Multi-Policy Discount -- Why You Might Not Need It

By Chimezirim Odimba

If you want a discount, get your new insurance policy from the same insurer you bought existing policies from. This is called a multi-policy discount.

Although you can save a lot with a multi-policy discount, you may save more by buying your different policies from different insurance companies. I willwill give more details...

We'll assume that a certain profile has the following rates from three separate insurers...

Insurer A...

Auto insurance: $2,487

Home insurance: $1,400

Health insurance: $2,320

Insurer B...

Auto insurance: $1,472

Home insurance: $2,120

Health insurance: $2,724

Insurer C...

Auto insurance: $3,500

Home insurance: $2,080

Health insurance: $1,640

You can clearly see that although Insurer B offers this profile the best quote for auto insurance it did not have the cheapest rates for the other insurance policies..

Therefore, even if this insurance company gives him a 10% multi-policy discount his total insurance spend would be...

$1,472 + $2,120 + $2,72 = $6,316

$6316 - (10% of $6316) = $5,684.40

Conversely, if he buys from insurance companies who offer him the lowest quotes for each policy his total insurance spend would be...

$1,400 + $1,472 + $1,640 = $4,512

You can see that notwithstanding the fact that buying health and home insurance from the auto insurance carrier may entitle him to multi-policy discounts, he would realize bigger savings by getting each policy from several insurance companies.

A difference as high as $1,172.40 is not one that should be over looked.

So are you sure of which would yield more savings in your case?

So here is how to find out...

Get a good number of quotes from various insurance providers for each policy. Select the lowest rates returned for each insurance policy and then just compare their sum with what you will pay with a multi-policy discount and you'd know which is better in your case.

About the Author:

Get more tips here: Affordable Auto Insurance and Discount Auto Insurance. Chimezirim Odimba helps people get quality insurance coverage cheap.

Are miniature roses as easy to establish as bush roses?

By Jack Dawson

Although it is invariably categorized Hybrid Teas, this variety is so vigorous that it would be better and more appropriately transferred to the shrub types. It has been grown widely as a windbreak hedge, and some years ago, when visiting a customer at Angmering in Sussex, I found a hedge backing directly on to the beach that was every bit of 10ft (3m) high, covered in bloom, and obviously cocking a snook at the salt-laden breezes! As you are asking for a barrier, this is how I suggest that you deal with this hedge from now on. As soon as the growth buds begin to swell next spring, I would prune back all the older stems very hard to sideways-pointing buds, ideally no more than 1 ft (0.3m) from ground level, leaving no more than three or four stems, and these reduce by about a half. The result of this will be most vigorous reaction, with strong stems being thrown up from low down. What you do with them depends on the kind and height of hedge you are looking for. You want a barrier, and presumably one with lots of blooms, so, as the vigorous stems grow tall and while they are still soft and pliable, bend them down and tie them together with stems from the adjacent plant so that they lay horizontal and looped.

Apart from size and height, the important difference that affects cultivation is the necessarily shallow depth of the root system and the susceptibility therefore to drying out. With their suitability to pot and container growing, the risk is greater, and so is the need to be careful to see that it does not happen.

Roses do not like root disturbance, and while it may be possible during the dormant season to turn out and replant a miniature rose in a small container, you are hardly likely to be able to do this with a container of this size. The gradual build-up of nutrient and trace element deficiency therefore is a distinct possibility. This is a very big argument in favour of using an organic source like Humber and, because it is practical on a soil surface area of this dimension, maintaining a mulch cover.

Evidently you will have to buy this in as well, so a good idea would be to use granulated moss peat, and to take extra care of the trace element situation by spraying it or sprinkling seaweed extract into it every few months.

Grown in open ground, this problem is not so likely to occur, and if you follow the reasoning contained in the chapters dealing with feeding and mulching, there is no reason why you should not derive a lot of enjoyment and satisfaction from growing miniatures. One salient fact you should always bear in mind is that these little roses may be reduced in size, but the pests and diseases are not and, relative to the tiny tots, it is like having greenfly as big as bumble bees!

Most of the wood will be green, and in order to avoid damage from the corrosive effect of winter spraying, use a half strength spray of one of the less harsh sprays like Ova-mort or Mortegg. A mist sprayer is no good for this job - you will need a 'stirrup pump' type action sprayer fitted with a lance and an angle nozzle so that you can direct the spray up underneath from ground level. With all this pruning and cutting going on, do remember that this is not any old hedge. You are pruning roses, and the rules have to be observed at every cut, especially with regard to leaving spurs and the danger of dieback.

About the Author:

The best way to choose healthy roses for your garden is to seek and follow expert rose growers advice.

Plant a Hedge For Privacy and Beauty

By Thomas Fryd

If you want an attractive yard, consider planting a hedge. A well kept and attractive hedge can be placed in front of your house and on the edges of your property, screening your yard from traffic, noise, and your neighbors messy yard. While screening out the bad, they will also add a beautiful element to your yard. Hedges can also be used within your yard to design paths and walkways or designate certain areas for various uses. They can also be used to hide service areas from view.

If you plan to plant a hedge in your yard, consider the plant you wish to use. Commonly used varieties include holly, thorn, or wattle for a tall background hedge. Rose, spirea, or barberry make beautiful informal flowering hedges. Evergreens like mugho pine, globe arbor vitae, box will stay green all year long. Plant a colorful hedge using thorn apple, hazelnut, cherry, beach plum, cranberry, or quince, and youll have fruit or nuts as a bonus. Of course, you can also choose a plant to make formal clipped hedges, although these require upkeep to keep them looking tidy. The privet is used by most people wishing for formal hedges, but you can be original and choose a different variety.

When planting a hedge, its important to keep in mind all of the principles of good gardening, just as if you were planting any other type of plant. Prepare the soil well so that it will support the shrub for many years. When planting a shrub, spacing is also of paramount importance. You dont want the hedge plants to crowd each other as they grow, but you also dont want excessive space between the plants, which would negate the purpose for a hedge.

To get a straight hedge around pools or pond areas, just dig a straight trench and then set your plants in the trench. The depth to which your hedge should be planted will depend on the variety you have chosen, the spacing between plants, as well as your landscaping plan. Privet is usually set 1 foot apart, while smaller varieties can be spaced as close as 9 inches apart, and larger shrubs should be set 2 to 4 feet from each other.

Once your hedges begin to grow, youll need to trim them to the shape you want. You can create a flat top, which will look tidy, but it is easily damaged by snow and ice. A rounded top is better if you live in a climate with cold winters. No matter your location, your hedges should be trimmed so they slope outward from top to bottom, allowing the leaves on the bottom to get some sun. With careful planning, you can create a beautiful and useful hedge in your yard.

About the Author:

Join Thomas Fryd at http://www.plant-care.com. The more you know the better decisions you can make, like the topic of landscaping around pools.

Repo Car Auctions - Tips To Succeed

By Davion W

If you are looking to save money on your next car, simply go to repo car auctions where you can find the best deals for your money.

Don't worry, just because they are second-hand cars it does not mean that they are defective. In fact what you are likely to find at auctions of repo cars are cars that have not been used for long because they have been seized by the government or financial institutions when their owners neglected to pay their dues such as taxes, mortgage, and the like. What you therefore get are cars that are slightly used and often still in excellent working condition.

Repo car auctions have been existing for many years now, although they grew in popularity only lately. Because of this, more and more people now are able to afford their dream car. However, because of the event's growing popularity, more and more people are also bidding on the same car. This means that the bid price can go higher and higher.

If you consider this situation, auctions of repo cars do not guarantee that you will get your dream car. It is possible that someone else who also happens to be attracted to your dream car will outbid you. So, here are some tips to help you get ahead when you are at a repo car auction.

First, take note of the schedule when car auctions will be conducted. The more updated you are, the better because then you will be able to come early and have a more favorable bidding position.

Next, take note also of the dates of pre-bid events and go to one. Pre-bid events allow you the chance to have a long and thorough look at the car you intend to buy. You can bring a mechanic with you to inspect the car because a mechanic has the training and the experience to spot defects that are often not seen by an ordinary person.

Before going to car auctions, check also if the papers and documents of the car you intend to bid on are complete and in order. Knowing that you are buying a car with all the legal documents in place will give you more confidence when driving on the road.

Check out my site to find out how you can make repo car auctions work to your definite advantage.

About the Author:

Want to know more about cheap seized car auctions such as where to find cheap seized car auctions in your locality? For further reading, check out this on seized car auctions.

Basic Advice On Choosing Landscape Evergreens

By Sal Haneson

The official start of spring is just a few weeks away and that means that many of you will be planning to overhaul your landscape design. If that is what you plan to do, keep in mind that solid landscape design principle should be followed. The primary key being that evergreens are the anchors of any solid design.

So as you make your plan, think about these evergreen plants in your design.

Evergreen Yews

These guys are extremely over-planted in my opinion but they still are good for any landscape. When I refer to them being over planted I mean that pretty much every landscape from Chicago to Atlanta is anchored with them. They have dark green foliage and the new growth is neon colored. They have very little issues with insects or disease and will live for 80 years if cared for properly. They can also take a heavy shearing year after year with no visible effects on health.

Arbs

Also called "cedars," arborvitae bushes are a more modern evergreen and can be shaped into many forms such as upright, globe or even grown together in mass into hedges for screening. The arborvitae also gives off a sweet smell when trimmed. They do get bagworms and spider mites, but those are easily knocked out with proper applications. The biggest problem I have found with Arbs is their weakness when snow gets piled on them during winter.

Boxwood

If you want an evergreen with a more standard "leafy" appearance, then boxwood is for you. The boxwood is a formal appearing evergreen with small leaves. They are very versatile and can take a pretty heavy shearing during the year if you want to keep them small. They care susceptible to wind burn if planted out in the open.

Holly Bushes

Holly is my favorite evergreen and is the foundation of my own home landscape. You can get varieties differing from light green to dark, and larger leaves to smaller. In addition, as long as you plant both male and female plants near one another, they will develop bright red berries in the fall, giving a nice color variation during the winter. Holly can dry out in winter winds and may need to be sprayed with an anti-desiccant before the cold weather hits.

You can head out to the local book store this weekend and read up on these evergreens and find out which varieties will work in your area of the country. Just remember, evergreens always make the foundation.

About the Author:

Learn more about Marietta lawn services and Georgia lawn service on our blog.

How To Finish A Basement Within Your Budget

By Casey Torren

For a long time you have been dreaming of finishing your basement. You saved some money for it. What you need next is to find time to work on it. It's not really that difficult. First off is to draft a plan and you will be on your way. Here are a few practical tips on how to finish a basement effectively.

- Identify your basement's purposes. There are so many options. You can use it as your home office. You can put in a small space for kids to play. Perhaps a mini bar would be nice or an entertainment corner. You can put one or all of them in depending on the available space you have. In studying how to finish a basement, it is a basic necessity to itemize your plan well and draw it. This way you will save time and money.

- Make a time frame for your project. Your basement is a home project and requires a schedule. If you're a busy person, you can do it during weekends. Your plan should tell you how much work you need to do for your basement. Consider this in your planning on how to finish a basement outline. It always pays to organize this project in details especially the schedule. Then decide when you want to start. And for how long depends highly on you.

- Plan carefully on the decorations. If you hope to have a beautiful den, include the decorating your basement walls. Many of those furnished basements are accentuated with decorations. Add this to your list in your to have a better perspective in how to finish a basement. Just remember not to overdo it.

- Research a little about interior design and construction. A little knowledge about it won't hurt and this helps a lot. If your money is just enough, you might want to take the do-it-yourself option. Learn about electrical wirings, insulation, and materials. Contractors can be expensive. More so if you had planned out hiring one, you wouldn't be taking the time to know how to finish a basement. Read magazines, look at finished basement photos to give you some design ideas.

- Enumerate and list down the possible costs and expenses. This is a very important part in this project. Of course you won't be able to do this without the plan or drawing. Decisions are to be made especially the cost. Analyzing your plan against your savings will help you decide what materials to use, where to buy them, and how to use or put them together.

- Know a little about plumbing. Whether you like it or not, you will be dealing with pipes. The basement is the lowest point in your home. Water flows down to this level. Therefore moisture can be a problem. You don't have to know be an expert in this field though. Just learn enough about plumbing to know how to prevent excessive moisture from happening.

You now have the basic outline in knowing how to finish a basement. Just like any other project, you start from an idea. Then it moves to putting it into a plan. The plan helps a lot especially with cost and in finding ways to realize it. When all of this is laid out, get your tools ready and work on it.

About the Author:

See more tips on how to finish a basement. See more finished basement design photos to help you.

Win Free Stuff Searching Online

By Samantha Asher

Do you use search engines? If you are reading this article online, the answer is probably yes. In fact, you probably use a search engine almost everyday. Most people who use computers do searches.

When you make a search online, what happens? That's simple, you get a list of sites that are related to the term or terms you searched for. Ideally, you find what you were looking for. Wouldn't it be great if you could win free stuff at the same time?

Most likely you don't win free stuff when you are searching. That's too bad because you could be. It's as simple as searching the web for whatever you needed and winning some free stuff simultaneously.

You can do this through a program called Swag Bucks. Once you join and start searching, you have a chance to win a Swag Buck each time you search. If you search everyday, you can win at least once a day, usually twice, and as many as three times in one day.

Also, you can win between 1 and 5 on most days for each search, but as many as 10 or even 100 on Megabuck Fridays. In addition, if you visit their blog or twitter feed frequently, you can find Swag codes which also give a free buck or two.

What do you do with all these Bucks? You can collect them and exchange them for free gift cards from Amazon, Starbucks, Sears, and many other places, or for free electronics, video games, or memorabilia. There have loads of great stuff.

Save for a while and you can get 2, 3, 4, or more gift cards at a time, such as from Amazon you can get a $5 gift card code. If you order several at once they will give you one gift code for the entire amount. For example, if you order 5 codes, they will send you one amazon gift code worth $25. You can exchange it for a $500 gift card if you want!

Their video game selection is huge and you can even win several different consoles such as xBox or Wii. You can also win tons of cool stuff from their electronics section including televisions, stereos, zunes, iPods, turntables, and more.

About the Author:

You really can win free stuff through your searches. Sign up and start your searches. Start searching and winning your free swag today!

Discover What Music Club is

By Dennis Durrel

The phrase music club seems like a plain concept, but in reality, it does have a number of different meanings. The primary and perhaps most generally well-known type of music club is a group of students from a music department that have developed a club.

Usually, these clubs will center around the individuals' love of music and can include activities like field trips, community service, and even social outings.

An additional sort of music club which exists is one where its members acquire a cut rate in purchasing music. To become a member of one of these an individual would need to disburse a membership charge to the music club.

That membership fee allows the individual to purchase discounted music through the music club. With the aid of this the music club member are able to easily and inexpensively expand their music library

Last of all, a music club can be a group of individuals who play music and gather together to do so. This type of music club can exist in any genre that its members are interested in. Usually, the type of music club is a unpaid club, and it will not include any membership fees associated with it.

About the Author:

About Author: MusicClu-b.com. The leading source for music club. Free music club resources. Includes sites related to music club you can access from here!