Will Your Home Pass Inspection?--Part Three

Moving on Monday

Before you purchase a new home, you have an inspector look at it for any major problems. The results may be a deal breaker if the issues are serious enough. If you have your home for sale, put yourself in the buyer's shoes. What would they find on a home inspection of your property?

Avoid any surprises by having your own home inspection. These past weeks, we've had a checklist of things to look for outside your home. These next few weeks we'll look at the inside. Here's what to look for when inspecting your attic.

• Is the insulation good enough for weather conditions? The more extreme the temperatures, the more insulation you should have.
• Are there signs of rodent infestation? Find their nests and their point of entry.
• Is there proper ventilation? The presence of moisture indicates a problem.
• Are there signs of water leakage on the boards or trusses?
• Is the electrical wiring safe?
• Is the electrical wiring away from insulation and other hazards?
• Do any of the boards have cracks, or do they sag?
• Are access stairs in good condition?

Saving on Energy Costs--Heating/HVAC

Frugal Friday

We all like to save money. Whether it's finding something on sale or clearance, using coupons or being smart about appliance use, the less we spend, the more we can save for emergencies, college tuition or retirement.

These next weeks on Frugal Friday, we will be addressing ways to save money on energy costs--electric, heating, water, etc. Up this week--saving on heating and HVAC.

• Invest in a thermostat with a timer so the heat/air can be lower/higher when you aren't home.
• Turn your water heater off when you go out of town.
• Turning your thermostat from 72°F to 68°F will save you as much as 15% on your heating bill.
• Close off unused rooms to lower your heating and cooling costs.
• Run an extra spin in your washer for heavy fabrics like denim so you won't have to dry them as long.
• Take clothes out of the dryer when they are still damp, and hang to dry the rest of the way.
• Find air leaks in your home with a flashlight and companion. One shines the light, the other stands on the outside and looks for the beam. Seal leaks and replace weather stripping as needed.
• Wrap your water heater with insulation to save on your heating bill.
• Have your furnace tuned up year.
• Use cold water to wash clothes, and use the moisture sensor, not timer, on your dryer.
• Reduce the temperature (120° is plenty) on your hot water heater.

Hoarding and the Elderly

Senior Thursday

WHAT IS HOARDING?

Hoarding is the name given to behavior that is characterized by:
• The acquisition and failure to discard a large number of possessions that are useless or of limited value
• The accumulation of belongings to such a degree that they impact functioning and/or preclude the activity for which the space was designed; for example-- a bed cannot be slept upon or a tub cannot be used for bathing because they are used for storage
• When the quantity of items creates a potential hazard or puts people at risk

Hoarding does not begin suddenly. It takes years for items to accumulate to such a degree that they constitute hoarding. Some believe that hoarding increases among older adults as compensation for accumulated human losses. Others believe that hoarding only seems to be a bigger problem among the elderly because they have had more time to accumulate. As more and more cases of extreme hoarding in older adults come to light, hoarding among the elderly is being recognized as a significant problem.

Hoarding becomes a greater problem as individuals age. Floors in hoarders’ homes are normally covered with debris, and as balance and mobility decrease, the hoarded belongings become a significant risk factor for falls.

Most older adults have multiple chronic conditions that are impacted by hoarding as well. Medication compliance among hoarders is poor because pill containers get lost under mounds of clutter and pulmonary conditions are exacerbated by the dust. Frail older adults may be unable to receive needed assistance because most home care agencies will not provide services in hoarding situations until the unsafe conditions are remedied.

If you know an elderly person living under these conditions, call Prima ByDesign, Inc. (847-955-1822.) We can help declutter the senior's home, and perform a Senior Safety Home Assessment. Help prevent accidents.

Time Management for Writers--Part Four

Writer Wednesday

If you're like most writers, this isn't your full-time job. You may work outside the home. You might have children to care for. You might have a sick family member that takes up much of yor time.

Whatever it is, not many writers have the luxury of writing ten hours a day to crank out that manuscript. Here are some tips to help you manage your time better, and find more time to write:

16. Learn to say "NO." Whether it's volunteer work, school events or a position on the board of your writer's group, agree only to what you can handle and still have time for yourself.
17. Learn to ask for support. There are times you have to be honest with yourself and admit you can't do it all. If you need help, with anything from cleaning the house to taking the kids to soccer practice, ask for help.
18. Open your mail over a trash/recycle bin. This way you will only handle it once, and won't be tempted to read or keep something that is really trash.
19. Sort mail immediately upon opening--To Do or Pay, To Read, To Keep and File, etc., then put all that mail where it belongs.
20. Set a specific time of the day to read and respond to e-mail. Use only that time for opening e-mails. Do not open an e-mail if you know you won't have time to read and respond to it immediately.

Caring for Your Jewelry

Tips for Tuesday

Last week we explored several creative options for storing your jewelry. Today, we are going to talk about caring for your jewelry. If gold and stones aren't cared for properly, they can break or get damaged. You don't want that to happen to your expensive pieces.

Even costume jewelry needs care so it lasts as long as it is in fashion (or comes back in fashion again.)

Here are ways to keep your jewelry looking its best:

• Check your jewelry every time you wear it for damaged links and faulty clasps. Have rings checked by a jeweler twice a year for loose stones.
• Fasten chains when you are not wearing them so they don't get knots.
• Sprinkle costume jewelry with baking powder, then gently brush with a soft toothbrush.
• Soak valuable jewelry in a solution of dishwashing liquid and water in a bowl for a few minutes, then brush gently with a toothbrush. Dry thoroughly with a hair dryer.
• Emeralds, pearls, opals and turquoise should not be cleaned in this solution. Emeralds should be professionally cleaned. Opals, turquoise and pearls can be rubbed gently with a chamois cloth.
• If you take your rings off when you wash dishes, keep a large safety pin near the sink. Place the rings on the pin, then fasten the pin to your clothes.
• Restring broken necklaces with fishing line, as it is very sturdy.
• Chains knotted? Place them on wax paper, put a drop of baby oil on the knot, then untangle them with pins or needles.
• If rings are stuck on your hands, lather them up with soap, or soak hands in ice water if they are swollen from the heat.

Caring for your valuable possessions will guarantee they will be with your family for generations.

Will Your Home Pass Inspection?--Part Two

Moving On Monday

Before you purchase a new home, you have an inspector look at it for any major problems. The results may be a deal breaker if the issues are serious enough. If you have your home for sale, put yourself in the buyer's shoes. What would they find on a home inspection of your property?

Avoid any surprises by having your own home inspection. The next few weeks will be a checklist of things to look for around your home. Here's what to look at when inspecting the exterior of your home.

Garage
• Is the driveway cracked or uneven?
• Are doors and windows rotted or peeling?
• Is there fire protection between house and garage?
• Is there fire protection between house and garage?
• Does the garage door opener/safety mechanism work?
• Is the floor cracked? Clean?

Landscaping
• Are trees and shrubs clear/trimmed from the house?
• Are large trees far enough from the house that they don't pose threat to foundation?
• Are trees and shrubs trimmed to allow clear view of road?
• Are trees and shrubs clear from walkways and entryway?
• Does land grade away from house for proper drainage?

Saving on Energy Costs--Water

Frugal Friday

We all like to save money. Whether it's finding something on sale or clearance, using coupons or being smart about appliance use, the less we spend, the more we can save for emergencies, college tuition or retirement.

These next weeks on Frugal Friday, we will be addressing ways to save money on energy costs--electric, heating, water, etc. Last week, we talked about saving money while using electronics around the house. This week, we are offering tips on how to save money on water usage. This will not only be kind on your budget, it will help the envirnoment by conserving water.

• Place a brick or a 2-liter bottle filled with water in your toilet tank. Your toilet will use half the water.
• If you are replacing a toilet, invest in a dual-flush or low-flow version.
• Install low flow shower heads in your bathrooms.
• Fix leaky faucets.
• Put a drop of food coloring in your toilet tank. Let it sit for a while without flushing. If the water in the bowl takes on a tint, then the tank is leaking.
• Wash only full loads of laundry or dishes.
• Turn off the water when brushing your teeth.
• Take a short shower instead of a bath.
• Install aerators in your faucets. This reduces the flow rate and water consumption.

The Core Principles of Sorting--Part Six

Senior Thursday

Everyone's family will face the time when they must sort through the belongings of senior family members or aging parents. This may be as a result of a move to assisted living, or upon the senior's passing. If the senior is still alive, the decisions are more difficult, whether the move is to a retirement community or a nursing home. In most cases, the new home is smaller, and thus, many of their possessions can't go with them.

Some seniors keep belongings of deceased spouses or children. It is important to help them deal with this loss and move on. The sixth core principle of sorting is to be non-judgmental and empathetic, and to listen to the senior. This can ease the process.

Adult children helping seniors can participate in sorting decisions, but should not control them if the senior is still alive. Advice can help, but the ultimate decision is the senior's.

If adult children are just as indecisive, it can delay the process. Some children are more paralyzed in making decisions than their parents. In this case, the process should be handled by an objective outsider.

It is undertandable that when sorting through a deceased family member’s belongings, the surviving members may still be grieving. Sorting is like saying a final farewell. Let the family member have their moment of grief before moving on.

Time Management for Writers--Part Three

Writer Wednesday

If you're like most writers, this isn't your full-time job. You may work outside the home. You might have children to care for. You might have a sick family member that takes up much of your time.

Whatever it is, not many writers have the luxury of writing ten hours a day to crank out that manuscript. Here are some tips to help you manage your time better, and find more time to write:

11. Do you have an appointment or meeting coming up? Plan ahead and make any calls or do any tasks related to the meeting, such as mapping directions.
12. Assign a due date to all tasks in your calendar--they'll be more likely to get done.
13. Add in cushions of time between appointments and meetings for emails, phone calls, travel, etc.
14. Write recurring events in your planner several months in advance. Or schedule them as recurring in your electronic calendar.
15. Confirm all appointments and meetings two days prior. Confirm date, time and location. Record other attendee's phone number in your planner in case you are running late and need to call them.

Creative Storage Solutions for Jewelry

Tips for Tuesday

Do you have a drawer or box full of jewelry? Is it a tangled mess, making it impossible to find what you need? And when you find it, is it easy to disentagle it from the other pieces?

Yes, it's easy to just throw what you've worn for the day into a drawer. But it's NOT easy finding it again when you need it.

Here are some creative storage solutions to keep your jewelry tangle-free and make it easy to quickly find what you need.

• Use small finger-tip or dessert bowls to hold rings
• Thoroughly wash a stryofoam egg carton and use it for earrings, rings or pins
• Use an upright paper towel rod to hold bracelets
• Use a tiered dessert or cake stand for necklaces
• Paint and frame a screen or radiator grille, then hang necklaces from hooks, or stick earrings through it
• Purchase a hanging organizer with clear plastic pockets
• Use an over-the-door pocket shoe organizer for scarves
• Decorate and use a tackle box for earrings
• Purchase a cork board and decorative push pins, then hang your necklaces from the push pins

Never display your expensive pieces of jewelry. And never store them in the right-hand top drawer of your dresser. That is the first place thieves look for them.

Will Your Home Pass Inspection?

Moving on Monday

Before you purchase a new home, you have an inspector look at it for any major problems. The results may be a deal breaker if the issues are serious enough. If you have your home for sale, put yourself in the buyer's shoes. What would they find on a home inspection of your property?

Avoid any surprises by having your own home inspection. The next few weeks will be a checklist of things to look for around your home. Here's what to look at when inspecting the exterior of your home.

• Are any painted areas peeling?
• Is the siding loose or damaged in any area?
• Are wood doors and windows rotted or peeling?
• Is the mortar between bricks missing or worn?
• Are soffits and fascia in need of paint or repair?
• Are walkways cracked or uneven?
• Do the stairs have an adequate railing?
• Are steps of equal height?
• Do steps need painting or repair?
• Are deck boards warped? Nails secure?
• Are deck railings loose or wobbly?
• Are deck railings within building safety code?
• Are exterior lights working?
• Are there any signs of rodent or pest infestation?
• Are gutters and spouts clear of debris?
• Is the foundation cracked/uneven?
• Are roof shingles missing/worn?
• Is flashing loose/missing mortar?
• Is chimney clear?
• Are any window panes broken or cracked?

Saving on Energy Costs--Electronics

Frugal Friday


We all like to save money. Whether it's finding something on sale or clearance, using coupons or being smart about appliance use, the less we spend, the more we can save for emergencies, college tuition or retirement.

These next weeks on Frugal Friday, we will be addressing ways to save money on energy costs--electric, heating, water, etc. First up--saving while using electronics around the house.

• Unplug all appliances and electronics when not in use (especially when away on vacation.) They consume 40% of their energy when not in use, but plugged in.
• Keep your electronics and appliances clean and well-maintained. They will work at their highest efficiency if you take care of them and have them serviced regularly.
• Put your appliances and electronics on a timer so they shut down when not in use.
• Limit the time your family uses electronics--television, computer, video games, etc. Get them back to the basics of reading and puzzles.
• Keep your phones, etc., plugged in for only as long as it takes them to charge. Unplug the charger from the wall as soon as the item is done charging.

The Principles of Sorting--Part Five

Senior Thursday

Everyone's family will face the time when they must sort through the belongings of senior family members or aging parents. This may be as a result of a move to assisted living, or upon the senior's passing. If the senior is still alive, the decisions are more difficult, whether the move is to a retirement community or a nursing home. In most cases, the new home is smaller, and thus, many of their possessions can't go with them.

Another core principle of sorting is “first things first.” Know your goals before you begin sorting. Identify what needs to be done first. Do personal artifacts need to be removed before an Estate Sale? Do essentials need to be packed for a new home? Do any pieces of furniture need emptying before a family member takes them? Does the house need to be readied for the market? Look at your priorities and address them accordingly.

Some seniors use sorting to postpone the move. They worry about what will happen to each item, so they postpone the decisions so they can postpone the move. However, they should rather focus on what is going with them to their new home. If time and finances allow, go ahead and complete the move with the necessities, then return to the old home to sort what is left to get the process moving.

Time Management for Writers--Part Two

Writer Wednesday

If you're like most writers, this isn't your full-time job. You may work outside the home. You might have children to care for. You might have a sick family member that takes up much of yor time.

Whatever it is, not many writers have the luxury of writing ten hours a day to crank out that manuscript. Here are some tips to help you manage your time better, and find more time to write:

6. Purchase a planner or use an electronic calendar. Schedule time for every task you need to complete, keeping aware of deadlines.
7. Create a specific place on your desk for your planner so you can find it when you need it.
8. Have only one calendar for both business and personal appointments so you don't double book yourself.
9. Color code business and personal entries to see the differences at a glance.
10. When entering an appointment in your planner, include the contact name, phone number and directions.

National Prescription Drug Take Back Day

Tips for Tuesday

According to the 2009 Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health, more than seven million Americans currently abuse prescription drugs. Each day, approximately, 2,500 teens use prescription drugs to get high for the first time according to the Partnership for a Drug Free America. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including the home medicine cabinet.

To address this issue, the DEA has scheduled another National Prescription Drug Take Back Day on Saturday, October 29, 2011, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm. to provide a venue for persons who want to dispose of unwanted and unused prescription drugs.

Visit the U.S. Department of Justice Drug Enforcement Administration web site (http://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_disposal/takeback/index.html) to locate drop-off sites in your neighborhood.

Make this vital public safety and public health issue your concern and keep your family safe. Turn in your unused or expired prescriptions.

The DEA offers this service every six months. Keep this in mind when looking through your medicine cabinet. Remove and collect medication as it expires, then take it in on the next collection date.

Preparation is Key!

Moving on Mondays

Moving isn't easy. Not only are you trying to get through your daily activities, you have all the extra tasks of packing and looking for a new home. In order to make your move as smooth as possible, enlist the help of family members in both the execution and maintenance of all the tasks involved. Everyone should help with whatever they can on their level, whether it's teens decluttering and packing their bedrooms, or middle school children sorting through their books and toys, everyone can pitch in.

Older children and spouses can complete the files you've been collecting, make phone calls or run errands. Hold weekly meetings to keep everyone informed on the progress of the packing and move, and assign the tasks for the upcoming week. Have each person give a progress report of the previously assigned tasks. You may need to have meetings more frequently as the moving date looms closer.

Don't try and do everything yourself! You will suffer physically and emotionally.

Decorating on a Budget

Frugal Friday

We all like our homes to be pretty. And wouldn't it be wonderful if they could look like model homes? Or those glossy photos in magazines?

While we may not all be able to afford the furniture and accessories, there are ways to achieve the look without the expense. Here are some frugal decorating tips:

• To give a room a new look, try rearranging the furniture. Place a chair on a diagonal, or move a lamp. You'll be surprised how little changes can make a big impact.
• Check your local paper for hotel sales. When they remodel, they often sell the barely-used, high-quality furniture at very low rates.
• Buy cheap, ugly framed art at yard sales, then toss the art and keep the frame.
• Purchase photo books or calendars, carefully take out pages, then frame the photo for inexpensive art. This looks expecially sophisticated when hanging a series of connected photos like gardens or black & white images.
• Outdoor furniture tends to be less expensive than indoor. Use it when you can for playrooms and basements. It's also more rugged than indoor furniture.
• Use beach towels to recover indoor-outdoor furniture.
• Check classified ads and Craig's List for deals on furniture. Many people are practically giving furniture away when they are moving.
• Purchase lamps and shades at thrift stores. Paint the bases, and decorate the shades for a new look.

What have you done as an inexpensive decorating project?

The Principles of Sorting--Part Four

Senior Thursday

Everyone's family will face the time when they must sort through the belongings of senior family members or aging parents. This may be as a result of a move to assisted living, or upon the senior's passing. If the senior is still alive, the decisions are more difficult, whether the move is to a retirement community or a nursing home. In most cases, the new home is smaller, and thus, many of their possessions can't go with them.

The fourth core principle of sorting is to listen. Respectful listening, though it may seem like wasting time is one of the most important things you can do when helping a senior sort their belongings. Ask questions, make comments. They will love talking to you about their past. You can learn a great deal about the senior while sorting.

Sorting can be intense and draining both physically and emotionally. Attention span for most seniors is 2-3 hours. For some, it is shorter, so keep sessions brief. One and one half to two hours is sufficient, depending on needs. Encourage breaks and snacks. You can do other tasks in the meantime, like packing away what they will be moving.

Time Management for Writers--Part One

Writer Wednesday

If you're like most writers, this isn't your full-time job. You may work outside the home. You might have children to care for. You might have a sick family member that takes up much of your time.

Whatever it is, not many writers have the luxury of writing ten hours a day to crank out that manuscript. Here are some tips to help you manage your time better, and find more time to write:

1. Set goals for yourself--daily, weekly, monthly. Write them down. Make them realistic so you don't overstress yourself.
2. Prioritize your goals according to importance and deadlines.
3. Plan and schedule your time based on your goals. For example, if you know you have to get a 1200-word article to your editor by the tenth of the month, don't plan a dinner party for the night before.
4. Review your goals on a regular basis and reprioritize as necessary.
5. Match your activities to your working style. Are you a morning person? Then don't plan your writing time in the evening when you are physically and emotionally drained.

Streamline Your Life--In the Car

Tips for Tuesday

You are busy enough without having to handle emergencies with your car as well as your home. I recently had a client who left garbage in her car from food. This wouldn't have been too bad, except that she didn't drive the car for eight weeks in the heat of summer.

The entire interior of the car was covered in mold. Luckily, it hadn't soaked into the foam of the seats. Regardless, the cleaning bill was over $200. Here are some tips for keeping your car safe and clean:

• Keep water and non-perishable snacks on hand for emergencies, but keep them well-sealed.
• Keep magazines in the car for those unexpected delays. You'll be able to catch up on reading while waiting.
• Keep a pen and paper or post-it notes in the car for messages and reminders. Pull over to the side of the road if you need to write something down.
• Keep a cooler or thermal bag in your trunk to keep frozen foods cold on the way home from the grocery store in the summer.
• Keep paper napkins or anti-bacterial wipes on hand for spills. Wipe up spills as soon as they happen. The expense of a potential clean-up isn't worth the few seconds it takes to wipe up a spill.

Preparing for the Move--Contents of Your Records Box

Moving on Mondays

Last week, we talked about creating a portable storage box for your paperwork. In addition to paperwork, include the following in your storage system:

• Pens and pencils for writing notes (pencils work best because you can erase and change information on your calendars and other schedules)
• A calculator for figuring expenses
• A stapler, paper clips and binder clips for fastening paperwork
• Plastic pockets for receipts, photos, and pamphlets (these come pre-punched to fit in your binder)
• Business card holder (these come in a variety of sizes, including 8 1/2 x 11 pre-punched for your binder)

Everyone in the family should know where the box is at all times, just in case somebody needs something from it. Be very careful where you take this box, or where you leave it, as there will be some personal information inside.