Houston Consumer Blog

Self tanners rated

This summer if you’re looking for that tan of the island, minus the cost of a plane ticket, you may want to try a self tanner.

In today's Stretch Your dollar - we put self tanners to the test. As 13 Eyewitness News reporter Katie McCall explained, the higher price tag may not give you a better bronze.

The tester's favorite was the Hawaiian Tropic Crème for $10.

Here are the prices:

1. Mystic tan sunless lotion - 5 oz bottle $38.00
2. Tan Towel Full Body - 5 towelettes $25.00
3. Neutrogena Micro Mist Sunless Tan Spray 5.3 oz $9.00 (on sale from $10.59)
4. Hawaiian Tropic Island Radiance Ultra Crème 6 ounces $9.99

Grandma Gibbons tree

The sun rising to the sound of a chainsaw was music to Betty Gibbons ears. It was a day seven months in the makeing. Grandma Gibbons was a newlywed when her late husband planted this majestic hackberry tree nearly 50 years ago. It was standing straight the night before Ike hit, then lightening and Ike's winds took it down.

 "I was devastated really when I saw the tree, limbs all over." said Gibbons.

And the tree has sprawled across her lawn ever since the storm.

"I was beginning to wonder if I was going to get it removed or it was going to be a permanent thing here. A pepermanent memorial to Ike."

She tried cutting the tree with this small bow saw but needless to say the hugh job was impossible.

holding the small saw she laughed, ' I couldn't do this with a small bow saw"

 She played phone tag with the city trying to get help with no success.

Gibbons said "I didn't have money to hire someone to remove it and I told her how old I am 79 I was 78 at the time and I felt very disappointed I didn't know what I was going to do."

Frustrated, she called in the Action 13 Angels and we got right on it.

We called onGarden Guru Rany Lemmon and he called in his friend and affordable three specialist Martin Spoonemore.

Spoonemore said  "It's going to be a rest haven for snakes, rats and everything else that could make a home out of it."

Lemon decided the ants had to go before the tree. "He said "I had this sneaking suspicion that underneath the felled tree fire ants would be existing. we have a fire ant mound all the way up the trunk of the tree."

It took less than an hour for a crew from Affordable Tree Service to get the job done. A job that would have cost around 15 hundred, but they didn't charge a dime.

"We've got it taken care of for her so she should be in good shape and now she can enjoy her yard again." Spoonemore said when they finished the job.

What do you think of your yard now? Gibbons was delighted "it's great you don't know how much I appreciate it, too. I prayed like I said and the Lord sent Angels."

The City has started collecting and recycling tree debris during odd months. To check the date in your zip code click on  http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/index.html

Thanks to Randy Lemmon and Martin Spoonemore, president of Affordable Tree Service for getting up before dawn to help Betty Gibbons.

Have a good weekend

Lori

lik

r

Lease Trading

The bad economy may make it a good tie to pick up a car lease from someone who needs to get rid or their ride.

Lease trading has been around a while and basically it requires a person to take over someone else's lease.

The lease holder can even pay down the terms of the note, making the monthly payments very reasonable.

We spoke with a person who took over a lease today and while he is happy with the deal, he says anyone considering it should take a few things into account.

First, try to find a car locally.  While you can pick a car from anywhere, getting titles and registration can become a problem.

Second, be patient.  It can take several weeks to sign all the paper work and receive your car, so if you need a ride right now, make sure you know how long things will take.

Third, ask questions.  Since you are taking over another persons lease, make sure you know how many miles you can drive and the responsibilities you have concerning any damage.

There are several national companies that set up lease holders with those looking to take over a lease, here are some links:

http://www.leasetrader.com/

http://www.swapalease.com/

And check out some of the tips included in this article:

http://www.edmunds.com/advice/leasing/articles/47011/article.html

Drop off those old electronics

If you still have old electronics and TV sets and just want to get rid of them, use the links below to find ways to dispose of them.

http://www.compucycle.net/

http://wecanrecycle.org/

http://www.houstontx.gov/solidwaste/westpark.html

Free document shredding at Great Bellaire Paper Shred

What: The Great Bellaire Paper Shred: Help Protect Yourself Against Personal Identity Theft - FREE Shredding
When: Saturday, April 18 , 9 a.m. to Noon
Where: Community National Bank, 5123 Bellaire Boulevard
Why: Area citizens can help protect themselves against personal identity theft -- one of the nation’s fastest growing crimes. The sixth annual event offers citizens free document shredding (up to 100 lbs. per person) to help them minimize the risk of becoming victims of personal identity theft.

Identity theft may be the largest white-collar crime in the history of the United States. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has reported, "One in 6 Americans will be a victim of identity theft this year alone. In the last 12 months 9.93 million people have had some type of identity theft crime committed against them. Victims spend on average $1,200 in out-of-pocket expenses and an average of 175 hours in efforts to resolve the many problems caused by identity thieves. Criminal identity theft occurs when an impostor gives another person's name and personal information such as a drivers' license, date of birth, or Social Security number to obtain a job, housing, money, goods, or other services, according to Kroll Background America. According to the National Association for Information Destruction, the following documents should be shredded when discarded:

• Pre-approved credit applications, credit card statements and expired charge cards
• Personal medical records and physician statements
• Tax preparation worksheets, obsolete financial records and receipts
• Insurance forms, telephone bills, cancelled checks and bank statements
• Mail, old records and mailing labels from magazines

Free Tax Help

If you need help filing your taxes, help is available.(FULL STORY)

April 15th is just days away and volunteers with the Neighborhood Tax Centers are ready. The Centers are located through out the area and have expanded hours as the tax deadline approaches.

You can call the United Way at 2-1-1 for times and location or check out the information by clicking here.

Cut Your Credit Card Rate

Take a good look at your credit card rate, if it is in the double digits, you may be able to get it lowered.

Consumer Reports recently found a woman who cut her rate from 18 percent to just over 4 percent.

It turns out she simply called her credit card company, explained her situation and then learned she qualified for a hardship program.   She saved cut her monthly finance charge by more than 200 dollars.

The first step is to check your credit report for any errors.

Do it for free by visiting this web site www.annualcreditreport.com

Next, find out the current interest rates being offered by other banks.

Do that for free at www.cardtrack.com

Another piece of advice, be persistent.  If the first person you speak with does nothing for you, ask to speak to a supervisor or someone in customer retention.

Junk Insurance?

If you are uninsured and thinking of buying your own coverage, you may want to take a close look at the companies offering policies. Privately funded health insurance is very expensive. Consumer Reports found less expensive policies on the market, but there is a catch. C.R. says people who buy the low cost insurance often find they have little coverage when they need it.

In Texas, a company must be licensed to sell insurance. Before you buy a policy, call the Texas Department of Insurance Consumer Help Line. The number is 1-800-252-3439. T.D.I. can provide you with an agent and company's complaint index and financial ratings. The complaint index and financial rating help indicate whether a company provides good customer service and is financially stable.