Value For Life! "Insider Tips for Happiness, Wellness & The Home..." November/December 2009 55 Ways to Save Money 1. Pay yourself first. Save money without thinking about it. Set up direct deposit into a savings account and watch your nest egg grow. 2. Brew it at home. If you grab even the cheapest of javas on the go, say a $2 cup every week day, you’re shelling out $520 a year. Try the big tubs of coffee instead. They’ll last and you’ll save. 3. Unplug. Lots of gadgets, electronics and appliances draw power even when you’re not using them. Pull the plug on items that you only use occasionally and for bonus points, unplug your chargers (cell, PDA and the like) when not in use. 4. Stay in with friends. This one’s easy. Going out with pals almost always costs more than staying in. Resist the urge to splurge and invite friends over for cocktails, a potluck, board games or a movie. 5. Buy in bulk. Sam’s Club and Costco are your best friends. 6. Brown bag it. If you prefer the grab and go, you could easily spend $1300 a year just on lunches ($5/lunch/week day). Pack your lunch instead – you’ll save some dineros and the food will likely be more nutritious anyway. 7. Team up. A great way to involve kids in the saving process is to pick a fun family item that you all want – maybe a new TV, an Xbox or a trip to the amusement park – and agree to toss your spare change in a bottle in the kitchen. It’s a good lesson in saving for what you want and teaming up will bring the family together. 8. Cut the cable (at least a little). There’s often lots of room in the cable bill to cut costs. Cancel the channels you don’t watch, ask for the latest promotions and cut out luxury features (i.e. DVR, Pay-Per-View). 9. Ditch the dry cleaner’s. There are products widely available now that allow you to do your dry cleaning at home and with ease. 10. Build a budget. Find out how much is coming in and maybe more importantly, how much is going out each month, with free online budgeting software. Then, look at each and every bill for opportunities to make cuts and make them. 11. Get your news online. Instead of paying for costly subscriptions, log on and read online. 12. Turn off the tube. Click the “off” button on your TV and not only will you save energy, you’ll also shelter yourself from ads that may tempt you to take out your wallet. 13. Quit a vice. We all have ‘em and they’re the worst offenders in the wasteful spending department. Consider cutting back or quitting altogether. Smokers, consider this: If you smoke a pack a day, you could save $2,555 a year (at $7 a pop) by quitting. 14. Download coupons. Thanks to sites like ShortCuts and P&G eSaver, you can put the scissors away and click your way to coupon heaven. Just select the coupons you want, download them to your grocery savings card and save money at checkout. 15. Borrow instead of buy. Remember that place you went to as a kid? You know, the one with all the books? At your local library, you can borrow books, CDs and DVDs and it will always beat Amazon’s best deal. 16. Create a “slush fund.” Deposit any random checks you get – like rebate, rewards or reimbursement checks – into this fund. You can use it for any purpose, but if you’re in a position to enjoy some of your savings now, make the goal something fun like a vacation. 17. Opt for H2O. Swap out the soda, wine or cocktail for water, especially when out at a restaurant. It’s free and better for you. 18. Forget the meat. Try veggies in place of a meat dish once a week and the dollars will add up. 19. Buy store brands. Ditch the brand names and you could save $1,200 per year. 20. Manage your credit. A good credit score will open up doors to the best interest rates and terms on credit cards and student, personal, auto and home loans. To manage your credit, first find out what your credit situation is with a free credit report and score. Then, improve it if it’s bad and monitor it if it’s good (to make sure it stays that way). 21. Check coupon codes before checking out. Before you buy anything online, make it a habit to check for coupon codes from sites like RetailMeNot first. 22. Bike it. If your destination is nearby, jump on your bike to get there instead of wasting expensive gas. (It’s a great workout too!) 23. Auto-pay your student loans. Many student loan servicers offer a discounted rate if you opt to have your monthly payment automatically withdrawn from your bank account. Stop worrying about missing a payment and save a few bucks. 24. Carpool. Split the driving duties and the gas costs. 25. Grow your own veggies. Produce is expensive! Save some green by indulging your green thumb. 26. Give your windows some TLC – Cold edition. When it’s cold out, cover your windows with plastic and shrink-wrap them by using a hairdryer to heat the plastic at its edges. Winterizing older or cheaper windows could save you cash on your heating bill. 27. Give your windows some TLC – Hot edition. When it’s hot out, skip the air conditioner. Instead, open your windows and use a box fan to suck warm air out. 28. Attack your closet. Put aside all the clothes you don’t wear and give them to charity. Make sure to document everything and consult this handy online valuation guide so you can claim a generous deduction on your tax return next year. 29. Get the Entertainment book. These books are chock full of coupons and will pay for themselves after just a couple of uses. 30. Refinance your home loan. You may be shelling out extra dollars for your monthly home loan payment when you don’t have to. Give your trusted mortgage banker a call to find out if you can reduce your mortgage rate and payment by refinancing. Or set up a free Rate & Payment alert that will let you know via email when a home loan program becomes available at the interest rate or payment “sweet spot” you’re interested in. 31. Follow up on rebates. They can be a pain, but the return on your effort is worth it. Fill out the forms and snail mail them in. 32. Opt out of escrow. It may be a smart choice to opt out of having an escrow account on your home loan because it’s non-interest-bearing. Instead, make the same payment via payroll deductions into a money market or high-yield savings account. In this market, your money may not earn much, but even 1% is better than 0%. 33. Reduce your rate. It never hurts to ask. Call up your credit card company and ask for a lower interest rate on your card. If you carry balances, an interest rate reduction can save you big time. 34. Buy food for multiple meals. Maybe the veggies you’re adding to your pasta sauce could also be served up in a veggie pita. Buying flexible menu items will ensure you get the most bang for your buck by getting multiple uses out of your food. 35. Never grocery shop hungry. Growling stomach = Stop sign. 36. Take advantage of points. Do some research and find out if you can earn points with your debit card or credit card. Then, use those points to buy things you’d have to buy anyway, like gifts for teachers, new electronics or school shopping. 37. Love your leftovers. Food in a doggy bag is like a free meal ticket. Suck it up and take advantage. 38. Pass on the ply. If your bum can handle it, go for single ply toilet paper. We’re talking cents here in terms of savings, but if you really need to tighten the budget, you need to consider everything. 39. Print online. Things like business cards are a fraction of the cost online compared to the local printer. 40. Be prepared for a rainy day. Set your sights on saving 4 to 6 months worth of expenses in case of emergency. If a little rain falls in your life, like losing your job, having a money cushion could help you stay out of debt and avoid high interest rates. Keep tabs on your progress with free online savings tools. 41. Make gifts with your own two hands. Homemade gifts are the most thoughtful gifts one can give. Use sentimental items like pictures and souvenirs to put together a memorable present for a friend or family member. 42. Go grocery store, not corner store. If you’re buying basics like milk and toilet paper at the pharmacy, corner store or gas station, you’re probably paying more for each item than you would at the grocery store or supercenter. 43. Split the babysitting duties. Ask your neighbors and close friends if they’d be willing to babysit your kids sometime and in return, you’ll look after theirs another time. 44. Split the babysitting costs. Coordinate nights out with your neighbors and close friends and go halfsies on the babysitter bill. 45. Bar hop with a brain. If you frequent the bar already, opt for happy hour or eat before you go. 46. Nix the car lease. Buy used or “new used” and drive the car as long as you can. If you’ve picked wisely, you can save big over the long-term. 47. Wait for the deal. Particularly on big ticket items, monitor sites like Slick Deals, Deal News and Fat Wallet, for the best deals. Then take advantage. 48. Do your own simple home repairs. With all the home improvement shows out there, the “I don’t know how” excuse no longer works. Google it, look it up on DIY or HGTV, or ask the folks at the hardware or home improvement store, and get to work. 49. Help yourself to the highest yield savings. Move your money from your checking account to a high-yield savings account. Even a percentage point difference in interest rate can make your savings grow faster. 50. Comparison shop [dot] com. Websites like Shopzilla do the work for you. Just type in what you’re looking for, press the button and voila! A list of prices and stores that carry your item so you can easily find the best deal in town. 51. Host a clothes swap. You know what they say, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Get a bunch of friends together, have everyone bring clothes that no longer fit or they’re not interested in, and go to town! 52. Reel in a roommate. Splitting housing costs could save you hundreds, even thousands of dollars a month. It’s a different lifestyle, but if you need to make big changes in your budget (ahem, spend less), this tip will get you there quicker than most. 53. Buy used. Whether it’s clothing, books or iPods, buying used and refurbished items can save you a pretty penny off the sticker price. 54. Plan before you shop. Wandering around a grocery store often leads to overspending. Plan your meal(s) before you shop and stick with your list. 55. Stick to the 10% rule. Follow the age-old rule of saving 10% of everything you make or are gifted. And start ‘em young! If you have children, open up a savings account for each of them and have them follow this rule as well.
6 Classic Holiday Movies
I have to admit that I still love the classic Christmas movies. I can't wait for the major networks to start airing them around Thanksgiving. Here are five of my all-time favorites...
#1 A Charlie Brown Christmas
Hands down ... it's the best Charlie Brown movie.
#2 Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Aww, I felt sorry for the island of misfit toys.
#3 Frosty The Snowman
I love the theme song!
#4 Miracle on 34th St
You gotta love a classic movie with a happy ending.
#6 Christmas Vacation
The Griswold family's plans for a big family Christmas predictably turn into a big disaster. Team Scattergood…
TOP 12 Agents for September 2009 We are happy to announce that out of 350 agents at Prudential Verani Realty, Team Scattergood were the top 12 agents for the month of July. Checkout our Current Listing Lineup
203 Harantis Lake Road – Owl Pond Farm – Chester
34 Collettes Grove Road – Beach Rights – Derry
408 Collettes Grove Road – Beach Rights – Derry
15 Morningside Dr - 3 Bedroom Custom Cape – Derry
14 Westwood Dr - 4 Bedroom Custom Split with 4 bay heated garage – Hampstead
51 Mill Rd - 5 Bedroom Colonial – Derry
Benjamin Chase Mill Unit 106 - 2 Bedroom Townhouse Condo – Derry
Benjamin Chase Mill Unit 113 - 2 Bedroom Riverfront Condo – Derry
Benjamin Chase Mill Unit 301 - 2 Bedroom Riverfront Condo – Derry
Benjamin Chase Mill Unit 302 - 2 Bedroom Riverfront Condo – Derry
Benjamin Chase Mill Unit 304 - 2 Bedroom Riverfront Condo – Derry
Little Mill Woods - 2 Bedroom 55+ Condo – Sandown
Little Mill Woods - 2 Bedroom Sterns Condo – Sandown
Covey Run - New 2 Bedroom Condos – Derry Rentals
Benjamin Chase Mill Unit 206 - 2 Bedroom Riverfront Condo – Derry
Benjamin Chase Mill Unit 301 - 2 Bedroom Riverfront Condo – Derry
Benjamin Chase Mill Unit 302 - 2 Bedroom Riverfront Condo – Derry
Extra Mortgage Payments Can Pay Off
Making extra payments will cut down on the length of your mortgage and the amount of interest you pay over the life of the loan. The specifics depend on the size of your loan and your interest rate. For example, making one extra payment on a 15-year, $300,000 mortgage with a 5% interest rate breaks down to about $200 extra per month. If you pay $2,572 each month instead of the required $2,372, for example, you can cut the number of payments down from 180 to 161 (from 15 years to 13.4) and the total interest paid from $127,029 to $111,653. The higher the interest rate, the more you'll save by making extra payments. But before you rush to make the extra payments, think about how else you could use the money. Interest rates are so low now -- especially since you've just refinanced to a 15-year mortgage -- that there may be better places to put the cash. Paying down high-interest credit-card debt, for example, should be one of your first priorities -- the interest rate is probably a lot higher than what you're paying on your mortgage. Also make sure you have enough money in an emergency fund so you can avoid getting into debt if you have unexpected expenses. And be sure to contribute at least enough money to your 401(k) to receive your employer's match because that's a 100% return that you won't beat anywhere else. Team Scattergood 12 Page Selling Guide
Every Realtor would love for you to "list your house" with them, but not every Realtor is up to the task or have the funds to properly marketing your property. Very few have the marketing expertise like Team Scattergood, the owners of Derry/Londonderry's largest ad agency. With thousands of dollars of equity on the line, your decision is much too important to just choose a friend, a neighbor, or the convenient local brokerage. You need your property to be where today's buyers are looking. And today 87% (almost 9 out of 10) buyers start their home search on the Internet. To sell your home in today’s tough market, you need... TOP AGENTS that use the BEST MARKETING to get the HIGHEST PRICE in the FASTEST TIME.... It’s that simple!
Call Team Scattergood now at 537-5334 for a FREE Home Market Analysis. Please download our FREE 12 Page Guide at www.TeamScattergood.com Home Buyer Tax Credit: 10 Things to Know On Nov. 6, the president signed the new Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009 into law. The centerpiece of this legislation is the extension and liberalization of what is now inaccurately called the first-time home buyer credit. Here are the 10 most important things to know about the revamped credit. 1. New purchase deadline extends into 2010 The home buyer credit was previously scheduled to expire on Nov. 30, 2009. The new law extends the deal to cover purchases of U.S. principal residences that close by April 30, 2010. However, if a home is under contract on that date, the deadline for closing is extended to June 30, 2010. 2. Existing homeowners can now qualify The new law allows a reduced credit for existing homeowners who buy a replacement U.S. principal residence after Nov. 6, 2009. The credit equals the lesser of: (1) $6,500, or (2) 10% of the price of the replacement home, or (3) $3,250 for a buyer who uses married filing separate status. The new existing-homeowner credit is only available for purchases that close after Nov. 6, 2009. To qualify, the buyer must have owned and used the same home as a principal residence for at least five consecutive years during the eight-year period ending on the purchase date for the replacement principal residence. If you’re married, your spouse must pass this test too (whether or not you file jointly). 3. Larger credits still allowed for first-time buyers Before the new law, the home buyer credit was only available to so-called first-time buyers, which means someone who had not owned a U.S. principal residence during the three-year period ending on the purchase date for a home that will serve as the buyer’s new principal residence. If you’re married, both you and your spouse must pass the three-year test (whether or not you file jointly). These first-time home buyer rules still apply for purposes of claiming a larger credit of up to $8,000. Specifically, the credit for a first-time buyer still equals the lesser of: (1) $8,000, or (2) 10% of the home purchase price, or (3) $4,000 if you use married filing separate status. 4. Higher-income folks can now qualify The home buyer credit is phased out (reduced or completely eliminated) as income goes up. However, the new law significantly raises the phase-out ranges so that many more higher-income buyers will now qualify. * For purchases after Nov. 6, 2009, the phase-out range for unmarried individuals and married folks who file separately is between modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) of $125,000 and $145,000 (way up from the old-law range of $75,000-$95,000). * The phase-out range for married joint filers is now between MAGI of $225,000 and $245,000 (way up from the previous range of $150,000-$170,000). 5. New $800,000 purchase price limit For purchases after Nov. 6, 2009, the credit can only be claimed for a principal residence that costs $800,000 or less. So if your new home costs $800,001, the credit is completely off limits (but I doubt too many people will feel sorry for you). 6. No more credits for kids or dependents For purchases after Nov. 6, 2009, the home buyer must be at least 18 years old on the purchase date to qualify for the credit. Also, no credit is allowed for a buyer who can be claimed as a dependent on someone else’s Form 1040 for the year of the purchase. These new rules are intended to shut down the practice of claiming the credit for youngish buyers who really don’t even have incomes of their own (like college students who use money from their parents to buy a pad near campus). 7. New anti-fraud rules A recent government report said the IRS has already identified over 100,000 returns with potentially fraudulent home buyer credits. This is hardly surprising when the government is willing to give away up to $8,000 in free money to anyone who files a return, even when that person reports no income. Believe it or not, absolutely no documentation was required to claim the credit, until now. For credits claimed on 2009 and 2010 returns, buyers must attach a properly executed real estate settlement sheet to the return. Also, the IRS can now simply disallow credits in fishy circumstances (like when it appears the $8,000 credit is being claimed by someone who already owns a home). 8. Credits can still be claimed on prior-year returns Under the revamped rules, you can still claim the credit for a 2009 purchase on your 2008 return (although you would now generally have to file an amended return to do so). You can also claim the credit for a 2010 purchase on your 2009 Form 1040. This allows you to cash in on the credit sooner rather than later, and it may also allow you to claim a larger credit if your income in the year of purchase is higher than in the preceding year. 9. Credits must still be repaid in some cases Under old-law rules for homes purchased between April 9, 2008 and Dec. 31, 2008, buyers are generally required to repay the credit over 15 years. However, this repayment rule is generally eliminated for purchases after 2008. That said, you might still have to repay the credit if you sell your home within three years of the purchase date or stop using it as your principal residence during that period. 10. Special rules for military service members For military service members on extended duty outside the U.S., the new law lengthens the deadline for closing on home purchases for an extra year, to April 30, 2011 (or June 30, 2011 for homes under contract on April 30, 2011). The new law also waives the credit repayment rules for service members who are forced to move due to receiving new orders. The same special rules apply to members of the foreign service and intelligence communities.
Referrals are important to us… We build our business in part with referrals from friends, family and neighbors. You have the power to make the home buying or selling experience go smoothly, just forward this email to anyone you know thinking of making a move. Thank You in advance! Fun things to do with your dog:
Agility - in, out, over and through this sport is all about working as a team Animal Assisted Animal Assisted Therapy - the warm head of a friendly pet can soothe a lonely heart
Bikejoring - some dogs love to run. Adding the responsibility of teamwork adds to the fun.
Carting - channel the desire to pull into harness work that lets the dog feel useful and skilled Coursing and racing - root instinct drives the joy of running with purpose in coursing and racing Day trips and vacations - the dogs need not be left behind, bring them along for even more fun Disc Dog or Flying Disc - if there was ever meaning to jump for joy this is itDock Jumping or Dock Diving - dogs who excel in this sport are love to show they can do it further and better Dog Camps - Activity Sampler - too many choices? take a vacation with your dog and sample a variety Dog Parks and Dog Walks: Socialization and Off-leash Play - a joy for the social dog, think tot lot Dog Scootering - some dogs love to run. Adding the responsibility of teamwork adds to the fun. Earthdog Trials - instinct, drive, and flying dirt - what more could an earthdog want
Flyball - excitement, speed, and focus, a sport for dogs driven to do it faster
Flygility - racing and teamwork to build confidence and a sense of belonging
Herding - it's all about the dog's instinct and desire to control and direct movement for the pack
Hiking - sharing our quiet moments, our contemplations is the essence of being a pack
Hunt and Field Trials - working as a team is what drives these dogs
Kids dogs and kids can be a wonderful pairing with a little learning to keep it safe and fun
Mushing - for dogs who love to pull and people who want to let them
Musical Freestyle - the ultimate in teamwork is working with rhythm and coordination
Obedience - precision, focus and a great activity for perfectionist dogs
Performance Art (Tricks) - curiosity and a willingness to try new things makes this fun
Pulling - great for dogs who love to pull, and people who want to let them
Racing - for the dogs who love not just running but being faster than the next one
Rollerblade - a fun way for dogs and humans to share exercise and fresh air 10 Ways To Improve Your Gas Mileage
There are several free and easy ways to get a better gas mileage. First of all there are two major enemies of good MPG that you can easily reduce: Weight and Friction. 1. How much unnecessary weight are you carrying around in your car? Reducing dead weight and wind drag (unused roof racks) will lower your fuel consumption 2% per 100 pounds! 2. Do you wash your chassis and wax your car? Built up dirt on the chassis can add more weight than you think, cleaning and vaxing your chassis will guaranteed improve your mileage. Washing and waxing the car regularly can gain 2% to 4% MPG fuel economy.
3. Are you using wide and large sized tires? If you do than you are paying for them at the pump! Large and wide wheels are heavy and create more friction; which can greatly affect your fuel economy. You can improve your mileage 2% to 5% and the performance of your car by changing to normal sized light material wheels. 4. It’s vital to maintain the right air pressure in the tires. Under inflated tires will cause increased fuel consumption. The correct friction between the wheels and road can improve gas mileage by 2% to 3%. 5. Do You tune your car at intervals? Cleaning and changing the filters regularly will improve your fuel economy and make your vehicle run much smoother. A well tuned car can use as much as 4% to 10% less gas. 6. What kind of oil are you using? Friction reducing oil additives can improve your fuel economy an increase mpg by much as 12%! 7. Do you always use air conditioning in your car? Turning off the A/C can save you between 4% to 8% fuel, depending on climate, type of A/C and car. Use your car ventilators at high speed. Open car windows and sunroof creates aerodynamic drag that dramatically increases air resistance. 8. Buy gas during early morning or late evening (coolest time of the day), these are the times gas is densest. The gas stations are charging you in volumes and not densities. Avoid overfilling gas tank. Save 1% to 2%. 9. Tighten your gas cap correctly - More than 140 million gallons of fuel vanish every year in the US only thanks to incorrectly closed gasoline caps. Improve gas mileage 1% to 2%. 10. And finally, How do you drive your car? This is the factor that has biggest effect on the level of fuel consumption and MPG! Try to choose alternative routes to avoid stop & go traffic. Turn off your engine when waiting in traffic. Always drive smoothly and slowly without unnecessary accelerations and breakings, it takes 25% more gas to drive at 70 mph than 55 mph! Possible mileage improvement: 5 to 25%. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! Thanks to YOU, the word is spreading. Thanks to all of our clients, friends and family who graciously referred us to your friends and neighbors in the past few months. See, rather than pester people with unwanted calls and visits, we build our business based on the positive comments and referrals from people like you. We just couldn’t do it without you! Top 10 Wines for the Holidays
1. Kendall Jackson Vintner's Reserve Chardonnay 2005 (CA) $10 This Chardonnay is a delicious compilation of fruit and smoke, full-bodied and balanced. Apple, melon and pear dominate the palate and are well supported by a rich, buttery texture. Kendall-Jackson is known for consistent quality, good distribution, and holds a stellar reputation for producing wines that are reasonably priced. 2. Fetzer Valley Oaks German Riesling 2005 (Germany) $9 The Fetzer Valley Oaks German Riesling is an off-dry, low-alcohol Riesling sourced from the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer and the Rheinhessen, two of Germany's prominent grape growing regions. This is an "every man's" white wine, in that it will behave beautifully with an assortment of flavors, spices and white meats. The flavor profile boasts abundant apple, pear and peach combinations with an enticing semi-sweet finish. Fetzer's Valley Oaks offers an authentic German Riesling, that is easy on the palate, easy on the wallet and is versatile enough to be featured at all holiday get togethers whether formal or informal. 3. St. Supery Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley 2003 (CA) $18 Citrus fruits burst to the forefront with orange, lemon and lime defining the palate. This Sauvignon Blanc also boasts a refreshing spirit with lots of spunk - earth, slate and balanced acidity all move within the wine providing ample elegance, familiarity and vibrancy for a festive holiday gathering. 4. Eola Hills Pinot Gris 2005 (OR) $10 A terrific Pinot Gris for the price and the flavor! This one will catch your attention with the honeyed pears and crisp apple flavor, followed by a refreshing finish. Pair this one with your favorite hors d' oeuvres. 5. McManis Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 (CA) $10 This is a Cab that will "wow" the most discerning guests, especially if you reveal the price paid/bottle! A deep garnet colored red wine with plenty of blackberry and cherry on the palate. You'll notice dominant tannin definition and even a bit of coffee on the finish. The perfect party wine! 6. Rex Goliath Pinot Noir (CA) $9 Named after a 47 pound Texas rooster from the early 1900s, this Pinot Noir offers an undistracted aroma of ripe berries and a hint of spice. The flavor profile consists largely of strawberries and raspberries, with very subtle tannins and light weight acidity. A pleasant, supple Pinot Noir with enough versatility to go with everything from hors d'oeuvres to the main dish and for just $9 a pop you don't have to risk much to give Rex Goliath a go! 7. Yellow Tail Shiraz (Aus) $7 Can we see "lotsa fruit?" There is a reason that the Yellow Tail brand has done so well in the U.S. and abroad, it comes down to making consistent, quality wines with great distribution and a perfect "party" wine price point. Not to mention that the Yellow Tail Shiraz has good berry fruit-forward flavor, with raspberries rising to the top of the palate and a decent finish. This is a red wine that guests will like whether they are "into" reds or not. 8. Dancing Bull 2003 Zinfandel (CA) $8 This black cherry packed Zin has a spice and warmth that will perk up any table full of holiday dishes, with a special affinity for red meats, boisterous tomato sauces, mushrooms and sausage. Definitely a wine that is made for good times! 9. Beringer's White Zinfandel 2005 (CA) $6 While most oenophiles detest the thought of owning, much less offering a "white zin" at their holiday get togethers, there will no doubt be a fair amount of guests that will drink it with gusto. So, that said, Beringers offers a nice white zinfandel option with good pricing to satisfy the party necessity. 10. Korbel Champagne Brut $10 - Whether your celebrating something specific or just need to have a bottle of bubbly on hand. This is a champagne stand by that is perfect for party goers, the price is right, the taste is good and many guests just elect to have a sip or two anyway. Who do you know who is planning to
buy or sell Real Estate?
Team Scattergood can help… anyone, anywhere - NATIONWIDE!
Check out www.TeamScattergood.com Upcoming Concerts
at the Verizon Wireless Arena
Star Wars in Concert Thursday, November 12, 2009 7:30 PM
Trans-Siberian Orchestra Sunday, November 15, 2009 7:30 PM
The Christmas Music of Mannheim Steamroller Monday, December 07, 2009 7:30 PM
Boston Pops Holiday Concert Sunday, December 13, 2009 2:30 PM Would you like to know how much your neighbor’s home listed or sold for? Maybe you’re just curious. Or maybe you want to know how much equity you have in your home. Or perhaps you are thinking of selling your own home soon and want to know how much your home has increased in value. Either way, we can help... with no “sales pitches” or runarounds. Just give us a call at 603-537-5334 and we’ll give you all the facts. Top 10 Holiday Cat Toys and Treats!
Everyone needs a little fun during the holidays, and your pet is no exception. Here are some gift ideas – toys and treats – that your cat will love. Based on our years of experience at PetPlace.com, these the are top 10 toys preferred by cats! 1. Cat Teaser on String. Various companies make pretty feathery cat teasers in different colors and styles. Some have a feathery end, some have leather strings, some have long fuzzy things that resemble a tail. They typically come with a long handle with a 3 to 4 ft string on which ends with playful tip consisting of feathers, fuzzy balls or tails. Some of the toys with this design are made to have interchangeable tips. This is a consistent feline favorite! There are available at stores that sell cat supplies. Prices range from $4.99 to $12.99. 2. Laser pointer. This is a perfect toy for cats that love to chase bugs or small objects, a laser pointer is great.You can buy them at most stores, including Walmart, Target, and any office supply store, 3. Small Furry Mice. Small furry mice toys are small and shaped like a mouse and covered with some hair. They are a traditional favorite offering hours of play. Most often they are available as singles or in packs, $0.99 to $ 4.99. 4. Cat Nip Bubbles. Catnip Bubbles are a treat for kittens and cats. They come with a classic bubble-blowing wand and guaranteed not to stain furniture. From Petco.com and other stores, $ 3.49. 5. Kitty Babble Ball™ This is an interactive toy that captivates the attention of your pet! The company's innovative Babble Ball™ makes funny animal noises when touched or breathed on, to create an illusion that the colorful ball is alive. The Kitty Babble Ball symbolizes a mouse, producing squeaky, chirping and "here kitty, kitty" sounds. It's texture is spiny in nature and produces six different sound cycles that are delivered in unlimited and random combinations. The Babble Ball™ comes in various vibrant collars and retails between $ 12.90 and $ 14.95. 6. Panic Mouse. The Panic Mouse is a battery operated toy that swings a string with furry toy at the end offering hours of play! The wand rotates 360 degrees in a random motion mimicking unpredictable mouse-like movements. Available as a Mouse or Garfield designs and new this year is Tweety for $28.95 to 34.95. It may be easy for a playfully aggressive cat to tip over so consider the additional wall mount attachment. 7. Fresh Cat Grass. is always a traditional favorite. Available at most pet stores and Wal-Mart – plant these seeds, water, and watch them grow. Your cat will love it! 8. Water Fountain. Many cats love to drink running water! Give them a Drinkwell® Pet Fountain which filters and aerates a 5 inch fountain of continuously moving water. Having the fountain can increase water consumption in cats which can be especially important with medical conditions involving the kidneys and urinary tract. 9. "Peek a Prize" Toy Box. This toy is a sturdy square wood box with multiple holes in the top and sides. Inside are several toy mice and balls at which cats will work to get their prize. This was created to mentally and physically stimulate cats to minimize obesity and boredom! This is great for keeping your cat busy when you are not at home! 10. Catnip ball. Most cats love catnip and this Cosmic Refillable wood catnip ball is great! Cats love to play with it. Make sure whatever toy you choose this holiday that you play with your cat supervised and make sure he or she is safe. Choose toys that can not be chewed or eaten. Have a great holiday! Thinking of Selling Your Home Soon? Don’t attempt to sell your home without our FREE consumer guide, “44 Marketing Tools That Can Help to Sell Your Home Faster.” Our exclusive report will show you all the advantages of the best marketing tools that can result in a fast, top dollar sale. Just email us, to request this report, and we’ll rush a copy out to you. Top 10 Holiday Cookies
Here's a roundup of yummy treats from other parents that you and the kids will love making and munching. 1. Swedish Butter Cookies An old Swedish family recipe that's winning rave reviews from our audience. They're great with or without decoration. 2. Spritz Holiday Cookies Simple but beautiful press cookies that are perfect for sharing with special ones. 3. Christmas Whoopie Pies Kids go crazy over these sandwich cookies with colored marshmallow filling. 4. Snow Top Cookies Crisp, chewy, chocolately, and delicious -- these are great to make with kids. 5. Apricot Rugelach Here's a special treat that takes a little extra effort, but you'll find it's worth it! 6. Snowflakes Classic cookie-press cookies, crispy and fun to make. 7. Candy Cane Cookies Shaped like a candy cane, with red and white stripes, these cookies are perfect at Christmastime. 8. No-Bake Christmas Treats Made with coconut, white chocolate, Rice Krispies, and more, these sweets are a great no-bake, no-mess alternative to more complicated recipes. (And the kids love 'em!) 9. Yule Log Cookies Easy and quick to make, pretty to look at, and nutty and sweet to eat! 10. Sugar Cookies Here's a classic cookie that's perfect for frosting or decorating with colored sugar. |