8 tips to get the best deal on party rental equipment:

1. Do your research: Call at least 3 rental facilities to compare prices. Visit each facility to inspect their equipment in person. Ask about delivery, pick-up times, and deposits. Check to see whether their employees will set up and take down your equipment, and what the cost will be. Are there repair fees if you return an item that’s damaged?
2. Know your audience: Tables and chairs are easy decisions. For other party rentals, make sure they fit your audience. A bounce house may be too much for very young children and boring for those approaching their teenage years. A karaoke set-up may be great for all ages.
3. The early bird throws the best party: The sooner you place your rental equipment, the better. Even if you do not know the exact guest count, it’s best to place your order and make adjustments as needed.
4. Elbow room: If you want to rent a bounce house AND have an outdoor party, be sure you have enough room for the house and room for your guests to mingle, eat and do other fun activities.
   
5. Stay in the loop: As with any vendor, confirm your reservations several times throughout your planning process. Notify them immediately of any changes.
6. Fair weather or foul: If you’re having an outdoor event, consider renting a tent to cover you in case of unexpected rain. If its heat you’re escaping, be sure to position the tent to provide shade where needed. Consider renting side panels (these may cost extra) to block the sun, rain or wind.
7. Obstacle course: If the rental equipment company will be setting up the items for your party, clear the area and all driveways and walkways so installation is easy.

Money-saving tip: Since most items rent for the weekend, coordinate your rental with neighbors or friends. For example, you could use the rentals on Saturday and your neighbor on Sunday. It’s easy to share tents, tables and chairs.

Save money by avoiding costly repairs down the road and spring clean the inside and outside of your home now. If you'd rather relax and enjoy the warmer temperatures, use Angie's List consumer reviews to find a contractor that will take care of these items for you, but hurry. Busy season is here, and their schedules will be filling up!

1. Check the exterior of your home for snow, ice or wind damage. Finding damage early will increase your chances of getting an early repair, as many home improvement companies begin their busy seasons this time of year.
2. Have your crawl space Inspected for water accumulation or excessive moisture. Check for water damage on the sub-floor and joists beneath the kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas.
3. Check out your roof. Depending on the style and pitch of your roof, you may want to use a ladder and a pair of binoculars to look for missing or broken shingles and other damage. If you don’t feel comfortable on a ladder, call a roofer before the busy season begins.
4. Check weather stripping around doors and windows.
5. Remove storm windows and replace with screens.
6. Get in the garage and take a close look at your garden equipment and tools. If your lawnmower needs serviced, it’s a good idea to call now. Garden service companies will get busy in the next couple of weeks. Don’t forget to clean and sharpen other garden tools as well.
7. Check the valve where water enters your house, outdoor faucets and valves to toilets, bathroom and kitchen sinks. Turn each valve off and on several times to identify any leaks.
8. Get your carpets cleaned. Experts recommend a professional carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months, but this can vary depending on how many people live in your home and if you have children or pets. Dirty carpet contains soil and other debris that will wear your carpet’s fibers. Schedule an appointment with carpet cleaners now to cut down on your wait time.
9. Get your gutters cleaned. Professionals recommend gutter cleaning in the spring and the fall. Clogged gutters can lead to water damage in your home.
10. Remove wet leaves and debris from your deck, front porch and around your house. Use a garden hose on your siding and deck to remove the film left by dirty snow and rain. Attach a soft-bristled, long-handled car brush to the hose for some extra help. Use a mild cleanser to get those tough-to-clean spots. Allowing the debris to accumulate can trap water, lead to staining or mold build-up and create an ideal environment for termites.

Spring Break is right around the corner, but the economy has many folks staying home – and that could mean last minute deals for those who want to get away.

The Angie’s List Spring Break planning tips:

• Think about what you really want from a trip. Is it to relax or to explore your horizons? Do you need meals and drinks included up front or do you like to find your own restaurants?
• Be flexible and shift travel dates. Airfares can vary several hundred dollars by days of the week or weekends within a month. Depart on days when demand is low such as a Tuesday or Wednesday. Flexibility is the biggest key to savings.
• Consider alternative airports and connecting flights: For example, if you plan to visit San Francisco, you might save by flying into San Jose or Oakland. Although non-stop is less stressful, it can cost hundreds more than taking a one-stop flight.
• It pays to compare: Go online to compare fares from various airlines, hotels and booking agencies.
• Hire a travel agent, who might be able to find special deals to which you otherwise wouldn’t have access. The general rule is that the more complicated or expensive the itinerary, the better it is to book through an agent
• Packing lighter and smarter for a flight will help minimize luggage fees. Take your own snacks.
• All travel deals have terms and conditions. Before you pay for any trip, always read the fine print for information regarding fees, blackout dates and unexpected charges.
• Travel insurance: Coverage costs 4 to 8 percent of the cost of your trip but always read the fine print. Some policies now even include job loss protection, while other policies will reimburse you if your airline goes out of business, but check the coverage carefully – financially stressed airlines are often excluded. You can’t get insurance for tickets on an airline that is already in bankruptcy.
• Think about packaging your airline tickets with reservations for a hotel and a rental car. It pays to ask – many hotels are struggling right now. Consumers may have more luck this year negotiating better rates and extras.

More Spring Break planning advice.

Allergy season is upon us and millions of Americans will battle the triggers that cause itchy eyes, runny noses and asthma attacks. While people may think their homes offer a respite from allergy triggers like dust mites and mold – their home may be harboring more harm than they know.

Angie’s List Spring Cleaning Tips for Allergy Sufferers:

• Wash your bedding weekly: Toss your sheets in water that’s at least 130 degrees and place dust-mite covers on mattresses and pillows.
• Choose a solid surface: Replace carpet with a solid surface such as hardwood – this can eliminate 90 percent of dust mites. If you must have carpet, get low pile – not shag.
• Clean up the mold: Mold is caused by moisture and can hide out in your bathroom, kitchen and basement. To avoid mold buildup, keep things dry as possible and fix leaky plumbing. Consider paint or tile instead of wallpaper. If you have excessive mold, hire a professional for mold removal.
• Ventilate your bathroom: It’s a good idea to keep the humidity in your home below 50 percent. Too much moisture can lead to mold, mildew and dust mites. Run the bathroom fan to pull moisture from the air or open a window to help the air circulate.
• Avoid upholstered furniture: Upholstered furniture traps allergens and is difficult to clean thoroughly. Instead, opt for leather, vinyl, wood or furniture with removable slipcovers that can be laundered.
• Control animal dander: Keep pets out of the bedroom and bathe them on a weekly basis.
• Eliminate cockroaches: Cockroaches can trigger asthma symptoms. It’s best to hire a professional exterminator to get rid of the pesky pests. In the meantime, caulk all areas where the roaches can enter.
• De-clutter: Get rid of excess knickknacks. The clutter just collects dust.
• Check filters: Every month, check the filters on your air conditioner, furnace, and dehumidifiers. If they are dirty, replace them.