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How to Organize LEGO Instruction Manuals

If you're wondering how to organize LEGO instruction manuals, this post is full of helpful tips and suggestions to keep the instruction books neat and tidy! Toys in general can be pretty tough to organize, but of all of the toys my boys have, their LEGO collection has probably taken the most time and effort...

The post How to Organize LEGO Instruction Manuals appeared first on Just a Girl and Her Blog.

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What is a Surety Bond and How it Differs from Insurance?

Small business owners have several ways to protect their financial position from loss, some of which are better understood than others. Insurance coverage, often in the form of liability insurance, and surety bonds are two of the most common types of protection small businesses may implement. While these terms are often used interchangeably, there are distinct differences that make them stand apart from one another. This brief guide provides insight into how surety bonds work, how that differs from insurance coverage, and when either is needed to safeguard a business and its customers.

The Ins and Outs of Surety Bonds

Being bonded and insured is not the same thing. Surety bonds – the first part of that phrase – provide protection to the customers and clients of businesses owners, licensed contractors, and other professionals. Bonds are provided by surety agencies as a way to reduce financial losses or damages incurred by the bondholder's customer should the contract agreed upon not be completed. In some cases, surety bonds are required as part of the licensing process. However, regardless of the type of surety bond in place, each agreement works similarly for the surety agency, the bondholder, and the customer.

When a contractor or business acquires a surety bond, there are three parties involved in the transaction. First, the surety agency that provides the bond evaluates the business owner or contractor to determine if a bond can be put in place. If so, the individual requesting the bond receives a certificate of bonding after paying for the coverage. The third party is the job owner, or the customer, that requires a bond to be in play for a new project to begin. For instance, a construction contractor may have the job site owner as the third party, as that individual or company is at risk if the contractor does not perform as agreed.

When a claim is made against the bond because work is not done in-line with regulations or is not completed per the original agreement, the surety agency pays legitimate claims on behalf of the bondholder. In this sense, a surety bond is like insurance. However, the bondholder is then required to repay the claim amount back to the surety agency.   

Breaking Down Insurance Coverage

Insurance coverage for a business or an individual contractor differs from surety bonds in several ways. First, business insurance is offered by an insurance company or agency, not a surety agency, and it is not always a requirement for licensing as a professional. Insurance coverage works to protect the business owner or contractor from financial losses. These losses may be the result of damage to the business or inventory, employee theft or other theft, fire, flood, or liability issues that arise with a customer or worker. There are only two parties involved in insurance: the insured and the insurer.

When a claim is made against an insurance policy, the insurance company pays out a benefit up to the limits of the policy for damages incurred, directly to the business or the contractor. This helps protect the individual or entity from financial ruin for circumstances beyond their control. There is no obligation to repay insurance benefits received, which differs from surety bonds for contractors.

Other Notable Differences

In addition to the organizations that offer surety bonds and insurance, and the fundamental ways each type of instrument works, there are other subtle differences between surety bonds and insurance coverage. First, surety bond pricing is based on the financial history and claims track record of the business or contractor. Because surety bond claims are paid by the surety agency and then repaid by the bondholder, individuals with surety bonds are extended a form of credit when getting a new bond. For this reason, surety agencies look closely at the financials of the individual and the business, including credit history and score. The cost of a surety bond is calculated as a percentage of the total bond amount put in place.

Insurance, on the other hand, is priced based on other risk factors. For instance, if a business owner has faced liability issues in the past where an insurance claim was paid, the cost of new insurance coverage may be high. However, most insurance companies do not review credit history or score when determining if a new policy can be issued. They focus more on the risks of the business, based on the type of insurance policy the individual is trying to secure. The cost of insurance is a monthly or annual premium that is paid based on these factors, not a percentage of the insurance policy taken out.

Both surety bonds and insurance coverage are valuable protection strategies for businesses and contractors. However, there are differences bondholders and insured individuals should be aware of before selecting the type of coverage necessary. Understanding these differences is beneficial in protecting your business, your customers, or both.

Eric Weisbrot is the Chief Marketing Officer of JW Surety Bonds. With years of experience in the surety industry under several different roles within the company, he is also a contributing author to the surety bond blog.

L

The post What is a Surety Bond and How it Differs from Insurance? appeared first on The Blogging Painters.

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The Landscape Revisited - My most valuable lessons of 2018

The 2018 growing season is coming to a close. Thanksgiving is behind us and the next holiday season is closing in. In Massachusetts, we've already had eight inches of snow dumped on us. At my company, as we're valiantly struggling to keep working through the snow, rain, frost, and mud, I realize the mixed blessing that garden making is for me, my staff and our clients. Full of ups and downs, successes and failures, working in the landscape and with nature is not a task that anyone should take on if they expect a predictable, repeatable work environment. That isn't a good description of the outside work life...at least not where I live.

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Friday favorites

Hello! I am sharing this house again for Friday favorites because it is one of my all time favorite homes!

3 beauty products I am loving lately.

This is a makeup remover and cleanser all in one. It's inexpensive, comes in cute packaging, and leaves your skin feeling super smooth.

And you will never go back to another shampoo and conditioner after trying this and this. Trust me, it's soooooo good. 

If you are looking for a dark statement chandelier, look no further. This one is so stylish and has so much depth to it. A real statement piece for under $1,000. 

Pottery Barn's annual white sale is going on now, where you can save 20% on bedding, sheets, towels, and more. Plus free shipping with code FREESHIP.

Their Christmas items have also been marked down even further, so get a jump on next year with some of their cute holiday items! I particularly love these-

This rug is a surprisingly good price for what you get. I love it in Sarah's home.

Wishing everyone a very happy weekend!

xoxo

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3 Laundry Room Resolutions For 2019

Maybe, after watching Tidying Up with Marie Kondo on Netflix, you decided you needed to overhaul your laundry situation ASAP. Or maybe “wall cabinets for laundry room” has been on your wish list for a while now and 2019 is the year you finally check it off! Either way, home organization is a common resolution and the best way to achieve it is by setting small, actionable steps you can actually accomplish. Here are three things you can do to spruce up your laundry room this year.

Avoid running out of supplies by keeping laundry detergent in large containers.

Laundry detergent is a bulky buy, so most homeowners only keep one in the house at a time and replace it when they run out. While storage savvy, this approach sometimes leaves us in a pinch. Like when we turn on the washer only to learn we're out of detergent. Oops!

To avoid running out of supplies right when you need it, store liquid detergent in a beverage dispenser - clearly labeled, of course. Whenever you want to find out how much detergent you have left, you can simply lift up the top and take a peak.

For powder detergent, use a clear jar with a wide brim. This will allow you to easily scoop the product out when doing a wash, and keep your eye out for low levels.

While storing detergent this way is convenient, it's also cute! If you want your laundry room to be more aesthetically pleasing, this is an easy swap that can really make the space more stylish.

Install cabinets in your laundry room.

When you have wall cabinets for laundry room essentials like soap and dryer sheets, it makes washing clothes a million times more enjoyable. You no longer have to use your appliances as shelves and can finally keep things in order.

You can also utilize the space in your laundry room cabinetry for any clothing related items, such as an iron and hand steamer. Having everything in one place really helps to streamline chores.

Storage hacks, like installing a fold out drying rack inside a cabinet, also help to make the most of your laundry room - even if the room is on the smaller side.

Use storage bins and caddies to organize laundry room items.

Having a very specific plan in place can help you keep your resolutions all year long. You need to make changes that can become routine. One way to do this in the laundry room is by designating a specific spot for like items.

Your laundry room is probably home to more than just laundry supplies, which is totally fine. Just make sure any miscellaneous items have a proper place. Use plastic storage bins and caddies to keep similar things together. For example, kitchen cleaning supplies in one bin and stain removers in another. When each thing belongs somewhere, you are more likely to return it there and maintain organization. You can even label your storage bins and caddies for added reinforcement!

At The RTA Store we help make your dream home a reality with RTA (Ready To Assemble) and Pre-Assembled cabinets and accessories. Whether it's your kitchen bathroom, laundry room, home office, bar room or TV room, we offer the same (if not better) quality you would find at any retail store, but for a fraction of the price. Stop by our website or give us a call and let us make your dreams come true with the help of our free room design tool!

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How to Remove Coffee Stains and Messes in the Office

Coffee is a staple that can be found in nearly all office buildings. Unfortunately, numerous people walking around with their coveted cups of Joe are bound to leave behind coffee rings on tables, stains on carpet and spills on upholstery. Coffee stains are pretty much inevitable, so you need to know how to handle these common office mishaps.

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Happy New Year! A Fresh Start Calls for Fresh Color in Your Nashville Home

Ah, the new year... This is prime time for resolutions, new beginnings, rekindled goals, and boundless optimism.

It's great, isn't it? So much potential and promise rolled into the launch of a new year.

While we try to stay out of those resolutions that involve treadmills, gym memberships, and more or less of [you fill in the blank], we do love helping with resolutions that involve home improvement and color.

After all, tackling that project idea that's been gathering dust since 2015 can be just as much a resolution as any other, and completing it will offer benefits you can enjoy for months and years to come.

So, what's on your painting wish list?

Popular Interior Painting Projects in Nashville

#1: Complete Interior Repaints

This is a big season for total repaints! And, for good reason. While localized projects can have tremendous impact, and in some cases are all that's necessary, larger projects offer an unparalleled opportunity for creating a cohesive palette and total transformation. It can also be more budget-friendly too, wrapping up a large project in one fell swoop rather than breaking it up over numerous smaller ventures.

#2: Painting Kitchens and Bathrooms

When done correctly, bathroom and kitchen paint jobs offer some of the highest returns on investment of any home improvement project. These environments can be difficult to paint, though, and are extremely hard on paint products. You need to make a choice guided by experience, and invest in a high-quality application that will really perform as you need it to.

#3: Kitchen Cabinet Painting Services

This is one of our most popular services, and it's not hard to see why. Compared to a full cabinet replacement or kitchen remodel, painting can be much more cost-effective while still offering an incredible transformation.

Just be careful to hire a professional that knows the process inside and out, and has proven experience. Hiring a low bidder who is light on credentials can be an expensive, disappointing mistake.

#4: Repainting for Resale

Is your property going on the market anytime soon? Painting is one of the most recommended strategies for increasing the marketability of your home. Warm, inviting, neutral colors (NOT boring white!) look fresh and enticing, while still leaving room for the imagination of your prospective buyer. They want to envision themselves in the space, and NOT envision a painting project because of damaged, dated, or drab walls.

As we mentioned above, make sure your kitchen and bathrooms are on the list of rooms to refresh, as well as higher-visibility, high-traffic spaces.

How Can We Help with Your Nashville-Area Painting Needs?

Your team at Nash Painting is here to serve you! Please take a moment to get to know us better and explore our values and local history, and then contact our office. We're excited to get your 2019 painting goals rolling!

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QB Robert Griffin III Relists Spectacular Texas Lake House for $2.6M

Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Robert Griffin III has relisted his spectacular mansion in Conroe, TX, for $2.6 million. It was on the market last summer for the same price.

Custom-built in 2007 on the banks of picturesque Lake Conroe, the 9,000-square-foot mansion has seven en suite bedrooms, seven bathrooms, and three half-baths.

Sitting on three lots totaling a full acre in a gated community, the remarkable retreat has double staircases, fireplaces, and living rooms. There's also a wine grotto, media room with stadium seating, and multiple balconies.

The backyard includes a pool with swim-up bar and several waterfalls, an outdoor kitchen, and a private boat dock with two boat slips. The home comes with a massive nine-car garage and a golf cart garage.

Front exterior and courtyard

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One of two living rooms

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Kitchen

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Master bedroom

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Master bath

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Home theater

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Office

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Pool

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Griffin, nicknamed “RG3,” has deep roots in Texas. He won the Heisman Trophy while starring at Baylor University, in Waco.

He purchased this lake property in 2016, but football has meant more time away from the Lone Star State. After sitting out the entire 2017 season, he was picked up as a backup by the Baltimore Ravens. Whether he'll make an NFL roster or play for the 2019 season is still an open question.

The post QB Robert Griffin III Relists Spectacular Texas Lake House for $2.6M appeared first on Real Estate News & Insights | realtor.com®.

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#125: A Tale Of Two Kitchens

Our holiday was full of fun, family, and a freakish amount of Ikea boxes filling the duplex. So this week we're sharing how we navigated the task of installing not one, but two kitchens over winter break – including how things got off to a rocky start – and when we actually saw the light (both literally and figuratively). We also got AN AVALANCHE of feedback from you guys on the small sleeping nook we debated filling with various bed layouts in our last episode, so today we're sharing how we've adjusted our plans to make the room work for as many families as possible. Plus, we tried out a new money-saving trick (why haven't we been doing this for years?!) and requested some info from our international listeners that we hope leads to some interesting revelations.

You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify – or listen to it below! Note: If you're reading in a feed reader, you may have to click through to the post to see the player.

What's New

This was the scene on Christmas morning when our kids found their dollhouses (which we discussed getting in Episode #124). Below you can see the interiors a bit closer, which we filled with furniture that came with one of them, plus a $35 box of stuff we snagged off Facebook Marketplace on Christmas Eve (!!!).

We'll share more of them as Sherry and the kids begin the process of fixing them up.

And thanks for your feedback from Episode #124 about the small sleeping nook on each side of the duplex. As you heard in the episode, we found a flexible solution that involves these Ikea mattress bases.

We'll share more photos of our final plan once they come together a little more, but for now I'll treat you to these incredibly lifelike “renderings” that Sherry did on her phone to show the three configurations that we can achieve with the beds we bought.

Also, this was the pop-up trundle bed from Ikea that came highly recommended by lots of you! Since it doesn't accommodate the highest voted option from last week's poll (two separate twin beds) it wasn't right for us, but if you're looking for a pop up trundle (with two twin mattresses on the same level to create a king), about 1,000 people suggested this one!

Pinterest 100 Game

image source

Here's the full 2019 Pinterest 100 list for your perusing pleasure, plus you can hear last year's game in Episode #78 and the year before's quiz in Episode #30.

Shown above is their example of “geometric paint treatments” by the way.

Also, here's the makeover we shared where reader Angela painted her tile floor to give it total makeover for under $75. It still blows my mind that this is just a stencil!

Design Norms Around The World

As suggested by a UK listener named Jo after hearing Episode #122's discussion of laundry room placements, we'd love to hear about home design “norms” that are common in your part of the globe (particularly if they differ from what you hear us talk about).

Please use the Google Form below, and don't forget to specify what country, state, or region you're writing about.

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Duplex Kitchen Progress

Those are HALF of the boxes that were delivered for the duplex kitchens and laundry rooms on each side of the house (the other half were stacked on the other side).

It was slow-going the first couple of days, but we eventually got rolling and are really excited about our progress. We're planning to write a detailed blog post about the actual steps and materials that can make installing an Ikea kitchen go a lot more smoothly (this is our fourth rodeo) so you can stay tuned for that – hopefully in a week or two.

Below you can see the wall Sherry mentioned in the episode that was so bowed that it required lots of shimming to keep the metal cabinet rail straight (this was an exterior wall where we used the original framing).

And again, we'll share more pictures soon, but below is a peek at how far we got by the end of the holiday break. There's still toekicks to be added, hardware to be installed, plus little details like appliances, counters, and backsplashes.

But getting this far means we can finally get our counters templated and our appliances installed!

We're Digging

Since I can't link to the specific eBay coupon that I used for our shower curtains (I used it up!), I'll link you to the shower curtains we bought. They're the same extra-long white waffle shower curtains that we used in the beach house, which work great for 8ft ceiling (there are also these longer ones for 9ft ceilings). Oh and we use these shower liners for the 8′ foot ceiling-ed rooms, and these are the ones we use for 9 ft ones.

I also want to add that after recording I spent $3 to get THREE 10% off your order coupons for Lowe's, which has already saved me over $50 on curtains rods & ring clips (more glamorous duplex purchases).

And last but not least, here's Headbanz, our family's new favorite game for everyone in the household.

If you're looking for something we've dug in a past episode, but don't remember which show notes to click into, here's a master list of everything we've been digging from all of our past episodes. You can also see all the books we've recommended on our Book Club page.

And lastly, a big thank you to You Need A Budget (YNAB) for sponsoring this episode. Sign up at YNAB.com/YHL to get your first three months free!

Thanks for listening, guys!

*This post contains affiliate links*

The post #125: A Tale Of Two Kitchens appeared first on Young House Love.

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Protect your family from the dangers of radon gas

For many, buying a home is a dream come true. However, if you've been through the process, you know it's not an easy task. You must figure out how much you can afford, get pre-approved, make an offer, and get a home inspection.

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Thai Meatballs

These Thai meatballs are HUGE on flavor and make for an amazing clean main entree. Keto, paleo, whole30 and just plain finger-lickin' good, these meatballs are show-stopping delicious. I'm thrilled to share this recipe for Thai Meatballs with you, not ...

The post Thai Meatballs appeared first on The Roasted Root.

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Work From Home Seasonal Tax Jobs with Intuit

Tax season is here, which means Intuit is hiring Seasonal Tax Support and Tax Experts for TurboTax users. This job is remote, so you can help people file their taxes, answer questions about deductions, and sell new tax products right from home by online chat, phone, or video.

Working with Intuit

Intuit is offers two seasonal options. The first is Seasonal Tax Support and the second is Seasonal Tax Expert (including CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Practicing Attorney).

(You'll have to check their job openings page to check for current openings.)

Seasonal Tax Support Position with Intuit

Let's take a look at the Seasonal Tax Support option first. This job assists Turbo Tax customers with necessary tax support. You'll be required to answer both tax questions and technical support questions, as well as troubleshoot any issues.

For this job a college degree is a plus and you'll also need a background in business, finance, accounting or taxes. Basic knowledge of tax laws and familiarity with a 1040 and tax schedules is all needed.

Here are some more prerequisites for the position:

Strong customer service skills, you must instill trust and confidence

Previous experience preparing federal and state returns for individuals

Tax preparation experience in a retail setting is a plus

Previous experience providing service through a call center

Strong research skills – the ability to use online resources to quickly find answers

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Ability to use audio and visual tools to communicate with customers

Ability to interact with customers through video in a professional manner

Bilingual (English/Spanish) written and spoken skills a plus

Seasonal Tax Expert Position with Intuit

The second position is a Seasonal Tax Expert which includes Enrolled Agents, CPA's and Practicing Attorneys. Most of your client interaction will be by video and you'll be responsible for providing tax advice, tax calculations, and product and software inquiries. For this job you'll need:

Active credentials as a CPA, Enrolled Agent, or Practicing Attorney with strong tax preparation experience and extensive knowledge of tax laws

Active Preparer Tax Identification Number

3 or more recent years of experience preparing federal and state individual 1040 returns using commercial tax preparation software

Professional Circular 360 judgement

Audit experience with IRS or state tax authority a plus

Solid knowledge of computer operations and software

Dedicated internet connection and landline phone

Strong customer service skills

Audio and visual tools to communicate with customers via video

Excellent verbal and written skills. Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) a plus.

Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while problem-solving

Getting Paid

Seasonal Tax Support positions pay between $9 and $12 per hour depending on the position and your experience. Seasonal Tax Experts can earn about $18 per hour, more for audit and analytical work.

Payment is through direct deposit and made on a bi-weekly basis. Your hours are dependent on your availability and the shifts available. You will need to commit to working a set amount of shifts per week, but you can request shifts that work with your schedule.

How to Apply

To see what positions are available and begin the application process, visit Intuit's Career page. Each job listing has its own qualifications and application process. You can learn more by clicking on the available jobs.

The post Work From Home Seasonal Tax Jobs with Intuit appeared first on Single Moms Income.

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Three Approaches to Lead Generation for 2019

Amy Chorew, the VP of Learning at Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate, interviewed three top brokers to gain insights on their best practices for lead generation. John Jackson from John Jackson Neighborhood Real Estate, Lane Hornung from 8z Real Estate, and Heather Bush from Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Capital Area were excited to share their expertise.

John Jackson,

John Jackson Neighborhood Real Estate: Racing for Approachable

John takes a friendly approach to lead generation. By being both approachable and desirable, his brokerage finds much success in being able to convert leads. To make their presence known, the traditional avenues of open houses and Facebook ads are used. However, their major investment lies in nurturing client relationships rather than cold leads.

As an avid runner, John heavily supports athletic events that are not necessarily client-focused. By sponsoring local races and having the company name on running bibs, the brokerage is able to present itself to the local public in a community-oriented way. John believes that inspiration and a bit of runner's high, first- or second-hand, will inspire the public.

While it is always a challenge to define measurable market presence, being approachable, knowledgeable and desirable makes prospective clients want to engage. Sixty percent of leads are company-driven and agents drive the other 40 percent in a high-support setup. John makes it part of his responsibility to be the inside sales person. He nurtures leads and matures them before handing them off to a team member. A shared Google doc tracks hot, warm and cold statuses as well as every communication sent to all leads, regardless of how they were shaped. Agents can count on these leads, but are also incentivized to nurture their own.

Lane Hornung,

8z Real Estate: Get visual

Lane believes in the power of a visual to explain his approach to lead generation, which is driven by numbers. He imagines the process as a triangle – internet, sphere and hyperlocal. The first side of the triangle is dedicated to new lead generation sourced from the internet using SEO, organic and paid traffic, Facebook campaigns for market listing ads and name recognition ads. Ads are hyperlocal, within a half-mile radius of the brokerage in most cases. The sphere, which is the foundation, is next, where sweat equity ensures measurable leads. Finally, the high-support brokerage uses SEO, Facebook market listings and a digital farming strategy in which each agent is assigned a neighborhood.

Leads are given to the client care team to improve the prospective client's chance of closing to 10 percent or better.

Heather Bush,

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Capital Area: Relocation, relocation, relocation

Heather harnesses the power of technology and outsourcing for lead generation. Her brokerage's unique system focuses on relocation as a primary source of business. Military personnel must buy and sell houses quickly for deployment or new assignments. Additionally, members of the corporate world also need a reliable agent to help with their specific housing needs. This niche has proven quite lucrative for the brokerage.

Opt City is a referral source that does away with upfront costs and requires payment only upon closing for brokerages. Inquiries are filtered and nurtured until the lead is warm enough to be handed off to an agent. Clients are introduced with a live, warm phone transfer. Agents start with lower quality leads until their performance score indicates that they're ready to receive a higher volume and improved leads.

Another tool, Cartus, is a leader in global/logistical relocation services for military personnel and corporations. As a Better Homes and Gardens® Real Estate in-house resource, ZAP provides lead generation strategic insights. With the website and app, the client begins the homebuying process by selecting their preferences. Online activity is meticulously tracked and algorithms indicate when a transaction is imminent. Agents receive metrics and insights to boost daily and long-term projections.

Heather believes that while resources aid in lead generation, ultimately, what makes a transaction is the relationship. By getting to know clients and addressing their specific needs and lifestyle, a lifelong connection can be formed that will result in referrals upon referrals. Follow-up is essential with market news, design advice and other relevant information.

Visit our AllThingsRE Facebook Page to view the full panel live, or click here.

No matter your approach, consider leveraging these insights to help shape and improve your business in 2019.

The post Three Approaches to Lead Generation for 2019 appeared first on Clean Slate.

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The Love List

As we settle in and ready ourselves for the festivities over the coming days, I wanted to pause for a moment and say Thank You. Thank you for visiting here, leaving kind comments, and sharing in these moments of my life. I'm very grateful for the time that you spend time here. Wishing you peace, love and joy. Merry Christmas. *** How to host a holiday party, the French way The natural light in this Swedish home is so dreamy In search of last minute gifts? This book or a gift certificate for Audible.com or Audible.ca would be a great idea. On choosing slow this holiday season I'm planning a few changes around here for the new year. One of them will be a subscriber newsletter. In 11+ years of blogging, I've never sent a newsletter to you kind folks who visit here! I'd be honoured if you sign up for my newsletter and let me send additional ideas, inspiration, and interesting things your way. I'd love to get to know you better and think this will be a meaningful and fun way to do that. I promise not to clutter your mailbox and will only send a note when I have something valuable to say ;)

I'm not usually a loft person, but I find this one quite charming I need one of these prints in my life. This one might be my favourite Every single piece of pottery they make is stunning I'm enjoying watching Sarah's new family fixer upper come together. Follow the progress in her Instagram highlights I'll be taking a break for the next week and I hope you are enjoying quiet time too. Have a wonderful holiday, friends!

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January is Get Organized and Be Productive Month

The National Association of Professional Organizers has once again declared January Get Organized and Be Productive Month!

We love the idea of starting off the year on the right foot, and we hope that you get in on the organizing spirit. NAPO has many events scheduled across the country as part of their Get Organized and Be Productive Month.

Also, Amazon is interested in helping you get organized in January with a number of good deals on storage solutions and organizing books.

Do you have plans to get organized in January? Let us know about your plans in the comments. You can help inspire all of us.

    This post has been updated since its original publication in 2009.

Post written by Erin Doland

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A Cute Way to Display a Little Cross-Stitch Project

I browse around on Pinterest a lot to find projects to share with you, and while this isn't a cross-stitch pattern itself it is a really cute way to display a bit of cross stitch that you might want to … Read More...

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No Interior Bearing Walls and Be a Plasterer

You're looking at magnificent floor trusses. These are spanning 28 feet, but you can go greater distances with ease. There's no need for a bearing wall or beam under them to support the weight of the floor above. (C) Copyright 2018 Tim Carter

No Interior Bearing Walls

QUESTION #1: Tim, is it possible to build a multi-story home with no, or few, interior bearing walls or beams? I've looked at lumber span tables and regular lumber doesn't seem to be able to do what I want to be done. What are my options and have you ever solved this problem before? Stewart F., Portland, ME

You can build a multi-story home with no bearing walls. It's been done for decades. The most amazing thing about how to do it is one just uses regular 2x4s to solve the problem! No, that's not a typo!

Let's first discuss the span tables that Stewart mentioned. A span table is a chart that shows how far a certain floor joist can span and not bend too much depending on several factors. The wood species, the grade of the lumber, and the height or size of the floor joist are the primary things taken into consideration when creating the tables.

It's important to realize that different species of lumber have wildly different strength characteristics. When I was building every day, Douglas Fir was one of the strongest types of lumber you could buy. Southern Yellow Pine was also very strong. Hemlock, on the other hand, was somewhat weak.

Decades ago, I used floor trusses made with ordinary 2x4s to create the floor of a large room addition for a client. He refused to have any interior load-bearing walls or beams and also wanted a floor that was as solid as concrete with no bounce in it. Magic floor trusses solve problems like these and offer much more to architects, builders, and homeowners.

A floor truss is made in a factory where common roof trusses are made. Advanced computer technology designs the exact size and shape of the truss to meet whatever specifications you require.

The end result is a wood floor truss that looks much like large steel bridges that span rivers and canyons. I'm sure you've seen hundreds of these where the horizontal top and bottom members of the bridge are connected by numerous other pieces of steel that look like a bunch of connected letter W's one after another along the side of the bridge. This design can be done with steel, 2x4s, and even toothpicks for class science projects!

Plumbing, heating and cooling, and electrical contractors love working with floor trusses. They have virtually unlimited places to run pipes, ducts, and cables never having to drill one hole. The center of each floor truss almost always has a wide-open chase for a heating or cooling contractor to install his primary supply ducting down the center of the entire floor from one end to the other.

A floor truss can be designed to span 30, or more, feet with ease. The truss manufacturer can build them so strong that there's no bounce to the floor at all. This comes in very handy if you desire a tile floor. Tile and grout can crack if installed over wood floors that are springy and bouncy.

Two or three carpenters can easily move around these giant floor trusses. You don't need to have a large crane on a job site to set them. Each truss is an identical copy of the one next to it so the finished floor is flat and smooth with no humps or dips in it. These imperfections are quite common with normal dimensional lumber floor joists.

You can discover lots more about floor trusses as well as the closest lumberyard near you that can order them for you. Visit: http://go.askthebuilder.com/bestwaytoframe Since each job is different, these epic building materials are not a stock item you can just go pick up today. This is why you've probably never ever seen them before. I guarantee you'll be spellbound when you discover all that floor trusses make possible.

Be a Plasterer

QUESTION #2: Tim, the builder, I hope you can help me. A recent bathroom remodeling job turned into a larger project resulting in a large patch of wall plaster that's got to be replaced. My contractor's drywall people have never done plaster repair. How would you fix this 3-foot by 3-foot hole in the wall if it were your home? I'm tempted to try to do the plaster repair myself. Do you think this is a folly as does my husband? Ann W., Montrose, CA

Situations like this had to be part of the inspiration for the children's book The Little Engine That Could. My moniker around my home is 'dream crusher' because I often inject reality into family discussions. More often than not in DIY situations, my reality creates smiles. I say, “Get a simple plastering trowel out and get to work!” Yes, you can achieve professional results with the right attitude and some guidance.

You're blessed to be living in an age where technology permits the easy sharing of knowledge. Quite a few professionals have invested vast amounts of time and resources to create excellent step-by-step videos of how to do thousands of projects. I've been doing it for nearly twenty years and have over 650 DIY videos on my AsktheBuilder YouTube channel.

Kirk Giordano is another example. He's a professional plasterer that lives and works in the Bay Area of California. He's created hundreds and hundreds of videos sharing his hard-earned knowledge about plaster and stucco installation. 

Kirk is a great teacher and has several videos that show you exactly how to make the plaster repair that Ann's facing. What if I told you that you could have the repair completed start to finish in less than two hours? The plaster you need is probably in a bag at a local plaster distributor not too far from your home or you can buy it online and have it delivered to your home! The special plaster trowel you need with the curved corners is also affordable and readily available. You'll be blown away when you see how easy it is to apply the fresh plaster and trowel it so it's smooth. If you completely botch the job, then just chop it out and try again. But I'm convinced that after watching Kirk's videos, you'll get it right the first time!

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