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SAVE The DATE: Arts Council of Princeton's Art People Party April 24
January 26, 2026
This spring, the Arts Council of Princeton's (ACP) signature fundraising fest Art People Party gets a gritty, unforgettable makeover with a '90s grunge theme - a night where art, attitude, and community collide. Set for Friday, April 24 from 7-10pm, this year's party will channel the raw spirit of the 1990s with creative fashion, inspired decor, thumping music, and iconic grunge vibes.
Guests are encouraged to express their own grunge aesthetic with layered plaids, vintage tees, combat boots, and flannel flair as they mix, mingle, and rock out in support of the ACP's vibrant programs. The event promises an open beer and wine bar, dinner, a DJ dance party, and the signature "Tombola" art experience ensures that every tombola ticket holder leaves with an original work of art. Partygoers will enjoy immersive photo moments and dance the night away with friends old and new to sounds inspired by the decade that defined cool.
For more information, click here: https://artscouncilofprinceton.org/exhibits-and-events/art-people-party/
21 Creative Ways to Save Money for a Home Down Payment
May 07, 2023
To make the leap from renter to homeowner, you’ll need to save, or have already started saving, for a down payment. A down payment is typically between 3% and 20% of the purchase price of a home, but if you’re like the median successful buyer, your down payment might be anywhere between 10% and 19%. That may feel overwhelming if you’re just starting out, but setting up a budget and finding creative ways to save money over time can help. A 2022 Zillow study found that 63% of recent buyers who obtained a mortgage used savings for at least part of their down payment.
The exact amount you save every month will depend on how much you expect to spend on a down payment — if you’re stuck, don’t hesitate to talk to a lender. They can help you break down the numbers, and once you’ve pick an estimated moving date, you can calculate your necessary savings from there.
If you already have a designated monthly savings bucket, that’s a great start. Of course, the more you’re able to put away, the faster you’ll reach your savings goals for your home. Here are 21 ideas to help make that happen.
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STROKE: Fast Action Saves Lives
January 30, 2023
By Penn Medicine Princeton Health
Every three and a half minutes someone dies as a result of a stroke, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). Being able to quickly identify a stroke and seek immediate emergency medical attention can increase the likelihood of survival.
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Top 5 Tips To Save For An Upcoming Move
January 11, 2023
By Timothy P. Callahan
- Moversville
There are a lot more expenses to moving your home than just the physical moving part. The good news is that means there are also a lot more chances to save money on the cost of moving. Summarized from our more in-depth article 42 Ways To Save On Your Next Move, here are the top 5 ways to save money on your move:
1. Toss, Donate, or Sell Items You No Longer Want
If you’re looking to save money on a move, you’re going to have to consider getting rid of items you no longer need.
Whether you are moving long distance or locally, the more items you have the more the move is going to cost. Make sure to get rid of, sell, or donate as much stuff as possible if you want to save money on your move. Here are charities that offer free donation pick up if you need assistance.
If you’re moving long distance, consider getting rid of all your heavy cheap furniture. If you do the math, you’ll find that buying inexpensive furniture at your destination will likely be less money than moving your heavy cheap furniture.
2. Be Ready For The Movers
One of the top moving tips for saving money is to be ready for the movers.
Local movers charge by the hour, so if you’re not all packed up and ready to go, or if the hallways are being blocked by stuff, it will take movers longer to move your items.
The more organized and ready you are for the moving company the better. Consider these tips:
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Each room should have furniture and boxes, that’s pretty much it. Boxes should be labeled correctly on the sides so movers know exactly which room it will go in at the new location.
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Consider staging boxes in the garage. The more items you stage in the garage or in a place that is easily accessible to the moving truck, the faster the movers can load the items onto the truck.
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Keep a clear path – Movers will most likely take the large furniture first. Make sure all the furniture has a clear path to where they will be parking their trucks.
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Have great communication with your crew. Your moving crew will be asking you questions on moving day.
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Be there on moving day. If you’re not there to answer the movers questions about where things go and what the plan is, its likely it will take more time and cost more money.
3. Start Early
The earlier you start, the more time you’ll have to gather cheap or free moving supplies. You’ll also have more time to get rid of things you don’t need to move. Many expenses during the moving process come from last minute purchases due to unpreparedness.
4. Pack Yourself
Packing yourself is the best way to save money on moving costs. The more you’re packed up and ready to go, the less time it will take movers to move your things.
Movers will offer packing services as well, but if you do it yourself, you can save a lot of money. Just be sure you pack the right way to avoid your items being broken.
If you do pack yourself, you won’t have any protection if anything breaks in those boxes, so be sure you learn how to properly pack your breakables.
5. Don’t Hire “Cheap” Movers
It’s not always best to hire the cheapest moving company. Sometimes movers will estimate your move cheaper than other movers just to get your business, then ultimately you’ll have to pay the final cost based on how long the move will take (if moving locally).
If you have a very unprofessional moving company, it might take much longer to move your items than with a professional company. Also, with cheap, unprofessional movers, you run the risk of your items being damaged.
Same goes with moving long distance. Don’t hire a moving company who tells you the weight of your goods is way less than what the other movers estimated your goods to be. That’s a red flag.
Seven Ways to Save Energy in the Summer
July 21, 2020
By Alaina Wibberly
- Smart Energy
Most people expect higher energy costs in the summer. We crank up the air conditioning to get out of the sun; the kids are home from school and spend all day on their electronics; and, when you finally convince them to play outside, you find yourself washing extra loads of bathing suits, beach towels, and muddy clothes. The warm weather comes with a price. But, with a little preparation, you can manage your energy use wisely and cut down on your bill. We’ve shared 7 tips below that will help you use less energy in the summer and save you valuable money on your utilities.
1. Be Smart with Your Thermostat
It feels good to blast the AC after getting home from a workout, time spent outside, or just a generally sweltering summer day. But it probably won’t feel so good later when you see that your utility bills have skyrocketed. Keep in mind that for every degree you raise your thermostat above 72º, you save up to 3% of your cooling expenses. Try setting your thermostat to 78º, or as high as your comfort allows.
When you’re away from home, set the temperature even higher or, if it’s not too hot, turn it off altogether so you don’t waste air conditioning on an empty house. If you install a smart or programmable thermostat, you won’t have to go through the trouble of manually changing the temperature each time you leave. These thermostats will automatically adjust your home’s climate control while you’re away.
2. Keep Your Home Easy & Breezy
Another easy way to cut down on cooling costs is by using fans. Ceiling fans are great for cooling an entire room, and many homes already come equipped so there’s no purchase necessary. Even if you don’t have one, portable fans are inexpensive and readily available at any home goods or big-box store. A good fan will allow you to raise your thermostat 4º while maintaining the same level of comfort. If you don’t mind the light breeze, go ahead and lower the temperature on your AC because fans can be very effective.
3. Keep the Sun Out and the Cool Air In
The summer sun is great for tanning, great for your mood, and great for beaches, picnics, and sunsets. However, it’s not so great if you want to keep your house cool. Sunlight coming through your windows will heat up your home, causing you to spend more on air conditioning. Try drawing the blinds during the hottest parts of the day, especially if your windows are facing south. You can open your windows again at night when it gets cool; this will allow you to turn off your air conditioning. Just don’t forget to close them again in the morning to trap in the cool air.
Also, if you’re planning to invest in landscaping, keep in mind that trees provide great natural shade. Strategically placed shrubs, trees, and vines can block sunlight from your windows, roof, and walls, saving you $100 – $250 per year in cooling costs.
4. Consider LED Lighting
After you’ve blocked out the sun, you might find yourself turning on more lights than you normally do. Be careful which lights you choose, though, because incandescent bulbs actually turn 90% of the energy they use into heat. Consider replacing your incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs, which operate at a lower wattage and produce only half as much heat. LED bulbs also use 75% less energy and last 50 times longer than traditional bulbs, saving you money on electricity and replacement costs.
5. Use the Barbeque
Trying to cook in a hot, steamy kitchen can be unbearable, especially when it’s hot and steamy outside as well. Kitchens are full of heat-producing appliances: ovens and stoves can raise your kitchen’s temperature up to 10º. To save yourself the sweat (and the higher utility bills), try using the microwave whenever possible since it uses just one-third the energy that an oven does and produces only a fraction of the heat. Another great way to take the heat out of the kitchen is to cook outdoors. Pop some burgers on the grill or invite some friends over for a barbecue. You can enjoy the great weather while you avoid raising the temperature in your home.
6. Wash with Cold or Warm Water
Avoid using hot water whenever possible. Because 90% of the energy used by your washing machine goes toward heating the water, doing your laundry on either the cold or the warm cycle will save you a tremendous amount of electricity. When you’re done, take advantage of the warm weather and dry your clothes outside instead of putting them through the dryer. You’ll both save energy and avoid raising the temperature of your home with heat-generating appliances.
(Hint: the same logic applies to dishes as well. Use cold water and let them air dry instead of running them through the drying cycle.)
7. Keep Track of Your Electronics
When you place heat-generating devices such as lamps or TVs near air-conditioning thermostats, you can trick them into thinking the room is hotter than it really is. Your thermostat will sense the heat from these devices and spend extra energy trying to cool the house down. Be mindful of where your thermostats are and try to keep electronics away from them. Devices like computers, curling irons, hair dryers, stereos, and televisions heat up your house as well, so make sure they’re turned off when they’re not being used.
7 Ways to Save on New Appliances
August 13, 2019
By Erin Huffstetler
Shelling out big bucks for a new appliance hits the budget pretty hard. But you can save money on new appliances — if you know how to shop for them. Check out these seven ways to save before you head out to buy that new washer and dryer pair, dishwasher, fancy fridge, stove, or oven.
1. Buy Last Year's Model
If you don't mind owning last year's model, you can shave hundreds of dollars off of your appliance purchase. Best time to shop: September and October, when stores are under pressure to clear space for the new arrivals.
2. Shop the Scratch and Dents
A small scratch or dent could become your best friend if you're on a tight budget. Ask the sales associate if there are any damaged appliances for sale. Then survey the damaged models to decide what you are willing to live with. Even the smallest blemish can net big savings.
3. Buy Only What You Need
Have you ever noticed how the most expensive appliance models are typically the first ones that you come to in the store? That's no coincidence. To keep yourself from falling for the latest bells and whistles, make a list of what you need and possibly what brand you prefer before you venture into the stores. Then buy the cheapest model that meets those needs. Just remember: That refrigerator with the built-in TV isn't going to keep your food any colder.
4. Do a Trade-In
It's no secret that trading in your car can save you money on a new car purchase, but did you know that you can sometimes do the same thing with your appliances? Check with appliance dealers in your area to see if any accept trade-ins. Then find out how much your current appliance is worth. It could just be your ticket to a bargain.
5. Shop the Sales
If you find something you like but you're not thrilled with the price, ask a sales associate when your pick is scheduled to go on sale. Waiting a week or two could be all it takes to reduce your purchase price by as much as 25 percent. Or wait to buy until a holiday weekend, like Memorial Day or Labor Day, when appliances are often discounted for a short time.
6. Look for a Package Deal
If you need to buy several appliances at once, like a washer and dryer or all new appliances for your kitchen, an appliance package could be your biggest source of savings. Retailers frequently bundle appliances to boost sales, and these packages can offer significant savings over the price of purchasing each item individually.
7. Buy a Floor Model
Do you mind if your new appliance comes with a box? If not, think about buying a floor model. You'll enjoy the same warranty that you'd get with a new-in-box item, without the new-in-box price. Sacrifice a little cardboard and save a lot.
March is National Athletic Training Month Theme – Athletic Trainers Save Lives By Matt Shade MEd, ATC
March 02, 2012
Welcome to the month of March! In the health care world, March is recognized as National Athletic Training Month (NATM). In the last 20 years, Athletic Training has gained momentum as a profession. Certified Athletic Trainers (ATC) are employed by high schools, colleges, medical clinics, the military and industrial companies.
This year’s theme for NATM is “Athletic Trainers Save Lives.” Having worked in the high school, college, and orthopedic medical office setting, I have had extensive exposure to orthopedic injuries. While writing this blog, I initially thought “I have been blessed that I have never had to save a life.” However, the more I thought about it, the more I realized I save lives every day. Ok, maybe I haven’t had to perform CPR but I have had to treat:
Compound fracture of the lower leg – soccer player Orbital Blowout Fracture – soccer player Concussions – one in every contact sport at this point in my career Spine Related Injuries – soccer, football, wrestling Ruptured Spleen - lacrosse
Depending on how I managed these injuries, they may have become life threatening. After more consideration, I realized saving a life doesn’t have to be treating a traumatic injury. It can be something as simple as helping a patient to recover from an orthopedic injury and return to the lifestyle he/she desired. This discussion can go on for a while…so I will come back to the traumatic injury category.
As spring sports get into full swing, one traumatic injury seems to takes the life of a young athlete each year is commotio cordis. Commotio cordis (Latin, "agitation of the heart") is a disruption of heart rhythm that occurs as a result of a blow to the area directly over the heart, at a critical time during the cycle of a heart beat” (Wikipedia).
For spring sports, commotio cordis is more prevalent in baseball catchers, softball catchers, and lacrosse players due to the ball hitting the athlete in the chest. When hit, cardiac arrest can be almost instantaneous.
As a coach, parent, umpire/referee, or athlete, I plead for you to take one of two precautions to be prepared of commotio cordis.
1. Have an ATC on site for practices, games, and parents. (If you don’t know an ATC, contact me at Performance Spine and Sports Medicine)
2. CPR/AED Training and Emergency Action Plan – Become certified in CPR or have someone on site at games/practices who is (hint hint…an ATC at PSSM). Also, ddevelop, implement and practice an emergency action plan for your field/facility. If you don’t have or know how to create an emergency action plan, have somebody do it for you (hint, hint….an ATC at PSSM).
On behalf of PSSM - Have a safe and healthy season!
10 Ways to Save Money Without Sacrificing Style With Your Wedding Reception
January 24, 2011
By Colin Cowie
1. If your heart is set on an evening celebration, host your wedding on a weeknight instead of a Friday or Saturday. You’ll be able to negotiate a better rate with everyone from your caterer to florist and band, and the venue will be more negotiable.
2. Hire a DJ instead of a band. Be sure to ask your DJ to bring appropriate background music for dining and not just dance music for the party.
3. Host a daytime wedding instead of an evening reception. Consider a luncheon or brunch, with a late night dance party that same evening or a few weeks later when you return from your honeymoon.
4. Offer a signature cocktail instead of an open bar. You’ll be surprised how often you’ll hear your friends say "I’d love one of those, it’s been ages since I’ve had X, Y or Z!"
5. If your heart is set on serving caviar, there’s no need to set up a caviar bar for guests to help themselves. Serve what I call cosmetic caviar; a delicious potato topped with a few eggs, a wonderful deviled egg topped with a few eggs or even a delicious round of white bread with smoked salmon topped with a few eggs will do the trick.
6. No need to serve costly champagne. Try a sparkling wine cocktail, such as a Kir Royale or Bellini. If you’re a purist and champagne cocktail isn’t your fancy, save the chilled bubbly for your cake cutting only.
7. Don’t try to be fancy with your meal; opt for a delicious, juicy and succulent chicken dish versus a more expensive veal, beef or lamb. Trust that no one will be offended, and in fact, most of your guests will delight in a delicious chicken with crispy potatoes prepared right and served beautifully.
8. A traditional wedding reception with a sit down dinner and three course meal can get costly. Instead, host a chic and elegant black tie cocktail party. Great drinks, delicious tray-passed foods and a cake cutting will delight your friends. Hire a DJ if you love to dance and have a great party. Done right, your wedding reception can easily be a favorite night out on the town.
9. Instead of working with an expensive invitation company, print your own invitations at home. Take some extra time to personalize each one; add an embellishment such as a colored semi-precious stone or store bought crystal. For a country wedding, add a sprig of lavender to the invitation. Or place a layer of gorgeous tissue, cut to measure inside the envelope.
10. There are no rules when it comes to the type of celebration you host. Instead of a seated dinner, consider hosting a Sunday brunch with Champagne Bellini’s. Delicious omelets made to order, fresh fruit and chilled white wine would certainly do the trick. One thing to be careful of: don’t serve alcohol before the meal or you’ll have everyone smashed before food is served. And be extra careful if it’s a hot day and you’re outdoors. It’s amazing how a little alcohol goes right to the head on an empty stomach.
