tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60233123960780441432024-03-18T22:58:55.374-04:00The Renter's Guide to Apartment LivingApartment Tips Gone Wild!Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-15057600419519709522012-03-27T10:52:00.001-04:002012-03-27T10:52:36.296-04:00What to Consider while Renting your First Apartment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjd27pVw_D3oX39x4KqQ2oZws9B2rtERDpCIY-ZBl37hj3Limbc7Htc6Zvk7i2AoHu-Qw1Jz9wAJ8t3xmoo8O7zG1504ywUAsGRqoOH8mRAaRvvkI2ntecFELysPHxjb_PpFfw_O_AGcy/s1600/rentals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="168" width="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhjd27pVw_D3oX39x4KqQ2oZws9B2rtERDpCIY-ZBl37hj3Limbc7Htc6Zvk7i2AoHu-Qw1Jz9wAJ8t3xmoo8O7zG1504ywUAsGRqoOH8mRAaRvvkI2ntecFELysPHxjb_PpFfw_O_AGcy/s320/rentals.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Individuals searching for a first apartment ought to think about where they want it to be situated. It is vital that the apartment be within a secure neighborhood, yet provides month-to-month rent which fits an individual’s budget. A renter ought to additionally consider the kind of features required in an apartment. Not every apartment offers the same amenities. A few might offer dishwashers, whereas other ones don’t.<br />
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Washer and dryer hookups might be obtainable in one complex, yet an additional building might just provide an on-site facility. A few renters might require a unit which allows pets, whereas additional renters might search for a complex which offers an on-site work-out center. No matter which kind of apartment an individual seeks, it is vital to call the BBB to assure the property management company possesses a solid reputation.<br />
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As an individual determines on an apartment, he’s required to complete an application. This application assists the landlord in deciding if the applicant is a solid candidate for residing there. A landlord uses this application to perform a credit check then verifies an applicant's salary and employment. These issues assist the landlord in deciding whether to offer the apartment to an applicant or not. Many property management businesses require that an applicant pays a charge to complete the application.<br />
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As the application becomes approved, the renters have to sign their lease agreement. The agreement must be carefully read, as it’ll provide crucial data concerning the responsibilities of a landlord and a renter. It’ll provide details about the lease’s length, security deposit, month-to-month rent, how a repair is dealt with, and additional critical matters that pertain to a rental agreement. A lease includes a contract which serves as a protection for the landlord and the tenant. The rules or rent on a lease can’t be modified unless the landlord and tenant agree on terms.Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-18191516388360914742011-01-04T00:34:00.010-05:002011-01-04T11:40:50.333-05:00Winterize your Rental on the Cheap<center><img alt="Snuggie Camoflauge" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51fK7cbUxnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" /> </center><br />
<i> <span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><font size= 3> Staying warm while saving money might sound like a contradiction, but all you have to do is "winterize" your apartment to make this concept work. </i></span></b></font size><br />
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So, you've found the perfect deal on a place. For most renters, this happened during the peak moving season of June-September. But, as you have probably figured out by now, all was good with the housing section of your finances until winter started to roll around and that utility bill of yours continued to just keep creeping higher and higher.... Top it off with that holiday bill blow to your wallet, you're ready to cut back on your expenses NOW and for CHEAP. <br />
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Here's how: <br />
<blockquote><b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Z999LA?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002Z999LA" target="_blank">-DRAFT SNAKE- <br />
</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Z999LA?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002Z999LA" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/3174CmClkCL._SL160_.jpg" /><br />
</a></b>The name may sound funny, but you can laugh all the way to the bank. According to the U.S. Dept. of Energy, you waste 5-30% of energy from that cold draft you feel from your exterior doors. So, start cutting these costs right now by making a homemade draft snake. Simply roll up a towel and place it under your door. If you want to keep it classy, they sell plain or decorative draft snakes at the store that you can buy by simply <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002Z999LA?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002Z999LA" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002NCJI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00002NCJI" target="_blank">-WRAP IT UP-<br />
</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002NCJI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00002NCJI" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51i%2BMlcNOUL._SL160_.jpg" /></a></b><br />
Drafty windows are said to increase your heating bill by 30%--that's a lot of wasted money. One Illinois woman wrote about saving $150/mo with a $30 investment! So for a very reasonable price, pick up a window insulation kit at your local hardware store or get one delivered to your house by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00002NCJI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00002NCJI" target="_blank">clicking here</a>. No need to worry, if it’s propery installed (it’s actually very easy), it’s practically invisible. <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025KUSY6?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0025KUSY6" target="_blank">-WEATHER STRIPPERS-<br />
</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025KUSY6?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0025KUSY6" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/4144Qmcz3TL._SL160_.jpg" /></a></b><br />
An alternative to snakes and plastic: weather stripping. If you can notice light, air, or snow making its way around your doors or windows and into your apartment, you’ve got some weather stripping to do. This is one of the easiest "fixes" out there. Just be sure to pay attention to how large the gap is between the door or window and its frame because weather stripping comes in a few different sizes. For less than $10 at a hardware store, you can pick up a box or buy some by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0025KUSY6?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0025KUSY6" target="_blank">clicking here</a> to have it delivered right to your house. When applying, expose the sticky side of the stripping and stick it where needed… done.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002K9XBA0?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002K9XBA0" target="_blank">-SNUGGIE YOUR POCKETS-<br />
</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002K9XBA0?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002K9XBA0" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61Ei%2BikVv2L._SL160_.jpg" /><br />
</a></b>Sure it’s easy to turn up the heat in your apartment, but know that every degrees you do, that's money spent out of your pocket. Keep in mind that for every degree you turn your thermostat down, you’ll save between 1-3% off your heating bill! In order to do this, you're going to have to keep warm other ways, so FYI: a light sweater is worth 2 degrees of warmth, a heavy sweater is worth 4 degrees, and a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002K9XBA0?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002K9XBA0" target="_blank">Snuggie </a>is priceless... And one more tip, if you've got a programmable thermostat, try kicking on the heat an hour before you get up, and then let it go back down during the day while you’re at work. <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZKW4G?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000DZKW4G" target="_blank">-DON'T GET YOURSELF INTO HOT WATER-<br />
</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZKW4G?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000DZKW4G" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZKW4G?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000DZKW4G" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/31xmUo3-fsL._SL160_.gif" /></b></a><br />
Did you know that 25% of your energy bill goes to heating water? Landlords have the option of upgrading to tankless water heaters that last at least a decade longer than traditional heaters. Renters still have some ability to control this expense, even with older units. If you run your hot water and it comes out of the tap scalding hot, you’re in luck. Just walk yourself to the utility closet and turn the dial down on the base of the water heater. The next step is to buy a $15 water heater insulation ‘jacket’ (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DZKW4G?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000DZKW4G" target="_blank">click here</a> to buy one). Simply wrap this around the tank, tape it in place, and start saving. If you're in an apartment that does not have an accessible water heater unit, make these suggestions to the management (it never hurts) or make nice with maintenance. <br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRM66I?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BRM66I" target="_blank">-HEAT THOSE OUTLETS-<br />
</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRM66I?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BRM66I" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41QrkLWxyWL._SL160_.jpg" /><br />
</a></b>Fighting air leaks is the biggest part of saving heat energy. Most people would never consider the outlets on their exterior walls as possible air leaks, but they are definitely a contributor to heat loss. Next time you're at the hardware store (or you can <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BRM66I?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000BRM66I" target="_blank">buy here</a> online), don’t forget to pick up foam outlet insulation gaskets. Sounds complex, but it's really easy--simply remove the face plate for your outlets or switches, place the gasket in, and replace the face plate. Congratulations, you’re handy.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I01KIM?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001I01KIM" target="_blank">-REMOVE AC UNITS-<br />
</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I01KIM?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001I01KIM" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41yVVUWc6ML._SL160_.jpg" /></a></b><br />
Having a window air conditioner still installed in the dead of winter is one of the silliest ways to waste money, and yet, you see it all winter long. There is no good reason to leave one in after fall, but if you don’t have the ability to remove your window unit, ask management or buy an insulated cover (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001I01KIM?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001I01KIM" target="_blank">click here</a> to buy one online). These units are an open door to the outside...<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A67EI4?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001A67EI4" target="_blank">-REGISTER CLOSED-<br />
</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A67EI4?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001A67EI4" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51s8BhWgu7L._SL160_.jpg" /></a></b><br />
If you’re lucky enough to have an extra room that generally goes unused, close the heat register in that room and keep the door closed. The less space you heat, the less you spend. You can also close off entry ways by hanging fabric in doorways (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A67EI4?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001A67EI4" target="_blank">click here</a> to purchase online)... may sound tacky, but I've seen some rather cute looks. A couple I knew (who lived on the 2nd floor) hung decorative curtains in the doorway on the top of the stairs, so they didn't spend money heating a large (uninhabited) stairwell.</blockquote>Hopefully these tips prove helpful to you this winter, especially in the face of the ongoing economic slump we’ve all found ourselves in. If you have any tips, tricks, or success stories you wish to share, please feel free to use the comments below. Happy New Year, Renters!<br />
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<i>Article by <a href="http://www.RentalsGoneWild.com" target="_blank">RentalsGoneWild.com</a> </i><br />
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<a href="http://twitter.com/share" class="twitter-share-button" data-count="horizontal">Tweet</a><script type="text/javascript" src="http://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js"></script>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-24925452828629204962010-11-17T22:58:00.023-05:002010-11-19T15:53:42.806-05:00Tags Aren't Just for Luggage<center><img src="http://www.petswelcome.com/articles/wp-content/uploads/2009/05/dog_travel.jpg" /></center><br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><i>TOP TIPS FOR TRAVELING WITH PETS!</i></b></span><br />
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The holiday season is approaching and if you're traveling with a pet, you may want to read on about how to keep your best friend safe. The following tips will help make your travels safer and smoother, not only during the busiest time of the year, but all the other days too! Let's first start with the road, since pets seem to frequent that mode of transportation most often:<br />
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<center><img height="240" src="http://petdogcrates.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/portable-dog-crate1.jpg" width="320" /></center><blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>CAR SAFETY!</b></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>1. TAGS AREN'T JUST FOR LUGGAGE. </b></span> <br />
Traveling, or not, your pet should always be wearing a sturdy <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0039DNLVA?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0039DNLVA" style="height: 240px; width: 120px;" target="_blank">collar </a>with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JJPVFI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003JJPVFI" target="_blank">tag </a>that details your home address and phone number. Make sure your contact info is updated! Many owners also choose to get their pets implanted with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002YFROI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0002YFROI" target="_blank">microchip </a>as a form of permanent ID. Pet nappers do exist, so if your pet does get stolen and the thieves take him to the vet, the staff usually will run a new pet's body under a scanner to confirm ownership. Also, if your pet gets lost or decides to take a little unannounced walk on his own, animal control usually has a microchip scanner too, in order to easily notify you if he's been picked up or dropped off. <br />
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Another "lost" tip: Be sure to always have a current photo saved, especially when traveling, just in case you need to make flyers... remember, if your pet ends up on his own, it's unfamiliar territory and he'll likely not know how to get back to where you're vacationing. And plus, you don't have neighbors who recognize him to help with his safe return. So, have a clear and recent photo saved in your email. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>2. VISIT THE VET.</b></span><br />
Before a road trip, it's a good time to take your pet to that overdue visit to the veterinarian. If you're staying with family, your pet could be exposed to other pets that may not be up-to-date on their vaccines. Getting your pet treated for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001T9OWMS?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001T9OWMS" target="_blank">fleas</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001T9OWMS?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001T9OWMS" target="_blank">ticks</a>, Bordetella, Rabies and other transmittable parasites and diseases would be much appreciated by your pet, your family and their animals. <br />
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Certain areas you may be headed to might also be prone to other contractible pet diseases. So, be sure to do your research and inform your vet about any travel plans. Protecting your pet by vaccinating him for Lyme disease, Parvo, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003VTA48A?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003VTA48A" target="_blank">heartworm</a>, and any other recommended preventatives is highly advisable. Also, is your pet the anxious type? Be sure to mention this to your vet--he may suggest prescribing your pet a sedative.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>3. HOME AWAY FROM HOME</b></span><br />
Just like you, pets like the comforts of home. So, pack and plan some familiar items like their <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003TUNZQ4?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003TUNZQ4" target="_blank">bed</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002QH09HY?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002QH09HY" target="_blank">toys</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000JKM0LI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000JKM0LI" target="_blank">brush</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006G5KTE?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0006G5KTE" target="_blank">bones</a>, and even their <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003AQBH8K?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003AQBH8K" target="_blank">bowls</a>. Also, have food and water readily available along with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0035MNUM0?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0035MNUM0" target="_blank">first aid kit for pets</a> and any medications. Be sure to bring their current treats and food--this is not the time to get experimental with their digestive tract. <br />
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Additionally, if you're traveling abroad, be careful. Municipal water systems vary from place to place, so drinking the local water would be an abrupt change to what your pet is used to, which could cause some serious digestive issues as well. As a precaution, start with a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ZHG4A8?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000ZHG4A8" target="_blank">gallon of water</a> from home and "water your dog" along the route, topping off the gallon from a local water source at every stop. This gradual change should be easier on your pet and your car.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>4. SAY YES TO THE PET</b></span><br />
As for hotel stops, be sure to check with the concierge in advance. Some places are not pet friendly due to insurance and other reasons. They may also charge a fee that you'll want to be prepared for. Make sure to ask about their pet restrictions, such as breed or weight limitations. Being surprised by any of these issues at say 11 at night after 12 hours of driving, would not make a very pleasant start to your vacation.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>5. DO YOU LET YOUR KID RUN LOOSE IN THE CAR?</b></span><br />
Pets are as fragile as a child, so travel with your pet as you would one of them! Would you drive around with a baby in your lap? What about placing your kid in the front seat with no seatbelt? Do you stick your toddler in the trunk with just a metal gate barrier? Hopefully, it's a big NO to all of these. I mean, just imagine what could happen to such a delicate body under no safety restraint in a car accident! Fortunately, there are plenty of vehicle safety items you can buy to better protect your pet. Here are two great options:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MD3NFO?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000MD3NFO" target="_blank">SOLVIT PET VEHICLE SAFETY HARNESS (VARIOUS SIZES) </a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MD3NFO?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000MD3NFO" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51AtW20s9tL._SL160_.jpg" / ></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IH5MJE?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000IH5MJE" target="_blank">GOOD PET STUFF TRAVELIN' DOG PET SEAT</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000IH5MJE?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000IH5MJE" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41NK12pEraL._SL160_.jpg" /></a><br />
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Even a bigger warning: Do not stick your pets in the back of your pickup truck! More than an estimated 100,000 dogs die from falling out of pickup trucks each year. Bumps in the road or a quick swerve can throw the dog from the bed, injuring or killing your pet and potentially causing more accidents as other drivers swerve to miss hitting him. Dogs are easily distracted, which may cause them to jump out. As well, there have been cases where a dog's paws have gotten too hot and they leaped from the truck bed, killing the dog instantly. <br />
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According to the Humane Society, there is no harness or leash that will keep a dog safe in the back of a pickup truck. In fact, a leash could strangle him, if he's thrown. If you must stick him in the truck bed, at least place him in a padded metal crate made for that purpose and make sure it is securely tied down. Put as much cautious effort in protecting your pet as if you were putting your toddler back there!<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>6. PETS GET CAR SICK TOO!</b></span><br />
If your pet is one of the unfortunate few, give him a light meal a few hours before you leave and feed him minimally (if at all) during the drive. Be sure to offer him small amounts of water periodically in the hours before the trip. Consider taking along ice cubes, which will be easier on your pet than if he gulps down the water instead (this will also help keep your pet busy). If your pet is new to car rides, prepare him well in advance by taking him on short trips around the neighborhood and offer plenty of praise.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>7. NO DOGGY IN THE WINDOW.</b></span><br />
Yes, dogs absolutely love sticking their heads out the window. Although it's sad to deprive him of all those wonderful outdoor smells he craves, many dogs are injured when road debris or even insects fly into their eyes, nostrils, or windpipe. They can also become ill from having cold air forced into their lungs (especially at fast speeds). Even worse, dogs have accidentally stepped on the electric window control and strangled themselves. As well, a quick break and your dog could go flying out the window. So, let's keep the dogs inside and they can enjoy the fresh air from their car seat or safety harness, just like everyone else in the car. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>8. SKIP THE HOT DOG.</b></span><br />
Your pet can't tell you if he's hot or cold, so be cognitive of the temperature at all times. If you're wearing a jacket inside the car because the vehicle hasn't warmed up yet, perhaps your pet would like the extra insulation too. So, make sure to have a blanket handy. In warm weather, keep the windows open or raise the AC to prevent dehydration. If you think you're hot in the car, imagine what it'd be like to have a fur coat on. With that in mind, be sure to keep your pets (especially the dark ones) out of direct sun light and keep the vents directed on them as well. And remember, there may be vents only in the front of the car, so share the AC love in the back!<br />
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Never leave your pet, or your child for that matter, alone in the car. During the summer, the car's internal temperature can rapidly reach lethal levels, even with the windows ajar. If you need to run into a store, take the pet with you if possible. If not, ask a travel companion to walk your pet or request they please remain in the car with them. This also prevents pet napping.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>9. REST STOPS ARE FOR DOGS TOO.</b></span><br />
Not only do dogs have smaller bladders than us, they also need to stretch their legs more. Rest stops are a great place to let your pets relieve themselves and exercise their joints. Remember to keep them on a leash and have them properly vaccinated. And keeping them under the cafe bench while you eat, is not exercise. So, take them on a brisk walk--it will be good for both of you.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>10. CLEAN YOUR CAR.</b></span><br />
Not only is this nice for you and others, but it could save your pet's life. If your dog's a chewer, remove any hazardous objects he could choke on or any items that may be poisonous. Also, make sure you don't have any loose gum or candy bars around that your dog could ingest. Some dogs will eat ANYTHING, so keep it clean to keep it safe!</blockquote>Now for all you jet setters, be sure to fly your pet in the safest of styles. Much of the info above will apply to flying as well. But, for flight specific info, see below for some great general tips on air travel. Please note that each airline has its own guidelines, so it is important to notify your airline of your pet's travel and request any additional info regarding their requirements.<br />
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<center><img height="276" src="http://www.all4humor.com/images/files/Airplane%20Dog.jpg" width="320" /></center><blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>AIR SAFETY! </b></span> <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>IMPLANTS FOR YOUR PETS</b></span> <br />
Animals that are traveling internationally must have an implanted microchip that meet ISO standards (or the owner must provide a compatible reader). The microchip number should appear on all veterinary and vaccination certificates. Pet "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001A481N8?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001A481N8" target="_blank">passports</a>" are a great idea--it keeps all important health information in one spot and readily available. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>HOW TO SHIP FIDO</b></span> <br />
If you cannot accompany your pet on the plane, or he's too large to fly with you in the cabin, then you can opt to transport him as cargo or accompanied baggage. May sound a little scary, but the airlines take serious measures in shipping animals as humanely as possible. Just to note, you may only fly your pet as accompanied baggage, if you're flying on the same flight as your pet. If your pet is flying alone, then you may ship him as cargo through regular cargo channels, or via expedited delivery service that many airlines have developed. Most airplane cargo departments have specialists in the transport of animals who can assist you with questions and will assure you that they are trained to handle your pet with care and experience. Be sure your pet's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003ZSZ6S0?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003ZSZ6S0" target="_blank">travel crate</a> is airline, DOT, and USDA approved. <br />
<br />
If your pet is small enough, most airlines will allow passengers to carry their pets on board with them. They must be able to fit comfortably under the passenger's seat in an approved <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001IA569G?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001IA569G" target="_blank">pet carrier</a>. Contact your airline to find out about their pet policy regarding animal size, acceptable crates, procedures, and restrictions. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>TRAVEL IN STYLE & COMFORT</b></span> <br />
From experience, I will tell you that a comfortable pet bag is a must! The pet weight limit for most airlines is about 20lbs for in-cabin traveling. So, if you want to haul that type of weight on your shoulder for several hours, be my guest... but trust me, you'll wish you had one of these:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GDZ0VU?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000GDZ0VU" target="_blank">Deluxe Backpack Pet Carrier on Wheels</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GDZ0VU?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000GDZ0VU" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41hsd7gKxCL._SL160_.jpg" /><br />
</a><br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER WHEN YOUR ANIMAL TRAVELS</b></span> <br />
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<b><i>Is your pet old enough?</b></i><br />
The USDA says that your animal must be at least eight weeks old and fully weaned before traveling with the airlines.<br />
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<b><i>Which flights are easier on your pet?</b></i><br />
Whenever possible, book a direct, nonstop flight and avoid holiday or weekend travel, if your pet is flying via cargo. Consider schedules that minimize temperature extremes. For example, try to avoid travel during excessively hot or cold periods. During periods of excessive cold, an Acclimation Certificate may be required. Morning or evening flights are preferable during the summer. In the cargo system, it is possible to reserve space on a specific flight by paying for either priority or the special expedited delivery service. <br />
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If your pet is on board with you, then make sure to provide a sweater or blanket inside their carrier during cold weather. If it's hot, place them in the largest carrier that will fit under the seat, so more air can ventilate through their cage. If possible, trim their hair short, so they're not forced to wear a fur coat during the summer months!<br />
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<b><i>Is your pet healthy?</b></i><br />
Check with your veterinarian to be sure your animal is fit to travel. Some species such as pug-nosed dogs (e.g., Boxers, Boston Terriers) - simply do not fly well, because they can have difficulty breathing even under normal conditions. You will need a health certificate in order to comply with the rules of most airlines, as well as state and federal rules. Your veterinarian will be able to supply this. Most airlines ask that it be issued no more than seven to ten days before departure. Be sure to check with the airline to get the exact amount of time they require before your pet's trip.<br />
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<b><i>Use of tranquilizers</b></i><br />
Sedation is not advised since the effects of tranquilizers on animals at higher altitudes are unpredictable. The decision to prescribe a tranquilizer for your pet should be made by your veterinarian. If you believe some form of sedation might be helpful, be sure to obtain and follow a veterinarian's advice.<br />
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A note from a veterinarian, Dr. Levine: “I think the most common request I get from pet owners scheduling a trip is concerning tranquilizers. But a cat or dog that’s been tranquilized will be more likely to die during the flight because the medication changes how the body reacts to stressful situations.” Dr. Levine also added, “Tranquilizers don’t usually have much effect anyway. If you’ve taken sleeping pills and your house is on fire, you’re not going to have any problems staying awake when you’re running out the door. The adrenaline overrides the medication. The same goes for a pet who’s experiencing stress during a flight – its body will override the effects of the drug.” This doctor's advice is definitely something to consider...<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>BEFORE YOU TAKE OFF</b></span><br />
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<b><i>Acclimate your pet to the crate or carrier</b></i><br />
Prior to an airplane ride, the pet should be allowed access to his crate or carrier. Throughout the day, place treats inside the crate for the pet to find and enjoy. Feed the pet inside the crate. Place toys or a favorite blanket inside so that the pet begins to associate the crate with pleasant experiences.<br />
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<b><i>Withhold food and water before a flight</b></i><br />
A pet should not be given access to food within 12-18 hours of a flight; water should be limited during this time period. Withholding food and limiting access to water before the pet's flight will help lessen the likelihood of an accident while the pet is on the airplane.<br />
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<b><i>Exercise pets before the flight</b></i><br />
Shortly before leaving for the airport, exercise the pet who will be flying. Take your pet for a long run, or play a strenuous game of fetch at the park. This will help drain some of the pet’s energy, making him more likely to sleep and relax during the flight.<br />
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<b><i> Line the bottom of the pet’s crate or carrier with puppy pads </b></i><br />
When flying with a pet, there's always a chance that he'll have a bathroom accident. On the day of the flight, puppy pads can be used to absorb any unplanned messes, making for easy disposal, while also keeping the pet relatively clean and dry.<br />
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On top of the puppy pads, place a thick hand or bath towel (depending on size) or a folded fleece blanket, which can serve as a comfortable, yet absorbent surface for the pet to relax.<br />
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<b><i>Pack pet supplies for the flight</b></i><br />
A scared or nervous pet may urinate, defecate or vomit due to nerves. So it’s vital that pet owners take along at least two extra puppy pads and two extra towels of sufficient size to line the bottom of the pet’s crate or carrier. If you plan to keep any soiled towels from the crate bottom (instead of disposing of them), bring along a plastic zip-lock bag to contain moisture and odor.<br />
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Also bring along a package of baby wipes to clean your pet following any unexpected messes. Dry cabin air, combined with panting that often results from stress, can lead to thirst, so also bring along a portable pet water bottle, with fold-down drinking reservoir. But be careful not to give him too much, otherwise you may put those puppy pads to use! Opt for ice cubes instead, if you think it will sufficiently hydrate him.<br />
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<b><i>Bring a chew toy to keep pets occupied</b></i><br />
Most pets love bones and chew toys. Use this as a distraction from the stressful situation by keeping them occupied with something they enjoy. Make sure it's one of the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006G5KTE?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B0006G5KTE" target="_blank">long lasting bones</a> best for strengthening teeth. If you get the easily chewable ones, be prepared for a real mess (and follow the steps above). <br />
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<b><i>Before you Bark & Park</b></i><br />
There's plenty you can do to prepare your pet for air travel, but the best thing you can do to prepare yourself is to check your airline's regulations for pet travel. Most airlines have a website containing the necessary information regarding required documentation that pet owners must present, along with information on dimensions for in-cabin crates and carriers. And just a warning, if your crate won’t fit under the seat, your pet will be transferred to cargo, so ensuring that a crate is the correct size will help pets and owners avoid unpleasant changes in plans and fees. Any questions that are not available online can certainly be answered by calling an airline representative. <br />
</blockquote>The holidays are stressful enough. So, don't add to it by not preparing yourself for traveling with your pet. If you're well prepared, you will put yourself at ease knowing your pet is relaxed and safe. Your pet will thank you, too. Any additional tips would be greatly appreciated by commenting below. Happy Holidays, Renters!<br />
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<i>Article by <a href="http://www.RentalsGoneWild.com" target="_blank">RentalsGoneWild.com</a> </i><br />
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<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Frentalsgonewild.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F11%2Ftags-arent-just-for-luggage.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&font=verdana&colorscheme=light&height=80" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:80px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-81951029855877834722010-10-24T17:15:00.034-04:002010-10-25T12:16:53.914-04:00BALCONY BARBIE<center><img alt="article pic" height="332" src="http://www.productdose.com/images/products/draft_1435_big.jpg" width="370" /></center><br />
During football season, nothing goes with a game like <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MM2SF6?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000MM2SF6" target="_blank">bbq </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003LSSJY2?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B003LSSJY2" target="_blank">beer</a>. So, it's Saturday afternoon, you're in your apartment and it's time to make this happen. Your beer's sitting pretty all cold in the fridge, but let's not defile your poor meat by turning it out on a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001NXC65K?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001NXC65K" target="_blank">George Foreman</a> and trying to call it BBQ. <br />
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Now, you could always haul your charcoal and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0376020598?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0376020598" target="_blank">ingredients </a>down to your apartment complex's grilling area. But, I'm not really sure how quality of a football game you're going to have on your <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002P3KMLW?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002P3KMLW" target="_blank">portable TV</a> with no friends. Might as well go tailgate. (Click <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EH4TWE?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000EH4TWE" target="_blank">here </a>for the best tailgate grill. EVER.) <br />
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So, obviously there's one advantage of homeownership; and that is barbecuing. But, who's to say you don't have a "backyard?" Ditch the Foreman and the communal fire pit and check out these awesome smaller grills fit for your porch. Yeah, your "backyard" may be tiny, but here's an instance when size really doesn't matter. These state-of-the-art miniature grills were designed to fit in smaller places, but are powerful enough to hold up to 50 lbs of food in some cases! Just be sure you check first with your management, or review your lease agreement, regarding grilling on your porch. So do yourself a flavor and pick below from one of our favorite grills, so you can get barbecuing before the season's over! <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>TOP 5 APARTMENT GRILLS</b></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>1. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CDHOJA?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000CDHOJA" target="_blank">WEBER 426001 Q 300 PROPANE GAS BBQ</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=redfanblo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000CDHOJA" target="_blank" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b></span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CDHOJA?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000CDHOJA" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41A5YKPASQL._SL160_.jpg" /></a><br />
This is ideal for those who want the ultimate porch grill. It provides that authentic grilling feel, but is perfectly sized for easy storage and doesn't take up a lot of space. At 83 pounds, don't plan on any picnics. Price is about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000CDHOJA?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000CDHOJA" target="_blank">$325.54</a>.<br />
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<i>Features:</i> This full-size model maintains and often expands upon the tabletop original's conveniences, while benefiting from more permanent patio installation. The liquid propane grill employs two 13,850 BTU burners to heat its 393-square inch cooking area, providing space for several dozen hot dogs or even a medium-sized turkey. Weber crafted the grill's tall lid and body in tough cast aluminum, framed by a heat- and moisture- resistant nylon frame with glass reinforcement. A simple push-button ignition fires up the stainless-steel burners. Users adjust the burners' output with a control knob and monitor the heat on a built-in thermometer in the lid. Meat cooks evenly on top of the two cooking grates. Constructed in sturdy cast-iron and porcelain enameling, the grates resist warping and rusting while cleaning with relative ease. Drip ducts help direct and collect greasy drippings. Two polyethylene side tables attach to create extra preparation space. Spatulas and tongs can be hung from the tool holders on the grill's frame. The provided regulator hose connects the grill to a separately purchased 20-pound propane tank, which stows unobtrusively on a lower shelf. Weber offers a limited five-year warranty for this item. With the lid closed, the grill measures 44 by 36-1/2 by 22 inches. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>2.<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WOTUCI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000WOTUCI" target="_blank">Weber 386002 Q 100 Portable Propane Gas Grill</a><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WOTUCI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000WOTUCI" target= "_blank"><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=redfanblo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000WOTUCI" target="_blank" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> </a></b></span><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WOTUCI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000WOTUCI" target= "_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41juuGovHzL._SL160_.jpg" /></a><br />
If the 300 model is too big, too expensive, or just too heavy, the smaller 100 version is the perfect portable gas grill ideal for both your porch and to transport. It's easy to use and clean, while also rugged in construction. Priced at only about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000WOTUCI?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000WOTUCI" target="_blank">$139.00</a>, this topnotch small gas grill is a good choice for apartment living and your wallet. <br />
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<i>Features:</i> Weber crafted the grill's lid and body in tough cast aluminum with a sturdy glass-reinforced nylon frame. The grill ignites at the push of a button for reliable lighting, and an infinitely adjustable burner valve with a high-quality regulator makes it easy to control the heat. Meat sizzles on the porcelain-enameled cast-iron cooking grates, while drippings follow the drip ducts to reduce potential flare-ups and enable quicker cleaning. Other highlights include a flavorizer system integrated into the cooking grate, a removable catch pan, and a large weather-resistant lid handle. The grill operates on a standard 14.1- or 16.4-ounce propane cylinder. Propane does not come included, but Weber does enclose a Weber Q cookbook of recipes and inspiration. The grill measures 16 by 27 by 23-1/2 inches with the lid open and carries a five-year limited warranty. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>3. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FA0C7U?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FA0C7U" target="_blank">Outdoor Great Room Cook Number Series Electric Grills</a><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=redfanblo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B001FA0C7U" target="_blank" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FA0C7U?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FA0C7U" target= "_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51pAZOOkC8L._SL160_.jpg" /></a></b></span><br />
For those people who's apartment complexes have banned gas or charcoal grills, there are a few other options that will still give you that authentic grilling experience. Outdoor Great Room has successfully managed to create an electric portable grill that can be used both indoors and out to successfully sear a steak and grill any other meat or vegetable. If you're confined to plug-ins, and you have the money, then this is the one for you at about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001FA0C7U?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B001FA0C7U" target="_blank">$319.20</a>. <br />
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<i>Features:</i> The appliance delivers the same power as a full-size grill, but it runs on ordinary household current--simply plug it in for grilling, roasting, convection baking, and more. In minutes, it can reach temperatures up to 500 degrees F for searing meat or fillets. The unit features a built-in food probe and an exclusive Cook Number System with 10 precise settings that indicate when food has been cooked to perfection. Its Cook Number technology and thermodynamic design provide cleaner, greener grilling that leaves virtually no carbon footprint. In addition, the high-efficiency electric grill conserves energy and costs only 10 to 15 cents per hour to use. Compare that to as much as $1.50 an hour for ordinary 30,000-BTU gas grills or up to $3 an hour for 60,000-BTU grills. Other highlights include 250 square inches of cooking space, a searing temperature control knob, and a slide-out grease drawer and aluminum tray for easy cleanup. Optional grill carts can be purchased separately. The electric grill measures 19 by 21 by 9 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>4.<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HVAIQS?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000HVAIQS" target="_blank">Brinkmann 810-5301-6 Smoke'N Grill</a><br />
<img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=redfanblo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000HVAIQS" style="border: none !important; margin: 0px !important;" width="1" /></b></span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HVAIQS?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000HVAIQS" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41DpkAPJveL._SL160_.jpg" /> </a><br />
Starting at only <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000HVAIQS?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000HVAIQS" target="_blank">$69.88</a>, this is an awesome priced charcoal smoker and grill. Enjoy slow-cooked BBQ and authentic smokehouse flavor. It's perfect for large gatherings (PARTY) as it comes equipped with two chrome-plated steel cooking grills that can hold up to 50 pounds of food! <br />
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<i>Features:</i> Cook a ham on one level and a chicken on the other. Both the top and bottom grill levels cook at about the same temperature, so when cooking different types or cuts of meat at the same time, place the meat that cooks the fastest on the top grill for convenient removal. The unit's domed lid supplies a heat indicator for checking the temperature at a glance, while its front-hinged chrome door allows for adding charcoal or water during the smoking process. This is an easy-to-clean lightweight design at just 24 pounds. The charcoal smoker and grill measures 17 by 17 by 32 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>5. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YDG462?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000YDG462" target="_blank">Outdoor Chef - City Grill with Cradle</a><img src="http://www.assoc-amazon.com/e/ir?t=redfanblo-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B000YDG462" target="_blank" width="1" height="1" border="0" alt="" style="border:none !important; margin:0px !important;" /> </span></b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YDG462?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000YDG462" target="_blank"><img src="https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/419EbErO3GL._SL160_.jpg" /></a><br />
If you want to simmer some juicy steaks, or get that nice authentic grilled feel to your meat, the City Grill will help and it's priced at only around <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000YDG462?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000YDG462" target="_blank">$172.27</a>. Yes, it may look like just any ordinary basic grill, but it's unique features make it anything but as it's considered one of the most versatile outdoor cooking systems ever created. <br />
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<i>Features:</i>The Flip Funnel design is the key to its over reaching success. Not only does this feature stop annoying flare ups from burning the exterior of your food, but it also prevents clouds of smoke from blinding you during the cooking process or simply aggravating your next door neighbor. You leave all these memories behind with the City Grill. The Flip Funnel is also important in cooking the way you want. If you need to bake a whole turkey, the City Grill will cook just like a convention oven. You will not have to turn your foods at any time during this cooking option. But by adjusting the Flip Funnel into the upright form, simply by turning the device upside down, you completely change the cooking dynamic of the City Grill. <br />
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</blockquote>If you're feeling crafty (i.e. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0470084863?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0470084863" target="_blank">you're broke</a>), you could always try to make your own homemade "flower box" balcony grill. Seriously! This is inspired by a real product called Balcony Grill Bruce. It's not on the market yet, but you could easily try to construct the concept yourself. How challenging could it really be to convert a metal flower box into a basic charcoal grill? Be sure it's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002BL8JGS?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B002BL8JGS" target="_blank">hung securely</a> on the balustrade, otherwise there goes your meat and your only grill... If you can get it to stay put, a real plus is the fact that it's position on the railing won't smoke out your apartment as the flow will move on up and out. So, just be sure to invite the neighbors--and even if they pass you up on your offer, they may let it slide after seeing your creation. As for management, they on the other hand may not be as impressed with your handyman skills, so be sure to get their approval first. <br />
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Worse case scenario: Your apartment's management says no to everything. Who cares? Hit up a homeowning friend. I mean what are friends for if they can't provide you with a little TV time on their couch, free beer, and cook you up some <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000MM2SF6?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B000MM2SF6" target="_blank">homemade BBQ</a> out back? See, you too can enjoy the benefits of <a href=http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0471099783?ie=UTF8&tag=redfanblo-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0471099783" target="_blank">homeownership</a>!<br />
<br />
<i>Article by <a href="http://www.RentalsGoneWild.com" target="_blank">RentalsGoneWild.com</a> </i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg-2Squ0CpHYqhwK8-E6byQHF2kxIUtqnhrc6Q4DSMZ5EwM2eSOuJvEjQxaKRK2Om-k9nodT5sPv6F7pA7MPNUuzOHmO9wR9CL2Emor9r8bKZVr4_w782-MdOlNxffJEl4XRGkG1q4Z42/s1600/habits-of-broke-people.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg-2Squ0CpHYqhwK8-E6byQHF2kxIUtqnhrc6Q4DSMZ5EwM2eSOuJvEjQxaKRK2Om-k9nodT5sPv6F7pA7MPNUuzOHmO9wR9CL2Emor9r8bKZVr4_w782-MdOlNxffJEl4XRGkG1q4Z42/s320/habits-of-broke-people.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><i>You're approved to move, but can you afford to move-in?</i></b></span><br />
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Times are tough and if you're like the majority of Americans out there, the economy has wreaked havoc on your credit. Apartment communities know that, which is why many of them are becoming more lax in their approvals. However, despite getting approved, there's the next obstacle: MOVE-IN FEES. <br />
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Most people's funds are super tight right now, and so accommodating for moving expenses can be an absolute blow to your budget. Just because a community approves you, bad credit and all, doesn't mean it's not without stipulations. To cover the risk, community's will generally raise your deposit from the standard $200 to an entire month's rent! Not to mention, you've got the amenities fees, administration fees, application fees...fees, fees, fees. <br />
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And oh yeah, we almost forgot to include the expenses of actual moving. You think a moving truck, <a href="http://www.pods.com/?promo=rgw">movers</a>, <a href="http://rentalsgonewild.com/cart.php"> and boxes and supplies</a> come cheap? They just add to the monstrous list that many of us aren't financially prepared for. So as it all starts to add up, you've now got to come out of pocket with say $2000... AND you still haven't even received your deposit back from your last apartment. Yikes.<br />
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Clearly, moving costs can get crazy. But, there's always a solution to a problem. How about a rental deposit loan? Yes, they do exist. There are companies these days, like <a href="https://www.rentaldepositcash.com/?afnum=5604&afsubid=">RentalDepositCash.com</a>, that can actually help you get access to the extra cash you need for the deposit on your new place. And get this, there are no credit checks required! So, apparently these short term loan companies are falling into line with the apartment communities. Lax is the word nowadays and we like it.<br />
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Obviously, each company is different, but we can give you an idea of how it works by using RentalDepositCash.com as a great example. It's really simple--you make a quick <a href="https://www.rentaldepositcash.com/?afnum=5604&afsubid=">online application</a> and if you're approved, you could receive your money in as little as 24 hours. But of course, there's always a catch.... Here's their requirements:<br />
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>YOU MUST...</b></span></blockquote>
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>be a US Citizen or legal resident alien at least 18 years old;<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>have been employed at your current job for 3 consecutive months or more;<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>earn a monthly minimum take home pay of $800 after taxes;<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>have a valid checking account to receive your money.So, if you meet all four of these requisites, then you're good to apply. We checked it out, and it takes literally less than a minute to apply. And once you're approved, they electronically deposit the amount directly into your checking account and you should receive your money within 24 hours. <br />
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<i>Still a little skeptical? Here's some answers to your questions:</i><br />
<blockquote>
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Is my application secure and confidential?</b></span></blockquote>
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RentalDepositCash.com utilizes secure 128-bit encrypted order forms online. They deeply respect customers’ desire for privacy in managing their personal finances. The loan application is confidential, and your personal information will be treated accordingly.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>What is the maximum amount I can borrow?</b></span><br />
The maximum amount you can borrow is typically regulated by state law and at the discretion of the lender. You qualify for a particular advance amount based on your current income. There are times when you may not be able to borrow as much as you would like, but a rental deposit loan should be just a part of a short-term financial solution.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>How long will it take for me to get approved? </b></span><br />
Once your application is submitted, it is readily approved by one of their network lenders. To increase the success of your application, you should only apply to one website and payoff any outstanding short term loans.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>How do I receive my cash advance?</b></span><br />
Once approved, an email confirmation will be sent to you and your money will be electronically deposited directly into your checking account.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Do I need any collateral or at least good credit? </b></span><br />
No. Unlike other financial institutions, RentalDepositCash does not obtain a complete credit report. If you have bad credit, a bankruptcy, or no credit at all, a rental deposit loan may be the perfect solution for you.Pretty neat stuff here. Especially since it's hard enough getting any type of loan these days. But, since your collateral is your job, not a secured asset, your chances are much greater than applying anywhere else! This may be the next best alternative to having to borrow money from family or a friend... cause we all know that's never really fun. As well, a short term loan will be easier on your pockets to stay current, so this may just be the next step to getting your credit in the right direction, too! We can't guarantee you'll get approved, but it's definitely worth a shot! :) <br />
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Want to try it out? <a href="https://www.rentaldepositcash.com/?afnum=5604&afsubid=">CLICK HERE</a> to fill out an application right now!<br />
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Also, save 10% OFF <b><a href="http://www.pods.com/?promo=rgw">PODS</a></b> by using the promo code RGW...or simply <a href="http://www.pods.com/?promo=rgw">CLICK HERE</a>! Any moving discounts help!! <br />
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<i>Article by Lindsay Van Leer @ <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.RentalsGoneWild.com">RentalsGoneWild.com</a> </i><br />
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<iframe allowtransparency="true" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Frentalsgonewild.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F10%2Ftoo-broke-to-move-maybe-not.html&layout=standard&show_faces=true&width=450&action=like&font=verdana&colorscheme=light&height=80" style="border: none; height: 80px; overflow: hidden; width: 450px;"></iframe>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-84931039807036964632010-10-06T18:22:00.012-04:002010-10-20T13:31:05.242-04:00Too cool for online dating? You may be in denial.<center><img src="http://www.superlovehouse.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/online-dating-women.jpg" /></center><br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><i>You're Online Dating & You Don't Even Know It!</span></b></i><br />
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Is there still a stigma associated with online dating? Many of you say yes, while others are convinced that the decision to plug your personal stats into eHarmony, <a href="http://jxliu.com/click/?s=174478&c=334275" target="_blank">BeNaughty.com</a>, Match.com and their ilk is now as socially acceptable as sending a tweet or checking into Foursquare.<br />
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Even for those of us who haven't yet embraced the ever-increasing trend towards formalized online dating, the truth is that we're sort of kidding ourselves. We may be holding out against the implication that we need to sign up for one of these sites in order to find love, but almost all of us are romantically engaging with someone online via the least stigmatized social media outlet out there - Facebook.<br />
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Although Facebook revolves around the presupposition of "friendship," insisting on calling everyone from your mother, to your high school math teacher, to that guy you met at a bar your "friend," your Facebook friendships are no less ambiguous than many of your off-line relationships. Facebook is essentially one big online party, rife with flirtations, mixed signals, behavioral assumptions, and outright Jersey Shore-style creeping. <br />
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So, since Facebook is practically an unavoidable player in our love lives these days, how exactly does it factor into our day-to-day romances? In what ways does its functionality compare to those of more explicit online dating sites? In what ways are you in denial that you're already online dating? Let's break it down, feature-by-feature.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>The Friend Request</span></b> - Sending a friend request to someone you've just met, romantically-motivated or not, can send a surprisingly clear signal of interest. You basically are asking for an invite to know all the details about them - friends, family, job, likes, relationship status, photos... Clearly, it's a next step forward in any burgeoning friendship, professional relationship, or flirtation.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>The Poke</span></b> - Poking someone on Facebook is roughly the equivalent of winking at someone on OkCupid. Who knows what the hell it means? Consider it a way of jumping on a "friend's" radar without actually needing to have something interesting to say. It can be used to communicate, "I can't think of a cute thing to write, so maybe this'll get your attention," or "Let's face it, I'm a little creepy and I'm staring at your picture right now." It can mean whatever you want, and take the place of personalized flirtation or interaction. Just another option to flirt with your new - or old - "friend."<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>The Message</span></b> - Writing an individualized, private message is a way to establish contact without allowing the entire Facebook community to see it. It's equivalent to, well, writing a private message on a dating site. Want to reconnect with a blast from your past? Sending a message is a great way to initiate an actual e-conversation without having to worry that you'll be publicly ignored or rejected. And somehow, it still feels like less of a "big deal" than sending an actual email.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>The Wall Post</span></b> - We now come to the wall post - possibly the most charged of the Facebook flirtations. If you want to flirt with someone, then you send them a message. But if you want everyone on Facebook to know that you're flirting with someone, then you write on their wall. Being overtly flirtatious on someone's wall turns up the heat and presents a challenge to other "friends" who may be flirting with him or her as well. You're basically marking your territory. Most dating sites don't seem to have an equivalent option, perhaps because it can create a romantically competitive - as opposed to open - dynamic. Careful with that one.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>The Status Update</span></b> - Here's a way for people to casually check in on each other without appearing overly eager or invested (sort of a "It's not like I was thinking about you, but then your status popped up in my news feed and I just had to comment!" vibe). It's an opportunity to flirt, to subtly remind someone that you exist, and to bond over shared interests and witticisms. Become a regular commenter, and you'll soon feel like you know each other and are actually a part of each others' lives! Strange, right?<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>The Photos</span></b> - Does it look like they're dating someone? Are they actually as good-looking as they appear in their main photo? What are their friends like? Are they big partiers? Are they awkward? The secrets of the Photos tab - and the questions that it can answer - are neverending, and much more expansive and revealing than the three or four carefully selected photos that you might find on OkCupid. Facebook certainly wins for comprehensiveness in this category.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Mutual friends</span></b> - You don't even need to be Facebook friends with someone to see who your mutual friends are! Score. Want some dirt on that guy or girl you just met? Wondering if they're single? Hoping someone can hook you up, or put in a good word for you? Now you instantly know who to ask.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Facebook Places</span></b> - In some ways, Facebook Places has the most potential to turn us all into psycho stalkers of our new romantic prospects. The best use of this new feature is to find out what kinds of places your "friend" likes to frequent, simply as a way to get to know someone better. The worst use? To find out where he or she is and just "happen" to show up there as well. Really, please, don't do that.<br />
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So all of us who think we're too cool for online dating, let's say it together: we are engaging in Techno-Romance, even if we're supposedly opposed to dragging our love lives online. We're not any more sophisticated, or any wiser, than our Match.com friends. We just prefer the ambiguity of the post-dating world to the explicitness of more traditional modes of romantic "dating" interactions - even when it's all taking place online.<br />
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No surprises there.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jessica-massa/youre-online-dating-and-y_b_705548.html" target="_blank">Article Copyright, Contributor</a></i>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-14162186152188350102010-09-28T23:35:00.014-04:002010-10-02T00:08:08.005-04:00Living Alone? ...You May Want to Read This...<center><img height="400" src="http://celebgalz.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/440.jpg" width="306" /></center><br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><i><font size= 2>Don't think it could happen to you? We now live in a world that broadcasts our information to just about anyone. So now more than ever, it's especially important for those people who live alone (like Jessica who is still missing), to follow these <u>simple</u> steps to increase your safety and home security.</span></i></b></font><br />
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You may be a college grad living on your own for the very first time. Or perhaps, you're an empty-nester, single parent, or a widow. Whatever the situation, living alone can stir up a range of feelings - from excitement to worry - about your safety. Here are some tips to help you feel secure with your new way of life.<br />
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<i><b>Protecting Your Home </b></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Change the locks</b> when you move to a new place. Install a deadbolt lock.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Get a security system </b> if you are anxious about break-ins.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Make sure your front door has a peephole</b> - and USE it!<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Insert a piece of wood or a metal pole inside the tracks of any sliding doors </b> to increase security.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Keep your garage door locked.</b> If there is a door from the garage to your house, keep that locked too.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Set up timers to turn your lights on at night</b> when you're away.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Keep outside lights on </b> at night.</blockquote><b><i>Staying Safe Inside</i></b><i></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Don't advertise that you live alone</b>, especially on FACEBOOK! List your telephone number with just your first initial and last name. If you live in an apartment, show just your last name on the mailbox. Record an answering machine greeting that says, "We aren't here right now...."<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>When your doorbell rings, call out, "I'll get it" </b> before you answer the door.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Keep your screen door locked or the chain-lock in place </b> when you answer the door. Don't let strangers in. If someone needs help, offer to call the police while the person waits outside.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Ask for ID </b>before letting service people into your home.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Call 9-1-1 </b>if you hear noises or see anything suspicious near your home. Don't feel awkward; this is what the police are trained to do.</blockquote><b><i>When You're Away</i></b><i></i><br />
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These precautions can help you feel secure when you get home:<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Lock up before you go</b> - whether you'll be away for five minutes or five days.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Have a friend pick up your mail and newspapers when you're out of town. </b>If possible, have someone park his or her car in your driveway.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Don't leave notes on the door saying that you're out</b> - and when you'll return.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Before going out, leave a $20 bill in your home</b> - in plain sight. When you return, don't step inside if the money is gone.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Leave and call 9-1-1 if anything seems amiss </b> (such as an open door or a slit screen). Don't go inside.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Leave your spare key with someone you trust </b> - not under the doormat or inside the mailbox.</blockquote><b><i>Keeping Loved Ones Informed </i></b><i></i><br />
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Imagine the worst - that you fall down the stairs, have a heart attack or fall victim to a crime. These thoughts may be scary, but preparing for them can make you less vulnerable.<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>If you don't know anyone in your area, ask a loved one to stay in close contact.</b> Have that person call for help if he or she can't reach you within an agreed-upon time frame.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>If you have family and friends nearby, give one of them your key.</b> Tell this person to use it if something happens and you can't be reached.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>Let a friend know where you'll be and when you'll return</b>, if you're going away on business or vacation.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span><b>If you don't already have a cell phone, get one.</b> You'll have it for emergencies and you'll be able to keep your loved ones informed - by phone or text - if there's a problem.</blockquote>Living alone may give you some desired independence, but don't take that freedom too far. Staying in touch enhances your social life - and provides a lifeline between you and your loved ones. But, being too in touch with just anyone, could cost you your safety!<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.myoptumhealth.com/portal/Information/item/Safety+Tips+for+People+Who+Live+Alone?archiveChannel=Home/Article&clicked=true" target="_blank">Article Copyright</a></i><br />
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<!--26caa97c69bf4b89b29099c598824284-->Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-82597798650740111522010-09-16T23:39:00.007-04:002010-09-17T20:42:37.502-04:00Decorating a Small Apartment on an Even Smaller Budget<center><img src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/_8b8X9anB70I/S3IVSsnkHYI/AAAAAAAAAYY/JJKS-1AjlEI/s400/AT%20-%20Small%20Cool%202008%20loft%20bed.jpg" /></center><br />
<i><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>It takes time to transform a confined living space into a comfort zone without emptying your wallet, but it can be done! Turn your small apartment into a fun place to be, and relax in style. </b></span><b></b></i><br />
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Decorating a small apartment on an even smaller budget can be a tricky task. The goal is to create a living area that is comfortable and enjoyable, while at the same time maximizing your space and minimizing the amount of cash spent on the whole design project.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>ANALYZE YOUR SPACE</b></span><b></b><br />
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Where to start? First thing's first: step back, and take a good look at your living space. Perhaps you've already got a few design ideas in mind. But, will these ideas work within your small apartment? If they don't initially, there's a chance that you can make them work with some adjustments. For example, you may have to sacrifice a chair that you are fond of, if you are going to have room for that really comfortable sofa. If you are considering the purchase of a large mirror that will take up too much space on the wall, look for something similar, but smaller.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b> CHOOSE A COLOR THEME </b></span><b></b><br />
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So, what exactly is a decor theme? A decor theme creates fluidity in a design project. It can includes a harmony of colors, furniture styles, artwork, and accessories. Overall, this harmony should promote comfort, making your space a relaxing place to live. A decor theme helps to tie a room, or an entire apartment together. When developing your theme, simply work with what you enjoy; something that you've enjoyed for years, or a style that intrigues you.<br />
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There's a good chance that you already have a decor theme going. Are you a collector of sports memorabilia, elephants, Asian decor, anything? Do you love the color blue or red? Your theme may be right under your nose!<br />
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Suppose that you collect old movie posters from the 1930's, for example. Work the posters into a vintage theme. Find shining chrome retro appliances on sale, faux art deco sculptures to place on your bookshelf, and used vintage books to place on your coffee table.<br />
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Do you fill your bookcase with Roman history texts or Greek mythology books? Look for paintings, rugs, etc. with an archaic or neoclassical theme -- and you don't have to pay a fortune for them either! I will get to that in a bit. Whether it's country floral, plaid prints, safari, southwestern, rustic, industrial steel decor, or anything else really that interests you, the selection of a decor theme will keep you on track and will prevent your decor from taking on an inharmonious look.<br />
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Brainstorm and write down your ideas... seriously, you've got a strong beginning already! <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b> INTERIOR TIPS</b></span><b></b><br />
<blockquote><b><i>Arrangement</i></b><br />
You can have two small apartments of the same size and same layout, with the same furniture inside both, and one apartment will look and feel larger than the other. It's all about arrangement. When working with a limited space, arranging your belongings along the walls will open up the center of a small room. When the center of a room is broken up, you get a cluttered look, that gives a feeling of confinement.<br />
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<b><i>Windows</i></b><br />
If your small apartment has large windows, use them to your advantage! Let as much sunlight shine in as possible. If you are concerned about privacy, use sheer curtains made of fabrics that obscure the interior of your space, but still manage to infuse your rooms with light.<br />
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<b><i> Painting</i></b><i></i><br />
Here's a painting tip that will help you to make the best of your small space: The application of a light color to your walls will make your room seem larger than it truly is. If your ceilings seem too low, paint them a color lighter than the walls. This will make the ceiling seem higher. If you paint the walls a lighter color than the ceiling, the room itself will seem larger.<br />
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<b><i>Mirrors</i></b><i> </i><br />
You can also convey the illusion of space with mirrors. The effect is subtle, but you'll find that mirrors are functional in more than one way. They work well in narrow hallways, and hung on the narrowest walls of rectangular rooms.</blockquote><br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b> Space Savers </b></span><b></b><br />
<br />
Today's designers respond to the needs of apartment dwellers, and those living in small spaces. You can find space--saving furniture and housewares that are not only affordable, but stylish too.<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Modular shelving units have become increasingly popular. They are customizable and easy to assemble, so it's not too difficult to set them up and move them around when you want to do some re-arranging. You'll find modular shelving units made of different materials, like wood, molded plastic, and even vertical mesh units that hang in your closet or on the back of your door.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Slimline items are made with the preservation of space in mind. Many are made for the kitchen: narrow water pitchers, toasters, trash cans, etc.<br />
Folding screens work well in studio apartments. Use one or several to partition off part of a room.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Travel trunks add a sense of adventure and age to a room's decor. They can also double as coffee tables! Find them at re-sale shops -- trunks often look better worn in and you'll save a considerable amount of cash too. Also, keep an eye out for items like chairs and tables with inside storage.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> A bed takes up a considerable amount of space. If you're only using this space for a few hours at a time, why not get it out of the way for the rest of the day? Do this with a Murphy bed, which is mounted on a mechanism, and vertically folded into a cabinet, up and out of the way. A loft bed is another space-saver. Loft beds are elevated, so you'll be climbing up to catch some z's. If you've never seen a loft bed, imagine a short bunk bed with only one bed on top. This leaves ample room for storage or seating underneath. If you want a cheap bed that doubles as a sofa, a folding futon may be your best bet. That, or a day bed.</blockquote><br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>Bargain Hunting</b></span><b></b><br />
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So, where are you going to find all these neat items to decorate your apartment? If you want to save money, you'll have to hunt for them. Bargain hunting takes time, but when you find that perfect table for your living room at a fraction of it's original cost, you won't mind the effort. Bargains are found all over, but you've really got to look, often wading through endless merchandise to find your gem. On the rare occasion, you get lucky, and that perfect item seems to fall into your lap.<br />
<blockquote><b><i>Resale Shops</i></b><i></i><br />
You'll find resale items at consignments shops and thrift stores. A consignment shop accepts unwanted items, and when those items sell, the original owner receives a percentage of that money. With thrift stores, it can be difficult to find what you're looking for, but be persistent. Find a store that you like and check back with them often. Keep in mind that in most cases returns will not be accepted, so take the time to really inspect your find before you buy it.<br />
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<b><i>Flea Markets</i></b><i></i><br />
Yet another great place to find cheap vintage items! You'll find flea markets held on public grounds, many on weekends. To get the best selections, get out there early.<br />
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<b><i>Estate Sales</i></b><i></i><br />
Estate sales are good places to make unique finds. Check your local paper for listings.<br />
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<b><i>Garage Sales</i></b><i></i><br />
It's often that garage sale items are very inexpensive, because sellers are moving or trying to save space, and they just want to get rid of their unwanted belongings.<br />
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<b><i>Liquidation Sales</i></b><i></i><br />
When you hear that a store is closing and slashing prices to liquidate inventory, get there early to find the best items. The store may continue to lower their prices throughout the sale, but don't hold out on that special item. It may not be there when you return, and the store probably won't have more in stock.<br />
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<b><i>Online Auctions</i></b><i></i><br />
One of the coolest things about online auctions is that there's so much stuff out there, and many people are willing to sell that stuff to you at very low prices. And where else can you bid on cheap and obscure items in your pajamas?</blockquote><br />
With your design ideas and new-found money-saving know-how, create a space that is both comfortable and enjoyable. Many apartment dwellers don't hang out at home because they feel confined there. Why not turn your small space into a haven where you can relax and re-charge... especially knowing how much money you saved!<br />
<br />
<i>Want more tips? <a href="http://63b02ong-xnd608fm9pny5tbw4.hop.clickbank.net/?tid=RENTALSGONEWILD">Click here</a> for more info on designing on a budget <i>without</i> breaking the bank!! A definite recommendation! :)</i><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.googobits.com/articles/859-decorating-a-small-apartment-on-an-even-smaller-budget.html" target="_blank">Article Copyright</a></i>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-64540758425067983352010-08-31T03:01:00.003-04:002010-09-01T11:45:46.602-04:00THE HURRICANE IS COMING.<img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4-nwnd2v3s8X_B4ZtwyNRSMyrezYBmd_tfy4J4DXJYomUFfRD4ZGp409xzjVmIjDg97ClEmgyCB07SGKMRQSeX9gY5RK_S9JOuUJRaNo-67cXafmWy9nEyk7IW1xh-Nb1Kl9vvMxqeA_D/s400/hurricane_shoes.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Are you up to date with what's in season?</b> </span></i><br />
<br />
Hurricanes can be dangerous killers. Learning the hurricane warning messages and planning ahead can reduce the chances of injury or major property damage. <i>So, what exactly should you do BEFORE, DURING, and AFTER the storm?</i><br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>BEFORE </b></span></span><br />
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<b><i>Plan an evacuation route.</i></b><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Contact the local emergency management office or American Red Cross chapter, and ask for the community hurricane preparedness plan. This plan should include information on the safest evacuation routes and nearby shelters.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Learn safe routes inland.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Be ready to drive 20 to 50 miles inland to locate a safe place.</blockquote><i><b>Have disaster supplies on hand</b></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Flashlight and extra batteries<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Portable, battery-operated radio and extra batteries<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> First aid kit and manual<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Emergency food and water<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Nonelectric can opener<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Essential medicines<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Cash and credit cards<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Sturdy shoes</blockquote><i><b>Make arrangements for pets.</b></i><b></b><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Pets may not be allowed into emergency shelters for health and space reasons. Contact your local humane society for information on local animal shelters.</blockquote><i><b>Instruct family members.</b></i><b></b><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Teach family members how and when to turn off gas, electricity, and water.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Teach children how and when to call 9-1-1, police, or fire department and which radio station to tune to for emergency information.</blockquote><i><b>Protect your windows.</b></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Permanent shutters are the best protection. A lower-cost approach is to put up plywood panels. Use 1/2 inch plywood--marine plywood is best--cut to fit each window. Remember to mark which board fits which window. Pre-drill holes every 18 inches for screws. Do this long before the storm.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Trim back dead or weak branches from trees.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Check into <a href="http://rotator.qdmil.com/optimizer/?optimizer_id=20188&a=193253&s=174859&wmode=default" target="_blank">flood insurance</a>. You can find out about the National Flood Insurance Program through your local insurance agent or emergency management office. (There is normally a 30-day waiting period before a new policy becomes effective. Homeowners polices do not cover damage from the flooding that accompanies a hurricane.)</blockquote><b><i>Develop an emergency communication plan.</i></b><i></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> In case family members are separated from one another during a disaster (a real possibility during the day when adults are at work and children are at school), have a plan for getting back together.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Ask an out-of-state relative or friend to serve as the "family contact." After a disaster, it's often easier to call long distance. Make sure everyone in the family knows the name, address, and phone number of the contact person.</blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>DURING A HURRICANE WATCH </b></span></span><br />
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A hurricane watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours. A hurricane warning is issued when hurricane conditions (winds of 74 miles per hour or greater, or dangerously high water and rough seas) are expected in 24 hours or less.<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Check emergency supplies.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Fuel car.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Review evacuation plan.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.</blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>DURING A HURRICANE WARNING</b></span></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Listen constantly to a battery-operated radio or television for official instructions.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> If in a mobile home, check tiedowns and evacuate immediately.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Avoid elevators.</blockquote><i><b>If at home:</b></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Stay inside, away from windows, skylights, and glass doors.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Keep a supply of flashlights and extra batteries handy. Avoid open flames, such as candles and kerosene lamps, as a source of light.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> If power is lost, turn off major appliances to reduce power "surge" when electricity is restored.</blockquote><i><b>If officials indicate evacuation is necessary:</b></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Leave as soon as possible. Avoid flooded roads and watch for washed-out bridges.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Secure your home by unplugging appliances and turning off electricity and the main water valve.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Tell someone outside of the storm area where you are going.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> If time permits, and you live in an identified surge zone, elevate furniture to protect it from flooding or better yet, move it to a higher floor.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Bring pre-assembled emergency supplies and warm protective clothing.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Take blankets and sleeping bags to shelter.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Lock up home and leave.</blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>AFTER </b></span></span><br />
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Drive only if absolutely necessary and avoid flooded roads and washed-out bridges.Use telephone only for emergency calls.<br />
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<i><b>Stay tuned to local radio for information. Help injured or trapped persons.</b></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Give first aid where appropriate.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Do not move seriously injured persons unless they are in immediate danger of further injury. Call for help.</blockquote><i><b>Return home only after authorities advise that it is safe to do so.</b></i><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Avoid loose or dangling power lines and report them immediately to the power company, police, or fire department.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Enter your home with caution.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Beware of snakes, insects, and animals driven to higher ground by flood water.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Take pictures of the damage, both to the house and its contents and for insurance claims. </blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><span style="font-size: small;"> <b>INSPECTING UTILITIES IN A DAMAGED HOME</b></span></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Check for gas leaks--If you smell gas or hear blowing or hissing noise, open a window and quickly leave the building. Turn off the gas at the outside main valve if you can and call the gas company from a neighbor's home. If you turn off the gas for any reason, it must be turned back on by a professional.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Look for electrical system damage--If you see sparks or broken or frayed wires, or if you smell hot insulation, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, call an electrician first for advice.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Check for sewage and water lines damage--If you suspect sewage lines are damaged avoid using the toilets and call a plumber. If water pipes are damaged, contact the water company and avoid the water from the tap. You can obtain safe water by melting ice cubes.</blockquote><b><i>Do you need flood insurance? <a href="http://rotator.qdmil.com/optimizer/?optimizer_id=20188&a=193253&s=174859&wmode=default" target="_blank">Click here!</a> </i></b> <br />
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Stay Safe!!<br />
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<i><a href="http://life.familyeducation.com/hurricane/emergency/34259.html?page=2" target="_blank">Article Copyright</a></i>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-78714251376524247482010-08-26T18:08:00.013-04:002010-08-27T18:24:44.799-04:00Are your eggs rotting or are you ready to blow?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XkWmgCIHmyMLlPbooTr0qcfreEsBUY1QXXFTbEur2Lgi5MyVskrymAMMnL0UU7uC3QIe4IQri7AvJsJTf9HyY6MyZISrd-tDJ1T32vm6ZgW2wQx_5paYabtvw9H0MXdbddlhuPh08-ut/s1600/small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7XkWmgCIHmyMLlPbooTr0qcfreEsBUY1QXXFTbEur2Lgi5MyVskrymAMMnL0UU7uC3QIe4IQri7AvJsJTf9HyY6MyZISrd-tDJ1T32vm6ZgW2wQx_5paYabtvw9H0MXdbddlhuPh08-ut/s320/small.jpg" /></a></div><i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><br />
Symptoms and Signs of a natural gas leak in your home</b></span><b></b></span></i><br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i>Natural gas itself is not always the killer that consumes people, it is carbon monoxide poisoning that is caused by a leak. </i></span><br />
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When most people hear the word gas, they generally assume gasoline. Natural gas, on the other hand, contains no liquid or mass. It is odorless, shapeless, and colorless. So, most times people don't realize it is even in the air until it's almost too late. For that reason, gas companies add the rotten egg odor so the leak is more easily detected.<br />
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Natural gas is considered a fossil fuel that is produced by organic materials in the earth, mostly of animal and plant remains. It is compressed over time and it becomes a burnable fuel. Natural gas is highly flammable and is made up of 90% methane, but is also made up of propane, butane, ethane, and other gases.<br />
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We use natural gas for many things like cooking, drying clothes, and it also provides heat and electricity to our homes. Most people take it for granted until they are faced with an emergency regarding a gas leak in or around their own homes. <br />
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The average person does not realize how dangerous natural gas can be. Have you ever accidentally left your burner on without a flame and realized that you smelled something like rotten eggs? Have you been in your backyard and got a whiff of that same smell? Well, did you realize that if your home fills up with just enough gas, that even the static electricity caused by walking across your carpeting could cause an explosion?<br />
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An explosion is not the only hazard that natural gas can cause. It can also contain one of the most deadliest elements, carbon monoxide, which can cause CO poisoning. When carbon monoxide exists in the home, there are a few flu-like<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><i>symptoms </i></b></span>you need to look out for, which includes headaches, dizziness, tiredness, and nausea. If several people suddenly get unexplainable ill at the same time, and if you feel better when leaving your home, then it would be a good idea to check it out. <br />
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CO poisoning can get so bad, it can cause death with prolonged exposure. It can also result in impaired judgment, poor memory, and loss of coordination -- it is basically starving your brain of oxygen. CO poisoning kills approximately 2,000 people each year. It is is easily detected when you have a carbon monoxide detector placed in your home to help keep you and your family safe. <br />
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Besides a CO detector or your nose's detection of rotten eggs, there are other ways of spotting a leak -- there might be something more to the dirt you see blowing in your driveway, the bubbles in that side yard puddle, or the snake-like hissing sound near your porch. Beware: these danger signs might be coming from your neighbor's home! If you experience any of theses signs, in or around your home, avoid using your phone or turning on any lights. There have even been cases in history where people did not realize that there was a gas leak and their homes have exploded when they flipped on a light switch. <br />
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If you suspect that you have a gas leak, carbon monoxide poisoning, or your CO detector is going off, get you and your family out of the house ASAP and call the local fire department immediately.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.essortment.com/all/naturalgasleak_tugc.htm" target="_blank">Article Copyright</a></i><br />
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<i>***To help you purchase a few CO detectors for your home, <a href="http://mzvpwtb.com/click/?c=161929&s=174859" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> for one free $500 Home Depot Gift Card :)</i><br />
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<iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/like.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Frentalsgonewild.blogspot.com%2F2010%2F08%2Fare-your-eggs-rotting-or-are-you-ready.html&layout=button_count&show_faces=false&width=450&action=like&font=verdana&colorscheme=light&height=21" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:450px; height:21px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-23378638605588937912010-08-22T14:06:00.009-04:002010-08-22T15:36:21.036-04:00The Obnoxious Neighbor - Dealing with IT<center><img src="http://xc9.xanga.com/d4cf745678733268431257/z214116923.jpg" /></center><br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <i><b> The secret to confronting obnoxious neighbors and getting them to change their behavior is knowing how and when to present your argument.</i></b></span><br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>UNDERSTANDING BAD BEHAVIOR</b></span><br />
Most neighbors who play stereos too loudly... let their kids jump up and down rumbling your ceiling at 7am on Saturday morning... or throw parties all hours of the night during the week... aren't malicious. They are simply insensitive or oblivious to your peace of mind and/or your space -- <i>it is nothing personal</i>.<br />
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By understanding and remembering this, you will be better able to distance yourself from the problem and think clearly about the best solution.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>BASIC SOLUTION</b></span><br />
There’s an old expression, <i>No one hears his own dog bark</i>. When you first confront a neighbor, assume he/she means well. A good opener is, <i>"I’m sorry to bring this up, but..."</i>, That makes it easier for the neighbor to apologize by saying, <i>"Oh, I didn't realize. I’m sorry it bothered you."</i><br />
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If you start with threats, your neighbor may become defensive... and possibly defiant and belligerent. Once relationships between neighbors turn nasty, they are extremely difficult to untangle and the problems frequently become worse.<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <i>Solution:</i></span> Pleasantly, but firmly, make your point and explain how the situation is affecting you. When the annoying behavior stops, send a thank-you note. </blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>IF YOUR PLEA IS IGNORED </b></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•Document several additional occurrences of the problem</span>. Note the date and hour of when the noise occurred and how long it lasted. Also, consider taping the noise. A record of the problem may help drive home your point with your neighbor. It can also serve as evidence, if you must report them to management or take legal action. Mail a copy of the detailed log to the offending neighbor with a letter politely explaining the problem.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•If the problem persists</span>, draft another letter, repeating when the noise occurred. Have other affected neighbors sign it, and send it to the offending party. Hopefully, it will demonstrate its serious magnitude and prove that <i>you're</i> not being the obnoxious neighbor by the only one with complaints!<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•If your pleas are still ignored</span>, present your evidence to management. This will also exhibit that you have gone above and beyond the necessary means to politely handle the situation on your own. The management will have sufficient documentation to present to the neighbor in your favor. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•If the management report was ineffective</span>, call the police the next time the noise occurs.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•If the neighbor ignores police warnings</span>, you can likely sue in small-claims court for financial damages by placing a monetary value on the effects of your neighbor’s actions.</blockquote><br />
<i>In the meantime, if you're looking for a great way to blockout the neighbor's noise, throw on some headphones and listen to a wave of relaxation and refreshment to dissolve your stress in minutes. It's called <b>"Totally Tranquil"</b> and you can get your free demo by clicking <a href="http://4ebcdeug47oiy18dz50dmat42k.hop.clickbank.net/" target="_blank">here</a>.</i><br />
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<b>GOOD LUCK! </b><br />
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<i>(These are merely suggestions, not to be rendered as legal or professional advice.)</i><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.bottomlinesecrets.com/article.html?article_id=26641" target="_blank">Article Copyright</a></i>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-63754693884138502732010-08-21T16:11:00.145-04:002010-08-21T19:16:25.230-04:00You're at work all day...just how bored is your pet?<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><i>8 Tips to Keep Your Pets Happy While You're Away</i></b></span><br />
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<img height="300" id="il_fi" src="http://www.scaryforkids.com/pics/happy-pets.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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How do your pets feel after you leave for work? Are they sad? Do they act out on your furniture? Or, do they just lie around and cry wondering what they did wrong to make you leave? <br />
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Pets are part of your family and they do everything they can to please you. So, why keep them bored out of their minds while you're busy at work? Here are eight tips to keep both you and your pet smiling while you're away:<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>1. </b></span>Try setting aside about 15 minutes before you leave to play with your pet. This is a perfect time to get a little morning exercise in for yourself too. A tired pet is a happy pet. A tired pet is also less likely to have the energy to be destructive, as in taking their boredom out on your furniture and shoes. Playing will let them know you're happy with them as well, so they won't have anxiety thinking you left beacuse they had been bad. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>2. </b></span>Hiding treats around the house should make quite the fun hunt while you're gone. Try hiding their treats in various toys or in areas of the house where they are allowed to roam. Also, there are great treat stuffed toys, like Kongs, which pets love spending time trying to dig out the peanut butter flavored centers (Find them at Petco or order online <a href="http://hjlas.com/click/?s=174859&c=160162">here</a>). Also, be sure to only leave out safe toys when you're away. For example, dogs could run the risk of choking on a rawhide's pieces and you wouldn't be there to perform the Heimlich on poor Fido. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>3. </b></span>Music is said to calm the savage beast. One can figure if it works for savage beasts, it should work for your pet. Try various genres of music. Country might cause drowziness, Rock could make them hyper, Rap may make them aggressive, and Jazz might just do the trick. I've heard one pet owner found that their two dogs would actually "dance" to Jazz while no one was looking (seriously). Also, keeping the volume level low tends to work best. Any louder and you might find more than just your pet when you get home.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>4. </b></span>If they are not in the mood for music, you could try the TV. Try various channels with this option as well. You might find that if you leave the Discovery Channel on, you may come home to a dug out escape tunnel. I've heard that story from a friend as well. I suggest you try out both the TV and music and see which works best for both of you.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>5. </b></span>Leaving your pet with an empty bladder and intestines is a good idea for both of you. So, make sure to take them outside right before you leave each day. This teaches them not to do the "do" inside. Just to be safe, or for emergencies, you could leave potty pads with a few squirts of attracting spray. Another option is the new indoor pet bathrooms made of grass. This might be the best idea between the two, so they don't lose their "outdoor" training (Click <a href="http://tutvp.com/click/?s=174859&c=211690">here</a> to purchase one for only $29.95 online.) Hey, better the pad or turf than your floor. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>6. </b></span>For those of you keeping your pets in a cage while you are gone at work, I have no suggestions on keeping them happy. How happy can you be when you spend your days in solitary confinement? <br />
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I will, however, suggest that you work with your pets on better behavior, so you can <i>at least</i> leave them in a closed room. They will love and appreciate you even more than they do now having been freed from daily prison. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>7. </b></span>Do not hesitate to ask a friend to go by and spend some time with your pet, or even take them outside. People who are too busy to have pets of their own might appreciate the option. Working people are finding professional dog walkers to be a great resource. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>8. </b></span>If you're in a position to do it, get a second pet. Often a companion will provide the stimulation a bored pet needs while you're gone. <br />
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Try imagining daily life just like this: No friends. No TV. No music. No internet. No fun...Exactly. So, really anything you can do to better your pet's life while you are away all day, the better. Your pet always, ALWAYS, tries their best to make you happy when you're home, why not do the same for them when you leave?<br />
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<i>***Here's a link to the newest social network: <a href="http://hjlas.com/click/?s=174859&c=121825">YouPet</a>. It's like Facebook for pets!! Definitely NOT boring :)</i><br />
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<i><a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_5384087_keep-pets-happy-work.html" target="_blank">Article Copyright</a></i>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-79034015357714601342010-08-19T23:01:00.013-04:002010-08-20T02:11:07.081-04:00Sharing a towel with your "other?" Resist the urge.<center><img src="http://s3.hubimg.com/u/3008290_f248.jpg" /></center><br />
<i><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Household Dangers </span></b></span><b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></b><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></i><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><br />
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Home sweet home, right? Well, sort of. You may be unaware of the potential health dangers lurking in your abode -- from critters in the kitchen to bugs in the bedroom. Here's what you need to know -- and what to do.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your salt and pepper shakers</b></span><br />
When's the last time you cleaned your salt and pepper shakers? Exactly. These unassuming little items get touched in all parts of the meal-prep process. Example: You give your sauce a dash of salt after touching raw chicken (oops) and then later set the shaker on the table. <br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
Nobody thinks of cleaning their salt and pepper shakers, says Elizabeth Scott, Ph.D., assistant professor and co-director Simmons Center for Hygiene and Health in Home and Community at Simmons College, but to avoid cross-contamination and food poisoning, you should. "Best to wipe them with an EPA-registered disinfectant," she says. "But better still, always wash your hands after handling raw foods and before touching anything else."<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your laundry</b></span><b></b> <br />
Nobody thinks of the washing machine as a germ magnet -- that's where clothes get clean, right? Not if you're using a public machine, and especially if that machine uses water that's not hot enough, says Tierno. Here's why: Lower temperatures can encourage the spread of germs. Researchers at the University of Arizona found that intestinal viruses such as hepatitis A can be easily transferred from underwear to other garments during the washing process. Even worse, some germs can lurk in public washing machines and find their way to your clothes.<br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
Wash your underwear and towels separately, using bleach if possible, and wash all towels in water that's at least 155 degrees, which will kill most germs. Not sure if your apartment's water temperature is hot enough? Talk to the building manager.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your boyfriend's wet towel </b></span><br />
Sharing a bath towel with your man may be good for the environment, but it may be bad for your health, experts warn. MRSA, a drug-resistant form of staph -- also known as the superbug -- is frequently transmitted by skin-to-skin contact but also by sharing personal items like towels. <br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
"While it may be tempting to share a towel with your guy, resist the urge," says Susan C. Taylor, M.D., community editor for bewell.com. "I warn my patients that wet towels can be a breeding ground for germs, including MRSA, which can make you sick." After you or your man uses a towel, send it where it belongs: to the washing machine. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your kitchen sponge</b></span><b></b><br />
Maybe you've heard about the germs on your kitchen sponge (gross news flash -- there may be as many as 20 million microbes on it right now). But here's the deal: Your method for "cleaning" that sponge may be leaving it loaded with potentially hazardous bacteria that can make you ill. Researchers at the USDA's Agricultural Research Service found that some common cleaning methods for sponges -- soaking them in a bleach solution, lemon juice or water -- did not eradicate the germs. <br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
The best ways to clean a dirty sponge, they say, are in the microwave (on high for one minute) and in the dishwasher, which will kill 99.9 percent of all germs. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your bed</b></span><br />
Have you been on a trip recently? If so, you may have brought home some hitchhikers -- of the creepy-crawly variety. Bedbugs, tiny bloodthirsty insects, are hosts to organisms that cause hepatitis B and Chagas disease, say health experts. But the real problem seems to be the infections and allergic reactions that can sometimes result from bedbug bites.<br />
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According to the Environmental Protection Agency, bedbugs are on the rise and becoming an increasing health problem. The insects, which hide in the crevices of mattresses and bedding, are showing up everywhere, from hostels to the swankiest hotels, and they often find their way into people's luggage, transporting themselves to unsuspecting homes. <br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
If you've done some traveling recently, and especially if you've noticed any mysterious bug bites, wash everything in your luggage and consider scrubbing your suitcase with a stiff brush before giving it a good vacuuming. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your laptop </b></span><br />
You're the only one who uses it, so how dirty can it be? In a word: filthy. A study by researchers at the University of North Carolina Health Care System found that keyboards were loaded with germs. Even more disgusting, the average public toilet bowl contains 41 germs per square inch. The average personal keyboard? Some 21,000 germs per square inch. "Toilet bowls get cleaned," says Philip M. Tierno Jr., Ph.D., director of clinical microbiology and immunology at New York University Langone Medical Center, "but keyboards rarely do."<br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
Tierno says the best way to keep your <a href="http://track.simplefreerewards.com/SplashPage.aspx?g=b71fcba3f5224832b6ad66e4c8e2a22e&ec=F6CQQQQ&s=193253&se=03" target="_blank">laptop </a>or computer's keyboard clean is to gently wipe it down daily with disinfecting wipes. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your shower curtain </b></span><b></b><br />
According to research by the Center for Health, Environment & Justice, shower curtains and liners made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) may be harmful to your health. Their study suggests that PVC releases potentially harmful chemicals into your bathroom. While there is still some debate among health experts about how much of these chemicals could be deemed harmful, many believe that limiting your exposure to chemicals, wherever possible, makes sense. <br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
Check your shower curtain's label to see if it's made of vinyl or PVC. While not all manufacturers disclose this information, some retailers, like Ikea, have banned PVC shower curtains altogether, and Target has promised to phase out the material in its shower-curtain products in the months ahead. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your humidifier</b></span><br />
Watch out for the humidifier say germ experts. "If it's not cleaned properly, a humidifier can become a repository for legionella and other pathogens that cause respiratory infections," says Tierno. <br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
If you like sleeping with a humidifier in your room, be sure to clean it often -- at least a few times a week -- by mixing a solution of one-part bleach to 19 parts water (for most humidifiers, this would equal about a half or full cup of bleach) and letting it sit for a few minutes before rinsing well. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Your doorknob</b></span><b></b><br />
Think of the people who have touched your front doorknob in the past 48 hours: the UPS man, a neighbor, a solicitor, your friends -- it's easy to lose count. Now think of all the places they've been -- the subway, public restrooms, grocery stores. Those germs are all on your doorknob right now, says Tierno. Most people let their guard down when it comes to their own door handles, he says, but we shouldn't: "Viruses can survive for days on doorknobs, and you can easily get cross contamination from them," he says. <br />
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<b><i>What to do </i></b><br />
Make a habit of wiping down your doorknob frequently with sanitizing wipes or sprays. Have a copper doorknob? You may be in luck. Researchers in England found that copper door handles had 95 percent fewer microorganisms on them compared with other doorknobs. Scientists believe that many germs, including MRSA, may not be able to survive on copper.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.aolhealth.com/2009/10/29/household-dangers/" target="_blank">Article Copyright</a></i>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-64796007150034366102010-08-18T20:13:00.013-04:002010-08-20T02:10:40.628-04:00Repel annoying ANTS from raiding PET BOWLS!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjKQeycWc5wAXN1TvkEmizehX3eBEdJ50WT4X0WNvHl00RqWVPuerS4xInxNgJ7A2fq1uoeV-i-4ixSIzKOGskflRB2EzB5fWmnDS216qFjrOdRSN75dEykROgGSXrKOfNgBZo31F_pmy/s1600/dog+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOjKQeycWc5wAXN1TvkEmizehX3eBEdJ50WT4X0WNvHl00RqWVPuerS4xInxNgJ7A2fq1uoeV-i-4ixSIzKOGskflRB2EzB5fWmnDS216qFjrOdRSN75dEykROgGSXrKOfNgBZo31F_pmy/s320/dog+food.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i><b>Finally put an end to wasting pet food without using harmful pest repellent. </b></i></span><br />
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Are you tired of fighting with pesty ants, constantly raiding your cat or dog's food dish? Are you afraid to spray pest repellant, in fear that your cat or dog will fall ill to the poison in commercial bug repellants? If so, I have two different, very simple 100% natural techniques that will solve the problem of ants getting into your pet's food dish. <br />
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One of the ways to keep ants out of your pet's food bowl is to sprinkle ground cinnamon around the pet's food dish. The cinnamon will repel the ants. Another way you can keep the ants out of your cat or dog's food dish is to rub a small dab of petroleum jelly around the base of the food bowl. The ants will not cross the petroleum jelly. <br />
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Either of these two techniques will repel ants from your pet' s food dish using natural products. You will have peace of mind that your pet will not be harmed by accidentally ingested pesticide. <br />
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Repeat the natural ant repellant of your choice weekly to maintain potency.<br />
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<a href="http://www.ehow.com/how_4612440_repel-ants-pet-food-bowls.html" target="_blank"><i>Article Copyright</i></a>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-11974826476882990352010-08-17T17:52:00.013-04:002010-08-20T02:09:59.039-04:00AC Filters - Have You Changed Yours Lately?<img height="300" src="http://comfortsystemssolutions.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/webassets/DirtyFilter.jpg" width="400" /><br />
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Air Conditioning filters in our homes and businesses tend to be an item we seldom think about until the unit breaks down. Originally, the main purpose for the filter was to keep the equipment free of dirt that would cause failures in the heating and cooling system. <br />
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<a href="http://mzvpwtb.com/click/?c=161929&s=174859" target="_blank">Changing your ac filter</a> regularly is good as it uses less energy - because your unit doesn’t have to work as hard - which in turn helps the environment and saves you money. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><i>A win win all the way around!</i></b></span><b> </b><br />
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In recent years, the benefits of breathing clean air in our homes have become more obvious for our health. I read one time that we breathe between 30,000 to 35,000 pints of air daily. That’s a lot of air!<br />
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Anyway, the questions that come to mind are:<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">1. </span>Exactly how many foreign bodies are in this air that we consume?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">2. </span>How are these foreign bodies affecting our health?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">3. </span>What can we do to reduce our side effects?</blockquote>The air filter in our heating and cooling system is the only source for cleaning the air we breathe inside our home.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><i>What’s inside our home also affects our health!</i></b></span><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>Do you have pets?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>How about cleaning chemicals?</blockquote>Think about just a few everyday items we use around our homes:<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>soap<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>aerosol deodorant<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>hair spray<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>air sanitizers/fresheners</blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><i>How do we get clean air?</i></b></span><b> </b><br />
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Air conditioning filters help to clean air inside our homes. There are four different types and here is a picture of three of the four:<br />
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<img src="http://www.single-family-home-remodeling.com/images/air-conditioning-filter-types-large.jpg" /><br />
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<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><i>1. Basic Air Filters</i></b></span><b> </b><br />
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They are the fiberglass type you can typically see through. Some of them are really transparent and some and not so transparent. These filters remove the largest particles before they get to the air conditioning unit and the associated coils inside.<br />
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I have seen these in both blue and white. I am sure they also come in many other colors. What I find interesting about these filters are no where on the packaging do any of these filters specify what the smallest particle the filter will stop. <br />
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Some of the air conditioning filters have a sticky substance applied to catch the particles. None of the filters are reusable either by washing or vacuuming. The old one is simply thrown away and a new one installed in it’s place.<br />
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This picture shows how thin a fiberglass filter is because you can see the flashlight through it: <br />
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<img alt="This picture shows how thin a fiberglass filter is because you can see the flashlight through it." src="http://www.single-family-home-remodeling.com/images/basic-air-filter.jpg" /><br />
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These filters should be checked frequently for dust accumulation. Also, you should set up a schedule when to replace the filter. I would change them the first of every month. Most older air conditioning systems were installed using these filters and they are better than nothing. Furnaces also use the same type of filter in the unit right in front of the blower. Have you changed yours recently?<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><i>2. Pleated Design Filters</i></b></span><b> </b><br />
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These filters are the most popular filters today in the throw away style. They have the filter material folded into an accordion style to provide more filter surface and thus more efficiency. They tend to be reasonably priced and efficient.<br />
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Name brands tend to advertise a specific feature such as allergen removal or dust free environment. Check to see if the additional cost bears out these claims before you buy. Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure they work as advertised. I’m just not sure of the benefits.<br />
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If you have an older air conditioning unit, the pleated design may not be compatible with your system as the reduced air flow, due to the increased filtration, may not allow your fan motor to work correctly and result in a repair bill to replace the burned out fan motor.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><i>3. Reusable Electrostatic Air Filters</i></b></span><br />
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These filters use the force of the air across the filter material to induce an electrostatic charge that will catch and trap the airborne particles. They do cost more. However they are reusable.<br />
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I have used these in the past and have been satisfied with the results. My problem was the universal size and having to make the frames to fit a specific application.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b><i>4. Electronic Filters</i></b></span><br />
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It is a new type of filter. We had one installed in our home last year. It will trap 99.98% of allergens from filtered air or particles even smaller than .1 micron. A micron is about 1/25,400 of an inch. As a reference, a human hair is 100 times larger.<br />
It uses a high voltage to charge the air flow that traps the particles in a metallic core. This core is cleaned on a scheduled basis or whenever the indicator specifies it must be cleaned. I currently clean the one in our home every six months.<br />
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We have two cats and the new filtration system is a vast improvement over the old system.</blockquote>There are many different types of air conditioning filters. You must determine that the type you chose will fit your application and satisfy your needs.<br />
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***To help you clean out your AC filters, <a href="http://mzvpwtb.com/click/?c=161929&s=174859" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> for one free $500 Home Depot Gift Card :)</i><br />
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<a href="http://www.single-family-home-remodeling.com/air-conditioning-filters.html"><i>Article Copyright</i></a>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-53459712787206891602010-08-17T16:18:00.006-04:002010-08-20T02:05:26.819-04:00It’s Hot Outside…So Save $ Inside<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2542/4080160444_afc37f45f4.jpg" /><br />
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Did you know that approximately 40% of your electric bill is attributed to air conditioning energy usage in the summer? How can you keep your house cool this summer without the added expense of turning your thermostat down?<br />
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Try following these simple and cost effective steps to cool your house during Georgia’s summer heat…you’ll save energy, money and reduce the stress on your air conditioner.<br />
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<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Use ceiling fans to create a wind chill effect to make you more comfortable. When used with your air conditioner, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Install a programmable thermostat to adjust the temperature to a higher setting at night or when no one is home. Remember, Sawnee offers a rebate for this device!<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Keep lamps and TVs away from your thermostat. The heat from these appliances may cause your air conditioner to run longer than is needed.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>Consider installing window shades, drapes or blinds with white backing to reflect the sun light and the associated heat away from the inside of your home.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Be sure to close curtains on the southerly and westward facing windows of your home during the day to help keep unwanted sun light from adding heat to your home.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Consider applying solar reflective window film on your southward facing windows.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Make sure there’s adequate caulking and weather stripping at and around your windows and doors to prevent warm air from leaking into your home.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> On hot days, avoid using the oven, cook on the stove, use a microwave oven, or grill outside.</blockquote>These easy and low cost steps will help keep your home comfortable and save you money.<br />
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<a href="http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=22451563" target="_blank"><i>Article Copyright</i></a>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-58578534018653987202010-08-17T12:14:00.014-04:002010-08-20T02:04:28.520-04:0013 OUTRAGEOUS tenant excuses<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCq0qQG5ICriZ8KRVeISJSZ5ArYfNJ-xNDyt5y06ta4in20UsG3ptcApiAwake5it8BFP_G_-zkQLZiwsujXUycujD02Bxn4MbFEJ0z9z408XGI0vfjBZM7HFGLw3NEa_RHsOef49vCFE/s1600/funny-pictures-cat-ate-dog-barking-stopped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQCq0qQG5ICriZ8KRVeISJSZ5ArYfNJ-xNDyt5y06ta4in20UsG3ptcApiAwake5it8BFP_G_-zkQLZiwsujXUycujD02Bxn4MbFEJ0z9z408XGI0vfjBZM7HFGLw3NEa_RHsOef49vCFE/s400/funny-pictures-cat-ate-dog-barking-stopped.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><i><br />
</i></b></span><b><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i>From rent-eating dogs to a mysteriously dripping roof, here are some of the most ridiculous reasons renters give for missed rent or damaged property.</i></span></b><br />
<b><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i></i></span></b><br />
Surely there have been cases where the dog actually ate the rent money, along with the kid’s homework.<br />
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But sometimes landlords have to scratch their heads and wonder. The evidence seems to point in another direction.<br />
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Most landlords are quick to say that they have many good, reliable tenants. If not, they’d find another business; tenants are their livelihood. But then there are the rest, that tiny percentage of renters who can’t seem to get it together and aren’t quick to fess up.<br />
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“Eighty percent of the people take care of the apartment, pay their rent and are no problem at all,” says Jesse Holland, president of Sunrise Management & Consulting, a residential property-management firm in New York. “About 15 percent have their qualms but do what they’re supposed to do. And that last 2 or 3 percent are the nightmares.”<br />
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And what kinds of things do these tenants say? Below are some favorites from landlords. Tenants take note: If you hear these lines start to come out of your mouth, stop and think a moment. Another strategy — the truth, perhaps — might prove more effective.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b> 1. "It’s not a dog; it’s a barking cat." <br />
</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b> Hmmm … are you sure you want to make that your final answer?<br />
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This was Barry Maher several years ago in Santa Barbara, Calif., where he owned a small apartment building. Dogs were not allowed, as outlined in the rental agreement. Cats were.<br />
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However, shortly after a young woman moved in, her neighbors complained about barking in the apartment. Maher called the tenant.<br />
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“She said, ‘Oh I would never have a dog. But what I have is a special breed. It’s a very rare thing; it’s a dog cat ... a mix of a cat and a dog.’<br />
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“It was so blatant and so crazy that I actually spent a moment thinking, ‘Is there really such a thing as a dog cat?’ ” Maher recalled. “And I’m really not an idiot.”<br />
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A better strategy? Be fair to the animal, the building owner and fellow tenants and operate in the open.<br />
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“If she’d have come to me and said she wanted a pet, I would have explained exactly what the circumstances were, and how she could have gone out and gotten a cat,” Maher says. <br />
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Instead, the tenant had to get rid of the dog (and, yes, it was 100 percent dog). “Eventually we had to get rid of her.”<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b>2. "But you said I could paint it."</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b><br />
Did you not know that it’s usually just walls that get painted? And in a color that’s possible to paint over?<br />
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“They had information they could paint the apartment and said, ‘We’ll do it ourselves,’ ” says Izzy Ginzberg, a landlord in New York and author of “The Top 10 Mistakes Real Estate Investors Make.” “I said, ‘Fine.’ <br />
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“The entire thing was purple. The ceiling, the walls, the whole entire apartment was painted lavender,” he says. “They told me, ‘Yeah, you said we could paint it.’ <br />
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“I have no illusions about them painting it back,” Ginzberg says.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b> 3. "My grandmother died ... again."</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b> That’s strange: According to our files, your grandmother has died six times recently. At least according to the reasons you’ve provided each time you couldn’t pay the rent.<br />
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The sudden need to pay for a funeral is a common claim for inability to pay, managers say.<br />
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Mark Kreditor, a broker with Get There First Realty, a property-management firm in Dallas/Fort Worth, says “We sometimes keep things in the file,” and in this case the same grandmother had indeed apparently received six funerals.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b> 4. "I have to move out. I’m allergic to pet dander."</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b> <br />
How is it, then, that you work as a groomer in a veterinary clinic?<br />
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This also happened to Kreditor. The problem is that once people sign a 12-month lease, there are very few ways to break it. So tenants must come up with their own — at times creative — reasons about why they must leave.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b> 5. "The check may have bounced, but at least I paid."</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b> <br />
Actually, mailing a check that isn’t backed by real money isn’t quite the same thing as paying the bill. In fact, it’s not the same thing at all.<br />
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“People think they’ve paid the rent when the check bounced,” Kreditor says. “I say, ‘You could have written it out on the back of a napkin and it would have the same value as that check.’ ”<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b> 6. "I was the victim of identity theft."</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b> <br />
OK, that would seem valid, given your bad credit. Except for this catch: Your credit was just as bad before the date your identity was allegedly stolen.<br />
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This is a reason frequently given by prospective tenants to explain their poor credit, as well as by existing tenants unable to pay the rent, says Mia Melle, president of renttoday.us, a property-management firm in Southern California.<br />
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“It usually doesn’t make sense, because their bad credit goes way back,” Melle says.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b>7. "I went to Tijuana for gall-bladder surgery."</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b><br />
Did you not know before you scheduled surgery that the rent would come due?<br />
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Melle is sympathetic to people’s financial difficulties, but notes that some tenants will wait until the manager finally reaches them and deliver a tale.<br />
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“Usually when a legitimate thing happens, they’ll call you: I want to let you know I’ll be late on my rent this month, such and such happened. If they’re upfront and call us, we’re probably more apt to hold off on eviction and work with them,” Melle says. “It’s when they avoid us and come up with ridiculous excuses and they still don’t pay. That’s when we know they’re just playing us.<br />
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“It really gets down to, Americans aren’t savers. Any one little thing goes wrong it affects them,” Melle says. “I would say that 98% of our tenants have no savings whatsoever. They’re just hand-to-mouth. Even people with higher-level jobs, that’s just how they live. Every dollar’s accounted for.”<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b>8. "You can’t come in. There’s too much cash in my bedroom."<br />
Um, could you put it somewhere safe before we arrive for the inspection?</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b><br />
This tenant apparently didn’t want the landlord to do an annual walk-through. But this isn’t the best way to keep visitors out. The manager suggested the tenant put valuables out of view and entered as scheduled.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b>9. "Someone threw a brick through my window."</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b><br />
But something’s missing — namely, the glass. Oh, look, it’s on the outside.<br />
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“Unless the laws of physics don’t apply here, the window was broken from the inside out, not the outside in,” Holland explained to the tenants, college students who had called to have the window fixed. Broken glass lined the sidewalk outside, under the window frame.<br />
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The window got fixed. But the students had to pay.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b>10. "The ceiling is dripping and we don’t know why!"</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b><br />
Well, do you think the drip might have something to do with the fact that you turned the roof into a swimming pool?<br />
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This is one of Holland’s favorites, in part because the young men left clear evidence that it was they who had caused the very leak about which they were complaining.<br />
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When Holland walked up a flight to the roof to investigate, he found the roof intentionally flooded and the tenants’ names spray-painted on the tiling next to the words, “Welcome to Silver Beach.”<br />
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The roof had a silver-oxide coating and a thigh-high shoulder wall along all the edges. The culprits had plugged the drain with a candle and flooded the entire roof, about the size of a standard swimming pool.<br />
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The 3-foot pool of water, which had to weigh upwards of 185 tons, was still there when Holland went up. “How the building didn’t collapse, I have no idea,” he says.<br />
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Holland yanked the candle, drained the roof and charged the tenants — who stood there shrugging their shoulders — for the service call.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b>11. "The electricity is out and I don’t know why!"</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b> <br />
So you say that the power flipped off right after you turned on the microwave, the hair dryer and the toaster at the same time? Do you know anything about circuit loads?<br />
<br />
Dennis Fassett, who manages his own properties in the Detroit area, tells tenants to check the circuit breaker and flip the switch back.<br />
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“Basically they say, ‘I don’t know what that is. I don’t know where the box is. I don’t want to mess with the electricity. That’s dangerous,’ ” says Fassett, who invariably has to drive across town and explain overloaded circuitry.<br />
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“The thing that’s surprising to me is it’s cause and effect. They plug a bunch of stuff in, instantly this stuff goes out, and they don’t recognize the fact that they did it,” he says. “They’ve never had to fix anything. They don’t think about how things work anymore.”<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b>12. "See, the walls are almost the same color."</b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b><br />
Gee, I’m sorry that you ran out of paint, but I’m going to have to finish each wall before re-renting the apartment.<br />
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This was another of Fassett’s tenants, who left roller marks of yellow and tan paint on the white walls when her paint can clearly went dry. “Close enough,” she told Fassett, when he said he’d have to use some of her security deposit to paint the walls a uniform color.<br />
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“You have to have a sense of humor,” Fassett says. “Especially if you’re going to have more than a couple rental units. You can’t take this stuff personally.”<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><i> <b>13. "But I can’t pay the rent ..." </b></i></span><i><b></b></i><b> </b><br />
But you must pay the rent. This is where the excuses stream in, after the first of the month. Below are a few from the Excuse of the Day file at the site The Landlord Protection Agency:<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>"My accountant said I can't afford to pay my rent."<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>“I mailed it at the post office last night but someone lit that mailbox on fire this morning.”<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>"With my daughter's graduation, our new boat and our trip to Europe this year, we're a little strapped."<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>"We all have the flu. We're not sure if it's swine flu, and we like you so much we didn't want to give it to you, so we didn't pay the rent."<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>"Come see what I did for you. You won't want the rent when you see this!" The tenant had painted everything, including the crown moldings, fire-engine red.</blockquote>And, of course:<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span>"My dog ate it."</blockquote><br />
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<a href="http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=22451563" target="_blank"><i>Article Copyright</i></a>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-91945014896906164782010-08-17T11:22:00.009-04:002010-08-20T02:11:56.693-04:00Living Together - A Step Before Marriage or a Mistake<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #00a9e7;"><b><i><img src="http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2008/05/14/hugh_holly_wideweb__470x343,0.jpg" /></i></b></span><br />
<i><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b></b></span></i><i><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <br />
<b>The Eternal Girlfriend Syndrome</b></span><b> </b></i><br />
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<i>"I'm a 28 year old woman, in a commited relationship with a guy for 1 year now. My boyfriend wants to move in with me. I'm excited and want that, but I am afraid that I will become like those couples that don't ever marry. What should I do?</i><br />
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You're right to be concerned.<br />
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I've known several couples like the kind you mentioned that move in together and never marry. I call it the Eternal Girlfriend Syndrome. Kay, you're boyfriend could have any one of a gazillion reasons to want to move in with you. They are all valid but they aren't all in line with your goals. I'm assuming from your concern that you want to get married. He could want to move in as a step toward marriage, to try out how the two of you do sharing household chores and finances, working as a team, living and melding day to day. Maybe he's ready to take the next step and for him this is it.<br />
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Or..... he could want to move in with marriage as the last thing on his mind. Maybe you have a nicer place than he does, maybe he sees the financial benefit. Maybe he really likes you and the relationship and in his mind this is all positive but he just doesnt want to get married. Maybe he thinks this is as far as it goes.<br />
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The important thing here is communication. Before he moves in you have to have a heart to heart. The fact that you wrote concerned you'd not marry tells me you haven't talked this through with the boyfriend yet. Or, if you have, it did not go the way you had hoped.<br />
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If you are marriage minded and the boyfriend isn't then moving in together is not something I'd recommend. I'm not saying he has to pick a date and a china pattern. I'm saying if he is saying things like, "I don't know if I ever want to get married," then this is a mistake. He should at least be open.<br />
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I hate that expression: why buy the cow when the milk is free. But the theory is valid and doesn't apply just to sex. If you decide that he isn't taking this step as a move toward marriage, and marriage is really what you want, by moving in together you're indirectly telling him you're fine with his plan. Why would he re-think it if he's gotten everything he wanted?<br />
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Once you're living together he is in a position of comfort and you are in a position of being the Eternal Girlfriend, never the wife. You need to talk to him and tell him what you want, ask him what he wants, and maybe even set up a time table. I did. When my husband moved in with me 11 years ago I told him I wanted the ring on my finger within a year. He was good with that.<br />
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Kay, you can't make someone marry you that doesn't want to. Asking him his feelings isn't going to sway or change his mind about things. So don't be afraid to bring this up. Listen to what he actualy says, not what you want to hear, and don't move in together if you have different desires for the future.<br />
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<a href="http://hubpages.com/hub/Living_Together_-_A_Step_Before_Marriage_or_a_Mistake" target="_blank"><i>Article Copyright</i></a>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-71857420568647364222010-08-17T01:17:00.012-04:002010-11-23T23:26:02.726-05:00How to find a (reliable, SANE) roommate<img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2199/1731536806_d98b5c3448_o.jpg" /><br />
<i><b><span style="color: #00a9e7;"><br />
Whom you choose to live with can have a dramatic effect on your quality of life. Here are some of the better screening tactics to head off trouble.</span></b></i><br />
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In this tough economy, finding people to share housing and expenses is easy. Finding a roommate you can live with is much more difficult.<br />
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Everyone's got a horror story about a seemingly nice person who turned into the "roommate from hell," trashing the place, refusing to pay his or her share of the bills and bringing home an endless parade of strangers.<br />
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Roommates like this not only can wreck your credit, they can make each day seem like an eternity. So how do you avoid these walking disasters?<br />
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In a word: Research. You need to ask a lot of hard questions before you sign on the dotted line, experts say, and make sure you both agree on the big money issues as well as the lifestyle you're looking for.<br />
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"You have to be thorough," says Marcia Stewart, co-author of Every Tenant's Legal Guide. "Take a little more time, even if it means you have to stay at your parents' house a little while longer."<br />
<blockquote><a href="http://lifestyle.msn.com/relationships/article.aspx?cp-documentid=22024561" target="_blank">9 ways to spot a FRENEMY</a></blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b> Know your limits</b></span><b> </b><br />
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Before you start calling on ads, hitting up your friends or posting your own ad on Craigslist, you need to ask yourself a few questions.<br />
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"You need to know what you can live with, and what you can't," says Dan Ross, manager of Roommate Express, a 20-city roommate matching service. "The compatibility issue outweighs everything."<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Do you want a quiet atmosphere at home, or are you looking to have one foot back in the frat house?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Do you mind if a roommate has his girlfriend spend the night several nights a week?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Are you looking for a buddy or do you prefer more privacy?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> How will you handle drinking or drug use?</blockquote>The answers to these questions can help you determine the best place to look for a roommate. If, for instance, you want a quiet place with inexpensive rent and don't mind taking on a few extra errands, you might be able to find a home share with a senior in a desirable area through the <a href="http://www.nationalsharedhousing.org/" target="_blank">National Shared Housing Resource Center</a>.<br />
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If you want a roommate with a similar lifestyle or interests, you might try roommate-matching services such as Roommate Express or <a href="http://www.roomster.com/app/rentalsgonewild/" target="_blank">Roomster.com</a>. If you can't stand the thought of meat in your refrigerator, you could try a site such as <a href="http://www.veggieroommate.com/" target="_blank">Veggieroommate.com</a>. <br />
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However, if you're willing to ask the tough questions and screen applicants carefully, you'll probably attract the biggest pool of qualified people by placing an ad on Craigslist.<br />
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You also can check with your alumni association or send e-mails out to all of your old college buddies. But, Stewart says, don't assume that because someone is a friend, that person will make a good roommate. "You might have shared a dorm room together, but that's a lot different and there's more money at stake" with an apartment.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>Screen for reliability</b></span><b> </b><br />
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Once you've narrowed your search and found people you think you can tolerate, you need to make sure you can count on them.<br />
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"The future will be dictated by the past," Ross says. "Look at their work history for the last year. If they bounce from job to job, that's bad. If they've lived in four or five places in the last year, that's bad."<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Run a credit check if you've already got a place and are looking for a roommate, advises accountant Patricia Bernero, who shares her house in the Rogers Park area of Chicago with a couple of roommates.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Try to substantiate their job and title by calling their current employer.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Ask for the names and numbers of former roommates who can serve as a reference, Ross suggests. "If they don't give it to you, that's a red flag that there's something there."<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Do an Internet search for your potential roommates’ name and e-mail address. This can turn up scams or warn you about distasteful or dangerous things they do in their spare time.<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Likewise, check out their MySpace and Facebook pages. If they seem too good to be true, it will probably be revealed here, Stewart says.</blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>Agree on the big stuff before you sign</b></span><b> </b><br />
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Once you've picked out a roommate or two, you need to make sure everyone's on the same page with the big issues, Stewart says. Here are her suggestions for the must-ask questions that must be answered about your living arrangements before anyone signs on the dotted line.<br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">1. Rent:</span> What is everyone's share? Who will write the rent check if the landlord will accept only one check?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">2. Space:</span> Who will occupy which bedrooms?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">3. Household Chores:</span> Who's responsible for cleaning, and on what schedule?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">4. Food Sharing:</span> Will food, shopping and cooking responsibilities be shared? How will you split the costs and work?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">5. Noise:</span> When should stereos or TVs be turned off or down low?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">6. Overnight Guests:</span> Is it OK for boyfriends/girlfriends to stay over every night?<br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">7. Moving Out:</span> If one of you decides to move, how much notice must be given? Must the departing tenant find an acceptable substitute?</blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>How can you protect yourself?</b></span><b> </b><br />
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Once these questions are answered to your satisfaction, you should spell them out in a <a href="http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/article-29865.html" target="_blank">roommate agreement letter </a>that is signed by both (or all) of you sharing the house.<br />
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"It's a good way to handle problems before they come up," Stewart says, especially if you are living with someone who hates confrontation.<br />
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If you are renting a place with someone new, having both of your names on the lease and splitting the deposit is a good idea. But don't think this will keep the landlord from coming after you for the full rent if your roommate skips town. It will merely ensure that you can go after your roommate for the money owed to you.<br />
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Because so much money is at stake, most experts advise asking for a month-to-month or other short-term lease until you can be sure the situation will work out.<br />
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There are also compelling reasons for having only one name on the lease. If you're just starting out, you might want to share space with someone who already has a lease, because then your implied lease commitment is month-to-month. Longtime renter Bernero says she prefers having only her name on the lease. In her 20 years of co-habitation, it has made it easier for her to get rid of a parade of tenants who turned out to be slovenly, dangerous, addicted to drugs or simply unreliable. "It just gives me more control," she says.<br />
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Likewise, she prefers to keep the utilities in her name and build the cost into the rent, with additional money being charged if they exceed a maximum amount. This came about after one roomie left her space heaters, lights and air conditioning on around the clock, even after repeated requests to turn them off when she wasn't there.<br />
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Lastly, Ross suggests installing $10 key locks on each person's bedroom door as an additional measure of protection. That way, he says, there is no cause for suspicion about lost items or privacy.<br />
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"Communication and awareness are key. You just don't go in with your head down and eyes closed. A lot of (renters' troubles) are just naiveté on their part," he says.<br />
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<a href="http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=19550432" target="_blank"><i>Article Copyright</i></a>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-199678903468616232010-08-17T00:50:00.031-04:002010-11-21T11:45:44.416-05:00Renters Insurance: Do You Need It? What's Covered & What's Not.<center><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUyVLfwCVpjUXON38H-wcY3zAdrkssukekZmwoz6YcBWhIqMNJYkFAjDUywHpZA97NsBSa2CfRdhpdBxjOPQ_k968TbZZtyLzWOxD5sgUyp7eQzSfiZGQD3v89x3PMnDty-JrP9n-3bw/s320/cindy+flood.BMP" /></center><br />
If you rent an apartment (or a house), then you're probably wondering if you should buy <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-4080382-10803382?sid=rentalsgonewild" target="_blank">renters insurance</a>.<br />
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My first introduction to renters insurance was when I worked as a property manager right out of college. We had an apartment flood (due to no fault of the owner), and the tenant demanded reparations. <br />
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I had to explain to the tenant that this is why it was suggested that they buy renters insurance when they moved in. But the tenant did not understand why they were not covered by the property owner’s insurance. They were not happy, and I got my first taste of the downsides of property management. In the end, the property manager sent the company cleaners to the apartment to clean all that they could, and the tenant had to deal with the rest. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>So, who <i>really</i> needs to buy renters insurance?</b> </span> Here's what you need to know about insurance for renters.<br />
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Everyone who rents an apartment, a house, or condominium or a townhouse <i>needs </i>renters insurance.<br />
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If you <i>owned </i>a home, you would need to buy homeowners insurance. <br />
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The same is true when you rent. <br />
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When you sign your lease, your landlord or property manager should inform you that you need to buy renters insurance. Some property owners absolutely require it. Whether they tell you to get insurance or not, it is up to the tenant to follow through with it. Lack of information, does not make damages and loss the problem of the property owner. <br />
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According to Reliance Property Management:<br />
<blockquote><i>"Renters insurance is there to protect all of your personal belongings, as well as to protect you from huge medical and legal bills should someone get injured in your unit.” </i></blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>How Much Coverage Do You Need? </b></span><b> </b><br />
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First, take an inventory of your belongings and have an insurance agent help you to determine the value of the items in your home. That is how you determine the amount of renters coverage you need. <br />
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Most renters need a standard renters insurance policy, plus a rider or two. If you have expensive electronics and jewelry in your home, then you will need to purchase riders for coverage on those types of items (among others). <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b> What Does Renters Insurance Cover? </b></span><b> </b><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Renters insurance covers more than just your belongings that are damaged by a fire, or if the home is hit by lightening, or if you experience smoke, windstorm or hail. <br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> You are also covered in the event of theft, or if someone is injured in your apartment. <br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Should your house become uninhabitable, your renters insurance will also cover increased living expenses. <br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> And finally, if you lose property while traveling, your renters insurance should cover that, as well.</blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>What Is Not Covered? </b></span><b> </b><br />
<blockquote><span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Rental insurance carriers will not cover you if you have certain types of dogs (or they might require an additional premium). <br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Flood and earthquake damage are not covered in renters insurance, so if you live in a flood plain or earthquake zone, you will want an additional rider. <br />
<span style="color: #00a9e7;">•</span> Other items that may require riders for extra coverage are: water pipe breakage or freezing, falling objects, and riots or civil commotion.</blockquote>If you happen to live in a coastal area, then you may find that insurance companies are reluctant to issue new homeowners and renters insurance policies. In that case, you'll need to find an <a href="http://insurance.freeadvice.com/information/home/article/92" target="_blank">insurer of last resort</a>.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>What Are My Options When Purchasing Renters Insurance?</b></span><b> </b><br />
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You have a couple of decisions to make before you buy renters insurance. <br />
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First, you need to decide if you want your insurance to cover replacement cost, or actual cash value of your items. <br />
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You also need to decide how big your deductible should be in the event that something goes wrong in your unit, or if a theft occurs.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>The Perks Of Having Renters Insurance </b></span><b> </b><br />
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Having renters, insurance will give you peace of mind in the event of theft, or some other problem with your rental unit. <br />
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Keep in mind, you can combine your renters insurance with your auto insurance and you will barely even notice the modestly increased cost. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>Is There Any Reason Why You Would Not Get Renters Insurance? </b></span><b> </b><br />
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I guess if you have no belongings to speak of, then you could probably get along without renters insurance for awhile.<br />
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Renters insurance does have a minimum property value that may very well be higher than the value of what you own. <br />
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However, should your belongings be destroyed you will quickly realize that your mattress and CD collection cost a bit more to replace than you initially thought. <br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"> <b>How To Buy Renters Insurance</b></span><b> </b><br />
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If you have a vehicle (or any other item that is already insured), then you should contact your current insurer first and ask them how much more it would cost to add renters insurance onto your plan.<br />
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<i>***If you're exploring renters insurance companies from scratch, then you'll want to request a free renter's insurance quote online from several different companies. Just <a href="http://www.dpbolvw.net/click-4080382-10803382?sid=rentalsgonewild" target="_blank">CLICK HERE</a> and you'll be able to compare competitive rates!</i><br />
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<i><a href="http://household-tips.thefuntimesguide.com/2008/07/buy_renters_insurance.php" target="_blank">Article Copyright</a></i>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-50629068370909194012010-08-17T00:10:00.005-04:002010-08-20T02:16:16.204-04:00The Truth About 'Green' Cleaning Products<img alt="consumer risks" src="http://thesmarterwallet.com/images/green-cleaning-products.jpg" /><br />
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When the bathroom starts to look grubby and you pull out all the conventional brushes, sponges, sprays and bleach and start scrubbing, you expose yourself to hundreds of chemicals that have known, and possibly unknown, toxic effects. <br />
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"Green" cleaning products claim to offer safer alternatives for humans and the planet, but at a higher price. So what's an environmentally conscious germophobe to do? <br />
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When it comes to humans, the use of any one cleaning product—-green or conventional-—in small amounts and with proper ventilation probably won't make you ill, says Tom Natan, a chemical engineer with the non-profit National Environmental Trust.<br />
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The problem is that most people use more than one cleaning product for the bathroom—-there is one for the toilet, one for the mirror, perhaps one for surfaces, another to clean mildew from tiles, and then tons of other "specialized" cleaning product options. The repeated exposures to the chemicals in all of these products can add up, Natan said.<br />
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"We are exposed, in the process of cleaning our homes, to more than the manufacturers projected," Natan said. "You get the sum total together, and you've got to wonder, why are you using these things?"<br />
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And that's just the story for humans. Factor in the overall planet's health, and it gets murkier.<br />
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<b> <span style="color: #00a9e7;"> 'Dirty' cleaning ingredients</span></b><span style="color: #00a9e7;"></span><br />
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Certain chemicals commonly found in conventional cleaning products present known or suspected problems for the people that use them and the environment once washed down the drain.<br />
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Volatile organic compounds, used to enhance the performance of a product, can impair neurological functions, while other chemicals can act as respiratory irritants, carcinogens or reproductive toxins, depending upon the extent of exposure, according to the National Environmental Trust and other environmental groups.<br />
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Phosphates can cause the eutrophication of rivers and other bodies of water, which can deplete them of oxygen and decrease water quality.<br />
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There is little regulation of cleaning chemicals, and there are virtually no labeling requirements to let people know what they are exposing themselves and the planet to.<br />
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Companies select ingredients for cleaning products to enhance their performance, but "a lot of the chemicals, we simply don't know anything about," Natan said.<br />
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For example, phthalates, which are suspected to have adverse hormonal effects, help distribute dyes and fragrances and act as plasticizers. Other chemicals are used to keep a product stable on the shelf, while others, such as glycols, act like anti-freeze. Still other chemicals could simply be impurities left over from the manufacturing process.<br />
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With some 80,000 chemicals in common use, there are still some that could have as-yet unknown toxic effects.<br />
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Mark Walton, of Dow Chemical Co., which makes some of the chemicals, such as glycols, that go into cleaning products said, "Dow tries to do a thorough job of testing the chemicals that we produce and sell."<br />
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S.C. Johnson, maker of various cleaning products, did not reply to a request for comment on the health and environmental issues related to its products.<br />
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However, there is not enough information on the health effects of the chemicals used in green products to know whether they are truly better for the health of humans, Natan said.<br />
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"I think as a general rule, people who are avoiding these very toxic chemicals are going to be healthier," he said.<br />
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Given the lack of firm data and reliable studies on many chemicals, however, the choice between conventional and green cleaning products may for many people be based on politics and sentiments more than health.<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>'Green' cleaners</b></span><br />
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In response to these issues of uncertain exposures, companies such as Method and Seventh Generation say they take care to exclude chemicals with known or suspected toxicities.<br />
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Method has a "dirty list" of chemicals it refuses to use in its products. Seventh Generation restricts many of the same products but, with the exception of phosphates and chlorine, does not have a specific "banned chemicals" list.<br />
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According to Martin Wolf, director of product and environmental technology for Seventh Generation, company guidelines specify that ingredients in their products cannot be toxic to the user either immediately or when used over time and that they cannot contribute to environmental problems such as global warming, ozone layer depletion, aquatic toxicity or air pollution.<br />
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Both companies also list all the ingredients they use on their labels. "We want people to know what's in it," said Nick Mahan, Method's director of formulations.<br />
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And Dow is currently working toward making safety assessments of its products publicly available by 2015, and it has begun making some resins from ethanol instead of petroleum in Brazil, where ethanol is widely used.<br />
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Dow's Walton says that this effort to more sustainable chemicals is "indicative of the kind of thing that you will see, where it makes sense."<br />
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<span style="color: #00a9e7;"><b>Should you go green?</b></span><br />
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Though their ingredients may be more environmentally friendly, green cleaners come with some trade-offs: They're more expensive and may require more elbow grease to achieve the same level of visual cleanliness.<br />
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Method and Seventh Generation are working on the performance of their products to bring them up to par, with considerable success, they say. Both companies test their products against top-rated conventional brands to make sure they clean comparably.<br />
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"We're not going to ask the consumer to make a trade-off in terms of performance results to be green," said Method's Mahan.<br />
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The only conventional cleansers that green products can't completely match in terms of strength are those that contain chlorine, such as bleach. In those cases, the green cleaners take a little more scrubbing but can get the job done, Mahan said.<br />
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The kicker: You don't really need any chemicals to clean, said Natan, of the National Environmental Trust. "These chemicals make cleaning easier, but they don't make cleaning any better."<br />
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The largely American tendency toward germophobia has partly been fueled by advertising that promotes disinfecting cleaners that eradicate all bacteria in sight as the best way to protect your family from germs. But you don't really need to kill the bacteria, you just need to get them off your table, Natan said.<br />
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In fact, disinfectants could do more harm than good to humans. Natan's group tested one popular disinfectant spray and found that it contained a chemical known to damage the reproductive systems in the offspring of pregnant rats, even in small amounts.<br />
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To clean your house, all you really need is some baking soda and vinegar, Natan said, adding that it's what he uses himself. (For instance, a little vinegar rubbed onto glass with a wad of crumpled newsprint will give you a streak-free shine on window panes. No glass-specific cleanser needed.)<br />
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"Those things work remarkably well," Natan said, though they may require a little extra effort and won't leave your house smelling like lavender or a pine forest.<br />
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<a href="http://www.livescience.com/environment/070806_green_cleaners.html" target="_blank"><i>Article Copyright</i></a>Rentals Gone Wildhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17211158133615987278noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6023312396078044143.post-50433997270304094132010-08-16T22:58:00.007-04:002010-08-20T02:16:52.586-04:00FREE Apartment Locating Service!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFsraDse42USMkkE2TGYxkXXdCHimwtaPYhqg7eiiBY4dHTiFwFsRnIcdW59bnV7-Joq7voM8N3ZV2NtYK_vwGx1BOpfGT07MmgiJpqEpOBBs-L-Fd2rfgh-hXDIPUatrCY-ICJA9UHIU/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBFsraDse42USMkkE2TGYxkXXdCHimwtaPYhqg7eiiBY4dHTiFwFsRnIcdW59bnV7-Joq7voM8N3ZV2NtYK_vwGx1BOpfGT07MmgiJpqEpOBBs-L-Fd2rfgh-hXDIPUatrCY-ICJA9UHIU/s320/Picture1.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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