Susie Skog knows Lake Norman Real Estate Inside Out

Worn-out or inefficient appliances can lead to high utility bills.

The Environmental Protection Agency created the ENERGY STAR program to encourage companies to produce energy-efficient appliances that use less electricity and water to save consumers money.

ENERGY STAR appliances cost more to buy and repair, but you would have lower monthly utility bills.

Stainless steel appliances are attractive and durable, but they are expensive and show dirt, dust and fingerprints.

Smart appliances run at off-peak times or use low-energy cycles. Many can be controlled through a smartphone app. They can be expensive to buy and repair.

If you’re thinking about upgrading appliances, compare models, features and prices.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Haggling may not be one of the funnest things youll do on any given day, but if youre anywhere near good at it, you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars a year.

For people who dont want to haggle in person or dont want to send emails back and forth, the simplest option is calling on the phone. This can be done to reduce your costs for phone, cable TV, Internet service or other monthly bills, and for big-ticket purchases such as a car or household appliance.

Here are some tips for haggling over the phone:

Research
If youre looking for a better price on your cable TV package, for example, look online for deals your cable provider and other companies are offering new customers, and ask for the same deal. The more information you have, the better prepared youll be to haggle by suggesting youll go to a competitor that has a better price.

Know who to call
Most businesses have customer service phone numbers. If you get lost in a phone tree, press the number 0, which should usually connect you directly to an operator. Ask for a customer service representative. If that person isnt much help within a few minutes, ask to be transferred to their supervisor or a customer retention specialist who can usually offer the bigger discounts that you want.

Dont argue
Dont debate the person on the other end of the line. Being mad will likely cause the other person to lose interest in helping you, so stay calm and on point. Ask for what you want and explain how long youve been a loyal customer and how much longer theyll have you as a customer if they offer the discount.

Use silence
Being silent can give the other person the incentive to fill the space by talking and hopefully offering options. These may include a free add-on service, such as free delivery of a new mattress if youre negotiating the price of a new bed, or they may all of a sudden find a deal on their computer that they didnt offer during the first few minutes of your conversation.

Say goodbye
If the rep or retention specialist didnt offer you the best deal you expected, then thank them for their time and say goodbye and that youll be checking with their competitors. This message that you may soon be dropping their service gives them one last chance to put you on hold and come up with a solution. If they dont, then either go find a better price at another company, or call back a few days later and talk to another customer service representative. The people you talk with later may be willing to help you.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Do you have a room in your house that always seems dark no matter what? Perhaps it’s due to low ceilings or minimal windows. Maybe the walls are painted a darker color than you would like. Whatever the reason, don’t worry. Below are a few simple ways you can brighten the space.

Remove or minimize window coverings. A dark room will only seem darker with heavy window hangings. Choose something light and gauzy, or remove window coverings altogether to welcome the sunlight.

Paint it white. From the ceilings to the floors, painting surfaces a white or off-white color will brighten your space and make it appear larger.

Add mirrors. We all know the old mirror trick can make a space seem larger, but did you know it can brighten it, too? Mirrors reflect light, so the more mirrors, the more light you will have reflected. Try a mirrored wall or a mirror-topped coffee table.

Remove (some) furniture. The less crowded a room, the more space for light to bounce around. Nix any unnecessary furniture, knick knacks or clutter.

Trim the trees. Okay, so you’ve cleared the curtains, added a large mirror and painted your dark wood floors white. Does the room still seem dark? Head outside and look for any trees or shrubs that may be encroaching on your sunlight.

Published with permission from RISMedia.

Is your accessory building approved to be used as a living space? Here are four ideas for transforming it into a valuable feature.

Exercise and Wellness Space

Consider a small yoga studio or exercise area with a few spa-like features, such as a steam shower and a massage room.

Kids Space

From an art studio to a large game room, there are endless possibilities to transform this into a place theyll love for years to come.

Home Office

Converting your accessory building into a stunning office is sure to be a good use of this space, while also adding value to your home.

Guest Accommodations

Self-contained guest accommodations are one of the greatest luxuries that a home can have when friends or family are visiting, especially for extended stays.

Published with permission from RISMedia.