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DirectBuy’s new floor general…DirectBuy of Buffalo promotes Don Zappia to general manager

CHEEKTOWAGA, NEW YORK…

DirectBuy of Buffalo, the leading home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, recently promoted Don Zappia to general manager. In his new role as GM, Zappia will be in charge of overall operations and sales.

“Don’s done an amazing job as a marketing manager for us. With his background as an entrepreneur, his ascension to general manager is a natural one,” said Mark Klinger, owner of DirectBuy of Buffalo. “He brings a lot of energy to the table and has a passion for the value DirectBuy brings to our members lives.”

Zappia began with DirectBuy in October of 2008 as a marketing manager. In his career, he had been involved in several businesses both in New York and Nevada. Zappia attended Medaille College in Buffalo.

“DirectBuy brings an entirely new way to shop for thousands of people and I’m extremely excited to help more people discover the unique opportunity DirectBuy offers in my new role as general manager,” said Zappia.

Married, Zappia resides in Amherst with his wife Lori. 

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped consumers enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products, and accessories, by providing an avenue to purchase directly from the manufacturer. Conveniently located at 4950 Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, New York, DirectBuy offers members a comfortable setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

For more information on a DirectBuy club membership, you can call 716-684-1400 or visit www.directbuy-buffalo.com.

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. DirectBuy has been serving the greater Buffalo area since 2005. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality.  It’s a comfortable setting, where you finally have the financial control of buying direct. DirectBuy of Buffalo is one of more than 160 DirectBuy club locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by contacting DirectBuy at 716-684-1400, or visiting www.DirectBuy-Buffalo.com. 

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy club membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

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Old Colony Elder Services Urges Elders Needing Home Care to Apply

The state has cut $6.4 million of funding from home care programs, which forced agencies such as Old Colony Elder Services (OCES), a non-profit Aging Services Access Point (ASAP), to put many applicants on a waiting list for home care services.

According to Al Norman, executive director of the Massachusetts Home Care Association, home care programs serve approximately 30,000 elders; this year, $16 million has been cut from the approximate $280 million used to fund home care programs. As of early September, OCES and the 26 other ASAPs began putting elders on a waiting list as mandated by the Executive Office of Elder Affairs due to state budget issues.

But, despite this, OCES urges elders who need home care to apply for it and keep checking back with the agency.

“We have begun to put elders on a waiting list, but that does not mean that home care will not be available to them at all. It may just take a little longer before they receive services. Home care services are meant for elders who are critically ill. We are allowed to make exceptions for those elders most in need. An elder who has a MassHealth waiver; who is in hospice or has been discharged from a nursing home or hospital will not be put on the waiting list. An elder who is involved in an elder abuse case will not put on the waiting list. We strongly urge elders to apply for home care and contact us to discuss their unique situations,” explained Diana DiGiorgi, executive director of OCES.

For more information about Home Care, contact OCES at (508) 584-1561.

About OCES
Incorporated in 1974, Old Colony Elder Services (OCES) is one of 27 private, non-profit Aging Services Access Points (ASAPs) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

OCES offers a number of programs to serve seniors, families and caregivers such as Family Caregiver; Caring Homes and Enhanced Adult Family Care; Supportive Housing; Nutrition; Money Management; Protective Services; Home Care and more.

OCES serves elders, their families and caregivers in the towns of Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, Carver, Duxbury, East Bridgewater, Easton, Halifax, Hanover, Hanson, Kingston, Lakeville, Marshfield, Middleboro, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Rockland, Stoughton, Wareham, West Bridgewater and Whitman.

The organization’s mission is to provide services that support the dignity and independence of elders by helping them maximize their quality of life; live safely and in good health; and, prevent
unnecessary or premature institutionalization.

The agency has 140 employees and operates more than 12 programs serving elders, their families and caregivers.  For more information call (508) 584-1561 or visit the website at www.oldcolonyelderservices.org.

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New name. Same outreach to children in need. Bridgewater-based Handi Kids becomes The Bridge Center.

BRIDGEWATER, MASS.

Handi Kids, a non-profit (501)(c)( 3) recreation center that serves children with developmental, physical and emotional challenges, is pleased to announce that it will now be known as The Bridge Center (www.TheBridgeCtr.org). This new name was chosen to better reflect the expansion of programs they offer to children and families throughout the South Shore and Greater Boston areas.

Founded in 1963 by the Knights of Pythias, The Bridge Center’s mission is to support families by providing children with opportunities to build social, emotional and physical skills so they may participate fully in their communities. 

The Bridge Center’s beautiful 20-acre campus is located in Bridgewater, MA and provides accessible play and skill-building activities for all children regardless of the nature or severity of their challenge. Year-round activities include nine weeks of summer camp, therapeutic horseback riding, school vacation camps, holiday parties, Saturday programs, teen programs, vocational training, after-school activities and family support groups. 

The Bridge Center also offers carefully designed summer programs and social skills groups designed to meet the social and behavioral needs of children with Asperger’s Syndrome, High Functioning Autism and related challenges.

New Executive Director Jenn Harber explains:  “To those families and supporters who have long been a part of the Handi Kids family, we want you to know that you are still an integral part of who we are and what we do.  To those of you who may be hearing about us for the first time please contact us to learn more.  These are exciting times and we would love for you to join us.”

If you’d like to learn more about The Bridge Center’s programs or are interested in becoming a supporter, please call (508) 697-7557 or send an e-mail to info@TheBridgeCtr.org.

 

 

New name. Same outreach to children in need. Bridgewater-based Handi Kids becomes The Bridge Center.Read More

Agents seek intervention by IRS…Allstate independent contractor agents petition IRS for rights as business owners.

GULFPORT, MS….

In 2000, Allstate Insurance converted the majority of its sales force from employee to independent contractor status. With the change in status, many of those agents anticipated liberation from the requirements of being an Allstate employee. Nine years later, those 12,000+ Allstate agents are still waiting for their independence. Having grown weary waiting for Allstate to right the situation, they’ve taken their case to the IRS in the form of a petition drive.

The petition, written by an unidentified agent and published nationally by National Association of Professional Allstate Agents (NAPAA), a non-profit representing the rights of Allstate agents, cites a Private Letter Ruling issued by the IRS in 1989. NAPAA contends this letter gave Allstate tax-advantaged status by promising the IRS that the agents would become true independent contractors and be treated as such. It’s an agreement the agents contend Allstate has far from lived up to its end of the bargain.

“It’s a situation where Allstate gets to have its cake and eat it, too,” said Jim Fish, NAPAA executive director. “Agents bear all of the expenses and risks associated with operating an independent business, but are controlled as employees. Meanwhile Allstate enjoys a huge competitive cost advantage by avoiding expenses associated with pensions, health insurance, 401k’s, Social Security and, most importantly, federal taxes. You would think that alone would rate the IRS’s attention, but that’s not been the case.”

Added Fish, “Now that the IRS has announced plans to audit 6,000 companies for employment tax issues, maybe Allstate agents will finally attain the independent contractor status they have long been denied.”

Some of the restrictions Allstate agents have found as “independent contractors” include:

·         Mandatory office hours.

·         Sales quotas.

·         Verbal and written warnings threatening loss of contract for not meeting company quotas.

·         A requirement to forward office telephone calls to company service centers after hours.

·         Subjection to a number of employee-like controls, including annual performance reviews.

·         Mandatory meetings and training sessions.

·         Submission of oral or written production reports.

·         Risk of termination at-will.

In fact, many agents feel they’re treated more like employees today than when they were actual employees. Said one agent, “Back then, we had a pension plan and, if the company wanted to fire you, there was an agent review board in place. Now, they can fire you with or without reason.”

Allstate agents certainly aren’t the first independent contractors to be treated like employees without the accompanying benefits. In 2007, after filing a class action lawsuit demanding parity with employee drivers, current and former FedEx independent contractor drivers were elated when Judge Robert Miller of the U.S. District Court in Northern Indiana certified them as a class. This action has opened the door to similar cases involving independent contractors who are treated like employees.

So why hasn’t the IRS gone after Allstate?

“That’s a good question and one we hope this petition gets the IRS and the Obama administration to answer. Especially since this situation has such a dramatic impact on an agent’s book of business,” said Fish.

The long-term goal for most insurance agents is to build their book of business and then, when they retire, sell it to the highest bidder. At Allstate, this is not always possible because the company controls who buys these books of business. Said one agent, “Our books of business were supposed to replace our pensions, but [Allstate] managers have started to interfere in the sales process, which has lowered the value of our agencies. This isn’t fair because for many of us, our book of business is the most important retirement asset we have.”

For more information on the National Association of Professional Allstate Agents, you can visit their Web site at www.napaausa.org or call (877) 269-3474.

About National Association of Professional Allstate Agents (NAPAA)

Based in Gulfport, Mississippi, NAPAA is a non-profit organization whose members are predominantly insurance agents under contract with Allstate. In addition to offering a variety of benefits and services, NAPAA further serves its members by acting on their behalf and speaking with a distinct and unfettered voice on a wide range of issues. To contact NAPAA, please visit its Website at www.napaausa.org or call (877) 269-3474.

Agents seek intervention by IRS…Allstate independent contractor agents petition IRS for rights as business owners.Read More

Senior couples can still have their moments

BOSTON AND NORWELL, MA…

The work load may have lessened and the kids have grown up and moved away, many seniors finally have the opportunity to spend time with their significant other. While it’s an adjustment for couples who have become merely companions over the years, it’s also a great opportunity to rediscover romance and passion. Mr. P™ and Mrs. P™, creators of the Rolling Passion® Romance Game, have some suggestions for seniors looking to get “re-acquainted” with their better halves.

“For many of us, it’s the little things that mean a lot.  Many of those little things are the springboard to romance, passion and, dare I say it, intimacy,” said Mrs. P. “Unfortunately, over the years, many couples forget to do the little things that touch your partner’s heart. And that explains why many senior couples don’t share much intimacy. The fortunate thing about doing the little things is that it’s so easy to start doing them again if you just put your mind to it.”

Here are a few little things Mrs. P recommends to heat up your relationship:

●       Pick one household chore your partner usually does and surprise them by doing it before they get a chance to (e.g. making the bed). It may not sound romantic, but the thought will most certainly count.

●       Make a laundry date. Instead of doing the wash at home, take a trip to the local Laundromat. Pack a picnic basket and enjoy each other’s company.

●       Take a sunrise or sunset stroll in the park or another location where you can snuggle up on a bench with comforter and hot chocolate and watch the sun come up or down.

●       When your Significant Other (S.O.) leaves the house for a prolonged period, have a glass of your loved one’s favorite drink ready and waiting for them when they get home. If your loved one likes beer or wine, serve it in a frosted glass—unless they prefer it warm.

●       Leave a chocolate or single rose on your partner’s pillow.

●       Use a bar of soap to draft a love note on your bathroom mirror.

 “It’s the thought that truly does count, far more than the act or action itself. By actively thinking about your partner, you’re essentially opening the lines of communication and that’s really what leads to intimacy,” said Mr. P.

The Rolling Passion Romance Game is one way couples of all ages are opening the lines of communication and bringing more passion and intimacy to their relationships. The object of this “grown-ups” game is to enhance and enliven the private time of healthy, loving adults.  The Rolling Passion game comes equipped with dice, “Reward” cards, “Play & Passion” cards and “Owe You One” poker chips.  Along with the game, couples select their additional “props” which range from music and candles to their favorite snacks, silky bedroom wear and more.  Game play begins once the couple sets a date and time to play Rolling Passion.  In the time leading up to the set date and time, couples use the Play & Passion cards to send intimate phone texts, emails or phone calls to their partner, which builds momentum for the Rolling Passion game experience.

The Rolling Passion Romance Game is perfect for couples who are in a committed, loving relationship and who would like to re-kindle the romance.  Created to bring a loving couple closer together, Rolling Passion ($24.95) and is now available for purchase online at www.RollingPassion.com. 

A Beta test of Rolling Passion revealed that there are couples who are involved in committed, loving relationships who wanted to try certain things but were embarrassed to ask their partner.  The Rolling Passion game gives them that opportunity to be forthcoming with their partner about their desires.

For more information about Rolling Passion, visit www.RollingPassion.com.  Or send some love directly to 781-792-0999 or info@rollingpassion.com.

Senior couples can still have their momentsRead More

How small business owners can afford to take a vacation.

WAITSFIELD, VERMONT…

In the best of times, the small business owner finds it difficult to break away and take any kind of a vacation. So in more difficult economic times, it stands to reason that most small business owners shouldn’t even consider it. Yet, according to Peter Hans of Resort Maps, creator of more than 90 customized travel maps across the United States, England and Puerto Rico, that kind of thinking could end up costing the small business owner far more than he or she might lose by taking some time off.

“It’s the very nature of a small business owner to think that they’re indispensible and that if they take some time off, they will miss an opportunity. The truth is by not taking the time off to recharge your batteries, you run a bigger risk of not performing at the level you need to be at to be successful in business,” said Peter Hans, president of Resort Maps Franchise, Inc.

So, how does the small business owner take a vacation and keep his or her business viable? Hans says there are ways to accomplish both, including:

  • Planning to take one week off per year and budgeting accordingly. Make your vendors and customers aware that you will be taking time off for a certain period well in advance. 
  •  Partnering with like businesses to cover for you while you’re gone (e.g. the owner of a telecommunications company services accounts for the owner of another telecom company, so he/she can take vacation). That favor is then returned so the other owner can take vacation.
  • Bartering organizations – If money is an issue in taking time off, bartering organizations provide a way to get away without spending a lot of cash. In these organizations, you offer your product or service and receive bartering dollars in return. Those bartering dollars can then be spent on timeshares, condo rentals or any other vacation-related offerings offered by other members of the bartering organization. 
  • Staycations – many people think you have to get away to have a vacation. There are many hidden treasures within a 3-hour radius of your home which can make for a great day trip. While different from an extended stay vacation, a staycation can be just as much fun without keeping you away from your business for more than a day or two.

“Being your own boss is one of the rewards of running your own business. Yet if you worked for a boss who didn’t let you take some time off every now and then, you probably wouldn’t work for that person,” said Hans. “Sometimes the small business owner must realize that in addition to being their own boss, they are also their own employee and entitled to some time off.”

For those small business owners looking to take some time off, Resort Maps offer a number of ideas on possible local excursions. Colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort cities and towns across 20 states, as well as parts of the UK, Resort Maps advertise restaurants, accommodations, retail stores, factory outlets, recreation and attractions, real estate and other local services. With landmarks prominently displayed on the maps, Resort Maps are an easy and fun way to plan a trip—whether you’re just visiting, new to an area or a longtime resident looking to explore what’s happening around your town.

 To view Resort Maps cities and towns, please visit www.resortmaps.com. To inquire about ownership of a Resort Maps franchise—an opportunity that frees its franchisees from the Monday to Friday, 9-5 grind, you can get more information on the Web site as well or by calling 802-496-6277.

About Resort Maps

Headquartered in the Green Mountains of Vermont, Resort Maps has been creating and publishing advertising maps in the northeastern U.S. since 1986. In 1993, Resort Maps expanded its reach by creating a franchise model for distribution of its colorful, hand-drawn maps of resort towns and cities. Today, that network of franchises grown to nearly 90 Resort Maps in publication in the US and the UK, with several more in the process of being published. Nearly 20 million Resort Maps will be printed and distributed in 2009.

For more information on Resort Maps the company and/or the franchise opportunity, visit www.resortmaps.com or call 802-496-6277.

Resort Maps franchises serve cities and towns in California (Carmel, Monterey), Colorado (Boulder, Breckenridge, Cherry Creek, Colorado Springs, Denver, Eagle River, Estes Park, Fort Collins, Summit County), Delaware (Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach), Florida (Clearwater Beach and Gulf Beaches, Cocoa Beach, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, New Smyrna Beach, St. Augustine, Tarpon Springs), Georgia (Savannah/Tybee Island), Maine (Bar Harbor/Acadia, Boothbay region, Camden-Rockland, Kennebunkport, Kittery, Portland, York-Ogunquit), , Maryland (Annapolis, Eastern Shore, Ocean City,  Solomons Island, St. Mary’s County), Massachusetts (Berkshires, Chatham-Orleans, Falmouth, Hyannis-Yarmouth, Martha’s Vineyard, Newburyport, Plymouth, Sturbridge, Worcester), Michigan (Traverse City), New Hampshire (Franconia/Notch Region, Hampton Beach, Hanover/Lebanon , Keene, Lakes Region, Mount Washington Valley, Portsmouth), New Jersey (Barnegat Bay, Cape May, Hoboken/Jersey City, Hunterdon, Lambertville , Long Beach Island, Ocean Grove, Point Pleasant, Princeton, Sandy Hook), New York ( The Hamptons, Lake George , Lake Placid, Saratoga Springs), North Carolina (Asheville, Brunswick County, Hendersonville , Outer Banks, Salisbury and Rowan County, Sandhills, Wilmington,), Pennsylvania (Bucks County, Chestnut Hill, Delaware River Valley, Gettysburg, The Main Line), Rhode Island (Newport, Providence), South Carolina (Charleston, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach), Tennessee (Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge), and Vermont (Addison County/Brandon, Barre/Montpelier, Burlington, Killington/Rutland, Mad River Valley, Manchester, Mount Snow, Okemo, Smugglers’ Notch, Stowe, Waterbury/Richmond, Woodstock/Quechee) —as well as towns and cities in England (Chicester, Lewes) and Puerto Rico (Vieques, Culebra).

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Letting your plans for new kitchen cabinets slide.

CHICAGO, IL …

When it comes to remodeling your kitchen, especially the cabinets, it’s easy to get hung up on looks. Yet you also want your new cabinets to be functional as well. To that end, DirectBuy of Greater Chicago, the leading home improvement and furnishings clubs with direct insider prices, recommend sliding cabinet doors as a functional yet attractive alternative.

“How many times have you hit your head or run into a kitchen cabinet door that somebody left open? Sliding kitchen cabinet doors work in a similar fashion to sliding patio doors—on a grooved run–only on a smaller scale. So if you’re tired of the bumps and bruises, installing beautiful kitchen cabinets with sliding doors instead is a great way to go,” said Jeremy Vest, owner of DirectBuy of DuPage County.

Kitchen cabinetry with sliding door fronts tend to work best in contemporary, modern, or Asian-inspired designs. Clear glass doors present an appealing alternative, giving you the opportunity to display your dinnerware or barware.

Sliding doors are also available in wood cabinets and often provide a clean and/or linear design that can dramatically enhance the appeal of your kitchen.

“Beyond all those benefits, sliding kitchen cabinet doors offer an added bonus in that they nest inside the cabinet when open but don’t take up any additional storage space, added Vest.

DirectBuy carries everything you need for a kitchen remodel at prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, each DirectBuy club employs product specialists and designers who can help members create the kitchen that works best for their home.

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy clubs have offered members the opportunity to enjoy enormous savings on home furnishings, home improvement items, entertainment and outdoor products and accessories by purchasing from over 700 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers. With several convenient locations in the greater Chicago area (Chicago, Gurnee, Hoffman Estates, Naperville, and Tinley Park), consumers can enjoy a comfortable, country-club setting, where they finally have the financial control of buying direct.

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

About DirectBuy

Since 1971, DirectBuy has helped hundreds of thousands of families enjoy a better quality of life, enabling them to buy directly from more than 700 manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. Buying direct makes members’ hard-earned money to go much further, while having the selection and choice not available at any retail store. Access to confidential prices, local suppliers, and unparalleled selection helps make members’ dream projects a reality. The DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are part of more than 160 locations throughout North America.

Consumers interested in becoming members may obtain a Visitor’s Pass to attend an Open House by visiting http://www.directbuychicago.com/. 

Locations of the DirectBuy clubs serving the greater Chicago area are: DirectBuy of Hoffman Estates, 2200 N. Stonington Ave Ste. 150 Hoffman Estates, IL; DirectBuy of Chicago North, 6325 Avondale, Chicago, IL; DirectBuy of DuPage County, 1864 Highgrove Ste. 136 Naperville, IL; DirectBuy of Lake County, 3900 Washington Street, Unit K, Gurnee, IL; and DirectBuy of Tinley Park, 18400 S. 76th Avenue Ste. B, Tinley Park, IL.

To learn more about the superior value and benefits of a DirectBuy membership, visit www.directbuycares.com.

 

Letting your plans for new kitchen cabinets slide.Read More

King Collision Center to Hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House at New Raynham Location

King Collision Center (http://www.kingcollision.com) will hold an Open House for vendors and the insurance industry at their newest collision repair center in Raynham on Thursday, October 29th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Ribbon Cutting ceremony will be held during the Open House at 3:00 p.m.

King Collision Center operates two other locations in Pembroke and Plymouth. Their third and newest location is situated on the Mastria Auto Group campus at 81 Brookside Circle off Route 44 in Raynham.

Light refreshments will be served. Attendees will be able to take tours of the new collision repair center and learn more about King Collision’s lean manufacturing.

King Collision Centers struck a strategic alliance with Mastria Auto Group. Now, in addition to the sale of new and pre-owned vehicles, Mastria offers the collision repair services of King Collision Centers. King Collision, which was selected to participate in Repair Shop Referral Programs of 20 different insurance companies and already serves thousands of customers south of Boston, will be able to expand their customer base to the Bristol county area and beyond.

To reach King Collision Centers in Raynham, call 508-824-4091.

Anyone Can Remove Dents – King Collision Centers Removes Doubts

Founded in 1984 by Bruce King, King Collision Centers provides superior collision repair and extraordinary customer care to thousands of clients south of Boston. King Collision is dedicated to earning customers for life and their team of professionals help clients through the collision repair process every step of the way – from coordinating a rental vehicle; providing accurate damage appraisal; assisting with the insurance claim process and ensuring that the vehicle is returned to its pre-accident operation, safety and value.

King Collision Centers was voted “Best Collision Repair” by Market Surveys of America and they have been selected to participate in the Repair Shop Referral Programs of 20 different insurance companies.

King Collision Centers are located in Pembroke, Plymouth and most recently, Raynham, MA.

For more information, visit KingCollision.com or contact 508-747-2005.

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Checkpoint…The fall home improvement projects that should be on your list.

MERRILLVILLE, IN…

For the many people who live in a climate with four seasons, fall can mean any number of things. Football. Foliage. Frost. And the one “f” homeowners dread most, fixing up your home in preparation for winter. DirectBuy, the home improvement and furnishings club with direct insider prices, has some suggestions for the top of your to-do list this fall.

“From a home improvement standpoint, fall projects really are about getting ready for winter, namely making your home more energy efficient and thereby cost-effective,” said Sara Butler of DirectBuy. “Ideally, you would replace furnaces, windows and other higher ticket items but that’s not always realistic. There are some things you can do in the interim to improve efficiency.”

For starters:

Furnace – Test your heating system now before you actually need to turn the heat on in the house. If there’s a problem, get your furnace serviced now before it gets cold and other people have the same idea. Be sure to replace the filter on your furnace prior to turning on the heat in the fall. Filters come in a number of different makes—30, 60, and 90-day, as well as ones you don’t replace but occasionally clean. It’s important to know which type you have in your home if you’re considering changing these yourself.

Weather stripping – You’ll find weather stripping around most doors and windows. The elements can do a number on weather stripping over time and you’ll want to do a quick inspection in the fall to determine if any stripping needs to be replaced before the cold weather hits. Your local hardware store should carry replacement stripping that you can use to replace any deteriorating sections.

Winterize your hose bib – The hose bib is the part of the outdoor faucet where you attach the hose. If you do not turn off the outdoor water source from the inside of your home, you run the risk of the pipe leading to the hose bib freezing and bursting—even if it’s only been for a few days of sub-freezing temperatures. So, be sure to turn that water source off before the frost begins.

Painting – Fall is also a great time to paint, both indoors and out. As long as it’s not too cold or, obviously, raining, paint goes on and dries better in the fall. If you’re painting the outside of your house, paint actually has a sealant quality. So, in addition to giving your exterior a fresh look, you’re also preparing it for elements associated with winter.

“The beauty of most fall projects is that, for the most part, they are not huge undertakings but the benefits can be plentiful. The key is planning and prioritizing what’s important to your home and your household,” said Butler. “By simply creating a small checklist of projects you want to do this fall, you can still make a difference in your home without overwhelming yourself.”.

DirectBuy offers everything you need for your fall fix-up projects—windows, water heaters, insulations, ladders, you name it—at wholesale prices direct from the manufacturers and their authorized suppliers. In addition, DirectBuy also employs product specialists and designers, so if a fall fix-up project is a bit aboveyour skill level or you don’t have the time, you have professionals at your service who can get the job done and help get your home ready for the winter months.

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

About DirectBuy

For more than 38 years, DirectBuy 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 offers its members access to approximately 700 brand-name manufacturers and their authorized suppliers in the US, and more than 500 brand-name manufacturers and authorized suppliers in Canada.

Anyone can refer friends and family to DirectBuy and earn big rewards in the process. Visit refer.directbuy.com today for all the details.

Checkpoint…The fall home improvement projects that should be on your list.Read More