People are trying to save money by reducing or eliminating their Cable or Satellite TV bills.  Many people do not realize that all recent HDTVs have digital tuners built in designed to pull in Free TV signals with an antenna. The number of channels you will receive will vary by your location.  We use a simple indoor antenna to receive many local channels in HD.

AntennaWeb is an industry website designed to help you maximize your television reception.

We have covered the Digital TV Transition in the past, so if you  have an old TV, sign up for digital converter box coupons. These boxes use the same antennas to pickup free programming.

Most modern flat panel TVs have VGA computer inputs, so you can hook up your computer and view online broadcast sites like Hulu and nuke your monthly cable TV or satellite TV bills.

If you want to build your own antenna, check out this video.

The Costco Effect is defined by the Devil’s Dictionary as “..consumer enter a store planning to buy toilet paper, and end up charging $1500 on their AMEX card.”

The Wall Street Journal even had an article on this. “Michael Norton, a Harvard University marketing professor, co-authored a yet-to-be-published paper that found people buy more than they intend at Costco because they perceive that prices are better. He believes people end up throwing out food as a result.”

Knowing many Costco regulars or “addicts”, I can agree with the articles.  You visit the store to buy more household items like detergent, paper towels, bread, milk but end up with books, electronics, beef jerky, clothes, and much more in your shopping cart. Shoppers assume they are getting great deals and buy until their garages are overstocked.

This overbuying problem presents itself at other warehouse clubs like Sam’s Club and even to holders of Store credit card with rewards or loyalty program like a Target Credit Card or Amazon Credit Card.  You end up buying extra, often unnecessary items because of a discount, cash back, or sales goal.

We have no problem buying in bulk to save money, but when you add in a bunch of impulse items, you do not save money, you spend more.  Many items are only sold in bulk, so we had first hand experience buying items, eating some, then tossing the rest.  Not very eco friendly and no savings of money.

Try to restrain yourself at Costco or any other store.

Do you really need this item?  Will I really finish this 12 pack?

Never shop when you are hungry!  That sample tasted good, should I buy some?  Eat before shopping.

Also remember that you can return anything to Costco at ANY time, even partially consumed. (Some electronics have a 90 day return period.)

Many of us spend a lot of water and hence money, keeping their grass green.   We decided to see if moving to artificial grass would be a cheaper proposition.  Some of the newer ones look pretty good.

Costco even sells artificial turf.  15′ x 25′ costs $1299.  Not exactly cheap but a lot cheaper than before. It comes with upto an 8 year warranty and is pet friendly. Many are made of recycled tires or water bottles. No more weeding, watering, or mowing. Costco surprisingly has a link to a MSDS sheet that shows it is Heavy Metal free (lead free) and is primarily made of polypropylene.

Dupont has added Forever lawn that has a 12-15 year lifetime, 8yr warranty.

There has been some controversy with regards to hazardous substances in some faux grass, primarily lead in older astroturf.  It does help people with pets tearing up grass or grass allergies.

Morningstarturf has analysis showing that synthetic grass pays for itself in 4 years.  Of course the analysis assumes you are installing new real grass. Without installing new real grass, the cost savings is faster.

Our Water savings tips also help you reduce your water bill.

Today Feb 18, 2010 Only!  A very well respected consumer magazine that covers product safety, value, and health.

BestDealMagazines has 1yr subscriptions (13 issues) to Consumer Reports sold at a steep discount. $19.89 – 15% off coupon code:  PXCJ228 = $16.91.

The regular discounted price is $23.95 – 15% off coupon in our right column = $20.36, which is a lot cheaper than the newstand.

Amazon has a new Green Electronics section that features energy efficient ENERGY STAR qualified products. They feature products from Televisions to Home Theater to Computers to Office products.

It is always wise to try to wring every ounce of life out of your Electronics, before you buy new ones.  Buy new energy efficient products and recycle your old electronics.  Try to buy products that will last a long life, rather than just buying the cheapest product.

Among the benefits Amazon touts:

• TVs that carry the ENERGY STAR label are as much as 30 percent more efficient than conventional models
• If every Digital To Analog tuner sold as a result of the digital transition were ENERGY STAR qualified, Americans would save approximately $90 million in energy costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 100,000 cars
• On average, ENERGY STAR qualified battery chargers will use 30-35% less energy than conventional models.
• If every home office product purchased in the U.S. this year was ENERGY STAR qualified, we would save more than $75 million in annual energy costs while preventing 1 billion pounds of greenhouse gases equivalent to emissions of 90,000 cars.
• If all computers sold in the United States meet the ENERGY STAR requirements, the savings in energy costs will grow to about $2 billion each year and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by the equivalent of greenhouse gas emissions from more than 3 million vehicles.