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Chapter 8: The Thermostat

There is another aspect of your home that needs careful consideration. That is the thermostat. What temperature you set it at is really a personal comfort situation. Yet, more and more, people are finding that there is cost savings in using the right thermostat and the right level of comfort to boot.

For example, during the summer months, do you have the air conditioning set low enough that it feels comfortable to wear a long sleeve shirt or pants? Do you grab for a blanket? This is a signal that perhaps you could raise the thermostat and still be quite comfortable.

In the winter, you shouldn’t want to put the fan on or want to wear shorts. You can see how just lowering the heat a bit can save you a good deal of money. Yet, there is no magical number here.

Unfortunately, there is a great deal of money that can be saved by just dealing with the heat in the summer or the cold in the winter. Yet, you do not have to flip it off altogether to gain some benefits of extra money in your pocket.

The Right Temperature

Finding and setting your home at the right temperature is the first goal. It is said that during the winter, setting the heat at 68 F degree is the best starting point. In the summer months, you goal is that of 76 F degrees. Every time that you can either move this number up or down for cost savings; you can save a decent amount of money per two degree movement.

Therefore, if you are in the winter months and you have your thermostat set at 70 F degrees normally, if you can still feel comfortable by lowering it to 68 F degrees, you will be able to save a good deal of money.

In the summer, keep the air conditioning set at just 76 F degrees and turn on a fan. Doing this will pull out all of the humidity in the air and keep the temperature at a great level. If you can tolerate moving these more so, you will save money.

But, beware. If you continuously are moving them up and down, you are not doing yourself any favors. In fact, if you get cold so you raise the air conditioning, only to become hot again and lower it, you will be wasting money.

As the air in the home cools down; it does not take as much energy to keep it at that level. But, if you raise the temperature and the home heats up, the air conditioning needs to work twice as hard to get it back down. This causes quite a bit of money to be lost in the turn.

Pick and stay at the right temperature in the home and you can benefit from energy savings.

Programming Help

One thing that you really do want to take into consideration is that of programmable thermostats. These are not too expensive. They are probably just a few dollars more than a standard model and make a large difference.

What can they do? First off, they still work the same as other thermostats to. When the home’s temperature changes so much so that there is a need to call to the air conditioning unit or the furnace to balance it out, they do so. Yet, they have additional features as well.

For example, you can program them to turn on before you come home from work. Let’s say that you are at work most of the day and the kids are at school. There is no one in the home. Why keep the heat on full blast? If the period of time is longer than a couple of hours, these programmable thermostats are a blessing.

You simply set the time in which you will be home (usually about an hour or so before so) and at that time they will kick on. Better models will be able to be programmed for various days of the week too (such as Saturdays you may be home all day.)

When the time comes to turn on, they do and get the home to the right temperature. You do not notice any difference until you notice your heating or cooling bills have dropped.

You can also program them for different temperatures at night, when you are sleeping. By raising the temperature in your home during the summer a couple of degrees, or lowering it a couple of degrees in the winter, you can save a great deal of money.

You do not need to remember how to do this when it comes to using your programmable timer in the thermostat as it will take care of that for you.

If you are looking to save money in energy costs, installing a programmable thermostat is one of the best moves for you to make. It is simple to install and easy to use. It will save you a good deal of money too.

Chapter 9: Energy Star: Understanding What It is

Have you heard of Energy Star? If you have not, this is your friend for sure.

If you are purchasing any new unit for your home, from a dishwasher or refrigerator to the hot water tank and the furnace, Energy Star is something that you do want to take full advantage of.

This is a term, a distinction that you should have on any of the appliances or major systems within your home. When a product is deemed to be Energy Star ready, it is capable of providing the necessary service to you but through reduced energy costs.

The Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, along with the US Department of Energy is the sponsor of Energy Star programs. Their goal is to help each person to save money as well as to help each of us to protect the environment by using energy efficient products and by using energy benefiting practices.

The Energy Star program has been able to help people to save quite a bit of money. The EPA claims that in 2005, Americans were able to save someplace around $12 billion dollars by using Energy Star products and therefore saving on their utility bills.

But, it does not stop there. They also claim that by using these products, Energy Star has helped to avoid greenhouse gas emissions that would be about the same as that of 23 million cars in 2005 alone. Therefore, it is a good program to take note of.

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Spend lots of time dreaming together. There is something wildly attractive about merging our hopes and dreams for the future with someone else's. And working toward the realization of shared dreams contributes dramatically to the level of romance in marriage.

Indeed, the best relationships involve people who have a well-formed vision of the life they are pursuing together. I encourage you to have a dream for the next year of your marriage, another for the next five years, and another for the next 10 years.

Accentuate physical affection. Obviously, sex is an important component of any married couple's romantic relationship. But there is so much more to physical affection than intercourse. Do you and your partner regularly hug, hold hands, smooch, nuzzle, and walk arm in arm? Touching is a ready-made reservoir of relational energy and intimacy.

Place a high priority on laughter and levity. Laughing together creates a magical bond. When you and your partner find humor in the same thing, you are fused together at that moment. Relive funny events from your lives, swap stories, watch wacky movies together — whatever makes you laugh, do it often.

Regularly communicate your mutual significance to each other. Look for every opportunity to tell your spouse, "You are the most important person in my life."

You can convey this verbally, in writing, or through acts of kindness. This can be something small like bringing home your mate's favorite ice cream or buying them a book with a touching inscription inside. These small gestures assure your partner that they are in your thoughts when we're apart, and this draws you closer to each other.

My husband was working a night shift and when he came home the next morning, I was greeted by some yellow wildflowers in a drinking glass sitting on the kitchen table. Now, they were ragweed blossoms, and I am allergic, so when I asked him what those were, he told me, "I saw them by the side of the road and thought they were pretty - just like you."

I took a Claritin and smiled that my husband was thinking of me while he was toiling away at his job. It didn't matter what kind of flower it was, it was the gesture that meant the most. He got huge brownie points for that one! Even if my eyes did swell up!

Eat by candlelight. It doesn't matter if it's a Domino's pizza or a five-course gourmet meal, candles can present an atmosphere that is amazingly conducive to romance. Have you ever eaten pizza by candlelight? Try it! You'll be surprised at how romantic it really is!

Pay attention when your spouse mentions things he or she likes or expresses interest in something that could make a good gift, such as a new CD, a book, or theater, concert, sports tickets.

Be on the lookout for ideas for birthday, holiday, and anniversary gifts, plus "no reason" surprise gifts. It's very flattering to know that someone really tried to find a gift that was just what you wanted.

Frequently offer foot massages, shoulder massages, and full-body massages to your spouse. You'll get plenty of romantic brownie points in your "relationship bank account" if you keep some great-smelling lotion handy and take ten minutes to massage your spouse's tired feet at the end of a long work day.

Note: If you expect to be rewarded for your efforts by sex, you won't accumulate any points for being romantic. Your spouse will just think you have an ulterior motive when you offer a massage in the future. Do this unselfishly and enjoy the rewards!

Giving sweet cards and letters to your spouse can be romantic, as can emails and phone messages that share your feelings and passion. Handwritten letters sent through the mail are becoming more and more of a rarity. That's good for you because that means your spouse will think you're really romantic for taking the time to write a love letter by hand and mail it. That will make more of an impact than just sending an email if you want to get extra brownie points.

Another way to be romantic is to look for opportunities to pamper and spoil your spouse. That might be letting a spouse sleep in late while you watch the kids, or it could be telling your partner to sit down and relax while you clean up after dinner.

The key is in the delivery of the offer. You might say, "Nothing's too good for my sweetheart" or "You're such a love. It's fun to pamper you." You can accompany your words with a hug or kiss

Talking in front of your spouse to someone else about your partner's good points is romantic. Take full advantage of opportunities to say, 'I'm so lucky to have such a supportive wife (or husband)-she's such a treasure. I'm a lucky man."

You can also do this when you're talking on the phone and know that your spouse is within listening range. If you're not sure your partner heard you, when you get off the phone ask, "Did you hear me telling my sister what a great husband you are? I was really bragging on you!"

In the romance department, flowers, plants, candy, or a special home-cooked meal never go out of favor. Many females love to receive beautiful fresh flowers or a box of delicious chocolate candy. Both husbands and wives can appreciate the efforts of a partner to put together an intimate, special home-cooked meal by candlelight with music playing and flowers on the table.

Surprise your spouse with a framed picture of the two of you in a setting that will bring back pleasant memories. Another option is to frame a picture of your spouse that shows him or her in a flattering way and let your partner know how much you love the photo. Keep it on your nightstand, computer, dresser, or desk and let your spouse see you looking at it admiringly.

We talked about taking surprise getaways. Why don't you take the initiative to plan a surprise weekend outing? Call and make all the arrangements ahead of time.

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VIII. On Courtship

“Un amant fait la court ou s’attache son coeur”.

Moliere

A woman really in love and sure of her lover delights in toying with a sort of coquetry of love; as if it pleased her to try to win over again that the winning of which gave so exquisite a pleasure. And perhaps The coquetry of love is the surest test of an unquestionable love. For When possession can afford to play at pursuit, this but proves possession complete. Sometimes An assumed love will resort to the pretty tricks of a real one, in order to assure its object—or to re-assure itself.

Surrender after a protracted siege has its advantages. At all events both M and N can look back to more demi-semi happy incidents when the courtship has been long.

Happy that couple can laugh over the incidents of courtship afterwards. ‘T is a portent of impending ill if they cannot.

Half-heartedness in courtship is not only suicidal, it is murderous. On the other hand, remember that In courtship there are various and varying stages. But there is always the home-gallop. Remember, too, that What is suitable at one stage of courtship is ruinous at another. And It is only the old whip who knows when to push the pace:

In courtship to force the running is hazardous. Though we win, the victory loses its sweets. And In courtship, men too often ride on the snaffle; in matrimony, too often on the curb.

Courtship asks for cash payment. Matrimony has often to allow unlimited credit. Insolvency is not unknown.

In courtship, all auxiliaries but the rival. No one will impede a lover save another lover.

In the presence of a woman, man is by nature a diffident animal. The women who recognize this are often the most successful. Indeed, Many are the refined and gentle women who in after life regret that they did not more openly cope with their less delicately-minded sisters.

Nevertheless,

Nothing is more astonishing than a woman’s tact in encouraging a man.

In courtship modulated and musical tones count for much. Who with harsh speech would assail a lady’s ear?

No woman thinks she can be wooed too often. And Few women can forgo an opportunity to fascinate.

In courtship the woman is the whole world to the man; in matrimony the man is the whole world to the woman.

In courtship the slightest suspicion of condescension is fatal. For True love is a greater leveler than anarchy.

In courtship, the wooer to the wooed is, in Juliet’s phrase, the god of her idolatry; in matrimony he is lucky if he is the idol of her deity.

It is a question which is the sweeter: a spontaneous courtship, or one that has sprung from friendship.

In a spontaneous courtship there is all the charm of novelty;

In a courtship that has grown out of affection there is all the trustfulness of friendship. But

Friendship and courtship are two totally distinct things:

In courtship, men and women meet on the flowery-thorny common of love;

In friendship, men and women invite each other over to their respective plots. So,

A friend will show a friend all over his domain;

A lover can but point out to the lover the flowers (and thorns) which grow in the soil to which they are both strangers. 162

It is an open question whether in matters pre-matrimonial, the mode of the French is not preferable to that of the Anglo-Saxon; whether, that is,

Prudence and prevision are not more certain harbingers of matrimonial happiness of matrimonial happiness than are impulse and passion.

The French couple, when wedded, are virtually strangers; the Anglo-Saxon have already together enacted some scenes of the matrimonial drama. Yet it is an open question also whether

A more durable domestic affection is not built up from the pristine foundation of total ignorance than from that of a partial acquaintanceship.

The American Elizabeth Patterson, before she became Madame Jerome Bonaparte, could write, “I love Jerome Bonaparte, and I prefer to be his wife, were it only for a day, to the happiest union.”

The continentalized Madame Jerome Bonaparte, twenty-six years after she had ceased to be Miss Elizabeth Patterson, could write “Do we not know how easily men and women free themselves from the fetters of love, and that only the stupid remain caught in these pretended bonds?” (1) After all,

Little do any couple know of each other before marriage. Besides Does not a delightful romance envelope the nuptials of strangers? At all events, even if precaution is a foe to impulse, few will be found to deny that

Strangeness is by no means inimical to passion. Perhaps, then,

Fathers and mothers and uncles and aunts can form a better judgment as to the suitability and adaptability to each other of two young, ardent, and headstrong boys and girls can these themselves; since Fathers and mothers and uncles and aunts know full well that impulse and passion often prove materials too friable for the many-storied fabric of marriage. At all events,

The French mode of contracting a marriage precludes the possibility of perilous and precocious affairs of the heart. Perhaps

The mistake that ardent and headstrong boys and girls make is in thinking that impulse and passion are the keys of Paradise. Their Elders know that impulse and passion are sometimes the keys of Purgatory.

Prudence and prevision are not keys to any supernal (or infernal) existence; they are merely guide-books to a terrestrial journey. At all events, it is significant that (which might be added as a lemma)

Widows rarely choose unwisely!

(1) Quoted by C. de Varigny in the “Revue des Deux Mondes” ofJanuary the 15th, 1893.

Over that much-bethought-of, much-surmised-about-thing, a proposal of marriage, every young woman weaves a pre-conceived halo of romance, but In nineteen cases out of twenty a proposal is either unexpected or disappointing; that is,

Many a girl has almost held her breath with anxiety as she saw the great question coming; then almost cried with vexation at the way it came.

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Relationship Marketing Secret #3: Be Yourself Even If Some People Don't Like It

This last rule requires you to be bold. It requires you to expect and accept the fact that some people are going to flat out reject you. If you can't deal with rejection, learn to deal with it.

Trust is a result of people seeing you as a real person willing to share of yourself and not just a automated cloned robot pushing out recycled articles and ads just like everyone else seems to do.

Part of that has to do with the way you write to your readers. You have to write in a way that it looks personal. Like an actual person sat down and took the time to communicate with them. Every single one of your readers knows you have many hundreds or thousands of subscribers but that doesn't mean that you can't write like only one person is reading. In fact, that's what you have to do.

One of the easiest ways I've found to learn how to do this is to look at your database of subscribers and pick one to write your letter to. Just one. Then compose your emails in your email client that's addressed to just that one subscriber.

It's a little intimidating, but you can also just imagine that you're writing to one of your bigger competitors which forces you to put some real effort into the information you present. It kind of forces you to raise your game a bit.

No matter how many people you write to, only one person is reading your email at a time so it's important that it "sounds" like you're writing to that one person.

Personal stories help as well because they help solidify that fact that you are a real person. There's too much use of the word "we" online. If you're the only person running your business then who is "we"? Carefully remove the stick and relax.

If it's just you, say I or me when you write.

There's nothing wrong with that because again, anything that allows people to picture you having a one on one conversation with them goes a long way towards helping you build a relationship with them.

Now here's the thing...

I have to clear this up because I know it's something that may confuse you.

When I say write personal stories I don't mean you have to talk about personal things. It's not necessary to do that. What I mean is talk about something that isn't about your online business or if it is about your business, do it with your own words and personality.

I'll give you an example...

I'm subscribed to a newsletter that has nothing to do with Internet Marketing or marketing at all for that matter and one of the guys who writes it routinely starts out by telling me something completely unrelated to the subject of his newsletter.

One issue he started off by saying.

Not too long ago, in a fit of exasperation over the lack of American entertainment available here in Spain, I picked up the Miami Vice box set.

So next thing you know, I'm rolling through the clubs in Barcelona with my boy (Name Omitted), and we're introducing ourselves as "Sonny" and "Tubbs." Nobody has any idea what the hell we're talking about, but as you're probably aware by now, I like to amuse myself.

I've even started rolling up the sleeves on my blazer.

Just kidding.

Has nothing to do with his newsletter but it's funny and it makes me feel like I know the guy a little because he does something like that in every issue. You could tell people you like the color green and they feel like they know you better. What you tell them doesn't matter so much as the fact that you should tell them something.

The more personal you can get your newsletter to look, the more your readers will start to respond to you. You see, you've been told to build your list and send out a newsletter and of course you should, but why should you? Do you know why? Has anyone ever told you why?

The #1 goal is to build a relationship with like-minded people who seek guidance on the way to their goals. Your job is to help them get to wherever they want to go. All people care about is where they want to go and if you can help them get there.

Your job is not to send out a bunch of recycled articles and ads. People don't want that and the thing is, many of them won't unsubscribe when you send them junk. They will just stop listening to you.

So, even though you may appear to have thousands of subscribers, you actually don't because many of them have quit reading. You have to ask yourself, why should anyone care about you or what you have to say or even relate to you and your business?

Do you give them a reason to? If you don't, start. People don't care about or relate robots. They care about and relate to other real people.

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Chapter 6 - Choosing Types of Detectors and Home Security System

Online you will find wireless chimes, which include counters. The chimes provide infrared dual beams, which transmit data to remote counters. The beam when interrupted will instantly chime. The chimes will supply exit and entry counts, on a digital platform. You can adjust the sounds of the chimes. If you are searching for trouble free installation, quality announcing, and cost-efficiency, check out the chimes now.

The wireless receivers offer you built-in counters, which provide you selective tones. Push button transmitters provide you a deep range. Few chime online offer beam sensors, which provide exclusive RF and infrared technology. Alert modes offer local alarms, which relay and trigger video recordings at closure. Few chimes offer steep security Identification codes, as well as audible warnings. When your system is blocked, the alert will sound. Built-in exits, entry, and exclusive volume control make the chimes worth your while. Systems today include non-volatile counter memory, alongside two chiming hookups and low powered consumption.

Online you will find units that offer you normal installation modes, or else you can switch to re verse modes. In addition, you will find kits, which inc lude single -end detection, alongside 35 feet detections when installed at your doorway.

Additions to chimes are the Garage Door Openers. If you have a problem, closing your garage when you leave home, the door openers will automatically handle the job for you. The door openers today offer secure automatic and adjustable features, which enable you to tap into security.

Complementing garage door openers are the alert systems. The systems are installed inside of your home or garage. The monitor works to notify you when your door is opened. You can find wireless receivers online.

Motion Alert devices work both indoor and outdoors. The motion alerts will detect any intruders around your home or office area. Few motion alerts come with supervised sensors, which are battery operated. You can purchase additional motion sensors separate. Motion alerts also provide you visual and audio indicator, which detect up to 40 feet. The in service ranges various, yet you can find devices that range up to 300 feet. In addition, you have easy installation, combined with wireless platform receivers.