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Braintree – Home Buyers’ Workshops to be held on March 4 and March 6 at the Thayer Public Library

The cost of admission is one can of food or a box of dry goods.  This small donation to local South Shore food pantries gains you entrance to a Home Buyers’ Workshops to be held on March 4 and March 6 at the Thayer Public Library, 798 Washington Street, Braintree.

All participants will receive a free credit report and personalized credit analysis.

The free workshops are set for Thursday, March 4, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. or Saturday, March 6, 10 a.m. – 11 a.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by contacting Jason Gravelle, Advanced Mortgage Services, 617.620.9440 , JGravelle@ams-loan.com.

Presenters will include Jason Gravelle, Senior Licensed Loan Officer at Advanced Mortgage Services, a local real estate attorney, and Tiger Home Inspection.

The objective, informational workshop will cover how credit scores and monthly debt impact the program you may qualify for, the pre-approval and home buying process, how the current federal home purchase tax credit works, and what down payment requirements are for the different homebuyer programs.

Historically low mortgage rates and low listing prices are acting as a major stimulus to the real estate market.  Future workshops will outline strategies for improving credit scores, renovation financing programs for purchase and refinance, maneuvering the short sale and bank owned property markets, new requirements for purchasing investment properties.

Advanced Mortgage Services LLC

Advanced Mortgage Services LLC was founded as a mortgage lending company in

2005 by Brian Thomas Comer, a financial services professional with more than

13 years experience in the South Shore real estate market. Advanced Mortgage Services is a full service mortgage company that values and nurtures long-term customer relationships, providing options and solutions with maximum benefit and genuine concern for their customer’s interests.

Advanced Mortgage Services team of loan officers maintains rigorous licensing requirements set by the Massachusetts Division of Banks and is committed to upholding the highest standards in the mortgage industry while offering customers the best possible solution for any mortgage-related needs.

Advanced Mortgage Services, which is an active participant in many community events and organizations throughout the South Shore, is located at 335 Washington Street in Norwell, MA 02061 and has an additional office at 25 Main Street in Plymouth, MA 02360.

For additional information on services offered by Advanced Mortgage Services please visit www.ams-loan.com. A Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity Lender, Advanced Mortgage Services is a fully insured and licensed Massachusetts Mortgage Lender and Mortgage Broker (license #MC3702.)

Braintree – Home Buyers’ Workshops to be held on March 4 and March 6 at the Thayer Public LibraryRead More

Salon Owner & Internationally Recognized Designer Edward Blum Leads Color & Design Team for Donna Karan During Fashion Week

Donna Karan & Edward Blum
Donna Karan & Edward Blum

Massachusetts salon owner and internationally recognized industry expert in hair color, design and styling, Edward Blum, just returned from New York this week after working with the color and design team for fashion designer Donna Karan as she introduced her Fall 2010 collection during Fashion Week (February 11-18th).

 

Blum, who was a team colorist with the “dynamic duo” Christopher and Sonya Dove, was brought to New York’s Fashion Week by Wella Professionals as a colorist/stylist for Donna Karan’s models. Blum is co-owner of the prestigious Makeovers Salon & Spa, a state-of-the-art facility located in Easton with a staff of 80.  Known for his artistry and technical knowledge, Blum has been a hair stylist for 31 years and a salon owner for more than 21 years.  Makeovers Salon & Spa is his fourth salon and one of the largest salons and spas in Massachusetts.

 

“Donna Karan’s Fall collection has an emphasis on curves with gathered suiting, body hugging wraps and scarves.  Hair style and color is all about looking very natural and approachable yet at the same time, ultra chic and refined.  Any hint of brassiness in hair color is out.  To get the gorgeous, shiny, natural looking hair that the models are sporting is definitely an investment,” noted Blum.

 

Blum shared some of the fashion trends that will be seen this fall:

 

•       Hair color will be natural looking with glosses and glazes leading the way.  Hair styles will be sporty and slightly edgy.

•       Nails will be natural looking.  Gel nails and gel polishes will be all the rage.

•       Trends in body care will be bio-organic and very moisturizing.

 

According to Blum, “We’re really going to see a turn towards the natural and organic this fall and it will be reflected in hair style and make-up, even in spa treatments.”

 

Blum has worked alongside a number of greats over the years including Vidal Sassoon, Jon Louis David and Jaque Dessange. He trained with Alexandre de Paris and also served as the International Spokesperson and Market Leader for Wella Corporation for 15 years, providing hair design and styling for major hair shows in the U.S. and Europe.

 

He is a contributing writer to many professional beauty publications including Modern Salon Magazine, American Salon Magazine and Salon Today Magazine.  No stranger to the stars, Blum has been the stylist for “One Life to Live” soap opera’s Christian Alfonso and Judge Maria Lopez of the “Maria Lopez Show” as well as for Buena Vista Studios-Disney, New England Today, Boston Channel 5 and Channel 4.   He has won numerous awards and worked on many other stage, hair and fashion award shows over the last three decades. 

 

On the local level, Blum holds the Northeast Cutting and Styling Championship title and his salon has been honored 15 times with First Place Reader’s Choice Award in all beauty categories.  Additionally, he frequently serves as a consultant to many cosmetology schools in New England.

 

About Makeovers Salon & Spa

Makeovers Salon & Spa is owned by the internationally recognized, award-winning designers  Edward and Norah Blum.  As one of the largest salon and spa in Massachusetts, Makeovers Salon & Spa is a 13,200 square foot “paradise” with 26 styling stations, nine large treatment rooms and a staff of more than 80 providing hair styling and coloring; nail and spa services.  Makeovers Salon & Spa has been honored 15 times with “First Place Reader’s Choice Award” in all beauty categories. 

 

Every member of Makeovers Salon & Spa hair design team undergoes an intensive two years of training at the salon.  The majority of the salon’s design professionals have been with the company for at least 15 years.  Makeovers Salon & Spa designers travel to New York for training in the latest color and cutting techniques each Spring and the salon frequently hosts renowned international guest trainers.  Services offered at the Day Spa include facials, laser treatments, massage, manicures/pedicures, wraps, body treatments, waxing, reflexology and aromatherapy.  Makeovers offers a range of Day Spa packages including special Day of Beauty, Bridal, Groom’s, Couples and Men’s packages, as well as the ability to host private parties from 4 to 40. Their line of high quality products include G.M. Collin and Glymed Spa products and Wella, Sebastian, Rene Furtier, Alterna and Icon hair care products.

 

Salon owner Ed Blum has been the stylist for “One Life to Live” soap opera’s Christian Alfonso and Judge Maria Lopez of the “Maria Lopez Show”, Susan Wornick and Natalie Jacobson of Channel 5 Boston and numerous others.  Most recently, Makeovers Salon & Spa was the set for the Disney pilot, “Postcards from Heaven” with medium Maureen Hancock and casting calls with ‘The Rock’.

 

Makeovers Salon & Spa is located at 574 Washington Street in Easton, MA.  For  more information, visit the website at www.makeoverssalon.com or contact (508) 238-1211.

 

Salon Owner & Internationally Recognized Designer Edward Blum Leads Color & Design Team for Donna Karan During Fashion WeekRead More

Boys and Girls Club to Host Caricature Artists Mat Brown & Sue Petersen at Gala on March 6th

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield will host caricature artists Mat Brown of Scituate and Sue Petersen of Rockland at their annual Gala on March 6th.

 

Brown, who is best known as the cartoonist who creates Building #19’s prize winning advertising, and Petersen, a professional graphic designer, commercial illustrator and Mass College of Art graduate who has been drawing since childhood, will star at the Boys and Girls Club’s gala drawing caricatures for attendees.


Last year, the duo turned out 40 caricatures over the course of the evening. Those who sat for the artists were excited to pose with their spouses, groups of friends or by themselves and take home a ready-to-frame piece of art that captured their unique physical attributes.


“Many people came up to me during last year’s gala to show me their caricature and said they were just thrilled with the humorous portrayal of themselves. My husband David and I were drawn and it’s now framed and hanging in our Marshfield office,” noted Pam Snell of American Computer Technologies who is a member of the Boys and Girls Club Board of Directors and gala co-chair.


According to Petersen, “I have done portrait work as well, but people really get more joy out of the caricatures and can laugh at what they perceive as their ‘flaws’ instead of obsessing over them.”


The Boys and Girls Club Gala will be held from 6 to 11 p.m., on Saturday, March 6th at the Indian Pond Country Club in Kingston. For tickets, contact Shawn Costa, Director of Development at the club (781) 834-1300 (ext. 277). Tickets are $100 each or $1,000 for a corporate table for 10. For more information visit marshfieldboysandgirlsclub.com.


The Annual Gala

The Boys and Girls Club Gala is a major fundraiser for the privately funded, non-profit club and this year more than 350 people are expected to attend. Marshfield Selectman and Town Moderator Jim Robinson and his wife Maureen will be honored for their support of and dedication to the Boys and Girls Club and families in the area and the “Youth of the Year” will be presented with a scholarship.


The Gala promises to be dazzling with lively entertainment, caricature artists, hors d’oeuvres and dinner.  Silent and live auctions will be held featuring items such as a weekend on Martha’s Vineyard with golf for four; a Dell Notebook and printer; an African Safari for two; a one-week stay at a condo in Treasure Island, FL; a wine pairing dinner for eight; architectural services for an addition or renovation; a four-hour pontoon boat trip for four; a BBQ for 30 and Red Sox tickets.


Major sponsors for the event include Rockland Federal Credit Union and Tiny and Sons Glass.


The Boys and Girls Club

The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield provides a safe haven for recreation and fun, which includes a variety of supervised activities for the 1,100 current members and is available to youth (between the ages of 6 to 18 years old) within the town and surrounding communities. The Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield has five Core Areas: Character and Leadership; Education and Career; Health, Sport Fitness Recreation and Life Skills; The Arts; and Technology. These Core Areas serve as the foundation for all programming.


As a privately-funded, non-profit organization, the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield relies tremendously on the generous philanthropic support of individuals. Financial gifts assist in providing the financial strength necessary to continue the club’s mission “to enable and inspire all young people to realize their full potential as productive and responsible citizens, as well as become tomorrow’s capable leaders.”


For more information about the Boys and Girls Club of Marshfield, please contact (781) 834-CLUB (2582) or visit the club in Library Plaza or the website at MarshfieldBoysAndGirlsClub.com. The club’s mailing address is P.O. Box 311, Marshfield, MA 02050.


Boys and Girls Club to Host Caricature Artists Mat Brown & Sue Petersen at Gala on March 6thRead More

DirectBuy of Winnipeg a welcome sight for Welcome Wagon for 10 years

WINNIPEG, MANITOBA…

The Manitoba Welcome Wagon Association recently honoured DirectBuy of Winnipeg for its support during the past 10 years. DirectBuy of Winnipeg’s Membership Director Beverley Ebertz and Service Supervisor Helen Wiebe received the plaque from the Manitoba Welcome Wagon Association at the Association’s Bridal & Baby Trade show held on February 7, 2010.

“As a company that helps people to create the homes of their dreams, it’s always seemed quite natural to support an organization like Welcome Wagon, which has a similar purpose in making people new to the community feel at home,” said Lynn Till, owner of DirectBuy of Winnipeg. “We’re quite touched by this recognition and look forward to continuing to support Welcome Wagon in the years to come.”

Founded in 1930, Welcome Wagon is a Canadian-owned, free greeting service renowned for their “welcome baskets” and friendly visits paid to families undergoing a change in lifestyle – including moving to a new neighborhood, planning a wedding, expecting a baby, a new executive, manager or professional, 50 plus, or new parents/grandparents. In its 10 years as a supporter, DirectBuy of Winnipeg has contributed gift items to the welcome baskets given to families in the Winnipeg area.

“As Area Manager of Manitoba, it is my pleasure to acknowledge and honour DirectBuy of Winnipeg and to express appreciation for their more than 10 years of sponsorship in our Welcome Wagon service to the community and special event programs,” said Sandra Ross, of the Manitoba Welcome Wagon Association. “It is our hope that our relationship will continue to be mutually beneficial for many more years to come.”

For more information on the Welcome Wagon, please visit www.welcomewagon.ca.

About DirectBuy Club

As the leading members-only home improvement and home furnishings club, DirectBuy of Winnipeg offers direct insider pricing on products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, all from more than 500 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. DirectBuy Club also offers design, delivery and installation services. Conveniently located at the Prudential Business Plaza at 180-117 King Edward Street in Winnipeg, DirectBuy of Winnipeg has been serving the greater Winnipeg area since 1999.

To request a “Free Insider’s Guide to Buying Direct” and a Visitor’s Pass to learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy Club membership, visit www.DirectBuy.com or www.DirectBuyCares.com.

DirectBuy of Winnipeg a welcome sight for Welcome Wagon for 10 yearsRead More

DirectBuy of Waterloo fundraiser raises more than $5,000 to the Canadian Red Cross in support of Haiti relief efforts

WATERLOO, ONTARIO…

DirectBuy of Waterloo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently donated more than $5,000 to the Canadian Red Cross’ Haiti relief efforts with help from the Canadian government.  

Inspired by donations and relief efforts from around the world, the club owners and staff set up an all-day “Help Us, Help Haiti” fundraiser where a portion of every member purchase, as well as any additional member donations, were collected to help those affected by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 2010.

DirectBuy of Waterloo offers consumers thousands of items, including kitchen cabinets, flat-screen televisions and major appliances from more than 500 top manufacturers or their authorized suppliers. With more than 160 clubs throughout Canada and the United States, DirectBuy Club allows members to purchase merchandise at direct insider prices, bypassing traditional retail mark-up.

To promote the fundraiser, DirectBuy of Waterloo encouraged all club members to visit the club on Saturday, January 16, 2010, to place an order. Interest from members was greater than expected and many Waterloo members made an extra effort to stop in the club that day to place orders and support the cause. In fact, due to the high number of orders placed, the club was open well past closing time to meet member demand.

In less than eight hours, the club raised nearly $3,000. With the Canadian government’s promise to match all charitable donations made in support of Haiti relief, the final tally on the day of the fundraiser reached $5,665.70.

“I’m so proud of what we were able to accomplish in just a few days. At DirectBuy, we’re in the business of helping families live and buy better – so to be able to expand on our company’s mission and help on a much larger scale was even more fulfilling,” said Service Manager Erin Budd. “And we couldn’t have done it without the help of all of our wonderful members who showed incredible support for the cause. We’re so proud of our members and we hope our contribution makes a difference!”

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or authorized suppliers in Canada, and approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US. .

In addition to saving its members thousands of dollars, DirectBuy Clubs are active contributors to the communities they serve and have been known to contribute to disaster relief operations. Among the many non-profit and community programs DirectBuy Club franchises across Canada and the United States support are local Boys & Girls Clubs, Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, and various Children’s Hospitals.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.getdirectbuy.com.

DirectBuy of Waterloo fundraiser raises more than $5,000 to the Canadian Red Cross in support of Haiti relief effortsRead More

A toast to maple! March is Maple Month and Cabin Fever helps

March is Maple Month and Cabin Fever, a new 80-proof maple whiskey, is celebrating by sharing its many unique recipes with maple lovers.

What could be more New England than a maple whiskey created in the backyard garage?  The spirit was recently developed, over many a family tasting, by brothers Rob and John Robillard, residents of Chester, New Hampshire and Norton, Massachusetts respectively.  Their wives, Julie and Melissa, also lent a hand and taste buds to the effort.

Recipes range from tasty beverages like Uncle Bob’s Cabin Fever to fine food entrees such as Cabin Fever Maple Brined Pork can be found at the independently-owned company’s website www.CabinFeverSpirits.com.

“I came upon the idea of a maple spirit by traveling extensively outside the U.S. I noticed that every region I visited had a special fruit or plant that was distilled and made into a spirit,” noted Rob Robillard. “They all seemed very proud of their regional spirit. In Mexico they distill tequila from agave. The French are just as proud of their cognac. Scotch is from Scotland. In Iceland, they distill from a type of moss that grows there. It tastes awful. I thought a maple spirit would be more pleasing than this moss stuff.”

Robillard concluded, “It’s turning a hobby into a full-time thing,” he said of his new career. “I tried to create a spirit we New Englanders could be proud of — not just another trendy flavored vodka.”

Having performed well in package store and barroom tests, Cabin Fever is now available in more than 100 locations throughout Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont and Tennessee, the spirits capital of the U.S.

The proof is in the tasting and at the cash register. At the most recent Whiskey A-Go-Go held annually at Juio’s Liquors in Westboro, Mass., Cabin Fever far outsold the other 150 brown spirit brands were sampled by the more than 850 participants.

Chilled filtered so it is not too sweet, Cabin Fever’s taste is a harmony of oak and maple at the forefront with hints of caramel and butterscotch. It benefits from traditional craftsmanship, such as 100 percent Vermont maple syrup, three-year barrel aging and devotion for extremely high quality.

According to Robillard, it took almost a year to get the engineering done and create a “robust product”.

The process of engineering a new spirit was not as smooth as the taste of the end product. In addition to traveling to Europe, Robillard visited locally renowned distilleries in the area. He also took distilling classes and has studied the subject for four years.  His wife Melissa is the acting CFO and performs all the compliance and tax functions.

“A lot of work has to be done before it can be bottled,” he said.  “Most people like maple and appreciate the fact it’s made with real maple,” said Robillard. “The trick was to keep the maple flavor without making it too sweet. Lots of effort went into striking the right balance. We even considered calling it ‘Cabin Fever Maple Spice.'”

Cabin Fever is produced and bottled in United States. But Robillard still conducts all his research and development in his backyard garage.

To sample recipes, find upcoming product tastings locations and date, and for more information, please visit www.CabinFeverSpirits.com.

A toast to maple! March is Maple Month and Cabin Fever helpsRead More

A date with a 10! DirectBuy of Colorado Springs celebrates 10 years in business.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORADO…

For ten years, DirectBuy Club has been offering consumers in the greater Colorado Springs area a brand new way to save on home improvement projects, furnishings and accessories.

The leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, DirectBuy of Colorado Springs offers products ranging from light fixtures to televisions to kitchen cabinets, from more than 700 manufacturers or their authorized suppliers at direct insider prices.

“What’s most gratifying about our 10th anniversary is how we’ve been able to grow the business over that time in terms of the number of our members and the number of manufacturers who want to sell their products through DirectBuy,” said Donnell Britton, owner of DirectBuy of Colorado Springs. “We’ve literally saved Colorado Springs residents thousands upon thousands of dollars and that’s something we’re tremendously proud of.”

In addition to tremendous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring, and accessories, DirectBuy Club also offers design and delivery services to its members, as well as a listing of local contractors who offer installation services many times at a discounted rate.

Since 2000, DirectBuy of Colorado Springs has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, flooring and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Conveniently located at 680 West Garden of the Gods Road in Colorado Springs, DirectBuy Club offers consumers a comfortable setting where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service, and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

A date with a 10! DirectBuy of Colorado Springs celebrates 10 years in business.Read More

Lori Skinner, RN joins South Shore Skin Center dermatology of Plymouth & Cohasset

Lori Skinner, RN, a resident of Marshfield, MA, has recently joined South Shore Skin Center of Plymouth and Cohasset as Cosmetic Nurse Specialist. In her new role as Cosmetic Nurse Specialist, Ms Skinner will provide Gentle YAG, VBeam, VBeam Perfecta and Alexandrite laser treatments for spider veins, brown spots and tattoo removal, as well as XTRAC Velocity and Excimer laser for vitiligo and psoriasis treatment to South Shore Skin Center patients in the Cohasset and Plymouth dermatology offices.

Ms Skinner’s extensive nursing experiences include working in cosmetic dentistry, psychiatry, private practice and hospital nursing management.

Ms Skinner holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Curry College in Milton.　 Her ongoing continuing education includes Botox and Juvaderm training　with Aesthetic Advancement and Postgraduate Institute of Medicine. She is a member　of the Dermatology Nurses Association and regularly attends cosmetic dermatology conferences.　 She is also a member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery and has received training through workshops and courses conducted by the organization.　 Ms Skinner has also received formal laser training from South Shore Skin Center’s founder Dr Richard Eisen, who is a nationally recognized expert in laser therapy.　 Additionally, she holds an esthetics license.

Although a native of Maine, Ms Skinner has lived internationally.　 For more than 20 years, she was very heavily involved in philanthropy, spousal support groups and spearheaded many scholarship and fundraising events in the diverse military communities in which she lived. Shortly after 9/11 she commuted between MA and Arlington, VA working with patients with PTSD.　 Most recently she volunteered her nursing services with an international maxiofacial reconstruction team in Tunisia. Ms Skinner is presently on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Melanoma Prevention Foundation.

South Shore Skin Center

South Shore Skin Center is one of Massachusetts’ most progressive dermatology practices offering a wide range of medical, surgical and cosmetic services.　

South Shore Skin Center’s cosmetic services include Fraxel re:pair and re:store; Gentle YAG, innovative Laser, IPL (Intensive Pulse Light), Thermage and treatments for age spots, acne scarring, birth marks, tattoos and more.　 The practice also offers a full range of affordable anti-aging services including Botox, Radiesse, Sculptra and other wrinkle fillers, Microdermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing and chemical peels.  Anti-Aging and Cosmetic treatments are both safer and more effective when administered at a physician’s office such as South Shore Skin Center and Spa.

South Shore Skin Center offices are located at 223 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Suite 202 in Cohasset, Mass. (781) 383-3340, and One Scobee Circle, Suite 3 in Plymouth, Mass., (508) 747-0711. For more information, visit the website at

www.southshoreskincenter.com.

Lori Skinner, RN joins South Shore Skin Center dermatology of Plymouth & CohassetRead More

Easy-to-be-green home improvement projects

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

For many homeowners, there’s a misconception that “greening” or improving the energy efficiency of your home takes a lot of another kind of green – money. In reality, there are a number of do-it-yourself home improvement projects homeowners can undertake that do not require much of a financial commitment or advanced technical skills.

“One of the more obvious ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home is to replace older appliances and heating units with ENERGY STAR products. Even with tax credits and rebates that are presently available, that’s not financially feasible for a number of households,” said Mike Georgeff, of DirectBuy. “Starting small with some low cost, do-it-yourself projects is a great way to make your home run greener and reduce your utility costs as well.”

Some green, do-it-yourself projects that a novice handyman can undertake include:

·         Insulating hot water pipes – A lot of heat and energy is lost through your hot water systems. The pipes disperse heat pretty quickly, so even if the water in the heater is warm, the water left in the pipes is not. This means you need to run the water for several minutes before hot water flows through the pipes. This wastes water and causes you to heat more water when it’s probably not necessary. For around $100, you can insulate your pipes with either rubber or polyethylene foam. This minimizes the cool-down time on your hot water pipes. Consequently, you save water by not having to let it run as long and energy because your hot water heater isn’t working as hard.

·         Insulating your water heater – Following the same concept as heating your hot water pipes, by putting an insulating jacket on your hot water heater you can lessen heat loss by up to 40 percent.

·         Install a programmable thermostat – By programming your heating system to lower temperatures or turning it off completely when you’re at work during the day, you can save up to 15 percent on your heating bill.

·         Install a ceiling fan – Not only can this help lessen air conditioning use during the warmer parts of the year, but reversing the direction of the fan can actually help you re-circulate the heat during the cooler times of the year.

·         Planting trees – Believe it or not, by strategically planting shade trees around your home, you can save considerably on your energy bills by reducing your air conditioning costs during summer. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy found that by planting as few as three trees in the right locations can save an average household between $100 and $250 in energy costs per year.

·         Weather-strip your windows – If replacing your current windows with double- or triple-pane windows is too costly, you can improve your home’s energy efficiency by adding weather stripping to windows where air is coming through. Doors and electrical outlets are a few other areas where weather stripping can also provide more than a stopgap measure.

“These are just a few ways a homeowner can improve the energy efficiency of their home without a huge financial commitment and without having to be an expert on home improvement. You just have to be able to follow instructions,” said Georgeff. “By taking these small steps you can improve your home’s energy efficiency and put the savings toward upgrading appliances and other household necessities with ENERGY STAR products down the road.”

DirectBuy Club offers many products to improve the energy efficiency of your home—all at direct insider prices. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if you need some assistance in selecting products or taking on a home improvement project, you have seasoned professionals at your service.

For more information on a DirectBuy Club membership, you can visit http://www.directbuycares.com.

About DirectBuy Club

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy Club has been showing thousands of consumers unparalleled ways to save as they shop for virtually everything for in and around their homes – from furnishings, home improvement and flooring, to entertainment and outdoor products, accessories and much, much more. With more than 160 locations in North America, DirectBuy Club offers its members access to more than 700 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers or their authorized suppliers in Canada.

Consumers interested in seeing DirectBuy Club’s savings, service and selection up close may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting www.directbuy.com or www.directbuycares.com.

Easy-to-be-green home improvement projectsRead More