How to Avoid Blocking

To avoid aggravation that blocking can cause, follow these tips:

•When you check into a hotel or rent a car - or if a restaurant or other business asks for your card in advance of service - ask if company is "blocking," how much will be blocked, how amount is determined, and how long block remains in place.

•Consider paying hotel, motel, rental car, or other "blocked" bills with same credit or debit card you used at beginning of transaction. Ask clerk when prior block will be removed.

•If you pay with a different card, by cash, or by cheque, remind clerk you're using a different form of payment and ask them to remove prior block promptly.

•Ask your current debit card issuer if they permit blocks, for how long, and from what types of merchants. If they do, you may want to consider getting an overdraft line of credit from your bank. Ask about a plan that always automatically covers overdraft and does not involve a separate bank decision on whether or not to pay it each time. Although you might incur some interest on this plan if you don't pay off amount fairly quickly, you would not have an overdraft that is not paid. Ask your bank if they offer an overdraft line of credit, how it would work, and how much it costs.

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Collecting fabrics for future use is also another great idea. Even unwanted clothing can be used to create small window dressings, pillow covers, and accessories. Many people give away scraps of fabrics or sell them at yard sales. Be sure to check clearance and end piece items at sewing and fabric shops. It's really so simple to make a curtain or a pillow. Usually only requires sewing simple seams.

For more complicated tasks, if you can't figure it out for yourself, you're sure to find a how to book at any library or search on-line for free information.

I've found some excellent ideas for decorating on a budget, do-it-yourself projects, and some great decorating theme ideas from HGTV (Home and Garden Television). Even if you don't get this wonderful T.V. channel in your home, you can go on-line at HGTV.com to benefit from some wonderful ideas and projects by professionals. There's a lot for do-it-yourselfers here! You can get some great ideas for areas of your home where you just don't know what to do with it.

Before you make your plans, check out several books at library on home decorating. You will find no shortage of books on this subject. Glance through them and grab ideas to incorporate into your own decorating task. If you have a specific challenge to overcome, likelihood is someone else has already encountered it, conquered it, and written a book or web page about it. Use their knowledge! It will save you time and frustration of figuring it out.

My last words, of course, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Know your options. Remember……..Informed Consumer=More Savings.