6 Reasons to Buy Natural Cleaning Products for Your Home

In your fast-paced life filled with appointments and responsibilities, you can reach for the usual brand of disinfectant without another thought. With so many important things to stay on top of, have you taken a closer look at the ingredients of these basic cleaning solutions?

Many popular cleaning products are chocked full of toxic components that you don’t want in your home. While this is just one reason to switch to organic options, there are several others. Discover more with the following reasons to buy natural cleaning items for your house.

1. Protect the Earth

Common cleaning solutions can lead to pollution, especially through water contamination. Basic ingredients like ammonia, phosphorus and nitrogen may sanitize your house, but they ultimately end up lakes, rivers and coastal waters. Ecosystems suffer when these substances wreak havoc on wildlife habitats.

When you opt for non-hazardous cleaners, you can prevent damage to the environment. Choosing biodegradable solutions can better the earth and its inhabitants. Shield the ecosystems from disaster by ditching contaminating substances.

2. Spend Less

Green cleaning options are simple and serve multiple purposes, so you don’t have to purchase as many items. As a budget-friendly path, you can easily transition to an eco-friendly lifestyle and benefit your bank account.

Household staples can double as effective purifying agents in straightforward recipes. Tossing together homemade mixtures including lemons, vinegar and baking soda costs little.

3. Avoid Health Risks

Typical store-bought cleaners hold harmful chemicals that can irritate your skin, cause respiratory infections and lead to serious health complications. Eliminate these risks and restore your health by incorporating safe cleaners into your housework.

Known carcinogens are even present in some cleaning items and cosmetics. Toilet bowl cleaners contain dangerous formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, so don’t take any chances when clearing out your stores of disinfectants.

4. Save Time

Your current collection specialty sprays and powders for every room of your house, but with a few all-purpose cleaners, you can streamline your house chores. Rather than shifting back and forth from one bottle to the next, your cleaning essentials can get the tasks done in a flash.

A sprinkle of baking soda can deodorize smelly spots, fight grime and remove stains. From the kitchen to your beauty routine, natural supplies are versatile and can accomplish a lot.

5. Maintain Pure Air Quality

Harsh ingredients in cleaning products give off unpleasant smells, but odors aren’t the primary way your home’s air quality is in jeopardy. Volatile organic compounds or VOCs from aerosol sprays, detergents and bleach fill your home’s air even when their stored and not in active use.

The effects of VOCs can range from something small like a headache to a more severe impact like liver or kidney damage. These also create smog, and there’s no place for that in your home. Natural alternatives can bring clarity to your living space.

6. Stay Informed

Fully understanding what you’re exposed to is crucial. You may think government regulations keep risky ingredients out of reach. While some changes in recent years have added more transparency, there still isn’t a federal requirement for manufacturers to disclose ingredients in cleaners.

To keep questionable compounds from your home, select trustworthy cleaning solutions. Control what comes into your home by sticking with organic materials and clearly healthy components.

Choose Safe Cleaning Products

Stocking your home with green cleaning products can give you a sense of security and add many advantages to your life. You can achieve a truly clean setting by trading in your chemical-filled products. Make the change to improve your finances, personal health, environment and schedule.

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How to Start a One-Man Handyman Business Out of Your Home

Homeowners have to develop a special skill set to handle all the day-to-day demands of maintaining their property. A self-sufficient attitude is essential to cutting the costs associated with repair, and, naturally, most people pick up a few things along the way. You might count yourself among these people.

You’ve fixed your fair share of squeaky floorboards, creaky doors and leaky faucets, and you’re ready to take the next step. Other homeowners are in need of your abilities, and many of them likely live in your area, or even next door. The only obstacle between you and success is a strong business model.

With this in mind, here’s a simple guide for starting a handyman business out of your home.

1. Learn the Laws in Your State

Compliance with the law is critical to your success, as some services require a contractor’s license. You don’t want to move through the entire process of starting your business only to find it isn’t legal. In many cases, you won’t need a license, but contracting laws change from state to state.

Before you continue with the next step, visit your state’s contractors board website and consult the FAQ for laws related to small repairs and maintenance.

2. Decide Your Range of Services

You don’t necessarily need to offer a wide variety of services to attract customers. You’ll find it’s just as profitable — if not more profitable — to offer a limited range of services instead of spanning several trades. Start with what you know and work toward improving your skills within that niche.

Begin with a list of all the possible services you can provide at the present moment. Which of them are you confident you can perform at a professional level?

3. Define Targets and Pricing

As you develop your handyman business, you’ll have to set aside time to define your target customers and pricing. Your target customers are those clients you could see paying for your services, people you’d enjoy working for. As for pricing, determine the amount which will cover business and lifestyle expenses.

Some handymen average around $100 per hour, but it will depend on a number of different factors. Just choose reasonable prices, but prices you’ll profit from.

4. Purchase the Necessary Assets

Starting any kind of business requires commitment, and you’ll likely need to purchase certain assets. These assets might include tools and specialized equipment, or even service trucks. In choosing the right service truck for your handyman business, your options fall into two categories.

1. Service bodies sit on the back of the truck to create an open cargo area with no enclosure.
2. Utility bodies have an enclosed compartment which the driver can physically enter if necessary.

Between service and utility bodies, you should make your decision on considerations like the type and size of the equipment you’re using. Utility bodies are better than service bodies if you’re carrying sensitive components and items you need to shelter from the weather. Then again, oversized equipment is easier to manage with service bodies, and open bodies are usually less expensive, which is critical in the early stages of your business.

5. Create Your Marketing Strategy

After you’ve settled issues like legal compliance, services, target customers, pricing and assets, you should start to develop your marketing strategy. Take an afternoon to analyze your target customers’ desires, behaviors and frustrations, crafting your message around what you think would attract them.

It’ll take time to build a profitable client base, of course. Even so, word-of-mouth marketing and referrals cost nothing. More than that, these methods are extremely effective for what you’re planning to accomplish, one of the positives of starting a handyman business.

Start Planning Today

You have a basic outline for starting your business, so don’t delay. Homeowners are in need of your help! Review your state laws and start planning today!

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Spring-Cleaning Tips for Your Cluttered Garage

Winter is nearly over, and that means it’s time for spring-cleaning. Even if the rest of your house is in good shape — save for a little dusting, because that is one job we’ll be doing forever — your garage probably needs a little bit of TLC. We get it. For most of us, the garage becomes a catch-all for everything that won’t fit in the rest of the house. Here are some quick and easy spring-cleaning tips to help you transform your garage from a storage shed into a functional room.

Start With Four Piles

Believe it or not, 57 percent of people with a garage attached to their home can’t park their car in it. They don’t have the room! Clutter is a big problem for most of us. We hang on to everything, swearing we’ll fix that broken blender later, or that we might need that massive box of half-dead Christmas lights for something in the future. The first step you need to take in your cleaning efforts is to create four piles: keep, store, sell and toss.

Once you have a place for each pile, start sorting everything in your garage into one of these four areas. Tools and items you use daily go into the keep pile. Seasonal stuff, like winter clothing and holiday decorations, go in the store pile. Anything that is still in good working order but you don’t need or want anymore can go into the sell pile for your next garage sale. Trash can go straight into a bag or can, so you can drag it to the curb on your next scheduled garbage day.

This step will cut down the amount of stuff you need to sort through by half, at least, depending on the ratio of junk to useful things in the garage.

Figure out Why You Want Your Garage

Once you’ve sorted through all the junk cluttering up the garage, figure out what you want to do with it. Are you going to park your car there, or use it as a craft or hobby room? Maybe you want to turn it into a rec room, with a pool or ping-pong table. Whatever your plans, now’s the time to figure them out, because your next steps will depend on the result you’re trying to achieve.

Plan Your Storage

Once you’ve got everything sorted out, you’re going to need to start thinking about storage. Shelves, cabinets and even overhead storage are all options, depending on your needs.

Store seasonal stuff first, since you’ll only need those items for a few months out of the year. If you’ve got an attic with garage access, this is the perfect place to store it. If your garage or attic isn’t climate-controlled, be careful with storing seasonal clothing. At the very minimum, you’ll need to throw a few mothballs in each box to keep your sweaters and jackets safe from hungry moth mouths.

Clear out everything in your garage and take a close look at the empty room. Where can you put storage where it won’t interfere with your other plans? If you’re going to work on your car or turn the garage into a hobby room, a workbench with storage for tools might be a good investment.

Keep Your Garage Tidy Year-Round

Once you’ve spent time deep-cleaning your garage, the last thing you want to do is let it get cluttered again. Make sure everything stays in its designated place, and that if you buy anything new, you put it away before it has a chance to become clutter. Spring-cleaning your garage, especially if you’ve been using it as a catch-all, is a big project — but once you get it emptied, it’s much easier to maintain.

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Home Plumbing Maintenance Checklist for New Homeowners

Two years after buying my new home, I awoke one morning and went to clean the kitty litter located in an alcove closet in the downstairs bathroom. Suddenly, I heard gurgling akin to a rapidly boiling soup pot coming from the toilet behind me. Seconds later, the lid lifted as a foul-smelling black goo spewed forth from the bowl like something out of “The Amityville Horror,” ruining rugs and towels while causing me panic.

The Great Toilet Disaster marked my first plumbing emergency as a homeowner, and it could have been averted had I paid attention to routine maintenance. As a new homeowner, learn from my mistake to minimize your own risk of plumbing woes. Preventative maintenance is key, as plumbing issues can cause some of the most pricey home repairs. Conducting regular inspections can fix little problems before they cost you thousands.

Monthly

1. Leaks: Leaks can cause serious water damage and provide breeding grounds for black mold. Check pipes monthly by inspecting underneath each sink. Drips or moisture indicate a possible leak. Also inspect interior walls for damp spots.
2. Drainage: Poor drainage indicates a clog. Pour a gallon of water down each sink and bathtub drain. Snake any slow-moving drains.
3. Faucets: Turn on all faucets and run them for a minute or two at full blast. Water should not escape from anywhere but the spigot.
4. Irrigation lines: Those with irrigation systems should check them monthly for leaks and clogs. Turn on the system 20 to 30 minutes prior to visually inspecting all parts.
5. Water heater: Check settings on your water heater monthly. The ideal temperature to keep your water heater at is 120 degrees, although families with young children should set it even lower to avoid potential burns.

Quarterly

1. Turn on/off irrigation according to climate: Most states north of the Mason-Dixon line turn on irrigation systems in late May to early June and back off again in mid-September. Those in warmer climates may use some irrigation all year but should nevertheless turn the frequency of watering down in cooler weather.
2. Search for any drafts: Most people winterize their homes by checking doors and windows for cracks, but outside plumbing lines may also let cold air in. Check outside water fixtures, and caulk up any cracks.
3. Check the toilet bowl for leaks: A toilet that won’t stop running often indicates nothing more than the chain bob inside the tank slipping off. However, if the tank looks fine inside, your toilet may have sediment or leaves caught in the line, so call a plumber before (like me) you end up needing to buy new bathroom rugs.
4. Inspect certain appliances: You should inspect your washing machine, dishwasher, refrigerator and any other water-using appliances. Replace any cracked tubes or lines. Mold anywhere inside appliances indicates a leak, so if you cannot find the source on your own, call in a professional.
5. Clean out gutters: Twice per year, clean all the leaves and other debris from your outdoor gutters. Additionally, inspect gutters after powerful storms, and remove any clumps of blown materials.

Yearly

1. Flush your hot water tank: Once per year, flush your hot water heater free of sediment. Water flowing from spigots turning cold sooner than usual indicates that sediment is eating up room for hot water.
2. Check for rust: Visually inspect all visible pipes in the home. Call in a plumbing professional if you find discoloration and rust, as this issue indicates that pipes hidden in walls may also need repair or replacement.
3. Check for mold: Sniff around all fixtures and under sinks. Should you see or smell mold, clean it with a water and bleach solution.
4. Clean shower heads: Sediment can build up in shower heads, making skin itchy and decreasing water flow. Take apart the shower head and clean all components.
5. Call in the pros: Those on sewer should schedule an annual camera inspection of their line (as I learned the hard way). Plumbers use a special camera to seek out and remove leaves, paper towels or tree roots, preventing them from creating backflow.

Managing Plumbing Emergencies

Performing routine maintenance should prevent many plumbing headaches, but emergencies still sometimes occur. Perform a plumbing check as part of your home inspection, and establish a relationship with a trustworthy local plumber so that you aren’t left scrambling to find someone should an emergency occur.

Those in cold climates should heat their entire homes instead of only certain rooms to prevent pipes from freezing. If financial factors require heating only a few areas, rotate which ones you use. Insulate pipes as much as possible before temperatures drop below zero.

Those living in condos or townhouses may share an outside sewer line with one or two neighbors. Find out who they are, and take turns paying for the annual sewer inspection.

Protecting Your Investment

For many people, their home represents their biggest investment. Protect your home and your money by keeping up with routine plumbing maintenance tasks. You’ll save sweet moolah this way and avoid big messes and huge headaches.

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How To Buy A Good Composter

NOTE: I’m testing backyard composting bin! Would love to hear your favorites and ones you think I should try. I’ll add my findings and the best composters to this post.

If you’re the kind of person concerned about helping the Earth, you’re probably already recycling. Recycling is a great way to be kind to the environment without changing up your routine. You just separate your trash, and you’re done. You can take it one step further than that though.

Composting is becoming popular as more people begin to garden. Fertilizer can get expensive, so composting allows you to make your own at home. It’s nature’s way of making sure that organic materials return to the soil to create nutrients for plants. It’s all part of the cycle of life. No matter where you live, there’s a way for you to participate too.

Before people begin composting, the top concern is always if they can even do it. It’s common to hear the words like “compost” and “fertilizer” without thinking about the word “manure.” Don’t worry — you don’t need to hoard manure to help your plants perk up. Composting can be done in a couple of different forms.

Backyard Composting

Think about all those times you’ve thrown away bad leftovers or dinner scraps. That food could have fed your plants too! Backyard composting is named for the mixture of grass, leaves, hay and table scraps that people throw together for composting. This version helps you minimize the number of garbage bags you go through and reduces the amount of landfill waste in your local area.

This kind of composting is done by leaving yard waste in a hole in the backyard and adding table scraps to it at the end of each day. As the pile in the ground decays, nutrients are automatically leaked into the soil around it.

This composting method is an excellent way to go if you’re thinking about planting any trees or bushes. Plant the tree or shrub in your compost hole, and it’ll grow just as happily as with store-bought fertilizer.

As with everything, backyard composting does come with its drawbacks. It will smell, of course, and you’ll need lots of table and yard scraps to fertilize the ground you want to cover. Depending on how many plants you want to help with composting, it may be cheaper to go with fertilizer and compost in the future. It all depends on your gardening plans.

Worm Composting or Vermicomposting

If you live in an apartment-type housing situation, composting might be a little too smelly if you don’t have a backyard. Worm composting is great option to consider! All it requires is a composting barrel with a lid or even a giant plastic container. As long as you have a lid, you’ll be set.

Deciding on a container can be difficult, which is why composting bins come in a variety of shapes and sizes. For someone just starting out, or anyone living in a small space, the best composting bin is easily the Compost Bin by Geobin. It’s small, made out of recyclable materials and easy on the wallet.

Once you have your bin, throw in some bedding, moisture and red wigglers and set the box in a shady spot on your porch. Over time you’ll add more worms and table scraps to get a box of composting material that’s always ready.

Like ground composting, it’ll smell no matter what lid you put on it, so be aware that your neighbors might complain if they spend a lot of time on their porch. The box will also attract gnats because of the moisture.

Grasscycling

Even if you don’t throw away a lot of food, you can still compost. Instead of throwing the grass clippings from mowing in a trash can, use a wheelbarrow to dump the clippings and create a pile in a spot where it won’t be an eyesore. The grass will decompose and leave the soil under it as a resource to distribute to plants that need fresh nutrients.

This version of composting will eventually look bad, as a browning pile of grass isn’t exactly a stellar yard decoration. One way around this is to ditch the mower bag and let the grass clippings settle in your yard as you mow. They’ll naturally decompose and help new grass grow.

No matter what kind of composting you decide to go with, you’ll be helping the Earth by keeping local landfills small and nurturing healthy plants that contribute to the ecosystem. It’ll also save you a good chunk of change, which never hurts either.

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Guide for Easy Gutter Installation

Gutter installation — as a cost-effective do-it-yourself project — can be completed within a day or two.

Properly installed gutters protect your property investment. Without an applied drainage system, rain has the power to wear down a home’s surrounding soil, damage its foundation, flood the basement or crawl space and seep into siding.

Once water is introduced into any of these locations, the consequential mold is costly to remove and may be dangerous. With roof supply or big box store materials and a few basic tools, you can add gutters to your home using this step-by-step guide.

1. Prepare for Purchase

Before heading to the store consider whether you want to use vinyl or aluminum gutter. Vinyl is less expensive and easier to install. Pieces snap and click together into place. Aluminum is more durable long-term and pieces are joined together with crimping seamers.

Next, it’s helpful to draw the perimeter of your roof line and include measurements. This “map” allows you to approximate gutter length and the number of brackets, elbows and downspouts. You can also indicate elbow direction and downspout location.

Consider buying more material than necessary. Unused items can always be returned once installation is complete. You know how disruptive a supplemental mid-project trip to the store can be.

You will need:

• Gutter length
• Downspout
• Elbows
• End pieces — Specify right or left.
• Brackets
• 1/8” rivets
• Hex head screws — 1 1/4” for gutter and downspout, 1/4” zippers for elbows.
• Sealant — Silicone adhesive is fine. Specialized gutter sealant may be pricey.

Why zipper screws? They make it easier to pop elbows out for seasonal cleaning.

2. Gather Your Tools

This job requires an extension ladder, drill and rivet gun. The drill can either be electric or hand. If you are hanging aluminum gutters, you’ll also need tin snips and a crimper.

3. Mark Gutter Placement

Determine height along your roofline.  It’s important that the gutter hang low enough to catch rainwater. If your gutter is placed too high, rainwater will spill over it.

A good rule of practice is to place a level along the slope of your roof, extending over the edge. Position gutter in the space below.

Allow for pitch, which is the downward slope rainwater runs through the system. Approximately 1/16th of an inch decline per foot is standard. Mark pitch with beginning and end nails connected by string on the soffit.

Pitch measurement can vary. As long as water runs down a regular slope, drainage will be successful.

4. Construct Gutter Line

This step is easier to do on the ground. Connect pieces, if necessary, for entire length of area to be covered. Place adhesive sealing on ends and connections. Aluminum gutters will require crimping along each seam. Measure and cut holes for each downspout location.

5. Hang and Connect

Drill brackets in regular intervals along roofline, matching your pitch alignment. Hang the gutter, snapping securely into brackets. Connect your elbows and downspouts.

This step is much like putting together a puzzle. Don’t be afraid to alter your original plan if you see ways for improving water flow and drainage once the system is in place.

6. Determine Catch System

Water collected by your drainage system should safely clear the house and immediate soil base. Ways of accomplishing this include:

• Placement of stones under the downspout to encourage slow ground seepage.
• Use of a barrel or other collection vessel to hold water for re-use.
• Catch basin “kits” available from garden and landscape outlets.

7. Consider Flashing

Flashing is a metal sheet which fits under the shingles on the edge of a roofline. Depending on the size and shape of your soffit, flashing installation may be a warranted additional step. Flashing further assures that water falls seamlessly into your drainage system without pausing long enough to seep into structure walls.

Keep Your Eye on Maintenance

Whatever drainage system you install, be sure to check and clear regularly. You’ve worked hard on this project, and regular maintenance should go a long way towards keeping it working perfectly!

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Wind vs. Solar for Residential Homes

Homeowners seeking a more sustainable energy source are often faced with two viable options: wind and solar. Both have their benefits and disadvantages, though much of the decision comes down to where you live. Local government regulations, wind patterns, land elevation and more all play a role in deciding whether to go in on wind or solar energy.

Wind Energy

Wind turbines are often considered the best option for large-scale applications. They can be installed mostly anywhere, even far out at sea. Installation is prompt and modern turbines can be silent in operation, though smaller turbines can create noise. Still, although installation is technically possible anywhere, some locations do not have enough wind power to truly benefit.

Small turbines must be situated in areas with above-average wind patterns and require a smooth airflow. For residential homeowners seeking a realistic option, investing in wind energy can be a risky proposition if your area does not provide this. If you’re living near trees or a busy road, a wind turbine is not likely to be a good choice, especially considering that wind turbines need to be mounted very high.

If you live near the coast or in an open exposed area, however, wind energy could be your best option. You will need land, as roof-mounted turbine can cause turbulence and inefficient energy. Regardless, a site survey is essential to avoid investing in wind energy that will barely be used. This will measure wind speeds at various locations throughout the area and ensure optimal performance. There are a number of solar and wind power prediction systems available for this purpose.

Wind power can be a very efficient, clean form of energy, but only if you live near a coast or wide open spaces.

Solar Energy

Solar power is a frequent choice among suburban areas and cities, which lack the proper space and wind specifications to take full advantage of wind energy. Like large-scale wind power, solar power is silent in operation and even less conspicuous, with the ability to be roof-mounted without losing efficiency — as long as there’s nothing blocking the sun. If you live in an area with wind speeds less than 5 meters per second, you will undoubtedly find better value with solar power as opposed to wind power.

It’s also worth considering that installing wind turbines often requires local government approval, as they can disturb neighbors with appearance and noise. Solar power does not require nearly as much approval. Quick installation with minimal cable usage and maintenance make solar power a more hassle-free local addition.

Additionally, solar radiance is more predictable than wind patterns, so there’s a more steady energy output with solar energy. It’s another reason why residential areas in suburbs and cities will likely opt for solar energy in most cases.

The choice often comes down to where you live, specifically the area’s wind patterns and sunlight exposure. Once you decide on the best system for you, you can invest in energy you know is good for the environment and your wallet.

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Flowering Shrubs You Should Add to Your Garden

No matter how big your garden is — small and new, or full and overgrown — there’s always room for a good ol’ flowering shrub. There are an endless array of species, variations and blooms to choose from. Whether you’re looking for thick coverage, seasonally inspired flowers or year-round color, there is a shrub for you!

Here’s a list of a few must-have flowering shrubs you should add to your garden this year.

Hydrangeas

A classic addition to any hedge, front porch or garden, hydrangeas have a timeless beauty that can’t be missed. There are several varieties of this flowering bush, so it’s not hard to find a hydrangea that fits your yard specifications perfectly.

If you’re located in the Pennsylvania region, the Oakleaf Hydrangea is highly recommended by garden experts. These shrubs sport long stalks with clumps of tiny flowers at the end. Some species of hydrangea change colors in the fall, with vibrant orange and yellow leaves.

Camellias

This beautiful, unique shrub flowers in the fall. Blooms come in white, red and both lighter and darker shades of pink. These bushes are excellent for areas that have light shade — perfect if your yard has mature trees or tall pines that block out some of the sun. Resilient and colorful, these beauties will provide your yard with year-round foliage and a pop of color amid the falling leaves of autumn.

Mock Orange

That’s right — these blossoms mimic the scent of oranges when they bloom in late spring or early summer. They do great in full or partial sun, and nothing can beat the beauty of their big, white, citrus-smelling blossoms. Mock orange would be the perfect addition to any garden, especially to perfume the air near social sitting areas.

Japanese Pieris

The Japanese Pieris is an evergreen shrub, staying vibrantly green all winter long with blooms that form in the summer and stay colorful throughout the colder months of the year. With varieties in white, pink and red, these bell-shaped flowers resemble lily of the valley and can be a great source of holiday color. The bushes grow well in shady areas, so this one would be a great choice for a garden that already sports mature plants that keep others from full sun.

You have every reason to plant Japanese Pieris this year. It’s time to branch out and get fancy!

Mountain Laurel

If you happen to live in a particularly sandy area or somewhere with high elevation, mountain laurel is for you. Its blooms resemble little shell-like cups, and grow in deep reds, pinks and blush colors. These are hardy plants that do well in partial shade and elevated, sandy environments.

Lilac

One of the most highly anticipated blooms and smells of spring, lilac can be 10 to 12 feet tall when full-grown, and does best in full sun. There are several varieties of this shrub, including many miniature versions for smaller gardens. Versatile and easily recognizable, these are a must-have for your home garden. As always, brush up on how to plant and care for lilac shrubs before you plant!

Azaleas

Hardy and wildly colorful, azaleas come in almost every color you can imagine. Blooms appear in the spring, and are the perfect shrub to add Easter color with. These plants enjoy dappled light under a tree canopy, and are a great addition to a yard with mature trees. You might also consider planting small bushes in a mulch run around a tree to add some flair to your front yard.

Diabolo Ninebark

Sporting unique dark leaves and pink-tinted blooms, these bushes add both depth and beauty to your garden. Ninebark does well in full sun or partial shade, and is most receptive to pruning after blooming in the spring. Light flowers and deep green, purple and nearly black leaves provide striking contrast. This bush is definitely a must-have if you’re feeling more adventurous.

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How to Choose the Right Paint for Your Surface

It’s true that you can probably paint anything. But should you paint everything with the same brush? Or the same paint? Absolutely not. Update your metal door, your brick walls, your drywall and more — but do it the right way. And with the right tools. Give the surfaces in and around your home new life by choosing the right paint, brushes, and methods.

Metal

The key to a successfully-painted metal surface is in the prep work.

Before You Paint: Use a wire brush to strip the surface. Your aim here is to remove rust and flaking. Wipe all the dust away with a damp cloth. Use a new, clean cloth to thoroughly rub the surface down to create a spotless surface. Sand with 220-grit sandpaper until it’s smooth so you can get a long life out of your paint job. Rinse with water, or wipe down with a damp cloth, and let dry.

The Paint and Process: First, apply an exterior-grade primer that is formulated for metal. It’s smart to do two coats of primer for metal. Once that has dried, apply an exterior-grade paint formulated for metal with a brush or sprayer. You’ll likely need to do at least two coats.

Wood

The methods for painting wood are different, depending on if you’re painting bare or painted wood.

Before You Paint: If you’re working with bare wood, sand with fine sandpaper until the surface is smooth. If the wood is already painted, use a non-residue cleaner on it. You can also remove paint with a putty knife. Fill in any dings with wood putty. Sand the wood, and wipe down the surface.

The Painting and Process: Use a paint brush, rather than a foam brush. For bare wood, use a stain-blocking primer first, and finish with latex or oil-based paint. If you need to use more than one coat, sand in between coats. For painted wood, you’ll also want to use a stain-blocking primer. Then finish with latex paint.

Fiberglass Exterior Doors

To do a really good job, this takes a bit of heavy lifting. But the results will be worth it.

Before You Paint: Remove the door and lay it across a pair of saw horses. Remove all hardware, and then sand lightly with sandpaper. There will be dust, and you can get rid of it with a rag that has been dampened with acetone. Let the door dry, and then wash with a mild detergent. Let it dry again.

The Paint and Process: First, prime the surface with an acrylic latex primer. Allow it to dry. Then, using a brush, apply a coat of exterior-grade latex paint with smooth strokes. Lightly sand the surface once it has dried, and then apply a second coat.

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How to Mix Paints (and Love the Color)

Maybe you can’t find a color you absolutely love at the paint store. Maybe you have plenty of paints lying around after other projects in your house, and you want to use them again — but in a new way. Maybe you just like to create. There’s no wrong reason to mix paints, and doing so can be a lot of fun. However, because the end result is never fully guaranteed, you do run the risk of hating your final color (and wasting a lot of paint in the process). Follow these tips for mixing paint so you can love the end result.

Supplies and Setup

White paint will come in very handy when you’re mixing your own paints as it helps to lighten colors, and fortunately, it’s often inexpensive. You’ll also need some buckets where you’ll mix your paints. 5-gallon buckets with lids are a good option. Once you begin, make sure you have these items with you:

• A stick for stirring the paint — it needs to reach down to the bottom of the bucket
• Absorbent paper towels
• Something to protect the floor (like a dropcloth, newspaper, etc.)
• All the paints you intend to use for mixing
• A paint can opener
• Paint brushes

Color Wheel

Before you begin, get a basic understanding of the color wheel. This will help you get a good idea of how certain colors are derived. Remember that all colors start from one of the three primary colors — red, yellow, and blue. From these colors, you create secondary colors. For example, red and blue will make purple. When you have secondary colors, you can make intermediate paint colors by mixing a primary color with a secondary color (red and violet will be red violet).

When mixing your own paint, you may not begin with true primary colors, but if you understand how colors on the color wheel interact, you’ll be better equipped to work with what you have.

How to Lighten, Darken, Intensify, and More

Use these tips to lighten, darken, intensify, and tone down the paints you’re mixing.

Lighten

Remember when we said you’d want some white paint? That’s because white is the way to lighten colors. If you add white to a color, you’ll need quite a bit of white. It’s smarter to begin with white and add your color to it. A few cups is a safe starting point. You can always add more if you want the color to be darker.

Darken

Black or gray are your friends when you want to go darker. In this case, add the black or gray to the color, rather than adding the color to the black or gray. Black is better when the color is already a deep color, and gray is ideal when you’re beginning with a lighter color. It’s best if you don’t try to go more than two shades darker than the starting color.

Intensify

Hoping for a more vivid look to your color? Add more of the base color.

Tone Down

Here’s where the color wheel comes into play again. If you want to tone down a color, add a complementary color to the paint. This means using the color that is found directly across your paint color on the color wheel.

Types of Paint

Keep in mind that you must only mix the same types of paint with each other. Oil-based should only be mixed with oil-based, and water-based should only be mixed with water-based. However, you can mix different sheens. Flat paint and glossy paint are fine to mix together. Your end result will be more flat if you use more flat paint, and more glossy if you use more glossy paint.

Mix, Mix, Mix

Remember that you need to have a stick that reaches all the way to the bottom. Use it to thoroughly mix any paint you intend to use. If the paint has been sitting around for a while, the pigments may have become separated. Mix it well before you add it to another paint.

Always remember to start with your lightest color first because it’s harder to lighten a dark color than it is to darken a light color. Work slowly, and add your color in increments until you get the color you want.

And most importantly — have fun! Creating your own color is a lot of fun and can give you a one-of-a-kind look.

 

Guest Post by Josh Abramson. The chief solutionist of ALLBRiGHT 1-800-PAINTING, a residential and commercial painting company serving the Greater Los Angeles Area.

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How to Restore Deck Paint

I found out how to restore deck paint, and now I’m going to share the secret with you.

I had just bought a house, and the previous owners had allowed the deck paint to become chipped. It looked awful, and I was beside myself. We had really wanted an outdoor deck, but not one that got splinters in our feet and looked shabby. With summer coming up, we didn’t want to use a deck that looked this bad.

Not to worry. You can not only remove old deck paint, you can restore your deck to be as good as new.

Here’s how.

1. Remove the Old Deck Paint 

Your first task is to remove the existing deck paint. If a deck looks bad and has splinters, you can’t simply paint over it. Existing paint can be removed with boiling water and a scraper. Pour the boiling water on a section of the paint and then use the scraper to  get the paint off. You can use chemical peelers but as homeowners who like to live as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible we decided to go a more natural route. Afterwards, use a good pressure washer to spray down your deck.

2. Choose the Product to Restore Your Deck

You can use either paint, stain or a Restore brand product to renovate your deck.

Paint

Paint will require more work from you in filling in cracks and holes. You will also need to caulk. That said, some paints are specially formulated to repair wood. Paint also offers more color choices.

Restore Products

Restore deck products are made of heavy-duty acrylic. They have been developed specifically to restore decks. They offer convenience in restoration, because the product itself is up to 10 times thicker than paint, and will fill in cracks and holes for a smoother surface. Supposedly, restore products will last as long as 13 years. However, I’ve used restore paint on a deck and it looked awful the next year and I had to painstakingly remove the paint and then I reapplied stain.

Stain

Stains come in a variety of neutral colors. For old wood, it’s recommended to use a semi-transparent stain.

Preparation

All deck products require the same basic preparation:

1. Remove the old paint.
2. Power wash and let dry.
3. Remove any loose nails.
4. Repair splinters and holes, if necessary.
5. If some areas have been protected by the sun, sandpaper them.
6. Mask any areas of adjacent walls or non-deck areas, so they don’t get the product on them.
7. Apply the product with the appropriate equipment. Most products will need several coats. The first coat acts as a primer for most products, including Restore products.

Be Sure to Get the Correct Equipment

Not all brushes and rollers for applying your deck product are created equal. Make sure you get the correct equipment for your deck and your product.

• Only use brushes close to adjacent walls and non-deck areas.
• Use a roller to apply paint or acrylic to the body of the deck.
• If you have a rough surface, your roller should have approximately a three-quarter-inch
• If you have a medium surface, your roller needs to have a three-eighths to one-quarter-inch nap.
• If your deck is smooth, you can use a foam roller.
• Be sure to get a roller extension, too. It’ll make the job much easier.

And that’s it! You can complete this project over a few weekends, and you’ll be enjoying iced tea and sunshine on your deck before you know it.

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How to Fix a Yard Full of Weeds

Are you inviting weeds to live on your lawn? If you’re not practicing good lawn care, you are!

You can fix a weedy, thin or even patchy lawn just by providing good care and giving the lawn what it needs. While it takes some effort on your part, a beautiful lawn is well worth it.

What Causes Weedy Lawns?

Lawn weeds appear because the grass lacks proper care. If you’re not providing good, necessary lawn maintenance, you can’t expect to grow a lush, healthy lawn.

Thin lawns are an open invitation for weeds. Mowing your lawn correctly and at the right height keeps the lawn dense and helps prevent some weed growth.

Lawn weeds are usually in one of three broad categories:

1. Annual weeds: Produce seeds in one season. Grasses, like crabgrass and witchgrass, are good examples.
2. Biennial weeds: Produce seeds in one season. Wild carrot and thistle are good examples.
3. Perennial weeds: Emerge, grow and produce roots that allow them to overwinter, become dormant and begin growing again the next spring. Dandelions are a good example.

You can take a little time to learn more about various types of lawn weeds and their control.

What Can You Do?

Proper care means doing a few things for your lawn during the growing season.

Dethatching and Aerating  

Thatch is the layer of dead grass, roots and stems that build up lawn soil. A thin layer of thatch isn’t a big deal, but if you allow it to build up to 1/2 inch or thicker, it can block water from absorbing into the soil and reaching grass roots. Causes of thatch can include excess nitrogen or even too much water, but you can take care of thatch by using a cavex rake for small lawns. Larger lawns require you to use a vertical mower to cut through the thatch. Proper aeration also helps prevent thatch.

Aerating the soil means using hand or power tools to push a narrow tube into the soil, remove a short column of soil and leave an open hole. This process is particularly necessary on high-traffic lawns or certain soil types, like clay. How often you aerate and dethatch depend on your soil and other factors.

Applying Fertilizers

Timing is important when fertilizing your lawn because lawn fertilizers are applied to warm-season and cool-season grasses depending on their growth cycles. You can apply fertilizer to warm-season grasses in mid-spring through summer and cool-season grasses in late summer or fall.

Fertilizing at the appropriate times ensures your lawn gets the nutrients it needs. You can set up your own program for fertilizing your lawn based on your location and the type of grass growing on your property.

Watering  

When and how to water your lawn depends on several factors, such the type of soil and grass that make up your lawn and the climate where you live.

You can use a few tests to determine if you lawn needs watered.

• Screwdriver test: If you can easily push a long screwdriver at least 6 inches into your lawn, it is most likely moist enough.
• Rolled grass: Look closely at your grass. If the leaf blades are rolled and grayish in color, then your soil is too dry.

Most lawns need about 1 ½ inches of water per week, but this can vary based on the factors above, so you need to learn more about proper watering practices to maintain a healthy lawn.

Once you understand proper lawn care, you can snuff out most of the weeds. While you might not be completely weed-free, a lush lawn is achievable!

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Basic Water Well Maintenance Guide

We’ve asked SimpleWater to share their knowledge about well maintenance and their new product Tap Score. Enjoy, DIY Folks

While we’ve come a long way since the hand-dug wells of Egypt and other ancient civilizations, modern wells are still susceptible to a range of issues that may affect the quality of your home’s drinking water.

Thirty-eight percent of America’s population relies on groundwater for its drinking supply.  Private wells must be properly installed, inspected, and tested on a regular basis in order to ensure groundwater quality. And the thing is… you are responsible for the maintenance and care of your private well system.

If you’re one of the 38%, what can you do to ensure your well water is safe and contaminant-free?

Answer: Quite a lot, actually. The following is a quick and simple how-to guide:

1. Check your well for proper construction and installation.

While you’ll surely be in a pickle if your well was originally constructed in a poor fashion, it’s important to first determine whether you’re at risk of water woes due to the nature of your well’s installation.

There are a few matters to check for here. First, the casing of your well should be capped off by a sanitary seal/concrete cover that stands approximately 12” above ground. This keeps unwanted pests and surface water out. Second, you’ll want to make sure that your well was installed a minimum of 50 feet from your septic tank and at least 100 feet from the septic system’s drainage field, although these distances can vary depending upon state regulations. Finally, the ground surrounding your well should slope away from the well in order to prevent water pooling.

2. Clear the area around your well.

It’s important to keep the area surrounding your well free of undesirable elements, including fertilizers, pesticides, motor oil, and general debris. Any of these examples—including other forms of waste—can contaminate your well if used or stored  in close proximity.

3. Perform regular well inspections.

You should give your well a close look at least once a year, even if you know your well was properly constructed. Over time, cracks and other forms of corrosion can occur that compromise the integrity of your well and the quality of your home’s drinking water. If you observe that there may be an issue, or if it has been over three years since a professional has inspected your well, contact a contractor licensed to perform well inspections.

4. Close off wells no longer in use.

Improperly abandoned wells pose a threat. Those that have not been sealed off can act  as a surface water conduit that might contaminate groundwater. Wells no longer in use can be correctly sealed by a licensed well contractor before they are abandoned.

5. Have your water tested yearly.

Even if your well has been properly built, placed, and has passed all inspections, it is still important to test your drinking water. Off-the-shelf at-home water tests are not usually complete, but they can be useful initial screens, especially if you know what to test for. Tap Score, powered by SimpleWater, is developed with private well owners in mind. Tap Score tests for lead, arsenic, nitrate, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and other known well-water contaminants. We test for over 100 contaminants and then provide you with a personalized water quality report, complete with actionable recommendations.

 

Note from the caring folks at SimpleWater —

SimpleWater is a science and health services company educating you to improve your drinking water. We offer the only water testing service with Personalized Health Analysis and Treatment Recommendations

We serve homes, families and businesses asking: “what’s in my water, what does it mean, and how do I ensure the safety of what I’m drinking?”

SimpleWater’s national team of certified laboratory scientists, engineers, health experts and designers provide each customer with a personalized Tap Score Water Quality Report. SimpleWater’s Tap Score is the Nation’s First Smart Water Testing Service for affordable and informative contaminant screening and personalized treatment recommendations.

Call Anytime:: 888 34 MY WATER (+1-888-346-9928)

Learn more about Tap Score and Find Out What’s In Your Water at MyTapScore.Com

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Adjustable-Rate Mortgage vs. a Fixed-Rate

If you’re in the market for a home loan, you may be wondering about the difference between an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) and a fixed-rate mortgage.

In an ARM, the interest rate adjusts periodically, depending on the direction of interest rates. ARM interest rates are typically low for the initial period. After that, they go up or down, depending on the direction of rates. When you see information about an ARM, you will see the initial period first, followed by how often it can adjust after that. So when you see 3/1 or 5/1, you are being told that the initial interest rate will last for three years or five years, respectively, and can reset every year after that.

ARMs usually carry a cap beyond which the interest rates can’t rise.

A fixed-rate mortgage, on the other hand, always carries a fixed interest rate. If you sign the mortgage paperwork with a fixed rate of 4 percent, you will be paying 4 percent for the entire life of the loan.

Interest rates are important because they are a factor in how much a mortgage payment costs. The lower the interest rate, the lower your monthly cost.

Both ARM and fixed-rate mortgages have a standard loan term of 30 years.

Home mortgage borrowers should know that there are pros and cons to each kind of loan. Many of them depend on your circumstances.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

If you’re not sure about an ARM, here are a few scenarios to consider as you make your decision.

Pros

1. If you plan to be in a home five years or less, ARMs can be your friend. Why? Because most ARMs come with an initial period of low interest rates. They don’t start rising for three, five or seven years. This means you will be paying a low interest rate as long as you are in the home.
2. Your payment can fall if interest rates decline. In the 2008-2015 period, for example, interest rates trended pretty steadily downward. Holders of ARMs in that period didn’t need to do anything to make their payments fall — they did so automatically.
3. If you will be in a home a short time and have an initial low interest rate ARM, you can save the money you would otherwise have spent on a fixed-interest rate mortgage with a higher rate.

Cons

1. ARMs can end up costing you when interest rates rise. We are in a period of rising rates now. If you planned to move after five years and your plans change, you may receive a rude shock when the interest rate resets and suddenly you’re paying more. Homeowners interested in ARMs should make sure their budget could withstand the rise to the lifetime cap. Otherwise, they may end up with a mortgage they can’t pay.
2. Depending on the ARM terms, the climb in rates can be sudden. If there is a lifetime cap of 6 percent, for example, it doesn’t necessarily take place over the course of a lifetime. It can rise 6 percent in one year. So that low introductory rate of 3 percent in 2017 can become 9 percent in 2022. That’s a considerable rise in the monthly budget.
3. ARMs are complicated to understand. The loan will be full of terms like lifetime cap, margins, initial rates and so on. They are more complicated than fixed-rate mortgages.

Fixed-Rate Mortgages

With a fixed rate mortgage, you’ll have more predictability — but you could be locked into a rate higher than the going market rates:

Pros

1. If you get a fixed-rate mortgage, your mortgage rate is constant. There are no rude shocks ever, no matter what interest rates do. They can rise to 18 percent — which is historically extremely high — and you’d still be sitting pretty. Fixed-rate loans are best for people seeking financial stability and planning to stay in their home more than seven years.
2. Because you pay a fixed amount, you will be able to plan monthly budgets much more effectively. ARMs rely on how much interest rates rise or fall, which is difficult, if not impossible, to predict. Your mortgage budget will always be predictable with a fixed rate.
3. If you lock in a fixed-rate mortgage when mortgage rates are low, your housing payments will be very low as long as you live in the home. This protects you from housing payment fluctuation. Unlike renters or ARM holders, no one can raise your mortgage.

Cons

1. The drawback to fixed-rate loans is that they aren’t flexible. There is no introductory rate that allows new home owners to pay less the first three or five years.
2. If you buy a home in a period of falling rates, your fixed-rate loan might become a relatively high interest-rate loan, given the environment. While they can be refinanced, it is expensive to do so. Many lenders charge points and fees to refinance.
3. Some fixed-rate mortgages can’t be paid off quicker than the term, or can only be paid off with a penalty. Be sure to read the fine print to make sure that there is no penalty for pre-payment.

Choosing between an ARM and a fixed-rate home loan can be daunting. The best choice depends on your circumstances. Be sure to consider the pros and cons carefully.

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How to Save for Retirement When You’re Self-Employed

We quit working our day jobs several years ago to pursue the dream of writing and working on this blog full-time — however, we also do several other freelance contract jobs, such as writing for companies, freelance construction work and more.

Most employers offer a contribution match to their 401(k) plan to help employees plan for retirement, and that is what most people rely on for their financial future.

But what do we self-employed freelancers do to prepare for those golden years? Are there any retirement options for the self-employed that will grow our savings to the amount needed for a comfortable retirement?

There are several options available for how to save when you’re self-employed, including both conventional and nonconventional ways.

Retirement Plans for the Self-Employed

Though many people are unaware of this, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) states that self-employed freelancers actually have many of the same retirement options as employees.

• The Simplified Employee Pension (SEP) plan allows you to contribute up to 25 percent of your net earnings, not including the contributions for yourself, and the funds are tax-deductible.

• The 401(k) Plan is available for self-employed freelancers as an individual plan. You can contribute up to $18,000 annually, plus an additional $6,000 each year if you are age 50 or over. These deferrals can be either pre-tax or as Roth contributions.

• Savings Incentive Match Plan for Employees, also known as the SIMPLE IRA Plan, is available to small business owners with employees. You can contribute up to $12,500 annually. If you’re age 50 or older, you can add $3,000 in contributions per year. This plan also allows you to contribute a 3 percent matching contribution or 2 percent fixed contribution.

• The SIMPLE IRA Plan for the Sole Proprietor treats you as the employer and the employee when you file a Schedule C form. The plan allows you to defer up to $12,500 and an additional $3,000 if you are age 50 or older. However, you cannot exceed your net earnings from your business sponsoring the plan.

• Traditional or Roth IRA allows you to roll over your 401(k) funds from your previous day job to save for retirement. You can contribute up to $5,500 and an additional $1,000 if you are age 50 or older. These IRAs offer tax advantages, including a tax deduction on traditional IRAs and tax-free withdrawals during retirement on Roth IRAs.

The best retirement option for self-employed people is based on whether or not your business has employees – however, both the SEP and the individual 401(k) plans allow your earnings to grow tax-deferred until you are ready to withdraw the funds. Speak to a financial advisor or tax consultant before making contributions to ensure you are going to meet your financial goals.

Unconventional Income Streams for Retirement

Financial retirement accounts are not the only way to increase your self-employed retirement savings. There are other options available, including the one we are using to build a passive income stream to last a lifetime – blogging.

• Blogging allows us to reach a wider audience and share our knowledge and expertise. As we are building our site and our subscriber list, companies pay us to run their ads and/or include affiliate links for products we use and trust. When it comes to increasing our income and learning how to save for retirement when self-employed, blogging has proven to be a lucrative plan for us.

• Network marketing and direct selling through a legitimate company can result in earned income as well as passive income. Most companies offer a compensation plan for not only selling products, but for recruiting others to distribute the merchandise. The network marketing model promotes entrepreneurship and usually includes free training from the direct selling company.

• Renting houses or apartments is an option that will provide a monthly income from paying tenants. Depending on the location, a rental property can garner you an extra $200 to $1,000 or more each month. Renting property also has its tax advantages, and you can increase the monthly rent over time, or after major repairs or additions. 

• Accruing real estate takes the above option one step further. Not only can you purchase and rent out houses and apartment buildings, but you can rent out commercial real estate buildings to businesses that will provide you with an additional income stream. You can buy shares in a real estate investment trust or have direct ownership of the property. You will want to consult an investment advisor for the best option for you and your financial retirement goals.

Consider combining a couple of the retirement plans listed above with one or two of the unconventional income additions that fit into your schedule to help you save for retirement while self-employed. You can still retire with a plan in place without going back to your old day job — just keep an open mind and be willing to hustle to make it happen.

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Financial Planning for Twenty Somethings

Your twenties are an exciting time for many reasons. You graduate from college and enter the real world. You get your first job. You are likely on your own in an apartment for the first time. No parents. No roommates. You may develop a relationship with a significant other and get married.

It’s also exciting because you set your own, individual financial house in order. Sure, how your parents handled money is probably a model. I know it was for me. But in your twenties, you get to decide what you’re comfortable doing. Do you want a house? Do you want to travel before starting a family? Do you want to move halfway across the country? It’s all up to you.

That said, there are many things I wish I’d known about financial planning when I was in my twenties. Standing at the ripe old age of 32, I wish someone had emphasized to me what I’m about to emphasize to you.

Here’s a look at the three basics of financial planning for twenty-somethings. Been there. Did that.

Get Your Debt Under Control

What do I mean by getting your debt under control? Get monthly debt payments to a manageable amount. The reason? A lot of people have racked up credit card debt or have student loan repayments kicking in. Either, or both, can leave them paying every single dollar of disposable income to debt service.

Disposable income, by the way, is the amount you have left over after basics like rent, food, utilities and transportation.

If you’re paying every single dollar to debt service, you can’t possibly save for a vacation, a down payment on a house or retirement. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that, in your twenties, your income is probably pretty low.

At 25, I had $5,000 in credit card debt and $25,000 in student loans. My first job paid $30,000 — not a princely sum. I got a personal loan at a lower interest rate and transferred my credit card to it, which lessened my monthly payment immediately. I applied for and got a student loan repayment plan based on my income. Less per month there. I was paying a total of $329 on debt payments every month. It went down to $225.

With the money you save from getting your debt under control, you can start to build wealth more effectively. You want to pay off your debt responsibly, but don’t starve yourself of every penny just to pay it off.

Build Good Credit

You need good credit. Eventually, you will want a mortgage or a car loan. When you apply, banks and other lenders pull your credit score. If your credit score is average or poor, you may not get approved. If you do, poor or low credit may mean you’ll be charged a higher interest rate than people with excellent credit.

A higher interest rate means you’ll pay more every month and that money goes to less of the purchase. In addition, more and more landlords and even employers are using credit scores as a proxy for responsibility. They use it to make rental and hiring decisions.

How do you build good credit? First, pay your bills on time. Always. A large part of a credit score is determined by payment history. Set up your monthly bills for autopay so you don’t forget to make out checks or mail them when they’re due.

Second, ironically enough, if you have no debt, you need to get some. Seriously. Part of what lenders look at is your ability to use credit responsibly. If you’ve never demonstrated that, which you won’t if you’ve had no credit card or bank loan debt, it will ding your credit score. They also don’t like people being maxed out. That will hurt your score even more.

If a bank will give you a credit card with, say, a $500 line of credit and you use $200, you’ll be sitting pretty. You use credit, but you don’t go wild. And you pay on time.

Start a Retirement Account

I didn’t care about starting a retirement account until I hit 25. Then, I read an article that made it clear to me how important it was. It said this: if a person saves $3,000 every year from the time they’re 21 until the time they’re 30, they’d have $227,111 saved by the age of 60, assuming a six percent rate of return annually. That’s more than a quarter million dollars. And that’s without doing anything else. That’s $250 per month. I could do it by the time I hit 28, at least.

The reason the figure grows to be so awesome is that time and compound earnings work like a type of magic. Compare what happens if you don’t start saving until the age of 41. You’d need to save $9,621 each year until you’re 50 to get the same amount by the age of 60. That’s nearly $802 every month. That’s a lot of money, and it’s beyond most people’s grasp.

Plus, if you have an employer-sponsored retirement plan, please, please take advantage of it. First, money is taken out pretax. That means if you make $30,000 and have two percent taken out for a 401(k), you’ll only be taxed on $29,400. It can, depending on your income, lower your tax bracket.

If your employer offers a matching 401(k), please, please, please take advantage. You’re leaving money on the table if you don’t. That two percent from you is $600 per year. With a matching two percent, it becomes $1,200 per year. Sweet.

 

In your twenties, you’ll have lots of adventures but have lots of financial planning too! The financial planning you set up now will let you get debt under control, have good credit and save for retirement.

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