I'm 38 years old and I have been growing banana plants for a year and a half. Ever since I was a kid I was interested in exotics and as soon as I moved to this warm part of Greece (the island of Corfu)and got my own garden I started planting bananas (at the moment I have 6 varieties) and palm trees (Washingtonia robustas). My dream is to eat bananas from my own trees. Nikitas

You might want to take a look at some of the estimates posted on this site to get an idea. I and many others have posted our estimates here for feedback. Delaware just enacted a rebate for both the furnace and a/c. Some manufacturers (ie:Carrier/Bryant) have extended their spring rebates through August. And then there is the Fed Tax Credit (up to $1500) that is available. Tiger is right that the best time is usually spring or fall. Demand is less and they need to keep their technicians/installers busy and there is less demand on the equipment so they are more likely to discount the price or have rebates. Rebates in our area normally start around September. I am just a homeowner but was where you were not long ago and have been researching it. This is a great site to find things out. The starting point though is to have an estimate done and then start asking specific questions. You want at least three estimates before you are done, but it is good to have an idea what your equipment needs are before you get them. You will want to know whether you want low end, middle or top end equipment. If you want to take advantage of the tax credit you will likely need at least a upper middle to top end furnace. The furnace will qualify you for the credit if it meets certain energy efficiency criteria. But for starters, just have someone come in and ask them to give you their best opinion on what you need. Most will determine the route that they feel give you the best value.

'Tain't just numbers/quantity ... ... but also *quality* that counts! Some oldsters, suffering serious restrictions of life, especially if it involves serious and unremitting pain, or lack of mental capacity, etc. ... ... ... have indicated that they'd prefer to move through into another dimension of life. But most aren't of any mindset to hasten the day by their own hand. ole joyful ... thankful to be enjoying minimal restrictions in life

I've been paying roughly $1000-$1200/month for myself since my husband's retirement over ten years ago. That does not include kids. We covered them on student health plans, which turned out to be cheaper in sum. I can give you a couple of tips: Don't bother with the Federal Health Exchange site unless you will qualify for a supplement of some kind. It's not a terrible site, but you'll have to do everything yourself. You are better off contacting a local insurance broker (I found mine on NextDoor). It may end being a very simple decision because in many markets there is only one company that sells to non-group members. So I can buy a gold, silver or bronze plan, but only from Community Health Choice (Houston suburb). My plan offers a 10% discount for completing an annual survey. I'd had the same plan the year before but never knew about that discount until the agent told me -so ask about that. Try not to panic when you read the crazy deductibles. I think mine is $5000 (whereas ten years ago, it was probably $500), but so much preventative care is now covered pre-deductible, thanks to Obama care, that I think I'm spending less out-of-pocket than I did before. But I'm a pretty healthy person who doesn't use a lot of medical services except preventative, so your mileage may vary... When I first began to buy my own insurance plans (after DH's retirement), I made the mistake of picking the plan first, rather than the doctor. The last few years (when I had a choice of at least 2 companies to choose from), I compiled a list of at least a dozen primary physicians I could abide, and then called their offices to see if they were accepting new patients, when I would be able to get an appointment, and whether they had any plans to cancel coverage with insurance company X the next year, etc. I had learned the hard way (in January), that I may have had a great plan, but I couldn't find a dr. on that plan who would see me as a new patient before August. I kid you not.....So that year, I was paying $1200/month and actually didn't have a dr. I could see until August.....