Many companies have a list of customers who’ve already arranged for snow removal ahead of time, so the contractor comes out as soon as the snow falls. Those customers will get their driveways cleared first as opposed to someone who calls at the last minute.

Angie's List, the nation's premiere provider of consumer reviews on local service companies, including snow removal, says even if you’re still snowed in, do yourself a favor and don’t rush to hire the first person you see with a plow attached to a truck. Hiring the wrong person could put you in an even worse situation.

Red flags:

•    Companies who offer steep discount or insist on cash payment. A credit card will protect you.
•    Blade? Yes. Insurance? No:  That Good Samaritan who plows your drive and disappears won’t bear the cost if he destroys your or your neighbor’s car or mailbox: you will.

Angie's List tips before you hire:

• Get an estimate: Have someone come out and take a look at your property.  Ask what is included: Only the driveway? What about walkways and sidewalks?  Get all details in a written estimate.
• Cost: Is it a flat rate, based on the depth of snow, or by trip? How much is an additional service such as shoveling?
• Coverage: Does the company have insurance against damage? Get a name and number to contact in case of damage.

If you want to dig out yourself, there are many types of equipment you can use. Popular ones include gas and electric snow blowers. Both differ in price and efficiency, so choose which one fits your needs best. And if you enjoy physical labor, there’s the good old fashioned snow shovel.

Still undecided about what option is best for you? Here are some snow removal alternatives to think about:

• Friendly neighbors: Share a snow blower with the folks on your street.
• Hire Help: Help a teenager on your block make a few extra bucks by hiring them to clear your paths.
• Do it yourself: If you own a truck, you could buy your own snow plow and attach it to your truck.

Keep these factors in mind as your prepare for the winter season:

• Frequency of snow: If you live in an area that sees a lot of snow you may want to hire a snow removal company or invest in a piece of equipment that will last through the years.
• Snow Density: Slushier snow is more difficult to remove and may pose problems to your snow blower.
• Your health: One of the most common injuries during the winter months is snow removal, so think safety first before grabbing that shovel!

Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies, collects reports on more than 80 classic car or custom car categories.

In a nationwide Angie's List poll, nearly one in eight members say they own a classic, custom or restored vehicle.

Before you dash out to purchase your childhood dream car or start customizing that hatchback in your driveway, consider these Angie’s List tips.

• Don’t trust the “for sale” photos you see online: An automobile might appear perfectly restored on the surface, but you never know what lies beneath. Have a restoration mechanic or vintage car expert inspect the car before you buy.
• Don’t buy a car that was recently restored: Buy one that was restored at least five years ago. You’ll be able to see how the car has held up and determine if any lingering damage or issues exist that can’t be hidden with a fresh coat of paint.
• When customizing, do your research: Be wary of rough estimates for parts or services. Don’t allow the shop to make a single change without a written order that includes the cost differential.
• Check with your insurance company to ensure proper coverage: The use of a specialty insurance company might be required to make certain your antique car is properly protected.

Got two for the game? Getting great seats can be a challenge.

If you’re looking for premium seats or waited until the last minute to buy tickets, a ticket broker can be a great resource. Their tickets are sold at above market value, so they will cost you more, but brokers tend to have premium seating that is always hard to find at the box office.

As with any industry, there are good and bad brokers. Buying from a reputable broker is the safest and most reliable way to get tickets if the box-office is sold out. Check Angie's List consumer reviews for top-rated ticket brokers in your area.

Angie’s List, with input from industry experts, has compiled 10 shortcuts to the best seat:

1. Know the law. Some states have laws that specifically forbid a ticket broker to do business. Check with your state laws before you begin.
2. Check the National Association of Ticket Brokers’ website to make sure your broker is a member.
3. Deal only with brokers who have an office with an 800 number and where real people can be reached.
4. Find out how many tickets the broker has on hand for the event to decide if it’s worth the risk to wait a few days for the price to go down.
5. Develop a relationship with your broker and sign up for e-news alerts for your favorite performers/teams. Local brokers can also help secure tickets for out of town shows so keep them in mind when you're planning trips.
6. Negotiate. Ticket brokers often purchase tickets for below face value. Don’t be afraid to ask for a better deal.
7. Never pay for a ticket with cash or a money order. Always use a credit card so you have recourse in case the ticket is invalid.
8. Shop around. Check ticket auction websites to gauge market value.
9. Look at the venue’s seating chart before buying any tickets. This will help you avoid buying counterfeit tickets.
10. Down in front. If you’re paying a premium expecting to have a birds-eye-view, make sure you’re not buying a seat with an obstructed view (OV).

Valentine’s Day – it’s the traditional day during which many people express their love with flowers. Spending the time to be creative for your loved one will be the most appreciated thing you can do on February 14, and it might even save you some money.
 
But the holiday falls on a Sunday this year – what does that mean for delivery and availability for last-minute shoppers?
 
Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies asked its highly-rated florists for help making sure your arrangement gets delivered on time, purchasing a bouquet that won’t break the bank, and how to be sure Cupid’s arrow hits your mark when buying flowers.

• Order early: Valentine’s Day is one of the busiest days of the year for florists and the holiday falls on a Sunday this year. Place your order now to be sure you’ll get the best selection, price and service.
• Delivery on Sunday? Some florists will not be open and won’t deliver. Find out ahead of time what your florist is willing to do. Better yet: save the fee and deliver your flowers in person.
• Know your Valentine: What is your sweetheart’s favorite flower and/or color? Is he/she allergic to flowers? Does your Valentine enjoying working in the yard? If so, something to plant outdoors might be better than fresh-cut flowers that will only last a short time.
• Rose alternatives: Red roses will be in huge demand. Choose tulips, hyacinths, or a mixed arrangement to save money but still go floral. You can also ask for a mix of flowers with a few roses to help keep costs down.
• Online vs. Local: Shopping online might be easier and quicker but you’ll sacrifice the personal touch. Worse, your bouquet may not match the picture on the screen. Local florists offer custom arrangements and are your best bet for the most personal service and value.
• Guarantee: Ask the florist about a guarantee. Most florists will replace blooms that arrive wilted
• Value added: Personalize your poises with a keepsake crystal vase, scented candle, special photograph or gift basket.
• Gather your info: Finally, have the recipients name, address, and telephone number before calling a florist to place your order.

Angie's List tips for making cut flowers last as long as possible:

• Change the water every two-to-three days.
• Cut the stems on an angle under water with a sharp knife or pair of scissors each time you change the water.
• Keep the arrangement away from direct sunlight, heat or heavy draft.
• Use the preservative that comes with the flowers.
• Keep foliage out of the water.
• Depending on the flower, arrangements can last anywhere from three to 10 days

The first-time homebuyer tax credit is a big incentive to look for a home right now. First-time buyers can get a federal tax break of up to $8000, if they strike a deal before April 30th.

There’s a lot of information and details that may be confusing for the first-time buyer, and it pays to do a little research on your own finances before checking out homes on the market.

The nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies, Angie’s List, consulted highly-rated real estate agents for these tips before you buy home:

• Check your credit: Pull your credit report and double check that the information is accurate and up-to-date. If there are any discrepancies, work with the credit reporting agency to have those cleared up before you inquire about a loan.
• Are you approved? Get pre-approved for you loan before you start looking for a house. You should be able to produce: good credit, stable employment history, a positive debt-to-income ratio, document of your assets, and at least three percent of the home’s sell value for down payment.
• What can you afford? You may qualify for a higher amount that you actually want to pay, so it’s important not only to check with a mortgage agent to get pre-approved, but to know what the payments will be at that amount and that you are okay with it. Remember to factor in homeowner’s insurance, property taxes, utility bills, moving costs, maintenance costs and any upgrades that you’ll need to make.
• What do you want: Make a list of what you want and don’t want. Search for homes online to get some ideas. Are you looking for a small home or a home where your family can grow?
• Location: Know the area where the property is located. If you see a lot of foreclosure signs in yards, it could be a sign that the area is declining in value. Take a look at the home’s surroundings.
• Inspect before buying: In most cases you will be able to inspect the entire property before buying. Hire a professional home inspector to inspect the entire house so you know exactly what you are getting into. Most foreclosed properties come “as is”.
• Do your homework: Make sure you find out if the property has any unpaid liens. If you don’t, unpaid lenders could come after you to try and collect what they are owed. Call your local building department. They can tell you if there any building permits that were never closed out.

Outdoor spaces are getting even greener with eco-friendly LED lighting, and thanks to their many benefits, they’re becoming more popular.

Angie’s List talked with some highly-rated service providers about LED lighting.
Light emitting diodes or LEDs are praised for their low-energy consumption, long lamp life and low heat generation. The downside to purchasing LED as opposed to the conventional halogen or xenon bulbs, is the initial cost.

A LED fixture can cost 40 percent more than other low-voltage options, but highly-rated lighting professionals on Angie’s List tell us the savings will become greater as the cost of energy continues to rise.

“They consume 90 percent less electricity than traditional low-voltage lighting systems and the lamps last between 15 to 20 years,” says Mark Hanson, owner of highly rated Touchstone Accent Lighting in Long Lake, Minnesota.

The LED bulbs are also a favorite because they don’t get hot. “If a kid touches them, it won’t burn them,” Hanson says. However, this can also be a down- side in colder climates since the lights won’t melt the snow. Lighting designers are beating this obstacle by placing the lights inches higher off the ground than usual.”

The biggest benefit Jim Duerr’s customers have noticed is the lack of maintenance. Duerr, owner of JRD Landscape Lighting & Design in Champlin, Minnesota has already installed a few LED systems in the Twin Cities. “If you have a LED down light in a tree, you won’t have to climb a ladder and change the bulb for 15 years,” Duerr says. “That’s pretty exciting.”

Your home should be your castle; your haven from whatever ails the world may throw at you. But sometimes, your home is harbor to toxins that might be making you sick.

Angie’s List compiled a list of five toxins that could be lurking in your home, along with tips on how to get rid of them and return your home to the haven it should be.

1. Radon: It’s a radioactive, colorless, odorless gas and the second-leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for 21,000 deaths in the U.S. each year. Radon results from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth and enters the home through cracks in floors and walls and becomes trapped inside, building up over time.
2. Mold: Mold is everywhere, and left unchecked, it can destroy your home. Health effects range from general congestions and eye irritation to shortness of breath and serious lung infections. Mold removal presents other dangers from improper ventilation to the mixing of toxic chemicals.
3. Lead based paint: If your house was built before 1978, it may have lead-based paint. More than 300,000 children in the U.S. have dangerous blood lead levels. Lead-based paint was banned in 1978. Lead poisoning often leads to long-term developmental and behavioral problems. A lead particle the size of a single grain of salt will elevate a child’s blood-lead level.
4. Asbestos: Exposure to asbestos can cause different forms of cancer and scarring of the lungs. It was commonly used in buildings prior to the 1970s because of its fire resistant qualities. Proper removal of deteriorating asbestos is tricky and expensive.
5. Chinese drywall: A domestic drywall shortage from 2004-06 led to the importation of more than 500 million pounds of Chinese drywall that is believed to contain potentially toxic sulfur compounds. The material is being blamed for damaging hundreds of homes, creating possible health problems and prompting a string of lawsuits against builders and drywall manufacturers. Experts estimate about 100,000 homes in 27 states are affected.

Angie’s six steps to hiring reliable help for any toxic removal:

1. Determine if your state requires contractors to be licensed for the work you need done.
2. Hire only contractors who are licensed and/or certified to handle household toxins, and can prove their qualifications for your specific need.
3. Determine what steps your contractor will use to ensure the work won’t further spread the problem.
4. If your contractor doesn’t talk to you about the concerns the toxin poses, doesn’t have a containment plan or isn’t aware of the dangers the work can create, hire someone else.
5. Get more than one estimate for the work; require follow-up and a guarantee for the work.
6. Get and check references, using people who’ve worked with the professional before, and check Angie’s List for even more insight.

• Check credentials: Ask the preparer about his/her training. Will they represent you in case of an audit? Only enrolled agents, CPA’s and tax attorneys can represent taxpayers before the IRS in all matters including audits, collection auctions and appeals. Will you be able to contact them after the return is filed?
  • Tax preparer from chain or local outlets: They usually show up in rented storefronts along tax time. If your return is a relatively simple one, this could be a good inexpensive option.
  • Enrolled Agent: They are licensed by the federal government which means they have passed an IRS exam, background check and they complete continuing education requirements every year.
  • CPA: They must undergo rigorous training. Not all handle tax matters so be sure to check first.
  • Tax Attorney: May be a good choice if you have a highly complex situation, own a small business or need guidance completing your return.
• Get organized: Compile all your documents and make an appointment early with your preparer. Take a copy of last years return. Make a list of questions you want to ask the preparer. You have a better chance getting in mid to late February. March may be a tough time.
• Ask for an estimate: There’s a wide range of tax preparers with varying fees so know up front what you’re paying for. Beware of preparers who claim they can obtain larger refunds than other preparers. Fees generally range from $50-$1,000 and are usually determined by an hourly rate. Money-saving tip: Get all of your receipts organized and cut down on the amount of time your accountant has to pour over your financials.
• Get references: Ask questions from clients who have used the tax preparer before. Were they satisfied with their service?
• Do your research: Check with Angie’s List about any questionable history. Check with the IRS about tax schemes and scams.
• Check your return: Although the preparer signs the return, you are responsible for the accuracy of every item. Read it carefully and ask the preparer for a copy of the return.

If you're going to prepare your own tax returns, follow these Angie's List tips:

• Don’t procrastinate: Your last-minute haste may cause you to overlook potential tax savings sources and increase the likelihood of an error.
• Organize your records: It can be as simple as designating a folder or drawer where you put all receipts and records you’ll need for your taxes throughout the year.
• Visit the IRS online: It’s a great resource for all the forms you’ll need, as well as finding out what free assistance – including volunteer tax counseling programs – might be available to help you navigate the process.
• File electronically: Not only is it easier, it’s proven to be the most accurate way of filing. You’ll also have a shorter wait time for your refund.
• Have your refund direct deposited to your bank account: Be sure to double-check your bank’s routing number and your account number.
• Double-check your math and data entries, and review your entire form: Math errors are some of the most common mistakes on tax filings. Make sure your Social Security and other identification numbers are correct. If you’re filing a joint return, make sure you both sign and date the form.
• File even if you owe the IRS, but can't pay: Submit the tax return by the due date and contact the IRS and ask if you can set up a payment plan. The IRS will charge a fee to set up a payment plan, but if you can't pay all at once - this is the best approach. Same applies to your state return.

New countertops can be one of the best ways to spruce up your old kitchen. But, the wide array of surface products can quickly make the project overwhelming.

Countertop options:

• Natural Stone: This includes granite, marble and soapstone. It holds up to heat and comes in an array of colors. It is one of the most expensive materials and requires varying amounts of maintenance, depending on the type of sealer. Some sealers last as little as 12 months and allow the stone to absorbs stains, while other sealers can last 15 years or longer and effectively prevent staining of the surface.
• Engineered stone: Quartz is just as costly as granite, but easy to maintain. It has a non-porous surface that takes the heat and resists stains and scratches.
• Solid surfaces: These countertops offer seamless, acrylic faces with seams that are only visible from the underside. A popular brand is Dupont Corian. Scratches can be easily sanded out and is non-porous. Does not take heat well.
• Ceramic tile: Is durable and easy to clean. The grout needs to be sealed regularly for stain protection
• Laminates: Is easy to maintain, inexpensive and the most versatile. Laminate is not scratch or heat resistant, but is stain resistant. Requires no regular maintenance. This is marketed under such trade names as Formica, Wilsonart, and Nevamar.
• Wood: Easy to clean, but maintenance is required. Wood can be damaged by water and stains over time. Be careful when installing over a dishwasher because the moisture could lead to warping.
• Stainless Steel: Heat and stain resistant. Stainless steel is expensive, noisy and may dent.
• Concrete: Heat and scratch resistant and very durable. It is porous and absorbs stains, so it must be sealed regularly.
• Glass: Heat resistant, easy to maintain and has a sleek, contemporary look. However, it may chip at the edges and is not scratch-proof.

Need help deciding? Consider this:

• What are your needs? Just like with any decision, think about your lifestyle and how you intend on using your countertops. Do you have a family with small children to consider? Do you do a lot of cooking and food preparation? The best countertop for the homeowner depends on the needs of the homeowner. Also factor in how long will you be in the house?
• Style: Your kitchen/bath countertops should reflect the style of your kitchen/bath.
• Maintenance: Countertops are either porous or non-porous. Porous surfaces absorb contaminants into the surface and also absorb moisture, thus allowing bacteria to grow. Porous surfaces should be sealed regularly.
• Durability: Check to see if the countertop is scratch or heat resistant. Always use cutting boards and heat pads to avoid permanent damage. The more durable the countertop, the longer it will last.
• Safety: If you have small children you should make sure that edges are rounded to protect from injury.
• Special cleaners: Check to see what cleaning agent your countertop requires. Every surface comes with different restrictions.
• Price: Countertops are either priced by lineal or square foot. Also factor in removal of old countertops, delivery and installation, sink/other cutouts and an unusual layout. Prices vary on a variety of factors including texture, color, pattern, sink type and seams.
• DIY or hire help? While some countertops may be fairly easy to install, others may require the help of a professional. Measurement is an important factor to be considered at the time of order. When you fail to measure the appropriate measurement, then your installation may go wrong.

Tips to keep countertop costs down:

• Homeowners can cut costs by installing smaller, cheaper stone remnants instead of a single slab of stone.
• Save even more by installing laminate countertops that are made to look like granite, marble or other stones.
• Mix up the materials. Consider using laminate on the majority of your counters and a beautiful piece of stone on the kitchen island.

Angie's List asked our highly rated acupuncturists, hypnotists and health and fitness experts for great tips to quit smoking and ways to successfully stay quit.

• Make a list of your motivations and keep it handy. If you’re quitting smoking because of your family, keep their picture in your pocket. If you’re afraid of cancer, carry around a photo of a cancerous lung as a reminder. If it’s to save money, calculate how much you will save in a year by quitting and write down something you want to spend that money on. Set it aside and buy it for yourself next year when you’ve achieved your goal.

• Keep substitutes handy, like gum, hard candy, carrots, celery sticks or toothpicks.

• Find a mantra and repeat it to reinforce your objective. Keep it simple, like; “I am a non-smoker.”

• Join a group therapy program to find others going through what you are who can offer support and accountability.

• Find something you enjoy and stick to it, especially when you’re feeling vulnerable. If you enjoy gardening, get out and dig. If you enjoy rollerblading, get out and skate.

• Use alternative stress relief techniques, such as meditation, yoga, guided imagery and breathing techniques.

• Replace activities that normally induce smoking. For example, go on a walk after dinner; chew a stick of gum when you get in the car after work.

• Instead of reaching or a cigarette, treat yourself to something special, like a massage, hot bath or a round of golf.

• Avoid past triggers to smoking, like hanging around certain friends. Alcohol is a common gateway.

• Take pride in every victory. If you’re like most smokers who have tried to quite, you’ll likely experience a few setbacks and bumps in the road. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Each day you don’t smoke is another day closer to kicking the habit for good.