Last Call for the DTV Transition

Tomorrow, June 12th, marks the day of the DTV transition, where analog broadcasts will cease for television sets across the country. At this point, TV stations will begin to broadcast digitally, requiring the many Americans out there with analog sets to upgrade to a digital TV or purchase equipment to convert the new digital signal.

If you've missed the boat on the DTV transition, there's no need to panic as you still have plenty of options available. For one, if you don't have the desire to upgrade to a brand new digital television set, you could always get cable or satellite TV service. Additionally, you can purchase a converter box that will help change the signal to a format that your TV can display. Without either of these solutions, you could be left in the dark once the analog signals stop.

To find out more about what you need for the DTV transition, check out DTV. Hopefully you'll be all taken care of on June 12th!

Green Mountain Energy Offers a Hot Summer Special

Now that summer is almost officially here, those electricity prices are probably starting to climb. Especially in a hotter state like Texas, we're starting to rely on that precious air conditioning to get us through the heat. Well, Green Mountain Energy is now offering a new low rate electricity special that's bound to keep you cool for less.

This low priced and exclusive 6 month plan from Green Mountain is a special limited time offer. At as low as 10.8 cents per kWh, it's one of the lowest offers available for electricity shoppers in Texas. In addition, Green Mountain customers have the assurance that they are purchasing 100% renewable energy to power their home. On top of that, Green Mountain Energy will plant up to 5,000 trees for every person that pledges an earth-friendly action after ordering their electricity.

So if you're looking to turn the lights on without breaking a sweat over your monthly electricity bills this summer, shop with Green Mountain Energy for your home power needs.

The CEA Helps Consumers Enjoy Electronics While Protecting the Environment

When it comes to protecting the environment, you can never have too many handy resources. The Consumer Electronics Association agrees, which is why they created MyGreenElectronics.org. The site covers the FOUR R's of recycling: Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Rethink!

These handy sections includes resources for every phase of buying, owning and getting rid of your favorite electronic devices. There are links to various organizations that can reuse your unwanted items, tips on buying the most energy-efficient products the next time you shop for electronics, and help for finding recycling centers near your house. They've also got a neat energy calculator that will show you the energy consumption costs of devices like your television, DVR and satellite TV system.

Seat Belt Holster for Cell Phones

The next wave of safer driving techniques is here: rather than holding onto your cell phone or having it tossed around the car with every turn and pot hole, clip it to your seat belt! This device employs a Velcro and clear plastic sleeve wrap that envelops your cell and attaches it to your seat belt right below the shoulder.

The manufacturer, Universal Cell Wrap, claims that this invention allows you to “drive hands-free using cell phone speaker without Bluetooth, wires or earpieces!” This device is user-friendly and can be adjusted to multiple positions depending on comfort and height.

Frankly, the demographic that I see this product appealing to are those who wear protect protectors and attach their cell phones to their belt clips. But who knows? It may be an overnight success waiting to happen in the likes of Tickle Me Elmos. For more details on this product, visit Universal Cell Wrap.

Buying a Greener Computer

Looking to buy a new computer that's as green as possible? Check out a program by the Green Electronics Council that can help you find the greenest machine for your home. EPAT® is a system that can help consumers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes. It currently covers desktop and laptop computers, workstations and computer monitors.

The program is based on the IEEE 1680 family of standards for electronic product environmental assessment. To help consumers find greener computers, manufacturers can register their desktops, laptops and monitors that meet 23 required environmental performance criteria. The products are then rated Gold, Silver or Bronze depending on how many of the 28 optional criteria they meet above standard.

The site lets you search by criteria or manufacturer. For more information, read about the EPAT criteria and participating manufacturers.

Would You Buy a 3-D TV for Your Home?

In today's world we have all kinds of choices when it comes to home entertainment. There's cable, satellite, FiOS and Uverse to choose from for TV services that can bring us high-definition channels, movies and so much more. So what will technology bring us next? How about a 3-D television set for our homes?

Oh yes, 3-D TV is in our near future. Big names electronic companies like Samsung, Mitsubishi and others are developing these kinds of TVs as we speak. Of course, having movies available in 3-D will also play a factor on companies further developing these televisions.

Read the article, Coming to the Living Room: 3-D TV, I found on Time.com to learn more about 3-D televison.

TiVo Wins Again

In the ring you see two weary and bruised competitors, TiVo and EchoStar. They've been locked in a cage match for about three years now over a patent infringement.

TiVo claims they have a patent on the technology they use on their set-top boxes that allows viewers to record a show while watching another and that EchoStar is using that technology on their own digital recording devices.

EchoStar, on the other hand, claims they had their engineers design their technology around TiVo's patent so they wouldn't be in violation.

So in this second court hearing a judge has yet again ruled in favor of TiVo. To read more about this topic visit BusinessWeek.

Five Ways to Keep Your Energy Bills Low

Whether it's summer or winter you have plenty of options and tools to keep your energy bills low. There are basic things you can do and some that will consider a chunk of change that will pay off in a few months to a year.

Below is a list of things you can do to lower your energy bills.

• Digital Thermometer - Install a programmable digital thermometer so in the summer months you can set your home to be at 78-80 degrees when no one is home.
• Ceiling Fans - Running ceiling fans in the summer months is an inexpensive way to keep your home cooler.
• Unplug Unused Electronics - A major drain on your electricity is leaving electronics that you hardly use plugged in.
• Insulation - Look into investing in more insulation for your home. This might not be a cheap solution but it will pay off in the long run. Your home will stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
• Washing Clothes - Use you're washer in the evenings when less electricity will be used. Also wash in cold water and hang dry most or all of your clothes.

For more tips on lowering your energy bill, read this article, Slash Energy Costs by 30%, that I read on CnnMoney.com.

Where to Feed Kids for Free

No matter how you slice it, people are generally looking to save money. There are so many options available out there everyday for people to add to their savings, it's best to take advantage of them whenever we can.

One cost that can add up relatively quickly in the typical household is feeding those little hungry mouths we call children. Just like regular-sized people, they need to eat. However, unlike regular sized people, there are a myriad of restaurants where kids can eat free. If you're looking for a fun family dinner on any night of the week, and want to save a little money while you do it, Frugal Living has posted an excellent resource in the form of a list of places where kids eat free.

Not only does the list have dozens of restaurants, it breaks them down by night for your convenience. Definitely worth referencing the next time you're taking the young ones out for dinner, though you might want to contact the restaurant to be sure that the deal is being offered. To browse the list, be sure to visit Frugal Living.