Showing posts with label save money. Show all posts
Showing posts with label save money. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Putting Cash Back in Your Wallet.... The Chris Matthews Way. DISCOUNTS ON INSURANCE!

With every sold property comes a need to obtain property insurance. I, Chris Matthews, always aim to ease the burden of my client's wallets so I had a list compiled of some common discounts you can get on not only your property insurance, but your car insurance as well.

- Multi-line discounts (typically the largest discount)

Multi-line means multiple policies, such as when you have your property insurance and auto insurance or two cars with the same carrier. Most companies will recognize an umbrella policy with things like personal articles (ex. jewelry), flood policy, renter's insurance, condo, boat, or yacht when giving a discount.

- Paperless (small discount for no paper bills)
- Mature Homeowner (55+ years of age)
- Early Quote Advantage (receive quote 8 days prior to closing on auto policy)
- Good Student (A or B average, grade needed varies with carrier)
- Defensive Driving Class taken
- Security Systems (Deadbolts, Monitored smoke alarms, Security Systems)
- New Home Discount (what age qualifies as "new" varies by carrier)
- Home Buyer Discount
- Continuous Insurance (3+ years with the same carrier)
- Green Home Discount (Home has particular energy efficient features)
- Hybrid Car Discount
- Claims-Free Discount (haven't filed any claims for a certain length of time)

Not ALL carriers provide all of these discounts, but the easiest way to find out is to call them up! Important to remember when choosing an insurance carrier: Make sure what you need protected is covered first, then look for best price. Don't purchase based on discounts because policies that are heavily discounted on price usually have been heavily discounted on coverage.
Special Thanks To: Sarah Delaune of Carroll & Delaune Insurance Services. www.carroll-delaune.com

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

TAX FREE APPLIANCE MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!

ENERGY STAR logoFrom May 29th to 31st, 2010 Energy Star rated appliances will be sales tax free! If you are in the market for a new refrigerator, dishwasher, or other appliance this weekend is the time to go. There is NO LIMIT on the number of qualifying items you can purchase and no exemption certificate is needed. The 2010 Energy Star sales tax holiday begins at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday and ends at 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 31st (Memorial Day). 

The appliance purchased must be an appliance that has received an Energy Star rating. This is almost always advertised along with the product. Energy Star products not only reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, they also will reduce the amount of money leaving your wallet over time. Energy Star is a joint program between the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy. If an appliance is given the Energy Star rating it means the product meets strict energy efficient guidelines laid out by the agencies.

Examples of some sales tax-free items:
- Air conditioners priced under $6,000
- Refrigerators priced under $2,000
- Programmable thermostats
- Ceiling fans
- Dehumidifiers
- Dishwashers
- Incandescent & fluorescent light bulbs
- Clothes washers (but not clothes dryers)

Go here for more information on this tax-free holiday: http://www.window.state.tx.us/taxinfo/taxpubs/tx96_1331/