Saving Money in the Shower

I am sure majority of us never thought that morning shower as another way to save money. But, there are a lot of little things we can do to reduce the cost of keeping clean and neat. Even if we’re still half asleep, that won’t mean we want money needlessly running down the drain. Here are a few ideas I found out on how we can save money in a shower:

Take shorter showers - It may feel good to stay in water, but it costs money (plus warm water dries our skin, anyway). Use a timer to control shower time.

Do a Navy shower - My husband used to say this. In a Navy shower, you just get yourself wet then turn off the water while you soap up and wash. You turn the water on again to rinse yourself.

Use a pail and dipper (tabo) - I’m getting used to this new habit of turning faucet’s both cold and warm to get to my right temperature and using the right amount of water.

Install low-flow shower heads - These reduce the amount of water that flows out and they’ve come a long way. They no longer condemn you to a trickle of water. Many offer a comfortable flow of water.

Shower less often - If you shower twice a day, can you get by with only once?

Shower, don’t bathe - Baths use far more water than showers. The occasional bath is a nice treat, but a bath every day is a big water waster.

Keep those razors in good condition - Avoid leaving razor in the shower. Blades that are constantly wet usually get rust and will not last as long as those that are stored in dry cabinets. Wipe it dry and put it away. If you use an electric razor, follow the care and cleaning instructions to make certain it lasts a long time.

Use towels/washcloths more than once - Unless you are really filthy, you can use your towels and cloths more than once. You can easily get by with changing them once or twice per week. Hang them up to dry when you’re done showering to keep them from mildewing or stinking. This will make them last longer and reduce your laundry bill.

Use less and fewer products - Try using less of your current soaps and shampoos. Instead of a big squirt, try a teaspoonful. Experiment to see if you can get the same results with less. Experiment with how often you use products, as well. Do you really have to shampoo your hair every day, or will every other day do? You can also try using fewer products in general. Do you need shaving cream, or can you get by with just water? Does your hair require conditioner or do you use it just because you think you’re supposed to? Do you need three different kinds of shampoo? See if you can do with fewer products. And don’t forget to use up all of your products. Turn bottles upside down to get the last bits out and mold left over soaps to the new bar so it all gets used up.

Recycle the water - Catch the grey water into a bucket, then use it to fill the toilet… I know it’s yak sometimes!

A shower doesn’t seem like much in the everyday scheme of your spending. However, a few small changes can add up to big money saved over time.

A Humor With A Message

Great humor not only tickle the funny bone, but also delivers a punch line that makes us think about our lives, our relationships and the way we interact.

Here’s humor that is a subtle dig on married life.

Knowing the parts for the school play were supposed to be posted today, a father asked his son if he got a part.

The son enthusiastically announced that he’d gotten one. ” I play a man who’s been married for 20 years.”

” That’s great, son. Keep up the good work, and before you know it, they’ll be giving you a speaking part soon.”

In business, sometimes, we have confilcts. While conflicts are inevitable, conflicts not properly managed can be among the biggest drain on motivation, and can result in wasted money and time. Before we spend another time to argue and fight, especially when it involves getting expensive lawyers, let us remember this joke:

Two farmers were fighting over a cow. while one was pulling the head and the other was pulling the tail, the lawyer was seen milking the cow…

Myths Of Owning Rental Property

Most of us think that having a rental property is one of the easiest businesses to make money. You found an income property by the commercial are, collect the rent every month, and enjoy the income. Most of us believed that once you buy a property and rent it out you are settled to it for years to come. This is what I thought before I bought a rental property.
Many people think that it is easy to become a landlord - you know, you buy a property, collect rent every month and enjoy the income. The popular belief is that once you buy a property and rent it out, you are all set for the next 5 years or so. At least that’s what I was told before I bought my rental property in Metro Manila.

When the real estate market was booming, many aspiring investors rushed to the suburban to look for properties that were believed to be undervalued. The rumor then was to buy a property before the real estate market prices skyrockets in that main city. I knew some of my parents’ friends had bought properties when the average single-family houses were in the hundred thousand ranges, and had double their initial investment in less than 5 years.

I also had several friends who participated in this real estate mania. One friend told me, “Buy the property now. Sit back and collect rent.” It turns out that many people I know had joined the real estate craze and bought a property. They all buy a house and rent it out. It seemed like a great opportunity for the people from the province who could not afford suburban real estate prices. I was one of those people. Thus, I traveled to Metro Manila and bought a property there.

At first, I was getting the good tenants. I collected rent every month on time. It was like a dream come true. The rent checks kept coming and I kept smiling. No complains from me. I almost thought I could just sit back and collect rent for the next 10 years.

Just when I thought it was easy to be a landlord, my luck struck out in 2010. I realized I had terrible tenants, who would not pay rent and would not want to leave. They also caused a lot of problems. I tried to evict them in court but they took exploited loop holes in the legal system to postpone court dates until I could no longer deal with them.

Owning a rental property is like owning a business. It requires time and energy. Even if you have good tenants, you need to be ready for any problems that may arise. Most of us do not start a business and think we can make money by doing nothing. Instead, we would expect that starting and running a business take time and hard work. The same mindset should go for owning a rental property.

Owning a rental property can be hard work and time consuming. Below are some myths about owning rental property.

Myth #1: I just need enough money for the down payment to buy a rental property
There are many costs associated with a rental property apart from the initial down payment. You would definitely need extra money for the rainy days. The house may be in need of sudden repairs and you would need to have some cash to back yourself up. Also, it’s no guarantee that you can always rent out the property. Some times it may take months before you can find a new tenant after the old one leaves. In events like that, you should have adequate savings to help you ride through tough periods for the time being.
In my situation with the bad tenant, I did not receive rent payment for 5 months. I had to dig into my personal savings and pay mortgages and other costs associated with the house. My cash flow was negative for many months. Therefore, I would suggest landlords to have approximately 12 months of rent money for backup.

Reality: Down payment is usually not enough for buying a rental property. You need about 12 months of rent money in addition to down payment and closing fees.

Myth #2: I can sit back and collect rental payment every month from my tenants
Many people think that once you buy the property, everything else goes on autopilot. You think that you would sit back, cash checks and get fat. More often than not, you would be busy dealing with tenants and making regular repairs to the rental unit. You can hire a real estate agent to take care of it for you, but it will cost you money. And even with an agent, you cannot just sit back and forget everything. Since it is your property and not your agent’s, your agent will not be too concern about your property if you don’t care much about it. Be prepared. Rental property owners should be hands-on with managing the property.
My friend had hired a real estate agent to look after her property. She told me that all they do was collect the rent checks, deduct the service fees and pay the difference to you. If there were problems with the house, the agents would not always react right away. Often they would call you for a decision. In which case, they would suggest calling a third party, recommended by the agent, to make repairs. My friend thought that her real estate agent was useless, because even after hiring the agent, my friend was on the phone several times a day whenever there was an issue in the house. She was doing the same amount of work regardless if she had an agent or not. She canceled the service and save on the monthly service fees.

Reality: A rental property requires your attention and prompts for your actions. You have to be proactive.

Myth #3: I will buy a rental property and get rich 
Many people think that buying a property will help make them rich soon. They may have seen other people get rich from buying property and is always the exceptionally good news that travels down everyone’s ears. For example, your friend tells you that he had purchased a house at some place and made a phenomenal return on his/her money. Hearing that story, you would definitely make as much as him/her and rushes to buy a house.
I confess that I was one of them when I bought my house in Metro Manila. I heard many people made 100% or more returns when they sold their properties. The rumor at that time was that the housing market in the area would increase significantly. The local economy was thought to be booming and the job market seemed to be doing well. My friend told me that real estate prices would most likely double in two years. I thought about it and it seemed like a good investment at the time.
Unfortunately, I got in the real estate market at near the peak. The prices had dropped since then. The current value of my property is probably 30% lower than what I had paid for it.
Now I am in debt with a mortgage that is probably worth more than my house. I also have other monthly expenses associated with the rental property, such as insurance, real estate tax, etc. I have not seen positive cash flow for a very long time.

Reality: Buying a rental property is not a guarantee that you will get rich.

Myth #4: The house will care for itself
People think that if they buy a property and successfully rent it out, then they are all set. It’s easy to forget that the house goes through wear-and-tear each year. The house needs maintenance every year or so. There are many things to be checked. For example, the walls need repainting for a new tenant. The water tank system and sewer system need to be checked regularly. It is in your best interest to detect problems early on. Usually finding out the problems and fixing them soon help save money for you.
For my property, I had repaired and replaced many things. To name a few things, replaced kitchen faucet and a shattered bedroom door, installed a new water pump. I had to shell out a lot of my money in my savings account. This is also where some extra money can help. The rent money alone was not enough.

Reality: The house will need to be checked regularly.

Myth #5: My contractor will fix everything
People rely heavily on their contractors to do the work for them. The contractors will tell you something to make you believe that they are better than you and they will do the job right. And if you do not know any better, you would believe them.
I doubt contractors have your house in their best interest. Most contractors try to get the job done as soon as possible without you bothering them. Often, the quality of the work is mediocre. This is especially true if you are far away from the property, like I am. I learned that it is best to inspect the job after it is done by the contractor. This gives you an opportunity to examine the quality of work that was done by the contractor. And if the work was not done correctly, you would have to tell the contractor. It is your house, so you have to place your high attention to it.

Reality: The contractor does not have your house in his/her best interest at heart. You need to inspect the work and follow up with the contractor.

In conclusion, the myths present owning a rental property seems easy, but in reality, there are many hours of work behind the scenes. As always, do your due diligence before investing in the real estate market. And if you are seriously interested in getting your foot in the real estate market but do not want to get your foot dirty, there is an alternative option - real estate investment trust (REIT). REITs are securities that you can trade in the stock market. You do not have to deal with tenant problems in REITs and you will often receive a nice dividend for holding REITs. REITs are the preferred investment choices for investors who want to participate in the real estate market and do not want to deal with the hassles.

Living Longer (In My Own Way)

Around this time of the year everyone starts thinking about getting a fresh start. The New Year comes around and we think this year, “I am going to be better! I am going to eat better, lose weight, stop smoking, start exercising, stop drinking as much, keep in touch with my friends, etc.” If you are thinking about that fresh start and being a little healthier, let’s take a look at things that make us live long and prosper!

No Tobacco use – I know you’re heard it all before, but quitting the use of tobacco products is the best change you can make to your lifestyle. Not only will it help save you from lung cancer and heart disease but it will also help save your finances and dreaded wrinkles. If you quit smoking you can add 5 to 10 years to your life. If you’re interested in quitting, you’re in luck, help is just around the corner.

Exercise – Regular exercise helps prevent cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure to name a few. Ok, so you’ve heard this too. But did you know according to one study you may be able to extend your life 2 seconds for every second that you exercise. That means that for every hour you exercise you extend your life by 2. So 1 year of exercise at 60 minutes a day can extend your 5 years. According to this study, I am going to live forever!!!

Eating Right – If you eat a well balanced diet you can also help prevent cardiovascular disease, certain cancers, diabetes, high blood pressure and others. Limiting the amount of calories you eat is also essential to maintaining a healthy weight and achieving your fitness goals. Did you also know that eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and a limited amount of saturated and trans-fats that you can boost your life span by 2 years!

Maintain your blood pressure – High b/p is something that you can’t see or feel. Have it checked regularly to make sure you’re below 120/80. Believe it or not this can lengthen your life by 3 years.

Maintain your cholesterol levels – You’ve probably heard it in my last posts about good and bad cholesterol. The good stuff (HDL) helps protect your heart when it’s higher than 55, and adds a year or so to your life. And if the bad stuff (LDL) is less than 160 you can add another year on.

Well fellows, these years are really adding up!! I’m sure at this point I haven’t telling you anything new, but the next few might surprise you.

Don’t be a loner – Believe it or not social interactions add years to your life. Research has shown that people that have spouses and significant friendships are healthier. People with strong social ties get sick less often and have a healthier immune system. Even people that have the pets may live longer. If you socially interact with others at least 3 times a month you may add 2 years to your life..

 Use brain power – You know the old saying if you don’t use it you’ll lose it? Well, if you don’t use your brain it atrophies just like a muscle. Engage you brain by reading, writing and constantly being a student to add gusto for life as well as a few more years.

And last but not least…..

Set some goals – Research shows that people that have a goal in life and strong feelings of something yet to accomplish will live longer. So use those goal sheets you’ve all written in your mind and live longer.

How long do you want to live? You have the tools to change and help that is free. It’s all about wanting to do to it. Make that change and you will be happier for it. Your family and friends will probably thank you for it too.

Good luck, best wishes and Enjoy Life!

Earth Energy Efficiency Tips around your Home

FRONT
Front porch light/outdoor post light - Your front porch and outdoor post lights are often your most used lights, so they provide the perfect opportunity to be energy efficient. Consider putting compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) in your existing light fixtures. Installing new energy star qualified outdoor fixtures with advanced CFL technology like motion sensors and photocells can also save energy.
Energy efficient windows - Air leaks and radiant heat transfer through and around your windows can cause drafts, heat loss or gain, and higher energy bills. Thermal or double-pane windows help keep your energy bills low during weather’s extremes by providing more insulation between harsh outside weather elements and your comfortable indoor environment.
Door/window weather stripping - Air leaks through and around your home’s doors and windows can cause you discomfort and result in high energy bills. Proper weather stripping around windows and outside doors will protect your home’s thermal boundary, also called its “envelope” or “shell,” keeping you more comfortable and helping save energy year-round.
Thermal boundary - Your home's thermal boundary, also called its 'envelope' or 'shell', consists of its outer walls, ceiling, windows, doors and floors. Sealing your home's envelope reduces drafts and helps prevent moisture problems. It can save you up to 10% on your energy bill and keep you more comfortable during the hottest and coldest months of the year.
Heat pump - Heating and cooling costs make up more than 50% of your home’s total energy bill. A dependable, low maintenance heat pump is the most efficient way to keep your home comfortable year-round, and it can help you save hundreds of dollars on your yearly power bill.

LIVING ROOM
Heating and air conditioning system - More than 50% of your home’s total energy usage goes to heating and cooling. If your furnace is more than 15 years old, or your air conditioning unit is more than 12 years old, consider replacing it with a more energy efficient and properly-sized system.
Table lamp - Save energy and money by changing a standard light bulb in your home to an energy star qualified compact fluorescent bulb. Replacing a 100-watt incandescent bulb with a 32-watt CFL can save you up to $30 in energy costs over the life of the bulb.
Power strip - Even when turned off, most electronic and computer equipment use a small amount of electricity. Using a power strip as a central “turning off” point for electronics, video games and computers allows you to completely disconnect the power supply from the power source. This can save you energy and extend the life of your equipment.
Dimmer switch - Certain energy star qualified CFLs are made to work with dimmer switches. Your local hardware store may not stock a wide variety of dimmable CFLs, so if you are looking for a specific wattage or bulb type, you may want to try to purchase it online.
Programmable thermostat - Install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust your home’s temperature settings when you’re away or sleeping, and save up to $150 a year. To save energy with a manual thermostat, set it at 78°F in the summer and 68°F in the winter, then leave it alone. Constantly adjusting the temperature causes your system to work harder.
Fireplace damper - By design, a chimney removes unwanted by-products from a fire by creating a draft. But this draft can also pull heated or air-conditioned air from your home. Always close the flue damper tightly when the fireplace is not in use to keep conditioned air in your living space where it belongs.
Home theatre system - Home electronics play an increasingly larger role in your home's energy usage and can account for up to 15% of your total electricity use. Electronic equipment that has earned the energy star can help save energy even when turned off, while maintaining features like clock displays, channel settings, and remote-control functions.

KITCHEN
Microwave oven - You can reduce cooking energy by as much as 80% when using your microwave wisely. Using your microwave or toaster oven to reheat or cook small portions can help you save on summer air conditioning costs, since less heat is generated compared to your stove or oven.
Kitchen sink - Hot water leaking from a faucet at the rate of one drip per second can waste up to 1,661 gallons of water over the course of a year. This can cost you up to $35 on your power bill. Fixing kitchen faucet drips is a cost-effective and easy way to save energy and money.
Dishwasher - If you replace your dishwasher, choose an energy star qualified model and you will save over $25 a year in energy costs. Most dishwashers today can thoroughly clean dishes that have had food scraped, rather than rinsed off, so you can save water by scraping dishes instead of rinsing them before loading the dishwasher.
Stove top range - Using the correct-sized pot on electric range stove burners can save about $36 annually. A 6-inch pot on an 8-inch burner wastes more than 40% of the burner's heat. Covering your pots and pans can also help you cook more efficiently. Your kitchen will stay cooler and more heat will stay in the pots.
Refrigerator - Replacing your older refrigerator with an energy star qualified model can save you $45 to $65 per year. If your current refrigerator was made before 1993, it uses twice as much energy as today's energy star qualified models. Using your old refrigerator for overflow storage can cost $90 or more per year to operate.
Recessed can light cfl’s - Replace all your home's recessed can lights with ENERGY STAR qualified lighting products to save energy and money. Certain energy star qualified CFLs are made to work with dimmer switches, but be sure to check the packaging for proper applications and to see if there are any restrictions on the CFL's use.
Light fixtures - Installing energy star qualified light fixtures in your kitchen or replacing standard light bulbs with compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) can save you energy and money. Energy star qualified lighting fixtures are available in popular styles that may be just right for your kitchen, such as cabinet-mounted, ceiling-mounted, and recessed can models.
Range hood - energy star qualified range hoods (lighting models) use 65% less energy on average than standard range hoods. This can save you $120 in electricity costs over the life of the fan. Installing an energy star qualified kitchen range hood also helps you control moisture and remove cooking odors, and they are much quieter than standard models.

BEDROOM
Windows - Caulk and weather strip around window frames, and remember to switch screens for storm windows during the winter. If you are replacing windows, energy star qualified models designed for your area can save you $20–$95 each year in energy costs. They can also help improve your comfort, cut drafts, and reduce fading of interior furnishings.
Drapes/shades - Window shades help keep your home cool in summer and warm in winter, which helps you save energy. Close all window shades and drapes in warm weather to keep out the heat, and keep drapes open during daylight hours in the winter to take advantage of the sun's warmth.
Bedside lamp - Replacing your five most frequently used light fixtures, or the bulbs in them, with energy star qualified lights can save you more than $35 a year in energy costs. Compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) provide high-quality light output, and they use 75% less energy and last up to 10 times longer than standard incandescent light bulbs.
Light switch - Turning off just one 60-watt incandescent bulb before you leave the house for the day can save about $15 per year in energy costs. Always turn off the lights when leaving a room. It's the easiest way to save energy and money.
Air vents - To maintain even temperatures throughout your home, keep air vents and registers clear of obstructions and do not close supply registers in unused areas of the home. This will allow air to flow freely throughout the room and house.
Ceiling fan with lighting - Ceiling fans provide comfort and help save money on your energy bill. Increase your thermostat's setting by two degrees and use your ceiling fan to lower energy costs by up to 14% over the course of the air conditioning season. Also, use low wattage CFLs in the ceiling fan light fixture for cooler light bulbs and more energy savings.

BACK OF THE HOUSE
Sliding door - Sliding doors are an easy place to save energy and money. Apply caulking around door frames and weather stripping around doors that do not close tightly. This can save on energy costs while improving your comfort and cutting drafts. If you replace your sliding doors, select energy star qualified doors instead of regular clear-glass double-paned doors.
Room air conditioner - Any room can be comfortable and energy efficient with an energy star qualified room air conditioner. They use at least 10% less energy than standard models. The unit should fit tightly in the window, keeping cooler air inside and hotter air outdoors. Larger window units should have a separate electrical circuit so the electric system isn’t overloaded.
Sealing plumbing - Your attic's plumbing stacks, vents and ductwork, and electrical wires often have gaps around them, allowing the conditioned air in your home to escape into the attic. This can cause air drafts and increase your energy bill. Use caulk and spray foam sealant to cover gaps, cracks and holes.

From : Mother Nature Network