3 Tips for a Stress-free Kitchen Remodel
Source: National Association of the Remodeling Industry
Did you know that leaks in the home waste more than 10,000 gallons of water each year? Save money and water by staying on top of wear, tear, and repair. Here are some quick fixes to common bathroom problems.
A Screeching Faucet
If your faucet sings to you as you turn the knob, you may need to fix the rubber washer. You can buy an inexpensive kit at most hardware stores. However, if your faucet is old, the screeching may be its final swan song. Replace the whole faucet instead.
If it’ll be a day or two before you get around to replacing the washer in your dripping faucet, tie a long piece of string around the mouth of the faucet. That way, the water runs down the string into the drain instead of dripping loudly into the sink.
The stream of water spits instead of flows
Your aerator, the screw-on screen at the tip of the faucet, may need to be cleaned. Unscrew the aerator and clean the mineral deposits that have accumulated over time. If it’s completely clogged with crusted deposits, you can purchase an inexpensive new aerator from the local hardware store or home center.
The toilet won’t stop running
The most common cause of a leaky toilet is a worn flapper valve. If your toilet is constantly running, replace the flapper and save nearly 200 gallons of water per day. However, before your replace it, check to see that there isn’t another culprit.
A dripping toilet tank
While some sweat on the toilet tank is normal, dripping may indicate a leak. To find out if your toilet is leaking, squirt a few drops of food coloring into the tank. If the color shows up on the floor, look for cracks on the tank or loose connections going into the tank.
**Remember to call a licensed plumber if you have a more complicated plumbing problem.
Source: Environmental Protection Agency
Staging Your Kitchen for a Sale
An inviting kitchen can set the scene to help buyers visualize living in your house. Additionally, the state of this room gives buyers a glimpse into the care of the rest of the home. Although many sellers choose to complete a basic remodel prior to listing, here are a few things you can do to present your kitchen in top form to potential buyers.
• Do a thorough cleaning.
Aside from when the in-laws arrive for the holidays, this is the one time you really want your kitchen to shine. Wipe down and scour the baseboards, ceilings fans, walls, windows, cabinets and floors until they’re spotless… then scrub some more.
• Polish chrome fixtures, hardware and stove knobs.
If these items are dated or too worn, consider replacing them. Otherwise, a rag and some polish will make these features shine like new.
• Paint the walls.
A fresh coat of paint in a muted or neutral color can revitalize the entire look and feel of a room for much less than the cost of a remodel.
• Keep surfaces clean and clutter free.
Store cleaning products and small appliances in the cabinets under the sink. Don’t leave your dishes in the sink, drying rack or even the dishwasher. When you put them away in the cabinets, make sure that plates are stacked by size and mugs are aligned.
• Set the tone.
Make the space look homey with a few cookbooks, arranged in size order, on the counter or bookshelves. To add a splash of color, place polished fruit in a large bowl or houseplants in colorful pots on the counter.
• Maximize the space you have.
With the right combination of furniture and accessories, you can highlight the kitchen’s features while minimizing its limitations.
Source: MarketWatch, April 13, 2011
What Should I Do With My Old Electronics?
Over half a million tons of electronics are collected annually for recycling in the U.S.
Sell
…To a buy-back website. Online resellers such as YouRenew.com, Gazelle.com, and Nextworth.com allow you to sell your old electronics for cash, or recycle them if they aren’t worth anything. You can also sell your old gadgets to Amazon, provided they meet certain criteria. Once you receive a free quote online, print a pre-paid shipping label and mail your gadgets to the reseller.
…On eBay or Craigslist. Many people turn to these popular websites to sell a variety of items. eBay has partnered with the Rethink Initiative to help you sell, donate or recycle your old technology.
…Back to the manufacturer. Many manufacturers, including Apple, Sony, Toshiba, and Hewlett-Packard offer trade-in programs that will pay market value for your computers and equipment, depending on the condition of these items. Visit the manufacturers’ websites for more information.
Donate
Many non-profit organizations accept donations of electronic devices, especially computers and office equipment. Visit Recycles.org for more information about how to donate electronic devices to organizations near you.
Things to Remember Before Donating
Recycle
Since electronics are made of precious metals and hazardous materials, it’s dangerous to send them to landfills. Electronics recycling recovers the usable materials from the device and safely disposes of the hazardous waste. Visit EcoSquid.com or Earth911.com for more information about where to recycle your electronics locally.
Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Kitchen Remodeling: Add Style and Function Without Going Broke
The kitchen is the center of family life, where meals are shared and lively conversation occur. It is also one of the most popular rooms in the house to remodel. Whether you wish to modernize and incorporate the latest trends in your existing kitchen or seek to build a brand new one that fits your evolving needs, you don’t have to break the bank.
Cabinets for 80% less
New Cabinets can range from $5,000 to $20,000. Instead of buying new cabinets, paint or reface your existing cabinets, or install new hardware for a clean look.
**Cost of Alternatives
75% Off Countertops
Natural stone countertops are durable and attractive, but ranged from $50 to $200 per square foot. If you’re on a budget, ceramic tile and laminates are alternatives to more expensive countertop options.
**Cost of Alternatives
Save up to 95% on Flooring
Homeowners can choose from an assortment of flooring options, with marble being the most expensive option from $10 to $40 per square foot. For a cheaper alternative, use ceramic or porcelain tiles for a modern look at a fraction of the cost.
**Cost of Alternatives
“Stainless Steel” for Pennies
Stainless steel appliances can cost between $50 and $7,000, depending on the appliance. Stainless steel films provide the look of stainless steel for a fraction of the cost—just peel and stick the film on your existing appliance.
**Cost of Alternative
$20 in the can is worth $1,000 on the Wall
It may be tempting to knock down a wall and start over from scratch; however, you can save money by keeping the same footprint as the current kitchen. Instead, repaint the walls for a fresh look.
**Cost of Alternative
Source:
1.) National Kitchen and Bath Association
2.) National Association of Realtors 2010-2011 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report
3.) National Kitchen and Bath Association 2011 Survey
Chemical-Free Cleaning
Natural cleaning solutions and detergents rely on plant-based ingredients instead of petroleum-based chemicals. If you don’t want to expose yourself or your family to potentially toxic substances like chlorine, ammonia or phosphates, look for alternative products with essential oils such as thyme, eucalyptus and lavender. They work as well as ordinary household products and won’t pollute the air in your home or the water supply in your community.
It’s also fairly easy and inexpensive to mix your own cleaning solutions from ordinary ingredients like baking soda, vinegar and essential oils.
Recipes for Homemade Cleaners
Mix 2 cups water + ½ cup vinegar + ¼ cup rubbing alcohol and several drops of orange, lavender, cinnamon, or clove essential oil in spray bottle
Mix ½ cup water + ¼ cup hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. Spray on tile and grout and leave for one hour before rinsing.
Pour 1 cup of baking soda in the drain and follow with 1 cup of vinegar. Wait 10 minutes before flushing with boiling water.
Could You Do More to Conserve?
If you are willing to give them a try, these thrifty habits will reduce day-to-day water and energy consumption and lower your utility bills:
** Forego the fresh towel—a family that hangs up and reuses their own bath towels several times will save 3,400 gallons of water, 50 therms of natural gas, 410 kilowatt-hours of electricity, and $105 each year. **
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Kiplinger Personal Finance Magazine, September 30, 2010
A Budget-Friendly Guide to Greener Living
What it Means to Go Green
Many people are now pursuing livable communities and an environmentally responsible lifestyle that is mindful of the following goals:
Here are some easy and inexpensive ways you can make a positive impact:
Improvement Project
Grow Savings in Your Own Organic Garden
If you have a green thumb and a little bit of land, you could slash your grocery bill by as much as $800 a year. Using natural fertilizers made from composted plant and animal materials avoids the environmental and health concerns associated with synthetic products full of chemicals and pesticides.
Source: Shift Your Habit, by Elizabeth Rogers (2010)
Get Into Gear with a Moving Plan
We pulled a variety of moving checklists, guidelines and tips and compiled this post for plans leading up to your move. What tips or suggestions do you have for moving?
Give priority for your activities and projects. Set a due date to avoid last minute stress!
Are you considering putting your home on the market? Before you do, here are some inexpensive ideas you can do around your home to spruce it up to get buyers really interested. These 11 inexpensive and little fixes will deliver you big returns.
Lawn-scaping @ $20 to $200
Pay a neighbor’s kid to cut the lawn and pull weeds in your beds ($20) or do it yourself. If you use fertilizer, then you are going to see the benefit in just 2 to 3 weeks ($50 to $200 with regards to the dimension your lawn).
Door Knocker @ $50
Replacing a used or stained door knocker with a gleaming new one will make for an eye-catching entry.
New Mailbox @ $50
Potential buyers will notice everything. A new mailbox or fresh coat of paint with numbers will add charm and curb appeal to your home.
Closet Space @$500+
Help your buyer see their ‘stuff’ in your space. Add a little extra shelving or space in a closet area. Take the time to un-stuff your closet and put your off season clothes in storage. This will simplify the closet and make it seem larger.
Proper Lighting @ $50
Strategically add a lamp or floor light to a room that is dark or does not receive a lot of natural light. Good lighting will brighten a room, making it look brighter and inviting.
Replacing Hardware @$5 Each
Don’t want to break the bank on a new kitchen or bathroom cabinet or waste time refinishing them? Instead invest in new hardware to grab the attention of your buyer.
Replace Plate Covers @ $2-5 Each
In any house, nothing gets more traffic (except your floors) than the light switches which are around eye level. If a good cleaning won’t work, consider replacing them.
Re-Grout your Flooring @ $50 to $100
Instead of replacing all the title in your bathroom or kitchen, just re-grout for a fresh new look. Don’t forget to put a sealer down so your grout doesn’t stain. Replace the old and filthy flooring in your bathroom and cooking area with new ones.
New Shower Heads @ $20+
Redoing your entire bathroom can be rather pricey. The good news is that you can make an impact with just a shower head. Popular shower heads are over-sized and stainless-steel – if you want to splurge, the “rain” models are popular.
Crown Molding @ $150+
Make your dining room or master bedroom pop with crown molding around the ceiling. It’s affordable and a great upgrade for many house hunters. Pricing is based on the size of your space.
New Wall Color @ $100+
Do you have a bold color in your home? Not sure if it is too much? Neutral colors help when selling a home. Consider refreshing a few of the main walls of your home to a neutral color and brighten up your space.