Building savings with automation

Unsolicited mail offers are typically tossed in the trash. But a few pitches - from phone and electric utilities - attracted my attention with promises of financial bonuses and environmental savings. By enrolling in various automated bill-paying services, I can earn small bonuses, while saving the environment.

Automated strategies also yield bankable results for savings, investment and retirement goals, says Stuart Ritter, a financial planner at T. Rowe Price. Here's a rundown of how various automated plans can generate savings:

Green statements - One-time "go green" bonuses of up to $15 were offered by a few companies, including a financial institution and a cell-phone company. To collect, I have to enroll in online programs that provide electronic statements instead of paper. The bonuses are small, but the accumulative impact on the environment and my clutter pile is great.

Energy reductions - By enrolling in an automated energy reduction plan, it's possible to receive an extra monthly discount on the electrical bill. My local plan offers annual savings of up to $137 for those enrolled in an "on-call program." Under the program, the electric company has permission to turn off power to a pre-selected piece of equipment in my home as needed during high-peak periods. In exchange, participants receive a monthly credit whether or not the program is activated, and activation usually occurs only three to four times a year.

Automatic savings - In addition to direct payroll deposit to your checking account, many employers offer additional e-deposits into savings account. "That way your money comes out of your paycheck and into an account with your name on it without your having to think about it,'" Ritter said. It's also possible to arrange automated bank-to-bank transfers into a savings account.

College plans - Don't wait until December to write a large check for the college savings account. By year-end, the size of your check and commitment could greatly diminish. "Automate that process" with small monthly deposits into college savings accounts, Ritter said.

Retirement accounts - Automatic payroll deductions ease the short-term pain of investing in 401(k) plans and other retirement plans. Self-adjusting retirement funds automatically shift the mix of investments to meet your investment goals as your retirement date approaches.

SPLURGE-WORTHY

Tired of the same usual flowers or candy for Valentine's Day? This year, show your love with a kiss. The Hershey's Kiss pendant would be the perfect Valentine's Day gift. It's available in diamonds or sterling silver.

To buy • $795 for the diamond pendant and $49.99 for sterling silver at HersheysKissJewelry.com.

HIGH-LOW

High • River rock vase filler ($12 for a 4-pound bag) at Pottery Barn, Plaza Frontenac. Available in black or white.

Low • River rock multicolor vase filler ($3.99 for a 5-pound bag) at Target.

DEAL OF THE WEEK

The Little Black Dress, 9793 Clayton Road in Ladue, is offering 75 percent off jewelry, handbags, fall clothing and holiday clothing. Some of the designers include: Shoshanna, Tibi, Missoni and many more. The sale runs through Feb. 15.

More information • 314-993-6060.

To find a great deal every day, go to stltoday.com/steals.

CONSUMER REPORTS: PRICES OF WASHERS DOWN

Consumer Reports' latest tests on washers reveal price drops of as much as 33 percent compared with a year ago. And along with the federally funded rebates of up to $250 for qualifying models, consumers are seeing more energy- and water-efficient models that save money in the long run (see full report in the February issue of Consumer Reports).

The latest tests revealed a couple of Consumer Reports Best Buys: the Frigidaire Gallery GLTF2940F[S] ($650), a front-loader that offered a good price and a shorter wash time; and the GE WJRE5500G[WW] ($480), a conventional top-loader that was easy on clothes and the wallet.

While washers have become more efficient, dryer technology hasn't changed dramatically in the past decade. The Department of Energy says that most use the same amount of energy, which is why there are no Energy Star models, and state rebates won't apply.

Shoppers should be mindful of a few additional findings Consumer Reports discovered during testing:

• Most top-loaders that cost less than $500 didn't wash as well, used more energy or water, couldn't hold as much, or were tougher on laundry than more expensive models.

• Beware some unnecessary frills: Whirlpool's FanFresh and Maytag's Fresh Hold are supposed to help prevent the odor that can develop when clean laundry is left in the washer for too long. Consumer Reports tests uncovered that none of the laundry developed an odor, whether the feature was used or not.

• Mold problems persist. The Consumer Reports Annual Product Reliability Survey found that 8 percent of front-loader problems were caused by mold or mildew. LG and Maytag front-loaders were slightly more susceptible than most brands surveyed.

How to Choose the Best Model

Noise considerations • If the laundry room is near living spaces, check Consumer Reports' noise and vibration ratings and look for models that offer silent end-of-cycle signals and remember concrete floors can absorb vibrations well, unlike wood-framed floors.

Top- or front-loader? • Most top-loaders with a center-post agitator cost the least and wash the fastest, but they aren't the most stellar performers and use more energy and water. Front-loaders generally use less water and spin even faster, making them the most efficient, capacious washer.

Focus on features • An auto temperature control blends hot and cold water to provide consistent temperature and wash performance on a given setting. Manufacturers claim that steam settings and allergen cycles clean better and remove allergens. Consumer Reports found that steam did clean stains slightly better, but machines with that option washed very well even with the steam option turned off. Steam settings might also increase energy use. To kill allergens, wash water needs to be around 127 degrees for 12 minutes.

SHOPSITE

Mix My Granola (mixmygranola.com)

Is eating healthier one of your goals for the year? Choose granola as breakfast or an at-the-ready snack for when hunger pangs attack and the vending machine is calling its siren song.

Mix My Granola (mixmygranola.com) lets you customize granola just to your liking. You start with one of five bases and add ingredients from their lists of fruits, nuts and seeds, extras (everything from coconut to jelly beans) and "enhancers" (which include shots of caffeine powder, acai powder, green tea powder and the like). The site updates the price of your granola and gives you a status nutrition report as you go along, so you can make it as healthy as you like. (Sure, dark chocolate has antioxidants, but I'm not sure how you can justify the gummy bears. Oh right. They're organic!)

The base granolas start at $4.49 and add-ins range from 49 cents to $2.49 each. Your mix gets you a pound of granola. Mix a batch for everyone in your family because if you spend more than $40 you get free shipping. For the indecisive or unsure, Mix My Granola also offers pre-mixes ($6.99 to $11.99) specially blended by flavor ("Let's go nuts!" for nut-lovers), activity (Runner's Mix) or goal (like weight loss or lowering your cholesterol).

McClatchy-Tribune Information Services