Totally Unique Life

4 Tips for Creating a Great Home Entertainment System

Written by Guest Author on May 16, 2012

Everyone knows that after you’ve bought a house, bought all the furniture, and fixed it up a little bit, the last thing you want to do is spend more money. Having a nice house is important, and most home owners find unique and creative ways to make ends meet when decorating their homes. Something that a great deal of people struggle with is being able to get an adequate home entertainment system to use for themselves and guests.

Having a top notch system to watch movies and television, listen to music, and play slideshows is one of the key aspects of having a nice, comfortable living room. It’s also one of the most expensive aspects of equipping your home. Here are some tips to lessen the financial burden of creating that special home entertainment system.

1. Check out second-hand stores

Second-hand stores check to make sure that all of their products work before they take them on to sell them. Often the products that they have are just as good as what you would buy brand new, and are usually significantly cheaper. Although second-hand stores do sell on the basis of what people donate or sell to them, you will probably be able to find all of the items to meet your needs if you find a large one near you or scour a few stores. You can also consider checking out consignment shops, electronics maintenance stores, or Salvation Army stores that are also likely to have nice televisions, sound systems, video game consoles, and DVD players for a cheap price.

2. Consider alternatives

Many large scale electronics companies are creating items that allow you to have all of the media that you have on your computer on your television as well, most of them also allow you to use things like Netflix and Hulu right through your TV screen. These alternatives are fairly inexpensive, but allow you to have all the benefits of cable, a video game console, a DVD player, and your TV built into one. Similarly, if you already have a computer that you are utilizing as your main source of entertainment, purchasing an external monitor might be a great alternative to buying a new, expensive flat screen TV. Monitors are usually significantly less expensive than full televisions, and you could plug your computer right into it to watch your favorite movies, play your favorite games, and listen to music.

3. Utilize package deals for internet, cable, and phone

Lots of companies will give you a cheaper deal on your internet and cable if you bundle them up with your phone bill. If you have a landline phone, considering a bundle package could greatly reduce the cost of having all of your entertainment amenities. Also, different service providers offer different deals based on their customers’ needs. Talk to service providers near you to see which one offers the cheapest deals on cable programming, internet, and phone before you just decide to use one.

4. Evaluate your options

It is important to consider what needs you have going into the set-up of an entertainment center. Although it would be nice to have the largest TV, best speakers, and nicest Blu-ray player on the market are those really things that you need? If you are only using your television to watch news broadcasts, you probably don’t need a 72 inch display. If you are an avid sports fan, you certainly might. Surround sound is nice, but if you don’t need it, maybe a less expensive set of speakers set up in a similar way could work for you. If you have a small living room, you also might not have the space to fit all of your various devices. It is important to understand your means and needs and to then live within them. By evaluating the differences between what you need and what you want, you will then have a definitive list of the things that you will need to purchase to make your entertainment system dreams come true!

This guest article comes from the team at Connect Your Home, a retailer of home communication, security, and entertainment services. Connect Your Home connects consumers with a variety of products and services, such as cable, satellite TV, internet, ID protection, home phone service, and many more. Find the best cable service providers in your area at connectyourhome.com.

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5 Simple Home Staging Tips

Written by Guest Author on May 5, 2012

This is a guest post by Michelle Maurice, a Certified Staging Professional. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here. Gone are the days when simply putting out the For Sale sign and opening up the front door brought you Home Staging immediate offers, and over your asking price! Today’s real estate market is much more difficult to navigate and requires a more deliberate approach. Buyers are more savvy and banks are much less willing to lend money. But, even now, houses are selling and some very quickly, even over asking price and with multiple offers.

Smart sellers and real estate professionals know that selling a home is a very personal and emotional undertaking. Your home needs to make a great impression, much like wearing your best suit to a job interview or having your car detailed before you trade it in. That’s where home staging comes in.

Staging a home is the process of preparing a home for sale by highlighting its positives and downplaying its perceived negatives. Staging your home focuses on the house rather than the stuff. Staged homes, on average, sell 2-3 times faster than homes that are not staged and sell for up to 6.9% more.

Staging homes has become a very important business since a certified staging professional will come into your home and give you practical advice on what you can do to sell your home quickly, even in a bad economy. Sometimes the homeowner is much too emotional during this time and it takes someone who has no emotional ties to the home to point out changes that can be made, and oftentimes, at a very nominal cost.

Most times simple changes will make a significant impact. Here are 5 simple tips when it comes to staging a house that will get you started:

1. Enhance Curb Appeal

Stand at the end of your driveway and take a look at what people see. Curb Appeal is the most important first impression and will set the stage for potential buyers to come in or keep driving.
The house should be clean, nicely landscaped, and free of any obvious problems such as chipping paint, missing shingles, broken steps, etc.

2. Concentrate on Flow, Focal Points, and Defined Spaces

Enter through the front door and walk the house as if you had never been there before. Is the flow smooth? Are there furniture pieces in front of desirable focal points such as fireplaces or built-ins? Most people have too much furniture in too small a space. Are the spaces clearly defined and logical? Buyers should never question the purpose of a space and conversely, sellers can lead a buyer to that purpose with furniture and accessories.

3. Pay Attention to your Kitchen and Baths

Kitchens and baths sell houses. Depending on your price point and the value of homes around you, minor improvements to these spaces are always helpful. In the bathroom, replace dated knobs, faucets and light fixtures. Purchase a new shower curtain and rings and invest in new showing-only towels which can be brought with you to your next house. Minimize toiletries and get rid of that toilet brush!

In the kitchen, clear off the countertop leaving only 3 items, put away the dish rack and dish towels and add some fresh fruit and flowers. Replacing kitchen knobs and painting outdated cabinets also make a big impact for little money.

4. De-Personalize, De-Clutter, and Clean

Pack away your personal photographs and collectibles so potential buyers can envision themselves in this space. Minimize what’s on the bookshelves, tables, and walls to complement the architectural details of the house without overwhelming the senses. Give the room space for people to let their eyes rest without distraction. Clean out those jam-packed closets! The more crowded they are, the more the chance that a potential buyer will assume that there is limited storage capacity in the home.

5. Remove Animal-Related Items and Odors

Put away animal toys, beds, and food bowls for pictures and showings. People with allergies will automatically discount your home even though it may be spotless. And although you may not notice, some animals do leave an odor so ask a trusted friend or your real estate agent if your house has any detectable pet odor. Clean the carpets and furniture if needed and be extra vigilant with anything that might cause an offensive odor.

And remember this, when you’re working hard and questioning your investment of time and money, you only get one chance to make a great first impression and home staging is always cheaper than your first price drop!

Michelle Maurice is a Certified Staging Professional working in Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire. Her business is called Inside Out Staging and Design. You can view before and after photos on her website and her contact information is at the bottom of her Services page.

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Paint Spring into Your Home

Written by Guest Author on May 2, 2012

This is a guest post by Lynn Maleh. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
Painted Wall If spring cleaning is getting you down, just think of all the ways you can spruce up your living space once you’ve gotten rid of that pilling dust and excess clutter. With new spring sunshine pouring through your windows, you’ll no longer be able to hide dirty walls and lackluster décor. So why not consider reinventing your home with paint? Check out some of the following simple and affordable paint-based home-brightening tips.

Stenciling

Wallpaper, Venetian plasters, and other decorative effects can be expensive, time consuming, and difficult to perfect, especially for those who aren’t artistically inclined. So if you’re looking to add some texture to your walls, wall stencils can be a convenient alternative. Stencils for walls are affordable and regularly available at craft stores (like Michaels), home good suppliers (like Bed, Bath, and Beyond), hardware chains (like Home Depot and Lowes), and general superstores (like Target and Walmart).

Remember when you stenciled as a child? Whether you were a da Vinci-in-training or paint brush impaired, the end result was always impressive. The same goes for home stenciling. Simply use a stencil to outline a pattern and a no-fuss paint sprayer to set it in color. Pastels are great for spring, bold tones will last through the summer, metallics (like gold and silver) add a regal effect, but generally anything that will pop against a white wall will add the drama and change you’ve probably been craving.

Floral stencils are always popular and animal patterns are great for kids. Murals can create entire atmospheres, such as a white picket fence on a sunny day or an Italian veranda. Add philosophy to your life by stenciling a quote, line of scripture, word of wisdom, line of poetry, or bit of humor onto your wall. Growing up, my best friend’s mother (who had excellent taste) stenciled “never enough thyme” in a cursive font, underneath the clock on their kitchen’s red accent wall.

Reconsider Color

Spring makes us reconsider color. Suddenly, the sky is blue, the grass is green, your skin is tan, and the tulips are pink and blossoming. So why not reconsider color in your own home? Before you stress out about calling the painters, realize you don’t need to paint an entire room to add a splash of color to the space. An accent wall can add depth to your room and make your framed artwork really pop.

For an easy color fix, consider painting only one element in a room, like the window blinds below. Notice how the blue adds both energy and peace to the space. If you’re not one hundred percent confident in your painting skills, practice on your cheap Ikea furniture. Not only will the bright colors reinvent the bland Ikea pieces, but in the worst case scenario, you won’t feel too terrible if you have to toss them out. Just remember – you can’t really go wrong with paint, because you can always paint over mistakes!

Bring spring indoors this year with unique paint effects. Although all of the above methods are simple, quick, and affordable, they will add long-lasting vibrancy to your home – something you can’t put a price on.

This guest article was written by Lynn Maleh who is a freelance writer.

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How to Stay Healthy at Work 10 Different Ways

Written by Guest Author on April 7, 2012

This is a guest post by Ryan Avila. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
How to stay healthy at work is an age-old question. The sedentary lifestyle of the American workforce, which keeps workers planted in one place behind their desks for most of the day, can be detrimental to physical health and well-being. Employers don’t always make it easy for employees to get up and away from their desk throughout a workday but corporate wellness is a high priority for most companies these days. So even if the highest level of efficiency requires keeping employees at their stations and on task whenever they are clocked in, companies may be a bit more lenient today than yesteryear when it comes to staying healthy.

Since it’s not conducive to your employer’s bottom line to provide you opportunities to keep moving throughout the day, if you want to know how to stay fit and active at the office, you must get creative and make your own fitness opportunities. Exercise at work can be accomplished if you get creative. Here are 10 different, creative ways to stay healthy at work.

1. Park Further Away

Before you even get inside the office, you can start your workplace workout routine. Get to work in enough time to park in one of the furthest spaces from the door, creating a longer walk to your building. You’ll increase your daily movement just by increasing the numbers of steps you take into work, out of work, and each time you leave the office on lunch or a break.

2. Get Active During Breaks

While we’re on the subject of breaks, they provide another good opportunity to get out of the office, get fresh air, and get some exercise. Remember that, in most states, ten or fifteen minute breaks in the morning and afternoon are your right as an employee, so don’t be dissuaded by employers who look unfavorably on employees who actually take the breaks allotted to them.

3. Pack Your Lunch

For even more activity time throughout a workday, start packing your lunch. Not only does a homemade meal provide better nutrition than a meal from a restaurant, but bringing your lunch to work prevents the need to go out on your lunch break which can eat up most of your break time. Instead, eat in the first 20 minutes of your break and use the last 10 to 40 minutes to take a walk.

4. Use Your Workplace Fitness Center

If your workplace offers an on-site fitness center, your lunch break provides an opportunity to use it. Though you probably don’t want to get sweaty before you go back to work, lifting a few weights or taking a slow walk on the treadmill won’t do much damage to your workplace hygiene. If you want to use the gym for a full workout and the gym has shower rooms, get to work early enough for a morning exercise routine or stay after work and get in a full workout before heading home.

5. Take a Midday Class at a Local Gym

Additionally, if your gym is near your workplace, you can pop over for a short routine or a half-hour yoga class during your lunch break. Also, consider looking around your local area for short midday dance classes. With the popularity of “Dancing with the Stars”, there has been a burgeoning growth in dance-related workout classes. Depending on traffic around the office, you may be able to take a half-hour to forty-five minute dance class and still get back to work within an hour lunch break.

6. Take the Stairs

Not all opportunities for staying active at work take place outside of the office environment. You might not be taking advantage of the exercise opportunities that arise during a regular work day. If your office has more than one floor, take the stairs between floors. If each floor has a bathroom, use the bathroom one floor up or one floor down to get a few extra steps in.

7. Ditch the Phone and Email

When you need to ask someone in another department a question, walk to your coworker’s desk instead of using the phone or email to communicate. On your way back to your desk, take the long way around.

8. Sit on a Pilates Ball

Though a workday and an office does provide some opportunity to get active, most of a workday must still be spent working, and traditionally, most of that work time doesn’t allow for much movement. That’s why numerous companies manufacture products that help get employees out of traditional office chairs and into more physically-engaging positions.

Try using a Pilates ball, generally used in exercise routines, as opposed to sitting on a regular office chair. Sitting on a Pilates ball requires balance, which uses your leg and core muscles, providing you with low-impact conditioning as you work.

9. Try a Standing Desk

If you have room in your workspace, a standing desk provides another good option for workplace fitness, and is also a good choice for those who may have difficulty sitting for long periods. Standing desks keep your legs physically active throughout the day, striking a happy compromise between your desire to be more active at the office and your employer’s desire to get the work done.

10. Do Exercises at Your Desk

Whenever you have a quick break, do some exercises at your desk. Keep weights in your desk and do a couple of reps between phone calls or try doing legs lifts while on the phone. And don’t worry about looking silly—your co-workers will soon follow suit when they see you losing weight.

If you’re oftentimes wondering how to stay healthy at work, I hope you use some of these creative ideas on how to stay fit during the 9 to 5 grind. Utilize the fact that corporate wellness is something that companies are definitely paying attention to. Staying healthy at the office is not always easy, but it is possible if you make it a priority to exercise at work throughout the day and use your lunch and other breaks to get in as much exercise as possible.

This guest article was written by Ryan Avila who is a content writer for US Alarm.

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Top Cell Phone Apps for Android and iPhone

Written by Guest Author on April 3, 2012

This is a guest post by Ruben Corbo. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.

Both the iOS and Android platforms are stable and mature mobile operating systems that support over half a million official applications found on iTunes and Google Play. With so many options to choose from, it’s difficult for many users to decide on the best cell phone apps for work and play. To cut down on the decision paralysis, we’ve made life a bit easier and selected five amazing smart phone apps that should be on every phone. These may not be what you consider the best phone apps for you but we certainly think these are cool phone apps that you should consider for your smart phone. You’ll find them below, listed in no particular order.

Tripit

(Courtesy of Craig Cmehil)

Few people can say that they genuinely enjoy air travel, which is why some of the most popular apps for Android and iOS address flight tracking and itineraries for everyday users. Both the Android and iOS Variants of Tripit offer the same itinerary planning power to manage confirmations, check the status of flights, and deal with hotel booking and more. Topping many cell phone reviews that rank the best mobile apps on the market, Tripit’s a must-have especially if you are a frequent flier. Tripit also makes it extremely easy to share your trip with family and your friends. Maybe this is one of those cool phone apps that will help you enjoy your travel experience.

Google Currents

(Courtesy of Daniel Flathagen)

Among the mobile technorati, Flipboard is one of the most talked about apps of the last year or so. While Flipboard is a terrific service, it’s only available for iOS. A more universal and quite frankly better app is Google Currents for Android. They offer an identical client for iOS that allows any smart phone surfer to quickly digest loads of free content through its slick, magazine-style interface. Some of the pros when it comes to this app are the ease of navigation, it looks great in both landscape and portrait modes, and it is one of the free phone apps! Some of the cons include the lack of social networking, and cannot sync to Google Reader.

Dropbox

(Courtesy of bizmac)

Though on-board storage capacities of cell phones continue to increase with each new generation, the fact of the matter is that your smart phone only has so much memory to go around. Fortunately, Dropbox offers a handy workaround to the storage space problem by handing out 2 GB of free cloud storage to all users and even more space at bargain basement prices. Whether you run iOS or Android, Dropbox has a client that’ll let you backup and sync data across all devices. If you happen to have Dropbox set up on your Mac, this app allows you to conveniently share, sync, and download files and folders from your Mac using your iPad or iPhone. Space should never be an issue going forward with Dropbox. It’s worth the extremely small investment.

fring

(Courtesy of marcopako)

There are dozens of video chat apps on the market for smart phone users, but few offer the features and versatility of fring. The iPhone and Android clients for fring allow users to text for free with other users, video chat with up to 4 people and make free calls to other fring subscribers via VoIP without spending a penny. It also features low rates for making calls to land lines and cell phones, much like Skype. Another big pro about fring is that it is another one of those free phone apps. If you want to keep in touch with your friends and family through video and chat, you cannot go wrong by downloading and using fring. You can certainly say that the price is right!

Evernote

(Courtesy of Gustavo Pimenta)

It’s hard to read any cell phone reviews or top-ten lists of mobile applications without running into Evernote sooner or later. Evernote’s Android app and iOS app both provide a superlative digital notebook experience for organizing data in all its many forms. With Evernote, you can save images, annotate texts and create collections of relevant resources you come across online. Better yet, Evernote features powerful social sharing tools for collaboration with co-workers and colleagues.

Compiling a list of the best cell phone apps in any given year is going to be a subjective exercise that will inevitably leave out a ton of great programs that are just as deserving of recognition as those selected. However, the smart phone apps detailed above are some of the best phone apps you can find on any platform at the moment. Fortunately, most are free phone apps and each one delivers an amazing, productivity-enhancing experience for any smart phone user on the go.

This is a guest article by Ruben Corbo, a writer for the website Cell Phone Expert where you can compare cell phone plans and check out cell phone reviews.

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What to do if you are Diagnosed with Mesothelioma

Written by Guest Author on March 11, 2012

This is a guest post by Faith Franz. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
What is mesothelioma? It is a rare cancer which is caused by being exposed to asbestos and the inhalation of asbestos particles. No matter when you were diagnosed with mesothelioma cancer, whether it was today or several months ago, you may feel overwhelmed by the decisions you are facing.

How will you tell your family? Who will take care of you?

Treatment or no treatment? If so, what kind? Where to go to get it? And how will you pay for it?

What? Who? When? Where? All of these questions are natural, considering what you are going through.

Even after discussing your diagnosis with your doctor, you still may be confused about where to go from here. Although nothing will replace a visit to an oncologist, there are several steps you can take on your own after you have been diagnosed with mesothelioma.

Do your research

Knowledge is power! Even though mesothelioma is a rare cancer, there are numerous resources you can take advantage of to better understand what is happening to your body. Take advantage of the books, newsletters and websites dedicated to mesothelioma patients.

The Mayo Clinic has a comprehensive section dedicated to mesothelioma on its website, where you can find out what symptoms you can expect, what types of treatments your doctor may suggest and what side effects these therapies can cause. Ask your oncologist for mesothelioma information or any pamphlets they may have, or attend a local mesothelioma conference such as the yearly International Symposium on Malignant Mesothelioma.

The more you know about your cancer, the more prepared you will be for the coming months. Stay on the lookout for new publications that highlight the most current advancements in mesothelioma treatment.

Get the Ball Rolling with Mesothelioma Treatment Options

Speaking of treatment, the sooner you begin therapy, the better your mesothelioma prognosis tends to be. Remember, though, that in your quest for prompt treatment, you should not just head to the closest hospital. Because mesothelioma is a rare disease, few doctors are fully equipped to treat it. Spend some time looking into leading mesothelioma treatment centers in your part of the country.

Current forerunners in mesothelioma treatments include:

Brigham and Women’s Hospital – Boston, Massachusetts
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center – New York, New York
University of Chicago Comprehensive Care Center

At your appointment, be ready to ask about surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy options. Your oncologist will create a treatment plan specialized for you based on what stage your cancer is, how far it has spread throughout the body, and other general health factors. If you are interested in alternative treatments, you will want to ask questions about those too.

Find a Mesothelioma Support Network

To help cope with a new mesothelioma diagnosis, many people turn to support networks (either in person or over the internet). Support group members can share their struggles and their stories of hope and connect with others who can relate to their situation.

This guest article was written by Faith Franz who is a writer for the Mesothelioma Center. She combines her interests in whole-body health and medical research to educate the mesothelioma community about the newest developments in cancer care.

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Is it Safe to File Taxes Online?

Written by Guest Author on March 8, 2012

This is a guest post by Emily K. Pope. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
Last year, nearly 100 million taxpayers opted to file taxes online. This massive number will only increase as more Americans than ever become adept at using the Internet to make financial transactions.

The IRS boasts electronic filing as the “safest, fastest and easiest” way to submit your individual tax return. Filing online, also called E-filing, is certainly convenient, and the IRS has measures in place to safeguard its users. However, you can be sure that the swell of online activity and exchange of personal information during tax season means increased efforts of cyber scammers.

IRS Commissioner, Doug Shulman urges,

e-filing is safe, it’s easy and everyone should try it.

However, tax payers must understand the advantages and risks of filing taxes electronically. Due to IRS encouragement, e-filing has become more popular every year. Last tax season, 66 percent of all returns filed used an e-filing service.

Shulman goes on to say,

IRS e-file means faster refunds. It means the option to file now and pay later if you owe additional tax. It means peace of mind knowing the IRS received the return because we send an acknowledgement. Those are the reasons this has been a popular service.

Proponents of e-filing argue that the system provides improved accuracy, easy access, faster processing and streamlined record keeping. The IRS claims that taxpayers who file online have a reduced error rate: one percent compared to nearly 20 percent with a paper return, and assures that federal tax returns are delivered to the IRS through a “highly secure, encrypted transmission system. Just like paper returns, e-filed returns remain confidential.”

Despite the convenience of paying online, taxpayers must stay on the lookout for fraudulent correspondences posing as the IRS. Each year at tax season, scammers unleash online tricks related to fake audits, phony refunds, and supposed tax planning help. These criminals pray on your desire to file quickly, easily, and to get the biggest refund back.

Prevent cyber scams by following these simple tips:

It is important to note that the IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email or any social media tools to request personal or financial information.

If you receive an email claiming to be from the IRS: do not reply, do not click on any links, forward the email as-is, to phishing@irs.gov, then delete the original email message.

If you stumble upon a website that claims to be affiliated with the IRS, but seems illegitimate: send the URL of the suspicious site to phishing@irs.gov, adding ‘Suspicious website’ in the subject line of the email.

If you receive an unsolicited e-mail or fax, involving a stock or share purchase: Complete the appropriate complaint form with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Forward email to phishing@irs.gov, Please add in the subject line of the email, ‘Stock’.

Finally, if you are a victim of monetary or identity theft you may submit a complaint through the FTC Complaint Assistant.

Filing taxes online may be convenient, but with the increased activity of cyber scammers during tax season, users must be vigilant in protecting their online security. If you want to file taxes online you can find more information on the advantages and risks involved by visiting http://www.irs.gov.

This guest article was written by Emily K. Pope. Emily is a content strategist for Trust Essentials, a personal protection portal specializing in identity theft, financial and legal security. Visit trustessentials.com to learn more about how you can protect you and your family.

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How to Repair your Credit Score in a Year

Written by Guest Author on March 7, 2012

This is a guest post by J. D. Roberts. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
One of the most important things every consumer needs to know about credit repair is that there is no easy way to achieve better credit. You cannot buy better credit and you can’t just sit back and do nothing. There must be an effort on your part and you must have some patience as it will take time to rebuild deficient or poor credit scores. Hopefully these credit repair tips will help you repair your credit as soon as possible.

Work for the Best Score

If you are looking to secure a loan, a mortgage, or a new line of credit, it is always in your best interest to wait until your credit score is the best it can be before submitting an application. This way you can ensure the best interest rates and guarantee yourself approval of your credit request. Lenders are much stricter than in years past due to the state of the economy and the heightened level of payment defaults by consumers that are out of work and unable to meet their financial responsibilities.

As a consumer, you have the capability and the responsibility to keep your credit in a range that reflects responsible credit use. Good credit scores range from 730 and above. Any score below that may not grant you the best rates or chances of approval. Scores below 700 may get you denied or at the least force you to pay higher interest charges. As every consumer should be focused on spending less and saving more, having a low interest rate really does matter.

What to Expect in a Year

Credit repair is a progressive process. It requires continual attention to details and while not all consumers are comfortable working on their own behalf, it is the only way to ensure your credit is improving and you are not spending money on assistance that may or may not help. You, as a consumer, have the power to repair your credit score in a year’s time or less in most cases.

Know Where You Are

When you are starting on your journey to better credit you need to start by ordering your credit reports from the major credit reporting bureaus. You have the right to request a free copy of your credit report once a year. While this credit report contains vital information, it does not contain your credit score. You’ll have to pay a small fee to obtain your score so be sure to get that information. Alternatively, CreditKarma.com offers you your TransUnion credit score, which can be checked daily for free. You can gain instant access by ordering online or you can call or mail a request for the score and credit report information.

Review Your Financial Life

Once you have your credit reports and score in hand, make sure you go over every bit of information in the report. It will outline all of your creditors, your unpaid balances, and your payment history information. Make sure all information is accurate. It is estimated that over 80% of consumer credit reports contain inaccurate information that reduces your credit score. Check everything from your name and Social Security number to every creditor account being listed.

Make the Corrections

Each credit reporting bureau has specific directions for disputing inaccurate information. Follow those directions and file one form for each dispute. Only dispute incorrect information listed on your credit report. The credit bureaus will launch an investigation and if they feel you are sending frivolous requests, they will not proceed with an investigation nor will they correct any data that is correct.

Pay On Time

Your payment history is a large factor in the credit score calculation. For this reason, it is vital you pay all of your bills on time, preferably before the billing due date. Set your payments up through your bank or your creditor so they will come out automatically several days before they are due. With on time payments, you can realistically begin to see a better credit score after three months’ time.

Plan for Wise Spending

Part of your credit score reflects how you use the credit you have. For this reason it is important to have a financial plan to show lenders you are responsible with the credit you already utilize. Create a budget if you don’t already have one so you will know where each penny you earn is going. Utilize credit cards for purchases only when you have the cash equivalent in the bank. Never use credit cards for things you cannot otherwise afford. This will ensure you do not overextend your current lines of credit which is important to lenders and to your credit score.

Reduce Debts ASAP

Once your budget shows you exactly where your money goes, you can use that information to allocate more cash towards your debts. The more balances you can pay off, the better your credit score will become. It will depend on how fast you can get rid of debts as to how fast your credit scores will begin to improve but your scores will reflect this effort.

Follow Up, Follow Through

There is no way to know how you are doing in your credit repair efforts unless you follow up with those efforts. After three months of work repairing your credit, order your credit reports with score again. See what has changed in three months’ time so you will know where to focus more attention. It is important to regularly review your information as not all creditors can be counted on to report accurate information about your efforts. If you notice more inaccurate information, contact your creditor directly and file another dispute with the credit reporting bureaus. You cannot rely on three months’ of work and then quit. You must continually check in with your credit moving forward about every six months. After you achieve a credit score in a good range, it should be sufficient to check every year.

A Year of Change

In order to improve your credit score, you may need to overhaul your entire financial life. This can appear to be a very overwhelming task to take on but it is imperative to improving your entire financial life. Start with the basic steps above and it will lead you into a routine of better credit use and better money management habits. These new habits should replace impulsive spending and racking up credit card bills you cannot afford. These changes are not very difficult but it is important you are consistent in your efforts.

Depending on where you started, you should be able to see a vast difference in your credit score within a year’s time – sooner if you were more proactive about reducing debts and avoiding new lines of credit. Remember too that your credit score dictates many things in your life and not just interest rates on loans. Auto insurance, rental properties, and utilities may require a good credit score in order for you to get low rates and avoid down payments. It is also important to check in with your credit on an ongoing basis in order to catch incidents of fraud or identity theft.

You, as the consumer, should know how to repair your credit score because of poor credit mistakes of the past. While there are third party individuals that can aid your credit repair efforts, ideally you should work on improving your own credit score and incorporate better credit habits into your overall life rather than depend on someone else to do the work for you.

This guest article was written by J.D. Roberts who is a seasoned writer in personal finance, specializing in credit repair. You can find more of his articles located at CreditRepair.org.

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Top 5 Benefits of Having a Nanny

Written by Guest Author on February 27, 2012

This is a guest post by Sara Dawkins. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.

All of the working parents out there can attest to the fact that at a certain point you have to make a decision: do you put your child in a childcare setting or do you hire a live in nanny? Nanny vs daycare is a hard choice to make because both offer vastly different environments for your child to grow in and both have distinct advantages. But there are some advantages to hiring a nanny that really trump sending your child to daycare.

1. You set the schedule

Daycares have set hours that your child is allowed to be there so you end up having to adjust your own schedule to theirs to make sure your child arrives and leaves on time. With a nanny, you are able to set the schedule and you don’t have to allot more time in your morning for driving your child somewhere to drop them off. This is a huge benefit for moms and dads who are already pressed for time in the mornings.

2. Less exposure to sickness

If one child gets sick in a daycare it’s only a matter of time before another one does… and then another… and another… until, before you know it, the whole class is sick. Having a nanny watch your child at home means that there’s less chances of your child being exposed to any illnesses that are making their rounds amongst kids.

3. You can hand pick your nanny

You can’t choose who the daycares decide to hire to watch over the kids, but you can choose the nanny that you hire. Being able to be extra picky means that you are able to find someone who exemplifies exactly what you are looking for in someone who is going to help raise your child. A good nanny ends up becoming almost like family and is someone you know you can trust.

4. Familiarity

It can be hard on young children to not only have their parents leave them every day but also to have their parents leave them in strange and uncomfortable settings. Some of this can be alleviated by hiring a nanny, allowing your child to stay in a familiar setting where they’re more comfortable and are still able to follow the same routines as they did when you were home with them.

5. More flexibility

Most nannies are more than happy to come in early some mornings, stay late if you’re running late getting home, and work some nights and weekends as needed. You don’t have this same flexibility range with a daycare and have to find ways to adhere to their schedules no matter what else may be happening.

Making the decision to hire a live in nanny is not an easy one and finding the perfect nanny won’t happen overnight. Hiring a nanny vs daycare is a difficult decision you will have to make. If you end up choosing a nanny, it will be a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

This guest article was written by Sara Dawkins who is an active nanny as well as an active freelance writer. She is a frequent contributor of nanny agency.

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Flower Arrangement Ideas on a Budget

Written by Guest Author on February 27, 2012

This is a guest post by Patricia Hall. If you’d like to guest post on this blog, click here.
Flower arrangements are expensive. The most expensive parts of a fresh flower arrangement are the fresh flowers themselves. Fresh flowers often travel a long way from the garden to the consumer on refrigerated trucks. The cost of delivering flowers in this manner is transferred to the consumer. This cost can be significant, especially when multiplied by the many flower bouquets necessary for a wedding, reception, bridal shower, or other event. But florists and flower arrangers know that there are many ways to make your own flower arrangements on a budget. Here are a few basic tips on economical flower arrangement ideas from professionals.

Find a Florist with Free Delivery

One of the easiest ways to cut down on the costs associated with flower arrangements is to cut down on delivery costs. Many florists offer free delivery for their fresh cut flowers. This free delivery may be a temporary offer, a permanent business policy, or an offer only to those who buy over a certain set number of bulk flowers.

If free delivery is not already offered, ask for free delivery in exchange for buying in bulk. If your florist does not offer free delivery of a flower bouquet under any circumstances, consider changing florists. Many florists offer free delivery for first time customers in exchange for new business.

Delivery Coupons

Discounts on fresh flowers are not always found directly from the manufacturer. Many third party coupon companies periodically offer coupons for free delivery from florists. The key to benefiting from these coupons is to check back frequently. These deals are often only available for a limited time. Many of these third party coupon companies offer e-mail alerts to keep you regularly apprised of coupon offers.

Flower Voucher Codes

Voucher code sites are slightly different from third party coupon companies. These sites generally carry more coupons for a wider variety of florists. Unlike coupons which must often be used locally in a physical florists shop, flower voucher codes may be used with online florists. You may search third party voucher code sites for vouchers for free flower delivery or discounts on flower bouquets.

Buy Flowers in Bulk

Arranged flowers from small nurseries always include the time and expertise of the florist in their cost. Buying flowers in bulk bypasses the fees associated with pre-arranged flowers. Individual flowers are always cheaper and your savings often increase proportionally with the number of stems that you buy. Bulk flowers are not available at every flower shop or local nursery. Call around to bulk flower distributors or large nurseries for quotes on bulk prices.

Know When to Buy

Flowers are more expensive during certain times of the year. Avoid buying flowers during flower-centric holidays like Easter, Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Consumers pay a premium on flowers during these times because they are in high demand. There may also be fewer options due to limited availability.

Buying in season is a good way to cut down on flower costs. If you buy flowers when they are blooming locally, they do not have to be shipped so the shipping cost is not transferred to the consumer. Ask your florist which flowers are currently in season and/or locally available. A certain degree of flexibility may be required to access these savings. Not all flowers are in season at any given point in time.

Consider Cheap Flower Varieties

Certain flower species are more expensive than others. Flowers that are difficult to grow or must be shipped from distant locales have higher prices. White flowers for example are the most expensive because they bruise easily. Florists must discard many damaged flowers and must transfer those losses to the consumer. Other expensive flower varieties include calla lilies, delphiniums and orchids.

Inexpensive varieties of flowers include spider mums, carnations, daisies, cornflowers and gladiolas. As an added bonus, these flower species are often less expensive because they are less delicate. They resist bruising and last longer as cut flowers than more finicky varieties. And because they are inexpensive and easy to maintain, flowers keep large numbers of these flower species on hand.

Another way to get cheap flowers no matter the variety is to ask for day old flowers from your florists. These are flowers that do not sell in a timely fashion. Florists must either discard these flower bouquets or sell them at a steep discount to make room for their next shipment. However, these flowers may vary widely in quality and variety.

Florists with free delivery, flower voucher codes, and flower choice can all cut down on the cost of a flower arrangement. Choose one or more of these basic tips to make fresh flower arrangements without going over budget.

This guest article was written by Patricia Hall works part-time for a florist focusing on floral delivery but loves to surround herself with flowers at any given point of time. Even in her free time she loves to involve herself with everything flora and fauna. “To me there is nothing more beautiful and global as the language of flowers – it is the easiest to understand all around the world in the same way. That is one reason why I truly admire flowers for what they represent in some ways – unity of all mankind!”

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