Peter Geyer and Andrea Parrish, Wedding Cans (Photo from tinytall, Flickr.com)

The Wedding Cans couple has successfully reached their goal to collect 400,000 aluminum cans to pay for their wedding — all accomplished in just eight months! Who would’ve ever imagined collecting cans would pay for an entire wedding? Some may call it crazy, but this Spokane couple is proving that great success lies within the craziest ideas.

Wedding cans are ringing success

In just 197 days, Andrea Parrish and Peter Geyer have already reached 100 percent of their goal, thanks to the United Recycling Services, Alcoa Aluminum and the outpouring support from people across the globe. The two will wed next month, July 31, at the Corbin Art Center in Spokane, Wash., where wedding cans will ring, not just for love, but for their outstanding accomplishment.

“The response to this project has been overwhelming,” said Andrea.

“The most exciting thing about the project is how many people have borrowed the idea,” adds Peter. “We have other engaged couples recycling for their weddings and honeymoons — even a woman collecting cans to pay for her liver transplant.”

Peter and Andrea will donate more than half of the proceeds of any additional cans they collect to nonprofit organizations Rim Country Land Institute and Doctors Without Borders, using only 40 percent for their honeymoon.

Wedding Cans – a story to remember

Although the couple has suffered through many challenges on their quest to collect five tons of aluminum cans to help fund their summer wedding, the two have remained loyal to their values, as well as the crazy idea that came to mind at 1 o’clock one morning. In a time of excessive consumerism and outlandish wedding expenses, Peter and Andrea are truly admired for their courageous efforts of dedicating probably the biggest event of their lives to saving the planet. Congratulations to Peter and Andrea on their Wedding Cans success!

For more information about Wedding Cans, visit www.weddingcans.com

Related Video:

Is recycling even cost-effective?

It’s cost-effective to recycle some material, but other materials can actually cost too much to be worth it. It takes so many resources to sort, clean and reprocess items that not all recycling is profitable.

Fresh material, on the other hand, can be a lot cheaper, but at what ultimate price? It just makes sense to reuse the millions of pounds of old scrap, glass, textiles, electronics, paper and plastics that are available. State budgets these days are in need of a bailout or at least a major payday installment loan.

Salvaging other recyclables

Many know the benefits of scrapping their old materials, but many just have no time or desire to do such things. You can actually create a pretty good income just by scrapping alone. I have a friend who swears that he brings in at least $200 or more a day.

What materials make money?

The best materials to gain a good income from are iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, wire, catalytic converters and car batteries. If you have a truck or trailer, the possibilities are endless. There are hundreds of dollars just sitting out in the elements, in a field or an alley, just waiting to be recycled.

Precious metals right under your nose

You can even get gold – yeah, gold! – out of your old computers. The reason people will buy catalytic converters for $100-plus is because they’re made with platinum. Dealers who buy these auto parts will send a shipment in to a refinery and make about $1,600 from one converter. Amazing, right!? If anything, this information will make you think again before you throw away potential value.

Andrea has to borrow her brother's truck frequently to pick up cans. Photo by Yellow House Photography, Spokane, WA.

I think it was that castle that really got the wheels turning and drove Andrea Parrish to create the Wedding Cans project.

She had always planned on keeping the costs as low as possible, and at first she set out to find people who’d let them have it in their backyard for free. Meanwhile, she started scoping out vacation home rentals online. And there it was: The Castle. It would be cheaper to rent the castle for a few days than it would be to rent a reception hall for a few hours. But she still needed a couple grand.

Starting small

So there I was at work one day, writing about payday loans versus personal loans, when I heard that familiar “bloop,” telling me I had a gmail chat message. It was Andrea.

“So… think many cans come through your apartment building?”

“Cans?” I replied. “Like, aluminum cans?”

“Yup,” she wrote, then simply posted this link: weddingcans.com.

Turns out Andrea, who can easily be called an environmentalist, had decided she would pay for her castle in cans. In fact, she was going to pay for her whole wedding in cans.

Andrea: This is quite firmly filed in the “crazy idea” category… but I think it’s crazy enough to maybe work
me: Sure why the hell not?
It can’t hurt.
I can collect cans in my office, too.
The staff here drinks tons of soda.

Getting big FAST

From right, Andrea Parrish, Peter Geyer and The Pitchfork. Photo by Yellow House Photography, Spokane, Wash.

That gmail chat exchange took place exactly once month ago, Dec. 7. Today, Andrea Parrish and Pete Geyer, who live in Spokane, Wash., are featured in an AP News video that ran in states as far away as New Jersey. That video also spent some time on Yahoo’s homepage today. Their story ran in Canada. It made it to the CBS national news (See: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/01/07/ap/national/main6068060.shtml).

Last night, Andrea and Pete were on the local TV news. Today, they were featured in the Spokesman-Review, Spokane’s daily newspaper. Tomorrow, they’ll be on the CBS morning show. It was only one week ago that the first web site besides her own featured Wedding Cans in a story. Offbeat Bride featured the story of Andrea and Pete on Dec. 30, and on Jan. 8 they’ll be interviewed live via satellite on CBS.

Andrea and Pete, after Wedding Cans

If all goes as planned, and Andrea and Pete can collect the 400,000 cans they are aiming for, they’ll get married July 31, less than seven months from now. All of their hard work will have brought them a small, simple, inexpensive wedding, and it’ll be exactly what they wanted. They’ll get married in their castle in Hope, Idaho.

They’ll hold a handfasting ceremony, during which they’ll hold hands, then their joined hands will be wrapped in braided cords. Pete will launch the garter using a bow and arrow. Andrea’s bouquet will launch from a trebuchet (which looks like a small catapult). Wedding guests will feast on homemade beer, a cake Andrea’s mom made and homemade dishes that other guests brought from home. Afterward, they’ll always remember that they did things their way, doing good for the environment all along the way.

In Andrea’s own words, from the Wedding Cans web site, “Saving the environment and throwing a killer party… what could be better?”

If you have money from recycled cans that you’d like to donate, you can do it right here!

Photos by: Yellow House Photography

Photo from Picasa

New Laws

On January 1st of 2010, a multitude of new laws changed everything from tanning to puppy mills. In Kentucky, Washington, and Virginia, new laws concerning payday lending also went into effect. Similar laws are being considered in Mississippi, and many other states.

Limitations in Kentucky

In both Washington state and Kentucky, a database of payday borrowers is being created that will track all borrowers and their loans. In Kentucky, borrowers will be limited to two loans totaling no more than $500 at any one time. These laws are designed to ensure that lenders do not over-lend to borrowers who may be overextended.

New laws in Washington state

In Washington state, borrowers will be limited to eight payday loans in any twelve-month period. Borrowers will also be barred from taking out multiple loans from different vendors. With borrowers in the universal database, lenders will be required to check that database before offering a loan to any customer.

A public sector option

Virginia is taking a more public-sector approach, offering state employees personal installment loans that are paid back through direct debit out of their paychecks. At a lower interest rate than most payday loans, these installment loans offer public employees an option outside of the established payday lending system. However, these loans also become a part of the employment and payroll records of that employee.

Being responsible with debt

Many states are considering new regulations on payday lending and lenders. There are many people that misuse payday lending and get stuck in bad situations. Rather than addressing the underlying problems that cause the need to misuse payday loans, these regulations just limit the resulting effects. The important thing to remember is that payday loans and personal installment loans can be used very effectively as one-time assistance in tough financial situations.

Need a Payday Loan? Apply Here!

Buying your own piece of land to build your family home on is a dream for many. When considering the purchase of Spokane land, there are many factors to take into account. Here are the top 5 things you should consider:

1. Location

The old adage of real estate is location, location, location. Picking a property in the right spot is the key to realizing the goals of your investment. Whether you are looking to start a family homestead or trying to create some income property, getting a great location will affect your future property values dramatically. Consider your proximity to the 5 places you’ll visit most- such as work, school, shopping, family/friends, and the airport. If you can strike a balance between convenience for you and your visitors while still having a remote setting, you’ve got a great asset. Fortunately, there are hundreds of Spokane property options that offer country charm close to the city.

2. Setting

Do you dream of living in the country? There are many options outside of the city, anywhere from flat farm land to waterfront property. Some will enjoy the comfort and security of living in a gated community, where others want total separation from others. It is important to identify what is most important to you and weigh that against other factors. While the land itself may have the many treed acres you would love, views are just as important to consider. Not only will a great view give you great enjoyment throughout the seasons, it will actually also enhance your property values.

3. Rights

It is critical to understand both zoning laws as well as community bylaws that may affect the area in which you live. In Spokane, WA, you should check with the Planning Services Department for specifics on land use permits, or if you are looking for property in Spokane County, check with the Department of Building and Planning. You may be surprised at the complexity of the limitations of specific zoning regulations which can dramatically affect how you can use the land. One typically contentious issue is the availability of housing large animals in certain residential zones (as such, horse property fetches a premium price). It is a good idea to check about each of your building plans (including outbuildings) before you make any purchase, so you don’t run into red tape with the County and find out you can’t get the necessary permit for your dream home due to some technical issue with your zone. If living in a community, make sure that you study the bylaws thoroughly before agreeing to any purchase to ensure that you can stay in compliance without conflict. It is wise to retain the services of an experienced real estate attorney, especially if this is your first time purchasing land in Spokane.

4. Future Development

While it impossible to know the future, make sure to give thought to any future development that may affect the value and enjoyment of your land. Perhaps a new freeway or wind farm might be planned in the near future right around your property. Maybe some new environmental legislation that is pending may limit your ability to do construction in wetlands. If you are finding that the property you are considering is a great bargain, there is probably a good reason why the price is below market. Do your homework and find out why before you get stuck with a lemon of a lot.

5. Seasonal Considerations

Thousands of people that have chosen to move to Spokane love the balance of the strong economy with an easy pace of life, and most that move here fall in love with the four seasons climate. When looking for Spokane land, be mindful of how you are going to travel in the winter, and decide if you’ll need to purchase different vehicles to do so. If your land is on a slope, consider any improvements you may need to make to ensure that erosion doesn’t limit your ability to travel safely. Also consider hot weather in the summer months. Strategically building your home among trees can really reduce your energy bills in the summer. Just don’t forget to be vigilant about maintaining those trees in the fall and winter. A Spokane home was damaged by a falling tree in a wind storm that could have been easily prevented with a preemptive tree removal.

Seek Experts When Buying Property

Truly, there are dozens of other factors to consider in such a major purchase. The best thing you can do is work with an experience real estate agent who really understands the Spokane real estate market, and has a history of completing successful rural property transactions. It will take patience and diligence to make your land purchase a success, but it can pay dividends for generations to come.

Mary Grace of Spokane, Washington said, “More than a few times this summer we’ve had to dig deep into savings and use installment loans to make ends meet. Our electricity bills are outrageous this time of year.” Grace is not alone in her issues with the electric company. Her main concern seems to be mirrored by many Americans: “What am I going to do if electricity goes up in cost, like everything else?” Electricity is one of life’s necessities but paying for it is becoming increasingly difficult. Grace added, “The company knows we need electricity so if they raise our bills, we’ll complain but in the end, we are going to do what we need to do to pay it.”

The state of the economy

The economy has been in turmoil since the recession first began back in 2008. A hefty stimulus was created to turn things around, and though it did help there are still a lot of issues to deal with. Oil and other commodities are dropping in price, but that does not mean that the cost to consumers is on its way down. On the contrary—residential electricity prices are expected to rise 4.7% in 2010 and another 3.3% the year after that, according to the Energy Information Administration’s Short-Term Energy Outlook estimates.

What consumers can do

Despite estimated rises in the cost of electricity, there are still some things consumers can do to cut down on their bills. Here are some tips to keep energy costs manageable:

Take care of equipment. One of the biggest energy drains is equipment that is not maintained on a regular basis. Much like cars, HVAC units need to be tuned-up once a year, at minimum. Consumers are told to have a yearly inspection and let a certified technician check heating, ventilation and AC systems. Marty Roman, of Roman Heating and Cooling, said, “Leaks in air ducts are the main cause of losing heat or air…the machine keeps running harder to regulate the temperature, and costs shoot up.” A good schedule of basic maintenance can mean the difference between a controllable electricity bill and having to use installment loans to afford monthly payments.

Use a programmable thermostat. The easiest way to regulate temperature is set it to automatically manage itself. A programmable thermostat can be found at most hardware stores for about $50. You can set it to lower heat and air while the family is gone for the day and while you sleep. That way machinery is only working during waking hours and not all day long.

Incentives on appliances. Most big-ticket items have Energy Star-certified options. This means that these items are not only more efficient than alternatives, but they usually cost less to operate. The stimulus of 2008-2009 had considerable tax benefits for households willing to “go green” and purchasing large appliances fall into that category. Qualifying A/C units can make a homeowner eligible for a tax credit of 30% of cost, up to $1,500.

Check out the house. Energy drains can be found by professionals, but consumers can do things themselves to assure their homes are energy efficient. Sealing windows and doors, changing to energy efficient light bulbs, closing blinds, using fans rather than the A/C are all good habits to adopt when trying to cut back on energy costs. Roman added, “Closing blinds may sound like a small thing, but over the course of a year, it can add up to substantial savings in heat and air loss.”

Combined, these suggestions can all bring down the electricity drain of a house. Roman said, “If you save only $25 as a result of maintenance and $15 as a result of using fans rather than A/C, it only adds up to $40. But what happens if you don’t have regular maintenance done to save money and then the unit breaks down? A service call is normally at least $65 just to have someone come out. In the end, the small cost of preventative maintenance is worth it.”

The future of managing electricity costs

Consumers are looking to save money in today’s difficult economy. Electricity is one of the biggest costs they face and as oil and commodity prices continue to rise, they are going to be more vigilant about watching for energy drains. Though in past years consumers used emergency savings or installment loans to manage, now it is time to take on a more proactive approach to keeping bills down.

Microsoft research building in Redmond, Wash. Image from Flickr.

Microsoft confirmed that it’s laying off 800 more employees today. Along with that announcement come a couple of fun facts: not only are they ahead of their June 2010 deadline, they are ahead on numbers of people they planned to lay off!

So I guess laying off 5,800 employees isn’t so hard is it? The company announced in January that it would lay off 5,000 employees by June 2010. So the 800 people who were laid off today can rest assured that by cutting their jobs, Microsoft was going above and beyond the call of duty!

Sorry, I was quick to judge

Of course, I could be being overly cynical here. I suppose finishing the layoffs as soon as possible was perhaps to spare employees the mental anguish of wondering if they’d get the ax. Of course, it’s a little more agonizing to have to look for a job and wonder where your next pay day will come from, but I’m trying to give Microsoft the benefit of the doubt.

As far as laying off an extra 800 employees, it is true that the economy has changed even since Microsoft’s announcement in January. Furthermore, Microsoft didn’t pinky swear that it would only fire 5,000 people, so I guess it’s off the hook.

The buzz online

Comments on a popular Microsoft blog based in Seattle, Wash., say that contract positions for Microsoft have started popping up on Washington’s unemployment web site. Microsoft is based in Redmond, Wash.

One commenter says “it looks to me like Microsoft is simply replacing full-time slots with contractor/vendor positions.” An interesting strategy, and probably not one that laid off employees or their families are too fond of. Other speculators believe that Microsoft will continue to lay people off, even though the company has reached its goal.

So many places to go.

Every year, CNN’s Money Magazine names the best places to live. Today, the list of the 100 best small towns in the United States were published at money.cnn.com.

“Small towns,” according to Money Magazine, are places with populations of 50,000 or fewer. Rather than just rehash the top few places, I’ve chosen some random selections from the top 100 Money Magazine best places to live.

Something new in Nebraska

The No. 3 city on Money Magazine’s best places to live is Papillion, Nebraska. It has an unemployment rate of just 4.5 percent, and there are plenty of places to get an easy payday loan. Money Magazine says:

It’s rare for a town to rack up great scores in both economic performance and housing affordability. This friendly community outside Omaha delivers both.

Papillion has acres of open space, traffic jams are unheard of, and par­ents feel comfortable letting their kids ride bikes unsuper­vised.

The knocks on Papillion used to be a tired-looking downtown and few things to do. But the town has been working hard to fix both problems. It is $750,000 into a multiyear downtown revitalization project that in­cludes new sidewalks and antique lighting.

Near the Great Salt Lake

No. 14 on the list of Money Magazine’s best places to live is Farmington, Utah. This town has 16,500 people, and the report says:

A one-stoplight town squeezed between the Wasatch Mountains and the Great Salt Lake, Farmington has a quaint, quiet downtown with few shops.

Most Farmington residents commute south to Salt Lake City, but some travel north to Hill Air Force Base, Utah’s sixth largest employer.

Go west

No. 17 on the Money Magazine best places to live is Newcastle, Washington. This town has only 9,800 people, but it’s a favorite getaway for golfers.

Once full of coal miners, Newcastle now has a much more diverse jobs base: The town is 15 minutes from both Microsoft’s Redmond headquarters and Boeing’s 737 plant in Renton.

But the biggest draw here may be The Golf Club at Newcastle. Built by former Microsoft exec Scott Oki, the massive site includes two 18-hole public courses and a 44,000-square-foot clubhouse.

An inkling about Iowa

The town of Urbandale, Iowa, is ranked No. 42, and it has gotten some support from residents in the comments section.

Attracted by a strong local economy and low taxes, some 35,000 people have made this Des Moines suburb home since its 1917 incorporation date.

There is much to do within city limits, including exploring 900 acres of parkland and hiking 36 miles of trails.

Go for the ribs

In the home state of the president, Batavia, Illinois, makes No. 56 on the Money Magazine best places to live. The article doesn’t mention that Batavia is near Naperville, which holds a competitive rib-making festival each year. That sounds like a selling point to me.

Here’s what Money Magazine did have to say about Batavia:

Lined with 19th-century limestone buildings, Batavia has an old-town feel despite its location 35 miles west of downtown Chicago and easy access to commuter trains. … Batavia is also home to nearly 200 manufacturing, research, and warehousing firms as well as the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, a world-renowned center for physics research.