I hate my kitchen...we have done lots of updates. For example, there was a hideous orange and brown tile backspash (circa 1970) all around the kitchen and that is now gone, replaced by crisp paint and some hand painted fleur de lis. Simple but a nice touch. We have also removed the three different types of countertops (butcher block, white formica and some horrible brown formica) and replaced them with an upgraded granite looking material. We removed the fluorescent bulbs and the 1970's shades and replaced them with can lights. But we still have those oak cabinets - they are in good condition but they are oak.
We had an odd shelf at the end of one of the cabinets, in a walkway. The shelves were maybe 4" deep - so they weren't functional, and they started about 4 1/2 feet off the ground and went to the ceiling. So I got a brilliant idea and converted that space to a magnetic blackboard. I love it! It changes the whole kitchen.
Go to my website at http://www.bestofscottsdalehomesonline.com/ for tips and pictures.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
With the temperatures falling....
Ok, so they don't fall as much in Arizona as in other parts of the country but we do stop using the air conditioner! So how energy efficient is your home? Do you know there are tax credits and rebates out there to help you improve your carbon footprint?
You can earn a tax credit for installing insulation, Energy Star windows and exterior doors, Energy Star gas tankless water heaters, wind or solar panels and select central A/C and heaters. The IRS issued notice 2009-53 to help manufacturers identify which products will qualify for the tax credits.
You can check out the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/ for more detailed information. Also, here is a site that will help you decide which projects to tackle http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206869,00.html. For additional tax help, contact your tax advisor.
The credits are available for 2009 and 2010 so now would be a good time to take advantage of the credits. You can do part of your home updates now for the 2009 tax year and either continue the updates in January for the 2010 year or wait till fall of 2010.
Also check the website for your local energy provider as well. Some offer additional incentives on top of the tax credits and manufacturers rebates which can really lower the costs to "Go Green"! Plus, having a green home has been shown to have positive impacts on the sale of the home as well.
So if you like saving money, want to help the environment, and want to protect the investment in your home then now is a good time to tackle those projects and make the earth and your wallet happier at the same time.
You can earn a tax credit for installing insulation, Energy Star windows and exterior doors, Energy Star gas tankless water heaters, wind or solar panels and select central A/C and heaters. The IRS issued notice 2009-53 to help manufacturers identify which products will qualify for the tax credits.
You can check out the IRS website at http://www.irs.gov/ for more detailed information. Also, here is a site that will help you decide which projects to tackle http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=206869,00.html. For additional tax help, contact your tax advisor.
The credits are available for 2009 and 2010 so now would be a good time to take advantage of the credits. You can do part of your home updates now for the 2009 tax year and either continue the updates in January for the 2010 year or wait till fall of 2010.
Also check the website for your local energy provider as well. Some offer additional incentives on top of the tax credits and manufacturers rebates which can really lower the costs to "Go Green"! Plus, having a green home has been shown to have positive impacts on the sale of the home as well.
So if you like saving money, want to help the environment, and want to protect the investment in your home then now is a good time to tackle those projects and make the earth and your wallet happier at the same time.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Attorneys....or Society?
- Forgive me in advance for standing on my soapbox.
What? Excuse me. I think there are quite a few Rights given to us in the Bill of Rights but I don't believe that a "Second Chance" is actually one of them. Now I know there are people that have truly had some bad luck or had bad things happen and they do need help. But for the people that don't have self control or common sense you don't just get a "Second Chance" to be financially irresponsible. Plenty of people have made poor choices and they bite the bullet and get themselves on a budget and forego things for a number of years to pay for those errors in judgement. It isn't easy or fun but that's the point - you already had the fun and now you have to pay for it.
Bravo and a big thank you to the people out there that are being responsible, or in the process of learning. My hat is off to you. Hang in there and you will make it through and then you have something to be proud of. If your parents didn't teach you about money then start teaching your kids. If you don't have kids - help teach your neices and nephews. Money isn't taboo - it is part of life.
Our country would truly be great again if people would actually take responsibility for their own actions! Stop suing other people because you lack common sense (coffee, cruise control, etc). Pay your bills. Take care of your kids, spend time with them or don't have them-birth control is readily available. Read to the kids. Get up and away from the TV. Be creative! Give back and you will receive many new blessings.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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