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Can One Small Change Save You Money in 2019?

This article is from PocketSmith, one of my partners. If you choose to sign up for the service from this post, I'll receive a small commission. If you're trying to get on the right financial track, you can make a small change and save money in the long run.

  Setting big financial goals, like getting out of debt or saving for a home, can be daunting. But what if you usher in 2019 by focusing on one small change that could result in big gains financially?

Start by picking one thing you'd like to spend less on.

Then, take a moment to be curious about the reasons for the desire to change your spending habit. Do you think your curiosity will help you be more successful in making your one small change? Rather than if it was a New Year's resolution?

The answer to the latter is yes, and we'll explain why below. In the meantime, here are some examples of small changes that yield big differences and help you save money over a year:

What does curiosity have to do with change?

While change can be hard, curiosity – according to top mindfulness researcher Dr. Judson Brewer – feels good. So to effectively change a habit, you should enjoy the process by being curious about why this habit exists.

In his TED talk, Dr. Brewer suggests that you first observe yourself acting on the impulse to do the thing you want to change, then get curious! Ask yourself:

How does it feel?

What triggered the impulse?

What satisfaction does it provide?

And for how long?

Editor note: Miranda here. I love this. It's similar to finding your “why” when it comes to spending. Anytime you want to save money, spend better, and use your financial resources to improve your life, starting by answering these questions can help.

How can we apply mindfulness to changing financial habits and saving money?

If you've identified an area in which you believe you're overspending, you're already most of the way there because you don't need to justify the need for change.

Take late fees as an example. Step back and be curious about why your habitual routines cause payments to be late, and penalties to occur. From there, take achievable steps to fix that one habit – perhaps by scheduling their payments when they arrive.

And there's your small change.

Conventional wisdom tells us that if we want to achieve a goal we must try harder and work harder, but perhaps we can make those New Year's resolutions stick by trying softer!

Let's get started

Track your spending and monitor progress on your small change with PocketSmith, one of the sharpest money management tools on the Internet.

The team at PocketSmith would love to help you get there, so if you sign up for an account and Tweet or Facebook your small change to them, you could stand to win an upgrade to a one-year Super subscription worth $169.95. For example:

Hey @pocketsmith! My #SmallChangeBigGains will be buying fewer coffees each week, therefore saving $700 in 2019.

PocketSmith will pick ten of the best entries on January 9 (2019) and announce the winners on Facebook and Twitter, so get creative and share your tips! Remember to sign up, and use the #SmallChangeBigGains hashtag to qualify.

As a bonus, if you sign up for PocketSmith from here, you will get half price on the first two months of PocketSmith Premium. Plus you'll receive an email guide designed to help you track and make your #SmallChangeBigGains

Use this coupon to get 50% off the first two months of PocketSmith Premium: 50OFFPREMIUM-F4RG

To redeem this offer go to PocketSmith, set up a free account and apply the coupon in the app via Settings>Subscriptions and Upgrades>Enter coupon. Then enter your payment details, and you are set to go.

Can One Small Change Save You Money in 2019? appeared first on Planting Money Seeds.

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Organizing a Home Office

I assume we are all similar in that when the new year comes around, we all make resolutions to stay on track.  I crave order and organization, so I always spend the first few days of the new year putting my home back together after all the holiday madness and entertaining.  Since I work from home, I often begin by organizing my home office.

I partnered with Snapfish, and I am sharing unique, personalized ways to organize yourself (and office).

Although I use an electronic calendar, I love having a calendar on my desk that I can view quickly.  I am in love with this Woodblock Desk Calendar.  There are so many design options to fit every decor style and personality.  It gives me a month view at a glance, and this calendar would also make a wonderful gift!

Are there any other list makers out there?  I love the feeling of accomplishment and checking things off my list.

Thanks to my customized softcover journal I am going to stay organized and on task this year.  I added my logo to this gorgeously designed planner and am ready to tackle the new year!

I sit at my computer desk for way too many hours, so I love this custom mousepad.  It is easy to make, and you can instantly warm up your workplace with a personalized mousepad.

Although I chose to keep my mousepad simple with just one photo, Snapfish offers so many customization options in their product builder:

Photos: Upload photos from your device, Facebook, Instagram, Google Photos or your Snapfish album.

Layout: Choose a single photo or multi-photo layout.

Design Variations: Snapfish offers pre-designed themed templates that make it easy to create.

Backgrounds: There is a pattern option for almost any occasion.

Text: Add a name, initials, or personalized phrases that help caption the moment.

Size: There are several different product sizes.

Embellishments: This is where the fun really begins! Snapfish offers hundreds of cute embellishments, sassy sayings and themed collections you can add to your product…

You will instantly feel like a designer, and it so fun (and easy) to play around with all the options.

I have a design background, and I have used lots of various programs over the years.  This program offered by Snapfish is SO easy and well done!

I am looking forward to writing thank you's with my new customized folded notecards.  I was so impressed with the quality and price that I am planning to order some notecards just for my business.

I feel ready to tackle 2019 thanks to my custom office product!  Creating it was so easy, and I love that I have personalized supplies that look fantastic and function well!

Whether you are looking to get organized and wanting a unique gift for friends or family, I highly recommend creating Snapfish photo product.

Happy New Year!

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Snapfish. All opinions are 100% mine.

Find me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Pinterest

The post Organizing a Home Office appeared first on Sincerely, Sara D..

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Do Gutters Increase Home Value? Here's How Top Appraisers Assess the Water Shields of the House

Gutters are the unsung heroes of real estate. They don't earn compliments like a property's gorgeous landscaping or the rustic tile selection of your master shower will. But without them, a home's structural integrity is at risk.

Every day 14,000 homeowners face water emergencies while 37% have claimed losses due to water issues. Meanwhile, homeowners insurance companies pay out $2.5 billion in water damage losses every year. Gutters serve the critical role of pushing water where it needs to be: away from the house to avoid foundation erosion and roof leaks.

“When I go out to appraise a property for a lender, they will almost never lend on a property that doesn't have gutters and downspouts that are functional,” said Jerin Harper, a home appraiser in Oregon with a decade of experience.

“In this instance, I would be required to provide a 'cost-to-cure,' which is an estimate to install or repair gutters and downspouts. The cost-to-cure figure can then be subtracted from the overall home value.”

So do gutters increase home value? Not exactly, because they're like the tires of a car: buyers expect a property to have them in good working condition, or they'll pay less for it. We'll help you get up to speed on homeownership and gutters with insights from top appraisers around the country who explain:

How gutters shield the house from ice dams and foundation problems

The numbers on dirty or damaged gutters and how they detract from your home's value

Pro tips on gutter material selection, installation, and add-ons to maximize ROI

Gutters as guardians of the house: Protecting against ice damming and foundation erosion

Imagine you're sitting in your living room on a chilly winter day watching television, when suddenly you feel a drop of water on your head. And then another, and another. You look up to find a wet patch spreading out on your ceiling just above you.

Or, picture this: It's been a stormy few days with lots of rain. You go outside to clean up after the storm and to your horror, find that some of your foundation has washed away-but only in one spot that should have been difficult for the water to reach.

The culprit in both situations? In most cases, bad gutters. Properly constructed and clean gutters are essential to preventing water damage to your home.

The first scenario likely due to an issue called ice damming on the roof, where the water melting from a warmer part of your roof can't escape. This typically happens when gutters haven't been cleaned out properly, the water freezes, and then the ice accumulates under your shingles, melting and damaging the attic or ceiling in your home.

The second scenario could be thanks to a broken gutter or a missing downspout-the water is dumping down onto your foundation instead of getting pushed away from the house.

“You need to have gutters because you're going to start affecting your foundation significantly if you don't direct water away appropriately,” said Brett Young, a top-selling agent in Indianapolis. “It's not an option out here, honestly. If you're buying a house that doesn't have gutters on it, it's probably because it's a bank sale home and it's all beat up.”

Granted, some locations don't need gutters as much as others-like Arizona, for example, where Young used to live.

Some homes out there didn't have gutters and it wasn't a big deal, essentially because it's the desert and there's just not that much rain. But even in that situation, it's better to have them rather than not, just in case a storm comes through that is strong enough to damage your home.

No gutters (or gutters in poor condition) will detract value from your house

Not only will a lack of gutters or ones with issues hurt your home and affect the sale, it could also actively lower your home's value.

Whether you don't have any gutters or the ones you have are dirty, broken or improperly attached, you're compromising the longevity of the home by leaving it open to other problems. And those problems will have an effect on the appraisal when you're trying to sell.

Harper notes gutters in poor condition could detract between $500 and $1,000 from the value of an average-sized house with a straightforward installation by a professional.

“Gutters are part of the real estate, but there's not a specific adjustment line for gutters,” said Michael Keough, a 30-year residential home appraiser in New Jersey. “If the lack of gutters is ruining something, you'll detract from that item.”

In some cases, the missing or damaged gutters can even end a sale before it begins.

Good gutters will attract buyers but don't necessarily add value

All that being said, gutters themselves typically won't increase the value of your home. They're standard, especially in areas with a lot of rain, and having them isn't anything special.

“People don't just normally install gutters for the aesthetics of the gutters,” said Edmond (Buddy) Eslava, a nationally renowned appraiser with the Appraisal Consultant Group in the Mobile, Alabama. “If you needed them and didn't have them, it would detract value. But having them won't add value.”

You can, though, add overall perceived value to your home based on the gutters themselves. Our experts shared some tips on what to do to make your gutters work for your home sale.

Make sure your gutters are installed properly.

There are two important pieces to this equation. Proper gutter installation means making sure the water is being diverted far away enough from the house so no damage is sustained around the foundation or on the siding.

But you also have to make sure they're level-meaning no water is left to pool up in them with nowhere to drain. If that happens, they can start to draw an accumulation of mosquitos and other nasty bugs or cause ice damming.

Match your gutters to your home.

Just like any other part of your property, including outbuildings, shutters, garages, and even gazebos, you'll want to make sure the color and size of your gutters are appropriate for your home.

For the color, typically the gutters will be the same color as the outdoor trim. As far as sizing, Young notes that the standard size used to be four inches, but now it's up to six inches-so get the larger ones.

Eslava agrees, noting that eight-inch gutters are available too, and you should opt for those ones instead of the six-inch. But, if your house is a bit smaller and the large gutters would look out of place, then stay with a smaller size.

It's also critical to have enough downspouts. The general rule is one downspout for every 35 or so feet of gutter.

Stick with the standard gutter materials.

Seams are out. If you want gutters that will bring value to your home, skip them and go for a seamless option. It looks tidier and more professional. Typically, gutters are metal or aluminum; the actual material doesn't matter much as long as the gutters are sturdy, functional, and match your house. Each material does have pluses and minuses, though.

Aluminum: These resist corrosion and are relatively inexpensive, plus they're lightweight and the standard material. But they can have strength problems and may break under pressure.

Metal, like copper or steel: These types of gutters are heavy, expensive, and difficult to install. But they're stronger than aluminum and work well for matching a certain aesthetic on the outside of your home.

Vinyl or plastic: These are generally the cheapest type of gutter and they're easily installed, but they come with several drawbacks. They can discolor easily, and they're the weakest of the top three options.

Get gutter guards: Gutter guards are covers that go over your gutters to stop junk from building up inside them. These are your first line of defense if you live in a heavily wooded area or have a lot of trees near your house.

They'll stop leaves and sticks from getting in, and will keep squirrels and their seeds out-so you don't have to worry about looking up one day to see a patch of sunflowers sprouting from the edge of your roof. As a plus, Young says having gutter guards could add value to a home appraisal.

Skip the rain collection system: Well, unless you really want one. Young says that he's never seen a rain barrel or rain collection system add to the actual value of the house-though some buyers may like having it. Some won't, though, so go with your personal preference on this one.

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Top 10 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – January 2019

Updated January 2019. That space in your wallet or purse is more valuable than you think. Credit card companies are fighting it out, offering strong perks and $500+ value for a single card during the first year to encourage you to apply and try it out. These are the top 10 credit card offers that I would apply for right now, if I didn't already most of them. Recent changes:

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards – new Companion Pass offer.

Chase United Explorer – limited-offer expired.

Chase World of Hyatt – limited-offer expired.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus – new 70,000 mile limited-time offer.

If you pay off your balances every month, then you can join me and many others in funding a huge chunk of your annual travel budget with cash credits, points, and miles. You don't need to be a “I only fly business class” world traveler. I mostly use my rewards points on domestic economy flights, mid-class hotels, and cheap car rentals. If you have credit card debt, you should focus on paying that off first as the interest charges could offset most of the perks.

This is a companion post to my Top 10 Best Business Card Offers. Small business bonuses are on average even higher than those on consumer cards.

Note: Certain Chase cards have a “5/24 rule” which is an unofficial rule that they will automatically deny approval on new credit cards if you have 5 or more new credit cards from any issuer on your credit report within the past 2 years. This rule applies on a per-person basis, so if you are new, you might want to start with those Chase cards.

Barclaycard Arrival Plus Card

70,000 points (worth $700 towards travel) after $5,000 in purchases in the first 90 days and paying the annual fee. See link for details.

Unlimited 2X miles on every purchase.

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $89.

Chase Sapphire Preferred Card

50,000 Ultimate Rewards points (worth $625 towards travel) after $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.

2X points on Travel and Dining at restaurants worldwide.

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Subject to 5/24 rule.

Alternative: Chase Sapphire Reserve Card. More rewards, more perks including lounge access, $450 annual fee, $300 annual travel credit.

Chase Southwest Rapid Rewards Plus Card

Bonus Companion Pass + 30,000 Southwest points. Earn the Companion Pass and 30,000 points after spending $4,000 within the first 3 months. Offer ends 2/11/19. Companion Pass is promotional and will end 12/31/19. See link for details.

$69 annual fee.

Subject to 5/24 rule.

American Express Gold Card

40,000 Membership Rewards points (flexible, worth 50,000 miles at various airlines) after $2,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. See link for details.

$120 in Grubhub and Seamless credit. $10 in statement credits each month when you pay with this card at participating partners – Grubhub, Seamless, The Cheesecake Factory, Ruth's Chris Steak House and participating Shake Shack locations.

$100 airline fee credit. Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $100 per calendar year in statement credits towards checked baggage fees and inflight meals.

$250 annual fee.

Citi Premier Card

50,000 ThankYou points (worth $625 towards travel) after $4,000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.

3X points on Travel, including Gas Stations

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Citi AAdvantage Platinum Select Card

Up to 50,000 American Airlines miles. 40,000 miles after $2,000 in purchases in first 3 months, plus another 10,000 after making a total of $6,000 in purchases in first 12 months of account opening. See link for details.

First checked bag free on domestic flights perk ($60 value per roundtrip, per person).

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $99.

British Airways Visa Signature Card

Up to 100,000 Avios points. 50,000 Avios after $3,000 in purchases within first 3 months. Additional 25,000 Avios for $10,000 in purchases within first year. Additional 25,000 Avios for $20,000 in purchases within first year. See link for details and redemption tips.

Free Travel Together companion ticket when you spend $30,000 in calendar year.

$95 annual fee.

NOT subject to 5/24 rule.

Hilton Honors Ascend Card from American Express

125,000 Hilton Honors points after $2,000 in purchases within the first 3 months.. See link for details and rough valuation of points.

Free Weekend Night Reward certificate after you spend $15,000 on purchases in a calendar year.

$95 annual fee.

Bank of America Premium Rewards Card

50,000 points (worth $500 towards travel) after $3,000 in purchases within the first 90 days. See link for details.

2 points for every $1 spent on travel and dining purchases and 1.5 points for every $1 spent on all other purchases.

$100 annual Airline Incidental Statement Credit.

Up to $100 credit towards TSA PreCheck or Global Entry application fee.

$95 annual fee.

Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Card

$500 cash bonus after $3000 in purchases within the first 3 months. See link for details.

4% cash back on dining and entertainment.

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Chase World of Hyatt Card

Up to 50,000 Hyatt points. 25,000 Bonus Points after $3,000 in purchases in the first 3 months. Plus an additional 25,000 Bonus Points after a total of $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months. See link for details and rough valuation of points.

$95 annual fee, free night award upon card anniversary.

Subject to 5/24 rule.

Chase United Explorer Card

40,000 United miles. 40,000 bonus United miles after spending $2,000 within the first 3 months. See link for details.

Free first checked bag for both you and a companion (a savings of up to $120 per roundtrip) when you use your Card to purchase your United ticket.

Expanded award availability. Having this card makes it easier to find that saver award economy ticket.

$0 annual fee for the first year, then $95.

Subject to 5/24 rule.

“The editorial content here is not provided by any of the companies mentioned, and has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone.”

Top 10 Best Credit Card Bonus Offers – January 2019 from My Money Blog.

Copyright © 2018 MyMoneyBlog.com. All Rights Reserved. Do not re-syndicate without permission.

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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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Ryobi Garage Door Opener Review

There was a time that all I expected from my garage door opener (GDO) was to raise and lower my garage door. That time is gone. Ryboi has made the garage door opener so much more with innovative features and mix-and-match accessories. If you're in the market for a new GDO, consider the Ryobi 2 HP Belt Drive Garage Door Opener. It has the features you'd expect – LED light, wireless keypads, safety sensors, and car remotes. But wait there's more! This GDO also includes wifi capabilities and corresponding app, battery backup and up to seven accessories. The accessories are what really sets the Ryobi GDO apart. You can choose from a retractable power cord, shop fan, air inflator, bluetooth speaker, and more. Ryobi sent us a test unit to try out. Keep reading for the full review.

Installation

The Ryobi garage door opener installs much like any other GDO, and I highly recommend checking out Ryobi's installation video. It walks you through the process, and it's easier to see someone installing the unit rather than reading about it (at least for me). After you remove the old GDO, you assemble the rail and attach to the power head. Next, you secure the rail to the wall above your garage door and the power head to the mounting straps. The safety sensors are hardwired as usual. The indoor keypad uses an IR receiver which requires a line of sight. The outdoor keypad uses RF so just test it out before installing. Programming the travel limits and connecting car remotes was easy. All the accessories are plug-n-play which means you install them and they are ready to go. I had no issues getting the Ryobi GDO connected to wifi. The app takes you through each step. Altogether it took me most of a day to install. I took my time, ensuring everything was dialed-in before continuing to the next step.

Quality

I mentioned earlier that this GDO features a 2 HP motor which is actually quite good. The idea is that a more powerful motor doesn't have to work as hard and will last longer. If you check out the competition, you'll often see motors with 1-1/4 HP or less. I can't speak to the longevity as I've only just installed the opener. All the parts and materials seemed good quality. The Ryobi GDO also includes a steel-reinforced belt instead of a direct drive or screw drive. On top of it all, the warranty is very good. Ryobi covers the power head, gearbox, rails, door arms, sensors, remotes, and keypads for three years. The belt and motor have a lifetime warranty.

Operating

This GDO works much as you'd expect with a few additional bells and whistles. The outdoor keypad is wireless and will open or close the door after you punch in a four-digit keycode. You can also set a temporary pin that will remain in effect until the next time you use your regular code. This is nice to give someone access while you're away. The indoor keypad has a button to raise or lower the door, and it has numbers for operating accessories.

This GDO is HomeLink compatible. For us, that means we can use the built-in remote in our Ford (unlike our last opener).

Ryobi opted for a belt-drive instead of a direct-drive or screw-drive, and the belt drive is much quieter.

Even if the power is out, the Ryobi opener can operate off 18-volt battery backup for about 100 openings!

The one and only thing I would have Ryobi change is that when the door is closing, the unit beeps and the light flashes a few times. This is probably some arcane legal requirement. However, it's just annoying for the end user.

Built-In Features

You already know about the 2HP motor. I also wanted to point out the LED light. This is a nice bright light, and no more replacing light bulbs. There's even a motion sensor to automatically turn it on. No more fumbling around for the recycling can in the dark! The duration can be adjusted anywhere between 3 and 10 minutes (in 1 minute increments).

The battery backup also acts as a charger to keep the battery ready in case you lose power.

Accessories

OK. This is the really exciting part of the Ryobi GDO. You can use the 7 accessory ports for specialized, plug-n-play modules like a shop fan, bluetooth speaker, retractable power cord, inflator, laser parking assist, security camera, and CO detector (coming soon). How cool is that?! Just note that some accessories require two ports.

I opted for the speaker, power cord, fan and inflator, and so far I'm very pleased with each. The accessories can be controlled from the indoor keypad or from the Ryobi GDO app (App Store, Google Play).

The speaker is great for listening to music while I work, and it includes a microphone for hands-free calling. The 30′, retractable power cord may sound basic, but I love it. It gives me three power connections in the middle of the garage and keeps cords off the ground. Ryobi claims the high-power inflator can handle car tires. I haven't tested that yet. However, I like it for bike tires, balls, and other toys. This accessory saves me the trouble of setting up my compressor when the kids tires get low. Lastly, I have the shop fan. You can pivot the head in any direction and control the speed with the app or indoor keypad.

Where to Buy

The Ryobi garage door opener and all the Ryobi GDO accessories are available at the Home Depot. The opener will set you back $250 and each accessory ranges from $44 to $100. However, there are some sweet bundles available. For example, you can get the cord reel, speaker, fan and laser parking assist bundle for $175 or the GDO and the speaker for $292. Here are a few links. Be sure to check out all the options!

Ryobi 2HP Garage Door Opener – $248

Ryobi Shop Fan – $44

Ryobi Retractable Cord Reel – $44

Ryobi Bluetooth Speaker – $44

Ryobi High Pressure Inflator – $89

[willisvjohnson1973-blog]

Need a study table for kids? Here are 10 of the brightest ideas

The school term begins yet again and soon, there will be piles of homework and books, strewn all over the house. Wouldn't it be great to have a dedicated study table for the kids to do their thing?

“If only I have space”, you say!

A study table for kids doesn't need to take up a lot of space.

It can fit into their rooms. Or even a corner of the living room or kitchen.

To spark some bright ideas for your space we made a list of 10 best IKEA study tables for kids. Let's get right to it.

#1 Long study table and computer station for 2 – 3 kids

Tim made this kids desk and computer station for his three kids. It includes desks for them to read, write, draw and lots of storage. It also has a place to accommodate a computer (or kid number 4). His IKEA product of choice is the TROFAST frames and JULES chairs. See how he made the IKEA TROFAST kids desk here.

#2 Kids study tables with storage

In Janine's L-shaped living room, they wanted their kids to read and play in the corner. She wanted to include little desks for them to draw and little cabinets on wheels to put their daily stuff to put into. She made a structure out of the BESTÅ system above for out of kids' reach storage and made desks beneath them. See the BESTÅ study and play centre here.

#3 Loft bed upgraded to include study table for kids

Their son was starting school and Anca decided to make room for a study table under the IKEA KURA bed, which they already had. They added timber structures to elevate the bed and construct a desk and storage areas. See the KURA bed with study desk.

#4 Girl's study desk with storage

Peter IKEA hacked a desk for his daughter to do her homework and art, as well as a place to store her books, stuff and art supplies. He combined 2 pink KALLAX units and fastened a gloss red LINNMON table top to the smaller KALLAX. Can't be easier to construct a study table for kids. See tutorial here.

#5 DIY kids study table

Jane took a different route. She used MDF for the table top and attached it to IKEA KRILLE legs. On the side of the table, she added 3 SUNNERSTA containers to function as a desk tidy, to keep pens and pencils organized. See more of the desk tidy IKEA hack and DIY study desk.

#6 Make it a classy desk

Sometimes a little tweak is all you need to make the IKEA desk fit your kid's room decor. If the MICKE desk is too plain, glam it up with a custom top and drawer pulls. See more here.

Themed study tables for kids

#7 The force is strong with this one

The RAST chest is perfect desk height. Pair it with the LINNMON table top and ADILS leg and you'll get a very affordable study table. And the best thing is, you can Mod Podge the drawer fronts with your kid's favorite elements. In this case, Star Wars. See the Star Wars kids desk tutorial.

#8 #Studygoals

Mike's son was in need of a study desk, and since he loves soccer and already has IKEA birch effect furniture in his bedroom, he decided to build a goal post study desk.

#9 Racing themed desk

Sasse wanted a racing car themed desk for her son's bedroom but didn't find didn't any that please the eye. So she made one. See the F1 themed desk.

#10 Kids table with map

Claire had an old IKEA kids table and decided to make it over with a map. Would be fun to cover it up with a world map and teach kids the name of cities and countries. See the kids table with map.

One last one before we go.

If your kids won't share the same table space, here's the hack for you. Theresa's kids would complain that they had no privacy, and were always fighting over whose stuff was on whose side of the desk. So, she decided to put a stop to all the problems once and for all.

The solution?

The Great Divide.

Genius, right?

Which is your preferred study table for kids? Let us know in the comments below.

The post Need a study table for kids? Here are 10 of the brightest ideas appeared first on IKEA Hackers.

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Proptech // Geek Estate Meet-up January 15th in Barcelona

Since I'm in Barcelona, Spain for the next two weeks, I thought it would be fun to put together a meet-up to bring together those in Barcelona with an interest in the Proptech sector.

My goal is to learn more about the proptech scene in Barcelona, Spain, and all of Europe - and share what I'm seeing in the states with those here.

I've worked with the folks at Restb.ai who are co-hosting, and have scheduled the meet-up for this coming Tuesday. The details are as follows:

What: Proptech meetup

Where: Kraftank Barcelona – Diputacio 223, 08011 Barcelona, Spain (Google Maps)

When: January 15th, 7-9 PM

There's no formal agenda, other than networking to meet & speak with other real estate technologists/innovators. Hope to see a few Spain/European-based Proptech innovators next week!

RSVP on Facebook 

The post Proptech // Geek Estate Meet-up January 15th in Barcelona appeared first on GeekEstate Blog.

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Simple Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Every cook should know how to make a simple side salad and lemon vinaigrette. It's the easy side dish to pair with just about any entrée, comes together in 10 minutes with simple ingredients, and is incredibly versatile. Let me show you how it's done.

Start with a base of greens. We went with spring greens, but I also love spinach as a base, as well as thinly sliced kale, arugula, and romaine.

Simple Green Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette from Minimalist Baker →

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Free Printable Habit Tracker

This free printable habit tracker can help to develop positive daily routines, helping you accomplish your biggest goals one small step at a time! I have always been a fan of goal setting. The longer I work on goals, though, the more I've realized that many of my goals are simply daily habits that I...

The post Free Printable Habit Tracker appeared first on Just a Girl and Her Blog.

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No Sugar Challenge: Fit for Good

Are you ready to give your body a break from sugar? Many people resolve to get fit in the new year and joining the No Sugar Challenge is a great way to drop a few extra pounds and inches. There's a saying that you can't exercise away a bad diet and it's true! When I first started getting fit for good I ate poorly most of the time (especially soda!). It wasn't until I changed how I ate that I really saw changes in how I looked, and more importantly how I felt. Now, almost seven years later I can skip the gym for a few days or even a week and still feel great, as long as I'm eating well. However, even if I'm going to the gym several times a week, if my diet is full of sugar and processed foods I start to feel crummy very quickly. The No Sugar Challenge is simple. Stop eating sugar. You set the parameters, regarding whether you are going to try and substitute sugar with honey or agave or if you want to give up the sweet stuff altogether. My recommendation is that you give it up totally so that foods that are naturally sweet (mainly fruit) can serve as your sweet treats and you will be able to make better choices in the future. We've done many no sugar challenges in the past and I'm excited to be doing another one with you. For many people this is what it takes for them to give up their daily soda or candy habit. While we're doing this challenge together beginning January 7th. Just sign up below and you'll get daily reminders, helpful tips, encouragement and a free printable journal. 

How the No Sugar Challenge works

Enter your email below to join the challenge. Then, on January 7th you'll receive a series of emails from me with helpful tips, encouragement, and tactics to get rid of sugar. For 21 days we'll work together to rid our bodies of sugar. There will be bumps along the way, but we will do it together! This year, I'm also giving away a free Sugar Journal to help you keep track of your journey. Over the years I've found that writing things down keeps me accountable. I'm also able to back through my old journals when I need a boost of encouragement. Each day of the challenge you'll receive the next page of the journal for you to print out at home. Are you ready to take back your diet? Join us for the challenge below!

No Sugar Challenge

Join us January 7th for the No Sugar Challenge!

Email Address

Name

We start on January 7th! Don't miss on your opportunity for accountability and a way to share your success with a community of people cheering you on.

More Fit For Good

Read previous Fit for Good articles

The post No Sugar Challenge: Fit for Good appeared first on The Happy Housewife

:: Real Life.

  Comments

  Do you have a meal plan outlying what foods to eat ? I find ... by Amy

I'm super excited to do this with you ladies! by Heather

I'm all for this! My sister gave up sugar a month or so ago, ... by Selena

As someone who has done it, can I encourage everyone to give ... by Rita

Is this as in not added sugar, or no sugary things or to each ... by Liz

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The post No Sugar Challenge: Fit for Good appeared first on The Happy Housewife™.

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6 Unexpected Ways To Remove Rust With Things You Have At Home

Have you ever gone to grab your gardening tools, only to realize that they've gotten a bit rusty? (Or even worse, they've gotten a LOT rusty!) It's easy to think that your tools are beyond saving, but don't throw them out just yet! There are plenty things you can use to remove rust from metal. And you probably already have many of them at home!

Today I'll be sharing 6 different ways you can clean rust and rust stains, using everyday items from around the house. These methods are quick, easy, and effective at removing rust from all kinds of items! Give them a try, and you'll find that rust is no match for your cleaning prowess! :-)

6 Ways To Remove Rust Using Everyday Items

1. Vinegar

The best way to remove rust from small items is to soak them in vinegar. Just let the rusty item soak for a few days, then give it a scrub. Repeat as needed until all the rust is gone. It's effective, and it requires almost no effort. (Just a bit of patience!)

Related: 50 Amazing Uses For Vinegar You'll Want To Know

2. Lemon & Salt

If you need to remove a rust stain from clothing or other fabric, grab a lemon and some coarse salt. Sprinkle the rust stain with salt, then squeeze half a lemon over the salt. Let it sit for an hour or two, then scrub the stain with the lemon rind. Launder as usual to remove the rust residue, salt, and lemon juice.

3. Baking Soda

If you have rust in a hard-to-reach area, a baking soda paste is likely your best bet! Just mix a handful of baking soda with enough water to make a paste. Then spread the paste over the rusty area, and scrub with an old toothbrush. Let the paste sit for an hour or two, then scrub again. Rinse the paste off, then dry the item thoroughly.

4. Potato & Dish Soap

As strange as it sounds, you can use a potato and a bit of dish soap to remove rust! Start by cutting a potato in half, then place the cut end of the potato in a shallow dish of Dawn dish soap. Let it soak in the soap for a few minutes.

Next, use the soapy potato to rub the rusted area. The soap helps remove general grime, while the oxalic acid in the potato helps break up the rust. Once the rust is gone, rinse and dry the item thoroughly.

5. Sand Paper

If you're dealing with a really thick layer of rust, it's best to start by removing some of it using good ol' elbow grease. Grab a coarse grit sand paper and start scrubbing at the rusty area. As you remove more rust, switch to a finer grit sand paper to avoid damaging the metal underneath.

Once you've sanded the rust down to a more manageable level, try one of the other methods listed here to remove the rest.

6. Bar Keepers Friend

If you've tried other methods and nothing seems to be working, reach for Bar Keepers Friend. This scouring powder contains oxalic acid, which reacts with iron compounds in the rust and makes it much easier to scrub away. (But be sure to wear protective gloves when using BKF, because it can easily irritate skin!)

Use a wet sponge and a sprinkle of Bar Keepers Friend to scrub the rusty item. Then let it sit for a minute or two, and rinse the item thoroughly. Rust doesn't usually stand a chance against this stuff!

How To Prevent Rust From Forming

The best defense is a good offense, and it's no different with rust. You don't have to remove rust if it never forms in the first place! :-) So how do you keep your things rust-free?

The most important thing you can do is keep things dry. Moisture is almost always the culprit behind rusted metal. You should dry any metal item promptly if it gets wet. And be sure to keep your tools somewhere you know they will stay dry!

What's the rustiest item you've ever cleaned up?

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Where Should You Keep An Emergency Account?

Like it or not, emergency accounts are kind of boring.

And they need to be.

The main purpose of an emergency account is to sit around and wait for an emergency.

That certainly limits your options as to where to hold the money.

Because you may need the money on very short notice, the safety of principal needs to be the primary concern.

But that doesn't mean you can't try to earn some income on your emergency account in the meantime.

6 Best Places to Put Your Emergency Account:

Local Banks

Online Bank Accounts

US Treasury Bills

Laddered CDs

Betterment

Roth IRA

You don't want to take risks in doing it, but you should attempt to earn at least a little bit of income while you're keeping your money safe.

Here are six emergency account options to consider…

1. Your Local Bank

Your local bank is always a solid option.

Unfortunately, most don't pay much in the way of interest. And it usually doesn't matter whether that's interest-bearing checking, savings, money markets, or certificates of deposit (CDs).

Because they have a network of local branches, they don't need to pay high-interest rates to attract customers.

For example, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's Weekly National Rates and Rate Caps, average rates on bank savings vehicles look something like this:

Savings, 0.09%

Interest Checking, 0.06%

Money Markets, 0.16%

3-month CDs, 0.19%

6-month CDs, 0.31%

Those interest rates are downright microscopic. But the one advantage to local banks is that they can provide immediate physical access to your money in the event of an emergency.

And even though the interest they pay amounts to little more than dust, it's better than nothing.

2. Online Bank Accounts

If you want to keep your money absolutely safe but earn higher interest than you can at a local bank, seriously consider online bank accounts.

In today's world of electronic money, you can often get access to your funds from an online account just as quickly as you can from a local bank branch.

In fact, most provide various options for you to get your money, including transferring it into a checking account at a local bank.

But the interest they pay on your savings are a welcome relief from the fractional rates being paid at local banks.

For example:

Ally Bank currently pays 2.00% APY on all balance tiers on its Online Savings account.

CIT Bank currently pays 1.85% APY on its Online Money Market account.

Barclays Bank is currently offering 2.55% APY on it' 12-month CDs.

Online banks may not have local branches, but they're the next closest thing in terms of liquidity. And when you consider that the interest rates they pay on savings instruments run between 10 and 20 times higher than what local banks are paying, it's well worth keeping most of your emergency account with at least one of them.

You can open an account with Ally, CIT, or Barclays today.

3. US Treasury Bills

US Treasury Bills are short-term debts issued by the US government. And because they are issued by the US government, they are considered the safest of all investments, backed by the full faith, credit, and taxing power of the US government.

They can be purchased in denominations of as little as $100 through do US Treasury's portal, Treasury Direct, and with terms of 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 13 weeks, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks. You can both purchase and redeem them through Treasury Direct.

Current yields on these securities are all in excess of 2% APY, with specific rates as of November 16, 2018, as follows:

4. Laddered Certificates of Deposit

CDs generally pay higher rates of interest than what you will get on savings accounts or money markets.

But the best rates go to the CDs that have longer terms. Typically, the better paying rates start with 12-month CDs.

That creates a bit of a problem if you're looking to build an emergency fund. After all, emergencies don't wait 12 months for your CD to mature. You'll need an ability to access funds before a CD matures.

Now you can usually liquidate a CD early.

But if you do, you'll be subject to an early withdrawal penalty. That can cost you several month's worth of interest.

An alternative might be to have some money in a savings account or money market account, with most of your money in 12 months CDs earning higher interest.

But an even better strategy will be to create a “CD ladder”. The laddering part has to do with staggering the maturities.

For example, under Online Bank Accounts we noted that Barclays Bank offers a 12-month CD paying 2.55% APY.

You can divide up your emergency account into 12 equal parts and invest the funds in 12 different 12-month CDs.

If you have $12,000 in your emergency account, instead of investing it all in a single CD, you can instead invest $1,000 in one CD each month.

You'll get the benefit of the 2.55% APY, but each month you'll have one CD maturing, while investing in a new one.

Because one CD is maturing each month, you would have at least $1,000 available for that month, and for every month.

That's how you can use a CD ladder to earn higher interest on your money, but also add a measure of liquidity for emergency purposes.

5. Betterment

If you want to add even higher returns to your emergency account, and you're willing to take on some risk to do it, you can consider putting at least some of your money into a robo-advisor.

The most popular, and perhaps the best robo-adviser overall, is Betterment.

For a low annual fee of just 0.25%, Betterment will provide you with a fully managed investment portfolio, that will be diversified across stocks and bonds.

Stocks are the more risky asset allocation, so if you plan to use a Betterment account as an emergency account, you should favor a higher bond position.

That will make it easier for you to liquidate funds at more predictable valuations than you can with stocks.

But maybe the best use of a Betterment account is to put the bulk of your emergency account into it, to earn higher returns on your money. But you should also hold a portion in more liquid assets, such as those listed above.

You would then be able to tap your liquid savings for immediate emergencies, and access funds from Betterment only when either a larger amount of money is needed, or the emergency lasts longer than expected, such as in the case of a job loss.

Either way, you probably won't want to put all of your emergency account into Betterment. There is the risk of loss in the event of a general stock market decline.

The best way to protect against that risk is to make sure you always have at least some funds sitting in a completely liquid account, using the Betterment account as a secondary emergency account.

Start earning with Betterment today >>

6. Roth IRA

This one's a bit controversial as an emergency account, but it can actually make perfect sense.

If you put money into a traditional IRA – or virtually any other retirement account – and you need to withdraw funds before you turn 59 ½, you'll have to pay ordinary income tax on the amount withdrawn, plus a 10% early withdrawal penalty.

But the Roth IRA is the exception to that rule.

Under what is known as IRS Roth IRA Ordering Rules, you can withdraw your contributions to a Roth IRA at anytime, free of both ordinary income tax and the 10% early withdrawal penalty.

That's because under the ordering rules, the first funds withdrawn from a Roth IRA are considered to be your contributions. And since contributions to a Roth IRA are not tax deductible, they are not taxable on withdrawal.

Apart from the fact that you can take tax-free early withdrawals from a Roth IRA, using one as an emergency account has several advantages:

They can be used to earn higher rates of return, such as by holding the Roth IRA with Betterment.

Investment earnings on a Roth IRA are tax-deferred, so they'll build up more quickly than in a taxable account.

Since a Roth IRA is first and foremost a retirement account, any funds not withdrawn for an emergency will continue to help you save for retirement.

Once your Roth IRA account gets big enough, you may be able to keep a small portion in liquid assets, like bonds, to use as an emergency account.

But the rest of the account, the majority, can be invested for growth as part of your retirement strategy.

Where You Should Put YOUR Emergency Fund?

As you can see, there are more options as to where to put an emergency account than just the local bank. Best of all, you don't have to pick just one type of account.

You can use several, effectively turning your emergency savings into something of a diversified portfolio.

For example, you can hold a small amount, say enough to cover 30 days of living expenses, in a high yield savings account or money market.

You can put a larger amount into higher yielding (but safe) investments, like CDs and Treasury Bills.

Then you can put the largest amount into a growth account, like Betterment and/or a Roth IRA, to earn even higher returns for the long-term.

That will enable you to have the liquid funds you need for an emergency account, while earning a lot better than 0.09% in a local bank savings account.

The post Where Should You Keep An Emergency Account? appeared first on Good Financial Cents.

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Develop Your Landscaping Plan

It's cold outside, and most of our landscapes are quiet and at rest at this time of year. But like many,, you probably always have landscaping plans in your head. Winter is the perfect time to do some dreaming and planning and put those thoughts on paper. It's also a great time to start making plans with your landscaping company. Well-thought  landscaping plans can help achieve successful results and save money.

How Can I Put Together a Landscaping Plan?

Start with a list. Write down the features you currently have in your outdoor space and landscape. Then write down the additional things you want; anything from a patio to a pool, a storage shed or a playground, or simply adding some plants.

Map it out. Think about the layout of your property and where different features might go. Sketch out a rough plan, leaving room for suggestions from your landscaping company.  The University of Missouri offers some great suggestions for making a plan, including separating public areas like the front of your house from private areas for family activities and service areas like trash cans and storage sheds. Think about where things should go in relation to your house; asking how each area would effectively function. Then draw your landscape as is and overlay the features you'd like to see. It's an exciting process.

Here are just a few features to consider as you sketch your map:

Plantings

Walkways

Patios and entertainment spaces

Privacy features and shade trees

Vegetable and flower gardens

Sheds and outbuildings

Pools, pergolas and pavilions

Fire pits and grilling areas

Outdoor lighting

  Think long-term. When you talk with your landscaping professionals, share your long-term goals and ideas even if you can't make them happen right away. This helps us develop your property in a more holistic way. For example, if you think you might want outdoor lighting down the road, it's best to go ahead and add conduits for electrical lines  now. Saving you from tearing up hardscapes or plantings later just to install the lighting. Once your landscaper has the big picture, they can help you break things down into bite-sized chunks and move forward step by step, as your budget allows.

Find The Right Partner. As you consider your long-term landscaping goals, be sure to find a partner who is ready to work with you to make your ideas become a reality. You want a company that will listen to your goals, desires and concepts while at the same time bringing their extensive professional experience into play. It's important to find a partner who can look at the big picture but also make things happen in the short-term by helping you prioritize and work out a schedule.

Think About a Budget and Payment Plan.  At Epling, we encourage clients to think big, but we also understand the role that budgeting plays when designing a landscape. We work with clients whose budgets vary, from wanting to get it all done at once and fast track multiple projects to those who need to take things one step at a time, phasing the project. Our experienced staff will help you find the approach that works best for you.

  Create Your Landscape Plan with Epling

At Epling, helping clients plan and achieve their goals for their outdoor space is one of our favorite parts of the job. From beating back the jungle and getting on a routine lawn care schedule to decorative plantings for a perfect entryway to attractive, family-friendly patios and play areas, our team can help you take your landscape from a dream to a reality on the schedule that works best for you.

[willisvjohnson1973-blog]

Insurance Coverage and Falling Objects

Falling Objects

What if a meteorite or airplane parts fall from the sky and land on my vehicle?!?

What should I do if a sheet of ice and snow comes off of another vehicle on the highway and hits my car causing damage?!?

Our Massachusetts Auto policy tells us that there IS coverage under Comprehensive Coverage (Part 9), for losses caused by falling objects. What this means…

Comprehensive Coverage is coverage for events other than collision. Events that are out of your control…

Natural disasters: Earthquakes, Tornadoes, Hurricanes

Fire

Explosions

Vandalism

Theft

Run-ins with animals, such as deer

Broken Windshields (make sure you don't have a separate glass deductible)

And last, but certainly not least in our case, here in New England:

FALLING OBJECTS

Falling Objects

  If you carry Comprehensive Coverage (Part 9) on your policy, then you DO HAVE COVERAGE if your vehicle is ever struck by a falling object  (After your Comprehensive deductible is applied).

If your car is struck by an object that came off of another automobile, do your best to get their information. If subrogation and recovery of your deductible is possible, it is vital to have the plate number of the other car! Otherwise, there is no way for the insurance company to recover your deductible and you will end up responsible for the entire cost $$ of the repair!

Do you have additional questions?  Shoot us an email at info@insurewithrichardson or click the lightning bolt to send us a direct message!

The post Insurance Coverage and Falling Objects appeared first on Richardson Insurance.

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Don't Let Your Goals Fizzle Out! – 5 Reasons Goals Fail, and What You Can Do To Make Yours Succeed

It's become a yearly ritual for many: Set ambitious goals for the New Year, tackle them enthusiastically for a few weeks, and then give up on them completely by March.

This is a vicious cycle that encourages you to feel bad about yourself, and feel as though you'll never get out of your rut.

Whether you are setting goals for your finances, or whether you are attempting to substantially improve your life, the yearly attempt (and subsequent failure) associated with resolutions can be frustrating.

If you're ready to break the cycle, it helps to understand why you fail, and what you can do to create success in your life.

Here are 5 Reasons Goals Fail - and What You Can Do to Overcome the Pitfalls of Resolution-Setting and Succeed This Year:

1. Your Goal Ignores Reality

Too often, we have high-flown ideas of what we can become with just the right goal.

Unfortunately, this often leads to setting unrealistic goals.

While it would be great to pay off $35,000 in debt this year, the reality is that you aren't likely to accomplish that goal if you make $40,000 a year.  You're going to need to make major sacrifices in terms of what you spend on, and you're going to have to come up with ways to make more money.

The same is true of losing weight, going back to school, or any number of goals that you might set.

Your goals need to be grounded in the reality of where you are right now and what you can reasonably hope to accomplish by the end of the year.  Honestly evaluate the situation, and figure out what you can actually do.  You can still set stretch goals that require you to push yourself a little bit, but you still need to be realistic.

Your resolutions need to be achievable.

Without achievable goals, you eventually give up when you realize the futility of your efforts.  You don't want that to happen, so create realistic goals, and set realistic benchmarks that you can use to measure progress throughout the year.  You'll be more likely to stay motivated to reach your goal.

2. Your Goal Focuses on a Process, Rather than a Result

In the past, my fitness goals have included things like, “swim for 30 minutes three times a week” or “kickbox for 20 minutes a day.”  While those are specific goals that are, in fact, achievable, they focus on a process instead of a result.

What if I don't feel like kickboxing today?  What if my son is sick and I have to stay home instead of driving to the pool?

It's easy to be defeated by the process, whether I stop swimming after 15 minutes, I only go twice a week, or I don't go at all.  The same is true of money goals or any other goals.

If you focus too much on some sort of process that you have to complete to be successful, you are less likely to follow through with your resolution for a sustained period of time.

Instead of focusing on the process, focus on the end result.

What result are you trying to achieve?  Maybe I want to reduce my waist size by three inches or lose 10 pounds.  That result doesn't rely on a specific process.  Maybe I change my eating habits so that I have less junk food in my diet.  Or, instead of getting hung up on whether or not I made it to the pool, I ride the stationary bike if I can't get out of the house.

When you focus on a result, and what it takes to achieved that desired objective, you are more likely to stick with your resolutions.  You can substitute different actions and behaviors that can offer the same result over time.

This works with money, as well.

Instead of saying that you want to put $458.33 each month into your retirement account, you can say that you want to be in a position to max out your IRA by the end of the year.  This doesn't require that you put $458.33 each month without fail from the beginning; it means that you build up to that over the course of the year.  At the end of the year, you'll have a result: You'll be set up to max out your IRA.  However, you do this by making gradual changes, either spending less or earning more (or doing both) and gradually increasing what you set aside.

Focus on the end result, and break it down so that you are looking at the big picture, rather fretting about the process.

3. Your Goals are Too Vague

One of the main pieces of advice that goal-setting gurus offer is that you should be specific.

If your goal is to “get healthy” or “save money,” chances are that you are going to fail at some point.

What, specifically, would make you healthier?  Do you want to bring your cholesterol down to a certain (realistic) level?  Would you like to increase your lean muscle mass by a specific amount?  What are you saving money for?  Do you want to save up $5,000 for a family vacation?  Are you planning to save up $15,000 for a down payment on a house?

Really think about what you want to accomplish with your goals.  Be specific.

Without some sort of specific goal, you have no way of knowing how much progress you have made, or how to tell when you've accomplished your objective.  Don't forget, though, that you do want to keep the overall result in mind.  If you haven't quite reached the exact and specific goal you have set, but you are still in line with the general result you want by the end of the year, that's still a win.  You can keep working on it moving forward.

Set realistically specific goals, and make sure to break your goals down into smaller, bite-sized chunks that can be digested by you as you move forward.  That way, you can measure your progress along the way and stay excited about what you've achieved.  Being able to see your progress can create good feelings that encourage you to do even more to reach your goals in the future.

4. You Get Hung Up on Time Limits for Your Goals

One of the big reasons that your New Year's resolutions are likely to fail is that you get too hung up on time limits.

While a brand new year is a great time for reflection, and a good time to set goals, the reality is that you don't have to limit yourself to a year to reach your goals.  The idea behind setting goals is to make a true improvement in your life, not create some mad dash to a finish line.

If you get hung up on time limits for the accomplishment of your goals, you are more likely to make sweeping changes that last for only a short time before you revert.

In order for goals to truly improve your life, you have to be able to assimilate them into your lifestyle.  Even if your goal is to run a half-marathon in a certain period of time, the reality is that, as you work toward achieving that goal, you make changes in your life that are likely to “stick,” as long as you approach it as a long-term journey, rather than something you have to accomplish by a certain date.

Once you achieve a goal like that, you can tweak it for the next goal.

Your goal-setting should be more about improving your life so that you create long-term habits, rather than encouraging you to do something and then stop once the goal is reached.  Don't get hung up on having something done by the end of the year.  Instead, focus on the result, and work toward it consistently.  It might take you two years to save up your desired down payment for a home, but that's ok.

And, once you do reach your specific goal, make sure you have another goal to replace it with and take advantage of the good habits you have been building up.

Once you have enough for a down payment, you can set a new goal to build up your emergency fund, contribute to a retirement account, or set up a college fund for your children.

The idea is to keep improving, so you want to build on your successes for the next big goal.

5. You Set Too Many Goals

One of the biggest reasons that you fail at your goals is that you set too many.

Just as you aren't likely to see solid results from multi-tasking, you are unlikely to see the results you want if you set too many goals at once.

This ties into number four.  Instead of setting a whole bunch of goals, pick one or two major goals to be working toward at a time.  Once you have achieved one of your goals, have something else to be working toward.  You should be focusing on bigger goals that can be broken down into manageable and measurable steps.  That way, you are actually improving your life and creating habits that result in long-term life success and satisfaction.

Don't overwhelm yourself with all of the things you should be doing.

Instead, think of the most important one or two things you want to accomplish first, and then create plans to tackle those items.  Then, move on to a new goal.  Don't limit yourself by time, either.  If you finish a goal in August, start working on a new goal - even though it isn't a new year.  View it as a journey, and you'll be more likely to make steady progress.

Here's what Leo Babauta, author of the popular blog zenhabits.net says about forming one habit at a time:

Habit change is difficult, even with just one habit. If you do more than one habit at a time, you're setting yourself up for failure. Keep it simple, allow yourself to focus, and give yourself the best chance for success. Btw, this is why New Year's resolutions often fail - people try to tackle more than one change at a time.

Other Tips for Succeeding with Your Goals

As you work on overcoming the stumbling blocks often associated with goal setting, there are a few other tips to keep in mind.  Staying motivated can be difficult, even if you can see the positive changes and progress that you are making in your life.

Here are some other strategies you can employ to help you succeed at your goals:

Make it public: Sharing your goal with others can create an incentive to succeed.  It adds a layer of accountability to your efforts.  Even if you just share it with two or three people who can be your “accountability buddies” and check up on you from time to time, the fact that you know that others are watching to see your progress can keep you motivated.

Join a group: It can help to join a community with similar goals.  You can receive support and encouragement from those who are taking the journey with you.  It can also be a good way to get insight into tricks and tips that can help you with your specific goal.  Having that support system can keep you motivated, even during the toughest of times.

Put your money where your mouth is: Make a bet.  Studies conducted by the founders of the goal-setting web site Stickk.com found that when money is on the line, people were more likely to stick with their goals.  If you have a financial consequence associated with your failure, you are more likely to succeed, if just to avoid the financial hit you'll take.  Of course, this is counterproductive if you can't afford the consequence.  It should be something that's painful, but not devastating to you.

Work with someone: This is similar to making it public and joining a group.  Find a buddy who has the same goal as you.  This works especially well if you have a significant other or a family.  You can all work together, encouraging each other.  And when you reach your joint goal, you can all celebrate together.  Any journey is more fun and fulfilling when you have others to come with you, and celebrate with you.

Glen's note on Goals: One thing I find critical in setting successful goals is to make doing the goal as easy as possible.  Back in 2007 I set a goal to run the NYC Marathon.  As part of my training I had to do one long run every week.  This meant waking up early on the weekends to get my run in.  There was no way I was going to wake up early and start bumbling around getting ready to run.  I had to have a plan before-hand or I'd be lazy and not go.  So by Friday afternoon every week I made sure to map out my miles for my long run.  I'd chart a course to make sure I'd get the required distance in.  This gave me a specific direction for my runs and it eliminated the decision of where to run when I woke up.  To further help me in my groggy morning state I also made sure to have my running clothes set aside as well as my water bottle(s) for the run.  This way I could wake up, get ready, and get out of the house.  If I left myself with too much thinking and preparation in the morning I KNOW I would have gotten too lazy to head out.

We can make financial goals easier too.

Tools like Quicken can help you plan out goals and track them.  Setting up automatic savings and investing takes the thought out of putting money away for your goals.

Know your tendencies and build plans into your goals to make sure you stay on top of your intentions.

Final Word On Making Your Goals Succeed

There's no reason to let goal-setting get you down.   Change the way you approach your resolutions, and there is a good chance that you will see more success this year - and in the years to come.

Where have you failed at goals?  Where have you succeeded?  Share your stories in the comments!

Bonus to help you with your goals and habits: Here's Google's Matt Cutts talking about trying new things for 30 days.

And here's Jerry Seinfeld's “Don't break the chain” motivation and productivity technique (via Lifehacker): Jerry Seinfeld's Productivity Secret

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Don't Let Your Goals Fizzle Out! – 5 Reasons Goals Fail, and What You Can Do To Make Yours Succeed

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Selecting Countertops for a White Kitchen

A kitchen with white cabinets is timeless statement to make with your home design. It's clean and bright. But how do you select countertops for a white kitchen? We asked CliqStudios kitchen designer, Dyani Elkins for her insight on the role countertops have to play in a white kitchen and for a better understanding into “How do I get the best kitchen design ideas?”.

What comes to mind when you hear about the discussion of how to select countertops for a white kitchen?

DYANI: You would really want your client to determine if they are going for monochromatic or if the cabinets supposed to be white, so that you can then go dramatic. You're either going for real drama or monochromatic. There really isn't an in-between.

Where do you begin with making your selection for countertops?

DYANI: I feel like a lot of people already have a look that they are going for and that they already know what look they're going for. They usually have a pretty good sense. Sometimes they'll do it in reverse where the countertop was selected first to make a statement. They'll go white with their cabinets so that the countertops shine.

I did a kitchen that has this stunningly beautiful soapstone and that was the real star of the kitchen. So, everything else had to play to that. It's about how you want to make your statement. Also, your backsplash is going to make a big impact on that too. If you have a real dramatic backsplash, you may want to go more neutral on your countertops so the tile work is the star. You have to decide what you want your kitchen's focal point to be.

A cost effective and creative option for counters is concrete!

You don't want your design elements to fight each other. You don't want it to be combative and your eyes to go too many places. You have to decide if you want have a dramatic hood or tile, you want to go more neutral with your countertop. If you have a more dramatic countertop then you want to go more neutral. You don't want anything to compete.

Also, if you're going white on white you really have to have that cabinet door or sample with your when you select your countertops. Because the worst thing would be to put in that countertop and then have your whites not match. At CliqStudios we offer three different white finishes: White, Cloud White, and Bright White. You can order two free samples from our website.

In what ways do the theme or style of a kitchen influence the countertops you choose?

DYANI: It's everything. First of all, it's a major price investment and then so much of the square footage is your countertops. So, it's everything. It's a concert with cabinetry and countertops being equal in how important they are.

Contrast. When is best to go bold with your countertops choice and when should you be understated?

DYANI: I think some of it is how long are you plan to stay in the home. If you're thinking about resale then you are probably not going as bold. But if it's your dream home and dream kitchen, then it doesn't matter as long as you're selecting something you're not going to get tired of. I think that's the biggest thing when you make a bold statement with anything. Because it's a major financial investment you don't want to go trendy. Useless money isn't an object for your and you can change it out in five years. But most people are going to live with it for a really long time so you don't want something you're going to get tired of.

We talked previously about other design elements like your hood and backsplash. How do other materials like appliances, flooring, etc… effect making your countertop decision?

DYANI: I think flooring can impact it, especially if you're going for a certain look. Typically, appliances and flooring are more of a neutral and they have less of an impact on that decision than tile and cabinet colors.

Are there any basic tips and tricks homeowners can keep mind when they are going out to look for their countertops and thinking about the connection with their white kitchen?

DYANI: Really think about how you're going to use the space. Because a lot of your countertop selection is going to be based on how you use your kitchen. Different materials respond differently. If this is a beautiful kitchen that is a showcase kitchen and that's it's only function you have a lot more options. If it's going to be used a lot you need a more durable finish. A quartz is going to hold up better to a professional kitchen. If you're a cook, a baker, you have a ton of kids those kinds of surfaces are going to hold up better compared to natural elements like marble. Both marble and granite can also crack. I think the function needs to be thought about before design. Then that leads you naturally into you design once you've made those decisions.