Oprah's Going Green Show

I like to tivo a lot of shows during the day to see if there are any good topics worth watching. Yesterday was Earth Day and Oprah did her show on going green. It was very insightful and I wanted to share some of the information about making your home a "Green House." You may also read the full article by clicking here.
1. Use LED or compact flouresent light bulbs
2. Use a programmable thermostat
3. Weather strip your windows and doors
4. Use drapes to heat and cool your home
5. Switch to an LCD TV - the smaller the better
6. Use a smart power strip
7. Put a water Aerator on your faucet
8. Use an at home water filtration system instead of buying water bottles
9. Use Energy Star appliances
10. Use reusable cloth dishtowels instead of paper towels
11. Make your own cleaning supplies
12. Insulate your water heater

Going Green Resources

Use these websites, organizations and books to start making a difference in our environment.

Money-Saving Offers

Get coupons for Whole Foods, MySigg.com and To-GoWare.com

Saving Our Oceans
FabienCousteau.org
Ocean Conservancy
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Algalita Marine Research Foundation
A Pocket Guide to Sustainable Seafood

Green Cleaning Recipes
Window cleaner
All-purpose spray
Veggie cleaner spray

Federal Tax Credits

Learn more at EnergyStar.gov

Eco-Friendly Products
Snack Taxi
Built
Sigg
To-Go Ware
BioBag
Terracycle

Books
In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
The Omnivore's Dilemma by Michael Pollan

More from the Show
Recycle for cash at RecycleBank.com
Simran Sethi's website is SimranSethi.com
Where you can recycle your old items

A Plan to Get Things Moving!

It is with great joy that we inform you that last night, the Senate Ways and Means Committee unanimously adopted our amendment to the state budget authorizing the State Treasurer to invest $25 million in a short-term loan program in order to provide an advance payment of the federal first-time home buyers' tax credit, allowing potential home buyers to utilize the tax credit as down payment when closing the sale of their first home.

The 2009 Economic Recovery and Revitalization Act included a "refundable" tax credit worth up to 10% of the home purchase price with a maximum of $8,000 for taxpayers who purchase a home between January 1 and November 30, 2009. There is a demand from first-time home buyers - responsible people with jobs, good credit, and the ability to make the monthly mortgage payment. However, many of these potential home buyers still need down payment assistance and they can't get the $8,000 until after the sale is closed. Lack of down payment is the only barrier to home ownership for up to 50 percent of qualified first time home buyers. The Washington State Treasurer's Office, Housing Finance Commission and Washington REALTORS® are proposing a Tax Credit Advance Loan program that would advance the $8,000 tax credit at closing of a home sale and be repaid when the credit is received by the IRS. Now more than ever, housing choices are critical not only to our families and children but also to reviving the economy. Washington's economic health depends on a healthy, vibrant housing market, which accounts for 24% of the state's employment and a significant portion of state tax revenues in sales, property, business and occupation and real estate excise taxes. This effort to amend the state budget to include the budget proviso was made possible through no small amount of effort with plenty of credit to go around. Certainly, the leadership of State Treasurer Jim McIntire and Sen. Steve Hobbs played a key role as champions in the Senate to adopt the amendment. And the solid efforts of our coalition partners, expert lobbying team and key individuals made the difference. To be clear, while this is a critical victory, it is only one important step in the process of adopting the state budget. The budget, with this proviso authorizing the advance loan program, must be adopted by the full Senate and House, and signed by the Governor before it becomes effective. We will keep you posted as further activity on the budget occurs. Following, please find a link to a editorial from the Everett Herald urging the Legislature to adopt this common-sense approach to reviving the housing market. A plan to get things moving: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 15, 2009

9:06 pm http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090415/OPINION01/704159932#

Special Tax Break Available for New Car Purchases This Year

The IRS has released IR 2009-30 to remind taxpayers of a temporary tax incentive that will be available to them for the purchase of a new car, light truck, motor home or motorcycle during 2009. The deduction is available for the cost of all state and local sales and excise taxes paid on up to $49,500 of the purchase price. The amount of the deduction is phased out for taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income is between $125,000 and $135,000 for individual filers and between $250,000 and $260,000 for joint filers. The vehicle must be purchased after Feb. 16, 2009, and before Jan. 1, 2010, to qualify for the deduction. The special deduction is available regardless of whether a taxpayer itemizes deductions on their return. The IRS reminded taxpayers the deduction may not be taken on 2008 tax returns.

Bizpack

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