November 30th, 2011
Annual Zwilling J.A. Henckels Warehouse Sale 12/2-12/4 In Hawthorne
Got any serious chefs on your shopping list? Then don’t miss the Zwilling J.A. Henckels Anual Warehouse Sale this coming weekend December 2nd-4th, at the Hawthorne location on Saw Mill River Road.
Since 1731 the German-based firm has been committed to the highest standards in quality, precision implements. shoppers can expect to find great deals on quality in the form of Henckel knives of every possible size and use-including those specifically for sushi!- along with blocks and cutting boards; stainless AND cast iron cookware, flatware, kitchen gadgets, personal grooming gadgets, and scissors(regular, kitchen, flower!), as well as all sorts of boxed gift sets.
Even if you’re not quite ready for your own cable cooking show, a good knife makes everything easier. We got several the weekend 
before-one a serrated-carving type thing that let me cut the leftover turkey carcass into managable sizes for soup, and a pair of great paring knives, each less than $5.00, I believe. There were also melon-ballers, and grapefruit knives-great stocking stuffers!-for I think $7.50
Click above link for directions and hours, and Happy Shopping!
HINT: you probably know exactly where it is, one building north of the Multi-Plex in Hawthorne on Route 9A. They have people to direct traffic, but best to approach from the north so you can slide right in, and not interfere with theater or sale traffic.
Also it’s a crowded space-both with merchandise and shoppers. Keep the big bag and puffy coat in the car, and although there are a few picnic tables outside, probably best not to bring the kids.
Tags: local events, Marie Graham Westchester County Decorator, saving money, Zwilling J.A. Henckels Warehouse Sale
Posted in Appearances and Events, Dollars and Sense, Giving the Gift | No Comments »
May 6th, 2011
SAGE CLEANERS, White Plains NY
It’s an accepted moire that even under reasonable conditions, many small businesses do not make it.
The reasons, even the statistics themselves can vary, but the last few years have presented even greater challenges to the small business owner.
Local small businesses give our local economies a pulse, reason alone to support them.
When they persevere, and become part of the community they add heart.
When they perform a quality service, offer real value and are nice people to boot, well, you tell your friends.
Let me introduce Albina and Sungil Kim, owners of Sage Cleaners in White Plains. Their address is One Hall Place, and even if you lived nearby, you probably won’t recognize that street name.
A few years back, a legnthy construction project started to widen and strengthen the 287 overpass on Lake Street, and created this nub of a road,off Lake Street, just east of the Kensico Avenue intersection.
They are the only building on this street, between the Getty Station, and I-287.
It was during the latter stage of this project that Albina and Sungil first opened their doors, just about a year ago.
They had closed the first family-owned dry cleaning business they started in Boston 15 years ago, and moved back to NY to be closer to family. The name, “Sage” came from an honors program that their son Noel was in.
We were just looking for a convienently located place that had reasonable prices for Doug’s dress shirts, that didn’t need $___ of additional cleaning.
Albina knew my name the third time I was there, which I found to be very impressive.
Since then, they have rescued a forgotten credit card from an inside pocket in Doug’s blazer, returned a shirt, not cleaned, when they knew there was no hope for it, and most notably-Albina protects her clients from the parking enforcement nazi who lurks nearby.
Sage Cleaners is a full-service company, they do tailoring (hems/etc) and alterations; clean leather and suade, as well as drapes and bedspreads; and offer box storage.
Please stop by and check them out, you won’t be disappointed. Just watch out for the parking nazi!
Tags: saving money, supporting local business, White Plains NY
Posted in A Day In The Life, Community/Greater Good, Home and Professional Services, Small Business Spotlight | 4 Comments »
February 13th, 2011
Grab your calendars, and your address book: your best justification for catching up with friends, having a new dining experience, while pumping up the local economy is coming!
The 5th Annual Hudson Valley Restaurant Week is returning, running March 14th thru the 27th…
OK, I know< technically, that’s 2 weeks, but all the more opportunities for yum-a-licious adventures, at great savings.
Simply, participating restaurants offer complete lunches for $20.00, dinners for $28.00. REALLY.
Many offer prix fix menus, along with the regular fare, and some may exclude certain days… to have your choice of destinations, go to the site now for listing of restaurants. Listed by county, in alphabetical order, so scroll all the way down for Westchester-easy to see menus, hours, locations, etc. Check it out, and make your reservations today!
Tags: cheap fun, Hudson Valley good life, local events, saving money, supporting local business
Posted in Appearances and Events, Community/Greater Good, Dollars and Sense | No Comments »
December 6th, 2010
The words ‘Bush Tax Cuts Extended’, are flooding the airwaves, but the details are still murky, and the debate continues-will it even pass the House? No one knows yet what will actually become law on January 1st, but is there anything a taxpayer can do besides wait?
“Yes” is the short answer, but don’t delay. Carmine Filippone is a CPA and a partner in Rudinger, Heller & Filippone LLP, located in White Plains. As a specialist in individual taxes and the tax needs of family run business’ he explains:
The Bush Tax cuts went into effect in 2001, and made significant changes in several areas of the US Tax Code, which affected the majority of the population.
For 2010, the Long Term Capitol Gain rate most people will pay is 15%, but if the extension is blocked, those rates could go up to 20%.
If you have stock or any other capital assets that have appreciated in value, it could be benefi
cial for you to sell it by the end of the year, to lock in that lower rate; but the time to start the conversationwith a tax professional about your individual circumstances is n-o-w.
Individuals might also want to consider pre-paying their state taxes. By paying your state income taxes before the end of the year, you would be eligible for a deduction in the current year. This is a tax-saving strategy that’s been around for a while, but it might not be for everyone, but it might be worth revisiting this with your tax-planning professional.
Some business owners, and those that are self-employed have some perks coming their way also.
Are you a b
usiness owner who made any improvements to your restaurant building, the interior of you retail store, or to your leased/non-residential building in 2010? Or are you planning any of these for 2011? OR perhaps you have one of these as a listing-a buyer could have a whole year to update his new property….
Welcome news, for the first time ever, up to $250K of qualified improvements to these types of buildings can now be immediately deducted (under Section 179) for 2010 and 2011. 
Carmine concludes: If you are self-employed, your health insurance premiums can be deducted as a business expense that reduces your self-employment tax liability. This change applies only to 2010 and was included as part of the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.
Tax laws change frequently and are complicated; tax planning strategies are going to be different for everyone. While you can still improve your circumstances for 2010, consulting a tax professional on a regular basis saves you time, money and stress-what a great way to start the New Year!!
Tags: saving money, tax benefits
Posted in Dollars and Sense, GTK, Home and Professional Services | No Comments »
November 10th, 2010
HEY-Pass it on! Hot Deal on Old Coolers…Con Edison Launches Refrigerator Recycling
Con Edison customers can cash in by recycling their old, energy-wasting “second” refrigerator, have it removed for free and get $30.
The new program is part of the company commitment to help customers save on their electric bills while helping the environment. Older refrigerators can cost twice as much to run as newer, more efficient models. “Old refrigerators account for nearly 20 percent of the energy used by the average New York household,” said Cristina Coltro, Manager for residential energy efficiency programs at Con Edison.
Con Edison residential electric customers in one-to-four family homes are eligible for the incentives. The company will remove regular-sized second, or extra, refrigerators, which are often kept in garages and basements, at no charge. Con Edison will arrange to safely dismantle and recycle the energy-guzzling appliance.
At the time of your refrigerator pick-up, the company will also collect and recycle old, inefficient window or wall air conditioners. Con Edison customers will receive $30 for second refrigerators, $35 for window air conditioners and $100 for wall A/C units.
The program covers the removal of up to two appliances per type per household. Appliances must be in working condition in order to be picked-up and recycled. To schedule a pick-up or inquire about eligibility, visit http://www.coned.com/energyefficiency/residential_bounty_program.asp or call1-800-430-9505.
Con Edison has an energy efficiency program available for almost everyone. For more information, visit www.conEd.com/energyefficiency or call Con Edison’s “Green Team” at 1-877-870-6118.
Tags: green home, home maintainence, saving money
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Enviorment, GTK | No Comments »
October 17th, 2010
Every 3,000 miles, and change the filter too-were the hard and fast rules my dad taught me; it might have been more often than recommended in the owners manuals, but in my family, we tended to keep cars for a l-o-n-g time, so it was sort of an insurance policy, proactive maintenance.
Consumers are now being asked to re-think this marker, and not in the way you might expect.
Advances in manufacturing and technology, and lifestyle changes point to longer time between changes; consumer advocates ask we take a look at our driving style/needs, and follow the guidelines of the owner’s manual to ascertain the optimum time for our cars.
Owner’s manual?! I have driven the same brand of car since 1981, and it’s gotten so I look in the owner’s manual only to find out how to re-set the clock when the time changes… but I took a look, and their recommendations are in the 4500-7500 mile range, depending on your driving style.
Overly-frequent oil changes not only wast money, getting rid of oil before it’s time is a hit to the environment, too-synthetic or natural oil, it still has to ‘go’ somewhere.
Jiffy Lube has started a program recommending people make their own decisions, and Edmunds.com is a site all car people know about. Scroll down to the bottom of the home page and there are a whole host of consumer resources, but for those of us not so inclined to peruse it just for yuks, http://www.edmunds.com/ownership/maintenance/articles/164686/article.html will tell you most anything else you want to know.
Tags: good idea, home maintainence, saving money
Posted in Dollars and Sense, Enviorment, GTK | No Comments »
August 1st, 2010
We’ve all got stuff we need to get rid of-old stuff, stuff that is broken or otherwise unserviceable, stuff we don’t want or need anymore. Growing up, this stuff just got put out at the curb and was whisked away-out of sight, out of mind.
Ahh, the bliss of childhood. Now as grownups we not only have to deal our over-abundance of stuff, but how to responsibly deal with it. Enter Junkluggers.
Chances are you’ve seen the bright lime green trucks, or maybe you’ve heard the catchy name. Yes, these guys come and take what you don’t want. But-channeling Paul Harvey now-here’s the rest of the story.
They have developed a network of local charitable organizations, and will sort thru your stuff, taking what is serviceable to the appropriate agency, on your behalf, and get you a receipt from these organizations for your taxes.
SO-you not only reclaim some real estate in your home, but anything usable goes to people who could use it, you get a tax-deduction, stuff stays out of landfills…and all you have to do is pick up the phone.
I first met Asher Fink almost 2 years ago, when he was visiting my BNI group. Regular readers know that after the refreshed home, Furniture Sharehouse, Westchester’s non-profit furniture bank- is my #2 passion.
Heard what he did and persuaded him to follow me to the warehouse right after the meeting, and they have since become one of our strongest community partners and most ardent supporters. Here’s a recent segment from CBS news where they so graciously shared the spotlight.
Tags: Furniture Sharehouse, giving back, green home, home maintainence, saving money
Posted in Community/Greater Good, Dollars and Sense, Enviorment, Home and Professional Services | No Comments »
