How To Buy

How to Buy a Car Navigator?

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:14:00 +0000

True Car Navigators are in-dash global positioning systems with large, bright screens, touch play and voice guidance. When you select a True Car Navigator, you will want to find a model with the best features at a price you can afford.

Step One

Research on the Internet (see Resources below). Look for prominent car navigator brands by visiting their official Web sites. You can use search engines to locate these sites.

Step Two
Check out the Web sites for TomTom and Garmin, two of the most popular brands of True Car Navigator. The sites can give you a good idea of what is out there.

Step Three
Join a forum to see what other consumers think about the True Car Navigator they own. Car Navigation Forum is devoted to people discussing their car navigation systems.

Step Four
Visit your local technology stores, especially those that specialize in car audio. Technology stores are often the most reliable source of information because they do direct business with True Car Navigator suppliers.

Step Five
Consult your car dealer. He or she may know of specific True Car Navigator brands that work well with your car.

Step Six
Consider price in comparison to features. Don’t go for the cheapest model available, but don’t consider the most expensive one the best. Only by doing research will you find the best price with the most features.

Useful Links:

How to Select a Car GPS
Be a Wise Buyer
New GPS Unit: A Must Read
Buyer's Guide: Garmin, Magellan and TomTom
Screen Readability Test

How to Buy Jewelry?

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:06:00 +0000

A Jewelry Shopper’s Checklist

When you're in the market for a piece of jewelry for yourself or someone you love, shop around. Compare quality, price, and service. If you're not familiar with any jewelers in your area, ask family members, friends, and co-workers for recommendations. You also should:

Ask for the store's refund and return policy before you buy.
Check for the appropriate markings on metal jewelry.
Ask whether the pearls are natural, cultured, or imitation.
Ask whether a gemstone is natural, laboratory-created, or imitation.
Ask whether the gemstone has been treated. Is the change permanent? Is special care required?
Make sure the jeweler writes on the sales receipt any information you relied on when making your purchase, such as the gem's weight or size. Some jewelers also may supply a grading report from a gemological laboratory.

In addition, these tips apply when you're shopping for jewelry online:

Shop with companies you know or do some homework before buying to make sure a company is legitimate before doing business with it.
Get the details about the product, as well as the merchant's refund and return policies, before you buy.
Look for an address to write to or a phone number to call if you have a question, a problem or need help.

How to Buy Diamonds?

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:02:00 +0000

A diamond's value is based on four criteria: color, cut, clarity, and carat. The clarity and color of a diamond usually are graded. However, scales are not uniform: a clarity grade of "slightly included" may represent a different grade on one grading system versus another, depending on the terms used in the scale. Make sure you know how a particular scale and grade represent the color or clarity of the diamond you're considering. A diamond can be described as "flawless" only if it has no visible surface or internal imperfections when viewed under 10-power magnification by a skilled diamond grader.

As with other gems, diamond weight usually is stated in carats. Diamond weight may be described in decimal or fractional parts of a carat. If the weight is given in decimal parts of a carat, the figure should be accurate to the last decimal place. For example, ".30 carat" could represent a diamond that weighs between .295 - .304 carat. Some retailers describe diamond weight in fractions and use the fraction to represent a range of weights. For example, a diamond described as 1/2 carat could weigh between .47 - .54 carat. If diamond weight is stated as fractional parts of a carat, the retailer should disclose two things: that the weight is not exact, and the reasonable range of weight for each fraction or the weight tolerance being used.

Some diamonds may be treated to improve their appearance in similar ways as other gemstones. Since these treatments improve the clarity of the diamond, some jewelers refer to them as clarity enhancement. One type of treatment - fracture filling - conceals cracks in diamonds by filling them with a foreign substance. This filling may not be permanent and jewelers should tell you if the diamond you're considering has been fracture-filled.

Another treatment - lasering - involves the use of a laser beam to improve the appearance of diamonds that have black inclusions or spots. A laser beam is aimed at the inclusion. Acid is then forced through a tiny tunnel made by the laser beam to remove the inclusion. Lasering is permanent and a laser-drilled stone does not require special care.

While a laser-drilled diamond may appear as beautiful as a comparable untreated stone, it may not be as valuable. That's because an untreated stone of the same quality is rarer and therefore more valuable. Jewelers should tell you whether the diamond you're considering has been laser-drilled.

Imitation diamonds, such as cubic zirconia, resemble diamonds in appearance but are much less costly. Certain laboratory-created gemstones, such as lab-created moissanite, also resemble diamonds and may not be adequately detected by the instruments originally used to identify cubic zirconia. Ask your jeweler if he has the current testing equipment to distinguish between diamonds and other lab-created stones.

How to Buy Gold?

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 06:56:00 +0000

The word gold, used by itself, means all gold or 24 karat (24K) gold. Because 24K gold is soft, it's usually mixed with other metals to increase its hardness and durability. If a piece of jewelry is not 24 karat gold, the karat quality should accompany any claim that the item is gold.

The karat quality marking tells you what proportion of gold is mixed with the other metals. Fourteen karat (14K) jewelry contains 14 parts of gold, mixed in throughout with 10 parts of base metal. The higher the karat rating, the higher the proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry.

Most jewelry is marked with its karat quality, although marking is not required by law. Near the karat quality mark, you should see the name or the U.S. registered trademark of the company that will stand behind the mark. The trademark may be in the form of a name, symbol or initials. If you don't see a trademark accompanying a quality mark on a piece of jewelry, look for another piece.
Solid gold refers to an item made of any karat gold, if the inside of the item is not hollow. The proportion of gold in the piece of jewelry still is determined by the karat mark.

Jewelry can be plated with gold in a variety of ways. Gold plate refers to items that are either mechanically plated, electroplated, or plated by any other means with gold to a base metal. Eventually, gold plating wears away, but how soon will depend on how often the item is worn and how thick the plating is.

Gold-filled, gold overlay and rolled gold plate are terms used to describe jewelry that has a layer of at least 10 karat gold mechanically bonded to a base metal. If the jewelry is marked with one of these terms, the term or abbreviation should follow the karat quality of the gold used (for example, 14K Gold Overlay or 12K RGP). If the layer of karat gold is less than 1/20th of the total weight of the item, any marking must state the actual percentage of karat gold, such as 1/40 14K Gold Overlay.

Gold electroplate describes jewelry that has a layer (at least .175 microns thick) of a minimum of 10 karat gold deposited on a base metal by an electrolytic process. The terms gold flashed or gold washed describe products that have an extremely thin electroplating of gold (less than .175 microns thick). This will wear away more quickly than gold plate, gold-filled or gold electroplate.

How to Buy a Cheap Airline Ticket in First Class

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 06:38:00 +0000

These discount first class tickets are the airline industry's best-kept secret. Called Y-Ups, they price like a coach ticket, they look like a coach ticket, but when you sit down, you are one seat behind the pilot -- and they serve warm cookies.

FareCompare.com is the only web site that tracks over 100,000 of these confirmed discounted first class airfares. Y-Up airfares are intentionally published by the airlines to look exactly like a coach ticket, but the seats are allocated in the first class cabin. This sneaky little trick allows corporate travelers to legitimately & inexpensively get around their "No First Class Travel" policy.

Y-Up airfares are deeply discounted first class airline tickets available for travel within/between the United States and Canada. They do NOT apply to international coach, business or first class air travel.

Y-Up fares are not perfect for every occasion. Some are very low at $280 roundtrip; most Y-Up airfares are very similar in price to the business walk-up and 7-day advance purchase airfares. The price of Y-Up airfares is driven by competition within certain markets. So, don't be disappointed if the price isn't what you expect for the places you want to go.

Always check Y-Ups when traveling at the last minute, or if you miss your flight. You may be rewarded with a confirmed first class seat for around the same price.

Frequent flyers may also find that Y-Ups are the same cost or less than entering into the uncertain first class upgrade lottery, and are confirmed in first class cabin, before frequent flyer upgrades.

Top 10 Discount First Class Airline Ticket Tips

Seat inventory for Y-Up airfares is almost always available -- even on full flights, peak days and times (Mondays, Fridays, Sundays, Holidays) or last-minute trips.
Frequent corporate travelers have the most to gain from Y-Up airfares. For the same or cheaper price than they are paying for refundable and last minute coach tickets, they get a confirmed first class cabin seat BEFORE frequent fliers are automatically upgraded. You don't have to compete against the 60 road warriors that are vying for upgrades to 10 first class seats when you purchase a Y-Up.
Most airline and travel agents don't know about Y-Up airfares. You should ask for Y-Up airfares by name as most agents are not trained to offer these even though they may be cheaper.
Most "self-serve" corporate booking tools do not check for Y-Up airfares. You will need to call your corporate agent and ask for them specifically.
Most Y-Up airfares are one-way. If you miss your flight be sure and ask the airline ticket agent to check for a Y-Up. Many times the Y-Up first class airline ticket will be cheaper than the walk-up coach ticket for the flight replacing the one you missed.
In many cases Y-Up airfares are refundable and are always exchangeable.
If there is a super cheap Y-Up airfare, it is normally due to a promotion or an airline attempting to match a smaller competitor that has first class cabin seating on the same route.
Make sure the planes on your itinerary have a first class cabin. You may end up on a regional jet on a segment of your journey that does not have a first class cabin.
Y-Up airfares are great for special occasions and in some cases are a better deal than using your frequent flyer miles for a first class seat (honeymoons, anniversaries, ...)
Y-Up airfares are booked in the first class cabin; you will get frequent flyer mileage based on buying a first class ticket (usually 2 times the mileage award of a coach ticket).

How to Buy a Mobile Phone

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 06:17:00 +0000

Work doesn't stop just because you've left the office. If anything, you just multitask more. So it's critical to get a mobile phone that can work as hard as you do. Today's business handsets have made a massive evolutionary leap from the simple pocket talkers of yore, offering surprisingly effective solutions for managing your calendar, your contacts, and even your business data, no matter where you are. There is no single greatest handset for all users, but with a little bit of forethought, you can easily choose the best phone and service plan for your own business needs.

Smart Phones

Built explicitly for business users, these intelligent mobiles make quick work of e-mail, Web surfing, and business data.

BlackBerry: The standard bearers of business phones, RIM BlackBerry handsets are defined by their intuitive keypads and smart, stable software. Because of their wide adoption among large corporations, BlackBerrys integrate easily into business networks of all sizes. Every major cellular provider offers at least a few BlackBerry options, complete with e-mail and data services that let you easily synchronize the handset with PCs and servers back at the office. Traditional BlackBerrys, such as the 8700 series, sport spacious QWERTY keypads for quick thumb typing, while the smaller Pearl models use a technology called SureType to allow fast typing with multiple letters assigned to each key.

Windows Mobile: Rapidly gaining ground among business users, Windows Mobile devices such as the Motorola Q are designed to offer a familiar Windows-style appearance for business users, along with simple data syncing with Microsoft Outlook. Like BlackBerry, Windows Mobile offers a variety of network-side connectivity options so a small company with just a few handsets can grow into a large company with a fleet of handsets without having to throw away all the phones in the process.

Palm: Palm Treo smart phones maintain a prominent place among business handsets, thanks in large part to their simple interface. In recent years, Palm has extended its offerings to include Windows Mobile as an option, and also offers BlackBerry Connect service, which makes it a viable choice for larger business networks.

Symbian: Less known in North America than in Europe, Symbian is the primary operating system used on Nokia smart phones. It is powerful and versatile, with a variety of options for integration with business networks, although North American small business users will find it more challenging to implement than either BlackBerry or Windows Mobile, because it simply enjoys a smaller market share here--and therefore, fewer support options--than its competitors.

iPhone: In June, Apple made its first foray into the world of mobile phones with the iPhone, a svelte smart phone that integrates e-mail, a Web browser, and an iPod into one device. It remains to be seen whether the entertainment-centric iPhone will make the jump into the business world, but it's certainly a promising platform.

Linux: The open source Linux operating system is enjoying rapid growth on cell phones, although it has yet to break into the world of business smart phones. Currently a number of initiatives are in the works to create phones as powerful and versatile as the BlackBerry, but they have yet to materialize in the marketplace. It will, however, be interesting to watch as companies like Motorola apply more effort to Linux development on phones.

A Note About Camera Phones: Nearly every cell phone on the market today includes a small camera, usually of fairly low quality, built into its chassis. This can spell trouble for businesses that place a premium on protecting their trade secrets, and it's worth considering this problem if you're planning to hand smart phones to your workforce. Fortunately, many of the premium handsets mentioned above are available in both camera-equipped and cameraless models.

Technologies

Your phone's performance in the field will depend largely on the technology it uses to connect. Here's a look at the leading technologies.

GSM/EDGE/UMTS: The Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) is the leading cellular technology worldwide. In North America, it is used by AT&T and T-Mobile. GSM phones use small data cards, called SIM cards, to store information about the user's account, which makes it easy to upgrade to a new phone. Just pop your SIM card out of your old phone and into your new phone, and you can start talking right away. For high-speed data services, GSM phones commonly use a technology called EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution). EDGE phones typically offer a maximum data rate of around 236Kbps, which is slow by 3G (third-generation) cellular standards. For this reason, EDGE is not generally considered a 3G technology.

In addition to EDGE, GSM networks also sometimes use a faster technology called UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) for genuine 3G data rates of up to 3.6Mbps, which is quite fast. To reach the higher UMTS data rates, you must have a newer device that uses the HDSPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) protocol. Unfortunately, UMTS deployment has been slow in many parts of North America, so it's still not available in all areas.

CDMA/EV-DO: The other major cellular technology is Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), which is used by Sprint and Verizon Wireless. Unlike GSM phones, CDMA handsets are hard-coded with a unique ID number that is recognized by the network to allow connections, so there is no SIM card. The 3G data technology for CDMA phones in North America is called Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO). EV-DO offers data rates of up to 3.1Mbps. Unlike UMTS, EV-DO data service is nearly ubiquitous throughout all major American metro areas.

Carriers

Choosing the right cellular carrier will is critical to ensure quality connectivity for your business travels. Here's what you can expect from the major U.S. carriers.

AT&T Formerly known as Cingular, AT&T is one of the two largest carriers in the U.S. Its GSM-based network uses predominantly EDGE data service, which is generally slower than the EV-DO service offered by Sprint and Verizon Wireless. However, the company has been rolling out a faster UMTS for a couple of years now. Only two AT&T phones feature the faster UMTS data service. In general, AT&T's EDGE data plans tend to cost significantly more than the EV-DO plans offered by Verizon Wireless and Sprint. International roaming agreements make it easy to take your AT&T GSM phone abroad without missing important calls.

Verizon Wireless Matching AT&T in size and coverage, the Verizon Wireless network is based on CDMA and EV-DO technology. Verizon's EV-DO handset selection is impressive, and includes about ten offerings for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Palm OS. Because CDMA is less broadly adopted in Europe and Asia than in the U.S., traveling abroad can be more problematic with Verizon handsets, although the company does offer some handsets that work on both CDMA and GSM networks.

Sprint Following its merger with Nextel, Sprint has arisen as a major force in the cellular world, and now offers a large 3G EV-DO data network with about nine smart phone offerings for BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, and Palm users. Like Verizon, Sprint's phones can pose problems for international travelers, but the company does offer special phone loans for overseas trips. Of the three leading companies, Sprint has the most confusing billing plans, although service costs for voice and data are roughly comparable to Verizon.

T-Mobile More focused on home users than businesses, T-Mobile's GSM offers EDGE data services over roughly 75 percent of the company's service area. While T-Mobile does boast a few good business smart phones, including BlackBerry and Windows Mobile handsets, it remains less focused on the needs of business users than its three major competitors. The company does not offer any true 3G data service.

Mobile E-Mail

Whether you have five employees or 50,000, you have several options for getting your e-mail on your mobile phone.

POP3 The most common type of mail server is the POP3 server. If your small business hosts its Internet services through a third-party provider, chances are this is the type of server you use. All true smart phones feature a POP3 mail client, which you can easily configure by entering the address of your server, your username, and your password. POP3 clients connect to the server at regular intervals (or manually, when you tap the Send/Receive button) to check for new mail and send out your messages.

Exchange Medium-size to large businesses often use Microsoft Exchange to manage e-mail and calendars together. This powerful server application makes it easy for workers to share calendars, automatically schedule appointments, and manage shared company resources such as conference rooms. Many smart phones support Exchange servers, which lets them automatically sync all of your calendar, contact, and mail data through one connection. As you might expect, Exchange support tends to be particularly good on Windows Mobile devices.

BlackBerry Known for innovating "push" technology, BlackBerry e-mail uses a specialized server (either on the Internet or on your business network) to push incoming e-mail straight to your handset when it comes in, rather than make you wait until your phone syncs up with the server. BlackBerry Internet Service is most commonly managed through your wireless carrier, although some larger companies manage their own BlackBerry enterprise servers.

Proprietary Sync Systems In addition to the technologies described above, some wireless carriers also offer their own services to sync e-mail and other data to your mobile device. Verizon Wireless offers Wireless Sync, AT&T offers XPress Mail, and various other options are also available. These services often involve installing an application on your desktop PC, which then relays information over the Internet to your handset, keeping your Outlook schedule, contacts, and e-mail in sync between the PC and the phone.

Data Services

Business handsets offer a variety of data connections to keep you in touch with the Internet and your office.

Internet All phones today, from the most feature-laden smart phones on down to the simplest slim handsets, offer Internet access for the Web and messaging. The quality of that Internet experience will depend entirely on the size and resolution of the screen, the quality of the keypad and controls, and the speed of the data connection. If you select a handset with a fast UMTS/HDSPA or EV-DO connection, your mobile Web surfing will likely be just as fast as what you're accustomed to at the office.

VPN If you have a Virtual Private Network (VPN) set up at your office, you can access it through a smart phone. Many devices come with a VPN client application pre-installed, making it easy to configure your device for secure access to your network's servers. This is particularly useful when you need to grab an important file while you're away from the office, and you don't have time to boot a laptop.

Wi-Fi Increasingly, mobile handsets are beginning to offer Wi-Fi connections for data services. This lets you surf at high speed without having to go through your cellular carrier's network. It also means you can access any servers on your network as if you were at your desk.

Source: Robert Strohmeyer, www.pcworld.com

How to Buy HUD Homes

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 06:11:00 +0000

What is a HUD Home?

A HUD home is a 1 to 4 unit residential property acquired by HUD as a result of a foreclosure action on an FHA-insured mortgage. HUD becomes the property owner and offers it for sale to recover the loss on the foreclosure claim.

Who can buy a HUD Home?

Almost anyone! If you have the cash or can qualify for a loan (subject to certain restrictions) you may buy a HUD Home. HUD Homes are initially offered to owner-occupant purchasers (people who are buying the home as their primary residence). Following the priority period for owner occupants, unsold properties are available to all buyers, including investors.

If you are an evacuee displaced by Hurricane Katrina, Rita or Wilma, HUD could sell a HUD home at a discount to you!

How are HUD Homes sold?

All properties available for purchase by the public are offered for sale at Internet listing sites maintained by management companies under contract to HUD. Any real estate broker registered with HUD may submit an offer and contract to purchase on your behalf. HUD pays the real estate broker's commission, if included in the contract.

Are there any special programs?

Properties in designated areas are available at a reduced sales price to law enforcement officers, teachers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, nonprofits and local governments. Read more about these Good Neighbor Initiatives.

Should I get a home inspection?

We encourage you to get an inspection after your offer is accepted. All HUD Homes are sold AS-IS, without warranty. HUD will not make repairs nor pay to correct any problems.

What about financing?

Although HUD does not offer financing directly, some of our homes qualify for FHA-insured loans. Shop around for a lender to find the best loan terms. Find out how an FHA loan can help you.

How to Buy a Laptop

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 20:11:00 +0000

When purchasing a laptop you want to make sure to get a good value as well as a purchase that you can maximize for as long as possible.

The most highly evolved species of computer, the laptop (aka notebook) computer allows you to work without being tethered to an office. Portability and good performance make notebook PCs an essential part of the daily lives of millions of people, from college students to business travelers. Even the least-expensive of today's laptops are better equipped than they have ever been, and may be all you need for everyday work.

Are you ready to buy a notebook? Here are few recommendations for specifications that will fit the needs of the average user.

A 1.73-GHz Core Duo processor. For everyday work--word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail--you don't need the latest, greatest (read: "most expensive") processor, but thankfully, with the Core Duo, you get strong performance and great battery life.

512MB or more of memory. Anything less will slow your work.

Supplemental battery. If you want more time away from an outlet, buy a higher-capacity supplementary battery when you purchase the notebook, or buy a notebook that has a modular bay capable of holding a supplementary power pack. Secondary batteries usually cost between $99 and $200.

A 14.1-inch wide screen. A screen larger than 12.1 inches eases eyestrain. Unless you're really pinching pennies, bigger is better.

A 80GB hard drive. Unless you generate multimegabyte music or database files, or install more than one office suite, 80GB is plenty big.

Touchpad pointing device. Pointing devices are a matter of taste. Most people, however, find a touchpad easier to use than a pointing stick. For people who can't decide between a touchpad and an eraserhead pointing device, some notebooks include both. If you buy one of these, make sure that it provides two sets of mouse buttons--one for the touchpad and the other for the eraserhead--so you don't have to stretch to reach.

Multiple USB ports. Many notebooks now come with two or more USB 2.0 ports, useful for connecting more of the latest peripherals.

All-in-one design. Unless you need a lightweight notebook, opt for one with an internal bay for the optical drive. This design enables you to swap in other devices, such as an extra hard drive or a second battery.

How to Buy a Window

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 19:42:00 +0000

When choosing windows:

1. Weigh the importance of different features against your personal taste.

Which do you care more about?

Beauty or comfort?

Quality of light or peace of mind?

Dynamic appeal or ease of maintenance?

2. Find a Dealer and work with a professional to determine the windows and patio doors that best suit your concerns and needs.

3. Carefully consider the space you’re designing for.

4. Ask an architect which windows compliment your unique home style.

5. And compare brands before you buy.

How to buy Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 19:35:00 +0000

Points to Consider

Wholesomeness...grade...size...nutritive value...cost and convenience should be considered when buying eggs.

Wholesomeness

Packers who use USDA's voluntary shell egg grading service have their facilities and procedures federally approved and monitored to ensure that they meet USDA's rigid sanitary requirements. Other packers operate according to State laws.

Nutritive Value

Eggs provide protein, vitamin A, riboflavin, and other vitamins and minerals. The yolk contains all the fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol in an egg. In 1 large egg, the yolk contains 5 grams total fat, 2 grams saturated fatty acids, 213 milligrams cholesterol, and 60 calories. The egg white contains 15 calories. Use the Nutrition Facts panel on each individual product label to learn about the nutrient content of that food and how it fits into an overall daily diet.

Choose a diet low in fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol to help reduce the risk of getting certain diseases and to help maintain a healthy weight. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans suggest choosing a diet containing 30 percent or less of calories from fat, and less than 10 percent of calories from saturated fatty acids. Also, some health authorities suggest that dietary cholesterol be limited to an average of 300 milligrams or less per day.

The Food Guide Pyramid suggests 2 to 3 servings each day of food from the meat group, the equivalent of 5 to 7 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry, or fish. Because egg protein is of high quality, eggs are an alternative to lean meat, poultry, and fish. Count one whole egg as 1/3 serving, and remember that egg yolks should be limited to four per week.

Tips: Substitute 2 egg whites for each whole egg in muffins, cookies, puddings, and pie fillings. Some specialty egg products are available, such as liquid whole eggs that are lower in fat and cholesterol, liquid products made without yolks, and dried whites for cake decorators. When you choose a whole egg, balance your cholesterol intake by choosing other foods that are low in cholesterol.

Quality and Weight (Size) Assurance

Most eggs are packed according to official U.S. quality grade standards and weight (size) classes. The grade and weight (size) are printed on the egg carton.

The USDA grade shield on the carton means that the eggs were graded for quality and checked for weight (size) under the supervision of a technically trained USDA grader. USDA's grading service is voluntary; egg packers who request it, pay for it. Compliance with grade, weight (size), and sanitary requirements is monitored by USDA.

Egg packers who do not use the USDA grading service will put terms such as "Grade A" on their egg cartons without the shield. Their compliance with grade, weight (size), and other requirements is monitored by State agencies.

How to Buy an Energy-Efficient Home Appliance

noreply@blogger.com (Somnath Bhowmick) — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 17:29:00 +0000

Why should I care about energy efficiency?
The more energy efficient an appliance is, the less it costs to run, and the lower your utility bills. Using less energy is good for the environment, too; it can reduce air pollution and help conserve natural resources.

Don't all appliances have to be energy efficient?
All major home appliances must meet energy conservation standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy. It's the law. But many appliances beat the standard, use even less energy and cost less to run.

What makes one appliance more efficient than another?
Most of the differences are on the inside -- in the motors, compressors, pumps, valves, gaskets and seals, or in electronic sensors that make appliances "smarter." Even if two models look the same from the outside, less-obvious inside features can mean a big difference in your monthly utility bills.

How can I be sure energy efficiency claims aren't just sales hype?
Manufacturers must use standard test procedures developed by the Department of Energy to prove the energy use and efficiency of their products. Many have these tests performed by independent laboratories. The test results are printed on the EnergyGuide labels, which manufacturers are required to put on many of their appliances.

What's the purpose of EnergyGuide labels?
The EnergyGuide labels help you compare the efficiency or annual energy use of competing brands and similar models. Look for the labels on clothes washers, dishwashers, refrigerator/freezers, room air conditioners, water heaters, pool heaters and on central home heating and cooling equipment. If you don't see an EnergyGuide label, ask a salesperson for the information.

Shopping Strategy

Select the size and style. Measure the space the appliance will occupy to be sure your new purchase will fit. Make sure that you'll have enough room to open the door or lid fully and enough clearance for ventilation. This may help you narrow your choices as you settle on the best capacity and style.
Know where to shop. Appliance outlets, electronics stores and local retailers carry different brands and models. Dealers also sell appliances through print catalogs and the Internet.
Compare the performance of different brands and models. Ask to see the manufacturer's product literature. Decide which features are important to you. Ask questions about how the different models operate: Are they noisy? What safety features do they have? What about repair histories? How much water do they use? How energy efficient are they?
Estimate how much the appliance will cost to operate. The more energy an appliance uses, the more it will cost to run. Consult the EnergyGuide label to compare the energy use of different models. The difference on your monthly utility bill can be significant, especially when considered over the 10-to-20-year life of the appliance. You could save money over the long run by choosing a model that's more energy efficient, even if the purchase price is higher.
Ask about special energy efficiency offers. Ask your salesperson or local utility about cash rebates, low-interest loans or other incentive programs in your area for energy-efficient product purchases -- and how you can qualify.