More than half of our members who recently purchased playground equipment reported that they put it together themselves. About one-quarter of them admit that it was a bad idea; the project was too complicated; and they wouldn’t recommend that other parents try to do it.

There’s no shame in needing help to install this equipment. It’s complicated, and you’ll put your child in danger if it’s not installed correctly. Also, be sure the equipment is free of poisons like lead paint or arsenic.

Angie’s List checklist for a safe backyard playground:
• Size up your yard: Your yard will determine the type of playground equipment you choose. Avoid sloping areas to help prevent equipment from tipping over. Select an area that is away from trees, wires, etc. Position the equipment away from direct sunlight.
• Test the equipment: Check the stability of the equipment by shaking it once it’s installed. Inspect the structure for sharp edges and rough wood and be sure all “S”-hooks” are closed. To prevent strangulation, do not attach a rope to the set. Choose equipment that meets the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission guidelines.
• Install a soft cushion: Reduce injuries from falls by placing wood chips, mulch or shredded rubber underneath the equipment. You’ll need a lot – 9 to 11-inches deep is the recommended amount. You’ll need to monitor the depth throughout the summer and perhaps add more.
• Check open spaces that could trap children: Openings in guardrails or between ladder rungs should measure less than 3.5 inches or more than 9 inches.
• Consider the materials: Metal sets should be galvanized, painted using lead-free paint, or treated to prevent rusting. Wood sets should be arsenic free and treated to resist rotting and insects – choose redwood and cedar – they are also good at repelling insects and are less likely to splinter.
• Playground checkup: Over time, weather can affect the condition of the set. Check regularly for signs of wear and tear and broken or missing components.
• Always have adult supervision: Age appropriate equipment won’t be enough to prevent all injuries. An adult should be on-hand to watch children while at play.
• Be in the know: Check regularly for recalls involving playground products. A good resource: the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov).

The ever-shrinking value of the dollar has led many Americans to find creative ways to get the most bang for their buck.

One alternative to purchasing expensive items is to instead rent, lease or time-share. These days, consumers are renting everything from college textbooks, to kids’ toys, to wedding cakes. And, there’s more “green” benefit beyond saving cash.

Not only is renting cost-effective, it’s becoming increasingly popular as an environmentally-friendly alternative to purchasing an item. When consumers share products, they’re reducing their carbon footprint by reducing the amount of resources used and waste produced.

A prime example of an eco-friendly rental concept is the growing trend of car-sharing services. In a recent nationwide survey, 28 percent of Angie’s List members who had rented an item over the past year, utilized such a service.

In theory, a car-sharing program could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by taking more cars off the road and reducing traffic congestion. Also, many of those companies offer newer cars that are hybrids or have more stringent pollution and emission control.

Renting or leasing equipment also does not require a sizeable initial investment, compared to purchasing. Instead, the cost of using the item often depends on how long or how much it is used.

You probably wouldn’t buy a car if you were planning to drive only once a year. Consumers are learning that there are a variety of rental options that can meet their short-term needs.”

Nearly 30 percent of Angie’s List members leased or rented an item within the past year instead of purchasing it outright, and 90 percent of those respondents consider the short-term transaction a better value than buying.

The effect of the country’s economic downturn appears to be reflected in the rental niche. One in 10 respondents said they would have purchased the item in need outright last year, but rented or leased it this year instead to save money.

The most-rented category in the poll was power tools, with more than one-third of all respondents recently renting an item in that group. Renting home-improvement and gardening equipment is a great idea for do-it-yourselfers. Many rental stores will also offer advice on how to use the item properly, plus someone else takes on the burden of maintenance and ownership costs.

Here is a breakdown of the results:
Percentage of Angie’s List members who rented items in specific categories last year:
• Power Tools 34 percent
• Car sharing 28 percent
• Carpet cleaner 17 percent
• Gardening tools 15 percent
• Heavy equipment 11 percent
• Party equipment 10 percent
• Wedding gown/tux 6 percent
• Furniture 3 percent
• Other 17 percent

If you can’t afford to replace your car but still want to save money, basic maintenance is your best bet. The poll found nearly half of Angie’s List members are taking better care of their vehicles these days – checking tire pressure, fluid levels and filters and things like that. It makes a difference in the mileage you get, but it also boosts your vehicle’s reliability and resale value.

Angie’s List consulted with the professionals for some simple secrets on improving gas mileage and keeping your car in good shape.
• Regular engine tune-ups: Have your mechanic do regular checks to avoid fuel economy problems. Follow your car manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Annual, biannual and mileage-based preventative maintenance is intended to give technicians the chance to uncover any problems in the early stages.
• Monitor tire inflation and mileage: Keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned can increase fuel consumption up to 3 percent. In addition, fuel efficiency is often the first warning sign of a problem. Monitoring your mileage can catch a problem before it gets too big (and expensive).
• Replace air filters: Air filters protect your engine and can improve gas mileage up to 10 percent.
• Know your oil: Check your owner’s manual to see if your car has a specific oil type and make sure your mechanic uses that type. Using different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1 to 2 percent.
• Combine errands into one trip: Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.
• Drive smoothly: Cars that are driven gently last longer and experience fewer problems. Don’t race from red light to red light. Avoid sharp turns, slamming on the brakes and other habits that put stress on your car.

In today’s economy, nearly everyone is looking for a way to cut costs and home maintenance is often among those things sacrificed first. But homeowners who ditch preventative maintenance often end up shelling out big bucks for extensive replacement or repair that could have been avoided.

Without regular maintenance, most major appliances (air conditioners, refrigerators, water heaters) lose about five percent of their original efficiency for each year of operation. Yet in a nationwide Angie’s List poll, nearly half of the members admitted that they don’t have their air conditioner serviced as often as they should and 20 percent don’t replace their filters on time.

That’s cash right out the door. Angie's List conducted the same poll last year and were dismayed to see the number of members who don’t regularly service their air conditioner actually grew by nearly 5 percent.

The biggest energy hogs in your house are air conditioners, refrigerators and water heaters. Run those devices at top efficiency and you’ll save money without breaking a sweat, Hicks said.

Air conditioner
• Dialing for dollars: Each degree you go below 78 degrees increases your energy consumption by about 8 percent. If your monthly electric bill is about $100, you’ll save $8 a month with EACH degree you can stand above 78.
• Programmable thermostats cost between $100 and $150, but they’ll help you more easily adjust your room temperature to be higher when you’re asleep or not home and lower when you need it.
• Inspect your filters every other month: Replace your dirty air filters to save even more by keeping your a/c running at top efficiency.
• Made in the shade: Air conditioners with proper shading can be more efficient. Air in a shaded space is cooler than the surrounding air meaning the AC will have an easier time cooling the air before pumping it into the home.

Refrigerators
• Clean the condenser coils at least annually.
• Regularly defrost manual-defrost refrigerators and freezers.
• Check door seals to ensure they’re airtight.
• Check the temperature. Recommended settings are 37° to 40°F for fresh food and 5°F for the freezer. Stand-alone freezers should be kept at 0°F.
• Refrigerators should last about 15 years. If yours is more than six-years-old and repair will cost more than half its original cost, get a newer, more energy efficient model.

Water heater
• Lower your water heater base temperature to 120 degrees: You won’t notice the temperature drop, but you’ll notice the savings.
• Drain a quart of water from your water heater tank every 3 months to remove sediment that slows down heat transfer and lowers the efficiency of your heater. Your owner’s manual should offer instruction.
• Properly insulate your water heater tank and pipes to increase efficiency. Don’t cover the tank thermostat.
• Use low-flow faucets and shower heads throughout your home to decrease the amount of water, and energy, used.

Other large appliances:
• Turn off electronics when they are not in use.
• Run dishwashers and washing machines only when you have a full load, but don’t overload them.
• Replace washer fill hoses every five years.
• Wash clothes with warm or cold water to save on heating costs. Dialing down from hot can cut your washer’s energy load by more than 50 percent.
• Inspect and clean the exhaust duct on the clothes dryer at least once a year.
• Clean the lint filter before each use.
• Skip the drying cycle on your dishwasher.

Lighting:
Artificial lighting consumes almost 15 percent of an average home’s electricity use.
• Turn off the lights in any room you’re not suing.
• Install timers to reduce the amount of time your lights are on.
• Consider high-efficiency bulbs but pay attention to proper disposal of those that contain mercury.

Other simple ways to save money this summer include:
• Move during the week: Summer is peak season for movers. Schedule your move for mid-week instead of the weekend.
• Check your home and garage for any signs of insect damage: July is the height of insect season and a good time to look for signs of termites or other pests that could harm your home. Getting rid of them when they first light can save you big bucks down the road, and summer is the best time to schedule a professional exterminator.
• Landscaping can reduce cooling costs: Plant trees and shrubs on the east and west sides of the house to shield the rays of the sun. Trees alone can add 3 to 7 percent to the value of your home.
• Be flexible and willing to coordinate. If your service company has more than one customer in your neighborhood, see if you can coordinate with those other customers. This can cut down on your contractor’s fuel costs, and keep him/her from passing them on to you.

Driving:
• Regular engine tune-ups: Have your mechanic do regular checks to avoid fuel economy problems. Follow your car manufacturer’s maintenance schedule. Annual, biannual and mileage-based preventative maintenance is intended to give technicians the chance to uncover any problems in the early stages.
• Monitor tire inflation and mileage: Keeping your tires properly inflated and aligned can increase fuel consumption up to 3 percent. In addition, fuel efficiency is often the first warning sign of a problem. Monitoring your mileage can catch a problem before it gets too big (and expensive).
• Replace air filters: Air filters protect your engine and can improve gas mileage up to 10 percent.
• Know your oil: Check your owner’s manual to see if your car has a specific oil type and make sure your mechanic uses that type. Using different motor oil can lower your gasoline mileage by 1 to 2 percent.
• Combine errands into one trip: Several short trips, each one taken from a cold start, can use twice as much fuel as one trip covering the same distance when the engine is warm.