Dining Table Makeover

Few days before Christmas, I was experimenting and hoping to get a new look for my dining table. I've never replaced my dining table for more than 10 years now and the only way for it to get a new look is to add some highlights on the chairs and have something new for the center piece.  I was really planning to engage myself on some DIY projects but unfortunately, I was very busy preparing as well for my daughter's debut party, so I just tried to make use of what I already have at home and just add some fresh flowers to give my dining table a bit of exciting look. 

I just recycle those peach colored clothes which fortunately match my wall paint which is bright orange.  White fresh flowers are just perfect to accentuate the new table runner (in Christmas motif) that I bought.

What do you think?

Take Time For Yourself While TTC

Starting a family does not only mean having a fully furnished home, a garden, a garage, a car and all the material things that we can possess as a couple.  Starting a family first and foremost requires having children whom you can share your joys with as a couple and as parents. In today's time however, couples are now so preoccupied with work and building their finances that they often neglect the idea of having their own children while still early.  For the others, they considered building a family as a hindrance to doing what they love to do.  They have this thinking that couple can enjoy more their freedom when they don't have a baby at home to look after.  However, time will come that you will get bored going out and enjoying each other, you will surely long for a kid who could inspire your day.

Trying to conceive is an opportunity for couple to be intimate however, some couple becomes too preoccupied with the thought of getting pregnant that they become more and more stressed in trying to conceive, especially those who took several months of trying to conceive. When getting pregnant, it doesn’t mean your relationship will be compromised. Pregnancytips.org says that a couple can still spice up their relationship even though they’re trying to conceive. When you think your relationship is becoming more and more affected because of your TTC journey, don’t waste time, go ahead and schedule a preconception trip with your partner or go out and have a date, do the things you both love and enjoy. Your relationship doesn’t need to be compromised because you’re trying to conceive. 

While building a family needs to be properly planned, it doesn't need to go to the extent that we are already putting pressures to ourselves.  Trying to conceive in the most natural way and at the same time enjoying each other's company can do wonders for a more stable and happy relationship.

Christmas Decorating Need Not Be Expensive

When it comes to decorating, I always have one rule, it shouldn't be expensive and must showcase my creativity.  I am an avid fan of decorations which are nature inspired.  I want that "cooling effect" I experienced brought about by plants and stones.  I also love the idea that I could make use of cheap materials and transform them to a wonderful work of art.  I love DIY decors and the same thing is true for holiday decors.  Christmas spirit can come out alive with wonderful Christmas decors. Christmas season always bring that festive atmosphere.  If you're in a hurry and no time to make your own Christmas decors, you can try getting from color christmas ornaments - christmasplace.com as well.  For sure, they have variety of colorful Christmas ornaments that would suit your theme.

For those who love real bargains, you can visit any local shop or dollar store and shop for affordable materials that you can use in creating your own Christmas trees, Christmas wreaths and lanterns. This will be much cheaper and at the same time, you can showcase your artistic talent and make your friends admire your unique creativity.

Look at this one, isn't it lovely?

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The Pros And Cons of Real Estate Investing

It's been a while since I made my last post on one of my favorite subjects in this blog, "real estate investing".  I think, it's just timely to make another one as my third bad experience as a real estate investor was just experienced last month when my tenant left my house without paying a month's rental and get away with 3 months unsettled electric and water bills. Guess what? These unpaid debts had caused my house's electric and water supplies to be cut off and this had really given me a big head ache considering that I just experienced a great financial blow as my mother who was living with me and under my care was hospitalized and died on the same month.

This experience had compelled me to make another post on the pros and cons of real estate investing. While it is a fact that such unfavorable experiences are more likely to appear in this kind of business, having yourselves prepared in dealing with troublesome tenants will also do the trick.  In my case, my property is being rented out for Php10K a month and the total debts incurred by my tenant on electric and water bills amounted to about Php11K.  They left my property without due notice mid of the month so technically, they have just stayed on my house unpaid for half a month.  I made them sign a contract prior to occupying my property and have them paid 2 months deposit for a total of Php20K.  Apart from the disturbance they have created and being a nuisance, technically, they don't really owe me anything because of the Php20K deposit I have secured from them.  On top of that, I was able to confiscate 1 A/C unit in good working condition and some not so expensive sets of monobloc chairs intentionally left in the house. 

What I have cited above is a perfect example of cons in real estate business which can be resolved by properly screening your tenants and being well versed in property management and maintenance. The pros of real estate investing from my personal opinion still outshine that of it's cons.  There are 3 ways of making money from real estate such as leveraging property investment, renting out the property and the last and by far the most common one is selling the property for a profit. The fact that more and more property listings sites are coming out on the world wide web, proves only one thing, that real estate is still one of the most commonly sought after investment that has a huge potential to be a money making asset.

Real estate investment just like any other investments has pros and cons, the thing is, you have to know exactly what you're going into.  While real estate investment can give you the financial freedom that you so deserved, it is also inevitable that you are willing to learn and focus and achieve your goal through patience and hard work.  I have never regretted investing my hard earned money on real estate but I'm not saying that this is the surest way to success, as every investment requires a great deal of discipline and sheer determination to succeed.

If you want to learn more about real estate investing, you can check out these articles I found: Philippine Real Estate Buyers Guide and How to Make Money from Real Estate

Time to Rearrange!

My son just celebrated his birthday few days ago and unfortunately, I wasn't able to give him any present just like his past birthdays.  The month of October is quite unpleasant for all of us in the family as we had experienced a lot of blows. I recently lost my elder brother and mother one after the other.  I wanted to give my son a nice and simple celebration for his birthday but the situation won't allow.  I wanted to buy him Remo Drums or anything that will keep him entertained.  I know that he's in great pain now due to the sudden loss of his grand mom, nonetheless, I know that this too, shall pass.  Our home sweet home is mourning too for the loss of my Mom, thus we are planning to rearrange things in the house especially in her bedroom so we can all move on to a new life without her.  Hope everything will be okay soon.

Why Have An Indoor Water Fountain

My son gifted me with an indoor water fountain during my birthday last month and I really didn't expect to receive such from him.  Admittedly, I was ecstatic when I saw it.  The day he brought it home, he and his sister arranged the fountain on our porch and filled it with stones and water.  After, they're done, that's the time they asked me to come out to see what they have for me.  When I went out to the porch, I saw this beautiful water fountain.  Admittedly, I long wanted to have a water fountain inside the house but for some reasons, I always procrastinate getting one.

Now that my son gave one to me as a gift, I am just so happy and excited!  

Having an indoor water fountain has a number of benefits:

First and I think no one will dispute the fact that it beautifies our homes.  It adds substance to any part of the house.  It creates a visual appeal that will surely delight anyone who stays in and visits the house.

Second, it helps us to relax.  I've experienced it myself.  I had my coffee one morning while seated next to the water fountain and the soothing sound coming from it proves to be therapeutic.  We all experienced being stressed at some point during the day and this could really help us feel relaxed after a long day at work.

Third, it cleans the air and helps to humidify the house.  I guess, this is also true and happens when we place a lot of plants inside our house.  Plants attract dusts, release oxygen and purifies the air and so does water fountain.  Having these together inside our homes is perfect.

With all the benefits mentioned plus the fact that it was given to me as a gift has made my water fountain so special and valued.  I'm one lucky Mom! :)

Outdoor Tub Ideas

Perhaps, you have a large yard or an extra space in your backyard....why not convert it into something useful?  Having an outdoor tub would definitely be an excellent addition to your yard.  This does not only provides alternative for a quick shower, this too could be very useful if you have small kids who would like to play around and get dirty anytime of the day.  They could straight away take their shower at an outdoor tub.

Apart from this, it is also another way of creating a focal point in your yard.  It could catch the attention of your visitors especially if the outdoor tub area was done tastefully.  They may even mistaken it for an outdoor spa. :)

Below are some outdoor tub ideas that I found to be nice and cozy:

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Whatever design you choose for your outdoor tub, remember that it doesn't have to cost you a fortune.  All you need is a creative mind to visualize what would be best for your backyard.  You could choose the simplest one using not so expensive materials.  The secret here is adding personal touch and color.  You may use a cheap tub and a simple shower fixture but just add some elements like plants and stones to complement your outdoors.  Perhaps, this could also be a weekend project with your loved ones.

Have fun and and test your creativity by building your own outdoor tub.

A Place To Relax

It's always best to find a special place in the house where you can relax and unwind.  A place to hang out with friends, with your family members or just to spend a quiet and peaceful moment alone. A place like this in the house will help you have your own sanctuary where you can be comfortable doing just anything you love to do, be it reading a book or playing your favorite guitar.   It would be so nice to have a perfect time for yourself.

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As a busy Mom, I am also dreaming of having my own sanctuary at home where I could relax after I'm done with all my obligations each day.  Perhaps, a reading nook would be great as I love to read books and magazines or maybe an outdoor seating area with a small coffee table would be perfect for a coffee lover like me.

Whatever it is, having your own special corner at home would be very ideal and I believe everybody would love to have one.

What's yours?

Miniature Garden

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Creating a miniature garden is something that's really fun to do, this will definitely bring out your creativity and talent in decorating, and coming up with your own unique creation will always bring you a certain amount of fulfillment. This is exactly what I feel every time I work on my garden.  I would normally rearrange my potted plants and bring them to a place that best suit them.  Some plants need shade while others prefer to be situated under direct sunlight.  You must be observant enough to know and understand your plants needs.

The idea of working on a miniature garden happened as a result of seeing empty large pots in my garden.  I have some ornamental plants that are cute and appealing and every time I trim my plants, I always feel like want to replant the trimmings rather than throwing them, thus I've thought of having my own miniature garden. I have already been doing this before but just on a small pot which I could put inside my house but I thought that using large pots would be best if I opt to place that miniature garden somewhere around my real garden.

I just collected these photos as an inspiration but I will be definitely working on my own version.  Will be posting a photo once I'm done so please get back for more ideas. :)  

  

Lights and Sounds Corner

My daughter had just introduced some fresh ideas for her room.  When hubby was here, she requested for a loft type of bed so she could make use of the space underneath the bed.  She made use of that space as her working area a.k.a. study area. I have actually thought of that a long time ago as I am much into space saving ideas kind of thing.  My daughter's idea was just timely as her Dad was here last summer and we made use of his remaining days for a little bit of make over in Mika's bedroom.  Mika initially wanted to have a lights and sounds corner in her room, an idea which she actually derived from a photo that she saw online.  A corner of that room in the photo highlighted the lights and sounds corner where some musical instruments and colorful lights were put on display.  It was amazing actually.  There was a number of electric guitars on display.  I've never seen more sophisticated ones though like the gibson j-35 gutair but a drum set was also included in the display.  

I told my daughter to give up that dream as it would be useless anyway since she doesn't have much time now for her hobby.  Her studies now is her priority so I convinced her to pay more attention to her study area.  Maybe in the future, we could get a new table and chair for her, something that could match the space of her room.  

Well...good luck for that future project Miks!

DIY Wooden Tray

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I saw this DIY wooden tray from BHG and I just felt in love with it! DIY projects are always a hit to me coz apart from accentuating my home sweet home, I could also bring out that artistic side of me.  This wooden tray was decorated using paints of contrasting colors and some cute patterns. I think you could print out some stencil for the design which in this case is vines and birds. 

I specifically love it's color combination.  I think plain wooden trays can be bought on some local shops and you could even take advantage of their annual sale so you could get this type of tray at a lower price.  This will definitely be included in my next list of DIY projects.

  

Exotic Hanging Plant

My son gifted me with this hanging plant.  He calls it "pitcher plant".  He bought it from a street vendor on his way back home.  He told me that this hanging plant is a mosquito catcher.  Mosquitoes will be trapped inside the pitcher like flower and this will shake once a mosquito was already trapped inside. Quite exciting, isn't it?

This is going to be a great addition to my garden! :)

Dirty Kitchen Reorganization

After doing a little bit of "make over" to our kitchen and dining, we've done our best to have our dirty kitchen reorganized, as well.  Yes, you heard it right, tidying up our "dirty kitchen" (lol).

Well dirty kitchen used be name like that as this is the place where we do most of the dirty jobs at home. This is where I cook the more complicated dishes that requires a lot of cutting, shredding, mixing and pounding.  I just used our main kitchen for simple to do dishes like soups and for making snacks, salads or sandwiches.   In that case, I could save a lot of time cleaning and tidying up as I just need to concentrate on cleaning one space whenever I used our dirty kitchen for heavy cooking.

Our dirty kitchen is separated yet attached to the back of the house.  This is actually an extension of the house.  But since we've decided to create an additional room for my son which could be accessed via the dirty kitchen, we've decided that our dirty kitchen would be a neat one.  Sometimes my son would bring his friends to his room to work on a project, so I do not want them to feel like they're crossing on a jungle. :)

I have two sinks in the dirty kitchen so cleaning and washing the dishes is not really a problem as two persons could use both sinks at the same time.  It saves us a lot of time and speed up the job.  I'm basically a sink lover and you could find quite a lot in our home.  There is a sink everywhere! I don't have a hanging cabinet in the dirty kitchen before so we've decided to make one this time just to store the other kitchen stuff that can't be accommodated in our main kitchen.

I had my baking pantry organized, as well.  I requested hubby to transform one built in cabinet into open shelves with sliding glass doors so I could see my baking stuff in full view.

Yes, dirty kitchen is sometimes one of the most neglected part of the house but for me it should also be clean, neat and organized.

Kitchen And Dining Area Make Over

Even before hubby arrived home for his vacation, I am already requesting him to help me with a "little make over" in our kitchen and dining.  I want our kitchen cabinet repainted and I want to change our counter top tiles as some of the old tiles were already worn out.  Well, not really in bad condition but I just hate seeing things not in order (lol).  I just want the kitchen counter top look more spacious and kitchen stuff be in their right place.  Initially, my kitchen counter top was a bit messy as there are lots of kitchen stuff located on it. We've decided to bring out our dish cabinet in our dirty kitchen to give way to the new microwave oven which I've purchased before hubby arrived home. 

Hubby also changed the lights as a bonus and I just felt so grateful that he really collaborated with this "little project".  he loves to paint, that's a fact and that's a plus factor as we do not need to hire a painter and could save on our budget for the make over. :)

I used to place a curtain before on that cute window but since we've changed the lights in the kitchen, hubby and I both agreed that it would look better and simple without a curtain.

We have installed a floating shelf on top of the microwave for some cute jars where I placed some tea bags, sugar, coffee and creamer.  Since the shelf is quite big, we also placed there that cute decorative lamp which I bought from Bangkok during our recent visit there.

We've changed our curtains to match the color of the cabinets and installed a wall fan right in front of the dining table.

I know that our kitchen and dining is not really that elegant compared to other kitchen deigns I've seen online but thanks God, I am satisfied.  What is important for me is that it is simple, clean and organized.  I hate clutter and I love to organize, for me that's freeing myself from stress.  Sounds like a real home maker eh!

 So that's it!I might be doing some minor touch ups every now and then but what's important is that we were able to do a simple project for summer that's pleasant and worthwhile.

Until my next make over!

Finding the Right Shipping Container for Your Needs

Image by ceiling via Flickr

You might be looking for shipping containers for hire in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, or anywhere else in Australia. There are lots of different shipping containers that are available, so you will need to know what cargo you are looking to transport and how much of it you are transporting. Shipping containers are available in a variety of different sizes, with different lengths but with uniform width and height. The only exception to this is a high cube shipping container which is taller than a standard shipping container. Working out how the amount of cargo that you are carrying will allow you to choose the right sized shipping container to meet your requirements.

Shopping Around for a Shipping Container for Hire

Image by CAS via flickr

Try using a search engine to search for shipping containers for hire in your local area. You want to use a local company as this can save you money. The less distance to drop off the shipping container, the less the shipping container will cost. You will also find that a local company will probably be able to supply shipping containers on a shorter lead time, which can be handy when you have a sudden requirement. Try to get as many quotes as you can for a range of different shipping containers which are suitable for your needs. As well as comparing prices, you will also need to compare the quality of the shipping containers as they are not all made equal! A reputable company will fully service each and every shipping container before it is delivered to the client. This ensures that the shipping container is in good condition, with all of the seals and doors working as they should do.

Use the Expertise of the Company

If you are unfamiliar with hiring shipping containers, then you will need to do some research as well as utilise the companies’ advisors that you are talking to. By giving them your requirement of what you are shipping and where to, they will be able to advise you as to the best solution for your transportation requirements. Even if you have experience, it is good to still ask these questions as it will help to judge the knowledge and professionalism of the company you are speaking with. There are also lots of forums and websites where you can post questions and find answers for many questions related to shipping containers. Taking part in forums is also an excellent way to get people’s firsthand experience with companies that you are potentially looking to use to hire a shipping container from.

Check Your Contracts

A good way to save some money when hiring a shipping container is try to avoid hiring from a company that will make you sign a long-term contract. There are many companies that will want you to sign either a weekly or monthly contract. This means that if you pay for a month and only use it two days, you will pay for the rest of the month as well even though you are not using the shipping container for that duration. There are companies that will allow you to hire a shipping container on an on-going basis, which means that you will only pay for the shipping container for the amount of time that you actually use it. As soon as the container is collected, you stop paying for it.

Inspect your Shipping Container before Signing for It

When you have chosen the company you are using and arranged for the delivery of the shipping container before you accept the shipping container, make sure that you inspect it fully. Hopefully, the company that you use will have serviced it thoroughly before delivering it, but it is worthwhile to check it properly and make a note of any damage or faults. The last thing you want is for your cargo to get damaged in transit due to poor quality shipping containers. Once you are happy you just need to start loading your cargo on board and getting it ready to be shipped!

House Repairs And Improvements

I am totally relieved after we've done with all the repairs and improvements on the house that we're renting out. Our new tenant has already moved in on a brand new day of June.  It was one hectic month of May when we have introduced all the improvements in the house.  We were not lucky enough to get our previous tenant who did not only violate my rules as a landlord but who also abused in a way.  Imagine them keep on adding house occupants every now and then without asking for my permission or even just pay a respect by informing me of their intention?  It was two hits in a row that I wasn't lucky enough to get responsible and good tenants.  Now, I am crossing my fingers that our new tenant who has just moved in will be totally different from the first two.  The first two tenants did not take good care of the house. Our house was a total mess after they've left.  Because of this, I have to spend quite a lot on repairs.  It's not that easy now coz the cost of the materials is really high now as well as the labor cost.  Thanks God that we're done.  We have invested not only my husband's precious time as he was the one who oversees the whole thing and he also helped out in painting the house but also a large sum of money to pay for the materials and labor.

We're pleased with the outcome though.  Everything was restored and the house looked even better than before.  Now, we became more careful with our rules.  We've insisted for a contract to be signed, I have demanded for a 2 months deposit which I intend to use to cover up the expenses for damages in the house resulting from carelessness of the occupants and also to cover for the unsettled utility bills.  I had that bad experience from my first tenant wherein I've answered for all the unpaid utility bills amounting to more than 11K.  Not only that she left the house with unsettled obligations amounting to 3 months rental.

Now I've learned from my experience and vow not to suffer from the same thing again.

Here's some of the photos of the house after the repairs:

master bedroom with it's own terrace and toilet

photos of the living room

inside the Master's Bedroom

kids room

elevated water tank

We've bought a new water pump ( 1 hp) for the tenant to use as our house is on elevated lot and water supply from the city's main line can only be availed in the afternoon.  With the use of this water tank, they can be assured of a steady supply of water 24 hrs a day.

I hope everything now in the house is okay as we practically attended to every small details like changing some electrical fixtures, changing all the faucets and shower heads in the bath room, sockets, switches, etc. We've also managed to change the counter top tiles in the kitchen, vinyl flooring and even repainted interior and the exterior of the whole house including the fences and window grills.   Window screens were also changed including some pieces of broken glasses in the steel windows.

Now everything is back into shape and we're hoping that the new tenant will take care of our precious investment.

What to Do with Your Old Couches

There comes a time in every couch’s life when it has gotten so old and tatty. It is time to replace it. A lot of time people will get rid of perfectly good furniture only because it is not aesthetically pleasing to the eye although they are still fully functional. So what can you do with your old comfortable couches to put them to good use, rather than throwing them away?

Cleaning your Old Couch

When your new couch has arrived in your living room and you do not want to throw away your old couch, give it a good cleaning before you decide what to do with it. Take your vacuum cleaner and get all of the dust and debris from all of the crevices. If your old couch is leather or vinyl, take a damp cloth and wipe down the surface of the couch, getting rid of all of the dust. It is surprising how much of a difference a good cleaning can make; it can bring back to life old furniture. If you have a couch made of fabric, then you can get stain remover and other cleaning products to bring back the colours in your couch.

Sprucing up your Couch

Now that you have cleaned up your couch, you will be able to see all of the blemishes, tears, and other problems that a couch collects over the years! If you have a material couch and you can remove all of the covers, you may want to think about using a dye to change the colour of your couch. If you have rips or tears which need to be addressed, then rather than go through the expense to reupholster your couch, try covering them up with some blankets, sheets or other types of material to throw over your couch and hide all of those unsightly blemishes. A few strategically placed cushions are also a good way to hide any marks that you want to cover up. With a bit of hard work cleaning and some cheap colourful material, you can get your old couch looking almost like new again, quite easily! 

Finding your Couch a New Home

You have now got your old worn our couch in a presentable state, and now you need to find somewhere that you can use it. If you have a large enough house, then there are many rooms that you may be able to use a comfy couch.

• Children’s Bedroom
• Spare Bedroom Gazebo 
• Second Lounge Room
• Hallway
• Study
• Conservatory
• Gazebo

There are lots of different rooms where a couch is an ideal piece of additional furniture. If you add your couch to children’s bedroom or even a spare room, then this can also double up as an additional place for someone to sleep---great when you regularly entertain friends or family. You may have a second living room which will be an ideal location for your old couch, or you may even have room in your hallway, which gives people the option to sit down before taking off their shoes. If you have a study or a conservatory, then these are also great places for your old couch, where you can sit down and relax whilst you read a book, or take a snooze. A Gazebo or outdoor decking is also a good idea, but you will need to make sure that your couches do not get wet and that they are protected from the elements. Just because you have invested in a new couch, does not mean you have to throw away your old couches, re-use them and put them to good use, especially if they are still really comfortable.

Add More Storage Spaces To Your Kitchen

There are lots of ways to keep your kitchen organized and surfing online, you can never ran out of countless possibilities.  Adding more storage spaces in the kitchen can really do the trick. Not only will it make your kitchen clutter free, it can also make your kitchen looking elegant, organized and professional.

One of the basic things that we need to look into when it comes to organizing is the kitchen cabinets.  It needs to have pull out shelves, drawer organizers, spice rack, lazy susan, door storage, towel holders and more.  It really pays to save on space as this will help you create more seating areas or just simply make your entire dining room and kitchen look spacious.  There's nothing compared to a spacious, well ventilated but fully functional kitchen.

In need of ideas to incorporate in your already existing kitchen?  That's not really a problem, you may want to visit www.ovisonline.com.  They have these kitchen make over ideas and a variety of products to suit your needs.  You will surely love their selection of cabinet organizers and their featured decorative hardware.

Every Mom deserves a nice and beautiful kitchen.  After all, it's the most used part of the house and where delightful meals are prepared for our loved ones.

   

Flexible Garden Hose

I have ordered this flexible garden hose from Lazada which according to the specs provided can be extended up to 50 ft.  I ordered this product for garden use due to a number of reasons:

flexible and can be expanded to reach any location around my garden area

it's light weight and can easily be stored

it's affordable at Php499

When I received this product few days ago, I was surprised to see that it is just contained in a small box.  It's not as huge as what can be seen on the online photo.  Now I'm wondering if this can really be stretched to 50 ft.  I haven't tried using it though so it's still very early to judge.  It's true that it's compact and light weight though.  I am looking forward to using this product to water the plants around the yard and for cleaning purposes, too.  I'm not a heavy weight person so I can't afford to carry heavy objects and this prompted me to buy this one.  I hope that it could serve it's purpose and I really get to try this soon. maybe after we've finished most of our projects in the house.

Boost Your Income Through Real Estate

I've been repeatedly posting articles here in my blog about investing in real estate and why I have personally chosen to invest in lots.  A house or a lot is a fixed asset that could increase it's market value over the years. The more it stays longer, the more it add up to it's value.  You may need to shed a huge capital at first or you may bring out some money from your pocket from time to time for the maintenance of the house but it's all worth it.  I made use of my first house and lot to finance my second property by mortgaging it to a private individual without accruing an interest.  Our condition includes allowing the mortgagee to occupy the house on the duration of the contract for free and that served as the interest for the amount loaned.  This is much better than paying huge interest when you loan from banks.  After saving enough money to pay for the loaned amount, I redeemed the house and rented it out.  I used  up the rental fees to develop the second property and the rest is history.  

Now that I've stopped working, I am exerting all my efforts to build another house or a studio type room on my spare lot that I could rent out again to increase my monthly income derived through house rental.  That way, I could live comfortably while staying at home with my family.  For those who would like to invest in real estate properties but don't have enough money to purchase in cash, you may want to try getting one from real estate companies and pay in installment. There's a lot that you could choose from like sunnyislesmiamirealestate.com.   

There's no perfect time to start than now.  Invest while you are still young and capable of paying the monthly mortgage or saving up enough cash to pay the full price of the house.  I am certain that you wouldn't regret the idea of having one.  Until now, I still haven't changed my mind.  Investing in real estate is still the best investment for me. 

Create A Cozy Corner in Your Backyard

Eclectic Patio by Austin Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers B. Jane Gardens

The summer heat is really killing me! My husband who just came back home to spend his home leave is also complaining about the extreme heat.  It seemed like you don't have a comfortable place to stay inside the house.  Well, turning the air conditioning on 24 hours a day could be an option, but can you afford to pay the huge increase in your utility bills?

Creating a relaxing and cozy corner in your backyard could help.  If you have that space in your yard, you can create an instant reading nook or just simply a space for you to relax and get a fresh air.  You could choose that spot with lots of greens for a more added freshness and cooling effect.  You do not need to buy anything to create your own cozy space.  Using what you already have at home will be a wiser alternative.

Go and scout for those unused chair or bench in the house, set up a small garden by using recycable containers and voila, you will be on your way to a relaxing afternoon nap or tea break.

Choosing Alternative College Housing Options

Although many college students choose to live in dorms, these aren’t the only options. Dorms do have certain advantages, and are often the most convenient form of housing. However, many students prefer to get off campus and venture into more “adult” housing. Housing options like Campus Evolution Villages at Murray State can be a good compromise between the two—maintaining a close connection with the school while giving students a little more freedom than a traditional dorm.

What to Look For

When choosing your college housing, it’s a good idea to look around at a variety of options in the area to see what each one has to offer. Internet access is usually a must, unless you want to complete all your schoolwork at your library or computer room. Utilities like heat and electricity may come included in your rent, or you may have to pay extra for these. Once you look at the most important deciding factors, you can compare other benefits like pools, weight rooms, laundry rooms, or athletic facilities. You may also be influenced by the distance from campus and the nearest grocery store, especially if you don’t own a car.

When You Move In

Alternative college housing options like Campus Evolution Villages at Murray State are a great way to introduce students to the responsibilities of the adult world. Once you move in, you will be responsible for making your own food, cleaning your apartment, and doing laundry. There’s a lot more work involved than living in a dorm, and it’s important to learn how to budget your time effectively. You will also have more financial responsibilities, like paying rent and monthly bills. While this can seem like a hassle, it’s also a good way to build up a good credit history. When you get out into the “real world” after you graduate, you’ll have a solid financial foundation to start out with. This is also a good time to get a credit card, if you don’t already have one. Using your credit card regularly—and responsibly—is another way to establish good credit with the banks. And you'll probably need it to buy gas and groceries, along with all your school supplies.

I Got To Do This!

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I already have one cup cake tower which I bought from a local store but I am still planning to have more since baking and selling cup cakes is also our business.  I've found this beautifully crafted cup cake tower made from goblets and serving platters.  I think this is really worth a try coz when I went shopping last time, I saw some cheap serving platters in nice colors and shape at a local thrift store.  I guess goblets are not so hard to find, too.  This is really a cool project this summer and I would definitely include this in my bucket list of projects.