Put on a Happy Face: Web Shoppers Less Pessimistic

In what should be welcome news to online retailers, consumers are more willing to spend than they were in the fall, according to a survey by Pricegrabber.com. According to the survey, 26% of respondents say they are spending more time shopping on the web

One factor driving online purchases is the ability to price compare. 40% of consumers say they are spending more time online comparing prices, whereas only 1% report spending less time. Other highlights from the survey:

91% of consumers say researching products online makes them more confident about their purchases.

40% of consumers age 18-34 say they intend to make a major electronics purchase.

41% of consumers say they have lowered their credit card debt during the recession.

While this is welcome news to retailers, bargain hunters may have a narrow window to take advantage of aggressive discounts and coupon codes offered by retailers.

Treadmill Vs. Elliptical

Which is a better workout, elliptical machines or treadmills? According to Alex Hutchinson at the Globe and Mail, there’s not a whole lot of difference.

In terms of burning calories, the two are approximately equal  so long as you exert yourself equally.

An elliptical machine suffers in that it is impossible to precisely judge how many calories you are burning during a particular routine. For goal oriented number crunchers, that might be a deal breaker.

On the flip side, the elliptical machine produces less stress on the feet and joints, and results in fewer injuries. That said, there are some common-sense steps to reduce pain and injury associated with treadmill use.  Here are some as reported by TreadmillTips.com: 

Warm up and Cool Down – We know your time is valuable, but that is not excuse for failing to prepare your body for the task of exercise.

Ease Into a Routine – Sure, you’re excited to get your fitness regimen started with a bang, but overexerting yourself will only lead to frustration or worse, injury.

Get good Running Shoes – If you’re going to run, you need the right pair of running shoes. Find a store that has running experts available to consult with you regarding your workout regimen and needs.

Listen to Your Body – Its exercise, not seppuku. You should feel invigorated, not dead. If you are experiencing dizziness or major pains, stop what you are doing, and scale back your routine.

Whichever route you choose, there are numerous benefits to having a workout machine in home. You can workout at your leisure, don’t have to worry about impressing anyone at the gym, and you don’t have to pay a membership fee.

What We Can Learn From the Bowflex Recall

The Nautilus Company recently recalled 78,000 Bowflex home gym systems because of safety concerns.

Being able to quickly identify whether a machine has been recalled is much less likely if you buy used from an individual. Rarely is there original documentation with purchases from individuals. Buying from bona fide retailers with manufacturer’s documents is extremely useful if your machine should be recalled. Buying used machines without a paper trail can prevent you from knowing all the facts. It also may make you ineligible for parts, replacements, or other remedies provided by the manufacturer.

This brings us to the importance of registering your fitness equipment, and keeping all of the required paperwork. Think of it as an investment, like an automobile. Not only will you be up to date on product recalls, but you’ll be covered in case of theft or fire (insurance companies will ask you to verify the value of your equipment). You’ll also improve the resale value of your machine, should you downsize or move on to a different model.

If you happen to own a Bowflex device that has not been repaired, stop using it and contact Nautilus for a free repair kit at 800-259-9019, or visit www.bowflex.com. For more tips on choosing a home gym, you can visit Consumer Reports.

Hot Feet or Blazing Speed – Which Set the Treadmill on Fire?

This just in from the department of irony. In Lansing, MI an apartment blaze was caused by faulty exercise equipment. If you are on the treadmill, and it catches fire, are you terrified at the fire or impressed that you conquered the machine? Nobody was injured in the blaze, though they could certainly “feel the burn”.

This isn’t the only recent malady involving exercise equipment. Apparently, firefighters in Berwyn, IL have been filing workers compensation claims for injuries sustained while using firehouse exercise equipment.

Yikes. Good thing these chance events didn’t happen in the same town.

The truth is, people often are using their equipment incorrectly or, worse, using out-of-date equipment. In reality, exercising is far more likely to help you than harm you, so long as you exercise (pun intended) good habits and use proper equipment.

ABC News reported the most common fitness faux pas, including:

Misusing equipment – which can cause serious injury

Spotting incorrectly – Having a spotter is a must. But make sure he or she is up to the task.

Inappropriate clothing – If you’re going to the gym, wear sneakers. (Seriously, some people don’t)

Ignoring warning signs – “Feel the burn” is a popular adage, but can have disastrous results when taken literally.

Can’t Win a Contest? Improve on your Own.

People take their kitchens personally. A search for ugliest kitchen on YouTube yields hundreds of results, many of which are entries for this or that “ugliest kitchens” contest.

You know the kind. Some poor lady makes self-deprecating comments about her olive green stove, or lack of storage, and asks Oprah, TLC or HGTV to help them. Let’s face it, watching shows about ugly kitchens makes us feel better about our own not-necessarily-ugly-but-nothing-I’d-show-off-to-guests kitchens.

So I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is Oprah is not coming to save you. The good news is she probably isn’t going to need to. Replacing an ugly set of cupboards with a dishwasher, for example, can instantly improve your kitchen’s form and function.

Still waiting to win a contest? Go for it, but be warned… The competition is stiff…

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Good luck. You’ll need it.

Stimulate Your Home With Energy Efficient Appliances

Congress giveth and Congress can taketh away. So you better taketh while Congress is givingeth. The new economic stimulus package includes a provision to increase the tax credit on the purchase of an energy efficient appliance from 10% of the purchase price to 30%.  This is no reason to leave the refrigerator open, but it makes a good case for upgrading your old kilowatt chugging appliances.

Energy efficient appliances are a smart purchase for a variety of reasons. They save on your energy bills, are long lasting, and improve the resale value of your home.

If you’re looking to get started on your energy efficient appliance search, Energy Star has sections devoted to each individual appliance.

Buy Low, Live Large

You’ve heard the expression “buy low, sell high.” At least half of that adage applies to furniture as well. If you’ve had your eye on a high-end dining room table, a new bed or mattress, or a new couch, now is a great time to take advantage of competitive furniture sales. Whether it’s home or office furniture, there is upside in a down economy. Before you buy it is a good practice to check online to get the best values.

Of course, you can’t expect to sell used furniture (not antiques) at a profit, but an investment in long-lasting, timeless pieces at an affordable price will save you money down the road. If you are in the mood for something a bit more edgy, but are worried that your fashion-forward tastes might be considered backward in a few years, it’s worth noting that a down economy can put the breaks on whirlwind trends. If you want to impress your friends with the latest in wood design, you’ll still be contemporary as long as the furniture stays dry.

By thinking like a stock broker, you can buy low, and live large.