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HOW to...2012Guide

St. Louis Park • Hopkins

2 How To – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – www.MinnLocal.com In the Community, With the Community, For the Community

If you're considering a kitchen remodel,you've probably done a lot of research.You've paged through home decoratingmagazines, toured model homes and evenchecked out the kitchen sections of thehome improvement stores in town.

Whether you’re planning to go with abold, contemporary look or one that’s a lit-tle more traditional, one thing’s for sure,the appliances you choose are going to bemore functional than those you used torely on.

Today’s appliances offer features thatallow homeowners to customize theirkitchens to fit into their lifestyle, accord-ing to one industry expert. People aremore aware of what’s out there and actual-ly coming into stores with a list of ameni-ties they want.

Here’s just a sampling of some of thefeatures that are expected to be popularthis year:

Refrigerators Gone are the days where the simple top

mount refrigerator was the must-haveappliance in the home. Refrigerators arenot just about convenience anymore. Theyare about style and function.

Especially popular right now areFrench-door style refrigerators, which fea-ture two French doors for the refrigeratorand a bottom freezer, complete with an ice-maker. Not only are they more stylish thanthe older refrigerators, they offer morestorage space and features than everbefore, including easy-glide shelves,humidity-controlled crisper drawers andeven spill saver glass shelves.

Also popular in home remodels thesedays are counter-depth refrigerators.

Rather than sticking out into the room,these shallow fridges are flush with thecabinets and can even be decorated to looklike they’re part of the cabinetry.

Ranges When it comes to freestanding ranges,

the choices used to be gas or electric.Nowadays, the options have more to dowith the lifestyle of the consumer, and formost people it’s all about convenience.

Convection ovens, which use fans inaddition to heating elements to cook foodmore quickly, have come way down inprice and are more widely available. And itseems more and more people are opting fordouble ovens in their homes, typicallywith one larger than the other. The small-er oven is used to handle most of the everyday cooking. The larger oven makes enter-taining easier than ever as people can nowsimultaneously prepare main dishes andside dishes.

Also gaining in popularity are gas cooktops, which offer better temperature con-trol. They are available in dual-fuelrangers with gas cool tops and electricovens. Experts in the appliance businesssay many people are also being drawn toinduction cook tops, which use electro-magnetic field to only heat the cookwarewhile the rest of the surface remains cool.This safety feature is especially popular inhomes with young children.

DishwashersSafety is also a major consideration in

the new dishwashers. Many models arenow available with hidden controls so thelittle ones can’t turn them on and off.

Other popular amenities are stainlesssteel interiors, an extra rack on top just for

silverware and a motor that runs almostsilent. Homeowners no longer have to set-tle for a noisy, clunky machine inexchange for convenience.

And good news for those with largehouseholds and extra dishes to wash. Youno longer have to purchase two dishwash-ers to handle the extra work.

Drawer dishwashers, which are actuallytwo dishwashers in one stacked on top ofeach other, are now available. Not only dothey save space, they offer a clean look.

Microwaves Microwaves have changed dramatically

too. There are now speed cook microwavesthat prepare food 60 percent faster than aregular oven. They work through a combi-nation of convection baking, microwavecooking and halogen light for browning.

No more waiting for the oven to preheatto 400 to bake that frozen pizza. Now youcan get dinner from the freezer to the tablein less than 10 minutes.

Experts say another popular trend isthat built-in microwaves are replacingover-the-range styles as homeownersupgrade their ranges, requiring hoods forventilation.

Finding the Right Appliances When it comes time to actually go out

and do your shopping, it pays to visit astore that specializes in appliances andfeatures all brands and all price ranges ofappliances. By taking a look up close in alocal showroom, consumers will be able tolook, touch, open and close the doors andget a real feel for what the appliance wouldbe like once it is installed in your kitchen.

choose aKITCHEN APPLIANCES

How to...

In the Community, With the Community, For the Community www.MinnLocal.com – Thursday, February 23, 2012 – How To 3


It may be a gift to those you loveIt was Ben Franklin who said nothing is cer-

tain but death and taxes. This article does notdeal with taxes, but rather the other certaintyin life.

Everyone dies, so a discussion of funeral plan-ning is never irrelevant. When someone we lovedies, there are varying stages of anger, confusionand numbness. The funeral is one of the mostsignificant means we have of dealing with grief.The funeral ritual helps us focus our emotionsand brings a sense of meaning to death. It con-firms the reality of death and provides a catalystfor mourners to talk about the deceased. Expertstell us being able to talk about the life of adeceased loved one is one of the first stepstoward accepting death.

Prearranging your funeralPrearranging your funeral is not much differ-

ent than any other planning you have carriedout during your lifetime. You buy insurance incase of fire, flood, theft or death. These cover-ages are purchased as an act of love and respon-sibility for those you love in case an unfortunateincident occurs.

A pre-planned funeral accomplishes the samegoals. A preplanned funeral can prevent your fami-ly members from having to make a number of sig-nificant decisions at a time when they are confusedand upset. They will have enough on their mindsdealing with grief without having to make severalimportant decisions in a very short period of time.Experts tell us that there are an average of 50 deci-sions to be made when arranging a funeral.

Adding to the need for preplanning is thefact that our lifestyle is more complex intoday’s world. Family members often live in dif-ferent states, complicating rapid decision mak-ing. Further complications stem from frustra-tions that occur when dealing with governmentagencies in different states. A solid preplan-ning session can help prevent these complica-

tions which can loom very large during a timeof pain and sorrow.

How to planA call to a funeral director or a pre-arrange-

ment specialist probably would be a good begin-ning in making sure you have covered all yourbases in your planning. He or she can lead youthrough a process to ensure you don’t forgetvital information in your plan. Some funeraldirectors and prearrangement specialists offerfree booklets that provide a “punch list” of top-ics to think through and record your wishes.

Topics in these guides include funeral detailsranging from visitation to the memorial serviceand alternatives from burial, cremation orentombment. These are obvious decisions, butother important topics include categories thatwill provide a helping hand to your family.

Additional topics include organizations tobe notified with phone numbers, persons to benotified, medical history, estate information,banking information, real estate holdings andinsurance policies. Many include obituaryinformation outlines, personal property inven-tories and special instruction and informationpages. There may also be information regard-ing the importance of your will and how to goabout ensuring it is accurate and updated.

Prefunding your funeral Prefunding your funeral also is an important

consideration. Your funeral director or pre-arrangement specialist can show you optionswhich will waive your family from possiblefinancial burden later. You may take out a lifeinsurance policy which would cover funeralexpenses, or invest in a funeral trust account orfinal expense insurance policy. In most cases,funds invested today would be enough to coverthe total cost of the funeral since interestearned by the funds will offset the effect ofinflation.

Government regulations safeguard yourinvestment so funds will always be available foruse. Another important part in your plan is tomake sure your loved ones know where yourrecorded wishes can be found. Millions of dol-lars in government and insurance death bene-fits go unclaimed because family members donot know where to find information they needat the time of death. Some considerations thatalso need to remain in the forefront of the pre-planning agenda:

• Social Security: When a loved one dies,dependents and survivors may be eligible forcertain benefits such as death payments, sur-vivor’s benefits and Medicare. Qualificationsdepend on several factors such as age, maritalstatus, number of dependent and whetheremployment was under Social Security. YourSocial Security account should be verified peri-odically to ensure contributions are posted. Allbenefits must be applied for since payments arenot automatic.

• Veterans Benefits: Honorably discharged vet-erans are entitled to benefits that may affect deci-sions about funeral arrangements. For example,veterans may qualify for a cemetery plot and bur-ial allowances, a headstone and burial flag, aswell as pension for survivors.

• Medicaid: Having a properly structuredprepaid funeral is a very important reason whypreplanning a funeral is imperative. If an indi-vidual has placed their funds into a prepaidfuneral plans, after they have itemized a funer-al pre-arrangement, the money would mostlikely be protected 100% from paying for anynursing home costs. In most cases they can alsopay for burial space items for their immediatefamily members. Each persons situations isunique and laws change, however, most funeraldirectors and pre-arrangement specialistswork closely with Elder Law Attorneys whokeep them updated on current MedicalAssistance laws.

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How to...


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Pawnbroking is not a new practice nor doesit appeal to just one social class.

As humankind’s oldest financial institution,pawn loans can be traced back at least 3,000years to ancient China as well as early Greekand Roman civilizations. During the 14thCentury, King Edward III of England is said tohave frequented pawn stores in Europe. QueenIsabella is reported to have pawned her royaljewels to finance Christopher Columbus’ voy-age to the New World.

In today’s society, many people depend onpawnbrokers to help them meet daily financialneeds not offered by other institutions. Pawncustomers represent the working families ofAmerica who periodically experience an unex-pected need for short-term funds. Pawn loanskeep the electricity on, the rent paid and carsrunning with full tanks of gas.

This growing, competitive industry is con-stantly working to enhance the image ofpawnbrokers, while offering needed servicesto their communities. Today’s pawn stores areattractive, welcoming places to do business.Most of them are family-owned and operatedstores that offer superb customer service.

Although pawnbrokers are primarily smallbusiness owners, they can also be larger, pub-licly traded companies that help to add to theprofessional status of the industry.

Homework to do and things to know whenpicking a pawn store.

• How long have they been in business? Anestablished company is more likely to havesolid, long-term customers than a compa-ny that has only been around for a few

years and long term customers mean theyhave been satisfied with the store.

• Call ahead and ask for a ballpark price onan item. A store can give you a fairly closequote assuming you are accurate indescribing what you have to pawn or selland its condition. Just remember, don’t tryto kid yourself on the condition of theitem as what the pawnbroker is willing topay is going to be on their assessment ofcondition as well as market demand.

• On precious metals such as gold, silverand platinum, ask what they are paying byweight. If they will not give you a priceover the phone but say they will “meet anyprice,” look someplace else. A pawnbrokershould have a set price they will give youby either pennyweight or grams (a penny-weight is 1.55 grams).

• If you are pawning the item rather thanselling it, ask what they charge for interestrates and storage fees. Ask if they offerdiscounts for early pick up and largerloans.

• Check online reviews. For example onereview said, “I think I have been to justabout every pawn store in Minnesota andthis place is the best! I have purchasedmany things from them over the past 10years and always got a great deal. Theirpricing is second to none!

• Look for places that are willing to negoti-ate on both the buying and selling end.Sometimes you can get a little more onyour loan or sale and almost always a good

store will bargain on the sale price of anitem they are selling.

• When buying an item ask about the returnpolicy. Most reputable pawn stores willoffer a guarantee that the item is in goodworking condition or offer extended war-ranties at a reasonable price.

• To get an idea of how they operate and seea pawn or buy in action, watch Pawn Starson the History Channel. You can see theinteraction between a pawnbroker andcustomer and get an idea of what you canexpect to get for your item based on a pro-fessionally appraised valuation from anindependent expert.

Foy years pawn stores have been providingsafety net loans to families that need shortterm, small dollar loans that simply are notoffered by banks and other traditional lendinginstitutions. They have also always been aplace to buy merchandise at huge discountsoff of what you will pay for an item at retail.

Consumers can find more informationabout the pawn industry atwww.PawnShopsToday.com.

choose aPAWN STORE

How to...


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Those who are looking to a bathroommakeover without high expense andhassle should consider a bathtub linerand wall surround.

These liners and surrounds fit overyour existing tub and walls for a quickand affordable remodel.

Replacing bathroom tile, and the tubor shower are some of the most com-mon bath remodeling projects, accord-ing to the National Kitchen and BathAssociation.

However, these projects can be costly.A basic remodeling job includesreplacing the tub, removing tiles andplumbing, possibly costing $6,000 to$8,000. The average remodeling job ismore extensive, and costs close to$10,000, according to the NationalAssociation of Realtors.

These remodel projects can takeweeks to complete, depending on howextensive the project is.

Choosing a tub liner and wall sur-round can be a less expensive alterna-tive. For example, a tub liner and wallsurround can be installed in one day,with complete systems starting at$2,800.

What to look forWhen shopping for a bathtub liner

and wall surround, ask the companymany questions. How do you deter-mine which type of tub I have? How isthe liner installed? Are the walls seam-less?

Some wall surrounds cover the wallsin one piece with no seams; others willhave multiple panels with seams in thecorners. Are you the manufacturer or adistributor?

When required, do you use a licensedplumber?

Is your bathroom ready?Never install a tub liner or wall sur-

round over a degraded bath or showerarea. Installing a wall surround over awall that is rotting or missing tile willonly worsen current conditions, neces-sitating a major remodeling overhaulin the future.

Any damage should be evaluated andrepaired prior to installation of the tubliner and wall surround.

Find a reputable company Are the installers properly trained?

Installers should be trained in theinstallation of tub liners and wall sur-rounds, not windows, gutters or siding.Ask what kind of product training isinvolved.

Are they using employees or subcon-tractors? Make sure you feel comfort-able allowing this company to work inyour home. The company should bethere for you after the installation.What type of warranty do they offer?

Ask your company for references,call these past clients, and ask them ifthey were satisfied with their serviceand if they would hire that companyagain.

Finally, check with the BetterBusiness Bureau for any complaints orsuits filed against the companies youare considering.

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How to...


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The Better Business Bureau of Minnesota andNorth Dakota is a non-profit organization which wasfounded right here in the Twin Cities back in 1912.Our mission is to maintain a marketplace wherebuyers and sellers can trust each other.

In 2010, our BBB handled nearly 2.2 millioninquiries from people; visiting our website, check-ing out company reports and contacting us with gen-eral questions. Oh yes, we also received more than25,000 complaints. With nearly a century of experi-ence helping businesses and customers resolve dis-putes, the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota andNorth Dakota has unique insight into marketplacetrends, consumer behavior, and common mistakespeople make when looking for a service provider orshopping online.

Here are some helpful tips you can take to make awise purchase and avoid potential problems andmarketplace fraud:

• Check with the BBB at bbb.org or 800-646-6222before dealing with any company or charity you’renot familiar with.

• If you need to hire a contractor or repairman,check with BBB for a list of Accredited Businessesin your area. Always make sure the contractor isproperly licensed by visiting www.doli.state.mn.us.

• Don’t yield to high-pressure or emotional salestactics. Read all contracts thoroughly and seek out-side advice if you don’t understand it.

• Be sure to comparison shop and get multipleestimates. You can use BBB’s “Request a Quote” toget free estimates from local Accredited Businesseswith one email.

• If you’re hiring a service provider, ask for pro-fessional references.

• Don’t do business with someone who just showsup at your door. Many cities require door-to-doorsales solicitators to have permits. Check with yourcity/town.

• Pay with a credit card. Under federal law, youcan dispute the charge if you don’t receive your item

or service – a protection you don’t have when payingwith a debit card or by check.

• Never pay the entire cost of a repair job upfront.Try not to pay more than one third of the total esti-mate.

• When shopping online, shoppers should alwayslook in the address box for the “s” in https:// and inthe lower-right corner for the “lock” symbol beforepaying. Look for the BBB seal and other widely-rec-ognized “trust marks” on retailer websites. Alwaysremember to click on the seals to confirm that theyare valid.

• Beware of websites or advertisements offeringprices that seem too good to be true.

• Never give personal or financial information toan unknown caller or unsolicited email. When onthe phone, you can always ask for their name andnumber to call them back. Delete and do not respond

to unsolicited emails.• Keep documentation of your order. After com-

pleting an online order process, there may be a finalconfirmation page or you might receive confirma-tion by e-mail. The BBB recommends saving a copyof that as well as any e-mails for future referenceand as a record of the purchase.

• Trust your instincts; if something doesn’t feelright, don’t make a purchase.

By following these simple steps, you’ll be a wiserconsumer and limit your exposure to fraud andpotential headaches.

Visit our website to sign up for our monthly con-sumer newsletter, or for more information, such asour business reviews, as well as consumer news,fraud alerts and helpful educational tips – all avail-able free at bbb.org!

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How to...


For a century, our mission at the Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota has been to build marketplace trust. We are proud to support more than 6,400 locally Accredited Businesses who work with us to promote and foster business ethics through voluntary self-regulation, consumer and business education, and service excellence.

BBB RESOURCES ARE FREE FOR CONSUMERS

• Advertising Review - We promote truthful advertising and selling practices by monitoring advertising and seeking appropriate corrections.

• Business Reviews - Learn about a company’s marketplace performance before you do business with them.

• Consumer News and Fraud Alerts - We provide timely news and tips, and issue alerts on the latest scams targeting consumers and businesses in our area.

• Dispute Resolution - We’re happy to accept consumer complaints and mediate disputes between businesses and complaintants.

• Estimates – Visit our website and use Request a Quote to receive estimates from multiple BBB Accredited Businesses in one simple step.

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CMYK

h3-slp-hopkins

Documents

refrigerators arenot

popular inhomes

popular amenities

counterdepth refrigerators

gas cool tops

home decoratingmagazines

gas cooktops

people aremore aware