make extra servings [of food] and one night we have ‘second-chance buffet.’ No one ate leftovers till I renamed the meal!”

Vernon Jones’ tip will make this “buffet” disappear even faster than you expect. During his family night, he lets the kids find recipes online and then help shop for the most cost-conscious items to make the dishes. Since everyone has a part in choosing the recipes, they’re more likely to gobble it up the second time around.

Not many people actually like washing dishes, but most people do like saving money. So how are they connected? Jason Thompson explains: “The number-one way we save money in our house is by washing the dishes every night. Before, we would look at the mountain of dirty dishes, sigh, and then go out to eat. Now the dishes are washed right after dinner, and it saves us hundreds of dollars per month.”

One of the biggest money-savers is taking a little time to plan. If extra time is only a dream in your world right now, do what Ali Sevier does—sign up for a meal-service plan. “Each week I get the shopping list, then go through my local ads and figure out who has it the least expensive. What I’ve paid for the service is made back super quickly. I’m saving a ton of money, and we’re eating healthier (fresh fruits and veggies, balanced meals), even on a tight budget.” Take it one step further with E-mealz. You pick the store, and they send you a meal plan for the week based on the store’s sales.

It’s Time to Party!

Everyone needs to budget some fun into their lives! And Lynn Hunter says that hosting parties is a good way to save some money—really! “Plan simple get-togethers with simple treats (go potluck) centered around a game, a holiday, or an event. You will find that celebrating with friends and family creates an appreciation for the wealth at your fingertips rather than spending to find it.”

This idea can easily be transferred over to birthday parties for your kids without you feeling like a cheapskate. Lisa Williams let her 6-year-old daughter plan the last celebration—a dinosaur and cupcake-decorating home party—which was a ton of fun for everyone! Of course they chowed down on punch and cupcakes, but they also did a dino dig, ate popcorn, watched a dino cartoon, and left with goody bags full of inexpensive things from the dollar store.

Get Real Discounts

Just because something is on sale or at a “discount” store doesn’t automatically make it a deal for you. “It sounds backward, but stay out of the discount stores. There’s always something there that you feel like you need,” Karen Lowry advised. If you stay out of these stores the majority of the time (and only go with a strict list), you’ll also avoid the temptation to start or continue collections. “Things that are really just money wasters—limited edition Christmas ornaments and Elvis plates—things that collect dust and don’t increase in value,” Karen also commented.

Larinda Lolley has first-hand experience with getting a cash discount from a hospital. “When we get a bill from the hospital, we call and ask for a discount since we will be paying off the entire bill at once. We have saved a couple hundred dollars at one time doing this,” she said. You can also do this with most kinds of insurance premiums.

Have you ever considered YouTube as a “digital library”? Larry Kelly did and saved more than $100! “I repaired a computer monitor for $8 that Best Buy wanted to charge $150 just to look at,” he said. (Disclaimer: If you’ve tried stuff like this in the past only to mess it up and cost yourself more money, check with local freelancers you trust first.)

Networking doesn’t just consist of attending costly events. It can actually lead to saving you money, as Jen Lowman has discovered. “I networked within a group of other homeschool moms. I was able to borrow teacher’s manuals and all the reading books needed, and I only needed to buy student worksheets for a total cost of $60. I was able to lend what I had and in the process saved myself more than $400! You can do this with just about anything!” she said.

Got some crazy ideas like these? Tell us how you are saving money this year by leaving a comment below.

I listen to Dave Ramsey’s radio show and podcast.  Do I agree with all he says? No, as he where he lives the cost living is lower . . . → Read More: Save Thousands Without Cutting Your Budget]]> Welcome to a brand-spankin’-new year! What better goal for 2012 than to save some cash without cutting your budget? A few smart tax moves is all it takes!

I listen to Dave Ramsey’s radio show and podcast.  Do I agree with all he says? No, as he where he lives the cost living is lower than California.  Most of what he says, yes.  Here’s his recommendations of how to start the new year and some of you out there have had the pleasure of my nagging you about this first one.

Change Your Withholding

According to the Internal Revenue Service, last year’s average tax refund was $2,805. Why not bring that money home in your paycheck instead? If you normally get a large refund, use the online withholding calculator at irs.gov to determine your proper number of exemptions. The more exemptions you qualify for, the more money you get to keep. Submit a revised W4 to your human resources department and enjoy the extra cash.

Invest in Pre-Tax Retirement Accounts

When you contribute to your employer’s Traditional 401(k), the money is deducted from your paycheck before taxes, reducing your taxable income. That means you pay less in income taxes while you build a nest egg for retirement.

Money invested in a Roth IRA is not tax deductible, but it’s still the best option outside your 401(k) if you qualify. For investors whose income is too high to invest in a Roth, Traditional IRA contributions are tax-deductible.

Don’t Forget 2010′s Tax Refund

Nearly 100,000 taxpayers never received their tax refunds last year because of mailing address errors. The average refund for these folks is more than $1,500! If you were due a refund last year, you can check its status at “Where’s My Refund?” on the IRS website.

Avoid the problem this year by opting for direct deposit. And double- and triple-check all the information on your return.

Don’t Miss Tax Deductions

Speaking of mistakes, millions of taxpayers routinely overpay their taxes to the tune of $1 billion because they take the standard tax deduction rather than itemizing their tax returns. It’s simpler, but they miss out on deductions and credits like:

• Mortgage interest
• Property taxes
• State sales tax
• Charitable donations

Make sure you’re getting all the deductions and credits you qualify for on your taxes this year. And if you think you’ve missed some in previous years, you can file an amended return up to three years after the original filing date.

[You may see only a black rectangle where the vid should be. Just click on it, give a few seconds and the Play Arrow will appear]

Gift cards are taken from open display racks (like the massive displays you see in supermarkets or small ones by . . . → Read More: Be Careful About That Gift Card You’re Buying]]> My mom used to say when I was growing up “If criminals worked as hard and smart legally they’d be millionaires.” Here’s what some ingenious crooks have figured out to separate you from your money.

Gift cards are taken from open display racks (like the massive displays you see in supermarkets or small ones by a store’s cash register). Using a portable scanner that can read the codes under the scratch-off strip they copy the numbers, then put the cards back. They check the numbers later to see when the cards are activated and for how much. Before that card can be used by the person it was meant for, purchases have been made with those numbers and your gift is an empty (or almost empty) card.

To protect yourself and your gift don’t buy from the displays, always ask the cashier or manager for cards directly from the boxes they come in or from the store’s website. I’ve noticed the Menchie’s Yogurt in Encino keeps their cards behind the counter.

During the winter months, the LADWP water system . . . → Read More: LEAK SEASON IS HERE – Cold Weather Exposes Pipes to Risk of Breaks]]> The age of much of the LADWP water distribution system results in periodic breaks and leaks. As overnight temperatures across Los Angeles dip into the low 30s and 40s, LADWP reminds customers that with cold weather comes an even greater increase in the likelihood of pipe breaks.

During the winter months, the LADWP water system typically experiences an increase in water main breaks due to colder water entering the distribution system from the Eastern Sierra Nevadas. The colder water causes the pipes to shrink very slightly, known as thermal contraction, which can cause  some pipes to break. Winter leaks occur most frequently in the early morning hours (3-5 a.m.) when pressure is highest because of minimal use and temperature is coldest.

LADWP has already experienced an uptick in leaks with crews responding to more than 30 leaks this week, compared to 15 leaks total for the previous week. The leaks occurred throughout the city, with the highest concentrations in the Westside and Valley. LADWP crews responded promptly to the main leaks and completed repairs that same day.

To report a main break in your area, please call 1-800- DIAL DWP (1-800-342-5397).

As construction work on the 405 Freeway through the Sepulveda Pass continues, here’s what drivers need to know:

What: Work activities to support the development of a construction work zone and a bridge falsework structure at the center of the freeway in support of the reconstruction . . . → Read More: 405 Lane Closures Planned as Construction Continues]]> Traffic will be affected as the construction project continues.

About this column: This information came from a press release sent directly to Encino Patch. It may have been edited for clarity and brevity. http://link.patch.com/aa9s.f7/Tt4k9S0WsqrmQrc-A8429

A few simple energy efficiency and water conservation tips can make a big difference in making this winter a little greener and less costly in your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical household spends about $1,900 a year on . . . → Read More: Green Your Holidays]]> Energy and Water Saving Tips to Make Your Winter a Little Greener

A few simple energy efficiency and water conservation tips can make a big difference in making this winter a little greener and less costly in your home. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical household spends about $1,900 a year on energy bills and contributes twice the amount of greenhouse gases to the environment as an average car. They also report that if every American household reduced their water use by 10 gallons on just Thanksgiving Day, it would save more than 1 billion gallons of water. Go green for the holidays by saving energy, being water efficient, and reducing waste!

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a typical household spends about $1,900 a year on energy bills and contributes twice the amount of greenhouse gases to the environment as an average car. They also report that if every American household reduced their water use by 10 gallons on just Thanksgiving Day, it would save more than 1 billion gallons of water. Go green for the holidays by saving energy, being water efficient, and reducing waste!

Make the Switch to LED Holiday Lights and Save Money

Do you live in the Northeast San Fernando Valley? If so, your home may qualify to participate in the L.A. Rain Gardens “pilot program”. LADWP, TreePeople, and Generation Water are looking to install 310 rain gardens in the communities of Arleta, Mission Hills, North Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Panorama City, Shadow Hills, Sunland-Tujunga, Sun . . . → Read More: Free Rain Garden from LADWP]]>

Do you live in the Northeast San Fernando Valley? If so, your home may qualify to participate in the L.A. Rain Gardens “pilot program”. LADWP, TreePeople, and Generation Water are looking to install 310 rain gardens in the communities of Arleta, Mission Hills, North Hills, North Hollywood, Pacoima, Panorama City, Shadow Hills, Sunland-Tujunga, Sun Valley, Sylmar, and Van Nuys, all at absolutely no cost to the homeowners.

The LA Rain Gardens program is a great way to help your community by improving the local environment, while at the same time making your home more beautiful. Sponsored by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, TreePeople, and Generation Water, the purpose of the program is to install 310 rain gardens in the Northeast San Fernando Valley, all at absolutely no cost to the homeowners.

Rain gardens are low water use, benefit the local environment by using only California-friendly plants, prevent polluted water from draining to the oceans, and recharge local groundwater. Click here to read more about rain gardens and their benefits.

The LA Rain Gardens program is offering two choices for the homeowner: a Do It Yourself option, (DIY) as well as the option of having the rain garden installed by a team of Generation Water employees. (Let us Do It!) Both options cost the same for the homeowner: nothing. For the Do It Yourselfers, the homeowner will be required to purchase all necessary materials, but will be reimbursed up to $500 per rain garden (maximum of two rain gardens per household) by the LADWP upon completion of the rain garden. For those who choose to have the rain garden installed, the Generation Water team will take care of all aspects of the installation, free of charge.

The Do It Yourself Option

If you choose to install your own rain garden, there are a few steps before you start digging. First, you must make sure your home is a suitable location for a rain garden, and available for the DWP rebate. You can check these requirements here. Second, you will either attend a workshop organized by TreePeople, in which you will learn everything you need to know about installing a beautiful and water efficient rain garden, or you will need to take an online quiz about rain garden installation.

The homeowner will be reimbursed for all purchases made for the rain garden by the DWP, up to $1,000.

If you’re ready to start the DIY process, click here!

Let Us Do It

If you choose to have a Generation Water team install your rain garden, the first thing you must do is schedule a site evaluation where we will verify the suitability of your home for a rain garden. You can check the basic requirements for a site here, to avoid scheduling an unnecessary site evaluation. Once the site evaluation is complete, we will schedule a time to return to install the rain garden. Each installation will last approximately 3 hours.

If you’re ready to have us install your rain garden, click here!