services

Once you have taken stock of your in-home entertainment memberships, spend some time thinking about your in-home communication services and whether or not you are using them daily. The upkeep will not only help you maintain your resolve to live below your means, but it will allow you to measure whether the service is worth the cost. Check the following before the end of the month in an effort to get organized.

• Internet: Most of us get our money's worth with Internet service, but do call your provider and the competition to make sure you are getting the best rate. If you never use your Internet at home, but have easy access to a coffee shop or public library (where the Internet is almost always free!) consider turning off your service.
• Home Phone: Does anyone call you on this anymore? Keep it if you have to, or if it gets you a better bundle rate, otherwise consider scrapping it.

To see a couple other services you should reassess, read more

There's no greater time than the beginning of the year to check in with your in-home entertainment memberships and make sure you are getting the biggest bang for your buck and relishing the packages you have signed up for. The upkeep will not only help you maintain your resolve to live below your means, but it will allow you take stock of whether or not your services or habits are sustainable. Check in with the following before the end of the month in an effort to get organized.

• Video Store vs. Netflix: Ask yourself if you are an infrequent movie renter and would rather spend the $5 Netflix fee (for one rental per month) for the convenience, or have the option of popping into the quaint rental shop on the way home. If you are a real movie nut explore the Netflix three-at-a-time plan (unlimited rentals per month and unlimited movies downloaded to your PC), which is $17. If you research the right plan you can save on gas and time, and kill late fees. Similarly, if you don't watch the movies that show up in the little red envelope opt to put your Netflix account on hold for three months at no cost until you want it again. Remember the cost looks small, but even the $5-per-month plan adds up to $60 a year (the $17 plan is $204 for a year!). You can always rent DVDs for free — or a tiny fee — at your local library.
• Cable and Satellite TV: Do you get your money out of your HBO, Showtime, and an expanded sports package? If so, more power to you. If not, ditch them or call your service provider and let them know you are spending too much each month and would like a better plan for your lifestyle. Your provider wants to keep you as a customer so they will work with you, even if it's just cutting a couple of dollars.
• DVR Service and TiVo: Is your TV provider charging you extra for a DVR service you aren't using? Are you paying $13 monthly for TiVo when your cable provider offers a less expensive DVR service? Call them up and check. If you only record a couple shows a month cruise websites like Hulu or network websites to see if the shows stream online or if you can purchase the shows from iTunes for less than the DVR price. Single episode downloads from iTunes are generally $1.99 each.

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As part of the super-swank Pooch Chicago, the Spaw is a luxe doggie delight! Their treatments include massages with warming aromatherapeutic oils (including clove bud and cinnamon leaf to relieve swollen joints and increase blood flow). Follow it up with a relaxing dip to wash the oils off in a milk-bone bath, a pampering pawdicure, and the poochberry facial with a head massage and special facial treatment. Along with daycare and a hotel, they've got a health club with a poochie treadmill and even offer swimming lessons for your dog in the only indoor canine pool in Chicago – perfect for prepping your pet for Montrose Beach by summer!

You can't predict an emergency, but you can plan for it. I may sound like my mother when I say this but not everything in life comes with advance warning. And, sometimes, a little preparation can go a long way. First off, make neighbors aware that you have a pet. Usually they are, but safeguard yourself by hanging a decal on your window or door that alerts people of the pets inside.

In a burst of energy one weekend, I decided to make a "go bag" for North. Most of the items I already had, but I think that people (and each pet) should keep emergency kits on hand. I started out with a clear vinyl utility bag ($8.99) and I store it inside an extra travel kennel ($22.99).

Want to know what's inside, read more