Addison Fireworks

See Bensenville fireworks section below. Addison is participating in Libertyfest 2013 in Bensenville.

Bartlett Fireworks

When: Thursday, July 4th @ 9:30PM
Where: Bartlett Fest @ Apple Orchard Park – 700 South Bartlett Road

Bensenville Fireworks

When: July 4th @ 9:30PM
Where:  Libertyfest 2013 – Redmond Park – 735 E. Jefferson St.

Clarendon Hills Fireworks

When: July 4th @ 9:30PM
Where: Hinsdale Golf Club (140 Chicago Avenue)

Elmhurst Fireworks

See the Bensenville fireworks section above. Elmhurst is participating in Libertyfest 2013 in Bensenville.

Glen Ellyn Fireworks

When: July 4th (begins at dusk)
Where: Lake Ellyn, North Park Blvd and Forest Avenue

Parking / Information: Free parking is available in the lot between Park Blvd and Montclair Ave south of the train tracks. Parking is limited. No sparklers or candles are allowed at the park.  An entire website of information for the Glen Ellyn fireworks is available at http://www.glenellyn4thofjuly.com/.

Glendale Heights Fireworks

TBD

Lisle Fireworks

When: July 4th, July 5th, and July 6th all beginning at 9:45PM
Where:  Eyes to the Skies Festival – Lisle Community Park (Eyes to the Skies Festival), west side of Rt.53, south of Odgen Avenue

Parking / Information: Of all of the fireworks displays in DuPage, this is of my favorites. The Eyes to the Skies festival is a great time, but not overcrowded. For parking and more information, please visit http://www.eyestotheskies.org.

Lombard Fireworks

When: July 4th @ 9:30PM
Where:  Taste of Lombard – Madison Meadow Park (Taste of Lombard), Meyers Road north to Madison Street west

Parking / Information: Limited onsite parking is available. Additional limited parking on nearby city streets. More information can be found on the Taste of Lombard’s website.

Naperville Fireworks

When: Thursday, July 4th @ 9:30PM
Where: Ribfest – Knoch Park, Aurora Ave & Washington St

Parking / Information: Free parking is extremely limited. You may be able to find some street parking in the neighborhoods west of Knoch Park, but that is not guaranteed (and you may need to walk for a mile or so to the park.  Plan to walk to the fireworks or take a free shuttle. Get to the fireworks early; due to capacity issues, Naperville may deny entry to the park.

Only go to the Naperville fireworks display if you are already attending Ribfest. If you don’t mind fighting huge crowds to view a fireworks display that is no more impressive than many of the other DuPage County displays, then go to Naperville. Ribfest is a great time, but if I were only going out for fireworks, I’d go elsewhere.

A rain date has been set for July 7 at 9:30PM.

Oak Brook Fireworks

When: Wednesday, July 3rd (begin at dusk)
Where:  Taste of Oak Brook – Oak Brook Polo Grounds – 31st Street

Roselle Fireworks

The 2013 fireworks display for Roselle has been CANCELLED due to lack of funding.

Warrenville Fireworks

When: Thursday, July 4th @ 9:15PM
Where: Cerny Park, off River Rd just north of Ferry Rd (3S258 Manning Ave)

Parking / Information: Parking available as posted on the streets, at the south parking lot of Bower Elementary School and the Ferry & River Rd. parking lot of AT&T.

Westmont Fireworks

When:  Thursday, July 4th – 9:30PM
Where: Ty Warner Park, 360 Burr Oak

Wheaton Fireworks

Wheaton has scheduled fireworks for July 3rd this year.  Last year’s fireworks display was cancelled due to excessive storm damage throughout the area.

When: Wednesday, July 3rd @ 9PM
Where: DuPage County Fairgrounds, County Farm Rd and Manchester

Parking / Information: There is a decent amount of parking onsite, but it is recommended you get there early to find a spot. The lots usually open by 6:30PM. This is one of the better firework displays in DuPage County. With ample parking and well organized traffic-flow, you can usually get in and out of the event pretty quickly.

Wood Dale Fireworks

See Bensenville Fireworks section above. Wood Dale is participating in Libertyfest 2013.

Today’s post should help you plan for your Black Friday shopping trip.  I wanted to cover the top 10 retailers (below the map) in DuPage County where you are most likely to get sweet Black Friday deals.  The map below will help you plan your shopping adventure.

Black Friday Shopping Map

Black Friday shopping has become and exciting, sometimes brutal, adventure. You need to have a plan of attack. What stores do you plan to shop at, and in what order? The map below plots out all of the major area retailers outlined above (with the exception of Walgreens – they’re on just about every corner).

Use the map to put together your Black Friday shopping plan. Most of the stores plotted below are within the boundaries of DuPage County. Each of these retailers has locations in surrounding counties, but they are not plotted here. If you are looking for a store location outside DuPage, you will want to check that retailer’s website.

Top 10 Black Friday Sale Stores

You’ll want to check this post frequently as Black Friday approaches; additional information will be updated as it is received (including Black Friday sales flyers). Here is the list of stores in alphabetical order:

Best Buy

If previous years are any indicator, electronics giant, Best Buy, is sure to have some big Black Friday sales going on.  Here is the Best Buy Black Friday Sale Ad.

Meijer

Meijer may or may not be your first shopping stop, but there are sure to be some good sales here  – Meijer Black Friday Sale Ad.

Menard’s

Menard’s is my personal favorite when it comes to Black Friday sales.  In my opinion, the home improvement giant has always outdone both Home Depot and Lowe’s.  Here is the Menard’s Black Friday Sale Ad.

Kmart

Kmart is probably a good second or third stop on your Black Friday shopping adventure.  Here is the Kmart Black Friday Sale Ad.

Kohl’s

Kohl’s takes Black Friday very seriously and offers up some of the best deals that you are going to find.  Here is the Kohl’s Black Friday Sale Ad.

Old Navy

Old Navy wouldn’t be my first stop, but they usually offers some very worthwhile deals on Black Friday.  Here is the Old Navy Black Friday Sale Ad.

Target

Target is a great place to find big Black Friday savings on hot items, but get there early.  Here is the Target Black Friday Sale Ad.

Toys R Us

Toys R Us is a great place to find deals on toys and games that you cannot find elsewhere.  Here is the Toys R Us Black Friday Sale Ad.

Walgreens

You won’t many people lining up to get into to Walgreens on Black Friday, but keep an eye on their deals.  It may be a great place to check out at some point later in the day.  Here’s the Walgreen’s Black Friday Sale Ad.

Walmart

With a few deals on popular items, Walmart will undoubtedly be mobbed with deal-seekers who line-up early on Black Friday.  Here is the Wal Mart Black Friday Sale Ad.

Whenever possible, we have linked the food pantry named to their website.  Many of the websites will indicate the food collection times, pantry hours, service area, and assistance requirements.  Be sure to get all of the necessary information you need prior to visiting any of these locations.

If you know of more locations or have updated contact information, please indicate that in the comments section below the list…  Click here for a printable food pantry list.

DuPage County Food Pantries

The DuPage County Children’s Museum is a great place for kids (and adults) to spend the day learning and exploring.  Be sure to check out the new “How People Make Things” exhibit running now through January 27, 2013.

The DuPage County Museum is located at 301 N. Washington Street in Naperville.  Call (630) 637-8000 or visit www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org for more information about the museum.

The Wrong Way to Budget for Christmas

I used to have the concept of the Christmas budget all wrong; many people will do what I used to do, but this is the wrong way to go about it.  In past years, I would determine how much I was going to spend on each person, then add those amounts together to get my total Christmas shopping spend amount.  Here’s a quick example:

•     Mom – $50
•     Dad – $50
•     Grab Bag – $40
•     Coworkers – $50
•     Son – $200
•     Daughter – $200
•     Girlfriend – $150
•     Niece 1 – $25
•     Niece 2 – $25
•     Nephew – $25
•     Godson – $25
•     Goddaughter – $25

Total Christmas Budget:  $865

This is the wrong way to setup a Christmas budget.  Why?  Unlike a standard household budget, you do not have to spend this money.  Remember, you are buying gifts, not heating you home.  Gifts are a nice thing to give (and receive), but they are not essentially necessary.  You shouldn’t be a total scrooge and skip out on gifts altogether, but you should be both flexible and creative when it comes to buying Christmas gifts and your shopping budget.

When you budget in this way, you are not taking into account what you can really afford to spend. You are, in effect, placing demands or requirements on your income or savings.  It puts you in the position of saying, “this is how much money I need to pay for Christmas gifts.”  That’s not right.  That mindset will make you far more likely to use credit cards or spend what you cannot afford to spend.  You want to be asking, “How much can I afford to spend on Christmas gifts?”

The Right Way to Budget for Christmas – Determine Your Total Spend First

To setup your Christmas shopping budget the right way, start with the total amount you’ve determined you can afford to spend.  For example, I have determined that after paying my bills, I will have $440 left.  Additionally, I have $200 available in short-term savings for gifts.  My total Christmas budget is $640.  I can comfortably afford to spend $640 on Christmas gifts this year.  Here’s the updated budget based on what I can really afford to spend:

Total Christmas Budget:  $640

•     Mom – $40
•     Dad – $40
•     Grab Bag – $30
•     Coworkers – $40
•     Son – $140
•     Daughter – $140
•     Girlfriend – $120
•     Niece 1 – $20
•     Niece 2 – $20
•     Nephew – $20
•     Godson – $15
•     Goddaughter – $15

Be Flexible With Your Christmas Shopping Budget

As you can see from the example budgets I’ve provided above, Budget 2 is $225 less than Budget 1.  Realistically, I can afford Budget 2, but I would like to get gifts that are closer in value to the spends indicated in Budget 1.  Here is where you need to be creative.

Let’s say I found a great deal and picked up my nephew’s gift (normally $25) for half-price ($12.50).  Based on my budget, I intended to spend $20 on my nephew’s gift.  My spend of $12.50 is $7.50 below my budgeted amount.  I will now boost up my girlfriend’s gift spend amount with the savings; her new spend amount will now be $127.50.  Gifts have a perceived value tied to them, you don’t necessarily have to spend the full amount you have budgeted for each person on your list.  If it’s generally accepted that my nephew’s gift is in the $20+ range, then I certainly don’t have to spend the money I saved on the deal getting something to make up the difference.
Wrap It Up

Adjust your budget as you see fit.  The key is that you stay at or below what you can afford to spend.  You should never go into debt to buy Christmas gifts.  Spend what you can afford to, and stay within the limits of your budget. Always have your budget in place before you start your Christmas shopping.  Now go out there and stimulate the economy…

2012 Trick-or-Treating Hours

Here are the designated 2012 trick-or-treating hours for cities in DuPage County:

• Addison – 3PM-7PM
• Aurora – 4PM-7PM
• Bensenville – 3PM-8PM
• Bloomingdale – 4PM-7:30PM
• Carol Stream – 3PM-7PM
• Darien – 3PM-7:30PM
• Downers Grove – No designated trick-or-treating hours
• Elmhurst – 3:30PM-7:30PM
• Glen Ellyn – 3PM-7PM
• Glendale Heights – 3PM-7PM
• Hinsdale – No designated trick-or-treating hours
• Itasca – 3PM-7PM
• Lisle – 3PM-8PM
• Lombard – 3PM-7PM
• Naperville – No designated trick-or-treating hours
• Oak Brook – 4PM-8PM
• Oakbrook Terrace – 3PM-7PM
• Roselle – 4PM-8PM
• Warrenville – 3PM-7PM
• West Chicago – 3PM-7PM
• Westmont – 3PM-7PM
• Wheaton – 3PM-7PM
• Willowbrook – 3PM-7PM
• Winfield – 5PM-7PM
• Wood Dale – 2PM-7PM
• Woodridge – 3PM-7PM

Be safe and have fun trick-or-treating this Halloween!

It used to be that home ownership was something to aspire to.  One DuPage County homeowner we spoke with, after losing nearly $75k on the sale of the previous home occupied for a little over two years, wasn’t so sure about purchasing his next home. Housing had become more affordable due to the market downturn, but our homeowner was giving strong consideration to renting.

The loss sustained on the purchase of his previous home stung, but it had to do with timing.  Unfortunately, the home was purchased near the peak of the real estate housing boom.  In two years the market had tanked, and faced with no other option, he had to sell the home at a loss.  Due to circumstances, he couldn’t wait for a market improvement.

Our homeowner was left wondering if renting may be a better option than buying.  This home buying versus renting analysis was produced to answer that question.

• The analysis assumes that the value of the home, property taxes, and monthly rents will increase at the same annual rate as inflation (4%).
• This is a long-term analysis spanning 30 years.

Home Purchase Assumptions

• $225,000.00 – Purchase Price
• 10% – Down Payment (FHA Loan)
• 5% – Interest Rate
• 30 Year Mortgage ($202,500 Loan)
• $4,000.00 – Annual Property Taxes (Year 1)
• $75.00 – PMI – Private Mortgage Insurance

Renting Assumptions

• $1850 – Year 1 Monthly Rent

Buying Home vs Renting Home Analysis

Obviously, personal situations will dictate if buying or renting is best for you.  Renting, especially in the current real estate market, for the short-term, may be the better way to go.  If you only plan to live in a particular area for one to two years, renting will make it easier for you to move.  Also, if you need to have the flexibility to move on relatively short notice (as is the case for military families and many careers), renting may be the better option for you.

Regarding the long-term, buying a home is clearly the most economical choice.  Over a 30-year period, a home-owner can expect to pay nearly 50% less than a renter.

The current real estate market has taught us the hard way, there is risk involved in every investment.  Be sure to consider that risk and your personal circumstances as you evaluate whether to buy or rent your next home.

Early voting begins Monday, October 22nd and continues through Saturday, November 3rd.  The General Election is Tuesday, November 6th.

Click here to verify your eligibility to vote in this election.

Addison Township Office (Gym)
401 N. Addison Road, Addison, IL 60101

• Mon, Wed, Fri 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Tue, Thu 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
• Sat 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Aurora Public Library (Small Conference Room)
555 Eola Road, Aurora, IL 60504

• Mon – Thu 9:30 am – 7:00 pm
• Fri 9:30 am – 4:30 pm 10/26 close @11:30
• Sat 9:30 am – 3:00 pm

Bartlett Community Center (Senior Center)
700 S. Bartlett Road, Bartlett, IL 60103

• Tue, Thu, Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm’
• Mon, Wed 8:30 am – 12:00 pm
• Sat 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Downers Grove Village Hall (Committee Room)
801 Burlington Avenue, Downers Grove, IL 60515

• Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Tue 8:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Sat 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

DuPage County Election Commission (Room 1-500B)
421 N. County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

• Mon – Fri 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Sat, – 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Sun – 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Elmhurst City Hall (City Council Chambers)
209 N. York Street, Elmhurst, IL 60126

• Mon – Fri 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

Glen Ellyn Civic Center (Solinsky Hall West)
535 Duane Street, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

• Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri 8:30 am – 4:00 pm
• Thu 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
• Sat 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Lisle Village Hall (Business Office Foyer)
925 Burlington Avenue, Lisle, IL 60532

• Mon 7:30 am – 6:30 pm
• Tue – Fri 7:30 am – 4:30 pm

Naperville Municipal Center (Meeting Room A)
400 S. Eagle Street, Naperville, IL 60540

• Mon – Fri 8:30 am – 4:30 pm.
• Sat 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Saint John Lutheran Church (Café)
7214 Cass Avenue, Darien, IL 60561

• Mon – Fri 9:00 am – 4:30 pm
• Sat – 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Stratford Square Mall (Entrance 4 by Macy’s)
152 Stratford Square, Bloomingdale, IL 60108

• Mon – Fri 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Sat 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Sun 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

Yorktown Center (The Outside Shops at Yorktown #42)
203 Yorktown Mall Drive, Lombard, IL 60148

• Mon – Fri 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
• Sat 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
• Sun 11:00 am – 3:00 pm

The vast majority of these items will last five years or more when properly stored. There are very few food-stuffs on this list because I even most canned goods won’t make it to the five year mark.

Obviously, you should wait for a great sale on these bulk items, then stock up. You have to be practical when buying in bulk; don’t buy something just because it’s a great deal. Buy, and stock up on only the things you know that you will use on a regular basis. It’s stocking up on the items you use regularly that will save you money in the long run (always remember money saved can be applied towards debt reduction or savings).

Buy These Products in Bulk

• Air Freshener
• All-Purpose Cleaner
• Bandages
• Bleach
• Bug-Killer
• Carpet Cleaner
• Cat Litter
• Chewing Gum
• Coffee Filters
• Computer Paper
• Conditioner
• Cooking Oil
• Cooking Spray
• Dental Floss
• Deodorant
• Diaper Wipes
• Diapers
• Dish Soap
• Dishwasher Detergent
• Fabric Softener
• Feminine Hygiene Products
• Glass Cleaner
• Hairspray
• Honey
• Laundry Detergent
• Lawn Fertilizer
• Light Bulbs
• Lip Balm
• Lotion
• Paper Napkins
• Paper Plates
• Paper Towels
• Plastic/Paper Cups
• Plastic-ware
• Printer Cartridges
• Razors
• Shampoo
• Shaving Cream
• Soap
• Socks
• Sponges
• Stain Remover
• Toilet Bowl Cleaner
• Tooth Brushes
• Toothpaste
• Trash Bags
• Underwear
• Vacuum Bags
• Washer Fluid
• Weed Killer

There are some good reasons to buy used. Buying certain items used will save you tons of money! When in perfectly good, usable condition, buying used items is less wasteful and keeps things from ending up in the landfill prematurely.

Now, you can buy just about anything used these days. Check out sites like eBay or Craigslist; if you need it, chances are good that someone is selling one used. In the list below, I’ve detailed some items that you should always consider buying used. Buying these items used offers you some of the biggest money-saving opportunities possible. Let’s get on to that list…

Buy Used Children’s Clothing and Save

Clothing is a necessary (unless you live in a nudist colony) expense for us all. There is a major difference between clothing for adults and clothing for kids though. As adults, it isn’t unthinkable to have an article of clothing in your regular rotation for more than one year. Kids, on the other hand, will likely outgrow their clothing within the span of year (sometimes even in months).

Does it really make sense to pay retail prices for clothing that your child will only be wearing for such a limited time? I can understand buying new clothes for special occasions, or buying underwear and socks new (used underwear or socks – that’s just gross), but if little Timmy is only going to be in a particular size for six-months, do you really need to pay retail prices?

Get clothes second-hand or used for young, growing children. You will save a lot of money buying their clothes at garage sales, thrift stores, or hand-me-down exchanges. You’ll probably be surprised to find that many of the outfits are in excellent condition. After all, they were probably bought new just six months ago.

New Cars Are a Dumb Buy, Buy Used Cars

I’m sure you’ve heard how dumb it is to buy a new car, right? I know from experience that this is true. I bought my last car new and made payments on it for five painfully-long years; the new car buzz wore off long before I received my second monthly payment notice. Even if you have the cash and don’t use financing to purchase the new car, you still lose.

Someone paying $20,000 for a new car could drive it off the lot, pull into another car dealership across the street, and struggle to sell it for $18,000. Let someone else absorb the instant depreciate on a new car purchase.

Be smart and buy your cars used; a low-mileage, used car could save you a lot of hard-earned cash.

Buy Used Tools

About three years ago, I went to an estate sale. While everyone was inside the house looking for a great deal on decorative items and trinkets, I was in the garage with wide eyes. Inside the garage was a vast assortment of tools for sale. I left that estate sale with a collection of used tools including: hammers, screw drivers, shovels, rakes, a root feeder, hand gardening tools, and a coffee can full of fasteners. I still use many of these used tools on a regular-basis. A quality built tool should last for a very long time.

Aside from estate sales, other great places to find used tools include: garage sales, public auctions, police auctions, and local thrift stores like Goodwill.

Buy Media Like DVD’s, Video Games, and Books Used

Is that used video game any less amusing than the new, store-bought copy? I think not. The same goes for movies and books. Why buy them new when you can easily find used copies that will undoubtedly give you the same result? Just watch out for counterfeit or pirated copies; be sure what you are buying is an legal, authentic item.

Great sources for used media like DVD’s, video games, and books include: Amazon, Craigslist, book swaps, garage sales, and public library sales.

Buy Used Toys, Games, and Sporting Equipment

There are stores, like Play-It-Again Sports, dedicated to selling quality used and reconditioned sports equipment. Why pay a premium for something new when you can find high-quality, used equipment? I have purchased a set of professional golf clubs that were like-new from one of these stores in the past – the same set of clubs would have cost me $500 more had I purchased them new!

Go to garage sales or Craigslist to find outdoor play-sets, bicycles, and other used toys for your kids. Many of the toys I have purchased this way were in great shape and I payed only pennies on the dollar for them.

Know What to Buy Used and You Will Save Money

Quit being so uppity, or grossed-out at the concept of buying things used. Knowing what to buy used will free up cash for you to pay down existing debt, save, or invest.

Buying used starts to change your mindset about spending altogether. Once you start, you almost get addicted to it. You start to really scrutinize what you buy and how much you spend on things. You start looking at value more closely. You begin asking yourself, “Can I get that used somewhere?” When you see the savings and the extra cash you have, you’ll wonder why you didn’t consider buying used before.