HOW TO BUY A LAWNMOWER
By Richard Herder

For many people, cutting the lawn is not a favorite pastime. However, the proper equipment will make a world of difference. There are three questions one should ask before purchasing a lawnmower:

1. Do I want a push or self-propelled mower?
To answer this question, you can use a few guidelines. If your property is fairly large, perhaps with hills or inclines, it would probably be a good idea to invest in a self-propelled mower. In most cases, it will cost you approximately $100 extra to have the luxury of a self-driving machine. This is a small price to pay on a humid 95-degree day. One thing you don’t want to do is buy a push machine and regret it later. Remember, it is a lot easier to roll a mower on a showroom floor than it is on the lawn.
On the other hand, if your property is smaller with fairly level lawn areas and you’re looking for a little extra exercise, a push mower may be right for you.

2. Do I want to bag, mulch, or both?
The big question I hear every day: is it better for my lawn to bag or mulch? This question has a very easy answer. If you have the time to cut your lawn every four to five days in early spring before the lawn grows more than one to one and a half inches, then mulching can be just as healthy as bagging. But if you’re like me and work six days a week then you should look into a bagging mower. The other alternative would be a mower capable of bagging or mulching. Ariens and Snapper both offer mowers that have the capability of converting from bagger to mulcher quite easily. This would allow you to bag in the spring and mulch in the summer.

3. Do I need a riding lawnmower?
Some properties in our area are fairly large. Properties over one half acre are much more easily managed with a riding lawnmower. You can still mow these larger properties with a walk behind mower, but chances are you’ll get tired of mowing your lawn pretty quickly. You’ll most likely shorten the average life of your mower from the eight to 10 year range to the four to six year range due to extended engine run times. Typically, riding lawnmowers have larger cutting widths to cover more ground quickly and last for many years. For example, if you have a three-quarter acre property and you mow with a regular walk mower, the mower may only last four to six years; if you have a riding mower it may last 15 to 20 years. The average self-propelled mower costs around $400, and riding mowers start as low as $1,049.

Stop by Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Rich or Dave can answer any other questions.

McIntyre’s Lawnmower and Locksmith Service, 450 North Ave., Westfield, NJ; 908-232-2528

BUYING A NEW OVEN
By John Morris

Ovens are generally grouped into two common kinds: gas ovens and electric ovens. Then there are also microwave ovens (uses microwave radiation to cook or heat food) and convection ovens (uses a circulating fan to move hot air around the food).

With this range of choices, not to mention the variety of features and designs available in ovens, shopping for one can be a difficult task. Below are some guidelines to help you buy the right oven.

Location. Whether “freestanding” (set in a range) or “built-in” to the wall (known as wall ovens), make sure that you measure the size of the oven against the location where you plan to have it installed. The location should not only have enough space; it should also be sturdy enough to support the unit.

Capacity. The "actual" size of the oven is defined by its capacity. The oven capacity refers to the amount of food or the size of the container that it can hold. The 'size', therefore, that you need to consider when buying an oven is the size of its interior (the cavity). Note that some ovens seem large on the outside but are actually smaller inside.

Consider the following when deciding on a particular oven capacity:

Family size. The oven capacity depends on the number of people in your family. Some of the recommended oven capacity (in liters) for various family sizes are: two members, less than 29 liters; four members, 20 to 29 liters; six members, more than 30 liters.

Article Source: EzineArticles.com. For more oven information and resources visit www.bestovens.info. The entire article is available on our Web site, www.unioncountyvoice.com.

MAXIMIZING YOUR SAVINGS POTENTIAL
Newark-based bcpbank, which has branches in Union County, announced the launch of its newest investment tool designed to maximize their Customers’ earning potential. This unique solution, named Two-Way Savings, pairs up an 11-month CD at 5.25% APY and a Money Market Indexed Account, whose rate is linked to the Fed rate.

“Two-Way Savings makes another set of options available for our customers to maximize their investment potential,” explained Pedro J. Belo, chairman and CEO of bcpbank. “Developing a program that gives the choice of a medium term CD or a Money Market Indexed Account allows Customers to choose the product that best suits
their financial needs,” concludes Belo.

The Relationship 11-month CD allows customers to put their funds in a safe investment for maximum earning during the term of the CD. To qualify for the 5.25% APY, customers must open a new or upgrade their accounts to a bcp Relationship Package and open the CD with a minimum of $5,000.

The Relationship Money Market Indexed Account is designed for customers who want to place their money in a secure investment tool, while still having access to the funds when the need arises.

Relationship customers are also eligible for exclusive interest earning checking accounts, free unique relationship checks, free use of bcponline and bcpbillpay, a free Visa Debit Card, discounted rates on consumer loans with automatic debit, and special rates on IRAs.

bcpbank; www.bankbcp.com

PREVIOUS | 1 | 2