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Rebate card smarts. More and more retailers are providing rebates on prepaid cards that look like gift cards. These cards may come with fees and other restrictions that can diminish their value, according to Consumers Union, the nonprofit publisher of Consumer Reports. Follow this advice to avoid problems with rebate cards.
Watch out for fees: Like other prepaid cards, rebate cards can come loaded with fees, including those for activating the card, checking balances, inactivity, going over the limit, or replacing a lost or stolen card. Be sure to read the fine print when you receive a rebate card to become familiar with the fees you might be charged.
Mind the expiration date: Hanging onto these cards instead of spending them is a mistake. Some rebate cards expire in as little as three months.
Know your balance: You can ask the merchant to make a “split tender transaction” so you can use the rebate card and some other form of payment to cover the full amount.
Be aware: Your rights may be limited if your card is lost or stolen. Consumers are not protected by the same regulatory and statutory safeguards for rebate cards as they are for debit or credit cards.
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Heads up about lead. In April, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will launch new regulations requiring remodelers who work on homes built before 1978 to follow specific practices to minimize possible lead exposure. According to the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (), owners of pre-1978 homes who decide to remodel should proceed with the assumption that lead is present — unless testing is done to identify exactly where the lead is. The following safe work practices are recognized by the EPA to help contain lead exposure during renovations projects.
Contain the work so that dust and debris do not escape. Use warning signs, heavy-duty plastic and tape. Minimize dust by misting water on areas before sanding or scraping.
Clean up thoroughly on a daily basis with such special cleaning methods as using a HEPA vacuum and wet mopping with plenty of rinse water.
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Junk-drawer efficiency. There may not be a spot more densely cluttered than the proverbial junk drawer. Stop wasting time digging through this hodgepodge of mismatched knickknacks by organizing the junk drawer using these tips from ShopSmart magazine ().
Think transparent. Small, see-through glass jars can house change, push pins, rubber bands and more.
Use hooks. Pull items out of the drawer and hang them.
Divide and conquer. Try using modular drawer organizers that fit their contents precisely.
Make it uniform. Simple organizers with similar shapes will keep the look consistent.
