INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Electricity is often a large monthly expense. Do both your wallet and the environment a favor and cut back on your home's energy use.  Seal cracks in your home to better insulate it and reduce the need for heating and air conditioning. Set your thermostat to a higher temperature in the summer and a lower one in the winter. Unplug appliances when not in use and remember to turn off the lights. Change your computer's settings so that it enters a very low-consumption "hibernate" mode when you're not using it. When buying new appliances, go with ones that have energy-saving features. Shop around for a different service provider for your insurance, phone, and Internet. There may be new, better offers from carriers that have been introduced since you first started your plan. Evaluate whether your current service or coverage level is still right for you. Also, try to negotiate with your current provider for a lower rate. If you mention your intention to switch to a competitor, they may be more likely to give you a better offer. If you are looking to buy a new vehicle, make sure your purchase has high value. Buy a model known to last a long time with low maintenance costs. You will also immediately begin to save money with a car that has better gas mileage, especially if you commute via car to work. If your credit rating has improved since buying a home, it may make sense to refinance your mortgage. Because many homeowners find their credit getting better over time, they may qualify for a lower interest rate than they did a few years earlier. Refinancing can result in lower monthly payments and/or less money going towards interest. Consult your mortgage company to figure out if refinancing is right for you.

SUMMARY: Reduce your energy consumption. Consider reducing service levels. Buy a reliable car with good gas mileage. Refinance your mortgage.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: What makes your voice unique? Once you understand the limitations of your range, you can experiment with different styles of singing to bring out the best in your voice.  Perhaps you have an operatic voice; practice  singing classically. Maybe you have a pleasant nasally country twang. Play it up! Even screaming and whispering have their place among rock legends. Nothing is off limits. Singing with other musicians is a great way to get more creative with your vocal style. Sign up for a choir or music club at your church or school, or get together with some friends to start a band in which you're the lead vocalist. You could also audition for a musical or start  busking in the subway if you're itching to perform. If you're serious about finding your singing voice, getting trained by a professional instructor is the way to go. Voice teachers can teach you how to use your voice as an instrument. You'll probably find that you have a greater range than you thought you did, and your teacher will be able to help you figure out what style fits with your abilities. Ask for recommendations from friends or conduct an online search to find voice teachers in your area. Look for voice teachers who sing and teach the genres you're interested in performing. Meet with at least 3 teachers before choosing 1 so you can find the best fit.

SUMMARY: Find your unique style. Join a band or choir. Take voice lessons.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Physical touch is a great way to show compassion for your boyfriend. If the two of you normally exchange hugs, give him one when he’s feeling upset. If hugs aren’t common between you, it might be a good idea to ask first. If he's upset because he was passed up for a promotion at work, you might say something like, “Can I give you a hug?” Kisses are yet another way to demonstrate affection for your partner. Plant a kiss on his forehead or cheek to show that you care. Only kiss your partner if this form of intimacy is common in your relationship. If not, ask if it’s okay beforehand. If the reason behind your boyfriend’s mood negatively impacts his self-worth, remind him why you think he’s great. Doing so may pull him out of the sour mood and help him get perspective on negative criticism.  For example, if he didn’t get a job opportunity, you might say, “They can’t see your best qualities, but I can. I believe in you.” If he had a fallout with a friend, you might say, “I know it must have been hard to confront Dan about his lying problem. I’m proud of you.” Tell him why you're grateful to have him in your life. If he starts to cheer up, ask him to come up with a few things that he's grateful for as well. You can come straight out and ask your boyfriend “How can I help?” but, chances are, he may not have a specific request. Instead, think of an active way you can improve things for him, based on what you know about the situation.  For example, if your boyfriend is upset about a test grade, you might offer to help him study for the next test. If he’s upset because he has too many responsibilities over the weekend, you might take one off his hands, such as doing a chore or running errands.

SUMMARY: Give him a hug. Kiss him. Remind him why he’s awesome. Make a specific suggestion to help.


INPUT ARTICLE: Article: Using chemical fertilizers too early can burn new or recently dormant rose roots. Wait until after your roses’ very first bloom, and after you prune them in the early spring and see new growth, to use chemical fertilizer. This first fertilization is sufficient for most species types of roses. The numbers on fertilizers stand for Nitrogen-Phosphorus-Potassium content. General-use fertilizers have a balance of the 3 nutrients, and come in 10-10-10, or 12-12-12, which is a bit stronger. Either is fine to use for most rose types. For granular fertilizers, work this amount of fertilizer into the top 2 inches (5.1 cm) of soil surrounding your bush with a cultivator. Then water your rose thoroughly.  Liquid chemical fertilizers have different amount specifications for each dose, so read the instructions carefully before applying them. Remember to only apply chemical fertilizers after the plant is well-established in the spring. Always read the instructions for the correct amount of fertilizer before applying it. Some specialty roses, like hybrid teas or floribundas, benefit from a second fertilization in mid-summer. This helps them to stay healthy through the remaining summer months. Apply 4–8 oz (110–230 g) of granular fertilizer in a band around the base of your bush. Still other roses are known to be repeat-bloomers, and benefit from a third and final fertilizing in mid-July. This can also be beneficial if you have a particularly long growing season, or plants continue blooming through October and November. Follow the same procedures for this application as you did for the first 2 in early spring and mid-summer. If you’d rather do 1 chemical fertilizer application and be done with it for the year, try getting a timed-release fertilizer. These capsule fertilizers release their nutrients throughout the season in either 4, 6, or 8 months.  Generally these fertilizers use about 4 oz (110 g) per plant and are applied in May, but read the instructions carefully before using them Write the dates you apply fertilizer on a calendar to avoid over or underfeeding your roses. If you apply fertilizers too late in the growing season, you could get young, soft growth that’s easily damaged by the first frost. To encourage your roses to begin preparing for dormancy, stop fertilizing them 35-40 days, or 6-8 weeks, before the first frost. In many areas, this will be around mid-August. Use the first frost prediction for your exact region to be sure.

SUMMARY:
Wait to use chemical fertilizers until plants are well-established in the spring. Choose a general-purpose fertilizer of 10-10-10 or 12-12-12. Spread 4–8 oz (110–230 g) solid fertilizer in a band 6 in (15 cm) from the plant. Reapply a chemical fertilizer once in mid-June for specialty roses. Do a third application for repeat-blooming roses in mid-July. Try a timed-release fertilizer instead of doing multiple applications. Stop all fertilization 35-40 days before the first frost date.