otwarte Info's » home ideas

thinking of moving out

admin — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:57:25 +0000

Before I left for Kish, wifey and I are considering the idea of moving out. Our current room is already too crowded for all of us. Plus, our movements are very limited due to the number of people. But, we can’t make an outright decision immediately because of some other factors. There are so many things to consider especially the financial aspect. However, before we can make a decision, two of our roommates left. They had some conflicts with the other people before and the rift is getting big.

Now, the room is a cozier as compared before. Wifey suggests purchasing new adult bunk beds queen size. We have been squeezing each other in one small bed for almost two months. We have little choice because the scarcity of space. Now, buying a bigger bed is somewhat doable now that there are only five of us. But, it has to wait until I get back to the country. Good thing I already have ideas in mind.

fixing clog toilet

admin — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 07:20:50 +0000

Basically, there are two types of toilet clogs. The most common is a clog that simply prevents the waste and water from going down the drain. The second, and more distressing, is a clog that causes sewage to back up into a bathtub or other fixture when the toilet is flushed. The common clog usually indicates a blockage in the pipe below or immediately adjacent to the toilet. If your toilet is clogged but not backing up elsewhere, don’t try to flush it or it may overflow. Just follow these simple tips:

Remove the lid from the tank and raise the flapper valve to let a little water pass through so you can see whether the toilet is indeed clogged.
If it is, first try plunging with a bell-shaped toilet plunger. Wearing rubber gloves, place the plunger’s head over the center of the toilet drain hole. Then rapidly push the plunger’s handle up and down to force air and water into the pipe, creating suction to free the clog. If waste water drains from the toilet, you’ve probably managed to break the clog loose. Gradually pour about a gallon of water from a bucket into the toilet to flush it.
If this doesn’t do the job, you can attempt to snake out the toilet with a closet auger, which will reach down about 3 feet. Work the end of it down into the drain hole, turning the handle clockwise until the cable won’t go any further. Then push it repeatedly to dislodge the clog. If it seems to have hooked onto the obstacle, try pulling it out. If it seems balky, work it back and forth carefully so as not to scratch or break the porcelain. If you are able to break through the clog, plunge the toilet again.
If your plumbing system has a clog that is causing sewage to back up into other fixtures when a toilet is flushed, you can attempt to snake out the main drain pipes yourself with a long drain auger. Inexpensive drain augers are available for purchase, or you can rent a high-powered model from a tool rental supplier. If this is more than you want to attempt, call a plumber or drain-clearing service.

like the idea, but financially unprepared

admin — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 00:56:58 +0000

It’s been a month since wifey and I tie the knot. I thought it’s the sign that we will welcome a new family member. But, if I think about it, I realize it’s not yet time. It’s only the beginning of our life even if we have been living together for four years. There are so many things we need to do and fix before we could embark on that journey. I guess it’s safe to say we won’t be shopping for beautiful maternity clothes this year.

However, that doesn’t mean I don’t like the idea of seeing my offspring. In fact, I’m emotionally ready for it. The financial aspect is the only one that hinders me from making it a reality as of the moment. My friends say I don’t need to have six digit savings to have a child. I believe it’s true, but at least have some decent amount in it, which is what I don’t have. Oh well, I’m sure it will come in the right time.

Guide for a Shoestring Budgeting

admin — Sun, 03 Jul 2011 13:00:42 +0000

Considerably, the most money going out will be for food and groceries. The key to saving money on groceries is to make a menu for the week prior to going shopping. Get out the calendar, see what events are planned that week and write out meals according to the time you will have available. It will save money from impulse buying, and also stop you from pulling in the drive-thru because you can’t face preparing a huge meal.

A good place to find great clothes is your local thrift stores. They are being bombarded by teenagers! You would not believe the cool, name brand clothing you will find in these stores. Some may even have the tags still on them. Just get in there and dig. Don’t buy just because it’s cheap, though. Just buy what you came in to get. December is a great month for these shops because people are donating for tax write-offs. You can also find DVD’s, CD’s, appliances, etc. at thrift shops. Thrift stores are becoming the latest fad!

Instead of shelling out twenty dollars to take your family to the movies, order a pay-per-view movie from your cable provider. You all can watch for the price of one, and have all the pop-corn and soda you want at a much cheaper price than at the movie theater. Instead of going bowling weekly, try having a game night. Everyone has board games. If you don’t, pick a few up at your local thrift store.

Try making homemade cleaners instead of buying them. Simple things like a little vinegar added to the rinse cycle can serve as a fabric softener. Dryer sheets can be used as dust rags. Explore all your options. You will save hundreds of dollars each year by following these simple tips.

Management of Hearing Loss Problem

admin — Sun, 13 Mar 2011 01:34:24 +0000

When a hearing aid does not give enough amplification, as with profound deafness, a cochlear implant – sometimes known as a bionic ear – may help. This device transmits sound directly into the auditory nerve via electrodes which are surgically implanted into the cochlea. The results of a cochlear implant vary between people, and it is hard to tell how useful it will be before it is implanted.

Home Care

Wax build-up can frequently be flushed out of the ear (gently) with ear syringes (available in drug stores) and warm water. Wax softeners (like Cerumenex) may be needed if the wax is hard and impacted.

Care should be taken when removing foreign bodies. Unless it is easy to get to, have your health care provider remove the object. Don’t use sharp instruments to remove foreign bodies.

Hearing Loss Prevention

Protect your ears in the workplace. Specially designed earmuffs that resemble earphones can protect your ears by bringing most loud sounds down to an acceptable level. Foam, pre-formed, or custom-molded earplugs made of plastic or rubber also can effectively protect your ears from damaging noise.

dealing with dogs

admin — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:49:26 +0000

Wifey’s dogs are so cute. They are so lovable and responsive to all the members of the house. But, they have this attitude of hanging on to people, which leaves dirt on the clothes. They can use a lot of training from the expert to make them more lovable.

Wifey know about that, but she just doesn’t know who to contact. That’s why she is searching the web for good dog training service. Good thing we find one after a few days of searching. You can click here for dog training tips.

For now, we will just see if we can pay for the service. Until then, we just have to endure the dogs’ behavior. We are just lucky they won’t be able to go out of the house so they will not cause any damage to other people.

Starting your own Freelance Home Business

admin — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 10:31:36 +0000

A lot of people these days are searching for home business opportunities where they can work from the comfort of their own home, be their own boss, and get the financial benefits that are involved with this kind of work. Unfortunately many people do not know how to go about doing this and so they look at many different home based business opportunities and get caught by the scams, eventually becoming disillusioned and wondering whether this is just a wonderful dream. The truth is that you can work from home, earn a living and enjoy all the benefits involved by learning how to find genuine home based jobs and how to start up your own freelance home business.

Freelancing is the best home based business as it stays away from scams and offer people genuine home based jobs where they can set their own hours and their own rates (within limits). The first thing you will need to do in order to start your freelance home business is to find freelance work contracts. In order to find these contracts we suggest looking on freelance jobs boards. These home based jobs boards offer many opportunities for people wishing to get involved in freelancing and all you need to do is sign up with one or two of them and then start tendering for projects.

When tendering for projects it is advisable to either have a portfolio of your work in the field that you are tendering on or to be able to provide examples of your work in this area. Very few people will offer you freelance employment without knowing something about the standard of your work. In some areas this may be more difficult and it is more acceptable not to offer a portfolio of work, such as administrative fields, but in others such as writing and art a portfolio is vital for getting good freelance contracts. If your field is one where you are not able to submit a portfolio, at least have some references that people can contact to find out more about you.

Once you have won some freelance jobs it is important to set up a freelance contract. This should include the rate you are charging for the work, a delivery estimate of when you should have it completed by, payment terms as well as any other aspects which may be important for your work.

Home based jobs do provide many benefits but unfortunately many people have gone about getting involved in home based business in the wrong way. One of the best ways you can get involved in home based business is through freelancing. You can find freelance jobs on freelance jobs boards. Once you have found jobs that you are interested in submit a tender with a portfolio of your work or references and then when you win the tender establish a freelance contract with the person who has awarded you the project. By following these simple steps you will soon be enjoying the benefits of home based jobs.

Starting your own Aromatherapy

admin — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 16:39:26 +0000

The first recommendation would be to educate yourself. Put yourself in the hands of someone knowledgeable in the field, either locally, if possible, or if not, through the library and the Internet. Read everything you can about the oils and their effects, and don’t be afraid to experiment.

To start with, many of us first tried Lavender. It is one of the few oils that can be used full strength on the skin without harmful effects, and is a virtual ‘first aid’ cabinet in and of itself. A touch of lavender essential oil on the temples and back of the neck can ease a headache. A drop of full strength (neat) lavender can soothe and help heal a minor burn.

It is a potent antiseptic, and an antibacterial, anti-fungal and anti-viral agent. It’s also one of the less expensive oils. If you have a local source for true essential oils, use it. Or order from me, or another online vendor. Check the Latin Name. You want either LAVENDER VERA or LAVENDER AUGUSTIFOLIUM, or OFFICINALIS. There are other varieties of oils, similar to true lavender that is sometimes sold as Lavender. They have different effects and won’t be as effective. (It’s a good idea to always check the Latin name of any oil you buy.)

Now that you have your lavender, what to do with it, other than for the “first aid” purposes listed above. Lavender is lovely in the bath. As with most essentials, 6 to 10 drops is enough. Rather than adding the oil directly to the bathwater (because essentials don’t blend with water) try diluting the lavender in a tablespoon or so of honey, a teaspoon of unscented bath oil, or for a Cleopatra luxury bath, some cream. Or you can make your own bath salts by mixing Epsom salts, sea salt or table salt, and/or powdered milk, and adding a lavish amount of lavender. Bottle these and let them stand for a week or ten days.

A lavender bath will relax tired muscles and a tired mind. It’s a wonderful way to relax before bedtime. Ten to fifteen drops of lavender mixed into a tablespoon of your favorite carrier oil makes wonderfully relaxing massage oil.

To induce restful sleep, put a drop or two of lavender on a cotton ball and tuck it into the corner of your pillow case. Or perfume a room by adding a few drops of lavender to either a lamp-ring or aromatherapy lamp. You can even add a few drops of essential oils to the melted wax in a burning candle. (Be very careful doing this, the oils are extremely flammable.)

If you are pleased with the results of the lavender, then experiment with some other oils, either alone, or in combination. Other good beginner oils are Orange or Mandarin, Geranium, Sandalwood, Rosemary, Cypress and Eucalyptus. None are extremely expensive, and all are very useful.

Your nose is really your best guide to which oils will work best for you. I’m firmly convinced that we are drawn to the oils that our bodies need, either mentally/emotionally or physically. Trust your nose, but educate yourself on the safe and effective uses of the oils you select.

best option to renew your property

admin — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 02:53:44 +0000

If you wish to renew your property without spending a fortune or spending a lot of time to produce satisfying results, then your best option is to go with color. But with the multiple names, brands, types and variety of color palettes out there, your renovation can become a bit frustrating. Thus, experts recommend you should begin from the rooms you know which colors you wish to paint their walls and move gradually to the next up until you project is complete.

When it comes to spruce up your old decor, choosing a paint color becomes even more baffling if you consider that most homes use at least three different shades. In case you are considering of selling your house any time soon, repainting your house walls, doors, ceiling, cupboards and closets can be time consuming when speed is what you are after. In those moments, keeping your choice of color shades simple but elegant will save you money, effort and time.

Perhaps you would like to redo the kitchen and complete your project with granite counter tops and tile floors, or you might wish you had the luxury of enjoying a bigger bathtub every evening. But if your budget and time constrains do not allow you to indulge yourself with such additions or alterations in your current residence, with a little creativity and some work, a fresh paint job on the walls, using a more vibrant or subtle color, can brighten up your house and give you the feeling of renewal without emptying your bank account.

A well-chosen selection of contrasting trim and accent colors can draw attention to architectural details and disguise design flaws. A poor selection can make a house seem flat and featureless, or so garish that the color overwhelms the architecture. But, how can one decide?

You can start by using the accent color approach. This basically starts with a fairly neutral color for the main walls and ceiling, and then adds in a contrast color for one wall and the trim. For example, you can start with a white or lightly creamy tone for the walls and ceiling. Then you can choose a more pure white color for the baseboards and doors. Perhaps it sounds dull, but you can leave one walls in each room which you can paint with a distinctive color of your liking. Dark greens, light browns, subtle grays, the blue of the sea or even the attention-grabbing fire-red, will dramatically change the overall look of the room and the difference can be pretty radical.

Finally, pay attention to the finish and as professionals support, satin finish is best for walls and ceilings, while semi-gloss for doors, banisters, and anything that gets a lot of touching, as it’s easier to clean.

How to Budget your Next Home Improvement

admin — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 04:48:43 +0000

What is the best option? Should you get a Home Equity Line of Credit? Making the right decision is based on knowing various pros and cons of different ways to finance your home improvement project and your current situation. Even if you have cash sitting in the bank, it may not always be the best option.

If you have cash at hand, it should be earning at least 5% in a savings account. If you are not earning 5% from your bank, dump them and go to a bank that will give you at least 5% on your money. Search the Internet and you will be able to find a few online savings accounts, offered by well-known banks like Citibank, Emigrant bank or HSBC that will give you a 5% return on your deposit.

If your credit is good and the project is small, search for a credit card that will give you 0% interest rate for a year. Apply online and get approved instantly. Within a couple of weeks, you will get your card and you will be able to use it for your home improvement project. When you get a loan on 0% interest rate, make sure that you do not miss a payment. To avoid missing a payment, use online payments offered by many banks for free or the online payment option of the credit card company.

If your home improvement project is a large one and you want to do it in stages, HELOC, or Home Equity Line of Credit, is a good option. Search the Internet to get the best rate. Find a bank that not only offers the best rate but also waives the finance charges. When you take a HELOC loan, you are essentially putting your home as collateral and the interest you pay may be tax deductible.

Refinancing your home is a good choice if you have a large equity in your home or you want to reduce your existing mortgage rate. Also, if your home improvement project will add substantial equity to you home, refinancing is an attractive option. You will also get tax benefits on the interest you pay. Obtaining a second mortgage to finance your home improvement project makes sense if you get a low fixed interest rate and the interest rate on your first mortgage is even lower than the second mortgage. A second mortgage involves less paper works than a full refinancing.

Don’t make a decision on haste. Weigh the pros and cons of various methods discussed above and your current situation. Find the best way to finance your home improvement project using other people’s money and without hitting your pocket book hard.