Dr. Jeffrey Asher

Dr. Jeffrey Asher is a Mechanical Engineer who, after 21 years, retired in 2008 from being Consumer Reports as their Vice-President and Technical Director.  

Since 1936, Consumer Reports has developed a worldwide reputation as an expert, independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to “work for a fair, just, and safe marketplace for all consumers.” 

At Consumer Reports, he was responsible for the leadership and management of over 150 staff members who annually tested thousands of consumer products.  Dr. Asher was responsible for all consumer-product testing including the evaluation of the cars and trucks rated at the organization’s 327-acre auto test facility in East Haddam, Connecticut.  This is the largest, independent consumer automobile testing center in the world.

During his tenure at Consumer Reports (CR), he expanded CR’s safety mission through its testing of items like condoms, fresh chicken, food irradiation and child safety car seats.  In addition, he accelerated significantly the pace of testing and the volume of product models tested in order to efficiently feed their website, ConsumerReports.org to ensure that more than 3.1 million subscribers can receive timely information.

Previous to his career at Consumer Reports, he had been a manager and fluid mechanics researcher at General Electric’s Research Center.  He graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelors, Masters and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering.

 

Cleaning Your Wood Floors

If you have severe staining, the best approach is to have your floors sanded and then covering it with several layers of polyurethane paint.  This type of wood floor refinishing should be done by a professional and costs about $1.25 to $4.00 per square foot.  Done well, it can make old floors really come alive again. 

One downside to refinishing is it reduces the remaining amount of wood thickness.  Another concern is floor painting in winter can generate significant paint fumes that may be harmful to children (and pets).  The dust from sanding can also be a problem. 

For new wood flooring that is not marked up, trying using polyurethane paint now before it is too late.  It will make cleanup later a snap.  This is a simple and relatively inexpensive job.

In areas where you might get staining and severe wear, try using an area rug or “carpet runners.”  Since an area rug can be a major slip hazard, you should consider using a skid pad beneath the rug.  

For small stains, you might want to use an all-purpose cleaner.  Consumer Reports (CR) just did a report on these cleaners and found that the best ones are:  Nature’s Source (12 cents/oz); Ecover Natural (17 cents); Seventh Generation Natural (12 cents) and W at Walgreens (10 cents). 

Floor steamers are usually used on carpets.   CR found that the best floor steamers can be rented along with their special cleaner from one of our local supermarkets.   Please note that even when used on a carpet, you should avoid leaving excess water to avoid mildew and harming the wood flooring underneath. 

CR found that the cheaper, consumer-oriented steamers usually do best on vinyl flooring.  They found two worth considering: H20 Mop Ultra SC-393 ($100) and the Eureka Enviro Steamer 313A ($70).

Other flooring tips: 

• Minor scratches and chips may be filled with a color-matched felt marker or a color-blended wood filler.

• Sweeping and vacuum frequently will prevent dirt and sand from wearing out your flooring pre-maturely.

• Remove wet spills as soon as possible.  It is best to use a very dry, damp mop to clean up excess water.

• Remember that carpet runners in high traffic areas will get mighty dirty and need to be especially well vacuumed to avoid the dirt from filtering through the weave and causing floor damage.

• Don’t drag furniture across the floor.  There are special furniture pads that can avoid floor damage.

• Have floor mats at each entrance and ask everyone to take their shoes off when they enter.  (I still have trouble with this one.  Ask my wife!)

And, at the end of the day homes with a well-cared for hardwood floor tend to sell faster than homes with wall-to-wall carpeting.  So wood floor care and maintenance it is worth all the trouble.

The Wonders of Internet Radio

 

The Wonders of Internet Radio

Pawling New York is a wonderful place to live! 

Yet until recently there has been the downside that getting radio reception has been a challenge.  This has especially been true for National Public Radio (NPR) stations. 

But, this has all changed with the Internet Radio!  For those who are already paying for high speed (or “broadband”) Internet service, Internet Radio can be a free bonus that you might want to consider as you emerge from your New Year celebrations.

First, what is Internet Radio?  Internet radio (also known as web radio, net radio, streaming radio and e-radio) is an audio service transmitted via the Internet.   This service provides listeners with a continuous stream of audio (“streaming media”) that cannot be paused or replayed, much like traditional over-air broadcast radio. 

Incredibly, now thousands of radio stations from the USA and around the world are at your finger tips!  Image hearing classical music as easily from Vienna as from New York City.  You choose simply with a click of a mouse or press of a button to hear NPR or other niche (classical, country, blues, sports, rock, etc.) FM stations. 

In the past, I subscribed to Satellite Radio (Sirius) for broadcasts in my home to hear two classical radio stations.  We stopped this paid subscription and now listen, free, to the wide variety of Internet Radio stations instead.  Even local stations can be streamed from the Internet rather than accessing these limited range, over-the-air broadcasts. 

Want to try Internet Radio for free?  All you need to start is the broadband service most now use to access the Internet via Comcast or Verizon.   You can start by downloading Apple’s iTunes for free.  Once you have done this, look at the left menu under “Library” and you will notice the option of “Radio.”  Clicking on “Radio” and you will see in the middle of your screen an assortment of “Streams.”  For instance, try clicking on “Classical” and you will have 109 channels to pick from rather than the two available on Sirius satellite radio. 

If you have an iPhone, you can download the AOL Radio App to get free access to an assortment of their “streams” as well.  An NPR App for the iPhone provides streaming for their broadcasts.  Another “TuneIn Radio” app ($0.99) for the iPhone allows you to access a variety of radio stations throughout the world.  If you have a smart phone other than the iPhone, try their Apps list for Internet Radio options.

If you like what you hear, there are ways of having Internet Radio access without the use of a computer or a smart phone, but there is a one-time cost for hardware.  You can now buy an Internet Radio from various manufacturers that look like a regular radio and can hook up wirelessly to your broadband Internet connection. 

While Consumer Reports has not tested Internet Radio, we bought our unit from Grace Digital Audio a year ago and have been quite pleased.  Based on consumer reviews, you might want to consider the Grace GDI-IR2000 for $170.  This unit can provide more than 17,000 stations for your listening pleasure.

A Guide to Avoiding Scams and Identity Theft

A Guide to Avoiding Scams and Identity Theft

A friend in Pawling(NY) told me that she recently received a call from a woman purporting to be with CVS asking for her social security number.  Luckily, my friend sensed that it was a scam and reported the Tennessee phone number (423-822-2465) to the manager at our local CVS.

An article in Putnam County’s February 16 “New Times” newspaper, reported that their Sheriff is investigating the theft of $2,500 from a Mahopac resident.  This resident was called by a person saying that they were representing the Global Sweepstake Lottery and said he had won $50,000 and prizes.  He could get his prize only if he sent a Western Union money order for $2,000.  The callers had noticeable Jamaican accents and used names like “John Williams,” Mona Lisa McBen,” and “Glenda Woods.”  Their return, Jamaican phone numbers were 876-395-5957 and 876-585-1364.

These two local cases point up the need to be ever-vigilant whenever someone or some organization you do not know writes, phones or visits. In the February edition of Consumer Reports’ Money Advisor monthly newsletter, various scams were discussed along with how to avoid them.   These scams included:

• Identity theft:  Scammers use e-mail messages, phone calls, and other ways to trick people into revealing their passwords, credit-card and Social Security numbers, and other personal information they can use to steal identities, open credit lines, etc.

What to do:  Don't respond to anyone asking for your passwords or other personal information, no matter how urgent the appeal. Instead, contact your bank or other party to see if it made the request. Don't click on hyperlinks you receive in e-mail messages.  Keep your computer's antivirus and Internet security software up-to-date.

 

• Merchandise fraud:  Fraud on the Internet was the top complaint in the first half of 2010.  This fraud could involve a company rep trying to up sell you by saying the model you ordered is no longer available. Or, your order never arrived. 

What to do:  Stay with stores that you trust.  I have found consumer reviews of on line stores are quite helpful.  For instance, Amazon lists these reviews and will stand behind the transactions.  You might also check out a seller by contacting the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org).   Use a credit card rather than cash since if there is a dispute, they may act on your behalf.

 

• Fake checks:  You may receive a bogus checks for something you're selling like a used car. Or someone might contact you about a "work at home" opportunity or sweepstakes that you supposedly won. You may get a fake check to pay you, with instructions to deposit it and then wire a portion of the proceeds to another party. These scams involve what appear to be certified or bank checks—but that's no guarantee that they're legitimate. If you deposit or cash a phony check at your bank, it will bounce and your bank will come after you to settle up.

What to do:  Before depositing a check from an unfamiliar source, check with the institution whose name appears on it. And because the bank's contact information on the check could belong to the scammer, search for the institution's phone number and address separately.

 

• Phony charities: E-mails or phone calls, usually during your dinner hour, urge you to help a charity. Some charities may be outright frauds or do little to assist people in need.

What to do: Don't respond immediately to a solicitation. Instead, check out the group with the one of the major charity watchdogs like the Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org). And make sure you're dealing with the right group. Many con artists use names similar to legitimate charities.

 

• The grandparent scam: You might get a call saying that a family member needs help after an accident being arrested while traveling outside the country and needs you to wire emergency money.  The destination is often Canada.

What to do: Don't give money to anyone without verifying his or her identity. Call the person's home or cell-phone number or speak with a relative to find out if they made the call and the emergency is real.

 

• Sweepstakes scams: If you receive a mailing declaring that you're a finalist or winner, it is probably a scam.  A sure sign that this may be a scam is imply that buying something increases your chances of winning. Or, they may say they need an advance payment to cover incidental costs.  

What to do:  By law, buying services or merchandise can't increase your odds of winning a sweepstakes.

Value in Everyday Products: Part 1

Value in Everyday Products: Part 1

Since Consumer Reports (CR) does not accept any advertising or money from commercial or Government sources.  Consumer Reports (CR) can only sustain itself by the financial support from dedicated subscribers like you and me.

So how do you maintain the interest of CR readers month in and month out?  You certainly cannot do it by publishing continual articles about big-ticket items like major appliances and electronics.  Most major appliances like refrigerators or washers last a decade and readers would quickly become bored reading about them every few months.

The key to high CR readership rests with smaller articles particularly at the front of the magazine.  Yes, this section is called “Up Front.” 

These small articles can have a major impact on your lives since they focus on those products you use daily and buy often—the bar of soap, dishwasher detergent, toilet tissue or paper towel to name a few.

I have been monitoring these small, everyday products to find the “good stuff” that you may want to put on your shopping list.   None are big ticket items, but they all share finding value in consumer products you probably do not think a lot about when you go out shopping. 

Here goes:

1.  Frozen Pizza:  While we have a number of fine pizza restaurants in Pawling, sometimes, you may feel the urge to buy one at the supermarket.  CR’s Best Buy was “DiGiorno Rising Crust Four Cheese” ($6.47 per pizza).  Runner-ups were “Amy’s Cornmeal Crust 3 Cheese” ($7.99) and “Home Run Inn Classic Cheese” ($7.42).  All were rated Very Good overall.
2. Hot Chocolate:  This has been a cold winter and there is nothing better after being outside than to come inside and partake in a wickedly caloric, but soothing hot chocolate.  Here are some of CR sensory expert’s favorites.  The only Excellent product was the “Godiva Dark Chocolate” ($1.37 and 290 calories per serving).  There were two CR Best Buy’s rated Very Good:  “Hersey’s Cocoa” ($0.30 and 155 calories per serving) and “Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate Sensation” ($0.20 and 150 calories per serving).
3. “AA” Alkaline Batteries:  CR found most of the brands had a “Good” rating overall.  The only one that did not was the Energizer Max that had an only Fair rating. The CR Best Buy was Kirkland Signature ($0.21/cell) at Costco.  But, you need to become a member to shop there and that is not inexpensive for a family.My suggestion is to buy by price any battery that has a good brand name (Panasonic, Duracell, CVS, Rayovac, etc.).  From my shopping experience, these “AA’s” and “AAA’s” often go on sale and you can get them as low as $0.30 per cell. A good time to buy batteries is in November as we swing into the holiday buying season. 
4. Band Aids:  Most of the band-aids that CR tested had low overall scores.  The two exceptions were both CR Recommended models.  They were “Nexcare Clear” ($0.12 per band aid) and “Band-Aid Clear/Transparent Water Block Plus” ($0.11). 
5. Laundry Detergent:  If you have been to a supermarket recently, or even CVS, you know that there are many, many different detergents on the market.  To get that all important “shelf-space,” brands had “segmented their offering” to include all kinds of additives and strengths.  For instance, Tide comes in two major types—“2X Ultra” as well as a “no X’s.” For each of Tide’s types there are now various models with “Color Clean Bleach,” “Cold Water” or with a “Touch of Downy.”  You get the idea. 

    Thus, this is one product testing program that takes much of CR staff’s labor and lots of water as they evaluate all these different detergents.  To make these results scientifically meaningful, each detergent model is run through its own multiple wash cycles with special soil cloths mixed into a load of laundry.

    The two, top-Rated models were both “Tide 2X Ultras” costing $0.23 per load.    One was “For Cold Water” and the other “With Dawn StainScrubbers.”  For comparison, Tide Cold Water ($0.18/load) was well-down the Ratings with a score over 30% lower than its “2X Ultra” brother.  Be careful when shopping since I notice that the sales on Tide usually do not include the “2X Ultra” models.

    If you have one of the newer, High Efficiency (HE) front or top loader, there are two CR Best Buys you might want to choose at a cost of $0.15/load.  They are “All 2X with Oxy Active” and “Gain Original Fresh HE.”  The top-rated HE detergent was the “Tide 2X Ultra with Color Clean Bleach Alternative HE ($0.24/load) and maybe worth the extra cost.

On April 23, we will post more everyday consumer products to help you get good value when you shop.

Value in Everyday Products: Part 2

Value in Everyday Products: Part 2

On April 8, I posted the first of a two-part series about finding value in your purchases of everyday consumer products.   You likely continue buying brands you have used for many years.  Perhaps, this brand choice goes back to the ones your parents bought when you were young. 

So, here is a continuation of the value list for your everyday shopping pleasure: 

1. Storage and Freeze Bags:  I think you will be surprised to find out that the CR Best Buys in both these type bags are mostly privately labeled.  For storage bags, the ones with the best strength, convenience and showed to be leak proof were the “Glad Zipper” ($0.08/bag), “Great Value” (Walmart; a slider-type at $0.09/bag)  and “Up and Up Slider” or “Up and Up Zipper” (Target; at $0.10 and $0.05/bag,  respectively).

For the freezer bags, Up and Up Slider” or “Up and Up Zipper” (Target; at $0.12 and $0.10/bag, respectively), were top-Rated, CR Best Buys.  Following these models was Glad, a zipper model at $0.10/bag.

2. Breads:  High fiber, multigrain and whole wheat breads are said to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.  CR evaluated the taste and nutrition of a number of breads that you likely find in your supermarket.  The only Excellent model topping the Rating was the multigrain bread, “Nature’s Pride 100% Natural Healthy” ($0.42 for 2 slices).  “Milton’s Original” (Walmart, Trader Joe’s; $0.45), “Pepperidge Farm 15 Grain” ($0.47), “Rudi’s Organic Bakery 7 Grain with Flax” ($0.65) and “Archer Farms Simply Balanced” (Target; $0.27) were shown as Very Good.

There were four Very Good, whole wheat breads.  These included: “Milton 100%” ($0.37), Pepperidge Farm Farmhouse Soft 100%” ($0.44), “365 Touch of Honey Organic (Whole Foods; $0.50) and “Trader Joe’s Soft” ($0.25). 

3. Chocolate Cookies:  Good news for the time-pressed—Chocolate-chip cookies can be made with store-bought dough that taste homemade.  The CR Best Buy was Trader Joe’s Chunky Frozen Dough at $0.22 per cookie.  There is a local Trader Joe’s store in Danbury and if you have never been there, you are in for a real treat.  Excellent value and the nut mixes are to die for. 

And, if you are interested in making your own chocolate chip cookies here is a tip on a major ingredients, the chips.  For this piece of advice, I went to Cooks Illustrated.  Their clear winner was “Ghirardelli’s 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate” (about $3.09 for 11.5 ounces in Hannaford’s; A&P’s price was much higher.)  These chips are made from the same chocolate going into their chocolate bars.  Now, these chips can also go into your chocolate chip cookie dough mix or eat them right out of the bag as I have been doing for weeks.  (Make sure not to buy “Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate” chips since this model did poorly in their testing.)

4. Dishwasher Detergent:  In a recent column, I wrote that “Finish Powerball” Tabs ($0.22/load) was reported as a CR Best Buy.  I have now been using it for about 6 months and find that while it may be the best, the best is certainly not as good as the detergents of yesteryears.   The reason is that dishwasher detergents no longer have phosphates.  This may be good for our water supply, but it does cut down on the effectiveness of your dishwasher detergent.  I hate to admit it, but you probably should pre-rinse.  Other CR Recommended detergents include “Finish Quantum” ($0.30/load) that topped the Ratings and the “Cascade With Dawn ActionPacs” ($0.23/load).

Toilet Tissue:  Admit it, you really want your toilet tissue to be soft and have wet strength.  Tearing ease is also a plus.  Then you have your septic system or Pawling’s sewer system that cries out for quick disintegration.  The two CR Best Buys, “Kirkland Signature” (Costco at $0.12 per 100 sheets) and “White Cloud” (Walmarts at $0.15/100) performed well in most of these features.  The top-rated, CR Recommended model was the “Quilted Northern Ultra Plush” ($0.29/100 sheets) about double the cost of the Best Buys.  But, there are probably days when you deserve the best with triple-ply softness!

Look for more of these articles in the coming months.  If you have any product suggestions, please send them to: Jeff Asher at sustainlives@gmail.com

Buying a Used Hybrid Car

Buying a Used Hybrid Car

By Jeff Asher

With gasoline prices breaking through $4.00 for Regular, you might be thinking about buying a hybrid car.  Two foremost hybrids, the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrids should give you payback in less than five years (at 12,000 miles per year) for the premium paid by buying a hybrid over its conventional gasoline engine brother.

I bought a 2006 Honda Civic Hybrid and, after more than 70,000 miles, I have averaged about 44.6 miles per gallon (mpg).  (I have a long spreadsheet of every gas fill to prove it.)   Yes, this is different from the Consumer Reports’ (CR) findings of 37 mpg, but their testing methodology must be done in a manner that is consistent car-to-car.  The Toyota Prius was tested at 44 mpg overall by CR.

A used hybrid that is in good shape and has not been in an accident is even a better value.  Here are some of the statistics to consider for the Civic and Prius Hybrids.

Honda Civic Hybrid    Toyota Prius Hybrid     
CR Est. Price                  CR Est. Price          

2011     $ 24,700 (New)                   $ 23,800 (New)

2009     $ 16,750                              $ 17,300

2007     $ 12,850                              $ 13,500

 

The 2011, new car price is the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) that usually you can be negotiated lower with the dealer.  CR’s used car estimated price is the one you would pay the dealer.  Both are for an entry level car without navigation system or leather seats.

Recently, CR evaluated the performance of a 2002 Prius with 206,000 miles on it.  It is unusual for CR to test and report on any product that it does not buy at retail just like you.  Further, it is uncharacteristic for them to test a car where they have not overseen its nine years of use.   So this is not a scientific study where most of the variables are controlled.  Nonetheless, it does point to some encouraging results.

After more than 206,000 miles, this nine year old Prius had almost identical fuel economy and acceleration when compared with CR’s original Prius’ results back in 2001. CR found the fuel economy overall to be about 40.5 and the acceleration from 0 to 60 mph to be about 13 seconds.  Based on these upbeat results, it looks like Toyota “over-engineered” the Prius to ensure that its costly battery lasts much longer than its 8 year warranty.

Clearly, this is only one car.  Other Prius’ may yield different results and the results surely cannot infer that the Honda Civic will last in the same way.  The reliability of my Civic Hybrid has been excellent with only the cost of oil changes so far.

Based on recent, CR reliability data for both the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Toyota Prius, these are indeed two enduring cars and the earlier concerns about short battery life may have been exaggerated. 

Some in the car industry believe that once these aging hybrids do need new batteries, the cost to refurbish the batteries will have gone down considerably below the current estimated replacement cost of $2,500.  They believe refurbishment will mean replacing only a few failed cells among the many that make up a hybrid battery.  But, this is speculation at this point.

You might find yourself looking at a new hybrid as you go through the dealer’s used car lot.  If you do, don’t stop at the Honda Insight Hybrid that got only a so-so review by Consumer Reports. 

You might want to check on line at Craigslist (www.craigslist.com) to find these used cars from private owners.  While this may feel a bit risky, getting the car checked over by your mechanic removes some of these concerns as does buying a car that generally has an excellent reliability record.   And, the Prius and Civic Hybrids are certainly in this class of cars.

As the new plug-ins and all electric cars come onto the market, I will update you about their results on CR’s test track.  For now, these new cars cannot be bought in the northeast.

Buying Your Next Dishwasher

Buying Your Next Dishwasher

Recently, I am hearing more people tell me that their dishwashers are no longer washing well and want to get a new one.  What many don’t know is that recently dishwasher detergents had been reformulated to have no phosphates. 

This may be good for river water, but these new detergents sure do not wash the dishes as well as we have grown to expect.  As a downside, lots of water is being used as we pre-rinse more to ensure the dishwasher does its job.

My first response is for people to change to the dishwasher detergent that Consumer Reports (CR) had at the top of their list, Finish Powerball.  It is a tablet detergent.  Based on my experience, it does a good, not great, job, but others are definitely worse.

But, if you have a dishwasher more than 10 years old, you might want to consider a new one.  The newer dishwashers are more energy efficient and use less water. 

As usual, I have reviewed CR’s Dishwasher Ratings to find you the best value among the 47 models they tested.  What is amazing is the wide price range you find in stores.  For those models tested, they ranged in price from $300 to $2,000.  

The CR Best Buys includes:  Kenmore (Sears) Model 1389(2) at $500, and two Whirlpool Gold Models GU2300XTV(Q) for $500 and GU2275XTV for $450.   These models were only average in “Noise.”

In addition, there are many CR Recommended models that cost a bit more.  The two top-rated models were both Bosch at a moderate price of $850:  Evolution 500 SHE55M1(2)UC or SHE55P0UC.

The dishwashers manufactured by Bosch, Kenmore and Whirlpool brands all have relatively good reliability.

Paying more does not necessarily buy you a better dishwasher.  A Miele model for $1,900 was at the bottom of the Ratings with a “Poor” for washing! 

Some tips: 

• New dishwashers heat the water during washing so you can turn down your household water heater thermostat to 120 F to save energy.

Running a full dishwasher saves energy and water.

Summer Without the Simmer

Summer Without the Simmer

We have been through a long, cold winter and now with relief, summer is here … almost.  And in July or August we should expect a few weeks of “simmering,” sweltering hot and humid weather. 

Fortunately in Pawling (NY), simmering is usually confined to short periods.  The question is how do you prepare for short term simmering without paying big money for buying and operating costly new appliances to cool down your home?

This article goes through your options so you can make a value-driven decision.  Keep in mind that just a little breeze can go a long way in keeping you cool even when it is hot and humid.

So here are the “cool” options, from low to high cost, which may work for you:

Fans:  A simple room fan is an inexpensive option that circulates the air and, if not directed at you, can feel quite cooling.

Overhead fans are fairly inexpensive to buy and operate, but only cool one room.  They can be expensive to install if an electrical receptacle is not already available in the ceiling.  (Make sure you use a special receptacle capable of handling a heavy, hanging load.)  The most important factor in buying an overhead fan is whether it will operate at low enough fan speeds and is reversible.  A special electronic controller can be useful in getting just the right fan speed, but make sure it will not create an annoying hum especially at very low speeds. 

My favorite option, and one we have used for years, is a low cost, “window fan”.  Even one or more relatively low-powered, window fans on exhaust, can create a pleasant breeze throughout your home.  (It helps to keep the doors closed for rooms that you do not want to cool.)  These fans cost next to nothing to operate. 

A “whole-house fan” usually in the attic is another solution.  Installation in the roof takes an expert, but again you will be able to cool many rooms this way at a low operating cost.  It is best to control a whole house fan by thermostat or timer.

Air-Conditioner (A/C):  A room air-conditioner can be a treat in the really dog-days of summer.  You can get a good one these days for less than $300.  Even if you already have window fans, an air-conditioner is useful for the worst summer nights.  Remember, an A/C is much more costly to operate than a fan. 

For most average room sizes of 250 to 400 square feet, an A/C with cooling of 7,000 to 8,200 BTU/hour is best.  One of the top-rated Consumer Reports’ (CR) models in this size is the LG LW8011ER ($200 at Home Depot).  It has good efficiency numbers and weighs 60 lbs.  According to CR testing, the flow directed to the left side is somewhat weak, but the indoor noise is good.   

The Frigidaire LRA087AT7 ($209 at Lowes) is like one I bought a two years ago.  It is relatively light at 49 pounds and efficient.  Two downsides are that the air flow to the right is weak and the indoor noise is only fair.  (Some of my friends have found this model to be too loud especially on the Auto Cool setting.)

User reviews for both these models are good as well.  CR does not do reliability surveys for air-conditioners so I cannot tell you about which brand may have repair problems. 

There are two types of room air-conditioners I would not buy.  One, a “portable A/C,” uses an exhaust duct rather than the unit going through the window.  While it does cool, it is not as efficient as a normal air-conditioner. 

Also, there are “air coolers” that often mislead you to think they operate like an air-conditioner.  They do not.  Rather, they use water evaporation for cooling.  Don’t be fooled since more water vapor in the air only increases the distress of high summer humidity.  If that is possible!

A “split-ductless air-conditioner” has become popular in the last decade.  These units usually can cool multiple rooms and are easiest to install in an older home that has hot water or steam heating.  They are fairly expensive to buy.

Finally, there are “Central Air-Conditioners.”  This unit is the most costly to buy and operate, but does potentially supply cooling throughout your home.  Again, installation costs can be particularly steep for an older home with water or steam heating.  Try one of the other cooling options before you put your money into one of these units.

With the right planning now, you can take the simmer out of this summer as the recent cold winter becomes a fading memory. 

 

Finding Your Way with a GPS Device

Finding Your Way with a GPS Device

Automobile Global Positioning Systems or GPS devices have come down in price substantially and incorporated more important features even in low-end models.  These GPS units can make driving safer beyond simply getting you from point A to point B. 

• You can locate services—gas, hospitals, police, shopping, restaurants, etc.—at a touch of the screen.

• At night, you know where the turn is even when the intersection is dark.
• If there is an accident along the way, you can ask the GPS for a routing detour.
• Best, you have a good estimate about when you will arrive at your destination.

There are other devices now can give you driving directions such as smartphones and tablet computers.  So why not use these devices or one installed in a new car rather than buy a GPS?  I find dedicated GPS devices better since they are portable between multiple cars sit firmly on your dashboard or window. 

Getting the right features is key to finding value.  Here is my list of important features:

• Stay away from 3.5-inch screens.  A 4.3-inch is optimal, but, based on user reviews, a 5-inch screens may be especially good for older drivers.
• Spoken street names are essential.  Sometimes this feature is called “text-to-speech.”  It allows you to keep focused on the road rather than on the GPS.

• I like the Garmin feature of “Where am I?”  At a touch on the screen you know where you are and how far it is to the nearest gas, hospital or police.  You even know the altitude.

• Get at least the USA and Canadian coverage.

• Real time traffic reports can be useful when there is an accident up ahead.  Many GPS’ now come with this free feature, but it is advertiser supported.  This means when this feature is on, an ad flashes on the screen.  I have found the quality of this traffic information many times inaccurate and it only covers major cities. 

Manufacturers:  Garmin has over 50% of the market.  Magellan and Tom Tom are the other major manufacturers. 

Using a GPS from a different brand takes some getting used to.  Garmin has generally done well in the Consumer Reports (CR) Ratings.  As a result, I just bought my fourth Garmin so my viewpoint is a bit slanted.  If at all possible, try a friends GPS over a weekend before you buy one.  Subtle differences can make a GPS difficult to master.

Per CR Ratings, you should avoid buying basic navigators made by Nextar, “GPS Navigation for Dummies,” Motorola and Insignia (from Best Buy).

Models:  To help you make a good selection, I have reviewed the CR Ratings to find good values, the right feature list, and positive User Reviews from a variety of sources. 

For GPS’, more money buys you somewhat better performance, low weight and more features.  CR tested over 100 models so you can now get some real good, feature-laden bargains. 

Here are my picks that sell generally for less than $200:

• Garmin Nuvi 1350T ($180)—You cannot go wrong with this model that has a 4.3 inch screen and free traffic, but no Bluetooth hands-free connectivity.  Website prices I found recently were less than $150.

• Garmin Nuvi 1490T ($250)—It is a bit of a splurge to get this model with a 5-inch screen, free traffic and Bluetooth.  Websites show prices of less than $200.

• Garmin Nuvi 255W and 265W (about $110)—I have bought these models over the last two years and am quite pleased.  While they do not have cutting edge new features, they still may be found at bargain prices of less than $100!  

I cannot recommend CR’s Best Buys since they received generally poor User Reviews.  Thus, these are models I would avoid: Magellan Maestro 4350 ($150); TomTom’s XL “340 S Live” ($150)  and “One 140 S” ($100).  These User Reviews went beyond model specific issues and pointed to problems with poor customer service.  There is a lesson here about always checking beyond CR’s lab tests and finding out about users’ experiences.

Parting “Directions”:  You can save money by not buying an “Extended Warranty.”   If your GPS needs repairs, it is usually within the warranty period.

Once bought, an important safety tip is to set your GPS before you begin to drive. If you must change the GPS’ settings while you drive, be careful since it is surprising how much of a distraction this is while driving.

A GPS is not perfect.  Generally, their routing is quite good and you can select the device to prefer Interstates or secondary roads.  But, it is best to look at a map before leaving on a long trip to orient yourself and avoid surprises while trying to go to grandma’s house.  I have been taken down some really “interesting” dirt roads!

Saving Gas and Saving Money

Saving Gas and Saving Money

Even though gasoline prices have started to come down a bit, we all know that this rollercoaster is not going to end soon.  Just in time for the beginning of summer driving, here are tips that can save you gas money.

Low-hanging gas-savings:

1. Make sure your car tires have the right pressure.  Under-inflated tires cost you big in gas as well as reducing tire life.
2. Look under your hood and change your air cleaner.  Have a tune-up and make sure your oxygen sensors are operating properly.
3. Especially at highway speeds, even bare roof racks can cause significant drag and reduced gas mileage.  With our two kayaks on top of our Honda Odyssey, gas mileage dropped from 24 to 19 miles per gallon (mpg)!  So, if you can, take that stuff off the top of your car.
4. Cruise control can save gas by holding your speed automatically with a smoother and more conservative throttle control than your foot.
5. Find out where the best gas prices are by using www.GasBuddy.com.  This is also a free “App” for most smart phones.  I have been using their iPhone App and have been big savings.  Bet you did not know about gas prices just over the hill in New Milford, did you?
6. Don’t buy premium gas!  Stay with regular especially if this is what your car manual suggests.  If your car calls for premium gas, you might want to experiment a bit and see if by mixing gas grades, you get the performance you need, but at significant savings.  If your car lags while going up a hill, then you might want to put more premium gas into the mix.
7. Speed costs!  It is hard for me to pull back from being 5 miles over the speed limit.  (Really, officer that was all it was!)  But know that above 55 mph, gas mileage really does go down like a rock.  Be mindful that a few minutes saved can be costly in gas and maybe even safety.
8. A GPS can help you find the most economical route by reducing the mileage even though it may take a little longer.  Some of the newer GPS devices have a menu option for a route that will save you gas.  If you do not have a GPS, try one of the Internet mapping services from Bing, Google or MapQuest.

 

What not to do:

1. While on the highway, don’t open windows instead of using your air conditioner.  Sounds strange, but cars these days have a low drag design that saves gas.  Opening a window works against this.  Around town, I still open my windows and turn off the AC since lower car speeds cause a minimal amount of drag.
2. Don’t waste your money on those gadgets that claim to improve your mileage using magnets, vortex generators, engine ionizers or water injectors.  Consumer Reports, Popular Mechanics and the Federal Trade Commission have tested these devices and none have been found to work.

 

Longer term gas-savings strategies:  My best gas-saving move occurred more than three years and 77,000 miles ago when we were going through the last gas crisis.  At that time, we bought a Honda Civic Hybrid.  With an accumulated average of over 43 miles per gallon, this car turned out to be a great, gas-savings investment. 

In the July 2011 issue of Consumer Reports (CR), they make some suggestions about “gas-sipping used cars” you might want to consider.  The Civic Hybrid is top among their “Small Cars.”  (While my Civic Hybrid has gotten over 43 mpg, CR showed it getting only 37 mpg due to the way their testing is done.)  A non-hybrid, Honda Fit is next in line at about 31 mpg.

The Toyota Prius leads their list for used “Family Cars” with 44 mpg. 

For an SUV, you might want to consider the Ford Escape Hybrid for the years 2005, 2006 and 2009.  It was able to get 26 mpg, but not much better than the non-hybrid, Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4 (V6) that both got 22 mpg.

CR also indicated that the new auto industry hype around buying new cars with “40 mpg,” should be considered carefully.  A number of these 40 mpg models require buying special options that can add considerably to the price.  If you are interested in buying a high gas-mileage new car, CR suggested looking at the Hyundai Accent and Elantra models as well as the Mazda3 and Toyota’s Yaris and Corolla.  Each of these regularly-equipped cars got highway mileage close to 40 mpg.

Buying a Gas Grill

Buying a Gas Grill

Spring is in the air, buds are on trees and the smell of grilling steaks/hamburgers/hot dogs is not far off.

If your old grill is ready for replacement or you are sick of using charcoal to fuel it, this may be the year to get a new gas grill.  They come in all sizes and I really mean all sizes! 

What was once a small expenditure with little deck space required can now become a major, outdoor appliance costing thousands of dollars.  Consumer Reports (CR) tested 86 models with a price range between $140 and $3000!  As you might expect, with higher price models comes larger size and complexity. 

CR separates gas grills by their size:  Small or portable (10 to 15 burgers), Medium (16 to 30 burgers), and Large (30 or more burgers).  This article will focus on a finding a grill for you that is a good value in sizes from small to large. 

Key worthwhile features:  Many upscale grills come with stainless-steel rather than painted exteriors.  Stainless steel does not rust, but it sure shows fingerprints.  More important though, you should try to get stainless-steel burners and grates that can provide more longevity and easier clean-up.  Grates that are coated cast-iron are good as well.  From personal experience, uncoated, cast iron grates may seem more “organic,” but they rust quickly.  Food also sticks to an uncoated iron grate like glue.

One or more side-burner(s) is a real plus for simmering vegetables alongside the hamburgers. 

Models to choose:  CR tests grills by their performance with low-temperature cooking effectiveness, evenness in cooking at high temperature and convenience.  Also, they rate grills for “Indirect Cooking” performance.   This indicates how well the grill will slow cook foods when only some of the burners are on and the food isn't placed directly over the flame.  This kind of grilling reduces “flame flare-up” that may occur with meats with excess fat like lamb or hamburgers.

CR also does safety checks to make sure that the burner will not blow out when the hood is suddenly closed.  For these tested models, all passed this safety regulation.

Small Grills—The Char-Broil Red Patio #463250210 ($270 at Home Depot only) and the Weber Q200 ($200 or Q220 at $220) are CR Best Buys.  The Char-Broil, two-burner grill has casters to move around while the Weber is a portable, one-burner unit.  Based on user reviews, these grills were easy to assemble and use.

Medium Grills—The two CR Best Buys are Brinkmann models, but based on user reviews, their quality of construction seems poor.  Rather, you should consider CR’s more expensive, but highly rated grills that include:  Weber Genesis Models EP320 ($850 or E320 at $700 or E310 at $600) or the Char-Broil Red #463250510 (at Home Depot for $450).  These grills have some of the extras like side-grills and are highly praised by users who bought them.

Large Grills—Once again the two CR Best Buys were Brinkmann models that fared poorly with users due to their construction quality.  Instead, while more expensive, the top-rated, Jenn-Air 720-0709 ($850 at Sam’s Club) and the third from the top, Master Forge 3218LT ($600 at Lowes) are good choice and both received fine user reviews.   Several Kenmore (Sears) grills were also highly rated, but none had enough user reviews to determine the most important user’s assessments.   

Some tips: 

• Burners in a gas grill usually fail first.  Try to get a grill that comes with a 10 year burner warranty. 
• Get a cover to keep your grill looking good and performing well.
• Please, never bring your gas grill inside your home to cook when the weather is bad.  If you do, carbon monoxide (CO) could build up quickly and it can be deadly.

The tough part may be assembling these grills in the first place.  To make the assembling task easier, just remember that afterwards there is a grilled steak waiting to be cooked and a cold beer to be drunk.

Sunscreens Prevent More Than a Sunburn

Sunscreens Prevent More Than a Sunburn

Over the last 20 years, every six months I go to a dermatologist to have pre-cancerous basal cells removed from my skin, mostly my head, to prevent them from possibly becoming a melanoma.  This process using liquid nitrogen is relatively fast and painless.   It sure beats dying from a melanoma. 

The dermatologist says these pre-cancerous cells may be the result of sunburns when I was a kid … long, long ago.  It probably did not help that I have been “lack-of-hair-afflicted” since my mid-twenties.

Thus, I was delighted to hear recently that in 2012 the FDA will set new sunscreen standards.  When I was a Consumer Reports (CR), we had advocated for this, but it has been long in coming.  These new regs will save live.

Sunscreens prevent skin damage from two parts of the light spectrum—Ultra-Violet (UV) A and B radiation.  Most sunscreens handily reduce UVB radiation that causes sunburns.  UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and results in early skin aging and, most important, skin cancer.  UVB sunscreen effectiveness can vary widely from product-to-product.

When you go into supermarket or drugstore, you find a large number of different models.  They tout many numbers and claims.  The most important is the Sun Protection Factor or SPF that you find prominently listed on the packaging. 

Not surprising, manufacturers have gotten into a war of numbers and there are some SPF claims that are quite high.  Many scientists believe that preventing sunburns by reducing UVA may cause more skin cancer if the sunscreen is not also effective in decreasing UBA radiation. 

Under the FDA regs, labels will say “Broad Spectrum” if the sunscreen has an SPF of 15 or higher and effective in reducing both UVA and UVB.  A sunscreen of SPF 14 or lower will be marked for only reducing sunburn and have a label warning, “Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert.”

These new regulations will also require that the manufacturer test their product under a standard testing regime.  A regime that CR has been using for many years. 

In the August 2011 issue, CR published their sunscreen test results.  (Their testing is done under their control by an independent contract lab that specializes in this these tests.)

Complicating your sunscreen choice is their different methods of application—Cream, spray and lotion.  Most claimed being “water resistance” for 80 minutes and this was corroborated in CR’s testing.  (Words like “waterproof” and “sweatproof” now seen on labels will be dropped under the new FDA regs.)   

Cautions:  Unfortunately, most sunscreens have one or more ingredients that might lead to adverse health effects.  Yet, using a sunscreen is far less risky to your health than not to using one.  Since you have many choices, there are two special cautions.

There is a concern that Retinyl palmitate, a topical Vitamin A, could cause birth defects.  So, if you are pregnant you might want to avoid sunscreens listing this ingredient.

The other issue is that the FDA is now requiring manufacturers to prove there is no adverse effect from inhaling the sunscreen “sprays.”  For me, I would hesitate to use these sprays especially around children. 

Good news:  You do not have to pay much for a sunscreen.  Experts say you do not get much more protection in going above SPF 30. (Additional SPF cannot hurt if you are not paying significantly more)  CR tests found that the application form seems less important to overall effectiveness. 

While you could pay up to $19 per ounce, CR Best Buys cost far less: Up and Up Sport SPF 30 (Target) a spray at $0.88 per oz; No-Ad with Aloe and Vitamin E SPF 45 a lotion at $0.59 per oz (has Retinyl palmitate); and Equate Baby SPR 50 a lotion at $0.63 per oz.   Banana Boat, Coppertone and CVS sprays with SPF 30 were also recommended.

Tips:  Yes, you have heard this before, but sunscreens only work if used correctly.  Here goes:

1. Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure.
2. Apply enough sunscreen—Two to three tablespoons of lotion.  With a spray, use as much as can be evenly rubbed in.  Then, go back and do it again.
3. Reapply sunscreen every two hours and especially after swimming or sweating.
4. Sunscreens should be used along with sun-protective clothing. 
5. Don’t be fooled, you can get a mean sunburn even on a partly cloudy day.
6. See your doctor if you have an unusual growth on your skin.

Finally, in CR’s testing, most sunscreens were shown to stain various types of clothing.  Check this out ahead of time to avoid ruining a really nice blouse.

Buying a Washer—Part 1: The Controversy

Buying a Washer—Part 1: The Controversy

There has been a controversy recently in the media about the high price of a clothes washer that have been accused of being less effective as they were redesigned to save water and energy. 

This is similar to my own findings when I reported on the newly introduced dishwasher detergents that do not contain phosphates.  While this reformulation may have a good impact on our lakes and rivers, it also now means pre-rinsing dishes and using more water.  As usual, life’s issues come with tradeoffs. 

What is most surprising about this “Great Washing Machine Debate” is that those on both sides of the issue are using the same Consumer Reports (CR) data to make their case!  This two-part article will try to set the record straight as well as provide some good values if you now need to buy a washer.

First, let’s explore the issues raised by John Tierney, a reporter for the NY Times and Sam Kazman’s Op-Ed piece in the Wall Street Journal.  Mr. Kazman is the General Counsel of the “Competitive Enterprise Institute” (CEI).  In their word, CEI’s mission is “to educate the public about the trampling effect government intervention has on the advancement of human wellbeing.” 

Mr. Kazman, reviewing the most recent CR Washer Ratings, concluded that compared to 1996 offerings, the current machines are now much more costlier and harder to use as a result of a series of stringent Government efficiency mandates.  The most recent mandate went into effect in January 2011 where machines are now required to use 11% less energy and 20% less water.

Mr. Tierney’s article reflects how through history, even back to the 1700’s, technology advancement leads to greater use of resources.   One example he cites is our evolution in lighting where we have gone from candle light to incandescent to compact fluorescent lighting.  While this has saved energy, we have also found new ways and places to “light-up-our-lives.”  As a result, we are now using the same proportion of our income on lighting as they did back in the 1700’s.

This is called the “energy rebound” effect where if we pay less to operate a hybrid car, there is a tendency to use it more.  How this can possibly be analogous to having a more efficient washer and doing more clothes escapes me!

Getting back to the clothes washers and their recent improvements, when I first got to CR in 1986 there was only one type of washer, the “Top Loader.”  The USA was less worried about energy or water savings.  Also, we were cleaner than Europeans. 

Seriously, there have been scientific studies showing that my fellow countrymen and women simply washed their clothes before they were really dirty.  Or, at least not as dirty before washing as in Europe.  

In Europe, smaller homes meant smaller machines where fewer, but dirtier clothes were   washed.  The European solution was to use “Front-Loader” technology where the clothes literally were boiled and tumbled versus agitated by a central “agitator” as they are with the Top Loader. 

The Front Loader had several advantages:  less clothes rubbing meant less lint and longer life for the clothes.  These machines also saved water and energy, a critical issue in Europe.  As the USA Government began to see energy savings as a security issue, domestic and foreign manufacturers revolutionized the USA washing machine marketplace by supplying the Front Loader to our shores. 
Front Loaders use a longer soak times—about double the Top Loader—and require special, higher efficiency (“HE”) laundry detergent.  To the point made by Kazman that Front Loaders are difficult to use, yes, you cannot throw a sock into them once the cycle begins.

In CR testing, some of the first Front Loaders proved unreliable due to front door sealing problems as the European manufacturers tried to up-size their machines to the larger wash loads of American families.   These early problems have been solved and the Front Loader is now as reliable as the Top Loader.  

Most important, Front Loaders have become the “gold standard” in washer performance as well as energy and water savings.  As a result, CR has had to change their performance scoring to a new level of “Excellent.”

Thus, while it is true that many machines today do not perform as well as the best, the truth is that most perform better or comparable to those on the market in 1996.  And, the best are far better in their washing capability.  As a direct result of this influx of Front Loader technology from Europe brought about by more stringent Government regulations over the years, CR’s Ratings reflect better washing performance as well as using far less energy and water. 

Once the industry gets machines fine tuned to the new Government regulations that went into effect on January 2011, you will see another jump in conservation.  Hopefully, this will occur without degrading performance.  (As is usually the case with cars or major appliances, it is best to wait a year or so before buying models with new designs.)

As you will see in next week’s article, “Buying a Washer—Part 2: Making the Choice,” you can pay as much as $2000 for a Front or Top Loader washer.  Next week find out how to navigate this confusing marketplace to find the best washer values.

Buying a Washing Machine—Part 2: Making the Choice

Buying a Washing Machine—Part 2: Making the Choice

While the price of washers has indeed risen significantly, these machines are actually better in performance and save both water and energy.

This week we will make our selections of the best washers according to the most recent Consumer Reports (CR) Ratings. As I had mentioned, for those that can wait, it may be better to buy a washer in a year’s time while the industry gets their machines fine tuned to the new Government regulations that went into effect on January 2011. 

What to buy:  But, if your old machine has died and dirty diapers are piling up, here are a few of the best models to consider buying.  Front Loaders are generally higher in price, but their operating costs—energy and water—should save you money.  (Remember for those hooked up to Pawling water, your sewer bill is computed by how much water you use so you pay twice for water used.)

Front Loaders—For the Front-Loaders, the price range is consistently higher from $600 to $2000.

Reviewing CR’s Ratings where over 100 models are listed, unlike the Top Loaders, price alone is not a good indication of performance.  The two top CR Best Buys are the Kenmore Model 4027(2) for $800 with an Excellent washing capability and the LG WM2050C(W) for $700 was Very Good in washing.  The LG brand of Front Loaders had an edge in reliability over the other manufacturers.

Top Loaders—You can pay from $330 to $2000 for a Top Loader.  Based on CR’s Ratings where again over 100 models are listed, I would stay away from any low cost model at the bottom of this price range.  The two top, CR Top-Loader Best Buys are the Whirlpool Cabrio WTTW5700X(W) for $700 and the WTW5600X(W) at Lowes for $600.  The latter unit has a similar model WTW5700X(W) not found in Lowes.  Each of these models was rated as Very Good in washing.

Reliability:  Most brands have the same reliability with the exception of the LG mentioned above.  In general, Top and Front Loader models are comparable in reliability.  GE’s machines are a tad bit less reliable for both types.        

CR suggests that you should not buy an Extended Warranty since these policies are usually not cost-effective. 

Some money-saving tips:  If you buy a Front Loader, only use the low suds, “HE” (or High Efficiency) detergent.  CR has top-rated “Tide 2X Ultra Original HE.”  There is also two CR Best Buys—“All 2X with Oxy Active” and “Gain Original Fresh HE.” 

For a Top Loader, the best detergents are the “Tide 2X Ultra for Cold Water.”  Even though a little farther down the Ratings, “Era 2X Ultra with Oxi Booster” is a good buy at half the price of the Tide.

For either type machine, you save energy washing with full loads.  For smaller loads, you can save water by reducing the water level.

If you need a clothes dryer, you might be able to get an extra discount when you buy a washer and dryer at the same time.  It is not necessary to buy the same brand.  GE, LG, Kenmore (Sears) and Whirlpool are brands with highly rated dryers that have good reliability.

And, do try to buy locally.  Check out Bailey’s if you are interested in a brand other than Kenmore (Sears).

Once you get your new machine running check out if you are doing more laundry now since you are saving so much energy per load.  Irrespective of the supposed “energy rebound” effect mentioned last week, I bet you will not be doing more laundry!

Buying a Computer Printer

Buying a Computer Printer

Whoever said computers would reduce our use of paper?  Or, that printing would become cost-effective for the consumer? 

This week’s column should give you a strategy about how to cut down on your computer printer bill.   My approach is to use two different printers with my laptop computer. 

Each one has a specialized task: 1) Color Inkjet “All-in-One” does functions like photo printing, copying, faxing and scanning and 2) a black and white (B&W) Laser Printer is used for document printing. 

Printer prices are low because the manufacturers are expecting to make big profits selling you printer cartridges.  Here is how you can beat them at their own game. 

First, you need to buy two really good printers at a good price.  The latest Consumer Reports (CR) Ratings show many, many different printers to choose.  We will focus on two types to cover most of your needs inexpensively. 

The Color Inkjet “All-in-One” printer has become the most prevalent type for the consumer.  (Be careful, some “All-in-Ones” leave off the Fax capability.)  I like being able to print out photos at home, so I looked for CR’s highly rated models for producing “Excellent” photos.  Generally, the All-in-Ones’ performance for scanning, copying and power savings are comparable.

The color inkjet All-in-Ones listed as CR Best Buys were made by Dell and HP.  Looking closer, I found that these models had many consumer reviews that were pretty awful with words like “inkhogs,” “unreliable,” or “slow.”  

This led me to focus on the two CR top-rated models, both from Canon, but neither was a Best Buy.  If you can do without the fax, the Canon Pixma MG6120 or its cousin MG5220 looked like very good deals in buying an All-in-One (minus Fax) printer.  You can find them on sale for less than $130.  Their numerous, consumer reviews were stellar. 

The cost of making a photo print is high for these printers—$1.75 for an 8x10 inch (included the paper).  But, you can save paper and printing in the “Scan” mode by sending the page directly to your computer hard disk.

Where you gain the most leverage saving money printing, is not using this color printer for B&W printing.  Instead, you should buy an inexpensive, laser printer for that task.  When you think about all you do with your computer, printing out B&W documents probably heads the list. 

Printing out a B&W page using a color inkjet printer can cost upwards of 7 cents versus 1.5 cents for a laser printer.   You can set a laser printer to the “Toner Save Mode” to use even less ink and save more.

A good bet in laser printers is the Brothers HL-2170W (wireless) or its cousin the HL-2140.  (The HL-2170W is a CR Best Buy.)  I have used both of these printers for two years and they are still available.  A newer one, the Brother HL-2270DW (also wireless) has just arrived.  Any of these printers is usually on sale for less than $110.  (I have had problems connecting these printers to my home wireless network.  You might want to save the frustration and simply connect your computer via the printer’s USB cable.)

Buying the printer cartridge becomes a major way to save big money.  Unfortunately, I have not found a good source for color inkjet cartridges except for the expensive ones made by the manufacturer.  Consumer Reports has had similar experience. 

The laser printer cartridge is another story.  My advice is to explore finding other than OEM laser cartridges and drums.  Just “Google” your printer’s model number plus the word “cartridges” and you will have many buying options.  Review carefully the user reviews to gain some assurance about the quality of their cartridges.  You might also want to start with Amazon since they monitor their on line retailers.

While I have found several on line sources of both the laser toner cartridges and drums, some were not up to par.  (Cartridges and drums are replaced after 2500 and 10,000 printed sheets, respectively.)   But, even when the cartridge was not fully satisfactory, their cost difference was so great it still proved a good deal and my laser printer was not harmed. 

Using my printer strategy should save you money, but I cannot say it will get us closer to a “paperless society.”

Some money-saving tips: 

• Don’t buy an Extended Warranty.  Printers at the low-end have become throwaways and an Extended Warranty is just that.
• When you buy a new printer, see if you can find a new home for the old one or recycle it properly. 
• Google’s Picasa 3 is a great, free application for cataloging, editing and printing your photos.
• Sales on printers, cartridges and paper seem to systematically rotate from brand-to-brand each week at “big-box” retailers like Best Buy or Staples.  Check these sales out since you can save substantially.
• Recycle your cartridges.  Some stores like Staples pay you for the cartridge.  In any case, it is good for the environment.

Be careful when a printer that is being bundled as a single sale price with a camera or computer.  It makes no sense getting a supposed “good” deal on a bad printer.

Choosing a Dieting Meal Plan

Choosing a Dieting Meal Plan

Finding new diet ideas are easy, but staying on a diet is tough.

Consumer Reports (CR) just published results of a variety of diet plans that provide pre-made foods.  CR assessed the meal’s nutrition and sensory appeal. 

In addition, they made their own “Weight Loss” assessment based on published, randomized surveys.  In this way, CR evaluated short (6 months) and long-term (over a year) impact of these plans on weight loss.

The CR Ratings showed the “Jenny Craig at Home Planned Menu” top-rated with an overall score of 85.  This was due in part by their 92% retention rate after 2 years according to a study by the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

While CR sensory testers found the Jenny Craig meals to be “decent,” they certainly do not rival those that are home cooked.  Yet, the nutrition was “Excellent” and sufficiently appealing to gain an “Excellent” Weight Loss score due to the high retention rate.  After two years, the average weight loss was 8%.  Annual membership to the Jenny Craig Plan is $388.

For reference, the next best plan in the ratings was “Slim Fast.”  This plan had an overall score of only 63.  While their nutrition was “Very Good,” their score was pulled down with a “Poor” Long-Term Dropout Rate and only an “Average” Weight Loss.

Other meal plans evaluated by CR (their overall score shown in parenthesis) were:  Weightwatchers (57), Zone (54), Ornish (48), and Atkins (48).

Below are other tips that may assist a dieter who is on these plans or doing it on their own:

1. Weight loss comes from burning up more calories that you take in.  Some forms of calories, like protein, feel more filling.  Foods with high fiber, fruits and vegetables also create fewer hunger pangs.
2. You should have fewer than 35% of your calories from fat and of this only 10% from saturated fats.  Choose lean meats like turkey, chicken or fish.
3. Stay away from foods with refined carbohydrates like white bread, snacks, dessert and beverages with high fructose syrups.  Choose beans and whole-grain foods instead of processed grain products.
4. Use liquid, vegetable oils for cooking.
5. Have a support group while you diet to improve your chances of long term weight loss.

Then, common to all diets is the advice to exercise, exercise, exercise! 

Honda Civic Hits the Skids

Honda Civic Hits the Skids

Consumer Reports (CR) has been in the news lately.  The Honda Civic has been a CR favorite among small sedans for a long time.  Unfortunately, from recent tests of the 2012, redesigned Civic, CR no longer recommends it.   

To put this in quantitative terms, the new Civic dropped 17 points -- from a Very Good “78” to a Mediocre “61” -- on CR’s 100-point rating scale. 

While impressed by the Civic’s high gas mileage of 30 miles per gallon overall (47 mpg on the highway), CR found that the new Civic was lacking in handling, had vague steering and a ride that was choppy.  The model CR tested was the Civic LX which is Honda’s best seller.  The Manufacturer’s Sticker Price (MSRP) for the LX is $18,655.

They also found wet pavement stops required a longer distance and the interior was of a poorer quality than older Civics.  The caveat here is that previously when CR tested the 2006 Civic they had tested a higher-end model, the Civic EX.  It is not clear from CR’s September 2011 results whether upgrading to the EX (MSRP of $20,505) would result in better braking and an upgrade in its interior. 

This is not the first time that CR did not recommend the Civic.  Last year, the Civic was not recommended since the less-expensive models, DX, LX, GX and even the EX did not come with “Stability Control,” an essential safety feature.  (This year at least it is standard for all the Civic models.)

The good news is that the Civic should continue to provide good reliability no matter what model you choose. 

Thus, while the Civic is a small car that excels in gas mileage and reliability, it would be best to look at other options.  Topping CR’s ratings for small sedans are the Hyundai Elantra GLS, Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL and Subaru Impreza 2.5i.   Among small car hatchbacks, CR’s top picks are the VW Golf 2.5, Mazda3 s Sport and Subaru Impreza Outback Sport.

A Cell Phone that Saves

A Cell Phone that Saves

Many of us simply want an inexpensive, simple cell phone ready for use in an emergency.  If you are one of these people, please read on and be prepared to save money. 

I have just the company.  Its name is “TracFone” (www.TracFone.com) and our family has been using them for years.  You probably have seen their “Airtime” cards in drugstores or supermarkets.  Yes, there are other cell phone companies like TracFone, but in my opinion, no company can save you money like TracFone if you are only an occasional cell user. 

All TracFone calls, including those to many International locations, cost as little as 10 cents per minute and there is no roaming charge.  Better still, there is no monthly contract charge. 

In the Pawling (New York) area, their website currently gives you a choice of nine, inexpensive  models costing $29.99 or less.  Of these, after analyzing user reviews, I decided to be buy the Samsung T301G for $19.99 (Fed-Ex shipment is free) to replace a recently lost TracFone. 

This phone comes with a free “Double Minutes for Life” option.  Thus, if you buy a 60 minute Airtime card for $12, you get 120 minutes.  This comes to only 10 cents per minute when you make a call.  If you buy the “reconditioned” phone for this Samsung model, you get a free 60 minutes Airtime Card. 

Too good to be true?  Here is the gotcha, but one that I think you can live with.  Airtime has an expiration date.  (For example, a 120 Minute Airtime card expires in 90 days.) Thus, if you still have 100 minutes Airtime remaining at 90 days, even with “Double Minutes” this amounts to a loss of $10.

To avoid this, you can sign up for TracFone’s Value plan that automatically continues these unexpired minutes for another 30 days at the cost of $5.99 ($6.48 with taxes).  There is no monthly charge as long as your Airtime is not going to expire.  In this way, your phone remains active and ready for an emergency and you get to save a lot of money!  

Waking Up to a Great Pot of Coffee

Waking Up to a Great Pot of Coffee

Coffee for breakfast and dinner has been a ritual in our home.  For us, a “French-press” device cranks out a hardy brew even though we use decaffeinated coffee.

No matter how you brew it, buying good coffee beans is crucial.  Consumer Reports (CR) recently reported on their testing of 23 coffee models.  As usual, these tests were done by two professional coffee testers hired to use their expert palates.  They blind-tested multiple samples of each model in a prescribed order to minimize bias. 

Columbian Coffee:  Two models stood out as “Very Good” and were recommended by CR. They were Gloria Jean’s Columbian Supremo Medium Roast at $13.50 per pound and Newman’s Own Organics Columbian Especial Medium Roast at $13.60 per pound.  

The other 16 models were either “Good” or “Fair.”  Two exceptional bargains rated as “Good” were Great Value 100% Columbian Medium at Walmarts for $4.42 per pound and Kirkland Signature 100% Columbian Dark Roast from Costco for $4.66 per pound. 

CR noted that the new Folgers 100% Columbian Medium Dark with an ad slogan of “New Look, same great taste,” was not.  While this model was a CR favorite back in 2009, it delivered less flavor in its new incarnation and was only “Fair” at $8.30 per pound.

Ethiopian Coffee:  The CR Best Buy in this category rated as “Very Good” was The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Light Roast at $13.95 per pound.  Also rated “Very Good” and recommended by CR was the Caribou Ethiopia Finjai Organic Medium at $14.99 per pound.

Tips:  

• If you need a new coffeemaker, CR suggested their Best Buy, the Cooks CM4221 ($40) sold at J.C. Penney. 
• Grinding your coffee bean fresh makes the best cup of coffee.
• Whatever method you use, keep your coffee maker clean to avoid off tastes.

Buying Safe, Sustainable Seafood

Buying Safe, Sustainable Seafood

Along with eating your spinach, we have been told that consuming fish instead of meat, especially red meat, is healthier.  Fish is loaded with protein and has far less fats than most meats. 

Yet time and again, we have heard of the unsustainable practices of overfishing globally that have led to the loss of entire species.  Further, unhealthy fish farming practices and polluted waterways has led to their contamination with mercury and PCB’s. 

Recently, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has promoted a sustainable seafood campaign to educate the public about what fish to buy.  In this way, as consumer activist using your “power of the purse” in supermarkets and restaurants, you can promote the best fishery practices.

Below are some examples of EDF’s “Good Choices” and “Worst” fish:

                                 Good Choices                     Avoid
Flounder/Sole           Pacific                                  Atlantic
Halibut                       Pacific                                 Atlantic
Haddock                    All
Salamon                    All except “Avoid”               Atlantic or farmed
Scallops                     All
Seabass                    White (Pacific)                    Chilean
Shrimp                       US and Canada                 Imported
Snapper                     Yellowtail (US)                   Red, Imported, and Vermilion
Swordfish                  --                                       Imported
Tilapia                        US, Central and                 Asia, South America
Trout                           Rainbow (framed)

Beware of Tuna:   The widespread use of tuna in our diets should be of special concern to parents.  Canned tuna is known to have high levels of mercury.  Mercury can cause learning disabilities in young children as well as birth defects when ingested in pregnancy. 

Stay away from canned White Albacore (solid/chunk white).  Instead, eat in moderate amounts once a week, canned Chunk Light tuna.  But, check that the canned “Light” tuna does not contain high mercury, Yellowfin or “Tonno” tuna. 

A better way is to “can” canned tuna altogether and use instead canned salmon.  This product usually comes from Alaska and is low in contamination along with being high in heart-healthy omega-3s.  They are also sustainably caught.

Bluefin tuna, found usually in sushi, is another fish to avoid.  It has been found to be high in mercury and is on the brink of extinction. 

About These Articles

The Smart Consumer

Be sure to check back frequently for Jeff's Smart Consumer articles.

Articles from before March, 2011 can be found here.

Articles from after September, 2011 can be found here.

Jeff Asher worked at Consumer Reports for more than 21 years.  When he retired, he was Vice-President and Technical Director overseeing all product testing, including cars.  In the same way when he worked for CR, his reports for Slightly Creaky are independent of any commercial interests.  He receives no free samples or any remuneration from manufacturers.  Never has, never will!  These recommendations are Jeff Asher’s alone and do not reflect the views of Consumer Reports.  Bon shopping!

You can contact Jeff at info@SlightlyCreaky.com.
He welcomes your comments and suggestions for future articles.