Local Gas Prices?

If there is one thing about this area its that people are always in their cars! So I found this little widget thingie that lists the prices of gas locally. It should be on the right side of this blog. I just pasted this widget today and while its showing up ok in Netscape, it's not looking to cool in Internet Explorer. This isn't the first time I've had problems like this when I add something new so I'm going to wait awhile and see how it goes.

Back to the gas prices! With the weather getting warmer people are out more and that means more driving and more getting gas. I have seen people come into the local BP and buy a dollar's worth of gas and they weren't ashamed to admit it! So if you're wondering where the cheapest gas prices are in this area - here ya go!

Spring is Here!

I took this picture as I was going to the store today. (I have to learn to take better pictures!). Flowers are popping up everywhere and I'm not just talking about the dandelions.

It seems more people are putting plantings on their property than last year - that's probably why I have seen so many cars at the Home Depot at the Cheltenham Mall.

Of course with this nicer weather more people are out and the kids are out playing around and more people are working on their houses.

This House is NOT for Sale!

Today as I was walking down Willow Avenue to go to the store I noticed a sign on one of the houses (actually it was a note) that said (in no uncertain terms) that "This House Is Not For Sale". I got a smile on my face because I know that these people must have gotten a lot of people asking them if their house was for sale. At least they put up a note that said that it wasn't for sale. Politely speaking the home wasn't the best looking home on the block but that didn't really matter. It can really be hard to maintain a home - especially when its an older home. If and when you don't have the money either you do the work yourself or it just doesn't get done! Now that the weather is starting to get nicer I see more and more people working on their homes and some of them are doing it theirselves. I'm not going to say that they love working on their houses (maybe some of them do) but when the weather is nice they are out there.

I don't know what's the story with the "This House Is Not For Sale" house. It could be any number of reasons. The people that live there may be older and can't do the work theirself or it could be a reason of not having enough money. Whatever the reason is I can certainly identify. Outside work like trimming trees, painting a house or just general outside repairs and maintenance can cost a pretty penny. Not everybody that lives here is rich and there are a lot of older residents who are just getting by with their pension or social security.

I have receive more than a few mailings that said something to the effect of "We want to buy your house" - how they got my name I will never know. I actually had someone knocking on my door asking if this house was for sale (which I thought was rude!). Realators are always on the lookout for houses that are for sale in this area. I have even had people see me outside and ask me if there were any properties in the area that were for sale. I have kept my eye out for properties that are for sale and have given this information to a few of them. As a matter of fact I noticed 2 "for sale" signs today as I was walking to the store. One was right on Cheltenham Avenue between 19th and 17th streets and the other property for sale was a few blocks up.

It's a terrible thing not to be able to pay for repairs or general maintenance but just because a house is not the most prettiest one on the block doesn't mean that it's for sale.

People Are Looking For.......

Power of Attorneys in Wyncote

This was one of the latest internet searches that led to my LaMott Directory Page. The top attorney listed is located at Logan Square which is a very far distance from Wyncote in Philadelphia. Although I know that people will travel a greater distance if it means that they will find a good attorney but there are attorneys that are located within the Wyncote area.

There is an Eastern Montgomery Chamber of Commerce which I'm sure would have some attorneys as members. There are 2 attorneys listed in the LaMott Directory. One is located in Abington and the other is located in Jenkintown.

Earned Income Tax?

In case you aren't aware of it, Cheltenham has what is called an "Earned Income" Tax. What this means it that your earned income is taxed. Every 3 months you are required to pay the estimated tax on your income and then at the end of the year you file (and pay) your earned income tax for the past year. The yearly tax return is due by April 15th which is the same due date as the federal and state income tax.

Now if your income is less than $3000 for the past year then you don't have to pay the tax BUT you do have to file the return. The consequences of not filing the return is fees and penalties!

I remember when this tax was first introduced some years ago and I remember filling it out and mailing it back in. However I have talked to some people who said that they just ignored it and didn't send it in. (Sometimes I wish that I had done the same - sigh!). I don't know if anything happened to them as a consequence and I was just not willing to take the chance.

But the bottom line is that this tax is mandatory and has to be paid.

To find out more about this tax you can call the Township's Administration Office at:

Township Administration Building
8230 Old York Road
Elkins Park, PA 19027
215-887-1000