Tips & TricksH E L P I N G T O E N R I C H Y O U R F A M I LY A N D H O M E

Summer Fun!

Oregon is simply one of the most beautiful places in the world during the summer! We hope you’ve been able to get outside and enjoy the sun during these long summer evenings. We sure have!

One project we’ve been working hard on is building a new fence. We still have a ways to go, and it’s been great to be outside soaking in the sun.

This month we’ve got some tips to help you beat the heat and stay cool.

Sheet Dreams:How to Shop for Bed Sheets

from Lisa Aberle, Get Rich Slowly

The Cotton TaleIf you’re looking for less pilling and greater durability, Pima cotton, Supima cotton, and Egyptian cotton are high-quality cottons. Egyptian cotton has fine, silky, extra-long staple fibers, and Egyptian cotton venders claim their sheets last decades.

Threads Up!Most people agree that good quality sheets have a thread count of at least 200, while the best thread count is 300-400. Beyond 400, though, manufacturers are probably using multi-ply fibers to increase the thread count which may slightly increase durability at the expense of stiffer fabric.

Weave TypeIf you like crisp sheets, go with percale weave. If you like soft, go with sateen. Standard weave is strong and even, one stitch over and one under. Patterned weaves, like jacquard or damask, are very expensive but very durable.

CraftsmanshipChoose sheets with elastic all the way around. Also, look for double-stitched hems and pillowcases. The sheets should have a pocket depth deep enough (add at least two inches to your mattress depth) to cover your mattress.

Finishing TouchSelect sheets with a pure-finish label, it ensures that chemicals were not used in the manufacturing process or all traces of chemicals have been removed.

Make Freezer Pops Easier to Open by Storing Them Verticallyfrom postnick, Reddit

Most people lay them down in their freezer, causing the juice to freeze along the entire plastic container. The pro tip is that you put them right side up so that there is an air bubble at the top that lets you more easily open them.

Furlo&Family&Homes August 2012

13 Ways to Save on Eating Outfrom Angela Colley, MoneyTalkNews

How much do you spend on dining out? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American family forked over $2,505 on meals away from home in 2010. If you cut your dining costs by just 30 percent, you’d be $751 richer within a year. So how do you accomplish that? The obvious solution is: Just don’t go out to eat. But where’s the fun in that? Here’s how to do both…

1. Buy cheap gift certificatesRestaurant.com sells $25 gift certificates for $10 or $50 gift certificates for $20. The site also has sales throughout the year, and I’ve snagged $25 gift certificates for $5.

2. Snag online couponsGroupon and LivingSocial post daily deals that will give you 50 to 90 percent off at different restaurants. You’ll have to act quickly, but you’ll save a bunch.

3. Check inIf you have a smartphone, some social networking apps will get you free stuff and discounts. Here are a few apps that score you deals:• Yelp - After you check in, mention Yelp to your

server to get the goods.• Foursquare - Many places offer discounts and buy-

one-get-one offers to people who check in.• SCVNGR - Every time you check in, you

accumulate points. You can redeem your points for a discount on your bill or a free item depending on the restaurant.

4. Ask for special occasion dealsMany restaurants have a birthday or anniversary club. Signing up is free and they’ll send you a coupon around the date. Ask your server how to sign up – and even if they don’t have a mailing list, he’ll tell you what you can get for free or cheap on your special occasion.

5. Follow restaurants on TwitterSocial media-savvy restaurants post special deals on Twitter. Some even post code words. If you tell your server the code word, you’ll get a discount or a freebie.

6. Become Facebook friendsBy “liking” the restaurant page, you’ll get access to special deals not mentioned anywhere else.

7. Dine in off-timesMany restaurants extend their lunch hours until late afternoon. By eating dinner early, I get the lunch prices, which are often 25 to 50 percent cheaper than the dinner prices for the same entrees.

8. BYOBIt’s uncommon, but some restaurants let you bring your own beer or wine, which is usually cheaper than the cost of paying per glass. Before you go, call ahead and ask if the establishment is BYOB.

9. Split your meal in twoRestaurant meals are over-proportioned, so split your meal in two. You’ll eat dinner tonight and lunch tomorrow for one price. It may seem like obvious advice, but it’s harder in practice. If you’re not careful, you’ll end up eating everything on the plate. To beat the extra calories and save money, I divide my plate in half before I start eating. I only eat from my “now” half of the plate and ask for a to-go box for the rest.

10. Know your steaksKnowing the different steak cuts and how they’re prepared will save you money. For example, my friend always goes for the filet mignon because it’s well known and tender. It’s also one of the most expensive cuts you can order. Meanwhile, I ask if the hanger or flank steak was marinated. If it was, I order that. It’s the cheapest steak on the menu, but it’s also flavorful and tender – if marinated.

11. Plan before you travelIf you want an authentic experience and a better price, check out a review site like Yelp.com before you visit a vacation spot. Pick a few places the locals rated highly and check their websites for menu prices. You can save a ton by planning ahead and skipping the hot spots.

12. Pick the placeIf you’re dining out with a group, suggest reasonably priced places ahead of time. It will keep you from having to choose between a $25 salad or a $30 piece of chicken.

13. Become a regularTrying new places is great, but you can get a discount by building a relationship with the servers or owners of local restaurants.

Furlo&Family&Homes August 2012

How to Keep Fruits & Vegetables Fresh As Long As Possible

from Jim Wang, Bargaineering Blog

In general, you do not want to wash fruits and vegetables until right before you use them. If you do wash them, make sure to dry them before storing. Water promotes mold and mold is bad. There’s a subset on this list that you absolutely cannot wash, like berries, simply because you can’t get it dry enough!

Don’t wash berries before you put them in a fridge and, if you can, store in a single layer. If you wash them, the skins will get soggy and it’ll accelerate spoilage. The argument for storing them in a single layer is because when they do start to go bad, the juice that leaks out can accelerate the decline of other berries. Storing in a single layer reduces the amount of damage while permitting air flow.

When storing on the counter top, try to keep it at room temperature. Avoid sunlight and cooking surfaces, which can increase the ambient temperature. If you want it to ripen, then you can leave it in the sun. If you can, move them around every so often so they aren’t resting on the same point. This is especially important for tomatoes.

Many root vegetables are best stored in a cool dry dark place, which is why root cellars were so popular back in the days of yore. One thing to keep in mind is that air circulation is important because of ethylene buildup. You may have heard the advice that you shouldn’t store onions and potatoes in closed containers, that’s because of ethylene.

If all else fails, I generally try to store the fruit or vegetable the same way the grocery store does it. Asparagus is stored in a tray of water. Bananas hang out on the counter. It’s not a perfect system but if you aren’t sure how to store them, it doesn’t hurt to copy the grocery store.

Top 6 DIY Miracles You Can Accomplish with a $1 Binder Clip

from Whitson Gordon, LifeHacker

6. Make a Smartphone Stand

5. Display Photos Without a Frame

4. Keep Your Sponges Dry and Grime-Free

3. Close Up Toothpaste, Potato Chips, and More

2. Neatly Wrap, Shorten, and Store Cables

1. Keep Cables from Slipping Off Your Desk

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Disclaimer: The information in this newsletter is for informational purposes only. Always seek a competent professional for answers to your specific questions.

Furlo&Family&Homes August 2012

Furlo&Family&Homes5122&Columbus&St.SEAlbany&OR,&97322

Peter Parker20 Ingram StreetQueens, NY 11428

Berry Banana Smoothies Recipefrom TasteofHome.com

Ingredients• 1 cup vanilla yogurt• 1 medium ripe banana, peeled, cut into chunks and frozen• 1/4 cup each frozen unsweetened:

• Strawberries• Blueberries• Raspberries• Blackberries

• 1 cup fat-free milk

Directions• In a blender, combine all the ingredients; cover and process until smooth. Pour into chilled glasses; serve

immediately.• Yields 3 servings.

Furlo&Family&Homes August 2012