SUMMER 2015
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My Word by <NAME> Dear Friends, Summer is here again! I hope you’ve got some fun things planned. This is a great time of year for relaxing pastimes. But, of course, as the heat kicks in, most of us use a LOT of water. Just think of the strain your plumbing system could be feeling while you’re keeping your lawn green, your car clean and your pool ready to go, or sending your kids in for an extra shower. It’s important to make sure your plumbing stays in good working order, and we’re here to
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Hudson, Ink Corp ©2015
Five Tips to Save Money Each Week
Finding a Fitting Faucet …page 2
…page 2
How to Complain Effectively …page 3
<Company>’s
Smart & simple ways to enrich your home living.
— Home Health — Prepping the Plumbing for Your Vacation
As you’re planning your summer
vacation, don’t forget to include your plumbing in the preparations. Water sports are for the beach and pool – not for swimming through plumbing mishaps discovered on your return home. While you’re away, burst hoses and pipes could create a roaring flood, and even smaller leaks could cause big damage. Prevention strategies start with these tips: Valves – Shut off valves at each sink, toilet, tub or shower. Also, cut off the main water supply valve to your home and outdoor faucets. This will prevent unexpected and expensive flood damage, or leaks that add a wallop to your wallet when the water bill comes.
Water Heater – Turn off the power to your water heater to prevent fires that could occur once the water supply has been shut off. Check for puddles, rust and unusual noises. If you notice any of these signs, call us before you leave, and we’ll check it out. Appliances – Inspect refrigerator and washing machine supply lines for leaks, rust or damage. Shut off the water supply to all appliances. But don’t shut off the power to your refrigerator – or you’ll return to the smelly aroma of spoiled food. Also, be sure to have a trusted neighbor, friend or family member check on your home while you’re away. For more peace of mind, call us to inspect your plumbing before you head off to paradise or to repair damage you noticed during your own inspection.
Visit www.<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com for more great ideas for home & life, including: MONEY-SAVING TIPS | HOME & ORGANIZING | HEALTH & FOOD
— THE 5 —
Five Tips to Save Money Each Week
— STYLE POINTS —
Finding a Fitting Faucet
If you’re remodeling your kitchen
or bathroom, at some point you’re going to come to an important question: What faucet do I select? Your options will fall into four different types – each with their own pros and cons. So, to get your brain flowing freely about what’s best for you, let’s scope out the territory: Compression – Inexpensive is the main benefit here, but that also brings other concerns into the picture. With compression faucets, you have two knobs – one for hot water, one for cold water. You twist either to allow water to flow and then tighten to shut off. As you do, you balance water temperature and water flow by slowly turning each one until you reach your preferences. Compression faucets require the most maintenance and leak the most often. Ball – Ball faucets have one handle that moves like ball and socket joints in your hips or shoulders. The handle pulls upwards and slides side to side to control temperature and water flow. These leak less often than compression faucets.
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Ceramic Disc – Ceramic disc faucets have a handle that moves left and right to control temperature and is situated above the spout. These faucets don’t require frequent maintenance and leak less often than ball faucets.
Cartridge – Cartridge faucets look like other faucets, but are different in the way they handle and feel. Cartridge faucets operate very smoothly and require very little effort to change temperature and water flow. Accordingly, cartridge faucets are the most expensive of the four types.
S
etting aside money for savings can seem so impossible it’s like pushing a boulder up a steep hill. But it doesn’t have to be as hard as it sounds. Get started with these quick tips:
Ready to proceed? Call us to help with your selections and installation!
Is your bathwater clear as mud? If your water isn’t properly filtered, you may have a mud bath in your very own home. Or at least, plenty of sediment in your water. The buildup in your water can affect taste and cleaning power. So call <COMPANY> at <PHONE> for a water inspection and filtration options.
©2015
• Enroll in a retirement savings program. This is an ideal way to save money, because programs such as a 401(k) remove money from paychecks before
— TAKE T HAT! (AND T HIS TOO!) —
EnvironmentallyFriendly Driving Lessons
2. Use cruise control to maintain a steady speed whenever possible.
The EPA has driving tips to help the Earth – and your wallet:
3. Keep tires properly inflated and aligned.
1. Perform routine maintenance and inspect the exhaust system annually for leaks.
4. Plan and combine trips to save up to 20% off your fuel and wear and tear.
taxes. In addition, many employers match 401(k) contributions up to a certain level, meaning you get “free” money you’d otherwise skip. • Cook and prepare your own meals. Instead of buying a muffin or bagel each morning on the go, buy them in bulk at the grocery store and spare the few minutes of preparation for a lot of savings in the long run. Also, make your lunch at home and take it with you. • Drink lots of water. Drinking recommended amounts of water actually can decrease hunger, saving on the cost of cravings for pricey mid-afternoon snacks. • Avoid hidden fees. If your credit card or bank accounts have minimum balance requirements, know what the minimum is and keep enough in the account to avoid the charges. • Use only ATMs from your actual bank. Are you paying double the fees to access your own money? Stop now.
— SECRETS —
How to Complain Effectively
Contact the retailer quickly to avoid time limits on returns or refunds.
If there’s no resolution, ask for a supervisor or manager. If that doesn’t work, try the national headquarters or manufacturer. Check the product label, warranty or other papers you received at purchase for a toll-free number. If you don’t see one, access the company’s website and look for a “Contact Us” link.
Let them know what you expect and include copies of receipts or related documents (keep the originals).
During the process, keep a record of your efforts, including names of people you contacted and what was done, if anything.
So you bought a robotic
banana peeler – exciting! But now you realize it’s not working as promised – and you’ve got to venture into the dreaded consumer complaint process. Relax, and proceed like so:
— RE AL GOOD FOOD — vibrantly colored skin, free of any cracks.
Ravishing Radishes
Peppery, crunchy and colorful,
Get $25 Off the Best Service We Can Offer. For your next plumbing repair, we’d like to make things easier on your wallet. So just clip this coupon for a $25 savings on your repair bill. Then call us and we’ll give you our best service. Call <COMPANY> at <PHONE>. ©2015
these spunky veggies come in several delicious varieties: French breakfast radishes are a mild type, watermelon radishes are large and dense, and globe radishes are spicy and crisp. • Fresh Pick – Ready-to-eat radishes should feel firm when squeezed. The leaves should be bright green with
• Store Away – Remove the leaves as soon as you get home, as they tend to draw moisture from the root. Radish leaves that are young and fresh are best if used immediately, perhaps in a risotto or pasta salad. For up to a week, you can refrigerate radishes in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag. • Revive Them – Shock radishes back to life by placing them in an ice bath for 20 minutes, and then serve them raw.
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My Word
! e M n a c S
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help. If you need a repair, give us a call, and we’ll get someone out as quickly as we can. Or if it’s time for a new water heater, count on us for our very best offer. Let us know when we can be of service. As always, we’re here to serve you. Take care and enjoy your summer.
<signature> <name, title> P.S. Don’t forget to check out the offers on this page to enjoy some big savings. If you want a friend or family member to get a copy of this newsletter, just give us a call, and we’ll send them one, too!
Scan this QR code with your smartphone to view <your company’s> special HomeXpert site. Don’t have a smartphone? Visit <your website> for more information.
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More Hot Water, More Energy Savings? Really, there’s a way.
even when you’re not using it.
It’s called the Forever Hot
With Forever Hot Water, you
Water system, and it lets you enjoy an endless supply of steaming water whenever you want – and reduces your energy bills to boot! How? With traditional water heaters, you pay to reheat the same water again and again –
—
pay to heat the water when you need it. And it never runs
M O R E S AV I N G S A N D G R E AT N E W S
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Want to see more home and savings
tips? Visit our HomeXpert portal at
out! So call us today and find out how you can start enjoying endless hot water – and energy savings!
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Connect
<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com.
You’ll find energy saving tips for the coming season, plus articles covering the hottest topics in home, health and savings news. You may even find a recipe or two! So visit
©2015
<yourcompany>.comfort-tips.com.