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Do you have one of those ongoing-yet-unspoken contests each year with your neighbor? You know the one: You compete to see whose lawn is the greenest, whose flowers bloom brightest, and whose yard is the best on the block. No matter the unofficial title at stake, you don’t want to spend a fortune on lawn care this summer.

These lawn care tips from the PennySaver will help you grow a lush, beautiful lawn without breaking the bank:

Use Xeriscaping

Xeriscaping is the process of planting trees, bushes, plants and shrubs that are native to your region. According to FoxBusiness.com, xeriscaping can save you a significant chunk of money, because the rain and moisture that is produced naturally in your area is usually enough to keep this native landscaping hydrated. When you add non-native plants to your landscape design, they may require more water, because they are used to another climate where it rains more frequently.

Add Shade Trees

According to BankRate.com, planting big, beautiful shade trees helps protect your grass from the sun and offers you additional benefits at the same time. Trees planted on the west and east sides of your home help protect your house from the glaring rays of the sun and help keep your home cooler in summer. This not only saves you money on watering your lawn, but also cuts down your utility bills each month.

Invest in a Multipurpose Tool

Buy a good multipurpose tool to help you take care of your lawn, rather than one tool for each specific function. It’s usually worth the initial expense; one or two decent multipurpose tools can take care of your entire landscaping needs. String trimmers, for example, can be used to cut grass, trim near objects, keep bushes pruned and hack back overgrown weeds. When accompanied by landscaping attachments, string trimmers become one of the most valuable multipurpose tools a homeowner can have.

Apply One Dose of Fertilizer

Fertilize your lawn just once in the spring, and leave your grass a little bit longer when you cut it. According to personal finance blogger Edward Antrobus, this not only promotes healthy growth, but it helps to save you money as well. Using a time-release fertilizer in the spring helps ensure that you only have to spend the money on this treatment once per year. Longer blades of grass require less water, so you don’t have to spend so much money and time hydrating your lawn.

The best part about these money-saving tips is, they don’t require you to compromise on the quality of your lawn. You can still have the greenest lawn on the block, but you will also have enough extra cash in your wallet to throw the best barbecues—with the most delicious steaks, the juiciest fresh fruit and most succulent corn on the cob. Now that you’re winning the beautiful lawn competition, it’s time to see who can throw the best neighborhood parties this summer.

There are small, simple changes that can make a big impact on the amount of fuel you use everyday. Financial advice blog One Cent at a Time offers some great tips for drivers looking for ways to get ahead financially. Don’t leave the house again before reading and applying these gas-saving tips from the PennySaver:

Drive Defensively

It’s a fact that aggressive, fast drivers spend more money on gas because fast acceleration and constant braking use more gas. The New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services website states that fuel efficiency decreases at speeds above 60 mph. According to Drive55.org, driving 55 mph improves fuel-economy by 21 percent compared to driving between 65 and 70 mph.

Use Recommended Engine Oil

According to FuelEconomy.gov, using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil can improve your gas mileage by 1-2 percent. To find out what oil your manufacturer suggests, visit MobilOil.com and enter your vehicle’s year, make and model.

Service Your Vehicle Regularly

It’s simple: a car that runs smoothly and is taken care of uses less gas. For the best fuel efficiency, follow the maintenance schedule recommended by your car’s manual and change air filters regularly.

Find the Best Deals

Search online or download a smartphone app that tracks the best fuel prices in your area. For example, GasBuddy allows users to search for nearby gas stations and see the current fuel prices.

Take a Load Off

Heavy items on the roof rack, in the trunk or on the floor of your car add weight that reduces the vehicle’s fuel efficiency. According to ShearerHonda.com, an extra 100 pounds can reduce fuel efficiency by two percent. Relieve your vehicle of unnecessary baggage to save money at the pump.

Get Smart with Your Car

Every year car manufacturers produce new fuel-efficient options. A hybrid car with regenerative braking can save you trips to the fuel pump because it re-energizes itself. Although at the dealership green technology tends to be more expensive than class-competing non-hybrid vehicles, some newer hybrid models are hitting the market at competitive prices. For example, the Insight from Honda has an MSRP of $18,600, and the Toyota Prius c starts at $19,080.

Use GPS

The less time you are on the road driving or idling the more you will save on gas. If your phone permits it, use a GPS navigator and check route options before you travel. If you don’t have this option, check online before you leave.

Work From Home

If you can, work from home one or more days a week.

Alternative Transportation

If your boss isn’t crazy about the idea of you working from home, consider carpooling with a co-worker. Not only will a carpool plan save you and your co-workers on gas, it will also allow you the luxury of driving in the carpool lane, which can ease the stress of rush-hour traffic.

Make Small Changes While You Drive

Turn off the air conditioner when climbing a steep hill or entering the freeway. This will reduce the stress on the engine, meaning it won’t produce as much energy to fuel the air compressor. Also, make sure your tired are appropriately filled. Visit DMV.org to learn how to check tire pressure.

Today’s Pet of the Week from PennySaver is all about Joey and Jet. They’re both full of energy, and ready for activities with their new families!

Meet Jet, this beauty is the newest pet of the week at the Burbank Animal Shelter. She’s a lively, young mix a little over a year old who is waiting so patiently for you to take her home! Jet is fabulous, full of energy, and anxious to please! She needs lots of exercise, so if your family is active, Jet would make a perfect partner for most activities. The Shelter recommends that if a family s interested, kids should be 10 or older; Jet is just a bundle of excitement and may know the little ones off their feet!

Come over to the Burbank Animal Shelter and have a play-date with Jet (ID A048248), and meet your new best friend!

Burbank Animal Shelter

Location: 1150 North Victory Place, Burbank, CA 91505

Contact: www.thevbas.org | (818) 238-3340

Adoption Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM – 5PM, Sunday 11AM – 3PM. Closed major holidays.

Adoption fees: Dogs $104, Cats: $78, Bunnies: $30 (prices include spay or neuter, vaccinations, and microchip)

Joey is the adoptable Pet of the Week at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas. He’s a 1 year-old, 30 pound, neutered, male Whippet/Shepherd mix.

At a weight of 30 pounds, Joey is a medium-sized dog. He’s very active, which probably comes from the Whippet side of his family, and also extremely smart, which could be his Shepherd influence. He knows several commands including, “Sit, Lie down, Shake, and Roll Over.” Whether it’s because of his age or his breeds, Joey seems to have non-stop energy and a big, happy smile. No matter what his new family is doing, he’ll want to be included, be it walks, runs, hikes or naps on the couch… Joey will be right by your side.

Joey’s previous family surrendered him to RCHS when they said they could no longer afford to have a dog.

Joey is waiting for you at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, so come on in and give this kitty a purr-fect new home!

Meet Joey at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Find out how you can adopt Joey, or sponsor him until his new family takes him home.

For more information about Joey, or other dogs, cats, and rabbits that need families, contact the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

Rancho Coastal Humane Society

Location: 389 Requeza Street, Encinitas, CA 92024

Contact: SDpets.org | (760) 753-6413

Adoption hours: Wednesday – Monday, 11AM – 5PM

Adoption fees: $145 (includes medical exam, up-to-date vaccinations, spay, and microchip identification)

In today’s shaky economy, we need to cut corners wherever we can. Some things are easier to do without than others, however, utility bills are something few people can get away from. Having heat, lights, and running water are all things most of us don’t want to live without. But when we use these things without thinking, utility bills start to stack up pretty quickly.

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Fortunately, a little mindfulness can go a long way when it comes to keeping those costs under control. For this special March Money Saving Madness installment of Save Money Monday, PennySaver is highlighting some money saving tips to help lower your utility bills.

Light bulbs

By now, a lot of people have already made the switch to Compact Fluorescent Light bulbs (CFLs), but it is surprising how many people are still filling their sockets with the same type of bulb Thomas Edison first discovered. While the incandescent was certainly a good idea in its day, CFLs are a much better one. While CFLs cost more initially, you’ll see the savings on your electricity bills almost right away because CFL bulbs put out the same amount of light while using a fraction of the energy. They also don’t need to be changed as frequently and often last many years as opposed to the few months you’ll get out of the old fashioned bulbs.

In addition to these savings, there is an added perk because CFLs don’t hold heat the way the other bulbs do. This means they are safer for your family, and won’t overheat your house in the summer months.

Manage Your Heat Settings

For years we’ve heard that wintertime thermostats should be set no higher than 68, and summer settings should rest at around 78. If you’re too cold or too hot grab a sweater or a cool drink of water. But, although it’s a good place to start,  managing your heat goes beyond turning down the temperature. Programmable thermostats are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They allow you to set your indoor temperature even lower when you are gone all day or are on vacation. You can set it up to go back to a more comfortable level when it’s closer to the time you get home.

Proper insulation in your home also goes a long way when keeping the outside from invading the inside. Use weather stripping and apply caulk around cracks and crevices where unwanted air tries to get in.

A little work on the outside can help too. Homes that have a lot of shading from trees and shrubs block off excess heat and cold which will help keep bills under control. Painting your roof white not only gives your home character, but homes with a white roof use up to 40% less energy than those with a black roof. That extra coat can also serve as a weather sealant and increase the life of your roof.

Ease up on the Appliances

A lot of people use their appliances more than they really need to. They may heat the oven for smaller dishes that could be just as easily made in a toaster oven or even the microwave. When appliances are used, energy efficient appliances with an endorsement from Energy Star are preferable. Not only do they use less energy and lower your bills, but you may also be able to get a tax credit for making the investment. When appliances aren’t in use, they should be turned off or even unplugged. Electricity will still cost you, even when the appliance is dormant.

Watch Your Water

With water it is easy for people to either use too much, or to make it too hot. There are some who keep their water heaters set as high as 180 degrees, but 120 degrees is a more energy efficient temperature that will still allow you to take effective showers and get your clothes clean in the washing machine. If you head out of town, turn your water temp down even further.

Shower times should also be kept short in most cases. A long shower can be a treat, but it shouldn’t be an every day luxury. Clothes can also be washed in cooler temperatures most of the time and will get just as clean.

Just follow these money saving tips, and it’ll help keep the bite out of those pesky utility bills.

In case you didn’t know, in addition to being Black History Month, February is also National Weddings Month. Probably has something to do with Valentine’s Day being in February. So to celebrate the month of Love and Weddings, for this installment of Steals of the Week, we’re going to bring you some wedding-related items that can be found in our online classified ads on PennySaverUSA.com.

Do you know anyone who has ever worn their wedding dress again after their wedding day? Chances are probably not, unless of course they got remarried and chose to wear the exact same dress a second time around. For most women, their wedding dress will be tucked away in a closet or end up in a storage unit collecting dust. Wedding dresses can run pretty expensive, so why not just sell it after you’ve worn it, and use that cash toward building your future with your new beau? Any bride out there who’s looking for a deal would love to get a discounted wedding dress that’s in great condition and has only been worn once.

This seller has the right idea, she’s selling her wedding dress, including the wrap and detached train for $300. If you plan on selling your wedding dress online, check out our tips for 3 easy steps on How to Sell Your Wedding Dress Online.

Same theory applies to the flower girl dresses. The little princesses look cut ein the dress throwing petals down the aisle, and then the dress is never worn again. This listing is for an adorable Ivory Taffeta a-Line Flower Girl Dress with a Detachable Sash for only $25! That’s definitely a bargain!

Found yourself in the predicament of not knowing what to get for the happy couple, and there’s nothing on the registry you can afford? Don’t stress out. Look to online classified ads for some great modern, or vintage finds. Fine China is a traditional Wedding gift, but could be very pricey. Here’s a listing for Lenox Fine China that you can buy in sets, or individually.

Wedding gifts that are personalized are also great to receive. You can get a Toasting Glass Set for only $14.99. Don’t want to get them glassware, then get them something they can display in their home that represents their love. This great Canvas Print can be personalized for the newlyweds for $44.99!

Today’s Pet of the Week from PennySaverUSA.com is about Bob Cat and Jet. They’re both lovable pets, who would just love a new home for Valentine’s Day!

Look at that picture, you know you’re looking at a picture of your new best friend! Meet Jet, the newest Pet of the Week at the Burbank Animal Shelter! She’s a lovely young girl, just over a year old. Jet is sweet and loving, and being young, she’s very lively and would benefit from training to help funnel her energy in a positive direction. She would make a great addition to an active family and would love to be your hiking partner! If you are looking for a perfect pal…you know you just saw her.

Come over to the Burbank Animal Shelter and have a play-date with Jet (ID A048248), and fall in love with her in person!

Burbank Animal Shelter

Location: 1150 North Victory Place, Burbank, CA 91505

Contact: www.thevbas.org | (818) 238-3340

Adoption Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM – 5PM, Sunday 11AM – 3PM. Closed major holidays.

Adoption fees: Dogs $104, Cats: $78, Bunnies: $30 (prices include spay or neuter, vaccinations, and microchip)

“Bob” cat is the adoptable Pet of the Week at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas. He’s a 5 year old, 10 pound, neutered, male, Short-haired Tabby.

Bob cat was transferred to the Rancho Coastal Humane Society from another shelter through the FOCAS program.

While the name “Bob” cat might make him sound rough and tough, he’s quite the opposite. You can tell by simply looking at his face. He’s a laid back, calm kitty with a soft, sweet “Meow” and big, loving heart. Bob’s really friendly, but might do best as the only cat in her new home.

Find him a place where he can lie in the sun, that is when he’s not sitting on your lap, and he’s sure to be a happy little camper.

“Bob” cat is waiting for you at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, so hurry up and go get him!

Meet Bob at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Find out how you can adopt Bob, or sponsor him until his new family takes him home.

For more information about Bob, or other cats, dogs, and rabbits that need families, contact the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

Rancho Coastal Humane Society

Location: 389 Requeza Street, Encinitas, CA 92024

Contact: SDpets.org | (760) 753-6413

Adoption hours: Wednesday – Monday, 11AM – 5PM

Adoption fees: $145 (includes medical exam, up-to-date vaccinations, spay, and microchip identification)

Today’s Pet of the Week from PennySaverUSA.com is about Indiana and Rosco. Indiana has a sweet face with a personality to match, and Rosco is the perfect mix of easy-going and adventurous that you would expect of a Bassett/Labrador mix!

Look at that face! It’s Indiana, the newest Pet of the Week at the Burbank Animal Shelter! She’s 3-years old, and is as soft as velvet! With her wonderfully sweet personality, she will fit into a home with older kids, and would just love to be part of an active family! She’s young, so she’ll need plenty of exercise and fun, but she’ll also love to just relax and hang out with her family.

Stop by the Burbank Animal Shelter and get to know Indiana (ID A043134). Once you meet her, we don’t know how you’ll resist her!

Burbank Animal Shelter

Location: 1150 North Victory Place, Burbank, CA 91505

Contact: www.thevbas.org | (818) 238-3340

Adoption Hours: Monday-Saturday 10AM – 5PM, Sunday 11AM – 3PM. Closed major holidays.

Adoption fees: Dogs $104, Cats: $78, Bunnies: $30 (prices include spay or neuter, vaccinations, and microchip)

Rosco is the adoptable Pet of the Week at your Rancho Coastal Humane Society in Encinitas. He’s a 2-year old, 60 pound, neutered, male, Bassadore (a Bassett/Labrador mix).

Rosco and his brother, Flash, arrived at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society when their family moved to a place that doesn’t allow pets. They’re both really great dogs. They have the easy-going personalities and scent-tracking skills that you expect from a Bassett, with the loving personalities and sense of adventure that you expect from a Lab.

While Rosco and Flash have been together their whole lives, they’re independent dogs that are willing to make new friends once they’re adopted.

Rosco is waiting for you at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society, so hurry up and go get him!

Meet Rosco at the Rancho Coastal Humane Society. Find out how you can adopt Rosco or Flash (or both), or sponsor them until their new families take them home.

For more information about Rosco, or other dogs, cats, and rabbits that need families, contact the Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

Rancho Coastal Humane Society

Location: 389 Requeza Street, Encinitas, CA 92024

Contact: SDpets.org | (760) 753-6413

Adoption hours: Wednesday – Monday, 11AM – 5PM

Adoption fees: $145 (includes medical exam, up-to-date vaccinations, spay, and microchip identification)