Mary Sitton Hendersonville, NC and WNC Area

I am delighted to share with you one of my favorite affordable indoor places that I like to take my daughter Isobella to play. Bounceville USA, located at 614 Market Street, is an indoor bounce house featuring three bounce houses, a birthday party room and a ton of fun. The staff is friendly and obsessive about cleanliness. For rates and hours of operation please visit their website at: http://www.bouncevilleusa.com

Celebrate Christmas at the Sandburg's home December 13^th 2008 from 10AM to 3PM. Traditional decorations and holiday music set the back drop to this beautiful estate located in Flat Rock North Carolina. In addition to the 10,000 books, notes, papers you'll discover five acres of walking trails, a working dairy goat farm and more. The best part it's FREE! ½ hour guided house tours are available for $5.00 per person.

Carl Sandburg is a two time Pulitzer Prize winner. To discover more about Carl Sandburg please visit http://www.nps.gov/carl.

Sunday December 14^Thfrom 1-5pm. Seven Historic Hendersonville Inns will showcase their homes for the 2008 Holiday Tour of Historic Inns and Cookie Caper.

Sponsored by Hendersonville's Historic Preservation Commission, the self-drive tour allows ticket holders an opportunity to view inns all of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. Each inn offers a unique and magical opportunity to view holiday decorations and fresh baked cookies.

Money raised through the tour will support the historic commission's efforts to place plaques on some Main Street buildings and to place markers in historic neighborhoods.

I have personally enjoyed the holiday tour and would suggest this as a "must do" if you love history and architecture. This year's tour features the Claddagh Inn, Inn on Church St., Melange Inn, Elizabeth Inn, Aunt Adeline's, Angelique Inn and the Waverly Inn.

So call your friends and mark your calendar to support this fantastic event. Tickets are $20.00 per person and are available by calling 828-697-3088.

It's on every-ones mind these days... who do I make my money last longer? I for one have tightened my spending belt and I thought I would share with you what I am doing and if you have a great tip, share it.

In no particular order:

Discount stores. I save $0.25 per item on 2 letter Coke products and snacks by buying them at "Dollar" stores instead of "mart" stores.

Cut cable expenses. I have a premium package with my Direct company and just eliminating HD movie channels saves me almost $40.00 per month. I can always upgrade when I have the extra cash.

Matinée anyone? When I REALLY need my movie fix we choose matinée over evening show times. It can save up to $7.00 per ticket. Check your area for dollar show times if offered.

If possible, cut the cord. The phone cord that is. If it makes scene for your family. I have not had a land line since 2001. We are always on the go so switching to my mobile carrier was a savings of $30.00 per month.

Combine phone, cable and Internet for savings.

Combine auto and home insurance policies for a discount.

Set it and forget it. The thermostat that is.

Car Pool or slow down to conserve your gas. Also regular maintenance helps the overall performance of your automobile. Remember maintenance pays, repairs costs.

Shop Consignment. Need a new to you pair of jeans? You'll find it for a fraction of the cost.

Bring your lunch. I was spending up to $10.00 per day on eating out. (What was I thinking!) Now I bring my lunch or go home to eat.

Dust off the board games and playing cards for low cost family entertainment. Better yet, take a walk as a family or picnic lunch at a local park/playground.

Make your own pizzas. While I love a certain "papa" I love saving money more. I buy pizza crust, cheese, sauce and have money left over for desert.

Make it now, freeze it for later. I make large portions of spaghetti, chili, and beef stew and freeze half of it as I get tired of left overs night after night.

If possible, buy and store regularly used items. It will save on gas and time.

Buy generic when it makes since.

Wanna trade? Yes trading is still alive and well. It's up to you what and how much you trade and you'll be surprised that million dollar companies trade to cut operating expenses.

Install a low flow shower head.

Install rain catchers to downspouts to water plants.

Collect aluminum cans for cash. It works.

Clip coupons. Did you know some stores will price match. Just bring in your sales paper and save.

Do you have AAA? You can save on car rentals, park tickets and more.

What is your money saving advise?

Fall is in the air here in Hendersonville North Carolina and the surrounding areas. Housing prices are falling for those who really wish to sell in this buyers market. To date we have an 18 month housing inventory supply. Buyer's... now is the time to buy!! For the past 5 years seller's have enjoyed an average 96% list to sale price. Today seller's are averaging 93% of a realistic asking price.

I would love the opportunity to help you with your real estate needs. May I have the privilege of working for you?

Sincerely,
Mary Gann Sitton
Broker/REALTOR
Gann Realty
Mary@GannRealty.com
828-489-9354 Direct